South Africa: DPSA concerned about threats levelled against the DG in The Presidency The Department of Public Service and Administration has expressed concern in the wake of threats levelled against the Director General in The Presidency, Phindile Baleni. Baleni, who coordinates Government's efforts to act against corruption was recently threatened for doing this work. The Department has said public servants have a duty to uphold the values espoused by the Constitution and as such to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. This means that public servants always have to consider to do what is right, even when no one is looking. It also means public servants have to report all observed fraud, corruption, nepotism, maladministration and any other act, which constitutes a contravention of any law, as this is required in terms of Regulations 13(e) and 14(q)) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016. At times this may be uncomfortable, or sometimes even dangerous. The DPSA is therefore applauding public servants who report that which they observed to be wrong at their workplaces. The DPSA said in support of those brave public servants who take the Constitution seriously, Heads of Department are reminded of their duty to adopt a reporting policy and reporting mechanisms, as is required in terms of the Public Service Regulations, 2016, and the Protected Disclosures Act, 2000 (Act No 26 of 2000). The levelling of threats against and attacks on public servants exposing wrong-doing is condemned in the most serious way, the department said in a statement. The Guide on the reporting of Unethical Conduct, Corruption and Non-Compliance in the Public Service (2018) provides more information in this regard, especially about the duty to ensure confidential reporting and to protect employees who are threatened after reporting. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-06-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Vietnam seeks to send more guestworkers to Hungary Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan recently had a meeting with Juhas Csongor, general director of Prohuman Company (Hungary) to discuss the possibility of bringing Vietnamese workers to Hungary. Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan (L) expects to expand labour cooperation between Vietnam and Hungary during a recent meeting with Juhas Csongor, general director of Hungary's Prohuman Company. (Photo: MOLISA) During the meeting, Hoan affirmed that the Vietnamese Government cares and introduces preferential policies to support its citizens in working abroad under labour contracts. Currently, Vietnamese workers are being accepted by many European countries such as Germany, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria to work as technical workers, nurses, and orderlies. For the Hungarian market, we support businesses in expanding and signing contracts with their partners to send workers to Hungary, said Hoan. Up to now, 16 Vietnamese enterprises have been licensed to send Vietnamese labourers to work in Hungary. Nearly 1,100 out of more than 2,500 applicants have left for work in the Central European nation in the fields of agriculture, food processing, and construction. They all have good incomes and enjoy social welfare regimes in their host country. To increase the number of Vietnamese people going to work in Hungary, Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan said his ministry has asked its Department of Overseas Labour Management to direct licensed enterprises to ensure the recruitment and training of workers before leaving the country. He also revealed that Vietnam and Hungary are now working on a labour cooperation agreement to be signed in the near future. Juhas Csongor, general director of Prohuman, noted Hungary is experiencing a period of population aging and it therefore desires to receive skilled foreign workers, especially in the fields of agriculture and industry. Currently, Hungary has agreed to quickly issue foreign worker visas to nine countries and Vietnam is at the top of the list, he informed. He praised Vietnamese workers for their hard work and rule obedience, and hoped more Vietnamese workers would be accepted in Hungary in future. Prohuman is one of the reputable human resource recruitment agencies in Hungary, which is seeking to receive a large number of Vietnamese workers to come and work in the country. Every year, Prohuman receives and manages about 24,000 employees throughout Central Europe. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. World Museum of Mining celebrates Miners' Union Day on Saturday, June 11, with free admission and reduced rate underground tickets. The Beach Bob and A Snack Attack vendors will be on site for those craving kabobs or ice cream. Bill Rossiter will present "My Sweetheart's a Mule in the Mine in the Mine" at 11 a.m. Purchasing tickets in advance for the underground tour at www.miningmusuem.org is highly recommended. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Rossiters conversation My Sweetheart's a Mule in the Mine is free and open to the public. Funding for the Montana Conversations program is provided by Humanities Montana through grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Montanas Cultural Trust, and private donations. Rossiter spent 10 years as an actor, club and coffeehouse entertainer during the 1960s and early 1970s before going on to teach literature and folklore for 25 years. He chaired the Humanities Division at Kalispells Flathead Valley Community College before retiring in 1999. In 2015 he received the Governors Award for Service to the Humanities in Montana. Since about 1980 he has traveled throughout the Northwest, presenting songs and stories from various eras of American history, as well as teaching elderhostels and short courses for teachers on the use of folklore in the classroom. Rossiter has a large repertoire of roots music, and has performed for western and heritage museums, arts and cultural centers, town festivals, and library series. He has performed and written music for theater and public television. He recently traveled throughout Idaho and Montana with the Smithsonian Institutions traveling exhibits, Barn Again!, Key Ingredients and New Harmonies. Rossiter makes use of his background in folklore and literature to adapt and create presentations for specific groups and themes, and often writes a song for the sponsoring group or occasion. For more information, contact the Museum at 406-723-7211. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As is the case during runoff season, fluctuating water levels can send anglers scrambling for a Plan B or Plan C depending on flows and conditions. The top picks on Monday or Tuesday can change before weeks end. So be sure to check in with local tackle shops for advice before setting any plans in stone. Bass, trout or walleye fishing in lakes and reservoirs will be a nice fallback option if your favorite river or stream is still blown out. Once conditions stabilize and depending on which region you'll be fishing, the highly anticipated salmonfly hatch will hopefully live up to the hype as hungry trout craving protein have been known to aggressively take these large bugs. Top picks Beaverhead River From Grasshopper to the dam, fishing continues to be excellent for both wading and drift boats. Patterns like psycho mays in brown or olive, sow bugs in all colors, and aquatic worms have been fishing best. The usual Perdigons and sunkists are working as well. Water temps should be warming during coming days and things should begin to shift toward a summertime routine with hatches and fish more spread out. Frontier Anglers, Dillon. Lake Koocanusa The rainbow trout fishing is great, with some larger models to boot. Most fish range in weight from 1 to 8 pounds. Anglers are getting bit trolling double-hook streamers or black and silver plugs. The kokanee fishing is slow due to the colder-than-normal water temperature. Koocanusa Resort and Marina, Libby. Nelson Reservoir Water levels are expected to rise during the coming days, but in the meantime walleye fishing has been excellent. Limits have been common with anglers using the tried and true methods of trolling bottom bouncers and crank baits. Night crawlers have also been producing. Hardware Hank, Malta. Noxon Rapids Reservoir The bass fishing is excellent. During a recent tournament, landing a 4-pound-plus largemouth was a common occurrence. You don't need tournament-level experience to get bit, though. Novice anglers are also having success with night crawlers and spinners. Water temps range from about 55-59 degrees, and runoff has reduced the clarity to about 2-4 feet. Large and smallmouth bass are moving into their pre-spawn and spawning patterns and being caught in flooded timber. Pike are being pulled out of weed beds and shallow coves and creeks. Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout are being caught in feeder creeks using inline spinners. Walleye are still being caught on deep-diving crankbaits, and perch are biting near shallow stumps next to banks and coves. As a good rule of thumb, most fish are moving into the shallows as spring progresses and water levels rise. Lakeside Motel and Resort. Around Montana Ackley Lake Trout have been on the chew as anglers have had success using salmon eggs and crawlers. Sport Center, Lewistown. Big Hole River Water levels have been rising over the past several days due to the rainfall. Fishing will be a little more difficult until the fish acclimate to the new water levels and temps. The usual suspects have been producing: Pats rubber legs, San Juan worms, lightning bugs and bright-colored streamers fished near the bank. Try to focus on any slack water, inside seams and softer water habitat where the fish can seek refuge from the current. There will be a few Mothers Day caddis and blue-winged olives around, but everybodys anxiously awaiting the arrival of the salmonflies. The StoneFly Fly Shop, Butte. Bighorn River Once flows stabilize (4,000 CFS as of Tuesday), the excellent fishing on rainbow and brown trout is expected to pick up where it left off. Fish have been taking orange scuds, wire and squirmy worms, LBFs, quills and small Perdigons. While there has been plenty of baetis and midges coming off the water, dry fly fishing might be on the slower side. Bighorn Angler, Fort Smith. Bitterroot River As is a common theme across the state this week, water levels are going up and down and its pretty muddy. Levels will continue to fluctuate, so anglers are advised not to fish in these conditions. Wait for the water to clear up and it will fish. Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula. Blackfoot River The water is big and dirty. When the river is fishable, be ready for salmonflies! Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula. Boulder River Runoff season has made for high, muddy water with poor fishing. Sweetcast Angler, Big Timber. Canyon Ferry Reservoir The best action is from the Silos to the Ponds for both rainbows and walleyes. Rainbows are being caught out from the Silos on spoons, cowbells or crankbaits. The walleye action is picking up around the Silos and from Duck Creek to Pond 1 while using crankbaits or bottom bouncers with a worm. Mid-reservoir and the north end is not producing many fish. The water level is rising and a lot of anglers are getting out. Boats can be launched at Broadwater Bay, Goose Bay, Duck Creek and Chinamens. FWP, Helena. Clark Canyon Reservoir Less-than-optimal weather and conditions have deterred most anglers. Check back next week. Frontier Anglers, Dillon. Clark Fork River, Missoula Big, muddy and to be avoided. Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula. Cooney Reservoir Water is going over the spillway and is off-colored due to the recent rains and runoff. The trout bite has been good from both boats and shore. Worms and Powerbait have been the most productive. Perch and walleye are just starting to bite with leaches or worms under a slip bobber being the go-to method for perch. The walleye are taking Rapalas and soft plastics in shallow water during early mornings and late evenings. Cooney State Park. Deadmans Basin Plenty of customers have been dropping by to purchase worms, but they havent circled back to give a report. Conditions would suggest that fish are around and biting. Cozy Corner Bar, Lavina. Echo Lake This body of water has become one of the most popular fisheries in the area. Anglers will have a shot at an array of species, such as large and smallmouth bass, crappie, perch, kokanee, rainbows, brookies and pike pushing 20 pounds. Kokanee are being caught in deeper water with jigging and trolling being the go-to methods. Maggots will consistently attract hungry kokanee, especially when using a multi-hook rig capable of presenting bait or a lure in two or more different water columns. Crappie tubes and night crawlers are working well for crappie. If youre looking for a trophy, the pike will chase flutter spoons, a smelt under a bobber or a smelt laying on the bottom. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Flathead Lake (North) If youre looking for lake trout, the north end of Flathead is better than the southern end. If youre out there on the right day, you can get a few but the bite isnt what it once was due to the fishing pressure. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Flathead Lake (South) Due to heavy gillnetting, the lake trout population has substantially thinned out in this area. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Flathead River, above the lake Fishing here is not recommended due to heavy runoff. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Flathead River, below Kerr Dam See above. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Fort Peck Reservoir, dam area The weather wasnt conducive to catching last weekend but the fish are there. With better conditions on the horizon the bite is expected to pick up. Walleye, pike, lake trout and even a few salmon have been on the menu lately. Jigs, minnows and plastics have been the ticket for walleye. Crank baits and crawler harnesses have also been effective. The salmon bites have come by accident with anglers targeting walleye using deep-diving crankbaits. Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop. Fort Peck Reservoir, Fourchette Bay Fishing has been OK, but the not-so-distant future boasts some optimism. Walleye are expected to be upriver, coming through the narrows during the next week or two. Hardware Hank, Malta. Gallatin River More run off, anyone? The Gallatin is high and muddy. We should see a rising trend over the next week. This probably isn't the best place to head at the moment. If its your only option, head way up toward the park. This water is a little clearer and little more manageable on foot. Larger patterns. Like Pats Rubberlegs and worms, will tend to produce more fish because the fish will actually be able to see the bugs. Dry flies will probably not be around unless you are near the park during the afternoon. Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman. Georgetown Lake Fishing sub-surface with midge imitations or balance leeches during mid-morning and mid-afternoon will be the ticket until the calibaetis show up. Slowly stripping a balance leech, believe it or not, has also been a productive strategy. There are fish trying to spawn, so look for the fish that have dropped back to slightly deeper water. Theyre very, very hungry. Check the FWP Regulations for the closure on the SE shoreline. Do not fish that area; it is illegal. It will open July 1. Flint Creek Outdoors, Philipsburg. Glacier National Park Middle Two Medicine, Lake McDonald and Avalanche Lake are fishable. The hike-in lakes off Going-To-The-Sun-Road are not accessible due to snowpack. Middle Two Medicine is fishing very well. Hot flies during this time of year are usually egg-sucking leaches, renegades, prince nymphs, parachute Adams and grey wolfs. Add a zebra midge to your shopping list as well if you head to Middle Two Medicine. Spin fisherman can put those flies behind a casting bobber. They can also cast a spoon. Three-quarter ounce to an ounce will be needed to cast out far enough and fish the appropriate 10-12-foot depth. The rivers are blown out. Mosquitos are also out so bring the bug spray. Arends Fly Shop, Columbia Falls. Hauser Reservoir Rainbow trout continue to be picked up near Riverside Campground, the Causeway and Black Sandy while using Power Bait, plain crawlers or casting spoons. Trolling cowbells and wedding ring combos or crankbaits out from Black Sandy, White Sandy, Devils Elbow and York Bridge is also producing good numbers. A few walleye and perch continue to be picked up in Lake Helena and the Causeway Arm while trolling crankbaits or bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses. FWP, Helena. Holter Reservoir Anglers are picking up rainbows using floating jigs and crawlers, various flies, Power Bait or spoons near the Gates of the Mountains, Holter Lake Campground and Departure Point. Good numbers are also being found between Split Rock and the Dam while pulling cowbells and spinner combos or various crankbaits. Walleye and perch continue to show up just inside the canyon near the Gates of the Mountains, near Cottonwood Creek and around most of the public boat docks on the lower end of the reservoir, while trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses or pitching jigs tipped with crawlers. FWP, Helena. Lake Mary Ronan Both perch and kokanee are on the chew. There are some pike mixed in as well. Traditional methods like jigging will get perch to bite. Successful kokanee anglers will be fishing deeper water working multiple water columns until they find where exactly the fish are hanging out that day. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Madison River, Lower Flows have been increased to simulate run off and water temps are in the low 50's. BWO's, caddis and the occasional yellow sally are out and about. Fish have been starting to hit Chubbies so don't forget those at home. Depending on time of day and conditions, you can bet on some kind of surface action. Subsurface can still be a productive option with a variety of things working such as a crayfish, worms, eggs, BWO nymphs, caddis emergers, yellow sally nymphs, Perdigons and scuds. If you're on the river early enough and don't see much action, throw a streamer until things heat up and fish become more active. Check the flows before you go and be wary of changing conditions. Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman. Madison River, Upper Mud everywhere, especially below the West Fork. Both Cabin Creek and the West Fork are pumping mud into the river on and off depending on the weather. Moving fast and covering a lot of water usually produces best, although for some holes it's smart to work through them slowly. For sub-surface, use a rubberlegs or worms with something small and flashy trailing. The fish don't seem to be too particular yet with dry flies. Anything rising will usually eat any midge or beatis passing by. Streamers are a great choice right now, so make sure to work the undercut banks as much as the big holes. Fishing between the lakes isn't recommended as the low flows are already putting enough pressure on the spawning fish. Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman. Missouri River, below Holter Normally the Mo is a reliable safe haven while other bodies of water are unfishable during runoff. However due to recent dam restoration, the flows have prevented much by way of a bite. Once flows stabilize again, anything in the PMD arena dry or wet should work just fine. For nymphs, flashback gunner in about a 16 or a trench Perdigon will do the trick. For swinging streamers, perch patterns in a size 4 or a thin mint in a size 8 have been reliable. Anglers can also expect quite a bit of boat traffic. Montana Fly Goods, Helena. Missouri River, Fort Benton Water levels are low and the fishing is slow. The reservoirs in the area are experiencing similar conditions. Anglers itching to get out will have to be patient until conditions become more inviting. Roberts Bait & Tackle, Great Falls. Pablo Reservoir One group reportedly caught some largemouth bass in the 4-8 pound range, but did they not provide details beyond that. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Rock Creek (West) Rock Creek is big and dirty, but fishable. No Salmonflies just yet, but any day now we will start to see them. Salmonfly nymphs and San Juan worms are the key right now. Look for any place the water slows down and youll find fish. Wading conditions arent ideal at the moment. Stick to walking the banks and be ready to move a lot to find slow water. If youre floating, be careful out there. The Creek is moving fast and if you arent and experienced rower, sit this one out. Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula. South Fork of the Flathead River To be avoided during runoff, which will hopefully subside toward the end of June. Arends Fly Shop, Columbia Falls. Spring Creek Its fishing well and with subsurface especially productive. Various nymphs and streamers have been doing the job. Sport Center, Lewistown. Stillwater River Fishing the Stillwater is not recommended during runoff, which will continue for most of June. East Rosebud Fly Shop, Columbus. Swan Lake Runoff has turned off the bite. Within the next two weeks as water levels recede, Swan will be a popular lake trout destination. Zimmer Bait and Tackle, Pablo. Upper Clark Fork Fishing has been up and down with the fluctuation of flows recently. By and large its still a subsurface game as well. On the upper stretches, scuds, small pheasant tails, San Juan worms and hares ears have all been productive. As you move downstream, add a stonefly nymph or two. Streamer fishing has been good as well. The StoneFly Fly Shop, Butte. Yellowstone River, Big Timber Big, high and brown water. Fishing is poor at the moment. Sweetcast Angler, Big Timber. Yellowstone River, Livingston The Stone is high and dirty. It is currently sitting at 14,200 CFS. Expect it to keep going up with warm weather in the forecast. Keep an eye on the flow. If you are forced to head this way, try a big black stonefly and a big chunky soft hackle right in the soft water on the bank. Streamers can also be a great option because of the large presentation. Olive and black colors will work best in the muddy water. Montana Troutfitters, Bozeman. Matthew Kiewiet is the managing editor for the Montana Standard and writer for frontpagebets.com. Email him at matthew.kiewiet@mtstandard.com or follow him on Twitter @mattkiewiet406. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. This month marks the 116th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, which authorized presidents to protect public lands as national monuments. Conservation champion President Teddy Roosevelt signed the historic act into law and designated 18 national monuments across the country. Since then, presidents from both parties have successfully deployed it throughout our nations history. As we recognize the 116th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, its stunning to see its wisdom unfold before us. Today, were seeing the pressures of westward expansion in a new wave in Montana. A recent poll released by the University of Montana shows the clear nexus of pressures from development and strong bipartisan support for conservation. Among a number of issues polled, the use of the Antiquities Act by presidents (of both parties) to declare national monuments was the most bipartisan issue surveyed more than two-thirds of those surveyed support its use to protect existing public lands. In other words, Teddy Roosevelts wisdom remains a compass, especially for Westerners seeking a path forward in light of post-pandemic growth. In Montana, the Antiquities Act has been deployed several times to help protect public lands of national, cultural and historical note. Pompeys Pillar stands nearly 200 feet above the Yellowstone River and was designated a national monument in 2001. Thanks to the designation, numerous Native American petroglyphs as well as notable marks from history such as the signature of William Clark that are embedded in the sandstone remain protected. The Little Bighorn Battlefield in southeastern Montana memorializes one of the most famous battles in U.S. and Native American history, where General Custer lost his life in attempting to gain military control over the Lakota and Cheyenne tribes who refused to live within the boundaries of the Great Sioux Reservation The Upper Missouri River Breaks was designated a monument in 2001 and covers 149 miles of the River in central Montana where you can float, hike, hunt and fish. While there is evidence of old homesteads and some ranching and farming activities, this section of the river has remained largely unchanged since Lewis and Clarks described it as they passed through on their way to the Pacific in 1805. We call on our elected leaders to respond to the waves of expansion and the heightened pressure facing our sacred public lands by working with presidents, current and future, to deploy the Antiquities Act to better protect special places in Montana. Its depth of bipartisan support echoes Teddy Roosevelts great call to action: I want to ask you to do one thing in connection with it in your own interest, and in the interest of the country to keep this great wonder of nature as it now is. Megan Staats lives in Rock Creek where her family runs a small fly fishing business. Megan is a mother, runner and angler. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Former Spanish consul of Finland arrested over Europes largest khat narcotics seizure Drugs with a street value of 61 million euros were discovered in the Port of Barcelona The Guardia Civil this week raided several premises around the Port of Barcelona and seized 3.2 tonnes of khat or catonine with an estimated street value of 61 million euros, the largest discovery of this drug ever in Europe. So far, sources have only alluded to one arrest: that of businessman Albert Ginjaume, a former honorary consul general of Finland in Spain. According to the alleged official sources, Ginjaume has been named as a member of the narcotics organisation which shipped khat a drug obtained from a bush mostly found in Africa and southern Arabia into the European Union. Synthetic khat is a stimulant that is consumed by chewing the leaves of the plant or infused and while it is widely used in its pure form, mixing the substance with non-organic materials can be deadly. The Guardia Civil has celebrated this massive seizure of the drug as "a major blow to its supply in the rest of Europe. Officers arrested Ginjaume in Barcelona but the other supposed gang members are yet to be traced. The businessman worked as consul general in Spain until February 2018 when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested his dismissal after he was found to be distributing Catalan pro-independence information. Shortly after the news broke of his arrest, Ginjaume himself issued a statement denying that he is being detained, insisting that he has nothing to do with the narcotics operation. "I reserve all actions that are appropriate by law for compensation for damages, including damage to the honour that this situation causes me or may cause me," he said, adding that he will not comment further on the matter other than in court. Images: Guardia Civil Suspected terrorist arrested in Barcelona linked to 2020 Charlie Hebdo Paris attack A total of 15 people have been arrested between Spain and Italy in a coordinated terrorist round-up Police in Police in Barcelona have arrested a suspect wanted in Italy in connection with the September 2020 attack in Paris near the former headquarters of the infamous satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. The suspect had a European Arrest and Surrender Order (OEDE) in force for terrorist activities in Italy and the arrest was carried out in the Spanish town of Hospitalet de Llobregat in a coordinated operation with the Giudiziaria di Genova, who picked up 14 other suspects. The investigation, run by the Italian DCPP anti-terrorism Della Polizia di Stato, identified the detainees as members of a terrorist cell calling itself Gruppo Gabar, a faction with close links to extremist groups in Pakistan and known to the 27-year-old terrorist who carried out a knife attack on the streets of Paris two years ago. The 2020 attack coincided with the trial of two masked terrorists who murdered 17 people and injured many more during a three-day terrorist massacre in the French capital in January 2015. Twelve of the victims were killed when the Kouachi brothers forced their way into the Charlie Hebdo offices and gunned down staff during an editorial meeting, and the attacks ended in a siege at a kosher supermarket two days later. The Charlie Hebdo magazine caused outrage across the Muslim world for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Image: Policia Nacional WEST LIBERTY For three days the 2022 WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade will bring hundreds of tractors from all across the country to Muscatine County where drivers will tour nearby areas. Matt Kenney, event manager of Tractorcade said the gathering, which is marking its 23rd year, began from the agricultural department at the eastern Iowa agricultural radio station WMT. The event moves to a different location every year. We had never been to the fairgrounds in West Liberty before, Kenney said. The event, which usually involves over 400 tractors with drivers and their families from all over the country, will be at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds. During the day the tractors will leave the fairgrounds to visit various area locations and return to the fairgrounds in the evening. Check in at the fairground is Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tractors will be staged similar to a tractor show as they arrive. Lunch and dinner will be served and the Riverbottom Ramblers will perform between 1 and 4 p.m. Its free to come and look at the tractors, Kenney said. These guys love to show off their old iron. The Tractorcade will leave the fairground between 6:45 and 11 a.m. Monday. The tractors will make a pit stop at the Lone Tree American Legion hall and continue to Conesville for lunch at the Louisa County Fairgrounds. An afternoon pit stop will be made at the Ardon Creek Winery and the line of tractors will pass through Cranston on the way back to the fairgrounds. The tractors will travel to Winton, Tuesday, with a stop at St. Marys Catholic Church. The tractors will pass through Durant and Sunbury before having lunch at Bennett Elementary. Their route includes driving through Tipton for a pit stop at Cove Equipment then Moscow and Atalyssa before returning to the fairgrounds. On Wednesday, the Tractorcade will depart the fairground around 7 a.m. and pass through Downey, West branch and Cedar Bluff before a pit stop at Buchanan House Winery. The group will return to the fairgrounds for lunch before the event adjourns. Well get people just pull up a chair in their front yard as the tractors parade by, Kenney said. The tractors are only going 10 to 15 mph so its like a parade. Some people will pull their old iron out of a storage shed and park them along the route. We have had people buy, sell, and trade tractors as a result of this and that. Its a fun time. The events on the fairgrounds are open to the public. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 WEST LIBERTY After a contentious beginning of the West Liberty City Council meeting Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to approve a letter of commitment to move forward on a 28E agreement with the West Liberty Fire Department and the West Liberty Rural Fire and EMS District on or before Oct. 1. Mayor Katherine McCullough called the commitment a necessary step, saying it will give the city needed time to move forward toward the goal. During the public comment section of the meeting, several people spoke in favor of the fire department and made comments that the city council seemed to not be willing to negotiate. Several council members responded to the comments, claiming the fire department was not giving any leeway. It takes two to tango, council member Jose Zacarias commented. He also said that the fire department had saved his house in the past and he was grateful, but felt the department was not willing to give anything in negotiations with the city. With the letter of agreement approved, the council will begin negotiations on a memo of understanding the fire department gave to the council. McCullough said there are three issues in the memo the council cant legally agree to. She said the letter has no demands other than to work together and it had been approved by the citys legal department. The letter gives the city until Oct. 1 to work the issues out with the department. The fire department remained in service Wednesday. Previously the department had said if the council did not seem to be moving toward a 28E agreement with them and the rural district by the June 7 meeting, it would cease responding to calls inside the city. Not signing this, not giving our volunteers the time to work through Oct. 1 puts this city in danger, McCullough said. I have been very guarded using that term and I do not use that term lightly. She strongly encouraged the council to approve the letter, saying there is no second option. McCullough also said that city manager David Haugland did not have a comprehensive and cohesive backup plan for fire service in the city if the department ceased operations. The city had discussed relying on mutual aid. She said she was not included in the planning and did not know how mutual aid would work. The tentative plan indicated an interim fire chief was needed for the plan to work, and a possible candidate had backed out before the meeting. The sides have been at odds since three years ago when the city alleged the 28E agreement that formed the fire district had expired. During negotiations for a new agreement the rural fire district asked for an audit of the money used by the department. The former West Liberty mayor refused and said the 28E had expired and the city was out of it. In late 2021, the rural fire district filed suit against the city of West Liberty to continue to have fire service. In March, the department announced its intent to stop serving the city, claiming the city undermined its efforts. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 The state-run Glenwood Resource Center is scheduled to close in 2024. (Photo via Google Earth) A 30-year-old resident of the state-run Glenwood Resource Center for individuals with disabilities died of acute dehydration after facility staff failed to monitor his fluid intake, state inspectors allege. The center, which has a long history of care issues and is scheduled to close in 2024, has been fined $10,000 by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. According to state records, the resident who died had a profound intellectual disability as well as cerebral palsy. He was hospitalized for eight days in November 2021 due to dehydration and a resulting acute kidney injury. Upon discharge, the residents doctored order the man to receive a minimum of 2,000 milliliters of fluid about 68 ounces per day while at Glenwood. On Jan. 10, the order was increased to 3,000 milliliters, or 101 ounces, per day, with the understanding that if the goal was not met, a nurse would be notified so fluids could be provided through a tube. The residents medical records indicate the resident received less than the prescribed 3,000 milliliters on nine of 15 days in February, with no supplemental fluids provided via tube as planned. On Feb. 16, a worker at the center ordered a set of labs to be taken to evaluate the man for possible acute dehydration, a urinary tract infection and cardiac arrhythmia, then had the resident taken by ambulance to a hospital. Two days later, the man died at the hospital after being diagnosed with severe hypernatremia a high concentration of sodium in the blood and acute kidney failure and a urinary tract infection, all of which can result from acute dehydration. Inspectors determined there was a lack of training at Glenwood to ensure the staff looked to the proper documents to determine a residents care plan and then followed through on that plan. In January, Glenwood was fined $2,750 after an incident in which a worked allegedly yelled at a resident and shoved a plate in the residents face. In May 2021, Glenwood was fined $2,750 for failing to employ sufficient staff to manage and supervise residents. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a two-part investigation into the Glenwood and its sister facility, the Woodward Resource Center, focusing on quality of care and the states over-reliance on institutional settings for serving people with disabilities. In December 2020, the DOJ released a report that concluded the state of Iowa had subjected Glenwood residents to unreasonable harm through uncontrolled and unsupervised physical and behavioral experiments and through inadequate physical and behavioral health care. The decline in care at Glenwood, the DOJ reported, was facilitated by a DHS Central Office that was unwilling, unable, or both, to recognize and address the problem. Court records indicate a former Glenwood superintendent, Jerry Rea, authorized and conducted research experiments on residents involving sexual arousal and that he did so without the residents permission. Rea was fired in late 2019. The records were tied to lawsuits filed by former staffers of both the Iowa Department of Human Services and Glenwood. In April, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced plans to close Glenwood in 2024, having concluded that the state cannot meet the DOJs expectations for resident services. Iowans with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve quality care that aligns with the expectations of the DOJ, Reynolds said in April. Our best path forward to achieve those standards is closing GRC and reinvesting in a community-based care continuum that offers a broad array of services. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on iowacapitaldispatch.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. MyBroadband has tested how much data Disney+ consumes in South Africa and found that the video streaming services Data Saver mode does not work. We previously tested the data consumption of various streaming services in South Africa. To ensure our results were comparable, we used the same setup as before streaming through Google Chrome on a Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 with a 24961664 display. For our first test, we streamed two hours of The Book of Boba Fett using the default auto setting. We recorded the data consumption using Glasswire, and the 2 hours of streaming consumed 1.2 GB of data. The highest resolution we could set the stream to was full HD 1080p. However, given the amount of data used compared to services like Showmax that features 720p content, auto on Disney+ seems to default to 720p. We then set the streaming quality to the lowest option, where it does not give a resolution, but only states Data saver. After streaming another two hours we found that Disney+ had consumed another 1.2 GB exactly the same as before. To try and verify our results, we streamed for two hours on the HD (720p) setting, which is between the low and full HD settings. Once again, it used 1.2 GB. While this is a reasonable data consumption for 720p HD Ready content, some users may want to stream using capped mobile data plans. For them, Data Saver mode is an essential feature. When we tested data saving settings on other prominent streaming services, DStv went as low as 258.5 MB for two hours of streaming in its 360p mode nearly 5 times less than Disney+ uses. This may be an issue that Disney+ is still working on, as we noticed many users reporting glitchy experiences after its South African launch. MyBroadband contacted The Walt Disney Company Africa for comment and it said it was investigating the issue. Streaming Data Use Compared Streaming Service Default Setting Data Used Lowest Setting Data Used Disney+ Auto 1.2 GB Low (Data Saver) 1.2 GB Netflix Auto 598.0 MB Low (0.3GB/H) 550.8 MB DStv Catch Up Highest 983.3 MB Low (360p) 258.5 MB Showmax Maximum 1.0 GB Low (0.3GB/H) 593.4 MB DStv Live Highest 1.1 GB Low (360p) 388.6 MB Prime Video Best (6.84GB/H) 7.4 GB Good (0.38GB/H) 575.8 MB Now read: DStv vs Openview vs StarSat decoder and dish price comparison The Napa County District Attorney's Office is weighing whether to pursue charges against the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after his recent arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, prosecutors announced. Paul Pelosi, 82, was detained on a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence after a two-car crash on the night of May 28 on Highway 29 in Oakville. He was booked into the Napa County jail early the next morning and released just over three hours later. A court date for Pelosi has been scheduled for Aug. 3 in Napa County Superior Court, the office of District Attorney Allison Haley said in a news release Thursday. If criminal charges are filed, Mr. Pelosi would be arraigned at that time, the statement read. The case is currently under review to decide what, if any, charges will be filed against Mr. Pelosi. This is standard protocol for any DUI case that is referred by a law enforcement agency in Napa County. No decision has been made at this time; any speculation to the contrary is incorrect, the District Attorneys Office stated. Earlier, the California Highway Patrol reported that Pelosi was driving a 2021 Porsche east on Walnut Lane across Highway 29 when his car was struck by a 2014 Jeep. Neither Pelosi nor the other motorist, a 48-year-old Calistoga man, was injured. Pelosi was leaving an Oakville dinner party and was headed to the couple's St. Helena-area home at the time of the collision, his spokesperson Larry Kamer said in a statement issued to SFGate at the time. Nancy Pelosi was not with her husband the weekend of the arrest but was instead in Providence, Rhode Island, where she gave the principal speech at Brown Universitys graduation and received an honorary degree from the Ivy League school. The House speaker has declined to comment about her husband's arrest to The New York Times, NBCs Bay Area affiliate KNTV Channel 11 and other media outlets. The Napa County District Attorneys Office said its recently been flooded with angry calls after right-wing media figures spread false rumors that the DUI charges against Pelosi had been dropped, as first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Those who fanned the flames of the false information on Twitter included Congresswoman Lauren Boebert and Donald Trump Jr. Henry Wofford, public information officer for the Napa County Sheriffs office which is working with the district attorney on the case said in an interview Friday that the office is used to dealing with inaccurate information and is happy to educate the public, but the volume of calls this week has been significantly higher than usual. Theres been bad information pushed out and sometimes the rumors can, they travel quickly on social media, Wofford said. If something doesnt sound right we encourage them to check out our social media web pages or give us a call to check whether its accurate or not. Wofford added that, based on the calls hes addressed, people are concerned whether Pelosi is getting preferential treatment. He said hes told them the sheriffs office isnt going to give him preferential treatment, but theyre also not going to treat him unfairly. Wofford added that since the sheriffs department wasnt the arresting agency for Pelosi, so information related to arrest reports, dashcam and body worn camera footage is in the possession of the California Highway Patrol. Additionally, because the Napa sheriffs office doesnt run the jail, Pelosis mugshot isnt their property to push out, Wofford said. Were here to serve the community and answer their questions and protect the community, were never going to be bothered or frustrated with the calls, but we do want people to realize if they hear a story and its not coming from an official source its probably best not to put 100% trust into it, Wofford said. Updated at 11:30 a.m. on 6/10/22. You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Edward Booth Napa City Government Reporter Follow Edward Booth 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 Updated at 6:17 p.m. Wednesday Firefighters battled a blaze that erupted at a service station near an Angwin intersection late Wednesday afternoon, authorities reported. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. The structure fire broke out at the Chevron at 111 Howell Mountain Road near College Avenue, the Angwin Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post. Flames were contained to the structure, and the fire posed no further threat to the community of Angwin, according to the agency. First responder scanner traffic indicated the blaze broke out shortly before 4:38 p.m. while a vehicle was being serviced at the Chevron, and that the flames were contained by about 5 p.m. The Napa County Office of Emergency Services issued a Nixle alert at 5:05 p.m. reporting a fire at a commercial building at the Howell Mountain-College intersection. Passers-by were asked to avoid the area to avoid interfering with first responders heading to the scene. You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com Geoff Belyea, currently the assistant fire chief of the American Canyon Fire Protection District, will take over as chief starting July 1. We are very pleased to appoint Geoff Belyea as our fire chief, effective July 1, said American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia, chair of the fire district board, at a Tuesday City Council meeting. American Canyon City Attorney William Ross announced the move to hire Belyea as chief at the meeting. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Belyea will succeed Mike Cahill, the current chief, who was drafted out of retirement in August 2020 to run the department as a retired annuitant. That means hes receiving retirement benefits from the California Public Employees Retirement System and is therefore limited in the number of hours he can work each year. Because of recent CalPERS regulations, Ross said, it became necessary for the city to modify its contract with Cahill so that his employment ends on June 30. Belyea joined the American Canyon Fire District in September 2021 as assistant fire chief, after resigning from his post as Napa County Fire chief, according to past Register reporting. Belyea started as a county volunteer firefighter in 1997, and served almost his entire 24-year career with Cal Fire with which Napa County contracts to run its fire department in the county. Garcia said in a news release that Belyea has "demonstrated natural leadership ability, excellent communication and immense technical expertise" during his time working for the fire district. You can reach Edward Booth at 707-256-2213. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Trying to turn vineyards into industrial land is a potentially controversial undertaking in agriculture-protecting Napa County, and thats proven to be the case with 157 acres near American Canyon wetlands. The owners of 1661 Green Island Road want adjacent American Canyon to annex their land so it can someday be developed. They say saline soils preclude continued operation of vineyards there. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Two things are needed for annexation. American Canyon must expand its voter-approved growth boundary. The landowners filed to circulate a petition in the city to create the necessary ballot measure. Also, Napa County's Local Agency Formation Commission must approve the annexation, one of the major powers of this low-profile county agency. On Monday, the landowner Green Island Vineyards LLC asked LAFCO to at least take a first step and declare the land a potential city annexation area. The commission unanimously declined to put the land into the city's sphere of influence. I think the preservation of agriculture is important enough to be worried about any potential precedent or slippery slope here," county Supervisor and LAFCO member Ryan Gregory said. But some LAFCO members seemed more amenable to putting the land in a future annexation area, even if they first want to see the results of the ballot initiative. It bothers me immensely when we talk about slippery slopes and precedent-setting here in terms of the Ag Preserve," former American Canyon City Councilmember Kenneth Leary said, referring to unincorporated areas where Napa County restricts development to protect farmland. "To me, it says we're not going to give up an inch of ag land, no matter what the cost, no matter what the need. All of that means that the debate is not settled, but rather will continue at some point. Green Island Vineyards was planted in 1997. The application to Napa County LAFCO lists Will Nord, Ed Farver and David Gilbreth as managers. This is a unique piece of land that should have belonged to American Canyon in the first place," said attorney Doug Straus on behalf of the applicants. "It belongs there now. The applicants said the irrigation water available is recycled water from American Canyon. This water contains salt and, with the clay soils on the Green Island property, salinity built up over the years. Gilbreth spoke of "salty dirt clods." Consultant Paul Anamosa talked of salinity putting vines into a "death spiral." Anamosa said perhaps the county grand jury should look into whether American Canyon should be selling its recycled water as suitable for agriculture. Farver said he and Nord have farmed in Napa County for decades. This particular property had 149 acres of vineyards, but vines withered. Today, 39 acres are planted and these will be removed. Applicants pointed to reports they had done that concluded salinity and economics make agriculture no longer viable on the land. The Napa County Farm Bureau, Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Winegrowers of Napa County submitted a joint letter to the commission opposing any immediate action to annex the land. They said wine grape growing isn't the only type of agriculture; for example, hay, oats and rye are crops that do well in high-salinity soils. "Moreover, it would present a very dangerous precedent in Napa County to approve sphere of influence amendments merely because an owner deems the property unfit for a specific crop return," they wrote. David Morrison, county director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services, spoke against having LAFCO put the land in American Canyon's sphere of influence at this time. Saying land isn't economically viable for farming is an argument used in California to allow urban sprawl, Morrison told the commission. Auto malls and other developments are more economically viable than farming on lands next to cities and then the circle keeps moving out and more farmland is developed. American Canyon resident Scott Thomason in a letter pointed out the property is near the American Canyon wetlands trail. Building winery warehouses on it would change the landscape of an area that attracts thousands of people each year, he said. The American Canyon City Council in April talked about possibly expanding city boundaries someday. Councilmember Mark Joseph saw the Green Island Vineyards annexation request as something he'd like to see looked at sooner rather than later. The county may not buy off on it, but from our point of view, its a no-brainer, Joseph said. However, the city in December sent a letter to LAFCO saying it takes "no position" on the Green Island Vineyards annexation request. The Green Island Vineyards owners could seek to develop the land as industrial in the unincorporated county without annexation to American Canyon. That would mean securing county permission. But then Napa County's agriculture-protecting Measure P would come into play. Measure P calls for a countywide vote to change agricultural land-use designations. LAFCO did grant one request from Green Island Vineyards LLC. It agreed to put the land into the sphere of influence for the American Canyon Fire Protection District. That involves providing firefighting and emergency medical services to the site. The fire district already has a mutual aid agreement with the Napa County Fire Department and has provided services to the area since 1957, a LAFCO report said. You can reach Barry Eberling at 707-256-2253 or beberling@napanews.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. According to information published by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam on June 7, 2022, the Royal Australian Navy's Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta arrived in Da Nang for her first port visit to Vietnam. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Parramatta (Picture source: Australian DFAT) HMAS Parramatta (IV) is the fifth of eight Anzac Class Frigates built for the Royal Australian Navy by Tenix Marine Systems, Williamstown, Victoria. The design is based on the German Meko 200 frigate. Parramatta is a long-range frigate capable of air defense, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance, and interdiction. Anzac's combat capabilities have been significantly improved under the Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade program, a world-class program that provides an enhanced sensor and weapons systems capability. The upgrade showcases Australian design and integration capability, with new Phased Array Radar technology designed by CEA Technologies in Canberra, upgrades to combat systems performed by Saab Systems in South Australia, and platform integration design by BAE Systems in Victoria. Parramatta is fitted with an advanced package of air and surface surveillance radars; omni-directional hull-mounted sonar and electronic support systems that interface with the state-of-the-art 9LV453 Mk3E combat data system. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels, and submarines. The ship's main armament comprises one Mark 45 capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship launched Mark 46 torpedoes, and a Mark 41 vertical launch system for the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile. Parramatta also has eight anti-ship/land-attack canister launched harpoon missiles. The ship's other defense systems include the Nulka active missile decoy system, offboard chaff, and a torpedo countermeasures system. Turkey rejects NATO invitations to trilateral talks with Finland, Sweden Armenias Pashinyan: Karabakh status is not goal but means to ensure security of its people Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: North-South corridor construction is necessary to ensure security of Iran, Armenia Dollar, euro rise in Armenia Armenia premier: Karabakh budget recorded unprecedented growth in 2021-2022 Starmus festival organizer: Im ready with pleasure to collaborate postgraduate students from Armenia Russia MFA: Moscow is ready to facilitate the commission meeting in the nearest future Armenia PM: After Common State idea, issue of exchanging territories appeared on negotiating table Macron: We will do everything to stop military forces of Russia In Kazakhstan, 26 people receive real sentences after January riots Fallen soldiers relatives continue their sit-in at downtown Yerevan Armenia parliament speaker is in Iran on official visit Armenia opposition movement participants reach Prosecutor General's Office building Armenia official: Russia considering possibility of setting up additional checkpoint near Upper Lars Infantino presents Armenia PM nominal T-shirt, nominal ball of 2022 FIFA World Cup (PHOTOS) Aliyev and Karen Donfried discuss normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia CSTO Committee of Secretaries to meet in Yerevan 16.8% of Armenia state budget expenditures in 2021 goes to defense sector Russia FM to pay working visit to Azerbaijan Armenia FM briefs Bulgarian MPs on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Russia considers Israeli strikes on Syrian territory unacceptable Expert: Armenia must increase country's attractiveness not only for IT specialists Krisp: Preconditions for technological boom have been created in Armenia Report: Key Indicators for Execution of State Budget of Armenia for 2021 North Korea spends $1,221 a minute on nuclear program, analysts estimate Armenia bloc MP: Let's gather in Vardanyan Park on Italy Street Synopsys Armenia: Countrys IT sector has shortage of 4,000 staff Three earthquakes hit Iran's Kish Island this morning Swiss airspace closes due to technical failure Conference held in occupied Armenian Shushi to mark anniversary of so-called 'Shushi Declaration' Armenia FM and Bulgarian NA Speaker discuss possibilities for deepening relations between two countries Newspaper: How was created the right picture from Pashinyan's visit to Ararat region? Prosecutor General of Armenia Artur Davtyan leaves for Russia Russia President to meet with Armenia President at SPIEF SPIEF kicks off in St. Petersburg Armen Avetisyan appointed as new General Director of Viva-MTS Armenian parliament discusses execution of 2021 state budget Global oil prices rise slightly Russia calls on Turkey to peacefully resolve situation in Syria Canada and Denmark settle territorial dispute WhatsApp makes it easier to switch from Android to iPhone Astronomers make most detailed map of Moon Company to pay $2,000 to volunteers to release 100 cockroaches into their home Hungary objects to introduction of global minimum tax in EU Resistance Movement members remove their tents from France Square Some European plants shut down due to skyrocketing global energy prices Erdogan: Turkey must defend its interests in space European leaders visit Israel hoping to reduce dependence on Russian gas Resistance movement to hold information march on Thursday and a rally on Saturday Resistance movement holds procession in Yerevan Slovak PM calls on Scholz to support Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova as EU candidates Armenia ex-President Kocharyan participates in Resistance movement rally German howitzers soon to be delivered to Ukraine Resistance Movement rally starts in Yerevan Turkey President meets with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Media revealed some details of opening of Armenian-Azerbaijani roads HYECoin, Inc. invites conversation among venture capitalist firms open to funding startup tech and crypto projects Three times vaccinated Lithuanian PM tests positive for Covid-19 Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Bulgaria discuss cooperation Austria to allocate 28 billion to compensate population for increased costs Dollar rises after long decline, euro continues to depreciate in Armenia Georgia prosecuting cartographers because of whom David Gareja monastery was to pass to Azerbaijan AraratBank Brings Apple Pay to Customers Moldova decides to analyze pros and cons of participation in CIS Court allows Armenia ex-deputy premier and now lawmaker Armen Gevorgyan to head for Strasbourg 2 people convicted in connection with 9 November 2020 night riots in Yerevan South Korea, US and Japan to conduct missile defense exercises in August in Hawaii Euronews: Forget France, as Armenia is hub of winemaking history Armenian village Norabak deprived of water supply after Azerbaijani invasion Armenia to join CIS agreement on use of military satellite communication systems Biden extends US sanctions regime against North Korea for another year Armenia FM, Bulgaria President discuss prospects for development of bilateral relations Armenian Shushi city of Artsakh to become venue for Azerbaijan conference on cooperation with Turkey Premier meets with Father Emir of Qatar, presents him Order of Friendship of Armenia State council for protection of cultural heritage of Karabakhs occupied territories holds first meeting Premier, Qatar Business Council members discuss implementation of investment programs in Armenia Armenia ex-President Kocharyan, former-deputy PM and now MP Gevorgyan trial to reconvene Armenia PM meets with Qatar FM David Babayan: Artsakh, Armenia are in difficult situation Driver of car that went onto tents at France Square in downtown Yerevan is apprehended Armenia FM meets with Bulgaria President Azerbaijan Security Council chief: Armenia opposition protesting against peace talks will not achieve its goal Armenia-France cooperation in defense sector is discussed Draft statement on Armenia-Azerbaijan, Armenia-Turkey relations not put on legislature agenda Armenia PM to Al Jazeera: We are currently in process of constructing very strategic highway Armenia premier to Al Jazeera: Wording about corridor is unacceptable, red line for us Armenias Pashinyan to Al Jazeera: It is our duty not to betray any of our partners World gold prices going down Armenia PM to Al Jazeera: 9 November 2020 statement does not address Karabakh issue Shootout occurs on Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border Armenia parliament convenes last 4-day sitting of current session Newspaper: What tactics has Armenia opposition developed? Newspaper: US embassy urges Armenia authorities to respect human rights World oil prices dropping Armenia opposition MP: Car drove onto tent where there were people at France Square Explosion at sodium bicarbonate plant in Iran: More than 100 casualties German finance minister does not rule out risk of stagflation Russian Ambassador: EU wants to seize initiative on normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations from Russia Macron: Defense industry cooperation in European Union must be strengthened Erdogan to declare at NATO summit that Turkey will not compromise on Sweden and Finland The Washington administration has never sought to sever relations with Riyadh, but only wanted to change them by noting the importance of respecting human rights in Saudi Arabia, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview with journalists broadcasting in Spanish division of the CNN television channel, the press service of the State Department reports. Well, just in the case of Saudi Arabia, what weve said from the start of the administration is that we sought to recalibrate not rupture, recalibrate our relationship with Saudi Arabia to make sure that it reflected, better than we thought it did in the past, our own interests and our own values. Part of that was putting human rights and freedom at the center of that relationship," he noted. Blinken recalled that the US authorities earlier, in particular, published a report on the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, and also took action against a number of Saudi officials involved in this. The US Secretary of State stated that relations between Washington and Riyadh affect many interests. "We try to make we try to account for all of them to best reflect our own interests and values. But the President has been very clear that whether its Saudi Arabia or other partners around the world, or whether its adversaries, we are going to make sure that human rights is fully reflected in our foreign policy," he added. Biden did not rule out last week that he would soon visit Saudi Arabia, but clarified that a final decision on this matter has not yet been made. Earlier, The New York Times reported on Biden's decision to visit Saudi Arabia in June and meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. According to the publication, the head of state intends to restore relations between the two countries, which deteriorated after the assassination of Khashoggi. As The New York Times reported, the visit, if it takes place, will be devoted to an attempt to reduce oil prices amid Washington's desire to isolate Russia because of the military operation in Ukraine. YEREVAN. Thursdays court hearing on the criminal case against third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Flash fuel company owner of Barsegh Beglaryan, and head of the Plant Breeding Department of the Ministry of Agriculture Gevorg Harutyunyan, was rescheduled on the grounds that the witnesses in the case did not appear in court. Witnesses Yeghishe Vardanyan and Sevan Kocharyan were to be questioned at this court session. The next court hearing was scheduled for July 7. Two other defendants in the caseSergo Karapetyan and Samvel Galstyanhave died as a result of the coronavirus. And the charges against Serzh Sargsyan are based on Sergo Karapetyan's testimony. According to the indictment of this criminal case, being organized by Sargsyan, pushed by Beglaryan, and assisted by former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Galstyan and Gevorg Harutyunyan, former Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan had squanderedfrom January 25 to February 7, 2013AMD 489,160,310 of subsidy allocated from the government's reserve fund for the 15,391,765 liters of diesel fuel that was used during the implementation of state assistance programs. Serzh Sargsyan has been charged under the Criminal Code article on large-scale embezzlement or squandering. The third president, however, does not accept the charge against him. And his lawyers state that this process as political persecution. One of the most important topics of discussion with Minister Lavrov was a possible document between Armenia and Azerbaijan, issues related to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated about this at Thursdays joint news conference following his meeting with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "I reaffirmed the readiness of the Armenian government to make efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. The key in this context is the addressing of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which will include ensuring the right of security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and all the rights and fundamental points of deciding the final status," Mirzoyan said. He recalled that the principles of the settlement were developed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, and said "we are interested in intensifying this structure endowed with an international mandate." The Armenian FM stressed the role of Russia in stopping Azerbaijan's military aggression against Artsakh, and the deployment of Russian peacekeepers as a factor in preventing provocations, ensuring the security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and creating conditions for returning to a normal life, ensuring security and stability. "Armenia continues to believe that the Russian peacekeeping mission is able to restore the status quo established by the November 9 [2020] statementas it was on March 23 of this year, which was violated on March 24 by the invasion of the village of Parukh in Karabakh by the Azerbaijani armed forces," said the Armenian FM, lauding Russia's efforts, including the most important issue of the return of the captured Armenians in Azerbaijan, in order to fulfill the provisions of the November 9 statement. The Armenian official noted that thanks to these efforts it became possible to return some of these captives to Armenia, but a year and a half later Azerbaijan, violating international humanitarian law, hinders the implementation of the provisions of the aforesaid statement and refuses to return the remaining Armenian captives and detainees. "We hope that the Russian side will make even greater efforts in this regard," Mirzoyan added. The FM stressed the importance of preserving the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan. "I emphasized that against the background of vandalism and distortion on belonging, the issue requires urgent international intervention. I have to note the rhetoric of Armenophobia, the ongoing provocations, and the regular violations of the ceasefire by the Azerbaijani leadership," Ararat Mirzoyan said. YEREVAN. - The High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia, Zareh Sinanyans visit to the US continues, Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. The High Commissioner officially visited Chicago for the first time. Mr. Sinanyan met the Honorary Consul Oscar Tatosian, who serves the states of Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. An active community leader and successful rug retailer, Mr. Tatosian comes from a family of oriental rug retailers in Chicago named Oscar Isberian Rugs which was established in 1920. Mr. Tatosian has played a significant role in introducing made in Armenia products into the Chicago market. Zareh Sinanyan also visited Yerevan Park, a park in downtown Chicago named for its Yerevan-Chicago benches. Then, the High Commissioner met with the Armenian youth of the Chicago area and learned of their educational and professional backgrounds and their work in the community. There, he presented our Offices programs, encouraging the youth to further engage with their homeland. Mr. Sinanyan highlighted the significance of the iGorts and the Diaspora Youth Ambassador programs, intended to increase the presence of Armenian specialists from the Diaspora working in the RAs public sector. The participants of the meeting showed great enthusiasm for the office's programs. During his next meeting, the High Commissioner met with Armenian-American community leaders, many of whom are lawyers, doctors, and members of the clergy. The meeting included an in-depth discussion of Armenia's political realities, the need for legislative reforms, and the Armenia-Diaspora agenda. Mr. Sinanyan thanked the community representatives for the great dialogue, cooperation, and continued commitment. The next day, High Commissioner Sinanyan attended Sunday mass at the St. James Armenian Church in Evanston, led by Reverend Father Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan. After the church service, a community meeting was held at the church hall where parishioners met with Mr. Sinanyan, were introduced to our Offices activities, and had the opportunity to ask him questions. Zareh Sinanyan emphasized the importance this church has played in preserving the strength of the community and cultivating Armenian identity and culture for more than 100 years. Later, the St. James Narek Bell Choir of the church performed for the guests. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called on Greece to abandon its policy of militarizing islands in the Aegean Sea, threatening retaliation. "Once again I call on Greece to give up its militarization of islands [in the Aegean Sea] and to abide by international agreements. I am not joking, I am speaking quite seriously," the Turkish leader said during the "Ephesus 2022" drills. "We met the provocations of Greece with cold blood. However, this patience of ours is misunderstood by our interlocutor. Make up your mind to Greece. Turkey will not hesitate to protect its rights when necessary," Erdogan said. He did not specify what kind of protection measures may be in question. Turkey and Greece, a NATO member, have repeatedly found themselves on the brink of a military conflict over the status of disputed islands in the Aegean Sea, the boundaries of territorial waters and airspace. On 31 May, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused Greece of violating the demilitarization status of islands in the Aegean Sea. According to him, Greece violated the islands' status and they should be demilitarized. Otherwise the issue of their belonging will be raised, he said. YEREVAN. President Alen Simonyan of the Republic of Armenia National Assembly (RA NA), who is in Strasbourg, France, on a working visit, on Thursday met with the Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). He lauded the key role of the Council of Europe and PACE and the effective continuity of the activities as a pillar of democratic security, a guarantor of human rights and rule of law, a platform of real versatility and effective dialogue, the NA informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.. The sides discussed the role of PACE in strengthening democracy in Armenia, particularly issues regarding the work of the Co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee. The RA NA President documented that after the 44-day war there are numerous unsolved problems, and the most urgent one is the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other held persons. He noted that this attempt of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict by force contradicts the commitment of Azerbaijans membership to the CoE on regulating the conflict exclusively in a peaceful way. In the RA NA Presidents opinion, PACE should pursue its resolution (Humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan/Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, September 27, 2021) on humanitarian consequences of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which related to the problems of Armenian prisoners of war, the humanitarian access in Artsakh, the preservation of Armenian spiritual historical-cultural heritage, the measures aimed at the stability of the situation on the borders and numerous other urgent issues. He once again documented the commitment of Armenia to the establishment of peace and making real efforts in that direction, which cannot be said about the Azerbaijani authorities, which until now pursue anti-Armenian and bellicose policy against Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received today the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov and the delegation headed by him, the press service of Armenia PM reported. In his welcoming remarks, Prime Minister Pashinyan, in particular, said, Dear Sergey Viktorovich, Welcome to the Republic of Armenia. I am very glad to see you. Russia and Armenia are strategic partners and allies and, of course, this assumes that the intensity of bilateral visits and contacts should be quite high, and we witness it. The agenda of our relations is very wide and multifaceted. These are related to both bilateral issues, and regional and international issues. I am glad that today we will have the opportunity to discuss a wide scope of issues related to our relations. At the moment, the main issue on our agenda is related to the regional situation, security, and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Of course, we are discussing this issue with Russia quite intensively, and other issues as well. For example, the opening of regional communications. The meeting of the trilateral working group headed by the Deputy Prime Ministers of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan took place recently in Moscow. I hope that in the near future we will be able to reach concrete agreements to resolve this issue of strategic importance for the benefit of the whole region, for the sake of stability and peace. The agenda of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is also very important. You know that the first meeting of the bilateral working commission on demarcation and delimitation of the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan took place recently. The second meeting is already planned to be held in Moscow, the third meeting will take place in Brussels. In this context, we expect the support of the Russian Federation for this process to take place and proceed in a normal way and to be effective. I would also like to mention the issue of the return of prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees who are still in Azerbaijan, contrary to the November 9, 2020 trilateral declaration. We expect the support of the Russian Federation in this matter as well, so that this humanitarian issue can finally be fully resolved. Welcome once again, I am sure we will have fruitful negotiations today. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, Dear Nikol Vovaevich, Thank you very much for the opportunity to meet with you during our full-up visit to the Republic of Armenia. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin conveys to you his warmest greetings and best wishes and reaffirms the commitment to all the agreements reached during your contacts, especially during your official visit to the Russian Federation in April this year. You also met in Moscow within the framework of the informal CSTO summit, you had many telephone conversations. We are committed to all the decisions aimed at deepening our strategic partnership, allied cooperation, and the strengthening of our bilateral relations in general. Today we discussed in detail with Ararat Samvelovich the tasks you have set for us at the highest level, I know that this work is one of the priorities within the Intergovernmental Economic Commission. But, undoubtedly, dear Nikol Vovaevich, as you mentioned, regional issues deserve special attention now. Implementation of the trilateral statements of November 2020, January and November 2021 is our priority. We interested that all the directions and actions set out there, aimed at the complete normalization of the situation in the region, the settlement of all issues, including humanitarian ones, to be resolved as soon as possible. As you mentioned, the trilateral working group on unblocking transport and economic communications at the level of Deputy Prime Ministers is in the advanced stage of agreeing on specific aspects of the final agreements. We have discussed what additional steps need to be taken, and we will report to you. The same goes for delimitation. We welcome the start of the work of the two commissions from your and Azerbaijani sides. The first session, meeting took place, we consider it very important. We will start preparing for the meeting in Moscow with the participation of Russian representatives, who, in accordance with the agreements of the leaders, will provide consulting services, including cartographic materials. In general, we are interested in the full normalization of relations between our neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Of course, we are familiar with the proposals presented by Azerbaijan in that context, we are also familiar with your positions, which you have presented in written, Russia is ready to do everything possible to reach a mutual agreement. And, as I said, we are committed to the full implementation of all agreements without exception. It is especially important for us to have the opportunity to hear your assessments today. Once again, thank you for this meeting." Nikol Pashinyan and Sergey Lavrov discussed issues related to the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership, the regional stability and peace agenda, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and the process of normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. In the context of the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Prime Minister of Armenia stressed the important role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The interlocutors also exchanged views on the development of scientific, educational and cultural ties. Sergey Lavrov praised the attitude and hospitality of the Armenian side towards the Russian citizens who have recently moved to Armenia, the statement reads. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the digest of top news of protests in Yerevan as of 09.06.22: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is in Yerevan now, held a detailed exchange of views with the Armenian leadership in Yerevan on the course of implementation of the agreements reached between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. At first, Lavrov visited Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan. Later, the Russian FM held private talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan. During the meeting, Lavrov noted that Russia is ready to provide cartographic material for Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation. According to him, the three adopted statements at the highest level should be considered as a road map that should be followed in the process of normalizing relations. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia categorically refuted the corridor logic voiced by Azerbaijan. Lavrov, answering a question about the slow work of the commission to unblock communications, did not agree with this assessment, saying that the work was proceeding rhythmically. In turn, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also noted that all roads will be within the sovereignty and jurisdiction of those countries. Following the meetings with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the situation in Parukh village of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Asked what Russian peacekeepers are doing to return Parukh village occupied by Azerbaijan forces, the Russian minister noted that this is one of the priority issues for the Russian military, and that the Armenian friends know that. According to Lavrov, there is a certain result which is connected with de-escalation of tension. As per the Russian FM, this matter will be considered and resolved within the framework of border delimitation works. While the Russian FMs visit is ongoing, the Armenian opposition, who has been protesting in Yerevan since April, addressed their speech to Sergey Lavrov. The Armenian people welcome you to Armenia, opposition MP Aram Vardevanyan said during a demonstration in front of the Armenian MFA building. According to the lawmaker, the Russian FM should record that the group of people currently in power in Armenia is only a formal force. "They no longer represent the interests of the Armenian people and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; that is, Artsakh, he said. According to Vardevanyan, the people currently in power in Armenia represent only their interests. Armenia and Azerbaijan currently have an opportunity to advance in the process of normalization of relations, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried said, TASS reported. Speaking at a briefing for foreign journalists, Donfried said that she believes that there is hope for a favorable opportunity for Azerbaijan and Armenia to move forward in normalizing relations and finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The delegation headed by Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic-Buric will arrive in Armenia on 16-17 June, the press service of the Armenian government reported. In connection with the upcoming visit, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued instructions to the heads of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Defense Ministry, Finance Ministry, police, State Protection Service of the National Security Service and State Protocol Service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry. Leaders of the European Parliament's political groups called on the EU states and governments at the 23-24 June summit to decide on the applications of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to join the European Union. "The EU must show courage, determination and foresight in today's context of a brutal aggressive war against our European neighbor Ukraine and the deteriorating international situation. EU must be a reliable partner and a geopolitical player "who deserves trust, who lives by his principles and values, showing solidarity with those who uphold the same ideals. "The citizens of Ukraine want to live in a free, democratic and prosperous country that is a proud and loyal member of the European family. We recognize that these hopes are shared by the peoples of Georgia and Moldova and the Western Balkans, whose expectations cannot be ignored. That is why we urge you to grant EU and Ukrainian candidate status to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union," the leaders of the European Parliament's factions called. At the same time, they called on the EU summit to "work on granting the same status to Georgia, fulfilling the legitimate hopes of the Georgian people, the statement reads. Kenneth E. Carter will serve as the interim dean of Oxford College following Dean Douglas Hickss departure to become president of Davidson College, Emory University Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda announced today. Carter, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology at Oxford, will begin his new role Aug. 1. Carter was selected following listening sessions and conversations with members of the Oxford community, in which many expressed interest in an interim dean with a strong commitment to the Oxford community and robust leadership skills. From an Oxford College alumnus to longtime faculty member, Ken Carter has contributed to the distinct academic community that thrives at Emorys original campus, says Emory President Gregory L. Fenves. He is committed to excellence in the liberal arts by providing life-changing opportunities for our students and he is the ideal leader to serve as interim dean. Bellamkonda also speaks of the continuity Carter will bring to Oxfords unique campus experience. Ken is a respected faculty member with a broad academic leadership experience, as well as an Oxford alum, he says. In the wide-ranging consultative process I engaged in, his name consistently emerged as a strong leader and interim dean candidate. He has a deep interest in student flourishing, community-building among faculty and staff, and a general optimism about Oxford College and how it discovers its best self. Carter says that serving as interim dean of Oxford College is an incredible honor. I would like to thank Dean Doug Hicks for his leadership over the last six years. We will continue to build on the vision, growth and momentum he has provided, he says. It is a privilege to work with so many dedicated and distinguished faculty, talented and supportive staff, and extraordinary students with diverse backgrounds and experiences, Carter notes. Im also grateful for the supportive alumni and friends who give back to Oxford and help make us who we are today. I look forward to collaborating with everyone in the Oxford community to keep Oxford strong, vibrant and moving forward. An Oxford College and Emory University alumnus, Carter joined Oxford in 1996 as an assistant professor after serving as a senior assistant research scientist in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Epidemic Intelligence Service. Today he is chair of the Division of History and Social Sciences and teaches introductory courses in psychology as well as advanced courses in psychopathology and clinical psychopharmacology. The winner of the 2017-2018 Oxford College Alumni Board Award for Outstanding Teaching, Carter makes student-focused learning his goal. In November 2022, he will publish a new textbook, Psychopathology: Understanding Psychological Disorders (Cambridge University Press), based on what real students want to learn about psychological disorders. It uses contemporary examples and language that students can relate to and was crafted with their success in mind. His other writing includes 2019s Buzz!: Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers, Daredevils, and Adrenaline Junkies (Cambridge University Press) and a number of articles appearing in publications ranging from the popular to the peer-reviewed. Carter earned his AA and BA degrees from Oxford College and Emory University, respectively, followed by an MA and PhD from the University of Michigan. Additionally, he received an MS degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Across the United States, more than a third of children live in homes where guns are present, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports, which increases the likelihood for firearm-related accidents and suicide. A Pew Research study released in 2021 indicated that 40 percent of adults in the United States live in homes with a gun. Cadiz With the number of firearms present in the U.S. today, Dr. Oneith Cadiz, an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said she was not surprised to learn that the leading cause of child and adolescent deaths from 2019 to 2020 was gun violence. In the past three years, Cadiz said, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a higher sense of uncertainty and isolation that often makes people want to buy a gun because they think it may bring them more security. Since 2019, both access to firearms and the incidence of mental health disparities have increased, said Cadiz, who is also director of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami. But without intervention, we cannot expect change and thats why we continue to see these kinds of horrible events. Cadiz said that she has always believed in legal reformslike stronger background checks before people can buy guns, as well as encouraging everyone to practice safe firearm storage at home. Many of these suggestions are also supported by the AAP. Survivors deal with guilt, depression In the clinics where she treats children and teaches aspiring doctors, Cadiz has seen the destructive impact of gun violence on young victims and on children who have lost siblings and family members from shootings. Cadiz is also a parent who lives in Parkland, Florida, and has friends and neighbors whose children were at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 when an expelled teenage boy brought an assault rifle on campus and killed 17 people, wounding 17 others. She said direct experience with gun violence is difficult for anyone to recover from and typically includes survivor guilt, as well as anxiety and depression. Therefore, she spends extra time talking with patients who have experienced gun violence to understand what kind of support they might need and then connects them with a mental health provider. Kids are forever changed by this, she said. But its our job to identify the type of help they need, and to provide them with tools to deal with the emotions they have, and to help them reassimilate into everyday life. Because coming out of a situation with gun violence, they are constantly on edge. Also, as part of her well child exams, Cadiz makes a point to ask about weapons in the home, something she and the AAP encourage all pediatricians to do. In particular, Cadiz suggests parents store guns in locked safes without ammunition. She even offers gun locks to families provided by the Injury Free Coalition for Kids. We are trying to make it part of the culture, just like when we ask kids about what they eat at an exam, she said. Are we doing a better job? Yes. Could we do even better? Yes. One positive development that Cadiz said she has seen as a result of the increase in gun violence is a greater emphasis on mental health in medicine. Now, she hopes that lawmakers will respond with stronger funding for these resources. Weve reached the point where the victims far outnumber those who are committing these crimes, she said, so we need to focus our efforts on the mental health support needed for both sides. Techniques needed to improve safety Many of her colleagues, who treat childrens mental health, side with Cadiz. The horrific mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, challenge us as a society, said Jeffrey P. Brosco, professor and associate chair of the Department of Pediatrics and associate director of the Mailman Center for Child Development. Brosco Noting that the nation has dramatically reduced the number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents over the past two decades, he called for using the same techniques to improve gun safety and to save thousands of lives. The public health research is clear that when a nation reduces access to guns, children and their families are safer, Brosco said. Alan Delamater, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist at the Mailman Center, agreed. The most important factor to explain the fact that guns are the leading cause of death now among children and adolescents is the sheer number of guns available and the easy access that people, including kids, have to them, he explained. Another disturbing fact: Gun violence disproportionally affects young adults, males, and racial and ethnic minorities, said Viviana Horigian, a professor of public health sciences at the Miller School. Of all firearm deaths in nearly two dozen populous, high-income countries, 82 percent occur in the U.S. And 91 percent of children killed by firearms in this group of nations are from the United States. How is this possible? Horigian said, citing statistics from the American Public Health Association Fact Sheet and a 2015 American Journal of Medicine articlecomparing violent death rates across the world. She called for implementing established public health measures to help reduce the problem of gun violence, such as defining and monitoring the issue, identifying risk factors, developing and testing interventions, and executing widespread dissemination and adoption of these interventions. You might be surprised, but this public health modelone we follow for any other diseaseisnt followed for gun violence, Horigian said. For example, it was just recently that Congress authorized dollars for research on this problem. Without adequate research, we wont know what works. After Columbine, Sandy Hook, and now Uvalde, if we havent achieved our tipping point yet, will we? asked Judy Schaechter, professor emerita and former chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Miller School, who is also a longtime advocate of preventing gun violence. Schaechter is now the president and chief executive officer of the American Board of Pediatrics. Schaechter offered the following gun safety tips for keeping children safe. If you have children and a gun at home, lock the gun away and store the ammunition in a separate locked location. If your children visit someone elses home, just as you might ask if there will be an adult present or if there is a dog in the house, ask if there are guns and ask how they are stored. If someone you know, such as a family member or friend, is a gun owner and might be at risk because of mental health concerns, try talking with them about safe storage or removal of firearms. You might offer to store the guns for a period until your friend is better. Studies suggest that people are more likely to accept this suggestion when it comes from another gun owner. Also, June 21 is ASK Day, which stands for Asking Saves Kids, Cadiz said. It is an opportunity to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of asking about guns in the home to prevent unintentional firearm injuries. A question as simple as, Is there an unlocked gun in your house? can save your childs life. Robert C. Jones Jr. contributed to this report. New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI/GPRC): Jai Hind campaign was successfully completed under the leadership of Mukesh Khanna, Gopal Singh and Deepak Tripathi at Jantar Mantar, Delhi For the last 6 consecutive years, the Central Government had a list of demands for the State Government. But no one has given any answer to those demands. Demonstrations were held for the demands of the fighters, in which allies of the Jai Hind campaign under the Sangram Foundation took part from all over the country. TV and film actor Mukesh Khanna, National President Gopal Singh, National Secretary Deepak Tripathi and many families of freedom fighters also participated in this front. During the demonstration, Mukesh Khanna said, "What is the reason for the government ignoring the legitimate demand for the freedom fighters. Why are names like Bhagat Singh, and Chandrashekhar Azaad not given Bharat Ratna? Why are government schemes not run in their names?" Gopal Singh said, "It is unfortunate that despite 6 years of continuous efforts, the government's lack of attention shows his indifferent attitude towards the freedom fighters." Deepak Tripathi said in the press conference, "If the demands of the campaign are not accepted, then we will continue our demonstration and we will continue our democratic efforts till the government does not respond. He told whether the demands of Bharat Ratna, naming of national highways, detailed mention in the syllabus etc. are not justified for the freedom fighters and if not, then the government should openly talk about it. If our demands are justified, then action should be taken immediately." Jai Hind Abhiyan from Mumbai had hundreds of its allies standing for the whole day at Jantar Mantar for their freedom fighters. Mukesh Khanna said, "We have placed our demand, now we are waiting for the reply of the government." It is worth noting that Jai Hind Abhiyan is one such campaign which is being run under the Sangram Foundation for the benefit of freedom fighters. Its director is Gopal Singh, co-director Deepak Tripathi, guide Mukesh Khanna, and inspirational source is Eknath Shinde. This campaign is moving ahead with its demands in the interest of the country. May all the freedom fighters be immortalized in Indian history forever and every day every Indian remembers them in some form or the other. In this endeavour, this campaign is being run. This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 9 (ANI/PRNewswire): GlobeInvest Ventures (GIVL), a cross-border investment and business advisory firm with a strong focus on the real estate space in India and the United Kingdom (UK), organised its first India-United Kingdom Business and Investment Summit recently in Mumbai. Held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex in association with Global Asset Portfolio (GAP), the exclusive invite-only summit was attended by prominent investors, private equity funds, real estate developers, and start-up promoters from India, the UK, and around the world both in-person and online. The summit which marks the beginning of a series of networking conclaves to be held in Mumbai and London was live-streamed to the US, Gulf, Israel, Africa, India, and the UK. The conference in Mumbai showcased joint ventures, foreign collaborations, and investment opportunities both in India and UK in private equity, real estate, infrastructure development, manufacturing, fin-tech, healthcare, and electric mobility. While GIVL Co-Founder-Directors Laxman Nasarpuri, Tony Gimple, and Lolly Ramlaul set the ball rolling by addressing the audience, Ross Benson, the Business Development and Client Relations from GAP, John Howard, a property expert, and Chris Bailey, a taxation expert, both based out of UK made insightful presentations on the investment opportunities. In his keynote address, GIVL Co-founder and Director, Tony Gimple who is also a well-known expert in the UK real estate industry, said, "There are huge business and investment opportunities in the UK in real estate, infrastructure development spaces, to name a few. The need of the hour is to develop a strong cross-industry synergy and create seamless channels to communicate, forge relationships and implement the joint ventures and investment deals to take the India-UK business association to the next level." While commenting, Laxman Nasarpuri, Co-founder and Director, GIVL, said, "The summit which is in line with our vision of 'building wealth through relationships' offered glimpses to a variety of business and investment opportunities across sectors and boundaries. As per our estimate, there are emerging opportunities valued at more than $50 million to invest in start-ups innovating in electric mobility, battery charging devices including mobile charging stations, EdTech, artificial intelligence-based healthcare, Highway Plazas, waste management, etc. over the next three years. This first-of-its-kind summit will work towards strengthening the trade association between the two countries." Lolly Ramlaul, Co-founder and Director of GIVL said, "The response from the first summit has been extremely encouraging. Such platforms help in recognizing shared interests and promote deeper understanding. To facilitate continued engagement, we have plans to organise such networking and knowledge-led summits on a regular basis both in Mumbai and London." The next India-United Kingdom Business and Investment Summit is scheduled in London on July 28, 2022. Set up in October 2021, GlobeInvest Ventures is a cross-border investment and business advisory firm with a strong focus on the real estate space in India and the UK. In the real-estate space, it advises investments in residential, commercial, mixed-use developments, resorts, hotels, etc. It also advises on the cross-border investments, financing, and M&A transactions primarily in the Real Estate space. GlobeInvest Ventures also offers investment advisory services on unconventional businesses and ventures related to water resources, waste management, social housing, and electric Mobility to name a few, in addition to a wide range of investment banking and financial solutions across sectors and geographies. It has offices in Mumbai, Durham, and London. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire) Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 9 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Digital Health platform MFine today announced the launch of MFine Wallet to cover out-of-pocket OPD expenses and simplify OPD reimbursements for corporate employees. Currently, MFine is used by over 500,000 corporate employees and their families for preventive health checks, specialist doctor consultations and advanced screenings. More than 500 corporates have partnered with MFine to offer a wide range of healthcare services and the MFine Wallet will now make it easier for their employees to avail of cashless OPD benefits. Several organizations have already signed up with MFine Wallet as part of the corporate wellness programs for their employees. Post Covid-19, many organizations have started rolling out corporate wellness programs that go beyond hospitalization benefits and in-patient expenses. Most of them now include telemedicine as part of their employee health programs and the focus has shifted to outpatient expenses such as regular medical check-ups, pharmacy benefits, etc. to help employees manage their health and productivity better. A constant worry for most organizations is employees not opting for medical treatment unless absolutely essential to avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered under their medical insurance or corporate wellness initiatives. The current process to avail of the OPD benefit, where it exists, is manual, cumbersome and time-consuming with employees having to keep track and submit physical receipts of the expenses and then claim reimbursements. The tedious process involved makes many employees not use the benefit at all. MFine's Corporate Wallet addresses these challenges and makes it easier for the employee to manage their OPD expenses and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. The Wallet is pre-loaded by the corporates in line with the OPD cover and can be used on the go for any online or offline transactions. With MFine's Wallet innovation, corporate employees are able to use their preloaded Wallet balance and pay at any healthcare establishment via the regular UPI QR code of the provider. MFine already partners with thousands of healthcare establishments such as diagnostic centres, pharmacy stores, clinics and hospitals across the country where this pay-by-wallet feature is accepted. The friction-free process also allows the organization to have complete visibility of the process and makes it easier for them to add dependents, keep track and top up the balance for each employee. It also gives them an insight into bucket-wise expenses to help them offer personalized OPD covers as required. The launch of the MFine Wallet is a crucial step for MFine to further grow its corporate subscription business. MFine has seen a 4x growth in the number of corporates and users using MFine services over the last one year. MFine is taking a deeper bet on this segment and recently underwent a strategic restructuring to focus and aggressively scale the corporate channel. It will continue to focus on providing innovative on-demand services and health tools for users to manage their health and access high-quality services. Corporate wellness including OPD expenses is an INR 23000 crore market, growing 25 per cent CAGR. MFine wants to take a substantial share of this expansive market with its broad services and tools platform that they have built over the years. Supporting Quotes Prasad Kompalli, CEO & Cofounder, MFine"The MFine Wallet is a step towards making corporate healthcare programs more inclusive and easy to use, both for employees and organizations. MFine is closely working with many organizations that are investing in solutions which address the long-term health of employees and their families. Many medical conditions do not require hospitalization but might need expensive diagnostics, regular check-ups, and specialist Dr consults for managing one's health. By making it cashless across all healthcare access points, the Wallet will help employees avail these benefits without any hassle." Archana Jerath, Senior Director Operations (India, APAC & MENA), SHRM"The need to ensure holistic employee wellness is among the top priorities of big brands and the requirement for tech-driven solutions that help further this cause is ever-increasing. The recently conducted SHRMTECH22 showcased several promising work tech solutions such as MFine, for organizations to explore and benefit from." Deepansh Gupta, Manager Total Rewards, Myntra"Outpatient care is something that has been lacking in the healthcare benefits basket for a long time, and recent years have shown that this benefit is equally important to provide end to end coverage and support to our employees. Hence, we are now focussing our investments and efforts into corporate health programs that particularly cover outpatient care, to enable our employees to take better care of themselves and their families." Ashwin Kumar, Total Rewards & Benefits Consultant, Citrix"Pandemic has transformed healthcare programs and its insurance models moving into digital platforms. Outpatient care, consultations, lab tests, etc. are all expected to be available in as easy ways as possible, and digitalization would be the right ask. It is essential for corporates to enable digitized healthcare programs which provide flexible and easier solutions towards health care and its services. This will soon evolve into a 'need to have' program than a 'good to have' program." This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) The world's largest coal miner Coal India Limited on Thursday said it has issued a tender to import 2.42 million tonnes (MT) of coal, which will be used by state power generating companies (gencos) and independent power plants. "In a first ever, Coal India Limited (CIL) on Wednesday floated an international competitive bidding e-tender, seeking bids for import of 2.416 million tonnes (MT) of coal," Coal India Limited said in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges. The coal being sourced on behalf of the state generating companies (gencos) and independent power plants is based on the indents received from them. It is for the July-September period of the current fiscal year, the government-run miner said. There is a provision in the tender to accommodate a variation of above or below 30 per cent of the bid quantity. The coal being sought is 5,000 GAR (gross as received) thermal grade coal. Coal India Limited has issued the international tender for importing coal after the Government of India nominated CIL as a centralised agency to augment coal supplies to state gencos and independent power plants (IPPs) through import of coal, at a time when the demand for coal is high. Board of Coal India Limited at its meeting held on 2nd June gave its nod for the company to proceed ahead with the issuance of two international tenders for sourcing coal from overseas, a short-term and a medium-term tender. The current short-term tender for the import of coal, for Q2 of the financial year 2022-23, is source agnostic. This means the coal can be sourced from any country. Though coal import is an uncharted terrain for CIL, within a week of receiving indents from the 7 State Gencos and 19 IPPs, for a total of 2.416 MTs of coal, the company on a war footing has finalised and floated the tender, Coal India said in a statement. The last date for the receipt of bids is 29th June. There is an option of pre-bid meeting on 14th June to seek clarification on any nuances of the tender. After the price discovery, CIL shall immediately execute a contract with the successful bidder for supply of coal. Then the state owned coal miner shall enter into a back-to-back agreement with state gencos and IPPs to whom coal has to be supplied. The coal imported shall be routed through 9 ports located in east and west coasts of the country. The successful agency, selected through the bidding process, shall deliver coal at the doorstep of the power plants of state gencos and IPPs, the company said. (ANI) Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 9 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Halma India and SankalpTaru Foundation are launching a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, 'Nurture the Future,' which reinforces their joint commitment to a cleaner and healthier environment. The CSR programme is geared toward helping urban and rural communities with improved biodiversity and farming methods that reduce dependency on seasonal crops. In urban areas, including Bengaluru, Mumbai and Vadodara, volunteers are planting native varieties of trees that improve biodiversity, help restore forests, and repair damaged ecosystems. Small rural farmers across the villages of Karnataka will receive support from the programme team who understand specific local requirements related to soil, climate conditions and demographics. This includes guidance on sustainable methods to grow fruit-bearing trees such as custard apple, lemon, guava, mango, and coconut. "At Halma, our purpose of growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day is at the heart of everything we do. We find solutions to address global challenges, including air and water quality, road safety, and healthcare needs, coupled with sustainable business practices," said Prasenjit Datta, Managing Director, Halma India. "With the launch of 'Nurture the Future,' we are pleased to bring our purpose to life in India and embark on a journey to create a cleaner and healthier environment through our CSR efforts. We are also delighted to work with SankalpTaru Foundation, local authorities and our employees' network to implement the Nurture the Future's rural livelihood and city-based plantation programme. Our focus will remain on promoting sustainable farming practices, supporting farmers' livelihoods, safeguarding nature, and fostering good health and social well-being in communities." In cities, the planted saplings will be maintained by the community and continually monitored by SankalpTaru Foundation, a non-government organisation with the core philosophy, 'planting trees for the people, by the people.' The NGO has grown over 3 million trees across India in the last 10 years with a success rate of 95 per cent. "In a country where agriculture is the largest source of people's livelihoods, it is critical to support the incomes of farming households and diversify the production of crops while also protecting soil through sustainable farming practices. Halma India and the SankalpTaru Foundation are collaborating to address this with 'Nurture the Future,' giving small farmers access to alternative farming opportunities that provide potential income for decades while improving the green cover of the denuded area of our cities," said Nivetha Ramesh, Programme Manager, SankalpTaru Foundation. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI/NewsVoir): Pancham Dham Trust, in a recent development, Dr Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador, Cambodia met with the torchbearers of Sanatana Dharma; Indresh Kumar, RSS Veteran and Dr Sailesh Lachu Hiranandani. The meeting was held in connection with the ongoing 5th Pancham Dham Yatra. The meeting will also help in setting up infrastructure in the local geography. The meeting was organized and coordinated by Sailesh Vats. The Ambassador was extremely excited and pledged her full support to the holy cause. Pancham Dham is on a mission-reviving the glory of Sanatana Dharma. Siem Reap, Cambodia celebrated the 5th Pancham Dham Yatra. The 5-day long journey began on May 31, 2022, and concluded on June 4, 2022. Pancham Dham Trust, the flag bearer for the historic event in Cambodia, has been at the forefront of various cultural activities. It has also been instrumental in uniting the East Asian nations through the Fifth Dham initiative by fostering the thought process viz. Sanatana Dharma. The 5-day long event witnessed a large number of people flying from all over the world. More than 100 people from India also made it to Siem Reap, Cambodia to celebrate the 5th Pancham Dham Yatra. Earlier, the event also witnessed the laying of the foundation stone of "Sanatan Sanskar Meditation Center" at Siem Reap, Cambodia for the construction of the Meditation Center. The construction and overall development of Pancham Dham Nyas Dhyan Kendra will be taking place under the guidance and leadership of Sailesh Vats. Sailesh Vats is also the Secretary and a Trustee of Pancham Dham Yatra and is also the organizer of the prestigious event as well. The Pancham Dham initiative was started on the 1st of June 2018, in the Kulen Mountains, Cambodia; earlier known as the 1008 Names of Shiva. Post COVID, the movement is gaining the right momentum and has been able to continue the path of Sanatana Dharma. The COVID-19 pandemic could not stop the patrons and Dham veterans from continuing the path of spirituality. The initiative is turning over a new leaf every year under the leadership and guidance Indresh Kumar, RSS Veteran and Dr Sailesh Lachu Hiranandani. Sanatana Dharma differs from other walks of life, only in having a word of sympathy and promise for every sincere conviction, wherever and whatever it may be, as constituting a step in the great ascent to the highest human perfection. 'Sanatana Dharma', implies a code of human conduct, a set of tenets handed down from time immemorial. Seers and preachers of Sanatana Dharma have been providing discourses on a wide-ranging set of topics covered including the shastras and modern life, the Vedas, their content and purport, the sanskaras (purification ceremonies), dharma common to all and the duties specifically enjoined on people in the four stages of human life. Like the word 'yoga' occurring in the Bhagavad Gita, 'dharma' defies precise definition. It could mean one's duties are linked to one's class and stage in life. Or it may refer to different areas of general human conduct, for instance, discipline, manners, management, and law. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 9 (ANI/ATK): A real-estate e-magazine named, "Dreams per square feet" was launched on 8th June 2022 at the Residency Club, Pune. The magazine is a collaboration between Dreamworks University, Bellezaa Consultants, PunekarNews.in and DataTech Labs in association with Credai Maharashtra, BNI East & North Region, LeadCon and Veriprop. Umesh Pawar, Editor, Dreams Per Square Feet magazine says, "Through this magazine, we are covering learning of turning points, knowledge sharing and a transformation journey of successful entrepreneurs or real estate heroes. We are doing this to educate the buyer and make their property buying decision easy. This magazine will also help people wanting to enter the field of real estate as a full-time career." He added, "Dreams Per Square Feet is a collaboration of dreams, desire to achieve and the decision and determination of like-minded individuals to make this happen." Satish Magar, Chairman, CREDAI National was invited as the guest of honour for the launch along with Shantilal Kataria, Vice Chairman, CREDAI National. Mr Magar said, "COVID-19 has changed the dynamics in every sector. Earlier, someone in their 50s used to purchase flats. But now the situation has changed as youth are not buying flats for their retirement but to enjoy their lives." He added further, "Dreams Per Square Feet is a good initiative. This magazine has covered all the pillars which are required to understand the situation of real estate. By going on a digital platform, the circulation will be more which will result in more people reading the magazine." Kataria said, "Real estate has a wide scope, particularly in Pune. As we are progressing ahead, the need of the hour is knowledge of real estate. The magazine will provide all the information starting from the purchase to the possession." "When someone purchases a flat they try to compare the different prices and this is the right platform which will answer all their questions like, 'Where to buy', 'How to buy', 'When to buy' etc. I am confident that the 'Dreams' magazine will fulfil all the expectations of readers," he added. Talking about the collaboration in the magazine, Mubarak Ansari, Managing Editor of PunekarNews.in says, "Pune is now the biggest player in the market when it comes to real estate. Pune ranks first when it comes to the number of flats sold in a city. We have ventured into national and regional news portals. There is a huge readership for real estate matters and this magazine will try to answer them." Considering the huge followers of the magazine's partners through which it will be promoted, the magazine has got a monthly reach of about 30 lakh people. The motive of this magazine is to provide information regarding real estate, the latest trends, buying patterns etc. This magazine will not only help buyers choose what is the best for them but also will help people who are curious about the real estate market and want to make a future in it. This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 9 (ANI/NewsVoir): Konnect Insights, India's leading Omnichannel Customer Experience Management Platform, was a part of the 3rd edition of The Economic Times Marketing and CX Leaders' Summit 2022 that concluded on June 7th 2022 and focused on remodeling the marketer of the future. During the summit, industry-leading experts discussed the challenges that brands face in the post-pandemic world. Sameer Narkar, Founder & CEO, Konnect Insights, led an individual session on 'Why unifying marketing and customer experience is important in this day and age and how can brands achieve it.' "We have been increasingly receiving feedback from our customers that social listening has helped them go beyond digital media to reach and respond to customers effectively and in real time while providing learnings that positively impact service and sales targets," said Sameer Narkar, Founder & CEO, Konnect Insights. In addition, Sameer also joined the panel discussion on 'Marketing strategies to increase customer loyalty: Changes in thinking and use of MarTech' that encompassed current trends and challenges faced by marketers and the latest technologies that they can benefit from. Commenting on his empanelment Sameer said, "I was happy to be a part of a panel at Marketing and CX Leaders' Summit 2022 and reiterate how technology is becoming a business-critical enabler for CMOs to understand customer requirements effectively through unified view. I see unified platforms as brilliant solutions that will increasingly empower brands and ensure valuable outcomes!" Konnect Insights is an Omnichannel Customer Experience Management Suite that has enabled over 650 of its customers to unify their marketing and customer experience, remove silos and facilitate better collaboration between teams that enables brand to be truly customer centric. Prudence Analytics and Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Founded in 2012, Prudence Analytics and Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is a leading SaaS product company. Its flagship product Konnect Insights is a unified omnichannel customer experience management suite - a single platform that brands need. It offers Social Listening, Online Reputation Management, Social CRM, Social Analytics, Publishing, Surveys, BI Tools, Crisis Management, and integrates with over 3000 apps, all of which help brands make their customers happier. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar who will again collaborate with superstar Akshay Kumar for their upcoming flix 'Raksha Bandhan', is quite eager for the release of the movie and she expressed her excitement for the same, earlier yesterday, on Wednesday, on her social media account. The 'Badhaai Do' actor took it to her Instagram handle, and in the stories section of Instagram dropped a song tagging Akshay Kumar wherein, she wrote, "@akshaykumar sir TEPK was (a heart emoticon)...And now waiting for #RakshaBandhan :)" Akshay Kumar, on the other hand, replied to this and said, "Wait ends soon @bhumipednekar....see you in a few days...#Rakshabandhan" 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' which was Bhumi's first collab with Akshay in the year 2017, is a satirical comedy in favour of government programmes in India to improve sanitation, with a focus on the elimination of open defecation, particularly in rural regions was indeed a blockbuster movie. Featuring Akshay and Bhumi in the lead roles the comedy-drama, 'Raksha Bandhan' is all set to release on August 11, 2022, which was initially set for a worldwide cinema release on November 5, 2021, to coincide with Diwali, but it has been postponed owing to the COVID-19 epidemic, which has caused a delay in pre-production and other crucial work. The movie is directed by Aanand L. Rai and produced by Zee Studios, Colour Yellow Productions and Cape of Good Films. (ANI) On Thursday, the couple got married in Chennai in an intimate ceremony. After performing all the rituals, Vignesh took to Instagram and dropped a string of images from his big day. Stories by Joseph Radhik have taken the responsibility to capture the beautiful moments from the couple's special day. The two look graceful in their wedding outfits. Nayanthara chose to wear a vermillion red, custom-designed saree by Monica Shah of Jade. On the other hand, Vignesh opted for a veshti, kurta and shawl - all handcrafted by the master craftsmen of JADE atelier. Also, the attires were personalised with the couple's names. Vignesh also penned a heartfelt note on social media. He wrote, "On a scale of 10 ...She's Nayan & am the one. By God's Grace.. jus married." In one of the images, Vignesh is seen tying the sacred 'Thali` around Nayanthara`s neck. In another picture, he is seen sealing the special moment by giving a kiss on Nayanthara's forehead. He also dropped a solo picture of Nayanathra and captioned it, "From Nayan mam ... to Kadambari ... to #Thangamey .... to my baby ..... and then my Uyir ... and also my Kanmani ..... and now ... MY WIFE." As soon as pictures from Nayanthara and Vignesh's wedding went viral, many celebs wished the couple on social media. "Sending you lots of love Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan. Congratulations," actor Katrina Kaif wrote. "Wishing this beautiful couple a blessed married life," Samantha posted on Instagram Story. Actor Pooja Hegde called Nayanthara the 'most stunning bride' as she congratulated the newlyweds on Instagram Stories. Sharing Vignesh's wedding post, she wrote, "Congratulations to you two." Ajith, Vijay, Shah Rukh Khan, Boney Kapoor and Rajinikanth were present at the wedding. (ANI) An Afghan model-YouTuber, Ajmal Haqiqi, along with three of his colleagues, has been arrested by the Taliban, accusing them of disrespecting Islam and the Quran. According to Amnesty International, an NGO that focuses on human rights, the Kabul based social media influencer posted a video on his YouTube channel last week. In it, Quranic verses were allegedly used in a humorous manner by him and his three other colleagues. They were seen laughing as one of his colleagues, in a comical voice, recited verses of the Quran in Arabic. Later, on June 5, another video was posted by Haqiqi, in which he was seen apologizing for the previous one, the NGO stated. However, as per Amnesty International, he and three of his colleagues were arrested on charges of "insulting Islamic sacred values" by the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence on June 7 and later that day a video 'confession' of Haqiqi was released where he again apologized. A statement was released by Amnesty International on June 8 that partly read, "The Taliban must immediately and unconditionally release the YouTubers and end their continued censorship of those who wish to freely express their ideas." "Restrictions to the right to freedom of expression must be clearly provided by law and be strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim. International human rights law does not permit restrictions of freedom of expression simply on the grounds it has the potential to offend or insult nor for the protection of religious beliefs or the religious sensibilities of their adherents. This incident is a classic example of how the Taliban is creating a climate of fear in Afghanistan by using arbitrary arrests and coercion to force people into silence," it continued. (ANI) According to Fox News, the parents of the activist named Tokata Iron Eyes have petitioned the court to issue a restraining order against Miller, citing the 29-year-old transgender, non-binary actor as "physically and emotionally" abusive toward their daughter. "Ezra uses violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions, and drugs to hold sway over a young adolescent Tokata," says the filing, which was obtained by multiple outlets, reported Variety. The 18-year-old's parents allege the two met at Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota when their child was just 12. They have also claimed that Miller gave Tokata alcohol and drugs, and flew the child to London and to places such as Vermont, New York, California and Hawaii. As per Fox News, A portion of the documents described Miller giving Tokata an "unknown dose of LSD" in January 2022 and drugging Tokata into an "incapacitated state." "Tokata had been screaming so much after Ezra gave her LSD, that she lost her voice," the documents stated. Earlier this year, Miller was arrested twice in Hawaii, once for an altercation in a bar and another time for second-degree assault. Miller is set to star in the DC Comic film, 'The Flash', a reprise of their role from 'Justice League' that has a 2023 release date. (ANI) Older women with early-stage breast cancer may not need radiotherapy after undergoing surgery, McMaster University researcher Timothy Whelan and his team has found. Whelan said that women 55 or older with stage one breast cancer displaying a specific biomarker pattern identifying the luminal A subtype can be effectively treated with just surgery and endocrine therapy. He presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago on June 7. His research team, working with the Ontario Clinical Oncology Group at the Hamilton Health Sciences, tracked 501 patients with luminal A breast cancer for five years post-surgery and found the recurrence of cancer in the breast was just 2.3 per cent without radiotherapy. This was roughly comparable with a 1.9 per cent risk this patient sample had of developing new breast cancer in their other untreated breast. Whelan said at this time patients with early-stage breast cancer typically undergo radiotherapy courses of three to five weeks to reduce the risk of their cancer recurring. "These findings are exciting because we have identified a certain group of patients who can avoid radiotherapy and its associated side effects and potentially change for the better medical practice around the treatment of breast cancer," said Whelan, a professor in the Department of Oncology at McMaster, a Canada Research Chair in Breast Cancer Research and a radiation oncologist for Hamilton Health Sciences. "Radiotherapy has significant early side effects, including fatigue and skin irritation that can last for several weeks after the course is completed, and late side effects such as breast shrinkage and distortion that can affect the quality of life and very rarely more serious complications such as heart disease and second cancers," he said. "If we can avoid radiotherapy, so much the better. Not all cancers require the same level of often-invasive treatment. There is a very low-risk group of breast cancers displaying the luminal A biomarker and they are not particularly aggressive." He said the overall risk of cancer recurrence following breast-conserving surgery has decreased in recent years thanks to regular mammogram screening, improved surgical techniques and better systemic treatments. Whelan said his research is now tracking patients with the luminal A variant of breast cancer for 10 years to learn more about treatment efficacy without the use of radiotherapy. (ANI) A Delhi court on Wednesday dismissed a revision petition filed by former Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash challenging the clean chit given to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and nine AAP MLAs, in connection with a 2018 case of alleged assault on him. In the 326-page order, Special Judge Geetanjali Goel said the revision petition is without merits and the same is dismissed. The counsel for Prakash had submitted that he was summoned to Kejriwal's residence on February 19, 2018 to discuss the difficulty in releasing advertisements to mark the AAP's three years in power. He submitted that the assault happened in the presence of the Chief Minister, Sisodia, and MLAs with the intention to criminally intimidate and deter him from discharging his lawful duty. He argued that the Trial Court even while selectively relying on and considering the material available on record, has arrived at divergent findings qua the accused persons, without any basis or justification, by applying different yardstick for different accused persons in relation to their role and involvement in the crime. In the order, court said: "There is no infirmity, illegality or perversity or impropriety in the impugned order passed by the Ld. Trial Court and the same has been passed after considering the material on record including the statements of witnesses. Applying the test for framing of charge laid down in a catena of decisions, no ground has been made out by the petitioner for interfering with the order of the Ld. Trial Court or for directing framing of charge against the accused persons." It also said it is the settled law that at the stage of framing of charge, the court is only to see if there is strong suspicion that the accused had committed an offence and not whether the material on record would lead to conviction or not. On August 11 last year, a Delhi court dropped charges against Kejriwal, Sisodia, and nine other Aam Aadmi Party MLAs -- Rajesh Rishi, Nitin Tyagi, Praveen Kumar, Ajay Dutt, Sanjeev Jha, Rituraj Govind, Rajesh Gupta, Madan Lal and Dinesh Mohania. --IANS jw/pgh ( 362 Words) 2022-06-08-20:12:06 (IANS) Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director at the Centre for Himalayan Studies under Delhi University, who had earlier discovered a new plant species of 'Cherry Blossom' in Manipur, has been conferred with this year 'Green Globe Award 2022' for his contributions in the field of biodiversity, conservation and Himalayan ecosystem. The Green Globe Award was conferred to Sahoo during a function held at IIT Delhi. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, was the chief guest in the event, while Bollywood actor Darshan Kumar gave away the award to Sahoo. The Confederation of Renewable Energy Services Professionals and Industries in association with IIT Delhi, IIM Lucknow and Hansraj College, University of Delhi, instituted the award. "I feel growing a suitable and appropriate tree species should be made compulsory not only in all educational and scientific institutions, but it should be a public movement in the long run to double our per capita tree availability," Sahoo told IANS. A former Vice-Chancellor of FM University, Odisha, and a botanist at Delhi University, Sahoo has done substantial work in the remote areas of northeastern states. Due to Sahoo's sustained efforts, Cherry Blossom is now available in six of the eight northeastern states, excluding Assam and Tripura. The Cherry Blossom or 'Sakura' is the national flower of Japan, which is also a source of inspiration for the Japanese people. India became the 28th country in the world to be included in the Sakura map. Sahoo was instrumental in launching India's first Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong. Also, a new Cherry Blossom plant species -- Prunus Dinabandhuana -- has been named after Sahoo --IANS sc/arm ( 285 Words) 2022-06-08-20:18:02 (IANS) Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra, and Prakash Rana from Jogindernagar assembly constituency joined the saffron party here in the presence of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and state BJP chief Suresh Kashyap. Kashyap said both Singh and Rana have been lending support to the BJP in the Assembly since a long time. Thakur said they have been taken into the party fold after a thorough discussion with all the leaders. "This step would boost the party as well as the government in the coming times," the Chief Minister said. --IANS umesh/pgh ( 135 Words) 2022-06-08-23:12:01 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said that the country had to bear the humiliation due to unwarranted remarks by a Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson. Thackeray preferred to welcome Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark on the 'Shivling', where he stated that "we shouldn't bring out a new matter daily" and "why look for a Shivling in every masjid". As he took a jibe at the BJP over the suspension of spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her alleged controversial religious remark, the chief minister said, "Due to a statement of a spokesperson of the BJP, the nation had to bear the humiliation. Here, in the state BJP is making issues about loudspeakers & other things." The remarks of the Chief Minister came after the remarks by Sharma attracted sharp reactions from the Gulf countries. India, however, said that it had taken strong action against those who made controversial remarks against minorities. Further taking a swipe at the opposition BJP in the state, the Chief Minister said that his government completed the 2.5 years at the office "against the dreams of some people". Referring to the recent targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, Thackeray said, "We completed 2.5 yrs of govt against the dreams of some people (BJP). They create an atmosphere to demonstrate that things are not right here. Rather than making ED& CBI run after us, focus on the situation of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir." Thackeray said, "The Shiv Sena's long-time ally BJP could capture power in Delhi (the Centre) only because of the help rendered by the late Sena founder Bal Thackeray." Notably, the violent incidents against the Kashmiri Pandits saw an uptick in the recent weeks with a number of civilians killed in broad daylight in different parts of the Union Territory. The killings drew sharp protests from the community. It also triggered reactions from the political leaders across parties in the Valley. (ANI) Ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, Haryana MLAs of the ruling BJP-JJP alliance have shifted to a resort in Chandigarh to discuss the strategy for the elections. The polls are slated to be held on June 10. Speaking to the reporters on Wednesday, Minister JP Dalal said that they have called all the MLAs to make the new MLAs understand on the polling procedure. "We've come here (Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, New Chandigarh) to understand the process of voting for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls. All technical details regarding the poll will be discussed as many MLAs are first-time MLAs. They have never taken part in the Rajya Sabha elections. So it will be decided who will vote for the BJP and for the Independent," he said. When asked about the Congress party which has shifted its MLAs to Chhattisgarh, the Minister said that the worry of the party shows that they have factions within themselves. "Our win is certain as we have 40 votes for our party. Our alliance partner has 10 votes. I don't understand that Congress had 31 MLAs, yet they are worried. This shows that Congress is a party which is divided in sections. We are not scared. We are roaming freely. We are here only to discuss who has to cast vote for which candidate," Dalal said. He informed that the MLAs will stay at the resort till Thursday. Meanwhile, fearing the poaching of its legislators and cross-voting, Congress is back with the strategy to keep its MLAs together at a resort in Chhattisgarh. Congress moved the party's Haryana MLAs to Chhattisgarh. The move has come in the backdrop of the disgruntled leaders after the party fielded outsiders in the Rajya Sabha polls. AICC General Secretary Ajay Maken has been fielded from Haryana. A senior leader of the state, Kuldeep Bishnoi is already upset with the party's recent decisions. Besides this, another problem for the party has come in the form of the candidature of Kartikey Sharma whose father and father-in-law are former Congress leaders and are known to have influence in the state politics. In a bid to avoid horse-trading, the party has once again resorted to resort politics that it began during the Goa elections in 2017 and Madhya Pradesh elections in 2018. (ANI) A blinking light suspected to be emanating from a drone was spotted by BSF troops who fired at it. "A blinking light suspected to be a drone was observed in the Arnia sector at around 4.15 am today. BSF troops fired at it due to which it returned back," BSF said. More details are awaited. (ANI) Setting an example of real 'Kashmiriyat', the Kashmiri Pandits celebrated the annual Kheer Bhawani festival in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district and prayed for peace in the Valley as people from the Muslim community accompanied them in their celebration. On this occasion, the Pandits offered prayers at the annual Kheer Bhawani mela on the occasion of Zyeshta Ashtami. However, the number of devotees was less due to the recent targeted killings in the Valley which have cast a shadow on the festivities. The festival is celebrated to spread the message about the brotherhood between the pandit community and Muslims of the Valley. That's why Muslims come forward to extend help and stand with the families of Pandits during the festival and provide them moral support. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Dr Sandeep, a Kashmiri Pandit said, "We have come here to keep the tradition of our ancestors alive. It's a moment of pride to come back to our own Valley and meet our Muslim and Sikh brothers. We seek blessings from the Lord. This time the number of devotees this year was far less than in the past due to the prevailing atmosphere of fear. Pakistan does not want that the Hindus and Muslims and all regions live in peace in India." "Kheer Bhawani's Mandir is one of the revered places for the Kashmiri Pandits. Even the Muslims came along with me here," he added. Dr Rizwan, a Muslim man who had come along with his Pandit friend said that the "actual Kashmiriyat" is being visible here. "It is a unique festival. The actual Kashmiriyat is visible here. We have seen terrorism for long. But the Kashmiriyat that the Kashmiri people were known for all across the world. It is unfortunate that there are not many people around because of the recent killings. I just appeal to my Hindu brothers not to make their nefarious designs successful by being afraid," he said. A devotee Daisy Bhatt who had come to offer prayers at the temple said that they have only prayed for peace to prevail in the Valley. "We are feeling very good after offering prayers here. We just pray for peace here so that all of us can live here happily," she said. Another Muslim man who had set up a water stall at the venue, said, "it is our tradition, it is our brotherhood. Muslims and Pandits live together, we have grown up together." "The Kashmiri pandits are incomplete without us. We are always there with them. We are brothers. Kashmir is incomplete without them. We will continue to live like the way we lived earlier," he said. (ANI) The drone returned back as soon as the BSF troops fired on it after observing it at around 4.15 am. "This morning at about 0415 am a blinking light suspected to be a drone observed in Arnia area. Alert BSF troops fired at it due to which it returned back," said the BSF. The drone was flying at a height of around 300 metres, said the force. Officials in the force told ANI that this was the drone activity from the Pakistan side in Arnia and similar activities were observed in the past too. The BSF, which is mandated to guard India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, has begun a combined search operation in the area. Similar drone movement was also reported along the international border in the Jammu on May 15, and February 24, after which the Special Operation Group (SOG) of police launched a cordon-and-search operation and seized a consignment air-dropped by a drone. The consignment included three remote-controlled IEDs, detonators, 3 explosive bottles, one bundle of Cordtex wire, two IED timers, one pistol, two magazines, six grenades and 70 rounds. (ANI) Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president Kripashankar Singh on Wednesday urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to include Marathi as an optional language for students of Secondary and Higher Secondary in the state. "As you know since last 50 years, I am staying in Maharashtra and maintaining relationship in Uttar Pradesh especially in Poorvanchal. During this tenure of 50 years I found that a big chunk of students who clears their Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations, they get migrated to Maharashtra for getting appropriate jobs," Singh said in his letter to Chief Minister Yogi. Singh further wrote that during the tenure of 50 years, he noticed that when the students come to Maharashtra, they face a number of problems due to no knowledge of Marathi language. Not only this but there are many vacancies of State Government or corporations that require knowledge of Marathi language. "In my view, if Marathi is made optional language in Secondary and Higher Secondary in school then that may help students in getting better jobs in Maharashtra. In view of the above, I request you to include Marathi as an optional language for students of Secondary and Higher Secondary in Uttar Pradesh," urged the BJP leader. (ANI) Nadda arrived in Kolkata on Tuesday evening. The BJP chief has been holding several important closed-door meetings with party leaders since his visit said sources. Pertinent to mention, several leaders from the state have deserted the BJP recently. Former Union Minister Babul Supriyo moved from BJP to arch-rival TMC and is currently a member of the state Legislative Assembly from Ballygunge. Most recently, Lok Sabha MP from Barrackpore Arjun Singh rejoined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) expressing his displeasure over the way the state unit of the party was being handled by the BJP leadership. Nadda will hold meetings with the BJP MPs and MLAs and state office bearers and also hold a Karyakarta Sammelan followed by a Nagrik Sammelan meeting in Kolkata today. Nadda, who held multiple visits to the state last year during West Bengal Assembly elections, which was bitterly fought between the BJP and the TMC, last visited the state to stand with the party workers in the wake of the post-poll violence last year. Following the state Assembly polls, BJP appointed party MP Sukanta Majumdar as the new state president replacing Dilip Ghosh.Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also visited the state where he held a meeting with the party's leadership. In May 2021, Mamata Banerjee-led TMC returned to power in West Bengal for the third term with a landslide victory. The ruling party won 213 seats with 48 per cent vote share while the BJP could manage to win 77 seats with 38 per cent vote share. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray hit out at the Centre on Wednesday saying that a resolution was passed by the state legislature to the Centre about a year ago on renaming Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar, but Centre has not taken a decision on it yet. "My father had promised to change the name (of Aurangabad) to Sambhaji Nagar. I have never forgotten that my late father Balasaheb Thackeray had promised that Aurangabad would be renamed as Sambhaji Nagar and I have not forgotten it. A year and a half ago, a resolution was passed by the state legislature and sent to the Center to change the name," said Uddhav Thackeray addressing a gathering in Aurangabad on Wednesday. However, no decision has been taken yet on it, he added. "I will not merely rename Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar but will transform the city which will make Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj proud of it," said Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, in a rally in Nagpur, the Maharashtra Chief Minister said that the country had to bear the humiliation due to unwarranted remarks by a Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson. Thackeray preferred to welcome Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark on the 'Shivling', where he stated that "we shouldn't bring out a new matter daily" and "why look for a Shivling in every masjid". As he took a jibe at the BJP over the suspension of spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her alleged controversial religious remark, the chief minister said, "Due to a statement of a spokesperson of the BJP, the nation had to bear the humiliation. Here, in the state BJP is making issues about loudspeakers & other things. "The remarks of the Chief Minister came after the remarks by Sharma attracted sharp reactions from the Gulf countries. India, however, said that it had taken strong action against those who made controversial remarks against minorities. Further taking a swipe at the opposition BJP in the state, the Chief Minister said that his government completed the 2.5 years at the office "against the dreams of some people". Referring to the recent targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, Thackeray said, "We completed 2.5 yrs of govt against the dreams of some people (BJP). They create an atmosphere to demonstrate that things are not right here. Rather than making ED & CBI run after us, focus on the situation of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir." Thackeray said, "The Shiv Sena's long-time ally BJP could capture power in Delhi (the Centre) only because of the help rendered by the late Sena founder Bal Thackeray." Notably, the violent incidents against the Kashmiri Pandits saw an uptick in the recent weeks with a number of civilians killed in broad daylight in different parts of the Union Territory. The killings drew sharp protests from the community. It also triggered reactions from the political leaders across parties in the Valley. (ANI) After a surge in COVID cases across the country, Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation in the states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi and Karnataka and has asked them to follow the five-fold strategy and amp-up testing, said official sources on Thursday. The Ministry has also asked the States to monitor clusters of new COVID cases and follow COVID appropriate behaviour, sources told ANI. Recently, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to the officials of five states, Kerala, Karanataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu to closely monitor emerging clusters, maintain adequate number of testing and send samples from infected individuals for genome sequencing. "There are few states which are reporting a higher contribution to India's cases indicating the possibility of a localised spread of infection. There is, therefore, a need to follow a risk assessment based approach on the public health responses without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic, " reads the letter. India on Thursday witnessed another jump in the daily COVID cases as the country reported 7,240 infections in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. On Wednesday, India saw a rise of nearly 41 per cent in the daily COVID cases, as the country logged 5,233 infections.This increase is believed to be led by another surge in COVID cases in Maharashtra. The state reported 2,701 new coronavirus cases last evening. With this surge in COVID cases, the active caseload in the country stands at 32,498, constituting 0.08 per cent of India's total positive cases. The daily positivity rate was observed to be 1.31 per cent in the last 24 hours, while the weekly positivity rate was recorded to be 2.13, the Health Ministry informed. The last 24 hours also saw 3,591 recoveries, taking the total recoveries to 4,26,40,301. India's Recovery Rate is currently at 98.71 per cent. India conducted 3,40,615 COVID-19 tests in the last 24 hours. The country has so far conducted 85.38 crore (85,38,63,238) total tests so far, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data. Maharashtra logged 2,701 new COVID cases on Wednesday, the highest in nearly four months. Of the total, 1,765 cases were reported from Mumbai. Further, Karnataka on Wednesday recorded 376 new COVID cases of which 358 patients were from Bengaluru. Delhi reported a fresh surge in COVID cases as the city logged 450 cases on Wednesday, the Delhi Health Department informed. The city also saw one death due to COVID on Wednesday. Kerala recorded 2,271 new COVID cases and six deaths on Tuesday. (ANI) A Delhi court on Thursday has extended till June 13, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain in an alleged money laundering case. Earlier today, Jain was produced before the Rouse Avenue District Court after nine days of ED custody after his arrest on May 30. Meanwhile, the Delhi Health Minister today filed a bail application through his lawyer in court. After the hearing, Jain was taken to the hospital for a medical check-up, as he complained of medical issues. Special Judge Geetanjali Goel extended the remand of Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain till Monday. The court said, "He will be produced on Monday at 10.30 am." ED had sought an extension of Jain's custody for five days in order to confront him with evidence and documents recovered during the custody period. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju for ED submitted that during the remand they have conducted eight searches of premises of Lala Sher Singh memorial trust where Satyender Jain was president. However, Jain has denied that he was part of the trust during interrogation. Notably, during the search conducted on June 7, the ED has said it seized various incriminating documents and digital records. The ED said that the total movable assets were seized from an "unexplained source" and were "found to be secreted" in the raided premises. More than Rs 2 crore in cash and gold weighing 1.8 kg were seized by the ED after raids against Jain and those linked to him, in a money laundering case. The ED has submitted that Jain was not cooperating in the interrogation. "He takes a very long time to write his statements," Raju submitted. On the other hand, Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and N Hariharan opposed the extension of the remand saying that the recoveries are not connected with Jain. "ED has not asked any question about the gold and jeweler in the last two days," they submitted. "ED doesn't have the jurisdiction to investigate the new recoveries. They should have informed the other agencies for investigation of the same," senior advocates submitted before the court. They submitted that the alleged money laundering offence was finished at the moment when the Agricultural land was attached by the ED. They also argued that Jain always cooperated in the investigation. "He was called by ED many times and his statements were recorded." The investigation has been underway since 2017 and the minister was arrested on May 30. Jain's counsel also opposed the contention of ED that Jain and his wife were connected with any trust. The court inquired from Satyender Jain about his health and whether he was taking food properly during custody, to which he replied that he doesn't take food without going to the temple, "therefore he is taking fruits". Jain also informed the court that despite health problems, he Jain is cooperating in the investigation. "ED officials waste time, they don't ask me anything for hours. Now they are saying that I don't know how to write. I am a Minister and I know how to write," Jain said. The Minister also said that he was not asked about the recovery of gold and cash, even after he asked them to question him on it. "After reading the news of recoveries of gold and cash, I had asked the officials to ask me about that. They didn't ask me anything. Now they are saying that there is a need to interrogate about the recoveries," Jain said before the court. He was sent to ED custody from May 31 till June 9. He was arrested in a money laundering case connected with Disproportionate Asset (DA) case registered by CBI. (ANI) President Kovind will be the chief guest on the occasion and deliver the convocation address. Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will be the guests of honour. "IIM Jammu welcomes the Hon'ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind as the Chief Guest for the 5th Annual Convocation to be held on 9th June 2022.#IIMJammu #IIMinParadise #Convocation2022 #MBA," tweeted IIT Jammu. A total of 214 students will be conferred with an MBA degree, including 77 female students. The event president will also inaugurate the diversity cell at IIM Jammu. Security arrangements have also bene made in Jammu city for the President's visit. Recently, IIM Jammu also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Department (SDD) at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu. The MoU was signed by Professor BS Sahay, Director of IIM Jammu and Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Principal Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. On June 10, 2022, the President will address the 6th annual convocation of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh at Dharamshala. (ANI) In a major development, Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the Kerala Gold smuggling case on Thursday claimed that a person has threatened her on the instructions of the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Swapna and another accused in the case, Sarith PS also filed anticipatory bail pleas in Kerala High Court. According to Swapna, on June 8, a person named Shaji Kiran came to her office at Palakkad around 1.30 pm. He is a person who was introduced to her by Sivasankar stating that he is a person who is very close to CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. "Shaji Kiran, being one of the Directors of Gospel for Asia, an organisation of KP Yohannan, is the person who is handling the investment of the Chief Minister as well as Kodiyeri Balakrishnan aborad. He informed the petitioners (Swapna and Sarith) that he has come on the instruction of Pinarayi Vijayan so as to settle the issue created by the first petitioner by giving 164 statements", stated Swapna's complaint. As per information, Shaji Kiran came to the office in a Toyota vehicle bearing registration No. UP-41 R 0500. "Shaji Kiran started pressurising the petitioners to surrender before the Chief Minister", alleged Swapna and Sarith. "He informed that already a case has been registered against the Swapna and if they do not surrender before the Chief Minister by openly stating that she has given 164 statement at the instigation of the RSS and BJP, he threatened the petitioners with dare consequences to the effect that they will not see daylight as cases will be registered against them in such a way they will have to remain in jail for long," alleged Swapna and Sarith in their plea. "Shaji Kiran also informed the petitioners that, though the case has been only against the Swapna and though the offences registered against them are only 153 and 120 B of IPC, they will include more charges and the Sarith will also be included as an accused the police will take both of them into custody and will be remanded to judicial custody," added the plea. Swapna Suresh on Tuesday revealed that she has declared in court the involvement of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his wife and daughter in the matter. "I have already given 164 statements in court about a threat to my life. I have declared in court about all the people involved in this case. I have also filed a petition seeking protection in court. They are considering it. I have declared in the court about what is the involvement of M Sivasankar (then principal secretary to Kerala CMO), the Chief Minister, CM's wife Kamala, CM's daughter Veena, his secretary CM Raveendran, then Chief Secretary Nalini Netto IAS, then minister KT Jaleel," she said. Swapna claimed that baggage containing currency was sent to Vijayan when he was in Dubai in 2016. (ANI) Samsung has announced the release of a new update in the category of Family Hub refrigerators which brings in the Samsung TV Plus, an ad-supported live TV service to the fridges. In addition, these television-cum-fridges have a tablet built inside them as well. The company revealed that the new update will be launched in July on the list of the Family Hub 2.0 models at Bespoke Home's second annual event on Tuesday, as reported by The Verge. However, the option of live TV will only be available in Korea and the US. In terms of features, Samsung's smart fridge users can watch television on the already attached touchscreen on the fridge. Further, another interesting aspect of the device is that both Amazon's Alexa accompanied by Samsungs's Bixby voice co-habit in the fridge, reported The Verge. Samsung's latest electronic venture also comes with a unique art mode with users of Family Hub getting access to an application named Art Gallery which transforms the screen of the television device into a form of art. The screen has a plethora of colours and hosts a bezel-less design that helps in blending the art into the door of the fridge, reported The Verge. What's more, fun is that a user can customize the colour according to their own preferences. The launch of this distinctive Art Gallery will not require any subscription. Apart from the above features, the Samsung has also improved the fridge's in-built camera technology which enables users to scan the items put inside and suggest relevant recipes on the touchscreen, according to the ingredients those items contain. The Verge also reports that the Family Hub fridge has a home control centre for SmartThings as well. This platform allows users to control other Samsung appliances. It connects these appliances through six SmartThings services namely Cooking, Clothing Care, Air Care, and Pet Care to name a few. (ANI) To ensure maximum punishment for all the accused in May 28 gangrape case in Hyderabad, the state police on Thursday informed that commissioner CV Anand will be urging the Juvenile Justice Board to conduct a trial against accused by considering them as adults and not minors. "We will request the Juvenile Justice Board for trial against the Juvenile Conflict with Law (JCLs) as adults but not as minors to ensure they get maximum punishment, once we collect all the evidence against all the six accused including five JCLs in Jubleehills minor gang-rape case," said Hyderabad Police commissioner CV Anand. Telangana IT minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) also took to Twitter to welcome the police's decision and said, "I welcome and support the stand of @TelanganaCOPs (Telangana Police). If you are adult enough to commit a crime as heinous as rape, one must also be punished as an adult and not as a juvenile." The Juvenile court is yet to hear about the pending requisition by police for all the minors in police custody. Earlier in the day, the Nampally court in Hyderabad had sent Saduddin Malik- one of the accused in said rape case- to three-day police custody from Chanchalguda central prison, till June 11. He will be grilled by police till this evening before being sent back to the prison. The police have also requested the Juvenile court to grant police custody of all five accused minors who are currently in the observation home. These six accused in the rape case were arrested by the police on Tuesday. Notably, according to the police, the victim girl had attended the party with her friends at Amnesia and Insomnia Pub in Jubilee Hills on May 28. (ANI) Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president KS Radhakrishnan on Thursday said that the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan must reveal the sources of the wealth accumulated by the members of his family and himself. This came after Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the Kerala Gold Smuggling Case, on Tuesday revealed that she has declared in court about the involvement of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his wife and daughter in the matter. Speaking to ANI, Radhakrishnan said, "A group of people encroached on her (Swapna Suresh's) residence and forcefully abducted her friend and co-accused Sarith from her flat. Immediately she convened a press conference and she shouted against the government and the Chief Minister that she has nothing to do with. And she has made a political statement first of its kind that CM plays dirty politics. This is the most serious allegation that a CM can face and that too from an accused who is on bail and was kept in 16 months imprisonment." "The next day after she revealed that Kamala (CM's wife), Veena (CM's daughter), Nalini Netto and KT Jaleel are equally involved in the Gold Smuggling Case. That means it is the first time in the history of India that a CM and his office, and his members of his family have been accused of being the party to the gold smuggling incident," he added. Reacting to Pinarayi Vijayan claiming that Swapna's move was 'politically motivated', Radhakrishnan said, "Ofcourse the CM said that is a politically motivated statement. At the maximum, she was a power broker. She was acting between the government of Kerala headed by Pinarayi Vijayan and the UAE Consulate. They sought help from her and she sought help from them. It was a mutually benefitted show. That is the maximum involvement of Swapna Suresh in political activity." "The CM has to explain each detail of the allegations she has made against him which he is not doing. That's a very serious case," he added. "Being an honourable person, he must reveal the sources of accumulation of wealth by the members of his family and himself. He is born and brought up in a very very poor family and his wife also doesn't come from a wealthy family. What is the present financial status of CM, his son, his daughter and his wife? How does a CM or a person who has been working for the upliftment accumulate that much money? What is the source?", questioned the state BJP vice president. Further questioning the source of Vijayan's income, Radhakrishnan said, "Being honest, honourable and dignified, who holds a position of CM, he must reveal the sources of his income. If there is a disproportionate source of income, then he has to explain how he could get it. His daughter is running an IT firm in Bengaluru having an investment of a very good sum of money. I don't know the sources of income. His son has also got some business in gulf countries. I don't know whether it is true or false. But the allegations are there." (ANI) Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah on Thursday welcomed the important steps announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to increase credit flow through cooperative banks. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said, that in a span of less than one year PM Modi has taken many historic decisions for the cooperative sector, which were needed for a long time. "On behalf of the Ministry of Cooperation and crores of people associated with the cooperative sector, I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decisions that have given new impetus to the development of this sector," he said. The Home Minister further said that these decisions will fulfil the long-standing demands of Co-operative Banks. "Today I am extremely happy to inform that the Reserve Bank of India has announced three very important policy decisions for the cooperative sector," he said. Referring to the RBI decision to allow Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs) to lend to commercial real estate and residential housing sector, he said that this will increase the scope of our Rural Co-operative Banks and also give impetus to the resolution of providing affordable houses to the people. Shah said the individual housing loan limit for Urban Co-operative Banks has been doubled. "With this decision, the individual housing loan limit for Tier 1 Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) has now been increased from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh, for Tier 2 UCB from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1.40 crore and for Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs). The limit has been increased from 20 lakhs and 30 lakhs to 50 lakhs and 75 lakhs respectively," he said He further said that now Urban Co-operative banks have been allowed to provide doorstep banking facilities to their customers like commercial banks. "With this decision, cooperative banks will now get a level playing field in the competitive banking sector and they will also be able to provide door-to-door banking facilities to customers like other banks. The increase in credit flow to the housing sector through cooperative banks will lead to an increase in economic activity, increase capital formation and employment generation, which will have a multiplier effect on the economy," he added. He also said that many old demands and problems of the cooperative sector have been resolved since the formation of the new Ministry of Cooperation. The Minister also said that the cooperative sector has immense potential for the development and empowerment of farmers, agriculture and rural areas of the country. "Therefore, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central government is empowering the cooperative sector with the mantra of 'Sahakar Se Samriddhi' and has been taking many unprecedented decisions," he added. (ANI) The incident took place in the Sontoli area on Thursday morning, the police said. "One person was killed and 12 others injured in the clash between two groups over a land dispute. We have arrested four persons in connection with the incident," Hitesh Roy, Superintendent of Police, Kamrup, told ANI. The deceased has been identified as Ali Akbar, about 50 years in age and a local farmer. According to the police, the dispute took place over a piece of land in Kismat Kathami village in Sontoli area which eventually turned violent. The two groups attacked each other with iron rods, sticks, and sharp weapons. The injured persons were initially taken to Sontoli Primary Health Centre. Eight of them were referred to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital for treatment. (ANI) The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Delhi Police on Thursday signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) to join hands to evolve and impart comprehensive disaster management training at all levels of basic police training. The MoU was signed at Delhi Police headquarters in the presence of Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana and NDRF Director General Atul Karwal. Karwal and Satyendra Garg, Special Commissioner of Police (Training), Delhi Police signed the agreement that aims to disseminate practical knowledge and procedures among police personnel and to make them aware of their role in the event of a disaster through a course comprising of live demonstrations, lectures, workshops and group discussions to imbibe skills of disaster management. The agreement has been signed considering that Delhi is very much vulnerable to various disasters like fire incidents, building collapse, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) incidents and floods, and therefore Delhi Police personnel must also be sensitized about disaster response. "This initiative by both the forces will certainly increase the efficiency of Delhi Police in the field of disaster management," said the NDRF. Addressing the gathering, Commissioner of Police Delhi Asthana underlined the need for a dedicated unit of Delhi Police for disaster management on the lines of the State Disaster Response Force as building such a force for Delhi is a necessity. "During disasters, Police is the first agency to respond and hence there is an urgent need to equip them with the logistical and technical knowledge of Disaster Management," Asthana said. Karwal said that the signing of this MoU will be a great opportunity for NDRF and Delhi Police to work together on the front of disaster management and urged for more cooperation between NDRF and local police so as to predict disaster in advance and work on an action plan accordingly. "The disaster management training module designed by NDRF would provide inputs to officers of Delhi Police in dealing with critical & dynamic situations in management of manmade and natural disasters," Karwal said. DIG Training, NDRF and Director, Delhi Police Academy has been designated Program Coordinators for this training and would act as points of contact between the two organizations, said the NDRF in a statement. "Classes for Disaster Management module will be held as per training schedule for basic training courses of DANIPS (Prob.), PSIs and refresher courses for field officers. Courses on Basic Concepts of Disaster Management, Disaster Preparedness, IRS, BLS, CPR, Rescue, CBRN & Earthquake Safety will be covered," it added. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Karnataka State Election Commission on an appeal filed by disqualified elected members of the Karnataka municipality, challenging an order of the Karnataka High Court, which dismissed their pleas against the state Election Commission over disqualification for not sharing details of election expenditure. The vacation bench of Justices MR Shah and Aniruddha Bose issued notice and listed the matter for June 15 for further hearing. The Court was hearing the petition filed by the petitioners K Srinivas and others through advocate Parmatma Singh against the impugned order dated May 30 passed by the High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru. The petitioners had filed before the Karnataka High Court being aggrieved by an order dated November 15, 2021, passed by the respondent Karnataka State Election Commission under section 16C of the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964 thereby disqualifying the petitioners and 9 other councillors from Town Municipal Council, Anekal for a period of three years from the date of the order. According to the petition, the said order records that even though notice has been issued by the Karnataka State Election Commission to the candidates, they have not submitted any explanation and details of election expenditure. The respondent Karnataka State Election Commission passed the order disqualifying the petitioners without considering the response of the petitioners despite the same being on record, the petition said. "It is settled law that granting of reasonable opportunity of being heard is an essential element of administrative decision making, particularly in cases where drastic consequences of disqualification of an elected representative ensue. In the present case, the order of disqualification of the petitioners for a period of 3 years was passed by the Karnataka State Election Commission without looking into their reply and affording a personal hearing," the petition said. "The High Court failed to appreciate that the order dated November 15, 2021, was passed by the respondent Karnataka State Election Commission in gross violation of the principles of natural justice without looking into the replies dated June 17, 2020, sent by the petitioners giving details about the election expenditure along with reasons for a delay in submitting the same," the petition added. (ANI) The Government on Thursday said that PM Gati Shakti National Masterplan will help achieve India's aim of a USD 5 trillion economy. Addressing the industry stakeholders at the India International Logistics and Supply Chain Conference, organised by PHDCCI, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Som Parkash, "India is one of the most attractive destinations for investment in the world and the government has prepared some important frameworks to help thriving businesses in the country. One of them is PM Gati Shakti Masterplan and its implementation, which will help us to achieve our aim in logistic efficiency." An infrastructure master plan will make a difference through an integrated approach by breaking the entrenched silos over six years, which has received Rs 20,000 crore allocation in this year's Budget. Propelled by seven engines - roads, railways, airports, ports, mass transport, waterways and logistics - PM Gati Shakti is an idea whose time has come, added the Minister. The Minister appreciated PHDCCI for being the forerunner in having a specialised forum for Gati Shakti, the contribution for which will go long way in aligning the objectives with the PM's Vision of being a globally leading economy. To help make this plan successful, the Minister urged all industry stakeholders to work in this direction collectively to achieve its significant results. Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary - Logistics, Department of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, said that a lot work is being done in this direction, mainly on the component cost of transportation and fuel and inventory cost to bring in logistic efficiency. "Time and cost overruns are major factors of concern in the implementation of the plan. Steps are being taken to bring them down to zero level. In PM Gati Shakti master plan, 600 layers of all different ministries of state governments are integrated on a digital platform for better coordination and early resolution. Gaps are identified and taken up on a priority basis regarding transportation to eliminate unnecessary congestion," Amrit Lal Meena said. Prime Minister launched PM Gati Shakti -- National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity, essentially a digital platform to bring 16 Ministries including Railways and Roadways together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects in November last year. The multi-modal connectivity will provide integrated and seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services from one mode of transport to another. It will facilitate the last mile connectivity of infrastructure and also reduce travel time for people. (ANI) China is playing a vital role in protecting global environment 17:18, June 08, 2022 By Zamir Ahmed Awan ( People's Daily Online Only One Earth was the slogan for the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972. The conference put the concept of sustainable development onto the global agenda and led to the establishment of World Environment Day. Since 1973, World Environment Day has been held annually on June 5, becoming the largest global platform for public outreach on the environment, and a date on the calendar that is celebrated by millions of people across the world every year. The date is important since it helps to drive greater awareness about the environment, featuring seminars, conferences, expos, debates, etc., that are organized around the world. Many countries often launch new programs and initiatives in partnership with the broader international community, engaging in consultations with local governments, while rolling out plans, distributing funds, and executing various projects. The environment is very important as it can affect each and every one on an individual level, too. The environment has no geographical boundaries and is not limited to any one country, any one nation, or any one region. It is a matter of collective concern and therefore requires collective efforts to address any issues that arise. With the nonstop development of Chinas economy, Chinese peoples awareness towards the environment has continued to rise. The Chinese government has responded by taking appropriate measures to address the countrys environmental issues. Meanwhile, economic development and expanding prosperity have provided China with spare funds to devote towards certain targeted areas. With the advancement of technology, China has been able to play a vital role in developing green technologies and environmentally-friendly products. As a result of government policies and greater public awareness, China has achieved considerable progress in protecting the environment over the years. China's 2022 World Environment Day event was held on June 5 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to extend his warm congratulations. In the letter, Xi said that the natural environment is the basis of human survival and development, and to preserve a sound ecological environment is the shared aspiration of the people of all countries. Since the Party's 18th National Congress in 2012, the government has made ecological conservation an initiative vital for sustaining the Chinese nation's development. Embracing the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, the country has launched a host of creative, forward-looking, and fundamentally important initiatives and taken major steps toward building a beautiful China. As a result, Chinas ecological and environmental protection efforts have seen sweeping, historic, and transformative changes. Xi stressed that on the new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, the whole Party and the entire nation must maintain strategic focus on strengthening ecological conservation, endeavor to effect a green transformation in all aspects of social and economic development, coordinate efforts to address pollution, protect ecosystems, and respond to climate change, and work hard to build a beautiful China where humanity and nature exist in harmony, so as to make further contributions to building a clean and beautiful world. Since 2017, China has held national events themed on the World Environment Day annually. The theme for this years event was "Work Together to Build a Clean and Beautiful World." China continues to play a vital role in protecting the global environment and assisting many other nations and countries with capacity building, promoting green technologies, and offering ample funding to address their local issues regarding the environment. China is one of the major funding nations to UNEP and provides support to other nations for the protection of the environment. Zamir Ahmed Awan is a non-resident fellow with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected] The opinions expressed in this article reflect those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of People's Daily Online. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) The government on Thursday said that all 36 States and Union Territories have been integrated into the GatiShakti Sanchar portal of the Department of Telecommunications. The Network Planning Group (NPG) held its 20th meeting on June 8, 2022 at Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi. It was chaired by the Special Secretary, Logistics Division, DPIIT Amrit Lal Meena and saw active participation from member ministries/departments including Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Power, Department of Telecommunications and NITI Aayog. The forum saw senior officials from these ministries deliberate on various agendas on logistic capacities and PM Gati Shakti. Applauding the recently launched GatiShakti Sanchar portal of the Department of Telecommunications, it was highlighted that all 36 States and UTs have been integrated into the portal. The Department of Telecommunications will soon be convening a meeting with all NPG members to further accelerate the process of integrating the portal into the National Master Plan. As an approach towards multimodal infrastructure, the Ministry of Railways will soon be creating 100 cargo terminals that have easier connectivity with roads and ports. The senior official from the Ministry shared that various details identification, timelines and mapping are already underway and will soon be shared with all other member ministries/departments for in-depth coordination. The Special Secretary also highlighted the role that the National Master Plan portal plays in integrating inter-ministerial planning and coordination. The NPG members were requested to maintain periodic engagement with the BISAG-N and regular project updates in the portal. Members were also advised to regularise planning and project mapping through the portal. The NPG members were apprised of the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Financed which mandates the examination of logistics and connectivity projects by the Network Planning Group. Through the Network Planning Group, all 8 infrastructure Ministries/Departments are taking up integrated planning, synchronised implementation and consolidated decision. Prime Minister launched PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity, essentially a digital platform to bring 16 Ministries including Railways and Roadways together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. The multi-modal connectivity will provide integrated and seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods and services from one mode of transport to another. It will facilitate the last mile connectivity of infrastructure and also reduce travel time for people. (ANI) A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday against an order passed by the Rajasthan High Court today dismissing a plea which sought stay on the declaration of results of the Rajya Sabha elections to be held in the state on Friday. The plea filed in the apex court against the High Court order demanded stay on the declaration of results and to keep the votes cast by the six MLAs separately (in sealed cover), who were elected on the BSP ticket and later joined Congress. The six MLAs were originally elected as members of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and were later declared by the Speaker of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha as members of the Indian National Congress (INC). Earlier in the day, the counsel of the petitioner mentioned the matter before the apex court for urgent hearing saying the matter is of "grave urgency". "This is a matter of grave urgency. It concerns the Rajya Sabha election. The plea is being drafted against the order of today morning of Rajasthan High Court. Please list this," the counsel told the top court. A vacation bench of Justices MR Shah and Aniruddha Bose asked the counsel to mention the matter before the Chief Justice of India for the listing saying it cannot list the matter like this. The appeal filed by advocate Hemant Nahta stated, "Six MLAs of Bahujan Samaj Party, if allowed to participate and their votes are considered in the upcoming voting process as MLAs of Indian National Congress for biennial election of 2022 for the Council of States from Rajasthan scheduled on June 10, 2022, the whole democratic process would be devalued and the perpetrators of illegality would be able to enjoy the fruits of their wrong." The ill consequences on the electoral process and the democratic values are grave and irreversible in nature and militate against the concept of fair elections, the appeal stated. The participation and consideration of the votes of the six MLAs in the upcoming election will cause "grave prejudice and irreparable damage to the whole democratic electoral process" of the State and the Rule of Law, it added. "Grant ad interim ex-parte order/ direction to the Respondent no. 3 (Election Commission) keep the votes cast by the six MLAs originally elected as Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs separately (in sealed cover)/ be not counted till the disposal of the present petition. Grant ad interim ex-parte order/ direction to the Respondent no. 3 to not to declare the results of the elections till the disposal of the present petition," the appeal in the apex court demanded. Rajasthan High Court today dismissed an application which sought an interim stay on the declaration of results of Rajya Sabha Elections till the disposal of writ petitions pertaining to disqualification of the six Rajasthan MLAs who originally were elected as members of BSP and were later joined Congress. The six MLAs of the BSP, who were elected to the State Assembly in December, 2018 informed the Speaker of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha, on September 16, 2019 that they merged their political party with the Congress, accordingly, on September 18, 2019, the Speaker declared them MLAs of INC. The petitioner had filed a PIL before the Rajasthan High Court urging to set aside the order passed by the Speaker and to declare the six MLAs disqualified as the members of the Assembly for defection. The petition was admitted and is pending adjudication before the High Court. BSP and Madan Dilawar, a sitting MLA of Bharatiya Janta Party, had also filed petitions before the top court seeking disqualification of big six MLAs, which is pending for adjudication. (ANI) Rajasthan Congress MLAs were driven back to Jaipur from Udaipur ahead of the Rajya Sabha voting on Friday and party leaders assured of securing three seats in the state for the Upper House of the parliament. MLAs lodged at the Leela Palace Hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur on the penultimate day of Rajya Sabha voting. "Now it should be clear to them (BJP) that they can't disintegrate the unity of Congress through their actions. Congress is intact and together the party will win all 3 seats tomorrow. After voting you can count, Congress will have all 126 votes," Congress leader Raghu Sharma said. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also reiterated the confidence and negated any chance of cross-voting. "We are winning all three seats. We want results to be such that no one would even try to win here. All of us stand together. BJP is scared. They are going to the election commission, to Enforcement Directorate (ED), to courts," Gehlot said. Elections to four seats of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Friday going to take place with the ruling Congress party has fielded 3 candidates Randeep Singh Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari. The Congress currently has 108 legislators in the 200-member state Assembly and needs 123 votes to win three seats. The polling will take place from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday in the Assembly building and the counting will start from 5 pm. There are 10 seats of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan and currently, the BJP has seven and the Congress three MPs. (ANI) With the aim of bringing up all the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Central government till June 14, the Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to kick start its "Booth Empowerment Campaign" in West Bengal from Wednesday (June 15). According to the BJP's top sources, the entire programme will be monitored via the 'NaMo App", which was launched by the party on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of PM Modi-led central government on May 30. The BJP has conducted this 'Booth Sashaktikaran' drive in the wake of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and asserted that under this programme, all the MPs would have to go to 100 booths and the MLAs are required to show up at the 25 weak booths, said sources. They further stated that all MPs will have to make a committee comprising of 30 members commitee and MLAs will have to constitute a committee of 10 members. These committee members will collect data on the benefits of the Centre's schemes. The data will then be uploaded onto the app to be analysed by the party, they added. "The prepared committees will visit every household in said areas to enquire about the reasons for not voting for the party despite every poor middle-class section of the country having been exercising the benefits of each scheme launched by the Centre. These committee members will also explain to the people the benefits of government schemes and would encourage them to vote for it," sources said. Sources said, "There are many such booths where we have got less votes, there are efforts to increase votes and there are some booths where there is no hope of winning but how to ensure our vote there, how to increase it requires we should focus on this." "In order to empower India and its dignity, we need to bring Modi Ji to power once again in 2024 and for that, we need to work together with utmost dedication in his support," sources said further. It is believed that the party president JP Nadda's visit to West Bengal encouraged party workers to perform better. Nadda arrived in Kolkata on Tuesday and held meetings with party workers to discuss strategies for the upcoming polls. Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited the state where he held a meeting with the party's state leadership. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje highlighted the National Mission on Food and Nutrition with the focus on the development of Nutri-cereals and bio-fortified varieties of crops while attending the 12th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting on Wednesday. The meeting, which highlighted the importance of millets in food and nutrition security and climate resilience, was attended by the Ministers for Agriculture of China, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and India. According to an official statement, the BRICS minister adopted a Joint declaration of the 12th meeting with the theme "Strengthening BRICS Cooperation for Coordinated Agricultural and Rural Development." During the meeting, Karandlaje "highlighted various steps and initiatives undertaken by the Government of India in the field of agriculture and for the welfare of the farmers like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Cards, Natural Farming, formation and promotion of Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) etc." She also mentioned recent initiatives taken by the Ministry of Agriculture for increasing the use of digital technologies in agriculture like Agri-stack and India Digital Ecosystem for Agriculture (IDEA). She also emphasized on India's resolve to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals of ending hunger and hence called for support and celebration of the International Year of Millets, 2023 by the BRICS nations. She also reiterated the need to step up the production and productivity of agriculture through sustainable use of natural resources. (ANI) Jammu-Baramulla railway project will accelerate the path of prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior official of Northern Railways said on Thursday. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has always been the crown of India and despite various challenges, the Indian government has always carried out multiple developmental strategies to give better livelihood to the local people, the official said on anonymity. At present, the Union Territory administration is expediting the Jammu-Baramulla railway line project, which once completed will act as a catalyst towards accelerated development, progress and prosperity in the region. This all-weather and cost-effective connectivity shall prove to be a boon for the economy of Jammu and Kashmir besides catalysing industrialization, movement of raw materials, trade, tourism and employment generation as well, stated a monthly newsletter covering government policies and initiatives. According to a senior official of Northern Railways, Kashmir valley would be connected to Jammu and the rest of the country in 2023, providing efficient connectivity to Kashmir valley with other parts of the country through a rail network. Sustainable connectivity to this region is very important for national security, prosperity and socio-economic development of the region. Despite vast resources, Kashmir valley lagged behind in terms of development due to a lack of railway connectivity. After the abrogation of Article 370, central and UT governments made serious efforts to establish rail connectivity to the region for which a number of railway projects have been initiated which are under execution in different stages. The Central government has declared the project a National Project in view of its significance for the nation. Institutions like IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, Geographical Survey of India and DRDO are providing expertise in the project planning and its implementation. This route will also see the construction of the world's highest railway bridge and India's first cable-stayed Railway Bridge. After completion, this line will be an all-weather convenient and cost-effective mass transportation system and will act as a catalyst for the overall development of the northernmost alpine region of the country. It is one of the most remarkable projects by the Indian government and once completed will be revolutionary for the Union Territory. This project has great significance for security and socio-economic development. It can play important role in rapid industrialization, movement of raw materials and finished products from J-K and encourage trade and tourism in the region apart from providing an opportunity for employment, an official said. Similarly, it will be a boon for the development of agriculture, horticulture and floriculture in this area, mentioned the newsletter. The construction of the first three phases of the railway project has been completed and the line is operational between Banihal - Baramulla in Kashmir Valley and Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in Jammu region. Besides, work on the intervening 111 km of the Katra-Banihal section is going on which is the most challenging portion for construction due to its geology and extensive Riverine system with deep gorges. According to reports, the logistics of the track faced many natural challenges as it had to be constructed through a major earthquake zone, battling extreme temperatures and hilly terrains. Though the sections from Jammu to Katra and Banihal to Baramulla have been built and are operational, the track from Katra to Banihal is yet to be completed. The main tunnel of T-49, the longest tunnel of Indian Railways, between Sumber and Arpinchala station of the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has been connected successfully. After completion of this project, it would be a splendid project of engineering of the 21st century and this project will write a new story of development, progress, prosperity and security of the nation. The world's highest bridge being built over Chenab in the Union Territory will be completed by September this year. "As you all know that the world's highest railway bridge over Chenab is being built. It will be completed in September this year which will fulfil our motive of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari," Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said. The Chenab Bridge, the world's highest rail bridge that will connect Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country by rail route, is designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude eight on the Richter Scale. The newsletter mentioned the work for the Reasi railway station in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, a part of Jammu-Bara is in the final leg. The concrete slabs have been laid at bridge number 39 built over a 105 ft gorge. Of all the pillars installed for the bridge, the height of the middle one is more than that of Qutab Minar. The height of the pylon above the foundation is 193 metres. The bridge is 331 metres above sea level. The Jammu-Baramulla line is a railway track being laid to connect the Kashmir Valley in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir with Jammu railway station and thence to the rest of the country. The 356 km railway track will start from Jammu and end at Baramulla. (ANI) Ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka, former state chief minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday urged the Congress to give its second preferential votes to JDS, if it really wanted to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party. "After the filing of nominations by all parties, I am consistently requesting congress friends, if their intention is to defeat BJP, then you please sit and discuss," Kumaraswamy told ANI. He further said, "We are requesting congress to please transfer their second preferential vote to us. We will transfer our 32 votes to your party, for which they are not agreeing, rather they are pressurising me to withdraw my candidate. How can I withdraw my candidate with 32 MLAs?" he said while accusing Congress of making attempts to destabilize their MLAs. He accused the party of playing double games. "Today, Siddaramaiah told before several mediapersons about how they contacted JDS MLAs.. one side they are pressurising MLAs, another side they are criticising them openly," he said. He concluded the interaction by saying that he only requests and expects all the MLAs to stay united and said, "until now, my confidence is that all 32 will be with us." Notably, former Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah had written to JDS MLAs to support congress candidate Mansoor Ali Khan in the Rajya Sabha elections. (ANI) Acting on a specific tip regarding the illegal transportation and possession of banned drugs, P.S.Choutuppal along with the Special Operation Team (SOT) of Rachakonda and revenue department officials conducted the operation. The persons arrested have been identified as Diana Lenchonghoi Chara, along with two males Aditya and Chetan-- both the residents of Hyderabad. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Rachakonda Police, Chara is an interstate drug peddler who used to visit Hyderabad regularly for the purpose of drug supply and as a part of her regular trade, she visited the outskirts of Choutuppal to supply drugs to Aditya and Chetan. "It is learnt that Chara visits Hyderabad, Vijaywada, and Visakhapatnam regularly from Goa to supply the contraband to various customers in the aforesaid cities," the DCP added. The police also informed that Chara's husband, Uche Justus--who is a Nigerian national-- is the one who used to source the contraband from unknown sources and supply it to customers in Goa and other cities through Chara. "Aditya is yet to be arrested," said police. The Hyderabad Police have also seized 20 pink pills (MDMA pills) worth Rs 60,000, 4 grams of white powder (Cocain) worth Rs 48,000, two cars worth Rs 60 lakh, and four mobile phones and net cash of Rs 60,000. They have registered a case under section 8 (c) r/w 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. (ANI) The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is organising a one-day iconic event on Friday, at the Habitat Centre, New Delhi, to mark the glorious conclusion of the ongoing celebrations across 75 locations across the country, to trace the journey of reforms in the three stages of a business, informed the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Markets need freedom, broadly, at three stages of a business - to start a business (free entry), to continue the business (free competition) and to discontinue the business (free exit), said the ministry. As per the ministry, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 offers a market directed, time-bound mechanism for resolution of insolvency, wherever possible, or exit, wherever required, and thereby ensures the ultimate freedom, the freedom to exit, facilitating ease of doing business. Justice Ashok Bhushan Chairperson, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal will grace the occasion as Chief Guest, said the ministry. Rajesh Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairperson, Competition Commission of India; and Praveen Kumar, DG & CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs will be the Guests of Honour at the event. The Conference shall be followed by a half-day Insolvency Professional Conclave. A publication titled, "Anusandhaan: Exploring New Perspectives on Insolvency" containing 26 research papers that emerged out of an international research conference organized by IBBI and IIM Ahmedabad recently is also scheduled to be released during the inaugural session of the Conference. A large number of stakeholders of the IBC ecosystem, from across the country, including insolvency professionals, registered valuers, economists, financial creditors, service providers, researchers, students, professionals, regulators, academia and government officers are expected to join the Conference both in physical well as online mode. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. Since the beginning of AKAM celebrations which was started on March 12, 2021 by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. IBBI has organized several activities and events as part of the Mahotsav. (ANI) Ahead of the June 10 Rajya Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Thursday that the whole process will be videographed, adding that those lodged in jail can vote if they get parole. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said, "There are elections in four states on Friday and the whole process will be videographed for which we have appointed observers." When asked about legislators lodged in jails, he said, "Those in jail will have to apply for parole and if they get parole, they can vote. Those in preventive detention can also vote." The elections in Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have turned interesting after the BJP backed Independent nominees in these states. In Karnataka, the fourth candidate fielded by JD-S has caused problem for the Congress, whose second candidate is in a close contest. Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has written to the JD-S MLAs, seeking their votes for the Congress candidate. "Befitting answer has to be given to the ruling BJP. Hence, JD-S legislators must support the second candidate of the Congress, Mansoor Ali Khan," he said. The fate of two Congress candidates for Rajya Sabha -- one in Rajasthan and another in Haryana -- is also uncertain as the party is struggling to get the required numbers. The party is trying to keep its flock together in Haryana after Adampur MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi skipped a meeting of Congress MLAs. The Congress in Haryana has 31 MLAs, the exact number required to win a Rajya Sabha seat, but if Bishnoi is not placated, Congress candidate Ajay Maken may lose the elections. --IANS miz/arm ( 276 Words) 2022-06-09-19:02:06 (IANS) The celebrations will be held at the Jio World in Bandra Kurla Complex on June 14. Prior to that, the PM will inaugurate a Gallery of Revolutionaries at Raj Bhavan next Tuesday. "Mumbai Samachar" was started as a small bunch of pamphlets on July 1, 1822 by a Parsi priest-cum-scholar, Fardunjee Murazban, considered the pioneer of Gujarati journalism, through the country's first printing press which he had launched in 1812. It catered to the thriving business community of Bombay, as it was known then, providing biz-related news, death announcements and shipping time-tables as all trade was routed through the Bombay Port, its present-day owner-Director Hormusji N. Cama had told IANS last year as the paper entered the 200th year of publication. Over the two centuries of its existence, it faithfully catered to all the "bijness" communities, witnessed history as the Seven Isles of Bombay gradually transformed into today's Mumbai - the country's financial-glamour power capital and remains a favourite of all Gujarati-speaking clans like Parsis, Hindus, Jain, Dawoodi Bohras, Khojas, Memons, et al, living and thriving in the port city. During the freedom struggle, stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhiji, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were frequent visitors to the "Bombay Samachar" offices and discussed politics over tea and snacks. --IANS qn/vd ( 249 Words) 2022-06-09-19:08:04 (IANS) Secretary (East), Saurabh Kumar participated in the meeting (ARF SOM) virtually. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the ARF member states and chaired by Cambodia as the Chairperson of ASEAN. "The meeting reviewed activities and exchanges of the 27 member ARF over the past year and deliberated on its future plans and activities. Senior Officials exchanged views on regional and international developments, and on COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, maritime and cyber security," said a statement. Secretary (East) appreciated the role of ASEAN-led architecture particularly the ARF in advancing peace, security, and cooperation in the region. Recognizing the evolving traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain, he emphasised the convergence between the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and Indo-Pacific policies announced by several ARF countries. He also shared our perspectives on the threat posed by terrorism and the challenges of cyber security. In the current inter-sessional year, Australia, India and Indonesia co-chaired an ARF workshop on "Law of the Sea and Fisheries" on 7-8 December 2021. India, the US, and Indonesia co-chaired the 13th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security on 12 May 2022. India seeks to continue to contribute to ARF activities and processes in the next inter-sessional year. --IANS miz/skp/ ( 238 Words) 2022-06-09-19:10:04 (IANS) Gujarat Police has issued an alert after Al Qaeda threatened suicide attack in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat over Prophet row. Ahmedabad city will also witness Jagannath Rathyatra on July 1 this time, after two years break due to Covid situation, in which millions of people participate. For the first time, drones will be deployed to keep a strict vigil. According to Ahmedabad Crime Branch DCP Chaitanya Mandlik, security has been tightened due to the threat posed by Al Qaeda. Security arrangements will be made after taking into account every aspect, he said. This time security will be provided from the ground to the sky. More than a thousand cameras will be deployed and CCTV surveillance will be conducted. This time the arena, chariot, truck etc, will be connected to GPS system. A mobile application has been created by the police which will detect if there is any history sheeter, anti-social elements or people involved in any crime are near the place where local and outsider police personnel are standing. In case of any unpleasant incident, the police present at the spot will be alerted immediately. Chaitanya Mandlik further said that the city collects all the data from the application and crime branch so that officials can get local information. While all the information coming from outside is available to the officers, members of the peace committee of that area have been included in this application. It has been decided to install GPS system in all the trucks, elephants and bhajan groups in the route for the safety of all the people joining the rath yatra. This system will make it easy to get the location of the vehicle or person in case of any untoward incident. At the same time, the GPS system will be used to ensure that the security cordon of 3000 security personnel is not broken. Earlier, top police officials including Police Commissioner Sanjay Srivastava on June 5 inspected the route of the Rathyatra from Jamalpur Jagannath temple to Saraspur Ranchodji temple. Before that rehearsal of body worn camera was also conducted by Ahmedabad Police. This is the first time such a rehearsal was organised by the police. Officers on duty will be equipped with cameras on each route of the procession. Mahant Dilipdas Swami of Jagannath Temple said that this year on the occasion of the 145th Rathyatra, the traditional route will be followed. The Rath Yatra will be held again after a gap of two years, so there is a lot of excitement among the devotees, he said. --IANS asmita/skp/ ( 441 Words) 2022-06-09-20:34:02 (IANS) The Petrol Pump Dealers Association on Thursday asked Punjab's AAP government as to why only liquor, not petrol and diesel prices, were reduced to bring them on a par with neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, where fuel is the cheapest in northern India. Himachal has grown its revenue from fuels to nearly double in last four years, whereas Punjab is losing its share in the border districts of Pathankot, Hoshiarpur Nawanshahr, Ropar, and Mohali due to prices being lesser in the neighboring Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. The Punjab government had reduced value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel on November 8, 2021, which resulted in rise in sale in the districts adjoining Haryana and Rajasthan, association spokesperson Monty Gurmeet Sehgal told IANS. It also resulted in increased VAT collection, whereas the districts adjoining Chandigarh, Himachal and Jammu are still suffering and more than 80 per cent sales have shifted to these states, he said. Interestingly, Himachal reduced VAT by Rs 2 per litre and Punjab increased VAT by Rs 2 per litre during Covid-19 restrictions in place, which resulted in the difference of more than Rs 8 per litre in diesel, resulting in mass shift of consumers to Himachal Pradesh. The association demanded reduction of VAT on petrol and diesel by at least Rs 3 per litre in petrol and Rs 7 per litre in diesel to bring prices on a par with Himachal to revive sales of the border district outlets and provide relief to farmers, transporters and industry of Punjab. --IANS vg/vd ( 267 Words) 2022-06-09-20:42:04 (IANS) Fearing poaching of legislators ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, the Rajasthan government on Thursday ordered the suspension of internet services in the Amer area of Jaipur district for 12 hours till 9 am on Friday, where Congress MLAs are staying after they returned from Udaipur. However, the voice calls and broadband services in the area have not been suspended, according to a notification. Polling for the upper House of the Parliament will take place on Friday. Notably, all the Congress MLAs have been shifted to Hotel Leela in Amer area where the internet services have been suspended. Rajasthan Congress MLAs were moved from Udaipur to Jaipur ahead of the voting for the Rajya Sabha elections that are slated to be held on Friday and party leaders are hoping to secure three seats in the Upper House of the parliament. MLAs have been lodged at the Leela Palace Hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur on the penultimate day of Rajya Sabha voting. "Now it should be clear to them (BJP) that they can't disintegrate the unity of Congress through their actions. Congress is intact and together the party will win all 3 seats tomorrow. After voting you can count, Congress will have all 126 votes," Congress leader Raghu Sharma said.Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also reiterated the confidence and negated any chance of cross-voting. "We are winning all three seats. We want results to be such that no one would even try to win here. All of us stand together. BJP is scared. They are going to the election commission, to Enforcement Directorate (ED), to courts," Gehlot said. Elections to four seats of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan will be held on Friday with the ruling Congress party having fielded 3 candidates Randeep Singh Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari. The Congress currently has 108 legislators in the 200-member state Assembly and needs 123 votes to win three seats. The polling will take place from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday in the Assembly building and the counting will start from 5 pm. (ANI) The person who sent the death threat to Bollywood megastar Salman Khan and his father, film writer Salim Khan, has been identified as Vikram Brar, a close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, police sources said on Thursday. Brar, who is currently said to be aboard, is reportedly facing two dozen criminal cases lodged against him in several states. "Brar is a resident of Rajasthan''s Hanumangarh but presently he is living abroad. He is a known gangster of Rajasthan. He was having good rapport with Anmol, the brother of gangster Anandpal, who was killed in an encounter," the police source said. The Mumbai Police had also suspected the possible involvement of the Bishnoi gang, and as a precaution, beefed up security at the Khans'' residence in Galaxy Apartments, Bandra West, since last Sunday. Joint Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangre-Patil had also met Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil to brief him. Mumbai Police had suspicion that the potential attackers may have conducted a discreet recce of the Khans'' local movements and their residence. Bishnoi had earlier vowed to kill Salman Khan after the actor was accused in the black buck poaching case of 1998 in Rajasthan. Salim Khan, 87, was handed over an unsigned, hand-written threat letter by an unknown person on a bench where he normally rests after jogging at the Bandra Bandstand promenade, around 7.30 am. on Sunday. It was addressed to him and his son Salman and facing something amiss, they immediately alerted their security to inform the police. Taking serious cognisance, the Bandra police had lodged an FIR against unknown persons for issuing the death threats and launched their probe. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch had also started its own investigations. The threat letter ended with a couple of initials including ''L.B.'' which the police suspected refers to ''Lawrence Bishnoi. (Atul Krishan can be approached at atul.k@ians.in) --IANS atk/vd ( 327 Words) 2022-06-09-21:44:02 (IANS) The Congress will not give walkover to the BJP in the Presidential elections scheduled on July 18, and take a call on the polls after the Rajya Sabha elections on Friday. Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi is suffering from Covid and as her health conditions improve, she will discuss the issue with the like-minded parties, said a source, adding that the party is mulling over the option to support a joint opposition candidate to test the opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party has no strength of its own to defeat the yet to be named NDA nominee. A Congress leader said on condition of anonymity, "The issue lies with Sonia Gandhi and she will take a decision after due consultations." Sonia Gandhi is likely to call all the UPA partners to take a collective decision, but the UPA will field a candidate for sure, the Congress leader said. Another Congress source said that the party can support a joint opposition candidate, but not a BJP nominee though it had supported A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2002 despite the fact that he was a BJP contender. But that was the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was best at reaching out to the opposition. Kalam won the 2002 Presidential polls defeating Left party candidate Lakshmi Sahgal. He was backed by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party. Many feel that it's not possible to come up with a joint opposition candidate given that many regional parties are likely to go with the BJP, including the BJD and YSRCP, which have good number of MPs in the Parliament. The biggest vote share among the regional parties is with the DMK, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP). And the SP had supported Kalam in 2002, who was an NDA candidate. The BJP has a majority in the Parliament, but in terms of big states, which are key to the Presidential elections, its strength has reduced in Uttar Pradesh, while some other crucial states are ruled by the opposition parties, whose unity can pose a challenge for the saffron camp. In fact, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee has warned the BJP that the Presidential elections will not be a cake walk, as it doesn't have even half the legislators in the country. --IANS miz/arm ( 398 Words) 2022-06-09-21:58:03 (IANS) The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore on Thursday foiled another attack on the civilians including the outside labourers after they arrested two hybrid terrorists associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front in the area. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists including two pistols and magazines each and five pistol rounds. The two terrorists were identified as Faizan Ahmad Paul and Muzamil Rashid Mir hailing from Shopian and Pulwama respectively. "Today on June 9, at about 19:40 hrs, a joint naka was established by PC Sopore along with 52 RR at Gurseer in the jurisdiction of police station Tarzoo. During checking, a suspicious movement of two persons coming from Darpora Delina towards seer was noted and was subsequently asked to stop, but they tried to flee from the spot, however, were tactfully apprehended by the security forces. Upon their personal search 2 pistols, 2 magazines and 5 pistol rounds were recovered from their possession," a statement by the Jammu and Kashmir police stated. "Preliminary investigations have revealed the arrested persons as hybrid terrorists of proscribed organization LET/TRF and were in a constant search of an opportunity to carry out attacks on security forces and civilians including outside labourers," added the statement. An FIR was registered accordingly at Police station Tarzoo under relevant sections of law. Notably, there has been a spate of targeted killings of the civilians including the migrant labourers in the Valley. Rahul Bhatt, an employee of the Tehsil office in the Budgam district's Chadoora, was shot dead by terrorists in the Budgam on May 12, reminding the Jammu and Kashmir administration of a targeting killing. A bank manager from Rajasthan who was working in Kashmir's Kulgam was also shot dead by terrorists on June 2. A school teacher Rajni Bala was killed by terrorists in the High School Gopalpora area of Kulgam district of Kashmir on May 31. The incident took place days after Kashmiri TV actor Amreen Bhat was killed by unidentified terrorists in Budgam's Chadoora area in Jammu and Kashmir on May 25, while her 10-year-old nephew was injured. (ANI) The delegation is visiting Delhi as part of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the students expressed their happiness on meeting the Prime Minister, and in a freewheeling interaction, they discussed and sought his views on a host of topics like, his vision for the northeast, his experiences in Nagaland, importance of yoga etc. During the interaction, the Prime Minister enquired the students about their experience of visiting and exploring various tourist places in Delhi. He also advised them to visit PM Sangrahalaya and the National War Memorial during their stay in the national capital. The meeting was organised by the National Commission for Women. --IANS ssb/vd ( 147 Words) 2022-06-09-22:40:02 (IANS) Highlighting the achievements of Odisha in the last two decades, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said that the state is no more called a "poor and backward" rather it has emerged into a "Model of governance and public service". He was speaking at the orientation programme organised for newly recruited small savings and financial inclusion officers and local fund auditors on joining the state government. "There has been a phenomenal transformation in our state. Odisha has shed the tag of a poor and backward state and is now regarded as one of the fastest developing states in the country. Besides remarkable economic growth, the state has become a model in the field of governance and public service," Patnaik said. The Chief Minister mentioned about the 5Ts of his government and said that it has set high standards in public service delivery. "All government employees are required to work with commitment, dedication and serve the people of the state with empathy and sincerity," he urged. He further said that public service offers a unique opportunity to the employees to serve in various capacities for bringing improvement in the quality of life of all the people. "All the new employees are privileged to have been chosen to work for the development of our motherland," the Chief Minister said. Asking the new officers to take their job with sincerity, he said that the officers who will be joining in Small Savings & Financial Inclusion service are required to promote financial inclusion, spread the message of financial literacy and develop the habit of savings among the masses. "The officers joining as Local Fund Auditors are expected to oversee the utilization of government funds and report irregularities. Prompt and timely action will prevent the loss of public money and safeguard the interest of the state. As Auditors you can encourage government organizations to adopt financial discipline, economy and effectiveness in public spending," Patnaik said. Patnaik suggested them to adopt new technology for the betterment of the state. As many as 80 Local Fund Auditors and 15 Small Savings and Financial Inclusion Officers joined the state government on Thursday. (ANI) According to scientists from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, a simple PCR test might be used to improve the cultivation of the tasty brown seaweed Okinawa mozuku and even boost efforts to generate heat-tolerant strains. The PCR test detects nine genes that show the lifecycle stage and sex of the mozuku algae. The study has been published in the journal, "Phycological Research." Okinawa mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus) is a much-loved algal superfood in Japan, that farmers have cultivated along the Okinawan seashore since the 1980s. In the autumn, the farmers cultivate mozuku germlings, or 'seeds' in tanks, to induce their buds. Then, the farmers transfer them to the ocean on nets to grow until they are harvested in spring. Around 15,000 to 20,000 tons of mozuku are collected each year, contributing more than Y=2 billion yen to the local economy. However, mozuku farmers currently face three major problems during the cultivation process. Firstly, some of the mozuku 'seeds' don't bud. Secondly, as the mozuku grows in the ocean, it sometimes detaches from the nets and is swept away by current and tides. Finally, the seaweed is particularly susceptible to heat, with rising ocean temperatures stunting their growth. "In 2010, the yield fell to less than half the level of a typical year, which is thought to be due to an unusually warm winter," said Dr Koki Nishitsuji, a staff scientist in OIST's Marine Genomics Unit, led by Professor Noriyuki Satoh. "As climate change occurs, the frequency of warmer winters could increase, so new heat-resilient strains are needed." One of the most effective ways to engineer traits such as heat tolerance is through crossbreeding, which is when individuals from two different strains are bred together to create a new mixed strain. However, scientists have struggled to crossbreed algae due to difficulties with distinguishing male germ cells from female germ cells. "In other organisms, such as egg and sperm in mammals, there are visible differences," explained Dr Nishitsuji. "But for algae, the germlings can't be identified by eye, only by their DNA." Over the last few years, the research team from the Marine Genomics Unit decoded the genome of the four different S-, K-, O- and C-strains of Okinawa mozuku, and the related species, Nemacystus decipiens, known as ito-mozuku in Japanese. Now, by making use of this wealth of genomic information, the team were able to identify 9 key, sex-determining genes. When the scientists ran PCR tests on the mozuku germlings, five of these genes were only detected in males, while the other four were only found in females. "Now that we can identify the sex, we've begun crossbreeding the O-strain with both the S-strain and the K-strain, to see if this results in a more heat-tolerant strain, said Dr Nishitsuji. "We are also working on identifying genes that can act as markers for the different strains, so that we can fully confirm that the crosses were successful." As well as introducing heat resistance into newly developed strains, crossbreeding can also help the researchers address the issue of mozuku getting swept out to sea, by developing strains of mozuku that attach more firmly to the nets. Although primarily developed to aid crossbreeding, the PCR test can also be used by mozuku farmers during the 'seeding' stage of cultivation, by allowing them to identify what lifecycle stage the germlings are in. The lifecycle of mozuku is complicated and unique, compared to animals and land plants. Humans (and most other animals) are diploid, which means that our body cells contain two sets of DNA - one set from our mother, and another set from our father. Our germ cells (eggs and sperm) are haploid, which means they have just one set of DNA. At fertilization, the haploid egg and sperm combine to form a diploid embryo. However, in mozuku, germlings occur at two different stages of the lifecycle, as haploids and diploids. But only the diploid germlings bud and develop into the edible mature mozuku that the farmers want to cultivate. If the tank is contaminated with haploid germlings, then less budding occurs, with lower yields of mozuku ultimately harvested. "Diploid germlings look the same as the male and female haploid germlings, so it's a common way for farmers to lose yield," said Dr Nishitsuji. "But now, our PCR test can be used early on to check whether they are diploid, as these germlings will contain all 9 male and female genes." In the autumn, the team will collaborate with the Okinawa Prefectural Fisheries and Marine Technology Center in Itoman, and Onna Fisheries Cooperative, using the PCR tests to try and improve their final yield. Importantly, the sex-determining marker genes identified in this study are likely to be similar to other brown algae, like Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame in Japanese) and Saccharina japonica (Kombu), which are also economically important crops. Dr Koki Nishitsuji is the recipient of the 2019 Okinawa Research Incentive Award for his contribution to Okinawa Prefecture by deciphering algae genomes. This research was funded by the Urakami Food and Food Culture Promotion Foundation. (ANI) India and Iran on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to continue their cooperation on the development of the Chabahar Port as a transit hub for the region including Central Asia and said delegates from the two counties will meet soon to address operational aspects of the key port. For India, the Chabahar Port is a much-needed project for sea-access to landlocked Afghanistan. The port has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region. It is a more economical and stable route for landlocked countries of the region to reach India and the global market. This commitment to continuing cooperation on the Chabahar Port was made during Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian's ongoing visit to India. This is the first visit of Abdollahian who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, since he assumed office in August 2021. During his visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister called on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and also held a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Ajit Kumar Doval. The Iranian Foreign Minister briefed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the current situation pertaining to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The two Ministers also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MEA), India and Iran share close historical and civilizational ties. "Our bilateral relations are marked by strong linkages across institutions, culture and people to people ties," the MEA said in a statement. During delegation-level talks, Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, cultural and people to people ties. Jaishankar appreciated the role of Iran in facilitating India's medical assistance to Afghanistan, including supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Afghan nationals residing in Iran. "Both sides acknowledged the significance of bilateral cooperation in the field of regional connectivity and reviewed the progress made at the Shahid Beheshti terminal, Chabahar port. The sides agreed that the Chabahar Port has provided much needed sea-access to landlocked Afghanistan and has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region, including for Central Asia," the MEA said. The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue to cooperate on the development of Chabahar Port. Teams from both countries will be meeting soon to address operational aspects. The Ministers also discussed international and regional issues, including Afghanistan and the sides reaffirmed the importance of providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and reiterated the need for a representative and inclusive political system in support of a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. (ANI) Iran is satisfied with the efforts made by the Indian government in dealing with those responsible for comments on Prophet Muhammed, the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said. Abdollahian, who is on his first visit to India since he assumed office last year, raised the issue of the controversial remarks, made by two former BJP spokespersons, in his meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in the national capital on Wednesday. The Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement said that Abdollahian had raised the issue with Doval, and was satisfied by the response he received. The NSA Ajit Doval, it said, reaffirmed the Indian government and officials' respect for the Prophet Muhammad saying offenders will be dealt with at the government and related bodies in an exemplary manner. "Ajit Doval reaffirmed the Indian government and officials' respect for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), saying offenders will be dealt with, at the government and related bodies levels, in such a way that others will learn a lesson," the Iranian foreign ministry statement read. "Amirabdollahian said Muslims are satisfied with the stance of Indian officials in dealing with the culprits," the statement added. Amirabdollahian hailed the Indian people and government for their respect for the divine faiths, especially the Prophet Muhammad and also for the religious tolerance, historical coexistence and friendship among followers of various religions in the country. The Iranian foreign minister also called for serious attention to the sensitivities of Muslims regarding their religious sanctities. A Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson was suspended on Sunday from the party's primary membership after her alleged inflammatory remarks against minorities, which drew sharp reactions from Gulf countries. In his meeting with NSA Doval in New Delhi on Wednesday, the visiting Iranian foreign minister Amirabdollahian recognised India for its religious tolerance, and friendship among followers of various religions in the country. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Amirabdollahian and Jaishankar held two rounds of talks, during which a broad range of issues of mutual interest between the two countries in strategic, political, economic and cultural spheres, were discussed. Amirabdollahian pointed to the fact that the economies of Iran and India complement each other and also to the existence of huge potential for expansion of trade and economic relations between the two countries. The Iranian foreign minister then underlined the necessity of coming up with a roadmap to promote comprehensive and vast strategic ties between Tehran and New Delhi. A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) readout said the Iranian foreign minister briefed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the current situation pertaining to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The two ministers also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions. During delegation-level talks, Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, cultural and people to people ties. The Iranian foreign minister also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. PM Modi said bilateral relations have mutually benefited both the countries and promoted regional security and prosperity. (ANI) A Pakistan television anchor, who triggered an uproar with his visit to Israel, has been dismissed by his employer, the state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). According to Sergio Restelli, a political advisor, author and geopolitical expert, Pakistani anchor Ahmed Quraishi's visit to Israel was a move to mask Pakistan's calculated move to reach out to Jerusalem without inviting public ire, especially those of hardliners. Quraishi was part of a delegation of Pakistani-Americans to Israel on a goodwill visit. Another Pakistani citizen in the delegation was a Jewish citizen, Fishel Benkhald. Since PTV is a government-run broadcaster, Quraishi's presence in Israel has raked up a small storm of sorts with the government and opposition leaders denying and condemning the action. But no one in the present government, and in the previous government, is willing to clarify how an anchor in a government-run broadcaster, even if on contract, could go to Israel without the state's permission, said Restelli writing in The Times of Israel. This question assumes significance in the presence of Fishel Benkhald who was the first Pakistani to get official permission to visit holy Jewish sites from the Imran Khan government. He also dispatched a confidante with two messages, one to the Prime Minister of Israel and another from General Qamar Bajwa to the Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, in Tel Aviv in November 2020. The confidante was Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide of Imran Khan. According to Pakistani broadcaster, Geo TV, Bukhari stayed in Tel Aviv for a few days in working out the modalities of laying the ground for breaking the ice between the two countries, reported The Times of Israel. Pakistan has been reaching out to Israel since the Zia-ul Haq days. Foreign Minister, Khurshid Kasuri met his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom in Turkey in 2005. The same year, then President, and Army chief, Pervez Musharraf, met Israeli President, and veteran soldier, Ariel Sharon in New York. Although the meeting did not result in a breakthrough, the relationship took a deeper direction. In fact, it is an open secret in the political and military circles about Pakistan's clandestine moves to open relations with Israel. For Pakistan, the Israeli bone has been a difficult one to digest. Several Muslim majority countries, including Pakistan, had kept away from Israel on the issue of Palestine. In 2020, the equation changed with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain breaking ranks, and signing a US-brokered deal, the Abraham Accords, with Israel. Morocco and Sudan joined the signatories to Abraham Accords. These changes leave Pakistan isolated in the Islamic world, considering the fact it has been trying, with little success, for over four decades, to find a way to engage with Jerusalem, without upsetting its image of an austere Sunni country and an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause. (ANI) China on Wednesday praised India for helping Sri Lanka amid the unprecedented economic crisis in the island nation that has led to a shortage of fuel and other essential items. Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China 'commends' India for efforts to mitigate the crisis in Sri Lanka. "We have taken note that the Indian government has also done a lot in this regard. We commend those efforts. China is ready to work with India and the rest of the international community to help Sri Lanka and other developing countries experiencing difficulty to pull through the hardship as early as possible," Lijian said during a presser. "The Chinese government will do its utmost and make full use of the channels available to deliver help to the Sri Lankan society," he replied to a question over a remark made by Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Notably, Rajapaksa said in an interview on June 6 that Sri Lanka couldn't tap a USD 1.5 billion credit line from China and has yet to hear back on the request to China for a USD 1 billion loan. He also said that China seems to have shifted its strategic focus to Southeast Asia and Africa, and has less interest in South Asia. In response to these remarks, the Chinese spokesperson said Beijing pays close attention to and feels for the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka. "We have all along provided support to Sri Lanka's socioeconomic development as long as our ability permits. China has announced that it would provide emergency humanitarian assistance worth 500 million RMB for Sri Lanka," he added. Sri Lanka is witnessing an unprecedented economic crisis and political crisis. Large scale protests have been taking place for months, leading to the ouster of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The island nation is also facing a severe foreign currency shortage which has created problems in importing essential items. Last week, India handed a total of 3.3 tons of essential medical supplies to Sri Lanka. These humanitarian supplies are in continuation of the Indian government's ongoing support to the people of the crisis-ridden island nation in forms such as financial assistance, forex support, material supply and many more. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, more than 25 tons of drugs and medical supplies which were donated by the Government and people of India during the last two months are valued at close to SLR 370 million. This is in addition to the economic assistance of around USD 3.5 billion and supply of other humanitarian supplies such as rice, milk powder, kerosene etc, according to Indian High Commission. (ANI) Sri Lanka is reeling under a severe economic crisis and one of the reasons for it was the "deceitful" Chinese currency swap with Sri Lanka worth USD 1.5 billion. Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said that the swap provided by China in December 2021 was entered into by officials of the then-Government to deceive the public, reported The Morning. "Sri Lanka is required to have enough foreign reserves to cover three months of imports to utilise the swap," said Wickremesinghe in the parliament, adding that, by the time the swap was provided by the People's Bank of China (PBoC) in December 2021, Sri Lanka didn't have foreign currency to cover three months of imports. The amount under the swap agreement (USD 1.5 billion) was included in the CBSL's official foreign reserves in December 2021, raising reserves to USD 3.1 billion by the end of 2021 and Sri Lanka should at least have USD 4.5 billion in foreign reserves to cover three months of imports. Putting the blame on Sri Lankan officials, he said, "But even in such circumstances, our officials took a loan to deceive the country." Moreover, as per conditions put forward by China, to which Sri Lanka had agreed, the latter cannot use the funds, but rather only add numbers to its foreign reserves, reported The Morning. "We have requested the Chinese Government to consider removing those conditions," Wickremesinghe said. Dr Indrajith Coomaraswamy, former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) also highlighted the deceitful swap at an event. He said that China would not be willing to alter the conditions that render the three-year swap unusable in the near future, as it could then be termed a loan facility, and thus Sri Lanka would come under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and others to include it in the stock of debt to be restructured. Therefore, he said that it would make China hesitate in terms of removing that condition to enable Sri Lanka to use that money, as it would clearly be a disadvantage for China, reported The Morning. He added that it would be a challenge to convert the swap of the Chinese Yuan (CNY) 10 billion into a usable form. CBSL and PBoC entered into a currency swap agreement for CNY 10 billion in March 2021, valid for three years, "with a view to promoting bilateral trade and direct investment for economic development". However, a statement issued by CBSL after the swap agreement was signed, said that both central banks agreed to use the swap "for other purposes agreed upon by both parties". This swap agreement was approved by the Cabinet at the time, on the recommendation of the CBSL's Monetary Board. (ANI) Five out of 12 boats were manufactured at the L&T Shipyard in India while seven were made at the Hong Ha Shipyard. The ceremony was held during the defence minister's three-day official visit to Vietnam. Speaking at the event, the Indian defence minister said this project is a glowing example of our 'Make in India-Make for the World' mission. "We would be greatly pleased if close friends like Vietnam become part of our Defence Industries transformation through enhanced Defence Industry cooperation," Rajnath Singh said in a tweet. "I'm confident that this will be a precursor to many more cooperative defence projects between India and Vietnam," he added. India and Vietnam on Wednesday signed a "Joint Vision Statement" for Defence Partnership towards the year 2030 to enhance the scope and scale of defence cooperation between the countries. This key vision statement was signed after the Defence Minister's meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang. Wide-ranging discussions on effective and practical initiatives to further expand bilateral defence engagements and regional and global issues were also held between the two sides. The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared interest. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed on Mutual Logistics Support to help enhance engagements between the defence forces of the two countries. Rajnath Singh also met the Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, during which he described Vietnam as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific vision. He appraised the Vietnamese president on initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral Defence relations between India and Vietnam. (ANI) Chinese government has shown little interest in dealing with the problems that women face on a daily basis. Women in China suffer dangers to their physical safety in addition to employment discrimination. Federico Giuliani, writing in Insideover said that the Chinese government pledged to tackle workplace discrimination based on gender in its annual work report in March 2022, and called for an equitable opportunity for all. However, two Chinese government-controlled media sites, took around a month to reject the official report's remarks. On April 12, the Chinese Communist Youth League's Central Committee released a contentious tweet on its social media account. Some female social media users were labelled "radical feminists" by the Communist Party youth wing for questioning its propaganda photo choices of various historical events. Critics complained that the Youth League's selection of photographs portraying historical events such as the Red Army's Long March, the Korean War, and the Wenchuan Earthquake Rescue Mission in 2008 failed to include women. To keep China's cyberspace "clean," the Communist Party youth wing finished its forceful messaging by urging all internet users to reject those "radical feminists" - whom the league compared to a "tumour" - as soon as possible, said Giuliani. However, the public reacted negatively to the claims made by the Chinese Communist Youth League. The group deleted the comments on its social media account after receiving over 270,000 on the contentious post. While Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged to fight human trafficking in China at a news conference earlier this month, the Chinese government has failed to adequately handle the high-profile crime of the "chained lady" discovered in a rural region of Xuzhou. Activists who continue to examine structural concerns of human trafficking are being detained instead. China's online, discussions about the chained lady, human trafficking, and the lack of gender equality continue to be censored. The Chinese Communist Youth League's social media post is plainly not up to grade. When challenged with opponents who questioned the omission of women's roles, the Chinese Communist Party youth wing chose to blame internet users for being "radical" rather than listen to their concerns, reported Insideover. (ANI) War in Ukraine has left an estimated 1.6 billion people in 94 countries exposed to at least one dimension of finance, food, or energy crisis, with around 1.2 billion living in "perfect-storm" countries severely vulnerable to all three areas, the policy brief by the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) has revealed. The report published on June 8 calls for stabilizing record-high food and fuel prices, implementing social safety nets, and increasing financial support to developing countries. The UN report warns that "time is short" to prevent a food crisis in 2023 in which we will have both a problem with food access and food availability. "If the war continues and high prices of grain and fertilizers persist into the next planting season, food availability will be reduced at the worst possible time, and the present crisis in corn, wheat and vegetable oil could extend to other staples, affecting billions more people," it added. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the ripple effects of the Ukraine war have generated a severe cost-of-living crisis which no country or community can escape. At the launch of the latest report on the conflict's impacts on food security, energy, and financing, the UN chief said the message is clear and insistent: countries must act now to save lives and livelihoods. "Three months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we face a new reality," he told reporters. "For those on the ground, every day brings new bloodshed and suffering. And for people around the world, the war is threatening to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake." The crisis is amplifying the consequences of other challenges confronting countries, such as the climate emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic, and inequalities in resources for post-pandemic recovery. The increase in hunger since the start of the war could be higher and more widespread, according to the report. The number of severely food insecure people doubled from 135 million prior to the pandemic, to 276 million over just two years. The ripple effects of the war could push this number to 323 million. (ANI) Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that he would within the next few days finalise the date for the "biggest protest in Pakistan's history". "We have to go all-in for our campaign for true freedom in the next phase. I will give a date within the next few days," Dawn newspaper quoted Khan as saying. Addressing the PTI's National Council meeting in Islamabad, Imran Khan said his party is consulting with its lawyers but called on party workers to be prepared. "It will be the biggest protest in the country's history. This is our right." "I have told all party organisations to be prepared. We are waiting to get the all-clear from the Supreme Court. As soon as that is done, I will give the date," Khan said. Following his ouster from power, Khan has been holding several rallies, reiterating the foreign conspiracy allegations and his rebuke of the "selected government" against the Shehbaz Sharif government. During a recent rally, the beleaguered PTI chief even said Pakistan could "break up into three parts" if the establishment did not take the right decisions. In an opinion piece for Dawn, Pakistan analyst Zahid Hussain said such reckless statements by a former prime minister raise serious concerns about his motives. "He would prefer military intervention to the political process taking its own course. His destructive populist politics is extremely dangerous not only for democracy but also for national security," said Hussain. On Wednesday, Pakistan Defense Minister Khwaja Asif said Wednesday that Imran Khan was attempting to reach out to the establishment to escape a difficult situation. "Imran Khan is confused and bereft of senses as a result of frustration and failure. His rhetoric against the Pakistani army is still resonating in the air, but he is now seeking assistance from the establishment," Asif said during a programme on Geo News. (ANI) China is eyeing high-speed rail network projects in Bangladesh following Bangladesh Railway (BR) feasibility study for constructing the railway network between Dhaka and Chattogram. In a recent development, China has proposed carrying out the project under the government-to-government-Public Private Partnership (G2G-PPP) framework, reported The Daily Star. Moreover, Dhaka has also selected China Railway Group Ltd (CREC), a state-run company, for implementing the project, which will cost more than three times the expenditure for Padma Bridge (Tk 30,193 crore). Li Jiming, the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, in April wrote to Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan for signing a memorandum of understanding between CREC and BR "as soon as possible". Apart from CREC, two other Chinese companies -- China Railway Construction Corporation and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation -- expressed interest in forming a joint venture to construct, operate and manage funds for the high-speed rail project under a PPP model. Moreover, the ambassador expected that an MoU would be inked between the two governments in the "near future" to embark on the high-speed rail project under the G2G-PPP framework, reported The Daily Star. Under the G2G-PPP arrangement, Bangladesh may request other governments to provide financial support and select state-owned or private entities to act as the investors. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in October 2014 had proposed constructing a high-speed rail network between Dhaka and Chattogram. However, the project was apparently put on the back burner considering the huge amount of money -- Tk 93,35,0.93 crore -- required for its implementation. No project under the G2G-PPP arrangement has yet been implemented in Bangladesh. Discussions with several countries, including Japan and South Korea, have been going on to implement some projects under this model. The Chinese proposal came at a time when prominent transport experts questioned the viability of such a huge-investment project. Some of them said BR lacks the capacity to complete this "highly ambitious" scheme. Even, the railways' minister himself told The Daily Star last year that the government would "go slow" with the project due to the massive cost involved. In Bangladesh, once the high-speed rail project is implemented, the journey on the 224.64km route between Dhaka and Chattogram via Narayanganj-Cumilla-Feni will take 55 minutes if uninterrupted, and 73 minutes with stopovers. The travel time is currently more than six hours. Dhaka-Chattogram highway is considered the lifeline of the economy as it carries more than 80 per cent of the external trade. (ANI) The United States has approved the sale of ship parts to Taiwan worth USD 120 million amid the increasing threat of Chinese invasion. China has warned the US against enhancing ties with the democratic island that Beijing regards as its island and threatens to overtake by force. Last month, 30 Chinese warplanes breached Taiwan's air defence identification zone or ADIZ, while a US congressional delegation was on a surprise visit to Taiwan. After the approval of the sale, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress regarding the deal. "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) has requested to buy unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems; logistical technical assistance; U.S. Government and contractor representative technical and logistical support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is USD 120 million," the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to maintain a credible defensive capability. The US government said the proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. "The sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient's surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats. The proposed sale will contribute to the recipient's goal of maintaining its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies," the statement said. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the statement said. "The equipment will be sourced from approved US Navy vendors and/or US Navy stock. There is no prime contractor. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives," the statement said. The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said there will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale. (ANI) Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu's recent visit to Gabon once again proved the strong bonding between India and African nations. He led the first-ever visit by a high-ranking Indian dignitary to the Gabonese Republic with a series of high-level meetings in the capital city of Libreville. "India attaches great importance to its relations with Gabon and reiterated the commitment of the Government of India to be Gabon's reliable partner in its development journey," according to a tweet by the Vice President's Office. He called for stepping up bilateral cooperation in green energy, services, health and agriculture among other sectors. The Indian Vice President was accorded a ceremonial reception and was warmly received by Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda, Prime Minister of Gabon and Michael Moussa-Adamo, Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs. Naidu held a bilateral meeting with Moussa Adamo and then met the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba. The Indian Vice President also led delegation-level talks with the Gabonese Prime Minister Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda on a host of issues of common interest to both countries and sought to deepen the bilateral relations. During this, two Memorandum of understanding (MoUs) were signed -- establishment of a Joint Commission between the Governments of India and Gabon, and an MoU between the diplomats' training institutes, Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Services and Gabonese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We are ready to work together with Gabon to expand our ambit of cooperation in various spheres to further strengthen and broaden our bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation," Naidu said. Referring to the steady growth of bilateral trade between India and Gabon, which crossed USD 1 billion in 2021-22 despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Naidu called for exploring the possibilities of diversifying the trade basket, particularly in the sectors of health and pharmaceuticals, energy, agriculture, rice, defence and security. He also wanted increased partnership between both the countries in key sectors such as oil & gas, mining, wood processing, defence, and solar energy among others. Terming capacity building as an important pillar of India's partnership with Africa, the Vice President announced the Indian government's approval for a special training programme for the next batch of 20 Gabonese diplomats. Congratulating Gabon for getting elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2022-23, Naidu thanked its leadership for supporting India's candidature for the permanent membership of the UNSC. Emphasising the need for structural reforms in United Nations, particularly in the UN Security Council, he called for closer cooperation between the two countries on issues such as counter-terrorism and climate change. In his talks, the Vice President also reiterated India's support for the Common African Position, enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, and underscored the need to rectify the historical injustice done to the African continent. He also emphasised the need to work closely together in ensuring that the founding values and principles of NAM are adhered to in both letter and spirit and that NAM focuses on mainstream contemporary issues of relevance to the developing world. Recognising that Gabon was among the first countries to sign and ratify the International Solar Alliance agreement and that it plans to have 100 per cent clean energy by 2030, Naidu said India would like to extend all possible assistance to Gabon to achieve its renewable energy targets. Even though the Indian community in Gabon is relatively small in numbers, the Vice President lauded their valuable contribution to the Gabonese economy and conveyed his appreciation to the Gabonese Government for taking good care of Indian nationals. Around 800 Indians are living in Gabon. They are engaged in infrastructure projects, trading, and export of timber and metal scrap. From Gabon, Naidu travelled to Senegal where he met President of the National Assembly Moustapha Niasse, and other dignitaries. He said that there is a thriving Indian community in every African country, many of whom have been living there for generations. He said that through their achievements & contribution to Senegal's development, the Indian diaspora has created immense goodwill for the country. "Indian diaspora has, indeed, been true cultural ambassadors of India. Their success around the world is a great source of pride for us", he said. During his visit to Senegal, the Vice President led delegation has signed several agreements with Senegal, including a Visa Waiver Agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, a Cultural Exchange Programme, and an MoU on cooperation in Youth matters. Noting that there are several Indian-owned businesses in Senegal, Shri Naidu said that they can take the lead in creating new business and investment collaborations between Senegal and India and support mutual growth and development. "Much of what our two countries have achieved today, would not have been possible without the contribution of the vibrant Indian community in Senegal", he said. (ANI) US President Joe Biden spoke with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to calibrating sanctions on Caracas depending on how internal reform negotiations go in the country, the White House said on Wednesday. "President Biden reaffirmed the United States is willing to calibrate sanctions policy as informed by the outcomes of negotiations that empower the Venezuelan people to determine the future of their country," the White House said in a readout of the leaders' call. Guaido, whom the United States recognizes as the Interim President of Venezuela, was invited to attend events on the periphery of the Summit of the Americas, to which the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro was not invited. Biden in the call expressed his support for negotiations in Venezuela toward fair elections and a restoration of democratic institutions, according to the readout. Biden and Guaido discussed the role the US and others can play in supporting the negotiations, the readout added. At the opening ceremony of the Summit of the Americas, Biden announced the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity. The White House has described this as a historic new agreement to drive the hemisphere's economic recovery and growth, and deliver for the working people. "Accounting for 31.9 % of global GDP, the Western Hemisphere is one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world, and the United States' ties with the rest of the hemisphere are broad and deep," the White House said. Earlier this month, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the United States for excluding Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela from the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles of the US state of California. Maduro expressed his government's "firm, strong and total rejection of the imperialist vision that intends to exclude the peoples of the Americas" from a regional gathering. Earlier, the US coordinator of the Americas Summit Kevin O'Reilly reiterated that the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, all members of ALBA-TCP, had not been invited to participate in the meeting. (ANI) Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri on Thursday said he received an overwhelming commitment from UK lawmakers to recognise the "Kashmiri Hindu genocide", during his visit to the British Parliament. Vivek Agnihotri, who is riding high on the success of his film "The Kashmir Files", said this recognition is a step further in his mission. "The overwhelming commitment of UK parliamentarians recognising Kashmiri Hindu GENOCIDE is a step further in our mission that the 'Injustice to Kashmiri Hindus is a collective failure of Humanity'. The power of an honest film," Vivek Agnihotri tweeted. "Last night was historical as for the first time ever so many ideologically diverse MPs, Lords, Baronesses, Mayors & Councillors stood up in support of Kashmiri Hindus and pledged to take the cause of GENOCIDE further at the @UKParliament," he added. He thanked several British Parliamentarians for this support. "I sincerely thank Gagan Mohindra MP(Con), Baroness Sandip Verma (Con), Virendra Sharma MP (Labour), Jonathan Lord (Con), Navendu Mishra MP (Labour), Lord Navnit Dholakia (Liberal Dem), Sam Terry MP (Labour), Theresa Villiers MP (Con), Sir Robert James Buckland KBE QC MP (Con)," Agnihotri said in another tweet. [{582604fb-2c21-441a-9f30-2806b477f708:intradmin/adsfadsfasfASDAS.jpg}] This visit comes as Vivek Agnihotri is on a European humanity tour to spread the message of peace in different parts of the world. Last month, Agnihotri had accused the Oxford Union of "Hinduphobia" and threatened to file a lawsuit against them for cancelling his event. In a video message, The Kashmir Files director shared an incident that took place, in which he mentioned that the 'Hindu voice' is being curbed. "Yet another Hindu voice is curbed at HINDUPHOBIC Oxford Union. They have cancelled me. In reality, they cancelled Hindu Genocide and Hindu students who are a minority at Oxford Univ. The president-elect is a Pakistani. Please share and support me in this most difficult fight," The Kashmir Files director tweeted along with the video. The filmmaker said that he visited Cambridge University where he was informed at the last minute that he will not be allowed to video record the event. He claimed that his 'freedom of expression' was being curbed and stated that this step was taken as a few Pakistani and Kashmiri Muslim students protested. "... This happened because a few Pakistani and Kashmiri Muslim students protested against it. These are genocide denials, they are fascists. This is perhaps because I support a democratically elected Government of India," he had said in a video message. (ANI) The global lender has asked the government to treat the CPEC power plants at par with the power plants established under the 1994 and 2002 power policies, The Express Tribune reported citing sources. These plants had been set up under the CPEC framework agreement. The IMF's demand came after China's refusal in the past to renegotiating the terms of agreements with the independent power producers (IPPs). Citing sources, The Express Tribune reported that the IMF suspected that the Chinese IPPs might have been overcharging Pakistan and there was a need to reopen these deals. The Mohammad Ali report on the IPPs had identified over payment of about Pakistani rupees 41 billion to the Chinese IPPs. Quoting top officials in the Ministry of Finance The Express Tribune reported that the IMF had raised the issue of payments to the Chinese IPPs with their willingness to renegotiate the deals. When contacted, Esther Perez, IMF's Resident Representative, emphasised the need for equitable treatment of all power sector stakeholders due to the limited fiscal space. "An important principle underpinning these (power sector) reforms is that all stakeholders contribute in an equitable manner to reduce the circular debt, between the government, IPPs and consumers, while protecting the most vulnerable consumers," said Perez. Perez added that in order to contain circular debt in the power sector, the government of Pakistan had engaged efforts to reduce the cost of power generation as part of a broad power sector reform strategy, including in concluding renegotiations of the capacity payment terms with over 30 IPPs last year. She added that a number of partners of Pakistan were supporting those reforms, including the World Bank and the IMF. (ANI) This year, Kazakhastan is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of scholar Akhmet Baitursynov, a teacher who was the founder of the first Kazakh alphabet and established the first national newspaper. Born in 1872, Baitursynov whose birth anniversary is included in the UNESCO list of anniversaries for 2022-2023 is called Ult Ustazy --Teacher of the Nation. Belongs to a small village in the Kostanai region, Baitursynov began his teaching career during 1895-1909 in the Russian-Kazakh schools in Aktobe, Kostanai, Karkaralinsk districts, and became a headmaster of the Karkaralinsk city school, according to The Astana Times. Baitursynov who was recognized as the Ult Ustazy (Teacher of the Nation) has done significant work than any other linguist to develop Kazakh literacy in the 20th century. Throughout his career, developing mass literacy was his major goal. Baitursynov's achievement include: the transformation of the Arabic alphabet, which was used for years, to adapt it to the spelling and phonetic peculiarities of the Kazakh language. The main reasons to reform the Arabic script were the mismatch of sounds in the Kazakh and Arabic languages and the absence of a universally approved alphabet. Because of this, there were difficulties in distinguishing sounds and reading, and that was an obstacle for mass literacy, as per The Astana Times. This difficulties made Baitursynov decide to reform the Arabic alphabet in accordance with the phonetic laws of the Kazakh language to raise literacy to the national level. Notably, Baitursynov's alphabet came into use in 1912. Later, in 1926, Baitursynov also discussed the advantages of transitioning to the Latin alphabet. Baitursynov's greatest desire to educate Kazakh people led him to establish the first weekly nationwide socio-political and literary newspaper Qazaq, was published in Kazakh language using the Arabic alphabet from 1913 to 1918. He could fulfill his wish with the help of his closest friends and colleagues Alikhan Bokeikhan and Mirzhakyp Dulatuly. The newspaper called on Kazakh people to master art and science and raised the problem of the development of the Kazakh language. It had more than 3,000 subscribers and was read in the Kazakh steppes, China and Russia. The Kazakh translation of Krylov's fables was published in St. Petersburg in 1909 under the title "Forty Fables." The animal stories in fables represented themes of unity, education, spirituality, morality, culture, hard work, and subtle criticism of colonial policy, The Astana Times reported. In order to contribute more in the people's welfare, Baitursynov's own civic dreams and thoughts were published as a separate book under the name "Masa" (Mosquito) in 1911. The ideological foundation of "Masa" was to invite the public to study art and receive a proper education, to develop culture and a work ethic. Baitursynov skillfully used poetry as a way to awaken people, to influence their minds, hearts and feelings. Apart from education and literature, Baitursynov actively participated in the formation of the Kazakh national state idea. His political activity began in 1905. He was one of the authors of the Karkaraly petition, which raised questions regarding local administration, changes in the system of public education, and the adoption of new laws. The October Revolution in 1917, which resulted in the overthrow of the provisional government and the establishment of the power of Soviets led Baitursynov, Bokeikhan and Dulatuly to establish the Autonomy of Kazakh areas and to name it Alash. The first political group and movement - the Alash party and the Alashorda government was created. The territory and borders of Kazakhstan were documented and legally confirmed for the first time during this period of Alash governance as well. Baitursynov, along with many members of the Kazakh intelligentsia, fell victim to Stalinist repression. In 1929 Baitursynov was arrested again with charges of counter-revolutionary activity and preparation of an armed uprising in the Kazakh steppe. In 1934, at the request of the International Red Cross, Baitursynov was released and returned to Almaty to reunite with his family. (ANI) Moscow [Russia], June 9 (ANI/Sputnik): The decree on the temporary presence of foreign military personnel in Nicaragua is routine, it allows the temporary admission of the armed forces of a number of countries, including Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik. On Wednesday, Nicaragua allowed the temporary presence of a foreign military in the country. The list of countries whose military are allowed on Nicaraguan territory includes Russia. "I would like to immediately reassure the 'hot heads': we are talking about the routine -- twice a year -- procedure for the adoption of a Nicaraguan law on the temporary admission of foreign military personnel to its territory in order to develop cooperation in various areas, including humanitarian and emergency response, combating organized crime and drug trafficking," Zakharova said, answering whether Moscow would use this opportunity and deploy its military there in the near future. "This law allows the presence in the country of representatives of the armed forces of a number of states, including Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Russia, El Salvador and the United States," she added. According to Zakharova, the presence of such an act in legislative practice is not an exceptional phenomenon. "We should not forget that we are talking about a country that has experienced more than a dozen armed interventions in its 200-year history. This applies not only to Nicaragua but also to other states of the region, where similar laws also apply," the diplomat explained. Speaking about Russia in this context, she noted that the Russian side traditionally developed equal and mutually respectful cooperation with its Nicaraguan partners on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. According to Zakharova, "this also applies to such areas as cooperation in the field of defence, the fight against new challenges and threats." "We work here openly and transparently, on the basis of existing bilateral documents, in particular, the 2001 intergovernmental agreements on military-technical cooperation, on cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking in and use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances of 2004, and on cooperation in the field of advanced training of personnel in this area in 2013," the spokeswoman recalled. In the course of interaction, which is not directed against third countries, the countries pay special attention to the principles of regional security, she said. "Latin America is a continent of peace and stability, and it is not in our interests to disturb this stability and the balance of power that has developed there," she added. "So there is no sensation in the messages you are interested in," Zakharova concluded. (ANI/Sputnik) The two leaders held a two-hour one-on-one meeting at the president's private palace and later had lunch together, Bennett's office said in a statement. They discussed "the promotion of regional architecture" and "several economic and regional issues," according to the statement. The officials from the two sides also held separate working meetings, the statement said.Bennett arrived in the UAE for a one-day visit at the invitation of the UAE's new president, which was not publically announced in advance. The trip was Bennett's second public visit to Abu Dhabi since Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize ties in 2020.Bennett's office said that the latest meeting was the third time the two leaders have met over the past months, with another meeting held in Egypt in March. "Bilateral ties have grown accordingly; a trade agreement -- the first of its kind -- was recently signed," the office said. In the past year, trade between the two countries has grown and is expected to expand further and reach approximately 3 billion U.S. dollars annually, it said. (ANI/Xinhua) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government to address the "constitutional, political and economic deprivation" of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), media reported on Thursday. The HRCP issued the statement after the end of a fact-finding mission's visit to the region. The mission comprised Salima Hashmi, Muzaffar Hussain, Ghazi Salahuddin and Israruddin. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Ghazi Salahuddin said the human rights situation had deteriorated in GB, with political workers, rights activists, lawyers and religious leaders expressing their disappointment at Islamabad's failure to integrate GB with the rest of the country. He said the groups that the mission consulted were of the view that GB should at least be granted a "provisional provincial status" or, as a last option, a system of governance similar to that of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Political leaders who met the mission suggested GB be included in the plan for electoral reforms, which is to begin shortly, according to Salahuddin. He said Gilgit-Baltistan cannot benefit fully from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project because of its disputed status. Meanwhile, the people in Gilgit-Baltistan staged a protest in Skardu city against the administration over electricity shortage and power outages in the region. According to the reports, the locals complained that they have received hefty electricity bills despite frequent power outages. These frequent power cuts had paralyzed the life in the GB and its administration. Protesters slammed the authorities and said that despite having abundant water resources and dams to generate sufficient electricity, the authorities were not doing anything to solve the electricity crisis. The locals, led by social and political activist affiliated to Baltistan Student Federation Shabbir Mayar, demonstrated against the establishment and said that they will not suffer injustice anymore. In January last year, several cities across Pakistan, including capital Islamabad had plunged into darkness for several hours following a massive nationwide electricity blackout. Due to Pakistan's fragile power distribution system, outages occur frequently -- an issue that has previously sparked widespread street protests. (ANI) Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs, Saurabh Kumar on Thursday participated in the ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials' Meeting (ARF SOM) virtually and shared India's perspectives on the threat posed by terrorism and the challenges of cyber security. He also appreciated the role of the forum in advancing peace, security, and cooperation in the region. "Secretary (East) appreciated the role of ASEAN-led architecture particularly the ARF in advancing peace, security, and cooperation in the region," read the MEA press release. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the ARF member states and chaired by Cambodia as the Chairperson of ASEAN. The meeting reviewed the activities and exchanges of the 27 members of ARF over the past year and deliberated on its future plans and activities. Senior officials exchanged views on regional and international developments, and on the COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, maritime and cyber security. Recognizing the evolving traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain, he emphasised the convergence between the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and Indo-Pacific policies announced by several ARF countries. In the current inter-sessional year, Australia, India and Indonesia co-chaired an ARF workshop on "Law of the Sea and Fisheries" on December 7-8, 2021. India, the US, and Indonesia co-chaired the 13th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security on May 12, 2022. India seeks to continue to contribute to ARF activities and processes in the next inter-sessional year, said the press release. Former Ambassador to Myanmar and Iran, Saurabh Kumar also took part in the East Asia Summit Senior Officials' meeting on Wednesday over a video conference chaired by Cambodia as ASEAN Chair. "SecretaryEast @AmbSaurabhKumar participated in the East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting today chaired by Cambodia as ASEAN Chair, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had tweeted. The meeting also discussed issues of regional and international importance, he added, continuing the thread. The talks with several high-level delegations underlined the key role of the East Asia Summit(EAS) as a leading mechanism for the promotion of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific with ASEAN at its centre. India as a part of its strategic vision envisages a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and peaceful settlement of issues through mutual co-operation.East Asia Summit focuses on seven pillars for cooperation and collaboration namely maritime security, maritime ecology, maritime resources, capacity building and resource sharing, disaster risk reduction and management, science, technology and academic cooperation and trade, connectivity and maritime transport with an aim to fulfil the over-arching and converging interests in the Indo-Pacific. These, together with India's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and customary law of the seas, provide a direction and a framework for efforts to enhance public good in the broader Indo-Pacific.The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a premier leaders-led forum to exchange views on strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier, the EAS conference was first initiated in 2015 and the first conference was held in New Delhi. The second was held in Goa in 2017, the third in Bhubaneswar in 2018, and the fourth in Chennai last year.Since its inception in 2005, EAS has been playing an important role in negating issues related to traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region. (ANI) Videos surfaced on Chinese social media showing that the traffic police are allowing other cars to go through but Tesla cars are diverted to a different route, according to media reports. It is to be noted that the police took these actions taking security concerns in their mind and Tesla cars have many cameras and sensors as compared to other cars. Meanwhile, US carmaker Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory has returned to full production capacity. Over 40,000 vehicles have rolled off the production line since it resumed production on April 19, Xinhua News Agency citing the company. Affected by the latest COVID-19 resurgence in Shanghai, the Shanghai Gigafactory once suspended production for over 20 days. The Gigafactory now implements a two-shift working schedule after resuming production on April 19 with about 8,000 employees back to work under the "closed-loop" production model, namely employees who live and work in isolation. According to the China Passenger Car Association, in the first five months of this year, Tesla delivered 215,851 vehicles, up over 50 per cent year on year. In May alone, the wholesale volume of Tesla reached 32,165 vehicles, including 22,340 vehicles exported to Europe, Australia, Japan and other markets. Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory is the first wholly foreign-owned car manufacturing enterprise in China. Deliveries from the Shanghai Gigafactory stood at 484,130 vehicles last year, an increase of 235 per cent from 2020 and accounting for 51.7 per cent of Tesla's global production capacity in 2021. (ANI) Marking the 30th anniversary of India-ASEAN dialogue relations and the 10th anniversary of the country's strategic partnership with ASEAN, India will host the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting (SAIFMM) on June 16 and 17. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who is India's Country Coordinator, will co-chair the meeting. Foreign Ministers of other ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretary-General will participate in the SAIFMM. This year has been designated as ASEAN-India Friendship Year. ASEAN-India dialogue relations started with the establishment of sectoral partnership in 1992 which graduated to full dialogue partnership in December 1995, Summit level Partnership in 2002, and Strategic partnership in 2012. A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release said that ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership today stands on a strong foundation and ASEAN is central to India's Act East Policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. "This multi-faceted partnership encompasses many sectoral dialogue mechanisms and working groups that meet regularly at various levels and include annual Summit, Ministerial and Senior Officials' meetings. The ongoing India-ASEAN collaboration is guided by the Plan of Action 2021-2025 which was adopted in 2020," the release said. While ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM), hosted by ASEAN Chair, is an annual event, the SAIFMM would be the first ASEAN-India FMM to be hosted by India in New Delhi. The SAIFMM will be preceded by 24th ASEAN-India Senior Officials Meeting on June 15. The release said that SAIFMM will be accompanied by the 12th edition of Delhi Dialogue, a premier Tack 1.5 Dialogue in ASEAN-India calendar, which will be hosted by India on 16-17 June 2022. The theme of DD-XII is 'Building Bridges in the Indo-Pacific'. The ministerial session of DD-XII will be attended by EAM and the ASEAN Ministers. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson also briefed about SAIFMM at the weekly media briefing. Answering a query about the participation of Myanmar, he said it will be as per ASEAN consensus in this regard. "Myanmar is an ASEAN member state. So, the participation of Myanmar in this Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting is as per ASEAN consensus in this regard," Bagchi said. (ANI) According to the reports, the accident took place in Kartarpur town of Narowal district due to an overspeeding truck, according to Xinhua news agency. The victims have been shifted to a local hospital, rescue workers told local media. Road accidents frequently happen in Pakistan, mainly due to poorly maintained vehicles, dilapidated roads as well as negligence of road safety measures. On June 8, at least 22 people were killed and a child was injured after a passenger van plunged 100 feet into a ravine near Killa Saifullah in Balochistan. The incident took place on Wednesday morning when the ill-fated van, with approximately 23 people on board, had left Loralai for Zhob, reported Dawn. "The vehicle fell from a hilltop near Akhtarzai and 22 travellers aboard were reportedly killed in the accident," said the district's deputy commissioner, Hafiz Muhammad Qasim. (ANI) Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who could not manage to complete his full tenure in power, said that the situation in the country had deteriorated during the last 60 years due to the rule of two families and the army dictators. These remarks come while Imran Khan was speaking at the PTI's National Council meeting, wherein he was elected unopposed as the chairman of the party again, after two other candidates, Omer Sarfraz Cheema and Nek Muhammad, withdrew their candidature, according to a statement issued here. "We tried, but the system was not corrected in the true sense," he added. Also, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar were elected vice-chairman and secretary-general of the party, respectively, reported Pakistan's local media outlet The News International. Meanwhile, Imran Khan has said that he would within the next few days finalise the date for the "biggest protest in Pakistan's history"."We have to go all-in for our campaign for true freedom in the next phase. I will give a date within the next few days," he said. Addressing the Council meeting in Islamabad, Imran Khan said his party is consulting with its lawyers but called on party workers to be prepared. "It will be the biggest protest in the country's history. This is our right," Khan said adding, "I have told all party organisations to be prepared. We are waiting to get the all-clear from the Supreme Court. As soon as that is done, I will give the date." Following his ouster from power, Khan has been holding several rallies, reiterating the foreign conspiracy allegations and his rebuke of the "selected government" against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government. During a recent rally, the beleaguered PTI chief even said Pakistan could "break up into three parts" if the establishment did not take the right decisions. Pakistan analyst Zahid Hussain said such reckless statements by a former prime minister raise serious concerns about his motives. "He would prefer military intervention to the political process taking its own course. His destructive populist politics is extremely dangerous not only for democracy but also for national security," said Hussain.Moreover, on Wednesday, Pakistan Defense Minister Khwaja Asif said that Imran Khan was attempting to reach out to the establishment to escape a difficult situation. "Imran Khan is confused and bereft of senses as a result of frustration and failure. His rhetoric against the Pakistani army is still resonating in the air, but he is now seeking assistance from the establishment," Asif said. (ANI) Madagascar's Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato visited India in April 2022 to attend the Raisina Dialogue and had a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. Meanwhile, India on June 3 announced a donation of 15,000 bicycles to Madagascar on the occasion of World Bicycle Day. India is also going to donate 5,000 metric tonnes of rice to Madagascar soon. India considers Madagascar as a vital pole in the collaborative maritime vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). Minister of National Defence of Madagascar, Lt. General Rakotonirina Leon Jean Richard led a 4-member delegation to participate in Aero India 2021 and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers' Conclave in Bengaluru from February 3-5, 2021. During the visit, the Malagasy Defence Minister held a bilateral meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed steps for furthering defence cooperation between the two countries. Ten diplomats from Madagascar participated in the 1st Special Course for Diplomats in the Indian Ocean Region from September 19 to October 2, 2021 organised by the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service. As a goodwill gesture, and in response to the appeal made by the Government of Madagascar to provide humanitarian assistance to deal with its drought situation, 1000 tonnes of rice and 100,000 tablets of hydroxychloroquine were despatched on board by INS Jalashwa in March 2021 as humanitarian assistance. (ANI) India has lodged protest with Pakistan over the recent vandalisation of a Hindu temple in Karachi and said it's "another act of systemic persecution of religious minorities" in the neighbouring country. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the weekly media briefing that India has called upon Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities. "We have noted recent incident of vandalisation of a Hindu temple in Karachi. We believe it's another act of systemic persecution of religious minorities. We have conveyed our protest to Pakistan government, urging them to ensure safety, security and well-being of its minority communities," Bagchi said. A Hindu temple was attacked by some extremists in Pakistan's Karachi. The incident took place at the Korangi Number 5 area of the country's port city. The Shri Mari Mata Mandir, which also houses the residence of the Hindu priest, was attacked late on Wednesday, triggering fear among the Hindu community. A violent mob attacked the house of the priest and vandalised the idols. No arrests have been made by Pakistan police so far. The idols were brought by the priest a few days ago to be installed in the under-construction temple. Eyewitnesses said six to eight individuals on motorcycles attacked the complex. "Five to six unknown suspects entered the temple and escaped after vandalising it," said Korangi SHO Farooq Sanjrani. Temples in Pakistan are often the target of mob violence. Last October, a historical temple located in Sindh's Kotri was desecrated by unidentified people. Activists say human rights in Pakistan have touched a new low with several media reports and global bodies reflecting the dire situation for women, minorities, children, and media persons in the country. In Sindh, forced conversions and attacks on minority communities have become more rampant. Forced conversion of minor Hindu, Sikh, and Christian girls, always under duress, have become an increasingly common phenomenon in the country. (ANI) International Monetary Fund (IMF) drives hard bargain with Pakistan as the fund engages in tough talks by the indicated placement of four to five major prior actions for the revival of the stalled USD 6 billion programme. Pakistan and the IMF held virtual talks on Wednesday night whereby the Pakistani side shared the features of the coming budget 2022-23. The IMF placed major prior actions, including taxation measures, to fetch Rs 7.255 trillion in the next fiscal year, reported The News International. The Pakistani government has proposed an outlay of Rs 9,500 billion federal budget. Earlier, at the time of completion of the 6th review under the Imran Khan-led PTI regime, the reform of Personal Income Tax (PIT), was the structural benchmark of the IMF program. It was agreed that the PIT reforms would be introduced on the occasion of the FY 2023 budget. Now if the Pakistani government deviates from implementing these reforms then it would have to come up with an alternate plan to fetch revenues up to the desired mark in the coming budget. However, the government showed reluctance to move ahead as desired by the IMF on the occasion of the completion of the sixth review in February 2022 under the PTI-led regime. The IMF side also expressed concern over the outstanding repayments to Chinese Independent Power Producers (IPPs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the release of Rs 50 billion out of total outstanding dues of Rs 300 billion. Now, the fund is asking about the repayment schedule on this account. The IMF has also asked about alternate plans to meet the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR's) envisaged target of Rs7.255 trillion in the coming budget. The IMF has estimated that the FBR's collection would be standing at Rs6,000 billion for the outgoing fiscal year and the FBR would have to collect Rs1,255 billion to meet the desired target in the next fiscal year. With nominal growth of 16.5 per cent, the FBR's collection would touch Rs6,700 billion so the IMF is inquiring about the plan for collecting the remaining Rs550 billion for touching the revenue collection of Rs7,255 billion for the next financial year. Pakistan and the IMF discussed the proposed increase in electricity tariff, subsidies on POL prices, and expected budget deficit for the coming financial year 2022-23. The government has envisaged Rs578 billion for subsidy on electricity as Rs 500 billion subsidies proposed for FY2023, RLNG to get Rs20 billion subsidy and Rs 50 billion subsidies for the industrial sector. Pakistan and the IMF remained engaged on one of the toughest rounds of parleys for finalising budgetary figures for the upcoming budget amid the lingering severe macroeconomic and fiscal crisis being faced by the country. This crisis-like situation was aggravated owing to skyrocketing POL and commodities prices in the international market. (ANI) World Uyghur Congress (WUC) applauds the passing of a resolution in the European Parliament on Thursday by an overwhelming majority, which recognises that the Chinese government's systemic human rights violations against the Uyghur people in East Turkistan "amount to crimes against humanity and a serious risk of genocide". Calling upon the European Union (EU) and its member states to "take all necessary steps in accordance with the UN Genocide Convention to end these atrocities", the passed resolution marks a historic appeal for accountability mechanisms to bring justice to the Uyghur people. "The Xinjiang Police Files have clearly been a wake-up call for the European Parliament to sense the urgency of the situation and the need for effective action", WUC President Dolkun Isa said. "The EU and its Member States must now act upon these calls and do everything they can, in cooperation with governments and civil society worldwide to end the Uyghur genocide," he added, reported the Uyghur Congress in its press release. After the US, Canada, UK, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Belgium, France, and Ireland, the European Parliament becomes the tenth legislative body worldwide to pass a resolution recognising the crimes against humanity and (serious risk of) genocide being carried out against the Uyghur people, confirming the findings of the independent Uyghur Tribunal. Next to the recognition of a "serious risk of" genocide, the resolution also contains important other appeals, such as a call upon the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to immediately publish her independent report on the situation in East Turkistan, noting the European Parliament's regret that the High Commissioner "failed to clearly hold the Chinese government accountable". The WUC also welcomed the passing of another resolution in the European Parliament, on a new trade instrument to ban products made by forced labour. The resolution sets out strong recommendations to the European Commission ahead of the latter's proposal for an instrument to ban the imports of forced labour products onto the EU market, expected in September. As the US Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) will come into effect on June 21, a robust EU mechanism will be crucial to ensure uniform responses against Uyghur forced labour across jurisdictions. The WUC expressed its heartfelt thanks to all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who have made crucial contributions to both resolutions, as a show of their longtime, steadfast commitment to defending and promoting Uyghur human rights and freedoms, as per the press release. As a next step, the WUC urges the EU and its member states to act upon the calls of the European Parliament, in particular, to take all necessary steps in accordance with their obligations under the UN Genocide Convention to end the Uyghur genocide. (ANI) Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, met with the Vice-President of Malawi, Dr Saulos Chilima, and discussed the prospect of strengthening cooperation in various sectors between India and the southeast African nation. Taking to Twitter, Muraleedharan wrote, "Taking to Glad to call on Vice-President of Malawi, Dr Saulos Chilima in Lilongwe. Discussed possibilities of enhancing cooperation in various sectors. The relationship between both our countries is stronger today." The MoS after concluding his visit to Zimbabwe from June 6-7 is on a visit to Malawi from June 8-9. Muraleedharan, on his visit to Zimbabwe on Wednesday, handed over a consignment of 288 boxes of medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB) to the Deputy Minister of Health and Family Welfare John Mangwiro. Muraleedharan said he is confident that these medicines will help Zimbabwe in its fight against tuberculosis. "From the people of India to the people of Zimbabwe. Happy to hand over a consignment of 288 boxes of medicines to treat Tuberculosis to Deputy Minister of Health and Family Welfare H.E. John Mangwiro. Confident that it will help Zimbabwe in its fight against TB," he tweeted. Muraleedharan met the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe, advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda on Tuesday. The MoS exchanged views on strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship, including political cooperation, cooperation in the fields of health, energy, trade, investments, and multilateral fora. Moreover, On March 5, 2021, 350,000 doses "Made in India" COVID Vaccines were dispatched to Malawi under Covax facility. On March 12, 2021, India donated 50,000 doses of "Made in India" COVID vaccines. On May 7, 2021, MoS had a telephonic conversation with Eisenhower Nduwa Mkaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Malawi, and discussed various matters to enhance bilateral cooperation. The 7th International Day of Yoga Day was organised on June 20, 2021. In the run-up to Yoga Day, a curtain-raiser event was organised at Salima on June 13, 2021. On June 16, 2021, India and Malawi signed an MoU on Cooperation in the field of Trade of Pigeon Peas in Lilongwe for a period of five years from 2021-2026. This MoU will facilitate export of 50,000 MTs of Pigeon Peas annually from Malawi to India. (ANI) Myanmar is an ASEAN member state and the participation of Myanmar in the upcoming Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting is as per the consensus of the association, said Arindam Bagchi, MEA Spokesperson on Thursday. Replying to a question on whether Myanmar's Foreign Minister will also be a part of the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting, Bagchi said, "ASEAN meeting is in the ASEAN format and Myanmar is an ASEAN member state. So, the participation of Myanmar in this Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting is as per ASEAN consensus in this regard." Marking the 30th anniversary of India-ASEAN dialogue relations and the 10th anniversary of the country's strategic partnership with ASEAN, India will host the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting on June 16-17, said Bagchi. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will co-chair the meeting. Foreign Ministers of other ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretary-General will participate in the meeting. ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meetings are hosted by the ASEAN chair on an annual basis and this will be the first Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting to be hosted by India in New Delhi. It will be preceded by the 24th India-ASEAN senior officials meeting which will take place on June 15. The 12th edition of the Delhi Dialogue will also be hosted by India on June 16-17. The theme of the Delhi Dialogue is "Building Bridges in the Indo-Pacific." The ministerial session of this Delhi Dialogue will be attended by the EAM Jaishankar as well as ASEAN ministers. The year 2022 marks 30 years of ASEAN-India relations and it has been designated as ASEAN-India Friendship Year by the leaders in October 2021. India began formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a "Sectoral Dialogue Partner" (and subsequently as a "Dialogue Partner" in 1996. The initial years as a Dialogue Partner (DP) entailed interaction at the Foreign Minister level which was further upgraded to the Summit level in 2002 when the first such Summit level meeting was held. At the 20 years Commemorative Summit Meeting in New Delhi (December 2012) the India-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership was further elevated to a Strategic Partnership. During the 25-year Commemorative Summit in New Delhi (January 2018), India and ASEAN have further agreed that the Strategic Partnership will be focused on building cooperation in the maritime domain. Engagement with ASEAN is a multi-level interaction process. At the apex is the annual summits ("ASEAN-India Summit") supported by meetings at the Foreign Minister level. In 2021, the 18th ASEAN-India Summit was held on October 28, 2021; AIFMM was held on August 4, 2021, and the 23rd AISOM was held on April 28, 2021. The cycle of meetings begins at Ambassador's level, ASEAN India Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting (AIJCC), which was held on 23 March 2022. On October 28, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the 18th India-ASEAN Summit with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. The Summit was held virtually and sawparticipation from the Leaders of ASEAN Member States. Moreover, on October 27, 2021, PM Modi participated in the 16th East Asia Summit viavideoconference hosted by Brunei. It saw the participation of leaders from ASEAN countries andother EAS Participating Countries including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA and India. (ANI) India on Thursday reiterated that the controversial remarks concerning Prophet Mohammad do not reflect the views of the Government and added that action has been taken by concerned quarters against those who made the comments. This comes after comments by a BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad prompted some Muslim countries to lodge their protest. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, while addressing a media briefing on Thursday, said, "We have made it pretty clear that the tweets and comments do not reflect views of the government. This has been conveyed to our interlocutors as also the fact that action has been taken by concerned quarters against those who made the comments and tweets." Replying on whether this issue of controversial remarks came up during External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar Foreign Minister's meeting with Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Bagchi said, "My understanding is that this issue was not raised during that conversation." Meanwhile, the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister, said that Iran is satisfied with the efforts made by the Indian government in dealing with those responsible for comments on Prophet Muhammed. Abdollahian, who is on his first visit to India since he assumed office last year, raised the issue of the controversial remarks, made by two former BJP leaders, in his meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in the national capital on Wednesday. The Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement said that Abdollahian had raised the issue with Doval, and was satisfied by the response he received.The NSA Ajit Doval, it said, reaffirmed the Indian government and officials' respect for the Prophet Muhammad saying offenders will be dealt with by the government and related bodies in an exemplary manner. "Ajit Doval reaffirmed the Indian government and officials' respect for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), saying offenders will be dealt with, at the government and related bodies levels, in such a way that others will learn a lesson," the Iranian foreign ministry statement read. "Amirabdollahian said Muslims are satisfied with the stance of Indian officials in dealing with the culprits," the statement added. Amirabdollahian hailed the Indian people and government for their respect for the divine faiths, especially the Prophet Muhammad and also for the religious tolerance, historical coexistence and friendship among followers of various religions in the country. The Iranian foreign minister also called for serious attention to the sensitivities of Muslims regarding their religious sanctities. (ANI) Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission has announced another 205 million euros (USD 220 million) in aid for the war-ravaged country to abate the soaring humanitarian crisis, CNN reported. "This brings the total EU humanitarian assistance in reaction to the war to 348 million euros, of which 13 million is dedicated to Moldova to support displaced people arriving in the country," according to Balazs Ujvari, CNN said, quoting the EU Commission's spokesperson for budget and human resources, humanitarian aid and crisis management. Under the new emergency Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) programme, European Union in March disbursed 300 million euros, the first payment of a 1.2 billion euros package to support war-torn Ukraine. Moreover, the European Commission is preparing measures to ensure food security in the European Union and the rest of the world as the situation in Ukraine constrains "one of the main exporters of food to the world." On February 24, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in countering the aggression of Ukrainian troops. Nearly 14 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to United Nations (UN) estimates and most of those displaced are women and children.The conflict has left 15.7 million Ukrainians in need of humanitarian support, with some of them lacking access to water and electricity. Three million children inside Ukraine and over 2.2 million children in refugee-hosting countries are now in need of humanitarian assistance. Almost two out of every three children have been displaced by incessant rocket attacks and fighting between the two nations. (ANI) Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday underlined that Iran and India are determined to increase the trade volume to a historical level. "We can see a very bright and promising future ahead of us between New Delhi and Tehran, especially in Trade and economy, he said," adding that "the leadership of both countries are determined to take the trade volume to its ever historical level." Praising the Indian women entrepreneurs, he stressed that when it comes to trade, women are more successful, and also highlighted that back in Iran, the women in business are equally active, especially after the victory of the Islamic revolution and share the same vision as those in India. The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran also talked about his meetings with his Indian counterpart EAM Jaishankar, followed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval which eventually culminated with a meeting with PM Modi as the leaders discussed ways of all-out developments and reached certain agreements between the two nations. Iranian Foreign Minister held wide-ranging talks focusing on enhancing trade, connectivity and counter-terror cooperation even with Jaishankar. India and Iran reaffirmed their commitment to continue their cooperation on the development of the Chabahar Port as a transit hub for the region including Central Asia and said delegates from the two counties will meet soon to address operational aspects of the key port. Furthermore, taking a dig at Former US President Donald Trump, he announced that the so-called pressure policy was a complete 'failure' and the Islamic Republic of Iran is way past those sanctions. "I am happy to announce in this very circle loudly and clearly that the so-called pressure policy that was enacted by former US president Trump is now a complete failure and the Islamic Republic of Iran is way past those transactions," he said in a statement. The unilateral oppressed sanctions against Iran by the US cannot stay even if they had a stake themselves, he added. Amir-Abdollahian met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier and reviewed the bilateral ties in areas such as trade, connectivity, and health. Both the leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Afghanistan and Ukraine. They witnessed the signing of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. Abdollahian is on a three-day visit to India and it is his first visit to the country since he assumed office last year. "The visit to India is aimed at expanding ties between the two countries and holding strategic consultations over cooperation regarding regional issues and international developments," Iran's Foreign Ministry had said in a statement. (ANI) Three people have been killed in a mass shooting incident at a manufacturing plant in Maryland town of Smithsburg on Thursday,local US media said. Three people were killed on Thursday in a shooting at a manufacturing plant in Smithsburg and a state trooper was shot in the shoulder, according to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. The governor said he did not know the status of the shooter, CNN reported. As per reports, the shooter opened fire at a manufacturing facility which is said to be a Solumbia Machine factory in Northern Maryland. The Washington County Sheriff's Office said that the shooting unfolded at around 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon at the Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, around 75 miles from the city of Baltimore. The Washington County Sheriff's office said in a post on Facebook that deputies had responded to the shooting at around 2:30 p.m. in the 12900 block of Bikle Road, however the details about the victims or suspects were not immediately available. "We are actively monitoring the mass shooting in #Smithsburg right now, and our office is in contact with officials on the ground. If you're local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds," Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) tweeted shortly after the incident took place in Maryland. The Sheriff's Office confirmed that there are multiple victims and the suspect is no longer a threat to the community, reported The Hill. This is a rapidly evolving incident and we will release information as we are able," the Washington County Sheriff's Office added. Several high-profile shootings that have taken place over the last few weeks in New York, Texas and Oklahoma have led to over half of Americans chanting in support of making gun violence laws more strict. Gun violence has been on the rise across the United States in the past few years, a trend fueled by multiple factors, from the economic and social disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to the unrest during the 2020 elections, as well as a surge in gun sales. More than 17,000 people have died or been injured due to gun violence in the country so far this year, during which America has seen at least 110 mass shootings. (ANI) Where in Nashville can you hear first-class blues, country, bluegrass, soul and surf rock under the same roof in one night? Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam, of course. Stuart and his effortlessly elastic band the Fabulous Superlatives returned Wednesday to the Ryman Auditorium for the 19th Late Night Jam concert, an unofficial CMA Fest week tradition that took a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The sold-out show raised money for Stuart's to-be-opened Congress of Country Music, a museum, theater and educational space planned in his hometown, Philadelphia, Mississippi. Marty Stuart and Emmylou Harris perform during Marty Stuarts 19th Late Night Jam at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. "It was a strange feeling for the past two years when the first Wednesday night in June rolled 'round and we didn't have the Late Night Jam," Stuart said when he kicked off the show. "But we are rested. And we are ready." With Emmylou Harris, Billy Strings, Marcus King and Connie Smith on the bill, Wednesday night's Jam continued a tradition of teaming living legends with rising Nashville talent. Read on for five highlights from the three-hour show. Lainey Wilson sings Hank Williams Lainey Wilson performs during Marty Stuarts 19th Late Night Jam at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. As Lainey Wilson stood on the Ryman stage and held a guitar once strummed by Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, she warned onlookers that she might faint. "This is one of the biggest moments of my life so far," Wilson said. "I'm not even gonna lie." Instead, she sang her heart out. Playing the famed 1939 Martin guitar one in a handful of artifacts Stuart shared on stage from his 20,000-peice collection Wilson sang a chilling rendition of Williams' tune "Lost Highway," a showcase of deep country roots from one of the format's rising new stars. A new generation of guitar wizardry One young guitar wizard wasn't enough for this year's Jam. With Marcus King and Billy Strings, Stuart enlisted a pair of lightning rod players who both push forward and pay homage to each's respective sound. King, a 26-year-old South Carolina player schooled in soul music and blues-rock, sang a warming rendition of his 2020 song "Wildflowers & Wine" (at Stuart's request) and joined the Superlatives for a crowd pleasing cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor." Story continues Billy Strings performs with Marty Stuart during Marty Stuarts 19th Late Night Jam at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Later in the show, Strings a 29-year-old bluegrass torchbearer shared licks with Stuart as they taught a quick course in traditional country and bluegrass, covering 1940s song "Freight Train Boogie" and bluegrass classic "Long Journey Home," among others. And prior to King and Strings, Stuart introduced his audience to Jontavious Willis, a 26-year-old acoustic bluesman from Georgia who made his Ryman debut with an ovation-earning appearance. CMA Fest is back: CMA Fest is back, and fans will return to find country music's 'biggest tent' ever Know before you go: CMA Fest: What you need to know before heading to Nashville's country music party Storytime with Connie Smith Country Music Hall of Famer Connie Smith returned to the Jam to song and share a few stories with the night's host (and her husband, Stuart). The pair dedicated a duet of 1966 song "The Fugitive" to late friend Merle Haggard, but not before sharing a few stories about Haggard including one of the last conversations each had with the late storyteller. Marty Stuart and Connie Smith perform during Marty Stuarts 19th Late Night Jam at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. "The phone rang less than a week before he passed away and it was Merle, and I think he was calling to say 'goodbye,'" Stuart said. "One of our gags was he would say, 'Wrote a new song.' I'd say, 'Oh, what is it, Hag?' This time, he said, 'Wrote a new song. ... it's called My Last Escape.' It got real quiet on my end of the phone." Smith added: "Marty talked to him a little while and he turned the phone to me ... I told him I loved him and he told me he loved me, all that. He said, 'I was talkin' to Willie Nelson not here long ago. And I asked him: Willie, what do you think of Marty Stuart?' And Willie said, 'Well, he got Connie Smith, didn't he?" A new song with Emmylou Harris Stuart and songwriting legend Emmylou Harris debuted a pensive new duet while playing guitars once owned by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, respectively. The song? They called it "Three Chords and The Truth," a nod to Harlan Howard's definition of country music. Marty Stuart and Emmylou Harris perform during Marty Stuarts 19th Late Night Jam at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Closing with the Quarantine Kids Stuart described his final guest of the night as one he immediately fell in love with on YouTube. While mining a seemingly endless video funnel of videos during the pandemic, he discovered Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids, a ripping family band that may be old enough to drive if you add the ages of the siblings together (and subtract the frontman-dad, of course). The group joined Stuart and the Superlatives for a few freewheelin' covers, including a romp of late-era Beatles favorite "Get Back." "This is a dream come true for us," Clark said on stage. "My goodness." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam returns with Billy Strings, Lainey Wilson NextShark A pair of identical twins who grew up in separate countries have somehow developed similar personality traits but significantly different IQ levels, a recent study has found. In the study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, researchers from Kookmin University in Seoul and California State University compared the characteristics of a woman who grew up in South Korea to that of her sister, who was raised in the U.S. The adoptee grew up without knowledge of her siblings, until she participated in a South Korean government program that reunited family members. OB/GYN Diane Horvath (L) and Certified Nurse-Midwife Morgan Nuzzo, co-founders of Partners in Abortion Care, chat with contractor Reuben Pemberton about renovating an empty space where they plan to start their abortion clinic in College Park, MD, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. (Photo/Shuran Huang) Ob-gyn Dr. Diane Horvath (L), and nurse-midwife Morgan Nuzzo, co-founders of Partners in Abortion Care, chat with contractor Reuben Pemberton about renovating an empty space where they plan to start their abortion clinic in College Park, MD, on May 31, 2022. Credit - Shuran Huang for TIME After more than five years working together in reproductive health clinics in the Washington, D.C., area, nurse-midwife Morgan Nuzzo and ob-gyn Dr. Diane Horvath realized they could do it better. They started fantasizing about a clinic of their own, where clinicians of different backgrounds would provide compassionate, high-quality care; employees would be fairly compensated and patients met with respect; and abortion would be treated as essential medical care that everyone should be able to access. Partners in Abortion Care, their all-trimester clinic, is set to open this fall in College Park, Md., a location they hope will be convenient not only for themselves as D.C.-area residents, but also for patients in Maryland and beyond. After the leak of a draft decision suggesting that the Supreme Court could soon overturn Roe v. Wade, which would likely result in the ban or significant restriction of abortion in 26 states, that location became more crucial than ever. College Park is within 40 miles of three major airports and close to several highways, making it a relatively easy destination for travelers. And if nearby states like West Virginia and Ohio crack down on abortion as expected, Maryland could become a magnet for people who need to travel for careeven more so if neighboring Virginia enacts stricter policies in the future, as some advocates fear will happen. Unlike those states, Maryland is expanding abortion access. It allows abortions up to the point of fetal viability (around 24 weeks of pregnancy) and permits later procedures if the parents health is at risk or the fetus is diagnosed with a serious health issue. Plus, starting July 1, nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistantsin addition to doctorscan perform abortions there, which will expand the pool of potential providers and may therefore increase the number of patients clinics can serve. Story continues A reflection of Horvath and Nuzzo seen in an empty space where they plan to start their abortion clinic in College Park, MD. Shuran Huang for TIME We know that the volume of patients is going to go up in Maryland, Horvath says. There is no possible way to increase capacity at existing clinics to take on the number of people who are anticipated to need to travel. Many people already have to travel to get an abortion, due to state-level restrictions and dwindling numbers of clinics. In 2017, 74% of abortion patients in Wyoming, 57% in South Carolina, and 56% in Missouri left their home state to get care, one study found. But if the Supreme Courts draft decision is similar to the final one, that inconvenience is about to affect a lot more people. Across swaths of the South, Midwest, and Southwest, people would have to travel out of state or find a way to access abortion pills if they needed to end a pregnancy. Clinics in abortion islands like Illinoisstates with strong abortion protections in place, but surrounded by those likely to ban itare already bracing for a post-Roe onslaught of new patients. New clinics like Partners in Abortion Care, situated in geographically strategic areas where they can absorb as many patients as possible, may help ease that bottleneckbut theyre not likely to be enough on their own, says Caitlin Myers, an economics professor at Middlebury College who studies abortion access. New facilities will improve appointment availability. They will reduce travel distances. They will have an impact, Myers says. But there are going to be women who want abortions and cant get them because of these bans, no matter how many clinics open. Nuzzo and Horvath store furniture and equipment they purchase at a storage unit. Shuran Huang for TIME The cost of an abortion, either through pills or a procedure, can range from hundreds of dollars to more than $1,000. If someone also has to travel for that care, they must shoulder the financial and logistical costs of transportation, lodging, missed work, and child care. Local abortion funds have long provided practical support like money for travel and assistance finding child care. (At Partners in Abortion Care, a local investor is considering buying an apartment near the clinic to use as an abortion Airbnb, Nuzzo says, where people could stay for free before and after their procedures.) But even with this type of aid, research suggests travel is a deterrent for many people seeking abortions. In a paper published last year, Myers estimated that about one in five people seeking an abortion in the U.S. would not get one if they had to travel 100 miles to do so. Her research suggests around 100,000 people in the U.S. will not be able to get a desired abortion in the year following a theoretical repeal of Roe v. Wade due to increased distance from providers. Middle-income or wealthy people, particularly white people, living in banned states will always still be able to get abortion care, as long as they can hop on a plane, says Liza Fuentes, senior research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights nonprofit. For many other people who need an abortionwho, Guttmacher research shows, tend to be lower-income and already parentsits not that simple. Some clinicians are leaving states that are likely to ban abortion and setting up shop elsewhere to help minimize the distance that patients must travel. Shannon Brewer, the director of Mississippis last remaining abortion clinicwhich is at the heart of the case that caused the Supreme Court to reexamine abortion issuesrecently said she may start practicing in New Mexico, a state with no major abortion limits that is sandwiched between Texas (which already bans most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy) and Arizona (one of the states expected to crack down on abortion if Roe is rolled back). Nuzzo and Horvath stand for a portrait in an empty exam room Shuran Huang for TIME Jennifer Pepper, executive director at CHOICES Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, is also planning to open a clinic in a new state if and when hers is forced to stop offering abortion care. (Tennessee has a trigger law in place, which would ban most abortions within a month of Roe being overturned.) She and her team found a space in Carbondale, a city in southern Illinois about a two-hour drive from St. Louis and a three-hour drive from both Memphis and Nashville. Theyre preparing to open in August. CHOICES provided 3,900 abortions in its Memphis clinic last year and expects to exceed that number in Illinois. But they cant serve everyone. If Roe is overturned, multiple Tennessee clinics would have to stop offering abortion services, and theres no way CHOICES could absorb all of those patients with one new facility. Its just a math problem that doesnt work out, Pepper says. Modeling that Myers conducted for TIME suggests the Carbondale facility could reduce travel requirements for about 3 million women, mostly in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Other advocates are eyeing Illinois, too. Dr. Douglas Laube, an abortion provider in Wisconsin, told local news outlets that he is thinking of opening a new clinic just over the state border. Planned Parenthood is also expanding operations in Illinois, as the Washington Post has reported. Julie Burkhart, a longtime reproductive health advocate and founder of the nonprofit Wellspring Health Access, is fighting hard to keep abortion accessible further Westbut not without significant opposition. In 2020, Burkhart started talking with local advocates who wanted an abortion clinic in Casper, Wyo. At the time, Wyoming had few legal barriers to abortion care and a clear need for more providers. Abortion services were only available in Jackson, just over the Idaho border, so opening one in Casper, a city less than 200 miles from Nebraska and South Dakota, would expand access across the region. Wyoming was just a perfect state, Burkhart says. Then, in March 2022, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed a trigger law that would ban most abortions five days after a Supreme Court overrule of Roe v. Wade. With the Casper clinic set to open around the same time the Supreme Court makes its final ruling, Wellspring may only be able to offer abortions for a matter of days or weeksif it opens at all. Horvath consults with contractor Reuben Pemberton about renovating the clinic. Shuran Huang for TIME In late May, the clinics building was damaged in a suspected arson. The damage is still being assessed, but it may be necessary to gut the buildings interior and replace its electrical system, possibly forcing Wellspring into a temporary space. Burkhart says she knows it sounds crazy to move ahead despite these obstacles, but shes doing it anyway. These things cannot go unchecked, she says. Its important for good people, people who want social justice and equality, to stand up even taller. New clinics can help keep abortion accessible, but more tools are needed. Abortion pillswhich can be prescribed remotely, then sent to patients by mail for use early in a pregnancycould be a workaround for some people, but their legal status varies by state. Some states dont allow the pills to be prescribed via telehealth, limiting their utility for people who dont live near abortion providers, and legislators in 22 states have advanced bills that would either ban or restrict access to the drugs. At least for now, however, the reproductive rights group Plan C helps people across U.S. states and territories find information about how to get the pills. Appointment capacity is another major issue. Patients already face long waits in clinics across the country, even in abortion-friendly states like New York and California, Myers research shows. To help ease those backlogs, Myers says more states should permit non-physician providers to offer abortion care, as states like Maryland, Connecticut, and Delaware are doing. For Nuzzo, that point is personal. As a nurse-midwife, she says shes long been doubted by the medical community or treated as lesser than a doctor. My profession is this punching bag, and everybodys punching down, Nuzzo says. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, for example, vetoed the law that will allow non-physicians to provide abortions in Maryland, citing fears that it would reduce the quality of care. (He was overruled by state lawmakers.) Nuzzo and Horvath are determined to prove that doing things differently can improve care. They believe theirs will be the only all-trimester abortion clinic in the country owned by women, as well as the only one operated by a physician and a midwife together, in one of the few states actually expanding abortion accessnot restricting it. Horvath and Nuzzo during a walk-through of their future clinic space. Shuran Huang for TIME Getting their clinic ready to open hasnt been easy. Horvath and Nuzzo have contributed thousands of their own dollars and bought a vintage ultrasound machine and exam table on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, to hold them over until they can afford newer versions. Theyre constantly worried about the security of their clinic and of their future patients, even in an abortion-friendly state and with enough community support to crowdsource almost $260,000. Living in uncertainty about the future of their profession has also taken a mental toll. But if their model works, they hope to work with other abortion providers and advocates to open clinics in other parts of the country, with the goal of keeping care as accessible as possible even in a post-Roe reality. We want to start from a place of abundance, Horvath says, and think of what abortion care could look like even in this time where everything is so dire. A US citizen with monkeypox escaped from a hospital in a Mexican resort and fled the country, local health authorities said Wednesday. The 48-year-old man, originally from Texas, fled the hospital in Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific coast last weekend despite having been told by medical staff that he should be tested for monkeypox and kept in isolation, the state health department said in a statement. When he arrived at the hospital, the patient had symptoms of "cough, chills, muscle pain and pustule-like lesions on his face, neck and trunk," the agency said. After fleeing the medical facility, the Texan then went to the hotel where he was staying with his partner and caught a flight out of Puerto Vallarta on June 4, before authorities were able to locate him. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to Mexican authorities on Monday that the patient had returned to the United States where a test confirmed he had monkeypox. Prior to arriving in Puerto Vallarta on May 27, the individual was in Berlin, Germany, between May 12 and 16, and subsequently in Dallas, Texas. During his stay in Mexico, he attended parties at the Mantamar Beach Club in the resort town of Jalisco. Health officials urged anyone who attended the club between May 27 and June 4 to monitor their health. The World Health Organization said Wednesday that it was aware of more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox in countries where the disease is not endemic. str/jla/cjc/des/md NextShark A viral video of a 12-year-old girl kneeling and being repeatedly slapped in the face incited a citywide police search for her five assailants in Hong Kong. The 12-year-old victim kneeled as a group of teenagers, aged 12 to 19, took turns slapping her across the face on the rooftop of a five-story building on Luen Yan Street in Tsuen Wan shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Half the Hong Kong people hate [the victim], one attacker can be heard saying. Reuters Ancient DNA from bubonic plague victims buried in cemeteries on the old Silk Road trade route in Central Asia has helped solve an enduring mystery, pinpointing an area in northern Kyrgyzstan as the launching point for the Black Death that killed tens of millions of people in the mid-14th century. Researchers said on Wednesday they retrieved ancient DNA traces of the Yersinia pestis plague bacterium from the teeth of three women buried in a medieval Nestorian Christian community in the Chu Valley near Lake Issyk Kul in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains who perished in 1338-1339. The earliest deaths documented elsewhere in the pandemic were in 1346. By Trevor Hunnicutt, Matt Spetalnick and Humeyra Pamuk LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Latin American leaders rebuked U.S. President Joe Biden face-to-face on Thursday over his exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from an Americas summit he is hosting, underscoring the challenges he faces to reassert leadership in the region. Biden was targeted for criticism by two fellow leaders in speeches that followed his opening address in Los Angeles in which he laid out his plan for a new U.S. economic partnership with Latin America. Speaking on the first day of the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, Biden said his administration was committed to helping Latin America and the Caribbean recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackle irregular migration and improve living standards. But he quickly faced sharp pushback over his decision to cut out Washington's three main regional antagonists, which spurred a boycott by some leaders led by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Shortly after Biden's speech that extolled the virtues of democracy in the region, Belize's Prime Minister John Briceno, criticized the exclusion of Communist-ruled Cuba and leftist Venezuela, calling the "illegal blockade against Cuba" an "affront to humanity." "In fact, it is un-American. The time has come, Mr. President, to lift the blockade," Briceno said, upbraiding Biden as he sat only a few feet away. Briceno was followed by Argentina's left-leaning president, Alberto Fernandez, who declared "the silence of those who are absent is calling to us" and insisted that the host country did not have the power to impose "right of admission" to the conference. "We definitely would've wished for a different Summit of the Americas," Fernandez said. Two other speakers, the leaders of Panama and Paraguay, mostly stuck to the summit agenda. Responding in his closing remarks, Biden told the leaders: "I heard a lot of important ideas raised. Notwithstanding some of the disagreements related to participation, on the substantive matters, what I heard was almost unity." Story continues The summit was conceived as an opportunity to rebuild U.S. influence and counter China's growing economic inroads in the region after years of relative neglect under former President Donald Trump. But Biden's efforts have been undercut by the controversy over the guest list. Speaking at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce conference, Biden urged U.S. business executives to help bolster the region's troubled economies with increased investment and support for his environmentally friendly partnership plan. Biden's hosting of the opening session, which focused heavily on clean energy initiatives, was followed by his first formal encounter with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, an outspoken climate change skeptic. Bolsonaro, a far-right Trump admirer who has had chilly relations with Biden, said the two countries had drifted apart for ideological reasons and that he was interested in getting closer to the United States. However, Bolsonaro appeared to suggest he would accept the outcome of Brazil's October presidential election, after having raised doubts in the past, prompting U.S. concerns. "I was elected by democracy and I am sure that when I leave the government, it will also be in a democratic way," he said. SUPPLY CHAINS Biden outlined his proposed "Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity" to the business conference, saying it was aimed at bringing supply chains closer to home, reforming the Inter-American Development Bank, streamlining investment and kicking climate actions "into high gear." But the plan, which appears to be a work in progress, stops short of offering tariff relief and will initially focus on countries that already have U.S. trade accords. Taking a veiled dig at China, Biden said: "We want to make sure our closest neighbors have a real choice between the debt trap development that has become ... more and more common in the region, and the high-quality transparent approach to infrastructure investment that delivers lasting gains for workers and families." U.S. officials have openly accused China of pushing deals in the developing world with strings attached to saddle their partners with long-term debt. With problems at the U.S.-Mexico border also high on Biden's list of priorities, leaders were poised to issue a declaration on Friday pledging measures to curb irregular migration and help countries hosting large number of migrants to cope with them, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. The United States will announce programs to aid hiring of temporary Central American workers as part of a series of actions, according to White House documents seen by Reuters on Thursday. [nW1N2V0031 The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CHALLENGES AT HOME AND ABROAD Biden hosts the summit facing challenges at home and abroad ranging from surging inflation, debate over gun control after more mass shootings, and the war in Ukraine. Yet instead of burnishing regional unity, the summit has been bedeviled by diplomatic strife sparked by Washington's barring of the trio of leftist countries, citing their poor records on human rights and democracy. Mexico's Lopez Obrador made good on a threat to stay away if not all nations were invited while several other leaders did the same and a few others stayed home for different reasons. That thinned the line-up of visiting heads of state and government in attendance to 21. "No," Biden responded when a reporter asked whether he was concerned about some leaders boycotting the summit. His aides have played down the absences. Speaking in Mexico City, Lopez Obrador backed Washington's drive to strengthen economic ties in the region, but urged the United States to get over its decades-long differences with Cuba. Havana was invited to the past two Americas summits. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Lisandra Paraguassu, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Daina Beth Solomon and Dave Graham; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh, Ted Hesson; Writing by Matt Spetalnick and Dave Graham; Editing by Grant McCool, Richard Pullin and Bradley Perrett) Black Liberation Movement organizer Mate Farrakhan Muhammad's attorneys and Johnson County prosecutors came to a plea agreement in a case in which he was accused of assault after police officers say he shined a laser pointer in their eyes in Iowa City. Muhammad, who was previously known as Matthew Bruce, pleaded guilty this week to five lesser charges out of the 15 original charges from his August 2020 arrest during a social justice demonstration. Muhammad is co-founder of the Des Moines Black Liberation Movement, which has organized protests and community events after George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin, sparking protests across the country in 2020. Matthew Bruce, an organizer for the Des Moines Black Liberation Movement, speaks into a megaphone during a protest organized by the Iowa Freedom Riders, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Muhammad agreed to plead guilty to two counts of assault causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor, and three counts of assault, a simple misdemeanor. The plea agreement came one day before his trial was set to begin in the case. Iowa Sixth Judicial District Judge Andrew Chappell set the sentencing hearing for July 22. Johnson County prosecutors are seeking a 180-day sentence, with 150 days suspending, leaving Muhammad to serve 30 days in jail. Muhammad and his attorneys, Aaron Marr Page and Rockne Cole, are seeking a deferred judgment on all counts. Throughout the case, the severity of the charges have gradually decreased from several felony charges to the serious and simple misdemeanors that Muhammad pleaded guilty to. If the original charges stood, Muhammad could have faced years in prison Page told the Press-Citizen that people need to understand that under these lesser charges Muhammad is pleading to, prosecutors are now arguing that the officers experienced only momentary discomfort from the laser pointer, rather than the severe injuries requiring medical treatment argued under the more severe charges and in the criminal complaints. Earlier in the case, nine counts of assault on persons in certain occupations with intent of injury, Class D felonies, were dismissed by the court. Six charges of assault on persons in certain occupations causing bodily injury, which are aggravated misdemeanors, were negotiated down to the five lesser charges in this plea deal. Story continues Page told the Press-Citizen that the case has gone on for too long, almost two years. The judge ruled Muhammad's right to a speedy trial was violated when the Johnson County attorney's office waited 46 days after his arrest to file a formal charging document, which was one more day than allowed by law. "(Muhammad) is exhausted by this, plus the criminal process he was subjected to in Polk County. It is very ingrained in his personal life, and he just needs to move on in his life," Page said. Muhammed pleaded guilty last year in Polk County to first-degree criminal mischief after being accused of damaging a police vehicle in a 2020 protest in Des Moines. The court gave him deferred judgment and two years of probation. Page said that, if the court gives deferred judgment in this case, he hopes that it would merge into the Polk County process. "We're going to argue that it is very appropriate. (Muhammad) has no criminal record outside of protesting for Black Lives Matter. Zero interactions with the criminal justice system," Page said. George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reporter covering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307, GShillcock@press-citizen.com and on Twitter @ShillcockGeorge This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Mate Farrakhan Muhammad pleads guilty to 5 charges in Iowa City case In both life and death, comedian Bob Saget is bringing people together. In an upcoming Netflix special titled Dirty Daddy: The Bob Saget Tribute, his wide circle of Hollywood stars gathered in Los Angeles to remember their late friend, who died unexpectedly in January 2022 after a fall in a hotel room. In the tribute filmed at iconic Los Angeles spot The Comedy Store during the "Netflix is a Joke" festival earlier this year Saget's celebrity friends and widow Kelly Rizzo-Saget remember the late comedian and cope in the best way they know how: with laughter. Slated to premiere on June 10, the streaming giant dropped a trailer for the special, which features John Stamos, Jeff Ross, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, John Mayer, Darren Criss, Mike Binder, Jackson Browne, Seth Green, Mike Young, Michael Keaton, Candace Cameron Bure, Dave Coulier, Dave Chappelle, Tim Allen, Paul Rodriguez, Jon Lovitz, as well as Saget's daughters, Lara and Aubrey. Rizzo-Saget appears to take the stage at one point to talk about her late husband. "The most important thing to him was belonging to this club, to this group, being a comedian," she says in the video. Kelly Rizzo-Saget in a leather midi skirt and button down cable knit sweater holds a microphone smiling onstage in front of Chris Rock, John Mayer and Jim Caery. (Mathieu Bitton/Netflix) In the trailer, Stamos gets onstage and reveals the last text he got from Saget. "I want to read my last text from Bob. It says, 'I love you so much. I will say that God gave me the brother I always wanted,'" Stamos recounts. "I said, 'Well you have a lot of God-given brothers but Im first, right?'" "And he said, '(John) Mayers an amazing friend but hes more fair weather. Youre always there so youre number one.'" John Stamos in a black suit and dark colored button down shirt speaks into a mic onstage in front of a red neon light and red paper lantern. (Mathieu Bitton / Netflix) Mayer, who is also featured in the special, can be seen onstage behind Stamos laughing. Stamos and Saget became close friends when they starred together on "Full House" from 1987 to 1995. Stamos, in his eulogy at Saget's January funeral, echoed those sentiments about brotherhood. Bob, I will never, ever have another friend like you, he said at the time. You will always be my best friend. You are my new guardian angel a guardian angel with the dirtiest mouth and a heart as big and benevolent as forever. Story continues Elsewhere in his speech, Stamos touched on how "alive" his close friend looked in his last post before his early death. The late comedian had posted just hours before, writing how happy he was to be back on the road. When I saw his last Instagram post, my first thought was he looked too alive to die a few hours later, Stamos said. But I guess thats right. We should all want to die alive. We dont want to be filled with regret and remorse, forgotten and discarded. We want to be overwhelmed with the privilege and bounty of doing what we do best. Bob felt young, energized, grateful and appreciated ... He died bright and fierce, Stamos said. In the upcoming special, it's clear that is how Saget's friends will remember him as well. "Bob wasnt something that was taken away from us, he was something that was given to us," Jim Carrey says in the clip. I hope everybody here either had Bob as a friend like that or someday has a friend like Bob, comedian Jeff Ross adds. This is a breaking news story. Check back to idahostatesman.com for updates. To sign up for breaking news alerts, click here. A Boise man was sentenced to over 19 years in federal prison for distribution of child pornography, according to the U.S. attorneys office for Idaho. Registered sex offender Judd Evans Ballard, 47, was found in possession of a cellphone with over 1,000 images and videos of child pornography and owned two Yahoo accounts containing uploaded pornographic materials. Ballard was sentenced by Chief Judge Nye of the U.S. District Court in Idaho to 235 months in federal prison, according to a news release. He will be required to pay $9,000 in restitution to the victims in the videos and photographs. Nye also ordered Ballard to serve a lifetime term of supervised release following his prison sentence, and to forfeit the cellphone he used to store the child pornography, according to the release. According to court records, the investigation began when Yahoo reported child pornography uploaded to two accounts. The Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force determined that the accounts belonged to Ballard and located several files of child pornography. A federal magistrate judge issued a search warrant for Ballards home in Boise, where the task force found the cellphone belonging to Ballard. A forensic examination of the cellphone found over 1,000 images and videos of child pornography. The task force also located evidence that Ballard had used social media to trade child pornography files with another individual, according to the news release. Ballard was previously convicted of sexual exploitation of a child and child sexual abuse in 2013, and then again in 2017, according to past Statesman reporting. An investigation in Ballards home in response to a criminal complaint in 2021 discovered more than 500 pornographic images of children on a cellphone. Ballard is a registered sex offender in Idaho, according to Idaho State Police records. Boston Police are searching for a man who sucker-punched a security guard in the head at Fenway Park before running from the area. Police say it was an unprovoked attack and that the guard, an adult man, was taken to a local area hospital for treatment. The suspect is described as a white male with a stocky build and short, dark hair, wearing a navy-blue Red Sox jersey (#11 Devers), light-colored shorts, and white sneakers, according to a statement from police. The incident happened Sunday at around 5:45 p.m. near 49 Lansdowne Street. Police are asking anyone with information o contact them a 617-343-4683. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By Pratima Desai LONDON (Reuters) - Britannia Global Markets will give up Category 2 membership of the London Metal Exchange (LME) from June 20 after the recent nickel debacle which led the exchange to suspend trading and cancel all nickel trades on March 8. Disorderly trade on that Tuesday saw nickel prices double in a few hours to a record above $100,000 a tonne on expectations China's Tsingshan Holding Group and others would have to buy back their short positions. Britannia's departure highlights the problems the world's largest and oldest metals exchange faces in convincing the metals industry that it can run an orderly market, broking sources said. Britannia Global Markets, part of London-based Britannia Financial Group, will completely give up membership of the LME. "The current market uncertainty following the well-publicised recent events, coupled with a clear hesitancy of some participants to support the existing LME market structure has led to a change in our strategic approach, without any loss of commitment by us, to the metals trading business," said Mark Bruce, chief executive of Britannia Financial Group. The LME declined to comment. The broker said in a release on Thursday that it plans to focus on over-the-counter contracts -- bi-lateral agreements between brokers or banks and their clients trading. Category 2 brokers are also members of the exchange's clearing house LME Clear. They can trade for their own account and on behalf of clients. "You would only need Category 2 if you wanted to offer clearing, which is now a very different business to what it was pre-Russia because of the volatility and much higher margin requirements," a broking source said. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has boosted volatility in prices of nickel and aluminium because of fears that supplies from Russia would be disrupted. Russia accounts for about 10% of global nickel output and 6% of aluminium production. Apart from transaction and clearing fees for LME trades, Category 2 members also pay other fees such as a subscription fee of $90,000 membership of the exchange and $25,000 a year for a general clearing membership. (Reporting by Pratima Desai; Editing by Edmund Blair and David Evans) Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner (Supplied) A Russia-backed separatist court has sentenced to death two British men and a Moroccan who were captured while fighting for Ukraine. Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were being tried in a court in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) in what observers denounced as a disgusting Soviet era show trial. They were capturing in April while fighting for Ukrainian forces against Russian invaders in Mariupol. The British men and Moroccan national Brahim Saadoun who reportedly had been a student studying in Kyiv, before he was also detained in April were accused by Russia and Kremlin-backed Donetsk separatists of being mercenaries and charged with terrorism. However, both Britons had fought for the Ukrainian army for years before Russias invasion and should be protected as active soldiers by the Geneva conventions on prisoners of war. The three are set to face a firing squad and they have a month to appeal the decision, Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported. All three said they will appeal the decision, according to Russian news agency Tass. Their sentences have been met with outrage by the UK government, with foreign secretary Liz Truss denouncing the trial as a sham. Video published by RIA showed Mr Aslin, Mr Pinner, and Mr Saadoun in a courtroom cage with white bars. Mr Pinner, from Watford, and Mr Saadoun had pleaded guilty to actions aimed at the violent seizure of power, according to the news agency. The video appeared to show Mr Aslin, from Newark, pleading guilty to a lesser charge involving weapons and explosives. The defendants are the first foreign mercenaries convicted in the Donetsk Peoples Republic, the Donetsk news agency claimed. Ms Truss said: I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them. Story continues Robert Jenrick, Mr Aslins MP in Newark, called for the Foreign Office to summon Russias ambassador to account for this most egregious breach of the Geneva Convention. He added: This disgusting Soviet-era style show trial is the latest reminder of the depravity of Putins regime. Russia should be clear, they cannot treat British citizens like this and get away with it. The Foreign Office condemned what it called the exploitation of prisoners of war for political purposes. A spokesperson said: They are entitled to combatant immunity and should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities. No comment was immediately available from the Moroccan foreign ministry on Mr Saadouns case. The trial took place in the DPR, one of two Moscow-backed separatist entities in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Three days before Russia launched its invasion on 24 February, Vladimir Putin recognised the two entities in Donbas as states independent from Ukraine and said the conflict was to liberate the region. Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty It is rarely good when a major life event occurs in a Taco Bell drive-thru. But for Conner Hein, this was an especially gloomy dinner run. The University of Michigan grad was preparing to start his first job, at Coinbasethe crypto trading platform led by a humorless billionairewhen an email landed in his inbox last week that upended everything. We have made the very difficult decision to rescind your offer of employment, read the letter, obtained by The Daily Beast from another source. As such, you will no longer be starting with us on your previously agreed start date. Facing a brutal crypto market crash, Coinbase had decided to retract scores of job offers and extend a hiring freeze announced in mid-May. Im like, Well, my day just got 10 times worse, Hein told The Daily Beast. And then I sadly ate like six burritos. (The 22-year-old Michigan native said he holds no ill will toward Coinbases awesome employees.) On the heels of a devastating collapse in the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies this March, and amid fears of a coming recession, many crypto companies are making some painful cutbacks. Gemini, the crypto exchange started by the Facebook-famous Winklevoss twins, laid off 10 percent of its workforce last week, on the same day Middle East exchange Rain Financial canned dozens of employees. But few collapses were as dramatic as that of Coinbase, which told more than 300 new recruits last week that they would not be getting the jobs they had been promised, according to a talent hub created by the company to help the ex-hires land new gigs. Many of the candidates had already quit their jobs at top banks and tech companies; others were foreign students dependent on the job for their visas. Even worse, three former recruits told The Daily Beast the company had sent out letters just a week beforehand promising them that their employment was secure. One rejected new hire called the abrupt reversal pretty scummy, adding that it potentially indicated a catastrophic lack of planning by the management team. Story continues Bitcoin Threw a Massive Party in Miami and I Crashed It In a public statement, Coinbase said it did not make this decision lightly, but called the move a prudent one given market conditions. Two weeks ago, we paused hiring while we took time to reprioritize our hiring needs against our highest-priority business goals, Chief People Officer L.J Brock wrote in a blog post the day the cuts were announced, adding that the company would offer a generous severance package and career assistance to affected recruits. As these discussions have evolved, its become evident that we need to take more stringent measures to slow our headcount growth, Brock wrote. Adapting quickly and acting now will help us to successfully navigate this macro environment and emerge even stronger, enabling further healthy growth and innovation. But a former recruiter for the company told The Daily Beast that he was concerned about the companys rapid hiring pace long before the market crash, calling its hiring targets overly aggressive. The recruiter, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of professional repercussions, said the company was tripling its headcount every yeara breakneck pace he had never seen at another startup. (The company announced in its first-quarter earnings report that it had increased its staff by 33 percent already this year.) The rapid growth resulted in a lot of cracks in the teams for which he was recruiting, the former employee said, adding that the environment was pretty cutthroat. It kind of made sense, the short-term downfall of the company, because I think they were going a little too gung-ho, he added. We were going a little bit crazy. Cryptocurrencies are an especially volatile emerging market, and Coinbase was not the only crypto company to make painful sacrifices this month. Buenbit, a crypto exchange based in Argentina, recently laid off 45 percent of its staff, while Latin American exchanges Bitso and Mercado each laid off over 80 employees each. And last week, the blockchain startup Wyre laid off more than a dozen employees according to one person affected by the cutsbarely a month after it announced that it will be acquired by the payment processing startup Bolt for $1.5 billion. I just think it's it's short-sighted and kind of dumb, the former employee said. Another axed worker told The Daily Beast that Wyre had been hiring people like crazy up until like one day they decided to lay off those people. The worker was miffed that he received just a few weeks of severance, far less than the Coinbase recruits. It seems a little unfairHere I am, busted my ass for months, worked overtime like hell, and [was] promised a lot of things, he said. In an email, Wyre cofounder and CEO Ioannis Giannaros said that employees were paid severance based on tenure. He added that the company had hired rapidly to accommodate a dramatic increase in annual revenue but had recently begun scaling back. They Lost Major Coinand Now the Tax Bill Is Due Other tech companies like Twitter and Meta have also made cutbacks in the face of declining markets, with Twitter also rescinding some job offers last month. But the downfall of the crypto exchanges was particularly striking given their extraordinary success run in recent years. The crypto market added some $1.5 trillion in value in 2021, and attracted more than $33 billion in venture capital. Coinbase alone generated $3.6 billion in revenue last yearup 11 percent from the year beforeand became the first crypto company to enter the Fortune 500. In May, however, amid a declining market and the crash of a so-called stable coin, the crypto market took a dramatic plunge, wiping out more than $300 billion in a single day. The price of Bitcointhe oldest and most valuable of the currenciessank below $27,000 for the first time in over a year, before leveling out at around $30,000. Shares of Coinbase, which takes a cut of all trades on its platform, plunged along with the currencies, dropping 80 percent since November. The company also reported a $1.17 billion drop in revenue for the three months preceding March 31a 35 percent decline. Some former Coinbase employees said the startup should have prepared for this kind of crash, given the crypto markets volatility. The thing about Coinbase is that the failure or the success of the company tracks perfectly to whether it's in a bull or bear market, one former employee told The Daily Beast. This was always going to happen. She added: I think anybody who didnt see this coming is kind of fooling themselves. Current employees piled on in anonymous comments on the social media platform Blind, which verifies that users work at the companies they are posting about but otherwise keeps their identities hidden. "Morale is in the toilet. About half of the employees would probably take a voluntary layoff offer at this point," one employee wrote. Another lamented that the companys management had f-ed up with their cost estimate, for new hires, though the user argued that rescinded recruits had been reasonably well taken care of. Burned by their recruiting experience, some would-be Coinbase workers plan to stay as far away from the industry as possible. Ashutosh Ukey was one of the recruits left searching for a new company to sponsor his visa when Coinbase pulled the plug. He told The Daily Beast he was straying a bit away just until theres less on the line personally for me. But others have maintained their loyalty to crypto, where the most zealous devotees have a near-religious belief in the technology. Every few years we go through the same cycle, one laid-off Wyre worker said. Maybe this is the end, and I guess I'll be the one with egg on my facebut I expect to see this turn around just like the others. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. China warned of a potential "catastrophe" while forced on Wednesday to defend its veto last month of a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have punished North Korea for its latest intercontinental ballistic missile tests. The rare UN debate came as officials in Washington, Seoul and the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that Pyongyang might be preparing an imminent nuclear test, which would be the country's seventh. The UN General Assembly session on Wednesday concerning China and Russia's veto of new sanctions on North Korea. Photo: Reuters alt=The UN General Assembly session on Wednesday concerning China and Russia's veto of new sanctions on North Korea. Photo: Reuters> "China always engages in the work of the Security Council in a responsible manner," Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN, said in a speech that blamed the US for stoking tensions in Asia but did not mention any of North Korea's numerous recent weapons tests. 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. "Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm," he said, adding: "It will be precisely irresponsible and derelict of duty for the Security Council to adopt a resolution without principle, which could result in serious consequences and plunge the countries and regions concerned into a catastrophe." The public response from Beijing - as well as from Moscow - was the first of its kind at the UN, after a new rule was passed in April requiring an accounting in the General Assembly whenever a permanent member of the Security Council wields its veto. The rule change came amid criticism at the UN after Russia used its veto power on the council to block a resolution condemning its own invasion of Ukraine. The General Assembly does not have the authority to override a Security Council veto, however. Story continues The debate on Wednesday highlighted yet another dispute between Washington and Beijing - though over an issue that US officials insist remains an area where the US and China can cooperate. "It's hard for me to imagine that Beijing would actually want North Korea to continue to provoke, violate multiple Security Council resolutions, and destabilise the region," Sung Kim, the US special envoy for North Korea, said on Tuesday. "So we hope that China will be more forthcoming in working with us to deal with the situation on the peninsula." "We hope that China will be more forthcoming in working with us to deal with the situation on the peninsula," Sung Kim, the US special envoy for North Korea, said. Photo: YNA/dpa alt="We hope that China will be more forthcoming in working with us to deal with the situation on the peninsula," Sung Kim, the US special envoy for North Korea, said. Photo: YNA/dpa> The Security Council includes five permanent members and 10 rotating members. Only the permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - have the power to cast vetoes. China and Russia blocked the Security Council resolution on May 26 targeting North Korea for new sanctions, which would have further restricted Pyongyang's legal routes for trade and its ability to import key resources like oil. Representing the US at the General Assembly, Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis called China's explanation of its veto "insufficient, not credible and not convincing". "Earlier this year, Russia and China pledged a 'no limits partnership'," DeLaurentis added. "We hope these vetoes are not a reflection of that project." Proponents of sanctions say they are necessary because North Korea diverts resources that its population desperately needs to its weapons programme and to the country's elite. Opponents say the sanctions unfairly hurt the country's already poor and malnourished population. "It's futile to expect Pyongyang to unconditionally disarm under the threat of a spiral of sanctions," said Anna Evstigneeva, the deputy ambassador from Russia, which is facing its own punishing sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine. South Korea's representative, Cho Hyun, countered that North Korea's "humanitarian suffering comes from state policy, not the ensuing sanctions". North Korean Ambassador to the UN Kim Song on Wednesday said its weapons programme was merely Pyongyang exercising its right to self-defence. Photo: Reuters alt=North Korean Ambassador to the UN Kim Song on Wednesday said its weapons programme was merely Pyongyang exercising its right to self-defence. Photo: Reuters> As recently as 2017, China and Russia both sided with the US in punishing North Korea with sweeping economic sanctions after Pyongyang conducted major weapons tests. In the years since, though, both have changed their stance and have tried to push the UN to lift the sanctions. The US has refused because it says Pyongyang has taken no meaningful action to end its nuclear weapons programme, the reason for the sanctions in the first place. Beijing often says it opposes sanctions generally, and emphasised that point on Wednesday - although it is frequently accused of using its own economic might to punish countries with which it disagrees. This year, North Korea has already launched 31 ballistic missiles, according to the US - more than ever before. Eight of those launches took place on Sunday. On Monday, the US and South Korea jointly conducted eight ballistic missile launches of their own in response. The following day, they conducted a joint air drill with 20 warplanes. The US says it has reached out repeatedly to North Korea through multiple channels in a bid to restart a dialogue, but has gotten no response. North Korea has also test-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles twice this year, the US said, which in theory can travel thousands of miles. And officials in the US, South Korea and IAEA have warned that Pyongyang may be gearing up for another nuclear weapon test at any moment. "The DPRK's senior officials have used rhetoric that could suggest the use of tactical nuclear weapons," Kim said on Tuesday. At the session on Wednesday, North Korea's envoy to the UN, Kim Song, said that his country was merely exercising its right to self-defence in the face of a hostile US. He called it a right that "no one can deny". US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke after meeting with South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: AFP alt=US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke after meeting with South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: AFP> The UN debate came on the same day that US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman was meeting in Seoul with her Korean and Japanese counterparts - part of the Biden administration's plan to boost "trilateral" cooperation as the region grows ever more wary of China and braces for a potential North Korean nuclear test. In a joint statement, the three said that Sherman had "reaffirmed the United States' steadfast commitments to the defence of the Republic of Korea and Japan, including extended deterrence". The officials urged North Korea to "engage in dialogue toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", the statement 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. Storyful A bridge on the Yellowstone River in Montana was swept away as severe flooding from unprecedented rainfall caused the waterway to rage on June 13.Yellowstone National Park was hit by mudslides and flooding due to the rainfall, prompting the park to close to all inbound visitor traffic for Tuesday and Wednesday.Ryan Schrope was visiting the area when he filmed the moment the Carbella Bridge (also known as Tom Miner Bridge) was taken by the river. Credit: Ryan Schrope via Storyful Jun. 8Yes, the Connecticut Early Music Festival is back live! Plus, this is the 40th anniversary of the much-loved series, which celebrates composers and works rendered in historically accurate fashion from the Medieval, Renaissance and even Baroque eras. From Friday through Sunday and June 17-19, a variety of performances and workshops will take place at various locations in the area. There are also student workshops and concerts; go to www.ctearlymusic.org for more information. This week's schedule of evening public concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday All Bach Program, Noank Baptist Church, 18 Cathedral Heights, Groton. Artistic Director Ian Watson conducts the Connecticut Early Music Festival Ensemble. The program: Concerto for oboe and violin in C minor, BWV 1060R; Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052; Cantata 209, Non sa che sia dolore, BWV 209 and Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, BWV 1050.2. 7:30 p.m. Saturday Harpsichordist Peter Sykes plays Bach's Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, St. John's Episcopal Church, 400 Main St., Niantic. 5 p.m. Sunday George Kent Performance Hall, 119 High St., Westerly. Ian Watson conducts a Restoration Era (1664) entertainment featuring a cast of actors, singers and dancers based around scholar Laurence Senelick's script incorporating elements of Sir William Davenant's adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth." Features incidental music by Henry Purcell, Matthew Locke and John Eccles. Tickets are $40 each for the public concerts. See the June 16 Night & Day for further scheduling. Connecticut Early Music Festival, Friday-Sunday, various locations; www.ctearlymusic.org. The Telegraph Wimbledons isolation on the issue of Russian and Belarusian players is set to deepen on Tuesday with the United States Tennis Association expected to confirm that no politically motivated bans will be applied to the player field at the upcoming US Open. DENVER Dispatching mental health specialists instead of police officers to substance abuse and nonviolent emergencies sharply lowered low-level crime in Denver, according to a study published Wednesday in Science Advances. The Support Team Assistance Response, or STAR, program, which uses a mental health crisis interventionist and a paramedic to respond to nonviolent 911 calls, showed a 34 percent reduction in crime for offenses such as trespassing and public disorder, according to the study conducted by a Stanford University professor and researcher. As U.S. cities rethink the role of law enforcement in nonviolent 911 emergencies, the research uncovered the strongest evidence yet that dispatching mental health professionals instead of police officers in some instances can have significant benefits, the report said. The STAR program sends social workers and paramedics in specially equipped vans to low-level emergency calls. (NBC News) Researchers estimated that the STAR program prevented nearly 1,400 low-level criminal offenses, such as public intoxication, and increased the likelihood that potential repeat offenders were getting more assistance. We found something quite striking in those targeted precincts. It forgoes police involvement altogether, said a co-author of the report, Thomas Dee, the Barnett Family Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Its kind of a radical innovation in how we structure first responses for people in mental health or substance abuse crises. Of the 748 incidents to which clinicians and paramedics responded, police assistance was never needed, according to the study. Last year, the American Psychological Association estimated that 20 percent of calls to police involve mental health or substance abuse issues. A 2015 report by the Treatment Advocacy Center, a mental health advocacy group, reported that people with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed in police encounters. The analysis comes at a pivotal time in broader national discussions about police officers who respond to low-level crimes. Story continues Public awareness of the challenges of providing humane and effective policing have come under intense scrutiny since then-Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd in 2020 after a 911 call over a counterfeit bill. The report said making police officers first responders in nonviolent situations involving people in mental health or substance abuse crises can result in unnecessarily violent and tragic outcomes." Dee said their findings showed the Denver program could serve as a national model for how police departments approach small crimes. New York; Austin, Texas; San Francisco; San Mateo, California; and Washington, D.C., are already experimenting with new ways of responding to certain types of mental health emergencies with little or no law enforcement involvement, according to the report. The cities have been motivated not only by high-profile cases of police brutality but also by estimates that police spend more time responding to low priority calls than any other type of emergency, said Dee, who estimated that mental health experts could direct two-thirds of such calls. The STAR program deploys a mental health clinician and a paramedic to engage with people experiencing crises related to mental health, poverty, homelessness and substance abuse through Denvers 911 system. The study, which was conducted over six months starting in June 2020, evaluated eight police precincts using the program in central Denver and the remaining precincts that were not involved. Carleigh Sailon, a licensed clinical social worker, has staffed STAR since the program launched in June 2020. (NBC News) Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock did not respond to requests for comment. Police Chief Paul Pazen, who supports the program, said: "It's a better outcome for individuals in crisis. We want to get the most appropriate resource to help them. We find this to be very successful." He said many of the people in question get mental health and substance abuse assistance in the days and weeks after STAR intervention. The program plans to soon expand the number of crisis intervention vans from four to nine. Pazen said the research showed the program made no discernible difference in high-level crimes, such as murders, shootings, robberies or auto thefts. Dee said the estimate does not include follow-up costs, such as substance abuse treatment and other support services, or costs related to incarceration. Thursday Afternoon Update: According to Merced police Lt. Emily Foster, 42-year-old Jose Fabian Zarate, a suspect who previously stood trial for the 2018 homicide, was also arrested in this case just after 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the area of 13th and R streets. Zarate was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of firs degree murder and participation in criminal street gang activity, according to jail records. Original Report: An alleged high ranking gang member who was wanted in connection with a 2018 Merced homicide, was arrested Wednesday by sheriffs deputies in Texas. Augustine Singh, 42, was located during the execution of a federal search warrant by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office and Drug Enforcement Agency TAG at a home in the 3900 bock of Cannon Wood in Elmendorf, Texas, according to a Bexar County Sheriffs Office social media post. During the search, deputies located more than 100 grams of THC cartridges, about 3 pounds of marijuana, three firearms, jewelry and about $9,817 in cash. During the investigation, deputies learned that one of the suspects detained during the search was Singh, who had an active homicide warrant out of Merced in connection with a 2018 homicide, according to the post. The news release said Singh is believed to be a high ranking gang member from California. Deputies also located marijuana and drug paraphernalia during a simultaneous search at a location in the 5600 block of Godek Drive, according to authorities. Singh was taken to the Bexar County Jail on suspicion of drug and weapons charges and will be extradited to Merced to face the homicide charge, according to the post. Singh was identified as a suspect in the Dec. 2018 shooting death of 37-year-old Christopher Reyes in the Loughborough area. Another person arrested in the case was released from custody in 2019 when prosecutors dropped charges following a deadlock by a Merced County jury. During an appearance Wednesday at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, Gov. Ron DeSantis touted his veto of water legislation that directly impacts West Palm Beach and Palm Beach. WEST PALM BEACH Gov. Ron DeSantis touted billions of dollars for Everglades restoration and protection of water reservoirs in his recently signed state budget during an appearance Wednesday at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, which itself received $10 million courtesy of the $109 billion budget. But not everyone in West Palm Beach was cheering. Earlier in the day, at a stop in Fort Myers Beach, DeSantis vetoed a controversial water-related bill that directly impacts West Palm Beach and Palm Beach. DeSantis nixed Senate Bill 2508, which would have given a stronger guarantee to South Florida water users, such as farmers, utilities and municipalities, that their water from Lake Okeechobee would not be reduced from what was promised in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan signed in 2000 by former President Bill Clinton. Gov. DeSantis grabs spotlight by signing into law $109 billion state budget Environmental scientist accused of stealing secret documents from powerful foundation DeSantis said Wednesday the bill did not conform with a broader water policy he outlined. "Our view is we are going in the right direction and we're just going to keep doing what we are doing," he said. "So we vetoed the bill making sure we are going to continue with the policy we set out three and half years ago." West Palm Beach embraced the bill, since the city relies on Lake Okeechobee for its water supply, especially during drought. West Palm Beach also provides water for Palm Beach and South Palm Beach. "Unfortunately, the governor's veto means that our city remains exposed and our future access to drinking water during drought conditions could be in jeopardy," said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James in a statement. "We will continue to fight for the water rights of our residents and customers." DeSantis seems to dismiss idea of special session on gun violence At the end of Wednesday's news conference, a reporter asked DeSantis whether he will hold a special session on gun violence. The governor said that the state budget has continued record funding for school safety, school security and mental health, inferring that he will not consider the possibility of a special session. Story continues With all due respect to these leftists, they just want to come after your Second Amendment rights, DeSantis said. Mass shootings: After saying little about Uvalde and Buffalo, DeSantis signs school safety bill DeSantis on Tuesday signed into law a measure that builds on school safety steps taken in Florida following the 2018 slaughter at Parklands Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The legislation orders the state Board of Education to develop rules for school emergency drills, removing authority from school districts. It heightens response training and crisis intervention for school safety officers. It also requires that law enforcement be present for active shooter drills at schools and requires school districts to certify that at least 80% of school personnel have received youth mental health awareness training. DeSantis has promoted his administrations efforts to improve mental health funding and evaluations, particularly for school-age children. But DeSantis has refused to address any gun limits or bans. In April, DeSantis reiterated his support for allowing Floridians to openly carry firearms, without the need for taking a training course or having a permit. At the time, he said, I can tell you, before I am done as governor, we will have a signature on that bill. State budget includes millions for a project that helps Lake Worth Lagoon "I came into office and we promised that we were going to make conservation and Everglades restoration and water quality a big priority, and we set a very ambitious goal for what we would accomplish," DeSantis said. In the state budget, Palm Beach County had many wins for environmental protection projects, including $65 million toward phase 2 of the C-51 reservoir project. The C-51 project is a network of reservoirs actually pits dug at Palm Beach Aggregates that will hold water for aquifer recharge and protect the Lake Worth Lagoon. Creating space to store water is vital in South Florida for Everglades restoration and to buoy water supplies. Palm Beach County gets nearly $50 million for new reservoir at Palm Beach Aggregates DeSantis emphasized that his budget came up with $1.2 billion for Everglades restoration and protection of water reservoirs. In addition, DeSantis, who has been governor since 2019, said he surpassed a four-year goal with a total investment of $3.3 billion for this environmental protection measure, which is $800 million above his $2.5 billion goal. Additional budget highlights he mentioned Wednesday include $404 million for 113 environmental resilience projects throughout the state, a Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan for 76 infrastructure projects totaling $270 million and $20 million for 98 projects statewide for inland and coastal community assessments. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton, who attended Wednesdays event, said that DeSantis has shown bold, quantifiable action, especially following the establishment of the Resilient Florida program in 2021 to help assess and protect Floridas waterways, coastlines and shores. Under the leadership of DeSantis and the support of the Florida Legislature, in 2021, Florida became one of the most proactive states in the nation addressing the resilience of our coastal and inland communities, Hamilton said. DeSantis also announced that portals through which Floridians can apply for numerous environmental grant programs have opened, such as the Wastewater Grant Program, Innovative Technologies and Water Quality Improvements for the Biscayne Bay and Springs Coast Watersheds. U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat, released a statement that praised DeSantis, a Republican ... but not without a nod to the efforts of the Biden administration. Last year, President Biden and Democrats in Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, sending $10 billion to Florida to secure its budget, Frankel, a former mayor of West Palm Beach, said. Im pleased that the Governor is using budget money to follow the Biden Administrations lead with $1 billion for restoring the Everglades. Keeping our water clean and plentiful should always be bipartisan. Frankel is a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water. Hotly debated water legislation vetoed by DeSantis However, the veto of the water-related Senate Bill 2508 got some people's attention. The bill was opposed by the South Florida Water Management District board, which was appointed by DeSantis immediately after he took office. Ryan Rossi, president of the South Florida Water Coalition, said the veto was made over narrow, inaccurate concerns. By vetoing this legislation, Gov. DeSantis has disappointed the more than 7 million people in South Florida that depend on a stable supply of fresh water from Lake Okeechobee, Rossi said. As for the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, it received $10 million courtesy of the $109 billion state budget DeSantis signed last week. DeSantis said the science center, just south of downtown West Palm Beach, was a worthy recipient of taxpayer dollars since donors Howard and Wendy Cox gifted the center $20 million in November. Stephany Matat is a journalist covering business and politics for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at smatat@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism and take advantage of a limited-time offer for new subscribers. Get total digital access to the Post for only $9.99 for a full year. Subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DeSantis touts Everglades restoration, water protection in West Palm Veteran journalist Dom Phillips has been living in Brazil for over a decade Brazil says it is stepping up its search for British journalist Dom Phillips, 57, and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, 41, after it was criticised for its slow response to their disappearance. The two men went missing in the rainforest near Brazil's border with Peru on Sunday. No trace has been found of them or the boat they were travelling in. The lead investigator said his team was "pursuing all lines of inquiry". Growing anguish There has been huge concern for the welfare of the men after it emerged that Mr Pereira had received death threats in the week before they went missing. Dom Phillips' brother (right), sister (centre) and her partner (left) attended a vigil outside the Brazilian embassy on Thursday Brazilian football legend Pele is among those who have urged the authorities to intensify to scale up their search. He retweeted a video in which Mr Phillip's wife, Alessandra Sampaio, said she hoped that "the love of my life" would be found alive. Few leads Investigators said there were now 250 members of the security forces taking part in the search, up from just about a dozen in the first days. The search team started off very small They said the team included divers and experts in jungle terrain. Two helicopters, more than a dozen boats and drones are also being used. Six people have been questioned in connection with the men's disappearance, but police said only one had been arrested while the others were questioned as witnesses. They said that the arrested man had been detained during a random stop-and-search operation in the area during which he had been found illegally carrying ammunition. A local security official said that "we have not established any connection between him and the [disappearance] for now". Lead investigator Alexandre Fontes described the area as a "very complicated region" which he said could only be reached by helicopter, small plane or boat. Map of the Javari region. Indigenous rights groups which Mr Pereira worked with were the first to raise the alarm about the disappearance of the expert on isolated indigenous groups and the journalist. They said that Mr Pereira had received threatening letters over his work fighting against illegal fishing in the area. Story continues Both Mr Pereira and Mr Phillips, who has written about threats to the Amazon for publications such as The Guardian and the Washington Post, are hugely experienced and planned their journeys thoroughly. They had a new boat and plenty of fuel, the rights group said. The area where they disappeared is home to around 6,300 indigenous people from more than 20 groups. As well as clashes with fishermen catching protected stock, it has also seen incursions by illegal gold miners, loggers and drug traffickers who smuggle cocaine from neighbouring Peru. Both Mr Pereira, who has worked for the government's indigenous affairs agency Funai, and Mr Phillips, who was carrying out research for a book on the Amazon, documented these threats as part of their work. Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, has come under fire for referring to the work of the two men as an "adventure" and appeared to blame them for their disappearance. "Two people in a boat in a region like that, completely wild - it's an unadvisable adventure. Anything can happen," he said on Tuesday. An Algerian court sentenced Algerian football star and ex-Porto striker Rabah Madjer to six months in jail on Thursday for making "false declarations", local media reported. Madjer, who owned two newspapers, was found to have continued to bank cheques from a public advertising agency for a year after the papers were closed. He told AFP he had solicitor's documents proving he had nothing to do with the case, and added that he would appeal. "All I want to say is that I have nothing whatsoever to do with this business. I'm innocent," he said by phone. Charges of forgery and fraud were dropped. But the 63-year-old and a co-defendant named as Brahim M. were jailed and ordered to pay 500,000 dinars ($3,435 or 3,200 euros) to the national publishing and advertising agency (ANEP). The Algerian famously scored for Porto against Bayern Munich in the 1987 European Cup final with an audacious back-heel -- a move later named after him. He also scored a crucial goal in a 2-1 victory against West Germany in the 1982 World Cup. He later went on to coach Algeria's national football team, but after eight months in the job, he was sacked in June 2018 after a string of defeats. bur/par/dv A former Louisiana police officer has been arrested after a box of firearms and loaded magazines that were eventually traced to him were found by three children, authorities said. Benjamin Zeringue, formerly of the Baton Rouge Police Department, turned himself in to authorities Monday and is accused of dumping the weapons into a trash pile. He was booked into jail on suspicion of three counts each of malfeasance in office, injuring public records and theft of firearms. "No one is above the law here. He will be held accountable," Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran said during a Tuesday news conference. "We are lucky this did not end in tragedy and were thankful that those kids who found the guns did not shoot themselves or others." The children found three semi-automatic weapons with full 30-round magazines on April 16. They gave the guns to a parent, who notified the police. NEW ORLEANS DEMOCRATIC COUNCILMAN FED UP WITH CRIME, STREET STUNTS: THIS IS NOT GOTHAM CITY The weapons were traced to traffic stops and Zeringue falsely wrote in reports that they were placed in evidence, Baton Rouge Police Deputy Chief Myron Daniels told reporters. Arrest documents obtained by WBRZ-TV said the guns were seized during three separate stops in April 2018, May 2018 and February 2019. Zeringue turned in a small amount of marijuana from one of the stops but never placed the gun seized into evidence, authorities said. Daniels said Zeringue had previously been involved in incidents where evidence was not properly booked. "He was actually disciplined for it and within days of him completing his discipline, he resigned from the police department after being notified that there would be additional oversight into his behavior," he said. Zeringue was employed with the police department as a uniformed patrol officer from November 2016 to June 2020, authorities said. After working for Baton Rouge Police, Zeringue worked for West Feliciana Sheriff's Office until joining the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office, where he worked from December 2021 to April 2022, according to the news outlet. The family of a man who was killed in the home of a former Cayce doctor will be ending their civil lawsuit against the doctor, according to their attorney. William Player Hollands family will take no further action in the (civil) case, said attorney Tem Miles, who is also the West Columbia mayor. Holland, a medical equipment salesman, was fatally shot in 2017 inside the home of Adam Lazzarini, a former Lexington County Medical Center surgeon. The two had spent the day together after a medical procedure that they were supposed to observe was canceled, according to court testimony. They ended up at Lazzarinis house, where he showed Holland handguns. In May 2018, police accused Lazzarini of shooting Holland and charged him with involuntary manslaughter. Hollands family sued Lazzarini in a wrongful death the next month. Lazzarini declared bankruptcy after being criminally charged and sued. The Hollands had to wait for the criminal trial and Lazzarinis bankruptcy filing to be resolved before proceeding with the lawsuit. At the criminal trial in March, Lazzarinis defense attorneys convinced a jury that the shooting was an accident and that the gun could have gone off unintentionally. The trial had an unusual ending. The jury initially found him not guilty, but when jurors were polled, one changed her verdict. After further deliberations, the juror changed her verdict back to not guilty. While plaintiffs have won civil trials against someone found not guilty in a criminal case, the acquittal would have made the case harder for the Hollands to win. With the announcement that the family will take no further action in the civil case, the lawsuit is essentially ended. The family had not yet formally dismissed the case as of Thursday. Less than seven months after Holland died, Lazzarinis wife, Vanessa Biery, died in their home. Her death was ruled to be caused by a heart condition from mixing medications. No charge was filed in her death. A group of men kick around a soccer ball in May at a homeless encampment in Venice. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) Less than three years after earning a major win for a national movement seeking to elect progressive prosecutors, San Francisco Dist. Atty. Chesa Boudin was recalled from office Tuesday night. In Orange County, Republican Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer trounced his progressive challenger by a more than 3-1 margin and will avoid a November runoff despite multiple scandals, including the release of a video in which he used a racial slur. And in a Los Angeles mayoral contest where U.S. Rep. Karen Bass once seemed dominant, it was billionaire developer Rick Caruso who wound up leading the primary field after a campaign focused heavily on public safety and policing. Tuesdays primary results are by no means a death knell for California politicians focused on criminal justice reform. But outcomes in some of the most-watched races underscored how Democrats particularly those on the partys left flank are scrambling to balance their goals of a reimagined justice system with rising voter anxiety about crime and homelessness. What voters are looking for is an acknowledgment of the concerns they face, whether its crime, public safety or the cost of living, said David Binder, a pollster who has worked on Bass campaign and with other Democrats nationwide. We have to acknowledge voters are scared, unhappy, feeling there is chaos in the streets and society that needs to be addressed. While there was near unanimity among Democratic strategists that crime has become a major issue, theres less agreement on how to address it. Some at the partys center are vowing to step up prosecutions, while those on the left have called for more patience and investment in alternatives to incarceration. San Francisco Dist. Atty. Chesa Boudin addresses supporters Tuesday night in San Francisco. (Noah Berger / Associated Press) Strong showings by progressive district attorney candidates in Alameda and Contra Costa counties on Tuesday night further muddled the post-primary diagnoses. The voters sent a clear message last night: Both parties have to step up and do something about crime, as well as gun violence, President Biden said Wednesday. Its time, he added, that states and cities spend the money they have to deal with crime. Story continues A May poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by The Times found that 75% of voters believe crime had increased statewide in the last two years and that 83% believed homelessness had worsened. Tuesdays results showed that even in cities where crime had actually declined, voters cast their ballots with safety concerns in mind. Boudin was painted as soft on crime by both local critics and national media despite the fact that overall property and violent crime decreased in San Francisco from 2019 to 2021. Some individual crimes such as burglary and motor vehicle theft increased dramatically under his term, and recall supporters told voters Boudins policies were to blame for a number of high-profile crimes. Brian Van Riper, a Los Angeles political consultant who was not involved in any of the primary races, said crime statistics are less and less likely to gain traction with an electorate frustrated by homeless encampments or unrest they can see, feel and touch. The streets dont look as well kept as they used to. It just doesnt feel safe in many ways, and we then see these outrageous crimes, the follow-home burglaries, and people fundamentally dont feel safe, he said. Boudins defeat, and its potential to energize efforts to recall Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon, might be setting off alarm bells for some Democrats, but Tuesdays results were not universally strong for those running on traditional law-and-order campaigns. Volunteers at a field office for the "Recall D.A. George Gascon" campaign in Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who pivoted to the right during his tenure and his reelection campaign and repeatedly attacked Gascon on the trail, appears to have fallen short of the 50%-plus-one vote tally he needed to avoid a November runoff. A head-to-head contest, probably with former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna, could expose new vulnerabilities. Sacramento Dist. Atty. Anne Marie Schubert, who spent months attacking Boudin and Gascon, finished last in the state attorney generals race that was easily won by incumbent Rob Bonta. And in Alameda County, reform candidate Pamela Price garnered more than 40% of the vote and will enter a November runoff as the favorite to become Oaklands chief prosecutor. Miriam Krinsky, director of a national organization that supports progressive prosecutors, warned late Tuesday night against reading too much into Boudins defeat, which she argued was driven by heavy Republican spending in a low-turnout election. Spending in the recall topped $10 million. More than two-thirds of that about $7.3 million came from recall backers, including billionaire hedge-fund manager William Oberndorf, who has given millions to Republican campaigns, including to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells fund for Republican Senate candidates. Even in the face of this isolated result, the reform-minded prosecutor movement continues to grow stronger because communities recognize that criminal justice reform makes us safer, Krinsky said. Sean Clegg, an advisor to Carusos campaign, said Californians are recalibrating what they want in a criminal justice system, not rejecting reform wholesale. Most voters want racial justice. They want fair prosecutions. They want police accountability, he said. And they want the tents to come down. They want misdemeanors prosecuted. That view was echoed Wednesday by San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who will name Boudins replacement. She told reporters that although voters have been frustrated by a lack of accountability when crimes are committed, it is a false choice to think that we have to give up on criminal justice reform or give up on police reform. Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon addresses police accountability and the actions taken by his office in May. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) It is not just about law and order and tough on crime and locking people up and throwing away the key, Breed said. Thats not what this is about. Its about accountability ... and coming to a reasonable conclusion around justice and what that really means. The idiosyncrasies of the Boudin recall including that the election was a referendum on Boudin instead of a choice between two candidates should give pause to those who are trying to predict November outcomes, including in the Los Angeles mayoral race, Binder said. Opponents, however, see blood in the water. Tim Lineberger, a spokesman for Spitzers reelection campaign and the Gascon recall effort, said Tuesday was a resounding defeat for politicians who he said are ignoring constituents cries for help with crime and homelessness. None of it was a referendum on any particular candidate or race. I think it was all a referendum on soft-on-crime, pro-criminal policies that are devastating the communities where theyre being implemented, he said. People are reacting, and theyre pushing back. To force Gascon into a recall election, the campaign to oust him needs to collect roughly 567,000 signatures by July 6. As of May 31, it had 500,000. Experts, however, have warned the group will probably need to collect closer to 700,000 petitions to succeed, as some signatures will be dismissed during a verification process. Boudins loss is an urgent reminder to advocates and donors backing progressive criminal justice reform that they cant walk away from candidates once they take office, said DeAnna Hoskins, president of JustLeadershipUSA, a nonprofit working to halve the U.S. prison population by 2030. She said progressive prosecutors grappling to undo years of destruction, years of underinvestment, years of mass incarceration face an uphill battle. We have to build an infrastructure to win, but weve got to have the infrastructure to defend reform, Hoskins said. We cannot walk away once a win is accomplished. We have to keep our collective foot on the gas pedal. Thats what we traditionally dont do. The night of the election, we say, Check, thats done, and we move on to the next one. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A French parliamentary delegation pledged support for Taiwan during a meeting Thursday with the president of the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its own territory with no right to diplomatic recognition. Senator Joel Guerriau, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces, told Tsai Ing-wen he would help Taiwan oppose its oppressors and promote Taiwans freedom. Tsai, who won a second term as president in 2020, emphasized the strong connection between Taiwan's high-tech economy and countries in the European Union. We expect Taiwan and France to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields," Tsai said. France assumed the presidency of the Council of the EU in January. The visit is the third by French lawmakers to Taiwan in recent months, and follows a meeting earlier this week between Tsai and a group of Slovak lawmakers who offered similar expressions of support for the island's democracy. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China is firmly opposed to any forms of official and political contacts between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic ties with China." We urge the relevant party to avoid sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, and take concrete actions to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," Zhao said at a daily briefing. Taiwan has drawn increasing support from European nations in defiance of China, while current and retired U.S. politicians have also visited the island to show Washingtons backing. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department notified Congress that it has approved a possible sale of $120 million in spare parts for ships to Taiwan. China strongly opposes such sales. French Senators Vincent Eble, Sylvie Goy-Chavent, Dany Wattebled and Ludovic Haye were accompanying Guerriau on the six-day visit. In February, the European Commission unveiled the European Chips Act aimed at enabling the EU to work more closely with Taiwan and other world leaders in the semiconductor industry. Story continues China routinely threatens retaliation against politicians and countries that show support for Taiwan, which has only informal relations with the U.S., France and most other countries as a result of Chinese diplomatic pressure. Beijing downgraded relations and blocked imports from Lithuania, a member of both the EU and NATO, after the Baltic nation broke with diplomatic custom by agreeing that a Taiwanese representative office in its capital of Vilnius would bear the name Taiwan instead of Chinese Taipei, which other countries use to avoid offending Beijing. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. A Gulfport tax preparer admitted in court Thursday to filing false federal tax returns for Mississippi Coast clients, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Between 2012 and 2014, Orland Reed included false information on returns in order to help them get larger refunds from the IRS, according to court documents. The falsified information included: Household help income Education credits Dependent information Federal income tax withholdings At times, the DOJ said, Reed listed a different tax preparer even though was the one who prepared the returns. Reed also took tax return debit cards belonging to at least two clients and spent money from their refunds before giving them their cards, the DOJ said. He faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison and will be sentenced on Sept. 22. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Departments Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi announced the guilty plea. The IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case. ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) Attacks by armed gangs on motorcycles are blamed for the deaths of at least 32 people in rural northwestern Nigeria, residents told The Associated Press. The gunmen attacked four villages in the Kajuru area of Kaduna state on Sunday, said Monday Solomon, a resident of the area about 230 kilometers (143 miles) from Abuja, Nigerias capital. The attackers moved from village to village for hours before leaving, he said. Poor telecommunications delayed residents from reporting the attacks as is often the case in parts of Nigeria's north. News of the killings in Kaduna state comes shortly after more than 30 people were killed in an attack on a Catholic church on Sunday in southwestern Ondo, a state previously known as one of Nigerias safest. Nigeria's National Security Council said Thursday that the attack in Ondo was carried out by extremist rebels under the Islamic State West Africa Province group, confirming alarms raised in the past by local authorities and security analysts that the militants who have been restricted to the northeast for many years are looking to expand their influence and reach to other parts of the country. Following the recent attack in Kaduna state, at least 32 bodies have been recovered from the villages, according to the Adara Development Association. It said survivors continue to comb surrounding bushes for more corpses. Twenty-eight people have so far been buried, said residents. In the Kajuru area, attackers arrived on more than 100 motorcycles, said resident Usman Danladi. Many villagers took to their hills and ran into the bush (but) they (the attackers) followed them with motorcycles and killed many of them, said Danladi. Twenty-eight people have been buried as of yesterday and we cannot say if they are all because many of the dead bodies are being picked from the bush, said Danladi. More than 20 people were kidnapped and the abductors are demanding money for their release, he added. Story continues Such attacks have become frequent in Nigerias troubled northwest. Thousands have been killed in the violence, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations. Residents are often abducted and kept in detention for weeks usually in forest reserves until ransoms are paid. The gunmen in the latest violence were armed Fulani militia, said resident Danladi. That is the language they were speaking. That was their outlook. They are not new to our environment because this is not the first time they were attacking," he said. The Fulani herdsmen, who are mostly Muslim, have been in conflict for decades against the settled farmers over access to land for grazing. The rivalry has become deadly in recent years as gangs of gunmen attack rural communities. In one of the villages, residents were able to repel them at first before a helicopter arrived and started gunning the youths from the air, Awemi Dio Maisamari, the Adara association national president, said in a statement. Neither the police nor Kaduna state officials have yet confirmed the attacks. The limited security presence in many remote communities in Nigeria makes it difficult for government forces to protect residents from the attacks or quickly arrest the perpetrators, analysts say. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of not doing enough to end the country's security woes, a key campaign promise the former military general made when he sought election in 2015. Buhari's tenure as president ends in May next year after eight years in office. Two days after six Haitian Special Olympics delegates including one athlete with intellectual disabilities turned in their key cards and vanished from their hotel, their motivations and possible destination remain unclear. Osceola County deputies have remained tight-lipped, dismissing inquiries by saying the investigation was still active. Deputies also havent released any videos or photos of the delegates leaving their hotel or Disney property. Its unknown whether they boarded a bus or got into a waiting car, and since they left their belongings behind, its also unknown who may be helping them. One possibility is that the delegates are choosing to defect, avoiding their return to Haiti, which has been rocked by economic, social and political turmoil for years. Observers on the ground say gangs routinely battle for control of territory against the weak central government. READ: 5 of 6 people missing from Haiti delegation participating in Special Olympics USA Games not athletes Defections are relatively common. The latest to make waves happened at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, when a Belarusian sprinter fled to Poland after criticizing her coaches. However, theyre much less routine for the Special Olympics, which focuses on ability and togetherness as much as competition. Its always an opportunity, immigration attorney Nayef Mubarak said. If defection is the case here, Mubarak said the Haitians visas likely give them six months in the United States. The clock to request asylum lasts for 12 months after they arrive. All theyd have to do, he said, is mail a form to the U.S. government detailing their request and eventually show up at an immigration center for a background check. READ: 2022 Special Olympics USA Games underway in Orlando They dont need very much to move forward with the application, Mubarak explained. Whether their request would be granted is another matter. The attorney said asylum seekers must prove theyd be persecuted upon return to their home country. Its an intentionally high bar and, since the government permitted them to travel to the U.S. to compete, may be even more difficult to achieve in this instance. Story continues READ: How hundreds of health care workers are keeping athletes safe at Special Olympics USA Games If youre not successful in your asylum claim, you will have an order of removal more commonly known as a deportation order, Mubarak said. The delegates could be granted further reprieve if the Biden administration extends and expands Temporary Protected Status to Haitians living in the U.S. because of the chaos in that country. Currently, TPS is only granted to Haitians in the U.S. since August 2021. It expires February 2023. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. WASHINGTON The House is working with Senate leaders on a bill that would protect Supreme Court justices, their families and staff, a day after an armed man was arrested and accused of threatening Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said Thursday. Pelosi told reporters she hopes the House can consider the bill next week. The Senate passed a bipartisan bill last month known as the Supreme Court Police Parity Act to increase protection for Supreme Court justices' families after protests erupted at some justices' homes in response to the leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that legalized abortion. More: Abortion rights protests that started at Supreme Court steps move to justices' front doorsteps House Democrats want a broader bill that would extend protection to justices' clerks and other staff. "We're working together on a bill that the Senate will be able to approve of," Pelosi said. Law enforcement officers stand guard as protesters march past Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home on June 8, 2022 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. An armed man was arrested near Kavanaugh's home on June 8. More: 'Unacceptable, dangerous': AG Garland slams threats against Supreme Court justices amid Roe protests The suspect who was accused of threatening Kavanaugh was identified in court records as Nicholas John Roske of California. He was arrested early Wednesday and taken to a local police district in Montgomery County, Maryland, after he called a local 911 dispatcher claiming to be armed, suicidal and had traveled to the area to "kill" a Supreme Court justice, authorities said. Contributing: Kevin Johnson This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House to weigh bill on Supreme Court security after Kavanaugh incident IKEA is no stranger to technology-driven collaborations, but its latest might be particularly eclectic. The home store has partnered with electronic music giants Swedish House Mafia to release a new OBEGRANSAD ("unlimited" in Swedish) collection themed around music and creativity. The highlight so far is a surprisingly slick-looking record player. While the turntable doesn't offer much in the way of known features beyond Bluetooth speaker support, the minimalist design could make it a conversation piece as you spin some vinyl. This being IKEA, there's naturally some furniture. The OBEGRANSAD line also includes a desk aimed at music production, complete with two speaker stands and a pull-out shelf for MIDI keyboards and other controllers. You'll have more space for a computer, mixers and other essential gear. An armchair, meanwhile, can help you relax during listening sessions with adjustable straps. IKEA OBEGRANSAD music desk The collection doesn't reach IKEA shops until the fall. The company hasn't mentioned pricing, although its historical focus on affordable products suggests you won't pay much. Moreover, the full collection will include over 20 pieces there's a real chance you can have Swedish House Mafia shape much of your interior decor. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday it had reached a staff-level agreement on an updated macroeconomic framework with Argentine authorities, allowing the country access to about $4.03 billion. The IMF said in a statement that the country had met all quantitative targets in the first quarter and that annual objectives remained unchanged, "specifically those related to the primary fiscal deficit, monetary financing, and net international reserves." "Such an approach provides a vital anchor for economic stability and growth in uncertain times," the IMF said, referencing the effects of the large external shock from the war in Ukraine on Argentina's economy. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, which the Fund expects to occur in the coming weeks. (Reporting by Eliana Raszewski; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Christian Plumb) Romanian nationals accused of planting skimming devices at Sams Club stores in both Allegheny and Butler counties are now accused of targeting a store in Washington County as well. Channel 11 has been following this story for weeks. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: I know what Ive done: 2 men in custody after police track skimming scam in Pittsburgh-area stores South Strabane police have filed charges against Constatin Colceag and Raul Cojocaru, after a report of a skimmer found on a self-checkout register at the Sams Club in Trinity Point Shopping Plaza. According to the criminal complaint, the skimmer went undetected for nearly four days. 11 News spoke to regular store shoppers about the incident on Wednesday. If they go scam me, they better be wary of me coming to look them up, said James Wagner. I got my carry permit, and I aint scared of you. The criminal complaint also said that police tracked down the men using surveillance images and license plate readers. Investigators also uncovered several electronic devices, including a laptop, passports, and fake IDs. Police are now warning customers who frequented any of the locations targeted to check their bank and credit card accounts for any irregular activity. I dont ever use the credit card on registers, I use the app on my phone so I dont have that issue, said Sherry Fritz. Stay with Channel 11 as we continue to follow this investigation. TRENDING NOW: Residents on edge after second break-in at Station Square apartment building Thriftsburgh run by Pitt students aims to repurpose used goods Investigation related to Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang leads to 3 arrested on weapons, drugs charges VIDEO: Crews prepare for 15-day construction project on the Parkway East DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts The first of 10 former and current Alachua County jail inmates charged with voter fraud related to the 2020 election was sentenced Thursday by a judge. Daniel Dion Roberts, 48, was sentenced by Judge James Colaw to three years in prison as part of a plea agreement for charges of voter fraud and providing false voter registration information. Under the agreement, Roberts' three-year sentence will run concurrent to his six-year sentence on domestic battery and weapons charges, meaning he will serve no extra time behind bars for his latest offenses. Roberts is scheduled to be released on Sept. 18, 2025. Taking a stand: Voting activists launch statewide election integrity campaign to help inmates charged Editorial: Voting charges against Alachua County inmates show system designed to fail More: 2nd person arrested in voter fraud investigation at Alachua County jail; bail set at $75K Nine other convicted felons have been charged locally with various election crimes related to the investigation, which was connected to voter registration drives at the jail by the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office. A report released April 4 by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement cleared the Supervisor of Elections Office of any wrongdoing, but noted that the practice of mass registering of jail inmates could compromise the integrity of the Florida Voter Registration System. The investigation into voter fraud began following a series of complaints filed by Mark Glaeser, Gainesville database researcher and programmer who says he found thousands of people across the state who registered or voted illegally in 2020. The investigation found that while the elections office normally visits the jail to help inmates with voting and voter education, the office "deviated from the typical jail procedures" to speak with inmates about voting compared to past years. "Once we tell them what the law is and they say, Oh, Im fine, I can register to vote, I cannot tell them they cannot register to vote," Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton told The Sun in April. "Theyre the ones who are signing the oath on the form. Story continues Were following the statute of how we process voter registration applications," she said. In response to the investigation, Brian Kramer, state attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, announced May 17 plans for a new voter education program that aims to make voting for previously convicted felons less daunting by ensuring that theyre voting legally. Dubbed the V8th program, Kramer said he hopes the program will allow ex-felons impacted by the back-and-forth changes of Amendment 4 to avoid choosing between continuing to be disenfranchised and risking logging a new felony offense by voting. The purpose of this program is to make sure that people have a way of knowing, Is my sentence complete to the point where I am eligible to vote again," Kramer said. Amendment 4, which took effect in 2019, was passed by nearly two-thirds of Florida voters and was supposed to restore voting rights to people with felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who had completed their sentences. Republican lawmakers, however, passed a bill requiring that a convicted felon's fees, court costs and restitution be paid before their voting rights are fully restored. The back-and-forth brought mass confusion to people who thought they had their rights restored. Currently, the state has no one-stop system in place to flag those who attempt to register to vote by mistake before penalties are handed down. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation recently that will create an investigative unit for alleged voting crimes, as well as require voter rolls to be updated more frequently, and increase penalties for election-related offenses. The new laws will take effect July 1. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua inmate charged in voter fraud investigation gets 3 years Intel (INTC) investors are having a bad week -- and it may get worse before it gets better. Heading into this week, things were already looking grim for Intel. After reporting a 1% slide in sales for Q1 in April, Intel proceeded to guide investors towards lower-than-predicted revenues and earnings in Q2 as well. Then on Monday, Citigroup analyst Christopher Danely chopped his firm's price target on Intel by 10%, to $45 a share, citing likely weakened demand for semiconductors in this year's second half. And then there was yesterday's news. In a late-breaking report from Reuters Wednesday, a leaked Intel internal memorandum described plans to pause hiring in Intel's PC semiconductors group. Although the memorandum in question also assured Intel staff that "we are at the beginning of a long-term growth cycle across the semiconductor industry and we have the right strategy in place," if Intel is suspending hiring in its biggest division by revenues, that's certainly not optimistic. Furthermore, Reuters says Intel is canceling employee travel requests within the group, and limiting participation in industry conferences as well -- severe belt tightening that doesn't jibe with Intel coasting atop a "growth cycle." Commenting on all of this "news flow" surrounding the company, Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore described his firm's view that Intel is experiencing "challenging current business conditions." Citing comments overheard from Intel's CFO at a conference Wednesday, Moore reports that Intel's sales are being impacted by weak demand where customers need a "match set" of multiple chips in order to complete manufacture of a given final product. When unable to obtain all the needed parts, such a customer might decide to delay production entirely until it can get its supply chain in order. Additionally, Intel's finance chief has worries about inventory levels among the company's customers. Customers may be paring inventory levels in general -- perhaps in anticipation of supply chains improving, so there will be less need to hoard chips to ensure needed supply. On the one hand, that's a positive sign pointing to wounded global supply chains starting to heal. On the other hand, though, in the near term it may mean fewer sales for Intel s customers work down their inventories. Story continues "And then there was ... China," deadpanned the CFO. As you've probably heard, China has for the past couple of months imposed severe limits on movement in an effort to control the spread of Covid. While these restrictions have been lifting in recent weeks, "it takes time to get back to normal," noted the CFO. And until normal returns, Intel's sales may take a hit. Overall, "in all three cases, the circumstances at this point are much worse than what we had anticipated coming into the [second] quarter," concluded the CFO. And given that Intel is describing a situation no better than, and quite possible worse than what it described just "a few weeks ago," Moore is maintaining Morgan Stanley's Underweight (i.e. Sell) rating on Intel stock.(To watch Moore's track record, click here) According to TipRanks, the consensus on Wall Street is that Intel stock is a hold for investors. But TipRanks might as well have said buy because analysts, on average, think the stock, currently at $40.91, could zoom ahead to $51.12 within a year, delivering 25% profits to new investors. (See INTC stock forecast on TipRanks) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. (Jimmy Kimmel Live) President Joe Biden appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday (8 June) night and spoke about a range of issues, including gun control laws in the US. The 46th President blamed the lack of any progress on gun safety on intimidation by the gun lobby, as he called on voters to make it a deciding issue come November during his first in-person appearance on a late-night talk show. Mr Biden, who is a Democrat, told Kimmel that the National Rifle Association has bullied Republicans into thinking that if they vote for the rational gun policy, they are going to be primaried. He added that he is considering additional executive orders related to the issue but doesnt want to emulate his predecessors (Donald Trump) use of the non-legislative strategy, calling it an abuse of the Constitution. Mr Biden explained to Kimmel that he has issued executive orders within the power of the presidency regarding guns. But what I dont want to do, and Im not being facetious, I dont want to emulate Trumps abuse of the constitution, the President told Kimmel. I often get asked, look the Republicans dont play it square, why do you play it square? Well, guess what? If we do the same thing they do, our democracy will literally be in jeopardy. President @JoeBiden & I discuss gun violence, Roe v Wade, gas prices and which White House toilet is best for flushing classified documents. https://t.co/MsAnM67HUk Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) June 9, 2022 Kimmel responded to Mr Biden by saying: Its like youre playing Monopoly with somebody who wont pass go or wont follow any of the rules, and how do you ever make any progress if theyre not following the rules. Youve got to send them to jail, Mr Biden joked. Kimmel announced the news of Mr Biden appearing on his show on Sunday (6 June). Story continues Mr Bidens sagging approval ratings and apparently inability to appear as if hes having a positive impact on the myriad problems affecting the country has left both him and his closest confidantes frustrated amid extremely low morale in the West Wing. According to Politico, Mr Biden and his aides have found themselves either limited or helpless to combat the forces pummelling them, including inflation, rising gas and diesel fuel prices, a rash of mass shootings that Congress appears unwilling to address, and Russias continuing war in Ukraine. Mr Biden and his inner circle reportedly fear his term is increasingly looking more and more like that of Jimmy Carter, the last Democratic president to serve a single term after becoming mired in stagflation, brought about in part by the Arab-led oil embargo, and foreign policy disasters such as the Iran hostage crisis. The president is also reportedly upset at his aides tendency to cloister him by limiting his public appearances. While Mr Bidens slim public schedule was once justified by the need to demonstrate best practices amid a pandemic, plans are afoot in the West Wing for the president to hit the road with a series of public appearances, starting with a trip to California for this years Summit of the Americas. Additional reporting by outlets John Waters: When I was 12 years old, my parents built me a stage in my house where I put on very self-indulgent shows for my poor aunt. What child has a stage?! (Supplied) Its the first day of Pride Month when I reach John Waters by phone at his summer home in Provincetown, Massachusetts, so it feels remiss not to ask the 76-year-old how he plans to celebrate. Im just gonna blow as many people as possible, the cult filmmaker, stand-up and newly-minted novelist tells me, audibly smirking. He interrupts himself with a knowing laugh. I told my office I was going to say that. They said: You cant say that! But its just too hard for me not to, because youre supposed to give such a respectable answer and Im tired of being respectably gay. Respectability has never been high on Waters agenda. Christened The Pope of Trash by Naked Lunch author William Burroughs, Waters made his name in the early Seventies with exuberantly transgressive independent films like 1972s Pink Flamingos, a depraved tale of incest and underground baby mills starring drag queen Divine as a criminal living under the name Babs Johnson and dubbed the filthiest person alive. In a sign that respectability has come for Waters whether he likes it or not, the film will soon mark its 50th anniversary by being re-released with new bonus extras as part of the prestigious Criterion Collection. Even more remarkably, last year Pink Flamingos was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. An irony on top of all ironies, says Waters. But a great compliment. Half a century on, Pink Flamingos retains the same ability to shock that once saw it banned in Australia and Switzerland. It is surely the only film in the Library of Congress to climax with a scene in which its star eats a freshly produced and unmistakably real dog turd. Waters conceived of the gross-out finale before writing the rest of the script. I knew that was the end, he says. I knew that it was in the spirit of [1962 Italian shockumentary] Mondo Cane, and in the spirit of Jackass before it ever even happened, and in the spirit of the punk world that was right around the corner. After [1972 porn film] Deep Throat had become legal, it was a joke on whats left that you cant do? And it was a publicity stunt thats working to this day. Divine, ever the professional, didnt take much convincing. I said: Will you eat dog sh**? He said: Sure, recalls Waters of his friend and frequent collaborator, who passed away in 1988 at the age of 42. We were terrorists against taste. It was a radical time, and it was group madness in a creative way. Waters made his early films with a tight-knit group of cast and crew known as the Dreamlanders. We used to take LSD a lot, says Waters. I didnt write on it, but I think it certainly led to some of my writings. Hed first met Divine, born Glenn Milstead, at high school in Baltimore. His family moved five houses up the street from my family, he remembers. They ran a nursery school for children and Divine was their only child, which Im not saying was the best advertisement. Even at an early age, Waters saw himself as an artist. I knew I would be in show business, he says. I had a puppeteer career when I was 12 years old. My parents built me a stage in my house where I put on very self-indulgent shows for my poor aunt. What child has a stage?! He saw potential in Divine from the first time he spotted him waiting for the school bus. He was very un-Divineish, recalls Waters. He was an overweight nerd that got beat up in school every day, but I saw my father shudder when he saw him and I knew that there was a certain power there waiting to be released. I think I did release that power and gave him an outlet for the anger and rage that he must have felt from being bullied so much. Prior to the sh**-eating climax, Pink Flamingos also features a double shooting, a satire of Americas obscene gun culture. In the wake of high profile mass shootings in Texas and California, Waters says simply: Theres no reason why anyone should have guns in America. He adds that hes only shot a gun once in his life. A biker took me out into the woods and we shot machine guns, he says. It was a fun day, but it was more fun because I was with him than it was shooting a gun. It was a good date, but I never then wanted to go shoot a gun again. I have no desire to. Id shoot myself with it accidentally if I had one. The original trailer for Pink Flamingos didnt feature any footage from the film, and was instead comprised entirely of shocked reactions from people whod just attended a screening. You couldnt put footage in it, youd give away everything, explains Waters. Its the same reason I called the film an exercise in poor taste and the title was the very low key Pink Flamingos. Both those things downplayed how sensational it was. After years of being exposed to the worst the internet has to offer, it would be tempting to think audiences are now unshockable. Yet Waters points out with pride that the film has lost none of its power. The ending of Pink Flamingos still works, he says. We won! Nobodys gonna top it, because its joyous. Its easy to be disgusting, but its really hard to be funny, witty and make people surprised at their ability to be shocked by anything anymore. Trash course: Divine in John Waters 'Pink Flamingos (Criterion Collection) Devotees of the film have been known to show their affection through imitation. Somebody at [the Connecticut-based fan festival] Camp John Waters asked in front of a whole bunch of people if she could eat dog sh** in front of me, remembers Waters. She took a little specimen out and she did, and everybody applauded. I thought: Well, thats a nice thing for the bucket list, I guess? Who was I to deny her her dream? With a string of cult favourites including 1974s Female Trouble and 1981s Polyester under his belt, Waters made his commercial breakthrough in 1988 with Hairspray. The film starred a young Ricki Lake as teenage dancer Tracy Turnblad, who uses local TV fame to protest racial segregation. In 2002 it was adapted into a hit Broadway musical which in turn was made into a movie starring John Travolta as Turnblads mother, a role originated by Divine. In a way, its much more perverse than Pink Flamingos because it snuck into middle America, says Waters, who was surprised when his original film was given a PG rating. Two men are singing love songs to each other in grade school during that musical right now. Thats much more radical than preaching to the converted, which maybe Pink Flamingos is. The success of Hairspray brought with it mainstream notoriety, and Waters has made, in his words, more money from that than anything I did in my life. It has however been criticised in some quarters for its supposed white saviour narrative. Well, there were white people in Black Lives Matter. There were white people in the freedom fighters, argues Waters. It takes everybody to have a revolution. Im not saying Hairspray was revolutionary, but it was about a revolutionary time that I remember very fondly. Ricki Lake was me in it, basically. They always ask you to pick a pronoun ... I want to be called Your Majesty Waters made another incursion into middle America in 1997 when he appeared in classic The Simpsons episode Homers Phobia, playing the openly gay owner of a campy collectibles shop who helps Homer overcome his prejudice. I thought: If its good enough for Elizabeth Taylor! recalls Waters of being approached by the show a few years after Taylor voiced baby Maggies first word. My favourite line is when [bartender] Moe says: Entire steel industrys gay. That really makes me laugh, coming from Baltimore. The episode, which aired several months before sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres made history by coming out, won both an Emmy and a GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Award and is now widely considered a landmark for positive gay representation on television. Waters says its a demonstration of how times have changed that Homers Phobia no longer seems as subversive. The Simpsons episode wouldnt be so shocking if it came out today, he says. All kids know what gay is and all kids know what trans is. I said in my last book, theres no such thing as a girl or a boy anymore. You can be anything! Its very different to when I grew up. They always ask you to pick a pronoun, but the one I want isnt on there: The Royal We. Thats the one I identify with. I dont want to be called them, I want to be called Your Majesty. Tooned in: John, voiced by Waters in The Simpsons episode Homers Phobia (20th Television) Speaking of royalty, Waters sends his wishes to the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee although he has little interest in the wider machinations of royalty. I love the Queen, I am a complete, complete fan, he says. I remember I was in Australia on tour once and so was she. I always forget she rules Australia too. There she was, in a different pink pastel suit every day. She was working! The other ones I just dont care about at all. When the Queen dies, Ill probably never follow it again. In the years since the release of Waters last film, 2004s A Dirty Shame, he has kept up a prodigious creative output. Hes written a series of nonfiction books, including 2010s Role Models, which featured a chapter devoted to Leslie Van Houten, the Manson Family member who Waters befriended after interviewing her in 1985. This March, she was once again denied parole. Ive talked to her, and she has not given up and shes as positive as ever and continues to lead a reformed life in prison, says Waters. She speaks so eloquently at every parole hearing about her sorrow and about how she doesnt blame it on [Charles Manson] even. Shes lived for 50 years in prison, so I think its unfair today that they keep turning her down. John Waters new book Liarmouth (Hachette) Waters new book Liarmouth is his first novel. Published last month, its about a woman who steals suitcases from airport carousels that he bills as a feel-bad romance. After pointing out that novel writing is not such a departure for him (All the movies are fiction), Waters responds with delightful mockery when I ask whether writing a novel or a screenplay is more fun. Its not fun to write ever, he says sternly, before doing a sarcastic impression of a maniac at a typewriter: Im not sitting there going: Ahahaha! Im so happy I think Ill pick up this paper, la la la! Im not insane. Along with the books, Waters also writes a continually evolving stand-up show, False Negative, which he is this week bringing to Londons Barbican. After years of lockdown, which Waters found boring and endless, hes thrilled to be back in front of audiences. I say to them: Just think, this might be the last night you ever go out, he offers, that smirk back in his voice. These days he might be a celebrated novelist with fans clamouring to hear him speak, but the spectre of respectability hasnt quite gotten to John Waters yet. And now theyve got monkeypox! he adds with a sigh. Oh great, just what I want! Boils on my balls. Thatll be nice for summer. Pink Flamingos is out on Criterion Collection Blu-ray, 25 July. Liarmouth is out now. John Waters show False Negative is at the Barbican Hall, London, 10 June. Jun. 9WILKES-BARRE Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas issued a bench warrant for a Dallas man who failed to appear Thursday to be re-sentenced for violating probation related to supplying heroin laced with fentanyl to a woman, causing her death. David John Haines, of 21 Poplar St., was scheduled to appear before Lupas on a petition filed by the county's Adult Probation and Parole department, alleging he violated his probation sentence. Haines is serving a seven-year probation sentence imposed by Lupas in November 2018 after he pled guilty to drug delivery resulting in death. He previously served two years in the state's Intermediate Punishment Program that consisted of time in a state prison. Dallas Township police charged Haines with supplying heroin laced with fentanyl to Gale Avery, who was found dead inside his home on June 19, 2017. A toxicology report showed Avery died from a heroin and fentanyl overdose. While serving the probation sentence, Haines was arrested by Carbondale police on charges of child endangerment, terroristic threats and harassment on Dec. 19, 2021. The county's Adult Probation and Parole Department filed a petition alleging Haines violated his probation by being arrested by Carbondale police and failing to complete 50 hours of community service, attend alcohol safe driving school and failing to undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations, according to court records. Haines was free on $10,000 unsecured bail related to the child endangerment charges in Lackawanna County, court records say. When he failed to appear Thursday to be re-sentenced, Lupas issued a capias warrant for his arrest. Sam Neill in "Jurassic Park." Murray Close/Getty Images Sam Neill opened up about the last time he watched the first "Jurassic Park" in a new interview. Neill, who played Dr. Alan Grant, said he watched the film last with Princess Diana and his 11-year-old son. The actor also recalled his son farting during the screening, even in the presence of royalty. "Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill hilariously recalled the last time he watched the film all the way through and it included Neill's 11-year-old son and Princess Diana. "The last time I watched it in its totality was sitting beside Princess Di at Leicester Square at the London opening," Neill told the New York Times in a recent interview. "On the other side of me was my son Tim he was 11 and completely swept away by it." But Neill revealed that his son got a little too carried away with the events of the film. "About the time the T-Rex turns up, Tim started to fart. And the draft was drifting across me to royalty!" the "Possession" actor said. "I spent the whole film in a muck sweat, thinking, 'Princess Di is being exposed to the horrors of a little boy's fart, but she's going to think it's me. I am going to be subliminally blamed for my son's crimes, and I don't think she'll talk to me afterwards,'" Neill continued, adding: "But she was well brought up and never mentioned it." Neill's "Jurassic Park" costar Jeff Goldblum also weighed in on the anecdote, telling the Times, "I've heard him tell that a couple of times, and it's just amazing the lengths that he will go to still blame the boy." Neill, Goldblum, and Laura Dern starred in the 1993 blockbuster together, playing Grant, Dr. Ian Malcolm, a mathematician, and paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler, respectively. The trio recently reunited for the new film "Jurassic World: Dominion," the latest in the franchise now lead by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Read the original article on Insider (Getty) Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have appeared to include a vial of blood at their joint bachelor party. Kardashian, who married Barker in a lavish ceremony in Portofino, Italy, last month, shared images from the couples pre-wedding party on Instagram. Romeo and Juliet vibes for the Bach, Kardashian captioned a set of 10 images. However, fans were quick to notice that the last image of the set appeared to be a vial of blood. Kardashians friend, model Allie Rizzo Sartiano, seemingly confirmed fans suspicions by commenting on Kardashians post: Was the most romantic dinner with a touch of Dracula vibes. Kardashian family friend Malika Haqq also commented bleeding love. The images show that the party had a gothic theme, with tables laden with flickering candles - including a love heart-shaped candelabra with a cross at the top, red roses scattered throughout, and a love heart-shaped cake with the words Kravis 4Ever. Kravis is the couple name given to Kardashian and Barker. Kardashian also used a human heart-shaped clutch for the occasion. Kardashians followers were quick to comment on the gothic theme of the party, with one person writing: I dont recall Romeo and Juliet gave off satanic vibes? Another said that it was giving Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) and Megan Fox vibes. The celebrity couple, and friends of Kardashian and Barker, famously drank each others blood when they got engaged at the start of this year. In a video posted to Instagram of the engagement, Fox said in the caption: And just as in every lifetime before this one, and as in every lifetime that will follow it, I said yes. and then we drank each others blood. The bachelor party theme echoed the theme of Kardashian and Barkers wedding in Portofino, which saw the famous family flock to the Italian village to celebrate the ceremony at the Dolce & Gabbana villa there. Kardashian wore a white bridal mini dress for the occassion, breaking wedding dress norms in the process. Xi inspects southwestern Chinese city of Meishan Xinhua) 08:03, June 09, 2022 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting the village of Yongfeng to learn about local efforts in advancing high-standard farmland development, boosting grain production, promoting rural revitalization, maintaining effective COVID-19 prevention and control, in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. Xi on Wednesday inspected the city of Meishan. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) CHENGDU, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Wednesday inspected the city of Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. In the morning, he visited the village of Yongfeng and San Su Ci, the memorial temple and former residence of Su Xun and his two sons Su Shi and Su Zhe, three literary masters of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Xi learnt about local efforts in advancing high-standard farmland development, boosting grain production, promoting rural revitalization, maintaining effective COVID-19 prevention and control, and protecting historical and cultural heritage. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) (Reuters) -Russia said on Thursday it did not expect Gazprom to cut gas supplies to any more European customers and said its scheme to make buyers pay for gas in roubles was working as planned. Gazprom has cut supplies to Denmark's Orsted and to Shell Energy for its contract to supply gas to Germany, as well as to Dutch gas trader GasTerra along with Bulgaria, Poland and Finland for refusing to make payments for Russian gas in roubles under the new rouble scheme. Gas payments under the new scheme, set up in response to Western sanctions, were due in April and May. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said everyone who was to be cut off from supplies was now not receiving Russian gas. "The system is functioning ... and whose who receive the gas are working under the new system," Peskov told his daily conference call with reporters. Asked whether new gas cuts should be expected, he said: "No." Companies from Germany, Italy and France have said they would engage with Moscow's payment scheme to ensure they can maintain supplies, as Europe plans to gradually cut its dependence from Russia in the next couple of years. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Edmund Blair) A caravan of veterans with signs and American Flags with the Concerned Veterans for America, drive through the parking lot of the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center to protest the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Gainesville on Nov. 10, 2021. This protest is part of more protests nationwide where the CVA is asking for more accountability and transparency from the VA. Lawmakers are demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs about emergency room care at some of its largest hospitals after an investigation found that Malcom Randall VA Medical Center Emergency Department in Gainesville was negligent in its care of a patient who died. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and U.S. Representative Kat Cammack, all Republicans, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, saying they were "appalled" at the findings of an Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation into the June 2020 incident. The report says the VA failed to provide emergency care to a veteran at the Malcom Randall's emergency department, which resulted in the veterans death. The VA has not released the veteran's name. The OIG report said that nurses and other hospital staff failed to provide care to an unidentified veteran in the summer of 2020 after an ambulance crew brought him to the emergency department in a coma. Investigation of Malcom Randall center: Report blasts Malcom Randall VA hospital's delay in emergency care of veteran who died Caravan protest: Veterans caravan through VA hospital in Gainesville to protest care during pandemic In person Veterans Day: Gainesville and Alachua County return to in-person Veterans Day celebrations The report said staff at the hospital allowed the man to go untreated as they tried to determine if he was a veteran. The ambulance took him to UF Health Shands, where he did receive care but later died. The report also criticized the VA center leaders inadequate response to the incident. That included disregarding recommendations to remove some nurses from emergency care and instead issuing written warnings. Melanie L. Thomas, the acting public affairs officer for the hospital, said the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System "values the recommendations of the Inspector General." Story continues "We embrace high reliability and are committed to zero harm for our patients," she said in a recent email. "As outlined in the response, action plans have been completed or are currently under implementation. We remain dedicated to honoring our nations veterans by ensuring a safe environment and delivering exceptional health care through continuously improving our standards." Lawmakers demand more details of Malcom Randall's 'inadequate' response In the letter, the lawmakers said they want answers. The lawmakers' letter said the OIG report noted what appears to be differing accounts of professionalism among EMS and VA staff. They asked in the letter how many violations took place at the facility during that time span and how many resulted in injury or death of a patient, as well as if any staff received disciplinary or dismissal actions and demanded answers by June 30. Not only did the Malcom Randall emergency department nurses fail to provide emergency care access to the patient, the lawmakers said, but when they conducted their own assessment, they "failed to recognize the criticality of the patient." The report and its conclusions should concern anyone seeking emergency treatment at Malcom Randall, or is brought to the facility in a condition in which they could not articulate their medical care needs," the lawmakers' letter states. They also point out that the OIG report also notes that Malcom Randall medical providers and administrative staff have repeatedly violated the Veterans Health Administrations Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act policy, which requires an emergency department to provide a medical screening examination and treatment to stabilize patients with emergency medical conditions. The report included a chart that showed at least seven labor act-related incidents involving delays or denials of care from 2018 to 2021 at the Malcom Randall center. Their letter also states that there have been nine additional patient safety reports related to delays or denial of care due to labor act-related or patient registration issues. The lawmakers expressed concern with a decision made by the previous Malcom Randall director to reverse recommended disciplinary actions against some staff members. Our nations veterans have served their country honorably," they wrote in the letter. "They should not have to worry about gross incompetence and negligence when they seek care, especially in emergency situations where timely, efficient, and effective care is vital." This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: GOP lawmakers ask VA to investigate emergency room care after vet death The Lubbock County Courthouse. A 29-year-old man was sentenced Thursday morning to 15 years in prison for severely injuring a 7-week-old girl he admitted to squeezing and strangling. Santiago Espinel-Orduna pleaded guilty to two counts of Aggravated assault, causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon in exchange for two, 15-year prison sentences. The offense is a second-degree felony that carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison. Santiago Espinel-Orduna He also pleaded guilty to a count of injury to a child in exchange in exchange for the 10-year prison sentence, which is the maximum penalty for the offense. The three sentences will run concurrently. A deadly weapon finding was made in the case, which would require Espinel-Orduna to serve half of his sentence before he is eligible to apply for parole. Defense attorney Chris Wanner told the court during a plea hearing that his client was not a U.S. citizen and faces deportation. Espinel-Orduna's charge stems from a police investigation that began in September 2020 when doctors in Fort Worth found injuries on his 7-week-old daughter that they believed resulted from physical abuse. Espinal-Orduna and his wife were visiting family in Knox City, where they noticed the girl's arm was swollen and was having trouble moving. The girl was airlifted to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. Doctors there found she suffered a broken humerus bone and clavicle. The girl also suffered multiple bone fractures on the girl's body that were in various stages of healing. Doctors also found burst blood vessels in the girl's eyes that was consistent with strangulation. Detectives in Fort Worth spoke to Espinal-Orduna, who told them he was the only person with the girl at the time since his wife was out working. He initially denied injuring the girl. However, he ultimately confessed to detectives to squeezing the girl tightly and strangling her, he said he was frustrated with the infant because he was tired and couldn't sleep when the the girl cried. Story continues During the interview with detectives, he demonstrated how he injured the girl on a doll. An arrest warrant was issued for his arrest in Lubbock, where the abuse happened. He was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center where he has been held since Feb. 8, 2021. Prosecutor Laura Beth-Fossett described the case as heartbreaking and one of the worst she's seen. She said despite the facts of the case, the law as written limited the charge against Espinel-Orduna to a second-degree felony. However, she said the girl recovered from her injuries, which did not appear to affect her development. "Due to the baby's young age, she is able to recover better than if it was an older child," she said. "But it was a 7-week old (child) and I can only imagine that her entire life (at that point) had been hell." This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock man gets 15 years in prison for strangling baby Tyrone Cleveland, who is accused of shooting his wife and two of his daughters before causing a Wednesday wreck that killed a Tallahassee police officer, stormed out of his first appearance Thursday morning. After Leon County Judge Stefanie Newlin said he would be held without bond on the attempted-homicide charges, Cleveland, appearing virtually from the Leon County Detention Facility, stood up and said, "Y'all playing games," before uttering an expletive and walking out of the webcam's view. State Attorney Jack Campbell requested no contact between Cleveland, 37, and his family other than through legal counsel, which was granted by the judge. Campbell added that Cleveland's "whole family is traumatized" by the shooting. Campbell also said he is "mourning like the rest of the community for this family and, certainly, for the fallen officer." What happened: Police officer killed in crash was 34-year-old man with 4 years on Tallahassee force, union says Spencer Walling places flowers on a memorial for fallen officers outside the Tallahassee Police Department on Thursday, June 9, 2022, a day after a 34-year-old officer was killed on duty. The on-duty officer was killed when his patrol vehicle collided with a car police said was being driven by Cleveland who was fleeing the police at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The officer has been identified by the Florida Police Benevolent Association Big Bend chapter as a 34-year-old man who had been on the Tallahassee police force for four years. He previously had served at Wilton Manors Police Department in Broward County, according to a statement by Richard Murphy, president of the chapter, which represents nearly 500 law enforcement officers. A charge in connection with the officer's death was not included in the initial booking report. Campbell said, "It's still an active criminal investigation, so I'm not going to get into the charges; the investigation continues." The chain of events that led to the crash began around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday when Leon County Sheriff's deputies responded to 911 call reporting an assault at a home in the 4200 block of Saplin Court, Sheriff Walt McNeil said Wednesday. Story continues An LCSO deputy responding to the 911 call saw Cleveland's vehicle at the intersection of North Monroe Street and Capital Circle Northwest and a chase ensued. "The suspect then turned his vehicle around and began traveling toward oncoming traffic, colliding with the TPD officer's vehicle," TPD Deputy Chief Jason Laursen told a press conference on Wednesday. The officer was rushed to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Tallahassee Police officers in mourning after an officer was killed in the line of duty Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Fallen officers: Tallahassee Police Department honors 'fallen law enforcement heroes' at solemn ceremony Lieutenant William "Randy McCroan: School resource officer working his last day among 2 killed in Calhoun County plane crash 'Unprecedented times': Tallahassee Police Department honors 'fallen law enforcement heroes' at solemn ceremony Now Cleveland faces three counts of premeditated attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon after Wednesday's shooting. Cleveland has been arrested several times and was found guilty of child abuse in 2013. Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter. Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Police: Man in fatal crash with Florida officer shot wife, two daughters An iconic New England-based eatery will be offering up 97-cent pizzas later this month at one of its Massachusetts locations in celebration of the start of summer. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana says it plans to cook up small, single-topping pizzas for just 97 cents at its Watertown restaurant on Eldridge Avenue from June 24 through June 26. The offer is only good for in-store orders between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. There will be a limit of one pizza per person. Frank Pepes, which originated in New Haven, Connecticut, is also celebrating 97 years of business. New Haven-style pizza is distinct in its thin, oblong crust, characteristic charring, chewy texture, and limited use of melting cheeses. The first day of summer is Tuesday, June 21. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Worshipers praying for Naason Joaquin Garcia at the headquarters of the "La Luz Del Mundo" church in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 4, 2019. ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images Megachurch leader Naason Joaquin Garcia has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. He took a plea deal that dropped 23 sex abuse charges to just three counts of child sex abuse. His victims wept and begged the court for a reversal while his followers continue to adore him. The leader of a Mexico-based megachurch with a large congregation in California has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing underage girls. His victims, however, say he's still managed to evade the consequences of his crimes. Naason Joaquin Garcia, known as "The Apostle of Jesus Christ" by members of the La Luz del Mundo church, initially faced 23 charges of sex crimes against children, including rape and conspiracy to engage in human trafficking, according to court documents seen by Insider. However, three days before Garcia was set to go on trial in Los Angeles, he took an unexpected guilty plea deal with the California Attorney General's office. The deal led to his list of charges being reduced to just three counts: two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of performing a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. Speaking at Wednesday's sentencing in the Los Angeles Superior Court, the five young women whom Garcia abused objected to the last-minute deal, saying they weren't consulted and were dismayed that he wouldn't face the other charges in open court. Victims begged the court to reverse the plea deal All five victims wept as they described how Garcia used his spiritual authority to abuse them and force them into sexual slavery for years. One of them identified herself as Garcia's niece. They said they were initially elated after being accepted into Garcia's inner circles but were soon subjected to a "nightmare" of rape and abuse, which they were told would bring them salvation. The victims, all known as Jane Doe, said they were told they'd be damned for refusing Garcia's advances, and that they were his property to do with as he wished. Story continues One victim, known to the court as Jane Doe 1, said the church made her think it was a privilege to "receive his blessing." "I feel that this plea deal allows him to escape the true consequences of his actions," she said. Another begged the court to reconsider the decision on the reduced charges in "any way you can." "Please bring the justice that we actually deserve," she said, choking back tears. "This plea deal is not enough. He deserves a lifetime for each and every one of us Jane Does. He destroyed our lives." The women said they were ostracized by their communities and even their own families when they brought forth the accusations against Garcia. Footage of the sentencing showed Garcia seated with earphones plugged in and facing away from the victims as they gave their statements. Garcia sat facing away from the victims as they gave their statements. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Judge Ronald Coen apologized to the victims before reading the sentence. "My hands are tied. Lawyers will do what lawyers do," he said. "But I just want to tell all the Jane Does that the world has heard you. I promise you that," he said. "As to those family members that have abandoned the Jane Does: Shame! Shame on you!" He then told Garcia directly: "You are a sexual predator." "I'll never cease to be amazed at what some people do in the name of religion, and how lives are ruined in the guise of serving a supreme being," he also said. In a statement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Garcia's sentence on Wednesday was a "critical step forward for justice." "While it will never undo the harm and trauma he caused as leader of La Luz del Mundo, this sentence makes it crystal clear that abusers no matter who they are will be held accountable," he said. Sochil Martin, a former member of the church who was the first whistleblower against Garcia, said the case's outcome was a "slap in the face to the victims," per Law and Crime. "He needed to be fully prosecuted in open court so the victims could tell their story," she said, according to the outlet. La Luz del Mundo still loves its 'Apostle' Garcia was arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport in 2019 and has been detained in California for the last three years on bail of $50 million. Prosecutors said Garcia's bail was set so high because they feared his supporters of whom there are 5 million, according to the church would raise money to set him free and allow him to flee the country. Two other church associates were arrested with him and have reached separate plea deals, per Reuters. Throughout that time, Garcia's lawyers have said the accusations brought against him were a "hit job" to "make it look like he did something wrong." Followers of La Luz del Mundo sing during a baptism ceremony. ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images A statement by his church on Wednesday said it supported Garcia's decision to plead guilty because they believed he was under duress and wouldn't get a fair trial. The church added that Garcia "had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family." The Light of the World (@tlotwchurch) June 8, 2022 "Our confidence in him remains intact with full knowledge of his integrity, his conduct and his work," the statement read. According to the Los Angeles Times, hundreds of Garcia's supporters gathered on Wednesday morning to pray for him and sing hymns in the Mexican neighborhood of Guadalajara, where the church is based. The interior of the La Luz del Mundo church building in Guadalajara. ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images La Luz del Mundo, also known as the Light of the World Church, is an organization founded in Mexico in 1926 by Garcia's grandfather, Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez. The church says it practices a "Christian-based faith." According to photos on the church's website, it has chapters in Arizona, Texas, Alaska, Florida, California, Virginia, Utah, Kentucky, and in Europe and South America. Its congregation is strong in parts of California that have large Hispanic populations, per the BBC. Read the original article on Insider Officials in Kent County, Michigan, announced Thursday that a second-degree murder charge has been filed against the officer who fatally shot 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya on April 4. Video of the encounter, in which an officer shot Lyoya in the head after a struggle during a traffic stop, sparked national outrage and calls for the officer to be charged. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said he believes there's sufficient evidence to support the second-degree murder charge against the officer, Christopher Schurr. The charge is a felony offense which is punishable by up to life in prison with the possibility of parole, Becker said at a Thursday news conference. Becker said Schurr has turned himself in and will be arraigned on Friday. Video released by the Grand Rapids Police Department in April showed the officer, who is White, pull over Lyoya, who is Black, for driving with mismatched plates. The video showed Lyoya getting out of the car, despite the officer's instructions to stay inside. When instructed to get his license from the car, Lyoya appears to ask a passenger to get it, and then tries to walk towards the passenger side of the car. A still image from cell phone video taken prior to the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya. / Credit: Grand Rapids Police Department The officer is then seen telling Lyoya to stop and grabbing him. The pair struggle briefly, before Lyoya breaks free and the officer chases him on foot. The officer then tackles Lyoya on a nearby lawn, and the pair begin to struggle. At one point, the officer fires his Taser twice but Cedar Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he missed Lyoya both times. As the struggle continues, it appears at some moments that both men have their hands on the Taser. The officer can repeatedly be heard telling Lyoya to take his hand off the Taser, though the passenger can be heard saying that Lyoya isn't touching it. Eventually, the officer is seen getting on top of Lyoya and shooting him in the head. An independent autopsy confirmed he was killed by the shot to his head. A TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer struggling with and shooting Patrick Lyoya at Grand Rapids City Hall on April 13, 2022. / Credit: Grand Rapids Police Department / AP The videos released by police included the officer's body worn camera, the dashcam from the officer's car, surveillance video from a house across the street and cell phone video captured by a passenger in the car. Still, some of the interaction including the moments just before the shooting are difficult to discern. At the time of the shooting, the body worn camera had been deactivated, the surveillance video was from a considerable distance and the cell phone was often pointed at the ground instead of the officer and Lyoya. Story continues At a press conference in April, Winstrom said the body camera had deactivated because the button that controls the recording function had been pressed down for more than three seconds during the struggle. He said that based on the video, he believed the two men had fought over the Taser for about 90 seconds before the shooting. According to the Associated Press, Winstrom said Thursday he would recommend firing Schurr, though he is entitled to a hearing, and the city manager will ultimately make the decision. Lyoya's family has condemned the shooting, with his father telling CBS News in April that his son was "killed like an animal." Peter Lyoya said the family had fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2014 in the hopes of a safer life. "I came here to save my family," Peter Lyoya told CBS News. "My son has been killed like an animal." "The one [who] was supposed to be protecting Patrick's life, is the one [who] killed Patrick and take Patrick's life away," he added. In a statement Thursday, Lyoya family attorney Benjamin Crump heralded the decision to charge Schurr as a "crucial step in the right direction." "While the road to justice for Patrick and his family has just begun, this decision is a crucial step in the right direction," Crump said. "Officer Schurr must be held accountable for his decision to pursue an unarmed Patrick, ultimately shooting him in the back of the head and killing him - for nothing more than a traffic stop." Jordan Freiman contributed reporting. 75th Annual Tony Awards will honor the best of Broadway Jan. 6 panel shows never-before-seen video: CBS News Flash June 10, 2022 Capitol Police officer describes "carnage" and "chaos" during Jan 6. attack By Steve Gorman and Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) -A white police officer was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday for the fatal shooting of a Black man during an altercation after a traffic stop two months ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a case that sparked racial justice protests in the city. The criminal case against officer Christopher Schurr in the April 4 killing of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, came just over seven weeks after an independent autopsy found Lyoya was shot in the back of the head at point-blank range. Announcing the charge at a news conference, the chief prosecuting attorney for Kent County, Christopher Becker, said Schurr had turned himself in to authorities and would be arraigned in court in Grand Rapids on Friday. Becker said he provided Lyoya's family members a letter of explanation translated into their native language of Swahili. The killing outraged Lyoya's loved ones and touched off protests by activists who condemned the shooting as an example of unjustified deadly force by police against young Black men. A forensic pathologist who performed an independent autopsy on Lyoya concluded the officer had held his gun to the back of Lyoya's head and fired once, evidence that the family's attorney, Ben Crump, said bolstered their view that Lyoya was the victim of "an execution." A charge of second-degree murder, defined as an intentional, unjustified killing, carries a maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole in Michigan, Becker said. Additional factors necessary to prove a case of first-degree murder, premeditation and deliberation, "just weren't there," he told reporters. If the case goes to trial, jurors would likely be permitted to also consider the "lesser included charge" of manslaughter, which Becker described as essentially same as second-degree murder but mitigated by actions taken in "the heat of passion." Story continues Becker said he hoped the message taken from his decision to prosecute Schurr would be "that we take this case seriously." The prosecutor said he arrived at his decision after reviewing a state police report on the incident, as well as evidence that included video footage taken from the dashboard of Schurr's squad car, from his body-worn camera and from a neighbor's surveillance camera. The videos, publicly released in April, show Lyoya stepping out of the car on a rainy street, seemingly confused and asking "What did I do?" as the policeman repeatedly asks for a driver's license and orders him to get back inside the vehicle. Lyoya appears to be complying, but then closes the driver's side door and attempts to walk away, resisting the officer's attempts to handcuff him. Following a short foot chase, the two men grapple on a lawn, at one point appearing to struggle over the officer's stun gun, before Lyoya is shot. The incident began after the officer stopped Lyoya over suspicions involving his license plate. (Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Additional reporting by Eric Beech in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio and Bill Berkrot) A mass shooting at a Maryland concrete products company has killed three people and critically injured one, according to authorities. Washington County sheriffs deputies responded to the reported shooting in Smithsburg at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, June 9, a news release reported. Responders to the active shooting found four victims, three of whom were already dead, authorities said. The accused shooter had escaped the facility before law enforcement arrived, but Maryland State Police identified the suspects vehicle shortly after, according to the news release. The gunman shot a responding state trooper in the shoulder, and the trooper returned fire, striking the suspect, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland said in a recorded news briefing. The sheriffs office confirmed both the suspect and the trooper were injured during the shootout, and both were taken to get medical treatment. There is no confirmed active threat to the community in relation to this incident, authorities said. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI Baltimore reported on Twitter that they are assisting local authorities with the investigation. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved, Smithsburg Mayor Donald Souders told WDVM. We certainly wish the best to all those in our small community that are involved in this situation. The shooting took place at Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, which is about 75 miles northwest of Baltimore, CNN reported. Smithsburg has a population of nearly 3,000 people, according to U.S. Census data. The Columbia Machine plant manufactures concrete products equipment, according to the companys site. The Smithsburg facility specializes in mold manufacturing, parts and repair needs. By Kanishka Singh and Dan Whitcomb WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A gunman opened fire on his co-workers at a manufacturing facility in northern Maryland on Thursday, killing at least three people and critically wounding a fourth before being taken into custody after a shootout with police. The 23-year-old assailant, who was not identified by police, was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a Maryland state trooper while trying to flee in a car, Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore told a news conference. Both the suspect and trooper were taken to a local hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds in the latest in a series of mass shootings to plague the United States. Mullendore declined to elaborate on the circumstances or possible motives behind the attack but said the gunman and all of his victims were employees of Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, in northern Maryland near the Pennsylvania state line. He said the shooter used a semi-automatic pistol handgun. A Columbia Machine spokesperson said the company was cooperating with authorities in their probe into the shooting but declined to comment further. The company supplies concrete manufacturing equipment to customers in over 100 countries, according to its website. The Baltimore offices of the FBI and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they were sending agents to the scene. Late last month, an 18-year-old man opened fire at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 students and two teachers. The killings in Uvalde and a mass shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York that left 10 people dead, have prompted new efforts in U.S. Congress to enact stricter federal gun control laws. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Bill Berkrot and Richard Pullin) Netflix and Dark Horse Comics have settled a copyright lawsuit from comic book artist Kevin Atkinson alleging the idea for a fish-tank-headed villain in The Umbrella Academy was lifted from him, according to Atkinsons attorney. Details of the deal, filed on Wednesday, were not made public as the filing is sealed. The agreement was reached less than a month after the judge overseeing the case granted Netflixs motion to dismiss the lawsuit for a second time. Atkinson was given one last chance to fix his claims but opted to settle. More from The Hollywood Reporter Atkinson sued last year claiming that the source material, published in 2008, from which Netflixs The Umbrella Academy is adapted, copied his design for a character that first appeared in 1996 in his Rogue Satellite Comics. Both characters are villains known for having talking fish in bell jars as heads with normal human bodies. To establish a copyright infringement claim, there must be proof of actionable copying, which involves access to the copyrighted work prior to the creation of the infringing work and evidence of similarity. If access cannot be demonstrated, a party may substantiate copying by showing a striking similarity between the disputed works. U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder has twice refused to allow the lawsuit to proceed. In May, he sided with The Umbrella Academy comic creator Gerard Way, who was named in the complaint, that he did not have access to and had not seen Atkinsons work. On substantial similarity, the judge found that neither the character nor the plot meets the standard. The total concept[s] and feel between the two storylines are not comparable, the order reads. Rogue Satellite Comics is stylistically done in black and white, with a campy vibe; by contrast, The Umbrella Academy is sharp, crisp and colorful. Story continues Netflix distributes the series and is not credited as a producer. Dark Horse Comics and Netflix did not respond to requests for comment. Click here to read the full article. A Newark woman was flown to a Columbus area hospital following a shooting in Newark on Wednesday night. Around 11:07 p.m. Wednesday, Newark police were called to 349 Hudson Ave. for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers found a 34-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her left abdomen, Newark Police Sgt. Chuck Wilhelm said. The woman's identity was not released. Wilhelm said she was flown to a Columbus hospital. Her condition was not known, but Wilhelm said he didn't believe her injuries were life-threatening. He said the agency has identified a person of interest in the case. Wilhelm added detectives believe the incident was isolated and that the shooter knew the victim. Anyone with information is asked to call Newark police at 740-670-7200. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark woman shot in abdomen, flown to Columbus hospital By Camillus Eboh and Felix Onuah ABUJA (Reuters) -Nigerian authorities suspect the insurgent group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) carried out a massacre in a Catholic church on Sunday in which 40 people were killed, Interior Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said on Thursday. Assailants wielding AK-47 rifles and explosives attacked the congregation at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, in southwestern Ondo State, during Pentecost mass on Sunday, leaving behind a scene of carnage as they escaped. "We have been able to see the footprint of ISWAP in the horrendous attack in Owo and we are after them. Our security agencies are on their trail and we will bring them to justice," Aregbesola told reporters in the capital Abuja. The authorities had not previously made any comment about the identity or motive of the killers. ISWAP, predominantly active in northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring Chad, is one of two major Islamist insurgent groups that have been fighting each other and the Nigerian military for years. Hundreds of thousands have died and millions have been displaced. Ondo State is far from ISWAP's usual area of operations. The state governor, Arakunrin Akeredolu, gave new casualty figures on Thursday. He said a total of 127 people had been affected by the attack in the church, of whom 40 had died, 61 were still in hospital and 26 had been discharged. Previously, an official from the National Emergency Management Agency had given a death toll of 22. Akeredolu said the new casualty figures had been compiled from reports from multiple hospitals including private ones. He said the state government would provide land for a mass burial of the victims, but did not say when that would take place. "We will have a memorial park here where those who died in the attack will be buried," he said, addressing Catholic clergymen who had come on a condolence visit. (Reporting by Felix Onuah and Camillus Eboh; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Jon Boyle, Toby Chopra and Andrew Heavens) EXCLUSIVE: Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio is demanding President Biden keep China tariffs in place in order to protect the American workforce from unfair competition. In a letter sent to Biden Thursday, exclusively reviewed by Fox News Digital, Ryan urged the administration to keep tariffs against China, which would be in accordance with Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, to "demonstrate our willingness to prioritize the livelihood of American workers." The Biden administration is considering a draw down of tariffs on Chinese goods in an effort to combat record-high inflation in the U.S., and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo confirmed the potential move on Sunday, saying Biden has personally asked her team to look into the issue. Inflation in the U.S. hit a 40-year high in March and is expected to escalate in the coming months. The congressman, who is running for Senate in Ohio against Trump-backed Republican JD Vance, argues that tariff reductions would "strip the U.S. of leverage in negotiations with China, inundate American companies with a slew of imports they may not be able to withstand, and would essentially reward China for failing to comply with the Phase One Agreement." BIDEN ADMIN MAY RELAX CHINA TARIFFS IN BID TO EASE INFLATION, COMMERCE SECRETARY SAYS In addition, Ryan writes that reducing tariffs would only serve to "embolden" an "already aggressive Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to further undermine U.S. interests" and also "naive" to disregard China's "recent malign activity." "We should not reward this behavior by ending these tariffs imposed on them nor should we signal to the world that cheating our trade laws will be tolerated," he continued. CNN's Jake Tapper pressed Gina Raimondo on Sunday about Biden appearing "flat-footed" on inflation and the baby formula shortage. Photo by Andrew Harnik - Pool/Getty Images Ryan cited examples of China's genocide against Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region and the country's support for Russian President Vladimir Putin despite his deadly, scorched-earth war in Ukraine. "We cannot continue to enable China's practices that cripple our workforce by allowing Chinese made products to flood our markets. Instead, we need to prioritize American workers and American manufacturing companies," concluded Ryan in his plea with Biden to keep Section 301 tariffs in place. Story continues CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Biden administration repeatedly insisted last year that inflation would be "transitory." Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted last week that her prediction had been wrong. "I think I was wrong then about the path that inflation would take," she told CNN at the time. "As I mentioned there have been unanticipated and large shocks to the economy that have boosted energy and food prices and um, supply bottlenecks that have affected our economy badly that I didnt, at the time, understand." China has also become a central campaign issue in the race between Ryan and Vance to succeed retiring Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. Ryan in a new campaign ad, first shared with Fox News Digital last week, highlights a five-year-old interview from Vance where the then-venture capitalist appeared to deflect blame away from free trade deals with countries like China for the loss of American manufacturing jobs. OHIO SENATE BATTLE: DEM REP. TIM RYAN TAKES AIM AT JD VANCE OVER CHINA, TOUTS HE AGREED WITH TRUMP ON TRADE The Vance campaign, pushing back against the new ad, pointed to a Ryan tweet from July 7, 2018, when the congressman wrote that Trump's tariffs were "designed to inflict maximum damage on the U.S. economy, for minimal gain." The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the letter. Fox News' Paul Steinhauser and Angers Hagstrom contributed to this report. President Donald Trump with a model of his proposed new paint job for replacement Air Force One planes, seen at the White House in June 2019. Alex Wong/Getty Images An Air Force One redecoration ordered by President Trump could overheat the planes. Trump as president ordered colors like those on his private jet for a new generation of planes. But, per Politico, the darker color scheme makes the plane run hot and necessitates alternations. A redecoration of Air Force One ordered by former President Donald Trump could contribute to excessive heating on the planes, sources told Politico. Trump in 2019 unveiled the color scheme for two new Air Force One fleet jets being converted by Boeing, changing the baby blue on the underside of the jet to a dark-blue-and-red design, which he said was more patriotic. It was the first major redecoration of the president's fleet of planes since John F. Kennedy's presidency. Critics noted that Trump's chosen color scheme was similar to that used on his own private jet. Trump boasted that he had secured a great new $3.9 billion deal with Boeing for the converted jets decorated according to his specifications, after canceling an earlier $4 billion deal. Boeing has since said it regrets taking the deal, which led to a $1 billion loss for the company. A source told Politico the losses could increase amid concerns that the new colors could make the planes too hot. The Trump color scheme requires the underside of the planes and its engine to be dark blue, which retains more heat than a lighter color. To accommodate that, modifications may have to be made to cool some of the plane's components, the source said. An alternative would be sticking with the existing color scheme. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed the concerns to Politico. "Further analysis concluded darker colors, among other factors, on the underside of the VC-25B aircraft might contribute to temperatures exceeding the current qualification limits of a small number of components," a spokesperson, Ann Stefanek, said in a statement. The White House has yet to make a decision on whether to keep the Trump paint scheme for the converted jets, or revert to the earlier colors. Read the original article on Business Insider Flash actor Ezra Miller is accused of "grooming" 18-year-old activist Tokata Iron Eyes since she was 12 years old with "cult-like and psychologically manipulative, controlling behavior" in court documents filed by her parents in the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court in North Dakota on Tuesday. Attorney Chase Iron Eyes and his pediatrician wife, Sara Jumping Eagle, petitioned the court to issue a restraining order against Miller, citing the 29-year-old transgender, non-binary actor as "physically and emotionally" abusive toward their daughter. Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital listed Miller as "psychologically manipulating, physically intimidating and endangering the safety and welfare of Tokata Iron Eyes while perpetuating intimate partner violence." Miller and Tokata, who is also transgender, met at Standing Rock Reservation in 2016, where Ezra took an "immediate and apparently innocent liking" to their child. VIDEO RELEASED OF FLASH STAR EZRA MILLER'S ARREST OUTSIDE HAWAII BAR IN MARCH Tokata was allegedly given drugs and alcohol, as Miller showed a "pattern of corrupting a minor." Miller offered to fund Tokatas early admittance to the Bard College at Simons Rock in Massachusetts when Tokata was 16, a school Tokata dropped out of shortly after turning 18 years old. Chase Iron Eyes witnessed Tokata, Ezra and others consume "massive amounts of cannabis" on a New Years Eve trip to Oakland, Calif. at the end of 2021. He then "personally witnessed Ezra Miller express delusions of Ezra being an incarnation of Jesus Christ, Tokata being Ezras mother in a past life and Ezra brandishing one of the firearms, transported across multiple state lines, in a state park when speaking about these past lives." A portion of the documents described Miller giving Tokata an "unknown dose of LSD" in January 2022 and drugging Tokata into an "incapacitated state." "Tokata had been screaming so much after Ezra gave her LSD, that she lost her voice," the documents stated. Story continues FLASH STAR EZRA MILLER SHUTS DOWN POLICE OFFICER FOR IMPROPER PRONOUN USE, BODYCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS When Chase and Sara went to visit Tokata at Miller's home in Vermont, they found Tokata didn't have a bank card, keys or driver's license. Tokata spent three weeks "detoxifying" at their home before fleeing to New York to reunite with Miller, where they then traveled to Hawaii. Miller has since been involved in multiple legal issues and was arrested twice this year in Hilo, Hawaii. New court documents filed on Tuesday claimed Ezra Miller was controlling and manipulating Tokata Iron Eyes with "cult-like" behavior." Tokata Iron Eyes attends the All It Takes Fundraiser Dinner on April 28, 2018 in Cypress, California. Phillip Faraone The couple claimed in court documents that Miller "uses violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions and drugs to hold sway over a young adolescent Tokata." Tokata appeared to address the documents and allegations on Instagram Monday afternoon ahead of their release. "I'd like to make a statement to acknowledge the tragedy that is the narrative of the general public and the assumptions made on my behalf by my family and friends regarding my stability and otherwise. I dropped out of bard five months ago, my friend and comrade William passed shortly there after, my mind was incredibly impacted and I've needed space and time for the processing of grief. "My comrade Ezra Miller for the entirety of the aforementioned era has only provided loving support and invaluable protection throughout this period of loss." Tokata added: "My father and his allegations hold no weight and are frankly transphobic and based in the notion that I am somehow incapable of coherent thought or opposing opinions to those of my own kindred worrying about my well being. I am now aware of the severity of emotional and psychological manipulation I was made to endure while in my parents home." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In addition, Tokata wrote: "This bout of blatant betrayal and toxicity my parents and others have chosen to punch me with has been desperately embarrassing and traumatically life altering. Relationships in my life have been grossly effected, some detrimentally so. This behavior is unacceptable and needs to be called out." Tokata, who is also an activist, has spoken at events including Supercharge: Women All In alongside Gloria Steinem, the 2020 MAKERS Conference, and the All It Takes Lasting Legacy event in 2018. Their social media followers include U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and actress Shailene Woodley, in addition to a host of progressive accounts. Court documents signed on Tuesday, June 7, ordered the defendant, Ezra Miller, "shall have no contact and shall not harass Tokata Iran Eyes, Sara Jumping Eagle and Chase Iron Eyes." Additionally, Miller "shall not enter of approach within 100 yards of the plaintiff's residence." The court, who "cannot locate or serve" the order to Miller because his and Tokata's location is unknown, will hear the petition on July 12 at 1 p.m. at the courthouse in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Miller was arrested on March 28 and was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment stemming from an incident that took place at a local karaoke bar, the Hawaii Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time. Less than three weeks later, Miller was arrested on suspicion of assault for throwing a chair which then hit a woman in the forehead. Nearly 20 minutes after the incident, Miller was arrested on a traffic stop and later released. Todd Ament, the former head of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, shown at lectern, has agreed to plead guilty in an ongoing Orange County corruption scandal. (Gabriel San Roman / Los Angeles Times) Todd Ament, the former head of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, has agreed to a plea bargain in connection with a wide-ranging Orange County political corruption scandal. According to a filing Thursday in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, Ament will plead guilty to submitting a false tax return, lying to a mortgage lender and two counts of wire fraud. The agreement requires Ament to fully cooperate with the government including testifying before grand juries and at trials and pay almost $250,000 in back taxes. Aments attorney, Salvatore Ciulla, didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Ament was charged last month with lying to a mortgage lender during the purchase of a $1.5-million home in Big Bear. The 99-page affidavit in support of the complaint contained a host of other allegations, including his participation in a self-described cabal that steered Anaheims government. The affidavit described Ament and an unnamed political consultant details match Jeff Flint, chief executive and senior partner at FSB Public Affairs as the ring leaders of a small group of individuals who met in person to discuss strategy surrounding several matters within Anaheim matters that were often pending, or soon to be pending, before the Anaheim City Council. The affidavit also referenced Company A Employee Disneyland Resort Director of External Affairs Carrie Nocella, according to a person familiar with the investigation as one of the ringleaders to some extent. The initial charge against Ament came a day after a federal search warrant affidavit targeting Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu was made public. That affidavit accused the mayor of divulging confidential information to the Angels during the teams negotiations with the city over the $320-million sale of Angel Stadium in hopes of receiving a million-dollar campaign donation and obstructing an Orange County grand jury investigation into the deal. Sidhu resigned following the release of the affidavit and the City Council scuttled the stadium sale. The former mayor has not been charged and his attorney, Paul Meyer, has denied any wrongdoing by his client. Story continues In the plea agreement, Ament admits to having devised and participated in a scheme to defraud an unnamed cannabis company of $225,000 by representing the money would be used by the Chamber of Commerce to create a task force and lobby the city to allow cannabis to be sold. The agreement outlined another plot in which Ament received $61,000 from the Small Business Administration by falsely representing that he would use the proceeds as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The money went to an Ament-controlled firm, TA Consulting, that the government said had no substantial operations or employees. Ament spent the proceeds on personal expenses at suit stores, retail clothing stores, and retail boat dealers. Additionally, the plea bargain said, Ament filed false tax returns in 2017, 2018 and 2019 that underreported his income. Guidelines for offenses charged at this level call for 37 to 46 months in federal prison. The agreement notes that the government will recommend Ament be sentenced to no higher than the low end of the guidelines. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Reuters A North Carolina charter school's requirement that girls wear skirts based on the view that they are "fragile vessels" deserving of "gentle" treatment by boys is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 10-6 that Charter Day School violated three female students' equal protection rights by adopting the skirts policy based on gender stereotypes about the "proper place" for girls in society. The school implemented a dress code that its founder, businessman Baker Mitchell, in an email and testimony said would "preserve chivalry" and ensure girls are treated "courteously and more gently than boys." A Pittsburgh man who pleaded guilty to new charges in a 1995 fire that killed three firefighters wont serve any more time in prison. According to a release from the Department of Justice, Gregory Brown, 44, pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property by fire resulting in death after serving 20 years for his previous arson conviction. He was sentenced on Wednesday to no further penalty. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ON THIS DAY: Feb. 14, 1995, Three Pittsburgh firefighters killed battling East Hills fire Browns first conviction was vacated in 2016. Information in court said that Brown, who was 17 at the time, set fire to the residential rental home located at 8361 Bricelyn St. in Pittsburghs East Hills neighborhood on Feb. 14, 1995. The fire resulted in the deaths of Pittsburgh firefighters Thomas Brooks, Patricia Conroy and Marc Kolenda. Capt. Thomas Brooks, Patricia Conroy and Marc Kolenda, Firefighters killed in the line of duty during East Hills fire, Feb. 14, 1995 Captain Thomas Brooks, and firefighters Patricia Conroy and Marc Kolenda were dedicated public servants with families and friends who loved them. In 1995, these dedicated public servants died in the line of duty, said U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung. Today, defendant Gregory Brown acknowledged under oath that the evidence as described in court establishes his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and is sufficient to secure his conviction. A conviction and waiver of appellate rights is important in securing justice for these public servants and their families and holds Gregory Brown responsible forever in the eyes of the law. Arson is a very serious and violent crime, and, in this case, resulted in the tragic deaths of three Pittsburgh firefighters. ATF and our experts will continue to work closely with our state and local partners to investigate these violent acts of arson and make sure those responsible are held accountable for their actions. I would like to commend the work of all the investigators and prosecutors in this case since this incident occurred, said Matthew Varisco, special agent in charge of ATFs Philadelphia field division. Story continues The six-member family that lived in the rented home escaped the fire without any injuries. TRENDING NOW: 15-day road construction process begins Friday in Pittsburgh Too much stuff: Target slashing prices, canceling vendor orders Investigation related to Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang leads to 3 arrested on weapons, drugs charges VIDEO: 15-day road construction process begins Friday in Pittsburgh DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Sources told Channel 11 that police are trying to track down two men seen on camera close to where theyre accused of stealing from Reserve Townships Department of Public Works garage. Sources say some of the crimes were committed June 1, just off Spring Garden Road. Channel 11 was told by sources that the two men loaded up two cars full of stolen water department equipment like copper and cast-iron fittings, and they even stole a fire hydrant. Dave Moore has lived in Reserve Township for over five decades. He owns Hogs Head Bar and Grill and usually knows all of the towns happenings. Even he was surprised to learn that police are trying to track down the two men. Reserve Township is kind of a quiet, safe community, Moore told Channel 11. Unfortunately, with the economic times, people are stretching out and doing whatever they can to make ends meet. As a taxpayer of the township, I dont like to see anything stolen from the township where taxpayer money could be used to replace it. Moore said the fire hydrant is personal for him. Hes also the president of a local volunteer fire department. If someone is stealing a fire hydrant that was scheduled to be replaced or to replace one thats not working, that affects the operation of the volunteers who do their best to protect the homes of the residents, Moore added. He did credit the Reserve Township Police Department for its hard work, saying he trusts the department will catch these guys. The police here do a very good job, Moore said. Not just traffic enforcement, but any of the minor crimes. 90% are minor thats how good of a job they do. TRENDING NOW: Residents on edge after second break-in at Station Square apartment building Thriftsburgh run by Pitt students aims to repurpose used goods Investigation related to Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang leads to 3 arrested on weapons, drugs charges VIDEO: Crews prepare for 15-day construction project on the Parkway East DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A fatal shooting in central Phoenix on Wednesday morning left one dead with the shooter still unidentified, police said. Phoenix police are seeking a suspect for a fatal shooting that left a man dead in a central Phoenix neighborhood early Wednesday morning. Sgt. Philip Krynsky, a Phoenix Police Department spokesperson, said officers responded to the area of 22nd Avenue and Heatherbrae Drive at around 7:30 a.m. after receiving calls about a shooting where they found a man in his early 30s lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Krynsky said the suspect fled the area on foot and officers weren't able to locate them. Krynsky said police are asking for the public's help and identifying and locating a suspect in the shooting and ask that anyone with information call Phoenix police at 602-262-6151. Those who wish to report anonymously can call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers. Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or perry.vandell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police seek suspect in fatal shooting in central Phoenix neighborhood By Catarina Demony LISBON (Reuters) - After two presidential vetoes, Portugal's parliament delivered another strong vote on Thursday in favour of decriminalising euthanasia in the Catholic-majority country, although the bill still faces a bumpy road to become law. The country's debate on making medically assisted death legal under certain conditions started in 2018, when parliament rejected a bill that would have legalised it. But the debate carried on after the issue secured enough support. In January 2021, a previous legislature passed the first bill to legalise it, but conservative president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed it due to "excessively undefined concepts." Last November, lawmakers approved a revised bill, but the president vetoed it again, arguing the language used to describe terminal conditions continued to be contradictory and needed to be clarified. The revised bill approved by lawmakers on Thursday addressed some of his concerns, specifying that people would be allowed to request assistance in dying in case of a "definitive injury of extreme gravity" or a "severe and incurable disease". The Socialists' bill was passed by 128-88 votes, with five abstentions. It will now be reviewed by lawmakers before a final vote after which it will be sent to Rebelo de Sousa, who can either sign it into law, veto it again or send to the Constitutional Court. "Our free and serene decision cannot be conditioned by desperate campaigns of those who insist on not accepting that the decriminalisation of medically assisted death is the will of the vast majority of the country," Catarina Martins, leader of the Left Bloc, told parliament. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Rebelo de Sousa said he would wait to receive the final version of the bill before commenting. If euthanasia is decriminalised, Portugal would become the fifth country in the European Union allowing the procedure after neighbouring Spain legalised it in March last year. (Reporting by Catarina Demony in Lisbon; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Matthew Lewis) Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Engaged Babak Golkar Shaman Durek and Princess Martha Louise Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett are opening up about their historic engagement and the proposal that left the royal in tears. The Los Angeles-based spiritual guide and healer to the stars "shocked" Princess Martha when he got down on one knee and popped the question during an intimate gathering in the countryside at a horse race estate in San Juan Capistrano, California. "I was very nervous because I had a lot of emotions going through me fears and stress and wanting it to be perfect for my beloved," Durek, who has been dating the daughter of Norway's King Harald V and Queen Sonja since 2019, tells PEOPLE. Of becoming the first modern Black man to marry into a European royal family, Durek says: "[It] will set a precedent for my people that we are not to be forgotten, and we deserve to be acknowledged for the greatness of who we are and where we come from. There's always been kings and queens in Africa, but unfortunately, they haven't been recognized in the world in the way that they deserve." RELATED: See Princess Martha Louise's Unique Engagement Ring and How It Honors Her Mother Queen Sonja Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Engaged Babak Golkar Princess Martha Louise wears a couture Rivini gown designed by Rita Vinieris and Shaman Durek wears a black virgin wool-silk blend blazer and pant suit by Dolce & Gabbana For her part, Martha who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne says her relationship with Durek has also been "eye-opening" when it comes to their experiences with racism as an interracial couple. "To me, it's eye-opening to get to know Durek and see it first hand and see how it still plays out in society," she says. "I've learned a lot about Black heritage and will continue to learn. I have a patient man who educates me on the issues in Black culture, how it refers to white privilege, and how we as a couple must navigate peoples' fears and prejudices to demonstrate that love has no boundaries. I'm blessed to be in a relationship that can help me grow and evolve, and it's humbling to learn the lessons with Durek every day." Story continues Of the proposal, she says, "I was shocked, and this massive wave of emotions went through me, making me tremble. It was so moving and wonderful that the man I love more than anything in this world was down on one knee and asking for my hand in marriage." Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Engaged Babak Golkar Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek "He asked me under this massive tree with horses surrounding us, and that was very special for me," she adds. "My connections to nature and horses run deep in my heart. I was in awe of how special and sacred he made that moment for the two of us. I couldn't stop crying." Durek, whose celebrity fans include Gwyneth Paltrow, Nina Dobrev and James Van Der Beek, collaborated with jewelry designer Joy Sangalang Smith of COMMUNION to create the princess's emerald-and-diamond ring. Three diamonds on either side of the ring represent Princess Martha's three daughters from her first marriage, which ended in 2016. Emeralds are also a favorite gem of the princess's mother, Queen Sonja. "Having my three daughters represented in my engagement ring meant the world to me. It shows that I've chosen the right man a man that understands how much my kids mean to me and that my children will always be included in our relationship. I love that about him," she says. Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Engaged Babak Golkar Princess Martha Louise's engagement ring Adds Durek, who had help from friends Mikkel and Hege Eriksen in putting together the proposal: "I did historical research on all the royal engagement rings, and then I went and observed other rings at stores to give me some ideas for the cut and design. Then I would meet with Joy to start sketching ideas out through stories I wanted to tell about the ring. One of them being about protection and her heart and honoring our Viking ancestral roots. I made sure her daughters were included in it, as well as Queen Sonja, to celebrate my love for her and to honor bringing this beautiful woman into my life. It was important to me to keep the heritage tradition strong." "I envisioned the ring resembling exactly what a princess ring should look like, but not something that is entirely over the top but something that is well suited for Princess Martha so that she would see the beauty reflected in herself; that's the beauty reflected in the ring," he continues. Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Engaged Babak Golkar Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Durek says he also got Paltrow's opinion before he proposed to Martha with the ring. "When I first got it, I showed it to my dear friend Gwenyth Paltrow because I knew she's very particular about nice things, so I wanted her to be the first to see it," he says. "She said it was the most fantastic ring she's seen and loved how much thought and care I put into it and knew that Princess Martha would love and cherish it having a stamp of approval from a friend such as her made me happy." Last year, Princess Martha Louise said she was planning on moving from her home country of Norway to America with her three daughters. Of her move, she tells PEOPLE: "At this point, we are going to continue to do long distances for a little while. There are no solid plans to move together at this point, but it will come in the future. We will always live in both places in California and Norway." Princess Martha Babak Golkar Shaman Durek Verrett and Princess Martha Louise with Shaman Durek's family Durek adds, "I'm excited about us living in the States and Norway and going back and forth with the family. I'm looking forward to spending more quality time with her family." As for their upcoming wedding, the couple says, "We have many ideas of what we want, but we want to take our time with this to make it very special for ourselves, our families, and our friends. We don't have a date in mind at the moment, but we will share it once we have decided." Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Engaged Babak Golkar Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek Adds Durek: "I stand for my people and with my people to hold the lens of possibility that love can break down the barriers and limitations. The journey ahead for me well, who's to say? What I can say is that I've fallen in love with the most amazing woman who loves me for all aspects of my being, and I love her for all aspects of her being. Whatever is thrown in our direction and may come to confront us, together we will face it with power and strength and triumph against all odds. And lastly, for my people and all people of color to realize that there is no hierarchy regarding the power and strength of the human spirit." STORY: Dom Phillips, a freelancer who has written for the Guardian, the Washington Post and other publications, and Bruno Pereira, a former senior official with federal indigenous agency Funai went missing in the Amazon jungle on Sunday (June 5). Phillips' siblings, Sian and Gareth Phillips, joined protesters outside the Brazilian embassy on Thursday. Phillips and Pereira had been on a reporting trip in the Javari Valley, a remote jungle area that is home to the world's largest number of uncontacted indigenous peoples, as well as cocaine-smuggling gangs, and illegal hunters and fishermen. Brazil's government dispatched navy, army and federal police personnel to join a search for the pair in a vast indigenous reserve with an area larger than Austria, but local groups criticized the security forces for taking too long to deploy search teams. ROMAN PETRENKO - THURSDAY, 9 JUNE 2022, 17:46 Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided that he is destined to "return and strengthen territories". Source: Putin after visiting the exhibition "Peter I. The Birth of an Empire", quoted by the Kremlin media Putin: "It would seem that he (Peter I - ed.) fought with Sweden, took something away... He didn't take anything away. He returned... The same goes in the western direction, it concerns... his first campaigns there. What were you afraid of? He returned them, strengthened them. That's what he did. We also had to return and strengthen. If we assume that these core values are the basis of our existence, we have certainly succeeded in solving the challenges we face Russia will not step on the same rake as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, its economy will remain open." Details: According to the President of the aggressor country, "Russia cannot be fenced off". Background: Last year, on 30 June, Putin reiterated the propaganda thesis of a "single nation" that had existed since time immemorial in a trinity of "Great Russians, White Russians and Little Russians" that "they tried to pull apart and fragment", including the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Austria-Hungary. Putin also believes that the bill initiated by Volodymyr Zelenskyy "declares the Russian people not indigenous to the territory of Ukraine". He compared this document to a weapon of mass destruction. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replied that Ukrainians and Russians are not one people, and if they were one, the yellow and blue flag would fly over the State Duma in Moscow. Putin published an article in Ukrainian and Russian on the Kremlin's website "on the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians". Putin wrote that the Ukrainian authorities do not need Donbas, as Donbas "will not accept current policy in Kyiv peacefully." Rebekah Zammett balances her working life with looking after her son Jack It was early evening, and Rebekah Zammett was about to leave her north Oxfordshire home to work a nightshift looking after teenagers at a local residential institution. But then a thud came from the bedroom of her son Jack, who has cerebral palsy. The then eight-year-old was having a seizure - one of dozens he experienced every day. Critical questions ran through her mind as his convulsions ebbed and flowed. "Has it really ended? Is this one for the ambulance? Do we need to administer emergency medication," remembers Rebekah. "No-one knows his medical history and the intricacies of his needs like I do. Not even my husband." As the anxious minutes ticked by, Rebekah was acutely aware that people at her workplace - both staff and teenagers - were relying on her to turn up for her shift. One study put the annual cost of carers leaving the UK workforce at about 2.9bn "I just felt really torn," she says. "The staff caring for the children at the home wouldn't be able to clock-off until I got there. And they would have done at least 12 hours with kids who had very high-level, complex needs. "But if I did go to work, how on earth could I concentrate on that?" Thankfully, Jack's seizure didn't require hospitalisation, and after waiting an hour to satisfy herself that he was stable, Rebekah went to work. But there's been no let up in the pressure: Jack, now 13, needs help to eat, dress and go to the toilet, and must attend many regular hospital appointments. This year's Carers Week, which is currently running across the UK until Sunday, 12 June, aims to throw a spotlight on the pressures facing the estimated 10.5 million people who are now supporting an elderly, disabled, or seriously ill relative or other loved one. More than 10 million people across the UK are now said to be a carer for a relative or other loved one Charity Carers UK, one of the main organisers of the annual event, says that this 10.5 million figure equates to one adult in five having such unpaid caring duties. For many, like Rebekah, it can be very tricky to balance this work with their paid, day job. Her breaking point came when a previous employer wanted her to work extra hours to make up for the time she had taken off to care for Jack as he recovered from major surgery. Story continues "I just couldn't go back in there knowing what they thought of me that I've taken liberties. I felt completely broken." She quit the next day. An increasing number of carers are making the tough decision to leave the workforce. Carers UK says that just before the pandemic hit, 600 people a day were quitting work to look after a loved one. That figure is thought to be even higher now. However, falling off the work-carer tightrope can have devastating financial consequences, especially in light of the current cost of living crisis. That's been the experience of Kim Harry-Young from Newport, Wales, who had to stop working as a nightclub DJ three years ago to care for both her autistic 16-year-old son Logan, and her wife Michelle, who suffers from epilepsy. "Financially it's a problem," says Kim. "You have to cut your spending." She is relying on benefits to survive. But it's not just the money she's missing. "I miss [performing] in front of people, being with people. But it's impossible to go back to work. You do feel alone sometimes, because it's just you doing it." To compound matters further, Kim developed breast cancer since quitting work - but is now in remission. "We're lucky," she says. "Family and friend support is everything. Without them, I don't know what we'd do." Carers UK says that around 2.2 million carers are now worried about being able to cope financially, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports a quarter of carers have slipped into poverty. But it's not just the carers who suffer if they're not part of the workforce. The wider economy takes a hit as well. An academic study in 2018 estimated that the annual cost of carers leaving the workforce was about 2.9bn in benefit payments and lost tax revenues. Furthermore, the UK is in the grip of a recruitment crisis. There are now more job vacancies than there are unemployed people to fill them. Disruption in the travel industry, hospitality sector and healthcare are all blamed on chronic staff shortages. The economy can ill-afford to have more people leave the workforce. New Economy New Economy is a new series exploring how businesses, trade, economies and working life are changing fast. The UK government and campaigners agree that flexible working and time off to deal with emergencies, are key to making workplaces more carer-friendly. But plans to improve those rights failed to make it into the legislative programme announced in May. Some companies have already taken matters into their own hands. Big firms like Natwest and British Gas are part of the Employers for Carers network, which currently comprises 245 member organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Together they aim to boost carer-friendly employment policies. Insurance giant, Aviva, is part of the network. Its 22,000 staff can take up to 35 hours per year paid leave to deal with planned caring events and 35 hours for emergencies. The company also actively encourages flexible working to fit in around caring duties. Danielle Harmer, the company's chief people officer, believes most big companies should be able to introduce similar policies. Danielle Harmer wants all companies to consider the needs of staff who are also carers "I don't think you do it just because it makes commercial sense," she says. "But of course it makes commercial sense to keep your talented people, and enable them to work out [the balance between] caring and work. "If someone leaves, you have to replace them, maybe using a search firm and there are costs associated with that." She also estimates it can take up to six months for replacements to get fully up to speed. "The retention of talent is a strong business case for what is actually doing the right thing," Meanwhile, Rebekah Zammett continues to care for her son Jack, and is balancing that with studying for an Open University degree from home. She's adamant that the UK must place more value on its army of carers and the contribution they make. "At the moment you're seen as low-skilled, and not a particularly desirable person to have around, " she says. She wants carers to be protected by equality legislation, and is urging the introduction of a new government payment for carers taking time off to deal with emergencies. "It's about raising the profile of carers and saying 'these people are really valuable to our workforce, they are committed and do care about their jobs'. Investing in [them] is investing in future generations." A UK government Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Carers play a vital role in our communities and we recognise their hard work and the huge contribution they make. "We are investing up to 25m to work with the sector to kick start a change in the services provided to support unpaid carers - which could include respite and breaks, peer group and wellbeing support, and new ways to combine these to maximise their impact." Around the BBC iPlayer banner Rhode Island will now require Asian American history to be taught in public schools based on legislation passed in Congress on Tuesday. Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (R-Dist. 15, Cranston) originally introduced the bill in February, which would require all public elementary and secondary schools in Rhode Island to teach at least one unit of AANHPI history and culture. The legislation passed in the house with a vote of 66 in favor and one against. Fenton-Fung cited a number of reasons for the importance of the bill, including a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, a large percentage of Asian Americans not getting a chance to learn more about their ethnic backgrounds and the dismissal of Asian American history more broadly. More from NextShark: Korean Footballer Son Heung Min Targeted With Racial Abuse Following Defeat A lot of people here dont know that the Chinese Exclusion Act for 60 years, the Chinese werent allowed to immigrate [to America], she told 12 News. They werent allowed to become citizens [at the time]. Theres a lot of amazing Asian Americans out there, but their stories dont get told and they dont become part of this big melting pot, Fenton-Fung added. That was the inspiration [for this bill]... its now becoming a national movement. The League of Asian Americans of New York posted a congratulatory tweet to the representative, stating the bill was poised to pass. More from NextShark: Alleged Drug Lord Called 'Asia's El Chapo' Fighting Extradition to Australia Congratulations!! Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung's bill requiring Asian American history in RI schools is poised to pass. @BarbaraAnnRI is the wife of @LAANewYork board member @AllanFungRI a Congressional Candidate (R) https://t.co/AIWAsRQ09u League of Asian Americans of New York (@LAANewYork) June 8, 2022 More from NextShark: Asian American Congresswoman Makes History By Wearing Korean Hanbok to Swear In Rhode Island is the fourth state to require Asian American studies in public schools, alongside New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois. Story continues Fenton-Fung is the wife of Republican Chinese American Congressional Candidate Allan Fung, who is also the former mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island. He is currently running to represent the states second congressional district. More from NextShark: These Olympic athletes struck 'One Piece' poses out of the blue and fans are all for it Featured Image via Pexels Ricky Gervais has joked that hell report his fans for hate crimes for laughing at his new material. The comedian performed tonight (8 June) at the Leicester Square Theatre in London, showcasing a new stand-up set for his forthcoming Netflix special Ricky Gervais: Armageddon. Immediately after the show, Gervais jumped on Twitter to thank his fans, writing: Another amazing audience at @lsqtheatre for my #Armageddon new material night. They laughed at things that shouldnt be laughed at and I have reported them all for hate crimes, said the comic. Ill do more soon. His tour comes after the recent release of his Netflix special Ricky Gervais: SuperNature, which The Independents Nick Hilton gave two out of three stars, arguing that the comedian seems more comfortable with jokes that rely on a cheap shock factor rather than any emotional or creative truth. The LGBTQ advocacy organisation GLAAD issued a statement similarly labelling his special dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes. Gervaiss Netflix special has been met with condemnation online over a series of remarks targeting the trans community. Another amazing audience at @lsqtheatre for my #Armageddon new material night. They laughed at things that shouldn't be laughed at and I have reported them all for hate crimes. I'll do more soon. pic.twitter.com/td6hIT4TpJ Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) June 8, 2022 Viewers have described the stars show, SuperNature, as toxic and transphobic following its release on Tuesday (24 May). Read quotes from the show here. Ricky Gervais: Armageddon has yet to announce a premiere date. Rockland County Executive Ed Day claims the state has abandoned the county by not supporting its court battle against an attempt to block its ability to prosecute code violations and issue fines in Spring Valley. Day wrote in a letter dated Wednesday the state Department of State deputized the county to enforce state building and fire codes in the village, but the agency has declined to support the county in legal action brought by a landlord cited by Rockland for more than 160 violations. Before the county attorney's office asked the court to dismiss the legal action by the owners of 101 Kennedy Drive, Day said an assistant county attorney spoke with the Department of State. "It's unconscionable and unfathomable for (the department) to direct the county of Rockland to assume administration and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code within the Village of Spring Valley and then decline to support those very functions being challenged by an irresponsible property owner," Day wrote to Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez. Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Ed Markunas, center, director of the Rockland Office of Building and Codes at the Yeager Health Center in Pomona Feb. 14, 2022. Letter to state: Rockland County Executive Ed Day wants the state to intervene in the legal case against the county Legal action: Landlord's lawsuit seeks to block Rockland from enforcing Spring Valley building codes Building inspected: Rockland turns up 100-plus violations after Spring Valley apartment fire By not backing the county, the state sends the message the office is unconcerned with landlords attempting to circumvent the legal process at the expense of lives, Day wrote. "Your office designated us to lead this effort, and it is your duty to stand behind the processes necessary to get the job done," the Rockland executive wrote. The Department of State responded with a statement on Friday: "The Department of State is not a party to the litigation involving Rockland County and cannot comment on pending litigation." The statement didn't address Day's concerns but included background on the department's role in putting the county in charge. Story continues The landlord's attorney, Joseph Churgin of Nanuet, wrote the court that he will file papers opposing the county's motion to dismiss the suit Friday. The case is being heard by acting Supreme Court Justice Rolf Thorsen at the Rockland Courthouse in New City. Rockland took over inspections on Feb. 14 based on a state order issued in November. The village had a backlog of 800 businesses, apartment houses, schools, and houses of worship that needed inspections. Some properties had not been inspected for years. History of problems: Spring Valley building department caused state monitors to step in Inspectors have completed about 450 inspections and found more than 900 violations, according to the office. Several landlords have been issued fines, including one for nearly $40,000. The county will take legal action if the fines aren't paid. What's in the suit The 40-page article 78 legal action was filed by the owners and operators of Country Village Towers in Spring Valley Jacob Weinreb, NBM Management, Weinreb Management, and Country Village Towers Corp. The Office of Building and Codes filed more than 160 violations discovered following a fire to the seven-story apartment building. 101 Kennedy Drive in Spring Valley March 18, 2022. There was a fire on the top floor on March 9th. The owners of a seven-story apartment building on Kennedy Drive claim in court papers the county usurped the authority of Spring Valley judges to determine violation cases and punishment. The legal action states the state edict doesn't empower the county to hold administrative hearings on violation charges. The landlord's Article 78 also argues the county-created administrative process has a political appointee replacing an elected village justice. The office can issue tickets for alleged violators to appear in the local court, the legal action argues. The Office of Building and Codes' prosecution of the violations could be blocked by the legal action. The filing also challenges the county's legal right to set a fine of $2,000 per day. A show-cause order has been issued for the county to show why the legal action should not be approved. What Rockland says The county countered administrative tribunals are utilized statewide, including in the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Environmental Conservation, and many other state agencies. Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach speaks at the Rockland Office of Building and Codes at the Yeager Health Center in Pomona Feb. 14, 2022. County Attorney Thomas Humbach urged Thorsen in court papers on June 3 to dismiss the legal action. Humbach denied the landlord's contention his constitutional rights under the fifth and 14th amendments would be violated and the local law is arbitrary and capricious, as it does not deprive the landlord of due process. Humbach argued the landlord "fails to state any cognizable cause of action and fails to support their claims with facts ... As such, dismissal is appropriate." The Office of Building and Codes issued the Kennedy Drive landlord violations following a March 9 fire during which some residents were trapped on the top floor. Police and firefighters evacuated dozens of people from the building. Four people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Inspectors later found what the county said were more than 100 hazardous conditions. They said they found apartments with living rooms and dining rooms converted into bedrooms and exposed wires and faulty smoke alarms. Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal. Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland claims NY unsupportive in Spring Valley legal fight STORY: The ministry's statement said naval tactical groups of Russia's Baltic Fleet had left their bases and deployed fleet groupings in 'designated areas'. The fleet's press service reported that corvettes, patrol boats, missile boats, frigates, minesweepers, as well as landing craft and speedboats are involved in the exercises. The Russian navy drills come as fourteen NATO countries conduct the BALTOPS 22 naval drills in the Baltic region from June 5-17. According to a NATO statement the drills see fourteen NATO allies plus Sweden and Finland taking part. Another five women have filed lawsuits alleging that a former NorthShore University HealthSystem obstetrician/gynecologist sexually assaulted them as patients with the allegations spanning three decades. Advertisement The women filed six lawsuits in recent weeks in Cook County Circuit Court against Dr. Fabio Ortega. Ortega pleaded guilty in October to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving two of his former patients. Ortega, 75, is now in prison. Attempts to reach Ortegas attorney for comment were unsuccessful Thursday. Advertisement A Skokie police booking photo of Dr. Fabio Ortega, who was arrested on Sept. 10, 2018. (Skokie Police Department) Ortega now faces more than a dozen lawsuits, with many of those lawsuits also naming NorthShore as a defendant and others naming Swedish Hospital as a defendant, said Tamara Holder, an attorney representing the women. The lawsuits allege the hospital systems failed to protect patients from Ortega, who worked for Swedish before moving to NorthShore, and Swedish has since become part of NorthShore. NorthShore has already settled several other lawsuits filed against it and Ortega, Holder said. Since this is a pending legal matter, we are unable to comment on any individual claims, NorthShore said in a statement Thursday. We take such matters seriously and have thorough processes in place to review and respond to any such patient allegations. The women who filed the recent lawsuits, who are referred to in the suits as Jane Does 33 through 37, allege that, in some cases, Ortega asked them inappropriate questions during their visits and, in all cases, sexually assaulted them. They all realized they had been sexually assaulted after seeing news reports about Ortega pleading guilty to sexual abuse last year, according to the complaints. The alleged incidents in the new lawsuits occurred over decades, beginning in the 1990s. One woman is 29 and lives in Norridge; another is 55 in Waukegan; another 41 in Chicago; another 67 in Evanston; and the last is 38 in Elk Grove Village. Ortega engaged in a pattern or practice of disguising his sexual assaults as necessary medical care through a variety of techniques, according to the complaints. The lawsuits allege that NorthShore and Swedish should have known what Ortega was doing, such as through patient surveys or through red flags such as an unusual number of pelvic exams performed by Ortega. Advertisement Several of the lawsuits allege that between at least 2012 and 2017, NorthShore received at least six complaints from female patients of Ortegas saying that he engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct or otherwise made them feel uncomfortable. NorthShore failed to conduct reasonable and/or competent investigations into these complaints, according to the lawsuits. In February 2017, the Skokie police notified NorthShore that they were conducting a criminal investigation into whether Ortega had sexually assaulted patients, yet NorthShore continued to schedule patients for Ortega for the next six months, according to the lawsuits. NorthShore has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the end of Ortegas employment. Ortega was arrested in September 2018 by Skokie police and originally charged with one count of criminal sexual assault. Ortegas medical license was also suspended in 2018 for engaging in sexual misconduct with (a) patient of his practice, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Ortega pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving two of his former patients in October and was sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for 170 days that hed already been under electronic monitoring. During that court hearing, one of Ortegas former patients described suffering from depression and anxiety, saying, Im a shell of my former self. The Tribune does not name victims of sexual abuse without their permission. Advertisement In October, Ortega told the court: As a physician, I have never intended to hurt anyone. Never, never. I sincerely apologize to the women who felt that I acted inappropriately. The lawsuits seek damages in excess of $50,000 each and attorneys fees. By Idrees Ali and Chen Lin SINGAPORE (Reuters) -The United States and China are expected to use Asia's top security meeting this week to trade blows over everything from Taiwan's sovereignty to the war in Ukraine, although both sides have indicated a willingness to discuss managing differences. The Shangri-La Dialogue, which attracts top-level military officials, diplomats and weapons makers from around the globe, will take place June 10-12 in Singapore, the first time the event has been held since 2019 after it was postponed twice because of COVID-19. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will address the meeting in a virtual session on Saturday, organisers said. On the sidelines of the summit, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Minister of National Defence General Wei Fenghe are expected to hold their first face-to-face meeting since President Joe Biden took office. "We expect, from our perspective, the substance of that meeting to be focused on managing competition in regional and global issues," a senior U.S. official said. The official said the focus would be on trying to set guard rails in the tense relationship between the two countries and ensure that issues would not spill over into some sort of military misunderstanding or miscommunication. "We are taking every effort to ensure that it is a professional, substantive meeting and we are going to be talking about some very serious issues, but no desire on the part of the United States to make a public spectacle," the official said. Chinese media have also said Beijing will use the meeting to discuss cooperation with the United States. Austin and Wei are likely to then use speeches over the weekend to re-affirm their commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, while delivering some pointed remarks in the direction of the other. Relations between China and the United States have been tense in recent months, with the world's two largest economies clashing over everything from Chinese belligerence towards Taiwan, its military activity in the South China Sea and Beijing's attempts to expand influence in the Pacific region. Story continues "The key issue this year is inevitably going to be the U.S.-China competitive relationship," said Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Defence Policy and Military Modernisation at The International Institute for Strategic Studies, the think tank that organises the event. "There's a new sense of urgency with regards to the People's Liberation Army's ongoing modernisation and the assertiveness that we've seen from China in the last two years." Although the summit is focused on Asian security issues, Russia's invasion of Ukraine will remain central to discussions. The conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted millions and reduced cities to rubble, entered its 100th day last week. Ukraine will send a delegation to the meeting but the Russians will not be attending, according to a source familiar with the list of attendees. "American participants will use the occasion to criticise China's strategic partnership with Russia," said Li Mingjiang, associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. "We'll see some inferences of the China-Russia partnership as a coalition of autocracies ... China will defend their relationship with Russia, their position and policy in response to Ukraine." 'COME OUT SWINGING' With U.S. military and political capital soaked up by the war in Ukraine, Austin will be under pressure to convince China's rivals in Asia that they can rely on Washington. "They say that China is this huge threat and they're even saying it's an acute threat. Yet it seems a major part of the attention and resources are basically going to Europe," said Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official. "It's not about words, it's about walking the walk." Bilateral talks between the United States and China, and much of the conference, will likely focus on Taiwan. China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has increased military activity near the island over the past two years, responding to what it calls "collusion" between Taipei and Washington. "The U.S. is going to come out swinging on Taiwan specifically but also China's growing assertiveness throughout the Indo-Pacific," said Derek Grossman, a senior defence analyst at the RAND Corporation, a think tank. This month, Biden said the United States would get involved militarily should China attack Taiwan, although the administration has since clarified that U.S. policy on the issue has not changed and Washington does not support Taiwan's independence. Washington has had a long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity on whether it would defend Taiwan militarily. The Pacific islands have also emerged as a key front in Washington's strategic competition with China. Biden's special envoy is due to visit the Marshall Islands next week amid growing U.S. worries about China's efforts to expand its influence in the region. Last week, a virtual meeting of 10 Pacific foreign ministers hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Fiji agreed to defer consideration of a Chinese proposal for a sweeping trade and security pact. Also looming over the Shangri-La Dialogue is the increasing military threat posed by North Korea, which has carried out at least 18 rounds of weapons tests this year, underscoring its evolving nuclear and missile arsenals. Officials from South Korea, the United States and Japan said on Wednesday that North Korea's recent missile tests were "serious, unlawful" provocations. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will open the conference on Friday with a keynote speech in which he is expected to call for peaceful resolutions to disputes in the Asia-Pacific region. (Reporting Idrees Ali and Chen Lin; writing by Joe Brock; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Update, 6 p.m., Thursday: The Kern County Sheriffs Office has clarified this story to confirm that only one suspect was arrested, a juvenile, and the other, a 20-year-old man from Lompoc, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head. Due to the circumstances of the case, a homicide investigation was initiated. At this time, it is unknown how the deceased suspect suffered the injury. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons during this incident, Kern County officials said. Original story: Two suspects wanted in connection with a shooting, armed robbery and murder were located in a remote area near the border of Kern and San Luis Obispo counties on Wednesday after a high-speed chase and search. The incident began at approximately 2:18 p.m. in Santa Barbara County, when Lompoc police were dispatched to a shooting on the 700 bock of North E Street, according to Lompoc Police Sgt. Sergio Arias. No one was wounded in the shooting, Arias said. Police sent a be-on-the-lookout alert regarding the suspects vehicle, according to emergency dispatch reports. A short time later, an armed robbery with one suspect wielding a black handgun occurred at Houstons Liquors on the 400 block of Avenue of the Flags in Buellton. Law enforcement officers said the suspects may be connected to a dark blue BMW, the same description for the Lompoc incident. According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office, deputies spotted the vehicle at 4:40 p.m. near Highway 46 East and Golden Hill Road in Paso Robles. After losing sight of the vehicle, additional deputies and a CHP helicopter responded and the suspects were again located around 5:30 p.m. heading east on Highway 46 near Mill Road., the Sheriffs Office said. Deputies tried to stop the vehicle, and a high-speed chase ensued into Kern County, where the suspects stopped, left their vehicle and fled into a nearby orchard. San Luis Obispo County law enforcement officers established a perimeter while counterparts from Kern County conducted a search. Story continues A search of the vehicle did not turn up suspects or any weapons, according to emergency dispatch reports. One witness reportedly spotted the two men on the north side of the highway as if theyre running to Fresno, according to emergency radio traffic. By approximately 7:30 p.m., at least one person was in custody, according to emergency dispatch reports, and there were unconfirmed reports one of the suspect may have been shot. Eventually, both suspects were located. The case was turned over to Kern County. Arias said Lompoc police detectives were trying to determine if the suspects were connected to other crimes in the city. The SLO County Sheriffs Office said they were linked to a murder on June 5 but provided no other details. Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook. I said goodbye to my father when I was 9. Not permanently, though it felt like it as my mother and brother and I pushed back from the jetway on a Boeing 707 in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1976. We were headed to Nashville, Tennessee, by way of New Jersey and a quick stop in Camp Springs, Maryland. My dad headed back to his apartment at Hahn Air Base. He waved at us through the terminal windows. I craned my neck to keep him in view for as long as I could. A few days later, we rolled down Hillsboro Pike on the southwest side of Nashville, before taking a left up Overhill Drive and a right on Farrar Avenue, finally easing onto a driveway near the end of the street. There, my cousin waited. He was 6. Brady Gardner Id met Brady Gardner before his mother and my mother were sisters a year apart and kept in touch like twins. But that was the moment he became my brother; it just took me a minute to realize it. He couldve balked at the arrangement, of course. A couple of long-lost cousins arrive from overseas and suddenly hes sharing a bedroom, and the dinner table, and his parents. Yet he never did. Im not sure I ever thanked Brady for what he did during one of the most unsettling moments of my life. A 6-year-old welcoming two older boys into tight quarters? Then again, Im not sure I fully realized what hed done for me until I got news hed died early Sunday morning. Death has a way of forcing you back before you look forward and, with Brady, the looking back gets better and richer by the moment. Its not nostalgia so much as its a reckoning with how you came to be. Its also an appreciation. Not that I hadnt loved Brady Gardner all his life. My brother, Kevin, and I spent almost a year in Bradys home before my mother found work in Washington and we headed east to begin life again. And if you were to ask me what eased the pain of leaving my father at that terminal in Frankfurt, Brady would be wrapped up in the answer. He and his brother, Brett, swapped silly stories after my aunt or uncle turned off the lights (we preferred it when it was our aunt). We giggled in our pajamas. We played ping-pong in the basement. We played kickball in the yard and invented our own terminology: an over bush was a home run, because the ball sailed over the row of thorny hedges that demarcated the end of our imagined outfield. Story continues And when it rained? Wed slip into our swimsuits and tear off for the ravine at the edge of the street, where droplets wet the grass and pooled into the greenest slip-n-slide you ever saw. Once, we piled into the back of my uncles pickup truck and drove all the way to Florida. We spread blankets on the ribbed metal bed and tried our best to find the cool spots. The bed was covered with a cap, though all that did was make it hotter. (From left) Shawn Windsor, his cousin, Brady Gardner and brother, Kevin Windsor, on a porch in 1972. Still, we were together, a makeshift family absorbing the pain of divorce and a couple of boys who desperately missed their father. Im not sure Brady thought of it that way back then. He was 6. But he was always instinctive, and children detect sadness better than adults sometimes. There may have been times when he was ready for our mother to scoop us up and leave him to his old life. That wouldve been natural, and understandable from my view as an adult. If he did have such human inclinations, he kept them from us. All he did was smile. And laugh. And while we surely got into an occasional tussle or disagreement, his disposition rarely strayed anywhere but up and out. After we moved to D.C., we traveled back to Nashville often, making the drive in an old Datsun station wagon, tucked into sleeping bags in the back, my mother up front steering us out into the pre-dawn dark. By the time we woke up, the mountains were in view, and we knew it wouldnt be much longer to see our cousins, though by then they were surely brothers. Siblings dont share biological or adoptive parents as much as they share experiences. When we were young, we shared a home, meals, showers, votes tallying whose mom was the meanest. (My Aunt Becky won; sorry, Aunt Becky.) But as we grew older, we realized we shared a difficult and inevitable family history. Brady had frontotemporal dementia (FTD). He was diagnosed in his late 40s and died at 52. His mother my aunt died of the same thing at 71. My mom died at 73, their brother died at 61, their mom died at 56 all with FTD. My moms first cousins had it. Their children had it. Almost no one on that side of the family has escaped it. The disease quite literally shrinks the frontal lobe of the brain. In the process, it steals your ability to process information, your social acumen eventually your ability to talk and walk and swallow. In the end, death often comes from not eating, though how much someone with FTD is aware they cant eat is unclear. What it doesnt seem to swipe is the spirit. While my mom spent a period of time cutting in line and taking food from others' plates and randomly yelling A-hole, she never stopped smiling. Nor did my Aunt Becky. Nor did my grandma. Nor did Brady. Maybe it is a family trait, though my smile doesnt come as naturally. Or maybe its just the soul saying, enough: You can take everything else, but not my ability to express through my face. My mother spoke five languages and traveled the world in part to use every synapse she could in hopes of staving off the disease. My aunt traveled with her and kept the worldly affairs light-hearted. She was a prankster, like her son, and all of them did their best to lean into every moment. My brother and I try to do the same. It is a balance, finding the sweet spot between the present and the future, acknowledging the substantial possibility of our fate without succumbing to it prematurely. When my mother was diagnosed around 2010, my aunt traveled to Michigan frequently, and they traveled together from here. Eventually, my aunt started showing symptoms, too. Brady and I began talking almost weekly. About our mothers. About how to help keep them in the world and how to keep them safe. About our own fates. And while I knew that the symptoms had gotten some of our family in their 50s, I never imagined theyd get Brady even younger. One day I realized that Brady hadnt called in a couple of weeks and wasn't returning my messages. I figured he was busy with work he was a banker or with his wife, Cathy, and three children. So, I called Cathy and heard exactly what I didnt want to hear. A few months later, I flew to Nashville to see him. He was still living at home. We had dinner. Cathy cooked. He didnt say much, but he knew who I was and could answer questions with short sentences. The next day, I picked him up and took him to breakfast. He was waiting in the driveway, smiling, just as he had 46 years earlier. If he sensed my sadness, he didnt let on. He just beamed. On the drive to the restaurant. While we ate. On the drive home. I made small talk and asked a few questions and reminisced. Mostly, he nodded. When I drove away to fly home, I never imagined that would be the last time I saw him. COVID-19 hit six months later. I got busy with work, with family, with life and, truthfully, with dread, and even when I heard he was struggling to swallow a few weeks back, I looked at flights and dates and talked to my brother and still dragged my feet, thinking there would be more time. Hoping there would be more time, knowing there probably wouldnt. Ive thought a lot the last few days about that moment I drove away, watching him wave, watching him light up the neighborhood with that grin, thinking back to the way he greeted me all those years ago when we were little boys. He was my cousin. He was my brother. He was light and joy and grace and a reminder that the moment is all weve ever got. Contact Shawn Windsor: 313-222-6487 or swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @shawnwindsor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sometimes a smile can change your life; not even disease can take it Jun. 8Spokane police have asked prosecutors to charge Robert G. Davis, 52, with murder for the 2012 killing of Kala Williams. Williams' remains were discovered in plastic bags and in a sleeping bag in May 2012. Her body had been cut in two. But her cause of death had been listed as "undetermined" by former Spokane County Medical Examiner Dr. John Howard. Current Spokane County Medical Examiner Dr. Veena Singh reclassified the manner of Williams' death to homicide last month. Davis has been imprisoned in Idaho since he was convicted of attacking a woman in Coeur d'Alene in 2014. He has never been charged in connection with Williams' death. Additionally, Davis' mother, Sherri Cook, told police in 2012 after Williams' remains were discovered that he had told her he was involved in the 2010 disappearance of Heather Higgins, who has never been found. "I would like to say that I'm sure we are going find out everything that happened to my daughter because he (Davis) is being charged with first-degree murder, which is premeditated," said Martine Maggio, Williams' mother. "We're going to get to the bottom of this, even if it takes a couple of years." Based on the details of Williams' death, Maggio believes that other people are involved. "This is going to cause a ripple effect among a lot of people who had wrongful death determinations with Dr. Howard," Maggio said. "We have dealt with the horror of her being gone. Now we just need to deal with the business part of this and get him (Davis) put away for the rest of his life." Jun. 8The Oregon Supreme Court has denied further review of a case involving a couple who beat a Newport man to death and dumped his body off the highway east of Astoria. In September 2016, Adeena Marilyn Copell, now 45, and Christian John Wilkins, now 43, murdered Howard Vinge, 71, stole his RV and a luxury sedan, and left the man's corpse near U.S. Highway 30. The RV was found on U.S. Highway 26. The pair was apprehended in Arizona in October 2016. In 2019, the couple was sentenced in Clatsop County Circuit Court to at least 25 years in prison for murder, second-degree abuse of a corpse and two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle. Wilkins pleaded guilty; Copell had a jury trial. Copell turned to the state Court of Appeals. The state Office of Public Defense Services claimed Copell's Miranda rights were violated and that prosecutors had engaged in misconduct calling Copell a liar during closing arguments. The appeals court affirmed Copell's conviction without issuing an opinion. The suspended police chief and public works director in southwest suburban Summit both pleaded not guilty Thursday to conspiracy charges alleging they took more than $5,000 in bribes from a bar operator to grease a liquor license transfer in the village and then attempted to cover it up. John Kosmowski, 54, of Lockport, and William Mundy, 59, of Summit, were each charged last month with one count of bribery conspiracy. Kosmowski, who earns about $225,000 a year as police chief and has worked for the Summit Police Department for more than 30 years, was also charged with one count each of bribery and obstruction of justice. Mundy, who doubles as a building inspector and earns a $117,000-a-year salary, is also charged with one count of filing a false tax return. Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty through their attorneys during a telephone arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth Jantz. According to the village, both men were suspended from their duties on the day the indictment was announced and are on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the case. The indictment alleged Kosmowski and Mundy conspired to accept more than $5,000 from the business owner in 2017 in exchange for helping secure the transfer of a liquor license to another person. According to the charges, Kosmowski received a cash payment from the business owner on March 23, 2017, and then gave Mundy a portion of it. Two months ago, after being made aware of a grand jury investigation into the payment, Kosmowski met with Mundy in nearby Justice to tell him the government would be indicting soon and that it was going to be their version against ours, according to the indictment. During the meeting, Kosmowski tried to persuade Mundy to lie about the payment by saying it was a loan, the indictment stated. While the business owner is not named in the charges, public records and sources confirm he is Mariano Martinez, the clout-heavy owner of several suburban businesses who pleaded guilty in 2019 to selling a kilogram of heroin to a man in a Berwyn laundromat for $50,000. Story continues As part of his guilty plea, Martinez admitted to paying bribes to two Summit officials, who at the time were not named in court records. The charges are an offshoot of a larger corruption probe that netted indictments of Chicago Ald. Edward Burke and then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval. Sandoval pleaded guilty to separate bribery charges before he died of COVID-19 in December 2020. Martinez, who has ties to a longtime political operative for both Burke and Sandoval, cooperated with prosecutors and was sentenced last year to 18 months in prison. Before that, he ran Mars Bar, in the 6000 block of South Harlem Avenue in Summit, and owned car washes and other businesses in the area. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, July 11, 2021. (Cooper Neill/The New York Times) When Elon Musk said on Twitter last month that he planned to vote Republican and predicted that Democrats would mount a dirty tricks campaign against me, he received a warm response from Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas. Believe me when I say, I understand, Paxton tweeted May 24, the same day he won a bruising Republican primary runoff for reelection, despite being accused of wrongdoing by former aides and facing criminal indictment in state court for securities fraud. This week, Paxton again aligned himself with Musk. The state attorney general said Texas was opening an investigation into Twitter and demanded the company turn over information about automated accounts that can spread spam on the service. Paxton made the announcement shortly after Musk, who has agreed to buy Twitter for $44 billion, threatened to pull out of the blockbuster deal because, he said, the company refused to disclose how many fake accounts populate the platform. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The move was in keeping with the playbook of Paxton, a Republican who has made a name for himself by supporting former President Donald Trump in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The 59-year-old has long had an affinity for the spotlight, appearing regularly on Fox News and grabbing headlines with high-profile lawsuits, including against the Biden administration over immigration policy and local governments in Texas over pandemic rules. But opening an investigation into Twitter does more than raise attention. It is also likely to yield political benefits to Paxton. The attorney general has sought in recent years to endear himself to conservative voters who believe that social media platforms are stifling right-wing voices. When Twitter barred Trump last year after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Paxton demanded the company detail how it decides to keep posts up and what it takes down. Twitter unsuccessfully challenged the request in court. Story continues The investigation could also bring Paxton closer to Musk, the worlds richest man who also runs electric carmaker Tesla and rocket company SpaceX. Musk moved to Texas from California in 2020. In December, Tesla relocated its headquarters to the Austin, Texas, area, where it is building a factory that has promised to employ thousands. SpaceX also has a facility in Brownsville, Texas, a city in the south that has painted his likeness on a mural downtown. Hes kind of crusading on this issue because he actually sees it as a political benefit to him, said Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican political consultant who has worked on campaigns in Texas, including for Sen. John Cornyn and for Paxtons wife, Angela, a state senator. Big Tech is a huge part of the conversation on the right. A spokesperson declined to make Paxton available for an interview. Twitter declined to comment, and Musk did not respond to a request for comment. Paxton, a former state representative who cultivated the conservative grassroots of the Republican Party, was first elected attorney general in 2014. He promised to fight the Affordable Care Act and defend Texas voter identification law. But he has spent nearly his entire time as attorney general stalked by accusations of misconduct, including a criminal indictment for securities fraud from 2015. The charges stem from accusations that Paxton failed to register as an investment adviser representative and misled investors by encouraging them to invest in a company but not telling them that the company would pay him. The case has yet to go to trial. Last year, many of Paxtons top aides, themselves staunch conservatives, turned whistleblowers and accused him of bribery, abuse of power and other potential criminal acts in connection with an Austin real estate investor. Those accusations, made to the FBI, kicked off a federal inquiry that still hangs over Paxtons head. He has denied wrongdoing in both cases. Even so, Paxton won the Republican primary last month, handily defeating the land commissioner, George P. Bush, a member of a political dynasty. He did so partly by playing the politics of Texas correctly, which has been his great talent. Paxton joined Trump in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, going so far as to sue states where Trump had lost, accusing them of fraud. Paxton appeared with Trump in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, at a rally that drew thousands, some of whom went on to storm the U.S. Capitol. Trump endorsed Paxton last year, helping to propel him past his scandals and through the Republican primary. Paxton has echoed the former president in another way: by attacking tech companies. In 2020, Paxtons office, joined by nine other states, filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit argued that the internet giant had abused its control over the opaque system that delivers ads online. After the Jan. 6 riot, Paxton sent investigative demands not only to Twitter but also to Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google, asking for details of their content moderation practices. Twitter fought back. In a March 2021 filing challenging Paxtons demands, the company said he was unlawfully abusing his authority to intimidate, harass and target it for exercising its First Amendment rights to moderate its platform. Twitters challenge was rejected by a federal judge for being made too early; an appeals court ruled against Twitter in March. In announcing his latest inquiry into Twitter, Paxtons office said that automated accounts on the service can not only reduce the quality of users experience on the platform but may also inflate the value of the company and the costs of doing business with it, harming Texans in the process. Officials asked Twitter to hand over detailed records of how many inauthentic accounts have been on the platform every month since 2017. If Twitter is misrepresenting how many accounts are fake to drive up their revenue, I have a duty to protect Texans, Paxton said in a statement. The investigation echoed a letter to Twitter on Monday from Musks lawyers, who said the company had refused to provide information about fake accounts. The lack of disclosure was a clear material breach of Twitters obligations under the merger agreement, the lawyers wrote, giving Musk the right to break off the agreement. Twitter has since decided to give Musk access to the stream of tweets that are posted to the site, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday. Paxton does not appear to have a relationship with Musk. But Texas politicians have courted the billionaire for years, cheering as his companies have expanded in the state. Gov. Greg Abbott, who is a frequent Twitter user, has publicly supported Musks efforts to take over the company. Bring Twitter to Texas to join Tesla, SpaceX and the Boring Company, Abbott said in a message to Musk in April on Twitter. Still, multiple Texas political operatives said they doubted that Paxtons investigation into Twitter would bring Musk or his money into the states Republican fold. Its hard to imagine Elon ever being politically engaged, said Matt Mackowiak, a political consultant and chair of the Travis County Republican Party, which includes Austin. Democrats in Texas attacked Paxtons investigation of Twitter, which was announced less than two weeks after the killing of 19 elementary school children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. This is a distraction, said Rochelle Garza, a civil rights lawyer and the Democratic candidate for attorney general running against Paxton. This is what he does with his office. He distracts from the real issues that people care about. Garza added: He should have launched an independent investigation into what occurred and what led to all these children dying. Instead hes going after Twitter bots. 2022 The New York Times Company It's now legal to grow cannabis plants and buy marijuana-infused dishes in Thailand People in Thailand can now grow cannabis plants at home and sell the crop after the nation removed marijuana from its banned narcotics list. The nation is the first to advance such a move in South-East Asia, a region known for its stringent drug laws. Advocates say the easing effectively decriminalises marijuana, but personal use for non-medical reasons is still heavily discouraged by the government. Officials have also warned people against smoking in public. Smoking outside is viewed as a public nuisance and offenders risk fines and arrest, authorities have said. But the government is hoping that developing a local cannabis trade will boost agriculture and tourism. It's even giving away one million cannabis seedlings to citizens to encourage pick-up. "It is an opportunity for people and the state to earn income from marijuana and hemp," said Anutin Charnvirakul, deputy prime minister and health minister, on his social media accounts last month. He shared a photo on Facebook of a chicken dish cooked with cannabis, adding that anyone could sell the dish if they followed the rules - the main one being that products must contain less than 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that gives users that "high" feeling. From Thursday, households will be able to cultivate up to six cannabis pot plants at home if they register with authorities, and companies can also farm the plant with a permit. Diners will also be able to order cannabis-infused dishes and drinks at restaurants. Restaurants will able to freely offer cannabis-infused menus Clinics across the country can also more freely offer cannabis as a treatment. Thailand was the first in Asia to legalise medicinal cannabis use in 2018. However, using the drug for personal use is still illegal. Officials have warned people against smoking in public, saying it's considered a public nuisance and offenders risked arrest. Under the plan the government says it also aims to release about 4,000 prisoners convicted of cannabis-related offences. Story continues Thailand, with its year-round tropical climate, has long had a history with cannabis which many locals commonly used in traditional medicines. A wider draft law on cannabis control is currently being considered in Thai parliament. Advocates believe that coming years could see a gradual relaxing on the rules governing use. Analysis box by Jonathan Head, BBC News So is it legal or isn't it? As Thailand's tourist economy recovers from its long Covid slumber, many visitors will be wondering whether the new liberal regime governing cannabis means they can light up a joint wherever and whenever they please. The answer from the government is no, you cannot smoke marijuana in public, and it is still illegal to sell or supply any extracts containing more than 0.2% of the main hallucinogenic compound THC. The official goal is for Thailand to get a head start on its neighbours in winning a large slice of the lucrative market for health treatments using cannabis derivatives, in particular the milder compound CBD. But there is another motive; to reducing overcrowding in some of the world's most overcrowded jails. Which means, in theory, with cultivation of the plant in any quantities now completely legalised, that the police are now unlikely to arrest people just for possession of marijuana. Already there are hundreds of businesses in Thailand, operating even before the new law, offering a whole range of marijuana products, like restaurants putting the leaves in Thai curries. It is hard to see how the authorities can regulate how much THC they contain. The government insists they are permitting production and consumption solely for medical, not recreational purposes, but in practice that line is already blurred. Thailand relaxed its cannabis laws Thursday, with users permitted to possess and grow the plant -- albeit under complicated new guidelines. The change comes after Thailand's landmark 2018 legalisation of medicinal cannabis -- the first such move by a country in Southeast Asia, where anti-drugs laws are notoriously harsh. The kingdom's public health ministry announced in February that marijuana would be removed from its banned narcotics list, and the rules came into effect on Thursday. Activists welcomed the development and Bangkok cannabis shop Highland Cafe was doing a brisk trade in buds on Thursday. "It's a dream come true," said co-owner Rattapon Sanrak. "We've been fighting for it (legalisation) for about 10 years," the 35-year-old said. Thailand has previously taken a tough stance on drugs, with people found with cannabis on them facing up to 10 years in prison and a hefty fine. But some warned against lighting up outside just yet. While possession and sale of cannabis are now legal, smoking the substance outside your home could still get you arrested. Offenders could potentially be fined 25,000 baht ($780) and face up to three months in jail. And cannabis extracts with more than 0.2 percent concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -- the psychoactive compound that produces the drug's "high" -- remain illegal. Activist Cark K. Linn, author of a popular Thai cannabis newsletter, said the latest change was "effectively and practically, a very radical legalisation of cannabis in Thailand". Jeremy Douglas, regional spokesman for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, urged caution however, saying the legal reforms have "been a bit difficult to track". "Fundamentally what we understand from ONCB (Office of the Narcotics Control Board) is that the part of the law governing cannabis has expired while in the review process, and until it is final and cleared by parliament cannabis can be sold," he said. "So it became legal due to the ongoing process, by default," Douglas said, adding that the ONCB maintains the legal THC level will remain at 0.2 percent. Story continues But outside the Highland Cafe people were optimistic. "I think it will take a long way to full legalisation like Canada, like Amsterdam, but I think this is a good step," said 27-year-old Siravit Taweechan as he patiently queued. pit-ton-rbu/pdw/axn The company that compiles the Top Workplaces Cincinnati list for The Enquirer, Energage, identifies special or "best in show" award recipients that are chosen based on standout scores for employee responses to 11 specific statements in the Top Workplaces survey. Employees rate these statements on a seven-point Likert scale from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." To select recipients, Energage looks at high statement ranks for scores to determine areas where an organization stands out. Top Workplaces Cincinnati: Find all 130 winners for 2022 Top Workplaces Cincinnati: 29 companies and nonprofits join the list Top Workplaces Cincinnati: Heres how the list was determined The list of the winners follows: Leadership (large company) ANDREAS KLEINER, American Modern Insurance Group What the company does: Provider of specialty insurance Local HQ: Amelia Why the win: I have confidence in the leader of this company. What an employee says: "He does a stellar job balancing performance initiatives while still providing a very caring, employee-focused environment." Leadership (midsize company) DAN SUTTON, Kemba Credit Union What the company does: Co-op provider of financial services Local HQ: West Chester Why the win: I have confidence in the leader of this company. What an employee says: "He has always made it his plan to not only know our names but what we do in the company." Holly Mazzocca, Bartlett Wealth Management president, stands inside her office in downtown Cincinnati. Mazzocca was awarded one of three Top Workplaces Cincinnati top leader awards. Leadership (small company) HOLLY MAZZOCCA, Bartlett Wealth Management What the company does: Financial services wealth management Local HQ: Cincinnati Why the win: I have confidence in the leader of this company. What an employee says: "Our leader's enthusiasm is infectious. I adore her positivity and can-do attitude!" APPRECIATION Hyatt Regency Cincinnati What the company does: Lodging and events Local HQ: Cincinnati Why the win: I genuinely feel appreciated at this company. What an employee says: "The managers and human resources tell us (we're appreciated) and they bring in doughnuts, afternoon treats, etc." Story continues BENEFITS Village Green What the company does: Real estate management Local HQ: Cincinnati Why the win: My benefits package is good compared to others in this industry. What an employee says: "The managers and human resources tell us (we're appreciated) and they bring in doughnuts, afternoon treats, etc." CLUED IN SENIOR MANAGEMENT Total Quality Logistics What the company does: Third-party logistics Local HQ: Union Township Why the win: Senior managers understand what is really happening at this company. What an employee says: "We're a very transparent organization, personally a big fan of the concept 'radical candor'." COMMUNICATION Microsoft What the company does: IT hyperscale cloud provider Local HQ: Blue Ash Why the win: I feel well informed about important decisions at this company. What an employee says: "Clear and direct goals and paths for enabling our customers and consumers!" McCluskey Chevrolet employees drive growth at this car dealership. DIRECTION McCluskey Chevrolet What the company does: Vehicle sales and service Local HQ: Loveland Why the win: I believe this company is going in the right direction. What an employee says: "We are always five steps ahead of the other competitors." Workers and residents at St. Charles Community rallied around the Bengals ahead of the Super Bowl. DOERS St. Charles Community What the company does: Healthcare - senior living community Local HQ: Covington Why the win: At this company, we do things efficiently and well. What an employee says: "Takes good care of residents and the employees." MANAGERS Fidelity Investments What the company does: Financial services Local HQ: Covington Why the win: My manager helps me learn and grow; my manager cares about my concerns. What an employee says: "She both listens and takes action. If I'm not speaking up, she asks." Myriad Neuroscience employees delivering toy drive donations at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. MEANINGFULNESS Myriad Neuroscience What the company does: Biotech Local HQ: Mason Why the win: My job makes me feel like I am part of something meaningful. What an employee says: "Working on clinical studies, I am contributing to science, research and helping people. I find it very rewarding." NEW IDEAS InfoTrust What the company does: IT digital analytics consulting Local HQ: Blue Ash Why the win: New ideas are encouraged at this company. What an employee says: "Employees are always up on the latest and greatest in the industry and we're all looking for ways to improve " Towne Properties at Light the Night Walk event. TRAINING Towne Properties Asset Management Co. Inc. What the company does: IT Real estate property management Local HQ: Cincinnati Why the win: I get the formal training I want for my career. What an employee says: "All training is very thorough. Everyone will always take the time to answer any questions or concerns." VALUES HealthWorks What the company does: Consulting corporate wellness Local HQ: Cincinnati Why the win: This company operates by strong values. What an employee says: "When we make a mistake, we own it immediately. We are transparent with the client about the error and the resolution." WORK/LIFE FLEXIBILITY Cengage What the company does: Publishing digital and online courses and texts plus technology Local HQ: Mason Why the win: I have the flexibility I need to balance my work and personal life. What an employee says: "Cengage actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. Cengage provided wellness events and even a wellness week off of work to promote the mental health of employees." Database: Use this tool to see the complete list of Top Workplaces Cincinnati Search by Division (Small, Midsize, Large) or by company name. To see the complete list, just click search. Loading... This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top Workplaces Cincinnati: Who won special honors in 2022? WASHINGTON The House passed a wide-ranging gun control bill Wednesday in response to recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds. The legislation passed by a mostly party-line vote of 223-204. It has almost no chance of becoming law as the Senate pursues negotiations focused on improving mental health programs, bolstering school security and enhancing background checks. But the House bill does allow Democratic lawmakers a chance to frame for voters in November where they stand on policies that polls show are widely supported. Advertisement We cant save every life, but my God, shouldnt we try? America we hear you and today in the House we are taking the action you are demanding, said Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. Take note of who is with you and who is not. The push comes after a House committee heard wrenching testimony from recent shooting victims and family members, including from 11-year-old girl Miah Cerrillo, who covered herself with a dead classmates blood to avoid being shot at the Uvalde elementary school. Advertisement The seemingly never-ending cycle of mass shootings in the United States has rarely stirred Congress to act. But the shooting of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde has revived efforts in a way that has lawmakers from both parties talking about the need to respond. Its sickening, its sickening that our children are forced to live in this constant fear, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pelosi said the House vote would make history by making progress. But its unclear where the House measure will go after Wednesdays vote, given that Republicans were adamant in their opposition. The answer is not to destroy the Second Amendment, but that is exactly where the Democrats want to go, said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks during a protest near Capitol Hill in Washington, June 8, 2022, sponsored by Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action. (Susan Walsh/AP) The work to find common ground is mostly taking place in the Senate, where support from 10 Republicans will be needed to get a bill signed into law. Nearly a dozen Democratic and Republican senators met privately for an hour Wednesday in hopes of reaching a framework for compromise legislation by weeks end. Participants said more conversations were needed about a plan that is expected to propose modest steps. In a measure of the political peril that efforts to curb guns pose for Republicans, five of the six lead Senate GOP negotiators do not face reelection until 2026. They are Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, John Cornyn of Texas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The sixth, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, is retiring in January. Its also notable that none of the six is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. While Cornyn has said the talks are serious, he has not joined the chorus of Democrats saying the outlines of a deal could be reached by the end of this week. He told reporters Wednesday that he considers having an agreement before Congress begins a recess in late June to be an aspirational goal. The House bill stitches together a variety of proposal Democrats had introduced before the recent shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde. The suspects in the shootings at the Uvalde, elementary school and Buffalo supermarket were both just 18, authorities say, when they bought the semi-automatic weapons used in the attacks. The bill would increase the minimum age to buy such weapons to 21. Advertisement A person under 21 cannot buy a Budweiser. We should not let a person under 21 buy an AR-15 weapon of war, said Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif. Republicans have noted that a U.S. appeals court ruling last month found Californias ban on the sale of semiautomatic weapons to adults under 21 was unconstitutional. This is unconstitutional and its immoral. Why is it immoral? Because were telling 18, 19 and 20-year-olds to register for the draft. You can go die for your country. We expect you to defend us, but were not going to give you the tools to defend yourself and your family, said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. The House bill also includes incentives designed to increase the use of safe gun storage devises and creates penalties for violating safe storage requirements, providing for a fine and imprisonment of up to five years if a gun is not properly stored and is subsequently used by a minor to injure or kill themselves or another individual. It also builds on executive actions banning fast-action bump stock devices and ghost guns that are assembled without serial numbers. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hailed the House bill, tweeting, We continue to work hard with both parties to save lives and stand up for families. Advertisement Five Republicans voted for the bill: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, Chris Jacobs of New York, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Fred Upton of Michigan. Only Fitzpatrick is seeking reelection. On the Democratic side, Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon were the only no votes. Schrader lost his reelection bid in the Democratic primary. Golden faces a competitive election in November. The House is also expected to approve a bill Thursday that would allow families, police and others to ask federal courts to order the removal of firearms from people who are believed to be at extreme risk of harming themselves or others. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia currently have such red flag laws. Under the House bill, a judge could issue an order to temporarily remove and store the firearms until a hearing can be held no longer than two weeks later to determine whether the firearms should be returned or kept for a specific period. Associated Press writer Alan Fram contributed to this report. By Ezgi Erkoyun ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday Greece should stop arming islands in the Aegean Sea that have a demilitarised status and abide by international agreements, in comments likely to further fuel long-running tensions between the neighbours. The NATO allies have long been at odds over issues such as maritime boundaries and claims over their respective continental shelves in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as airspace, migrants and ethnically split Cyprus. Tensions have flared again recently over the Aegean islands, which Ankara says cannot be armed under the 1923 Lausanne and 1947 Paris treaties. In a speech while observing Turkish military exercises near the Aegean coastal province of Izmir, Erdogan called on Athens to "avoid dreams, acts and statements that will result in regret", and invoked Turkey's independence war in the early 1920s when Turks defeated occupying powers, including Greece. "Turkey will not renounce its rights in the Aegean and will not back down from using rights that are established by international agreements when it comes to arming islands," Erdogan said. Last week Erdogan announced Turkey was halting all bilateral talks with Greece over a row with the Greek prime minister, and what Ankara calls airspace violations. The two had resumed bilateral talks in 2021 on improving ties after a five-year hiatus but have made little progress. Ankara says the Aegean islands were given to Greece under the 1923 and 1947 treaties on condition that it does not arm them. Greece has said Turkey's remarks about it arming the islands are "unfounded" and has accused Ankara of questioning its sovereignty over them. On Thursday Greece's foreign ministry issued 16 maps which it said "depict, in a vivid and unequivocal way, Turkey's illegal, unilateral actions and allegations." Both countries have sent the United Nations letters outlining their rival positions on airspace and the islands. Story continues Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has repeatedly said Turkey would start questioning Greek sovereignty over the islands if Athens persisted in arming them. Greek government spokesman Giannis Economou, asked about the risks of a possible armed clash, told reporters on Thursday that Athens was handling "a crescendo of inflammatory Turkish statements" with composure. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun in Istanbul and Renee Maltezou in Athens; Writing by Daren Butler and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Gareth Jones) TAIPEI (Reuters) -The United States has approved a possible $120 million sale of parts to help Taiwan maintain its warships, which the island's defence ministry said would help ensure combat readiness in the face of China's "frequent activities" near the island. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale, which was requested by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington. It said the sale covered unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, logistical technical assistance, and U.S. government and contractor representative technical and logistical support. "The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient's surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats," the agency said in a statement, adding that the parts would be sourced from "approved U.S. Navy vendors and/or U.S. Navy stock". Taiwan's defence ministry said on Thursday the deal was expected to come into effect within one month, and expressed its thanks to Washington for its support in helping Taiwan be able to protect itself. "In view of the recent frequent activities of Chinese warships in the sea and airspace around our country, the ship parts that the United States has agreed to sell will help maintain the proper equipment and consumption of our naval ships and meet the actual needs of combat readiness tasks," it said. Neither side gave details of the parts Taiwan would be receiving. Most of Taiwan's main warships are U.S.-made or -designed. The democratically governed island has complained of repeated missions by China's air force in its air defence zone, part of what Washington sees as Beijing's effort to pressure Taipei into accepting its sovereignty. China's navy has also been conducting increasingly regular missions near Taiwan. Story continues The United States, like most countries, does not have official relations with Taiwan, but Washington is its biggest backer and is bound by law to provide it with means to defend itself. Successive U.S. administrations have advocated the sale to Taiwan of inexpensive, mobile and survivable or "asymmetric" weapons that could outlast any initial assault by China's larger military. The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, which counts defence contractors among its members, welcomed the latest authorization, but charged that President Joe Biden's administration had undertaken "the most significant narrowing of U.S.-Taiwan security assistance" since 1979. "There appears to now be little to no U.S. support for substantial Taiwan force modernization efforts, so we should expect to see mostly sustainment and munitions programs through the remainder of President Biden's term (or terms) in office," Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers said in a statement. Taiwan's military was likely to see "the loss of infrastructure, hollowing out of operational experience, and the loss of decades of expertise," as a result, he said. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Michael Martina; Editing by Robert Birsel and Leslie Adler) (Corrects typo in headline in word "shooting") (Reuters) - The United Nations condemned on Thursday the fatal shooting of a World Health Organization (WHO) employee in eastern Myanmar, the latest in a string of assassinations underlining the chaos in the country since last year's coup. The U.N. and the WHO said Myo Min Htut, a WHO driver for five years, was shot dead on Wednesday while riding his motorcycle in Mawlamyine in Mon State, close to Thailand, in unclear circumstances. The WHO said it was shocked by news of his death. The shooting follows what rights groups say is a pattern of violence, retribution and vigilantism in military-ruled Myanmar, where local administrators and suspected junta informants have been killed on a near-daily basis. The military overthrew an elected government last year and has used deadly force and mass arrests to suppress demonstrations. Civilians have since taken up arms to fight police and soldiers, answering a shadow National Unity Government's (NUG) call for a people's revolt. Ramanathan Balakrishnan, the U.N. resident coordinator, said the U.N. expects those who killed Myo Min Htut to be held accountable and "appeals to all parties and stakeholders to respect the neutrality of the United Nations and humanitarians". A spokesperson for the military did not answer calls seeking comment on Thursday. The anti-military people's defence force in Mawlamyine, which has pledged its support for the NUG, claimed responsibility for Myo Min Htut's killing, accusing him of being a junta informant and of harassing people who joined strikes and protests against last year's coup. Reuters could not independently verify the allegations. "We let him retire from this human world," the Mawlamyine militia group said in a statement, describing Myo Min Htut as an "informer" and a "dog", adding it had conducted its own investigation. The WHO's Myanmar office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations made by the Mawlamyine militias. Story continues The NUG, which the junta has outlawed as a "terrorist" organisation, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (This story refiles to correct typo in the word "shooting" in headline) (Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor) Britain said on Thursday it was readying new legislation to rewrite its Brexit commitments on Northern Ireland but denied it was breaking its treaty obligations to the European Union. The bill is expected next week, possibly on Monday, and would trigger unilateral changes to the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol in the teeth of objections from Brussels and most political parties in Belfast. Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said opposition to Britain's tactics had "hardened" across EU capitals, querying whether it was "serious about a negotiated solution", Irish media reported. The UK says the bill is needed to fix trade distortions in Northern Ireland, which was left hanging in a unique situation by Brexit, and bring the province's biggest pro-UK party back into power-sharing government. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's cabinet has signed off on the plan and only some final drafting remains, his spokesman told reporters. "Yes, we are confident of that: the bill is lawful under international law," the spokesman added. Senior minister Michael Gove denied that Johnson was looking to divert attention after he narrowly survived a no-confidence vote within his own party, by placating Brexit hardliners on the Conservative backbenches. "I don't think it's about picking a fight," Gove said on BBC radio. "It is absolutely right that we fix the problems with the Northern Ireland Protocol," he said. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) refusing to re-enter government in the province unless the protocol is overhauled. The protocol was agreed as part of Britain's Brexit divorce deal with Brussels, recognising Northern Ireland's status as a fragile, post-conflict territory that shares the UK's new land border with the EU. It requires checks on goods arriving from England, Scotland and Wales, to prevent them entering the EU's single market via the Republic of Ireland. That has infuriated the DUP, which says Northern Ireland's status within the UK is in jeopardy. Story continues The UK says it plans to scrap most of the checks, arguing that the higher priority is ensuring no return to a hard border between the north and south of Ireland, in line with a 1998 peace agreement. Overriding the protocol, the bill would let the UK create a "green channel" for British traders to send goods to Northern Ireland without making any customs declaration to the EU. The EU would have access to more real-time UK data on the flow of goods, and only businesses intending to trade into the single market via Ireland would be required to make declarations. Britain has vowed "robust penalties" for any companies seeking to abuse the new system, but would also remove oversight of the protocol by the European Court of Justice -- another red line for Brussels. Britain also risks antagonising the United States, which helped broker the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. But Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has been briefing the US administration along with officials in Dublin and Brussels, to prepare the ground for the new bill, Johnson's spokesman said. jit/jwp/gil By Pavel Polityuk and Abdelaziz Boumzar KYIV/SLOVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Thursday its forces were holding their positions in intense fighting in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk and had retaken ground in the south, targetting gains in the biggest swathe of territory seized by Russia since the invasion started. Russia has concentrated its invasion force around Sievierodonetsk, a small industry city now bombed to ruins. Ukraine says its only hope to turn the tide toward victory is more artillery to offset Russia's massive firepower. Sievierodonetsk and its twin city Lysychansk on the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets river are the last Ukrainian-controlled parts of Luhansk province, which Moscow is determined to seize as one of its principal war objectives. "They (the Russians) are dying like flies ... fierce fighting continues inside Sievierodonetsk," Luhansk governor Serhiy Gaidai said. Gaidai predicted the Russians would try to take advantage of low water levels to cross the Siverskyi Donets river. "We are watching and if anything happens we will act proactively." In the south, where Moscow is trying to impose its rule on a tract of occupied territory spanning Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, Ukraine's defence ministry said it had captured new ground in a counter-attack in Kherson province. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an evening address that Ukraine also had "some positive developments in the Zaporizhzhia region, where we are succeeding in disrupting the occupiers' plans." He did not provide details. Reuters could not independently verify the situation on the ground in Zaporizhzhia or Kherson. Russian-installed proxies in both provinces say they are planning referendums to join Russia. Thousands of people have been killed and millions have fled since Moscow launched its "special military operation" to disarm and "denazify" its neighbour on Feb. 24. Ukraine and its allies call the invasion an unprovoked war of aggression. Story continues 'WE ARE STAYING' Speaking in Moscow to mark the 350th anniversary of Russian Tsar Peter the Great's birth, President Vladimir Putin drew a parallel between what he portrayed as their historic quests to win back what he called Russian lands. "Peter the Great waged the Great Northern War for 21 years. It would seem that he was at war with Sweden, he took something from them. He did not take anything from them, he returned (what was Russia's)," Putin said. In a rare update from Sievierodonetsk, the commander of Ukraine's Svoboda National Guard Battalion, Petro Kusyk, said Ukrainians were drawing the Russians into street fighting to neutralise Russia's artillery advantage. "Yesterday was successful for us - we launched a counteroffensive and in some areas we managed to push them back one or two blocks. In others they pushed us back, but just by a building or two," he said in a televised interview. But he added his forces were suffering from a "catastrophic" lack of counter-battery artillery to fire back at Russia's guns, and getting such weapons would transform the battlefield. Sievierodonetsk Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk said around 10,000 civilians were still trapped inside the city - around a tenth of its pre-war population. Reuters could not verify the situation on the ground in the city. To the west of Sievierodonetsk, Russia is pushing from the north and south, trying to trap Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region comprising Luhansk and neighbouring Donetsk province. In Soledar, a salt-mining town near Bakhmut close to the front line, buildings had been blasted into craters. Remaining residents, mostly elderly, were sheltering in a crowded cellar. Antonina, 65, had ventured out to see her garden. "We are staying. We live here. We were born here," she sobbed. "When is it all going to end?" GRAIN In the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), one of Russia's proxies in eastern Ukraine, a court sentenced two Britons and a Moroccan who were captured while fighting for Ukraine to death, Russian news agencies reported. Britain slammed the court's decision as a "sham judgment" with no legitimacy. Ukraine is one of the world's biggest grain and food oil exporters, and international attention has focused in recent weeks on the threat of international famine seen as caused by Russia's blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports. "Millions of people may starve if the Russian blockade of the Black Sea continues," Zelenskiy said on Thursday in televised remarks. Moscow blames the food crisis on Western sanctions restricting its own grain exports. It says it is willing to let Ukrainian ports open for exports if Ukraine removes mines and meets other conditions. Kyiv calls such offers empty promises. Turkey, a NATO power with good relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, has tried to mediate. Russia has also been trying to sell grain from areas of Ukraine it seized, activity Kyiv and the West call looting. Asked if any deal had been reached to sell grain from southern Ukraine to Turkey or a Middle Eastern country, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: "So far no agreements have been reached, work is continuing." (Additional reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Peter Graff, Alexandra Hudson and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Alex Richardson and Richard Pullin) Military equipment seized by the Ukrainian military, which is already being used against the occupiers Read also: Situation for civilians in Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast getting worse, says operational command What did they do in Kherson Oblast, in southern region as a whole? They started digging trenches, building fortifications to keep own positions there and be somehow able to withstand the counter-attacks. But distances are really long there You cant really keep those territories under your own control by digging trenches and stationing tanks, weapons. This is unrealistic Zagorodnyuk said. Read also: Russia plans to hold referendum in Kherson on annexation by the fall The destruction of the Russian fortifications in the south by the Ukrainian army is a matter of time, the former defense minister said. As soon as Russians stop pushing forward, we have every chance to launch our counter-attack and our systemic counter-offensive operation, said Zagorodnyuk. Read also: Volunteers who defend Mykolaiv share their stories of the battlefield Operational Command South revealed that on June 7 Russian troops started shelling Mykolayiv and the citys outskirts with artillery. The Ukrainian army responded to this with four major artillery strikes, targeting Russian military personnel. Earlier, Ukraines General Staff reported another Russian operation in the south the enemy tried to advance closer to Lozove and Bila Krynytsya in Kherson Oblast, deploying artillery and aircraft for this. However, the operation was unsuccessful. In the southern region, the Ukrainian regular army is supported by partisans who operate in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, and a group of Mykolayiv self-defense volunteers whose main strategy so far has been exhausting Russian infantry. In Kherson Oblast, Russian troops are substantially understaffed, so Russias Ministry of Defense deployed to that area so called Donetsk Peoples Republic Army one of the least capable Russian military units, created through forced mobilization of civilians from the Russian-occupied parts of the Donbas. LONDON (R euters) - British retailer John Lewis Partnership announced the first three locations where it wants to build rental homes, part of its diversification plan to generate 40% of profit from outside its core business by 2030. The employee-owned partnership, which runs John Lewis department stores and the Waitrose supermarket chain, said last July it would build 10,000 rental homes in the next decade with half of them being developed through its existing property portfolio. It said on Thursday the first three proposed sites include building over Waitrose stores in Bromley and West Ealing in London, as well as replacing a vacant John Lewis warehouse in Reading, west of the capital. The homes would be built for different sized households. Residents would have options for short- and long-term tenure and to have the homes furnished by John Lewis. Public consultations will be held over the coming months. "Helping to create homes has always been at the heart of what we do and we now have a unique opportunity to use our expertise and skills in new ways to deliver much-needed new housing," said Nina Bhatia, John Lewis' executive director for strategy and commercial development. Britain has a chronic shortage of affordable housing. Prices have soared over the last decade, pushing properties out of reach of first-time buyers. The John Lewis Partnership was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. It sunk to a loss, prompting it to close stores and cut jobs. Chairman Sharon White detailed a five-year recovery plan in 2020 that included diversifying into property development, product rental and resale, expansion of its financial services business and seeking more partnerships. (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Kim Coghill) Death threats, accusations of betrayal and censure by their local parties: for the six Republicans running for re-election after voting to impeach Donald Trump, the last 17 months have been a painful lesson in the perils of opposing an unforgiving leader. Ten out of 211 House Republicans backed the Democrats' ultimately unsuccessful bid to have Trump convicted in a Senate trial last year, believing he should be held accountable for inciting a deadly siege of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Four have since announced they would retire, and the remaining six have become pariahs in their local town halls and roadside diners, upbraided for their "disloyalty" as they campaign for November's midterm elections. Ostracized by a party still in thrall to the former president, the group are bracing for a high-profile reminder of their break with Trump as televised congressional hearings on the insurrection begin Thursday. - Resistance leader - Liz Cheney, the daughter of a former vice president and one-time cornerstone of the House leadership, is now the face of Republican resistance to Trump. Since calling his role in the insurrection the "greatest betrayal" by a US president in history, her fall from grace inside the party has been spectacular. She has been censured by Republicans in Washington and Wyoming, faced protests in Cheyenne, Rock Springs, Casper, Big Horn and at other events across her home state. But Cheney has not backed down, and will be in the national spotlight Thursday as vice-chair of the House committee investigating the US Capitol riot. She has been a regular target of Trump's broadsides. As recently as May, he called her "America last," "the face of the Washington swamp" and a globalist who loves "endless, nonsensical, bloody wars." - 'Someone may try to kill us' - Freshman congressman and military veteran Peter Meijer told MSNBC in the wake of his vote to impeach Trump that he was altering his routine and "working to get body armor, which is a reimbursable purchase." Story continues His office was inundated with death threats after he said Trump "betrayed millions with claims of a stolen election." "It's sad that we have to get to that point, but our expectation is that someone may try to kill us," Meijer said. In the weeks following his impeachment vote, two county-level Republican parties in Meijer's district voted to formally censure him, while Ron Weiser, the chairman of Michigan's state party, joked about "assassination" as an option for how to deal with Meijer. He is expected to win his August primary against a Trump-backed opponent but it is possible a member of his own family won't be voting for him. Meijer revealed in an interview with The Atlantic in December that his once-supportive sister Haley, a Trump supporter, had turned against him, supporting another early rival in his primary. - 'Bad blood' - Tom Rice and Dan Newhouse went to ground after the impeachment, seemingly hoping that if they went silent on the subject, their votes against Trump would be forgotten, if not forgiven. Both were censured by their state parties but have rebuffed calls to resign and now face Trump-backed primary challengers. Rice reported getting a menacing voicemail a few weeks after the impeachment from a constituent who invited the congressman to "come over to his house for coffee so that he could beat the living hell out of him," a police report cited by NBC said. But that has not stopped Trump from making Rice the target of some of his sharpest broadsides, describing the congressman as a "coward who abandoned his constituents," a "disaster" and "a total fool... laughed at in Washington." Another of the six dissidents, David Valadao, had his own challenger in California's Central Valley in Tuesday's primary election because of his impeachment vote. But he is alone among the group in not having Trump weigh in on his race and looked likely to advance to the general election, though there are still a lot of votes left to count. Nevertheless, a feature in his local paper, The Daily Republic, painted an image of Valadao as a pariah in parts of his district, reporting that the "bad blood after Valadao's vote runs deep" in the city of Hanford, where he was born and raised. - '75 million are watching' - Jaime Herrera Beutler was thrust into the impeachment drama when she confirmed details of a phone call between House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Trump during the insurrection, in which she said the president upbraided McCarthy for not being as "upset" about the election results as the rioters. The Washington State Republican Party censured her for her impeachment vote and her office was picketed by protesters. While other Republicans have worried about threats from constituents, Herrera Beutler received a darkly-worded warning from one of her own colleagues, far right Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. "First voting to impeach innocent President Trump, then yapping to the press and throwing @GOPLeader (McCarthy) under the bus," Greene tweeted from her now suspended account. "The Trump loyal 75 million are watching." ft/des/ec BANGKOK (AP) A top State Department official met Thursday with Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, part of an ongoing diplomatic outreach in the Asia-Pacific region by Washington to try and blunt growing Chinese influence. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman tweeted after meeting Marcos that the two discussed a range of issues, including the Philippines-U.S. alliance, deepening economic ties, advancing human rights and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. Marcos, the son of longtime Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who was ousted in a popular uprising in 1986, was elected in a landslide last month, alarming human rights activists and pro-democracy groups. The U.S. appears prepared to work with him, with President Joe Biden being one of the first world leaders to call Marcos and congratulate him on his electoral victory. Following the meeting with Sherman, Marcos' spokesman Victor Rodriguez said the two had discussed the importance of deepening the alliance and friendship between the Philippines and the United States, as well as partnering together in order to strengthen the economy between the two countries. Sherman's trip comes as part of a broader effort to reach out in person to leaders in the region as concern increases over China's push to expand its own influence in a strategically critical area. It includes the South China Sea, where the Philippines and Vietnam, among others, have squared off with China's efforts to dominate the strategic waterway it claims virtually in its entirety. The U.S. and its allies have responded with so-called freedom of navigation patrols, sometimes encountering a pushback from China's military. Australia protested after it said a Chinese fighter jet made dangerous maneuvers around one of its surveillance aircraft and forced it to return to its base last month. Beijing rejected the accusation. Sherman is also making stops in South Korea, Laos and Vietnam. U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet is also in the region, meeting with officials in Thailand, Singapore and Brunei. Story continues The State Department said the two trips highlight American commitment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a 10-member regional bloc known as ASEAN, as well as Washington's bilateral partnerships. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is also a featured speaker on the weekend at the Shangra-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense and security forum. And at the end of May in Japan, Biden launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a new trade deal that so far 12 nations have signed on to. There are several components to our Indo-Pacific strategy, from advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific where we can deal with problems openly and have rules that are transparently and fairly applied, Chollet told The Diplomat online news magazine in an article this week. The second part of the strategy is forging stronger connections within the region and beyond," he said. He said the strategy includes strengthening the U.S.-ASEAN relationship and also working within other groupings, such as the British, Australian and American partnership known as AUKUS and the Quad format involving Australia, India, the U.S. and Japan. China has itself been active in its diplomatic engagement in the region, recently inking a security deal with the Solomon Islands that the U.S., Australia and others worry could give Beijing the opportunity to establish a naval base in the South Pacific. China and Cambodia on Wednesday also broke ground on a port expansion project at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, which the U.S. and others fear could provide Beijing with a strategically important military outpost on the Gulf of Thailand. Following the Solomon Islands deal, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi traveled to multiple other island nations, hoping to sign an ambitious deal with 10 of them covering a broad range of areas including security and fisheries. He couldnt find consensus on that deal but instead signed smaller bilateral agreements. Australia pushed back, sending its own foreign minister to several Pacific island nations on her own diplomatic outreach. Mamie Till Mobley weeps at her son's funeral on Sept. 6, 1955, in Chicago. The mother of Emmett Till insisted that her son's body be displayed in an open casket, forcing the nation to see the brutality directed at blacks in the South at the time. (Associated Press) When Ollie Gordon scrolls through social media and her emails, the notifications always come in like clockwork. The Google alerts she set up for her cousin Emmett Tills name often surge after mass shootings or incidents of Black people like Trayvon Martin or George Floyd being killed. When she reads comments on Instagram or Facebook, the phrase Emmett Till moment is a constant as people turn to social media for solace and community in the aftermath of high-profile violence. Anything that happens, trust me, Emmett's name comes up, Gordon said. We have that moment every day, every time theres a killing, she said, adding that she is unsurprised when people make comparisons to Emmett. Emmett was 14 when he was kidnapped, beaten, shot, lynched and dumped in a river while visiting family in Mississippi in the summer of 1955, after he was accused of whistling at Carolyn Bryant, a white woman. The two white men, one of them Bryants husband, who killed Emmett were acquitted by an all-white jury. Undated photo of Emmett Louis Till, a 14-year-old boy who was kidnapped and murdered in 1955. (Associated Press) Mamie Till Mobley, Emmett's mother, invited Jet magazine to photograph her sons mutilated face during an open casket funeral, where she famously said let the people see what happened to him. The brutal photo, released just as television was becoming popular and long before social media, shocked the nation and fueled the civil rights movement. While Emmetts murder exposed the states inherent violence against Black people, his youth also galvanized widespread outrage. Now, as the nation mourns the Uvalde school shooting, where 19 children and two teachers were killed by a gunman in a classroom last month, some people believe an "Emmett Till moment" could change the course of the country's gun control debate, by illustrating the bloody and deadly impact of firearms. The idea of communities and lawmakers seeing gruesome photos or videos of the dead children has raised questions about whether it might bolster long-awaited traction on gun control measures at state and federal levels. Story continues But opponents of the tactic say it could intensify the trauma of grieving families or fuel misinformation and disinformation campaigns such as when InfoWars founder Alex Jones called the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., a hoax. Gordon, who is also president of the Mamie Till Mobley Foundation, has heard the arguments, but said she doesn't know if showing images of gunned-down children would change peoples minds on gun control. I don't think that opening the casket today, in this time, would have had the same effect that it had 67 years ago, Gordon said. The world can see everything now. It's on social media, it's on international news, so everybody is very aware and can see firsthand what is actually going on. Two years ago, when Gordon first saw the video of Floyd fighting to breathe in Minneapolis, she was unable to escape it because television stations kept replaying the footage of him dying. I had to close my eyes and just turn the channel, and my heart went out for his family that had to be subjected to that every single day on the hour, Gordon said. You can't shield the youth, the young children, from it because they have access to it. ... I think maybe you do become, in order to survive, maybe you do become a little bit desensitized. After the Uvalde shooting, David Boardman, dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University in Philadelphia and former executive editor and senior vice president of The Seattle Times, said this is the time for newsrooms to consider publishing the graphic photos. He said seeing the childrens smiling faces, learning details about them and watching interviews of grieving families have allowed too much distance from "the horrendous reality" of gun violence. I can't imagine that most Americans would look at a photograph ... [of] the damage that an assault weapon does to a child's body, and then not be horrified," he said. "I refuse to believe that people are that desensitized. Boardman said Darnella Frazier's cellphone video of Floyd dying under the knee of a police officer showed the power of actually visually witnessing the reality of police misconduct. And the emotional sacrifice Emmetts mother made to release photos from his funeral not only raised public awareness, but was also a real testament to her courage. Yet Boardman often took a more conservative approach when he was leading a newsroom; he was cautious about retraumatizing victims' families and other victims of violence. Family members place a picture at a memorial outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) If he were in a newsroom today, Boardman said he would be really careful and deliberate by waiting to ask families for such photos, obtaining their permission and having a thorough discussion with them about the potential impacts. As the Uvalde families began burying their slain children, most opted for open caskets, with no visible injuries showing, or adorned the closed caskets custom-made for each shooting victim with photos from their children's lives. "If we're dependent on something as sensitive as viewing the remains of dead children to be better, that in and of itself speaks to I think an absence of sensitivity on the part of society, said Benjamin Saulsberry, public engagement director for the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, a Mississippi organization focused on promoting racial justice and educating people on the history of Emmetts death. It's "admirable" that people look to Mobley's legacy, but given the years since Emmett's photo was released it's easy for people to look at books, shows or other sources without weighing the nuances of her decision, Saulsberry said. He noted it's important for people to not tell families how to mourn or channel their own grief, regardless of the circumstances. We have to be careful not to look at the tragedy that folks have faced in times past and look at how they coped and survived to then say, well, the answer to this is to do what they did," Saulsberry said. Wheeler Parker Jr., Emmett's cousin and the last living eyewitness to his kidnapping, said he agreed with Mobleys decision to release Emmetts photo, but noted that the image did not effect change right away. For decades afterward, he said people believed Emmett "got what he deserved." He said while "we need something done in America to shock or get the fire in our belly about the gun problem hes unsure if releasing graphic photos of the children would be an effective solution, though he wouldnt be opposed to the idea. The problem he said, is "America was founded on violence, and it's hard to get away from that." Parker pointed to visiting Washington, D.C., in March to watch President Biden sign the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, a version of the bill that took more than 100 years and 200 failed attempts for Congress to pass. One thing I learned, you've got to have a lot of patience, Parker said. You got to persevere and you got to have tenacity to get things changed." Shocking people with the release of graphic photos wont necessarily create change, said Mark Barden, whose son Daniel was one of the 20 children killed during the Sandy Hook shooting. Showing the photos may inspire people to commit violent acts based on the grotesque imagery, said Barden, who is co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, an organization focused on preventing violence and training schools and communities about issues like social isolation and suicide prevention. I just think that folks are desperate to try to do something, anything they can to stop this shooting epidemic that we are suffering in this country, and I think they're just trying to grasp at anything that might move the needle, he said. After his son was shot to death, the only time he thought about releasing the photos was when families began lobbying the state Legislature to shield the pictures from the public record. In 2015, then Connecticut Gov. Daniel P. Malloy signed a bill exempting photographs, film, video and other images of homicide victims from being part of public records law. I can't risk the toll of the lifelong damage that could possibly represent for everyone, but first especially for my personal family and for Daniels siblings, he said. I just feel like, if anyone did release photographic evidence like that, would we still be saying if that didn't do it, what will? When considering how Emmetts name has been connected to what happened to the Uvalde shooting victims, its important to emphasize how his mother came to the decision, said Dr. Denese Shervington , chair of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Willowbrook. She said Emmett being mentioned is unsurprising because Mobleys willingness to allow people to see her grief and how her son died has stayed with people over decades. Shervington said releasing images of violence may harm children's mental health, causing potential sleeplessness, anxiousness, depression or becoming withdrawn. But if any shooting victims families make a decision like Mobleys, people should not necessarily look away, she said. In this case, part of people taking care of themselves is emotionally feeling the impact of mass shootings and letting that emotion take us to where we need to go. There's a lot of avoidance of feelings in this culture; we just move on, we don't hang in our pain, we take drugs to relieve it, we never really sit with suffering, Shervington said. Maybe this is a time for us, collectively, to see this as a collective trauma in our culture, and to sit with the pain of it, and then let that pain work through us and move us into action. Gordon who then lived in the same house with her family, Emmett and Mobley was 7 years old when Emmett died. It was her familys first experience with death. Her parents and Mobley shielded her from what was going on, even though she knew something bad had happened to Emmett, she said. She wasnt allowed to go to his funeral. We were already frightened and thinking that the white people was gonna come and get us and kill us, Gordon recalled. We were children; we didn't really understand the dynamics of it but as we got older, we started to relate and understand. Gordon did not see the image of Emmetts battered face until she was in eighth grade and remembers it now as grotesque and disturbing. She happened to see it while trying to give a school report and broke down sobbing in class. Shes glad Mobley allowed the photos of him to be released, because it helped more people to understand the violence Black people were facing and to join the fight for civil rights. But Gordon says the image of Emmett's face still weighs on her. It did have a devastating effect on me, Gordon admits. Even now, when I see things and hear things, it still brings tears to my eyes. For the record: 9:32 p.m. June 9, 2022: An earlier version of this article said Mamie Till Mobley recalled being frightened. It was Ollie Gordon who recalled being frightened. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they push barricades to storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C on Jan. 6, 2021. (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) The world witnessed the stunning Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol through live news reports and social media videos, which chronicled the unprecedented attack on American democracy. After a yearlong investigation including dozens of subpoenas and nearly 1,000 interviews the House select committee will reveal its findings through a series of televised hearings, starting Thursday. Advertisement We need to see this as an effort by our political leaders to have a conversation about what is threatening our democracy, and to have it as a national conversation, said University of Chicago political science professor Robert Pape, director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats. His research team has found that the insurrectionist movement in the United States is far more prevalent and dangerous than anticipated, with volatile ideas moving out of fringe corners and into the mainstream often propelled by politicians and media figures who have been incentivized to spread these messages. Advertisement Its shockingly disturbing, he said. Pape estimated that around 18 million to 21 million Americans harbor the radical sentiments that Joe Biden is an illegitimate president and that use of force is justified to restore Donald Trump to the presidency, based on a series of surveys executed by NORC at the University of Chicago. About 3 million of the respondents with those viewpoints reported taking part in a protest in the last year, he said, indicating they are taking political action. To Pape, its critical that the hearings be televised for a broad audience and that the public pays attention. There is a tremendous amount of new information that is coming, he said. If we do not have mainstream, prime-time coverage of the issue, were not doing enough to really deal with the fact that these ideas are in the mainstream. Here are five things to know about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and the upcoming hearings: 1. The hearings are expected to air live on major television networks with the exception of Fox News. The first hearing is scheduled to go live at 7 p.m. Central time on Thursday and will air primetime on most major television networks. One exception is Fox News, whose prime-time programs will cover the hearings as news warrants, according to the media companys news release. Advertisement Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger one of two Republicans on the House select committee thats investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection called out Fox News on Twitter for not airing the full hearings live like other networks. If you work for @FoxNews and want to maintain your credibility as a journalist, now is a good time to speak out, or quit, he wrote. Enough is enough. The committee is also planning to livestream it on C-SPAN as well as its YouTube page. The series of about a half-dozen hearings are expected to be complete by the end of June. 2. New details about the insurrection are expected. The committee has said it will present previously unseen material documenting the Jan. 6 attack, calling it a coordinated, multistep effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement While the panel has not announced who is expected to testify, The Associated Press said it has been able to independently verify that witnesses will include British filmmaker Nick Quested, who recorded members of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group as they stormed the Capitol building, as well as Caroline Edwards, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who was seriously injured in the attack. 3. The U.S. Capitol breach has local ties. At least 30 Illinois residents have been charged so far in the Capitol breach, an ongoing investigation that prosecutors have called the largest criminal probe in the nations history. A Chicago police officer was arrested in June 2021 for allegedly breaking into a Democratic senators office with the horde that stormed the building; he later texted a friend saying that hed knocked out a commie, according to the federal criminal complaint. A selfie appeared to show him in the senators office, smiling and wearing a hoodie bearing the Chicago Police Department logo, according to court records. Most local cases have involved simple trespassing and disorderly conduct. But 24-year-old James Robert Elliott of Aurora was charged in December with felony counts alleging assaulted officers with a flagpole while on the Capitol grounds illegally; Elliot has pleaded not guilty and the case is pending. 4. Many individuals arrested in the Capitol breach have been surprisingly ordinary, more like the average voter than fringe extremists. Pape, the University of Chicago political scientist, published an analysis of hundreds of people charged in the incursion, and found the variety of the Illinois defendants tended to match the national profile. He told the Tribune in January that the those arrested often more closely resembled the average voter as opposed to violent, right-wing extremists. Advertisement It shows us that this is not part of the fringe this is part of mainstream America, he had said. Across the country, more than 800 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitol breach, including more than 250 people charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the U.S. Justice Department. 5. While some have compared the Jan. 6 hearings to the Watergate hearings of 1973, others caution that politics and the media are entirely different today. For months in 1973, television networks aired the full, unedited Watergate hearings. The Watergate scandal ultimately prompted President Richard Nixon to resign. A Gallup poll indicated that 71% of Americans watched some of the hearings on television; after the hearings, the presidents approval rating plummeted. But Jill Wine-Banks, who served as assistant Watergate special prosecutor for the obstruction of justice trial against Nixons top aides, said the political and media landscape are quite different today. There was bipartisan support for the Watergate hearings, and different media outlets presented the same set of facts about the scandal, she said. Advertisement It was also a time where justice prevailed and democracy prevailed, said Wine-Banks, an MSNBC legal analyst who lives in the Chicago area. Shes worried politics has become too partisan today and that the array of unchecked social media sites and prevalence of fake news can make it hard for the public to discern fact from fiction. Were in a world of alternative reality, she said. She also criticized Foxs decision to not air the hearings during prime time. This is news whether you like the outcome or not, she said. You have to worry about democracy if people cant get the news and judge for themselves. The Associated Press contributed. Advertisement eleventis@chicagotribune.com In Section 34, at the center of a green oasis on the south side of Arlington National Cemetery, about 50 men and women gathered around a stone slab with six names on it. Many sought shelter on chairs in the shade and others wavered, rocking on sea legs and canes, in the June heat. The survivors of the attack on the USS Liberty -- an event that happened 55 years ago -- snapped salutes as the president of the USS Liberty Veterans Association, Larry L. Bowen, began a remembrance ceremony Wednesday. Israeli munitions ripped through the Belmont-class research ship with strafing fire, napalm and torpedoes as it patrolled Mediterranean waters performing signal intelligence -- "spy" -- missions during the 1967 Six-Day War between Israel and a coalition of Arab countries. Read Next: Two Years Later, Guardsmen Finally Receive Purple Hearts for Brain Injuries Suffered in Iran Missile Strike "Heroism was the order of the day, and every man who could help, stepped up to help," said Bowen. The attack, which left 34 Americans dead and 174 others injured -- two-thirds of the crew in total, according to a press release organized by the Liberty Veterans Association -- has been veiled in controversy since it happened, with survivors, and even some former senior intelligence officials, pointing to a deliberate bombardment by Israel and a subsequent U.S. dismissal of the event to pardon its ally. "For 55 years, we've tried to honor the crew, with little to no support from our government, just like the lack of support we received when we were under attack," Bowen continued from the podium. "Our government has tried to cover the entire attack up as a mere accident. Nothing could be further from the truth." The story of the USS Liberty has teetered on the border of erasure and notoriety for decades. The ship had one of the most highly decorated naval crews in U.S. history, earning one Medal of Honor for the ship's commander, Capt. William L. McGonagle, and hundreds of other commendations from the attack. Yet even after the mid-2000s, when the National Security Agency declassified bits and pieces of the event, some of which contradicted previous official accounts of the attack, the ship's history is still inconvenient for the U.S government, according to the ship's survivors. Story continues Joe Meadors, a Liberty survivor and Navy signalman, was barely in his twenties during the attack. Now, in his 70s, he says he remembers that afternoon clearly. "I was up on the signal bridges," he said. "Watching the first attacking aircraft and their wings light up with machine guns, side by side. I'll never forget." He remembers the reconnaissance flights earlier in the morning and says that a "spy" on board told him "not to worry about it," the Israelis were reporting that they had identified the ship as American. "Some of them were low enough that we could wave to the pilots, and then the deck plating would rattle," he said. Throughout the ceremony, between the speakers and murmurs within the crowd, the discontent with the alleged cover-up and lack of recognition by the U.S. government was palpable. "Parents deserve to know the truth, Americans deserve to know the truth about what happened," said Meadors. "We're fed up with it." The Attack In the early hours of June 8, 1967, an Israeli aircraft took off on a routine reconnaissance patrol over the Mediterranean, according to a review of the incident conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces. The plane identified a ship 70 miles west of Gaza, but could not determine its country of origin. Somewhere ashore, an Israeli intelligence officer marked the ship's location with a red flag on a map board, indicating it could not be identified clearly. As unknown aircraft circled, the Liberty sat exposed in the open sea. The ship contacted command, relaying that the crew intended to destroy sensitive documents aboard to prevent their capture. Eighteen minutes after the Liberty was first seen, the Israeli aircraft identified it as a U.S. Navy ship, yet the marker remained red on the board of Israel's Central Coastal Command until 9 a.m. when it was switched to green, indicating the ship was indeed "neutral." But as Syrians battered Israel's front lines and Egyptian submarines prowled the sea, the green marker, according to the Israelis, became an afterthought. By the evening of June 8, the Liberty -- which was armed with only a handful of .50-caliber machine guns -- was nearly sunk. A barrage of torpedoes slammed into the ship's hull as Israeli aircraft dropped napalm and strafed her deck repeatedly. The attack lasted two hours, according to Bowen. Dozens of Americans were dead, and the questions of why and how hung over the survivors, and public and defense officials in the wake of the attack and the brief war. Barely 20 days later, the Navy said it had an answer to what had happened or, rather, a partial one: The Liberty was doing its duty, the attack was unprovoked, Israel had "ample time" to identify the ship, but the U.S. could not identify the reason for the attack, according to a 1967 Department of Defense press release. The U.S. government has never publicly blamed Israel for anything other than an accident. The Liberty's survivors say that Israel had to have known that the vessel was American -- flying an American flag -- and the attack was made without warning or justification. Frank Spicher, a 56-year-old Maryland resident, was at Arlington on Wednesday in remembrance of his father, Petty Officer 2nd Class John C. Spicher, a Navy postal clerk who was killed during the attack. Though the younger Spicher was approaching two years old at the time of the attack, he says his first memory was of burying his father at Arlington; he was on his grandfather's shoulders, his small head sliding under the canopy that protected the ceremony from the rain that day. "For 10 or 12 years, the last thing that I heard when I fell asleep at night was this crack, and I had no idea what it was," he said. "Years went by before I realized, when I had seen it on TV on Memorial Day, it was actually a 21-gun salute somewhere in the cemetery." "That is what my memory is," he added. Spicher recounted coming to the reunion almost every time it had occurred over the years, speaking with survivors who knew his father who told him that the elder Spicher bravely tried to put out napalm fires as strafing fire continued to pepper the deck. He said that as his father ducked under a bulkhead, a rocket hit the door, fatally wounding him. Other survivors tried to save John Spicher, conducting CPR and even performing a tracheotomy, not realizing the deadliest wounds were on his back. "To those guys that were there, I am a bit of a trigger," he said. "It's hard for me to be here because I realize I look too much like my dad to them," adding that he named his daughter Liberty to keep his father's memory alive. In 2005, the USS Liberty Veterans Association submitted a report to the DoD asking for a formal investigation, unsatisfied by the Navy's 1967 inquiry. The report, summarized by the survivors, in part said that their radios were jammed, preventing distress frequencies from reaching superiors; the Israeli aircraft attacking the Liberty were unmarked; and the planes deliberately strafed their life rafts, anticipating that the sailors would abandon ship. "We the surviving crew members will not let the cover up continue as long as we live," said Bowen. -- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence. Related: Ingalls Christens its 10th Legend-Class National Security Cutter Two West Des Moines Republicans are just 25 votes apart in an Iowa Senate primary and the trailing candidate has not yet conceded. Senate District 16 candidate Bradley D. Price leads his opponent, Shad Clayton, by a margin of 0.8 percentage points with all precincts reporting. Those results will be unofficial until they are finalized in the canvass. Polk County will holds its county canvass on Tuesday. Bradley Price Price, a former federal prosecutor who now runs his own Des Moines law practice, said he sees himself as the winner in the race, although he's preparing for the possibility of a recount. "We both garnered significant support," he said. "I think it speaks well of engagement. It makes me grateful for the outpouring of support from the voters that we did receive." Clayton, a financial adviser and Iowa Army National Guard veteran, said he's not counting himself out yet and believes some provisional ballots remain to be counted. But he said he knows it will likely be difficult to make up the rest of the votes. In all, 3,132 votes have been counted in the race. "The likelihood of 25 votes showing up in my favor I mean, I'm not holding my breath for that. But we just don't know what's going to happen," he said. "At this point in time, I just feel like I'm looking at it like all the results just aren't in." Shad Clayton More: Voter turnout in Iowa primaries among highest in a dozen years and Republicans led the way The Polk County Auditor's Office did not return a call seeking comment on the race. Iowa Senate District 16 includes Windsor Heights, Clive and part of West Des Moines in Polk County. The winner will face off against incumbent state Sen. Claire Celsi in the Iowa Senate District 16 election in November. Celsi, D-West Des Moines, is seeking a second term in the state Senate. The county canvass of votes will be Tuesday, and candidates can request a recount up to three days after the canvass. Candidates can request a recount with no charge if they are within 50 votes of the winner, or within 1% of the total number of votes cast, whichever is larger. Story continues Clayton said it's too early to discuss whether he would request a recount. But he said he trusts the work Polk County officials are doing and doesn't believe it would be justified unless some abnormalities surface. "We just don't know enough," he said. Price said he isn't concerned about the outcome of a recount. "I haven't heard any evidence of any sort of irregularities or anything like that on primary day," he said. "I expect a recount to confirm our victory." The race isn't the only Des Moines metro contest whose result remains up in the air after Tuesday night. In the redrawn Iowa House District 46, a party nominating convention will decide who runs on the Republican ticket after none of the five Republicans met the threshold of at least 35% of the vote. Related: Here's who's running for the Iowa House and Senate in the Des Moines metro Election results: See Iowa primary election results across the state Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter. Ian Richardson covers the Iowa Statehouse for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at irichardson@registermedia.com, at 515-284-8254, or on Twitter at @DMRIanR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: West Des Moines Senate primary leaves GOP candidates 25 votes apart Jun. 8The sight was both beautiful and sad. In late February, David and Felicia Lee and their four children were hosting a family for a day in Brasov, Romania. This was nothing new. As missionaries for Faith Global Missions, the 2000 Western Reserve graduate and his family moved to Braov 13 years ago to work with street children. They've assisted hundreds of foster children and adoptive families to connect with each other. But on this particular evening, the Lees were hosting a family that was just passing through for unfortunate reasons. "They were a family with a baby that was six days old," David Lee said. "Born a little premature in the early days of the war. There was a lot of stress from leaving." On May 24, Russia's invasion of Ukraine reached the 90-day mark. Romania borders Ukraine to the southwest by land. The land-locked Republic of Moldova is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, both of which are bordered by the Black Sea. Those geopolitical boundaries have led to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing their country for safety in Romania. And it's the faces of families, more so than the war's physical destruction, that has made a profound impact on Lee. The family with the less-than-week-old baby was emblematic of both the beauty of life and the fallout of war so much of which the Lees have seen in just 115 days. "One of the first that stayed with us was a family of 12," he said. "You could see in their faces the fragile state they were in, not knowing what to do or what the future holds." The father of the family was milking cows on their large farm at about 4 a.m. on Feb. 24 near Odesa when the invasion began. "He heard the planes and could see the flashes of lights in the distance and knew what it was," Lee said. "He went in the house and told everyone to pack up because they were leaving." The man finished his chores, made sure his animals were taken care of and then the family headed toward Romania. Story continues "He had two young sons, and he didn't want them to get involved in the fight," Lee said. "When he was here, he wanted to show me pictures of his farm." The photo collection included all the family's beehives along with videos of him and his boys working in the fields. The youngest children were close by eating honey and laughing. "At that point, I started crying ... because he's never going to get that again, you know?" Lee said. "He's never going to build that up again, most likely. "A lot of these people don't want to leave Ukraine," he added. "They want to remain, but it's not safe. A lot of men are also staying and choosing to fight. Families are being uprooted and separated. That's the most tragic thing I've seen out of this." The impact of refugees in the early days of the war led Lee down a different path. On May 28, he made his sixth trip from Romania into Ukraine to deliver relief supplies for those who stayed to fight. Ferrying gas masks, bandages, generators and tourniquets among the many items, Lee has traveled to Odesa and other places near the siege. He was in Odesa on the same day Russian troops fired seven missiles on the port city in an effort to disrupt supply lines and weapons shipments. Ukrainian towns are a long, long way from growing up on Peru-Olena Road, just south of Norwalk. "The only time that I was really at risk was that trip to Odesa and I was," Lee said. "Statistically, the bigger risk is probably the long drive. I didn't see the smoke or fire, but the sirens were going off. "We hurried from there, so we didn't have to shelter. Because if you do that, you could be there a long time. We wanted to get in and get out. The doctor I handed items to said they were going to eight surgeons, so it was worth it. We got them a lot of good stuff on that trip." During his Odesa stop, Lee was at a military base and talking to a commander when they all saw a missile flying. "The commander stopped and asked another soldier if it was one of theirs," Lee said. "Then a guy took off running toward a building. Then a door opens up and he comes out with his hands up to calm down and confirm it was one of their own missiles. Then the commander just went back to our conversation." Well aware his life is potentially at risk, Lee left a small note before that particular trip to his wife, twin boys Mark and Seth, age 13, and daughters Olivia, 9, and Abigail, 3. Just in case. "It was just a small message to say don't live your life wondering what would I say or do," he said. "You have everything you need, live your life and be happy, and know I'm proud of you." Early beginnings At Western Reserve, Lee was class president. After graduation, he was interested in traveling and found a theological school, Word of Life Bible Institute, in Hungary. During his studies there, many of his classmates and friends were Romanians. He eventually moved to Romania, where he met Felicia and saw many street children. "This was back in 2002, and when I was at the train station, it was full of runaway kids," Lee said. "We originally hoped to build a boys' farm for street children, but then we pivoted to foster care and adoption." David and Felicia first lived in the capital, Bucharest, before settling in Brasov, which is in mountainous central Romania and relatively convenient for those who want to adopt a child through the Lees. The couple has a website, romaniankids.org. They assist in many ways, including training state-employed foster parents, couples counseling, support groups for adopted children, therapy and tutoring, as well as a large camp for adoptive families. According to the website, through its counseling, training and support, the Lee family has helped more than 275 adoptive families and counting. But in February, the mission of the nonprofit shifted. New direction In early February, an American family came to live with the Lees. Todd Gallagher and his wife, Vera, also have nearby roots. Todd grew up near Pittsburgh and went to Ohio State University. The couple was living in Vinnytsya, in west-central Ukraine, when the U.S. embassy strongly recommended they leave. Before the Gallaghers left, they bought pallets of food and stored them in their basement. When the artillery shelling began on Feb. 24, people from Todd's missionary church were injured. The Russians had bombed a military base near their house and church. "All these people with cuts and scrapes just started walking toward Todd's house," Lee said. "It was kind of like the meeting point, even though Todd wasn't there. There were 29 people sleeping in his house for the first week. "So with them here with us at the time, it was a no-brainer to get involved." They began by getting relief supplies to immediate friends of the Gallagher family in Vinnytsya. Then their efforts expanded to help for the military. "One of Todd's friends, the bombings happened on a Thursday (and) by Saturday he was signed up. They gave him a rifle, a few hours of instruction and he was out patrolling," Lee said. "By the following Tuesday, he and others were in a firefight with Russian soldiers." Lee said Vinnytsya hasn't had a lot of heavy fighting. The city's TV transmission towers, airstrips and airports have been hit by artillery shells. "But the people who lived near those places have tried to move out to the countryside or leave," Lee said. "Quite a few have left." On June 1, the United Nations reported that an estimated 14-plus million people have fled their homes since the invasion began. At least 6 million have fled to neighboring countries with an estimated 587,219 in Romania. A total of 283,475 have since returned to Ukraine, according to U.N. data. Through Lee's website and other connections, he and Gallagher, with others, have filled semi-truck trailers full of relief aid. In addition to gas masks, bandages, generators and tourniquets, they've gathered and transported stretchers, protective gear, diapers, t-shirts, pillows, sheets and blankets and sheets. To help prepare and serve the tons of food, meat slicers, grinders, silverware and other kitchen essentials have also been sent. Looking ahead With no end in sight for the war, Lee anticipates many more trips to Ukraine. The general mood in Romania has improved from the initial shock and fear of the war's first few weeks, he noted. "It's calmed down, but originally, the reaction to the attacks was much like 9/11 in America," he said. "It was a breaking of, 'OK, it can happen here.' It was a realization that we have not moved on from the period of war." Lee said the first month was stressful, with very little sleep as the family put together to-go bags of essentials. They also printed maps to be able to get to two different locations, either south to Bulgaria or west to Hungary. "But just like anything else, you get used to things," he said. "But as far as fear here, the biggest thing is they don't want it to expand." Romania is part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which includes most of Europe. If NATO takes further steps beyond its current aid and sanctions efforts, then Romania is involved. "I don't know if Russia would do the same thing here as far as attempting to bomb right away, but we do live between an airport and a military base," Lee said. "So if anything would happen, we're not far from potential targets." During the last three-plus months, Romanians have really stepped up, which is positive and helpful, Lee said. Historically, Romania has been on the receiving end of relief aid. "This is the first time I've really seen us giving aid to this scale," he said. "We parked a semi-truck at a mall and people filled it up with things they bought and donated, and we sent it. Seeing Romanians giving up their houses, letting people stay in extra rooms, donating food and money, that's been a good thing. "Seeing the camaraderie and shoulder-to-shoulder feeling ... the lives of 40 million have been turned upside down because of the sins of a few," Lee added. "The Russians have been the big, bad bully in this part of the world for a hundred years. People here, they are definitely for the Ukrainians." In Ohio, Lee's father, Brad, still lives in Fitchville; his brother, Dennis, lives in Dublin and his sister, Danielle, lives in the Akron-Canton area. He also has three uncles and many cousins living in the Norwalk area. But on Memorial Day, David Lee spent the U.S. holiday more meaningful to him, given the circumstances driving back from yet another trip to Ukraine, this time to Vinnytsya. Asked why he's risked driving there, now a half-dozen times and counting, he said it's a question with many layers. "We live in a fallen world with suffering," Lee said. "Love is what matters. Life is much more. It's going to sound cliche, but you can walk away from everything. You can die or lose your family members. "But as you consider death and frailty, it's not even the physical presence or well-being. It's the love that you have for others that is the most important thing." A wave of mass shootings has shaken the country in recent weeks. One in particular the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which left 19 children and two teachers dead became one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history and has sparked an increase in calls for stricter gun control measures across the country. As was the case in many other high-profile mass shootings in recent U.S. history, such as the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the 2017 Sutherland Springs, Texas, church shooting and the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., the Uvalde gunman used an AR-15-style rifle to carry out the crime. An AR-15 or similar rifles are semiautomatic, military-style weapons that can fire at least 30 rounds, the number of bullets a magazine typically carries, according to NPR. The term semiautomatic means that the shooter must pull the trigger to fire each shot, as opposed to an automatic weapon, which continues to fire for as long as the shooter holds down the trigger. Fully automatic weapons were heavily restricted for civilians in the United States in 1986, when Congress passed the Firearm Owners Protection Act. But AR-15-style rifles, which are easily accessible in many parts of the country, can be just as destructive. This is a gun whose purpose it is to shoot a lot of high-caliber bullets very, very quickly and do a lot of damage," Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, said on MSNBC earlier this month. Dr. Bindi Naik-Mathuria, a pediatric trauma surgeon at Baylor College of Medicine, told Yahoo News that injuries from this type of weapon are almost unsurvivable, essentially, because of the significant damage the bullets cause to the victims. How wounds from an AR-15-style rifle compare to wounds from handguns Naik-Mathuria, who is also a fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, told Yahoo News that some of her colleagues treated patients of the Uvalde school shooting, but that few of the victims survived. They received very few patients, because unfortunately, this is what happens with assault weapons, she said. Story continues She explained that the blast effect, or the cavitation effect that a handgun shot causes is not as wide and devastating to internal organs as the one inflicted by high-velocity weapons such as the AR-15 and similar rifles. When you see handguns, you often just see a little hole on the outside on both sides; shotguns, which are a little bit higher velocity, a little bit bigger. But assault weapons, it's much bigger, she said, adding that as a bullet from this type of weapon penetrates the body, it typically creates a large cavity that can cause significant bleeding from vessels and completely destroy soft tissue, as well as organs. The organs, for example, like the liver or the spleen, that aren't very elastic, they can't handle that. They would basically rupture, Naik-Mathuria said. She added that the reason the AR-15 is so deadly is that victims are hit by more than one bullet, with multiple injuries at a time. A Stag Arms AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Children are less likely to survive AR-15 wounds The leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 19 in the U.S. is gun violence, according to a recent New England Journal of Medicine report, which analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Naik-Mathuria says that treating and saving anyone from AR-15 wounds is difficult, but that for children, the chance of surviving these injuries is slim. One reason is that victims of AR-15-style rifles lose large amounts of blood very quickly, and children, she says, don't have as much blood in their bodies as adults. Children have half the blood volume that adults do, the Baylor surgeon told Yahoo News. So you can imagine that the amount of blood that they lose, for that to stop their hearts, is a lot faster than it would be for an adult. Chances of survival for both adults and children also depend on the location of the wounds. Naik-Mathuria says that if the bullets hit extremities like the arms or the legs, theres a higher chance of survival. Again, she says the blood loss children would experience from these injuries, regardless of their location, could be enough to kill them. Why minutes and location matter for injuries from an AR-15 rifle Another challenge in the race to save children from AR-15 rifle injuries is that they require immediate, specialized medical attention. It can't just be any person who sees them. They have to be in a trauma center, a Level I trauma center, where there's massive amounts of blood available and all the equipment that you need, and many surgeons and different techniques that you might need, Naik-Mathuria explained. The U.S. has fewer than 50 pediatric trauma centers, she added, mostly located in urban areas. The time it takes to transport victims of these injuries to the hospital can make the difference between life and death. I wish as surgeons, we could just wave a magic wand, and those injuries would just be solved, but it's very, very complicated. They have to be in the right place at the right time and be injured in the right location, essentially in order [for us] to save them, Naik-Mathuria said. Wooden crosses at a memorial to the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) What recovery looks like for those who survive AR-15 injuries The road to recovery for those who survive injuries from an AR-15-style weapon is long, and many survivors spend several months in intensive care, according to the surgeon. I had a child, a 4-year-old with a handgun injury that was in the hospital for seven months recovering. So imagine something five times the size, Naik-Mathuria said. Quite apart from the physical injuries, these patients and their families have to face the psychological trauma. Many U.S. hospitals have teams of crisis counselors and social workers available to help gunshot victims the moment they are out of the intensive care unit. Doctors call for action to reduce gun violence Naik-Mathuria is one of many doctors in the nation taking part in a social media movement that uses the hashtag #ThisIsOurLane to demand action to reduce gun violence. The hashtag was created in 2018 in response to an NRA tweet that read, Someone should tell self-important anti-gun doctors to stay in their lane, after several reports on gun violence were published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Most of the articles called for policies to reduce the rate of firearm injuries and deaths in the country. The social media campaign was also created in the wake of two mass shootings: one at a California bar that year that ended in 12 deaths and another at a Pittsburgh synagogue, where 11 people were killed. It recently resurfaced after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. We take care of these patients. We operate on them. We have a very close bond with them. We take care of their families, Naik-Mathuria said, adding that doctors feel responsible for these patients. She also said that gun violence is a public health problem that needs to be addressed immediately. There is no place for assault-style weapons, high-velocity weapons, in civilian life. I really believe that and think most people in my society and most surgeons believe that trauma surgeons especially, because we just know how destructive they are, she said. A woman is accused of dumping and hiding a mans body behind a hospital after promising his family shed bring him inside, police in western New York said. The 44-year-old man was having a medical emergency before he was abandoned behind Geneva General Hospital in a gravel parking lot the morning of June 5, according to a June 9 news release from the City of Geneva Police Department. The man, Keith Morlang, of Waterloo, was found dead several hours later, and police are calling his death suspicious because of the placement and location of the body, the release said. Kiara E. Scott, 21, of Geneva, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and concealment of a human corpse in connection with Morlangs death, according to police. She was arrested on June 8. Police said they are searching for another woman, Lacrita Verstraete, whom they named as an additional suspect. On the morning of June 5, Scott and others told Morlangs family they were driving him to the hospital for treatment, according to the release. After Morlang was dumped in the parking lot, the individuals concealed the body, so (he) would not be found, police said. More charges in this case are pending. Geneva is roughly 195 miles west of Albany. Three men seen dumping 62-year-olds body near open desert, California sheriff says Body of woman missing for 4 years found at her home, Colorado cops say. Son arrested Body found in backseat after officers extinguish burning van, Georgia police say Swimmers pull unresponsive man to Jersey Shore beach before he dies, police say Holly Marie Clouse is seen as an adult holding a photo of her parents and herself as an infant. (Photo: Attorney General of Texas) Holly Marie Clouse is seen as an adult holding a photo of her parents and herself as an infant. (Photo: Attorney General of Texas) A 42-year-old woman has been identified as the missing baby of a Florida couple that was found murdered in a wooded area of Texas in 1981. Authorities made the discovery after reopening the cold case and examining the couples suspected ties to a religious group. Holly Marie Clouses stunning recovery, announced this week by the Texas attorney generals office, comes less than a year after human remains found in Houston were positively identified as her missing parents, Tina Gail Linn Clouse, 18, and Harold Dean Clouse Jr., 22. Their identities could not be identified at that time. What law enforcement did know is that they were likely murdered, Brent Webster, Texas first assistant attorney general, said at a news conference Thursday. The family of Harold Dean Clouse and his wife, Tina Gail Linn, pray and embrace at their gravesite in Harris County, Texas, in March after the couple's remains, which were found in 1981, were positively identified late last year. (Photo: Associated Press) The family of Harold Dean Clouse and his wife, Tina Gail Linn, pray and embrace at their gravesite in Harris County, Texas, in March after the couple's remains, which were found in 1981, were positively identified late last year. (Photo: Associated Press) Holly, as an infant, had been with the couple at the time of their disappearance, authorities said, but her remains were not found with them. Though their bodies discovery brought some closure for the family, plenty of questions remained unanswered. Finding Holly is a birthday present from heaven since we found her on Juniors birthday, Harold Clouses mother, Donna Casasanta, said in a statement Tuesday. I prayed for more than 40 years for answers, and the Lord has revealed some of it... we have found Holly. Authorities on Thursday revealed few details about what may have happened to Holly in the years after her parents murder, though they said she was notified Tuesday of her identity and that work is now underway to physically reconnect her with her extended biological family. The Houston Chronicle reported that she has been living in Oklahoma, is married and has five children and two infant grandchildren. Story continues What is known, Webster said, is that she was abandoned at a church in Arizona as a baby and taken in by a family who are not suspects in her parents murder. Donna Casasanta with a painting showing her late son, Harold Dean Clouse, with his wife, Tina Gail Linn, and their daughter, Holly Marie Clouse, at Casasanta's Florida home in January. (Photo: Associated Press) Donna Casasanta with a painting showing her late son, Harold Dean Clouse, with his wife, Tina Gail Linn, and their daughter, Holly Marie Clouse, at Casasanta's Florida home in January. (Photo: Associated Press) Two women who identified themselves as members of a nomadic religious group, who were barefoot and wearing white robes, left her at the church. They said their religion believed in the separation of male and female members, embraced vegetarian habits and didnt use leather goods, and that they had abandoned another baby previously at a laundromat, Webster said. This religious group is believed to have traveled around the Southwest, including Arizona, California and possibly Texas, with their members seen around various locations asking for food in the 1980s, he said. Around the suspected time of the couples death, in late 1979 or early 1980, Webster said their families received a call from a woman identifying herself as Sister Susan from Los Angeles who said she wanted to return the couples car to their family. The woman said the couple had joined a religious group, were giving up all of their possessions and no longer wanted contact with their families. The woman offered to return the car to Florida in exchange for money, which the Clouse families agreed to, all while contacting local authorities at the same time. They agreed to meet at the Daytona race track in Daytona, Florida. There, two to three women, and possibly a male, showed up wearing robes and in possession of the couples 1978 red burgundy AMC Concord. The robed individuals are believed to have been taken into custody by local authorities, but not much is known about this since a copy of the police report has yet to be found, Webster said. Given the age of this case, that is common. Were still on the hunt for that police report, Webster said. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Texas Attorney Generals Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit at coldcaseunit@oag.texas.gov or by calling (512) 936-0742. We need to find pieces of the puzzle to solve this crime, Webster said. The Texas AGs Office Cold Case Unit and the law enforcement agencies that work with us are committed to bringing justice in this case. We wish Holly the best. Were grateful that weve found her, but we must continue with our purpose of finding who murdered this couple. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Lynchburg City Schools announced the hiring of three new employees and one promotion in an administrative role for the school system. The school board approved Karen Capozzi as chief financial officer, Reid Wodicka as deputy superintendent for operations and strategic planning, Samuel Coleman as chief academic officer and Annitra Leigh as principal of Sandusky Middle School. According to a news release from LCS, Capozzi worked as the business manager for the Berlin Central School District in Berlin, New York. She "established and directed a system of control for budget execution and all financial accounting for the Berlin Central School District," according to the release. The release also says Capozzi brings a professional background that includes business management, human resources practices, financial auditing and budget analysis. She holds a bachelor's in business administration from Campbell University and a master's in business administration with a focus in accounting from Liberty University. Wodicka has served in the city manager's office in recent years, most recently as the deputy city manager for Lynchburg. He also served a stint as interim city manager prior to the hiring of current City Manager Wynter Benda. Wodicka also served as the deputy county administrator for Bedford County, developing the county's first capital improvement plan, according to the release. Benda told The News & Advance, "I am super excited for him in his new role and am glad that we can keep talent in town." Wodicka holds a bachelor's in public policy and administration, as well as a master's in public policy from James Madison University. He has an executive master's of science in cities from The London School of Economics and Political Science, and a doctorate in public policy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Coleman, who will become the new chief academic officer, previously worked as the director of curriculum for the Shorewood School District in Shorewood, Wisconsin, according to LCS. With Shorewood, Coleman "coordinated district-wide instructional strategies and supported the successful implementation of the school district's strategic plan," the release said. His professional qualifications include motivational leadership, public education, organizational leadership and public service, according to the news release. He holds a bachelor's in business management from Cardinal Stritch University, a master's in education counseling from Concordia University of Wisconsin and a master's in education leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin Madison, according to LCS. Leigh will become the new principal at Sandusky Middle after serving as the assistant principal there in recent years, according to the release. "I am elated to continue this journey at Sandusky Middle School," Leigh said in the release. According to LCS, her professional qualifications include instructional leadership, parental engagement, administration and education. She holds a bachelor's degree in English education from Virginia State University, a master's in educational administration and supervision, and an education specialist degree in teaching and learning, along with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Liberty University, according to her bio in the release. These four will start at their new posts at LCS in the near future. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Japanese man was jailed for 20 months on Wednesday for attacking a Thai academic in Japan where he lives in self-exile following his vocal criticism of the military and monarchy. The verdict was confirmed to AFP by the district court in Kyoto, where former diplomat Pavin Chachavalpongpun has lived for the past decade. Tatsuhiko Sato, 43, had last month admitted to breaking into Pavin's home in 2019 and attacking the dissident and another person with tear gas, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK and other local media. Pavin, an associate professor at Kyoto University, said he suspected the attack had been masterminded from Thailand. 'I truly believe that the Thai establishment is behind this because I have no enemies in Japan and have never participated in any political activity on Japanese soil,' the 51-year-old told AFP. 'I am satisfied with the court's verdict... However, the culprits behind this attack will still have to be pursued.' Pavin has published books and other commentaries about the military and monarchy in Thailand, where criticism of the king is considered taboo. He is also an administrator of a Facebook group with more than two million members who discuss the royal family's role in the country, as well as a pro-democracy movement's proposals for reforms. ...continue reading After 25 years and 490 million copies sold worldwide, the beloved Japanese manga One Piece is entering its final chapter, according to its creator Eiichiro Oda. The manga, which follows the adventures of the swashbuckling pirate Monkey D. Luffy, has captivated millions of fans worldwide as its characters hunt for One Piece, the treasure coveted by all pirates. In a tweet, Oda announced he would be taking a month off from his usual publishing pace of one instalment per week, citing various demands, including his work on the last part of the long-running series. A break for me! he wrote in a handwritten announcement posted on the series official Twitter account. I want to rearrange the structure [of the manga] so that I can wrap up the final chapter as soon as possible. Soooo... Forgive me, but I will take a short breather to prepare for it all! ...continue reading Chicago Public Schools said there were some very preliminary discussions earlier this spring about possibly closing the deaf and hard of hearing programming at Chase Elementary School, but now there are no plans to close or phase out this instruction. The comments came as the Chicago Teachers Union rallied Thursday morning to preserve these classrooms. Chicago Public Schools is planning to close this program through the means of phasing it out. Were hearing very confusing and conflicting information about that right now, CTU President Jesse Sharkey said in a news conference outside Chase. Advertisement Last night at 10 oclock, the union got a phone call from the head of Chicago Public Schools labor relations, to say, No, no, its not true that were closing the program. Were just not accepting new students into the program. That is closing the program. CPS said there are 36 programs that serve deaf and hard of hearing students districtwide, including four at Chase. Teacher Colleen McKenna said the 29 Chase students are either in one of four dedicated classrooms or fully integrated into the general education classrooms at the Palmer Square school. Advertisement Chases deaf and hard of hearing programming which serves primary, intermediate and upper-level students began in 2015. CPS said the programs are funded through its central office. The claim that Chases deaf and hard of hearing programming was in jeopardy was raised at last months Chicago Board of Education meeting. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said he would research the issue and get back to the board. A CPS representative said in a statement that officials with the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services reached out to Chase Elementary School on May 25, the day of the board meeting, and assured the schools administration that the (deaf and hard of hearing) program is not in danger of closing. That message has been reiterated in recent days. CTU said it initially heard the programming was on the chopping block because of difficulties transporting the students and needs elsewhere in the city. CPS has been experiencing transportation woes for most of the school year because of a nationwide shortage of bus drivers. In its statement, CPS said: The district has not closed and is not planning to close any (deaf and hard of hearing) program. CPS is investing $68 million more in funding to advance equity and meet the needs of diverse learners across the district in the proposed FY2023 budget. This includes $62 million more for teacher and paraprofessional positions and $6 million more for additional case manager positions. CTU said in a statement Thursday that registration at Chase for new deaf and hard of hearing students closed this spring and has not reopened. CPS said in a statement that its Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services has been manually enrolling students for these programs across the district. A CPS spokesperson could not immediately say Thursday how many new deaf and hard of hearing students have registered at Chase for the coming school year. Parent Tanisha Ward said if any cuts were to happen, it would be heartbreaking. This school, this staff have developed our children in more than one way, Ward said. My son came from a regular school that didnt support his hearing loss, so he fell behind tremendously. He came (to) Chase, and they got him on level. Advertisement tswartz@tribpub.com For the information of the police: One of these will be your first electric car - Walla! vehicle A McHenry County sheriffs deputy was justified in fatally shooting a man who was shooting at him, prosecutors found, though the deputy had evidence of chemicals that sometimes are used for huffing in his blood. The shooting on Jan. 11 in Port Barrington killed Nicholas Sebastian, who had shot his wife, was threatening his children and fired multiple shots toward Deputy Nicholas Arnold, prosecutors stated in a report on their investigation. Advertisement Just after 1 a.m., Arnold and Deputy Travis Bodway responded to a domestic violence report in the 200 block of Manchester Lane in the far northwest suburb, the report stated. When they arrived, Arnold approached the front door, the garage door opened, and Sebastian shot his wife in the leg as she tried to run out of the garage, the investigation found. Sebastian emerged, wearing a bulletproof vest and firing his gun at Arnold. Arnold emptied his guns magazine at Sebastian, killing him. Advertisement Two children were home at the time. In text messages with his wife before the shooting, the 43-year-old Sebastian had threatened to kill the entire family. Testing of Sebastians blood revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.18 grams per deciliter, more than twice the legal limit for driving, plus cocaine, opioids and benzodiazepines, the report stated. The investigation into the shooting was conducted by the McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team, a team of investigators from several law enforcement agencies. Upon completion of that investigation, the McHenry County states attorneys office reviewed the evidence and determined that the shooting was a justified use of deadly force. Both deputies refused to be interviewed as part of the investigation. Neither was wearing body cameras during the shooting, but a police car dashboard camera showed the shooting in poor quality. From a blood draw following the shooting, Deputy Arnold was found to have 1,1-difluoroethane (DFE). DFE is a gas used as a propellant in consumer products like keyboard cleaners and refrigerants. It can also be inhaled for a high, and may be detected in blood for up to 18 hours, the report stated. Side effects include cough, runny nose and congestion. Forensic toxicologists at both Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory and NMS Labs told investigators that the amount of DFE in Arnolds blood was most consistent with intentional use, though police and other witnesses said there were no signs that Arnold was intoxicated at the time of the shooting. We are gravely concerned that Deputy Arnold may have used an intoxicant prior to his shift or while on duty, the report concluded. This matter is subject to an ongoing investigation. Advertisement The sheriffs office issued a statement that it had not received the report and evidence, and could not comment on Arnold, who was placed on administrative leave, as is standard, following the shooting. After a thorough review of all the documentation, once received, this office will make a determination on the next course of action, the release stated. If an internal investigation, or other measures are warranted, we will move forward in that direction. The family of a missing University of Chicago student is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who may have information that would lead to his whereabouts. Diwen Fan, 20, was last seen May 5 and his family has not been able to contact him since, said attorneys John Z. Huang and Yilun Hu, of the Huang & Hu PC law firm. Fans parents, who are in China, hired the lawyers to help look for Fan. Advertisement As long as he will come home safely, it doesnt matter what we have been through or what we have endured, his mother, Qing Cheng, told the Tribune, using Hu as a translator. Fan completed his freshman year at the University of Chicago remotely from China, Hu said. He was finishing his sophomore year at U. of C. this year after moving to Chicago in September for school. Advertisement Video footage shows Fan around 5:15 p.m. on May 5 leaving campus on his bike, wearing a mask and carrying a full backpack, Huang said. After not being able to reach him for a few days, his parents called the dorm he lived in, Hu said. A dorm manager knocked on his door and realized he wasnt there, Hu said. Fan lived alone and is introverted and didnt have many friends in Chicago, Hu said. The family is worried hes experiencing mental health illness, the attorneys said. Diwen Fan, 20, a second-year student at the University of Chicago, has been missing since May 5, 2022. His family is offering a $10,000 reward for information on his disappearance. (Family photo provided by attorney Yilun Hu) (Family photo / HANDOUT) Fans mother described her son as irreplaceable. She has checked his location app and bank information every day since he has been missing, she said. She hasnt heard from him. The family released the following statement along with a flyer the lawyers are helping circulate around the university: Diwen, not everything in the world goes smoothly as we wish, so there is no need to be frustrated by things that are simply not in our control. Your parents know that you had tried your best in school and they really appreciate all the hard work you putted in for yourself and for your family. However, life is more than just being enrolled in a fine institution or accomplishing good grade; perseverance, resilience, and determination are the qualities we cherish. There is not a single task in your life that cannot be resolved, but the key is to always have an optimistic mentality. Everyone you know believes in you and supports you, especially your family and friends. We are all looking forward to your safe return, so please contact us. Advertisement Fans mother said the family has received many phone calls and emails since going public this week with the search for their son, but has not yet been able to verify any leads. The University of Chicago is working with law enforcement and Fans family, and the universitys police department is investigating Fans disappearance, university spokesperson Gerald McSwiggan said in a statement. Our thoughts are with Diwen and his family and we hope for his safe return, McSwiggan said. Huang and Hu also hired a private investigator to look for Fan. They believe he may be somewhere between Kansas and Dallas after they found he may have purchased a Greyhound ticket with a final destination to San Antonio, they said. It appears Fan didnt use the fourth ticket for the last leg of the trip, which would have taken him from Dallas to San Antonio, they said. Huang said their team has been working with a psychiatrist, Dr. Ming Xu, who has noted Fan may have been experiencing depression and culture shock. Advertisement Fan was doing well academically before moving to the U.S., Huang said, adding that the language barrier may have also affected him. He has been in the U.S. lonely, and also has cultural shock. Hes young, Huang said. And before he came to the United States he was growing mentally well. His mother said he likes to read, studies biology and is fascinated by plants and neuroscience. Im desperate to find you, Cheng said. No matter what you experience in life, whether success or not, you are always my son. I always love you. Fan is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 154 pounds, has black hair and was last seen carrying a black backpack with the word EDISON on the back. People with any information about Fans whereabouts should contact Huang & Hu PC at 312-782-2090 or by email to ewei@huang-hu.com. BRICS countries vow to deepen business cooperation Xinhua) 08:13, June 09, 2022 Aerial photo taken on Dec. 17, 2020 shows a panoramic view of the headquarters building of BRICS New Development Bank in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Business representatives from the BRICS countries pledged Wednesday to enhance multilateral cooperation to safeguard the common interests of emerging markets and developing countries. The 2022 annual meeting of the BRICS Business Council was held in Beijing, with about 150 representatives from the council's working groups attending online. A joint statement on building high-quality partnerships among BRICS countries was published at the meeting, calling for efforts to deepen dialogue and enhance cooperation. China has cooperated with all parties to leverage professional and resource advantages and promote economic recovery, said Chen Siqing, chairman of the Chinese chapter of the BRICS Business Council. China will work with business communities among the BRICS countries and adhere to innovation-driven development to enhance growth momentum, Chen added. The BRICS Business Council was established during the fifth BRICS Summit held in 2013 in Durban, South Africa, with the aim of promoting and strengthening business, trade and investment ties among the business communities of the five BRICS countries. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) A toddler was killed in a crash when the bike on which she was a passenger collided with a semitruck in Uptown on Thursday morning, a Chicago Fire Department spokesperson said. The 3-year-old girl was on a carrier seat on the back of a bicycle operated by her mother in the 1100 block of West Leland Avenue when the crash happened with a truck traveling in the same direction, according to Chicago police. Advertisement A toddler was killed in an accident involving a bicycle and semitruck at North Winthrop and West Leland avenues in the Uptown neighborhood on June 9, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) The bicyclist lost control and collided with the trucks cab, according to the police report. The bike then fell to the ground, and the 3-year-old was struck by the truck. Authorities received a call about 8:15 a.m. and took the girl to Luries Children Hospital where she was pronounced dead, authorities said. Advertisement Neither the mother nor the truck driver suffered any injuries. The street the mother and daughter were riding on does not have protected bike lanes, according to the Chicago Department of Transportations bike map. It does have neighborhood greenways, which are residential streets that are optimized for walking and biking by using different techniques to calm traffic, such as pavement markings however, they dont have any physical barriers between bikes and vehicles. tmijares@chicagotribune.com Robert Czernek, former Bloomingdale Township highway commissioner, right, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on June 8, 2022. Czernek testified in the trial of Debra Fazio and Mario Giannini of Bulldog Earth Movers excavation company, that he conspired for years to take kickbacks in exchange for approving contracts for roadwork billed to Bloomingdale Township that in many cases was never performed. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) The former elected highway commissioner for Bloomingdale Township testified in a federal courtroom Wednesday that he conspired for years to take kickbacks from the owner and an employee of an excavation company for work that, in many cases, was never performed. Robert Czernek, 71, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of honest-services wire fraud and agreed to cooperate against the contractors, Mario Giannini and Debra Fazio, in exchange for prosecutors recommending a significant break on his sentence. Advertisement Czernek told jurors at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse that Giannini, who along with Fazio ran Bloomingdale-based Bulldog Earth Movers Inc., first proposed the kickback scheme during a visit to the township quarry a few months after Czernek was appointed as highway commissioner in 2012. He said, We can make some money on this, Czernek testified in U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennellys courtroom. Advertisement Czernek told the jury that over the next eight years, he used his official position to approve more than $700,000 in payments for stone delivery, dump-leveling and storm-sewer invoices submitted by Bulldog Earth Movers. As part of the scheme, the invoices had been artificially inflated by overcharging for the stone and billing for hours of sewer and dump-leveling that was never performed, according to Czernek. He concealed the fraud by leaving handwritten notes for Giannini in various secluded places on Bloomingdale Township Highway Department property, as well as in a barbecue grill at Gianninis home. The notes included a description of the work and number of hours purportedly spent by Bulldog on various projects. Fazio later submitted invoices to the township that repeated Czerneks notes word for word, according to his testimony. One note shown to the jury on Wednesday had been scribbled out on a scratchpad with numbers indicating loads of stone. At the top was the words All you and the number 3,575. At the bottom was another figure, 9,850, with the word Split. That All you meant that (Giannini) would get that $3,575, Czernek testified. He said for the $9,850 figure, split meant that they would each take an equal cut. In order to conceal the extra money from his wife, Czernek told Giannini to have the kickbacks paid by checks written to an old trucking company he owned, Tri-State Express, according to his testimony. Czernek testified the scheme continued almost unabated for his entire time in office. The only exception was 2013, an election year, when it was agreed to pause the kickbacks because Czernek did not want to draw any scrutiny, he said. Advertisement On cross-examination, lawyers for Fazio and Giannini attempted to hammer away at Czerneks credibility, getting him to acknowledge that hed at first tried to deceive investigators about some of his financial transactions. He was also asked repeatedly about what breaks he hoped to get in his own case in exchange for his cooperation. Are you hoping you will avoid prison altogether? Fazios attorney, Heather Winslow, asked at one point. Czernek replied, There are no guarantees. Defense attorneys also questioned Czernek why he held onto his job and six-figure salary for nearly six months after he was indicted in August 2020. Czernek said he was never asked to resign. You were never asked to resign? attorney Susan Pavlow asked. Mr. Czernek, you admitted to defrauding the people of Bloomingdale Township. Certainly the decent thing to do would have been to stop taking a paycheck? I was still working, Czernek said. Advertisement In pleading guilty, Czernek agreed to forfeit assets seized as part of the investigation, including about $28,000 in cash, a 1981 Corvette, a 2014 Lexus RX 350 and a 1966 Buick Wildcat. Fazio and Giannini are each charged with wire fraud. The trial could wrap up this week. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Rosendo Hernandez holds a sign alleging a wrongful conviction linked to Reynaldo Guevara, outside of the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago in 2016. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) For more than two decades, Juan and Rosendo Hernandez have maintained their innocence in the 1997 murder that sent them to prison and identified former Detective Reynaldo Guevara, now the subject of widespread misconduct claims, as the person who framed them. On Wednesday, attorneys for the brothers and Cook County prosecutors each said that the yearslong consistency supports their opposing arguments. Advertisement Prosecutors, hoping to keep the brothers convictions intact, noted that new trials, which the brothers are seeking, should be granted only on the strength of newly discovered evidence. Their allegations of Guevaras malfeasance were made decades ago, and they were convicted in Jorge Gonzalezs murder anyway, Assistant States Attorney Carol Rogala said. The brothers attorneys, however, said their consistency stoutly refutes any claim that they are simply jumping on the bandwagon with a wave of overturned Guevara-related convictions. And more significantly, they said, the judge can consider newly discovered evidence of Guevaras pattern of misconduct, the full extent of which was not clear until long after the brothers trials. Advertisement Former Detective Reynaldo Guevara hides his faces as he leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in 2018 during a trial in a suit accusing him and others of framing a man for murder. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) And Guevara, who has repeatedly invoked his right to remain silent when questioned about the repeated allegations, doesnt deny it, attorney Joshua Tepfer said in closing arguments. So its over and over and over again. The Wednesday arguments were the culmination of a three-day hearing before Judge Joanne Rosado, whom the Hernandez brothers are hoping will grant them a new trial. Rosado, who now must analyze a mountain of old records and transcripts, has not set a date to announce her decision. The brothers were convicted in separate trials for murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery in a Northwest Side shooting that killed Jorge Gonzalez. Rosendo Hernandez was sentenced to a total of 75 years, while Juan was sentenced to 86, according to a court filing for the brothers. Perhaps the most explosive allegation over the course of this weeks hearing came Monday evening. A former federal cooperator, Fred Rock, testified that notoriously corrupt drug-running cop Joseph Miedzianowski had it in for Juan Hernandez because he thought he had stolen drugs from an associate. Miedzianowski told Rock that Guevara was the guy who was going to help him get Hernandez, Rock testified. Both brothers took the witness stand Wednesday and flatly denied any involvement in the shooting, repeating their alibis: Rosendo was at a bowling alley, Juan was at a pizza parlor helping prepare for a quinceanera. Guevara allegedly tweaked those alibis in the reports he wrote after interviewing the brothers, in order to make them less credible. Rosado also viewed part of a deposition Guevara gave in April, in which he invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent dozens of times in just a few minutes even when asked seemingly benign questions like whether or not he knew the Hernandez brothers. Of the multiple eyewitnesses who testified at the brothers trials, only two took the stand again this week. One, Jose Gonzalez, said Wednesday that he was outside on North Mobile Street that night in 1997 when three men came up, two of whom fired shots. He got a good view of the shooters faces, and identified them in photos, in a lineup, and at the Hernandez brothers trials, he said, maintaining that nobody influenced him or told him whom to pick out. Advertisement The Hernandez brothers attorneys insinuated that his identification could not be trusted: the lighting was poor, the situation was brief and highly stressful, and Gonzalez was only 13 years old at the time, they said. While the Hernandez brothers were seated a few yards away from Gonzalez in the small courtroom, neither set of attorneys asked Gonzalez if he could identify anyone in the room as the shooters. The other eyewitness, Daniel Violante, testified this week that he had told police from the start he never saw the shooters faces, and he only identified them at trial because the victims family had said they were the gunmen so he figured they were correct. Prosecutors sought to cast doubt on his credibility, noting that he signed an affidavit recanting his identification in 1998, then later went on to identify the brothers at their trials anyway. In addition, neither Violante nor Gonzalez ever claimed Guevara leaned on them or threatened them to finger a specific suspect, as Guevara has been alleged to do in multiple other cases; prosecutors argued that means the Hernandez brothers case does not fit the same pattern. But Guevara has also been accused of lying on police reports to make suspects alibis seem weaker, as he is alleged to have done in this case, attorneys noted. On Tuesday, attorneys presented testimony about someone they believe to have been an alternate suspect. Advertisement While driving around with his girlfriend in a beat-up van on a summer night in 1997, Nelson Pacheco encountered a friend, a Spanish Cobra gang member, driving a large, boxy car with a busted windshield, Pacheco testified Tuesday. Pacheco said the Spanish Cobra waved at him to follow in his vehicle, then left his car and jumped into Pachecos van. As Pacheco drove away from the area, he testified, the Cobra said he may have killed a rival gang member, and that someone threw a bicycle at his car as he drove away, smashing the windshield. Pacheco said he shushed him because his girlfriend was in the car, and he later dropped the Cobra off near a park. Later, Pacheco testified, he drove past the Cobras car and saw that it had been torched. He was not one to mess with, Pacheco said of his friend. When Jorge Gonzalez was shot and killed, Hector Vazquez was in the vicinity and heard gunshots, he testified on Tuesday. Advertisement I saw a commotion, he said. Things were being thrown at a car. Vazquez testified that he saw someone throw a bicycle at the windshield of a dark-colored boxy car. Vazquez said that he was friends with Gonzalez from the neighborhood. He also testified that he knew the Hernandez brothers from high school, but was not friends with them. In closing arguments Wednesday, prosecutors noted that Vazquez and Pachecos description of the car is inconsistent with the description given by witnesses who saw the car the shooters were in. And while the Hernandez brothers attorneys have spoken extensively about the reason prosecution witnesses memories are unreliable, the same could be argued of Vazquez and Pacheco, prosecutors said. mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com mabuckley@chicagotribune.com The suspended police chief and public works director in southwest suburban Summit both pleaded not guilty Thursday to conspiracy charges alleging they took more than $5,000 in bribes from a bar operator to grease a liquor license transfer in the village and then attempted to cover it up. John Kosmowski, 54, of Lockport, and William Mundy, 59, of Summit, were each charged last month with one count of bribery conspiracy. Advertisement Kosmowski, who earns about $225,000 a year as police chief and has worked for the Summit Police Department for more than 30 years, was also charged with one count each of bribery and obstruction of justice. Mundy, who doubles as a building inspector and earns a $117,000-a-year salary, is also charged with one count of filing a false tax return. Advertisement Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty through their attorneys during a telephone arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth Jantz. According to the village, both men were suspended from their duties on the day the indictment was announced and are on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the case. The indictment alleged Kosmowski and Mundy conspired to accept more than $5,000 from the business owner in 2017 in exchange for helping secure the transfer of a liquor license to another person. According to the charges, Kosmowski received a cash payment from the business owner on March 23, 2017, and then gave Mundy a portion of it. Two months ago, after being made aware of a grand jury investigation into the payment, Kosmowski met with Mundy in nearby Justice to tell him the government would be indicting soon and that it was going to be their version against ours, according to the indictment. During the meeting, Kosmowski tried to persuade Mundy to lie about the payment by saying it was a loan, the indictment stated. While the business owner is not named in the charges, public records and sources confirm he is Mariano Martinez, the clout-heavy owner of several suburban businesses who pleaded guilty in 2019 to selling a kilogram of heroin to a man in a Berwyn laundromat for $50,000. As part of his guilty plea, Martinez admitted to paying bribes to two Summit officials, who at the time were not named in court records. Advertisement The charges are an offshoot of a larger corruption probe that netted indictments of Chicago Ald. Edward Burke and then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval. Sandoval pleaded guilty to separate bribery charges before he died of COVID-19 in December 2020. Martinez, who has ties to a longtime political operative for both Burke and Sandoval, cooperated with prosecutors and was sentenced last year to 18 months in prison. Before that, he ran Mars Bar, in the 6000 block of South Harlem Avenue in Summit, and owned car washes and other businesses in the area. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com A rival nude-inspired bikini crafted to make its wearer look au naturel has made one Chicago-area small business owner worried that her provocative product has been duplicated. When billionaire cosmetic mogul and reality TV star Kylie Jenner posted a photo on Instagram of herself in a pseudo-nipple bikini on Monday, Linze Rices phone started buzzing nonstop. Friends were congratulating her; Jenner-Kardashian fans were tagging Rices small business on Jenners Instagram post. Advertisement The most-followed woman on Instagram had just shared a selfie vaunting Rices product, The TaTa Top. So it seemed. Then Rice swiped right. In the next photo, she saw that Jenner had tagged famous French designer Jean Paul Gaultier and Rice realized that he had created a nipple bikini that looked strikingly similar to hers. Advertisement It was panic. It was like, Are they just about to crush me? the Berwyn resident said. Why couldnt that have been me? Linze Rice holds her TaTa Top bikinis that makes the wearer look naked on June 8, 2022. Kylie Jenner shared an Instagram post of her wearing a similar bikini top designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. Rice thinks the TaTa Top design may have been copied for Gaultier's bikini. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) The two tops share much in common. They feature classic triangular cuts. They use thin, stringy straps. And, notably, they both depict flesh-tone breasts to give the illusion the wearer is topless. Theres no denying that, putting those two products side by side, they look very alike, Rice, 33, told the Tribune of the French designers version of the swimsuit. Its not the first time Gaultier has designed nude-inspired clothing. Jenners post has already received more than 12 million likes. Approximately 346 million people about as many as live in the United States follow her account. The post has generated dozens of articles from well-read news publications, many of which point readers to Gaultiers online storefront. The previous owners of The TaTa Top reached out to a manager for Jenner and her celebrity sister Kendall in 2015, sharing their product and suggesting it could help free the nipple and challenge dated societal norms, according to an email Rice shared with the Tribune. Very unique and funny but unfortunately not something that any of the girls can participate in, the manager responded. If someone in the Jenner and Kardashians organization changed their mind, they didnt keep The TaTa Top abreast. Rice said she has never heard from the famous family and their representatives. Jenner has been accused of plagiarizing other designers work before in her own product lines. Gaultiers fashion label and a representative for Jenner did not respond to emails the Tribune sent requesting comments. Her bikini post Monday was captioned free the nipple. Rice called the post frustrating, disheartening, demoralizing. Advertisement It makes me want to blast off into space and leave this world behind. Its overwhelming, said Rice, who hasnt made any money off The TaTa Top since purchasing the business in 2018. Linze Rice stands in the Lyons warehouse where she stores and ships out her TaTa Top bikinis. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Rice says her passion for the company has made her the boob girl among friends. Shes been gifted a necklace, a plant pot and even a crocheted-rug with breasts depicted on them. Her work represents a chance to fight for what she believes in. The laws that dictate a mans and a womans body are extremely discriminatory. You cant say that one sex can do something that the other sex cant, she said. She hopes her product, even in its novelty, can push discussions about sex and gender along and maybe help people feel good about the bodies theyre in along the way. Challenges to cultural norms can gain momentum from shocking, novel items like the The TaTa Top, according to Ashlee Humphreys, a Northwestern University integrated marketing communications professor. Things need to happen to start conversations before broadly held beliefs can change, she said. Its a first and preliminary step toward changing norms, said Humphreys, whose research has focused on opinions about controversial practices like gambling and marijuana use. It could be hard to change American standards on nudity because the laws governing nudity here are so clearly established, she added. Advertisement Still, the The TaTa Tops lighthearted disregard for nudity laws would garner attention on social media, where playfulness is rewarded, Humphreys said. When Michelle and Robyn Lytle started The TaTa Top in 2014, they too set out to challenge gender norms, Rice said. They were particularly perturbed by Chicago laws that allow men, but not women, to go topless at the beach, so they designed the eye-catching swimsuit. Rice is a former reporter and she covered the company while working for now-defunct DNAinfo. When her newsroom shut down, she felt like she needed new purpose in life. Then she saw that the Lytles were selling their bikini company. We took a big piece of our life savings and bought the business, Rice said. She still hasnt paid herself yet. All the business profits have been reinvested into new products, she said, and the company donates $3 to charities for every $35 bikini top sold. She said, to date, the company has donated over $46,000 to women- and breast cancer-focused charities Keep A Breast and Chicago Womens Health Center. Rice said a tag in Jenners Instagram post would have made a huge impact not only to her small business, but to the charities it supports. Advertisement The business has quasi-naked clothing for everyone. Their tops come in three shades light, medium and dark and various sizes. They sell flesh-tone bikini bottoms, too. Linze Rice with one of her TaTa Top bikinis on June 8, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) One-piece bathing suits with the businesss particular motif should be added to the online store this week, Rice said. The Lytles secured a patent for a triangle-cut, string strap bikini that mimics breasts when they started the company, which Rice uses now. Rice would like Jenner to share her swimsuit on her Instagram account, and would ask Gaultier or Jenner to make a donation to Keep A Breast or the Chicago Womens Health Center, too. While Gaultiers site shows his $150 top sold out in all sizes, Rice said her store, which can be found at thetatatop.com, has plenty of anatomically analogous attire in stock and more on the way. If you want the poor mans Gaultier, come here, she said. Advertisement jsheridan@chicagotribune.com Twitter @jakesheridan_ Fred Spencer and his wife, Perteet Spencer, started the food company AYO Foods, which focuses on West African cuisine. Perteet is making egusi stew in their Chicago home on May 19, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) The frozen meals that AYO Foods creates and markets sit next to P.F. Changs food in Targets freezer section. But AYO Foods founders, Perteet and Fred Spencer, would prefer their fare be next to Amys Kitchen, the organic packaged and prepared foods giant. Advertisement If you look at our caloric intake, our protein content, our fiber content, its very comfortable, if not better than some of the other kind of better for you frozen items out there, Perteet Spencer said. And I can guarantee you its going to be much more flavorful. Advertisement The Spencers launched AYO Foods, an array of West African frozen meals and hot sauces, in July 2020. In two years, theyve expanded into stores nationwide, including Chicagoland Marianos, Heinens and The Fresh Market stores. Frozen options range from jollof rice to cassava leaf stew, egusi seed soup just begging for some doughy fufu to sop up all the rich flavors, and chicken yassa, a popular dish of slow-braised chicken thighs with lemon and caramelized onion. The couple partnered with Top Chef alumnus Eric Adjepong and chef Zoe Adjonyoh cookbook author and founder of Zoes Ghana Kitchen, to promote West African cuisine through the brand. As the daughter of a Liberian immigrant, Perteet Spencer said she believes everyone deserves to see themselves when they walk down the grocery aisle. Were talking about an entire continent not represented in grocery stores, Perteet Spencer said with an incredulous tone. Its not a monolith; were talking about 17 different countries (in West Africa). Every tribe, every country, they all have their unique way of doing things. The regional cuisines share similar ingredients, and its just the process of cooking the different seasoning and flavors that you use that separates them, her husband said. Homemade egusi stew, made of egusi seeds, iru, chicken, onions and collard greens. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Before making fresh egusi stew with egusi seeds, chicken, onions and collards, Perteet makes her way to an African market on Foster Avenue and Broadway to gather dried crawfish and shrimp powder, seeds, and iru, also known as locust beans. Now, a version of the same dish with such hard-to-find ingredients is available at dozens of stores across the country. Were really excited to take people on this journey through West Africa to allow them to experience the flavors and ingredients, she said. The common mark that unites the food are these really slow-cooked, layered flavors ... thats pretty consistent with everything, whether its the dough rising on the puff puff, or the stew simmering on the cassava leaf. Advertisement Fred Spencer likens the AYO Foods process to cooking soul food, with big pots, layered flavors and hearty, traditional fare. But finding ways to retain the depth and quality of those slow-cooked dishes on a mass production scale took serious effort, Perteet Spencer said. At one point, she brought in her mother so manufacturers could shadow her preparation in order to do it properly and not rush the process. We have lots of horror stories early in our journey of partners that didnt work out because they wanted to speed up the process, she said. If you have a pot of greens, the best ones are those that cook low and slow. We needed to honor that process as we found partners to scale this up. The result are ingredient lists that are familiar and alluring: roasted garlic puree made of simply garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and thyme accents the chicken yassa; just five ingredients comprise the fried puff puff bread. Were using fresh vegetables, were doing that slow-cooking process. Were not cutting corners, she said. It was really important for us to honor the process and not short change it as we went through our journey. Its just how we operate. Fred Spencer and his wife Perteet Spencer started AYO Foods, which focuses on West African cuisine. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) That operation began three years ago, when the Spencers, DePaul University college sweethearts, noticed market trends changing. Advertisement We saw this huge rise in global flavors, a massive gap in flavors of the continent in total, she said. So she left her corporate job as a brand manager with General Mills to bring joy to the world ayo means joy in Yoruba full time, with Freds urging and support. While she takes credit for introducing her husband to Liberian food, she said she learned how to cook from her father. He i emigrated from Lofa County, the northernmost portion of Liberia, to the Twin Cities in Minnesota at age 17, bringing with him cooking that reminded him of home. Her parents would eventually meet in Minnesota. Perteet and Freds large families serve as inspiration to the food brand, but its the pairs love of food that is the nexus of AYO Foods. Fred, a real estate developer, opened a restaurant when he was 24 years old (something he said the couple might get back to someday). With a grandmother from Alabama, the Roseland native recalls cooking as a childhood chore, because he would get all the tedious food prep duties. But thats changed since hes gotten older. The family affair that cooking has always been is now one the youngest Spencers are picking up. Perteet and Freds daughters, 11 and 8 years old, like the kitchen so much, sometimes they have to be pushed out of the space. Their oldest tries to get her biscuits as flaky as her fathers, and shes currently working on perfecting her macaroons, said Perteet Spencer. They love being involved in the kitchen with us, she said. I didnt start cooking until college, and to see them start so young, its exciting to see. You cant have family together without a ton of really incredible food. The first AYO Foods dishes were those the couple personally love jollof rice, egusi soup and cassava leaf stew. The couple prides themselves on AYO Foods being rich in nutrients and low in sodium. Advertisement Obesity is at an all-time high, diabetes is at an all-time high, hypertension is at an all-time high. We couldnt in good conscience put out a product that was a contributor to all of that, Perteet said. I think one of the things that AYO does really beautifully is prove that food can be good and tasty, but still be good for you. We wanted to really be able to set a model for that. Fred Spencer eats freshly made Egusi stew at home on May 19, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) The plan for the brand is to expand beyond frozen foods to bring greater inclusivity and diversity to shelves. AYO Foods already has pepper and shito sauces the former is habanero-based, the latter has a seafood base, complemented by hot peppers, tomatoes and caramelized onions. We started with frozen primarily because its the easiest transition to have authentic ingredients not adding preservatives or anything like that to bring the true essence of the food, Fred Spencer said. But we want to make this a broad brand, as opposed to just frozen. The self-described big dreamers know the platform AYO Foods allows has a lot of wingspan to make an impact above and beyond celebrating the culture through packaged foods. The Moonboi Project is the Spencers philanthropic effort born from that platform one that enriches the West African culture. In December, AYO Foods partnered with Girl Power Africa, a nonprofit committed to empowering women and children impacted by civil war and Ebola in Liberia through entrepreneurship. AYO is supporting the cultivation of 15 acres of Liberian farmland, the Spencers said. Part of what were doing with these dishes is bringing awareness to these crops, to this food, which we hope in turn creates increased demand and economic change in West Africa, Perteet said. Already weve built three homes, fully cleared the land, (and) were starting to see the first crop yield. And the yield of that is actually being used to give back to women who were victims of either Ebola or the Liberian civil war as seed capital to start businesses of their own. Advertisement Seeing the impact the food brand is providing in such a short time has the Spencers excited about the potential of AYO Foods to not only change the lives of their immediate families, but other communities in desperate need of help, as well. If anything can get across from any of this is that, AYO was created as a family company, Fred Spencer said. Were doing this as a family together, and thats whats going to make it successful. drockett@chicagotribune.com State Rep. Dan Brady, left, and former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser are battling in the primary for the Republican nomination for secretary of state. (Chicago Tribune / Chicago Tribune) SPRINGFIELD The two candidates trying to return the Illinois secretary of states office to Republican control for the first time in 24 years offer voters contrasting pitches on why theyre right for the job. John Milhiser, 52, emphasizes his background as a state and federal prosecutor and says one of his goals is to restore peoples faith in government and in an office that he acknowledges has a history of corruption under both parties. Advertisement Dan Brady, 60, is a funeral director and a state representative from Bloomington who says he will work to improve the nuts and bolts of an office that connects with citizens more than any other statewide agency. The winner of the June 28 GOP primary will take on whoever emerges from a four-person field in the Democratic primary for the office being vacated by Jesse White, one of the states most popular politicians, who is 87 and is retiring at the end of his term in January after 24 years in office. Advertisement White took over from George Ryan, who went on to become governor only to be convicted in a wide-ranging corruption case that grew out of a licenses-for-bribes probe during his eight years as secretary of state. While Democrats have dominated Republicans in statewide elections in recent years, the partisan divide can be less stark in the race for an office that is service-oriented and not ideologically driven, said John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. The Republican nominee is not going to presumably have to answer questions about abortion rights and other complicated issues but is just going to probably say they manage the office professionally in a way that provides good services for Illinois, he said. Then-U.S. Attorney John Milhiser speaks at the U.S. courthouse in Peoria on July 18, 2019, after Brendt Christensen was sentenced to life in federal prison without the possibility of release for killing University of Illinois scholar Yingying Zhang. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Milhiser is part of a GOP slate hand-picked by allies of billionaire Chicago hedge fund manager Ken Griffin in an effort to topple the Democrats in the November general election. Last month, Republican candidate for governor Richard Irvin shifted $700,000 from his Griffin-funded campaign to Milhisers fund. In stump speeches, Milhiser echoes other candidates on Griffins slate in painting Illinois Democrats as a party of corruption long led by former House Speaker Michael Madigan, now under federal indictment in a bribes-for-jobs scheme involving electricity giant Commonwealth Edison. When you look at Illinois, were in dire need of ethical leadership statewide. When you look at the history of corruption and career politicians, we need to fix it. And this is the year were going to fix it, Milhiser told a crowd of about three dozen people last month during a meet-and-greet in Eldred, a rural town of about 200 people 80 miles southwest of Springfield. Who here thinks with the indictment of former Speaker Madigan, Well, now finally weve gotten rid of corruption in Illinois? he asked. No. Its still there. In an interview, Milhiser offered few specifics about his vision for running the office, aside from improving technology and streamlining services for customers. Advertisement Instead, he emphasized a need to restore faith in government, something he said he learned was needed, in part, from his most recent job teaching at the Lawrence Education Center in Springfield. What that has taught me is that students dont trust government, Milhiser said. They think everybodys corrupt. They read the headlines. We have to fix this problem and this corruption in state government, he said. And the secretary of states office is where I can have the biggest impact. The Democratic primary race has been dominated by accusations of ethical shortcomings between Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. When you look at the Democrats side with the two front-runners, Anna and Alexi, who are pointing fingers at each other, arguing whos less ethical for the position ... we dont need a secretary of state coming in with this cloud of ethical concerns, Milhiser said. Milhisers wife is a Sangamon County judge and he was the countys states attorney prior to being named U.S. attorney for central Illinois in 2018. He was nominated for the position by then-President Donald Trump. Advertisement As U.S. attorney, he oversaw several high-profile cases, including the 2021 indictment of ex-Republican state Sen. Sam McCann for fraud and other charges for his alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal gain. He also oversaw the 2019 conviction of Brendt Christensen, who was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and killing of Yingying Zhang, a visiting Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Milhiser also oversaw the prosecution of a secretary of state employee who was sentenced to 18 months in prison last year for defrauding that office and the Illinois Department of Revenue. Democratic President Joe Biden did not retain Milhiser as a U.S. attorney. Milhiser then took a job teaching government and English classes to students trying to earn their GEDs at Lawrence. Earlier he was with the Sangamon County states attorneys office, eventually becoming chief prosecutor and overseeing many drunken driving cases. I would travel to high schools all the time to talk to them about safety on a number of different levels, Milhiser recalled. But ... that office of secretary of state can be so powerful to go out into the community to give the message whether (it) be distracted driving or drunken driving, or a whole host of issues. Before acquiring the $700,000 in Griffin-funded contributions last month, Milhiser had about $274,000 in his campaign fund at the end of the first quarter, just slightly more than Bradys $243,000, according to state records. Advertisement Milhiser said he plans to use the money from Griffin for TV and radio ads, among other things. State Rep. Dan Brady campaigns at the Monarch Landing retirement community in Naperville on May 24, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Brady, who likes to point out hes not part of a slate, said secretary of state is an office Ive aspired to. This office touches more lives on a daily basis than any other constitutional office, he said in an interview. Brady is one of two deputy GOP leaders in the Illinois House of Representatives. He was the McLean County coroner from 1992 to 2000 and is a funeral director and part-owner of a Bloomington funeral home. He touts that experience in noting the secretary of states role in promoting organ donation. Despite acknowledging that the office does have a policing function it handles drivers license fraud and identity theft, and is in charge of Capitol security Brady took a subtle dig at Milhiser, saying, This office isnt about prosecuting people. I have an opponent that talks about that. Thats not what this office does. And what your past was is great and honorable, but this is an office about providing service to the public, Brady said. Advertisement As a legislator, Brady had a reputation for being able to reach across the aisle. In the 2000s, Brady worked with a Democratic lawmaker and Jesse White on the states first-person consent law, which allows organ donors 18 and older to make their own decisions to donate their organs upon their deaths, preventing their families from overruling their wishes. In 2007, Brady supported legislation, sponsored by then-Democratic state Rep. Eddie Acevedo, to give special driving certificates to undocumented immigrants. The proposal narrowly passed in the House in a 60-56 vote but ultimately failed. It wasnt until 2013 when the General Assembly passed a measure, which Brady voted for, that was later signed into law by and then-Gov. Pat Quinn, to grant temporary visitor drivers licenses to immigrants without documentation. Republicans have traditionally favored more stringent immigration policies, but Brady was one of several Republicans who joined Democrats in supporting the measure when it passed in 2013. At least temporarily while theyre here, how do we train those individuals and possess some temporary licenses where we dont put others in danger? he said. While praising White, Brady said the secretary of states office needs better computer systems and a greater focus on cybersecurity to more effectively prevent drivers license or state ID data theft. With the secretary of state being Illinois official librarian, Brady has also talked about developing a better system for broadband Internet connectivity in libraries throughout the state, especially those in rural areas. Hes also called for more mobile drivers services for senior citizens. Advertisement Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Brady said he doesnt think Griffins largesse will put Milhiser over the top with voters. I dont believe Republican voters embrace the concept of a slate and embrace the concept of, We have the most money and we think we know whats best, he said. It just rubs people the wrong way. The secretary of states office in Illinois doesnt have an active role in elections, but Brady thinks it could do some things to preserve election integrity. Asked about unsupported claims believed by many Republicans that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, Brady said he doesnt know that to be the case, while saying there is certainly malfeasance in the election process. He said drivers license photos could be used to verify the identities of voters, rather than just relying on signatures. Several states, including Indiana and Wisconsin, require photo IDs to vote. Advertisement Asked the same question, Milhiser said he would only speak for the Central District of Illinois, which he oversaw as U.S. attorney, where he did not see any evidence of widespread fraud that would overturn the election. Illinois is different than a lot of states where the secretary of state is not the election official. That is dispersed amongst 102 county clerks in Illinois. So, as secretary of state, well support them in whatever way we need to to make sure that we have free and fair elections and everybodys able to vote, he said. jgorner@chicagotribune.com Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley remained hospitalized late Thursday after being admitted Wednesday. Advertisement Daley underwent a battery of tests and was resting, said Jacquelyn Heard, spokesperson for the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman, where Daley is of counsel. It wasnt clear if the former mayor, who turned 80 years old on April 24, would spend a second night in the hospital, though Heard said it didnt appear Daley would be released Thursday. Advertisement He was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital after feeling lethargic Wednesday afternoon, Heard said. She added that day that the good news is, he sounds great on the phone, hes alert and in good spirits. Daley was with his daughter Nora Daley Conroy on Wednesday when he began to feel unwell, Heard said. Daley was mayor for 22 years, from 1989 to 2011, making him the longest-serving mayor in Chicago history. He was mayor one more year than his father, Richard J. Daley, who was mayor from 1955 to 1976. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekdays. Richard M. Daley oversaw a city in transition in the 1990s and 2000s and spearheaded several major projects, including the construction of Millennium Park. He got the Democratic National Convention to come to the city in 1996 and also convinced state leaders to give him control of the Chicago Public Schools. He also masterminded the tearing down of many of Chicagos public housing high-rises and sold the citys parking meters to a private firm, a decision that has faced widespread criticism in the years since. He also attempted to lure the 2016 Summer Olympics to Chicago but that bid went to Rio de Janeiro. In 2010, Daley shocked the city by announcing he would not run for reelection and his decision set off a flurry of political maneuvering to replace him, which ended with Rahm Emanuel being elected in 2011. jebyrne@chicagotribune.com Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is photographed as she kicks off her reelection campaign at the Starlight Restaurant in the Ashburn neighborhood. The Starlight is part of Lightfoot's five-tour stop throughout Chicago on June 8, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) An upbeat Mayor Lori Lightfoot defended her record on crime and economic development during her first full day as a candidate for reelection, telling reporters she doesnt have an uphill battle as she seeks a second term. Haters are gonna hate. Haters are going to hate, Lightfoot said during a campaign stop at Brown Sugar, a renowned bakery on the South Side. Were going to be there for the residents as we have been there for the residents the last three years. Advertisement The mayor also hit back at campaign rivals who have called for the termination of police Superintendent David Brown, saying hes the right man for the job and violent crime has decreased from quarter-century highs in 2021. Four of her five rivals for mayor have called for Browns ouster, to which Lightfoot scoffed, Spoken like people who dont know anything about public safety. Lightfoot announced Tuesday that she will ask voters to send her back to City Hall for a second term as head of the nations third-largest city. The mayors challengers have all raised questions about high crime and criticized her leadership as being unnecessarily divisive. So far, her opponents include South Side Ald. Roderick Sawyer, son of a former mayor; former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas; Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner; Southwest Side Ald. Raymond Lopez; and businessman Willie Wilson. Advertisement Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicks off her reelection campaign at the Starlight Restaurant in the Ashburn neighborhood Wednesday. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) During more than three years in office, Lightfoot has faced spikes in crime, has not run as transparent an administration as promised and engaged in constant fights with unions representing teachers and police all while struggling to forge good relationships with politicians or leaders in the citys business community. Her polling has struggled in recent months, particularly with white and Latino voters, but the hard-charging mayor cant be dismissed. At Brown Sugar, Lightfoot took aim at those who have diminished her campaigns chances. The fact of the matter is, Im a Black woman in America, Lightfoot said. People are betting against us every single day. [ Who's in, who's out and who's undecided in the Chicago mayor's race ] Lightfoot also can argue she deserves more time to finish the job after having faced the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and some of the citys most significant civil unrest since the 1960s. She has quietly built a strong relationship with several key labor leaders, who hail her progressive record on union issues such as the fair workweek ordinance and a $15 minimum wage, set to go into effect next month. Incumbency in any form also has power. As mayor, Lightfoot has earmarked roughly $3 billion in federal funds for city projects and shes launched a series of programs aimed at reversing one of the biggest criticisms of Mayor Rahm Emanuels tenure disinvestment in Chicagos neighborhoods, especially on the South and West sides. All but one of Lightfoots publicly disclosed campaign stops on Wednesday happened on the South and West sides, reflecting the mayors political base shifting to the citys Black and brown neighborhoods. In the first round of the mayoral election in February 2019, Lightfoot emerged from a historic 14-candidate field with roughly 18% of the vote, riding broad support from lakefront voters on the North Side who are often liberal. This time, the mayor is expected to be strongest with African American voters but that could be complicated by the field including strong Black alternatives. Advertisement Wednesday, Lightfoot started her day at the Starlight Restaurant on the South Side, where she joined Ald. Derrick Curtis and Ald. Michelle Harris for a breakfast stop. There, Lightfoot cast her reelection bid as a continuation of her 2019 campaign, when she was a lesser known outsider raging against the political machine. When I got into office, the people who were used to having their way, who were used to dominating our city, they wanted their city back and theyve been fighting against us every single day, Lightfoot said. We did not let them take the city back then and were not gonna let them take it back now. We need to continue to lean into equity and inclusion, which means we see the whole city. Amy Eshleman, wife of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is greeted with a kiss on the hand by Josephine Wade at a Lightfoot campaign event at Starlight Restaurant on Wednesday. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) The breakfast stop was staffed by several 18th Ward employees, who wore T-shirts with the city logo as they worked the political event. City ethics rules forbid employees doing political work on the public dime. Afterward, Curtis told the Tribune he shut down his ward office to run the event. Were going to reopen the office after this, Curtis said. I knew I needed them so theyre off the clock. Curtis also sent an invitation to the campaign event through his city account. The city board of ethics told the Tribune it would look into the matter. Meanwhile, Lightfoot unveiled a campaign slogan and logo featuring her in a muscle car with the city skyline in the back seat and the words Im ridin with Lori. During a campaign stop in the heavily Mexican American Little Village, Lightfoot decried the citys street gangs and promised to continue Chicagos legacy as a sanctuary city that doesnt discriminate against immigrants. Advertisement We will always be a welcoming city in every sense of the word, Lightfoot said. gpratt@chicagotribune.com Carmen Navarro Gercone, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Cook County sheriff, takes part in a forum at the Union League Club in Chicago on June 2, 2022. A court decision Wednesday removed her from the ballot. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) The candidacy of one of Cook County Sheriff Tom Darts top Democratic rivals was thrown into serious question yet again when an Illinois appellate court on Wednesday tossed her off the ballot one week after early voting began and less than three weeks before primary Election Day. Carmen Navarro Gercone, a onetime top aide to Dart who now works for the clerk of the Circuit Courts office, is ineligible to run for sheriff because she failed to obtain a law enforcement certification that is now required for county sheriffs in Illinois under a controversial provision of a new state law, the appellate court ruled. It is the latest ruling in Navarro Gercones efforts to challenge Dart, which has now seen her pulled from the ballot twice. Advertisement Its very frustrating, Navarro Gercone said in a phone interview, while also vowing to appeal the decision to the Illinois Supreme Court. Ive learned so much about the business of politics. And it cannot continue this way. I learned how its used to shut out good people with good intentions. Due to the ruling, notices will be placed at early voting sites and future polling sites informing voters that Navarro Gercone has been removed as a candidate, and that votes for her will not be counted, a Chicago Board of Elections spokesman said Wednesday. The Cook County clerks office will seek to do the same for suburban sites, a spokeswoman said. Advertisement The whiplash over which sheriff candidates are on the ballot and which arent has been a consistent theme leading up to the June 28 primary. Another Democratic candidate, Dolton police Officer LaTonya Ruffin, was disqualified by a state appellate court last week after the Dart campaign objected to her filing to run under a last name different from that of her voter registration. Another candidate challenging Dart is Noland Rivera, a Chicago police sergeant. He is still on the ballot. Navarro Gercone has run the highest-profile challenge against Dart, in part because of his campaigns efforts to get her removed from the ballot. She has repeatedly expressed frustration over her candidacy challenge that stems from a law requiring anyone running for a sheriffs position in Illinois be a certified law enforcement officer or complete the equivalent training at another state or with the federal government. That provision took effect this year and was tucked deep inside the 700-page Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today law, or SAFE-T Act, signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021. It is incredibly important this issue is clarified so voters know they are voting on candidates who are legally authorized to hold the office, Dart campaign spokesman Joseph Ryan said in a Wednesday statement. Sheriff Dart had nothing to do with passing this law, but he is nonetheless bound by it as is every other candidate for Sheriff. While she was never a sworn police officer, Navarro Gercone had training as a corrections officer and was a sergeant, a lieutenant and an assistant chief at the sheriffs office. Dart, Cook Countys sheriff for 16 years, was once a prosecutor but was never a sworn police officer. While his status is not an issue because he is grandfathered in under the new law, Dart received a law enforcement certification late last year, according to state records. Dart initially challenged Navarro Gercones candidacy with the Cook County Electoral Board, which cited the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Boards decision in February to deny a request to either certify her as a law enforcement officer or allow her a waiver. That was the first time she was knocked off the ballot. But two weeks ago, a Cook County Circuit Court judge allowed Navarro Gercone back on the ballot and blasted the Electoral Boards decision as a clear dereliction of duty. The judge said the electoral body should never have deferred its power to the state training board. That decision was appealed and, in the Wednesday ruling, the appellate court said it is lawful for county election officials to look to the training board for guidance, as state law gives the training board the power of law enforcement certification. For the electoral board to second-guess or review the training boards decision would have been in excess of and contrary to its statutory authority and would therefore be void, Wednesdays decision stated. Advertisement The appellate court also noted that Navarro Gercone did not meet the qualifications of the office when she filed her nominating petitions, so she should be disqualified. No principle of English grammar or statutory construction permits an interpretation of the law which would allow candidates to defer meeting the qualifications of office until some later time, the decision stated. While rejecting that interpretation, Navarro Gercone said if she does ultimately become disqualified, she can only hope Dart heeds the comments shes made on the campaign trail about ways to reform the sheriffs office. At the end of the day, I hope that he takes a good look at what I said, Navarro Gercone said. I want the right thing to be done. ayin@chicagotribune.com Chinese FM on outcomes, consensus of third C+C5 foreign ministers' meeting Xinhua) 08:48, June 09, 2022 NUR-SULTAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday attended the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting here. After the meeting, Wang, together with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, met with reporters. Wang said that the most important task of the meeting is to implement the consensus reached at the virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries, while the most important outcome is the unanimous consent on establishing a summit mechanism between the heads of state of China and the five Central Asian countries. The meeting also adopted four outcome documents, namely a joint declaration of the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting, a road map for implementation of the consensus of the virtual summit of China + Central Asia (C+C5), an initiative to deepen cooperation in the field of connectivity and cooperation among China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries, and an initiative for cooperation of China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries in the field of data security, he said. Wang summarized the consensus reached at the meeting in the following 10 aspects: First, the parties will uphold the principles of mutual respect, good-neighborliness, solidarity and mutual benefit, and commit to building an autonomous, peaceful, prosperous and cooperative Central Asia. Second, they will continue to jointly build the Belt and Road with high quality, expand all-round cooperation, explore ways to promote financial cooperation, and further enlarge the scale of local currency settlement. Third, they will deepen connectivity and cooperation, ensure the safe and stable operation of China-Europe freight trains, facilitate customs clearance, perfect the "green passage" for goods and speed up the resumption of flights, so as to ensure complete industrial chains and uninterrupted supply chains. Fourth, they will coordinate efforts to safeguard security in both traditional and non-traditional areas, jointly combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and guarantee food security. Fifth, they will continue to unite in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, actively carry out cooperation in vaccine and drug research and development, establish a China-Central Asia health industry alliance, and set up traditional Chinese medicine centers in Central Asia. Sixth, they will coordinate positions on the situation in Afghanistan in a timely manner, promote peace and reconstruction in the country, support Uzbekistan in hosting the fourth foreign ministers' meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan and high-level international conferences on the Afghanistan issue, in a bid to maintain regional security and stability. Seventh, they will deepen their cooperation in such fields as education, science and technology, art, sports, tourism and poverty reduction, and make strides in the implementation of the "One Country, One Workshop" plan and the establishment of culture centers in each other's country. Eighth, they will promote green and sustainable development, share environmental protection experience and technology, and build a beautiful home where humanity and nature coexist in harmony. Ninth, they will continue to support each other on issues concerning their core interests, jointly implement the Global Security Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, and contribute to global governance. Tenth, they will continue to improve the China + Central Asia (C+C5) cooperation mechanism, actively carry out exchanges and dialogue in such fields as political parties, economy and trade, investment, sub-national relations and think tanks, and fully unleash the potential of cooperation among the six countries. Wang stressed that China will be guided by the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the heads of state of the five Central Asian countries, and continue to deepen political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation with its Central Asian partners, and work together to build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) Participants march in the Aurora Pride Parade in 2018. The city of Aurora on Wednesday announced that the special event permit for this year's parade, set for Sunday, has been revoked due to a lack of law enforcement officers being retained to provide security for the event. (Sean King / The Beacon-News) Update: After appeal denied to host Aurora Pride Parade Sunday, organizers say they will file federal lawsuit The city of Aurora has revoked the special event permit for the Aurora Pride group to hold the Aurora Pride Parade Sunday. Advertisement The revocation is based on the inability of the Aurora Pride board to retain the number of law enforcement officers required to ensure the public health and welfare of participants and spectators at the Aurora Pride Parade, according to a statement Wednesday afternoon from the city of Aurora. The statement went on to say the Aurora Police Department, which was providing 70% of the security force for the parade, recommended the parade be canceled because of the inability to satisfy safety requirements. Advertisement As part of the due process provided by the city code, Aurora Pride has filed an appeal, with a hearing to be held before an administrative hearing officer at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Courtroom 2 of the Aurora Branch Court. Aurora officials said any further statements from the city about the revocation of the permit will come following the appeal hearing. Aurora police made its recommendation about the parade public Tuesday after saying that not enough officers had volunteered for overtime shifts to provide security at the event. The Pride Parade is a privately sponsored event, so officers have to volunteer to be on the security detail on their own time. The city cannot force them to do it. The city revoked the parade permit after the recommendation from the police department. The parade already was steeped in controversy after Aurora Pride, parade organizers, had asked that police not participate in the parade in their full uniforms. The organization said they could march with banners, wearing T-shirts or other kinds of identifiable shirts - called a soft uniform - but not in full uniform with weapons. The reason given by Aurora Pride was that some members of the LGBTQ-plus community are uncomfortable with uniformed police due to a history of run-ins with police, and abuse at their hands. The city responded by pulling its float out of the parade, and Mayor Richard Irvin said he would not march in the event. Advertisement The statement by police Tuesday did not say whether the shortage of officers volunteering to work overtime shifts to provide security at the event is related to the organizers not wanting police to march in the parade in uniform. Aurora Pride officials acknowledged in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday afternoon that the parade permit had been revoked, but told supporters to please hang tight. However, were not giving up, the statement said. Our position has been misrepresented, and were making every effort to keep the parade as scheduled. City officials also decided to hold its planned raising of the Pride flag at North Island Center without the participation of Aurora Pride. Originally, it was to have been done together by Aurora Pride and the city. Similar to what the city did with the Irish and Mexican flags, officials will raise the Pride flag during a ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday in One Aurora Plaza in front of North Island Center on Galena Boulevard downtown. In addition to raising the flag, the ceremony will include presentation of the first ever Aurora Pride and Excellence Awards to individuals in the LGBTQ-plus community, according to Clayton Muhammad, the citys chief communications and equity officer. Advertisement He made the announcement during the mayors report segment of this weeks City Council Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday evening. The Aurora Pride and Excellence Awards will be presented to youth advocates Martin and Jose Luna-Espinoza of the Simply Destinee Youth Center and Dance Team; Whitney Crenshaw of Nine6Teen Boutique, a Black, woman, and LGBTQ-owned business at Fox Valley Mall; and Adam Pauley, a college student and community advocate who has led efforts to establish an LBGTQ-plus advisory board in Aurora. Muhammad said during this weeks Committee of the Whole meeting that efforts have begun to establish that advisory board. Also receiving the inaugural Aurora Pride and Excellence Award will be the Aurora Police Departments LGBTQ-plus Liaison Program. Aurora Police Sgt. Lee Catavu, who leads the program, will represent the departments LGBTQ-plus officers and speak during the ceremony, along with the chair of the Aurora Human Relations Commission, William Small, and other officials. slord@tribpub.com Protesters stand outside the Aurora Branch Court at the Public Safety Center on Indian Trail Thursday in support of Aurora Pride, organizers of the Pride Parade. The organization was inside at a hearing to decide if the city of Aurora's revocation of the group's parade permit for Sunday should stand. Aurora Pride's appeal was denied, however in a turn of events late Thursday afternoon the security issue with the parade was solved and the parade is back on for Sunday. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News) In a sudden turn of events late Thursday afternoon, the Aurora Pride Parade is back on for noon Sunday in the citys downtown. Earlier Thursday afternoon, a judge ruled against Aurora Prides appeal to hold the parade Sunday after the city revoked its permit for the event. Advertisement In response, ACLU of Illinois attorney Kevin Fee, who is representing Aurora Pride, said the group planned to file a federal lawsuit Thursday against the city, in an attempt to keep the parade as scheduled. On Wednesday, the city revoked the special event permit for the Aurora Pride group to hold the parade, saying not enough police officers had signed up for overtime or extra-duty shifts to provide adequate security for the event. Advertisement But around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, the city announced it has reinstated Aurora Prides permit for the parade. After the hearing, the city offered a triple-time financial incentive to its police officers to take overtime to provide security for the parade, and were able to reach the number of officers needed for the event, city spokesman Clayton Muhammad said in a statement. At the end of the day, I suppose the real news is that the parade is back on after all of this, said Ed Yohnka, communications and public policy director for the ACLU of Illinois. In a statement, city officials said, While a series of unfortunate events may have led us on this path, we hope this course will continue to be paved with a focus on inclusivity, collaboration and compromise for this years Pride Parade. The late Thursday afternoon announcement that the parade will be held on Sunday as planned ended a day focused on the event, beginning with an appeal hearing Thursday morning, where both sides presented their arguments concerning the revocation of the parade permit before Administrative Law Judge Victor E. Puscas Jr. at the Aurora Branch Court. Puscas denied Aurora Prides appeal, and upheld the revocation of the permit. Aurora Pride organizers argued the circumstances surrounding the revocation of the permit raised First Amendment concerns because they say the police department was in control of finding officers to staff the event, as they did in 2018 and 2019. Fee said organizers asked if they could use an outside, private security company to staff the parade during initial planning meetings, but were told they had to use Aurora police officers. Organizers need 56 officers, a number determined by Aurora police, to safely hold the parade, and as of Thursday morning, they were still short 20 officers. Parade organizers were told on June 1 of the shortage and Fee questioned why they were not informed earlier about the issue. Advertisement City attorney John Murphey said the police department faces a 10% staff shortage and is already struggling to fill its regular shifts. Aurora Police Lt. Chris Whitfield said the department sent several emails and text messages to officers to sign-up for the parade. After Aurora Pride asked that any law enforcement officers interested in marching in the parade participate without service weapons and out of uniform, several officers dropped out of participating, Fee said. Say what you want about the position that Aurora Pride took in respect to the messaging of its own parade, but that messaging is its constitutional right, Fee said. If police can cause the cancellation of a parade by simply not showing up when they dont like the message, that is a serious constitutional issue. Whitfield said between seven to 10 officers, who originally signed up to work the parade, pulled out in recent weeks. He said he was not sure of the officers reasons for not participating. You should resist the temptation to conflate the individual police officers decisions not to sign up for this particular overtime assignment with the government of the city of Aurora in the form of its police department who informs a special events coordinator of what can and cannot be done, Murphey said. Advertisement Whitfield said he did not reach out to any other police departments to see if they could provide officers to volunteer for the parade. Since Pride organizers learned of the officer shortage, they tried to find police officers from other areas to work at the parade, but it is not realistic and in the realm of the organization to do that, Fee said. Not having enough officers at the event would threaten the safety of the public, Murphey said. The city also argued Pride organizers could have hired their own security expert to make their own analysis of how many officers are needed at the event. Nobody is trying to blame Pride for where we are and this is the last thing in the world the police department would want, Murphey said at the hearing Thursday morning. ... Theyve done a sophisticated look at what is needed and they have a supreme obligation to protect everybody here. I dont think anybody in this room would want the blood on their hands as a result of an inadequately staffed event. Outside of the courtroom, a group of 20 people stood in the parking lot of the branch court as part of a protest organized by Indivisible Aurora. Clearly, people want the parade to happen, said Indivisible Aurora Executive Director Luma Webster. In 2019, remember, the community railed to raise money to keep the parade alive. The love is there. Advertisement Now that enough officers have been secured, the parade is back on for Sunday starting at noon in downtown Aurora. mejones@chicagotribune.com Beacon-News reporter Steve Lord contributed Bailey McQueen-Jones is ready for double the fun as she prepares to welcome twins into her life. McQueen-Jones grew up in the small town of Farragut in Fremont County. She graduated from the now-closed Farragut High School in 2007 and then went on to study managerial finance and business at Iowa Western Community College. She finished her undergraduate schooling at Buena Vista University. During that time, she earned her Masters degree in organizational management and economic growth from Peru State College. She is now working toward her Doctorate in organizational leadership from Maryville University. Since its opening in 2019, McQueen-Jones has worked as the director of strategic initiatives at Career EdVantage, a nonprofit that uses mentoring and support services to help area high school students build paths to careers in several local industries. McQueen-Jones was honored Wednesday afternoon during the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerces Mid-Year Meeting & Leadership Council Bluffs Graduation. She was part of the 34th class of Leadership CB graduates, which was made up of 20 professionals from across the community. She said it was an excellent mix of social and professional networking that helped expose her to many community resources and also promote Career EdVantage. It was phenomenal, she said. It really opened the door to a lot of different avenues in the community that we typically wouldnt have access to. And it helps us build a cohesive community relationship with each other. Outside of work, McQueen-Jones keeps busy raising her two young ones. She and her husband Kolby Jones have two boys Mason, 6, and Macoy, 1. And theyre expecting twins in August. Its both scary and exciting, she said. Until then, shell be overseeing CEVs third summer internship program. More than 120 junior and senior high schoolers from eight schools in Council Bluffs and southwest Iowa will be working with 75 business partners across several different professions and industries for eight weeks. Itll be a lot of work, but shes excited to see so many students looking to get some work experience before continuing on to higher education to finalize their career paths. In her free time this summer, McQueen-Jones said her family will have a few staycations and spend lots of time at the pool while waiting for the twins to arrive. More information about the program can be found at careeredvantage.org. The crowded field of Republican candidates for Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors has been whittled down from seven to three after the highly contested June 7 primary election. Former Republican county chair Jeff Jorgensen came away with the most votes 2,853, or 20.94% with former Carson City Councilmember Susan Miller in second, with 2,587, or 18.99%, and incumbent Scott Belt rounding out the top three with 2,561 votes, or 18.8%. I was really surprised at how it turned out, Miller said. I guess I had a lot of support from across the county that I really value. Ive been on the phone all morning responding to text messages, phone calls, Facebook posts, its just overwhelming, everybodys whos excited about this for me. Miller said she is looking forward to listening and learning more and doing less talking about myself. I dont feel like I need to introduce myself now to everybody and go through my whole life history, she said. I can get more into understanding what their concerns are, and preparing myself to hit the ground running should I be elected in November. Part of Millers summer will involve researching previous women who served on the Pottawattamie County Board, particularly Connie Lehan, who worked in the county auditors office for more than 10 years before being elected to the Board in 1994. I just know that shes highly regarded in the Minden community and in the rural area, Miller said. And I would just like to be remembered for also being an advocate for all citizens, and for doing great things. Miller wants to understand what issues the previous women on the Board ran on. She wants to try to model her own platform on theirs, and attempt to build on their legacies. Belt isnt quite ready to look ahead to the general election yet, but he appreciates everyone who cast a ballot. Have to finish out doing the peoples business this year, Belt said. I thank all those that took the time and effort to participate in the process. Hopefully there will be a larger turnout in November. With 5,636 ballots cast, county Republicans far outvoted their Democratic counterparts, who cast 2,406 ballots, but the Republican total accounts for only about 25% of all registered Republicans in the county. Only 183 votes separated third-place finisher Belt and fellow incumbent Justin Schultz, who came away with 2,378 votes, or 17.45%, and only 475 votes separated first and fourth place. I am okay, Schultz said. I am at peace with what the voters decided, and I fully endorse the candidates that made it through, and I will do my best to support them and continue to affect change and policy from the outside. Looking back on his two terms on the Board, Schultz pointed to a few things that hes proud of accomplishing, and looked ahead to some projects he hopes the Board is able to make progress on before the end of the year. At the end of the day, I can look back at the eight years that Ill have served once my term is over and say that Im proud of what Ive been able to accomplish on the Board, Schultz said. For eight straight years in a row I have lowered the tax levy as a Supervisor. Every year that Ive been in office, Ive lowered taxes. That was one of the things I set out to do when I first got on and Im proud to say I accomplished that. Before his term ends, Schultz would like to see progress made on the countys planned public health and Secondary Roads Departments buildings. Weve still got about five and a half months left of work to get done on my term and I intend to stay the course and keep doing my best to represent everybody, Schultz said. Schultz teased that one of the projects hes most proud of will be unveiled in the coming weeks: rebranding the county. Ive been part of it since its inception and I want to make sure that I see that thing through, and I will continue to do that beyond my time on the Board, Schultz said. While he wouldnt provide many details about the rebranding, Schultz did drop one crumb about the new county slogan. I can tell you that our new slogan is a tribute to our old one and what we see coming up in the future, Schultz said. Schultz also said that he has plans to run for office again, possibly at the state level. My time in politics and my time serving people of Pott(awattamie) County and Southwest Iowa is not over, Schultz said. This is a humbling experience. Its a learning experience. Its an opportunity, and I tell everyone that this is just the start of the next chapter, its not the end. In the race for county recorder, Deputy Recorder Andrew Moats won handily, finishing with 2,327 votes, or 44.88%, nearly 750 more than second-place finisher Jenni Sandau. Im blown away by the results from yesterday, Moats wrote in an email. I cant thank the voters of Pottawattamie County enough for believing in me. Waking up this morning, it felt surreal, and Im still waiting for reality to set in. There was not a Democratic nominee for recorder, which means that Moats will most likely be unopposed in the general election. Belt, Jorgensen and Miller will be competing with Democratic nominee Jeff Shudak, who ran unopposed in his partys primary, for one of three open seats on the Board. The general election is Nov. 8. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A group of U.S. senators led by Vermont independent Bernie Sanders is lending its support to workers at two CNH Industrial plants who have been on strike for better pay and benefits for more than a month. Among the group is Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. The group, which also includes fellow former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and three other Democrats, has written a letter to CNH (Case-New Holland) CEO Scott Wine urging him to offer the more than 1,000 striking workers a better deal. Sanders plans to attend rallies with the strikers next week. Local strikers are unionized in Racine and Mount Pleasant under United Auto Workers Local 180. Late last month, Local 180 President Yasin Mahdi called CNHs most recent offer bologna. The group said workers at the plants that make construction and agriculture equipment shouldnt have to accept the drastically higher health care costs and modest raises the company is offering now, especially when the company reported a $336 million profit in the first quarter. The company announced within two weeks of the strike's outset that it was canceling health insurance for unionized employees. The senators said the lowest-paid workers at the plants in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, would receive raises of $1.33 an hour, which they say wouldn't cover the $6,400 health insurance deductible CNH Industrial has proposed. If CNH can afford to provide you with a $9.2 million signing bonus and nearly $22 million in total compensation for one year of work nearly 8,000 times the raise you are offering some workers it can afford to pay all of your workers better wages and better benefits, the senators wrote to Wine. If CNH can afford to spend over $100 million on stock buybacks over a six-month period to enrich its wealthy shareholders, it can afford to treat all of its workers with the dignity and the respect that they deserve. Officials with the company, which is based in Europe, didn't respond Wednesday to questions about the strike, but previously they have said they were committed to resolving the contract dispute through the bargaining process. CNH Industrial has more than 37,000 employees total. The strikers have also received vocal support from four prominent area Democrats: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer of Racine, Racine Mayor Cory Mason and Senate candidate Tom Nelson, who said if he's elected he wanted to pass a bill that would ban businesses from cutting benefits for striking workers. Sanders, who has been working with unions across the country over the past year to support workers during a spate of high-profile strikes, plans to visit Wisconsin and Iowa on June 17 to attend town hall rallies with the striking CNH workers. Sanders previously unsuccessfully urged Warren Buffett to intervene in a strike at one of the companies his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns. He also rallied with striking Kellogg's cereal plant workers last year before they agreed to a new contract. About 10,000 UAW members who work for Deere & Co. secured 10% raises and improved benefits after they went on strike for a month last fall. So far the CNH workers haven't been able to achieve similar results. The ongoing worker shortages have prompted many unions to press for better wages and benefits after keeping plants operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The letter was also signed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Adam Rogan of The Journal Times contributed to this report. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The first Ministerial Meeting of Atlantic African States held at the initiative of Morocco ended Wednesday with the adoption of the Rabat Declaration. In this Declaration, the Ministers of the Atlantic African States welcomed King Mohammed VIs vision to make the Atlantic African area a pragmatic and relevant inter-African framework for cooperation, as well as his commitment for reactivating this geostrategic consultation framework between African Atlantic States. They decided to establish three thematic groups, in charge of political and security dialogue; the blue economy, maritime connectivity and energy; and sustainable development and the environment. They also emphasized the importance of optimizing the Atlantic African space for a more concerted and coordinated management of migration governance. The participants expressed full support for the Conference of African Atlantic States as an appropriate framework for capitalizing on mutually beneficial opportunities for cooperation, including with existing regional, sub-regional and inter-regional mechanisms, in order to generate synergies and produce effective and proactive responses to the challenges of this shared space, particularly through the designation of dedicated National Focal Points for the African Atlantic Process in the framework of this Conference. They recalled, in this respect, the declarations resulting from the previous ministerial meetings, within the framework of the cooperation launched since 2009, in particular the Rabat Declaration dated August 4, 2009 which constitutes a foundational document of the African Atlantic Process. Taking into account these challenges, the Rabat Declaration adopted at the end of this first ministerial meeting emphasized the need to act collectively through the coordination of actions on a set of strategic themes and structuring sectors, in order to meet the imperatives of security, sustainable development and prosperity in this shared area. On the other hand, the Ministers of the African Atlantic States affirmed that the States of the region have the primary responsibility for strengthening the capacities of State structures, defending national unity and territorial integrity. The Ministers committed themselves to continue their cooperation and coordination, calling for enhanced political and security dialogue, primarily to counter terrorism, transnational organized crime in all its forms, piracy, migrant trafficking and kidnaping for ransom at sea. They also vowed to undertake in-depth exchanges to seize opportunities in the blue economy, maritime connectivity, and energy sectors; as well as continued consultations to address environmental challenges. The Ministers also called for strengthening transatlantic cooperation, particularly with Latin American countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, and decided to meet on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2022. The ministerial meeting was an opportunity to develop a common African vision on this vital space, to promote an African Atlantic identity and to defend the strategic interests of the Continent with a single voice. The participants decided to hold their next meeting in the Kingdom of Morocco. The 1st ministerial meeting, attended by 21 countries bordering on the Atlantic, fifteen of which were represented at ministerial level, was an opportunity to develop a common African vision on this vital space, to promote an African Atlantic identity and to defend the strategic interests of the Continent with one voice. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stressed at the opening of this meeting, that Atlantic Africa has almost everything to be an area of peace, stability and shared prosperity. The process born in Rabat in 2009 is reborn today under a new light, but with the same horizon that we share, from Cape Spartel to the Cape of Good Hope, said Bourita, emphasizing the strategic importance of this space that is no longer to prove. This Moroccan initiative confirms the Kingdoms commitment to optimizing the strategic value of the Atlantic and its desire to see all the riparian countries gather on both sides of the Atlantic around common principles and converging interests. After failing to honor its gas shipment promises to Spain, Alegria decided to halt works to expand the Medgaz pipeline to Spain vindicating the fears of Spanish gas importers and undermining its market share in the Spanish market. Algeria had promised Spain to expand the capacity of the Medgaz pipeline from 8 billion cubic meters annually to 10 cbm, in the wake of its unilateral halt to the larger Maghreb Europe pipeline, in a series of hostile measures against Morocco. The decision to put an end to the medgaz expansion plans was made public by American investment fund Blackrock which carried out feasibility studies but did not get the green light from the Algerian authorities to go-ahead, Spanish media Marca2 said. Algerias share in the Spanish gas market has shrunk as the US topped Spanish LNG suppliers while Nigeria saw it gas shipments grow amid tensions between Madrid and Algiers. After Spain made public its new position in support of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, Algeria- which supports and hosts the Polisario separatists- waved the gas card threatening to hike prices and to cut gas altogether in case Madrid supplied Rabat through the halted pipeline. Gas blackmail has shown once more the unreliability of Algeria as a gas supplier and its disregard for commercial contracts, using the energy card to the detriment of neighborliness. Analysts see that diminishing production capacity and the long-term gas supply deals providing for price stability have undermined Algerias chances in benefiting from the surge of gas and oil prices in the spot market. The drop in gas supplies also vindicates analyses which warned of a diminishing Algerian gas export capacity in view of rising domestic consumption and depletion of reserves amid a lack of new discoveries. Algerias energy minister Abdelmedjid Attar has recently warned that the country will have to give priority starting from 2025 to supplying the local gas market, hinting without saying it to the demise of Algerias gas export capabilities. Starting from 2025, Algeria will no longer be a major gas exporting country. This in part explains the counter-intuitive decision taken by the military junta in Algiers to put an end to the Maghreb Europe gas pipeline. On the surface, Algerian officials said the non-renewal of the pipeline deal was directed to hurt Moroccan interest after Algiers unilaterally cut diplomatic ties with its Western neighbor. But in fact, Algerian officials are aware of the inability of their country to meet gas demand in Europe. Algeria has maintained a pipeline that runs through the Mediterranean to Spain but failed to give guarantees that it will be a reliable gas supplier to its Spanish client. Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman on Feb. 15, 2019, gives details of the mass shooting at Henry Pratt Co. in the city which killed five employees and wounded five police officers and an employee. Ziman, now retired, has been named to a U.S. Department of Justice committee to review law enforcements response to the recent mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) Auroras retired police chief Kristen Ziman is one of nine people selected to review law enforcements response to the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, recently that killed 21 people. Ziman helped prepare a similar after-action report for Auroras own mass shooting on Feb. 15, 2019, at Henry Pratt Co. that killed five employees and wounded five police officers and an employee. Advertisement The reports are used by federal emergency management experts to take away lessons learned and to try and prevent future attacks, officials said. Ziman, who retired from the Aurora Police Department in 2021, will serve on the committee of nine law enforcement experts selected by the U.S. Department of Justice. Advertisement In Texas, the committee will provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and provide a road map for community safety and engagement before, during and after such incidents, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. Nothing can undo the pain that has been inflicted on the loved ones of the victims, the survivors, and the entire community of Uvalde, said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in a statement. But the Justice Department can and will use its expertise and independence to assess what happened and to provide guidance moving forward. The review team will conduct regular site visits to Uvalde and interview a variety of people including law enforcement, government officials, school officials, witnesses, families of the victims and community members. Ziman responded to a tweet Wednesday from a man whose son was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The work Ive been called to do on behalf of the DOJ is for him and all the other lives that were cut short because a monster used an AR-15 to erase futures, she wrote in a tweet. Until my last breath, I will fight. In Auroras after-action report on the Henry Pratt mass shooting, it praised the police officers for their response but also noted communication and other issues that could be improved in the event of a similar incident. For instance, with more than 42 agencies responding to the shooting, it became hard for officials to know who was on the scene. Police also did not have access to blueprints of the Henry Pratt warehouse and were unfamiliar with its layout. FEMA recommended the city look into creating an ordinance that requires businesses to number their doors and register information with first responders. mejones@chicagotribune.com Algeria ordered its banks to suspend processing all import and export operations with Spain, in a recent escalation that followed the suspension of a neighborliness treaty in retaliation against Spains sovereign decision in support of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara region. The recent Algerian escalation came after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday defended before MPs the decision of his country to support Moroccos autonomy plan as the most serious and the most credible and realistic solution to the dispute over the Sahara region. Sanchez said support for Moroccos autonomy plan was a sovereign position of the Spanish state and that enhancing closer ties with Morocco was a well-thought strategic choice. Algeria has already withdrawn its ambassador from Spain in March after Madrids policy shift in favor of Moroccos territorial integrity. Spains government said it regretted Algerias decision and reaffirmed its commitment to the friendship treaty. The Spanish government regards Algeria as a friendly neighbor country and restates its complete readiness to keep and develop the special cooperation relationship between our two countries, to the benefit of the people of both, a Spanish foreign ministry statement said. Algerias move vindicates Moroccos concerns and its calls which has been telling the world that Algiers is the main party to the Sahara conflict and hence no solution can be found without Algeria sitting on the negotiations table. Algeria has already waved the gas card in a blackmail against Spain and threatened to cut gas supplies and hike prices due to Spains rapprochement with Morocco. Few days ago, Algeria gave up plans to expand its only pipeline with Spain, Medgaz, in a self-harming move that will further curtail Algiers shrinking share in the European market, amid growing competition from the US and Nigeria as well as other LNG suppliers. The military regime in Algeria is also projecting an image of a pariah state undermining regional peace and stability. Algeria cut ties with Morocco, banned all Moroccan aircrafts from its airspace and cut gas supplies last year. Analysts say Algerias hysterical foreign policy mirrors the disarray within a military-held regime that is set to continue creating so much fuss in a failed bid to cover the diplomatic gains made by Morocco on the Sahara issue. Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, met, Wednesday in Rabat, with a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by the Funds Deputy Managing Director, Antoinette Monsio Sayeh. The meeting was an opportunity for Fettah Alaoui to exchange views with the IMF official on the national and international economic situation and cooperation relations between Morocco and the international financial institution. Mrs. Sayehs visit is part of a series of communication actions held by the IMF in Morocco, the host country of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF that will take place in Marrakech in October 2023. It also comes in the context of the launch by the IMF of a working paper on the informal economy in the countries of the North African region that will be discussed at a roundtable jointly organized by the IMF, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Mohammed V University in Rabat. Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe have reaffirmed support for Moroccos territorial integrity, for the Moroccanness of the Sahara and for the Morocco-proposed Autonomy Plan. The remarks were made in separate joint statements issued in Rabat Wednesday following talks between the Foreign Ministers of Gabon Michael Moussa-Adamo, and of Sao Tome and principe Edite Dos Ramos Ten Jua with their Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita. Michael Moussa-Adamo has thus reiterated his countrys support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara as well as its full support for the Autonomy Plan which constitutes the only credible and realistic solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara. The Gabonese top diplomat expressed his countrys support for the efforts made by the United Nations, enshrining the pre-eminence of this Moroccan initiative for the final settlement of the Sahara dispute, within the framework of respect of Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara. The Gabonese Minister also underlined that the opening by his country of a Consulate General in Laayoune in January 2020 is in line with the dynamics of international recognition of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom. On this basis, the two sides have agreed to work together for the respect of the standards and procedures relating to this issue within the bodies of the African Union (AU), in particular Decision 693 of the African Union which established the exclusivity of the UN as a framework for the search for a solution to the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, the joint statement said. During their talks, Michael Moussa-Adamo and Bourita welcomed the perfect convergence of views of the two countries on the various regional and international issues of common interest, as well as the shared will of the two Heads of State, King Mohammed VI and President Ali Bongo Ondimba, to make of the exemplary and fraternal relations between the two countries a model of inter-African cooperation, based on the values of solidarity, exchange and sharing. The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe also reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Morocco. I want to reaffirm the support of Sao Tome and Principe to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom as I have expressed it on several occasions, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edite Dos Ramos Ten Jua, in a joint statement released following talks with her Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita. The Official also reiterated her countrys support for the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan as the only realistic solution to resolve the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. She likewise hailed the efforts made to achieve a lasting solution to this conflict within the framework of the Kingdoms sovereignty and under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations. The two African officials were both visiting Rabat to take part in the 1st Ministerial Meeting of the Atlantic African States held at the initiative of Morocco on June 8. Russia and Turkey Wednesday vowed to collaborate and work towards the stability of Libya where both countries back rival sides. Everyone must contribute to the full stabilization of Libya, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergej Lavrov in Ankara. We no longer want competition between countries as in the past. We have always been on the side of legitimacy, Mevlut Cavusoglu added. Russia and Turkey are opposed in Libya. Moscow backs Sirte-based government of former Interior Minister Fathi Baghasha appointed by the parliament while Ankara endorses Tripoli-headquartered rival administration in place since March last year and led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. Dbeibeh has refused to step down despite his removal by the House of Representatives. Last week UAE, another Sirte-based government backer, also pledged with Turkey to end rivalries in Libya and work towards the countrys stability. Libya has descended into chaos since 2011 in the wake of a NATO-backed revolution that assassinated former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Russia is accused of trying to bring to power Saif al Islam, one of Gaddafis sons. Sultana Khaya has failed to attract global attention recently by her multiple gesticulations in support of the Polisario separatists and their mentor Algeria as she continues to spread fake news about describing herself as a human rights activist who ironically calls for taking up arms against Morocco, where she lives! Speaking to the media in New York, Moroccos representative to the UN Omar Hilale uncovered her reality as a Polisario recruit who had travelled to Algeria 13 times since 2010, using her Moroccan transport to receive training on the use of arms and propaganda campaigns. Hilale showed reporters a picture of her in military uniform carrying a Kalashnikov in Algeria and wondered how can one describe as a peaceful activist someone who calls for armed attacks against Moroccan civilians and security forces, which amount to inciting to terrorism? The Polisario agent has been spreading fake news and falsely accusing authorities of violating her rights. Hilale recalled that Khaya had just visited Las Palmas earlier this month using her Moroccan passport without any restrictions. The separatist agent has also received a visit by an independent committee of the local Human rights council to look at her uncorroborated claims about rights violations, while a doctor from the national human rights council denied her claims of being a sexual assault victim. Khaya has been receiving 4300 dollars monthly from the Polisario to fund her anti-Moroccan propaganda through an unregistered organization that she runs, he said. Spains Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters on Thursday that the Spanish government will firmly defend its national interests in light of Algerias decision to scrap a 20-year-old friendship and cooperation treaty. We are analyzing the implications and the national and European consequences of that measure in a calm, constructive way, but also with firmness in the defense of Spain and the interests of Spaniards and Spanish companies, Albares told reporters. On Wednesday, the Spanish government said it regretted Algerias decision to suspend the cooperation treaty, furthering tensions after Madrid reversed its position in favor of Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara. The Spanish government regards Algeria as a friendly neighbor country and restates its complete readiness to keep and develop the special cooperation relationship between our two countries, to the benefit of both people, a Spanish foreign ministry statement said. The cooperation treaty provided for the strengthening of political dialogue between the two countries in the fields of economy, finance, education, and defense. On Wednesday, Algeria decided to proceed with the immediate suspension of the Treaty of friendship, neighborliness, and cooperation which it concluded on October 8, 2002 with the Kingdom of Spain and which governed so far the development of relations between the two countries. Following the suspension of the treaty, Algeria also ordered its banks to suspend processing all import and export operations with Spain, in retaliation against Spains sovereign decision in support of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara region. The recent Algerian escalation came after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday defended before MPs the decision of his country to support Moroccos autonomy plan as the most serious and the most credible and realistic solution to the dispute over the Sahara region. Sanchez said that support for Moroccos autonomy plan was a sovereign position of the Spanish state and that enhancing closer ties with Morocco was a well-thought strategic choice. Algeria has already withdrawn its ambassador from Spain in March after Madrids policy shift in favor of Moroccos territorial integrity. It has also waved the gas card in a blackmail against Spain and threatened to cut gas supplies and hike prices due to Spains rapprochement with Morocco. The Nigeria-ECOWAS gas pipeline project to Morocco and beyond is a model of regional integration that will change the face of Atlantic Africa, said Wednesday in Rabat Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita. The project is moving forward and will be a model of regional integration and will change the face of the Atlantic and this Atlantic Africa, Bourita pointed out during a joint press briefing with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, following talks on the sidelines of the 1st ministerial meeting of Atlantic African States. Among the other structuring and strategic projects, the minister mentioned the construction of a fertilizer factory, stressing that these two important projects are part of the impetus given by the two Heads of State, King Mohammed VI and President Muhammadu Buhari, to bilateral relations. In this regard, Mr. Bourita welcomed the excellent bilateral relations, driven by the personal relations of trust, friendship and brotherhood between the two heads of state, noting that Morocco and Nigeria seek to build a unique model of cooperation between two African countries. This is a concrete cooperation which is beneficial to both peoples, he pointed out. We will continue to work within the framework of this spirit, said Bourita. Echoing him, Nigerias Foreign Minister described as revolutionary the economic cooperation between his country and Morocco. We are very satisfied with this relationship which has led to certain projects within the framework of the partnership between Nigeria and Morocco, said the Nigerian top diplomat. The Nigerian official expressed the wish that King Mohammed VI would pay a visit to Nigeria to inaugurate some projects carried out in the framework of this bilateral partnership. Onyeama also welcomed Moroccos excellent initiative to organize the first ministerial meeting of African Atlantic States, stressing that this initiative will benefit Atlantic Africa as well as the whole of the Continent. He also congratulated Morocco for its governance policy which made it possible to achieve very positive results. He added that each time he visits Morocco, he is impressed to see that things are improving in a palpable way. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has endorsed the Moroccan-Nigerian off-shore on-shore gas pipeline that will benefit 13 African countries and that is seen as a strategic undertaking for regional integration in West Africa, bearing positive impacts on the socio-economic development of all countries in the region. The gas pipelines benefits transcend channeling Nigerian gas to Morocco and Europe to promote trade, regional cooperation and energy diversification in West Africa. The pipeline was also on the agenda of President Buharis visit to Spain, where he held talks with the head of government, Pedro Sanchez, and the chairman of the gas company Naturgy, Francisco Reynes. Another day, another trail recalled. Granted, Utahans Joe and Marcyne Blythe were riding the Mormon Trail west through Lincoln County Thursday with much less fanfare than Pony Express reenactors had across the Platte River a day before. The idea was quite similar, though. Were following in our ancestors footsteps, Joe Blythe said after turning his hand-built wagon briefly off the north shoulder of U.S. Highway 30 between Brady and Maxwell. The Blythes, who live in Genola, Utah, and longtime friend Bret Durrant, who ranches near Boise, Idaho, are traveling the length of the 1,300-mile Mormon Trail in honor of the migrant routes 175th anniversary. They stopped Thursday night near Lee Bird Field in North Platte and hope to reach Utahs Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24. That day, a Utah holiday, marks the 1847 arrival of Mormon leader Brigham Young with 146 followers and Youngs decision to make it the new home of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Thats what were shooting for, Joe Blythe said. Hopefully it happens. Weve got a long way to go. Young succeeded church founder Joseph Smith, who had moved with his family and early disciples from New York state to Ohio, Missouri and finally Nauvoo, Illinois. Smith was assassinated there in 1845. The Mormon Trail parallels the Oregon-California Trail through Nebraska and most of Wyoming. To avoid trouble with Missouri emigrants on the latter trail, Young kept his bands north of the Platte and North Platte rivers instead of south. Thirteen years later, the short-lived Pony Express first galloped through Nebraska on the Oregon Trail side of the Platte. Members of the National Pony Express Association rode west through Lincoln County Wednesday on the groups annual reride between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. The Blythes resumed their two-week 2022 trail journey Thursday morning about five miles east of Brady, with Durrant riding ahead on a horse and Dee Henrie of Provo, Utah, driving a support trailer behind. Joe Blythe, 55, and Marcyne, 56, said they started their 175th anniversary observance last September by riding the 315 miles from Nauvoo to the former city of Florence on Omahas northeast side. Thats where Young in late 1846 set up Winter Quarters for his migrations 16,000-member vanguard. Some 700 died in the harsh winter that followed, with about half of them buried in the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery near Florences Mormon Trail Center and modern Latter-day Saints temple. The Blythes and Durrant, 54, who said they have ancestors buried in that cemetery and all along the Mormon Trail, returned to Florence and set out for Utah May 23. Durrant and Joe Blythe worked together for about 30 years with Adams & Smith Inc., an engineering firm based in Lindon, Utah. Joe Blythe still does, but Durrant raises bison near Boise. Joe Blythe said he built the couples yellow-wheeled wagon, which bears an American flag, a wooden barrel and a wooden etched Mormon Trail 1847 sign. What you wont see on their low-key 175th anniversary journey are examples of the handcarts with which many LDS pioneers pulled their possessions to Utah. All my family did wagons, Joe Blythe said, with Durrant chiming in that his forebears used both wagons and handcarts. Theyve been making 22 to 25 miles a day thus far on this springs 1,050-mile trek to trails end, they added. Their path will take them northwest from Ogallala, up the North Platte valley to Scottsbluff-Gering and through south central Wyoming to Utahs Wasatch Range. Present-day motorists can generally follow the Oregon, California and Mormon trails and the Pony Express with the help of Auto Route road signs and guidebooks by the U.S. National Park Service. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Brock Pierce wants to represent you (if you happen to live in Vermont). Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Brock Pierce is a lot of things: an apparent crypto billionaire, a co-founder of the controversial stablecoin tether, a former child actor, a confidante of Eric Adams, a regular lecturer at an unaccredited, for-profit Silicon Valley university mired in sexual-harassment claims whose early members went to prison for credit-card fraud. Hes also exploring a run for Senate in Vermont this November as an independent in a bid to take over the soon-to-be-vacated seat from Patrick Leahy. But theres just one problem its not really clear where he lives. Now, hes facing the prospect of pulling a Nick Kristof for falling short of residency requirements in Vermont or giving up a lot of money in back taxes to say that Puerto Rico, where hes tried to remake the island into a crypto utopia, is not his home. According to VTDigger.com, Pierce is in a bind about his residency. Last year, he declared in a Federal Election Commission form that he was intending to run for Senate in the Green Mountain State which requires that candidates spend 183 days out of the year in Vermont. In January, he bought a $2.3 million mansion in Vermont, the site reported. But Puerto Rico also has a 183-day requirement for people who want to take advantage of its $0 tax policies, which lets get out our calculators here, beep boop zzzrt means that he cant be a resident of both. A crypto billionaire with a potentially huge tax bill is an interesting issue for the government of Puerto Rico, which recently emerged from bankruptcy and has struggled to pay off its debts after Hurricane Maria and the COVID pandemic. Manuel Cidre, the head of Puerto Ricos economics and commerce department, said he was looking into Pierces residency and noted that any incorrect statements about residency on federal forms could be a federal crime. To be clear, its not certain that Pierce is going to run for Senate. I reached out to Pierce directly, but he didnt email me back. His campaign manager wouldnt divulge anything about Pierces residency to VTDigger. Pierce said in January that he would decide by March, but that deadline came and went. Hes played footsie with Steve Bannon about a run he and Bannon knew each other back in the mid-aughts, when he was running a company that helped people cheat at video games but his most recent FEC filings show that his political spending has gone to a former adviser to Dominique Strauss-Kahn and a firm that was behind Gil Cisneross losing 2020 bid for a House seat. On his Twitter account, Pierce has posted a few pictures of himself in Vermont, snowboarding in the winter, strolling in town, talking with as many as eight people who showed up to an event. But there are also pictures of him in Panama, Washington, D.C., and New York so who knows? So far, we are only 160 days into 2022, so Pierce still has a few weeks to figure out where he wants to reside. Nicholas John Roske was taken into custody when he called an emergency line and confessed that he wanted to kill Brett Kavanaugh, in distress over the justices positions on gun control and abortion. The Republican Party seized on the news to blame Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. To take just a few examples, here is Ted Cruz: And Josh Hawley: I wonder if @chuckschumer is still proud of personally threatening Supreme Court Justices now that people with guns are showing up at their houses to kill them https://t.co/4Xx9iviyNG Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 8, 2022 And Charles Grassley: Democrat Ldr Schumer said justices wld pay the price on steps of Supreme Court if they didnt rule how he wanted 2day person was arrested who wanted to kill a Justice bc of how court might rule Leaders must weigh their words more carefully esp when they might incite violence ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) June 8, 2022 The point has been echoed by conservative pundits like Andrew McCarthy, Dan McLaughlin, David Harsanyi, and on and on. The smoking gun linking Schumer to the assassination plot is a speech he gave to a pro-choice rally in 2020. (A relatively long time for incitement to come to fruition.) The portion of the speech in which Schumer was allegedly seeding a murder plot is this: From Louisiana to Missouri to Texas, Republican legislatures are waging a war on women, all women, and theyre taking away fundamental rights. I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions. Every one of the conservatives cited above quotes this passage. Was Schumer threatening a violent response? Or was he threatening a political response? The conservatives all simply assume the former and blame Schumer accordingly. This is a strange interpretation to follow in the context of Schumers career, which is not as a paramilitary insurgent but as a rumpled parliamentary insider who is known for his inordinate enthusiasm for announcing new funds for local parks and community centers. More relevant context can be found in the speech itself. The very next lines in the speech, after decisions, are as follows: The bottom line is very simple. We will stand with the American people. We will stand with American women. We will tell President Trump and Senate Republicans, who have stacked the Court with right-wing ideologues, that youre going to be gone in November, and you will never be able to do what youre trying to do now ever, ever again. You hear that over there on the far right? Youre gone in November. Schumer was threatening a political response, not a violent response. Youll be shocked to learn that none of the conservatives quote or mention this part of the speech. Conservatives have put together their false implication that Schumer was threatening violence with their (unproven) assumption that the leak of the Dobbs draft was done by a liberal to reach even darker conclusions. National Review editor-in-chief Rich Lowry portrays the leak as a liberal scheme to terrify the conservative justices into submission: Well need to learn more, but the leak was obviously intended to subject the 5 justices to a pressure campaign and there was obvious potential for physical dangeryet almost no Democrats were willing to denounce it https://t.co/JdHvNGuTVN Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) June 8, 2022 Right-wing legal apparatchik Josh Blackman demands the Court cease all deliberation and announce it is overturning Roe immediately: Why is there a delay? So Roberts can take yet another ill-fated attempt to pick off one or two votes? A real leader would have put aside his quixotical quest for balance. Every day that passes, as the Chief haggles over votes, a target remains on the backs of his colleagues. Notice how it is a conservative who is explicitly leveraging the threat of violence to implore the Court to reach the outcome he prefers. You can fairly impugn Schumer (whose home is the site of regular protests) for having endorsed the right of protesters to gather outside the homes of Supreme Court justices. Such protests are inevitably threatening to their targets, since they provide the perfect cover for an armed nut. But Schumer also rushed through a bill to enhance security for the Courts members. Whatever you wish to say about Schumer, he is not a violent extremist nor the sort of politician who encourages violent extremism. The award ceremony of the "One Step" Chinese-Hungarian Drawing Competition was held both offline and online simultaneously in central China's Hubei and Henan provinces and Hungary's Gyor-Moson-Sopron County on Tuesday. The event, which attracted nearly 100 participants including students, teachers and government representatives, was jointly held by the respective local governments. It was aimed at deepening the friendship between China and Hungary through friendly exchanges between teenagers, according to the organizing committee in Hubei. From March to May 2022, students from middle schools in China's Hubei and Henan provinces and Gyor-Moson-Sopron County of Hungary submitted more than 120 creative works themed on bilateral friendship, inventions of the two countries and environmental protection. Huang Shihui from Xianning Xiangcheng Middle School in Hubei Province won the first prize for her painting "China in the Rubik's cube." Her work features a huge Rubik's cube occupying a tableau, with things that embody Chinese history and contemporary development, such as a compass, traditional Chinese medicine book, the Great Wall, FAST telescope and Shenzhou spaceship, painted in each square of the cube. "The Rubik's cube was invented in Hungary. I want to introduce China to Hungarian friends through their familiar piece of invention," Huang said, adding that she hopes her painting can help deepen the friendship between the two peoples. Fanni Kotrics-Szabo also won the first prize. Speaking at the award ceremony in Gyor-Moson-Sopron, she said she likes Chinese culture, so she decided to take part in this competition. "I'm so proud of my work and I will continue to create more paintings." Hubei and Gyor-Moson-Sopron forged "sisterhood ties" in 2014, and various bilateral exchanges and cooperation initiatives, including the building of a section of the Hungry-Serbia Railway and student exchange programs, have been carried out. "The painting competition has built a bridge for communication between young people in China and Hungary," said Zhao Haishan, vice governor of Hubei, at the awarding ceremony, vowing to carry out more exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. The American progressive movement has consciously modeled itself after the conservative movement and possesses many of its characteristic traits: a blueprint for society derived largely from first principles, a focus on maintaining solidarity among the movements component specialized activist groups, and an obsession with media bias as the explanation for all critical coverage. It also mirrors the conservative movements conviction that any setback must reflect either a betrayal or a failure of willpower rather than any internal defect. As Rick Perlstein famously said, Conservatism never fails. It is only failed. In the wake of Chesa Boudins recall in San Francisco, the progressive movement is reflecting the same invincible self-confidence. By the progressive movement, I mean the orthodox left-wing movement that often works within the Democratic Party but harbors deep tensions with its moderate and mainstream liberal wings that play out daily on Twitter and regards Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as failures. Because the progressive movement lacks the popular support to implement its ideas on a national or even statewide scale states as blue as Vermont and California could not implement a program like single-payer health insurance cities are the only political units with sufficiently large Democratic supermajorities to allow the left to occasionally gain power. Cities are thus the main real-life, non-Twitter staging ground for left-versus-liberal combat. For this reason, the string of setbacks by urban progressives has a special significance that has been grasped by both the left and its critics. The lefts response to Boudins recall is instructive. The voters who decided to recall their left-wing prosecutor were simply confused. Why is recalling a prosecutor supposed to be an answer to homelessness? How is the mythic fusion of CRIMEANDHOMELESSNESS supposed to translate into any sort of stark warning on these two separate policy questions? demanded Tom Scocca. Perhaps more than anything, Boudins recall shows how inchoate anger over the visible symptoms of inequality homelessness, public drug use, property crime can crystallize into a renunciation of an individual politician, even as voters broadly desire the policies that politician champions, concludes Piper French. The biggest takeaway from Boudins decisive defeat, according to the left, is that voters really like Boudins policies. A different explanation is that Boudin made himself the focal point of frustration with lawlessness because he loudly communicated the idea that enforcing the law was not his priority. He vowed the tough-on-crime policies and rhetoric of the 1990s and early 2000s are on their way out, criticized Mayor London Breed for cracking down on drug dealers, and promised not to charge quality-of-life offenses like public camping, offering or soliciting sex, public urination, blocking a sidewalk. It may be true that the underlying cause of homelessness lies outside of Boudins control. But given that he publicly articulated a change in policy in handling the symptoms of that crisis, its hardly a surprise that voters would fault him when the symptoms worsen. Boudin represents the long tail of a disastrously misconceived response by progressives to the problem of abusive and racist policing. The best available model for effective reform of urban policing could be found in Camden, New Jersey, which dissolved its corrupt and racist police force and reconstituted the department. The Camden model required spending more money for better and more accountable public safety. This model, however, did not have intrinsic appeal to progressive activists. Instead, activist groups settled on a slogan of defunding the police. The advantage of this approach is that, first, it neatly fudged the difference between activists who favored reducing spending on the police and more radical activists who favored outright police abolition. (Defund can mean either decreasing funds or zeroing them out.) And second, by framing the police problem as one of resources, it avoided the need to discomfit labor by confronting the power of police unions (which make it difficult to fire even the most violent and bigoted cops). Instead, it held out the possibility of redistributing resources from policing to other government agencies, an additional carrot for government employees. One norm that has taken hold within the progressive movement is a taboo against expressing frontal disagreement with progressive activists, which is disdained as scolding. (The activists themselves, of course, are free to castigate liberals and moderates as openly as they wish.) Since every issue on the left has affiliated activists, the practical effect of the anti-scolding norm is to make it difficult to identify and correct misguided ideas on the left, at least openly. Many progressives have quietly backed away from defunding without repudiating its underlying premises. And so, even as Democratic politicians have fled en masse, progressives continue to frame policing as a resource-allocation problem. In the wake of the Uvalde, Texas, massacre, left-wingers like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez circulated misleading statistics about police spending, which has become a progressive trope. Even as the defunding slogan has receded, the implicit or explicit goal of less policing rather than better policing remains. This stance, however, placed progressive activists in diametric opposition to the desires of the communities they wish (and claim) to represent. A Pew research poll found Black and Hispanic Democrats favored higher levels of police funding than did white Democrats. Boudins recall fared best worst in the whitest neighborhoods in San Francisco. Black elected officials have responded to their communities desire for better, not less, policing. Black mayors like Eric Adams, London Breed, and Lori Lightfoot have all drawn the ire of left-wing activists because they are responsive to Black voters desire for safety. In Los Angeles, Karen Bass has followed this model, angering the left by promising to put 250 more cops on the beat and remove homeless camps. The lefts response to these reversals has been to portray voters as the victims of brainwashing by conservative media. Congratulations to San Franciscos hysterically reactionary media for carrying this Koch-funded recall over the finish line, ensuring that reforming Americas brutal criminal justice system drifts ever-further out of reach, wrote Dave Roberts. The media, and particularly local television news, tends to cover crime a lot, in part because of the perception that this draws viewers, wrote Perry Bacon, making a more considered version of the same argument. And both national and local newspapers tend to be owned and run by more moderate figures, be wary of left-wing causes and find the left to be a useful foil to demonstrate to conservatives that they arent too liberal. As a result, news coverage in these races becomes very favorable to politicians like Adams and unfavorable to ones like Boudin. Why Black, Latino and Asian American Democrats would be more susceptible to reactionary media propaganda than white Democrats, they have not explained. The obsession with the media does at least point toward a strategic answer to the problem. If the left could gain the same level of control over mainstream media that conservatives hold over right-wing media, you could at least imagine a world in which voters in blue America could be coaxed away from worrying about crime and instead worry about the things progressives want them to worry about. A glimpse of how this method might work was seen during the demonstrations against George Floyds murder. There was a time when left-wing staffers at mainstream news organizations were able to exert enough internal pressure to make it genuinely difficult for these publications to use clear language to describe the rioting and looting that was springing up around some demonstrations or the effects of the de-policing that took place in some areas in response. Instead, the news media robotically repeated that the demonstrations were mostly peaceful, which was true, yet elided the real harm that ensued from small numbers of criminals or extremists exploiting peaceful crowds. The end point of this strategy would be to create an information environment in which progressives have an echo-chamber equivalent in influence to that controlled by the conservative movement. In a world like that, progressives would have the same ability enjoyed by conservatives to ignore bad news or dismiss it all as the carping of their partisan enemies. Democratic politicians would be able to ignore a spike in crime even if it is killing their own voters, just as Republicans today can ignore COVID even as their own supporters disproportionately perish. Many progressives would like to emulate the rights model of imposing movement discipline upon a political party and an affiliated media ecosystem. I wont deny that this method can be effective, at least in theory, for gaining power. But one thing it cant do is make the world a better place. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers The world of vinyl records, like any niche hobby, can be intimidating to the uninitiated. Terms like preamp, platter, and cartridge can make listening to vinyl seem like an overly complicated pastime (especially since turntables and records arent exactly cheap). But thats not true, according to the experts we spoke with including DJs, record-store owners, and general vinyl geeks all of whom assured us that you dont need more than a turntable with a preamp, a few records, and speakers to get started. Each of our experts recommended different turntables for beginners, but they all advised avoiding one very popular all-in-one record player that comes in a suitcase: Whatever you do, dont get a Crosley, says DJ Prestige of the DJ-focused website Fleamarket Funk, who claims that if youre serious about your new hobby, you should look for machines with better sound quality and with needles that wont eventually ruin your records. In practice, that means avoiding not just a Crosley, but most if not all record players. While a record player is self-contained and will play vinyl without any other equipment, the sound quality is typically poor; a turntable and speakers (like Audioengines A2+) will give you a purer sounding analog home-audio system. All of the turntables below are great entry-level options that contain quality parts and will last for some time with regular care. Most of them also contain a built-in preamp more on what that means below because our experts say thats the easiest and most straightforward setup to use. See how that works, and then if you see yourself wanting something better, you can upgrade slowly down the line, explains Mike Davis, owner of New York Citys Academy Records. Here, the best turntables you can buy online. Best overall | Best upgrade | Best Bluetooth-enabled | Best minimalist | Most stylish | Best classic What were looking for Price: A top-of-the-line turntable can easily carry a thousand-dollar price tag. But the cheapest options raise instant red flags for our specialists because they can damage your records. To get an entry-level turntable that wont damage your records and has good sound quality, expect to spend between $250 and $500. While there are definitely some decent options below $250 that wont damage your records, they typically wont sound as great as more expensive models. Our experts also recommend sticking to familiar, reputable brands. Weve labeled the price range of each turntable below with one, two, or three $s. Turntables under $250 have a single $. The sweet spot for between $250 and $500 is marked with $$. Any turntable that costs more than $501 is marked with $$$ and will tend to have more features and higher quality sound. Ease of use: Many novice record collectors just want to hit that play button, watch the tonearm swing over a spinning record like a crane in a cityscape, and hear sound fill up a room. Most of the turntables below provide that experience and require just a power outlet and speakers that can connect via Bluetooth or audio cables. The simpler the setup process, the more enjoyable your introduction to vinyl is likely to be. Fully automatic turntables will start at the beginning of the record and then stop and lift the tonearm at the end of the record. A manual turntable gives you more control because it allows you to choose where to drop the tonearm and stylus, picking which song you want to hear which is what enthusiasts love. Some turntables also come with USB outputs that allow you to connect them to your computer and archive physical records in a digital format. Built-in preamp: A turntable produces a phono signal and a preamp converts that to a line signal, which is what allows it to work with other audio equipment, like speakers. Without a phono preamp, your turntable wont be able to produce sound. Most modern turntables come with a built-in phono preamp. You can also buy a preamp separately, which is how turntables used to work a typical setup would have included the turntable connected to a preamp connected to the speakers. With built-in preamps, you can skip the middleman, so a more common setup today is simply a turntable and speakers. This is a streamlined setup perfect for a beginner. (As your interest and record collection grows, you can always buy separate phono preamps, which start around $100 or go as high as $500.) With most turntables, the setup can be adjusted and improved over time. Terms to know: The platter is the rotating part of the turntable that holds the vinyl record in place. The tonearm hangs over the record and houses one of the turntables most important parts, the cartridge. The cartridge contains wire coils and a magnet that use the physical movement of the stylus, or the needle that follows the grooves of a record, to create an electric current that is amplified as sound. The quality of the cartridge and stylus can greatly affect the sound produced by your turntable. Best overall turntable Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable $199 $ | Fully automatic | Built-in preamp | Bluetooth-enabled | No USB output Audio-Technicas LP60X is the bread-and-butter piece for most people. It will get the job done really, really well, says Mark Steinberg, the chief technologist and turntable specialist at B&H Photo and Video. Audio-Technica has a great reputation in the industry, and the LP60X is a perennial best seller at B&H Steinberg says its the first one he shows to customers who come in to browse. It has a built-in preamp as well as Bluetooth capability that will let you connect to a standard Bluetooth speaker for wireless, vinyl-powered sound. Steinberg describes it as an entry-level serious turntable, explaining, Its not a toy. Its not going to damage your records. If youre willing to spend about $20 more for an upgraded model, you can get one that is USB-equipped for archiving and recording. DJ Prestige, who recently tried the LP60X for the first time, agrees that its a good option for anyone. It sounded great, he told us of his first spin. Note that the LP60X does not have a replaceable cartridge (the part of the turntable that holds the needle), which means you wont be able to upgrade that component if you get more serious about vinyl down the line. Steinberg also points out that it is fully automatic, meaning the push of a button moves the tonearm into place to start the record, and that the arm lifts off on its own when the record is finished playing. This feature, he explains, could be great if youre new to vinyl and want to make things a little easier, but purists will likely prefer the feel and ritual of manual operation. $199 at Amazon Buy $200 at Target Buy Best upgrade turntable Audio-Technica ATLP120X USB Direct Drive Professional USB Turntable $349 $$ | Manual operation | Built-in preamp | Bluetooth-enabled | USB output The Audio-Technica LP120X is modeled not so subtly after what is probably the most iconic turntable of all time, the discontinued Technics 1200. Steinberg says hell recommend it to any customer but he especially suggests it to those newer to vinyl who want something a little nicer than an entry-level option. This turntables key feature is the magnet-powered direct drive, which is usually only found in professional-grade turntables or other, more expensive units. DJ Prestige explains that unlike turntables with a belt drive (a motor powered by replaceable belts that wear down with use and may need to be swapped depending on the type of record you play), a direct drive will rarely, if ever, need service. According to Prestige, it can handle records of all sizes without any fiddling under the hood. If I were starting over right now, Id probably get this because of the quality you get for the price, says the DJ of 20 years. And although Davis has never used the LP120X or its very similar predecessor, the LP120, I bought a 120 for my nephew and he loves it. And he bought one for his friend, who loves it too. For Steinberg, Prestige, and Davis, this turntable checks other appealing boxes too. It comes from a reputable maker; it has a built-in preamp, so the only other thing you need to use it is a powered speaker; and it features a USB output that allows you to connect it to your computer if you want to archive your vinyl. Its also fully manual, so you have much more control and a more tactile experience when playing records. According to Steinberg, the LP120X has a more efficient motor than the earlier LP120, so it needs less energy and gets up to speed faster. Audio-Technica does a great job of listening to customer feedback, Steinberg says, and the 120X reflects that, boasting a lower profile, a stronger preamp, and a power supply thats built into the charging cord instead of the turntable itself. $349 at Target Buy $349 at Guitar Center Buy Best Bluetooth-enabled turntable Sony PSLX310BT Bluetooth Stereo Turntable $248 $248 $ | Fully automatic | Built-in preamp | Bluetooth-enabled | USB output Ive been using the Sony Bluetooth Stereo Turntable for about four years now. Its one of the easiest turntables to use you hit the power button in the back, place a record on the platter, hit play, and the tonearm will automatically find the records groove. It might not have the je ne sais quoi spirit of a manual turntable, but I enjoy its simplicity. The Bluetooth connection is equally simple to use: You hold the Bluetooth button and then you connect your closest speaker, and voila, sound. If you dont want to think too hard about your turntable, this one is convenient and straightforward, especially for a novice record collector. Music journalist Jessica Lipsky also likes Sony, though she uses an earlier model that she says is still going strong after ten years. Ive stuck with this because its simple, she says. Shes a fan of the handy dust cover, and she likes that it will be easy to plug into any system she wants to use it with in the future. Steinberg says this newer model is one of his favorites for the price because Sony is a trustworthy brand and the turntable is so straightforward. $248 at Audio Advice Buy $250 at Best Buy Buy Best minimalist turntable Music Hall mmf-1.3 Stereo Turntable $299 $$ | Manual operation | Built-in preamp | No Bluetooth | No USB output If youre looking for something a little sleeker and dont care about Bluetooth connectivity or USB output, this minimalist Music Hall turntable comes recommended by both Davis and Steinberg. The brands roots are in the audiophile-grade market, according to Davis, who says this entry-level manual turntable from the brand is very well-regarded. This would be a great place to start if youre looking for something more serious, Steinberg says, noting that a lot of people love Music Hall for its stripped-down and bare-bones approach. This model is powered by a belt drive, includes a built-in preamp, and can play much rarer and older 78 records, which stopped being widely produced in the late 1950s, while most belt-driven turntables (including all the others on this list) can only handle newer 33s and 45s. For a better turntable, thats a rarity, explains Steinberg. Even though it lacks Bluetooth and a USB output, for someone looking to upgrade from a more automated and novice setup, this is a great option. $299 at Amazon Buy $349 at B&H Photo and Video Buy Most stylish turntable Pro-Ject T1 BT Turntable $549 $$$ | Manual operation | Built-in preamp | Bluetooth-enabled | No USB output Pro-Ject pretty much only makes turntables, says Steinberg, who notes that many of the brands models are priced in the thousands, making the T1 a great choice for someone who wants to dip their toes into the higher-end market. Davis and DJ Prestige agree that Pro-Ject turntables are known for their minimalist build, streamlined look, and high-quality materials, like a cartridge made by Ortofon, a company that Steinberg says has a long history of producing audiophile-approved components. The T1 comes with a built-in preamp, Bluetooth connectivity, and a manual tonearm, making it accessible to both novice users and more experienced collectors. It also has a sleek and beautiful design that would compliment any interior-design enthusiasts space. $549 at Amazon Buy $549 at Audio Advice Buy Best classic turntable Technics SL-1200MK7 Direct Drive Turntable System $1,000 $$$ | Manual operation | External preamp required | No Bluetooth | No USB output As all of our experts noted, the discontinued Technics 1200 is something of an icon in the turntable world. The 1200 was the standard when it came out in the 70s, and its been the standard ever since, says Davis. DJ Prestige is a longtime fan too. Ive been DJ-ing for 20 years, and all Ive had are Technics, he says. Eilon Paz a photographer and the author of Dust and Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting called the Technics 1200 a workhorse and told us that after it was discontinued, there was a big outcry in the record-collecting community. According to Paz, this newer model is Technics attempt at appeasement. Like other high-end turntables, its a manual turntable that doesnt have a built-in preamp or Bluetooth connectivity or a USB output. This is Technics ode to a classic turntable. $1,000 at B&H Photo and Video Buy $1,000 at Sweetwater Buy Our experts Mike Davis, owner of New York Citys Academy Records Jessica Lipsky, music journalist Eilon Paz, photographer and the author of Dust and Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting DJ Prestige of Fleamarket Funk Mark Steinberg, chief technologist and turntable specialist at B&H Photo and Video get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Breeze To Now Serve Las Vegas from 11 Cities Nonstop LAS VEGAS, June 09, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Breeze Airways, the Seriously Nice low-fare airline founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, announced a new route from Akron-Canton, OH, to Las Vegas just as it touched down for the first time in "the entertainment capital of the world" today, inaugurating a new route from Richmond, VA. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005953/en/ CEO David Neeleman celebrates Breeze Airways' debut in Las Vegas to 11 cities nonstop (Photo: Business Wire) The new service from Akron-Canton will be Breezes 11th new nonstop to serve Las Vegas. Flights will start October 6 and travel is now on sale from just $99* one way, if purchased by June 13, 2022, for travel by February 14, 2023. Breeze offers nonstop service to Las Vegas, NV, from: Richmond, VA (Thurs and Sun, starting today); Syracuse, NY (Fri and Mon, starting June 10); Fort Myers, FL (Wed and Sat, starting June 11); Norfolk, VA (Thurs and Sun, starting August 4); Huntsville, AL (Thurs and Sun, starting August 4); Charleston, SC (Fri, Sat and Mon, starting August 5); Hartford, CT (Wed and Sat, starting September 7); New York-Westchester, NY (Daily, starting September 8); Jacksonville, FL (Thurs and Sun, starting September 8); Provo-Salt Lake City, UT (Daily, starting October 5); and Akron-Canton, OH (Thurs and Sun, starting October 6, Nice from $99* one way; Nicer from $139*; Nicest from $149*). "Its a really exciting day today, as Breeze arrives in Las Vegas for the first time bring out the showgirls!" said Breezes Founder and CEO David Neeleman. "And with our 11th new nonstop here, more people than ever can get to Vegas nonstop for really low fares." "We welcome Breeze Airways announcement of roundtrip service between the Akron-Canton and Las Vegas markets," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "This new route shows confidence in the growth of the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) and provides access to a top tourist and convention destination." Story continues "The investment Breeze is making in Las Vegas speaks to the enduring allure of this destination," said Chris Jones, Chief Marketing Officer, Harry Reid International Airport. "With these and other coming new routes, Breeze has identified several unserved LAS markets and will soon make it even easier for travelers from across the country to fly to Las Vegas." "We are thankful for a winning partnership with Breeze Airways that allows us the ability to now offer nonstop service to CAKs #1 unserved destination, Vegas! " said Ren Camacho, Akron-Canton Airport President and CEO. "CAKs convenient airport experience paired with Breezes excellent travel product make a sure bet for Northeast Ohio travelers." "Breeze Airways decision to choose Akron-Canton Airport for direct, round-trip service to Las Vegas adds more airline capacity accelerating the Airports post-pandemic recovery," said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. "In less than a year, Breezes partnership has established seven nonstop markets for CAK, bolstering business and leisure travel options for Northeastern Ohioans while connecting other regions of the country to our state." Breeze will operate all Las Vegas new routes with its fleet of Airbus A220s. The airline plans to more than double its fleet this year, from 13 Embraer 190 and 195 aircraft to 30 aircraft, including 14 Airbus A220s and three additional Embraer E-jets. Breeze has ordered 80 new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, that will be delivered one per month over the next six years, with options for 40 more. When flying on the A220 aircraft, Guests may choose from three price bundles that are offered as Nice, Nicer, and Nicest. Breezes initial A220 aircraft deliveries will feature 126 seats, including 36 First Class in a two-by-two configuration, 10 Extra Legroom seats, and 80 Standard Economy seats in a two-by-three configuration. The A220 seat configuration is dynamic however and later deliveries will offer 137 total seats, 12 First Class seats, 45 Extra Legroom seats and 80 Standard Economy seats onboard. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Flights are now on sale at www.flybreeze.com and via the Breeze app. * Introductory fares promotion is only available when booking a new reservation and on select routes. Supply is limited. No advance purchase requirement applies. Promotional fares must be purchased by June 13, 2022 (11:59 pm ET) for travel through February 14, 2023. Price, rules and routes displayed include taxes and government fees, and are subject to change without notice. Black-out dates and other restrictions may apply. BREEZE B-ROLL FOR BROADCAST MEDIA: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/wdVrjlK9EX About Breeze Airways Breeze Airways began service in May 2021 primarily in the east and southeast of the United States, but is expanding west across the U.S. with 90 nonstop routes between 30 cities in 17 states. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze is a low fare carrier offering "new, nice and nonstop flights" between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times. Breezes mission is to make the world of travel simple, affordable and convenient, using technology, ingenuity and kindness to improve the travel experience. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Flights are on sale at www.flybreeze.com and via the Breeze app. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005953/en/ Contacts Gareth Edmondson-Jones Breeze Airways (917) 399-9355 Gareth.EdmondsonJones@FlyBreeze.com Newly-built maternity ward in the rural Kitui South Sub County of Kenya This spring, CMMB joined the Kitui County Ministry of Health and Sanitation to officially welcome mothers and newborns for services at the facility, which was funded by CMMBs Children and Mothers Partnerships program (CHAMPS). Inside newly-built maternity ward in rural Kenya with doctor and new mom The facility will serve an estimated population of 2,500. New York, New York, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) is celebrating the newly-built maternity ward in the rural Kitui South Sub County of Kenya. Benefiting an estimated population of 2,500,CMMB staff have reported double the number of women seeking antenatal and skilled delivery since the facility opened. Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) celebrates the opening of a brand-new maternity ward, equipped to serve a rural community in Kenya with an estimated population of 2,500. This spring, CMMB joined the Kitui County Ministry of Health and Sanitation to officially welcome mothers and newborns for services at the facility, which was funded by CMMBs Children and Mothers Partnerships program (CHAMPS). Around the world, the maternal death rate remains startingly high and disproportionally affects impoverished communities. According to the most recent data, 94% of maternal deaths in a single year occurred in resource-poor areas of the world. Even more unsettling is the fact that with access to proper care, these deaths can be often avoided. CMMBs work in Kitui South Sub County has encouraged an increased demand for maternal and child health services, largely thanks to the efforts of CMMB-supported Community Health Volunteers. These individuals travel long distances, often by foot, to reach vulnerable households in their communities. In addition to providing basic medical treatment and support, they spread awareness and encourage women to seek essential maternal and newborn health services. Opening the maternity ward was a real joy as it was a beautiful place to support women during the birth process and to welcome newborns in a clean and safe setting to begin their journey, said Mary Beth Powers, CMMB president and CEO. Our community health workers encourage women to give birth in the facility with a skilled provider rather than the prior tradition of delivering at home, and the ceremony helped introduce the community to the quality care that would now be available to them. So, while it was a great celebration for CMMB and our Ministry of Health partners, it really was an opportunity to inspire the community to give mothers and newborns the best start in life. Story continues Prior to the facilitys opening, women in the surrounding communities faced several barriers to health access, including having to travel long distances to the nearest health facility. As a result, home births remained common throughout the county, which can lead to life-threatening complications for both mom and newborn. Kalambani community is classified as a hard-to-reach community as distance to the nearest health facility is an average of 15 KM, said Caroline Wangire, CMMB project assistant in Kenya. The community is generally poor with most families lacking a reliable source of income. This area has a difficult terrain and roads are commonly cutoff by runoff water from neighboring counties," she said. The new facility will ease the travel burden for women in both Kitui South Sub County and Kitui East Sub County. Since opening, CMMB staff have reported double the number of women seeking antenatal and skilled delivery services. In addition, the facility has encouraged an increase in child health services, including routine immunization, growth monitoring, and deworming. Delivering my baby in this new facility has been a blessing, said a new mother, who recently received care at the facility. I really lack the best words to thank CMMB for remembering us as a community after the long wait for modern maternity. Thanks, a billion times, for touching our lives. Indeed, there is hope for mothers in our area and beyond asante sana [thank you]. For 110 years, CMMB has responded to some of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The international, faith-based NGO works to strengthen health systems in remote communities and operates locally in Haiti, Peru, Zambia, Kenya, and South Sudan. To mark over a century of serving, CMMB has selected A Call to Mission as its theme for this milestone year. Contributions make it possible for CMMB to continue supporting women and children with life-saving care. Donations are welcome at cmmb.org. About Catholic Medical Mission Board: CMMB provides long-term medical and development aid to communities affected by poverty and unequal access to healthcare. Focusing on womens and childrens health, we deliver sustainable health services in Peru, Haiti, Kenya, South Sudan, and Zambia. For over a century, we have worked to strengthen and support communities through healthcare programs and initiatives, the placement of volunteers, and the distribution of medicines and medical supplies. Over the last 10 years, CMMBs Medical Donations Program has distributed more than $5 billion worth of medicines and medical supplies to 83 countries across the globe. Attachments CONTACT: Luke Doughtery Catholic Medical Mission Board 212-609-2582 LDougherty@cmmb.org Kasada acquires the Umubano hotel in Kigali, Rwanda The historic building will undergo full refurbishment to re-open as a 100-key Movenpick hotel in 2025 Renovation will conform to high ESG standards KIGALI, Rwanda & PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, June 09, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Government of Rwanda and Kasada have announced today the acquisition of the Umubano Hotel located in Kacyiru, Kigali, Rwanda by Kasada. Kasada is the leading independent investment platform dedicated to hospitality investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Kasada hotels are operated under the banner of Accors wide range of internationally renowned brands. Kasada will rebrand and redevelop the existing Umubano hotel into a 100-key Movenpick hotel in accordance with international standards. The Movenpick hotel brand is represented in more than 30 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Although Kasada intends to retain the flagship architectural aspects of the hotel, the renovation program will ensure the building meets the highest international hospitality and ESG standards (EDGE and Safehotels certification). The new Movenpick hotel is set to open to the public in 2025. Rebranding of the hotel into a Movenpick hotel, with the addition of health & spa facilities and co-working spaces, is anticipated to create a unique and iconic destination in Kigali for both international and domestic guests. Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, says: "We are pleased to attract the largest hospitality platform to Kigali to rejuvenate this hotel with its long and storied history. Kasada, backed by Qatar Investment Authority, stood out with its combination of sector expertise, financial scale, and design proposal. We look forward to supporting them in the re-development of this iconic asset." Olivier Granet, Kasadas Managing Partner and CEO, adds: "Rwanda is a fast-growing international destination that we consider to be among the most promising for our investment platform. This is an ambitious and exciting project to transform this unique place into a landmark, perfectly connected to the local environment, for the benefit of international visitors while becoming the "place to be" for local residents." Story continues David Damiba, Kasada's Managing Partner and CIO, says: "Kasada is looking forward to deploy its capital and financial expertise to contribute to the FDI flows in Rwanda. This transaction exemplifies Kasadas ability to transact with private and sovereign owners across the continent." This deal cements Kasada as a pan-African hotel owner and follows on from the March 2022 acquisition of the Cape Grace in South Africa. The platform now controls over 2,400 hotel keys across seven countries. About Kasada Kasada is an independent investment platform dedicated to hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa, advised by Kasada Capital Management part of the Kasada group. The firm was launched with the backing of Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, and Accor, a world leading hospitality group. Kasadas strategy spans all segments from economy to luxury and targets both greenfield and brownfield projects. Kasadas hotels are operated under the banner of Accors wide range of internationally renowned brands. By investing in a region which offers robust growth opportunities, Kasada aims to deliver both attractive risk-adjusted returns to investors, and a long-term positive impact on local economies. In April 2019, Kasada held a close on its maiden fund, Kasada Hospitality Fund L.P., with equity commitments of over USD 500 million. For more information, visit www.kasada.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Rwanda Development Board The Rwanda Development Board is a government agency responsible for leading the countrys transformation into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, tourism, and innovation. Its mission is to fast-track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth. For more information visit www.rdb.rw. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005674/en/ Contacts Press Kasada Mathilde Jean / Chaimae Sibenali FTI Consulting kasada@fticonsulting.com +33 (0) 1 47 03 68 15 Rwanda Development Board Doreen Ingabire Head of Communications communications@rdb.rw +250 790 138 002 (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for our Middle East newsletter and follow us @middleeast for news on the region. Most Read from Bloomberg Peninsula Real Estate is poised to abandon plans for a London listing in favor of an offering in Abu Dhabi, people familiar with the matter said, highlighting the growing allure of capital markets in the oil-rich Arab Gulf. The company has picked Emirates NBD PJSC, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, HSBC Holdings Plc and Morgan Stanley to help manage the share sale in the United Arab Emirates capital, said the people, who declined to be identified since the information is private. Peninsula and Emirates NBD declined to comment. Representatives for First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC and Morgan Stanley werent immediately available for comment. Peninsula was initially considering listing a $1 billion real estate investment trust in London, in a deal that would have made it the first company with significant UAE assets to do since 2019. The firm has been working with investment bank Evercore Inc. and law firm Clifford Chance. An Abu Dhabi listing for Peninsula would be the latest share sale in a region thats sidestepped the worst of the market volatility seen around the world. High oil prices and abundant liquidity have helped bolster capital markets activity in the Gulf, which has seen a string of listings, including the years second biggest. At the same time, property prices in both the residential and office space markets have soared across the Middle East as regional economies bounce back from the pandemic. Peninsula is courting cash-rich Gulf investors from family offices to sovereign wealth funds who are expected to pour funds into the regional real estate sector. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Ahead of the upcoming rainy season, waterproof sheds and enhanced monitoring systems have been set up to protect the North Grotto Temple, dating back over 1,500 years on the Loess Plateau in Gansu province. Nestled on yellow sandstones on the outskirts of Qingyang, a city on the ancient Silk Road, the grottoes of the temple were built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). The temple, featuring a wealth of Chinese Buddhism art, comprises 308 caves and more than 2,000 statues. Sandstones absorb a vast amount of water, which can cause dampness and induce chemical reactions, damaging the strength and structural integrity of the grottoes, said Li Liang, deputy director of the cultural heritage preservation institute at Dunhuang Academy. The area around the temple was lashed by rain for 28 consecutive days last September, and the precipitation surpassed 90 centimeters last year, posing challenges to the protection of the grottoes, according to the institute. A pilot project was launched in 2021 to set up temporary waterproof sheds in the southern part of the temple. "The waterproof sheds can drain water from cliffs, preventing rainwater from penetrating sandstone crevices," Li said. The effectiveness of the project has been proved by monitoring results on humidity and penetration over the past year, Li said, adding that more sheds will be built this year to shield the entire temple area. To date, the temple has established 155 monitoring areas, which collect information on meteorology, microbes and the microenvironment. College students have been invited to conduct field surveys at the temple. During one such visit, Liu Dan, a PhD student from Lanzhou University who specializes in the study of Dunhuang-related grotto arts and relics, recorded the conditions of the statues, carved stones and murals with her peers in cave No 165. She said the conservation of grottoes in China is gradually becoming more comprehensive and professional. "I hope I can fully utilize my expertise to protect the charm of the ancient grottoes with the help of advanced technology." Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body Through Auburn Universitys professional and student-run literary and arts publications, creativity is flowing freely on the Plains. Within the Haley Center, Southern Humanities Review, or SHR, has been a leader in the expansion of literary culture since its first publication in 1967. Housed in Auburns Department of English, SHR is a literary quarterly that publishes fiction, poetry and essays. For Caitlin Rae Taylor, editor of SHR, the publication offers a way for emerging writers to make a name for themselves. More than 99 percent of the work that SHR publishes is gathered through its submission queue, unlike many peer literary magazines that often solicit half the works they publish from established writers. We have a deep commitment to publishing emerging writers and always want to make sure were giving those writers as many opportunities as possible, said Taylor, a communications editor in the Department of English. It can be extremely difficult to establish yourself as a new writer, and the editors at Southern Humanities Review want to help those new writers. The Auburn publication also seeks to bring a global flavor to the literary culture of the South by publishing writers and poets from around the world, exposing readers to varying styles of prose. Weve published many Southern writers, American writers, writers from Pakistan, Nigeria, the U.K., Iran, India and more, Taylor said. I like to think we provide a platform where Southern writers can engage with the international literary community. We disseminate issues to libraries all across Alabama, and I hope that readers will be exposed to literature they might not have picked up on their own. The mission of Auburns College of Liberal Arts is to cultivate thinkers, creators, innovators and global leaders, and it is accomplishing that mission through SHR. Students in Auburns creative writing masters program are required to serve as assistant editors of SHR as part of their program assistantship. Apart from the required assistantships for graduate students, SHR also offers valuable learning experiences for undergraduate students in the form of internships and one full-fledged, paid graduate assistantship. The graduate assistant serves as managing editor for the magazine and is engaged in an in-depth, guided apprenticeship through the world of literary magazine publishing, Taylor said. They touch almost every aspect of the publishing process, so that when they graduate, they have many of the skills necessary to enter the publishing industry full-time. Taylor believes the experience of working as SHRs editor is one unlike any other. She has been able to engage with established and prolific writers, help new writers gain exposure and teach students about the publishing industry. For me, SHR is not just a magazine, Taylor said. Its a work of art, and I get to help create, while also helping new writers and students interested in working in publishing find their footing in an industry thats innerworkings are often hidden from the public. On the student side of creativity is The Auburn Circle, a student-led literary and arts magazine within Student Media, a part of Student Involvement, that publishes every semester. Works featured in the magazines are all student-created and offer a glimpse into the creative minds of artists, poets, writers, animators, architects, fashion designers and musicians across campus. Students are able to pick up copies of the publication for free each semester when the new issue is released. Main magazine editions are issued in the spring and fall semesters, and the summer semester issues focus on a particular group, topic or social issue. The summer 2022 minizine will focus on global perspectives and the importance of a multilingual and cultural society by highlighting first and second-generation immigrants as well as international students. Editor-in-Chief and journalism student Katherine Carroll believes that publications such as The Circle serve an important role in providing students a platform to display their creativity as well as build a portfolio. Sometimes, it can be hard to find the motivation to put time into creative pursuits while you are balancing all the other responsibilities that come with college, but I would like to think that the Circle by giving students a platform to share their creativity encourages them to put time into their art, Carroll said. Beyond just the submitting aspect, being on staff looks good on a resume as staff members get hands-on experience in the editorial and arts industry that could help equip them with skills they can use in a future work environment. Carroll also underscored how publications such as the Circle contribute to the overall artistic culture of the communities it seeks to represent. Art is so important to a community because it can be used to highlight often-ignored perspectives, as a form of protest, to build connections and so much more, Carroll said. Through experiential learning opportunitiesthe process of acquiring knowledge through hands-on experiencessuch as The Auburn Circle or SHR, students gain competency, insight and practical knowledge in skills that are highly sought after in their chosen field. The Auburn Circle gives students from a variety of majors including English and graphic design, among others, the opportunity to gain real-world experience in all aspects of creating, publishing and distributing an award-winning publication, said Billy Ferris, assistant director for Student Media. The Auburn Circle, winners of the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker award for top literary and arts magazine for the past two years, seeks to give students both the practical application learning experience they need to prepare for careers in a variety of fields, as well as to amplify the voice of student artists throughout campus. Oil prices inched lower early on Thursday in jittery trade as parts of Shanghai returned to COVID lockdowns just a week after reopening, overshadowing another drop in U.S. gasoline inventories and strong fuel demand globally despite record-high prices. As of 10:43 a.m. EST, WTI Crude was down 0.19% at $121.86, and the international benchmark, Brent Crude, traded down by 0.02% at $123.56. Oil prices were up in earlier trade on Thursday after the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a small crude build and a gasoline draw on Wednesday. Total motor gasoline inventories decreased by 800,000 barrels last week and are now about 10% below the five-year average for this time of year, the EIA said. At 416.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 15% below the five-year average for this time of year. Later on Thursday, however, oil prices traded up and down for most of the morning ET, after parts of Shanghai and Beijing in China returned to lockdown measures, spooking the market that the expected oil demand recovery in the worlds top crude oil importer may not materialize as soon as projected. Chinas zero-COVID policy with immediate partial lockdowns to break the chains of transmission and mass testing for millions of residents returned to haunt the market. Yet, oil prices traded close to their three-month high as strong demand for fuels around the world with the start of the driving season capped price losses. Crude oil inventories at Cushing, the delivery hub for WTI crude oil futures dropped to a three-month low while gasoline inventories are at their lowest seasonal level since 2014, just ahead of the peak summer demand season, Saxo Bank said in its Thursday market commentary, referring to the EIA report from Wednesday. Despite record high prices at the pumps, US motorists are showing no signs of leaving their cars in the garage with demand rising above 9 million barrels a day for the first time this year, the banks strategy team wrote. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Strategic Petroleum Reserve release in the United Statesa large one designed to release a million barrels per day from storage into the commercial marketsis creating a bit of a problem for the Canadian oil industry. All crude oil grades arent equal, and a large share of what the SPR is releasing into the Gulf Coast area is heavy sour crudea similar grade to the oil shipped down from Canada. The heavy Mars and Poseidon gradesboth hailing from the GoM area and both heavy gradesare getting lost in the sea of heavy crude flooding the market from the SPR. So is Western Canadian Select (WCS)the Canadian crude oil that traverses pipelines from Hardisty, Alberta, to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The WCS discount to the U.S. crude benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is now the steepest in years at $20 per barrel. Its not great timing, Rory Johnston, founder of the Commodity Context newsletter based in Toronto, told Reuters. The vast majority of whats coming out of the SPR is medium sour crude. Its hitting directly at that marginal pricing point for WCS. Canada is no stranger to battling steep discountsalso referred to as wide spreadscompared to U.S. crude oil. For several years, their lack of pipeline capacity into the United States created a situation where all their pipelines were full, and the bottlenecking in this midstream segment created a pricing situation most unfavorable to Canada. By 2020, Canada had increased its storage capacity and slacked crude oil production, which dragged up the price of WCSand shrunk the gap between WCS and WTI. Compared to todays steep $20 discount, June 2020 contract pricing for WCS was just $3.80 per barrel. For those thinking that the steep discount to WTI means the SPR is working to bring down crude oil prices, that is not the case. As of Thursday morning, WCS was trading at $108.01nearly double what it was trading this time last year. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: There is plenty of resistance domestically to any thawing of relations with Saudi Arabia due to the murder of Khashoggi, making any trip a tough political decision. In reality, there is no quick fix to the current oil problem and while new Saudi supply could halt a further spike in prices, they are set to remain elevated. When news broke last week that President Biden was planning a Middle East visit that would include Saudi Arabia, many an industry observer saw in this signs of "thawing" relations between Washington and Riyadh. They also saw the prospect of lower oil prices. It was, after all, to lower prices that Biden was planning this visit. Unfortunately, things are never that simple. While it is a nice thought that a single visit to Saudi Arabia could convince them to open the oil taps and send prices falling, the reality is that prices may not come down for a long time yet. On Friday, Goldman Sachs' head of energy analysis Damien Courvalin, speaking to CNBC, quashed hopes for a quick fix to the world'sand the United States'oil problem. The market is in a structural deficit that has been years in the making, Courvalin said, and while some additional Saudi barrels could prevent a further spike in the immediate term, they are not a sustainable solution to the problem. The OPEC+ decision to add more barrels to its monthly production increase is another example of just how little power OPEC has over oil prices currently. Initially planned at a little over 400,000 bpd, OPEC+ last week agreed to boost this to almost 650,000 bpd. The decision drew praise from some observers, but others were quick to note that a pledge to do something is not at all the same as actually doing it. The Financial Times, for instance, this week cited Rapidan Energy Group as saying that OPEC+ would hardly achieve the full 648,000-bpd production increase in July and August. A more realistic figure, according to the consultancy, was 355,000 bpd. Some OPEC members' problems in producing as much oil as agreed under the original OPEC+ deal have been no secret. In April, such problems led to OPEC producing as much as 2.7 million bpd less than it was supposed to produce. Yet this fact about OPEC production is not getting anywhere near as much attention as President Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia, which has yet to be officially confirmed and scheduled. For now, there are just plans. And these plans are already being criticized. The chair of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, told CBS last weekend that if he were Biden, he wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia, noting "I wouldn't go. I wouldn't shake his hand. This is someone who butchered an American resident, cut him up into pieces and in the most terrible and premeditated way." What this suggests is that the issues that put the U.S. and Saudi Arabia at odds, including Biden's threat to turn the Kingdom into a pariah state because of the Khashoggi killing, are still alive and well, and an olive branch from Biden might not sit too well with some voters. Related: Why Nuclear Energy Is More Relevant Than Ever The question, of course, is whether these voters are more than those that are unhappy with the Biden administration's energy policies that have pushed retail fuel prices to the highest in yearsin some parts of the country to all-time highs. "This trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia when it comes would be in the context of significant deliverables for the American people in the Middle East region," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre last week, adding that "If he [the President] determines that it's in the interest of the United States to engage with a foreign leader and that such an engagement can deliver results, then he'll do so." This is not particularly specific as far as plans to bring oil prices lower go, but it does address potential concerns of the sort that Schiff voiced in his CBS interview. The problem is that, with a structural deficit on his hands, no amount of fence-mending with Saudi Arabia would help. Global oil supply is tight and likely to remain so because of geopolitical factors, according to Goldman's Courvalin. He noted the EU sanctions against Russia targeting its oil industry, Libya's continued struggle to keep its production uninterrupted, and the fact that Iranian negotiations are, once again, "going nowhere." What all this means, basically, is that whatever the U.S. president or any other world leader does, oil prices are most likely to remain elevated. In fact, they might still go higher. The latest to address a warning to those in charge of the economy was Trafigura's Jeremy Weir. The commodity trader's chief executive said at an FT event this week that "We have got a critical situation. I really think we have a problem for the next six months . . . once it [the oil price] gets to these parabolic states, markets can move and they can spike quite a lot." OPEC+'s decision to boost production by more than the originally agreed was taken by some Western analysts as a sign of Saudi Arabia doing "an about-face", as Rapidan Energy Group's Bob McNally put it to the FT. Interestingly, the Kingdom is not saying much about the hypothetical Biden visit that the White House is planning. The latest from the Saudi side was a lawmaker's comment that Biden's visit has been postponed until July in order for Washington to meet all Saudi demands first. One cannot help but wonder how far Washington is willing to go to lower oil prices, even if there are no guarantees that it would succeed. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S. is set to account for 57% of new LNG liquefaction capacity expected to come online globally between 2022 and 2026. For U.S. natural gas producers, Europes desire to wean itself off natural gas has significantly improved the long-term outlook of LNG exports. As global demand for non-Russian natural gas is soaring after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the short to medium-term prospects for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) developers and exporters are becoming brighter. Europe is racing to replace as much Russian gas as soon as possible and to be independent of that gas by 2027. LNG demand is going through the roof, boosting the development of new U.S. export liquefaction capacity as the demand prospects of the European market suddenly became much brighter than a year ago. More and more buyers, including in Europe, are committing to or thinking of committing to long-term LNG deals in order to shield themselves from high and volatile spot LNG prices. Even Europe, motivated to eliminate its energy dependence on Russia, is considering long-term deals with LNG developers. European buyers were swearing off long-term supply agreements just a year ago because of environmental concerns and the EU's net-zero by 2050 goals. LNG project development appeared to have stalled in the United States just a year ago. Now the forever-changed energy markets give U.S. LNG exporters more certainty that they will be able to secure financing and long-term contracts in order to proceed with the construction of more LNG export facilities. U.S. To Lead LNG Supply Additions America will lead the global LNG liquefaction capacity additions through the middle of this decade, data and analytics company GlobalData said in a recent report. The United States will account for 57 percent of all new LNG liquefaction capacity expected to come online globally between 2022 and 2026, according to GlobalData. The U.S. is expected to add a new build LNG liquefaction capacity of 220.3 million tons per annum (mtpa) by 2026, while expansion projects account for the rest with 30.3 mtpa. "LNG developers in the US are incentivized by ever-growing demand for natural gas worldwide, especially in the Asian and European regions. The plans of several European countries and Japan to reduce their dependency on Russian gas post Ukraine invasion would further boost liquefaction developments in the US," Himani Pant Pandey, Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData, said, commenting on the report. Venture Global's Plaquemines LNG will be one of the key new facilities with a capacity of 20 mtpa, GlobalData said. Two weeks ago, Venture Global LNG announced a final investment decision (FID) and successful closing of the $13.2 billion project financing for the initial phase of its Plaquemines LNG export facility in Louisiana and the associated Gator Express pipelinethe largest project financing in the world closed so far this year. Related: Why Nuclear Energy Is More Relevant Than Ever Plaquemines LNG is also the first U.S. LNG export facility to reach FID in nearly three years, since Calcasieu Pass LNG of the same firm was given the green light in August 2019. Calcasieu Pass already exported its first LNG cargo in early March this year. After the COVID-related slump in global demand, the LNG market is hot again and U.S. developers stand to benefit from Europe's pivot away from Russian energy. Europe Ousts Asia As Top U.S. LNG Market Since the energy crisis of last autumn, Europe has displaced Asia as the growth driver of LNG demand and is no longer "the market of last resort" for LNG cargoes. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has further spurred Europe to start reducing its heavy reliance on Russia's piped gas, without which the continent currently risks a severe industrial slowdown and a rush to secure heating for next winter. As of June 8, gas storage capacity in the EU was just over 50% full, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. The EU member states are now required to reach a minimum 80% gas storage level by November 1 to protect against potential interruptions to supply. From 2023, the target will be raised to 90% full gas storage by November 1. The European rush to LNG made Europe the top market for U.S. LNG exports in the first four months of 2022, the EIA said in a report this week. Between January and April, the United States exported 74% of its LNG to Europe, compared with an annual average of just 34% last year. In 2020 and 2021, Asia was the main destination for U.S. LNG exports, accounting for almost half of all U.S. exports. At the same time, U.S. LNG exports to Asia slumped by 51% in the first four months of 2022, due to lockdown measures, a mild winter, and high LNG spot prices, which reduced demand for spot LNG imports. "High spot natural gas prices at the European trading hubs incentivized global LNG market participants with destination flexibility in their contracts to deliver more LNG supplies to Europe," the EIA said. Long-Term LNG Deals Return As spot LNG prices soared to record highs and remain highly volatile while Europe seeks to reduce Russian pipeline gas dependence, buyers are returning to long-term contracts in order to secure the long-term supply of non-Russian gas and to insulate themselves from spiking volatile spot prices. "Many traditional LNG buyers will neither procure spot gas or LNG nor renew or sign additional LNG contracts with Russian sellers. Spot prices have also been high and volatile, pushing many buyers towards long-term contracts," Wood Mackenzie principal analyst Daniel Toleman said last month. "Additionally, some buyers are returning to long-term contracting on behalf of governments to protect national energy security." The new world energy order in which geopolitics trump market signals will likely accelerate the momentum for additional U.S. LNG export capacity as buyers in Europe are turning to the U.S. and Qatar for gas supply to replace Russian energy. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The U.S. solar industry has seen incredible growth in the last decade, growing from 1.82 TWh in 2011 to an impressive 163.7 TWh in 2021. The solar energy industry in the U.S. has grown rapidly over the last decade, second only to wind power. But supply chain issues, made worse by the tariffs on solar panels manufactured in Southeast Asia, have been pushing costs up for the U.S. solar industry. This month, President Biden announced the waiving of certain tariffs on solar imports, sending stocks soaring, and potentially giving the sector a game-changing boost. U.S. solar energy production increased from 1.82 TWh in 2011 to a giant 163.7 TWh in 2021, with significantly more sectoral growth than any renewable source other than wind. Solar photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity is now enough to power around 22 million homes, with solar power accounting for 50 percent of all new electricity-generating capacity added in the first quarter of 2022. However, much like in other parts of the world, the U.S. solar energy industry is suffering from ongoing delays in the supply chain, with the new installed capacity falling by 24 percent in Q1 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. In addition, 17.6 GW of utility-scale solar projects were delayed by a year or more, with 450 MW of developments being canceled altogether. Despite these challenges, the push for solar energy development in the face of global energy shortages means that the U.S. solar industry is expected to continue growing substantially over the next decade to provide around 15 percent of electricity generation by 2030. This month, President Biden announced a plan to waive tariffs on the import of solar panels manufactured in Southeast Asia for two years, to support the development of the American solar industry supply chain. The Department of Commerce (DoC) is currently carrying out an investigation to determine whether U.S. solar panel imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam using Chinese components are circumventing an antidumping duty. The investigation could massively delay solar energy projects in the U.S. due to the fear of tariffs and retroactive tariffs of up to 250 percent being introduced. However, Bidens pause on tariffs also applies to retroactive tariffs, allowing renewable energy firms to feel confident in their investments in solar. The pause on tariffs made solar stocks soar earlier this week. On Monday, Sunrun shares increased by 5.9 percent, Enphase stock went up by 5.4 percent, SolarEdge Technology, and SunPower by almost 3 percent and Array Technologies rose by 18 percent. JPMorgan analyst Mark Strouse explained of the move, We believe the announcement will be a clear positive for our coverage, particularly within the utility-scale solar market, which has faced uncertainty since the US Department of Commerces AD/CVD investigation was launched in late March. Tariffs on solar imports were first introduced under the Trump administration and were extended by four more years by President Biden earlier this year. However, due to global energy shortages and the push to transition to green more rapidly, they have gained a great deal of criticism. Further, domestic solar companies believe tariffs put the aim of significantly decarbonizing the U.S. economy by 2030 at risk. Related: Why Nuclear Energy Is More Relevant Than Ever The U.S. is highly dependent on imports for its solar energy operations, sourcing around 89 percent of its solar modules from overseas, the majority of which come from Southeast Asia. At present, China dominates the global solar manufacturing market. It has achieved this position by subsidizing production, allowing for highly competitive pricing. The U.S. introduced tariffs largely to counteract the low pricing of Chinese solar components, and to ensure imports do not undermine trade laws that protect American workers. Commerce secretary said of the pause on tariffs, The presidents emergency declaration ensures Americas families have access to reliable and clean electricity while also ensuring we have the ability to hold our trading partners accountable to their commitments. With or without tariffs, the U.S. solar outlook is strong. It is expected to significantly expand its solar manufacturing market in the coming years, tripling capacity by 2024. This would allow for around 3.3. million homes annually to switch to solar power. It is also expected to create job opportunities in domestic manufacturing and construction, as well as cut energy costs, strengthen the grid, and help tackle climate change, according to a statement from the White House. The U.S. has already achieved record levels of renewable energy output this year, generating 20 percent of its electricity from wind and solar power in April. This marks an increase from just 5.7 percent in 2015. Wood Mackenzie predicts 14 percent year-over-year solar growth in 2022. The U.S. has been rapidly growing its solar energy industry over the last decade. Despite the headwinds it has faced, solar remains the fastest-growing renewable sector in 2022. Bidens lifting of tariffs on Southeast Asian solar panel imports is expected to encourage greater solar investment across the country and allow the U.S. the time it needs to develop a solar manufacturing sector to sustain its solar dominance well into the next decade. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The International Energy Agency (IEA) and other regional bodies have repeatedly stated the importance of natural gas in supporting a transition away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives. It is viewed as a less dirty energy source than others, particularly coal, leading many to acknowledge the need to maintain natural gas production to meet global energy demand. As Europe and North America search for other regions to fill the gap created by introducing sanctions on Russia, several countries across Africa could play an integral role in supplying the region and world with much-needed natural gas. At present, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region provides around 50 percent of oil exports and 15 percent of natural gas exports globally. Oil and gas provide most of the regions electricity, around 95 percent. Beyond the MENA region, the African continent has significant natural gas reserves, as half the countries in the region have proven gas resources, totaling around 800 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). Gas production in Africa is expected to increase by around 80 percent by 2035, according to BP. This will significantly boost economies across the region, provide new skilled jobs, and help to expand the middle-class population across several countries. The top ten natural gas reserves in the continent are located in Nigeria, with just almost 207 Tcf, Algeria 159 Tcf, Senegal 120 Tcf, Mozambique 100 Tcf, Egypt, 77 Tcf, Tanzania 57.5 Tcf, Libya 53 Tcf, Angola -13.5 Tcf, Congo 10 Tcf, and Equitorial Guinea 5 Tcf. However, there is great potential for further exploration and more natural gas discoveries across the largely underexplored region. Nigeria is the 12th largest petroleum producer in the world and already has a well-established oil and gas sector, overseen by the Department of Petroleum Resources. Oil contributes around 7.5 percent to the countrys GDP, with an average oil production of 1.42 million bpd in May. Extensive exploration of the countrys oil regions has supported the development of the natural gas industry, allowing for a better understanding of the countrys reserves. The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Company, established in 1989 is the main national producer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs). In contrast, there are several new players in the African oil and gas market. Numerous discoveries between 2014 and 2017 in Senegal have put it on the path to becoming a major oil and gas producer over the next few years. By the end of 2021, Senegal had proven reserves of 1 billion barrels of oil. The offshore flagship Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG gas project is the deepest offshore development in progress in sub-Saharan Africa, with estimated natural gas reserves of 566 billion cubic meters of gas. Senegal expects large-scale commercial production from the project to commence in 2023, which will play an important role in the regions energy security. In an unexpected move, the ex-UN climate envoy, Mary Robinson, is advocating for the African region to develop its natural gas resources to support the continents energy security. Despite the need to cut global greenhouse gas emissions, Robinson encourages the use of natural gas in Africa to meet the growing energy demand. She explains, Africa is trying to get its voice out about its needs for just, equitable energy, and of course, that implies some use of gas as a just transition. She highlighted the 600 million people in Africa living without electricity, as well as 900 million using biomass and dirty oil cooking stoves, going on to say, There has to be a certain leeway to tackle the energy poverty in Africa, and give Africa a faster capability to move. However, she made it clear ahead of COP27 that this case is not the same for developed economies, which should be transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives. While Europe is ramping up its investment in renewable energy developments, it has become clear how dependent the region still is on natural gas to meet its energy needs. Sanctions on Russian gas have led Europe to turn to Africa, and other regions, to fill the gap. While it is vital that countries across Europe invest heavily in renewable energy projects to meet carbon-cutting targets by the end of the decade, in the short term it is likely that the regions reliance on LNG will continue, offering several African countries the opportunity to profit from this demand. The IEA highlights several ways in which the Middle East and the African region could make industrial practices more efficient to free up a significant proportion of its natural gas output for export. Approximately one-fifth of the MENA regions gas is used in low-efficiency gas-fired power plants with an average efficiency of between 30 and 35 percent. However, switching to combined-cycle gas power plants, with around 50 percent efficiency, would allow for a decrease of around 50 billion cubic meters in gas use for the same electricity production. Alternatively, most MENA countries could switch to renewable energy sources for much of their electricity production, allowing for greater levels of natural gas exports and revenues. This would support the regions energy transition. But to achieve this, it will require a significant investment from the countries which are imposing sanctions on Russian gas and shifting their reliance to other regions of the world. International companies could contribute significantly to the improvement in the efficiency of the MENA regions natural gas industry, as well as to the development of a sustainable renewable energy sector. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China has never sought geopolitical interests in Central Asia, and never allows non-regional forces to stir up trouble in the region, the Foreign Minister said. China has refused to condemn Russias actions in Ukraine, though it has spoken out against Western sanctions. During a visit to Kazakhstan, Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned his counterparts to steer clear of geopolitical conflict. Central Asian countries should stay out of geopolitical conflicts, Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned his counterparts from the region during a visit to Kazakhstan. Wang clearly had an audience beyond Central Asia in mind when he exhorted that the region should be on guard against attempts by forces outside the region to draw regional countries into major power conflicts and force them to take sides. But Central Asian governments might be forgiven for interpreting this browbeating as a patronizing attempt by their mighty neighbor to dictate how they should run their foreign policies. Chinas Foreign Ministry laid out Beijings position in a readout following Wangs meeting with Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Nur-Sultan on June 7. Both expressed deep concerns about the serious spillover impacts of the Ukraine crisis, the ministry said, using a euphemism since it refuses to call Russias aggression a war. China hopes that Central Asian countries will stand firm, eliminate interference, strengthen coordination, cooperate in good faith and safeguard regional peace and stability, it added. China has never sought geopolitical interests in Central Asia, and never allows non-regional forces to stir up trouble in the region. That is a reference to Chinas arch enemy, the United States, which has strongly condemned Russias war in Ukraine and introduced sanctions, along with the rest of the Western world. China has not condemned Russias aggression. But it has condemned what it deems illegal international sanctions against its partner Russia as financial terrorism and economic weaponization. Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian states, have broadly sought to distance themselves from Russia over the war, without issuing any outright condemnation of their ally. The readout of the meeting from Tokayevs office studiously avoided mention of Wangs lecture. It focused instead on Wang conveying Chinese President Xi Jinpings support for Tokayevs domestic political agenda. Xis intention to visit Kazakhstan in the fall also featured. Wang was in Nur-Sultan for a meeting with regional foreign ministers on June 8, the third in a relatively new format called Central Asia-China. The meeting ended with boilerplate statements about boosting cooperation as an important factor for sustainable socioeconomic development and the preservation of peace, stability and security in the region. Central Asian governments used the talks to push for improved transport links with China. One project under consideration is a railroad linking China with Uzbekistan via Kyrgyzstan, which was first mooted more than two decades ago and is again on regional officials lips. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov said last month that the governments were preparing to sign an agreement in September to start building the CKU line although first a route must be agreed and a feasibility study completed. President Sadyr Japarov subsequently said construction could begin next year. That these remarks were picked up and quoted in Chinas Communist Party-backed Global Times newspaper lent weight to the idea that the project is gaining steam in Chinese circles as well as Central Asian ones. The topic surfaced in Wangs bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Wang agreed with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev to advance the preparation for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and complete the project feasibility study as soon as possible, his ministry said. With Vladimir Norov, the acting foreign minister of Uzbekistan, Wang agreed to explore ways to speed up the diversified construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway and other transportation channels. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Venezuelas PDVSA has started asking spot market buyers of its crude oil to pay in advance for the shipments after several recent payment defaults, Reuters has reported, citing several unnamed sources familiar with the situation. The changes and negotiations over the advanced payments have caused some delays to vessels departing the country, contributing to a build-up of crude oil stocks that are overtaxing Venezuelas blending facilitiesa necessary step in transforming the countrys extra-heavy crude to something exportable. According to the report, at least three tankers with Venezuela crude left the country without the buyers paying for them. As a result, PDVSA switched to advance payments in full last month. This has, in turn, prompted middlemen to ask for discounts, according to the Reuters sources. In some cases, the discounts requested are $47 per barrel of Venezuelas flagship heavy crude blend Merey 16 to Brent crude. Earlier this year, the typical discount, at which Venezuelan crude sold, averaged $35-38 to Brent crude. Venezuela has been struggling to sell its crude after the Trump administration imposed severe sanctions on the South American country several years ago. The Biden administration kept the Trump sanctions in place but earlier this year attempted a thaw in bilateral relations in a bid to secure heavy crude imports after it banned all oil imports from Russia. Sanction relief began to be discernible in May, with Washington letting Chevron negotiate its Venezuelan oil license with PDVSA directly. Then, this month, the U.S. State Department gave the green light to two Europen companiesItalys Eni and Spains Repsolto start shipping Venezuelan crude to Europe next month. The volumes of Venezuelan oil that the two will be allowed to send to Europe will be modest, Reuters reported at the time, citing unnamed sources, and its resale outside Europe would be prohibited but the move is a sign of a change in attitudes in Washington. If sanctions are completely lifted, this could add some 400,000 bpd to global oil supply at a time when such additional supply is very much in demand. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The fifth China International Import Expo will be held offline as scheduled from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai, the Paper reported on Wednesday quoting the China International Import Expo Bureau. Over 75 percent of exhibition areas have been signed by exhibitors, including more than 250 industrial leaders. The expo bureau said they will roll out special supportive measures for eligible exhibitors, such as fee relief for booth building, and will extend the sign-up period to July 31. In addition, the fifth CIIE will provide two-way information disclosure for purchasers and exhibitors for the first time. At present, 53 exhibits or services have their information published, and at least 400,000 purchasers who took part in the previous four CIIEs have received precisely targeted exhibit information via email and instant message. Preparations for country exhibitions are also progressing smoothly, with many countries confirming their participation. Prep work for activities such as the Hongqiao Forum, cultural exchange activities and on-site service guarantee are also underway. Over the past five years, the CIIE, as a global stage, has seen many vivid stories. The Bureau and National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) have launched a story collection activity inviting people to share their CIIE experiences such as meeting new clients and partners, opening up new markets and networking opportunities. The bureau said the CIIE has profoundly changed the work and life of many people, even those who have never visited the expo. A total of over 1,500 new products, technologies and services have been unveiled at past CIIEs, and cumulative intended turnover has reached more than $270 billion. Products that entered China's market via the CIIE save lives on operating tables, improve efficiency in workshops and are sold in numerous venues. The German auto industry is protesting a decision by EU parliament to ban the sale of cars that run on petrol and diesel by 2035, describing it as detrimental to the market and consumers. On Wednesday, in Strasbourg, the European Parliament voted to support a ban on the sale of new combustion engine cars beginning in 2035 in line with the blocs goal of achieving climate neutrality in 2050. The EU Assembly vote comes as the bloc desperately attempts to cut its independence on oil and gas products from Russia. In a statement, the German auto industry said the EU Parliaments decision was against citizens, against the market, against innovation and against modern technologiesm Euractiv reported. According to Hildegard Muller, president of VDA, the German auto industry association, Europe does not have sufficient charging infrastructure to support such a ban, and the EU Parliament is acting prematurely. It will increase costs for consumers and put consumer confidence at risk, Muller said. The German auto association is not alone in its opposition. EU-wide, the sentiment is one of consumer risk. In a press release, the German association of car drivers, ADAC, said that Europes ambitious climate protection goals in transports could not be achieved solely through electric vehicles. There is a disconnect between the numbers in terms of the causes of CO2 emissions in Europe. Passenger cars are said to account for 12% of all transport-related CO2 emissions in the bloc, but overall, transport accounts for some 25% of emissions. ACEA, the EU auto association, likewise said that markets were too volatile to absorb a ban on new combustion vehicles by 2035. Given the volatility and uncertainty we are experiencing globally day-by-day, any long-term regulation going beyond this decade is premature at this early stage, Euractiv quoted ACEA president Oliver Zipse, who is also the CEO of BMW, as saying. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Germanys government has no intention of changing its policies on nuclear energy even as worry about a halt to Russian gas supplies intensifies among politicians. Following calls from opposition parties to discuss the extension of the lives of Germanys three remaining nuclear power plants, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the decision on these power plants had already been made. We also know that building new nuclear power plants makes little sense, Scholz told media s quoted by the AP, adding If someone decides to do so now they would have to spend 12-18 billion euros on each nuclear power plants and it wouldnt open until 2037 or 2038. And besides, the fuel rods are generally imported from Russia. As such one should think about what one does. Instead of prolonging the lives of its nuclear power plants, Germany will extend the life of coal plants and use them in case it needs to, the AP reported separately. The plants will be kept on standby for almost two years in case a gas supply outage occurs. The country already has several coal and oil-powered power plants on such standby in case of supply disruption. The biggest bet Germany is making in the energy department, however, remains wind and solar. As of 2021, the country had a total renewable power capacity of 138.2 GW, which was 5 percent higher than the previous year. Last year, solar capacity overtook onshore wind capacity for the first time. The whole European Union is doubling down on wind and solar now, with the sanctions on Russian energy, and plans to greatly simplify the licensing procedure for new wind and solar installations in a bid to spur fast growth. Per the REPowerEU plan, the bloc eyes having 45 percent of its electricity generated from renewables by 2030, an upward revision of the previous target, which was 40 percent By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russia does not plan to stop natural gas supply to more customers in Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. Customers that have refused to pay for gas under the new rules Russia has imposed are already cut off, and no new halts in supply are planned, Peskov told reporters at a regular briefing, as carried by Russian news agency TASS. Russia has already stopped gas supply to Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, and customers in Denmark and Germany that have refused to pay in rubles for gas. Russia wants the countries it considers "unfriendly" the whole of the EU, its biggest gas customer, the U.S., and UK, and many other U.S. allies to pay in rubles for gas. Some have refused, fearing that they would not have guarantees and saying the new currency demand is a breach of contracts the gas importers have with Russian gas giant Gazprom. Speaking to reporters today, the Kremlin spokesman said that "the system is working, and it has been adjusted." "Those who receive gas are already working under the new system as ordered by the president of Russia," Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS. By the middle of May, around two dozen European buyers of Russian gas had opened accounts at Russia's Gazprombank, designated by Vladimir Putin to process the ruble-for-gas payments that he demands from now on. Russia wants its gas to be paid in rubles via two accounts at Gazprombankone in euros or U.S. dollars and the other one in rubles. The EU has already agreed after weeks of negotiations to impose an embargo on seaborne imports of Russian oil by the end of the year. But sanctioning gas deliveries hasn't been proposed, yet, mostly because the biggest economies, including Germany and Italy, are dependent on Russian gas for around 40% of their consumption. The EU is racing to buy and source LNG supply to replace as much Russian gas as possible, targeting to eliminate its dependence on Russia for gas by 2027. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The White House is doubling down on its rhetoric against oil and gas companies in the wake of higher gasoline pricesrhetoric that is likely to do precious little to inspire long term investments in an industry that is scrambling to meet demandbut one that could garner support for a possible windfall tax on the heavily profitable industry. "It's outrageous that oil and gas companies are able to take advantage and make four times the profits that they made when there wasn't a war," deputy director of the National Economic Council Bharat Ramamurti told CNN in a phone interview on Thursday. Ramamurti wasn't dismissive about the windfall tax either. When asked by CNN if the White House would support the windfall profit tax, he replied, "We review all of those proposals. We are open to lots of different ideas. We realize there is a problem here we need to tackle." Public oil and gas companies are indeed profiting handsomely from today's high crude prices, and are expected to rake in $834 billion in total free cash flow this yearan all-time high, according to energy intelligence firm Rystad Energy. This compares to $493 billion in 2021another record profit year, and $126 billion in 2020the first year of the pandemic as demand crashed. Many U.S. oil companies lost money during the downturn, much to the dismay of the shareholders. Exxon lost $22 billion in 2020, while Conoco Phillips lost nearly $3 billion. Chevron lost $5.5 billion that year. Related: U.S. SPR Release Is Creating A Problem For Canadas Heavy Crude Oil Cash from operations is also expected to balloon this year, Rystad said, as oil companies break the $1 trillion barrier for the first time. This is expected to increase so significantly as oil and gas companies typically use these funds to finance new investments, pay down debt, and pay out dividends. While there are plenty of oil and gas companies paying down debt and making large payouts to shareholders who weathered the lean years of the pandemic, the growth in investments is only set to increase slightly this year. President Biden upped his anti-oil company rhetoric on Wednesday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, accusing oil companies of making "more money not drilling and buying back their own stock." By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: SALEM, Mass. (AP) In the wiggle of a nose, a man covered the Bewitched statue in Salem, Massachusetts with red paint, police said. Witnesses called police at about 5 p.m. Monday to report someone spray painting the bronze statue, Capt. John Burke said Tuesday. The statue depicts actor Elizabeth Montgomery as lead character Samantha Stephens in the 1960s sitcom sitting on a broomstick in front of a crescent moon. An officer in the area spotted a man fitting witness descriptions of the vandal and after a brief chase arrested a 32-year-old city resident on charges of defacing property, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, Burke said. His motivation remains unclear. In between meetings, was disappointed to hear the Bewitched Samantha statute downtown was vandalized, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll tweeted Monday night. Im grateful to (Salem police) for their quick work apprehending the individual responsible. Well work to get the statue cleaned, as fast as a twitch of Samanthas nose. Red paint on the upper half of the statue has already been cleaned off, Burke said. The statue was erected in the city famous for the 1692 witch trials in 2005, despite protests from some who said it trivializes the tragedy of the trials. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlins forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to take back historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. The separatist side argued that the three were mercenaries not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. They are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraines Russian-backed rebels. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko condemned the proceedings as legally invalid, saying, Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality. He said that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel and protected as such. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss pronounced the sentencing a "sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslins and Pinners families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops before Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April and Saadoun was captured in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Another British fighter taken prisoner by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraines side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. In other developments, Putin drew parallels between Peter the Great's founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russia's ambitions. When the czar founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. He added: What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. Its impossible Do you understand? impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, the Russian leader said. In other developments, French President Emmanuel Macron told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France was ready to send more heavy weapons to Ukraine, according to Macrons office. French officials did not elaborate on the weaponry. The phone conversation came after Macron angered Ukrainian officials by saying world powers should not humiliate Putin. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army continued to push Russian forces back from Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which lies to the north of the Donbas. The transmission of Ukrainian television was restored after a TV tower was shelled. Hitting television centers, destroying communication channels, leaving people isolated this is the tactic of the occupiers that they cannot do without, for openness and honesty also are weapons against all that the Russian state does, he said late Thursday in his evening address. On the battlefield: Fierce fighting dragged on in the city of Sievierodonetsk in a battle that could help determine the fate of the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland in the east. Moscow-backed separatists already held swaths of the Donbas before the invasion, and Russian troops have gained more. Residents of Kharkiv reported what appeared to be cruise missile strikes. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were immediately available. Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive to completely capture the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine's southeast, Ukrainian authorities said. Kyiv continues to hold the northern part of the region, including the city of Zaporizhzhia. Thirteen civilians were killed in Ukrainian shelling of the separatist-controlled city of Stakhanov in the Donbas, a pro-Russian separatist envoy said on social media. It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. Russia claimed it used missiles to strike a base west of the capital in the Zhytomyr region, where, it said, mercenaries were being trained. There was no immediate response from Ukrainian authorities. Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The first thing you should know about the musical Anastasia, now onstage at the Orpheum Theater, is that it is not exactly like the 1997 animated movie. Thats not uncommon. Most musicals based on movies animated or live take some liberties with scripts, songs and character arcs. The plotline of the movie and the musical is based on the legend that one of the Romanov children the Grand Duchess Anastasia had escaped capture and execution and was alive somewhere. The musical version of Anastasia has a plotline a little closer but not close in accuracy to historical events. (The Romanov royal family originally was taken prisoner during the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and moved from St. Petersburg before their execution.) In the movie, the family is cursed by the crazy sorcerer Rasputin, just before the fall of their dynasty. In the musical, it is implied that they were executed at the castle. So, if you are hoping to see Rasputin and his wacky sidekick bat, Bartok, who were the antagonists in the film, prepare to be somewhat disappointed. The Russian military fills the role of the bad guys for the musical, specifically in the character Gleb, a soldier who acts like a warden/public relations official on the city streets. The shows two leads, Kyla Stone as Anya/Anastasia and Sam McLellan as Dmitry, have good chemistry and deliver good vocal performances. Their duets in My Petersburg and In a Crowd of Thousands are sweet and romantic, and the two actors play well off each other. Stone has a strong and lovely voice, which is portrayed best in the shows signature song Journey to the Past at the end of the first act. But Bryan Seastrom who plays Vlad, Dmitrys partner in crime commands the stage in every scene he is in. He takes ownership of every line he speaks and every song he sings. Hes fun to watch. Especially when he pairs up with Madeline Raubes Countess Lily. Those two bring a lot of life and some spiciness to the second act, especially in the song The Countess and the Common Man. Lincoln native Harrison Drake deserves kudos for his portrayal of Count Leopold a relative usurper who tries to get his hands on the remaining Romanov fortune. He brought the right amount of attitude to the role. One final note: The shows costumes are gorgeous and, in the case of the ghosts of Anastasias family, beautifully haunting. They really add something special to the show. Anastasia is a family show, so the kids should enjoy it. But be aware that the themes and some scenes are a bit darker than the movie. The show runs through Sunday, and tickets are still available. The show makes for a nice family night (or afternoon this weekend) experience. Take advantage of it while it is here. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A key step in the creation of Omahas proposed streetcar system will come before the City Council next week with the request of up to $354 million in tax-increment financing. City Council members on Tuesday will consider a redevelopment agreement between the city and the Omaha Streetcar Authority that outlines guidelines for the creation and funding of the proposed streetcar project, including the use of TIF. If the agreement is approved, the TIF would help secure $306 million needed to pay back bonds that will cover the cost of constructing and launching the streetcar system. The $354 million would come from a special TIF district spanning the entire streetcar route, as well as three blocks north and south of the route. The TIF dollars would come from three streams within this special district: New developments in the streetcar district would contribute 25% of their TIF proceeds. That element alone is projected to generate $218 million. Using authority it has under state law, the city also plans to extend the timeline of already existing TIF projects along the route from the current 15 years to 20 years. Those five additional years of payments would generate an estimated $50 million. The third part will come from existing properties that see increased valuations within the TIF district, raising $86 million. Under TIF, the developer of a city-approved project takes out a loan to help cover eligible redevelopment expenses. The loan is paid back, generally over a 15-year period, by using the increased property taxes that are generated on the new development. Normally, property tax payments go to support schools and other local tax-reliant bodies. During the TIF period, the property owner continues to pay a portion of property taxes to local governments based on the valuation that existed before any improvements. After the TIF loan is repaid, property taxes collected on the higher-value, improved property then start flowing to those local governments. The citys financial plan is contingent on an analysis by Maryland-based public finance consulting firm MuniCap Inc. The City Council in March unanimously approved a resolution that will pay MuniCap up to $100,000 for its analysis, which involves evaluating revenue streams for funding the project. The city then will work with investment banking firm D.A. Davidson to determine how the bond-selling process will be structured, said Stephen Curtiss, the City of Omahas finance director. MuniCap could share some preliminary data with the City in the coming weeks. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert in January announced her support for the planned 3-mile city streetcar line that would run from the University of Nebraska Medical Center to Omahas riverfront. The planned line would travel along Farnam and Harney Streets from 10th Street to 42nd Street and along 10th Street between Harney and Cass Streets. The mayor announced the streetcar system in conjunction with Mutual of Omahas plans to build a 40-plus-story headquarters tower for its 4,000 Omaha employees on the block currently occupied by the downtown library. Mutual officials have said the streetcar system is critical to their plans to construct the $600 million skyscraper in the heart of downtown. TIF dollars collected beyond the $306 million needed for the streetcar would be earmarked for affordable and workforce housing solutions as part of the Urban Core Housing and Mobility Redevelopment Plan. The plan calls for roughly 1,000 new units of affordable and workforce housing in the urban core in the next 20 years and aims to bring 30,000 residents and 30,000 jobs to the urban core within the next 30 years. The plan also advocates for construction of a proposed streetcar system. A public hearing on the redevelopment agreement will be held during Tuesdays City Council meeting at 2 p.m. in the legislative chamber of City Hall. A vote on the agreement is scheduled for the following week. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Chinese e-commerce giant JD Inc is betting big on the fast-growing ready-to-cook, ready-to-heat and ready-to-eat meals segment, which has gained popularity among younger Chinese consumers since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. JD said in the next three years, it will support 20 semi-cooked food brands, whose sales revenue is expected to surpass 100 million yuan ($15 million), and five premade cuisine brands that are likely to see their turnover exceed 500 million yuan. JD's support will be extended in areas like data flow, retail channels, marketing and cold chain logistics. JD Super, the online supermarket arm of JD, has released the prefabricated dish standard of Fotiaoqiang, a traditional thick soup made of varieties of seafood and meat, in collaboration with the China Premade Cuisine Industry Alliance. The standard specifies strict requirements for the hygiene and safety of semi-cooked dishes, including food additives, heavy metals, health and microorganisms. JD will source materials only from qualified suppliers, and offer presale and after-sales services to ensure the safety of precooked products. It will also roll out related standards for low-temperature luncheon meats, roast sausages and meatballs in the future. Wang Minghui, who is in charge of ready-to-cook dinners at JD's fresh food unit, said the transaction volume of precooked dishes surged about 200 percent between May 23 and June 1, the presale period of the June 18 shopping carnival. The festival, which was just a one-day event when it started but now spans more days, kicked off at 8 pm on May 23. There are about 5,000 varieties of ready-to-cook products at JD Super, with the transaction volume jumping 156 percent year-on-year in 2021.The company now owns 18 cold chain warehouses covering 600,000 square meters in 30 provincial-level regions across the nation. "The semi-cooked food industry is still nascent," Wang said, adding JD will deepen its cooperation with the production bases of food ingredients, launch innovative pre-prepared dishes with well-known catering brands on the basis of the consumer-to-manufacturer or C2M model, and upgrade its cold chain and logistics services. The C2M model refers to leveraging online retailers' big data and customer analysis capabilities to customize products that meet the demands of consumers. Wang said the precooked food gift packages have gained popularity among consumers during some traditional Chinese festivals in recent years, such as the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition, the growing popularity of small home appliances has boosted sales of premade dishes. Data from market consultancy iiMedia Research showed China's premade cuisine saw sales of 345.9 billion yuan last year. The figure is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 20 percent to 516.5 billion yuan by 2023. Experts said the younger generation among Chinese consumers shows an increasing appetite for precooked cuisine. "At present, the industrial chain of pre-prepared meals is long and fragmented, and the competition in the segment of low-end products is fierce. Meanwhile, the overall technological research and development capacity is insufficient," said Xin Yuan, general secretary of the China Premade Cuisine Industry Alliance. Such factors have hindered the high-quality development of the premade food industry, Xin said. Other e-commerce grocery platforms such as Freshippo, Missfresh and Meituan have also invested heavily in the semi-cooked products sector. Missfresh said sales of premade food increased over 300 percent year-on-year last year. More than 800 people across the U.S. have been charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, which left officers bloodied and sent lawmakers into hiding, and federal authorities continue to make new arrests practically every week. The charges against members of the angry pro-Trump mob range from low-level misdemeanors for those who only entered the Capitol to felony seditious conspiracy charges against far-right extremists. It's the largest prosecution in the history of the Justice Department, whose leader, Attorney General Merrick Garland, has vowed to hold accountable all January 6th perpetrators, at any level. As the U.S. House committee investigating the attack prepares to hold a series of public hearings to detail its findings, here's a look at where the criminal cases stand: WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED? Hundreds of people who went inside but didn't take part in any destruction or violence are facing only misdemeanor crimes like illegal entry, picketing in the Capitol and disorderly conduct that call for up to a year behind bars. More than 250 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement who were trying to protect the Capitol, including more than 85 accused of using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. Others have been accused of assaulting members of the media one an Associated Press photographer or destroying media equipment. The most serious cases have been brought against members of two far-right extremist groups, the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. The leaders of both groups have been arrested and remain locked up while they await trial later this year for seditious conspiracy, which alleges a plot to forcibly oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power. The rarely used Civil War-era charge calls for up to 20 years in prison. WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED? More than 300 people have pleaded guilty to a slew of crimes, including conspiracy and assault. Among them are three Oath Keepers who have admitted to seditious conspiracy, are cooperating with investigators and could testify against their fellow extremists at trial. There have been seven trials so far in the District of Columbia's federal court. The first five juries convicted the riot defendants of all charges. The convicted include Thomas Webster, a 20-year New York Police Department veteran who attacked an officer during the riot. Webster claimed he was defending himself when he tackled the officer and grabbed his gas mask. Jurors also rejected the defense of an Ohio man who claimed he was only following presidential orders from former President Donald Trump when he stormed the Capitol. Dustin Byron Thompson was convicted of obstructing Congress from certifying the electoral vote and other charges. A judge decided two other cases without a jury, acquitting one of the defendants and partially acquitting the other. U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden, who was appointed by Trump, convicted Otero County, New Mexico, Commissioner Couy Griffin of illegally entering restricted Capitol grounds, but acquitted him of engaging in disorderly conduct. In the other misdemeanor case, McFadden found Matthew Martin of New Mexico not guilty of charges that he illegally entered the Capitol and engaged in disorderly conduct, saying it was reasonable for Martin to believe that outnumbered police officers allowed him and others to enter through the Rotunda doors. WHAT ABOUT THE PUNISHMENTS? Nearly 200 people have been sentenced so far. The punishments have ranged from probation to more than five years behind bars. About 100 people who were charged with lower level crimes have avoided going to prison, although some of those received time in home detention. The longest sentence more than five years was given to Robert Palmer of Largo, Florida, who threw a wooden plank and sprayed a fire extinguisher at officers before hurling the fire extinguisher at them. Others who received lengthy sentences include Jacob Chansley, the spear-carrying rioter whose horned fur hat, bare chest and face paint made him one of the more recognizable figures in the attack. Chansley, who called himself QAnon Shaman, got about 31/2 years behind bars after admitting to entering the Senate chamber and writing a note to Vice President Mike Pence that said: Its only a matter of time, justice is coming. WHAT'S NEXT? The two most high-profile trials involving the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys are expected to take place this summer and fall. Henry Enrique Tarrio, who was once the Proud Boys top boss, and four others linked to the group were charged on Monday with seditious conspiracy after previously facing other conspiracy counts. They are scheduled to stand trial beginning Aug. 9. Tarrio, who has since stepped down from his post as the group's chairman, was arrested in a separate case two days before the riot and was not at the Capitol on Jan. 6. But he is accused of helping put into motion the violent attack. The trial for the Oath Keepers leader, Stewart Rhodes, and four other members and associates the group is scheduled to start Sept. 26. Prosecutors say the Oath Keepers plotted for weeks to try to overturn the election results and prepared for a siege by purchasing weapons and setting up battle plans. Authorities are still searching for many suspects, including the person who planted two pipe bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees the night before the melee. Follow Alanna Durkin Richer on Twitter at twitter.com/aedurkinricher Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) The governing body of an Alaska borough has overwhelmingly reversed the mayors veto of grant funding to a group that provides support to the LGBTQ+ community. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted 6-1 Monday to override Mayor Rodney Dials veto of $1,638 in grant funding to the Ketchikan Pride Alliance, the Ketchikan Daily News reported. Dial defended his veto during a presentation in attempts to persuade the assembly to let the veto stand. He said the group was an advocacy organization promoting activism. Assembly Member Judith McQuerry interrupted to say his presentation was full of inaccuracies. Dial then said an upcoming Drag Queen Storytime at the public library which the pride organization is not involved with was characteristic of the groups harmful impact. This group and others like it nationwide are making a deliberate effort to reach small children in an attempt to change them, Dial said. The goal is to expose small children to sexualized conduct and to normalize it, and instill their values and beliefs in the next generation. It is not healthy to expose young children to this. This is depriving them of their innocence. Angela Salazar, a citizen member of the committee tasked with reviewing grant applications and making recommendations to the assembly, submitted a letter rejecting one of Dials reasons for vetoing the funding, that funding the group would cause division in the community and is unjust because it is for a specific population. Quite the contrary in my opinion. If you are going to approve a veto for funding a specific population or segment in our community then you would need to veto most all of the applications. We could separate out the felons, the homeless, arts community, the disabled, the abused ... the list goes on and on. All of these populations are marginalized groups in our community and the nonprofits that serve them need our support. One is not any less or more important than the other and it is not our job to judge who is acceptable and who is not based on lifestyle, Salazar wrote. Assembly Member David Landis, who serves on the grant committee, said the committee had done what it was created to do. This is actually a pretty simple exercise for what the grant committee dealt with, and it goes straight to what theyre charged with, which was to judge and rank the applications fairly dispassionately, using the criteria that was set before them, and made the recommendation, Landis said. The committee made a fair judgment that was not based on a polarized viewpoint, it was based on what was before us. Assembly member Jeremy Bynum, who cast the lone vote to uphold the veto, said he intended to have a discussion item on a future agenda to look more carefully at what rules and criteria the borough should use to decide which organizations should receive grant funds. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Ketchikan (Alaska) Daily News. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A French parliamentary delegation pledged support for Taiwan during a meeting Thursday with the president of the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its own territory with no right to diplomatic recognition. Senator Joel Guerriau, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces, told Tsai Ing-wen he would help Taiwan oppose its oppressors and promote Taiwans freedom. Tsai, who won a second term as president in 2020, emphasized the strong connection between Taiwan's high-tech economy and countries in the European Union. We expect Taiwan and France to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields," Tsai said. France assumed the presidency of the Council of the EU in January. The visit is the third by French lawmakers to Taiwan in recent months, and follows a meeting earlier this week between Tsai and a group of Slovak lawmakers who offered similar expressions of support for the island's democracy. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China is firmly opposed to any forms of official and political contacts between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic ties with China." We urge the relevant party to avoid sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, and take concrete actions to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," Zhao said at a daily briefing. Taiwan has drawn increasing support from European nations in defiance of China, while current and retired U.S. politicians have also visited the island to show Washingtons backing. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department notified Congress that it has approved a possible sale of $120 million in spare parts for ships to Taiwan. China strongly opposes such sales. French Senators Vincent Eble, Sylvie Goy-Chavent, Dany Wattebled and Ludovic Haye were accompanying Guerriau on the six-day visit. In February, the European Commission unveiled the European Chips Act aimed at enabling the EU to work more closely with Taiwan and other world leaders in the semiconductor industry. China routinely threatens retaliation against politicians and countries that show support for Taiwan, which has only informal relations with the U.S., France and most other countries as a result of Chinese diplomatic pressure. Beijing downgraded relations and blocked imports from Lithuania, a member of both the EU and NATO, after the Baltic nation broke with diplomatic custom by agreeing that a Taiwanese representative office in its capital of Vilnius would bear the name Taiwan instead of Chinese Taipei, which other countries use to avoid offending Beijing. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) A man who tried to enter an Alabama elementary school where a summer program was being held was shot to death by police Thursday morning, authorities said. Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a potential intruder went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy program was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were locked and the principal contacted the school resource officer when she realized what was happening, Reddick said. The resource officer confronted a person who attempted to break into a marked Rainbow City police car near the school, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. More officers from the Gadsden Police Department showed up to assist, the statement said. The person was shot to death after resisting and trying to take the resource officer's gun, the agency said. The statement, which didn't mention any attempt to enter the school, didn't say how many shots were fired or by whom. The state identified the dead man as Robert Tyler White, 32, of Bunnlevel, North Carolina. Officials dont know whether the man was a "passerby" or something else, Reddick said. Authorities didnt immediately release details including whether White was armed or why he might have been trying to get into the school or patrol car. While the resource officer suffered minor injuries, no students were hurt and most didn't realize anything unusual had happened, Reddick said. Our primary concern was just making sure that someone who wasn't authorized to be in our building does not enter and our kids are safe, he said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sent a tweet saying school police immediately took action, faculty inside the building followed safety protocols and all children present were kept out of harms way. I commend all involved for acting quickly to protect these children, it said. Gadsden is about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Birmingham. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Scorching temperatures are in store for the southwestern U.S. over the next several days, with cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs in California expected to top 110 degrees. Parts of New Mexico and Texas also will see triple-digits. Heat is part of the normal routine of summertime in the desert, but weather forecasters say that doesn't mean people should feel at ease. Excessive heat causes more deaths in the U.S. than other weather-related disasters, including hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. Though weather conditions are going to be nice, you have to limit your outdoor activities significantly," said Gabriel Lojero of the National Weather Service in Phoenix. The temperatures forecast from Wednesday through Monday are the highest yet this year. Scientists say more frequent and intense heat waves are likely in the future because of climate change and a deepening drought. The effects of spiking temperatures are felt most acutely among vulnerable populations, including people without homes and workers who labor outside. Homeless people are about 200 times more likely to die from heat-associated causes, said David Hondula, a climate scientist who leads the city of Phoenix's Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. At least 130 homeless individuals were among the 339 people who died from heat-associated causes last year in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, and has the highest population of any county in Arizona. Phoenix already is considered the hottest big city in the United States. A heat wave last summer pushed temperatures up to 118 degrees (48 Celsius). Most everyone in central and southern Arizona, southern Nevada and southeast California will be at risk for heat-related illness if they don't take proper precautions, Lojero said. Those include wearing light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and seeking shade if they need to go outside. Temperatures are expected to tie or break records, even at night when it's cooler, before dropping overall early next week. Phoenix and Yuma are forecast to be just shy of 115 degrees (46 C) on Saturday when the heat peaks across the region. Blythe and El Centro in California will be at or above that temperature. Las Vegas will top out at 111 degrees (44 C) during the heat wave, the National Weather Service said. Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon also will see triple-digit temperatures a reminder that the weather changes drastically from the canyon's rim to its inner depths. Heat was a factor in the June 2 death of a woman who was hiking back up the popular Bright Angel Trail after reaching the Colorado River the same day something the park advises against doing, especially during the hottest times of the day, said Angela Boyers, the chief ranger. Thomas De Masters, a seasonal ranger at the park, wears a sun-protective hoodie under his shirt, a hat and soaks his clothing whenever he passes a water station. He spends much of his time talking to visitors to get a sense of whether they're prepared for what they've planned and whether it's safe. Among the tips he offers is resting in the shade for an hour and aggressively cooling down with water if the heat becomes too much. It's very hot, no doubt about that, he said Wednesday. There's almost always a week like this in June. We just hope we can get out there and talk to people enough. Some places in New Mexico also are expected to see temperatures that could break records over the weekend. Thunderstorms over the next couple of days could cause flash flooding in areas that have been scorched by wildfire, forecasters said. While temperatures had cooled this week in Texas, the heat is building through the weekend. The sizzling numbers come ahead of the annual rainy season in the Southwest, known simply as the monsoon, that starts in mid-June and runs through September. Weather experts say the phenomenon has equal chances of being above, below and normal this year in Arizona. Associated Press writer Anita Snow in Phoenix contributed to this story. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A cooperation plan on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor jointly compiled by China and Singapore was officially released Wednesday in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The plan details cooperation in various fields including trade, industry, infrastructures, supply chains and logistics, financial services and investment, and digitalization. It also highlights cooperation in talent exchanges, culture and tourism, and educational training. The land-sea corridor under the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity is a trade and logistics passage jointly built by the provincial-level regions of western China and ASEAN countries. Chongqing Municipality is the center of operations for the corridor. By 2025, the new land-sea corridor featuring efficient, open, stable and competitive trade logistics, industrial cooperation, and technology and people-to-people exchanges between western China and ASEAN will have been basically established, according to the plan. Trade between ASEAN and Chinese provincial-level regions along the corridor is expected to reach 180 billion U.S. dollars by 2025, with the transport volume of containers moving via the sea-rail transport service reaching 500,000 TEUs and cross-border trains making 2,000 trips, the plan says. As for the long-term target, a modern interconnection network will have been built by 2035 to effectively connect the Eurasian continent and benefit western China, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Europe, it states. LINCOLN Nebraskas representatives stayed with their fellow Republicans and voted against two gun control bills that passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Both Reps. Don Bacon and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., voted against H.R. 7910, which would raise the age limit for purchasing a semiautomatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds. The bill passed in the House Wednesday night. Thursday morning, the House also passed H.R. 2377, referred to as a red-flag bill, which would allow families, police and others to ask federal courts to order the removal of firearms from people at extreme risk of harming themselves or others. Bacon and Smith also voted against that bill. Both bills passed on largely party-line votes, with five Republicans joining nearly every Democrat to vote in favor of both measures, according to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Neither bill stands much chance in the Senate, where greater bipartisan buy-in is needed. Bacon, whose congressional district includes Omaha, criticized H.R. 7910 in a press release Wednesday, saying it would do little to nothing to prevent gun violence and would punish innocent citizens. I oppose raising the age of purchase because this country trusts young adults at the age of 18 to vote and to serve in the military protecting our country, Bacon said in the press release. So why arent they considered mature enough to purchase a gun? If a person has a record of violence, then I would support, but I cannot when this impacts adults who have done nothing wrong. Bacon said he supported one aspect of the bill, which would require the attorney general to submit a report on the demographic data on the individuals deemed ineligible to purchase a firearm based on background checks one year after the bill is enacted. He said this measure was supported by the vast majority of representatives. On the red-flag bill, Bacon told The World-Herald he supports the idea on principle, but he thinks the bills would offer too many opportunities to restrict gun access for law-abiding citizens. The House bill would allow a judge to temporarily remove and store firearms until a hearing can be held, up to two weeks later, to determine whether the firearms should be returned or kept for a specific period. One aspect of the bill Bacon said he supported was language that encouraged states to draft their own gun reform legislation, as he thinks gun control should be a state issue. However, he said this part of the bill contradicts the main objective, which gives the federal government the ability to restrict gun access. Gun-related legislation has struggled to advance in the Nebraska Legislature in recent years. Earlier this year, a measure that would have done away with permitting requirements for concealed carry in Nebraska known as permitless carry fell two votes shy of overcoming a filibuster. In 2020, several gun-related bills brought hundreds of opponents to the State Capitol. A red-flag bill failed to advance that year in the face of opposition from gun rights advocates, including Gov. Pete Ricketts. In the wake of the recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, Ricketts has advocated at multiple press conferences for improving mental health resources as an answer to gun violence, rather than limiting gun access. He has directly spoken out against raising the age limit for gun purchases. Bacon criticized Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not working with Republicans on either House bill, saying Pelosi did not seek out input from any Republican representatives. He said the only chance for meaningful legislation to be passed is in the Senate, where Democrats and Republicans are collaborating on potential gun reform. Bacon said he and other representatives are negotiating with senators on bipartisan legislation. He said its too early to provide specific details but confirmed mental health likely would be addressed in some way. Smith echoed Bacons comments in a Thursday statement, saying that lawmakers need to find common ground in order to pass legislation to prevent future gun violence. He promoted solutions such as strengthening school security, improving mental health care and increasing gun safety training. Its a shame House Democrats have rushed forward with bills that would do little to make our country safer, Smith said in an email statement. Democrats should not ignore the focused, commonsense solutions put forward by House Republicans bills that actually have a chance of passing the Senate but this week they have done just that. Smith and Bacon were the only Nebraskans voting on the bills. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry vacated the states other congressional seat earlier this year. State Sens. Mike Flood of Norfolk and Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln are running in a June 28 special election to serve out the remainder of Fortenberrys term. A campaign spokesperson for Pansing Brooks, a Democrat, said she supports red-flag legislation but didnt comment further on the House bills. Flood, a Republican, said in a statement that Congress should focus on school security and mental health. Its disappointing to see Democrats once again targeting the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners rather than solving problems, Flood said. This report includes material from the Associated Press. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Let Dad put his feet up with a tasty drink and a good book this Fathers Day. Here are seven drink and recipe books for different kinds of dads. BLOOMINGTON In reviewing the 1998 film SLC Punk, critic Roger Ebert commented that people forgot how punk rockers who exhibit aggressive personalities are really on the inside people who just want to be loved and understood. Telling the world to go to hell is often the response of people who believe the world has told them to go to hell, Ebert wrote. Given the calamitous events in recent weeks, arts of counterculture can provide a cathartic discharge of rage against all thats wrong in the world. Punk rock is just one one of those art forms. And theres a lot headed to "BloNo" this weekend. The 12th Midwest Punkfest returns Friday through Sunday to Bloomington after a two-year hiatus. That means two afternoons and three heavy nights of music at nightshop, in at least two ways. Rocking out with a fully loaded lineup are 45 artists ranging several punk and punk-adjacent genres, from alt-rock to pop, and garage to ska and sludge. Also sounding massive is BloNos representation in this event. An event organizer said 12 artists from the Twin Cities are playing. That includes Bury Thy Wicked, Great Value Jesus, Dirty Rotten Revenge, The Recombinants, Harrison Gordon, Karats Gold, Brett Conlin & The Midnight Miles, Brandon Cattle with The Branding Iron, Sat Rat, Lysergic Deity and Nonlinear Field. Spend some time around BloNos punk crowds, and youll see the reality of a music scene that Hollywood doesnt show. Youll find a supportive community of musicians, who embody mutual aid and respect. Youll meet easily approachable people, some of whom might look mean on the outside, but sure have a kittens heart on the inside. Besides, anyone whos been in a mosh pit can tell you that when life knocks you down, theres somebody you can trust to pull you back upright. This weeks BloNo beats column features interviews with two local bands playing Punkfest. Click here for the event schedule. Bury Thy Wicked After seven years in the works, and having endured lineup changes and pandemic lockdowns, a five-member hard rock band from Bloomington-Normal is putting the final touches on their first album. Bury Thy Wicked digs ups sounds mastered only by years of of practice. They have all the right layers youd expect from a larger band, fusing in blends of several musical styles. They are set to close out the first night of Punkfest. Guitarists Nate Knipe and Adrian Voelzke started the band in 2015, and swap lead and rhythm roles in their songs. Max McLean tolls in on their vocals, lending cutthroat screams and growls. Knipe noted it takes training for McLean to hit his notes. Knipe also said their band is best described as hard rock, because they have much influence from rock and roll, along with metal and punk. I feel like were the Foo Fighters of Bloomington-Normal, he joked, as they can be thrown into venues for any kind of genre. Knipe said Foo Fighters have a unique sound for every song they play, and Bury Thy Wicked members take that as a model. His bandmate Jake Rutledge, who keeps the drum beats pounding and the cymbals smashing, noted Foo Fighters are accessible to so many different people. He last played in a punk band called Taylor Smith, a play on the name of a certain famous country-turned-pop star. Voelzke said he comes from a metal background, and theyre not pigeonholed to one specific genre. Were going to do whatever we want, write whatever we want, said Voelzke. Were kind of pretty free. All members are residents of Bloomington-Normal and grew up in Central Illinois, except for bassist Damian Hernandez, whose family moved to town when he turned 9. Knipe said they recorded their album in town with Ian Sheridan, and expects their album to debut within a couple of months. Getting their songwriting process on the same page starts by just jamming together, said Rutledge. Hernandez added they also record what they write and send it off to each other. I think we kind of just trust each other to know to not overdo it overstep, and bring our own style and make it work within the parameters of what kind of song we're doing, said Voelzke. Knipe said they dont seek out certain styles when writing, but work off of certain melodies or instrumental moods. I don't expect them to play a certain way, I leave them to add their flair or give better suggestions, he said. It's one thing when you're just playing by yourself guitar-wise, and then you bring it to the drummer and youre like, oh, yeah, it has to go to a beat. Noteworthy tracks to check out include Cheers to the Bitter End, which Knipe said is an abstract narrative about a bad relationship. The songs soft intro sets up the listener for a goosebumps-giving breakdown, complemented by Voelzkes melodic guitar tapping. Theres also Through the Fire, which Rutledge said is about getting through challenging times. The drummer added while some of their songs are about having fun and screwing around, others have much more substance. They also play an original called More Than John, which Rutledge noted had started a riff on the name of the band Less Than Jake. It describes that lovable, kind of degenerate friend that you have that always kind of ruins the parties, Knipe said. Over the years and across more than three dozen shows, several members of the band have seen BloNos music scene change for the better. Rutledge said when he first started playing music, some musicians were very territorial. But within the past three years, he said the scene is coming more together. Knipe said between the early 2000s to about three years ago, only certain genres were thriving. He added the punk scene was in a thrive or die state and there were always small metal bands playing. Today, he said the scene has diversified to include talented jazz and blues bands, plus really good local rappers. It really just kind of opened up in the past three years, Knipe said. Rutledge credits these improvements to smaller venues like nightshop and The Stable, which spread out a range of genres for each night's show. Hernandez said their band gets mixed in a lot, and thats what cool about it. You get to see everything. The Recombinants Skyler Leeds plays bass for the The Recombinants, a grunge-esque band with charged vocals and gritty guitar riffs. He said theyre just three guys having fun writing some catchy and angry music at the same time. I feel like its almost not something that happens a lot, Leeds said. The Bloomington musician said he normally plays guitar, but he just wanted to play some music. There's just always been something thrilling about being in a punk band, he said. And thats a first for Leeds, who added its a great escape into that world. He said guitarist Nick Bretz and drummer Nick Toads Rhoades invited him to start practicing around September 2020. Rhoades lives in the Rockford area and Bretz is from Springfield, and they both previously played in a band named Breakfast for Bears. He described The Recombinants sound as sludge or garage, but also fast-paced punk in the same sense. Their bandcamp tags include "sludgepop." We kind of just take whatever we're feeling at that moment, and try and put it onto something that sounds a little aggressive and a little catchy on our standards, Leeds explained. One of the bigger influences for the three of them, he said, is Devo. Leeds previously played in hardcore act Brothers of Ours and indie rock band Harder to Fall, which included his brother. Theyve recorded in Champaign-Urbana their first full-length album, with Mark Wyman of ToneGood Recordings. Leeds said they were so excited to get it done, it was recorded in 48 hours. It was one of those experiences where luckily we were just so well-rehearsed on the songs that we'd been practicing, he said, adding they hope to digitally release the album late this fall. The track Leeds recommends the most to new listeners are demo tracks Phase Inverter and two songs from their new album, Clearer and D. Boone Method. With the upcoming Punkfest performance on Saturday, Leeds said hes super excited. He said the festival has been something to look forward to every year. He said nightshop owner Chris Golwitzer does a great job of getting all of the bands in the community a spot to play. And theres not a lot of openings for bands that are just starting out, Leeds said. There have been high school bands that have played there to full-on worldwide touring acts, he said, concluding the music community around here is really good. It definitely has its ups and downs, as everywhere does, but I would say were on a good, steady rise, going back up again. And it's really fun to be a part of. IF YOU GO WHAT: Midwest Punkfest 12 WHEN: Music starts 5 p.m. Friday, June 10; 2:10 p.m., Saturday, June 11; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12. WHERE: nightshop, 517 N. Main St, Bloomington. TICKETS: $43.35 for all three days. Single day passes are $17.09 on Friday and Sunday, and $22.34 on Saturday. Available online at mwpf.ticketbud.com. Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON Area residents may see some smoke and fire at Central Illinois Regional Airport on Friday and Saturday but should not be alarmed, as the airport is holding its required emergency training. The plan includes a live fire training on Friday starting at 10 a.m. and a full-scale emergency drill on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both trainings are expected to generate smoke and fire that may be visible from surrounding areas, a press release from CIRA said. The drill on Saturday will include more than 27 emergency response agencies, area organizations and private businesses and more than 50 other volunteers, the release said. It will be simulating an aircraft incident. The airport is required to do a full-scale drill once every three years, and the McLean County Disaster Council is joining in to do a community-wide test of emergency responses. CIRA is on the east side of Bloomington south of Empire Street, which is also Illinois Route 9. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter:@connorkwood Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 100 years ago June 9, 1922: Congressman Frank H. Funk spoke to the Bloomington Rotary Club, sharing "close-ups of Washington." Funk described President Warren G. Harding as one of the most charming men he had ever met. He said Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes was perhaps the man of greatest brainpower in Washington, among other observations. 75 years ago June 9, 1947: Douglas L. Edmonds, associate justice of the California Supreme Court, spoke at Illinois Wesleyan University's 88th annual commencement. "No one is truly educated who has not learned how to work with others," Edmonds said during the event, at which 85 degrees and five honorary degrees were conferred. 50 years ago June 9, 1972: W.H. Gronemeier, a newspaper editor, businessman, church leader and founder of the Young Men's Club of Bloomington, died at age 87. Earlier in life, he had been city editor of the Daily Bulletin, which was absorbed by The Pantagraph. An avid swimmer, Gronemeier was not grounded by losing a leg in 1967. 25 years ago June 9, 1997: Descendants of C.H. Moore donated his home and grounds to the DeWitt County Museum Association, which had been caring for them since 1967. Moore was DeWitt County's first attorney and a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln. He died in 1901, but his estate had been held in trust. Compiled by Pantagraph staff BELLEVILLE A new Illinois law signed Wednesday made it illegal to incinerate a class of toxic chemicals known to cause cancer and other health problems. Metro-east lawmakers and environmental advocates raised concerns last year about burning PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, after the U.S. Department of Defense authorized a Sauget incinerator to dispose of the man-made chemicals. The Defense Department has an interest in figuring out how to dispose of PFAS because they are a main ingredient in firefighting foam, which is used in particular at military installments such as Scott Air Force Base. The chemicals are more effective in putting out aviation and fuel fires than water. They're also common in consumer products such as nonstick pans, waterproof clothes, microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers and stain-resistant carpets. But they're toxic. Decades of research connects PFAS to thyroid disease, low birth weight, reduced responsiveness to vaccines, increased cholesterol, liver damage, kidney cancer and testicular cancer. The chemicals remain mostly unregulated throughout the United States. The exact effects of inhaling air contaminated with PFAS is not yet known, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. But scientists know people can be exposed in a variety of ways, and exposure at certain levels comes with health risks. Some people are more at risk of PFAS exposure, including people who live near facilities that produce PFAS. As research continues about the effects of inhaling incinerated PFAS, lawmakers said they wanted to take steps to ban burning it. State Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, and state Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, sponsored the legislation (HB 4818). "This initiative stems from concerns that our neighbors have surrounding the waste incinerator in Sauget, which puts Metro East residents at risk of exposure to these harmful substances," Belt said in a prepared statement. Veolia Environmental Services operates the incinerator in Sauget. A spokesperson for the company told St. Louis Public Radio they do not accept material they know has PFAS in it. The company noted many products contain PFAS and they can't ensure none of the chemicals are incinerated. Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed a similar bill last year because it would have affected pollution-control methods that involve PFAS, the governor wrote in a letter. Another main source of exposure is through drinking water. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is developing regulations that could set maximum PFAS levels in community drinking water systems. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 It appears that the thinking of our Republican representatives in Washington and in other states is the way to handle the gun violence is through dealing with the nations mental health issues and for the most part I agree. However, this great nation does a horrible job dealing with mental and emotional health issues. As a former special education teacher and a former Director of Special Education for a K-8 school district near East Peoria, I can speak from first-hand experience. If a child tells his/her teacher or school staff member that she/he has been abused by their parent(s) in any way, educators in Illinois are mandated reporters and must notify DCFS. Often DCFS will find the reported incident to be unfounded, even though the staff at the students school know that abuse is happening in the home. Even if DCFS finds the incident to be credible, the agency does not have the staff nor the resources to help the family and more importantly, the child. Thereby, leaving the child to live in trauma. So yes, lets address the nations mental health issue, but in the meantime lets address the guns. I joined the Air Force in 1969. In my first year in the Air Force, I had two background check performed. One for my security clearance and one to purchase a rifle. To me, if one has nothing to hide, a background check is no big deal. Our nation letting elementary school-age children to be killed is a big deal, not to mention all the other innocent people killed through gun violence. David Roehrig, Hudson Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In September 2019, Ghana began to implement the pre-tertiary standards-based curriculum, a curriculum system implemented by many developed countries across the world. A unique characteristic of the standards-based curriculum is its precise calibration of student knowledge and competency at each grade level, known as content standards or grade-level expectations. Therefore, upon its adoption, our basic education system is being guided by a carefully designed body of knowledge, skills, values and core competencies. Standards-based curriculum The introduction of the standards-based curriculum was also intended to alter how teachers teach, emphasising the utility of creative, inclusive pedagogies and improved classroom assessment practices. This is to enable schools to increase students interest in learning, engaging them deeply and meaningfully in rich, rigorous content that will adequately prepare them for national development in a rapidly changing global environment. After three years of implementing the standards-based curriculum, I observe that sections of the public seem to have limited knowledge of this curriculum model and its effects. As an education policy consultant and former director-general of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) under whose tenure the implementation began, I feel obliged to reflect on the reform initiative to highlight its key imperatives, implementation successes and areas for improvement. Imperatives Today, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a new globally recognised curriculum is operational in Ghana, which aims at creating critical thinking, digitally savvy Ghanaian students with the potential of becoming civically responsible citizens poised to build our nation. The standards-based curriculum begets many positive outcomes for our education system. First, we have the opportunity to improve education delivery through carefully crafted standards developed by education sector experts, including teachers, researchers, consultants and advocacy groups that better appraise each student academically, emotionally and socially. Today, parents and stakeholders can reference these standards to assess the development of students. Furthermore, we have, by this reform, renegotiated our curriculum modelling to favour higher-order thinking, rather than rote learning and memorisation, while focusing on cross-curricular content that progressively integrates learned knowledge. What is working? A nationwide effort to implement the pre-tertiary standards-based curriculum for kindergarten to Basic Six (i.e., KG-B6) was launched at the opening of the 2019/2020 academic year in September 2019. Before that, all 152,000 KG-B6 teachers tasked with effectively implementing the new reform were informed and trained on the curriculum change, its policy expectations and teachers requirements, at various district-level training centres across the country. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for teachers were also established to sustain the process of professional development for the teachers. The PLC is a novel introduction, a mentoring and peer-learning community for teachers in the same school and district to provide further professional learning opportunities that are outcome-oriented. Admittedly, the implementation of PLCs is bedevilled with some challenges and will be discussed in the subsequent piece. Three years after implementation, teaching seems to be better guided by the new ideas and visions of the curriculum, including how schools operate. There is a good level of acceptance among regional and district staff, headteachers and teachers for the change, which gives strong indication that with adequate support, the reform will be successful. The quality of teacher delivery is evidenced to be improving, with indications from implementation pointing to an increasing use of learner-centred and interactive teaching approaches, including group work and cooperative learning strategies. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO) Ghana Spotlight Report in 2022 shows that teachers in the rural areas of the Upper West Region, for example, are improvising in the use of teaching and learning resources. One can then infer that these improvisations have been motivated by the expectations of the new curriculum. I am, however, unable to conclude on how pervasive these practices are across the country given the lack of evidence, but some headteachers have given positive feedback. What is working, for me, is the Ministry of Educations approach to using stronger performance expectation tied to the signing of performance contract, KPIs at the regional and district education levels. Further, there appears to an increased focus on literacy and numeracy, which is fostering improvements in learning outcomes. The UNESCOs Ghana Spotlight Report in 2022 confirms these claims, but also shows that one cannot disassociate the impact of the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) interventions on the gains so far. The use of Teacher Resource Packs (TRP) as teacher manual, which accompanied each subject curriculum in planning instructions is likely having a transformational impact on teacher preparation and capacity to deliver the curriculum. The implementation of the NST for Basic Four pupils in December 2021 is remarkable even though it is a partial fulfilment of the assessment plan and priority. The NST was born from the development of the National Pre-tertiary Learning Assessment Framework (NPLAF) to encourage learner-focused assessments and monitor students attainment of educational standard in Basic Two, Basic Four, Basic Six, Basic Eight and Basic 11. Instructional resources and textbooks have new approval expectations. Approved instructional materials and textbooks provide a wide variety of content that effectively support implementation by encouraging critical thinking and enriching the learning experiences for students, as well as creatively contributing to the pedagogy of teachers. Conclusion My reflection on this matter is not exhaustive, but these aspects of the implementation of the standards-based curriculum are worth highlighting. Generally, there are always disparities between policy objectives and actual policy outcomes owing to implementation inefficiencies and unintended developments. Hence, the challenges faced in the implementation of the new curriculum are natural and expected. The positive outcomes, however, have far outweighed the challenges. The writer is the MP for Kwesimintsim, and Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education. A former Director-General of NaCCA, a lecturer and education consultant to the World Bank, UKAID, USAID and UN Education Commission-funded projects in Ghana. www.princeharmah.com Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Methodist Girls Senior High School at Mamfe in the Eastern Region of Ghana has received 20 laptops and 1 projector from Huawei Ghana, as part of measures to boost the teaching and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the school. Speaking at the donation ceremony held at Mamfe, the Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, thanked the management of Huawei Technologies (Ghana) S. A Ltd for its regular support in the development and advancement of education in the country. The donation, he said, comes in handy as government continues to focus on providing vital resources to effectively enhance teaching and learning especially towards the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Rev. Ntim Fordjour stated that the acquisition of critical thinking and other skills by students remains a priority of government and described the attainment of Information Technology as very crucial for all, irrespective of the field of study. The Deputy Minister recounted the important role ICT plays in the lives of students especially girls. He commended the school for the numerous local and international robotics awards it has bagged in the past, in honor of the nation. He charged the schools robotics team to keep working hard to bring in more awards. The Deputy Minister assured the school that efforts were being made to tar all roads in the school to enhance and create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning. Madam Jenny Zhou, the Director for Public and Government Affairs at Huawei Ghana said that, as a responsible corporate institution, Huawei is committed to enhancing education and has over the years contributed towards the development of education in Ghana. She commended the Ministry of Education for prioritizing STEM education and promised to partner with the Ministry to support the teaching and learning of ICT in schools. She stated that Huawei believes in bridging the gender gap in ICT and is therefore putting in place the right measures to advocate for the promotion of women in technology. A few weeks ago, we joined the Ministry of Education to donate some ICT devices to the Bosomtwe Girls STEM School at Deduako all geared towards promoting the learning of IT in schools, especially for girls. I am therefore very happy to be here today to do same, hoping that the devices we are donating will be utilized to enhance your ICT skills. She added. As an organization, we strongly believe in developing the ICT skills of the citizenry, especially the youth. In light of this, a few days ago we launched our Leadership Employability Advancement and Possibility (LEAP) Program in Ghana to create an opportunity for many Ghanaian youth to develop an interest in acquiring ICT skills to help them in their field of endeavor. The Director for Public and Government Affairs stated that through the LEAP program, Huawei hopes to provide ICT skill training to 100,000+ Ghanaians by 2024 with the youth as their key focus. She urged the students to take advantage of opportunities that come to their way whiles in school to develop their skills for tomorrow. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A pilot program on facilitating eligible high-tech enterprises to borrow money from overseas has been expanded to the entire Guangdong province, according to sources with the People's Bank of China, the central bank. High-tech enterprises, along with "specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative" companies included in the pilot program in Guangdong, an economic powerhouse in South China, will not be restricted by the scale of their net assets, according to the sources. The amount of foreign debt such enterprises can independently borrow will be increased from the previous $5 million to $100 million, helping further facilitate small, medium-sized and micro high-tech enterprises to make full use of international capital. Earlier, such a pilot program only targeted enterprises in nine cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Zhuhai, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing. The expansion of the program followed a circular issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in late May on supporting high-tech enterprises and specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative enterprises to carry out cross-border financing services. According to the circular, the program will be expanded to the provinces of Jiangsu, Shandong, Hubei, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hunan and Hainan and the cities of Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Ningbo, covering 80 percent of the country's high-tech and "specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative" enterprises. The pilot program was first introduced in early 2018 in Beijing's Zhongguancun Science Park to allow cross-border funding by eligible small and medium-sized high-tech firms. Expansion of the program is expected to help domestic institutions, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and "specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative" companies, to raise funds through multiple channels and ease their financing strain amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the SAFE circular. The program will also help improve the high-quality economic development of Guangdong, as high-tech enterprises with small net assets are allowed to borrow foreign debt at the initial stage of growth, which is conducive to enterprises in reducing financing costs and increasing investment in research and development, according to sources with the PBOC. Enterprises may apply to local foreign exchange bureaus for foreign debt signing registration with an application form, a copy of a business license and other materials, and then carry out cross-border financing business at financial organizations. Guangdong will further expand enterprises' cross-border financing channels and support eligible high-tech and emerging tech companies to carry out trials on the facilitation of foreign debt quotas, according to a policy package of 131 specific measures to further stabilize the economy, which was issued in early June by the provincial government. Pan Gongsheng, vice-governor of the PBOC, said it used to be difficult to raise funds from abroad for small and medium-sized high-tech enterprises due to their small net assets. "Therefore, we have issued a special policy, which is not calculated according to the net assets of these enterprises, but to give a certain amount in which enterprises can independently borrow foreign debt," Pan said during a news conference in early June. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says some persons with the Monkeypox disease have recovered. Dr Asiedu Bekoe, Director of Public Service, GHS did not give the exact figure of those recovered in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie' but said They are fine now, Their cases were mild, he added. He also revised an earlier report that the Western Region has recorded a case. The cases are in Eastern, Greater Accra and Bono, he told host Mac Jerry Osei Agyeman. Director of GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye confirmed five cases of the Monkeypox disease on Wednesday with no death recorded. The GHS Director revealed that one of the cases was recorded in a Ghanaian who travelled to the United States of America. According to Dr Kuma Aboagye, there is currently no treatment for Monkey Pox. Countries like Morocco and Nigeria have also confirmed cases of monkeypox, with Nigeria banning the consumption and sale of bush meat as a means to avert the spread of the disease. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament, has indicated that the Minority cannot blame him for doing his job in the right manner. The Minority in Parliament had accused the Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee has deliberately delayed the passage of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021. He vehemently resisted the claim and explained that even though the passage of the Bill has been delayed, the Committee is still working on it in order to be brought before Parliament to ensure its passage. Kwame Anyimadu Antwi noted that the Committee recently completed the public hearing on the proposed Bill and will proceed with the clause by clause consideration of the Bill and submit its report to the plenary. I am disappointed in the words that Honourable Muntaka is putting up there. He was the Chairman of the Health Committee and when a bill was referred to him, no leader interfered in his workWe had actually completed the public hearing, that is done. Now we would finish with the in-camera meeting and move to the clause by clause consideration of the Bill after which we would submit our report to the plenary he would not fault me for doing my job correctly, he cannot fault me, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi said on Joy FM's Top Story, Wednesday, June 8. Responding to the Minoritys claim that the Committee has breached the three months deadline provided in Article 106 (14) and Standing Orders 136 for committees to work on a bill, the Asante-Akim Central MP said the Minoritys argument is inapt since the Bill was not introduced by the President. What he is saying, Honourable Muntaka is wrong. Article 106 (14) says a bill introduced in Parliament by or on behalf of the President shall not be delayed for more than three months in any committee of Parliament. Which President introduced this bill that he is talking about? I will act within the lawI will not be put under pressure and I cannot be forced to do what I am not supposed to dowe have to take our time to pass a law that will stand the test of time not what Honourable Muntaka wants to see, I will not succumb to his pressure, Anyimadu Antwi said. The NDC Minority in Parliament had threatened to block the introduction of any bill by the Executive if the Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Kwame Ayimadu Antwi continues to delay the passage of the Anti-LGBT Bill. Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minority Chief Whip, said the Chairman of the Committee is deliberately delaying the passage of the Anti LGBTQI Bill therefore, they [Minority] will continue to oppose any bill brought before the House by the Executive. I can assure that any other bill that will be introduced in the House, we shall resist it, even if it is to provide water, we will resist it, said Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Economic Fighters League has commended the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV, for his decision to return to the state more than GHC 365,000 being ex-gratia payment for his work as a member of the Council of State from 2017 to 2021. It has however asked him to also support the call for a total overhaul of the 1992 Ghanaian constitution. The Fighters League has consistently demanded that the constitution be overhauled to prevent the payment of ex-gratia and other constitutional provisions they deemed unfit and improper. In commending him, the Fighters League said "this act of conscience by Togbe Afede reinforces the long call by the Economic Fighters League and many other Ghanaians for the creation of a New Constitution on the basis of fairness and equity; that will completely abolish the phenomenon of ex-gratia, an immoral creation of the 1992 sakawa constitution. "The State must put the money returned by Togbe Afede XIV to good use. That amount can pay the allowances of up to 600 National Service Personnel whose payments are in arrears. It must be redirected there immediately. But added "while commending Togbe Afede, we will like to encourage him to go beyond this praiseworthy act of conscience and join our call for a New Constitution, which will remove Article 71 and spare the nation the cycle of abuse of the public purse. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Democratic Congress Members of Parliament from Mining Communities in Western Region have expressed worry over the Minister for land and Natural Resources answers to Parliamentary urgent questions in respect of Appiatse disaster victims. In a joint Press Conference led by MP for WASSA East Constituency, Isaac Adjei Mensah, questioned the reason behind governments inability to start construction of new housing for the victims as promised and he described the Ministers responses as unsatisfactory and an insult to victims of Appiatse explosion disaster. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor was in the Chamber on Tuesday 7th June, 2022 to answer two urgent questions as produced below: (a). Mr Robert Wisdom Cudjoe (Prestea-Huni-Valley): To ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to update the good people of this country the balance sheet of the Appiatse Funds. (b) Mr. Robert Wisdom Cudjoe (Prestea-Huni-Valley): To ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to give a comprehensive report on all the items donated by individuals and groups to the victims of the Appiatse explosion disaster. And, the Minister disclosed that more than GHC 42million is accrued to the Appiatse Support Fund account, as well as other non-monetary contributions including cement and wood since it was set up. He said, Mr. Speaker as of Monday 6th June 2022, the Committee had received cash donations totaling the cedi equivalent of 42,527,380.02. This amount includes the four-installment payment made by Maxam Ghana Limited. "Out of this amount, 1 million Ghana cedis have been advanced to the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Committee to complete temporary structures to accommodate the victims of the incident, he said. However, there was drama in the House when the Minister alleged that the MP for Prestea Huni Valley, the Constituency the explosion occurred, has not contributed to the Appiatse Support Fund. He used the opportunity to accuse the Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley who is the MP for the Community, for not contributing to this fund, allegedly but this did not go well with the MP. Isaac Adjei Mensah who mounted strong defence for his colleague recounted a number of times they accompanied the MP in question to Appiatse to donate various items including food, water, mattresses and other items worth more than GHC 10,000 from his personal account The MP called on the government to disclose how much it has released to support the Appiatse victims aside the GHC 42 million plus accrued to the fund from private entities and individuals. Source: gbc Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Political science analyst, Dr Tanko Dauda, has said calls for the cancellation of Council of States ex-gratia are not far from right. This comment by Dr Tanko Dauda comes after the Paramount Chief of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV rejected GHS365,000 that was paid into his account as ex-gratia for being a member of the Council of State. A statement by the Agbogbomefia said Togbe Afede XIV received monthly payments and allowances while as a member of the Council of State therefore he sees no need for the payment of the ex-gratia. I did not think the payment was made to trap me, as is being speculated. I believe it was paid to everybody who served on the Council of State. However, I thought that extra payment was inappropriate for a short, effectively part-time work, for which I received a monthly salary and was entitled to other privileges. So, I was very uncomfortable with it, he said. After weeks of trying, I obtained advice on how to refund inappropriate payments to the State, and on March 4, 2022, I made the refund into the Controller & Accountant Generals Department Suspense Account at the Bank of Ghana, Togbe Afede XIV said in a statement. Following the controversy, scores of persons have called for the cancellation of ex-gratia given to members of the Council of State. Commenting on the issue with host of Atinka FMs AM Drive Kaakyire Ofori Ayim, Dr Tanko Dauda stated that there is no need paying ex-gratia given to members of the Council of State who received monthly salaries in line of duty. Dr Tanko Dauda called on government to sit around the table and have a re-look at the arrangement. Going forward, I think those calling for the cancellation of allowances given to Council of State members are not far from right because looking at where we are, we have a lot of issues and developmental challenges to fix. And so giving such huge sums of monies to some categories of people after some years of service when they had already been paid their salaries is very challenging. As a country, we need to have a look at it, Dr Tanko Dauda told Kaakyire Ofori Ayim. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video National Service Scheme has hinted at plans to increase the allowances paid to service personnel from the current GH559. In an interview with Accra-based Joy News, Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Gifty Oware-Mensah, said that it had already tabled a proposal before the Education Committee of Parliament for consideration. She, however, stated that the implementation of the proposal will be after it has been adopted and appropriated in the next budget. "The NSS has already submitted this thing [proposal for an upward adjustment in allowances] and it's not because we are seeking for. I have heard them even speak to ask for GH800. We have brought something higher than even that before Parliament. But what is more important is that there must be appropriation before we can spend and as we are speaking 2022 budget has already been appropriated so we can only hope and pray that in the next hearing, the Education committee can help us to make a case and get the increment, she said. Madam Gifty Oware-Mensah added that all we can come up with will be the figures when it goes for appropriation, but at this point, what I can say and confidently, is the fact that it will be more than the GH800 they are seeking for. NSS personnel have in recent times been lamenting over the inadequacy of their allowance together with delays in its payment. A group calling itself Coalition of Suffering National Service Personnel took to the streets of Accra on Monday to protest their unpaid allowance. Its president, Weachea Awaregya, additionally called for an increment in the allowance. The last time personnel witnessed an increase in their allowance was in April 2017. They are currently paid a monthly allowance of GH559, but there have been numerous appeals for an increment. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video While the government has made it clear that it is not funding the construction of the personal-pledge-to-God National Cathedral, as stated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, latest information suggests otherwise. News making the rounds indicates that on October 29, 2020, Ken Ofori-Atta, at the request of the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Frema Osei Opare, gave authorization for the release of GH142.7million towards the construction of the national edifice. This, according to the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the move is a grave constitutional violation caused by the Minister of Finance. He continued that it is his view that the finance minister must pay for this. There have also been several angles to the governments decision to prioritise the building of such a national edifice amid the current economic downturns in the country, although there have been arguments that it is a necessary project to boost tourism; a thing that would rake in revenue for the country. It has also emerged that construction work on the National Cathedral has since February 2022, stalled, with little activities going on there. But how much work has been done on the cathedral so far? Edem Srem, one of Ghanas foremost drone pilots and documentary producers, took some aerial shots of the progress of work at the site of the National Cathedral and has made them available to GhanaWeb. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Energy Transition Committee has in the past few days engaged a number of targeted stakeholders at the Alisa Hotel in Accra in its bid to seek input towards the development of a National Energy Transition Plan. This follows regional public consultations in all the sixteen (16) regional capitals, after the Vice President, H.E Dr. Mahamadou Bawumia, launched the engagements in February this year at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra. Across the board, whilst these stakeholders appreciated the governments efforts in dealing with the reality of energy transition, the general consensus was that this should be done in a sustainable manner in order not to put the country at a disadvantage. On Friday 3rd June 2022, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the energy space acknowledged that the recent push for accelerated energy transition by the government has received significant support from global stakeholders, referring, among others, to the UK Governments pledge not to support funding for oil and gas projects as well as its adoption of a policy to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK by 2030. This is their opinion should encourage the government to be firm in its stance to transition it its own pace Monday 6th June 2022 was the turn of the diplomatic corps and donor agencies. The general consensus was that the transition pace and strategies that the Government of Ghana has put in place would ensure that the countrys oil assets are not stranded. They appeared satisfied that the Presidents declaration that, whilst Ghana and Africa will work towards reducing carbon emissions, there is a desirable basis for balance that ensures the sustainable development of the countries. The next days engagement with representatives of various religious groupings also established support for the government and a commitment to play an important role in the process by engaging in sensitisation and dissemination of the message to their various constituents. The Ghana Upstream Chamber also entreated Ghana to pace cautiously in her attempt to transition to cleaner energy and do so at her own pace, without succumbing to pressures from the west. These comments were made as part of the continuation of the stakeholder engagement on Wednesday 8th June 2022. The chamber underscored the essence of clean energy in our energy mix and cautioned the need for government to ensure that assets that relate to fossil fuel in Ghana are not stranded as well as relevant logistics are put in place to operate a clean energy system. The chamber underscored that Ghana now is not ready for electric vehicles to be used in mass quantities as there are only a few charging stations in the country and this would make electric car drivers stranded. They added that government must ensure that all arrangements are made and have been practicalities before electric vehicles are used on a commercial scale. The commission has arranged to meet, the Ghana IPPs Chamber, Service Providers & Vendors, Ghana Charcoal Producers & Firewood Dealers (GhaCCO), Market Women Associations, GUTA & Traders Associations, Parliamentarians, The Judiciary and the Council of State in the next few days. These engagements have been chaired by deputy ministers from the Energy ministry namely, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Hon. William Owuraku, Aidoo, Hon. Andrew Mercer as well as Hon. Frederick Obeng Adom and Hon. Alhassan Tampuli from the Transport ministry. The chairpersons for all these engagements, representing Energy and Transport Ministers, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah respectively gave the assurance that the Ministry remains committed to pursuing targeted stakeholder engagements with other stakeholders such as the independent power producers, and charcoal producers, just to mention a few, in the coming weeks. The stakeholders were further assured that their contributions and suggestions would be duly taken on board in the formulation of a draft National Energy Transition Plan for the attention of the Cabinet. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A protester in Los Angeles was tackled by the Secret Service on Wednesday, June 8, after she walked out onto the street and approached US President Joe Biden's motorcade. President Biden was in downtown L.A. for the ninth Summit of the Americas. The woman had moved onto a blocked-off street with a bullhorn and was quickly tackled by a secret service agent. The secret service agent as he tackled the woman to the ground, also slapped her on the face and attempted to handcuff her. The protester, who resisted officers during her arrest and ripped off the tackling officers hat and glasses, appeared to be advocating for abortion rights. "Get the f--- off me!" she could be heard saying while on the ground being handcuffed. She then shouted "An abortion ban will not stop abortions. Only safe ones." Anthony Guglielmi Chief of Communications for the United States Secret Service, put out a statement after the arrest. "Shortly after 5:00 pm, an adult female entered a restricted roadway along a motorcade route on Chick Hearn Ct in Los Angeles," the statement said. "As the woman approached passing vehicles, a United States Secret Service agent swiftly removed her from the roadway and placed her into custody. There was no impact to the motorcade movement or our protectees. Our investigation into this incident is ongoing." Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Akyemansa District Assembly says it will be supporting the 15-year-old girl flogged and molested by two young men on the orders of her stepfather. In a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com, the assembly said the offenders will face the law. The boys stripped the girl half-naked and flogged her while one tried to insert his finger into her vagina. The perpetrators including the stepfather are on the run. Read below full statement The Akyemansa District Assembly hereby informs the general public that it has taken the necessary initial steps to provide support for the 15year old victim of an assault attack while bringing the attackers to book. The attention of the Assembly was first drawn to the incident via a viral video on social media. Subsequent to the circulation. On June 3rd, 2022, the uncle of the victim (one Emmanuel Adarkwa) reported the assault case against the stepfather and 3 others. Police investigations commenced immediately after the report. On 7th June 2022 the police together with the District Social Welfare Officer on the instructions of the Hon. District Chief Executive (DCE) had the victim examined and treated at the Akyem Brenase Polyclinic. A manhunt is currently underway for the persons involved in the assault of the victim. Arrangements have also been made to assist her with further health-related care. The Assembly is grateful to all who have helped with information and other forms of support enabling us to take these early steps. We are grateful to the Oda Divisional Police command, the office of the Member of Parliament and the local community for their support. SIGNED: _______________________ HON. DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE AKYEMANSA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AKYEM OFOASE Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video About 16.5 million pieces of agricultural machinery are currently roaring on the vast farmlands of China, with over 3 million farmers and technicians taking part in the country's summer harvest. By Monday, the country had finished reaping winter wheat on 167 million mu (about 11.13 million hectares) of farmland, accounting for around 55 percent of its total winter wheat, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Wheat harvest in southwest China's Sichuan Province and central China's Hubei Province has almost come to a close, while that in the provinces of Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi and Hebei will be in full swing soon. China's summer harvest focuses on reaping winter wheat and oilseed rape. Spanning from May to late June traditionally, the grain output in the period takes up about a quarter of the annual total, which is of great significance to China's food security. CUT LOSS Minimizing the losses in the process of harvesting is one of the keywords of the summer harvest this year. In east China's Shandong Province, China's second-largest wheat-producing area, a variety of loss-cutting activities have been carried out in each county and city with wheat plantation areas exceeding 33,000 hectares. Meanwhile, more than 1.5 million sets of agricultural machinery and over 280,000 farmers and agricultural technicians are joining in the harvest in Shandong, striving to keep the average loss rate under 2 percent. By reaching that goal, the whole province can save 300 million kg of wheat during the harvest, according to a local agricultural official. Dong Huilong, a farmer in Yuncheng City, north China's Shanxi Province, feels jubilant these days. "Although wheat was sown late, the harvest is expected better than last year thanks to better management afterward," said Dong, who grows over 8 hectares of wheat. More than 7.3 million hectares of wheat were sown late in China's major summer grain powerhouses, including the provinces of Henan, Shandong and Shanxi, due to floods last fall. Therefore, more than 6 billion yuan (about 900 million U.S. dollars) have been pooled to ensure the production of summer grain. Experts and technicians have been sent to the villages to help farmers overcome the adverse impacts of the late sowing. "We made some adjustments in seed selection, sowing volume, and the amount of fertilization. Furthermore, we provided face-to-face guidance to local farmers in the farmland," said Lyu Fen, an agricultural expert in Yanhu District, Yuncheng. TECH MAKES DIFFERENCE The advancement of science and technology has boosted China's grain production capacity. Nowadays, the traditional production methods have undergone huge changes as smart agricultural technology, drones, and high-yielding varieties of crops have been widely used. Benefiting from those aspects, China's per capita share of grain exceeded 470 kg in 2021, higher than the internationally-recognized security baseline of 400 kg. In the city of Zouping, Shandong, intelligent pest monitoring stations, solar insecticidal lamps, smart meteorological stations and digital monitoring and service systems have been installed in high-standard farms this year, in a bid to secure the quality and safety of wheat. Besides scientific and advanced production methods, China has made substantial progress in the storage of grain and strengthened the construction of grain storage facilities in recent years. The Sinograin grain storage site in Shandong is equipped with 4,500 high-definition cameras and 280,000 temperature sensors to ensure the stock is in the best condition. Technologies including central air-conditioning, intelligent ventilation, and temperature control by nitrogen have been used there, to keep the average temperature below 15 degrees Celsius all year round, and prevent grain from going bad. Data shows that during China's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), about 13 million tonnes of food had been saved annually during processes after production. "China has used scientific and effective management means to ensure the food security," said Wang Juanling, vice president of Shanxi Agricultural University. The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako has directed that Parliament will not sit on Friday to enable lawmakers travel to their constituencies to join the Green Ghana Day exercise on that day. The Green Ghana Day is an exercise introduced by the government as part of efforts to recover the lost forest reserve. The theme for this years exercise is Mobilizing for a Greener Future. During the launch of the exercise earlier at the Accra International Conference Centre, President in his keynote address said that, forests continue to be one of Ghanas most important resources but regrettably there is a substantial decline of the countrys forest cover. He called for concerted efforts to combat this menace. The Green Ghana Initiative seeks to create a collective action towards restoration of degraded landscapes in the country, mitigate climate change and inculcate in the youth the values of planting and nurturing trees and their associated benefits, he continued. Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, June 8 regarding the Green Ghana Day exercise scheduled to take place on Friday, June 10, he said Since 1900, Ghana has lost a whopping 80 per cent of its forest cover and therefore, we have a crisis situation, climate change is reaching a tipping point and Ghana, as a respected member of the international community is contributing its quota to the global efforts at halting climate change. He further revealed that the Ministry plans to plant 10 million seedlings in reserve compartments and 10 million across the country, in schools, churches, homes, mosques and other public areas. I want to thank the Speaker of Parliament and the Honourable Members of the august House of Parliament for being very supportive and enthusiastic about this years Green Ghana Day. Indeed, as you may be aware, the Speaker has just announced that Parliament will not sit on Friday. This is to enable Members of Parliament travel to their constituencies to lead their constituents in participating in this years Green Ghana Day. We want to thank the speaker for this momentous decision. That gives us great impetus and gives us a lot of momentum moving forward to Friday, he said. The Damongo lawmaker added This year, we have decided to plant 10illion seedlings in on-reserve compartments and plant 10 other million seedlings across the country in schools, church compounds, mosques and on the streets, in our homes, and in public areas of our country. We are planting 10million in forest reserve and planting 10million across the country. we are calling on all Ghanaians, all residents of Ghana and all persons who will be visiting Ghana to join forces with the government and join forces with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission or to be able to make this noble undertaking and momentous undertaking and resounding success. Source: 3news Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Madam Otiko Djaba has issued a disclaimer to comments attributed to her by a National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist known as Mr. Elikem Kotoko. The quote of the attributed statement reads; Be careful how you defend them, so you dont get used. Let my situation be a lesson to you. We are not loved by them no matter what we do for them - Otiko Afisah Djaba On her Official Facebook page timeline, Madam Otiko Djaba indicated that she never made any statement to that effect by voice or text. She emphasised that as a former NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Bole Bamboi, a political activist and communicator, 2 term National Organiser of NPP and former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and on retirement I will never subscribe to such a viewpoint. Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba said such a reprehensible and malicious post can only be a fabrication from the mind of Mr. Elikem Kotoko. She also disassociated herself from a Facebook account created in her name, indicating it was a fake account. Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba has urged the general public to please treat the post and account with the contempt it deserves. Madam Otiko has given an ultimatum to Mr. Elikem Kotoko to pull down the said character assassination post and as well follow the deletion with an unqualified apology to her on his Facebook timeline. Madam Otiko Djaba also demanded that her request be done within the next 12 hours of this notification to Elikem Kotoko lest she will seek legal actions against him. She concluded by entreating the general public to ignore this mischievous, vexatious, viperous, and deliberate misinformation publication from Mr. Elikem Kotokoli as the same has never been made by her and neither does it represent her viewpoint. The comments of the former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Madam Otiko Djaba on former President John Dramani Mahama have always been an issue for discussion. It would be recalled that Madam Otiko Djaba when she was appointed as the Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection in 2017 told the vetting committee of Parliament that she owes no apology to former President John Mahama for some very critical comments she made about him on political platforms. Otiko Djaba told members of Parliaments Appointments Committee some of whom describe her words during the campaign period as unsavory that she took the former Ghanaian leader to task because they both hail from the same Region and she has the right to subject his actions to critical scrutiny. She said the President is my brother and I spoke from my conviction. Madam Afisa Djaba has on many occasions made some scathing comments about former President Mahama ahead of the 2016 general elections. She once said President John Dramani Mahama has the heart of the devil. She described John Mahama as someone who does not have the interest of the country at heart. In 2016 Otiko told some NPP supporters in Afram Plains that He (John Mahama) is violent. He recently instigated some youth of the NDC to hurl stones at Nana Akufo-Addos house. When she appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, the Members on the Minority side, one by one quoted these comments and demanded an apology from the nominee. Asked if she would like to retract her comments against Mr Mahama, Madam Afisa Djaba said she would do no such thing. She said, I owe former President John Mahama no apology. According to her, the former Ghanaian leader is her brother and whatever she said about him was done with a good heart. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament (MP) for Korle Klottey constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, has noted that the events of June 4, 1979 contributed to Ghanas long-lasting democracy. According to her, the democratic governance being enjoyed in the country did not occur by accident. In her opinion, the Fourth Republic, which is the nations longest republic, exists due to the good foundation laid by the June 4 Uprising. The legislator, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a photo exhibition and theatre performance organised by the Jerry John Rawlings Foundation to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the June 4 Uprising in Accra, said that not everything that happened on the day was good but the nation must be honest about what occurred. Some people dont know that the same Rawlings that people accused of not being democratic is the reason why we have this 4th Republic. But for Rawlings decision for everyone to be included in the formation of the Constitution that created the Fourth Republic, only some select few, in certain professions such as lawyers, would have had their views captured. She further remarked, If today, Ghana has become the oasis in the sub-region where many countries in West Africa have witnessed coup detat, but Ghana still has an enduring republic, we must recognise that someone did something good for us and that is why it is enduring because democracy is not by accident and having a constitutional rule is not by accident. So, today if we are celebrating the longest republic in our history, we must understand and appreciate all the reasons that led us to that point, and recognise all those who contributed to achieve this longest republic. It didnt happen by chance. Dr. Zanetor however pointed out that the various coup detats and violent extremisms Ghanas neighbours are experiencing can equally hit the country, hence the need to promote good governance. The Korle Klottey MP declared that if government fails to deliver on its mandate but creates avenues for corruption and hardship to thrive, people would take advantage of the public disenchantment to cause mayhem. We should be guided [by the events of June 4. 43 years on, [though] some people have made up their mind not to acknowledge what happened. They should at least be guided that weve come a long way and this is not the time for Ghana to be going back. She announced that the 43th commemoration of June 4, which took place at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science auditorium on Saturday, was to remember and celebrate the life and works of former President Jerry John Rawlings, leader of the 1979 uprising, as well as the people he worked with. She emphasized that it is about time Ghana told the history of June 4, because some people have made up their minds not to acknowledge what transpired and tell lies about what happened at the time. The new generation needs to know what happened and what led to the events of that fateful day. We need to know our history and in history you dont tell what you like and leave out what you dislike. "History must be told so that future generations understand their roots because you only know how to determine your future when you are clear about your past, she concluded. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Taking or accepting ex gratia for serving Ghana in one public portfolio or another is not mandatory, legal practitioner Godwin Edudzi Tameklo has said. He stressed that a recipient of an ex gratia has the right to accept or reject it. It is not mandatory for the recipient to accept ex gratia, he argued. The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, recently returned an amount of GHS365,392.67 paid to him as ex gratia by the state for serving on the Council of State between 2017 and 2020. The business mogul, in a statement, said he does not think it is appropriate to be paid ex gratia for a part-time job he did for the state for which he received a monthly salary. I want to add that my rejection of the payment was consistent with my general abhorrence of the payment of huge ex gratia and other outrageous benefits to people who have, by their own volition, offered to serve our poor country, he said in a statement. However, Mr Tameklo, who is also an aide to former president John Dramani Mahama, explained that it is the reason some Article 71 officeholders commit the payment of their allowances and other emoluments to specific projects. He cited, as an example, the deductions made from the allowances of the appointees of Mr Mahama and his National Democratic Congress administration for the construction of some CHP compounds across the country. So, it is no big issue if a recipient rejects the payment of ex gratia on a principle he or she believes in, he stated. He said this was not a novelty because First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Mrs Samira Bawumia, the wife of Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, both returned to the state, salaries paid to them in 2021. Join Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has impugned the Akufo-Addo administration regarding the prosecution of people who seem to be at variance with the government. Mr Asiedu Nketia alleged that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), through the offices of the Attorney-General and Special Prosecutor, accuses its foes of corruption and prosecutes them as revenge, when they are opposed to its actions. According to him, such prosecutions cannot be described as fighting corruption but as a strategy to silence critics. The NDC General Secretary in buttressing his point, alluded to the case of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) of Ajumako Enyan Esiam Constituency in the Central Region, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. The MP is being tried at a Financial and Economic Court in Accra for alleged financial malfeasance. The Prosecution alleged that he wilfully authorised irrevocable letters of credit valued at EUR 3,950,000 to be established out of which payments amounting to EUR 2,270,000 were made to Big Sea General Trading Ltd of Dubai for the supply of vehicles purporting to be ambulances without due cause and authorization. According to Mr Asiedu Nketia, the government took the legal action against his party member because he opposed the passing of the electronic transaction levy (e-levy). On the e-levy, you recall that Dr Ato Forson stood against it unreservedly. The next moment, we were told he was being arraigned before court for allegedly signing an agreement about some ambulances. So it means before you accuse someone of wrongdoing, the person must have done something against you, and your way of fighting back is to wrongly accuse him. If so, it is not corruption they are fighting; Its dictatorial governance where you are accused when you speak. It is not corruption they fight that way. The NDC stalwart commented during an interview with Kofi Adoma Nwanwani on Angel FMs Anopa Bofo morning show which was simulcasted on Angel TV on June 8, 2022. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the eleventh-hour cancellation of Dr. Kwabena Duffuors Ahotor project event at the partys headquarters was as a result of some disagreements. The event was scheduled to take place at the partys Headquarters at Adabraka on 7th June 2022 in Accra. Some NDC sympathizers and members across the country took to social media to express concerns over the development. However, a press release signed by the General Secretary, John Aseidu Nketia, in response to an article by the Informer Newspaper, noted that the event was called off due to unsettled business between Dr. Duffuor and the party. A mutually acceptable agreement was reached at our FEC meeting last week, with Dr. Duffour in attendance pursuant to which we scheduled the presentation of the Ahotor project items to the party for Tuesday, 7th June, 2022. The event was rescheduled because of certain issues raised subsequent to the final meeting by the donor with aspects of the agreement which required further deliberations and clearance by FEC, the General Secretary explained. The statement was unclear on the nature of the disagreement with the former Governor of the Central Bank. Below is the full press release from the NDC For immediate release 9th June, 2022 RE: OFOSU AMPOFO GOES DIRTY. Our attention has been drawn to a front-page publication in the Informer newspaper of today Wednesday 8th June 2022 under the above headline. In the said publication, the author sought to create an false impression that the National Chairman of our great Party, Hon. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has resorted to some dirty manoeuvres to undermine the smooth take-off of the Ahotor project being sponsored by Dr. Kwabena Duffour, a former minister of finance during the Mills/Mahama administration of the NDC. We wish to put on record that since the time the project was proposed, the Functional Executive Committee of NDC has held several meetings with Dr. Duffour and his team to try to streamline an implementation scheme for the project that will satisfy the intentions of the donor without compromising the rules and principles of the Party. A mutually acceptable agreement was reached at our FEC meeting last week, with Dr. Duffour in attendance pursuant to which we scheduled the presentation of the Ahotor project items to the party for Tuesday, 7th June, 2022. The event was rescheduled because of certain issues raised subsequent to the final meeting by the donor with aspects of the agreement which required further deliberations and clearance by FEC. We wish to further put on record that decision making in NDC is done strictly in accordance with the Partys constitution and not by the dictates of any individual however highly placed he/she may be. Signed Comrade Johnson Asiedu Nketia General Secretary. Source: starrfm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr Richard Asante Yeboah, deputy national communications director and CEO Public Servants housing loan scheme has disclosed that, for NPP to protect its institutional memory, it will be suicidal for the Party to change all of its national executives in the name of Elections where most of the positions would be filled with new faces. According to him, this will affect the institutional memory and experience to run the party going forward. Therefore, for the Party not to fail or lose the focus and vision to break the 8 year election cycle, the delegates should consider to give the general secretary another opportunity to serve again. Dr Richard Asante Yeboah made at the sideline of NPP Delegates engagement in Zibilla of the upper East Region when the campaign Team Of the General secretary of the Npp Mr. John Boadu visited the that zone to interact with delegates from 4 constituencies. He again added that, there is no time for NPP to change a winning and a result oriented person like the general secretary for an alien or inexperienced person to take over the position. Mr. John Boadu also assured them of his ability to help recapture power in 2024 to make their vision a reality. Therefore charged them to make sure they elect leaders whom they can trust and not people without any good track record. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The NPP Delegates and supporters in the upper west region, from all the 11 constituencies have thrown their unflinching support for the Npp General Secretary, Mr. John Boadu who is seeking re-elections as the General secretary for the party as they described him as "the man for the Job." Speaking at a courtesy call on the regional Minister Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, by Chief Scribe of the Npp Mr. John Boadu and his Team today in Wa to kick start his campaign tour of the region to seek support and endorsement for another term, he decided to start from the north Regions. The upper west Minister assured Mr. John Boadu that, based of his track record and achievements in the day to day affairs of the party, upp west will leave no stone unturn to re elect him again as the General secretary of the party to continue with the good records. Where he assured him his support by leading the campaign of General secretary in his region until victory is captured. Dr. Hafiz Bin also donated two smock to the General secretary signify that they are with him as victory is already Assured. The chief scribe of the Npp Party, Mr. John Boadu who is gunning again for another term in office said the Npp has alot to do to ensure victory 2024. But what to do to secure that victory is his major concern and should be a concern for all the supporters and Delegates. Also, how to help the party collaborate with the government and develop needs a self dedicated and a hard working person who will have the party at heart to help succeed. Mr. John Boadu NPP added again that, the party is at a critical stage that needs a dedicated and experienced persons to pour out the truth to each other to make the party to be on his feet and not someone aiming for his or her own interest. Meanwhile NPP has set 15- 17 July for the national delegates conference that would be held in Accra. Also, all the 11 MDCEs in the upper west Region have also endorsed the Npp general secretary. Where a smock was presented to the chief Scibe of the party. On behalf of the MDCEs, the DBI ( Daffiama Bussie Issa District) chief executive Ing. Imoro Sanda said, they can't can't play with fortunes of the party. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former National Organizer of the NDC and Member of Dr. Kwabena Duffuors Ahotor Project Team, Yaw Boateng Gyan has pointed accusing fingers at the National Chairman for the opposition National Democratic Congress, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo for the failed launch of the 'Ahotor' project launch at the partys Headquarters in Accra. According to him, all was set for the event at the headquarters when the National Chairman through the National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi called to inform him that the relaunch has been put on hold. In the morning of Monday, June 6, 2022, while preparing for the relaunch on Tuesday, Sammy Gyamfi called me and delivered a message from the National Chairman, Hon. Ofosu Ampofo that the relaunch of the Ahotor has been put on hold. This was the last communication regarding the relaunch of the Ahotor Project with FEC, the former NDC National Organizer explained in a statement. He added, "We are still waiting for FEC official communication regarding the relaunch of Ahotor Project. Below is the full statement from the former National Organizer of the NDC For Immediate Release. Re: Re Ofosu Ampofo Goes Dirty Our attention has been drawn to a publication with the above heading purporting to be coming from the general secretary of the National Democratic Congress Johnson Asiedu Nketiah dated June 9 but issued on June 8 2022, relating to the relaunch of the Ahotor Project. We wish to explain as follows: On Wednesday, June 1 2022, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and I, Yaw Boateng Gyan Former National Organiser of the NDC, met with the NDC Functional Executive Committee (FEC) and presented a draft agreement on the implementation of the Ahotor Project for the NDC Grassroots, for the consideration of FEC. FEC deferred the draft agreement to the two lawyers, Hon. Alex Segbefia and Sammy Gyamfi for their study. At this same meeting, FEC proposed, and we all agreed to relaunch the Ahotor project at the headquarters on Tuesday, June 7 at One11 am. After the agreement to relaunch the Ahotor Project on Tuesday June 7, we thanked the members of FEC and left the meeting on Wednesday, June 1 2022. On the evening of Thursday June 2 2022, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, the national communications officer presented an edited version of the draft agreement to us for or consideration. On this same Thursday evening, we also presented additional edits to the national communications officer, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi for their consideration. We did not hear from FEC throughout the weekend, so we focused on the preparations for the relaunch on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. In the morning of Monday, June 6, 2022, while preparing for the relaunch on Tuesday, Sammy Gyamfi called me and delivered a message from the National Chairman, Hon. Ofosu Ampofo that the relaunch of the Ahoto has been put on hold. This was the last communication regarding the relaunch of the Ahotor Project with FEC. We are still waiting for FEC official communication regarding the relaunch of Ahotor Project. We wish to assure the NDC membership that our resolve to equip the base with the necessary tools for financial independence is still as strong as ever. Long Live NDC Long Live Ghana Signed Yaw Boateng Gyan Former National Organiser and Member of Ahotor Project Team Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video NPP delegates in Bolgatanga of the Upper East Regional have endorsed Mr. John Boadu, describing him as person with rich experience to help the party to succeed in 2024. The General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, who is vying for the party's top administrative job again, continues to receive overwhelming endorsements from the Regional delegates and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) as well as Members of Parliament (MPs) and constituency executives. He is currently on a campaign tour, visiting each constituencies of the Upper East Region ahead of the party's impending National Annual Delegates Conference scheduled for July 15th to 17th of this year in the Greater Accra Region. His campaign tour of the Upper East Region saw him visiting Zebilla in the Boko West, the Bolga Central, Navrongo and Sandema in the Chiana Paga constituencies. He interacted with the party executives and grass roots with a message on empowerment, administrative discipline and strengthening the party structures for victory 2024 and beyond. His message was well received by the constituency executives, most of whom pledged, to campaign and vote for him during the conference. The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu asserted that John Boadu has been a very competent General Secretary of the party, hence there's absolutely no reason to change him. The Upper East Regional Chairman, Anthony Namoo also cited John Boadus vast experience and track record as well as hard work which resulted in the NPPs victory in 2016 and 2020 elections. Source: Michael Akrofi Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Chinese FM attends third C+C5 foreign ministers' meeting in Kazakhstan Xinhua) 08:52, June 09, 2022 NUR-SULTAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi participated in the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, and also attended by Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Tajik Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim, and Uzbek acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov. Wang said that China and Central Asia, as close as lips and teeth, share weal and woe and move forward side by side as a community with a shared future. No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always firmly support the Central Asian countries in protecting their sovereignty and independence, pursuing development paths suited to their national conditions and building an autonomous Central Asia, he stressed. China unwaveringly supports the Central Asian countries in maintaining political security and social stability and building a peaceful Central Asia, supports the Central Asian countries in accelerating economic development, improving people's well-being and building a prosperous Central Asia, and supports the Central Asian countries in cementing solidarity and self-development, pursuing mutual benefit and win-win outcomes and building a cooperative Central Asia, he added. Guided by the principles of mutual respect, good-neighborliness, solidarity and mutual benefit, China stands ready to strengthen solidarity and coordination with the Central Asian countries and jointly build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, Wang said. To this end, Wang put forward a five-point proposal at the meeting. Firstly, the six countries need to improve the frameworks for further cooperation. It is of great strategic significance to establish a mechanism for the heads of state to hold summits in the "C+C5" format. China will host forums for sub-national, think tank, industrial and investment, and economic and trade cooperation to unleash the potential of "C+C5" cooperation. Secondly, the six countries should build a strong engine for post-pandemic economic recovery, which includes cooperation in the natural gas pipeline projects, the China-Europe freight train services, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the trans-Caspian transport corridor, jointly building a "digital Silk Road" and a "green Silk Road," exploring new patterns of cooperation in modern agriculture, and further expanding the scale of local currency settlement. Thirdly, the six countries need to safeguard regional peace in both traditional and non-traditional areas, which requires joint work to combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, drug trafficking and cross-border organized crimes, fight the COVID-19 pandemic, enhance production safety and disaster management, improve the capacity and level of emergency management, and make good use of the foreign ministers' meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's liaison group with Afghanistan. Fourthly, the six countries should explore multiple paths for people-to-people exchanges, including the establishment of cultural centers, training of skillful workforce, enhancing cooperation and sharing experience in poverty reduction, strengthening cooperation in areas such as addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Fifthly, the six countries should pool the positive forces of global governance, implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative properly, build a community with a shared future for mankind, uphold the tenet and principles of the UN Charter, practice true multilateralism, promote the common values shared by all mankind, and support all countries in safeguarding their core interests. Wang stressed that China will not stop its pace of development and revitalization and will not waver in its resolve to cooperate with other countries. China will continue to be an important contributor to world economic growth and a staunch defender of international fairness and justice, he said, adding that a developing and prosperous China not only means a blessing for the world but also brings new opportunities for the development of the Central Asian countries. All participants of the meeting unanimously agreed to establish a mechanism for the heads of state to hold summits in the "C+C5" format. Four documents were approved by all sides, namely, a joint declaration of the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting, a road map for implementation of the consensus of the virtual summit of China + Central Asia (C+C5), an initiative to deepen cooperation in the field of connectivity and cooperation among China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries, and an initiative for cooperation of China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries in the field of data security. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) China has issued a slew of measures to boost the employment of new graduates in a tough job market disrupted by a COVID-19 resurgence. Data from China National Statistics Bureau showed that the jobless rate for young people aged between 16 and 24 hit an all-time high in April at 18.2 percent. At the same time, a record number of 10.76 million college graduates are poised to enter the labor market. Companies and educational institutions are doing their part to ease the path for new workforce entrants. Testing and inspection giant SGS has kept its laboratory going non-stop during the latest wave of outbreaks in Shanghai. And especially since June 1, when the city accelerated the resumption of normal production and daily operations, the company has been getting more workers back on the job. "We've never been more eager than now for young talents with proper educational background and passion for career progress," said Kim Dai, director of human resources at SGS China. The company has sent out more than 500 offers to this year's graduates via its recruitment programs, and it's not done yet. It has also been conducting online job promotion events through its official WeChat account and Bilibili. The company customized two programs to recruit new college graduates. It does have special requirements for certain technical occupations involving science and engineering knowledge that are open to graduates majoring in areas such as chemical analytics, biopharmaceuticals and automation. "Candidates with comprehensive capability, [good] personality and development potential also get a high score in our consideration," Dai said. Universities are also putting in much effort by conducting online employment fairs to match graduates with work opportunities. "We've launched an exclusive online channel to connect graduates with good firms. Their HR staff conduct online promotions and interviews, where teachers and classmates can recommend graduates during the livestream," said Miao Yundi, director of Student Employment Guidance Center at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. Miao added that employers offer graduates jobs directly in this way. College graduates in China face unprecedented challenges in securing jobs this year because of the mismatch between the number of graduates and the number of job opportunities available. June and July are usually when many new graduates get their degrees and start their careers, but firms in Shanghai have only just started to resume business and recover from the COVID-19 resurgence. The government is making every effort to help the graduates and promote the recruitment process. According to a policy directive released on Monday, companies, institutions and individually run businesses in Shanghai that sign a minimum one-year contract with a college graduate between March and the end of the year will receive a subsidy of 2,000 yuan for each recruitment. Shen Hao, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Employment Promotion Center, said they had started to promote the new subsidy policy to companies and build the system for it. "Qualified companies can submit applications starting from around the end of this month," Shen said. Shen said that the public recruitment website has been simplified where fresh graduates can log in using their real-name verification by scanning the QR code with Alipay or WeChat to register for a jobs hunt. "Previously, students would usually have to interview with a company for an internship; we are now directly recommending students to companies for internships," Shen added. As of the end of May, the Shanghai Human Resources and Social Security Bureau had held around 320 online job fairs, resulting in the hiring of some 120,000 graduates. China's job market is getting tougher as the supply of talent mounts, said Liu Baocheng, dean of the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics. The Chinese government has issued measures to boost job placement for fresh graduates. Employers are entitled to subsidies for job creation and a portion of tuition refunds is available for graduates settled in job positions. Graduates can enjoy a preferential tax scheme if they launch their own companies. Liu said that 90 percent of the job opportunities are created by the private sector, but employers remain rather cautious because of the uncertain climate. Therefore, a decisive solution lies in the vitalization of business confidence with the purchasing managers index falling into the contraction range over the first half of this year. Liu also said that China's job market is facing two structural challenges. When labor-intensive industries give way to innovation-driven growth modules, job skills need to step up to meet renewed demand. While big cities in the coastal areas are getting overcrowded with highly educated job seekers, central and western regions yearn for high talent pools. How effectively a package of policy tools can be deployed to motivate a west-bound and rural-bound mobility of fresh graduates needs more candid deliberation, Liu said. NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South constituency and the deputy ranking member on the Education Committee, Dr. Clement Apaak, has disclosed that a total of Ghc 881 million has been approved by Parliament to be paid to caterers of the School Feeding Programme. According to him, the amount was captured in this years budget which was presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta. Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that he could understand why School Feeding caterers will still be on strike over unpaid allowances. "This government seems to have lost its direction and focus, because how can School Feeding caterers be crying over unpaid allowances when indeed Parliament has approved monies to be paid to them to enable them cook for school children? "I think the Finance Minister should be brought back to parliament to explain to us why the money has not been released to pay the school feeding caterers," he said. He maintained that President Akufo-Addo does not care about Ghanaians again as he is engaged in a self-gratification exercise. "How can you dole out such a huge amount of money for the building of a cathedral when you can not even provide for school children." Acording to him Ghanaians are suffering and it clearly looks like the government is not concerned about the hardship his poor leadership style has brought on the citizenry. "Any serious government may have either resigned or have sacked the underperforming Finance Minister," he added. Strike Action Many schoolchildren across the country can not enjoy their daily hot meal, following a strike action by caterers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP). Members of the School Feeding Caterers Association have began an indefinite suspension over unpaid arrears and inadequate feeding grants. They vowed to continue the boycott until their concerns were addressed. The caterers want government to increase the current daily feeding grant from 97Gp to GH3 per child. According to the caterers, given the current economic situation of the country, which had led to escalating food prices, the 97Gp per child allocation was insufficient to provide quality food for the school children. Watch video below Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Atik Mohammed, a former PNC General Secretary, has jabbed those criticizing Togbe Afede XIV for returning his ex- gratia to the State. The Paramount Chief and the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV has revived arguments about ex-gratia payment to public service holders after he released a statement indicating he had returned a sum of GHC365,392.67 for his service as a Council of State member from 2017 to 2020. While some people see his action as honourable, others argue he has slighted the other members of the Council who receive their ex gratia. Broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere has registered a strong opposition to the Chief returning his ex gratia. Paul Adom-Otchere argues that Togbe Afede XIV must refund more money than the ex gratia because he failed to attend meetings by the Council. According to him, out of 242 meetings held by the Council in 48 months, the Chief attended only 39 representing 16% but despite his failure to attend majority of the meetings, he collected all his salaries and other benefits. Atik Mohammed, in his submissions on the issue during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, believed Togbe Afede returned his ex-gratia not for populist purposes but rather as his way of being noble about not needing it. He stated that the Chief is a successful businessman and, unlike other public servants who may not find employment after leaving the sector, he (Togbe Afede) is still well off without the ex-gratia. Adding that there is nothing wrong with public servants collecting ex-gratia, he, however, found it hard to accept that someone who decides to give it back will end up receiving insults. "I can't fathom why people are bastardizing him, stigmatizing him, attempting to make it look as if it's a crime to return money to the State," he said. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The chairman on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi has said his committee was seriously working on the LGBTQI+ Bill and that they have concluded with that of the public hearings and would soon rap up with that of in-camera meetings. The in-camera meeting, he said was to afford some distinguish personalities who have valuable contributions to be made to the Bill and do not want to be heard in public to do so. He therefore said the committee has not delayed its work as it was being perceived by the Minority caucus but it was rather to ensure that their work was thorough and could stand the test of time when it was finally passed into law. We want to ensure that the committee's report that would be presented to the plenary would make the work easier for the House to pass the Bill into law", he said. Mr Anyimadu-Antwi, who is also the MP for Ashanti Akyem Central was directly responding to comments made at the plenary on Wednesday, June 8, by MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah claiming that the committee is not working on the bill in order to get it passed by Parliament. Responding to the Committee chair, the minority Chief Whip and MP for Asawase, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka also accused the Chairman of the committee for delaying the process in getting their report on the Bill to the plenary deliberately since no serious effort is being shown by the committee in its work which has kept the committee beyond the required three months by law to complete its work. He added that, the minority would henceforth oppose any Bill that will come to Parliament for consideration until the committee concluded its work on the LGBTQI+ Bill and submit their report to Parliament. The Deputy Majority leader and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo- Markin responded to Mr Muntaka's comments saying, the minority is just being mischievous, political and partisan since there is no objectivity and fairness in their submission. Mr Afenyo Markin added that, if indeed the committee is deliberately delaying in their work, why is it that the minority was blaming only the chairman of the committee but not the ranking member , Bernard Ahiafor who is a member from the minority side. He added that the committee is made up members from both sides of the House and therefore the chairman could not be singled out for the blame. It is known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021. The object of the Bill is ti provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian Family Values proscribe LGBTQ+ and related activities. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ace broadcaster and socialite, Nana Aba Anamoah, has commended multiple award-winning Ghanaian actor, Prince David Osei, for his recent comments that have garnered social media attention. Prince David Osei, who openly supported and campaigned for the ruling New Patriotic Party in 2020 towards the 2020 elections, recently expressed his frustration with the governments insensitivity to the current hardships in the country and the suffering of the citizens in a post on his page. Misplaced priorities, self-glory, greed, and insensitivity towards the plight of the citizenry. We cant pay government workers, and staff, working tirelessly 24/7, yet we have 25,000,000 for a cathedral in this perilous time of our economy. So, help us, God! I am sorry, his post read. However, the iconic and celebrated broadcaster could not afford to be left out of the conversation as she has commended the actor for his tweet, describing integrity as a principle that never fails. I have so much respect for such level of honesty. The fact that he campaigned publicly for this administration doesnt mean he agrees with insensitive decisions. Integrity is a principle that never fails. Cheers, Prince David, her tweet read. A few days ago, a letter from the Ministry of Finance bearing the signature of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, and dated March 31st, 2020, surfaced on the internet, which triggered Prince David Oseis tweet. The letter was directing and authorising the payment of GH25,000,000.00 as additional seed money for the construction of the National Cathedral in Accra. I have so much respect for such level of honesty. The fact that he campaigned publicly for this administration doesnt mean he agrees with insensitive decisions. Integrity is a principle that never fails. Cheers, Prince David. https://t.co/4HOMcNgzw3 n.a (@thenanaaba) June 5, 2022 Source: yfmghana.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Chinese fintech giant Ant Group is continuing its expansion in Southeast Asia with a new digital payment service in Singapore, allowing taxi passengers from Malaysia and South Korea to use different apps to pay with their own currencies. Ant on Thursday unveiled its partnership with ComfortDelGro Taxi, Singapores largest taxi operator, to enable cashless payments through Touch n Go eWallet, the leading mobile payment service in Malaysia, and Kakao Pay, a South Korean digital wallet service, according to a press release. The new payment options will work across a combined fleet of about 9,000 Comfort and CityCab taxis. The deal allows users to pay their cab fares without needing to exchange currency or download a new app, and instead processes the payments through Ants Alipay+, a cross-border digital payment service introduced in 2020. Alipay+ currently has more than 1 billion users globally. 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. Ant is the fintech affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding, the owner of the South China Morning Post. Alipay+ is Ant Groups mobile payments service for global merchants, with more than 1 billion users. Photo: Handout As part of an early promotion, the partnership is also offering discounts to users. Touch n Go eWallet will deduct either 4 ringgits (90 US cents) or 6 ringgits from a users total fare for the first 300 transactions each day. The discounts will vary by week and end on June 25. Kakao Pay takes the Alipay+ partnership further with in-store purchases available at some Singaporean shops, including at Changi International Airport, where users can pay with the app at any store featuring the Alipay+ logo such as Lotte Duty Free and Shilla Duty Free. Ants expansion could help the fintech firm take advantage of reopening borders across Asia as restrictions introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic ease. Singapore in April removed pre-departure testing requirements for fully-inoculated visitors from all countries. Story continues This partnership also comes at a great time, as Singapore leads the way in opening up its borders and welcomes tourists back in the city state, said Cherry Huang, Ant Groups general manager for global merchant partnerships in South and Southeast Asia. We believe this is the perfect moment for tourists to reimagine travel experience post pandemic. The number of visitors to Singapore in the first four months of the year already exceeded the total number of visitors to the city state in 2021, according to the Singapore Tourism Board. Malaysia accounted for the third most inbound visitors to Singapore during the period this year. South Korea is not currently among the top 10, but it ranked ninth in 2019, before the pandemic disrupted travel. Hangzhou-based Ant has been fast-tracking expansion in Southeast Asia as it looks to move past troubles at home that began when the government scuttled its planned initial public offering in 2020 at the last minute. In March, Ant appointed Jia Hang as its first Southeast Asia regional head. On Monday, the firm also announced the launch of a digital wholesale banking service in Singapore, to be provided by Ants wholly-owned ANEXT Bank. Other efforts included the takeover of Singapore-based payments platform 2C2P in April and a hiring spree in the country that started last month. Before its IPO was put to a halt, Ant was valued at around US$300 billion. The firm has since been ordered by authorities to overhaul its business. The Peoples Bank of China and other financial regulators have directed Ant to correct improper competitive behaviours associated with Alipay, the companys digital payment service, break up its information monopoly from data collection, and end inappropriate ties between Alipay and its consumer-lending operations. In March, Ant announced its first dividend to shareholders since it brought in investors in 2015. The payments to Alibaba, which owns 33 per cent of Ant, amounted to 3.9 billion yuan (US$622 million at the time), putting total payouts at about 12 billion yuan. Hangzhou Junao and Hangzhou Junhan two other major Ant shareholders, with a combined 50.5 per cent stake have chosen to retain the dividends without cashing out. More from South China Morning Post: This article Ant Groups latest Singapore expansion brings mobile payment apps from Malaysia and South Korea to the city first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2022. Site location and skeletal remains included in the analysis. a Map of the Levant indicating the location of Tell Qarassa in South Syria. b Skeletal remains of syr005 during the excavations at Tell Qarassa (Photo by Jonathan Santana). Credit: Communications Biology (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03508-4 A new study combining archaeological, historical and bioarchaeological data provides new insights into the early Islamic period in modern-day Syria. The research team was planning to focus on a much older time period but came across what they believe to be remains of early Muslims in the Syrian countryside. Their results were published in Communications Biology. The Middle East is well known as a region with a rich and fascinating history embracing a wide range of ethnicities, cultures and religious practices. While a great part of this diverse and dynamic history is known through historical records, the impressive material culture and archaeological sites in the region, until recently important bioarcheological data was more difficult to retrieve due to the poor preservation of organic materials in harsh environments. New technologies that are more capable of analyzing degraded material, however, have changed this and stories from prehistoric to historic times have emerged, enriching our knowledge of this region at the crossroads between three continents. Now, a multinational and interdisciplinary team is presenting new bioarchaeological insights into the early Islamic period in modern-day Syria. During 2009 and 2010, excavations at the Neolithic site of Tell Qarassa in modern-day Syria encountered a number of burials. These excavations were coordinated by a Spanish-French team integrating Syrian students in all archaeological campaigns, thereby contributing to their training in archaeology. The research was conducted with permission from and in constant coordination with the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) of the Syrian Arab Republic. Shortly after these excavations, the Syrian civil war began, which continues to this day. "With the goal of studying the first farming groups in the region, we subjected the remains of 14 humans to ancient DNA analysis," says archaeogeneticist Cristina Valdiosera of the University of Burgos, Spain, who coordinated the study. "Only two individuals from upper layers of the site contained sufficient amounts of endogenous DNA and these came from graves that we assumed belonged to a later prehistoric period. After radiocarbon dating it became clear we had something unexpected and special." The graves dated to the Umayyad Era in the late 7th and early 8th centuries (the second caliphate). In light of these surprisingly recent dates, a reassessment of the burial style showed that it would be consistent with early Muslim burial practices. It would have been impossible to pinpoint this cultural identity without the radiocarbon dates as there were no previously known Muslim settlements or burial sites in the area and the archaeological site itself was only known as a prehistoric site. "The genomic results were also surprising as the two individuals seemed genetically different from most ancient or modern-day Levantines. The most similarthough not identicalmodern-day groups were Bedouins and Saudis, suggesting a possible connection to the Arabian Peninsula," says evolutionary biologist Megha Srigyan, who conducted the data analysis during her Master's studies at Uppsala University, Sweden. "Most of our evidence is indirect but the different types of data, taken together, point to this man and woman belonging to transient groups far from home, suggesting the presence of early Muslims in the Syrian countryside," says population geneticist Torsten Gunther at Uppsala University, who co-coordinated the study. The analysis of one man and one woman provided evidence of new cultural/religious practices arriving in the Levant. "It is extraordinary that by studying just two individuals, we were able to uncover a small but remarkable piece of the colossal puzzle that makes up the history of the Levant," says Cristina Valdiosera. "In this particular case, there was no way we could have reached a conclusion without combining the archaeological, historical and bioarchaeological data, as each of these provided essential clues, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach," Torsten Gunther concludes. The human remains recovered in Qarassa, as well as the rest of the archaeological material, were deposited at the Archaeological Museum of Sweida (Syria) and, from that moment, they have been under the responsibility of the Syrian DGAM, as per their regulations. Explore further Famous rock art cave in Spain was used by ancient humans for more than 50,000 years More information: Megha Srigyan et al, Bioarchaeological evidence of one of the earliest Islamic burials in the Levant, Communications Biology (2022). Journal information: Communications Biology Megha Srigyan et al, Bioarchaeological evidence of one of the earliest Islamic burials in the Levant,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03508-4 Reconstruction of the ecosystem of the Bahariya Oasis in the Sahara Desert of Egypt approximately 98 million years ago, showing the diversity of large theropods (predatory dinosaurs). The newly discovered, as-yet unnamed abelisaurid (right) confronts Spinosaurus (left center, with fish in jaws) and Carcharodontosaurus (right center). In the background, a herd of the sauropod (giant, long-necked herbivorous dinosaur) Paralititan (left) warily regards these predators, while a flock of a still-unnamed pterosaur (flying reptile) soars above. Credit: Andrew McAfee, Carnegie Museum of Natural History An Egyptian-American team of researchers has announced the discovery of a new kind of large-bodied meat-eating dinosaur, or theropod, from a celebrated fossil site in Egypt's Sahara Desert. The fossil of a still-unnamed species provides the first known record of the abelisaurid group of theropods from a middle Cretaceous-aged (approximately 98 million years old) rock unit known as the Bahariya Formation, which is exposed in the Bahariya Oasis of the Western Desert of Egypt. In the early 20th century, this locality famously yielded the original specimens of a host of remarkable dinosaursincluding the colossal sail-backed fish-eater Spinosauruswhich were then destroyed in World War II. Abelisaurid fossils had previously been found in Europe and in many of today's Southern Hemisphere continents, but never before from the Bahariya Formation. The team describes the Bahariya abelisaurid discovery in a paper published today in Royal Society Open Science. The study was led by Ohio University graduate student Belal Salem, based on work he initiated while a member of the Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Center (MUVP) in Mansoura, Egypt. The fossil in question, a well-preserved vertebra from the base of the neck, was recovered by a 2016 MUVP expedition to the Bahariya Oasis. The vertebra belongs to an abelisaurid, a kind of bulldog-faced, small-toothed, tiny-armed theropod that is estimated to have been roughly six meters (20 feet) in body length. Abelisauridsmost notably represented by the horned, demonic-looking Patagonian form Carnotaurus of "Jurassic World" and "Prehistoric Planet" famewere among the most diverse and geographically widespread large predatory dinosaurs in the southern landmasses during the Cretaceous Period, the final time period of the Age of Dinosaurs. Along with Spinosaurus and two other giant theropods (Carcharodontosaurus and Bahariasaurus), the new abelisaurid fossil adds yet another species to the cadre of large predatory dinosaurs that roamed what is now the Egyptian Sahara roughly 98 million years ago. Study leader Belal Salem of Ohio University and the Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Center (MUVP) examines the roughly 98-million-year-old abelisaurid theropod neck vertebra discovered from the Bahariya Oasis that forms the basis of the new study. Credit: Ohio University "During the mid-Cretaceous, the Bahariya Oasis would've been one of the most terrifying places on the planet," says Salem, a new student in the biological sciences graduate program at Ohio University. "How all these huge predators managed to coexist remains a mystery, though it's probably related to their having eaten different things, their having adapted to hunt different prey." The new vertebra holds implications for the biodiversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs in Egypt and the entire northern region of Africa. It is the oldest known fossil of Abelisauridae from northeastern Africa, and shows that, during the mid-Cretaceous, these carnivorous dinosaurs ranged across much of the northern part of the continent, east to west from present day Egypt to Morocco, to as far south as Niger and potentially beyond. Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus are also known from Niger and Morocco, and a close relative of Bahariasaurus has been found in the latter nation as well, suggesting that this fauna of large to gigantic theropods coexisted throughout much of northern Africa at this time. How can the discovery of a single neck vertebra lead researchers to conclude that the fossil belongs to a member of Abelisauridae, a kind of carnivorous dinosaur that has never been found in the Bahariya Formation before? The answer is remarkably simple: it is virtually identical to the same bone in other, better-known abelisaurids such as Carnotaurus from Argentina and Majungasaurus from Madagascar. As coauthor and Salem's graduate advisor Patrick O'Connor, who in 2007 published an exhaustive study of the vertebral anatomy of Majungasaurus, explains, "I've examined abelisaur skeletons from Patagonia to Madagascar. My first glimpse of this specimen from photos left no doubt about its identity. Abelisaurid neck bones are so distinctive." The site The Bahariya Oasis is renowned within paleontological circles for having yielded the type specimens (the original, first-discovered, name-bearing fossils) of several extraordinary dinosaurs during the early 20th century, including, most famously, Spinosaurus. Unfortunately, all Bahariya dinosaur fossils collected prior to World War II were destroyed during an Allied bombing of Munich in 1944. The abelisaurid neck vertebra from the Bahariya Oasis, Egypt that constitutes the first record of this dinosaur group from that classic fossil locality. The bone is shown in anterior view. Credit: Ohio University As a graduate student in the early 2000s, study coauthor Matt Lamanna helped make the first dinosaur discoveries from the oasis since the infamous 1944 air raid, including the gargantuan sauropod (long-necked plant-eating dinosaur) Paralititan. "The Bahariya Oasis has taken on near-legendary status among paleontologists for having produced the first-known fossils of some of the world's most amazing dinosaurs," says Lamanna, "but for more than three quarters of a century, those fossils have existed only as pictures in old books." Thankfully, discoveries made during recent expeditions led by researchers from AUC and MUVPsuch as the new abelisaurid vertebraare helping to restore the paleontological legacy of this classic site. These expeditions have recovered a wealth of additional fossils that the researchers plan to unveil in the near future. As team member Sanaa El-Sayed, who co-led the 2016 expedition that collected the abelisaurid vertebra, explains, "This bone is just the first of many important new dinosaur fossils from the Bahariya Oasis." The Bahariya Formation holds promise to shed further light on mid-Cretaceous African dinosaurs and the vanished ecosystems in which they once lived. Unlike more thoroughly explored rocks of the same age in Morocco that tend to yield isolated bones, the Bahariya Formation appears to preserve partial skeletons of dinosaurs and other land-living animals with a relatively high degree of frequency. The more bones that are preserved within the skeleton of a given fossil backboned species, the more paleontologists can generally learn about it. The propensity of the Bahariya Oasis for producing associated partial skeletons suggests that much remains to be learned from this historic locality. "In terms of Egyptian dinosaurs, we've really just scratched the surface," notes study coauthor Hesham Sallam. "Who knows what else might be out there?" Recent efforts by Professor Sallam and his collaborators from around the planet are putting students from Egypt in lead roles in the research process. Both the field expedition that recovered the new abelisaurid fossil and the follow-up laboratory work were led by MUVP-based student researchers and contributing authors on the paper. "Working with MUVP and its faculty and students, like Belal Salem, continues to inspire me, as I see the next generation of paleontologists taking a prominent role in sharing their views on the history of our planet," adds O'Connor. Explore further New armless abelisaur dinosaur species discovered in Argentina More information: Belal S. Salem et al, First definitive record of Abelisauridae (Theropoda: Ceratosauria) from the Cretaceous Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt, Royal Society Open Science (2022). Journal information: Royal Society Open Science Belal S. Salem et al, First definitive record of Abelisauridae (Theropoda: Ceratosauria) from the Cretaceous Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt,(2022). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220106 Credit: Boyang Wang et al. Carbon dots (CDs) are new carbon-based photoluminescence (PL) nanomaterials with a core-shell motif. Due to their fascinating advantages, such as chemical inertness, high quantum yields (QYs), high water solubility, thermal stability, and excellent biocompatibility, CDs have attracted extensive attention in various research applications, such as cancer diagnosis, phototherapy, and optoelectronic devices. However, the underlying PL phenomena of CDs remain a mystery due to the polydispersity of the products and the difficulty in ascertaining their atomic structures. In a new paper published in Light Science & Application, a team of scientists, led by Professor Siyu Lu and Yuxi Tian from the College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, China, and co-workers have developed an innovative approach to investigate the formation process and fluorescence mechanism of o-phenylenediamine based red emission CDs. To this end, they designed six red emission CDs using different preparation methods, and all of them exhibited the same absorption and PL spectra after purification. The characterization of their structures by a series of tests shows that they have similar carbon core structures, while spectral characterization confirmed the different surface states of the CDs. Furthermore, transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy combined with single-particle PL spectroscopy technology confirmed that the red emission originated from the transition of different vibrational energy levels in the same PL center. Finally, theoretical calculations combined with thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the formation process of such CDs. Therefore, this work proposes a systematic way to analyze the emission mechanism of red emission CDs, which can be used as a guide for the analysis of the structure and mechanism of other types of CDs. The presence of aromatic regions and some non-conjugated regions in CDs proves the hybrid structure, that is, these conjugated and non-conjugated structures exist in both the carbon core and a polymer shell. These scientists summarize that there is no clear boundary between the carbon core and the surface shell of CDs, but the "density" of the two parts is different. There are more conjugated structures in the carbon core and more polymer chains in the shell. Credit: Boyang Wang et al. Further, these scientists confirmed their claims utilizing multiple characterizations: The decay-dependent difference spectroscopy shows the same results of four samples, which proves that the photophysical processes are the same for all four CDs. The fitting results of the CDs were similar, and the carriers went through the same relaxation channel. The single-particle PL spectra showed that all spectra of individual CDs were highly consistent with the ensemble spectrum, indicating that the multimodal emission of CDs originated from itself, rather than the superposition of multiple luminescent specie. Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy directly prove that CDs are a new species, different from quantum dots and organic molecules, that possess the properties of both of these materials. Density functional theory calculation shows in the hydrothermal process, oPD tends to aggregate and form planar structures. Then, the planar structures self-assemble to form spherical CDs. "This article clarifies the general PL mechanism and formation process of oPD-based red emission CDs. This unified mechanism provides a new method for analyzing the structure-property relationship of CDs and thus paves the way for analyzing other types of CDs, thereby uncovering untapped opportunities," the scientists say. Explore further Many colours from a single dot More information: Boyang Wang et al, Electronphonon coupling-assisted universal red luminescence of o-phenylenediamine-based carbon dots, Light: Science & Applications (2022). Journal information: Light: Science & Applications Boyang Wang et al, Electronphonon coupling-assisted universal red luminescence of o-phenylenediamine-based carbon dots,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-022-00865-x Credit: Y tambe/Wikipedia The largest study ever conducted on a free-ranging population of rhinoceroses reveals that about one in every seven rhinos in a key South African national park has been infected with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the pathogen that causes bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The finding shines new light on the potential for diseases to disrupt global conservation efforts, and potentially increase risk to human health, if left unaddressed. The studyconducted by Stellenbosch University (SU) Animal Tuberculosis Research Group, South African National Parks (SANParks) Veterinary Wildlife Services and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliancetested samples from 437 rhinos, collected from 2016 to 2020 in Kruger National Park. Results revealed the presence of M. bovisinfection in an estimated 15.4% of the black and white rhinos studied. While the research results prompted concern, evidence provided by the study is crucial to support effective conservation efforts to protect the already vulnerable rhino population. Added to this, scientists with the Animal TB Research Group, situated within SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, developed a novel diagnostic test to detect M. bovis infection in rhinos, which will greatly aid conservation efforts. These results are also relevant in the U.S., where bovine TB is rare, but can occasionally be found in domestic cattle and other livestock. It can travel across landscapes by carrier species such as white-tailed deer, and it has reached endemic status among deer, bison and elk in parts of North America. "There are examples of bovine tuberculosis in wildlife systems throughout the world," said Carmel Witte, Ph.D., a quantitative epidemiologist with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and senior author of the study. "In the United States, spillover of infection from cattle has spread to white-tailed deer in Michigan. This, in turn, can create spillback of infection into livestock, and carries a risk of spread to other wildlife and people." Infected, but Asymptomatic The researchers emphasized that the presence of infection does not mean that the animals are diseased or dying. Professor Michele Miller, who leads the Animal TB Research Group and is the National Research Foundation (NRF) South African Research Chair in Animal TB, said their research shows that most of the rhinos can contain the infection if they are otherwise healthy. "It can be compared to humans who are infected with COVID-19 or have latent TB, but are asymptomatic," Miller said. "The infected rhinos are harboring the bacteria, but their immune system is keeping it in check. They are not losing weight or coughing, and if you looked at a group of 400 rhinos, you wouldn't be able to pick out those that are infected. They can potentially live for years with infection if it is contained." Witte added that the eventual population-level health effects of bTB are currently unknown. "Tuberculosis tends to be a disease that manifests over long periods of time, and when you compound an infectious disease with events such as climate change and unprecedented mortality due to poaching of endangered animals, it is cause for concern," she said. "Continued surveillance of rhinoceros, as well as other animals, can help us understand the long-term impact of this infection in wildlife and prevent catastrophic population losses and further disease spread." Wynand Goosen, Ph.D., Wellcome International Training Fellow in the Animal TB Research Group, highlighted the importance of the further development of diagnostic tools and of a "Tuberculosis One Health" approach. "Even though our research is very important from an animal conservation perspective, it is just as important from a human health-risk perspective," Goosen said. "To avoid the next pandemic in people, livestock and wildlife will have to be actively monitored for various infectious pathogens with zoonotic potential. This requires appropriate diagnostic tools that are rapid and accurate. To develop these tools, research in all susceptible species is of the utmost importance." Risk Factors The study, which was published in the American scientific journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) today (June 6, 2022), identified proximity to buffalo herds (for white rhinos) and a sampling year (for black rhinos) that coincided with periods of drought as risk factors for M. bovis infection. A significant cluster of cases was detected near Kruger's southwestern border, although infection was widely distributed across the rhinos' range in the large national park. The identified cluster is close to the park's border with the surrounding Mpumalanga province, consisting primarily of farmland with livestock herds that have historically been implicated in spillover of M. bovis to wildlife in Kruger, especially to buffalo. Dr. Peter Buss, veterinary senior manager in Kruger National Park's Veterinary Wildlife Services, added there is no evidence to suggest that bovine TB will have any impact on the population. "The rhinos are being exposed to the organism, they are mounting an immune response, but they are not getting sick and dying from it," he said."The same applies to other species. For example, we know that we get TB in our lions, and that individuals will die of the disease. But if you look at the population level of the disease, lions seem to be doing fine and their numbers have remained fairly static." The authors further emphasized that the findings were not a surprise, since bovine TB is prevalent in at least 15 other species in Krugerone of Africa's largest reservesbut that their research has significant positive implications for SANParks' rhino conservation and management strategy. "While this pathogen may not appear to drastically impact the health of rhinoceros individuals, it has significant implications for conservation management decisions," explained Rebecca Dwyer, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate in the Animal TB research team. "For example, tuberculosis testing in KNP rhinoceroses that are earmarked for translocation for conservation reasons can increase confidence of minimal risk of spread to other susceptible individuals at their destinations." Significance "With South African rhinos being threatened by poaching, habitat loss and drought, it is key to be able to translocate them to strongholds where they can be kept safe, and to preserve their genetic diversity," said Miller. "But bovine TB is a controlled veterinary disease, so once our research group, in partnership with SANParks, found bovine TB in Kruger rhinos in 2016, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) imposed movement restrictions to prevent spread of infection to other populations." These restrictions created a barrier to the movement of rhinos to other national or private reserves and has a significant impact on the conservation of the species, as Kruger has historically been an important source population of rhinoceros for other conservation strongholds in South Africa and other African countries. The solution was to come up with a test to identify infected animals before they were moved to prevent disease transmission. According to Goosen, the screening test that was used in their study was validated by the Animal TB Research Group in 2019 and was recently approved by the DALRRD for use in Kruger rhinos. A management strategy involving a quarantine protocol and testing schedule was devised in collaboration with SANParks, and has been approved. "Should we now wish to start moving rhinos out of Kruger, we have that option to quarantine them and test them, and then send them out," said Buss. Dwyer added: "The findings of this study are significantly important for wildlife conservationnot just of rhinoceros, but of many other species in this context. It demonstrates that the spread of pathogens in multi-host systems has important consequences for conservation of different species and of the ecosystem as a whole." Explore further 30 South African white rhino relocated to Rwanda in a Boeing 747 More information: Rebecca Dwyer et al, Epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in free-ranging rhinoceros in Kruger National Park, South Africa, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Rebecca Dwyer et al, Epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in free-ranging rhinoceros in Kruger National Park, South Africa,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120656119 Provided by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Great white sharks are the world's largest predatory fish, are often maligned and misunderstood, and are heading to waters near Nova Scotia. Credit: Terry Gross photo/Wikimedia Commons Like it or not, great white sharks are wending their way north to begin their annual visit in Atlantic Canada and feast on their favorite snackthe region's abundant seal population. The forbidding predatorbest known for terrifying a generation of beachgoers with its outsized portrayal in the film Jawstypically returns to the region from July to November and has seen its profile rise in recent years due in part to efforts to tag and track the movements of great whites. The attention and increased sightings in the region have also stoked fears of great whites and made some people jittery about getting in the water, particularly after a woman was allegedly attacked by a young shark off Cape Breton last summer. The developments motivated Vanessa Schiliro, a marine biology student doing her honors thesis on sharks, to educate the public on how to avoid shark encounters and what to do if you spot a shark in the water. She made a video (watch the full video at the bottom of this article) and infographic of shark-smart tips to keep both species safe, while dispelling myths around the long-lived animals and reassuring land lovers that sharks are not out to get them. What inspired you to study great white sharks? Since I was young, I was always drawn to the ocean and really captivated by the power and mystery of great white sharks specifically. I love to surf, dive with sharks and spend time in the ocean, but I recognize that there is a difference between a planned and unplanned interaction. When I moved here, I started seeing a lot of headlines about the fact that great white shark sightings were increasing, and I realized that this could be intimidating for a lot of people. I started thinking about areas where we know great whites are frequent like South Africa, Florida, or Hawaii, and where there is a lot of community outreach just to educate the public about the basic do's and don'ts and I thought maybe there was a potential gap in that here. I really just wanted to get people to know that great whites are here for a specific time and if we're spending time in the water, it's important to be mindful of the fact that we're sharing the ocean with these incredible animals. What is the perception of great whites now? Has there been a shift in the way people view this species and what is the message you're trying to convey? There has been such an important shift in recent years, especially after the film Sharkwater came out and with groups actively talking about how cool and important sharks are. I think the shift has engaged people's curiosity in wanting to learn more about them and challenge their own ways of thinking about sharks and I think that's incredibly positive. More people care about the fact that sharks are endangered and recognize that they play a huge role in keeping our oceans healthy and balanced. We need to continue to "rebrand" the shark and get people to see that they are not mindless creatures as depicted by movies like Jaws or media headlines. They are incredibly intelligent and calculating animals. They don't just attack anything they see. If that were true, the number of attacks would be much higher. The reality is that we are a bigger threat to sharks than they are to us. It is estimated that fisheries remove 100 million sharks from the ocean yearly, and this number might even be higher due to accidental fishing. I think public awareness of this issue and a change in how we think of sharks provide great momentum for making shark protection a priority, while hopefully creating shifts in human behavior when it comes to how we treat them. What does your video tell us about what people can do to avoid an encounter with great whites? It's ultimately about decreasing the odds of an encounter and increasing the odds of it being safe if you do encounter a shark just by adjusting behavior and increasing awareness. Sharks are primarily in Nova Scotia to feed on sealswe have a lot of themand their population has been rising, so we want to be aware of where those seal colonies are and pay attention to their behavior. If seals are not getting into the water that could be a sign that there is a shark nearby. Use that to inform your judgmentshould I be swimming here, surfing here or even getting in the water? Know your environment. If there are fishing activities nearby or animal remains in the water, you may not want to spend time in the water since those things attract sharks. There are common sense things too, like avoiding swimming at dawn or dusk, avoiding murky and overcast conditions which make your visibility more challenging, not going out alone since groups can increase your vigilance and sharks are less likely to approach a larger group. Great whites can't distinguish colors and essentially see in shades of gray. Avoid shiny jewelry, which can look like fish scales or anything with high contrast as this can pique their curiosity. Certain surface-water activities, like paddle boarding or surfing, can increase the odds of a shark coming to investigate you as this outline resembles that of their favorite prey. What can people do if they find a shark nearby? If you do encounter a shark, don't panic. When we see a shark, it doesn't mean it's coming to attack you, it could just be cruising by. But if you do see one, you'll want to try to get out as calmly and as quickly as possible. One of the main things is to avoid frantic movements. Don't start splashing and yelling and making all of these movements because that could increase their curiosity to come in closer and see this thing that is acting like prey. If you can, make sure you maintain eye contact because sharks are masters of stealth. The problem is not if you see the shark, it's if you don't. They're really good at being ambush predators, so keep your eye on the shark and make sure it knows you see it. If a shark does come closer, you want to create buffer space so place your surfboard in between you and the shark or if you have a GoPro on a stick you can fend it off with thatanything that you can put between you and the shark. Observe the shark's behavior too. If it's circling you, that could be a possible indicator that it's curious about what you are. If it's just swimming by calmly, then maybe you shouldn't worry and just exit calmly. What has your experience been with sharks? I've been in the water with about five different species of sharks so far. I like to free dive with sharks. One of my favorite encounters was in Jupiter, Florida, with a lemon shark called Miss Snooty, who is known on social media and is very special to me. There were two lemon sharks and six bull sharks around me and I'm still in one piece, so I think that sends a message that they're not mindless, and when it's planned and done safely it's actually beautiful to be around these creatures. I am in awe of the fact that they've been around for millions and millions of years surviving incredibly harsh environmental shifts, and saddened that the biggest threat to them is us. Why do this? There are courses taught on bear safety. For example, when we go camping and hiking, we know that bears could be out and we still go out and assume the risk. It's the same in the oceanthere are sharks here. It doesn't mean we need to be afraid. It just means we need to be a little more mindful of our behavior, especially at times when we know they come to visit. Humans and sharks have co-existed for thousands and thousands of years. There have been very few bad encountersmaybe two documented hereso it's not something to fear. We just need to be respectful and refocus our efforts in ensuring we're providing an optimal environment for sharks rather than destroying it and fearing them. Explore further Monster shark movies harm shark conservation efforts A remote sensing aerial image that was used to quantify fire refugia from the 2012 Shadow Lake Fire in Oregon. Credit: National Agricultural Imagery Program Thanks to climate change, high-elevation forests in the Central Cascade mountains of the Pacific Northwest are burning more frequently and expansively than in the recent past, prompting researchers and fire managers to question whether forests will be able to recover from these emerging fire patterns and whether they will require human assistance to do so. A new study by Portland State University researchers characterizes the role of fire refugiathe green islands of live trees that remain after forest firesin forest regeneration following large and severe fires in the High Cascade mountains of Oregon and Washington. The results of this study can help determine when human intervention in the form of tree replanting is warranted, when it isn't, where replanting efforts should be targeted and what species should be prioritized. This is important to know since replanting can be expensive and overstocked forests with abnormally high tree density and/or with tree species that are available in nurseries can reduce habitat quality or pose a compounded future fire hazard. Sebastian Busby, former PSU Ph.D. student and current postdoctoral researcher at the U.S. Forest Service, and Andres Holz, associate professor of geography, conducted the study, which was published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. "To a great extent, these fire patterns in high elevation forests are occurring due to climate change," says Holz. "After the fires, these green islands that we term refugia may be the last bit of hope we have for the forests to recover naturally." Close up example of sampled fire refugium (patch of tall trees) and post-fire regeneration in the burn area (small tree seedlings). Credit: Sebastian Busby Forests in the High Cascades may have historically burned only once per century (or even less frequently) due to a wet and cold climate. As the climate has continued warming, some areas have burned two or more times over the past twenty years, with individual and/or repeated fires severe enough to wipe out the vast majority of trees across large expanses of forest. Once burned, forests in the Cascades primarily regenerate from the dispersal of seeds from live trees within fire refugia. If there are only a few live trees seeding an area, it may be hard for the forest to regenerate naturally and these areas may transition into a different type of ecosystem like grassland, shrubland, or a different type of forest. In this study, Busby and Holz used a combination of satellite imaging and field work to determine how different characteristics of fire refugia affected their ability to regenerate the surrounding forestland. Aftermath of the 2012 Shadow Lake Fire in Oregon. Fire refugia patch is visible in front of Mt. Washington. Credit: Sebastian Busby The researchers found that certain characteristics of refugia led to more tree regeneration. For instance, refugia with taller and presumably older and larger trees increased tree regeneration and certain species, like mountain hemlock, were able to disperse a greater quantity of seeds further into burned areas, leading to much higher tree regeneration when compared to other species, like subalpine and Pacific-silver firs. "This tells us that fine-scale refugia composition and structure are important and can stimulate very different post-fire forest regeneration responses," says Busby. Busby and Holz also used their data to create metrics for seed source availability. "Those give us a sense, for any given spot on the landscape, roughly how many seeds are making it there and how much tree regeneration is likely to occur," says Busby. When predicting natural tree regeneration across burned landscapes, the researchers found that considering both the proximity to and density of fire refugia was extremely important, as well as how those attributes interacted with local environmental and climate conditions. In particular, cooler and wetter (mesic) conditions after fires enhanced tree regeneration while hotter and drier (arid) conditions inhibited regeneration. "This means that under particularly mesic conditions, like those observed in many areas of the High Cascades, artificial replanting of trees post-fire may not only be an unnecessary waste of resources but can lead to overly dense forests that are at higher risk of mortality from drought, insects and fire, especially under a warming climate," says Busby. Big Lake, Oregon (same lake seen in the remote sensing picture) following 2012 Shadow Lake Fire. Mt. Washington can be seen in the background. Credit: Sebastian Busby In fact, the results of this study suggest that some earlier replanting efforts may not have been needed, such as a 2010 replanting at the site of the 2008 Gnarl Ridge Fire on Mt. Hood. "That was probably unnecessary," says Busby. "What we saw in the field and modeling work that we did suggest that the natural regeneration in that area was sufficient, and it's possible the replant has compounded tree density in a negative manner for forest resistance to fire, drought, insects and pathogens." Results and techniques from this study can now be used by forest managers as a new tool to pinpoint where natural tree regeneration is likely or unlikely to occur after fires. This will prevent overplanting, which can be needlessly expensive and actually place forests at increased risk of future fires. "Failing to think about that can lead to negative unintended consequences," says Busby. "The forest may grow up to be super dense and if a fire occurs, it's more likely to spread quickly and burn severely." More information: Sebastian U. Busby et al, Interactions Between Fire Refugia and Climate-Environment Conditions Determine Mesic Subalpine Forest Recovery After Large and Severe Wildfires, Frontiers in Forests and Global Change (2022). Sebastian U. Busby et al, Interactions Between Fire Refugia and Climate-Environment Conditions Determine Mesic Subalpine Forest Recovery After Large and Severe Wildfires,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/ffgc.2022.890893 Brown Dwarf illustration. Credit: NOIRLab Brown dwarfs, mysterious objects that straddle the line between stars and planets, are essential to our understanding of both stellar and planetary populations. However, only 40 brown dwarfs could be imaged around stars in almost three decades of searches. An international team led by researchers from the Open University and the University of Bern directly imaged a remarkable four new brown dwarfs thanks to a new innovative search method. Brown dwarfs are mysterious astronomical objects that fill the gap between the heaviest planets and the lightest stars, with a mix of stellar and planetary characteristics. Due to this hybrid nature, these puzzling objects are crucial to improve our understanding of both stars and giant planets. Brown dwarfs orbiting a parent star from sufficiently far away are particularly valuable as they can be directly photographedunlike those that are too close to their star and are thus hidden by its brightness. This provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the details of the cold, planet-like atmospheres of brown dwarf companions. However, despite remarkable efforts in the development of new observing technologies and image processing techniques, direct detections of brown dwarf companions to stars have remained rather sparse, with only around 40 systems imaged in almost three decades of searches. Researchers led by Mariangela Bonavita from the Open University and Clemence Fontanive from the Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) and the NCCR PlanetS at the University of Bern directly imaged four new brown dwarfs as they report in a study that has just been published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. This is the first time that multiple new systems with brown dwarf companions on wide orbital separations have been announced at the same time. Innovative search method "Wide-orbit brown dwarf companions are rare to start with, and detecting them directly poses huge technical challenges since the host stars completely blind our telescopes," says Mariangela Bonavita. Most surveys conducted so far have been blindly targeting random stars from young clusters. "An alternative approach to increase the number of detections is to only observe stars that show indications of an additional object in their system," explains Clemence Fontanive. For example, the way a star moves under the gravitational tug of a companion can be an indicator of the existence of that companion, whether it is a star, a planet or something in between. "We developed the COPAINS tool which predicts the types of companions that could be responsible for observed anomalies in stellar motions," Clemence Fontanive continues. Applying the COPAINS tool the research team carefully selected 25 nearby stars that seemed promising for the direct detection of hidden, low-mass companions based on data from the Gaia spacecraft of the European Space Agency (ESA). Using then the SPHERE planet-finder at the Very Large Telescope in Chile to observe these stars, they successfully detected ten new companions with orbits ranging from that of Jupiter to beyond that of Pluto, including five low-mass stars, a white dwarf (a dense stellar remnant), and a remarkable four new brown dwarfs. Major boost in detection rate "These findings significantly advance the number of known brown dwarfs orbiting stars from large distances, with a major boost in detection rate compared to any previous imaging survey," as Mariangela Bonavita explains. While for now this approach is mostly limited to signatures from brown dwarf and stellar companions, future phases of the Gaia mission will push these methods to lower masses and allow for the discovery of new giant exoplanets. Clemence Fontanive adds: "On top of having so many new discoveries in one go, our program also demonstrates the power of these search strategies." "This result was only possible because we believed that, when combining space and ground-based facilities to directly image exoplanets, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We hope that this will be the start of a new era of synergy between different instruments and detection methods," Mariangela Bonavita concludes. Explore further European astronomers discover four new brown dwarfs More information: M Bonavita et al, Results from The COPAINS Pilot Survey: Four new brown dwarfs and a high companion detection rate for accelerating stars, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2022). Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society M Bonavita et al, Results from The COPAINS Pilot Survey: Four new brown dwarfs and a high companion detection rate for accelerating stars,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stac1250 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The first protected category of the United Nations refugee convention is race. The 1951 convention defines a refugee as a person who is outside their country of residence or nationality "owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion." Racism negatively affects the lives of Haitians at home and abroad. Yet Haitian migrants today are rarely deemed eligible for asylum. This requires us to think about racism and the treatment of refugees transnationally. Brazil-led UN peacekeeping operations and the outsourcing of U.S. immigration control to Latin America further complicates asylum for Haitians. Why is race is so central to the UN's refugee convention? Probably because much of it was drafted by former Jewish refugees from the Holocaust and their allies. The drafters added two important clauses. The first one, Article 3, stipulates non-discrimination by the receiving countries (by "race, religion, and country of origin"). The second is the principle of non-refoulement that prohibits countries from returning migrants to dangerous conditions back home. Other considerations that determined the final scope of the convention include the breakup of empires and wealthy countries' continued racial barriers to immigration. Haiti, colonialism and empires Much of the racism toward Haitians comes from abroad. In the late 1700s, Haitian revolutionaries expelled French colonizers and abolished slavery. A few years later, Haiti provided refuge for victims of enslavement and colonialism elsewhere. But France and other countries demanded reparations for their lost "property," meaning human beings. Haiti had to pay this debt throughout the 20th century. From 1915 to 1934, the United States military occupied Haiti, with lasting social and political consequences. In 1937, Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered the slaughter of thousands of Haitians living near the border. From the 1950s through the 1980s, the U.S. supported the Duvalier dictatorship. Since then, there has been nearly continuous foreign intervention in Haiti's politics. Facing economic and political instability, many Haitians go abroad to improve life for themselves and their relatives back home. For Haitians, the lines between diaspora, economic migrant and refugee are often blurred. But legally, these categories can make all the difference. U.S. sent Haitians back home Starting in 1981, the U.S. adopted a policy of interdicting and processing Haitian migrants at sea. This effectively established a loophole and allowed them to circumvent the principle of non-refoulement and send Haitians back home. Following this precedent, wealthy countries today increasingly started to put immigration on "remote control"in other words, they control immigration from a distance, in international waters and third countries' territories. There is now a broader outsourcing of security and human rights as Latin American countries have been put in charge of receiving refugees and managing UN peacekeeping missions. Brazilians in Haiti, Haitians in Brazil In 2004, democratically elected Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide was ousted for the second time, probably with the help of the U.S. Canada, France, the U.S. and other major players quickly recognized the regime that replaced him. Later that year, Haiti received a peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH. Until 2017, MINUSTAH's multinational military force was run by Brazilian generals, with much meddling from the U.S., Canada and France. In order to depoliticize the situation, these generals were instructed to deal with the problem of "gangs" by force. Urban neighborhoods, where gangs supposedly resided, were precisely the bases of Aristide's political support. In a book about the military commanders of MINUSTAH, these generals called the low-income neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince "favelas," or shantytowns, suggesting the problem was one of policing. Another term they use is pacificacao. This is not just a translation of peacekeeping. Historically, pacificacao was an euphemism for the colonization of Indigenous Peoples. It's also a reference to the work of Rio de Janeiro's police units called Unidades da Policia Pacificadora. There was an ongoing exchange of security management personnel, ideas and practices between Port-au-Prince and Rio de Janeiro during that period. After the massive 2010 earthquake that displaced hundreds of thousands of survivors, Brazilian authorities became concerned about Haitians arriving in their country. My ongoing research with professors Martha Balaguera and Luis van Isschot at the University of Toronto explores how Haitian migrants are treated in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. 'Special relationship' Brazilian immigration policy is determined by the Conselho Nacional de Imigracao (CNIg). In CNIg's meeting minutes, government officials mention Brazil's "special relationship" with Haiti (the MINUSTAH operation) as a reason to accept Haitian migrants. However, they argue that Haitians are not refugees, since they migrated because of the earthquake. They don't acknowledge Brazil's contribution to Haiti's political and economic instability. Brazilian officials express concern that Haitians will "establish a more permanent Haitian diaspora" in Brazil. This discourse is consistent with Brazil's longer history of racially biased immigration policy that favored Europeans. In response, Brazilian officials created a humanitarian visa specifically for Haitian migrants. It provides temporary legal status, but doesn't come with the same protections from deportation and government resources as asylum. As the Brazilian economy worsened, many Haitians went north, hoping to get to the U.S. or Canada. Many go through Colombia, via the Darien Gap, a dangerous zone in the Amazon region that links Colombia to Central America. Haitians travel north In Colombia, Haitians join other migrants' routes. This includes Colombians, many of African and Indigenous descent, who were displaced through land-grabbing by paramilitaries and local elites. Others are from Venezuela, Africa and Asia. Further north, they join Central American migrants escaping violence from the transnational war on drugs. Then they go to Mexico, where the U.S. has outsourced the management of asylum-seekers. Many give up and stay in Tijuana. In southern Mexico, a kind of open-air prison was created to contain refugees without the right papers to go north. Those who reach the U.S. are then detained, after which many get deported. The 1951 refugee convention was designed to protect people fleeing conditions created by Nazi Germany's genocidal anti-Jewish racism. But the refugee system fails to prevent the pervasive and often deadly forms of racism that Haitians face. This racism is transnational, and its source are the countries of destination. Explore further First vaccinations given in Haiti since start of pandemic This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The ship's bell. Credit: University of East Anglia The wreck of one of the most famous ships of the 17th centurywhich sank 340 years ago while carrying the future King of England James Stuarthas been discovered off the coast of Norfolk in the UK, it can be revealed today. Since running aground on a sandbank on May 6, 1682, the wreck of the warship the Gloucester has lain half-buried on the seabed, its exact whereabouts unknown until brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, with their friend James Little, found it after a four-year search. Due to the age and prestige of the ship, the condition of the wreck, the finds already rescued, and the accident's political context, the discovery is described by maritime history expert Prof, Claire Jowitt, of the University of East Anglia (UEA), as the most important maritime discovery since the Mary Rose. The Gloucester represents an important "almost" moment in British political history: a royal shipwreck causing the very near-death of the Catholic heir to the Protestant throne at a time of great political and religious tension. Now a major exhibition is planned for spring 2023, the result of a partnership between the Barnwell brothers, Norfolk Museums Service, and academic partner UEA. Running from February to July at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, the exhibition will display finds from the wreckincluding the bell that confirmed the ship's identityand share ongoing historical, scientific and archaeological research. Prof. Jowitt, a world-leading authority on maritime cultural history, is a co-curator of the exhibition. "Because of the circumstances of its sinking, this can be claimed as the single most significant historic maritime discovery since the raising of the Mary Rose in 1982," she said. "The discovery promises to fundamentally change understanding of 17th-century social, maritime and political history. "It is an outstanding example of underwater cultural heritage of national and international importance. A tragedy of considerable proportions in terms of loss of life, both privileged and ordinary, the full story of the Gloucester's last voyage and the impact of its aftermath needs re-telling, including its cultural and political importance, and legacy. We will also try to establish who else died and tell their stories, as the identities of a fraction of the victims are currently known." The Barnwell brothers with the ship's bell. Credit: Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks The Barnwell brothers are Norfolk-based printers, licensed divers and Honorary Fellows in the School of History at UEA. Lincoln said he was partly inspired to search for the wreck after watching the lifting of the Mary Rose on television as a child. "It was our fourth dive season looking for Gloucester," he said. "We were starting to believe that we were not going to find her, we'd dived so much and just found sand. On my descent to the seabed the first thing I spotted were large cannon laying on white sand, it was awe- inspiring and really beautiful. "It instantly felt like a privilege to be there, it was so exciting. We were the only people in the world at that moment in time who knew where the wreck lay. That was special and I'll never forget it. Our next job was to identify the site as the Gloucester." Julian added, "When we decided to search for the Gloucester we had no idea how significant she was in history. We had read that the Duke of York was onboard but that was it. We were confident it was the Gloucester, but there are other wreck sites out there with cannons, so it still needed to be confirmed. "There is still a huge amount of knowledge to be gained from the wreck, which will benefit Norfolk and the nation. We hope this discovery and the stories that are uncovered will inform and inspire future generations." Lord Dannatt, Norfolk Deputy Lieutenant and longstanding resident of the county, is lending his skills and support to the historic rescue project. As former head of the British Army, he works with charities and organizations that have links to the armed services. "This is going to be Norfolk's Mary Rose," said Lord Dannatt. "Julian and Lincoln have touched history, history that could have changed the course of this nation. It's such an amazing story to tell. Our aim is to bring that story to life and to share it with as many people as possible." The Gloucester was commissioned in 1652, built at Limehouse in London, and launched in 1654. In 1682 it was selected to carry James Stuart, Duke of York, to Edinburgh to collect his heavily pregnant wife and their households. The aim was to bring them back to King Charles II's court in London in time, it was hoped, for the birth of a legitimate male heir. The ship had set sail from Portsmouth with the Duke and his entourage joining it off Margate, having traveled by yacht from London. At 5.30am on May 6, the Gloucester ran aground some 45km off Great Yarmouth following a dispute about navigating the treacherous Norfolk sandbanks. The Duke, a former Lord High Admiral, had argued with the pilot for control over the ship's course. Within an hour the vessel sank with the loss of hundreds of the crew and passengers. The Duke barely survived, having delayed abandoning ship until the last minute. As well as the Duke of York, the Gloucester carried a number of prominent English and Scottish courtiers including John Churchill, later the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Diarist and naval administrator Samuel Pepys, who witnessed events from another ship in the fleet, wrote his own accountdescribing the harrowing experience for victims and survivors, with some picked up "half dead" from the water. Together with their late father Michael, and two friends including James Little, a former Royal Navy submariner and diver, the Barnwell brothers found the wreck site in 2007, with the Gloucester split down the keel and remains of the hull submerged in sand. The ship's bell, manufactured in 1681, was later recovered, and in 2012 it was used by the Receiver of Wreck and Ministry of Defence to decisively identify the vessel. Due to the time taken to confirm the identity of the ship and the need to protect an "at risk" site, which lies in international waters, it is only now that its discovery can be made public. As well as the Receiver of Wreck and Ministry of Defence, the wreck has been declared to Historic England. Following the discovery, the brothers completed an underwater archaeology course with the Nautical Archaeology Society. Artifacts rescued and conserved include clothes and shoes, navigational and other professional naval equipment, personal possessions, and many wine bottles. (L-R) Lincoln Barnwell, Prof Claire Jowitt, Dr Ben Redding and Julian Barnwell with some of the finds. Credit: University of East Anglia A pair of glasses found in their original case. Credit: University of East Anglia The Barnwell brothers measuring one of the ship's cannons. Credit: Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks One of the bottles bears a glass seal with the crest of the Legge familyancestors of George Washington, the first US President. The crest was a forerunner to the Stars and Stripes flag. Uniquely, in addition there were also some unopened bottles, with wine still insideoffering exciting opportunities for future research. The accompanying historical research project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust and led by Prof. Jowitt, will explore not only the failures of command at sea before the Gloucester sank, but conspiracy theories about the tragedy's causes and its political consequences. It is also hoped that UEA's scientific expertise and facilities will be used to analyze some of the finds from the wreck. The Ministry of Defence's position is that all artifacts remain the property of the Ministry of Defence; however, where items are positively identified as personal property, ownership will then default to the Crown. Partners already involved in the landmark project alongside the Barnwells, UEA and Norfolk Museums Service include the Ministry of Defence, the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, York Archaeology, the Leverhulme Trust and Maritime Archaeology Trust. The project is also being generously supported by Alan Boswell Group and Birketts LLP. A new paper titled "The Last Voyage of the Gloucester (1682): The Politics of a Royal Shipwreck" by Prof. Claire Jowitt offers a comprehensive academic analysis of the disaster and its political implications and legacies. It is published in the journal English Historical Review on Friday, June 10. Explore further Colombia shares unprecedented images of treasure-laden wreck More information: The Last Voyage of the Gloucester (1682): The Politics of a Royal Shipwreck, English Historical Review (2022). The Last Voyage of the Gloucester (1682): The Politics of a Royal Shipwreck,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/ehr/ceac127 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Following a devastating wildfire in 2018 that raged through Paradise, California, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were found to be contaminating the town's waterand scientists suggest this problem may be widespread in other fire-prone areas. A feature article in Chemical & Engineering News, an independent news outlet of the American Chemical Society, examines how plastic pipes may be a key source of contamination and explores what can be done to protect vulnerable communities. Testing revealed Paradise's water contained VOCs (including benzene, naphthalene and toluene, among others) at levels exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, writes freelance contributor Robin Meadows. A team investigating the water contamination did not find VOCs in the treatment plants or mains but did detect them in the service lines, which are smaller pipes near or above ground typically made of plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The researchers also found evidence that PVC and HDPE start to degrade and generate VOCs at high temperatures, but don't need to burn to do so. Another study identified the VOCs in Paradise's water and compared them to VOCs emitted from burned pipes and to other sources such as building materials. Their results suggest that the water sample was contaminated by a combination of plastic pipes and smoke. While it is impractical and costly to eliminate plastic from service lines, experts say that some changes can help protect communities from their risks, such as burying them deeper to insulate them from the heat produced by fires. A network of isolation valves can help prevent contaminants from spreading throughout the water system in the event of a fire. In the future, sensors may be able to detect when pipes reach the threshold temperature for releasing VOCs. Beyond installing engineering systems, other strategies include managing vegetation, reducing the flammability of buildings and assessing individual community vulnerabilities. And after wildfires, water utility companies should act fast to test for contaminants in the water of burned homes and service lines, say experts. Explore further Plastic pipes are polluting drinking water systems after wildfires, increase risk in urban fires More information: The article is available at The article is available at https://cenm.ag/water-wildfires A triggerfisha member of a fish group known to be voracious predatorsswims in front of a panel previously caged for 10 weeks and recently exposed to predators in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil. Credit: Smithsonian Institution A hotter ocean is a hungrier oceanat least as far as fish predators are concerned. In a new field study published online June 9 in Science, Smithsonian scientists discovered predator impacts in the Atlantic and Pacific peak at higher temperatures. The effects cascade down to transform other life in the ocean, potentially disrupting balances that have existed for millennia. "It's taken thousands of years to get to this state, and then suddenly we're ramping up the temperature at a much higher rate," said Gail Ashton, lead author of the report and marine biologist with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). "And we don't really know the implications of that temperature increase." Past research has hinted that predators are more active in the tropics, since higher temperatures tend to increase animals' metabolism. But empirical evidence from smaller studies was conflicting. And few studies tried to nail down the central question of how prey communities respond to the increased pressure, which could foreshadow what a warmer ocean of the future will look like. "Warmer waters tend to favor animals high in the food chain, which become more active and need more foodand it's their prey who pay for that increased activity," said co-author Emmett Duffy, director of the Smithsonian's Marine Global Earth Observatory network (MarineGEO). "This suggests that warming seas could see big shifts in the life of sensitive seabed habitats." Triggerfish and pufferfish consume marine invertebrates on a panel exposed to predators during a prior experiment using similar communities in Panama City. Credit: Edited by Michele Repetto. Footage from Freestone et al. 2021 Archives Tracking Predation From Pole to Pole The new study took one of the largest views to date. An international team led by the Smithsonian and Temple University coordinated partners at 36 sites, running along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas. The sites spanned from Alaska in the north to Tierra de Fuego at the tip of South America. At each site, researchers performed the same three experiments on predators and prey. For the first experiment, they tracked overall predator activity using "squid pops." Designed by Duffy and the MarineGEO team, squid pops resemble cake pops at coffee shops. Scientists attach a piece of dried squid, a standard bait usable anywhere, to a stake and leave it underwater to attract fish. After one hour, the scientists checked to see how many squid pops had been devoured. The results confirmed their suspicions: At warmer sites, predation was more intense; in colder waters (below 68 degrees F), predation dropped to near zero. "This temperature threshold represents an ecological tipping point in these coastal marine ecosystems, above which predation intensity increases," said Amy Freestone, co-author and associate professor of biology at Temple University. "With climate change, more coastal waters will exceed this tipping point, or warm even further, fundamentally changing how these ecosystems function." Diver Nestor Ortiz of CONICET beside an experiment in Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Ortiz is adjacent to a panel open to predators. Panels contained within cages to exclude predators hang suspended in the background. Credit: Nicolas Battini, CONICET Life in a Ravenous Sea But this did not answer the more pressing question: What will a hotter, hungrier ocean mean for the rest of life in the food web? For that, the researchers turned to their last two experiments. They looked at the stationary underwater invertebrates fish like to feast upon, like tunicates and bryozoans, to see how predators would impact their growth and abundance. In one experiment, they watched the prey colonize and grow on underwater plastic panels for three months. Some had protective cages that kept predators out, while others were left open and vulnerable. In the final experiment, they put protective cages around all the underwater prey for 10 weeks, and then uncaged half the prey communities for two more weeks. In hotter waters, predators' more voracious appetites left outsized marks on the prey community. Total prey biomass plunged in the tropics when prey were left unprotected. But in the coldest zones, leaving prey exposed or protected made almost no differencesuggesting predators did not pose much of a threat there. "We knew from previous work in Panama that predation in the neotropics can be intense," said Mark Torchin, co-author and marine ecologist with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. "However, working with our colleagues across the Americas allowed us to test the generality of this and to evaluate how the effects of predation change in colder environments." The kinds of prey organisms changed with predator access as well. Predators liked eating solitary, bottle-shaped tunicates ("sea squirts"), so those prey suffered major losses in the tropics when left unprotected. Meanwhile, encrusting bryozoans ("moss animals") flourished in the newly free space as fish largely left them alone. Lead author, Dr. Gail Ashton, inspects marine invertebrates attached to a panel that had been submerged in San Francisco for three months. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Solitary tunicates filter the water and offer nooks and crannies for other organisms to settletwo important functions that bryozoans do not do quite as well. But they offer just one example of how a rise in predator activity could alter ecosystems as cooler ecosystems heat up. "As predation changes, some species will be winners and some will be losers," said co-author Greg Ruiz, head of SERC's Marine Invasions Research Lab. "Some will be defended; others will be vulnerable. But we don't know exactly how that will play out." Meanwhile, what will happen at the equatorwhere temperatures may rise even higher than what scientists can see todayremains even more of a mystery. "We don't really know what might happen in the tropics, because we don't have data from those warmer temperatures," Ashton said. Explore further Global 'BiteMap' reveals how marine food webs may change with climate More information: Gail V. Ashton et al, Predator control of marine communities increases with temperature across 115 degrees of latitude, Science (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abc4916 Journal information: Science Gail V. Ashton et al, Predator control of marine communities increases with temperature across 115 degrees of latitude,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abc4916 Boeings CST-100 Starliner crew ship approaches the International Space Station above the south Pacific on May 20th, 2022. Credit: NASA On November 15th, 2020, NASA and SpaceX made history when a crewed spacecraftthe Crew Dragon Resiliencelifted off from American soil and delivered four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission (designated Crew-1) was a culminating achievement for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) and effectively restored domestic launch capability to the U.S. for the first time since the Space Shuttle's retirement in 2011. As of April, SpaceX's launch vehicles and spacecraft were used to mount the first all-private Axiom Mission-1 and the fourth flight of the CCP (Crew-4). Building on this success, NASA recently filed a notice of intent (NOI) to purchase five additional Crew Dragon spacecraft. This decision is based in large part on the delays suffered by BoeingNASA's other CCP commercial partnerand the development of its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. But perhaps the most significant takeaway from this filing is how it reaffirms NASA's commitment to the ISS until 2030. With the recent withdrawal of the Russians from the ISS program, the future of the station has been somewhat uncertain. The NOI was filed on Jun 1st, 2022, at 02:09 PM EDT (11:09 AM PDT) on behalf of NASA's Kennedy Space Center. According to the notice, NASA will be purchasing five additional Crew Transportation Systems (CTS) as part of the Commercial Crew Transportation Capabilities (CCtCap) contract they signed with SpaceX. The purpose of this, it states, is so that NASA can maintain rotating crews aboard the ISS and continue to meet its obligations to its international partnerswhich is in keeping with the NASA Authorization Act of 2015. As it states: "It is the policy of the United States to maintain an uninterrupted capability for human space flight and operations in low-Earth orbit, and beyond, as an essential instrument of national security and the capability to ensure continued United States participation and leadership in the exploration and utilization of space... "[A]warding five additional PCMs to SpaceX will ensure redundant and backup capabilities through 2030, which is essential for the following reasons: (i) the obligation to provide continuous flight availability for the safe operation of the ISS; (ii) the potential for anomalies or accidents; (iii) the potential for unforeseen external factors; and, (iv) risks associated with the design of a safe and reliable CTS." NASA's decision to extend its commitment to the ISS until 2030 was officially announced in December 2021. However, the fate of the ISS became the subject of concern in February of this year after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. In response, the U.S., the EU, and other ISS partner nations imposed sanctions on Russia and suspended cooperation with its federal space agency (Roscosmos). Roscosmos' Director-General (Dmitry Rogozin) responded by threatening (and stating) that Russia would withdraw from the ISS program (though it has yet to commit to this course of action). SpaceX Crew Dragon docks at the ISS. Credit: SpaceX According to the notice, NASA's decision was also motivated by concerns regarding the development of CTS vehicles by both companies contracted through the CCPBoeing and SpaceX. Whereas SpaceX managed to conduct a successful uncrewed rendezvous with the ISS (Demo-1) and a successful crewed rendezvous (Demo-2) between March 2019 and May 2020, Boeing's Starliner failed to reach the ISS due to a technical error. On May 20th, 2022, the Starliner managed to successfully launch and rendezvous with the ISS (and has since returned). However, at this point, NASA is not supremely confident that Boeing will be able to validate the Starliner and meet its obligations under the CCP in the near future. These delays highlight the need for backup spacecraft to ensure that crew replacements can continue to be sent to the ISS without interruption. As the notice states: "Due to the technical and schedule challenges experienced by Boeing, the number of missions previously awarded to Boeing and SpaceX, NASA projections of when alternative crew transportation systems will be available, and the technical challenges associated with establishing and maintaining a CTS capability for crewed flights to the ISS approximately every six months, it is necessary to award five additional PCMs to SpaceX." While the notification is non-competitive, NASA indicated that "interested organizations" are free to submit proposals within 15 days of the NOI's issuanceby 05:00 PM EDT (02:00 PM PDT) on June 16th, 2022. Based on the capabilities and qualifications of these proposals, NASA will decide whether or not to conduct the acquisition on a competitive basis. In short, Jeff Bezos, United Launch Alliance, Lockheed Martin, or any other SpaceX competitor have a week to convince NASA to go with their concepts instead. This notice highlights the rather lucrative relationship that NASA and SpaceX have enjoyed recently. Since 2010, NASA has contracted with this company to provide regular launch services for payloads to the ISS. As of 2020, it is now reliant on SpaceX to send astronaut crews there, thus freeing the agency of its past reliance on Roscosmos and Russian launch services. It is little wonder why NASA would choose to turn to SpaceX once again to address its concerns regarding the continued operation of the ISS, something that the current geopolitical situation has cast doubt on. In the coming years, SpaceX will also provide the Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis III missionthe first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo Era. According to the mission architecture, the reusable Lunar Starship (or Starship HLS) will launch separately from the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft that will carry the four Artemis III astronauts. The Lunar Starship will refuel in orbit, and then rendezvous in Cis-Lunar space with the Orion, at which point two of the astronauts will transfer to the HLS and venture down to the surface of the moon. Still, the door is open for a little competition, which is good for spaceflight. So if you've got a beef with Musk (these days, who doesn't?) and have an aerospace company behind you, get on that. Explore further NASA, Boeing say Starliner on track for May 19 launch Wildwood Phillys Favorite Traffic Reporter Bob Kelly is bringing his popular Happy Hour Dance Party back to the Jersey Shore this summer every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the Seaport Pier in Wildwood. Kelly invites you to kick off the summer weekends with him party-style and continue to support Kellys Kidz, a non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting the spirits of children during their hospital stay. The Happy Hour Dance Partys are from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pair of childrens pajamas that will go directly to local pediatric hospitals. During the pandemic, Bob began hosting Happy Hour Dance Partys live on social media to provide an outlet for activity during quarantine. Social media exploded with support for his DJ skills and great time. The Seaport Pier invited him to bring the dance partys to the beach once quarantine lifted. The Kelly's Kidz Happy Hour Dance Party has grown tremendously since then, making its way throughout the Philadelphia region and Jersey Shore. With the success of the Dance Partys during the pandemic, I wanted to keep the party going and most importantly, connect it to a great cause, said Bob Kelly. I have firsthand experience seeing the needs in pediatric hospitals and believe as a community, we can support them! Kellys Kidz was formed after Bob noticed the opportunity for community support of certain items in pediatric hospitals for children after his son Austin was hospitalized at just eight weeks old. He created Kellys Kidz to support children and their families when faced with a hospital stay. About Kellys Kidz Kellys Kidz, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the community to fund the resources needed to provide children with toys, activities, and other essentials during their stay in pediatric hospitals. Through monetary donations and toy drives, Kellys Kidz is able to collect and provide items on hospital wish lists, delivering them directly to pediatric hospitals in need. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP Police arrested a woman and a 17-year-old girl Wednesday after they allegedly left three young children in a locked car for about 45 minutes on a hot day. At 2:48 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the Walmart shopping center at Black Horse Pike and Fire Road for a report that three children were locked inside a vehicle crying. It was about 86 degrees outside at the time, police said in a news release. Atlantic City International Airport registered a high of 89 degrees for the day, according to the National Weather Service. Upon arrival, officers found the children, ages 3, 1 and 5 months, locked inside a vehicle that was not running and had all its windows closed, police said. Officers used a lock-out kit to unlock the doors, remove the children from the vehicle and turn them over to Egg Harbor Township EMS for treatment. Teen charged following Friday Walmart fire EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP A 13-year-old is charged with aggravated arson after police say a fire Further investigation and security camera footage revealed that Cyndie Jourdain and the 17-year-old, both of Galloway Township, had been inside the store for about 45 minutes at the time the children were located and removed from the vehicle, police said. Police did not state the suspects relationship to the children. The children were transported via ambulance to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center but were expected to be OK, police said. The state Division of Child Protection and Permanency was contacted and responded to the hospital. The two suspects were each charged with endangering the welfare of a child. They were released on summonses pending court. Police thanked the concerned citizens who contacted them and stood by to make sure the children were safe. First grader Khamoni Davis-Victor kept her mask tucked under her chin as she munched on lunch Wednesday in the cafeteria at Yorkship Elementary School in Camden. As soon as the 7-year-old finished her favorite lunch tacos she pulled up her mask to cover her mouth and nose. She said she understood why her school district has a mask mandate. The virus is spreading, she said matter-of-factly. I dont know who made the coronavirus, but I know whoever did it will get in big trouble. The Camden school system, which enrolls about 5,100 students in its 15 traditional public schools, will wrap up the 2021-22 school year in two weeks with a mask requirement still in place for all students and teachers. Camden is believed to be the only South Jersey district that kept the mask rule in place after Gov. Phil Murphy lifted the state requirement in March. Newark, the states largest school system, also kept the mask mandate, while Trenton reinstated it last week. Murphy has said that school districts, particularly in high-transmission areas, have every right to require masks. Most made mask-wearing optional, letting students and staff decide whether to wear them. Bridgeton schools supplied with food through nonprofit's pilot program BRIDGETON Through a pilot program that runs through July, city schoolchildren are receivin Camden Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs initially took a wait-and-see approach, keeping tabs on coronavirus cases. She later decided to keep the mask mandate for the remainder of the school year and for summer school, which starts July 5. With reported positive COVID-19 cases on the rise, I am so glad that here at the Camden City School District, we made the right decision to stay the course and continue masking, McCombs said in a statement. Our top priority is always to keep our students safe so we will continue to put them first in our decision-making. Some districts in the region, including Philadelphia, went back to universal masking in schools and on buses in May when cases began rising again. A handful of other suburban districts, including Cheltenham and Upper Dublin, also began requiring students to mask after months of mask-optional classes. In Camden, it was business as usual Wednesday at Yorkship Elementary, in the citys Fairview neighborhood. Most students arrive with their own masks, but the school has them available if needed, Principal Lana Murray said. Were used to it. Weve been wearing them, Murray said. We have not had a lot of pushback at all. Murray said students, which include preschoolers, remind each other to put on a mask or pull it up if it slips down. There are signs posted around the school, including one with a cartoon character that says, Superheroes wear masks. #SaveOurParks seeks better funding, 'friends' for battered NJ public lands New Jersey spends billions to buy land for public parks and forests, but skimps on maintaini They want to be safe, Murray said. Teacher Adrian Nelson escorted about 10 preschoolers outside to a play yard where they excitedly climbed on recreational equipment and rode around on scooters and bicycles. Because they were in close contact and not able to social distance, they remained masked. The students are adjusting well, Nelson said. They follow it. At one point, Adalia Garcia, 5, needed a mask break. So she walked away from her play group and stood alone with her mask off. A few minutes later, she rejoined the group. Murray said students are encouraged to take mask breaks as needed. In the classroom, they are permitted to go into a corner away from other students and pull down their mask, she said. Everybody hates it. Its hard because its uncomfortable, said Jayonna Freeman, a third grader. But I like how it is keeping us from the COVID. Woman shot at home in Bridgeton BRIGDETON A woman was shot Wednesday night while sitting inside her home, police said. Denzel White, 9, said he understands why his parents remind him daily to wear your mask, make sure you stay safe at school. You get to stay safe from sick people, said White, a third grader. Technology teacher Suzanne Dorrell, who was teaching a lesson on coding robotics, said teaching with a mask on is difficult because students cant see her facial expressions. I dont like the masks, she said. It is a challenge. In the cafeteria, Khamoni and her first-grade classmates took off their masks for lunch tacos or pizza, an apple and chocolate milk. Then they lined up to go outside for recess. Mask up. Everyone should have their mask on, Lidia Carrero, the schools operations coordinator, told them before their departure. Ten years ago, a little bit disappointed about the progress of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) cooperation, I coined the following acronym for a presentation I was giving at a seminar on the topic: B Banquet R Round table speech I Issuing a joint communique C Camera for a group photo S Shaking hands Today, that acronym is outdated and inaccurate as BRICS cooperation has resulted in great progress in the past decade. Therefore, I decided to create a new version last month for a speech at another seminar: B Bank R Reforming the IMF quotas I Innovation Base C Common ground on many issues S Strategy for Economic Partnership 2025 The New Development Bank (NDB), established in 2014, has become a new player in financial globalization by supplementing the efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global development. It has contributed to achieving the goal of strong, sustainable and balanced growth with a robust and diverse portfolio. It has also helped its members fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Last September, the NDB announced it was welcoming the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Bangladesh as new members. No less impressive is the fact that it has moved to a new building in Shanghai's World Expo Park. Leaders of the world's 20 largest economies, the G20, agreed at a summit in Seoul in November 2010 to reform the International Monetary Fund (IMF), so that it could better reflect the changing global economy through greater representation of dynamic emerging markets and developing countries. It was believed that these comprehensive quota and governance reforms could enhance the IMF's legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness, making it an even stronger institution for promoting global financial stability and growth. BRICS played a vital role in consistently calling for effective implementation of the IMF's commitment. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress adopted legislation authorizing the IMF 2010 quota and governance reforms, and all the conditions for their implementation were met in January 2016. For the first time, Brazil, Russia, India and China entered the IMF's top 10 biggest members, with China becoming the third largest (6.4%). In the age of the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, competitiveness matters. One of the most important ways to strengthen competitiveness is to boost innovation. At the 12th BRICS virtual summit in 2020, China announced that it would set up an innovation center for BRICS partnership on new industrial revolution in the city of Xiamen, Fujian province, devoting a large amount of resources to making it a reality. One of the most important aims of BRICS is to push forward global governance and establish a new world order. It is true that the five members cannot have the same position on some issues. However, they share a lot of common ground on various topics. These include enhancing and improving global governance; strengthening multilateralism through upholding international law and the U.N. Charter; speeding up the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; containing the spread and effects of the pandemic; promoting democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all; and implementing comprehensive reform of the U.N., including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries. In addition, members are supporting an open, transparent, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system with a view to ensuring a level playing field with special and differential treatment for developing countries, and avoiding unilateral actions and protectionist measures that run counter to the rules of the WTO; and respecting the Paris Climate Agreement, particularly the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances. Undoubtedly, in the face of greater global uncertainties, these common positions of BRICS members are extremely valuable. It is said that BRICS cooperation is driven by "three wheels": political dialogue, economic exchanges and people-to-people contact. The Strategy for Economic Partnership 2025, adopted by the BRICS summit in November 2020, contributes to the movement of the economic "wheel." The strategy defines a development path for BRICS and sets the framework for cooperation among its members in accordance with current economic trends and conditions. It also outlines five priority areas for partnership: trade, investment, finance, digital economy and sustainable development. This year, China undertakes the rotating presidency for BRICS. On May 19, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the virtual meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations in Beijing. It was agreed that discussions among BRICS members on membership expansion must be promoted, which clearly indicates that the group will soon have new members. In order to ensure more cooperation, BRICS might need to ponder the following four issues: Institutionalization. Until now, a virtual secretariat undertakes most of the day-to-day work of the organization. In order to oversee the implementation of the BRICS leaders' ambitious objectives for cooperation, setting up a permanent secretariat is highly necessary. Political trust. Due to differing national interests, BRICS cannot speak with one voice on some issues. Therefore, political trust among the five members must be further deepened. More economic cooperation. It seems that the "three wheels" do not move at the same speed. So far, progress in the field of economic cooperation has not been particularly impressive. In the future, efforts must be redoubled to reap bigger harvests in terms of trade facilitation and investment promotion. Try to walk the walk. From the joint declarations and communiques of the BRICS summit and ministers' meetings, we can see that the organization wishes to cooperate in every field. Indeed, ambition is the first step to success, but the second step is action. BRICS should therefore walk the walk, instead of talking the talk. Jiang Shixue is Senior Research Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Distinguished Professor of the Shanghai University. He is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/jiangshixue.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn CAPE MAY City schools would be given 92.5% more state aid than last year under Gov. Phil Murphy's fiscal year 2023 budget proposal, the Governor's Office said Monday. Under the proposed budget, Cape May would receive $3.7 million in K-12 aid, Murphy's office said. It also would be given $446,318 for pre-K support, according to a spreadsheet from the Governor's Office. The aid's source is $19.2 billion in school support Murphy and acting New Jersey Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan unveiled in March. That funding would support accelerated learning, climate-change education and expanded pre-K through $650 million in K-12 school aid and nearly $68 million in additional preschool funding. Murphy has said the budget illustrates his values in education and exhibits his commitment to providing state communities with the best possible education, leading to more prospective opportunities for schoolchildren, as well as support for career advancement. Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MIDDLE TOWNSHIP Members of the Township Committee this week lavished praise on Sean McDevitt and his years of service to the township, pointing out several times that it began before Committee member Jim Norris was born. McDevitt is retiring as chief of the townships EMS crew. He started when he was still in high school, and taking into account 10 years spent in police dispatch, he has been responding to Middle Township emergencies for 35 years. He said after the Monday committee meeting that he had been thinking about retirement for a little while, but that he would likely have kept at it for a few more years at least if he could have. As of June 15, Inspira Medical Centers Inc. will take over ambulance services in the township, under a contract approved this year. Elected officials said they looked at multiple options but saw little choice but to go with a private company. That will mean dissolving the townships paid EMS crew. McDevitt said he does not resent the decision. He said he can understand both the financial reality and the increasing difficulty of finding new people to staff the ambulance crews, adding he has sought to increase the pay for the EMS crews for years. Rio Grande Ambulance Corps likely to close MIDDLE TOWNSHIP It appears that the days are numbered for the volunteer Rio Grande Ambulan He began as an EMT while still attending Middle Township High School in 1986, he said. A few years later, he was hired as a police dispatcher, and then returned to the EMS squad in 1998. In 2002, he took over as chief. In those decades, McDevitt has been involved in the response to major hurricanes and innumerable medical calls, traffic accidents and fires. When I was in high school, I never would have believed that Id be working through a pandemic, he said Monday. But the call he will remember the most, he said, was when he joined the response to lower Manhattan following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He recalled the devastation in New York, and the frustration of someone who came to help with rescues that the main job in the immediate aftermath was recovering remains after the towers fell. The stuff you see over the course of a career just kind of lives inside of you, and youll take it with you, police Chief Christopher Leusner said at the meeting. He praised McDevitts work both in dispatch and in EMS, saying McDevitt sought to protect officers and his emergency crews. He was always there, he was always professional, Leusner said, adding he and the officers were proud to have worked with him. I will be forever grateful, and I know the officers are, for your service. Middle Township approves deal with Inspira for ambulance response It follows a similar agreement made by Lower Township in July, privatizing the townships em McDevitt did not have anything to say at the meeting when he was presented with an award in recognition of his service. Mayor Tim Donohue said few people have worked as long in emergency services in Middle Township as McDevitt. He said he has known McDevitt for most of their lives. Their fathers served together as police officers in Stone Harbor. Both Sean and I get a little emotional when we talk about our fathers, Donohue said. They and their siblings all shared a kinship of being cops kids in a small town, adding McDevitts parents would be very proud of him. Committeeman Ike Gandy said he has not known McDevitt as long but that he knows he has worked for the township a long time. Youve done a spectacular job here, he said. In Middle Township, emergency response had been divided among three agencies, the paid EMS and the volunteer crews in Rio Grande and Cape May Court House, known as the Middle Township Ambulance Corps. Lower Township hires Inspira for ambulance service LOWER TOWNSHIP The township Rescue Squad is set to disband, with Inspira Health taking ove The Middle Township volunteer Ambulance Corps will continue to operate, supplementing the response from Inspira. The Rio Grande company has said it would close down this month. This spring, the Township Committee approved a contract with Inspira, under which the company will receive $100,000 a year for two years, with an option to extend that for three additional years. At the time, officials said there were few choices that would have ensured emergency services for the township for years to come. Were running out of Band-Aids, Donohue said at the time, stating that the township needed to find a long-term solution. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PLEASANTVILLE Voters are still awaiting the results of the 2022 Democratic primary elections for City Council. The race for a 2nd Ward council seat had Councilman Victor Carmona face off against Pleasantville Board of Education member Julio Sanchez. As of Wednesday afternoon, Carmona was leading with 142 election-day votes to Sanchezs 135. The mail-in and early-vote ballots, which have swung previous elections in Pleasantville, were still outstanding. Sanchez, a retired firefighter and an Army veteran, said he believed he was putting up a respectable fight and was still awaiting the final results. Carmona did not respond to an email request for comment sent to him Wednesday afternoon. There was no incumbent in the race for a 1st Ward council seat. James Barclay had gotten 86 election-day votes. He was leading against Cory Young and Richard Norris, who had 61 and 51 votes, respectively. Barclay expressed optimism Wednesday even as he waited on final results from mail-in and absentee ballots. A Liberian immigrant, Barclay said he wanted to work to facilitate more democratic participation and get the people involved in city government. He said he was also working with the Atlantic City branch of the NAACP to help give immigrants an opportunity to get involved with the organization. No matter what the final result will look like, I will continue working for the people of Pleasantville, Barclay said. Norris and Young could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. There was no Republican primary candidate for council. Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HAMILTON TOWNSHIP A groundhog from the township has been confirmed positive for rabies, making the case Atlantic Countys ninth this year, health officials said Wednesday. The animal was retrieved June 1 from a farm on Railroad Boulevard. At least one person, a farm worker, is believed to have been exposed to the potentially lethal virus, health officials said in a news release. The groundhog was taken from the premises by animal control and sent to a state lab, where it tested positive for the virus Wednesday. The worker was instructed to consult their health care provider regarding treatment, health officials said. A pig on the farm has also been quarantined and will remain so for six months, health officials said. Egg Harbor Township skunk tests positive for rabies EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP A skunk retrieved from the 200 block of Pine Avenue has tested positiv The viral disease, which is said to commonly be transmitted through direct contact with saliva through broken skin or the eyes mucous membranes, was previously found in Atlantic County in four skunks, one of which tested positive last week, two raccoons, a fox and a cat. Most human cases originate from a bite from an infected animal. Anyone bitten by a wild animal, regardless of whether the animal is suspected of having rabies, should wash their wound immediately and consult a physician. Bites should be reported to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971. Health officials also urge county pet owners to keep up to date on their animals vaccines. Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The public may think of clean energy as green, but to New Jersey Democrats and their solar industry allies, it has been golden. They never made a scientific case that solar power in the state would meaningfully affect climate change or any other environmental issue, but that didnt stop them from taking $3 billion in subsidies for solar from residents and businesses. The Murphy administration and leaders in the Legislature almost seemed embarrassed by this crony capitalism at one point and made a big show of saying the $3 billion was enough. But in a couple of years they came back for much more, another $880 million a year every year from utility customers in New Jersey. People may have accepted this as the cost of following their environmental beliefs in New Jersey. Theyll have to accept paying more, a lot more with no end in sight. The state Senate Environment and Energy Committee discussed three bills last month, each of which would shower new subsidies on the solar industry. One would mandate massive upgrades to the electricity grid in the state to accommodate adding solar and ultimately wind power to it. Much of the so far inestimable cost would be passed to residents and businesses in the form of more hidden taxes on their electric, natural gas and other utility bills. There has been so much subsidized solar power installation in this region that its grid cant take any more. In Atlantic City Electrics territory in South Jersey, so many circuits have been shut down (to new installations) that even residents seeking to put relatively small solar arrays on their homes cannot hook up to the grid, NJ Spotlight said recently. That bill, S431, would charge a fixed fee to owners or developers of renewable-energy systems and then charge ratepayers for the rest of the grid upgrade expense. The state Division of Rate Counsel, which considers the interests of those who have to pay utility bills, sent the Senate committee letters arguing against making ratepayers shoulder these subsidy increases. Avoidable and expensive electric system upgrades will be foisted onto captive ratepayers, said Brian Lipman, Rate Counsel director. A second bill, S2185, would require the state Board of Public Utilities to provide at least $60 million in subsidies annually for energy storage. Lipman pointed out that is unnecessary since this years federal infrastructure law includes funding for energy storage. The households already struggling to keep up with soaring prices and bills may find the third bill the most offensive. It would give public money to investors in previous solar projects. This bill is about providing a guarantee that the owners of the legacy solar facilities will recover the compensation they desire for solar that already has been built, a guarantee they explicitly did not have at the time they chose to build, Lipman said. Instead of meekly rewarding the self-interest of politicians and their clean energy supporters, the public should demand that state officials rigorously demonstrate the claimed benefits of solar subsidies and quit hiding the full and transparent accounting of the costs that are coming. After their losses in the November legislative election, Democrats proclaimed they would henceforth work to make New Jersey more affordable. Perhaps they only meant more affordable for themselves and others in government, and their supporters and allies outside it. INCIDENTS AND THREATS RFE/RL Journalists Beaten and Threatened in Tajikistan In an escalation of the recent harassment of RFE/RL journalists in Tajikistan, four RFE/RL journalists were beaten, threatened, and had their electronic equipment seized on May 17. The attacks were carried out by unidentified persons allegedly linked to Tajik security services. Mullorajab Yusufi and Barot Yusufi, two journalists with RFE/RLs Tajik Service, were beaten in Tajikistans capital, Dushanbe, after they recorded an interview with Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) activist Ulfatkhonim Mamadshoeva, whom Tajik authorities believe was among the organizers of that weeks violent protests in the GBAO. Mullorajab Yusufi said the attackers "knew the journalists well and deliberately wanted cameras and telephonesOne of them began to threaten me with the words Mullorajab, I swear to God, I will shoot you. The two Yusufis were accompanied to the interview by Current Time TV journalists Anushervon Aripov and Nasim Isamov, who were attacked separately after getting into their vehicle. Young men reached into their car to steal smartphones from the journalists, then dragged the reporters out of the car and forced them to open the trunk, from which they took all electronic equipment. The beatings mark an escalation in a recent online campaign to smear RFE/RLs Tajik Service and its journalists in retaliation for their hard-hitting, balanced journalism. The campaign, appearing primarily on the Vatan Vatanon Facebook site, uses crude manipulated imagery and personally threatening language in an attempt to intimidate and undermine the reputation of the journalists and their family members. Said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly, We strongly condemn the attacks on our journalists in Dushanbe. We have called on the Tajik authorities repeatedly to stop the governments pressure campaign against free media...It is time for the Tajik government to stop trying to undermine independent reporting that benefits the Tajik people. Azerbaijani Journalist Threatened at Knifepoint Azerbaijani journalist Aytan Mammadova, a freelancer for RFE/RL, was attacked with a knife on May 8 by an unknown man who threatened and intimidated her over her coverage of a high-profile murder trial. The attack took place in the elevator in her apartment building. Mammadova filed a report with the Baku police on May 9. "When the elevator doors shut, he grabbed my jaw with one hand and put a knife to my neck with the other hand," Mammadova said of the incident. According to Mammadova, the attacker said to her: "You have not gotten wiser," started cursing her daughter, and warned her "not to write about the case." Mammadova has been covering the ongoing trial of a man suspected of murdering a 10-year-old girl in 2019. She was one of the few journalists who traveled from Baku to Ganja, a city in western Azerbaijan, for almost every court session. In Azerbaijan, the story has caught the public's attention, in part because the suspect on trial has insisted that police tortured him to force him to confess to the murder. AWARDS AND HONORS Vladyslav Yesypenko Awarded PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award On May 23, imprisoned Crimea.Realities correspondent Vladyslav Yesypenko received the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award at the PEN America Literary Gala in New York. His wife Kateryna and their daughter Stefania accepted the award on his behalf. The award was presented by Academy Award-winning actor and UN Ambassador of Peace Michael Douglas, who said: [Yesypenko] is a courageous truth-teller, a patriot, a beloved father and husband. In his work as a journalist, he has sacrificed his own freedom to bring to us the stories and the truths of the people of UkraineAmid the brutal conflict, if ever it was time to understand what it means to defend democracy, the right to live and speak freely, that time is with us now. In her acceptance speech, Kateryna Yesypenko spoke about her husbands plight, sentenced to six years in prison on false charges. She said: My husband has been in prison for 15 months because, and only because, he is a journalist. Vladyslav knew that reporting in Russian-occupied Crimea was dangerous, but he believes that people deserve to know whats going on, to know what the truth is. You can view the PEN America Literary Gala here. Pulitzer Prize Board Honors Ukrainian Journalists The Pulitzer Prize Board awarded a special citation to the journalists of Ukraine for their courage, endurance, and commitment to truthful reporting during Vladimir Putins ruthless invasion of their country and his propaganda war in Russia. In its May 9 announcement, the Board said that Despite bombardment, abductions, occupation, and even deaths in their ranks, they have persisted in their effort to provide an accurate picture of a terrible reality, doing honor to Ukraine and to journalists around the world. View RFE/RLs reporting on Russias war in Ukraine here. OUR PEOPLE IN TROUBLE Memorial Service for Vira Hyrych The memorial service for RFE/RL journalist and producer Vira Hyrych took place at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv on May 3, 2022 World Press Freedom Day. Hyrych was killed in a Russian missile strike on her residential building in Kyiv on April 28. Honoring Hyrychs memory, RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly said in Prague: Our reporting on this senseless, unjust war, which took Viras life, would not have been possible without her. He added: Vira coordinated assignments for all of our field correspondents throughout the war and was key to the remarkable frontline reporting that RFE/RL has done for audiences in Ukraine but reporting that is reaching Russians and others across the world on a daily basis. The last video Hyrych produced told the story of an 87-year-old Ukrainian holocaust survivor and her 94-year-old Russian husband, a retired navy officer, who were evacuated from Mariupol to Kyiv. It was published on May 3. RFE/RLs Imprisoned Journalists Four RFE/RL journalists are currently behind bars, jailed by authoritarian regimes seeking to silence independent journalism. Ihar Losik, Aleh Hruzdzilovich, and Andrey Kuznechyk are imprisoned in Belarus while Vladyslav Yesypenko is serving a prison sentence in Russia-occupied Crimea. You can view this RFE/RL video to learn more about these brave journalists. RFE/RL continues to call for their immediate release. The Day of the Political Prisoner in Belarus May 21 marked the Day of the Political Prisoner in Belarus, commemorating political prisoner Vitold Ashurak, who died on May 21, 2021. Marking the day, EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore wrote an open letter to imprisoned media workers and journalists in Belarus, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all 1200+ political prisoners, among them RFE/RLs Ihar Losik, Aleh Hruzdzilovich and Andrey Kuznechyk. Earlier, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the German Embassy in Minsk wrote letters to 24 imprisoned media representatives in Belarus, also including RFE/RLs three journalists. On May 10, a Minsk court denied an appeal by Hruzdzilovich and upheld his sentence of 18 months in a maximum-security penal colony. The appeal hearing lasted 20 minutes. Hruzdzilovich was arrested on December 23, 2021, and sentenced on March 3, 2022. On June 8, Kuznechyk was sentenced by the Mahilou Regional Court to six years imprisonment in a penal colony. Charged with creation of an extremist formation or participation in it, he was tried swiftly behind closed doors. Kuznechyk was arrested on November 25, 2021. The Belarusian authorities opened a criminal case against him on December 23, 2021, the day that the Interior Ministry added RFE/RLs Belarus Service to its registry of extremist organizations. The charges against Kuznechyk had remained unknown until late May 2022, however, due to a court-imposed gag order. Said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly, Andrey has been sentenced on ludicrous charges in a closed-door trial, which was over in a few hours. It is telling that the charges against him only surfaced in late May, more than six months after he was first arrested. We demand Andreys immediate release. On May 20, Losik turned 30 years old; it was the second consecutive birthday he spent in prison. Arrested on June 25, 2020, in advance of Belarus August 9, 2020, rigged election that returned six-term incumbent Alyaksandr Lukashenka to the presidency, Losik was sentenced on December 14, 2021, to 15 years in prison. Ihar Losik's appeal was heard on May 31 and on June 1, Belarus's Supreme Court rejected his appeal and upheld his 15-year sentence. Said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly, The Belarusian Supreme Courts decision to let stand the cruel and unjust sentence handed down last December to Ihar is deeply disappointing. We will not rest until Ihar is free once again and reunited with his wife Darya and daughter Paulina. Rights groups consider Losik a political prisoner. The United States and the European Union have condemned his sentence. Losiks wife Darya stated that she would not leave Belarus, as her husband was held hostage. The entry into force of the sentence does not mean that my struggle is over. I remain in Belarus and will continue to do everything possible and impossible to achieve my goal with Ihar," she said. PROPAGANDA WE'RE UP AGAINST More Fines Levied Against RFE/RL in Russia RFE/RL was forced to suspend its operations in Russia after local tax authorities demanded that the courts begin bankruptcy proceedings against its Russian entity on March 4, but this has not stopped the Russian state media-monitoring agency Roskomnadzor from issuing new violation protocols and fines against us while also diversifying the grounds on which it does so. As of May 23, Roskomnadzor had issued violation protocols against RFE/RLs Russian LLC and its general director, Russian Service director Andrey Shary, and Russian courts have imposed more than $17,700,000 in fines. Most of the fines 1,044 relate to RFE/RLs long-standing refusal to label content in accordance with foreign agent legislation. More recently, Russian courts have imposed eighty fines in response to Roskomnadzor violation protocols for RFE/RLs refusal to take down content about high-level corruption based on investigations conducted by extremist outlets such as Aleksei Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation or Proekt Media. Newer still are twenty fines worth 20 million rubles ($325,000), issued on June 6 for violations of Russia's post invasion law on dissemination of fake information on the special operation in Ukraine (a.k.a. Russias war against Ukraine). Cited reports included estimates of the number of both civilian and Russian military casualties; Russia has not provided military casualty figures since March. Given RFE/RLs commitment to honest journalism and refusal to comply with Roskomnadzors demands to censor our content, the number of violations and volume of fines can only grow. RFE/RL President Banned in Russia RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly is #826 on the list of 963 American citizens sanctioned by the Russian Foreign Ministry and banned from entering Russia. The list includes six deceased people, including former members of Congress. Fly said on Twitter that he was proud to be included on this list. RFE/RL being attacked by authoritarians is nothing new. We know that history is on the side of the Russian people. Well continue to expand our reporting for Russian audiences at this critical moment. WASHINGTON Andrey Kuznechyk, a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys (RFE/RL) Belarus Service, was sentenced on June 8 to six years in a maximum-security prison on charges of creating or participating in an extremist organization. Kuznechyk, a 43-year-old father of two, was first arrested on November 25, 2021 while on a bike ride near his home in Minsk, and has been in detention ever since. After serving two consecutive 10-day administrative sentences for hooliganism, Belarusian authorities opened a criminal case on unspecified charges against him on December 23, 2021, the day that the Interior Ministry added RFE/RLs Belarus Service to its registry of extremist organizations. The charges against Kuznechyk had remained unknown until late May 2022, however, due to a court-imposed gag order. According to family members, the Mahilou regional court only took a few hours to hear the case on June 8 before the verdict and six-year sentence were handed down. Said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly, Andrey has been sentenced on ludicrous charges in a closed-door trial, which was over in a few hours. It is telling that the charges against him only surfaced in late May, more than six months after he was first arrested. We demand Andreys immediate release. Kuznechyk is one of three RFE/RL journalists currently imprisoned in Belarus. On May 10, a Minsk court denied an appeal by Aleh Hruzdzilovich and upheld his sentence of 18 months in a maximum-security penal colony. Belarus's Supreme Court heard an appeal by Ihar Losik on May 31, rejecting it the following day and upholding his 15-year sentence. RFE/RLs Belarus Service, known locally as Radio Svaboda, with a monthly average of over 33 million visits to its websites and 59 million page views, was first established in 1954 and is a leading provider of news in one of Europes most restrictive societies, defying the governments virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media. About RFE/RL RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 37 million people every week in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 7 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2021. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. --- FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Mike Stankiewicz in Washington (stankiewiczm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6952) Karin Maree in Prague (mareek@rferl.org, +420.221.122.074) In 1940, only 9% of adults had served in the military, but just one decade later, that figure had more than quadrupled to 37%, and peaked at 4 A registered sex offender on parole out of Adair County, Mo., until 2023 and who is living in Clinton was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly handcuffed himself to a woman, choked her and then forced her to perform a sex act on him. Jerod Mathew Reed, also known in court records as Jerod Matthew Reed, 29, is charged with one count of second-degree sexual abuse. The charge is a Class B felony that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Clinton Police Detective Joshua Winter, at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday, Clinton Police officers were sent to a residence in the 700 block of 10th Avenue South to investigate what police described as a threat call. Officers arrived on the scene to meet with a woman who told police that Jerod Reed had kidnapped her, took her debit card and credit card, and threatened to burn down her house. During an interview at the police department, the woman said she had met Reed earlier in the morning. She left with Reed, and they went to his apartment in the 400 block of 6th Avenue South. Once inside the apartment, the woman said that Reed put a handcuff on her and the other he put on himself. The woman said Reed choked her to unconsciousness when she tried to yell for help. The woman said that Reed displayed a green pocket knife in an attempt to threaten her. Reed then forced the woman to perform a sex act on him. During a search of Reeds apartment officers seized the pocket knife and the handcuffs the woman said Reed used. After being read his Miranda rights, Reed requested an attorney. During a first appearance Wednesday in Clinton County District Court, District Associate Judge Kimberly Shepherd scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for June 17, and set bond at $250,000, cash only. Reed was being held Wednesday night in the Clinton County Jail. Reed was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in district court on one count each of eluding, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years, and possession of marijuana-first offense, a serious misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to one year. Clinton County Sheriffs deputies arrested Reed on those charges May 13 after he led them on a chase that ended when police used a PIT maneuver, or pursuit intervention technique, to stop his car, a Chevrolet Cobalt. He also faces numerous traffic offenses in that case that include fraudulent use of registration, no insurance and no valid drivers license. Reed also has a jury trial scheduled for Aug. 15 in district court on a charge of operating while intoxicated for which he was arrested by Clinton Police on Oct. 30, 2021. Reed is currently on parole out of the Missouri Department of Corrections until May 9, 2023. He was convicted March 26, 2012, of two counts of first-degree assault on law enforcement officers for which he was sentenced to 12 years on each count. He also was convicted at that time of armed criminal action, for which he received a prison sentence of seven years, and resisting arrest, for which he received a sentence of three years. On Sept. 4, 2012, Reed was found guilty of misdemeanor second-degree child molestation. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and is required to register as a sex offender. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Chicago police officer who was shot during an attempted traffic stop last week has been released from the hospital. Officer Erik Moreno was greeted by fellow officers, who cheered as he left a Chicago hospital in a wheelchair Sunday afternoon. Moreno was shot June 5 as he and other officers in an unmarked squad car attempted to stop a vehicle they said was driving erratically on the citys South Side, according to police. The officers followed the vehicle into an alley, where they say a man got out and began firing. Officers returned fire, injuring the man. Moreno was the third law enforcement officer shot in Chicago in the span of one week. Flash A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States to take meaningful, concrete actions to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The current situation on the Korean Peninsula has become tense. It must be pointed out that the situation has developed to what it is today primarily due to the flip-flop of U.S. policies, its failure to uphold the results of previous dialogue, and its disregard for the reasonable concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This is an undeniable fact, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. "Where the situation goes from here will depend, to a large extent, on the actions of the United States, and the key lies in whether the United States can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a responsible attitude, and take meaningful, concrete actions," he told a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue. Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid any action that could escalate tensions and lead to miscalculation, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires following the general direction of political settlement, dialogue, and consultation, he said. Historical experience shows that dialogue and consultation are the only viable way to resolve the issue. When dialogue advanced smoothly, positive progress was made; when dialogue was stalled or even backtracked, tensions on the peninsula escalated. Since the DPRK took denuclearization measures in 2018, the U.S. side did not reciprocate, did not address the DPRK's legitimate and reasonable concerns, nor did it demonstrate the necessary sincerity for resolving the issue, said Zhang. There are many things the United States can do, such as easing sanctions on the DPRK in certain areas and ending joint military exercises. The key is action, not just talk about readiness for dialogue with no preconditions, he said. Wednesday's debate was the first of its kind since the General Assembly adopted a resolution on April 26 that allows it to convene automatically when a veto is cast in the Security Council. On May 26, China and Russia vetoed a Security Council draft resolution aimed to impose new sanctions on the DPRK, triggering the General Assembly meeting. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires abandoning the old approach of imposing sanctions and exerting pressure, said Zhang. Sanctions are a means, not an end. The Security Council's harsh sanctions against the DPRK are unprecedented and cover far beyond its nuclear and missile programs, having huge negative impacts on the livelihood of the DPRK people. In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in the DPRK, additional sanctions are neither right nor humane, and will only add to the suffering of the DPRK population, he explained. The Security Council's DPRK-related resolutions are an integral whole and should be implemented in a comprehensive, complete, and accurate manner. Relevant countries should not place one-sided emphasis on the implementation of sanctions. They should also make active efforts to promote a political solution and ease sanctions in due course, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires the Security Council to play a constructive role, said Zhang. Under the current situation, the words and actions of the Security Council and its members should help maintain stability and prevent chaos on the peninsula, restart dialogue and negotiations, and resolve the real humanitarian and livelihood difficulties faced by the DPRK, rather than creating obstacles to this end, he said. In the past, the Security Council had been able to adopt DPRK-related resolutions because all members fully communicated with one another and could ultimately reach consensus. In response to the draft resolution on the DPRK tabled by the United States, China had put forward many reasonable proposals. China hoped the U.S. side would consider seeking a presidential statement rather than a resolution - in a way that could best garner the consensus of Security Council members. This approach was recognized and endorsed by the overwhelming majority of council members. However, the United States, which was the only opponent to the proposal, insisted on pushing for a vote, deliberately creating confrontation and triggering a showdown in the council. Looking at the consensus-lacking U.S. draft, China had no choice but to vote against it. The United States should take responsibility for this result, he said. China always engages in the work of the Security Council in a responsible manner and makes active efforts to maintain unity among council members and promote stronger cooperation among all parties, with a view to fulfilling the duties mandated by the UN Charter, said Zhang. "It must be noted that China takes an extremely cautious and responsible approach to every vote in the Security Council, and bases its judgment on the merits of the matter itself," he said. "What kind of vote China will cast is essentially about whether such a voting will be conducive to solving the problem, maintaining international peace and security, and avoiding greater tensions and disasters." It will be precisely irresponsible and derelict of duty for the Security Council to adopt a resolution without principle, which could result in serious consequences and plunge the countries or regions concerned into a catastrophe, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires upholding the security interests of regional countries, said Zhang. The security of all countries is indivisible, and the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is closely related to the external strategic environment, he said. The United States has recently been making provocations in the Asia-Pacific region, and has been carrying out nuclear submarine cooperation with relevant countries in the region, developing hypersonic weapons, and selling cruise missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, he said. "These moves have completely revealed its double standards and hypocrisy on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation." The United States has been vigorously implementing its Indo-Pacific strategy and strengthening military alliances with relevant regional countries, which aggravates the risks of military confrontation in the region. A certain politician of an individual regional country was clamoring for so-called nuclear sharing with the United States, intentionally reversing the wheels of history on the issue of nuclear weapons, seriously impacting the process of resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and poisoning the regional security environment, said Zhang. "It is not in the interests of any country to stoke bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region. We urge the countries concerned to put regional peace and security first, stop political maneuvering, change course immediately, and create a good environment toward peace and stability on the peninsula," he said. A peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula is the shared expectation of regional countries and the international community. As a close neighbor, China has been closely following developments on the peninsula and has always insisted on maintaining peace and stability there, achieving denuclearization, and resolving the issue through dialogue and consultations. For a long time now, China has been making unremitting efforts to resolve the issue. China's important and constructive role is clear to the entire international community, said Zhang. Under the current circumstances, China hopes that all parties will continue to focus on the big picture, pursue dialogue and consultations, meet each other halfway, explore effective ways to resolve the reasonable concerns of all parties in a balanced manner, and create favorable conditions for the early resumption of meaningful dialogue. Together with the wide UN membership, China is ready to play a constructive role toward this goal, he said. P & J Tender Care, Inc. received the Silver Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois, the state's quality recognition and improvement system for early childhood education and care programs. ExceleRate Illinois helps families make more informed choices about their children's early learning, Jamilah R. Jordan, Ph.D., executive director, Governors Office of Early Childhood Development, said. It establishes standards to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Additionally, it provides a framework for early learning and development professionals to identify opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. Research in science and brain development shows that children who are more meaningfully engaged in early learning experiences from infancy through the first five years of life are more likely to be successful in school and in life. P & J Tender Care, Inc. is located at 4544 3rd St., Moline. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WEST LIBERTY It may not have been all they wanted, but members of Escucha Mi Voz (Hear my Voice) applauded when the West Liberty City Council unanimously approved plans to move forward with a resolution to grant $700 checks to 200 city residents excluded from federal COVID relief funds. During its regular meeting Tuesday, the only dissent heard was from council members Jose Zacarias and Omar Martinez who hoped to distribute $1,400 checks. They said they would continue to advocate for the larger checks leading up to the resolutions first reading and vote during the June 21 meeting. The plan will be paid for with $147,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act money the city received. The checks will make up about 30% of the $522,000 the city received. Half the funds had been requested. West Liberty will become the second city in Iowa to set up a direct payment program. For months, members of Escucha Mi Voz have been asking city and county governments to invest part or all of the money they received from the federal government from ARPA to aid excluded and essential workers immigrant workers who did not get stimulus who have faced health and economic impacts from the COVID-19 health crisis. So far, Johnson County and Iowa City have invested $3.5 million in a new Direct Assistance program, which has come under fire recently for rejecting applicants because of a lack of funding. What we talked about at the meeting is that we agreed upon a percentage that would still allow us to raise funds for some of the other things on our list as well, Dana Dominguez, chair of the finance committee, said. We felt comfortable starting with that, and for the second portion we would appeal to the county to help with another payout. Mayor Katherine McCullough said the city hoped to ask Muscatine County to chip in for the program. Escucha Mi Voz has visited the Muscatine County Supervisors. Dominguez said the city would not be able to enact the program administratively. In speaking to representatives from Escucha Mi Voz, she learned the group had administered a program from Johnson County free of charge. At Tuesdays meeting, about 30 West Liberty residents marched from St. Josephs Catholic Church to attend the meeting at the West Liberty Public Library. In February, a group of about 30 workers held a rally outside the West Liberty City Hall. Even though we dont have much to give, it will still make a big impact for those families who did not get anything, Dominguez said. McCullough said the city wanted to have enough ARPA funds left to try to accomplish other projects citizens needed, such as a mental health and wellness center in the city. Excluded workers seeking help can contact Father Guillermo Trevino or the Catholic Worker House of Iowa City at iowacitycatholicworker.org, emailing iowacitycatholicworker@gmail.com, or calling 515-729-6482. The first of eight people awaiting sentencing in connection with a Quad-City methamphetamine distribution operation has been sentenced to prison for her part in the conspiracy. Chelsey Renae Lira, 31, of Davenport, was sentenced to serve 180 months, or 15 years, in federal prison during a hearing June 1 in U.S. District Court, Davenport. Lira pleaded guilty Jan. 26 to one count each of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. Lira received the minimum sentence on each count, 10 years for the conspiracy conviction, and five years for the weapons conviction. She could have received up to life in prison for each. According to the federal indictment, the conspiracy operated from at least July 1, 2020, and continued until March 29, 2021, when agents with the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group captured a truck that had made a trip to Colorado and returned to the Quad-Cities with a load of meth. From that truck, agents seized 431.8 grams, or just under 1 pound, of crystal methamphetamine. Police have said that the normal dose of methamphetamine is one-tenth of a gram, which means there were 4,318 doses of meth in the truck. Lira was arrested by Davenport Police on Dec. 14, 2020, after a warrant was issued for her arrest. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Officer Robert Myers, at 3:08 a.m. on Nov. 10, 2020, Davenport police made contact with a Black 2006 Mazda 6. When the driver of the Mazda, Lira, saw the marked squad car in the area of the 6200 block of Division Street, she pulled the car onto a side street and fled the vehicle on foot. Officers were unable to locate Lira so they impounded the vehicle and obtained a search warrant. From the Mazda, officers seized 57.85 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 13.95 grams of marijuana, 34 Xanax bars, a loaded 9mm XDS-9 pistol, 9mm and .22-caliber ammunition, packaging materials, drug paraphernalia, two drug ledgers, a digital scale containing meth residue and a purse containing personal items for Lira, and $1,332 in cash. Lira was arrested Dec. 14, 2020, and charged in Scott County District Court with possession with the intent to distribute more than 5 grams of meth, a Class B felony that carries a prison sentence of 25 years, possession of a firearm by a felon, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years, along other charges related to the drugs and weapons seized from the vehicle. According to a news release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, Southern District of Iowa, when Davenport Police arrested Lira they seized an additional 13.61 grams of meth. After bonding out of the Scott County Jail, Lira continued to aid in the trafficking of methamphetamine with the six other people involved in the ring, according to the news released from the Department of Justice. Federal authorities arrested Lira on July 12, 2021, on drug and weapons charges. The charges filed in Scott County District Court were dropped in deference to the federal charges. On Jan. 26, 2022, Lira pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and gun charges. Lira must serve five years on supervised release after she completes her prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Here is the case status of the other seven members of the drug conspiracy according to the electronic records of the U.S. District Court, Davenport: Taylor Christopher Graeber, 24, pleaded guilty March 31 to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-5 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 26. He faces a prison sentence of five to 40 years for the conspiracy conviction and five years to life on the weapons conviction. Joshua John Paarmann, 31, was found guilty by a federal jury on May 25 of one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, two counts of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24. Karley Ann Smith, 28, pleaded guilty March 22 to one count each of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance-50 grams or more of methamphetamine. She is scheduled to be sentenced July 26. Joshua Steven Ennis, 39, pleaded guilty May 9 to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-50 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. Ennis faces a prison sentence of 10 years to life for the conspiracy conviction, and maximum prison sentence of 10 years on each of the weapons convictions. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 30. Donnie Wayne Robinson Jr., 35, pleaded guilty April 12 to one count each of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. He faces a prison sentence of 10 years to life for the conspiracy conviction, and five years to life for the firearms conviction. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 29. Robert Stanley Nelson III, 41, pleaded guilty March 31, to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a prison sentence of 10 years to life. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 26. Theodore Thomas Browne, 50, pleaded guilty March 9 to conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance-50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a prison sentence of 10 years to life. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 29. The case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department and the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group. Love 0 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A registered sex offender on parole out of Adair County, Mo., until 2023 and who is living in Clinton was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly handcuffed himself to a woman, choked her and then forced her to perform a sex act on him. Jerod Mathew Reed, also known in court records as Jerod Matthew Reed, 29, is charged with one count of second-degree sexual abuse. The charge is a Class B felony that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Clinton Police Detective Joshua Winter, at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday, Clinton Police officers were sent to a residence in the 700 block of 10th Avenue South to investigate what police described as a threat call. Officers arrived on the scene to meet with a woman who told police that Jerod Reed had kidnapped her, took her debit card and credit card, and threatened to burn down her house. During an interview at the police department, the woman said she had met Reed earlier in the morning. She left with Reed, and they went to his apartment in the 400 block of 6th Avenue South. Once inside the apartment, the woman said that Reed put a handcuff on her and the other he put on himself. The woman said Reed choked her to unconsciousness when she tried to yell for help. The woman said that Reed displayed a green pocket knife in an attempt to threaten her. Reed then forced the woman to perform a sex act on him. During a search of Reeds apartment officers seized the pocket knife and the handcuffs the woman said Reed used. After being read his Miranda rights, Reed requested an attorney. During a first appearance Wednesday in Clinton County District Court, District Associate Judge Kimberly Shepherd scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for June 17, and set bond at $250,000, cash only. Reed was being held Wednesday night in the Clinton County Jail. Reed was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in district court on one count each of eluding, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years, and possession of marijuana-first offense, a serious misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to one year. Clinton County Sheriffs deputies arrested Reed on those charges May 13 after he led them on a chase that ended when police used a PIT maneuver, or pursuit intervention technique, to stop his car, a Chevrolet Cobalt. He also faces numerous traffic offenses in that case that include fraudulent use of registration, no insurance and no valid drivers license. Reed also has a jury trial scheduled for Aug. 15 in district court on a charge of operating while intoxicated for which he was arrested by Clinton Police on Oct. 30, 2021. Reed is currently on parole out of the Missouri Department of Corrections until May 9, 2023. He was convicted March 26, 2012, of two counts of first-degree assault on law enforcement officers for which he was sentenced to 12 years on each count. He also was convicted at that time of armed criminal action, for which he received a prison sentence of seven years, and resisting arrest, for which he received a sentence of three years. On Sept. 4, 2012, Reed was found guilty of misdemeanor second-degree child molestation. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and is required to register as a sex offender. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Scott County Sheriff's office has released the name of the man killed in a June 8 shootout with Davenport police. He is Jason James Morales, 45, of Davenport. The officer's name will not be released until an investigation is completed, the Sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday. Morales died early Wednesday after being shot during an encounter with Davenport police officers. At 12:48 a.m., at least one uniformed officer responded to the Caseys Convenience Store, 1691 W. 53rd St., Davenport, to investigate a report of a suspicious person tampering with the air conditioning unit on the side of the building, according to a news release from the Davenport Police Department. The officer found Morales and checked to see if he was wanted on any warrants, the release states. He was, but those details have not been released. Police say a confrontation ensued between the man and the officer, and both fired shots. The man was hit by gunfire and pronounced dead at an area hospital. Police say the officer was also injured, but the injuries were not considered life threatening. The Scott County Sheriffs Office and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation will investigate the shooting. Morales does have felony convictions on his record, though the most recent, a Rock Island County case, was from 2019. Morales was living in Hillsdale at the time and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver cannabis as part of an agreement with prosecutors. In return, they reduced the severity of the charge from a Class X felony to a Class 1. The initial charging document stated he knowingly manufactured more than 5,000 grams (almost 11 pounds) of a substance containing cannabis. He was sentenced to four years in an Illinois Department of Corrections prison and two years of supervised release upon completion of the prison term, court records state. The most recent Scott County felony conviction for Morales was for a 2009 case, according to court records. In that case, he was initially charged with four counts of forgery. He pleaded guilty to two of those counts as part of a plea agreement with the Scott County Attorneys Office. The other two counts were dismissed. He was sentenced to up to five years in an Iowa Department of Corrections prison, but the sentence was suspended as long as Morales completed three years of probation. He completed that probation in 2013. Morales also has a felony conviction from 2006 in Scott County and two more from 2003, all related to thefts. Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 3 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Taking the helm of Davenports violence-intervention strategy, DeAmbuir Carter didn't waste time getting started. In her first week in May, Carter, who has logged 11 years of experience in corrections for the 7th Judicial District, completed training from John Jay College and helped bring messaging to three people face-to-face who had connections to violence. Thats the core mission of Davenports new Group Violence Intervention strategy, which the city proposed after a record amount of gunfire in 2020. Started in other cities like South Bend, Ind., and more recently, Cedar Rapids, city officials say the strategy focuses on the fraction of a percent of the population thats driving violence in a city by delivering a credible moral message against violence, enlisting community members, social service organization leaders, and law enforcement to talk face-to-face with residents identified as members of informal groups that drive violence. We go out to the high-risk individuals and say, Listen, we know that you're involved in these types of activities, the violence, and we're here to help you, Carter said. As part of Carter's job, a two-year grant-funded position, she'll find and coordinate messengers, track data on the program, and coordinate resources to address participants challenges, such as housing, physical and mental health care, and substance abuse, according to the city. National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College, an organization that came up with the approach in an effort to reduce violence, trained a group of about 40 people in law enforcement, nonprofits, and community members in Davenport in May. They tried to contact five people soon after in Davenport, and reached three. For each contact, called custom notifications, a small group of people attends one or more law enforcement officers, social service representatives, and community members. In one contact, Carter attended alongside Dwayne Hodges, founder of nonprofit Quad Cities Minority Expo, and pastor of Redeemed Voices Worship Center. At first, Hodges said, the young man they contacted initially responded angrily to the officers at the door, but the situation quickly turned around. He initially got angry at the police, but then I stepped in and I started talking to him, and then we have another person that works with Family Resources, and she stepped in and started talking, Hodges said, emphasizing that he faced some similar challenges early in life. By the time we were done, he was not only shaking our hands, but he was shaking the polices hands because we kept reiterating to him that we want him to stay alive and out of prison. We don't want to see you be a victim of violence. Carter grew up in and lives in Davenport. She's been a residential officer and a probation and parole officer for the 7th Judicial District, where she worked with people on parole to connect them with substance abuse treatment, mental health services if needed, and help them gradually reenter society, she said, skills which translate to her new job as a coordinator. You have these individuals in the community who are connected to these crimes, and obviously, they need some help, she said. They need resources, they need a way to get out of the situation that they're in. Part of Carters job will be keeping track of recidivism, meaning keeping track if the people they contact commit a crime. She said, so far, and its only been a few weeks, the three people they contacted have not cropped up. Looking ahead, Carter and Hodges said theyre hoping to get more and more people involved. DeAmbuir said she was hopeful, excited, and passionate about the new strategy. She attended a training in South Bend, Indiana, a city that has been implementing the strategy for eight years. "I'm hopeful this will decrease gun violence so less of our young Black men are going to prison or worse, being killed," she said. Hodges said the more community members, like him, that are involved, the more possible connections people may have to the people they're trying to contact. "We get the person's name and then we may know their parents," Hodges said. "We may know their grandparents, we may know somebody that they're involved or engaged with, and we're able to say OK, I have a relationship with this person already. Let me go try to talk to them. " The more people that are involved with this program, the better it's going to be in changing what's been going on in our community," Hodges added. "I mean, nobody here has told me theyre pleased with all the shots-fired incidents. The only way we can change that is we have to do something. We have to be involved in what's going on in order for that stuff to change. Love 5 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Aiming to provide the most advanced breast imaging tools, the Genesis Medical Center opened a newly remodeled center for breast health at the Genesis Medical Campus in Silvis. The Genesis Center for Breast Health, Silvis, offers comprehensive breast care including screening, diagnosis and surgeries. It also provides 3D mammography, breast ultrasound and breast MRI. Dr. Angela Stork, a surgeon at Genesis, said it would help make the process simple for breast cancer and provide as many resources as possible. The is the first Genesis location in Illinois to offer breast MRI. Nicole Olinger, a radiologist for over 20 years at Genesis, recalled how no amount of time working in radiology could have prepared her for a breast cancer diagnosis in 2020. It was already the year of COVID and a little bit crazy, Olinger said. Then on top of it, I had to get breast cancer so it was a whirlwind. With no family history of breast cancer, Olinger said her general practitioner advised she did not need to start having breast cancer screenings until 40. The more she thought about a few friends who passed away from breast cancer at an early age, she decided to schedule a baseline screening as soon as possible instead of waiting until she was 41, 42 or older. When her results first came back, Olinger said she was in denial and that an MRI found dense tissue revealing an early form of breast cancer. That baseline screening probably saved my life, Olinger said. Keeping a positive outlook, Olinger said the process for her took about a month from her original diagnosis. Olinger said she sat down with Stork as soon as she could to ask questions and discuss all her treatment options. Olinger chose a double mastectomy surgery to avoid coming back for testing and worrying about if the cancer was going to return. Im very pleased with my care and the outcome, Olinger said. Im happy to be healthy and to have had great support from my family, friends and my co-workers. The health center seeks to provide physicians with the latest imaging and screening procedures to help diagnose and treat cancer as soon as possible. Stork said if a patient needed to have diagnostic imaging done, a biopsy could be performed and radiologists could get the results to the patient as quickly as possible so they could schedule a referral for their next steps. "As you can all imagine, being diagnosed with breast cancer is one of the worst experiences of a woman's life," Stork said. Over the past year, Stork said they have treated 70 to 80 patients with breast cancer and expect to see even more patients since screenings are becoming more advanced and catching breast cancers at an earlier stage. The grand opening of the center was Thursday, June 9. The center will address concerns such as benign breast pain and lumps and counsel those who are at high risk for breast cancer. It might be scary to think about what you might learn, Olinger said. But in the grand scheme of things, its way more important to get it done and to keep up with things. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO - Another five women have filed lawsuits alleging that a former NorthShore University HealthSystem obstetrician/gynecologist sexually assaulted them as patients with the allegations spanning three decades. The women filed six lawsuits in recent weeks in Cook County Circuit Court against Dr. Fabio Ortega. Ortega pleaded guilty in October to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving two of his former patients. Ortega, 75, is now in prison. Attempts to reach Ortegas attorney for comment were unsuccessful Thursday. Ortega now faces more than a dozen lawsuits, with many of those lawsuits also naming NorthShore as a defendant and others naming Swedish Hospital as a defendant, said Tamara Holder, an attorney representing the women. The lawsuits allege the hospital systems failed to protect patients from Ortega, who worked for Swedish before moving to NorthShore, and Swedish has since become part of NorthShore. NorthShore has already settled several other lawsuits filed against it and Ortega, Holder said. Since this is a pending legal matter, we are unable to comment on any individual claims, NorthShore said in a statement Thursday. We take such matters seriously and have thorough processes in place to review and respond to any such patient allegations. The women who filed the recent lawsuits, who are referred to in the suits as Jane Does 33 through 37, allege that, in some cases, Ortega asked them inappropriate questions during their visits and, in all cases, sexually assaulted them. They all realized they had been sexually assaulted after seeing news reports about Ortega pleading guilty to sexual abuse last year, according to the complaints. The alleged incidents in the new lawsuits occurred over decades, beginning in the 1990s. One woman is 29 and lives in Norridge; another is 55 in Waukegan; another 41 in Chicago; another 67 in Evanston; and the last is 38 in Elk Grove Village. Ortega engaged in a pattern or practice of disguising his sexual assaults as necessary medical care through a variety of techniques, according to the complaints. The lawsuits allege that NorthShore and Swedish should have known what Ortega was doing, such as through patient surveys or through red flags such as an unusual number of pelvic exams performed by Ortega. Several of the lawsuits allege that between at least 2012 and 2017, NorthShore received at least six complaints from female patients of Ortegas saying that he engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct or otherwise made them feel uncomfortable. NorthShore failed to conduct reasonable and/or competent investigations into these complaints, according to the lawsuits. In February 2017, the Skokie police notified NorthShore that they were conducting a criminal investigation into whether Ortega had sexually assaulted patients, yet NorthShore continued to schedule patients for Ortega for the next six months, according to the lawsuits. NorthShore has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the end of Ortegas employment. Ortega was arrested in September 2018 by Skokie police and originally charged with one count of criminal sexual assault. Ortegas medical license was also suspended in 2018 for engaging in sexual misconduct with (a) patient of his practice, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Ortega pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving two of his former patients in October and was sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for 170 days that hed already been under electronic monitoring. During that court hearing, one of Ortegas former patients described suffering from depression and anxiety, saying, Im a shell of my former self. The Tribune does not name victims of sexual abuse without their permission. In October, Ortega told the court: As a physician, I have never intended to hurt anyone. Never, never. I sincerely apologize to the women who felt that I acted inappropriately. The lawsuits seek damages in excess of $50,000 each and attorneys fees. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO - Patricia Sanchez, 44, said she was one of the last of a group of employees to stop working for their employer after they went weeks and weeks and weeks without getting paid. She was hired by Ultio Crati Inc. in April 2020 to help produce cloth face masks in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, and did so until September of that year. She said in the beginning, everything was fine, and she got her first couple of paychecks for her work, but then the payments stopped. This made an incredible economic impact and emotional stress too, Sanchez said. When youre told that youre going to get a check and you dont. Youre working for your family and cant make it. Sanchez is one of 15 former employees of Ultio Crati who filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the company alleging several violations of state and federal law as well as a city ordinance relating to minimum, overtime and earned wages. Ada Sandoval, a staff attorney with Raise the Floor Alliance, who is representing the former workers along with the National Legal Advocacy Network, said each worker is owed thousands of hours. Sandoval said the company falsely advertised the masks by saying they were made ethically on the website. A representative from Ultio Crati Inc. could not be reached for comment. Sanchez, Sandoval and others spoke about the lawsuit, filed about a week ago, at a news conference at Arise Chicago Tuesday, which included other workers and their family members. Sanchez said she was offered the job making face masks for $15 an hour, working 48 hours a week, which would come out to $720 a week. Her job, she said, was to prepare materials, including cutting elastics and little pieces of metal for the masks. We all contributed doing different parts of the process, she said. The group of employees decided they were not going to work anymore because we were not going to be working so hard only to be giving our work away, she said. She said the reason why she stuck it out a little longer than her co-workers, however, was because she still believed in her employer. I was still believing that we were going to be paid, she said. Sanchez said she asked about getting paid, and received one reason after another as to why the money wasnt coming, such as an ATM withdrawal limit of $500, or that lines at the bank were too long to wait. Elva Martinez-Gonzalez, 50, said after payments stopped, the group kept working because they needed the money and believed it would be forthcoming. We had that need, and they abused us, she said. They abused our needs and our trust in them. We believed they were honest, and they abused us and they abused people who needed masks. She said the job was hard as the group would produce some 4,800 masks each week. At one point when the group asked why they werent being paid, they were told that they were not being honest about the number of masks they were making. Martinez-Gonzalez said it was a difficult time because their employers were the ones who were not being honest. Besides not being paid for the hours she worked, she said she was also never compensated for all the materials she and several others had to buy with their own money. We were promised many things but they didnt fulfill their promises nor their responsibilities as employers, she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation has been scarce with information regarding its investigation into a shooting on May 31 in which a Rapid City police shot a local woman multiple times during a failed traffic stop. DCI is a department of the Attorney General's office. The Journal spoke with Tim Bormann, spokesperson for DCI, on Monday after multiple attempts of contact after the shooting. Bormann said the investigation is ongoing and a 30-day timeline from start to finish is typical, but he would ask investigators where they are at in the investigation. He has yet to call back or return attempts from the Journal to contact him. Bormann also said he would check with investigators regarding the name and condition of the 31-year-old woman, who was taken to the hospital after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. "Last I heard would have been last week, Thursday or Friday, still, at that point in time, they said stable," Bormann said on Monday. "Last I heard, she was still in the hospital." The Journal asked Bormann if the officers present during the shooting had returned to work. Bormann directed the Journal to the RCPD. "I have no idea. That is an RCPD issue. DCI has no say in that," he said. "DCI is only investigating the incident that led to the shooting." RCPD spokesman Brendyn Medina said one officer, who was present but not directly involved in the shooting, went back to work the next day. The other returned on Monday. Medina said the officers returned after meeting with the department's in-house psychologist. During the press conference following the shooting, Police Chief Don Hedrick said it is standard protocol for officers to be on administrative leave until a psychologist has been able to work with them. Bormann said Monday that charges usually come about after an investigation is complete, so he is not aware if the woman or any officers have been charged. "At this point in time I have no information on any charges," Bormann said Monday. A failed traffic stop led to the shooting on May 31 after a woman attempted to drive at an officer with her car, the Rapid City Police Department reported the morning of the incident. RCPD officers were working in the area of Lacrosse and Waterloo streets in Rapid City when they attempted to pull a vehicle over. The vehicle did not stop but instead continued to drive at a low speed, Police Chief Don Hedrick said at a press conference on May 31 at Terra Street and South Valley Drive at Terra Mobile Home Estates where police shot the woman. Law enforcement closed off the area around the scene where two police cruisers flanked the sedan, which was still there during the press conference. The passenger-side window had bullet holes in it and the drivers side window was completely gone. Pieces of the window could be seen on the ground near the drivers side. Hedrick told reporters that after police attempted to stop the vehicle for an equipment violation, a passenger jumped out of the vehicle. DCI could not provide information on if the person has been located, and Medina said that finding the person would require a conversation with the woman who was shot, something that he said has not been able to occur. The vehicle continued and then the driver threw something out of the window. Hedrick said he was not aware of what that item was or if it had been found. The vehicle continued toward the Cambell Street area, and officers attempted a tactical vehicle intervention. Its something officers use to try and get a vehicle to spin out in a controlled manner. They attempted to utilize that tactic. It did not work, Hedrick said. The vehicle then continued onto Saint Patrick Street, turned onto South Valley Drive and then pulled into Terra Mobile Home Estates on Terra Street. An officer attempted to pin the vehicle, which means it was trying to approach the vehicle with the officer's vehicle to stop it. At that point the vehicle spun and drove in the direction of the police officer. At that point, the officer fired several rounds at the car, fired several shots at the vehicle, striking the driver several times. At that point the vehicle stopped and the driver ceased any sort of action, Hedrick said. After the shooting, the RCPD turned the scene over to the Pennington County Sheriff's Office until DCI arrived and began its investigation. Contact Shalom Baer Gee at sgee@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Flash Seven founding states of the Arctic Council issued a joint statement on Wednesday to resume circumpolar cooperation without Russia. Previously, Canada, Finland, Iceland, the Kingdom of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the United States suspended their participation in the Arctic Council against Russia, another founding state of the circumpolar cooperation platform. Since March 3, representatives from these states have examined modalities to allow a resumption of the work of the Arctic Council, the statement said. "We intend to implement a limited resumption of our work in the Arctic Council on projects that do not involve the participation of the Russian Federation," the statement said. "These projects, contained in the work plan approved by all 8 Arctic states at the Reykjavik ministerial, are a vital component of our responsibility to the peoples of the Arctic, including Indigenous peoples." According to the statement, the seven countries continue to examine additional modalities to allow them to further continue the council's important work. The inconsistent weather that has plagued the Black Hills area recently is predicted to give way to a stretch of pleasant temperatures and sunny skies heading into the weekend and through next week. And, from a fishing perspective, the balmy weather should allow water temps in area lakes to climb back into levels more receptive to an active fish bite. In area creeks, the stretch of good weather should allow water levels to stabilize, and clear up some of the stained water created by runoff from recent rains allowing for easier access to the hungry trout in Black Hills streams. Though the recent weather negatively affected fishing to some extent, reports have remained fairly positive, with walleye activity continuing at Orman and Angostura, trout and a mix of other species in higher elevation lakes and trout action staying on the busy side in area streams. All in all, at least for the moment, the month of June appears to be settling into a nice pattern conducive to fishing and other outdoor activities. With that very positive perspective in mind, heres a brief review at whats been happening on the fishing front in recent days. Angostura Reservoir: Walleye activity is reportedly steady, a much welcome situation considering the dismal bite of the last few years. Fish are situated shallow, 10-15 feet, and responding to a variety of presentations from jigs and minnows to spinner baits and bottom bouncers with crawlers. Smallmouth bass activity reported as well. Belle Fourche Reservoir (Orman): The weather continues to exert a considerable influence on the walleye bite in the lake. Anglers have been finding action plenty of overs, some slots, and much fewer unders when water temps climb to acceptable levels. And then cooler, rainy weather intrudes, drops temps, and the bite falls as well. Walleye are typically located in 12-15 feet of water and responding to bottom bouncers and minnows or worms. White bass have also been active. Black Hills Area Streams: Water levels have improved as recent rains have raised levels, though waters can be stained which has impacted dry fly-fishing opportunities. Rapid, Spearfish and Castle Creeks are all fishing well. Nymph fishing remains excellent and streamer fishing has improved as well. Curlew Lake: Depending upon recent reports, either a dead sea or a source for occasional nice catches of bass and panfish. Make your own history. Custer State Park Lakes: Catches of trout reported in most locations with fish receptive to a variety of presentations. Center lake reportedly stands out as an active source. Deerfield Reservoir: More of the same. Reports are few and far between. Likely, the perch action is probably a go-to option, particularly for boaters with electronics able to locate fish and work proper depths. Lakota Lake: Excellent trout bite in progress, including a mix of nice-sized specimens. Also, bluegill and perch are active as well. Nightcrawlers worked near the bottom has been working best. Pactola Reservoir: Perch bite has picked up recently, and trout action continue to be steady. Action is scattered though Veterans Point and south marina area have been consistent producers. Occasional pike activity (chubs and smelt) as well as lake trout at depths. Roubaix Lake: Trout activity most days. Shadehill Reservoir: Reports of walleye activity remain positive though preponderance of fish caught are on the small side. Crawlers recommended. Sheridan Lake: Trout and panfish activity has been steady, particularly from boats. Perch and largemouth bass bites are normal. Minnows, crawlers and spinner baits are all producing action. Tisdale Lake: Pike activity reported though bite has been inconsistent as fish are scattered. Lake Oahe: Walleye bite on the upper stretches of the Missouri remains excellent with limits the rule rather than exception. Activity is picking up at locations farther south particularly in the mouth of the Cheyenne and Spring and Cow Creeks. Fish remain shallow for the most part (10 feet or less) and minnows remain the best option though crawlers are starting to work as water temps climb. Also, salmon have been showing up at depths 60-70 feet on down riggers. Lake Sharpe: Excellent walleye action throughout the system. Fish are shallow (10-12 feet of water) and responding to minnows and nightcrawlers. With temps warming, the docks can be busy particularly on the weekends, an encouragement to perhaps plan midweek excursions if possible. Lake Francis Case: Walleye activity has improved in Chamberlain area as water temps improve. Fish are shallow (10-15 feet of water) and have been responding to minnows, small spinners and crankbaits. Small mouth bass action reported as well. Platte area has been busier with plentiful walleye activity as well as smallmouth bass. Similar action at points south on crankbaits and bottom bouncers. Area Fishing Tournaments First Fathers Day Tournament conducted by Fall River Swim Team: Angostura Reservoir, June 17 th and 18 th . Three-person teams ($120). Registration is 6 p.m., Friday, June 17 th at picnic shelter, Call Stacy Reetz (605-890-1484) for additional details. and 18 . Three-person teams ($120). Registration is 6 p.m., Friday, June 17 at picnic shelter, Call Stacy Reetz (605-890-1484) for additional details. First Annual Wild Walleye Outfitters Fall Brawl: October 8-9, Belle Fourche Reservoir: 60 team limit; registration form available on Wild Walleye Outfitters website or call Kevin Vaughn (605-519-4286) for more information. For State Wide Fishing Tournaments, visit South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website: gfp.sd.gov/events/. Dakota Angler & Outfitter, 513 Seventh St., Rapid City; The Rooster, 1441 W. Main St., Rapid City; Wheel in Bait Shop, 18696 Fishermans Road, Fruitdale, and West Prairie Resort, 28354 182nd, Pierre (605-264-5303) have contributed to this report. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Editor's note: This is the third in a four-part series talking with former Rapid City Daily Journal employees and what they remember from their perspective covering the 1972 flood. Some memories stay with you forever. Thats especially true for Marcia Mitchell, formerly Marcia Donnan, who worked as the Womens Editor for the Rapid City Journal and was one of only two women in the newsroom. Sally Farrar being the other. In the job, Mitchell was responsible for the Sunday womens section. Mitchell described it as a society section looking at fashion, bridal sections and some material especially interesting to women. While that was her responsibility, that didnt stop Mitchell from also regularly covering news reporting such as issues affecting the Pine Ridge Reservation or drug use in Rapid City. On that Thursday, one day before the June 9, 1972 Black Hills flood, Mitchell had met with Salvation Army Major George William Medley and his wife Captain Joy Medley to work on a large enterprise story of the various services the Medleys were hoping to implement in Rapid City. That Friday morning, Bill and his wife started to attempt to go up to the Salvation Army camp, which I believe was about a dozen miles west of the city on (Highway) 44. And the National Guard turned them around, and they went back to town, Mitchell said. Typical of them, they decided that they really needed to get back to town and help people. When the Medleys returned to town they opened up the Salvation Army Chapel along Rapid Creek and before long, the water started to fill inside the chapel to the point where Joy Medley took some older women who sought refuge inside and left for higher ground. Typical of Bill, he went and jumped into the truck and went into town, to try to see what he could do to help, Mitchell said. And that very night, he was in the process of rescuing some people. In fact, the story is that he was holding a baby in his arms, and had put people in a truck, I think was a truck or a van. And then the water hit them. And he had saved people, but he was lost. Mitchell said it left her with a disturbing feeling having just been with him making plans about how this story and all the plans he had to help the people of Rapid City. He was a wonderful man. But that's a memory that is very strong with me because we had spent so much time planning and to see his vision for helping people in that area and then have that vision just shattered, she said. While doing a series on foster care, Mitchell said there was one family she had come to know who had lived on State Highway 44 near the fish hatchery. The family, who lived in a two-story colonial-style home, were forced up to their attic as the water in Spring Creek began to rise. In the window in the attic, they looked at the house right next door and the people there had climbed out on the roof of their house, Mitchell said. They were watching the people on the roof when the House pulled away from its foundation and was swept away. This big house turned on its side on Spring Creek and was gone. Just to speak with people who had seen something like that was an incredible experience. It's an experience for those people to see it and then to tell it, and then to live with it. It's not easy. That was one of the things that remains with me is being with those people. 'So many obits' The Monday following Friday nights devastation, Mitchell said she took over as an obituary writer for a brief period, because we had so many obits to do on Monday after the flood. While working, a woman friend of Mitchells came into the Journals office, stood in front of her desk, and handed Mitchell a handwritten page. It was an obituary for the friends husband and daughter. She told me that she and her husband and their two children, a boy and a girl, were listening to the radio and waiting, they were thinking maybe we don't have to evacuate. We'll wait and see if there's an evacuation order. And suddenly, there was an evacuation order, Mitchell said They had their car packed and the car was in the driveway and ready to go. They went out to get in the car and a wall of water hits them. "She grabbed her daughter's hands and held tightly, but she couldn't hold the child against the weight of the water, the force of the water, and the child was washed away. As Mitchells friend talked about the loss of her husband and daughter, she also said they had not yet found her son. She said, Marcia, I will have to bring you his obituary because I can't do it yet. They haven't found my boy. And as it turned out, they found her boy in a tree. He was alive. But it was stories like that, Mitchell said. They were just one after the other. Like a war zone On June 26, 1972, the Journal put together its first comprehensive special edition featuring a cumulative report on its flood coverage the prior two weeks. For Mitchell, it was an honor for her to lead the front page of that edition with a column with the headline Its rather like war isnt it? As Mitchell described it in her column, It seems safe to say that no person in the city or in the surrounding communities of the Black Hills was untouched by the disaster. While later commending the acts of heroism of the community, From the first hours of the disaster, volunteer efforts have been of incredible magnitude, Mitchell detailed. As noted by the Journals City Editor Jack Weaver at the time, in a special story on how to put out a newspaper following a disaster, Were experts at the Rapid City Journal we did it once, none of us cares to become any more an expert. An Editors Note included throughout that edition noted that There were too many heart-touching stories in Rapid City during the flood and the Journal couldnt begin to round up or report all of them. Teamwork and sharing news As the Journal shared stories reported on from various news outlets who had traveled to Rapid City to cover the devastation, including the Associated Press, the Minneapolis Star and Minneapolis Tribune, and the Denver Post, among others. Mitchell said she had never seen the newsroom work so hard or as one big team to get the news out during that time. Everybody was so dedicated to getting the paper out. Working long extra hours, without any regard for the clock, she said. Reporters, photographers and editors were out in the streets standing in water talking to people to hear how they had been impacted by the storm. Reporters didnt have the traditional competitiveness that might happen fighting over a front page story or sticking to their specific reporting beats. Everybody did what they could to help. Nobody was criticizing, nobody was pushing, it was just everybody going full bore. And it was remarkable to see the effort put into getting a newspaper out, Mitchell said. But I thought it was so amusing that they were scooping water out of the toilets to use for (processing) film. That papers edition had reached up to 229 victims identified. While the final tally of victims would reach 238, Mitchell said that the daily reports the Journal kept made her realize how difficult it must have been for families to learn their loved ones had died from the news. The thing that was so unreal was it came out every day, there'd be more and more names on that list. It was not possible for the authorities to notify next of kin that this loved one had been found dead. It was not possible to get that information out personally, she said. So people were learning that their loved one was lost by hearing the name read over the radio or seeing it printed in the newspaper, Mitchell said. It reminded me so much of those desperate people in the Civil War waiting for news. In 1973, Mitchell was named the National Press Woman of the Year during a ceremony held in Michigan. Following her time with the Journal, Mitchell would join Gov. Richard Kneips staff as the Secretary of Labor. She was the first female member of the South Dakota Governors Cabinet and the only woman in the country in the role of Secretary of Labor. Now, after much success in the broadcasting and film arts, Mitchell is a successful non-fiction writer who likes to split her time in the Black Hills and the British West Indian island of Montserrat. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A night of terror was punctuated with a night of miracles for Warren and Patty Sessink, recalling a dark night 50 years ago defined by three distinct occurrences that made the difference between life and death. The first was a roadblock. Warren was on his way home from work at the Rapid City K-Mart on a hot and humid evening in June. He didnt remember a lot of rain, just the heat. He left at 6 p.m. on the dot a time that would make all the difference. He headed up the highway to Rapid Canyon like any other evening. He found the entrance flanked with police cars the first indication that this night would be different. He wasnt sure why, but they were preparing to stop letting traffic in. Warren was the last car through. Had he left work one minute later, that would have been a different car. While he didnt realize it at the moment, his timing may have saved his wifes life. Patty was nearly nine months pregnant and at home with their 17-month-old son Brian. Patty later admitted that had Warren not made it back to them that evening, she never would have left the house. But Warren did make it through and back to Patty for what began as a pleasant evening meal, consisting of leftovers from Warrens birthday dinner two days earlier. With no warning systems or blaring alerts, it was the Sessinks garbage cans that sounded the alarm that night. The racket of their garbage cans crashing along with charging water startled them. It sort of shook me up, Warren said. Prompted to look out the window, Warren and Patty saw rain coming down in buckets, laced with lightning and thunder. Patty gauged their evolving perspective that night through her tomato plants, the baseline for a priority meter of sorts. She had planted tomatoes earlier that day, and as the rain fell, her first thought was for her plants. Theyd be ruined. As the night progressed, so did their concerns. By 7 p.m., concern had grown from the tomatoes to the house. And it wasnt much longer till the house didnt matter, Warren said. It was their lives. 'We're going' Their neighbors were undeterred, using the past three or four decades as a barometer of what they thought was harmless rain. One said she was going to curl up with a book and go to sleep. Warren made a different call. That was miracle number two, they said. He was the only one in their entire neighborhood convinced they had to get to higher ground. He said, 'Get a sturdy pair of shoes. Get Brian. And we're going,' Patty said. The car was no longer an option, so they set out on foot. Warren grabbed their son Brian and we just climbed up, he said. They followed their street back out to the main road along the highway, spotting some property with a guesthouse. While not much higher than their own house, it was on higher ground. There was room in the inn, and the owners happily obliged, Warren said, providing what would prove to be a temporary respite. As they waited, they noticed the water beginning to recede. A deceptive omen, Warren decided to venture back down to their own house and survey the damage, leaving Patty and their two children in the guesthouse. He found four inches of mud caked to their floors, and a neighbor to swap complaints with. They talked about the gnarly cleanup to come until Warren noticed the water was rising again. His only thought now was getting back to Patty. The water continued to rise as he waded back uphill toward the guesthouse. On his way back, the Sessinks third miracle occurred Warren looked up. Not just up the road, but higher. He happened to spy light floating in the distance, high above the guesthouse. National Guardsman risks everything They were flashlights. And they belonged to members of the National Guard. I think wed better get out of here, Warren told Patty. The water was rising too quickly. Warren looked to the flashlights. He went outside, waded across the water, and yelled. Trying to get their attention, he screamed over the crashing debris and pouring rain that he had a nine-months-pregnant woman in the house and they needed to get out. He convinced one of the guardsmen to come down a lifesaver, Patty, said. The guard risked his life to cross the water and come down to meet them at the guesthouse. I said to Patty, just hang on to him, Warren said. The rain was coming down hard and the water was chest-high, Patty said. She remembered stepping down off the porch of the guesthouse, uncertain if shed be able to touch bottom. They clung to anything they could for dear life the guard, fencing anything that would help them maintain their footing. One wrong step, they said, and theyd have been uprooted by the crashing debris and swallowed by the water, with no second chances. Lightning strikes revealed debris from dislodged houses and trees charging through the water. What Warren described as a huge, steep hill lay between them and the safe haven where hed first spied the flashlights. Two guardsmen hoisted Patty up, arms under her elbows, pushing as fast as they could. Safely at the top, Patty remembered a moment that felt like eternity she didnt see Warren. She didnt know where he was, or their son Brian. Time froze as her mind spun around endless possibilities. I looked around, and there he was, she said, relief in her voice, as if itd happened moments ago. I was so relieved, because I thought he might have been taken in the water. He had Brian safely in tow. Safely on higher ground, their thoughts now turned to getting Patty to a hospital. The National Guard had a jeep, and decided to make a go of it. They didnt get far. Both Warren and Patty fought back tears as they paused, remembering what came next. A wall of water We heard that a 15-foot wall of water was coming, Warren said. Strangers approaching the jeep painted a bleak picture, warning of people trapped on rooftops down below, screaming for help. Warren and Patty figured theyd made it out of the canyon with minutes to spare. Driving into the city was no longer an option. The bridge was covered in water. Patty couldnt get to a hospital. Plan B was a large house even higher up than the embankment theyd climbed earlier. Spotted by the guardsmen, they went up to the owners to ask if Patty, Warren and Brian could spend the night. They were so nice to us, Patty said of the homeowners. It was a real nasty night, and we were happy to get into a warm house. The kindness of strangers was a theme for Warren and Patty that night. They let them sleep in their own bedroom. Many more came. They estimated 15-20 people took shelter in that house. Warren recalled a humorous moment where he polled the assembly of strangers for anyone that might be able to assist him if Patty went into labor. A hand shot up from the crowd. Im a dentist, the man announced. That brought them a smile, Warren said if Patty went into labor, hed have a dentist to help. The morning and days after The night passed and no baby. Morning brought both relief and horror for the survivors. Knowing a tremendous amount of homes had been destroyed, Warren went in search of a hotel. Unfathomable destruction met him when he reentered the city. A beautiful stone house on his street had been completely leveled. His own home had a water line right up to the ceiling. The front and back walls had been blown out. Warren found a hotel on a hill called the Star Motel. They set up camp for a week before the owner of the K-Mart Warren worked at offered to put them up in his basement apartment. Their daughter Laura was born on June 28. Shortly after, they moved back into the Star Motel before Warrens job took them to Salt Lake City in April 1973. It is so amazing how we look back now and we didnt think much of it at the time how we narrowly escaped, Patty said. Warrens emotions crept in again, imagining three different futures that didnt include his wife and children some not even himself. I imagine what my life would have been, if they would have been killed, Warren said, struggling to complete the sentence. I cant imagine. Because I love my wife. Heartbreak and gratitude Warren recalled a customer he spoke with at his store who had his 17-month-old son ripped from his arms during the flood. He never saw his son again. Warren had his son in his arms that night, too the same age. He thought back to the night he carried Brian through the rain, and up the steep embankment, and how he could have been ripped from his arms at any moment. He heard the man say if I couldve just hung on a little tighter. There was just so much devastation, Patty said. It didnt register right away. Mingled with the devastation was overwhelming gratitude, as both Warren and Patty recalled the village that helped them. The strangers who opened their homes, the dentist who offered to help deliver their baby, the National Guard members who saved their lives, and friends who sheltered them after the storm, loaned them a car and watched Brian when Laura was born. For many, they never knew their names, wishing desperately they could thank them. Warren and Patty live in Michigan now, remembering nothing but kindness from the people of Rapid City. And we've had a wonderful life, Warren said, married 52 years. When the flood came in 1972, they were just starting their lives together. When we were walking out along the chain link fence, the sound of the water was so loud, and I yelled out to Warren, 'I love you,' Patty remembered. Because I didn't know if that was going to be the end, you know? The insignificance of material things and the fragility of life have shaped their perspective since that terrible night in June, Patty said. You can, at any time, lose that. And that's the most important thing, she said. She described their years together as a gift. They were 34 and 25 when they experienced the flood together, 84 and 75 today. After coming so close so many times, and the fragility of life paramount in Pattys mind, every year since has been a gift. Contact Laura Heckmann at lheckmann@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. They rallied to help. The resounding theme of a panel discussion titled Guard, Base and Volunteer Heroes at the Monument Thursday morning was selfless service in the aftermath of the horrific 1972 Black Hills Flood. The panel, part of a series of events commemorating the devastating flood 50 years ago, brought in speakers John Moyes, 28th Bomb Wing Historian at Ellsworth Air Force Base and Air Force veteran, and Duke Doering, former Command Chief Warrant Officer in the South Dakota National Guard and historian with the South Dakota National Guard Museum. For Ellsworth airmen, while the flood didnt hit Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder the way it did Rapid City, service members will run to the fight, Moyes said. And thats exactly what they did in 1972. Moyes and Doering shared stories of airmen and National Guard soldiers that ran to the fight to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies after that horrible night 50 years ago. They even lost some of their own in the aftermath six from Ellsworth Air Force Base. Colonel Barnett got the word and ramped up the emergency command post, and Ellsworth swung into action, Moyes said. Airmen offered up their homes, with an estimated 200 people allowed to stay on base. They opened up community centers and the chow hall and offered help with moving vehicles. In addition to its airmen, the base provided 300 vehicles and 12 helicopters in the rescue effort. The base was a focal point for relief, Moyes said. By the numbers, the base hospital donated 100,000 typhoid vaccines. The hospital saw 242 outpatients and performed 4,600 inoculations. Sixteen physicians and dentists donated their time. Eighteen-thousand gallons of jet fuel were provided. Two hundred-eighty lunchboxes were prepared and sent to Box Elder and Rapid City. Almost 25,000 pieces of clothing were laundered for local hospitals, extended care facilities and nursing homes. The base prepared 4,400 pounds of chicken and 1,400 pounds of beef, donated by the local community, for those affected by the flood. The base dove into action and worked very hard to support the community with everything that went on, Moyes said. He described a memorialization on base of two airmen who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the rescue efforts, and a photo of their families standing by it. Thats when it hit me, Moyes said. We really did something. For the South Dakota National Guard, June 3, 1972 was the first day of a two-week annual training period for most units, about 70%, which amounted to about 2,000 troops within a 50-mile radius of Rapid City. It was an act of God that the Guard was on duty at that time, Doering said. The weekend of the flood, weekend leave had just begun for many stationed at Camp Rapid, with about 10% remaining behind. Then the rain started a staff meeting was called and all commanders were called back in, just in case we do have a problem. Halfway through the meeting, all chaos breaks loose, Doering said, as the rain kept coming. A time before cell phones, radio and television stations were used to call back all the guardsmen on weekend leave. Doering described soldiers with lengths of rope and flashlights, being sent out to different areas of Rapid City. They were sent in groups of three, retrieving people from trees, buildings and cars. It was dangerous, and it was exhausting, he said. The lives they saved were in the hundreds. Rescue teams brought people back to Camp Rapid or area churches. Guardsmen were continually being called in as many as they could get. Calls to Woonsocket, Chamberlain and Vermillion asked troops to report immediately, and to be prepared to stay for a week. The National Guard's primary duty was search and rescue and body recovery. They were finding bodies days after. Photos showed washed out bridges, a guardsman shoveling caked mud out of a car and black gloves for sifting through rubble to search for bodies. Two former National Guard members, Len Kemitz and Mike Sorenson, spoke of their experiences that night fighting tears remembering the ones they couldnt save. They remembered people dropping from trees into boats as they rescued them and water so powerful you could barely stand. So many stories of flood survivors have one thing in common: the help that came after. And so many of those stories include the National Guard and Ellsworth airmen. Contact Laura Heckmann at lheckmann@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Why in the world does our part-time City Council think they deserve taxpayer-funded health care, when many of those same people would be against expanding Medicaid? Hypocrisy at its finest. Nice of the City Council to vote themselves taxpayer-funded health insurance to go in effect in less than a month. Whats next? Free cars and gas so they can be sure to make all the meetings? What's under assault is our checkbooks, our freedoms and our resolve to prosecute criminals and sentence them appropriately. To all of you who want to spend your lives high on marijuana: I suppose you are happy Amendment C failed. I refuse to be lectured on gun control by Joe Biden, the U.S. Commander in Chief that armed the Taliban in Afghanistan. John Thune says people in SD need AR15s to shoot prairie dogs; what a sad and stupid thing to say! Time for change. Gas and oil companies are bragging to their shareholders about how big their profits are right now. Off of our backs. Quit blaming the president, who has zero control over gas prices, and put the blame where it belongs. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Mike Leithauser was reunited with his beloved red bike on Tuesday. Leithauser, 48, had his bike taken from him during an incident that remains under investigation by the Rapid City Police Department. Leithauser, who is autistic, was riding his bike May 30 from the Black Hills Works group home where he lives to his mothers house. He knows the area of Rapid City well between his home and his mothers. That day, Leithauser felt comfortable biking on a different route than usual, though he was still in a part of town that was familiar to him, according to his mother, Darla Mengenhauser. Leithauser was on Fifth Street mid-morning when an encounter occurred that left him shaken and without his bike, a Giant Simple Three hes owned for 10 years. Leithausers ability to communicate with police or offer much information about what happened is limited because of his autism, according to Brendyn Medina, community relations specialist for the Rapid City Police Department. Mengenhauser said her son was able to communicate to her that he had been punched. Mike was so scared. He didnt know what was going on, Mengenhauser said. Im just glad (the perpetrators) didnt have a knife and stab him. Mike does not give up his bike for nothing, and he dont let no one ride it but him, she said. Her son screamed and cried over the loss of his bike, Mengenhauser said, and hed been asking every day about his bike until it was returned to him. Mengenhauser said she wants the community to know these kinds of crimes can and do happen in Rapid City, and she encourages citizens to look out for each other. She praised the RCPD for their work in getting her sons bike back to him. Hes happy as a lark, Mengenhauser said Tuesday. "Hes thrilled. Were just really thankful the police found it. Medina said the police were pleased they were able to locate and return the bike in the span of a little over a week. Thats a quick turnaround for somebody having something stolen and us being able to track it down. Its good detective work, Medina said. Were just thankful at least thats one component of this we can put some closure on. The other component is finding the person who did it, but in the meantime we were able to get (Leithauser) his bike back. We typically work very hard to protect victims. Thats the kind of happy ending we like, Medina said. Few details about the incident are being made public because an investigation is ongoing. Medina said Rapid City is not seeing an increase in the number of bike thefts, and encounters such as the one Leithauser experienced are unusual. (Incidents) of that nature are pretty few and far between in Rapid City, Medina said. Situations like that right off a busy street on a busy day, thats not common at all. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 WASHINGTON Members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee are considering how to help farmers struggling with rising costs for fertilizer, fuel, seeds and chemicals the unfortunate harvest of the war in Ukraine, strains on the global supply system, inflation and severe weather. A panel of the committee heard from agricultural economists Thursday, as lawmakers debate [] The post U.S. House Ag panel mulls safety net changes in farm bill amid soaring costs appeared first on Daily Montanan. On Tuesday, voters in Montana had their say in the states midterm primary election. While the primaries for the new western congressional seat drew most of the attention, voters also weighed in on state Supreme Court positions, seats on the Public Service Commission, legislative races and more. On this episode Montana State News Bureau reporters who give us a run down on who won, who lost and where votes are still being counted. A baker's dozen counties, both urban and rural, approved local-option taxes on recreational cannabis sales in Tuesday's primary election. Twelve counties had the local-option tax on the ballot, and all approved the measures by wide margins. The lowest tally in favor of the tax was 73% in Ravalli County. Since the Legislature last year gave local jurisdictions the option to add the local 3% tax on recreational cannabis sales, every county to vote on the measure has approved the tax. The Montana Department of Revenue last week reported the latest monthly cannabis sales figures. The recreational market saw its highest-grossing month yet at $16.6 million in sales. The medical market saw $8.2 million in sales, the lowest in monthly sales reported since the new recreational market opened Jan. 1. Through the 20% tax on recreational cannabis sales and separate 4% tax on medical marijuana sales, the state of Montana has collected more than $17 million in new tax revenues through the first five months of the year. Roosevelt County, a rural county on the Hi-Line, approved its tax on recreational sales with 76% percent of the vote, while 62% of voters also approved a tax on medical marijuana sales. According to reporting by the state revenue department, Roosevelt County would have taken in more than $9,500 in tax revenues on May's sales alone. County Commissioner Gary Macdonald said Wednesday the new tax revenues have been earmarked for law enforcement. "Theyre going to be the most-affected department we have, because theyll be dealing with the people that use too much of it," Macdonald said in a phone interview. Several other counties that have approved the new tax have done so by the same reasoning: the growing availability of what remains a federally illegal drug may bring new issues with it. While dispensaries have been slow to crop up in Roosevelt County, especially considering the legal gray areas related to the county's overlap with the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Macdonald knows law enforcement in a rural county could use the additional support. "I think it's one of our most important departments but also one of our most expensive," he said. On Tuesday, Deer Lodge, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Blaine, Ravalli, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Butte-Silver Bow, Carbon, Big Horn, Richland, Gallatin and Powell counties each approved the local tax on recreational cannabis. All but Ravalli County also approved a 3% tax on medical marijuana sales. Ravalli County joins Missoula County as the only jurisdiction to vote against taxing medical marijuana sales. Of the taxes counties collect on cannabis sales, 50% of those revenues go to the county and 45% of the revenues must be appropriated to municipalities based on the ratio of the population of the city or town to the county population. The remaining 5% is retained by the revenue department to defray the costs of administering the local option cannabis tax. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. " " Lea & Perrins is one of the most well-known brands of worcestershire sauce on the market. Jay Paull/Getty Images It's that brown sauce with an unpronounceable name: Worcestershire sauce, a tasty, tangy addition to red meats, soups and pretty much anything that needs braising. (For the record, sauce creators Lea & Perrins say it can be pronounced "WUST-ter-shire," "WOOS-ter-sheer" or "WOOS-ter-sher.") Worcestershire sauce is used to make good things even better, because it packs a lot of umami, or a savoryness. "In recent years there has been a newfound interest in 'umami,' or the fifth taste [after salty, sweet, bitter and sour], often described as 'deliciousness,'" says Seamus Mullen, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education, in an email interview. "The umami brings out the natural flavorings in food, makes steak taste more steak-y, mushrooms more shroomy." Advertisement Worcestershire sauce is made up of a lot of tasty ingredients, including anchovies, red onion, molasses, garlic, tamarind and malt and/or cider vinegar. "The vinegar and tamarind bring a punchy acidity to the sauce and the molasses and onion balance out the sweetness," says Mullen. " " The ingredients for a blue cheese mushroom and onion stuffed burger include mushrooms, onions, ground mustard, blue cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Brianna Soukup/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images But the true magic happens during the lengthy fermentation process, which takes 18 to 24 months. This last and most critical step was something of a happy accident when in the early 1800s two Worcester, England-based chemists (John Lea and William Perrins) were charged with duplicating a recipe enjoyed by a British nobleman while traveling in Bengal, then part of India. Their first effort was an utter failure, however, and the chemists left it to languish in jars in the cellar. A few years later they rediscovered the batch and were thrilled to realize that the fermentation had turned it into the perfect savory sauce. They started selling it in 1837, it came to the U.S. in 1839 and is sold in over 75 countries today. While the Lea and Perrins recipe remains a closely guarded secret, several competitors sprung up to make similar versions (the BBC counted at least 30 others in Worcester alone.) In fact, you can even try making it yourself at home. "While the aging and fermenting process might be a bit much to undertake at home, you can make a very tasty approximation of Worcestershire sauce by simmering soy sauce, mustard powder, malt vinegar, tamarind paste, garlic and spices, anchovy paste, tomato paste, ginger, molasses and spices," Mullen says. Simply mix and simmer to sauce consistency. Then strain and reserve. Spices, he says, can include coriander seed, mustard seed and clove, as well as orange peel and black pepper. (Food.com has a simple recipe that skips a lot of these ingredients, but commenters say it tastes close to the original.) Other Uses for Worcestershire Sauce The beloved sauce isn't relegated to steaks and such, either. It can be added to pretty much anything that needs zinging, be it a Bloody Mary, fondue, cheese sauce, eggs, popcorn, potatoes, salad dressing or a grilled cheese sandwich. Lea & Perrins even recommends a splash of it in place of your normal salt and pepper dashes. The continuing enthusiasm over umami flavor is carrying over into the Worcestershire market, and the recent uptick is expected to continue, projected through 2025, at least. "Umami hounds have been on the hunt for heritage condiments like Lea & Perrins's original recipe and there is an ever-increasing trend toward finding new applications for the sauce," Mullen explains. "From marinades to cocktails, Worcestershire sauce is having a moment." Now That's Cool When the original Lea & Perrins product was shipped overseas, its glass bottles often broke as a result of rough waters. So, the company began wrapping the individual bottles in paper. The tradition continues today, more as a way to distinguish the brand rather than a need to keep the product whole. Advertisement Originally Published: Nov 9, 2020 Flash UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned that the Ukraine conflict may trigger social and economic chaos around the world. The three-month-old conflict brings new bloodshed and suffering for those on the ground. For people around the world, the conflict, together with the other crises, is threatening to unleash "an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake," he said at the launch of a second report by the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance over the Ukraine conflict. "Today's report makes clear that the war's impact on food security, energy and finance is systemic, severe, and speeding up. It is amplifying the consequences of the many other crises the world faces: climate, COVID-19, and the severe global inequalities in the resources available for the recovery from the pandemic," said Guterres. He warned that while vulnerable people and vulnerable countries are being hit hard, no country or community will be left untouched by this cost-of-living crisis. Food prices are at near-record highs. Fertilizer prices have more than doubled, sounding an alarm everywhere. Without fertilizers, shortages will spread from corn and wheat to all staple crops, including rice, with a devastating impact on billions of people in Asia and South America, he said. "This year's food crisis is about lack of access. Next year's could be about lack of food." Record high energy prices are also triggering blackouts and fuel shortages in all parts of the world, especially in Africa. And the financial squeeze continues on many developing countries -- on top of the risk of debt default and economic collapse because of COVID-19, the inequality of the recovery, and the climate crisis, he noted. Worldwide, three out of five workers are earning less than before the pandemic. Now, both countries and individuals have no hope of balancing their budgets. Instead, families everywhere are being forced into impossible decisions: whether to shut down their businesses, sell their livestock, or take their children out of school. Women and girls are often the last to eat, and the first to miss meals as food shortages spread, he said. Guterres called for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis in line with international law and the UN Charter. Until that happens, he called for immediate action on two fronts: to bring stability to global food and energy markets, to make resources available immediately to help the poorest countries and communities. Ukraine's food production, and the food and fertilizer produced by Russia, must be brought back into world markets despite the conflict, he said. Governments must be able to borrow the money they need to keep their economies afloat and their people thriving. There is no solution to this global crisis without a solution to the economic crisis in the developing world. The global financial system must rise above its shortcomings and use all the instruments at its disposal, with flexibility and understanding, to provide support to vulnerable countries and people, he said. "The message of today's report is clear and insistent: we must act now to save lives and livelihoods over the next months and years. It will take global action to fix this global crisis. We need to start today," said Guterres. A space where childcare is provided while parents take English classes. A location where families can sign up their kids for school and be relieved the workers speak their language. A welcome center where immigrants are celebrated. Thats what Lisa Ramirez has envisioned the Manchester Family YMCA becoming in the past 3 years since Chesterfield put together a task force to find avenues for connecting immigrants and refugees to resources. Starting Saturday, when the center finally opens, Ramirez will be one step closer to seeing it happen. We know that we have countless immigrants that have been here for a really long time, some of whom are undocumented and a lot of folks dont know theyre here, said Ramirez, YMCAs senior vice president of community impact. How do we ensure that the generations that exist are still a part of this and still feel a sense of welcoming and belonging and this a place for them to be? Over the past decade, Chesterfield has become a county of immigrants sprawled across a 437-mile stretch. One out of every 11 residents was born in another country and about 1 in 8 speaks a language other than English at home. The top languages spoken among its students, aside from Spanish and English, include Arabic, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese. But before a $5.5 million renovation of the Manchester YMCA was made possible by the kindness of donors, Chesterfield didnt have an established, dedicated space providing immigrants assistance with housing, language programs, employment or accessing medical services, food and county resources. Ramirez noted that Richmond-area YMCAs have repeatedly found the greatest needs to be housing, food and child care. The school system has a welcome center for English learners, but its located in a trailer on Courthouse Road in the county government complex and open during work hours, which may not be easily accessible to all families. Meanwhile, the Manchester YMCA is open on weekends and is stationed off Hull Street Road beside Latino markets and locally renowned restaurants such as La Milpa and Cafe & Sabor. It's also not a government building. Dalila Medrano, Chesterfields multicultural community engagement coordinator and a critical part to launching the center, said how they chose the location was intentional. The Trump administrations public charge rule, which threatened to deny visas or disrupt an individuals immigrant process if they sought public benefits like food stamps, cultivated a legacy where some immigrant families feared seeking any help from a government entity counted as public charge. During the pandemic, that fear translated to individuals not accepting groceries from a food bank or refusing to applying for rent relief programs even though they were eligible. With the social needs navigators who will act as a conduit to nonprofits already working on meeting community needs, Medrano hopes the center will help families navigate the system. She cited how nonprofits have reached out to work more with Chesterfield communities but didnt have office space to do so. The center now has a chance to provide that, Medrano said, while community members drive how the center and its programs look. Through an unofficial listening tour over the past year, Medrano found that residents were craving more celebrations of their culture, which led to Chesterfield hosting a dinner at the Manchester YMCA to honor Ramadan. Medrano was able to invite only mothers and daughters so they could open the pool with only women staffers on site so they could swim without worrying about their hijabs. In other conversations, Arab and Muslim residents shared how they felt a lingering emotional toll surrounding 9/11 and the racism and vilification that has followed Muslim communities in the 20-plus years since. Others voiced a desire for more conversations about how the challenges facing immigrant communities have changed over time. The way language access may be a barrier today is different than the way language access was a barrier 20 years ago, Medrano said. Concerns that a local food bank wasnt reaching the Latino population prompted Chesterfield and the YMCA to bring the food to Greenleigh mobile home park, which has one of the largest concentrations of Latinos in the county, on a monthly basis to reach hundreds of families. So while the YMCA is home to the centers physical space, at least 1,000 volunteers are out in the community to reach the people often left behind. Adam Foster, executive director of the Manchester YMCA, said thats because the center was always meant to be a welcome center without walls. Medrano said those examples highlight not only the importance of offering a truly safe space, but the significance of being attentive to what residents are sharing so the county can collaboratively create the programming or events that will reach them. But Medrano emphasized there are also families who voiced not needing assistance. Their wish for the center was slightly different. "We would love for other members in the general community to see that we are American," they told her. "That this is American, too. That American is Muslim. That American is Arab origin. A group including activists and independent journalists have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Richmond and dozens of city police officers for an alleged pattern of unlawful arrests, misconduct and harassment amid waves of protests here in 2020. Two years after the police killing of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests, a collection of residents who participated in local demonstrations or monitored the police response to them as journalists or observers say that police unlawfully attacked and arrested them on bogus charges in violation of their constitutionally protected rights in various incidents. The plaintiffs include Kristopher Goad Gatsby and Jimmie Lee Jarvis, two citizen journalists who broadcasted information about the protests on their personal Twitter accounts; Andrew Ringle and Eduardo Acevedo, two VCU students who covered the protests as journalists with the student-run Commonwealth Times; and Charles H. Schmidt, Jr., a lawyer who was working with the ACLU of Virginia at the time of the protests in June 2020. Others involved in the suit, which was filed on May 30, are Alice Minium, Vanna Goodenow and Eilis Weller, who all say they were unlawfully arrested by Richmond police in separate incidents. The plaintiffs are suing the city, police Chief Gerald Smith, former interim Police Chief William Jody Blackwell and their predecessor William C. Smith, whom Mayor Levar Stoney fired a few weeks after the start of the protests. The defendants also include 28 individual officers and another 50 officers who are unnamed. A spokesperson for the Richmond Police Department declined to speak about the lawsuit Thursday morning, saying that the department does not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit which seeks an unspecific amount of compensatory and punitive damages and court rulings on alleged violations of the 1st, 4th and 14th Amendments says that police used pepper spray, tear gas and other less lethal weapons on journalists, which prevented them from documenting the events in the interest of the public. It is not a crime to observe the public behavior of police officers, the suit says. This action arises from the ongoing and repeated unlawful conduct of officers, agents and employees of the City of Richmond Police Department, who routinely retaliate against civilians and members of the press who dare question, observe or record Richmond Police activity. The lawsuit describes a handful of specific incidents from late May 2020 to November that year. Schmidts claims are based on an incident where he was arrested after a confrontation with police that began as he was monitoring a group of about 50 officers assembled in parking lot of the Whole Foods in the Sauer Center on the night of June 26. A judge later dismissed the trespassing charges police filed against him. Goad, according to the suit, was arrested by police twice in 2020 for allegedly trespassing and obstructing the free passage of others. The lawsuit says police arrested both times without warning, alleging that the officers had intentionally targeted him. A judge dismissed the charges at trial. The suit says police also targeted Jarvis in multiple incidents. Though he was never arrested, the suit says police routinely tried to prevent him from recording their actions and openly mocked and harassed him, in some instances calling him out by name. Other plaintiffs described being pepper sprayed, tear gassed and detained, in some instances causing injury to them. An officer in one incident pepper sprayed Ringle after he repeatedly shouted that he was press. The suit says members of the media were expressly exempt from the unlawful gathering declarations. Under the state code regarding police lines in emergency situations, news reporters are exempt when gathering news and as long as they are not stopping police, firefighters or emergency personnel from working. The suit also describes an incident where Acevedo and a journalist with The Times-Dispatch who were reporting on a protest were briefly detained as they were trying to recover from being exposed to tear gas moments earlier. (The Times-Dispatch nor any of its staff are party to the lawsuit.) While most of the legal complaint outlines alleged constitutional violations stemming from the protests in 2020, a few of the plaintiffs claims are based on unrelated events. Richmond police, according to the suit, unlawfully arrested Goodenow on Oct. 27, 2020, after she started filming officers as they were arresting someone near her home in North Side. The police charged her with obstruction of justice. A court later found her not guilty. In another incident, Richmond police arrested Weller during a peaceful demonstration in support of Palestine on June 16, 2021. The suit says Weller, who is disabled, had difficulty responding quickly to commands from police that the demonstrators remain on the sidewalk, and that an unknown officer forcibly dragged Weller to it and arrested them. The police charged Weller with walk in road [when] sidewalk available. The city prosecutors office declined to take the case. The city has faced several civil lawsuits stemming from the protests in 2020. According to reporting by Axios, the city has paid nearly $700,000 over 35 different settlement agreements. A preliminary hearing date for the new lawsuit has not been scheduled yet. The case has been assigned to District Judge Robert E. Payne. A Henrico County drug kingpin whose network led investigators to four major U.S. cities and into Mexico, and resulted in the seizure of more than 100 pounds of heroin and cocaine worth millions of dollars, pleaded guilty this week to operating a criminal enterprise and laundering his drug proceeds through shell businesses. Nikike N. Tyler, 43, of Henrico, was a major wholesale trafficker of heroin, cocaine and marijuana who coordinated with out-of-state drug suppliers for pounds of narcotics at a time, Henrico Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Susan Parrish said in a summary of evidence presented Tuesday. Tyler used the U.S. Postal Service in 2017 to arrange shipments of drugs to the Richmond area, and would coordinate with others to have the packages delivered to their addresses or to retrieve those packages on his behalf. As his operation progressed, Tyler enlisted accomplices to pick up and transport drugs by vehicle from various locations in the U.S., and they were delivered to various houses and storage units in the Richmond area, Parrish said in her summary. Tyler also enlisted accomplices to transport and deliver large sums of money, both locally and out of state, for payment of drug shipments. These individuals operated at Tylers direction and not on their own initiative, Parrish said. Tylers network was abnormal for the Richmond area due to the large volume of narcotics coming directly into the city, Henrico police narcotics Detective Clint Hoover said. The investigation led us directly to New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Texas and Mexico. During the course of the three-year investigation, law enforcement agencies seized 62 pounds of heroin, 44 pounds of cocaine, 264 grams of fentanyl and 2,233 pounds of marijuana linked to Tylers operation. In addition, about $1.8 million was either seized during the investigation or identified in illegal drug proceeds attributed to Tylers network, Hoover said. When reduced to common amounts sold on the streets to the user, that equates to about 56,000 units of heroin and about 100,000 units of cocaine, [with] an approximate value of $2.8 million in heroin and $2 million in cocaine, Hoover said. The investigation resulted in another benefit: More than 20 Richmond-area drug dealers who were directly associated with Tylers operation were arrested and charged, Hoover said. Hector Ruiz, one of Tylers major suppliers, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Richmond to distributing kilos of heroin in the Richmond area. Ruiz directed shipments of 20-30 kilos of heroin a week during a seven-month period beginning in December 2018. The heroin was supplied to Ruiz by a Mexican drug trafficking cartel, according to evidence. After Ruiz left Richmond, Tyler maintained a relationship with traffickers in Mexico and continued to receive shipments of heroin. Ahead of his scheduled week-long jury trial that was set for June 27, Tyler pleaded guilty Tuesday in Henrico Circuit Court to operating a criminal enterprise, conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine, conspiring to distribute more than five pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Under terms of a plea agreement, Circuit Judge John Marshall sentenced Tyler to 65 years in prison with 42 years suspended, leaving him 23 to serve. Tyler was one of 13 people arrested in September on indictments returned by a Henrico grand jury in connection with Tylers drug operation. Aside from Tyler, only two other defendants have so far been tried and convicted. The drug and money laundering conspiracy involving Tyler and his accomplices dates to at least Sept. 30, 2015. It was on that date that Robert Redfearn, 49, of Washington, D.C. a longtime associate of Tyler who also has been charged was stopped by the Texas Highway Patrol in a vehicle leased by another man at Richmond International Airport, according to evidence. Texas troopers discovered 6 kilos of cocaine inside a door panel and also recovered $30,000 in cash and receipts for the rental car. Detectives later confirmed the cocaine was destined for the Richmond area at Tylers direction. Investigators learned a great deal about Tylers drug trafficking activities after his cell phone was seized in August 2017 by Hanover sheriffs deputies during a stolen vehicle investigation. Henrico detectives then obtained the phone from Hanover and executed a search warrant to examine its contents. Detectives earlier had obtained Tylers cell number through a separate drug investigation involving another man. A review of Tylers cellphone showed he gave daily directions to accomplices in coordinating drug sales and money transactions, Parrish said in her summary. In March 2020, Tyler leased a large warehouse in South Richmond and registered a company in his name as Beloved Produce LLC to operate at that location. A search warrant was executed there in September 2020 and investigators found two kilo presses and 6.7 pounds of marijuana. But no fruit was found, the prosecutor said. Detectives found that Tyler opened numerous bank accounts in his name over the course of the investigation to include business accounts for Beloved Produce, which largely was a shell business. Investigators were unable to locate any legitimate income for Tyler between 2017 through September 2021. His accounts were funded and paid primarily by large cash deposits often made by others [including himself and accomplices], Parish said in her summary. All deposits made were under the 10K reporting requirements and many were found to be broken up or spread between various institutions and accounts. Investigators also determined that Tyler had no record of paying taxes during their investigation. This case was not the typical drug distribution case we see, and it is a testament to the Henrico Police Department ... that the detectives were able to conduct this long term investigation over the course of three years that ultimately resulted in a kingpin being prosecuted and convicted, Parrish said in a statement. Tyler was a major drug trafficker in the Richmond region, and the impact of his organization cannot fully be calculated because drug use and addiction takes a toll on the entire community. First Steps: The New River Valleys Early Childhood Education and Development Network is teaming up with ChildCare Aware of Virginia and the Community Foundation of the New River Valley to host a child care job fair on Tuesday, June 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Wonder Universe, in the former NRV Mall, 782 New River Road, Christiansburg. Child care centers from throughout the New River Valley, including the regions Head Start programs, will be on hand to share information about open teaching and support positions, with the opportunity to submit an application and learn more about a career in early childhood education. Like many employers in the region, child care centers have numerous job openings, and are looking for enthusiastic individuals interested in working with young children. Child care is essential. It allows parents to go to work with the peace of mind that their kids are in a safe and supportive place, said Kristi Snyder, administrator at Rainbow Riders, one of the participating child care providers. Working in child care and watching the kids learn and develop is both rewarding and challenging. We are looking for people to join our team who will learn and develop professionally alongside our kids to provide the very best care and education possible. Light refreshments will be provided along with door prizes. In addition to talking to child care providers about job opportunities, attendees can learn about other resources to support educators and families, including ChildCare Awares Virginia Childcare and ECE Job Hub and the child care subsidy program for families. Plus, they can explore the exhibits at Wonder Universe: A Childrens Museum. To learn more, visit cfnrv.org/events or contact jessicawirgau@cfnrv.org. - Submitted by Jessica Wirgau About 12,000 homes and businesses in rural parts of Montgomery County that lack reliable high-speed internet could gain broadband access via Appalachian Power Co. The utilitys proposal, which would also serve about 3,000 customers in Bland County, was filed this week with the State Corporation Commission. In rural and mountainous areas, the challenge is to provide whats called middle-mile infrastructure to cover the long distance between local networks. Once that gap is filled, broadband can be accessed by internet service providers who then deliver a connection directly to customers. Appalachians proposal would bridge the middle mile with fiber-optic cable that is being installed to bring broadband to its electric substations. Fiber-optic cable allows us to utilize new digital technology on the grid to improve electric service for customers, while also creating an opportunity to lease the excess fiber to an internet service provider for broadband, Chris Beam, Appalachians president and chief operating officer, said in an announcement of the program. The project is part of pilot program that began two years ago in Grayson County, where about 6,000 customers will benefit. Late last year, the Elk Creek Volunteer Fire Department became the first customer to be connected, and the fiber line portion of the project was 72% complete in March with the installation of 171 miles of line, according to Appalachians application filed with the SCC. Appalachian is requesting a sur-credit for its customers based on a reduction of the expected costs for the project. An average residential customer, who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, could see a decrease of 69 cents in their monthly bill. While the program is open to all of Virginia, its focused on rural areas that are unserved or underserved by broadband. To participate, power companies must apply to the SCC, which regulates Virginias utilities. If the latest project is approved, Appalachian says it plans to begin construction within six months. Bland and Montgomery County officials have chosen internet service provider GigaBeam Networks, which is currently involved in the Grayson County initiative, to collaborate on the project. High-speed internet benefits households by providing access to telemedicine and online education, among other things. It also fuels economic development in the localities by connecting them with todays digital world. As a local government, we recognize the critical importance of high-speed internet for our citizens and businesses, Montgomery County Administrator Craig Meadows said in the announcement. The county has a significant amount of farmland that would be available for housing and economic development should broadband become more widely available, Appalachian said in SCC documents. Working with the New River Valley Regional Commission, Bland and Montgomery counties received a $39 million Virginia Telecommunications Initiative grant late last year from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to assist with financing the project. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Philip Morgan didnt sound too happy to hear my voice on the phone Wednesday morning. He was in Augusta County, preparing for an estate sale. Springs one of the big seasons in the estate and liquidation sale industry. And Morgan, who lives in Roanoke, is a veteran of it. If youve seen his name in this column previously, its because Ive been writing about him since 2013. Morgan has many fans who flock to his sales, and who can testify to his genius at marketing, pricing, staging and selling collectibles and antiques. Morgan also has critics whose tales of woe contain common elements, such as bounced checks and empty promises. If the Augusta sale goes as expected, Morgan will offload furniture and other bric a brac for his client, and provide records that document the items sold and the prices he got. Hell pocket a percentage of the gross, agreed upon in advance by written contract, and pay the balance to his client within 25 business days. But occasionally in the past Morgan has missed that deadline sometimes by years and thats whats made him newsworthy. Once, it led to felony charges in Craig County that were later dropped after Morgan made good to the client, who claimed to be owed $40,000. A failure to answer consumer complaints has earned Morgan an F rating by the Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia, said its CEO, Julie Wheeler. On other occasions its led to lawsuits a slew of them in general district and circuit courts. The most recent was filed in April by Dr. Stephen Rosenoff, a retired oncologist, who claims Morgan owes him roughly $40,000. Right now, Rosenoff lives in the South American nation of Colombia, on a farm about an hour outside Medellin. Weve communicated recently via email and telephone. I also spoke to his Roanoke lawyer, Justin Steele. Nearly five years ago, in October 2017, Rosenoff hired Morgan to sell the contents of the physicians downtown Roanoke apartment, plus the contents of a home Rosenoff owned in Hunting Hills, one of Roanoke Countys ritziest neighborhoods. It was two separate estate sales, said Steele. Both Rosenoff and Morgan agree those sales occurred. Rosenoff said hes still waiting for his money; Morgan told me he paid the doctor in cash, at Rosenoffs specific request. Morgan added that he has receipts that document two of his three payments, totaling $21,100. Hes been paid, hes just forgotten, Morgan told me. I like Dr. Rosenoff; I think hes a nice guy. Honestly, I think hes trying to extort money from me. He kept throwing your name up. Morgan was unable to produce the receipts from Rosenoff when I asked to see them Wednesday. They were in Roanoke and he was unable to get his hands on them because Morgan was in Augusta County, he explained. He said he never obtained a receipt from Rosenoff for a third payment of $10,000 in cash. The doctor lived in France for a period of time after the sales, which also delayed their communications, Morgan added. He told me hell furnish the receipts to Steele, Rosenoffs lawyer, after Morgan gets back in town from Augusta. He also told me hell turn over to the lawyer the records of the sales he conducted for Rosenoff. Morgan has finally located those, from almost five years ago. I am contesting this case, Morgan told me. Im tired of people trying to bully me because of my history. Yes, I make mistakes. But I do a good job. Contesting a lawsuit is in itself rather unusual for Morgan. More commonly, he simply doesnt show up in court and judges issue default judgments against him. Thats occurred repeatedly in the past decade. The first column about Morgan, in 2013, noted that by that time, hed racked up $46,000 in judgments in the previous six years in Roanoke General District Court alone. Since then thereve been 10 more lower-court cases against Morgan filed in the city. Individually, the judgments range from hundreds up into the tens of thousands of dollars. A number (but not all) of those plaintiffs seem to have something in common: They live far out of Virginia, in places such as California, Maine or in South America. Its harder to muster a lawsuit from such a distance. And its almost not worth it when the amounts in dispute are in the thousands, rather than the millions because lawyers arent inexpensive. One who sued from afar was Pamela King, who sold her house in Roanoke to live in another home she owned in Maine. In 2017, she got an $18,459 judgment against Morgan, plus interest, after alleging he hadnt paid her after liquidating possessions from her Roanoke home. King has yet to see all her money, said her lawyer, commercial attorney R. Bruce Fickley. In June 2020 the last time I wrote about Morgan Fickley told me Morgan still owed $13,800 of the judgment. Wednesday, Fickley said the amount due is now down to roughly $8,500. Another hearing in Kings case is slated for July 8, in Roanoke General District Court. Hes made some little dribs and drabs [payments] since then, Fickley told me. This guy doesnt do anything unless you set a court date. Its a blood-from-a-turnip kind of thing. Fickley told me hes friends with Rosenoff, but did not know the doctor was among Morgans alleged victims. Steele said hes unaware that Morgan has paid Rosenoff anything, but hes willing to look at any such evidence. Its possible Morgan paid his client something from one of the sales, Steele allowed. But hes sure the doctor didnt get anything from the other one. Fickley said its more difficult to squeeze money out of Morgan because of the nature of his business. Morgan doesnt keep large sums in banks, and because he works for himself he has no wages from a third-party employer that could be garnished by court order. Its hard to do with someone who works on a cash basis, who basically manages yard sales, Fickley said. Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com . Follow him on Twitter:. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Corey Wayne Hodge entered an Alford plea this week and was convicted of murdering Anna Amburgey, a woman who had let him park the truck he was living in outside her residence. Amburgey, 39, died last year from multiple gunshot wounds that she sustained during a confrontation with Hodge in the Pulaski County community of Parrott. Charged with both first- and second-degree murder, and other offenses, Hodge, 29, was scheduled for a trial later this month. But at a Monday hearing in Pulaski County Circuit Court, he entered an Alford plea and was found guilty of second-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains innocence but accepts a conviction. Legally, it functions as a type of guilty plea. Charges of first-degree murder and possessing a Schedule II substance were dropped, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Travis Epes said Thursday. The latter charge resulted from meth that Hodge was carrying when he was arrested. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28. Epes said the altercation between Amburgey, of Dublin, and the man she let stay outside her home began on the night of May 23, 2021, when Amburgey and her boyfriend, who had been away, returned to the residence and found that a large Bluetooth speaker was missing. They suspected Hodge had taken it. The couple went to Parrott and found Hodge close to where other friends of Amburgeys were camping near the New River. Hodge had a Bluetooth speaker that Amburgey thought was hers but it had been spray-painted a different color, Epes said. Amburgey walked to where Hodge was in his truck and began shouting at him, Epes said. She lit several small pieces of paper on fire and tossed them into the truck, and may have slapped Hodge, Epes said. As she walked away, Hodge began shooting, the prosecutor said. Amburgey was wounded six times, but the medical examiners office was unable to determine if there had been five or six shots one bullet may have passed through her hand before striking her head, Epes said. When the shooting stopped, Amburgey lay on the ground, next to the speaker she had wanted so badly, Epes said. Hodges plea agreement contained no recommendation about sentencing. He faces a maximum sentence of 48 years behind bars but sentencing guidelines likely will recommend much less than that, Epes said. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A group of private citizens will finally get their day in court after the Virginia Supreme Court ruled Thursday they do have standing to sue Roanoke County and the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke. Residents who live near the center, including local businessman Stan Seymour, have tried to sue both the county and the center unsuccessfully for years, with the feud stemming from the use of an easement on their private road that leads to the center. In 2018, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors granted the center permission to build a raptor aviary on its grounds. Seymour and other Coleman Road neighbors sued, but to no avail. Roanoke County Circuit Judge Charlie Dorsey ruled in March 2021 that the neighbors have no standing to sue the center or the county for granting a special use permit allowing new construction at the center, but the Supreme Court disagreed unanimously with Dorseys decision. In his analysis, Dorsey said the neighbors failed to identify how traffic on the dead end street will be affected by the boards approval of construction at the wildlife center. The Supreme Court referenced the case Friends of The Rappahannock when deciding whether the plaintiffs had enough standing to challenge the special use permit in court. During the case, which set the precedent used for challenging a localitys land use decision in court, a two-prong test was used to decide whether a plaintiff has any legal standing, according to the courts written decision. A plaintiff, in order to have standing, the court writes, must own or occupy real property within or in close proximity to the property that is the subject of the land use determination, thus establishing that it has a direct, immediate, pecuniary, and substantial interest in the decision. Second, the plaintiff must allege facts demonstrating a particularized harm to some personal or property right, legal or equitable, or imposition of a burden or obligation upon the [plaintiff] different from that suffered by the public generally. The latter requirement is where the Supreme Court disagreed with Dorseys initial ruling. In summary, we conclude that the circuit court erred when it sustained the appellees demurrer to the second amended complaint. When viewed in the light most favorable to the appellants, the allegations of the second amended complaint are sufficient to satisfy the test for standing that is set forth in Friends of the Rappahannock, the ruling concluded. Located on a former residential property at the end of a private drive off Coleman Road in the Cave Spring area, Seymour and company argued to the states highest court that the traffic stemming from the center has caused undue burden to them. Other neighbors involved in the lawsuit include Seymours wife, Jane, and Adrian Maver and his wife, Blaine Creasy. Among the complaints stemming from the traffic, which they said was around 55 to 60 cars a day in 2018, according to court documents, is the safety of Maver and Creasys children who walk on the private road to catch the bus for school. Creasy has also alleged the dust from the cars coming up and down the dirt road have caused her to have more frequent asthma attacks, according to court documents. Roanoke County Attorney Peter Lubeck said the county is now ready to try the case back at the circuit court level, which he said hes hopeful will happen in the next several months. Lubeck said the county will argue the special use permit doesnt cause an increase in traffic, and it in fact will decrease the amount of traffic at the center. He said the center currently has to outsource some of the care for the birds of prey as it does not currently have the facilities needed to fully treat the creatures, thus creating more traffic to and from the center. He also said the special use permit was still in effect for the time being, but he couldnt speak to the wildlife centers immediate plans. The wildlife centers website acknowledges the complaints made by Seymour and other neighbors. Their aggressive actions suggest they want the center to shut down or forcefully move and have taken the center before [the] Zoning, Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors over the centers existence, the website says. The centers property was zoned agricultural for decades before it was purchased by the center in 2013, which allows for a veterinary hospital to exist with that zoning. Lubeck said the verdict could be appealed again, but this time the appellate court would have to rule that a mistake of the law was made, as opposed to arguing the facts of the case. Seymour told The Roanoke Times on Thursday he agreed with the Supreme Courts decision, but he had no further comment due to the ongoing litigation. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LYNCHBURG Transportation Security Administration staff Wednesday shared tips and common mistakes to avoid to help travelers prepare and make the air travel process safe and smooth for passengers, airline staff and TSA workers alike as summer travel season gets in full swing. What items are allowed in carry-on luggage, and what needs to go in a checked bag? What kinds of things are forbidden for transport altogether? How early should passengers arrive at the airport? Lisa Farbstein, a TSA worker for 11 years who oversees operations in multiple states including Virginia and New York, stood by a table of TSA-confiscated items at the Lynchburg Regional Airport terminal Wednesday to answer such questions, on one of her stops at a few Virginia regional airports, including the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. Know before you go is one of the biggest things to keep in mind, Farbstein said. A general rule of thumb, Farbstein said, is: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, and the container for the substance is labeled more than 3.4 ounces, the product should go in a checked bag. Toothpaste, hairspray, shaving cream and other aerosol bottles, shampoo and conditioner, sunscreen, even a bottle of alcohol: these items and more lay in bins because they contained more than 3.4 ounces of the respective substance, and therefore were not permitted on carry-on luggage according to TSA rules. Passengers will be given the option to put oversized liquids, gels and aerosols in a checked bag, or surrender them voluntarily to TSA officers. If anyone is uncertain if an item is allowed in a carry-on, Farbstein encouraged using the myTSA app. The app includes a What can I bring? feature that lets one quickly search any item. The feature will tell the user if an item should go in checked luggage, or a carry-on. Travelers can contact TSAs Twitter (@AskTSA) or the TSA Facebook Messenger accounts with a question or photo of an item. TSA has robust social media engagement, Farbstein said, so these inquiries will be answered quickly. The TSA official website also can provide answers to common questions. Passengers should arrive about two hours prior to their scheduled flight take-off, Farbstein said. This accounts for any potential traffic, check-in and TSA screening. Being prepared for TSA screening upon arrival at the airport, aware of what one can and cannot bring in a carry-on bag, helps the traveler, their fellow passengers and airport workers to keep lines moving smoothly and efficiently, Farbstein said, saving everyone a lot of headache. While standing in the checkpoint line for screening, Farbstein advised passengers to use their time wisely. Getting ones identification out and putting any items from ones pocket into a carry-on bag, also making sure no forbidden things are in the carry-on, help keep things moving. Having a COVID-19 vaccination card ready to present for those who have received the vaccine also is advisable, whether it is asked for by security or not. Masks are optional on airplanes at this time, Farbstein said. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers are allowed to have up to a 12-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer in their carry-on, an item that was prohibited prior to the pandemic. Regarding identification for boarding, Farbstein encouraged everyone to get Real ID-compliant identification, commonly on a drivers license, as soon as possible. Under federal law, Real ID will be required for air travel starting May 3, 2023. Real ID can be obtained through the DMV. Already in 2022, four passengers at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport have been criminally and civilly cited after handguns were confiscated from their carryon baggage at TSA checkpoint. A total of five handguns have been confiscated in those incidents. Six is the annual record for firearms seized at the regional airport. The Roanoke Times contributed to this report. Sovah Health the umbrella organization with hospitals in Danville and Martinsville will pay the United States government $4.36 million in a settlement over claims it violated the Controlled Substances Act, the U.S. Department of Justice reported Wednesday. The settlement is the third-largest civil penalty in history from a hospital system under the act and the largest ever in the Fourth Circuit, a news release reported. The claims surround the health systems failure to have effective controls in place to prevent the diversion of powerful painkilling prescription opioids, the release stated. Specifically, from 2017 to 2019, a Sovah Health worker diverted more than 11,000 Schedule II controlled substances from the system. Paulette G. Toller, 60, of Chatham, was sentenced 13 months in federal prison in 2020 following a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Jackson Kiser, court records show. Toller pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing a controlled substance, acquiring and obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery or deception. According to court documents, Toller, who worked as a pharmacy technician at Sovah Health-Danville since 2001, admitted to finding a loophole in the hospitals automated dispensing system that allowed her to withdraw controlled substances under codes that were no longer valid. Toller admitted to getting the substances, which included hydrocodone, oxycodone and other controlled substances, for her own personal use. In all, more than 13,000 controlled substance pills disappeared from Sovah Health-Danville over two years beginning in 2017, show documents from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Also, a second employee from January to May 2020 tampered with Fentanyl vials and hydromorphone injectables by replacing the controlled substance with saline and diverting the controlled substance, the release stated. That second employee, Emilee Kathryn Poteat, is serving three years in federal prison. Poteat, formerly employed as a Sovah Health-Danville registered nurse pleaded guilty last year to a count of tampering with consumer products (fentanyl and hydromorphone) that affect interstate commerce, a count of reckless disregard for the risk that another person be placed in danger of death or bodily injury and a count of making false statements, a news release reported. Starting in January 2020, Poteat diverted and tampered with fentanyl vials and hydromorphone that were intended for patients at Sovah Health-Danville, court documents revealed. The tampering discovery was made on May 19, 2020. Out of 20 vials of fentanyl, 14 had tops popped off, the news release reported. The remaining tops fell off when touched, In addition, a dry white film suspected to be superglue was around one of the vials. Poteat also was sentenced last week to four more years in federal prison in North Carolina for a similar offense at a hospital there. The U.S. government claims Sovah Health failed to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against the diversion of controlled substances, filled orders for controlled substances without a system in place to disclose suspicious orders of controlled substances, and failed to maintain readily retrievable records of controlled substances, the release stated. As opioid overdose deaths skyrocket, it is critical that health care companies are held accountable when they fail to effectively safeguard these powerful prescriptions within their facilities, U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh for the Western District of Virginia, said in a statement. The oversight provided by this resolution will ensure future compliance involving these important but potentially deadly substances, and the United States Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia will continue to vigorously pursue these cases with our federal and local partners in order to protect Virginias communities. The agreement resolves Sovah Healths potential civil and criminal liability based on the investigation, the release stated. You are here: World Flash Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday expressed common readiness to consistently strengthen bilateral relations, including through the implementation of joint economic and trade projects. Putin and Raisi discussed bilateral cooperation and praised the current level of Russian-Iranian relations during a phone conversation, the Kremlin said in a press release. Considering the situation regarding Iran's nuclear program, the presidents noted the need to continue diplomatic efforts to reach a final agreement that would ensure the preservation and full implementation of the Iran nuclear deal and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Both Portugal and Spain claim to be the birth country of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo as there are no official records of the date or place of his birth. Former mayor of Buellton, Judith Dale built her career in education and continues to serve the local community as Santa Barbara County 3rd District representative to the Library Advisory Board and board member of the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation. She can be reached at judith@hwy246.net 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. CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close MARION, S.C. Marion Police Chief Tony Flowers announced an arrest in connection to a shooting Sunday that killed a 21-year-old man at an apartment complex on Bluff Road and wounded a one-year old girl. Officers arrested Derwin Dewayne Ellison, Jr., 27, of Marion, on charges of murder, pointing and presenting firearms at a person, discharging firearms in the city, unlawful carrying of a firearm, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Ellison is accused in the shooting death of 21-year old Javarious Scott. His bond is denied at this time for murder and will be set at a later date by a Circuit Court Judge, Flowers said. Bond was set at $12,000 for all other charges. Flowers said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division assisted in the apprehension of Ellison and the investigation is still ongoing. The department encourages anyone with information to call 843-423-8616. Arizona completes its second execution in 2022 for crime committed 35 years prior | Main | Notable coverage of supposed "new breed" of prison consultants June 8, 2022 Senate conducts hearing for nominees for US Sentencing Commission Four weeks ago, as discussed here, Prez Biden finally made nominations to the US Sentencing Commission. Due to a lack of commissioners, the US Sentencing Commission has lacked a quorum needed to fully function for 3.5 years, and the USSC has not had complete set of commissioners firmly in place for nearly decade. But, now moving relatively swiftly, the US Senate Judiciary Committee today held a confirmation hearing for Prez Biden's seven USSC nominees. Here is a link to the hearing, which runs about two hours and has a number of interesting elements. Hard-core federal sentencing fans will likely consider the full hearing worth watching. For a quick review, FAMM's Shanna Rifkin provided this live tweeting of the hearing, which captures some of the highlights. And here is a round-up of some press coverage: From Bloomberg Law, "Sentencing Commission Vetting Echoes GOP Grilling of Jackson" From Law360, "Senate Panel Considers Long-Awaited Sentencing Noms" From Reuters, "Biden's sentencing panel noms vow to implement criminal justice reform law" There was some sharp questioning of a few of the nominees, especially from some GOP Senators, and Senator Josh Hawley seemed to indicate that he would not support at least one of the nominees. But the overall tenor of the hearing suggested that this slate of nominees had considerable support from the Committee and is on a path to eventual confirmation. Though this hearing means we are one step closer to having a functional US Sentencing Commission, it is still unclear exactly when there will be a committee vote and then a full Senate vote on these nominees. I am hopeful these votes might take place this summer, but I should know better than to make any predictions about the pace of work by Congress. June 8, 2022 at 10:25 PM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Flash German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed on Wednesday that efforts must be made to enable grain exports from Ukraine, the German government said. In a conversation on the phone Wednesday morning, the two leaders exchanged views on the current military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and agreed that efforts must be made to enable grain exports from Ukraine, especially by sea, said a statement issued by the German government. Scholz also briefed Zelensky on his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron on May 28, according to the statement. Senate conducts hearing for nominees for US Sentencing Commission | Main | "Incarcerated LGBTQ+ Adults and Youth" June 9, 2022 Notable coverage of supposed "new breed" of prison consultants I have been following the federal criminal justice system for the better part of 30 years, and throughout there have always been various types of experts who seek to help defendants with sentence mitigation and preparation for prison (especially in the white-collar universe where greater resources are available to pay for these kinds of services). Still, every now and again, the press seems eager to make much of the phenomenon of so-called "prison consultants" as, for example, in a 2020 Town & Country piece, "Inside the World of Prison Consultants Who Prepare White Collar Criminals to Do Time." The New York Times has long been keen on the prison consultant beat as evidenced by older articles like a 2009 piece headlined "Consultants Are Providing High-Profile Inmates a Game Plan for Coping" and a 2012 piece headlined "Making Crime Pay." This week, the Gray Lady has this very long piece in this genre appearing in its magazine under this full headline "Want to Do Less Time? A Prison Consultant Might Be Able to Help. For a price, a new breed of fixer is teaching convicts how to reduce their sentence, get placed in a better facility and make the most of their months behind bars." Though I am not sure why prison consultants are now described as a "new breed of fixer," I am sure this lengthy article is still worth a full read. Here are excerpts: After a prominent felon is sentenced, a spate of stories often appear about these backstage fixers for the wealthy, consultants who can help get a client into prisons that one might prefer say, a prison that has superior schooling or CrossFit-level gyms or lenient furlough policies or better-paying jobs or other refined specialties. The federal prison in Otisville, N.Y., for example, is also known as federal Jewish heaven because of its good kosher food (decent gefilte fish, they say, and the rugelachs not bad). When those Varsity Blues parents were busted for paying backdoor operatives to engineer their kids college admissions, it was also reported that many hired prison consultants to game out the aftermath. [Justin] Papernys business is a natural market outgrowth of a continuing and profound shift in Americas judicial system. Almost everyone facing charges is forced to plead guilty (or face an angry prosecutor who will take you to trial). In 2021, 98.3 percent of federal cases ended up as plea bargains. Its arguable that in our era of procedural dramas and endless Law & Order reruns, speedy and public trials are more common on television than in real-life courthouses. What people like [Hugo] Mejia have to deal with as they await sentencing is a lot of logistics. The idea of a prison consultant might conjure an image of an insider broker or fixer, but theyre really more like an SAT tutor someone who understands test logic and the nuances of unwritten rules. Yet prison consulting also involves dealing with a desolate human being who has lost almost everything friends, family, money, reputation and done it in such a way that no one gives a damn. So theyre also a paid-for best friend, plying their clients with Tony Robbins-style motivational insights, occasionally mixed with powerful sessions about the nature of guilt and shame.... On television, the journey to prison is nearly instantaneous: a jump cut to a slamming cell door. But in the real world, its a set of steps, routine bureaucratic actions that involve interviews, numerous forms to complete and dates with officials. A lawyer is your legal guide to staying out of prison, but once that becomes inevitable, a prison consultant is there to chaperone you through the bureaucracies that will eventually land you in your new home, easing your entry into incarceration and sometimes even returning you to the outside, utterly changed.... One of the first things Paperny advises a client like Mejia to do is to stop [minimizing the offense], especially before sentencing. You pleaded guilty already. You did it. Own it because the vamping will almost certainly annoy any judge or civil servant who hears it, and youll wind up with a much longer sentence. Thats arguably the most crucial piece of advice that Paperny provides to his clients, for the simple reason that when youre going to prison, you have to formally tell your story to all kinds of people. The storytelling officially begins a few weeks after a guilty plea (or a conviction by trial) in a sit-down interview with a law-enforcement officer whose specialty is writing up a pre-sentencing report, which will be given to the presiding judge. The descriptions of the crime come largely from the plea agreement, which is, naturally, centered on the proposition that you are a heinous criminal and a moral fugitive. Think of a Wikipedia biography that tells the story of the worst moment of your life, with everything else about you salted away in footnotes. This is what the sentencing judge will read before deciding precisely how long you will be confined and its a story that will follow you throughout your stay with the state. They call the pre-sentencing report the Bible in prison, because it is one of the first things a case manager or counselor will rely upon, Paperny said. It will influence early release, your half-house time, your bunk, your job and so on. June 9, 2022 at 09:27 AM | Permalink Comments Agreed. The Federal PSR is the second most important document after the plea bargain. Getting it 100% right and accurate is paramount. It's a life-time document for the BOP, and others (Probation) etc. Posted by: Tony P | Jun 9, 2022 2:14:39 PM If it's not in the PSR, then it didn't happen... Posted by: atomicfrog | Jun 10, 2022 11:23:24 AM Post a comment Tri-State Area's Leading Car Service Company Increases Operations at EWR to Meet Passenger Demand Passenger Getting a Ride Passenger Getting a Ride NEWARK, N.J., June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daisy Limo, an executive limo and car service with more than 17 years of success in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, has increased ground transportation services at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) as leisure and business travel continues to rebound following a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic. With 17 years of experience shuttling passengers to and from Newark Airport, Daisy Limo is the leading choice for any and all travelers in the region. Daisy Limo is a rapidly growing car service company covering a wide range of cities and states along the East Coast. Newark-bound travelers often require limo service to various locations, including New York City, Princeton, NJ, Teterboro Airport, and more. With reliable, high-quality service, Daisy Limo has successfully served customers heading to or from Newark Airport, whether they reside in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, or elsewhere. As a major hub for United Airlines, Newark Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country. "As the threat of the pandemic wanes, consumers are more eager to travel than ever before," said a Daisy Limo spokesperson. "Unfortunately, there are not enough car services in the Tri-State Area to meet this demand. We have quickly scaled up our fleet of high-quality vehicles and professional drivers to provide travelers with service they can trust." Daisy Limo offers customers a reliable, quality experience from start to finish. The company provides an intuitive online booking system, flight tracking, and guaranteed on-time service with customer service top of mind. In addition, customers can chat with a customer service representative 24 hours a day to address any questions or issues. Daisy Limo also offers exact, all-inclusive rates that combine all taxes, fees, and gratuities so that customers know their precise charges before they step into the car. Unlike other services, these prices do not change in the event of unexpected traffic delays or accidents. Story continues To learn more about Daisy Limo or make a car service booking, visit https://www.daisylimo.com. About Daisy Limo Daisy Limo is a New Jersey-based ground transportation company offering executive car service to customers throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Since 2005, Daisy Limo has been the trusted provider of comprehensive black car and airport transportation solutions. The company offers easy online booking, friendly customer service, and all-inclusive prices that remain consistent regardless of traffic. To learn more about Daisy Limo, visit https://www.daisylimo.com. Related Images Image 1: Passenger Getting a Ride Black Car Service Customer Getting a Ride This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment State regulators on Thursday kick started WarHorse Gaming's plans to open casinos in Nebraska's two largest cities. "Good news. We got the provisional licenses for the Omaha and Lincoln casinos!" Ho-Chunk CEO Lance Morgan announced in a Facebook post Thursday. "Now we can take the next steps to get open." WarHorse Gaming, an entity formed by Ho-Chunk Inc. and the Nebraska Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association, applied for gaming licenses on June 2, the same day the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission approved the fee structure for the licenses. Tom Sage, executive director of the commission, said he expects it will take 30-60 days to process the applications, which will then have to go before the commission for approval. In recognition that the process will take some time and that potential casino operators can't do much without a license in place, the commission approved giving Sage the ability to grant provisional licenses to casino operators while applications funnel through the approval process. Those provisional licenses, good for up to 90 days, would not authorize operators to roll out slot machines, but they would provide the documentation necessary for them to get financing, order equipment and start construction. "The second we get the provisional licenses, we're going to break ground at both locations," Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the horsemen's group, said last week. McNally said WarHorse is seeking to borrow $560 million to finance construction of its casinos, which also includes a proposed casino for the Atokad track in South Sioux City. Ho-Chunk, the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe, owns Atokad. There are no immediate plans to apply for a state license for the South Sioux City casino because it's been more of a struggle to line up financing for that project, due to a saturated gaming market in metro Sioux City, Morgan first told the Sioux City Journal last year. WarHorse's focus is now on the Omaha and Lincoln casinos. Once they're up and running and generating revenue, Morgan said the group will then turn to developing the $80 million Atokad casino, which is envisioned for a 100-acre site along Dakota Avenue, near Everett's Furniture. Atokad's lone live day of racing in 2022, the minimum number required to keep its state racing license, is set for Father's Day, June 19. The granting of the the state's first provisional casino licenses comes nearly 19 months after voters approved casino gaming at the state's horse racing tracks and about three weeks after Gov. Pete Ricketts, who opposed the effort to approve casino gambling, signed off on rules that the commission approved in December. Most of the fees were set out in the language of the initiatives that voters approved in 2020, including the fees for casino operator licenses. That license, good for five years, costs $5 million, including $1 million due at the time of application and $1 million paid annually during the license term. McNally said officials are shooting for a groundbreaking in July for the Lincoln casino. Plans at Lincoln Race Course call for a $220 million casino project that would include more than 1,200 gaming stations, a 196-room hotel, event space, spa and several restaurants. Construction is likely to take 18-24 months to complete, but officials in Lincoln are planning to open a temporary casino floor in the existing simulcast building near U.S. 77 and West Denton Road that would have up to 300 slot machines. McNally said she expects the temporary casino space to open later this summer. WarHorse is planning a similar casino operation at Horsemen's Park in Omaha, but a temporary or transitional facility with 800 slot machines isn't expected to open until about 10 months after construction starts. Fonner Park in Grand Island also is planning a temporary casino with about 200 slot machines that it hopes to open sometime in the fall. The state's other tracks in Columbus and Hastings also are planning to build casinos. Proposals for a half-dozen other racetracks with casinos in Nebraska are on hold after the Legislature passed a bill this spring that puts a moratorium on any new operations until the Racing and Gaming Commission completes studies of the horse racing market, the casino gambling market and the socioeconomic impact of tracks and casinos. Lincoln Journal Star reporter Matt Olberding contributed to this story. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Iowas first medical marijuana manufacturer and distributor is changing its name, planning a $10 million expansion in Iowa and moving into other states where it can legally sell recreational pot. MedPharm Iowa will become Bud & Marys Cannabis Co., showing a shift in the companys focus from just medical marijuana allowed in Iowa to recreational marijuana products allowed in some other states. We feel like this better reflects our overall company, but it is not meant to suggest that medical isnt important, Lucas Nelson, group president, said in an interview Thursday. Because were across three states now, we wanted something that could be the national and one day international company we hope to become. The name comes from Nelsons grandparents, Mary Nelson and R.W. Bud Nelson. The Nelsons founded Kemin Industries, a global nutritional ingredient company in Des Moines, in 1961. Chris Nelson, Lucas Nelsons uncle, is president and chief executive officer of Kemin, and owner of Bud & Marys. He founded MedPharm Iowa, which was licensed by the state to grow and produce medical marijuana products in Iowa in 2017. This is a family-owned and operated business, Lucas Nelson said. Some of these other big corporations in the cannabis space are constantly changing hands with a veil on who owns it. Bud & Marys will break ground next week on a $10 million expansion of the Des Moines manufacturing facility to allow for a 3x increase in cannabis production for the Iowa program in order to meet increasing patient needs. The expansion, to be complete early next year, would add at least 20 new jobs, the company said. The company will expand a Colorado production facility later this year and move into Michigan with a cultivation and production facility and a dispensary. Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. Michigan approved recreational pot in 2018. Those sites as well as the companys medical cannabis dispensaries in Sioux City and Windsor Heights soon will be branded as Bud & Marys. The company will continue to make and sell the same products, including Batch cannabis vapes, which, since their release in March, are on track to be Iowas most popular medical cannabis product in 2022, a company news release states. The Batch vapes also were the most popular brand in their category in Colorado for 2020 and 2021, the company said. Although Iowa law allows only medical marijuana use, the number of patients has increased significantly in 2022 because patients now can get a registration card quickly using online doctors who certify they have one of the allowed medical conditions, which include chronic pain, the company reported. When Iowa expanded the medical marijuana program in 2020, the state replaced a 3 percent cap on tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, with a cap of 4.5 grams per patient every 90 days. This change made it legal for companies like Bud & Marys to sell 85 percent THC vapes, the company said. Iowa law allows two medical marijuana manufacturers and five dispensaries. In addition to Bud & Marys two dispensary locations, the Iowa Cannabis Co. has three dispensaries, in Iowa City, Waterloo and Council Bluffs. Iowa Cannabis also was granted a license to open a manufacturing facility in Iowa City, but the company has been seeking an extension on its deadline to become operational, the Iowa Department of Public Health told The Gazette in April. The Bud & Marys name is similar to Bud N Marys, a popular fishing marina in Islamorada, Fla., founded in the 1950s. A Twitter search shows Bud & Marys Collective is a legal marijuana distributor in San Diego. Theres also a Bud & Marys dispensary being developed in Boston. That is someone else who is unfortunately using that name, Lucas Nelson said. They are not on the market yet, but well have to deal with that. When we trademarked Bud & Marys, we realized wed have to get that cleaned up. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlins forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to take back historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. The separatist side argued that the three were mercenaries not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. They are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraines Russian-backed rebels. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko condemned the proceedings as legally invalid, saying, Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality. He said that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel and protected as such. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss pronounced the sentencing a "sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslins and Pinners families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops before Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April and Saadoun was captured in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Another British fighter taken prisoner by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraines side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. In other developments, Putin drew parallels between Peter the Great's founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russia's ambitions. When the czar founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. He added: What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. Its impossible Do you understand? impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, the Russian leader said. In other developments, French President Emmanuel Macron told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France was ready to send more heavy weapons to Ukraine, according to Macrons office. French officials did not elaborate on the weaponry. The phone conversation came after Macron angered Ukrainian officials by saying world powers should not humiliate Putin. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army continued to push Russian forces back from Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which lies to the north of the Donbas. The transmission of Ukrainian television was restored after a TV tower was shelled. Hitting television centers, destroying communication channels, leaving people isolated this is the tactic of the occupiers that they cannot do without, for openness and honesty also are weapons against all that the Russian state does, he said late Thursday in his evening address. On the battlefield: Fierce fighting dragged on in the city of Sievierodonetsk in a battle that could help determine the fate of the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland in the east. Moscow-backed separatists already held swaths of the Donbas before the invasion, and Russian troops have gained more. Residents of Kharkiv reported what appeared to be cruise missile strikes. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were immediately available. Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive to completely capture the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine's southeast, Ukrainian authorities said. Kyiv continues to hold the northern part of the region, including the city of Zaporizhzhia. Thirteen civilians were killed in Ukrainian shelling of the separatist-controlled city of Stakhanov in the Donbas, a pro-Russian separatist envoy said on social media. It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. Russia claimed it used missiles to strike a base west of the capital in the Zhytomyr region, where, it said, mercenaries were being trained. There was no immediate response from Ukrainian authorities. Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) New White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was delivering her third on-camera goodbye to a departing staffer in less than 24 hours when she quipped to reporters, I promise we will have a press shop. She added, Not everyone is leaving. Its a dynamic playing out across the White House complex this month and more evidence that not even the White House is immune from what has been called "the great resignation as employers struggle to fill vacancies and workers jump to new jobs at record rates. The administration is undergoing a period of unusually high staff turnover as President Joe Biden nears 18 months in office. Long hours, low morale and relatively low pay are taking a toll on both the ranks of the senior staff and the more numerous junior aides who keep the White House functioning. Its not unusual for staff to turn over at this point in a presidency, but the swiftness of the change has been stark at times: Two-thirds of the White House press shop, much of the COVID-19 response team, two of the deputy counsels to the president, even the staffer who manages the White House Twitter account are all leaving within a few weeks of each other. Some of it is by design. As is customary, White House staff were told to leave by July or to wait to depart until after the November elections, according to current and former officials. Still, the turnover, particularly within senior ranks, pales in comparison to the turbulent first year of President Donald Trump, who hired and dismissed staff at a record pace. Also, the Biden White House staffing was more stable than many predecessors in its earliest days, making the recent and upcoming exits more noticeable. The full scale of the Biden turnover will not be clear until the end of the month, when the White House is required to submit its annual salary report to Congress. Biden aides insist the departures are not tied to the presidents low poll numbers, but instead reflect a natural transition for staffers some of whom also toiled long hours on the campaign looking to improve their quality of life. The aides emphasized that replacements have been secured for most of the departing staff and that no critical roles are going unfilled. Its a normal time for this level of turnover in any administration, said White House spokesperson Emilie Simons. Government service involves sacrifice, and staff often have young children or promising careers in the private sector they put on hold, or opportunities for advancement within the administration or through graduate school. Many of the departing aides are heading to federal agencies, which have far deeper pockets than the smaller Executive Office of the President. They can often double their salary and substantially reduce their workload. In many ways the departures echo a broader trend in the economy which the Biden White House has championed where a historically tight labor market has given workers abnormal leverage to seek stronger-paying jobs that are more compatible with their post-pandemic lifestyles. Weve seen these historic levels of quitting, said Nick Bunker, director of economic research at the Indeed Hiring Lab. Weve also seen really rapid employment growth so that its people sort of taking advantage of the situation, getting new jobs, getting higher wages. So I think it is from a worker point of view, pretty much broadly a positive story. More than 4 million workers have been quitting their jobs each month over the past year, according to Labor Department data, accounting for almost 3% of all workers leaving jobs each month most for other work opportunities. Its a workers market right now," then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last year, months before leaving herself for a role at the news outlet MSNBC. We know that. People are looking for more dependable benefits. Theyre looking for wages that are higher." The White House has bristled at the term great resignation" and has tried to reframe it as what Bharat Ramamurti, the deputy director of the National Economic Council, calls the great upgrade. Congress sets the budget for the Executive Office of the President, and that budget has remained largely flat even as costs have gone up, including some driven by the coronavirus response. Biden also expanded the staff when he entered the White House, owing in large part to the centralization of the federal COVID-19 response and climate policy within the West Wing. The 2021 report showed an average salary of about $94,000. That's 40% higher than the country's median household income, but still less than what the well-credentialed staff could earn in the private sector. White House salaries tend to be well below the salaries that people have before they come into the White House, said Kevin Hassett, former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Trump administration. This follows naturally from the fact that a president can choose people who are at the top of their professions. So when people return to their outside profession, the salary likely increases for almost everybody. Veterans of previous West Wings who serve in or are in contact with Biden administration officials say there is a notable lack of joy across the White House complex. The pandemic has diminished some of the benefits of the job that typically make the demands of the work more bearable, they said. These arent perks in the superficial sense, but theyre moments that build your team, sharpen focus on the mission, and recharge your batteries, said Eric Schultz, principal deputy White House press secretary at the end of the Obama administration. Nobody goes to the White House to coast, but the jobs are draining, so inspiration along the way can mean a lot. The pandemic meant few birthday parties in the bowling alley in the bowels of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and curtailed the opportunity to give loved ones a tour of the historic workplace. In December, the White House was unable to hold staff holiday parties because of COVID-19, and travel is only just returning to pre-pandemic norms. For Bidens first year in office, most staff could not even stand on the South Lawn driveway to view the president arrive or depart on Marine One. The COVID precautions around Biden himself, including testing for those who might encounter him daily, mean many staff members have few personal interactions with their boss. For some departing staff, a highlight of their time in the White House came when former President Barack Obama visited the White House and talked with staff on the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Aides said he spent almost five hours in the building and made a point of mingling with staff in many cases spending more time with them than Biden has been able to. Biden, aides said, has restarted one pre-pandemic tradition: accommodating departure photos for staffers and their families who are leaving the administration. Associated Press writer Josh Boak contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Coronavirus cases are on the rise again in New Mexico, but top state health officials said Wednesday that a return to mask mandates or other widespread public health restrictions are unlikely because infections are becoming more mild. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase said during his first briefing on the pandemic in months that the situation is very different now than it was over the winter. He noted that more tools and treatments are available and that infections are resulting in far fewer hospitalizations and deaths. This isn't about infections. It's about serious disease, it's about hospitalizations, it's about deaths. That's what we need to pay attention to," he said of the focus. ... Our deaths are only a fraction, our hospitalizations are only a fraction and that's really the sticking point for this state. The pandemic took a toll on New Mexico early on because of the state's historical lack of resources, including nurses and its low ranking among states when it comes to hospital bed capacity. Health care officials and some elected officials promoted the mandates in hopes of limiting infections and preventing the overtaxing of a system already running at full capacity. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 infection are currently low and only a small percentage of patients require ventilators, which state officials said means an evolution toward a milder illness from coronavirus infections. State epidemiologist Dr. Christine Ross, who will step down from her post in the coming weeks, said it has been a long and difficult public health period but that she was pleased to report what she called a welcomed difference from the severity of prior infections. What we're seeing with this wave is very different than what we've seen in the past, she said, pointing to multiple factors that range from the properties of the latest variant to what she referred to as a wall of protection created by vaccination and immunity resulting from infections and in some cases re-infections. Health officials did acknowledged the difficulty in analyzing data now because many positive infection tests conducted at home go unreported. While state data showed vaccinated and boosted people made up nearly two-thirds of COVID-19 cases reported over the last four weeks, Scrase said the numbers should not be considered a study of how effective vaccination might be because there are too many variables. With treatments now seen as a game-changer, Scrase said his next hope is that deaths caused by the virus can be prevented. New Mexico's coronavirus death toll is approaching 7,900 people, according to state data. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. HOLSTEIN, Iowa -- After a Memorial Day morning storm blew though Holstein, ripping and scattering its Avenue of Flags, community members didn't spend much time dwelling on the present. Sure, the sight of all those flags on the ground, many of them damaged so badly they'd never fly again, was terrible. Instead, their focus was on the future, specifically the town's Kinderfest celebration, just three weeks away on Father's Day weekend. They were determined to have as many of the 502 flags as possible back in place for the weekend full of class reunions and other fun activities. "Our first thought was we wanted to go up for Kinderfest weekend," said Burdette Conover, finance officer of American Legion Post 225 in Holstein. They just might meet that goal, thanks to the overwhelming response to an online fundraising campaign. As of Wednesday afternoon, $12,935 had been donated to a Go Fund Me account, just short of the $15,000 goal that would pay for 500 flags and some hardware. The quick response enabled Conover to order 300 flags the day after Memorial Day, and 80 had already arrived last week. Another shipment was expected this week, and the rest are supposed to arrive sometime next week. Meanwhile, about a dozen volunteers with sewing machines are rushing to repair another 150 flags. Maybe, just maybe, they'll all be flying on June 16 to kick off Kinderfest. "We're well pleased with how the community and people around have come out to support this. Obviously they feel the Avenue of Flags is important to Holstein," Conover said. Anyone who drives by Holstein on U.S. Highway 20 during the Memorial Day, Father's Day or Fourth of July weekends can't help but notice the Avenue of Flags. Begun in 2011 as Michael Perrett's Eagle Scout project, it has grown from roughly 250 flags to more than 500, stretched out more than half a mile along both sides South Kiel Street. In addition to the 5-foot by 8-foot nylon flags lining the street, the display includes the flags of each branch of the armed services encircling a larger American flag on a 70-foot pole. The flags honor military veterans with Holstein ties, both living and deceased. As you might imagine, the sight of all those flags waving in the breeze is stirring, leading motorists to pull off the highway and snap pictures or drive through the flags. The display has become a source of pride in Holstein, a community project involving not just Legion members, but many others who never served in the military. So it was tough for them to look at the aftermath of a storm that packed 60-75 mph winds Memorial Day morning. About 450 flags were damaged, many ripped from their poles and blown onto the ground. "It was pretty sad driving down the Avenue of Flags and seeing poles that were bent and the flags remaining were torn and shredded," said Alex Conover, Burdette's son. "Even though I'm not a Legion member, it means a lot to me, and it means a lot to the Holstein community." The damaged flags were gathered and taken to the Legion post, where the damage was assessed. The Legion's flag fund dedicated to replacing 20-25 flags each year had nowhere near enough money to replace all those that were damaged. As discussions about what to do progressed, Alex Conover suggested setting up a Go Fund Me account to raise money. His dad and the other Legion officers signed on. Having never done a Go Fund Me before, the younger Conover set a conservative goal of $5,000. "We put it up thinking maybe we could replace 100 flags," he said. The site went live at 2 p.m. Memorial Day. News of the damage reached former Holstein residents living across the country. Donations ranging from $5 to $500 poured in from near and far, and by the end of the day, more than $8,000 had been donated. Conover raised the goal to $10,000, which was quickly surpassed, before increasing it to the current $15,000. Once the replacement flags are bought, any leftover money will go to the Legion's flag fund. Many of the flags now being repaired will need to be replaced either after Kinderfest or the Fourth of July, and more replacements will be ordered. If all the flags haven't arrived or been repaired in time for Kinderfest, those who maintain the Avenue of Flags will make due with what they have, probably 250 flags at minimum. No matter how many flags are ready, the patriotic display will be up for the weekend in some form. "We want it to look nice, and hopefully the veterans and families of veterans will understand if we don't have them all up," Conover said. Considering the size of the undertaking and the short time period in which to get it done, it's hard to believe anyone could be upset if the Avenue of Flags is short a few flags. If anything, the response proves community members fully understand the importance of doing what's necessary to restore the display, and their pride in it waves right along with each flag, no matter how many are flying next weekend. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- Jaime Myers immediately knew something was wrong when she heard the pounding on her door and saw Tayvon Davis outside, holding her granddaughter, Maelynn. Davis was panicked and frantic, telling her that the limp 19-month-old in his arms was having trouble breathing. "He was holding Maelynn, and her head was on his shoulder," Myers testified. "I asked him what was wrong. He said, 'I don't know.' I know he mentioned he was giving her a bath." After feeling the little girl's foot for a pulse, Myers said Thursday, the opening day of Davis' trial, they got in her SUV and drove to MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center. She said she didn't call 911 because she figured she lived close enough to the hospital that she could get there in the time it would take an ambulance to come to her apartment and then drive to the hospital. Davis, 26, of Sioux City, the live-in boyfriend of Maelynn's mother, Shannon Myers, is charged in Woodbury County District Court with first-degree murder, child endangerment resulting in the death of a child and multiple acts of child endangerment. He's accused of injuring Maelynn numerous times from July 1, 2018, until Aug. 22, 2018, when he and Jamie Myers took her to the MercyOne emergency room. An autopsy revealed multiple head injuries, retinal hemorrhages in the girl's eyes, a kidney injury and other injuries, and her death was ruled a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries. The autopsy also showed healing bone fractures in several of the girl's vertebrae and ribs. Davis later told investigators he dropped the girl while giving her a bath. While on the way to the hospital on Aug. 22, Myers testified under questioning from the defense, she told Davis to push on Maelynn's chest to keep air moving in her body. Myers said she could not remember if Davis did any chest compressions. At MercyOne, medical staff performed CPR on Maelynn and regained a pulse. By the time she was on a helicopter bound for Children's Hospital in Omaha about four hours later, she was on a ventilator. She died three days later. While in the Sioux City emergency room, nurse Ruth Ball talked with Davis and Myers. Davis was pacing, "continually saying I can't believe this," Ball said. He told her Maelynn had been fussy all morning and wouldn't eat much so he gave her a bath to try to calm her. Ball said he told her that when he took Maelynn out of the tub, she went limp. He said nothing about dropping her, Ball said. Myers had concerns about Maelynn's health in the weeks leading up to her death. By Aug. 1, the girl's health and behavior were declining, she said. "Something was wrong," said Myers, who lived in the same apartment complex and watched the girl for Shannon on Wednesdays and every other weekend. "She was always such a happy baby, but she wasn't. She was crying a lot." Maelynn was seen by doctors three times Aug. 1-3 and was diagnosed with an ear infection and hand, foot and mouth disease. Myers said her granddaughter continued to become more lethargic and by Aug. 18 couldn't get off the couch to dance, one of her favorite activities. Prosecutors showed jurors a video Myers took of Maelynn. In it, the little girl moved her arms a bit to the music, but not much more. "She didn't have the gumption to get up and move around," Myers said. Two days later, Shannon Myers took Maelynn to the UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's emergency room, concerned about a bump on her daughter's head, a lack of weight gain and little energy. Dr. Rita Jenkins testified that she examined Maelynn and found no external injuries. Blood tests revealed the girl had anemia. An x-ray showed no skull fractures. In her opening statement to jurors, Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Kristine Timmins said Maelynn's health began to decline after Davis moved in with her and Shannon Myers. "She stopped eating, she stopped walking, she wasn't herself," Timmins said. "Shannon will tell you she knew something was wrong and she tried to figure out what happened." Davis' attorney, public defender Jennifer Solberg, told jurors Maelynn was a sick baby who at 4 months of age was seen by doctors because she was failing to thrive. A change in baby formula and surgery for craniosynostosis helped for a while, but the girl continued to have health problems that doctors couldn't solve. "This was a very sick baby that doctors couldn't figure out when she was alive. They could figure out even less when she was no longer alive," Solberg said. "Mr. Davis did nothing intentionally to harm Maelynn Myers," Solberg said. "No one knows why Maelynn Myers stopped breathing. That is an unfortunate medical fact that set off a chain of events in this case." Davis was arrested in November 2019 after a 15-month police investigation. If found guilty of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. The trial will resume at 9 a.m. Friday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 4 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- A Texas man found hanging around a Sioux City school was arrested Tuesday and charged with enticing a 13-year-old boy to have sexual contact with him. According to court documents, East Middle School staff members approached Isaac Herrera at about 8:21 a.m., and Herrera told them he was the guardian of the 13-year-old boy and was looking for him. He then gave a fake name to an officer at the scene. Police determined that Herrera had met the boy a year and a half ago through playing online video games. In an interview with police, Herrera said he had been in town since June 1 and had been hanging around with the boy and two other 13-year-old boys at the place he was renting and had taken them shopping, court documents said. A search warrant was executed on Herrera's phone, and communications between Herrera and the boy revealed conversations about the two performing sexual acts on each other. Herrera also had asked the boy to send him nude photos of himself, court documents said. Officers discovered that Herrera had a plane ticket to return to Texas. Herrera, 21, of Brownsville, Texas, was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of enticing a minor, lascivious acts with a child -- solicitation, trespassing and making a false report. He is being held on a $10,000 cash only bond. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 6 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. You are here: World Flash Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday she has tested positive for COVID-19. Marin, 36, tweeted that her temperature rose Tuesday night and a home test turned out positive, but her symptoms were mild. The prime minister said that on account of her recent intense travel schedule, she had taken home tests regularly and the results had been negative earlier during the week. National broadcaster Yle reported that Marin was present at a parliament session Tuesday and hosted the traditional summer celebration of the cabinet parties in her official residence in the evening. Initially, changes were expected in the prime minister's schedule, but Yle reported later that at least an all-party meeting on speeding up the emergency legislation reform would, after all, take place as planned Wednesday afternoon. Marin traveled a week ago to Washington DC and spent several days there. SIOUX CITY -- As he watched the election results Tuesday night at the home of one of his supporters, James Loomis sat running his hands through his hair while others in the room chatted, laughed and clapped as more votes were counted. With all the precincts reporting and his victory secured, Loomis yelled "Yes!" while pumping his fist in the air. In a high-profile race for the Republican nomination for Woodbury County Attorney, Loomis eked out a 144-vote win over his fellow Assistant County Attorney Jacklyn Fox. We had worked hard, myself and everyone that helped me, so I was optimistic going into it, Loomis said at his victory party, where he celebrated with a glass of sparkling apple cider. I'm relieved that I can now look ahead to the General Election in November." Loomis, a prosecutor in the county attorney's office for 19 years, turned his attention to the general election campaign against his current boss, County Attorney Patrick Jennings. Jennings, who is seeking a fifth, four-year term, was unopposed in Tuesday's Democratic primary. "The first step is to continue with the same message that I started with back on Jan. 11, Loomis said. It's a message that I believe will make the County Attorney's office serve more effectively and serve the people better. I am not here to be negative; I am here to bring what I think will make things better. Loomis, who was endorsed by a long list of current and former local law enforcement officials, will remain in the county attorney's office while running for the top job. When asked about running against his boss, Loomis said he was confident that relationship would not be compromised. SIOUX CITY -- Democratic nominee Jeremy Dumkrieger and Republican Dan Bittinger advanced Tuesday to a fall showdown for open seat on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors. Dumkrieger, a teacher and chair of the county Democratic Party, defeated Maria Rundquist, 55% to 44%, for the Democratic nomination for District 2. Bittinger, lead pastor at CrossPointe Church, ran unopposed Tuesday for the GOP nomination. The seat is held by Republican Justin Wright, who decided not to seek another term. "I'm thrilled with this win and I'm going to shake things up," Dumkrieger said Tuesday night. "I'm going to make sure rural voters are represented and have the services they need without having to beg and plead. I am going to be available to everyone and when I say, 'Holler if you need something,' I mean it." Bittinger said he was pleased with the turnout for Tuesday's election, and is looking forward to the next five months of the race, speaking with community members and hearing their concerns and issues. The Republican said he has not yet had the chance to meet Dumkrieger, but looks forward to doing so. Born in Onawa, Iowa and raised in Soldier, Iowa, Dumkrieger earned a bachelor's degree from Morningside University. He is an art teacher in the the Lawton-Bronson school district. The Woodbury Democratic Party Chair since 2016, Dumkrieger received the Bob Creech Award for Outstanding County Chairman from the Iowa Democratic Party in 2018. Dumkrieger said he decided to run for the board of supervisors after seeing graduates leave Woodbury County for better jobs elsewhere. He said the county needs a growing and more diversified economy. Mental health in the community is Dumkriegers top priority. He said the county needs well-funded mental health programs to prevent crime, more than a new jail to house inmates. Preventing crime before it happens also prevents victims, he said. Every person that can receive help before a crime is committed or a relapse occurs prevents unimaginable ripples in mental health and trauma throughout our community. Bittinger has lived in Sioux City for the past eight years with his wife and three children. He is originally from Wadsworth, Ohio and attended Southeast University in Lakeland, Florida for degrees in communication and pastoral ministry. He has never run for an elected position. Now that his children are older, he said he has the time to do his part and serve in the democracy. Bittinger said he is running for the board of supervisors because he likes to serve others and be involved with the community to make a difference. There are a few concerns he wants to focus on, such as staying within the board's constitutional bounds and staying prudent in financial decisions. He also wants to ensure people have individual freedom, not more restrictions. He is less focused on issues he wants to address, and more on what concerns the county staff and community bring forward. His goal is to address issues and they arise, learn about them and plan for the long-term implications. "The things we should be addressing really should be coming from some of our department leaders and the employees, they know what's going on," he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HARTLEY, Iowa -- Spencer Hospital announced Wednesday their plans to open a clinic in the Hartley facility where MercyOne formerly operated. MercyOne on Tuesday announced that their MercyOne Hartley Family Medicine, at 231 N Eighth Ave. W, will close down July 30. In statements Tuesday, MercyOne stressed repeatedly that the closure is occurring due to a terminated lease and that it was not of MercyOne's choosing. "It is not our decision to leave, and we had hoped to continue our Mission in the community of Hartley for years to come," MercyOne said in a statement. The new Hartley clinic, expected to open later this summer, will be named Hartley Family Care of Spencer Hospital and will be managed by Spencer Hospital in collaboration with Avera Medical Group Spencer, according to a statement provided by Spencer Hospital. "Services will be provided in a manner similar to the hospitals rural clinics in the communities of Milford and Sioux Rapids, which have served its area residents for over 20 years," the statement said. MercyOne, for its part, is recommending its Hartley patients transfer to MercyOne's Primghar Family Medicine clinic in the O'Brien County seat of Primghar, about 15 minutes away. The MercyOne clinic had offered urgent care, acute care, preventative care, diabetes care and telehealth services to Hartley, with its population of about 1,600. A spokeswoman with Spencer Hospital said the Community Memorial Health Center Association, the owner of the building where MercyOne operated its Hartley clinic, decided not to renew MercyOne's lease, and that Spencer Hospital was offered the chance to operate a clinic there. Weve appreciated our relationship with MercyOne and the services it offered, Colleen Paulsen, chairperson of the Community Memorial Health Center Board, said in a statement provided by Spencer Hospital. Given how many of our community members utilize a wide range of medical services based in Spencer, our board members believe aligning local primary care services with Spencer Hospital makes sense for the communities we serve. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- Because of continued dry conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to continue implementing water conservation measures in the Missouri River reservoir system through the rest of 2022 and into 2023. The corps began the year with minimal river flows to support downstream navigation. Forecasts show that the minimal support likely will extend through the end of the navigation season, which may be shortened by up to two weeks. Water releases from Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, currently are 20,500 cubic feet per second and will be adjusted during the summer for flow support. Normal summer releases from Gavins Point are around 33,000 cfs. Despite runoff into the river above Sioux City exceeding forecasts in May, the overall runoff totals are far below normal. Precipitation continues to be below normal, and dry soil conditions in much of the region are soaking up any precipitation that falls. Cooler temperatures in May slowed mountain snowmelt that feeds the river. The corps reported on Wednesday that May runoff was 2.7 million acre-feet, 79% of average, thanks in part to a wet April and May in North Dakota. The 2022 runoff forecast rose from 17.8 MAF to 18.3 MAF, which is 71% of normal and would be the 25th lowest total in 123 years of record keeping. Average annual runoff is 25.8 MAF. "Drought conditions persist but have improved over the last month. Over 20% of the basin is drought-free, and only 8% of the basin is left in extreme drought conditions, mostly in the state of Montana," John Remus, chief of the corps Missouri River Basin Water Management Division, said in a news release. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 4th grade Uvalde survivor: 'I don't want it to happen again' WASHINGTON (AP) An 11-year-old girl who survived the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, recounted in video testimony to Congress on Wednesday how she covered herself with a dead classmates blood to avoid being shot and just stayed quiet. Miah Cerrillo, a fourth-grader at Robb Elementary School, told lawmakers in a prerecorded video that she watched a teacher get shot in the head before looking for a place to hide. I thought he would come back so I covered myself with blood, Miah told the House panel. I put it all over me and I just stayed quiet. She called 911 using the deceased teacher's phone and pleaded for help. Nineteen children and two teachers died when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle inside Robb Elementary School on May 24. It was the second day lawmakers heard wrenching testimony on the nations gun violence. On Tuesday, a Senate panel heard from the son of an 86-year-old woman killed when a gunman opened fire in a racist attack on Black shoppers in Buffalo, New York, on May 14. Ten people died. Capitol attack's full story: Jan. 6 panel probes US risks WASHINGTON (AP) The Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol played out for the world to see, but the House committee investigating the attack believes a more chilling story has yet to be told -- about the president and the people whose actions put American democracy at risk. With personal accounts and gruesome videos the 1/6 committee expects Thursday's prime-time hearing to begin to show that Americas tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power came close to slipping away. It will reconstruct how the president, Donald Trump, refused to concede the 2020 election, spread false claims of voter fraud and orchestrated an unprecedented public and private campaign to overturn Joe Bidens victory. The result of the coming weeks of public hearings may not change hearts or minds in politically polarized America. But the committee's year-long investigation with 1,000 interviews is intended to stand as a public record for history. A final report aims to provide an accounting of the most violent attack on the Capitol since the British set fire in 1814, and ensure it never happens again. This is not a game, said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard professor and co-author of How Democracies Die, who has written extensively on the world's democratic governments. We suffered an assault on our democracy the likes of which none of us have seen in our lifetime." Brookings places retired general on leave amid FBI probe The prestigious Brookings Institution placed its president, retired four-star Marine Gen. John Allen, on administrative leave Wednesday amid a federal investigation into his role in an illegal lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar. Brookings announcement came a day after The Associated Press reported on new court filings that show the FBI recently seized Allens electronic data as part of the probe and detailed his behind-the scenes efforts to help Qatar influence U.S. policy in 2017 when a diplomatic crisis erupted between the gas-rich monarchy and its neighbors. Allen, who led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan before being tapped to lead Brookings in late 2017, has not been charged with any crimes. His spokesman, Beau Phillips, said Wednesday that Allen had done nothing improper or unlawful. Through decades of public service in combat and diplomacy, General Allen has earned an unmatched, sterling reputation for honor and integrity, Phillips said in a statement. We look forward to correcting the falsehoods about General Allen that have been improperly publicized in this matter. Brookings told staffers in an email Wednesday that the institute itself is not under investigation and that the think tanks executive vice president, Ted Gayer, will serve as acting president. More bodies found in Mariupol as global food crisis looms BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Workers pulled scores of bodies from smashed buildings in an endless caravan of death inside the devastated city of Mariupol, authorities said Wednesday, while fears of a global food crisis escalated over Ukraines inability to export millions of tons of grain through its blockaded ports. At the same time, Ukrainian and Russian forces battled fiercely for control of Sievierodonestk, a city that has emerged as central to Moscow's grinding campaign to capture Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas. As the fighting dragged on, the human cost of the war continued to mount. In many of Mariupol's buildings, workers are finding 50 to 100 bodies each, according to a mayoral aide in the Russian-held port city in the south. Petro Andryushchenko said on the Telegram app that the bodies are being taken in an endless caravan of death to a morgue, landfills and other places. At least 21,000 Mariupol civilians were killed during the weeks-long Russian siege, Ukrainian authorities have estimated. The consequences of the war are being felt far beyond Eastern Europe because shipments of Ukrainian grain are bottled up inside the country, driving up the price of food. Trump set to undergo questioning in July in NY civil probe NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trump, his namesake son and his daughter Ivanka have agreed to answer questions under oath next month in the New York attorney general's civil investigation into his business practices, unless their lawyers persuade the state's highest court to step in. A Manhattan judge signed off Wednesday on an agreement that calls for the Trumps to give depositions a legal term for sworn, pretrial testimony out of court starting July 15. Messages seeking comment were sent to the ex-president's attorneys. State Attorney General Letitia James' office declined to comment, as did the younger Trumps' attorney, Alan Futerfas. Another Trump son, Eric Trump, gave a deposition in 2020 but declined to answer some questions. The new agreement comes after a series of setbacks for Donald Trump's efforts to block James' 3-year-long investigation. Dems confront criticism on crime after San Francisco defeat SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Democrats on Wednesday braced for renewed Republican attacks on their management of crime across the U.S. after residents in San Francisco voted overwhelmingly to recall the city's progressive district attorney, suggesting that even the party's most loyal supporters are frustrated with the way in which violence and social problems are being addressed. Chesa Boudin was swept into the district attorney's office pledging to seek alternatives to incarceration, end the racist war on drugs and hold police officers to account. But the citys longstanding problems with vandalism, open drug use and robberies proved too much for voters, who blamed him for making the situation worse. While a single city race is hardly a barometer of the national mood, the rejection of Boudin by residents in the nation's progressive epicenter carried symbolic significance for members of both parties. Republicans were emboldened by the vote, planning to highlight crime in several critical Senate races. At the White House, meanwhile, President Joe Biden acknowledged that the vote sent a clear message about public safety. Both parties have to step up and do something about crime as well as gun violence, Biden said ahead of a trip to California, noting he sent billions of dollars and encouraged them to use it to hire police officers and reforming police departments. Its time to move, Biden continued. Its time that states and the localities spend the money they have to deal with crime as well as retrain police officers. Armed man arrested for threat to kill Justice Kavanaugh WASHINGTON (AP) A man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested Wednesday near Justice Brett Kavanaugh's house in Maryland after threatening to kill the justice. Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, California, was charged with the attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice. During a court hearing, he consented to remain in federal custody for now. Roske was dressed in black when he arrived by taxi just after 1 a.m. outside Kavanaughs home in a Washington suburb. He had a Glock 17 pistol, ammunition, a knife, zip ties, pepper spray, duct tape and other items that he told police he would use to break into Kavanaugh's house and kill him, according to a criminal complaint and an affidavit filed in federal court in Maryland. Roske said he purchased the gun to kill Kavanaugh and that he also would kill himself, the affidavit said. Roske told police he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is about to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion case. He also said he was upset over the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, and believed Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws, the affidavit said. The court currently is weighing a challenge to New York's requirements for getting a permit to carry a gun in public, a case that could make it easier to be armed on the streets of New York and other large cities. Biden sidelines Venezuela's pro-democracy leader from summit LOS ANGELES (AP) A little more than two years ago, Juan Guaido was showered with bipartisan applause when President Donald Trump during his State of the Union speech praised the Venezuelan opposition leader as a very brave man" who carries on his shoulders the democratic hopes of an entire nation. But in a sign of how far his political fate has fallen, and how quickly U.S. geopolitical calculations can shift, the 38-year-old wasn't even invited to this week's Summit of the Americas despite the Biden administration's persistent promotion of democracy and insistence it recognizes Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Meanwhile, the man Guaido has been trying to unseat, Nicolas Maduro, is taking something of a victory lap. On a rare foreign trip to Turkey this week, Maduro, who is the target of U.S. sanctions and a federal narcotics indictment, denounced the decision to exclude him and leftist allies from Cuba and Nicaragua from the gathering as a stab in the back of regional cooperation. This is a clear win for Maduro, Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of Americas, said from Los Angeles, where he was attending the summit. Hes seen allies take up his cause at the summit while preventing his primary rival, whom Washington recognizes as president, from attending. In what may be an attempt at damage control, Biden on Wednesday spoke with Guaido. It was the first time the two leaders have spoken and during the call, which lasted around 17 minutes, Biden reiterated his support for Guaido, whose claim to the presidency stems from his role as head of the National Assembly elected in 2015. Mexican megachurch leader gets more than 16 years for abuse LOS ANGELES (AP) The leader of the Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo was sentenced Wednesday to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing young female followers who said he made them his sex slaves. Naason Joaquin Garcia, 53, abruptly pleaded guilty last week in Los Angeles Superior Court to three felonies on the eve of a long-awaited trial. Prosecutors said Garcia, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, used his spiritual sway to have sex with girls and young women who were told it would lead to their salvation or damnation if they refused. I never cease to be amazed at what people do in the name of religion and how many lives are ruined in the guise of a supreme being, said Judge Ronald Coen, who called Garcia a sexual predator. The sentence came after nearly three hours of emotional statements by five young women Garcia was charged with sexually abusing. They had once been his most devoted servants. But in court they called him evil and a monster, disgusting human waste and the antichrist. Reports: Twitter to provide Musk with raw daily tweet data SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Twitter plans to offer Elon Musk access to its firehose of raw data on hundreds of millions of daily tweets in an effort to push forward the Tesla billionaires agreed-to $44 billion acquisition of the social media platform, according to multiple news reports. Lawyers involved in the deal would not confirm the data sharing agreement. Musk made no comment on Twitter, although he has previously been vocal about various aspects of the deal. Twitter declined to confirm the reports and pointed to a Monday statement in which the company said it is continuing to cooperatively share information with Musk. Musk, who struck a legally binding agreement to buy Twitter in April, contends that the deal cant proceed unless the company provides more information about the prevalence of fake accounts on its platform. He has argued, without presenting evidence, that Twitter has significantly underestimated the number of these spam bots -- automated accounts that typically promote scams and misinformation on its service. On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced an investigation into Twitter for allegedly failing to disclose the extent of its spam bot and fake accounts, saying his office would look into potential false reporting of bots on Twitter. The Washington Post first reported Twitters plan to provide Musk with full access to the firehose, citing a person familiar with the matter. Other reports suggested the billionaire might only receive partial access. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 4th grade Uvalde survivor: 'I don't want it to happen again' WASHINGTON (AP) An 11-year-old girl who survived the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, has told members of Congress how she covered herself in her dead classmates blood and played dead to avoid being shot. Miah Cerrillo, a fourth-grader at Robb Elementary School, told lawmakers in a prerecorded video Wednesday that she watched a teacher get shot in the head before looking for a place to hide. Using the deceased teacher's phone, she called 911 and pleaded for help. Her testimony to a House Oversight Committee was the second day of testimony from families of the victims and survivors of mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde. Capitol attack's full story: Jan. 6 panel probes US risks WASHINGTON (AP) The Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol played out for the world to see. But the House committee investigating the attack believes a more chilling story has yet to be told. The 1/6 committee expects Thursdays prime-time hearing to begin to show that American democracy was put at grave risk. It will reconstruct how the president, Donald Trump for two more weeks, refused to concede the 2020 election, spread false claims of voter fraud and orchestrated an unprecedented campaign to overturn Joe Bidens victory. The public hearings may not change opinions in polarized America. But the committees year-long investigation is intended to stand as a public record for history. Brookings places retired general on leave amid FBI probe The prestigious Brookings Institution has placed its president, retired four-star Marine Gen. John Allen, on administrative leave amid a federal investigation into Allens foreign lobbying. Brookings announcement came a day after The Associated Press reported on new court filings that show the FBI recently seized Allens electronic data as part of an investigation into his role in an illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar. Allen has not been charged with any crimes and previously denied any wrongdoing. Brookings told staffers Wednesday that the institute itself is not under federal investigation. More bodies found in Mariupol as global food crisis looms BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian authorities say that workers have pulled scores of bodies from smashed buildings in the devastated city of Mariupol in an endless caravan of death." At the same time, fears of a global food crisis are escalating over Ukraines inability to export millions of tons of grain through its blockaded ports. Ukrainian and Russian forces are also continuing to battle for control of a key eastern city in the industrial heartland known as the Donbas. An analyst said that the Kremlins continued advances could eventually open up the possibility of a negotiated settlement between the two nations. Trump set to undergo questioning in July in NY civil probe NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trump, his namesake son and his daughter Ivanka have agreed to answer questions under oath next month in the New York attorney generals civil investigation into his business practices. That's unless their lawyers persuade the states highest court to step in. A Manhattan judge signed off Wednesday on an agreement that calls for the Trumps to give depositions starting July 15. The agreement comes after a series of setbacks for Donald Trumps efforts to block state Attorney General Letitia James three-year-long investigation. Wednesdays ruling acknowledges that Trump can appeal to New Yorks top court, called the Court of Appeals. Dems confront criticism on crime after San Francisco defeat SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Democrats are defending their record on crime a day after an election for district attorney in California exposed lingering vulnerabilities. Voters in San Francisco voted to oust progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who had embraced calls to seek alternatives to incarceration and hold police officers to account. President Joe Biden said that voters had sent a clear message to both parties about public safety. Democrats continue to face pointed attacks from Republicans about their commitment to public safety two years after progressive activists championed nationwide calls to defund the police." Biden and most Democrats in Congress have rejected such calls, but polling suggests that voters trust Republicans more than Democrats on crime. Armed man arrested for threat to kill Justice Kavanaugh WASHINGTON (AP) A man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested Wednesday near Justice Brett Kavanaughs house in Maryland after threatening to kill the justice. Twenty-six year-old Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California, was charged with the attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice. During a court hearing, Roske consented to remain in federal custody for now. Roske arrived by taxi just after 1 a.m. Wednesday outside Kavanaughs home in a Washington suburb. Roske had a Glock 17 pistol, ammunition, a knife, pepper spray, duct tape and other items that he told police he would use to break into Kavanaughs house and kill him. That's according to a criminal complaint and an affidavit filed in federal court. Biden sidelines Venezuela's pro-democracy leader from summit LOS ANGELES (AP) A little more than two years ago, Juan Guaido was showered with bipartisan applause when President Donald Trump during his State of the Union speech praised the Venezuelan opposition leader as a very brave man who carries on his shoulders the democratic hopes of an entire nation. But in a sign of how far his political fate has fallen, and how quickly U.S. geopolitical calculations can shift, the 38-year-old wasnt even invited to this weeks Summit of the Americas despite the Biden administrations persistent promotion of democracy and insistence it recognizes Guaido as Venezuelas interim president. Mexican megachurch leader gets more than 16 years for abuse LOS ANGELES (AP) The leader of La Luz del Mundo church has been sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing girls. Naason Joaquin Garcia was sentenced Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court after several of his victims made emotional pleas to the court in which they called him evil and a monster. Garcia, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, had vigorously fought the charges until he abruptly pleaded guilty last week to three felonies. The church says he pleaded guilty because he didn't think he could get a fair trial. Celtics beat Warriors 116-100, take 2-1 lead in NBA Finals BOSTON (AP) Jaylen Brown scored 27 points, Jayson Tatum added 26 and the Boston Celtics beat back another third-quarter onslaught by the Golden State Warriors in a 116-100 victory that gave them a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Marcus Smart added 24 points. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 31 points and six 3-pointers. He had 15 points in a 33-25 third quarter by the Warriors but was hurt late in the fourth after Al Horford rolled into his leg on a loose ball. It was similar to a play during the regular season in which Smart dove into Currys legs while chasing a loose ball. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A girl known as Baby Holly has been found alive and well 40 years after she went missing following the murders of her parents, Texas officials say. Tina Gail Linn Clouse and Harold Dean Clouse Jr. were discovered dead in a wooded area in Houston in 1981, but it wasnt until 2021 when they were positively identified, according to the Texas Attorney Generals Office. The couple had an infant daughter, Holly, who was not found beside their remains. The Linn and Clouse families have been seeking answers for decades, and recently learned the girl named Baby Holly is alive and well, the attorney generals office said. Holly is now 42 years old and has been in contact with her extended biological family. She currently lives in Oklahoma, the Houston Chronicle reported. Finding Holly is a birthday present from heaven since we found her on Juniors birthday, said Donna Casasanta, Hollys grandmother. I prayed for more than 40 years for answers and the Lord has revealed some of it... we have found Holly. The Where is Holly Marie? Facebook page shared a photo on Thursday, June 9, of the 42-year-old Holly. Its still unknown who killed Hollys parents. Dean was found beaten and Tina was strangled, according to the Houston Chronicle. The attorney generals office will hold a press conference on Thursday, June 9, regarding its investigation into the case. The Lewisville Police Department, the Volusia County Sheriffs Office in Florida, the Arizona Attorney Generals Office, the Harris County Sheriffs Office, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children assisted the attorney generals office in its investigation into Hollys whereabouts. In January, detectives launched the Hope for Holly project to help find the girl, as well as assist others with uncertain childhoods. Allison Peacock with Family History Detectives said at the time that she had received communication from many women who hoped they were Holly. The Hope for Holly Project will screen, DNA test, and help identify those with uncertain childhoods, including the women who have found hopeful connection to the 1981 story of Holly and her parents, according to a press release. On a GoFundMe for the project, organizers thanked the Texas Attorney General Offices cold case unit for their help in reuniting Holly with her extended family. Hollys aunt, Cheryl Clouse, said in a statement she has now met her niece for the first time. It is such a blessing to be reassured that she is alright and has had a good life, Clouse said. The whole family slept well last night. Another one of her aunts, Sherry Linn Green, said she believes her sister, Tina, is resting in peace knowing Holly is reuniting with her family. I personally am so relived to know Holly is alive and well and was well cared for, but also torn up by it all, she said. That baby was her life. 2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 The prestigious Brookings Institution placed its president, retired four-star Marine Gen. John Allen, on administrative leave Wednesday amid a federal investigation into his role in an illegal lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar. Brookings announcement came a day after The Associated Press reported on new court filings that show the FBI recently seized Allens electronic data as part of the probe and detailed his behind-the scenes efforts to help Qatar influence U.S. policy in 2017 when a diplomatic crisis erupted between the gas-rich monarchy and its neighbors. Allen, who led U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan before being tapped to lead Brookings in late 2017, has not been charged with any crimes. His spokesman, Beau Phillips, said Wednesday that Allen had done nothing improper or unlawful. Through decades of public service in combat and diplomacy, General Allen has earned an unmatched, sterling reputation for honor and integrity, Phillips said in a statement. We look forward to correcting the falsehoods about General Allen that have been improperly publicized in this matter. Brookings told staffers in an email Wednesday that the institute itself is not under investigation and that the think tanks executive vice president, Ted Gayer, will serve as acting president. We have every confidence in the Brookings teams ability to remain focused on delivering quality, independence, and impact," the email said. Brookings pays Allen more than $1 million a year, according to its most recently available tax records. The email to staff did not say whether Allen would continue to be paid while on leave. The federal investigation involving Allen has already ensnared Richard G. Olson, a former ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan who pleaded guilty to federal charges last week, and Imaad Zuberi, a prolific political donor now serving a 12-year prison sentence on corruption charges. Several members of Congress have also been interviewed. An FBI agent said in an affidavit in support of a search warrant there was substantial evidence that Allen had knowingly broken a foreign lobbying law, and had made false statements and withheld incriminating documents. Allens behind-the-scenes work involved traveling to Qatar and meeting with the countrys top officials to offer them advice on how to influence U.S. policy, as well as promoting Qatars point of view to top White House officials and Congress, according to the FBI affidavit. The Qatar Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brookings is one of the most influential think thanks in the U.S. and has long had strong ties to Qatar. In 2007, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed to fund a Brookings-backed offshoot in Qatar called the Brookings Doha Center. The Qatari government said in a 2012 news release that the centers role included reflecting the bright image of Qatar in the international media, especially the American ones, according to a New York Times report that showed Qatar had given Brookings $14.4 million in donations over a four-year span. As a nonprofit, Brookings does not have to disclose its donations but it voluntarily discloses some data. Its annual reports show Qatar giving at least $2 million a year from 2016 to 2021. Brookings said in a statement that Allen decided in 2019 to stop taking any new donations from Qatar and to close the Brookings Doha Center. Brookings has strong policies in place to prohibit donors from directing research activities, said the email to staffers Wednesday. Suderman reported from Richmond, Virginia, Mustian from New Orleans. Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 China-Europe freight train service sees stable growth 08:57, June 09, 2022 By Li Jiabao ( People's Daily China-Europe freight train service maintained stable operation in April, said China's National Development and Reform Commission. Photo taken on April 8 shows a railway freight yard in Erenhot, north Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Erenhots frontier inspection station inspected and accepted 734 China-Europe freight trains in the first quarter of 2022, up 25.7 percent from a year ago. These trains carried 642,000 tonnes of export cargos, rising 41.4 percent year on year. (Peoples Daily Online/Guo Pengjie) According to statistics released by the top economic planner, the number of China-Europe freight train trips rose 3 percent month-on-month to 1,170 in April. From 2016 to 2021, the annual number of China-Europe freight train trips has surged from 1,702 to 15,183, growing 55 percent each year on average, and the value of goods transported by the cargo service skyrocketed from $8 billion in 2016 to $74.9 billion in 2021. Even after COVID-19 broke out, the number of trips made by the freight trains still went up by 50 percent and 22 percent in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Given the impacts of the pandemic on international maritime and air transportation, there has been a sharp rise in freight charges, which leads to impeded global logistics and shrinking international trade. Under such circumstances, China-Europe freight trains are serving as a strong pillar for global industrial and supply chains thanks to their safe, stable, efficient and green logistics services. The cargo service has become an important way of land transport on the international logistics link. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China-Europe freight trains have made over 1,000 trips each month for two years. On Jan. 29 this year, the total number of China-Europe freight train trips exceeded 50,000. The cargo service, relying on its strong capability of international transport, has built a channel of life amid the pandemic. As of the end of April this year, China-Europe freight trains had shipped 14.1 million items of anti-pandemic supplies that weighed 108,000 tonnes. The cargo service has been widely appraised by the Belt and Road countries and the international society. Through the regular operation of China-Europe freight trains, China has made important contributions to the global fight against COVID-19 and economic recovery, which indicates the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and vividly explains the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Today, the cargo service connects 185 cities in 23 European countries and carries over 50,000 types of commodities. There has been a prominent increase in the number of loaded containers carried by China-Europe freight trains, and the numbers of departing and returning trips are getting more balanced. Besides, new service forms of freight trains are emerging. A China-Europe freight train carrying COVID-19 antigen rapid test kits heads to Duisburg, Germany from Xiamen, southeast Chinas Fujian province, April 21, 2021. (Peoples Daily/ Zhuang Jianhua) While sending premium products to hundreds of millions of people along the rail routes, China-Europe freight trains have catalyzed the building of a number of logistics, industrial and commerce centers, which provide thousands of jobs for local residents. It has constantly expanded the win-win "circle of friends" of the BRI. At the Port of Duisburg, Germany, hundreds of logistics enterprises have been established because of China-Europe freight trains, offering more than 20,000 jobs. At the Port of Malaszewicze, Poland, China-Europe freight trains are driving local business volume and promoting local economic and social development. The cargo service, bringing infinite opportunities to more countries to share China's high-level opening-up, is promoting interconnectivity and win-win cooperation among Asian and European countries, and contributing to the building of an open world economy. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Flash The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced Wednesday that it has decided to turn off two surveillance cameras of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The AEOI said it has decided to, as of Wednesday, shut off the IAEA's surveillance cameras for the online enrichment monitor (OLEM) and the flow meter, according to state-run IRIB TV. The statement said the AEOI's remedial measures are implemented in reaction to the IAEA's "illegal behaviors." Iran has so far cooperated extensively with the IAEA, it added, "unfortunately the agency has not appreciated Tehran's collaborations, it has, instead, deemed the cooperation to be Iran's duty." Consequently, Iran has decided that the operations of the cameras of OLEM and the IAEA's flow meter must stop as of Wednesday, the statement said, noting that the relevant authorities have been ordered to take the step. The AEOI added that over 80 percent of the IAEA's existing cameras are operating under the Safeguards Agreement, which will remain in place and keep functioning as in the past. In an exclusive report on the same day, Iran's Nour News, affiliated with the country's Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran has placed on agenda a number of remedial measures in reaction to the IAEA's "illegal behaviors" and "political reports". Last Monday, the IAEA released two reports about Tehran's cooperation with the agency claiming that it estimated Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium had grown to more than 18 times the limit laid down in the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran rejects the reports as politically motivated and failing to reflect the reality of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. A group of U.S. senators led by Vermont independent Bernie Sanders is lending its support to workers at two CNH Industrial plants who have been on strike for better pay and benefits for more than a month. Among the group is Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. The group, which also includes fellow former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and three other Democrats, has written a letter to CNH (Case-New Holland) CEO Scott Wine urging him to offer the more than 1,000 striking workers a better deal. Sanders plans to attend rallies with the strikers next week. Local strikers are unionized in Racine and Mount Pleasant under United Auto Workers Local 180. Late last month, Local 180 President Yasin Mahdi called CNHs most recent offer bologna. The group said workers at the plants that make construction and agriculture equipment shouldnt have to accept the drastically higher health care costs and modest raises the company is offering now, especially when the company reported a $336 million profit in the first quarter. The company announced within two weeks of the strike's outset that it was canceling health insurance for unionized employees. The senators said the lowest-paid workers at the plants in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, would receive raises of $1.33 an hour, which they say wouldn't cover the $6,400 health insurance deductible CNH Industrial has proposed. If CNH can afford to provide you with a $9.2 million signing bonus and nearly $22 million in total compensation for one year of work nearly 8,000 times the raise you are offering some workers it can afford to pay all of your workers better wages and better benefits, the senators wrote to Wine. If CNH can afford to spend over $100 million on stock buybacks over a six-month period to enrich its wealthy shareholders, it can afford to treat all of its workers with the dignity and the respect that they deserve. Officials with the company, which is based in Europe, didn't respond Wednesday to questions about the strike, but previously they have said they were committed to resolving the contract dispute through the bargaining process. CNH Industrial has more than 37,000 employees total. The strikers have also received vocal support from four prominent area Democrats: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer of Racine, Racine Mayor Cory Mason and Senate candidate Tom Nelson, who said if he's elected he wanted to pass a bill that would ban businesses from cutting benefits for striking workers. Sanders, who has been working with unions across the country over the past year to support workers during a spate of high-profile strikes, plans to visit Wisconsin and Iowa on June 17 to attend town hall rallies with the striking CNH workers. Sanders previously unsuccessfully urged Warren Buffett to intervene in a strike at one of the companies his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns. He also rallied with striking Kellogg's cereal plant workers last year before they agreed to a new contract. About 10,000 UAW members who work for Deere & Co. secured 10% raises and improved benefits after they went on strike for a month last fall. So far the CNH workers haven't been able to achieve similar results. The ongoing worker shortages have prompted many unions to press for better wages and benefits after keeping plants operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The letter was also signed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Adam Rogan of The Journal Times contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OMAHA Iowa investigators want to interview anyone who may have seen a boat that sank in the Missouri River on May 29 in which an Omaha woman drowned. Emma Olsen, 20, drowned the night of May 29 when a 30-foot boat she was aboard sank in the river near Tyson Bend Wildlife Area about 5 miles west of Modale, Iowa. The boat was recovered May 31 and Olsen's body was found June 2. Olsen's funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Stonebridge Christian Church, 15801 Butler Ave., in Omaha. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Humane Society. A spokesman for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that Olsen had been a passenger on the red-and-white Scarab with an Oklahoma registration. Investigators are trying to interview anyone who saw the boat on the river May 29 between Cottonwood Marina just north of Blair and Pop-n-Doc's Marina at Decatur. Witnesses should contact Aaron Johnson, a state conservation officer, at 712-249-2015, or aaron.johnson@dnr.iowa.gov. The witnesses can remain anonymous, the spokesman said. The DNR spokesman said investigators have been interviewing witnesses and examining the craft. "Because this is an active investigation, we are not releasing any information," Mick Klemesrud of the DNR said. "Once concluded, we will issue a news release on (the investigation's) findings including what, if any, charges are filed." The Harrison County (Iowa) Sheriff's Office said it was contacted about 11:55 p.m. about a boat that had sunk. Several people who were on the boat had to be rescued by another craft. Some of the passengers were taken to Cottonwood Marina. There, they told deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office that Olsen had been sleeping in a small cabin when the boat began taking on water. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 State inspectors say a troubled Iowa center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities failed to monitor the fluid intake of a 30-year-old resident who died in February due to dehydration. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals has fined the Glenwood Resource Center $10,000 after inspectors found that center staff failed to ensure that the man received about 100 ounces of fluids every day ordered by his doctor after he was hospitalized in November for dehydration. The Glenwood center on Friday referred questions about the man's death to the Iowa Department of Human Services, which did not immediately answer questions on whether any center staff faced discipline, termination or criminal investigation related to the death. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A Sioux City man who promised to behead President Joe Biden and predicted blood in the streets has pleaded guilty to a single charge and faces up to six months in prison for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Kenneth Rader, 54, entered the guilty plea Tuesday to a federal judge in Washington by video conference. Rader was allowed to remain free on bond. Rader initially pleaded not guilty to four counts. In an agreement with federal prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to demonstrating in the Capitol and prosecutors agreed to drop three charges, including disorderly conduct in a restricted building. He was arrested Jan. 20 in Sioux City after the FBI received a tip from a relative that Rader was involved in the Capitol insurrection. The tipster referred to Rader as my radicalized family member. Rader admitted in court documents that he drove to Washington from Iowa to protest Congress certification of Biden's win. In social media postings, he wrote about a pending civil war, that he had joined a militia and that those who went along with a Biden presidency were complicit in treason. In late 2020, he wrote that the certification and inauguration of Biden would spill blood in the streets and that there will be no peaceful transfer of power. He made further statements that Biden would never be president and that Ill behead him like ISIS. Rader climbed scaffolding outside the Capitol and entered the building, remaining inside for three minutes after gathering glass shards from a broken window and plaster from the walls as souvenirs. Photos show him wearing a hooded sweatshirt with Trump 2020 on the front. Rader faces up to six months in prison, probation of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. He will be sentenced Sept. 9. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Scott County Sheriff's office has released the name of the man killed in a Jan. 8 shootout with Davenport police. He is Jason James Morales, 45, of Davenport. The officer's name will not be released until an investigation is completed, the sheriff's office said in a news release Thursday. Morales died early Wednesday after being shot during an encounter with Davenport police officers. At 12:48 a.m., at least one uniformed officer responded to the Caseys Convenience Store, 1691 W. 53rd St., Davenport, to investigate a report of a suspicious person tampering with the air conditioning unit on the side of the building, according to a news release from the Davenport Police Department. The officer found Morales and checked to see if he was wanted on any warrants, the release states. He was, but those details have not been released. Police say a confrontation ensued between the man and the officer, and both fired shots. The man was hit by gunfire and pronounced dead at an area hospital. Police say the officer was also injured, but the injuries were not considered life threatening. The Scott County Sheriffs Office and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation will investigate the shooting. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Officials say South Dakota recorded its largest primary election turnout in more than a decade, with roughly one in every three registered voters casting a ballot. The 32% showing was the most since the 2010 primary, when nearly 35% of voters cast ballots in a race with several Republicans fighting for the nomination for governor. The nod went to Dennis Daugaard. The Argus Leader reports that the 2010 and 2022 primaries were similar in makeup in that Democratic presidents who were unpopular in the state, Joe Biden and Barack Obama, were in the middle of their first terms, the Argus Leader reported. This years turnout was bolstered by a historic number of Republican legislative primaries and a controversial constitutional amendment. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has requested a presidential disaster declaration as the result of damage from a May 12 storm system that included tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. The request is meant to pave the way for federal funding to help with recovery, although it is not guaranteed. Noem is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for repairs to public infrastructure. The storms resulted in two deaths. There were 14 reported tornadoes and and wind gusts of more than 100 mph in some places. A preliminary assessment indicates more than $6.7 million in damage was done to public infrastructure in 20 counties and on two reservations. Nearly 70,000 customers experienced power outages. Jamie Myers said she immediately knew something was wrong when she heard pounding on her door and saw Davis outside, holding her granddaughter, Maelynn. Davis was panicked and frantic, telling her that the 19-month-old in his arms was having trouble breathing. For two years now, families with kids like mine have been looking forward to a normal summer. Growing up, nothing typified that for me more than long, lazy days spent at the neighborhood swimming pool. The good news is that sources at City Hall say well be back to a normal swim schedule this year in Cleveland, after pools were closed for all of 2020 and open only for limited hours in 2021. Here and elsewhere, theres a lot of pent-up demand for old-fashioned summer recreation. Advertisement The bad news is normal means something new now. For one thing, hours are still reduced at aquatic facilities in Cleveland compared with its suburban neighbors. And the pandemic has cast its shadow over summer in another way: Unless youre one of the lucky ones, swimming lessons are going to be hard to come by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beaches and pools are facing a nationwide lifeguard shortage. Cincinnati has only been able to hire enough lifeguards to staff eight of its 32 pools, despite offering $725 signing bonuses, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Austin, Texas, is reporting only enough lifeguards to open less than half its pools; fewer than half of public pools will be open this summer. In New York City, pools arent opening until late June, and parents report the city has canceled plans for summer swim lessons altogether. Bernard Fisher of the American Lifeguard Association told CBS News that the shortage was the worst hed ever seen, thanks to competition from higher-paying jobs and a pipeline problem from a lack of training opportunities since the pandemic began. Summer 2019s lifeguards have moved on. Advertisement Advertisement To make matters worse, the lifeguard pinch is running up against a surge in demand for swimming lessons for children, many of whom havent been taught in three years and are well behind on their skillsif they ever learned to swim at all. This isnt just a matter of some lost fun in the sun. Experts say a third straight summer of inadequate swim instruction will compound long-standing disparities in swimming ability and the risk of drowning, a leading childhood killer. To learn to swim is to feel at home in the world, and a generation of kids is missing out. Advertisement My own kids are behind despite having a mom who used to teach swim lessons and worked as a lifeguard in high school. Its been hard to teach them to swim when the public pools are all closed. Despite my pleading during the few occasions when weve had access to a pool, my 5-year-old daughter refuses to put her head underwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This summer feels important. I worry if she doesnt get over this now, it could become a lifelong issue. Things were easier for my mom. Even though she worked, she could have us bike up to the neighborhood pool with our babysitter. She insisted I do lessons through level 10. Im not sure Ill be able to find a place for my kids to learn to swim in the city at all. Other parents are finding themselves in the same situation. In Seattle, Kelli Refer said she blocked off her schedule on sign-up day to enroll her 4-year-old in swim lessons, only to have the whole slate fill up in six minutes. We did a few private swim lessons last year. They were all I could find and were expensive and only 15 minutes long, she told me. This year, even the expensive private lessons are booked through August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julia Toof, the mother of an autistic 4-year-old in Somerville, Massachusetts, said her family was so frustrated by long waitlists and the lack of options for adaptive swim lessons that her husband went out and got certified to teach swim lessons himself. Lisa Zarda, executive director of the U.S. Swim School Association, told me, Many of our swim schools have the largest waitlists theyve ever had. In Cleveland, officials report swim lessons will be restricted this summer to just a handful recreation centers due to the lifeguard shortage. This for a city of nearly 400,000 people. All this comes on top of a broader crisis in big-city swimming that predates the pandemic and afflicts many poor U.S. cities. In Cleveland, the YMCA has closed many of its urban locations over the last few decades, decamping for wealthier suburbs. Even though officials report public pools will fully open in Cleveland this year, their schedule has been pared back dramatically compared with suburban counterparts: They are open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 7:30and only for a period of about eight weeks. Compare that with Bay Village, a wealthy suburb, where the pool opens three weeks earlier, stays open three weeks later, operates an additional day a week, and offers swim lessons (residents only). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This unequal access between city and suburb contributes to the dangerous disparities in swimming skills that exist between minority children and their white neighbors. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in the U.S. On average, 11 American kids die a day in drownings, or almost 4,000 a year (twice as many suffer serious near-drownings that can cause lingering issues like brain damage). For children 1 to 4 years old, it is the leading cause of death, and for children 1 to 14, its the second-leading cause (behind car crashes). Drownings arent an equal-opportunity killer, either. Black children are 1.5 times more likely to die in a drowning than their peers. Black children are nearly twice as likely as white children to report low swimming skills64 percent vs. 40 percent. Not coincidentally, competitive swimming remains an overwhelmingly white sport. This pattern reflects the lingering impacts of historic segregation patterns at pools, says Jeff Wiltse, a history professor at the University of Montana and author of Contested Waters, a book about the history of segregation in American swimming facilities. Advertisement During the heyday of swimming in the U.S. in the 1920s and 30s, American cities made huge investments in large resortlike swimming facilities, says Wiltse. They believed that the public needed to provide pleasurable, healthy outdoor recreation activities and that that would mitigate some of the class-based inequality Americans experience. Advertisement Advertisement But those facilities were either officially segregated (in the South) or de facto segregated (in the North). After middle-class white families fled cities in the 1960s and 70s, the country saw another major investment in swimming clubs, with thousands of facilities built. But these were primarily private swim clubs located in the suburbs. Meanwhile, in poor industrial cities like Cleveland, white flight eroded the tax base and affected the citys ability to build, maintain, and staff pools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paulana Lamonier learned to swim at Nu-Finmen swim clubs, one of the few Black-owned swimming clubs on Long Island, New York. She swam through college, in the CUNY York College swimming club. In 2019, concerned about disparities in the sport, she tweeted an offer to teach 30 people to swim. The tweet went viral, and led her to found Black People Will Swim, a swimming school based on Long Island aimed at reducing racial disparities. Advertisement Advertisement But since the pandemic began, shes had trouble even finding pool space. In 2021, she had to host the lessons in a friends backyard pool. This year, shes again having trouble finding a secure and reliable pool to host lessons. Weve run into our own issues trying to partner with pools. A lot of college pools have been closed due to renovations, she said. Weve contacted over 10 colleges, and at a lot of them, the pools are closed. Formal swimming lessons can be an equalizer. They reduce the odds of drowning by as much as 88 percent, studies have found. They are, in other words, a basic public health interventionin addition to teaching a life skill and providing a place to make friends. Advertisement Advertisement While some recreation centers in Cleveland offer swim lessons, there is no centralized place to learn the times and schedules. You have to call each facility individually. The difficulty of finding swim lessons and registration was listed as a top barrier to access among underserved groups, in a 2021 study by the American Red Cross. If we cant find a place to get lessons in the city, my family is well-off enough that we can just drive out to a private swim school in the far suburbsbut thats not the case for everyone. In Cleveland, a private swimming lesson provider called Goldfish Swimming School has been expanding, with locations mainly in farther-flung communities. Goldfish, a franchise-based model, opened 13 new schools in 2021. The timing is flexible, and, crucially, theres room in the classes. But its far away, and it costs $100 per kid per montha lot in a city where the median family income is $31,000. (Thats why they arent located in the city of Cleveland). Wiltse says he expects the pandemic will exacerbate swim-strength disparities between rich and poor. But he doesnt think we should throw up our hands. Im not willing to let public officials off the hook, he said. Its not inevitable. Its because cities are not willing to invest the money. In his draft opinion that is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, Justice Samuel Alito contends that a powerful legal heritage drove him to his result. We begin with the common law, Alito announces. Pro-choice readers have leaped to object. Why begin with the common law? Who cares what long-dead English pontificators in wigs thought about a right that might or might not now exist in the United States Constitution? Moreover, the four judge-writers Alito relies onHenry de Bracton, Edward Coke, Matthew Hale, and William Blackstonedeserve no deference, say Alitos critics. They note that Hale approved of executing women labeled witches and the rape of wives by husbands. As for de Bracton, he claimed women were inferior to men and told his readers that the way to learn if a woman is lying about being pregnant is to examine her by feeling her breasts and abdomen and lock her in a castle at her own cost, then keep groping her every day. Alitos other two lions of the common law didnt say anything that blatant, but their worldview can be called foreign, conservative, and out of touch. Saturday Night Live made a similar point: We should have moved on from the common law by now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no need to fight on that ground, though, as Alito is actually wrong about the common law. Alitos mischaracterizations of common law do more than roll the American constitutional clock back to an unenlightened past. They move in defiance of what the common law itself, in its ostensibly bad heyday, maintained about abortion. True, common law judges never wrote a decision affirming a right to terminate pregnancy in the mode of Roe v. Wade. While they lived, though, no one could even conceive of such a right, as we understand it today. In Alitos draft, the common law era starts in the medieval age that brought forth Henry de Bractons groping and castle-locking recommendation and ends with the reception of William Blackstone in the United States, which concluded in the early 19th century. Switching from pregnant to nonpregnant by choice did not become possible until a little more than a hundred years ago, well after the period covered by Alito. Advertisement Advertisement Imagine asking the quartet of Englishmen who serve as Alitos sources to opine on the common law about erection pills, or an option to check the organ donor box on a drivers license, or a data plan that includes roaming. Its anachronistic, in other words, to read writings about destroying the Foetus in the Wombas one of Alitos 18th century texts put itas applicable to abortion in the sense that the court has been understanding the issue since 1973: an election to terminate ones pregnancy and then go on with ones life. Advertisement Some things just didnt exist in past centuries. Tests to determine pregnancy, for example, are less than a hundred years old. Abortion as we understand it today as an option is barely older than that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unwanted pregnancy certainly did exist for millennia, and so too did interventions that people hoped would change this condition. There just wasnt any power until very recent times to achieve what we take for granted today: a chosen transition away from being pregnant without first either giving birth or risking likely death. Alito cites an impressively researched 2006 book called Dispelling the Myths of Abortion History by Joseph Dellapenna. It deserves a wider audience of readers. Especially Alito, who appears not to have read it all. Dellapenna has many myths to dispel. One of those myths, a notion that I once half-believed myself, is that women of bygone days knew how to end pregnancy safely and effectively. Wise crones would stir up semi-secret concoctions and then give the abortifacient theyd cooked to damsels in pregnant distress. Advertisement Advertisement Sounds powerful. Smells fragrant. Its nonsense, says Dellapenna. I returned to his analysis when I wrote a book about the common law covering abortion a couple of years ago, updating it with newer findings. His bottom linethat abortion as we understand it today wasnt available in the founding eraremains correct. Advertisement Advertisement Women doubtless tried to end pregnancies by the herbal potion method. They still do sometimes. The problem with botanical recipes is, if theyre strong enough to kill an embryo, theyre potentially strong enough to kill a woman, and if theyre safe enough to spare the life of a pregnant woman, they allow whats inside her to live and grow. If you think some bygone blend of plants ever delivered reliable termination, do tell. Investigators have looked. In 1994, the science journalist Gina Kolata examined claims that particular flora worked as abortifacients. Kolata found no reason to think any of them succeeded. Advertisement Beyond the sip-and-hope abortion technique, destined either to poison the sipper or accomplish nothing, there were two other ways to dispatch an embryo or fetus, Dispelling the Myths continues. You could injure the pregnant woman externallythrow her down a staircase, for example, or collide into her with enough force to cause death. The other way was to go after the embryo or fetus internally, prying a sharp object into the abdomen or cervix. Advertisement Thats all. There are no other approaches. Still basically true today. Modern surgical abortion ends pregnancy with an internal invasion. Abortion via drugs follows the ingestion approach of yore, but this time using substances that really do the job. Advertisement Innovations of the late 19th century made abortion in the modern sense possible. In a 2015 paper, I listed scientific knowledge of female reproductive anatomy, anesthetics, antibiotics, analgesics, clean running water, and dissemination of written data as the developments that had to arrive for abortion as we know it today to become possible. We have room for improvement on all these fronts, but abortion is safe enough for a patient now. Advertisement In Alitos common law era, any maneuver to terminate pregnancy could never be both safe and effective. Collide into a pregnant woman hard enough to kill her fetus and youd injure her severely at the same time. Not safe. Insert a sharp object into her vagina before germ theory and anesthesia: also not safe. The only possibly safe abortion method attempted back then, the homebrewed tisane, was not effective. This point about impossibility refutes a favorite anti-abortion gotcha, the (arguable) opposition to abortion of early womens rights activists Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Abortion must be bad for women when even feminist heroes didnt like it! But if you want to shelter human beings from painful, preventable death and dont want to waste womens timeand wasted time is the herbs-and-flowers best-case scenariothen you too would have been wary of abortion before the 20th century. The common law back then punished acts that terminated pregnancy from awareness that these acts always threatened at least the health, and usually the life, of a pregnant person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alito tries his own gotcha when he says we know the common law opposed abortion because rape-defending 17th century jurist Matthew Hale wrote that if a physician gave a woman with child a potion to cause an abortion, and the woman died, it was murder because the potion was given unlawfully to destroy her child within her. Advertisement Advertisement Here Alito, quoting an old hypothetical about murder, brushes off the only death in the storythat of the pregnant woman. Neither his retelling nor the Hale original mentions a dead embryo or fetus. Instead, a physician gave to a trusting person a substance that he, as an expert, knew would put her life in jeopardy. The poisoning that resulted was fatal. To her. Thats the killing of a woman, done unlawfully. Hale, though rightly remembered as a misogynist, knew a crime when he saw one. Advertisement Alitos misread of this common law source is consistent with the rest of his draft opinion. As its challengers have noticed, pregnant women arent people there. Human beings in the Alito draft are shooters, strikers, potion prescribers, judges, legislators, common law scholars, fetuses, and babies. The common law took a very different view of pregnant women. For starters, judges in Alitos common law era refrained from punishing women for trying to end their own pregnancies. That punitive move came from legislation enacted later. Dellapennas book found only one possible pre19th century judicially decreed penalty for self-termination, and the record of the case is unclear. The defendant went unpunished because a general pardon, issued in 1601, applied to her. Advertisement Advertisement Then theres quickening, which the common law used to mark the start of pregnancy and which makes many appearances in Alitos draft. Quickening occurs when a woman feels movement inside her body, an experience that occurs after the first trimester. It unites a mother-to-be with the child she anticipates bringing into the world. At the same time, quickening belongs uniquely to her. Alito says he has almost no clue why his common law sources talked about quickening as if it mattered. After a couple of baffled paragraphs, he shrugs. The original ground for the quickening rule is of little importance for present purposes, Alito continues, because the rule was abandoned in the 19th century. Thats rich coming from a man who just devoted pages to abortion law covering many centuries before the 19th. Much of what Alito earnestly reports as important was abandoned longer ago. Advertisement Advertisement Maybe the common law focused on quickening because it had to, Alito muses: Scientific pregnancy tests didnt exist. But there were of course other ways of figuring things out. The breast-gropers that Henry de Bracton encouraged his 13th century colleagues to use as verifiers of pregnancy, what his treatise called discreet women, could have testified about someone elses late period or morning sickness. If the common law wanted to confirm pregnancy and didnt want to trust women, its men would eventually notice what would later be called a baby bump and could declare the event on. Yet the common law said the indicator of pregnancy that counts is a feeling that every lawyer, judge, juror, legal scholar, and member of Parliament in the era that Alito reviews could understand only from a description relayed by someone else. Each man who wrote about quickening as a legal criterion had to extend his consciousness. Quickening in the common law connected not only a woman with life inside her but male lawmakers with material reality. Quickening was the most humane, compassionate, and empathetic possible understanding of pregnancy. It put a singular individual front and center. Not a judge, not a lawmaker, not theologians who debate when the soul enters the body. Not the embryo or fetus either. Quickening regarded the baby-to-be as an object that started to matter when one person felt that it mattered. The feelings and values of a pregnant woman had the force of law. This woman, says the common law, is a person with power over human life. Her own life included. Imagine that, Justice Alito. Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (3rd L) attends the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan on June 8, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi participated in the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, and also attended by Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Tajik Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim, and Uzbek acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov. Wang said that China and Central Asia, as close as lips and teeth, share weal and woe and move forward side by side as a community with a shared future. No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always firmly support the Central Asian countries in protecting their sovereignty and independence, pursuing development paths suited to their national conditions and building an autonomous Central Asia, he stressed. China unwaveringly supports the Central Asian countries in maintaining political security and social stability and building a peaceful Central Asia, supports the Central Asian countries in accelerating economic development, improving people's well-being and building a prosperous Central Asia, and supports the Central Asian countries in cementing solidarity and self-development, pursuing mutual benefit and win-win outcomes and building a cooperative Central Asia, he added. Guided by the principles of mutual respect, good-neighborliness, solidarity and mutual benefit, China stands ready to strengthen solidarity and coordination with the Central Asian countries and jointly build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, Wang said. To this end, Wang put forward a five-point proposal at the meeting. Firstly, the six countries need to improve the frameworks for further cooperation. It is of great strategic significance to establish a mechanism for the heads of state to hold summits in the "C+C5" format. China will host forums for sub-national, think tank, industrial and investment, and economic and trade cooperation to unleash the potential of "C+C5" cooperation. Secondly, the six countries should build a strong engine for post-pandemic economic recovery, which includes cooperation in the natural gas pipeline projects, the China-Europe freight train services, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the trans-Caspian transport corridor, jointly building a "digital Silk Road" and a "green Silk Road," exploring new patterns of cooperation in modern agriculture, and further expanding the scale of local currency settlement. Thirdly, the six countries need to safeguard regional peace in both traditional and non-traditional areas, which requires joint work to combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, drug trafficking and cross-border organized crimes, fight the COVID-19 pandemic, enhance production safety and disaster management, improve the capacity and level of emergency management, and make good use of the foreign ministers' meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's liaison group with Afghanistan. Fourthly, the six countries should explore multiple paths for people-to-people exchanges, including the establishment of cultural centers, training of skillful workforce, enhancing cooperation and sharing experience in poverty reduction, strengthening cooperation in areas such as addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Fifthly, the six countries should pool the positive forces of global governance, implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative properly, build a community with a shared future for mankind, uphold the tenet and principles of the UN Charter, practice true multilateralism, promote the common values shared by all mankind, and support all countries in safeguarding their core interests. Wang stressed that China will not stop its pace of development and revitalization and will not waver in its resolve to cooperate with other countries. China will continue to be an important contributor to world economic growth and a staunch defender of international fairness and justice, he said, adding that a developing and prosperous China not only is a blessing for the world but also brings new opportunities for the development of the Central Asian countries. All parties spoke highly of the C+C5 cooperation mechanism, saying that China is a good neighbor and partner of the Central Asian countries as well as their largest trade and investment partner, and that the two sides enjoy strong mutual trust and fruitful cooperation. The Central Asian countries thanked China for providing strong support for their infrastructure construction, improvement of people's livelihood and connectivity in their countries, and for taking the lead in helping their countries fight the pandemic, noting that their relations with China enjoy a solid foundation and broad prospects, and the determination to deepen traditional friendship, consolidate strategic coordination and expand mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides has never changed. All parties said they are ready to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the six countries, tap the potential of the C+C5 cooperation mechanism, and build a Central Asia of peace, friendship, mutual assistance and harmony. The Central Asian countries said they fully support high-quality joint Belt and Road construction and the building of a green and digital Silk Road, and look forward to learning from China's successful development experience, so as to help Central Asian countries explore paths of poverty alleviation and development to achieve innovative and sustainable development. In the face of new challenges posed by the current turbulent international situation, all parties expressed their readiness to strengthen bilateral and multilateral coordination, safeguard sovereignty, security and national values, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, jointly combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, safeguard food security and maintain peace, stability and development in the region and Asia. All parties spoke highly of China's constructive role in preventing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and will jointly commit to promoting peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan. All participants of the meeting unanimously agreed to establish a mechanism for the heads of state to hold summits in the "C+C5" format. Four documents were approved by all sides, namely, a joint declaration of the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting, a road map for implementation of the consensus of the virtual summit of China + Central Asia (C+C5), an initiative to deepen cooperation in the field of connectivity and cooperation among China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries, and an initiative for cooperation of China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries in the field of data security. Ahead of the prime-time Jan. 6 committee hearings, Norm Eisen, one of the lawyers for the House Democrats in Trumps first impeachment trial, told the Washington Post that Cassidy Hutchinson might turn out to be the next John Dean. It was an apt, if wishful, reference to Watergate: As the first to directly connect Nixon to the scandal, Dean gave explosive testimony at the hearings in 1973. Reporting has already revealed that Hutchinson, who is in her 20sand who, according to the Post, is expected to testify livecould have some of the most damning testimony weve seen yet. Advertisement So who is this star witness? Hutchinson worked as an executive assistant for Mark Meadows, Trumps chief of staff. Since Trump left office, she is no longer a figure in Trumps orbit or Republican politics, according to the Post. But according to her LinkedIn profile, she was hired to the White Houses Office of Legislative Affairs in March 2019 and later promoted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign Up for the Surge The most important political nonsense of the week, delivered to your inbox every Saturday. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. She attended Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, from 2015 to 2018 and interned at the Trump White House in the summer of 2018. Before that, she interned for Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Steve Scalise. According to an article in her alma maters student newspaper, Hutchinson was a first-generation college student. I have set a personal goal to pursue a path of civic significance, she told the paper. Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the televised Jan 6. committee hearings, investigators spent a total of more than 20 hours in deposition with Hutchinson, according to the Post, which reported that Hutchinson has provided extensive information about Meadowss activities in trying to overturn the election. This could prove crucial for a future prosecution of Trump, particularly as Meadows has refused to cooperate with the committee. (The congressional committee is not a prosecuting body; if the committee has evidence that Trump committed a crime, its up to the DOJ to actually prosecute.) Hutchinson, as someone who spoke often with Meadows and kept detailed schedules of activity in the White House, seems to have been witness to quite a lot of what was happening behind the scenes on Jan. 6, 2021. She reportedly told the panel that she saw Meadows incinerating documents after he met with Rep. Scott Perry after the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement In testimony that the House committee released in April, Hutchinson named Perry and Reps. Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert as the members of Congress who were raising the idea of the vice president doing anything other than just counting electoral votes on January the 6th. She testified that Perry had vocally supported the idea of urging Trumps supporters on a march toward the Capitol. She also testified about a strategy meeting ahead of the election certification in which the Republicans discussed delaying the joint session of Congress or otherwise blocking the counting of electoral votes. That meeting, she said, had Jordan and Greene in attendance, as well as at least nine other Republican lawmakers. They felt that he had the authority topardon me if my phrasing isnt correct on this, butsend votes back to the states or the electors back to the states, she testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also told the committee in that testimony that Meadows had been warned before the insurrection about the potential for violence. A senior Secret Service official told Meadows about intel reports of potential violence. And Mr. Meadows said: All right. Lets talk about it, she said. She said she was not sure what Meadows had done with the information or if they were seen as genuine concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Finally, Hutchinson was also a secondhand witness to a more shocking story about the president. On May 25, Politico reported that the Jan. 6 select committee heard testimony indicating that Meadows heard Trump say something supportive about those who were chanting hang Mike Pence during the riot. A witness told the committee that Meadows had been in the dining room off the Oval Office when Trump made the comment and that he told people nearby that Trump had signaled a positive view of the prospect of hanging the vice president, according to Politico. The New York Times reported that Hutchinson was in Meadows office when he complained about the comments and confirmed the account for the committee. Last month, in response to the leak of Justice Samuel Alitos draft opinon ending Roe v. Wade, the Louisiana legislature briefly considered a bill that would define a fetus as a person for the purpose of the states homicide law. While the legislation was quickly tabled, the notion of so-called personhood laws is likely to become more realistic if Alitos draft opinion ending the right to an abortion becomes Supreme Court precedent in the weeks ahead. Indeed, in a discussion about fetal quickening on Page 16 of the draft opinion, Alito cites a brief by John M. Finnis and Robert P. George that argues that fetuses are legal people. Finnis and George are clearly wrong, though. This issue has already been considered and decided by the Reconstruction-era Congress. They definitively determined that fetuses do not count as persons for purposes of the 14th Amendment, as Finnis and George argue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign Up for the Surge The most important political nonsense of the week, delivered to your inbox every Saturday. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. In that brief filed in support of the Mississippi abortion ban at issue in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, Finnis and George assert: The original public legal meaning of persons encompassed all human beings. On this, the legal meaning fixed by treatises and cases was confirmed by rapid mid-1800s expansions of prenatal protections. the inclusion of children in utero could not have been blocked except by wording (easily available, but neither proposed nor adopted) such as any person wherever born. From this they conclude that the history of the original public meaning of the 14th Amendment proves prohibitions of elective abortions [are] constitutionally obligatory because unborn children are persons within the original public meaning of the Fourteenth Amendments Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses. Advertisement As I read the congressional debates on Section 1 of the 14th Amendment, I found no evidence to support a claim that anyone in Congress understood that unborn children were protected by these clauses. In fact, the opposite is true. Many of us are familiar with the great clauses of Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many fewer of us are familiar with Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state Section 2 revised the basis for the apportionment of representatives among the states, an issue that Congress had addressed every decade since the first census was taken in 1790 and continued to address following ratification of the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Once again, I found no evidence of anyone in Congress even considering whether any of the unborn are persons within the scope of Section 2. That issue, however, would surface as Congress considered the second census following ratification of the 14th Amendment. Congress never considered counting of the unborn in the first eight censuses (17901860). Section 5 of the Census Act of 1790 called for persons to be counted at their usual place of abode with a transient counted where he or she shall be on census day. The only age distinction mandated concerned enrollment in the militia. The scheme of counting persons at their usual place of abode and transients wherever they were on census day continued through the Census Act of 1850, the last general census act before the Civil War. Section 10 of that act added provisions mandating the recording of the age and place of birth of each person counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the 41st Congress, in session between 1869 and 1871, recognized that the second sentence of Section 2 required the census to count the number of adult male citizens whose right to vote had been denied or abridged. Throughout these debates, no one ever suggested that the adoption of Section 2 required the census to count the unborn. Indeed, the closest the Congress came to the issue was a proposal (Question 5) that the census record the age in months of any child under a year. The Senate ultimately tabled this bill and no such provision was enacted into law. The provisions of the 1850 Census Act (not made obsolete by the 13th Amendment) remained in place, including the provision that every persons place of birth be recorded. Advertisement Superintendent of the Census Francis Walker introduced the month of birth question experimentally in the schedule for the 1870 census. In his report he wrote: Advertisement The direct result of the effort to obtain the month of birth for all children born within the census year, has been to secure statistics on this subject which are of a high degree of value for nine months of the year, and exhibit with great accuracy the varying influence of the seasons upon human reproduction in each section of the Union. Advertisement Walker noted another consequence of recording the month of birth of newborns when he testified during 1878 Senate committee hearings held in anticipation of the 1880 census. The Census Act of 1870 gave enumerators from June 1 until Sept. 10 to complete their work. As a result of recording the month of birth of newborns (emphasis added): Advertisement it was found out that the enumerators had put tens of thousands of children into the census who were born after the census datethe 1st of Juneand hence were, by law, to be excluded from the enumeration. These unfortunate innocents were known familiarly in the office as June bugs, and they were exterminated with worse than Herodian malignity by my young gentlemen. No committee member questioned Walkers implementation decision to exclude the June bugs from the basis of apportionment. Nor did anyone question Walkers implementation decision when Congress debated what would become the Census Act of 1879. To the contrary, Democratic New York Rep. Samuel Sullivan Sunset Cox put Walkers June bug comment to comic effect. Advertisement The Federal census is full of whimsical returns; as, for instance, where children born in June, 1870, as being within one year of age. The enumerator forgot that [] June, 1869, was the June to be taken. Advertisement Advertisement The 1879 Census Act did not mandate recording the month of birth of newborns. Section 7 of the 1899 Census Act did (and, if born within the census year, the date of birth). Once again, there was no debate in Congress about whether the unborn should be included in the basis of apportionment. Advertisement Advertisement The month/date of birth question for infants introduced in 1899 remained in the census questionnaire through 1950. In 1960, it was replaced by the more general inquiry asking for the date of birth of everyone enumerated. It remains on the census questionnaire to this day. Advertisement In a 2015 dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: When seeking to discern the meaning of a word in the Constitution, there is no better dictionary than the rest of the Constitution itself. The evidence presented here demonstrates that Congress has never considered including any of the newborn as persons counted by the census. If the chief justices rule of interpretation is correct, then the word person in the due process clause and the equal protection clausea mere 43 and 28 words awayhas the same meaning as it has in Section 2. I leave it to others to contemplate the implications of the possibility of the same word having different meanings when appearing in such close proximity. The House of Representatives select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol is holding a public hearing at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night. Whats the deal with this hearing? Its an effort to prove that Donald Trump and the people around him conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which led to a deadly riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, for which they bear responsibility. What is this committee and how is it different from the one that took testimony last year from a Capitol police officer with a prominent neck tattoo? Advertisement It is the same committee, composed of seven Democrats and two heretical Republicans (Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger). The hearings last year were part of its investigatory phase, which purportedly involved more than 1,000 interviews, mostly done in private. Now, over the course of six June hearings, the first and last of which will be broadcast during prime time, it is going to present what it has learned. The committee may hold more hearings later, and is expected to issue a written report in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign Up for the Surge The most important political nonsense of the week, delivered to your inbox every Saturday. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Prime time! Someones getting glammed up! Yes, and the committee has reportedly employed a former ABC News executive and Good Morning America producer to frame its material in the most dramatic and informative way possible. Video presentations will be involved. Advertisement Advertisement Good Morning America? Will there be a segment in which Rep. Liz Cheney tries to cook a souffle with Emeril? Probably not, but LOL, can you imagine? Video presentations of evidence? Is this a trial? No. The congressional committee is not a prosecuting body, and Trump was already impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate in early 2021 on a charge of inciting insurrection. Even if the committee believes Trump committed more traditionally defined crimesand it reportedly doesits up to the Department of Justice to actually prosecute. Nevertheless, with these hearings, the committee is definitely trying to prove crime-y behavior. Are these hearings being held at this juncture and in this manner in an attempt to maximize the political damage they inflict on Donald Trump and the Republican Party? Advertisement Yes, Democrats have been fairly honest about that. And its defensible. Most Republicans in the Senate voted against convicting Trump, which would have barred him from holding office again, and the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden has been extremely cautious about pursuing prosecutions that could be perceived as partisan. Advertisement Jan. 6 would manifestly not have taken place if Trump had acknowledged publicly that he lost the 2020 election and that it was conducted fairly. But no prosecutor has (yet!) been willing to say they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump participated in a conspiracy to prevent Joe Bidens inauguration. Which leaves the proverbial ballot box as the venue in which Trump can be held sweepingly accountable for what he did, prevented from trying it again, and prevented from accumulating enough allies in Congress to make it possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you suggesting the very existence of democracy itself has become a partisan issue in this country? Thats an overwrought way of putting it, but sure, at least at the national level. Then may God help us all. Yes, sure. So, this is it? The last chance? Not quite. Separately, a state attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, is investigating whether Trump or his allies could be charged for his efforts to invalidate the results of the 2020 election in that particular state. Those efforts most notably included a phone call to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger urging him to find 11,780 votes, the number that he would have needed to defeat Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Also, as we said earlier, the select committee could choose to make criminal referrals of Trump et al. to the DOJ. The department is conducting its own extensive investigation of Jan. 6 and has charged more than 800 people with related crimes, but has not given any indication as to whether Trump or any of his advisers or staffers will join that list. Advertisement In the meantime, what is the committees strategy? Its members say they will convey the full breadth of Trumps responsibility for the violence on Jan. 6not just his silence and inaction during the three hours that elapsed between the breach of the Capitol and his tepid video message urging rioters to leave, but his role in creating and encouraging wild claims about election fraud (and wild theories about how Republican officials could purportedly use such fraud as justification for interrupting the transition of presidential power). While the outlines of this story are already known, the hope is that detailed footage, messages, and interviews with staff members who were present at key momentssome of the evidence being previously unseenwill prove shocking and newsworthy. (Most of the senior figures who were subpoenaed are playing legal chicken in an effort not to testify, although Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump were interviewed.) Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin has even seemed to suggest that the committee has evidence that Trump participated in concerted planning and premeditated activity related to the attack on the Capitol itself. Advertisement Advertisement Does the idea that history can turn on dramatic moments in national hearings misread the anomalous (and problematically circumscribed) period of relative political consensus and mass media gatekeeping that existed in the United States during the early years of the Cold War? Probably. But? In a country as closely divided as the U.S. is, achieving something tangible might not require cinematic, stirring oratory or a public opinion landslide. A more realistic goal is to put Jan. 6 back at the top of mind for a high-leverage swath of independent voters (who, according to one fairly recent poll, are still largely upset that the riot took place and support the committees work). Will it work? No one knows, and thats why these kinds of articles always have to end with a rhetorical flourish rather than a factual statement. In other words may God help us all. From A Portrait of the Scientist as a Young Woman by Lindy Elkins-Tanton. Copyright 2022 by Linda Elkins-Tanton. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. What happens if it blows up? a high school student recently asked me. Do you get a do-over? Ah, no. There are no $800 million space mission do-overs in my world. At the moment of an explosion, we are finished. Soon, if luck, sweat, and the fates align, our rocket will launch our spacecraft off the Earth and begin its 3.4-year journey to the asteroid (16) Psyche. Each asteroid is assigned a number at the time of its discovery, and Psyche was the 16th that we human beings have discovered, of the perhaps 1.5 million asteroids in the asteroid belt. There are not many kinds of solar system objects left to be explored, and Psyche is one of them. We think that it is made mainly of metal. We thinkthough we dont know for surethat Psyche may be a piece of one of the first metal cores to form in our solar system. This is why we are going. The molten metal in a very early, hot little planet, called a planetesimal, would have sunk to the interior and formed its core. Then, this planetesimal was broken into pieces rather than incorporated into the Earth or the other big planets of today. Psyche may be part of that exposed core. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humans have gone to the moon, and weve sent robotic spacecraft to investigate other rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars), gas and ice giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), and icy asteroids and moons (Ceres, Enceladus, Europa, and a couple of comets), but there is one category of solar system object that we have never investigated: the small category of asteroids that we think may be made primarily of metal. Earths core and the cores of the other rocky planets are metal. Earths core is also the source of our magnetic field, the field that may help protect our atmosphere and keep our planet habitable. Metal is clearly a fundamental building block of our habitable planet. But we will never see our own core. To see a metallic world, we think we need to go to Psyche. We wont know with certainty until we get there whether Psyche is a part of a planetesimal core, but Psyche is the only large asteroid in our solar system that is likely to be metallic. Advertisement Advertisement Our solar system started as a vast sparse cloud of dust and gas that was hit with a shockwave, probably the shockwave of a nearby star exploding into a supernova. That supernova was the trigger for our birth. The shockwave compressed the cloud and part of the cloud began to collapse under its own gravity, spinning, forming disks with concentrations of dust and gas in their centers, growing to become young stars. In the spinning disk of plasma, dust, and gas around the nascent star, the first solids formed, little pebbles of minerals rich in calcium, aluminum, and titanium, the elements that condense to solids at the highest temperatures as the hot disk is cooling down from being plasma or molten. These so-called calcium-aluminum inclusions are found inside meteorites that fall to Earth today, tiny survivors of the rapid, violent process of material being crushed into bigger and bigger clumps by pressure and shockwaves in the spinning disk, and the clumps, some as big as continents, colliding and sticking together to form planets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those little calcium-aluminum inclusion pebbles formed 4.568 billion years ago, and they mark what some call the beginning of our solar system, long before the Earth had formed. If we imagine our 4.568-billion-year-old solar system as a 24-hour day, within the first 20 seconds of that 24-hour solar systemabout 1 million years after those first pebbles formedrock and metal had already collected together into planetesimals, just tens to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. These are the continent-size clumps. One of these planetesimals, we think, was the parent body of the asteroid Psyche. We believe that Psyche, now an asteroid orbiting be-tween Mars and Jupiter, is the remnant of a battered planetesimal. But just as the length of time between ourselves and the original planetesimals makes seeing that early population of clumps impossible, the distance between Earth and Psyche makes little Psyche, just 138 miles in diameter (the width of Massachusetts without Cape Cod, or the northsouth height of Switzerland), too small to see clearly from Earth. The difference is that while we cant go back in time, we can bridge that gulf of space. We can send a robot to find out what Psyche really is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On that day this summer, the efforts of 800 people, 11 years, 2,000 pages of proposals, perfect wires and perfect software and perfect solar panels and bolts and joints and struts will be perched on the top of about 20,000 kilograms of explosive propellant, and our spacecraft will be sent off into the void. We think it will all work. We are doing everything in our power to make sure it will. We hope it will work. But it might fail. Space is hard. There arent many people who have led deep space missions and each of us followed our own path. Indeed, there may be no one single way a person gets to lead a space mission. But if there are a series of paths that have worked in the past, I can say with some certainty that I did not follow any of them. Advertisement Advertisement And now I reread these words as I sit in my office at Arizona State University in June, on a day filled with urgent meetings about the mission. (Disclosure: ASU is a partner with Slate and New America in Future Tense.) We recently made the decision to slide our launch readiness day (LRD, of course, in space-speak) seven weeks later, to Sept. 20. This kind of launch date change usually happens because of an unexpected problem, and thats where we are now. Not a good feeling. Advertisement For years weve been writing new flight software to control the spacecraft and all it does. To check and test that software, we use a testbed, which is a hardware and software model of the spacecraft. We cant use the spacecraft itself for test, cant order the spacecraft to roll, or communicate, or thrust, while its on Earth, hence the testbed. But we just discovered that the testbed is not working correctly. Advertisement This is the conundrum of engineering problems: You cant predict when they will be solved until you have identified the root cause of the problem and fixed that root cause. So now we live every day in an intense storm of work to fix the testbed, with daily update meetings. Keep your fingers crossed! Space is hard and building spacecraft during the COVID pandemic, especially hard. And so we persist, persist, persist and we look forward to the launch that right now seems like a finish line, but of course, is once again just the start of a new adventure. Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Welcome to State of Mind, a new section from Slate and Arizona State University dedicated to exploring mental health. Follow us on Twitter. Veteran Timothy Ryan had been working on anger management for a year in therapy when, while refueling his Dodge Ram in a Virginia Beach gas station, a white customer next to him made a racist joke. Ryan realized that because he was also white and drove a pickup, the other man assumed Ryan would be amused. Instead, he was outraged. There was a pumping in my chest, he recalled. I was getting hot and tingly. But he feared challenging the mans comment and then felt ashamed for not speaking up. Later that week, Ryan brought the experience to therapy, where he began to sort through his response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan is an example of how some white people are bringing issues related to race to therapy. Though therapists say that such work with white clients isnt common, Oakland-based therapist Jill Sulka, who conducts clinical trainings on whiteness in the Bay Area, said that professional communities exploring these issues have been developing for several years, and the trend has increased since the summer 2020 racial justice protests, when many more white Americans began to realize the urgency of having deeper conversations about race. The question is, are therapists also ready to have these conversations? According to Sulka and the eight other therapists I interviewed whove done this race work with white people, if their clients bring up race, its usually because interpersonal experiences with people of color surface deeper psychological issues. To be clear, the issues these therapists identify as suitable for therapy work do not include hateful racism or the type of paranoid, violent extremism that produced the recent massacre in Buffalo, New York. Rather, the work involves white people with a conscientious outlook who may feel guilt and shame discovering their racial prejudice and insensitivity; harbor feelings of superiority; idealize people of color or desire their approval; or fear calling out overt racism by other white people, especially family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such problems not only damage personal relationships, but they also perpetuate larger societal patterns of racial harm. For that reason, most therapists who engage in this work emphasize that lasting healing requires that clients reach beyond the therapy container to do reparative work in their everyday personal and public lives, which often means connecting with other white people committed to doing anti-racist work. Over several decades, researchers and clinicians have been developing methods to treat the race trauma people of color experienceessential work that still needs to be expanded and made more widely available. New Yorkbased therapist Kenneth Hardy, who is Black and a leader in race trauma work, said that many therapists of color explicitly identify this as an area of expertise, and university clinical training programs now often include a race trauma component. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White people dont experience such race trauma, but they have complex relationships of race and powerand no widely adopted, research-based treatment tools are in place to work with them on those issues. Hardy, who is now drawing from his background to implement training on whiteness and therapy, believes that psychotherapy can further the education-based race work many white people have sought since the 2020 protests, when Ibram X. Kendis How to Be an Antiracist and Robin DiAngelos White Fragility became bestsellers. Kendi and DiAngelos books provide enlightenment about race, but where they can fall short is in keeping us upstairs in our head, dealing with ideas and not dealing with all the emotional stuff that comes up, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Drustrup, a white therapist and Ph.D. candidate in counseling psychology at the University of Iowa, worked with a woman who came to therapy because she felt isolated during the summer 2020 lockdowns and protests. She said she supported Black Lives Matter, but stopped communicating with a longtime Black friend after being angered by the friends Facebook posts that supported defunding the police. Drustrup took a dual approach, exploring both the clients fixed political assumptions about policing and her relationship choice to stop contacting a close friend. When the client expressed interest in reading more about race and policing, Drustrup gave her a copy of James Baldwins A Report From Occupied Territory. She began to look at policing more from her friends perspective and then decided to speak about policing in an Iowa City Council meeting on Zoom, leading her to reconnect with her friend. Finding this hook for white clients to connect concerns about white racism to their own lives is essential for long-term buy-in, Drustrup said. Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Henze, a white therapist in Boston, described a similar situation in which a white college student examined how a pattern of discounting his Black girlfriends accounts of racial distress was a form of racism. He felt shame and guilt and realized he had a responsibility to confront his prejudiced parents who disapproved of the relationship. Anti-racism happens in relationships, Henze said. To take root, there have to be interpersonal relationships where the new way of doing race and being white is held. Henze also encouraged the student to join a multiracial activist community on campus so that the therapy work wouldnt be limited to just improving his individual relationship. (Identifying details of both the clients above have been changed to protect their privacy.) Advertisement Advertisement Henze first became interested in working on race with white clients during his Ph.D. training at Boston College, where he studied a white racial identity development theory designed by Janet Helms, director of the schools Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture. But Henze noted that therapists lack accessible clinical tools to assess race-based psychological problems. If a client comes in with depression, I can administer a questionnaire, relay the scores, get their input, and then fill in for them the common symptoms of depression, he said. But if a client comes in and says the country is fading away and theyre concerned about their immigrant next-door neighbors, its not acceptable for me to hand out a screening tool for racial bias. Advertisement These therapists agree that the most important training tool to support this work is their own racial self-investigation. You have to engage in a process of self-interrogation, Hardy explained. What does it mean to you personally to be white? Where are your blind spots? The training is designed to get people to do a deep dive into their psyches. Then the skill part becomes easier. Sulkas trainings involve ongoing personal reflection and self-disclosure in multiracial and separate race groups about ones position in a system of structural racism and unequal privilege. For white therapists, Sulka said, a stance of humility is key. I need to acknowledge that Im subject to the same conditioning as my clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therapists of color face distinct dynamics working with white clients directly on race. White clients might not speak openly to a therapist of color about their own prejudices, or they may hope the therapist will provide reassurance or easy solutions. For this reason, said Maryam Jernigan-Noesi, a Black therapist in Atlanta, its crucial for more white therapists to take on this work. If we know that white people will be more comfortable talking in uncensored ways, to help facilitate this work, we have to make sure white clinicians are comfortable talking about race and sitting with those views, Jernigan-Noesi said. Ultimately, the most important factor in promoting healing may be the therapists commitment to deeply self-examine. My vision, Jernigan-Noesi said, is that such training becomes a norm for everyone. State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green's wife are not happy with Celtics fans. The Golden State Warriors made their first road trip of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. It did not go well. Boston rolled to a 116-100 win to take a 2-1 series lead. And Celtics fans were well, Celtics fans. After testy Games 1 and 2 saw Warriors enforcer Draymond Green go full bully mode in San Francisco, Celtics fans greeted him as expected in Boston in Game 3. With a chorus of raucous boos during pregame introductions: Draymond Green showered in boos #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/vtHRAiPOTw Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 9, 2022 And a recurring chant throughout the game that we won't publish video of here. But it went something like this: "F*** you, Draymond." Classy, clever stuff. Klay responds to Draymond chant After the game, Thompson was salty. The loss certainly wasn't any fun. As for the Draymond chant? Well, what about the children? "We've played in front of rude people before," Thompson said. "Dropping F-bombs with children in the crowd. Really classy. Good job, Boston." Warriors coach Steve Kerr was also asked about the Draymond treatment. His answer was more succinct. "Classy," Kerr said. "Very classy." Steve Kerr and Klay Thompson weren't crazy about the 'F**k Draymond' chants from the Boston crowd. THOMPSON: 'We've played in front of rude people before. Dropping F-bombs with children in the crowd. Real classy. Good job, Boston." pic.twitter.com/UgCxB8AiIh KNBR (@KNBR) June 9, 2022 How about the target of the chant? What does Green think? Story continues He's not not the type to provide Boston fans with news-conference fodder. And he's obviously not too worried about the children. Draymond didn't mince any words regarding his play tonight (via @NBCSWarriors)pic.twitter.com/uMY8qWizoW Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 9, 2022 Green's wife responds Green's wife, Hazel Renee, was not happy. She took Boston fans to task in an Instagram post late Wednesday for their "disgusting" behavior targeting her husband with their children in the crowd. Hazel Renee, Draymond Greens wife has some words for yall pic.twitter.com/IgNROVFISs ra | (@KristiaHaughton) June 9, 2022 "Warriors fans would NEVER!!" Renee wrote while citing the NBA code of conduct for fans. "My kids were at the game tonight hearing that mess! Very DISGUSTING of you little Celtics fans Just shameful!" Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Georgian counterpart, Salome Zurabishvili, exchanged congratulations Thursday on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Georgia diplomatic relations. In his message, Xi pointed out that China and Georgia are traditional friendly and cooperative partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have made solid progress in cooperation in various fields, conducted effective communication and coordination in international affairs and promoted the sound and stable development of bilateral relations, Xi said. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two peoples have helped each other in earnest to overcome difficulties, leaving a fine story of solidarity against the pandemic, he said. Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Georgia relations and is ready to work with President Zurabishvili to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to push for more results in China-Georgia relations and bilateral cooperation in various fields, so as to deliver benefits to the two countries and two peoples. Zurabishvili, for her part, said that Georgia is actively committed to developing friendly relations with China and is willing to work with China to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote common prosperity of the two countries. The 2022 season marks the 16th consecutive year that the Atlantic Provinces and Standardbred Canada have partnered to offer the Atlantic Provinces Bursary Program. This project could award up to five students in the Atlantic provinces bursaries towards their post-secondary education this year. If you are a student residing in the Atlantic provinces and attending a post-secondary institution (trade school, community college or university) this fall, this is an opportunity that could help you pay for your tuition. The bursaries will be awarded based on participation in the industry, academic and financial need. Applicants will be required to submit a typewritten essay on the following topic: Tell us why you love Canadian harness racing. Applicants must be Canadian citizens and be a child or spouse of an active Standardbred Canada member or an SC member themselves. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution as of September 1, 2022. Past recipients of the Atlantic Bursary are not eligible and students pursuing graduate degrees are not eligible. A maximum of five bursaries worth up to $1,000 each will be awarded. Applications are available now and must be received at the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission by July 8, 2022. This program is supported and funded by various organizations from the Atlantic Provinces and Standardbred Canada. To complete or access an application, click here. For more information, contact Cindy Doucette at 902-836-5500 or by email [email protected] at the APHRC. (APHRC) Culpeper County will accept public bids to restore the name of George Washington Carver, erased for some 50 years, to the stone front of the historic Black regional high school. The Building & Grounds Committee sent the long-standing request to restore the name to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday with no recommendation. Local alumni of the four-county school that operated for 20 years during government-mandated segregation have asked for years to put back the name of the revered African-American botanist and inventor from Missouri. Carver (1864-1943) left Iowa for Alabama in the fall of 1896 to direct the newly organized department of agriculture at the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, a school headed by noted Black educator Booker T. Washington. It was an institute with which Carver had a long association. So does Carvers name on the school in Culpeper that closed in 1968. By the early 1970s, the county had removed the name and replaced it with a stone etching, Piedmont Vocational School, though everyone still called it Carver. In discussion with alumni, some believe the stones were turned around and that the original Carver name still exists, Culpeper County Environmental Services Director Paul Howard told the board Tuesday. This would not have been an uncommon practice, he added. Marshall-based masons, Dominion Traditional Building Group, provided the county with preliminary information and cost estimates to do the work, but now the project will be put out to bid, as is legally required. Howard said the condition is unknown of the stones on the front face of the 75-year-old building or if they can be re-used. The county did not receive grant funding to do the masonry investigation and work through the National Trusts African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which received 627 letters totaling more than $67 million in funding requests, according to a staff report. Howard asked the board Tuesday if there was interest among them to continue with the project, estimated at up to $60,000. Cedar Mountain Supervisor David Durr, in whose district the Carver school is located, spoke up. This is an important project to a number of county residents, he said, making a motion to get current bids to have the work done. If it doesnt exceed $60,000, have staff find a way to pay for it, Durr said. Salem Supervisor seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. One step at a time, Carver alumna Dr. Hortense Hinton-Jackson said after the vote. She attended the morning board meeting with fellow Carver student and historian Charles Jameson for the name issue, last on the agenda. We are happy as long as they keep moving forward, Hinton-Jackson said. We are grateful. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins has released a three-minute video of himself giving a shooting demonstration along with statements supporting gun rights. Meanwhile, other local leadersincluding the local congresswomanare joining voices in renewing pleas for better gun control laws, following the latest deadly school shooting. The recent pro-gun video by Jenkins, Republican sheriff, has been shared more than 2,000 times, garnering more than 700 comments since being posted June 4. If you know someone who thinks banning so-called assault weapons will end mass shootings in gun-free zones, Id ask you to take two minutes and share this common sense message, he posted on Culpeper County Sheriffs Office on Facebook. In the video, the screen has a seal, marked, Virginias 2A Sheriff Culpeper Scott Jenkins, the phrase, We will not take them, and the Culpeper Minutemen FlagLiberty or Death. In the May 24 shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, the 18-year-old gunman legally purchased an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle and killed 19 students, aged 9-11, and two teachers after he shot his grandmother. The gunman posted on social media that he was going to do it, before he carried out the massacre, authorities said. In the aftermath, as Congress takes yet another look at gun control measures, Jenkins and others are championing unchecked gun rights as constitutional. Gun ownership amid increasing violence in schools, religious institutions, grocery stores, and elsewhere, and to what level it is a constitutional right, is certainly a divisive issue in America. But there are areas of agreement. According to PEW Research, overall, several gun policy proposals continue to draw broad support from Americans. Nearly nine in ten (87%) favor preventing people with mental illnesses from purchasing guns, while 81% favor subjecting private gun sales and sales at gun shows to background checks. Smaller though still sizeable majorities of Americans support the creation of a federal database tracking all gun sales (66%) and bans on high capacity magazines (64%) and assault-style weapons (63%). Jenkins, standing at a table with guns on it, asserts in the video such bans would not stop school shootings. In 2007, the Virginia Tech shooter used a 9mm Glock 19 and a small .22 pistol to kill 32 people and wound 17, the sheriff stated. With a standard 15-round magazine, the shooter would have to make three reloads, Jenkins said. Lets see how long it takes to fire a couple 10-round magazines in a gun-free zone, the sheriff says, putting on headphones. Less than 30 seconds. Turning around with his back to the screen, he demonstrated shooting 19 rounds from two 10-round magazines at rows of milk jugs filled with a blue fluid. The plastic containers deflated and fell off the bottoms of plastic blue buckets, liquid spilling out as bullets struck, followed by loud bangs in the outdoor setting. Jenkins returns to the table, throws down the gun and picks up another, stating, Semi-automatic pistols with 10-round magazines have never been considered for gun bans. So ask yourselfeven if criminals obey new gun bans, and only use 10-round magazines, will this stop mass shootings in gun-free zones and will there be just as many victims? Jenkins continues with the demo, showing other guns cause damage, too. When the shootings continue, whats next? This is an eight-shot revolver. How long does it take to fire eight shots in a revolver? Lets see, he says, replacing his ear protection. Less than five seconds. Will revolvers and all handguns be the next weapon banned? Will they all be considered assault weapons? Jenkins continues. When our children are attacked with deadly force, the means of delivery is irrelevant. So when you hear politicians say common sense gun control laws, think of this video and ask yourself what do you want protecting your children? A good guy with a gun or a new gun law? When all guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, 7th District Democrat, stated recently, I know that its long past time to enact commonsense gun violence prevention legislation, in a June 2 column in the Free-Lance Star, Fear for our children should unite Americans. As a mother, I know the worry American parents feel when they send their kids off to school in the morning. But the reality that countless children are living in fear of being murdered at school should unite us all in wanting change, she stated. The former CIA agent has been among federal legislators at the center of yet the latest round of talks on the subject in Washington. Spanberger supports raising the federal age to buy assault-style weapons, banning large-capacity magazines, establishing new safe storage requirements, background checks for all gun purchases, red flag laws and increasing federal criminal penalties for gun trafficking. As a former federal law enforcement officer, I carried a gun and two extra magazines every day, Spanberger said in the column. My mags were stamped with for law enforcement use only because at the time, federal law limited magazine capacity to 10 rounds outside of law enforcement useand mine held more than 10. That provision was part of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004. Ultimately, America should move toward reinstating the ban on the manufacturing, sale, and transfer of assault-style weapons, the congresswoman said. Spanberger twice cosponsored the Assault Weapons Ban on firearms manufactured for the quick and efficient massacre of human beings while exempting more than 2,200 firearms for home protection and hunting, according to the column. When similar provisions were in place under the 1994 ban, mass shootings declined by 37 percent. Once these provisions expired, gun massacres increased by 183 percent, Spanberger said. Culpeper Branch NAACP posted a statement May 25 from NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson about the tragedy in Uvalde. There are no words. Im shattered for the community and frustrated by the lack of action by the government that should be working for the people. Every time its just more thoughts and prayersthe only thing this Congress seems to be able to do successfully. Congress, do your job. Dont just post a tweet, pass a bill. Kids are dying, Johnson said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Sheridan County Sheriffs Office, is investigating a shooting in Rushville, which led to the arrest of a South Dakota man Wednesday evening. At approximately 5:25 p.m., Wednesday, the Sheridan County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol in response to a shooting at the Rushville sale barn. According to information released from the patrol, an argument between two people is reported to have occurred. Investigators allege that following the verbal altercation, Gilbert Grooms, 44, of Oglala, South Dakota, retrieved a shotgun from his vehicle and fired in the direction of a man, identified as Charles Winters, 35, of Martin, South Dakota. Winters then retreated to his vehicle. Grooms allegedly fired at the vehicle multiple times, leading Winters to flee around a trailer. Grooms then allegedly fired again, striking Winters in the midsection. Winters was flown to Regional West Hospital in Scottsbluff with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities with the the Sheridan County Sheriffs Office arrested Grooms on suspicion of attempted first degree murder, first degree assault, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and terroristic threats. He is being held in the Sheridan County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Several women were recognized Wednesday for their achievements and devotion to helping the community at the Panhandle BPWs annual awards luncheon. The Panhandle Business and Professional Women organization holds a ceremony every year to recognize high-achieving local women and the organizations who help advance women's careers. Dozens of members and their families and friends, gathered at the Scotts Bluff Country Club for the event. The awards presented were the, Woman of the Year Award, Young Careerist Award, Shirley Flack Member of the Year Award, two Employer of the Year Awards and three scholarships. Paulette Schnell garnered the highest recognition: BPWs Woman of the Year. Schnell has held leadership roles or volunteered in many organizations. She also serves as the Scotts Bluff County Health director and Regional West Medical Center community health director. She helped craft the community response during the coronavirus pandemic. What BPW does is make us all a better person, Schnell told the crowd. ...That brings out the best in all of us. She thanked her family and all the key people in her life, then asked attendees to thank those dear to them and find a way to be a key figure in the lives of others. Panhandle BPW recognized Mikaela Mendoza with the Young Careerist Award. Mendoza owns the Radiant Rose Spa in Scottsbluff and started the Beauty Haus Academy in Gering. She was honored for educating youth and creating confident students for the local workforce with her cosmetology school. Employers in the community who support their women employees and families were also honored. The criteria for the employer category included demonstrating sensitivity to the needs of women employees, providing opportunities for their advancement and professional development, providing or assisting with care for parents or children, designing family-friendly benefits and offering non-discriminatory retirement plans. The small business award, for those with up to 30 employees, went to Bluffs Physical Therapy. More than half of the employees hired there in 2021 were women, and one woman was promoted. Bluffs Physical Therapy allows for continuing education on company time, allowing women to improve their skills and advance their careers. Owner Mike Moravec accepted the award and thanked his wife and his team for their support. Educational Service Unit 13 won the large business award for companies with more than 30 workers. It employs more than 150 women, 89% of its overall workforce. Twenty-eight women were hired in 2021 and 11 were promoted. Three-quarters of the leadership team are women. Additionally, Laura Barrett became the first female administrator there since 1996. Barrett was one of those from ESU 13 who accepted the award. She said having role models like the members of BPW helps women learn how to be leaders. Ive worked at ESU 13 for a very long time. Ive had the opportunity to become a mother, to grow up, to see really how we value women in the workplace and how you can be a person who has a family, has a life, grows professionally and still be a part of the community, Barrett said. This years Member of the Year Award went to Lori Stromberg. The award was first presented in 2018 and is named in honor of Shirley Flack, a Panhandle BPW charter member who died in 2019. Points for the award are rewarded for attending or presenting at meetings and recruiting new members. This years winner is a longtime member of BPW who shows commitment to the organization year over year. I can probably count on one hand the number of meetings, events, etc., that she hasnt attended in all her years of membership, former BPW president Bridget Peck said when introducing Stromberg. Three $1,000 scholarships were also awarded at Wednesdays ceremony. Funds for these came from the BPWs annual Sip and Shop Showcase. Women over age 25 who attend school in the Panhandle or are from the Panhandle are eligible to receive these. This years scholarships were awarded to Alyssa Dishman, attending the University of the Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing; Sierra Ostdiek, attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney; and Chandler Rummel, attending Chadron State College. We look forward to seeing great things from Alyssa, Sierra and Chandler, Jayme Hallman, of BPW, said. ... We are truly fortunate to live in a community where women are able to achieve such great personal and professional things. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The house was scheduled to be torched when the Piepers bought it for just $5. Theyve since spent more than $70,000 to prep it for moving, build a basement at its new home and to purchase new windows. Romania plans to sue the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) because of the scandalous situation at Eurovision Song Contest, the general director of Romanian Television, Dan Turturica. Romania accused the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest of substituting scores for the sake of Ukraine's victory. Romania will sue the European Broadcasting Union, and also intends to refuse to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest," Radio Romania quotes Turturica. At the same time, the head of Romanian TV does not plan to spoil relations with European colleagues, so he will sue very carefully and intelligently and expects only to get reparations. Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram From leading to taking on extra volunteer work to championing new education projects, Marions Michael Robinson has fought for Southwest Virginia and its people. For more than a decade, hes given a significant chunk of his community service time to the regions United Way organization. Last month, the United Way honored his impact. At its first in-person awards ceremony since 2019, on May 17, the United Way of Southwest Virginia presented Dr. Michael Robinson with a trophy bearing the inscription: In recognition of your heart, your spirit, your dedication, and most of all, your generosity in sharing them with those in need. Robinson first joined the regional organization in 2009. Hes helped lead United Way through major transformations. Scott Robertson, the United Way of SWVAs marketing and communications director, said, Dr. Robinson was already involved in United Way before mergers brought him into contact with United Way of Southwest Virginia. Regardless of the United Ways name and scope, Robertson said, Over the years, Dr. Robinson has served with distinction, chairing committees, doing extra volunteer work, and advocating for education initiatives throughout Southwest Virginia. Most recently, he served as board chair for United Way of Southwest Virginia. United Way of Southwest Virginia President and CEO Travis Staton recognized Robinson's service. Last week, Robinson explained his desire to serve with the United Way. He said, I feel like United Way is an organization that supports Smyth County and implements regional solutions that impact all of Southwest Virginia. Robinson, who also serves as the Smyth County Community Foundation chair, said of his service, I feel blessed to be in a position to volunteer with United Way and other groups of dedicated community members who are working to find ways to improve Smyth County and our region. Robinson, a former Smyth County Schools superintendent, now serves as the director of the A. Linwood Holton Governors School. The awards ceremony, held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, honored individuals and organizations serving their communities in the fields of childhood success, youth success and community resilience. According to a United Way news release, more than 250 community leaders representing communities from Lee County to the New River Valley attended. Dr. Karen Shelton received the Woman of Distinction Award. Shelton directed the Mount Rogers, Cumberland Plateau, and Lenowisco Health Districts during the COVID pandemic, the release said, leading those districts to have the fastest rollouts of COVID testing and vaccinations in Virginia. American Electric Power was honored as Community Partner of the Year with Food City as Top Giver. Other honorees were: * Elite Partners: Food City, Ballad Health, Universal Fibers, Utility Trailer Atkins and Utility Trailer Glade Spring. * Top Fundraiser for Celebrity Bagging: Farris Funeral Service, Inc. * Partner of the Year Early Education: Kristi Snyder * Partner of the Year Resilience: Damascus Middle School * Partner of the Year Youth: Wythe County Public Schools * Unsung Heroes: Dr. Tamarah Holmes, Buchanan County Sheriffs Office, Knox Creek Volunteer Fire Department. It was wonderful to be able to hold this event in-person so we could express our gratitude face-to-face to people who have gone above and beyond to make everything we do possible, said Staton in the release. The circumstances of the last couple of years that had kept us from hosting the Impact Awards as a live event in 2020 and 2021 also made the work of these individuals and organizations much more important and impactful to the people of Southwest Virginia. Kelso School District has joined a lawsuit accusing a vaping device company of illegally marketing toward teenagers and glorifying nicotine use in their advertisements. The school board in May approved taking legal action against Juul Labs and Altria, a move backed by more than 800 school districts nationwide, including La Conner and Seattle. This comes as Cowlitz County high school students are reportedly vaping at a higher rate than the state average, according to local results from a 2021 state-sponsored youth health survey. About a quarter of students who said they vaped did not know entirely what was in their device, according to the survey data. Washingtons Attorney General Bob Ferguson settled with Juul for $22.5 million in April after filing a consumer protection lawsuit saying the nicotine giant had downplayed the health effects of their vaping devices and purposely targeted underage people in their marketing. Juul denied any wrongdoing. Schools are now filing their own class-action lawsuit seeking damages against the companies for making their products look desirable to teenagers. As of 2020 a person has to be over 21 years old to purchase tobacco and vapor products in Washington state. Washington state law firm Stevens Clay, P.S. offered to represent Kelso School District pro bono. According to an FAQ presented to the board in May, the trial would go forward in November 2022 if no settlement is reached. The Kelso School Districts role in the lawsuit included gathering local data on vaping to be used as evidence, which Superintendent Mary Beth Tack was approved to submit by May 31. The district can also back out of the lawsuit at any point. Vaping products contain a number of chemicals, usually nicotine, that can become addictive, according to a 2022 National Institute of Health report. The earlier a person is exposed to addictive chemicals, the more likely they will find it harder to beat the addiction in adulthood, according to the health institutes report. Love 3 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Catlin Hall in West Kelso had multiples lives in the decades before becoming home to the Kelso Senior Center in 2010. Now the building is going through new renovations. The senior center is in the middle of construction to fully renovate the interior of the 80-year-old building, including creating a second meeting area on the ground floor to host events. The center is looking for grants and outside funding to repair the building's siding. Catlin Hall is owned by the city of Kelso. The nonprofit Kelso Senior Center Association rents the building from the city for $1 a year to manage operations. Interior upgrades The Kelso Senior Center hosts weekly bingo nights, bridge games, dance lessons and meetings for the Kiwanis Club and the Grace and Truth City Church in its main meeting space. The hall is rented out when not in use by regular events. "We make a lot of noise when it's full of bridge players and there isn't another place to meet," said association board member Guy Tow. The association is taking the lead on the current renovations. They are building a second main meeting room on the ground floor, in an area that was once a shower room for Catlin Pool. New hallways are being added to lead to the new space around the center's expanded kitchen. Other work is being done to make the hall accessible for visitors with disabilities. Quote "I'm going to be 74 years old. I can't be climbing ladders and roofs to take these parts off. We need that to be hired out." Kelso Senior Center Board member Dick Sims. The interior renovations would allow the center to host small conventions. Tow said Kelso has few buildings that can host a 100-person meeting, including break-out rooms and places for multiple speakers to present at the same time. Catlin Hall already has its first convention booked for late August, when the state Association of Manufactured Home Owners will come to Kelso for its annual meeting. Kelso Senior Center Board member Dick Sims is the vice president of the association. Stalled work The exterior work to maintain the building has proven tougher than the interior renovations. While senior center members have done much of the interior work themselves, Sims said a different approach is needed for the siding repairs and painting. "I'm going to be 74 years old. I can't be climbing ladders and roofs to take these parts off. We need that to be hired out," Sims said. Right now, the project has stalled because of questions about the cost. Neither the senior center association nor the city has been able to get a company to bid on the siding work, leaving the cost for the project and extent of the siding damage unknown. The association plans to apply for a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce to cover some of the project. The Building Communities Fund provides eligible projects up to 100% of the cost to rehabilitate community centers and social service centers in low-income or distressed areas, depending on projects' budgets. City councilmembers gave their verbal support at the last two council meetings for the senior center to apply for the Department of Commerce grant to make the exterior repairs. City manager Andy Hamilton told the council it's not worth going out for bids to get an estimate for the project now, only to rebid the project whenever enough funding was secured to complete the work. Tow is hopeful the project will keep advancing. "As a community we can make this happen," he said. "Even if its $100,000, that isn't that much money in this day and age." Kelso city staff have also discussed combining the Kelso Senior Center with other uses, like housing or the city's public library, in a community center that would be built elsewhere. Hamilton told the council Tuesday that a feasibility study on that proposal would be accomplished by October. Editor's note: This article has been updated to include the correction percentage of reimbursements a Department of Commerce grant could provide for renovations. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OLYMPIA As the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated a health care staffing shortage in Washington and nationally, the state Legislature this year provided more than $38 million to nursing programs statewide. But it was not all equally distributed. Some schools, like Eastern Washington University, got funding to create a new four-year program while others, including Washington State University, didnt receive any to bolster their current programs. Legislators and university officials say thats just because of what funding each school requested this year. Sen. Christine Rolfes, Democratic chair of the Ways and Means Committee from Bainbridge Island, said budget writers looked across the state at what schools were asking for and where the needs were for more funding. The Legislature didnt provide additional funding to all higher education programs for nursing, she said, but instead, they looked to where they wanted to boost enrollment. This was the first time we said, Lets take a comprehensive look at this, Rolfes said. Theres a nursing shortage crisis, and we had revenue available. She said there was a lack of training programs in Easterns corner of the state. Eastern Washington University received $6.1 million in the next two years to expand their current two-year nursing program to a full four-year program. It was a plan that Eastern had talked about doing a year from now, but with the current nursing shortage and the additional revenue this year, legislators decided to push to provide that funding earlier, Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, said. Schmick said the university already had a meeting space and a curriculum they planned to use, and they were only waiting on money. Because of the nursing shortage, we didnt want to wait, Schmick said. Its all hands on deck. Easterns four-year nursing program is still in the planning stage, currently awaiting approval from the state Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. According to a presentation given to the universitys board of trustees, the program will start accepting student applications in January with the goal of accepting the first cohort of 40 students in the fall of 2023. There will be 160 total slots in the program. The nursing school is in the process of hiring personnel and developing a facilities plan before beginning construction in the near future. Rolfes said another reason for funding Easterns program was because of its location and the attendees it normally gets. She said Eastern often has more of a tradition of students attending that are from high schools in the area, which could hit a different need. Chris Mulick, director of state relations at WSU, said they didnt ask for funding for new nursing enrollment slots this year. They try keep their budget requests pretty narrow, he said. Mulick said he was contacted by leadership in the House to come up with a cost proposal for expanding nursing slots, but it was never funded. That happens, he said. We get lots of requests to cost out a program. Rolfes said there was no specific reason why Washington State University didnt get funding this year other than the university didnt specifically ask for it and legislators did not think it was needed. A lot of what higher education institutions receive from the Legislature depends on what they ask for, and it varies each year from school to school, Mulick said. Its somewhat rare that youll all end up getting money for the same thing, he said. We have six public universities that are very different and have very different needs in our state. Along with Eastern, three other public higher education programs received funding for nursing education. Western Washington University received funding this year to create a new master of science and nursing program, which will enroll 10 to 15 students each year. They will receive $461,000 over the next two years. They also received $433,000 to increase enrollment in their registered nurse to bachelors of science in nursing program. The University of Washington received more than $1.2 million for additional nursing slots at the Seattle and Tacoma campuses. Technical and community colleges received more than $3.7 million for at least 50 additional nursing slots. The Legislature also set aside more than $15 million to modernize equipment in simulation labs at community colleges, universities and public high schools. They also allocated $3 million for a nurse educator loan repayment program, which will provide up to $75,000 in loan repayment in exchange for three years of service. Most of the new slots funded this year wont be available until 2023, so it may take a few years for budget writers to see whether what they funded this year will be enough supply for the demand, Rolfes said. Theres a nursing shortage on every education and professional level, Rolfes said. The Legislature will need to figure out what to do to increase the demand for courses in the future. In the meantime, weve created more supply, she said. But well need to see, are those slots going to fill up? Are students going to enroll? Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Interstate Bridge Replacement Programs locally preferred alternative something that has been years in the making is circulating to local agencies before it can progress to the next project phase. Greg Johnson, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program administrator, introduced his presentation Monday evening during a Vancouver City Council workshop by noting the major milestone for the Interstate 5 Bridge project: reaching a consensus on a locally preferred alternative. The plan identifies foundational components of a project option, transit systems and communication between local agencies. The locally preferred alternative, announced in early May, included one auxiliary travel lane and two shoulder lanes for both north and southbound roadways, as well as three travel lanes in each direction. There hasnt been a decision on whether the northbound and southbound lanes will be placed side by side or stacked on top of one another. Tolling made its way into the councils conversation, as did a recommendation to the Oregon and Washington State Transportation Commission to consider tolling programs for low-income commuters. Variable-rate tolling is not a definite element of the locally preferred alternative, but it was assumed during previous group discussions. On July 21, there will be an executive steering group meeting with legislative groups to seek their endorsement and talk about tolling, Johnson said. The package extends light rail from the Portland Expo Center to Hayden Island, which would continue across the Columbia River on the I-5 Bridge. It would reach a stop at Columbia Street and Evergreen Boulevard in downtown Vancouver. A partial interchange would allow access to Hayden Island for vehicles traveling from or to Washington. Mayor Pro Tem Ty Stober drew attention to how peoples behavior may shift with the introduction of tolling and inadvertent consequences that may unfold from it. Future implications must be considered even though the construction of mega projects, such as the I-5 Bridge, are dependent on tolling revenue, he said. It seems, at some point, that there has to be some better analysis of what is a toll going to do to peoples behavior when it comes to that particular exit, Stober said. Traffic that flows through the area commonly consists of those who wish to avoid paying a sales tax in Washington, he added. If there is tolling at that exit, it may reduce business on the island. The mayor pro tem urged the council to think how this would influence the city of Vancouvers sales tax revenue and financial projections. Right now, were having to fund through property taxes, Stober continued, Thats a project for us as a city to understand. Council member Diana Perez asked how tolling would be made equitable for low-income commuters. The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program does not establish tolling policies, but it can make recommendations to state legislatures and transportation committees who make these decisions. Johnson said the program is gleaning what the best practices are from both national and international tolling programs to gather these suggestions. Council member Sarah Fox shared her curiosity regarding what the Hayden Island/Marine Drive interchange would look like and where it would be lifted. She also voiced her desire to hear more about what will happen north of the Columbia River as improvements to the interchange are discussed. Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle addressed the conversation with a baking analogy. At this point, all of those interchanges in my mind are a little raw; they are not completely baked, she said. Johnson will return before the council June 27 with a draft resolution supporting the locally preferred alternative and a draft set of conditions of approval. If the locally preferred alternative is approved, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program will move forward and draft a supplemental environmental impact statement. This would begin toward the end of summer or early fall and last about a year and a half, Johnson said. If all goes according to plan, construction could begin by late 2025. Step two out of 100. We have a long way to go, but we can do it, McEnerny-Ogle said. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Flip 3 users are getting a new update that will let them use these special features of Samsung Galaxy S22. Samsung had recently launched its flagship series, the Samsung Galaxy S22 packed with a number of amazing camera features to let the users capture their special moments perfectly. And now, Samsung is bringing plenty of these camera features to its top of the line smarphones, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Flip 3. These camera features have already been rolled out for the users of the Galaxy S21 series. Now, it's the turn of the latest foldable smartphone of Samsung. Back in May, Samsung decided to release some of its Galaxy S22s latest camera features to its older devices, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S21. Now, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Flip 3 will receive the new telephoto lens support in its Pro mode which will let users play with the camera in a more diverse manner. Besides this, the foldable Samsung Galaxy users will also get the Night photography mode, which has also been added with a telephoto lens in portrait mode with the latest update. This offers bright and detailed portraits in low-light conditions. Besides that, some third-party improvements will also take place for a better experience. While, in the supported video mode and video call, users will also get some auto picture adjustment features. This brings a zoom-in & zoom-out tracking function which works by knowing the positions of up to 10 people within a 5-meter distance. Not just that, the new update has also improved the video call effect that you can use with the third-party apps for video calling. With these camera enhancements to the Z Fold 3 and Flip 3, the users will be able to take better quality pictures with the default camera app as well as other social media apps. As Samsung said that it supports WhatsApp, Google Meets, Duo, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, BlueJeans, and other video calling apps, a report by tizenhelp.com mentioned. Recently, Galaxy Z Fold 3 has received Expert RAW app support, and now, with these additional features, Samsung is aiming to make the most of the smartphone equipped with enhanced camera quality features. The report mentions that the new software update is rolling out in the European region, starting with Germany, and Italy, and will soon be rolled out in other countries. You will need to move ahead to the Software update section in the Settings of your smartphone. Two years ago, the Razer Kishi was released as a gaming controller for mobile gamers and there's now a successor. Simply dubbed the Razer Kishi V2, it is now available in Malaysia for RM489 on its Lazada and Shopee official online stores. Oddly, the Razer Kishi V2 is only eligible for Android smartphones for now but an iPhone release is confirmed for later this year. So what are the upgrades in this new version? Well, the Kishi V2 features the same inputs but with all-new tactile microswitch controls that offer enhancements. There's also a new Share button that allows you to quickly capture the screenshots or record video clips to share with followers and friends. Moreover, the dual multifunction buttons and the ability to launch the all-new Razer Nexus app make it more convenient for mobile gamers. It's said that the app can optimise maximum performance while playing the latest Triple-A or mobile game releases. The Razer Nexus also provides quick access to installed games, immediate YouTube or Facebook streaming capabilities, compatible game discovery, and controller settings. Reimagined with a simplified bridge providing a stable feel and universal smartphone compatibility, the Kishi V2 delivers native and cloud game control through a USB-C connection. Its structure comes with a pass-through charging port too that allows for device charging without interrupting gameplay. So what do you think about the Razer Kishi V2? To learn more, you can visit the official website right here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com. WASHINGTON If the pronoun police of Wisconsin's Kiel Area School District were just another woke excrescence on American education, they merely would be local embarrassments. These enforcers are, however, a national disgrace because they are a direct consequence of federal lawlessness with a progressive pedigree. In April, the district lodged a complaint against three eighth-grade boys for the offense of "mispronouning," referring to a classmate using the biologically correct pronoun "her" instead of the classmate's preferred "them." This, district officials supposed educators said, constitutes "sexual harassment," a Title IX violation. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted long before Congress could have imagined today's progressive dogma that grammar should reflect, through pronouns, the most advanced thinking about gender fluidity. Title IX's operative language says no person "shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination" in education. This language has been reasonably taken to encompass sexual violence, unwanted touching and such "unwelcome conduct" as persistent spoken sexual innuendo, stalking, etc. Now, however, the Wisconsin district, which is perhaps proud of its progressive improvising, has made this category of conduct elastic enough to encompass mispronouning. The district's behavior is trickle-down lawlessness that stems from the arrogance and cynicism of the U.S. Education Department. Making a mockery of Title IX illustrates what some progressive theorists call "dynamic statutory interpretation," meaning law enforcement entirely untethered from congressional intent actually, from law. In 2014, Catherine Lhamon, an Education Department assistant secretary for civil rights, sent an explanation of a 2011 "Dear Colleague" letter to people who are in no sense "colleagues" of federal bureaucrats: college administrators. She directed them to comply with 66 pages of "guidance" on sexual harassment policies. Many of the policies produced campus kangaroo courts in which persons almost always young men accused of sexual misbehavior are routinely denied due process. Nationwide, accusers are identified, in the language of prejudgment, as "survivors." The accused are denied the right to question their accusers and can be convicted on a mere "preponderance of the evidence," not evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. By one recent count, there are more than 700 due-process lawsuits from victims of make-believe courts on campuses, seeking justice in real courts. R. Shep Melnick, a Boston College professor and co-chair of the Harvard Program on Constitutional Government notes this: Lhamon breezily says she resorted to explicating the "Dear Colleague" letter, thereby evading the Administrative Procedure Act's rule-making requirements, because the 66 pages were, in her words, merely "an explanation of what Title IX means." Sixty-six pages of "explanations" that, if not adhered to, can result in federal compliance investigations and termination of the institutions' federal funding. In 2014, Lamar Alexander, the Tennessee Republican who was a former university president and the senator most conversant with higher education, asked Lhamon who gave her the power to issue detailed, effectively mandatory "explanations." With smug hauteur, she said: "You did when I was confirmed." President Joe Biden has brought her back. Although a Senate committee refused to recommend her confirmation as head of the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights, the Senate confirmed her in a 51-50 party-line vote. Her progressive spirit "social justice" righteousness unrestrained by law is on display in Wisconsin's Kiel School District. There, the regnant Lhamonism that has seeped into educational crevices from coast to coast, and from kindergarten through graduate school, has resulted in yet another progressive attempt to supplant free speech with compulsory speech. Fortunately, the three middle-school miscreants accused of "mispronouning" seem to understand that the best defense is a good offense. Represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the boys are arguing that their use of biologically correct, if politically incorrect, pronouns is speech protected by the First Amendment. The Constitution also forbids the district from compelling them to speak as district bureaucrats suddenly how long ago did they embrace this orthodoxy? prefer. Furthermore, the institute says it has spoken with another Kiel Area family "whose daughter was recently given an in-school suspension for 'sexual harassment' based on a single statement using an allegedly 'wrong' pronoun and the statement was said to a third party, not even to the allegedly 'misgendered' student." Perhaps Kiel Area schools can waste time trying to bully children into conformity to this or that fad because the schools have so splendidly accomplished their actual task: education. It might, however, be best if schools that are eager to engage in pronoun policing not even attempt education. George Will's email address is georgewill@washpost.com. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe WOOD RIVER After last Sundays service at Wood River Presbyterian Church, members of the congregation headed out into the neighborhood, inviting people to the churchs upcoming 150th anniversary. The church members handed out welcome and invitation bags, telling them about the two Sundays the church will celebrate its birthday. The first will be this Sunday. A covered dish meal will be enjoyed after the 10:30 a.m. worship service. The main event will be Sunday, June 26. The 10:30 a.m. worship service will be held on the lawn. After that, Tom Schroeder and Co. will perform music at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., firefighters, emergency medical personnel and the Hall County Sheriffs Office will be honored. The June 26 celebration will include games for young people and food trucks. A fire truck and patrol car will be on hand for kids to inspect. The welcome bags contained an invitation to the two events. The back of the flier had color pictures of the church, along with the words, With the Grace of God, the First Presbyterian Church has been blessed to serve Wood River and surrounding communities with the word for 150 years. The bag also included a coupon for the June 26 food trucks, and some candy. Everybody likes chocolate, so we put a little chocolate in there just to let people know that were still here, alive and well and kicking and we would like to invite them to be a part of us, said Brad Jepsen, the churchs lay pastor. The First Presbyterian Church of Wood River was organized on Jan. 22, 1872. The congregation has been in its current building since 1893. The main portion of the sanctuary dates back to that construction. The church is at 202 E. 12th St. To build the house of worship, church leaders purchased six city lots from the railroad for $50. Three of the lots were sold five years later to a private party. Some families have attended the church for generations. Randy Dubbs great-grandfather, James Allan, was part of the group that founded First Presbyterian. A new batch of kids represents the familys fifth generation at the church. First Presbyterian Church members are very thankful that the Lord has given us 150 years, most of it in its current location, Jepsen said. Not a lot of churches can lay claim to being around for a century and a half, he said. We give God all the glory and praise for that we are still here and still ministering in his name, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ that changes lives, Jepsen said. Church members arent just thinking about the celebration this month. Theyre hoping the people they invite will stick around longer than that. In extending the invitation, church members want Wood River residents to know they are welcome here, Jepsen said. Jepsen, who has led the church for 16 years, farms near Shelton. Church member Mitchell Price says Jepsen is one of the best pastors hes known. I love his sermons, Price said. The church has about 62 members. Our average attendance varies, just like any other church, Jepsen said. The Sunday morning attendance is 25 to 35, he said. The Lord has blessed us with adequate finances. Its all up to code, Jepsen said. The church has all been redone electrically and the furnaces are four or five years old at most. The building has been kept in very good shape. But a church isnt about the facilities. The church is about the people, he said. The people are what make up the congregation. Theyre the people who God by his holy spirit inhabits, in the hearts of the believers. A church is a living organization a living part of a living God, Jepsen said. Were involved in something much greater than ourselves. A business is an earthly organization, he said. Like a bank, the church maintains an earthy storefront, so to speak. But, We are part of an eternal kingdom. We are part of Gods kingdom, Jepsen said. Its sometimes hard for human beings to keep the separation right in our minds, but we are a part of something much larger than ourselves. And its only by Gods grace that we are allowed to be a part of that. According to a church history, over the past century and a half, the number of church members has risen and fallen, but no matter the size, the congregation continues to meet to hear and share the praises of our Lord and Savior, and for almost 120 years a framed church with a tall steeple and beautiful stained-glass windows has stood on the same corner welcoming those who want to hear about God. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. KEARNEY A Grand Island man led a Nebraska State Patrol trooper on a pursuit Sunday at speeds that exceeded 140 mph. The man, Andy S. Paneda Portillo, 21, of Grand Island, eventually was stopped, arrested and charged in Buffalo County Court with felony operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, and willful reckless driving, no operators license, operating a motor vehicle without registration, no proof of financial responsibility, false reporting and speeding, all misdemeanors. The incident began Sunday when a trooper was involved in a 116 mph pursuit with a black motorcycle driving east on Interstate 80 near Overton. Due to heavy traffic the officer couldnt keep up with the motorcycle, court records indicate, and radioed ahead for assistance to another trooper who was sitting in the I-80 median near Elm Creek. As the motorcycle went by the second trooper he clocked the bike traveling at 122 mph, and began a pursuit. The bike passed in between motorists and on the shoulder of I-80, until turning off at the Kearney interchange and heading south on U.S. Highway 44 where he continued to drive recklessly at speeds of more than 140 mph. About two miles south of Kearney, in Kearney County, the driver stopped and was arrested without incident, records indicate. Portillo was arrested, and Judge John Rademacher set his bond at $5,000, which Portillo posted, and was released. President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia's economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. The United States generally imports about 100,000 barrels a day from Russia, only about 5% of Russia's crude oil exports, according to Rystad Energy. Last year, roughly 8% of U.S. imports of oil and petroleum products came from Russia. Gas prices have been rising for weeks due to the conflict and in anticipation of potential sanctions on the Russian energy sector. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline soared 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA. Should the US ban Russian oil imports over Ukraine war? You voted: HERRIN The city of Herrin is moving towards operating with five full-time firefighters per eight-hour shift for a total of 15 firefighters That's up from four per shift or a total of 12 a year ago. Fire Chief Shawn Priddy said the staff additions are a big plus for the department. "From an operations standpoint, it's a significant difference, a very welcome addition," he said. "Having an extra man per shift helps with business inspections, the installation of smoke detectors at businesses and residences, and with manpower at fires. We can much more easily take two trucks out to a fire and establish our water supply needs quicker." From the city's fiscal viewpoint, one extra firefighter per shift cuts down on the volume of overtime hours that became necessary at times. According to Herrin Mayor Steve Frattini, last year's contract negotiations resulted in some changes to Tier 2 Firefighter salaries. New hires, he said, will make less with a starting salary than previous years and will not receive an end-of-the-year bonus. That savings in money, along with the retirement of higher-salaried veteran firefighters, allows for the city to hire the additional staff. Priddy said non-certified new hires will now be paid $15.81 an hour or $3 less per hour than before. Certified new hires will now receive $18.24 an hour. "Even with that reduction, our starting salaries are still very competitive with other communities in Southern Illinois," Priddy said. "Of course, there is still a health benefits package and clothing allowance for each new hire, too." Priddy further explained that there is one firefighting position yet to fill. "We've applied for a federal grant known as 'SAFER,' which means Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response," Priddy said. The grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments to help them increase or maintain the number of trained front-line firefighters available in their communities. Herrin should learn in September whether it has been chosen as a grant recipient. "If not, we will have to wait until next May to fill the position. That's when our next firefighter retirement will be," Priddy said. Frattini said there is also some ongoing reshuffling of roles within the ranks of the fire department. "We have had some firefighters promoted to lieutenant, for example, and we now have one captain plus one lieutenant working together each of the three shifts, which is a big plus." Frattini said the city recently sold $24.5 million in bonds in order to fully fund its police and fire pensions. "By selling those bonds, we will be saving the city about $11.5 million over the next 20 years. That was huge for us," the mayor said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The girl, naked and screaming, ran directly toward Nick Ut's camera -- and into history. Her name is Kim Phuc, and the instant the Associated Press photographer captured her image 50 years ago -- on June 8, 1972 -- she became more than a victim of a South Vietnamese napalm strike on her hamlet. She was and is an international symbol of that unpopular war, and of the torment inflicted on innocents in all wars. For nearly a century, the AP has covered war with images. Some won Pulitzer Prizes, like Ut's napalm girl, like Eddie Adam's breathtaking photo of the execution of a Viet Cong prisoner, like Joe Rosenthal's tableau of Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi. They and others are engraved in global memory, often resonating in ways that words and video do not. Some show war's action -- a Palestinian with stone in hand confronts an Israeli tank; Korean refugees crawl over a shattered bridge, like ants; a statue of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein crashes to the ground. But others focus on the pain, and the losses. A Marine, bleeding profusely around his neck, is evacuated by helicopter after a bombing in Afghanistan. A man displays scars left by machete-wielding gangs in the Rwandan genocide. A Palestinian woman, her face a mask of fury and grief, brandishes helmets left behind by those responsible for a massacre at the Sabra refugee camp in Lebanon. All too often, the war photos depict young victims. Thirty-eight years apart, in Vietnam and Syria, fathers clutch the bodies of their dead children. In between, in 1994, a 7-year-old boy lies mortally wounded in a pool of blood in Serajevo. And then, this year, Evgeniy Maloletka captured the aftermath of the Russian bombing of a maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine. Five men carried a pregnant woman on a stretcher. Her pelvis had been crushed; she would not survive. Nor would her unborn child. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Charleston County deputy is facing three counts of reckless homicide in the May 8 crash that killed a graduate of Claflin University and a graduate of South Carolina State University. Stephanie Renee Dantzler, 53, and her two daughters Miranda Renasia Dantzler-Williams, 22, and Shanie Renee Dantzler-Williams, 28 died in the crash. Charleston County Deputy Emily Pelletier was heading to check on a stopped car and didn't have her emergency lights or siren on as she turned on to U.S. Highway 17, Charleston County Sheriff Kristen Graziano claims. Investigators allege the police cruiser was going 73 mph when Pelletier ran a stop sign and struck the 2012 Toyota sedan driven by Dantzler, killing her and her two daughters. Just the day before, Miranda Dantzler-Williams graduated from Claflin with a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Her mother and sister attended the graduation ceremony. Claflin mourns the loss of Miranda, her mother and sister. Miranda was a recent graduate with a bright and promising future, Claflin President Dwuan J. Warmack said in a university press release in the days following the crash. The Claflin family offers its sincere condolences and we will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers, he said. Shanice Dantzler-Williams was a graduate of S.C. State, where shed earned a bachelors degree in accounting, according to her obituary. Pelletier is charged with three counts of reckless homicide, felonies that carry up to 10 years in prison on each count if convicted. Troopers did not say if she had an attorney who could comment on the charges. The sheriff has reached out to the family of the women killed, giving them information about the investigation and promising to continue to support them. Pelletier was also hurt in the crash, but recovered. She has been on leave since the wreck and Graziano said she wanted to review the entire Highway Patrol report before deciding what to do about her employment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A S.C. Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole hearing officer is recommending Bowen Gray Turners probation be revoked. Now Turners case is headed to a circuit court to determine if hes going to prison. Turner, 19, pleaded guilty on April 8 to first-degree assault and battery instead of his original charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Hed been accused of raping an Orangeburg County teen on June 2, 2019, when Turner was 16. He was charged as an adult. Circuit Judge R. Markley Dennis sentenced Turner under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years, but suspended the sentence to five years of probation instead. A virtual administrative hearing was held on Wednesday by S.C. Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole certified hearing officer Toyya Williams. Williams determined that Turner, of Orangeburg, violated his probation by allegedly consuming alcohol on May 8 and not paying court fees. Turners been charged with public disorderly conduct in the May 8 incident, when officers claim to have found him staggering in North Road. Second Circuit Solicitor Bill Weeks said, We recommend a full revocation at a later date. Ive spoken with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and that is his recommendation. In addition to allegedly violating the alcohol restriction of his probation violation, Turners probation officer claims hes failed to pay various fines and fees, including: a $20 drug test fee, a surcharge fee arrears of $2.15 with an account balance of $128.75 and a supervision fee balance of $2,900. The meeting on Wednesday afternoon was described as a type of preliminary hearing, according to Sarah Ford, legal director of the South Carolina Victims Assistance Network. The network represents accusers in incidents. Public defender Jason Turnblad represented Turner at the hearing. Ford spoke on behalf of Turners victim. Turnblad did not speak after the hearing. Ford noted, The victims and I are pleased that the case is being forwarded to Circuit Court with a recommendation of revocation. A court date has not yet been set for Turners formal probation revocation hearing. He remains housed at the Orangeburg County Detention Center in the meantime. If a judge revokes his probation sentence, Turner could serve the remainder of his term in prison. SCVAN is appealing Turners probation sentence, claiming that Circuit Judge R. Markley Dennis wouldnt hear from the victim prior to sentencing Turner. Turner was also accused of raping a different female on Oct. 7, 2018 in Bamberg County. The 2nd Circuit Solicitors Office dismissed Turners charge after his accuser, Dallas Stoller, died of a self-inflicted wound on Nov. 14, 2021. The 2nd Circuit Solicitors Office has said its reviewing the decision to drop the Bamberg County charge. In addition, 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe is asking the court to make Illery Bonding Company explain why it allegedly didnt report Turners alleged bond violations while he was awaiting trial. Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD Love 5 Funny 2 Wow 3 Sad 0 Angry 6 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Election officials are working to provide early, in-person voting ahead of Tuesdays party primaries. A new law allows early, in-person voting in South Carolinas elections. Early voting does not require an excuse, unlike in-person absentee voting. The new law was passed almost exactly a month before the state primaries on June 14, which led election officials to rush to provide the new voting method in the days leading up to the election. Its been a challenge implementing so many changes ahead of the primary, but overall I think it's a good thing, S.C. Election Commission Public Information Director Chris Whitmire said. Officials at local polling locations had to create procedures for early voting at the last minute, according to Aurora Smalls, the director of voter registration in Orangeburg County. There was uncertainty about whether Bill 108 the law that expanded early voting would be passed, Bamberg County Director of Voter Registration and Elections Athena Moorer said. The changes caught some election officials off-guard, but Moorer said overall the process has been very smooth for both her staff and voters. The adjustment wasn't very difficult for me, because I already had my election schedule in my calendar already in place and things that I had to do, Moorer said. Smalls said turnout for early voting has been slower than expected. I think a lot of people aren't aware they can vote (early) in the primaries, Smalls said. Over 38,000 people have used early voting for the June primaries across the state as of June 6, according to SCVotes.gov. This total includes: 199 in Bamberg County 90 in Calhoun County 1,041 in Orangeburg County Whitmire said numbers will go up as the election approaches and as more people hear about in-person early voting. Data from SCVotes.gov shows early voter turnout has increased every day it has been offered, from 6,000 statewide on May 31 to 10,000 on June 6. Officials said voting early is almost exactly like voting on election day or with an in-person absentee ballot. Voters will really not notice the difference between voting early in person and voting absentee in person, Smalls said. The main difference is the voter wont be asked Why are you voting absentee?" Smalls said most voters showing up early are over the age of 55, with the largest group being between 65 and 74 years of age. She also said the busiest times are around noon. Many older voters appreciate being able to vote without the crowds of election day. The advantage (to early voting) is it's not crowded, you can take your time, Smalls said. You have all day to come in. Whitmire said early voting gives people more opportunity to exercise their right to vote without having to qualify for an absentee excuse. The new law also discontinues in-person absentee voting, but mail-in absentee voting is still offered. Whitmire said the availability of in-person early voting would draw people away from mail-in voting, as well. Most of absentee voting was in-person absentee voting, Whitmire said. So the fact that there is no more in-person absentee voting combined with the option to early vote will drastically reduce the number of absentee voters. Similarly, Calhoun County Director of Voter Registration Shayla Jenkins said those voting early were typically the same people that would be voting in-person absentee. Early voting will continue from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday according to SCVotes.gov. Moorer said she encourages voters who plan on using early voting to check their registration status on SCVotes.gov to make sure their information is accurate before coming to the polling place. I love early voting, Moorer said. I think it's going to be easier for voters because there are no excuses. And then you get to vote like you would on election day. Voters have wanted more early voting opportunities, Jenkins said. She said she thinks the availability of in-person early voting will continue to grow. I don't see us going backwards, Jenkins said. Caleb Bozard is a news intern at The Times and Democrat through the sponsorship of the South Carolina Press Association Foundation. He is a student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 City of Orangeburg officials say they are continuing to monitor COVID rates among employees with an eye toward possibly implementing safety measures. We will continue to monitor the numbers for our employees, City Administrator Sidney Evering told City Council during the body's regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting. We hope this is just an anomaly in terms of the spike and that this is not a trend, he said. Evering said about six employees are currently positive with COVID for a 3% positive rate among city staff. He said about 77% of the citys employees are vaccinated. Last week, several Department of Public Safety employees tested positive for COVID, leading to the closing of ODPS offices to the public. Evering said a deep clean has been performed at the building. If those numbers continue to rise, then we will take additional measures as far as requiring face coverings in facilities or anything that would help us tamp those numbers down, Evering said. Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities Manager Warren Harley said the utility is comfortable where we are with COVID cases. He said about five people have either had a close contact or tested positive for the virus but that has been companywide and not concentrated in a specific department. Our numbers still seem to be very manageable, Harley said. We have not seen disruptions in one particular area. He said the situation will be monitored and necessary actions will be taken if there are any changes. City Councilman Jerry Hannah requested the city go back to mask mandates, noting the virus started before with only a few getting it. Mask wearing would help, Hannah said. He noted people dont prepare for a storm when a storm comes and the wind is blowing or put on seat belts when an accident starts to happen. We must be prepared. If we care about our people, we would ask to go back to wearing masks, he said. No action was taken or discussion had on Hannah's request. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BEIRUT (Reuters) A year-long corruption investigation into Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh took a significant step forward on Thursday, when the country's top public prosecutor referred the case to a Beirut court. Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat ordered Salameh and a number of unnamed associates be formally investigated for embezzlement, money laundering, illicit enrichment, forgery and tax evasion, two judicial sources told Reuters. Salameh faces investigations in Lebanon and at least five European countries, including into the alleged embezzlement of more than $300 million by him and his younger brother, Raja. Both have denied any wrongdoing. The latest development follows nearly a year of investigation by financial prosecutor Jean Tannous, whose role allows him to gather evidence for the case but not to press charges. Tannous confirmed the transfer in a tweet on Thursday. The move could be a step towards a formal prosecution or charges against Salameh and his associates, lawyer Nizar Saghieh of watchdog Group Legal Agenda told Reuters. Salameh has led the central bank for nearly three decades and retains significant support among Lebanon's top politicians despite the country's financial meltdown. The high-profile investigation into his finances has been beset by allegations of political inteference and hampered by a lack of information-sharing from banks citing Lebanon's banking secrecy laws. The Salameh brothers also filed a lawsuit last week against the state, alleging that Tannous had committed serious errors in his investigation. Similar legal complaints against the judge probing the devastating 2020 explosion at Beirut's port paralyzed that investigation. Few if any top Lebanese officials have ever been convicted of crimes, despite decades of rampant corruption, high-profile assassinations, the port blast and the country's 2019 financial collapse, described by the World Bank as "deliberate" and one of the worst in modern times. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Timour Azhari; Editing by Maya Gebeily and Alex Richardson) Similar to other major European airports, Findel is currently struggling to keep up with the passenger flow, which means that people may continue facing extended waiting periods over the summer months. The times of grounded planes and closed airports seem to be a thing of the past in Europe. Air traffic is reaching pre-pandemic levels, which has caused some amount of chaos at airports over the past couple of weeks. Passengers are often forced to wait several hours to complete the check-in and security procedures, which is mainly caused by a lack of ground personnel. Some airlines were even forced to cancel flights in light of the situation. Similar trends have also developed at Findel airport over the past months. Although not as bad as at some of Europe's major airports, passengers are still often forced to endure lengthy waiting periods ahead of boarding. Luxairport officials warn that the situation is not likely to change during the summer months. Passengers are therefore advised to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to their flight. Public and school holidays in particular are expected to see extended waiting periods. Video report in Luxembourgish Our colleagues from RTL 5minutes recently paid a visit to petrol stations in the German border region, where shopping behaviour has experienced historic changes ever since Germany reduced its fuel taxes. "It really has been much more quiet for a week now", explains Danuta Lebegue, who works at the Q8 petrol station in Mertert-Wasserbillig near the German border, which is usually frequented by cross-border customers on a daily basis. The same absence of clients can also be observed at other stations in the area. Lebegue elaborated: "On Whit Sunday, our regulars still came to buy coffee and tobacco, but they no longer filled up their tanks. They rather opted for petrol in the Trier area." Our colleagues from RTL 5minutes also spoke to German customers at the border. "I've been coming to Luxembourg to get petrol for 17 years, as it was always cheaper. There was always a difference of 15 to 20 cents", explains 53-year-old Martin, a German cross-border worker employed in Bech-Kleinmacher. Maurice Fick / RTL Contrary to Luxembourgish petrol stations, those in Germany do not follow a universal price maximum, which means that some may offer better prices than others. However, it also means that they are subject to extreme fluctuations, with prices able to change 20 times at a single station in a single day. One of the cheapest stations in the region is located in Welschbillig, about 15 kilometres north of Trier. Once Germany introduced its fuel tax reduction, the station thus saw a significant increase in customers, reveals one of the employees: "It was hell! We had so many more customers all week, including people from Luxembourg and also from the Netherlands." Similar events also took place at other German petrol stations. Achim Schilling, who opened the Star station in Meckel-Meilbruck, 22 kilometres north of Trier, in 1996, revealed that a Luxembourgish lorry driver even filled up an additional jerrycan at his station: "It is really unusual. I have never seen us beat Luxembourg's prices." Video report in French US-based artist Jingna Zhang recently claimed on Instagram that her work had been appropriated and plagiarised by Jeff Dieschburg, an art student who was awarded a prize of 1,500 EUR at the 11th edition of the Strassen Biennale. Sam Steen caught up with her on Thursday morning to hear her side of the story. Zhang shared her outrage not only about the nature of the allegedly committed plagiarism but also Dieschburg's reaction when confronted about the copyright infringement. "He sends me an email statement, tells me that as a figurative painter its obvious that he needs reference materials. That he was inspired by someone else who appropriated my photos first, and even though he was inspired by some of my artistic choices, he had "created an image in an artisanal way. He goes on to include a list of artists that used famous IPs and paintings in their art as example, mansplaining what copyright infringement and transformative use mean. As if I havent been dealing with these things these past two decades." In the same post, she emphasizes that she has no issue for students to reference her work for studies or practice - "so long as it's not for official portfolios, commercial gain, and always credited". She goes on saying, "To see someone praised, awarded, winning prize money, and shamelessly doing interviews while claiming credit despite copying so much of another persons work the audacity and utter disrespect. I dont know how someone begins to think that this is okay and is something they can be proud of. Im so speechless I cant even begin to process what to do. Just insane." A petition has been launched for Dieschburg's prize to be revoked following accusations that he plagiarized Zhang and allegedly other artists as well. For those of you who don't know her, Jingna Zhang (widely known as zemotion) is a celebrated and established US-based, Chinese-born, Singaporean artist, specialized in fashion & celebrity photography. She produced editorials for Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar and worked for brands like Canon and Mercedes Benz. She presented several solo exhibitions and was selected for Vogue Italia's "A Glimpse at Photo Vogue" group exhibition at Galleria Carla Sozzani in Milan in 2013. In 2018 she was featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia. What goes into a photograph? In the interview with Sam Steen, Zhang talks about the origins of the photograph, which was taken during a photo-shoot for the cover of Harper's Bazaar Vietnam in November 2017. "We shot this in New York, and it was a pretty big shoot with five different models for five different individual covers and a high number of other editorial pages. Personally, a very special editorial for me and cover story, so to see it being so-called "referenced", and then sold and not credited is just unbelievable, she said. She highlights the importance of composition and the effort that goes into producing high-end photographs. "I think theres a misconception that maybe photography is not really art. But at least for me, every photoshoot I do, every work I publish takes time, it takes a lot of time. Its very personal because theres a part of me and who I am as a person", she says. She further explains that a photoshoot can take 40 to 100 hours for commercial magazine work and that her personal work can take up to few years for one piece of image. Image by Jingna Zhang for Harper's Bazaar Vietnam And that of course, not to mention the preparation needed for such an endeavor, which includes sketching out the composition, models' poses and set design, as well as referencing hundreds of images to build a deck that can be used as a tool to communicate with the team involved in the project. Then it comes to doing model casting. So for a big shoot, like a cover like this, sometimes we have 100 to 300 models to choose from and we review all of their portfolios over a number of days or weeks, schedule to see some of them in person, and then decide who works best with the concept and the style of the photo that Im trying to create. After that we still have to find a team that can complement the vision and designs of the image. When we have all of these people, I prepare the set design. I buy or rent materials, and I build the set with my own hands." So how does copyrighting work? In the interview, Sam asks Zhang to share with the audience a bit on how the copyrighting process usually works. Typically in our business practice my image is handled by my agency. When artists want to reference my work for a mural or for a CD cover and things like that they come through the agency and they produce a license so that they can adapt the image to be used as part of the other work." But it's also not the only way to reference other people's work. Zhang goes on explaining that there are a lot of free resources and tools online, such as AI generators for faces or art-reference packs that contain hundreds of pictures for around 10 dollars. It's only for high-end photography including fine art, fashion or celebrity work that the images are exclusively managed by an agency. Zhang's lawyer, Vincent Wellens at NautaDutilh, has agreed to take Jingna as a pro-bono client to defend her. "I find it a bit disturbing that many seem to lose out of sight the law and the case law in the field of copyright protected works in Luxembourg and elsewhere. We have heard in relation to this case that art necessarily uses other art work as a reference. Or that once content is available online or when the artwork is reproduced via another means, it can be copied freely. These are wide spread misconceptions and it is the very reason that so many young artists make mistakes. Our case is quite symptomatic in this respect. My client does not want any polemic in this case. She wants to bring the discussion back to the basic principles of copyright law and wishes that everybody shows a minimal of respect towards these principles, not necessarily for her sake but for the sake of the whole art community. Copyright protects any artist and is important also for "smaller" artists." He explains that the Luxembourgish law makes this clear. "The dividing line between illegal plagiarism and lawful inspiration is the point where the differences between the works become so important that the overall impression is not the same any more. The fact that copyright protected works can be found on the Internet, does not matter at all and does not lower their protection. If a work is not accessible to the public, it would be difficult to make copies of it". Listen to the full interview here or use the player below. The BA.5 subvariant appears to be slightly more infectious than the previous Omicron variant. The Omicron subvariant BA.5, which has recently seen a surge across Portugal, made up around 25.4% of cases in the Grand Duchy by the end of may, according to a parliamentary question submitted to Minister of Health Paulette Lenert by the CSV. The subvariant is thought to be responsible for the slight increase in cases over the past week, as it seems to be more infectious than the previous Omicron variant. Lenert said despite the rise in cases, the subvariant does not appear to cause severe illness. Initial publications on the subvariant point to the fact that Covid vaccinations have proven less efficient against the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. People who have previously contracted the virus are also likely to risk infection. The Minister of Health did not provide details of the government's preparation for the autumn months. However, she referenced the fact that preparations were ongoing in all domains linked to the pandemic, such as testing, treatments, contact tracing, hygiene measures and vaccination. Months behind schedule and dogged by lawsuits, critics say a vast new migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos is a potential forest fire hazard that could wreak havoc on the environment. Officials say it is desperately needed on an island at the forefront of Europe's migrant crisis, where hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers have arrived from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan since 2015. The worksite is as far as possible from the island's main town of Mytilene and its tourist resorts. Barbed wire keeps out intruders. A private security company now guards the entrance 24 hours a day, after protesters set fire to construction machinery in February. "It's the worst location possible to build the camp," Yiorgos Dinos, head of the firemen union in the region, tells AFP. "Should a fire start there, it will burn down half the island." According to local community leaders, Greece's propensity for forest fires and a troubling history of blazes at other camps makes the new facility -- on the edge of a dense pine forest in the middle of nowhere -- a potential hazard of major proportions. "We have so many examples of what can happen to a forest in case of fire in adverse weather conditions," says Christos Tsivgoulis, head of Komi, one of six communities that oppose the project. "Nothing can save you." - Safeguards - The migration ministry insists the new camp will come equipped with the "most advanced" fire safeguards available and will be built 20 metres (22 yards) from the nearest treeline. "We are also developing artificial intelligence fire sensors in collaboration with the European Union," a ministry official told AFP. High temperatures and strong winds cause wildfires every summer in Greece, especially on islands where the rugged landscape presents an added impediment to firefighters. Scientists say climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of the fires in recent years. Europe's largest migrant camp of Moria, also on Lesbos, was entirely gutted by fire in 2020. At the time, Moria housed more than 10,000 people. Most of them were sleeping under makeshift shelter outdoors. Last month, a communal tent for 150 people burned down at Moria's temporary replacement of Mavrovouni, which currently houses around 1,100 people. On Tuesday, two 18-year-old Afghan asylum seekers were sentenced to four years on appeal for starting the Moria fire. Four other Afghans were handed 10-year sentences last June. - 'Completely unsuitable' - Michael Bakas, a member of Greece's Greens party, says "dozens" of fires broke out around Moria in previous summers despite the presence of a dedicated fire response team. But Tsivgoulis, the local community representative, argues the densely forested landscape around the new camp at Plati is more dangerous than Moria. "Moria was surrounded by an olive grove, olive trees don't burn easily, imagine what can happen in a pine forest," Tsivgoulis said. "In the summer months, locals are not allowed to enter at night because of the risk of fire. So how does the (migration) ministry ensure that there will be no accidents when hundreds will be coming and going" to build the camp, he wonders. "This is a completely unsuitable location to build an entire community," adds Antonis Komlos, head of the community of Pighi. "With one spark, whole villages and crops could be lost," he said. There are also fears that the remote location, accessible via a rural road, 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the closest village as the bird flies and 30 kilometres from the island's main town of Mytilene, will be hard to evacuate in an emergency. - 'Far from our children' - With a capacity of 3,000, Plati is to be the largest of five new camps for which the European Union has allocated $296 million combined for Lesbos and four other Greek islands in the Aegean where migrants arrive from neighbouring Turkey. The new camps come with barbed-wire fencing, surveillance cameras, X-ray scanners and magnetic gates that are closed at night. Mytilene mayor Stratis Kytelis has called the camp a "starting point" for the island to "leave the migration issue behind for good -- far from the city of Mytilene, our children and our daily lives." Yet disagreements over the location have delayed the project for months, with various alternative locations examined and rejected. This week, Kytelis said Plati was "the only solution to restore serenity to the island." In a statement to AFP, he insisted authorities are taking "all (necessary) fire precautions". The camp was originally supposed to have been completed last September. An injunction against the project will be discussed later in June. Completion is expected next year, the migration ministry source said. A lawyer in the Wyoming Attorney General's office will be Natrona County's next district judge. Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday announced he had appointed Joshua Eames to serve as a Natrona County's fourth district judge. The county had long had three judges at the district court level, but the Wyoming Legislature funded an additional position earlier this year. Eames has served as a senior assistant attorney general since 2019. Prior to that, he also worked as an assistant attorney general. Eames has also served as staff attorney for Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Kate Fox and worked for Judge Steven Sharpe in Laramie County. Joshuas experience in the Attorney Generals Office and in criminal law, as well as his previous work in the Wyoming court system, will make him a valuable addition to the Seventh Judicial District, Gordon said in a statement. District courts handle felony criminal cases and significant civil matters, among other things. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Police in Mills arrested a fugitive Wednesday who was wanted for escape in Missouri. Officers took Christopher Blevins, 37, into custody after a chase that reached speeds of nearly 80 mph, Mills police said in a statement. The U.S. Marshals had informed law enforcement agencies in Natrona County earlier in the day that Blevins might be at a gas station on Poplar Street and driving a gold Dodge Ram. At about 11:20 a.m., authorities received more information, this time indicating a gold Dodge Ram was parked at Ghost Town Truck Stop west of Casper. When Mills officers arrived, a man hopped into the truck and it took off. Police pursued the truck, and it pulled over after two minutes. Blevins was taken into custody. A woman who was with him was released pending further investigation, Mills police said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder strongly maintains that the U.S. Department of Agricultures update of its non-discrimination policies have forced states to comply with the Biden Administrations agenda, according to a Wednesday statement from the Wyoming Department of Education. Superintendent Schroeder strongly objects to this latest example of federal overreach and will continue to lead Wyomings effort to push back against Washington D.C., the statement says. Schools superintendent's denouncement fans debate over gender identity, sexual orientation A blistering statement from Wyoming's schools superintendent is again fanning the flames of debate over gender identity and sexual orientation. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service announced May 5 that it would reinterpret the prohibition of discrimination based on sex in Title IX and in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The USDAs announcement didnt come out of the blue. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that the prohibition on sex discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act covers discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In January, President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation. The order directs government agencies to review all existing orders, regulations, guidance documents, policies, programs, or other agency actions and consider changing them if they dont align with the amended protections under Title VII. The USDAs policy change means that any organization that gets money from the Food and Nutrition Service has to investigate allegations of discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation and update their non-discrimination policies and signage to include prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, the USDA statement says. On Friday, nearly a month after the USDA announcement, Schroeder denounced the USDA changes in a statement released by the state Department of Education, saying that the reinterpretation of its non-discrimination policies is part of the federal governments ever-relentless agenda of social engineering. Its not clear why Schroeder suddenly made the announcement. Wyoming Department of Education spokesperson Linda Finnerty said in a Monday email that the department didnt have further comment about this at the time. Schroeder implied that the reinterpretation could impact funding for student meals if schools dont comply with the updated non-discrimination policy. I only hope that We the People have the stomach to stand up to it, because it wont stop until the people say enough, he said in the Friday statement. The Department of Education statement from Wednesday says that Schroeder and the department will proceed with caution and prudence going forward to maintain the flow of federal funds to support children in Wyoming. It also calls for action from the Legislature: Until the Wyoming Legislature takes substantive action to allocate state funds to cover the numerous federally-funded programs in Wyoming, the (Wyoming Department of Education) has little choice but to work within the framework mandated by politicians in Washington D.C. The Wyoming Education Association, Wyoming Equality, the Equality State Policy Center and ACLU Wyoming issued a joint statement on Wednesday in response to Schroeders denouncement. We the People must stand up and say enough, the statement said. Enough discrimination. Enough politicking at the cost of our kids wellbeing, safety, and lives. We wont stand for anything less than safe, welcoming public schools that encourage all students to learn, grow, and thrive. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. About a quarter of legislative races in Wyomings 2022 election will likely be decided by default, instead of voters. Twenty-two state House and Senate seats are set to go uncontested in both the August primary and November general elections, according to the candidate roster released May 27 by the Wyoming Secretary of State. Some 56, meanwhile, have at least two candidates running. Fifty-three of the 78 state House and Senate races are currently slated to be determined by the primary election because only Republicans are running. Some races will likely see additional candidates in the general election, as independent and minor party candidates have until August deadlines to file for office. At least two are expected incumbent Rep. Marshall Burt (L-Green River) and Bob Strobel, who plans to run for a seat being vacated by the retirement of Rep. Jim Roscoe (I-Wilson). Some races are crowded, but most are not, and Wyoming politicos say there are several reasons why. Long standing barriers like financial and time constraints keep some from running for the states citizen Legislature. And more recently, the increasingly hostile political climate at the state Capitol and beyond may be erecting new hurdles, some of those involved with recruiting candidates say. Youre always opening yourself up to scrutiny [] but it feels like now, people are, for lack of a better term, meaner, Joe Barbuto, chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party, said. Its not simply a vitriolic spirit thats keeping some sidelined, but an added concern over personal safety; at least three lawmakers were the subject of death threats during the 2022 budget session. Thats changing the conversation in Wyoming over who is willing to run, according to Barbuto and others. This cycle, thats been more of a concern because they see whats been happening, and who wants that to happen themselves? Nobody, Barbuto said. Scarcity Some say scarcity also contributes to anemic participation and long has in Wyoming. In the past, there have been races where members dont have an opponent and its simply because theres not enough people willing to serve, Rep. John Bear (R-Gillette) said. Bear has worked to recruit candidates for open legislative seats in the past, mostly in his own county. He has not encountered anyone who was reluctant to run for office because of the political climate, he said. But I can certainly understand that. Its not for the faint-hearted, Bear said. Before he was elected in 2021, Bear said, raising a family and running a business kept him from running. Hes now a member of the Wyoming House Freedom Caucus, which formed in 2020 to challenge moderate GOP leadership in the Legislature. Though their ranks are thin, theyre not shy about standing up to the RINOs [Republican in name only] in the Wyoming Legislature, Bear said during his speech at former President Donald Trumps rally in Casper over Memorial Day weekend. He was one of three Wyoming lawmakers asked to give remarks at the event. In 2020, the Wyoming House Freedom Caucus grew from six members to 18, according to Bear. Like the House Freedom Caucus in Washington, the group does not disclose its membership. While Bear is outspoken about being part of the caucus, he said keeping membership rolls secret is part of a strategy to sway other parts of the body in legislative negotiations. Bear is hoping the caucus can grow its membership in the 2022 election. Then these watchmen and women will be able to stop the destructive bills that are coming from the left, Bear said during his speech. We might even convince the governor to pass some good legislation. Bear will go unchallenged for his seat, as will other self-described true conservative House members, including Rep. Chip Neiman (R-Hulett), Rep. Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland), Rep. Mark Jennings (R-Sheridan), Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody) and Rep. Pepper Ottman (R-Riverton). Meanwhile, several of the Houses more conservative lawmakers filed to make the leap from the House to the Senate, including Bill Fortner (R-Gillette) who will challenge incumbent Sen. Ogden Driskill (R-Devils Tower). Additionally, Rep. Robert Wharff (R-Evanston) will run against incumbent Sen. Wendy Schuler (R-Evanston), while Rep. Dan Laursen (R-Powell) will challenge incumbent Sen. R.J. Kost (R-Powell). House Speaker Eric Barlow (R-Gillette), who Freedom Caucus members have targeted as a considered moderate, is running unopposed for the Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Sen. Jeff Wasserburger (R-Gillette). Challenged Rep. Landon Brown (R-Cheyenne) received hateful emails during the session, he said, including at least one death threat from an anonymous Facebook account. Brown has been an outspoken critic of Trump and is among the few legislators who publicly support U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming). Despite some hesitancy, Brown decided to seek re-election and now faces two Republican challengers, Dean Petersen and Alan Sheldon. Stephen Latham, a Democrat, has also filed to represent House District 9. Like Brown, Rep. Andi LeBeau (D-Riverton) received a death threat, hers from another lawmaker, Rep. John Romero-Martinez. Both LeBeau and Romero-Martinez will seek re-election. Former Democratic lawmaker Sara Burlingame will challenge Romero-Martinez for her old seat. She was also the subject of threats made by Romero-Martinez. After being censured by his own county party for supporting Medicaid expansion and writing an op-ed that criticized the state GOP party, incumbent Sen. Cale Case is facing challenger Shawn Olmstead. Sen. Larry Hicks (R-Baggs) expected to face challengers too. I was surprised that no one filed to run for the seat, Hicks said. especially after this session. During the 2022 budget session, Hicks received a deluge of angry emails, calls and texts from members of the Wyoming Gun Owners Association. Several of those messages were threatening. This came after Hicks sponsored a bill, which later became law, that prohibits state officials from enforcing federal firearms regulations with some exceptions. WyGO had a similar bill without exceptions, and referred to Hicks version as fake SAPA [Second Amendment protection act] legislation. One of the messages Hicks received promised to vote him out of office. However, no such opportunity will present itself unless a minor or independent candidate files for Senate District 11. The lack of WyGO-backed candidates in his race suggests the group is pretty impotent despite their chest-beating, according to Hicks. WyGO is getting shown that they just dont have the clout they think they do, Hicks said. WyGo did not respond to WyoFiles request for comment. By the numbers Its not unusual for two dozen or so lawmakers to go unchallenged in Wyoming, at least in the last decade. Its also fairly standard not to have any Democratic candidates file for more than half of legislative races. This year, that No-Democrat portion accounts for 66% of the Senate and House seats up for election. While the 2022 numbers dont represent a major departure, behind-the scenes machinations indicate a troubling shift, according to Ben Rowland, Laramie County Democratic Party Chairman. My experience this cycle was people were more reluctant to run for office than they have been in past cycles, Rowland said. Concerns over personal safety are weighing more heavily in conversations Rowland has with candidates about running for office. Rowland said that has to do with volatility in both national and statewide politics as well as intimidation tactics used by groups such as WyGO. By encouraging its members to harass others, Rowland said, WyGo deters people who do not completely align politically with the group from running for office. That keeps a lot of really well-qualified candidates on the sidelines people that have a lot of value to offer Wyoming, but are, in some ways, fearful of its politics, and [] they fear for themselves, Rowland said. Rowland also encountered numerous people in his recruitment efforts that were just generally exhausted by politics. Many spoke of this feeling of being frankly wiped out, of putting forth a lot of effort routinely, and seeing very little in the way of results in our Wyoming Legislature, Rowland said. The state is reaching a breaking point, according to Chairman Barbuto. Wyoming was once insulated from the uglier parts of politics, but not so much anymore, Barbuto said. It makes it difficult to be a part of the process as an elected official or even an activist helping with campaigns or even as a voter for that matter, he said. It just makes everything feel ugly and difficult, and not worth the effort, he said. There is one notable difference on the candidate roster for the primary election. Only one legislative race will lack a Republican candidate on the ballot. That particular race is for House District 45, which is currently represented by Rep. Karlee Provenza (D-Laramie) who is seeking re-election. The Wyoming GOP Party did not respond to WyoFiles request for comment on their recruitment strategy this election cycle. More to come? Independents and minor-party candidates may also start entering the race. Burt, the sole Libertarian lawmaker, announced his intention to seek re-election on his Facebook page. After serving since 2009, Minority Floor Leader Rep. Cathy Connolly (D-Laramie) will retire. Democrat Ken Chestek will run for her seat against Republican Wayne Pinch. Rep. Jim Roscoe (I-Wilson), the Legislatures sole independent lawmaker, will also forgo a return. The number of uncontested seats concerned Roscoe, who said its important for voters to have a choice. Just seems like theres an opportunity for somebody, that if they know that someones running uncontested that they might step up, he said. Independent candidates have until Aug. 29 to file, while minor-party candidates have until Aug. 15. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 A coalition of wild horse advocates this week once again condemned federal efforts to curtail the animals numbers in southwestern Wyoming. The final proposal released last month but not yet formalized by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would reduce the appropriate wild horse population across four herd management areas by roughly two-thirds, from an accepted range of 1,4812,065 horses to between 464836. The agency conducted its largest-ever gather in those management areas late last year, lowering their estimated population from 5,105 to 1,565. While the proposed amendments preserve the existing regulations for the White Mountain herd management area, home to the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop, they would shrink the Adobe Town management area and eliminate the Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin management areas. The American Wild Horse Campaign, which has repeatedly sued the BLM in pursuit of stronger wild horse protections, jointly submitted a 107-page challenge with the Animal Welfare Institute and two wildlife photographers on Monday, the final day of the formal protest period. If the agency isnt receptive, the advocacy group may turn back to the courts. We are committed to pursuing all legal avenues to challenge these amendments and preserve the magnificent wild horses that are an integral part of the landscape in southern Wyoming, Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Campaign, said in a statement. The plan is the product of an ongoing dispute that has pitted wild horse advocates, ranching interest groups and the BLM against one another since the Rock Springs Grazing Association sued the agency a decade ago over the presence of wild horses on private land. Under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, if wild horses stray from public lands onto privately owned land, the BLM must arrange to have the animals removed. The laws wording sounds simple enough. But in the checkerboard of private and federally managed lands in the southern part of the state, where horses are abundant and fences are rare, wild horses often stray onto private property. In this particular case, given the checkerboard land pattern, short of BLM engaging in extensive fencing, the only way they can meet that statutory obligation is by removing horses from those entire areas, said Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, another ranching group involved in the case. The BLM agreed in 2013 to make the amendments in its new management proposal angering the American Wild Horse Campaign. The plan sets a dangerous precedent for private landowners to dictate whether federally protected wild horses will be allowed to live in their designated habitats on public lands, and threatens to undermine federal protections for wild horses across the West, William S. Eubanks II, an environmental attorney with the law firm that filed the groups protest, said in a statement Tuesday. The document also denounces the astonishing decision as flagrantly illegal in several different respects, arguing that federal law does not require it, and instead prohibits the BLM from making the drastic wild horse reductions it has outlined. BLM may only remove wild horses from public lands once they have been labeled excess animals, the protest reads, meaning there are insufficient quantities of habitat factors, such as forage, water, cover, and space, to support the existing herd size. But BLM did not make that determination here. Its a choice or an oversight that left all parties unsatisfied. Even though it agrees with the decision, the Rock Springs Grazing Association filed its own protest, arguing that the environmental analysis that the BLM is using to justify the amendments is inadequate. The ranching groups want the analysis to focus more on wild horses impacts on water supply and forage and address how large numbers of wild horses affect other wildlife populations. There are strong resource reasons that support the proposed action, Magagna said, and the burden shouldnt all be placed on, Were doing it because of our court settlement. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A peak at Yellowstone National Park that had been named after an Army lieutenant who led a massacre of Native Americans will now be known as First Peoples Mountain, the National Park Service announced Thursday. The change follows a unanimous vote by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The 10,551-foot peak in the southeastern portion of the park had been known as Mount Doane. It was named after Gustavus Doane, who in 1870 led an attack on a band of Piegan Blackfeet, allegedly in response to the murder of a white fur trader. During what is now known as the Marias Massacre, at least 173 American Indians were killed, including many women, elderly Tribal members and children suffering from smallpox, the park service wrote in its announcement on the name change. Doane wrote fondly about this attack and bragged about it for the rest of his life. In a 2017 interview with the Billings Gazette, Bozeman author and historian Paul Wylie, who wrote a book on the attack, called Doanes involvement ghastly, truly ghastly. Doane showed no remorse, even decades later. The same year as the massacre, Doane served as a key member of an expedition in Wyoming that would become part of the park two years later. Ahead of the change, the park service contacted all 27 Native American tribes with a historic connection to the Yellowstone area. It received back no concerns or opposition to the change, the park service said. Discussion of removing the name dates back years. In 2017, Blackfoot Confederacy and the Sioux Nation representatives delivered a petition to Yellowstone officials that formally requested the name change, the Gazette reported at the time. Yellowstone may consider changes to other derogatory or inappropriate names in the future, the park service said. Federal place names that include the derogatory word squaw, historically as an ethnic and sexist slur referring to Indigenous women, are set to change following an order from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in November. More than 650 places in the country, 43 of them in Wyoming, currently bear that name. The department is working with local tribes to consult on the proposed alternatives. Haalands order also formed a naming task force that includes representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management and national parks. According to a list released earlier this year, the majority of the suggested names come from nearby landmarks and geographical features. For example, a proposal would rename Squaw Creek in the Bridger-Teton National Forest for the neighboring Munger Mountain, Gros Ventre Range or the South Park flat. Star-Tribune staff writer Ellen Gerst contributed to this report. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 4 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Services of T&T (TSTT) is expected to re-issue retrenchment notices to the 376 unionised workers by Friday giving them 45-day notices which will end July 15. TSTT and its recognised majority union, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) came to an agreement outside of the courts on Monday, that will see the organisation continue with its restructuring exercise without delay. OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on United States authorities to investigate whether Attorney General Reginald Armour committed perjury and lied to a Miami court over his role as an attorney in the Piarco International Airport corruption case. This as she maintained at the UNCs Monday night forum that the AG has placed the country in a constitutional crisis and must be fired by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Interview: AfDB eyes increased Chinese investments in renewable energy in Africa Xinhua) 09:14, June 09, 2022 ACCRA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- African Development Bank(AfDB)would seek increased support from China for investments in renewable energy projects in Africa, an official has said. Daniel Schroth, Director of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department of AfDB, told Xinhua that due to the enormous expertise and know-how on renewable energy from the South-South cooperation, it is important for the bank to strengthen its partnerships with some Asian countries, including China. "One has to recognize that China has seen a larger expansion in the magnitude of renewable energy generation capacity in the last couple of years. It is a remarkable achievement and is something that Africa can learn from," he said. He said China, a non-regional AfDB member, has cooperated with the bank to capitalize the Africa Growing Together Fund for projects in energy and infrastructure. "There is certainly the potential to scale up that cooperation further and focus specifically on renewable energy projects, which are critical from an integration perspective," said Schroth. He said the continent boasts of enormous renewable energy potentials, including some of the world's best hydro potentials, excellent solar potentials across the entire continent, geothermal energy along the East African Rift Valley, and wind both offshore and onshore in many locations, which provide great opportunities for cooperation with stakeholders including China. Schroth added that the African lender had been increasing financing for renewable energy projects to harness some of these potentials. "Since 2016, more than 86 percent of our investments in power generation have been in renewable energy projects because we see that as the enormous opportunity for Africa to leapfrog some of the existing technologies for the continent's development," he added. For this reason, the official said the bank "is keen on deepening conversation with Chinese counterparts on support for these projects." The official added that AfDB was leading the way in the quest to harness these resources to support Africa's growth objectives. Through the desert-to-power flagship project, for instance, AfDB seeks to provide access to electricity to 250 million Africans by 2030. Moreover, AfDB also signed a mandate with the government of Mozambique earlier this May for a 1,500 MW hydropower project. But in addition to these projects, Schroth highlighted the need for investments in interconnectivity and integration to create a more robust infrastructure that would allow a sharing of renewables in the collective larger grids. "The sun might not be shining in one part but not in other parts. The wind might be blowing in one part but not in the other parts. If you integrate them into one system, you can balance the power use. And so AfDB puts a strong emphasis on critical regional interconnection projects," he said. He said these transmission and integration projects that were critical for energy sufficiency and efficiency on the continent were also opportunities for cooperation with China and would also grant access to Chinese private sector companies to access the African energy market. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) It was 110 days ago when five LMCS Ltd diversChristopher Boodram, Fyzal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Kazim Ali Jr and Yusuf Henryprepared to go out to the Berth 6 platform off Pointe-a-Pierre to work on that pipeline rising from the sea. Boodram would later recall boarding a barge, reaching the location, and diving into the water with the others to get to the entrance of a hyperbaric chamber (habitat). Below is a version of my letter sent to the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), which has requested that complaints about noise pollution be sent directly to them: I am a long-standing resident of Lady Chancellor Apartments a 50-year-old apartment block situated approximately 400 yards from the Lookout on Lady Chancellor Road. Over the years I have watched, with dismay and utter impotence, the complete erosion of a quiet residential area into a noisy, public fete neighbourhood. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a political conference where hes expected to review state affairs, including a COVID-19 outbreak, and possibly address relations with Washington and Seoul amid his revived nuclear brinkmanship. The plenary meeting of the ruling Workers Partys Central Committee began Wednesday in the capital, Pyongyang, the official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday, and may last several days. The meeting comes amid signs North Korea is preparing for its first nuclear test explosion in nearly five years, which would further escalate a provocative streak in weapons demonstrations this year that has included multiple tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles. KCNA published photos of the meetings participants walking into a party building and said they approved of the agenda that would be discussed, which wasnt specified. State media previously said the meeting would review state affairs and make decisions on a series of important issues. The meeting is likely to address the countrys COVID-19 outbreak. Officials at the World Health Organization said Wednesday they believed the outbreak was worsening and requested more information be shared with the U.N. health agency. South Korean officials and experts have said Kim may address relations with the United States and rival South Korea amid long-stalled diplomacy and double down on his ambitions to build a nuclear arsenal that could threaten U.S. allies and the American homeland. During the party's previous plenary meeting in December, Kim repeated his vow to boost his military nuclear program and order the production of more powerful and sophisticated weapons systems during discussions that lasted a record five days. The North Korean meeting took place as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with her counterparts from South Korea and Japan on Wednesday in Seoul, emphasizing trilateral security cooperation in the face of the accelerating North Korean threat. She warned a swift and forceful response if the North proceeds with a nuclear test but didnt elaborate. Shermans visit to Asia came after North Korea launched a single-day record of eight ballistic missiles into the sea from multiple locations across its territory on Sunday, prompting the U.S. and its Asian allies to respond with tit-for-tat missile launches and aerial demonstrations involving dozens of fighter jets. In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, North Korean envoy Kim Song berated those pushing for strengthened sanctions against the North over its weapons tests. He said his country was exercising its rights to self-defense by modernizing its weapons while facing direct threats by the United States, which is hell bent on reinforcing its military might in the Korean Peninsula and northern Asia. His comments were backed by envoys from China and Russia, who questioned the effectiveness of sanctions in slowing North Koreas nuclear weapons and missile programs. Chinas envoy urged the United States to make significant concessions, such as lifting sanctions in certain areas and halting its joint military exercises with Asian allies that North Korea portrays as invasion rehearsals. Jolting an old pattern of brinkmanship, North Korea has already set an annual record in ballistic launches through the first half of 2022, firing 31 missiles over 18 different launch events, including its first demonstrations of ICBMs since 2017. The unusually fast pace in testing activity underscores Kim Jong Uns dual intent to advance his arsenal and pressure the Biden administration over long-stalled negotiations aimed at leveraging its nukes for badly needed economic benefits and security concessions, experts say. Kim may up the ante soon as U.S. and South Korean officials say North Korea has all but finished preparations to detonate a nuclear device at its testing ground in the northeastern town of Punggye-ri. The site had been inactive since hosting the Norths sixth nuclear test in September 2017, when it claimed to have detonated a thermonuclear bomb designed for its ICBMs. Kim Jun-rak, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring North Korean activities at nuclear-related facilities and sites but didn't make specific predictions about the timing of the possible nuclear test. With a new test, North Korea may claim it has acquired an ability to build a bomb small enough to be clustered on a multiwarhead ICBM or on its widening array of short-range missiles threatening South Korea and Japan, analysts say. Kim Jong Un's pressure campaign hasnt been slowed by the COVID-19 outbreak, despite fears it may be severe in a country that has poor public health care and was largely unvaccinated. GAVI, the nonprofit that runs the U.N.-backed COVAX distribution program for vaccines, believes North Korea has begun administering doses given by its ally China. But the number of doses and how they were being distributed wasn't known. Some experts say North Korea would prioritize inoculating groups based on the country's economic needs, including workers and soldiers involved in trade or major construction projects Kim considers crucial to his rule. North Korea was believed to have shunned COVAX vaccines because they came with monitoring requirements, such as ensuring fair distribution. While the Biden administration has said it would push for additional sanctions if North Korea conducts another nuclear test, the divisions between permanent members of the U.N. Security Council make the prospects for meaningful punitive measures unclear. Russia and China this year vetoed U.S.-sponsored resolutions that would have increased sanctions, insisting Washington should focus on reviving dialogue. Nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea have stalled since 2019 because of disagreements over easing sanctions in exchange for North Korean disarmament steps, which underscored Kims unwillingness to give away an arsenal he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Joel D. Valdez, who dedicated his life to public service in Tucson, died at the age of 87 Wednesday afternoon. He died from unknown causes in his Tucson home, said his son, David Valdez. He was so important to Tucson. Unselfishly, he did a lot of things behind the scenes that he never really cared about receiving credit for, usually giving credit to other individuals, David said. The contributions that he made to the city and the university will live on forever. Valdez served 16 years as Tucsons city manager and 20 years in business administration at the University of Arizona. I want to offer my condolences to the Valdez family on behalf of my family and the city of Tucson family, Mayor Regina Romero said in a written statement. In addition to Joels distinguished service to the city of Tucson and the University of Arizona, he was a hardworking man, devoted to his family and to public service. His contributions to our community and the many people he mentored will be felt for a long time. A public servant Valdez was born in Tucson on July 2, 1934. His first job was delivering newspapers at age 9, where he used his earnings to help his parents pay bills and to save up to attend the UA after graduating from Tucson High School. After graduating from the UA in 1957, Valdez worked as a probation officer at Pima County Juvenile Court and was later named superintendent of detention services. He went on to become an administrative assistant to the library director. The main public library downtown was named in his honor in 2002. Valdez was appointed to city manager in 1974. He renewed the citys budgeting process and oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars worth of capital improvement projects. Richard Miranda, former Tucson police chief who served as city manager from 2011 to 2014, said Valdez was a true visionary. We went out for a drive one day, and he said, Whatever decision you make as city manager, the community always has to come first. That always stayed with me, Miranda said. Tucson was first in his heart and every decision he made was for the best interest of our community. Valdez was the first Hispanic manager of a large city, according to the Local Government Hispanic Network, and the group established the Joel D. Valdez Legacy Award in his name to honor local government managers. After he was set to retire from the city in 1990, Valdez was tapped by UA administration to become a top business administrator. He served as the universitys senior vice president for business affairs until retiring in 2010. At the UA, Valdez introduced new budget and internal audit processes and was instrumental in several buildings and renovation projects, including the Student Union and the Manuel Pacheco Integrated Learning Center. A bust of Valdez was unveiled on campus in 2014. Joel Valdez is survived by his two children, David Valdez and Lisa Maish, and five grandchildren: Ryan Maish, Kevin Maish, Joel A. Valdez, Katrina Valdez and Andrew Maish. There are five of us that have had the honor of being able to call Joel Valdez, Tata. My proudest moments in my life are being asked if I am his granddaughter. Im so incredibly blessed to be one of those five. He was truly loved by everyone, said Valdezs granddaughter, Katrina. One of the kindest, most selfless human beings this world will ever know. How lucky are we to have had his incredible influence in all of our lives? I find peace knowing he is with my Nana. They are now both watching over all of us. Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Border officials are launching a mitigation effort to reduce heat-related injuries and deaths of migrants crossing the desert. Customs and Border Protections Tucson Sector will be the first Border Patrol sector to try out a new heat stress kit for a 90-day trial period to determine whether the effort will be expanded to all sectors across the U.S.-Mexico border. The rollout will begin with 500 agents in the Three Points and Casa Grande stations, chosen due to the high number of heat-related migrant deaths in recent years. While Tucson Sector agents perform rescues throughout the year, the summer months are exceptionally dangerous, with temperatures in Southern Arizona expected to exceed 110 degrees this weekend, said Tucson Sector Chief John Modlin at a news conference Thursday. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke in the desert are highly probable, he said. For a migrant wandering our remote mountains and valleys, potentially abandoned, exposed to the sun, running out of water, they are a certainty. Over the past 20 years, the remains of more than 3,900 migrants have been found in Southern Arizona, though the actual number of deaths is likely much higher. The yearly number of deaths has been increasing, with 215 sets of remains found in 2021, as more people are crossing and the journey across the desert only grows more deadly, due in part to barriers and enforcement policies pushing migrants into more remote areas. From January through April of this year, 54 sets of remains have already been found, according to Humane Borders, a group that partners with the Pima County medical examiner to map migrant deaths in the Arizona borderlands. increases. The kits are being tried in the Tucson Sector first because of the harsh terrain, the hot summer months, the long distances people have to walk in the elements and the significant number of hospitalizations, casualties and rescue calls, said Assistant Chief William Beltran. The heat stress kits contain a water-activated cooling towel, cold packs, sunscreen, electrolytes, waterproof tape and a Mylar emergency blanket. In addition, Customs and Border Protection will train officers and agents to recognize the signs of medical distress. All agents already carry first-aid kits and water, Modlin said. More than 230 Tucson Sector agents are EMTs and some are trained paramedics, who carry additional medical gear. Modlin said the agency is constantly reevaluating and looking for ways to do things better. Also, the money for the test kits and corresponding evaluation was recently appropriated. He didnt know how much funding was allocated for the effort. CBP is also launching a feasibility study to enhance its workforces heat-stress awareness and to provide insights into how to best scale up use of the kits across all sectors. More rescue beacons for other sectors Another tool officials already use are rescue beacons, which are placed in the desert where people cross more frequently and which can be seen from far away. CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus told the Star in May that the organization is deploying more rescue beacons as one strategy to cut down on the number of deaths. The number of beacons will increase from 170 to 250 nationwide, but none will currently be added to the Tucson Sector, one of the deadliest parts of the border, where there have been 34 since at least 2017. Assistant Chief Christopher DeFreitas said 34 is a number that works in the Tucson Sector, but that there are two more being built, though he didnt know when they would go into use. Asked why the deaths are increasing, agents said its because the number of people crossing is increasing. From fiscal year 2020 to 2021, the number of migrant encounters at the border increased threefold, and this year is already 50% ahead of last year, Modlin said. So we are seeing an unprecedented amount of people cross the border, he said. So of course with that is going to be increases in things like fatalities, unfortunately. The Tucson Sector is in the process of upgrading its rescue beacon infrastructure to the newest generation. It will also use spatial data science to help determine the most suitable locations for the rescue beacons. The sector is also deploying more rescue placards where they are needed most based on analysis of cellphone connectivity, 911 calls, rescue incidents and deaths. The placards are little metal plaques with a number to identify where someone is, which is a quicker way for agents to reach someone than trying to pull the location from cellphone tracking data. Report calls for CBP to do more Even with the upgrades, CBP needs to improve data collecting, reporting and evaluation to help rescue migrants in distress and reduce migrant deaths along the border in the Southwest, said an April report to congressional committees from the Government Accountability Office. It found that the Border Patrol has not collected and recorded or reported to Congress complete data on migrant deaths. The report found that 80% of the migrant deaths CBP reported along the southwest border from fiscal years 2015 through 2019 were in four of the nine sectors Tucson, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley and San Diego. Were looking at our internal operating procedures and making adjustments to the data collection and ensuring that the system of record can account for everything thats required, Assistant Chief DeFreitas said. The new heat-stress kits are meant for single use, and so wouldnt be enough if an agent needs to help multiple people at once, which is why the agency continues to partner with the consulates of Mexico and other countries on messaging campaigns to get the word out not to make the treacherous journey, Assistant Chief Beltran said. Whether the message is reaching the intended audience, agents say theres no way to really know, but the number of people crossing continues to increase. If youre thinking of crossing the border illegally into the United States, specifically in Arizona, dont do it, Modlin said. The desert is unforgiving. The mountains are unforgiving. Human smuggling organizations are unforgiving. Illegally crossing in this area is a potentially deadly decision. Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com or 573-4223 . On Twitter: @DanyelleKhmara Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PHOENIX Scorching temperatures are in store for the southwestern U.S. over the next several days, with cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs in California expected to top 110 degrees. It's expected to reach 106 in Tucson today and 110 degree temperatures are expected here Saturday and Sunday. Parts of New Mexico and Texas also will see triple-digits. Heat is part of the normal routine of summertime in the desert, but weather forecasters say that doesn't mean people should feel at ease. Excessive heat causes more deaths in the U.S. than other weather-related disasters, including hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. Though weather conditions are going to be nice, you have to limit your outdoor activities significantly," said Gabriel Lojero of the National Weather Service in Phoenix. The temperatures forecast through Monday are the highest yet this year. Scientists say more frequent and intense heat waves are likely in the future because of climate change and a deepening drought. The effects of spiking temperatures are felt most acutely among vulnerable populations, including people without homes and workers who labor outside. Homeless people are about 200 times more likely to die from heat-associated causes, said David Hondula, a climate scientist who leads the city of Phoenix's Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. At least 130 homeless individuals were among the 339 people who died from heat-associated causes last year in Maricopa County. Phoenix already is considered the hottest big city in the United States. A heat wave last summer pushed temperatures up to 118 degrees. Most everyone in central and southern Arizona, southern Nevada and southeast California will be at risk for heat-related illness if they don't take proper precautions, Lojero said. Those include wearing light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and seeking shade if they need to go outside. Temperatures are expected to tie or break records, even at night when it's cooler, before dropping overall early next week. Phoenix and Yuma are forecast to be just shy of 115 degrees on Saturday when the heat peaks across the region. Blythe and El Centro in California will be at or above that temperature. Las Vegas will top out at 111 degrees during the heat wave, the National Weather Service said. Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon also will see triple-digit temperatures a reminder that the weather changes drastically from the canyon's rim to its inner depths. Heat was a factor in the June 2 death of a woman who was hiking back up the popular Bright Angel Trail after reaching the Colorado River the same day something the park advises against doing, especially during the hottest times of the day, said Angela Boyers, the chief ranger. Thomas De Masters, a seasonal ranger at the park, wears a sun-protective hoodie under his shirt, a hat and soaks his clothing whenever he passes a water station. He spends much of his time talking to visitors to get a sense of whether they're prepared for what they've planned and whether it's safe. Among the tips he offers is resting in the shade for an hour and aggressively cooling down with water if the heat becomes too much. It's very hot, no doubt about that, he said Wednesday. There's almost always a week like this in June. We just hope we can get out there and talk to people enough. Some places in New Mexico also are expected to see temperatures that could break records over the weekend. Thunderstorms over the next couple of days could cause flash flooding in areas that have been scorched by wildfire, forecasters said. While temperatures had cooled this week in Texas, the heat is building through the weekend. The sizzling numbers come ahead of the annual rainy season in the Southwest, known simply as the monsoon, that starts in mid-June and runs through September. Weather experts say the phenomenon has equal chances of being above, below and normal this year in Arizona. 9 hiking tips to help keep you safe during Tucson summers Bring the essentials Ten essential items to carry on a hike: Navigation: map, compass, GPS Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, long sleeves Insulation: extra clothing such as jacket, fleece Illumination: headlamp, flashlight First-aid kit Fire: matches, lighter Repair kit and tools: multi-tool, whistle, signal mirror Nutrition: extra food Hydration: extra water Emergency shelter: large plastic bag, space blanket In an emergency, call 911 In the event of an emergency, call 911 or send someone to get help. Check your water Bringing water with you should be a given. But it's important to turn around before half of your water is gone. The Pima County Sheriff's Department recommends bringing along around one liter of water for each hour you'll be hiking. Communicate It's always important to communicate with your friends and family. Tell a responsible person where you are hiking and when you expect to be back. Do not hike alone It's always best to hike with other people. Plus, it's more fun to venture into hiking trails when you have friends or family with you. Bring your phone Take a fully charged cell phone with you. Turn your phone off or place it in airplane mode to save its battery life. You never know when you'll need it. Your cell phone may not work in the back country. You may have to move to a higher or more open location to place a call. Check the weather beforehand Plan your hike so you are not hiking during the hottest part of the day or when monsoon storms are likely to cause heavy rains, lightning, and flooding. Always check the day's weather before leaving for your hike. Know your limits Hike within your ability. Know what's within reasonable distance or elevation for you. Stay away from wildlife While on a hike, you're bound to see some animals. The Pima County Sheriff's Department recommends keeping a safe distance from desert wildlife. Associated Press writer Anita Snow contributed to this story. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PHOENIX A divided Senate voted Wednesday to require that anyone arrested for any felony provide a DNA sample to police, whether they are ever charged or not, much less convicted. The 20-8 vote on House Bill 2102 came over objections of some lawmakers who questioned whether such an intrusion is justified. Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Apache Junction, said she believes it violates constitutional provisions against warrantless searches. But the majority of senators were swayed by arguments that 18 other states have similar laws, that the intrusion is minimal and that it could lead to Arizona being able to solve cold cases by having a larger DNA database. They noted there are procedures for those who are not charged or convicted to have the profile removed from state records. That didnt sway Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale. If you want to pass things because the ends justify the means, then thats exactly what youre going to do in this case, she said. You want their DNA? Get a warrant and use the process. Current law requires DNA collection following conviction of crimes. It also spells out that police can collect evidence after arresting people in connection with certain specified crimes, including homicide, sex offenses, prostitution and burglary of a residential structure. HB 2102 would extend that to any felony offense. Sen. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said its no big deal because people leave their DNA everywhere. He told lawmakers that someone who wants theirs could simply take it from their papers on their Senate desks or even follow us to the yogurt shop and grab the hundred spoons that we just dropped into the garbage can. All this measure does, Petersen said, is expand the use of an existing tool for law enforcement. He said he doesnt believe there is anything special about DNA. Its like an ID, he said. Its like knowing your name or your address. Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, said its no different than when police take someones mug shot and fingerprints after arresting them. The legislation has been a crusade by Jayann Sepich, who has testified in multiple states about the 2003 rape and murder of her 22-year-old daughter, Katie, who was a graduate student at New Mexico State University. Speaking to Arizona lawmakers earlier this year, Sepich said the only evidence in the case was the DNA left under her daughters fingernails after she fought for her life. That evidence led years later to the arrest and conviction of a man whose DNA was on file for prior felonies, Sepich said. During Tuesdays debate, Sen. Victoria Steele, D-Tucson, said she understands how DNA can be misused. But she told colleagues this proposal makes sense. The fact is, every day innocent people are needlessly violated, raped, murdered, shot, knifed by repeat offenders, Steele said. We have the technology now to help prevent some of that, she said. We have the technology now that will help us catch repeat offenders sooner, that will help us prevent violent crimes. Steele said DNA can also be used to exonerate the innocent. Townsend, however, said all that has to be measured against the U.S. Constitution. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, she quoted the document. The amendment says the only way to get a warrant must be upon probable cause. But Petersen said the constitutionality of DNA collection is clear, citing a 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 that taking samples from a cheek swab as part of the arrest procedure is legal because it serves a legitimate state interest and is minimally invasive. Townsend countered that lawmakers need to recognize people are sometimes wrongfully arrested, possibly because of political motivation, a political hit. Is any one of us at risk of being targeted politically and arrested for a felony that we are later able to prove that we are innocent of? she asked. But, meanwhile, they have forcefully taken our DNA against our will simply because weve been arrested. Townsend wasnt impressed by Petersens argument that people leave DNA around all the time. Just because you can take it off my desk doesnt mean you have a right to take it during an arrest, she said. Existing law requires courts to order the removal of DNA records in cases of people who are not charged, not convicted or whose convictions are overturned. HB 2102 would add language to specifically require any agency that collects DNA to provide both oral and written notice explaining the process, including instruction on how to ask the court to remove the evidence. Sen. Lupe Contreras, D-Avondale, in voting for the measure, said he has to err on the side of providing a tool for law enforcement. Im hopeful that my family never has to go through anything to where this is the way they find the perpetrator or anything like that, he said. But if this is going to help any one of my family members, or just anyone at all in our great state ... I want to do the right thing. HB 2102 now goes to the House, which has not considered the measure. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. A video shows U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters pushing down a man who refused to leave a campaign event in Green Valley. Masters, a Republican who grew up in Tucson, was holding a campaign event at a space in a shopping plaza when the man, Democrat Peter Jackson, showed up apparently aiming to provoke. He wore a T-shirt that said, Black Lives Matter more than White Feelings/Check your privilege, as well as a hat that said Jail Trump and a button that said Fully vaxxed. Event organizers asked Jackson to leave, but he offered to pay and stayed, recording with a Go Pro camera and his phone as some attendees grew increasingly angry with him. Dan Shearer of the Green Valley News first reported the story and posted the video to YouTube. In the video, a small crowd bunches around Jackson, telling him to put down his phone and to leave. One woman grabs at Jacksons cellphone, and when he pulls it back, she punches him in the face. After that, the video is hard to distinguish, but Masters appears to say enough, put his hands around Jacksons shoulders or neck and pushes him back. Masters, by the way, is 35, and Jackson is 73. Other attendees then threw Jackson out the door. When Pima County Sheriffs Department deputies responded, they cited Jackson for two misdemeanors, trespassing and assault. Sheriff Chris Nanos said responding deputies saw the video at the scene and thought that Jackson provoked the crowd by pushing one of the women on the shoulder. It got way out of hand and it shouldnt have, Nanos said. The deputies did the best they could. Masters, who was recently endorsed by Donald Trump, said via Twitter that he witnessed Jackson hit the woman, something that does not appear to be the case from the video. He tweeted, This guy hit a woman in the jaw. I saw it, clear as day. He should not have done that! Nanos said he would not instruct deputies or detectives to dig further into the case. We have bigger and better things to do than to investigate adults acting like kids, he said. Ive got to trust my deputies to do their job. Masters appears to be relishing the opportunity to burnish his tough-guy credentials. The Stanford Law School grad tweeted the night of the event, A masked-up guy with a BLM shirt crashed this GOP event tonight. Started causing trouble, then he hit a woman. So me and some guys put him on the ground, then the police came for him. Hernandez, Engel find dividing line Democrats Daniel Hernandez and Kirsten Engel, who are running for the partys nomination in Congressional District 6, are pretty well aligned on the issues. But Hernandez recently found a line to divide them the border. Specifically, in a late May forum Engel would not describe the situation at the Arizona-Mexico border as a crisis, Hernandez did. Asked by host Ted Simons if Arizona has an immigration crisis, Engel took a deep breath and said No. She went on to explain We do need help at our border. We do need to secure our border. We have issues of drug trafficking and human smuggling that need to be addressed, but certainly not (with) walls. Walls are a 13th Century solution to a 21st Century problem. Hernandez said he disagreed with Engel, perhaps because hes represented border residents in Santa Cruz County at the Legislature the last six years. Asked to elaborate in separate interviews this week, Hernandez and Engel largely coincided on their view of border issues. They both said that the federal government has failed, that the issues are multifaceted, that we need to increase security, in part through applying technological solutions. Hernandez emphasized the need to help economically struggling border communities; Engel emphasized the need to strengthen asylum processing so that people present themselves at ports of entry instead of crossing between them. And they both said the Biden adminstration needs a plan for replacing Title 42, the Trump-era pandemic policy that allows agents to return illegal crossers immediately due to public-health concerns. Neither knew that the Biden administration presented just such a plan in late April, before a court ordered the administration to keep Title 42 in place. So, again, they largely coincide, except on the use of that word crisis. By the way, a third Democrat will also be on the ballot in the Democratic primary Aug. 2 Avery Anderson. He did not attend the late May debate. Another forum, hosted by the Pima County Democratic Party, takes places at 1 p.m. Saturday in Room N210 at the University of Arizonas Steward Observatory, 933 N. Cherry Ave. Hotel Congress protest sign You may have noticed the sign for Hotel Congress has been out at night lately. Thats not by accident. The management of the iconic downtown hotel explained on social media this week that the sign will be out for a total of 21 nights in memory of those killed in the Uvalde, Texas, massacre and in support of stricter gun laws. Weve never purposely darkened our sign, but the recent tragedy in Texas compelled us to do something, the statement read. It goes on to call for common sense gun legislation universal background checks, raising the purchase age to 21, red flag laws, mandatory training and licensing, a federal assault weapons ban and a minimum three-day waiting period. Contact columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Tucson City Council took action Tuesday to prevent arrests for abortion-related offenses as the Supreme Court is set to release a consequential decision that could leave abortion rights up to the states. The council voted unanimously to authorize Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar to revise the police departments general orders to reflect no physical arrest will be made by an officer for an alleged violation of state laws limiting abortion rights if the Supreme Court overturns a landmark abortion ruling. In response to a leaked decision suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, a 1973 ruling that established federal protections of abortion rights, the council voted on a proactive measure that is not just words but has some teeth in it, Mayor Regina Romero said. The official Supreme Court decision is expected to come in late June or early July. I, as the mayor, and my colleagues on the council feel as though we have a say to be able to protect peoples constitutionally protected rights, at least for the last 50 years. To be able to say to our community, Were not going to sit by, were going to do something to protect your autonomy, Romero said. Gov. Doug Ducey recently signed a law banning abortions in most circumstances after 15 weeks, which the Supreme Court is deciding the constitutionality of in its consideration of a similar 15-week abortion ban in Mississippi. The Arizona law states physicians can only provide abortions after 15 weeks in medical emergencies, and not in cases of rape or incest. Physicians violating the law could face a felony and one year in prison. Arizonas oldest abortion law, passed in 1901, makes abortion at any gestation period illegal unless necessary to save a pregnant persons life and punishes abortion providers with 2 to 5 years in prison if found guilty. Its unclear which state abortion laws would take effect if Roe is overturned. The resolution passed Tuesday says Tucsons mayor and council denounce and oppose the implementation of Arizonas laws prohibiting and criminalizing abortions, as well as any Supreme Court actions overturning federal abortion rights. The actionable portion of the motion, however, is its authorization for Kasmar to revise the Tucson Police Departments general orders regarding abortion-related arrests. City Attorney Mike Rankin said a detective or officer will present the case to a prosecuting agency that will issue the charge instead of an officer making an arrest at the scene of the alleged offense. Its actually the more common way of issuing charges, especially felony charges, Rankin said. So the detective would take the case over to the county attorneys office for them to review for issuing. The general orders will also direct TPD to refer any alleged abortion law violations to the Arizona Department of Health Services, which is the department charged with handling licensing under Arizonas 15-week abortion ban and is set to decide whether or not to take action against physicians. Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said its too early to comment on the specifics of the matter but expressed gratitude to City Council on Tuesday. I want to thank personally, each one of you for doing everything possible and looking for every solution possible to keep all of our people healthy and safe, she said. I would like to add with your leadership, and with your welcomeness to collaboration, I am pleased to add that my Pima County partners are looking to do the same in good spirit with each of you. Its unclear what kind of actions Pima County may take regarding abortion-related arrests. Sheriff Chris Nanos said hes heard about the citys actions but has other more pressing concerns about public safety with our violent crime situation, our gun violence situation or active shooters at schools. Would I support any measure to not enforce these laws? I dont know what the law is going to say, and even then its kind of like the mask mandate when those came out. Were not the mask police, I dont have the time to deal with those things, Nanos said. And I clearly am not going to be the abortion police. Photos: Abortion rights protests in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Abortion rights protest in Tucson Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Capitol riot panel: Trump to blame for 1/6 'attempted coup' WASHINGTON (AP) The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol laid the blame firmly on Donald Trump Thursday night, saying the assault was hardly spontaneous but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated president's effort to overturn the 2020 election. With a never-before-seen 12-minute video of the deadly violence and startling testimony from Trump's most inner circle, the 1/6 committee provided gripping detail in contending that Trumps repeated lies about election fraud and his public effort to stop Joe Biden's victory led to the attack and imperiled American democracy Democracy remains in danger, said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the panel, during the hearing, timed for prime time to reach as many Americans as possible. "Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after Jan. 6, to overthrow the government, Thompson said. "The violence was no accident. In a previously unseen video clip, the panel played a quip from former Attorney General Bill Barr who testified that he told Trump the claims of a rigged election were bull. Takeaways: Jan. 6 panel says Trump led 'brazen' conspiracy WASHINGTON (AP) House investigators are making the case to the American public in a prime-time hearing that the violent insurrection by President Donald Trumps supporters should not be forgotten. While the basics of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol are well known, the committee is trying to tell the story of how it happened, and how to prevent it from ever happening again, for history. The made-for-TV hearings including video of police officers being brutally beaten and right-wing extremists leading the crowds into the Capitol come as some have tried to downplay the violence. We cant sweep what happened under the rug, said Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the panel, as he opened the first in the series of hearings Thursday evening. The American people deserve answers. Takeaways from the Jan. 6 committee's first hearing: LAYING IT ALL ON TRUMP A harrowing American moment, repackaged for prime time NEW YORK (AP) Promised: New footage. New testimony. New and damning revelations designed to eliminate all doubt. Hired to package it all for the airwaves: A former network news president. The time slot: 8 p.m. on the East Coast, once a plum spot for the most significant television programming in the land. Presented in prime time and carefully calibrated for a TV-viewing audience (itself increasingly an anachronism), the debut of the Jan. 6 hearings was, in essence, a summer rerun. Designed as a riveting legislative docudrama about an event that most of the country saw live 18 months ago, it tried mightily to break new narrative ground in a nation of short attention spans and endless distractions. But did it? Can it? Even with gripping, violent video and the integrity of American democracy potentially at stake, can a shiny, weeks-long production that prosecutes with yesterdays news news that has been watched, processed and argued over ad nauseam punch through the static and make a difference today? The idea of a televised investigative proceeding maybe feels a little obsolete when so many people already had so much access to what happened," said Rebecca Adelman, professor and chair of media and communication studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This is a population that by all evidence is fatigued by a lot of things. Im not sure how much sustained attention anyone has left at this point. That's why the hearings needed one key thing most legislative committees lack: a professional TV executive someone who could arrange and curate violent amateur and surveillance video, 3D motion graphics, eyewitness testimony and depositions into a storyline built to echo. Report: Police knew of injured at Texas school while waiting AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Police waited for protective equipment as they delayed entering the Texas elementary school where a gunman inside killed 19 children and two teachers, even as they became aware that some victims needed medical treatment, according to records obtained by The New York Times. The details published Thursday by the Times provided a clearer picture of the slow law enforcement response as the massacre unfolded at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Police waited more than hour to confront the gunman, even as anguished parents outside the school urged officers to go inside. Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde school district police chief, led the response on the scene of the May 24 shooting. A man who investigators believe to be Arredondo could be heard on body camera footage talking about how much time was passing. People are going to ask why were taking so long, said the man, according to a transcript of officers body camera footage obtained by the newspaper. Were trying to preserve the rest of the life. Sixty officers had assembled on the scene by the time four officers made entry, according to the report. The two classrooms where the shooting took place included 33 children and three teachers. Authorities: 3 dead, trooper wounded in Maryland shooting SMITHSBURG, Md. (AP) An employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in rural western Maryland on Thursday, killing three coworkers before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, authorities said. Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore said that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg and a fourth victim was critically injured. The sheriff said at a news conference that the victims and suspect were all employees at the facility. The suspect fled in a vehicle before authorities arrived at the scene and was tracked down by Maryland State Police, Mullendore said. The suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire, according to the sheriff. Mullendore said the suspect was a 42-year-old man but declined to release his name while criminal charges were being prepared. The sheriff identified those killed in the shooting as Mark Alan Frey, 50; Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30. Mullendore said the wounded victim was Brandon Chase Michael, 42 Michigan officer charged with murder in Lyoya shooting GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A prosecutor filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against the Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head following an intense physical struggle recorded on a bystander's phone. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced his decision against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya minutes after a traffic stop on April 4. Video from a passenger in the car captured the final chilling moments. Schurr fired the fatal shot while Lyoya was on the ground, demanding that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo let go of the officer's Taser. The death was not justified or excused, for example, by self defense, the prosecutor said, reciting the elements of second-degree murder. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Roughly a minute later, Lyoya began to run after he was asked to produce a drivers license. 3 foreigners who fought for Ukraine sentenced to death BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlins forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to take back historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. Michigan GOP hopeful charged in Jan. 6 riot, roiling primary DETROIT (AP) A Republican candidate for Michigan governor and ardent defender of former President Donald Trump was charged with misdemeanors Thursday for his role in the 2021 post-election riot at the U.S. Capitol, further complicating an already messy GOP primary. Ryan Kelley, 40, was arrested in western Michigan and appeared at a brief hearing in federal court in Grand Rapids, where he was released from custody without posting bail. The government did not ask that Kelley be detained. His arrest came hours before the House committee investigating the insurrection holds a widely anticipated public hearing, showing never-seen video, audio and an array of evidence highlighting the deadly violence that erupted on Jan. 6, 2021. Kelley walked away from the courthouse, joined by his wife and other family, saying only that he would comment later. His campaign posted on Facebook two words: political prisoner," and the chairman of the state GOP accused Democrats of weaponizing our justice system against poltical opponents. Defense attorney Heath Lynch said Kelley has every intention of continuing his campaign in earnest. Coach's comments deal another blow to Commanders reputation ASHBURN, Va. (AP) The NFLs Washington Commanders once again find themselves at the center of an off-the-field issue that has nothing to do with football, dealing another blow to their rapidly sagging reputation as one of the most dysfunctional franchises in professional sports. The fallout from the latest misstep requiring an explanation or apology assistant coach Jack Del Rio comparing the protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol could have far-reaching consequences beyond the locker room. It immediately scuttled the teams best opportunity to reach a deal to build a new stadium, which was the most important long-term project facing owner Dan Snyder amid a lengthy drought without a playoff victory and a dearth of fan enthusiasm. Multiple Virginia lawmakers pointed to Del Rios comments as another reason not to vote on legislation luring the Commanders to the state, and by Thursday the bill already on its last legs was pushed off the table for the rest of the year. In a brief interview with The Associated Press, Democratic Virginia Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw cited various investigations and other issues to be answered. The list of embarrassing and concerning issues facing the once-storied franchise continues to grow. NASA launches study of UFOs despite 'reputational risk' CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) NASA is launching a study of UFOs as part of a new push toward high-risk, high-impact science. The space agency announced Thursday that its setting up an independent team to see how much information is publicly available on the matter and how much more is needed to understand the unexplained sightings. The experts will also consider how best to use all this information in the future. NASAs science mission chief, Thomas Zurbuchen acknowledged the traditional scientific community may see NASA as kind of selling out by venturing into the controversial topic, but he strongly disagrees. We are not shying away from reputational risk, Zurbuchen said during a National Academy of Sciences webcast. Our strong belief is that the biggest challenge of these phenomena is that it's a data-poor field. NASA considers this a first step in trying to explain mysterious sightings in the sky known as UAPs, or unidentified aerial phenomena. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. SMITHSBURG, Md. (AP) An employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in rural western Maryland on Thursday, killing three coworkers before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, authorities said. Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore said that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg and a fourth victim was critically injured. The sheriff said at a news conference that the victims and suspect were all employees at the facility. The suspect fled in a vehicle before authorities arrived at the scene and was tracked down by Maryland State Police, Mullendore said. The suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire, according to the sheriff. Mullendore said the suspect was a 42-year-old man but declined to release his name while criminal charges were being prepared. The sheriff identified those killed in the shooting as Mark Alan Frey, 50; Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30. Mullendore said the wounded victim was Brandon Chase Michael, 42 Maryland State Police Lt. Col. Bill Dofflemyer said that three troopers encountered the suspect's vehicle and that he opened fire when troopers made a traffic stop. Troopers returned fire, wounding the suspect. Dofflemyer said the wounded trooper is doing well and that the suspect was being treated Thursday night. Authorities declined to release a motive. Were still working with sheriffs office on what happened and why it kept escalating, Dofflemyer told reporters. Mullendore said the suspect used a semiautomatic handgun, which was recovered after the shootout. He declined to specify the caliber or model. Family members of workers at the manufacturer were gathering at a fire station in downtown Smithsburg on Thursday evening, awaiting information on their loved ones. They declined to speak to a reporter. Several hours after the shooting, numerous law enforcement officers remained at the scene. Police had closed off the road that runs past the Columbia Machine Inc. facility, and yellow tape blew in the wind outside the business. Messages left seeking comment with the company werent immediately returned. Smithsburg, a community of nearly 3,000 people, is just west of the Camp David presidential retreat and about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore. The manufacturing facility was in a sparsely populated area northeast of the town's center with a church, several businesses and farmland nearby. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, lamented the loss of life in his state so soon after other recentshootings and vowed action. Today's horrific shooting comes as our state and nation have witnessed tragedy after tragedy, and it's got to stop, he said in a statement. We must act to address the mass shootings and daily toll of gun violence on our communities. David Creamer, 69, is a member of Smithburgs volunteer fire department and has lived in town since 1988. He saw alerts related to the shooting go out shortly before 3 p.m. Creamer said the last fatal shooting that he can recall in Smithsburg was roughly a decade ago. This stuff doesnt happen here, Creamer said. Everybody pretty much knows everybody. Its a family atmosphere. We watch out for each other. Creamer was chatting with neighbors at a Little League game on Thursday evening. He wore a T-shirt promoting a gun rights organization. The shooting makes me feel even stronger about it. I just feel that I should be able to protect my family and my neighbors. In a community like this, everybody is your neighbor, he said. Funeral home employee Ashley Vigrass, 29, lives less than a mile (kilometer) from where the shooting occurred. She was home with her two children when her fiancee called to tell her about the shooting and urged her to keep the kids inside the house. The helicopters were out, she said. Asked if she was shaken by the shooting, Vigrass said, I feel like we come from a desensitized era. You feel something, but its the same thing that you felt yesterday, she added as she watched the Little League game. Its unfortunate, but you just got to make sure the kids are safe to play baseball and carry on. ___ Associated Press writer Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 KYIV, Ukraine The Ukrainian army says Kyivs forces continue to frustrate Russian attempts to take the fiercely contested eastern city of Sievierodonetsk. The occupiers, with the help of motorized rifle units and artillery, conducted assault operations in the city of Sievierodonetsk. They were not successful; the fighting continues, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a regular operational update Thursday evening. It added that Ukrainian forces had successfully repelled a Russian attack on the village of Toshkivka, on the northwestern outskirts of Sievierodonetsk. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, where Sievierodonetsk is located, said Thursday that fierce battles continue to engulf the city. In a Telegram post, Serhii Haidai said Russian forces continue to shell the neighboring city of Lysychansk using large-caliber weapons which pierce even concrete. It is extremely dangerous for civilians to remain, even in shelters, Haidai said. KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: War rap: In Ukraine, an angry voice for a furious generation Smashed buildings in Mariupol produce caravan of death Russia, Turkey back plan to export grains; Ukraine doubtful UN report: Ukraine war is increasing suffering of millions Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine The death sentences handed by a pro-Russian separatist court to British and Moroccan nationals fighting for Ukraine should be considered null and void, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. The so-called trial of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the occupied Ukrainian territories is of no significance, Oleh Nikolenko told the Interfax Ukraine agency. Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality; they undermine the mechanisms for the return of prisoners of war. The Ukrainian government will continue to make every effort to release all the defenders of Ukraine, Nikolenko added. He stressed that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel, and protected as prisoners of war. KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree Thursday imposing personal sanctions on Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin and all sitting ministers. The sanctions, approved by Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, target all members of Russias government and security council, as well as the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov. They ban entry to Ukraine, revoke visas and permits, and block financial assets. The decree came into force on Thursday, according to a copy published on the website of the Ukrainian presidency. Zelenskyy also signed a directive sanctioning 236 Russian universities and their leaders. Russias education minister said in response that Moscow will not be deterred. Todays decision by the Kyiv regime speaks to its inadequacy and inability to control the situation. Its a gesture of desperation, which cannot prevent the integration of Donbas and the liberated territories into a single educational space with Russia, Sergey Kravtsov told the Interfax agency. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin says foreign companies that have left Russia will regret their decision. In todays conditions, when someone jumped off somewhere, left, chose to stop some activity here, they will regret it, he declared at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow. They will regret it, not because we threaten anyone, Putin continued. They will regret it because Russia is a country with great potential, really. Putin also appeared to claim that the exodus of foreign firms from Russia was evidence of U.S. domination over other Western states and economies. Many regret that they have to leave. This is all a manifestation of the internal state of these countries that cannot make sovereign decisions, he added. He then reiterated that Russia is a sovereign country that should be looking to the future. MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russias need to take back (territory) and defend itself Thursday in a speech in which he compared himself to Peter the Great. Speaking at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow, Putin drew parallels between the conquering monarchs founding of St. Petersburg and his governments annexation of territory. When he founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. And Slavic people had always lived there along with Finno-Ugric people, and the territory was under the control of the Russian state. What was he doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well, he said. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further territorial expansion, while asserting Russias sovereignty. There is no state in between. A country is either sovereign or a colony, he said. Its impossible do you understand impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, Putin added. KYIV, Ukraine Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive on Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region in order to capture it completely, a top Ukrainian military official said Thursday. Oleksei Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, said Russian forces are likely to strike out from the southern Kherson region, which is majority-controlled by Moscow, towards neighboring Zaporizhzhia. The enemy has focused on holding the lines, but at the same time does not cease (its) attempts to resume the offensive in these areas, probably in order to reach the administrative borders of the Zaporizhzhia region, Gromov said in a briefing hosted by Ukraines state Ukrinform agency. The southern part of Zaporizhzhia, including two major cities and a key nuclear plant, was overrun by Moscows troops in the early weeks of the war, and remains in Russian hands. Kyiv continues to hold the north of the region, including the capital city of Zaporizhzhia, which was previously a staging post for evacuees from the ruined port of Mariupol. Gromov did not rule out a Russian assault on the southern Mykolayiv region, which likewise borders Kherson, and the key cultural hub of Odesa, further west along Ukraines Black Sea coast. He did not provide further information regarding any such planned attacks. WASHINGTON A resolution urging NATO to quickly admit Finland and Sweden won easy passage in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, in a signal of bipartisan support from lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans on the committee approved the measure supporting the expansion and urging other NATO states to swiftly admit the two Nordic states by voice vote, with no voiced objections. Thursdays vote had been seen as a test of Republican lawmakers stand on the expansion, which President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind. Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to end longstanding policies of military non-alignment and apply to join the 30-member U.S. and European defensive alliance. Biden encouraged the two countries application and welcomed their leaders to the White House in May to celebrate it. Unexpected opposition from NATO member Turkey has clouded what had been expected to be quick ascension to the bloc by the two countries. Turkey says it objects to the two countries stances regarding the Middle Easts Kurdish minority. LONDON The British government says it is deeply concerned that two U.K. nationals captured while fighting with the Ukrainian military have been sentenced to death. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said Thursday that under the Geneva Conventions prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and shouldnt be exploited for political purposes. He said: We will continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release of any British nationals who were serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and are being held as prisoners of war. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss tweeted: I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found Aslin, Pinner, as well as Saaudun Brahim of Morocco, guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. A court in separatist-controlled territory of eastern Ukraine sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan man to death for fighting on Ukraines side in the war with Russia. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops and surrendered to Russian forces weeks ago. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found them guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. The three were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim are set to face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. PODGORICA, Montenegro Montenegros prime minister says he has spoken on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and expressed readiness to visit Kyiv. Dritan Abazovic also told Zelenskyy on Thursday that he will suggest to other leaders of countries in the Western Balkans that they should all travel to Ukraine together to show support. Small Montenegro in 2017 defied Russias strong opposition to join NATO, and is viewed as the next in line for EU membership. The country, along with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, prevented the visit of Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to neighboring Serbia earlier this week by refusing to grant permit for his plane to fly through their airspace. Abazovic hopes that Ukraine, too, will soon become a formal EU candidate, said a statement from his office. Abazovic offered Montenegros help on Ukraines accession path. The statement also says that Zelenskyy invited Abazovic to visit Kyiv as soon as possible. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines top military official says the situation on the frontline is very difficult and calls for very quick weapon supplies. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post Thursday that every day up to 100 Ukrainian troops are killed and up to 500 end up wounded. He said Kyiv needs heavy weapons, as well as aircraft and air defense systems quickly. We proved that we dont fear the Kremlin, unlike many others. But we as a country cant afford to bleed, losing our best sons and daughters, Reznikov wrote. He said that Russia continues to press by sheer mass, suffering huge casualties as well. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said earlier that every day 60-100 Ukrainian servicemen die on the frontline and some 500 sustain wounds. BRUSSELS Senior members of the European Unions parliament are urging EU leaders to make Ukraine and neighboring Moldova official candidates for joining the 27-nation bloc. Political group leaders in the European Parliament said Thursday that the EU must be a reliable partner and a credible geopolitical actor that lives up to its principles and values by showing solidarity with those who stand up for the same ideals. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, is drafting an opinion on the membership requests of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. In recent years, the commission repeatedly expressed concern about corruption in Ukraine and the need for deep political and economic reforms. The official opinion will be weighed by EU leaders at a June 23-24 summit in Brussels. Several leaders are wary of opening the door to Ukraine, although acquiring full membership would take the country many years. The parliamentary group leaders say that giving Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status would mark the start to a merit-based process for joining. They also urged EU leaders to work towards granting the same status to Georgia. MOSCOW Russias defense ministry says it used air-launched missiles to destroy a Ukrainian military base where foreign fighters allegedly were being trained. Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Thursday that the training center was in the Zhytomyr region of central Ukraine, about 125 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kyiv. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine to the Russian claims. Russia refers to foreign fighters who joined Ukrainian troops in the war as mercenaries. Konashenkov said Russian missiles also destroyed an ammunition depot and an anti-aircraft system elsewhere in Ukraine. KYIV, Ukraine The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk province says Russian forces are employing scorched-earth tactics against the city of Sievierodonetsk, hitting it with rockets, artillery and mortars. Serhiy Haidai also told The Associated Press on Thursday that neighboring Lysychansk is enduring day and night shelling." Russians are trying to storm the key road connecting Lysychansk and the city of Bakhmut but have failed to gain control of it, he said. Haidai says Ukraine still remains able to deliver humanitarian supplies to the region by a relatively safe route. Ukraine's east has been the main focus of Russia's attacks for more than two months. Haidai said there were two attacks on a chemical plant and fierce battles" continue in Sievierodonetsk. Street battles are taking place with varied success in city blocks, the governor said. "The army of Ukraine is fighting for every street and house. PARIS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russias invasion of his country is a threat to the environment and could lead to dangerous pollution in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Zelenskyy made the comments at a ministerial meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He used the platform to impress on ministers the need to wean states off Russian natural gas in favor of green energy. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov border both Ukraine and Russia. The Black Sea also borders Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Turkey. BERLIN Polands president has sharply criticized phone calls the leaders of France and Germany had with Vladimir Putin, saying the conversations serve only to legitimize the Russian leader. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have spoken to Putin several times since Russia invaded Ukraine, both separately and together, in attempts to nudge him toward ending the war. Polish President Andrzej Duda was quoted Thursday as telling Germanys Bild newspaper that hes astonished by the calls. Duda argued they achieve nothing and only bring about a legitimization of a person who is responsible for the crimes the Russian army is committing in Ukraine. Bild quoted Duda as adding: Did anyone talk like this with Adolf Hitler during World War II? Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler must save face? I have not heard such voices. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. SAN DIEGO (AP) A Navy helicopter crashed Thursday and everyone on board survived near the California desert site where a day earlier a Marine Osprey went down, killing all five people aboard, authorities said. Four people were aboard the Navy chopper, which went down around 6 p.m. on a training range while conducting a routine training flight from Naval Air Facility El Centro, according to the base. The helicopter is an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 based at Naval Air Station North Island. One crew member received an injury that was not life-threatening and was taken to a hospital, the base said. The crash site was originally described as being about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Yuma, Arizona. A day earlier, all five Marines on board a tiltrotor aircraft were killed when it crashed in the California desert near the Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday. The MV-22 Osprey went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Yuma, Arizona. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap, Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy. The statement said as a matter of policy, the Marine Corps would be contacting family members before identifying those who were killed. Efforts to recover equipment were underway and an investigation into the cause of the crash has started. No additional details were provided in the Marine Corps statement. The Marines were participating in a routine live-fire training over their gunnery range in the Imperial Valley desert, said Marine Maj. Mason Englehart, spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Osprey, a hybrid airplane and helicopter, flew in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but has been criticized by some as unsafe. It is designed to take off like a helicopter, rotate its propellers to a horizontal position and cruise like an airplane. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Prior to Wednesday's crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22 Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a hard landing in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. Its development was marked by deadly crashes, including an April 2000 accident in Arizona that killed 19 Marines. Baldor reported from Washington. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. SAN DIEGO (AP) All five Marines on board an Osprey were killed when the aircraft crashed in the California desert near the Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday, a day after the accident. No additional details were provided in the Marine Corps statement. The MV-22B Osprey went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, said Maj. Mason Englehart, a spokesperson for the wing. The Osprey is a hybrid airplane and helicopter that has been criticized for its safety record. It can take off and land like a helicopter but transit as a turboprop aircraft. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Prior to Wednesday's crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22B Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a "hard landing" in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. Its development was marked by deadly crashes, including an April 2000 accident in Arizona that killed 19 Marines. US Marines history from the year you were born US Marines history from the year you were born 1920: Marines guard a Russian radio station 1921: An eastward turn 1922: Leaving Cubaalmost 1923: Protecting American interests in China 1924: Intervention in Honduras 1925: Birth of the Red Devils' 1926: Deployment to Nicaragua 1927: Steeling against civil war in China 1928: The Battle of Las Cruces 1929: A new hymn 1930: Hunting Sandino 1931: Austerity measures 1932: Hunkering down in Haiti 1934: Leaving Haiti 1935: The Tentative Landings Operations Manual 1936: A changing of the guard 1937: Flying together 1938: The US Naval Reserve Act 1939: A new flag 1940: General mobilization 1941: Landing ship tanks 1942: Desegregation of the Corps 1943: Welcoming women into the Marines 1944: Invasion of the Marshall Islands 1945: Iwo Jima 1946: Accompanying the Magna Carta 1947: The National Security Act 1948: Marines in the Middle East 1949: The end of Operation Beleaguer 1950: Harsh words from Harry Truman 1951: The Mountain Warfare Training Center 1952: The Douglas Mansfield Act 1953: The Congressional Marines Group 1954: The Marine Corps War Memorial 1955: A new emblem 1956: The Suez Crisis 1957: Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 1958: Lebanon 1959: Surviving a fall 1960: The Cuban Revolution 1961: Marines help sever relations with Cuba 1962: A tour in Thailand 1963: Guarding the president's coffin 1964: An early foray into Vietnam 1965: Operation Power Pack 1966: Anti-Vietcong operations 1967: Con Thein 1968: The Tet Offensive 1969: An educated corps 1970: Marines on trial for Son Thang 1971: Marines leave Vietnam 1972: A Navy birthday 1973: Secret Marines activity reported 1974: Honoring a trailblazer 1975: Evacuating Saigon 1976: A scandal at Parris Island 1977: Ku Klux Klan activities at Camp Pendleton 1978: A banner year for Corps women 1979: Taken hostage in Iran 1980: Operation Eagle Claw 1981: A step toward gender equality 1982: Into Beirut 1983: A devastating year 1984: Withdrawing from Lebanon 1985: Violence in El Salvador 1986: Trouble in Moscow 1987: Marine Corps intelligence activity 1988: Into the Persian Gulf 1989: Avenging a death in Panama 1990: Protecting Saudi Arabia 1991: The liberation of Kuwait 1992: Marines storm Somalia 1993: A firefight in Mogadishu 1994: Back to Haiti 1995: A daring rescue in Bosnia 1996: Evacuating US citizens from Liberia 1997: A tragic death on the border 1998: Guarding the Albanian Embassy 1999: In East Timor 2000: A devastating crash 2001: The War on Terror 2002: Into Djibouti 2003: Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004: The Second Battle of Fallujah 2005: The Haditha Massacre 2006: The National Museum of the Marine Corps 2007: A push to leave Iraq 2008: Helmand Province 2009: A daring rescue and Medal of Honor 2010: Relief efforts in Haiti 2011: A mission down under 2012: Marines in controversy 2013: Integrating women in combat roles 2014: Fighting ISIS in Iraq 2015: Tragedy in Tennessee 2016: Deepening engagement in Iraq 2017: A new squadron deploys 2018: Fighting ISIS in Syria 2019: Integrating training battalions 2020: Force Design 2030 foresees a nimbler Marine Corps 2021: Marine Corps shrinks 1933: Establishing the Fleet Marine Force Baldor reported from Washington. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) A man who tried to enter an Alabama elementary school where a summer program was being held was shot to death by police Thursday morning, authorities said. Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a potential intruder went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy program was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were locked and the principal contacted the school resource officer when she realized what was happening, Reddick said. The resource officer confronted a person who attempted to break into a marked Rainbow City police car near the school, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. More officers from the Gadsden Police Department showed up to assist, the statement said. The person was shot to death after resisting and trying to take the resource officer's gun, the agency said. The statement, which didn't mention any attempt to enter the school, didn't say how many shots were fired or by whom. The state identified the dead man as Robert Tyler White, 32, of Bunnlevel, North Carolina. Officials dont know whether the man was a "passerby" or something else, Reddick said. Authorities didnt immediately release details including whether White was armed or why he might have been trying to get into the school or patrol car. While the resource officer suffered minor injuries, no students were hurt and most didn't realize anything unusual had happened, Reddick said. Our primary concern was just making sure that someone who wasn't authorized to be in our building does not enter and our kids are safe, he said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sent a tweet saying school police immediately took action, faculty inside the building followed safety protocols and all children present were kept out of harms way. I commend all involved for acting quickly to protect these children, it said. Gadsden is about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Birmingham. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PHOENIX A lawsuit by two Republican candidates seeking to require a hand count of the 2022 election is both legally and factually flawed, a lawyer for Maricopa County is telling a federal judge. Candidates Kari Lake, running for governor, and Mark Finchem, running for secretary of state, claim counting machines are unreliable because they are subject to fraud and hacking. Those claims are based on mere allegations from states like Georgia, Wisconsin and Colorado but not Arizona or Maricopa County, said Emily Craiger, lawyer for Arizonas most populous county, in a new 21-page legal filing. She told Judge John Tuchi that allegations machines are vulnerable because of foreign manufacturing of components by hostile nations are so generic as to not even merit his consideration. Craiger also pointed out that Arizona law requires various checks of counting equipment both before and after each election. Theres also a random hand count of selected races in at least 2% of the precincts to compare the tally made by volunteers from both major parties with what the machine recorded. She also told Tuchi a hand count of all ballots nearly 2.1 million in Maricopa County alone would be impossible. It took the firm hired by the Senate to audit the 2020 election more than three months, she pointed out, and that count was only of the presidential and U.S. senate races. But ballots in Maricopa County seldom have fewer than 10 races in a primary, Craiger said. A general election, which includes judicial retention races, can have 60 to 70 races to count. Moreover, Craiger pointed out that Lake and Finchem are contending there are harms from machine counting of ballots dating back to 2002. They acknowledged in their lawsuit they were aware that in 2019, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs certified the specific Dominion Voting System used in Maricopa County that they now contend is unreliable. Yet plaintiffs waited until April 22, 2022 when both were running for statewide office to file suit, Craiger told the judge, saying thats beyond the two-year statute of limitations. Apparently, raising these concerns was not politically expedient during the limitations period. In a separate filing, an attorney for Hobbs listed her own reasons for saying Tuchi should toss the lawsuit by the two would-be state officials. They allege no facts sufficient to give rise to an inference that their right to vote has been or will be violated, wrote the secretary of states lawyer, Roopali Desai. She told the judge the complaint contains only sheer conjecture about possible hacking of electronic voting equipment and irrelevant allegations about other jurisdictions. The filings come as Lake and Finchem on Wednesday renewed their request for a preliminary injunction prohibiting the use of any electronic voting systems to count ballots in any future Arizona election. Computerized equipment is vulnerable to manipulation by unauthorized persons, meaning the true results of an election that relies upon computerized equipment can never be known, wrote Andrew Parker, their attorney. He dismissed the idea that results of such counting equipment, which he refers to as the black box voting system, can ever be counted on as accurate, saying that even audits wont find machines that were compromised. A malicious program can be written to delete traces that it ever ran, including deleting itself, he told the judge, relying on and quoting from an affidavit by Doug Logan. Logan is the owner of Cyber Ninjas, the firm hired by state Senate President Karen Fann to audit the 2020 election. He came up with a report citing what he said were flaws, vulnerabilities and missing files. But Craiger said much in the Cyber Ninjas report on which Lake and Finchem are relying was debunked when the county, in cooperation with the Senate, had a special master examine the equipment and found it was not and could not be connected to the internet. The special masters report discredits all of the Cyber Ninjas speculative findings relied on by the complaint concerning alleged authorized access, malware present or internet access to these systems that basic cyber security best practices and guidelines were not followed, she said. Craiger, in the new legal filings, also told Tuchi there is no basis for the claim that using vote tabulation equipment is unconstitutional. She pointed out the U.S. Constitution leaves the question of how to administer elections to each state. The only time that is overruled, Craiger said, is if Congress passes a law about races where federal candidates are on the ballot, something it has not done. So Arizonas legislature is authorized to make that policy decision, she said. She said that means lawmakers are free to require, as they have, that ballots here are counted by electronic tabulation machines followed by the 2% hand audit count. Parker, the attorney for Lake and Finchem, made new legal filings himself Wednesday, in hopes of getting the judge to declare machine counting illegal. He cited a statement issued earlier this month by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency that there are vulnerabilities in certain Dominion voting systems. That report says these vulnerabilities should be mitigated as soon as possible. But it also says CISA has no evidence that these vulnerabilities have been exploited in any elections. Tuchi has not set a date to hear arguments. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer: The Iran nuclear deal is on life support and, along with it, the chances of peacefully resolving our standoff with Tehran over its nuclear program. Unfortunately, Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema are doing little to support President Joe Bidens efforts at diplomacy, paving the way for another war of choice in the Middle East. When the Obama administration signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, it put Irans nuclear program in a box and made the world a safer place. That is, until then-President Donald Trump tore up the deal, leading Tehran to significantly advance its program and bringing us to the brink of war. Biden is currently working on a return to the deal, which would remove nuclear-related sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran severely limiting its nuclear activities. With the JCPOA in effect, it would be possible to have a further dialogue with Iran about other key issues of concern. On the other hand, failure to reseal the deal will result in pressure by U.S. opposition groups to ratchet up sanctions against Iranians and even engage in a military strike. As Arizonans, many of us have friends or neighbors who are Americans of Iranian descent. Theyre our doctors, our colleagues, our college classmates. Theyve been severely impacted by the continuation of Trumps sanctions locked out of their American bank accounts because of their heritage, unable to send mail to their loved ones, victims of hate crimes. A friend of mine in Phoenix has repeatedly tried to send care packages (toiletries, band aids, etc.) to his family in Iran. After paying for the shipping, his packages are always returned, damaged and with a message stating that they cant be shipped due to sanctions with no reimbursement of his shipping costs. He now has no alternate way to assist his family given that financial relief through wire transfer is also forbidden. Another friend shared with me how his mother was traumatized by what she witnessed in Iranian hospitals while visiting the country to help care for her ailing mother. Due to the economic impact of crippling sanctions, families must care for patients at the hospital, changing bed linens and bringing them food because hospital staff are very limited and do not have the resources to do so themselves. As long as our crippling sanctions remain, Iranian Americans families will have to endure economic despair alongside government repression. By returning to the JCPOA, we can put an end to this suffering while also strengthening our national security. The Biden administration is at a true crossroads: Either see diplomacy all the way through or risk war. So why is it that both Kelly and Sinema have voted in favor of inflexible demands on Iran that will complicate the talks and risk derailing negotiations during the most critical phase? With so much at stake in the nuclear negotiations, Congress should be doing everything in its power to support Bidens diplomatic efforts, not sabotage them. With a war raging in Europe, and tensions with Russia at a fever pitch, we must do all we can to eliminate other threats to our national security. We should expect our senators to do all they can to save another generation of Arizonas young men and women from dying in yet another Middle East war. Jazz Mimoun is a member of the Leadership Council for the Arizona Chapter of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. STILLWATER Oklahoma soon will be home to a rare earth metal and manufacturing facility. USA Rare Earth LLC announced Thursday that it plans to invest $100 million into a Stillwater plant that will convert rare earth oxides into metals, magnets and other specialty materials that can be used in such things as electric vehicles, mobile electronic devices and military hardware. USA Rare Earth, which controls and operates the Round Top Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals Project in Hudspeth County, Texas, is expected to start production in Oklahoma in 2023, creating at least 100 jobs at an average salary of between $50,000 to $60,000. This is truly a once-in-a-generation announcement for our city, for our state, for our country, Gov. Kevin Stitt said Thursday at a news conference at the proposed facility. The magnets that will be manufactured here are going to be used in all of our everyday lives: medical devices, imaging machines, smart phones. China controls 90% of the worlds rare earth minerals, he said. This is a huge win for the state of Oklahoma, but its also, I believe, a huge win for our country, as well. Now, the United States can stop relying on China for these resources and start counting on Oklahoma ... If you think about it, it doesnt make sense for our Army, our Navy, our Marines to rely on China for our defense technologies. Its dangerous for our security. Rare earth elements minerals essential for producing permanent magnets, catalysts, rechargeable batteries and LED lights and displays are found across the globe, but deposits containing economically usable concentrations are less common. For example, the United States in 2020 imported 100% of its usable rare earth compounds and metals, with 80% of those coming from China. USA Rare Earth owns an 80% equity interest in the Round Top Mountain deposit in Hudspeth County. The company considered more than 50 sites in eight states before deciding on Stillwater, USA Rare Earth President Thayer Smith said. Rare Earth will refurbish a 309,000-square-foot facility built by World Color Press in the 1970s and later purchased by an energy company, said Justin Minges, president and CEO of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. This will be the epicenter and the hub for building this resilient supply chain, Smith said Really what made the difference was the people here. I want to commend you for the teams that you built. It was absolutely refreshing to come to the state to see how wide you are, how you work seamlessly from the state to the city and also the federal level. Its really is incredible to have seen that and worked through that first-hand. Ken Wagner is Secretary of Energy and Environment for the state of Oklahoma. To increase national security, the U.S. must secure a domestic, reliable and sustainable supply of critical rare earth elements, he said in a statement. Oklahoma is perfectly positioned to help lead the way as the U.S. seeks energy independence and less reliance on foreign materials from countries who do not share our values. In addition to national defense, rare earth elements are behind many of Oklahomas core economic drivers, including the aerospace, technology, automotive and advanced manufacturing industries. Canoo, an electric vehicle start-up company, last year announced plans to provide at least 1,500 jobs by building a 3-million-plus-square-foot factory at MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor. The state also is in contention for a mega-plant that makes batteries for electric vehicles. Because of the electric vehicle trend, demand for these products is going to grow about 300% over the next 10 years, Smith said. So, it is really incumbent upon us to build a facility like this to be able to have a domestic, secure supply chain. Stitt added: Were leaning into into heavy electric vehicle manufacturing, electric vehicle batteries, magnets because we know where the industrys moving. I want Oklahoma to be on the leading edge of that. If we can plant our flag early with this industry, we can create a workforce cluster so the next ones will also come to Oklahoma. In 2020, USA Rare Earth acquired the only sintered, neo-magnet manufacturing equipment in the western hemisphere. The company plans to have the necessary operating permits for all metal, flake, and magnet operations in 2022 with initial production to commence the following year. State leaders also noted having access to the states research institutions, including those at Stillwater-based OSU, will be vital to the project, providing research, development, innovation of critical rare earth elements and a strong workforce. The state of Oklahoma and the city of Stillwater offer a unique business, labor and operating environment for USA Rare Earth and will be a catalyst for economic development, Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce said. We are excited to work alongside USA Rare Earth, state and local leaders and our residents to solidify a healthy economy, productive workforce and vibrant community. Featured video: Analyst on rising gas prices Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined by a third last week when compared to the prior week totals, according to a government report released Thursday. The decline follows a similar-sized increase the prior week. The U.S. Labor Department reported that 1,691 first-time claims for unemployment benefits were filed the week ending Saturday. The total is 34% fewer than the 2,571 claims filed the week ending May 28. The decline in first-time claims follows a 41% increase the prior week. Meanwhile, continued claims, which are those filed after at least one week of unemployment, increased nearly 6%. Unemployed state workers filed 10,782 continued claims the week ending May 28 compared to 10,205 claims filed the prior week. Other jobless metrics show the four-week moving average declining from 1,998 the week ending May 28 to 1,993 during the following week. The four-week moving average of continued claims declined for the eighth consecutive week, or more recently from 10,765 claims the week ending May 21 to 10,611 claims the following week. Every state bordering Oklahoma, with the exception of Kansas, recorded an increase of some sort in their initial claims totals when compared to the prior week. Nationally, seasonally adjusted initial claims for the week ending Saturday totaled 229,000, an increase of 27,000 claims when compared to the prior seven-day period. Commenting on figures released a week ago, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt noted jobless filings at the time had declined in all reporting categories. Oklahoma continues to stand out as a leader for economic strength and recovery, and we are proud to see claims decreases in every reporting category, Zumwalt said. Additionally, Oklahomas UI (Unemployment Insurance) Trust Fund has reached approximately $335 million, further solidifying it as one of the most stable funds in the nation. Our states responsible and consistent management of the fund allows OESC to continue providing crucial services for Oklahomans. Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The record breaking hasnt let up since we launched, and now we have officially raised $1.45 million for the kids and families of St. Jude the most ever in the Tulsa campaign, said Jillian Bolding with St. Jude. By this fall, the Oklahoma flag will be on display at Cherokee Nation facilities only under limited circumstances. As part of an executive order signed Friday by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., the only flags to be flown regularly at tribal properties by Sept. 1 will be those of the tribe and the United States of America. The Oklahoma flag will be displayed only if a state dignitary or officials with the Oklahoma National Guard are visiting in their professional capacities or with the approval of the tribes administration. Prior to the executive order, the state flag has been among those regularly displayed at Cherokee Nation facilities that had enough space to accommodate more than one flag. As written, the directive applies to all sites owned or leased by the tribe and its entities, such as Cherokee Nation Businesses and the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation. The order includes language allowing sites to seek an exemption if they cannot comply due to extenuating circumstances, such as provisions in a preexisting lease or contract. The order specifically references the government-to-government relationship between the tribe and the United States as justification for the move. In an emailed statement, Hoskin said the tribe is still an ally of the state of Oklahoma and that the decision to reduce the number of flags regularly flying over Cherokee Nation facilities was not meant to send a message to the contrary. The Cherokee Nation is a sovereign entity with jurisdiction over our reservation and the use of the Cherokee flag on our land should reflect the strength and determination of the Cherokee people over these 113 years, he wrote. The Oklahoma state flag remains in use at events involving Oklahoma government leadership or honoring visiting dignitaries and service in the Oklahoma National Guard. A spokeswoman for Gov. Kevin Stitts office declined to comment Wednesday on the change. Video: Five things to do this weekend Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A judge handed down a 30-year prison sentence last month to a man who pleaded guilty to an amended charge in a February 2021 murder. Originally charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 9, 2021, shooting death of 37-year-old Joshua Hurd at 14th Street and Lewis Avenue, Casey Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree felony murder and possession of a firearm as a felony in late May. Tulsa County District Judge Tracy Priddy sentenced Davis, now 37, to 20 and 10 years in Oklahoma Department of Corrections custody for the two crimes respectively. Davis is to get credit for time served and earned, and the terms are to run consecutively. Emergency responders discovered Hurd in a crashed car, dead of a gunshot wound to his head, about 10:20 p.m. that Tuesday, launching Tulsas fourth homicide investigation of 2021. By the end of the year, the city saw 62 homicides. Davis had been a guest at the same home Hurd was at earlier in the evening, and Davis reportedly followed him with another guest after Hurd destroyed some items and left in a huff. The other guest told police he was driving and trying to catch up with Hurds vehicle when he saw that Davis, who had been hanging out his passenger door, had a gun. Davis reportedly told him that he had fired a shot into the air, according to an affidavit. Second-degree murder is an 85% crime in Oklahoma, meaning Davis must serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Davis remained in the Tulsa County jail on Thursday, according to online records. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A police officer who had just completed a traffic stop and a colleague patrolling in the area were the first law enforcement personnel to arrive at the scene of last weeks mass shooting on the campus of Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsas police chief said Wednesday. Probably 15 seconds after he finished the traffic stop, hes back in his car, hes put it into drive, and he pulls out and the tone goes out of a shooting, said Chief Wendell Franklin, who did not identify the officers. We kind of get used to that type of (call), and then it came out, Shooting at the Natalie Building And so he cant get on the radio because the dispatcher has come back on and started updating and saying, You need to go to the second floor, this is an active shooting. Franklin said the officer assigned to the traffic unit was taking his rifle out of his car when his colleague showed up. They looked at each other (and) said, Are you ready? And they just went, Franklin said. Four people were shot and killed in the June 1 shooting: Dr. Preston Phillips, 59; Dr. Stephanie Husen, 48; Amanda Glenn, 40; and William Love, 73. No others were shot, according to Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Meulenberg. Police say Michael Louis, 45, of Muskogee went to the Natalie Building determined to kill Phillips, whom he blamed for his ongoing back pain. Phillips had performed back surgery on Louis on May 19, and Louis went to the doctors office the day before the shooting for a follow-up visit. Franklin said it was a miracle that more people werent shot inside the second-floor office complex, given that Louis was shooting indiscriminately. Within there, there are more than 100 doors. There are doors that open into a patient room or an exam room, he said. And then on the back side of that was another door that opened into a pod area that was closed off by doors. So he was obviously familiar with the site and knew which area the doctor would be in. Based on witness accounts and a timeline created by police, law enforcement officials are confident that the shooter would have continued on his rampage had officers not arrived when they did, Franklin said. Police say they received a 911 call at 4:52 p.m. and that the first officers arrived four minutes later. Louis shot himself at 4:58 p.m., according to police. He recharged that weapon with the intent to continue killing people, Franklin said. We think the only reason why it stopped is because he had to make a choice of either engaging us in a gun battle or taking his own life. Louis discharged 30 rounds from his AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle and seven rounds from a Smith & Wesson pistol as he made his way through the medical building, Franklin said. Both guns were purchased legally. The shooter had I think it was a 30-round magazine that he had reloaded into the rifle, Franklin said. The Police Department plans to provide more details on the shooting once the investigation is complete, perhaps as early as the next few weeks, Franklin said. There is not really any reason to hold back information because this guy is dead, so we dont have to prosecute. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As a lifelong Tulsan, I have attended Tulsa schools from early childhood education programs all the way through a doctoral degree. I started my college journey as a high school student taking concurrent classes at Tulsa Community College, earned a bachelors degree in education from Oral Roberts University, and worked full time as a teacher and school leader in Union Public Schools while earning two graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. Then I served as adjunct faculty at two Tulsa-area universities. My story is a testimony of Tulsas higher education system, and I have been fortunate to watch and take part in the evolution of Tulsas higher education ecosystem. What I see on the horizon for Tulsa-area higher education institutions is exciting, to say the least. It is incredible to pause and take inventory of all Tulsa has to offer individuals interested in attending college or a university. TCC is the largest community college in the state. Langston University is the only historically Black university in Oklahoma and has a campus in downtown Tulsa. Oklahoma State University-Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa are nationally recognized research institutions. Rogers State University and Northeastern State University are award-winning regional institutions with campuses in the Tulsa area. Students interested in private education can attend the University of Tulsa, Southern Nazarene University or ORU. In 2017, Tulsa-area higher education institutions were granted a unique opportunity by Schusterman Family Philanthropies in partnership with the John N. Gardner Institute to work together to improve the transfer experience for students attending Tulsa colleges and universities. The goal was to increase seamless degree options (meaning no college credit loss upon transfer), particularly for students who start their higher education journey in community college and want to stay in Tulsa to complete their bachelors degree. Seven institutions signed on for this collaborative work, called the Tulsa Transfer Project. These institutions were Langston, NSU, OSU-Tulsa, OU-Tulsa, RSU, TCC and TU. This was a critical and innovative step in increasing access and opportunity to Tulsa higher education. Fast forward to 2022, the seven institutions that started the Tulsa Transfer Project have now formalized their collaboration as the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium. They have continued working diligently to create degree pathways for students who begin their degrees at TCC. Many of those students qualify for Tulsa Achieves and are able to attend TCC tuition-free. Initially, there were 23 of these seamless transfer degrees. Now, there are just shy of 150 different degree options. The exponential growth is impressive, and the institutions should be applauded for their efforts to create aligned programs. Tulsa-area students have more access and choice in higher education than ever before. The consortium includes the seven institutions and seven affiliate members: the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the city of Tulsa, the Tulsa and Broken Arrow chambers of commerce, ImpactTulsa, Tulsa Community Foundation and Schusterman Family Philanthropies. The consortium, which will be marking its first year this month, is the only one of its kind in Oklahoma. It is particularly unique in that its membership includes business and industry leaders, a critical component of its mission: to advance student learning, improve student success and degree completion, achieve equity in outcomes and meet workforce needs by increasing higher education opportunities in the region. The consortiums formation is a testament to the power of collaboration. By stepping outside the traditional competitive dynamics, Tulsa-area institutions now afford students more opportunity and access to higher education. This is beneficial for students, institutions and business leaders interested in hiring well-trained and highly skilled professionals. The higher education ecosystem in Tulsa has always provided students with a number of great options, but as the consortium institutions have worked together over the past five years, those options are now matched with financial access and opportunity. Tulsa is truly becoming the land of higher education opportunity. To learn more about how to get a degree in Tulsa or get involved with the consortiums work, visit www.tulsahighered.com. Laura Latta is an adjunct education professor at th e University of Oklahoma-Tulsa and the founding executive director of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium. Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. My heart goes out to the families of Dr. Preston Phillips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, Amanda Glenn and William Love, and I want to prevent others from having to go through this trauma. Im appealing to Oklahomans who care about individual rights and safety. Before the tragic events of June 1, Oklahoma ranked 12th in the nation in gun deaths per year. Oklahoma and Tulsa counties have a higher gun death rate than California, Illinois and New York. Thats not emotion. Thats a fact. In 2019, I watched my colleagues pass permitless, open carry, which allows individuals to carry a gun in public without any training. Unmotivated by safety or evidence, Oklahomas Legislature has looked to make guns more accessible and less regulated. Many have done so while taking campaign checks from gun lobbyists. In 2020, those same legislators passed the countrys first and only ban on red flag laws. This ban allows people who pose an extreme risk to themselves or others to buy a firearm, including an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. A Legislature focused on approaching a broad and critical public policy issue with such narrow interest is a call for citizen action. We will not have commonsense reforms unless Oklahomans demand it. Last week, the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus presented the Stand Against Violence and Extremism or SAVE Act. The SAVE Act would balance the rights of responsible gun owners and prioritize safety for all 4 million Oklahomans. Whats in the SAVE Act? Repeal the anti-red flag law; Repeal permitless carry; Repeal concealed carry of firearms in zoos and public parks; New statewide red flag law; New waiting period law; New legislation to raise minimum purchase age to 21. Unfortunately, without the public demanding it, the SAVE Act wont be considered due to the marriage between the Oklahoma Legislature and extremist political alliances. The behavior and inaction of my legislative colleagues is beyond disappointing. This isnt the first time political fragility, driven by falsehoods and expediency, has stifled important policy change. Oklahomas record of choosing political comfort over people is long. Thankfully, the legislative process doesnt always have the last word. Politicians sat by and let Oklahoma become No. 1 in the world in incarceration because being labeled soft on crime was a threat to their political careers. But in 2016, a vote of the people took a big step toward criminal justice system reform. It took 30 years to raise revenue to invest in education because lawmakers were too afraid to speak truth to voters and chose tax cuts instead. In 2018, it took schools shutting down and 40,000 teachers showing up at the Capitol to finally get the investment in the classroom. Today, many of my colleagues, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, tout the historic investment into education even though they spoke and fought against the funding. It took a decade of watching rural hospitals close and hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans go broke because they got sick. Why? It was easier for reelection prospects to oppose Obamacare. Yet in 2020, Oklahoma voters, when presented with honest information, ignored the opposition from the Legislature and the governor and chose to expand Medicaid. Now 200,000 (and counting) more Oklahomans have health insurance. Legislative inaction on important issues has always been overcome by Oklahomans who demanded better. Today, another problem faces our state, and the response from most of my colleagues is silence. Oklahomans must demand that our elected leaders act. Citizens, no matter their day job, must engage and demand change. Here are things you can do: Call your legislator and tell them to include gun reform in the call for special session, and take action at the ballot box in November. If those dont yield action, organize around a vote of the people with an initiative petition. This is not a time to sit on the sidelines. This is a defining moment. You can be pro-Second Amendment and pro-safety; its not a binary choice. We have it in us to be both. The SAVE Act gets us there. Rep. Monroe Nichols has served in the Oklahoma House since 2016 and currently represents District 72. Featured video: Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. After being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic for two years, the shortage of workers in some countries, such as Japan, South Korea and Germany, has been more severe as they cannot recruit staff from other countries, including Vietnam. As nations have restored near-normal travel and immigration policies, junior colleges and vocational schools in Vietnam immediately received suggestions to send human resources overseas. Desperately seeking laborers Vo Thi My Van, rector of Saigontourist Hospitality College, said the college signed an exclusive agreement with a large French group regarding the supply of workers in culinary arts, baking, reception, and catering earlier this year. The schools students may work in France after graduation. French-language skills are required for the positions of receptionists and waitpersons. The starting salary, excluding all expenses, is 1,670 (US$1,787) per month. After two working years, the salary will increase. Employers in France will pay for subsistence allowances, including lodging, food, and traveling costs. Van added the benefits were quite attractive, especially for new graduates. Nevertheless, the number of graduates interested in such working opportunities remains modest. The colleges partner set a target that it would send around 200 candidates to France in the summer of 2022, but the school had received only 50 applications as of May, of which 20 have been approved. Dr. Hoang Van Phuc, rector of Bach Khoa Sai Gon College, said a group of final-year students of the colleges auto technique and technology faculty would take part in a paid program in Japan. The program was resumed after two years of suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic. Students will practice in enterprises and factories for 10-12 months, receive salaries, and have their subsistence allowances and air fares paid. Not only enterprises in Japan, those from South Korea and Taiwan have paid much attention to Vietnamese vocational schools graduates after the pandemic," Phuc said. However, the number of students sent abroad has been small. "Only 30 students may travel to Japan in October." Hindrances Nguyen Khanh Cuong, rector of Lilama 2 International Technology College in Dong Nai Province, said through international cooperation agencies, the college and some German businesses had launched multiple projects to send students of technical majors to Germany for work. The starting salary was competitive, at some 3,000 ($3,200) per month, but students failed to meet the high demand of partners. In each 'Road to Work in Germany' program, the college receives 15-20 students applications, which is modest. Cuong explained that although the requirements in career skills and knowledge were not strict, many students found the German language an obstacle. They were asked to reach the B1 level of German in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Many students are good in techniques but are not cut out for languages. Some do not strive to learn German, while others believe that German is hard so they hesitate to learn it, the rector said. According to Dr. Dong Van Ngoc, rector of Hanoi Mechanical and Electrical College, instead of going abroad, many students preferred working near their homes or in large cities in Vietnam. The tradition of living near families has made many students hesitate when making decisions to work abroad. If the monthly salary when working in other countries is some VND30 million ($1,300), the young do not find it attractive in comparison with working in large local cities for VND15 million ($644.6) monthly or working in their homeland for VND10 million ($429.7). In addition, many partners, despite facing a severe shortage of laborers, still set out stringent requirements for applicants. Contracts between colleges and recruiters tend to include many specific criteria. Aside from skills, knowledge, and languages, companies require candidates to have good attitudes and knowledge about their countries culture. Professional behavior required A training expert at the German Agency for International Cooperation told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that students of Vietnamese vocational schools were hard-working and studious, and were not fearful of hardship. However, the majority of them have no professional working behavior and skills to work in an international environment. Meticulousness, carefulness, and communication and behavior skills are not found among some Vietnamese students. Long-term strategy Dr. Dong Van Ngoc, rector of Hanoi Mechanical and Electrical College, said the young had their own development plans after graduating from colleges and vocational schools. Some might find it appropriate to work for domestic companies, while others might prefer going abroad to experience the high technical abilities of foreign companies. Therefore, students should determine their best roads as early as possible," he advised. "If they choose to work overseas, they should know what they need to learn, how they will improve themselves, and especially what they would do next after working abroad. "The benefits in other countries are not the decisive factor." Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams embrace of e-commerce and digital transformation is exposing the country's businesses to an onslaught of phishing attacks, according to a cybersecurity and anti-virus solution provider. Statistics from Kasperskys Anti-Phishing system indicate that companies in Vietnam saw the highest number of phishing attempts amongst Southeast Asian countries in 2021. Among over 11.2 million phishing links blocked by Kaspersky, Vietnam accounted for over four million. For comparison, number two on the list was Indonesia with 2.3 million blocked attacks, followed by Malaysia with nearly 1.8 million, the Philippines with 1.33 million, and Thailand with1.28 million. Cybercriminals primarily attempted to exploit victims by emailing them links about hot topics; phrases or words related to online activities, including shopping and streaming; or the COVID-19 pandemic. Users who clicked these links were then exposed to malware attacks. Email is still our main method of exchanging messages for work in Southeast Asia," said Yeo Siang Tiong, general manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. "The 11 million blocked malicious links last year represented only the tip of the iceberg. Email contains various credentials which cybercriminals are taking advantage of. For instance, a bank in Bangladesh lost over $81 million to a phishing scam in 2016. "As such, firms in the region should carefully select and use cybersecurity technologies to boost their mail server protection. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (C) holds a press meeting at the Sanaa International Airport upon his arrival in Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8, 2022. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) SANAA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg arrived in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday in a bid to persuade the Houthi group to accept a proposal for ending the siege on Taiz city. "I will meet with the Houthi leaders to discuss the proposal," he told reporters at the Sanaa airport. On Tuesday, the internationally recognized Yemeni government said it had accepted a revised proposal brought up by Grundberg on lifting the Taiz siege, which includes the re-opening of a main route leading to the strategic city in southwestern Yemen. The Houthi side also announced late Tuesday night that it is ready to reopen some secondary routes around the government-held city but remained reticent on the re-opening of the main route. Taiz has been under siege since the civil war erupted in Yemen in late 2014. Lifting the blockade would facilitate the movement of citizens and their access to humanitarian aid. Residents in Taiz have staged repeated protest rallies to demand the acceleration of lifting the siege and clearing landmines on the main roads around the city. Ending the Taiz siege is the last major term to be fulfilled under the agreement reached by the country's warring parties before entering the ceasefire in April. Various talks on the issue have been held during the past two months but failed to yield tangible results. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (R) holds a press meeting at the Sanaa International Airport upon his arrival in Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8, 2022. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) SEOUL -- Thousands of South Korean truckers went on strike for a third day on Thursday to protest the sharp surge in fuel costs, disrupting production, slowing activity at ports and posing new risks to a strained global supply chain. Presenting new President Yoon Suk-yeol with one of his first big economic challenges, about 7,200 members or roughly 30% of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity union were on strike, the country's transport ministry said. A union official said the number of participating members was much higher and they were also joined by non-union truckers. South Korean steelmaker POSCO said it had been unable to ship about 35,000 tonnes of steel products from two plants daily since the strike began - equivalent to roughly a third of its daily shipments from those plants. A South Korean auto industry group called the strike "extremely selfish", saying it would further pressure the sector which has been hurt by the global chip shortage. Hyundai Motor Co has seen some disruption to production at plants in Ulsan as truck drivers refuse to deliver components, Yonhap news agency reported. Hyundai Motor declined to comment on the matter. A transport ministry official said there had been drops in shipments of some products including steel and cement. But the country was not yet seeing a "significant disruption in logistics" and the government was meeting with relevant industry officials to prevent such a situation. An official with the Korean Shippers' Council said the impact was being felt at ports. "There's only a minimal amount of cargo getting into ports right now. Until yesterday the situation may have appeared okay because some pre-arranged cargoes were being delivered but the reality now is that it is very difficult." Busan Port Authority said an emergency response team had been in place since Monday and it has readied extra storage space outside the port. The port's container occupancy rate is currently 76.3%, up from 73.9% two days ago. Trucker frustration The truckers, regarded as self-employed contractors in South Korea, are seeking pay increases and a pledge that an emergency measure guaranteeing freight rates which was introduced amid the pandemic and is due to expire this December will be extended. They also want it to apply to a wider range of trucks, not just container trucks and cement trucks. "Due to skyrocketing fuel prices and the government not acting enough to protect our livelihood, our frustration is only growing and growing," Kim Jae-kwang, a senior union official, said. He said many truck drivers were on the verge of going out of business. "Large cargo truck drivers are paying an additional 3 million won ($2,390) in fuel costs when their monthly pay is around 3 to 4 million won." The Cargo Truckers Solidarity union is part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which is known for being more defiant than other big union groups in their actions. The police have made more than two dozen arrests including members of the truckers union who were blocking the gates of the Hite Jinro brewery in Icheon, southeast of Seoul, Yonhap news reported. President Yoon, in power for just a month, warned strikers on Thursday not to use violence and said the government is trying to resolve the situation through dialogue. "Under no circumstances will the public find breaches of the law or resorting to violence acceptable," he told reporters. ($1 = 1,256.2200 won) The Peoples Committee of District 3 in Ho Chi Minh City is seeking the municipal governments approval to replan the entire district in order to attract investors capable of helping develop the local economy, particularly in the areas surrounding the proposed Ho Con Rua (Turtle Lake) Pedestrian Street and Nguyen Thuong Hien Food Street. The tentative replanning was disclosed at a working session hosted by the municipal Peoples Council on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of the ongoing 2016-25 housing development program. District 3, with an area of 4.92 square kilometers, currently has many projects, most of which were approved in 2003, including one relating to a 930-hectare downtown area. The district is now seeking the citys approval to redesign ten of the projects as two district-wide planning projects. The proposal also calls for facilities in the district to be replanned to accommodate high-end services that can serve and meet the demands of visitors to the downtown area. The new plan would not include land for the development of residential houses. The district has also mulled over a redesign of Nguyen Thi Dieu Street and another street, as well as creating a simplified construction licensing process. The proposed Ho Con Rua Pedestrian Street and Nguyen Thuong Hien Food Street in District 3 will also continue to play a key role in the development of tourism, alongside historical, cultural, and religious sites along Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal. Some villa areas will be zoned off to preserve their architectural values, while others will be restructured with higher densities in order to meet investors demand. District 1 having trouble with Bui Vien apartment building renovation On Tuesday, the municipal Peoples Council began working with the Peoples Committee of District 1, which is presently facing difficulties in calling for investment in the rebuilding of an aged apartment building at 155-157 Bui Vien Street. Some 100 households in the building were resettled in 2019. Because the apartment building is relatively small, authorities have had difficulty getting started on the rebuild. The land lot at 155-157 Bui Vien Street can accommodate just over 50 apartments, meaning there is little upside for private investors, said Nguyen Van Dung, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council. District 1 wants to adjust the planning to facilitate the renovation of the apartment building but in vain as the building is in the 930-hectare downtown area. The apartments cannot be rebuilt bigger as they would not fit in with the surrounding landscape. Officials are considering buying commercial apartments to resettle residents and putting the land lot on Bui Vien Street up for auction. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A fisherman from Co To Island District off the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh was bitten by a shark and had his right leg severely injured while diving and fishing in the waters of Bach Long Vi Island District, Hai Phong City, the local border station said on Wednesday. The Bach Long Vi District border station received a rescue call from Vo Van Tanh, the 27-year-old Co To-based captain of the fishing boat numbered QN-0606 TS from Quang Ninh, at around 11:00 am on Tuesday after a fisherman in his crew was attacked by a shark during a dive northeast of Bach Long Vi. Eight border guard officers and two medical workers immediately departed from Bach Long Vi to rescue the fisher. They reached the QN-0606 TS boat about one and a half hours later. The victim, 32-year-old Vo Van Dat hailing from Co To, was in a state of shock due to serious blood loss upon their arrival. His right calf was bruised and his pulse was slow. The victim was quickly transferred to the rescue ship for heart support and intravenous fluid injections. He was then transported to Bach Long Vi Military Medical Center for further emergency treatment. The patient was treated in time, receiving timely blood loss treatment and blood transfusion, allowing him to overcome the critical stage, according to Dr. Pham Van Hai, director of the medical center. Dat was then taken to the mainland for continued treatment in better facilities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A man from An Giang Province in Vietnams Mekong Delta was sentenced to death for raping a 12-year-old girl before murdering her in order to cover up the crime. The provincial Peoples Committee handed down the death penalty to Tran Phuoc Tan, 40, for murdering and raping an under 16-year-old person during the trial on Wednesday. On November 3, 2021, Tan and his wife arrived in the latters hometown in Phu My Town, Phu Tan District, An Giang, the indictment showed. Tan then joined N.H.D. in drinking alcohol at D.s house. After finding out that N.T.C.V. D.s 12-year-old daughter needed a smartphone for her remote learning, Tan promised that he would buy her the device. At 2:00 pm on November 6, the man returned to D.s house and said he would take V. to a local shop to buy a smartphone. However, Tan instead took the young girl to his rented house in An Hao Commune, Tinh Bien District, and raped her. The following morning, Tan brought V. to his friends house in Tinh Bien District to drink alcohol. Tans wife called him later that day and told him that V.s family was looking for her. He then took V. to Ket Mountain and strangled her to death in order to cover up the crime. He was eventually arrested at the Chau Gian ferry wharf in Chau Doc City. Police initiated legal proceedings against him on November 11. Tan had previously been convicted of raping a child and had served an 11-year jail term for his offense. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Mai Bach, a young Vietnamese artist, and French screenwriter Maxime de Lisle debuted their comic Le Passage interieur- Voyage essentiel en Alaska (Inside Passage - Essential Journey to Alaska) at the Achetez de l'Art gallery in Paris, France, last week. To celebrate the publication of Inside Passage - Essential Journey to Alaska, 25 original paintings from the collection of stories will be on display at the Achetez de l'Art gallery in Paris until June 15. This is Mai Bach's first work since graduating from the renowned Delcourt Comic Art School in France. Monnier Ludovic, the owner of Achetez de l'Art, shared that he saw great potential in Mai Bach in both the art of drawing comics and painting. Mai Bach has a keen sense of esthetics. This is what we always seek and want to recommend to the public, Ludovic said. This is also the first time a comic work by a young Vietnamese artist has been published in the French comic market, which is one of the world's largest comic marketplaces in terms of both publication and consumption. The expedition is based on the actual experiences of the scriptwriter, Lisle. The nearly-70-page, large-format narrative published by Delcourt Publishing describes the thrilling expedition of four young Frenchmen to the Inside Passage, an Atlantic coastal waterway extending more than 1,500 kilometers from Seattle along the coast of British Columbia to the northern tip of the panhandle of the southeast of Alaska. The beautiful watercolor pictures by Mai Bach encourage readers to join the Alaska adventure by kayak, appreciate enormous polar bears and whales, explore an environment untouched by humans, and experience the main characters' emotions, which range from surprise to excitement, disappointment to ecstasy. The story is not only a representation of man's smallness in the face of gorgeous and untamed nature, but also of an essential message about the fragility of the earth. Mai Bach first took an interest in the story after reading the script for Lisle's adventure. The plot of Maxime's story is within my skill set, so I agreed to assist him in creating the visuals for our debut artwork," Mai Bach confided. "This is also an excellent opportunity for me to learn more about the French comic book industry, as it is not always easy to find a suitable story to develop. Throughout the two years of implementation, Mai Bach encountered numerous obstacles in addition to the advantages. He acknowledged that he and Lisle were both newcomers to the industry of comic books. One is a recent art school graduate and the other is a first-time narrative writer; both are struggling to ensure progress and coordinate with stakeholders such as publishers, editors, and other partners involved in production and distribution. Moreover, this is a true event set in a real location, but Mai Bach was not personally involved; therefore, all drawings are dependent on Lisle's photographs, videos, and descriptions, making it difficult for the artist to construct a coherent visual and narrative story. In exchange, Maxime gave me entire freedom to create the plot in accordance with his suggestions, which made me appreciate our collaboration, Mai Bach shared. Lisle said that he liked Mai Bach's artistic style, making it easy for the two to collaborate on the project. Mai Bach has a perfect drawing style that I really like. It's super realistic, full of dynamism, able to spark the energy of Alaska, Lisle elaborated. Along with Japanese manga and American comics, French-Belgian comics are among the top three comic schools in the world. France is regarded as one of the world's leading countries for comic book publishing and consumption. According to French publishing industry data, over 5,000 new comics are released each year to the French and Belgian markets, featuring classic characters such as Tintin, Smurf, Asterix, and Lucky Luke, and are read by readers ranging in age from seven to 77. Every year, approximately eight million French readers purchase three to four comic books. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 21 million comic books of all genres were sold to the market in 2021, accounting for a quarter of the books published in France that year. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Swedish drama series The Hunt for a Killer has a free to air premiere next week on SBS. This is a six part series which begins with a double episode. In March 1989, the sadistic murder of 10-year-old Helen Nilsson in Horby, in southern Sweden traumatised a nation. A seemingly impossible case, it remained unsolved for 15 years, leaving the small community with a painful open wound, as well as the police force entrusted to protect it. On the night Helen Nilsson disappeared, just before Easter, there were about 20 suspected paedophiles living in Horby. That is where The Hunt For A Killer begins, as we follow the long and determined journey of detectives Per-Ake Akesson and Monica Olhed, who led an investigation team that solved a string of homicides in southern Sweden and who would eventually, against all odds, find Helens killer. The Hunt For A Killer is a story about a career cop who turned against the authorities, who revolted against corruption, who never gave up, and who solved the impossible crime. Episode One: Ten-year-old Helen Nilsson goes missing from the small Swedish town of Horby over Easter break 1989. It is a chilly evening, and Helen is going to meet two of her classmates at the discount store a few minutes walk from her home, but the young friends never find each other. Helen never shows up. Episode Two: Helens case is on the backburner, and Pelle follows the investigations stagnating progress with concern. Sofia Jansson is found dead. The body is meticulously covered with cut branches. Tuesday, 14 June at 11.30pm on SBS. A German thriller, Finnish comedy and Estonian espionage thriller are exclusive to SBS On Demand. All three premiere today, Thursday, 9 June. The Blackout: Tomorrow Is Too Late All six episodes available to stream. In German with English subtitles. As a sudden blackout plunges Europe into darkness, the past catches up with a former hacker in this ambitious new international thriller. On a cold November night, a fatal chain reaction in the European power grid plunges the continent into darkness. While authorities fight to control the impact, former hacker Pierre Manzano (Moritz Bleibtreu) realises that a malicious code he wrote nearly 20 years ago during the 2001 G8 riots is to blame. As he tries to warn the power companies that they are under attack, he attracts the attention of Europol and CID, who make him a subject of their investigation. In Germany, Frauke Michelsen (Marie Leuenberger) suddenly finds herself heading the countrys crisis response team, battling with failed communication systems, the threat of food shortages and the collapse of the health system. But when her eight-year-old twin daughters go missing, she is torn between managing the spiralling incidents and her own personal challenges. With every connection severed a race against time begins, but as disaster looms, a beacon of hope remains if people can come together and help one another, maybe the worst can be overcome. Mister8 All eight episodes available to stream. In Finnish with English subtitles. Life is good for Maria (Krista Kosonen Beforeigners). Shes the CEO of a family business, and there is more than enough love in her life. Its no wonder because Maria has seven spouses, a different man for every weekday. Maria falls in love with Juho (Pekka Strang), who has just moved into the town. But sadly, there are not eight days a week. Traitor All six episodes available to stream. In Estonian with English subtitles. Alfred Vint (Tambet Tuisk), an official at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, becomes an agent for Russian intelligence, prompted by umbrage and personal gain. He betrays everyone his family, friends, and country during a pivotal time, in 2004, when Estonia is joining NATO. The stylish and thrilling six-part spy drama series is inspired by recent espionage scandals from Estonias history. The spy thriller observes the transformation of one ambitious man into a traitor. The traitor, Alfred Vint, is pursued by young, determined counterintelligence investigator Marko Arrak (Veiko Porkanen), who gradually moves closer to exposing the man, but the clever and pedantic Vint manages to escape his trap again and again. Lines of action are framed by issues in the personal lives of characters. Vint is dealing with the consequences of his love for women, and Arrak is becoming a father. Cast members from upcoming Foxtel drama The Twelve hit the red carpet last night as Foxtel held the world premiere of its new local drama at Alpha in Sydney. The 10 part courtroom drama features a sprawling diverse cast across jury, prosecution, defence, police and family members. Amongst those in attendance were Marta Dusseldorp, Kate Mulvany, Brooke Satchwell, Pallavi Sharda, Ngali Shaw, Jenni Baird, Catherine Van-Davies, Nicholas Cassim, Louisa Mignone, Gennie Nevinson, Damien Strouthos, Susan Kennedy, Warren Lee, Coco Jack Gillies, Hamish Michael, Amy Kersey and more. Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany and Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh welcomed guests with Walsh noting the series was the right fit to succeed Wentworth. We deliberated about how we could possible replace such an iconic show as Wentworth. One thing we did take from 9 incredible successful seasons, was how much our subscribers love crime and high end drama. And they certainly embraced the very nature of an ensemble piece, said Walsh. The Twelve Warner Bros. Television would again showcase acting talent. They had a vision right from the start that this would be a premium drama equal to anything that HBO could produce and once again lift the bar for Australian television drama. Im delighted with the end result. Producer Ian Collie from co-producers Easy Tiger told TV Tonight, Two things appealed to me, the script in terms of the story and how multi layered it is, the complexity of the case itself. Did she or didnt she do it? The screenwriters did such a great job in that But secondly, the performances. Its a big cast with 12, actually 14 Jurors. Kate Mulvaney, Sam Neill, Marta Dusseldorp but all the support cast are great. Everyones sort of at their prime, I think. It feels authentic, it feels real, feels really engaging. Rising star and First Nations actor Ngali Shaw (RFDS) , who plays juror Jarrod Saunders, very nearly upstaged seasoned stars in a Q+A with Walsh with his unbridled enthusiasm. Ive met so many great actors that Ive never seen before, great actors who are up there with my favourite actors! Its insane to meet people like that! Sitting next to Sam Neill. I never thought Id do that! he said. And the verdict on the show? A complex whodunnit starring a knockout cast with serious acting chops. Theres a big ensemble to follow but the story kicks up a notch in episode two as the layers are slowly peeled back 8:30pm Tuesday June 21 on FOX Showcase. Germany will provide Ukraine with EUR3.5 mln to buy equipment for power grid repairs, up to EUR 22.5 mln in loans from KfW The Federal Ministry for EconomicAffairs and Climate Action of Germany will provide Ukrenergo with EUR3.5 million for the purchase of equipment for the repair of power grids, and the Federal Ministry for Development will facilitate the provision of up to EUR22.5 million in loans by the KfW banking group, German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen said after a meeting with Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko. "We also support Ukraine's full integration into ENTSO-E," the ambassador stressed in a Twitter post on Thursday. In turn, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine clarified that Germany, in particular, is ready to provide assistance to Ukraine for the purchase of static synchronous compensators, which can expand the possibilities for exporting Ukrainian electricity to Europe. "Anka Feldhusen noted that the Ukrainian energy sector enjoys the extraordinary support of the German government, and Germany is ready to provide assistance for the purchase of static synchronous compensators. Their installation will increase the opportunities for exporting electricity from Ukraine to Europe," the Ministry of Energy said on its website. According to the ministry, the parties also discussed the current state of Ukraine's energy sector, the situation on the gas market, plans to accumulate fuel for the heating season, and the need to liberate Zaporizhia nuclear power plant occupied by Russian troops to ensure the nuclear safety of the region. "Ukrainian electricity will help European countries replace Russian energy resources. After synchronization with ENTSO-E, we have already started exporting electricity to Poland and Moldova. However, we have significant potential to increase supply volumes," the minister said at the meeting. NAIROBI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank said it has provided 385 million U.S. dollars in International Development Association (IDA) financing to Horn of Africa countries to tap groundwater potential and boost climate resilience. The World Bank said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening that the Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience Project (HoAGWRP), a new multi-phased project, will boost the region's capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change. "World Bank experience shows that gaining knowledge on aquifers, building trust around shared groundwater resources, and jointly developing groundwater management mechanisms among countries involve a long-term trajectory that needs to be approached gradually," Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Africa said. The lender said the project fosters cooperation with Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), who will work together to tap into the region's largely untapped groundwater resources to cope with and adapt to drought and other climate stressors impacting their vulnerable borderlands. Djibouti and South Sudan have also expressed interest in joining the program in subsequent phases, it said. The World Bank said the first phase of the project is estimated to reach 3.3 million direct beneficiaries, of whom at least 50 percent are women, through interventions designed to increase access to water supply and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. The project will also contribute to improving food security in a region undergoing a severe drought. Daher Elmi Housssein, IGAD's Director of Agriculture and Environment Division, said groundwater constitutes a natural buffer against climate variability and change, as it is available in times of drought when other surface or subsurface resources are scarce. "The potential is vast, and we are committed to building inclusive community-level use of this shared resource, along with better information, infrastructure, and institutions to ensure our groundwater is sustainably managed for generations to come," Elmi said. The lender said the project will establish the building blocks that will enable the medium and long-term agenda of improving transboundary water management in the Horn of Africa. IGAD, a seven-member East African bloc that groups Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, will play a central role as the main promoter and facilitator of the long-term regional strategy, including data and information sharing. Nine University of Dayton students and recent graduates won competitive national fellowships to pursue advanced degrees, study internationally or teach abroad during the 2022-23 academic year. They include three Fulbright Scholars, four Gilman Scholars and the University's first Boren Scholar in 10 years. In addition, a May 2022 School of Engineering graduate won a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. More than half of the awardees were eligible for need-based federal Pell Grants. Some faced personal, academic or pandemic-related challenges, and expressed how they learned from these experiences in their application essays. "I'm impressed with these students because COVID has put so many pressures on them their academics, their ability to do extracurricular activities and these fellowships are not easy to apply to," said Laura Cotten Howell, associate director for fellowships and graduate school advising. "The fact they spent time and energy to craft high-quality applications and get selected for their awards says a lot about their tenacity and their abilities during this trying time." This year's fellowship recipients: Katelyn Barnes '22 of Cincinnati, who holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and human rights studies, will pursue a master's degree in global security and borders at Queen's University Belfast as a Fulbright Scholar. Joseph Beckett '22 of McDermott, Ohio, who holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, will pursue a doctorate in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan through the Department of Defense NDSEG program. Claire Coleman '22 of Dublin, Ohio, who holds a bachelor's degree in foreign language education and Spanish, will complete a Fulbright English teaching assistantship in Spain. Gabby Jackson, a junior education major from Columbus, Ohio, will study in the United Kingdom during summer 2022 as a Gilman Scholar. Sarah Lamb, a senior majoring in pre-medicine and Spanish from Indianapolis, will study in Guatemala during summer 2022 as a Gilman Scholar. Maria McCarty, a senior biology major from Beavercreek, Ohio, will study Arabic in Oman as a Boren Scholar. Elena Ramos '22 of Boston, who holds a bachelor's degree in international studies with a concentration in global education, will complete a Fulbright English teaching assistantship in Brazil. Ella Redfern, a senior international studies major from Barrington, Illinois, will study in Spain during summer 2022 as a Gilman Scholar. Caroline Rhea, a senior education major from Troy, Ohio, will study in the United Kingdom during summer 2022 as a Gilman Scholar. Ramos is the first Flyer Promise scholar to receive a foreign scholarship from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which partners with more than 140 countries to offer opportunities to pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English abroad. The University has produced 41 Fulbright Scholars since 2002. Her application essay addressed her participation at age 11 in a rehabilitation program for students who fall into the "school-to-prison pipeline." Ramos said she lacked strong role models at home or school, and didn't start caring about her grades until high school. She attended UD as part of the second cohort of Flyer Promise, which offers scholarships to academically talented seniors at partner high schools who are eligible for the Pell Grant. "I honestly didn't think I was going to get it, so I didn't really want to try to apply, but Laura was a really good supporter and she pushed me to do the things that I didn't want to do," Ramos said. "My hard work has definitely paid off and it's going to benefit me as I become an English as a second language teacher in my hometown, Boston, after Fulbright." After she returns from her Fulbright experience, she plans to work for Teach for America and pursue her master's degree in education at Boston University. Rhea will learn about inner-city, public and rural education in the United Kingdom, which "financially wouldn't have been possible" without the Gilman award. The award enables Pell Grant-eligible students to study or intern abroad with the goal of increasing the diversity of students who participate in global learning experiences. "This scholarship can help other UD students have hope that they can have this experience, too," Rhea said. "Studying abroad is not out of the question for them. It can give people the opportunity to explore their options to follow their passions." The experience will further Rhea's plan to teach English in inner-city schools after graduation. McCarty will use her Boren scholarship for a nine-week course at the Noor Majan Arabic Institute in Oman's capital city, Muscat. David L. Boren scholarships are awarded to U.S. undergraduates for the overseas study of languages and cultures critical to national security. Boren Scholars commit to work for the U.S. government for at least one year after completing their experience. After graduation, McCarty plans to attend medical or physician's assistant school. She also plans to apply for the Health Professions Scholarship Program, offered by the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, which would cover the cost of medical school and prepare her to become a military officer. "I plan to do something medical and use what I learn in this experience, culturally and with the language, when I interact with patients," McCarty said. Beckett will further his materials-related studies through the Department of Defense NDSEG fellowship program, which allows promising U.S. scientists to pursue doctoral degrees in designated research disciplines at the U.S. institution of their choice. For the past two years, Beckett researched self-healing soft materials and developed an optical system to measure full-field deformations over a material's surface through his honors thesis. Though he worked in labs on campus, the University of Dayton Research Institute and at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, his research and development started in a more humble location. In March 2020, Beckett was preparing to conduct research through the Berry Summer Thesis Institute when the pandemic halted his plans. Unwilling to miss an opportunity, he immersed himself in a literature review and developed a prototype optical measurement system in his family's wood shop in their 100-year-old cinder block barn. After he returned to campus, his advisor, assistant professor of mechanical engineering Robert Lowe, helped him scale up his project, which eventually led to the NDSEG fellowship. "Winning this fellowship goes to show the research we do at UD is novel, compelling and competitive on a national scale," Beckett said. "It also demonstrates the value in participating in a lot of the honors signature programs and research experiences like the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, the honors thesis program and the Chaminade Scholars, which helped me understand the broader societal implications and ethics related to my work." For more information about applying to a fellowship program, visit the fellowship advising website. Photo caption: Row 1 (L-R) - Katelyn Barnes, Joseph Beckett, Claire Coleman, Gabby Jackson. Row 2 (L-R) - Sarah Lamb, Maria McCarty, Elena Ramos, Ella Redfern, Caroline Rhea. Eighteen go on trial in France accused of involvement in European horsemeat scam Eighteen people have gone on trial in Marseille, France, accused of running a European horsemeat trading network involving produce unfit for human consumption. The main defendants from France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain are charged with "organised fraud" and "forgery and deception of goods that endanger human health. Only 13 were present at the court on Tuesday and some have admitted selling "non-compliant" animals between 2010 and 2015. One of those accused is 58-year-old Jean-Marc Decker, a horse trader from Bastogne, eastern Belgium, who was described by prosecutors as the pivot of a "vast international horse trafficking" network. It's alleged people working for Decker or his suppliers acquired horses from private individuals -- promising them "a peaceful retirement" and "good care" for their animals -- before slaughtering them. More than 150 horse owners were victims of the alleged scam, of which around fifty have filed civil suits. The national council of the order of veterinarians, the municipality of Ales and the National Interprofessional Association of Livestock and Meat (ANBV) have also brought civil action. The investigation opened in France in 2013 and was then carried out jointly with Belgian investigators following a report from the National Brigade for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Investigations into an abattoir in Ales, a town in the Gard department. Veterinary services uncovered a series of suspected frauds based on the falsification of identification books and health documents for the animals. In particular, the defendants allegedly committed numerous breaches of European regulations concerning imported horses from countries of the European Union. Two veterinarians at the slaughterhouse were due to appear in court on Tuesday, charged with complicity for allegedly turning a blind eye during controls at the slaughterhouses in Ales. Story continues At the end of the chain, a wholesale company, which supplied the meat to as many as 80 butchers in the south of France, is also being prosecuted for indifference in its alleged failure to respect sanitary protocols. Its understood the company falsely believed the meat was of French origin. This trial, which is due to last until June 24, will be followed by two others already scheduled for January and September 2023. In 2013, there was another Europe-wide scandal when horse meat was discovered concealed in beef dishes, such as Findus lasagna. Millions of ready meals were withdrawn from stores across Europe as a result. Typically avoided by consumers in the US and UK, horsemeat is sometimes eaten in France as a cheaper alternative to beef. However, its production and distribution are strictly regulated by national and EU law. monkeypox symptoms virus how spread uk cases rash 2022 Monkeypox has now become a notifiable disease in England, meaning all medics must alert local health authorities to suspected cases. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said laboratories must also tell it if the virus is identified in a sample. Since early May, more than 1,100 confirmed and suspected infections have been detected in 40 countries including 302 in the UK, as of June 7. Wendi Shepherd, monkeypox incident director at UKHSA, said: "Rapid diagnosis and reporting is the key to interrupting transmission and containing any further spread of monkeypox. "This new legislation will support us and our health partners to swiftly identify, treat and control the disease. "It also supports us with the swift collection and analysis of data which enables us to detect possible outbreaks of the disease and trace close contacts rapidly, whilst offering vaccinations where appropriate to limit onward transmission." David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: "Making monkeypox a notifiable disease suggests a desire to be sure to have reporting from all sectors (public and private) and all parts of the NHS. "It suggests that the Government wants to focus surveillance on the entire population - not only on the risk groups identified so far. "This will permit clear identification of all risk groups and help better understand the epidemiology and extent of spread." It is rare for the virus to be seen in Britain and most previous cases on our shores have been linked to travel to other parts of the world where it is more prevalent, particularly West Africa. Monkeypox vaccines are being given to close contacts of known cases in a bid to stop the spread of the virus and close contacts are also self-isolating for 21 days. Experts believe the virus is spreading between people, the first time this has ever been seen outside Africa, with sexual contact thought to be a main driver. Story continues Many, but not all, of the current British cases are men in the LGBTQ+ community and health officials are now urging this group to be particularly aware of any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service if they have concerns. What is the Monkeypox virus? The name monkeypox is somewhat misleading as it is a virus that circulates most often in small mammals in Africa, such as rats, which are believed to be the diseases reservoir. However, it can also infect monkeys. The conditions visible lesions and bumps on an afflicted group of research primates in 1958 led to the red herring of a moniker. It was first discovered in the 1950s and jumped into humans in the 1970s. Its a poxvirus, in the same family as variola virus, which caused smallpox before it was eradicated globally in 1980, said Dr Michael Skinner, a reader in virology at Imperial College London. He added that the smallpox vaccine can also protect against monkeypox, but this inoculation was halted in 1971 due to a low level of disease. Dr Michael Head, a leading global health expert from the University of Southampton, said that with the sophisticated healthcare in the UK, the risks to the wider public are extremely low. How is Monkeypox spread? Unlike Covid, monkeypox can not spread easily through a population as it requires very close contact. Routes of transmission from one person to another are via large exhaled droplets and skin-to-skin contact with open sores. It can also be caught from eating or touching infected animals. Its a hard virus to transmit between humans, said Dr Head. It needs very close contact, for example skin-to-skin contact with an individual who is infectious with a monkeypox rash. Between these new cases, there will have been that close contact. Prof Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, estimates there is only a 10 per cent risk of a person infecting someone they live with. It has emerged recently that it is possible the virus is also passed during sexual activity, something never described before. Experts are divided on this topic, with scientists loath to say it is a new STI. However, some academics say it is possible the virus does spread in this novel way, even if it is not its primary route of infection. It would not be surprising that sex which does tend to require close person to person skin contact over a quite wide area of the body would also enable transmission of monkeypox, said Prof Hunter. Whether or not that is genital-to-genital contact or through other contact is not clear to me, though if pocks occur in the genital area than such sexual transmission is likely. Monkeypox rash and other symptoms Monkeypox has an incubation period of about one to two weeks and illness normally lasts for between two and four weeks with most people recovering on their own. The UKHSA says the initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. It also produces a distinctive rash, which often starts on the face before spreading across the body, including the genitals. The rash changes and goes through different stages, and can look like chickenpox or syphilis, before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. The WHO says that symptoms can be mild or severe, and lesions can be very itchy or painful. Health experts are particularly urging members of the gay community, especially in London, to be aware of any new blemishes, rashes or lesions, including on their genitalia, as the most recent cases were all men who identify as either gay or bisexual. Is Monkeypox deadly? Monkeypox has no cure and most people recover on their own. Most people recover fully within a month but it can be fatal in some cases. The strain circulating in the UK is the West African clade which has a mortality rate of around three per cent. There is a more serious version, called the Congo Basin clade, that looks like smallpox, and kills one in ten people it infects. However, children are at higher risk than adults, and monkeypox during pregnancy may lead to complications, congenital monkeypox or stillbirth, according to the WHO. In Britain, there is no formally approved vaccine for monkeypox specifically, but the country does have a stockpile of a smallpox jab called Imvanex in the UK and Jynneos, which is made by a Danish company called Bavarian Nordic, that also works against monkeypox. This can be used off label to treat and protect against monkeypox as well. The Bavarian Nordic vaccine is the only one in the world now deemed safe for everyone, and is a second generation form of the vaccine used to eradicate smallpox in 1980. Monkeypox rash - Alamy/ Prof David Heymann, ex-WHO chief and professor of epidemiology at London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, told the Telegraph: We believe, if used within four days of infection, [the vaccine] can modify infection. That happened with the smallpox vaccine, if you gave it within four days, it modified the disease and you didn't get the serious illness and smallpox. Britain had a stockpile before the outbreak in case there was a smallpox outbreak, and it is now being used to protect close contacts of known cases. The vaccine Bavaria Nordic has is the only vaccine it's been licensed for use in people to prevent monkeypox. So there is a vaccine, Prof Heymann said. There are also antiviral drugs and if the vaccine is not available in sufficient quantities, then what might happen is that there would be prophylaxis of contacts with an antiviral drug in order to try to stop this from just continuing to spread. Why are gay and bisexual men being asked to come forward? Gay and bisexual men have been specifically mentioned by the UKHSA because the four most recent cases all identify as members of this community. The agency is also investigating whether the virus can also be transmitted during sex, and if this is a hitherto unknown mechanism of infection. Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UKHSA, said: We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay. Prof Jimmy Whitworth, professor of international public health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, added: There is a need to engage with the at-risk community of gay and bisexual men to ensure they know about the presence of this infection and report any sign and symptoms to health facilities. Monkeypox has not previously been known as a sexually transmissible virus, but experts believe this latest outbreak may be evidence that it is. Mateo Prochazka, an STI expert at the UKHSA leading the investigation into monkeypox, said on Twitter: Close contact between two people (such as during sex) could facilitate transmission but this has never been described before. However, the high proportion of cases in the current outbreak in England that are gay or bisexual (4/7, 57 per cent) is highly suggestive of spread in sexual networks. He added that this would mean the virus may be transmitted via sex, but it is not its primary route of transmission, much like shigella. This article is kept updated with the latest information. Fernando Santos acknowledged there is still plenty of work for Portugal to do to finish above Spain in their Nations League group but is content with the fact his side are sitting pretty atop the pool. Portugal, who won the inaugural tournament in 2019, moved two points clear at the top of Group A2 with a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in Lisbon on Thursday. Spain leapfrogged the Czech Republic into second place courtesy of a 1-0 victory over bottom-placed and pointless Switzerland, coming on the back of successive draws. The two heavyweights drew 1-1 last week and are due to meet again in the final round of fixtures, but Portugal must first travel to Switzerland and the Czech Republic. And with only half of the campaign played, Santos is not taking anything for granted at this stage. "We are first, which is always good," he told Portuguese television station RTP3. "But the other teams in our group also want to win. There are still three games to go. "Spain also won today and we are now two points ahead. Naturally the group is still open. It will also be resolved in the final games in September, not now." Portugal were good value for their victory at Estadio Jose Alvalade, where first-half goals from Joao Cancelo and Goncalo Guedes proved enough. The Selecao had five shots on target to the visitors' one and ended with an expected goals (xG) value of 1.34 to 0.71. Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic While the margin of victory could have been even greater, Guedes was pleased with Portugal's ninth win in their past 11 matches since exiting Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage. "We played a great game, especially in the first half," he said. "We tried to take advantage of the spaces and circulate the ball, which we managed to do. "In the second half we tired more, but they're a good team and tried to cancel us out. We wanted more goals but couldn't find them. "This was still an important victory and a great game on our part. We want to finish first and advance as far as possible in the competition, which we can do with victories." Story continues Bernardo Silva set up both of Portugal's goals and now has three assists this Nations League campaign, which is more than any other player. He created four big chances in total, while only Cancelo (three) completed more dribbles than Silva's two, despite the playmaker being taken off 22 minutes from time. Explaining that substitution, and his selection plans against Switzerland on Sunday, Santos told Sport TV: "Players start to feel tired that's natural. "He was very influential for us again today. But he used up his batteries early, and when that happens he could no fulfil his other roles. "As for the team against Switzerland, you'll have to see." Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has faced demands to intervene at the highest level after safety concerns were raised for a retired British geologist jailed for 15 years in Iraq. Jim Fitton, 66, is being moved from an airport detention cell to a prison several days earlier than expected following his sentencing for attempted artefact smuggling, according to his family and MP. His family fear the move to a general population prison could see Mr Fitton in the same institution as former members of the Islamic State terror group, also known as Daesh, as well as others likely to be hostile to a British national. An appeal is being prepared by Mr Fittons team and they continue to argue he had no intent to smuggle the items. Father-of-two Mr Fitton collected 12 stones and shards of broken pottery as souvenirs while visiting a site in Eridu, in Iraqs south east, as part of an organised geology and archaeology tour. The items were found in the possession of Mr Fitton and German tourist Volker Waldmann, who has since been cleared, as their group prepared to fly out of Baghdad airport on March 20. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who represents Mr Fittons Bath-based family, said of his move to a prison: This is very concerning, so soon after Jims sentencing and before we find out the result of the appeal. I know Jims family must be worried sick and I am thinking of them and Jim today, as ever. The Foreign Secretary must now do what is right and intervene at the highest level. Jim Fitton with his wife Sarijah and his daughter Leila (family handout/PA) Mr Fittons son-in-law Sam Tasker, 27, from Bath, Somerset, said of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The idea that they have basically abandoned Jim to his fate and are just sort of managing us as if were a problem to be solved rather than working with us to save the life of a British man in trouble abroad is just unbelievable, it blows me away. Theres no urgency about them whatsoever. He also said the family hope the appeal will enable the evidence to be reviewed and result in his father-in-law being released. Story continues Mr Tasker, who is married to Mr Fittons daughter Leila, 31, told the PA news agency: We keep staying positive about things and things keep getting worse, every few days something gets worse so its really, really hard to think positively about the appeal. Were doing everything we can to push the appeal forward. Mr Tasker said it had initially been expected that Mr Fitton would be transferred to a general population prison next week, and it is unclear what contact they can have with him while he is held there. He explained: A general population prison in Iraq, therell be former Daesh members in there, there will be extremists, people who have been arrested from militia groups, fundamentalists, therell be people who fought against the British and American troops in the Iraq war. All of these people are not going to take kindly to an elderly white British man, notwithstanding the treatment hell get from guards, prison officials and the general treatment of prisoners in Iraq which I understand leaves a lot to be desired but particularly from the inmates in the prison, were absolutely terrified about him being exposed to that. If the Foreign Offices aim all along was just to avoid a death sentence, they shouldnt be patting themselves on the back because hes a 66-year-old man sentenced to 15 years in an Iraqi jail. If by some miracle he gets out of there, hell be 81 years old. Mr Tasker said the family spoke to Mr Fitton on the phone for the first time in 93 days after he returned from court on Monday, adding: He just sounded as shocked as we are really. Mr Fitton, who lives in Malaysia with his wife Sarijah, spent the rest of the three to four-minute phone call trying to make family arrangements in his absence. Ms Hobhouse said the lack of contact between a UK minister and the family is nothing short of a disgrace. She said: The way this situation has unfolded has been absolutely shocking. The Foreign Office has refused to intervene for months now. It is simply not fair on Jim or his family and sets a devastating precedent for British citizens in trouble abroad. Jim is not a criminal. He is a 66-year-old geologist who has been deserted by the British Government. Retired British geologist Jim Fitton and his wife Sarijah (Family handout/PA) (PA Media) Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has faced demands to intervene at the highest level after safety concerns were raised for a retired British geologist jailed for 15 years in Iraq. Jim Fitton, 66, is being moved from an airport detention cell to a prison several days earlier than expected following his sentencing for attempted artefact smuggling, according to his family and MP. His family fear the move to a general population prison could see Mr Fitton in the same institution as former members of the Islamic State terror group, also known as Daesh, as well as others likely to be hostile to a British national. A general population prison in Iraq, there'll be former Daesh members in there, there will be extremists, people who have been arrested from militia groups, fundamentalists, there'll be people who fought against the British and American troops in the Iraq war Sam Tasker, son-in-law of Jim Fitton An appeal is being prepared by Mr Fittons team and they continue to argue he had no intent to smuggle the items. Father-of-two Mr Fitton collected 12 stones and shards of broken pottery as souvenirs while visiting a site in Eridu, in Iraqs south east, as part of an organised geology and archaeology tour. The items were found in the possession of Mr Fitton and German tourist Volker Waldmann, who has since been cleared, as their group prepared to fly out of Baghdad airport on March 20. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who represents Mr Fittons Bath-based family, said of his move to a prison: This is very concerning, so soon after Jims sentencing and before we find out the result of the appeal. I know Jims family must be worried sick and I am thinking of them and Jim today, as ever. The Foreign Secretary must now do what is right and intervene at the highest level. Jim Fitton with his wife Sarijah and his daughter Leila (family handout/PA) (PA Media) Mr Fittons son-in-law Sam Tasker, 27, from Bath, Somerset, said of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: The idea that they have basically abandoned Jim to his fate and are just sort of managing us as if were a problem to be solved rather than working with us to save the life of a British man in trouble abroad is just unbelievable, it blows me away. Story continues Theres no urgency about them whatsoever. He also said the family hope the appeal will enable the evidence to be reviewed and result in his father-in-law being released. Mr Tasker, who is married to Mr Fittons daughter Leila, 31, told the PA news agency: We keep staying positive about things and things keep getting worse, every few days something gets worse so its really, really hard to think positively about the appeal. Were doing everything we can to push the appeal forward. Mr Tasker said it had initially been expected that Mr Fitton would be transferred to a general population prison next week, and it is unclear what contact they can have with him while he is held there. He explained: A general population prison in Iraq, therell be former Daesh members in there, there will be extremists, people who have been arrested from militia groups, fundamentalists, therell be people who fought against the British and American troops in the Iraq war. All of these people are not going to take kindly to an elderly white British man, notwithstanding the treatment hell get from guards, prison officials and the general treatment of prisoners in Iraq which I understand leaves a lot to be desired but particularly from the inmates in the prison, were absolutely terrified about him being exposed to that. If the Foreign Offices aim all along was just to avoid a death sentence, they shouldnt be patting themselves on the back because hes a 66-year-old man sentenced to 15 years in an Iraqi jail. If by some miracle he gets out of there, hell be 81 years old. Jim is not a criminal. He is a 66-year-old geologist who has been deserted by the British Government Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP Mr Tasker said the family spoke to Mr Fitton on the phone for the first time in 93 days after he returned from court on Monday, adding: He just sounded as shocked as we are really. Mr Fitton, who lives in Malaysia with his wife Sarijah, spent the rest of the three to four-minute phone call trying to make family arrangements in his absence. Ms Hobhouse said the lack of contact between a UK minister and the family is nothing short of a disgrace. She said: The way this situation has unfolded has been absolutely shocking. The Foreign Office has refused to intervene for months now. It is simply not fair on Jim or his family and sets a devastating precedent for British citizens in trouble abroad. Jim is not a criminal. He is a 66-year-old geologist who has been deserted by the British Government. Miah Cerrillo, a fourth grade student at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and survivor of the mass shooting appears on a screen during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform (Getty Images) An 11-year-old survivor of the Texas elementary school massacre has told politicians how the gunman said goodnight before shooting her teacher. Fourth-grader Miah Cerrillo has also told how she escaped with her life by covering her clothes in her dead friends blood. She was one of the only survivors of the shooting that left 19 of her fellow pupils and two teachers dead. In a pre-recorded interview Miah told how she called 911 using the deceased teachers phone and pleaded for help. The pupil spoke alongside the grieving parents of multiple young Americans killed and wounded in recent mass shootings on Wednesday before a congressional panel as lawmakers work to find a compromise gun safety bill. He told my teacher goodnight and shot her in the head, Cerrillo said inthe video played for the committee. And then he shot some of my classmates and the white board, she said. He shot my friend that was next to me... And I thought he was going to come back to the room. I got the blood and put it all on me. Miguel Cerrillo, father of Miah Cerrillo (REUTERS) In the video testimony Miahs father, Miguel Cerillo, asked his daughter if she feels safe at school anymore. She shook her head no. Why? he asks. I dont want it to happen again, she responds. After Miah spoke, her father told lawmakers that he testified because I could have lost my baby girl. But she is not the same little girl that I use to play with, Cerrillo said. Schools are not safe anymore. Something needs to really change. The shocking testimony came during a hearing by the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform about two weeks after the shooting by an 18-year-old at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 students and two teachers dead. The parents of Lexi Rubio, who died in her classroom in Uvalde, also testified. Felix and Kimberly Rubio recounted finding out about their daughters death hours after leaving Lexis school awards ceremony on the morning of the shooting. Story continues To get to the elementary school, Kimberly Rubio said she ran barefoot for a mile with her sandals in her hand and with her husband by her side. A firefighter eventually gave them a ride back to the civic center. Soon after we received the news that our daughter was among the 19 students and two teachers that died as a result of gun violence, she said, fighting through tears. She said that Lexi would have made a positive change in the world if she had been given the chance. Somewhere out there, theres a mom listening to our testimony, thinking I cant even imagine their pain, not knowing that our reality will one day be hers unless we act now, Kimberly Rubio said. Dr Roy Guerrero described in stark terms the carnage he witnessed at the local hospital as he tried to treat the injured. He went to the area of the hospital where two dead children had been taken. The bodies were so pulverised, he said, that the only clue to their identities was the blood-splattered cartoon clothes still clinging to them, clinging for life and finding none. It was one of a spate of mass shootings across the US in recent weeks that killed dozens and sparked a new round of bipartisan talks in the US Senate. With Democrats and Republicans deeply divided on guns, the talks have focused on modest goals including encouraging states to pass red flag laws to deny firearms to people judged a risk to themselves or the public. Republicans, who strongly support the right to keep and bear arms as protected by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, have objected to proposals such as limited sales of the assault-style rifles used in the Uvalde massacre and another mass shooting at a Buffalo, New York, grocery story that killed 10 Black victims. They have called as a witness for Wednesdays hearing Lucretia Hughes of the DC Project Women for Gun Rights. The group said it encourages the preservation of Americas gun culture while raising awareness of firearms safety. Uvalde school teacher Arnulfo Reyes (Good Morning America) Injured teacher Arnulfo Reyes was shot while 11 of his pupils were killed by the teenage gunman who was eventually shot dead by police. Speaking from the bed of a hospital in San Antonio, where he has undergone five surgeries and had his blood replaced twice, Mr Reyes criticised the response of police who took over an hour to stop the gunman. Mr Reyes said he felt abandoned by police, saying: There is no excuse for their actions and I will never forgive them. You had a bulletproof vest. I had nothing, he added. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit a memorial at Robb Elementary School to pay their respects to the victims of the mass shooting (AP) Annabell Rodriguez was a sweet young girl whose favorite color was blue, especially on butterflies, her obituary stated. The 10-year-old honor roll student enjoyed watching TikTok videos and spending time with her two sisters. Her funeral was being held Wednesday. Services for the victims will continue into late June. Annabells cousin, Jacklyn Cazares, was her best friend. The two girls and three others were part of a close-knit quintet of friends. All five died in the shooting. Our lives will never be the same without you, the aunt of the cousins, Letty Hernandez, posted on Facebook a day after the shooting. Another aunt, Polly Flores, posted, My beautiful angels. At least you are together. But our hearts are broken in a million pieces. We love you. The former downtown jail next to the McLennan County Courthouse will get a $39 million remodel that turns space once reserved for criminal suspects into courtrooms and jury quarters. Commissioners agreed Tuesday to give Dallas-based Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects keys to the building where inmates once could shout to passersby on the grounds of the courthouse at Fifth Street and Washington Avenue. The longtime designer of lockups and public safety facilities around Texas will receive 7% of whatever it costs to modify the space. The county has not granted a construction contract, but applied a $39 million estimate, County Administrator Dustin Chapman said. Documents show Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects will receive about $2.8 million to provide basic architectural services. Other entities will provide nearly $900,000 in what are called supplementary services, including consulting with the Texas Historical Commission on alterations to the structure built shortly after 1900. Taking part in designing the interior and choosing and procuring furniture would cost an estimated $230,800. That brings architectural and engineering costs to about $3.7 million, according to documents included in the commissioners agenda packet. Chapman said the architectural firm is ready to start its work. One of their first tasks is talking with the judges, the district clerk, everybody involved in our court system, Chapman said. This was our downtown jail. All the cells and those things have been removed. Its empty space now. County Judge Scott Felton said the county will spend nearly $10 million from its allocation of federal COVID-19 aid provided through the American Rescue Plan Act to partially finance the project. He said the county could issue bonds to cover the balance, probably 20-year bonds. We went through a fairly exhaustive search a few months ago, narrowed our process down and visited with finalists, Felton said of the selection process for an architect. This firm has far more experience designing courtrooms than others we looked at. There are specific things that courtrooms require that lend themselves to having experienced entities involved in design. The Brinkley Sargent Wiginton website shows it completed projects related to jails, justice centers or courthouses in Williamson, Tarrant, Collin and Bell counties, and in Farmers Branch, Grand Prairie and Mesquite. McLennan Countys downtown jail closed in 2010, and the county has stripped the space bare and used it for storage. There are a lot of preliminary things to be done before construction, including initial site preparation and designating construction areas, Felton said. Will it pose a challenge? Yeah, all of these do. If it was easy, anybody could do it. But we have a hardworking commissioners court that focuses on the task at hand. They are ready to meet anytime. This is a top priority. He noted commissioners shepherded construction of the Base multipurpose building that opened last spring at the Heart O Texas Fair complex, a $30 million project executed by John W. Erwin General Contractor. Chapman said the county envisions modernized courtroom space, with new courtrooms on several floors flanked by offices and judges chambers. This renovation will be within the Downtown Jail and also, potentially, on the third floor of the annex building, Chapman said in an email response to questions. The thought is to have the County Courts at Law close to one another due to their staffing arrangement. Two of the County Courts could locate on the second or third floor of the Downtown Jail, and then the third one on the third floor of the annex. That would then leave room for two courts on either the fourth or fifth floor of the Downtown Jail. Chapman said final decisions remain on which court would go where. Also Tuesday, commissioners approved giving Magnolia a $1.25 million grant from the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corp. fund as its remodels the former Tribune-Herald building at Ninth Street and Franklin Avenue into Magnolias corporate headquarters. Magnolia has pledged to invest at least $13.6 million, create 75 new jobs and use social media to tout Magnolias hometown, Waco, nationally and even internationally. The city of Waco voted last month to approve the $1.25 million outlay, which the city and county will split evenly. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On Thursday, the Jan. 6 committee will make its televised prime-time debut, some 519 days after the event that gave the committee its name and purpose. For its ardent supporters, the committees mission is nothing less than an effort to save democracy. For its harshest critics, its both a waste of time and part of that partisan witch hunt against Donald Trump. I see the Jan. 6 committee as being at least as much a symptom of our democracys failure as a mechanism for its salvation. First, because the committee should not be necessary and, second, because the forces that made it necessary threaten to undermine democracy even now. I dont mean the committee shouldnt be necessary simply because the attack shouldnt have happened. Thats obviously true. The storming of the U.S. Capitol was a heinous act, and Trumps role in it, even under the most generous interpretation, was simply villainous. For even if he had no intent to incite a mob, he neglected his constitutional duty to stop one as it was attacking the Capitol on his behalf. The Jan. 6 committee shouldnt be necessary because the proper response and remedy to the attack should have been a rapid impeachment and conviction. The defeated president suborned a mob to hector and harass Congress into invalidating a presidential election. A Congress with an iota of institutional and constitutional sense would have done so within a few days of the attack. All of the vital evidence and testimony sought by the committee should have been sought by a Senate trial. But congressional leaders saw themselves as leaders of their parties first, and their institutions second. Nancy Pelosi rightly wanted to impeach Trump, but she pursued a strategy that made a bipartisan impeachment harder. There was no serious consultation with Republicans about how to craft an article of impeachment or even an effort to write one that would have made it more difficult for some Republicans to vote against it. An article simply laying out that Trump was derelict in his duty on Jan. 6 would have garnered more GOP support. For the benefit of the incoming president and her partys agenda, Pelosi dawdled in sending the article of impeachment to the Senate, letting passions cool and partisanship reassert itself. Pelosi was happy to have Rep. Liz Cheney denounce Trump in a floor speech, but Cheney, then the third ranking Republican in the House, should have been offered a manager slot in the impeachment trial (I have it on good authority she was not). Meanwhile, even Republicans who wanted Trump gone were happy to let Democrats do the heavy work. As Mitch McConnell reportedly told his advisers: The Democrats are going to take care of the son of a b for us. That strategy didnt work because dodging responsibility allowed Washingtons zero-sum logic to prevail. McConnell, still the Senate majority leader, himself delivered a speech that placed the blame for Jan. 6 squarely at Trumps feet and then he voted to acquit Trump. The logic of his decision seemed to be that a majority leader has to be a majority follower. I didnt get to be leader by voting with five people in the conference, he said. Since then, weve learned that the Jan. 6 attack was itself merely a manifestation of a broader, deeper and more deliberate assault on democracy. It was a last-ditch strategy, literally the bloody climax after numerous other efforts to fraudulently overturn the election failed, including a ferocious pressure campaign on Vice President Mike Pence who, to his eternal credit, put the Constitution above party and personality cult. Im sure the Democrats on the committee believe they are doing something patriotic. But it also seems they are divided on actions to take after the hearings. Some, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., want to use this opportunity to push for a progressive wish list of reforms, including abolishing the Electoral College (as if Cheney, a representative of Wyoming, would ever support that). Apparently, doing what is necessary and has bipartisan support specifically strengthening the Electoral Count Act to clarify the vice presidents role just isnt exciting enough. Its still unknown whether the committee will present even more shocking revelations that could change minds as if we havent had more than 500 days of such revelations. If the Democrats on the committee seek to leverage the hearings for a partisan agenda, they will undermine all of their work. And thats exactly what many Republicans want Democrats to do. Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of The Remnant podcast. Iranian state TV reported Wednesday that Iran disabled two UN nuclear site surveillance cameras. This is the latest sign of rising tensions with international nations over a 2015 nuclear deal. Negotiations to return to the nuclear deal reached in 2015 have stalled, and Iran is getting closer to having enough enriched uranium for a weapon as a result. The Western parties to the talks have established a redline at the point where the Islamic Republic would have a significant quantity of enriched uranium, which is defined as enough to produce one bomb. The Islamic Republic is very close to reaching this point. Even though Iran has not yet enriched uranium to a level of purity of 90 percent, which is required for the production of weapons-grade material, larger quantities of uranium enriched to a lower purity can be sufficient for the production of a bomb. According to the assessment made by Jerusalem, Iran is very close to possessing a significant quantity of uranium that has been enriched to a level of sixty percent. Iran demanded outside the nuclear agreement for its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be removed from the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization list. This caused the U.S. and Iran negotiations to return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to end weeks ago. In 2015, Iran and the world's other major powers reached an agreement on a nuclear deal that required Tehran to significantly reduce the amount of uranium enrichment it conducted in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. In 2018, the then-President of the United States, Donald Trump, made the decision to withdraw the United States from the accord in a unilateral manner, which increased tensions across the greater Middle East and sparked a series of attacks and incidents. Iranian state television reported on Wednesday that Iran had turned off two surveillance cameras that were being used by a United Nations watchdog agency to monitor a nuclear site. This is the latest sign of rising tensions with world powers over the revival of a 2015 deal that limited Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for easing international economic sanctions. According to Iran's Press T.V., the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran removed two cameras that were monitoring an "online enrichment monitor" installed by the International Atomic Energy Agency of the United Nations to monitor uranium enrichment. This information was obtained from the agency. The report went on to say that under the safeguard agreements, more than eighty percent of the cameras belonging to the United Nations agency would continue to operate as they had before. This move by Iran comes after the country's negotiations with world powers to resurrect the nuclear deal it signed in 2015, which placed limits on the country's ability to enrich uranium, hit a roadblock. Since Russia was one of the countries that signed the agreement in 2015, the nuclear talks have become even more complicated as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. This week, world powers condemned Iran for making progress in its nuclear program, which is anticipated to further escalate tensions in the region. At a meeting held once every three months, the board of governors of the IAEA was presented with a resolution by the United States, Britain, Germany, and France that criticized Iran for its failure to provide a comprehensive response to the questions posed by the nuclear agency regarding the presence of traces of uranium at locations that have not been designated as nuclear sites. On Wednesday, the resolution, which both Russia and China fought against, was ultimately successful. Wednesday's statement from the nuclear watchdog stated that they were aware of the most recent reports from Iran, but they declined to comment any further. The agency in question was the International Atomic Energy Agency. According to Iranian state media, the country's nuclear agency insisted that it cooperated extensively with the IAEA but that the international agency did not appreciate its goodwill. A report released by the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations, Iran is reportedly close to possessing a "significant quantity" of enriched uranium, which is a term that refers to an amount that is adequate for the production of a nuclear weapon. On Monday, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the United Nations agency, said to the board of governors of that organization, "It's a matter of just a few weeks." However, he went on to say that this did not mean Iran had already created such a weapon, and he emphasized how important it was for IAEA inspectors to have access to the nuclear sites in the country. On Tuesday, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement to the board of the nuclear watchdog in which they expressed "deep concern" regarding Iran's nuclear advancements and warned that the country was further reducing the breakout time, which refers to the amount of time it would take to make a rapid leap toward the manufacturing of a nuclear weapon. They claimed that this was sowing seeds of doubt concerning Iran's motivations. In their statement, they said, "We strongly urge Iran to stop escalating its nuclear program." They also said that a deal was "on the table" and that Iran should conclude it as quickly as possible because the terms that were being offered would not be available indefinitely. These various expressions of concern served as a prelude to the announcement that Iran made on Wednesday. Iran has maintained for a very long time that its nuclear program is only being used for peaceful purposes. However, a report that was conducted by American intelligence agencies back in the day came to the conclusion that the country had a nuclear weapons program in the past but that it was terminated in 2003. The facility where the surveillance cameras had been turned off was not named in the report that aired on Press T.V.; however, it was stated that the operation of these cameras was "deemed beyond the obligations" outlined in an Iranian agreement with the international watchdog organization regarding nuclear safeguards. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated in 2016 that installing an "online enrichment monitor" at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility would help to reassure the international community that Iran would fulfill its commitments related to its nuclear program. After an Israeli attack on the Natanz plant while negotiations on the nuclear deal were stalled, Tehran announced the previous year that it had begun enriching uranium to a level of sixty percent at the facility. In addition, Iran is enriching uranium at Fordow, a nuclear facility that is buried deep within a mountain at a location that is guarded by the formidable Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. According to the watchdog organization of the United Nations, Iran has been withholding footage from its monitoring of its nuclear sites since the year 2021. The statement that was released on Tuesday by Germany, France, and Britain said that for the past year and a half, the International Atomic Energy Agency has been deprived of "crucial access to data on centrifuge and component manufacturing." "What this means is that neither the agency nor the international community are aware of how many centrifuges Iran has in its inventory, how many have been built, or where they may be located." In addition, Mr. Grossi reported on Monday to the board of directors of the agency that Iran has not provided credible explanations for the discovery of nuclear material at three undeclared locations. Despite this, he stated that it was essential for the organization to maintain communication with Iran. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes, despite the fact that experts from the United Nations and Western intelligence agencies assert that Iran had an organized military nuclear program up until 2003. Will New Nuclear Findings Spur A Resurrected Deal With Iran? GRUNDY CENTER Prosecutors have dropped minor charges against a Grundy Center man who was convicted of killing a state trooper in a 2021 standoff at his home. Michael Thomas Lang, 42, had been charged with eluding for fleeing through town from a speeding stop, which ultimately led to the fatal standoff. The chase and shooting charges were set for separate trials. In May, a jury found Lang guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and assault on an officer for killing Sgt. Jim Smith, shooting at a SWAT team armored vehicle driver ,and struggling with a Grundy Center police officer. The murder charge carries mandatory life in prison without parole and sentencing will be later this month. Following the murder verdict, the Grundy County Attorneys office asked the court to dismiss the eluding charge, a misdemeanor with a two-year maximum, in the interest of justice. In the request, prosecutors noted the impending life sentence Lang faces. A judge dismissed the eluding case in a ruling filed last week. Also dismissed was a misdemeanor charge for failing to have an ignition interlock device a breath test required because of his restricted drivers license status in his pickup truck during the chase and three speeding tickets from the pursuit. Meanwhile, Langs attorneys have requested a new trial on the murder charge. They argue the jury should have been given a self-defense instruction and allege there wasnt enough evidence that he acted with premediation, had the specific intent to kill, or acted with malice aforethought. A hearing on the request is scheduled for the same day as sentencing. Prosecutors allege Lang refused to pull over for a speeding stop in town on April 9, 2021. They say he led the city police officer into the country, where the two struggled and he knocked away the officers Taser. He fled home when a passerby intervened and a sheriffs deputy pulled up. When officers arrived at Langs home, he wouldnt come to the door, prompting state troopers to enter the home. Lang shot Smith in the chest with a shotgun slug and fired a second slug into his leg while he was on the ground. Lang was shot and injured when Iowa State Patrol tactical team members breached the home with a Bearcat armored vehicle. At trial, Langs attorneys said he simply reacted when he fired the shotgun and didnt have time to consider the situation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Taiwan participants in a cross-Strait seminar with the theme of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in Beijing, capital of China, June 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang met on Thursday with Taiwan participants in a cross-Strait seminar with the theme of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Wang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, stressed the significance of discussions between representatives of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan on national rejuvenation and reunification. Wang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China maintains the strategic resolve of peaceful reunification and the firm will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He urged Taiwan compatriots to stand on the right side of history and stand up against "Taiwan independence" and external interference. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Taiwan participants in a cross-Strait seminar with the theme of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in Beijing, capital of China, June 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) WATERLOO With cuffed hands and teardrop tattoos on his right cheek, Dorray Darnell Cooper dabbed away real tears Wednesday as he pleaded guilty to shooting his second cousin. It happened, and I cant take it back. I wish I could, Dorray Cooper, 58, told the court, his voice barely audible. He said he hopes family will forgive him. Words cant say enough, he said. Dorray Cooper had been charged with first-degree murder for shooting LaVance Lamarr Cooper, 41, at his apartment on West Second Street on March 22. On Wednesday he pleaded guilty under a deal that lowered the charge to voluntary manslaughter. He also pleaded to a charge of felon in possession of a firearm for having the handgun he used the shooting. Because of prior felony convictions second-degree robbery in Webster County and homicide by vehicle for a 2006 drunken driving crash in Waterloo the manslaughter sentence was enhanced to 15 years in prison. This was added to five years for the firearm charge for a total of 20 years behind bars, and because of the timing of his prior convictions, Dorray Cooper will have to serve at least 10 years before he is eligible for parole, said Black Hawk County Attorney Brian Williams. Dorray Coopers attorneys had indicated they planned to argue self-defense if the matter went to trial, and Williams said the possible justification defense and the uncertainty of the outcome of a trial weighed into the states decision to agree to the lesser manslaughter charge. Dorray Coopers health he walks with the assistance of a cane and has reported heart and other ailments and the sentencing enhancements available also factored into the decision, Williams said. The charge indicates Dorray Cooper acted with a sudden violent, irresistible passion in response to a serious provocation. Details of the slaying werent available. Prosecutors said the two had been drinking and were involved in an altercation, but they said it didnt stem from a $40 debt, as relatives had earlier indicated. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WATERLOO Compared with past years primary elections, there was a good turnout for 2022, said Black Hawk County Auditor Grant Veeder. Of 87,381 registered voters, 6,849 Democrats and 4,927 Republicans cast ballots. Those are 20.51% and 21.47% turnouts, respectively. A total of 33,386 county residents are registered Democrats, and 22,946 are Republicans. On the Democratic side, the 2018, 2006 and 2002 primaries were the only midterms with higher percentage turnouts in Black Hawk County. Those were 2010 and 2002 on the Republican side. Turnout records go back as far as 1996. The last midterm was in 2018 when 8,573 ballots were cast, with a 7.92% turnout for Republicans and 21.77% for Democrats. The overall turnout was 9.82% when including those not registered with one of the two major parties. In comparison, it was 13.48% in 2022. Of the ballots cast in 2022, 2,642 were absentee. 1,826 came from Democrats while 816 came from Republicans. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced Wednesday more than 356,000 Iowans participated in the primary election. More than 73,000 Iowans voted absentee, which is the second-highest total for a primary election in state history. In 2018, 279,124 ballots were cast across the state, including 50,610 absentee ballots, according to the Secretary of States office. I think it went fantastic, Pate said. Ive got to compliment all the voters and our unsung heroes, those poll workers. They came through with flying colors. We saw thousands of Iowans coming out to have their voice heard and democracy in action. Bremer County Bremer County saw a turnout of 16.57%. There are 17,951 registered voters, with 1,781 ballots coming from Republicans and 1,193 ballots from Democrats. In 2018, Democrats cast 1,238 ballots. For Republicans, it was 550. Of the total, 637 absentee ballots were cast 338 Republicans and 299 Democrats. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Home-Grown Jam is Sunday CEDAR FALLS The next Home-Grown Jam will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Cedar Falls Community Center, 524 Main St. Home-Grown Jam is a group of musicians who play the second Sunday of each month at the community center. A variety of music from the 1920s to the 1970s is played. A light lunch is served around 2:30 p.m. The jam and refreshments are free, although donations are encouraged to help cover building rental and food costs. Civil War group meets June 16 CEDAR FALLS The Cedar Valley Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. June 16 at St Lukes Episcopal Church, 2410 Melrose Drive. In his talk, A Week With Lincoln, Steve Norder discusses the May 1862 trip to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia by President Lincoln. Norder, the author of Lincoln Takes Command: The Campaign to Seize Norfolk and the Destruction of the CSS Virginia published by Savas Beatie has had a career as a teacher, newspaper reporter and book editor. Norder is originally from Iowa but currently resides in Georgia, where he is a member of the Civil War Round Table of Atlanta. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) Academy Awardwinning actor Matthew McConaughey made an appearance at the White House Tuesday to call on Congress to reach a higher ground and pass gun control legislation in honor of the children and teachers killed in last months shooting rampage at an elementary school in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas. In a highly personal 22-minute speech, McConaughey exhorted a gridlocked Congress to pass gun reforms that can save lives without infringing on Second Amendment rights. McConaughey, a gun owner himself, used his star power to make an argument for legislation in a fashion that the Biden administration has not been able to muster, offering a clear connection to the small Texas town and vividly detailing the sheer loss of the 19 children and two teachers in the second worst mass school shooting in U.S. history. He specifically called on Congress to bolster background checks for gun purchases and raise the minimum age to purchase an AR-15-style rifle to 21 from 18. We want secure and safe schools and we want gun laws that wont make it so easy for the bad guys to get the damn guns, McConaughey said. McConaughey, who earlier this year considered a run for governor of Texas before taking a pass, met briefly in private with President Joe Biden before addressing the White House press corps from the James Brady briefing room. McConaughey has also met with key lawmakers this week, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee that handles gun legislation, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, and the panels ranking Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa. Also Tuesday, the son of Ruth Whitfield, an 86-year-old woman killed when a gunman opened fire in a racist attack on Black shoppers in Buffalo, New York, last month, called on Congress to act against the cancer of white supremacy and the nations epidemic of gun violence. Is there nothing that you personally are willing to do to stop the cancer of white supremacy and the domestic terrorism it inspires? Garnell Whitfield Jr. asked members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. McConaughey, who declined to take questions, spoke of his own connections to the town. He said his mother taught kindergarten less than a mile from Uvaldes Robb Elementary School, the site of the May 24 shooting. He also noted that Uvalde was the place where he was taught about responsibilities that come with gun ownership. Uvalde is where I was taught to revere the power and the capability of the tool that we call a gun, he said. McConaughey said he and his wife drove back to Uvalde on the day after the shooting and spent time with the families of some of the victims and others directly affected by the rampage. He said every parent he spoke to expressed that they want their childrens dreams to live on. They want to make their loss of life matter, McConaughey said. He related the personal stories of a number of the victims. He told the story of Maite Rodriguez, an aspiring marine biologist. McConaughey's wife, Camila, sitting nearby, held a pair of green Converse sneakers resembling those that the girl often wore. McConaughey said the sneakers "turned out to be the only clear evidence that could identify her after the shooting." He held up artwork from Alithia Ramirez, who dreamed of attending art school in Paris. And then there was Eliahna Ellie Garcia, who loved dancing and church and already knew how to drive tractors. Ellie was looking forward to reading a Bible verse at an upcoming church service when she was killed. McConaughey acknowledged that gun legislation would not end mass shootings but suggested that steps can be taken to lessen the chances of such tragedies happening so frequently. "We need to invest in mental healthcare. We need safer schools. We need to restrain sensationalized media coverage. We need to restore our family values. We need to restore our American values and we need responsible gun ownership, McConaughey said. Is this a cure-all? Hell no, but people are hurting." Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Farnoush Amiri contributed to this report. In a version of this story published June 7, 2022, The Associated Press quoted McConaughey saying his wife Camila was holding a pair of sneakers worn by a girl who died in the attack. The shoes were similar, but they were not the girls sneakers. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Chechen units, together with other military formations of Russia and the LPR, are conducting a massive offensive against the positions of Ukrainian nationalists. Using new tactics, they have become even more effective at destroying enemy vehicles and defensive positions. This is most clearly evidenced by the successes of the fighters under the leadership of my dear BROTHER, Hero of Russia, commander of subdivisions Zamid Chalaev. Its commanders Musa Akhmatov and Timur Ibriev are also distinguished by high combat effectiveness. Along with the destruction of enemy manpower, our fighters significantly replenish their ammunition through captured weapons. As practice shows, no matter how modern weapons nationalists and Bandera are equipped with, in the event of an offensive by our fighters, they immediately drop everything that prevents them from escaping from inevitable punishment. But punishment overtakes everyone. You wont get far! Kadyrov WtR WHY IN EUROPE ARE AFRAID TO TOUCH THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR? ALL BECAUSE THEY ALL FIGHTED AGAINST US. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THIS! The facts of history testify that in 1941 not only Germany attacked the USSR. The rest of Europe also attacked, with the exception of the Serbs and Greeks. They went to the USSR Spanish divisions and French legions, armies of Italy, Romania, Hungary, Finland, parts of Czechoslovakia, Croatia, etc. So, the Brest Fortress was stormed, Austrians, and Sevastopol Romanians and Italians. Even Albania sent the SS Skanderbey division to fight in the USSR. Romanians, Hungarians, Croats, Slovaks were eager to pinch off a piece of the USSR. Almost every second driver in Guderians tanks was Czech. And all of them atrocities more abruptly than the Germans. Hungarian punishers were not taken prisoner Soviet soldiers. Just like in the Civil War, when they already turned out to be monsters. Under Leningrad and Rzhev committed atrocities. Dutch SS division, Nord Land. Italians, Spaniards, sixty thousands of French volunteers from the SS division Charlemagne and security and punitive detachments, the Swiss, the Flemings, Walloons Denmark and Spain sent their soldiers even without a formal declaration of war Soviet Union! In other words, at the time of the attack, constantly replenishing the loss, there were about a million soldiers in Hitlers army countries-allies of Nazi Germany, members of todays NATO. This is without accounting for mishandled Cossacks or Khiva. Remains a historical fact. In 1943, the numerical superiority in manpower on the Soviet-German front was constantly on the side of the states of the fascist bloc! Together they fought against the USSR entirely formed from traitors, and more precisely from the traitors to the Motherland the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian divisions SS, SS division Galicia, Georgian, Turkestan legions, etc., in total more than 400 thousand collaborators, of which Ukrainian Khiv were 250 thousand. They were not considered prisoners of war, after being caught, submitted to a military tribunal. The national composition of prisoners of war in the USSR between 1941 and 1945 was: Germans 2,389,560 people, Japanese 639 635, Hungarians 513 767, Romanians 187 370, Austrians 156 682, Czechs and Slovaks 129,977, Poles 60 260, Italians 48 957, French 23,136, Dutch 14 729, Finns 2,377, Belgians 2,010, Luxembourgers 1,652, Danes 457, Spaniards 452, Norwegians 101, Swedes 72. At the end of World War II, up to one and a half million Europeans had been in Russian captivity (excluding Germans). THIS IS WHY, WE CELEBRATE VICTORY DAY MAY 9! AND THEY 8 MAY DAY OF RECONCILIATION AND MOURNING. They grieve over their non-victory in the enduring anger against us! WE HAVE DIFFERENT HOLIDAYS AND OCCASIONS. And we will never be friends, do not flatter yourself and do not step on the same rake again and again. I dont know who the author is, but our people are talented You are there under the arm of the war. We are here in the bosom of the world. Be patient, faithful sons, Make no mistake, commanders! While you were saving the Donbass, on tanks or with a machine gun here they lit boilers at the checkout and stormed ATMs. The war has opened our eyes, Who is ready to give to the Motherland: Someone feels sorry for Instagram Well, who cares about life. And the soldier that tears his back carrying boxes for the front, Russia loves and saves! Are you a pop cohort? Rushed urgently for the cordon, Saving dollars and villas. All your songs are empty talk! From now on, you are not nice to Russians! Someones formidable is closer to you, Miami, Latvian paradises. No, we are not a sinking ship But you ran away like rats! Russia will survive without you! And without ordinary people hardly. Soldier, hungry, will not betray! Well, you, well-fed, betrayed the country! And behind the back the expanse of Russia Expanses of rivers, forests, fields Descendants would not forgive us Treason to my Motherland!!! PASS IT FURTHER! SUPPORT RUSSIA! WtR According to the information from the Ukrainian POWs, nationalists prepare another sophisticated provocation aimed on accusing Russian units of launching indiscriminate strikes over important object of civilian infrastructure. In order to carry out this provocation the AFU units deployed an artillery battery in order to shell Zmejovskaya thermal power plant. In case of thermal power plant objects destruction people in Kharkov, Poltava and Sumy regions and hundreds of vital infrastructure objects will be left without electricity. In Avdeevka, Ukrainian nationalists mined containers with toxic substances at coke and chemicals plant (Industrialny prospect) and are going to blow them up in case of advance of Russian units and slow their assault with a poisonous cloud. The Ukrainian side plans to use this fact for accusation Russian Armed Forces in usage of chemical weapons. We warn the so-called civilized West as well as the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in advance that the above and other similar provocations about alleged Russian atrocities are soon to be widely spread by the Ukrainian authorities through the Western media and in various Internet resources. We stress once again that in carrying out the tasks of the special military operation, the Russian Armed Forces treat the civilian population with the utmost humanity and do not strike at civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian armed formations continue using critical industrial facilities for military purpose while cynically hiding behind the civilian population as a human shield: in Severodonetsk, Lugansk People`s Republic, AFU fighters keep by force hundreds of local residents in underground facilities of Azot chemical plant. Plant`s staff is also kept there. The nationalists also mined containers with chemically hazardous substances (nitric acid, ammonia, ammonium nitrate) and plan to blow them during retreat. in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Peoples Republic, AFU units have deployed artillery and MLRS on the territory of Konditsioner plant (Shkolnaya street). Local workers are being kept by force in industrial premises of the plant. in Druzhkovka, Donetsk Peoples Republic, Ukrainian nationalists have equipped firing positions and deployed heavy weapons on the territory of the gas equipment plant. Local residents are kept in basement rooms under the pretext of ensuring their safety. Such actions by Kiev once again demonstrate an inhuman attitude towards the fate of the Ukrainian citizens and show a complete disregard for all norms of morality and international humanitarian law. #MoD #Russia #Ukraine #HumanitarianResponse #HumanitarianAid @mod_russia_Enjoy WtR Briefing by Russian Defence Ministry Engineering units of the Russian Armed Forces have started clearing roads and forest areas of the Svyatye Gory National Park near Svyatogorsk, Yarovaya, Studenok and Sosnovoe of Donetsk Peoples Republic. Over the past 24 hours, 126 explosive devices of various types, including 54 anti-tank mines, planted by Ukrainian nationalists have been found and destroyed. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine. High-precision air-based missile strike near Novograd-Volynskyi, Zhytomir Region, has destroyed 1 AFU training centre where foreign mercenaries were being retrained and coordinated. In addition, high-precision air-based missiles have destroyed 2 command posts, 1 Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile system near Razdolovka in Donetsk Peoples Republic, 1 ammunition depot near Paraskovievka in Lugansk Peoples Republic, and 23 areas of AFU manpower and military equipment concentration. Operational-tactical and army aviation have hit 18 areas of AFU manpower and military equipment concentration. The attacks have resulted in the elimination of more than 200 nationalists, 5 tanks, 2 Grad multiple rocket launchers and 1 warehouse of missile and artillery weapons near Verkhnekamenskoe, Lugansk Peoples Republic. Russian air defence means have shot down Su-25 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force near Mazanovka, Donetsk Peoples Republic. Also, 13 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down near Slavnoe, Prechistovka, Kudryashovka, Epifanovka in Donetsk Peoples Republic, Varvarovka, Borovenki in Lugansk Peoples Republic, Tokmak in Zaporizhzhya Region, Petrovskoe, Suligovka in Kharkov Region, Snegirovka, Aleksandrovka and the Mogyla Kulich barrow in Kherson Region. In addition, 1 Ukrainian Tochka-U ballistic missile have been intercepted near Kirovo in Kherson Region, and 2 Smerch rockets have been shot down near Kamenka, Kharkov Region, and Panteleimonovka, Donetsk Peoples Republic. Missile troops and artillery have hit 56 command posts, 127 firing positions of AFU artillery, as well as 273 areas of manpower and military equipment concentration. The attacks have resulted in the elimination of more than 300 nationalists, 7 armoured vehicles, 2 Grad multiple rocket launchers, 12 field artillery guns and mortars, 24 special vehicles, 1 fuel storage facility for military equipment near Kobzartsy in Nikolaev Region, and 1 crossing of Seversky Donets River near Protopopovka. In total, 193 Ukrainian airplanes and 130 helicopters, 1,163 unmanned aerial vehicles, 336 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,471 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 493 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,834 field artillery and mortars, as well as 3,512 units of special military vehicles were destroyed during the operation. #MoD #Russia #Ukraine #Briefing @mod_russia_en WtR OTTAWA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced Wednesday that Canada is imposing new sanctions on Russian oil, gas and chemical industries. The minister said in a news release that these new measures are imposing a ban on the export of 28 services vital for the operation of the oil, gas and chemical industries, including technical, management, accounting and advertising services. The banning of the exportation of oil, gas and chemical services is targeting an industry that accounts for about 50 percent of Russia's federal budget revenues, she said. Since Feb. 24 this year, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,070 individuals and entities from and in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Weather Alert ...Warm and Windy Week with a Cool Weekend... Temperatures: Plan on a couple of hot days this week on Wednesday and Thursday. Heat Risk levels near Moderate levels with an increased risk of heat health impacts for those without effective cooling or hydration options. Western Nevada valleys will be in the mid 90s, and near 100 for central Nevada locations by Thursday afternoon. Winds: Strong, gusty winds will develop later this week as another system approaches the West. Widespread wind gusts 35 to 50 mph will be possible Thursday into Saturday. Spots along Highway 395 through Mono County and along Highway 95 near Walker Lake may see gusts 60+ mph. Plan on plenty of travel and recreation impacts from Thursday into Saturday, including but not limited to aviation turbulence, high profile vehicle restrictions, choppy lake conditions and areas of blowing dust. The windy and dry conditions may also produce localized critical fire weather conditions, particularly in the eastern Sierra. Be fire safe and smart and avoid activities that may spark a fire. We always want to avoid sparking a fire, but especially so on these during these windy days. Precipitation Chances: Saturday will be quite breezy, but cooler than midweek. The system pushing into the region brings the winds, the cooler temperatures, and chances for precipitation. If you have outdoor recreation plans, be sure to account for the possibility of some showers and possibly a thunderstorm or two. For now, the best chances for showers will be from the Tahoe basin northward into northeastern California and for areas along the Nevada-Oregon border. For areas south of Highway 50, the precipitation potential is looking scarce for now. Sylvia Abbeyquaye, the director of nursing at a 120-bed nursing home in Brookline, Massachusetts, tested positive for COVID-19 just a few weeks into the pandemic. The virus severely inflamed her lungs, landing her in the hospital with bilateral pneumonia. I didnt think I was going to get through it, she says. Her workplace, meanwhile, kept calling. When was she coming back? It was April 2020, when the virus was spreading and more workers were out sick. More residents were dying. After six weeks off, Abbeyquaye, 48, returned to help combat the chaos. But I never was the same again, she says. I was completely exhausted, burnt out and just down. ... I couldnt take it. She handed in her letter of resignation without another job lined up. I just left, says Abbeyquaye, who had worked in U.S. long-term care since emigrating from Ghana more than 20 years ago. I didnt know what the future was. The nations nursing home industry has shed roughly 235,000 jobs since March 2020, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Thats roughly 15 percent of the nursing home workforce, gone. The figure far outpaces the numbers lost in other health care sectors, which have also seen steep drops. The Decline of Employees in U.S. Nursing Homes AARP And its not because demand for workers has decreased. Every month since summer 2020 when the federal government began collecting COVID-19 data from nursing homes has seen more than a fifth of nursing homes nationwide without enough workers, according to an analysis by AARP. Shortages have been at their worst this year, peaking between mid-December and mid-January, during the omicron surge, when 39 percent of nursing homes reported a lack of nurses and/or aides. In Alaska, Minnesota and Washington, over 70 percent of facilities reported staffing shortages. 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Those issues were intensified by the pandemic, but theyre long-standing and deep-seated across the industry. The foundations were so weak, Abbeyquaye says. COVID was just the last straw. Some workers have shifted to other health care roles in hospitals or private homes. Many have become travel nurses, who typically work temporary assignments in various short-staffed facilities for higher pay. Others have left for higher wages at places like Amazon and McDonald's. Some had to take on caregiving responsibilities at home or have opted for early retirement. Many immigrant workers have returned to their home countries. And many, like Abbeyquaye, just quit. As staff flee, the health of nursing home residents has deteriorated, according to an analysis of federal data by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. It found that in addition to the thousands of COVID-19 deaths among residents now totaling some 170,000 bedsores, weight loss, depression and the use of antipsychotic medication all rose during the pandemic. The physical and mental health of workers is also deteriorating as they try to carry the excess load. A survey of nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care settings by national staffing agency Incredible Health found that roughly a third of nurses said they very likely will quit by the end of this year, primarily because of stress and burnout. The staffing crisis is forcing a growing number of nursing homes to halt admissions or close completely. A poll by LeadingAge, a national association representing nonprofit senior care providers, found that more than a third of its members are unable to admit new residents or serve new clients because of staffing challenges. And up to 40 percent of nursing home residents are living in facilities that are financially at risk of closure in 2022, according to Clifton Larson Allen, a wealth adviser for the long-term care industry. The rapidly growing population of older adults, meanwhile, is expected to drive demand for nursing home care even higher in years ahead. The number of adults age 85 and older is projected to reach 19 million in 2060, up from 6.5 million in 2016. Many people would say that crisis isnt a strong enough word to describe the shortages, said David Grabowski, a Harvard Medical School researcher who studies the economics of long-term care. With the pandemic, we have a crisis on top of a crisis. ... Someone has called the current situation a staffing apocalypse. Living beyond paycheck to paycheck U.S. nursing homes were difficult places to work even before COVID-19. Staff turnover was already astronomically high, says Ashvin Gandhi, a health economist at UCLA and coauthor of a national study that found the median annual turnover rate for nearly all U.S. nursing homes in 2017 and 2018 was 94 percent. To maintain a staff of 100 employees over a year, a facility would have to hire 94 new workers annually. Thats largely because certified nursing assistants (CNAs), who make up the largest group of nursing home employees, are among the lowest-paid workers in the health care industry, with a median annual income of roughly $30,000. Many are hired as independent contractors or part-time employees and dont qualify for paid time off or health insurance. They often juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet; most who arent are providing unpaid care for family members, a recent study found. A disproportionate number are female, Black and immigrants. CNAs provide around 90 percent of direct patient care in nursing homes: lifting, bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding. Before the pandemic, they were 3.5 times more likely to be injured on the job than the typical U.S. worker. Decades of chronic understaffing has meant unpredictable schedules, regular overtime and little support for training and professional development. Further Significant Gold Intersections at Mt Scheelite Brisbane, June 9, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tombola Gold Ltd ( ASX:TBA ) is pleased to announce positive results from the second two drill holes of a four-hole drilling program at the Mt Scheelite Target, within the highly prospective Golden Mile Complex in Cloncurry, Queensland.HIGHLIGHTS- The second two drill holes (of a four-hole program) at the Mt Scheelite Target, proximate to the flagship Mt Freda Gold Mine, have encountered strong gold mineralisation.- Key intersects include:o 6m @ 6.9 g/t Au from 47m; (MS22RC003)o 18m @ 5.1 g/t Au from 23m; (MS22RC004), including:o 6m @ 5.5 g/t Au from 23m; 3m @ 1.8 g/t Au from 30m & 5m @ 8.7 g/t Au from 36m- This is particularly encouraging as they follow on from the strong gold mineralisation intersected in the first two holes (refer ASX release of 16 May 2022 and Appendix 1* for full details):o 21m @ 3.27 g/t from 34m, including:o 4m @ 11.53 g/t from 34m (MS22RC001)o 19m @ 1.5 g/t Au from 51m, including:o 5m @3.35 g/t Au from 51m (MS22RC002)- These latest results further confirm the potential for the Mt Scheelite Target to contain significant near surface gold mineralisation proximate to the Company's flagship Mt Freda Gold Mine in Cloncurry, Qld.- Focus remains on fully financed near term gold production at the Mt Freda Gold Mine.Tombola Gold Managing Director, Byron Miles, commented:"The highly encouraging results from holes 003 and 004 at Mt Scheelite, following on from the significant intersections reported on the 16TH of May 2022, confirm our belief that Mt Scheelite can host a shallow, openpitable gold deposit to provide additional feed to the Mt Freda operations." Mr. Miles further added that "to follow up on these exciting results we will be mobilizing an additional drilling rig to the area next month to commence extensional and infill drilling at Mt Scheelite to expand the current known ore zone."Mt Scheelite Drilling ProgramAn initial four-hole drilling program commenced at the Mt Scheelite Target as part of a broader program across Tombola's Golden Mile Complex (refer to the Company's ASX releases of 21 April 2022 and 16 May 2022).Both drill holes encountered strong gold mineralisation within 50m of surface, interpreted within subvertically dipping quartz-sulphide veins. An additional four holes have been proposed along strike (RCH holes, shown in Figure 2*), and these will now be drilled as we look to mobilize an RC drill rig to site in the next month.The zone of mineralization as currently defined has a strike length of approximately 90m, having been drilled down to depths of 30-60m. It is open to the north, south and at depth, and these areas will be the focus of the next drilling program (Figure 2*).*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Tombola Gold Ltd Tombola Gold Ltd (ASX:TBA) is a company assembled by experienced, exceedingly well-qualified and all very well rounded team members that have previously floated exploration companies which achieved major resource discoveries and success. Between the Tombola team members, Tombola as a company have well over 100 years of accumulated experience in the mining, exploration and resource sector. Tombola principal objective is to acquire assets to explore for and develop a large IOGC or porphyry deposit funded by low-risk gold production resources. To that end, Tombola has a license covering 970 sq km prospective for gold/copper in the Mount Bryan-Red Banks-World's End area near Burra in South Australia; with strategic agreements with Queensland Mining Corporation. loading......... New York, June 9, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of The Ellis Martin Report we speak with Dr. Paul West-Sells, the President and CEO of Western Copper and Gold Corporation ( TSE:WRN ) ( NYSE:WRN ). Mr. Martin chats with Dr. West-Sells discussing the commencement of the exploration and drilling program at the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.The key exploration target for the Program will be a deep magnetotelluric ("MT") low-resistivity anomaly initially identified in 2009 by a Titan IP-MT survey, and better defined by data reprocessing in 2018 as depicted in Figure 1* below. The anomaly trends NE-SW, is approximately 1,300 m long and 500 m wide, and is expected to be encountered at approximately 800 m depth in the location shown in Figure 1*. An equally extensive induced polarization ("IP") anomaly lies above and northwest of this MT anomaly. Historical drill holes that penetrated that anomaly contained low-grade copper and gold values. A second deep drill hole, located approximately 175 m southwest, is contingent on the results of the first drill hole.The Casino Project hosts approximately 7.6 billion pounds of copper as well as 14.5 million ounces of gold, one of the largest projects of its kind held by a junior mining company.Major Mining Operator Rio Tinto Canada made a $25.6 million dollar strategic investment to advance the company's Casino Project in the Yukon. What are the implications of this investment?*To view tables and figures, please visit:To Listen to the Interview, please visit:About Western Copper and Gold Corporation Western Copper and Gold Corporation (NYSE:WRN) (TSE:WRN) is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world. The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal A former New Mexico State Police officer was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and cannabis in San Juan County in 2018. Daniel Capehart, 37, of Bloomfield, was convicted in July 2021 on three counts of distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine twice near a school or playground. Capehart will be on supervised release for eight years after serving his sentence. The investigation began in June 2018 when Capehart pulled over a 16-year-old girl and her friend in Farmington, according to court records. Capehart began texting the girl within hours and the family reported it to authorities. Authorities said a San Juan County Sheriffs detective pretended to be the girl and Capehart dropped off marijuana intended for the teen on two occasions. Capehart also proposed giving confiscated meth to another woman for sex. The FBI set up a sting where Capehart arrested an undercover agent with meth and then brought the drugs for the woman to a park in Bloomfield, according to court records. Capehart was arrested soon after. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office, the case was prosecuted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation. The release states the task force identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE New Mexico turned deep blue over the last decade as Democrats dominated races for U.S. Senate and the states presidential electors. But Republican Mark Ronchetti will have one bit of history on his side as he challenges Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this fall. Since 1990, the party in control of the White House has lost every governors race in New Mexico. Lujan Grisham herself crushed a Republican opponent in 2018 as Donald Trump held the presidency. Brian Sanderoff, president of Research & Polling Inc. in Albuquerque, said the mood of the nation suggests New Mexico is in for a much more competitive gubernatorial election this year. It just makes it more challenging for the Democratic incumbent during the campaign, Sanderoff said. The Democrats in no way, shape or form can take this race for granted. A handful of national rating sites, including the Cook Political Report and Politico Forecast, characterize the New Mexico governors race as leaning Democratic, a category that indicates a competitive race, but with one party having an edge. Gabriel Sanchez, a political science professor at the University of New Mexico, said he would describe Lujan Grisham as the favorite at this point. Both candidates will be well-funded, he said, but Lujan Grisham is starting with a $3.1 million war chest. Still, President Joe Biden is a bit of an anchor for her, Sanchez said. Ronchetti will certainly have some history on his side. Starting with Democrat Bruce Kings victory in 1990, New Mexicos governor race has moved opposite to the party in the White House every four years, a streak of eight elections. Before Lujan Grisham, for example, Republican Susana Martinez won election in the midterms of President Barack Obama, and Democrat Bill Richardson rung up victories under President George W. Bush. Tuesday blowout Ronchetti won the GOP nomination in a landslide Tuesday, outpacing his nearest opponent by 43 percentage points. He claimed 58% of the vote in a five-way race. The top race on the Democratic side was for attorney general. Albuquerque-based District Attorney Raul Torrez won the nomination. About 25% of eligible voters 261,912 people cast ballots in Tuesdays primary election. It was lighter turnout than in 2018, when 28% of voters participated. Ronchettis matchup with Lujan Grisham immediately drew national help from a group associated with the Republican Governors Association. The national group, Get Families Back to Work, launched a television ad blasting Lujan Grisham for giving pay raises to high-ranking staff members amid the pandemic. The Democratic Party of New Mexico issued its own attacks, linking Ronchetti to other Republicans on the statewide ticket. They described the GOP slate as dangerous and extremists. During his election night speech, Ronchetti warned his supporters to prepare for an onslaught of attack ads. We are going into this race with eyes wide open, he said. He also continued to rail against political insiders and elites, saying he would change New Mexicos trajectory if elected. Im a political outsider, and if you think Im apologizing for it, youre going to be waiting a long time, Ronchetti said. Lujan Grisham, by contrast, was unopposed in the Democratic primary and began the general election campaign by touting her record in public office, including legislative victories as governor on renewable energy standards, gun control measures and marijuana legalization. This election, she said in a statement, we face a choice between continuing that path forward or taking us back, between a leader who has committed their life to the state of New Mexico and someone who has admitted they dont know the challenges New Mexicans face, between someone with a track record of building consensus and delivering results and someone who has never run a business or served our state. Competitive With a Democrat in the White House, history suggests some headwinds facing Lujan Grisham. The contest could be closer, at least, than the 2018 race, when Lujan Grisham, then a congresswoman, defeated Republican Steve Pearce, also a member of Congress, by 14 percentage points. Ronchetti is going to make it competitive, Sanchez, the UNM professor, said. The last time the presidents party won New Mexicos governors race was in 1986. Republican Garrey Carruthers won 53% of the vote that year over Democrat Ray Powell as President Ronald Reagan was in the middle of his second term. But history isnt fate, of course. The quality of the candidates, their campaigns and their records will be factors in the governors race, experts say. This trend will not continue forever, Sanderoff said. It may very well get broken in this upcoming gubernatorial election. But this phenomenon influences outcomes in close races. Dan Boyd of the Journal Capitol Bureau contributed to this report. BAKHMUT, Ukraine Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraines side, in a punishment handed down by the countrys pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlins forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to take back historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. The separatist side argued that the three were mercenaries not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. They are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraines Russian-backed rebels. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko condemned the proceedings as legally invalid, saying, Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality. He said that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel and protected as such. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss pronounced the sentencing a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. Saadouns father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslins and Pinners families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops before Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April and Saadoun was captured in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Another British fighter taken prisoner by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraines side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. In other developments, Putin drew parallels between Peter the Greats founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russias ambitions. When the czar founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. He added: What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. Its impossible Do you understand? impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, the Russian leader said. In other developments, French President Emmanuel Macron told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France was ready to send more heavy weapons to Ukraine, according to Macrons office. French officials did not elaborate on the weaponry. The phone conversation came after Macron angered Ukrainian officials by saying world powers should not humiliate Putin. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army continued to push Russian forces back from Kharkiv, the countrys second-largest city, which lies to the north of the Donbas. The transmission of Ukrainian television was restored after a TV tower was shelled. Hitting television centers, destroying communication channels, leaving people isolated this is the tactic of the occupiers that they cannot do without, for openness and honesty also are weapons against all that the Russian state does, he said late Thursday in his evening address. On the battlefield: Fierce fighting dragged on in the city of Sievierodonetsk in a battle that could help determine the fate of the Donbas, Ukraines industrial heartland in the east. Moscow-backed separatists already held swaths of the Donbas before the invasion, and Russian troops have gained more. Residents of Kharkiv reported what appeared to be cruise missile strikes. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were immediately available. Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive to completely capture the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraines southeast, Ukrainian authorities said. Kyiv continues to hold the northern part of the region, including the city of Zaporizhzhia. Thirteen civilians were killed in Ukrainian shelling of the separatist-controlled city of Stakhanov in the Donbas, a pro-Russian separatist envoy said on social media. It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. Russia claimed it used missiles to strike a base west of the capital in the Zhytomyr region, where, it said, mercenaries were being trained. There was no immediate response from Ukrainian authorities. ___ Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. ___ This story was first published on June 9, 2022. It was updated on June 10, 2022 to correct the name of Britains foreign secretary. ___ Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine BAGHDAD, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi parliament's First Deputy Speaker Hakim al-Zamili threatened Thursday to impose a trade ban on Iran and Turkey if they continue to "limit the flow of rivers from their lands." "There is a real danger to the lives of citizens as a result of water scarcity, especially in central and southern Iraq," al-Zamili said at a press conference in Baghdad, which was attended by Minister of Water Resources Mahdi Rashid al-Hamdani. While accusing both Turkey and Iran of "cutting Iraq's share of water resources," Al-Hamdani said the two neighboring countries "did not adhere to international agreements on Iraq's water quota" and called on the two countries to resume negotiations, as Iraq suffers from significant water scarcity. "We may be forced in the parliament to enact a law criminalizing economic and commercial dealings with both Iran and Turkey," said al-Hamdani, stressing that Iraq will hold negotiations with the two countries because "the situation is dangerous." The annual trade exchange volume with Turkey amounts to 20 billion U.S. dollars, and with Iran 16 billion dollars. Iraq suffers from a drought crisis and water scarcity due to climate change and lack of rain, in addition to the allegedly cutting of rivers by its neighboring countries, which led to desertification and an increase in the number of dust storms that forced many farmers to abandon their agricultural lands. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal COVID-19 cases are rising dramatically throughout New Mexico, but several factors indicate this wave wont be as deadly as previous ones, state health officials said. New Mexico Department of Health officials on Wednesday held the first public COVID briefing in three months to address the trend, which is being driven by a subvariant of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The state reported 1,100 new cases on Wednesday and 13 new deaths, pushing the statewide toll to 7,862 since the onset of the pandemic. There were 140 people hospitalized with COVID throughout the state, including nine on ventilators. Additionally, the Health Departments weekly epidemiology reports dated Monday show there were 6,104 new cases and 102 hospital admissions for COVID in the previous week. That amounted to a 54% increase in cases and a 25% increase in hospitalizations from the week before, according to the reports. Dr. David Scrase, the acting health secretary, said those numbers dont tell the whole story. The advent of at-home testing means that only a fraction of cases the polymerase chain reaction tests taken mainly at health facilities are included in state data. Its likely the actual number of COVID cases in the community is about three to seven times higher than what is being reported, he said. But health officials said theres no reason to panic. And Scrase said no state government officials are even discussing a mask mandate or other restrictions. I dont think anybodys even talking about that anymore, not even considering it, because we have the tools we need to fight the pandemic, Scrase said. This isnt about infections. Its about serious disease. Its about hospitalizations. Its about deaths. Thats what we need to pay attention to. During previous surges, hospitals throughout the state were treating about 700 COVID patients at any given time, and the average daily death count reached above 40 during the winter of 2020. What were seeing with this wave is very different than what weve seen in the past, said Dr. Christine Ross, the state epidemiologist. Despite this rise in cases and (high) community transmission levels, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths remain comparatively low. Scrase said there are a variety of factors keeping hospitals from being overwhelmed despite high case counts. People have built up immunity through vaccines, booster shots and prior infections. Therapeutics, like the drug Paxlovid, are proving to be extremely effective at staving off serious disease. And the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 appears to be evolving to be less lethal, he said. I think were evolving toward a milder illness, Scrase said. If more people are getting COVID, and theyre not sick, and theyre not going to the hospital, thats actually a good thing. Despite those positive trends, breakthrough cases leading to serious illness are still happening. During a recent four-week period, there were 238 fully vaccinated people hospitalized with COVID and 11 vaccinated people died. During the same period, 161 unvaccinated people were hospitalized and eight of them died. Only about 20% of New Mexico adults are unvaccinated, so the data still shows COVID vaccines are highly effective, the health officials said. We are clearly in a very different pandemic, Ross said. BEIJING Thousands of coronavirus testing sites have popped up on sidewalks across Beijing and other Chinese cities in the latest development in the countrys zero-COVID strategy. Lines form every day, rain or shine, even where the spread of the virus has largely stopped. Some people need to go to work. Others want to shop. All are effectively compelled to get tested by a requirement to show a negative test result to enter office buildings, malls and other public places. Liu Lele, who works for a live-streaming company, has no problem getting tested regularly but said the daytime operating hours dont always fit his schedule. Sometimes I get held up at work, he said after finishing a test Thursday near Beijings historic Bell and Drum towers. I wish there were sites open 24 hours or not closing until 7 or 8 p.m. Regular testing of residents is becoming the new normal in many parts of China as the ruling Communist Party sticks steadfastly to a zero-COVID approach that is increasingly at odds with the rest of the world. Major cities have been told to set up testing stations within a 15-minute walk for all residents. Beijing and Shanghai alone have put up 10,000 or more each. Some are made up of folding tables and chairs under a temporary canopy. Others are enclosed square booths from which gloved workers reach out through openings to take a quick throat swab from the next person in line. Many cities including Beijing are requiring a negative test result within the last three days to enter a public place or take the bus or subway. Some have made it a week or 10 days. The tests are free, with the result reflected on the persons smartphone health app roughly 12 hours later. This is something we should do, said Beijing retiree Wang Shiyuan, who gets tested every three days in case he needs to go to the supermarket or take a bus. Only when everyone obeys the requirements can we reduce the risk of transmission. The move follows a recent outbreak in Shanghai that spread so widely that authorities locked down the entire city for two months to end it, trapping millions of people and dealing a blow to the national economy. China kept the virus largely at bay for a year and a half by locking down buildings and neighborhoods and quarantining infected people, but the rapidly spreading omicron variant proved more difficult to stop. More than 580 people died in Shanghai a large number in a country that had reported only a handful of deaths after an initial deadly outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020. Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission, said testing has become more important because omicron is both more contagious and is spread by people without symptoms. We must adhere to the strategy of expanding prevention centered on nucleic acid testing, so as to control the epidemic earlier and faster, she said Thursday at a news conference. A handful of new cases some linked to a nightlife quarter in Beijing and a hair salon in Shanghai prompted authorities to lock down areas in both cities Thursday. The cases followed an easing of restrictions on movement and the reopening of many retail businesses in the past week. Andy Chen, a senior analyst with the Trivium China consultancy, said the proliferation of testing sites is a reaction to the failure of existing measures to control omicron in Shanghai, though officials have not explicitly said so. Authorities have decided that early detection is needed to control omicron outbreaks without extreme measures that cause major economic disruption. The regular testing requirements are meant to improve the zero-COVID strategy, Chen said in an email. The end goal is to keep the virus under control while avoiding another Shanghai-like lockdown. Many other countries, their populations weary of pandemic restrictions and eager to move on, are betting that rising vaccination rates and the development of treatments for COVID-19 mean they can avoid lockdowns and other disruptive steps and live with the virus instead. Chinas leaders have repeatedly signaled that they believe the zero-COVID approach remains the right one for China, even as they try to boost a flagging economy with business tax refunds, easier credit and spending on infrastructure projects. Entry to the country remains restricted, with visas difficult to get and few international flights, making it costly and hard to get a seat. Anyone who does enter must quarantine in a hotel, usually for two weeks. Chinese generally cant leave the country unless it is for work or study. Most analysts expect the zero-COVID policies to remain in place at least until after a major Communist Party congress this fall at which leader Xi Jinping is expected to get a third five-year term. The party touted its approach as a success when COVID-19 was ravaging other countries, and it doesnt want a major outbreak in the run-up to its meeting. ___ Associated Press researcher Yu Bing and video producer Olivia Zhang in Beijing and researcher Si Chen in Shanghai contributed to this report. VIENNA Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday, warning this could deal a fatal blow to the tattered nuclear deal as Tehran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. The development comes a day after the International Atomic Energy Agencys board of governors censured Tehran for failing to provide credible information over manufactured nuclear material found at three undeclared sites in the country. It also follows months of deadlocked over stalled talks aimed at restoring the Islamic Republics 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions remain high across the wider Middle East over the accords collapse as U.S. sanctions and rising global food prices choke Irans ailing economy, putting further pressure on its government and its people. This, of course, poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there, warned Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEAs director-general. He added that if an agreement cannot be reached to restore the cameras in three to four weeks, this would be a fatal blow to Irans nuclear deal. Already, Grossi warned that without the cameras, Iran could make centrifuges and divert them to unknown locations. When we lose this, then its anybodys guess, he added. Iran did not immediately acknowledge it was removing the 27 cameras, though it earlier threatened it could take more punitive steps. State media aired footage Thursday of workers disconnecting two IAEA cameras from power. It is not acceptable that they show inappropriate behavior while Iran continues to cooperate, Behrouz Kamalvandi, an Iranian nuclear program spokesman, said Wednesday of the IAEA officials. Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi struck a much more combative tone Thursday while visiting the central city of Shahr-e Kord. Do you assume that we withdraw because of resolutions? he asked. In the name of God and in the name of the nation, Iran will not withdraw from its stance a single step. Grossi made the comments at a suddenly called news conference in Vienna, standing next to an example of the cameras installed across Iran. Iran will remove IAEA cameras from sites, including in Tehran, the underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, the facility in Isfahan and the Arak heavy water reactor in Khondab, he said. Forty-something IAEA cameras would remain active in Iran, Grossi said, though Tehran already has been withholding IAEA footage since February 2021 as a pressure tactic to restore the atomic accord. We are in a very tense situation with the negotiations on the revival of the (nuclear deal) at a low ebb, Grossi added. Now we are adding this to the picture; so, as you can see, its not a very nice one. On Wednesday, Iran said it shut off two devices that the IAEA uses to monitor enrichment at Natanz. Grossi acknowledged that Thursday, saying that among the devices being removed was the Online Enrichment Monitor and flowmeter. Those watch the enrichment of uranium gas through piping at enrichment facilities and allowed inspectors to remotely track its work. Meanwhile, the IAEA earlier Thursday said Iran informed the agency that it planned to install two new cascades of the IR-6 at Natanz. A cascade is a series of centrifuges hooked together to rapidly spin uranium gas to enrich it. An IR-6 centrifuge spins uranium 10 times faster than the first-generation centrifuges that Iran was once limited to under its nuclear deal with world powers. As of February, Iran already had been spinning a cascade of IR-6s at its underground facility at Fordo, according to the IAEA. Iran earlier said it planned to install one cascade of IR-6s at Natanz. The IAEA said it verified the ongoing installation of that cascade Monday, while the installing of the newly promised two other cascades had yet to begin. Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. Talks in Vienna about reviving the deal have been on a pause since March. Since the deals collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges and rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that America remains committed to a mutual return to the nuclear deal, but only if Iran drops its additional demands that are extraneous. That likely refers to Irans insistence its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard be delisted by the U.S. as a terror group. Nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enriched enough up to 60% purity a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90% to make one nuclear weapon should it decide to do so. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Building a nuclear bomb would still take Iran more time if it pursued a weapon, analysts say, though they warn Tehrans advances make the program more dangerous. Israel has threatened in the past that it would carry out a preemptive strike to stop Iran and already is suspected in a series of recent killings targeting Iranian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised Wednesdays IAEA board vote to censure Tehran as a significant decision that exposes Irans true face. The IAEA vote is a clear warning light to Iran: If Iran continues its activity, the leading countries must bring the matter back to the U.N. Security Council, said Bennett, who made an unannounced trip Thursday to the United Arab Emirates. The crisis risks escalating further, however. On Wednesday night, a drone exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in the northern Kurdish region, slightly wounding three people and damaging cars and a nearby restaurant, officials said. The Iraqi Kurdish regions directorate-general of counterterrorism alleged on Thursday that the Iran-backed militia Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, launched the drone. The militia later denied launching the drone attack. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. UVALDE, Texas As the small Texas city of Uvalde struggles to heal after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school, thoughts have also turned to ensuring its legacy as the centerpiece of the fight for equal education for Mexican Americans over half a century ago lives on. In 1970, there was a six-week student walkout in the district, after the school board decided not to renew the contract of George Garza, a popular Mexican American teacher at Robb Elementary School. Student demands included a bilingual curriculum and the hiring of more Mexican American teachers, but the school board refused to budge. A resulting class-action lawsuit alleging discrimination against Hispanic students resulted in the district being placed under a desegregation order in a case that took decades to resolve. Now, some Hispanic leaders in Uvalde worry that upward mobility through education here could be another victim of the May 24 shooting if students fear returning to school. I keep thinking about education, said Ronnie Garza, who is George Garzas son and a county commissioner who represents the area of Uvalde that includes Robb Elementary. I feel for the children. How are they going to feel on the first day of school? I keep thinking of the teachers. Are they going to want to come back to school? More than an hour passed from when the first police officers followed the 18-year-old gunman into the building and when he was killed, according to an official timeline. In the meantime, parents outside begged police to rush in and panicked children called 911 from inside. The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steven McCraw, has said that the school district police chief, Pete Arredondo, who was in charge of the multiagency response, made the wrong decision to not order officers to breach the classroom more quickly to confront and kill the gunman. Arredondo has not responded to repeated interview requests and questions from The Associated Press, but has defended the response. During a sometimes contentious news conference on Thursday, Uvalde school district officials said they wouldnt answer any questions about the investigation or personnel matters, even as parents have expressed concerns about safety. When Superintendent Hal Harrell was asked if he still trusts Arredondo, he said, thats personnel. Harrell said the district would be hiring more police officers in the fall, and that there are ongoing discussions about what will become of the site where the school is located. We will not be going back to that campus in any form or fashion, Harrell said. Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Lalo Diaz, who helped identify the bodies of those who were killed at the school that he himself attended, said tearing it down will be the right thing to do. Its going to be hard for anybody to go in there, Diaz said. In the aftermath of mass shootings at schools across the country, communities have struggled with what to do with the buildings. In Newtown, Connecticut, voters authorized the demolition of the Sandy Hook Elementary School building where 26 students and teachers were killed in 2012 and construction of a new school. In Colorado, Columbine High School, where 13 were killed in a 1999 attack, still stands. At the now-closed Robb Elementary campus, some of the pecan trees planted by George Garza still provide shade. Garza had also raised money for a basketball court and a running track at the school. Alfredo Rodriguez Santos was a 17-year-old high school student in Uvalde in 1970 when he decided to participate in the walk out. Santos said that the inequality in the city was something that had already been seeping into his consciousness. We sensed things were off, but we werent able to articulate them, said Santos, who had wondered why roads were better in one part of town than the other and why Mexican American students werent encouraged to go to college. We knew that something was wrong because a lot of kids were dropping out of school. Not a whole lot of kids were going to college, said Santos, who now lives in Austin and is publisher of bilingual newspapers. Monica Munoz Martinez, an associate professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin who grew up in Uvalde and attended Robb Elementary in the 1990s, said both of her parents participated in the walk out when they were in high school. Martinezs mom had to translate so her own Spanish-speaking mother could understand school meetings and assemblies that were only held in English. Thats one of her memories from Robb is sitting outside the door trying to listen through the crack to give an overview to her mother when she walked out of the meeting, Martinez said. Uvalde stands apart from other walk outs happening around that time, Martinez said, because the school board decided not to meet any of the demands from the parents and students. Leaders in Uvalde at that moment were sending the strong signal that the racial order that existed there, they were committed to maintaining, she said. In 1970, Genoveva Morales filed a class-action lawsuit against the school district alleging discrimination against Hispanic students. Eventually, a court found segregation still existed and the district was ordered to desegregate. A consent order was signed in 2008 and the lawsuit was finally resolved in 2017. Martinezs mother went on to work in the school district for 35 years, including as an administrator, and was a member of the school board when the junior high was named for Morales. The parents of some of those killed at Robb Elementary and injured students have been speaking out, including giving testimony this week to Congress as lawmakers work to strike a bipartisan agreement on gun safety measures. I hope that the voices of people from Uvalde who are calling for change, that that can be a catalyst to actually helping to save more lives, not just in Texas but across the country, Martinez said. ___ More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting ___ Stengle reported from Dallas. BATON ROUGE, La. The U.S. Justice Department is opening a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence that the agency has a pattern of looking the other way in the face of beatings of mostly Black men, including the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene. The federal pattern-or-practice probe announced Thursday followed an Associated Press investigation that found Greenes arrest was among at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. Dozens of current and former troopers said the beatings were countenanced by a culture of impunity, nepotism and, in some cases, outright racism. We find significant justification to open this investigation now. We received information of the repeated use of excessive force, often against people suspected of minor traffic offenses, who are already handcuffed or are not resisting, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Departments civil rights division. She added there were also reports of troopers targeting Black residents in traffic enforcement and using racial slurs and racially derogatory terms. The federal probe, the first such action against a statewide law enforcement agency in more than two decades, comes more than three years after white troopers were captured on long-withheld body-camera video beating, stunning and dragging Greene on a rural roadside near Monroe. Despite lengthy, ongoing federal and state criminal investigations into a death troopers initially blamed on a car crash, no one has been charged. APs reporting found troopers have made a habit of turning off or muting body cameras during pursuits. When footage is recorded, the agency has routinely refused to release it. And a recently retired supervisor who oversaw a particularly violent clique of troopers told internal investigators last year that it was his common practice to rubber-stamp officers use-of-force reports without ever reviewing body-camera video. In some cases, troopers omitted uses of force such as blows to the head from official reports, and in others troopers sought to justify their actions by claiming suspects were violent, resisting or escaping, all of which were contradicted by video footage. This systemic misconduct was blessed by top brass at the Louisiana State Police, said Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. She described a culture of violence, terror, and discrimination within the agency, calling Greenes death the tip of the iceberg. Clarke said the civil pattern-or-practice probe is aimed at driving needed reforms, if necessary by suing to implement a federal consent decree. She added that Gov. John Bel Edwards and the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, Lamar Davis, have pledged their cooperation. Davis, in an internal email obtained by AP, told troopers to hold your heads high and embrace the federal scrutiny. We have nothing to hide and can only benefit from learning, he wrote. Edwards issued a statement Thursday welcoming the investigation. It is deeply troubling that allegations of systemic misconduct exist that would warrant this type of investigation, he said, but it is absolutely critical that all Louisianans, especially African-Americans and other people of color, have their faith, confidence and trust in public safety officers restored. Black leaders have been urging the Justice Department for months to launch a broader investigation into potential racial profiling by the overwhelmingly white state police, similar to other probes opened over the past year in Minneapolis, Louisville and Phoenix. By its own tally, 67% of state police uses of force in recent years were against Black people, who make up 33% of the states population. The action comes as Edwards prepares to testify before a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers investigating Greenes death. AP reported last month that the Democratic governor and his lawyers privately watched video showing Greene taking his final breaths during his fatal arrest footage that didnt reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greenes May 10, 2019, death. Federal prosecutors also are still investigating whether police brass obstructed justice to protect troopers in the Greene case and whether they sought to conceal evidence of troopers beating other Black motorists. The head of the state police at the time of Greenes arrest, Kevin Reeves, has denied the death was covered up but current commanders have told lawmakers investigating the states response that it was. The agencys own use-of-force expert called what troopers did to Greene torture and murder. The AP also found that a former trooper implicated in three separate beatings, Jacob Brown, tallied 23 uses of force dating to 2015, 19 of which involved Black people. In one case that resulted in federal charges, Brown was seen on body-camera video beating Aaron Larry Bowman 18 times with a flashlight after deputies pulled him over for a traffic violation in 2019. State police didnt investigate the attack until 536 days later, and only did so after a lawsuit from Bowman, who was left with a gash to the head and a broken jaw, ribs and wrist. Finally!!! Bowmans attorney, Donecia Banks-Miley, said in a text message upon hearing of the pattern-or-practice probe. We still need transparency and accountability to help bring restoration to the pain that continues to occur with LSP and other law enforcement agencies. ___ Bleiberg reported from Uvalde, Texas. ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ SAN DIEGO A Navy helicopter crashed Thursday and everyone on board survived near the California desert site where a day earlier a Marine Osprey went down, killing all five people aboard, authorities said. Four people were aboard the Navy chopper, which went down around 6 p.m. on a training range while conducting a routine training flight from Naval Air Facility El Centro, according to the base. The helicopter is an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 based at Naval Air Station North Island. One crew member received an injury that was not life-threatening and was taken to a hospital, the base said. The crash site was originally described as being about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Yuma, Arizona. A day earlier, all five Marines on board a tiltrotor aircraft were killed when it crashed in the California desert near the Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday. The MV-22 Osprey went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Yuma, Arizona. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap, Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy. The statement said as a matter of policy, the Marine Corps would be contacting family members before identifying those who were killed. Efforts to recover equipment were underway and an investigation into the cause of the crash has started. No additional details were provided in the Marine Corps statement. The Marines were participating in a routine live-fire training over their gunnery range in the Imperial Valley desert, said Marine Maj. Mason Englehart, spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Osprey, a hybrid airplane and helicopter, flew in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but has been criticized by some as unsafe. It is designed to take off like a helicopter, rotate its propellers to a horizontal position and cruise like an airplane. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Prior to Wednesdays crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22 Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a hard landing in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. Its development was marked by deadly crashes, including an April 2000 accident in Arizona that killed 19 Marines. ___ Baldor reported from Washington. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Most New Mexico independent voters opted to stay unaffiliated and not sign up with a major political party in order to cast a ballot in this weeks primary election. But more than 2,000 registered independents did change their party affiliation in order to vote, under a new state law described as a baby step toward open primaries. Of the 2,111 independent voters who took advantage of the law, more than half 1,097 voters changed their party affiliation to Republican, according to data from the Secretary of States Office. A slightly smaller number of independents 949 voters changed their affiliation to Democratic, with the remaining 65 voters switching to Libertarian. The new law also allows minor party voters to change their party affiliation in order to cast a primary election ballot, but does not allow registered Democrats, Republicans or Libertarians to switch to a different major party after a deadline to do so. Sharon Pino, deputy secretary of state, said the new system worked well, despite some voter reports about trouble using the new law at polling places around New Mexico. With any new implementation, there will be some training issues and room for improvement, but, overall, the system worked well, including provisional process when there were issues, Pino said Thursday. Independents, or those who decline to state a party affiliation, typically skew younger and have been the fastest-growing segment of New Mexicos registered voter population in recent years. However, such voters had been ineligible to vote in New Mexicos closed primary election system until lawmakers approved a 2020 law change that took effect this year. In all, there were more than 304,000 registered independents statewide as of May 31 or roughly 22.6% of the states 1.3 million-plus registered voters. Its unclear how many of the 2,111 voters who changed their party affiliation to vote in the primary election might switch back to independent before the November general election. In addition, the ex-independents who changed their party affiliation in order to cast ballots were among 10,038 voters who used the states same-day voter registration option during this years primary election cycle. Of that total amount, 6,302 New Mexicans registered and cast their ballots on Election Day, according to the Secretary of States Office. New Mexico has been gradually phasing in same-day voter registration over some concerns from Republican lawmakers and this years primary election marked the first time it was available through Election Day in a statewide election. I think that alone showed the primary election was a huge success, said Mario Jimenez, an elections expert who works as campaign director for Common Cause New Mexico, a nonprofit group. These are 10,000 voters who, in the past, never would have participated. Jimenez predicted the number of voters participating in same-day voter registration would increase in coming years, but said more outreach and education will be necessary to alert New Mexicans to the option. This is definitely a step in the right direction, he said. While the number of independents who changed their party affiliation to vote in the Tuesday primary election did not likely impact any statewide races, it played at least a minor role in boosting overall turnout to 261,912 voters or 25.4% of those eligible to vote, according to unofficial results. Overall, registered Republicans voted at a slightly higher clip than did Democrats with 23.6% of Democrats voting compared to 28.2% of Republicans. That could, in part, be due to the fact that Republicans had a hotly contested primary race for governor that was won by Mark Ronchetti of Albuquerque. In contrast, Democrats had contested races for attorney general, auditor and treasurer but not for governor as incumbent Michelle Lujan Grisham ran unopposed. Ronchetti has said he opposes open primaries, while Lujan Grisham has, in the past, said she supports the concept in order to allow more voters to participate and to incentivize candidates to reach out to a broader swath of the electorate. WENN Celebrity In the court documents filed on Tuesday, June 7 in Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court, Chase Iron Eyes and his wife Sara Jumping Eagle call the actor 'manipulative' and 'controlling.' Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Ezra Miller has found themselves at the center of serious allegations. In new legal documents obtained by TMZ and PEOPLE, parents of a teenage girl accused the "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" star of grooming their daughter with "cult-like" behavior. In the court documents filed on Tuesday, June 7 in Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court, attorney and activist Chase Iron Eyes and his pediatrician wife Sara Jumping Eagle claimed that their daughter Takota Iron Eyes met Ezra back in 2016. At that time, she was just 12. Ezra allegedly "took an immediate and apparently innocent liking" to Tokata. The Flash depicter even offered to pay for Tokata to attend college at Bard College at Simon's Rock in Massachusetts through an organization that they were associated with. According to the parents, the actor "would later use this against Tokata to create a sense of indebtedness." Tokata herself seemingly dropped out of school in December. When her parents traveled to Ezra's home in Vermont the following month, they found their child without a driver's license, bank cards or keys. Once home, Tokata reportedly spent three weeks "detoxifying" before flying to New York City to reunite with Ezra. The two later traveled to to Los Angeles and Hawaii, where Ezra has gotten into legal trouble and arrests in recent months. Chase and Sara admitted that they're concerned for their daughter's safety and mental well-being because Ezra allegedly displays "cult-like and psychologically manipulative, controlling behavior." They additionally accused Ezra of using "violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions and drugs to hold sway over a young adolescent Tokata." While Ezra has yet to respond to the allegations, Takota came to their defense. "I dropped out of bard five months ago, my friend and comrade William passed shortly there after, my mind was incredibly impacted and I've needed space and time for the processing of grief. My comrade Ezra Miller for the entirety of the aforementioned era has only provided loving support and invaluable protection throughout this period of loss," she said in an Instagram post. "My father and his allegations hold no weight and are frankly transphobic and based in the notion that I am somehow incapable of coherent thought or opposing opinions to those of my own kindred worrying about my well being. I am now aware of the severity of emotional and psychological manipulation I was made to endure while in my parents home," she added. "I am an adult and I deserve to feel authority in my own body." Takota described her parents' legal action a "bout of blatant betrayal and toxicity" being used to "punish" her. She added, "Relationships in my life have been grossly effected, some detrimentally so. This behaviour is unacceptable and needs to be called out." WENN/Avalon Celebrity The incarcerated former movie producer is to be charged with two counts of indecent assault for an alleged offence that took place between July 31 and August 31, 1996. Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Harvey Weinstein is to be charged with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London in August 1996. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge the disgraced Hollywood producer following a review of evidence gathered by the police force. Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS special crime division, said, "Charges have been authorized against Harvey Weinstein, 70, following a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan police in its investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial." "The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider," Rosemary further elaborated. The police said the alleged victim is a woman who is now in her 50s. The alleged offence took place between July 31 and August 31, 1996, the force added. A Scotland Yard spokesman said, "Detectives have been authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Harvey Weinstein, aged 70, with two counts of indecent assault against one woman in August 1996." "The CPS' charging decision follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation," the representative continued dishing. "The Met Police has updated all those whose allegations formed part of this investigation." Police started investigating Weinstein, who is currently serving a 23-year jail sentence following his February 2020 conviction for sexual assault and rape, in 2017 after several women in the U.K. and U.S. accused him of harassment or assault, including Hollywood actresses Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Gwyneth Paltrow. Weinstein is awaiting trial in Los Angeles on other alleged sex crimes from 2004 to 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges, and has denied any non-consensual sexual encounters. He is not eligible for release from prison until November 9, 2039, at the earliest, when he will be 87 years old. Granted an honorary CBE in 2004 for his contribution to the British film industry in 2004, Weinstein was stripped of the honor in September 2020 by Queen Elizabeth following his conviction for rape and sexual assault. Instagram Music The Dave Grohl-fronted band announces plans to hold two concerts at London's Wembley Stadium and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles in September in honor of their late drummer. Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Foo Fighters have announced two tribute concerts for their late drummer Taylor Hawkins. To honor their "beloved bandmate," who tragically passed away at the age of 50 in March, the rock band will play at London's Wembley Stadium on September 3 and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on September 27. The tribute concerts have been organized by Taylor's family together with his bandmates Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee. The "Best of You" band said they would be teaming up with artists who inspired and were inspired by the late musician, "playing the songs that he fell in love with, and the ones he brought to life." Full details of the line-up will be announced. Taylor was found dead in his hotel room in Colombia this March. No cause of death was announced but a toxicology report showed traces of 10 different substances in his body, including opioids, marijuana and anti-depressants. Hawkins' wife Alison also released a statement thanking fans for their support following her husband's passing. She wrote on social media, "Your kindness has been an invaluable comfort for my family and me during this time of unimaginable grief." "As Taylor's wife, and on behalf of our children, I want to share how much you meant to him and how dedicated he was to 'knocking your socks off' during every performance," she added. "Taylor was honored to be a part of the Foo Fighters and valued his dream role in the band every minute of his 25 years with them. We consider every band member and the extended Foo Fighters team our family." "Taylor's endearing spirit and deep love of music will live on forever through the collaborations he so enjoyed having with other musicians and the catalogue of songs he contributed to and created," she continued. "In celebration of his life, it is now up to all of us who loved him most to honour Taylor's legacy and the music he gave us." South China island explores green fishery for sea protection Xinhua) 09:21, June 09, 2022 Aerial photo taken on June 1, 2022 shows a view of Fengjiawan Modern Fishery Industrial Park under construction in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) HAIKOU, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Zeng Guangneng, a fish farmer in Wenchang, a city in south China's island province of Hainan, has experienced several major life changes. His grandfather was a sea fisherman, his father bred fish on the shore, and now he moved fish ponds into a building. In a new, two-story breeding demonstration building of Fengjiawan Modern Fishery Industrial Park in Wenchang, Zeng carefully checked the growth of fish fry in the aquaculture ponds. As one of the first groups of fish farmers in the park, Zeng moved in there in May last year and has benefited from the modern way of breeding aquatics. The building adopts multi-story breeding modes to increase the space for ponds. During the first three-year trial period, the park also exempted these fish farmers from fees, including rent and water supply costs. From April to May this year, Zeng sold over 250,000 high-end fish fry with a total income of about 1.5 million yuan (about 225,000 U.S. dollars). "Compared with the traditional greenhouse breeding mode, temperature and light are controlled here. It is also easier to monitor diseases. It is conducive to cultivating high-end fry varieties," said Zeng. Fengjiawan Bay used to be a famous base for shrimp seedlings in China in the late 1980s. However, a long-term, extensive fish culture that involved uncontrolled tailwater discharge had caused pollution on the beach. In 2016, nearly 1,000 households of aquaculture farmers lived along the Fengjiawan Bay coastline, and the dense pipelines and widespread fish ponds looked like scars when seen from the sky. Last year, the local government relocated 195 households of fish farmers at Fengjiawan Bay to restore the environment. Instead, they planted mangroves there. In 2020, the local government began to build the modern fishery industrial park at Fengjiawan Bay area, explored the multi-layer breeding model, and promoted the green transformation of the fishery industry. Liu Wenlong, a park official, said to solve pollution, the park collects the aquaculture tailwater together and treats it with modern technology, and then discharges the treated tailwater after it reaches the required standard, which means it will not pollute the seawater. So far, eight farmer households, including Zeng's, have moved into the park, which covers nearly 467 hectares. "My family has lived here for generations. We used to do well in aquaculture, but over the past five or six years, farm numbers have greatly increased. The water quality has become poor due to the need for water and drainage. So it's challenging to succeed," said Zeng, adding that the government has centralized water taking and drainage in the park to solve the problem. According to Zeng, they used to breed fish in plastic greenhouses by the seaside, and a typhoon could wipe out everything they had earned. "The conditions here are good, and a typhoon will have little impact on the building," said Zeng, noting it has mitigated the risks and helped increase the output. The park has also attracted 14 breeding enterprises and two research institutions. Favoring the excellent water quality in Fengjiawan Bay and the high-standard environmental protection facilities in the new park, Bohai Aquatic Breeding (Hainan) Co., Ltd. plans to build an aquatic breeding base covering 6.4 hectares with a total investment of 150 million yuan. "The breeding environment and conditions became controllable in the park. Shrimp seedling survival rates and quality have significantly improved compared to the traditional breeding mode," said Hu Zhongjie, administrative director of Bohai Aquatic Breeding (Hainan) Co., Ltd. Hu added that the annual output of shrimps would reach 200,000 pairs, with an estimated annual output value of 228 million yuan on completion of the whole project. The park will gradually become a national high-tech industrial park, driving the transformation and upgrading of Hainan's fishery, said Liu, the park official. Photo taken on May 31, 2022 shows a breeding area for shrimp seedlings in Fengjiawan Modern Fishery Industrial Park in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) Zeng Guangneng, a fish farmer, feeds fish fry in a breeding demonstration building of Fengjiawan Modern Fishery Industrial Park in Wenchang, south China's Hainan Province, June 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) NAIROBI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Sub-Saharan African countries are committed to the speedy transition from fossil fuels to green energy in their quest to promote the resilience of cities bearing the brunt of climate emergencies, senior officials said Thursday. The officials who spoke at a forum held in a hybrid format in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, stressed that greater adoption of renewable energy in the rapidly growing cities will be key to generating jobs and strengthening the response to climate change. Monica Juma, Kenya's cabinet secretary for Energy, said that a new green energy agenda for African cities was imperative, to help them cope with the unfolding climate crisis. "Sustainable urban energy solutions will unleash inclusive growth, generate new jobs, promote social inclusion and greater ecological protection in the continent," said Juma. Convened by the Nairobi-based green lobby, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and Chatham House, a London-based policy think-tank, the one-day forum aimed to explore innovative ways to realize a just, green, and resilient transition for African cities. Nnena Lily Nwabufo, the Director-General, East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office at African Development Bank (AfDB), said that multilateral lenders have prioritized financing of green projects in the continent, to hasten low-carbon and resilient growth. According to Nnena, investments in climate resilient infrastructure projects like roads, power grids, water, sanitation, and housing, have ensured that African cities are able to withstand shocks like floods, heatwaves, and rising sea-water levels. Nwabufo said the Pan African lender has set aside special funds that municipal authorities in the continent can tap into and implement green projects that generate jobs besides strengthening the protection of natural habitats. She added that the Nairobi forum under the theme, "Towards just transition in Africa: Green financing for urban energy solutions and job creation", will inject vitality into efforts to renew African cities through green mobility, clean lighting, and cooking alongside circularity. Philip Kilonzo, the Head of Policy, Advocacy, and Communication at PACJA said that new policy and legislative tools should be enacted to support the creation of green and resilient urban centers across the Sub-Saharan African region. Investing in sustainable energy systems, low carbon mobility, and waste management should inform efforts to promote the resilience of African cities in the face of climatic shocks, said Kilonzo. Grace Kibuthu-Ogola, a financial sector specialist at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector lending arm of the World Bank, said that structured green investments are required to strengthen climate mitigation and adaptation for African cities. Instagram Celebrity Breaking her silence after her estranged parents were found guilty on 12 counts of tax evasion and bank fraud, the former 'Chrisley Knows Best' star asks for prayers during 'this difficult time.' Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Lindsie Chrisley has broken her silence after her estranged parents Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. In her statement, the former star of "Chrisley Knows Best" said that she's "deeply saddened" by the verdict. Taking to Instagram Story on Wednesday, June 8, the 32-year-old wrote, "I know most of you are expecting to hear from me on my podcasts this week as I took time to be with my family last week." She went on explaining that "the verdict is not what [she] had hoped or prayed for" and that she's "deeply saddened for [herself], [her] son and [her] family as a whole." Lindsie then asked for prayers, as writing, "Please pray for us during this difficult time and know that I will be back when the time is right." The "Coffee Convos" podcast co-host concluded her post by thanking her followers for their "continued love and support." Lindsie Chrisley issued a statement after her estranged parents Todd and Julie were found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. Todd and Julie received the guilty verdict on Tuesday, June 7. The couple was found guilty on all 12 counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Their former accountant Peter Tarantino was also found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns. Todd and Julie could spend up to 30 years behind bars, according to Insider. They will be sentenced at a later time. Following the guilty verdict, their lawyer Bruce Morris said in a statement that they're "disappointed in the verdict." The attorney further explained that "an appeal is planned." The federal trial against Todd and Julie began on May 16 in Atlanta, where the couple lived for several years before moving to Nashville. The proceedings came after the Chrisleys were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2019 for 12 counts of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy, all of which they denied. Radar reported on Wednesday that Todd and Julie are confined to home detention following the verdict. According to the legal documents, the couple is restricted to their residence "at all times" except for instances involving the following, "employment, education, religious service, medical, substance abuse, or mental health treatment, attorney visits, court appearances, court-ordered obligations, or other activities as pre-approved by the Court or probation officer until further notice of the Court." The documents then made it clear that the duo must also abide by the Location Monitoring Program, including the "use of electronic monitoring equipment or other location verification system." The legal paperwork further stated that Todd and Julie's probation officer will monitor the "restrictions on your movement in the community as well as other conditions of release." The convicted fraudsters are also ordered to "pay all or part of the costs of the program based upon [their] ability to pay as determined by the probation officer." They must alert their probation officer on "any spending over $1,000" as well. Instagram Celebrity After 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' host's 2007 comments resurfaced, the 'Toxic' hitmaker calls her out in a social media post, noting that she doesn't 'forget' about it. Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Britney Spears has called out fellow pop star Kelly Clarkson. The "...Baby One More Time" songstress blasted "The Kelly Clarkson Show" host over resurfaced comments about her "screwing with everyone" in a new social media post. On Wednesday, June 8, the "Oops!...I Did It Again" hitmaker posted a clip of her posing in front of a camera while wearing a green corset dress. In the caption, she wrote, " 'I don't forget' don't you just wish she would say she's kidding ??? Clarkson in a world where bullying has been heartbreaking, I've had my share." "Can we get an AWW ???" Britney continued, adding a trio of writing hand emojis. The 40-year-old pop star then quipped, "Psss I'm not kidding play on friends, play on !!!" Britney's social media post came 15 years after Kelly made the comments in 2007. At the time, Britney was going through the biggest public breakdown in her career as she navigated a divorce from Kevin Federline and released her critically acclaimed album "Blackout" while the "American Idol" winner was promoting her studio album "My December". During a promo of her album on station Q100, Kelly, who was 25 years old at the time, shared her opinions about Britney. "Man, but wouldn't it be funny if she's just totally screwing with everyone?" she said. The male host, who wasn't so sure, replied, "I think some celebrities are smart enough, that are capable of doing that." As he was seemingly about to claim he didn't think Britney was "smart enough" to do that, Kelly responded, "Cause it'd be real funny if she were like, 'Just kidding!' " Explaining her stance further, Kelly went on saying, "I mean, think about it. She's done no press for her album, which I love by the way." The "Because of You" hitmaker added, "She's done no press, just gets so much press off all this other stuff." Instagram Celebrity The 'Guardians of the Galaxy' star and his wife celebrate the third year of their marriage by sharing heartfelt messages and praises for each other on their social media accounts. Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger are not shy in flaunting their love and admiration for each other publicly. On their third wedding anniversary, the Hollywood couple commemorated the momentous occasion by sharing via their respective social media accounts a heartfelt message and praises for one another. "Happy anniversary my love angel face," Katherine wrote her dedication to Chris in an Instagram post she uploaded on Wednesday, June 8. "I love you more every day and feel so lucky to live life with you. Thanks for being the best husband, partner, and father ever." The eldest daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger went on to rave over her husband. "You make me laugh, feel so loved and supported, you fix everything, you're the best postpartum caretaker -making me soups every night - and to watch you love me and our family is the greatest joy," she noted. "Happy anniversary!" In the same post, Katherine also uploaded a couple of her photos with Chris from their wedding day. The wife of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" star can be seen laughing and smiling joyfully along with her husband as they posed together in the monochrome snaps. On that same day, Chris also made an update on his own Instagram account. "Happy Anniversary to my strong, gorgeous, smart, lovely, organized, tough, kind, compassionate, wife," the "Avengers: Endgame" star showered his wife with praises. Chris then continued to tell his followers about his gratefulness. "I'm a lucky man. God is so good. The kids and I are so grateful to have you. You do so much to better our lives," the 42-year-old actor added in the caption of his post. Alongside the heartfelt message, the "Jurassic World: Dominion" star uploaded a series of photos of Katherine. Some of the pictures saw her posing along with him, their children, as well as some rabbits. At the end of his lengthy caption, Chris did not forget to leave a sweet message for his wife, "Thank you. I love you. We love you!" Aside from the sweet messages, Chris and Katherine, who got married in 2019, also commemorated their third anniversary with a coffee date together. Their anniversary came just weeks after the pair welcomed their baby girl Eloise Christina. Celebrity In addition, the disgraced former reality star will be prohibited from having contact with minors including his own children after receiving his 151-month jail sentence. Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Josh Duggar seemingly will face money problems after his release from jail. The former star of "19 Kids and Counting" has been ordered by the court to pay a $50,000 fine after he finishes his 12-year prison sentence despite not having the ability to pay it. According to court documents obtained by Radar, the disgraced former TV personality will have to come up with $50,100 to pay fines associated with his criminal case. The court made the decision despite finding that he could not pay interest. The order said if Josh does not pay the fine immediately, any unpaid balance shall be paid by him during "his term of imprisonment at a rate of up to 50% of [his] available funds." During his re-entry placement, he will also have to pay 10% of his gross monthly income until the debt is satisfied. Once he's released on supervised release, he will have to pay $500 per month or 15% of his net monthly household income. Josh will be prohibited from having contact with minors including his own children as well. The "Counting On" alum has been ordered not to possess or use any computer with access to the internet without approval from his probation officer. His P.O. will have to sign off on any work-related computer usage. The document further stated that Josh will not be allowed to have a medical marijuana card or view any kind of pornography, including adult. The order added that he has to submit to random polygraph tests and participate in a sex offense-specific treatment program. Back in December 2021, Josh, who previously entered a not guilty plea, was found guilty on two counts related to possessing child pornography. Federal agents said they found a trove of disgusting photos and videos of children being abused on his work computer. Then in late May, Josh was sentenced to more than 12 years in jail. During the hearing, which took place on May 25 after being delayed since April 5, Arkansas Judge Timothy L. Brooks called his crimes "the sickest of the sick." WENN/FayesVision Celebrity The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star needs assistance when leaving The Grand Hotel Birmingham in England, one day after celebrating his defamation case victory over Amber Heard with a curry feast. Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - Johnny Depp may have gotten carried away in his joy over his victory in the defamation case against Amber Heard. The actor has been caught looking worse for wear when leaving his hotel in the U.K., days after his ex was found guilty of defaming him. In photos which have circulated on the web, the awards-winning actor looked disheveled as he needed some assistance when leaving The Grand Hotel Birmingham in England on Monday, June 6. The 59-year-old was escorted out by one of his bodyguards. Sporting an eye-catching black and white checked blazer with a scarf around his neck, the "Alice in Wonderland" star had messy hair. He completed the look with black jeans, black shoes, aviator-style sunglasses as he accessorized with some rings. Johnny carried a white mug, which seemed to be empty, as one man held onto his right arm and another stood close behind him while he made his way out of the hotel. He was greeted by an army of fans who were waiting outside the hotel and he made sure to return the love by waving to them. Johnny Depp looked disheveled as he's escorted out of The Grand Hotel Birmingham. Johnny has been mobbed by his fans everywhere he goes following the well-publicized trial. A source tells Page Six his security team was keeping him safe and away from the "large crowds." The so-called insider adds, "Everywhere he goes, he's getting mobbed by fans." One day before leaving the hotel, Johnny celebrated his victory in the defamation case with a curry feast. He reportedly spent up to 50,000 ($62,000) the Varanasi in Birmingham on Sunday night during a dinner with his musician friend Jeff Beck and around 20 guests. The group banqueted on specially prepared Indian food along with cocktails and Rose Champagne. The restaurant was closed to other diners as the party was served food including starters of shish kebabs, chicken tikka and tandoori king prawns. The main course was butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, lamb karahi and king prawn bhuna, with sides of nan bread, rice and salad. HBO Max TV The actor, who plays the cutthroat potty mouth billionaire Logan Roy on the HBO drama, shares that people ask him to say his character's rude catchphrase at them all the time. Jun 9, 2022 AceShowbiz - [cBrian Cox] hates telling "[tSuccession]" fans to f**k off." According to the "[mTroy]" star, who portrays the cutthroat potty mouth billionaire Logan Roy on the HBO drama, people often ask him to say his character's rude catchphrase at them all the time. Of the request, he admits it's "not the easiest thing to say to people." During an Emmy Roundtable with the Hollywood Reporter, the 76-year-old actor revealed, "My thing is people ask me to tell them to f**k off all the time. Well, it's not the easiest thing to say to people." "I mean, it started when I was playing LBJ in one of those theatres in New York, I came out one night and there was this young couple, very sweet, about 17, and they had a video and they said, 'Could you tell us to f**k off, please?' I mean, it's unbelievable," he explained. He later recalled a time he found the demand to do an impression of the Waystar Royco boss a little inappropriate, such as the an event promoting the New Yorker investigative journalist Ronan Farrow's book exploring Hollywood's culture of sexual assault. "But the worst was here in LA when I went to a meeting for Ronan Farrow, a #MeToo thing. He was launching the book and all these Hollywood women were there and it was very intense," he shared. "And I was standing at the back and then [the women] all turned around and saw me and they [pointed a] camera and said, 'Can you tell us to f*** off?; I was like, 'This is a #MeToo meeting, is this really proper to be asking me to tell you to f**k off? And does that mean that I get cancelled?' " Singapore-based Ad-tech Platform and Solutions company, Applabs today announced its expansion plan in India and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, appointing Sanjeev Bankira as Country Head. Sanjeev will be spearheading the companys operations in both countries and will be responsible for the strategic growth of Applabs in the regions. He will be responsible for strengthening the local team, creating partnerships and new business opportunities while establishing strong client relationships. With 12+ years of work experience, Sanjeev worked as Head, Growth Marketing, Monetisation and Partnerships in his last role with Fork Media Group. He has successfully handled a number of impactful marketing campaigns on Fork Medias content platforms - CurlyTales, Mashable IN and IGN IN for well-known brands such as Samsung, Accenture, Yamaha Audio, Moj, Airtel along with multiple tourism boards across the world. Expressing his excitement, Mr. Sanjeev Bankira, said, I am thrilled to join one of the fastest growing digital marketing solution firms which is now operational in India and the MENA. As both regions are rapidly growing markets for digital marketing, brands are increasingly adopting various new technologies, be it AI, ML, programmatic or involvement in crypto, metaverse, etc to compete with their counterparts. Seeing the companys performance in Singapore, I am sure that Applabs will repeat its success story in these two countries as well. I look forward to working and contributing to Applabs growth and in establishing the company among the top adtech platforms in the region. Applabs has been providing new-age tech-based marketing solutions to brands worldwide and helping them achieve their business goals by connecting them to the right audience through programmatic channels. It offers a fully transparent platform that supports companies and brands to understand performance across all the stages of the customer journey. Therefore, seeing the huge untapped potential in the market, Applabs strategically decided to expand its footprint in Dubai to explore new clients in the sectors like eCommerce, social media and networking apps, OTTs, airlines, BFSI and automobiles in the MENA region. After Dubai, the company has plans to set up more offices in multiple countries in the MENA region. Meesho, Indias fastest growing internet commerce platform, recently hosted a Maha Indian Savings Sale on June 5. The company recorded 5.35 million orders during the one-day sale event. From 1 million orders on June 6, 2021 to 5.35 million orders on June 5, 2022 - the e-commerce platform has seen stellar growth inspite of prevailing macroeconomic conditions. Nearly 1 lakh sellers participated in the recent sale. Around 75% of the participating sellers are from tier 2+ regions including deeper corners of India such as Bathinda, Haldwani, Solapur and Tirunelveli among others. Participating sellers witnessed ~217% increase in orders during the sale event compared to business-as-usual (BAU). Over ~26,000 new sellers have participated in the sale event. Be it industry-first initiatives, improved operational efficiency or providing tools & solutions, the company has implemented several initiatives to drive this impact. Click here to attend IMAGEXX 2022 According to Utkrishta Kumar, CXO, Business at Meesho, The recently concluded Maha Indian Savings Sale witnessed a phenomenal response from both customers and sellers. Despite rising inflation and macroeconomic conditions, we hit an all-new record of 5.35 million orders during the one-day sale event, serving over ~20,000+ pincodes. In the last 6 months, we have witnessed a ~3.75X jump in seller participation in sale events. We will continue to fuel the discoverability of hyperlocal businesses and products, make e-commerce accessible to customers from all corners of the country, and innovate to become the preferred e-commerce destination for the next billion users in the country. Making e-commerce accessible to customers from all corners of the country, nearly 78% of the demand came from tier 2+ markets like Bhilal, Guntur, Hubli, Kollam, Meerut and Port Blair. Top categories to witness the highest growth during the sale were Apparel, Kidswear, Consumer Electronics and Home Decor. Meeshos app downloads surged nearly 5X YoY to over 102 million in Q4 FY22. We are building a single shopping destination for the next billion consumers in India. With 44 million active product listings, Meesho is the lowest-price destination catering to Indias value-conscious market. Mswipe Technologies, one of Indias leading digital payment platforms for merchants has announced key senior executive appointments to bolster their business and digital partnership teams this week. Rohit Agrawal, the Chief Executive Officer of MCapital has been appointed as the Chief Finance Officer for Mswipe Technologies in addition to his current role. MCapital is the lending arm and a fully owned subsidiary of Mswipe Technologies and provide unsecured loans to merchants. He will spearhead the expansion of their core payments business by building a merchant financing and small loans vertical through Mcapital. Rohit will focus on the creation of new credit products for small and medium enterprises and accelerate the existing business of providing small merchants with quick and easy access to formal credit. A chartered accountant by profession, he brings to the table a robust experience of 16 years in corporate banking and specializes in e-commerce and new-age business. Before joining MCapital, Rohit was associated with Kotak Mahindra Bank. Nayantara Bhargava is the head of the banking and digital partnership. In her current role, she will focus on strengthening relationships with banks and brands and provide them with payment solutions for merchants, enabling the expansion of the payment digital footprint across the country. She comes in with a rich experience in driving alliances and has contributed to the revenue and growth of financial products in the industry. Prior to this, Nayantara was with CASHe and has also worked with Kotak Mahindra Bank in the wholesale banking division. At Kotak, she was responsible for growth and partnerships for treasury and trade structured products. Along with this, they have announced the appointment of Harita Desai Jani as the head of marketing. Harita brings over 17 years of versatile experience in branding, marketing, and communications across a range of products and segments in the B2C and B2B space. She will be responsible for driving marketing campaigns to accelerate the pace of customer acquisition, engagement and growth. She will also look into developing a unique brand identity, driving marketing outreach programs and boosting creative output for the business. Kick-starting her career in advertising, Harita moved to HBSC, followed by 14 years at Kotak Mahindra Bank. In her previous role, she was responsible for enhancing visibility and brand influence effectively through advertising, digital marketing and brand alliances. Sachin B Shettigar has been appointed as the Chief Risk Officer for Mswipe Technologies Pvt. Ltd. He will be looking into the risk and compliance adherence at the time of merchant boarding and transaction monitoring. He along with that will also be looking into payments, settlement and dispute handling which will be critical for merchant satisfaction and also ensuring that there are zero liabilities for the company from financial as well as regulatory aspect including law enforcement matters. He has a robust experience of over 20 years in digital payments and banking. He specializes in both acquiring and issuing business of digital payments from an overall backend operations perspective apart from him being a branch manager in Axis bank for a good number of years. Before joining Mswipe, Sachin was working for 15 years in Axis bank and was part of the journey of it being UTI bank to Axis bank and was involved in practically every new digital payment product/service launched by the bank during that period. Yogesh Verma is appointed as the Chief Business Officer at MCapital, the lending arm of Mswipe Technologies, a fully-owned subsidiary. His goal is to scale lending business by engaging with more like-minded merchant partners and go more granular while expanding the existing business. Prior to this, Yogesh was heading MQR, BNPL & distribution channel business for Mswipe Technologies. He brings in 17 years of expertise in digital banking, payment products, Issuance, Acquiring, Transaction Banking and e-commerce businesses. In the past, he has co-founded Payso fintech which was acquihired by Mswipe and has been associated with Standard Chartered Bank, HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Ketan Patel, CEO at Mswipe Technologies said Mswipe's leadership announcement is a strategic step to build our company's transformational journey. Our aim is to enable digitisation of merchants across India in this dynamic digital payment space and ensure we can support their fast-changing needs. The objective is to create a more agile team that is focused on strategic initiatives, customer obsession, innovation and growth. Also, with the introduction of Nayantara and Harita in the leadership team, we are moving towards the commitment of achieving gender equality in our workforce. This will add to diverse mindsets coming together to achieve the ultimate goal. A donation ceremony for the Mcedo Beijing School is held in Nairobi, Kenya, June 9, 2022. (Photo by Ronald/Xinhua) NAIROBI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) on Thursday donated an assort of equipment to the Mcedo Beijing School located in the sprawling Mathare slums of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Liu Chenghui, Chairman of KCETA said that the school equipment donations represent the Chinese community's commitment to improving the quality of education in Kenya. The donations included 87 upper-class chairs, 70 class lockers, six tables, 35 preprimary chairs, and five desks. Zhang Yijun, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya said that the donations are a demonstration of the friendship that exists between Kenya and China. Zhang noted that the donations will renew awareness of the need to promote the right of children to education, especially in disadvantaged areas. "I hope all the students will study well and make progress every day so that they can contribute to their families and society as well as the friendship between Kenya and China," he added. Benedict Kiage, Director of Mcedo Beijing School observed that the donations from the Chinese business community are timely as they will help to enhance the academic performance of the school. "Students who learn in a good environment are likely to become productive citizens in the future," Kiage added. He hailed the Chinese entrepreneurs for investing in the education of students who come from low-income households. Public Relations had to struggle for both respectability and clarity of purpose in the early years. The PR business was seen has merely pushing press releases in the early 80s. In fact, the wings to the PR business to fly high was set rolling when the World Public Relations Congress was held in Mumbai in 1982, which was organised by the Public Relations Society of India, where the industry had to opportunity to witness a galaxy of speakers. The noted architect of PR from UK, Sam Black, who is considered as the father of Public Relations, was present to address the audience. Over the years, PR has gained the respectability it deserves and has earned a seat in the boardroom. Today, the industry is filled with professionals who have taken the baton to sprint faster and match global PR standards and help clients in shaping their brand with more purpose and backed with credibility. Click here to attend IMAGEXX 2022 At a time when the economy is on the growth path and needs a good booster, the role of PR will be viewed in a big way. It will necessarily have a larger and more sophisticated and complex role to play. The PR business has itself reinvented and PR professionals are keen to contribute more to the rising modern India. Post the pandemic, the need for PR has become all the more important and agencies have also doubled up and have stood tall and robust in giving a helping hand to many of their client partners. AI and technology will have a major role to play and the future of PR will depend on your creativity and on how you are able to narrate your story in the most compelling fashion. Also, the adoption of analytics will further help in getting valuable insights and help in drawing sharper messaging when engaging with your audiences. The future is going to be exciting and more challenging. While it may be a level playing field, ultimately those who are able tell their story well and leverage digital to the maximum will be in an advantageous position. Teams at agencies will have to be more agile as online reputation and influencer marketing will march ahead as brands are expecting quick turnaround and results. In the beginning of the year, when we spoke to a several industry experts, they were of the opinion that the agencies have adapted to the new way of working post the pandemic and the pandemic has thrown us several new challenges which we have all managed to cope with. While Covid will continue to play hide and seek across the world, the industry will move in its normal speed. Innovative digital approach and continuous interactivity with the audiences will keep happening. While the pandemic fatigue will be a challenge but the brighter spot to look at is there will be more opportunity for more creativity and innovation in the communication space. Catch all the exciting conversations and discussions on the Public Relations and Communications industry at IMAGEXX Summit & Awards 2022, to be held on June 16, 2022, at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram. Click here to register. Astral is one of India's leading and trusted brands in Pipes with a strong nationwide presence. Astral roped in superstar Ranveer Singh as their brand ambassador in 2021 with a high decibel multimedia campaign which was well appreciated. Like last time, Astral now recreates the magic with an unique brand communication campaign titled Dadho Sutho (Very Nice) featuring Ranveer Singh showcasing the importance of good quality pipes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) Youth icon Ranveer Singh will be playing a Sindhi character in the film and the film is entirely shot in the Sindhi language to create disruption and memorability. The 'Dadho Sutho' campaign is based on the fact that most people spend lavishly on interiors, like lights and other furnishings while making their dream home. But when it comes to pipes, people often end up choosing inferior pipes because of low awareness and lack of knowledge about good piping. Also, the pipes are concealed behind the wall with a no show off value, so ignoring the importance of pipes jeopardizes the entire house. Click here to attend IMAGEXX 2022 Kairav Engineer, Astral Limited, says ''As a responsible brand, we think we have to educate our consumers about investing in superior quality and long-lasting pipes in their dream homes. The campaign starring Ranveer Singh in a never seen before Sindhi character helps deliver the message of investing in a robust foundation and piping infrastructure for domestic use in an engaging manner, further reinforcing Astral as Indias trusted pipes'' The campaign will be amplified on various mass media platforms reaching out to millions of households across the country. #DadhoSutho Quintillion Business Media, the company that owns and operates www.bqprime.com, an Indian business news digital platform, announced important changes to its Board of Directors. The Board of Quintillion Business Media has welcomed Sanjay Pugalia, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of AMG Media, as a Director, as a result of the signing of the definitive agreements with AMG Media. Sanjay Pugalia is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience who has worked for a variety of Indian and international news organisations. He's worked in broadcast, print and internet media, and he's been a part of a number of significant launches in India. Senthil Chengalvarayan also joins the Board as an Independent Director, which the Board warmly welcomes. Click here to attend IMAGEXX 2022 In Indian Business News Journalism, Senthil Chengalvarayan is a well-known name. Senthil was the founding editor of CNBC TV18 and later the Editor-in-Chief of Network 18's Business News Room, a doyen of the industry with over 35 years of expertise. Senthil Chengalvarayan, a prominent business news journalist and presenter, has joined the Board as an Independent Director, which the Board regards as an honour and privilege. "I am happy to welcome two of my oldest and most cherished colleagues to the board of Quintillion Business Media Limited," Raghav Bahl, Chairman, Quintillion Business Media, said of the new additions to the board. Sanjay and Senthil helped me build India's largest business news broadcast/digital network many moons ago. In a robust new investment relationship with the Adani Group, we intend to duplicate and surpass that enchantment in this innings." "I am happy to join the board of BQ Prime," said Sanjay Pugalia, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of AMG Media. In a surprisingly short amount of time, the BQ Prime team has developed a strong, high-quality digital business news brand. AMG Media Network will use all of its resources to help this exciting service grow. It's a great honour for me to once again join up with Raghav and Senthil to offer business news consumers via this formidable platform." Quint Digital Media Limited and Quintillion Media Limited agreed to sell a 49 percent stake in Quintillion Business Media Limited to AMG Media Networks Limited under a Share Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2022. The transaction will be closed under standard closing circumstances. To celebrate the World Environment Day, Vritti iMedia, leading mass media arm of innovative marketing company Vritti Solutions partnered with State Transport Corporations across seven states of India to spread environment awareness through a 360 Degree Marketing Campaign at more than 500 bus stations between June 1 and 10. In a BTL campaign, Vritti volunteers encouraged the passengers at the bus stations to donate plastics with them. In return, they were gifted a sapling. To support the BTL campaign, audio messages focusing on sustainability and avoiding littering of plastics were played on the digital Passenger Information System (PIS) in between arrival and departure announcements. The messages were played in the native languages of the states at the bus stations. The campaign was organized in semi-urban and rural bus stations of Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Goa. Vritti iMedia made use of its unique mass media property, Audiowala Bus Stand, which is the countrys largest Digital Audio Network to play the awareness messages via appealing jingles, which were played from June 1-June 10. The campaign was backed with a digital campaign - making impactful posts, videos, and a social media campaign. This is a 360 degree marketing and awareness initiative from Vritti family, to commemorate the World Environment Day. Audiowala Bus Stand being entirely digital, uses limited power and saves paper. In a majority of our campaigns, we prefer to work closely with the Government or Government bodies, helping them create an infrastructure, which serves the public and society at large. Hence, all our campaigns have a good Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) flavour to them. ESG is and shall always be a key differentiating factor in all our campaigns, said Mr. Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Founder-Director & CMO, Vritti iMedia. Vritti iMedia named this campaign as, #KyaAapSunnRaheHo? (#AreYouListening?) Prakruti Meri Zimedaari. #AreYouListening? is derived from its product, Audiowala Bus Stand, wherein the core focus is always on listening. In this campaign, we are pointing towards listening to the pain of the nature. Prakruti Meri Zimedaari is driven from the thought that Change begins from myself. It is My responsibility to take care of the nature, said Mr. Radhakrishnan. Audiowala Bus Stand is considered to be the most effective and affordable mass media (at the cost of just one paise per person) for creating awareness and has the potential to reach 400 million people every month. Vritti iMedia chose bus stations as a place for spreading environmental awareness as bus stations in the country are usually not clean with plastic wrappers, bottles, and bags littered. Also a bus station with its crowd is an ideal place to create awareness among people of small towns and villages. where P Y is the number of patient years, P is the number of patients and Y is the number of years for which patients live after diagnosis. Calculating with the conservative prevalence estimate of 1 in 500, there may be approximately 600,000 ASD patients in the USA alone. These persons may live for an average of 76 years. Using the conservative age of 3 years for the time of diagnosis, PY may be calculated as follows. P Y =600,00073=43,800,000, i.e., almost 44 million patient years. What if the pharmaceutical industry had a formula for projected drug profits from a massive rise in autism? A formula such as: P Y =P Y And what if the same industry simultaneously rewarded scientists, media companies and organizations which disseminate the concept that there is no autism epidemic, that the rise is false, that the numbers have always been with us, but that theres just increased diagnosis due to increased clinical and public recognition of autism? And what if this industry went on a massive campaign to proselytize the dangers of any treatment methodor any scientific authority which threatened P Y =P Y ? Profiting from something while claiming it doesnt exist is nothing new. According to some historians, the myth of the flat earth was perpetuated by the Phoenicians to prevent maritime trade rivals from voyaging to England to mine tin. Tin, which seems to have been scarce in ancient Canaan, was an essential ingredient to bronze; bronze was the essence of military power and trade at the time. Advantage in the tin trade gave the Phoenicians untold power. As long as the lie held, Phoenician fleets regularly made mining expeditions north, trading freely with the natives of the British Isleswhile neighboring states feared plummeting off the edge of the world if they dared to sail through the Straits of Gibraltar. For the analogy, imagine the existence of the epidemic as England; autism recovery treatments as the Straits of Gibraltar; and maybe psychopharmaceutical drug profits as tin. The epidemic-based profit formula actually exists. It was published in a 2003 study for Eli Lilly by researchers Robert and Julia Gerlai ( HERE ). From the study: Autism: a large unmet medical need and complex research problem The question whether the epidemic status of ASD is due to true increase of incidence of the disease or simply its better detection and diagnosis is debated. Nevertheless, according to a most recent report to the legislature on the principal findings from the epidemiology of autism in California, the M.I.N.D. institute has confirmed that the increase of incidence is real and cannot be attributed to changes in diagnostic criteria or misclassification. Autism was estimated to have a frequency of more than 1 in 500 children, while more recent studies found its prevalence as high as 1 in 150 (for examples, see; also see CDC website HERE ). Researchers, private (e.g., Alliance for Autism Research), and government (e.g., National Institutes of Health, USA) agencies have recognized the enormous need. As a result, funding for research has significantly increased. Surprisingly, however, autism is still not among the neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases onto which large pharmaceutical research companies traditionally focus. This is unfortunate as ASD represents a significant unmet medical need with an enormous market size. Consider the following: ASD may be diagnosed as early as 23 years of age. Some even argue that successful diagnosis may be made at 8-12 months HERE ) Autistic persons can live a normal life span. The market size can thus be calculated as follows: P Y =P Y To put this number into perspective, let us consider Alzheimer's disease, a disorder that is considered to represent the largest market by big pharmaceutical research companies. Calculating with P=9 million (say 15% of people above 65 years of age will have Alzheimer's disease in the Unites States) and Y=6 (Alzheimer's disease patients live, on average, for 6 years after first diagnosis), PY=54 million for Alzheimer's disease. The actual numbers may slightly vary. The number of Alzheimer's disease patients is actually smaller than 9 million but the disease may be diagnosed earlier and patients may live longer than for 6 years after diagnosis. On the other hand, the number of ASD patients can easily be twice or even three times higher than the presently estimated 600 thousand. Thus, it is clear ASD represents an unmet medical need that is comparable in order of magnitude to the largest neurological disease market, that of Alzheimer's disease. Thus, ASD should be of major interest to pharmaceutical research companies even when the 17-year patent expiration rule is considered. [Update: Now listen to Pfizers (Geodon, Neurontin, Xanax, Zoloft, Chantix; through Wyeth merger, Effexor, Ativan, Pristiq, Prevnar) Robert Ring, newly partnered with Autism Speaks. echoing the title of the study (HERE ) . Of the partnership, Ring says, This a real opportunity to really make a difference for a huge unmet need using expertise weve acquired over a number of years. In fact were working right now to build a pre-competitive consortium amongst our competitors, including Lilly (original manufacturer of thimerosal; maker of Zyprexa, Prozac, Cymbalta, Symbyax, Stattera), Roche (Valium, Klonopin, Tamiflu), Novartis (Ritalin, Tofranil, Trileptal; vaccines: Fluverin, Menveo), Janssen (Johnson & Johnson: Risperdal, Haldol), and trying to agree that this is an important population to be developing medicines for] The study abstract was sent to me by Ben Hansen, a Michigan mental health activist and satirical blogger (Bonkers Institute HERE ) Hansen was covered by the New York Times when his Freedom of Information Act inquiry of Michigan Medicaid turned up evidence that an Eli Lilly account executive may have influenced drug prescribing within the program, which had generated a 100% rise in child drug prescriptions in just 10 months. Just as P Y =PY denotes profit potential, for every child whose DAN-type biomedical treatments result in recovery or significant behavioral improvements and supplant the justification for psychoactive drugs, the formula also represents potential financial loss. An email written by a friend and tireless warrior mother sums up precisely why non-psychopharmaceutical treatments for autism represent such a threat to industry: The medication nightmare began when we were so desperate to keep our son in a mainstream situationwe did not even have a computer. He had no real functional language and was a runner. God help me I want a do over...We started down the psych. drug path I can't even remember some of them, he reacted so badly to many and then he ended up on Risperdal, and the side effects from that led to the use of Cogentin, Lamictal, Prozac. I can't believe he could even stand up. We honestly believed that these were going to fix the Autism. We were so uninformed. He is left with what is probably a permanent movement or tic disorder. We thought that Prozac was keeping this under some control but we backed him off of this as well. The tic is no worse without it. Plus when we got him off of the Risperdal and all of the other crap, his language and cognitive awareness exploded! All the drugs were doing was sedating him. Being off of the Prozac has given him a sense of humor! It doesnt just dull anger, or mood. It dulls ALL EMOTION! Once I was connected by a computer, to other parents and ARI in San Diego, things slowly began to change for us. Dr.Rimland actually spoke to me personally at least 4 times. We started the mega dose B vitamins, and fish oil, and over [three years] time we got him off [all the drugs].There have been a few supplements that we have seen real change with. CoQ10 gave him curiosity! Magnesium, probiotics, zinc, VitC and epsom salt soaks have helped (but not eliminated) his constipation. As the original manufacturer of the mercury-based vaccine preservative thimerosal and the force behind Dick Armeys addition of the Lilly Rider to the Homeland Security bill barring lawsuits against vaccine makers, Eli Lilly and Company is not exactly neutral on the issue of environmental causation for autism. Though the drug maker doesnt currently manufacture vaccines, it maintains public lock step with vaccine manufacturers in terms of defending the perfect safety of vaccines and the genetic nature of autism. Eli Lilly funds such individuals as Dr. Bennett Leventhal (AofA Chicago Trib ;AofA Autism Speaks New Normal) whose response to the claim that the rise in autism rates represents a true increase was once Rubbish! (HERE). Eli Lilly certainly has an interest in presenting the increased recognition theories, like those championed by GlaxoSmithKline grantee Eric Fombonne, for public consumption. If theres an epidemic, and no epidemic can be solely genetic, then autism is environmental and this brings the magnifying glass too close to Eli Lillys ethylmercury-tainted door. The company may also view children with autism as a repository for a long list of disgraced drugs which have the potential to be re-patented and dumped on expendable populations. The companys blockbuster antipsychotic Zyprexa was the subject of a sting by The New York Times and multiple front page stories when activist attorney Jim Gottstein discovered the company had long suppressed data on side effects, including lethal cardiometabolic disorder (HERE ). Lillys SSRI antidepressant Prozac along with other SSRI antidepressants, has long suffered from rumored association with school shootings (HERE ). Though Lilly has successfully deflected most Prozac murder cases by pouring billions into legal defense and PR, this year a judge in Canada ruled that a formerly peaceful teenage boy would not have killed his friend had it not been for recent exposure to the medication (HERE ). Aside from being associated with such horrifying birth defects as cardiac damage or "omphalocele" (infant born with brain or organs outside the body ), SSRIs have also been recently associated with elevated risk of autism in the offspring of women who take the medications in pregnancy (HERE ). The media frequently misreported the SSRI-autism study when it first came out, inferring that underlying genetic conditions leading to the taking of these medications might lead to elevated risk of autism, failing to mention that risk of autism in the offspring of those who took the drugs was elevated in comparison to women with the same conditions who did not take the drugs in pregnancy. The association of antidepressants in pregnancy and autism is not a competing theory as far as the cause of the autism epidemic, both due to the fact that relatively few mothers of children with autism were exposed the drug in pregnancy and also because all roads seem to lead to Rome in autism: the most prevalent theories which are held up as alternatives to vaccine-causesuch as the highway study (HERE) or the Depakote association (HERE), invariably point to either substances in common (The most significant source of metals to the atmosphere is resuspension of dust from roads by moving vehicles and from other paved and unpaved surfaces by wind. SSRI findings may in fact be supportive of the thimerosal theory because the adverse cellular effects of SSRIs share many overlaps with cellular damage by thimerosal, namely mitochondrial injury (mercury and thimerosal in mitochondrial damage: HERE and HERE and HERE ; SSRI-induced mitochondrial damage: HERE );and disruption of the assembly of tubulin in the brain (mercury: HERE ; SSRI: HERE). In the end, SSRIs may merely be a facilitator in a one-two punch effecta substance which wears down infants immune resistance to subsequent exposures. Eli Lilly, like all pharmaceutical makers, is long practiced at quarantining the blame for a range of adverse effects on bad genes. Regarding Eli Lillys relationship to autism, the company now bears the brunt of being the first American distributor of both thimerosal and SSRI antidepressants. But being in the hot seat for cause is not the only reason pharmaceutical companies cling to the genetic alibitheres also the issue of drug profits lost to alternative treatments. If theres an epidemic and the condition is not genetic, then theres hope for prevention and perhaps recovery. As far as treatment is concerned, why would hopeful families tolerate the side effect profiles for certain psychiatric drugs which only suppress symptoms when other, far safer remedies targeting or preventing the underlying mechanisms of autism and related conditions are available? Imagine another marketing formula in which H is the value of effective treatment + prevention and the sum is future autism drug profits. HP Y = goose egg In terms of protecting industrys interests, that just wouldnt do. It would be better if the public were led to believe the increased recognition/genetic model of the disease. Again, this is obviously for a host of reasons a central reason being to protect vaccine manufacturers from litigation, and to protect their freedom to continue piling new combination shots and shots for diseases no one ever heard of onto an already overburdened schedule as old patents run out. But, in the delicate words of Ronan Gannon, GlaxoSmithKlines executive director of US marketing and member of the National Vaccine Advisory Committees financing working group, the pharmaceutical drug market dwarfs the vaccine market. The global vaccine market was estimated at more than $20 billion last year with surges from Gardasil and the H1N1 scare, up from a mere $6 billion in 2006. Psychiatric drugs top $40 billion in annual sales in the US alone. Vaccine profits are expected to top $56 billion by 2016 and, if the pattern in the past two decades is any guide, drug profits may keep pace proportionately. As far as autisms impact on the psychopharm market, considering the following: Psychopharmaceutical sales for the treatment of autism are currently at $3.5 billion a year, largely for the US market, representing 7% of the overall $40 billion yearly psychopharmaceutical sales for 1% of the child population BusinessWeek). The Lilly study enthusiastically projects that autism could eventually reach Alzheimers rates. Alzheimers rates are reported to be doubling every twenty years. A significant percent of the 40 fold rise in pediatric bipolar disorder could be due to sub-autistic toxic injuries (another portion would be due to the drugs being prescribed to children themselves: mania is a listed side effect of all classes of psychotropes. See Sharna Olfmans Bipolar Children, chapters by Healy, Whitaker and Landrigan respectively, HERE). Children diagnosed with bipolar disorder are frequently prescribed the same drugs as children with autism, particularly the newer, on-patent antipsychotics, though many are being treated with autism recovery methods. Sales of atypical antipsychotics went from $0 to $16 billion a year since the start of the epidemic. Bearing in mind that vaccine litigation potentially represents a corporate-wrecking proverbial last straw, we have our pick of motives for industrys perpetuation of the genes-only/always been with us/no cure/no epidemic rhetoric. But the bend sinister is that, at the same time, acknowledgement of an epidemic in certain circles could enliven the psychopharmaceutical drug market. While some people might have thought that National Institute of Mental Health director Thomas Insels recent softening on environmental contributions to autism and admission that the rise is real (HERE ) meant he might eventually concede to vaccine causation, I just assumed he was boosting investor confidence. Thomas Insel brother of a vaccine maker; chairman of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) who stealthily voted vaccine safety research off the agenda and, under whose oversight, the NIMHs website on autism went from mentioning a few drugs by generic name in 2006 to presently promoting 15 psychiatric drugs by brand and five more by generic name; the man under whose direction IACC consistently leads all its published recommendations with promises to create more psychopharmaceutical drug algorithms for autismis not interested in holding pharmaceutical companies to account. Hes unlikely to be interested in promoting non-psychotrope treatments for the underlying causes of autism. If anything, we may see him cheerleading research forGod forbid an autism vaccine. Thomas Insel is merely following the tradition of his post. For decades, the National Institute of Mental Health has been under heavy criticism for being a captured agency which acts chiefly as PR wing to psychopharmaceutical manufacturers. Several NIMH leaders have gone on to either lucrative industry careers or lucrative symbiosis. Frederick Goodwin, former head of the NIMH (and front group ACSH advisory board fellow of Paul Offit and Steven Novella) lost his NPR show The Infinite Mind when he was caught taking $1.3 million in supposedly undeclared fees from GlaxoSmithKline and other drug companies to promote drugs like Paxil and Lamictal on the air. Other examples of the NIMH-Big Pharma revolving door, as clinical psychologist Bruce E. Levine put it (HERE ), include Lewis Judd, a former NIMH director, who joined the scientific advisory board of Roche Pharmaceutical in 2001 (Klonopin, Valium, Tamiflu); and Steven Paul, scientific director of NIMH, who left to become vice president of Eli Lilly in 1993 (Prozac, Zyprexa, Cymbalta, Strattera, Symbyax). Its not a matter of whether Thomas Insel will land at a pharmaceutical company once he leaves his current position, but a question of which one. It would be a different story and wed be living in a different world (one in which childhood vaccines in the US would have been safer and fewer; maybe one in which the epidemic never happened) if the autism remedies being presented by pharmaceutical companies were in any way effective towards underlying disease mechanisms. But the idea that psychiatric drugs correct anything in the brain has been repeatedly debunked. In fact, to date, other than dabbling in prenatal vitamins, etc., Big Pharma simply cant compete with recovery treatment modelsnot fairly, in any case. They wont try either. Developing treatments which work by targeting vaccine injuries is out of the question. And research and development costs for such treatments go far beyond pharmas traditional investment bounds. That doesnt mean pharma wont occasionally follow the cues of autism recovery research. Once the Lancet paper and its disturbing investigation into gastrointestinal disease, vaccines and autism were knocked out of the way in 2010 (only to be rectified in 2012 with the exoneration of co-author John Walker-Smith: HERE ), a surprising number of industry funded studies cropped up which happily associated GI dysfunction with autism, some even brazenly promoting new symptom reducers. But for many drugs companies, a step in the right direction will only land on another toxic solution: following the discovery that glutamate feedback may be disrupted in schizophrenia and autism (interesting that both mercury and the antiseizure drug Depakotea suspected but rare cause of autisminduce glutamate feedback disruption), drug companies rushed to find chemicals with sedating properties which could be shown to do something to glutamate so that the drug could be called a targeted treatment. The problem is, like past psychopharmaceuticals, these drugs would not necessarily do anything therapeutic to the target. No matter thoughwhatever the drug did do could be spun as clinically beneficial, as has been done for antidepressants and other classes of psychotropes (for one example of lab spin, the testing methods used in killed-animal drug studies cannot distinguish between DNA synthesis in the brain which occurs as a part of supposedly beneficial neurogenesiscell division and proliferation and DNA synthesis which occurs as a part of cell death, yet the FDA looks the other way). Once researchers found a likely candidatein this case, variations of a metabotropic glutamate agonist antipsychotic (HERE ) companies lined up for FDA approval . A small hitch in the approval process has been that glutamate agonists appear to have an even higher level of lethal neuroleptic malignant syndrome than either first or second generation antipsychotics (HERE). Nothing a little spin and a lot of cash cant fix. Antipsychoticsthe main drug class being pushed for autism were originally brought to the American market for a mere $30,000 research investment. Far more funds were spent on heavy lobbying of government agencies and the press to promote the drugs as a miracle cure which would liberate mental patients from institutions once and for all. Instead the opposite happened. As journalist Robert Whitaker documented in his book, Mad in America, an eight year World Health Organization study performed in the 1960s and 70s (the International Pilot Study, (scroll down to C. HERE) found that outcomes for schizophrenia were three times worse in developed countries which relied primarily on the use of neuroleptics to treat the condition when compared to outcomes in a range of culturally heterogeneous underdeveloped countries which rarely employed the drugs. In other words, in underdeveloped/developing countries, schizophrenia was knownas impossible as that may seem in the US as a disease with more than a 60% chance of recovery. In developed countries, the reverse was true. The WHO conducted a more surgical follow-up study in response to protests by organized psychiatry, but the original findings were only reiterated. Although unlike autismschizophrenia is sometimes distinguished as a grab-bag diagnosis (misdiagnosed due to racism, or out of cultural or medical incompetence), the degree to which schizophrenia shows itself to be, like autism, a potentially environmentally mediated condition (HERE and HERE) affecting a subset of susceptible individuals may account for the lower incidence of schizophrenia (at least in the 1960s and 70s) in less industrialized countries. But the WHO five year follow-up to the International Pilot Study firmly demonstrated that severity of onset within agreed-upon parameters of the condition was not the determining factor in recovery rates. This hints that, whereas non-drug environmental factors could have triggered the condition in some, drugging rates almost certainly effected outcomes. At the time of the study, the rates of relapse and direness of outcomes were in direct proportion to the percentage of patients in developed countries who were chronically exposed to the drugs, with the Soviet Union winning the distinction of worst outcomes with a drugging rate of 85%. The US now drugs the growing population of patients with schizophrenia at a rate of more than 93%; outcomes and relapse rates have worsened accordingly. Other countries have been catching up as well, so that the pool of undrugged schizophrenics is shrinking globally (HERE). In fact, schizophrenic patients have been drugged at such a pace in the past fifty years that most clinical and public concepts of symptoms and outcomes reflect the drugged condition, not the condition itself. For instance, schizophrenias clinical association with violencewhich was not strictly associated with the disease process 100 years ago increased with drugging rates. Though their behavior could be bizarre and disturbing and crimes committed by the mentally disabled may capture more media attention, schizophrenics were once statistically no more violent than members of the general population. Ironically, neurolepticsparticularly on withdrawal have been associated with staggering acts of senseless violence by individuals without criminal or violent histories and the subsequent artificial fusing of violence and schizophrenia in the public mind during the drugging era has led to broad public support for forced medicating and other harmful treatments in prisons and institutions. The same may prove true for autism. The toxicity of the drugs and their capacity to induce or worsen environmental brain injuries shouldnt be that surprising. Early psychiatric drugs were often derived from various industrial pigments and solvents. Imipramine, for example, was once an industrial dye called Summer Blue. For years, researchers in major academic centers have been confounded over the mystery of why individuals treated with imipramine may actually turn blue (HERE). Neuroleptics in particular have a questionable history. The drugs were originally used to deliberately induce Parkinsonism under the ham-fisted idea that Parkinsons was somehow antithetical to psychosis. Those with advanced Parkinsons diseaseso the thinking went generally dont show any emotion at all, much less the throes of psychosis. The dopamine theory still used in marketing antipsychotics was concocted after the drugs had been put into wide use in institutions, and has about as much basis as the generally debunked genetic brain chemical imbalance correction theories used to market antidepressants today (HERE). It was originally thought that neuroleptics worked (at least initially and only when they did) to reduce psychotic episodes by inhibiting dopamine in the brain on the theory that dopamine levels flared during psychotic episodes. That concept never bore out in actual research though: measured dopamine levels could be high, low or indifferent in patients enduring psychotic incidents. Even according to industrys own dopamine theory, neuroleptics dont work in the end because the brain swelling unilaterally seen within weeks of exposure to antipsychotics turned out to be caused by drug-induced mass generation of dopamine receptors, causing the brain to become super-sensitive to the very brain chemical that was assumed to be inducing psychosis to begin with (HERE). Few are aware that neuroleptics are often used as solely physical painkillers for certain conditions. Its been speculated that the drugs initially reduce disruptive behavior in some (not all) in the honeymoon phase of drug treatment by partly acting as global, emotional-physical painkillers. Sadly, the very painkilling properties of many psychiatric drugs could partly hinge on their capacity to kill brain cells: the sensation that apparently comes with mass brain cell death, as in glue sniffing, is euphoria. This is relevant to autism in that many children with autism, for instance, live with chronic pain from inflamed GI tracts and other physiological injuries which can affect behavior, socialization and cognition. Within reason and depending on the health costs of using certain agents, temporary painkilling could be viewed as having at least partial clinical value. But doctors not only lose their licenses for overprescribing painkillers, they can go to jail, so the painkiller distinction does not serve the industry financial platforms of overprescription, overmarketing and polypharmacythe practice of adding new drugs to quell side effects of previous drugs, ad infinitum (ad nauseum, ad mortem). This leads to the need for false clinical correction theories for certain drugs. Painkillers also cant be mandated. Does anyone wonder what happens to the scores of children with autism who are currently being arrested in schools for exhibiting behaviors associated with the disability? Many are routed to psychiatric courts where treatments are decided by judges (HERE).Those treatments tend to fall in line with National Institute of Mental Health guidelines. The mandated drugging of people in institutions and correctional facilities, and among children in foster care (those drugged against parental consent) and remanded juvenile offenders represents a good slice of drug profits. In any event, the distinction of neuroleptics as painkillers only holds until the side effects kick in. The current generation of antipsychotics the atypicals once marketed as an improvement over the old, bad drugs like Thorazineare nearly identical to older neuroleptics in terms of side effect profiles. Atypicals, like the older generation of drugs, have the capacity to induce agonizing and lethal conditions such as tardive dyskinesia, respiratory dyskinesia (often labeled asthma, COPD, etc.), tardive dementia, tardive psychosis, lethal cardiometabolic disorder, organ failure, GI disorders, mass brain cell death, diabetes, dystonia, suicide, gynecomastia, violence (especially on withdrawal) and much more. Current antipsychotics still induce Parkinsonism: the flat emotional affecta primary, not side, effect of the drugsis merely a larval phase of the condition. Antipsychoticsold and newalso induce lipid metabolism, demyelinating and mitochondrial disorders which either mimic various genetic conditions (like Neimann-Picks), or which fully add up to conditions previously thought to be solely genetic such as MELAS (Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes). MELAS shows certain lab findings which overlap with autism. In patients who take them, regardless of observable manifestation of side effects, neuroleptics induce or increase the appearance of certain proteins in cerebrospinal fluid which are markers for Alzheimers and dementia. These proteins APO-D or apolipoprotein D are abnormally elevated to some degree in those with autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimers who were never exposed to neuroleptic drugs. But after treatment with antipsychotics, the levels of APO proteins among schizophrenics and Alzheimers patients were shown to rise considerably. So here is evidence that neuroleptics actually make some of the clinical dysfunction underlying schizophrenia and Alzheimers worseand its not unreasonable to predict this might also be true for autism. Making conditions worse isnt a great PR tagline for drug corporations. Insofar as industry does not wish for its drugs side effects to be widely understood, it also wont tolerate the compounded menace of autism recovery science. Autism recovery science doesnt just point to vaccine/environmental cause or pose safer and actually effective treatment options which result in direct treatment competition for pharmas blockbuster drugs. Autism recovery science alsoby incidentally corroborating the overlaps in types of brain damage induced by both vaccines and psychopharmaceuticalspotentially threatens PY for every cognitive, behavioral or psychiatric condition targeted by drug makers. Furthermore, just as the existence of an unvaccinated population is threatening to industry because it provides the study control for comparison of injury rates, a drug-naive population of children with autism provides a clearer picture of just which cellular processes are being disrupted and what might be causing the disruptions to begin with. Just as important, the existence of a drug-naive population also spoils the pretense that adverse drug effects are attributable to autism itselfa misattribution of contingency thats been played with nearly every drug side effect since mental health drugs were first marketed. The fact that children within the autism recovery community have such low psychiatric drugging rates when compared to the 70% of developmentally disabled children in the general population is a threat that wont be allowed to stand without a fight. As psychopharmaceutical expert Dr. Grace Jackson argues in her most recent book, Drug Induced Dementia: The Perfect Crime (HERE), distinguishing what underlies certain forms of behavioral disorderswhether these conditions are genetic or environmental, preventable or treatable becomes more and more difficult as drug exposure increases and skews the evidence. Dr. Jackson, not incidentally, describes herself as a big fan of Dr. Andrew Wakefields elegant theory. Her book is the source for the above information on drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid storage disorders and biomarkers for dementia. In 2007, I saw her present a case study of a typical seven year old boy who developed severe symptoms of autism when exposure to the drug Depakote compounded asymptomatic brain damage and mitochondrial dysfunction from chemotherapy treatment several years earlier. For an example of evidence-skewing, according to Dr. Jacksons research, valproic acid apparently has a dozen or so overlaps with the effects of thimerosal and other vaccine toxins on the brain, including elevated serum ammonia, lipid metabolism damage, evidence of Alzheimers Type II astrocytosis; tubulin, glutamate, glutamine and carnitine disruption; myelin damage, alteration of cytokine activity and mitochondrial damage. During the Autism Omnibus, a government attorney admitted that pre or neonatal exposure to Depakote could cause autism. Aside from his excessive confidence in stating age limits of exposure, the attorneys statement was backed up by a 2008 study (HERE). As long as independent researchers can still differentiate the source of damage from one agent to another, the crime will not be perfect. The FDA helps to obfuscate these imperfections by making the statistical evidence of damage from drugswhich is supposed to be readily available through its Medwatch databasenotoriously difficult to access. Add this to the fact that only about 10% of all adverse drug events are ever reported to Medwatch, and any search for injury and death statistics is a miserable procedure. Fortunately, an activist and database programmer named Steven Helgeson figured out how to untangle the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System. He created a searchable site for the purpose of consumer education (HERE). A quick search of the database by drug class, brand or generic drug name brings up the question of whether death is a particularly good selling point for drug corporations. As the autism recovery community finds itself, its doctors and information resources under increasing attacks by media and industry for advocating supposedly dangerous non-psychoactive treatments for autism, its interesting to note that the full dangers of the most common mainstream treatments for autismthe very psychoactive drugs frequently recommended by the industry experts these media sources quote are never mentioned. Or the drugs are mentioned so gingerly and fleetingly one might think the subject had nothing to do with the interactive GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer ads on these publications sidebars or the ads which appear like Freudian experimental poetry embedded in cached blog pages. (Managing Editor's Note, Click photo to enlarge, pardon the pun.) In fact, while the mainstream media in the UK and US might protest the excessive drugging of certain populations deemed not to need the drugs (note the title of the Chicago Tribune article: Psychotropic Drugs Given to Nursing Home Patients Without Cause, HERE ), the same outrage has been largely absent when it comes to the deadly drugging of more disturbing populations, such as those with autism and schizophrenia. This disconnect on drugs is a media tradition: in the 1970s, the same publications which decried the use of neuroleptics as a form of torture against Soviet dissidents showed only contempt for the struggle of the Mad Rights movement to ban forced drugging in institutions. That members of the media may love grandma and despise designated foes of Democracy is not proof of principled reportingonly that the shape of reality may vary according to agenda and again, the perceived expendability of certain human beings. Weve all seen the repeated coverage of the tragic and avoidable death of Tariq Nadama in news items denouncing the dangers of autism recovery treatments. Tariq was given the wrong chelator (HERE ), for which his parents rightfully sued the physician responsible. There have been two other reported deaths from hypocalcemia as a result of the same medical mistake in the past seven years, though only the Nadama case involved a child with autism. Using Steve Helgesons Medwatch-decrypting database, below is a list of US deaths due to just some of the drugs promoted on the NIMH autism website within a four year period. Helgeson reports that some of the cases of death associated with individual drugs were left out due to being listed irregularly on Medwatch, therefore the numbers below are conservative. Number of deaths by drug between 2004 and 2008: Risperdal : 308: Abilify: 213: Zyprexa: 417; Geodon: 140; Haldol: 46; Prozac: 371; Celexa: 411; Zoloft: 356; Luvox: 15; Anafranil: 16; Valium: 269; Ativan: 109; Ritalin: 76 The above death statistics include death by suicide, homicide, prenatal/neonatal death and other, such as drug-induced cardiac arrest, stroke, organ failure, etc. Some might take exception to the use of suicide stats in the overall numbers, even though suicide statistics are far higher for those on the drugs than among unexposed patients with the same conditions. Objections are usually based on yet another goofy industry theory which sounds like something extemporized by a tween. Its called roll-back. The idea goes something like this: people who are depressed dont have enough energy to kill themselves but, when first taking antidepressants or other psychotropesbefore the supposed anti part kicks inthe drugs perk them up enough to carry out their preexisting suicide plans. The roll-back hypothesis doesnt explain the sudden mania, violence and suicides among people given the wrong drug by pharmacy mistake (i.e., Xanax instead of Zantac; Celexa instead of Celebrex), and those without psychiatric or violent histories who take the drugs for nonpsychiatric purposes (temporary insomnia, etc.). And, as Grace Jackson asks rhetorically in her first book, Rethinking Psychiatric Drugs, how much energy does it take to perform the easiest form of suicide goingthe intentional overdose? The theory is stupid, really, and the drugs are known to induce a condition called akathisia, which can range from restlessness to a sense of profound inner torture (HERE). Anything which potentially induces akathisia-like psychosis such as the antimalarial Lariam, the anti-viral Tamiflu, and all classes of psychoactives to varying degrees can induce violence and suicide. Many of the suicides and homicides we hear about in the news involving children in general and children with autism also involved psychiatric drugs (HERE). Though he says hes working on it, deaths by anticonvulsants and mood stabilizers are not included in Helgesons database yet. According to another breakdown of the FDA AERS website, a total of 1,601 deaths are listed for other psychoactive drugs between 2004 and 2006 (two years less than the softwares search period), among 6,907 reported deaths from all classes of psychopharmaceuticals. 6,907 in two years. Thats two 9/11s or the equivalent of 27 to 28 fully-loaded Boeing 737s dropping out of the sky every year. Since the reported statistics are estimated to be only one-tenth of the actual toll, imagine 69,070 deaths every two yearsthats 278.5 737s fatally crashing to the ground year in, year out. Every drug war has its casualties. For another analogy, pharma makes Ciudad Juarez look like a resort town. This seems more the case now that the Supreme Court has approved unlimited campaign contributions by what are frequently international corporate conglomerates. The cartels control everything. In response to my emailed remarks over the Chicago Tribunes pre-Thanksgiving hit piece on autism recovery proponents, scientists and treatments (Autism treatments: Risky alternative therapies have little basis in science), Trine Tsouderos sent me the stock reply that everyone else got, except for one little addendum: Thank you for your note. I am sorry we cannot agree on the issue, but we stand by our conclusions, which are based on exhaustive research and talking with some of the most highly regarded, best-credentialed experts in the field. I can assure you GlaxoSmithKline did not have anything to do with these articles. Best wishes and hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving, Trine She cant fool me. Theres no Thanksgiving in Juarez. My initial email to Tsouderos remarked on the two Glaxo ads which appeared next to her online article. Now can anyone guess which psych drug wins the distinction of highest death count according to the FDAs Medwatch database? GSKs antidepressant Paxil. With a once-a-day price tag of over $1,500 a year, Paxil racked up 1,139 reported deaths in a four year period. GSK also has a glutamate-targeting antipsychotic in the pipeline, and is the maker of Tagamet and other tummy meds that children within the vaccine injury movement no longer seem to use to any great degree. GlaxoSmithKline is the maker of the British MMR and more than 25 other vaccines for the global market, including H1N1, seasonal flu, human papillomavirus and the Engerix B vaccine which contained thimerosal up to 2007 and whichwhen compared to other Hepatitis B vaccines was associated with the highest incidence of CNS inflammatory demyelination (HERE). GSK also makes the anticonvulsants Keppra, and the blockbuster dual anticonvulsant/sixth-highest-selling antipsychotic Lamictal, with a once-a-day price tag of $1,883 a year. Since Lamictal is not yet listed on Steve Helgesons search site, we can only wonder how many of the 1,601 deaths from other drugs indicated on Medwatch were due to the use of Lamictal as an antipsychotic. I have to differentiate this from Lamictals use as an antiepilepsy drug, both because deaths of children who suffer from seizure disorders would generally not make the FDA drug-death roster (seizures become the alibi for almost any cause of death); and because I know that parents who give these drugs to children for severe seizures have no choice. The death toll among children with seizures and autism is generally attributable to autism itself as the rate of deadly seizure disorders among vaccine injured children rise every year. This obviously wasnt factored into Eli Lillys profit formula. Many children with autism dont make it to age 9, much less age 76. Add to this the predictable death toll from psychopharmaceuticals, and it looks like PY=PY might need retooling. I think its as cruel to judge parents cornered into drugging children who try to gouge out their own eyes and gnaw off their fingers as it is to judge parents forced to use anticonvulsants to keep vaccine-induced seizures from killing their children. For one, once in, its murder to get out: withdrawal from these drugs is often extraordinarily dangerous. And though the drugs themselves can induce self-injury, obsessive behaviors and violence, some children with autism intractably self-mutilate prior to drug exposure. I have friends who live under these shadows and I sometimes open emails from them like Im pulling crime scene tape off their doors. I never know when the worst of all possible news might come. But no one hates these medications more than those forced to use them at gunpoint, and who know perfectly well that these drugs are often manufactured by the very companies marketing the vaccines which robbed them of their once healthy children. In any case, Paul Offiteight figure vaccine profiteer, PR capo, epidemic denier put it well when he said that hope is dangerous. Hes right, it is. He actually indicated false hope, but false to him is real enough to many and the meaning is clear considering whats at stake. Its politically dangerous for scientists and families to provide or pursue hope because this can only be done by exposing cause. Even success brings home the horror of whats been lost by showing that it never had to happen to begin with. And hope undeniably represents dire straits for unregulated industry. Because industry cant and wont compete with this: they give us this: Adriana Gamondes is an Age of Autism Contributing Editor and one of the Facebook administrators. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and recovering twins. WARNING: Withdrawal from psychiatric drugs and sedatives can often be more dangerous than continuing on a medication. It is important to withdraw extremely slowly from these drugs, often over a period of a year or more under the supervision of a qualified specialist. Withdrawal side effects are sometimes more severe than the original symptoms or problems, though many withdrawal effects resolve with time. For more information on drug side effects and a professional guide to withdrawal methods and risks, see Dr. Peter Breggins Your Drug May Be Your Problem, often viewed as the PDR of adverse psychopharmaceutical effects. Pharm-Free Resource List for information on psych drug-free recovery and prevention of autism and related disorders (also see blog sidebar for organizations), drug side effects, media reports, coercive legislation, legislative activism and where to get help: Special Needs Kids Go Pharm Free: Nutrition Focused Tools to Help Minimize Meds and Maximizing Health and Well-Being by Judy Converse, MPH, LD, RD Healing and Preventing Autism: A Complete Guide by Jenny McCarthy and Dr. Jerry Kartzinel Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America by Robert Whitaker Medication Madness: A Psychiatrist Exposes the Dangers of Mood Altering Drugs by Dr. Peter Breggin Pharmageddon by Dr. David Healy Drug Induced Dementia: A Perfect Crime by Dr. Grace Jackson For a frequently updated interactive database on drug risks as well as a comprehensive adverse events reporting site, Rxisk was created by reform psychiatrist Dr. David Healy, advocacy journalist Robert Whitaker and an international panel of drug and data experts as an alternative to the FDAs increasingly unnavigable Medwatch site. For a long list of resource links and a media database on drug risks, illegal prescribing practices, news on legislative activism and research fraud, visit Psychrights founded by Zyprexa Papers whistleblower, attorney Jim Gottstein. Former law librarian and activist Vera Hasner Sharav founded Alliance for Human Research Protection, one of the oldest and most influential medical rights advocacy networks in the US which focuses on corruption in human trials and drug and vaccine risks and marketing fraud. Ms. Sharav contributed a chapter to Vaccine Epidemic by Mary Holland and Louise Kuo Habakus. Alternative treatment resource list from International Society for Ethical Psychology and Psychiatry. Questioning the largely genetic foundations of autism has ruined medical, scientific and media careers, and this may partly be because, as with the elusive schizophrenia genes, so many reputations and articles of scientific faith hinge on the theory. For instance, if a group of researchers needs to prove that pigs fly to serve an industrial sponsor or as part of an exercise in "weaponized anthropology targeting a strategic or ideological foe, all they need do is link proofs of the imaginary flight of pigs to autism to create an automatic credibility shield But the population with autism may be only one of many targets of this particular campaign. Autism research provides an endless supply of unsubstantiated genetic corollaries which have the distinction of being protected by the state in order to obfuscate the role of government public health agencies in contributing to an epidemic. And, of course, these unsubstantiated genetic corollaries have endless applications for political and industrial exploits. Autism, the fastest growing developmental disorder in the US, represents more than 7% of a $40 billion dollar psychopharmaceutical market for a demographic of roughly 1 to 2% of individuals under age 25, where roughly 85% of autism diagnoses are found. Marking a condition as a public safety hazard and those with the traits as near devils is the time honored manner of manufacturing public consent for exploitative and coercive treatment and dehumanization. In other words, a wide belief that those with autism are likely to kill could effectively snuff protest against drugging mandates which Torry, Satel, Koplewicz, NAMI, the American Psychiatric Association, the National Institute of Mental Health, a steady procession of presidential administrations and the pharmaceutical industry have pushed for all along. One example of the use of an autism shield arose from research defining the Maori in New Zealand as genetically violent due to the so-called Warrior Gene." Viewed through the lens of Weaponizing Anthropology author David H. Price, social scientists conducting portions of the ongoing Dunedin Multidisciplinary Studywhich turned 30 in 2012 might appear to have been "unleashed" for a particular mission. In the case of Dunedin, the campaign to understand the Maori synchronized suspiciously with a corporate war to gain access to oil and gas reserves on Maori tribal lands. And so when the MacArthur Foundation funded the Law and Neuroscience project promoting Minority Report style programs to identify and cull the genetically violence prone before they endanger entire regions and the planet, it was quite natural to try to link the Warrior Gene" or monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene to other target groups for various agendas: Associating the Warrior Gene to African Americans might justify a consistently biased for-profit carceral system and continuing economic disparity; associating the Warrior Gene to Africans and Asians might justify Western competition against China to exploit African oil, etc. Not surprisingly, the credibility-shielding sealant was added to the MAOA theory when in his book, The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Human Cruelty, UK autism researcher Simon Baron-Cohen attempts to cast violent psychopathologyby way of Warrior Gene researchas a genetic cousin to autism via another hypothesis, the zero empathy theory. The difference between the two, he soothingly asserts, is that individuals with autism dont intend the harm they do whereas the nondisabled zero-empathy gene carriers, though they really cant help it either, do intend harm. What possible difference this would make in terms of public safety response to these marked populations if the ideas were presumed true and manifested as policy is an issue which Baron-Cohen washes his hands of with a few bids for clemency for these genetic burdens on our race. In Eugenics and Other Evils originally published in 1922, journalist, social critic and philosopher G.K. Chesterton described individuals who separate themselves from the policy consequences of their conceptual campaignsthe Eugenicist as Autocrat: If you let loose a law, it will behave as a dog does. It will obey its own nature, not yours. Such sense as you have put into the law (or the dog) will be fulfilled. But you will not be able to fulfill a fragment of anything you have forgotten to put into it. Baron-Cohen repeatedly assures readers of his noble intent in pushing forward his theories. If his campaign feeds questionable policy and it all ends badly, he may argue that he didnt intend for it to. Seeing hypotheses misbehave in application is an ironic risk embedded in the theory of genetic empathy or genetic-lack-thereof which also led premier psychopathology expert Robert Hare to lament judicial misuse of his Psychopathology Checklist in an NPR interview . Still, Hare makes no effort to disclaim the genetic theories which, as he admits himself, make his diagnostic instrument especially dangerous: Mr. HARE: Im very concerned about the inappropriate use of this instrument for purposes that have serious implications for the individual and for society. SPIEGEL: Still, use of the test continues to spread. Its now even mandated in several states. And the test has helped cause a shift in our ideas about where crime comes from, as well. The idea that criminal behavior is primarily a product of poor environments has much less power today, in part because Hares work seemed to teach us that crime resides inside the person, that inborn personality traits like empathy can influence whether people participate in crime. Bob Hare. Mr. HARE: Empathy is highly genetic in origin, modified and shaped by the environment, of course. But if youve got an adult who has virtually no empathy in the normal sense of the term, youre not going to send him to school to learn empathy, Empathy 101. Its just not going to work. SPIEGEL: And when you think about criminals in this way, as people who are almost genetically predisposed to crime, you are much less likely to invest in their rehabilitation than if you saw their acts as a product of unfortunate environmental circumstances. This is why its so important to figure out if bias and bad training are affecting Hares test to the point that it is potentially mislabeling people. After all, once someone is labeled as a psychopath, what can you do with him? Nothing but lock him away. Mainstream media has attempted to popularize the Warrior Gene theory as science writer Josh Horgan noted in Scientific American: Just when you think the blame-it-on-our-genes craze cant get worse, the warrior gene goes viral. The latest media outlet to flog it is the Dr. Phil show, which on April 4 broadcast Born to Rage?. From the promo: Scientists believe they may know why some people are quicker to anger than others. A new study suggests that inside a rageaholics DNA, a warrior gene may be pulling the strings. Could todays guests be genetically predisposed to fits of fury? This cheesy talk show is hardly alone in hyping the warrior gene. In fact, Dr. Phil borrowed his headline from a recent National Geographic broadcast, Born to Rage?, which also explores the disturbing possibility that some people are born to rage. The show follows Henry Rollins, a self-described former punk rocker with a nasty temper, as he interviews outlaw bikers, mixedmartial arts fighters and other tough guys Race, inevitably, reared its head. In 2007 Rod Lea and Geoffrey Chambers, researchers at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, reported that MAOA-L [alleles with low expression of MAOA are linked to higher rates of violence and Antisocial Personality Disorder] occurs in 56 percent of Maori men. It is well recognized, the researchers commented in The New Zealand Medical Journal, that historically Maori were fearless warriors. The researchers racial profiling was based on a study of 46 men, who needed to have only one Maori parent to be defined as Maori. Lea and Chambers reported that MAOA-L was less common among Caucasians (34 percent) and Hispanics (29 percent) but even more common among Africans (59 percent) and Chinese (77 percent). Baron-Cohen laments the same risk of misapplications as Hare, though neither complains when their genetic empathy theories are liberally applied to generalizations of modern non-ideological, inexplicable massacresspeaking of things which end badly. This brings up the question of whether these scientists are even conscious of what theyre potentially unleashing. In The Science of Evil Baron-Cohen offers only a surface review of the theoretical underpinnings of the zero empathy conception, including the MAOA criminal Warrior Gene theory, and tries to downplay evidence that the gist of the overall body of work supporting the MAOA theory is unambiguously racialist. The fact that the Maori are the sole ethnic group Baron-Cohen mentions in association with the gene merely amplifies his squeamish awareness of the implications. For example, Reti et al. attempted to argue that the most dangerous form of the MAOA genea 2-repeat allelecorrelates to violence without association with childhood abuse. Like Baron-Cohens book, the study is rich in egalitarian qualifiers but the real story being sold is tucked within the stats. The authors claim that 2-repeat or low expression alleles are nearly ten times more frequent among African American males4.7% of whom, according to the authors, carry the most dangerous or low expression 2-repeat allele than white males 0.5% of whom, according to authors, carry the 2-repeat allele. MAOA gene mutations are also being associated with gang membershipthe gang-gene. As a researcher who deeply influences public and institutional policy regarding autism and is actively setting up a theory franchise on criminality, if Baron-Cohen does not wish readers to assume he supports a racialist conception of violence or the enactment of policies based upon these conceptions, he might not have forgotten to cite arguments which run counter to his support sources, such as Zammit et al.s critique of the MAOA hypothesis, Misconceptions about geneenvironment interactions in psychiatry: MAOA x maltreatment on antisocial or violent behaviour An interaction between variation in the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) and childhood maltreatment on antisocial and violent behaviour in males was reported,17 such that the effect of maltreatment was greater with the low-activity variants of MAOA compared to those with high activity. Again, this relationship was greater than multiplicative. Of 11 studies that have since examined this in males (see online supplement), only 4 have examined whether this relationship was indeed greater than multiplicative. Of these, 3 found no evidence for such a relationship, while 1 found support present only when reporting a 1-tailed p value. Of 10 studies that examined additive models, 5 reported evidence of a greater than additive effect (2 of these in subgroup analyses only), 4 found no evidence and 1 found evidence of an interaction but in the opposite direction to that originally reported. In samples that also included females, 1 study examined a multiplicative relationship and found an interaction in the opposite direction. Of 6 studies that examined additive models, 2 found evidence of a greater than additive effect, 3 failed to do so and 1 found an effect in the opposite direction. Studies finding, or failing to find evidence of interaction were equable in size. In the closing passage of his 1998 book, Murderous Science: Elimination by Scientific Selection of Jews, Gypsies, and Others in Germany, 1933-1945, Cologne geneticist Benno Muller-Hill leaves readers with a final warning that MAOA gene research would likely be where the new eugenics reared its head. For unknown reasons, when Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press republished Muller-Hills book in English, the original title Todliche Wissenschaft. Die Aussonderung von Juden, Zigeunern und Geisteskranken 1933-1945 was changed in a way that dulled the impact ofthe authors essential premise: rather than Others, the final category in theoriginal German title, Geisteskranken, literally translates as the insane, aka, the mentally disabled. The omission is a bit stunning since Muller-Hills book is widely considered the first comprehensive chronicle of the mass extermination of the disabled under Nazi eugenic policies. But the editorial blunting of Muller-Hills intent to include mental disability in a litany of targets of eugenic racialism isnt surprising considering that the current direction of commercial genetics grossly contradicts the deep-seated need of modern commercial science to characterize its campaigns as humanistic, enlightened and unbiased: continuing weaponized research against specifically racial groups often cut its teeth on weaponized research targeting the disabled and vice-versa. Baron-Cohen is deeply alarmed when critics infer hes a eugenicist policy shill. Given the implications of Baron-Cohens choice of supporting sources and disavowal of responsibility for any unfortunate outcomes arising from his theories, its fascinating that he feels the need to step clear of the intended targets by assuring his readers in the books dedication that, quite unlike the Maori (and, implicitly, other less favored ethnicities), violent psychopaths and individuals with autism, he is genetically bequeathed with empathy which he equates to a pot of gold inherited from his grandmother. Its become very fashionable for autism and mental health pundits to brandish a badge of empathy as if this affirmed elite genetic fitness for the role of institutional policy maker. In an interview for Gelf Magazine in 2009, vaccine defender, front group blogger, overnight autism expert and Panic Virus author Seth Mnookin, who relies on Baron-Cohens work in his support sources, waves his own empathy badge at the proverbial genetic ivory tower security scanner: I find myself being incredibly empathetic; its very easy for me to see the world from someones perspective. I find myself bending over backwards in my head to see their side Its also fascinating how small this world of euphemistic autocrats becomes once the focus is narrowed to the supposed bridge between autism and violence genes: one of the lead authors of a phase of Dunedin Maori research cited by science writer Josh Horgan was Sir Michael Rutter another impaired empathy/autism expert. This is the same Sir Michael Rutter who acted as star witness against Dr. Andrew Wakefield at the General Medical Council proceeding, as well as the same who balked at discussing the ethics of the use of spinal tap on autistic subjects since Rutter himself had performed precisely this type of research years earlier. Rutter was co-author of the book, Sex Differences in Antisocial Behavior: Conduct Disorder, Deliquency and Violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study along with husband-wife researchers Avshalom Caspi and Terrie Moffit, whose work the MAOA Warrior Gene theory is pinioned on. Its curious, given the focus on empathy, that extreme poverty and rampant, enduring racial discrimination in New Zealand were not featured as identifiable contributors to what Dunedin study authors categorize as mood disorder or depressive disease, i.e., sadness, among the Maori of Dunedinjust as Baron-Cohen and institutional and commercial scientists refuse to correlate pharmaceuticals to modern epidemics. The autism epidemic is useful as a fear pitch for a range of ideological and product campaigns because the condition itself and the shock value of visible prevalence blind the public with terror but only as long as the terrifying numbers are not actually identified as epidemic. Instead the public are being told theyre simply seeing more cases because these individuals are no longer hidden in institutions in our perhaps excessively (its implied, given the supposed danger) empathic and magnanimous age. But if the public believes that autism can happen in any familywhich a genuine rise implies those whose families are not yet impacted are less likely to support coercive management of affected or dubiously genetically related populations on the chance they could be condemning members of their own family one day. In short, coercive approaches and demonization might be frustrated by a prevailing there but for the Grace of God go I perception. As an officially sanctioned and protected sealant for weaponized genetics one that cannot be peeled off, inspected or questionedaligning any condition to autism can be used to designate certain groups of people as inherently dangerous, lacking in empathy, less worthy and therefore exploitable and disposable. Black and white, angels and devils, us and themthe all-purpose absolutes which have served every form of social coercion, political turf battle, preemptive war and expansionism from time immemorial. If history is any guide, the more the autism sealant is applied for these purposes, the more good research money will go after bad and the more violently the doctrine will be defended until it becomes a sacrosanct core of institutional ideology. Anyone who believes in separation of church and state should be seriously concerned. Theres no way around it: in terms of industry and institutional science, autism is becoming the mark of the devil along with the classic frothing finger-pointers differentiating their own worthy credentials. As an estimated three or more individuals with special needs are killed every week in US schools and institutions due to abusive practices; as the news reports more and more children with autism arrested in schools, brutalized by police, denied organ transplants, found face down in ponds and subjected to a lottery for services; and as disability services around the country are trimmed to the bone; as the US drops to #49 on the world infant mortality index; as 1 in 8 children of Somali immigrants in Minnesota are diagnosed with autism and the national rate soars beyond the official 1 in 88; and as toddlers are drugged with increasing frequency, the act of binding together every frightening human impulse and condition with the autism sealant also protects societal conscience: we can cut our losses because the bulk of human evil can be found rolled up in a few tidy gene sequences which science has become suddenly divinely adept at identifying. Baron-Cohen argues, rather than there being some runaway escalation of autism, we have year by year simply become better at detection. Since theres no such thing as a genetic epidemic, attempts to explain away the catastrophic rise in autism and a nearly parallel rise in violent insanity as due to increased recognition or diagnostic substitution seem like a genomic version of the End of Days, complete with genetically determined zero-empathy massacrists as a sort of collective Anti-Christ and the scientific Second Coming separating the genetically worthy wheat from the genetically unworthy chaff in a ramped up selection. The Enlightened Rapture has come at last. Even the genetically founded self-esteem campaign promoted by some high functioning adult self-advocates with autism or neurodiverse falls into the same schema. By denying the existence of an epidemic or that the majority of those affected are not high functioning and often suffer early mortality, and by drafting dead celebrities like Einstein and Mozart to autism in order to portray the condition as a type of technologically proficient genetic master race that has always existed and is responsible for nearly all human innovation, neurodiverse are basically characterizing themselves as something akin to the Wise Virgins: the chosen who lead the Ascension to a progressive, techno-centric paradise, leaving behind the less fit among their own ranks. Oddly enough, in the Book of Revelations, the unfit are those deemed too foolish to power up their gadgets. In real life, a self advocate member of the neurodiversity movement and panel member of the federal Inter-agency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) voted against a medical code for deadly wandering among children with more severe or debilitating forms of autism on the grounds that such a code might impinge on "self determination" and issued objections to autism being framed as a medical condition. Currently theres an ICD-9 code and "Silver Alert" only for adults with dementia, for whom wandering is considered a potential feature of the medical condition, though no medical code for parents to provide to schools, state programs or insurers to access services and resources for affected children who, though many may be on the severe end of the spectrum, frequently display Houdini-ish skills in breaching locked windows, doors and gated yards or may bolt so quickly from caretakers that they're able to wander into danger. Children with autism who wander currently don't qualify for Amber Alerts, though weekly reports of deaths by drowning and exposure have become seasonal norms in the US. Although 90% of autism parents polled reported their affected children have wandered into harms way, the neurodiverse disdain the claim that the majority of individuals with autism are so impaired that they lack the self determination to prevent them from bolting onto a highway at night or into an icy lake. Furthermore, requisite data collection for an ICD-9 code would prove that the rate of wandering and wandering deaths among affected individuals is a very new phenomenon. But this statistical reality of autism clashes with the neurodiverse view of autism as simply a genetic "difference" that has always existed and is even, in adaptive genetic terms, superior in some ways. And so the "Wise Virgins" deny resources to the "foolish" and don't speak up when God/government denies their existence. But the neurodiverse view fails to grasp that the creation of genetic castes is the underpinning of any tribalist social order by which the disabled have always been marginalized and disposed of cast into the lake, so to speak, where children with autism are too often found face-down and dead. Its more than a little ironic that the neurodiverse frequently pin their genetic defenses and denial of environmental cause on the work of commercial scientists like Baron-Cohen, Sir Michael Rutter and Michael Fitzgerald who, out of the other sides of their mouths, promote various versions of the zero empathy association. But if ignoring the suffering of the least fortunate were simply chalked up to more proof that individuals with autism lack empathy, it doesnt seem to be much of a distinguishing feature since the same is typical in the field of autism research itself: it was just more casting into the lake of fire when commercial researchers fell on the vasopressin gene theory of ruthlessness and criminality and linked the concept to autism. Environmental pituitary damage may very well be a feature of the array of physiological injuries involved in autism since a rash of research has linked autism to reduced oxytocin no surprise since both oxytocin and vasopressin are released into the blood via the pituitary from the same neurons as a key mechanism of the central autonomic network. Whatever the cause, some individuals with autism may have abnormal vasopressin. Impaired vasopressin may be a biomarker for Alzheimers as well. Being tested could potentially save lives among those with or without cognitive disability because impaired vasopressinotherwise known as the antidiuretic hormone or ADH which is critical in preventing the body from squandering water from the kidneys when theres a risk of dehydration or electrolyte imbalancecan lead to increased risk of serious illness, more extreme complications in autism-associated diseases like mastocytosis or death from hypernatremia, catabolic and hypovolemic stress. Detection and treatment of abnormal vasopressin would hardly be a cure-all for conditions with complex medical profiles like autism, but some believe it could partly explain incontinence in certain neurological syndromes, lowered seizure threshold, cardiac insufficiency and heat intolerance among other things. Theres an old, relatively safe drug to treat it. But because potential medical risks of low ADH were not included in the media fanfare over vasopressin criminal gene research, many might be afraid to test for the marker. During the Second World War, on one side of the Russian Front lay absurd Nazi eugenic nature theories condemning the mentally and physically disabled as dangers to society and to the purity of the race; on the other side lurked Stalinist promotion of Lamarckian geneticsthe idea that acquired personality traits (e.g., bourgeois corruption) can be passed on to offspring, adulterating the purity of society. As Pulitzer-winning journalist, political activist and former Harvard seminarian Chris Hedges stresses in When Atheism Becomes Religion: Americas New Fundamentalism, both bad seed views, like two sides of the same coin, were used to rationalize torture, grotesque human experimentation and the wiping out of entire families and ethnicities on the concept that all evil lay within recognizably tainted evolutionary strains of human beings. The terms totalitarian, fascist, etc., are overused and worn thin as moral hostage takers in the current political climate, though as philosopher Tzvetan Todorov suggests, the era crystalized a still persisting danger of parareligious scientism. What appears to set 20th century totalitarianism apart from other historical instances of mass injustice is that the externalization of evil from us to them was justified in scientific-sounding language. Considering the choices left to those with autism and families of environmentally injured children in calling for support for challenges and health issues, and considering the estimated six-fold increase in early mortality among affected individuals by a number of causes, many of them preventable, the autism community as a whole are a bit like refugees trapped on a battle front caught between deadly scientific-sounding ideology to the east and more deadly scientific-sounding ideology to the westor left and right as the case may be. In viewing autism, the demonizing pseudosciencethe fronts can be swapped and switched or sometimes combined according to convenience. And so a bastardized hybrid of Lamarckian and Mendelian genetics has come together in the recent theory that autism mothers are, as Bettelheim claimed, emotionally cold (refrigerated), but due to a defective vasopressin gene linked to sociopathic greed and violent psychopathology. Disclosure of actual medical ramifications and causes of impaired vasopressin could get in the way of marketing behavior control drugs for designated conditions, many of which reduce the expression of vasopressin/ADH, effectively increasing risk of the above complications. Also mercury is known to impair vasopressin secretion from the pituitarya fact which, if disclosed, could lead to another profit inhibitor: prevention. But more importantly, admitting to physiological injuries and medical complications in autism detracts from the purely genetic-psychiatric paradigm which is so crucial to marginalizing and targeting groups of people through the concept of genetically programmed devils. Its only a matter of time before industry-sponsored teams of geneticists and social scientists attempt to link the vasopressin gene to other strategic foes or targets in order to justify exploiting their labor, taking their land or bombing them to Kingdom Come for oil or other resources. The theories and choice of targets give away a great deal. Even the Manchurian candidate theory for mass shootings has an element of externalization in that it attributes evil conscious intent to all of its engineers. That doesnt mean the Hoover era drug and brainwashing experiments didnt happen or that they arent continuing in some form or even that current happy pills arent potentially the mass marketed end result of those now declassified social control experiments. But what if the conscious intent of so many secondary agents pushing certain risky pharmaceuticals in our culturefrom school nurses to family doctors to public health officialsis to help? In Why Progressives Dont Get Autism, Age of Autism author and Editor Dan Olmsted wrote, Progressivism, the idea that government can and should intervene to improve the lives of its citizens, arose early in the last century in response to the Darwinian excesses of Industrial Revolution, laissez-faire capitalism child labor, abject poverty in the elderly, untaxed corporate profits that went right back into the pockets of the richest. It peaked during the New Deal, then plummeted during Reagan Government is not the solution to the problem, government IS the problem, he famously said. While this political philosophy waxes and wanes, as it should, I would argue that the word has a wider meaning now that our country, great as it is and has been, faces challenges and problems that can be addressed by doing something, by making progress, sometimes but not necessarily led or funded by government. So its not so much a left-right issue as one of the static status quo versus the impulse to improve on it. The conspiracy for good also doesnt mean more aggressive unconscious motives cant underlie benevolent intentions or that good intentions exonerate action, but if we endow the majority of capitulators with anything other than a devious conscious intent to control for the purposes of exploitation and destruction as part of some vast conspiracy, that would make them too much like us. There are criminals in every institution and conspiracies exist, but these are always sold to the bulk of those carrying them out as necessary means to some beneficial end. The point is that belief in the bad seed theory of genetic disorder or criminality articulates a universal human impulse to externalize and quarantine evil in order to feel assured of our complete separateness from it. The plea of many humanist philosophers is that only through recognizing the universality of the impulse and the rationalizations it hides under can it be impeded. If something can happen to anyone given various environmental conditions (such as upbringing or trauma or toxic assault), its no longer possible to displace the capacity for defect, sin and crime or to divert self-scrutiny. Frau Koma is really nothing other than a lurid parable for the externalization of evil. Externalization of evil is one of the earmarks of fundamentalist fanaticism as much as more serious theology and scientific inquiry, if they have anything in common, are defined by self-scrutiny and humility in facing, as Hedges puts it, that there are forces in the universe which will always lie beyond the capacity of the human mind. He argues that while more deeply considered theology and evolutionary theory share a view of collective human nature as fixed, the ultimate mark of fundamentalism and the root of every utopian scheme that ever existed is the idea that the human race is perfectible. What would better sum up the pharmaceutical sales pitch other than the fanatical idea that we can drug or plan away everything that makes us human? And the first step on the way to the shining future has always been the identification of those castes which hold back human progress and upon whom all human weakness and evil are externalized. This also isnt to say that factors which trigger violent impulses and cause suffering cant be addressed in what 20th Century philosopher Karl Raimund Popper regarded as piecemeal social engineering as opposed to Utopian engineering, which Popper equates to Platos conception for the perfectibility of the race, the precursor of eugenics. In The Open Society and Its Enemies: The Spell of Plato, Part 1, Popper warns about the greater good doctrine: Before proceeding to criticize Utopian engineering in detail, I wish to outline another approach, namely that of piecemeal engineering. It is an approach which I think to be methologically sound. The politician who adopts this method may or may not have a blueprint of society before his mind. He may or may not hope that humanity will reach an ideal state, and achieve happiness and perfection on earth. But he will be aware that perfection, if at all attainable, is far distant, and that every generation of men, and also the living, have a claim; perhaps not so much to be made happy, for there are no institutional means of making man happy, but a claim not to be made unhappy, where it can be avoided. They have a claim to be given all possible help if they suffer. The piecemeal engineer will, accordingly, adopt the message of searching for, and fighting against, the greatest and most urgent evils of society, rather than searching for, and fighting for, its greatest ultimate good. But dont certain drugs and biotechnologies alleviate suffering? For some, not all. And, for some, certain treatments may cause irreversible damage, increased suffering, disability or death. The upshot of Poppers discussion is that sacrificing the few for the greatest ultimate good is not justified in civil society, therefore whatever form of suffering-reduction is being proposed cant be forced even if its offered as an option. The controversy of parsing lesser evils in war will continue as long as there are wars, but social engineering is assumed to be a matter of domestic bettermentwhich probably explains how the prefix war on has been pasted to any forced domestic palliative campaign (war on drugs, war on disease, war on mental illness, etc.), not to mention questionable forms of foreign humanitarian aid in which the greater good rationale and the modified values of war are needed to pardon collateral human costs. Informed choice is a different matter. People who take psychoactive drugs often like the effects. There are some conditionslife threatening seizures or intractable self-injurywhich are so far presented with few other options and, unless the current model is changed, are unlikely to be provided with safer or more effective options. Thinking all human evil and all violent psychosis would disappear if these drugs were forever banned is a bit like saying the world would be perfect if only we could get rid of this damned utopianism. Drug induced violence would certainly be reduced if marketing were strictly limited, if firewalls were erected between regulatory agencies and industry and if consumers were stringently informed of risks and given wide access to non-psychopharmaceutical alternatives. But human beings have always had and always will have an attraction to mind altering substances and to try to legislate against it is to legislate morality, something which Todorov describes as one of the three central linchpins of totalitarianism. And it doesnt work. Prescribing doctors cant make long term predictions over which individuals will go mad on drugs and they also cant predict who wont, though its become abundantly clear that the standard practice of seeing medicated patients twice or four times a year for fifteen minutes to renew prescriptions is a recipe for disaster. Money plays an obvious role in the practice. But as anthropologist Hugh Gusterson indicates in his study of atomic scientists, ascribing only the basest motives to a professiongreed, dominance, the drive to express potency isnt actually the worst that can be said about it because the view ignores the ideology and rationalizations underlying the euphemization of risks, romanticization of technology and exaggerated self-assurance that this technology can be controlled even in the face of repeat error and loss of life the assumptions of utopian engineers. Among the identifying factors which Popper uses to illustrate the difference between piecemeal and utopian social engineering are force, fraud and what Popper describes as the key element of fraud, the division of castes or racialism. All are in operation in the pharmaceutical paradigm where authorities are somehow endowed with the power to ensure that collateral is written off as well as denied. According to Popper, racialism is intrinsic to a social form of historicism the idea that history is essentially controlled by set laws of history and evolutionwhose discovery would enable us to prophesy the destiny of man. Historicismthe pursuit of the secret scientific formula which would supposedly endow the few with the tools to direct the fate of all is based on a genealogical caste system separating the inherently inferior from the inherently superior, with the latter supposedly (divinely or through superior evolution) chosen to decide which is which and to lead humanity to perfection and transcendence. Popper proposes that racialisma key part of the organic theory of the state is at the root of what Plato rationalized as the noble lie imbuing the propaganda and fraud necessary to sell utopian schemes in service of power: Concerning the use of lies and deceit, Plato urges that these are useful only as medicine, but the ruler of the state, Plato insists, must not behave like those ordinary doctors who have not the courage to administer strong medicine. The philosopher kingmust be determined to administer a great many lies and deceptionsfor the benefit of the ruled, Plato hastens to add. Which means, as we already know, and as we may learn here again from Platos reference to medicine, for the benefit of the state. What kind of lies has Plato in mind when he exhorts his rulers to use strong medicine? Crossman rightly emphasizes that Plato means Propaganda, the technique of controllingthe bulk of the ruled majorityby means of both persuasion and force. Like beauty pageant contestants, everyone hopes for world peace and a shining future for humanity. But when, as always happens with utopian schemes, the promise of fantastic transformation, for which the public were persuaded to trade rights and freedoms, begins to crumble under abuse of power and the sheer emptiness of claims, force kicks in. As Orwell elaborated, All tyrannies rule through fraud and force, but once the fraud is exposed, they must rely exclusively on force. In marketing certain pharmaceutical drugs and technologies, persuasion often is fraud. In 2005, a research team directed by Dr. John Ioannidis of the Ioannina School of Medicine, Greece, demonstrated that theres less than a 50% chance that the results of any randomly chosen scientific paper will be true. A Cochrane Collaboration analysis discovered that industry funded studies are reviewed more favorably by medical journals even when the studies were of poor quality (cited by Mercola). Jon Jureidini, head of the Department of Psychological Medicine at Womens and Childrens Hospital in Adelaide, Australia, found corruption and fraud running through every stage of bringing forth blockbuster drugs, from the peer review process to marketing. As for the genetic underpinnings of disease and psychiatric disorders, a large number of findings turn out to be false. But rather than being subject to retractions, findings are often recycled or researchers tweak data until they achieve their desired results. In a special report for The Guardian entitled, Genetic Breakthroughs in Medicine Are Often Nothing of the Sort , psychologist Marcus Munafo and geneticist Jonathan Flint write: In the years following media coverage of discoveries of a gene for depression, for intelligence, and so on, journals less prestigious than Science or Nature often publish reports that contradict the original claim, some even saying that the findings are quite compatible with chance. so many high-profile findings can be explained by chance alone that one genetic epidemiologist, John Ioannidis, has taken on the task of explaining, "Why most published research findings are false"4. Some of the reasons are due to the misuse of statistics and poor study design, but what Ioannidis and others now looking at this problem also point to are the social and political factors. These contribute to his claim that: "The greater the financial and other interests and prejudices in a scientific field, the less likely the research findings are to be true. The hotter a scientific field (with more scientific teams involved), the less likely the research findings are to be true." Even as the American Psychiatric Association protests that they cannot be held responsible for a patients actions because they cannot predict those actions, organized psychiatry advises state and federal legislature in forming laws regarding use of force in mental health policy. Organized psychiatry also guides jurisprudence on public safety and death penalty cases, often on the basis of deeply flawed genetic research or, as The Guardian flatly stated, perjury. They are policy makers endowed with the awesome power to pull the strings of life and death. To quote Popper again, What a monument of human smallness is this idea of the philosopher king. What a contrast between it and the simplicity of humaneness of Socrates, who warned the statesmen against the danger of being dazzled by his own power, excellence, and wisdom, and who tried to teach him what matters most that we are all frail human beings. What a decline from this world of irony and reason and truthfulness down to Platos kingdom of the sage whose magical powers raise him high above ordinary men; although not quite high enough to forgo the use of lies, or to neglect the sorry trade of every shaman the selling of spells, of breeding spells, in exchange for power over his fellow-men. Fundamentalism expresses this shamanism through the promise of paradise; and scientism sells the idea through a vulgarization of Darwins theory in service to a Platonic style of racialism: the laughable concept that select human beings are destined to teleologically evolvei.e., evolve for the better. Whats more, scientism demands the customary recognition of a wise caste among scientists who can accelerate this evolution through the wonders of modern chemistry and social engineering in order to make our species smarter, more rational, happier, healthier, less violentand, as those positioning themselves as the evolutionary vanguard claim of themselves, incredibly empathetic. Never mind the predictable body count of this particular social model. Empathy has become the trendy tagline for supposed degree of evolution from ape aggression or transcendence from original sin depending on whether the rationalization is framed as scientific or religious. But in Efficiency, Sustainability, and Justice to Future Generations (p. 68), Klaus Mathis and Fabian Diriwachter write: The ability to put oneself in other peoples position is generally evaluated as a positive quality. This circumstance must not blind us to the fact that empathy can be utilized for very different purposes. An evolutionary benefit of empathy is thought to be that of understanding competitors in order to eliminate them more efficiently. Someone with empathy can understand their counterpart more easily and therefore engage more effectively with their desires and interests. But it is also empathy that helps the sadist to find out how to torture his victim with particular cruelty. One could argue that enjoyment of pornography requires a type of empathy: after all, the viewer is not actually participating in the depicted scene yet somehow identifies with the excitement they imagine the participants experiencewhich would include those who are titillated by depictions of cruelty and sadism. In The Office and Philosophy: Scenes from the Unexamined Life, Jeremy Wisnewski argues, In everyday language, people tend not to discriminate between the kinds of empathy. But philosophy is about being careful with words so that we do not confuse our concepts and get misled about our conclusions. For example, one would normally say that a psychopath does not have empathy. This is somewhat misleading, since a psychopath who lacked cognitive empathy would be very frustrated. After all, if his goal were to harm or torture people, then he would not know whether or not he was doing it right! It would seem then, that if he lacked anything it would be affective empathyhe doesnt truly feel the pain he is causing. Simon Baron-Cohen, in his review of We Need to Talk About Kevin, concedes that "cognitive empathy" or the ability to guess what someone is thinking or feeling, differs from affective empathy" the ability to feel what someone else is feeling. The capacity for cognitive empathy in the absence of affective empathy would not rule out sadism and psychopathology in other words. But even affective empathy, like any human faculty, is morally ambiguous, merely a color in a paint box: what defines it is what picture is painted with it as law professor Lynne Henderson suggests in Legality and Empathy: The reality of empathy is that we are more likely to empathize with people similar to ourselves, and that such empathic understanding may be so automatic that it goes unnoticed: elites will empathize with the experience of elites, men empathize with men, women empathize with women, whites with whites. I would call this unreflective empathy. And as empathy becomes a mark of the chosen and lack of it a diagnostic criterion of the damned, what picture does it paint? An unreflective division of castes, a replacement for fundamentalist interpretations of sin and sinlessness and a manner of casting off all sins onto designated societal scapegoats. The cult of science does this by projecting all primitive destructiveness stemming from various genetic deficitsoriginal sins to a less- or defectively-evolved grade of human. This in itself is not a sin of course because investigators have bent over backwards to understand the targets. In the same way that tribal cultures engage in totem meal rites of projecting all the sins of tribe members onto a sacrificial animal, when commercial science pundits claim to be incredibly empathetic while participating in crusades against consumer freedom, what they really mean is something closer to a tribal ritual of identification where the chosen dance around in the scapegoats skin a bit after cutting its throat. In this sense, empathy has become the semantic stand-in for purity because sin, like the idea of swinging from a prehensile tail, has disappeared from the repertoire of the self-designated rationalist class. Hedges defines sin as a stark acknowledgment that we can never be omnipotent, that we are bound and limited by human flaws and self-interest. The concept of sin is a check on the utopian dream of a perfect world. In Kurt Vonneguts Cats Cradle, a character sums up the fatal flaw of his fictional father, Felix Hoenikker, the novels Oppenheimer-like Father of the Atom Bomb and one of the smartest scientists on Earth: There are lots of good anecdotes about the bomb and Father For instance, do you know the story about Father on the day they first tested a bomb out at Alamagordo? After the things went off, after it was a sure thing that America could wipe out a city with just one bomb, a scientist turned to Father and said, Science has now known sin. And do you know what Father said? He said, What is sin? Utopian cults baptize an immaculate earthly elite who justify force as the means to achieve a progressive paradise and the sacrifice or weeding out of the inferior for the good of the race. The elite, according to the cult of science, are the more purely rational, supposedly freer of superstition, irrationality and magical thinking and somehow less bound by human flaws, self-interest and selfishness, therefore more effectively empathic. The irony of the current scientific cult, like many religious cults, is that it ultimately rationalizes a preemptive withdrawal of mercy, empathy and basic civil rights from those classes of people who are diagnostically undeserving of self-determination because theyre deemed to intrinsically lack empathy or, in a wider societal sense, collectively lacking in rational cognitive processinganother deadly sin on the list of diagnostic vices and therefore selfishly obstructive of the march to progress and the achievement of the greatest ultimate good for mankind. In the past few years, there have been an increasing number of industry-supported weaponized sociology studies and subsequent media reports arguing that growing consumer dissidence against certain technological innovations like genetically modified crops, vaccines and psychiatric drugs stems from an irrational health belief model and that, furthermore, this tendency to cult-like, short-sighted superstitious irrationality may be genetic. Both Skeptic icon Richard Dawkins, author of The Selfish Gene, and Richard Brodie, former technical assistant to Bill Gates and author of Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme, have advocated engineering evolution by manipulating social consciousnessaka, memetic engineering and thus guiding natural selection and evolution itself to eradicate irrationality and false belief from the species. Malcolm Gladwell has been accused of lifting the "meme" conception for his "epidemic" theory of contagious ideas and beliefs. But Gladwell, possibly more of an opportunist than ideologue, shies slightly away from Dawkins' proposal that thought and belief not only impact the evolution of ideas but may actually impact evolution itself. As outrageous as it sounds, commercial science and the media are increasingly filled with true believers in the creed. Imagine the horror of the Anti-Defamation League when on January 9th, 2009, journalist Bill Moyers presented an argument about violence in Gaza entitled, Bill Moyers Reflects on Middle East Violence (scroll to 2:50). What we are seeing in Gaza is the latest battle in the oldest family quarrel on record. Open your Bible: the sons of the patriarch Abraham become Arab and Jew. Go to the Book of Deuteronomy. When the ancient Israelites entered Canaan their leaders urged violence against its inhabitants. The very Moses who had brought down the commandment Thou shalt not kill now proclaimed, You must destroy completely all the places where the nations have served their gods. You must tear down their altars, smash their pillars, cut down their sacred poles, set fire to the carved images of their gods, and wipe out their name from that placeSo God-soaked violence became genetically coded. Wherever one stands on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflictand there are many Israelis and Palestinians who hope for an end to violenceMoyers' summary remark was ethically craven, aside from having no basis in science, history or anthropology. Tzvetan Todorov makes the simple point that more human beings were killed in the name of science and twisted concepts of genetics in the twentieth century than died in human conflict or anthropogenic disasters in previous recorded history. Our ape ancestors, according to primatologist Richard Wrangham, committed routine lethal raids, cannibalism, rape, battering and infanticide. Apes are not generally believed to be religious. The fact that so many human lives have been squandered in religious conflicts throughout history simply makes the question of religion moot to the discussion. The faculty of beliefbelief in anything is just another color in the paint box. It can paint pictures of courage and tolerance or arrogance and extremism. Moyers conducted a reverent interview with Richard Dawkins in 2004 in which Dawkins does his usual fish-in-a-barrel routine by highlighting the more extreme and destructive fanatical religious and paranormal views in order to comparatively prop up his own brand of rationalism, though Moyers avoids questioning Dawkins over the no less absurd idea of memetic engineering, a concept which Moyers later invokes with the God-soaked remark. The picture that emerges from the utopian palette never seems to change. For all its enlightened claims, the concept of memetic engineering doesnt differ much from ancient alchemy. Along with their faith that they would eventually be capable of transmuting lead into gold, alchemists sought to uncover an Elixir of Lifea magic bullet to end all suffering, disease and deathand divined that the human species could be permanently delivered from its imperfect state through thought and belief. Inherent to the magical side of ancient alchemy, like in its modern practice in India, is the caste system. Dawkins and other supporters of memetic evolution have watched as their theories evolve into literal application: the idea that thought and belief alter DNALamarckian genetics reincarnated. This has been taken to such fanatical heights that Dawkins Skeptic comrade Sam Harris has called for the total annihilation of Islamic culture on the idea that believers are inherently tainted with violent ideology. Like Baron-Cohens cries of kinder-gentler intent in response to protests that his push for prenatal autism screening could bring about mass abortions, many members of the Skeptic front movement recently reacted to public criticism by momentarily distancing themselves from Harriss more concrete interpretation of memetic evolution (while still defending its core assumptions). From Chestertons Eugenicist as Euphemist: Most Eugenicists are Euphemists. I mean merely that short words startle them, while long words sooth them. And they are utterly incapable of translating the one into the other, however obviously they mean the same thing. Say to them The persuasive and even coercive powers of the citizen should enable him to make sure that the burden of longevity in the previous generation does not become disproportionate and intolerable, especially to the females; say this to them and they will sway slightly to and fro like babies sent to sleep in cradles. Say to them Murder your mother, and they sit up quite suddenly. Yet the two sentences, in cold logic, are exactly the same. Dawkins pulls slightly short of blunt about his ideological aims: We, alone on earth, can rebel against the tyranny of the selfish replicators. But Harris doesnt euphemize at all: Some propositions are so dangerous that it may even be ethical to kill people for believing in them. He states that honest people should destroy bad ideas (and apparently their bad human vectors) where they find them. Dawkins and his Skeptic/radical atheist followers demonstrate that theres no better cover for a secular form of fundamentalist historicism than externalizing and generalizing the same fanatical paradigm solely to groups which self-identify as non-secularextremist members of which have frequently also been guilty of externalizing all evil to nonbelievers. Both extremes fail to account for historical acts of valor and selflessness committed by the ideological opposition, or when mass atrocities and heinous deeds were performed under their own banner. It doesnt take a PhD to recognize that the degree to which any religious or secular ideology purports more than symbolic infallibility in select (honest) human beingsat least sufficient sinlessness to condemn others without rigorous due process is also the degree to which its cult-like. The tribal caste conceit is hard to escapeit exists to some extent in every human institution and is reflected in commonplace impulses like celebrity worship. In Escape from Evil, anthropologist Ernest Becker chides humanity for the way our hearts palpitate at the sight of an admired idol. How do we know were each endowed with dark as well as light? Aside from the simple fact of being human, Becker indicates that our primitive humanity can be measured by those worshipful palpitations. Viewing some human beings as virtually transcendent gives hope and can fuel aspirations. And its entertaining. But the dark side of the same impulse is the usual division of castes and dangerous reverence for authority. As Hedges argues, Christs My kingdom is not of this world can be taken as an allegorical warning that perfection cannot be found in any human institution. When the idea is projected into a hereafter or, for secular purposes, to a far off goal of social engineering as Popper describes, it fulfills a common human need for hope in addressing social ills and human suffering. But all cults promise previewstranscendence in the here and now and naturally an elite which will decide who is or is not in the book of life. For its part, commercial science has anointed a higher order endowed with special wisdom in gauging by DNA who is Round-Up Ready enough to join the worthy on the march to a shining future and who shall be cursed to the fire of disability, disease, dangerous insanity and extinction. Secular or not, scientific fanaticism is still a form of faith, but one which, like any cult, creates angels and devils in earthly form. Why continue the pretense that this isnt an alternative religion with its own shamans, gods, devils and divine messengers? Hence the ultimate cheap gimmickthe Frau Koma avataron which to project all the pseudo-rationalist absolutes. The argument isnt new. As mid-twentieth century philosopher and originator of the Serenity Prayer Reinhold Niebuhr warns in The Irony of American History and in The Children of Darkness and the Children of Light, the creation of absolutes and the externalization of evil are the means by which we inadvertently take on the evil attributes we project onto ideological foes. He warns that this will happen when the state and science attempt to combine the human need for transcendence by offering a paradise on earth, which invariably leads to the use of power without scruples under an illusion that a particular conception of an unambiguously ideal end justifies such abuse: As politics deals with the proximate ends of life, and religion deals with ultimate ones, it is always a source of illusion when the one is invested with the otherThis unification is spurious and dangerous; but this in fact adds to, rather than detracts from, its striking power. Religion and science are combined in such a way that the modern cult of science is brought completely into the service of an existential faith. In his book on technological and progressive fanaticism, When Atheism Becomes Religion, Hedges reiterates Niebuhrs warning for modern application: Those who, in the name of science, claim that we can overcome our imperfect human nature create a belief system that functions like religion. It gives meaning. It gives purpose and hope. But it is a myth. It is not true. And there is nothing, when you cut through their scientific jargon, to support their absurd propositions. Vonnegut asks, See the cat? See the cradle? Todorov, also cited by Hedges, defines scientismthe religion of science as the campaign to create a paradise on earth by curing humanity of its criminal instincts and warns further that scientism is an intrinsic element of totalitarian doctrine: At a particular point in history, however, a conjunction occurred bringing together several preexisting strands: revolutionary ardor, implying the use of force; the millenarian dream of building an earthly paradise here and now; and the pseudoscientific doctrine asserting that complete knowledge of the human species was about to become available. The moment of this meeting marks the birth of totalitarian ideology. Members of the new rationalist front who issue organized defenses of commercial genetics and pharmaceutical policies are fond of quoting Karl Poppers scientific theories, though they tend to steer clear of his social hypotheses because Popper is unequivocal on the irrelevance of whether certain utopian theories are framed as mystical or scientific: in either case, any attempts to apply these types of theories to society are, as Popper warns, veiled forms of propaganda to return to tribalism. When rationalized as a scientific crusade for the betterment of humanity, mystical, caste-dependent tribalismwith its scapegoating rites and totem meals to displace evil and achieve the purity of the tribe is simply a veiled bid for totalitarianism. In this sense, theres nothing more politically ominous than the hunt to identify the born killer. Much more substantial than the imagined genetic overlap between conditions like autism and mass murdering psychosis is the similarity between modern drug-fueled massacrists and their creators: whats shared by those in the throes of violent side effects and those whose pseudoscientific doctrine led to the forceful marketing of harmful pharmaceutical products is a sort of avenging angel or avatar delusion leading some to expedite a virtual day of reckoning. Elements of this are reflected in the totalitarian or fundamentalist symbol-fragments that so many of the chemically-driven mass killers may suddenly identify with. Both creator and creation are convinced they are fixing the world by taking power over the unworthy, no matter what scale is used to judge other human beings and find them wanting. Both imagine themselves to possess a supernatural ability to identify the inherently bad strains who can no longer be reached by human means. Both ultimately move towards the use of force one through fraud and mandated treatment, the other with bullets. Erich Fromm wrote in The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, As long as one believes that the evil man wears horns, one will not discover an evil man. One will also fail to see any potential for evil in the mirror. The similar mentality between purveyors of modern pharmaceutical progress and those driven mad by it might not be simply poetic accident to the extent that those creating, profiting by, prescribing and forcing certain treatments in the guise of helping would naturally be blind to side effects representing something in themselves they wished to deny. Holocaust survivor and novelist Primo Levi warns of what he called the Manichean view that human beings can be divided into absolutes of pure good or pure evil. Levi protested any blurring of the line between perpetrators and victims as a precious service rendered (intentionally or not) to the negators of truth. I do not know, he wrote, and it does not much interest me to know, whether in my depths there lurks a murderer, but I do know that I was a guiltless victim and I was not a murderer. But Levi also stresses that Nobody can know for how long and under what trials his soul can resist before yielding or breaking, and every one of us can potentially turn into monsters. Levis point is potentiality, not actuality. Not everyone will yield to destructive impulses but denial of universal monster-potential seems to be central to genetic fundamentalism: those pushing for forced treatment instead prefer to quarantine the roots of violence to a genetically defective caste rather than recognizing that their technology had merely unmasked and unleashed something which exists as a capacity in themselves along with everyone else, though it might otherwise not be expressed. So just as many modern pharmaceuticals may, in the extreme, strip the mind of more sophisticated social inhibitions, destroy the faculty of love and amplify a capacity for violence which is at the root of our species the parallels of original sin according to western theology and ape aggression according to Darwinismmedication madness may be the ultimate expression of the mentality of its inventors: the externalization of evil and the conceit of God-like status in justifying the performance of the ultimate triage or Last Judgment. If modern drug-fueled killers expose the messianic, millenarian core of scientific overreach, its not surprising: the primitive parts of our brains seem geared to a simplistic view of good and evil, worthy or unworthy, so that any ideology or science based in this tendency cant claim to be enlightened or humane. Like any human drive run amok, its simply naked tribalism dressed in rationality. But this is precisely why it sells and why Frau Koma will be resurrected again and again whenever we deny by any means that every one of us, regardless of status, carries the gene for this potential and there is no cure. Adriana Gamondes is a contributing editor to Age of Autism and a Facebook page administrator. She and her husband commute between Massachusetts and Florida and are the proud parents of recovering twins. Disclaimer: Withdrawal from psychotropic drugs can often be more dangerous than continuing on a medication. It is important to withdraw extremely slowly from these drugs under the supervision of a qualified specialist. Withdrawal symptoms are sometimes more severe than the original symptoms or problems. KAMPALA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Far from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Africa is paying the price. Communities are going hungry as food prices continue to escalate, exacerbating an already worse situation compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Africa relies on grain imports from Russia and Ukraine, but with the ongoing crisis, which closed ports in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Russia, the supply chain is disrupted. Humanitarian agencies are arguing that the blocked supplies are worsening the hunger situation in Africa where some parts have been hit by persistent drought, desert locust infestation and insecurity. According to the African Development Bank (ADB), the disruptions of food supplies arising from the Russia-Ukraine war, Africa now faces a shortage of at least 30 million metric tons of food, especially wheat, maize, and soybeans imported from both countries. African leaders are now engaged in urgent calls to Western countries and Russia to at least free up the cereal and grain supplies. African Union chief and Senegalese President Macky Sall recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi to ask him to assist in getting the wheat of Ukraine out of the Ports of Odessa. Sall has also talked to the Europeans to stop sanctioning wheat from Russia and fertilizers because Africa needs them. Antonio Querido, a UN Food and Agriculture Organization envoy in Uganda told Xinhua that while all these calls are short-term measures, the silver lining on the Ukraine crisis is the signal that Africa should work on being self-sufficient in food. "Times are challenging, this crisis is affecting everyone, it is affecting our continent. When it comes to the agriculture sector, we should look at this global crisis as an opportunity," Querido said. "This is the time for us also to look at ways for us to be self-sufficient in feeding our people. Uganda, you still have more than 60 percent of arable land untouched, sufficient water, so there is an opportunity for us," he added. The UN envoy argued that African countries need to identify commodities that they can invest and start producing at a scale that can address the continent's food shortages. "We have one of the biggest continents, our continent has 60 percent of the global arable land, this is the continent that you find one of the biggest rivers, and our market is also 1.4 billion people," he said. "More investment is needed in agriculture, mechanization for us to produce more, to be effective and be able to compete with others," he said. ADB last month announced a 1.5 billion U.S. dollar facility to benefit 20 million African farmers, who will receive certified seed and technology to rapidly produce 38 million tons of food. This, according to the bank, would be a 12 billion-dollar increase in food production in two years. The two-year emergency phase, according to ADB, will be followed by a five-year ramp-up phase aimed at weaning Africa off wheat and other food imports. The five-year phase will deliver seeds and inputs to 40 million farmers under the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation program. Some African countries have started their individual journeys of reducing dependence on food imports. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in his annual State of the Nation Address held on Tuesday said the country is working towards boosting agricultural production. Museveni said the country is moving away from depending on rain-fed agriculture to irrigation. He said besides working on mega irrigation schemes, the government is working with the private sector to ensure the production of solar-powered irrigation pumps that can be used in villages. January 21, 2020 Iranian Reformists have called on President Hassan Rouhani to step down, while hard-liners, surprisingly, are urging him to remain in office. Rouhani has faced unprecedented pressure in recent months, as new crises arise each day, including countrywide protests. It's possible Rouhani is unlucky, as several unforeseen events have taken place during his tenure, such as the 2017 election of Donald Trump possibly the worst thing a moderate president of Iran could have imagined. Trump's election led to the death of the 2015 nuclear deal and the reimposition of US sanctions. However, Iran and the United States are seemingly doomed to have hostile ties. When Iran elects a moderate as president, the United States has a conservative as head of state, and vice versa. Prominent Reformist theorist Saeed Hajjarian was the first to bring up the idea of Rouhanis resignation. In May 2019, when Iran's economic crisis peaked due to US sanctions, Hajjarian stated that since parliament had effectively lost its power, Iran's economic problems could be solved by Rouhani's resignation and the subsequent holding of parliamentary and presidential elections, so the hard-liners and conservatives could win both. Hajjarians suggestion is taking a swipe at the deep state, which, according to Mashregh News, Hajjarian uses to mean the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hajjarian argued that the deep state doesnt allow the Reformist-backed Rouhani to implement his policies, including negotiations with the West. As such, it is better not to waste time and to let the groups representing the deep state take over in order to see harmony in the country. A few days after the November 2019 protests in Iran, which caught many analysts off-guard, as the protests stemmed from the anger of poor segments of society, Abbas Abdi, an eminent Reformist analyst, suggested again that Rouhani resign. Mentioning the hard-liners constant attacks on Rouhani and their belief that he is the source of the dire state of the economy, Abdi explained Dec. 8: After the recent protests, it is unlikely that the [Rouhani] administration would be able to take its [simple] decisions, let alone make big decisions. He called for holding an early presidential election. A choice must be made," he wrote. "What is definite is that the continuation of the current [condition] is the worst [possible approach]. He reiterated Hajjarian's argument, stating, For [resolving] the current problems in economy, foreign policy and domestic politics, we need managerial and political unity. Abdi is indicating that since the hard-liners and the deep state have placed obstacles before Rouhani, it is better that a new president and parliament aligned with hard-liners replace the existing ones. The idea, which hard-liners would normally welcome, surprisingly irritated them. Kayhan newspaper, the mouthpiece of hard-liners, called it the enemies plan. On one hand, they suggest Rouhani resign, and on the other hand they claim that [Rouhanis administration] opponents want his tenure to end with no achievement," Kayhan reported Dec. 15, 2019. The Reformists "seek to lay the blame for [Rouhanis] failure at [conservatives] door and perhaps are preparing the public for future negotiations." "The Reformists are well aware of Rouhanis popularity sinking and consider themselves the losers of the [2020] parliamentary election," Kayhan continued. "They presumably want to put the fault of their loss on the [Islamic Republic] establishment. Despite the hard-liners argument against Rouhani leaving power, they have called for his resignation over the past few years. Even in December 2019, Alireza Panahian, a hard-line cleric, called for the formation of a powerful and independent parliament to impeach Rouhani. Then we dont have to see the suffering of the people and other Saudi-American crises in the country for two more years, tweeted Panahian. In the face of hard-liners unexpected opposition to the idea of Rouhani stepping down, Abbas Abdi said: If the serious opponents of the government dont accept this solution, [therefore] it is better for them to avoid making trouble [for Rouhani]. This administration seeks to revive the economy through resolving the foreign [affairs issues]. If you dislike and still oppose it, then why do you oppose the idea of resignation? He then emphasized: If you find resignation inappropriate, then please allow [Rouhani] to do his job. It seems Abdi is referencing the opposition to Rouhani's previous attempts at more negotiations and restoring ties with the United States, including during President Barak Obamas tenure. As the result of various crises over the past month, some people on social networks are asking for Rouhanis resignation. Nevertheless, even if Rouhani decides to stand down, Supreme Leader Khamenei will definitely oppose it, as it could lead to more chaos in the country. In this vein, Abbasi Salimi Namin, an influential conservative analyst, stated in 2018: The supreme leader won't allow [the resignation to happen]. He has never let the administrations to [step down] halfway through. In a separate statement in December 2018, Salimi Namin argued that Rouhanis resignation would create chaos. "Thats why the leader entered the field [for the issue of a hike in gasoline price, which led to protests] to prevent the possible [repercussions of the pressure on Rouhani]. Iran's leader recently supported Rouhanis policy to raise gasoline prices while he was under pressure from hard-liners, who were bent on ousting him, and the public. KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The number of foreign tourist arrivals to Malaysia is expected to hit 5 million by the end of this year, according to the country's largest association for travel and tour. The easing of restrictions since April 1 and the renewed surge in international travel put the industry in a good position to recover, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) President Tan Kok Liang told Xinhua in a phone interview. "We have had around 1 million arrivals since the government lifted restrictions on international tourism arrival. Of those about 600,000 arrivals were from neighboring Singapore," he said. "However, we are optimistic as countries from the EU, Australia, Japan, India and other ASEAN countries have been giving us very positive feedback and we feel the 5 million mark will easily be reached," he added. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Malaysia will transition to an endemic phase of the pandemic and reopen its borders to international travelers from April 1, partly to ease pressure on the country's economy. The decision was made due to the successful national immunization campaign against COVID-19 and represents an exit strategy to enable Malaysians to return to almost normal life after a two-year battle with COVID-19. Tan, however, said the tourism sector still faces challenges, most notably a shortage in manpower following two years of disruptions and other problems in securing foreign workers. "This has also been noted by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri, who we are working with to raise these issues and seek solutions. The shortage of workers is particularly concerning as it affects the ability of hotels, restaurants and other manpower intensive businesses," he said. "However we are confident that as things continue to improve, we will see a normalization and the sector will finally be able to pick up where it left off before the pandemic started, even if it takes some time," he said. According to data from Tourism Malaysia, an agency under the ministry, Malaysia recorded 26.1 million arrivals in 2019, contributing 86.1 billion ringgit (19.59 billion U.S. dollars), with this figure dropping to 4.33 million arrivals in 2020 as the pandemic took hold and only 130,000 arrivals in 2021. Jerusalem, in Israel, and Kashmir, in India, have a common tie that binds: Muslims and their political allies in the West are diligently working to erase the long-standing Jewish ties to Jerusalem and Hindu ties to Kashmir by claiming that the subsequent Muslim invasions of both those regions preempt all other claims to the landand by portraying themselves as victims of Jewish and Hindu imperialism. The Jewish Bible mentions Jerusalem 669 times and Zion 154 times. The Christian Bible mentions Jerusalem 154 times and Zion seven times. The Quran does not mention Jerusalem even once. But Islamists assert their claim over the Holy City, particularly over the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These two monuments stand atop the Temple Mount, the site of Judaisms most sacred First Templebuilt in 957 BC, almost 2,000 years before the Ummayads erected the Muslim shrines. Muslims and their allies have engaged in a systematic campaign since the 1920s to erase the Jewish connection to the site and its ancient Jewish religious significance. Not only that, every Israeli action against jihadists is painted as an act of oppression through narratives that invert reality, a Quran-sanctioned strategy of dissimulation called taqiyya. Islamists have been using the same strategy against Kashmiri Hindus in India since the late 1980s. It has intensified in the past few years. The goal is to legitimize and mainstream a Muslim identity for Kashmir, which has nursed Hinduism from 1500-1200 BC when the Vedas or Hindu scriptures were written. The onslaught, in which the left-liberal dominated Western media is complicit, is multipronged: refer to Kashmir as Muslim territory, as if its history began with the forced conversions of Hindus from the 14th century onwards; call Kashmir an occupied territory and India an oppressor; declare legislation and other actions strengthening Indias hold over Kashmir draconian; blow up random incidents of violence against Muslims and present them as large-scale conspiracies; and accuse Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of planning the exclusion and eventual elimination of Indias 12% Muslim population. Image: The ~2,200-year-old Hindu Shankaracharya Temple dedicated to Shiva in Kashmir, with the ~627-year-old Khanqah-e-Moula mosque attached to it by Didier Lamouche. CC BY-SA 4.0. A calumnious fiction with a Nazi-inspired nameModicausthas been created. Islamists hope the equation with Hitler will sully Modis image and cause his defeat, bringing in a government that will loosen Indias hold on Kashmir, which the Modi government has tightened. Pakistan, which cant win a conventional war with India, has fed this narrative, cultivating Islamists in America and left-liberals in the Western media and academia. The mindset favoring Islamists is evident even in reports about books. Last month, while reporting on Gitanjali Shrees novel Tomb of Sand winning the Booker Prize in the New York Times, cultural reporter Alex Marshall referred to Indias partition from Pakistan, denying in a few strokes on the keyboard the regions 3,500-year-old Indic culture. The NYT has since added a correction but, when an erudite cultural reporter commits such an error, there is reason to suspect willful distortion. Marshalls choice of words amplifies recent attempts by American Islamists and their sympathizers to raise false alarms about a looming genocide of Muslims in Kashmir and other parts of India, whose government they have repeatedly described as Hindu majoritarian. In fact, its the Hindus in Kashmir who suffered forced conversions and seven exoduses imposed by Muslim rulers over 600 years. From being a majority in Kashmir before Muslims arrived, Hindu Pandits now constitute hardly 3% of the population. Since becoming prime minister in 2014, Modi has abrogated Article 370, which granted special status to the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. Under Article 370, it had a separate constitution, its own criminal laws, and a flag, and its residents enjoyed a host of benefits. He also abrogated Article 35A, which defined permanent residents of Kashmir and granted them privileges, including property ownership rights denied to other Indians in the state. Article 35A promoted Kashmiri insularity through a sexist rule that took away property rights from female permanent residents who married non-residents. In addition, Modi has acted against Kashmiri politicians and those in the media who amassed wealth over the troubled decades by playing sides craftily with terrorist groups, Pakistans ISI, and the Indian state, and on the seminar circuit. In 2019, Modi outlawed triple talaq, a feature of shariah law that allows Muslim men to divorce their wives by merely pronouncing talaq three times. He is pushing a uniform civil code of personal laws with no special benefits for any religious group. His government has fast-tracked citizenship for persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis from neighboring Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan through the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA). The CAA in no way restricts citizenship; any foreigner may apply through normal channels. But American Islamists and their cohorts have seized upon these reforms to project the disingenuous case of Muslim victimhood in India. Among the organizations of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) promoting these false narratives are the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). ISNA and CAIR were co-conspirators in the U.S.s largest terror funding trialthe U.S. vs. Holy Land Foundation caseand were found guilty of providing material support to Hamas. The USCMO was involved in funding the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Taliban, and the IAMC has collaborated with CAIR to condemn the State Departments omitting India from the list of countries of particular concern. Both organizations allege that hate crimes against minorities have made India a threat to democratic values and Muslims worldwide. These organizations and their mouthpieces, which themselves espouse civilizational jihad, falsely accuse Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of promoting division. They allege there are calls to ostracize Muslims or target them for violence and describe India as unsafe for Muslims and Christians. A recent issue of ISNAs magazine, Islamic Horizons, describes Modi as a reincarnation of Hitler and claims that Hindu nationalists see themselves as Aryans. An earlier issue contained articles accusing India of othering Muslims and subjecting them to Orwellian loyalty oaths and said the Modi regime is guilty of rampant ethno-nationalism. The magazine alleged that scholars invited to a conference on Dismantling Global Hindutva, organized by Islamists and radical Leftists, received more than a million emails threatening death, rape and/or bombs. Articles also claim that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a social service organization in India that has demonstrated tolerance of Muslims, idolizes Hitler. They accuse the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) of taking its Hindu supremacist agenda to the U.S. public school system and using the American justice system to sue scholars who criticize Modi, his party, and the RSS. Despite evidence that Muslim leaders intent on fomenting trouble provoked recent riots in Delhi, the magazine described the events as pogroms against Muslims. It alleges that Muslim women are put up for auction, that Muslims are lynched frequently, that those who attack Muslims are applauded as heroes, and that some states have outlawed marriage between Muslim men and Hindu women. All untrue. The intention is clear: demonize Hindus and project Muslim victimhood. As early as 1948, the year after India and Pakistan came into being, India had complained to the U.N. about Pakistans occupation of parts of Kashmir. But the U.N. remained indifferent. Now, when Islamists have complained that India is illegally occupying Kashmir, stripped it of its autonomy, and subjected it to blackouts and lockdowns, the U.N. Human Rights Organization, under the influence of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), cites Indian action against planned riots and terrorist activity in Kashmir as oppressive and undemocraticeven though the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India has ratified, allows states to impose restrictions to protect public order. India is the victim of bad international press on Kashmir. The Kashmiri identity is being falsely legitimized as purely Islamic and India is being portrayed as a Hindu oppressor. This parallels closely the way deep Jewish roots in Jerusalem are denied and Israel is painted as a Jewish oppressor. The Islamists have achieved this through their connections in academia, the media, and among radical leftist groups despite Pakistans known sponsorship of terror groups that commit ceaseless incursions into the region. This inversion of history must not go unchallenged. On June the 1st, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he intended to use his military to once again move against the multi-ethnic Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces are the armed wing of the Rojava government, a sort of autonomous region that broke from the main Syrian government in 2014. The Rojava region is not wholly unfriendly to the Syrian Arab Republic, but is also not quite part of it. It is also not a party to the Syrian Rebels who have largely been absorbed by the Turkish occupation of northern Syria or the al-Qaeda presence in Idlib province. Once again, the SDF have been in opposition to both the rebels and the Syrian government, but have been more likely to cooperate with the Syrian government in the past. The SDF are probably most famous for being the ground forces who, supported by U.S. air cover, drove the Islamic State from its capital of ar-Raqqa in 2017. I say these forces are multi-ethnic because, though the biggest component is Kurdish, the SDF also has many Arabs, Assyrians, Turkmen, and Armenians within. It is a nice snapshot of the ethnic diversity of Northern Syria and Iraq. However, the SDF are largely referred to as Syrian Kurds in the news, and this has seemingly been used by their enemies. I refer to how the Kurdish association allows the conflation the Kurdish-led SDF with the Kurdish Marxist terrorist organization, the PKK. The PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) are Kurdish rebels in Turkey who fight for an autonomous Kurdistan in southern Turkey. Since 2015, the PKK have purportedly killed hundreds of people in sniping, IED attacks, and rocket attacks. I want to make clear that I believe the state of Turkey has the right to defend itself against PKK terrorists. That said, the PKK, to their credit, did help with the liberation of Northern Iraq and Syria from the Islamic State. However, just to demonstrate how complicated the Kurdish situation is, the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga disassociated from the PKK after rising tensions. I have not seen President Joe Biden say anything in condemnation of the announced Turkish offensive against Syrias Kurdish-led SDF. I intentionally waited for seven days after the announcement to give him the chance. I suppose I should not be surprised, it was Joe Biden who gave his approval of the first such encroachment in 2016. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the current attack might, undermine regional stability (and) provide malign actors with opportunities to exploit instability. However, nobody would have let Donald Trump off the hook for letting somebody else speak his indignation, so there is no need to give Joe the benefit of the doubt here. Considering how desperately NATO needs Turkeys approval right now, I would not expect much. Then again, I remember how the Democrats could not have cared less about those allies of ours until it provided them an opportunity to criticize Donald Trump in 2019. In particular, I remember the remarks of then former-vice president Joe Biden saying that Donald Trump, betrayed our word as a nation and that Trump was following the whims of a fellow strongman. He even felt the offense was enough to warrant an impeachment of the America First President. Why bring up only Bidens hypocrisy? There have been plenty others. Photojournalist Jason Motlagh was quite incensed against Donald Trumps betrayal of the Kurds in 2019, but has remained noticeably silent this time. Since Motlagh is often reporting from warzones, perhaps he is just too busy. I might be able to accept such an excuse from him. However, I know that David Ignatius of the Washington Post does not have that excuse, nor does the editorial board of the Times of San Diego. Regardless of the hypocrisy, the journalists mentioned have done perfectly respectable work in the past and perhaps should be cut some slack for not paying attention to the Mideast while there is a war going on in Europe. How about Donald Trumps political foes? Chuck Schumer had some pretty strong words about betraying the Kurds in 2019, how about now? The only statement I found from him on June 1st was celebrating Pride Month. The same could be said of Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, and even Lindsey Graham. To be fair to Lindsey, this criticism of Putin might be seen as a tacit condemnation of Turkey, but I doubt it. The round of criticism for these peoples silence is strangely tepid with only a few people doing such. Mitch McConnell criticized Trump for only [benefitting] Russia, Iran, and Assad. However, I suppose abandoning the Kurds only benefits Russia when Trump does it. Then again, the SDF has expressed interest in getting closer to the Syrian government if the Turks attack, which was not something they did in 2019. I may not have been a fan of Donald Trumps decision in 2019, but it seems to me that the ramifications could well be much more serious this time around. Of course we will not hear the thunders of condemnation of President Biden for his silent approval of Turkish encroachment; that would be in violation of the Americas back! narrative. I will let the sitting President describe my opinion on this matter in his own words: [He] sold out the Syrian Democratic Forces -- the courageous Kurds and Arabs who fought with us to smash ISISs caliphate -- and he betrayed a key local ally in the fight against terrorism. But thats not all -- he betrayed our brave troops, who sacrificed alongside them. He betrayed our word as a nation -- raising doubts among our allies around the world about Americas security commitments. Image: Kurdishstruggle Congress and the administration have recognized the incredible challenge facing the U.S. Forest Service. The agency manages ten percent of the continental U.S. land base. They have allotted millions to rehabilitate the overgrown, fire-prone National Forests as well as billions for wildfire suppression. However, in the Forest Services zeal to achieve results, they are too often adding fire to the landscape. The results have unfortunately included destroying hundreds of homes and tens of thousands of acres of forest. Note to the Forest Service: please be judicious in your use of this tool -- the results can too often be devastating and even fatal. The cure (adding fire to the landscape) can be worse than the disease (potential wildfires). Adding fire to the landscape with: 1) deliberately set prescribed fires or 2) using fire to fight wildfires, can have positive results. The same is true for managing natural ignitions (lightning) such as allowing single trees in a high elevation rocky wilderness to burn out on their own or allowing fires to creep around and clear underbrush under very tight specific conditions. However, in the past several years we have seen devastating results for a number of reasons. In some cases, the weather conditions changed and the once small incident escaped and became a major wildfire such as occurred with the recent Hermit Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire on the Santa Fe National Forest that destroyed hundreds of homes and impacted over 300,000 acres much of which is private land. In other cases, wildfire suppression commanders, who are in charge of fighting fires, are reportedly adding fire to the forest with increasing frequency, to burn out large blocks of forest. Their intentions were to would burn the fuel in the path of the wildfire. However, as we have seen, where the wildfire commander was too aggressive, the added fire actually added to the wildfires destructive path. Overaggressive use of fire is unfortunately not new to federal land management. There are instances over the years where adding fire has had deadly results. I and others who worked in managing forests and wildfires remember the names of those who perished and remember the loss of neighbors homes from agency ignitions. I specifically remember in 1993, Frankie Toledo, a Jemez Pueblo firefighter, was killed by an escaped prescribed fire also on the Santa Fe National Forest. Nevertheless, it is important for the Forest Service be able to continue to use all these tools. Prescribed fire has its place as does managing natural ignitions as does using fire to fight wildfire. The key is to applying these tools with the utmost care. U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore was right to call a ninety-day timeout. Burning in the fall when rains and snow are expected is generally a safer alternative than spring burning when summer lies ahead with hotter and drier burning periods. Knowing the long-term weather forecast and extinguishing natural ignitions well before the weather changes is critical. Ensuring the forest is mechanically thinned enough before adding or allowing fire is simply foundational. Reconsidering the use of prescribed fire in a drought year is just common sense. So is assessing the nations available wildfire suppression resources before deciding to monitor a natural ignition even under the tightest conditions. Evaluating the risk of managing a wildfire as a big box and adding fire vs. a rapid massive initial direct attack is a critical decision. It requires years of experience and fire leaders who clearly value peoples lives and homes to be more important than brush and trees. I recall how blessed we were in fighting the 2004 Waterfall fire in Carson City, Nevada, to have the experienced fire leadership we had. They had the foresight to create a fuel break next to a subdivision and then burn out from that fuel break as the wildfire approached, saving almost 100 homes. As a retired federal forest manager, I look back and reflect on if there were instances where I might have made a different decision in terms of prescribed fire, managing natural ignitions, or suppressing wildfire. Thanks to our experienced fire leadership we were fortunately judicious. If I have any regrets it is not having been aggressive enough in both early detection and in suppression efforts in directly attacking wildfires. Note to Forest Service: you need to be able to keep using all these tools; but please consider if the results of the cure are going to be worse than the disease. And return to a focus on early detection and suppression. We all understand that it is impossible to always make the right call, but please -- be more careful with matches. Gary Schiff is a former forest manager in the Sierras on one of the nations busier wildfire districts. He is currently a consultant connecting Israel and US natural resource interests. Image: Public Domain Pictures The Associated Press reported yesterday that GOP senators Chuck Grassley (Iowa) and Josh Hawley (Missouri) are demanding that the Department of Homeland Security provide them with specifics on how it planned to coordinate its Disinformation Governance Board with social media companies to remove user content after a whistleblower provided them with key documents about the board. In an open letter to DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senators Grassley and Hawley wrote that DHS must "provide additional clarity regarding its policies and procedures for identifying (mis-, dis- or mal-information), as well as its efforts to 'operationalize' public-private partnerships and the steps it is taking to ensure it does not infringe on the constitutional rights of American citizens." The public learned about the Disinformation Governance Board when Mayorkas testified about its existence in April. Observers were troubled by the appointment of Nina Jankowicz as the head of the board. Jankowicz has an abominable relationship with the truth. Back in 2020, she dismissed news about Hunter Biden's infamous laptop as "Russian disinformation." She was an advocate of the discredited Steele dossier, funded by the Clinton campaign, that was the source of the Russian Collusion hoax. She is also a blatant partisan with a history of embracing and spreading disinformation to undermine political opponents. Observers were also concerned that Mayorkas wasn't explicit about the powers of the Disinformation Governance Board. Was the board meant to be a supervisory body that would order social media firms to add disclaimers or warnings about "disinformation" and deplatform frequent peddlers of "disinformation"? Was the board empowered to act on the ground and direct law enforcement to conduct arrests and searches? Was the board authorized to initiate legal proceedings? It was alarming that this came at a time when Democrats are in myriad ways attempting to impede upon the fundamental democratic rights of citizens. The protesters of January 6 are being subjected to draconian punishment without basis. The partisan January 6 Select Committee exists to intimidate political opponents and prevent President Trump from running in 2024. Last year, parents who objected to their children being indoctrinated with left-wing propaganda were branded as domestic terrorists. Recently, Biden called Trump-supporters "the most extreme political organization that's existed in recent American history." Was the Board another attempt by Washington to criminalize political opposition? Thanks to the efforts of GOP leaders, free speech absolutists, and conservative commentators, the unconstitutional board was "paused" while Jankowicz was ousted. The DHS has announced that former DHS secretary Michael Chertoff and former U.S. deputy attorney general Jamie Gorelick, both members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, were to lead a "thorough review and assessment" of the board. Back to Senators Grassley's and Hawley's letter. The senators' letter refers to internal DHS records provided through protected whistleblower disclosures that illustrate how the Disinformation Board was created to exert a powerful influence over the government's efforts to crack down on disinformation in areas where there are "clear, objective facts." Documents reveal that DHS was focused on not only foreign disinformation, but also "issues at the heart of longstanding political debate such as theories about the validity of elections, the origins and effects of COVID-19 vaccines, and the efficacy of wearing masks." The letter also states that "given the significant coordinating role the Department envisioned for the Disinformation Governance Board, the consequences of installing Nina Jankowicz, a known trafficker of foreign disinformation and liberal conspiracy theories, as the board's first Executive Director, would have been a disaster." Twitter. GOP-supporters often find themselves irked and disappointed with their party. Quite often, they find their representative being seduced by Washington, causing him to abandon his campaign promises, his values, and his principles. The likes of Mitt Romney, Lindsey Graham, and so many more not only have betrayed their voters on a regular basis, but are often willing to dance obediently to the tune of the Democrats. I stand ready to vote on ALL the proposals mentioned by President Biden tonight and encourage the Democratic Leader to bring them forward for votes. (1/2) Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 3, 2022 In a press conference announcing the 'pause', Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the board's "work doesn't stop." It therefore should be great news for voters that Senators Chuck Grassley and Josh Hawley were not only responsible for compelling the Democrats to pause the Disinformation Governance Board, but also are keeping a close watch on the developments related to the Board. The senators must also ensure that the whistleblower is protected in every way. Their revelation will lead to a manhunt for the "traitor" within DHS. Democrats respect the rights of only those whistleblowers who work to hurt their political opponents. Those who dare challenge them could be subject to severe punishment. The Disinformation Governance Board was an attempt by the Biden administration to sit in judgment of every pronouncement of the citizenry. This is undemocratic because in a free society, it is the citizen who should sit in judgment of the government and not the other way around. Both Grassley and Hawley with their actions are ensuring that the inherent rights of citizens are protected. There are a few constants when you walk into a gun store or range in South Carolina: the staff will be exceptionally friendly and helpful, the women's bathrooms will be immaculate, the customers will also be friendly, and those same customers will represent all races: White; Black; Hispanic; Asian; and, I'm sure, the ones identified as "Other" on all the race-obsessed forms the government makes us fill out all the time. Everyone at the store is united by a strong common bond: the belief that, as free citizens in a free country, we have the absolute right to purchase arms to defend ourselves. We all know, because the talking heads on the news tell us so, that when seconds count, the police aren't going to be there. I've never seen a scintilla of prejudice among this Second Amendment fraternity. It turns out, though, that among the many myths that fire up the gun-grabbing crowd (e.g., NRA members are dangerous killers, there are actually weapons called "assault rifles," a gun that's semi-automatic is actually a machine gun, 9 mm rounds will blow your lungs out of your body, a 5.56 round will decapitate an adult, etc.), there's a new myth in town: White people who legally own guns hate Black people who legally own guns. Image: Member of NAAGA, an African-American gun group. YouTube screen grab. (You can find more information about NAAGA here.) Perhaps not surprisingly, the purveyor of this myth is Joy Behar, who once went to a costume party as a "beautiful African woman." Frankly, it's clear that Behar wasn't doing blackface in a demeaning way but was, instead, dressing that way as an homage to people she admired. That's irrelevant, though. Behar has chosen to live her life and have her career among people who view everything through a racial lens, which means implying racism wherever possible. So the only verdict is that her costume was racist and she's a racist. But to Behar, it's you, the legal gun-owner in the Second Amendment fraternity, who is the race hater: The View's Joy Behar: "Once black people get guns in this country, the gun laws will change Trust me." pic.twitter.com/896fexK41Z Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 8, 2022 What a singularly insulting thing to say. Every gun-owner I know of strongly supports District of Columbia v. Heller, not just because it articulates an individual right to bear arms that the government cannot limit, but also because of the practical benefits that flowed directly from that decision: law-abiding Black citizens stuck in D.C.'s worst slums were no longer the victims of criminals who, in that previously heavily gun-controlled region, where the only ones armed. John Lott, who keeps track of these things, wrote that the usual left-wing anti-gunners predicted that there'd be a bloodbath in D.C. following the Heller decision. They were so wrong: But Armageddon never happened. Newly released data for Chicago shows that, as in Washington, murder and gun crime rates didn't rise after the bans were eliminated they plummeted. They have fallen much more than the national crime rate. Not surprisingly, the national media have been completely silent about this news. One can only imagine the coverage if crime rates had risen. In the first six months of this year, there were 14% fewer murders in Chicago compared to the first six months of last year back when owning handguns was illegal. It was the largest drop in Chicago's murder rate since the handgun ban went into effect in 1982. Meanwhile, the other four most populous cities saw a total drop at the same time of only 6 percent. The best thing that can happen to Blacks in America is for more law-abiding Blacks to have the chance to create an environment in which the tables are turned against the small but incredibly destructive criminal element that holds so many Black communities hostage. All people of goodwill want this to happen because, for gun owners, it's not skin color that matters; it's the will to protect our safety and liberty. At the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, Joe Biden's border czar, Kamala Harris, stood front and center, attempting to show her "clout." Tuesday, she unveiled her grand plan to address the "root causes" of illegal migration from Central America to the assembled heads of state. What did she have to offer for places that are shipping tens of thousands of illegal migrants to claim asylum in our country? Drum roll, please...more community organizers. According to Fox News: Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday announced a Central American youth program to get young El Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Hondurans paid community services opportunities on issues like "climate action" and violence prevention. Harris announced the launch of the Central American Service Corps (CASC), a $50 million initiative as part of the Biden administrations efforts to tackle what it believes are the "root causes" of the crisis at the southern border including poverty, climate change and violence. CASC, according to Harris office, will be administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and will "provide young people in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with paid community service opportunities, mentorship, and a path to future employment." Her office said that young people in those countries will be given opportunities to work on priorities in their communities that include tutoring, "climate action" and "green jobs," food security, preventing violence and other "civic-engagement" activities. That's community organizers some $50 million of taxpayer cash to be spent on who knows how many of them to bullyrag local businesses and harangue Central America's governments. For good measure, these newly minted community organizers will be paid a "nominal" salary. Perhaps they can make it up with shakedowns on local businesses. It sounds as though she doesn't know where these Central American migrants surging across our border in search of "a better life" are coming for. Perhaps a border visit would have helped. What makes the measure so absurd is that she's imagining that the military-aged single young men from places like Honduras (per capita GDP: $5,420) now crossing our border in vast numbers would actually prefer a gadfly semi-job virtue-signaling on "climate justice," at a "nominal" salary for the virtue-signaling satisfaction, to a real job somewhere in the States (per capita GDP: $63,000) cutting lawns, washing dishes, or carrying hod, which pay a heck of a lot more than even a university professor's salary back home. Even on the low end of the U.S. job spectrum, the earnings potential for a migrant taking a U.S. job tops anything an average Honduran salary can offer, let alone a "nominal" one. That goes triple for Guatemala and El Salvador, the other two countries in Harris's "root causes" bailiwick. According to the Washington Examiner: GDP per capita was about $63,000 in the U.S. in 2020, according to World Bank data. In comparison, GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was $8,853.7 in Guatemala, $8,420 in El Salvador, and $5,420 in Honduras. Now let's take a gander at what community organizers do. Vox, a leftist publication, has a description: In a Dissent piece, veteran organizer Mike Miller quoted a young Barack Obama giving a quite good definition of the core ideas behind community organizing: Organizing begins with the premise that (1) the problems facing inner-city communities do not result from a lack of effective solutions, but from a lack of power to implement these solutions; (2) that the only way for communities to build long-term power is by organizing people and the money [they raise] around a common vision; and (3) that a viable organization can only be achieved if a broadly based indigenous leadership and not one or two charismatic leaders can knit together the diverse interests of their local institutions [and "grassroots" people]. ... Alinsky didn't just theorize about organizing. He was, himself, an organizer. A criminologist by training, Alinsky lived in Chicago, and began his work in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in the 1930s. He created the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, a group bringing together unions, religious leaders, and other stakeholders in that area. At its first meeting, Alinsky biographer Sanford Horwitt writes, the council passed resolutions calling for a new recreation facility, for child nutrition and disease prevention programs, and to ask the Armour meatpacking company to compromise with the nascent meatpackers' union. The council took on a permanent role in the community, and still exists. There we have it shaking down local businesses for cash and favored pet projects by the ideologically driven organizers in the name of attaining power. Vox cites a Hormel shakedown over in Chicago. Anybody taken a look at how Chicago's been doing these days with this setup? Memo to Harris: In Central America, they have gangs for that job. What's more, they pay more than a "nominal" salary. Anything community organizers can do, gangs can do better. Not only was Harris's speech anodyne and unoriginal, (most migrants "don't want to leave home," she intoned for the umpteenth time), but her pro-offered solution was insanely bad. It sounded like something dreamt up in a faculty lounge bull session. The bottom line is, illegal migrants are coming here to raise their standard of living, either through a life of welfare or to take an American job. Most say as much to the press, even as they utter the magic word "asylum" to the Border Patrol, and this explains why so many never show up to their asylum hearings. The migrants are coming here for the money in undreamt-of amounts back home. That's the root cause. Maybe creating an attractive business climate in those places, or getting rid of the gangs, will do something to fix this. But she was speaking to a lot of empty chairs at that summit with not just the president of Mexico boycotting the summit, but the presidents of all three Central American countries she supposedly was addressing. Two of them she actually visited, so the snub was a pretty big one. The president of Guatemala was angry about her constant charge of corruption and the U.S. decision to bankroll...community organizers...to meddle in Guatemala's legal system. The president of El Salvador was angry at the constant hollerings of corruption, as well as claims he was a dictator, too. The president of Honduras is an extreme leftist, and Harris attended her inauguration. But that wasn't good enough to attend the summit back as a favor, which gives a whiff of the nature of Harris's "diplomacy." So none of them was around to hear about all these supposed great goodies for them. Maybe that was for the best. These solutions offered by Harris are bound to lead to more mass migration to the States, not less. Instead of addressing empty chairs, maybe she should have visited the border. Image: Screen shot from Fox11 video via YouTube. We are once again held hostage to the 24/7 leftist "mainstream" media onslaught regarding the Second Amendment natural right to self-defense versus leftists' definition of "commonsense" gun laws. Typically, Republicans are discussing a compromise on the Democrat-preferred approach to determining how much of our natural right to self-defense to surrender. Are the Republicans asking for any concession? Are the Republicans asking for nationwide constitutional concealed carry, which has already been adopted in half of the states as a deterrent to criminal activity? Are the Republicans asking for the elimination of the illusionary gun-free zones, better known as the locations of many or most mass killings? Are the Republicans asking to harden the schools, almost as if protecting our kids is equivalent to how we protect our money in banks or government officials? Are the Republicans asking for penalties or proposing remedies for simply not enforcing the 10,000+ laws already on the books regarding gun regulation that seem to fail consistently? Are the Republicans asking for the elimination of former President Obama's school-to-prison pipeline guidance idiocy that allowed, for example, the Parkland school shooting to occur because the minority killer, Nikolas Cruz, was a known risk to everyone who knew him or about him? Perhaps even tangentially, the Republicans could ask for other concessions to save lives, since that is the stated goal. Are the Republicans asking for the border with Mexico to be controlled with the funnel-and-gate technology consisting of a physical barrier with narrower access points to aggressively monitor in order to eliminate the flood of illegal drug-caused overdoses in our country, human-trafficking, rapes, and robbery, not to mention influx of diseases, including the dreaded China virus? The list is almost endless. However, it appears beyond the useless Republicans' ability to think outside the agenda of the Democrats. Meet the Democrats halfway to what they want...wash, rinse, repeat. Within the military and the firearm manufacturing industry, an assault rifle has been defined as an automatic rifle. In classic Democrat style, where words have no meaning or are evolving, the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 changed this definition and added features to re-define certain firearms as assault weapons. The 1994 ban redefined an assault weapon (rifle) to be a semi-automatic rifle (one bullet per trigger pull), no longer an automatic rifle (multiple bullets per trigger pull), plus have a detachable magazine. This definition fit a huge number of semi-automatic sporting rifles, which was problematic when attempting to disguise the underlying Democrat objective of banning all guns from citizens. There were additional definitions for pistol assault weapons that were similarly applied. Consequently, a little tweaking was put in place to include other features as an assault weapon at this step in the full banning process. In addition, to be considered an assault weapon, the rifle had to have two or more of the following features: flash suppressor or threaded barrel, bayonet mount, grenade launcher mount, pistol grip, folding or telescoping stock. These features have no relevance to the ability of a semi-automatic, detachable magazine rifle to fire every time the trigger is pulled, coincidentally (?) just like every gun. We hear the daily rant about banning assault weapons, weapons of war. Who needs an AR-like gun? But there is no better personal protection device than that style of weapon to dissuade a group or mob from harming innocents. As evidence of this fact is the tidal wave of new AR-type gun-owners following the Democrat rallies of burning, looting, assaults, and murders in Minneapolis, Kenosha, St. Louis, and other liberal big cities in the past years. The semi-automatic rifle is the best tool for protection when the police are busy hiding out or abandoning their own precincts, with a nod "to serve and protect" altered a bit to "good luck you're on your own." A lot of new "assault weapon"owners were born as a result of the Democrat-advocated mayhem. Is it any wonder that in the recent confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson, she could not agree that we the people have natural rights, the cornerstone of our Constitution, rights that exist outside government dictate? The Second Amendment is considered natural law, the right to self-defense that exists outside government and, ergo, shall not be infringed. I understand the command-and-control Democrat's interest in destroying the notion of natural rights, but what about the worthless Republicans, who seem interested in compromising our rights? Image via Pxhere. Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi (1st R) speaks at a seminar on trade with China in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 8, 2022. Bangladeshi businesses have sought ways to promote trade ties with China, as China has been opening up wider. (Xinhua) DHAKA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi businesses have sought ways to promote trade ties with China, as China has been opening up wider. At a seminar on trade with China on Wednesday, Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of the local think tank Research and Policy Integration for Development, said that Bangladesh should develop a long-term strategy for export promotion to China, and consider improving the diversification of export products and their quality. "We're looking for investment from China in our fast-growing IT sector, especially in the highly technology-involved sectors ... Let's make Bangladesh the kitchen for Chinese hi-tech products and export these back to China," said Al Mamun Mridha, acting secretary-general of the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce. A. H. M. Ahsan, vice chairman of the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau, stressed the need for preparation to grab a bigger market share of Chinese imports, saying Bangladeshi exporters should understand well tastes of the new generation of Chinese consumers. Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi called for "30 to 50 years plans to bolster our export to China," saying Bangladesh and China will get further trade benefits by signing free trade agreements. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said that China is all set to increase duty benefits for Bangladesh, granting one percentage point more Bangladeshi products access to the Chinese market. The duty-free treatment of 97 percent of Bangladeshi export to China has come into effect on July 1, 2020, said the Chinese envoy. "The documents for the duty-free treatment of 98 percent tariff lines goods have been signed. After related procedures, it will come into effect soon," he added. According to the Chinese envoy, bilateral trade volume between the countries grew to more than 25 billion U.S. dollars last year, registering a growth rate of 58 percent. Bangladesh's export to China exceeded 1 billion dollars for the first time last year. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming (1st R) speaks at a seminar on trade with China in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 8, 2022. Bangladeshi businesses have sought ways to promote trade ties with China, as China has been opening up wider. (Xinhua) It's not over yet for Representative Henry Cuellar. He thinks he won by fewer than 200 votes, but Jessica Cisneros, his opponent, is not accepting that. So a recount is coming, according to the Texas Tribune: Progressive candidate Jessica Cisneros announced Monday she will request a recount in the hard-fought Democratic primary runoff against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, after she finished 281 votes behind him. Another Democrat in a key South Texas congressional race, Ruben Ramirez, also said Monday he will ask for a recount. He finished 30 votes behind Michelle Vallejo for the open seat in the 15th District. The recount announcements came shortly after the Texas Democratic Party certified its primary runoff results, confirming the margins for Cuellar and Vallejo that counties finalized last week. So the party confirmed the results, but the progressives say, not so fast. Do you smell a little conflict between the AOCs and the centrists? What a nightmare for the Texas Democrat party. They want Rep. Cuellar and Miss Vallejo running in November. They know that the GOP is in great shape to flip these districts. And they know quite well that progressives won't win those districts against a red wave. The nightmare of nightmares. Who is going to put this party back together after the recounts and recriminations? PS: Click for my videos and podcasts at Canto Talk. Image: RawPixel/Carol M. There is a second civil war going on, just without the shooting. This one is between two factions of elected politicians in D.C. locked in a death match that's never happened before. It is one that began roughly 12 years ago during Obama's first administration and is being carried out on various battlefields and in various ways. The following is a recitation of these battles and the weaponization of the federal government against its own citizens, or at least half of them. The sham January 6 hearing being televised Thursday night is another battle in the war where the Democrats are doing everything they can not just to delegitimize Trump, the Republican Party, and its supporters, but to criminalize them as well. January 6 itself is actually part of the broader civil war taking place. The right were protesting what they saw, rightly so: a sham election. It clearly got out of control and crossed a line by a crowd entering the Capitol en masse, but it was definitely not an insurrection or an attempt to overturn the election. And how was it, then, at all different when you had, the year before, mass rioting and looting, where there were few to no arrests made, during the BLM riots across the country? And why were there no arrests after the fact, as there were for January 6 participants, many of whom are still sitting in jail in clear violation of their civil rights and the Constitution? Both the January 6 and the George Floyd riots were just more battles in the civil war currently taking place, where one side is trying to overturn the existing order, and the other side is trying to preserve it since the way it was structured at the founding of the country. You have another fairly large battle taking place when a memo written and issued by the Department of Justice cited unruly parents at school board meetings in Virginia as domestic terrorists. They were just expressing their constitutional rights to demand that Critical Race Theory stop being taught to their young children. But because the left and A.G. Merrick Garland saw that this was a direct threat to one of their most important voting blocs and power bases, the teachers' union, not to mention the ongoing indoctrination of schoolchildren in fake history that which claims that the United States was born out of racism and racist ideology The Russia Collusion Hoax was a major battle in the second civil war. Then came two fake impeachments and a massively rigged election, where state election laws in some of the key battleground states were manipulated to virtually guarantee a win for the Democrats. And now we have another battle coming Thursday night, when the January 6 fake committee hearing will be broadcast nationally and in prime time, so the Democrats can leverage and maximize this particular battle to their advantage, an event that journalist and Fox News contributor Joe Concha called nothing but a "weaponized political ad." But the fact is, the Democrats are really losing at this time in this second civil war because of Biden's failing and now imploding presidency, and the Democrats know it. The House January 6 hearing is a weapon of massive distraction from the entire party's failure from top to bottom in doing anything that actually helps the average American. They are in fact making it much worse for everyone. You only need to look at the price for a gallon of gas and the surging crime waves in major urban areas. Now, in order to keep the attention away from their failures, January 6 members like Jamie Raskin are upping the ante by saying the Electoral College needs to be abolished because of January 6. The opening shot in this particular battle was the arrest of Peter Navarro, a former adviser to Trump for defying a congressional subpoena to testify before the committee. It was reported that not only did they handcuff him when they arrested him at Reagan National Airport, but they put him in leg chains as well. There is definitely a pattern here that you could say began during Obama's first term as president, when his IRS was weaponized to take out conservative political actions groups by denying them tax-exempt status. Now the weaponization of the federal government bureaucratic machinery against Trump and ordinary Americans is nearly complete. The farcical kangaroo court taking place Thursday night will show the American public Democrats are taking it to the next level by trying to criminalize political dissent and opposition. The following is a list of additional battles taking place in this ongoing second civil war: leaking a draft copy of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, repealing the Second Amendment, packing the Supreme Court with additional justices, abolishing the Electoral College, and finally censorship and the war on free speech. There won't be a signing of a surrender agreement as there was at Appomattox Court House between Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Rather, it seems the next major battle in the second civil war could well move from bureaucratic offices, courtrooms, and hearing rooms onto battlefields not unlike Gettysburg or Antietam. Image: Library of Congress via Picryl, public domain. Whether or not Elon Musk finally manages to purchase Twitter, the process of his trying to purchase the company has been endlessly entertaining. Twitter's employees and board were desperate to avoid having someone come on board and demand that they play fair, allowing political speech even to (gasp!) Republicans. Inch by inch, though, through a ridiculously generous purchase price, along with a lot of subtle threats about shareholder and advertiser lawsuits, not to mention SEC fraud investigations, Musk is forcing Twitter to disgorge its secrets. The last time I wrote about this, Musk was demanding information from Twitter about the number of bot (i.e., fake) Twitter accounts that could be inflating Twitter's user numbers. This mattered because Musk implied that Twitter had filed fraudulent SEC statements and because the false numbers affected both shareholder and advertiser valuations of the company. And of course, if the SEC statement was false, Musk had been tricked into making an offer for a seriously (and fraudulently) overvalued company. Musk put the deal on hold pending an answer. Last week, after Twitter had stonewalled him for three weeks regarding the bot numbers, Musk's attorney sent a letter to Twitter threatening to back out of the deal if Twitter didn't cough up the information: In a letter to Twitter, the billionaire reiterated his request for details on bot accounts and said he reserved all rights to terminate the merger as the company was in a "clear material breach" of its obligations by not providing him with the information. Given that Twitter's board hates the deal, one might think Musk's letter offered it a way out of a deal it didn't want in the first place. However, that language about "clear material breach," when coupled with the ridiculously generous price per share Musk was offering, was a signal to the board: if you don't provide the requested information and Elon Musk walks, you can expect a massive shareholder suit against you. Image: Elon Musk. YouTube screen grab. The not so subtle threat worked, and the board has announced that it is ready to give Musk access to all the information he wants about potential fake accounts: Twitter is preparing to comply with Elon Musk's demand for data on fake accounts, after the Tesla chief executive threatened to walk away from buying the business if it refused. The social media company will provide the world's richest man with access to a stream of data comprising more than 500 million tweets posted every day, according to the Washington Post. A number of companies already pay for access to the data, which includes a real-time record of tweets, the devices users tweet from and information about the accounts that tweet, the Post reported. The New York Times also reported that Twitter would let Musk view its "firehose" of daily traffic, in response to legal threats that the deal would be in jeopardy otherwise. If Musk is correct that the number of fake accounts far exceeds Twitter's claim (placed in an SEC filing) that fewer than 5% of its user accounts are bots...well, let's just say that things will get really fun then. Musk may get a newer, much lower sales price if he's still interested in the deal and there may be a whole host of shareholder and advertiser suits against Twitter's management. I'm less sanguine about an SEC investigation simply because I don't believe that the current administrative state has an interest in looking into malfeasance if progressives are the ones accused. Still, it's very likely that, at the end of this whole Musk episode, Twitter will never be the same, something that's good for America's ideological health. Wow! San Francisco's voters, in last Tuesday's recall election, fired their district attorney. Chesa Boudin's the leftist ideologue whose refusal to constructively prosecute San Francisco lawbreakers helped usher the City by the Bay into civic nihilism. And no wonder, because Chesa Boudin's the: grand kinsman of Marxist theoretician Louis Boudin; biological son of Weather Underground and Students for a Democratic Society domestic terrorists, Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert; foster son of Weather Underground and Students for a Democratic Society domestic terrorists, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn; and leftist academic Frankenstein's monster with two master's degrees from Oxford University and a graduate law degree from Yale University (as well as the once-upon-a-e aid to neo-Marxist Venezuelan dictator, Hugo Chavez). In other words, Chesa Boudin's just the kind of revisionist prosecutor a modern American city needs to protect itself from its metastasizing gangs of anarchist lawbreakers. So where will the newly unemployed Chesa Boudin wind up next? Well, his biological mother, Kathy Boudin (guilty of felony robbery and murder), became once she got out of prison a professor at Columbia University, where she founded and directed Columbia University's leftist "Center for Justice." His biological father, David Gilbert (a Weather Underground founder guilty of felony robbery and murder), just got out of prison a year ago (and that was only because disgraced New York governor Andrew Cuomo commuted Gilbert's 75-year-to-life sentence). His foster mother, Bernardine Dohrn (a terrorist bomber and former convict), became once she got out of prison a law professor at Northwestern University, where she founded Northwestern University's leftist "Family Justice Center" in the "Bluhm Legal Clinic." His foster father, Bill Ayers (a terrorist bomber and fugitive from justice), became a "Distinguished Professor of Education" at the University of Illinois and later the vice president for curriculum studies of the American Educational Research Association (as well, putatively, as the ghostwriter of Barack Obama's fabricated "autobiography," Dreams from My Father). So where's Chesa Boudin going now after having been booted from his disastrous gig as San Francisco's District Attorney? My bet's academia sooner or later where, like his highly educated radical clansmen, he can continue the modern American academy's "progressive" mission of infecting the young minds of America's future civic elites (i.e., its future school teachers, university professors, social scientists, journalists, politicians, bureaucrats, statesmen, corporate CEOs, financiers, lawyers, doctors, and culturally revisionist aristocrats in general). I mean, after all, who else would have him? If you've ever wondered from where all the radical nihilism in modern American society's coming, it's coming from academia the laboratory of culture in which America's civic winter of postmodern discontent now festers. Chesa Boudin and all his anarchist clansmen are a perfect example of this purulent intellectual phenomenon. Well, let's see with whom San Francisco's mayor, London Breed, replaces Mr. Boudin for the next few months. And then on to November and, let's hope, a similar fate in Los Angeles for its district attorney, George Gascon. Meanwhile, hello, Cook County, hello King County, hello New York County. All the laws and all the policemen in the world aren't worth a fig without prosecutors who'll prosecute. But that's the effect, not the cause. The real culprit's the modern American academy. Never mind next November's potential Republican takeover of the U.S. Congress, because no amount of conservative reaction can ever succeed without first reforming the modern American academy. That's the sine qua non of relieving our civic winter of postmodern discontent. Image: Pixabay. Xbox Game Pass offers a ton of value to subscribers, and its about to get even better with the arrival of game demos. Today Microsoft announced its plans to build out the next 20 years of Xbox. And that future includes the ability for subscribers to try games before they buy them. Game demos are something that Sony announced for its PlayStation Plus Premium plan, which actually rolls out to subscribers next week. Now that Game Pass is adding demos, both console platforms will be adding some additional value to the plans they offer. Demos were also a huge part of older generation consoles. And while they are still present on current consoles, theyre few and far between compared to the days of old. Now game demos are coming back. Advertisement Game demos will come to Xbox Game Pass this year Microsoft today revealed its new project, named Project Moorcroft, which will see game demos coming to its PC, cloud, and console subscription service. There are no exact dates yet. Microsoft does however say that it plans to launch the first demos on Game Pass within the next year. So there is a pretty good chance that subscribers will see them pop up before the end of 2022. Microsoft says that its beginning the new program with independent developers. Which of course means indie games. But in due time, expect to see some larger AAA games get demos too. Developers wont have to create these demos and get nothing in return either. Microsoft does plan for developers to be compensated for demos if they participate in the program. On top of that, they will be able to gather data on how their demos are performing with players, and reach a wider audience and potentially bring in new fans through Game Pass. Advertisement What isnt clear is whether demos will be for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate only or not. But given that demos on PlayStation Plus are only available to the Premium plan members, it wouldnt be surprising if Microsoft did the same thing. MUMBAI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran is exploring an alternative banking mechanism within the framework of the international law to promote two-way trade with India, said visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian here Thursday. "I had a fruitful discussion with senior ministers of the Indian government to establish such a banking mechanism," the foreign minister told an interactive meeting organized by MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai, an international trade promotion organisation, and All India Association of Industries, an industry body. Both sides discussed the possibility of rupee-rial trade and agreed on a conducive legal mechanism to promote two-way commerce, said the minister, who is on a three-day visit to India. Apart from establishing a banking mechanism, the two countries have also explored the possibilities of settling trade transaction in rupee or through barter system, he said. Within the framework of the international law, there are existing banking mechanisms which Iran has already implemented with a dozen countries, the minister said. Earlier in his welcome remarks, Vijay Kalantri, chairman of MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai, said bilateral trade between Indian and Iran is less than 2 billion U.S. dollars. There is "untapped potential to raise it to as much as 50 billion dollars if both the countries launch rupee-rial trade or barter trade that can reduce transaction cost and increase volume of trade," Kalantri said. Data breaches in the US are on a downward trend, according to the most recent study from Surfshark. With figures falling from 18 to 12 breaches per minute in Q2 2022 in the region compared to Q1 2022. But while that does mean that the breach rate is effectively 33-percent lower for the quarter, that doesnt mean US users are necessarily safer. Breaches worldwide, according to Surfshark, were up by 6.7-percent globally for that same period. And the US already has among the most compromised users worldwide. Up to 2.3B compromised internet users since 2004, in fact. The figure equates to around 15-percent of all breached users worldwide. As users worldwide face breaches at a rate of around 304 accounts per minute. Advertisement How safe are US users against data breaches? According to Surfshark, other countries do top the US in terms of the rate at which data breaches occur. US internet users, for instance, suffer around 694 breaches per 100 people. That equates to around 7 breaches per person on average and, for every 10 accounts, 7 breached passwords. As compared to the global average of just 191 breaches per 100 people. But Russia suffers from a far greater rate of occurrence in this realm of technology. Users in Russia suffer data breaches at a rate of around 1,489 per 100 people. China, Germany, and France come in third, second, and fourth in terms of overall breaches. But Chinese users suffer only 69 breaches per 100 people, according to Surfshark. While Germany and France suffer similar rates to the US as of the second quarter of the year. Of those breaches, at least in the US, around 8.7 billion first and last names, IPs, passwords, usernames, and other data have been sold or leaked online since 2004. Advertisement While the figures do appear to show that breaches for US internet users are on the decline, the amount of data that has been breached is still higher than any other region over the period looked at by Surfshark. And that makes staying secure across all devices as important as ever. Fortunately, users have any number of tools at their disposal ranging from Android apps to protect browsing data to security tools built into browsers. (ANSA) - ROME, JUN 9 - Top Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni on Thursday met life Senator and Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre in the wake of the latter's invitation to visit Milan's Shoah Museum together and get more young people interested in the issue of Remembrance. "After our phone chats today I had the pleasure of personally meeting Senator Lilian Segre," said Ferragni, 35, who forms one of Italy's top media power couples with rapper Fedez, 32, the husband with whom she has had two children. Ferragni, who is also a blogger, businesswoman, fashion designer and model, said Segre's "history and determination really struck me". (ANSA). Arrested a man who threatened to poison food in supermarkets Extortion for ransom in cryptocurrency, in Italy, and abroad (ANSA) - TRIESTE, JUN 9 - He threatened to poison mineral waters and food products in supermarkets with injections of cyanide and rodenticide if he did not obtain payment of a ransom, demanded in cryptocurrency. For this reason, the Postal Police arrested a 47-year-old man from the province of Trieste at the request of the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office. The alleged extortion attempts against supermarkets, with the threat of poisoning water and food, enacted by a 47-year-old man from Trieste, were about 200 and also made against companies in Germany, France, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. The news emerged from the investigation of the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office. (ANSA). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved Russian navy starts Baltic Sea drills amid Ukraine tensions NATO also conducting annual naval exercise (ANSA-AFP) - MOSCOW, JUN 9 - Dozens of Russian ships on Thursday took part in military exercises in the strategic Baltic Sea, after Sweden and Finland recently announced bids to join NATO. Russia's defence ministry said in a statement that ships of its Baltic fleet, will "perform training tasks for the defence of sea lanes and fleet bases". It said that 60 ships and 40 aircraft were taking part in the manoeuvres which will also take place on land at training grounds in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. The navy drills come amid heightened tensions between Moscow and NATO after Sweden and Finland submitted their bids to join the US-led alliance after the start of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. If their membership -- currently blocked by Turkey -- is approved, Russia would become the only non-NATO country on the Baltic Sea. In a sign of support for Finland and Sweden's NATO membership, US Chief of Staff General Mark Milley was in Stockholm on Saturday aboard the USS Kearsage, making it the largest US warship ever to dock in Stockholm. His visit came as NATO conducts annual naval exercises in the Baltic Sea called "Baltops 22" that are set to continue until June 17. (ANSA-AFP). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved ISTANBUL - The Turkish army has completed its preparations for a military operation against the Kurdish-led People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, according to the Turkish daily Sabah. The outlet added that the military are awaiting orders from the Turkish government to begin the operation. The YPG is the dominant group of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Many of its leaders spent years in the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a decades-long war against the Turkish state, prior to forming the YPG. It includes Syrian and Turkish nationals as well as an international brigade with volunteers from a wide variety of Western states. The PKK is designated a terrorist organisation in the US, EU and Turkey. The government-linked Sabah said that the military action would be conducted alongside the Syrian National Army, which is backed by Turkey and formed of Syrian fighters who oppose the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria. Many had previously been part of the group known as the Free Syrian Army. Kurdish leaders of the SDF have said that they are willing to cooperate with the Assad government against any Turkish attack on territories they currently control. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has in recent weeks announced that the aims of the operation will be the Arab-majority areas currently under Kurdish-led SDF control of Tel Rifaat and Manbij, west of the Euphrates River. On Tuesday, Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that Turkey intends to go forward with the operation while asking Moscow - which has a military presence in the area - to honor the 2019 accords according to which the SDF forces in the area were to have already been removed. NAPLES - The first Islamic Arts Biennale will take place in Saudi Arabia and will be held for four months, from January 23 to April 23. The event was originally set to take place in Riyadh but has now been moved to Jeddah, where the wealth of historical sites, such as Bab Makkah, combined with the diversity of the city's cultural heritage "complement the biennale's objective to interlink past, present and future", organisers told UAE daily The National. "The Islamic arts event will be held more than a year after Saudi Arabia's first cultural biennale, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, which took place in the outskirts of Riyadh in December 2021," it noted. It will take place at the Hajj Terminal, or Canopy Terminal, which was built in 1981 and was awarded the 1983 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. However, a purpose-built, 70,000-square-metre venue will also be erected for the biennale, the UAE daily noted, "with facilities such as exhibition spaces, a theatre, a mosque, workshops, classrooms, retail shops and dining outlets". "It will provide a dynamic contemporary setting for Islamic arts featuring leading practitioners from Saudi Arabia and around the world," said Aya Al-Bakree, chief executive of Diriyah Biennale Foundation. The event will be held under the theme of Awwal Bayt (First House), which is "used in the Quran to signify the Ka'bah in Makkah, the most sacred site in Islam and the direction (qiblah) all Muslims face in their daily prayers." Turkish army readies for anti-YPG operation in Syria In collaboration with anti-Assad opposition groups (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JUNE 9 - The Turkish army has completed its preparations for a military operation against the Kurdish-led People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, according to the Turkish daily Sabah. The outlet added that the military are awaiting orders from the Turkish government to begin the operation. The YPG is the dominant group of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Many of its leaders spent years in the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a decades-long war against the Turkish state, prior to forming the YPG. It includes Syrian and Turkish nationals as well as an international brigade with volunteers from a wide variety of Western states. The PKK is designated a terrorist organisation in the US, EU and Turkey. The government-linked Sabah said that the military action would be conducted alongside the Syrian National Army, which is backed by Turkey and formed of Syrian fighters who oppose the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria. Many had previously been part of the group known as the Free Syrian Army. Kurdish leaders of the SDF have said that they are willing to cooperate with the Assad government against any Turkish attack on territories they currently control. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has in recent weeks announced that the aims of the operation will be the Arab-majority areas currently under Kurdish-led SDF control of Tel Rifaat and Manbij, west of the Euphrates River. On Tuesday, Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that Turkey intends to go forward with the operation while asking Moscow - which has a military presence in the area - to honor the 2019 accords according to which the SDF forces in the area were to have already been removed. (ANSAmed). BELGRADE - Prospects for EU-mediated dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, the situation in the Balkan region as concerns integration into the EU, and bilateral collaboration in the economic and energy sectors were issues focused on during talks on Thursday between Greek foreign minister Nikos Dendias and local leaders in Kosovo. Greece is one of the five EU countries that do not recognise the independence of Kosovo, alongside Spain, Romania, Cyprus, and Slovakia. Regional media report that Kosovo's president, Vjosa Osmani, and Prime Minister Albin Kurti have urged Greece's support for Kosovo's inclusion in the Council of Europe and the Partnership for Peace, a collaboration program with NATO that benefits former Soviet bloc nations and those of eastern Europe that were close to the Soviet Union. Italy: 449 episodes of hate in 2021 says Lamorgese Minister presents OSCAD report at Milan's Shoah Museum (ANSA) - ROME, JUN 9 - Italy saw 449 episodes of racial hate and discrimination last year, Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said Thursday. Speaking at an event promoted by the Observatory for Security Against Discriminatory Acts (OSCAD) at the Shoah Memorial in Milan, Lamorgese said what the episodes had in common was "a matrix of discrimination against those who are different by skin colour, religion, gender identity and disability". (ANSA). MANILA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said it has approved up to 4.3 billion U.S. dollars to help finance the construction of nearly 55 kilometers of a modern suburban railway line connecting the Philippine capital region with Calamba City in the neighboring Laguna province. The Manila-based bank said the investment in the South Commuter Railway Project, which is part of the North-South Commuter Railway network, is ADB's largest infrastructure financing in the Asia and Pacific region to date. Once completed, the railway project will offer commuters fast public transport, help ease road traffic congestion, and contribute to gas emissions reduction in line with the Philippines' climate change agenda. "The South Commuter Railway Project will provide affordable, safe, reliable, and fast public transport for commuters," ADB Vice-President for East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, Ahmed Saeed said. The ADB said the railway, one of the Southeast Asian country's infrastructure flagship projects and part of the government's "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure development program, will further strengthen the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as it is expected to create more than 35,500 jobs during construction and over 3,200 permanent jobs during operation. Pushback against draft law on media wanted by Erdogan Press freedom NGOs call for withdrawal (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JUNE 9 - Some 24 organisations working for the freedom of expression have asked for the withdrawal of a draft law on media presented by Turkey's AKP party, to which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan belongs. The draft law "exposes a million internet users to the risk of criminal prosecution for the publication of information with which the government disagrees", according to an appeal signed by various international associations, including Italy's Articolo 21, the International Press Institute and the International Federation of Journalists, as well as Turkish organisations. AKP and the far-right nationalist party MHP, an ally of Erdogan in parliament, have recently presented a draft law to limit "disinformation and fake news" on the internet. The draft law calls for up to three years in prison for the "spread of false information" on "internal or external security and public order with the intention of instigating fear and concerns among the public". Several Turkish media outlets say that the draft law will have to be assessed by the parliamentary justice committee this week and by the end of June might be voted on in the parliament. (ANSAmed). The Duke of Sussex is waiting for a High Court judge to rule on a number of preliminary issues after making a libel claim against a newspaper publisher over articles about his legal battle against the Home Office. Harry is suing Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, over stories written after a hearing in a separate High Court case over his security arrangements when he is in the UK. Associated Newspapers is disputing the claim. Mr Justice Nicklin oversaw a hearing at the High Court in London on Thursday and considered a number of preliminary issues. The Duke of Sussex in London earlier in June, during the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations (PA) He said he will deliver a ruling on those preliminary issues at a later date. The judge was asked to consider the natural and ordinary meaning of the parts of the articles in the claim, whether they are a statement of fact or opinion and whether they are defamatory. Barrister Justin Rushbrooke QC, who is leading Harrys legal team, told the judge in a written case outline that Harry brought the claim following a website article and an article in the Mail on Sunday in February. He argued both articles were defamatory and meant that Harry had lied, had improperly and cynically tried to manipulate public opinion, and had tried to keep his legal fight with the Government secret from the public. Mr Rushbrooke said Associated Newspapers disputed that the words complained of bore any meaning defamatory of Harry. In his written claim filed with the court, Harry said the reporting allegedly caused him substantial hurt, embarrassment and distress which is continuing. Harry is bringing his separate claim against the Home Office after being told he would no longer be given the same degree of personal protective security when visiting from the US, despite offering to pay for it himself. He is arguing that his private protection team in the US does not have adequate jurisdiction abroad or access to the UK intelligence information needed to keep his family safe. However, Robert Palmer QC, for the Home Office, previously told the court the dukes offer of private funding was irrelevant and that personal protective security by the police is not available on a privately-financed basis. In the libel hearing, Mr Justice Nicklin was told the website article was headlined: Exclusive: How Prince Harry tried to keep his legal fight with the Government over police bodyguards a secret then just minutes after the story broke his PR machine tried to put a positive spin on the dispute. Mr Rushbrooke said the articles claimed the duke lied in his initial public statements to the effect that he had always been willing to pay for police protection in the UK, when the true position, as revealed by High Court documents, was that he had only made such an offer recently, after his dispute had started and after his visit to the UK in June 2021. He said the pieces suggested he improperly and cynically tried to manipulate and confuse public opinion by authorising his spin doctors to put out false and misleading statements about his willingness to pay for police protection immediately after the Mail on Sunday had revealed he was suing the Government. And he said they claimed the duke tried to keep his legal fight with the Government secret from the public, including the fact that he expected British taxpayers to pay for his police protection, in a way which was improper and showed a lack of transparency on his part. He said: Allegations that a person has lied to the public, manipulated the public and attempted to keep secret which ought properly to be public are serious ones which tend to lower him in the eyes of right-thinking people. It is submitted that the statements are clearly defamatory. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Pauls Cathedral, London, on day two of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations (PA) Associated Newspapers disputes that the reasonable reader would understand the words complained of to bear these meanings or any meaning defamatory of Harry. Barrister Andrew Caldecott QC, who led Associated Newspapers legal team, told the judge the print and online versions of the article were essentially identical. Mr Caldecott said, in terms of the privacy issue, the article set out a short sequence of events. There is no hint of impropriety on any sensible reading of the article, he said. The claimant is not portrayed as seeking to keep the whole action secret. Mr Caldecott said that, in terms of the PR spin on the dispute issue, Associated Newspapers invited the judge to conclude that: The article does not accuse the claimant of lying in his initial statement about offering to pay for his security. He added: The article does allege that the claimants PR team spun the story (or added a gloss unduly favourable to the claimant) which led to inaccurate reporting and confusion about the nature of the claim. It does not allege dishonesty against them. He went on: The defendant submits that, on the true reasonable reading of the article, the primary criticism is of the advisers not the claimant, and then not in terms of impropriety or dishonesty. Mr Caldecott told the judge that, on the fact/opinion issue, the broad thrust of the defendants meaning is factual. He argued that the judge should hold that the meanings were not defamatory and dismiss the claim. The wife of a former soldier who stabbed his two neighbours to death said he had been struggling with his mental health since returning from Afghanistan, a court has heard. Ex-Royal Engineer Collin Reeves, 35, is on trial at Bristol Crown Court for the murder of Jennifer Chapple, 33, and her husband, 36-year-old teacher Stephen Chapple. Reeves forced his way into the couples home in Dragon Rise, Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton in Somerset, on the evening of November 21 last year. He stabbed them both six times in a minute-long attack using the ceremonial dagger he had been given when he left the Army in December 2017. Floral tributes left near the scene at Dragon Rise in Norton Fitzwarren (Andrew Matthews/PA) Reeves, who had been working as a lorry driver, then returned to his own home to call the police and tell them what he had done. When officers arrived at the scene, the couples children were still asleep upstairs. Reeves had been involved in a dispute with the couple since the previous May over designated parking on the new-build housing development. The defendant has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, claiming he was suffering from an abnormality of mental functioning, but denies murder. In a video-taped police interview given in the days after the killing, Reeves wife of 10 years Kayley said he had been struggling with his mental health and bottled things up. She said he had not been the same since returning from Afghanistan in 2009. Mrs Reeves said her husband had taken their two daughters to see the Christmas lights being switched on during the afternoon of the killings. I was upset in the bedroom because we hadnt been getting on lately and werent talking, he put the girls to bed and came into my bedroom, she told a police officer. Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Collin Reeves in the dock at Bristol Crown Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA) I was telling him to go away and stuff and I said maybe we should have a trial separation for two weeks to see how we go, I was in a bad place, I had just found out my brother had been diagnosed with cancer. She continued: I was downstairs for a while, I was upstairs watching telly, it must have been around 8.45pm I heard screaming. Mrs Reeves said the ceremonial dagger was missing from the picture frame where it was usually displayed. I phoned Lynn (Reeves mother) and said Come round, I think hes gone next door and stabbed them. Mrs Reeves said: Hes got mental problems, he told me his heads not in the right place. He hasnt been the same since he got back from (Afghanistan). About two or three weeks ago we had a heart to heart, he said his heads not in the right place. He has thoughts like, if he wasnt here, would I be better off? Its just he needs help. She said Reeves would be more agitated and stressed since returning from Afghanistan more than a decade before. He just bottles it up and never talks about his feelings, Mrs Reeves said. The Reeves and the Chapples were neighbours on Dragon Rise in Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton (PA) I know this time of year is really hard for him cause its Remembrance Sunday, that triggers it off. She continued: Every time when someone died theyd say that poem, it always got to him. The witness added: He just says his thoughts, hes not right, he thinks I would be better off without him, I wouldnt, I love him. Mrs Reeves said that she and her husband had pinky promised he would go and see a doctor in two weeks time if he was still feeling down, adding: It was too late. She said that the family had previously had a good relationship with the Chapples, but that it had deteriorated when they got a second car and it obstructed Reeves parking space. Mrs Reeves said Mrs Chapple had responded by telling them you dont own the road and your husband needs to learn to drive. She said from then on she had been subjected to sniggering and dirty looks from the victim, to the point she felt unable to do the school run. Mrs Reeves blamed herself for not listening to her husband when he came to speak to her on the evening, and instead suggesting a trial separation. I wish I listened to him. Hes in a bad way. I pushed him away when he needed me the most, she said. UK Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused the Prime Minister of taking a wrecking ball to relationships with Ireland and the EU with his controversial plan to unilaterally scrap aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Sir Keir visited Dublin on Thursday to meet senior figures in the Irish Government to discuss the deepening row over the post-Brexit trading arrangements. Boris Johnsons Government has revealed plans to introduce domestic legislation that would override parts of the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced plans to legislate last month and the Bill is expected to be published in the coming days. This week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned that a UK Government move to legislate to override parts of the protocol would represent a historic low point in recent Anglo-Irish relations. On a visit to Trinity College in Dublin city, Sir Keir said: As someone who cares deeply about the relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom, Im concerned about the comments that have been made. Sir Keir Starmer arriving with shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle to Trinity College Dublin during his visit to Dublin (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Of course there are challenges with the protocol, but I think that we have faced much greater challenges than that in our shared history and I think we can deal with the remaining issues. Weve faced bigger problems than this. With good faith, statecraft and trust around the negotiating table, which is what a Labour government would bring, these problems can be overcome. But a Prime Minister without those attributes taking a wrecking ball to the relationship is not going to help anybody. Trust is very important in all of this and this Prime Minister does not have the trust, or I fear he doesnt have the trust, to negotiate in the way that I actually think would lead to a solution to the problems. Post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland have dominated discussions between Sir Keir and Irish political leaders in Dublin. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in the Long Room in Trinity College Dublin (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He also visited the Irelands oldest library at Trinity College and the Book of Kells exhibition. Commenting on the prospect of the UK Government unilaterally scrapping parts of the protocol, Sir Keir said the Labour Party believed in upholding international law. There are challenges that need to be overcome but I start, and the Labour Party starts, with the principle that we believe in and will always uphold the Good Friday Agreement, and we believe in and will abide by international law, he added. Good meeting with @Keir_Starmer in Government Buildings as he visits Dublin today. pic.twitter.com/VmFKi2M49G Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 9, 2022 The single biggest barrier at the moment is a Prime Minister who doesnt have those attributes, who is distracted, is divided, hes doing everything he can to save his own skin rather than focusing on the issue here, which is how do we get people around negotiating table, flexibility on both sides so we can overcome the remaining problems. Sir Keir said there is a long shared history between Ireland and the United Kingdom, adding that the Good Friday Agreement is one of the proudest achievements of the last Labour government. I am here to assure everyone I speak to, of our renewed commitment to the Good Friday Agreement which is as relevant today as it was the day it was signed and to make the commitment against the backdrop of a Government led by Boris Johnson which is divided and frankly taking a wrecking ball to relations between Ireland and the UK, he added. The Labour leader also met President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin, as well as Irelands Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Taoiseach Micheal Martin (left) in conversation with President Michael D Higgins (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Martin tweeted that he had a good meeting with the Labour leader. Sir Keir, who spoke briefly to reporters as he left the meeting with the Irish premier, described it as a very positive discussion. He told RTE radio that he had picked up high levels of concern in Dublin about the UK Government response to the Northern Ireland Protocol. Were on our way to Belfast where I know there will be equally high levels of concern about the protocol and the way that the Government is dealing with the protocol, he said. Mr Coveney also tweeted: Very welcome visit from Keir Starmer today to focus on the importance of British/Irish relations and finding agreed ways forward, through negotiation, to outstanding issues of concern. There are no current issues that cannot be resolved with good will and pragmatism. Sir Keir also spent the 15-minute walk from Mr Coveneys office to Government Buildings chatting with Irish Labour leader Ivana Bacik. On Friday, the Labour leader will be in Belfast to meet political leaders in Stormont, where he is expected to call for compromise and negotiation to end the political deadlock over the return of the powersharing Executive. Mr Starmer was also asked on RTE radio about the prospects of a border poll in Northern Ireland. He said he did not believe a referendum on the constitutional future of Northern Ireland was likely in the near future. I dont think were anywhere near a border poll. I think this is a hypothetical question, he said. What were dealing with is practical issues in relation to trade now that the UK has left the EU, so I dont think that a border poll is anywhere near, even on the horizon, and therefore its a hypothetical question. FILE - Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker speaks during a press conference at the Grand Rapids Police Department, Wednesday, April 11, 2018 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Prosecutor Chris Becker said he will announce Thursday, June, 9, 2022 whether charges will be filed in the death of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head by Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, with a shot to the back of his head has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutor Chris Becker announced charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, weeks after Lyoya was killed following a chaotic traffic stop on April 4. The 26-year-old Lyoya was on the ground when he was killed. The shooting was recorded on video by a bystander. The death was not justified or excused ... by self defense, Becker said, referring to an element of second-degree murder. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Roughly a minute into the stop, Lyoya began to run after he was asked to produce a drivers license. Schurr caught him quickly, and the two struggled across a front lawn. The officer demanded that Lyoya let go of Schurrs Taser before he fired the fatal shot. The Grand Rapids police chief released video from four different sources on April 13. Attorneys for Lyoyas family have called the death an execution. Grand Rapids, population about 200,000, is 160 miles (260 kilometers) west of Detroit. Schurr has been a police officer since 2015. His personnel file shows no complaints of excessive force but much praise for traffic stops and foot chases that led to arrests and the seizure of guns and drugs. The shooting turned into an immediate crisis for police Chief Eric Winstrom, who was a commander in Chicago before taking charge in Grand Rapids early in March. At a community forum in April, Winstrom said he wanted to put more emphasis on officers knowing how to turn down the heat during tense situations. I guarantee that we can do more, he said. Actually, thats one of the things Ive already reached out to my colleagues to say, Hey, I need some curriculum, because we are going to beef it up. ___ White reported from Detroit, and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed. ___ Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya FILE PHOTO: A view of St. Francis Catholic Church where worshippers were attacked by gunmen during Sunday mass service, is pictured in Owo ABUJA (Reuters) - Forty people were killed in a massacre at a Catholic church in Nigeria's Ondo State on Sunday and 61 survivors are still being treated in hospital, the state governor said on Thursday. Earlier this week, an official from the National Emergency Management Agency had said the death toll was 22. (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel) Rafael Mariano Grossi, director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo in May. (Hiro Komae / Associated Press) Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said Thursday, further impairing the agency's ability to track Tehran's uranium enrichment, which is now closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. The development comes a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors censured Tehran for failing to provide credible information over man-made nuclear material found at three undeclared sites in the country. It also follows months of deadlocked talks to restore the Islamic Republic's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions remain high across the wider Middle East over the accord's collapse as U.S. sanctions and rising global food prices choke Iran's ailing economy, putting further pressure on its government and its people. This, of course, poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there," warned Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA's director general. He added that if an agreement could not be reached to restore the cameras in three to four weeks, this would be a fatal blow to Iran's tattered nuclear deal. Already, Grossi warned that without the cameras, Iran could make centrifuges and divert them to unknown locations. When we lose this, then its anybodys guess, he added. Iran did not immediately acknowledge that it was removing the 27 cameras, though it earlier threatened it could take more punitive steps. State media aired footage Thursday of workers disconnecting the power from two IAEA cameras. We hope that they come to their senses and respond to Irans cooperation with cooperation, Behrouz Kamalvandi, an Iranian nuclear program spokesman, said Wednesday of the IAEA officials. It is not acceptable that they show inappropriate behavior while Iran continues to cooperate. Grossi made the comments at a hastily called news conference in Vienna, standing next to an example of the cameras installed across Iran. He said that Iran was going to remove IAEA cameras from sites, including in Tehran, the underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, the facility in Isfahan and the Arak heavy water reactor in Khondab. Forty-something IAEA cameras would remain active in Iran, Grossi said, though Tehran already has been withholding IAEA footage since February 2021 as a pressure tactic to restore the atomic accord. We are in a very tense situation with the negotiations on the revival of the [nuclear deal] at a low ebb, Grossi added. Now we are adding this to the picture. So, as you can see, its not a very nice one. On Wednesday, Iran said it shut off two devices that the IAEA uses to monitor enrichment at Natanz. Grossi acknowledged that Thursday, saying that among the devices being removed was the Online Enrichment Monitor and flowmeter. Those watch the enrichment of uranium gas through piping at enrichment facilities and allowed inspectors to remotely track the work. The IAEA earlier Thursday said Iran had informed the agency that it planned to install two new cascades of the IR-6 centrifuge at Natanz. A cascade is a series of centrifuges hooked together to rapidly spin uranium gas to enrich it. An IR-6 centrifuge spins uranium 10 times faster than the first-generation centrifuges that Iran was once limited to under its nuclear deal with world powers. As of February, Iran already had been spinning a cascade of IR-6s at its underground facility at Fordo, according to the IAEA. Iran earlier said it planned to install one cascade of IR-6s at Natanz. The IAEA said it verified the ongoing installation of that cascade Monday, while the installation of the newly promised two other cascades had yet to begin. Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-President Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and other incidents. Talks in Vienna about reviving the deal have been stalled since April. Since the deals collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges and rapidly growing its stockpile of enriched uranium. Nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enriched enough up to 60% purity a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90% to make one nuclear weapon should it decide to do so. Iran insists that its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Tehran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Building a nuclear bomb would still take Iran more time if it pursued a weapon, analysts say, though they warn that Tehrans advances make the program more dangerous. Israel has threatened that it would carry out a preemptive strike to stop Iran and already is suspected in a series of recent killings targeting Iranian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised Wednesday's IAEA board vote to censure Tehran as a significant decision that exposes Irans true face. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. An inspector with the International Atomic Energy Agency sets up surveillance equipment at the Uranium Conversion Facility of Iran near Isfahan in 2005. (Mehdi Ghasemi / ISNA) Iran turned off two surveillance devices Wednesday used by U.N. inspectors to monitor the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment, further escalating the crisis over its atomic program as Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers remains in tatters. The move appeared to be a new pressure technique just before the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors, meeting in Vienna, approved a resolution to criticize Iran put forward by Western nations. The censure deals with what the watchdog refers to as Iran's failure to provide credible information over nuclear material found at undeclared sites across the country. But Iran's latest move, announced by state television, makes it even more difficult for inspectors to monitor Tehran's nuclear program. Nonproliferation experts have warned Iran now has enough uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels to pursue an atomic bomb if it chooses to do so. The state TV report, later repeated by other Iranian media, said authorities deactivated the beyond-safeguards cameras of the measuring Online Enrichment Monitor ... and flowmeter. That apparently refers to the IAEAs online monitors that watch the enrichment of uranium gas through piping at enrichment facilities. In 2016, the IAEA said it installed the device for the first time in Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility, its main enrichment site, about 125 miles south of the capital, Tehran. The device allowed for around-the-clock monitoring of the facility's cascades, a series of centrifuges hooked together to rapidly spin uranium gas to enrich it. Traditional methods of sampling and analysis can take three weeks or longer, mostly because of the time it takes to ship the sample from Iran to the IAEAs laboratories in Austria, the agency said at the time. Iran is also enriching uranium at its underground Fordo facility, though the IAEA is not known to have installed these devices there. The Islamic Republic of Iran has so far had extensive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, state TV said in its report Wednesday. Unfortunately, the agency, without considering this cooperation ... not only did not appreciate this cooperation, but also considered it a duty of Iran. Tehran said its civilian nuclear arm, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, monitored the shutdown of the cameras. It said 80% of the existing cameras are IAEA safeguard cameras and they will continue to operate as before. Safeguards refer to the IAEAs inspections and monitoring of a countrys nuclear program. However, an Iranian official warned IAEA officials that Tehran was now considering taking other measures as well. We hope that they come to their senses and respond to Irans cooperation with cooperation," said Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. "It is not acceptable that they show inappropriate behavior while Iran continues to cooperate. The Vienna-based IAEA declined to immediately comment. However, Iran's move came after IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi criticized Iran for failing to provide credible information about unexplained, man-made nuclear material discovered at three undeclared Iranian sites long a point of contention between the agency and Tehran. U.S. Ambassador Laura S.H. Holgate identified the Iranian sites in comments Wednesday to the IAEA's board as Marivan, Turquzabad and Varamin. Iran has denied carrying out nuclear work at these locations. Holgate urged Iran to cooperate with U.N. inspectors and said that moving forward with the censure would hold Iran accountable. "Restricting IAEA access and attempts to paint the IAEA as politicized for simply doing its job will serve no purpose," she said. Iran already has been holding footage from IAEA surveillance cameras since February 2021 as a pressure tactic to restore the atomic accord. Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-President Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. Talks in Vienna over Irans tattered nuclear deal have been stalled since April. Since the deals collapse, Iran runs advanced centrifuges and has a rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enriched enough up to 60% purity a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90% to make one nuclear weapon should it decide to do so. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Building a nuclear bomb would still take Iran more time if it pursued a weapon, analysts say, though they warn Tehrans advances make the program more dangerous. Israel has threatened in the past that it would carry out a preemptive strike to stop Iran and already is suspected in a series of recent killings targeting Iranian officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday and discussed the need to revive the nuclear deal, the Kremlin said. In a statement Tuesday to the IAEA, France, Germany and the United Kingdom warned the moves taken by Tehran are further reducing the time Iran would take to break out towards a first nuclear weapon and it is fueling distrust as to Irans intentions. "The IAEA has been without crucial access to data on centrifuge and component manufacturing for a year and half now," the statement warned. This means that neither the agency, nor the international community, know how many centrifuges Iran has in its inventory, how many were built, and where they may be located. The countries urged Iran to stop escalating its nuclear program and to urgently conclude [the] deal that is on the table. But just before the camera announcement, the head of Iran's nuclear organization insisted the country has no secret nuclear activity and accused the West of making a political move by trying to censure Iran. Iran has had maximum cooperation with the IAEA," said Mohammad Eslami, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. The censure resolution at the IAEA meeting in Vienna, sponsored by Germany, France, the U.K. and U.S., passed with the support of 30 of 35 governors. Russia and China voted against, Russian Ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on Twitter. India, Libya and Pakistan abstained. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A group of Uzbek children and their teacher are posing for a picture. On the right, a yellow bus with solar panels on top is waiting for them. The driver inside looks at the camera, smiling. Behind them is a vast mountainous landscape. To get more children into school, Uzbekistan has launched Kindergarten On Wheels a project bringing the classroom to the country's remotest regions. Currently, 65 buses fully equipped with studying materials and completed with teachers, travel across the country to accommodate young children's learning needs. According to UNICEF, only half of children and youth worldwide are attending school, while in Uzbekistan that number is just 36 percent. JAKARTA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Two siblings of Sumatran tigers aged over three years have been released into the core zone of Sumatra's largest national park, the Kerinci Seblat National Park, said the North Sumatra Natural Resources and Conservation Center (BKSDA) on Thursday. Acting Head of the North Sumatra BKSDA Irzal Azhar said the female, Citra Kartini, and the male, Surya Manggala, were released in different locations to avoid inbreeding which could reduce the genetic quality of their offspring. "After releasing Surya Manggala on Tuesday, we faced bad weather, so we released Citra Kartini the next day," said Azhar. GPS collars have been attached to both tigers to monitor their movements after returning to the wild. Azhar said they hope that the two tigers will be able to adapt, survive and breed naturally in their habitat. Based on monitoring using camera traps, there are about 97 Sumatran tigers in the Park, including Citra Kartini and Surya Manggala. LONDON (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Thursday that no agreement had been reached to sell grain from Ukraine to Turkey - which Ukraine says Russia has stolen from it - but that work on a deal was continuing. Moscow denies stealing the grain but the United States says there are credible reports that Russia is "pilfering" it. Yevgeny Balitsky, a Russian-installed official in charge of Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, said this week that grain had been transported from there to Crimea, en route to the Middle East. Asked if any deal had been reached to sell this grain to Turkey or a Middle Eastern country, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: "So far no agreements have been reached, work is continuing." He said he could not confirm Balitsky's statement that the grain had been sent by rail to Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday rounded on a Ukrainian reporter who asked him about Russian "theft" at a news conference in Turkey, saying: "You (Ukrainians) are always so preoccupied with what you can steal and from where, and you think that everyone acts that way." Ukraine is a major grain exporter to Africa and the Middle East and disruption to these shipments as a result of Russia's invasion is pushing prices higher, fuelling an international food crisis. Turkey has been pushing for an agreement between Russia and Ukraine on a plan to resume grain exports from Ukrainian ports. Lavrov said after his talks there that Russia had done its part and it was up to Ukraine to de-mine its ports so ships could exit to the Black Sea. Ukraine used to export most of its goods by sea but since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion has been forced to transport grain by train via its western border or via small Danube river ports. Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation", said on Tuesday that two major Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov seized by Russian forces were ready to resume grain shipments. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and David Evans) Former "Good Morning America" senior executive producer Michael Corn. A New York State Supreme Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Michael Corn, a former longtime executive producer at ABC News who was accused of sexual assault and creating a toxic work environment. Kirstyn Crawford, 31, a former "Good Morning America" producer, alleged that Corn assaulted her when she reported to him at the network's program in 2015. The two were covering the Oscars in Los Angeles when Corn allegedly forcibly touched and kissed Crawford during an Uber trip back to their hotel after a party the night before the awards, according to the lawsuit filed in August 2021. During the alleged incident, Corn told Crawford that he could help her career. Crawford said she avoided traveling with Corn on business after that point and lost work opportunities as a result. Crawford also claimed that Corn withheld a raise and promotion and described various situations where he created a hostile work environment in retaliation for rebuffing his alleged sexual advances. The statute of limitations of three years on the assault accusation passed, and the judge said the behavior described in Crawford's suit did not prove the hostile work environment that she claims followed the alleged incident. The alleged assault could only be considered by the court if Corn created a hostile work environment in the years that followed. "We are very grateful the court recognized the total lack of merit to the allegations brought against Mr. Corn," attorney Meredith Cavallaro, who represented Corn, told The Times Wednesday. Corn held the top producing jobs at ABC World News Tonight and Good Morning America during his tenure at the network. He left in April 2021 and is now president of news for NewsNation, a cable channel owned by Nexstar Media Group. Corn, who has denied the allegations in Crawford's suit, declined to comment on the case's dismissal. Some of the claims against ABC, Walt Disney Co.-owned TV network also named in the suit, were also dismissed. An ABC News representative declined comment. Crawford is no longer employed at ABC News, choosing not to renew her contract. Her attorney, Milt Williams, declined comment. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SMITHSBURG, Md. (AP) A man opened fire at a manufacturing business in rural western Maryland on Thursday, killing three people before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, authorities said. The Washington County Sheriffs Office said in a news release that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg and a fourth victim was critically injured. The suspect then fled in a vehicle and was tracked down by Maryland State Police, according to the news release. The suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire, the sheriff's office said. Both were being treated for their injuries. Gov. Larry Hogan, who was briefed on the shooting, said that the man opened fire on troopers before at least one officer returned fire and wounded the suspect. The suspect fired and shot the state trooper in the shoulder, who then returned fire and shot him, Hogan told reporters. Authorities did not have information on whether the suspect and victims were employees of the company where the shooting took place, Sheriffs Office Sgt. Carly Hose said at a news conference. Family members of workers at the manufacturer were gathering at a fire station in downtown Smithsburg on Thursday evening, awaiting information on their loved ones. They declined to speak to a reporter. Several hours after the shooting, numerous law enforcement officers remained at the scene. Police had closed off the road that runs past the Columbia Machine Inc. facility, and yellow tape blew in the wind outside the business. Messages left seeking comment with the company werent immediately returned. Smithsburg, a community of nearly 3,000 people, is just west of the Camp David presidential retreat and about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore. The manufacturing facility was in a sparsely populated area northeast of the town's center with a church, several businesses and farmland nearby. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, lamented the loss of life in his state so soon after other recentshootings and vowed action. Today's horrific shooting comes as our state and nation have witnessed tragedy after tragedy, and it's got to stop, he said in a statement. We must act to address the mass shootings and daily toll of gun violence on our communities. David Creamer, 69, is a member of Smithburgs volunteer fire department and has lived in town since 1988. He saw alerts related to the shooting go out shortly before 3 p.m. Creamer said the last fatal shooting that he can recall in Smithsburg was roughly a decade ago. This stuff doesnt happen here, Creamer said. Everybody pretty knows everybody. Its a family atmosphere. We watch out for each other. Creamer was chatting with neighbors at a Little League game on Thursday evening. He wore a T-shirt promoting a gun rights organization. The shooting makes me feel even stronger about it. I just feel that I should be able to protect my family and my neighbors. In a community like this, everybody is your neighbor, he said. Funeral home employee Ashley Vigrass, 29, lives less than a mile (kilometer) from where the shooting occurred. She was home with her two children when her fiancee called to tell her about the shooting and urged her to keep the kids inside the house. The helicopters were out, she said. Asked if she was shaken by the shooting, Vigrass said, I feel like we come from a desensitized era. You feel something, but its the same thing that you felt yesterday, she added as she watched the Little League game. Its unfortunate, but you just got to make sure the kids are safe to play baseball and carry on. ___ Associated Press writer Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report. Spanish Foreign Minister Albares poses for a portrait before an interview with Reuters in Madrid By Belen Carreno and Inti Landauro MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government will "firmly defend" its national interests in the wake of Algeria's decision to suspend a 20-year-old treaty of friendship and cooperation and ban all non-gas trade with Spain, the foreign minister said on Thursday. Jose Manuel Albares told reporters Spain was also monitoring gas flows from Algeria, which account for nearly half of Spain's gas imports, and said these were unaffected by the diplomatic row over Madrid's stance on the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Algeria's banking association said on Wednesday payments to and from Spain were stopping because the treaty was suspended, which, according to Algerian sources, affects all trade except for gas supplies. "We are analysing the reach and the national and European consequences of that measure in a serene, constructive way, but also with firmness in the defence of Spain and the interests of Spaniards and Spanish companies," Albares told reporters. Spanish exports to Algeria include iron and steel, machinery, paper products, fuel and plastics, while service exports include construction, banking and insurance business. Spanish energy firms Naturgy, Repsol and Cepsa have contracts with Algerian state-owned gas company Sonatrach. Spain's Energy Minister Teresa Ribera was confident Sonatrach would respect its commercial contracts, but acknowledged that the spat between the two nations comes at a delicate time as the prices of the 10-year supply contracts are now being revised by the companies involved. North African gas supplies to Europe have grown increasingly important this year in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Algeria was angered when Spain said in March it supported a Moroccan plan to offer autonomy to Western Sahara. Algeria backs the Polisario Front movement seeking full independence for the territory, which Morocco regards as its own and mostly controls. Algeria broke off diplomatic ties with Morocco last year after the Western Sahara conflict flared again in 2020, nearly three decades after a ceasefire took effect. Also last year, Algeria decided not to extend a deal to export gas through a pipeline running through Morocco to Spain that made up nearly all of Morocco's gas supply. It supplies Spain through a direct subsea pipeline and by vessel. Its treaty with Spain also committed both sides to cooperate in controlling migration flows, so its suspension could become a potential problem for Spain, the European Union and even NATO. Spain, as host of an upcoming NATO summit, will push for the inclusion of "hybrid threats" such as irregular migration, especially on the southern flank, in the military alliance's new policy roadmap, Albares told Reuters on Wednesday. Spain's shift towards Morocco's stance on Western Sahara ended a dispute between Madrid and Rabat last year involving both the disputed territory and mass migration. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo, Belen Carreno and Inti Landauro, Lamine Chikhi in Algiers, writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Hugh Lawson) After 15 years of fighting, Sterling Jewelers, parent company of shopping mall stalwarts Kay Jewelers, Jared and Zales, agreed to resolve a class-action lawsuit that alleged the company discriminated against tens of thousands of employees over pay and promotions. The case also spurred additional allegations that included sexual harassment accusations against senior executives. Tens of thousands of current and former employees sued in a class arbitration. The company was accused of having a policy "prohibiting employees from discussing their pay with each other," which "made it difficult for women to identify instances where they were paid less than male employees performing the same job." The class grew to 68,000 plaintiffs who claimed women were discriminated both in compensation and in promotions. PHOTO: Gina Drosos, chief executive officer of Signet Jewelers Ltd., speaks during an interview in New York, March 21, 2022. (Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE) Sworn statements also described a corporate culture in which annual managers' retreats allegedly became no-spouses allowed "booze fests" where male executives "prowled around the [resort] like dogs that were let out of their cage," and that "there was no one to protect female managers from them," arbitration documents show. The alleged incidents took place between late 1990s to the 2000s, according to the sworn statements. Those claims were not part of the lawsuit and not addressed in the settlement agreement. Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers and the law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC announced the agreement, which calls on the company, a subsidiary of UK-based Signet Jewelers, to pay $175 million. Of that, $125 million would be split among the class members and the rest would go to the lawyers. PHOTO: Pedestrians pass in front of a Zales Jewelers store, a subsidiary of Signet Jewelers Ltd., in New York, Aug. 23, 2017. (Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE) The agreement is subject to the arbitrator's approval. MORE: University of California reaches $243.6 million settlement in UCLA sex abuse scandal "For the past four years, we've been successfully transforming Signet's business model and culture. I want to thank our dedicated team members for helping to create our welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is invited to be their authentic self. We believe prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion grows high-functioning teams and fosters a culture of appreciation and development," Gina Drosos, CEO of Signet Jewelers, said in a statement. "This settlement is an important step in bringing closure to a nearly 15-year-old case." PHOTO: Shoppers walk by a Kay Jewelers and Zales Jewelers stores in Daly City, Calif., Feb. 19, 2014. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, FILE) Signet has discontinued the pay and promotions practices at issue in the lawsuit and offered mentorship and leadership training for women. "This settlement provides for significant monetary relief for our clients and ensures that the practices that gave rise to this case will not recur. And we applaud Sterling Jewelers for undertaking important and meaningful changes to its workplace policies, which have moved it forward as a leader in gender equality," said Joseph Sellers, of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC. ABC News' Kelly McCarthy contributed to this report. Editor's note: An earlier version of this article said the sexual harassment allegations were part of the lawsuit. Those allegations came later and the settlement only pertained to pay and promotions. Sterling Jewelers, parent company of Kay Jewelers, Jared and Zales resolve pay discrimination case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Plans by the British Government to scrap aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol could have a colossal political and economic impact, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has said. During a party meeting in Belfast, Ms ONeill launched an attack on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who she said was motivated solely by holding on to power. It was the first party meeting for Sinn Fein since it secured a historic victory in last months Assembly elections, emerging as the largest party in Northern Ireland for the first time. However, the DUP has blocked attempts to restore the powersharing Stormont assembly or to form an executive as part of its protest against the protocol, which has created a trade border in the Irish Sea. The UK Government has since revealed plans to introduce domestic legislation that would override parts of the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is motivated only by holding on to power, Michelle ONeill said (Peter Byrne/PA) Speaking about Mr Johnson, Ms ONeill said: Our interests are certainly not his interests, or that of the Tories. By our interests I mean all of the people here, our local political democracy, our peace process, our progress and the transformation of the island over the past quarter of a century. Theyve no concern for our future our shared future. Boris Johnsons sole interests are holding on to power, and serving the sectional interests of a London elite. She added: The DUP have saddled up to the Tories before, and of course they will never learn. Whats at play is that Boris Johnson wants to clutch on to power for as long as he can get away with it. The DUP and a faction of the Tories with whom theyre aligned want to squeeze from him what they can, while they can, on the Brexit protocol a protocol which is necessary and a direct result of the hard Brexit the DUP and Tories championed. Ms ONeill said: Boris Johnson knows that to gamble the protocol is to breach international law and to jeopardise the British Governments agreement with the EU on their withdrawal and future trading relationship with colossal political and economic impact. The threat of unilateral action by the Tories to legislate and breach international law serves nobodys interests, anywhere at any time. With 40% of his own MPs diverging in this weeks confidence vote he has big choices to make in the interests of his own country and people. But, the absurdity of people of this island being subjected to this figure of disrepute is untenable. He is driving an anti-Good Friday Agreement agenda, which is disingenuously wrapped up in a pro-agreement rhetoric. Boris Johnson and (Northern Ireland Secretary) Brandon Lewis are giving the DUP cover and lets be clear the political stability of the north cannot be a hostage to the Tory in-fighting, Westminster chaos and continued DUP disruption. Ms ONeill also said that if powersharing could not be restored in Northern Ireland, then there should be joint authority rule from Dublin and London. She said: If those elected to serve fail to restore the democratic institutions then it is not a case of direct rule from London on the cards, but joint authority from Dublin and London. And if the people decide, Sinn Fein hopes to lead that government from Dublin. Post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland are expected to dominate discussions when Sir Keir Starmer meets with Irish political leaders in Dublin on Thursday. The Labour leaders talks with President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin follow discussions with the British-Irish Chamber in Dublin. His first visit to Ireland while at the helm of the Opposition comes as the UK Government proposes controversial legislation to override the Northern Ireland Protocol. Sir Keir, who will visit Belfast as part of the trip, will also meet with Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Taoiseach Micheal Martin (left) in conversation with President Michael D Higgins (Brian Lawless/PA) The leader of the Irish Labour Party Ivana Bacik will also hold a meeting with Sir Keir in the Irish capital. On Friday, the Labour leader will be in Belfast to meet political leaders in Stormont, where he is expected to call for compromise and negotiation to end the political deadlock over the return of the powersharing Executive. Addressing business leaders on Wednesday evening, Sir Keir said: Now is not a time for games, but for practical solutions, based on trust. And because this is how business operates, it is vital that you are round the table, and your voice is heard. Chamber director-general John McGrane said: Todays engagement with Sir Keir Starmer is extremely timely and important given the urgent need for all sides to work together and find pragmatic solutions to the Northern Ireland Protocol. Its vital that politics does not get in the way. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Xinhua) - Malaysia's unemployment rate dipped to 3.9 percent in April, being below 4 percent for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Southeast Asian country, official data showed Thursday. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement that economic activities continued to flourish after Malaysia reopened its international borders on April 1. The labor force condition in April strengthened further with a surge of 0.4 percent month on month to 16.50 million persons. Accordingly, the labor force participation rate edged up by 0.2 percentage points to 69.4 percent, as compared to 69.2 percent in March. The encouraging situation was due to the continuous increase in employment while the unemployment remained on a declining trend, said the DOSM. According to the DOSM, the number of employed persons increased to 15.85 million in April from 15.77 million in March. The number of unemployed persons continued to decline for nine consecutive months, registering a decrease of 3 percent to 649,300, as compared to 669,200 in March. "A more positive economic outlook is observed as the country moves into the phase of transition to endemic ... This situation is seen to open up more job opportunities since business activities require more workers to accommodate the growing demand for goods and services. Thus, the labor market is foreseen to be able to sustain its resiliency in the months to come," said the DOSM. Marysville, CA (95901) Today Sunny. High 99F. W winds shifting to S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Hard Rock Cafe Yerevan will provide its employees with the best conditions of the international market competitive salary, health insurance and an opportunity for constant growth. Hard Rock Cafe Yerevan, which will open in Pushkin str. 3/1, will provide its future staffers with broad educational and training opportunities. The Job Fair of Hard Rock Cafe was held on June 9, during which the list of jobs required for Yerevan, the job requirements and the criteria for the employees were presented. Hard Rock Cafe Yerevan Director Bob Khalil told reporters that the preference will be given to Armenians as they better know the desires and demands of the local clients. Hard Rock Cafe is not just a restaurant or a cafe, its an entire experience, an environment involving the highest level of standards and service, Bob Khalil said, adding that Hard Rock Cafe will bring also a new high quality and a perfect service culture. Dom Arena director Arsen Hovhannisyan added that many people have applied for the job. Its already over two weeks we have started collecting CVs. Interviews will soon launch in two stages, and then the participants will be selected. Next week specialists will arrive to hold training. The best 60 will be selected and will work in our field, he said. Hovhannisyan said that when they were discussing with ANIF (Armenian National Interests Fund) bringing the project to Armenia, it was noted that the company will not only bring a restaurant, but also knowledge, experience, corporate governance culture, which, unfortunately, is lacking in the sector. Asked whether the states participation to the project is not worrying given that every business wants to be independent, Arsen Hovhannisyan said that the cooperation is built in a way that the business is quite free in making decisions. Of course, there is accountability, well-built relations, but the relations here are within the corporate governance, he said. Food Republic and Hard Rock International signed a contract on opening Hard Rock Cafe in Yerevan. ANIF participates in the program within the framework of the Anti-Crisis fund programs of the ANIF subsidiary company established to mitigate the economic consequences of COVID 19. ANIF has 48% participation in the project. The opening of Hard Rock Cafe in Yerevan is expected in the second quarter of 2022. The first Hard Rock Cafe opened in downtown London in 1971. Today the brand is present in more than 68 countries. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is convinced that there will be final agreements over the settlement of the bilateral relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. During a press conference in Yerevan together with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, the Russian FM, commenting on the question relating to the progress in the process of the normalization of the relations between Yerevan and Baku, reminded that after the 2020 large-scale war the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan held three trilateral meetings aimed at settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and solving the practical issues connected with the settlement of the relations. In my view, we have a common perception that the process moves forward. Perhaps, it would be desirable for the process to be faster, nevertheless, it moves on, substantive, positive, albeit still intermediate results are being achieved, but there is no doubt that there will also be final agreements. We try to contribute to it in every way. Of course, the sides have their own visions, which do not always coincide, especially on how to work in the upcoming stage, but in any case all our partners and we as well agree that the three statements adopted at the highest level are very simple roadmaps that we should all guided by, the Russian FM said. He reminded that the meeting of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Commissions was held recently, and the next meeting is scheduled to take place in Moscow. Lavrov said the Russian side is ready to provide consulting support in this respect. According to the Russian top diplomat, the activities of the Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan deputy prime ministerial working group dealing with the unblocking of transportation and economic communications in the region have also greatly moved forward. Therefore, I am sure that there is no other way than the complete normalization of the relations, the Russian FM said. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan, who is in Strasbourg on a working visit, met today with Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis, the Parliaments press service said. The Speaker highly valued the key role of the Council of Europe and the PACE and the productive continuation of their activity as a cornerstone of democratic security, guarantor of human rights and rule of law, a platform for real pluralism and effective dialogue. The sides discussed the PACE role in strengthening democracy in Armenia, particularly touching upon the works of the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee. The Speaker of Parliament said there are many unresolved issues after the 44-day war, one of the most urgent of which is the issue of the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other persons held in Azerbaijan. He said that this attempt of solving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by force opposes the commitment of Azerbaijans membership to the CoE on settling the conflict exclusively peacefully. According to the Armenian Speaker of Parliament, PACE should be consistent with its resolution on the Humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan/Nagorno Karabakh conflict, adopted on September 27, 2021. He once again affirmed the commitment of Armenia to achieve peace and make real efforts in this direction, which could not be said about the Azerbaijani authorities who are still running an anti-Armenian and militaristic policy against Armenia. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan commented on the process of normalizing the relations between Armenia and Turkey. During a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Yerevan, FM Mirzoyan said the Armenian side is happy to hear statements by the top leadership of Turkey that they are going and are ready to normalize and establish diplomatic relations with Armenia and open the Armenian-Turkish border. On the other hand, we see differences in approaches in a sense that Turkey constantly announces that this normalization process must take place without any precondition, but we regularly see connection between the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the Armenia-Azerbaijan processes. A connection that the representatives of Turkeys leadership are trying to find or highlight on every occasion. We dont think that this is constructive. There are also some differences in a sense that we have different ideas about pace. Nevertheless, I want to state once again that hearing statements by Turkey that they are going to open the closed border with Armenia is welcome, the FM said. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan commented on the ongoing protests in the country, stating that there is no political crisis in Armenia. During a press conference today with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Mirzoyan told a reporter that he can substantiate his statement by two facts. Firstly, snap parliamentary elections were held last summer, where the citizens of Armenia gave very clear answers to a number of questions and solved the political crisis that really existed that time. Its worth noting that these elections were recognized as democratic and transparent by all observer missions. So, this shows that citizens undoubtedly had a chance to express their position and make a decision. Secondly, we follow, as far as I managed to follow, the small number of people participating in rallies, perhaps, doesnt show that these rallies are supported by the citizens of Armenia. But I want to note that Armenia is a democratic country, and everyone has a right to hold peaceful rallies, the FM said. Touching upon the logical sides of this process, the FM said he could present his own, personal position. I see some problems with sound judgment here and I can state why. Firstly, that political forces have a chance to run their activity in the parliament and strongly criticize the authorities and ask the sharpest questions, which, unfortunately or fortunately, they do not use. It is their right again. And secondly, the most important, the content part of the issue: as far as I managed to follow and understand, the forces that organize and participate in the rallies state that Armenia is not running a right policy over Nagorno Karabakh, is not running a right policy in the directions, the negotiations, I already mentioned, with Azerbaijan, and is not running a right policy in the process of normalizing the relations between Armenia and Turkey, and so on. And here I want to state that strangely we have not seen statements that, if our government resigns, and the power is somehow transmitted to these forces, they are going to cancel, for example, the November 9 trilateral statement, or the trilateral statements of 2021 January 11 and November 26, or they are going to withdraw from the delimitation process, or they are going to suspend the process of unblocking the regional communications, etc. In other words, if such an approach was announced, perhaps it would have been logical, because I have already presented our approach and it has been announced long ago. And I suppose that it would have been logical if these aspiring political forces have had opposite positions on these key matters. As I said, I didnt manage to follow much, but as far as I managed, I didnt meet any talk on suspending the processes I mentioned or withdrawing from that processes, which allows me to suppose that the topic that is being discussed is just a way and occasion of manipulation by the opposition, he said. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and the delegation headed by him, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime MInister. In his welcoming remarks, Prime Minister Pashinyan, in particular, said, Dear Sergey Viktorovich, Welcome to the Republic of Armenia. I am very glad to see you. Russia and Armenia are strategic partners and allies and, of course, this assumes that the intensity of bilateral visits and contacts should be quite high, and we witness it. The agenda of our relations is very wide and multifaceted. These are related to both bilateral issues, and regional and international issues. I am glad that today we will have the opportunity to discuss a wide scope of issues related to our relations. At the moment, the main issue on our agenda is related to the regional situation, security, and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Of course, we are discussing this issue with Russia quite intensively, and other issues as well. For example, the opening of regional communications. The meeting of the trilateral working group headed by the Deputy Prime Ministers of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan took place recently in Moscow. I hope that in the near future we will be able to reach concrete agreements to resolve this issue of strategic importance for the benefit of the whole region, for the sake of stability and peace. The agenda of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is also very important. You know that the first meeting of the bilateral working commission on demarcation and delimitation of the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan took place recently. The second meeting is already planned to be held in Moscow, the third meeting will take place in Brussels. In this context, we expect the support of the Russian Federation for this process to take place and proceed in a normal way and to be effective. I would also like to mention the issue of the return of prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees who are still in Azerbaijan, contrary to the November 9, 2020 trilateral declaration. We expect the support of the Russian Federation in this matter as well, so that this humanitarian issue can finally be fully resolved. Welcome once again, I am sure we will have fruitful negotiations today. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, Dear Nikol Vovaevich, Thank you very much for the opportunity to meet with you during our full-up visit to the Republic of Armenia. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin conveys to you his warmest greetings and best wishes and reaffirms the commitment to all the agreements reached during your contacts, especially during your official visit to the Russian Federation in April this year. You also met in Moscow within the framework of the informal CSTO summit, you had many telephone conversations. We are committed to all the decisions aimed at deepening our strategic partnership, allied cooperation, and the strengthening of our bilateral relations in general. Today we discussed in detail with Ararat Samvelovich the tasks you have set for us at the highest level, I know that this work is one of the priorities within the Intergovernmental Economic Commission. But, undoubtedly, dear Nikol Vovaevich, as you mentioned, regional issues deserve special attention now. Implementation of the trilateral statements of November 2020, January and November 2021 is our priority. We interested that all the directions and actions set out there, aimed at the complete normalization of the situation in the region, the settlement of all issues, including humanitarian ones, to be resolved as soon as possible. As you mentioned, the trilateral working group on unblocking transport and economic communications at the level of Deputy Prime Ministers is in the advanced stage of agreeing on specific aspects of the final agreements. We have discussed what additional steps need to be taken, and we will report to you. The same goes for delimitation. We welcome the start of the work of the two commissions from your and Azerbaijani sides. The first session, meeting took place, we consider it very important. We will start preparing for the meeting in Moscow with the participation of Russian representatives, who, in accordance with the agreements of the leaders, will provide consulting services, including cartographic materials. In general, we are interested in the full normalization of relations between our neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Of course, we are familiar with the proposals presented by Azerbaijan in that context, we are also familiar with your positions, which you have presented in written, Russia is ready to do everything possible to reach a mutual agreement. And, as I said, we are committed to the full implementation of all agreements without exception. It is especially important for us to have the opportunity to hear your assessments today. Thank you for this meeting once again." Nikol Pashinyan and Sergey Lavrov discussed issues related to the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership, the regional stability and peace agenda, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and the process of normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. In the context of the comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Prime Minister of Armenia stressed the important role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. The interlocutors also exchanged views on the development of scientific, educational and cultural ties. Sergey Lavrov praised the attitude and hospitality of the Armenian side towards the Russian citizens who have recently moved to Armenia. ISLAMABAD, June 9 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and 10 others injured after a truck collided with a passenger bus in the Narowal district of Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, the country's state media reported on Thursday. According to the reports, the accident took place in Kartarpur town of the district due to overspeeding of the truck. The victims have been shifted to a local hospital, rescue workers told local media. Road accidents frequently happen in Pakistan, mainly due to poorly maintained vehicles, dilapidated roads as well as negligence of road safety measures. YEREVAN, 9 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 9 June, USD exchange rate down by 3.94 drams to 426.85 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.17 drams to 457.46 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.23 drams to 7.40 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 5.06 drams to 534.89 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 188.32 drams to 25429.04 drams. Silver price down by 5.13 drams to 300.82 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. The 69-year-old resident of Berdzor, lost on the Azerbaijani side, was returned to the Armenian side through the mediation of peacekeepers, ARMENPRESS reports the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Artsakh Republic informed. In particular, the statement says that on June 1, the police received a report of the disappearance of a 69-year-old resident of Berdzor. As a result of the joint search operations carried out by the Kashatagh Regional Police Department and the staff of the Russian peacekeeping mission, it turned out that the latter got lost and appeared on the Azerbaijani side. As a result of the negotiations mediated by the peacekeepers, on June 9, at around 12:00, the citizen of Artsakh was handed over to the officers of the Kashatagh regional police department. The circumstances are being clarified. YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Russia welcomes the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, ARMENPRESS reports, during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations will contribute to the improvement and stabilization of the general situation in the region. "In this context, in our common opinion, it is necessary to ensure the dynamic work of the "3 + 3" regional platform with the participation of the three countries of the South Caucasus and their three neighbors. This is an important additional channel for the formation of dialogue and development of multilateral cooperation between the countries of the region and their neighbors," he added. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, in his turn, welcomed the statements of the Turkish authorities that they are ready to normalize, establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Armenia, as well as open the Armenian-Turkish border, but at the same time added that the attempts of the Turkish leadership to find interconnectedness between the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Azerbaijani issues are not constructive. The term of Ram Nath Kovind ends on July 24, new President to be sworn in by July 25 New Delhi: The process to elect the 16th President of India began on Thursday after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the presidential election 2022. The term of the sitting President, Mr Ram Nath Kovind, ends on July 24, 2022, and the process of election for the new President must be complete before that so that the new President can be sworn in by July 25. Making the announcement, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the notification for the Presidents election will be issued on June 15, the last date for filing nomination is June 29, and the election, if needed, will be held on July 18. Counting of votes, if needed, will be done on July 21 in New Delhi. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 30 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations will be July 2. The EC has said that no political party will be allowed to issue any kind of whip for this election. All Covid-19-related protocols will have to be followed during the voting and counting of votes for the Presidents election. As per the Article 54, the President is elected by an Electoral College consisting of elected MPs of both Houses of Parliament and elected MLAs of the Legislative Assemblies of all states, including NCT of Delhi and Puducherry. This year the total number of electors for the presidential election will be 4,809, out of which 776 are Members of Parliament snd 4,033 are Members of Legislative Assemblies. The Election Commission of India is privileged and honoured to announce today the schedule of election for the 16th Presidential Election Article 324 of the Constitution, the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act 1952 and the rules made thereunder vest the superintendence, direction, and control of the conduct of election to the office of the President of India in the EC, said the CEC. He added that the Rajya Sabha secretary-general will be the returning officer for this election, which will be held in Parliament House in New Delhi and in the premises of State Legislative Assemblies, including NCT of Delhi and UT of Puducherry. The commission has also decided to appoint assistant returning officers in all state capitals, including Delhi and Puducherry, for making arrangements for conducting the poll and for transportation of ballot boxes and other important election materials to and from the Election Commission. Besides, to ensure a free and fair election, the commission also appoints senior officers of the Government of India as its observers at the places of polling. Voting for the presidential election will take place in Parliament House and the state Assemblies. While MPs will vote in Parliament, MLAs will vote in the respective Assemblies. However, in case of emergency, if any voter wants to cast his/her vote from any place other than the designated one, he or she can do so with the permission of the EC by informing it at least 10 days in advance. In such cases MPs will be able to vote in a state Assembly and MLAs will be able to vote in the Parliament complex. The nominated members of either the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assemblies of states are not eligible to be in the Electoral College and are not entitled to participate in the election. Similarly, members of Legislative Councils are also not electors in this election. The total value of the vote of electors for the 16th presidential election is 10,86,431. Of this, the total value of votes for MLAs is 5,43,231 and the total value of votes for MPs is 5,43,200. Article 55(3) of the Constitution provides that the election shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot. In this system, the elector has to mark preferences against the names of the candidates. The elector can mark as many preferences as the number of candidates but marking of the first preference is compulsory for the ballot paper to be valid, and other preferences are optional, the CEC said while explaining the procedure of voting. For marking the vote, the commission will supply particular pens and only these pens must be used for marking on the ballot paper. During the filing of nominations, the candidate must have at least 50 persons proposing him or her and another 50 seconding the candidature. The security deposit for the election is Rs 15,000, which is required to be submitted along with the nomination paper. Today's headlines: Thailand legalises cannabis; the Burmese military kills 11 civilians; India's government raises security levels due to risk of al-Qaeda attacks; Tensions between Atomic Energy Agency and Iran; Russia no longer recognises the European Court of Human Rights. CHINA Shanghai authorities impose new localised lockdowns to combat Covid-19. Two million inhabitants of the populous Minhang district will have to stay in their homes for two days; mass testing is also planned. The measure affects two other city districts. The populous city has experienced two months of harsh shutdown, with popular protests and damage to the economy. THAILAND Bangkok legalises the production and sale of cannabis: the first country in South East Asia - where strict anti-drugs rules apply - to make such a decision. However, recreational use of marijuana will not be allowed. MYANMAR The military junta in government killed 11 civilians in the Sagaing region, one of the most affected by clashes between the army and opponents of the coup. Two of the victims had taken refuge in a Buddhist temple, later set on fire by soldiers. INDIA The Indian government yesterday raised the national security level after a letter circulated in which Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda threatened suicide attacks in the country. The missive comes after tension over offensive comments against the Prophet Mohammed by two members of the ruling BJP party. IRAN In a resolution passed with the votes of Western countries, and rejected by China and Russia, the International Atomic Energy Agency censured the Iranians for failing to respond to requests for clarification on the discovery of traces of uranium at three undeclared sites. The international community has long been negotiating with the Islamic Republic to reinstate the 2015 nuclear agreement. RUSSIA The State Duma approved bills authorising the country not to comply with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, as of 15 March last year, when Russia announced its decision to leave the European Council of Human Rights. Compensation due for decisions prior to that date will be paid in roubles. GEORGIA In Tbilisi there are protest actions against the entry into the European Union by representatives of the extreme right. About ten of them were arrested for attempting to burn an EU flag in the square and assaulting two representatives of the pro-Western opposition, the leaders of the Republican Party Khatuna Samnidze and David Berdzenisvili. by Alessandra De Poli Some 60 pre-schoolers have benefitted from the latest project by New Humanity International, leaving their parents to work during the day. Those behind the initiative also want to get the children registered with the authorities io ensure they have access to medical care and higher education. Yangon (AsiaNews) There is no shortage of solidarity initiatives in Myanmar, this despite the difficulties the country has experienced over the past year and a half. One new project, the Golden Beehive, is by New Humanity International, a kindergarten for four-year-old children who live at a landfill in Insein, a township on the edge of Yangon, Myanmars former capital. The beehive conjures up the idea of care more than any other image. New-born bees must wait at least 21 days before they can leave their cell while the larger bees look after them and feed them royal jelly, said Fr Jose Magro, speaking to AsiaNews. We chose gold because it is the colour of Myanmar, the golden land of Buddhism, added the Brazilian-born PIME missionary who works with New Humanity International. The idea of a kindergarten came to him from meeting with the local community. I shop at a large market near where I live. Locals eke out a living day by the day, selling what they find in the landfill or working at a factory, but with no certainty about the next. They might may earn something one day, but dont know if they will the day after. About 350 families live at the landfill in Insein, which is located in a neighbourhood that has a large government prison. Most of them moved here after Hurricane Nargis in 2008 in which more than 138,000 people lost their lives. At the market, Fr Jose got to chat with people and was eventually invited to some homes. Sipping some tea or eating some rice, he got the idea of a school for the children who spend most of the day alone at the landfill while their parents work. Since it opened just over a month ago, the Golden Beehive has welcomed 60 children, half in the morning, from 8 am to 12 noon, and half in the afternoon, from noon to 4 pm. Six teachers are in charge of classes and games, while two take the children home and talk to the parents to see if there any issues. At first the families were wary. Usually if teachers visit parents, it is to tell them that the children have misbehaved, Fr Jose explained. But they are slowly opening up so we can understand if there are difficult situations and if we can do something to take care of the parents as well. A few days ago, a 27-year-old man left his 24-year-old wife and four-year-old child, the clergyman noted. We are doing everything we can to help the mother and the baby. Unfortunately, alcohol abuse is a major issue; a small flask costs less than a bottle of milk. Speaking with parents, the teachers found out that families can only provide their children with one meal a day. At the New Humanity International kindergarten, children are always given lunch, with meat or eggs, food that families can hardly afford. But the ultimate goal of the school is to get the children registered with the authorities. Those who live at the landfill, in fact, have no papers and therefore do not exist for the government. "Some have lived here for almost 20 years and do not know their date of birth, Fr Jose lamented. Without papers, people have no access to healthcare or education. A volunteer doctor and a nurse have seen all the little patients at the Golden Beehive. "The doctor decided to monitor a woman who has a major thyroid problem and needs to be operated. But since no one can afford to go to a clinic or visit a dentist, anyone providing medical care here has their work cut out. Solidarity is holding together Myanmars pieces, a country devastated by 16 months of civil war. In Yangon there are several government agencies, and there is no open conflict like in Shan or Kachin or in the rural areas of the country. Occasionally, we hear an explosion or hear about the killing of some local community leader who worked with the junta, but afterwards life goes on as usual. On 1 February 1, 2021, Myanmars Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. After an initial period of peaceful protests, fighting broke out between regular troops and the People's Defence Forces, the armed wing of the National Unity Government (NUG) set up in exile, and supported by the armed wings of some of the countrys ethnic groups. "Despite everything, we encourage families to send their children to school, Fr Jose noted, so that they can at least continue to study; at the landfill they would have no chance. Just like a real beehive, the Golden Beehive is becoming a refuge from the atrocities of war. Meanwhile, We are going to expand the activities of the centre, with Saturday and Sunday school for the older children, Fr Jose explained. Yet, families don't know we're priests, he added. We don't tell them, since they wouldn't understand. We are happy to live by bearing witness alone. by Fady Noun The arrival of the Energean Power has revived the issue. The vessel is ready to develop the Karish gas field on behalf of the Israelis. US envoy Amos Hochstein is expected next week. On the border question, Hezbollah leaves the field free to the government. The respective exclusive economic zones are at stake. Beirut (AsiaNews) Dormant in recent months, the issue of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel, which is the subject of indirect negotiations between the two countries under the aegis of the United Nations and the United States, is back in the news with the arrival in the region of the FPSO[*] Energean Power, a floating rig vessel, set to begin operating in the Karish gas field on behalf of Israel. The rig is expected to begin delivering gas in the 3rd quarter of 2022. At the invitation of Lebanese authorities, US envoy Amos Hochstein, who is leading the negotiations, has been urgently recalled to Lebanon, where he is expected early next week. According to US sources quoted in the media, Hochstein put negotiations on hold last October, noting that the Lebanese side was still undecided about the demarcation line between its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and Israels. The EEZ demarcation file includes different lines. Line 1 benefits Israel. Based on an error made in the early 2000s, it is now abandoned. Line 23, officially adopted in 2011 by the Mikati government by decree (6433), grants Lebanon an additional 860 km compared to line 1, but this is contested by Israel. The Hoff Line, named after an American mediator gives Lebanon 60 per cent of the 860 km of the area claimed by Israel. Line 29, proposed in 2022, grants Lebanon 1,430 km in addition to the 860 km2 of line 23. According to a source close to Lebanons president, Lebanon has made progress on this issue, going beyond Line 23, but has not yet officially recognised Line 29," which has led to bitter attacks from its opponents. This requires an amendment to Decree 6433 and a claim to be filed with the United Nations. So far, Lebanon has not made the necessary changes, merely sending an official letter to the Security Council on the matter, which is legally insufficient in the eyes of the United Nations. At the Presidents Office, everyone is aware that claiming Line 29, which covers part of the Karish gas field, would put Lebanon in direct confrontation with Israel, bringing negotiations to a halt for the foreseeable future, even though Lebanon is betting on gas to get out of its current financial impasse. Faced with the fait accompli of the rig, Lebanons president and prime minister issued a joint statement, saying that all the work of exploration, drilling or extraction by Israel in the disputed areas constitute a provocation and a hostile act. Yet, everything points towards talks and, for the first time, all parties are demanding them," writes journalist Scarlett Haddad, who has close contacts in the Presidents Office, in the daily L'Orient-Le Jour. Although Energean Power has reached the Karish gas field, claimed by Israel, the vessel did not approach line 29 claimed by some Lebanese as the southern limit of Lebanons EEZ; this was made clear to Lebanese authorities through discreet channels, the journalist noted. "Similarly," she added, "the main partner of the company that owns the vessel, the US giant Halliburton, has undertaken contacts to avoid any confrontation between Lebanon and Israel. For its part, Hezbollah has made it known through various public or backdoor channels that it stands behind the Lebanese government in this case, the cited source said. It is up to Lebanese authorities to demarcate the countrys borders; once this is officially done, the Shia party will consider it its duty to defend them. Until then, it has no plan to express an opinion on any line, nor take part in any indirect negotiations with Israel. According to an independent source, the issue of Mideast energy resources, like gas, is becoming a hot topic in the context of the war in Ukraine, especially with regard to Europe's energy needs. The outlook is favourable for a peaceful development of gas resources, experts suggest. For her part, Israeli Energy Minister Karin Elharrar, quoted by Reuters, on Monday said that the Lebanese claim was very far from reality. Asked about the prospect of escalation, she noted: "We are not there at all. Really, such is the disconnect (between rhetoric and reality) that I do not believe they would take action." Nevertheless, she added that her government is making preparations (and) I recommend that no one try to surprise Israel. The United States has not yet issued any comment about the situation. (Picture: Energean Power travelling through the Suez Canal) [*] Floating production storage and offloading. by Emanuele Scimia Taiwans giant TSMC has no plans to open factories in Europe. The EUs semiconductor dialogue with Taiwan risks undermining relations with China. Slovak parliamentarian feels his country and Taiwan might be interested in manufacturing chips in Slovakia. In Europe, more and more voices are calling for EU members to leave the China-led 16+1 forum. Rome (AsiaNews) Technological cooperation between the European Union and Taiwan is struggling to take off, this despite recent mutual outreach. Yesterday, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd (TSMC), the world's leading contract chipmaker, said it had no plans to set up factories in Europe. More than Russias invasion of Ukraine and fears that China may do the same with Taiwan, microchips have prompted the European Union to engage in dialogue with the Taiwanese, even at the cost of jeopardising relations with Beijing. With its European Chips Act, announced in February, the EU plans to raise 43 billion (US$ 46.1 billion) in public and private investments to meet any future supply chain disruptions. Microchips, especially the most advanced manufactured by the Taiwanese, are essential components in every product with high technological content. Since 2020, semiconductors shortages due to high demand for technological equipment generated by the pandemic have created problems for the production of many goods, such as cars. In recent months, the EU has tried to encourage Taiwanese companies to manufacture directly in Europe. However, TSMC president Mark Liu said the company does not yet have enough buyers in the Old Continent to justify such an investment. Germany is one of the countries suggested as a possible host for TSMC production. In March, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry also sent experts to Lithuania, Czechia, and Slovakia to assess the potential of local high-tech industries. Still, Taiwanese microchip production in the EU remains a very distant possibility, as evinced by the annual EU-Taiwan Trade and Investment Dialogue (TID) held on 2 June. In its final communique, the EU said the two sides were ready to work together to monitor the semiconductor supply chain. The result certainly falls short of expectations, especially taking into account that TSMC is spending US$ 12 billion on chip factories in the United States and is building a semiconductor foundry in Japan with the Sony group. Peter Osusky, chairman of the Slovakia-Taiwan Parliamentary Group, indirectly confirms Taiwan's current reluctance to invest in European microchip production. The lawmaker is currently in Taiwan with an official Slovak delegation. On the possibility that Bratislava and Taipei are discussing possible chip investments in Slovakia, Osusky told AsiaNews that the Slovak Ministry of Economy "is ready to support the necessary steps", adding that he has the feeling that both sides are interested. With its rapprochement with Taiwan, the EU is putting strains on its relationship with China. For Beijing, the island is a "rebel province" to be taken even with the use of force if necessary. In a recent interview with Nikkei Asia, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called on the 11 EU countries that are members of the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEE or China-CEEC) group to leave it. Also known informally as the 16+1 group (17+1 until Lithuania left it in May 2021), it brings together China and 16 central, eastern and southeastern European countries. The CEE has long been in the crosshairs of the EU, which considers it a tool of China to divide the EU, pushing some member states to align themselves with Chinese positions. According to Landsbergis, the Beijing-led forum did not bring any benefit to its European members, a view recently shared by his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky. Osusky is on the same page. He believes that Slovakia should gradually reduce its involvement with the 16+1 group and eventually leave it altogether. RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE. by Nirmala Carvalho Bomb attacks have recently increased in the northeastern Indian state, the latest against a Church-run educational facility. The National Revolutionary Front, a self-styled separatist and socialist organisation, claimed some attacks perpetrated in early May. Pupils and teachers held a sit-in protest calling for greater security. New Delhi (AsiaNews) Police arrested a man on Tuesday in connection with a recent attack against the Little Flower School, a Catholic school in Imphal, a city in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. When police took Thounaojam Rishi Luwangcha into custody, they seized a cache of explosives, detonators and wires allegedly used in the explosion, K. Shivakanta Singh, Superintendent of West Imphal Police, told reporters. With his detention, the police believe they solved the cases of bomb attacks that occurred last month in Manipur. According to law enforcement, an improvised explosive device placed at the second entrance gate of the school exploded at 3.09 am last Sunday. There were no casualties; only some windows were damaged. When first questioned, the 46-year-old suspect said he was paid 30,000 rupees (US$ 385) to set off the explosion, adding that he was also involved in recent attacks in Nagamapal and Khurai, two districts of Imphal. The National Revolutionary Front of Manipur, a separatist organisation headed by a self-proclaimed government-in-exile in Bangladesh, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The armed group says it is fighting for the creation of a socialist state in Manipur. Over the past month, bomb attacks have become more frequent, to the point that the state's chief minister, Biren Singh, held a cabinet meeting to discuss the issue. On 30 May, one man died and four others were injured in an explosion in the city of Thoubal. On Monday, students and teachers from Little Flower School held a sit-in in front of the school calling for a violence-free education. We do not deserve this kind of terrifying atrocity in our school," said Khomdram Sushanti, a pupil at the school. The protesting students carried banners that said: "Stop the violence", "Allow us to grow up without fear", "We condemn bomb attack on our school", "We are the pillars of the future". School principal, Sister Martha Kaini, said it was unfortunate that such an incident happened in a school working for the growth and all-round development of students. In a message, the Sister, who is a member of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, called on parents, former students, and school bus drivers to join the protest. Your cooperation is solicited for the cause to make our educational institutions a free and safe zone, the nun wrote. In a show of solidarity, all Catholic mission schools remained closed in Manipur on Tuesday. Cherries sweeten life in south Xinjiang county Xinhua) 09:23, June 09, 2022 URUMQI, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Diverse varieties of cherries embellishing an orchard in Xamalbag have become a source of vitality for this small village in Mixa Township of Shache County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Located on the southwestern edge of China's largest desert, the Taklamakan, Shache County has built a burgeoning cherry industry from root to fruit. Thanks to the flourishing cherry industry, local farmers have seen increasing annual incomes and improved living standards. Cui Yujun, a cherry farmer from Shache, is busy introducing his cherries to visitors at a trade fair in Xamalbag that has attracted some 40 cherry product processing and sales enterprises from across the country. "The cherries from Shache are really sweet," said Yin Zhichao after tasting Cui's cherries. Yin is a fruit wholesaler from Guangdong Province, thousands of kilometers away from Xinjiang. "We have planted 200 mu (about 13.3 hectares) of cherry trees outdoors and built 128 greenhouses for indoor plantation, producing 16 varieties of cherries," said Cui, who is also manager of an agricultural cooperative in Shache. Shache, located in the region's southern part, offers a favorable climate for cherry plantation due to its latitude and relatively high level of annual accumulated temperature, said Gong Peng, a researcher with the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences. "Since the introduction of the first sweet cherry variety in Shache in 2003, the plantation area of this variety in the county has reached 48,000 mu," Gong said, adding that Mixa has an outstanding cherry harvest in the county, with maximum yield per mu reaching 800 kg. "We have sold 400 tonnes of cherries so far this year, earning nearly 20,000 yuan (about 3,000 U.S. dollars) per mu," said Turgun Ahmat, head of a cherry farmers' cooperative in Xamalbag, adding that the cooperative's plantation area increased from 7 mu in 2010 to 1200 mu today. The expansion also brought new opportunities as Xamalbag gained popularity among tourists, thanks to its agritourism sector, especially cherry-plucking. "In 2021 the village received more than 700,000 visitors, and this year the number is expected to surpass 900,000," said Turgun Ahmat, adding that the villagers also run homestays to boost their incomes. According to local authorities, the cherry industry has helped increase the income of 22,000 cherry growers and created 30,000 job opportunities in the county. With Xamalbag as its hub, the cherry industry now covers seven adjacent towns and 33 villages, and an industrial chain for cherry production has been established in Shache. "By planting cherries, my husband and I earn over 200,000 yuan annually," said Zur Tohti from Togaqi Village in Mixa. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) PERTH, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Vice-Chancellor of the University of Western Australia (UWA), Professor Amit Chakma, said the university would like to further deepen and broaden its relationship with Chinese universities to promote professors and students exchange and a sharing of knowledge. Chakma's comments followed a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian, who visited the UWA campus in Perth on Wednesday. As Australia produced about 2 percent of the world's knowledge and if the universities confine themselves within the borders of Australia, they're going to be poor in terms of knowledge, he said. "We have to learn from the 98 percent of knowledge that the rest of the world generates, and an increasingly share of the knowledge is being generated by universities in China." "It is in our interest to advance our knowledge to learn from each other. There are just so many compelling reasons why a change of knowledge through exchange of professors and students is so important," he said. Chakma said the UWA has a robust relationship with Zhejiang University in east China. The two universities have conducted fruitful research collaboration in several areas including medical science. "So we already have a strong relationship, and we'd like to grow that further," he said. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. MANILA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration (BI) has tightened the screening of Filipinos traveling to Japan to curb human trafficking. In a recent memorandum published on Thursday, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Moreno ordered immigration inspectors in exit ports to be extra cautious in clearing Japan-bound Filipinos. Morente directed the BI personnel to carefully scrutinize the travel documents of departing Filipinos with visas for the intra-company transferee, short-term visitor, student, and engineer specialist in humanities and international services. The order came in the wake of reports that unscrupulous recruiters were using these visas to circumvent government rules on the documentation and deployment of Filipino workers to Japan. Morente said the recruiters are using the scheme to make it appear that the purpose of the Filipino travelers is exempt from securing an overseas employment certificate. Using this visa type, the passengers declare that they are traveling and staying in Japan for only a brief period, although their actual intention is to work there. "This emerging trend exposes these travelers to the dangers of trafficking in persons and illegal recruitment, which the BI is mandated to prevent," Morente said. A Canton, GA, tire retailer and auto shop shortchanged 19 workers by withholding first paychecks and paying overtime at rates lower than required, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation determined. Investigators with the departments Wage and Hour Division found Cherokee Tire Service LLC kept some workers first weekly paychecks as a uniform deposit, which led to violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The employer also failed to pay some non-exempt salaried workers time-and-one-half of their regular rate for overtime when they worked more than 40 hours in the workweek. Cherokee Tire also did not add certain bonuses into workers hourly rates as required when calculating overtime rates. By doing so, the employer paid overtime at rates lower than the law requires. In addition, the division also found the employer failed to keep accurate records of work hours and overtime premiums paid. The division recovered $161,983 in back wages and liquidated damages for the affected workers. The division conducted the investigation as part of the Southeast regions auto care initiative. Earlier this year, another tire company with locations in Georgia and South Carolina paid more than $79,000 to 72 workers as a result of overtime violations found by agency investigators. When business owners fail to pay full wages for the work their employees do, these workers and their families must work harder to make ends meet, said Wage and Hour Division District Director Steven Salazar in Atlanta. Employers who fail to meet their obligations to workers may find it difficult to retain and recruit the employees they need to make their businesses successful. In fiscal year 2021, the division recovered more than $4.3 million for more than 3,500 U.S. auto repair industry workers. Notably, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates more than 1.9 million workers in the South quit their current jobs in March, the highest of its four regions. Source: U.S. Department of Labor For example, here is Khyzyl Saleem, the renowned virtual artist better known as the_kyza on social media, who seems ready to give us a new throwback version of a throwback project he did for Hagerty, regardless of potential controversies. Back when he was featured on the American insurance companys YouTube channel for an exclusive Rendered with Kyza series, one of the most outrageous projects he cooked was quite simple, enticing, and mind-blowingly anti-purist.Put simply, the pixel master imagined what it would feel to virtually design a 1970s VW Beetle that was so thoroughly modernized it even engulfed the styling of the all-new 992-series Porsche 911 GT3. Naturally, that had the massive potential of CGI-enraging Porsche purists but in the end, bewitched everyone else. And it quickly became one of the artists favorite projects done for Hagerty , as referenced in the collection post that is also embedded second below.Anyway, as for the 1970s VW Beetle x 992 GT3, the initial stock version did not seem like it was enough, so the CGI expert quickly invented the digital Touring version , as well. Now, just when purists probably started to forget about their virtual existence, the digital content creator has decided to complete the trilogy and swiftly produced the track-ready Cup car version!Done not just to show that he is sorry (not really, though) for VW and Porsche purists , this is naturally the most extreme Beetle x GT3 incarnation possible, as attested by some of the massive aero highlights or the racing/sponsorship livery. By the way, has anyone seen the size of that rear wing, which is complete with BEETLE lettering, just in case anyone had trouble identifying the exact make and model? That is such a big LOL Sure, there is a big chance that over in the real world some Euro hoots live a JDM life but over across the virtual realm, we have seen rather few of them especially if we narrow the specifications down to a couple of exotic British supercars. Alas, that constituted no impediment for these two CGI experts.The automotive virtual artists behind the alonsodsgn and malonyxmedia labels on social media have joined forces to CGI-play with British car exotics from Aston Martin and Jaguar. Right now, all we can see embedded below are the results of this digital collaboration from L. M. Alonsos (aka alonsodsgn) perspective but one can rest assured that we are going to be on the lookout for the other POV and will update accordingly.Until then, what we have here are a couple of non-descript Aston Martin and Jaguar concepts that have joined their digital forces to live a slammed widebody (even deep-dish) life as part of the precepts of the JDM society. Nothing wrong with that, especially when they virtually look like this a couple of land-preying monsters that feel digitally ready to teach any supercar a couple of lections.Since there are two of them, everyone is entitled to select a favorite. We did the same and came up supporting team Jaguar. Do not get us wrong, that crimson, carbon fiber-clad Aston Martin looks absolutely stunning with its massive wing and side exhausts. But the outrageously-stanced, deep-dish Jaguar ultimately stole our little CGI hearts away from the moment we laid our eyes on the digitally protruding mid-engine V12 assembly! NHTSA Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, manufacturers must notify their dealers of defects related to vehicle safety and noncompliance with federal regulations. Dealers, in turn, cannot deliver a new vehicle that is subject to a recall until it has been fixed.NHTSA takes safety recalls very seriously and urges everyone to have open safety recalls repaired as quickly as possible, anspokesperson told Automotive News. Because unrepaired recalls are a safety risk, it is illegal for a dealership to deliver a new vehicle with an outstanding safety recall.According to the safety recall report, NHTSA notified Ford dealers of the problem on September 23, 2021. Later, the federal authority had received information indicating that Healey Brothers Ford in Beacon, N.Y., sold at least one new Ford Escape to a customer without performing required recall repairs, according to a document released Tuesday.The agency is now seeking additional information to determine whether Healey Brothers Ford has complied with the prohibition on delivery of new vehicles with open, unrepaired recalls. NHTSA messaged the dealership and is awaiting a reply. Ford declared it is fully cooperating with the agency on this matter.Ford is aware of NHTSAs audit inquiry and will be cooperating as we always do, Ford spokesman Karl Henkel said in a statement to Automotive News . While Ford dealers are independently owned, Ford communicates all recall information to dealers and customers in a timely manner as required by NHTSA.Last August, NHTSA recalled the 2021 Ford Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport after finding that the fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank. According to the recall summary, this could cause low fuel pressure, resulting in an engine stall. Under the recall terms, Ford dealers were supposed to replace the faulty fuel delivery module. Around 14,000 vehicles were affected. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The Critical Concern Review Group was informed of this problem the following day, which prompted the Dearborn-based automaker to ring the label supplier. The peeps at Ancor Information Management provided a list of vehicles that received labels with missing information. Further analysis found that vehicles with GVWRs of under and over 10,000 pounds (make that 4,536 kilograms) are affected, starting with 18 units of the E-Series.The list continues with 181 examples of the F-600, followed by 1,802 units of the F-550 and 744 units of the F-450. No fewer than 1,361 examples of the F-350 are included in this recall, together with 633 units of the F-250 . The 2022 model year Transit van is affected to the tune of 508 examples.According to the attached report, a software change at the label suppliers printing facility to accommodate a future vehicle variant resulted in labels printed with missing information. The aforementioned vehicles dont feature the federally-mandated tire size, wheel size, and tire pressure information, a condition that undeniably increases the risk of a blowout.FoMoCo isnt aware of any crashes or injuries related to this condition, but on the other hand, it has to recall no fewer than 5,247 vehicles for new labels. There will be no charge for this service. Corrected safety certification labels were introduced to the automakers production on May 13th, 2022.Dealers have been informed of the recall, but known owners will be notified by first-class mail between June 27th and July 1st. In the meantime, owners can use the VIN look-up tool on thes website or simply give Fords customer service a call. Entrepreneur Sarah Sassie Duggleby and Dr. Andrew Duggleby founded Venus Aerospace in 2020 in Houston. The deep technology companys goal is to develop a hypersonic spaceplane that would fly its passengers around the world and back home in time for dinner, meaning that it could conduct flights from the U.S. to Japan, for example, within one hour. Thats the benefit of a whopping Mach 9 (6,850 mph/11,000 kph) speed.The Houston startup wasted no time in trying to reach that goal. The first step was to design and build a tech demonstration engine, which it describes as a zero-emissions, next-generation rocket engine. This was followed by several experiments carried out at various hypersonic wind tunnels and propulsion test facilities in the U.S. and the launch of a ground test campaign at Spaceport Houston.The most recent milestone was the unveiling of the companys first vehicle design concept at the Up.Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas. Although it hasnt provided technical details about the spaceplane, Venus Aerospace claims that Stargazer has an innovative shape. Coupled with the next-generation engine and advanced cooling, this will allow it to take off from any current spaceport.Until the Mach 9 spaceplane is ready to come to life, the startup will first focus on a hypersonic drone with similar capabilities. The company says it will kick off subsonic and supersonic flight tests for the scaled drone as soon as next year. Considering how much its achieved in just two years, its possible that a Houston-made Mach 9 spaceplane will be taking to the sky very soon. This is a pilot project, so Hyundai will not expand its fleet of self-driving Ioniq 5 vehicles across the country or even the city, as the project is set to only operate in the famous Gangnam district. The latter was made famous across the world thanks to a song by PSY that you might remember, which currently has 4,440,811,507 views.The pilot robotaxi service will be conducted with Jin Mobility, a Korean start-up company that works with AI to operate a car-hailing mobility platform called i.M. We can think of a certain Will who might not like that name, but that is another matter.Because the vehicles in question are trialing an SAE Level 4 autonomous drive system, that means that a human driver will always be present behind the wheel.The safety driver will be there to respond to any emergency, and will not do any driving at all, as their role is to have a backup for the system, as well as intervene in limited conditions. For example, if there is an external barrier that needs the press of a button to operate or things like that.Initially, the RoboRide pilot service, as it is called, will only operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it will initially only be accessible to internally selected personnel.From there, the pilot service will be expanded to general customers, but it is unclear if the latter will be charged for the experience, or if all rides in the Ioniq 5 robotaxi will be free.The Hyundai Motor Group has noted that it has been preparing for this since 2019 and has been working with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to implement a system to connect traffic signals with autonomous vehicles (V2I communication, mind you). The company also completed tests in the area for several years now. Jetti is based on a 23 ft (7 m)- long 2018 Ford Transit cargo van that the couple bought for $36,000. They poured an extra $22,000 into the materials, which brings their van conversion to a total cost of $58,000. Nate and Maud built the camper van themselves in approximately three months.There are three solar panels installed on the roof of Jetti, providing a total of 525W of solar power, theres a 30-gallon fresh water tank and 300 Ah of electrical lithium-ion batteries, all stored in the rear garage of the van, which can also be accessed from inside the vehicle.Jetti may be just a Ford Transit at origin, but it is now more spacious than you'd imagine, because Nate and Maud organized everything in a very clever way, making use of every single inch of space they had at their disposal. The rear doors of the van are equipped with lots of pockets and are used as storage space for their shoes and other basic items. They also strapped lots of things to the bottom of the bed.The inside of the camper van exudes peacefulness and cleanliness, with the dominant color throughout being white. Jettis got a clean, Scandinavian-like design and the couple used a lot of wood accents: for the furniture, ceiling, the large kitchen countertop, and the floor.Jettis kitchen area is equipped with a deep sink, a two-burner stove, a Lagun table, plenty of upper cabinets, drawers, and a Dometic fridge with a freezer compartment. One pleasant surprise of the Ford camper van is that it comes with a foldable shower and a toilet, which are hidden in the countertop.The Jetti doesnt have an air conditioner, but theres a ceiling fan and two side windows in the rear of the van, which according to the owners, are more than enough to successfully get them through the hot days.Theres a large, comfortable bed in the back of the van , from where you can watch the outside view through the side windows. And to make everything more entertaining, Jetti also has its own improvised cinema. The two bought a projector and installed a screen so they can chill and watch movies from the bedroom.You can take a virtual tour of the Jetti camper van in the videos below. Case in point is the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird we have here. We stumbled upon it on the list of cars auction house Barrett-Jackson is planning to sell at the end of this month in Las Vegas, and to some of us here at autoevolution, its the coolest ride on offer there.Built in response to the arrival of the Dodge Charger Daytona and its successes (this one was the first NASCAR machine to go past the 200 mph/322 kph threshold, among many other achievements), the Plymouth Superbird follows the extreme design rules of the NASCAR legend, with an extended nose up front and a purely massive wing at the rear.Plymouth built back in 1969 a little over 1,900 of these beasts (much more than the 500 or so Daytonas made), as production requirements for NASCAR entries increased to 1,000 cars in the late 1960s. The one we have is number 1,723, but special in more ways than one.This particular Superbird is one of 135 to have been made with the 426 HEMI under the hood. Moreover, its one of just 77 to pair that with the A727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission.Despite having been restored and refinished, the car is as original as they get and retains pretty much everything, from the native engine to the Tor-Red factory paint color and black interior.As per Barrett-Jackson, the car features all unique supporting appearance, mechanical, and suspension components standard with a HEMI-car production order, including power steering and power front disc brakes, with 15-inch Rallye wheels and Goodyear Polyglas raised white-letter tires.The Superbird is offered with no reserve and accompanied by the Chrysler Production Broadcast Sheet, a formal report that certifies the rare cars authenticity, and the listing in the MMC Detroit Global vehicle Registry.With all that in mind, we expect this one to make quite a splash during the sale, and be sure well come back to it and tell you all about it. The main theme this year was Alliances for a new era, while the goal was to recognize the urgency for cross-industry collaboration when it comes to sustainable materials.Polestar was the only automotive company involved in the event and was there to find new partners for its Polestar 0 project , which seeks to create a truly climate neutral car by 2030. Textiles are said to play a key role in achieving this goal, hence the carmakers presence at a fashion summit.The biggest obstacle to sustainable innovation is our own lack of imagination we need to reimagine everything in order to make real change. This starts with collaboration within, and beyond, our industry, said Fredrika Klaren, head of sustainability at Polestar. Textiles and soft interior materials in particular remain a huge challenge in our quest to deliver on climate neutrality.The transport industry, together with the fashion industry, accounts for a large share of global emissions , according to Polestar, so the potential for reduction is immense, especially if collaboration can be achieved.Bringing Polestar as principal partner to the Summit is the essence of what we aimed to achieve with our new and expanded cross industry-scope. Polestar is spearheading sustainability in the car industry with its bold, near-time goals, said Global Fashion Agenda CEO, Federica Marchionni.Polestars approach, especially when it comes to favoring radical change rather than incremental improvements, is an inspiration for the fashion industry too. For those working with sustainable materials and textiles, Polestars search for collaboration will be a great opportunity and business case to explore and apply innovations in a new area. ANKARA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkey on Thursday seized 1 tonne of cannabis and 2.1 million cannabis plants on the first day of an operation launched by the Turkish security forces against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Turkish Interior Ministry said. Three AK-47 infantry rifles and 20 kg of ammonium nitrate used in making handmade explosives were also seized during the operation held in the southeastern Diyarbakir province, the ministry said in a statement. A total of 1,165 troops from the gendarmerie, who were joined by village guards, participate in the operations. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the government was determined to root out the "drug trade and terrorism" in the country. Turkish security services have carried out several operations against drug trafficking in Turkey, which officials claim is used to fund the PKK. Ankara says the group plays a role in international drug trafficking. Turkey also conducts cross-border operations to target PKK headquarters in northern Iraq. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over 30 years. SUV Alas, all good things must come to an end, and the Riviera nameplate met its demise back in 1999, after no less than eight generations. However, its legacy continues to endure, so much so that it even touches faraway imagination lands, which is the virtual realm of a prolific Americana-focused pixel master.Jim, the virtual artist better known as jlord8 on social media, has decided to abandon for a while the vintage or modern CGI pickup dreams in favor of a stint across the field of passenger cars. So, after the unobtainable Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Sportback went down the route of Shooting Brakes after narrowly avoiding the pursuit of feisty Audi station wagons, now it is time for something chiller.Thus, instead of a 650-horsepower three-door muscle car monster , the CGI expert graced us with a modern-day Rivi. Naturally, this quick digital project had a hammer effect on the channels fans, with the vast majority (there were a few glaring exceptions, though) approving the idea of something from Buick that looks like it would be ready to challenge even a Bentley Continental GT if ever real.Unfortunately, we all know this Buick Riviera revival is merely wishful thinking at least as far as the North American market is concerned, where the automaker is dead focused on crossovermodels. Sure, that does not mean it should not spark polemics regarding the one true mystery: what could power up this stunning virtual revival?Opinions were naturally divided, with some calling for the use of a classic LS while others asked for a 3.8 either turbo or supercharged complete with variable valve timing on the cam gear, dual-clutch trans and AWD option. Wow, they like to be specific, dont they? On the civilian front, although several companies are now working on creating supersonic aircraft for flight inside the atmosphere, others are targeting taking passengers hypersonic, either to the edge of space or beyond. One company of the latter group is called Space Engine Systems (SES), and their solution is based on something described as the lightest, reusable, multi-fuel propulsion system.That would be the DASS GNX, a precooled, air-breathing, turbo-ramjet that kicks in as an afterburning turbojet at speeds of between zero and Mach 3, and behaves like a ramjet from Mach 3 to Mach 5. It's supposed to be capable of developing 20,000 lbf of thrust.The technology will be included in a series of spaceplanes the Canadian company is planning to make, starting with the Sexbomb demonstrator (for some reason, that's how it's called). A new machine, with pretty much the same goal, to prove the tech, was announced this week, when SES released a short video (attached below) trying to explain how exactly their propulsion system will make hypersonic flight for people a common occurrence. It's called Hello-1X and should fly at Mach 5 at an altitude of 100,000 feet (30 km), still well below the Karman Line.If the two are successful, the world would then get the real deal, the Hello-1 (suborbital cargo and crew transporter), and Hello-2 (suborbital, low lunar orbit plane), which could each carry into space cargo at prices of just $300 per kg.If successful, these spaceplanes will open the doors to a future when you could take off from good old Earth and reach another destination here on the planet or, using the same means of transportation, the Moon.It's unclear at this point when the Sexbomb and Hello-1X will fly. The 4x4 versions of the Vanagon were imported into the U.S. in very small numbers under the Syncro branding. Steyr-Daimler-Puch Works added the four-wheel-drive system in Graz, Austria, and most of the Syncro vans featured the standard 14-inch wheels of the rear-wheel-drive models. Only a handful was built with 16-inch wheels, which can be recognized by the flared fender arches that give the bigger wheels more room. The 16-inch Syncro also had bigger brakes front and rear.The only thing that the Vanagon Syncro was missing was power. The original 1.9-liter flat-four engine only delivered 76 horsepower, hardly enough for a successful trail adventure. The Syncro made up for the lack of power by using a lower gear dubbed G for tackling rough terrain. Creative Vanagon users figured a Subaru boxer engine was perfectly fitted for the vans engine bay, and a new world opened for the Volkswagen van.The 2.5-liter flat-four engine delivers double the power of the Vanagon Syncro engine. It offers improved performance, as well as confidence on rough terrain. In the case of this 1987 Vanagon , the engine is mated with an equally brazen Subaru five-speed transmission. The power goes to all four wheels via the Syncro system and a locking rear differential. The van benefitted from enough attention from its owner, who overhauled the chassis and the drivetrain components.The cabin is simple, featuring a rotating jump seat and a rear lay-flat bench that can be used as a bed. There is no camping equipment, so whoever buys the Vanagon gets the chance to make it their own, starting from a clean shit. This could become a great overland camper with a little effort and a lot of money. Until then, it can be used as a stealth camper , still offering accommodation for two. This Vanagon Syncro is offered on Bring a Trailer now, with three days left to place a bid. As the head of one of Russias most important banks, which also happens to sponsor the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Sochi, its not surprising that the millionaire Andrei Kostin is fond of luxury toys such as superyachts and private jets. A few years ago, this passion became the object of a huge scandal after the famous activist Alexei Navalny revealed the outrageous luxuries enjoyed by top-tier officials. Kostin had allegedly appropriated a private jet and a yacht for a well-known journalist who is reportedly his girlfriend.At the same time, the head of the VTB Bank is believed to be the owner of a jaw-dropping limited-edition Amels 212 called Sea Rhapsody. At 215 feet (65.5 meters), it can accommodate up to ten guests and boasts not just one but two master suites. With impressive features such as a generous jacuzzi, a well-equipped gym, and a fabulous main salon with a grand piano, Sea Rhapsody was one of the top-level luxury charter yachts, with weekly rates going up to $500,000.That was until the war in Ukraine led to unprecedented sanctions against Russian oligarchs and their luxury toys. Sea Rhapsody has gone dark soon after the initial sanctiones were made public, but data from vessel tracking platforms shows that apparently, it hasnt left Seychelles, which was its last known location.But with the U.S. authorities now officially eyeing this limited-edition pleasure craft, things might change. An impressive number of Russian superyachts has traveled to the safe havens of Turkey over the past months. Trying to reach a safer destination wouldnt be an issue for this powerful superyacht that can cover more than 5,000 nautical miles (5,750 miles/9,260 km). Lavrov revealed at the same time that the Armenian government has agreed to simplify border crossing procedures for Azerbaijani cargo and travellers that will use the planned transit routes. Armenia and Azerbaijan are to reopen their border to commercial and passenger traffic under the terms of a Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped their six-week war for Nagorno-Karabakh in November 2020. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly claimed that the deal calls for a permanent land corridor for Nakhichevan passing through Armenias Syunik province that also borders Iran. Aliyev said in December that passage through the corridor must be exempt from Armenian border controls. Yerevan rejected his demands. The disagreements effectively suspended the work of a Russian-Armenian-Azerbaijani commission dealing with practical modalities of the transport links. The commission met in Moscow late last week for the first time in five months. The Russian government said its Armenian and Azerbaijani members brought closer their positions on issues of border, customs and other types of control. Speaking after talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Lavrov said that Baku, Moscow and Yerevan are now finalizing a deal on a simplified border control regime for the road to Nakhichevan. It will be simplified but it will precisely be based on the recognition of the sovereignty of Armenian territory, Lavrov told a joint news conference with Mirzoyan. There can be no ambiguities here. We have a sense that our Armenian and Azerbaijani colleagues proceed from this, he said. Lavrov did not specify whether people and cargo using the Syunik roads will be checked by Armenian customs and immigration officers. It is also unclear if the same simplified regime will be put in place for the transit of Armenian goods through Azerbaijan. Mirzoyan stressed that all roads that will be opened or reopened will remain under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the country through which they pass. He said Baku and Yerevan have yet to work out many details of the transport links. But discussions are continuing and I think that we will have mutually acceptable solutions, added the Armenian minister. Neighboring Iran has repeatedly voiced support for full Armenian control over all roads passing through Armenia. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reaffirmed Tehrans stance in a June 1 phone call with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. The issue was high on the agenda of Pashinians last meeting with Aliyev held in Brussels on May 22. European Council President Charles Michel, who hosted the meeting, said the two leaders agreed on principles of border administration, security, land fees but also customs in the context of international transport. He did not elaborate. The demonstrators marched towards the Armenian Foreign Ministry building in the morning shortly before the start of Lavrovs talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan held there. The authorities deployed scores of riot police and other security forces to keep them from approaching the building. The crowd did not attempt to break through the massive police cordon, with opposition leaders addressing it outside Armenian prosecutors headquarters close to the Foreign Ministry. They all welcomed Lavrovs trip. We are here to communicate a very clear message, said Ishkhan Saghatelian, the main speaker at continuing anti-government protests in Yerevan. The people who present themselves as Armenias authorities and with whom you negotiate have nothing to do with the will and position of the Armenian people. Any agreement reached with them is null and void. Another opposition leader, Hayk Mamijanian, urged Moscow to do more to ensure the release of Armenian prisoners remaining in Azerbaijan and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from an area in Karabakh seized by them in March. The Armenian opposition staged similar protests during recent official visits to the country by the presidents of Lithuania and Montenegro. The protests were part of a civil disobedience campaign which the opposition launched on May 1 in a bid to force Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to resign. Opposition leaders accuse Pashinian of helping Azerbaijan regain full control over Nagorno-Karabakh. They also claim that he is ready to cede Armenian territory to Baku as a result of a planned demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Mirzoyan downplayed the significance of the protests at a joint news conference with Lavrov. He said the opposition drive to topple the government has not attracted popular support. Echoing statements by other Armenian officials, the foreign minister also said that Pashinians political team won a mandate to run the country for the next five years in the 2021 general elections. Moscow reacted cautiously to the protests on May 5. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed hope that political stability in Armenia will be restored soon. PARIS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A preliminary investigation was opened here on Thursday following complaints alleging salmonella poisoning in children who had consumed Kinder chocolates produced by Ferrero, the Italian confectionery giant, the Paris Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday. The investigation was opened on the counts of "involuntary attacks on physical integrity" and "endangering the lives of others," the French daily Le Figaro reported, citing the Prosecutor's Office. A formal complaint was filed on May 19 by the consumer organization Foodwatch based on several reports from the families of victims. The authorities in Belgium have also been investigating the Ferrero group and its Kinder chocolates since April 11. A factory in Arlon in southeast Belgium that produces the entire range of Kinder chocolates has now been closed indefinitely, Le Figaro said. The Ferrero group is suspected of delaying alerts to the authorities and failing to recall its products when salmonella was first detected in the Arlon factory on Dec. 15, 2021. According to Ferrero, the contamination was likely caused by a faulty filter in a dairy butter tank. On June 2, the French public health agency reported 118 cases of salmonellosis in the country. The average age of the victims was four. The infections were allegedly caused by Kinder chocolates produced in Arlon. According to the agency, 22 people were hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. The French authorities have also been investigating a series of Escherichia coli (E.coli) poisoning cases in children linked to a batch of pizzas produced by Buitoni, a Nestle company. Beaumont police have identified a 4-year-old who died of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds Wednesday evening. Anthony James Madrid shot himself around 9:30 p.m. after finding a gun in the house, according to the Beaumont Police Department. When officers arrived to the scene in the 400 block of East Lucas, they found the house had many children and adults inside. Police detectives and Child Protective Services are handling the investigation and interviewing witnesses. Officers have not given any details regarding how the child may have gotten ahold of the gun. However, according to Crime Stoppers board member and firearm safety specialist Stephen Doc Watson, there are tools that can be used to work to prevent these sorts of disasters. The Beaumont Police Department and Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas provide child safety locks at no charge. These locks have a cable attached that prevents a gun from firing. Alternative safety measures also can be purchased. It's very inexpensive and it's very simple to purchase multiple devices at local sporting goods stores that can prevent unauthorized persons, including children, from getting access to a firearm, Watson said. The most inexpensive and effective child safety device is sold for only $10, and it is a small, lockable box that uses a key and a cable to prevent theft. This device he recommends is called the SnapSafe Lock Box and it can also be used outside the home to prevent crime. That pistol safe can be used in a vehicle to prevent firearm theft, Watson said. The majority of crime committed with a firearm in Southeast Texas is committed with guns that had been stolen from vehicles. In general, Watson thinks all adults should be educated about firearms. I think it is very important, even for people that may not own a firearm say, for instance, a school teacher, he said. ATHENS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- For Lydia Koniordou, a renowned Greek actress and former Greek minister of culture and sports, cultural preservation is essential to help people know who they are and learn what they should do in the future. "The taller you want to grow, the deeper your roots must be. Our cultural past is our roots. If we don't have really strong roots and depth in our perception of our identity, we cannot grow. Without these roots, we will be torn out very easily with the currents," she told Xinhua here in a recent interview, adding cultural heritage is in fact very much alive and relevant today. Having championed cultural preservation ever since childhood, Koniordou built a 40-year-old career path of not only performing major classical and contemporary roles in Greece and other countries, but also teaching younger generations at home and abroad mainly about ancient Greek drama, so that the roots will remain strong. Speaking of her teaching experience overseas, Koniordou said she was very much impressed by her Chinese students when she gave seminars on ancient Greek tragedy at Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2014-2015. When the students worked on Alcestis, an Athenian tragedy by ancient Greek playwright Euripides, they thoroughly researched the costumes they would be wearing, the set, and the lights, among others, she recalled. "I feel they evolved and were transformed by this experience as I was transformed. They did not just play a role, but created a whole world and that is why the production had so much interest also for the spectators," she said. Koniordou's two years as an expat in Shanghai was not the first time she was "transformed." Since she stepped on stage as the leader of the chorus in Euripides' play Iphigenia when she was young, ancient Greek drama, and theatre in general, have changed her view of life and the world. The experience as the chorus leader "opened a window to this beautiful world of ancient Greek civilization, and I felt that this wasn't ancient for me at all," she said, noting that was when she fell in love with the ancient Greek language and decided to study at Greek's National Theatre Drama School. Throughout the years, "I learnt to search for reason and cause behind the phenomena. That helped me ask the right questions and find answers I hope free of manipulation," she said. What she also learnt in theatre, Koniordou noted, is the continuation and connectedness of culture. A decade after finishing her studies in school, Koniordou participated in the production of Euripides' Electra together with Greek director Kostas Tsianos. "Tsianos did something very important for Greek culture. He connected folk forms of art, folk dances, songs and poetry with our classical past ... We presented this performance in many places around the world, and the feeling that it stirred in the audience was quite similar, even though they didn't always understand the language," she said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Koniordou has taken on something new. As theatres were closed, Koniordou, just like many other actors and actresses, turned to television to perform. "We communicate our art with a large number of spectators and I like it. This is something new for me. It is a new world," she said. To be a good actor or actress, you must communicate, she said, adding, "otherwise, there is no reason for your art." Koniordou believes it is also important for different civilizations to communicate with each other. The Chinese civilization is a huge tree with very deep roots, and Greece also has a rich ancient civilization, she said, adding she believes that the two countries could promote cooperation and exchanges in many fields, such as in preservation of antiquities. UNITED NATIONS (AP) China and Russia defended their vetoes of a strongly backed U.S. resolution that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea, speaking at a first of its kind General Assembly meeting Wednesday. The debate was held under new rules requiring the General Assembly to examine any veto wielded in the Security Council by one of its five permanent members. Close allies China and Russia reiterated their opposition to more sanctions, blaming the United States for rising tensions on the Korean peninsula and insisting that whats needed now is dialogue between North Korea and the Biden administration. Nearly 70 countries signed up to speak at the open meeting which General Assembly President Abdalla Shahid hailed as making the U.N. more efficient and accountable. It is with good reason that it has been coined as `revolutionary by several world leaders I have recently met, he said. Denmarks U.N. Ambassador Martin Bille Hermann told the 193-member world body as he started his address on behalf of the Nordic countries: History is being made today. The Security Council is entrusted with ensuring international peace and security, he said, and the use of a veto to prevent the council from discharging its duties is a matter of great concern. The General Assemblys adoption of a resolution on April 26 requiring a debate on the issue not only gives the country or countries casting a veto to explain their reason but it gives all U.N. member nations a welcome opportunity to share our views on the matter at hand, Hermann said. A united Security Council imposed sanctions after North Koreas first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking so far unsuccessfully to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and cut off funding. The 13-2 Security Council vote on May 26 marked a first serious division among its five veto-wielding permanent members China, Russia, United States, Britain and France on a North Korea sanctions resolution. On Sunday, North Korea fired eight short-range missiles in what appeared to be a single-day record for the countrys ballistic launches. It was the reclusive north Asian countrys 18th round of missile tests in 2022 that included its first launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles in nearly five years. U.S. deputy ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis told the assembly the record number of launches have taken place as North Korea is finalizing preparations for a potential seventh nuclear test. He called the actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK the country's official name unprovoked. De Laurentis stressed that U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have repeatedly and publicly said that we seek a dialogue with Pyongyang, without preconditions," and that message has been passed through private channels, including China. The United States is more than prepared to discuss easing sanctions to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, he said. Unfortunately, DeLaurentis said, the DPRK has only responded with destabilizing launches that threaten not only the region but the world. Under the General Assembly resolution that required Wednesdays meeting, the permanent member or members casting a veto are given precedence on the speakers list. Chinas U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun addressed diplomats first, accusing the United States of ignoring positive steps taken by the DPRK and returning to its old path" of chanting empty slogans for dialogue and increasing sanctions against the DPRK. This has intensified the DPRK distrust of the U.S. and brought talks to a complete deadlock, he said. Zhang blamed the flip-flop of U.S. policies," its failure to implement results of the DPRK-U.S. dialogue during the Trump administration, and its disregard for the North's reasonable concerns" for tensions on the peninsula today. Where the situation goes from here will depend to a large extent on the actions of the U.S.," he said, and the key lies in whether the U.S. can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a reasonable attitude, and take meaningful concrete actions. Russias deputy U.N. ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said new sanctions against the DPRK would be a dead end, stressing that current U.N. sanctions have failed to guarantee security in the region nor moved us any further toward settling the nuclear missile non-proliferation issues. Anyone who is seriously addressing the North Korean problem has long understood that its futile to expect Pyongyang to unconditionally disarm under the threat of a spiral of sanctions, she said. The creation of new military blocs in the regions such as the formation of the U.S.-Great Britain and Australia casts serious doubt on the good intentions of these countries, including in Pyongyang. North Koreas U.N. Ambassador Kim Song denounced all U.N. sanctions and the proposed U.S. resolution as illegal, saying they violate the U.N. Charter and his countrys right to self-defense to prepare for any potential security crisis on the Korean peninsula and in the region. Modernizing the DPRKs armaments is essential, he said, to safeguard North Koreas interests from direct threat of the United States, which he insisted has made no move to abandon its hostile policy. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Texas-based aeronautics company Venus Aerospace recently announced the design of the Stargazer, the first conceptual vehicle design of its hypersonic aircraft, with plans to build a Mach 9 hypersonic drone and Mach 9 space plane, both capable of one-hour global travel, according to a company press release. A video of the Stargazer space plane The company started a ground test campaign at Spaceport Houston, the press release notes, and its upcoming plans include supersonic flight testing of a scaled drone in 2022. Founded in 2020, Venus Aerospace has designed and built the tech demonstration engine, performed tests with hypersonic wind tunnels and conducted experiments at propulsion test facilities throughout the U.S., according to the release. The company website states that its aim is to "develop a Mach 9 hypersonic aircraft that will fly passengers around the world and back home in time for dinner." The three leading technologies Venus Aerospace plans to advance, as noted in the press release, include a zero-emission next-generation rocket engine, innovative aircraft shape and leading-edge cooling, which will allow the spaceplane to take off from existing spaceports using existing infrastructure. The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on an electric vehicle infrastructure plan that would add hundreds of new charging stations statewide. Texas will receive a total of $407.8 million in federal funding between fiscal years 2022-2026 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed in November 2021 to execute the plan, according to TxDOTs website. Jefferson County currently has five EV charging stations with 12 individual charging units at these stations, according to a map from TxDOT. While the plan does not propose to add any more stations in the county, TxDOT is proposing additional stations around the area, including along I-10 in Winnie, U.S. Hwy. 69 in Kountze and U.S. Hwy. 90 in Liberty. Governor Greg Abbott directed TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams in a March 2022 letter to use the plan to focus on rural placement and connectivity. The governor specifically mentioned allowing electric vehicle drivers to be able to travel from Beaumont to El Paso and Texline to Brownsville. Texas sheer volume of roadway miles leaves ample opportunity for EV charging deployment, Abbott wrote in the letter. The plan should ensure that every Texan can access the infrastructure they need to charge an EV. Plan details TxDOTs five-year EV infrastructure plan will add hundreds of charging stations across the state to support one million EVs, according to the draft plan published by the department. The plan will first focus on interstate routes and then transition to urban areas. Most of the funding for the plan will come from the federal government with the remaining funds coming from the private sector, the plan reads. Stations will be located about 50 miles apart along designated electric alternative fuel corridors and about 70 miles apart in other areas of the state, according to the plan. Each station will have at least four charging units capable of 150 kW, which can charge most EVs from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes, the plan said. The network will give electric vehicle drivers confidence and flexibility when traveling for work, recreation, or exploration regardless of distance traveled or weather conditions, the plan reads. Screenshot via Texas Department of Transportation In addition to those requirements, each station will have at least one pull-through unit for cars pulling trailers and campers, have a 45-minute time limit and a 15-foot charge cable length. Stations will be open 24/7 and include adequate lighting, restrooms and follow ADA requirements, according to the plan. Implementation of the plan will cost about $317.32 million in federal funds and $101.58 million in private sector funds, the TxDOT document reads. Additionally, the plan said it will use $88.92 million in federal funds for the maintenance and operation of the stations for five years. Plan timeline In order to receive the federal funds, TxDOT must submit a plan for the use of the funds to the Federal Highway Administration by Aug. 1, according to TxDOT. As part of the process of drafting the plan, the department is accepting public comments on the current version of the proposal until June 22. Comments can be emailed to txdot_nevi@txdot.gov. The FHWA will approve or request changes to the states plans by Sept. 30, according to TxDOT. The department plans to request proposals for the new charging station in October, evaluate the proposals in November and December and award contracts starting in January 2023, the draft plan says. In year one of the plan, TxDOT plans to construct 48 new EV charging stations along the designated electric alternative fuel corridors, according to the document. This is in addition to the 27 stations currently in operation and 26 stations already planned in these corridors. The 48 new stations would be located across the state, including from South to Central Texas along I-35 and I-37, in Northeast Texas along I-20 and I-30, in the Panhandle along I-27 and I-40 and between existing stations along I-10 and I-20. Years two through five of the plan will emphasize rural counties and small urban areas with a focus on installing stations at or near county seats, the plan said. As the timeline progresses, the plan will focus on more rural and remote areas of the state. The plan proposes to construct a total of 190 stations at or near county seats. Grid, workforce, EV ownership considerations While the addition of hundreds of EV charging stations will add energy use to the states electricity grid, TxDOT said the potential impact will be minimal. The total maximum energy usage of the new stations will be a fraction of the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas total capacity. ERCOTs total capacity is expected to be 110,683 MW by 2026, according to the proposal. If each new charging station included in the proposal was utilized at the same time at each of their maximum rates, it would consume 605.8 MW of electricity from the grid, TxDOTs plan said. The potential impact on the overall statewide grid appears minimal for the type and quantity of EV chargers outlined in this plan, TxDOT said in the draft proposal. The investment in EV charging stations will help the electric transportation sector grow in the state, the plan said. In 2019, there were more than 7,000 employees in 1,200 companies working in the industry. The number of employees in that sector is expected to grow to over 13,000 by 2024, and the proposal said more than 400,000 Texans in various industries could be positively affected by the growth of eclectic transportation. TxDOTs plan is in anticipation of one million EV drivers in the state, the proposal said, but there are different opinions on how soon the state will get there. TxDOT said it is predicting there will be one million EV drivers by 2031, while ERCOT predicted the state could reach that milestone as early as 2028. There are 129,010 EVs registered in Texas as of May 31, according to data from DFW Clean Cities. Although EVs represent less than 1% of total vehicles in the Lone Star State, the number of these vehicles in Texas has tripled since 2020, according to TxDOT. More than a third (35.61%) of EVs are registered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, followed by 23.58% of EVs located in the Houston area and 21.32% of EVs registered in the Austin area, DFW Clean Cities shows. There are 275 electric cars registered in Jefferson County, according to the site. Jae C. Hong/AP I left voice mail for Gov. Greg Abbott. Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. John Cornyn stating they have to do something to get these long guns off the street now. Congress should never have let the assault weapons ban expire. This is on George W. Bushs watch, and Congress needs to do its job and get these long guns off the streets. Now! Doretta K. Dover, Nederland The following is a news release from Texas Parks and Wildlife: ATHENS The 2022 Toyota ShareLunker collection season claimed its spot as one of the best in program history. Anglers contributed 24 ShareLunkers from nine different lakes across the state, surpassing 2021s impressive total of 23 Legacy fish. This season nearly matched 1995s program record of 27 during a January through March collection timespan. In addition, four new lake records were established, four fish cracked the top 50 all-time list, including the seventh largest in Texas history, and O.H. Ivie Lake continued its impressive ShareLunker run with 12 Legacy entries. O.H. Ivie boasts 24 combined Legacy Lunkers during the past two collection seasons. The Toyota ShareLunker website provides information on each Legacy fish from the 2022 collection season, archives of past seasons and details how anglers can participate in making bass fishing even better in Texas. This Toyota ShareLunker collection season was simply historic in so many ways we live for seasons like this, said Tom Lang, Director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Were grateful that so many anglers caught their fish of a lifetime this season and then decided to share their lunker with us so we can make more of these bigger, better bass for future generations of anglers. Key highlights from the 2022 Toyota ShareLunker collection season include: 24 Legacy-class ShareLunkers this season, the most during January through March since 1995 (27) Nine different water bodies produced ShareLunkers in 2022 Lake Daniel became the 75th public water to contribute a Legacy-class ShareLunker Four entries were new lake records (Lake Daniel (Twice), Eagle Mountain, O.H. Ivie) The new O.H. Ivie waterbody record was set at 17.06 pounds, was the biggest in 30 years, and is the 7th largest largemouth bass ever verified in Texas (private or public) Four fish made the Texas Top 50 biggest largemouth bass of all-time list For the third season in a row, an angler submitted two entries (Back-to-back seasons from O.H. Ivie, and 2020 from Alan Henry) Two anglers submitted a catch in back-to-back seasons Two ShareLunkers were submitted in the same day three times this season One angler (Josh Jones) became the first to contribute a fourth ShareLunker to the program Five entries were greater than 15-pounds, including three over 16-pounds In addition, TPWD biologists through genetic analysis of this years Legacy Lunkers, have made some incredible discoveries in terms of lineage to previous ShareLunkers. ShareLunker 625 from Lake Austin is the offspring of ShareLunker 446 from Richland-Chambers Reservoir in 2008 and ShareLunker 627 from O.H. Ivie is the daughter of ShareLunker 535 from O.H. Ivie in 2012. ShareLunker 627 is also related to ShareLunker 591 caught at O.H. Ivie in 2021, though the exact relationship cannot be determined based on the available data. Anglers who caught and donated one of these 13+ pound lunkers earn Legacy Class status, receive a catch kit filled with merchandise, a 13+ pound Legacy decal for their vehicle or boat, VIP access to the Toyota ShareLunker Annual Awards event and a high-quality replica mount of their Lunker fish from Lake Fork Taxidermy. These anglers will also receive entries into two separate drawings a Legacy Class Drawing and the year-end Grand Prize Drawing. Both drawings will award the winner a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and an annual fishing license. Although the Legacy Class donation season has ended, anglers who enter data for any lunker they catch greater than 8 pounds or 24 inches during the 2022 calendar year also receive a catch kit, a decal for their vehicle or boat and an entry into the year-end Grand Prize Drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and annual fishing license. ShareLunker entry classes include the Lunker Class (8lb+), Elite Class (10lb+), and Legend Class (13lb+). Once a lunker is reeled in, anglers need to enter the catch data on the Toyota ShareLunker mobile app available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play or on the Toyota ShareLunker online app at TexasSharelunker.com. In addition to providing basic catch information, anglers can also provide a DNA scale sample from their lunker bass to TPWD researchers for genetic analysis. The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible in part by the generous sponsorship of Toyota. Toyota is a longtime supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of fisheries, state parks and wildlife projects. Prize donors Bass Pro Shops, Lake Fork Taxidermy, American Fishing Tackle Co., Stanley Jigs, and 6th Sense also provide additional support for this program. For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker Program, visit facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram/ or TexasSharelunker.com To view or download photos of all the Legacy Class ShareLunkers caught during the 2022 season, visit the TPWD Flickr album. SOFIA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A small plane from Hungary illegally landed in Bulgaria on Wednesday night, the Bulgarian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. Bulgaria's air force was immediately activated as the plane entered the country's airspace at 7:09 p.m. Wednesday local time (1609 GMT) in complex hydro-meteorological conditions, the statement said. Without an approved flight plan, the plane took off from Hungary and flew through Serbia and Romania, it said. In Hungarian and Romanian airspace, the plane was escorted by Hungarian fighters, and Romanian and American F-16 fighters respectively, it said. The case is under investigation, it added. The Philippines said Thursday it had filed a new diplomatic protest against Beijing over the alleged return of a massive Chinese fleet operating illegally around Whitsun Reef, within Manilas exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs made the announcement hours after U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met in Manila with President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as well as Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. during a visit that she said was part of preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. The department said it protested the return of over 100 Chinese vessels illegally operating in the waters in and around Julian Felipe Reef on 04 April 2022, barely a year after the same swarming incident was protested by the Philippine government. In its statement, the department did not say when the diplomatic protest was filed nor if the ships remained at the reef. The department and the Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment late Thursday. Internationally known as Whitsun Reef, Julian Felipe Reef is described as a low-tide elevation within the territorial sea of relevant high tide features in the Kalayaan Islands in the South China Sea, the foreign office said. The lingering unauthorized presence of Chinese fishing and maritime vessels is not only illegal, but is also a source of instability in the region, it said. The statement noted that the persistent swarming of Chinese ships violated the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 arbitral award won by the Philippines over China. Moreover, it was a violation of a regional agreement to avoid actions that could inflame tensions, the department said. In March and April, Philippine complaints about hundreds of Chinese ships and boats clustering in the waters of Whitsun Reef were the focus of bilateral tensions over the disputed sea. The announcement about the latest protest came about 10 days after the department summoned a senior Chinese diplomat to protest the alleged harassment by the China Coast Guard of a joint Filipino-Taiwanese research ship in the South China Sea in April. Philippine Coast Guard members in rubber boats patrol near Chinese ships moored at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea, April 14, 2021. [Philippine Coast Guard via AP] Sherman-Marcos meeting Earlier on Thursday, Sherman met with Marcos at his campaign headquarters where they were joined by the Philippine envoy to Washington, Jose Manuel Romualdez, as well as other officials. Sherman and Marcos agreed on the importance of partnering together to strengthen our economies, according to the U.S. State Department. Topics discussed included the countries longtime alliance, the importance of public-private partnership, clean energy, the digital economy, and the importance of human rights and the rule of law. The deputy secretary and the president-elect highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world, the U.S. statement said. Sherman, the highest ranking State Department official to visit since the pandemic, also paid a courtesy call on Locsin, the countrys top diplomat. In a series of posts on Twitter, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sherman and Locsin discussed concrete ways to further enhance relations amid a government transition. Shermans visit to Manila marked the second leg of a four-nation Asian tour, which began in South Korea early this week and will take her to Laos and Vietnam. Thailand partially decriminalized cannabis as of Thursday, allowing users to possess, consume and grow low-potency plants, but it discouraged smoking the weed in public by attaching a hefty fine and jail sentence for those who are a nuisance while lighting up. The government said it is still illegal to grow, possess and consume cannabis products containing more than 0.2 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary compound that makes people high. On Wednesday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told parliament that cannabis had been used according to Thai wisdom for more than 300 years. This is a historic day for all lawmakers to collectively liberalize ganja, our ancient Thai medical herb, and make it legitimate, he said, referring to cannabis by its local name. In May, he had said he would give away a million cannabis plants to households across the nations, starting this Friday. In the recent past, some were arrested and prosecuted for boiling hemp oil and drinking it as a remedy for their pain. Some were prosecuted for handing out cannabis to treat others ailments, Anutin said, adding they would no longer be guilty of those acts. The Corrections Department said that more than 3,000 inmates charged or convicted for cannabis-related offenses were released on Thursday. The Office of Judiciary also said it would drop most of the related trials and detentions. A police officer said that while there was no law against smoking ganja, it could be considered a public nuisance. Smokers who disturb other people in public can be jailed for up to three months and fined up to 25,000 baht [U.S. $723.53] for breaching the Public Health Act, said Police Gen. Roy Ingkapairote, deputy chief of the National Police Bureau. Another police officer said they would not be able to arrest anyone only for possessing cannabis, from Thursday onwards. Ganja is no longer narcotic, except for its extracts. One can possess, consume, and trade ganja as it is delisted, said Lt. Gen. Sarayuth Sanguanpokai, commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. A woman walks near cannabis products at a supermarket in Bangkok, May 20, 2022. [Subel Rai Bhandari/BenarNews] Raise Thai farmers income According to Anutin, the health minister, the partial legalization of cannabis represents a huge opportunity for Thai farmers and entrepreneurs who now have access to the worlds cannabis market. The global market for cannabis will be 3.5 trillion baht ($101 billion) by 2024, he said, while the Thai medical market in 2021 was 7.2 billion baht. Cannabis is regarded as a high-profit cash crop. Advocates say the partial decriminalization would help villagers reap benefits from the burgeoning cannabis industry, since most of the farmers in Thailand own relatively small plots of land. Strong global demand for cannabis will help raise Thai farmers income and narrow inequality in the agricultural sector, Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, told the Bangkok Post this week. Cannabis was criminalized in Thailand in 1935 and classed as Category 5 drug in 1979, with up to 15 years in jail and a 1.5 million baht fine. In 2018, the Thai government approved the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Last year, the government approved its use in food and drinks. Many restaurants and cafes have since started serving drinks and food made with cannabis. Thursdays relaxation also holds promise for Thailands tourism-dependent economy, which was decimated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with travel agencies already starting cannabis-focused wellness tours. A bicyclist holds a cookie jar during World Marijuana Day festivities on Khaosan Road in Bangkok, April 20, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] Marijuana aficionado Vicky, 30, said he smoked weed for more than a decade before starting to grow and sell it illegally six years ago. He sells marijuana for 300-650 baht ($8.70-19) per gram and is now considering cannabis farming full time. When legalized, the cultivation cost and marijuana prices should drop, but I am yet to see what is allowed by law and what is not, said Vicky, who refused to give his last name due to privacy concerns. One cannabis user, who said he voted for the Bhumjaithai Party in the last election due to its support for legalizing weed, spoke to BenarNews days before the partial decriminalization kicked in. He claimed that he once had to pay a 7,500 baht ($217) bribe to the police after he was arrested for possession. But after June 9, no need to fear, he told BenarNews on the condition of anonymity as he feared retribution for his views. I wont smoke in public though, and have to see what the laws say. Meanwhile on Wednesday, Anutin introduced a new draft Cannabis-Hemp Act to control abuses to do with the consumption of cannabis. The draft bill prohibits the sale of cannabis to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and people under 20. Thai lawmakers passed the first reading and sent it to a 25-member parliamentary committee, which will study it for a few weeks before introducing it to the Lower House. A final vote could be several months away. Ive heard concerns on consuming and smoking ganja in public, as well as on over-consumption. Those are not in line with the governments policy, Anutin told parliament. A man smokes a joint during World Marijuana Day celebrations on Khaosan Road in Bangkok, April 20, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] The Sukkahansa (Happy and Joy) Learning Center, located in Thailands Mae Sot district along the Myanmar border, welcomed Burmese children back as classes resumed on the first day of June after being shut down for more than two years because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Many of the boys and girls had fled with their families from post-coup violence in their homeland by crossing the Moei River, which separates the two countries. On June 1, nearly 100 students dressed in school uniforms, met with their teachers and friends at the school for the first time since the pandemic began. The school is not part of Thailands formal schooling system, but provides students with instruction in Burmese and Thai. It is sponsored by the Help without Frontiers Foundation, a Thai NGO. While Thailand for decades has harbored nearly 100,000 displaced people largely ethnic Karen, as well as millions of migrant workers the fighting between the Burmese junta forces and ethnic minority rebels after the February 2021 coup have worsened hardships for those who fled here from Myanmar. About 2,000 of 12,000 students at what had been more than 70 learning centers located along the border with Myanmar have not returned to classes, said Siraporn Kaewsombat. The number of centers has shrunk to 66. The real problem for students at migrant learning centers is that they have no Thai citizenship so they cannot enter Thai state-run schools and have to depend on these NGO-sponsored schools, Siraporn told BenarNews. Students prepare to enter classrooms at the Sukkahansa Learning Center on the first day of school following a more than two-year shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, June 1, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] Students from Myanmar talk to their teacher at the Sukkahansa Learning Center, June 1, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] Shoes are left behind as students head into their classrooms, June 1, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] A boy disinfects his classroom while other students prepare for studies following the shutdown because of the pandemic, June 1, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] A teacher writes lessons on a white board for his students, June 1, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] Lunches prepared by their families sit in a row as students attend a class at the Sukkahansa Learning Center, June 1, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] A boy eats lunch on his first day back in school, June 1, 2022. [Suntorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews] If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. In this undated photo provided by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept., a small whorled pogonia blooms on Winooski Valley Park District conservation land in Vermont. On June 8, 2022, botanists confirmed that a population of the orchids - believed to be extinct in Vermont since 1902 and listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act - has been found in Chittenden County. The U.S. Justice Department is opening a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence that the agency has looked the other way in the face of beatings of mostly Black men, including the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. FILE - Naason Joaquin Garcia leads a service at his church "La Luz del Mundo" in Guadalajara, Mexico on Aug. 9, 2018. Garcia, the leader of the Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo, pleaded guilty Friday, June 3, 2022, to sexually abusing three girls, California state prosecutors said. PITTSFIELD The man accused of stealing a safe and official documents from the district courthouse in March will see his case prosecuted in Berkshire Superior Court. Christopher Vandesteene, 40, of Pittsfield, also is facing multiple charges in connection with a separate break-in last January in Lenox. In the courthouse case, he allegedly broke into the clerks office of Central Berkshire District Court on Wendell Avenue sometime between March 25 and March 28, court documents show. Sources said he entered the courthouse through a window and removed the safe, which contained records and documents, via a door that isnt used in the normal course of business. A Berkshire County grand jury handed up indictments charging Vandesteene with seven offenses connected to the courthouse thefts, which moves the cases to Superior Court, where more serious crimes are prosecuted. The indictments said Vandesteene allegedly did alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal a record, document, or other object, or attempt to do so, with the intent to impair the record, document or objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding, whether or not the proceeding is pending at that time. Vandesteene is further accused of possessing instruments designed to break into buildings, rooms, vaults, safes, and other depositories. Police armed with a warrant recovered some of the items Vandesteene allegedly stole from the courthouse from the home of an unidentified woman, Assistant District Attorney Karen Bell said in April. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the theft and prosecutors received permission from a judge to seal the police report associated with the crime, which led to a one-day closure of Central Berkshire District Court. Vandesteene also was indicted on 10 charges related to a January break-in at the Gateways Inn in Lenox that yielded cash, merchandise and stolen credit cards that were used at businesses in Lee, Pittsfield and Dalton. He was allegedly captured on surveillance footage about 7 a.m. Jan. 13 prying open a cash register in the inns office, removing a drawer that held credit cards and stealing a safe from a first-floor room. He had about $4,000 worth of merchandise purchased from the four stores on him when he was arrested, Lenox Police Chief Stephen OBrien said at the time. Vandesteene pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday in Berkshire Superior Court. He has been held without the right to bail since his arrest in April in connection with the courthouse break-in, which prompted a judge to revoke his pretrial release. At the request of Bell, Judge Jane Mulqueen set bail at $10,000, which will come into play when the lower court cases are dismissed in light his Superior Court indictment. In 2017, Vandesteene was sentenced prison after he admitted to stealing four ATMs and a safe to pay an outstanding debt to a drug dealer. On June 7, 1965: The U.S. Supreme Court, in Griswold v. Connecticut, struck down, 7-2, a Connecticut law used to prosecute a Planned Parenthood clinic in New Haven for providing contraceptives to married couples. PITTSFIELD A monthslong study of safety within Pittsfield Public Schools left School Committee members with more questions than answers. And now, officials will ask community members to help. The study results showed parents and staff are concerned about bullying, but students are not. And on the key question of safety, parents and staff overwhelmingly support the presence of school resource officers. But students particularly students of color do not. The consultants who ran the study, TNTP, painted a complicated picture of a complicated issue. The study found that views on the use of officers inside schools appear to be most negative among historically marginalized communities. The researchers stopped short of recommending the district honor these opinions over those of a largely white majority who generally support the use of resource officers. The report also noted that students of color, male students and low-income students are over-represented in school discipline data. Superintendent Joseph Curtis promised Wednesday, with the School Committees backing, to launch a school safety task force that will pick up where that study left off and find a way forward, given what the district now knows about the divide on school safety. For the time being, a resource officer will remain. Curtis told the committee the district will continue to work with the Pittsfield Police Department under a memorandum of understanding. That agreement has no expiration date and the districts one active SRO remains on duty at the two middle schools and high schools. The consultants said Pittsfield should create a school safety task force. It was one of their only recommendations. They advised enlisting former and current students, teachers, adjustment counselors and members of community organizations. Curtis said that over the summer he will invite people fitting that description to join the task force and work with no end date. This is is a priority that we will stay focused on, regardless of whether we have a report to react to or not, Mayor Linda Tyer said. Continuing that conversation, she said, is going to be essential to reassuring the community. The findings Pittsfield Public Schools, police sign deal for resource officers for this school year PITTSFIELD Pittsfield Public Schools Superintendent Joe Curtis and Police Chief Michael Wynn reached an agreement Monday over how school res Last year, the district hired TNTP to look into school safety in the citys middle and high schools. At the time, the district was in the middle of a debate over whether it should continue to use school resource officers or increase the number of officers in upper level schools. Curtis decided to find surveyors able to go beyond a simple yes or no and get at the heart of what the community wanted and needed. The School Committee voted 5-2 in September to pause discussion of the issue until the study was completed. When Curtis came back with results May 18, he warned of that complicated picture. This presentation leaves me more with discomfort than a sense of fulfillment or clarity on next steps, Curtis told the committee members. If youre looking for Ill put it in quotes the right decision, there is none. Between December and April, researchers from TNTP conducted walkthroughs at Herberg and Reid middle schools and Taconic and Pittsfield high schools. They reviewed discipline policies and data from the first semester of the school year. And they surveyed 2,802 students, staff and family members. The team also interviewed students, district staff, school committee members, City Council members, Tyer and Police Chief Michael Wynn. They paired these efforts with public forums cohosted with groups like the Berkshire Interfaith Organization, Latinas 413 and the Berkshire County branch of the NAACP. The report delivered what committee members called troubling findings on bullying in schools. It found that 79 percent of surveyed families and 95 percent of staff had concerns about bullying. Black families reported some of the greatest concern about bullying, with 87 percent saying they were worried about in-person bullying. Ninety percent said they were concerned with bullying via social media. Bullying has and continues to be an issue, Dan Elias, a School Committee member, said during the May presentation. I think its a cancer on our school system. We do a great job in a number of areas, we can do better on this. Muddying the data on bullying was TNTPs next finding: Only about half of students are concerned about bullying via social media or otherwise. Committee members questioned whether families and staff members had a more expansive definition of bullying than students, or whether students were desensitized to behaviors that worry adults. The report shows that discipline of students continues to fall heavier on some groups than others. TNTP found that in the districts first semester, Black and multiracial students made up 22 percent of the student population but 31 percent of discipline reports. Male students made up half of the student population but two-thirds of the discipline incidents. Students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch made up 51 percent of enrollment and 69 percent of the discipline reports. While adults surveyed think resource officers may schools safer, students are less convinced. Residents say police don't belong in Pittsfield schools during final school resource officer forum Participants who spoke during the webinar said that officers may have their place in the larger community, but the tools of the police department don't match with a supportive school environment. About 76 percent of families and 73 percent of staff surveyed told the team they strongly agree or somewhat agree with the idea that officers help prevent violence. Those figures were nearly identical to the results when family and staff were asked if they felt safe with an SRO on school campuses: 74 percent of families and 69 percent of staff said they strongly agree or somewhat agree. When TNTP asked students how they felt, 47 percent agreed somewhat or strongly that SROs prevent violence and 51 percent said theyd feel safe with an SRO on campus. But about 41 percent of Black students and 47 percent of multi-racial students reported feeling safe with an SRO on campus. We are potentially making assumptions about whats happening in schools and what feels unsafe, rather than really looking at how the students feel about it, committee member Alison McGee said in May. Elias agreed, saying the report told him two very conflicting things. Parents and staff support SROs. Students of color generally do not. Deputy Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa said the report presented a complicated picture of school safety. She said that is because it is a complicated task to highlight the voices of those most impacted by these policy decisions. Right now in our country, organizations like TNTP [and] school districts are struggling with how to bring marginalized voices to the table in a way in which their smaller percentage is not reduced to a smaller percentage, Mendonsa said. LEE Responding to requests from critics of a planned PCB dump in Lee, the Tri-Town Health Boards will hold a forum on the issue. But even as officials representing Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge agreed to go ahead with that public meeting, the million-dollar question surfaced: Does the regional health agency have any legal power to intervene in the five-town agreement, which includes Great Barrington and Sheffield? Answer: Its not clear. The Rest of River settlement agreement reached in early 2020, calls for up to 1 million cubic yards of low-level PCB-contaminated sediment extracted from the Housatonic River to be placed in the double-lined disposal facility in Lee. The most toxic material would be shipped out of state. But the facility has encountered widespread community opposition in Lee. Lee residents closest to the future PCB landfill aren't happy about the proposed burial site in their backyard The Eagle spoke with nearly 20 homeowners and renters who live within a mile of the proposed landfill. Two weeks after residents voted to advise the Select Board to find a way out of the Rest of River cleanup deal, neighbors cite concerns about environmental harm, public health risks and threats to property values. The settlement was negotiated over 18 months by the five-town Rest of River Municipal Committee, joined by the EPA, the General Electric Co. and other parties. The agreement calls for GE, the polluter, to pay $25 million each to Lee and Lenox, where about 50,000 truckloads of contaminated material would traverse roads in those towns. It also reserves $1.5 million apiece for Stockbridge, Great Barrington and Sheffield. Pittsfield, where Mayor Linda Tyer negotiated a separate settlement agreement, would get about $8 million. The Tri-Town Boards of Health on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion by Lenox member Dr. John Kearns to plan an educational session and then decide where we go from there. No date was set. Following the vote, Tri-Town Executive Director James Wilusz declared that an educational session is a good thing. But he clarified that the Board of Health doesnt know what the roles and responsibilities are or if they have legal jurisdiction on this. A lot of legal things have to be sorted out, and I hope this presentation will shed some light on the powers that the board has. Legal options According to Lee Selectman Robert Jones, a key opponent of the Upland Disposal Facility to be built near Woods Pond in north Lee, the nonprofit Housatonic River Initiative founded and led by Tim Gray had had success in previous appeals by using local boards of health. Jones supports a withdrawal by Lee from the five-town settlement agreement. During the May 16 annual town election, residents voted 652-388 to ask the current Select Board to rescind the settlement approved by previous members more than two years ago. Attorneys representing Grays group recently filed an appeal of the settlement with the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. In February, a two-judge Environmental Appeals Board panel in Washington, D.C., rejected appeals to overturn the agreement and to require all PCB material to be shipped out-of-state to licensed federal facilities. GEs Pittsfield electrical transformer plant dumped toxic PCBs into the Housatonic from the 1930s until 1979, when the U.S. government banned the toxic substance as a probable cause of cancer. The EPA's cleanup plan seeks to reduce PCB contamination in the Housatonic from southeast Pittsfield to Sheffield. Jones, reading from an HRI memo, told Tri-Town board members that Gray plans to ask the Lee Board of Health to review legal options to determine whether the low-level sediment to be contained in the disposal facility presents a health impact to the residents of Lee. The goal, Jones said, would be to ban the installation of the proposed dump in Lee if the Board of Health concludes it would impact the health of residents. Jones proposed bringing in experts working with HRI at a Tri-Town Health Boards educational session, including a geology professor he described as formerly employed by GE and the EPA who opposes the Woods Pond location as an example of the worst possible conditions for a dump site. He asked Tri-Town to consider hearing from Gray and several of his experts to show you how you could possibly become involved in taking a look at this as a potential health crisis, not only for Lee but for all of southern Berkshire County. The session's moderator, and speakers, aren't yet identified. Responding to a question from Dr. Robert Wespiser, who chairs the Lee Board of Health, Jones said Grays group would spell out how Tri-Town could intervene in the cleanup agreement, if it chooses to do so. Weve got a lot of irons in the fire, but this is a big one, Jones said. But you may find this is the opportunity for you to actually weigh in on the proposed PCB dump in an effective way. This is a possible partial remedy for dealing with this, but were just asking you to hear us out. The educational presentation could lead to a more formal hearing if you want to get involved in it, Jones told the Tri-Town members. Wespiser pointed out that federal authority usurps our ability to address action and to actually have legal standing in these areas. He suggested studying legal cases that may clarify any options open to Tri-Town Health. Dianne Romeo, who chairs the Lenox Board of Health, said she sees no harm in at least allowing them to do a presentation to educate us. More education is better for all of us, said Dr. Henry Schwerner of the Stockbridge Board of Health. The session will be designed to present more than HRI's point of view. Gray, who joined Tuesday's televised Tri-Town meeting in progress, emphasized that hes seeking a formal Board of Health hearing since theyre the only people in town that has power under Massachusetts law. He is lining up paid expert witnesses and stated that he is including an attorney, Cristobal Bonifaz of Franklin County, who could represent the Board of Health and the town if anything comes of this hearing that doesnt work out exactly right. Dr. Charles Kenny, chairman of the Tri-Town Boards of Health, stressed that a balanced educational presentation is planned as a first step, not as a formal hearing. Its a privilege for us to be part of an educational process related to this issue of community importance, Kenny told Gray, who had been delayed in joining the remote meeting. But I wont let you waste our board members time by going over this, which we already clearly understood. There will be a hearing, we hope that you will decide to do that, Massachusetts General Law gives you that right, Gray countered. If you deny it, then the dump will happen, thats the problem. Jones said he believes the board would benefit from the forum. "To understand what were trying to do, the law involved," he said. "We want you to understand what your powers are. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close PITTSFIELD When Frances Jones-Sneed moved to the Berkshires, she did what she always did when her family relocated. She began looking into the history of African American communities. Quote "This award is not about me, but about the African American population of the Berkshires that I have been researching for 25 years." Frances Jones-Sneed "We moved quite a good deal," she said, usually because of her late husband's job change. "I followed along and tried to find a place. So when I came into a new place I'd try and find out about the history of the Black population." Jones-Sneed has now received statewide recognition for those efforts as a recipient of the 2022 Governor's Award for Humanities. A scholar of African American history, and professor emeritus of history and political science at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Jones-Sneed is one of this year's four winners of the 2022 Governor's Awards for the Humanities. The awards, given annually since 2013, are provided to each recipient for their "contributions to improve public life in Massachusetts." Mass Humanities, based in Northampton, and Gov. Charlie Baker partner annually to present the awards. The proceeds from the awards event support humanities-based programming in Massachusetts. Jones-Sneed and this year's fellow award winner, Berkshire Eagle president and publisher Fredric D. Rutberg, were both nominated by Mass Humanities board member Bruce Grinnell of Williamstown. Grinnell said they are the first two Governor's Award for the Humanities recipients to come from Berkshire County. "Each of them has contributed so significantly in their respective areas of expertise or interest," Grinnell said. Jones-Sneed was selected "for what she has done in the area of social justice and her commitment to the Black cultural experience here in Berkshire County and being able to communicate that in an effective way to those who are less enlightened about it," Grinnell said. "I hope that it brings some light to our area about Mass Humanities and all the good things that it does," Grinnell said. The former director of Women's Studies at MCLA, Jones-Sneed will be honored with her fellow recipients Oct. 23 at the Governor's Awards Celebration at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston. "I feel very honored to be selected for this award," said Jones-Sneed, who lives in North Adams. "Really, this award is not about me but about the African American population of the Berkshires that I have been researching for 25 years." "I love my work and I'm glad that it's being acknowledged," she said. "I think that means the African American population in the Berkshires is also being acknowledged." Originally from Mississippi, Jones-Sneed came to Massachusetts to work at the former North Adams State College in 1993, when her husband took a job as an administrator at Williams College. In researching the African American community in the Berkshires, Jones-Sneed said she was drawn to the fact that civil rights leader W.E.B. DuBois had been born in Great Barrington in 1868. "So I started my students working on some projects, and we found all these other famous African Americans in the Berkshires," she said. "Then I learned some people in South County had been working on local history for a long time." In partnership with others, Jones-Sneed said she began working on a guide to African Americans in the Berkshires in 2004, but the project quickly became much bigger. "That little guide turned into a 250-page book," she said. "My students were part of it. They did part of the research with me on it." "I really love doing collaborative work with students, the community members and others," Jones-Sneed said. "It spreads the knowledge more. The academic work that one usually does is we write for our peers and usually that doesn't get out to the community. So I was really pleased at this project being so collaborative." "I think that's a large part of how they found my name because of the kind of collaborative work we do here in the Berkshires," she said. "Francis is an important scholar of African American history in Massachusetts and the Berkshires," said Mass Humanities Executive Director Brian Boyles. "We know her as a board member of Mass Humanities and in projects that we've funded. We wanted to especially recognize all the work that's been done around the Clinton Church restoration in Great Barrington." "That for us is an example of scholarship and community interests meeting to elevate an underrepresented history in Massachusetts," he said. Voters raising their cards at Great Barrington's annual town meeting Monday night in the Monument Mountain Regional High School parking lot. Only about 7.5 percent of eligible residents participated in the meeting, despite the fact that there was a vote on a highly contentious issue. Last year, a violent mob inflamed by Donald Trump struck a terrible blow against our highest democratic institutions and norms. How does a democracy respond to those who would burn it down for their own despotic ends? By opening the floodgates for the free flow of information. How to watch Jan. 6 insurrection hearings and what to know The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol is going public with its findings. Lawmakers hope to show the American public how democracy came to the brink of disaster. The series of hearings that will take place over the next several weeks began with a prime-time opener Thursday night. The second hearing is scheduled for Monday. More than 1,000 people have been interviewed by the panel, and only snippets of that testimony have been revealed to the public, mostly through court filings. As the critical congressional hearings on the infamous Capitol attack commence tonight, there will certainly be plenty of freely flowing info as the hearings draw from more than 1,000 depositions, 140,000 documents, reams of video and photographic evidence, and testimony from witnesses and officials. But as the facts are laid bare, will we listen? As these hearings go deep into the shadowy details of the origins, circumstances and immediate aftermath of Jan. 6, 2021, the inexcusable reply from some, including many Republican members of Congress who swore an oath to serve and protect the Constitution, will still be so what? Why should we care that a commander in chief rallied his base against the peaceful transfer of power? Why should we care that Mr. Trumps servile echo chamber can amplify his lies to the point that some Americans take up arms against their own democracy? Why should we care that a stunning amount of Republicans lawmakers would put party over patriotism to back such an anti-constitutional play until it literally forced them to hide for their lives while rioters wrecked the Capitol? Its as sad as it is alarming that all of the above still filters through a partisan lens for so many, but it doesnt have to. It is rare for congressional hearings to be held and broadcast in prime time, but the importance of this subject a bipartisan congressional committee getting to the bottom of one of the darkest days in modern American history is more than worth that exception. For all who consider themselves patriots, the least we can do in our collective duty to the maintenance of our democracy is to simply tune in and take advantage of this unique and focused opportunity to better understand the nature of this assault, who was complicit and how we can better defend our institutions when theyre most vulnerable. This might pose a political inconvenience for some who feel the partisan pull toward the so what? camp. They might also feel the nudge from Fox News, which will not carry the hearings. The countrys top cable news channel suggests that theres nothing to see here. On the contrary, there is much here to see and do not just for liberals or conservatives or any other political in-group but all Americans now called to the shared experience of fact-finding demanded by democracy. The Capitol riot was not just an attack on a single partys election victory but a vicious stab at the heart of our republic. Americans of all political stripes ought to find some precious unity in fully exposing and condemning such destructive behavior, no matter the participants position or ideology. It is an unfortunate reality that some would prefer to steer this existential inquiry into our democracys tension points toward the shallow arena of petty politics. Heed the Republican leaders who have the spine to recognize the weight and danger of this moment those like Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Mitt Romney and all too few others. They have the courage to buck a toxic party line and incur the wrath of a would-be autocrat in order to place duty to country and the Constitution over partisan jockeying. The least we can do to match their courage is refuse to look away as our democracy defends itself the only way it knows how: by directing the disinfecting spotlight of truth for all to see. BOISE Judd Evans Ballard, 47, of Boise was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for distribution of child pornography by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye. According to court records, the investigation began after Yahoo reported that child pornography had been uploaded to two Yahoo accounts. The report was assigned to the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for investigation. ICAC determined that the accounts belonged to Evans. ICAC obtained search warrants for the accounts and located several files of child pornography. A federal magistrate judge subsequently issued a search warrant for Ballards residence in Boise. During the execution of the search warrant, ICAC located a cellphone belonging to Ballard. A forensic examination of the cellphone revealed over 1,000 images and videos of child pornography. ICAC also located evidence that Ballard had used a social media application to trade child pornography files with another individual. Ballard has previous sexual offense convictions. Chief Judge Nye also ordered Ballard to serve a lifetime term of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $9,000 in restitution to victims in the images he possessed. Judge Nye also ordered Ballard to forfeit the cellphone that was used to commit the offense. As a result of the conviction, Ballard will be required to register as a sex offender. U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr., of the District of Idaho made the announcement and commended the cooperative efforts of the ICAC, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Ada County Sheriffs Office, Boise Police Department, Canyon County Prosecutors Office, and Idaho Department of Corrections Probation and Parole which led to charges. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) issued a statement today on the Office of Management and Budget submitting a budget amendment for the President's funding request to cleanup the Hanford site. The amendment puts President Biden's budget slightly above what Sen. Murray secured in the fiscal 2022 budget at $2.613 billion. Sen. Murray secured $2.595 billion for the Hanford site cleanup in the fiscal 2022 budget. OMBs submission of a budget amendment comes after public and private calls by Senator Murray that the Biden Administration meet its legal and moral obligation to fully fund cleanup of the Hanford site. "A lot of Presidents will try to trim the budget when it comes to Hanford, my job is to make them remember their moral and legal obligation to this community," says Sen. Murray. "And thats exactly what Ill keep doing in the other Washington." In the government funding package for 2022, Senator Murray secured $2.595 billion for the Hanford site cleanupnotably, this was $128 million above the Presidents Budget Request. Senator Murray has led the fight in Congress to secure funding for the cleanup at the Hanford Site, protect workers, and support the Tri-Cities communities. PM inaugurates Biotech Startup Expo 2022 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Biotech Startup Expo - 2022 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 9 June. He also launched 'Biotech products e portal'. Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Dr Jitendra Singh, stakeholders of biotech sectors, experts, SMEs, investors were among those present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that India's bio-economy has grown 8 times in the last 8 years. We have grown from $10 billion to $80 billion. India is not too far from reaching the league of top-10 countries in Biotech's global ecosystem, he said. The Prime Minister said that when the country is taking new pledges during the Amrit Kaal, role of biotech industry is very significant in the development of the country. In the last 8 years, the number of startups in our country has increased from a few hundred to 70,000. These 70,000 startups are made in about 60 different industries. In this also, more than 5000 startups are associated with biotech. Every 14th startup in the biotechnology sector and more than 1100 such biotech startups emerged in the last year itself, the Prime Minister informed. Further talking about the shift of talent towards the sector the Prime Minister said that number of investors in biotech sector has risen by 9 times and biotech incubators and funding for them has increased by 7 times. The inaugural event was followed by panel discussion with eminent speakers such as Dr Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Krishna Ella, CMD, Bharat Biotech, Prof Padmanaban Govindarajan, to name a few. The conference familiarises surgeons with the latest techniques in the treatment of urological diseases Robotic Urology Forum, a national organisation of surgeons practising the art of robotic urological surgeries, has joined hands with Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), to conduct their 4th annual conference. The three-day-long conference named RUFCON22 was aimed at familiarising surgeons, nurses and other healthcare professionals with the clinical application of the latest techniques in the treatment of urological disorders. The conference, organised at Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, Nadiad was attended by experts of Urology from across the country. The organising committee had formulated comprehensive sessions to ensure an extensive knowledge sharing experience for the attendees. Apart from comprehensive sessions on the evolution of robotic-assisted surgery in India, there were detailed sessions on the application of RAS in uro-oncology, reconstructive urology, kidney transplant, pediatric urology and female urology. Another motive of the conference was to establish the guidelines for the best ways to manage urological cancers in this rapidly evolving treatment landscape to make sure that patients receive ideal care. Dr Arvind Ganpule, Organising Secretary, RUFCON22 and Chief, Division of laparoscopy and robotic surgery, Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital said, This year we had around 150 uro-surgeons share their knowledge with others. We also demonstrated 10 live surgeries from MPUH Nadiad and HCG Hospital Ahmedabad by using Da Vinci RAS system during the conference." Kena Health app has won the Innovation City Cape Town's startup of the year award for 2022. Source: Supplied. Saul Kornik is seen here receiving the 2022 Innovation City Cape Town's startup of the year award. Congratulations! How do you feel about Kena's win? This service has quite an incredible impact on people's lives in such remote areas where they wouldn't otherwise have had access. How do you feel about that? With the NHI in the pipeline, how will the Kena Health app work alongside it? Is the app meant to compete with the NHI, or is it more supportive of the system? Is Kena in a pilot phase now? Are there other apps like it or is this the first of its kind? It's important for people to know we've built this app to lower the cost of healthcare, to make access to it easier for people - not only for people who are poor but for everyone. Is there research you're doing into particular health issues in SA from the data being collated by your app? There's a recruitment element to your business. Are doctors preferring to work in this ecosystem as opposed to in a physical hospital? In terms of diagnostics, how do you measure blood pressure and arrange urine tests via the screen? I know technologies are evolving where patients can potentially have access to oxymeters at home or blood pressure machines. How do you work around that? Is the onus on the patient to have the equipment at home so you can conduct respective medical tests? Kena is completely changing the landscape of the profession... Was there anything else that you wanted to mention? The app offers on-demand consultations with nurses, general practitioners and mental health professionals via in-app text, voice or video for only R160 per consultation. Kena Health founder and chief executive officer, Saul Kornik opens up about how his distributor company is bringing affordable universal healthcare to the nation...We are incredibly proud of this product and know that it will be a game changer for millions of South Africans. The word 'Kena' means 'to welcome' - and that is exactly the ethos we live by, Everybody is Welcome.We love it. We absolutely love it, it's why people are working here. And you need to be passionate to bring something like this to life. It was not exactly easy building this app. We've worked excessive hours over the last year; it's been stressful and exciting.I'll tell you a few stories about the people we have already reached that makes it all worthwhile. In one consultation, we had a woman on a minibus taxi on the way home from work, and she phoned through about a gynaecological condition. We sent her a script in the taxi. It was too late at that stage for her to get to a clinic and too expensive to go to the doctor.In another situation, we had somebody who called our mental health professionals because she had a calling to be a sangoma. As a result, her family was ostracising her and she had no one with whom to talk.We live in such a diverse country with so many different cultures, such differing socioeconomic environments, and mental health conditions created by so many different circumstances, and there are so many different limitations to healthcare access. It's fascinating, heartbreaking and hopeful. But we get this view of the country that very few people have.We don't want to compete with anyone. Our strong preference is to work with others, including the healthcare department. Only 16% of people in SA have access to medical scheme cover; the rest mostly rely on the public sector. However, government services are overstretched. They don't have enough resources and struggle with organising their services.Our view on the healthcare system is that if we build valuable systems and products for the underserved and uninsured, we can actually grow the size of the pie that's available for private healthcare providers to provide their care. The key to this is lowering the cost so that the 16% can grow to 40-, 60- or even 80% of people who have access. Why not everyone?We aim to be part of changing the system so that this is possible. We'd love to offer quality early-stage healthcare services to all citizens in the country, no matter how much money they have, no matter where they are. And we'd love to be contracted by the NHI to do so.The tech-supported nature of our product means we can offer the same service everywhere. And the way we organise our service to lower the cost of care should make it more affordable to an NHI. In an ideal world, we would like to be ready to take on value-based care contracts from an NHI fund.No, we're beyond the pilot phase. We've done over 40,000 downloads, and 10,000 consultations! Amazing adoption within only a few months.I suppose there are two answers. The first is: no, there are lots of telemedicine apps out there. Discovery has got Connected Care, Momentum and Woolworths healthcare members have access to Hello Doctor, and then there are a number of apps that deal with mental health or are trying to grow in the private sector space.If you look at the question again, in a different way; yes our app is the first of its kind. We generally try not to compete with an existing pathway. We push ourselves to reimagine how the best care can be delivered.So in the case of Kena, we're the only ones who specifically talk to the uninsured about providing smartphone-based entry-level care of this kind. And we are the only app that I know of that has arranged its clinicians in a team in the way we have - to lower the cost of care while improving health outcomes.We've got quite a lot of insights already but as we serve more people, we'll have more data. We can already see that more women make use of our service than men; we can see how long it takes to treat different patients, we know what conditions they are calling about, we know their demographic profile, and we know how they prefer to interact. With all this data, we'll be able to improve our treatment services, and that's valuable.Different doctors like different forms of medicine. Being in a hospital is a very particular experience, as is working in private practice. However, we're not struggling to find doctors, nurses or mental health professionals who want to work with our way of delivering care. There are a few reasons for this.For one thing, if you're in private practice, you have to build up a client base; you're paying for rent, a secretary, and an accountant. The difference at Kena is that the doctors et al come and work hours that make sense to them and we bring them the patients. They can do it from home where they have no overheads, all they need is a laptop. And there is no burden on them to collect money from patients.Secondly, the clinicians love the diversity of the clinical practice. The first patient they see could live in rural Limpopo with a skin condition, the second patient may be in Eastern Cape with HIV, and the third could be down the road from them with hypertension. This kind of national practice is very different to work in one specific local community.Thirdly, rather than working by themselves in a practice, at Kena they get to work with a team of other doctors, nurses and mental health professionals. Surprisingly, this is a unique experience in our healthcare system.It's an attractive offering for them.There are a lot of conditions that are treated just through a phone enquiry of the patient, such as rashes on the skin, UTIs, acne, contraceptives, stomach bugs, flu and STIs. Where a physical examination is required, a Kena doctor can provide a referral letter or a requisition for blood tests, radiology, or whatever else the patient needs.We've got a sister company I was involved in founding over four years ago, Healthforce. Healthforce is a system used by nurses in pharmacy clinics around the country that enables them to call a doctor into the clinic room via telemedicine, on-demand.For example, you can pop into any Dis-Chem and their nurses can do whatever physical examinations are necessary and perform whatever tests are necessary, calling on the doctor when required. The idea is that Kena should shortly be able to refer into this network of 500 clinic rooms.We need to change the way healthcare is delivered. Healthcare is not expensive for no reason. It's expensive because of the way the system is set up. Our goal is to improve the healthcare system. We want to become better and better at lowering costs and improving health outcomes.It's quite important to mention that we can answer a call to care from a man living on a government grant in Limpopo as easily as we can take a call from a chief executive officer living in Bryanston. And that's why we say 'Everyone is welcome' - that's our motto.When they download the Kena app, they get three free consultations, and through that, we're hoping people will try it out because this is quite a new thing. Download it. Try it out. See what it's like.It's important for people to know we've built this app to lower the cost of healthcare, to make access to it easier for people - not only for people who are poor but for everyone. In support of the Prosper Africa, Feed the Future, and other presidential initiatives, the USAID Africa Bureau, Africa Regional Missions, and the Middle East Bureau have established the USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) Programme. The purpose of this programme is to mobilise enterprise-driven solutions that increase trade and investment in Africa, including north and sub-Saharan Africa. ATI will support the strengthening of Africa's markets by developing new trade and investment relationships, particularly between the US and Africa, and achieve development outcomes across sectors in line with USAID's Private Sector Engagement policy and the USG Prosper Africa initiative. The name and address of the organisation, and primary point of contact, phone number and email address. A brief synopsis of your organisations technical and management capabilities and activities to support intraregional trade and with the United States, including experience in the three market systems highlighted in the background section, namely trade promotion, trade services, and supply chain management with a focus on agricultural and agribusiness trade. Please describe your organisations experience and capabilities in recruitment, hiring, and the administration of personnel as it relates to the technical areas and countries outlined in background section and draft SOW (see below). Please provide examples of projects your organisation has undertaken that are similar in nature or address the key areas under Draft statement of work below. Please explain if the draft SOW provides sufficient information to understand the tasks to be performed in order to fulfil the objectives outlined in the draft SOW. Please reference the page number and specific section of the draft SOW in the response. Please note if you would propose alternative approaches and SOW inclusions to achieve the stated objectives than what is outlined in the RFI. Do you have any other feedback or recommendations on the draft SOW? Please reference the page number and specific section of the draft SOW in the response. The name and address of the organisation, primary point of contact, phone number and email address. Illustrative non-binding ideas for activities that the respondent might consider doing in partnership with ATI in Southern Africa. Exports increased from targeted southern African countries to South Africa Investment increased from South Africa to targeted southern African countries Sustainable utilisation of AGOA opportunities by targeted southern African countries. increasing agricultural exports from targeted southern African countries to South Africa and boosting sustainable utilisation of AGOA and GSP opportunities in the agriculture and agribusiness sector by targeted southern African countries. To do this, activities under the buy-in will address market incentives, behaviours, and relationships that impede the regions trade competitiveness in three target market systems: Trade promotion system refers to mechanisms linking supply with demand and helping exporters identify and meet these demands. Trade promotion activities are about raising awareness of agricultural trade opportunities among market actors. Trade enhancing services system encompasses the sets of services that increase export competitiveness and functional ability to export. Trade enhancing service include all activities that build the export firms capacity to respond to the demand in the end markets in South Africa and the US. Supply chain management system deals with linking buyers to a robust supplier base and support to meet buyer needs. The activities in this market system relate to the core market functions of linking export firms to buyers with their products and services. While ATI will initially focus on these three market systems, this list may be modified as opportunities and needs emerge and as USAID funding allows. The activity will operate primarily in the following southern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia. 3. Contract objectives In order to implement the titled Southern Africa Trade Market Systems Activity and the focus areas outlined above, ATI requires day-to-day technical and operational capacity to support and implement buy-in activities. The overall objective of this contract is to identify regional partner(s) to provide technical and operational support services through a subcontract(s) for the delivery of services in alignment with the objectives of the Southern Africa Trade Market Systems Activity. These services could be provided through personnel and/or other direct costs as proposed by the respondent. The two objectives to be achieved through the contract are: Objective 1: Provide streamlined day-to-day, long-term personnel services with experience in running regional trade activities that will allow the USAID Southern Africa buy-in to meet its technical and operational needs. The services must be delivered in close synchronisation with ATI programming and personnel for seamless delivery. This should include a suite of options such as operations, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), and advanced technical expertise dependent on evolving needs with a focus on personnel bringing relevant, extensive experience in these areas. This may include, but is not limited to, the provision of services for: Country representatives whereby services are provided in-country for all or a portion of the eleven countries within USAID Southern Africas purview, leading technical design and implementation within the country. Niche trade expertise in order to strengthen ecosystem actors, provide knowledge of specific priority value chains, make market linkages, increase trade deals and exports, etc. AGOA and AfCFTA expertise and services. Administrative support to ensure technical work is compliant and tied to the rest of ATIs programming, such as monitoring & evaluation data capture, financial tracking, logistical support, etc. Objective 2: Provide ad hoc services and support for periodic needs, such as event management support, communications surge support, etc. The subcontractor(s) will also be responsible for ensuring seamless integration with ATI programming and personnel, as well as ensuring adherence to flow-down clauses from the ATI contract regarding MEL, gender, and environmental and social risk management considerations. DAI, on behalf of the ATI Programme, is seeking information and organisational capabilities from organisations regarding the possible procurement of a subcontract or subcontracts to provide technical and management support to an upcoming multi-year regional activity in southern Africa covering 10 countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia. We are seeking information from non-governmental organisations, which can be either US or non-US registered organisations. If services are procured, the subcontractor would provide technical and operational support services in support of an upcoming ATIs southern Africa Regional Trade Market Systems Activity.The intent of this RFI is to conduct market research to gain a better understanding of the number of qualified and interested parties who are able to provide either all of a portion of the services described in the attached draft statement of work (SOW). The SOW below describes the currently contemplated scope of services and may vary from any final SOW that may be issued.In support of this activity, ATI seeks information from a partner or consortium of partners interested in providing technical and management support to implement the Southern Africa Trade Market Systems Activity. Details on the information requested can be found below, under Response requirements; the Draft SOW can be found below, under Draft statement of work.In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.209 (c), the following clause is incorporated by reference into this RFI:Interested parties should submit answers to requests below, under Response requirements and any other comments in response to the requested information no later than 5pm EAT, 17 June 2022.Responses should be submitted via email to moc.iad@tnemerucorP_ITA copying Brian Wanyagi ( moc.iad@igaynaW_nairB ) and Edwin Muli ( moc.iad@iluM_niwdE ) no later than the date and time shown above, with the subject line: Response to RFI ATI-001. Please limit the responses to 10 pages/slides using 11-point font size. Graphics may be included so long as text is clearly legible. Submissions in PowerPoint, Word, or PDF are acceptable. PDF is preferred along with an accompanying PowerPoint/Word document.We are seeking the following information from interested firms:The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) Programme seeks a regional partner or partners to provide technical and management support to an upcoming multi-year regional activity in the southern Africa region, titled Southern Africa Trade Market Systems Activity.USAID Southern Africa (USAID/SA) has had an active trade and investment programme running within its portfolio since 2017 and slated to finish in September 2022. The USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub (USAID TradeHub) engages with partners across southern Africa to increase sustainable economic growth, global export competitiveness, and trade. It supports these objectives by increasing exports from southern African countries to South Africa and to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and boosting capital and technology flows from South Africa to other southern African countries. The USAID TradeHub works with market actors to identify and resolve enterprise constraints and to implement sustainable solutions through market-based trade and investment facilitation services. The USAID TradeHub partners with the USAID Bilateral Missions through the USAID/SA to successfully deliver its three interlinked objectives:Building on previous work and the successes under the USAID Trade Hub, the Southern Africa Trade Market Systems Activity will take a market systems approach to promote regional economic growth in line with USAID Southern Africas 2020-2025 Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS). USAID/SA seeks to sustain the significant progress made on the USAID TradeHub through a buy-in programme activity under ATI from October 2022 to September 2026, titled Southern Africa Trade Market Systems Activity. The USAID TradeHub achieved cumulative exports from the region to South Africa of $49m, $180m from southern Africa to the US and $212m in investment and financing.To further these successes, the buy-in will focus on: The influenza (flu) season is upon us in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), in South Africa the 2022 flu season started in the week commencing 25 April - and numbers appear to have been increasing over the past few weeks. Source: Supplied. SA's flu season Those at high risk A similar trend has been evident with data from Australia, where cases tripled from 25 April compared to the previous two weeks, and the numbers of cases and hospitalisations may continue to climb. It is reported in both Australia and SA that the 2022 flu season may be longer and more severe.Flu is a respiratory tract infection caused by an influenza virus infection that can spread quickly, causing seasonal epidemics that may result in people becoming severely ill or even dying. Each year, flu causes up to 650,000 deaths worldwide, with the highest numbers in sub-Saharan Africa.Annually, there are over 11,000 flu-related deaths in SA, and almost half of the close to 50,000 people experiencing severe flu may need to be hospitalised.Flu viruses circulate at different times of the year, but in SA our seasonal flu usually has the most impact between May and September.Dr Lourens Terblanche, medical head of Sanofi South Africa, says: Right now, there appears to be a general increase in cases of flu both locally and abroad. While non-pharmaceutical interventions like lockdowns, social distancing and mask wearing related to the Covid-19 pandemic afforded less opportunity for the influenza virus to circulate, the easing of these mandatory restrictions may facilitate a surge in flu cases.The World Health Organization and the NICD state that flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent disease and reduce the risk of getting severely ill.Says Dr Terblanche: In SA, annual flu vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk of complications or severe outcomes of influenza. The vaccine is however available for any individual from the age of six months to help prevent influenza infection.Groups targeted as high risk in the Department of Healths 2022 flu vaccination campaign are healthcare workers, persons aged 65 or older, those with cardiovascular disease (including chronic heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes), chronic lung disease (including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and people living with HIV, as well as pregnant women.Even in the absence of specific comorbidities, it is important to recognise persons aged over 65 years - or younger than two years - as being at risk, as well as pregnant women too, says Terblanche.The Director General of Health has indicated that the flu vaccine may now be given at the same time as a Covid-19 vaccine, with each being given in a different arm.Its not too late to protect against flu through vaccinations. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider for more information about getting vaccinated against the flu this season. The Trevor Noah Foundation has received a R13.5m grant to help advance education outcomes in South Africa. The grant, provided by the Oak Foundation, comes as its first donation from its Learning Differences Programme made directly to an organisation in South Africa. Graduation ceremony of Trevor Noah Foundation's Faranani Infrastructure Project participants. Source: Facebook Inclusive, responsive programmes "Oak Foundation chose the Trevor Noah Foundation for this grant because of its track record in building strong community partnerships, its clear expertise in education, and its great appetite for piloting innovative initiatives, which will help schools find solutions to support children with learning differences," says Bethiel Girma Holton, programme officer for the Oak Foundation's Learning Differences Programme.Founded in 1983, the Oak Foundation supports others in making the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place to live by giving grants to organisations in approximately 40 countries worldwide."We're honoured to be a recipient of Oak Foundation's grant over the next three years," says Shalane Yuen, the executive director of the Trevor Noah Foundation."Designing, implementing and evaluating our programmes to ensure they are inclusive and responsive to our learners' and educators' needs are non-negotiable. It's refreshing to be supported by a funder who acknowledges often overlooked socioeconomic factors such as racism and poverty when accounting for learning differences." Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) is elated to play host to the seventh edition of Automechanika, the world's leading trade fair for the automotive service industry targeting trade visitors from the sub-Saharan region. Tradeshow returns to the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 7-10 June 2022 expanding the already exciting multi-billion Gauteng business events calendar. Automechanika Johannesburg is part of a global network of Automechanika B2B Shows and serves the sub-Saharan African region. It targets numbers of South African and international exhibitors and trade visitors from the sub-Saharan African region automotive service industry and, in fact, the largest business platform of its kind on the African continent which provides over 600 companies from 20 countries with an engagement and trading platform on automotive services industry.The show aims to help stakeholders connect with the future of the automotive service industry as the work continue to battle with low economic growth, soaring food and commodities prices, effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war between Russia and Ukraine.As an international meeting place for the industry, dealership trade and maintenance and repair segment, Automechanika Joburg comes in at an opportune moment as the golden province consolidate its positioning and work as Africas leading automotive city region, explained GTA CEO Sthembiso Sthe Dlamini.One of the key differentiating factors of this years event is the Investment Competition which will give small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) the opportunity to present their ideas and innovations to a panel of industry experts with the aim of identifying the best and most creative innovation. The winner of the competition not only gets an international platform to showcase their talent, but they get the exposure to either sell or become agents for key industry players. The prize money offered is estimated around R350,000 in four categories.The hosting of Mice (meetings incentives conferences and events) events is an inclusive and sustainable economic growth that resolves the challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Positioning Gauteng as a globally competitive destination of choice with the enhanced uptake of its full tourism offering is therefore essential to economic recovery post the Covid-19 lockdown. Transformation is viewed as a catalyst to address the countrys socio-economic problems and therefore Gauteng will continue to bid for hosting of global events because of their associated impact on different sectors and economy at large, Dlamini adds.For more information on Automechanika Johannesburg 2022, please visit www.automechanikasa.co.za Follow us on Twitter @visitgauteng on Facebook at ilovegauteng and @visitgauteng on Instagram using #visitgauteng #GPLifestyle #RooftopGP. South Africa: Alternative energy generation explored to curb load shedding Deputy President David Mabuza says government is exploring alternative energy generation avenues that will ensure not only stability is brought to the countrys power grid but that there is a just energy transition onto a lower carbon footprint. The Deputy President was responding to oral questions during a sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday. Within the framework of the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan, alternative energy generation measures are being explored and implemented to augment electricity supply, and improve the stability of the grid. Furthermore, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has issued determinations on the required new generation capacity, in concurrence with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, he said. He said government understood the impact of load shedding on peoples lives. As government, we are cognisant of the negative impact of load shedding on the countrys economy, and the inconvenience and hardship it causes to the country. However, load shedding is a last resort lever to protect the system from blackout which is a total loss of the electricity network. Mabuza said government has created a regulatory environment that is conducive to opening up the market for alternative power generation. We must make the point that Eskoms load shedding is not as a result of limited market role for alternative power generation, but mainly, a result of breakdowns encountered from the old and aging power generation infrastructure. An improvement in the reliability and predictability of the coal fleet requires adequate financial resources and generation capacity surplus on the system to execute the required additional reliability maintenance. To achieve this, Eskom is driving the Generation Turnaround Programme, he said. He said as coal-fired units and stations are shut down, it is essential that new generation capacity be added to the grid to ensure energy security. Overall, the country has an immediate need for 4 000 megawatts to 6 000 megawatts of additional generation capacity per year, he said. The Deputy President said as part of governments just energy transition strategy, Eskom has proposed an extra 8 000 megawatts of clean energy projects to be added to the grid over the next two to five years. This is a mix of greenfield renewables and gas projects, as well as coal power plant repurposing. Government is also considering various changes which will speed up the acquisition of Independent Power Producers and to reduce further red tape. The Deputy President said an announcement in this regard will be made once all the necessary tasks have been completed. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-06-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. BRICS cooperation leads the way to new era of global development 09:23, June 09, 2022 By Yang Xun, Bai Yang ( People's Daily In recent years, BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have maintained sound momentum of economic and trade cooperation. With the growth rate of exports among them exceeding the global average, BRICS countries have made important contributions to promoting global economic recovery and high-quality development. The emerging-market bloc, whose gross domestic product (GDP), trade in goods and foreign capital intake accounts for 23 percent, 18 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of the worlds total, has become an important force that cannot be ignored in the world economy. In November 2020, the five BRICS countries adopted the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2025, which specified three key spheres of cooperation, including trade, investment and finance, digital economy, and sustainable development, and goals for cooperation in each sphere, charting a new development path for deepening BRICS economic partnership in the next five years. As the BRICS chair for 2022, China will host the 14th BRICS Summit and other activities. China looks forward to working together with other BRICS countries to jointly grasp new opportunities for development, address new risks and challenges, and achieve more robust, greener, and healthier global development by building a more comprehensive, closer, more pragmatic and more inclusive BRICS partnership under the theme of the 14th BRICS Summit: Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development. Since the beginning of the BRICS China Year, the five BRICS countries have held more than 60 important events in key areas such as global governance, epidemic prevention and control, digital economy, sustainable development and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and achieved many positive results. The BRICS Vaccine Research and Development (R&D) Center was officially launched in March; the BRICS Women Innovation Contest has successfully concluded; and the BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Cooperation Alliance was inaugurated. More than 60 vocational schools from the BRICS countries confirmed that they would join the alliance, and several thousand contestants signed up for the 2022 BRICS Skills Competition. BRICS countries are conducting active discussions for the issuance of joint statement on multilateral trading system and the WTO (World Trade Organization) reform, and have reached important consensus on formulating documents for cooperation in digital economy, industrial and supply chains, sustainable development and other fields. The combined forces of pandemic and major changes both unseen in a century have added to the complexity and severity of the international situation. BRICS countries, as representatives of emerging markets and developing countries, should deepen their strategic partnership, act as a stabilizer for international and regional situation and an accelerator for development, contribute solutions for safeguarding fairness and justice, inject strength into the stability of the global market, build a defense line for jointly fighting the pandemic, and provide impetus for international development cooperation, according to Chinas BRICS Sherpa and Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Ma stressed that the five countries should provide support for improving global economic governance. China expects the BRICS countries to promote multilateralism, maintain the multilateral trading system with the WTO as the cornerstone and improve the international financial and monetary system, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all, he said. BRICS is an important mechanism for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, and a key platform for South-South cooperation. Since its inception 16 years ago, BRICS has become a positive, stabilizing and constructive force with rising international influence and appeal on the international stage, and has always been closely linked to the destiny of emerging markets and developing countries. Having completed its first membership expansion, the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) will provide financial support for more developing countries and increase its voice and influence in the international financial system. BRICS countries agreed that it is important to enhance cooperation with other emerging markets and developing countries, further improve the representation of BRICS, make BRICS voice in major international and regional issues more widely heard, join hands to meet challenges, and safeguard the common interests and development space of emerging markets and developing countries. China actively supports the start of BRICS expansion process and expanding BRICS Plus cooperation. During the recently held Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, participants reached consensus on the BRICS expansion process and the first ever BRICS Plus dialogue at the foreign minister level was held, which fully show that the BRICS cooperation is open and inclusive. China will work on BRICS parties to continue to have in-depth discussions on BRICS expansion and determine the standards and procedures for that on the basis of consensus. It looks forward to more like-minded partners joining the big family of BRICS. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) BMWs are built in Germany, Toyotas are imported from Japan and Fords are shipped over from the United States, right? Well, though each of these brands has its global headquarters (and indeed large-scale production facilities) in its respective home country, the reality is mainstream automakers have factories dotted all over the globe. In fact, all three of those marques also happen to build vehicles right here in South Africa. A quick look back at 2021s import figures SAs best-selling imported vehicles of May 2022 Why is India dominating as a country of India for SA? SAs 10 best-selling imported vehicles of May 2022 So, that new BMW 2 Series coupe youre eyeing up is actually screwed together in Mexico rather than Munich. And the Land Rover Defender? Well, it rolls off an assembly line in Slovakia rather than Solihull. This is the way of modern automotive manufacturing.Thanks to South Africas largely robust vehicle-manufacturing industry, most of the countrys best-selling models are produced right here on local soil. In fact, as many as eight of SAs 10 best-selling vehicles of 2021 were locally built models.For instance, Toyota builds the Hilux, Corolla Cross, Corolla Quest and Fortuner at its Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal (though is still battling the aftermath of those devastating April floods), while Volkswagen produces the Polo hatchback (including the flagship GTI) and Polo Vivo at Kariega in the Eastern Cape.So, for the purposes of this exercise, well concentrate on SAs best-selling imported vehicles and exclude all locally produced models, such as the Silverton-built Ford Ranger, Isuzus Struandale-produced D-Max and the Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara, not to mention the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan as well as the Mahindra Pik Up assembled in Durban.Before we delve into May 2022s figures, lets take a step back. According to Naamsa, 262,281 new light vehicles (comprising both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles) originating from 24 countries were imported into South Africa in 2021. Light-vehicle imports as a percentage of total new light-vehicle sales in South Africa increased to 60% last year, despite the popularity of the aforementioned locally built vehicles. If we were to remove light-commercial vehicles from the equation, wed find passenger-car imports accounted for a whopping 78.3% of total new passenger-car sales.India was easily the top country of origin in pure volume terms last year, with the 129,364 units shipped over from that country accounting for 49.3% of total light vehicles imported. Yes, virtually half of all light vehicles imported into SA in 2021 were bolted together in the worlds second-most populous nation, where several global brands Japanese, French and South Korean among them have set up large-scale production facilities focused on entry-level vehicles.Owing to the recent local success of the likes of Haval and Chery, China (21,517 units) also gained traction as a country of origin in 2021, placing third just behind Japan (24,152 units). Germany (19,801 units) slipped to fourth in terms of vehicle-import volumes in South Africa, though stayed clear of South Korea (17,478 units). Spain (11,135 units) was the only other country to ship more than 10,000 units into SA in 2021. In import rand value terms as opposed to pure volume terms, India was also the leading country of origin, followed by Germany.So, lets get down to the nitty-gritty. Which were the strongest-selling imported vehicles of May 2022? Well, once weve excluded the SA-built models that typically dominate the top 10, were left with an interesting mix of imported vehicles. Still, as expected considering Indias domination as a country of origin, budget vehicles from that country are easily the most common.Ranking as South Africas best-selling vehicle overall for the first time, the Suzuki Swift (1,764 units) was thus also the most popular imported model of May 2022. For the record, Maruti Suzuki manufactures the Swift in Ahmedabad, India. Suzuki likewise produces the second-placed Toyota Urban Cruiser (1,213 units) in India, though this model rolls off the line (alongside the Vitara Brezza) at the Gurgaon facility.Third place in May 2022 went to the Volkswagen T-Cross (981 units), which is imported from the German firms Navarra plant in Spain. The Haval Jolion (975 units) which is shipped over from Baoding in China was the fourth best-selling imported model of the month.Next were the Renault Kiger (962 units), Toyota Rumion (834 units), Renault Kwid (827 units), Suzuki S-Presso (783 units), Ford EcoSport (674 units) and Hyundai Atos (668 units), each one built in India though mid- and top-spec derivatives in the EcoSport range are actually imported from Romania, with the base models coming from India.So, what are the reasons behind Indias dominance as a country of origin in South Africas automotive industry? Well, the most obvious explanation revolves around the fact the local market is a particularly price-sensitive one and India happens to be a leading mass-production hub for budget-friendly vehicles. Local divisions of global brands have identified that these vehicles (when priced smartly, of course) tend to find favour among South Africas large group of generally cash-conscious buyers. The right cars for the market (or, more specifically, at the right price), and all that.In addition, with the two republics having developed significant economic ties over the years, a strong trade history exists; South Africa is billed as one of Indias largest trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa. Of course, it also helps the South Asian country is just like us a right-hand-drive market.With South African consumers bracing for yet more inflationary pressure in the months to come (thanks to further expected increases in the interest rate as well as more pain at the pumps, to name but two factors), it seems exceedingly unlikely India will lose its title of top country of origin any time soon. In fact, unless China manages to significantly increase its slice of the pie, India looks poised to push its share well past half of all light vehicles imported into South Africa by the time 2022 draws to a close.1. Suzuki Swift 1 764 units2. Toyota Urban Cruiser 1,213 units3. Volkswagen T-Cross 981 units4. Haval Jolion 975 units5. Renault Kiger 962 units6. Toyota Rumion 834 units7. Renault Kwid 827 units8. Suzuki S-Presso 783 units9. Ford EcoSport 674 units10. Hyundai Atos 668 units Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, says Cabinet is confident the newly appointed members of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Advisory Council will provide government with additional guidance on transformation matters. Image source: Getty Images Kganki Matabane, Chief Executive Officer of the Black Business Council (BBC) Gloria Serobe, a veteran of black business Nthabiseng Moleko, an academic and specialist on industrial development funding Sibongile Sambo, who operates a company in the aviation services sector Sibusiso Maphatiane, an industrialist who runs his own metal foundry business Ajay Lalu, a chartered accountant and B-BBEE specialist Louise Thipe, a senior leader in the labour movement Makale Ngwenya, a trade unionist and researcher Kashif Wicomb, who leads the Progressive Professionals Forum (PPF) Lulu Gwagwa, an academic, spatial development planner and businessperson Thulani Tshefuta, who represents the community constituency and the youth movement at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) James Hodge, Chief Economist of the Competition Commission Khathu Lambani Makwela, a director of a company in the healthcare sector Irene Dimakatso Morati, an internal auditor Gungubele was speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, 9 June 2022.The 14-member council was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. Members were drawn from various sectors, including business, trade unions, community-based organisations and academia.Gungubele allayed concerns from some quarters on the quality of the individuals on the council, saying diverse and wide ranging views emanating from within the council will make it stronger.The council comprises a diverse group of people from business, trade unions, community-based organisations and academia, who will be responsible for guiding government on the transformation of the economy.Anyone who is in the council is treated in their individual capacity. A lot of people who are in that council belong in one way or another to some forum, and in [those forums have their] own principles. Whatever [they] do in [those forums, they] will be judged on that. This will be no different (sic), Gungubele said.Gungubele said ensuring the empowerment of black people within the economy remains paramount to government.While there has been remarkable progress in reversing apartheids distortions on the economy, more work still needs to be done in increasing black management control, upscaling skills development and broadening procurement to give opportunities to black women and the youth, he said. Cape Town, Claremont, R 6000 - R 8000 per month neg Has it always been your passion to begin a sale business Do you wanna own your own business and company one day If yes, this is the call for... No longer conspiracy theory, youth blood-sucking is official fact because the gatekeeping corporate media now acknowledges it. Via The Telegraph: As macabre as it sounds, science is beginning to discover that youth transplants really can slow down the ageing process. The fountain of youth, it seems, is youth itself. Youth transplants is a euphemism for sucking out the vital fluids of baby/child donors and injecting them into aging recipients: Although nobody is suggesting we siphon the bodily fluids of youngsters into our elderly infusing cerebrospinal fluid of young mice into old mice improves brain function, a breakthrough. So, nobody is suggesting medically extracting cerebrospinal fluid from babies/children and injecting it into old (presumably well-paying) clients except thats precisely what theyre studying the feasibility of doing. Biomedical entrepreneurs, in fact, are already cashing in: In 2019, a US start-up called Ambrosia that was offering teenage blood plasma to Silicon Valley billionaires for $8,000 a litre was forced to shut down Where do you suppose that teenage blood plasma was sourced from? The wealthy children of DC elites, or some poor farmers daughter in a Guatemalan village, or the Compton streets, or some Appalachian township? The FDA issued a warning against Ambrosias services on safety grounds, but the founder re-opened after briefly shutting down, he said, with the simple justification that our patients really want the treatment. The mega-rich can disrespect The Science when they really want to harvest the blood of the global poor, but you cant if youre skeptical of experimental COVID-19 mRNA gene therapies marketed as vaccines. Of course, this research is nothing new under the sun; its been quietly budding into a lucrative industry for years. Silicon Valleys Alkahest and other biomedical startups conduct similar research. As one might expect, Bill Gates interest in the nascent industry has also been piqued. Gates, the quintessential robber baron monopoly man in a non-threatening Mr. Rogers getup, loves nothing more than cornering the market on a valuable new biomedical commodity. Why is corporate media mainstreaming anti-aging blood transfusions now? Previously, news of the elite-funded research into blood transfusions as the Fountain of Youth was relegated to the easily-dismissed fringes of journalism. Respectable outlets, in their own estimations, wouldnt touch it. Now the genie is out of the bottle. Corporate media like the Telegraph have made the editorial decision that it makes sense to mainstream the ideas that were once, although not altogether hidden, definitely outside of the purview of the public consciousness. Exposing such research to public inquiry and debate before the time was right might have raised serious ethical pushback and threatened its development. Remember back in the George W Bush days when stem cells were an issue of ethical contention? Look how far the contested ground has shifted. This is called moving the Overton Window shifting the bounds of consensus-driven ethical restraints slowly yet steadily. In this way, the biomedical corporate state avoids the pitfall of stirring enough popular unrest to derail their pet projects. Rather, it introduces these concepts on a controlled timeline. The Telegraph piece gives away this rhetorical game in the last paragraph: It may only be a few years before youth transplants move finally from the pages of gothic horror novels into the clinic. Whether patients will feel squeamish about such vampire procedures remains to be seen. Now that hiding this type of research from public inquiry wont be logistically feasible much longer as its adopted at larger scale, the job becomes to normalize it. The same corporate media now reporting on the blood harvesting phenomenon has long painted it as conspiracy theory. And not just conspiracy theory, but the worst of all: anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, which they likened to the historical blood libel. The bottom-line takeaway here is that conspiracy theorists, once again as was the case with lab-engineered coronaviruses to instantiate a global biomedical technocracy werent wrong; they were ahead of their time. First the corporate media ignores reporting inconvenient stories theyre not ready to introduce to the public, then they outright deny them and label journalists who discuss them conspiracy theorists. Then, when they cant deny anymore, they obfuscate to conceal the true agenda by positing other, purer, philanthropic motives. In this case, the philanthropic motive offered to justify blood harvesting of the global poor for elite benefit is preventing chronic diseases like Parkinsons: In the future, I hope well find more ways to harness substances in our blood to reduce inflammation and promote healing [it] could eventually allow us to do a better job of attacking the proteins that have been implicated in Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Bill Gates Notes That promise might prove true for them. If the elite get their way, youre never going to benefit from such research. Youll always belong to the donor class, the experimented-upon never the beneficiary. Transhumanism is an infinitesimally tiny proportion of the population transcending its humanity by merging with tech while experimenting on the useless eaters and, when theyre done, exterminating the remainder. It is the future the likes of World Economic Forum envision. We, the non-elites, are the unwitting clinical trial participants (which, without proper informed consent, is a Nuremberg human rights crime). Lab rats on a prison planet. Time will increasingly reveal the truth. And more conspiracy theorists will be vindicated in the interim. Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via Armageddon Prose, Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter. Bitcoin public address: 14gU3aHBXkNq8bDqmibfnubV7kSJqfx5LX Through deceit and capitalizing on loopholes in US law for non-profit entities, private corporate and foundation interests have and are pouring vast sums of money to corrupt the US election process in the interest of a dystopian Green Agenda and worse. It consists of a complex network of interests including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Google, Rockefeller funds. The evidence is that this is all being covertly orchestrated by US intelligence agencies to impose a destructive economic and social agenda on the US tied to the Davos Great Reset and UN Agenda 2030. Increasing evidence is coming to light detailing the hijacking of the core of the American elections system that not only sheds light on the 2020 US elections, but also on private financing the very infrastructure of local election clerks and election procedures including drop-box mail-in balloting and expenses of city and county election offices. The room for abuse is staggering as the process is not transparent. At the heart of this is a little-known non-profit known as the oddly-named Center for Tech and Civic Life or CTCL. The alleged creator of CTCL and current head is a former Obama Foundation Fellow, Tiana Epps-Johnson. A close scrutiny of her CTCL funders and operations suggest she was simply chosen as a convenient vehicle by very powerful foundations and Big Tech companies to transform the very structure and control of the American elections process. Center for Tech and Civic Life Epps-Johnson founded CTCL in 2012, when she was in her 20s. By 2019 she was in the big leagues when Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan gave CTCL several donations totaling over $419 million to influence the 2020 US elections. How this was done is a study in sophisticated and patently illegal election manipulation. Stalin once said Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything. Today he might add, Who controls the Ballot Drop Boxes also controls the vote. This is the focus of Zuckerberg and the CTLC. In the US political system each state is responsible for the conduct of election laws. In the run-up to the 2020 elections, following irregularities in the 2018 mid-term Congress elections where Democrats took majority in both houses, Republicans began pointing to a move by radical Democrat states like California, New York, Illinois or Michigan to open the floodgates to potential fraud by not requiring voter photo ID photo, or even standard restrictions on mail-in voting such as postmark or signature. Presently no proof of photo ID is required to cast a vote in 15 states including the most populous states of California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Minnesota. Follow the Money In the crucial November 2020 US election, CTLC played an unprecedented, highly-sophisticated and clearly highly corrupt role to influence the outcome in favor of Democratic candidates, especially Joe Biden as President. It was thanks to donations totaling $419 million, nearly half a billion dollars, from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, through their $86 billion tax-exempt foundation. The crucial point was how and where the money was given out. According to the CTLC website, they opened applications to any local election commission requesting funds, allegedly on a non-partisan basis. The money went direct and state legislatures or government had no control over it, contrary to what is written into the US Constitution. The grants or free funds were officially TO SUPPORT THE SAFE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC ELECTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Here is where it gets interesting. The states where covid lockdowns and social measures were most severe were precisely the key Democratic-run states asking no voter ID and imposing massive mail-in voting because of covid restrictions as noted above, like California, Illinois, Pennsylvania or New York. CTCL announced grants to support unprecedented mail-in voting, including special drop-boxes in key locations to make voting by mail easier, and vote fraud as well. The grant monies could finance vast networks of drop boxes in key Democrat neighborhoods such as Philadelphia, where Democratic Party corrupt machines were in control. Money also might be spent in local election districts to educate poll watchers or train election officials. Oh, how could this go wrong? By law, tax-exempt organizations are required to file detailed expenditure statements to the IRS tax department. The CTLC tax form for the crucial 2020 election year was filed on January 22, 2022. For the first time since the November 2020 elections, it gives a detailed picture of what Zuckerbergs huge donations to CTCL bought. On the surface it appears that grants were indeed given to election commissions requesting regardless of whether it was a known democratic district or Republican. However, a detailed city or county breakdown shows the deception. In many states minimal grants of $5000 were doled out. Many of those went to known Republican areas. Not enough to do much of anything significant. But it allowed CTLC to claim non-partisanship. But in the most notoriously corrupt democratic cities or counties the story was very different. For example the highly-populated Dallas County Texas where 65% voted Democrat, the County Election Commission got an eye-watering $15,130,433 from Tiana Epps-Johnson to spend as they saw fit. No details required. Neighboring Tarrant County where Fort Worth is, and 49% Democrat, was given $1,678,523, and Harris County where Houston is, and 56% Democratic, got a generous $9,663,446. Laredo Texas, a small town on the Mexican border got a juicy $2,435,169. In Democratic-run Pennsylvania where major legal challenges of significant Democrat vote fraud in Philadelphia and Pittsburg were made, Tiana Epps-Johnsons CTLC nonprofit gave $2,052,251 to Allegheny County (Pittsburg) and a generous $10,016,070 to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. That $10 million was granted even as the former Philadelphia Judge of Elections was convicted for his role in accepting bribes to cast fraudulent ballots and certifying false voting results during the 2014, 2015, and 2016 primary elections in Philadelphia. Keep in mind neither CTLC nor Zuckerberg nor any government, required any accountability for their generosity. New York City Board of Elections, under then notoriously corrupt Democrat Mayor Bill DeBlasio (born Warren Wilhelm Jr), got a CTLC contribution of $19,294,627. In Democrat-run Michigan the notoriously corrupt Democrat-run Detroit election officials got $7,436,450 to organize the vote as they saw fit. All told, in the State of Michigan, where significant 2020 vote fraud was claimed and even documented before corrupt judges threw the evidence, CTLC gave an estimated $24 million to some 420 towns and county election commissions. In Democratic Illinois, notoriously corrupt Chicago, home of CTLC, was given $2,269,663 to play with. In the hotly-contested state of Georgia where both Republicans and Democrats were accused of fraud and refusal to legally prosecute it, tens of millions of dollars flowed from CTLC to key Democratic areas such as Dekalb County (83% Democrat) which got $9,625,041. Fulton County (Atlanta) which got some $10.7 million. Gwinnett County Georgia by Atlanta got $6.4 million of a total for Georgia in 2020 of $40 million! Biden won the pivotal swing state by a mere 0.2% of a percent. A corrupt Republican Secretary of State refused to challenge the result despite ample evidence of fraud. Another hotly-contested Swing State in 2020, Arizona, also got millions for key counties from CTLC including fraud-documented Maricopa County which got $1,840,345. And Democrat-run California, got some $18 million in a state asking no voter ID. Non-partisan Tiana and CTLC What is exactly the Center for Tech and Civic Life whose website claims to be about working to foster a more informed and engaged democracy, and helping to modernize US elections,? Tiana Epps-Johnson in her own website modestly claims she is doing, groundbreaking work to make US elections more inclusive and secure. Bizarrely, she calls herself a civic technologist, whatever that is. Leave aside the fact that the most secure elections today are the classical in-person, ID verified paper ballot voting and not hackable Internet-accessible computer voting machines or mail-in or absentee ballots, which are banned in most developed countries. Outdoor Ballot Drop Boxes make vote fraud simple. This was the key to the Zuckerberg CTLC strategy Tiana calls herself the founder and executive director of CTCL. Her Wikipedia bio reads like that of a typical spook, with no personal data such as family, birth. Her stated history begins with her as an undergraduate at Stanford where she allegedly got a BA. Quoting further from her website where she speaks of herself in third person, Prior to CTCL, she was the New Organizing Institutes Election Administration Director from 2012 to 2015. She previously worked on the Voting Rights Project for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. Tiana was selected to join the inaugural cohorts of Obama Foundation Fellows (2018) and Harvard Ash Center Technology and Democracy Fellows (2015). Tiana earned a MSc in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science from Stanford University. Thats it, that is all the world knows about her background. Yet she is entrusted to dole out nearly half a billion dollars to influence the 2020 US elections? Her ties to Obama are so close such that she introduced the Democratic former President in April 2022 to a Stanford student audience for a speech on disinformation, for which Obama is clearly world-class expert. Things become clearer when we look at the funders of this formerly obscure non-profit. In addition to Zuckerbergs Facebook (meta), CTLCs website lists Google, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, eBay billionaire founder Pierre Omidyars Democracy Fund, the Knight Foundation, most notably. Clearly Tiana, the mysterious young civic technologist travels in very high-powered circles. Google-YouTube Censors In a May, 2022 journalist Dinesh DSouza released a documentary detailing actual CCTV video footage of ballot drop box fraud across key states in the 2020 elections. Its titled 2000 Mules, a reference to some 2,000 paid vote fraudsters documented on surveillance CCTV video cameras. They are shown illegally delivering multiple votes to the special ballot drop boxes in key swing state cities like Philadelphia, drop boxes paid for by Zuckerbergs CTLC election largesse. Without the special election temporary drop boxes, allegedly to accommodate the huge increase in mail-in voting in 2020 due to covid, the ballot stuffing in the key states would not have been possible. The mules were allegedly paid $10 per vote stuffed, and identified mules were filmed driving to several drop boxes in the dead of night wearing gloves to avoid fingerprint traces. DSouzas video has been banned on YouTube, a company owned by Google, the same Google which also donated to CTLC. Google enjoys close ties to the CIA as do most key Silicon Valley giants, allegedly also Zuckerberg. It is a spiders web of Democrat NGOs and tax-exempt foundations like Zuckerbergs, who have de facto privatized American elections in a covert way Stalin could only have dreamed of. Since 2020, some 14 states have passed laws forbidding private funding of elections. Similar bills have passed the legislature in another five states, including Pennsylvania, but have been blocked by Democratic governors. F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine New Eastern Outlook HONG KONG (AP) An online snafu involving Chinas most popular e-commerce livestreamer and a cake decorated to look like a tank has raised questions among some Chinese over the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989. FILE - In this June 5, 1989, file photo, a Chinese man stands alone to block a line of tanks heading east on Beijing's Changan Blvd. in Tiananmen Square. An online snafu involving Chinas most popular e-commerce livestreamer and a cake decorated to look like a tank, referencing the iconic Tank Man photo taken during the 1989 student-uprising, has raised questions among some Chinese over the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. (AP Photo/Jeff Widener, File) HONG KONG (AP) An online snafu involving Chinas most popular e-commerce livestreamer and a cake decorated to look like a tank has raised questions among some Chinese over the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989. The order to the People's Liberation Army soldiers to fire on unarmed civilians is a sensitive subject that has long been heavily censored by the ruling Communist Party. Li Jiaqi, Chinas most popular e-commerce livestreamer, is known for hawking everything from lipsticks to frying pans on his online show, where watchers can buy items directly at a discount. He rose to popularity in 2018, gaining the nickname Lipstick King after he one tried on 380 lipsticks during a seven-hour stream, and for selling 15,000 lipsticks in just five minutes during an online shopping festival. But last Friday, Lis online show, which draws tens of thousands of viewers, was cut short after a woman appeared on camera holding what appears to be a small white cake decorated with wafers and cookies to look like a military tank, according to screenshots posted on social media platforms. The abrupt end left thousands of his fans confused. Li briefly became a trending search term in Chinese social media. The show was on June 3, the eve of the anniversary of the June 4, 1989, crackdown on thousands of students gathered in the vast plaza at the heart of Beijing to demand greater democracy. Hundreds if not thousands of protesters are believed to have died. One of the most famous photographs of the military crackdown, commonly referred to as Tank Man, shows a man holding plastic bags standing in front of a line of tanks, appearing to block their approach up Beijing's main east-west thoroughfare, the Avenue of Eternal Peace, or Chang'an Avenue. All such pictures are censored in China. Shortly after his stream was terminated Friday, Li posted on his Weibo platform, similar to Twitter, saying the stream ended early due to a technical error. A replay of the stream was also not uploaded. Neither Alibaba nor Li's agency, MeiOne, has responded to requests for comment. His absence has sparked a flurry of speculation among Chinese online, many of whom were born after 1989 and because nearly all mention of the crackdown is censored inside China, don't know much about what happened then. Keywords and phrases linked to the incident are censored. Searches for Tiananmen June 4 or Tiananmen 1989 turn up no results on search engines and social media platforms in China. Who can tell me what happened to Li Jiaqi? said one user on Weibo. I cant seem to find any information. By Monday, Chinese censors had wiped all photos of the tank-shaped cake and any clip of the live-stream from the Chinese internet. Li hasnt appeared on another livestream session since. Those aware of the Tiananmen Square massacre questioned, using cryptic allusions to June 4 to evade censors, if Li was aware of the sensitivity of showing a tank on a show like his. It has become Li Jiaqis fault for not knowing about an incident that he is not allowed to know, and now he must prove that he really did not know about an incident that he is unaware of, commented a Weibo user with the handle MaxWell_2000, pointing out the Catch-22 nature of the situation. The apparent effort to prevent people from seeing the show prompted some people to say they were learning for the first the first time about the Tiananmen crackdown. I didnt know before, but now I think I know, said one user on Weibo, where self-censoring posts using vague language to refer to sensitive topics are commonplace to evade censors and prevent account suspensions. The apparent censoring of Li's show has had the contrary effect of drawing more attention to it and to what happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989, said Shaun Rein, founder and managing director of China Market Research Group in Shanghai. For many Chinese users, taking Li offline at this time could have the opposite effect of bringing attention to an incident that nobody in China usually talks about, said Rein. LOS ANGELES (AP) Television viewers will find nearly blanket prime-time coverage of a Congressional hearing Thursday on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, with the exception of Fox News Channel. FILE - Violent insurrections loyal to President Donald Trump break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. Over months, the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection has issued more than 100 subpoenas, done more than 1,000 interviews and probed more than 100,000 documents to get to the bottom of the attack that day in 2021 by supporters of former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) LOS ANGELES (AP) Television viewers will find nearly blanket prime-time coverage of a Congressional hearing Thursday on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, with the exception of Fox News Channel. Fox News will cover the first in a series of House Select Committee public hearings as "news warrants," it said in a release, otherwise leaving intact its regular lineup including "Tucker Carlson Tonight." Fox Business Network, Fox News Digital and other corporate siblings will carry the hearing, with Fox News' Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum co-anchoring. On the broadcast side, Fox affiliate stations and those owned by Fox Corp. will have the opportunity but not the obligation to carry the hearing, the company said. With Fox News out of the scheduled mix aside from a post-hearing special at 11 p.m. EDT the most-watched cable network won't add its heft to coverage. While Fox Business is among the top-rated business channels, its peak audience is in daytime, where it's been averaging 227,000 viewers recently. In comparison, Fox News averaged 2 million prime-time viewers last week, and 1.3 million for the full day. Asked why Fox News Channel is foregoing full hearing coverage, a Fox spokesperson referred to a release that says viewers can find the proceeding on multiple Fox News Media cable and digital platforms. Rioters gather at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. The Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol played out for the world to see. But the House committee investigating the attack believes a more chilling story has yet to be told. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The hearing will reconstruct events leading up to the 2021 riot, including then-President Donald Trump's refusal to concede the 2020 election based on false claims of voter fraud and the orchestrated effort to overturn Joe Bidens victory. The Fox News approach is in marked contrast to the other major broadcast networks and cable news channels, which will be covering the 8-10 p.m. EDT hearing in whole. Fox News will air a post-hearing, two-hour special anchored by Fox News chief legal correspondent Shannon Bream, joined by Baier and MacCallum. CNN's coverage will begin at 7 p.m. EDT, anchored by Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper, and resume with post-hearing analysis and further reporting anchored by Don Lemon starting at 11 p.m. EDT. On MSNBC, Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace and Joy Reid are in charge of coverage that begins at 7 p.m. EDT and will continue after the hearings with a special edition of "The 11th Hour" with Stephanie Ruhle. The broadcast networks are giving their nightly news anchors the prime position, with David Muir anchoring for ABC, Lester Holt for NBC and Norah ODonnell for CBS, each starting at or close to 8 p.m. EDT. A judge sent a man to prison for four years on Wednesday morning after he was caught with a loaded, shortened shotgun in his truck meant to defend himself against what he says is a wide-ranging conspiracy against him. Advertisement Advertise With Us FILE The Brandon courthouse. A judge sent a man to prison for four years on Wednesday morning after he was caught with a loaded, shortened shotgun in his truck meant to defend himself against what he says is a wide-ranging "conspiracy" against him. Brian Geer was found guilty of possessing a loaded prohibited firearm without a licence, two counts of improperly storing or transporting a firearm, careless storage of a firearm, resisting arrest and possessing a firearm without a licence for an incident in Killarney in 2018. Geer pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was convicted after a February 2021 trial of having a shortened Remington 870 Wingmaster 12-gauge shotgun and a loaded Remington 7600 6mm pump action rifle, along with live ammunition, in his truck. "A defining feature of Mr. Geers circumstances is his belief that there is a conspiracy involving him and his family, which has existed for years. It involved the government, the police and the courts, amongst others," Justice Sandra Zinchuk said, adding Geer believes the safety of himself and his family might be at risk. "He indicated at trial he had guns to address this risk and that he keeps them loaded because he wants them ready to fire." On Aug. 3, 2018, Killarney RCMP responded to a report Geer was seen with a shortened shotgun in the Westman town. Police saw a firearm sitting on the seat when they found his vehicle, the court heard during his trial. There was an altercation between Geer and the police during the arrest, and officers had to take him to the ground. Police found the loaded guns and ammunition in his vehicle and Zinchuk noted the guns had rounds chambered. The next day, police obtained a search warrant for Geers home, where they found a loaded Remington 870 Wingmaster 12-gauge shotgun in a gun case under the bed in the master bedroom. Officers also found nine live shotgun shells. During his three-day trial in November 2020, Geer told the court he believed there was a grand conspiracy against him, which stretched to the highest levels of the Canadian and American governments and the courts. Geer cited examples of the alleged conspiracy during his testimony, including the RCMP refusing to investigate a dead dog he found in his garage, repetitive problems in his farming operation and damage to his vehicles after he brought them in for repair. In another incident, he said he went for a root canal, but the dentist swabbed his mouth with a virus that made his mouth feel like it was on fire. Geer sat quietly while Zinchuk read her decision Tuesday and leaned forward in his chair. Crown attorney Rich Lonstrup recommended a sentence of four years in prison, while Geer who represented himself in the trial asked for a conditional sentence order, arguing he has followed all court orders since his initial arrest. While there is a range of sentences available for the crimes, Zinchuk said a conditional sentence order in the case would be "wholly inappropriate." "He is not someone who made a mistake," Zinchuk said. "Mr. Geer made a deliberate and calculated choice to possess a sawed-off shotgun and travel with it loaded and chambered in the back seat of his truck He wanted these weapons to be ready to fire. There is no excuse for this alarming and dangerous conduct. It cannot be tolerated." She also noted that shortened shotguns cant legally be purchased, so he would have had to buy it like that or make it himself. Zinchuk sentenced Geer to four years in prison in totality for the crimes, including three and a half years for possessing a loaded prohibited firearm. She also sentenced him to four months for each count of unlawful transportation of a firearm concurrent to each other, two months for careless storage of a firearm and one day each for obstructing a peace officer and possession of a firearm without a licence. Geer was taken into custody by Manitoba Sheriff officers at the end of the hearing. Zinchuk also banned him from owning firearms and ammunition for 10 years and to submit a DNA sample to police. dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ Mining heavyweight Rio Tinto has issued a call for proposals to build large-scale wind and solar farms to help decarbonise its emissions-intensive Queensland aluminium assets. As big emitters around the world face pressure to respond to global warming, Rio said it was seeking clean energy to power its Boyne smelter, Yarwun alumina refinery and Queensland Alumina refinery in the Gladstone area. Rio Tinto is calling for renewable energy projects to power its Queensland aluminium operations. Credit:Will Willitts The company said its Gladstone assets needed 1140 megawatts (MW) of electricity to operate, meaning 4000 MW of wind and solar energy was required. Rio said the potential renewable energy projects would be combined with so-called firming technologies, which could include batteries or fast-start gas plants - to supply power through all weather conditions for its aluminium assets through the Queensland grid by 2030. As Queenslands largest energy user, we have an important role to play in driving the development of competitive renewable energy sources for our Gladstone assets and supporting the states renewable energy targets, Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Ivan Vella said. The camera glides across monuments cut into the huge cliff walls, similar to Petra. This place is beyond imposing. Rahim starts to climb a scaffold that must be 15 storeys high. The camera watches him go up, without a cut. The shot must take two minutes. Early in A Hero, the protagonist Rahim (Amir Jadidi) is released from debtors prison for two days, to repay his debt. He goes to see his brother-in-law Hossein (Alirezah Jahandideh), who works as a restorer on the grave of Xerxes, at Naqsh-e Rostam, near Persepolis in southern Iran. He needs to talk about money. When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer. That was Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) in Die Hard, although he admitted the phrase came from a classical education. In stylistic terms, that shot sorts the sheep from the goats. It breaks the Western rules of editing that celebrate brevity and cutting for real-time grace. Director Asghar Farhadi is telling us to take a deep breath and readjust expectations, particularly to do with time. Hes also setting up the idea this culture has done great things before. What comes next can be read as a comment on modern Iranian society. Like every Iranian filmmaker, Farhadi has to tread carefully, even though he is like Alexander, with few worlds left to conquer. Rahim (Amir Jadidi) is released from debtors prison for two days to repay a debt in A Hero. His films have won two Oscars for best foreign film (A Separation and The Salesman). He has won at Cannes and most of the worlds other top-tier festivals. This is his sixth feature since 2009, and each has been a critical and commercial success. A Hero is no different a superbly engaging moral drama about modern-day Iran although its origins have been mired in controversy and court cases. One of Farhadis students claims he stole the idea. She made a documentary about a man in Shiraz who became famous when he handed in a bag of cash that he found while on leave from a debtors prison. Whatever the truth, the film is a sprawling drama about life in modern Iran. It is not always easy to interpret and the action might be considered slow, but the rewards are great. Australians spend more than one billion dollars a year on body-altering cosmetic procedures. From Brazilian butt lifts to fat-zapping procedures, breast enhancements and facelifts, the cosmetic surgery industry is huge. Now, a joint investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and 60 Minutes has uncovered how the industry leaves patients unprotected, puts profits before safety and the laws that allow doctors with minimal surgical training to call themselves cosmetic surgeons. Adele Ferguson is the journalist who investigated Australias cosmetic cowboys and she joins host Nathanael Cooper for todays episode of Please Explain. A court has dismissed a cosmetic surgeons second attempt to view draft copies of an investigation by award-winning journalist Adele Ferguson, which is due to be published by 60 Minutes, the Herald and The Age. Dr Joseph Ajaka, the founder of Cosmos Clinic, sued the media outlets in the NSW Supreme Court last month seeking for his lawyers to inspect the draft stories because he believed they may defame him or constitute an injurious falsehood. Investigative journalist Adele Ferguson. Credit:Simon Schluter Ferguson had sent Ajaka detailed questions in an email, and he brought the court action several days later when he saw a promo for 60 Minutes. The cosmetic surgeon initially obtained a court order for the stories to be handed over, however this was defeated in the Court of Appeal on Wednesday. Ajakas lawyers then launched fresh action again seeking to inspect the drafts. A Sydney boy who went missing on Wednesday has been found after surviving a night of freezing temperatures in The Hills District. But in a twist, his father has been arrested in an unrelated drug matter after police say they found marijuana plants inside the family home during the missing persons investigation. Christopher Wilson, 11, who went missing after he got off a school bus on Annangrove Road, Annangrove, on Wednesday afternoon, has been found by residents. Credit:Nine/Lauren Tomasi Christopher Wilson was reported missing after he failed to return home from school on Wednesday afternoon, which police described as extremely out of character. After an overnight search by police and family, the 11-year-old was seen walking along Annangrove Road towards home. When things go wrong, the truth is buried by heavy-handed legal tactics such as sending unhappy patients threatening legal letters, writs or gag orders in return for refunds, making it difficult for prospective customers to know whats really going on and for affected patients to get proper recompense. But a joint Sydney Morning Herald, Age and 60 Minutes investigation has laid bare the dark underbelly of the cosmetic surgery business, where patients are left unprotected by a system that allows risks to be downplayed, profit to be put before patient safety, and laws that allow doctors with minimal surgical training to call themselves cosmetic surgeons some after undertaking courses in facelifts and tummy tucks over a weekend. For most patients, Instagram and TikTok posts and rave reviews from happy patients are the easiest way to judge a cosmetic surgeons abilities, which can range from posts promoting their Kim Kardashian or Beyonce-style Brazilian butt lifts (BBL), svelte tummy tucks, breast enhancements and facelifts. The glamorous before-and-after posts, and tales of successful surgeries spruiked by influencers and celebrity doctors to their many followers have become glossy appeals to vanity. Australians are lapping it up, spending more than $1 billion a year on body-altering procedures as we strive to zap away the fat and look younger. In the world of cosmetic surgery, image is everything and social media drives business. That expose triggered a series of regulatory inquiries and most of Lanzers associates had conditions imposed on their medical registration. But, six months on, the inquiries continue and the body count of unhappy patients mounts. It is the latest scandal to hit the industry after an expose into the clinics of Dr Daniel Lanzer uncovered safety and hygiene issues and doctors dancing and laughing while thrusting long stainless-steel cannulas into an unconscious male patient. Worst of all: a culture of never admitting when things go wrong. Experts say Instagram and TikTok act as unregulated shopfronts for the cosmetic surgery industry, using influencers to lure the next batch of high-paying customers. Whistleblowers allege unethical, unprofessional and dangerous work practices including potentially illegal surgeries in commercial offices and conditions that resemble an abattoir. Medical experts have described some scenes as barbaric and worse than the Wild West. Dozens of patients say they were lured by before-and-after images on social media before their surgery ended in disfigurement, deformity and sometimes physical and mental pain. This is a world where influencers are given free or discounted procedures in return for endorsements of their surgeon or clinic, often without disclosing their secret arrangements. If theyre botched, there are contracts that prevent them from speaking up. When she woke up from surgery she knew something wasnt right and started screaming for help. She says she was given ketamine and the opioid fentanyl by her doctor to try to help calm her down. She booked in and then it all went wrong. She says she was drawn in by the impressive before-and-after posts on Cosmos Instagram pages and by influencers making positive comments about their BBLs. Keisha Amoah is one of several patients who had a markedly different experience from the public image Cosmos Clinic presents online. She had liposuction and a BBL in April 2021 at Cosmos Clinic in Hawthorn, Melbourne. Ajaka took action in the NSW Supreme Court to obtain a copy of this investigation, to then stop it from being published. On Wednesday, the publishers successfully overturned the decision in the Court of Appeal. And on Thursday fresh action was quashed in the Supreme Court. Now a fresh investigation has uncovered a litany of troubling practices across the countrys biggest cosmetic procedures group, Cosmos Clinics, founded by Dr Joseph Ajaka, which has clinics and day hospitals in five states. Accusations range from breaches of social media guidelines, botched outcomes and poor aftercare. Amoah, 26, was in pain for months, unable to pick up her young children. She had revision surgery to fix up the mess in December. The doctor who operated on her was Dr Reza Ahmadi, a GP, who branched out into cosmetic surgery a few years ago and in October 2018, shortly before joining Cosmos, was on social media with two plastic surgeons, hashtagging facelifting and holding a certificate from the European College of Aesthetic Medicine & Surgery (ECAMS), an organisation that offers short online and face-to-face courses in cosmetic surgery. Some courses in facelifts take 15 hours. Hospital records show she received multiple lacerations to her liver and she was bleeding internally for hours. Please help me, I cant die, Ive got three kids, she wailed when staff finally gave in to her screams after five hours and handed her a phone so she could call an ambulance. Ive just had a procedure. There could be something seriously wrong. I really need to get to a hospital, she told the emergency ambulance operator in a recorded message obtained by Nine. Face down and immobilised in the recovery room, she was left to call an ambulance. When Mulelly complained to Cosmos head office, she says she was offered a small payment in return for signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which she declined. In the eight months that followed, Reza continued to operate out of the Melbourne practice, performing surgeries on many patients including Shanade Mulelly, who says she has uneven buttocks and shooting pains down her leg after an unsatisfactory BBL and liposuction procedure. Youre only seeing the best of the best on their Instagram pages; youre not seeing the women with scar tissue, botched surgeries that have to keep going back to get things fixed, Amoah says. Professor Mark Ashton is an expert plastic surgeon who is doing restorative work on cosmetic surgery victims. Credit:Chris Hopkins Days after the surgery, on May 13, 2021, Amoah and her mother Anne rang Cosmos head office in Sydney to give a detailed account of what happened, including poor aftercare that resulted in another visit to the hospital. With Keisha, what happened was he went too deep because he was unaware as to where that cannula was positioned and he started lipo-sucking Keishas liver Its worse than the Wild West. The Wild West, at least you knew you were going into an environment which was dangerous. Plastic surgeon Mark Ashton, a professor of surgery at the University of Melbourne, said Amoah could have died if she hadnt called an ambulance. The NDA basically meant that I couldnt speak about them in any way moving forwards and they werent admitting that anything had been done wrong, she said. She lodged a complaint with national watchdog the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She believes the regulators need to do their job. I would like AHPRA ... to ensure that any person who decides to make this type of decision has the right information to help them before and after the purchase, and there is a support mechanism in place to ensure that if they need to get a refund, you dont have to sign an NDA. Taylor S is another Cosmos patient in pain after a fat transfer and BBL with Reza. After the surgery, she was left with an egg-shaped rock in her right buttock that makes it hard to sit down. Taylor S says Cosmos social media content led her to believe they were the best of the best, before suffering internal injuries during surgery. Credit:Chris Hopkins Ultimately, if it wasnt for their social media, I wouldnt have chosen that cosmetic surgeon, she says. Taylor says the before-and-after images of BBLs, and the fact they promoted doing more than 4000 of them, made her believe Cosmos was the best of the best. When she called Cosmos head office in Sydney late last year, she says she got the runaround. How can you not follow up a customer whos in pain? I hadnt asked for any money back, I just said, Im in pain and I just want it dealt with. Thats all. She gave up and saw a plastic surgeon who told her he could remove the lump but it would leave a hole in her buttock and he couldnt guarantee it would relieve the pain. I knew there were risks involved but I didnt know there was a potential for lifelong pain or even a hard rock to be in my cheek, she says. Whats happened to me has literally destroyed my life, not just emotionally but in every single aspect of my life. Rebecca, Cosmos patient There are other unhappy patients at Cosmos who were tempted by social media. Rebecca, who asked to use this name for privacy reasons, had liposuction and a BBL at a Cosmos Clinic in NSW in July 2020. The 28-year-old community nurse hoped the surgery would boost her confidence and appearance but it upended her life instead. It looks like someone put a piece of fake plastic on my abdomen like rolled out Play-Doh in the shape of a snake, bulging from one side of my abdomen to the other, she says. Rebecca had cosmetic surgery at a Cosmos clinic. Ever since the surgery, her suffering is constant and unbearable. Im in pain 24/7, she says. My abdomen feels like there are pins all the time pricking me across my entire abdomen. Whats happened to me has literally destroyed my life, not just emotionally but in every single aspect of my life. It has also left her suffering from anxiety and depression. Id have panic attacks and just wake up very flustered, very aggravated and I would feel like I couldnt breathe like someone was choking me. Id wake up and I would be wet. So Id get up, Id look, Id check, I would think it was all in my head, so Id have to physically touch the clothes to be like, Is it all in my head or am I actually soaking wet? She had revision surgery at Cosmos but it didnt work. She asked for compensation to pay for a plastic surgeon to fix her abdomen. She was offered $4400 and no admission of liability. Throughout her ordeal she posted on a private Instagram account about what had happened. I created a page where I took videos of what it was like first day home, what you wear you had to wrap things around you because you were leaking so I recorded all of that and then I stopped posting on my Instagram page because I received a letter from their lawyer threatening to sue me for defamation, she said. The letter claims she had engaged in a campaign against Cosmos to extort and defame them for financial gain. She sought legal advice and decided to file a medical negligence case. I just thought they dont get to do that to me. They dont get to destroy my life and think that they get away with it. The case continues and so does Rebeccas trauma. Its destroyed my life. If it wasnt for my family, I would be homeless. I physically cannot work full-time. It is too exhausting, she says. Rosie Terre says she was 23 when she tried to put up a negative Google review. It quickly disappeared. Rosie Terre is a victim of cosmetic surgery. Credit:Louise Kennerley The social media influencer, who has more than 90,000 followers, had a BBL at Cosmos in Sydney in 2018 that left her with lopsided hips and buttocks and a second surgery she hadnt factored in when she signed up for the procedure. In late 2018 she wrote a negative one-star Google review and shared her experience on Instagram. Its really sad because I thought these were the best of the best. But they showed me the opposite ... So please be aware and think twice about a BBL because the suffering they put me through was not even close to worth it! When she warned her Instagram followers that she would soon tell all about her experience at Cosmos, she received a legal letter threatening defamation proceedings unless she deleted her Instagram story. The letter also threatened to go to the police. We regard your conduct as extortionate and if necessary will refer this matter to the NSW Police for investigation, the legal letter said. Cosmos followed up with a writ in the Federal Court of Australia, which it discontinued last September. Terre stopped posting about Cosmos but says there is no doubt the legal threats frighten people. People are scared. They threaten people They have so much money. She said its embarrassing to admit to a botched BBL but speaking up is necessary. If I can help one person, Im happy to go through what I did. There is also evidence Cosmos uses influencers to promote its clinics in return for discounted procedures. One influencer contract seen by this masthead and 60 Minutes includes thousands of dollars discounted from the cost of a procedure in return for the influencer posting content within three weeks of treatment. The contract includes an instruction to post a minimum of three tagged Instagram stories. Tag @cosmosclinic along with the doctor/nurse in charge of your treatment the content should adopt a friendly, conversational tone. If things go wrong, a non-disparagement clause in the contract gags them from speaking up, expressly or implied. In this case, the influencer was left in chronic pain. When they complained and asked for compensation, Cosmos offered a refund with strings attached: an NDA with no admission of liability and a non-disparagement clause. It didnt stop Cosmos from continuing to use the influencers photos on its website and there was no mention of the complications or persistent pain. Margaret Faux, a lawyer and health regulation expert, believes the practice of paying influencers or giving them discounted or free surgery to promote the practice should be criminalised. Social media is a huge factor in the cosmetic industry. There are a lot of issues around body image, body dissatisfaction, influencers but this is so serious, so corrupt and immoral and dangerous that I actually think we should be looking at this through a criminal justice lens, she said. Social media experts Maddison Johnstone and Michael Fraser have been investigating social media use in the cosmetic surgery industry. Credit:Paul Harris Social media experts Maddison Johnstone and Michael Fraser have been examining 100 cosmetic surgery operators. They say Cosmos was already popular and was able to expand its reach when Lanzer and associates removed themselves from Instagram after the expose. The pair have developed software that captures everything posted on the Instagram and TikTok accounts of Australias leading cosmetic surgeons. This is critical because a lot of social media disappears after 24 hours, making it easier to upload controversial posts undetected by the regulators. They use Instagram stories quite frequently and also post in their stories shared posts from the patients. So if a patient says, Im so happy doc. Thank you so much. Youre the best. Theyll frequently, or they have in the past, shared those testimonials which is in breach of the guidelines, Johnstone said. A social media post from Cosmos Clinics. Under the national law overseen by AHPRA, it is a breach of the guidelines to use testimonials or purported testimonials about the service or business. This is currently under review. Johnstone and Fraser believe cosmetic surgeons are attempting to bypass this law by sharing videos or photos of patients happy with their results. In a social media post captured by Johnstone and Frasers software, Cosmos founder Dr Joseph Ajaka is not looking at his patient as he talks to a camera and spruiks Vaser liposuction, which involves the use of a heated tip, while performing Vaser lipo on a patient. While hes talking to the camera, hes shoving a long, thin instrument that is about 18 inches long, and about 3 millimetres wide lets call it a javelin backwards and forwards into the abdomen, and hes got no idea where the tip of that is at all, plastic surgeon Mark Ashton says. This is dangerous because if you dont know where the tip of the cannula is, the cannula can easily be in the wrong place What that means is you can then perforate the liver or the spleen or the kidneys. In a 2018 video Ajaka is operating on a patient without wearing a mask. In another, he marks up a patient in a theatre while someone plays the piano. It is all designed to grab attention, says Fraser. Sexy photos of patients are posted and then shared by the Cosmos staff. It is a clever way of getting around testimonial loopholes. Johnstone says sexy photos are becoming increasingly common across some cosmetic surgery organisations. In some instances, it is hard to know whats being advertised. Is it a bikini shot? Is it makeup? Whats actually happening here? Theres no procedure thats being mentioned These women are being used. These patients are being used in a very vulnerable sexualised way, to advertise cosmetic surgery, she says. Social media is the shopfront of cosmetic surgery. Without reining in advertising conduct of providers it will be a standard practice to see sexualised images, selfies and influencers to sell cosmetic surgery. Advertising unrealistic outcomes, coupled with an industry that dedicates so much to image management, innocent people are being swallowed into expecting the impossible. NDAs, defamation lawsuits, legal threats and removing critical reviews leaves an uninformed consumer base. Rezas social media posts had an emphasis on sexy patient photos. Sometimes he posted photos of BBLs of women he hadnt operated on. He posted [an image] on his Instagram page with a caption making out that it was me post-op. I was like, Thats deceiving, Taylor S said. Made popular by celebrity Kim Kardashian and singer Beyonce, the BBL is considered so dangerous that most trained plastic surgeons such as Ashton refuse to do them. In 2019, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons recommended its members not to perform BBLs after a string of deaths. They stand by that decision. Some disagree, citing research that states they are less dangerous than a tummy tuck. The BBL is Cosmos signature procedure and its doctors proudly promote it by wearing Buttman caps. Its website boasts more than 4000 BBLs. Its the procedure that has earned it the most money tens of millions of dollars and the one it promotes most heavily. Its the procedure that could have cost Keisha Amoah her life an event that Mark Ashton described as a sentinel event that should have resulted in Rezas automatic suspension by Cosmos from operating. Dr Reza Ahmadi, who was a cosmetic surgeon at Cosmos, in a social media post. The fact that he was allowed to continue operating, putting additional patients at risk, reflects back on that organisation as that is either focused only on money and not about patient care; or it doesnt care about patient safety; or it is completely unaware of the risks of that procedure, he said. In December, Ashton reported Reza to the regulators. Then in January Rezas profile was quietly removed from the Cosmos website and his social media accounts disappeared. He turned up at a no-frills bulk billing facility in Werribee, 32 kilometres south-west of Melbournes CBD, with plans to start offering cosmetic procedures. In April, APHRA banned him from doing cosmetic surgery including BBLs, but allowed him to continue to practise as a GP. A series of questions were sent to Cosmos and Ajaka, including whether or not it reported Reza to AHPRA and if so, when. It failed to respond but issued a statement. Cosmos has performed more than 25,000 liposuction procedures and over 4000 BBL procedures and has had no fatalities, Ajaka said. That is because patient safety informs everything that we do. We are different from our competitors who operate low-cost/high-volume practices. We are proud of our staff-to-patient ratio. As at 2021, even though we employed twice the number of professional staff, we performed 30 per cent fewer surgeries than our largest competitor. In a statement Reza said he couldnt comment because of patient confidentiality. At all times I have acted diligently, professionally and sought to achieve the best results for my patients. I appreciate and respect the role of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). I will provide any assistance necessary in order for AHPRA to carry out its functions. For patients like Keisha Amoah, Taylor S, Shanade Mulelly and others who he left with pain or disfigurement, the conditions on Reza are not enough. Shanade Mulelly is a cosmetic surgery victim. Credit:60 Minutes I just dont feel that somebody who doesnt do what theyve agreed to do when they become a doctor, which is look after their patients and put their patients health first, should be practising at all. Its just not fair, Amoah says. Cosmos recently reopened its Melbourne clinic with a new doctor who, like the others, has a standard medical degree. In Sydney, Cosmos continues to promote itself on social media as doctors who care. To watch the 60 Minutes program head to 9Now. A multi-vehicle crash that left a car on its roof forced three of the four southbound lanes on the Pacific Motorway to close on Thursday afternoon, with resulting traffic delays peaking at 30 kilometres. Emergency services were called to the M1 southbound just after 2.15pm on Thursday to a truck and car crash, between the Ormeau and Yatala exits. The car rolled on the M1 southbound. Credit:Queensland Ambulance Service - Twitter A woman in her 30s was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital with abdominal pain, while a man in his 30s went to the same hospital with facial cuts and a lower leg injury. Both were in stable conditions, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service. It is about situational awareness, Cheng said. Information about how many people are getting infected, who is being hospitalised, where the virus is spreading ... can help us make forecasts about when things are going to get worse or better. With Australia transitioning to living with coronavirus, abandoning measures such as contact tracing and mandatory mask wearing, University of Melbourne epidemiologist Professor James McCaw said it was as critical as ever to understand how the virus was behaving. Weve got basically eight different systems operating, said former Victorian deputy health chief officer Professor Allen Cheng. Credit:Wayne Taylor What we need is systems that allow us to infer or estimate how the virus is spreading in the community, the advisor to the federal government on its pandemic response said. It is through well-designed, sustainable surveillance systems that you can anticipate what the impact will be in terms of clinical loads in hospitals and where you may have an opportunity to actively respond and dampen outbreaks. Prior to winning the federal election, the Labor Party committed to establishing an Australian Centre for Disease Control, promising the dedicated body would have capacity to monitor current and emerging threats and work with state governments and medical providers to prepare for the next crisis. Loading It is unclear how the proposed centre will work in practice. But experts say Australia should look to UKs coronavirus infection-tracking surveillance system, which has been praised globally as a leader in providing precise insights on outbreaks and hospitalisations. Throughout the pandemic, Australia has relied heavily on the UKs data system to forecast the potential outcomes of its own coronavirus waves. The Imperial College Londons REACT study, the largest population surveillance study undertaken in England, has been instrumental in scrutinising the prevalence of COVID-19 in the general population. It uses test results and feedback from more than 150,000 participants each month. This is on top of the UKs regular coronavirus infection surveys from the Office for National Statistics that uses finger-prick antibody tests from randomly selected adults in England to assess the movement of COVID-19. Loading Burnet Institute epidemiologist Michael Toole said Australia was an outlier for its lack of a national standard information system for coronavirus and was lagging behind the US and UK in its data collection. This is something we desperately need, he said. But he warned it was going to be tough to nationalise public health data. All you need is for Tasmania or Western Australia to say no and youve got no CDC, he said. If I could wave a magic wand it would be CDC that is supported by all eight jurisdictions able to attract the brightest minds in Australia. That may have to be a network, rather than a concrete building. A spokesman for Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the department continued to examine ways in which the collection, storage and utility of data relating to COVID-19 and other notifiable diseases could be improved. The government is currently considering a range of options with respect to a future Australian CDC model, he said. With influenza cases soaring nationally, McCaw said such an infectious disease system could also help Australia better respond to the flu and other pathogens every year. The mathematical biologist said one of the most critical learnings from the pandemic is the importance of having a robust surveillance system. The UK has shown us throughout the pandemic how many insights can be gained from a really strong surveillance systems, McCaw said. Loading We have an opportunity to reimagine or rethink how we do surveillance in Australia not just of coronavirus, but other pathogens and this is an opportunity not to be missed. Asked if we were prepared for the next pandemic, Lewin said she had doubts, adding that Australia must put measures in place now to ensure the next pathogen did not spread as fast and wide as coronavirus. A former Brighton Secondary College student said he didnt feel safe to be Jewish at the school and was no longer proud of who he was, a court heard on Thursday. Matt Kaplan, 17, went from being dux of the school in year 7 to struggling to keep up and said he was spat at, kicked, called a f---ing Jew, told to get in an oven, faced swastikas and daily anti-Semitism including Heil Hitlers and Nazi salutes. Former Brighton Secondary College students Matt Kaplan, left, and Liam Arnold-Levy have accused the school of ignoring complaints of anti-Semitism. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui He is one of five Jewish students suing the state and Brighton Secondary College for negligence and failing to protect them from racial discrimination in the Federal Court of Australia. Kaplan told the court his Polish grandfathers four brothers were murdered in the Holocaust. His grandfather escaped to Russia, then to Israel where his father was born. Climate change, Clive Palmer and China were identified as issues that hurt the WA Liberals in last months election at a controversial and secretive post-election debrief held at the Italian Club on Wednesday night. WAtoday spoke to three attendees of the event, the only one of its kind for lay party members to air grievances about the campaign which resulted in the partys primary vote being smashed by 10.4 per cent in WA and five seats lost one to independent Kate Chaney and four to Labor. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison attending a rally for Liberal Party supporters in Perth during the election. Credit:James Brickwood The event caused friction within the party, with former defence minister Linda Reynolds raising concerns with the organiser and policy committee chair Sherry Sufi. Media were banned, the guest list was carefully vetted, and attendees were not allowed to turn on mobile phones, take notes or blame individuals, including members of the group of powerbrokers known as The Clan, for the election loss. The failure of Australian politics on gas supply has been chronic and expensive. The fundamental decision, under both major parties during the 2000s, was to allow gas projects to go ahead without a national reservation policy. As with submarines, a political system focused on a short-term cycle was woeful at long-term decisions. Loading Yet the warnings from unions and manufacturers are as relevant now as they were then. McDines successor at the AWU, Daniel Walton, wants a windfall tax on gas exporters to punish them if they do not supply the domestic market. While Treasurer Jim Chalmers ruled this out on Wednesday, Labor has to find an alternative lever if it is not going to use a tax. The oil and gas companies are not going to find a solution unless you drag them kicking and screaming, says Walton. He wants an outcome that goes beyond the gas trigger because he believes the answer has to ensure an affordable price as well as a fair supply. While Labor turned a deaf ear to the AWU when it was last in government, it does not look like doing the same again. One of the facile claims about the problem is that there is no gas shortage at all that Australia is swimming in gas. This is only true if the government orders companies such as Chevron, Santos and Woodside to break contracts with customers in Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore and elsewhere. The energy crisis would snowball into a foreign affairs nightmare. Cutting supplies of Australian gas would undermine efforts in Europe to respond to the invasion of Ukraine by reducing the worlds reliance on Russian gas. There is no surge in Australian supply. The country produced 5377 petajoules of gas last year, up by 1 per cent from the previous year, says Graeme Bethune, the chief executive of EnergyQuest. Total exports of liquefied natural gas were 4413 petajoules, or 82 per cent of production. About a third of the exports were shipped from the east coast while the rest came from Western Australia and the Northern Territory. About 90 to 95 per cent of the exports were shipped under long-term contracts. While the ideal solution to a gas shortage is to find a renewable alternative to gas, the electricity grid cannot be rewired quickly. And manufacturers rely on gas as a raw material. Inevitably, the argument comes down to whether Labor will support new gas fields. King is counting on more gas coming online next year. This is based on a plan by Santos to put another gas rig in the Cooper Basin and plans by Beach Energy and Cooper Energy to extract more from the Otway and Bass basins. There was outrage, however, when she backed a bigger project: the Scarborough field being developed by Woodside off the WA coast. The member for Warringah, Zali Steggall, said it was madness to give Scarborough the green light. The member for Kooyong, Monique Ryan, said it was completely at odds with climate action to allow the project to go ahead. What about the Narrabri gas field being developed by Santos in regional NSW? Will Albanese and his ministers support it, as the NSW state government has done, or will they find it too hard to argue the case with voters who believe gas should be left in the ground? Labor cannot win the argument on energy and climate without having a persuasive answer. Loading Greens leader Adam Bandt has a simple position: no more coal and gas. He hammered this point in the election campaign instead of debating the best target for carbon emissions. And his message lifted the Greens to their best-ever result. Albanese, who has never been a great friend of the Greens, has to find a way to give the AWU what it wants without losing more voters to the Greens or to independent candidates who will target Labor seats. The question about domestic reservation has to set up decisions about new gas fields. What is the point if there is no new gas to reserve? While it is risky to apply a reservation policy to old gas fields, it is not too late to apply it to new ones. It is very hard to see Albanese having an answer on energy without supporting new gas production, so Bowen and King are at the start of a rocky process with their new review. Large power companies and energy experts insist new rules to drive funds into gas-fired power stations will be vital to backing up renewables and smoothing the energy transition, but some state and federal ministers are at loggerheads over the future of the fossil fuel. In an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss soaring power and gas prices, Australias energy ministers agreed to push ahead with sweeping reforms to bolster the electricity grid and ensure an orderly shift away from fossil fuels. The proposals included introducing a so-called capacity market, which would reward energy projects for guaranteeing power that can be called upon when needed, rather than only paying them for the power they produce. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen says his state counterparts are working on climate change reforms in a spirit of cooperation. Credit:Janie Barrett The reforms are spearheaded by federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen and mainly aimed at spurring investment in technologies such as big batteries and pumped hydro. However, it is expected to be technology-neutral and has sparked concerns among green groups and the Victorian government that it may lead to prolonging the life of coal and gas in the energy market. All states and territories have already committed to reduce emissions and decrease the use of coal in their power grids to hit net zero by 2050. A luxury Toorak home featuring an Aladdins cave underground garage has sold after just 10 days, in a deal believed to be worth close to $12.8 million. The three-bedroom, French-inspired home at 7 Ottawa Road sold after expressions of interest were called for, with the online advertisement showing a deal was done on June 2. The unique home at 7 Ottawa Road, Toorak, has sold after 10 days on the market. Credit:Forbes Global Properties Forbes Global Properties selling agent Robert Fletcher confirmed the sale but would not comment further. Its understood that a local family were the buyers, snapping it up for close to the top end of the asking price range of $12 million to $12.8 million an offer too good for the vendor to refuse. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2022 is less than two weeks away and leaders in the financial services industry are preparing to brave the cold for a good cause on June 23. Simplicity Loans and Advisory executive director - lending Jean-Pierre Gortan (pictured above) has raised over $19,000 so far for the 2022 CEO Sleepout. The annual one-night event involves business and community leaders sleep without shelter on one of the longest nights of the year. The aim is to raise funds and help change the lives of Australians experiencing homelessness. In 2021, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout raised more than $9.3 million. I was very close to not participating this year, said Gortan. I thought to myself it has been a tough year but then I realised it was such a small sacrifice for just one night a year, so I should just go and do it. Read more: Fintech launches Islamic digital banking prototype Gortan, who will be participating in the CEO Sleepout for the fourth time, has created a concept where he is selling advertising space on the clothes he will wear on the night and has approached finance businesses to donate for the cause. I have sold pieces of clothing and supplies that I will wear on the night, Gortan said. For example, Judo Bank have donated $2,000 so I will be sleeping in a Judo Bank sleeping bag on the night. During the night I will be thanking the growing number of organisations for their donations. The companies supporting Gortan so far include: Bendigo Bank LBH Partners Pepper Money Zagga Group Secured Lending National Finance Brokers Day Marketplace Finance M-Squared Capital Judo Bank CC Property Advisory Gortan said as a business leader, it was important to take a leading role by supporting events and charities such as Vinnies and its CEO Sleepout. When I started in the industry, I was inspired by the leaders and what they were doing, he said. They were busy people, but I think if they take those first steps and other people follow, its very important. To give back where I can is the least I can do. Gortan said he wanted to demonstrate to his daughters the importance of being involved in charity and community. By taking part in this event, it creates a pathway for them to follow in my footsteps, he said. It is such a rewarding thing to do and the CEO Sleepout is a fantastic initiative. You can donate to support Jean-Pierres sleepout here: CEO Sleepout - Jean-Pierre Gortan Pepper Money CEO Mario Rehayem and chief financial officer Therese McGrath (pictured below) are giving up their beds for one night and sleeping out to support the cause. To date, the two executives have collectively raised over $24,000 to provide food, accommodation and essential services to people experiencing homelessness every day. It will be the first time Rehayem and McGrath have taken part in the annual CEO Sleepout. As we enter the colder months of the year here in Sydney, Im reminded how fortunate most of us are having a warm bed to sleep in every night, Rehayem said. However, for some people that arent as fortunate, we thought we would lend a hand at raising awareness and some money to make it a little bit easier for those that experience homelessness every year. Read more: How are Australians reacting to second rate rise? McGrath chairs the Pepper Money Giving Program, an initiative that manages sponsorship and donations for charity and community partner. She said with so many people struggling, the CEO Sleepout would give her real insight into what it was like to sleep on the streets. Thank you to all our sponsors, McGrath said. Each contribution will go towards vitally important services such as individual support programs, beds and meals for people in our community who need it most. The Sleepout promises to be an incredible, eye-opening night that unlocks compassion and understanding whilst raising lots of money to help Vinnies change peoples lives. All you need is a big heart to support us, she said. You can donate to support Rehayem and MacGrath here: CEO Sleepout Mario Rehayem CEO Sleepout - Therese McGrath It will be the second CEO Sleepout for Lendi Groups CEO of distribution Brad Cramb (pictured). He has raised more than $3,000 so far for the 2022 event. The CEO Sleepout is a cause which our executives and our board are very passionate about, Cramb said. Last year I participated and the Lendi Group raised $48,000 for Vinnies which provides food, accommodation, counselling and employment opportunities for people in need. This year we have set our sights on doubling that figure in donations. Cramb said he, and the Lendi Group, were humbled to be a part of this cause to help those in need. This year we have invited the Aussie broker network and our franchisees to join us by sleeping rough, he said. Aussie has the largest network of brokers in the country, so this is another opportunity for people in each state and territory to spread the word and give back to their local communities. The Lendi Group will match the highest amount of money raised by any participating individual within the group dollar for dollar to help us achieve our goal of raising $100,000 for Vinnies. Cramb said approximately 278,000 Australians were assisted by specialist health and welfare services in 2020 and 2021, which was almost 1% of the population. Support for these services has never been so important, so the work Vinnies does in this space is remarkable. This is why we want to do our part by raising awareness. You can donate to support Crambs sleepout here: CEO Sleepout - Brad Cramb AFGs head of sales and distribution Chris Slater (pictured) has raised almost $14,000 so far for Vinnies and will also be joining the 2022 sleepout. I was asked to join the event by AFG broker Andrew Best, Slater said. This will be the second time I will be taking part in the CEO Sleepout after joining the event in 2016. My Aunty was a Good Shepherd Sister [Catholic nun] who is now retired and did a lot of work with Vinnies throughout her career, so I have always admired what they do and working in an industry that benefits so much off housing, it feels good to be able to give a tiny bit back. Slater said Vinnies do great community-based work helping real people who have genuine needs including those who are homeless. By helping Vinnies who help others is a privilege and an honour really, he said. Slater said the financial support of donations had been unexpectedly strong from AFG brokers, industry partners, AFG staff, family and friends. It has been inspiring to see others in our Industry all pitching in with some amazing fundraising. I think every little bit helps, so a huge thank you to Andrew at Living Home Loans for the invite and well keep trying to raise some more money. You can donate to support Slaters sleepout here: CEO Sleepout - Chris Slater The MFAA has celebrated the winners of its Victoria and Tasmania State Excellence Awards. Thursdays in-person event was held at Crown Melbourne where 18 winners were announced. The Victoria and Tasmania awards are the third of five MFAA state excellence awards to be held over the coming weeks. The Western Australia State Excellence Awards were held on June 02 and Queenslands were held on May 29. The next state excellence awards involve South Australia and Northern Territory and will be held in Adelaide on June 16. The MFAA NSW and ACT State Excellence Awards will be held in Sydney on June 23. MFAA CEO Mike Felton said the Victoria and Tasmania awards recognised those MFAA members who had excelled in a range of areas including customer service, professionalism, ethics, growth and innovation. Its great to be back in Melbourne and holding our state excellence awards in-person after two years of virtual events, Felton said. The number and calibre of award submissions we received was incredible and its always a privilege to be able to recognise all our finalists and of course congratulate all our winners. Read more: MFAA reveals WA Excellence Award winners Felton said it was wonderful to celebrate the great work of its members and the industry which was going from strength to strength. With mortgage broker market share at another record high of 69.5%, together with the knowledge that our industry can look up and look ahead after safely navigating an extended period of reviews with flying colours, there certainly is much to celebrate, he said. The awards are audited by Hall Chadwick and are judged equally based on excellence and professionalism across all areas of business. All winners at the MFAA Victoria and Tasmania Excellence Awards will be finalists in the MFAA National Excellence Awards in their respective categories. The national awards will be held at The Star Sydney on 27 July. Read more: MFAA announces Queensland Excellence Award winners The 2022 MFAA Victoria and Tasmania State Excellence Award winners are: Daimler Trucks' India subsidiary this calendar year aims to beat peak sales of 2018 as the commercial vehicle (CV) market recovers after a challenging three years, said a top company executive. The launch of new models in the heavy-duty segment and aggressive expansion would fuel growth, said Satyakam Arya, managing director and CEO at Commercial Vehicles (DICV) told 'Business Standard'. The CV market has a very strong recovery cycle ahead after three very challenging years. We will cross the 2018 number, which was the peak. Our aspiration is to go beyond that even if the market doesnt, said Arya. The Indian arm of the German truck maker saw its sales peak to 22,000 units in 2018, and Arya hopes to surpass it on strong demand cues from the e-commerce firms, construction, and mining and long haulage goods carrier segment. Domestic sales at the manufacturer of Bharat Benz branded trucks and buses jumped 48 per cent to 14222 units in the calendar year 2022, the year completed a decade in India. CV sales in India rose to 716,566 units in the year that ended in March 2022 from 568559 units in the year ago period, according to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) On back of a pick-up across all the segments and pent up demand, most CV makers are bracing for an up-cycle and hoping the industry to surpass the volumes of FY18 when the total industry volumes were close to 856,916 units. DICV, which entered the CV market as a challenger to Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland a decade back, is charting its next phase of growth, said Arya. While growth in dealers and sales will be central to the overall strategy as it enters the second decade of operations in India, digitalisation will be second phase. Its the process of converting itself into a paperless company by end of next year. This will manifest itself in all areas of functionsfrom shop floor and customer interface to virtual reality. The company plans to ramp up its sales network from 275 to 330 -350 by the end of next calendar year. Meanwhile, plans are afoot to plug the white spaces in its medium and heavy commercial vehicle portfolio with new products. The third largest heavy duty truck manufacturer by sales that operates 10 to 55 tonne segment is working on host of alternative propulsion technologies including liquefied natural gas, electric, compressed natural gas and hydrogen but is not rushing to launch an electric truck or bus any time soon. It will also stay clear of government tenders on electric buses where rival Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and others have been aggressive. We have enough to do in the segments where we have a presence. As a company, we are always positioned on technology and TCO (total cost of ownership). When it comes to government buying the topmost criteria is price which doesnt fit our criteria, he said. Commenting on whether the company is looking to launch CNG options in the medium duty segment, he said the company wont take short term decisions. We have something coming and will launch it. Better than what is available in the market. Leading NBFC Finance Limited on Thursday said that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Home Finance Limited, has entered into definitive agreements for raising Rs 2,200 crore for a 20% stake from a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Authority (ADIA). The deal completion is subject to regulatory approvals. Home Finance is one of Indias largest affordable housing finance with assets under management of Rs 23,617 crore as of March 31, 2022. This would be one of the largest equity investments in the affordable housing finance segment in India by a financial investor. Avendus Capital advised IIFL Home Finance on this transaction. "Backed by a technology backbone enabling 100% digital onboarding for home loans, robust credit appraisal and collection systems, IIFL Home Finance Limited proposes to use the additional capital to continue its granular expansion strategy into new markets to address the significant and growing demand for housing loans," said IIFL Finance in a stock exchange filing. Speaking on the occasion, Nirmal Jain, Founder, IIFL Group said, The recognizes IIFL Home Finances position as one of Indias largest providers of affordable housing loans and how well it is placed to continue to target the large, resilient housing finance market. Established in 2006, IIFL Home Finance has an active customer base of 168,000 across 16 states and 2 union territories with over 200 branches backed by over 3,200 employees. The company offers small-ticket housing loans, loans against property and construction finance. IIFL Home Finance has already established itself as one of Indias leading technology-enabled mortgage lenders. This aims to support the company for its next phase of growth, as it meets the significant demand in Indias large, under-served and fast-growing affordable housing finance market," said Hamad Shahwan Aldhaheri, Executive Director of the Private Equities Department at ADIA. Speaking on the occasion, Monu Ratra, CEO, IIFL Home Finance said, IIFL Home Finance has built a strong foundation and is at an inflection point as it leverages new strategies such as co-lending, foraying into more granular products and expanding reach across Tier II and Tier III regions. We welcome our new partners and look forward to working with them in the next phase. India will allow employees to enroll their same-gender partner in a health insurance programme, saying it is committed to build an inclusive workspace for LGBTQAI+ employees. The companys Same Gender Partner Coverage Program will give employees the option to choose a gender reassignment surgery or sign up for infertility treatment as part of health insurance benefits. "We stand together with the LGBTQIA+ community both within and outside of Amazon, said Swati Rustagi, Director, DE&I, International Markets, WW Consumer, . We continue to look for ways to scale our impact as we grow by providing opportunities to diverse cohorts. Manish Chopra, senior art director at India, who identifies himself with the LGBTQIA+ community, said it is encouraging to be a part of a workplace where everyone is treated equally and fairly irrespective of their gender or background. There are so many good outcomes to coming out in the workplace and having an inclusive culture. I am respected for my contributions, my performance, and who I am, said Chopra. I have met people who didn't know much about the LGBTQIA+ community but were inclusive, welcoming, and open to learning. This has helped me establish a lot of allies and contribute to my teams success. " The company also supports LGBTQIA+ employees with resources and access to counsellors, through an Employee Assistance Program. The programme provides them with resources, counselling, support, and guidance in their journey should they want to of being open about their sexuality. Among many affinity groups within Amazon, Glamazon (programme) is focused on the LGBTQIA+ community, and it helps bring LGBTQIA+ employees, associates and allies together to discuss and share experiences from across the globe, said Rustagi of Amazon. Demonstrating this commitment to a gender-neutral culture, the company has designed a limited-edition tape that will seal the Amazon brown box bringing your package to your doorstep. In June, Amazon boxes being dispatched from fulfilment centres in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru will carry the special tape with the Pride flag of 11 colours, reflecting the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. In early 2021, technology company Accenture India modified its policies for maternal, paternal, adoption and surrogacy leave to break gender stereotypes. The company has been offering medical insurance benefits for gender (sex) reassignment surgery and mental health consultation for gender dysphoria for its LGBTIQ+ people for some years. Online beauty retailer became a unicorn after raising $33 million in a round led by South Korean investor Paramark Ventures. The fresh round of investment which also saw participation from existing investors such as Premji Invest, Blume Ventures, and Kedaara was at a valuation of $1.1 billion, making Purplle the second Indian start-up to join the unicorn club this week after firm PhysicsWallah. The latest round took the total for Purplle to over $215 million. The firm also counts Sequoia Capital and Goldman Sachs among its investors. had earlier received four rounds of from investors closing 2021 with a Series D of $140 million. The funding is expected to help Purplle compete with traditional players and online beauty platforms such as Nykaa, MyGlamm, Myntra and SUGAR Cosmetics. We welcome our new investor, Paramark Ventures, and look forward to cross-country synergies, said Manish Taneja, co-founder and CEO, Purplle. The infusion is an opportunity to further our mission of building the beauty industry in India with technological investments, scaling of our private brands, and industry-first innovations. Over the years, the company has grown rapidly with seven million monthly active users, over 1,000 brands, 60,000 products, and five private direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. With a robust growth trajectory, Purplle has scaled its annualised gross merchandise value (GMV) to $180 million in FY22. The firm said it achieved this while making trending accessible and affordable for every Indian. We have been tracking Purplle for several years now, said Chunsoo Kim, founder and managing partner of Paramark Ventures, adding, Purplle is addressing the enormous vacuum in the beauty and personal care industry in India in a way that the rising demand from consumers can be best served beyond the limited set of customers in a few major cities. Online beauty start-ups have been attracting a lot of investor attention amid the pandemic, as according to data platform Statista, Indias beauty and personal care market, estimated at $25.9 billion in 2020, is projected to reach $32.7 billion by 2023, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1 per cent. In May, SUGAR Cosmetics one of Indias largest omnichannel beauty closed a $50-million Series D fundraise led by the Asia fund of L Catterton, the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm. L Cattertons expertise in building iconic consumer brands across the world and strategic relationship with LVMH (Louis Vuitton owner) will empower SUGAR to embark on its next stage of growth amid the expansion of Indias beauty and personal care market. In March, Plum, a leading beauty brand, raised $35 million (Rs 270 crore) in a Series C round led by A91 Partners a leading late stage-focused venture capital fund. The firm said it is 100 per cent vegan, cruelty-free and toxin-free beauty brand. The funding round also saw participation from existing investors Unilever Ventures and Faering Capital. For the first time ever, (CIL) has issued a tender for purchasing imported coal for power generating (gencos) in the wake of the Centre directing it to meet the shortfall in the domestic coal supply chain. CIL has called for bids to supply 2.4 million tonnes (mt) of coal to be delivered for the July to September 2022 period. The estimated value of the contract is Rs 3,100 crore, CIL said in the tender document. The imported coal would be supplied to state government-owned and independent power producers (IPPs), 1.2 mt each. The IPPs include Sembcorp Energy, JP Power, Avantha Power, Lanco, Rattan India, GMR, CESC, Vedanta Power, Jindal India Thermal, among others. The states that will receive imported coal for their generating stations are Punjab, Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. Last month, the power ministry directed CIL to import coal for state and private . This came two weeks after state and private were told to import coal for 10 per cent blending, but were later asked to keep their tenders in abeyance. Several states expressed reluctance to import coal and asked for CIL to arrange the dry fuel from global markets. But as against the estimated demand of 38-40 mt from state and private gencos for blending, the total demand received by the CIL is 2.4 mt. CIL executives said for the upcoming season, only this quantity would be imported, as this is the final and only demand that has come to it. In a statement, CIL said, after the price discovery, it would immediately execute a contract with the successful bidder for supply of coal. Then the state-owned coal miner shall enter into a back to back agreement with state gencos and IPPs to whom coal has to be supplied, it said. Central government-owned NTPC is in the process of issuing tenders for 20 mt to meet its imported coal blending target. Business Standard recently reported that NTPC has awarded 6.25 mt of imported coal tender worth Rs 8,300 crore to Adani Enterprises. Due to the high cost of imported coal, power tariff from NTPC units is scheduled to go up by at least 50-70 paise. This will have to be borne by consumers. As far as state and private gencos are concerned, they will need regulatory approval for transferring the additional cost of imported coal on to consumers. Invoking Section 11 of the Act again, the power ministry last week allowed state and private units to charge a compensation tariff in lieu of importing coal. The coal ministry, on the other hand, has questioned the concerns over in the coming months saying there is enough domestic stock available and it is up to power generators to stock up before the monsoon months. Senior coal ministry officials said there is a stock of 20 mt with power plants which is enough for nine days of operations. startup Cred has raised $80 million as part of its Series F round led by Singapores sovereign wealth fund GIC and other existing investors, reports said on Thursday. The existing investors Tiger Global, Sofina Ventures, Alpha Wave Ventures and DF International also participated in the round. The digital payments platform has allotted 42,308 Series F Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) of face value of Rs 100 each at a premium of Rs 1,47,746 to raise $80 million, stated a regulatory filing with the Registrar of (RoC), reported Moneycontrol. The unicorn plans to raise $140 million in this round with GIC leading it, along with existing investors Sofina, Tiger Global, FalconEdge, and Dragoneer, reported TechCrunch. The reports said Cred it is raising its Series F investment valuing the company at around $6.4 billion. In 2021, the startup raised capital through three rounds $81 million in its Series C round, $215 million in Series D, and finally, $251 million in Series E. Cred, founded by serial entrepreneur Kunal Shah, in 2018, started a platform for people to pay their credit card bills and earn points. It has since expanded into lending, e-commerce payments, advertising for brands, and providing short-term credit via Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options. The fundraise comes at a time when the overall to India's startups has slowed down amid a correction in valuations of tech startups across the globe. A month after the Supreme Court directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) to bring Rs 4,600 crore out of its coffers for its long-standing liability to a (RInfra) subsidiary, has written to 18 banks, inviting bids to raise a Rs 2,700-crore loan. The court had upheld a Delhi High Court order, consequent to which is to pay the arbitral award amount, along with interest, to Reliance Infra-owned Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL) in two equal instalments. The sought loan amount is the balance of what owes to DAMEPL, people in the know said. Through its submissions in an escrow account from time to time, DMRC has already paid Rs 2,445 crore to the Reliance firm in compliance with previous court orders. As of May 31, DMRC has incurred an interest liability of over Rs 300 crore solely on account of delays in payment to DAMEPL. Right now, the firm is adding more than Rs 1.15 crore every day to its incremental interest burden. The letter to banks including SBI, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara bank, HDFC, ICICI, Kotak, and PNB stated that the capital expenditure loan is for the purchase of Delhi Metros airport line assets. The metro operator, in the letter, had asked banks to submit their individual or consortium-represented price bids by May 30. The deadline date, however, has been extended to Friday. DMRC aims to draw the loan in the next 12 months. According to DMRCs terms and conditions, the loan will be for 15 years, which will be paid off via 44 quarterly principal instalments and monthly interest payments following a four-year moratorium period. The letter also said the Centre was considering a proposal to provide sovereign guarantee against the loan. The two firms have been at loggerheads ever since DAMEPL pulled out of the Delhi Metro Airport Line operations due to safety issues arising from structural defects. An arbitral court, in 2017, had ruled in favour of the RInfra firm, asking DMRC to pay DAMEPL the amount, which it had borrowed from 11 banks. DVI Fund Mauritius Ltd, a public shareholder of GMR Infrastructure, on Thursday divested 3.3 per cent stake in the airports handling company for Rs 720 crore through an open market transaction. The shares were picked up by C/D Investors Fund LP, A/D Investors Fund LP, DVG 1740 Fund LP, Veda Investors Fund LP, H/D Investors Fund LP, Deccan Value Investors BPI Fund LP and Deccan Value Investors Fund LP, block deal data with the BSE showed. According to the data, DVI Fund Mauritius sold a total of 19,84,17,768 shares, amounting to 3.28 per cent stake in the company. The shares were offloaded at an average price of Rs 36.3 apiece, taking the transaction size to Rs 720 crore. As on March 2022, DVI Fund Mauritius Ltd held 7.76 per cent stake in the company, shareholding data with the exchange showed. Shares of closed 0.55 per cent higher at Rs 36.50 on BSE. In a separate block deal, Deccan Value Advisors Fund IV sold 5.1 crore shares worth Rs 112 crore of GMR Power and Urban Infra Ltd through an open market transaction. The shares were bought by Deccan Value Investors Fund LP, C/D Investors Fund LP, A/D Investors Fund LP, Deccan Value Investors BPI Fund LP, Veda Investors Fund LP, H/D Investors Fund LP and DVG 1740 Fund LP. According to block deal data available with the BSE, Deccan Value Advisors Fund IV offloaded 51,250,711 shares of GMR Power and Urban Infrastructure Ltd at an average price of Rs 21.9 per scrip, aggregating to Rs 112 crore. The shares of GMR Power and Urban Infrastructure closed 4.81 per cent higher at Rs 22.90 on BSE. (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.) iEnergizer Ltd., the digital content and business process company, said its in preliminary talks about a potential sale to buyout firm . The London-listed company is undertaking a review of strategic options in order to maximize value for all existing shareholders, it said in a statement Thursday, confirming an earlier Bloomberg report. Discussions with BPEA are ongoing, and theres no certainty they will lead to a deal, iEnergizer said. BPEA has until July 7 to announce a firm intention to bid for iEnergizer, according to the statement. Shares of the Guernsey-based company jumped as much as 9.1% on Thursday, their largest intraday gain since February, after Bloomberg reported iEnergizer was exploring a sale. They were up 8.1% at 1:06 p.m. in London, giving iEnergizer a market value of 810 million ($1 billion). iEnergizer has been working with an adviser to gauge interest from potential bidders, people with knowledge of the matter said earlier. Anil Aggarwal, iEnergizers founder and chief executive officer, is the controlling shareholder, according to its annual report. iEnergizer offers customer management and custom content development services, according to its website. Founded in 2000 in India, the company employs more than 22,000 people across nine delivery centers worldwide. Its customers are based primarily in the US and India, the annual report shows. The company acquired content production and digital media firm Aptara Inc. in 2012 for $150 million. firms have benefited from the digitization that accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, driving a wave of deals. Mindtree Ltd. and Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd., two software firms controlled by Larsen & Toubro Ltd., agreed to merge last month at a combined $18 billion market value. AIMIM supporters on Thursday held a outside Parliament Street police station here after party chief Asaddudin Owaisi was named in an FIR for allegedly posting and sharing messages on social media against the maintenance of public tranquility and inciting people on divisive lines, officials said. Over 20 people have been detained, they said. "AIMIM supporters were protesting outside Parliament Street police station. Around 25, including two to three women, have been detained," a senior police officer said. The has registered FIRs against former spokespersons and Naveen Kumar Jindal, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand and others for allegedly posting and sharing messages on social media against the maintenance of public tranquility and inciting people on divisive lines, officials said on Thursday. The FIRs were registered after an analysis of social media, they said. The cases have been registered against those who were posting and sharing messages against the maintenance of public tranquility and were inciting people on the basis of divisive lines," a senior police officer said. The cases have been registered under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code, he said. One case has been registered against Sharma and another against multiple social media entities, including Owaisi, Jindal, Narsinghanand, Shadab Chauhan, Saba Naqvi, Maulana Mufti Nadeem, Abdur Rehman and Gulzar Ansari, based on the analysis, the officer 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.) Alert Border Security Force (BSF) troops on Thursday fired at a drone spotted close to the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's Arnia sector. The drone returned back as soon as the BSF troops fired on it after observing it at around 4.15 am. "This morning at about 0415 am a blinking light suspected to be a drone observed in Arnia area. Alert BSF troops fired at it due to which it returned back," said the BSF. The drone was flying at a height of around 300 metres, said the force. Officials in the force told ANI that this was the drone activity from the Pakistan side in Arnia and similar activities were observed in the past too. The BSF, which is mandated to guard India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, has begun a combined search operation in the area. Similar drone movement was also reported along the international border in the Jammu on May 15, and February 24, after which the Special Operation Group (SOG) of police launched a cordon-and-search operation and seized a consignment air-dropped by a drone. The consignment included three remote-controlled IEDs, detonators, 3 explosive bottles, one bundle of Cordtex wire, two IED timers, one pistol, two magazines, six grenades and 70 rounds. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Wednesday praised for helping amid the unprecedented in the island nation that has led to a shortage of fuel and other essential items. Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said 'commends' for efforts to mitigate the crisis in . "We have taken note that the Indian government has also done a lot in this regard. We commend those efforts. is ready to work with and the rest of the international community to help and other developing countries experiencing difficulty to pull through the hardship as early as possible," Lijian said during a presser. "The Chinese government will do its utmost and make full use of the channels available to deliver help to the Sri Lankan society," he replied to a question over a remark made by Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Notably, Rajapaksa said in an interview on June 6 that Sri Lanka couldn't tap a USD 1.5 billion credit line from China and has yet to hear back on the request to China for a USD 1 billion loan. He also said that China seems to have shifted its strategic focus to Southeast Asia and Africa, and has less interest in South Asia. In response to these remarks, the Chinese spokesperson said Beijing pays close attention to and feels for the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka. "We have all along provided support to Sri Lanka's socioeconomic development as long as our ability permits. China has announced that it would provide emergency humanitarian assistance worth 500 million RMB for Sri Lanka," he added. Sri Lanka is witnessing an unprecedented and political crisis. Large scale protests have been taking place for months, leading to the ouster of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The island nation is also facing a severe foreign currency shortage which has created problems in importing essential items. Last week, India handed a total of 3.3 tons of essential medical supplies to Sri Lanka. These humanitarian supplies are in continuation of the Indian government's ongoing support to the people of the crisis-ridden island nation in forms such as financial assistance, forex support, material supply and many more. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, more than 25 tons of drugs and medical supplies which were donated by the Government and people of India during the last two months are valued at close to SLR 370 million. This is in addition to the economic assistance of around USD 3.5 billion and supply of other humanitarian supplies such as rice, milk powder, kerosene etc, according to Indian High Commission. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The person who sent the death threat to Bollywood megastar and his father, film writer Salim Khan, has been identified as Vikram Brar, a close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, police sources said on Thursday. Brar, who is currently said to be aboard, is reportedly facing two dozen criminal cases lodged against him in several states. "Brar is a resident of Rajasthan's Hanumangarh but presently he is living abroad. He is a known gangster of Rajasthan. He was having good rapport with Anmol, the brother of gangster Anandpal, who was killed in an encounter," the police source said. The had also suspected the possible involvement of the Bishnoi gang, and as a precaution, beefed up security at the Khans' residence in Galaxy Apartments, Bandra West, since last Sunday. Joint Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangre-Patil had also met Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil to brief him. had suspicion that the potential attackers may have conducted a discreet recce of the Khans' local movements and their residence. Bishnoi had earlier vowed to kill after the actor was accused in the black buck poaching case of 1998 in Rajasthan. Salim Khan, 87, was handed over an unsigned, hand-written threat letter by an unknown person on a bench where he normally rests after jogging at the Bandra Bandstand promenade, around 7.30 am. on Sunday. It was addressed to him and his son Salman and facing something amiss, they immediately alerted their security to inform the police. Taking serious cognisance, the Bandra police had lodged an FIR against unknown persons for issuing the death threats and launched their probe. The Crime Branch had also started its own investigations. The threat letter ended with a couple of initials including 'L.B.' which the police suspected refers to 'Lawrence Bishnoi. (Atul Krishan can be approached at atul.k@ians.in) --IANS atk/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.) In a crackdown on exporters who had submitted fraudulent letters of credit for exports, the commerce ministry's arm has imposed monetary penalties on two Mumbai-based entities and decided to initiate criminal proceedings against them. The government has banned on May 13, but allowed shipments for which Letters of Credit (LCs) have been issued before the ban date. It was later decided to initiate strong action against entities trying to export on the basis of fake letters of credit. The commerce ministry has tightened the norms for obtaining registration certificates for wheat with a view to curbing fraudulent practices such as submission of improper documents by traders. In pursuance of the directive of the ministry, the office after inquiry found that two entities -- Ganpati Traders and Pride Agro Fresh LLP -- have submitted fake LCs for export of wheat. According to the order of the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), a total penalty of over Rs 42 crore has been imposed on Pride Agro Fresh LLP. It has also been decided to file an FIR before EOW (Economic Offences Wing) of Police. In the case of Ganpati Traders, the has slapped a penalty of over Rs 18 crore and decided to file an FIR. In both the cases, the DGFT has found that the LCs for obtaining RCs for wheat export submitted by them were not genuine. When contacted for the comments, Pride Agro Fresh LLP did not respond to the query on the issue. According to a separate order of the Additional DGFT - Mumbai, "it is proved beyond doubt that Ganpati Traders has submitted fake letters of credit and obtained Registration of Contracts (RCs) for export of wheat". Both the orders also said that the aggrieved parties can file an appeal against these orders after depositing the penalty amount. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal has recently warned that the government will take strict action against exporters who are trying to ship or have shipped wheat by submitting back-dated and improper documents following the ban on of the crop. (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.) By Mayank Bhardwaj and Rajendra Jadhav NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's monsoon rains are likely to pick up by mid-June, the chief of the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) told Reuters on Wednesday, spurring the sowing of crucial crops such as rice, corn, cotton, soybean, sugarcane and peanuts. "As per our extended range forecast, rainfall activity is likely to increase by June 15," Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the IMD, told Reuters in an interview. "That spell of rainfall is likely to cover central India and the northern plains of the country." The monsoon - which accounts for nearly 70% of India's annual rainfall and is the lifeblood of its $2.7 trillion agriculture-dependent economy - arrived on the coast of southern Kerala state on May 29, two days ahead of the usual time. But since June 1, when the four-month monsoon season began, rains are 42% below average. The defines average, or normal, rainfall as ranging between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the entire rainy reason. Nonetheless, some areas covered by the monsoon, particularly in the southern, eastern and northeastern states of India, have received normal to excess rain, Mohapatra said. "Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam, southern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Sikkim and some parts of Karnataka have received excess rainfall," he said. At this stage, the progress of the monsoon, especially over central and northwestern India, is crucial for the planting of an array of key crops. The monsoon will play an important role in determining this year's rice crop, and plentiful rains will help New Delhi maintain its preeminent position in the global rice trade. India relies on monsoon rains to water almost half its farmland, which lacks irrigation. Farming contributes around 15% to India's $2.7 trillion economy while sustaining more than half the population of 1.3 billion. (Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj and Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Jan Harvey) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has invited bids from 18 banks to raise loan to the tune of Rs 2,700 cr for "purchase of Airport Line assets," according to letters sent to these banks by the urban transporter. This comes in the backdrop of the early May upholding a order directing the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to pay over Rs 4,600 crore of arbitral award along with interest to the Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL) in two equal installments in two months. According to the letter dated May 19, sent to 18 major banks, " proposes to raise loan to the tune of Rs 2,700 crores for purchase of Airport Line assets". Banks who are willing to extend the above loan, are requested to submit their bid on the broad terms and conditions, it said. The letter has been sent to State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Yes Bank, among others. " invites bids in two parts i.e. part I -- unpriced bid and part II -- price bid from banks to whom this letter of invitation is sent to submit their most competitive rate," reads the letter, a copy of which is with PTI. "The unpriced bid shall have the confirmation of the statements contained therein and priced bid contains applicable rate for the loan," according to the letter. The Airport Express line, connecting New Delhi station and city airport was commissioned on February 23, 2011, after an investment of over Rs 2,885 crore, funded by the DAMEPL's promoters' fund, banks, and financial institutions. DMRC had built the civil infrastructure while Reliance Infra's Metro Express (DAMEPL) had brought in rolling stock. The high court's judgment had come on DAMEPL's execution petition filed against DMRC concerning the arbitral award in its favour. It had said the May 11, 2017 arbitral award has attained finality and cannot be allowed to remain as a paper award and added the judgment debtor DMRC is duty bound to either divert its funds after seeking permission of the central government, if necessary, or raise to satisfy the award. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a fourth blaze incident of the day, a fire broke out in the Malkhana of Mandawali police station in at around 10 As many as 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. As per the fire department, no information has been received about anyone being trapped in the fire. A senior officer from the east district was also present on the spot to take stock of the situation. "We got the information about the fire at 10:20 pm. No causality and injury has been reported. This is the police station's Malkhana and we store here different types of things ... Fire service has brought the fire under control. The fire was doused in 45 minutes our team is calculating the damage and loss" Achin Garg Additional DCP east district said. The first fire incident took place in the Ministry of Home Affairs in the North block post-Tuesday midnight. The fire department received a fire call from North block (Home Ministry room number 82 A, B in telephone exchange," said an official of the fire department. In the second incident of the day, at least 10 cars were gutted in a massive fire that broke out at an electric motor parking in Delhi's Jamia Nagar on Wednesday morning. According to Fire Service, seven fire tenders were deployed and the fire was brought under control. There were no casualties reported. The third fire incident took place in the electric meter panel in the basement of a building in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar area, informed the officials on Wednesday. As per the fire department, 10 fire tenders were at the spot. "There was a fire in the mini basement of the ground plus 3-storey building in Lajpat Nagar area, the mini basement was specially made for electric panels only. We rescued about 80 people," said Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO), Rajesh Kumar. The mini basement was specially made for electric panels only. Also plastic, wood, and some waste material of the building were also present in the basement when the fire broke out. "Some rules and laws were being violated in this building, although we will investigate whether they had NOC of fire or not, in the initial investigation, some rules and regulations were being violated. Our firemen reached the spot very quickly and controlled the fire, in which our ADO has also suffered an injury," Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gaurav Saini told ANI. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The startling revelation by the key accused in the case Swapna Suresh against Chief Minister and his family continued to keep the political pot boiling in on Thursday as opposition party activists clashed with police across the state even as the Congress continued to demand the resignation of the CM alleging that he was trying to escape the probe through "blatant abuse of power misusing police." The workers of the Youth Congress and Yuva Morcha, the youth outfits of the Congress and the BJP respectively, took out marches to the district collectorates in Kozhikode and Kottayam. Police used water cannons to disperse the agitated activists, who tried to break the barricade raising slogans and holding placards and banners, in Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram. In Ernakulam, a group of Youth Congress activists under the aegis of the District Congress Committee (DCC), displayed symbolic models of gold biscuits and biriyani vessels and raised slogans against the Chief Minister while Mahila Congress activists conducted a protest 'biriyani challenge' in front of the secretariat in the state capital. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan expressed hope that Vijayan would show the wisdom to resign from the top office at least now. Comparing the charges against him with the allegations faced by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the solar scam case, he said it was Vijayan who had recommended for a CBI probe against the Congress veteran after summoning the woman accused in the case and making her write a letter in this regard. While serving as the state secretary of the Marxist party before becoming the CM, the same Vijayan had put out a Facebook post saying that there was no means of escape for Chandy quoting a statement of the prime accused Biju Radhakrishnan saying that he had given Rs five crore to Chandy as bribe. Now, Swapna Suresh, the accused in the gold and dollar smuggling case, has levelled serious charges against the Chief Minister and gave a statement before the court, he pointed out. "However, instead of stepping down as chief minister after announcing that a fair probe should be conducted in the case, is trying to scuttle the investigation, destroy evidence and escape through blatant abuse of power misusing police," he said. However, LDF MLA and former minister K T Jaleel, on whose complaint the police had registered a case against Suresh, reiterated that Suresh was a person who had been in jail for one and half years in the case and what she was saying against him and the Chief Minister and his family were "blatant lies." Noting that the Congress and BJP's attempt to tarnish the image of good politicians before the public was not going to yield any result, he also urged the media not to give the allegations of an accused as factual reports without the backing of any evidence. Jaleel said any central agency can probe the charges against him and the chief minister and claimed that nothing suspicious could be found if they do so for a thousand years. Meanwhile, senior politician P C George, who had claimed that he had the copy of a letter written by Suresh detailing the charges against the Chief Minister, said he did not understand why a case was registered against him along with Suresh based on the complaint of Jaleel which demanded a probe into the alleged conspiracy behind the new revelations. BJP state chief K Surendran termed Vijayan as a "coward" for registering the case against George and said the decision was condemnable. A probe should be carried out against the startling revelations by Suresh, he added. Police on Wednesday said the case has been registered against Suresh and George under different sections of the Indian Penal Code including "criminal conspiracy" after receiving legal advice from the Deputy Director of Prosecution. A Special Investigation Team led by a senior police official will probe the case, they said. Triggering a political turmoil in the state, Suresh on Tuesday claimed that she disclosed before the court -- in her statement under Section 164 of Criminal Procedure Code -- the other people allegedly involved in the smuggling cases and their "degrees of involvement." She said she had given statements against the CM, his family, Jaleel and some other top bureaucrats. After her revelations before the media, subsequent to recording her Section 164 statement, Vijayan had issued a statement dismissing Suresh's claims and allegations as "baseless". Suresh, a former employee of the UAE Consulate here, was taken into custody by the Investigation Agency (NIA) along with another accused Sandeep Nair from Bengaluru on July 11, 2020. The NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Customs conducted separate probes into the racket that was busted with the seizure of gold worth Rs 15 crore from the diplomatic baggage of the UAE Consulate at Thiruvananthapuram airport on July 5, 2020. Several people, including M Sivasankar, the former Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and another ex-employee of the UAE Consulate here, Sarith, were arrested in connection with the case. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Iran on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to continue their cooperation on the development of the as a transit hub for the region including Central Asia and said delegates from the two counties will meet soon to address operational aspects of the key port. For India, the is a much-needed project for sea-access to landlocked Afghanistan. The port has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region. It is a more economical and stable route for landlocked countries of the region to reach India and the global market. This commitment to continuing cooperation on the was made during Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian's ongoing visit to India. This is the first visit of Abdollahian who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, since he assumed office in August 2021. During his visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister called on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and also held a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Ajit Kumar Doval. The Iranian Foreign Minister briefed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the current situation pertaining to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The two Ministers also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MEA), India and Iran share close historical and civilizational ties. "Our bilateral relations are marked by strong linkages across institutions, culture and people to people ties," the MEA said in a statement. During delegation-level talks, Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, cultural and people to people ties. Jaishankar appreciated the role of Iran in facilitating India's medical assistance to Afghanistan, including supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Afghan nationals residing in Iran. "Both sides acknowledged the significance of bilateral cooperation in the field of regional connectivity and reviewed the progress made at the Shahid Beheshti terminal, Chabahar port. The sides agreed that the Chabahar Port has provided much needed sea-access to landlocked Afghanistan and has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region, including for Central Asia," the MEA said. The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue to cooperate on the development of Chabahar Port. Teams from both countries will be meeting soon to address operational aspects. The Ministers also discussed international and regional issues, including Afghanistan and the sides reaffirmed the importance of providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and reiterated the need for a representative and inclusive political system in support of a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After creating nationwide buzz with her announcement that she would be marrying herself, Vadodara resident Kshama Bindu "preponed" the event and tied the knot with herself three days before the scheduled date, she said on Thursday. Bindu, 24, said she performed the 'sologamy', reportedly the first in the country, at her home in Vadodara's Gotri area on June 8. She had planned to marry herself at a temple in the area on June 11 and arranged a priest to solemnise the with traditional Vedic rituals, but changed the plans after the priest backed off, Bindu told reporters. "I finally got married with myself at my home on Wednesday evening in the presence of some select friends. To avoid any more controversy, I preponed my wedding. Even the priest backed off following the controversy. The temple where I had planned to get married also cancelled my booking following opposition from Sunitaben," she said. Sunita Shukla, vice president of the Vadodara unit of the BJP, had announced that she will not allow such a to take place in any temple, and alleged that Bindu was "corrupting" the minds of Hindu youths through such "publicity stunts." | A 24-yr-old girl in Vadodara, Kshama Bindu married herself on June 8 Says, "I received no threats but wanted the wedding to be peaceful, so I preponed it. It was like any other Hindu wedding. I applied vermillion & put on mangalsutra and garland. I also took pheras." pic.twitter.com/53LqQiWrQu ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2022 Bindu also released a video of her wedding. She is seen wearing bridal make-up, 'mehndi' and a saree, and taking part in rituals in front of sacred fire. She is also seen performing 'seven pheras,' (circumambulation around a fire), considered an essential part of the ritual. "It was a dream come true. This marriage had everything, except a groom and a priest. As per the rituals, I performed puja of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi, garlanded myself, applied sindoor on my head and even took seven vows, which I had written for myself," she said. Her intention was to break stereotypes and inspire others who are tired of finding true love, said Bindu, who identifies as a bisexual person. This would be the first instance of sologamy in India, she had claimed earlier. Bindu, who is a working professional, had also said that her mother, who lives in another city, had given consent for the unusual groom-less wedding. (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.) National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, in a meeting with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said the wrongdoers will be dealt with at the level of the government and related bodies in a way that is a lesson to others, while referring to the now suspended BJP spokesperson, Nupur Sharma's comments on Prophet Mohammad. According to Times of India report, Doval in a meeting said, "wrongdoers will be dealt with at the level of the government and related bodies in a way that is a lesson to others". Abdollahian expressed satisfaction with the "position of the Indian authorities in dealing with the situation," the report added. The Iranian foreign minister called for "serious attention" to Muslims' sensitivities, during his three-day visit to the country. Controlling the damage made by Sharma's comment, the on Wednesday said Abdollahian arrived in India to a warm welcome to hold talks with External Affairs Minister . Abdollahian also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who "warmly recalled" the long-standing civilisational and cultural links between India and Iran, the statement by the ministry said. "The two leaders discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives. Prime Minister stressed that both countries should work to accelerate exchanges in the post-Covid era," it added. ALSO READ: Iran minister arrives in India to a 'warm welcome' amid Gulf backlash PM Modi has also requested Abdollahian to also pass his greetings to His Excellency President Ebrahim Raisi, and looked forward to meeting the President of at an early date. During the delegation level talks, Abdollahian and Jaishankar discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, cultural and people to people ties. Abdollahian is the first leader from an Islamic country who came to New Delhi amid widespread anger in Gulf countries over Sharmas comments. His visit comes two days after joined other Muslim countries in summoning Indian ambassadors to protest the former Bharatiya Janata Party spokespersons remarks on Prophet Mohammad. Despite its diplomatic stand on the Islamic slur, Iran went ahead with the visit and there was no change in Abdollahians schedule. He is scheduled to visit Mumbai and Hyderabad as planned. Lieutenant Governor on Wednesday inaugurated the State Data Centre at the Civil Secretariat here and said that the future-ready central facility will ensure efficiency, agility, optimisation, control and security for e-governance and other citizen-centric applications. He said that the aim under Digital India mission in is to make services faceless, paperless and cashless. "This flagship programme is enabling technology empowered citizen-centric services, bringing government closer to the citizens and promoting citizen engagement," Sinha said. "Pertinently, this new future-ready facility with fully integrated cloud foundation offers combined computing, storage and networking as well as life cycle automation to the government," he added. The data centre is modernised and managed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), one of the premier research and development organisations of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, with support from the Information Technology Department. The State Data Centre, co-terminus with the Jammu and Kashmir State Wide Area Network, will act as an information technology hub for all government-owned services for the entire public to achieve digital Jammu and Kashmir through transparent e-governance, Sinha said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The is progressing normally and is likely to reach in the next two days, the India Meteorological Department said on Thursday. The MeT office has also warned of isolated extremely heavy (more than 204.5 mm) in Arunachal Pradesh on June 10-11, and Assam and Meghalaya during the next five days. The accounts for around 70 per cent of the country's annual and is considered the lifeline of its agriculture-based economy. Senior scientist R K Jenamani said touched the Kerala coast on May 29 and covered south and central Arabian Sea, Kerala, parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the entire between May 31 and June 7. "There is no delay in the progress of the monsoon. It is likely to reach in the next two days and cover Mumbai in the subsequent two days," he told reporters here, dismissing reports that its progress had slowed down. "We have strong monsoon features -- there are strong winds and clouds have started developing -- for the next two days," he added. The scientist said conditions are favourable for the further advance of monsoon over Goa and some more parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the next two days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had last month said the southwest monsoon will be normal and quantitatively be 103 per cent of the 50-year average of 87 cm received in the entire season. It will be the seventh consecutive year when the country would receive normal rainfall during the June-to-September period. Jenamani said extremely heavy rainfall is predicted over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya over the next few days. Assam was hit by a wave of floods last month. Intense pre-monsoon rain and flooding caused massive damage to the state's infrastructure, including bridges, roads and railway tracks. Asked if the monsoon will reach Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India around the usual date, Jenamani said it was too early to say anything. Last year, the had forecast that the monsoon would arrive in Delhi nearly two weeks before its usual date (June 27). However, it reached the capital and neighboring areas only on July 13, making it the most delayed in 19 years. The monsoon had entered a "break" phase and there was virtually no progress from June 20 to July 8. (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.) Bharatiya Janata Party supremo on Wednesday lashed out at the TMC government over the declining rate of women's safety in the state and asserted that the will form a government in the state very soon. Addressing a gathering of workers in Kolkata, Nadda said, "According to National Crime Records Bureau data, West Bengal reported an increase in the number of incidents of abduction of women in 2019. This means that most of the incidents related to the trafficking of women are happening in West Bengal. This is the condition of the state whose chief minister is a woman." Notably, Mamata Banerjee is the only woman Chief Minister in the country. Attacking Congress again, Nadda said, "Indian National Congress is neither Indian nor national.'' ''Its leaders talk to the workers from London. It has become a party of brother-sister," he said in a direct attack on the Congress party. "40 years ago, my friends from Congress would say, Nadda ji, you do not understand politics. It is a matter of opportunity; you are the right person in the wrong party. Today, I want to ask them - who is in the right party?" Nadda said. "Nobody thought that Mulayam Singh's (former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav) rule will go away. Nobody thought, we will be Congress Mukt. In fact, we are now Congress lupt (disappear). Let us be Congress mukt (free). We will soon form government in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh too," Nadda told the workers in West Bengal. Exuding confidence that the "future belongs to the BJP", he vowed to defeat the TMC in the next elections. "In politics, there is nothing static, things change. The future belongs to the BJP. The TMC has no principles or policies, it has only syndicates," Nadda said. Nadda, who held multiple visits to the state last year during West Bengal assembly elections, which was bitterly fought between the BJP and the TMC, last visited the state to stand with the Karyakartas in the wake of the post-poll violence last year. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana Chief Minister on Wednesday said roads in the rural area adjoining cities will soon be upgraded to four-lane to make traffic movement smoother. He said this while presiding over a review meeting of projects being undertaken by various departments here. The chief minister said along with this, welcome gates will be built on these roads and saplings will also be planted to ensure beautification around the cities. He reviewed 37 projects worth Rs 8,256 crore being executed by six departments, an official statement said. The chief minister was apprised by officials that the work of the bridge to be built on the Faridabad-Greater Noida road will be completed by the end of August and the tender for the road will be floated soon. The work of upgrading the Mahendragarh Narnaul road into a four-lane road will also be completed soon. An additional two-lane bridge is also being built on this road at Mahendragarh, the CM was told. The chief minister was apprised that the work of Hisar Airport would be completed by the end of July, according to the statement. The CM directed officials of the Power Corporation to expedite the installation of smart electricity meters. Under this scheme, 10 lakh smart meters are being installed in the state, he said. The CM said a new judicial complex is being built in Gurugram at a cost of Rs 133 crore and the facility called the 'Tower of Justice' will be completed by December. Khattar said CCTV cameras would be installed in 381 police stations and all police posts across the state and for this required formalities are being completed by the Police Department. The installation of CCTV cameras will bring more transparency to the functioning of police stations, he said. Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, D S Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management and Consolidation Departments, P K Das, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, T V S N Prasad, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, V Umashankar, were among other senior officers present during the meeting. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, whose custodial remand was extended till June 13 on Thursday, was rushed to a nearby hospital after he complained of uneasiness while leaving the Rouse Avenue Court. The minister was being taken to (ED)'s headquarters when he felt uneasy outside the court and was taken to the hospital by the ED officials. Counsel appearing for Jain said that a bail application has been moved on his behalf. Jain was produced before Rouse Avenue Court in the morning after the expiry of his custodial remand in connection with a money laundering case. The ED had initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of the FIR registered by in 2017 under section 13(2) read with 13(1)(e) of the PC Act, 1988 against Jain, his wife Poonam Jain, and Ajit Prasad Jain, Sunil Kumar Jain, Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain. A charge sheet was filed by the on December 3, 2018 against Jain, his wife Poonam Jain, and other accused. It was alleged that Jain, while holding the office as a Minister in the Government of Delhi, during the period February 14, 2015 to May 31, 2017 had acquired assets which were disproportionate to his known sources of income. The has accused Jain, his wife and other accused, for commission of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Earlier, the ED had provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 4.81 crore belonging to companies beneficially owned and controlled by Jain on March 31, 2022. Jain was placed under arrest on May 30, 2022 by the ED under sections 19 of the PMLA. Further investigation in the matter is on. --IANS atk/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.) China paying close attention to Sri Lanka's current difficulties, challenges: spokesperson Xinhua) 09:28, June 09, 2022 BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- China has been paying close attention to the current difficulties and challenges Sri Lanka faces and assisting the country within its capacity, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily news briefing when answering a relevant query. According to Zhao, China has announced emergency humanitarian assistance worth 500 million yuan (about 74.75 million U.S. dollars) to Sri Lanka. The first batch of medicine has arrived in the country, and the first batch of rice is on its way. China has also provided assistance through various channels including local governments and friendship organizations. After the Sri Lankan government announced the suspension of foreign debt repayment, Chinese financial institutions took the initiative to consult with the Sri Lankan side, expressing their willingness to properly deal with maturing China-related debts and help Sri Lanka cope with the current difficulties, Zhao said. China hopes the Sri Lankan side will actively work with the Chinese side and step up consultations on feasible plans, said Zhao. China is ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to continue to play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka tackle the current difficulties, ease its debt burden, and realize sustainable development, Zhao said. Meanwhile, China believes that Sri Lanka will make its own efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investment and financing partners and maintain the stability and credibility of its investment and financing environment, he added. Neighboring countries, including those in South Asia, are the top priority of China's diplomacy. China attaches great importance to and spares no efforts in consolidating and developing good-neighborly and friendly relations with its neighbors, Zhao said, adding that China and South Asian countries are a community with a shared future. History has shown that China has always stood firmly with South Asian countries to help one another overcome difficulties of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis and global challenges such as the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhao added. Under the current circumstances, China will work with relevant countries to tackle risks and challenges, advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, maintain the sound momentum of regional security, stability, cooperation and development, and bring more benefits to the region's people, said Zhao. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union minister has urged the to initiate action against Tamil Nadu's ruling after some of its leaders called for "genocide" of Brahmins in the state. He demanded that the registration of the must be cancelled for such "atrocious" statements by its leaders. He also urged the to cancel DMK's election symbol and requested the poll panel to allow him to argue his case before it. He said that being a registered as a political party, such statements by were against the Representation of Peoples Act. DMK spokesman R. Rajiv Gandhi had claimed that Tamil Brahmins should have been killed as per the "directions" of Dravidian icon, Periyar. In a tweet a couple of days earlier, the DMK leader had said: "If we Shudras had done what Periyar told us back then, we wouldn't have had to struggle with Brahmins for justice, rights, education and equality. 3% of you Brahmins are still dominating some areas." His tweet came after political commentator Sumanth Raman had shared a snippet of Periyar's speech of 1973 in Tamil Nadu's Karaikudi, in which he had purportedly called for the annihilation of the Tamil Brahmins. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The value of the vote of a Member of Parliament has gone down to 700 from 708 in the presidential poll scheduled for July 18 due to the absence of a legislative assembly in . The value of the vote of an MP in a presidential election is based on the number of elected members in legislative assemblies of states and union territories, including Delhi, Puducherry and . Responding to a question on value of vote of each member of Parliament due to the absence of a legislative assembly in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Election Commissioner told reporters that the value of vote of each MP will be 700. "It was 708 (earlier). It has been changing. It was 702 (at one time)," he said. The electoral college for the presidential election comprises the elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and those of the legislative assemblies of states and union territories including Delhi and Puducherry. Nominated MPs and MLAs as well as members of legislative councils cannot vote to elect the president. Before it was bifurcated into two union territories of Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir in August 2019, the erstwhile state of J&K had 83 assembly seats. According to the Reorganisation Act, the Union Territory of J&K will have a legislative assembly, while Ladakh will be governed directly by the Centre. The government had announced that elections to the legislative assembly would be held after the completion of the delimitation of assembly constituencies. Last month, the Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir notified its final order in which it has recommended a 90-member House for the newly carved out union territory. But it may take some time to have an elected House in place in the UT. It is not for the first time that legislators of a state assembly will not be able to participate in the . In 1974, the 182-member Gujarat assembly was dissolved in March following the Navnirman Andolan and could not be constituted before the presidential election in which Fakruddin Ali Ahmed was elected. However, Jammu and Kashmir will not go unrepresented in the as members of Lok Sabha will be eligible to exercise their franchise to elect the First Citizen of the country. The value of the vote of a Member of Parliament has been fixed at 708 since the 1997 presidential election. The value of vote of an MP for the first presidential election in 1952 was 494. It increased marginally to 496 in the 1957 presidential election, followed by 493 (1962), 576 (1967 and 1969). The were held in 1969 due to the death of President Zakir Hussain on May 3, 1969. In the 1974 presidential election, the value of vote of an MP was 723. It has been fixed at 702 for the presidential elections from 1977 to 1992. President Ram Nath Kovind completes his term on July 24, and his successor has to be elected before that. In states, the value of vote of each MLA varies in different states. In Uttar Pradesh, the value of vote of each MLA stands at 208, followed by 176 in Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. In Maharashtra, it is 175. In Sikkim, the value of vote per MLA is seven, while it is nine in Nagaland and eight in Mizoram. (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 June 20, as the annual Pandharpur begins from Dehu in Pune, scores of brands will be lined up on its 240-km route. The 21-day pilgrimage on foot to the town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra, the abode of Lord Vitthal, is believed to be a tradition dating back over 800 years. This year, it is expected to see some three to four million pilgrims a good opportunity for brands to make their presence felt. And so, many of them will be here: Fena, Dabur, insurance companies such as SBI Life Insurance, financial services firms like Muthoot Finance, and so on. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. 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Digital Editor The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has bluntly told the government there is no reason for its members to roll out networks as they will be unviable if captive private wireless networks are allowed to be run by enterprises. The COAI, which has Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea as its key members, has written to Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw saying there is no business case for the roll out of networks. Permitting such captive networks will diminish the revenue so much that there will be no viable business case left for the telecom service providers and there will not remain any need for network roll out by telecom service providers (TSPs). This strong stance by telcos could adversely impact or delay the countrys 5G roll out expected by the end of the year. It could even force them to relook at their 5G spectrum auction strategy, though most say they are unlikely to pull out from participating in the auction altogether. Telcos decided to respond strongly after it seemed possible that the DoT could, in its note for cabinet approval, allow captive private wireless networks to be run by enterprises, as recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) earlier. If that happens, it would be a complete volte face. Earlier, the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) had rejected the idea in its final meeting on 5G spectrum pricing on 18th April. But many leading companies such as Tata Communications, ITC and the India Forum which has Google and Facebook as members have also been pushing for permitting such networks. Tata has already written to the regulator that bands in sub 6 GHz (at least 100 Mhz) and millimetre band (at least 400 Mhz) should be reserved for private networks at a nominal fee as happens globally in countries like the UK, Germany, Brazil and Australia to harness the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. ITC has also said that telcos might charge a hefty price because of their monopoly in specific regions based on their licences. The general thinking in the government at the highest levels is in line with TRAIs recommendation. First, that enterprises should be allowed to run their own captive networks and get allocation of spectrum directly from the DoT at an administered price. Second, they should also be given the choice to lease out spectrum from telcos and run their own networks. The DCC had rejected both of these recommendations earlier and had only permitted TSPs to set up captive networks for enterprises using telcos spectrum. In its letter, the COAI has explained to Vaishnaw that wherever 5G has been rolled out, there has hardly been any consequent revenue increment from the retail segment. The revenue and efficiency enhancement can happen only from the enterprise segment. According to telcos, as much as 40 per cent of the revenues in 5G come from this segment. Only 3 per cent of hand sets currently are in 5G, so business viability is only possible if they dont lose enterprise business. A study by Vodafone India presented to TRAI shows that in 24 countries, average revenue per user actually had zero or negative impact in the first six to ten quarters of a 5G launch. The telcos also argue that it is a myth that telecom service providers are allowed to run only public networks. Under the UASL licence, they can run both public and private networks. Even worse, they say that while they will pay huge amounts for spectrum in auctions, enterprises will buy it at an administered price, going against the idea of a level playing field. India Forum (BIF), which supports private networks, issued a position paper on Thursday in which it has challenged the premise that telcos would lose revenues. It believes that private 5G will lead to increased productivity for enterprises which will in turn increase the need for more external communications, thereby driving TSP revenues too. Besides, TSPs have been allowed to lease their spectrum to such networks and earn revenues. BIF also rejects the contention that this would lead to loss of revenue to the government because private networks will purchase the spectrum at a price fixed by the government and allocated administratively. They will also have to acquire the necessary licence and pay a licence fee. Telecom gear makers, however, say that for enterprises to run 5G networks is a difficult task as it is not their core competence, especially with stiff service level requirements. For example, in Germany, while Mercedes Benz owns the spectrum for a private network, allocated by the government, it has tied up with telco Telefonica to run the network and with Ericsson to provide the equipment. India and Iran have "surveyed" the possibilities of settling trade transactions in rupee or through barter system, along with discussing a need to establish a banking mechanism, foreign minister of the Middle Eastern country, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said on Thursday. New Delhi and Tehran have also agreed to "precipitate" investment in the Chabahar Port which is being developed with the help of India, the visiting minister said. "Yesterday, we discussed with Indian high officials as a special need with my colleague the external (affairs) minister on the need to establish a banking mechanism," Abdollahian said at an event organised by the World Trade Centre here. The two sides "surveyed" the possibility of trade in local currency, including rupee, or otherwise barter, he added. He said there are existing mechanisms within the framework of international law which can help in reviving the "banking and financial interaction", pointing out that Tehran has implemented such a mechanism with a dozen countries already. Abdollahian, who is on a three-day visit to India, addressed industry representatives in the financial capital. His arrival was delayed due to another round of meeting with Indian Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar on Thursday morning, as per organisers. "As we speak, we've in mind recognised legal mechanisms that can be conducive for development of trade between india and Iran," the Iranian foreign minister said. There are "ample opportunities" for India and Iran irrespective of the "unilateral sanctions" imposed by the US, which will not last for long, he added. Abdollahian, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday, said New Delhi and Tehran have agreed to "delineate a long term roadmap". He further said Modi is "way forward" on such thinking about a long-term partnership, and stressed during the meeting that both the countries are already implementing the roadmap even before formalising it. The foreign minister said there were detailed and forward looking discussions on economic and trade aspects, adding that Indo-Iranian trade was centuries old. He also said Chabahar Port is a very reliable infrastructure asset and added that it is already functional with help from Indian investment. "We agreed to precipitate the investment in this port," he said, adding that discussions were also held on energy. A "special heed" was paid to the capacities in oil, petroleum and gas that exists within Iran, he said. Iran has kept the domestic trade routes across the country ready and active to help the cause of trade, especially amid the war triggered by Russian invasion of Ukraine, 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.) India will strongly pitch for from public stockholdings to address the global food crisis, like those in wheat, at the 12th Ministerial Conference at Geneva, beginning next week. Dammu Ravi, secretary (economic relations) at the external affairs ministry, said: It is crucial to revisit the debate. The rules-based trading system should be made more flexible to facilitate solutions to assist countries needing food, fertiliser and all the components of the food system. His comments are significant as the G7 countries have criticised Indias ban on wheat exports, claiming it will exacerbate food shortages. A Bloomberg report said that the decision to ban wheat exports from India is thwarting international efforts to combat rising food prices. At the end of the day they are making matters worse, European Union Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said in an interview with Bloomberg. Worse for the most vulnerable countries exactly those who need support during this food security crisis. Ravi made the comments at a seminar to bring G7 and G20 positions on such issues closer, organised by RIS and the embassy of Germany in New Delhi this week. ALSO READ: India could soon allow wheat exports of 1.2 million tonnes: Report Unstated in the debate is the concern in Europe that the lack of wheat supply from Ukraine and Russia could raise the price of the basic cereal in the continent. The FAO food price index has been rising steadily since February. India is facing stiff opposition about its ban on export of wheat. Ravi said the blowback is unfair since the rules do not allow for export of wheat from Indias public stockholding. It is considered illegal even though the price at which the grain starved countries could buy it shall be a boon for them. As per the rules, a country can buy and stock foodgrains from its farmers, but those cannot be exported. For that to happen, the country must allow other countries to also sell their grains to India. The G7 is insisting that if India has to sell its wheat from its stockholding it should only be to the UN-run World Food Programme. The body shall then decide how to apportion the stock among the countries that need the grain but have low paying power. India has instead decided it will sell the wheat as per bilateral deals to countries that ask for the wheat directly. However, at the seminar, Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary, Germany, said it is vital to build trust in international cooperation to address these issues. More sustainable support to developing countries could come through open knowledge-exchange platforms such as the Global Alliance for Food Security by involving countries, think-tanks, research institutions and civil society organizations, and by bringing out tailor-made solutions that are appropriate to each country in need. The is progressing normally and will likely reach Maharashtra in the next two days, the said on Thursday. Senior scientist R K Jenamani said the covered south and central Arabian Sea, entire Kerala, parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu between May 31 and June 7. In the meantime, it covered the entire northeast India, which received good rainfall, he said. "There is no delay in the progress of the . It is likely to reach Maharashtra in the next two days and cover Mumbai in the subsequent two days," Jenamani told reporters here. "We have strong monsoon features -- there are strong winds and clouds have started developing -- for the next two days," he added. The scientist said conditions are favourable for the further advance of monsoon over Goa and some more parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the next two days. (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.) Enhanced Access and Service Excellence-EASE on Wednesday has evolved over four annual editions from FY19 to FY22 and has catalyzed reforms in diverse areas in . EASE 5.0 'Common reforms agenda' of EASENext program has been developed for and was launched through video-conferencing by the Minister of and Corporate Affairs, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The event was attended virtually by Managing Directors and CEOs, and other senior executives of . Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, in his opening remarks mentioned," All PSBs are now profitable and have stronger balance sheets, it is imperative that PSBs leverage this position of strength to significantly increase their competitiveness". He mentioned about PSB Manthan, 2022 which was organized in April, 2022 with functional heads of Public Sector Banks that paved the way for the genesis of a broader and bolder program - EASENext - would comprise 2 major initiatives: EASE 5.0 (common PSB reforms agenda) and Bank specific strategic 3-year roadmap (based on individual bank's business priorities). Under EASE 5.0, PSBs will continue to invest in new-age capabilities and deepen the ongoing reforms to respond to evolving customer needs, changing competition and the technology environment. EASE 5.0 will focus on digital customer experience, and integrated & inclusive banking, with emphasis on supporting small businesses and agriculture. Simultaneously, all PSBs will also create a bank-specific 3-year strategic roadmap. It will entail strategic initiatives beyond EASE 5.0. The initiatives will be across diverse themes - business growth, profitability, risk, customer service, operations, and capability building. Minister unveiled the agenda. She mentioned that EASENext is well-positioned to channel reforms with a specific focus on customer-centric initiatives. FM emphasised on customer-first strategy and focus on employee development. FM further mentioned that in order to develop a customer-centric approach banks should engage with their customers to understand their needs and expectations. While upgrading technology initiatives robust security mechanisms should be developed. Finally, she concluded that 'EASENext reforms should bring ease for customers as well as for employees. (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 be India's first agency to connect two countries through tourist train under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme of Indian as the train will depart on the Shri Ramayana Yatra Circuit from New Delhi on June 21, according to an official statement by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The train, originating from Safdarjung railway station, will cover the distance of approximately 8,000 kilometres between India and on the Shri Ramayana Yatra Circuit. This train will run on the Ramayana Circuit identified under the "Swadesh Darshan" scheme covering prominent places associated with the life of Lord Shri Rama. A visit to Ram Janaki temple in Janakpur located in by train will be part of this tour itinerary, the first time in its history. According to IRCTC, the train with a capacity of 600 persons, will cover major cities including Ayodhya, Buxar, Janakpur, Sitamarhi, Kashi, Prayag, Chitrakoot, Nasik, Hampi, Rameshwaram, Kanchipuram and Bhadrachalam. Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train is the Union government's initiative "Dekho Apna Desh" to promote domestic tourism. The proposed Bharat Gaurav Tourist train tour has its first stop at Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, where tourists will visit Shri Ram Janmbhumi temple and Hanuman temple and additionally Bharat Mandir at Nandigram. Besides this, will also provide a safety kit to all tourists containing a face mask, hand gloves and hand sanitiser. The journey will cost around Rs 65,000 per person. It will cover the states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. (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.) Seven founding states of the Arctic Council issued a joint statement to resume circumpolar cooperation without . Previously, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the US on Wednesday suspended their participation in the Arctic Council against Russia, another founding state of the circumpolar cooperation platform, Xinhua news agency reported. Since March 3, representatives from these states have examined modalities to allow a resumption of the work of the Arctic Council, the statement said. "We intend to implement a limited resumption of our work in the Arctic Council on projects that do not involve the participation of the Russian Federation," the statement added. "These projects, contained in the work plan approved by all 8 Arctic states at the Reykjavik ministerial, are a vital component of our responsibility to the people of the Arctic, including Indigenous people." According to the statement, the seven countries continue to examine additional modalities to allow them to further continue the Council's important work. (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.) Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has announced that is imposing new sanctions on Russian oil, gas and chemical industries. The Minister said in a news release on Wednesday that these new measures are imposing a ban on the export of 28 services vital for the operation of the oil, gas and chemical industries, including technical, management, accounting and advertising services, Xinhua news agency reported. The banning of the exportation of oil, gas and chemical services is targeting an industry that accounts for about 50 per cent of Russia's federal budget revenues, she added. Since February 24 this year, has imposed sanctions on more than 1,070 individuals and entities from and in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) and defended their vetoes of a strongly backed US resolution that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea at a first-ever General Assembly meeting Wednesday that is now required for any measure that sparks a in the Security Council by one of its five permanent members. The close allies reiterated their opposition to more sanctions, blaming the United States for rising tensions on the Korean peninsula and insisting that what's needed now is dialogue between North Korea and the Biden administration. Nearly 70 countries signed up to speak at the open meeting which General Assembly President Abdalla Shahid hailed as making the UN more efficient and accountable. It is with good reason that it has been coined as 'revolutionary' by several world leaders I have recently met, he said. Denmark's UN Ambassador Martin Bille Hermann told the 193-member world body as he started his address on behalf of the Nordic countries: History is being made today. The Security Council is entrusted with ensuring peace and security, he said, and the use of a to prevent the council from discharging its duties is a matter of great concern. The General Assembly's adoption of a resolution on April 26 requiring a debate on the issue not only gives the country or countries casting a to explain their reason but it gives all U.N. member nations a welcome opportunity to share our views on the matter at hand, Hermann said. A united Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea's first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking -- so far unsuccessfully -- to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and cut off funding. The 13-2 Security Council vote on May 26 marked a first serious division among its five veto-wielding permanent members -- China, Russia, United States, Britain and France -- on a North Korea sanctions resolution. On Sunday, North Korea fired eight short-range missiles in what appeared to be a single-day record for the country's ballistic launches. It was the reclusive north Asian country's 18th round of missile tests in 2022 that included its first launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles in nearly five years. U.S. deputy ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis told the assembly the record number of launches have taken place as North Korea is finalizing preparations for a potential seventh nuclear test. He called the actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK the country's official name unprovoked. De Laurentis stressed that U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have repeatedly and publicly said that we seek a dialogue with Pyongyang, without preconditions," and that message has been passed through private channels, including . The United States is more than prepared to discuss easing sanctions to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, he said. Unfortunately, DeLaurentis said, the DPRK has only responded with destabilizing launches that threaten not only the region but the world. Under the General Assembly resolution that required Wednesday's meeting, the permanent member or members casting a veto are given precedence on the speakers list. China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun addressed diplomats first, accusing the United States of ignoring positive steps taken by the DPRK and returning to its old path" of chanting empty slogans for dialogue and increasing sanctions against the DPRK. This has intensified the DPRK distrust of the U.S. and brought talks to a complete deadlock, he said. Zhang blamed the flip-flop of U.S. policies," its failure to implement results of the DPRK-U.S. dialogue during the Trump administration, and its disregard for the North's reasonable concerns" for tensions on the peninsula today. Where the situation goes from here will depend to a large extent on the actions of the U.S.," he said, and the key lies in whether the U.S. can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a reasonable attitude, and take meaningful concrete actions. Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said new sanctions against the DPRK would be a dead end, stressing that current U.N. sanctions have failed to guarantee security in the region nor moved us any further toward settling the nuclear missile non-proliferation issues. Anyone who is seriously addressing the North Korean problem has long understood that it's futile to expect Pyongyang to unconditionally disarm under the threat of a spiral of sanctions, she said. The creation of new military blocs in the regions such as the formation of the U.S.-Great Britain and Australia casts serious doubt on the good intentions of these countries, including in Pyongyang. North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Kim Song denounced all U.N. sanctions and the proposed U.S. resolution as illegal, saying they violate the U.N. Charter and his country's right to self-defense to prepare for any potential security crisis on the Korean peninsula and in the region. Modernizing the DPRK's armaments is essential, he said, to safeguard North Korea's interests from direct threat of the United States, which he insisted has made no move to abandon its hostile policy. (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.) China on Thursday termed the critical remarks by a top US General on its infrastructure build-up at the as a "despicable act" and criticised the attempts of some American officials to "add fuel to fire", emphasising that Beijing and New Delhi have the "will and capability" to properly resolve their differences through talks. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remarks during a media briefing here while replying to a question on the comments by US Army's Pacific Commanding General Charles A Flynn, who termed the situation in eastern Ladakh as "alarming." "This border issue is between China and India (and) the two sides have the will and capability to properly resolve the issue through talks," Zhao said. Zhao said "some US officials are trying to add fuel to the fire and pointing fingers. This is a despicable act. We hope they will do more to contribute to regional peace and stability." He reiterated that the situation at eastern Ladakh where the two sides had over two year-long military standoff is "stabilising". "Now the situation there is stabilising on the whole and the frontline forces from both countries have realised disengagement in most areas along the western section," Zhao said. Gen Flynn, who is on a visit to India, said on Wednesday that some of the defence infrastructure that is being created by China near its border with India in Ladakh is "alarming", calling the Chinese activity in that region as "eye-opening". Flagging concerns over the Chinese infra build-up, the US General also said that the "destabilising and corrosive" behaviour of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Indo-Pacific region is simply not helpful. "I think it is worthy of us working together as a counterweight to some of those corrosive and corruptive behaviours that the Chinese do," he told reporters. The Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5, 2020, when a violent clash between the two sides erupted in the Pangong lake area. Last month, it emerged that China is constructing a second bridge in an area held by it around the strategically key Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh and this could help its military to quickly mobilise its troops in the region. China has also been establishing other infrastructure such as roads and residential units in the border areas with India. India and China have held 15 rounds of military talks so far to resolve the Ladakh standoff. As a result of the talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area. However, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the sensitive sector. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Executive Thomas Gottstein on Thursday called queries over a potential takeover offer from U.S. financial giant State Street "really stupid", shutting down questions after a media report on the matter sent shares briefly higher the day before. "We never comment on rumours. And my father once gave me advice: for really stupid questions, you better don't comment at all," Gottstein said, flagging a related question at the Goldman Sachs European Financials Conference. "So I think I will listen to my father's advice on this one." Shares in spiked on Wednesday afternoon, with traders citing a report by Swiss financial news blog Inside Paradeplatz that U.S-based State Street was planning a takeover bid for the troubled lender, though many in the industry expressed doubts about the claim. Switzerland's second-largest lender has described 2022 as a "transition" year in which it is trying to turn the page on costly scandals that prompted a near total reshuffle of top management and a restructuring seeking to curtail risk-taking, particularly in its investment bank. Its shares have lost nearly half their value since two of the biggest shocks - the collapse of $10 billion in supply-chain finance funds linked to Greensill Capital and a more than $5 billion loss on the unwinding of trades by investment firm Archegos - hit the bank in March 2021. Those blows prompted questions over whether the flagship Swiss lender could be challenged by investors demanding its break-up, or that its shrinking stock-market value made it a target for a foreign hostile takeover. Reuters reported in April 2021 that State Street was among investors expressing interest in Credit Suisse's asset management arm. Gottstein said on Thursday no joint venture or strategic option was on the table for the business, adding asset management remained a key division for . The bank warned on Wednesday of a likely second-quarter loss and said it now aims to bring cost savings forward. Gottstein said alongside accelerating cost initiatives, the bank would also slow down some of its investments. "In some areas, we are waiting a little bit with some of the growth investments," he said. "In China, we had a plan to ramp up relationship managers by about one-third in each year (from 2022-2024). That RM growth, we're going to slow down a little bit." The bank, however, remained committed to its China plans, he said, disputing a report by Bloomberg earlier on Thursday. "I want to be very clear: our overall China roll-out is fully on track. There was some news that we are delaying our licence application for the (licensed bank), which is not true. We are fully on track on that. We also want to get to 100% on our China securities joint venture," 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.) owner recently slammed video streaming platform 'YouTube' over unnecessary advertisements on their platform. " seems to be nonstop scam ads" Tweeted on Tuesday. Musk targeted over the number of ads the platforms deliver to the viewers, calling it all a scam. Soon after the tweet was published it gathered a lot of attention from the audience. Fans agreed to Musk and asked him to buy in addition to his Multi-Million Dollar Twitter deal. Right after sharing his tweet Musk shared a meme, criticizing YouTube for its ads and how the company reacts when there is an obvious scam going all over its website. According to Mashable, YouTube has been accused of purposely milking videos for views and for money as well and even an Australian Court has penalized YouTube for its behaviour. YouTube generates a lot of revenue through the ads and YouTube Premium Membership, after Musk's tweet the platform is facing a lot of backlash on social media, although YouTube's reply to Musk's tweet is still awaited. is quite an active Twitter user for a very long time and has been surrounded by numerous controversies. Recently due to some rift with Twitter Management, Musk openly threatened Twitter to abandon the Multi-million dollar deal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The moved closer to forcing automakers to cease selling new gasoline-powered cars as lawmakers upheld plans to ban combustion engines from 2035 to help protect the climate. Members of Parliament rejected an amendment that would have allowed some auto emissions from new vehicles after 2035. The move is in line with the Commissions proposal for a 100 per cent emissions cut by that year. The vote now sets the stage for negotiations with member states later this year to determine the final shape of the law. If an agreement is reached, it effectively spells the end of the combustion-engine car in Europe, marking a radical overhaul of a form of transport that has been dominant for more than a century. Europes natural gas prices jumped after a fire at a large export terminal in the US wiped out deliveries to a market thats on high alert over tight Russian supplies. Benchmark futures traded in Amsterdam snapped a six-day falling streak, while UK prices soared as much as 39% before paring gains. The Freeport liquefied natural gas facility in Texas -- which makes up about a fifth of all US exports of the fuel -- will remain closed for a minimum of three weeks, resulting in at least 10 missed cargoes. The closure comes as pipeline supplies from Europes top providers are also capped. Key facilities in Norway are undergoing annual maintenance this week, while Russias supplies are below capacity after several European buyers were cut off for refusing to meet Moscows demands to be ultimately paid in rubles for its pipeline fuel. The event highlights Europes precarious situation, and it would likely signal an end for now to the calm trading seen in recent weeks, said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S. An export halt during the high-demand winter months would have triggered a much bigger reaction. The extent of the damage to the Freeport facility is not yet clear, but the fire could potentially knock out about 16% of total US LNG export capacity for an unknown period if it proves difficult to repair, analysts at Evercore ISI said in a note. A worst-case scenario could add to the already tight European market, said Fabian Ronningen, an analyst at Rystad Energy. But if the terminal can open in three weeks, the impact will most likely be limited, he said. US LNG is considered a key source for European nations curbing their dependency on the regions top supplier because of Russias war in Ukraine. In the last three months, 68% of all Freeport cargoes were delivered into European markets, said Tom Marzec-Manser, head of gas analytics at ICIS, citing his firms data. So traders in Europe will be eagerly watching and waiting to see if this outage ends up lasting longer than initially predicted by the operator. Strong gas-storage injections this year could help limit price gains, analysts at Inspired Energy said in a note. Europes underground facilities were about 50% full as of June 7 after active refilling in recent weeks, which moved the storage level closer to historic averages, data from Gas Infrastructure Europe show. Dutch front-month gas, the European benchmark, rose as much as 16% before settling 6.9% higher at 84.88 euros per megawatt-hour. The contract had dropped 16% over the previous six sessions. UK next-month futures hit 180 pence a therm before easing to 150.61 pence. Send-outs from Britains LNG terminals, a key European destination for US cargoes, fell about 30% Thursday to the lowest since mid-March. The continents electricity prices also rose, with German contracts for next month adding as much as 11% to 194.50 euros per megawatt-hour before retreating to 187.25 euros. Pipeline gas supplies to Europe from Norway rebounded after a one-day halt of the giant Troll field for annual tests on Wednesday, but are still below normal as seasonal works at a number of facilities continue. Shipments of Russian gas via the Nord Stream pipeline to Germany continued to edge down on Thursday, grid data show. Separately, Algeria suspended a two-decade-old cooperation agreement with Spain and moved to freeze trade, escalating their dispute over a former Spanish colony in Africa. The issue has threatened gas supplies to Spain in the past, but flows to the country continued this morning, said ICIS Marzec-Manser. Spain is confident Algerias decision will have no impact on gas contracts, Spains deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera told Onda Cero radio station. on Thursday dealt a near-fatal blow to chances of reviving the 2015 as it began removing essentially all the Atomic Energy Agency monitoring equipment installed under the deal, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said. had warned of retaliation if the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution drafted by the United States, France, Britain and Germany criticising Tehran for its continued failure to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites. The resolution was passed by a crushing majority late on Wednesday. Iran told the agency overnight it planned to remove equipment including 27 IAEA cameras as of Thursday, which is "basically all" the extra monitoring equipment installed under the 2015 deal going beyond Iran's core obligations to the agency, Grossi told a news conference. That leaves a window of opportunity of three to four weeks to restore at least some of the monitoring that is being scrapped, or the IAEA will lose the ability to piece together Iran's most important nuclear activities, Grossi said. "I think this would be a fatal blow (to reviving the deal)," Grossi said of what would happen if that window went unused. Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on reviving the 2015 deal have been stalled since March. "You think we would retreat from our positions if you pass a resolution at the (IAEA) Board of Governors? In the name of God and the great nation of Iran, we will not back off a single step from our positions," Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in a speech. Since then-President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the deal and re-imposed sanctions against Tehran in 2018, Iran has breached many of the deal's limits on its nuclear activities. It is enriching uranium to close to weapons-grade. Western powers warn it is getting closer to being able to sprint towards making a nuclear bomb. Iran denies wanting to. Iran has been keeping the data recorded by the extra monitoring equipment since February of last year, meaning the IAEA can only hope to access it at a later date. Grossi said it was not clear what would happen to that data now. He added, however, that more than 40 IAEA cameras would keep operating as part of the core monitoring in Iran that predates the 2015 deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The has asked cash-strapped Pakistan's government to renegotiate the China- Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy deals before making payments of around Rs 300 billion (USD 1,49,71,55,400) to the Chinese power plants, putting Islamabad in a tight spot, a media report said on Thursday. As of now has repeatedly been seeking aid to support its failing economy. The talks with the Monetary Fund are being held in the Qatari capital Doha. The global lender has asked the government to treat the Chinese power plants at par with the power plants established under the 1994 and 2002 power policies, The Express Tribune reported in a detailed report. These plants had been set up under the framework agreement. The IMF's demand came after China's refusal in the past to renegotiate the terms of agreements with the independent power producers (IPPs). Sources said the suspected that the Chinese IPPs might have been overcharging and there was a need to reopen these deals. The Mohammad Ali report, which was the outcome of a nine member committee headed by former chairperson of the Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan Muhammad Ali, on the IPPs had identified overpayment of about Rs 41 billion to the Chinese IPPs. Top officials in the Ministry of Finance confirmed to The Express Tribune that the had raised the issue of payments to the Chinese IPPs with their willingness to renegotiate the deals. When contacted, Esther Perez, IMF's Resident Representative, emphasised the need for equitable treatment of all power sector stakeholders due to the limited fiscal space. An important principle underpinning these (power sector) reforms is that all stakeholders contribute in an equitable manner to reduce the circular debt, between the government, IPPs and consumers, while protecting the most vulnerable consumers, said Perez. She said that Pakistani authorities should be cognizant of the limited fiscal space available to clear any outstanding arrears of the sector stakeholders, and thus there should be a trade-off between this and other government priorities, and the potential to unlock lower capacity payments for electricity as part of the aforementioned burden sharing across stakeholders. Perez added that in order to contain circular debt in the power sector, the government of Pakistan had engaged efforts to reduce the cost of power generation as part of a broad power sector reform strategy, including in concluding renegotiations of the capacity payment terms with over 30 IPPs last year. She added that a number of partners of Pakistan were supporting those reforms, including the World Bank and the IMF. Finance ministry sources said that the global lender had also objected to giving Rs 50 billion to the Chinese IPPs in February this year without first renegotiating the agreements. Due to the IMF's objections, the government did not directly make payment of Rs 50 billion to the Chinese IPPs last week. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that the Chinese IPPs would be given Rs 50 billion to ensure fuel supplies. Instead, the government released Rs50 billion for the Power Division under the general subsidy claims for July. In return, the Power Division made the payment to the Chinese IPPs and some to address their liquidity crunch, said sources. Sources added that after knowing about the indirect payment to the Chinese IPPs, the IMF asked Pakistan to provide the list of power plants that received the Rs 50 billion injection. The IMF's objections to clearing the outstanding dues of the Chinese IPPs may jolt Pakistan's efforts to address the Chinese concerns over the slowdown of during the past four years and its desire to put the multibillion-dollar initiative back on track. So far, 11 Chinese IPPs, set up with an investment of USD 10.2 billion, are operational, having total generation capacity of 5,320 megawatts. Out of these, nearly 2,000MW of power plants had been shut last month due to the depletion of imported coal inventories. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the 600 MW units each of Sahiwal and Port Qasim power plants would be back to the national grid from June 16 to 30. As of May 13, Pakistan owed Rs 340 billion to these power plants, out of which the government has now indirectly cleared some of the dues, leaving behind around Rs300 billion. The Chinese IPPs had threatened to stop their plants if the payments were not immediately cleared, prompting the prime minister to convene a meeting to address their concerns. Six more Chinese IPPs, being set up with an investment of USD 6.8 billion, are at various stages of implementation and will add 3,584MW to the generation capacity of Pakistan. The previous government had renegotiated the power purchase and implementation agreements with the 46 IPPs established under the 1994 and 2002 power policies. The renegotiation is expected to save Rs770 billion over a period of 20 years. The government had won concessions on account of reduction in the return on equity and other cost saving benefits from the power plants of 1994 and 2002 policies. In return, the government agreed to pay Rs403 billion to them in two installments. The payments were made in the shape of one-third in cash, one-third in five-year Sukuk and one-third in 10-year PIBs at the floating treasury bill rate plus 70 basis points. Sources said that the IMF wanted the same treatment with the Chinese IPPs and after renegotiating the deals, payments should be made in cash and treasury papers, according to The Express Tribune. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency said Thursday that Iran is removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites in the country. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the Atomic Energy Agency, made the comments at a suddenly called news conference in Vienna. Grossi said the move poses a serious challenge to its efforts. Iran did not immediately acknowledge it. Grossi said that would leave 40-something cameras still in Iran. The sites that would see cameras removed include its underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, as well as its facility in Isfahan, Grossi said. On Wednesday, Iran said it shut off two devices the IAEA uses to monitor enrichment at Natanz. Iranian officials also threatened to take more steps amid a yearslong crisis that threatens to widen into further attacks. That came ahead of a vote before the IAEA's board censuring Iran over what the agency calls Iran's failure to provide credible information over man-made nuclear material found at three undeclared sites in the country. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A key meeting of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party opened earlier this week with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance to discuss state policies, as speculation is rampant that Pyongyang may soon carry out a nuclear test, state media reported on THursday. On Wednesday, Kim presided over the fifth enlarged plenary meeting of the party's eighth Central Committee, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The KCNA however, did not provide details, including agenda items and when the session is scheduled to end, reports Yonhap News Agency. The agency reported earlier that the meeting would be held to make an interim review of state policies for 2022 and to decide on a "series of important issues". The fourth plenary session took place late last year. The meeting this time, in particular, has drawn keen attention from the outside world as it comes amid signs that the North's seventh is imminent. South Korean and US officials said the North appeared to have completed related preparations. The North may issue a new message justifying its nuclear development through the party meeting, observers here say. In advance of a in 2017, the North held a presidium session of the political bureau and adopted an agenda on carrying out the hydrogen bomb test A plenary session of the Central Committee usually takes place at least once a year to decide its key policy line, organisation reshuffles and other major issues. (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.) military on Wednesday warned of legal action against journalist Shaheen Sehbai for indulging in spreading 'malicious allegations'against the country's military establishment of asking former finance minister Shaukat Tarin to "betray" former prime minister Imran Khan and help the incumbent premier, Shehbaz Sharif. The military dismissed allegations hurled against its top leadership by senior journalist Shaheen Sehbai, terming them as 'baseless propaganda'. Sehbai, in a tweet, had claimed that former finance minister Shaukat Tarin was asked by the establishment to "betray" former prime minister Imran Khan and help the incumbent premier, Shehbaz Sharif. However, the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), denied the charge in a statement issued today. "The same has also been duly rebutted by Mr Shaukat Tarin himself. Peddling malicious allegations and blatant lies against the institution and its leadership to promote vested interests is condemnable and institution reserves the right to take legal action against those involved." However, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator and Former finance minister Tarin also said he was never asked by "anyone in the establishment" to "leave" PTI Chairman Imran Khan, whose term as prime minister came to an unceremonious end in April, Dawn reported. "I categorically deny what has been attributed to me by Shaheen Sehbai. I was never asked by anyone in the establishment to leave Imran Khan and join the Shehbaz Sharif government," he said on Twitter. Sehbai, however, in his tweet did not mention if Tarin was asked to resign or by whom, however, he claimed that Tarin himself had broken the news of being asked to assist the coalition government in dealing with the Monetary Fund (IMF). According to Dawn, the word neutral, used frequently by Imran Khan and his party, is now widely read as a reference to the military which has been consistently claiming that it remained apolitical and had nothing to do with the mechanics of the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan. However, since Imran's ouster, the army leadership has come under criticism on social media platforms, as the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also took exception to Sehbai's remarks and called them "baseless propaganda". "The insinuations by Shaheen Sehbai and some on social media quoting the former finance minister are baseless propaganda," a statement issued less than two hours after Tarin's tweet said. Prime Minister Imran Khan was voted out of power as he lost the trust vote mandated by the Supreme Court's ruling in April. As many as 174 members voted in favour of the motion in the 342-member House while members of the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were absent during the voting. In May, Tarin had claimed that the PML-N-led coalition government sought his expertise to lift the crumbling economy, saying he refused to do so until a caretaker setup was installed and fresh elections were announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Dawn reported, quoting local media sources. "Yes they [the current government leaders] did," Tarin had said when asked during a press conference whether any request had been made by the leaders of the new coalition government for help to boost the economy. "But I have made it very clear that I cannot do that," he said, adding that they believe the time has come for fresh elections to put the country's faltering economy into place. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukrainian President has signed a decree imposing sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on Russian President and dozens of other top Russian officials, his website said on Thursday. The sanctioned officials included Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The sanctions, imposed in the fourth month of Russia's Feb. 24 invasion, appeared unlikely to have much practical impact beyond the symbolic. In the early phases of the war, Zelensky had been pushing for a meeting with Putin, an idea downplayed by the which said there was still much preparatory peace negotiating to be done by their respective delegations. The peace talks are now frozen and is lobbying the European Union to impose a seventh sanctions package on . "Given that seems to aim to fight in to the last Russian, sanctions pressure, of course, needs to be increased," Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of were down 5 per cent at Rs 1,715.80 on the BSE in Thursdays intra-day trade, falling as much as 9 per cent in the last two days amid buzz of plant closure notice. According to some media reports, the Gujarat government seemed to haved issued closure notice to the chemical intermediate maker over the recent Nandesari explosions. The stock of specialty chemicals traded close to its 52-week low of Rs 1,712.50 touched on June 21, 2021. The stock has corrected 43 per cent from its 52-week high of Rs 3,020 touched on October 19, 2021. At 09:30 AM, the stock was down 2 per cent at Rs 1,768.30, as compared to 0.27 per cent decline in the . The BSE on Wednesday, June 8, 2002 as per the Exchange communication it sought a clarification from with reference to the media report in Financial Express. The response from the company was awaited. As per the notice issued by the office of Director of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH), functioning under the Gujarat governments Labour & Employment department, will not be permitted to start production activities till it follows compliances related to plant and building safety, the newspaper reported. However, on Wednesday, the company informed the exchanges that the fire caused damage to warehouse / offices/ some utilities and part of manufacturing facility of Sodium Nitrite that were facing the warehouse. All the other manufacturing facilities including other two streams of Sodium Nitrite were unaffected and in safe conditions. Stability studies and other assessments were simultaneously being conducted to reassure safe operations. The company further said it is in the process of submitting necessary applications / documents as sought by various authorities in order to obtain necessary permissions to restart the Plant, at the earliest. Meanwhile, in past one week, the stock price of Deepak Nitrite has declined 16 per cent after the company's manufacturing facility in the Nandesari GIDC area in Vadodara caught a massive fire following five chemical blasts on June 2, 2022. In comparison, the was down 2 per cent during the same period The stock of hit an over seven-year high of Rs 302.80 as it rallied 8 per cent on the BSE in Thursdays intra-day trade, on the back of strong outlook based on increase in crude price and domestic gas price realisations. In comparison, at 10:37 am, the S&P BSE Sensex was flat. The share of the state-owned oil exploration & production was quoting at its highest level since November 2014. It had hit a record high of Rs 334 on September 9, 2014. In the past one year, the stock has zoomed 114 per cent, as compared to a 5.5 per cent rise in the Sensex benchmark. Oil prices jumped about 3 per cent to 13-week high levels on Wednesday, as US demand for gasoline continues to rise despite record pump prices on expectations that China's oil demand will increase, and due to growing supply concerns in several countries. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS In the past one month, the stock has rallied 27 per cent, as against a 1 per cent gain in Sensex, after the company reported strong earnings in March 2022 quarter (Q4FY22). Its turnover and profit after tax (PAT) increased by 74 per cent and 92 per cent, respectively. The company said it reported its highest-ever quarterly net profit of Rs 1,630 crore in Q4FY22, as it received nearly $100 a barrel price for oil - produced and sold. The net profit during the quarter almost doubled, as compared to Rs 847.56 crore profit in the same period last year. Brokerage Prabhudas Lilladher maintains its buy rating on with a price target of Rs 344 per share as it believes the company is well placed to benefit from rising oil and gas prices and high gross refining margins. The FY25E EBIDTA can increase to Rs 21,000 crore (FY22-Rs 10,500 crore) on higher volumes, it said. The company's management has guided for strong volume growth expecting FY25E to be a watershed year, driven by commissioning of major oil and gas expansion along with Numaligarh Refinerys (NRL) expansion projects. Some key highlights for the company, noted by Prabhudas Lilladher, include oil and gas production to increase by 30 per cent and 70 per cent respectively post completion of major projects in Assam; the NRL refinerys expansion to 9MTPA from current 3MTPA to come on stream by FY25E; no imposition of windfall taxes after two years of depressed profits and no price cap on gas prices, it said in an analyst meet update report. Tech view Target: Rs 359 Support: Rs 290 As Brent crude prices resumed their uptrend in June, shares of have rallied 27 per cent on the BSE during this period. With today's surge, the shares have surpassed their immediate resistance of Rs 290 on the daily charts. A decisive close above this level may lead the stock to its next resistance level of Rs 325, followed by Rs 359, as per the yearly Fibonnaci charts. However, investors need to be wary of the fact that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is in the overbought zone, although the stock price hasn't faced any pressure so far. Moreover, the slow stochastic indicator, too, hints at mild slowdown in the rally. (With inputs from Nikita Vashisht) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. 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Digital Editor Read our full coverage on Buzzing stocks The price-to-moving averages' action reflects a firm trend in the shares. Besides, the Directional Index (DI) and strength in MACD, too, support a positive outlook. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is quoting at Rs 332.4, up 2.62% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is down 31.26% in last one year as compared to a 4.12% jump in NIFTY and a 26.43% jump in the Nifty Auto index. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is up for a third straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 332.4, up 2.62% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.18% on the day, quoting at 16386.3. The Sensex is at 54949.03, up 0.1%. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has slipped around 5.96% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Auto index of which Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has slipped around 1.48% in last one month and is currently quoting at 25976.25, up 0.81% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 35.7 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 47.72 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark June futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 331.25, up 2.14% on the day. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is down 31.26% in last one year as compared to a 4.12% jump in NIFTY and a 26.43% jump in the Nifty Auto index. The PE of the stock is 7.94 based on TTM earnings ending March 22. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab National Bank is quoting at Rs 30.85, down 0.96% on the day as on 13:19 IST on the NSE. The stock tumbled 27.41% in last one year as compared to a 3.93% rally in NIFTY and a 0.9% fall in the index. Punjab National Bank fell for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 30.85, down 0.96% on the day as on 13:19 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0% on the day, quoting at 16356.6. The Sensex is at 54933.35, up 0.07%.Punjab National Bank has lost around 7.36% in last one month.Meanwhile, index of which Punjab National Bank is a constituent, has increased around 0.96% in last one month and is currently quoting at 34946.15, down 0.38% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 101.9 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 398.18 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark June futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 30.25, down 1.14% on the day. Punjab National Bank tumbled 27.41% in last one year as compared to a 3.93% rally in NIFTY and a 0.9% fall in the index. The PE of the stock is 9.94 based on TTM earnings ending March 22. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rail Vikas Nigam said that it has entered into an agreement with "Kyrgyzindustry" for execution of infrastructure projects in Kyrgyz Republic. Particularly, the company is going to execute the railway line network on mutually agreed terms and conditions in the Kyrgyz Republic. Rail Vikas Nigam is in the business of executing all types of railway projects including new lines, doubling, gauge conversion, railway electrification, metro projects, workshops, major bridges, construction of cable stayed bridges, institution buildings etc. As of 31 March 2022, the Government held 78.2% stake in the company. The company reported 1% fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 378.16 crore in Q4 FY22 from Rs 381.79 crore posted in Q4 FY21. Net sales stood at Rs 6,437.54 crore for the quarter ended 31 March 2022 as against Rs 5,577.92 crore during the same period in the previous year, registering a growth of 15.4%. The scrip advanced 0.94% to currently trade at Rs 32.25 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tanla Platforms said that it has entered into an exclusive partnership with Kore.ai for five countries, viz. India, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines. This partnership is a step forward in offering enterprises and brands the ability to upraise the digital experiences of their key stakeholders: customers, partners, and employees through best-in-class conversational artificial intelligence (AI) based Natural Language Processing (NLP) system. Kore.ai is an enterprise conversational AI software platform and solutions company. It offers enterprise-grade, end-to-end, no-code conversational AI platform and AI-first solutions that serve as a secure foundation for enterprises to design, build, test, host, deploy and manage virtual assistants, process assistants and conversational digital applications for optimized customer, employee and agent experiences across voice and digital channels. Kore.ai also brings with it an experienced and dedicated team to jointly accelerate product development and go-to-market (GTM) with Tanla in India and other focus geographies. The conversational AI market is growing at a rate of - approximately 21% CAGR (source: Market Digits) while the Indian market itself is expected to grow at a rate of 25% CAGR (source: Gartner, Expert Interview). This outlook presents a huge growth opportunity in the conversational space. Tanla's rich communication portfolio and a strong customer base coupled with Kore.ai's conversational AI capabilities and large development organization will position the duo as a leader, enabling enterprises to deliver advanced, highly intelligent, and personalized experiences to their customers across their brand's digital touchpoints. Uday Reddy, founder chairman and CEO, Tanla Platforms, said, The Tanla - Kore.ai business partnership is a key milestone in our pursuit to provide best in-class next-gen solutions to our enterprise customers. This partnership will provide cutting-edge AI solutions on Wisely Platform to help clients realize the value of truly omnichannel digital customer experiences. Wisely, which has been co-developed by Tanla and Microsoft, is a blockchain-powered cloud-based platform that connects enterprises and suppliers through a secure 'express route', ensuring complete transparency and a single source of truth that results in immutable audit trails and zero dispute settlements. Tanla Platforms, one of the world's largest CPaaS players, processes more than 800 billion interactions annually and about 63% of India's A2P SMS traffic is processed through its distributed ledger platform. The company reported 11% fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 140.62 crore on a 3.6% decline in net sales to Rs 853.05 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q3 FY22. The scrip fell 1.34% to currently trade at Rs 1322.45 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Power Company said that Tata Power Solar Systems has commissioned a 450 MW DC capacity solar plant for Brookfield Renewable India. The installation entails set up of over 800,000 modules and was completed within record 7 months timeframe. The project will produce over 800GWh of clean energy annually and will help avoid up to 600,000 tons of annual CO2 emissions. Tata Power Solar is one of India's largest integrated solar companies and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Tata Power Company. Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power said, We are pleased to have completed the solar plant for Brookfield Renewables India in Rajasthan in record time. This project not only underlines our commitment to promoting sustainable energy adoption but also fortifies our position as a major EPC player in the country. Tata Power is one of India's largest integrated power companies and together with its subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities, has an installed/managed capacity of 13,635 MW. The company has a presence across the entire power value chain - generation (renewable, hydro and thermal power), transmission & distribution, coal & freight, logistic, trading and consumer-facing solar rooftop and electric vehicle charging businesses. On a consolidated basis, Tata Power Company reported 28% rise in net profit to Rs 503.11 crore on 15.4% increase in net sales to Rs 11,959.96 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q4 FY21. The scrip advanced 0.56% to currently trade at Rs 234.30 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The project scope is related to maintaining IT assets, systems updates, and digitizing processes. Wipro, together with ServiceNow, will contribute to Petrobras to advance its digital journey. The project aims to raise the level of service for internal users and reduce costs by modernising and aligning IT infrastructure processes with the business through a modern cloud solution focused on automation and integration. Brazil's Petrobras is one of the largest oil, natural gas and derivatives exploration, production and distribution companies in the world. "We want to ensure that the volume of information generated by the company's operations is processed even more intelligently and safely, contributing to decision-making in an agile and assertive manner. Petrobras' investment in digital transformation and innovation, which aims to add value to the business, also meets the company's demand for digitalization of corporate processes," said executive ICT manager at Petrobras, Marcelo Carreras. Douglas Silva, vice president and country manager, Brazil, Wipro said: "We are very excited to be able to collaborate with the modernization of IT processes at Petrobras, one of the largest conglomerates in the world. We want to help the company in its mission to drive digital transformation through Hyper-automation which is the union of technologies for process automation through tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, in addition to significantly improving the experience of its employees." The Wipro solution will also provide greater availability of technology infrastructure, visibility and cost control of IT assets, supporting the long-term growth of Petrobras' business. Wipro is a leading global information technology, consulting, and business process services company. The IT major reported 4% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,087.3 crore on a 3% increase in revenue to Rs 20,860 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q3 FY22. Shares of Wipro rose 0.61% to settle at Rs 470.45 on Wednesday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wipro: The IT major together with ServiceNow, will contribute to Petrobras, the largest publicly traded company in Brazil and one of the largest oil, natural gas and derivatives exploration, production and distribution companies in the world, to advance its digital journey. The project aims to raise the level of service for internal users and reduce costs by modernizing and aligning IT infrastructure processes with the business through a modern cloud solution focused on automation and integration. The project scope is related to maintaining IT assets, systems updates, and digitizing processes. Tata Power Company: Tata Power Solar Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power, commissioned a 450 MW DC capacity solar pant for Brookfield Renewable India in Rajasthan. The installation entails set up of over 800,000 modules and was completed within record 7 months timeframe. The project will produce over 800GWh of clean energy annually and will help avoid up to 600,000 tons of annual CO 2 emissions. Rail Vikas Nigam: The company has entered into an agreement with "Kyrgyzindustry" for execution of infrastructure projects in Kyrgyz Republic particularly Railway Line Network on mutual agreed terms and conditions. BLS International Services: The company has acquired Mumbai headquartered, largest business correspondent in the country - Zero Mass (ZMPL). With this all cash acquisition from company internal accruals, BLS international becomes the largest business correspondent network in India. ZMPL has been operating the largest BC network for State Bank of India (SBI) with around 11,500 active CSPs (~15% of all the SBI BCs). Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals: The company's board will meet on 13 June 2022, to consider a proposal to raise upto Rs 925 crore via debt securities on private placement basis. TTI Enterprise: The company's board will consider fund raising and stock split on 28 June 2022. Delta Corp continues under the NSE F&O ban for 9 June. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chhattisgarh government has halted the proceedings regarding three upcoming coal mine projects allotted to the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) in Hasdeo Arand forest in Surguja division. Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo on June 6 visited Hasdeo Arand in support of the local people who are protesting against the projects. Next day, Chief Minister said if Singh Deo did not want trees to be cut down for coal mine projects, then not a single branch will be chopped. Confirming the government's decision to put the projects on hold, Surguja district collector Sanjeev Jha told PTI that the three upcoming projects Parsa, Parsa East and Kente Basan (PEKB) phase II and Kete Extension coal mines -- are at different stages of pre-mining process. All the processes have been put on hold for indefinite period till further orders. "Without the consent of the local public representative the process will not be taken up further," he said. We have cancelled the gram sabha proposed on June 8 for Rehabilitation and Resettlement for PEKB phase II project-affected villagers. Similarly, the public hearing scheduled on June 13 for the Kente extension block for environment clearance has also been cancelled. Besides the legal procedures, the tree felling exercise for PEKB phase II mine and Parsa block has also been halted, the collector added. The three mines were allotted to RRVUNL and the Adani group is associated with it as MDO (mine developer and operator), Jha said. The operational mines in the region will continue to function, he added. The state government had recently granted final approval for felling of trees on forest land for Parsa mine and PEKB phase II mine coal projects. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and other party leaders held a protest at the CM's residential complex on Thursday, complaining that he failed to keep his appointment with them. The Congress leaders claimed that they were called inside the CM's residence here, frisked and their mobile phones also taken away. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, however, denied that the Congress leaders were given time by him and said they held a protest in support of their party leaders facing corruption charges. Mann was apparently referring to the arrest of former forest minister and Congress leader Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and naming of Sangat Singh Gilzian in a corruption case. Besides Warring and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, former deputy CMs Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and O P Soni, former ministers Aruna Chaudhary and Bharat Bhushan Ashu were present during the protest. Warring claimed that when they reached the CM's residence in the morning, they were made to wait for 45 minutes. Later, they were called inside the residence, said Warring, adding that the Congress leaders were "insulted" as they were frisked and their mobile phones taken away. The opposition leaders were later told that the CM is busy and he could meet them on Friday at 1 pm, he said. Then Congress leaders held a protest inside the CM's residential complex and raised slogans against the Bhagwant Mann-led government. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said he never seen such a government which insulted the opposition leaders. "Our mobiles were kept and leaders were frisked. I never faced such an insult," said Bajwa. Later, the Chandigarh Police took all Congress leaders in a bus to a nearby police station after taking them into custody. Chief Minister Mann said the Congressmen came to his residence without taking time and held a protest in support of their leaders facing corruption charges. In a tweet, he said supporting those who looted Punjab is a proof that "bribery is in their blood". (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian superstar Kamal Haasan, who is now in the limelight in wake of the success of "Vikram", on Thursday said that he would not shy away from and would contest the next Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The veteran actor said that his Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party has entered its fifth year and that he would not take a break from due to the success of the movie. Kamal launched the MNM with the thought that he would fill the void of the passing away of AIADMK's J. Jayalalithaa and DMK's M. Karunanidhi, the two stalwarts of Tamil . However, the party could not do well, getting 3.7 per cent of the votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but seeing its vote share decline to 2.6 per cent in the 2021 Assembly elections. Kamal himself had lost miserably to BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore Assembly seat. In the 2021 panchayat elections and the 2022 urban bodies polls also, the MNM failed miserably and several senior leaders resigned from the party, including its founder leaders. With the success of "Vikram" and back to the limelight as an actor, the veteran actor told media that he would be contesting the next Assembly polls. Kamal Haasan, who has taken a break of four years from the film industry has come back with a bang in "Vikram" which is a super-duper success. "Vikram" also has Vijay Sethupathi, Fahad Fazil, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, Chemban Vinod, Shivani Narayanan, and Antony Varghese. Tamil superstar Suriya played an extended cameo in the movie. Kamal had gifted a luxury car to the director of the movie and 13 motorbikes to its assistant directors. He also gifted a Rolex watch to Suriya. --IANS aal/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.) As demonstrators put up road blockades in several places of West Bengal's district to protest against the controversial speech of BJP leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, Chief Minister on Thursday urged them to call off their stir in the state and go to New Delhi to protest. The speech of the BJP leaders has tarnished the image of India across the globe and they should be arrested, Banerjee told reporters. "Road blockades are going on since morning in some places and people are suffering. I will request you (protestors) on behalf of the common people to call off the blockades as nothing has happened in . Go to New Delhi and protest, where there is a BJP government. Go to Gujarat and UP, Banerjee said at the state secretariat. India has faced diplomatic heat with strong reactions by Islamic countries to the controversial comments by two BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad. (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.) Setting in motion the process for the 16th presidential election, the Election Commission on Thursday said anyone desiring to contest would need 50 electors as proposers and 50 others as seconders -- a move aimed at weeding out non-serious candidates in these polls that once saw nominations getting rejected for 36 out of total 37 candidates. Besides, the candidate would need to deposit an amount of Rs 15,000 as security. The security deposit was increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 15,000 in 1997, when the total numbers of proposers and seconders were also increased from 10 each earlier. Also, a candidate must be a citizen of India and should have completed the age of 35 years, besides being qualified for election as a member of the House of the People. The President has a term of five years. According to the Election Commission, a person shall not be eligible for election as President if he or she holds any office of profit under the government of India or the government of any state or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the state governments. However, a person will not be deemed to hold any office of profit by reason only that he or she is the president or vice-president of the Union or the governor of any state or is a minister in the central or any state government. To be held on July 18, this would be the 16th while the first one was in 1952. The experience of the first five elections showed that some persons offered themselves as candidates for the office of the President without even a remote chance of getting elected. Another matter of concern was the manner in which some persons approached courts of law challenging the election to the office of the President. Accordingly, it was made mandatory for any prospective presidential candidate to get his or her nomination paper subscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and at least 50 electors as seconders. The upcoming elections would have 4,809 electors, comprising 776 MPs and 4,033 MLAs. These include 233 Rajya Sabha members and 543 from Lok Sabha. No elector can subscribe, whether as proposer or as seconder, more than one nomination paper in an election, and if one does so, his or her signature will be invalid on any nomination paper other than the one first delivered. Also, not more than four nomination papers can be filed by or on behalf of a candidate or received by the returning officer. An election petition calling in question an election to the office of the President may be presented within 30 days from the date of the declaration of the result to the Supreme Court by any candidate, or any 20 or more electors joined together as petitioners. The security deposit will be forfeited if the candidate is not elected and the number of valid votes polled by him or her is less than one-sixth of the number of votes necessary to secure return of a candidate at such election. In other cases, the deposit will be returned to the candidate. In the first in 1952, which Rajendra Prasad won, there were five contesting candidates with the last one getting only 533 votes. The second election in 1957, which was also won by Prasad, had three contesting candidates. The third election also saw only three contestants, but the fourth election in 1967 saw as many as 17 contestants with nine getting zero votes and five getting less than 1,000 votes. In comparison, the winner of 1967 election, Zakir Hussain, secured more than 4.7 lakh votes. The fifth election had 15 contestants with five failing to secure even a single vote. This election in 1969 had many firsts, including strict secrecy of voting and allowing some MLAs to cast their votes at Parliament House in New Delhi instead of their state capitals. At that time, the decision to have a gap of four days between the date of the poll and the date of counting faced some criticism. Some critics had also said the votes should have been counted at the state capitals themselves instead of being brought to Delhi. It was for the sixth election in 1974 when the Election Commission first decided to introduce several measures to discourage non-serious candidates. The election had only two contestants. For the seventh election in 1977, total 37 candidates filed their nominations. On scrutiny, the returning officer rejected the nominations filed by 36 candidates and only one validly nominated candidate remained in the field, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy. Neither the preparation nor publication of the list of contesting candidates for taking the poll therefore became necessary and Reddy was declared elected unopposed after the last date of withdrawal. The eighth in 1982 saw two contestants, while the ninth election in 1987 had three. The 1987 election also witnessed one candidate, Mithelesh Kumar Sinha, who eventually came third with 2,223 votes, requesting the Commission for facility to put forth his views over AIR/Doordarshan. Under a scheme evolved by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in consultation with the Election Commission in 1977, such broadcasting or telecasting facilities are afforded to recognized political parties during general elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. However, these facilities are not extended to other elections. Another candidate, V R Krishna Iyer also reportedly had requested the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting (Ajit Kumar Panja) that the three contesting candidates should be given the opportunity to express their views over AIR/Doordarshan. But, the government reportedly did not accept the request and accordingly no candidate was allowed facility of broadcasting/telecasting their views. The 10th election in 1992 had four contestants, Ram Jethmalani (2,704 votes, third place) and Kaka Joginder Singh Urf Dharti-Pakad (1,135 votes, fourth place). There have been only two contestants since the 11th presidential election held in 1997, when the security deposit and the numbers of proposers and seconders were increased significantly. (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.) Senior Congress leader on Thursday said party president has asked him to hold talks with all like-minded parties on the possibility of fielding a common candidate for the Presidential polls. Following her direction, Kharge, who is Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, called on NCP chief here to discuss the issue. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Kharge said, "I have been asked by Congress president to discuss the possibility of all like-minded parties coming together to field a common candidate for the Presidential polls." He said Pawar also supported the idea. Pawar indicated that the Presidential poll issue may gain momentum after June 20, when polls to 10 seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council will be held. "Our focus is presently is on the elections to Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council," Pawar told reporters. Kharge said he will also meet Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the issue. He said he will also approach the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Samajwadi Party, among others. "We will fix a meeting to discuss the possibility of fielding a common candidate," he added. Election for the next President of India will be held on July 18 in which 4,809 electors comprising MPs and MLAs will vote to elect incumbent Ram Nath Kovind's successor, the Election Commission announced on Thursday. Kovind's term ends on July 24. Going by its strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as in many state assemblies, the BJP is in a comfortable position to ensure the victory of the candidate nominated by it in the upcoming election. Maharashtra has 288 MLAs and 78 MLCs, who form the electoral college for the presidential election. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has signed a contract with Irish leasing company Griffin Global Asset Management for sale and leaseback of five 737 Max aircraft, a statement said on Thursday. Under sale and leaseback model, the airline sells its planes to a leasing company and then leases them back. This frees up the cash that the airline has spent in buying the aircraft. had signed a deal with to purchase 72 Max aircraft on November 26, 2021, approximately three months after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave the green light to Max planes. is scheduled to receive its first Max aircraft this month and is planning to launch its commercial flight operations in July. A statement by Griffin Global Asset Management said it "is pleased to announce the mandate for purchase and leaseback of five 737-8 aircraft with Akasa Air, a new airline based in India". The airline, which is backed by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and aviation veterans Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh, received the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2021 to launch commercial flight operations. Commenting on the contract with Griffin, Dube, Founder, Managing Director and CEO, Akasa Air, said, We are pleased to have Griffin as our partners in growth as we embark on our aviation journey. The high degree of confidence and endorsement from the Griffin team is a testimony to Akasa Air's robust and sustainable future. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) app is coming to 2022 smart TVs on June 30, announced on Thursday as it strides to build a platform for the next 20 years of gaming. The partnership between and would allow users to play cloud-enabled games on the latter's smart TVs, without a console. Users, however, would need Game Pass Ultimate subscription to access a complete library of cloud-enabled games. Fortnite is the only game title that would be available without subscription on the app for smart TVs. Were building a platform that can reach billions of playerswhether its on console, whether its on PC, whether its through cloud streamingwhere players on any device they want to play on should be able to find the content they want to play, said Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. Alongside the Xbox app for Samsung smart TVs, Microsoft announced plans to expand its Xbox Cloud Gaming service to two more countries -- Argentina and New Zealand. It essentially means Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in Argentina and New Zealand can now play cloud-enabled games on Apple and Android phones and tablets, Windows PCs, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, and on Samsung Smart TVs (from June 30). Unfortunately, India is still not in the list and the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in the country must wait to experience the Xbox Cloud Gaming service. ALSO READ: Xbox Series S review Microsoft is also working on Windows 11 and Edge browser to bring new gaming experiences. Below are some of the upgrades coming to Windows 11 to deliver better gaming experience: Optimisations for windowed games: According to Microsoft, the optimisations are currently being tested and they are designed to significantly reduce latency and unlock gaming features, including Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) New HDR calibration app: It will enable players to improve colour accuracy and consistency of their HDR displays Game Pass Widget: It will allow players to browse and discover games from Game Pass and jump back into their recently played titles Controller bar: It would populate a list of most recent games, and shortcuts to popular game launchers, including the Xbox app. Controller bar enables players to jump back into their games or even access Xbox Cloud Gaming without the need for a mouse and keyboard. This is also currently being tested in the Windows Insider program Here are the gaming related upgrades coming to desktop version of Microsoft Edge browser for enhanced experience: Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 9 (ANI/TPT): Hackmanship v5.0 organised by Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering with AnaStrat, world's first analytical platform for day traders as its training partneron 4th and 5th June ended with short listing young talent for the starts-ups product development. 'AnaStrat' the training partner at the 'Hackmanship v5.0' is new platform to help traders analyse their trading behaviour and maximise profits. A world's first platform AnaStrat (https://anastrat.com) is highly beneficial for the traders who have less time in today's fast-paced world. It provides post-trade analytics that helps traders zero in on winning strategies and avoid losses. Commenting on the event, Mohit Golecha, CTO, AnaStrat, said, "We believe that Hackathons are a way to bring together innovators, connect with peers and create a learning environment with competitive spirit. We are thrilled to be the training partners for an immersive, hackathon as part of our learn and trade drive. We have shortlisted the students who will be helping us on our product development." The event was an Inter College, extravagant 24-hours Hackathon, hosted by the ISE Department of Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE), Bangalore. It was aimed at giving the brightest of minds a chance to brainstorm as a team and come up with unique solutions, code it out and solve some of the pressing problems of the society. It is noteworthy to mention, there have been 4earlier versions of Hackmanship organised in the past. So far, all the events witnessed some brilliant projects while challenging the students to top them off with their out-of-the-box ideas. As the event organizers believe, "You can't solve a problem on the same level that it was created. You have to rise above it to the next level." AnaStrat (https://anastrat.com/) upskills traders by providing key analytics and critical insights, with ITS proprietary algorithm, that empowers them to take better trades and improve themselves. It is not about stock market analytics, but all about behavioural analytics of traders towards market and self-improvisation. AnaStrat's algorithm is globally patented for PCT via USPTO. This story is provided by TPT. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/TPT) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, led by Chairman Bibek Debroy, recently suggested that the government should come out with a guaranteed employment scheme for the urban unemployed as well as introduce a universal basic income and allocate higher funds towards the social sector to reduce inequality in India. It said that looking at the difference between the labour force participation rate in rural and urban areas, the urban equivalent of schemes like that are demand-based and offer guaranteed employment should be introduced so that the surplus labour is rehabilitated. The government of India had passed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 in September 2005. The mandate of is to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. The Ministry of (MRD) monitors the implementation of the scheme in association with state governments. This Act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the people living in rural areas. Primarily semi or unskilled work was given to people living below the poverty line in rural India. Adult members of rural households submit their name, age and address with a photo to the Gram Panchayat, which registers households after making enquiries and issues a job card. The job card contains the details of the adult member enrolled and his /her photo. The registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days of continuous work) either to Panchayat or to Programme Officer. The employment will be provided within a radius of 5-km. And if it is beyond 5-km, extra wage will be paid. A majority of the works that are notified under are related to agricultural and allied activities, besides the works that facilitate rural sanitation projects in a major way. MGNREGA is a demand-driven wage employment programme and resource transfer from the Centre to the states is based on the demand for employment in each state. It provides a legal guarantee for wage employment by providing allowances and compensation both in cases of failure to provide work on demand and delays in payment of wages for work undertaken. The process of reviewing official records and determining whether state reported expenditures reflect the actual monies spent on the ground is called the social audit. It includes an audit of the quality of works being executed at different levels along with the details of disbursements made, the number of labourers employed and materials used. The people in coordination with local administration conduct the social audits, whose objective is to ensure public accountability. In FY22, the Centre had budgeted Rs 73,000 crore for MGNREGA but ended up spending almost Rs 98,000 crore due to continued robust work demand. For this fiscal, the government has allocated Rs 73,000 crore for the scheme in the Budget. More than 2.4 crore households are seeking work under MGNREGA and the number of active workers stands at 14.89 crore. If Hyundai wants to make a big splash here in the Philippines, they should consider this: the first-ever Creta N Line. Confirmed to be a glo... In a February memo to his staff, Chapek doubled down on his stance, describing the metaverse as, the next great storytelling frontier and the perfect place to pursue our strategic pillars of storytelling excellence, innovation, and audience focus. Teams across the company are exploring this new canvas, and I have been blown away by what Ive seen. What steps is Disney taking to realize their metaverse goals? In February, Chapek appointed veteran executive Mike White to the new role of senior VP of next-generation storytelling and consumer experiences at the Walt Disney Co. According to the memo announcing the appointment, it was explained that White is responsible for organizing the companys initiatives that blend physical and digital worlds. In April, the L.A.Times reported that White had been meeting with leaders across all of Disneys businesses to lay the foundation for the companys future metaverse strategy. At the time, it was reported that White was meeting with executives from Parks and Imagineering, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Industrial Light & Magic to create a task force that would brainstorm the best ways to approach the emerging technology. How will this impact consumers? Its too soon to say for sure, but early indications do not seem to imply an entirely digital William Gibson-style cyberspace where fans can pop on a headset and live in their favorite Disney films. From everything that has been shared publicly so far, its clear that White a former Parks Experiences and Products exec and other Disney executives are developing ways to connect physical spaces like their theme parks to digital components such as Disney+, and other virtual environments that may emerge in the future. Another possible avenue: immersive virtual environment at its theme parks, for which Disney recently filed a technology patent. Talking with CNBC in February, Chapek explained that Disneys metaverse plans will take all the great things that we as a media company have with Disney+ and use that as a platform for the metaverse, but at the same time we have something that no one else has and thats the physical world, a world of our parks. And so, if the metaverse is to blend the physical and the digital in one environment, who can do it better than Disney? Who can do it better than Disney? Disney CEO Bob Chapek hints at plans to bring his company into the metaverse in a post-earnings chat with @JBoorstin. https://t.co/kNFrfbaFKr pic.twitter.com/dqgZi8gmnp CNBC (@CNBC) February 9, 2022 Pictured at top: Ralph Breaks the Internet What is Disney saying? In a statement, Disney explained: Strange World will be available to all Disney+ subscribers in France, forgoing a French cinematic release. While we support French cinema and have for decades the new, cumbersome media chronology is anti-consumer, ignoring how behavior has evolved over the last several years and putting us at increased risk for piracy. We will continue to make decisions on a film-by-film basis and according to each markets unique conditions. How has the FNCF responded? Speaking with Variety, an FNCF rep argued: From what we understand, Disney is unhappy with the fact that they have to pull out their titles from their service to allow free-to-air channels to have their exclusive window, so what we are telling them is, Instead of putting pressure on cinemas, please come and discuss with tv channels. Whats next? Today, the FNCF invited Disney to attend meetings organized by Frances national film body, the CNC, to discuss ways to get Disney features back in French theaters. The organization also called on the French government to work on a timely solution to the problem and avoid turning spectators and exhibitors into victims of the dispute between the studio and the government. What does this mean long-term? Frances windowing laws dont only apply to Disney, so they could have far-reaching effects on other platforms as well. HBO Max and Paramount+ are planning to launch in France in the near future and there is a very real chance that the countrys windowing laws might force those platforms to follow Disneys lead. Photo: The Canadian Press Patricia Fusco, Supervising Deputy Attorney General, lowers her head as victims of Naason Joaquin Garcia speak of the plea deal. Naason Joaquin Garcia, the former leader of the fundamentalist Guadalajara, Mexico-based church La Luz del Mundo, was sentenced in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Garcia was sentenced to 16 years, 8 months. At left is defense attorney Alan Jackson. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool) The leader of the Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo was sentenced Wednesday to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing young female followers who said he made them his sex slaves. Naason Joaquin Garcia, 53, abruptly pleaded guilty last week in Los Angeles Superior Court to three felonies on the eve of a long-awaited trial. Prosecutors said Garcia, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, used his spiritual sway to have sex with girls and young women who were told it would lead to their salvation or damnation if they refused. I never cease to be amazed at what people do in the name of religion and how many lives are ruined in the guise of a supreme being, said Judge Ronald Coen, who called Garcia a sexual predator. The sentence came after nearly three hours of emotional statements by five young women Garcia was charged with sexually abusing. They had once been his most devoted servants. But in court they called him evil and a monster, disgusting human waste and the antichrist. I worshipped my abuser, said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. Garcia, dressed in orange jail scrubs and wearing a surgical mask pulled under his glasses, didnt turn to face the women. He sat upright and looked straight ahead with this hands shackled at his waist as he followed along with the proceedings listening through ear phones to a Spanish interpreter. Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. The victims objected to the plea deal, saying they only learned about it at the last minute and were not consulted. They implored Coen to impose a stiffer sentence but he said his hands were tied by the agreement. The world has heard you, he told the weeping Jane Does and their supporters. I promise you that. The church, which is also known as the Light of the World, said in a statement that Garcia pleaded guilty because he didnt think he could get a fair trial after prosecutors withheld or doctored evidence. The agreement would allow him to be freed sooner. The Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family, the church said. It repeated its support for him. Garcias grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church in 1926. Garcia took over as apostle after his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, died in 2014. Flores was also the subject of child sex abuse allegations in 1997, but authorities in Mexico never filed criminal charges. Patricia Fusco, supervising deputy attorney general, tearfully praised the victims for their bravery in standing up to Garcia and his followers who have rallied around him and shamed the young women. She said their courage had saved others' lives. They trusted him. They thought he was basically God on Earth, Fusco said of the victims. We know, of course, hes not God. Not even close. ... Anyone who still believes hes God is complicit and theyre supporting a child molester. Garcia was aided by others in the church who groomed his victims and facilitated the abuse. Two women who have pleaded guilty to related charges were not sentenced Wednesday. The victims spoke of how their delight at being invited into a secret inner circle with Garcia quickly spun into an out-of-control nightmare of rape and other sexual abuse that they described at times in graphic detail. They said they were called angels and told they were Garcias property and that his wishes were godly commands and they should serve the Lord without question. Bible verses were twisted to make them comply. But they were also told they would damned if they spoke out and so would anybody they told. The women had been born into the church and it was the only life they had known. They prayed three times a day and sang songs to Garcia. Defense lawyers had said prosecutors were operating under a far-fetched legal theory that Garcia used spiritual coercion for sexual pleasure. It is a fantasy seemingly invented out of whole cloth, defense attorney Alan Jackson wrote in a court filing. But prosecutors said the victims were essentially brainwashed by Garcia and felt they would be ostracized by the insular church community if they didnt submit to his desires. In denying a defense motion to dismiss the case, a judge said Garcia used religion as invisible handcuffs to exploit his victims. When some of his followers finally turned on him, they found themselves isolated and suffering in silence. Some of their own family members didnt believe them. Being called an apostate was the worst of the worst and you would go to hell no matter what, said Jane Doe 2, who cried throughout her statement. They were humiliated and shamed, called sluts and whores, they said. Their families were threatened. One woman said she had suicidal thoughts and another said she tried to kill herself several times. They all said Garcia had ruined their lives. On the day Garcia was apprehended three years ago, Jane Doe 3 said her mother took her to church to join other worshippers who were crying and praying for him. I knew those tears were not for me. It broke me to stand there, she said as she wept. I couldn't help but feel betrayed. Photo: The Canadian Press It's an itinerary worthy of Hollywood: the governor of California, the man who runs Google and the president of the United States. Day 2 at the Summit of the Americas is shaping up to be a busy one for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. After he meets with President Joe Biden and holds a news conference with Gov. Gavin Newsom, Trudeau will take in the summit's first leader-level plenary. He's also meeting with the president of Argentina before sitting down with Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company. On Wednesday, Trudeau spent the day talking to Latin American and Caribbean leaders about helping their countries achieve their sustainable development goals. Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, says today might be the day to put Canada's own needs on the table. "The world is changing ... and as a response, new alignments are taking shape," said Hyder, who wants Ottawa to get more assertive with the U.S. on bilateral issues. Supply chains are changing in real time, thanks to the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and governments are realizing that the private sector has a key role to play, he added. Canada should be asking, "How are we going to partner? How are we going to address climate change? What are we going to do about supply chain integrity?" Hyder said. "These are things that we can work on together, the public and private sectors ... we need to learn and do more of that if we're going to help Canada navigate its way through an extremely complicated world." On Wednesday, Trudeau spent the day focused on the ever-present challenges facing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean challenges that manifest in the U.S. and Canada in the form of economic constraints and migratory pressure. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley described a "triple crisis" in her country: the lasting economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring fuel and food costs exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, and climate impacts that are felt most acutely in tiny island nations like hers. Mottley suggested that it's time the rest of the world began taking those concerns more seriously. "We don't expect things to change immediately," Mottley said. "But what we expect is fairness, what we expect is transparency, what we expect is that just as we want to see people here, we want people to see, feel and hear us as well." Mottley and Trudeau later took part in a roundtable discussion with leaders from Chile, Belize, Ecuador and Jamaica, where they heard complaints about financial institutions that could be doing more to support growth in the developing world. It's vital for democracy to thrive in small and developing nations, and for their citizens to share in the rewards and realize the benefits. "We need as like-minded countries, but quite frankly, as a world we need democracies to succeed," Trudeau said. "In order for democracies to succeed at a time where they're backsliding, where they're under pressure from all sorts of corners of the world, we need our citizens to feel that success." Fostering economic success and social stability at home is a key part of the strategy for staving off another problem confronting the hemisphere: the constant migratory tide of would-be refugees who are making their way to the Mexico-U.S. border. "Nobody leaves his or her home because they want to, they leave because there are no opportunities because they're facing poverty and an untenable situation," Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly after the first of her two scheduled meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "We have to look at the question of creating opportunities in our hemisphere. We need to give trust in people that they can be living in their country, having access to services, to good education for their children, and good health care." Canada's goal, she added, is "to make sure that some of the concerns of these countries are addressed by our American friends." Biden used the summit's opening ceremony to unveil a new hemispheric "partnership" aimed at driving economic growth across the region, which the White House says accounts for 31.9 per cent of global GDP. The new initiative appears to be a continental cousin to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, Biden's new partnership with regional powers like Japan, India and South Korea to counter the growing influence of China. It's also an excuse for Canada to get serious about partnering with the United States, said Hyder, who has excoriated the government for getting left out of the Asia-Pacific network. "It's an opportunity for us to not just seem to be, but actually be a reliable partner that the United States can count on to help advance our collective interests," he said. "You assert yourself into these things, because it is in our national interest ... it's best to be in the room than on the outside looking in." Canada is using the summit to push for "urgent action" to confront climate change, another key factor in fuelling out-migration, and looking for funding initiatives to help countries in the region. Advancing gender equality and fostering the economic and democratic growth that comes with it is another pillar of Canada's summit strategy. Photo: The Canadian Press All five Marines on board an Osprey were killed when the aircraft crashed in the California desert near the Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday, a day after the accident. No additional details were provided in the Marine Corps statement. The MV-22B Osprey went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles east of San Diego. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, said Maj. Mason Englehart, a spokesperson for the wing. The Osprey is a hybrid airplane and helicopter that has been criticized for its safety record. It can take off and land like a helicopter but transit as a turboprop aircraft. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Prior to Wednesday's crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22B Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a hard landing in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. Its development was marked by deadly crashes, including an April 2000 accident in Arizona that killed 19 Marines. Photo: The Canadian Press The U.S. Justice Department is opening a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence that the agency has a pattern of looking the other way in the face of beatings of mostly Black men, including the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene. The federal pattern-or-practice probe, which officials familiar with the matter told The Associated Press will be announced later Thursday, comes more than three years after white troopers were captured on long-withheld body-camera video beating, stunning and dragging Greene on a rural roadside near Monroe. Despite lengthy, ongoing federal and state investigations into a death that troopers initially blamed on a car crash, no one has yet been charged. An AP investigation found Greenes arrest was among at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. Dozens of current and former troopers said the beatings were countenanced by a culture of impunity, nepotism and, in some cases, outright racism. APs reporting found troopers have made a habit of turning off or muting body cameras during pursuits. When footage is recorded, the agency has routinely refused to release it. And a recently retired supervisor who oversaw a particularly violent clique of troopers told internal investigators last year that it was his common practice to rubber-stamp officers use-of-force reports without ever reviewing body-camera video. In some cases, troopers omitted uses of force such as blows to the head from official reports, and in others troopers sought to justify their actions by claiming suspects were violent, resisting or escaping, all of which were contradicted by video footage. Those who confirmed the pattern-or-practice investigation spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the inquiry before it was announced. A Justice Department spokesperson did not provide any immediate comment. A state police spokesman had no immediate comment but said the agency plans to issue a statement later Thursday. Black leaders have for months been urging the Justice Department to launch a broader investigation into potential racial profiling by the overwhelmingly white state police, similar to other probes opened over the past year in Minneapolis, Louisville and Phoenix. By its own tally, 67% of state police uses of force in recent years were against Black people, who make up 33% of the states population. The action comes as Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards prepares to testify before a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers investigating Greene's death. Edwards and his lawyers privately watched the video showing Greene taking his final breaths during his fatal arrest footage that didn't reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greenes May 10, 2019, death. Federal prosecutors also are still investigating whether police brass obstructed justice to protect troopers in the Greene case and whether they sought to conceal evidence of troopers beating other Black motorists. Photo: Wandsworth Libraries A library in England is trying to determine how a book 48 years and 107 days overdue made its way to Port Moody. The Tooting Library, one of 12 that comprise the Wandsworth library system in south London, posted the manuscript mystery on its Twitter account Monday after it received a plain brown envelope posted from B.C. Inside was a copy of A Confederate General from Big Sur, by Richard Brautigan, that was due Feb. 19, 1974. The pink check-out slip was tucked into a brown envelope that warns ominously, If this book is not returned to the library on or before the last date shown on the card, a fine will be charged in accordance with the Libraries Regulations. According to the Tooting Librarys website, its late return charge is 25p per item per day. Fortunately for the borrower, the maximum fine is 8.50. Otherwise, they would be on the hook for 4,406.75, or $6,934.88. Thats almost 3,000 per cent more than the books original cover price of 1.50. Brautigan was an American novelist, poet and short story writer who died by suicide in 1984. A Confederate General from Big Sur was his debut novel, published in 1965. Its about a man named Lee Mellon who believes hes a descendant of a Confederate general from Big Sur, California, who may or may not exist. While the books dust jacket boasts Brautigans fantasies are ingenious, blithe and beautiful, it didnt exactly fly off the shelves and subsequently went out of print. But interest in it reignited when Brautigans 1967 novella, Trout Fishing in America, was a critical and commercial success, selling more than four million copies worldwide and putting the author at the forefront of the decades counterculture youth movement. By the time Brautigan died at the age of 49, hed published nine novels, as well as 10 collections of his poetry. Several writers cited him as an influence on their own work, including Canadas W.P. Kinsella. The late author, whose most famous work, Shoeless Joe, became the basis for the Kevin Costner movie, Field of Dreams, wrote in the introduction to his 1985 collection of 26 short stories, The Alligator Report, I cant think of another writer who has influenced my life and career as much. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the longest overdue library book is a historical tome about Northern Germans, written in Latin, that was borrowed in 1668 from the library at Sidney Sussex College at the University of Cambridge and returned in 1956 288 years late. Photo: Glacier Media The City of Richmond has joined forces with 143 hotel workers who have been on strike for more than a year. Richmond city council has adopted a resolution to not give any business to the Pacific Gateway Hotel on Cessna Drive until hotel management reaches an agreement with the workers union, UNITE HERE. The resolution comes after a delegation of striking hotel workers appeared and spoke before city council in April to urge them to cease spending any public money at the hotel. According to the union, the city informed the hotel owner, the PHI Hotel Group, of city councils resolution in a letter this week. During the pandemic, the PHI Hotel Group allowed the federal government to use Pacific Gateway as a quarantine site, but Red Cross workers were used instead of the hotels own staff, who were temporarily laid off at the time due to the COVID-induced downturn in the industry. The government then pulled out of the contract with the hotel in January of this year, citing concerns over the hotels treatment of workers. Im happy that Richmond city council decided to adopt the resolution, said Treva Martell, a terminated server from Pacific Gateway and a Richmond resident. Were the ones who built up this hotel and made it its name. Im glad council understands this is bad for Richmond residents and bad for business. Their decision sends a strong message that they will not condone the hotels actions. Thank you to Richmond city councillors for standing behind us workers. It means so much to me. Most of the terminated workers are women, one of whom, a housekeeper, filed a human rights complaint against the hotel last year on behalf of herself and 89 other women for wrongful firings on the basis of sex and racial discrimination. UNITE HERE Local 40 launched the B.C. Unequal Women campaign to highlight how women have borne the brunt of pandemic terminations in the hospitality industry. Since the launch of the campaign, hotels across B.C. have agreed to bring their workers back to their pre-pandemic jobs, including Hilton Metrotown which recently resolved a 13-month lockout. Pacific Gateway, says the union, has refused to return workers to their jobs. Photo: JetBlue / Ian Duncan For the first time in years Vancouver has daily non-stop flights to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The first commercial JetBlue flight to ever land at a Canadian airport is set to arrive at 10:26 p.m. at Vancouver International Airport (YVR,) from JFK. The return flight is set to leave YVR for JFK at 11:30 p.m., so it can arrive at 7:48 a.m. Eastern Time. While the flight times were partly determined by what slots airports had available, JetBlue's head of marketing and loyalty, Jayne O'Brien, told BIV this morning that she thinks the time slots are excellent. Passengers are able to experience a full day in New York before flying to Vancouver in the evening. Vancouverites, meanwhile, are able to take a night flight and land early in the morning in the Big Apple. It has been a while since Vancouver had non-stop flights to JFK. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific operated 17 flights per week between YVR and JFK, before it axed that route in early 2020. Those flights were part of Cathay Pacific's one-stop route between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and JFK. When it axed YVR as a stop-over airport in those flights, it increased non-stop flights between HKG and JFK. Air Canada flies daily non-stop flights between YVR and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, which has a connecting train to Manhattan. The airline also flies daily between YVR and La Guardia, but those flights have stop-overs at various Canadian airports. Air Canada originally flew between YVR and JFK, but in 2009 it redirected flights to the New York City catchment area to EWR because EWR is a Star Alliance partner airline hub, Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah told BIV this morning. WestJet has stop-overs on its flights between YVR and JFK. The YVR-JFK JetBlue flights use Airbus A-320 planes that have 162 seats, of which 120 would be considered economy class. JetBlue calls those seats "core seats," with the other 42 seats being "even more space" seats, or what most airlines call premium economy. Prices for one-way YVR-JFK flights start at $234, O'Brien said. BIV checked online booking systems to discover that there is a fluctuation in pricing, depending on the day. Round-trips in the next month can be priced as high as $1,098, and as low as $525. JFK is JetBlue's hub airport, so the airline has a wide variety of potential connecting flights, O'Brien said. Vancouver is the airline's 26th destination outside the U.S. Overall, JetBlue flies to more than 110 cities. O'Brien said the airline has a strong contingent of flights to the Caribbean out of JFK, as well as flights to Europe and South America. "What we're all seeing in the airline business and hospitality business at the moment is this pent up demand coming back," O'Brien said. "Customers are saying 'I want to go to see my relatives again. I want to go and see the world. I want to have experiences again.' So we're seeing demand levels, overall, almost what they were in 2019, pre pandemic." JetBlue had originally planned this summer to launch non-stop flights between YVR and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). It then cancelled that route last month because, O'Brien said, the airline wanted to make sure that it had sufficient staff for all routes in order to prevent flight delays. "We're making improvements in facilities and infrastructure, and we're getting more and more training done," she added. Photo: The Canadian Press Liberal MP Raj Grewal rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Friday, June 3, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld An operations supervisor at Casino Lac Leamy told an Ottawa courtroom Thursday that former Liberal MP Raj Grewal got so agitated playing blackjack four years ago, the incident was written up in a formal security report. Grewal was charged by the RCMP in September 2020 with four counts of breach of trust and one of fraud over $5,000. His lawyer said in a written statement Thursday two of those charges were withdrawn by the Crown on Monday, the first day of Grewal's trial. Nader Hasan said a third charge was withdrawn before the trial began. "The prospect of a trial has hung over Mr. Grewals head for a long time," Hasan said. "We will present a vigorous defence over the coming weeks, and we feel confident that Mr. Grewals complete innocence on these breach of trust charges will become clear for all to see." The trial is being heard by a judge alone, and is expected to last until late July. Grewal, who lives in the Toronto area, was in the courtroom for the trial Thursday, sitting quietly behind his lawyers. Grewal parted ways with the Liberals in the fall of 2018 just three years after first being elected. He sat as an Independent MP for a Brampton, Ont., riding until the 2019 election, in which he did not run. Days after his split from the Liberals, Grewal issued a video statement in which he said he had a gambling addiction and had racked up millions of dollars in debt. He claimed the debts were all repaid, adding that nothing sinister had taken place. The RCMP launched a criminal probe into Grewal's gambling in 2017 after Canada's Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre, or Fintrac, sent the RCMP some suspicious transaction reports related to Grewal. The charges laid in September 2020 stemmed from allegations he used his position as an MP to solicit millions of dollars in loans he did not disclose to the ethics commissioner, and misused his MP office budget. The federal ethics commissioner launched an investigation into Grewal's disclosures in early 2018 but that investigation was suspended when the criminal charges were laid and will not resume until the case is concluded. Grewal, 36, said in 2018 that he started gambling "recreationally" after university, and that in 2016, shortly after being elected as an MP, he began to frequent the Casino Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Que., while he stayed at the attached hotel. He said the recreational gambling morphed into an addiction for which he sought treatment in 2018. At the trial Thursday, Jacques Bouchard, an operations supervisor at Casino Lac Leamy, said he had seen Grewal in the casino a few times, but that on May 30, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. he witnessed Grewal playing blackjack and becoming very agitated. He filed a security investigation report as a result of the incident. The report included some of the comments Bouchard said he overheard from Grewal, including that Grewal felt he should be winning if he got to 19 or 20 points. "Come on, have an ace," the report quotes Grewal as having said that day. "Take all my money." The report also quotes Grewal as saying, "Why didn't I left after the first 100K?" Under cross-examination, Hasan got Bouchard to acknowledge that the comments in quotations may not be perfectly accurate, noting a native English speaker would not have used the grammatically incorrect phrase "Why didn't I left." Bouchard said that could be the case, but added English is not his first language. He testified in court with the use of an interpreter. The trial continues next week. Photo: The Canadian Press Kody Blois rises in the House of Commons, Monday, November 29, 2021, in Ottawa. The chair of the House of Commons agriculture minister, says Russian troops have been stealing from Ukraine's grain stores and selling them on the international market via Syria.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Ukraine's agriculture minister has told Ottawa that Russia is raiding its grain stores and selling Ukrainian wheat covertly on the international market. Mykola Solskyi told the House of Commons agriculture committee that 500,000 to 600,000 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat have been stolen by the Russians. Speaking via videolink to MPs, he said Russia was mixing stolen Ukrainian wheat with Russian wheat and exporting it covertly with fabricated documents, including via the Crimean port of Sevastopol. "They are now taking this grain to Russia. They mix it with Russian grain and claim that the origin of this grain is Russia," he said. The minister of agrarian policy and food said Ukraine tracked cargo ships containing its wheat to Syria. "We were able to turn these ships away from Egypt where they were originally heading, so they were diverted and went to Syria," he said. "We have no allies in Syria." Solskyi called on Canada to apply sanctions on ship owners who exported the stolen grain, as well as those buying and selling it. Ukraine's silos contain grain destined for global markets including in the Middle East and Africa but the embattled country is unable to export it via ports such as Odesa. Aid agencies have warned that Russia's blocking of Ukraine's ports could lead to starvation in the developing world. "Due to blockade of Ukrainian sea ports 20 millions tonnes of grain are not on the world market," Solskyi said. Usually Ukraine would be exporting 5-6 million tonnes per month, he said, but in March it exported only 200,000 tonnes. Ukraine is one of the world's biggest exporters of grain with many countries, including Lebanon and Bangladesh, relying on it to supply wheat, a staple food. The Ukrainian minister said some of its upcoming harvest could be ruined because the war-torn country has storage facilities for only 60 million tonnes of wheat, far less than usual. Many silos were already full because of Russia's blockade of the ports. Some silos were destroyed by the Russians or were in territories under Russian control. He said Russia has also fired missiles at bridges and roads used to transport grain. The minister asked Canada to provide temporary storage facilities for its grain to stop the next harvest rotting. At a press conference on Thursday, committee chair Kody Blois reported earlier evidence from a Ukrainian MP that 13 per cent of fields have been seeded with landmines by the Russians or contain unexploded shells. The agriculture committee is carrying out an inquiry into global food security, and has been hearing evidence about the effect of the war on Ukraine's ability to plant and export crops. Blois said the committee also heard on Monday that Russia has been stealing Ukrainian wheat and selling it via Syria, a country allied with Vladimir Putin. Ukraine's minister of agrarian policy and food told the committee that Ukrainian farmers in Russian-controlled areas were being threatened with having their harvests taken from them if they did not comply with Russian edicts. But he said in parts of the country controlled by Ukraine, its farmers "are not giving up, they are working hard every day." Farmers are cultivating fields "just a few hundred metres from where the bombings are." The war has led to droves of Ukrainians being displaced without jobs, he explained. Ukraine has asked Canada to send seedlings for fruit trees that people driven from their homes and family farms can cultivate. Chinese, Turkmen FMs agree to step up bilateral cooperation Xinhua) 09:34, June 09, 2022 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on the sidelines of the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, June 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiye) NUR-SULTAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov agreed here on Tuesday on a wide range of areas where the two countries will deepen cooperation. Under the guidance of the two heads of state, China-Turkmenistan strategic partnership has shown new momentum, achieved new breakthroughs, and yielded new results, Wang said when meeting with Meredov on the sidelines of the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting. Since Turkmenistan's successful presidential election, bilateral relations have experienced a smooth transition, standing at a new starting point and facing broad prospects for development, Wang noted. The two countries should seize the opportunity, build on the momentum, fully implement the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, and push for more substantial results of China-Turkmenistan cooperation in various fields, he said. Noting that cooperation in the energy sector is an important part of the China-Turkmenistan strategic cooperation, Wang said no matter how the international landscape may change, China remains committed to expanding energy cooperation with Turkmenistan, and stands firm in viewing Turkmenistan as an important strategic energy partner. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Turkmenistan across the whole industrial chain, expand the scale of cooperation, and create new prospects for all-round progress, he said. For his part, Meredov said Turkmenistan and China are close strategic partners with frequent high-level exchanges, which fully demonstrates the high level of bilateral relations. He recalled that in February, the two heads of state met successfully and reached important consensuses, which has laid a solid political foundation for and injected strong impetus into bilateral cooperation. Turkmenistan-China cooperation is future-oriented and will not be interfered by external political factors, Meredov said, adding Turkmenistan is ready to work with China to implement the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and open up a better future for bilateral relations. The two sides agreed on the priorities for the next step of cooperation, and agreed to speed up the alignment between the Belt and Road cooperation and Turkmenistan's development strategy to revive the Great Silk Road, so as to build an efficient platform for connectivity. They agreed to boost long-term and stable development of energy cooperation, and deepen cooperation in non-resource areas, so that Turkmenistan can achieve sustainable and diversified development. Both sides agreed to push forward the establishment of traditional medical centers and Luban Workshops in Turkmenistan, and of cultural centers in both countries. The two sides spoke highly of the effective communication and coordination between the two countries in multilateral affairs, and vowed to continue to support each other in the United Nations and other organizations. Meredov said Turkmenistan actively supports the Global Development Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and is ready to discuss with China concrete measures to participate in the initiative so as to form international synergy. The two sides agreed to beef up cooperation on cybersecurity and biosecurity, and improve global governance. They pledged to jointly make the third foreign ministers' meeting a successful one, strengthen the "C+C5" cooperation mechanism, and inject strong momentum into bilateral cooperation. Both sides exchanged views on the current international and regional situations, and decided to strengthen solidarity and coordination to safeguard regional peace and stability. Meredov said Turkmenistan will adhere to its policy of permanent neutrality, and stand for the political settlement of disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) Hope. Courage. Resilience. Forgiveness. These words mean more, not less, against a backdrop of war, suffering and violence. The June 6 annual meeting of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Ma. highlighted this message. Church members gathered in-person and online, including congregations from First Church of Christ, Scientist, 612 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga to affirm the promise to be found in these enduring qualities of grace. When lived, these qualities show how Christ is transforming human experience, explained this years chair of the churchs five-member Board of Directors, Keith Wommack. The meetings theme, a quote from the churchs founder, Mary Baker Eddy, points to One infinite God, good as the source of human progress impelling neighbors and nations to unite in love and bringing within reach aspirations for equality, neutralizing hate, and even stopping wars. The meeting highlighted small steps of progress toward those goals, including the role of The Christian Science Monitor, its 113-year-old news organization. The Monitor encourages readers engagement with world events in the spirit of bringing light not heat to complex domestic and international problems. The Monitor aims to reflect the churchs values, such as integrity and compassion, while striving to present unbiased news and recognize often-unseen points of progress. The Christian Science Church has faced the same surging secular currents as other Christian and religious institutions in recent years. Yet in spite of challenges, members reported how difficult circumstances during the pandemic sparked a deeper love for others, and fresh opportunities to experience Gods healing power. Christian healing is central to the churchs founding purpose. One woman reflected on the standard of Christian caring set out in the Church Manual, a 105-page volume that impartially governs the lay church and its members. She acknowledged the spiritual growth in love it impels, a theme throughout the Bible and Christ Jesus ministry. The by-laws also encourage moral and spiritual accountability, such as responding with truth in facing shortcomings, and practicing the Golden Rule. Another member described how he turned to God for spiritual renewal. Christian Scientists believe that spiritual healing is not a miraculous occurrence, but the effect of coming into closer communion with a God of unchanging Love. He was soon healed of medically diagnosed acute and chronic kidney failure. He shared, "I was back to feeling like my true self again. The Christ, Truth, really does come to [us]. The clerk welcomed new members from 30 countries, including Belgium, Haiti, Spain and Togo. The new Readers of The Mother Church, who will conduct in-person and online church services in Boston for the next three years, are Mimi Oka of New York City, and Don Wallingford of Atlanta, Ga. The churchs new president, Doris Ulich from Bamberg, Germany, was announced at the meeting. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the new public exhibit at the Boston headquarters, How Do You See the World? The exhibit examines stories of genuine global progress, and shows how individuals have overcome challenges and found hope. The space also encourages visitors to reflect on this question and consider how each can broaden their service to humanity. You can lose sight of global progress if you just look at the nightly news, Board member Rich Evans remarked. You come here, and get perspective. You can say, look at how far we have come. * * * Kevin Ness is the manager of Christian Science Committees on Publication worldwide for The First Church of Christ, Scientist The Unity Group of Chattanooga, Coalition Partners and invited guests will hold a rededication of the United States Colored Troops Monument and Wreath-Laying at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Saturday at 1 p.m. This is the opening event for the Juneteenth Week 2022 Calendar which runs through June 19. As an affiliating organization of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, several aspects of the commemorative activities are closely aligned with the NJOF national theme: Founding Fathers of Freedom, the United States Colored Troops which similarly recognizes the service of Buffalo soldiers, military veterans, and others. Throughout the duration of the Civil War, African- Americans performed in a wide variety of details and functions including: rearguards, carpenters, chaplains, personal attendants, cooks, scouts, spies, steamboat pilots, and laborers which often included the burying of the dead. On Dec. 25, 1863, the Commander of the Cumberland, Gen. George H. Thomas -- The Rock of Chickamauga -- issued General Order 296 creating the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Cemetery and assigning oversight of the erection and completion to the Army's chaplain Thomas B. Van Horne. The USCT played a vital and instrumental role in the building and construction of the Chattanooga National Cemetery and burying fallen troops. USCT units stationed in and around Chattanooga would also serve with bravery and gallantry during many pivotal conflicts which helped to preserve the Union. Over 179,000 would serve in the Army and 19,000 would serve in the Navy. 26 USCT would be awarded the Medal of Honor for their service. ho: Unity Group of Chattanooga, 44th USCT Reenactors Troop Regiment, Keith Monuments, National Park Partners, Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP What: Monument Rededication and Wreath-Laying ceremony for The USCT, who played a vital and instrumental role in the building and construction of the Chattanooga National Cemetery and burying fallen troops. The aunt of famed newspaper publisher Adolph Ochs built a large frame house on Cameron Hill's Poplar Street. Julia Levy David moved to Chattanooga in 1885 after the death of her husband, Jacob David, at Lexington, Ky. The Davids had lived in Lexington for many years. The six Levy children had come to the U.S. with their parents from Bavaria in 1850. Julia was the younger sister of Mrs. Julius Ochs, who lived on West Fifth Street until the family moved to New York City. Julia David first lived on Oak Street after her arrival in Chattanooga with her children. She was in a house on Houston Street before moving to her new home at 424 Poplar around 1890. The two-story frame house had a front and side porch as well as an interesting large porch on the second floor. Julia David in Chattanooga was endearingly known to her many friends as "Aunt Julia." She was "endowed with a bright intellect and was a keen observer. She was always an optimist. She was a favorite of young and old." Mrs. David sold the house on Poplar Street and moved about 1910 to live with her daughter, Mrs. William Gutman, in Wheeling, West Va. She was still with the Gutmans when she died in 1922 at the age of 82. Her body was returned to Chattanooga for burial beside her daughter, Fannie Mae David, at the Mizpah Cemetery. Her brother, David Levy of New York, was the only survivor of the six Levy children. The sons of Julia David included George B. David of New York City and Edgar David, who was involved with a steamship company traveling from New York to Hamburg. The house next went to Joseph C. Fryar, who worked at D.M. Thomas & Co. By the 1920s, Thomas D. Alexander, a traveling salesman for the Stagmaier Company, was living there. It later went to James E. and Clama L. Estes, who rented out the second floor to Edward L. and Nell S. Kessler. Mr. Estes was manager of W.H. Lessly & Co., and Mr. Kessler was baggage master for the Southern Railway. Alex and Elizabeth Bowie later lived there. He was branch manager of I.F. Cherry Dry Cleaning. Upstairs was Fred W. Pike, secretary for the D.B. Loveman Company and cashier for the Loveman Bank. The Bowies later moved to 310 Poplar. Mrs. H.M. Guyton was living there at the start of World War II with Mrs. J.H. Amidon upstairs. In the last days of Cameron Hill, Ronald H. and Helen R. Bonine presided at the old David home, and their renters included W.L. Wells, James Gilford and L.D. Wells. Cherri Lee Bamber Hold, 66 of Apison, Tennessee, died on Monday, June 7, 2022. She was born on May 9, 1956, in Harrisonburg, Va., to the late James and Kay Bamber of New Market, Va. Cherri grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of New Market, Va. She was a very popular student and cheerleader at Stonewall Jackson High School, graduating in 1974. A few years after graduation, she met Ronald Hold who quickly became the love of her life. Together, they had a long and loving relationship of 33 years until Ronnies death on August 26, 2008. Ronnie and Cherri operated several business ventures, including Eastern Steel and Wire, a gift shop in Clearwater, Fl., and Truck Liquidators in the Chattanooga area. Cherri loved to dance and cherished the music of the 70s. Both Ronnie and Cherri enjoyed being a part of the Shriners, attending many dinners and dances there through the years. Cherri loved the sun and sand of the beaches, traveling many times to the Caribbean with her sister Delores and many friends. Cherri was baptized on March 26, 2000, at Morris Hill Baptist Church. She deeply believed in God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. She had a close relationship and loving relationship with her sister, Delores, and loved all her grandchildren with all of her heart. Cherri will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. Survivors include her children, Amy Lynn of Chattanooga, and Ronnie (Ashley) Hold of Blue Ridge, Ga.; grandchildren, Kody Lynn, Sydney Lynn, both of Chattanooga, Nathan Hold, Nicolas Hold and Joshua Hold; sister, Delores (Michael) Wean and her nephew, Christopher Wean. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June13, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Bill Mason officiating. Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your memories of Cherri with her family. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. on Monday, June 13, at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421. Federal authorities have made an arrest in the shooting early Sunday morning on McCallie Avenue that left 14 people shot and three others hit by vehicles. Garrian King, 28, also known as "Big G," was arrested Wednesday in Chattanooga by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and officers with the Chattanooga Police Department for being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). This arrest is in connection with the shootings that occurred on Sunday in Chattanooga. An initial appearance was held Wednesday, in the United States District Court in Chattanooga, before United States Magistrate Judge Christopher H. Steger. King was detained without bond. The details of the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon by King on Monday are outlined in the arrest warrant and supporting affidavit. A detention hearing is set for Thursday, June 16 at 10 a.m. before a United States Magistrate Judge. Pending this hearing, Kind will be held in custody by the United States Marshal and produced for the hearing. An arresting agent from the ATF said, "On June 5 at approximately 2:37 a.m. Chattanooga Police Department officers responded to a 'shots fired' call at 2125 McCallie Avenue. Upon arrival, CPD located a large crowd of people in the street and several victims on scene suffering from gunshot wounds. One male victim was pronounced deceased on scene. Another victim was pronounced deceased after being transported to Erlanger Hospital. Other victims that were on scene were taken to Erlanger Hospital and Parkridge Hospital by personal vehicle. "At this point, CPD secured the crime scene and called for the CPD Violent Crimes Bureau to respond. ATF also responded to the scene. "CPD VCB observed numerous spent shell casings on the ground and located a blue Chevy Suburban backed into a parking space in the Walgreens parking lot across the street from the incident location. The blue Chevrolet Suburban was determined to be stolen. The vehicle was secured and towed to the Police Service Center for processing. "CPD VCB reviewed camera footage from the Walgreens across from 2125 McCallie Ave. From the footage, CPD VCB learned that at approximately 2:07 a.m. the blue Chevy Suburban arrived at the Walgreens and backed into a parking space. A black male with a white shirt, khaki pants, white shoes and a white hat, a second black male wearing a black shirt and red shorts, and a third black male wearing a sports jersey with the number 14 and white shorts exited the vehicle and walked toward the incident location. "The black male with a white shirt, khaki pants, white shoes and a white hat walked around the parking lot with an AR pistol in his hand. He then walked in between two other vehicles in the parking lot and walked back to the parking lot with a mask on. He was no longer wearing the white hat when he returned to the parking lot. He then walked out of view of the camera toward the incident location, and the shooting occurred. "Video from a Facebook live video was obtained of the black male with a white shirt, khaki pants, white shoes and mask holding an AR pistol in his hand while standing in the street on McCallie Avenue in front of Mary's Bar and Grill. The man walked around the crowd while holding the gun. The black male with a black shirt and red shorts was seen standing with him. The man with the mask and gun was identified as a federally convicted felon. The black male wearing a black shirt and red shorts was identified as a known member of the Gangster Disciples street gang. King and the other man are known members of the Rollin 60 Crips street gang. "At approximately 2:37 a.m., the black male wearing the sports jersey with the number 14 with white shorts seen exiting the blue Chevrolet Suburban prior to the shooting is seen getting into the passenger side front door of a white Land Rover SUV that is parked in the Walgreens parking lot. The black male wearing the sports jersey with the number 14 and white shorts was identified as King, also known as "Big G." King was identified through intelligence gathered and from officers' past experience involving King. "The Land Rover SUV drove off through the parking lot towards South Willow Street. At approximately 2:40 a.m. it returned and King got into the passenger side front door of the white Land Rover. When he got into the Land Rover, King appeared to be carrying the AR pistol that the other man had prior to the shooting. The white Land Rover then left the scene heading through the parking lot towards South Willow Street. "On Tuesday CPD located a white Land Rover matching the one seen on camera the night of the homicides parked at King's residence. King was present at the address. CPD, with help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, interviewed King, and King admitted that he was on scene on McCallie Avenue the night of the shooting. King further admitted that after the shooting occurred, he picked up the AR pistol that the other man had, got into the passenger seat of the white Land Rover and fled the scene. King admitted that he bought the AR pistol on May 28 for $800. King stated that he then drove to an unknown address on Milne Street and sold the rifle to a black male named 'Dre' for $500. Law enforcement, however, determined the King was not truthful regarding what he did with the AR pistol and they tracked the AR pistol to an address in Collegedale. The AR pistol was taken from the Collegedale address before law enforcement executed a search warrant on that address, but law enforcement was able to contact the person who took it from the Collegedale residence. The person who took the rifle from the Collegedale residence did not want to meet CPD, so they left the gun at an agreed-upon location, and CPD recovered it there. "Prior to his possession of the gun, King was a convicted felon. On July 6, 2016, King was convicted of possession of marijuana for resale and possession of a deadly weapon in Hamilton County Criminal Court. King received a sentence of one year, suspended to probation, on each of these convictions. On Nov. 22, 2017, King was convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(l) and sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release by a District Court in the Eastern District of Tennessee. King is currently on supervised release for this conviction. "It was determined that the firearm King possessed was manufactured outside the state of Tennessee and, therefore, did travel in and affect interstate and/or foreign commerce. Based on this, there is probable cause to charge and arrest King for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 922(g)(l )." The U.S. Attorneys Office is committed to working with all of its law enforcement partners to protect our community through the vigorous enforcement of federal criminal gun laws, said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. Yesterdays charge is the result of the tireless, around-the-clock work by, and collaboration among, the Chattanooga Police Department, the ATF and the FBI, which continues unabated. Immediate deployment of all resources typically yields the best results. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners in order to bring those responsible to justice and secure the safety and freedom of all Chattanoogans, said Chattanooga Police Department Chief Celeste Murphy. The ATF takes pride in working with our local, state and federal partners to bring justice to individuals who illegally possess firearms and willingly cause harm in the communities that we live in. These individuals put the lives of everyday citizens at risk, and we will work diligently to mitigate these senseless acts of terror, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Mickey French. The FBI values the partnership we have with the Chattanooga Police Department, ATF and the United States Attorney's Office to target offenders who illegally possess firearms in Chattanooga. Through this ongoing collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement, we will continue to focus our resources on the most violent and egregious offenders endangering our communities, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico. This prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Chattanooga Police Department, the ATF and the FBI. The U.S. Attorneys Office extends its appreciation to the Chattanooga Mayors Office for its support of collaboration among local and federal law enforcement to achieve the mutual goal of addressing violent crime in the City of Chattanooga. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Poole will represent the United States. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly issued the following statement regarding the recent arrests of a suspect in connection with the McCallie Avenue shooting, as well as a second suspect in the Cherry Street shooting: "Thanks to the tireless work of the Chattanooga Police Department and our federal partners, an individual was arrested yesterday in connection to the acts of violence that occurred early Sunday morning in Chattanooga on McCallie Avenue. I want to thank the U.S. Attorneys Office, the ATF and the FBI for their collaboration in bringing those responsible to justice. Their partnership is a vital part of our ongoing strategy to address violent crime in our city." "I also want to recognize the hard work by CPD's Fugitive Unit and the Bradley County Sheriff's Office in making a second arrest in connection with the downtown shooting that injured six of our city's youth. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those who use firearms to settle their differences, alongside our federal and community partners." The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners invites the community to the third annual Catoosa County Fireworks Fest, a family friendly celebration of Independence Day weekend that will include fireworks, live music, food, childrens activities, and a crafts market on Saturday, July 2, at the Northwest Georgia Amphitheater, 220 Catoosa Cir. in Ringgold. The festivities will begin at 1 p.m. with a crafts market inside The Colonnade. The outdoor celebration begins at 5 p.m. with a variety of food and treats, childrens activities, and games. The Hullenders kick-off live music performances on the Northwest Georgia Amphitheater stage at 6 p.m., followed by The Band Raven at 7:15 p.m. and Past to Present at 8:30 p.m. The fireworks show begins at approximately 9:30 p.m. There is no admission fee, but food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors. Parking will be provided in designated areas of the Benton Place campus near The Colonnade, and Catoosa Transit will provide free shuttle service to and from the CHI Memorial Parkway parking lot at 4700 Battlefield Pkwy. Save the date and spread the word as we prepare for a memorable evening celebrating Americas independence with our families, friends, and neighbors, said Catoosa County Commission Chairman Larry C. Black. This years Catoosa County Fireworks Fest builds on the success and excitement that began as a way to lift our communitys spirit during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Updates to events, performances, activities, parking and other important information will be provided on the Catoosa County Governments Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. United States Senators Bill Hagerty and Ben Cardin (D-MD) praised unanimous passage by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday of the Fighting Emerging Narcotics Through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting Results Act that will help stem the flow of fentanyl and other illicit synthetic drugs to the U.S. and elsewhere. The FENTANYL Results Act, sponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH), which increases U.S. capacity to track illicit drugs like fentanyl, includes a specific provision authored by Hagerty, Cardin, and John Cornyn (R-TX) that identifies countries that produce precursor chemicals needed to manufacture such narcotics. Currently, the Foreign Assistance Act definition of major illicit drug producing country includes only those who cultivate and produce illicit drugs, but it excludes countries like China that are a significant source of the precursor chemicals needed for the illicit production of narcotics and psychotropic drugs and other controlled substances. The Centers for Disease Control reported last month that deaths from overdoses topped 100,000 for 2021, the largest number recorded. According to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, China is the worlds largest producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients used to manufacture illegal narcotics. As record deaths from overdosesmost from fentanylhave become the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45, Congress must do more to stop the flow of this dangerous drug into our country, said Senator Hagerty. While securing our southern border is a critical step in stopping the entry of fentanyl into the United States, we must also confront the source of this shockingly lethal drugthe precursor chemicals needed to manufacture it, much of which are sourced from Communist China. I applaud the Senate Foreign Relations Committees support of this bipartisan bill, including our bipartisan amendment, and I thank my colleagues for their partnership in making every effort to counter the flow of fentanyl and precursorsthe narcotic equivalents of weapons of mass destructionfrom China into the United States. China must stop facilitating the flow of deadly, illicit drugs to the U.S. and around the world. They cannot continue providing the chemicals used by others to make fentanyl and other drugs that are killing Americans, said Senator Cardin. We have a responsibility to pursue all means possible to stop this fatal epidemic of overdoses. In addition to reducing demand, in part by increasing access to treatment, we must cut off the flow of these illicit drugs at all stages of production. I appreciate the partnership of Senators Cornyn and Hagerty in recognizing the impact we can have by calling out China and other countries for their role enabling the flow of illegal narcotics. I thank fellow Marylander, Congressman David Trone, for leading the fight in the House of Representatives to stop the flow of fentanyl into this country. The new trailer for 90 Day: Diaries Season 4 revealed that Ella Johnson could finally be meeting her fiance, Johnny Chao. Is he finally coming to the United States? Heres what we know so far from the teaser. Ella Johnson and Johnny Chao, 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days | TLC Ella and Johnnys journey on 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days 29-year-old Ella, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, has always been attracted to Asian men and Asian cultures. On a dating site exclusively for white women seeking to meet Asian men, Ella met 34-year-old Johnny from Jinan, China. Ella calls him her Asian Prince and hopes to take the next step in their relationship by having him move to the US to be with her. After months of getting to know each other online, they planned to meet. However, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic keeping Chinas borders closed, they agreed that they would meet in the US. The plan was that Johnny would leave everything behind in China, including his job, his aging parents, and his son, Stoney, to start his life with Ella. The plan was that Johnny would go to the US with a two-week quarantine in Singapore. After finding out he was denied his visa to Singapore, they had to rethink their plan. Ella, unwilling to wait any longer, had an idea that they could meet in Dubai. However, he backed out after his family became concerned about traveling mid-pandemic. During the 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days tell-all, Ella revealed that she had cheated on Johnny with a male friend. Johnny forgave her and even took the blame for her infidelity. Johnny is coming to the US to meet Ella in 90 Day Diaries Season 4 In the trailer for 90 Day: Diaries Season 4, Ella reveals that Johnny is finally coming to the US to meet her. Ella tells the cameras, Johnny should be here in a week, and I am beyond excited. Check out the trailer below (via Instagram): Ellas friend asks her, Do you think Johnnys actually going to come this time? She replies, It is kind of like a do or die. Based on Ellas response, this is the last chance for Johnny to prove he wants to be with Ella. However, after Ella cheated on him, does he still want to be with her? Are Johnny and Ella still together? During 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days, Ella and Johnny had a tough time in a long-distance relationship. Between the travel delays and the cheating, this couple struggled to stay together. However, based on their Instagram activity, there are indications that Johnny and Ella are still together. Johnny and Ella still follow each other on Instagram. Also, the photos they posted of each other remain on their respective pages. However, its unclear if Johnny is currently in Idaho with Ella. The last post on Johhnys Instagram shows him in China on April 23. Ella avoids fans questions about Johnny; instead, she keeps her posts about ranch life. Perhaps Johnny isnt allowed to tell if hes in the US with Ella or not. Fans will have to tune into 90 Day: Diaries Season 4 to find out the actual status of their relationship. Hopefully, this time Johnny and Ella will finally meet. New episodes of 90 Day: Diaries Season 4 air Mondays at 9/8c on TLC and to stream on discovery+. RELATED: 90 Day Fiance Update: Are Corey Rathgeber and Evelin Villegas Still Together in 2022? Americans prefer a less polarized Holy Land. But they themselves are as polarized about it as ever. A new survey by the Pew Research Centerthree years removed from when Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu led the political scenereveals rising favorability ratings for Israel and Palestine, across nearly every segment of Americans. Most, however, still prefer Israel. White evangelicals lead the way, with 86 percent viewing the Israeli people favorably and 68 percent viewing Israels government favorably, compared to 37 percent favorability for the Palestinian people and 14 percent favorability for their government. Overall, 1 in 3 white evangelicals view both peoples favorably, but only 1 in 10 favor both governments. These believers are out of step with the wider US, however. Among Americans at large, the Israeli people have a 67 percent favorability rating, up from 64 percent. The Israeli governments favorability rating increased from 41 to 48 percent. And a narrow majority of Americans now view Palestinians positively (52%, up from 46%), though less so their government (28%, up from 19%). Overall, 2 in 5 Americans view both peoples favorably (42%), but only 1 in 5 favor both governments. Americans naturally want to be favorable toward other peoples, said Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD). Im surprised it is not higher. Theology may have something to do with the affinity. In a new question, Pew asked Americans if God gave the land that is now Israel to the Jews. White evangelicals agreed at a rate of 70 percent, while 23 percent were unsure. Overall, 3 in 10 Americans agreed (similar to the response of American Jews in a separate 2020 survey). A significant 41 percent of Americans were unsure, while 17 percent replied they did not believe in God. Other Christian percentages resemble America. White non-evangelical (often called mainline) Protestants (31%), Black Protestants (36%), and Catholics (25%) agreed, all with unsure segments of 50 percent or higher. IRD aims to champion biblical Christianity in its support for Israel. But even if secular in orientation, Tooley said that many have inherited an unconscious connection with Israel from longstanding American culture. The higher white evangelical rates stem from increased polarization, tying support to their religious identity. For the average American, politics and age were a better bellwether than denomination. Republican agreement on the role of God (46%) far outpaced Democratic (18%). And while 2 in 5 (38%) of those ages 65 or higher agreed, only 1 in 5 (21%) did so below the age of 30. Gaps were significant in feelings toward Israel and Palestine as well. Nearly 4 in 5 Republicans feel favorable toward the Israeli people (78%), compared to 3 in 5 Democrats (60%). Both numbers are slightly higher than in the last survey. And while 2 in 3 Republicans look favorably upon the Israeli government (66%), only 1 in 3 Democrats do similarly (34%), both representing an increase. The gap reverses when concerning Palestinians, though their favorability increased also. Nearly 2 in 3 Democrats feel favorable toward the Palestinian people (64%, up from 58%). Slightly more than 1 in 3 Republicans agree (37%, up from 32%). The Palestinian governments ratings are much lower, rising from 27 percent to 37 percent favorability among Democrats and from 11 percent to 18 percent among Republicans. Leaders in both countries specialized in the rhetoric of division, said Todd Deatherage, executive director of Telos. It has cemented a complex foreign policy challenge into a growing list of issues that polarize us on a partisan basis. Founder of an evangelical group dedicated to changing the narrative on Israel, he appreciates the rising number of Americans who wish to see both peoples flourishing. But it is the young, he said, who take seriously Jesus call to be peacemakers. Pew found that among Americans ages 30 and below, 61 percent feel favorable toward the Palestinian people while 56 percent feel favorable toward Israelis. This is the only category that did not rise, as three years ago 63 percent felt favorable toward Israelis, compared to 58 percent toward the Palestinians. The Palestinian government is now narrowly preferred also (35% vs. 34%), though both reputations increased (up from 26% vs. 27%) after the changes in leadership. Older Americans, however, resemble Republicans and white evangelicals concerning Israel, with 78 percent favoring the Jewish state. Only a single-point rise from the Trump-Netanyahu years, their opinion of Israels government increased from 57 to 64 percent. Toward the Palestinian people, their rating rose from 43 to 47 percent, while their view of the Palestinian government increased from 19 to 24 percent. Gary Burge, professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary, notes a clear distinction. Younger evangelicals see social and political justice as central to their faith, said the author of Whose Land? Whose Promise? What Christians Are Not Being Told About Israel and the Palestinians. Older evangelicals do not. Burge, like Deatherage, finds hope that this dividemirrored also in US politicsis narrowing in the overall favor Americans show both peoples. Evidence can be found in the other denominations. White Protestants and Catholics are similar, with 7 out of 10 feeling favorable toward the Israeli people and 5 out of 10 feeling favorable toward their government. About half of White Protestants and Catholics feel favorable toward the Palestinian people (47% and 50%, respectively), while only about a quarter feel favorable toward their government (21% and 27%, respectively). Meanwhile, Black Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated equated the two sides. A majority of both feel favorable toward the peoples. Among Black Protestants, favor toward Israelis at 58 percent, and favor toward Palestinians is at 53 percent. Among the unaffiliated, favor toward Israelis is at 58 percent and favor toward Palestinians is at 59 percent. They felt less inclined toward the governments. Black Protestants favored Israels at 43 percent and Palestines at 38 percent. The unaffiliated rated Israels government at 31 percent and Palestines at 33 percent. Tooley attributed the rise in Black support for Israel to the decline of their traditional church and the rise in Pentecostal and nondenominational faith. The latter tend slightly toward Zionism. Affinity toward the Palestinians comes from two sources, said Mordecai Inbari, professor of philosophy and religion at UNCPembroke. The Black Lives Matter narrative is anti-Israeli, said the Jewish scholar. But geopolitics also matters. Warmer feelings toward Muslims correlate with sympathy toward Palestinians, he said, having conducted extensive research on evangelicals and Christian Zionism. With the end of the wars in the Middle East, these two are increasingly connected. Tooley also cited a changing regional dynamic. As Arab nations normalize with Israel, the Holy Land is overshadowed by other conflicts. Americans correspondingly give it less attention, and can warm toward both. Gerald McDermott believes the warmth is not always justified. This can only be from inattention to hard news about the Palestinian governments, said the author of Israel Matters and editor of The New Christian Zionism. Hamas and the Palestinian Authority imprison citizens who dare to criticize them. McDermott also spoke of incitement against Israelis, and the diversion of funds away from local development in favor of rocket launchers. And his displeasure was particularly directed toward the specious claims of activists reflected in a new survey question about the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. Launched in 2005, its supporters allege mistreatment of Palestinians in a system of apartheid, and call for an international pressure campaign against the Israeli government. Some of its critics call BDS antisemitic, for denying legitimacy to a Jewish state. Muslims have many nations in the Middle East and elsewhere, said McDermott. Why are Jews not permitted to have one? Overall, few Americans have heard about the BDS movement (no more than 1 in 5 across demographic groups). But atheists are twice as likely to support it (13% vs. 5%), while evangelicals and Republicans are twice as likely to oppose it (11% and 12%, respectively, vs. 6%). While BDS is best known for activity on college campuses, only 17 percent of those under the age of 30 have heard about it; 8 percent support, while 4 percent oppose. Tooley said BDS has largely failed. Ignorance of it, said Inbari, is for the best. There are clearer opinions about the best possible outcome for the conflict between Israel and Palestinebut also significant uncertainty. Between a quarter (ages 65 and above, 28%) and a half (ages 30 and under, 47%) of Americans are not sure if a one-state or two-state solution would be better. Who can blame them? said Tooley. Its very complex. Inbari thinks most people do not bother to study the issues, as the policy issues are not tied to their religious identity. If so, this is least true of white evangelicals. This group of respondents was among the most sure, with 4 in 10 favoring a one-state solution (39%), and 3 in 10 believing it should have an Israeli government (28%). While few Americans believe that the one-state should be governed by Palestinians, 2 out of 10 Democrats (19%), Black Protestants (19%), and the unaffiliated (18%) believe it should be governed jointly. Apart from white evangelicals, Black Protestants, and those under 30, all other segments preferred the traditional US policy of support for a two-state solution. Highest were the 4 in 10 atheists (43%), Catholics (42%), ages 65 and older (42%), agnostics (40%), and white Protestants (38%) who believe each people should govern themselves. Pew surveyed 10,144 Americans in March. It characterized the findings as a modest warming toward both Israel and Palestine. Deatherage called it a rejection of zero-sum activism. And Inbari, the Tar Heel professor, appreciated that Pew did not make respondents pick between them. People can like both sides, he said. It is possible to support both UNC and Duke. Last month, a delegation of Christian leaders met with Thawar Chand Gehlot, the governor of the southwest Indian state of Karnataka. Their aim: to discourage Gehlot from signing an anticonversion ordinance that they believe will embolden religious radicals to stir unrest. Despite what Bengaluru archbishop Peter Machado described to CT as a courteous and welcoming reception, Gehlot signed the ordinance the following day, May 17, making Karnataka the 13th out of Indias 29 states to pass legislation of this kind. The ordinance prohibits numerous behaviors including conversion by force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage, and forbids anyone from helping or conspiring on conversions. It allows people beyond the convertincluding family members, relatives, or even colleaguesto file complaints. The ordinance also stipulates a jail term ranging from three to five years and a fine of 25,000 rupees (roughly $320). If the convert is a woman, child, or Dalit, the punishment can increase to up to 10 years in prison. Indias first anticonversion law passed in the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1967. In recent years, as the Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has gained power across India, the party has begun to frequently promise these laws on the campaign trail. But passing this legislation proved challenging in Karnataka, a state known widely by Westerners as the home of Bengaluru (Bangalore), a tech hub for many multinationals. Afraid that the majority party lacked the votes to pass an anticonversion bill, the governor directly promulgated it as an ordinance, or temporary law, that can remain in effect until it is replaced by a law. The government attempted to get this bill passed despite strong opposition from the Christian community and the united opposition parties who opposed the bill on the house floor, said Atul Y. Aghamkar, who leads the National Centre for Urban Transformation at the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI). However, they could not get it through the legislative council because they did not enjoy the majority there. So, this bill was processed and passed through a back door ordinance when the assembly and council were not in session, he told CT. That itself shows the governments intent, as they could not face the discussion on the bill in both houses. A crime tomorrow Karnataka Christians have two primary fears. The first is that the described actions banned from accompanying conversions are overly broad and will lead to a crackdown on actions unrelated to conversion. It will be a crime tomorrow to do some charity, said Machado last month: So, giving free education will also be a big problem. If I have to help a Dalit child, who cant afford to pay the fees, Ill have to fill a number of forms. I will have to explain why the child is being helped, and why I am offering free education. If we are going to explain why we are distributing gifts, tomorrow Santa Claus will be a dangerous character too. Those who break the law face up to 10 years in prisonthe same penalty as convicted rapists. Such a punishment strikes Christian activist John Dayal as egregiously cruel. What message are they trying to convey by bringing such a law? he said. Second, church leaders say gangs and mobs will use these laws as justification for anti-Christian violence. This ordinance is just a simple act on the part of this government to allow the vigilante groups to have the freedom to attack Christians, destroy Christian institutions, and create an atmosphere of fear to subjugate the Christian community, Aghamkar said. Karnataka has seen many reported and unreported cases of attacks on Christians in the recent past, and these are bound to increase in the wake of the introduction of this ordinance. Christians comprise less than 2 percent of Karnatakas population of 64 million. Muslims, whom the bill also targets through its prohibition on unauthorized interfaith marriages, comprise 13 percent. Hindus comprise 84 percent. The day after the ordinance went into effect, police arrested an out-of-state pastor and his wife in Kodagu district upon the complaints of right-wing Hindu groups for deliberate and malicious acts, and hinted that the couple may end up being charged under the ordinance. In 2021, EFIs Religious Liberty Commission (EFIRLC) documented more than three dozen attacks on Christians in Karnataka in 2021. Most of these attacks were instances of physical violence and disruption of worship services in churches that followed allegations of religious conversions. The EFIRLC maintains that its documentation is not exhaustive, and the actual tally of attacks may be much more than documented or even reported. The BJP in Karnatakathe only southern state where the political party has experienced considerable electoral successcame to power in 2008, on the heels of a wave of brutal attacks against Christians locally and across India. They are empowering killer gangs, empowering lynch mobs, empowering vigilante groups and lumpens (disrespectful troublemakers) throughout the country to target the next Christian they see, said Dayal. To break the next church, vandalize the next school, harass a hospital run by a Christian, chase a nun, disrupt a worship service, and so on. Is there still time? Anticonversion legislation has been discussed and passed even before Indias independence in princely states such as Raigarh, Udaipur, Kota, and Jodhpur. Post-independence, the Constituent Assembly of India discussed the possibility of forbidding conversions by force, fraud, or allurement, but did not introduce any such provision. After independence, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha passed anticonversion laws in 1967 and 1968, respectively, due to what officials alleged was malpractice by Christian missionaries. By the late 1990s, the BJP and Hindu right-wing groups had ignited a national debate on religious conversion and pressed for nationwide anticonversion legislation. By the early 2000s, several states had passed and enforced such legislation. The BJP has argued that Hindus face a danger of decimation from increasing Christian conversion rates. Census data and public surveys, however, dont support such a trend. Religious conversion is rare in India; to the extent that it is occurring, Hindus gain as many people as they lose, stated the Pew Research Center in a first-of-its-kind report in 2021. Currently, 13 states in India have passed anticonversion legislation, though it is only enforced in nine. Tamil Nadu repealed its 2002 law in 2004 in the wake of public pressure, while the governor of Rajasthan refused to sign its 2006 law. Arunachal Pradesh passed its law in 1978 but never drafted rules for it. The same is true in Haryana, which just passed its own law this past March. Several other states have pursued the ordinance route, including Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in India, in 2020. Officials replaced the ordinance with a law in March 2021. In Karnataka, some suspect that the government passed the anticonversion measure as an ordinance so the BJP government could boast about it in upcoming regional elections. Attacking religious minorities polarizes the electorate and often sends voters to the BJP. Right now, Christian groups are exploring their options for striking down the new ordinance. The Karnataka anticonversion law, like those in other states, violates Article 25 of the Indian Constitution and threatens the secular fabric of the country, said an EFIRLC spokesperson. We must unitedly challenge it in the court of law, if need arise. Eric Treene has gone to court to defend Jews, Jehovahs Witnesses, Muslims, and people from other minority faiths for more than 25 years. If you ask him why, he points to the Bible and the Westminster Confession. Treene, an elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, is motivated by his faith to defend religious freedomespecially the freedom of those he disagrees with. Treene was a lawyer for Becket and then, for nearly 20 years, special counsel for religious discrimination in the civil rights division of the United States Department of Justice. He developed and oversaw the enforcement program for the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Since leaving the federal government, Treene has taught the First Amendment at Reformed Theological Seminary and Catholic University and continues to litigate discrimination cases as a senior partner at Storzer and Associates in Washington, DC. This spring, Treene was honored by the Freedom Forum as a champion of free expression. He spoke to CT about the problem of religious discrimination in America and why its so important that Christians advocate for religious freedom. Youve spent a lot of your career defending religious land use. Why do government officials in America today oppose religious land use? Usually its because theyre zeroed in on developing commerce. A lot of what you see is the demands of the marketplace steamrolling religion. One of my early cases, for example, was a church that had very carefully gathered several plots of land at a key intersection, but the town wanted Costco to have that spot. The town tried to use eminent domain to seize the property to build a Costco. Is it because they hate churches? No. Again and again, what we see is discrimination against places of worship not so much out of animus but because they would rather have a commercial property thats generating tax revenue. Theres a very powerful economic engine in our society that often trivializes faith. The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) is one way churches can push back against that. One of the most famous land use cases you worked on was a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Yes. Sometimes the issue is animus. In the first 10 years after 9/11, we saw a significant increase in hate crime. Attacks on the street, vandalism of mosques, and so forth. But starting around 2010, we saw something else: a sharp increase in opposition to the construction of mosques or Muslim schools. I think maybe it happened then because Muslims laid low for several years after 9/11, but their communities were expanding and needed more space, needed to build. In Murfreesboro, that was a very interesting case. There was a lot of rhetoric like Where are these people coming from? when in fact, they were professors from Middle Tennessee State, local professionals, businessmen, people like that whod been renting space for their mosque for 20 years. They had put down roots. They bought some land and sought to build. The town approved it. But it caught the attention of some residents and others in nearby counties who were concerned. That caught national attention, and it got spun so people were saying this was a group that wanted to radicalize Middle Tennessee. There was some crazy stuff. They had plans for a pool, and there was rhetoric like, Is this pool for underwater demolition training? Crazy stuff. And there was vandalism. Someone firebombed a front-end loader. An elected state judge ruled the mosque had been improperly approved. Because this wasnt a normal place of worship, it required a different a procedure. We said, No, you have to treat them like any place of worship; theres no reason to do anything different here, under RLUIPA. The federal court sided with us, and county officials were ordered to ignore the state judge. As a Christian, did you find it hard to explain to Christians why you were defending Muslims right to build a mosque? Sometimes. I do think, as Christians, we should think about why we believe in religious liberty. Is it just to benefit Christians? Is it just because its in the Constitution? Or is it something more fundamental? I think, as Christians, it goes much deeper. If you go to Scripture, so much of Scripture is If you believe. Again and again theres an emphasis on belief and theres an idea that authentic faith requires belief. Its not enough to have the government forcing people. You cant be saved by living in a righteous kingdom. People have to be free to believe. I go by the Westminster Confession: God alone is lord of conscience and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men. But the problem of Islam in America really challenged even advocates of religious freedom. There were many defenders who, when it came to Muslims, said, Well I can go this far and no further. When did you first get interested in the problem of religious discrimination? In my second year of law school at Harvard. We had 150 people in my constitutional law class, and we discussed free speech, and my classmates were leaning forward in their seats. Very energized, excited, debating. But when it came to freedom of religion, I felt everyone sitting back. There was one case we discussed involving Native American rightsit was a case with sacred land and a logging road that would go straight through the land, and the question was, Does the government have to give any reasons for why the road goes there instead of, you know, two miles to the west? The court said no, but Justice William J. Brennan wrote an impassioned dissent. He was a hero in the free speech cases. But when it came to religion, I found myself the lone person in the class defending Brennan. Many people are willing to go to great lengths to make sure that free speech can flourish but were not willing to require the government to incur any costs to make room for religion. After that, I was very interested. When the opportunity came, I joined Becket and then, when the George W. Bush administration created a special counsel for religious discrimination in the Department of Justice, thats the position I applied for and filled for 19 years. You served under four presidents. Did the job change much from administration to administration? Not much, no. When the Obama administration came in, for example, I was told to keep working on religious land use cases, and we did just as many evangelical cases as we did in the Bush administration. It changes on the margin, where youre putting in friend-of-the-court briefs. But the focus of the work didnt change. As youve watched religious liberty cases over the years, have you noticed changes? Does the shape of the conflict pretty much remain the same, or has it morphed over the years youve been involved? Weve really moved away from the idea that religion in the public square should be oil and water. Im encouraged by that. But there are still issues. Right now Im representing a lot of Orthodox Jews. They face a lot of bias. Hate crimes against Jews have always been cause for concern. With evangelicals, its mostly this commercial preference that leads to bias, not hostility. The one exception is where evangelical belief conflicts with deeply held secular beliefs, which is where you get conflict with LGBT equality. I think the issue of finding an understanding on LGBT rights and religious liberty is critical. People are tolerant of religious views generally, but when they interfere with deeply held secular values, people say, Enough is enough and You cannot have access. But religious liberty means you have to create space for people to be in errorwhich is fully biblical, by the way. Even when somebody is wrong, you need to love them and listen to them and have humility. The law creates that space so people can follow their conscience. Activists firebomb pro-life pregnancy center in Buffalo; 2 firefighters admitted to hospital A pro-life pregnancy center in upstate New York was firebombed Tuesday morning, making it the latest pro-life organization to experience vandalism ahead of a major U.S. Supreme Court decision on abortion. CompassCare, a group of pro-life pregnancy centers committed to "serving women in Buffalo and across NY State" and "erasing the need for abortion," announced Tuesday that its Buffalo office was "firebombed by abortion terrorists." According to the statement, police and firefighters responded in the early morning to a report of smoke at the office on Eggert Road. "The windows in the reception room and nurses' office were broken and fires lit. Graffiti on the building left by arsonists refers to the abortion terrorist group Jane's Revenge, reading 'Jane Was Here.'" As the statement explained, Jane's Revenge took responsibility for a similar act of vandalism at a pro-life pregnancy center in Wisconsin. Following the attack on the Wisconsin Family Action office in Madison, the group released a manifesto demanding "the disbanding of anti-choice establishments, fake clinics, and violent anti-choice groups within the next thirty days." "Wisconsin is the first flashpoint, but we are all over the US, and we will issue no further warnings," the manifesto reads. "And we will not stop, we will not back down, nor will we hesitate to strike until the inalienable right to manage our own health is returned to us." In subsequent weeks, the group has claimed responsibility for other acts of violence. In a statement, CompassCare CEO Jim Harden described the violence as "the pro-abortion 'Kristallnacht.'" "[B]ecause of this act of violence, the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancy will go unmet and babies will die," Harden said. "CompassCare will rebuild because women deserve better." He vowed that "CompassCare will not stop serving because pre-born boys and girls deserve better." The clinic offers confidential abortion information, pregnancy diagnosis and STD testing and treatment. CompassCare alerted the local police and FBI. According to reports, local Amherst police, the district attorney and the FBI are investigating the possible arson. Town of Amherst Supervisor Brian Kulpa said in a statement shared with media that two volunteer firefighters "were admitted to the hospital after they were overcome while battling a suspected arson fire." According to police, the firefighters were treated for minor injuries. "With reports that this fire was set intentionally, I am disgusted that lives were put at risk," Kulpa said, according to WKBW. "Our thoughts are with the firefighters as they recover. A violent response is never the answer. There is no place in Amherst for such attacks. Amherst Police are working with our partners to continue its investigation to hold those responsible accountable for their actions." Harden said CompassCare has consulted with security professionals for a safety plan "and engaged a security firm who were expediting the installation of armored glass for the Buffalo office." Harden elaborated on the organization's next steps in a video Tuesday, reporting that the vandalism caused "extensive damage that's going to take months to repair." "They broke glass in the middle of the night, under cover of darkness, to keep us from doing the work of the Lord, from being the light of the world," he said. "We offer absolutely necessary services, ethical medical care and comprehensive community support to women seriously considering abortion and they're trying to keep us from doing that." Harden said that organization would operate out of a new facility starting Wednesday. "We're looking at a more medium-range facility to house our services short-term while this facility gets repaired," he said. The vandalism at CompassCare comes just over a month after Politico published a leaked draft opinion in the Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. The draft opinion, which is not final, indicated that a majority of justices were inclined to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Should the Supreme Court overturn Roe as expected, abortion would not automatically become illegal in all 50 states. Instead, states would decide the legality of abortion. In the absence of Roe, 21 states would either completely ban or restrict abortion more severely than they do now. Sixteen states that have codified the right to abortion into law would continue to allow abortion late into a pregnancy or up until the moment of birth. Ten states would likely continue enforcing their current abortion restrictions, while the three remaining states may soon put the future of their abortion laws in the hands of voters in the form of ballot referendums. ELCA pastor claims 'Jesus screwed up,' called woman seeking help the B-word A Lutheran minister claimed in a recent sermon that Jesus, who was holy and never sinned, screwed up and called a woman a b---- in her retelling of a biblical story that some have decried as blasphemous. Speaking in a chapel service at the ELCA-affiliated Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on March 11, a self-described pastrix, the Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe, drew from Mark 7:24-30, explaining that the passage was her favorite Bible story because it was an example of Jesus humanity in which Christ screws up bigger here than in any story I know. The story remains her favorite because of the Syro-Phoenician woman's purported improv skills, she said. In the exchange, the woman falls at Jesus' feet while He's in the region of Tyre and Sidon and she begs Him to heal her daughter, who is demon-possessed. Christ responds: Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the childrens bread and throw it to the little dogs. The Syro-Phoenician woman then replies: Yes Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the childrens crumbs. Jesus then says: For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter. Roske-Metcalfe described this exchange by explaining how the desperate woman had nothing to lose, so she asked Jesus to heal her daughter. And Jesus responds by calling her a b----, she claimed. But then the Syro-Phoenician woman activated her so-called improv skills, agreeing that she was indeed a dog, catching Jesus off-guard, she continued, likening the encounter to a completely unrelated account of a supposed Ukrainian soldier telling Russian troops to "go f--- yourself," as they attacked Snake Island in the Black Sea. I would bet good money that Jesus wasnt expecting that. Like I dont care if Hes the son of God. He didnt see that coming. This is the beauty of improv. This is what makes it so subversive. Nobody sees it coming, she said. Roske-Metcalfe continued: Jesus screwed up. The Syro-Phoenician woman used her improv skills to call him on it. Jesus changes course. And this story marks the beginning of His ministry among the Gentiles. Dear friends, I find my redemption in Jesus Christ, but on this day in this story, the Syro-Phoenician woman is the one who redeems Him, who calls Him back to Himself, who calls Him back to His calling. The Greek word used in that passage is (transliteration: kunarion) which means little dogs or house dogs. This same story is also recorded in Matthew 15. Matthews Gospel emphasizes the Jewish nature of Jesus and His ministry to His people. When taken in the context of the larger culture and era, the Syro-Phoenician woman would not have interpreted and did not interpret the dogs response from Jesus as a derogatory slur. In a May 31 episode of the "Fighting for the Faith" podcast, Pastor Chris Rosebrough of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, an American Association of Lutheran Churches congregation in Oslo, Minnesota, highlighted the commentary of Epiphanius Scholasticus, a sixth century translator of Greek works into Latin, on this passage. The ancient writer pointed out that the Syro-Phoenician woman was not offended by Jesus reference to non-Jewish people as dogs, in fact, and in a way, she concurred. Unlike the Jews for whom Christ came, she, a Greek woman, actually understood who He truly was. To wit, she had better theology than the Jews of that time, as evidenced by Jesus, who praised her for her faith and granted her request. By saying, Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters table, she was acknowledging that Jesus came to the Jews and manifested Yourself to them, and they didnt want you to make exceptions. What they rejected, give to us who are asking for it, the sixth century translator is quoted as saying. What is more, Jesus exchange with the Syro-Phoenician woman hearkens back to the words of Old Testament prophecy in Hosea 1 where God says: In the place where it was said to them, You are not my people it shall be said to them Sons of the living God. Conversely, the Jews who refused Jesus had been made loathsome dogs out of children, as Jesus would start to say on the cross (Matthew 27:46), as was foretold in Psalm 22: Many dogs surround me; a company of evildoers encircle me. The Christian Post reached out to Grace Lutheran Church, inquiring specifically about Roske-Metcalfes belief that Jesus erred and teaching that as a biblical fact. We will update this piece when a response is received. According to GotQuestions.org, an online nondenominational Evangelical apologetics hub, in response to the question Why did Jesus call the Canaanite woman a dog? the ministry offers that Jesus often tested people so that they might prove their intentions. In testing her, Jesus declined her request and explained that she had no legitimate expectation of His help. The woman, however, lived out the principle Jesus Himself taught in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:18). Her response proved that she understood fully what Jesus was saying, yet had enough conviction to ask anyway (Matthew 15:27), GotQuestions explained. Jesus wasnt referring to the Canaanite woman as a dog, either directly or indirectly. He wasnt using an epithet or racial slur but making a point about the priorities Hed been given by God. Ex-SBC president suspended by First Baptist Church Woodstock after sexual assault allegation Former Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt has been formally suspended as pastor emeritus at First Baptist Church Woodstock in Georgia after an investigation deemed credible allegations that he sexually assaulted a younger pastor's wife several years ago. "We have recommended to our former pastor, Johnny Hunt, a clear process of counseling, accountability, and restoration," Pastor Jeremy Morton and other members of the church's leadership noted in a letter published last Friday. "We also believe it is in the best interest of FBCW to suspend his role as Pastor Emeritus." While praising "the supernatural work of God" over the last three decades, church leaders said they believe "this decision aligns with our biblical theology as a church regarding spiritual leaders being above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2)." Hunt's suspension follows the May 22 report compiled by the outside firm Guidepost Solutions detailing the results of an investigation into allegations that SBC leaders intimidated whistleblowers and exonerated churches with credible claims of negligence of sexual abuse victims. The report called the allegation against the 69-year-old Hunt, who served as SBC president from 2008 to 2010, "credible." According to the report, the unidentified victim alleged that Hunt, who was on sabbatical from his role as senior pastor at First Baptist Church Woodstock at the time, sexually assaulted her in Panama City Beach, Florida, on July 25, 2010. The alleged victim, along with her SBC pastor husband, viewed Hunt as a mentor. The incident occurred while she stayed in a condo adjacent to Hunt's during a brief vacation. In addition to inappropriately touching her against her wishes, Hunt is accused of telling the woman he wanted to have sex with her three times a day. Hunt posted a statement addressed to the church to his Instagram account on May 27. He admitted that while he did have an encounter with the younger pastor's wife, the Guidepost Solutions report was "sensationalized" and the account included details that are not true. "Our brief, but improper, encounter ended when in response to an overwhelming feeling of conviction I stopped it and I fled the situation. I remember saying just before leaving the condo, 'This is not right. I have no business being here. I love my wife.' I have never been in a room again privately with the woman involved," Hunt wrote. "I thank God we did not go further than we did, but that is also no excuse for my grievous sin. I will regret that day for the rest of my life and I take responsibility for the situation because I chose to enter her condo," he said. "I am sorry. It was an awful sin but it was a consensual encounter. It was not abuse nor was it assault. Almost immediately after the incident in 2010, I began a process of taking personal responsibility for my personal sin." The pastor emphasized that he was not seeking anyone's sympathy for his sin. But he said in the letter to the church that he had been emotionally vulnerable following a battle with cancer in 2010. "I entered into a season of deep despair and probably clinical depression. I remember [my wife] asking me then how I felt and I said to her, 'I feel like something inside me has died,'" Hunt's letter reads. "It was during that summer that I allowed myself to get too close to a compromising situation with a woman who was not my wife. It happened when she invited me into her vacation condo for a conversation. Against my better judgement I chose to go." Hunt said after the encounter with the pastor's wife, who is 24 years his junior, he apologized to his wife and the woman's husband and sought professional help. "I was willing to resign my ministry then, forever. However, after completing that private process [of reconciliation], which involved seeking the forgiveness of God and those involved, and recovering from that dark, depressing season, I felt I could return to Woodstock in the Fall of 2010," he said. "That is what happened. I want you to know that this is the truth. It is also the whole truth." Hunt insisted that "the account described in the Guidepost report is sensationalized." He maintained that he didn't "groom the woman involved" nor did he "intentionally arrange the encounter." There are other details in the description that is stated as fact which did not happen," Hunt claims. "The most absurd allegation is that this brief, consensual encounter constituted assault," he concluded. "It did not. This is the reason why I denied the accuracy of the report, and why I deny it, now." How the digital revolution is disrupting the Church and forcing it out of buildings About a year ago, Andre Anderson started a group on Facebook called Barbecue Assembly of God to build a church of people who love Barbecue and want to move forward in their faith journey. The group has since swelled to more than 500 members, and two Sundays ago, Barbecue Church held its first official service online. You know, our thing is [we] want to help feed people biblically, spiritually and literally, said Anderson, who announced himself as the lead pastor of Barbecue Church at the start of the service. Were going to do that in a bunch of different ways. Anderson went on to describe how different his church would be. Along with barbecue, the church would serve up sermons that are quick, easy, [and] straight to the point. Well put up cooking videos, training videos on how to cook different things. Were just going to have a good time. Its going to be different. Its going to be fun. Its going to be wild, he said. The sermon ended approximately 10 minutes after it started. While he plans to embrace everyone who comes to check out Barbecue Church, Anderson expressed little concern over those who might not like his brand of fellowship. If you like it, cool. If you dont, scroll on, he said. We just want the best for you and want you to find your spot. So no matter where youre at in your faith journey, you can eat with us. Were here. A digital explosion of church Like Anderson, millions of people have been unapologetically finding their spot by exploring different ways to express their faith through digital platforms like social media and virtual reality. On TikTok alone, Christian-related video content has amassed more than 31 billion views and made stars out of young influencers like 23-year-old Maurice Dowell of Lawton, Oklahoma. His inspiring videos have been liked nearly 76 million times. And since he started using the app to minister in 2018, Dowell has gained some 3.8 million followers, dwarfing the following of more traditional megachurch preachers on the app like Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes. Dowell did not immediately respond to a request for an interview from The Christian Post, but in a 2020 interview with ABC 7 News, he credited God for the popularity of his message. Its my purpose to inspire people, care for people and just love people back to life, so people say Im TikTok famous, I give all glory to God, Dowell said. Someone just said you just turned an atheist to a believer. My life is so much better now. If you dont think thats a place to praise the Lord right there! Liana Gordan, another young influencer with some 70,000 followers and whose videos have been viewed more than 1.4 million times on the app, said she was influenced by the work of Christians like Dowell. The 18-year-old based in Canada says even though her parents are orthodox Christians, she never spent much time in church as a child, according to Bustle. Had it not been for other young Christians sharing videos about their faith in the growing Christian subculture on TikTok, she doesnt think she would have ever seen the light. This app was used to save me, she said in a video posted in November 2020. I was seeing Christian creators on my For You Page, and I was like, Whoa. And I started reading my Bible. Elijah Lamb, another popular Christian TikTok teenager with nearly 670,000 followers, acknowledged in a video in late 2020 that while the work of Christian TikTok isnt perfect, there is no denying the impact they're having in connecting their generation with the Gospel. I think the way that so many young Christians on this app are zealously pursuing truth and preaching the Gospel without shame is amazing, Lamb said. I think there is such an amazingly diverse group of creators who make equally diverse content. Christian TikTok has pushed me to step up and learn how to lead better. I think the vulnerability that so many people on this app have blows my mind and it makes me so joyful. The people Ive met through this app have made me feel more loved than almost anyone else, he continued. I think this community has taken steps to prove that there can be unity between denominations and I love the way that people on this app are so willing to ask questions. Oasis Church VR is a church that solely exists in the metaverse, which Facebook describes as a set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who arent in the same physical space as you. We curate creative church experiences in virtual reality for people who feel excited about digital spaces & fresh opportunities. Oasis is for people who are bored with the way their forefathers did church, the church states on its website. These can be creatives that are Metaverse explorers and people who would not be comfortable going into a building. Oasis will reach persecuted people in other countries. We will have a strong missional outreach component giving Oculus devices to those in need and supporting persecuted believers worldwide. At a recent Sunday service, Oasis Church VR leaders unveiled their new futuristic build that came complete with an immersive study of the book of Ruth in the Bible. Scenes from the four-chapter book were visually brought to life in 3D as the audience read through the story, teleporting from scene to scene with engaging discussion. As online Christian engagement continues to expand rapidly through the use of digital technologies, it has coincided with a staggering disruption in physical church membership, which some technology experts say will continue to displace physical churches that refuse to adapt to the digital revolution. And the ongoing displacement is becoming more apparent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The historic decline in physical church membership A Gallup analysis in March 2021 showed that while America remains a highly religious nation with seven in 10 claiming affiliation with some kind of organized religion, for the first time in nearly 80 years, fewer than half of them claim any formal membership in a specific house of worship. One of the biggest factors Gallup found strongly correlates with church membership is age. Some 66% of traditionalists U.S. adults born before 1946 have formal membership in a church, compared with 58% of baby boomers, 50% of those in Generation X and 36% of millennials. Current but limited data on members of Gen Zers who've already reached adulthood suggest their church membership rate is similar to millennials. The analysis also pointed to the growing number of Americans who express no religious preference. In the last 20 years, the share of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown from 8% in 1998 to 2000 to 21% in the last three years. Only 4% of people from this group said they held formal membership in a church, synagogue or mosque. Between 1998 and 2000 that figure was 10%. In 2020, just over a week after leaders of a Minnesota church were accused of trying to get rid of older adult members from one of their campuses in an effort to attract a younger crowd, a new study from Barna showed how reaching the next generation is one of the biggest problems pastors in local churches worry about today. When presented with a list of possible challenges facing their church as part of Barnas State of the Church 2020 project, just over half of Protestant pastors, 51%, said reaching a younger audience is a major issue for their ministry. Chestly Lunday, an expert in innovative leadership who has helped churches and companies lead in the digital age, told CP in a recent interview that one of the biggest reasons behind the declining statistics in traditional church membership is that the younger generation and innovative Christians have migrated online while older adults refuse to adapt. What we're seeing [now] is the exodus of the late majority [from traditional churches], Lunday said. We're not seeing the exodus of early adopters [of technology], and the early majority of innovators. They've been gone already for a while. So what you're seeing now, like one major church, where pre-pandemic people were coming 1.4 times a month, now they're coming point 0.8 times per month, meaning one of the best communicators in North America can't get somebody [in church] to tell [them about Jesus] once a month a year anymore. That's what that means. Church of the future is a network. And it's going to be digitally based. It's not going to be geographically based. It's going to be built on relationships and purpose, he said. The growing use of digital technology to fellowship among Christians has led to increased connection between diverse groups of Christians across geographic and denominational boundaries, Lunday said. Adaption He believes that the biggest threat to the survival of the Church today is the resistance among its older constituents, most of whom remain in the pews of dying congregations, to the advances of digital technology. I think the biggest threat for churches is their constituency who are older that don't want to do anything digitally, he said. In January, Lunday teamed up with fellow innovator and longtime digital church advocate Jeff Reed to form the Digital Church Network which seeks to empower people to utilize Digital & Metaverse tools to connect, engage and disciple. He explained that church leaders have been stuck on applying a 1,700-year-old model of church designed for a world that no longer exists. Digital platforms are disrupting churches. This didn't happen during the pandemic. That happened when Web 2.0 came out. So if you look at the history of the church, you see that our model, our prevailing model right now, was invented 1,700 years ago, he explained. When Constantine legalized Christianity, we came out of the shadows and we built, we city-planned and built buildings so that people that were illiterate and farming could come and hear Scripture, apply it to their daily lives and come and be in community with people, even though they wouldn't be with them six days out of the week, they would actually go back to their farms and work, he said. Through that model, the physical church building became a centralized platform for worship, but technology has upended it. What digital technology did, especially during Web 2.0, when we created social media platforms, the building blocks of that wasn't the media side it was actually the connection side, Lunday said. We've completely decentralized relationships. The main need for physical church buildings, Lunday said, was to provide content and community. The ability to access both content and community online has made traditional church buildings irrelevant. We have to create an organization that is built for a Web 2.0 world, he said. If I can help churches move from 1.0 to 2.0 and start thinking about what it'll look like to actually create community on an asynchronous digital space that is not predicated on everybody watching the same content at the same time, but it being on demand and it's still having events and get-togethers, whether it be virtually, whether it be physically those are the things that I would like to see the church do, Lunday explained. I think they (traditional church leaders) are threatened by it because that's not what they know. That's not what they feel comfortable with. That's not what they like. Even if many traditional churches decide to retool their ministries today, said Lunday, there is no guarantee that they will survive. He cited arguments from Clayton M. Christensens 2011 book, The Innovators Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business as well as the Bible to show why it will be difficult for many churches to adapt. You're going to start seeing a massive exodus from churches that think the old way because that's not how people relate to each other anymore. Content is a commodity, it's not king, it's a currency. And that's the point that needs to be shifted. My goal is to help churches see that and redesign their ministries for a world that exists. Right now. They're designed for a world that no longer exists, he said. He believes that what will likely happen is that younger leaders are simply going to move forward with digital ministries and leave behind older church members who refuse to or cannot adapt. I think what you're going to see with younger leaders they're not going to try to keep the old people. They're just going to go and do new things. And they're going to have people that want to come with them. And unfortunately, I mean, Jesus said this a long time ago, right? He said, Don't try to put new wine into old wineskins, he said. This is a new wineskin moment with new wine. And the reality is if you try to put it into the old wineskins, you're going to lose the beauty of both. He added: Jesus understood disruption and He was a disrupter Himself. And His advice to all of us disruptors are to go with the goers, don't try to save the past, that can't be done. And by trying to mix your new thing with the old thing, you'll actually lose both in the process. And so I think that there will be 4 percent of our churches that will make the jump, just like Clayton Christensen said with organizations. The impact of the digital disruption on pastors and parishioners New data released by Barna Group last month show that fears over the membership of their church being in decline was among the biggest factors causing stress and loneliness among pastors, forcing an increasing number of them to consider quitting compared to a year ago. Some 29% of pastors said they felt like quitting because they werent optimistic about the future of their church and they were unhappy with the impact the job had on their family or they had a vision for the church that was in conflict with where the church wanted to go. Lunday says he understands the frustration because pastors are working harder for a shrinking audience in physical churches. It's absolutely fueling the burnout and the disappointment because you're doing the things you've always done and it's not getting the results that you used to have. And you don't know why it's not working but you know, it's not working, Lunday said. I think what you're seeing [are] two major things: older pastors that don't want to change and move into a digital decentralized paradigm of church, and you're seeing them opt for retirement now while there's still money in the bank. These struggling ministries that dont want to change, said Lunday, are also likely to have a harder time attracting younger leadership because younger pastors know that it's easier to have a baby than it is to raise the dead. People [pastors remaining in physical churches] have a deep sense of loyalty. They want to make this work. And so they're staying and they're working harder because the visionaries have left the building. And they're just trying to do the things they've always done, except they're now expending more energy and spinning their wheels, and they feel it, but they don't know what to do. And they don't feel like it's morally OK for them to leave. And I think that's OK, Lunday said. Some of them are called to stay with the sheep because they're shepherds. Every ministry leader should have the heart of a shepherd. But not every ministry leader is gifted as one. And so some of the people that are there that are gifted as one, they're feeling it, they're going to stay no matter what because that's what shepherds are supposed to do. But I think there's a lot of people that want to leave, that probably should leave that don't feel like they have permission to leave, he added. And that's not God putting that lack of permission on them, it's them putting that lack of permission on them because they're afraid of what's on the other side. A more diverse church experience While both Lunday and Reed agree that the digital shift was well underway before the pandemic began and it is likely too late for many traditional churches to transition, Reed argues that digital churches should not be viewed as competing with physical ones. The first online Bible study that I ever taught was in the year 2000, 22 years of doing digital ministry, and all the way up to COVID people thought I was nuts, Reed said. Well, thank you very much. COVID validates a lot of what we were talking about. And we saw proof that it would work. And so now, you know, I don't need to be the digital church apologist, but I need to create a community where others can feed off each other and work together for the common good. Reed explained that the trends he has seen emerging amid the digital disruption of the Church show that digital churches are reaching a different type of person than what the traditional church building is reaching. Church is no longer a one size fits all and messages need to be tailored to a specific audience. To drive home this point, he cited marketing expert Seth Godins advice that a billion people dont care what you have to say. In 1995, Billy Graham spoke one sermon and a billion people heard it around the world, Reed said. [In] 2022 it's not going to happen. He argued that in order for the Church to continue to get its message across the world it can no longer be about mass communication. [Its] about the individual, but the big churches, the Life churches they'll serve their purpose, and they'll still reach people. But we're already seeing it where these digital churches that have a more nuanced voice are also effective in reaching different types of people than the buildings are reaching, Reed said. We're seeing atheists and agnostics come to Jesus. We're seeing the Church. The first step back to the bride of Christ is through virtual reality headsets. We're seeing satanists come to Jesus through relationships in virtual reality. Digital Church Research Report published in October 2021 features data collected from interviews with 29 pastors from Aug. 21 through Sept. 17, 2021, on the function and operation of churches in the U.S. operating either as online-only churches or as churches with an online campus or associated ministry. There was consensus that the church did not need a specific structure or form to be a church. Rather, it had to meet a set of biblical criteria that included meeting together, making disciples, growing in knowledge and understanding of God and His redemptive work through Jesus, and taking that message to the wider community, the report said. Among other data, the report also highlighted how participants in online churches were less likely to give financially to the church and when they do give the amount was generally lower than the amount given on average in physical churches. It was noted that with the exception of VR churches, the operating cost was lower in online churches compared to physical churches. I'm not the guy that's going to say the buildings need to shut down, everything's got to go digital, because it's not going to work. My father will never attend a digital church. And that's OK. Because I don't want to validate one over the other, Reed said. I think both are effective. But we need the freedom to be able to explore multiple options, have the freedom to explore digital, not look at these people, as they often are looked at, as heretics. Helpful advice While he understands the fear and frustration among both pastors and parishioners in the era of digital disruption, Lunday said there is a way to be helped. There is a way you can turn the ship around. It's going to be super uncomfortable. But there is a way to do it. And there are people that can help you do it. Jeff and I are definitely two of those people. So I would say hold on, learn, lean in to disruption, be willing to try new things, Lunday said in his message to pastors. I can't promise that you'll survive. But you'll have a better chance of surviving. Lunday further urged parishioners of physical church to take responsibility for your own spiritual maturity. The reason we are in the challenge we're facing at this moment is because we didn't take seriously that REVEAL study that Willow Creek had 20 years ago. When they said, Oh, wait a minute, megachurch doesn't actually help people mature in their faith. The events on Sunday don't actually help people mature in their faith. It just makes us feel good, he said. Sunday morning events are awesome. They're great, they're helpful, but they're supplemental to the process of discipleship. And you will not grow in your faith if you don't take personal responsibility for growing in your faith, he continued. So many people have been OK with consuming rather than learning what it takes to be a follower of Jesus. I would say today, take responsibility for your own spiritual maturity. Don't wait for anybody else around because God's got a call on your life. And you're never going to step into it and fill your [calling] if you're waiting for somebody else to say, Hey, this is what I think I see with you, he added. It's time to step up and take a step of faith and move out and take ownership of your own spiritual maturity. The Holy Spirit speaks to every Christian, not just the person on the stage. Ministry leader shares 5 ways Christians can fight against 'secret' sexual sin A young adult ministry leader from a Texas megachurch recently shared five ways believers can battle against the temptation of secret sexual sins, such as porn, lust and masturbation. JD Rodgers of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, who serves as the young adults creative director of The Porch Ministry, warned a primarily young adult audience about the perils of sexual freedom, labeling it one of the biggest rip-offs or scams that the world sells us. In a June 1 sermon titled Battling Sexual Sin, Rodgers began by reminding the audience that they were instructed in last weeks sermon to write on a card the thing that makes them most shameful and to submit it to the ministry. Rodgers recalled how when The Porch leaders reviewed the "thousands upon thousands" of cards, a lot of them mentioned struggles with lust, pornography addiction, homosexuality and "past sexual perversion." He then listed five steps that all start with the letter R that young adult Christians can apply in their lives to win the battle against sexual sin: Remember who you are and what you're called to do Recognize where you're susceptible Resist the urge Run to community Respond rightly Remembering requires something mental," Rodgers said. "You will be what you think you are. You will be or you will do based on what you believe you are. Focusing his sermon on the story of King David from 2 Samuel 11, where David was described as a man after Gods own heart," Rodgers noted that David committed adultery with the wife of Uriah because he failed to take time to think about his identity. David clearly forgot who he was and what he was called to do. Because if he remembered, I am a king, anointed and chosen by the God of the universe, called to lead and stand up and be a man and go to war, it would have changed everything about this moment, Rodgers preached. But because he forgot who he was, and his purpose and his calling, because he neglected his character and his calling, he found himself home when everyone else was at war. That is often when you will fall, is when you are at home when you're meant to be in the battle. Rodgers said it's vital for Christians struggling with sexual sin to remember who they are based on what the Bible says about their identity rather than what the world says. That is who you are: chosen, royalty, a nation set apart and you are personally important to God. You are his very own possession, Rodgers added, referring to 1 Peter 2:9. Mentioning step two on his list, Rodgers said that many young adult Christians who struggle with sexual sins often don't think about what is leading to their sinful battle. He advised those gathered to remove from their life the things that cause them to fall into sexual sin. If we're going to fight the battle against sexual sin, we have to recognize where we are susceptible to fall into sexual sin," Rodgers said. "Another way of saying this is we have to look for patterns, [because] patterns often point to problems. If you have a recurring problem in your life, if you have an addiction in your life, look at the pattern that leads to the problem. Rodgers also responded to the question of "what even classifies as sexual sin" and whether things like making out constitute "sexual sin" or if it's acceptable. I'm going to leave that between you and the Lord. I'm not going to say yes or no," he said regarding making out, then listed examples of sexual sin. "Sex, oral sex, sex in ways that shouldn't be sex, getting too handsy, making out while bumping and grinding, getting hot and steamy. You know what I'm talking about. Being alone. Looking at things that cause you to be sexually aroused, entertaining yourself. Rodgers then cited Proverbs 18:1, which says: Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire, adding that he believed that many young adult believers will feed their sexual urges instead of resisting temptation. Resist the urge or feed it," said Rodgers. "And if you continue to feed it, it will only get more and more hungry and it will lead you down a path to destruction. That's what we see in David's life. He could have walked away, but he inquired about the woman." Lastly, Rodgers said, finding community is key in the effort to respond rightly to the temptation of sexual sin, stating that you need people who will lovingly seek to challenge and correct you with compassion and care because they love you and they have your best interest in mind." "That's the kind of people you need around you. You need soldiers in the battle with you. A man who goes to war by himself is sure to fall. But there is strength in numbers. There is strength in the pack. It's he who is isolated that the prowling lion seeks to devour, Rodgers continued. Secular culture, he reiterated, perpetuates the scam that in order to be free, you can do what you want, when you want with your body because it's your body and whatever makes you happy, do it. "We will constantly be battling all types of sin, but specifically in our young adult years, we will really be battling sexual sin, as single young adults, as married young adults. It doesn't go away. But in this battle, I think a lot of us wonder, Can I actually be free? Can I actually defeat this addiction? Can I win the battle against sexual sin? And I want to tell you the answer is through Jesus. Yes, you can, Rodger declared. My hope for this message is that you would see that your story does not end with your sexual past. Your story does not end with what's happened to you sexually. And you are not defined by what you have done or currently are doing sexually. That, you can, with Jesus, defeat your sexual sin. The Porch describes itself as a place where you can come as you are, no matter your past or present, to find authentic friendships and hear messages about dating, relationships, finances, mental health, faith, and more. Nurse says hospital revoked her religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccine mandate A Virginia hospital has been accused of denying a Christian nurse a religious exemption to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate even though she claims to have been given a permanent exemption last year. Julia Brenton, a registered nurse who works as a unit supervisor on the postpartum unit at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, was told in an email on Monday that she had to get vaccinated by June 20 or be fired. Brenton told The Christian Post that she opposes getting a COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds because the vaccines were developed through testing on cells derived from aborted fetuses. Brenton applied for an exemption in July 2021, submitting a letter in which she quoted 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?...Therefore honor God with your body." "According to Divine Law, and my religious beliefs, anything that is injected into the body goes against my religious freedom," she wrote last year, sharing a copy of the letter with CP. Brenton, who has worked as a nurse for over 10 years, also included a letter from Pastor Perry Darley of Called By Grace Ministries. In the letter, Darley said he recently spoke with her and that she "believes the vaccine mandate violates those values she holds dear," including "the right to life." Inova's official guidelines on COVID-19 vaccination state that religious exemptions are granted "only when sincerely held religious beliefs conflict with Inova's immunization policy." The guidelines include an option to provide a "note from a religious leader" that "may describe with specificity the sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance that guides the objection to immunization." Inova's guidelines also state that a religious exemption would "not be granted when opposition to the immunization is medical, scientific, political, philosophical, ethical, or otherwise secular rather than religious in nature." Brenton forwarded CP an email from Aug. 10, 2021, from Inova's official exemption requests email address showing that she was granted a permanent exemption from the vaccine and would not have to reapply. Despite the email from last year promising a permanent exemption, Brenton said she was told in March that she had to reapply for the vaccine exemption. She claims she waited 10 weeks for a response. She added that the wait was "stressful" because she was "wondering if I would have a job soon" due to the vaccine mandate. Then on Monday, her request was denied. In an email she forwarded to CP, Inova's Vaccine Exemption Request Committee argued that Brenton failed to meet their standards for exemption and that her being unvaccinated would place an undue burden on the operations of the hospital. Brenton said there are "many other healthcare workers who were approved and then denied" a religious exemption to the Inova COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Inova instituted its COVID-19 vaccine mandate last September, requiring "all rotating residents and fellows to be vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to rotate at any Inova facility." CP reached out to Inova for comment on Brenton's claims. Spokesperson Tracy Connell emailed a statement stating that Inova "welcomes requests for medical or religious exemptions from team members." "Members of Inova's chaplaincy team assist in review of religious exemption requests alongside a clinical and multi-disciplinary review team," read the statement. "We will continue to review and update our approach to keeping our team members and patients safe during this public health crisis and our policies will evolve as relevant facts and circumstances warrant." Connell added that Inova seeks "to create an environment of zero harm and embraces and practices best evidence." "As we continue to learn more about COVID-19 and its many variants, we strongly believe that the safest environment for our team members and patients is one where everyone is fully vaccinated," continued the statement. Several lawsuits have been filed by those who are religiously opposed to getting the vaccines but are compelled to via vaccine mandates. In New York, a group of Christian healthcare workers sued to stop New York's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Last October, a federal judge issued an order temporarily halting enforcement of the order against thousands of unvaccinated healthcare workers who had applied for religious exemptions. The district court's order was vacated by the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. In December, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected requests to block New York's healthcare vaccination mandate. A group of U.S. Navy personnel sued the U.S. Department of Defense and other government officials after their religious exemption requests were denied. In late March, U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor, a George W. Bush appointee, expanded an earlier preliminary injunction on behalf of the Navy personnel to the over 4,000 Navy service members who have requested a religious exemption. "Plaintiffs decided to pursue a class action on behalf of 4,095 Navy servicemembers who have filed religious accommodation requests," wrote O'Connor in his order. "Here, the potential class members have suffered the 'same injury,' arising from violations of their constitutional rights. Each has submitted a religious accommodation request, and each has had his request denied, delayed, or dismissed on appeal." In May, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. Lankford stated the Navy had approved 27 religious accommodation requests for the COVID-19 vaccines despite receiving over 4,300 requests. Lankford noted, "84 personnel with previously disapproved religious accommodation requests have completed the discharge process." Lankford argued that in light of O'Connor's order, the Department of Defense should "apply its stated policy of protecting sailors from separation and discipline retroactively," noting that the Navy had paused efforts to "separate and discipline sailors refusing the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious objections." "As I have said repeatedly, it is difficult to see how removing hundreds of sailors from the Navy when almost half of Americans have already been infected with COVID-19 improves our military readiness and serves the national interest," Lankford wrote. Walmart shareholders defeat pro-abortion proposal at annual meeting On June 1st, Walmart held its annual shareholders meeting and voted on a proposal designed to pull the company into the abortion debate against state-level protections for the unborn. The proposal was defeated overwhelmingly, receiving fewer than 13% of votes cast. The measure was placed on the ballot by a left-of-center pro-abortion group called Clean Yield Asset Management, which placed similar measures on the ballot at FedEx and Cigna, where they were also defeated. The proposal called upon Walmart to "publish a report on the potential risks and costs to the company of state policies that restrict reproductive healthcare" Reproductive health care being a common euphemism for abortion. The call for a study of risks is a standard form used by activists to influence companies in their preferred direction. There is a precedent of the SEC upholding proposals of this format as appropriate topics for shareholder votes. The proposal reads in full: RESOLVED: Shareholders request that Walmart Board of Directors issue a public report prior to December 31, 2022, omitting confidential and privileged information and at a reasonable expense, detailing any known and any potential risks and costs to the Company caused by enacted or proposed state policies severely restricting reproductive rights, and detailing any strategies beyond litigation and legal compliance that the Company may deploy to minimize or mitigate these risks. Another standard tactic is to call upon companies to study the "risk" of whatever social policy the activist opposes, without also calling for a study of the benefits of that policy. For example: abortion kills future customers. Pro-choice groups which have proposed ballot items like this do not propose that the companies study the negative business effects of abortion-on-demand, which are considerable and increasingly obvious during a time of when the population is rapidly aging, social security and pension plans are strained, and there is a labor shortage. Also left out of the equation is any reference to the risk of backlash from the public or from workers for injecting itself into a highly contentious political debate. Public backlash is clearly growing against CEOs swerving out of their lane and into politics, with strong majorities of both Democrats and Republicans opposing such incursions into hot-button issues. The proposal suggested that Walmart might have trouble recruiting workers in Arkansas should Roe v. Wade be reversed and abortion outlawed, though no argument was offered regarding the alleged connection between pro-life policies and a worker shortage in the bargain retail sector. The proposal calls upon the company to speak to the issues of any effects on employee hiring, retention, and productivity, and decisions regarding closure or expansion of operations in states proposing or enacting restrictive laws and strategies such as any public policy advocacy by the company, related political contributions policies, and human resources or educational strategies. This amounts to a suggestion that the company threaten to punish states by closing (or not expanding) business in those states, a tactic which has been used effectively against states which passed religious freedom laws at odds with the desire of the LGBTQ lobby. And clearly the proposal is targeting support for pro-life politicians via the proxy process, which is also a common tactic from left-of-center groups. T.J. Maxx had a similar abortion related proposal on the ballot on June 7th, put forth by a different group of activists. It was also defeated. Celebration Church sues to evict Stovall and Kerri Weems from million dollar waterfront home The 12,000-member Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, continued its legal sparring with founding Pastor Stovall Weems and his wife, Kerri, in a new lawsuit earlier this month demanding that the couple vacate a million dollar waterfront home owned by the church after Weems completely resigned from all work with the church in April. Church officials argued in a lawsuit filed on June 1 that on June 6, 2021, Weems purchased the disputed home located at 16073 Shellcracker Road on behalf of the church and Weems Group, LLC, which he managed himself. The purchase was made without authorization from the churchs board. Redfin reports that the home, which has an estimated value of $1,005,899, was last sold for $1,286,900 The Weemses remain in possession of the property despite Stovall Weems resignation of employment, the Weemses refusal to pay rent and the churchs demands that the Weemses vacate the premises, the lawsuit filed in Duval County Court says. Celebration Church officials noted that they served notice on their founders on April 19, April 26 and May 16, asking them to vacate the home by May 31 so they can market and sell it. But the Weems have refused, claiming that the Parsonage Use License Agreement permits them to reside in the Shellcracker Road property until their deaths. According to the church, that agreement only applied to a $1.5 million home located at 4504 Hunterston Lane, Jacksonville, Florida, 32224. The Weemses broke the agreement when they left the Hunterston Lane home and made the Shellcracker Road property their permanent residence, the churchs legal team said. The Weemses have no legal right to continue possessing or using the Shellcracker property. If they refuse to vacate the property by May 31, Celebration will be forced to have them removed by operation of law, attorney Lee D. Wedekind III of the law firm Nelson Mullins wrote in a letter to the Weemses' legal team. The lawsuit further argues that The Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine doesnt prevent the court from exercising subject-matter jurisdiction over the dispute because the issues here do not involve matters of church government or discipline, and instead relate solely to neutral principles of law involving this property dispute that do not implicate any issues of doctrinal controversy. Weems announced in April that he had resigned from every role he had with the church but would continue to pursue legal action against the churchs board of trustees and officers. In a Feb. 23 lawsuit, the Celebration Church founder claimed he was illegally ousted from his role as senior pastor by the churchs board of trustees earlier this year when he tried to address financial abuse involving one of the trustees. The church, in turn, filed a motion to dismiss the Weemses lawsuit on March 10. The church claims the lawsuit is the latest chapter in a campaign of deception, manipulation, distraction, and abuse of power by Stovall and Kerri Weems against Celebration. Celebration Church would later release an internal report that found the Weemses leadership has been inconsistent and unbiblical" since at least 2019. Investigators allege that Stovall Weems leadership was marked by rampant spiritual and emotional abuse, including manipulation, a profound sense of self-importance and selfishness, superiority and entitlement, overbearing and unreasonable demands on employees time, a lack of accountability or humility, and demands of absolute loyalty. John Crist releases comedy special 3 years after being canceled by Netflix over harassment allegations Christian comedian John Crist has released a new comedy special years after Netflix canceled his last special amid multiple allegations of sexual harassment. The special, titled "John Crist: What Are We Doing," was posted on YouTube last week and has since garnered over 354,800 views as of Thursday morning. From the frustrations of ordering at McDonald's and waiting in line at CVS, to the perplexities of expectant mother's parking spots and getting baptized in the Nile river, John Crist has been there to observe it all and ask simply ... What Are We Doing? the synopsis for the comedy special filmed at the historic Lyric Theater in Birmingham, Alabama, reads. Crists special is filled with jokes told from his perspective of the world. We were in Egypt on the Nile River. It was a very spiritual moment, very significant and the guide was like, Hey, we are going to do baptisms, and I was like, Excuse me, but have you seen this river? I love Jesus but my health insurance deductible is $4,000. Im not trying to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and tuberculosis, he quipped. I ain't Methodist, but I am today, sprinkle me. The famous comedian, who's also the son of a pastor, has amassed 1.1 million followers on Instagram and rose in popularity for his social media posts poking fun at various aspects of the Christian life, including contemporary Christian music, political correctness and Christian dating sites. In 2019, Crist abruptly canceled his tour after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him by several women. This also led to his Netflix special being canceled and the postponement of a book. The misconduct allegations included sexting multiple women, having sexual relationships with married women, and giving away tickets to his shows in return for sexual favors. Following the Netflix cancellation, Crist sought professional help. I was in a treatment facility for four months and I was away from my phone, Crist said in his first post back from rehab after returning from the eight-month hiatus. The Christian comedian, who's known for making fun of church culture, said he was surprised to receive so much support from those in his community. "I had assumed that I lived in a community of people that would be the first to look down on me and judge me and point fingers at me, and I felt nothing but the opposite throughout this whole process. Let me just say how hopeful and encouraging that was to be working on my own mental health, and my recovery and healing, and to have a bunch of people rooting for me and supporting me meant the world, Crist said. That being said, I want to say that I made a lot of poor choices in my personal life. I've made a lot of decisions that hurt myself, that hurt other people, and embarrassed myself and had consequences and I could look you in the eye and own that. His new special makes no mention of the past allegations or his missteps. Crist has also returned to touring with his "Fresh Cuts Comedy Tour." His next gig is scheduled to be held at the Harris Theater in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18. California lawmaker jokes about making 'Drag Queen 101 part of K-12 curriculum A California state lawmaker has joked about making the controversial "Drag Queen Story Time" trend a requirement for the K-12 curriculum in schools, a response to a Texas legislator who wants to ban children from participating in or attending drag shows. Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents San Francisco, tweeted the suggestion Tuesday in response to a pledge from Texas Republican Rep. Bryan Slaton to introduce legislation that would ban drag shows and other sexually inappropriate displays in the presence of children in his state. Slaton proposed the idea Monday, two days after videos from a "family-friendly" drag event at the gay bar Mr. Misster in Dallas went viral. In reference to Slaton's statement, Wiener replied: "This guy just gave me a bill idea: Offering Drag Queen 101 as part of the K-12 curriculum. Attending Drag Queen Story Time will satisfy the requirement." This guy just gave me a bill idea: Offering Drag Queen 101 as part of the K-12 curriculum. Attending Drag Queen Story Time will satisfy the requirement. https://t.co/Sogz2Ag8jV Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) June 7, 2022 Slaton responded to Wiener: "This man is a California legislator. He is clearly sick. Please join me in praying for him." This man is a California legislator. He is clearly sick. Please join me in praying for him. https://t.co/YI55gXRFPA Bryan Slaton (@BryanforHD2) June 7, 2022 Wiener told Fox News the tweet was a joke. The post remained online as of Thursday morning. Wiener's office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday by The Christian Post. The openly gay Weiner serves as the chair of the California Senate's Housing Committee and formerly chaired the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. The lawmaker is known for previously sponsoring SB 145, a bill that removes the requirement for adults to register as a sex offender after committing certain sex acts with minors within a 10-year age difference. Following its passage in 2020, Wiener's office insisted that SB 145 "does not legalize any kind of sex with a minor and does not change the potential sentence for having sex with an underage person. "Rather, the bill simply gives judges the ability to evaluate whether or not to require registration as a sex offender." Wiener's office maintained California law did not require the placement of adults who engaged in vaginal intercourse with a minor between the ages of 14 and 17 on the sex offender registry. On the other hand, state law required all adults who engaged in oral and anal intercourse with minors to be placed on a sex offender registry. "This distinction in the law which is irrational, at best ... disproportionately targets LGBTQ young people for mandatory sex offender registration for forms of intercourse in which they engage." Wiener was also on hand for this year's annual Easter "Hunky Jesus" costume contest in San Francisco, which featured an egg hunt for children and a variety show featuring men in drag and performances from several local acts. He tweeted that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the self-described "order of queer and trans nuns" which runs the event, "do so much for our community & help remind us what the spirit of San Francisco is about - celebrating this beautiful tapestry of a city." After 3 very long years, Easter in Dolores Park with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is back! The Sister do so much for our community & help remind us what the spirit of San Francisco is about - celebrating this beautiful tapestry of a city. Happy Easter in the park! pic.twitter.com/BjfsAQ2H1n Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) April 17, 2022 Other states are considering legislative action following the Dallas drag show controversy. In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signaled he would be open to legislation that would ban taking children in the state to drag shows. Calling the Dallas event "really, really disturbing," DeSantis lamented the effort "targeting these kids with all this stuff" at a news conference Wednesday. "It used to be kids would be off-limits," DeSantis said. "It used to be everybody agreed with that and now it just seems like there's a concerted effort to be exposing kids more and more to things that are not age-appropriate." DeSantis' remarks about the Dallas drag show followed a question from a reporter about Republican state Rep. Anthony Sabatini's call for an "emergency special session" to ban drag shows for children. Teen witch who should be dead went from casting spells to worshiping Jesus Sarah Anne Sumpolec once found herself enraptured by incantations, Tarot cards and casting spells until an encounter with Jesus transformed her perspective. Decades later, shes now a devout Christian who shares her experience as a former real-life teenage witch to help people see Gods power to change lives and perspectives. Her harrowing story of engaging the spirit world and nearly losing her life is nothing short of deeply compelling. READ ALSO: Pop Star-Turned-Christian Journalist Reveals Escape From Witchcraft, Finding Salvation In Jesus The beginnings of witchcraft Sumpolec recently told The Playing With Fire Podcast that she grew up a nomad with her father frequently moving her family around; at moments, they faced near-homelessness. But when she moved to a house in Delaware at age 13, something seemed different. My dad had said that we were going to stay, which, of course, was a big deal, she said, recalling her hope the home would become a permanent place of residence. The dwelling, which belonged to a former governor of the state, surprised Sumpolec, as she wondered as a child how her family could so rapidly go from financially struggling to living in such a great place. My dad, from the beginning of introducing us to that house he was insinuating that this was a special house, she said. He hinted at it all along the way, and then when we moved there, he was like, You know this house is haunted, and, of course, he tells me this in excitement. Listen to Sumpolec share her journey from witchcraft to Christianity (and subscribe): Sumpolec said her father found the prospects of a haunting awesome. Considering how much she looked up to him and wanted to connect with him, she said she just went with it. A turning point Arriving there was very much a turning point in a lot of ways, she recalled of the move into the home. That was the first time he really ever introduced the supernatural or his interest in the supernatural. While Sumpolecs dad was cagey about the details surrounding the home, the mystery and intrigue piqued her curiosity and further drew her in. Thirsting for a deeper connection with her father, she became increasingly intrigued by this otherworldly worship. Then, when her dad gave her a book on witchcraft, proverbial gasoline was tossed on the fires of that rabid interest. My dad introduced me to it very specifically through a book that he handed me when I started asking more questions, Sumpolec said. It was a very old book. Soon Sumpolec was diving into that book and consuming other New Age texts, voraciously reading anything she could get her hands on. Witchcraft suddenly became the connective point she had always wanted something that would draw her closer to her dad. And strange events inside the home only added to that connection. The more Sumpolec asked, the more her dad engaged, and the more he engaged, the closer she felt to him. Over time, her father told her witchcraft is who we are as a family, indicating it was deeply embedded in the familial fabric. That revelation suddenly clothed Sumpolec with a newfound identity of sorts. I really felt like I had like opened up this key of something that I was meant to do, and identity is huge, especially when youre a teenager, she said. I had an entire altar set up in my bedroom. Sumpolec, who considered herself a good witch and practiced so-called white magic, would often cast spells. Everything in witchcraft is a truth from God, perverted, she said. Satan doesnt have any new ideas; he takes truth and twists it. Spirit guides and the roots of chaos Over time, this apparently enrapturing experience started to evolve into something else. While it started out great, soon Sumpolecs relationship with her father began to unravel, as did her family circumstances. There was nothing ever scary about it for a long time until it changed, and that is this is the biggest thing that I wish I could communicate on a grander scale to, especially teenagers that the enemy is all about seduction, she said. He doesnt come in with this big evil intention its a slow luring in, and its like, Oh, look at this power.' Over time, Sumpolec said, playing with fire birthed consequences; eventually, it all turned on its head. [There were] all these spirits that I thought I was messing with that I thought were good and that were guiding me, she said. But her communication with these spirits soon turned sinister, sending her on a diabolical path that could have ended her life. The most terrible moment of my life Everything came to a head when her father, also in crisis, reportedly began using drugs. Substances suddenly clouded the bond they built and things turned ugly. One night, her dad in a fit of rage, confused, and not realizing who she was allegedly pointed a gun at her in a potentially deadly showdown. It was the most terrible moment of my life, she said. He had, like, three guns with him at the time, and my mother had left with my younger sister to take her somewhere safer but had left me there. Sumpolecs father luckily never pulled the trigger, but the event changed everything and likely played a role in her suicidal inclinations that soon followed. [It] shattered my trust in him, she said, noting how the incident also drove her deeper into witchcraft. I was lost but because I had this altar in my room and the witchcraft stuff, I was like, OK, you know, Im gonna just dig down here.' A suicidal shift Around the same time, Sumpolec recalls being plagued by scary dreams, and a feeling like the spiritual experiences she had so fervently embraced were starting to turn negative. At first, she assumed she was doing something wrong that made the spirits angry and attempted to remedy it. I was aware of the shift, but I didnt know why the shift had happened, Sumpolec said. And I assumed I was doing something wrong, and so I kind of doubled down with all of it, because it was the only place I had to go. That plan left her even more destitute, as she felt prompted by these spirits to embrace the idea that the only way she could heal herself was to end her life. At first, she said she was fearful but assumed the lies being spoken into her were somehow truths. I definitely had to work up the courage to do it, Sumpolec said. I walked out [one] day, and it was like, Im not coming back. Im gonna trust the spirits and do this.' But her attempt to use her vehicle to inflict carbon monoxide poisoning and end her life miraculously failed. Sumpolec still ponders whether she was supernaturally rescued, as she has no memory of what unfolded before she woke up lying on the ground outside her car. I think I was rescued. I honestly think I was rescued because I woke up. I dont remember stopping my car. I dont remember getting out of my car, she said. I literally woke up on the ground next to a tree. So I fully believe an angel got me out of that car. Other attempts to end her life were fortunately just as fruitless. Finding Jesus amid the ashes As Sumpolecs family chaos and financial woes worsened, she headed off to college and thats where she experienced an unexpected life change. The teen witch suddenly found herself rooming with Christians a shocking experience, to say the least. Those newfound friends eventually convinced Sumpolec to attend a Christian gathering on campus, and thats when she was introduced to the Gospel. I still remember the whole sermon its been 30 some years now because it was about altars, she said, noting how the message was, in part, about Elijah and the prophets of Baal. She pondered how mistruths are often crooked truths as she sat and listened. As these sentiments are corrected, things begin to straighten out, and the pure, unadulterated truth becomes easier to see. Sumpolec began to wonder if she, amid her witchcraft and occultism, had been living out a twisted version of reality. I was searching. I wanted truth. I wanted things that were true, and I fully believed that what I had found in witchcraft was true, she said. So when I heard that sermon I realized that if this is true, then this was off. And maybe this is the truth that Ive always been looking for. That realization brought Sumpolec into the Christian fold and entirely transformed her life. She embraced the Bible and renounced witchcraft, which created tension with her father. It was like anathema to him because he was like, I taught you better than this,' she recalled, explaining how her father saw Christianity as essentially stupid. It was a betrayal to him that I had become a Christian, and he was furious for a long time. Nothing stopped Sumpolec from her Christian journey. Today, shes thankful for her dramatic testimony and often shares her conversion from teen witch to Christ-follower through interviews and the written word. I should be dead. I would have been dead, she said. I was truly transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Listen to her full testimony on The Playing With Fire Podcast. This story originally appeared on Faithwire.com. How can Christians navigate the challenges of an increasingly sexualized world? ERLC panelists discuss The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission held a panel discussion Tuesday focusing on how churches and Christian leaders should disciple their congregations regarding Gods design for human sexuality in an increasingly sexualized world. Hundreds joined a virtual discussion on Zoom addressing how Christian parents, ministry leaders and pastors should navigate the challenges of the sexual revolution and how they can minister to their loved ones and community members who identify as LGBT. ERLC is the public policy arm of Americas largest Protestant denomination. Jason Thacker, the chair of research in technology ethics and the head of ERLCs Research Institute, said he has connected with some local church pastors in recent weeks who have been confused about how to handle situations when people within their congregations or people who visit their churches for the first time identify as LGBT. There are questions swirling around our culture, especially in light of pride month. I think a lot of people when they hear about biblical sexual ethics and the sexual revolution, our minds goes in a thousand different directions. Theres hundreds of questions were being asked especially among our pastors and ministry leaders, Thacker said. Multiple pastors who have come to Thacker have asked questions like: I have a trangender couple, or I have someone who is same-sex-attracted, or I have a question about someone who has transitioned and is wanting to become a church member. Midway through the discussion, Dean Inserra, the pastor of City Church in Tallahassee, Florida, said that visitors often question him if his church is LGBT affirming. When it comes to the topics of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, Inserra said he has seen many churches take one of two different approaches. One of the approaches is churches are caving to the culture. They are adopting the cultures views. They are just deciding that love is love, affirming, celebrating pride month, just the full embrace of everything LGBT, he said. Or youre seeing churches just go silent on the matter because they know that, oftentimes in this culture, people are going to leave if you talk about that even though they believe what the Scriptures say concerning these relationships. Inserra is the author of the 2022 bookPure: Why the Bibles Plan for Sexuality Isnt outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive. Inserra said the way he approaches these topics with his church is neither through an avoidance method nor by being LGBT affirming. He said its important that all churches begin to discuss these topics in their regular teachings. For our church, we are going to talk about it because weve seen this sort of [remnant] thats growing larger [with] people who actually want to know what the Bible has to say and are tired of the revolution in their face constantly. And theyre trying to raise their kids to think through this in ways they didnt have to when they were in elementary school and middle school and high school, the pastor said. Its not that we talk about it every week, but if you attend our church, especially if youre a member, youre going to know that we believe that God made marriage between a man and a woman, sex is reserved for that sacred union and were unashamed of that. Inserra said he also hears many questions from people who might not be struggling with gender dysphoria or same-sex attraction but are seeking answers from their church about knowing how to approach the LGBT issues with their children. Im not going to hand them this intense book on anthropology. And so were just going to talk and walk them through how they can navigate with their kids these things that are happening right now, Inserra said, saying that his son in the third grade has a classmate who is transgender and taking hormones. I didnt think I was going to have to have the conversation about how were going to talk about this, how were going to treat this individual, how were going to respond, what name were going to use. What about the pronoun issue? Those are the questions that people are asking us: how do I handle this? How do I teach my kids about this? Earlier in the discussion, Katie McCoy, the director of womens ministry at Baptist General Convention in Texas, who holds a Ph.D. in systematic theology, shared what she thinks is at the root of the cultural crisis facing many churches and ministry leaders. I think if we could boil it down to one thing, it is a question of who we are, what our human identity is, and what are the factors that we use to construct that. When we talk about [these issues], we are saying that identity is self-created versus identity is God-given, McCoy said. The human body, according to our culture, is something that is basically irrelevant to human identity or at least incidental and that our sexuality can be without purpose or design that can guide us in how we use it. McCoy said what is taught from Scripture in a biblical worldview is that the body is a distinct aspect of who we are. But she said culture would say that the body is a divisible aspect of who we are, and the body is something people can divide from their true self and determine ones own identity completely separate from the body. Some of the challenges that come out of that are vast and far-reaching, McCoy said. I think of a few being: the relationship between the biological sex and gender, the relationship between gender identity and feelings, your inner sense of who you are. What happens if that is out of alignment with your biological sex? McCoy continued. Some other challenges deal with the prevailing ideas in our culture and how they are affecting the new ethics, the new morality that we see in corporations, education, in medical practice. It is reaching all of those different spheres of society. McCoy said there is another challenge of political forces at work to censor research, to indoctrinate children at a young age with specific views on gender and gender ideology. Another challenge that people are asking is how do we help someone with gender dysphoria? especially children? Medical wisdom says that you would agree with someones self-perception, not attempt to challenge that. Its something that goes entirely unquestioned, she said. And as a result of that approach, you have children going on puberty blockers or doing things like hormone therapy or different socialization changes: changing their hairstyle, their clothes, their name. McCoy stressed that some schools are reintroducing children to their classmates as different genders. In some cases, thats happening without parents' knowledge, certainly not their approval and then thats a short step to cross-sex hormones and surgical procedures most of which have irreversible effects, McCoy said. Thacker said pastors and church leaders often behave as though issues with sexual ethics are not a problem that affects their churches. He maintained that many people face sexual ethics issues within the Church. Andrew Walker, an associate professor of Christian ethics and public theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, said culture is a compilation of many different forces that are all pressing upon individuals and institutions. Ideas have consequences, said Walker, an ERLC research fellow. Thats something that we tend to downplay. Ideas shape beliefs, beliefs shape behavior, behavior shapes expectations about what the law is wanting to forbid or allow for. The dominant motif is this idea of expressive individualism. I think if thats the one category thats going to define who we are as a civilization right now, its the primacy of the self, Walker said. Its the idea that the self has to understand that its flourishing is tied to freeing itself of any obligations that the self does not create or doesnt consent to on its own grounds. Complaining about issues of sexual ethics is not the answer for Christians, according to Walker, because there is hope to see ourselves out of this mess. Honestly, we can complain and talk about how bad this is, and it is, he said. But, I actually see glimmers of the secular cracks in the foundation beginning to show because what we are seeing is human nature is not meant to be a load-bearing structure and entity like our society is assuming that it can be. Kamala Harris holds abortion roundtable with religious leaders: 'We need faith' Vice President Kamala Harris held a roundtable with faith leaders about abortion and other "reproductive health" issues Monday. Her opening remarks did not include any overt mention of God. The roundtable was held in Los Angeles, California, and centered on what the White House described as protecting reproductive rights and addressing the epidemic of hate that is gripping our nation. The event comes over a month after Politico published a leaked draft opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health, indicating a majority of justices could likely vote to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Faith leaders participating in the roundtable included Pastor Demetries Edwards of the 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland; Rabbi Dara Frimmer, head of the Temple Isaiah of Los Angeles; Sikh civil rights advocate and lawyer Nitasha Kaur Sawhney; Claire Lipschultz, vice president of the National Council of Jewish Women of Sacramento's board of directors.; the Rev. Young Lee Hertig, executive director of the Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity; and others. Elected Democratic officials from California, including U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, also attended the roundtable. During her opening remarks, Harris said that we need faith." "We need faith in each other, in our nation and in our future," she said. She added that the faith leaders who are gathered here today are representative of many different faiths, many different communities, but share a common purpose, which is to bring healing and hope and a sense of community to all people. I would like to talk with these faith leaders about the impending decision from the United States Supreme Court that we believe will undo the very principles and premise of the importance of the privacy right that Roe v. Wade stands for, said the vice president. On the issue of Roe, it, of course basically, the premise of Roe and the power of Roe is it is about saying that people should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies that women should have that right and have unfettered access to reproductive healthcare. Harris insisted that supporting Roe v. Wade does not mean giving up core beliefs, claiming that it is simply about agreeing that a woman should be able to make that decision with her faith leader, with her family, with her physician and that the government should not be making that decision for her. Pro-life groups and opponents of the Biden administration were quick to criticize Harris remarks and the event. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a leading grassroots pro-life advocacy organization formerly known as Susan B. Anthony List, took to Twitter to state that Harris somehow managed to avoid saying either 'God' or abortion even once during her opening remarks. During her "roundtable with faith leaders on reproductive health care" today, Kamala Harris somehow managed to avoid saying either "God" or "abortion" even once. https://t.co/QZk7RQtUB4#ModernizeOurLaw SBA Pro-Life America #ModernizeOurLaw (@sbaprolife) June 6, 2022 The Republican National Committees Director of Faith Communications Andrew Brennan issued a statement denouncing the roundtable event. Families cant afford gas or groceries because of Joe Biden, and yet all this White House wants to talk about is their radical late-term abortion agenda they couldnt be more out of touch if they tried," Brennan stated. [Eighty] percent of Americans believe that third trimester abortions should be prohibited in most or all cases and that only 16% of independent voters believe abortion should be allowed at any time and for any reason. The U.S. is only one of less than 10 nations that allows elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. According to the RNC, that puts the country in the "same ranks as China and North Korea." If Roe is overturned, abortion will not automatically become illegal in the U.S. since the legality of abortion will be decided on a state-by-state basis. Twenty-one states will either outlaw abortion completely or restrict the procedure more severely than they do currently. Meanwhile, 16 states will continue to allow abortions throughout most or all of pregnancy as the right to abortion has been codified into state law, 10 states will likely continue enforcing existing abortion restrictions and three states could soon hold referendums to determine abortion law moving forward. Leader of Mexicos largest evangelical church gets 17 years for child sex abuse Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of Mexico's largest evangelical church, was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison Wednesday for sexually assaulting three minor girls from his flock. Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old. A Wednesday statement from the California Department of Justice announced that Garcia was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life. The 53-year-old led the congregation La Luz Del Mundo based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, which has several locations throughout the United States and Mexico. "Today's sentence for Naason Joaquin Garcia is a critical step forward for justice," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. "While it will never undo the harm and trauma he caused as the leader of La Luz del Mundo, this sentence makes it crystal clear that abusers no matter who they are will be held accountable. Sexual assault is never acceptable." "My heart goes out to all those affected by the horrific actions brought to light during this case. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to stand up for survivors and fight back against abuse," he added. As he sentenced Garcia on Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen called him a "sexual predator," The Los Angeles Times reported. "I've been a judge for a long time," he said. "I'll never cease to be amazed at what some people do [in the name of] religion." The California Department of Justice noted that its investigation into Garcia that began in 2018 resulted in his arrest in 2019. Church officials Susana Medina Oaxaca and Alondra Ocampo were also arrested for their role in enabling the church leader's conduct over several years in Los Angeles County, dating back to at least 2015. Oaxaca was convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury. She faces one year of probation on top of the time she has already served in jail and on house arrest. She must also undergo six months of psychiatric counseling. Ocampo, who pleaded guilty to three felony counts of contact with a minor for the purposes of committing a sexual offense and one count of forcible sexual penetration in 2020, is expected to be sentenced at a later date. In a statement to The Christian Post on Wednesday, church officials, who continue to support their leader, said Garcia was forced to accept an agreement with the attorney general's office primarily because he did not believe he could get a fair trial. "Since his arrest in 2019, [Garcia] has been subjected to a prosecution in which evidence was suppressed, withheld, doctored and altered," the church said in the statement. "After the defense finally obtained this evidence, the Court ruled that the defense would not be permitted to use the materials at trial, preventing the defense from effectively cross-examining the complaining witnesses and challenging their allegations." Church leaders standing by Garcia cite a 211-page motion filed by his legal defense team urging the California Attorney General's Office to dismiss the case as the source of concerns about fabricated evidence. Earlier this year, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephen A. Marcus refused to dismiss the case against the megachurch leader. The March motion contends that California Department of Justice Special Agent Joseph Cedusky selectively used information from thousands of text messages to further the criminal narrative against Garcia while the prosecution actively delayed access to the entire cache of text messages, which they maintain included exculpatory evidence, to the defense. The defense claims previously undisclosed text messages gave the impression that some of Garcia's accusers were sexually active, angst-filled teenagers who engaged in sexual relationships with other men, shoplifted, used drugs, struggled with mental health and spoke of having sex with the church leader for money. "The magnitude of the government's misconduct was so vast that it cannot easily be quantified, and the cascading effect of consequences from these actions is immense," Garcia's defense attorney Alan 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." The church contends that because the court would not allow Garcia to use specific evidence in his defense, he would be at a disadvantage if he went to trial. "Without a right to use the evidence, there is no right of defense. Without a right to use the evidence, there can be no fair trial. [Garcia] has had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family," church officials stated. "While he respects the law, and the community, he does not believe that the trial he would receive under these conditions would be fair and just. He wishes to spare the church and his family from weeks of unfounded public accusations, including threats to their physical well-being," the statement continued. The church indicated, "We publicly manifest our support for [Garcia]; our confidence in him remains intact in the full knowledge of his integrity, conduct and work." They vowed to "continue to practice the works of Jesus Christ, which [Garcia] has taught us, always seeking to help our neighbor." "[Garcia] will continue ministering to the church. This is a path that God has placed in front of him for a reason, as he did for Apostle Paul. [Garcia] will work this path with his faith in God and continue fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ: to be the Light of the World," the church concluded. Texas lawmaker wants to ban drag shows for kids after 'family-friendly' pride event at gay bar Video from event showed young children tipping performers A Texas state lawmaker is calling for a ban on drag shows and other sexually inappropriate displays for children following reports of minors attending an event featuring drag queens at a Dallas gay bar. Billed as a family-friendly pride experience on Eventbrite, the bar Mr. Misster hosted a Drag The Kids To Pride show on June 4 as a spin-off of the bars Champagne Drag Brunch. The event which offered limited spots for young performers to take the stage solo, or with a queen of their choosing offered mimosas for adults and special mocktails for guests under 21, according to the description on Eventbrite. After receiving word about the event, Republican Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton released a statement calling it horrifying. He vowed to introduce legislation to stop what he calls a disturbing trend in which perverted adults are obsessed with sexualizing young children once the next state legislative session gets underway. Drag shows are no place for a child. I would never take my children to a drag show and I know Speaker Dade Phelan and my Republican colleagues wouldnt either. I will be filing legislation to address this issue in the new #txlege . pic.twitter.com/R7NkX7ADBR Bryan Slaton (@BryanforHD2) June 6, 2022 As a father of two young children, I would never take my children to a drag show and I know [Texas House] Speaker Dade Phelan and the rest of my Republican colleagues wouldnt either, Slaton said. Protecting our own children isnt enough, and our responsibility as lawmakers extends to the sexualization that is happening across Texas. Videos and images shared on social media from the event showed men in drag performing for adults and children inside the bar in the Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas. One video showed a performer in red leather drag taking tips from young children while suggestively dancing under a sign that reads Its Not Gonna Lick Itself as parents and other adults looked on. This didnt happen in California. It didnt happen in Portland, Oregon. It happened right here in the state of Texas. The question: What are our states Republican leaders going to do about it? pic.twitter.com/aZdT0tYT1B APP Texas (@AppTexas) June 6, 2022 As the event took place, protesters and counter-protesters gathered outside the bar. Protect Texas Kids, which describes itself as a nonprofit organization here to take a stand in protecting kids from the toxic, indoctrinating agenda of the left by exposing the truth behind the ongoing assault that has been ruthlessly waged against our childrens identities, core development, and traditional values, organized the protest after they discovered the event listing online. Kelly Neidert, executive director of Protect Texas Kids, told The Christian Post, "This venue is not for children to be inside." "Its a bar. In the bar, they had signs on the wall that said, Its not gonna lick itself,'" she said. Its a huge sign, just lit up in the middle of the bar. They were serving alcohol to parents. Thats highly inappropriate in and of itself. According to Neidert, counter-protesters, including members of Antifa, were guarding the bars entrance during the event. Several protesters attempted to enter the bar but were denied, including journalist Alex Stein. Video posted to social media shows counter-protesters trying to take Stein's phone as he recorded. Dallas, Texas: Masked far-left militants tried to rob & attack @alexstein99 at a drag show for children in Mr. Mister, a gay bar & club. Video by @TaylerUSA: pic.twitter.com/liRii42YNl Andy Ngo ?????????? (@MrAndyNgo) June 4, 2022 In a statement to The Christian Post, Dallas Police Department Spokesman Cpl. Brian Martinez recalled that police arrived at the bar just before noon after receiving a call about unpeaceful protesters. Neidert stated that her group told Dallas police there were children inside the bar, and police informed her that they sent a couple of officers inside. Officers made their way into the bar to ensure that all the kids were out and shielded them from the protestors as they made their exits on their own accounts, Martinez added. The scene was cleared just after 2 p.m., police said. According to Martinez, a misdemeanor assault citation was issued after a man spat on a woman as he drove by the scene. No other citations were issued. Following the event, a spokesperson for Mr. Misster told The Christian Post that the bar received hundreds of threatening emails, messages and phone calls after protesters were yelling in kids faces, calling them a variety of homophobic slurs, throwing trash at them and trying to get in fights with parents. We are sad to see that an event that was [supposed] to be a moment of pride for these LGBTQ+ families and their children is being interpreted as anything other than what it was, a family-friendly event. We are thankful that DPD stepped in to control the unruly protestors and we are saddened by the unjust actions that these protestors displayed. Neidert welcomes legislative efforts such as Slatons and hopes more can be done to shield kids from sexually explicit events. Pride just isnt meant for children to celebrate and be part of, especially these really young children like we were seeing in these videos that came out of the event, she added. They have no idea what theyre involved in. They dont know what any of this means. In my opinion, a lot of these pride events, especially the drag queen stuff, is inherently sexual, and kids just shouldnt be exposed to that. Waitress gets $777 tip after prayer then donates it to her church A New Orleans waitress who received a $777 tip from a customer shortly after praying to God to help her church repair their broken air conditioning system has donated the entire amount to her congregation. This is not my money, Ava Guan, the 45-year-old devout Christian waitress at HoShun Restaurant on St. Charles Avenue, told Fox 8 Live. The gentleman [who gave the tip] is the angel for me. Guan, who has lived in the New Orleans area for 30 years, attends Olive C. Church in Metairie. Before she went to work at her night shift at Hoshun Restaurant on Saturday, she spent time praying at her church that God would send them the help they needed to repair the building and the air conditioning system. She also donated $300 from her personal funds to the cause. She recalled telling her generous tipper to enjoy his food. The customer tipped her $777 on a $63 bill. In addition to the tip, the bill had a message urging her to take the night off. He gave me the big tips. I dont know why. Its so crazy. A surprise for me, Guan told Fox 8. Still, she humbly received it as a blessing from God, suggesting that He gave me the gift. Remarking that everybody needs an angel, Guan cited the unexpected act of generosity as evidence that God listens and will help you. NOLA.com identified the tipper who became the answer to Guans prayer as 31-year-old businessman Abdul Hamideh, a franchise owner of IHOP and Popeyes. Hamideh told the publication that he had opened a new IHOP location in Thibodaux earlier that day. He maintained that he chose to tip $777 because it has been a rather lucky number for him, and he was thankful for the new restaurant. I had something good happen to me in this world, he said. I wanted to pay it forward. Hamideh said his father was an early franchisee in the IHOP diner chain in the late 1950s. More than six decades later, Hamideh owns a franchise spanning five states that also includes a Popeyes fried chicken restaurant. Hamideh maintained that he only went to Hoshun Restaurant because it wasnt far from his home and he likes sampling menus. When he was at the restaurant, he ordered a number of dishes. While Guan at one point thought he had bought too much food, he assured her that he would take whatever he did not finish home with him. Upon learning that Guan had donated her tip to her church, Hamideh vowed to make sure that the air-conditioning system was repaired. Alex Yang, a leader of the church of 14, expressed gratitude for Hamidehs act of kindness, agreeing with Guan that the generous tip constituted an act of divine intervention. This is what they call God doing miracles, Yang asserted in a statement to NOLA.com. We think God has sent this gentleman to tell her that Christ is here and in control. From a former Muslim: Advice on sharing the Gospel in a hostile world In todays society, we see a growing intolerance for opposing viewpoints. The mainstream media and predominantly woke culture wants to intimidate Christians into silence. Defending biblical values can lead to social isolation or difficulties at work, which is why so many decide to say nothing. Instead, we suffer quietly as our kids are inundated with demonic influences, and our communities are torn apart by rampant sin and uncontrolled self-interest. In such a climate, how do we preach the Gospel and provide the message of hope, peace, and love to a world that so desperately needs it? I often grapple with this question as I interact with fellow parents, three teenagers at home, and an entire family of Muslims that does not accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. In the field of apologetics, many noteworthy scholars have spent decades mastering the intellectual skill of defending the Bible in virtually any setting whether its a college campus or outside an Islamic center. I genuinely admire their skill and tenacity against a very hostile audience, yet they never back down or capitulate to the opposition. However, that dynamic is not for everyone. It can be intimidating, and frankly, I am drawn to finding another way. I recently met a born-again Christian woman who is married to a Muslim. When they were first married over a decade ago, she was not following the Lord, so religion was never an issue. Now that she regularly attends church and has a new passion for the Lord, she is eager to have her husband join her. He is a devout Muslim and well versed in the Muslim commentaries on Christianity, which provide him plenty of ammunition against her newfound faith in Christ. She took him to meet with a pastor who could answer his objections, but her husband did not budge an inch. Frustrated by the situation, she came to me for advice. I listened to how he compared Islam to Christianity, and I was convicted that trying to battle him intellectually was counterproductive. Here are several overarching principles that apply to her situation and how to prayerfully consider sharing the Gospel in todays world. First and foremost, we must remember, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).We accept Christ because God called us to faith. None of us have the power to make anyone else believe. God does it. We remain obedient to His word while still realizing that For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). We do not stop believing the person can be saved, but if our words are not getting through, our actions may be more effective than arguments. This takes us to the second principle. Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).We are commanded to preach the Gospel, but our character should reflect why we call others to believe in Him. Suppose we have patience in a heated disagreement or grant forgiveness in a conflict, even when it isnt our fault. That behavior can spark an interest or curiosity well beyond a crafty rebuttal to their position. This is what I conveyed to my new friend. Let your husband watch how Christ transforms you. Be the role model for your kids. Show them why Jesus is so wonderful compared to what their father offers. This leads to the third principle using wisdom and discernment. Recently, my church asked if I could help develop their new local outreach to Muslim program. One participant told me how he felt totally overwhelmed when witnessing to a Muslim who was also very devout and proceeded to fire off many false criticisms of the Gospel. I have been in that situation numerous times, and though I am well versed in the rebuttals to those arguments, I often hear the Lord say, Do not cast your pearls before swine. I then politely conclude the discussion and change the subject. Repeatedly sharing the Gospel with someone who ridicules Christ is like casting pearls before swine. There is no benefit to giving the message of salvation to someone who has no other purpose than to insult it and return to their evil ways. We can identify such people through discernment and must consciously be open to hearing from God, so we graciously bow out of the fight. It does not mean we concede to their false doctrine. Still, we should sense that continuing the discussion will only lead to further strife and risks the opportunity of reaching more open individuals who may be around listening or watching. Jesus taught the apostles how to handle rejection. It was to simply go elsewhere. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town (Mathew 10:14). In summary, our passion for sharing the free gift of salvation offered through faith in Christ should be tempered by the qualities we are granted through our new life in Him. We are to be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. Preaching in a fallen world requires a delicate balance of humility, brotherly love, and discernment. We should be prayerful and wise to distinguish when He presents us with an open door or a door that only He can shut. Ultimately the choice is His. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). Mentally disabled Pakistani Christian man released on bail 3 years after blasphemy arrest A court in Pakistans Punjab province has granted bail to 40-year-old Christian man Stephen Masih three years after a Muslim neighbor accused him of committing blasphemy due to an argument over a pigeon. We welcome the courts decision to grant bail to Stephen Masih. We urge the court to also clear Masih of all charges," said Tehmina Arora, director of Asia advocacy for ADF International, the legal organization supporting Masih's case. "The many delays to the hearing of Masihs appeal have already caused him and his family enough suffering." The accusations date back to March 2019 after an argument between Masih, his family members and some Muslim neighbors regarding a pigeon, according to a statement from ADF International. After a reported exchange took place about whether a neighbor was trespassing on Masihs terrace to collect his pigeon, Masih was accused of having blasphemed during the altercation, the group said. The Christian man and his family in Sialkot district were subjected to mob violence. Masih was arrested and charged with blasphemy under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which is punishable by death. Fr. Mario Rodrigues, priest of the Archdiocese of Karachi, told Fides that he is concerned for Masih's safety following his release because a person's life is "always at risk and in danger" once they are accused of blasphemy in Pakistan. Before Masih's arrest, he lived with his older sister and their mother. But after the blasphemy allegation, ADF reports that Masih's family fled after a mob burned down their home. The police broke into Stephens home and arrested him (in 2019) without investigation, and even beat up his mother leaving her with a fractured leg and arm, Joseph Jansen, the head of Voice for Justice, told Fides. Without verifying the authenticity of the accusation, a mob attacked and tortured innocent people. This case is a clear example of abuse of the blasphemy law for personal revenge. In August 2021, a court rejected Masih's previous plea for bail, although the Punjab Institute of Mental Health determined he suffers from bipolar disorder and is unfit to stand trial. The blasphemy laws embedded in Sections 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code are frequently misused for personal revenge. It carries no provision to punish a false accuser or a false witness. Dozens of individuals are imprisoned on blasphemy charges in Pakistan. The law is also abused by Islamist extremists to target religious minorities Christians, Shias, Ahmadiyyas and Hindus. The worlds attention was drawn to Pakistans blasphemy law after Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, was sentenced to death and served over 10 years in prison before Pakistans Supreme Court acquitted her in 2018. Her acquittal drew the ire of radical extremist groups as many protested in the streets and threatened to kill the Supreme Court justices responsible. In 2014, Christian couple Shehzad and Shamah Masih were burned to death in a brick kiln over false accusations that they had ripped pages from the Quran. Open Doors USA ranks Pakistan as the eighth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution. The U.S. State Department names Pakistan on its list of "countries of particular concern" that tolerate or engage in egregious violations of religious freedom. What Barrett Kimes boss said on the recent video call was straightforward. Could members of his team at NBCUniversal show up on the few days a week that they were actually expected to be in the office? Rebellion ensued. Kime, a senior creative director, took himself off mute. I was talking about how it was insane to ask people to come in more often with COVID raging, he recalled. Other employees then jumped in to share the reasons they didnt want to go back to the office: child care, rising gas prices, COVID-19 rates. To Kime, it marked a new phase in their return-to-office conversations. Its kind of a Wizard of Oz thing, Kime said. In other words, his team realized that there was no all-powerful being forcing their attendance; there was only a man behind a curtain (or Zoom screen). As much as we grumbled about going back to work, we all understood that it was going to happen. But the second we started going, we realized how silly it was, he added. Optimism about return-to-office plans, across industries and cities, is slowly abating. When asked in early 2021 about the share of their workers who would be back in the office five days a week in the future, executives said 50%; now that percentage is down to 20, according to a recent survey from the consulting firm Gartner. Office occupancy across the country plateaued last month at around 43% as COVID cases spiked again, according to data from Kastle, a security firm. The vast majority of Americans, particularly those in the service sector and low-wage jobs, have been working in person throughout the pandemic. But those who were able to work remotely got attached to the flexibility. In a January survey, the Pew Research Center found that 60% of workers whose jobs can be done at home wanted to work remote most or all of the time. What is abundantly clear is that there are fewer and fewer companies expecting their employees to be in the office five days a week, said Brian Kropp, vice president in Gartners human resources practice. Even some of the major companies that came out and said we want our employees in the office five days a week are starting to backtrack. Theres Apple, which recently suspended its requirement that employees return to the office at least three days a week. Theres McKinsey, which intends at some point to set clearer norms around office attendance, with the goal of ensuring that people get the value of in-person collaboration, but for now is allowing individuals to set agreements with their clients and managers, according to its head of human resources. Google postponed its return to office planned for January, and by now roughly 10% of its employees have received permission to go fully remote or relocate. Intuit had at one point considered some kind of rigid return-to-office plan for its 11,500 U.S. employees but instead allowed managers and teams to set their own expectations of which days to go in. Being prescriptive creates all kind of bureaucracy, because then you have to get management layers involved and it just becomes very rule-based, said Sasan Goodarzi, the chief executive of Intuit. We dont believe you have to be in the office 40 hours a week, and we also dont believe you can be all virtual. RTO plans have unfolded like a giant game of chicken. Executives told workers to come back to the office, then delayed their plans as COVID cases continued to spike. Business leaders accepted the uncertainty, hoping it was temporary. Until it was clear that it wasnt. Workers got extra time at home, and extra leeway to test the rigidity of their bosses plans. Now some companies are expecting people back but have lost the leverage to enforce that because of the constant flux in deadlines. What weve decided to do is say, What is working? said Joan Burke, head of human resources at DocuSign, which postponed four return-to-office dates before deciding not to require attendance for now. Lets learn from whats working and put in place guardrails if we think things arent. Some executives hope that if they can get their employees to spend some time in the office, the workers will realize that they liked it more than they remembered. Christina Ross, chief executive of Cube, a software company with 75 employees, used to consider herself a proud office acolyte. Before the pandemic she hired an engineer who lived in Texas and insisted that he move to New York for the job. She couldnt imagine building a long-term relationship with an employee she had never met in person. Now she calls her company remote first. She briefly toyed with the idea of requiring a return to Cubes office, but decided instead to make it as enticing an option as possible. She even moved the New York location to make the commute easier for staff living in Brooklyn. People voted with their feet in not necessarily coming back, Ross said. It can be disappointing to put a lot of effort into building the office environment and then not have people come in. Some business leaders have taken a harder line. Elon Musk, for example, told SpaceX and Tesla employees that they would have to spend a minimum of 40 hours in the office or be fired. Many others, like Google and Microsoft, have opted for a softer tack by filling their workplaces with cold brew, snacks, tote bags and beer. But those corporate carrots have their limits, and few are willing to try out the sticks. Its almost like a meme now of the 2018 office Hey we have bagels and snacks and Ping-Pong tables, Ross said. Thats not a trade-off for a commute. Many companies are accepting the reality that requiring a return to the office could put them at odds with their peers and mean losing out on talent. In some industries, and in some areas of the country, an office-centric culture is becoming a quirk, not a norm. Duolingo, the language learning company based in Pittsburgh, required its employees to come back three days a week; the companys head of human resources said it was confident of hitting its hiring goals all the same. Christiana Riley, chief executive of the Americas at Deutsche Bank, said her companys decision to require its 5,000 New York employees to be back in the office either full time or at least two days a week, depending on their role, had significance beyond the business itself in its contribution to the citys recovery. Brown-Forman, the wine and spirits company, called most of its 950 corporate employees in Louisville, Kentucky, back to headquarters at least three days a week starting last month. Although Brown-Forman has not seen an exodus because of our back-to-office policies, we could, said Eric Doninger, director of real estate and workplace strategies, explaining that the company has made its peace with the risks. Our facilities have a role to play to build the business, to build collaboration and camaraderie. Other executives are insisting on a full-throated return, confident about the value of having people at their desks five days a week. Tom Siebel, chief executive of C3 AI, an 800-person artificial intelligence company, required his workers to return to the office full time last June. He said the requirement had only heightened the companys appeal to a certain type of job applicant. For people who want to work at home on Zoom, theres companies that are like that, he said. Go work for Facebook. Go work for Salesforce. Siebel said he had the only full parking lot in Silicon Valley and sees that as a competitive advantage. We dont invent rockets that land themselves by people working on Zoom calls once a week, the chief executive added. We have to get together in a room and get on whiteboards and fail and fail and fail until you succeed. But for executives who havent doubled down, larger questions loom over the future of their offices. Take Manny Medina, chief executive of Outreach, an artificial intelligence sales company with roughly 600 employees in Seattle, most of whom are encouraged to spend 40% of their work time in the office. From a mostly empty office, Medina said he had grown accustomed to fielding challenges from employees about the value of in-person collaboration. Recently a junior employee attended the chief executives virtual office hours and said he didnt understand why he should be required to commute when working from home allowed him to balance productivity with his social life and jujitsu training. I said, Fair point, and you should think about what your priority is, Medina said. If you want to be an MMA fighter, go do that. Medina has been fighting for the office for years. He was once asked to debate the chief executive of Zapier in front of thousands of people about the merits of office versus remote work. The majority of audience members voted for his opponent. I took the losing end of the conversation, Medina said. But it wasnt like I lost in a landslide. That argument was in 2017. Five years later, it isnt over. Theres a fried chicken joint near the office that I only get when Im in the office, Medina added. I can see the ocean from my office. Why wouldnt I do that? This article originally appeared in The New York Times. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The owner of an exotic animal breeding business in Florida has been sentenced to five years' probation for illegally selling a capuchin monkey to singer Chris Brown. A federal indictment doesn't name Brown, only identifying the buyer as a celebrity in California, but key details match an Associated Press report that wildlife agents seized the singer's pet monkey after serving a search warrant on his Los Angeles home in early January 2018. Brown also was identified in court Wednesday at the sentencing hearing in Florida for the monkey breeder, Jimmy Hammonds. Wildlife agents moved in after Brown shared a picture of the capuchin monkey with millions of his followers on Instagram. Prosecutors later dropped charges of possessing the monkey without a permit after Brown agreed to forfeit his rights to Fiji and pay $35,000 for the monkey's care. As for the monkey breeder, a federal judge in Tampa on Wednesday ordered Hammonds to pay a $90,000 fine to a fund operated by the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service. Also, he has to serve eight months of his probation in home confinement. According to the indictment, Brown paid $12,650 to Hammonds, who operated The Monkey Whisperer Ranch in Parrish, Florida. Under both Florida and California laws, it is illegal to transfer a capuchin monkey without a permit. Hammonds pleaded guilty to conspiracy and three counts of violating the Endangered Species Act. Prosecutors said he also illegally sold endangered cotton-top tamarins to buyers in Alabama, South Carolina and Wisconsin while trying to disguise the sales. Prosecutors had argued that Hammonds deserved more than a year of prison, citing the need to deter others from committing similar crimes. In addition to licensed money breeding activities, Hammonds frequently sold monkeys on the black market," they said in court papers. Hammonds engaged in illicit business practices or schemes that involved a pattern of repeated illegal conduct." Hammonds' lawyer described him a hard working, law abiding member of the community" who helped people deal with alcohol addiction, and said none of the monkeys were treated inappropriately or caused any adverse effects" on the ecosystems involved. Every other Thursday, Chron taco columnist Marco Torres tells the story of Houston through Mexican food in "Tacos y Mas." A good breakfast taco will embrace your soul with a fresh flour tortilla, nourish your body with deliciously fluffy eggs, conquer your hunger with your protein or veggie of choice, and kick-start your day with a perfectly spicy salsa. In the great state of Texas, most people mention San Antonio and Austin as the breakfast taco champions. I've eaten my fair share of them in both cities, and I agree that they deserve high praise, but Houston has earned a mention in that conversation. Anyone who has visited either of the three Laredo Taqueria locations after a long night of desmadre knows what I'm talking about. The breakfast tacos at Brothers Taco House in East Downtown are one of the few things I will stand in a long line for. And the "a la Mexicana" versions from La Guadalupana in Montrose have definitely saved my life once or eighty times. Remembering breakfast tacos after mass After working out of town for 10 days, my craving for a good Houston breakfast taco was at an all-time high this week. I ventured to one of my old favorites in El Northside, Alamo Tamale Company. As a kid, Alamo was my family's first stop after mass on Sundays. My mom preferred to attend the early 9 a.m. mass at Saint Charles Borromeo on Tidwell, which meant that by 10:05 a.m., you could find little Marco in line at Alamo with Dad From Houstonas my father is knownas my mom waited in the car. My family's order usually included one or two pounds of barbacoa, a stack of fresh flour tortillas, and a variety of breakfast tacos ranging from papas a la Mexicana, chicharron en salsa verde, and sometimes carnitas. The original location was a small room adjacent to the tamale and tortilla factory, a few blocks west of the current locale near the corner of Berry Road and Irvington Boulevard. The lines are still long after all these years, although now I'd rather wake up early and hit their new drive-thru for a quick meal. And so I did. A delightful employee named Sylvia served me with a warm smile, apologizing that the papa con huevo wasn't available yet because it was still cooking. She said the most popular taco at Alamo was probably the chorizo con huevo, which I devoured in their parking lot. Marco Torres Chorizo won an informal Instagram poll where I asked my followers about their favorite breakfast tacos. Mexican chorizo is typically made with spicy, coarsely ground or minced pork that has been seasoned with a variety of chiles and other spices. The meat is cut open from its casing and fried in a pan, then cooked into a scramble with eggs. Expanding my breakfast taco horizons For my second stop on this mini breakfast taco tour, I headed somewhere less familiar to me: Tortilleria Tlaxcali in southeast Houston. This awesome little tortilla factory near Gulfgate Mall is hard to miss, as the bright green and yellow exterior serves as a beacon for every taco lover that passes by. As I walked in, I was met with a wall of amazing scents, a mixture of the masa from the tortillas, the guisados simmering in containers, and the fresh coffee from the pots along the windows. Owner Marcela Portillo was hard at work greeting customers, serving tacos, working the cash register, and running food from the kitchen to the counter. She immediately noticed that I was a new face and not one of her regulars, and began to win me over by going through the litany of offerings available. Portillo poured a generous spoonful of frijoles a la charra in a bowl topped with cilantro for me to taste. The steaming broth was spicy and flavorful, and the beans came with cueritos de puerco and small slices of salchicha. She also handed me two fresh corn tortillas that reminded me of the ones I used to eat at my grandmother's house back in Matamoros. Portillo is also from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, specifically Ciudad Mante farther south. Her vast culinary knowledge and love for her customers are evident in her food. Her tortillas are made with organic masa devoid of additives or preservatives. The tacos are packed with flavor, with large portions atop each tortilla, much to the delight of every guest who files into Tlaxcali every morning on their way to work. I enjoy three more tacos: a really spicy huevo con salsa de arbol, a papas con chorizo and a barbacoa taco. After I paid for my breakfast, Portilla said "Hasta la proxima"she already knew she had secured my future business, probably evident by my wide smile and now-I-need-a-nap eyes. Three taqueras crushing it in the East End But I decided to make one last stop on my breakfast taco adventure. With Cochinita & Co. in the East End, chef Victoria Elizondo has found a home inside Kickin' Kombucha, where she serves everything from chilaquiles to tamales, salads, tostadas, mole, elote, and more, made by her mother Graciela Elizondo and her long-time cook Enedina Hernandez. Graciela was born and raised in China, Nuevo Leon, halfway between Reynosa and Monterrey. As early as age 11, she remembers being in the kitchen helping her mother make tortillas and cooking for her family. Hernandez is from San Luis Potosi, and recalls a similar experience. Marco Torres Cochinita's motto is "fresco es mejor." You won't find containers of pre-made eggs in their kitchen: Every taco is made to order, with freshly cracked eggs and your favorite meat or veggie selection, each ingredient locally sourced and of the highest quality. Although Cochinita's tortillas aren't made in-house, Victoria buys the flour tortillas from El Bolillo Bakery, and the nixtamal corn tortillas from a factory in San Marcos, Texas. Chef Victoria is proud of what she's accomplished at Cochinita, which turns 6 years old next month. She began cooking at pop-ups with a small griddle under a tent, and was later part of the short-lived Politan Row dining hall in Rice Village. She also has a food truck, Cochi's Taqueria, which will be serving tacos at the new Todos Santos bar opening on Washington Avenue this weekend. I feast on a variety of breakfast tacosfresh avocado, crispy bacon, bright red chorizo, all with egg. Other options include nopales and papas, as well as vegan chorizo and refried beans. Victoria's personal favorite is weenies con huevo, which isn't on the menu yet, but might make an appearance in the future. Houstonians can enjoy many other forms of breakfast tacos, like carne guisada, machacado con huevo, migas tacosreally, any taco can be a breakfast taco if you're hungry enough. So let Austin and San Antonio fight for the breakfast taco crown, we all know Houston is ready to snatch that off their head at any moment. Alamo Tamale Company Find it: 809 Berry Rd, Houston, TX 77022; (713) 692-6363 Hours: Monday-Wednesday 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday-Sunday 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Cochinita & Co. Find it: 5420 Lawndale St #500, Houston, TX 77023; (713) 203-3999 Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tortilleria Tlaxcali Find it: 4667 Telephone Rd, Houston, TX 77087; (713) 645-1920 Hours: Monday-Saturday 4 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 4 a.m.-6 p.m. Some may say a double dose of tequila brings twice the fun, and with two new tequila bars opening days apart on Washington Avenue this weekend, they might be spot on. Todos Santos, an upscale tequila bar, debuts on June 10 in the former Concrete Cowboy space, while El Venado, a modern cantina with a focus on tequila and mezcal, opens in the old Revolver space down the street on June 13. The Washington Corridor has long struggled with its nightlife identity, with a high turnover of bars, clubs and restaurants in the last decade. The addition of dueling concepts, launching on the same weekend less than a mile apart from one another, may be a sign that times are a-changin'. At El Venado, an antique door leads to the 1,500-square-foot bar bedecked with rattan chandeliers. Visitors can expect almost equal parts outdoor lounging space, with a 1,200-square-foot patio billed as having "a cantina-inspired icehouse vibe," per a release. JENN DUNCAN Many of the craft cocktails on the menu are fueled by tequila or mezcal. The Cucumber Fresco, made with blanco tequila, lime, cucumber, mint and Topo Chico, is sure to be a hit on the hottest Houston summer days, while the Mexican 75 offers a playful spin on a French 75, pairing sparkling wine with blanco tequila, lemon and raspberries. The food menu includes street eats from fresh ceviche to tacos, sopes, tostadas and elote dressed with Mexican crema, cotija cheese, lime and tajin. Likely to become a spirited day drinking destination on weekends, hearty brunch offerings like Latin shakshuka made with tomatoes and poblanos, brunch tacos and chilaquiles will be available until 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. JENN DUNCAN Down the road at Todos Santos, owned by hospitality veteran Brandon Duliakas of the Sporting Club (also on Washington), the spotlight is on tequila as well, with a stock of 40 different varieties, including some within the bougie Clase Azul family. Slightly larger than El Venado, Todos boasts 4,000 square feet of space for tequila-drinking, featuring a large indoor bar and a patio fitted with garage doors leading to its own separate bar. The open floor plan is vibrant and happy with splashes of neon pinks, blues and greens in the furniture and decor, offering visitors plenty of great photo-ops. The focus is on tequila, but there will be a full bar too, along with a list of craft cocktails made with tequila and other spirits. Todos is teaming up with Cochi's Taqueria taco truck, which will take up residence onsite in a few weeks, offering guests chef Victoria Elizondo's food (of Cochinita & Co fame). With plans for happy hour specials and a live DJ, this tequila bar is likely to be buzzing with activity from day to (very late) night. You'll be able to give both bars a try after this weekend, and perhaps conveniently go back and forth between them before settling on a fave. And though it may sound like there could be some competition between the two, the truth is Washington Aveor the city of Houston, for that mattercan never have too many watering holes to drink tequila and eat tacos. El Venado Find it: 6502 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007 Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m.-midnight Todos Santos Find it: 5317 Washington Ave Suite B, Houston, TX 77007; (713) 235-0755 Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 4 p.m.-2 a.m. CENTERVILLE, Texas (AP) A Texas grandfather and his four grandsons killed by a prison escapee died from gunshots, sharp force injuries and stab wounds, a medical examiner's report said. Convicted murderer Gonzalo Lopez escaped from a prison transport bus last month and is accused of killing Mark Collins, 66, and his four grandsons, who ranged in age from 11 to 18, authorities said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PARIS (AP) A Paris judge on Thursday ordered a mediation process to settle a legal dispute pitting environmental groups and representatives of Brazil's Indigenous community against a major French retailer accused of selling beef linked to deforestation and land grabs in the Amazon rainforest. Several leading Indigenous representatives, including some wearing traditional headdresses, traveled from Brazil to the main Paris courthouse, where they held a demonstration to denounce international threats to their territories and attract public attention to cattle farming practices in the Amazon. Climate groups and Indigenous activists filed a lawsuit last year against Frances Casino Group, which has supermarkets around the world, accusing it of violating human rights and environmental rules. At a court hearing Thursday, the judge ordered both parties to try to reach an agreement by Sept. 15 through a confidential mediation process. If no agreement can be reached, the case will go to trial. We will meet with the mediator before the end of July and see if we can start a mediation process upon analyzing the Casino proposals, said Sebastien Mabile, a lawyer for one of the environmental groups. Casino Group lawyers Sebastien Shapira and Thomas Rouhette told The Associated Press that the France-based supermarket chain satisfied" with the judge's move and has always been open to discussion. The company said it is "undoubtedly one of the companies most advanced in combating deforestation," without elaborating on measures it takes to do so. For the Indigenous movement, the lawsuit against Casino Group is an attempt to hold someone accountable for buying cattle they say is raised illegally in their territory, with activists warning that far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaros government policies are further threatening indigenous lands. Since taking office in 2019, Bolsonaro has repeatedly said that Indigenous peoples have too much land, saying he would revise demarcations, even though such a move is forbidden by law. Cattle ranching is one of the main drivers of deforestation in Brazils Amazon, with levels reaching record highs earlier this year. More than 1,000 square kilometers (nearly 400 square miles) were deforested in April, according to satellite alerts. The biome holds about 57 million hectares (140.8 million acres) of pasture, an area slightly larger than France, according to MapBiomas, a network of nonprofits, universities and technology startups. ___ Fabiano Maisonnave in Rio de Janeiro contributed. ___ 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. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Newly unsealed court documents indicate state agents thought they heard shots before they opened fire during a traffic stop that left a Black man wounded. Quadren Wilsons family says law enforcement officers shot Wilson five times after they stopped his car in Madison on Feb. 3 and tried to arrest him on a drug violation. Wilson survived his wounds. Evie Mae's Evie Mae's in Wolfforth opened in May 2015 and was listed as one of Texas Monthly's "Top 25 New and Approved Barbecue Joints in Texas" that same year. Overall, customer reviews ranked this spot with a 4.7 out of five stars from Google with 1,188 reviews and 4.5 out of five stars on Yelp with 252 reviews. In a recent YouTube video, owner Arnis Robbins explained that the quality of meat used at Evie Mae's contributes to the excellent taste of his barbecue, stating that the restaurant only uses certified Angus prime beef with a 12 to 14 hour smoking process with barbecue cut to order. One of the reviews stated, "Ribs were excellent, and the sauce complimented them very well. The brisket was tender with a good bark but get there early because the customer line gets extremely long." This BBQ spot is known for its smoked brisket, ribs, chicken and homemade desserts and a smoked prime rib special on specific days of the month. Location: 217 U.S. 62 Frontage Rd, Wolfforth, Texas HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) Authorities exhumed a body in a Connecticut cemetery Wednesday in hopes of identifying the victim of a nearly half-century-old homicide, only to find someone else's remains, a news station reported. But East Haven Police told WTNH News 8 they will keep investigating and aim to pinpoint the victim's actual grave at the State Street Cemetery in Hamden. She was found, dead and wrapped in a tarp, in a drainage ditch behind a now-gone department store in East Haven on Aug. 16, 1975. Authorities were never able to determine her name, so police refer to her as Jane Doe. Police have determined that she was buried in 1976 at the State Street Cemetery. But East Haven Police Capt. Joseph Murgo says her grave wasn't marked, making it a challenge to locate. The person whose body was exhumed Wednesday was male, police told News 8. The exact coordinates we were originally going off seem to be incorrect. So we do have more investigative leads to follow, Murgo said. Murgo said several suspects have been eyed over the years, but to make more progress, police need to figure out who the victim was. Generations of detectives have worked extremely hard on this case, but they didnt have the modern technology that we have today. So we are confident with todays advancements we can apply it to this case, and, hopefully, identify her, Murgo told the news station. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Beyond a dusty, dirt lot, just off bustling Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs, Jessica Fierro orchestrates a brew day inside Atrevida Beer Co. Owner of the first Latinx-owned brewery in Colorado, Fierro pours in flaked maize, a staple ingredient in many Mexican lagers, and arguably the most important component of her award-winning Dolores Huerta Mexican Lager. The malted corn adds a slightly sweet smoothness to the crisp, refreshing, golden-hued lager, which she named after the legendary labor leader known for co-founding what became the United Farm Workers union. "That's important to me," Fierro, a proud product of a Mexican American household, said of her use of flaked maize. "I really want to be able to put out a product that resonates with my culture in a very real way." Even the most casual drinkers have experienced the sweet, light, easy-drinking taste that Corona and Pacifico mass produce, but craft brewers have taken that flavor to the next level, re-creating the clean, crisp finish while adding flavorful malts and a variety of earthy hops. That refreshing taste of Mexican lagers - and some well-executed marketing - has turned something that craft beer aficionados once scoffed at into one of America's best-selling beer styles. In 2020, U.S. imported beer sales totaled $8.7 billion, according to Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. Of the best-selling brands, four of the top six were Mexican macro lagers, led by $2.9 billion in sales of Modelo, owned by industry giant Anheuser-Busch InBev. Despite their growing popularity, Mexican lagers still fuel a divide within the craft beer community. It's not so much the taste - Modelo and Corona (another AB InBev brand) have frequented the Top 10 list of America's beer sales for more than a decade - but the style itself. One taproom regular might call the products distributed by Mexican macro breweries authentic Mexican lagers, but the next may claim that the low-ABV golden beers imported from south of the border are really European-style lagers and Pilseners that just happen to be brewed in Mexico. The discrepancy stems from Mexico's brewing origins. After the Mexican War of Independence ended in 1821, German and Austrian immigrants began settling in what is today Mexico and Texas. Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc, founded in 1890, was Mexico's first large-scale brewer, producing Czech-style Bohemian Pilseners. Soon after, Wilhelm Hasse, a German-born brewer, created Siglo XX, now known as Dos Equis. Mexican brewers never strayed far from those traditional recipes. The differences between a classic European lager and a Mexican lager are slight, and the use of flaked maize doesn't necessarily make a lager Mexican. The styles are so similar that the Great American Beer Festival still doesn't have a Mexican lager category, but the style is making its presence felt nevertheless. In 2021, all three medalists in the "International Lager" category were Mexican lagers, including Rip Van Winkle Brewing Co.'s Uncle Tito Mexican Lager. The previous year, Kern River Brewing Co. took silver in the International Pilsener category with its Mexican-style lager, Rioveza. Still, when Atrevida opened its doors in 2018, Fierro refused to be pigeonholed as a Latina who only brewed Mexican lagers and chile beers. Her beer board was filled with quality German-, Belgian- and American-style beers for the first year. Only after the brewery's first anniversary did she let the Latin flavors fly. Then there are the beers that at first glance appear to be as authentically Mexican as the macro juggernauts - featuring Spanish names, jaguars, parrots and even Aztec headdresses - but on closer inspection are anything but. "They were not created by Latinos, or Mexicans or Mexican Americans, yet they're pulling heavily from our culture to build out their brand, their look, their design and their name to market back to us," said Norwalk Brew House owner Ray Ricky Rivera, co-founder of the SoCal Cerveceros homebrew club and the SCC Distribution Network in Southern California. "They're not authentic and it drives me nuts. "I love seeing brown faces and brown names in craft beer and on craft products when it's genuine. I'm less excited about the person who sees an opportunity to jump on the bandwagon of craft beer." Fierro said she has no problem with companies selling Mexican-style lagers, but she does take issue when they don't "give credit to the culture." "Any time I make a Belgian beer, I do attach the word 'style' to it, because it's not a true Belgian," Fierro said. "It's my interpretation of what a Belgian beer is." The design team behind Trejo's Cerveza - named after Hollywood star and Mexican tough guy Danny Trejo - opted for the words "Mexican Craft Lager" on its beer, which is brewed by Lincoln Beer Company in Burbank, Calif. "[Trejo's] team just showed up and said, 'We have this beer and we want you to brew it,' " said Lincoln owner and brewer Patrick Dunn, who said his appreciation for the style has grown since his team started brewing Trejo's Cerveza in January 2019. "It was actually kind of nice. They diversified our menu." Dunn, who includes Rahr premium Pilsener and toasted rice in his version's wort (malt extract and water), said he tries to stay true to the style drinkers have come to enjoy in the transparent bottles of Mexican macro lagers. Customers chugged about 600 beer barrels (BBL) that first year. The brewery upped production to more than 2,000 BBL since the start of 2020 by contract brewing through Stevens Point Brewery in Wisconsin and Mission Brewery in San Diego. Trejo's Cerveza is now distributed in five states. Dunn takes pride in brewing true to the style, and he doesn't claim to be Mexican in person, on cans or in ad campaigns. "We're kind of in a Mexican lager boom right now," he said. "In anything, there's money grabs. I don't roll that way and I personally don't understand it. You have to be authentic." While the latest batch of Dolores Huerta sits in lagering phase, Fierro can't help but think of the irony within the craft beer community: An industry that celebrates a variety of handcrafted beers from around the world is lacking in diversity. "While the beer is highly regarded, the appreciation for the cultural history and people behind it seems to be an afterthought," Fierro said. Through brewing Dolores Huerta, Fierro has started converting local hop heads and ABV chasers into Mexican lager drinkers, and she hopes that common ground leads to more inclusivity and diversity in the industry. "When I make a beer that's craveable and you're out in the heat thinking, 'Oh my God, I have to get a Dolores Huerta,' That's where that sweet spot lives for me," she said. As the summers get hotter and the cold beers get clearer, think of the liquid gold flowing from the Mexican lager tap handles at local microbreweries. Here's a pro tip: Skip the lime. "A real Mexican lager doesn't need a lime," Fierro said. LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) A second jury has found a former Kansas police officer not guilty in the 2017 shooting death of a man inside his vehicle while responding to a report of a domestic dispute at a home. Matthew Harrington was acquitted Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 47-year-old Antonio Garcia Jr., the Kansas City Star reported. The decision came after a mistrial was declared in Harringtons first trial in April when that jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Mike Nichols, an attorney for Harrington, said the jury made the right decision during the second trial. In a text message, Nichols said: "theres no question that everyone involved wishes that day had turned out differently. The shooting occurred when Harrington then a Leavenworth police officer responded to a domestic dispute July 11, 2017, involving Garcia. Garcia left the home, but later returned and was sitting in his vehicle when Harrington approached. Prosecutors said Garcia had a knife but didnt threaten Harrington, who fired several times into the vehicle after the two men struggled, according to video from Harringtons body camera. Harrington was fired from the department in 2018 after an internal investigation found he had violated policies on use of deadly force. Later that year, he was indicted by a grand jury. District Attorney Todd Thompson said Wednesday that prosecutors presented what they believed was a solid case. All we can do is put the best case forward and let the jury decide, Thompson said. A Leavenworth County judge ruled in June 2020 that Harrington could not claim legal immunity in the shooting, sending the case to trial. In 2019, the city of Leavenworth reached a $1 million settlement in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Garcias family. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A sheriff who is trying to unseat a six-term Mississippi congressman picked up support Thursday from all the candidates eliminated in this week's first round of Republican primary voting. Later in the day, Rep. Steven Palazzo dismissed the endorsements of Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell and said he wants to debate Ezell before the June 28 primary runoff in south Mississippis 4th District. Its not shocking that local politicians who ran against me in the first primary are endorsing our opponent," Palazzo said in a statement. Palazzo who had faced an ethics investigation over campaign spending after the 2020 race declined to take part in candidate forums before Tuesday's six-person primary. He received about 32% of the votes and Ezell received about 25%, according to uncertified results. Three of the five Republicans who finished behind Palazzo and Ezell on Tuesday appeared Thursday in Gulfport with Ezell to announce their support of him. One sent a representative to announce the former candidate's support of Ezell, and the other confirmed his support in a call with the sheriff, the Sun Herald reported. We deserve better than what we have," said Clay Wagner, a retired banker who placed third in the primary. State Sen. Brice Wiggins, who finished fourth, said 68% of the people who cast ballots voted against Palazzo and "thats a mandate for change. Palazzo, now 52, was first elected to the U.S. House in 2010. In his statement Thursday, he said of Ezell: "A 65-year old freshman in Congress is not going to be able to get done for Mississippi what I can as a subcommittee chairman on Appropriations with seniority in the House." Ezell has said Palazzo is ineffective in representing south Mississippi, and he has criticized Palazzo for proxy voting the practice of not showing up in person to cast votes in the House but allowing another member to cast a vote in his place. The Republican nominee will advance to the general election ballot to face Democrat Johnny DuPree and a Libertarian candidate, Alden Patrick Young. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) A longtime juvenile parole officer pleaded guilty Thursday in a federal hearing to possessing child pornography and trying to send a sexually explicit photo to a child. A judge accepted Jason Ellis' plea and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 26. A plea agreement filed in federal court calls for Ellis, of Derry, to be sentenced to 11 years in prison on the two charges, with prosecutors dropping a third charge of distributing child pornography. Ellis was fired from his juvenile parole job in February, a week after his arrest and 2 years after being placed on suspension. He also had worked at New Hampshires state-run youth detention center, where he has been accused in a lawsuit of abusing a teenage boy. According to an FBI affidavit, Ellis sent online messages in 2020 and 2021 to undercover investigators posing as a 13-year-old girl and her father. Investigators say he expressed interest in having sex with the girl and sent her an explicit photo in February 2021. According to the plea agreement, Ellis also appeared to have chatted online with children as young as age 14, frequently sending explicit photos and sometimes soliciting nude images. Ellis began his state employment in 2003 as a counselor at the Youth Development Center in Manchester. In 2005, he became a juvenile probation and parole officer, while also working part time at the youth center from 2011-2012. In 2017, he was fired over allegations that he used his state computer for personal email and spent an inordinate amount of time on the internet for personal reasons, according to the state personnel appeals board. He was reinstated after an appeal. The timing of Ellis suspension coincides with the launching of a broad criminal investigation into the Youth Development Center, now called the Sununu Youth Services Center. Eleven former workers were arrested last year, and nearly 450 former residents have sued the state based on a llegations involving more than 150 staffers from 1963 to 2018. Most of the lawsuits are nearly identical and include few specifics other than the timeframe of the alleged abuse and the names of those accused. One of them accuses Ellis and another former employee of unspecified abuse involving a teenage boy between 2003 and 2006. They are not formal defendants in the case, however, but rather are identified within the lawsuit. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ATHENS, Greece (AP) A court in central Greece has overturned a ruling that authorized the confiscation of crude oil from an Iranian-flagged tanker at the center of a volatile dispute over international sanctions. Greek and Iranian officials confirmed Thursday that an appeals court in the port city of Halkida reversed a lower court's decision to allow the removal of the Lana's cargo. Greek authorities temporarily seized the tanker in mid-April. By Gods grace, the entire oil shipment will be returned, the Iranian Embassy in Athens said in a statement posted on social media after the court issued its ruling. The issue remains the subject of intense consultations between the two countries to ensure full implementation of the ruling, the embassy said. A Greek official said last month that the Iranian tankers cargo was being transferred to another vessel following a request from the United States. Greek media reported that the Lana was believed to be carrying more than 100,000 tons of Iranian crude, in breach of United States and European Union sanctions on Iran. Iran had fiercely protested the action and last month ordered the armed takeover of two Greek-flagged tankers in the Persian Gulf. The Greek Foreign Ministry branded the seizure of the tankers as tantamount to piracy. The action taken was completely unjustified and unprovoked. Weve said that from the first moment, Greek government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said. He said the justice system in our country operates independently, and this has been demonstrated on multiple occasions. Greek authorities seized the Lana when it anchored off Karystos on April 15. At the time, it was flying a Russian flag, had recently changed its name from Pegas to Lana, and was carrying a crew of 19 Russians. Greeces coast guard said the tanker was seized due to suspicions it had breached EU sanctions imposed against Russia over the war in Ukraine. BEIRUT (AP) The leader of Lebanons militant Hezbollah group threatened Thursday to strike a gas rig Israel is setting up in the Mediterranean Sea and that Lebanon claims is in a disputed maritime area between the two countries. Israel says the location is part of its U.N.-recognized exclusive economic zone. Hezbollahs Hassan Nasrallah, a staunch Iran ally, denounced in a televised address what he described as Israeli provocations in the maritime area. His speech followed a warning by Lebanese President Michel Aoun last Sunday who said that maritime border negotiations between the two countries have not ended, adding that any move by Israel such as drilling in the Karish field that Beirut calls disputed will be considered a provocation and hostile act. Earlier this week, Energean Power, a floating production, storage and offloading unit belonging to the energy exploration and production company Energean, arrived in the Karish field. The company is listed in London and Tel Aviv and the ships arrival triggered alarm in Lebanon. Aoun and Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati invited a U.S. envoy mediating between Lebanon and Israel to return to Beirut to try and work out an agreement. Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser for energy security at the U.S. State Department, is expected to arrive in Beirut the next few days. The U.S.-mediated indirect talks between Lebanon and Israel have been stalled for months amid disagreement within Lebanon over how big the disputed area is. Nasrallah said Israel should wait for the results of the negotiations and that any drilling that takes place before an agreement will be considered a direct assault on Lebanon. All options are on the table, he said, adding that all security measures that the Israeli military takes will not be able to protect the gas rig. The ship and its owners, he said, should know that they are partners in the aggression on Lebanon taking place today, Nasrallah said, calling for its immediate withdrawal from the area. They bear full responsibility for what could happen to this ship, both in material damage and to its crew. Israel and the powerful Hezbollah group, which is armed and funded by Iran, are bitter enemies that fought an inconclusive, monthlong war in 2006. Since then, the border area has remained tense but mostly quiet. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with the snap trip coming as efforts to salvage a deal over Iran's nuclear program are stalled in a deepening standoff with Tehran. The visit was Bennett's second public trip to Abu Dhabi since Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize ties in 2020 after years of quiet cooperation, mainly over their shared concerns over Iran's nuclear capabilities. The Israeli leader met with the UAEs president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the two discussed advancing the regional architecture and other undisclosed regional affairs, Bennett's office said in a statement. Iran was likely to top the agenda. In a video statement before departing, Bennett commended countries at an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna on Wednesday that voted to censure Iran over its lack of transparency about nuclear activities at three undeclared sites in the country. We see here a firm stance by the countries of the world regarding the distinction between good and evil, as they clearly state that Iran is concealing things. We will not let up on this issue, he said. The IAEA said Thursday that Iran plans to ramp up its uranium enrichment, with the installation of advanced centrifuges. Advanced uranium enrichment is a key component in the manufacture of a nuclear bomb. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy and it strongly opposed the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, which eased economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities. Israel says it wants an improved deal that places tighter restrictions on Irans nuclear program and addresses Irans long-range missile program and its support for hostile proxies along Israels borders. Israel also says the negotiations must be accompanied by a credible military threat to ensure that Iran does not delay indefinitely. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. The withdrawal caused the deal to quickly unravel. Talks in Vienna over Irans tattered nuclear deal have been stalled since April. Since the deals collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges, and has a rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Israeli leaders have claimed Iran is just weeks away from accumulating enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon, though other components of a bomb are believed to be months or years away. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Israel and the UAE agreed to thaw ties under the U.S. brokered agreements known as the Abraham Accords, which saw similar deals struck with Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Since then, Israel and the UAE have deepened ties in tourism and trade, to the dismay of the Palestinians who long relied on an Arab wall of support to serve as leverage against Israel. Bennett's trip comes as Israel is on the cusp of another political crisis, with members of his fragile coalition threatening to bolt unless the government can pass a law over the legal status of its West Bank settlers. Mumbai: Soon, no OTP, or other Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA), will be required for making recurring payments above Rs 5000 through e-mandate on both debit and credit cards. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to increase the limit for e-mandates on cards from Rs 5000 to Rs 15,000. Necessary instructions in this regard will be issued by the central bank, the RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said in his bi-monthly monetary policy statement on Wednesday. Experts said that raising the limit for e-mandate on cards will facilitate the payment of larger value transactions like housing loans, insurance premiums or any kind of subscriptions. The framework on processing of e-mandate based recurring payments, inter-alia, provides for an Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) during registration, sending a pre-debit notification, subsequent recurring transactions to be executed without AFA, and an easier avenue to withdraw such mandates. Benefits of convenience, safety and security are available to the users. The system also benefits from users confidence. Major banks are providing the facility and the transaction volumes are seeing good traction, said Das. Till date, over 6.25 crore mandates have been registered under this framework, including for over 3,400 international merchants. Requests have been received from stakeholders to increase the limit under the framework to facilitate payments of larger value like subscriptions, insurance premia, education fee, etc. To further augment customer convenience and leverage the benefits available under the framework, it is proposed to enhance the limit from 5,000 to 15,000 per recurring payment. Necessary instructions will be issued shortly, added the RBI statement. Dewang Neralla, chief executive officer of NTT DATA Payment Services India said, Increased limit will lead to increased convenience for the consumers as well as businesses such as monthly pay-outs done for paying school/college fees, electricity bill payments, mobile payments, and lending organizations. The mandatory notification 24 hours prior to the auto-debit shall ensure that the consumer is warned ahead in time to maintain the requisite card balances. NEW ORLEANS (AP) A federal judge in Baton Rouge refused on Thursday to delay her order for Louisiana to redraw its congressional districts while the states top elections official appeals. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick had ruled Tuesday that the map violates the Voting Rights Act and must be reworked by June 20 to add a second majority Black district. Louisiana is nearly one-third African American and has six U.S. House sets. Court papers for Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin call the deadline unworkable. But Dick wrote that the state's argument was insincere and not persuasive. The state requires seven days notice of the start of the session and three days for bill reading , she wrote. That would require ten days total, and this Court gave the Legislature fourteen, she said. Ardoin also said state defendants will be irreparably harmed without a stay. The judge called that position disingenuous, saying delay would cause substantial harm to voters who sued the state. She noted that House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, who joined the suit on Ardoins side, told another judge that Louisianas election calendar is one of the latest in the nation and that the election deadlines that actually impact voters do not occur until October 2022. A stay increases the risk that Plaintiffs do not have an opportunity to vote under a nondilutive congressional map until 2024, almost halfway through this census cycle, she wrote. Finally, the Court finds that the public interest lies in conducting elections under a legal map. Ardoin does not comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Kaylee Trisler said. As we've said from the beginning, a map that does not have a second majority Black district violates the law, said Jared Evans of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He said the order confirms and affirms what we've been saying throughout the process." He added that the legislature has plenty of time" to enact and pass a map compliant with federal law. Gov. John Bel Edwards has called a special session starting June 15 to redraw the map. He vetoed it, saying it violated the law, but his veto was overridden. The case could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court. Ardoin's request for a stay noted that a three-judge district court in Alabama issued an injunction similar to this Courts, and the Supreme Court stayed that injunction pending appeal. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Two neighbors of Breonna Taylor who testified against the officer who shot into their apartment are asking a judge to move their civil lawsuit out of Louisville because fatigue has biased the public in favor of police, flipping the argument made by the former officer ahead of his criminal trial. The change of venue motion says its entirely possible potential jurors are fatigued by the entire Breonna Taylor tragedy and Taylors ghost haunts any legal proceeding in Louisville. The argument for a location change is notable because the former officer, Brett Hankison, had also pushed for a new venue ahead of his February trial, over fear that a jury pool in Louisville would be biased against police. In their motion, Taylor neighbors Cody Etherton and Chelsey Napper argue its the opposite potential jurors in Louisville may have grown tired of the Taylor case. Etherton and Napper, who lived together with Napper's young son, testified at trial against Hankison, who fired through Taylor's apartment and into theirs. Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was shot to death during the raid by officers who used a search warrant to knock down her door on March 13, 2020. Hankison was the only officer charged in the incident. Etherton and Napper "have no recourse but to express to this court their concern about the very real possibility of community bias against their case because of Breonna Taylor fatigue within the Louisville community and the victimization of LMPD and its officers by some national and local media outlets and politicians, according to the motion filed in March in U.S. District Court in Louisville. The couple's Louisville attorney, Jeffrey Sexton, argues that the exoneration of Hankison by a jury in March laid bare the potential existence of bias" against Napper and Etherton's case. Hankison was fired after the Taylor incident for shooting blindly into Taylor's apartment. It says the trial's evidence including testimony from Etherton and Napper was overwhelmingly against Hankison insofar as the Kentucky criminal law defining wanton endangerment is written. The jury found him not guilty after deliberating for about three hours. The suit names Hankison and former officers John Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, along with other officers and the city of Louisville. A response to the motion filed by lawyers for those defendants opposed moving the case out of Louisville, arguing that it's too early to tell if there's any bias and that Sexton's claims are not based on any evidence. They also said moving the case would be a major inconvenience to witnesses who live in Louisville. A judge has not ruled on the change of venue motion. Sexton said he is working on amending the lawsuit with under oath testimony from the Hankison trial. He said he has to file the updated suit by the end of this month. After police knocked down Taylor's door and Taylor's boyfriend fired a shot at officers, Hankison fired shots that went through Taylor's apartment and into her neighbor's unit. Etherton said one bullet narrowly missed him in a hallway. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) A North Carolina man has admitted stealing mail from residential mailboxes and using stolen information to commit wire fraud, a federal prosecutor said. Soheil Akhavan Rezaie, 37, entered his guilty plea Tuesday before a U.S. magistrate judge in Charlotte, U.S. Attorney Dena King said. ALTON The Alton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing alumni are planning a reunion on Saturday, July 16, at Altons Best Western Premiere Hotel, with registration starting at 11 a.m. The AMH School of Nursing opened March 1, 1938. A graduate nursing staff provided instruction across a range of subjects. Students were rated and needed to meet the maximum requirements of the Illinois State Department of Education and Registration. Tuition at the time for three years (RN degree) totaled $150. A total of 626 nurses, including nine men, graduated from the school in its 35-year history. The schools last graduating class was in 1973. BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Carl Paladino, a Republican running for Congress in western New York, said Thursday he was wrong to invoke Adolf Hitler when he said in an interview last year he was the kind of leader we need today because of his ability to rally crowds. It was the second time this week that Paladino had to explain himself after announcing his campaign. In an interview on WBEN radio in February 2021, Paladino brought up Hitler when asked by host Peter Hunt about how to rouse the population and get people thinking about the possibility of change. I was thinking the other day about somebody had mentioned on the radio Adolf Hitler and how he aroused the crowds. And he would get up there screaming these epithets and these people were just they were hypnotized by him," Paladino replied. "Thats, I guess, I guess thats the kind of leader we need today. We need somebody inspirational. We need somebody that is a doer, has been there and done it, so that its not a strange new world to him. After a recording of the radio conversation was published Thursday by Media Matters for America, Paladino said in a statement that any implication that his comments meant he supported Hitler would be a new low for the media. But he said he was wrong to mention the Nazi leader at all. I understand that invoking Hitler in any context is a serious mistake and rightfully upsets people. I strongly condemn the murderous atrocities committed against the Jewish people by Hitler and the Nazis, including towards my own Italian family, the statement said. It is the latest in a yearslong list of controversial comments attributed to the Buffalo real estate developer, who was the Republican candidate for New York governor in 2010 and co-chaired former President Donald Trumps presidential campaign committee in New York. Earlier this week, Paladino shared - then deleted - a conspiracy-laden Facebook post suggesting a racist mass shooting in his hometown of Buffalo and other mass killings were part of a plot to take away peoples guns. Paladino first told The Buffalo News that it was posted by someone else with access to his account. Then on Wednesday he said he posted it because it was written by a friend. During his campaign to win the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, Paladino was widely criticized over a pattern of forwarding racist jokes about Black people to a circle of friends via his company email account. Paladino apologized and won the party's nomination. Paladino was ousted from the Buffalo School Board in 2016 amid an uproar over statements he made to a local newspaper, in which he wrote he wanted to see President Barack Obama dead of mad cow disease and first lady Michelle Obama return to being a male and let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe where she lives comfortably in a cave with Maxie, the gorilla. He later acknowledged those comments were inappropriate. The state education commissioner removed Paladino from the school board soon after for disclosing confidential school board business. Paladino had also drawn complaints from Jewish groups during his run for governor after a newspaper quoted him as calling the Jewish leader of New York's Assembly an anti-Christ or a Hitler. Paladino announced his run for Congress after incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs said he would not seek reelection after facing backlash from his own party for voicing support for an assault weapons ban. His candidacy was quickly endorsed by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a member of GOP leadership in Washington and rising star in the party. Stefaniks campaign did not immediately respond Thursday to a message seeking comment. The New York Republican Party and its nominee for New York governor, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who is Jewish and chairs the House Republican Israel Caucus, also did not return messages seeking comment. Paladino tweeted Thursday that he was Proud to be ENDORSED by the Jewish Vote GOP for my run for Congress in New Yorks 23rd Congressional District! #NY23. A Facebook page associated with the group describes it as a group that is Helping Jews become educated about politics, help donate directly to candidates, volunteer and vote. A message seeking comment about Paladinos remarks sent to an email address associated with the group was not immediately returned. ___ Associated Press Writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report from New York. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate REDDING, Calif. (AP) Pacific Gas & Electric on Thursday pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges it faces after its equipment sparked a wildfire that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes in Northern California two years ago, prosecutors announced. PG&E was arraigned at a court in Redding on 31 criminal counts and enhancements, including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, after being accused of recklessly starting the Zogg Fire, the Shasta County District Attorney's Office said in a brief statement. A preliminary hearing in the case was set for January. The wind-whipped blaze began on Sept. 27, 2020, and raged through rugged terrain and small communities west of Redding, killing four people, burning about 200 homes and blackening about 87 square miles (225 square kilometers) of land. Last year, state fire investigators concluded the fire was sparked by a gray pine tree that fell onto a PG&E distribution line. Shasta and Tehama counties have sued the utility, alleging negligence. They say PG&E failed to remove the tree even though it had been marked for removal two years earlier. The utility says the tree was subsequently cleared to stay. The district attorney determined that the company was criminally liable for the fire and charged the utility last September. Today we entered a formal not guilty plea to all charges in the 2020 Zogg Fire in Shasta County, the company said in a statement. We accept CAL FIREs finding that a tree falling into our equipment started the fire, but we do not believe there was any criminal activity. The charges PG&E faces include enhancements for injury to a 29-year-old firefighter who was hit by a falling tree that fractured his spine, paralyzing him from the chest down. They also include felony arson counts linked to several fires started by the utilitys equipment in Shasta County over the last year. PG&E, which has an estimated 16 million customers in central and Northern California, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019 after its aging equipment was blamed for a series of fires, including the 2018 Camp Fire that killed 85 people and destroyed 10,000 homes in Paradise and neighboring communities. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention said in their final report on the Dixie Fire, the second-largest in California recorded history, that the utility failed to act quickly after one of its power lines malfunctioned last July, sparking the blaze. By the time a PG&E worker arrived at the scene the fire was too large for him to contain and a 911 response was requested, state investigators wrote in the report the utility made public Thursday. The Dixie Fire in Northern California swept through five counties and burned more than 1,300 homes and other buildings. The blaze was caused by a tree hitting electrical distribution lines west of a dam in the Sierra Nevada, where the blaze began on July 13, Cal Fire investigators said. SPRINGFIELD Rural health advocates gathered Thursday at Springfield Clinic to honor state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, for newly signed legislation. Our rural health centers across the state have struggled to maintain adequate staff, said Turner. This law will mean that people across the state will have more access to high quality health care by incentivizing medical professionals to work in underserved areas. Private rural health clinics have opened across the state with the goal of providing the same quality care as hospitals in more urban areas. Medical professionals working in private clinics, often in historically underserved areas, were previously not eligible for loan forgiveness despite providing quality care to residents of rural communities. Senate Bill 3017, signed into law in May, ensures the medical professionals who work in private rural health facilities also receive loan forgiveness. The new law is now in effect. BANGKOK (AP) A top State Department official met Thursday with Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, part of an ongoing diplomatic outreach in the Asia-Pacific region by Washington to try and blunt growing Chinese influence. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman tweeted after meeting Marcos that the two discussed a range of issues, including the Philippines-U.S. alliance, deepening economic ties, advancing human rights and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. Marcos, the son of longtime Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who was ousted in a popular uprising in 1986, was elected in a landslide last month, alarming human rights activists and pro-democracy groups. The U.S. appears prepared to work with him, with President Joe Biden being one of the first world leaders to call Marcos and congratulate him on his electoral victory. Following the meeting with Sherman, Marcos' spokesman Victor Rodriguez said the two had discussed the importance of deepening the alliance and friendship between the Philippines and the United States, as well as partnering together in order to strengthen the economy between the two countries. Sherman's trip comes as part of a broader effort to reach out in person to leaders in the region as concern increases over China's push to expand its own influence in a strategically critical area. It includes the South China Sea, where the Philippines and Vietnam, among others, have squared off with China's efforts to dominate the strategic waterway it claims virtually in its entirety. The U.S. and its allies have responded with so-called freedom of navigation patrols, sometimes encountering a pushback from China's military. Australia protested after it said a Chinese fighter jet made dangerous maneuvers around one of its surveillance aircraft and forced it to return to its base last month. Beijing rejected the accusation. Sherman is also making stops in South Korea, Laos and Vietnam. U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet is also in the region, meeting with officials in Thailand, Singapore and Brunei. The State Department said the two trips highlight American commitment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a 10-member regional bloc known as ASEAN, as well as Washington's bilateral partnerships. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is also a featured speaker on the weekend at the Shangra-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense and security forum. And at the end of May in Japan, Biden launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a new trade deal that so far 12 nations have signed on to. There are several components to our Indo-Pacific strategy, from advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific where we can deal with problems openly and have rules that are transparently and fairly applied, Chollet told The Diplomat online news magazine in an article this week. The second part of the strategy is forging stronger connections within the region and beyond," he said. He said the strategy includes strengthening the U.S.-ASEAN relationship and also working within other groupings, such as the British, Australian and American partnership known as AUKUS and the Quad format involving Australia, India, the U.S. and Japan. China has itself been active in its diplomatic engagement in the region, recently inking a security deal with the Solomon Islands that the U.S., Australia and others worry could give Beijing the opportunity to establish a naval base in the South Pacific. China and Cambodia on Wednesday also broke ground on a port expansion project at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, which the U.S. and others fear could provide Beijing with a strategically important military outpost on the Gulf of Thailand. Following the Solomon Islands deal, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi traveled to multiple other island nations, hoping to sign an ambitious deal with 10 of them covering a broad range of areas including security and fisheries. He couldnt find consensus on that deal but instead signed smaller bilateral agreements. Australia pushed back, sending its own foreign minister to several Pacific island nations on her own diplomatic outreach. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A West Virginia state lawmaker who was ensnared in controversy a year ago has resigned to take a job in Florida. Del. Joe Jeffries, a Republican whose district includes a group of counties near Charleston, submitted his formal letter of resignation to House Speaker Roger Hanshaw on June 1, according to a House spokesperson. In the letter, Jeffries said he's leaving his position because he wasn't able to find a job in West Virginia that would accommodate his work schedule as a lawmaker. He said it was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. Best wishes and may God direct each of you to do what is right for the people of this state, he wrote to lawmakers in his letter. Jeffries, who lives in Putnam County, did not specify what his new job will be but said the position is based in Bradenton, Florida. Jeffries was stripped of his committee assignment and called an embarrassment by Hanshaw last year after he posted a lewd video on the social media platform TikTok. In the video, he offers sexual advice to women. The video was posted directly after a legislative session where Jeffries sponsored legislation forbidding the teaching of sexuality in public schools. I believe Joe Jeffries is an embarrassment not just to the House of Delegates, but to the entire state, Hanshaw said after he stripped Jeffries of his vice chairman position on a committee in July 2021. He has shown us more than once that he does not respect the office he was elected to serve. The Putnam County GOP Executive Committee issued a statement that very strongly condemns the content of the video published by Delegate Jeffries. While all American citizens are entitled to their right to freedom of speech, the Putnam County Executive Committee expects our public representatives to conduct themselves with professionalism on all public forums," the committee stated. Belinda Biafore, chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party, said Jeffries has a slew of inappropriate and vulgar videos with his own sexually explicit commentary on a social media app aimed at youth. Jeffries, who was elected to the House in 2018, had already decided not to run for reelection. Lawmakers left the Capitol after the 2022 session's end in March but return for interim meetings and are sometimes called back by the governor for special sessions outside the normal schedule. West Virginia law states that Republican Gov. Jim Justice must appoint someone from Jeffries district to fill his spot in the Legislature for the remainder of his term. The Putnam County Republican Party Executive Committee can submit a list of three recommendations for the position. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) The New Mexico Environment Department announced Thursday that it has fined El Paso Water $1.2 million for allegedly discharging more than 1 billion gallons of raw sewage into the Rio Grande in Sunland Park. The state compliance orders also require El Paso Water to fix the problems that caused the illegal diversion and clean up the impacted areas. Since gang rape is a heinous offences for which minimum punishment under the Indian Penal Code or any other law is imprisonment for seven years or more, they could then be tried under CrPC and not under the Juvenile Justice Act. (Representational image) Hyderabad: Now that all the six accused in the Jubilee Hills pub gang rape case have been arrested, given that five of them are minors under the age of eighteen, including one of them who is just one month short of turning 18, people across India are wondering how they would be tried and what punishment they would get, if the police goes on to prove them guilty in court. According to legal experts, they would all get away with a very light punishment if they are tried as juveniles. However, a post-Nirbhaya amendment gives the police a provision to seek exemption and try them as adults. Under the Indian Juvenile Justice (care and protection) act, 2015, maximum punishment which a court can award to a juvenile for any crime is three years. Minors, those below the age of 18, are granted exemption as children from any criminal liability under sections 82 and 83 of IPC. Even under the United Nations convention on rights of children, popular as Beijing Rules, Article 37(3), minors cannot be sentenced to death penalty, or life imprisonment. In fact, any decree of deprivation of liberty must be a last resort and for the shortest periods of time. An amendment to the Indias Juvenile Justice Act was made after a huge outrage by common people, when one of the accused in the Nirbhaya case, was punished for only three years, being a minor. However, now in India, anyone above the age of 16, can be treated as an adult if he or she has commissioned a heinous crime. However, there is a condition imposed on having a preliminary assessment of mental status. Speaking exclusively to Deccan Chronicle about the 2015 amendment, on condition of anonymity, a retired high court judge, said, in 2005, Supreme Court has marked its judgements saying the Juvenile Justice board must conduct a preliminary assessment to understand if the minors in such heinous cases have an understanding of the offence and are aware of the consequences. In other words, only if the Juvenile Board thinks after an assessment that these minors accused in the gang rape case have full knowledge and understanding of their offence, and if their actions were premeditated and planned, including awareness of consequences, can the board give exemption, the judge explained. If invoked, this case could be one the first of its kind in the country. Only then, can provisions of rigorous punishment be applied and awarded, as mentioned by Hyderabad city Police Commissioner C. V. Anand, at a press conference on Wednesday, when he said they might expect 20 years of jail time, a lifetime imprisonment or even death penalty. But if the Board does not feel their mental condition is one of maturity about action, including premeditation and planning, and are aware of the consequences, they can walk away with a maximum punishment of three years. BJP MLA and lawyer M. Raghunandan Rao, whose press conference leaking the details about the accused, in both video and photo formats triggered a subsequent chain of actions leading to the arrest of the accused, sought that provisions of the amendment to the Act be invoked. However, he added, it does not appear as if the Hyderabad police have already sought action for application of exemption for these minors to be tried as adults in this case so far. He, however, said that only once a charge sheet is filed, which would contour and detail the charges framed, will it become abundantly clear. If the police have not invoked these amendments to treat these culprits as adults, police should do so. If Telangana police fail to do so, then I will approach the courts for invoking the amended provisions of the Act, Mr Rao said. Speaking specifically about one of the minors in the case, who is a month short of turning 18, advocate P. Vasudev said that as per old norms of the JJ Act, he would be continued to be tried as a juvenile even after he turns an adult. The age of the juvenile would be considered as it was on the date of offence. Even if a person is one day short of turning 18, they would be considered as a juvenile, the advocate explained. Another retired high court judge said the defendants may depend on the principle of presumption of innocence, which says any child shall be presumed to be an innocent of any mala fide or criminal intent up to the age of 18 years, to protect themselves. India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child (Beijing Rules), which state that age of criminal responsibility should be set bearing in mind mental and intellectual maturity of offenders. This was the foundation wisdom when the age of majority in the Juvenile Act was challenged in the Supreme Court. The age of criminal responsibility establishes a minimum age, below which, children shall be presumed not to have capacity to infringe on criminal law, he said. This is called Doli incapax in Latin, meaning incapable of evil. Post the amendment in the Supreme Court, in India, that age was lowered from 18 to 16, wherein, children below 16 cannot be tried as adults under any circumstance, but those between 16 and 18, can be in specific cases, can be tried in court as an adult. As per the new Juvenile Justice Act, which replace the JJ Act of 2000, under which maximum punishment juvenile offenders can get is three years in a child remand home, minors above 16 can be tried as adults for heinous crimes, if established, they had committed the crime with an adult mind, not a child-like mind, a lawyer from criminal court of Nampally said. As per several legal experts and jurists, the police can apply this amended ruling to and go to the Juvenile Justice Board, and given it was a heinous crime, ask it to conduct a preliminary assessment with regard to the mental and physical capacity to commit such offence by these five minor accused. Senior Advocate of the High Court, L. Ravichander said that unless the JJ board steps in and invokes the amendment, the accused in the case should be tried as minors. If death is the answer, why are the rape cases not decreasing after capital punishement in Nirbhaya case? Or an encounter in Disha case? I dont know how the Police Commissioner comes to a conclusion of grave punishments without the JJ board saying anything about their age and the 2015 amendment. I am not aware of the JJ board stepping in counselment of the amendment and until that happens, then they are to be considered as minors. The JJ board should look into their social life and the circle of minors as their mere libidinous status should not be enough to give them a death penalty. he said. Senior Advocate Gopal Sharma said that police must provide proof that these accused involved in the gang rape are minors. The JJ Act will only attract a 3 years punishment and not 20 years jail and death penalty as mentioned by Police Commissioner CV Anand. The police are trying to save the accused by categorising them as juveniles and we need to prove that they are actually under age. The press conference was held under pressure by the government and the commissioner did not mention anything about the JJ Act or the 2015 amendment. As the offence is heinous, they should be tried under the PoCSO Act, he said. If the Board, which may take assistance of experienced psychologists or psycho-social workers or other experts, assesses them fit, the police can then take them to court for trial as an adult. However, the Boards decision can be appealed. Since gang rape is a heinous offences for which minimum punishment under the Indian Penal Code or any other law is imprisonment for seven years or more, they could then be tried under CrPC and not under the Juvenile Justice Act. StackCommerce If you only want to make one trip and get all your shopping done, theres no place better than Sams Club. You can get warehouse deals on high-quality groceries, home goods, jewelry, technology, and more. And you can even end your visit with a fresh rotisserie chicken. In a rare deal, you can get a Sam's Club Plus Membership for only $50. Thats a year of Sams Club Plus, complete with all the extra features that entails, along with a whole other Sams Club Membership that can go to someone else in your household. First, the Sams Club Plus Membership still gives you access to all the great shopping you can do at Sams Club locations and online. Get some of the lowest prices on groceries, kitchen supplies, electronics, and more all without finding a second parking spot. The produce is fresh, the selection is wide, and one reviewer even visited a Sams Club bakery for their wedding cake: My family shopped there all the time. Having 5 kids in one family we needed to buy in bulk haha. Their cake is great!!! I used it for my wedding cake and it was simple and beautiful and actually tasted good!!! WFO LOS ANGELES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 11, 2022 _____ EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 753 PM PDT Wed Jun 8 2022 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... ...WIND ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 95 possible. * WHERE...Los Angeles County Mountains. * WHEN...From Friday morning through Saturday evening. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this situation. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air- conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures 95 to 105 * WHERE...Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, San Luis Obispo County Mountains and Ventura County Mountains. ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105 expected. * WHERE...Antelope Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 10 PM PDT Saturday. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph * WHERE...Santa Ynez Mountains Western Range and Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast. * WHEN...Until 3 AM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. * WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph * WHERE...Santa Ynez Mountains Eastern Range. * WHERE...Cuyama Valley, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys and Southern Salinas Valley. ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures of 95 to 100 possible. * WHERE...Central Ventura County Valleys, Southeastern Ventura County Valleys, Lake Casitas, Ojai Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 8 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO LOS ANGELES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, June 9, 2022 _____ EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 322 AM PDT Thu Jun 9 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures up to 100 expected (at the lower elevations). * WHERE...Ventura County Mountains, Los Angeles County Mountains, San Luis Obispo County Mountains and Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 10 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. ...WIND ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED... The winds have diminished. ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105 expected. * WHERE...Cuyama Valley, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys, Southern Salinas Valley and Antelope Valley. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 8 PM PDT * WHAT...Temperatures of 95 to 100. * WHERE...Central Ventura County Valleys, Southeastern Ventura County Valleys, Lake Casitas, Ojai Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 8 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Country singer Dallas Smith returned to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Thursday night, for a night of high energy entertainment. The Canadian performer had a banner year in 2021 winning the Country Music Awards entertainer of the year, as well as the single of the year. The band is cu The police said they will start questioning the juveniles on Friday, while Malik would also be questioned for a second consecutive day. (Representational Image/ DC) Hyderabad: On the first day of questioning the Jubilee Hills gangrape accused, the police said that details revealed by Sadudin Malik strengthened the possibility that the crime may have been pre-planned. Besides, the Jubilee Hills police were also granted custody of three of the five minors booked in the case for five days, starting Friday. The questioning of Malik went on for six hours on Thursday, the police said, adding that several new details pertaining to the crime came to light. The prime accused in the case is reportedly cooperating with the police and is said to have confessed to the crime during the first day of his questioning on Thursday. Revealing further details, the police said that the son of the minority board chairman was the first to approach the victim. According to sources, Malik came in touch with the rest of the accused, all juveniles, around two months ago. A driver took Malik, along with the son of the chairman of a minority board, to Amnesia pub on May 28. It was the chairman's son who first approached the victim in the pub and Malik joined him. The rest of the gang was introduced to her outside the pub, where they offered to drop her home, a source said. Further, it was revealed that the victim's glasses and mobile phone were taken by the accused, who told her that they would return them to her once she gets inside the car. Police officials said they will be corroborating the version of events shared by the victim in her second statement to the police with the details revealed by the accused, as well as cross-checking the same with call data records and CCTV footage acquired during the course of the investigation. The police said they will start questioning the juveniles on Friday, while Malik would also be questioned for a second consecutive day. However, the police officials have to visit the juvenile home at Saidabad in plainclothes to record their statements, in the presence of their lawyers. The minors will not be brought to the police station. Officials investigating the case said that they would be sending all six of them to the forensic science lab, to collect their DNA and fingerprints. Meanwhile, Telangana IT minister K.T. Rama Rao welcomed the Telangana police's reported move to file an appeal with the Juvenile Board, seeking exemption for the trial of the juveniles apprehended in the gangrape case as adults. If you are adult enough to commit a crime as heinous as rape, one must also be punished as an adult and not as a juvenile," (sic) he tweeted. It has been revealed that the city police are proposing to file an appeal with the JJB soon. Malik and the four juveniles were allegedly involved in the gangrape of a minor girl inside a car in Jubilee Hills on May 28. The fifth juvenile has been booked for outraging the modesty of the victim and other sections of the PoCSO Act. All six of them were also booked under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act on charges of circulating the videos of the incident, which they shot on their mobile phones. The decision of the BJPs most popular leader with high approval ratings from the RSS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to stay silent, for a week, on the deliberately provocative and obviously incendiary remarks about Prophet Mohammad by a party national spokesperson on television is a signal. India and the world, especially the Islamic world, are interpreting it in ways that suggest that he, as head of the current government, is choosing inaction. Maintaining silence is always an option and law enforcers warn suspects on their right to do so. The caution is good advice; it protects a suspect from the crime of perjury, which in India carries a maximum seven-year sentence. Inaction, when action is called for, is also an option; it is sometimes considered, always by hindsight, to be masterly and more often, an elemental reaction of fear or freeze in a dicey situation. There are consequences for crying havoc and unleashing the dogs of war, as Mark Antony discovered in Shakespeares play. The world and India is astounded by the apparently sincere avowals of the Narendra Modi governments commitment to the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom that is wrapped in the larger principles of tolerance, diversity, secularism, equality and justice as part of the allegedly stupendous efforts at damage control. The governments apologists and the spokespersons of the external affairs ministry seem to have forgotten that Mr Modi and his ministers are oath-bound to defend the rights and values enshrined in Indias Constitution. No particular faked and fervent avowals of the fringe element kind and the civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity and the 75-year tradition of the highest respect to all religions variety is acceptable. The Islamic world, spearheaded by Qatars protest and the expectation of a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the Government of India, are signs that the free pass that Mr Modi got after becoming Prime Minister in 2014 is being withdrawn. His failure to stop the 2002 pogrom of Muslims in Gujarat, when he was chief minister, had put him on the blacklist of several influential countries of the international community, including the United States. His efforts to retrieve his reputation were effective in that the world did business with him. That approval seems to be on the verge of being rescinded. And his silence and inaction are the problem. There is no way in which a national spokesperson of the ruling party, who was also a candidate in the 2015 Delhi polls against the Aam Aadmi Party chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, can be described as a fringe element. The BJP certainly cannot. The suspension of Nupur Sharma was an empty gesture. The expulsion of Naveen Kumar Jindal, who headed the BJPs media cell in Delhi, for amplifying her entirely reprehensible and deliberately provocative comment on television on behalf of her party, was a pointless exercise in shooting the messenger. Neither has been booked for incendiary activities as the law provides under Section 295A IPC that penalises deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. The only state that seems to be actively working on Ms Sharmas hate speech is Maharashtra. Complaints have been lodged across India, including in Delhi by Trinamul Congress leader Saket Gokhale, against Ms Sharma. As the Delhi police is under the home ministry and controlled by Amit Shah, it is obvious that there is a special dispensation protecting Ms Sharma from police action. In contrast, 54 persons were arrested by the Kanpur police over communal clashes that erupted after Ms Sharmas comment and its social media amplification. The Kanpur police predictably identified the key conspirator behind the riots as one Hayat Zafar Hashmi and sundry alleged members of the Popular Front of India, a favourite target of the BJP government and establishment. Jignesh Mevani, an MLA, was arrested from Gujarat and flown to Kokrajhar in Assam for his tweet on Mr Modi. Cartoonists, stand-up comedians and harmless individuals have been arrested and jailed for being critical of Mr Modi and calling out the BJP for its Hindutva politics. Indias Election Commission was compelled to act against hate speeches by the likes of Yogi Adityanath after intervention by the Supreme Court, but has refrained from gagging Mr Modi, who has used kabrasitan-shamshaan (Muslim graveyard-Hindu cremation ground) in political campaigns. Narendra Modi and the BJP have got away with a great deal in India, where the police and the judiciary have shown an amazing capacity to recognise the obvious. The call for a public apology by the Government of India by Islamic nations is a message that Mr Modi is accountable for intensifying religious persecution and violence. Mr Modi is free to imagine that his magnetic personality and right-wing Hindutva polarising politics made him a respected member of the top end of the global fraternity. If he thought so, it was delusional. Indias hard-earned goodwill as a secular, tolerant state in the years up to 2014 got him entry into places where he was earlier barred. He has to decide between pandering to his domestic constituency of bhakts, who are incidentally angry and are trolling him for his caving in to Islamic pressure, and the world that is beyond our borders. The world is home to 60-80 lakh migrant Indians, who remit around $5 billion every year. The world is also an investor in India and a trading partner. Narendra Modi has to choose between silence and inaction that encourages the bhakt vote bank and the world that has India on a leash. Around the globe, multi-cloud adopters are realizing incredible results as they migrate from older environments. SGB-SMIT, for example, is a leading independent European producer of transformers used for power generation, industrial manufacturing, transportation, and infrastructure. The company has integrated disparate IT environments, reduced management complexity, and streamlined business expansion as it builds a global multi-cloud strategy. An inability to scale at speed was preventing the company from delivering on its value proposition, with slow time to market affecting lead times and preventing it from meeting customer needs. The company employs 3,500 people and has production facilities in Germany, China, the Czech Republic, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Romania, and the USA. It needed a cost-effective solution to help continue its rapid global expansion. SGB-SMITs multi-cloud ambitions have been made possible using VMware Cloud on AWS and Google Cloud VMware Engine. Together, these enable SGB-SMIT to lift, shift, and scale its VMware applications to the cloud of its choice, anywhere in the world. VMware is the glue that holds our multi-cloud strategy together, says Salvatore Cassara, CIO, SGB-SMIT Group. It allows us to share resources, tools, and data between Amazon, Google, and our own private cloud environments. In California, Riverside County government initially relied on a decentralized IT environment but the adoption and implementation of new county-wide solutions required a greater level of departmental collaboration. The county pursued a major digital transformation initiative that began with creating a consolidated, centralized IT group (RCIT) to manage all non-elected departments. With VMware Cloud Universal, RICT was able to pursue a multi-cloud approach that combined on-site control with public cloud scalability. VMware Cloud Universal provided RCIT with the flexibility to integrate a new on-premises environment with VMware Cloud on AWS public cloud, which offered the desired disaster recovery and ability to support workload migration across RCITs entire IT infrastructure. VMware Cloud Universal empowers RCIT with a flexible multi-cloud environment designed for security, scale, and innovation. Once completed, RCIT will have reduced its footprint by 48 servers, representing a 66% host reduction, and will have dramatically lowered its annual VMware license renewal costs. For its part, Schibsted Media Group in Norway is undergoing the delicate process of migrating its large portfolio of companies to the cloud. As Scandinavias largest media group, it has expanded on its respected newspaper publishing business to marketplaces, financial services, and ventures. But as the company has grown more complex, so has its IT needs. To comply with data sovereignty regulations, the groups IT division, Schibsted Enterprise Technology, operated 1,500 servers running on-premises in local data centers before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 Schibsted recognized its existing system was too cumbersome and costly, and decided to move everything to the cloud. To make its operations simpler and more efficient, Schibsted decided to shift its operations to VMware Cloud on AWS. Schibsted was able to minimize disruption with VMware vRealize, VMwares cloud management solution. vRealize Network Insight is an extremely powerful tool when migrating to the cloud, because we do not have to interview each application owner to find out which app is talking to each server, says Ken Sivertsen, cloud infrastructure architect at Schibsted Enterprise Technology. vRealize Network Insight gives us all of the information we need to act. Within six months, Schibsted was able to shut down over 350 servers. On-premises, Schibsted has approximately 10 hosts supporting 400 workloads, while in VMware Cloud on AWS it is running six hosts supporting 140 workloads, including running Windows and Linux operating systems. Schibsted expects that being cloud native will make it easier to onboard new companies and cut operating costs, allow multi-cloud flexibility, with one subsidiary using Google Cloud and another using Amazon. To learn how VMware Cloud Universal can provide a unifying path to your multi-cloud future, go to https://www.vmware.com/products/cloud-universal.html On April 11, The Atlantic published an essay by Jonathan Haidt titled Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid. In the piece, Haidta social psychologist at the New York University Stern School of Business and the coauthor of a book called The Coddling of the American Mindargued that social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have constructed a modern-day Tower of Babel. The societal chaos that these kinds of services have unleashed, Haidt wrote, has dissolved the mortar of trust, belief in institutions, and shared stories that had held a large and diverse secular democracy together. (The arguments made in the piece were similar to an earlier Atlantic essay, by Haidt and Tobias Rose-Stockwell, about the dark psychology of social networks, which, they argue, have created a world in which networks of partisans co-create worldviews that can become more and more extreme, disinformation campaigns flourish [and] violent ideologies lure recruits.) Haidts essay was the latest in a long line of research papers and articles on the ills of social media, and pushed the idea that, through their recommendation and targeting algorithms, services such as Facebook and Twitter have fractured, polarized, and enraged Americans. Concepts such as the filter bubble, the echo chamber, and the idea that social networks can radicalize otherwise normal usersby turning them into right-wing conspiracy theorists, for instancehave become commonplace. Something went terribly wrong, very suddenly, when services such as Facebook and Twitter became widespread, Haidt argued in his most recent essay. We are disoriented, unable to speak the same language or recognize the same truth. We are cut off from one another and from the past. The newly tweaked platforms were almost perfectly designed to bring out our most moralistic and least reflective selves. The volume of outrage was shocking. As familiar as some of Haidts arguments about social media were, his essay did introduce something relatively new to the field. After some criticism of his conclusions, and some of the research he relied on for his piece, Haidt and Chris Baila professor of sociology and public policy at Duke University, where he directs the Polarization Labmade public a collaborative Google document they had created called Social Media and Political Dysfunction: A Collaborative Review. The idea behind it, Haidt and Bail explained in a preface, was to collect research that might help to shed light on whether social media is a major contributor to the rise of political dysfunction seen in the USA and some other democracies. ICYMI: The limits of Bidens power to cut through in the media Taken as a whole, what Haidt and Bails document suggests is that there is a lot less scientific consensus on the positive or negative impacts of social media than many people might think. In a section of the document concerning the question of whether social media makes people more polarized, for example, eleven studies suggest the answer is yes, and fourteen studies either suggest it is no or were inconclusive. In a section about whether social media creates echo chambers, ten studies suggest the answer is yes, and twenty-five either suggest the answer is no or were inconclusive. One overview of research into the existence of echo chambers and filter bubbles on social media in Europe notes that studies of news use on social media have failed to find evidence of echo chambers and/or filter bubbles [and] some studies even find evidence that it increases the likelihood of exposure to opposing views. As a New Yorker piece by Gideon Lewis-Kraus points out, Haidt and Bails document suggests that, when it comes to social media, theres a general sense that its bad for societywhich may be right. But studies offer surprisingly few easy answers. Haidt told the magazine he liked the idea of collecting research in a Google document even if it didnt support his thesis, saying, I decided that if I was going to be writing about this, Id better be confident Im right. I cant just go off my feelings and my readings of the biased literature. We all suffer from confirmation bias. Bail said that his conclusions about social medias impact on society are somewhat different from Haidts. Yes, the platforms play a role, he told The New Yorker, but we are greatly exaggerating what its possible for them to do, and were profoundly underestimating the human element. For example, the idea of a political echo chamber has been massively overstated, he said. Maybe its three to five per cent of people who are properly in an echo chamber. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Some social researchers believe the same is true of the idea that algorithmic rabbit holes radicalize social media users and turn them into conspiracy theorists. The New Yorker reported that Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth, found in a new working paper that almost all extremist content is consumed by subscribers to the relevant channelsa sign of actual demand rather than manipulation or preference falsification. The most credible research in the field is way out of line with the takes, Nyhan told the magazine. For example, research into the role of social media in the spread of extremist content and misinformation, Nyhan said, finds that the people consuming this content are small minorities who have extreme views already. If nothing else, the research outlined in the Haidt/Bail document suggests that at least some fearmongering theories about the evils of social media ought to be taken with a grain of salt. Heres more on social media and society: Its the data : Researchers note that any discussion of social medias impact on society is constrained by a lack of available data from social media services and platforms. The lack of good data is a huge problem insofar as it lets people project their own fears into this area, Nyhan told The New Yorker . Over the past several years, Facebook has repeatedly promised to provide researchers with data from its network, and even set up a highly touted partnership called Social Science One to do so, but has failed so far to come up with much usable data. Nathaniel Persily, a law professor at Stanford who cofounded Social Science One and later quit in frustration, said he thinks proposed legislation called the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act may help. Its the media : One of the books cited by Haidt and Bail is Network Propaganda: Manipulation, Disinformation, and Radicalization in American Politics , written by Yochai Benkler, a professor at Harvard Law School, along with Robert Faris, a researcher at Harvards Shorenstein Center, and Hal Roberts, a fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. Haidt and Bail say the book argues that the current problems of media and democracy are not the result of Russian interference, behavioral microtargeting and algorithms on social media, political clickbait, hackers, sockpuppets, or trolls, but of asymmetric media structures decades in the making. Its television : Micah Sifry, cofounder of New Yorks nonprofit Civic Hall project, argued in a response to Haidts piece in The Atlantic that his focus on social media as the source of societys problems doesnt hold up. For one thing, Sifry argues, Facebook and Twitter are not dominating everyones attention. Of the 5.5 hours Americans spent on all forms of leisure per day in 2020, the average American spent 3 hours a day watching TV, compared to 36 minutes on their computers playing games and about 32 minutes socializing and communicating with others, Sifry says, quoting the American Bureau of Labor Statistics. Maybe, just maybe, Americas powerful institutions were rotten well before social media eliminated the gate-keepers that kept us in one mass audience consuming the same content, fed myths about our nations founding and destiny, and told lies about how it functioned at home and abroad. Its evil: According to a Bloomberg report, eight complaints filed in courthouses across the US over the last week allege that excessive exposure to platforms including Facebook and Instagram has led to attempted or actual suicides, eating disorders and sleeplessness, among other issues. One of the lawsuits, Bloomberg writes, was filed by Naomi Charles, a twenty-two-year-old woman who says she started using Meta platforms when she was a minor, and attributes a range of suffering, including a suicide attempt, to her relationship with the platform. Charless lawsuit, filed in Miami federal court, alleges that Meta misrepresented the safety, utility, and non-addictive properties of their products. Other notable stories: David Folkenflik of NPR interviewed Joe Kahn , who will succeed Dean Baquet as executive editor of the New York Times on June 14. Among other things, they spoke about the Times approach to Twitter. It had begun to occupy a little bit too much of a share of mind of some of the people in our newsroom, Kahn said. They might have felt like they actually were under a bit of pressure to define themselves and be participants in the Twitter ecosystem. Wallowing too much in that feedback sometimes could distort your sense of what the wider audience out there was thinking. Twitters board plans to comply with Elon Musks demands for internal data by offering access to its full firehose, a massive stream of data made up of over 500 million tweets a day, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal that was based on an interview with an anonymous source. Musk made a $45 billion takeover offer for Twitter in April , but has since complained that the companys estimate of the number of accounts that are spam or bots is inaccurate , and, as a result, put his acquisition on hold . A Vanity Fair article on the Washington Post argues that a flurry of Twitter flare-ups and Slack spats involving Post journalists, along with a controversial suspension, have upended the newsroom and are presenting a major test for executive editor Sally Buzbee, who urged staff Tuesday to be constructive and collegial. Archivists and librarians at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the countrys public broadcaster, are in shock after management unveiled plans to abolish 58 positions and make journalists research and archive their own stories, The Guardian reported . Sources told the newspaper that there are a further 17 contract positions in the archive department that will be abolished. The Gannett newspaper chain has decided that the time for a traditional editorial page has come and gone, writes Rick Edmonds , business columnist for Poynter, who reports that the company is cutting back opinion pages to a few days a week while refocusing what opinion is still published to community dialogue. A chain executive told the Poynter columnist that reader surveys showed that readers do not want to be lectured at or told what to think, and routine editorials, point-of-view syndicated columns and many commissioned guest essays consistently turn up as the most poorly read articles online. The News Movement, a social-media-first news startup based in the UK and founded by Kamal Ahmed, the former editorial director of BBC News, has almost doubled the size of its editorial staff, to sixteen, Press Gazette reports . Ahmed said that the new hires will create original investigative work, and that the venture hopes to announce some US hires soon. The News Movement began publishing in beta in November last year and Ahmed cautiously predicted that the business might be able to launch fully in the autumn, according to the Press Gazette report. According to a report in Variety , Chris Licht, the CEO of CNN, informed staffers in a memo that Alex MacCallum, interim chief of CNNs digital operations, plans to leave the company at the end of this month; Wendy Brundige, senior vice president of global digital video, will take over that role. Variety notes that MacCallum had been general manager of CNN+, which launched just weeks prior to the merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia and shut down not long after the companies merged. Variety adds that Robyn Peterson, CNN Digitals chief technology officer, will also leave the company. ICYMI: The Depp-Heard trial and the many factors that shape free speech Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. Kens Foods says it spared its insurer a potential $10 million pollution claim by spending more than $2 million on mitigation costs. It wants that money back. Steadfast Insurance Co. refuses to pay, saying that the policy it issued to Kens doesnt cover monies spent to avert disaster. Does the insurer have a common law duty to step up? A panel of the First Circuit Court of Appeal said in a decision Tuesday that no Massachusetts state court has ruled on that question, so it sent a certified question to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to resolve the dispute. As is evident, there are policy rationales for and against recognizing a duty on insurers to cover prevention costs, and we see no overwhelming clue as to which tack the SJC would take if confronted with this question directly, the panel said. Kens Foods is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts but it manufactures salad dressings, sauces and marinades at plants throughout the United States. In December 2018, a wastewater plant at its facility in McDonough, Georgia malfunctioned and began discharging into a stormwater pond and then into waterways owned by the state. Kens had paid $79,979 for an environmental coverage policy from Steadfast with a $10 million limit for each event and a $25,000 deductible. But shutting down the plant would have costed the company a minimum of $9.6 million in profits each month, according to court filings. After the Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued a notice of violation for the unpermitted discharge, Kens negotiated a consent order that called for a $30,500 fine. But that was just the start of it. The company also brought a temporary wastewater treatment plant to the site and trucked some of the wastewater to other treatment facilities. Kens negotiated an allowance with Henry County officials to accept pre-treated wastewater that otherwise would have exceeded acceptable levels of pollutants. Kens asked Steadfast to reimburse it for those costs. The insurer paid approximately $882,000 for expenses that were related to cleaning up the discharged pollutants, but refused to pay wastewater treatment costs and other expenses that it said were not covered by its policy. Kens filed suit, seeking $2.9 million in costs and treble damages because of Steadfasts alleged bad faith refusal to pay the claim. Steadfast filed a countersuit. US District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin denied Kens motion for summary judgment and granted summary judgment in favor of Steadfast. Sorokin said he found only one court decision that addressed Kens assertion that an insurer has a common law duty to reimburse policyholders for mitigation costs that reduce the scale of a potential claim, and it was an unpersuasive decision by a federal court judge. Kens appealed. The 1st Circuit found the same dearth of case law. A popular treatise, Couch on Insurance, says that the common law duty that insureds have to mitigate any loss brings a corresponding common law duty on insurers to compensate policyholders for those costs. But another treatise, Windts Insurance Claims and Disputes, states that there are two sides to the issue and lists cases that have gone both ways. The appellate panel said it was reluctant to send a certified question to the Supreme Judicial Court because that effectively gives Kens two bites at the cherry. After losing at the trial court, it now has an opportunity to try its argument out in the state court system. Kens did not ask for a certified question by the high court until after it lost its motion for summary judgment. As Steadfast aptly described, Kens Foods in essence treated the district court as a no-lose trial run, in which it could have accepted a favorable result, while leaving open its ability to claim that a different court should have decided the issue now that it lost. The panel said it will retain jurisdiction after hearing from the Supreme Judicial Court and anticipates that all costs will be taxed to Kens Foods. But the panel said the question is important enough to merit the high courts attention. Nothing else resolves our uncertainty on Massachusetts law as it bears on the issue before us, the opinion says. Tesla Inc TSLA.O cannot pause a California civil rights agencys lawsuit alleging widespread race discrimination at an assembly plant while the electric carmaker separately challenges the agencys ability to sue employers, a judge ruled on Wednesday. California Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo in Oakland said during a hearing that Tesla could pursue its claim that the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing failed to meet various requirements before suing the company in February, but that staying the lawsuit would be inappropriate. Teslas lawyers had argued that the case should be put on hold so the department could give the company an opportunity to settle the claims outside of court, but Grillo said he lacked the power to do that. We cannot typically order an agency to exercise its discretion in a particular way, the judge said. Thats kind of a big no-no. The judges decision was expected after Grillo in a written order on Tuesday said he was leaning toward allowing the case to proceed. Tesla and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Department of Fair Employment and Housing also did not respond to a request for comment. DFEH in the lawsuit claims Teslas flagship Fremont, California, plant was racially segregated and Black workers were harassed and discriminated against in terms of job assignments, discipline and pay. Tesla has denied wrongdoing and said the lawsuit was politically motivated. The company on Tuesday filed a complaint with Californias Office of Administrative Law claiming DFEH routinely flouts requirements it must meet under state law before suing employers for discrimination. At Wednesdays hearing, Grillo said Tesla could still prevail on its claims that DFEH violated state law. But the judge said he would not determine that before taking up Teslas pending motion to dismiss the case, which is the subject of a hearing scheduled for August. The lawsuit is one of several pending in California courts that accuse Tesla of tolerating discrimination and sexual harassment at its factories. A state judge in April reduced a $137 million jury verdict to $15 million in a Black workers lawsuit claiming he was subjected to severe racial harassment at the Fremont plant. The judge on Tuesday denied the workers motion for permission to appeal the damages. Tesla faces a class action suit that makes similar claims of racial bias and at least seven sexual harassment lawsuits by female employees. Tesla has denied the claims and says it has policies in place to deter and punish workplace misconduct. AMHERST, N.Y. (AP) Police are investigating a fire at an anti-abortion center in a Buffalo suburb early Tuesday as a likely arson one the centers operators suspect is the work of womens rights extremists. The fire was reported at about 3 a.m. and left the building temporarily unusable, CompassCare Chief Executive Jim Harden said. Essentially, they firebombed the operation, Harden said. They broke the two main windows in the reception area and the nurses office and lit the fires. The Amherst police news release announcing the investigation did not include a suspected motive. The FBI declined to comment on whether it was involved in the arson investigation. On its website, the center said it and others like it have faced online and in-person threats in recent weeks following the leak of a draft opinion that suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. Last month, the office of a prominent Wisconson anti-abortion lobby group was damaged by fire after two Molotov cocktails were thrown at it. Police said an anti-abortion organization in Salem, Oregon, also recently was damaged by two Molotov cocktails during an unsuccessful break-in attempt. Harden said CompassCare provides free health care to women and encourages them to seek alternatives to abortion. The Buffalo office serves about 20 patients each week, he said. Services will resume Wednesday at an undisclosed location, he said. The Rochester-based organization has increased security at its Rochester and Albany locations and plans to install armored glass in the Buffalo office. At a news conference, Harden said the vandals who set the fire wrote Jane was here on the building. This is the face of abortion, he said. Theyre revealing it to us. The fire took place in the same Buffalo suburb where Dr. Barnett Slepian was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist in 1998. That killing followed a period in which Buffalo was ground zero in the nations anti-abortion movement, with protesters converging on the city from around the U.S. in an attempt to close clinics down. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last month the state would give abortion providers $35 million to expand services and boost security in anticipation of the Supreme Court decision. Besides Slepian, at least 10 other people have been slain across the U.S. by anti-abortion zealots since 1993 in attacks on clinics and health care providers. Harden said the fire shows that groups opposed to abortion deserve security help, too. We havent gotten a single dime for security, Harden said. In an emailed statement, Hochuls office said the governor condemns violence of any kind, and the State Police stand ready to assist local authorities with the investigation. About the photo: Paul King cleans up broken glass after an early morning firebombing at the CompassCare facility, an anti-abortion center in Amherst, N.Y., on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Mark Mulville/The Buffalo News via AP) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Chinese FM, Uzbek acting FM hold talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation Xinhua) 09:36, June 09, 2022 NUR-SULTAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- China and Uzbekistan will continue to boost cooperation in various areas in the future, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday while meeting with Uzbek Acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have established a high-level mutual trust and a profound friendship, providing important strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations, Wang said. China is ready to take the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership with Uzbekistan to strengthen the alignment of development strategies, increase mutual understanding and support, deepen exchanges on governance experience, and jointly push bilateral relations to higher levels, he said. China-Uzbekistan cooperation in various fields is progressing smoothly, and in the first quarter of this year, bilateral trade volume has grown substantially, showing a broad potential, Wang said, adding China welcomes more marketable Uzbek products to enter the Chinese market and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Uzbekistan, so as to help Uzbekistan accelerate industrialization and enhance its capacity for independent development. The two sides should well implement the five-year plan for inter-governmental economic, trade and investment cooperation, give full play to the role of the investment cooperation working group, and select a number of major cooperation projects of strategic significance, Wang said, noting that both sides should strengthen cooperation in traditional energy, jointly ensure the safe and stable operation of the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, and expand cooperation in civilian nuclear, solar, wind and other new energy sources. For his part, Norov said that this year is of great significance for Uzbekistan-China relations, and that thanks to the profound friendship and guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have reached an unprecedented high level. Uzbekistan cherishes the friendship between the two countries, and will firmly adhere to the one-China policy, strengthen the Belt and Road cooperation, advance win-win cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and investment, energy production capacity and green agriculture, and set a good example for state-to-state relations, he said. The two sides agreed to improve connectivity, facilitate customs clearance, strengthen cooperation on road-rail combined transport, and explore ways to speed up the diversified construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and other transport corridors. Both sides agreed to implement the memorandum of cooperation on poverty reduction and share development experience, and to promote all-round vaccine cooperation, support the establishment of a regional vaccine research and development center in Uzbekistan, and deepen cooperation on traditional Chinese medicine and telemedicine. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cultural, tourism and local-level cooperation, to step up the joint construction of the China-Central Asia Agricultural Cooperation Center, and to deepen cooperation in such areas as combating the "three evil forces," counter-terrorism, defense and cybersecurity. Both sides highly evaluated the role of China + Central Asia (C+C5) cooperation mechanism. Norov said he appreciates China's important and constructive role in regional cooperation, adding that the development and revitalization of Central Asia is closely related to China, and that Uzbekistan will actively participate in and push for positive outcomes of the third foreign ministers' meeting. The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Wang expressed support for Uzbekistan in successfully hosting the SCO summit in the city of Samarkand. Both sides also exchanged views on the Afghan issue. Norov spoke highly of China's important role in Afghanistan's reconstruction, and expressed willingness to work with China to promote peace, stability and peaceful development in Afghanistan. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) Colorado is planning a program to further incentivize residents to replace their grass lawns with landscaping that needs less water to maintain. Signed into law on Wednesday, House Bill 1151 requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board to develop a statewide financial incentive program to inspire voluntary turf replacement for homeowners, local governments and nonprofits. Water is the most precious resource we have, said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, who sponsored the bill. This new bipartisan law is a win-win: it will save Coloradans money on their water bills and reduce water use in the metro areas, all while promoting the innovative landscaping industry. Along Colorados Front Range, outdoor water use accounts for nearly 55% of the residential water use, the majority used on lawns, Colorado State University estimates. In Denver alone, residents use up to 120 million gallons per day to water lawns, according to 2019 reports. The Colorado River Basin which provides water to Colorado and six other states has experienced the driest 22 years on record. The new law will allocate $2 million to finance the Turf Replacement Fund, which could include expanding statewide existing city programs that pay between $1 and $3 per square foot of grass that is removed. The specific incentive program must be developed before July 1, 2023. Under the bill, water-wise landscaping includes replacement turf and drought-tolerant plants that require less water to grow. Roberts said the bill is especially targeting non-native grasses used for private and commercial lawns, school fields and other ornamental outdoor spaces, such as road medians. Lawmakers passed the bipartisan-sponsored bill with broad support, receiving 30-5 approval from the Senate and 55-10 approval from the House. Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Last week, Elon Musk said in a leaked email to Tesla executives that Tesla workers need to stop working from home and spend at least 40 hours per week in the office. "If you don't show up, we will assume you have resigned," Musk wrote. When challenged on Twitter about the email, he replied: "They should pretend to work somewhere else." The decree felt shockingly out of touch with what we've learned over the last two years about remote work and the employees who now insist upon it. A few days later, he announced that Tesla needed to cut staff by 10% (around 10,000 employees). Coincidence? I think not. It turns out Musk wasn't delusional. Instead, he was trying to shed employees on purpose. Why Musk's remote-work attitudes are dishonest and wrong Musk said on Twitter that working from home is "pretend" work. He's being dishonest. He doesn't really believe that. Tesla's corporate culture is driven by employees working way more than 40 hours a week. In fact, the company's success and dominance in the electric car market depend on employees working 60 or 70 hours a week. (Musk himself claims to work between 80 and 90 hours per week.) And yet Musk intends to mandate just 40 hours per week in the office. Anything beyond that is just "pretend" work? If Musk really believed working from home is just pretend work, he would have mandated that all 60 or 70 hours take place in the office. No. Musk knows employees who work 40 hours in the office and the rest at home are being very productive working remotely. In fact, by now, everybody should know that. According to new data from Stanford University professor Nicholas Bloom, work-from-home employees are more productive now than they were at the start of the pandemic. (That conclusion is from self-reported data and objective measures of productivity.) It turns out that employees adapt behaviorally and psychologically to remote work. And companies adapt their management systems, technologies, and workflow systems to follow suit. An additional factor, according to Bloom, is that we're no longer under the oppression of lockdown employees are re-engaging with their social support systems daycare, school, friends, and all the rest. Remote workers are happier, too, according to the mental health research website Tracking Happiness. That means they're more devoted to the company's objectives, less likely to quit, and more productive. Why Musk will change his tune I'm predicting that Musk will soften his mandate when he sees who quits and where those valuable employees go for their new jobs. Every major Silicon Valley company that laid down in-office edicts has changed its minds. Apple backtracked on a similar requirement it had announced that employees would have to work in the office at least three days per week. Employees rebelled, and a major AI leader quit and went to work for rival Google. Google itself recently backed away from such mandates. The Google Maps group told contractors they were required to work in the office full time starting June 6. After they threatened to strike, Google extended the deadline by three months. Musk is a capitalist. So, he should know that the job market is a market. Employees including highly valuable employees that Tesla depends on for its success will quit and go to work for Tesla's competition. While he may think forcing in-office work hours will alleviate Tesla from the burden of layoffs, a blanket mandate takes away control over how many employees leave and which ones actually walk out the door. In general, I expect the company's most valuable employees to get the best offers from the competition and will be the first to depart. Elon Musk is a lot of things a Twitter troll, hip-shooter, and renegade but he's not stupid. So he'll change his mind on the mandate. Gsmeye.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 28 May 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the gsmeye homepage on Delicious. 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Basic Information PAGE TITLE GsmEye - Most popular GSM Forum in world DESCRIPTION GsmEye - Mobile Free Flash Files, Hardware, Software & unlock Solutions Official Support Forum KEYWORDS gsmeye, mobile, unlocking, nokia, flash, update, driver, repair, restore, iPhone, samsung, sonyericsson, keypad, mp4, hardware, unlock, bb5, dct4, dct4+, free, crack, worldwide, motorola, lg, gsmforum, mobile, india, usa, pakistan, network, problem, progr OTHER KEYWORDS products, phones, hardware, section, hardware repair, flash, files The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English ISO-8859-1English DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache (PHP/5.3.24) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux Type of server and offered services. The language of gsmeye.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for gsmeye.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate FuelCell Energy faces a National Labor Relations Board inquiry, after two workers claimed they were fired on the heels of organizing a labor union drive. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 filed an initial complaint last month with NLRB on behalf of a handful of workers at FuelCells Danbury headquarters who monitor the operation of fuel cells at nearly 100 locations in the United States. IUOE Local 478 filed a follow-up complaint on Monday, in advance of FuelCell CEO Jason Few presiding at the Tuesday opening ceremony for the Nasdaq. As of May, FuelCell reported having about 400 employees total in Danbury, Torrington and other locations, a slight increase from last fall. Fuel cells produce electricity through a chemical process, analogous to a battery but using a continuous supply of hydrogen as a fuel. Connecticut and other states have subsidized the use of fuel cells to chip away at the reliance on natural gas power plants. IUOE Local 478 states a small number of workers began the organization effort in October 2021 after getting small raises the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, against larger raises for Few and other senior executives as reported to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. While Fews FuelCell compensation was ratcheted back in 2021, other executives got big increases a second straight year. This past April, eight workers voted for the union, with four against. IUOE states management fired two workers within a fortnight and pressured another to leave. NLRB had yet to post links to the complaint on its website as of Tuesday afternoon. In a response to a Hearst Connecticut Media query forwarded by an external public relations firm, FuelCell stated it does not comment on employee status for current or former workers. NLRB cases are common in Connecticut, with dozens having been filed to date this year including eight the first week of June. That group included complaints against the Avangrid parent of United Illuminating; the Electric Boat subsidiary of General Dynamics; and Yale-New Haven Hospital. Nationally, less than 500 of the some 14,300 unfair labor practice complaints last year generated an NLRB board order, though more than a third of the rest resulted in settlements. Remaining complaints were either dismissed or withdrawn. FuelCell reached an important settlement late last year on another front a long-running litigation battle with POSCO Energy, a South Korea company that had asserted license rights to FuelCell products. The companies reached a settlement last December that included a stipulation for a Posco subsidiary to purchase 20 to 34 fuel-cell modules at $3 million a pop, but with FuelCell reporting a $24 million payment associated with the settlement that contributed to a $46 million loss for the quarter. Add the new stream of Posco revenue to that derived from operating fuel cells and research contracts, and overall revenue more than doubled to $31.8 million for FuelCells first fiscal quarter ending in January. FuelCell reports second-quarter results on Thursday. We are actively engaged in real conversations about opportunities there, said FuelCell CEO Jason Few, during a March conference call in reference to anticipated fuel cell sales in Asia. They tend to be larger projects. Ken Dixon and Dan Haar contributed to this report. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman PHILADELPHIA (AP) When two teen friends in matching sweatshirts heard gunfire up ahead in a crowd of people on South Street in Philadelphia on Saturday night, each pulled out his own weapon and started firing at random, officials said Thursday. One struck and killed a youth counselor who was out celebrating his 22nd birthday on the unusually warm night, while the other killed a 27-year-old home health aide, authorities said. The teens also struck at least one of the 11 people wounded in the melee, which began at least a block away when a fistfight devolved into an exchange of gunfire that killed a third person, one of the gunman involved in that fight, authorities said. "Sadly, theres nothing new about (when) people hear shots fired, they reach for whatever weapons they have, District Attorney Larry Krasner said Thursday, when the pair of 18-year-old murder suspects were captured in Virginia by U.S. marshals. We have what started out as an unfair fistfight two people attacking one person. In a country where you have some 300 million people and 500 million guns, it went from fists to bullets very, very quickly, Krasner said. Quadir Dukes-Hill, 18, and Nahjee Whittington, who was 17 at the time of the shooting but is now 18, both face murder charges, authorities said. Dukes-Hill is charged in the death of Alexis Quinn, 27, while Whittington is accused in the death of Kristopher Minners, 22. Both suspects are from the Philadelphia area, but were captured late Thursday morning at a home in Richmond without incident, according to Robert Clark, a supervisor with the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force. The teens will be extradited to face charges in Philadelphia in the coming weeks and will not be eligible for bail given the murder charges, Krasner and other officials said at press conferences held Thursday afternoon. Krasner expects to seek to try Whittington as an adult although he was a few days shy of 18 at the time. It was not immediately clear if they had lawyers representing them. The gunfire began a block or two up ahead on South Street a gathering spot for young crowds for a half century, packed with restaurants, bars and stores when three men began fighting and two exchanged gunfire, firing 17 bullets in all. Police believe Gary Jackson, 34, pulled out his weapon first, striking a man who fired back and killed him. That man remains hospitalized in critical condition. Krasner does not intend to charge him, deeming the fatal gunfire self-defense. Both Jackson and the hospitalized man were licensed to carry firearms, the prosecutor said. However, his office did charge a fifth man whom they said fired an illegally made ghost gun into the crowd. They are not yet sure if that gunman struck any of the 11 wounded. Surveillance video of the scene on Saturday showed scores of people milling about on the sidewalks and in the street, before fleeing when the gunfire erupted. Minners was a residential advisor at Girard College, a boarding school for disadvantaged youth which he had attended, while Quinn was a health aide. Guns appear to be falling out of the sky, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said on Tuesday, as she toured the area with Mayor Jim Kenney and spoke to concerned merchants, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. ___ AP staff writer Bruce Shipkowski contributed to this report from Trenton. Follow Maryclaire Dale on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Maryclairedale This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WESTON After more than a year without a grocery store, the town of Weston finally has a new one. Lilys Weston Market opened May 14, and according to proprietors Mark McWhirter, Jay Stasko and DJ Hall, business is booming. It being the only grocery store in the town of Weston, its the hub of the community, Stasko said. People are grateful to be back and bumping into their neighbors. Their commute has cut down drastically, and now theyre buying their dinners one meal at a time. Lilys Weston Market replaced Peters Weston Market, which was the sole grocery store that operated in Weston since 1972 until it closed at the end of January 2021. Though in the same location, Lilys is very different from the interior itself to what is offered. From a design standpoint, Stasko said that they removed everything from the last location. Renovations included removing four layers of floor down to the cement, adding new plumbing underneath the cement, installing new fixtures, putting in a new floor and ceiling, and adding new walk-in freezers. I am thrilled that Lilys has opened and that this grocery store can serve our community, First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor said. I am especially impressed with the teams renovation of the facilities, quality of product and deep roots in the community. The owners are no strangers to the market. Hall worked at Peters for 22 years and Stasko for about 10 years. McWhirter and Stasko met while Stasko worked for a local restaurant, and they have been friends ever since. Stasko said he pulled him out of retirement, deciding to take over the closed business together, alongside Hall. I started in the deli, and now, Im an owner, Hall said. Ive seen kids grow up from four years old to 21 now even longer. And the name change? Staskos teenage daughter is named Lily, though the other proprietors said they each have a connection to someone named Lily. The process of securing Lilys Weston Market began after Peters closed. Stasko said he knew how important this market was to the town of Weston. Its the only grocery store Ive ever wanted, Stasko said. And when I had the opportunity to execute the lease, [it was] a dream come true. Hall also said that the business still has a small-town feel, though the market has expanded. According to McWhirter, Lilys is different than other grocery stores, as it has extensive produce, restaurant-quality food and full-service counters, among other items. All their prepared food is cooked from scratch and by professional chefs. This is a more food-driven business, Stasko said. Weve doubled our size, and prepared grab-and-go foods. Weve eliminated the bakery and added more upscale, gourmet, pre-cooked food for people to take home and heat up. The grab-and-go foods are some of the most popular at Lilys, with some customers coming multiple times per day to get it. McWhirter said that one customer told him, I dont have to turn my oven on until Thanksgiving. And now that the business has been operating for about a month, McWhirter said that he would characterize it as off-the-charts. He also said they have had great business every day since opening, even on their slower days. However, the opening took longer than expected. The proprietors signed the lease around the end of July 2021 but didnt open until nearly a year later. Hall said everything they ordered took months to come in, from convection ovens to automatic doors. Everything they tell you about COVID and shipping is all true, Hall said about the delays. McWhirter said that Weston residents arent the only ones who frequent Lilys, but also residents from Westport and Wilton, as some parts of those towns are closer to their market than other grocery stores. Stasko also said that their market is bringing people to the center of town, which helps support the other businesses there. There had been a hole in the community by not having easy access to groceries and a pharmacy, Nestor said. Now town center is complete with a grocery store, pharmacy, liquor store, restaurant, gym, bank and real estate broker all in residence. Nestor also said she hopes the entire community supports the other small businesses within Weston. Stasko said that owning the business means a lot to him. He graduated from Weston High School and his first job at 16 was working at Peters Weston Market. He also came back as a store manager after college for a few years. Im grateful to come back full-circle to this lovely town, Stasko said. I care a lot about it It really has a community feel and everybody knows each others name. Nestor also commented on the community feel. I love going to Lilys, not just for the prepared food and produce, but also because I get to see so many neighbors and friends there, she said. Its another community hub in our small town. McWhirter said they have had an overwhelming response from customers. Many have thanked them for opening the place again. In the future, they hope to grow their catering business, though theyre already catering about three to five orders per week. They also hope that future generations of their families take over the business. It really is a family business. The three families have joined, Stasko said. Im hoping that the town feels a sense of home when they shop here, McWhirter said. Lilys Weston Market is at 190 Weston Road. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. kayla.mutchler@hearstmediact.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras installed by U.N. inspectors at nuclear sites around the country, widening a dispute over Tehran's program as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Heres a timeline of the major events involving Irans atomic program, which first came to the country under American aspirations of peaceful energy but later found itself the target of Western fears over the Islamic Republics intentions. EARLY DAYS 1957 Under Irans ruling Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Tehran signs a civilian nuclear cooperation arrangement with its ally, the United States. 1967 Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under Americas Atoms for Peace program. 1974 Amid its oil boom, the shah announces plans to build 23 nuclear reactors while also having full control of the nuclear fuel cycle opening the door to being able to build atomic weapons. That rattles U.S. officials, who limit American companies from selling to Iran. The shah lends $1 billion for the construction for the Eurodif enrichment facility in France to be able to purchase 10% of its product. 1975 German firm Kraftwerk Union begins construction of Busher nuclear power plant as part of $4.8 billion deal for four reactors. The shah tells an interviewer: Honestly, I am not really thinking of nuclear arms. But if 20 or 30 ridiculous little countries are going to develop nuclear weapons, then I may have to revise my policies. 1979 The shah, fatally ill, flees Iran amid rising popular protests against him. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Irans nuclear program goes fallow under international pressure. 1980s During its bloody war with Iran, Iraq repeatedly attacks stalled construction at Bushehr nuclear power plant. 1987 Iran makes a deal with Pakistani nuclear scientist and black-marketeer A.Q. Khan for centrifuge designs, which ultimately become the programs workhorse IR-1 units. DIPLOMATIC CONFRONTATIONS August 2002 Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Irans secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. June 2003 Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations. Washington refuses to join. October 2003 Iran suspends uranium enrichment. February 2006 Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations. June 2006 The United States, Russia and China join Britain, France and Germany to form the P5+1 group of world powers trying to persuade Iran to curb its nuclear program. The U.S., however, stays away from negotiations. December 2006 The U.N. Security Council imposes the first set of sanctions on Iran, banning the sale of sensitive nuclear technology. Five more Security Council resolutions follow by 2010, tightening sanctions on the Islamic Republic. November 2007 The number of uranium-enriching centrifuges assembled by Iran reaches about 3,000 and its stockpile of low-enriched uranium grows, increasing fears among nuclear nonproliferation experts. July 2008 Under President George W. Bush, the United States joins the nuclear talks for the first time. June 2009 Irans disputed presidential election sees hard-liner Ahmadinejad re-elected despite fraud allegations, sparking Green Movement protests and violent government crackdown. September 2009 Western leaders reveal Irans covert construction of its Fordo enrichment facility, built under a mountain to protect it from possible airstrikes. October 2009 Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. and Iran open a secret backchannel for messages in the sultanate of Oman. February 2010 Iran begins enriching uranium to near 20%, a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. May 2010 Brazil and Turkey announce their own nuclear deal with Iran, but the arrangement quickly falls apart. January 2011 Negotiations between Iran and the six world powers break off for what becomes a 15-month hiatus. May 2011 After Russian assistance, Irans Bushehr nuclear power plant begins operations. November 2011 The IAEA says Iran had a structured military nuclear weapons program that ended in 2003. Iran denies that, though Western governments including the U.S. also say it. January 2012 The IAEA says Iran is enriching to 20% at Fordo. The European Union freezes the assets of Irans Central Bank and halts Iranian oil imports. April 2012 Public negotiations restart between Iran and the six world powers but go nowhere. July 2012 U.S. and Iranian officials hold face-to-face secret talks in Oman. August 2013 Hassan Rouhani, a relatively moderate cleric and former nuclear negotiator, becomes Irans president. He declares his country ready for serious nuclear talks. September 2013 Rouhani and Obama speak by telephone, the highest-level exchange between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif begin diplomatic exchanges. November 2013 Iran and the six powers announce an interim agreement that temporarily curbs Tehrans nuclear program and unfreezes some Iranian assets. The deal sets the stage for extended negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear accord. April 2015 A framework nuclear deal is announced after months of negotiations, outlining long-term restrictions on Irans nuclear program and the removal of many international sanctions. July 14, 2015 World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement. THE DEAL COLLAPSES January through February 2017 Tensions escalate after President Donald Trumps inauguration. His administration bans Iranians and citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. Iran conducts a ballistic missile test, triggering American threats of reprisals. May 2018 Trump unilaterally withdraws the U.S. from the nuclear agreement, calling it the worst deal ever. He says hell get better terms in new negotiations to stop Irans missile development and support for regional militias. Those talks don't happen. August 2018 The Trump administration re-imposes the first round of sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the nuclear accord, targeting a range of sectors from carpets and pistachios to gold and commercial aircraft. November 2018 The U.S. re-enforces the most onerous sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the deal, targeting Irans vital banking and oil sectors. April 2019 Trump designates Irans Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization, marking the first time the U.S. has blacklisted part of another nations military in this way. May 5, 2019 Citing unspecified Iranian threats, the White House sends the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf in a show of force. May 8, 2019 Iran announces it will begin backing away from the accord, setting a 60-day ultimatum for Europe to compensate for American-led sanctions before it will begin enriching uranium to higher levels. May 13, 2019 Four oil tankers, including two belonging to Saudi Arabia, come under mysterious attack off the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials blame Iran. May 15, 2019 A drone attack strikes a major oil pipeline running across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea. Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim responsibility. Riyadh blames Tehran, which denies involvement. June 13, 2019 Explosions cripple two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. blames Iran for the limpet mine attacks, allegations that Iran denies. June 17, 2019 Trump orders another 1,000 troops to the Middle East, on top of 1,500 dispatched the month before to surveil Iranian activities and protect American forces. June 20, 2019 Irans Revolutionary Guard shoots down a U.S. spy drone in the Strait of Hormuz with a surface-to-air missile. Trump announces that he approved retaliatory military strikes on Iran but pulled back at the last minute. June 25, 2019 Trump imposes new sanctions on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, and his associates. July 1, 2019 Iran announces it has exceeded the nuclear deals curbs on its low-enriched uranium stockpile. July 19, 2019 Irans Revolutionary Guard seizes a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The British military had earlier impounded an Iranian tanker near Gibraltar on suspicion of sanctions violations. Sept. 3, 2019 The U.S. sanctions Irans civilian space agency, alleging the program is cover for testing ballistic missile technology. Sept. 7, 2019 Iran begins spinning advanced centrifuges prohibited under the 2015 deal. Sept. 14, 2019 Drone attacks strike two key oil installations in Saudi Arabia, halving the supply of oil from the worlds largest exporter. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claim responsibility. U.S. and Saudi officials blame Iran, which denies involvement. Nov. 6, 2019 Iran injects uranium gas into centrifuges at its underground Fordo facility. Nov. 15, 2019 A hike in government-set gasoline prices amid a worsening economic crisis sparks a wave of demonstrations across Iran. Security forces launch a brutal crackdown, with over 300 people believed killed. December 2019 A rocket attack on an Iraqi military base kills an American civilian contractor and wounds several troops. American retaliatory airstrikes prompt supporters of Iranian-backed fighters to storm the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad. Jan. 3, 2020 A U.S. drone strike in Baghdad kills Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Irans top general and the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East. Jan. 8, 2020 In retaliation for Soleimanis killing, Iran launches a barrage of missiles at military bases in Iraq that are home to thousands of American and Iraqi troops. More than 100 U.S. service members suffer traumatic brain injuries. As Iran braces for a counterattack, the Revolutionary Guard shoots down a Ukrainian passenger plane shortly after takeoff from Tehrans international airport, reportedly mistaking it for a U.S. cruise missile. All 176 people on board are killed. Iran initially blames mechanical problems for the crash. Jan. 14, 2020 After days of denial, Irans announces it was responsible for shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner, sparking anti-government street protests. April 22, 2020 Irans Revolutionary Guard launches its first satellite into space, revealing what experts describe as a secret military space program. April 23, 2020 Following tense encounters in the vital Strait of Hormuz, including the brief seizure of a Hong-Kong flagged tanker, Trump threatens to shoot down and destroy Iranian gunboats harassing U.S. Navy ships. July 2020 A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on archenemy Israel. October 2020 A decade-long U.N. arms embargo on Iran that banned it from purchasing foreign weapons expires as scheduled under the nuclear deal, despite American objections. November 2020 Joe Biden beats Trump in the U.S. presidential election. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an Iranian scientist named by the West as the leader of Tehran's military nuclear program, is killed in an ambush on the outskirts of Tehran. Iran blames Israel. December 2020 In retaliation for the killing of Fakhrizadeh, Irans parliament approves a bill that would suspend U.N. inspections of its nuclear facilities and require the government to boost uranium enrichment. Jan. 4, 2021 Iran begins enriching uranium up to 20% and seizes a South Korean-flagged tanker near the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Feb. 23, 2021 The IAEA loses access to its surveillance cameras, as well as data from its online enrichment monitors and electronic seals, amid a standoff with Iran. Tehran pledges to hold onto the tapes and give them back when granted sanctions relief. April 6, 2021 Iran and the U.S. begin indirect negotiations in Vienna over how to restore the nuclear deal. April 9, 2021 Iran frees the South Korean-flagged tanker it earlier seized. April 11, 2021 A second attack within a year targets Irans Natanz nuclear site, with suspicion falling on Israel. April 16, 2021 Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60% its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%. June 2, 20121 The largest warship in Iran's navy catches fire and sinks in the Gulf of Oman under mysterious circumstances, a major setback amid confrontations at sea with the West. June 19, 2021 Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wins the presidency in a vote that saw polling places largely deserted despite pleas to support the Islamic Republic at the ballot box. June 23, 2021 An attack targets a centrifuge workshop in the Iranian city of Karaj, also damaging IAEA cameras at the site. July 29, 2021 A fatal drone attack kills two on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman. The U.S. military identifies the drone as Iranian. Tehran denies being involved. Oct. 26, 2021 A cyberattack cripples gas stations across Iran. Dec. 1, 2021 The IAEA says Iran has begun feeding a cascade of 166 advanced IR-6 centrifuges at its underground Fordo facility. Dec. 15, 2021 The IAEA and Iran reach a deal to reinstall cameras damaged at Karaj, although inspectors remain limited on what footage they can access. March 5, 2022 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov links restoring Irans nuclear deal to American sanctions targeting Moscow over its war on Ukraine, further complicating negotiations. March 8, 2022 Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says it launches a new reconnaissance satellite as U.S. intelligence agencies warn Tehran could seek 90% enrichment if negotiations fail. March 12, 2022 Nuclear talks in Vienna break off without an agreement due to Russia's demand for guarantees that its ties with Tehran be exempt from Western sanctions over Ukraine. March 13, 2022 Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims responsibility for a ballistic missile attack that strikes near the U.S. Consulate in northern Iraq. May 11, 2022 In a last-ditch diplomatic push, the European Union sends its envoy for the nuclear talks to Tehran, as negotiations hit a deadlock over Irans demand that Washington lift its terrorism designation on the Revolutionary Guard. During the visit, Tehran arrests two French citizens on widely criticized security charges. May 22, 2022 A senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard is shot dead in downtown Tehran by unidentified gunmen on a motorbike, a brazen attack echoing previous targeted slayings blamed on Israel. May 27, 2022 Iran seizes two Greek oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in retaliation for Greeces role in the U.S. seizure of crude oil from an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Mediterranean Sea over sanctions violations. June 8, 2022 IAEA board of governors censures Iran over failing to provide answers on man-made traces of uranium found at three undeclared sites. Iran disconnects two IAEA surveillance cameras. June 9, 2022 Iran begins disconnecting 27 IAEA surveillance cameras at the country's nuclear sites, further blinding inspectors, as it prepares to install more cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz. State police are refusing to release records about a trooper who was issued a suspension for allegedly allowing someone to sniff narcotics off his badge. The department said disclosing the documents would constitute an invasion of privacy and that its complying with a request by the trooper to keep the records secret. Hearst Connecticut Media Group has appealed the denial to the state Freedom of Information Commission for a determination on whether the information should be made public. According to a log containing hundreds of Internal Affairs cases provided by the state police under state Freedom of Information Law, an allegation was made that Trooper Roger Lapointe in 2019 allowed illegal narcotics to be sniffed from his CSP badge. Department investigators later recommended sustaining internal charges against Lapointe in connection with the case. The log summary noted that a photograph of an unknown person seen holding his tri-fold wallet displaying his badge was taken and circulated via text. The department issued Lapointe a two-day suspension from duty over the June 2019 incident, the log showed. When asked for a summary report of the internal investigation into the incident, state police declined to provide the document. The report typically provides detail about a case and the investigators conclusions. The Lapointe report was the only one state police refused to release when Hearst Connecticut Media requested several internal affairs reports. Cynthia Isales, legal director for the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said the denial was based on state law that protects an officers privacy by allowing him to object to release of personnel records. With respect to Lapointe, it is the agencys belief that release of that record would constitute an invasion of privacy, Isales wrote in an email. The trooper was therefore afforded the ability to object pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-214. He did object. We will therefore not release that record. Lapointe did not respond to a request for comment sent to his department email. In its complaint to the FOI commission, Hearst Connecticut Media said the agencys refusal to provide the records constituted a violation of FOI law. The legal exemption the agency cited Conn. Gen. Stat. 1-214 was overturned/nullified by the Connecticut General Assembly's passage of Public Act 20-1 in 2020, the news outlet noted. Since then, the collective bargaining organization/union that represents state police troopers has unsuccessfully challenged this law change in court, Hearst Connecticut Media said. The union's challenges in court have thus far been denied, including an injunction it sought to bar the release of information pending the resolution in court. Therefore, the agency currently has no legal grounds to withhold these records and must produce them immediately, the news outlet said. A hearing over the complaint filed on March 1 has not yet been scheduled by the FOI Commission but Hearst Connecticut Media received a letter acknowledging its complaint. An ombudsman, per commission policy, was assigned to the case to explore a possible settlement. An official at the FOI Commission said he could not comment on pending cases. Lets consider the glass-half-full side of the Great Connecticut Affordable Housing Showdown of 2022. Facing pressure to hit benchmarks for affordable housing, Connecticuts 169 municipalities have each been pausing to consider, define and defend their individual character. There is always value for town leaders to ponder big-picture vision and goals without an election on the line. Its a primary driver of pushback to maintain a stranglehold on local control. Then theres the glass-half-empty side, which was on full display when the calendar flipped to June 1. That happened to be the deadline set a year ago when Connecticut passed a law requiring towns to present proposals for the development of affordable housing. The response to the deadline has been, well, embarrassing for Connecticut. Only 81 municipalities managed to submit plans to the state by June 1. It wasnt only affluent towns such as Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan and Westport that failed. Cities, including Norwalk, Bridgeport, Hartford and Waterbury, missed the deadline as well. These municipalities are supposed to reveal when they would eventually meet their obligation. About 18 did report being on track to filing soon. Developing affordable housing plans is not easy. We suspect many towns will come through. But we also know Connecticut well enough to suspect some towns likely have no plans to ever cooperate. The problem with local control is that our towns always had it. They just didnt do much to advance affordable housing. This law didnt really change anything. Towns were already supposed to provide updates on housing plans every five years or so. The only thing thats new is that lawmakers put a deadline on it. Center for Housing Opportunity Director Christie Stewart accurately observed that the legislation has no teeth. It needs more bite, as too many of our towns fail to recognize the benefits of rejecting exclusivity and embracing diversity. The hearings in local town halls have for better or worse brought this difficult discussion into the open. As one resident protesting during a local hearing, a proposal on the table is nothing less than a plan to change Ridgefield. Yes, it is. These are all plans to gradually reimagine Connecticut, one municipality at a time. The controversial Section 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statutes is intended to encourage towns with less than 10 percent of their housing stock defined as affordable to develop more. Only 18 percent of municipalities meet that threshold. Most Connecticut residents could guess which cities and towns are on that exclusive list (Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, etc.). The Land of Steady Habits needs to change many of the ones regarding affordable housing, because they are bad habits. This wont be the only deadline, as towns will get to do this all over again in five years. By then, it should sink in that to get some towns to recognize affordable housing in the vision of local character, lawmakers need to define consequences. Until then, the glass wont be half-full or half-empty for some residents. It will just remain empty. DENVER (AP) Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold on Thursday appointed an official to monitor this month's primary election in a county where the clerk made copies of voting system hard drives and also named advisers to help in another county where the clerk is being prosecuted for allegedly providing unauthorized access to voting equipment. Elbert County Clerk Dallas Schroeder turned over his copies of the hard drives to Griswold's office after being ordered to by a judge, but an election order naming Christi Coburn as the election supervisor for the June 28 primary states that the investigation into what happens continues and officials do not believe the risk to election security protocols has been resolved. Coburn, described as a professional elections administrator with years of experience, is charged with monitoring all decisions and actions of Schroeder and his staff during the primary election and submitting reports of any instances of substantial noncompliance with election laws and rules. Elbert County will have to pay for the work done by Coburn, the order said. Schroeder's lawyer, John Case, declined to comment, saying he had not been able to talk to him yet about the announcement. Meanwhile, Griswold, a Democrat, appointed former Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams and former Mesa County clerk Sheila Reiner, now the county's treasurer, both Republicans, to serve as advisors for the primary election in Mesa County. Last month, Judge Valerie Robison barred Clerk Tina Peters from overseeing this year's elections there at Griswold's request after finding that Peters and her deputy failed to follow orders of the secretary of state and election law, neglected their duties by failing to take steps to protect confidential information, and lied. She appointed the county's election director, Brandi Bantz, to oversee this years elections instead. Williams and Reiner will advise Bantz as needed," Griswold said. They all worked together last year after Williams was appointed to step in and oversee Mesa County elections instead of Peters. Peters is being prosecuted for allegedly providing unauthorized access to voting equipment, a breach that led to a public release of sensitive information. She has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated. Peters has become a hero to election conspiracy theorists following the lead of former President Donald Trump and is running for the GOP nomination for secretary of state. The secretary of state's office has not taken any action at this point to try to block Schroeder from overseeing elections in Elbert County, Griswold spokesperson Annie Orloff said, noting that the office is still reviewing the copies of the hard drives. Officials have previously been appointed by the secretary of state's office to monitor elections, most recently in 2020 when Griswold asked Eagle County Treasurer Teak Simonton to monitor the election in Mesa County when Peters was in charge. The Daily Sentinel reported that Simonton was appointed after 574 uncounted ballots from the 2019 election were found in a drop-off box during the presidential primary election in February 2020. Election supervisors were also previously appointed in Teller and Alamosa counties, Orloff said. Elizabeth Gilberg recently picked up a few new skills. At 50, she's learned to knit and is relearning how to quilt. She took lessons in cross-country skiing and tried her hand at beekeeping. Bike riding didn't go so well, but she's game to keep trying. Like many women whose children have grown, Gilberg, a mother of four, now has more time for herself. The difference is, she wasn't sure she'd live this long. "I'm so grateful that I'm still here to have all of this joy every day," she said. "I never thought I'd see my kids graduate high school." Two weeks after giving birth to Grace, her second daughter and fourth child, Gilberg woke up with a terrible headache. That morning in early November, she dropped off her other three children, ages 3 to 7, at their schools. She called her then-husband, who had just set up practice as a family doctor in their new hometown of Columbia Falls, Montana, to tell him about the headache. That's all she remembers. After a few minutes of not being able to reach Gilberg, her husband went home to check on her. He found the car and house doors open. Gilberg, then 32, was sitting on the floor holding Grace in her right arm. Her left arm hung loose. She was speaking slowly, slurring her words. He recognized the symptoms of stroke and called 911. Doctors found that Gilberg had experienced two strokes, one on each side of her brain. Blood flowing out of her brain had backed up, causing clots in the main vein to her brain. The condition is called dural sinus thrombosis. Usually, the cause is related to an increased tendency to clot, which can occur with pregnancy. She was flown to a hospital in Portland, Oregon, for a then-experimental procedure. Clot-busting medication was delivered directly to the clots via a scope through her groin. It worked. Still, the stroke caused damage. Gilberg initially was paralyzed on her left side and had vision problems. For two months, she also was delusional and paranoid. She didn't remember giving birth. She stayed in the hospital for two months, relearning how to walk, talk, eat and read. Her parents and younger sister took turns staying with her, while her in-laws helped take care of the four children. Townspeople cooked and delivered meals for several months. Gilberg went home in time for Christmas but still faced several more months of outpatient rehab. Finally, after more than six months, she was able to return to driving and being a mother and wife. However, things had changed. Her executive functioning skills such as planning, working memory, time management and flexible thinking had deteriorated. Folks in Columbia Falls gave her the help she needed. If she couldn't find her car in a parking lot, store employees would help. If there was an early-release day at school, someone in the office would call ahead to remind her. In the case of dental appointments, the receptionist would always call 20 minutes ahead of any appointment so it wouldn't slip through the cracks. "Just yesterday, I got a reminder about a form I was supposed to fill out to help with my daughter's senior party," she said. "I'm down to volunteer for everything, but I need help figuring out the logistics of it all." Gilberg, who remarried in 2016, jokes that it's fortunate her husband, Michael, is an accountant. "I really can't add or subtract," she said. For a recent trip to Germany with her elder daughter, Gilberg who majored in German in college and speaks the language relied on German friends to plan the trip. "There is no shame in saying, 'I can't do this alone,'" Gilberg said. "I think that's one of the things that's allowed me to come as far as I have. Also, I have hugely simplified what I can deal with and handle at a certain time." She also reaches out to others who need help, especially stroke survivors. "If I could have seen someone my age who got better, that would have helped my recovery," she said. "I've been to where I can't talk and I can't feed myself, so to see where I am now, maybe that can give someone hope." Victoria Rutherford, Gilberg's younger sister, left her teaching job for half a year to help after the stroke. "I didn't think she would be where she is now," Rutherford said. "She just continues to improve. She's also a much deeper human and relates to people who struggle on a much deeper level." After nearly 20 years, Gilberg will soon leave Columbia Falls. As difficult as it is for her to leave her friends and supportive community, the move is best for her health. Several years ago, Gilberg was diagnosed with lupus, a disease of the immune system that can be associated with a high chance of blood clots. Warmer weather in Utah will lessen flare-ups. "It's hard to imagine a better place to have lived in through all this," she said. "But I have a wonderful partner and some brain space to continue to expand what I've got going on here. I feel so much excitement for my life and the future." Stories From the Heart chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates. If you have questions or comments about this American Heart Association News story, please email editor@heart.org. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News. Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Associations Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service. HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Gunfire struck a school bus in Arkansas' capital Wednesday morning that was transporting a student home, but no one was injured in the incident. Little Rock Police said they did not believe the bus was being targeted when its door was shot. No arrests or suspects in the shooting were announced by late Wednesday afternoon. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT The police lieutenant who oversees the handful of officers assigned the citys public schools this week called for that program to get a boost in manpower. At the end of the day I think we do need more SROs (school resource officers) in Bridgeport, Lt. Paul Grech told members of the City Councils education committee during a teleconference Wednesday. If a school calls 9-1-1, it should be an SRO responding. Following the May 24 mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, Bridgeport Superintendent Michael Testani emailed council members and local state legislators requesting their support to provide the district with more armed officers. He did not cite a specific number or a dollar amount. Due to budget constraints and concerns about their presence having a negative impact in particular on Black and brown students, the number of SROs in Bridgeport has over time been reduced from 14 who spent a lot of time inside the buildings to 4 who generally make visits and respond to calls for assistance. Public schools currently instead have unarmed security. The education committee met Wednesday to begin to debate Testanis request. He was invited but, co-chairman Jorge Cruz told his committee colleagues, had a conflict. So it was Grech who defended what the SROs do and encouraged the members to bolster their ranks. People should model what weve done in Bridgeport all over the country, Grech said, arguing the officers under his command are specially trained and work hard to establish relationships with students and school staff and resolve any issues through mediation and mentoring rather than arrests. No school-based arrests will be made for any juvenile unless a supervisor goes out there, Grech said. And, Grech argued, with or without SROs, school officials routinely place emergency calls for assistance. What would you prefer to have? Officers that have the training and relationships with the schools or a city officer that just goes there and just takes a call? Grech said. But given the focus has been on phasing out the use of the SROs, Testanis bid to reverse that trend faces some strong opposition. As reported last month, two prominent community groups FaithActs for Education and the Greater Bridgeport Branch NAACP in response to the superintendents email said no to having the police more involved with the schools. And during Wednesdays teleconference some education committee members and their council colleagues listening in also voiced reservations and cast doubt on Grechs insistence arrests are the last resort. Maria Pereira, an education committee member who once sat on the school board, said there is no data proving SROs prevent mass shootings, but evidence is they contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. A report released in April 2019 by the Connecticut Voices for Children nonprofit concluded, based on data from the 2015-16 academic year, that SROs did not have an appreciable impact on safety, but their presence may contribute to more students experiencing discipline (and) the average arrest rate of Latino students at schools with an SRO was six times greater than the average arrest rate of Latino students at schools without an SRO. In addition, schools with SROs disciplined students more often for behaviors that were likely not criminal. Schools with SROs reported higher levels of school policy violations, such as skipping class, insubordination, or using profanity, concluded Connecticut Voices for Childrens analysis. Councilman Scott Burns, whose budget committee would eventually have to approve transferring funds to the district for more SROs, admitted Grech has done a good job but added, Im not a fan of having SROs in schools. If were gonna arm-up a building, weve got to think about the consequences. I think if our kids are seeing armed folks walk around ... theyll get use to that and I dont think thats the world we want to get used to, Burns said. And Councilwoman Maria Valle, who worked for 34 years in Bridgeport schools as a teachers aide, secretary, and home school coordinator, said, When a child acts up and its a mental issue or something has happened in the home, the child reacts a certain way, a police officer has been trained to do what, right? Arrest. In contrast Michelle Lyons, an education committee member, voiced support for increasing the amount of SROs in Bridgeport. Lyons recalled being relieved to know a state trooper was assigned as a school resource officer at Platt Technical High School in Milford when her grandson, who she said is Hispanic, attended. No issues. No problems. I felt safe, as a grandmother, Lyons said. Marc Donald, executive director of RYASAP the Bridgeport-based Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership was also invited to attend Wednesdays teleconference. RYASAP is involved in several, teen-focused initiatives, including efforts to divert them from the juvenile court system. And Donald was formerly a principal in New York City. He noted that the majority of mass school shootings do not occur in urban settings and that, while SROs can be helpful if properly trained, Id rather as a principal, as a parent, have an SRO respond to the school from outside than being stationed within the buildings. Two board of education members Albert Benejan and Joseph Sokolovic also participated Wednesday. Sokolovic, one of the few Republican elected officials in Democrat-controlled Bridgeport, praised Grech and his current SROs, but warned, It may not always be the case theres Lt. Grech. He, too, fears re-introducing a greater police presence could result in more Black and brown students getting involved in the criminal justice system. I would love to have more protection for our schools but weve got to avoid the danger of having a police department within our schools, Sokolovic said. Benejan suggested, Lets put the SROs on the side and lets hire more security. The debate over the effectiveness of the officers aside, the other big question hanging over Testanis request is where the city will come up with the money. The superintendent did not attach a specific amount to his request for more SROs, but Pereira on Wednesday recalled it cost about $500,000 for five school resource officers when she was still on the school board a few years ago. Last month the City Council during a fight with Mayor Joe Ganim over amending his proposed 2022-23 municipal budget had wanted to give the public schools an additional $500,000. But that effort fell apart after Ganim blocked an effort to slash a half-million-dollars worth of city jobs held by his political allies. Isolina DeJesus, Bridgeports grants director, advised the education committee Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice offers school violence prevention dollars, but requires municipalities commit 25 percent worth of matching funds. One of the things that always keeps us from being able to apply is we have to find at least 25 percent, DeJesus said. Committee Co-Chairman Jorge Cruz last month backed the superintendents request for more SROs. On Wednesday he said he respects his colleagues concerns but does not want to be in a position of, after a tragedy, lamenting elected officials in Bridgeport had not done more to safeguard students and faculty. What is the alternative to make these schools safe? Cruz said. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A prosecutor said he will announce Thursday whether charges will be filed in the death of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker gave no hints Wednesday, saying only that he would disclose his charging decision at an afternoon news conference in Grand Rapids. NEW HAVEN The sixth, and last, man indicted in a gang-fueled shooting in front of the state courthouse in Bridgeport was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison Wednesday, according to federal prosecutors. U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton sentenced Asante Gaines, 25, of Bridgeport, to 190 months or 15 years and 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery. Gaines was one of six reputed gang members federally charged for their roles in a shooting in front of the state courthouse in Bridgeport in January 2020. About 20 shots were fired at four victims, leaving one victim paralyzed and another with gunshot wounds in the back, shoulder and wrist. Federal prosecutors said that though Gaines did not fire a gun, he planned the daytime attack of rival gang members. Gaines rallied his GHB gang members and O.N.E. allies to help him commit the planned and very public assassinations, Avery wrote in his sentencing memorandum. Gaines pleaded guilty in October and has been detained since Feb. 13, 2020. The indictment also charged two additional men with other gang activity. Gaines was the last to be sentenced. The eight men in the indictment have all pleaded guilty and are serving prison sentences ranging from eight to 40 years. Avery said the prosecution of other individuals involved in gang activity in Bridgeport is ongoing. Gaines, who is also known as Santi, was a reputed member of the Greene Homes Boyz, or GHB/Hotz, gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex. Averys office said Gaines helped GHB/Hotz members and members of an allied gang, the Original North End or O.N.E. gang, plan retaliation shootings of rival gang members. The six men attempted to kill East End gang members and associates in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse, Averys office said. Prosecutors said that the group was waiting for two alleged East End gang members Trevon Wright and Jaheim Warren to exit the courthouse. One car, a gray Subaru Forester that was stolen out of Stamford, was parked across from the courthouses main exit. Meanwhile, Destine Calderon, Gaines and Diome Blackwell were waiting in a blue Volkswagen at the side entrance of the courthouse ensuring no matter what exit the intended victims used, a vehicle was standing ready for the attack, Averys office said in a sentencing memorandum for Calderon. As Wright and Jaheim Warren entered a 2000 Chevrolet Impala, which contained alleged East End associates Khalil Heard and Jaffar Ali, the Subaru pulled up to the victims car, facing it from the opposite direction, and its occupants opened fire on the Impala, court documents state. Heard was shot and wounded in his back, shoulder and wrist. Wright was shot on the side of his chest and remains totally or at least partially paralyzed. Ali was grazed in the head and shot in the left thumb, while Jaheim Warren was grazed in the ribs, according to court documents. DNA evidence showed Marquis Isreal most likely sat in the front passenger seat of the Subaru during the shooting, putting him in the perfect position to inflict the maximum amount of damage to the individuals in the Impala, according to his sentencing memorandum. Averys office said Tyiese Warren was also in the Subaru and opened fire. After the shooting, Gaines and others attempted to destroy the Subaru by setting it on fire in Naugatuck, Averys office added. Averys office said Gaines also participated in gang-related drug trafficking. In October 2021, Gaines pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and one count of attempted murder and aiding and abetting, which is in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering statute, Averys office said. Tyiese Warren was sentenced to 40 years in prison, Marquis Isreal was sentenced to 17 years and both Diome Blackwell and Laheem Jones were each sentenced to 15 years. Destine Calderon was sentenced to more than eight years last month. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) The U.S. Justice Department is opening a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence that the agency has a pattern of looking the other way in the face of beatings of mostly Black men, including the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene. The federal pattern-or-practice probe announced Thursday followed an Associated Press investigation that found Greenes arrest was among at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. Dozens of current and former troopers said the beatings were countenanced by a culture of impunity, nepotism and, in some cases, outright racism. We find significant justification to open this investigation now. ... We received information of the repeated use of excessive force, often against people suspected of minor traffic offenses, who are already handcuffed or are not resisting, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Departments civil rights division. She added there were also reports of troopers targeting Black residents in traffic enforcement and using racial slurs and racially derogatory terms. The federal probe, the first such action against a statewide law enforcement agency in more than two decades, comes more than three years after white troopers were captured on long-withheld body-camera video beating, stunning and dragging Greene on a rural roadside near Monroe. Despite lengthy, ongoing federal and state criminal investigations into a death troopers initially blamed on a car crash, no one has been charged. APs reporting found troopers have made a habit of turning off or muting body cameras during pursuits. When footage is recorded, the agency has routinely refused to release it. And a recently retired supervisor who oversaw a particularly violent clique of troopers told internal investigators last year that it was his common practice to rubber-stamp officers use-of-force reports without ever reviewing body-camera video. In some cases, troopers omitted uses of force such as blows to the head from official reports, and in others troopers sought to justify their actions by claiming suspects were violent, resisting or escaping, all of which were contradicted by video footage. "This systemic misconduct was blessed by top brass at the Louisiana State Police, said Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. She described a culture of violence, terror, and discrimination within the agency, calling Greene's death the tip of the iceberg. Clarke said the civil pattern-or-practice probe is aimed at driving needed reforms, if necessary by suing to implement a federal consent decree. She added that Gov. John Bel Edwards and the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, Lamar Davis, have pledged their cooperation. Davis, in an internal email obtained by AP, told troopers to hold your heads high and embrace the federal scrutiny. We have nothing to hide and can only benefit from learning," he wrote. Edwards issued a statement Thursday welcoming the investigation. It is deeply troubling that allegations of systemic misconduct exist that would warrant this type of investigation, he said, but it is absolutely critical that all Louisianans, especially African-Americans and other people of color, have their faith, confidence and trust in public safety officers restored." Black leaders have been urging the Justice Department for months to launch a broader investigation into potential racial profiling by the overwhelmingly white state police, similar to other probes opened over the past year in Minneapolis, Louisville and Phoenix. By its own tally, 67% of state police uses of force in recent years were against Black people, who make up 33% of the states population. The action comes as Edwards prepares to testify before a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers investigating Greene's death. AP reported last month that the Democratic governor and his lawyers privately watched video showing Greene taking his final breaths during his fatal arrest footage that didn't reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greenes May 10, 2019, death. Federal prosecutors also are still investigating whether police brass obstructed justice to protect troopers in the Greene case and whether they sought to conceal evidence of troopers beating other Black motorists. The head of the state police at the time of Greene's arrest, Kevin Reeves, has denied the death was covered up but current commanders have told lawmakers investigating the states response that it was. The agencys own use-of-force expert called what troopers did to Greene torture and murder. The AP also found that a former trooper implicated in three separate beatings, Jacob Brown, tallied 23 uses of force dating to 2015, 19 of which involved Black people. In one case that resulted in federal charges, Brown was seen on body-camera video beating Aaron Larry Bowman 18 times with a flashlight after deputies pulled him over for a traffic violation in 2019. State police didnt investigate the attack until 536 days later, and only did so after a lawsuit from Bowman, who was left with a gash to the head and a broken jaw, ribs and wrist. Finally!!! Bowmans attorney, Donecia Banks-Miley, said in a text message upon hearing of the pattern-or-practice probe. We still need transparency and accountability to help bring restoration to the pain that continues to occur with LSP and other law enforcement agencies. ___ Bleiberg reported from Uvalde, Texas. ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ LOS ANGELES (AP) A Los Angeles County-run shelter meant to be a safe space for children as they awaited placement in foster homes was for decades a den for sexual predators among the staff and some residents who preyed on children as young as 5, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by dozens of former residents. Some of the more than 30 plaintiffs spoke at a news conference and wept and trembled as they detailed abuse and some victims attempts to escape the halls barbed-wire fences and guarded gates. Among the victims was a 6-year-old boy who in 1990 was molested by a male staffer who locked the boy in a closet as punishment for screaming during the assault, according to the lawsuit. Jonathan Wright, 39, held up the T-shirt he was given when he first went to MacLaren Childrens Center in El Monte as an 8-year-old. He said he was sexually abused by a physician there. To this day, I hate being near doctors, he said, sobbing. Staff members often turned a blind eye to the assaults and misconduct at the facility, where children were routinely placed in solitary confinement, drugged and restrained in chairs, the lawsuit said. (Editors note: This story includes discussion of sexual violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.) The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual assault unless they give their permission. Octavia Evans said she was 12 when she was abused. She summoned the courage to report it to staff and said they took it to their boss who was her abuser. Now 36, Evans addressed any former MacLaren staff members who may have watched the news conference: We were children, and we were trusting you to care for us not hurt us. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages. It's the second to be brought recently against the county in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of foster children at the facility, also known as MacLaren Hall. The victims' attorneys say they have more than 200 clients who claim they were abused at the facility. The lawsuit says that county officials in and out of the hall either knew or should have known of the abuse and failed to act. MacLaren Hall became a dumping-grounds for societys most vulnerable, including minors without parents, or minors whose parents who were unable to care for them, the lawsuit said. Children were frequently removed from abusive homes and placed at MacLaren Hall only to be re-abused. The facility opened in 1961 and was overseen by the countys probation department and then in 1976 was placed under the purview of the county Department of Children and Family Services. More than 20,000 kids passed through the hall before it closed in 2003. A lawsuit was filed in May by eight women and four men, including one who was 5 in 1988 when he says he was assaulted by a male staff member in a bathroom. Children and Family Services issued a statement declining to comment on the lawsuit but said the allegations will be thoroughly examined. Our department has many safeguards in place to protect children in our care and to hold accountable those who violate laws and policies, the statement said. MacLaren was shuttered in 2003 after the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California and other organizations filed class-action lawsuits alleging inhumane treatment by staff and a failure to investigate abuse reports. An ACLU report described conditions as Dickensian, with children who were so neglected it amounted to government sponsored child abuse. Los Angeles County settled the lawsuit with the ACLU and has paid settlements to some victims. MacLaren failed to conduct background checks on staff prior to 2001. Once the checks were implemented, 17 staffers were found to have criminal histories that should have disqualified them from being hired, attorney Adam P. Slater said. It was medieval in the way it was run. ... MacLaren Hall had more in common with a child prison than a safe place for children, Slater said. The plaintiffs were able to file lawsuits because of a California law that took effect in 2020 and suspended for three years the statute of limitations for childhood sex abuse victims to bring cases. The statute of limitations in California for filing certain felony sexual abuse charges runs out when a child victim turns 40. The sheriff's department which polices county facilities and the district attorney's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether law enforcement has initiated any criminal investigations on behalf of MacLaren victims. The victims attorneys say they are not aware of a criminal investigation involving MacLaren since the mid-1980s, when five employees were arrested on suspicion of child molestation and selling drugs to children, according to the lawsuit. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a political conference where hes expected to review state affairs, including a COVID-19 outbreak, and possibly address relations with Washington and Seoul amid his revived nuclear brinkmanship. The plenary meeting of the ruling Workers Partys Central Committee began Wednesday in the capital, Pyongyang, the official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday, and may last several days. The meeting comes amid signs North Korea is preparing for its first nuclear test explosion in nearly five years, which would further escalate a provocative streak in weapons demonstrations this year that has included multiple tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles. KCNA published photos of the meetings participants walking into a party building and said they approved of the agenda that would be discussed, which wasnt specified. State media previously said the meeting would review state affairs and make decisions on a series of important issues. The meeting is likely to address the countrys COVID-19 outbreak. Officials at the World Health Organization said Wednesday they believed the outbreak was worsening and requested more information be shared with the U.N. health agency. South Korean officials and experts have said Kim may address relations with the United States and rival South Korea amid long-stalled diplomacy and double down on his ambitions to build a nuclear arsenal that could threaten U.S. allies and the American homeland. During the party's previous plenary meeting in December, Kim repeated his vow to boost his military nuclear program and order the production of more powerful and sophisticated weapons systems during discussions that lasted a record five days. The North Korean meeting took place as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with her counterparts from South Korea and Japan on Wednesday in Seoul, emphasizing trilateral security cooperation in the face of the accelerating North Korean threat. She warned a swift and forceful response if the North proceeds with a nuclear test but didnt elaborate. Shermans visit to Asia came after North Korea launched a single-day record of eight ballistic missiles into the sea from multiple locations across its territory on Sunday, prompting the U.S. and its Asian allies to respond with tit-for-tat missile launches and aerial demonstrations involving dozens of fighter jets. In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, North Korean envoy Kim Song berated those pushing for strengthened sanctions against the North over its weapons tests. He said his country was exercising its rights to self-defense by modernizing its weapons while facing direct threats by the United States, which is hell bent on reinforcing its military might in the Korean Peninsula and northern Asia. His comments were backed by envoys from China and Russia, who questioned the effectiveness of sanctions in slowing North Koreas nuclear weapons and missile programs. Chinas envoy urged the United States to make significant concessions, such as lifting sanctions in certain areas and halting its joint military exercises with Asian allies that North Korea portrays as invasion rehearsals. Jolting an old pattern of brinkmanship, North Korea has already set an annual record in ballistic launches through the first half of 2022, firing 31 missiles over 18 different launch events, including its first demonstrations of ICBMs since 2017. The unusually fast pace in testing activity underscores Kim Jong Uns dual intent to advance his arsenal and pressure the Biden administration over long-stalled negotiations aimed at leveraging its nukes for badly needed economic benefits and security concessions, experts say. Kim may up the ante soon as U.S. and South Korean officials say North Korea has all but finished preparations to detonate a nuclear device at its testing ground in the northeastern town of Punggye-ri. The site had been inactive since hosting the Norths sixth nuclear test in September 2017, when it claimed to have detonated a thermonuclear bomb designed for its ICBMs. Kim Jun-rak, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring North Korean activities at nuclear-related facilities and sites but didn't make specific predictions about the timing of the possible nuclear test. With a new test, North Korea may claim it has acquired an ability to build a bomb small enough to be clustered on a multiwarhead ICBM or on its widening array of short-range missiles threatening South Korea and Japan, analysts say. Kim Jong Un's pressure campaign hasnt been slowed by the COVID-19 outbreak, despite fears it may be severe in a country that has poor public health care and was largely unvaccinated. GAVI, the nonprofit that runs the U.N.-backed COVAX distribution program for vaccines, believes North Korea has begun administering doses given by its ally China. But the number of doses and how they were being distributed wasn't known. Some experts say North Korea would prioritize inoculating groups based on the country's economic needs, including workers and soldiers involved in trade or major construction projects Kim considers crucial to his rule. North Korea was believed to have shunned COVAX vaccines because they came with monitoring requirements, such as ensuring fair distribution. While the Biden administration has said it would push for additional sanctions if North Korea conducts another nuclear test, the divisions between permanent members of the U.N. Security Council make the prospects for meaningful punitive measures unclear. Russia and China this year vetoed U.S.-sponsored resolutions that would have increased sanctions, insisting Washington should focus on reviving dialogue. Nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea have stalled since 2019 because of disagreements over easing sanctions in exchange for North Korean disarmament steps, which underscored Kims unwillingness to give away an arsenal he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) A man who tried to enter an Alabama elementary school where a summer program was being held was shot to death by police Thursday morning, authorities said. Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a potential intruder went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy program was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were locked and the principal contacted the school resource officer when she realized what was happening, Reddick said. The resource officer confronted a person who attempted to break into a marked Rainbow City police car near the school, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. More officers from the Gadsden Police Department showed up to assist, the statement said. The person was shot to death after resisting and trying to take the resource officer's gun, the agency said. The statement, which didn't mention any attempt to enter the school, didn't say how many shots were fired or by whom. The state identified the dead man as Robert Tyler White, 32, of Bunnlevel, North Carolina. Officials dont know whether the man was a "passerby" or something else, Reddick said. Authorities didnt immediately release details including whether White was armed or why he might have been trying to get into the school or patrol car. While the resource officer suffered minor injuries, no students were hurt and most didn't realize anything unusual had happened, Reddick said. Our primary concern was just making sure that someone who wasn't authorized to be in our building does not enter and our kids are safe, he said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sent a tweet saying school police immediately took action, faculty inside the building followed safety protocols and all children present were kept out of harms way. I commend all involved for acting quickly to protect these children, it said. Gadsden is about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Birmingham. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT A woman was apprehended after a reported shooting and standoff in the citys East Side Thursday morning, according to police. The citys emergency communications center received calls for shots fired in the 600 block of William Street around 10:30 a.m., Scott Appleby, Bridgeports director of emergency management, said in a statement. Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran said early information indicated a woman shot a gun from the third floor window of a multifamily home. The city police SWAT team was called in to assist. A photo of the scene shared on social media showed police in an armored vehicle outside a home. Once officers arrived, they evacuated citizens living in the area, Gilleran said. Crisis negotiators started to talk to the woman, later identified as 21-year-old Nilah Bowie, and determined there were still people inside the home, Gilleran said in a press release Thursday evening. Officers went into the homes first floor and quickly found three, uninjured people. Within a few minutes of going inside, officers placed Bowie, who was hiding in the basement, in custody, according to Gilleran. An ambulance took Bowie to an area hospital for treatment of superficial lacerations before police arrived. Medics checked the well-being of the first-floor tenants, Gilleran said. After being treated, Bowie was taken to the Bridgeport Police Department and charged with risk of injury to a minor, disorderly conduct, first-degree reckless endangerment and interfering with a police officer. Her bond was set at $100,000 and she is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, according to Gilleran. Appleby previously said that the incident was initially believed to be between two parties, and a man fled the area while a woman barricaded herself inside. Police are investigating the incident. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Angel Llanos at 203-581-5238. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 203-576-TIPS (8477). U.S. gun control efforts blocked despite countrys persistent bouts of gun violence 10:02, June 09, 2022 By Xin Yue ( People's Daily Online A shooting that took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the U.S. on June 4 local time killed three people and wounded at least 11. Just three days before this incident, shootings took place in multiple places across the U.S., including one that occurred on a hospital campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which killed at least five people, another at a high school in Los Angeles county, California, and still another happening inside a supermarket in Peterson, Pennsylvania, U.S. media reported. Why did so many shootings take place on U.S. soil during such a short period of time, and why doesnt gun control work in the U.S.? Gun crime incidents have hit a record high in the U.S. after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. As a result of political divisions and ineffective social governance, the gap between the rich and the poor has continued widening, and millions of people have meanwhile lost their jobs and medical insurance. Racism has soared as well, with hate crimes and extreme incidents happening noticeably at greater frequently in the U.S. The impact of gun violence in the U.S. has been greatest on the countrys juveniles. A survey found that the risk of gun violence was 30 percent higher compared with the pre-pandemic period in the U.S. School shootings have taken place frequently and the number of hospitalized children who have been wounded due to gun-related incidents has risen significantly. In 2021, gun violence resulted in 44,750 deaths in the U.S., including 1,533 children and juveniles under the age of 17. On May 24 local time, a shooting took place at an elementary school in southern Texas, killing at least 19 children and two teachers. The shooter was an 18-year-old student. After the Texas shooting incident, at least six people were killed and 32 others were wounded in shootings in Chicago, which included children among its victims. Research data provided by the University of Michigan indicates that gun-related violence has become the leading cause of death for children and juveniles in the U.S., and 75 percent of American juveniles think that gun violence has become a major source of pressure that they are faced with every day. Shoes representing the children killed in school shootings since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 are seen on the lawn in front of the Capitol in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 13, 2018. (Xinhua/Shen Ting) In the face of the tragedies caused by gun violence, a majority of the general public in the U.S. has called on their government to take actions to stop these tragedies from repeating themselves over and over again. However, after the most recent string of mass shootings took place, what U.S. politicians did was to just reflect on the problem of gun violence, taking no concrete action and shifting the blame onto each other. Some 76 percent of Americans see gun violence as "a very big problem" or "a moderately big problem" in the country, according to a Pew Research Center survey carried out in April 2022. A report published by The Hill on May 25, which cited a recent public opinion poll, said that 59 percent of the respondents think that it is very necessary for the U.S. to adopt stricter gun control laws, while 34 percent of the respondents said that imposing restrictions on gun ownership should be a top task for the U.S. Congress. Some 76 percent of Americans see gun violence as a very big problem or a moderately big problem in the country, according to a Pew Research Center survey carried out in April 2022. (Screenshot from the website of the Pew Research Center) Although gun-related tragedies always make headlines in media circles and spark heated debates on tightening gun control in the U.S., Washington has failed to pass any nationwide gun control laws in a period of 20 years. Photo taken on Oct. 8, 2021 shows the vases of flowers temporarily installed to memorialize gun violence victims at the Battery Park in New York City, the United States. According to the organizers, 1,050 vases of flowers, which represent the number of people in New York State who died from gun violence in 2020, were installed at the gun violence memorial, aiming to inspire people to fight against gun violence. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) On May 25, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed that there is a slim chance that the Democrats and Republicans will reach a consensus on the adoption of renewed gun control legislation. The reason for Washingtons inaction in implementing gun control is that there is a deeply rooted network of special interests that have been knitted by pro-gun interest groups, which are engaged in party politics and electioneering politics in the U.S. Statistics from the National Rifle Association (NRA) of the U.S. show that the size of the firearms industry in the U.S. reached $70.5 billion by 2021, with at least 5.4 million people estimated to have bought guns for the first time in 2021. The huge firearms industry in the U.S. has given rise to various pro-gun interest groups, including the NRA, which propagandize anti-gun control rhetoric among the American general public in an attempt to influence the latter and in this way further strengthen the countrys pro-gun culture. These pro-gun interest groups also support pro-gun politicians to become lawmakers by making political contributions and engaging in lobbying efforts. Together they form a close-knit network of special interests. Three days after the tragic shooting at the Texas elementary school, the NRA held its 151th annual meeting on May 27 as scheduled, inviting former U.S. President Donald Trump to address the meeting. In a speech he delivered at the meeting, Trump reiterated that he didnt support any gun control measures. Credible sources indicated that the NRA had offered a political contribution of $30 million in favor of Trumps run for the U.S. president. Whether or not to support gun control has become one of the core issues debated between the Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Many politicians have chosen to act in a perfunctory manner because they want to neither disappoint pro-gun control voters nor offend pro-gun interest groups. The New York Times on May 25 said in an article that it had reached out to all 50 Republicans in the Senate to see whether they would support a pair of House-passed measures to strengthen background checks for gun buyers. However, most of the respondents either refused to answer the question or said they didnt support gun control. According to CNN, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on June 1 local time that what he had done was to encourage some bipartisan discussions that were going on. However, he avoided making it clear whether he supports gun control legislation, and reiterated the significance of safeguarding the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Gunshots have continued to shatter the American dream for generations of U.S. residents. Although the lives of many Americans have been lost, Washington still hasnt taken any immediate and concrete actions to stop such tragedies from happening again. In the face of rising political polarization, buck passing between politicians, and ineffective social governance, the U.S. still has a long and arduous way to go in order to put an end to its tragic gun violence. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. Xbox Kinect/HoloLens Creator Steps Down After Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct The Xbox Kinect basically helped Microsoft almost win the 7th generation of consoles with the 360. As such, it's a very important part of the Xbox brand as a whole - but it's basically moved on, and its creator with it. Alex Kipman, who also created the tech giant's HoloLens AR headset, has landed in hot water after allegations of abuse against him popped up. According to a report by GameRant, numerous employees at the company have stepped forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. This resulted in him deciding to leave his position, putting the future of HoloLens uncertain as Kipman will no longer be around. Kipman's resignation was detailed in a leaked memo from Microsoft, which was shared by Business Insider. In the memo, company VP Scott Gurthrie mentioned how the Xbox Kinect creator's departure was a "mutual decision." However, it also said that Kipman will need to stay for two more months to help with the transition for his eventual replacement. During the transition, Guthrie is looking to oversee a "reorganization of the company's VR and AR division. The allegations against Kipman came not just from former employees but also current ones, reports IGN. Among the accusations involve him reportedly watching a "lewd VR video" in full view of employees at the office. He was also accused of making inappropriate advances against women, with things becoming bad enough that managers were even telling the women that they should never be alone with him in any way. At the end of the day, however, Microsoft and Xbox neither denied nor confirmed the accusations. He will remain for a couple of months more before he has to leave, which might not be music to the ears of employees who brought forth their grievances against him. As for what's going to happen with HoloLens, Kipman's departure ensures that it's going to continue struggling. The company has already decided to cancel its upcoming HoloLens 3, killing it off last year according to a report from PCWorld. Despite that, Microsoft still says it is committed to the AR headset and future developments featuring the hardware. Read also: Xbox's Phil Spencer Voices Support For Raven Software Union Whatever Happened To The Xbox Kinect? As previously mentioned, the Kinect helped Microsoft hold the lead for most of the 7th generation of consoles with the Xbox 360. With this, it would be safe to assume that Kipman, as the creator, was held in high regard at the company. But while it was a revolutionary product in its own right, Kinect it basically died off by the time the Xbox One came out. There were so many reasons for the Kinect's demise, but one thing stands out: the fact that it was forced onto users as part of the original Xbox One's package at $499, writes Looper. The competing PS4, on the other hand, only cost $399 - do the math and you'll find out why it failed. Eventually, Microsoft was forced to relent and removed the $100 Kinect sensor. But by the time they did that, the damage has been done. There weren't really a lot of great games to play on it (most of them were the typical "family friendly" fare that's more or less the realm of Nintendo and not Xbox), and the hype steadily died down. The Kinect was finally discontinued on October 25th, 2017, causing it to fade into obscurity. Related: Xbox Posts Record US Revenue Numbers In Over A Decade The wilful determination of Leftist campaigners to wreck every attempt at solving the immigration crisis is beyond frustrating. It is tragic and deadly. By fighting the Government at every step, these self-righteous and sneering so-called human rights activists put the lives of the most vulnerable at risk. Now their knee-jerk opposition to whatever Home Secretary Priti Patel proposes appears to have halted plans to fly 130 migrants to Rwanda, where they were to live while their asylum claims were processed. Thanks to the Left, immigration policy has once again been turned over to organised criminals. It reverts to the survival of the fittest: a cruel system that prioritises young men strong enough to withstand a dangerous trip across the Channel in an overloaded inflatable and it enriches vile people-smugglers. Public confidence in the asylum system is non-existent. Illegal immigration is putting a heavy strain on social cohesion across Britain, especially in deprived inner-city areas and post-industrial towns. Anti-terrorist policing becomes almost impossible when the security services have no way of knowing who is entering Britain, or where from. Background checks are minimal. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel on Tuesday Home Secretary Priti Patel listens as Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses his Cabinet on Tuesday. She sits between Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay The ability of an independent country to control its borders is one of the basic benchmarks of a functioning Government. But self-serving liberals, particularly in the legal profession, do their level best to thwart this. When the Home Office announced its partnership with Rwanda I applauded it as innovative and pragmatic. The reaction of the Left was depressing and predictable. They betray a deep and racist bigotry, dismissing Rwanda as a barely civilised backwater. In fact, Rwanda is an international success story, for the way it has rebuilt itself since the genocidal civil war of the mid-1990s. It has one of the most pro-female political systems in Africa, ensuring that women are strongly represented at every level of Government. I would love to see Britain working more closely with Rwanda, to boost trade and security for our nations. Yet the announcement of our asylum partnership brought disgraceful howls of protest from middle-class liberals who are oblivious to their own prejudices. The self-appointed human rights defenders painted this Commonwealth country as a post-apocalyptic hellhole, ignoring all its hard-won social and economic progress since 1994. Farcically, one of the grounds of the legal challenge is failure to make provision for malaria prevention in Rwanda. Its as if the entire country is a disease-ridden swamp rather than a vibrant modern country. Comparisons between asylum procedures and the 18th century slave trade have been bandied about, as ignorant as they were obscene. The truth is that genuine, modern-day slavery is encouraged by the people who work so doggedly to undermine the immigration system. By enabling people traffickers to continue ferrying illegal migrants into Britain, by sea or crammed into airless compartments in freight lorries, they are feeding a brutal market. In brothels, factories, nail bars and many other premises, often in the poorest neighbourhoods across this country, illegal workers are denied pay or passports. They are prisoners of their gangmasters. The number of migrants (pictured Tuesday) arriving in the UK this year after crossing the English Channel in small boats is expected to exceed 10,000. Free to operate within the UK and without realistic threat of punishment, people-traffickers enjoy carte blanche to make as much money as possible by charging extortionate fees to migrants often with false promises that, once here, they will be able to exploit the benefits system. That is the reality of our dysfunctional asylum system. It is one of the most urgent problems facing the Government, compounded by the attitude of our Border Force which doesnt appear to have much belief in secure borders and national sovereignty. British people are generous and welcoming when it comes to rehoming the persecuted. The outpouring of money and gifts from Daily Mail readers to organisations supporting Ukrainian refugees, including 11million donated to the Mail Force charity, is ample proof of that. That generosity is mocked by Leftists who promote the cases of the least vulnerable migrants at the expense of those whose lives are really at risk. Too often it is women and children, especially girls, who are oppressed by fundamentalist regimes. They are the least able, both physically and financially, to seek asylum via people smugglers. It is these women and girls who pay the real price of the Left. For all their noisy virtue signalling, these smug anti-Tory obsessives have no genuine interest in helping anyone. They just want to cause maximum disruption. Once again, it looks like they have succeeded. Dr Rakib Ehsan is a community relations expert. Think of me as a bit like John le Carre's great mole-hunter George Smiley, leading you through the vaults, mazes and dusty archives of the forgotten past to discover the truth about the present. That truth is actually utterly different from what you think it is. Perhaps you recall how Smiley, in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, revealed that MI6's supposed prize Soviet spy was in fact a KGB heavy. Worse, the much-admired British MI6 officer, thought to be charming secrets from his Moscow source, was in fact a British mole, feeding our secrets to the Kremlin. Yet everyone in Whitehall believed the exact opposite. Smiley cracked the case thanks to his long memory and deep knowledge of the enemy. Well, long, long ago in the sunny 1960s, I was myself a revolutionary Marxist, out on the dangerous edge of politics. Later, I was mixed up in the strange wild world of London's Labour Party, in those days dominated by Ken Livingstone. And there I learned the codes and symbols of the Left, which most journalists do not know. That ignorance is one of the many reasons why Sir Keir Starmer has risen to the top of the Labour Party without anyone really noticing what he is. You are about to find out. But why don't you know already? Many people in media and politics spent years denouncing Jeremy Corbyn, a steam-powered and rather dim old buffer whose one virtue was that he appeared to be exactly what he was. Labour's real Left must have hugely enjoyed the attacks on Mr Corbyn, as they drew attention away from their far slicker, well-camouflaged operations. In much the same way, many Blairites (including Blair himself) hid their Trotskyist or Communist backgrounds. And by doing so they had come to power in 1997. Everyone's attention was directed at the hopeless Militant Tendency, a fatuous club of fanatical, finger- jabbing, jargon-babbling bores with no serious hope of power. Almost none was given to the International Marxist Group, which successfully infiltrated Labour's dying, empty, London constituency parties in the 1970s. Keir Starmer QC, pictured when he was the Director of Public Prosecution as he makes a statement about which MPs will face charges over their expenses claims Now here comes Sir Keir Starmer, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, QC the man the Parliamentary Tory Party apparently wants to help into office at the next General Election. The facts about him are not secret. They are just in code. Note that I am not talking about Starmer the teenager or student, at a time when people might be expected to be a bit radical. I am talking about Starmer the young professional lawyer, in his late 20s. And then, of course, there is the other fact: that Sir Keir absolutely does not disown his revolutionary past when he is asked about it by fellow Leftists. Questioned by the New Statesman in 2020 about his radicalism in the 1980s, when he was known as 'red-green', Starmer's replies were anything but embarrassed. The 'red-green' label combines social radicalism and identity politics with green zealotry. It explains Sir Keir's studied hesitancy when asked about whether a woman can have a penis. To his credit, he cannot publicly betray his real beliefs or his long-time comrades. So when New Statesman interviewer Patrick Maguire asked if he was still a 'red-green', Sir Keir enthusiastically responded: 'Yeah!' In a crucial exchange in the same interview, he made it impossible for himself to later claim that his political past was not relevant to his political present, saying: 'I don't think there are big issues on which I've changed my mind. 'The big issue we were grappling with then was how the Labour Party, or the Left generally, bound together the wider movement and its strands of equality feminist politics, green politics, LGBT which I thought was incredibly exciting, incredibly important.' So what was this past? Partly it was involvement with a magazine called Socialist Alternatives, so stodgy that hardly anyone could ever have read it except Sir Keir. Nobody could possibly have become mixed up with it frivolously. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions yesterday It was also 'red-green'. But it was based on the far-from-stodgy life and thoughts of a Greek revolutionary called Michalis Raptis. Raptis, a fascinating international adventurer with a long string of aliases, including 'Abdelkrim', 'Molitor' and 'Speros', is thought to have been involved in the Algerian war of independence, and was imprisoned in the 1960s for supposedly smuggling money and weapons to the rebels. When he died in 1996, he was given a state funeral in Athens by his old friend Andreas Papandreou, the Greek socialist leader. He liked to be known to his comrades as 'Michel Pablo'. Raptis was originally a keen Trotskyist, but eventually adopted his own more modern creed, known (if only to the very small number of people who understand these things) as 'Pabloism'. Its supporters are called 'Pabloites'. Sir Keir is in fact a Pabloite. But what else is he? The other great clue to his fierce radicalism is his involvement in the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers again in the late 1980s, and before the end of the Cold War. His old comrades in this body have since denounced him as a sell-out, accusing him (reasonably) of having abandoned his youthful commitment to civil liberties, as well as a number of other offences against the Left. But how come he was ever a member? In the autumn 1989 issue of Socialist Lawyer, the Haldane Society's magazine, Sir Keir is listed as the group's secretary. A list of resolutions for the society's forthcoming annual general meeting includes a call welcoming Soviet peace proposals (these were the days when the USSR still existed) and urging the Labour Party to adopt a non-nuclear, non-aligned (i.e. non-Nato) defence. And this is the giveaway. Because the Haldane Society was notorious at the time as being (let's put this politely) sympathetic to the British Communist Party. Keir Starmer pointing during PMQs in the House of Commons on Wednesday. He is pictured with other members of the Labour front bench including Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Anneliese Dodds I doubt any Left-wing lawyer alive in 1989 could have been unaware of this. Generally, Labour-supporting lawyers preferred to join the mainstream Society of Labour Lawyers, formed in 1949 after an explosive split. At the time, anti-Communist socialists had tried to break the Haldane Society's Communist links, narrowly losing their battle in a secret ballot. At that point, almost all the senior Labour lawyers in the Haldane Society, including the then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Stafford Cripps and the future Lord Chancellor Gerald Gardiner, angrily walked out. Yet, in the years when Communism still mattered, Sir Keir chose not just to join the Haldane Society but to become its secretary. He kept up his membership of this very Left-wing body until 2008, when he was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions and could not really be so openly aligned. It is a reminder that to be 'red-green' is also to be pretty red. But who, these days, would even know about this? The anti-Corbyn wars have diverted the attention of those who might have paid some heed. The British public have been given little reason to doubt the official story that Sir Keir is a respectable 'moderate' who will do nothing radical. The Tory Party think they can risk letting him into Downing Street. Well, you just wait. Britains railways are a public service. They exist to make life easier for the passengers who use them. But that is an alien concept to the trade union leaders who want to hold the network hostage. For them, this taxpayer-supported industry exists only to provide cash, job security and pensions for their members. To hell, they think, with people trying to get to work, to a hospital appointment, a job interview or to visit relatives. As railways minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, I worked closely with the rail unions. It was my job to negotiate hard with them as well as with rail bosses to secure the best deal for passengers. Yet that era of relative industrial peace and co-operation has long come to an end. In recent months, a festering combination of unrealistic pay demands and a chronic public-funding squeeze have created a perfect storm and now we are all about to pay the price. The strikes announced by union barons this week are the worst since the network was privatised in 1989. They threaten to bring railways to a standstill when they are inflicted on June 21, 23 and 25. Damage Cynically calculated to cause the maximum damage by taking place on those alternating days, the strikes will effectively mean that the rail network is off-limits for a week, once staff shift patterns are factored in. Chillingly, more strikes are promised by the union barons if their demands are not met. The echoes of the 1970s, when Britain was ground to a halt by militant union bosses, are all too clear. Indeed, one railway union leader is now promising a Summer of Discontent an echo of the Winter of Discontent of 1978-79, with its picket lines, blockaded factories, rubbish piling up in the streets and corpses left unburied. Commuters form large queues for buses outside Victoria Station during the morning rush hour as the London Undergound services are severely distrupted due to industrial action on Monday For its part, the Labour Party has utterly failed to condemn this industrial militancy. Let me be clear and I speak as a former Labour minister. The party needs to understand that its either on the side of the passengers or the unions. Those who sit on the fence have taken a side the wrong side. Labour is supposed to be the party of working people. In practice, that does not mean defending intransigent and bullying unions inflicting carnage on railway passengers. It means defending working peoples right to get to work. And its not as if these unions all speak for Labour anyway. The most hardline, the RMT, was kicked out of the party as far back as 2004, after it was found to be in breach of Labours rules by having affiliated to a rival far-Left party. The RMT showed no loyalty to Labour: why on earth should Labour show any loyalty to it? Tom Harris who was parliamentary under secretary of state for transport from 2006 to 2008 At its core, this is an old-fashioned dispute about pay and conditions. The RMT wants the Government to guarantee that there will be no compulsory redundancies even though the industry has to plug a 2 billion funding gap and after taxpayers forked out a huge 16 billion during lockdown to keep the railways operating without passengers. (Those passenger numbers, by the way, still havent returned to pre-pandemic levels.) Separately, the RMT union is demanding an astronomical pay rise for its members of 11.1 per cent. No matter that rail workers are already paid more than public sector workers an average of 44,000 a year compared with 37,000 for teachers and 31,000 for nurses. And thats before you count their gold-plated pensions. These strikes were announced before serious negotiations with the employers had even begun. And that betrays the real motivation of the union leaders: to create political problems for the Government by causing chaos on the rail network, rather than look after their members interests. Commuters enter Liverpool Street station as a Tube strike by RMT Trade Union severely disrupts most of the London Underground lines in London on Monday It is, quite frankly, a scandal and, once again, the victims will be ordinary passengers. Of course, the union leaders themselves dont have to worry about the cost of living. Manuel Cortes, chief of the white-collar TSSA, took home more than 120,000 in 2020, including over 18,000 in pension contributions. The RMTs former boss, the appropriately named Mick Cash, trousered more than 160,000 in 2020, including almost 40,000 in pension contributions. These hefty salaries dont prevent their recipients from holding extreme Left-wing views, however. RMT president Alex Gordon is a lifelong Marxist and senior member of Britains Communist Party. Another senior RMT official, Steve Hedley, was suspended by his union after saying he would throw a party if Boris Johnson died from coronavirus. He was later reinstated. As the Mail has previously shown, several of his RMT comrades appear to have shown worrying pro-Russian sympathies, though it must be said that the union has recently and belatedly insisted it does not support Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. Scrutiny So what can we actually do to stop these strikes from happening in future? Renationalisation is not the answer. The state can never match the investment, budget-planning and good management practices offered by the private sector. Yes, the unions like many on the Left would prefer to see our railways back in the public ownership, but not because this would make the network more efficient. On the contrary, Government ministers, under huge public pressure and scrutiny, are far easier negotiating opponents than the hard-nosed managers of the private sector. Want proof? Look no further than my native Scotland, where Nicola Sturgeons administration nationalised the ScotRail provider in April this year. This was meant to herald a new age of transport in the SNPs Caledonian utopia. But the results, so far, have been entirely as I and so many others predicted. Within days, the unions announced an all-out strike in support of their latest pay claim. People wait at bus tation after 4,000 subway workers went on strike over job losses, disagreements over working conditions and pensions in London on Monday Instead, I have another modest proposal. For a year, I was a member of the advisory panel on a major Government review of the railways headed by Keith Williams, the executive chairman of Royal Mail. During the review, I urged civil servants to include a commitment to so-called Minimum Service Level Agreements (MSLAs). In other words, I want to see the railways recognised as the essential public service they are: used by police officers, health workers and others vital to saving lives. If these people are prevented from going to work, the consequences are devastating. New legislation would oblige the unions to provide at least a skeleton staff on strike days, so a minimum service would still operate during disputes. Fruitless This wouldnt mean that the right to strike would be curtailed but that passengers needs would be put before trade unions right to make peoples lives a misery. These reforms were promised in the Conservative Partys manifesto at the last general election won, youll remember, by a thumping majority. So they enjoy a democratic mandate and yesterday, transport committee chairman Huw Merriman called for the law to be passed and the Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Government remained committed to it. Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT), union pictured at the RMT headquarters in Euston Ministers could have passed this legislation already, but they hoped the unions might adopt a more responsible approach that would render doing so unnecessary. Such optimism has proved fruitless. The unions self-interested eagerness to embark on ruinous strikes has exposed them for what they are and taught ministers that being reasonable and patient doesnt work with these people. Taxpayers and passengers are already paying through the nose to sustain the railways. Why should they be forced to pay even more in terms of misery and inconvenience? The unions have shown their true face. Now its time for the Government to take a stand or we really will all be heading back to the 1970s. After the briefest possible trial by a kangaroo court in the unrecognised Donetsk Peoples Republic, two British prisoners of war from Ukraines foreign legion have been sentenced to death. To have survived two months living underground in the hell-hole of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol only to face a firing squad after a show trial is as cruel a fate as its possible to imagine. And its a turn of events that represents a terrifying raising of the stakes in a conflict that has already put the world on the brink of nuclear war. The question is what should our Government do to save the lives of Aiden Aslin, 28, from Newark, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from Watford? Or, more to the point, what can it do? Some hotheads will inevitably call for an SAS rescue operation. But a commando raid, even by the cream of our armed forces, would be mission impossible. The two men, who were both living in Ukraine with their Ukrainian partners when Putins tanks rolled over the border, are being held in a war zone which is bristling with anti-aircraft systems and trigger-happy soldiers. The question is what should our Government do to save the lives of Aiden Aslin, 28, from Newark, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from Watford? The truth is that theres very little that Whitehall can do to save them without dirtying their hands by negotiating with the Kremlin. The good news from the two mens point of view is that the Russian president is bound to see them as valuable pawns in the chess game that the Ukraine conflict has become. Moscow has already demanded an end to the Western sanctions strangling its economy in return for freeing up grain supplies from Ukraines bread basket black earth. A ruthless leader who is prepared to starve countless millions across the Third World in a bid to squeeze Ukraine and the West into making concessions is not going to grant clemency for nothing. One of Putins key Ukrainian agents, the billionaire oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, is currently under lock and key in Kyiv. The Russian president is godfather to Medvechuks daughter Daryna Nor will a man who squanders Russian soldiers lives without compunction let sympathy influence his deal-making. However. a prisoner exchange weighed heavily in favour of Russia would be one option that might well be attractive to Putin. One of Putins key Ukrainian agents, the billionaire oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, is currently under lock and key in Kyiv. The Russian president is godfather to Medvechuks daughter Daryna, and Svetlana Medvedeva, wife of Russias former prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, is Darynas godmother. If anyone can persuade President Zelensky to free the traitorous oligarch in return for two of his citizens, its Boris Johnson. Our Prime Ministers stock has never been higher in Ukraine, thanks to his record in pushing through the supply of arms, including the highly effective Nlaw anti-tank weapon. When Mr Johnson prevailed over the Tory rebels in the no confidence vote on Monday evening, Mr Zelensky declared it great news and pronounced himself very happy. If anyone can persuade President Zelensky to free the traitorous oligarch in return for two of his citizens, its Boris Johnson. Our Prime Ministers stock has never been higher in Ukraine But while a behind-the-scenes deal is probably the best hope for these British legionnaires, it would put our Governments claim that it doesnt negotiate with terrorists under the spotlight. Bear in mind it was the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic which shot down the Malaysian MH17 airliner in summer, 2014, and it has been blacklisted by the civilised world ever since. It also served as one of the launching pads for Putins brutal invasion of Ukraine so it has no diplomatic relations with the UK. Getting London to deal with them directly is likely to be one of the regimes goals because it means they can say Great Britain has recognised their sinister self-proclaimed statelet. But ultimately, theyll do what Putin tells them to do. That means Boris Johnson has to deal with the despot in the Kremlin. Will that put us on a slippery slope to appeasement? Britain risks losing its status as the lynchpin of the anti-Russian alliance helping Ukraine if we pay too high a price for Aslin and Pinners freedom. That will put our Government in a dilemma: How much is too much to pay for British lives? Any deal would set a precedent too and, given that as many as 20,000 foreigners have volunteered to fight for Ukraine, we can expect more show trials of captured volunteers in the future. We may see their motives as sincere and admirable, but the Russians dismiss them as mercenaries at best and fascists at worse. Remember Putin has been claiming that his reason for invading Ukraine was to depose the neo-Nazis that the Kremlin says were really running the country. This charge is literally incredible because Mr Zelensky is actually Jewish and his family suffered in the Holocaust. But to Putins stooges, Aiden Aslin and Sean Pinners service alongside the Azov Battalion in the Azovstal works marks them out as double enemies for the Kremlin. Not only were they in its most hated enemy unit but also, being British, they come from the country that has led Europes backlash to Putins aggression. There is a way they can be spared but it will take knife-edge diplomacy. Mark Almond is the Director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford This morning at 10.30am, an emergency High Court hearing will consider the legal challenge to Home Secretary Priti Patel's plan to send 130 migrants to the Rwanda while their applications for asylum in Britain are processed. If this challenge is ultimately upheld, it will wreck the Rwanda experiment before it has even been tried. The plan, set up in partnership with the Rwandan government, will never be attempted again. Yesterday's The Guardian newspaper predicted gleefully that if the flight is postponed, the people booked on it will be issued with electronic tags and given their freedom. All are 'irregular migrants' people who arrived by boat or lorry almost certainly after handing a hefty fee to a people-smuggling gang. What safeguards exist to prevent these people from simply snipping off their tags and melting into the background is not clear. Under a legal precedent known as the 'Hardial Singh principles', the Home Office's powers to detain people indefinitely are severely curtailed. The legal tactics, plus a raft of appeals lodged on behalf of individual migrants, are likely to lead to the flight being postponed pending resolution of the issues in court Home Secretary Priti Patel listens as Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses his Cabinet on Tuesday. She sits between Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay This suits many subversives within the Home Office, of course. Far from carrying out their duties to implement government guidelines on immigration, some in the Civil Service are working actively, and covertly, to undermine them. Indeed, an anonymous 'Our Home Office' Twitter account was launched last month with a poster said to have been posted on an official noticeboard which reads: 'We have the spine to say, 'No minister'. No to hostile environments, no to shutting down democracy, no to racist deportations.' It even offers stickers that proclaim 'Refugees Welcome' and these have begun to appear in the Home Office. One virtue-signalling civil servant, who lacked the courage to be identified, told Sky News this week that processing asylum claims in Africa was akin to people-trafficking. 'We should offer sanctuary and provide safe haven for those who need it,' the civil servant said. 'But it feels like we are taking part in human trafficking transporting people against their will and paying another country to take them.' But as a result of Left-wing activism, Britain's immigration policy is in abject chaos. More than 10,000 migrants have made the perilous sea crossing from northern France so far this year, which means that hundreds of lives are at risk every day from drowning. That total is more than twice as many as by early June last year. And that is just the migrants that border patrols have spotted. Thousands more will be entering the country crammed into container lorries, often without food or water and with barely enough air. Organised criminal gangs of people-traffickers are extorting millions of pounds from the very migrants whose lives are being put in danger. Priti Patels first migrants flight to Rwanda was in doubt last night after legal actions were lodged against it Many who think they are coming to Britain to enjoy our country's unique freedoms will find themselves in a lifetime of debt, or coerced into modern-day slavery as labourers and sex workers. The situation is inhumane beyond belief. Its roots lie in the deliberate choice by New Labour, after 1997, to engineer mass immigration. Former Labour adviser Andrew Neather notoriously said this was a policy devised to 'rub the Right's nose in diversity' that is, to change the UK's ethnic make-up as a taunt to Middle England. Labour's secret calculation was that this would mean more votes for the Left. Instead, it was a policy that backfired spectacularly as it was working-class communities who watched as their schools grew more overcrowded, their GPs oversubscribed and waiting lists for social housing grew ever longer. Many would argue it led directly to Brexit and a landslide for the Conservatives in 2019. And nor will Labour benefit in the long term as statistics show that once immigrant families become well established and settled, they tend to vote Tory. Lord Mandelson, the former secretary of state for business, told a think-tank rally: 'In 2004, we were not only welcoming people to come into this country to work, we were sending out search parties.' A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel on June 7 And it laid the foundations of the 'immigration industry' an unholy partnership between greedy lawyers, naive charity workers, self-indulgent civil servants and rapacious criminals. Yet Left-wing charities and self-appointed 'human rights activists' continue to thwart every effort the Government makes to address this crisis. To these professional liberals, it seems that the only acceptable immigration policy is one that allows every migrant unrestricted passage to Britain, regardless of the chaos that will cause. No other interpretation can be placed on the Rwanda challenge. It is devoid of any logic other than a determination to see the scheme wrecked. Rwanda is a Commonwealth country, one that has made enormous strides in rebuilding itself since the genocidal civil war in 1994. It is safe, civilised and friendly. Its track record on ensuring women are represented at every level of government is outstanding. For anyone facing persecution, religious oppression, sexual torture or death in their home country, Rwanda's capital Kigali can be the safest of havens. Because full details of the Home Secretary's plan have not been released, we don't know whether migrants would be permitted to return to Britain if their application for asylum is successful, or whether they would remain in Rwanda. Surely either is a blessed alternative to the constant threat of prison or murder at home. Yet many appear to have come to the conclusion that nothing could be worse. One man in his 40s, identified only as Bahram from Iran, told a Sky reporter that he paid a people trafficker $13,000 (10,400) to be transported to the UK, to escape jail and torture at home. But faced with a ticket to Rwanda, he claimed: 'I cannot even think about it. I have no connection to Rwanda. My safety cannot be guaranteed. I prefer to be back in Iran I know it's certain death for me in Iran but I'd rather have that than going to Rwanda.' If that man's protests are sincere, and we have no reason to suppose they are not, I shudder to think what horror stories have been fed to him about life in Africa. Has he been led to imagine that the massacres of the 1990s are still going on? Or, since one part of the legal challenge cites the existence of malaria in East Africa, does he believe he will contract a fatal disease? I must stress that Britain has a long history of giving refuge to people fleeing violent regimes. We take deep pride in our tradition of welcoming those in need. A worker is seen at the Desir Resort Hotel prepared to host asylum seekers sent to Rwanda from Britain, in Kagugu location of Kigali, Rwanda But if we allow it to be exploited by international criminal gangs of traffickers, that tradition will break down. The very people most in need will be denied the safety of our shores. The Church of England joins in, with evangelicals urging Muslim migrants in particular to adopt Christianity. The immigrants then claim that they will face religious persecution as apostates in their home countries. Perhaps some church-goers genuinely believe they are saving souls but these days there is a school in the Church of England that treats liberalism and not Christianity as the one true religion. When Priti Patel announced the innovative Rwanda trial last month, I hailed it as the kind of lateral thinking that is urgently needed. Like the Home Secretary herself, I anticipated there would be resistance what she calls 'hurdles and barriers'. But the sheer cynicism of the highly co-ordinated response by charities, social media activists and lawyers has taken my breath away. For many Left-wing opponents of the Government, immigration has become an ideological rather than a humanitarian issue. They are determined to oppose every possible solution, to encourage unrestricted immigration. They offer no answers, propose no alternatives. As long as the Left keeps sabotaging the Government's best efforts, 'irregular migrants' will continue to drown at sea or suffocate in lorries, while criminals rake in the profits. If you've ever woken up after heavy night of drinking with the fear you've done something embarrassing you can't quite remember, you're not a lone. Women from across the UK have taken to Mumsnet to share their most mortifying drunken mistakes, including buying a van one eBay, vomiting on their neighbour's car and pulling some very inappropriate moves while dancing with their father-in-law. Posting on British parenting forum, one woman said that after a night of drinking she was 'dying of shame' after massively oversharing and talking nonsense at a party. A woman has provoked an anecdote war after asking people to share their most embarrassing drunk stories Writing on British parenting forum Mumsnet, this woman explained how she was dying of shame after massively oversharing whilst out drinking the night before. She asked users to share their most embarrassing drunk stories She said that she was sick with fear and asked users to share their own stories to help her feel less embarrassed. 'Ive got The Fear so badly today I feel sick! Please help a girl out by sharing some equally embarrassing drunk stories,' she said. Responses cascaded in with many people assuring her that it could have been worse and that it happens to everyone. The woman posted: 'I am dying of shame. Massively overshared, talked s**** and behaved like a total t** at a party yesterday.' People were quick to share their own embarrassing tales including buying a van on eBay and getting undressed for bed mid party at a friend's house She explained: 'I've got The Fear so badly today I feel sick!' Finally she asked users to help her heal adding: 'Please help a girl out by sharing some equally embarrassing drunk stories to lessen my pain! Thank you in advance!' Users were quick to help her out and off load their own drunken stories. One person admitted: 'I've thrown up in front of people, urinated in front of people, flashed etc. Yeah I've done some incredibly mortifying things.' Someone else said: 'Most of us have done stupid things when drunk. At least you didn't buy a van off eBay. Or vomit on a neighbour's car. Drinkers remorse is horrible.' A third person revealed: 'I once spent a ridiculous amount of time explaining that 'The Archers' was a radio drama - to English people I met on a holiday in Greece.' And a fourth shared: I recently took my trousers off in my friends living room mid party as I'd decided to go bed right there and then. Fortunately my mates all thought it was funny and I won't be living it down any time soon...' Others admitted: 'Ah we've all been there dancing like I'm in a girl band thinking I can sing. A few weeks ago I mentioned something that's a well known family 'secret' and he didn't know... it doesn't impact him directly and the people it does impact know, but I felt awful he didn't know and I told and it's brand new information to him cringed for days.' Someone else added: 'Oooo I've got one! I once got kicked out of a restaurant for being too drunk! They wouldn't let me leave via the entrance and chucked me in a food delivery lift and out the back kitchen door. I wasn't lairy drunk, but quiet absolutely black out asleep drunk! Not good.' Others told of embarrassing tales including dancing uncomfortably close with their father-in-law and high-jacking a wedding band's drum set A third person revealed: 'I got very drunk at a family do years ago and started dancing with my father in law. I sort of forgot who I was dancing with half way through and threw in some highly inappropriate moves. He left me to it on the dance floor and sat back down.' And a fourth said: 'Whatever you did can't have been as bad as the young woman who got on stage with the wedding band and took over as the drummer. There was no removing her. She could not play drums. Never touched a touched drum set in her life (as she later admitted). It was like the worst imaginable scene out of drunk Bridget jones. 'She did not come out of her room for two days. Stayed an extra night at the hotel she wouldn't have to face any of the departing guests the following morning-after-the-drumming-crime. She was a REALLY nice gal.' When it comes to wedding days, everyone has their own preferences and tastes. And now guests from around the world have been sharing some of the most shocking things they've seen at a wedding online, with BoredPanda compiling the worst ones into a viral gallery. One snap shows a brazen Facebook advert in the US for a men's 'urinal' from a wedding which appears to be made from of a cardboard box being sold for $150. Another features a wedding invitation from a bride and groom-to-be who declared the note featured the 'S*** You Need to Know' for the big day. Here, FEMAIL shares some of the tackiest snaps... Well that's just crude! People from around the world have been sharing some of their worst and tackiest photographs of nuptials online, with BoredPanda compiling the worst ones into a viral gallery (pictured: a brazen advert in the US for a men's 'urinal' made out of a cardboard box and plastic) Come if you dare! Another person, from the US, shared a slightly aggressive wedding invitation, cluttered with curse words and direct language throughout That stinks! Another guest was left baffled by one couple's very creative wedding cake which featured a skunk splattering the treat with brown spray Terrible taste! This person decided that it was a good idea to make light of one of the biggest terrorist attacks in history, using the 20th anniversary as the theme for their wedding Hope you're not hungry! This vegan guest was left very disappointed by the paltry meal they were served at a wedding Hair for you, forever! Another person, from an unknown location, shared this ring which is made out of her boyfriend's hair Creepy! One couple left their wedding guests stunned with their rather violent vows which described decapitation and blood Eggcellent idea! One guest was surprised to see the snack served with peanut butter and jam at a wedding Stealing her thunder! Guests were left stunned when the father and stepmother of the groom turned up in very bridal outfits for the big day You're not invited, but give us cash! One person was stunned to receive a notecard informing them while they weren't a prospective guests, they were welcome to give the happy couple money instead Permanent marker! This couple wrote their names on a rock at a beauty spot but did not clean it up afterwards Classy! Another person, from the US, shared a number of complaints from their sisters wedding on a wedding shaming site Show me the money! A bride-to-be at the end of her tether cancelled her wedding via Facebook because her friends not give her money to fund it The Countess of Wessex uses a 'clever trick' to add volume to her hair while looking stylish and practical on her overseas trips, a celebrity hairstylist has revealed. Sophie, 57, who is currently on a royal tour of Gibraltar with her husband Prince Edward has perfected the optimum no-nonsense up do for any occasions. She has taken to pinning her hair in one big swoop at the back of her head, a style that looks sleek and on trend, but only takes seconds to do, according to celebrity stylist Tom Smith, International Creative Director at Evo. Sophie sported the hairdo during her tour of Gibraltar this week as she dealt with temperatures reaching 30 degrees. The Countess of Wessex has found an ideal updo for her royal tours needs (pictured in Indian in 2019) Whatever she decides to wear, Sophie makes sure her hair is also neatly styled when she steps out on engagements away from home (pictured in Gibraltar this week with Prince Edward) In April, she also sported the do during her and Prince Edward's tour of the Caribbean, and when she toured India in 2019. Tom told FEMAIL the royal took advantage of her blonde highlights to blend her greying locks in and hide her roots while she's away on tour. 'Using pale cream coloured highlights blended with her natural scattering of grey hair in an "of the moment" "herringbone highlight" effect. 'Seen on various celebrities who are keen to embrace their grey hair part of their hair colour design,' Tom said. The royal also sported the hairstyle when she stopped in St Lucia during her tour of the Caribbean 'This also makes it very low maintenance as it compliments her natural hair colour pattern. 'So Sophie wont need regular root touch ups which is helpful while she is away on tour,' the stylist added. And he also revealed that the royal uses a trick to add more volume to the hairdo. The elegant hairdo consists in a loose bun pinned at the back of Sophie's hair with a discreet hair pin The swoop of hair on the side of Sophie's face adds a touch of elegance to the do, no matter what her outfit 'I can see that the placement of her parting is actually slightly to the left of where her hair naturally falls,' he said. 'This gives an extra lift and volume around her face as the hair is being pushed against the direction that it is naturally used to settling in to,' he explained. The stylist added this is a 'clever trick' to add volume to the roots where there isn't 'time or inclination to do a voluminous blow dry. Keeping her hair up allows Sophie to take on any activities without having to worry about ruining her hair 'Having the hair swept softly up and back is a great way of making finer hair appear thicker while retaining length,' explained. The stylist added that thanks to her hair twisting trick, Sophie can then rely on a selection of hairpins to elevate the looks. 'Hair accessories of various types have been popular for a while and a gentle clasp or hair clip to secure the twisted up hair is a great choice,' he said. US gas prices rose due to an oil shortage seeing more than $5 per gallon in thirteen states affected by the hike. Expenses for the middle call will be $5,000 a year compared to 2,800 a year ago, remarked CNBC. Fuel Price Hike The national average is approaching $5, starting at $4.919 on Tuesday, up more than five cents from the day before. The national average is $0.30 higher than a week ago, $0.62 higher than a month ago, and $1 higher than a year ago, Sputnik reported. The national rate has continued to rise by $0.30 in the last week, $0.62 in the last month, and $1.87 in the previous year. Diesel is primarily used to move cargo and food and is at an all-time high, with a nationwide price of $5.684. Given the increased prices, folks are still loading up, AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a remark. Drivers could change their daily driving behavior or lifestyle as a consequence of these premium costs at some juncture, but we're not there yet. California has the nation's highest gas prices, at $6.37 per gallon. Nevada, which comes in second with $5.52, is a long way behind. Hawaii came in third at a median gas price of $5.48 per gallon. Also, thirteen states have high fuel costs than others. Read Also: Emmanuel Macron Facts: Interesting Info You May Not Know About The French President Several states with over $5 are Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Alaska, Michigan, Arizona, Indiana, Massachusetts, and last, is New Jersey. OPEC To Increase Production OPEC+ declared that it would boost output to 648,000 barrels of oil in July and August, this is highly improbable to lower prices substantially as the industry gets ready for the European Union's punitive measures on Russian oil, which are set to go into action later this year. Even the least expensive states in the country consider charging more than $4.00 per gallon. Georgia has the lowest prices in the country, with an average cost of $4.33 per gallon. Which is much more than even California was a year earlier. President Biden has implemented price-cutting measures. He approved the release of 180 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserve in March. They publicly reprimanded oil and gas companies for artificially inflating their earnings. Even so, these attempts were only temporary, if at all. According to CNN, White House Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo conceded last Tuesday that the White House seems to have little authority over the cost of fuel. According to a recent poll, the elevated cost of fuel could hurt Democrats in November. Gas prices, according to as many as 74% of voters, will be a significant determinant at the polls. Only 27% of survey participants endorsed Biden's ability to handle fuel prices, noted NY Post. Gas Prices as high as $5 or more in thirteen states are too much for motorists due to a flawed energy policy of Joe Bide adding this to his crisis. Related Article: Joe Biden's Approval Rating Sinks to the Lowest Ever in Polls, Placing the United States in Crisis After Crisis @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A British stag party who were left stranded in Amsterdam when easyJet cancelled their flight were forced to buy bikes to catch the ferry back home. Groom-to-be Alex Sisan, 29, from Worthing, West Sussex, was joined by 13 others for a boozy two-day stay in the Dutch capital and were booked onto an easyJet flight to return to London Gatwick at 1.25pm on Saturday. When the flight was cancelled, the group initially looked at buying Eurostar tickets and renting a car to drive to the station, but decided the best route would be to board a ferry in Calais. But when they called up to ask about the crossing to Dover they were told foot passengers were not allowed due to safety reasons, so decided to buy bikes instead. It meant stopping off at two points on the train journey - Brussels and Lille - to buy bicycles at reduced prices from second-hand shops and Facebook marketplace. Eventually they made it to Dover 12 hours after their flight was cancelled. A British stag party, pictured, who were left stranded in Amsterdam when easyJet cancelled their flight were forced to buy bikes from locals to catch the ferry back home Alex Sisan holds his bike after reaching Calais. The team were forced to travel by train and ferry to get home Route back home: When their flight was cancelled, the group decided to travel by train from Amsterdam to Calais to take a ferry back to the UK. When they found out passengers couldn't travel on foot, they decided to stop off in Brussels and Lille to buy bikes instead Memories to last a lifetime! Alex Sisan, 29, and his wife-to-be Holly Matthews, 29. The groom-to-be said the weekend was one of the 'best of his life', even though it didn't go to plan Groom-to-be Alex Sisan, 29, said: 'We had the craziest day, but we just wanted to get home - we ended up spending Euro 1,540 (1,300) on bikes! 'At the time it didn't feel like fun, but I had two of the best days of my life with 13 best friends and this just topped it off. 'Looking back, the experience was so stressful and like something from a movie or a Top Gear challenge. 'But it was so much fun and a brilliant story that I will be telling at the wedding, and hopefully to my kids and then their kids!' The stag do arrived in Amsterdam on Thursday and stayed in a hotel in the city centre. They were then booked onto an easyJet flight to return from Schiphol airport two days later, and arrived five hours early to beat the queues. The group of 14 lads from Worthing, West Sussex had enjoyed a boozy bender in the Dutch capital and spent two days enjoying the sights and sounds. They were then booked onto an easyJet flight to return from Schiphol airport two days later, and arrived five hours early to beat the queues. But, after standing in line for security for hours, they were dismayed to find out their flight had been cancelled, and had to get bikes home instead But, after standing in line for security for hours, they were dismayed to find out their flight had been cancelled. After trying to reach easyJet for help, it was decided that leaving the airport was the best option. Fruitless attempts at renting a car and getting Eurostar tickets ensued, before it was suggested that a ferry to Dover would be viable. The party then boarded a train to Calais, which went via Brussels and Lille. But, while travelling, they discovered that health and safety rules prevented foot passengers from using the only service they could make that day. Fruitless attempts at renting a car and getting Eurostar tickets ensued, before it was suggested that a ferry to Dover would be viable. The party then boarded a train to Calais, which went via Brussels and Lille. But, while travelling, they discovered that health and safety rules prevented foot passengers from using the only service they could make that day. They are pictured at Calais It was then that someone suggested trying to buy 14 bikes during stopovers in the European cities. Some managed to buy bikes in Brussels, while the rest picked up bargains in Lille. Alex, who is getting married next month, said: 'We had to spend two hours running around Lille to get bikes. 'We had booked a Calais to Dover crossing but you needed bikes to get on - no foot passengers were allowed. 'I was on Facebook Marketplace for two hours, with the pin location set to Lille, trying to arrange to buy some of these bikes. They ranged from 40 euros to 220 euros!' Thirteen members of the group managed to find bikes, bartering with locals in secondhand shops. But, when they got back to the train station in Lille, they hit another snag. The one service that would get them to Calais in time would only take fold-up bikes - with no exceptions. Groom Alec added that the group spent more than 400 each -and then had to get lifts home from Dover This meant the group had to hail down taxis to drive them down to the port - at a cost of Euro 350 per car. Arriving in Calais with less than an hour to spare, the group boarded the ferry - with the help of a charitable couple who let the member without a bike into their car. They then landed in Dover at around 11.30pm. Alex added: 'All in all, we all must have spent at least Euro 400 each - then we had to get lifts from Dover. 'But this ended up being the best weekend of my life.' Thousands of Brits are still stranded in Europe amid ongoing travel chaos put down to various issues, such as staffing and weather. An easyJet spokesperson said: 'We are very sorry that the group's flight from Amsterdam to London Gatwick was cancelled. 'We notified customers directly of their options to rebook or receive a refund and are providing hotel accommodation and meals where required. 'Our customer service hours and hotel accommodation sourcing have been extended to support impacted customers and help get them to their destination as soon as possible. 'Nonetheless we fully understand the disruption this will have caused to their plans and we are very sorry for this. 'Our team are reaching out to the group to talk through their options and reimburse them for any reasonable expenses.' Advertisement The Queen's grandchildren gathered for a Trooping the Colour flypast viewing party before heading off for their secret cousins' lunch revealed by Mike Tindall. Princess Eugenie shared a glimpse into the celebrations on her Instagram account, revealing how members of the family came together on what appears to be the roof of St James's Palace to watch the historic flypast marking Her Majesty's 70-year reign. Her video shows she was joined by her husband Jack Brooksbank, their son August, one, and her sister Princess Beatrice and her family. Although all of the attendees are difficult to make out in the background of the video, it appears Beatrice's six-year-old stepson Wolfie was present, as were the Tindalls. It is likely this took place shortly before the cousins and their partners headed out for a lunch that Mike described as one of the 'highlights' of the Platinum Jubilee weekend. Speaking on his podcast, he revealed that while the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and others on the balcony at the event had a meal at Buckingham Palace afterwards - 'the cousins' who watched from the Major General's Office overlooking Horse Guards Parade went for a lunch. Princess Eugenie shared a glimpse into the 'outstanding' secret lunch' enjoyed between the royal cousins during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Thursday, which included her son August, one, watching the historic flypast from a London rooftop. Following Friday's thanksgiving service at St Paul's, Mike Tindall was seen chatting with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who had flown over from California to mark the Queen's milestone The Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall donned a Beulah London Darsha dress teamed with a Juliette Botterill 'Floral Blossom Percher' hat and her Rolex watch as she got ready to watch Trooping The Colour with her husband Mike. It appears Harry and Meghan didn't attend and returned immediately to Windsor, suggesting that it was just the York sisters, their children, and Peter Philips and his daughters as well as the Tindalls at the event. The York sisters and the Tindalls, whose parents Princess Anne and Prince Andrew are siblings, appear to be enjoying spending time together this year - having come together for a lunch after Prince Philip's memorial service in March. The Queen's granddaughter Eugenie, 32, also shared a picture standing with husband Jack Brooksbank, 36, who is holding their one-year-old son August, in photographs posted to her Instagram stories. The smartly dressed trio are standing on the London rooftop waving to the Platinum Jubilee flypast. Zara donned a 450 silk Beulah London Darsha dress teamed with a Juliette Botterill 'Floral Blossom Percher' hat and her Rolex watch as she got ready to watch Trooping The Colour with her husband Mike. Although all of the attendees are difficult to make out in the background of the video, it appears Beatrice's six-year-old stepson Wolfie was present, as were the Tindalls (left and right) In a video shared by Princess Eugenie on her Instagram page, Princess Beatrice can be seen in the background as well as her stepson Wolfie (standing on the fencing of the roof) while Mia Tindall waved her hairband in the air (pictured, behind Wolfie) The Queen's granddaughter, 32, is pictured standing with husband Jack Brooksbank, 36, who is holding their one-year-old son August, in photographs posted to her Instagram stories Thursday The smartly dressed trio are standing on a London rooftop waving to the Platinum Jubilee flypast, at what appeared to be a jubilee celebration party In an Instagram post ahead of the main event, he said they were looking forward to the next few days 'celebrating one of the greatest woman on this planet'. The couple stopped off at The Stafford, London, to support Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity GOSH, of which the Queen is patron, and artist Carne Griffiths on the release of his portrait 'The Platinum Queen' before heading to Buckingham Palace for the Trooping The Colour ceremony. His portrait depicts the young Queen Elizabeth shortly before her coronation almost seven decades ago. While Zara, Eugenie and the other cousins has also featured on the balcony in previous years, they was not included this year after the Queen decreed that only working members of the Royal Family would join her to watch the flypast in order to avoid any awkwardness surrounding the presence of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Prince Andrew. FEMAIL understands that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who had watched the event with the Tindalls, went straight back to Frogmore Cottage and did not join in on the lunch. It is not known if they were invited amid ongoing rumours about a rift with Harry's family, especially Prince William, after multiple transatlantic potshots on US TV. Speaking on his podcast, the Good, The Bad and the Rugby, Mr Tindall said of the Jubilee: 'It was outstanding, to be fair. It was just great to be a part of', adding: 'We had a good cousins' lunch on the Thursday. That was a highlight'. The view is similar to that of the one from the private terrace of the Stafford Hotel on St James' in London - where Zara and Mike were seen earlier in the day. Rooms at the hotel cost upwards of 5,000 a night. Zara and Mike are pictured at the hotel Zara and Mike Tindall stopped off at The Stafford, London, to support Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity GOSH, of which the Queen is patron, and artist Carne Griffiths on the release of his portrait 'The Platinum Queen' before heading to Buckingham Palace for the Trooping The Colour ceremony The venue for the no-doubt boozy secret cousins' lunch has not been revealed, although one in March attended by the Tindalls, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie alongside their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank was held at the exclusive Scott's restaurant in Mayfair. In his first appearance on his podcast since millions celebrated the Queen's 70 years on the throne, Tindall also revealed there were celebratory drinks at the Palace after the Platinum Party at The Palace on Saturday. And he also admitted it had been been a struggle to 'keep a lid' on the lively younger royals, including Prince Louis and his own two daughters Mia and Lena, who consumed copious sweets backstage. He said: 'It's tough for them. They're all young. It's a long time. But as any parents knows you just do whatever needs to be done. Louis, he was just wanting to have fun. And my two are always mischievous so it's trying to keep a lid on. There were a lot of sweets out back though, so there was a real sugar high'. Images from Friday's thanksgiving service at St Paul's show Mike with Princess Eugenie (pictured, right, with her husband Jack Brooksbank, left). He later poked fun at her vibrant orange outfit The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at St Paul's Cathedral (left) and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Guildhall (right) Mike also praised the Queen for her 'perfect' skit with Paddington, telling listeners: 'I've always said she is very funny'. Over the weekend, Mike was dubbed the 'Jubilee MVP' and 'fun uncle' as he appeared in a series of his wife's hats. The former rugby start entertained an unruly Prince Louis, poked fun at Princess Eugenie's fashion sense, and chatted with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the royal celebrations in London. Mike, who is father to Mia, eight, Lena, three, and Lucas, one, dutifully accompanied Zara to five different events over the course of the four-day weekend: Trooping the Colour, the Service of Thanksgiving, Epsom Derby, the Platinum Party and the Platinum Pageant. And at all times Mike appeared in typically jovial spirits and was on hand to help out with all the royal children. At times during the pageant on Sunday, Louis was seen clenching his fists, sticking out his tongue, waving his arms in the air, putting his hands over his mother's mouth and standing in his seat for a better view of the spectacle. The Queens granddaughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall attend the thanksgiving service at St Paul's on Friday The former rugby ace shared a number of snaps posing in his wife's fascinator throughout the Jubilee celebrations, showing off his fun side via Instagram posts Luckily, Mike was on hand to make funny faces at Louis to keep him entertained, and was seen pointing to his eyes, in an 'I'm watching you' gesture as Louis' mother Kate Middleton, 40, looked on and laughed. Yesterday, she paid a moving personal tribute to her 'grannie' the Queen. Writing in The Spectator magazine, said she hoped her one-year-old son August would grow to have the Queen's 'patience, her calmness and her kindness while always being able to laugh at himself and keep a twinkle in his eye'. She described the nation's longest-reigning monarch as having transcended time and been 'a constant rock for so many'. Reflecting on her 'own special little family' with the arrival of August, who was born in February last year, Eugenie said: 'I think of my grannie and what she has stood for, for so many people and for our family during these 70 years. 'I'd love Augie to have her patience, her calmness and her kindness, while always being able to laugh at himself and keep a twinkle in his eye.' Harry and Meghan were not at the lunch, however 24 hours ealier they threw a birthday party for their daughter Lilibet, who turned one, with the Tindalla and Philips present. A spokesman for the couple did not name family members who attended the party, but Zara and Mike Tindall are believed to have made an appearance. The Sussexes left for their California home the following day. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children were also invited - but were in Cardiff representing the Queen. It is reported they spent no private time with the Sussexes. Other photos from the weekend showed Mike chatting with Prince Harry, 37, and his wife Meghan Markle, 40, who flew over from their home in Montecito, California, to join in with the Platinum Celebrations, marking the couple's first joint royal engagement in two years. Products featured in this Mail Best article are independently selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com may earn an affiliate commission. Reese Witherspoon attended a photocall for Where The Crawdads Sing in West Hollywood on Tuesday. And the actress killed it in a lavender-hued blazer-and-trouser set that's brightening the mood. For the occasion, the 46-year-old chose Victoria Beckham's wool blazer and paired it with a white button-down poplin shirt and matching lavender trousers. Effortlessly chic! The best part is that we can all get our hands on Reese's look. MyTheresa is selling the blazer and trousers, both 30 percent off. So it's our advice to grab this eye-catching look now before it's too late. Lovely in lavender! Reese Witherspoon attended a photocall for Where the Crawdads Sing in Wet Hollywood wearing this Victoria Beckham blazer and trouser set Victoria Beckham, the brand, is of course known for elegant cuts and tailored creations. The British designer label never misses a beat whether it's for a relaxed resort maxi dress, or dressier combination like Reese's. Reese's lavender blazer ticks all the right boxes: simple single-breasted cut, nipped-in waist, and of course the beautiful purple color. Just right. We can see this combination carrying you through summer and even the cooler fall months. Just had a black turtleneck or a pashmina shawl for added warmth. And, wear with sneakers for more casual occasions or spiff it up with stilettos for a cocktail party. We've also assembled some lookalike options so you can pick up the trend, no matter your budget. A mother has revealed how the first symptom of her infant daughter's blood cancer was a seemingly normal runny nose and cold. Anjna Caulton, 44, from Perton, South Staffordshire, noticed her seven-month-old daughter Mia had been suffering common cold symptoms, but didn't become concerned until she found more worrying changes to the baby's body. 'Mia had just started nursery and she was suffering from a runny nose, was very blocked up and had a feverish temperature,' Anjna, a headhunter, told NeedToKnow.online. 'When I look back during that period, she was particularly cranky. She cried a lot and took so much settling. Baby Mia, pictured here during her grueling nine-month cancer treatment, with infantile acute lymphoblastic leukaemia a rare blood cancer The toddler, pictured here after recovering from the disease, underwent a nine-month treatment plan including chemotherapy and blood transfusions among other procedures Anjna Caulton, pictured here with her daughter Mia, says she was unsettled by her daughter's initial symptoms, but was assured they were due to the tot starting nursery 'I was very unsettled by her cold-like symptoms and how tearful she was, but everyone assured me it was because she had started nursery and was building her immune system. 'Little did I know it was in fact her immune system in serious trouble. 'I then noticed a significant lump on her right side, by her ribs, but she wasn't sitting yet so we wondered if it was an animal sting. 'Within days I noticed quite a lot of bruising on her legs and arms which really panicked me. 'I wondered if I was really stressed and I was holding her too hard whilst changing her nappy, or whether these were from her nursery. Hundreds of terrible thoughts were going through my mind.' When Mia (pictured here as a baby) started showing bruises on her body, Anjna said she worried about how she had sustained them Mia had three visits to the GP before she was referred to hospital to take several tests, which revealed her diagnosis. Pictured, the infant during her treatment Mia had to stay at Birmingham Children's Hospital for nine months while receiving treatment for her condition, including lumbar punctures, bone marrow operations, blood transfusions and chemotherapy She and husband Simon, 49, took the tot to the doctor, who found her blood platelet level was very low which was causing the bruising. Anjna said: 'Mia was very pale and these bruises followed with little red dots appearing sporadically over her body. 'It was at this point after the third GP visit, she was referred to hospital who immediately took us into isolation.' Mia underwent several tests and within two weeks of first visiting the doctor, she was diagnosed with infantile acute lymphoblastic leukaemia a rare blood cancer. She stayed at Birmingham Children's Hospital for nine months to receive a gruelling cycle of treatments, including lumbar punctures, bone marrow operations, blood transfusions and chemotherapy. Anjna said: 'It was the scariest and most uncertain time of my life. Mother Anjna says that the nine months Mia spent in hospital marked the 'scariest and most uncertain time of [her] life' Baby Mia, pictured here while being treated for cancer, hit a number of milestones during the treatment, including taking her first steps, her first birthday, her first words, Christmas and New Year Anjna says the family got through the very difficult time while Mia was being treated for cancer by 'taking one step at a time, one day at a time' (pictured during the treatment) 'I looked at this little face, my little girl whom I already love more than anything in the world and wondered whether she would get taken from me. It's the most unbelievable pain. 'Every parent brings their child into the world, with the expectation they will outlive you, this diagnosis completely threw out this natural order to life. 'It was a life-changing period, as parents we left our day jobs to help Mia through her recovery. As a family, we learned quickly to adjust to our new life. 'We wanted to surround Mia with as much positivity as possible, so on her good days, we still went for walks around the ward in her baby walker. 'She hit some incredible milestones all during treatment, such as taking her first steps, her first birthday, her first words, Christmas and New Year. 'Staying very present, taking one step at a time, one day at a time, we got through and took our baby home.' After a further 18 months of recovery treatments involving daily trips to the hospital, Mia finally got the all-clear in March 2020, just before lockdown. Mia (pictured after her treatment, with her dad Simon) had to visit hospital every day for 18 months for recovery treatments after her nine-month stay Overall, Mia's treatment ran from July 2017 until March 2020, with the little girl spending huge amounts of time in hospital over that time Mia, pictured after the successful treatment, is now able to 'grow up and enjoy being a child', according to her mother Anjna Supergirl: After three years of treatment, Mia rang the bell to mark the end of her grueling plan to treat her leukaemia End of treatment: Mia rang the bell signaling the end of her treatment in July 2020 - three years to the date of her diagnosis Anjna said: 'Mia rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment in July 2020, exactly three years to the date of her diagnosis. It was a very special and emotional day. 'We are pleased Mia is doing well. We only have one wish for Mia that she goes on to live a full and happy life.' The family was supported by Blood Cancer UK throughout the ordeal. Anjna said: 'The care and support of Birmingham Children's Hospital and Blood Cancer UK has given us the greatest gift imaginable being able to watch our beautiful daughter grow up and enjoy being a child.' The family, pictured after Mia's recovery from cancer, say they only have one wish for Mia 'that she goes on to live a full and happy life' The family are backing a new campaign launched by Omaze Million Pound House Draw, which will raise crucial funds for the charity. The initiative means a stunning 4,200sq ft Cornwall home worth 3 million is currently up for grabs with tickets starting at just 10. The fundraising campaign will bag Blood Cancer UK a minimum donation of 100,000 guaranteed, and has a target raise of at least 500,000. The house will be mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees also covered. The winner will even get 50,000 cash to help them settle in, and is free to either live in the house, rent it out or sell it. The draw is also backed by Olivier Award winning actress and Blood Cancer UK supporter Dame Penelope Wilton, who has been involved with the charity since appearing in the film Calendar Girls alongside Dames Helen Mirren and Julie Walters in 2003. Now the family is supporting a prize draw by Omaze Million Pound House Draw, offering this Cornwall home worth 3 million as a prize, which will raise crucial funds for Blood Cancer UK Prince Harry is likely to have felt 'absolutely furious' during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee - and could 'want an apology from the royal family', according to an expert. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex only made one public appearance at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, despite flying in from the US with their two children - Archie and Lilibet. However, the Sussexes did meet the Queen - though their request for a photograph of Her Majesty meeting their youngest child for the first time was allegedly rejected. Biographer Angela Levin, who spent a year with Harry, has now claimed the prince is likely to feel as if he is 'owed an apology' and was 'largely ignored' at the four-day celebration. She added that the Duke of Sussex is allegedly 'absolutely furious' about the situation. Prince Harry is likely to have felt 'absolutely furious' during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee - and could 'want an apology from the royal family', according to an expert The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (left) only made one public appearance at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, despite flying in from the US with their two children - Archie and Lilibet. Pictured right: William and Kate Biographer Angela Levin, who spent a year with Harry, has now claimed the prince feels as if he is 'owed an apology' and was 'largely ignored' at the four-day celebration According to Ms Levin, it was clear Harry was unhappy when attending a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Friday. She told The Sun: 'The thing that really stood out for me on that day was Harry's anger - he wears his emotions on his face and he looked absolutely furious. 'I think it's quite interesting really - he could have been feeling lots of things. I don't know whether he had a wave of feeling at what he had given up.' Ms Levin added: 'I think he would have been very, very upset that he was largely ignored. He still feels he's owed an apology.' However, the royal expert said Harry is 'the one who should apologise'. The Sussexes did meet the Queen - though their request for a photograph of Her Majesty meeting their youngest child for the first time was allegedly rejected Prince William, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis She also claimed Harry and Meghan did not check Prince William and Kate Middleton's schedule before inviting them to a birthday party for Lilibet at Frogmore Cottage. At the time, Kate and William were in Wales with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. It comes after Ms Levin told GB News that Netflix was keen to secure images of Harry and Meghan with royals like the Queen and Prince William for a documentary series they are filming. It is notable that the Sussexes were reportedly told there was 'no chance' of an official photograph of the Queen meeting their one-year-old daughter Lilibet. According to Ms Levin, it was clear Harry was unhappy when attending a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Friday Palace insiders may have worried any photos taken by Harry and Meghan would be shared with TV networks in the US or in Harry's upcoming memoirs. Speaking to GB News, Ms Levin said this image would have been 'very, very valuable', adding: 'They would have used it for Netflix. It would give them a kudos that they had her with her great grandmother, you know.' She said: 'Harry and Meghan wanted to see the Queen as soon as possible so she saw them on the first day. 'She went in, and then they asked if they brought their own photographer and they asked if he could take a picture of the two Lilibets and she said "no, absolutely not possible". 'Because they would have sold it. It would be very valuable, very valuable to them. 'Actually the palace was so clever and cunning that they never had a chance to be photographed with any of the senior royals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a new picture of Lilibet at Frogmore Cottage where she celebrated her first birthday on Saturday In this picture, Lilibet is seen in her mother Meghan's arms inside Frogmore, beside photographer Misan Harriman's wife Camilla Holmstroem and their two daughters 'I heard Netflix wanted these pictures of them with the royals, but they were sitting on the right hand side and the rest of them, Camilla, Charles, Catherine and William, on the other side.' Ms Levin said she believes that after failing to get the images they wanted they 'probably just went off in a rage'. 'I think they felt that everyone would drop everything,' she added. 'Even on this amazing day because they were there, they'd come back. 'I thought they were like petulant teenagers really. If they didn't get what they wanted, they would leave and they left early.' Ms Levin also criticised the pair for compromising their own security, despite suing the government over security concerns. Ms Levin also claimed Harry and Meghan did not check Prince William and Kate Middleton's schedule before inviting them to a birthday party for Lilibet at Frogmore Cottage Birthday cake? The Duke and Duchess of Sussex asked the baker who created their wedding cake to make a creation for their daughter Lilibet's low-key first birthday party. Claire Ptak shared a photo of this beautiful pink cake topped with peonies, which could be Lilibet's 'There he was in a car with black windows, so they were obliged with that so nobody could see who it was, and they opened the windows right down and started waving at the people,' she said. 'That was an indication to me that couldn't be out of the spotlight, however, that is very dangerous, someone can throw a bomb in or a load of tomatoes in through the window. She added: 'And actually, they also flew back on a jet that cost 160,000 but that's their business, but it put out ten times more carbon emissions than a normal plane would. 'We've had them telling us all we mustn't fly, we must be carefulwe mustn't let all this carbon emissions carry on - and there they are doing it themselves.' A new BBC must-watch thriller is shining a light on the shocking true story of a double murder case in Nottinghamshire which launched one of the UK's biggest manhunts - and left a small mining community reeling. Sherwood - which is set to hit screens on June 13 - will follow a Nottinghamshire mining village where two separate and unrelated murders in 2004 launched an intensive search in an area of woodland. Robert Boyer, then-42, was wanted in connection with the killing of former miner Keith Frogson, 62, who was found dead on his doorstep following a brutal attack as he left a local pub in the Nottinghamshire pit village where he lived. Meanwhile officers were also searching Annesley Woods for 55-year-old Terry Rodgers, who was sought in connection with the murder of his daughter, Chanel Taylor. The two murders were carried out within two weeks of each other. It was weeks before both men were finally arrested and ultimately charged with their crimes. The new BBC must-watch thriller Sherwood is shining a light on the shocking true story of a double murder case in Nottinghamshire which launched one of the UK's biggest manhunts - and left a small mining community reeling (pictured, Terry Rodgers, who killed his daughter Chanel Taylor) Robert Boyer, then-42, (left) was wanted in connection with the killing of former miner Keith Frogson, 62, (right) who was found dead on his doorstep following a brutal attack as he left a local pub in the Nottinghamshire pit village where he lived Father-of-three Keith Frogson was a prominent member of the National Union of Miners who had been heavily involved in the strike of 1984. He had in the past clashed with Boyer, a member of the rival Union of Democratic Mineworkers. Boyer had mental health problems and wrongly believed that Keith was out to get him. The two men were believed to have had a heated argument about the 1984 Miner's Strike which Boyer had worked through. The makeshift shelter in Sherwood Forest where former miner Boyer stayed for more than three weeks On the night of July 19, he waited for Keith to return from the pub, shot him with a crossbow and then attacked him with a sword. Keith was found dead on his doorstep following the brutal attack. He had been killed with a crossbow and Samurai sword, which it later emerged Boyer had bought for 150 online. Police later named Boyer, a so-called 'scab' who joined the rival Union of Democratic as a suspect in the killing of Keith, after mineworkers became their prime suspect in the case. One of the UK's biggest manhunts in history: How two men hid out in a wood to evade capture June 2004 - Rodgers walks his daughter Chanel down the aisle to meet her husband July 19 - Robert Boyer kills Keith Frogson with a sword and crossbow Boyer went on the run, hiding out in Annesley Wood. July 30 - Rodgers shoots Chanel four times, and her husband discovers her body July 31 - Last sightings of Rodgers, his car is found abandoned. He is believed to have fled to Annesley Wood. August 6 - A gun is found in a bed in Chanel's home August 15 - Officers discover Boyer hiding out in the woods during the manhunt August 16 - Rodgers was found by police and arrested August 17 - Boyer is charged with Keith's murder Advertisement Meanwhile Rodgers, who was said to be possessive of his daughter, had recently separated from his wife, Anne, and left their home in nearby South Normanton. At the time, sources said Chanel was frightened to step out of line when her father was around. Rodgers, who was known to police before the killing, had also sold his security business and was in some financial difficulty, according to friends. However on July 30, the body of 23-year-old Chanel was discovered by her new husband, Lee, with gunshot wounds at the home they shared in New Street. She was found with gunshot wounds to the back and head. They had married just seven weeks earlier and her father, who had recently moved in with the couple, had given her away. Rodgers then disappeared, having last been seen just a few miles from where she was shot dead on Saturday July 31. Meanwhile, his car was found abandoned nearby. Police believed that he had fled into Annesley Woods, near Annesley Woodhouse. Immediately after the incident, Lee said he was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. He said in an earlier statement: 'We were a newly-married couple and I am devastated with regards to the death of my wife, Chanel. 'We were very happy and looking forward to a long life together. Tragically this will no longer happen.' Six days after the murder, detectives discovered a shotgun hidden under a duvet in the house where Mrs Taylor was killed. A huge combined manhunt was launched. Operation Rendition included some 620 officers, including marksmen and dog handlers, who began scouring the 1.5 square miles of local woodland for both men, assisted by two helicopters with heat-seeking equipment. And the search for Rodgers - which was the biggest ever carried out by Nottinghamshire Police - led to the discovery of Boyer in a makeshift den. Armed officers detained Boyer after he was sighted in the area looking gaunt and dishevelled. New series Sherwood is inspired by the case, and set in an 80s Nottinghamshire community who are still dealing with the after-effects of the miners' strike The officers found a hideout that had been dug out of the hillside and covered with foliage, and staked out the area deep in the woods, arresting Boyer at around 1am. Detective Chief Inspector Russ Foster said he thought Boyer had been living in his woodland dugout since the killing, living off tinned food and bottled water. The officer added: 'I am absolutely elated and overwhelmed with the support the public has given us. 'We will now review the search perimeters as we continue to look for Terry Rodgers.' Keith was found dead on his doorstep following a brutal attack as he left a local pub in the Nottinghamshire pit village where he lived on July 19 2004 He had been killed with a crossbow and Samurai sword, which it later emerged Boyer had bought for 150 online Mr Foster said a doctor had examined Boyer, adding: 'It has been confirmed that he is fit and well and was fit enough to be detained. 'After he is given a significant rest period, officers will be looking to conduct a series of interviews with Robert Boyer.' Hundreds of police continued their search for Terry. He hid out in the woods for 17 days, managing to evade capture from the police before he was found. He admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but denied her murder. Less than two weeks later, Rodgers shot his daughter Chanel four times before disappearing into the woods (pictured, Chanel) Newlywed Chanel had recently invited her father to stay with her and her husband after he split from her mother The funeral cortege of 23 year old Chanel Taylor makes its way to St. Katherine's Church, Teversal, Derbyshire However, prosecutors refused to accept his plea, and a murder trial was set for March 6, 2006. Upon being placed in Lincoln Prison on remand, he began denying food and by November 2004, he was on suicide watch after making threats to kill himself. After refusing food for two years, he died at the age of 57 at Lincoln County Hospital on February 25, 2006. The new series Sherwood is set in an 80s Nottinghamshire community who are still dealing with the after-effects of the miners' strike. Sherwood sees two shocking murders hit an already broken community - leading to one of the largest manhunts known to British history. A huge manhunt was launched for Rodgers, along with Boyer, with wanted posters stuck in public places Operation Rendition included some 620 officers, including marksmen and dog handlers (pictured) The team began scouring the 1.5 square miles of local woodland for both men, assisted by two helicopters with heat-seeking equipment In a release about the upcoming show, the BBC explains: 'To solve the murders, police inspectors Ian St Clair, from the local constabulary, and Kevin Salisbury from the Met, must reunite and bury a rivalry that stretches back to 1984.' Robert Glenister appeared on This Morning today, where he spoke about the drama and revealed how the METs arrival to help with the manhunt had sent tremors through the community. He said: 'The MET coming up - it caused huge divisiveness in the community. 'My character is forced to come back up to Nottingham, having been there during the strike, because there is information about a particularly case that only he can rectify. All those conflicts and that antagonism rekindled itself. 'My character was a young policemen in the strike' but the character was about to retire when the crime arises.' A Stanford professor has been criticized for writing 'offensive and disparaging' tweets describing female attorneys who represent men accused of assault as 'skirts' who are 'desperate to prove they are real lawyers'. Michele Dauber, who is based in California, criticized a number of lawyers including Camille Vasquez, who played a key role in Johnny Depp's recent defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Following the case, in which a which a jury in Virginia found Ms Heard liable for three counts of defamation against Mr Depp, and him liable for one count against her, Ms Vasquez shot to international prominence. While much of the attention given to the lawyer has been positive, she has also faced some negativity, including the tweets by Michele Dauber, which described the attorney as a 'pick me girl' - a phrase normally used to refer to women who crave male validation. Johnny Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez, who shot to prominence after the highly publicised trial, was branded a 'Pick Me Girl lawyer' by Ms Dauber Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife for defamation, being awarded in excess of $10 million in damages, when a jury found her liable for three counts of defamation against him Michele Dauber (pictured) is a professor of law and sociology at Stanford University in California Taking to Twitter, Ms Dauber wrote: 'In a society that strips women of real power, some women have learned to seek male approval in the hopes they won't be raped or abused or humiliated. Sucking up to power might feel good to you but it won't work. You will be next.' Continuing the thread, she shared an image of Camille Vasquez, with the words: 'Of all the women who suck up to male power, women lawyers are the absolute worst of the bunch. 'Desperate to prove they are "real lawyers" and understanding that being a woman undermines their identity as lawyers, they throw women under the bus as hard and fast as they can.' When a Twitter user suggested that if Ms Dauber's son were accused of domestic abuse, she would be happy to have Mrs Vaquez represent him, she replied: 'If my son was accused of DV [domestic violence] he would have a lot more to worry about than some Pick Me Girl lawyer.' These tweets have been criticised by British barrister Daniel Shensmith, who runs a YouTube channel providing commentary on legal cases and describing legal terms called Black Belt Barrister. Michele Dauber, a Stanford professor of law and sociology, referred to Johnny Depp's attorney Camille Vasquez as a 'pick me girl' on Twitter The tweet was part of a series posted by Ms Dauber, in which she criticised female lawyers, calling them 'skirts' Mr Shensmith told FEMAIL the tweets were 'disappointing' to read, adding: 'It is frankly rather shocking to read such offensive and disparaging comments directed toward women lawyers and women in general, let alone from an award-winning Stanford law professor. I had to check the Stanford directory to confirm the same. 'Ironically, it is my view that such tweets and comments are likely to worsen prejudicial views held by some, rather than help to eliminate them.' He explained that in the UK, within the Bar Standards Board handbook, acting in a way that is likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in the legal profession is considered misconduct. While lawyers can argue with others online, he suggested 'tweets such as these would almost certainly cross the threshold' when it comes to UK guidelines around comments that are 'likely to diminish public trust and confidence in the profession'. He added: 'I would expect that there are similar rules for lawyers in the US and, perhaps, in Stanfords policies. When joining the legal profession, one assumes and commits to a more measured approach to uphold the trust and integrity in the legal profession and the legal system as a whole.' With regards to the Tweets about Camilla Vasquez, he said: 'I believe [they] are potentially defamatory and, in any event, totally unacceptable from any legal professional. 'Yet further irony is that Ms Vasquez just won a multi-million lawsuit for defamation for an article that did not mention the claimant's name. 'In my view, Ms Dauber's tweet with a screenshot photograph of Ms Vasquez may also for the basis for a defamation claim.' Ms Dauber highlighted a number of female lawyers who have worked on unpalatable cases, representing clients including Harvey Weinstein, branding them 'skirts' As well as Ms Vasquez, Ms Dauber also shared tweets listing female lawyers she called 'skirts', including those who had represented Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Andrew Cuomo among others. Discussing the representation of clients accused of particularly egregious charges, Mr Shensmith told FEMAIL that lawyers, and in particular barristers, are required to represent clients 'promote fearlessly and by all proper and lawful means the lay clients best interests and to do so without regard to their own interests'. He added that while some cases may seem unpalatable, in the UK, we also have a 'cab-rank' rule, 'whereby a barrister must take the case without regard to his/her/their personal feelings on the issue if they are available, competent, and offered a proper fee'. Mr Shensmith explained: 'I know both male and female barristers that actively seek out such instructions including immigration, human rights, animal protection, domestic violence, sexual violence...we have mechanisms in place that seek to provide fair access to competent representation wherever possible. 'Where this proves difficult, there are many pro bono establishments such as weareadvocate.org.uk, from whom I have also undertaken pro bono work.' Since posting the Tweets, Michele Dauber has revealed that she has received horrific online abuse. She shared a Tweet posted by a fake account, boasting the name and profile picture of her daughter, who died by suicide in 2008. Amber Heard, pictured here arriving for the reading of the verdict in her case against Johnny Depp, was awarded $2 million by the jury Addressing the abuse Ms Dauber has received, Mr Shensmith described it as 'clearly unacceptable', saying it 'should invoke a response from authorities to prosecute offenders'. He added: 'The fake account is particularly grotesque. Online abuse is never acceptable, any more than it would be in person.' Ms Dauber's Tweets follow the contentious six-week defamation trial held in the commonwealth of Virginia, in which a jury of seven found Ms Heard liable for three counts of defamation against Mr Depp. The jury awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages, and $5 million in punitive, which was adjusted to $350,000.00 to reflect the statutory limit in Virginia, for a total of $10,350,000. The jury found Mr Depp liable for one count of defamation, awarding Ms Heard $2 million in compensatory damages and nothing in punitive damages. A 50-year-old mother-of-eight from Utah has given birth to her own grandchild after offering to be her daughter's surrogate following years of fertility struggles. Chalise Smith, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, welcomed her 25-year-old daughter Kaitlyn Munoz's baby girl, Alayna Kait-Chalise Munoz, on May 17. The Hee Haw Farms owner carried the baby to term after having embryos implanted via in vitro fertilization, but the newborn is genetically Kaitlyn and her husband Miguel Munoz's child. Chalise told Good Morning America that she didn't make the decision to become her daughter's surrogate and embark on her ninth pregnancy 'lightheartedly.' 'It was on my mind daily. I thought about it. I prayed about it, just wondering and asking if this was a direction or path for me, and before I even told Kaitlyn and Miguel or my husband, I just kept these thoughts to myself,' she recalled. Chalise Smith welcomed her 25-year-old daughter Kaitlyn Munoz's baby girl, Alayna Kait-Chalise Munoz, on May 17, after committing to being her surrogate Kaitlyn and her husband, Miguel Munoz, also have a two-year-old son, Callahan, whom she was able to carry herself Chalise carried the baby after having embryos implanted via in vitro fertilization, but the newborn is genetically Kaitlyn and her Miguel's child Kaitlyn, who lives in El Paso, Texas, suffers from endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. She had been struggling to conceive for three years without avail when she and Miguel, a law graduate, agreed to try a round of IVF in 2019 that resulted in four embryos. Kaitlyn told Mercury Press that she had two embryos implanted and got pregnant with her son, Callahan, whom she was able to carry on her own. She was 30 weeks into her pregnancy when she had a flare-up that led to her being diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. Alayna Kait-Chalise, who is named after her mother and grandmother, weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 inches long when she arrived last month Kaitlyn, who lives in El Paso, Texas, suffers from endometriosis and had been struggling to conceive for three years when she underwent IVF in 2019 Kaitlyn was later diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva Symptoms from the chronic disorder include dry eyes and mouth, fatigue, and joint paint. In some cases, it can also cause damage to the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). In January 2021, Kaitlyn was told the autoimmune disease had damaged her kidneys, and she wouldn't be able to carry another pregnancy. 'I was crushed. It's always been my dream to have a big family. It's been my dream to be a mother with lots of kids ever since I was a young girl,' she explained to Mercury Press. Chalise was devastated by her daughter's diagnosis, and after thinking long and hard about what to do, she offered to be her surrogate. In January 2021, she was told she would not carry any more children, which led to her mother offering to be her surrogate 'I thought about it. I prayed about it, just wondering and asking if this was a direction or path for me,' Chalise told Good Morning America of becoming her daughter's surrogate Kaitlyn and Miguel were thrilled when they found out they were having a baby girl during a gender reveal 'I was definitely surprised,' Kaitlyn told GMA. 'I mean, I'm a third of eight kids. So she is Wonder Woman, and the idea that she was willing to get pregnant at 49, and she turned 50 while being pregnant just the fact that she was willing to do that for me was amazing.' Kaitlyn's husband and family were soon on board with the arrangement, and Chalise was medically cleared to carry her ninth pregnancy at age 49. 'It went really well,' she told GMA. 'With the IVF cycle, I had the shots for the first 10 weeks of the pregnancy. My husband became a great nurse administering those shots. We told our extended family 15 weeks after I passed some of those markers in that first trimester and from there on, it was great.' Chalise was six months pregnant with her granddaughter when she celebrated her 50th birthday at Disneyland with her children. Chalise was 49 when she was medically cleared to carry her grandchild. She was six months pregnant when she celebrated her milestone 50th birthday at Disneyland Alayna Kait-Chalise's special name is an homage to both her mother and her grandmother who carried her Kaitlyn, who is one of eight children, was initially surprised that her mother was willing to get pregnant for the ninth time When Alayna Kait-Chalise arrived last month, the healthy baby girl weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. Kaitlyn shared photos of her mother in the hospital with her newborn daughter on Instagram the next day. 'What an amazing experience the last 24 hours have been. I am at a loss of words. My mom is a living angel and brought us another blessing earth side and we are in LOVE,' she wrote in the caption. 'When my mom offered to be our surrogate it just felt so right. My mom did so amazing through out the pregnancy and we had an amazing delivery experience. Grateful for my mom and her selflessness in this journey.' Chalise (pictured with Kaitlyn as a newborn) said her ninth pregnancy 'went really well' Chalise (pictured with baby Kaitlyn and her two siblings) was called 'Wonder Woman' by her grateful daughter Kaitlyn (pictured with her mother) shared that she and her husband are considering adoption in the future Alayna Kait-Chalise's name is an homage to both her mother and her grandmother who carried her. 'She's my first girl. I wanted her named after me, but I definitely wanted to name her after my mom, as well, because my mom carried her,' Kaitlyn told GMA. The mother-of-two added that Alayna is 'just the sweetest little thing,' saying her two-year-old son, Callahan, 'adores her and wants to hold her all the time.' Kaitlyn and her husband are enjoying being a family of four at the moment, but she said they would be open to having more children down the line. 'I'm grateful for my son and my daughter now and I'm glad that I have one of each, and maybe down the road, we'll decide that we want to move forward with adoption,' she said. 'But right now, we're happy with the two that we have.' Johnny Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez has opened up about how she and her legal team worked all night long in their hotel 'war rooms' during the six-week defamation trial in Fairfax, Virginia, admitting that they were 'running on fumes.' The 37-year-old became a star in her own right thanks to her impressive courtroom performance. Depp, 59, was awarded $15 million after a jury found that his ex-wife Amber Heard, 36, defamed him by accusing him of abuse in her 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post. In a new interview with People, Vasquez gave a behind-the-scenes account of her preparation and how her colleagues helped her with her fierce cross-examination of Heard. 'After court, we would go back to the hotel where we lived and was our little nest, if you will, for months,' she said. 'We would change. We would have food served. Then we had two war rooms where we would be until sometimes 5:00 in the morning the next day. It was very intense.' Johnny Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez, 37, opened up about her preparation for Depp's six-week defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard in a new interview with People Depp's team was led by Brown Rudnick partner Benjamin Chew (left) and included nine other attorneys, but Vasquez (right) emerged as a major player in the case Depp's team was led by Brown Rudnick partner Benjamin Chew and included nine other attorneys, but Vasquez emerged as a major player in the case. In addition to her cross-examination of Heard, she also delivered the opening and closing arguments. Vasquez, who was an associate at the law firm at the time, was promoted to partner less than a week after the trial. However, she maintained that her defense of Depp during the televised trial was a group effort. 'Before I did her cross and before I delivered the opening and closing arguments, I would go to bed around 1 or 2 in the morning. And then my team would stay up till 5, 5:30, and slide whatever it was that we were working on under my door,' she told People. 'I would wake up to them under my door and they would sleep for an hour, an hour and a half. Then we would all go to court together. I mean, we were really running on fumes.' She added, 'I was the one that delivered the cross-examination, but I was very clear that this wasn't my cross-examination. This was our team's.' Vasquez explained that she and her legal team lived in a hotel in Fairfax, Virginia, and would sometimes stay up until 5 a.m. working in their 'two war rooms' Vasquez noted that the legal team was composed of people of 'different political backgrounds' who 'saw the case and the evidence differently,' but she and her colleagues all 'believed Johnny and believed that he didn't do this.' While reflecting on the outcome of the trial, she explained Depp has 'a peace now' that 'he just didn't have before' after sharing his side of the story in court. According to Vasquez, his legal team doesn't believe the verdict will have a negative effect on the #MeToo movement or prohibit survivors from coming forward. 'Domestic violence doesn't have a gender,' said the lawyer, who praised Depp for his 'bravery' during the trial. 'I think it takes the same amount of bravery, irrespective of gender, to come forward and expose your entire life the way that Johnny did, and to do that because he knew that it was important to get the truth out,' she said. Vasquez, who was an associate at Brown Rudnick at the time, delivered opening and closing arguments and also cross-examined Heard (pictured) Vasquez insisted it was her team's cross-examination, not just hers, though she was promoted to partner less than a week after the trial The lawyer said she'd 'go to bed around 1 or 2 in the morning' and her team would stay up and slide what they were working on under her door before going to court 'I commend him for his bravery and his courage, just like I do any other victim of domestic abuse who comes forward and stands up and is willing to have their day in court and have everything about their life exposed just to seek justice and the truth.' Heard married Depp in 2015 after meeting him on the set of the 2011 film The Rum Diary. She filed for divorce in 2016, and it was finalized a year later. In 2018, she wrote an op-ed in which she appeared to allude to Depp when describing overcoming domestic abuse and violence. Depp filed a $50 defamation claim over the op-ed, alleging that it caused him to lose movie roles and other Hollywood jobs. Heard, in turn, countersued for $100 million, claiming she had been falsely painted as a liar by Depp's camp. On the stand, Heard alleged that Depp was physically and verbally abusive, often while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. She also detailed several allegations of sexual assault against him. Depp denied ever hitting Heard and portrayed her as the instigator in their arguments, claiming she had hit him several times during the course of their relationship. Vasquez also praised Depp for his 'bravery' for having his 'life exposed just to seek justice and the truth' during the trial Depp, 59, was awarded $15 million after a jury found that Heard, 36, defamed him by accusing him of abuse in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post After less than three days of deliberation, the jury in Fairfax County ruled in favor of Depp's defamation claims against Heard, finding that she had falsely and knowingly accused him of domestic abuse in the op-ed. The actor was awarded $15 million $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The judge later capped the punitive damages at the Virginia maximum of $350,000, knocking down the total to $10.35 million. Heard sat silently in the courtroom with a solemn expression as the verdict was read out on June 1 Heard won only one of her three countersuit claims and was awarded just $2 million in compensatory damages out of the $100 million she was seeking. She will now be required to pay her ex-husband a total of $8.35 million the $10.35 million awarded to Depp minus the $2 million she was given in compensation should he decide to execute the judgment. Heard sat silently in the courtroom with a solemn expression as the verdict was read out. She briefly embraced her lawyers and swiftly exited the courtroom, but later released a short statement. 'The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband,' she said. 'I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women... It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously. She concluded: 'I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American to speak freely and openly.' Heard (pictured hugging her attorney Elaine Bredehoft after the verdict) won only one of her three countersuit claims and was awarded just $2 million in compensatory damages out of the $100 million she was seeking Vasquez noted that Depp's legal team all 'believed Johnny and believed that he didn't do this.' They were seen hugging in celebration after the verdict was read Depp was not present in court to hear the verdict as he was in the UK on tour with musician Jeff Beck, but he delivered a statement shortly after the trial was concluded. 'Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed.' he said. 'From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.' He concluded by thanking his fans and legal team for the help and support shown throughout the trial and said, 'The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun. Truth never perishes.' Heard's spokesperson Alafair Hall confirmed last week that the actress does intend to appeal the verdict handed down by the jury. To be granted an appeal, she would likely need to demonstrate that there were errors in the trial, or in the presiding judge's reading of the law. According to Vasquez, Depp's legal team doesn't believe the verdict will have a negative effect on the #MeToo movement. 'Domestic violence doesn't have a gender,' she said Vasquez said Depp (pictured with a fan at a pub in England following the verdict) has 'a peace now' that 'he just didn't have before' after sharing his side of the story in court She would also need to post bond of the full $10.35 million, plus interest charges over the course of an appeal trial. Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft said on the Today show that she will appeal the verdict in the case against Depp on the grounds of suppressed evidence. 'We had an enormous amount of evidence that was suppressed in this case that was in the UK case. In the UK case when it came in, Amber won and Mr. Depp lost,' Bredehoft explained. 'The court found there and we werent allowed to tell the jury this but the court found that Mr. Depp had committed at least 12 acts of domestic violence, including sexual violence against Amber.' Britain's High Court ruled in 2020 that it was 'substantially true' to describe Johnny Depp as a 'wife beater.' It also found that Heard was put in fear for her life on three occasions. A year later, the UK's Court of Appeal upheld the verdict, stating the trial was 'full and fair.' The 2018 Christmas party held by the Transport Salaried Staffs Association was, according to at least one who was there, a rather boozy affair. After dinner, washed down with plenty of drinks, partygoers decamped to a nearby pub. There, alas, the festive atmosphere swiftly soured when the trade unions firebrand General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, allegedly made a drunken attempt to kiss one of his female members of staff, former casino waitress Claire Laycock. Fast forward three-and-a-half years and highly damaging claims about what happened that night not to mention during the months that followed have led to calls for the resignation of 55-year-old Cortes, along with a cultural shake-up of the entire British trade union movement. Indeed, while Cortes is gleefully preparing to wage war on the rail industry this summer, with threats of mass walkouts and maximum possible disruption amid ongoing pay disputes, it appears that his former colleagues have now turned the tables and declared their own war on him. Ms Laycock, 45, who worked as a TSSA organiser for several years, is one of seven women to have come forward with sexual harassment claims, all pointing the finger at militant Labour supporter Cortes. The complainants, who are all former TSSA staff members, are being backed by campaigners using the banner #MeTU and calling for sexism, harassment and bullying to be stamped out. Campaigners were out in force this Wednesday, protesting with placards outside the TUC offices in London. Seven women have made claims of harassment against TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes Cortes, who left school in Gibraltar aged 15 with no qualifications, vehemently denies harassment and has apologised for any hurt caused by his behaviour. But the TSSA, which represents white-collar workers in the transport industry, now faces further accusations from within the trade union movement of closing ranks and trying to hush up his female accusers. More, in a moment, of the injunction they took out against Ms Laycock earlier this month to prevent her breaching a confidentiality clause in a compromise agreement she signed last November. The TSSA said this week that it would not be seeking further injunctions and would be a full and willing participant in an independent inquiry into Ms Laycocks case and that Cortes, who denies any wrongdoing, fully supports the decision. The use of NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) in cases of alleged sexual harassment, discrimination or racism has been widely criticised since the #MeToo movement because they can be used to cover up incidents of wrongdoing. Despite their attempts to silence her, Ms Laycock has recorded her allegations in an extraordinary and disturbing video testimony posted online by the Left-wing collective Reel News. Aside from the alleged attempted kiss incident, Yorkshire-born Ms Laycock claims in the online video that a lot of talented women have been lost to the Trade Union and labour movement. A lot of women who had a lot of things to offer arent there any more because theyve been mobbed out by misogynistic abuse. So what did happen that night in December 2018? According to Ms Laycock: The General Secretary came up to me, put his arm over my front and tried to kiss me. I said to him: Youre my boss, and he went away. At the 2018 Christmas Party, general secretary Manuel Cortes allegedly made a drunken attempt to kiss one of his female members of staff, former casino waitress Claire Laycock He was taken away by other colleagues but then he came back over and said: Im being told Im not allowed to kiss you, do you want to go outside? She later complained to the union and says she was invited to proceed via mediation rather than raise an official grievance, something she says I really regret now. Chaperoned by a union rep, she later travelled to Manchester to meet Cortes, who was accompanied by a member of the TSSAs HR department. She claims: He looked me in the eye and said to me: I dont remember doing this. But I know that I did do it because you say that I did it. I was very drunk. I dont remember anything. I know that isnt an excuse. It wont happen again. And I said: Well, thank you for apologising. Ms Laycock says she believed the meeting had gone well and even felt sorry for Cortes. Six months later, she saw him again at a 2019 Network Rail conference in Glasgow and says she sought him out to shake his hand and let him know that were OK. But at a conference dinner later that evening, she claims, Cortes stared at her and then, in the bar of the hotel where the event was being held, followed her around the room and stood behind her. She says Cortes was extremely drunk and smashed loads of glasses by accident. He chose to continue his harassment of me that night by following me around, staring at me and standing too close, she says in the online video. Other colleagues, she said, took her outside on the pretence of going for a cigarette. In the aftermath of these events, she says, her performance at work was questioned and, fearing that she was going to be sacked, she raised a formal grievance. Pictured: The then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured left) at the Labour Party Annual Conference in Brighton with TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes (pictured right) in 2019 These highly damaging accusations must be galling indeed for a man who has been one of the trade union movements most robust voices not to mention a thorn in the side of travel industry executives. A former apprentice electrician who grew up on a government-run estate in Gibraltar, hairdressers son Cortes came to the UK as a teenager to study for a BTEC in engineering at Erith College of Technology in South-East London. He later took a degree in electronic engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and became a key player in the students union, organising tours of local housing estates to teach his contemporaries about poverty. He took part in demonstrations against the poll tax and was photographed in September 1990 outside Sheffield Courthouse, dressed in a T-shirt bearing the slogan of the anti-U.S. Nicaraguan Sandinista socialist party and clutching a sign that read: Lesbians and gays against the poll tax! Cortes worked for mobile phone company Motorola before becoming a full-time union official. He was elected TSSA General Secretary in 2011 and re-elected for a second five-year leadership term in 2016 after winning 66 per cent of members votes. The TSSA, which held its first conference dedicated to female members in 2018 using the slogan: Women, whats not to love? insists that it investigated Ms Laycocks allegations twice and her claims were not upheld. She, however, says that most of her witnesses were not contacted or chose not to speak out. In November last year, she was offered an exit package with a payoff on the condition that she also signed an NDA. She accepted the ACAS-negotiated deal. Last month, the union was granted an interim injunction to stop Ms Laycock from breaching her NDA but no injunction was imposed on Reel News which posted her video testimony online. The six other women who have made allegations of sexual harassment against Cortes are also believed to have signed NDAs as part of severance packages. This week, a spokesperson for the TSSA said that the union now backs an independent inquiry into the allegations, working alongside officials from the TUC and will not be seeking further injunctions or similar legal action. The union says it will reconsider the use of settlement agreements with staff in future. Mr Cortes vehemently denies harassment and apologised for any hurt caused by his actions The spokesperson said: TSSA is a full and willing participant in the independent investigation. We want the investigation to start without delay and we hope that it will cover any and all allegations made. But among those who have criticised the way the union has handled the sorry saga is Jo Grady, General Secretary of the University and College Union, who tweeted: Seeing a Left-wing political organisation (who should know better!) put out statements that gaslight complainants as disgruntled or bitter is beyond disappointing. Its gross. John Page, a former assistant general secretary at the TSSA, has also spoken out, saying: It is time to root out systemic sexual harassment wherever it appears in our movement. But, worryingly, this is not the first time that a trade union has come under fire for its treatment of women amid fears that these archaic attitudes are endemic in the labour movement. In September 2020, the GMB, one of Britains largest unions, was described as institutionally sexist in a hugely critical independent report. Bullying, misogyny, cronyism and sexual harassment are endemic within the GMB, said the report issued following an independent inquiry. The culture in the GMB is one of heavy drinking and late-night socialising, salacious gossip and a lack of professionalism. Report author Karen Monaghan QC wrote: Examples of sexual harassment I heard about included touching hair, leering, commenting on body shape and clothes, placing hands around a womans waist, staring at a womans breasts or t**s, propositioning young women, sloppy kisses, lip kisses, sticking a tongue in a womans ear, touching of knees, bottoms and hips, hugs, and slapping of a backside. The union launched the independent investigation after GMBs General Secretary, Tim Roache, stood down following anonymous allegations of sexist and aggressive behaviour. He called the allegations defamatory lies and said he was retiring on the grounds of ill-health. Before working for the TSSA, Claire Laycock worked for GMB as a casinos organiser, encouraging workers in that industry to join the union. She claims she left that union after suffering a breakdown following a sexual attack in the workplace. She said that the annual GMB Yorkshire region branch weekend was a gauntlet of abuse. A statement accompanying her video on the Reel News website, says: Lets stop kidding ourselves and tell the truth. Sexism, sexual harassment and violence and bullying of women working for trade unions is rife throughout the trade union movement. There are senior officials in virtually every union getting away with disgusting and abhorrent behaviour and there are many more who enable their abuse by staying silent about it. How can we fight misogyny and sexism in the workplace if our own unions are riddled with it? The latest allegations have come as Britain is facing the biggest rail strike in modern history with fears of power blackouts, petrol shortages and empty shelves. Cortes and fellow union bosses from the RMT and ASLEF have vowed to inflict a summer of discontent on commuters, holidaymakers and businesses with industrial action set to begin as early as next week. The TSSA claims that rail workers face job insecurity and that their wages are falling below the cost of living. Speaking in April, Cortes, who is also President of the Greece Solidarity Campaign, said: We cannot stand by and let this happen. Given the serious nature of the allegations against him, some might say he should first deal with problems closer to home. Speaking in her online video, Claire Laycock says: Were in workplaces demanding high standards of treatment for our members. Were demanding that workplaces arent sexist and misogynistic on behalf of our female members. But its like we dont matter. United States security agencies warned Tuesday that Chinese government-backed hackers have breached "major" telecommunications firms by exploiting known software vulnerabilities in routers and other popular network networking hardware. An advisory was released by the FBI, the National Security Agency, and US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. It stated that the "devices are often overlooked by cyber defenders, who struggle to maintain and keep pace with routine software patching of Internet-facing services and endpoint devices." Although the hacker victims were not identified, the warning focused on measures to help enterprises using Cisco, Fortinet, and other suppliers secure their networks, according to a CNN report. In the recent series of public warnings from US cybersecurity, authorities aimed at reducing the impact of foreign operators attempting to enter critical computer networks and collect data for spying or other objectives. Smaller Users Could Be Targeted By Hackers FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate alleged in April that China "conducts more cyber intrusions than all other nations in the world combined." But the Chinese government consistently denies allegations of cyber attacks. Smaller computer users may assume they are unimportant to state-sponsored hackers, but the main aim is to exploit compromised devices as additional access points, as per a Forbes report. They can be used to redirect command and control traffic and act as midpoints to breach additional networks, eavesdropping on the traffic and stealing the ultimate prize: sensitive data, emerging key technologies, and intellectual property. Read Also: US, South Korea Show Powerful Air Force After North Korea's Missiles Test: What Fighter Jets Did They Send? Hackers Exploit Microsoft Office Vulnerability According to threat analysis research from security firm Proofpoint, a recently identified vulnerability in Microsoft Office is already being used by hackers connected to the Chinese government. An information provided on Twitter by Proofpoint, a hacking organization known as TA413 used the vulnerability (dubbed "Follina" by researchers) in malicious Word documents pretending to be transmitted by the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government in exile based in Dharamsala, India. The TA413 group is an APT, or "advanced persistent threat," actor suspected of being tied to the Chinese government that has previously targeted Tibetan exiles. According to a report from The Verge, Chinese hackers have a history of targeting Tibetans by exploiting software security weaknesses. In a 2019 research, Citizen Lab found widespread spyware targeting Tibetan political personalities, including using Android browser exploits and malicious links transmitted via WhatsApp. Browser extensions have also been used for this reason, with a prior Proofpoint investigation revealing the usage of a malicious Firefox add-on to monitor Tibetan activists. On May 27, a security research group known as Nao Sec took to Twitter to discuss a sample uploaded to the internet malware scanning service VirusTotal, and the Microsoft Word vulnerability gained significant prominence. The malicious code was sent using Microsoft Word documents used to execute instructions via PowerShell, a sophisticated system administration tool for Windows, according to Nao Sec's tweet. The potential attack surface for the vulnerability is extensive given the widespread utilization of Microsoft Office and related products. Follina appears to affect Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, Office ProPlus, and Office 365, according to current analysis, and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were advising system administrators to follow Microsoft's mitigating exploitation recommendations as of Tuesday. Related Article: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, Confirms that IDRA Group's 9,000-ton Giga Casting Machine will be used to produce the Cybertruck Unibody Shell. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Australians will soon be able to score a limited edition bottle of French-inspired alcoholic ginger beer for free - just by showing an app on their phone. Uber Eats and Australian icon Bundaberg Distilling Company have joined forces for the release of a limited edition bottling - Maison de Bundy's Blanc de Cane - that turns the product's fabled nickname 'sugarcane champagne' into a reality. The stunning bottle has nods to the famed wine growing houses of Europe and is adorned with a label featuring accentuated golden notes on a midnight black background with the brand's iconic polar figure in the centre rosette. Australians will soon be able to score a limited edition bottle of French-inspired alcoholic ginger beer for free - just by showing an app on their phone Uber Eats and Australian icon Bundaberg Distilling Company have joined forces for the release of a limited edition bottling - Maison de Bundy's Blanc de Cane - that turns the product's fabled nickname 'sugarcane champagne' into a reality The new four per cent alcohol tipple commemorates Bundaberg's new alcoholic ginger beer made with white Queensland cane spirit and Bundaberg Ginger Beer as well as the new launch of premium alcoholic beverages on Uber Eats. The unique 640mL glass bottling is limited to a run of just 1,000 and will be available free for Uber Eats customers to enjoy at The Civic Hotel in Sydney, The Sporting Globe in Melbourne and Leonards and Dawn in Brisbane on Friday June 10 and Saturday June 11. All customers have to do is head to the venue and show their Uber Eats app to bar staff at the venues from 5pm on Friday to toast the weekend ahead. Those unable to make it to one of the three collection points will be able to unlock 30 per cent off selected Bundy products on Uber Eats from Thursday 9th June until Monday 13th. The surprising rum and food pairings you need to try - and the MAJOR mistakes drinkers make Bartender Sai Hamsala's ultimate guide to the perfect food and rum pairings The ultimate pairings - Oysters - Cheese like Gouda and blue - Wagyu beef steak - Fruits and nuts: Coconut, pineapple, banana, figs, raisins and almonds - Chocolate: White, dark and salted caramel The biggest mistakes - Over diluting the spirit - Mixing too many ingredients together - Taking shots of rum Advertisement The stunning bottle has nods to the famed wine growing houses of Europe and is adorned with a label featuring accentuated golden notes on a midnight black background with the brand's iconic polar figure in the centre rosette 'Bundy has forever been colloquially known as 'sugarcane champagne' and now thanks to Uber Eats we're able to get sugarcane champers into special bottles that warrant a special Aussie celebration,' Bundaberg Rum's award-winning master blender, Sarah Watson, said. Uber Eats General Manager of Retail, ANZ, Lucas Groeneveld, added: 'We know Bundy is affectionately dubbed 'sugarcane champagne' throughout Queensland so we're overjoyed to have been able to collaborate with Bundy to create this exclusive item. 'While the name is tongue in cheek the product is world class in every way.' People 18 years old and over wanting to sample the limited edition bottling will be able to show their Uber Eats app to bar staff at these venues from 5pm on Friday and Maison de Bundys Blanc de Cane will be available until sold out. There will also be a small run of bottles available through Bundabergs membership platform. Newborn babies could be harmed by woke NHS-backed guidance that states transwomen can breastfeed, experts warned today. Guidance from a charity linked to on the controversial 'chestfeeding' advice page states biological men who swap sex can stimulate milk supply using the Newman-Goldfarb protocol. But the procedure, which involves taking a powerful drug called domperidone, has been mired in controversy. It is effectively banned in the US because of its side effects. NHS bosses only recommend it to women struggling to produce milk in some cases because domperidone carries a risk of giving a baby an irregular heartbeat. Experts told MailOnline how scientists have 'no idea about the implications', and that the NHS should focus on improving access to breastfeeding rates for women. Originally developed to assist adoptive mothers or those who have conceived via surrogacy, the Newman-Goldfarb protocol has helped thousands of women to stimulate milk production. Several drugs, such as metoclopramide, digitalis, and chlorpromazine and other sedative medications have been known to increase prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. But domperidone, originally an anti-sickness drug, is the preferred option due to not having as many potentially dangerous side affects. La Leche, the charity the NHS links to on its advice page, describes it as 'much safer for mother and baby'. Experts have expressed concern about the NHS linking to advice telling transwomen they can feed newborns through a drug regime and it should instead focus other groups wanting to breastfeed (stock image) Domperidone, sold under the brand name Motilium is an anti-nausea medication but has been shown to boost prolactin levels, the hormone responsible for milk production Fury over 'ideological' new NHS trans pregnancy advice that refers to 'chest-feeding' New NHS advice for trans parents has been described as 'ideological' for failing to mention the word breasts and 'normalising' a potentially dangerous chest-binding technique. The guidance also encourages people to keep taking hormone transitioning drugs when they 'chestfeed', despite admitting 'it is unclear what effect this could have on your baby'. The advice was written a year ago but was only issued online this week after nearly a year of internal wrangling over whether to publish. It has provoked concern among nurses and members of the public, who said the advice fails to warn people about health risks to both parents and babies. A page titled 'chestfeeding if you're trans or non-binary' makes no mention of breasts and refers to breast reduction operations as 'top surgery'. The advice also has a section on binding, a technique used by women transitioning to men to flatten their breasts, usually with extremely tight fitting bras. Experts have previously warned the technique can cause bruised ribs, fractures, breathing difficulties and infections. Even NHS England advice in 2008 said bindings should only be used for short periods of time because they 'may cause back problems' and can distort breast tissue, which could affect any future surgery to remove the breasts. Advertisement Current advice states doctors can prescribe domperidone, or Motilium, to 'increase milk supply' but 'only if other things have not worked'. This is because it 'passes into breast milk in small amounts'. There is also some evidence it can give a baby an irregular heartbeat, according to separate NHS advice. For this reason, US health chiefs have never approved the drug. The FDA, America's medical regulator, says other serious risks include cardiac arrest and sudden death. Only patients with severe gastrointestinal can get it through a special access scheme. But the drug continues to be used by US transwomen who import it from overseas, to lactate and feed newborns. An NHS England spokesperson said the link to La Leche's advice on its chestfeeding guidance page was to an 'independent, non-profit support site' and added does not reflect NHS policy. 'Nowhere does it say it is available on the NHS,' they said. Officials, however, do not know exactly how many women, or transwomen, take the drug for this reason. The spokesperson also declined to say if transwomen are eligible for the treatment on the NHS. Drugs watchdog, the National Institute for Care Excellence, told MailOnline it did not have any guidance on the issue. It said, however, clinicians can prescribe domperidone 'off label'. This means it can be given to patients outside of normal use, but doctors can be held responsible for negative side effects. The NHS chestfeeding page links to the charity La Leche League under its 'further support' section. On this page, the charity says transwomen can breastfeed newborns by undergoing the Newman-Goldfarb protocol. Health experts told MailOnline the NHS linking to the La Leche League advice was inappropriate. Professor Jenny Gamble, an expert in midwifery at Coventry University, said: 'They are unlikely to produce enough of any fluid to sustain a newborn and we really have no idea about the implications.' She added that the NHS had its priorities wrong and that it should be doing more to promote breastfeeding in those naturally capable of doing so. The NHS advice page for trans pages has been mired in controversy since its launch and links to further advice for transparents and breastfeeding on La Leche League The La Leche League advises that transwomen can breastfeed via a medical regime which involves taking domperidone, a medication which the NHS says has some risk of giving newborns an irregular heartbeat by being passed through breastmilk 'NHS should spend their resources addressing the known barriers to breastfeeding in the UK and advising transmen to of the risks and downsides of mastectomy to them and possibly their baby if they choose to get pregnant,' she said. The NHS advises that biological women who have their breasts removed may not produce enough milk to feed their baby, and that the newborn can also struggle to connect to their nipple depending how much tissue has been cut away. La Leche League was contacted for comment. Men, and transwomen, have been known to produce milk in the past as a result of taking hormones or from rare medical conditions. However, whether this milk can sustain a newborn or has any long term affects, is unknown some experts say. It is still relatively rare for transwomen to breastfeed, with only a dozen or so cases reported. Although, the number has steadily risen in the past few years. There are no accurate estimates on the number of transparents in the UK, with the Government estimating there are between 200,000-500,000 trans people in Britain in total. The NHS advice page for trans parents has been shrouded in controversy since its launch last week. Critics have described it as 'ideological' for failing to mention the word 'breasts', instead opting for the term chestfeeding. Health experts have also expressed concern over the NHS telling people to keep taking hormone transitioning drugs like testosterone while 'chestfeeding', despite admitting 'it is unclear what effect this could have on your baby'. Two cases of transwomen feeding babies with milk from their bodies they got from taking domperidone have come to light in last month. One anonymous transwoman in the US provoked outrage last month for feeding her wife's newborn baby after taking the drug for months ahead of the birth. Writing online about her experience, she claimed she was able to produce 'about a tablespoon or so per pump/feed, which is plenty to feed a newborn'. Jennifer Buckley, another transwoman, also attracted criticism last month for using domperidone to produce milk to feed her son in Australia. Ms Buckley, who is her son's biological father, went on a regime of hormones and the galactagogue (a substance that boosts milk supply) recommended by her endocrinologist. While seemingly a growing practice, experts and campaigners have raised concerns about transwomen producing milk. Dr Foteini Kakulas, a breastfeeding expert from the University of Western Australia's Medical School, believes only women produce breast milk. 'While it is possible for male breast tissue to produce something, what exactly that is, how it may or may not resemble breast milk, and whether this is healthy for the individual person or for the baby, are all unknown and never been studied,' she said. 'In my view in nature only females lactate in mammals, so trying to do something against nature won't result in any good. 'At the end of the day women make babies and breastfeed.' A grandmother-of-eight is able to go on long walks and 94 mph rollercoasters for the first time in two years after an operation to repair her paralyzed diaphragm allowed her to breathe normally again. Becky Smeltz, 70, from Ohio, lost 30lbs in a month in 2019 after an 'excruciating' pain leaving her unable to eat or sleep erupted in her diaphragm. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic diagnosed Smeltz with nerve system disorder neuralgic amyotrophy which had paralyzed her diaphragm, a muscle beneath the lungs that helps regulate breathing. She was initially told it would clear up in six months, but when this did not happen they performed surgery a year-and-a-half later to tie down the muscle. Smeltz, who also has three children, said she felt better 'immediately' after the operation and went back to her old activities in weeks including riding rollercoasters at Cedar Point theme park, Ohio, with her grandchildren. Paralysis of the muscle is uncommon, but when it happens the lung capacity is reduced to about 70 percent of normal. In most cases, it clears up on its own but in cases where this does no occur surgery may be needed. Becky Smeltz, 70, from Ohio, was left unable to eat or sleep after a persistent 'excruciating' pain erupted in her abdomen in 2019. But after an operation the grandmother was able to go back to riding rollercoasters at Cedar Point in Ohio with her eight grandchildren (pictured) The family favorite is the Millennium coaster (shown above) which can go up to 94mph Smeltz was initially told by doctors to wait six months to see whether the condition would right itself. When that did not happen she was signed up for surgery - but had to wait two years Smeltz said she had been taking her grandchildren who are aged 10 to 20 years old on rollercoasters for years. The family's favorite coasters are the Millennium at Cedar Point theme park, which goes up to 94 miles per hour (mph) and the Steel Vengeance which goes at 74 mph. 'From the time they were tiny, I wanted all of [my grandchildren] to love riding rollercoasters and having fun at amusement parks,' she said. What is the diaphragm? And what happens when it is paralyzed? The diaphragm is the flat muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. It is essential to normal breathing in the body. During respiration, it both widens and constricts the chest cavity forcing air in and out. In people where the muscle has stopped working their lung capacity is reduced to up to 70 percent of the usual amount. Symptoms of diaphragm paralysis include: Shortness of breath when lying flat; Difficulty breathing. Treatment options include waiting for the condition to heal on its own. But patients could also be offered pacemakers to help with their breathing and painkillers. Source: Cedars-Sinai Advertisement 'I got the oldest, who is now 20, riding them when she was probably about eight or nine and everyone has progressively done it since then.' There are no restrictions on riding rollercoasters for people who are short of breathe or have a nerve problem. But Smeltz who also has a heart condition may have chosen to avoid them because of concerns it could inflame her condition and spark pain. It was not clear why the grandmother was asked to wait two years for surgery. But this could be due to doctors needing this long for the muscle to become loose enough for them to tie it down, or delays sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was not clear whether the grandmother was offered any other treatments during the wait, such as painkillers. Smeltz's battle with her health began in April 2019 when sharp pains erupted in her abdomen. She went to a chiropractor the next day but then returned 48 hours later after the pain did not ease. The patient was then referred to a local doctor, who did some X-rays but also discharged her saying the condition would likely 'clear up on its own'. Over the next month Smeltz developed a pain that was so excruciating she struggled to eat or sleep. Describing it, she said: 'It was just excruciating all the time. All day. And the worst was at night.' She returned to the doctors again when the pain also stopped her from taking a deep breath, who referred her to the Cleveland Clinic. It was at the Cleveland Clinic that she was diagnosed with the paralyzed diaphragm. It is not clear how many Americans suffer the condition every year, but the prognosis is generally good with most patients returning to normal health within two years. The diaphragm is the flat muscle that separates the stomach and lungs, and assists with breathing by widening and constricting the chest cavity to force air into and out of the lungs. Doctors there waited two years before signing her up for surgery to ease the condition. Smeltz said she felt better almost immediately after surgery and was able to go back to her old daily activities within weeks These included going for long walks (pictured). The grandmother was thrilled with her recovery Describing her surgery Dr Alejandro Bribriesco, a heart, lungs and chest surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, said: 'I usually perform this with four small incisions, just enough for my camera and the instruments. 'Then with a series of permanent stitches, just sewed down the diaphragm so that its taut and flat.' Symptoms of diaphragm paralysis include shortness of breath when lying flat and difficulty breathing. Treatment options include 'watchful waiting' for the condition to get better without any medication. Patients may also be offered CPAP machines if these are covered by insurance to help them breathe until the condition subsides. Advertisement Today's children should be banned from ever being able to buy cigarettes and smoking in pub gardens should be made illegal, according to radical 'nanny-state' recommendations unveiled today. The age limit for purchasing cigarettes in England, currently set at 18, should rise by 12 months every year until no one can legally buy a tobacco product, the Government-commissioned review set out. Health Secretary Sajid Javid tasked former children's charity chief Javed Khan with finding ways England could be smoke-free by 2030 defined as less than five per cent of people smoking, compared to the current 15 per cent. Ministers are expected to reject the proposed policy, which is being rolled out in New Zealand and means anyone born after 2008 will never be able to buy cigarettes. However, Mr Javid today said the Government will 'carefully consider' all 15 of the 'clear and challenging' recommendations. Among the bold proposals includes getting NHS doctors to prescribe e-cigarettes and vapes to smokers, in order to help them quit. The Government should make 'the polluter pay' by forcing the 'dying' tobacco industry pay an extra 70million in tax every year to fund towards a 125million fund to support quitting and e-cigarettes on the NHS, the report says. It also calls for supermarkets and websites to be banned from selling tobacco, while retailers should be forced to apply for a tobacco license to limit where cigarettes can be sold. All films and TV shows that show people smoking or other 'tobacco imagery' should also be rated for people aged 18 and over. Other suggestions include paying expectant mothers to quit, branding cigarette sticks with how many minutes it shaves off of someone's life and making them a 'dissuasive' colour like green, as well as prohibiting all smoking in beaches, pub gardens and anywhere else food and drink is served outside. Dr Khan said his recommendations, if implemented, would deliver a 'smoke-free society', save lives, save money and address health disparities. He called on ministers to make smoking 'obsolete once and for all'. But pro-smoking campaign group Forest said a 'creeping prohibition' won't stop young people from smoking but instead drive the same of tobacco 'underground', forcing Britons to buy cigarettes on 'the black market where no one pays tax and products are completely unregulated'. Think tank the Adam Smith Institute labelled the report 'nanny-statism on steroids' and 'illiberal nonsense'. However, Sir Chris Whitty claimed attempts by tobacco lobbyists to make any debate around smoking legislation about health vs freedom are 'dishonest'. Englands Chief Medical Officer, who guided the nation through Covid, welcomed the 'bold report' and said the industry has addicted millions of Britons 'at a very young age'. Radical plans to raise the legal smoking age could be announced on Thursday, when an independent report is due to land. Among the review's 15 recommendations are proposals for the NHS to prescribe e-cigarettes and vapes to smokers However, Sir Chris Whitty claimed attempts by tobacco lobbyists to make any debate around smoking legislation about health vs freedom are 'dishonest'. Englands Chief Medical Officer, who guided the nation through Covid, welcomed the 'bold report' and said the industry has addicted millions of Britons 'at a very young age' Around 6million people smoke in the UK and it is behind 64,000 deaths every year. The NHS spends 2.4billion every year treating smoking-related conditions. The map shows adult smoking rate in Britain through colours representing increasing ranges of prevalence, from the 3.4 per cent to 10.3 per cent range, up to the 17.2 to 27.5 per cent range. The highest smoking uptake is found in parts of the North West, East Midlands, South Yorkshire, East of England and South West The graph shows the prevalence of smoking in England, reducing from 19.8 per cent in 2011 to 13.9 per cent in 2019. The chart then shows the projected trend downwards to 2.5 per cent in 2050 The graph shows responses from 18 to 24 year olds and all respondents to a question asking if they think that the Government is doing enough to limit smoking. Just four to six per cent believe the Government is doing too much, while around half think it is not doing enough The graph shows the cost of tobacco to society compared to tax revenue, which is 10billion. The costs include 13.2billion to productivity, 2.4billion on healthcare, 1.2billion to social care and 300million to smoking-related fires The report recommends 'radically rethinking' how cigarette sticks and packets look to reduce the appeal of smoking. This could include mandating anti-smoking messages on cigarette sticks, such as the 'minutes of life lost' per cigarette and using 'dissuasive colours like green or brown' on sticks and hand rolling papers Another Khan review suggestion includes prohibiting all smoking at beaches, pub gardens and anywhere else food and drink is served outside. Meanwhile, Downing Street has not ruled out implementing a ban on smoking in beer gardens and said the move will be 'carefully considered' THE KHAN REVIEW: WHAT ARE THE 15 RECOMMENDATIONS? Health Secretary Sajid Javid tasked former children's charity chief Javed Khan with finding ways England could be smoke-free by 2030 defined as less than five per cent of people smoking, compared to the current 15 per cent. The Khan review set out 15 recommendations to meet the target, which it warned England will miss by at least seven years without action. It labelled the first four 'critical' proposals. 1. Invest in reaching smoke-free 2030 The report calls for an extra 125million to fund 'easily accessible' and 'high quality that smokers need to help them quit'. This should include an extra 70million in stop smoking services which should be funded by making 'the polluter pay' through a tobacco industry levy or upping corporation tax 'with immediate effect' if the Government cannot foot the bill itself. 2. Increase the age of sale It sets out that the legal purchasing age should be increased from 18 'by one year, every year until no one can buy a tobacco product in this country'. 3. Promote vaping Under the plans, doctors should promote vaping to patients as an 'effective tool to help people to quit smoking tobacco'. 'We know vapes are not a "silver bullet" nor are they totally risk-free, but the alternative is far worse,' the review states. 4. Improve prevention in the NHS Dr Khan urged the NHS to 'do more' to help smokers by offering them advice and support to quit every time they come into contact with the health service, including through GPs, hospitals, psychiatrists, midwives, pharmacists, dentists and optometrists. 5. Increase cost of duty on all tobacco products by more than 30% His review also sets out that the cost of tobacco duties should be increased by more than 30 per cent. This would target cheaper products, such as hand rolled tobacco, so they are treated the same as standard cigarette packs. 6. Bring in tobacco licence for retailers and ban supermarkets from selling cigarettes Dr Khan also called for tobacco licences for retailers to limit where tobacco is available, as well as a banning the products from being sold online and in supermarkets. 7. Give local authorities powers to close down shops selling illicit tobacco He said 15million per year should be given to local trading standards so they can close down retailers selling illicit tobacco and take more action on products such as shisha, which are 'routinely sold with no regard for regulations' but are often 'ignored by enforcement agencies'. 8. Reduce the appeal of smoking by changing look of packets and cigarette sticks The report recommends 'radically rethinking' how cigarette sticks and packets look to reduce the appeal of smoking 9. Strengthen smoke-free legislation in hospitality, hospital ground and public spaces More places, such as hospitality, hospital grounds and outdoor public spaces, should become smoke-free to 'de-normalise smoking and protect young people from second-hand smoke', while at least 70 per cent of new social housing tenancies and developments should be smoke-free, the review states. 10. Invest 70million into stop smoking services every year Ministers should invest 70million annually into stop smoking services every year, including updating stop smoking guidance, ensuring national helplines complement other services and encouraging employers to stop workers from smoking. 11. Invest 15million per year in campaigns to tackle myths about smoking and vaping Some 15million per year should go towards mass media campaigns that direct smokers to support and 'dismantle myths about smoking and vaping'. 12. Invest 15million annually to help pregnant women to quit smoking Another 15million should support pregnant women to quit, including support from the NHS, financial incentives to support expectant mothers to stop smoking and employing a stop-smoking midwife in every maternity department. 13. Warn that smoking does not reduce stress and anxiety through campaigns and training Information should be issued on smoking and mental health, including advice that smoking does not reduce stress and anxiety. 14. Invest 8million in ensuring public health directors set stop smoking targets and report results On top of this, 8million should go towards ensuring public health directors set stop smoking targets and report results from their area, including a fund that integrated care systems bid for to access extra support. 15. Invest 2million in new research and data to identify new interventions And 2million should be put towards gathering data to identify evidence-based interventions that can be rolled out nation-wide. It would also go towards more research on smoking-related health disparities. Advertisement Around 6million people smoke in the UK and it is behind 64,000 deaths every year. The NHS spends 2.4billion every year treating smoking-related conditions. The Khan review found that England will miss its 2030 smoke-free target by at least seven years without action. And smoking rates in the poorest parts of the country will not fall below five per cent until 2044. The report sets out four 'critical recommendations', including increasing the legal purchasing age from 18 'by one year, every year until no one can buy a tobacco product in this country'. The proposed ban comes two years after menthol cigarettes were axed in the UK over concerns they made it easier to smoke and encouraged young people to pick up the habit. It also calls for an extra 125million to fund 'easily accessible' and 'high quality that smokers need to help them quit'. This should include an extra 70million in stop smoking services which should be funded by making 'the polluter pay' through a tobacco industry levy or upping corporation tax 'with immediate effect' if the Government cannot foot the bill itself. Under the final must-do plan, doctors should promote vaping to patients as an 'effective tool to help people to quit smoking tobacco'. 'We know vapes are not a "silver bullet" nor are they totally risk-free, but the alternative is far worse,' the review states. However, he cautioned that vapes should only be a 'quit tool' and not become a 'cool tool'. Cartoons and images on vaping products that appeal to children should be banned and flavours should be reviewed to ensure they don't appeal to young people, the report states. Dr Khan urged the NHS to 'do more' to help smokers by offering them advice and support to quit every time they come into contact with the health service, including through GPs, hospitals, psychiatrists, midwives, pharmacists, dentists and optometrists. Dr Khan said: 'A smoke-free society should be a social norm but to achieve this, we must do more to stop people taking up smoking, help those who already smoke and support those who are disproportionately impacted by smoking. 'My holistic set of recommendations for government will deliver this, whilst saving lives, saving money and addressing the health disparities associated with smoking. 'My proposals are not just a plan for this government, but successive governments too. 'To truly achieve a smoke-free society in our great country, we need to commit to making smoking obsolete, once and for all.' Mr Javid told Parliament that the Government 'will now consider its response' to Dr Khan's 'clear and challenging' recommendations. He said the Government is already investing in smoking prevention through a public health grant but 'will examine where we can go further'. Mr Javid added: 'This Government is determined to address the challenges raised in the independent review and to meet the smoke-free 2030 target. 'We know that more action needs to be taken to protect our people from this dangerous addiction.' Privately, however, Mr Javid is said to be 'not minded towards further restrictions on age of sale', according to The Times. The review has been plagued by repeated delays amid speculation its recommendations were met with pushback. Mr Javid said the report will inform an upcoming white paper on health disparities and complement a tobacco control plan that will be published by the Department of Health. Meanwhile, Downing Street has not ruled out implementing a ban on smoking in beer gardens and said the move will be 'carefully considered'. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: 'Im not going to jump ahead and start opining on different recommendations, this is a detailed piece of work which needs to be carefully considered and then we will set out our view.' Dr Khan's review also sets out that the cost of tobacco duties should be increased by more than 30 per cent. This would target cheaper products, such as hand rolled tobacco, so they are treated the same as standard cigarette packs. Dr Khan also called for tobacco licences for retailers to limit where tobacco is available, as well as a banning the products from being sold online and in supermarkets. The report notes that the Netherlands is banning the sale of cigarettes in supermarkets from 2024. While Lidl and Aldi 'are leading the way' in the UK and do not sell cigarettes, 'most supermarkets have not followed suit'. He said 15million per year should be given to local trading standards so they can close down retailers selling illicit tobacco and take more action on products such as shisha, which are 'routinely sold with no regard for regulations' but are often 'ignored by enforcement agencies'. The report recommends 'radically rethinking' how cigarette sticks and packets look to reduce the appeal of smoking. This could include mandating anti-smoking messages on cigarette sticks, such as the 'minutes of life lost' per cigarette and using 'dissuasive colours like green or brown' on sticks and hand rolling papers. UK rules already set out that cigarette packs must be in non-shiny dark brown packaging, display a health warning and a picture of clogged arteries, lung or teeth damage. But Mr Khan said these have lost their 'shock value' as it has been two decades since they were introduced. And films, TV shows and online media with tobacco imagery on screen should be classed as 'unsuitable for viewing' by under-18s and be broadcast after the 9pm watershed and include an on-screen health warning. Shows including Netflix's Stranger Things has previously come under fire for the number of times smoking is shown, while ITV2 reality show Love Island ditched on-screen smoking in 2018 after dozens of complaints from viewers. Speaking at a briefing this afternoon, Mr Khan said he is 'sick of seeing' smoking glamourised. 'If you're a fan of Thomas Shelby [from Peaky Blinders] you'll know what I mean. It's a cigarette a minute,' he said. More places, such as hospitality, hospital grounds and outdoor public spaces like beaches, should become smoke-free to 'de-normalise smoking and protect young people from second-hand smoke'. Last year, Oxfordshire became the first country to ban smoking outdoors, including outside pubs, restaurants, offices and NHS hospitals. The move was labelled a 'long game to change smoking culture'. But he has not yet called for smoking to be prohibited in social housing, like in the US. Instead, 70 per cent of new developments should be made smoke-free. Dr Khan said it is time to reform health laws to 'prohibit smoking on all premises where food and drink is served'. And at least 70 per cent of new social housing tenancies and developments should be smoke-free, the review states. The review also set out that ministers should invest 70million annually into stop smoking services every year, including updating stop smoking guidance, ensuring national helplines complement other services and encouraging employers to stop workers from smoking. Some 15million per year should go towards mass media campaigns that direct smokers to support and 'dismantle myths about smoking and vaping'. Another 15million should support pregnant women to quit, including support from the NHS, financial incentives to stop smoking such as shopping vouchers and employing a stop-smoking midwife in every maternity department. The graph shows the rate at which people start smoking across a range of ages from 11 to 24 years old. The most common age to start smoking is 18, where the rate increases to 4 per cent for women and 5 per cent for men. The rates increase to 18 years old and decrease afterwards, apart from a lower peak around 2 per cent for men at 23 years old The graph shows results from a YouGov survey, carried out for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), on behaviour and attitudes to e-cigarettes. Responses show vaping is relatively common among younger current and former smokers, whereas older smokers are less likely to vape or to have tried vaping HISTORY OF SMOKING POLICY IN THE UK 2004: Ireland bans smoking in enclosed public places, including pubs, clubs and restaurants 2006: Scotland implements smoking ban on indoor public spaces 2007: England, Wales and Northern Ireland bring in indoor ban. In England, smoking is banned in almost all enclosed public spaces and the NHS goes smoke-free. Legal age to buy cigarettes raised from 16 to 18 2008: Cigarette companies told to feature pictorial health warnings on packets 2010: Government announces it will enforce tobacco display ban and consider plain packaging for tobacco products 2015: Smoking in cars with children banned in England and ban on the display of tobacco in small shops comes into force throughout the UK 2017: Government issues target to reduce smoking prevalence among adults to 12 per cent or less by 2022 2019: Department of Health publishes plans to make England smoke-free by 2030 2020: Menthol cigarettes are banned in the UK and EU Advertisement Dr Khan said there is 'compelling evidence' that women who receive shopping vouchers are 2.5-times more likely to quit and that the policy delivers a return of 4 for every 1 invested. On top of this, 8million should go towards ensuring public health directors set stop smoking targets and report results from their area, including a fund that integrated care systems bid for to access extra support. And 2million should be put towards gathering data to identify evidence-based interventions that can be rolled out nation-wide. It would also go towards more research on smoking-related health disparities. Information should be issued on smoking and mental health, including advice that smoking does not reduce stress and anxiety. Speaking at a briefing on the report this afternoon, England's Chief Medical Officer said the action ministers take 'needs to be bold' because of the 'sheer staggering scale' of the harm cigarettes cause, noting that the habit is behind one in four cancer deaths and is a cause of heart disease. He said it is 'absolutely essential' that the Government raises the age of sale by 'whatever mechanism' it chooses to stop young people taking up smoking. Sir Chirs said: 'The mechanism by which the cigarette industry works is to find the most vulnerable people it legally can get away with and get them addicted at the earliest possible stage. 'The great majority of people who start smoking were initiated before the age of 20. Its actually quite rare after that.' Sir Chris disputed claims from 'cigarette industry lobbyists' that the recommendations are a 'debate between health and freedom'. He said: 'The majority of people who are smokers wish to quit but cannot because the cigarette industry has addicted them at a very young age. That is not freedom of choice. 'Smoking causes the people around a smoker rapid ill health. They are not choosing to smoke but they still get the harms of it. That is not freedom of choice. 'The baby in a smoking pregnant womans tummy is not choosing to smoke. If you are in favour of freedom you are absolutely not in favour of this addictive industry that kills so many people.' Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said the report 'sets out an ambitious vision' to increase investment in tobacco control with tougher regulations, which are 'essential to achieve a smoke-free 2030'. She said: 'This is what the public wants too research by YouGov commissioned by ASH to provide evidence for the review shows a substantial majority support stronger government interventions to tackle smoking. 'Twelve billion pounds pours out of smokers pockets each year exacerbating the cost of living crisis in our poorest communities. Only by making smoking obsolete can the government deliver on its levelling up mission for health and wellbeing.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said smoking is the biggest cause of cancer, with a quarter of cancer deaths blamed on smoking. She said: 'The scale of the issue is undeniable, yet England remains off track to become smoke-free by 2030, and for the most deprived this wont be achieved until the mid-2040s. 'This review provides the Government with the steps needed to close the health inequality gap and make smoking obsolete; it must now implement the recommendations. With bold action, we can save countless lives.' But Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said: 'Creeping prohibition wont stop young adults smoking. It will simply drive the sale of tobacco underground and consumers will buy cigarettes on the black market where no-one pays tax and products are completely unregulated. 'A tobacco levy won't hurt the tobacco companies because it will be passed on to the consumer, disproportionately affecting those from poorer backgrounds. 'Encouraging smokers to switch to reduced risk products such as e-cigarettes is sensible as long as it is voluntary and based on educating consumers about the relative risks of different nicotine products.' The data shows the number of people accessing stop smoking services between the years 2000 to 2001 and 2020 to 2021 who set a quit date (blue line) and managed to quit smoking successfully (orange line). The numbers of people setting a quit date peaked at around 800,000 in 2012 to 2013. Similarly, the numbers of people successfully quitting peaked at around 400,000 in the same years. Numbers of both have been declining ever since The graph shows Government spending on stop smoking marketing campaigns between 2008 and 2020. The greatest spend was 24.91 million in 2009 to 2010, which then dropped off sharply to 0.46 million in 2010 to 2011. The amount spent has fluctuated since then, with the greatest spend being 7.64 million in 2013 to 2014. The latest figure is 2.2 million Could cigarettes be slapped with INDIVIDUAL warnings? Tobacco manufacturers would have to use eight different warnings in rotation on its sticks and rolling paper under the terms of the Cigarette Stick Health Warnings Bill (a mocked up version of one of a warning) Printing health warnings on individual cigarettes would make England a world leader in eradicating smoking, ministers were told earlier this year. Tobacco manufacturers would have to use eight different warnings in rotation on its sticks and rolling paper under the terms of the Cigarette Stick Health Warnings Bill. These would include 'smoking kills' and other messages to highlight the devastating health effects, the financial cost and contact details for advice on quitting. Conservative peer Lord Young of Cookham has spent four decades lobbying for his proposal to become law. He first raised it as a health minister in Margaret Thatcher's government in 1979. Advertisement He added: 'Ultimately this is about freedom of choice and personal responsibility and ministers must think very carefully before they adopt prohibition and coercion as tools to achieve their smoke-free goal.' And Daniel Pryor, head of research at Adam Smith Institute, said: 'Aside from the welcome acknowledgement that the Government should double down on the success of vaping, the Khan smoking review is nanny-statism on steroids. 'Continually raising the smoking age every year is illiberal nonsense and would create a bizarre two-tiered system of adulthood. 'Do we really think 21-year-olds asking 22-year olds outside shops to buy cigarettes for them is a rational state of affairs? 'Moreover, plans to ban online sales and substantially increasing duties are regressive and are likely to hit those on the lowest incomes hardest; the very people that the review claims to be helping. 'Smokers need the carrot, not the stick.' But Professor Sanjay Agrawal, chair of the Royal College of Physicians tobacco advisory group, who contributed to the UK review, said proposals to increase the legal age for buying tobacco every year would be 'very welcomed'. He told Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think we need to do everything possible that we can to reduce the uptake of smoking in children. 'We know that most people become addicted to tobacco in their teenage years and certainly before the age of 25 and we know that smoking prevalence in that age group is highest compared to all other age groups. 'Anything that we can do to reduce uptake is welcomed.' Professor Sanjay Agrawal said the approach should be part of a 'suite of measures' that also helps current smokers to quit and for smoking to be made 'less affordable and available'. He said that Britain has to take the opportunity to 'support the next generation so they are not exposed to the harms of smoking'. Professor Agrawal said: 'I work in a hospital. My clinics are full sadly of people who come to harm from smoking, either with cancers, heart attacks, strokes, other lung diseases. 'The effect of smoking is still very prevalent and we need to do more to stop our youth from ever taking up that habit. And when I speak to smokers they regret ever having started. 'We know smoking is an addiction and once you get hooked in it is very difficult to stop. Preventing it to begin with is by far the best way forward.' The minimum age for tobacco purchases was raised from 16 to 18 across Britain in 2007, when it also became illegal to smoke in enclosed spaces. Officials followed up the measures in 2017 with a policy that meant all branded packaging had to be replaced with plain greenish-brown boxes. The data shows the proportion of women smoking in early pregnancy per age group. The highest prevalence of smoking is in the youngest (under 18) age range, at 31.8 per cent. The 18 to 19 age range also has a high prevalence, at 31.2 per cent. After that, the proportion of women smoking declines with age, with pregnant women 45 and over only having a 4.4 per cent rate Smoking has steadily decreased since 1974, with around 15 per cent of the population smoking in 2019. That year, the Government set a target of becoming smoke-free by 2030 How dangerous is smoking for the heart? How does tobacco damage the heart? Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including tar and others that can narrow arteries and damage blood vessels. While nicotine - a highly addictive toxin found in tobacco - is heavily linked with dangerous increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Smoking also unleashes poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide, which replaces oxygen in the blood - reducing the availability of oxygen for the heart. How many people does smoking kill? Smoking is known to kill more than seven million people across the world each year, including 890,000 from breathing in second-hand smoke. But many people are unaware that nearly half of those deaths, around three million, are due to heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Advertisement As well as controversially raising the legal age, the call for new taxes would come at a time when Boris Johnson has been urged to cut taxes to save his job. The PM has vowed to get back to the 'fundamental Conservative instinct' of reducing the tax burden, after narrowly surviving a no confidence vote. Last month he scrapped plans for a ban on multibuy junk food after being convinced that now was the wrong time to heap more costs on families already struggling with the cost of living crisis. Sir Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, will attend the report's launch today, along with health minister Maggie Throup and the shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne. Industry sources have described its recommendations as 'quite radical'. Smoking rates in the UK have fallen from about half of the population in the 1970s to just 15 per cent now. But use increased by 25 per cent among the under-30s during the pandemic, the equivalent of more than 600,000 new smokers. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said cutting cigarette use remained one of its top priorities. But the Prime Minister is under pressure from all corners of his own party to move away from nanny-state and high tax policies. Mr Johnson told the Cabinet yesterday he wanted to get back to his Tory instinct of cutting taxes as the next general election approaches. He stressed to Cabinet colleagues that delivering tax cuts would help produce 'considerable growth in employment and economic progress'. The PM also ordered ministers to bring forward new initiatives to slash Government spending in order to free up cash for tax cuts. Mr Johnson introduced a manifesto-busting national insurance hike in April to fund the NHS' recovery from the pandemic. His Government also brought in a windfall tax on gas and oil companies this month to soften the energy crisis for families. A DoH spokesperson said: 'Tackling issues such as smoking is a priority for the office for health improvement and disparities, and a key part of the government's levelling up agenda. 'This is why we launched the independent review of our bold ambition to make England smoke-free by 2030. 'The review will provide independent, evidence-based advice on potential interventions that will inform our approach to tackling the stark health disparities associated with tobacco use and we look forward to seeing the report in due course.' NHS trusts have vowed to keep face mask rules in place, despite officials scrapping them now the worst of Covid is over. Health chiefs yesterday dropped all guidance which told patients to wear coverings inside hospitals, A&E units and GP surgeries. Pandemic era guidance was continuing to impact on 'capacity and flow', bosses said. Instead of a national rule, local health bodies were given the power to draft their own policies. As a result, several trusts are still demanding patients and visitors continue wearing face coverings. One of these is Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 'We are still asking patients, visitors, staff and anyone working at one of our hospital or community sites to continue to wear a mask, gel hands and social distance while in our buildings despite the lifting of national restrictions,' it says. 'This is to keep vulnerable people as safe as possible.' Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (pictured) is one NHS organisation instructing patients. visitors and staff to keep wearing a mask A warning on the trust's website acknowledges its mask mandate is contrary to national guidance but insists this is to keep 'vulnerable people as safe as possible' Another hospital telling people to continue to wear masks is Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust A letter from NHS England sent out last week highlights that patients and visitors in most scenarios should not be required to wear a mask unless that is their personal preference Campaigners say desperate patients are turning to busy A&Es because they can't get face-to-face appointments A dire lack of access to GPs has been blamed for the countrys A&E crisis after video emerged of patients being told they faced waits of up to 13 hours in an emergency department. A&E services across England are at breaking point as record numbers of patients flood back into the system after years of delays caused by the Covid pandemic, sparking record waits in casualty units. Campaign groups, MPs and senior medics say desperate patients are turning to emergency and walk-in services because they can't get a face-to-face appointment with their GP. The patients' rights group Silver Voices told MailOnline the situation was 'completely unacceptable in the 21st century', adding that by the time patients turn to A&E their conditions have already worsened.. Around 60 per cent of appointments with GPs are in-person, with the rest done virtually, compared to more than 80 per cent pre-pandemic. The average GP in England is responsible for 2,200 patients now up from 1,900 in 2016. In the areas with poorest access, up to 2,600 patients are fighting over one family doctor. Tory MP Matthew Offord told MailOnline: 'The GP surgery should be the first point of contact so that patients can receive the most appropriate treatment in a timely manner. A&E departments across the country are being placed under enormous stress and the Government is not even seeking to understand why this is happening. The fury came after a video showed an irate A&E nurse at Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust in Harlow warning patients they faced a 13-hour wait to be seen. Advertisement Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust made a similar plea but added masks wearing was to help control other infections as well. 'All visitors to wards must wear a mask to protect our patients and staff from the spread of Covid and other infections,' it said. Croydon Health Services NHS trust is also advising visitors to still wear masks. Other hospitals are, however, following the updated NHS advice. Ashford and St Peters Hospitals Trust in Surrey says: 'Following an update on national guidance, visitors and those accompanying patients to outpatient appointments or the emergency department are no longer required to wear a face mask.' But it does make clear that people may be asked to wear a mask in areas where patients at high risk of infection are being treated, like cancer patients, as well as Covid wards themselves to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation trust issued similar advice: 'In line with national guidance, the requirement to wear masks in healthcare settings will end at our hospitals from Tuesday June 7.' 'There are some exceptions, including oncology and haematology inpatient and outpatient areas, Covid cohort areas and any wards with Covid outbreaks.' The NHS England letter, sent out last week, states that staff should continue to wear masks when working with Covid patients. They should keep them on in areas where infected patients might be encountered, like A&E. However, NHS staff are no longer required to wear masks in non-clinical areas like staff rooms. The letter, penned by Sir Stephen Powis, the national medical director, and Duncan Burton, deputy chief nursing officer, said most patients and visitors no longer need to wear masks 'unless this is a personal preference'. It also revealed that a mask mandate for staff might be considered if there is a local surge in cases or if a new variant of concern is identified. The letter also acknowledge there may be a 'period of transition' as hospitals make changes and these may vary given local Covid levels. The latest report on Covid infection levels from the Office for National Statistics found about one in 60 people in England were infected with the virus as of the week ending May 21. It comes just a day after video emerged of patients in a busy A&E being told they faced waits of up to 13 hours to see a medic. It also comes just a month after Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned NHS trusts to get back to a post-Covid normal, or risk being name and shamed. If you're suffering from hay fever for the first time this year, you're not alone. There has been a surge in the number of people who report experiencing its symptoms on social media, seemingly out of the blue. Google trends for hay fever are also at a record high, with twice as many searches for the condition in the UK now compared to five years ago. There has been a gradual rise in cases in recent decades, linked to modern living, but experts say lockdowns and global warming may have sped up the trend. Known as the 'hygiene hypothesis', the idea is our immune systems are more sensitive to allergens like pollen because we are exposed to fewer germs. A lack of social contact during the pandemic may have weakened our bodies further, while there is evidence climate change has prolonged the pollen season. It comes as 'super pollen' counts are forecasted across England and Wales this weekend, due to a weather phenomenon known as 'thunder fever'. If you're suffering from hay fever for the first time this year, you're not alone. Anecdotally there has been a surge in the number of people suffering from its symptoms seemingly out of the blue (file) FRIDAY: 'Super pollen' counts are forecasted across England and Wales this weekend, due to a weather phenomenon known as 'thunder fever', starting on Friday SATURDAY: High counts will continue for the two counties into Saturday but Scotland and Northern Ireland should see low to medium levels SUNDAY: England and Wales will see 'high' levels into Sunday but counts in the South East will remain 'very high' GOOGLE TRENDS: The number of Britons googling hay fever has been rising in recent years, reaching a record high in 2021. The numbers represent search interest relative to the highest point on the chart. A value of 100 is the peak popularity and 0 means not enough people were searching for hay fever at the time 'Unseasonably' strong winds are expected as the remnants of a tropical storm brings 45mph gusts in some areas. Pollen counts will be pushed to 'high' or 'very high' in all of England and Wales from Friday, continuing through the weekend. The high pollen counts and thunderstorms will trigger 'thunder fever', an extreme form of hay fever. WHAT EXACTLY IS HAY FEVER? Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, a fine powder which comes from plants. There is more pollen in the air in the spring and summer when plants are flowering. The reaction usually happens when pollen comes into contact with someone's eyes, nose, mouth or throat. Hay fever symptoms include coughing and sneezing; a runny or blocked nose; itchy, red or watery eyes; itching throat, nose, mouth or ears; headaches and tiredness. People suffering from the allergy can put Vaseline around their nose to trap the pollen, wear wraparound sunglasses to keep pollen out of their eyes, wash clothes regularly and vacuum and dust indoors. Avoiding grass, cut flowers and smoke can help reduce symptoms, as can drying clothes indoors where pollen is less likely to stick to them. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Britons have already been documenting their misery on social media, with many claiming they were suffering from hay fever for the first time in years. According to a poll last year, almost half of the UK population struggle with the condition nearly double the number previously thought. Hay fever was previously estimated to affect up to 13million people in the UK, or 30 per cent of the population. The survey, of 7,000 people by Allergy UK, found more than a third (37 per cent) developed symptoms for the first time in the last five years. No-one knows exactly why hay fever can appear out of the blue but there are a number of theories. The most popular is that ultra-clean environments associated with modern lifestyles means we aren't exposed to as many infections as our ancestors. Working from home and having limited close contacts during the pandemic is a 'plausible' reason for why more people seem to be suffering hay fever in the last year, according to Professor Paul Hunter. The medical expert, from the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline: 'I could imagine that is having an effect.' He highlighted there has been a rise in 'super colds' in recent months coming out of the pandemic because people's immunity to common infections is weaker. Another theory is that warmer temperatures in the UK caused by global warming are extending our summers, prolonging the period pollen is released. Not only does this extend the length of symptoms, it also increases the amount of time people are exposed, says Margaret Kelman, head of clinical at Allergy UK. 'We do know warmer temperatures alter vegetation growing patterns, contributing to earlier and longer pollen seasons,' she told MailOnline. She added this 'leads to more intense pollen seasons, and the increase in air pollution and raised carbon dioxide levels, can contribute to worsening symptoms of allergy in susceptible people'. Another theory is that sudden hay fever happens when the body is exposed to new surroundings - like moving from the city to the countryside, where there is usually more pollen. But the same might also be true in people moving from rural to urban areas, with some evidence that pollution can exacerbate hay fever. According to Statista, four per cent of the entire population moved homes during the first year of the pandemic and a fifth said they were planning a move. A sudden shock to the immune system could also be a trigger. Bad infections, illnesses or even traumatic emotional events may leave the body vulnerable to normally harmless allergens. Advertisement America's sixth Covid wave is already slowing down, experts say, as cases plateau eight days after Memorial Day celebrations which some feared would re-ignite a surge and the test positivity rate falls. Statistics from health departments around America showed the seven-day average for daily infections fell for the second day in a row Wednesday to 105,000. Figures hit a peak of 120,000 per day on June 6. The test positivity rate proportion of swabs that pick up the virus is also dropping nationally up to June 5, the latest date available, and falling in the central state of five out of nine health regions that are providing the data. It only appears to be rising in the regions centered on Missouri and Colorado. After viewing the data Dr Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, told DailyMail.com: 'The most recent "wave" of cases in the U.S. appears to be plateauing.' Dr Tom Inglesby, a public health expert at Johns Hopkins University, added: 'We do seem to be at a national plateau in a surge driven by the Omicron sub-variant.' But both experts warned that another uptick in cases could be sparked by new Omicron subvariants named BA.4 and BA.5 which are gaining ground in the country. Both are more transmissible than the original Omicron and have sparked surges in South Africa and Portugal, among other countries, which did not have an uptick due to BA.2.12.1 that triggered America's current wave, but there is no evidence they are more deadly. Studies suggest the variants are able to dodge antibodies from previous infections. Covid deaths are also trending downwards nationwide with the seven-day average now at 324 every 24 hours, down 46 percent on the same time last week. Daily hospitalizations rose six percent on average last week compared to the previous seven-day spell with about 4,000 people now being admitted. It comes amid warnings approval of Novavax's Covid jab could be delayed because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing changes in the manufacturing process. The vaccine which is the first to use the same technology as traditional flu jabs got the green light from an independent FDA panel this week. Moderna revealed Tuesday that its Omicron-specific booster vaccine sent antibody levels against the variant spiraling eight-fold, as it seeks approval for the jab in the U.S. which would be the first not to be based on the original Wuhan virus. Clinical trials are yet to show whether the higher antibody levels make it more effective against infections with Omicron than other vaccines. Statistics from states, counties and local health officials showed the seven-day average for daily infections fell for the second day in a row yesterday. It is now at 105,000 every 24 hours, compared to 120,000 at the peak of this wave The above graph shows the test positivity rate (yellow line) and the seven-day average for swabs carried out every 24 hours (red line). It reveals that the rate is now pointing downwards, in another sign the wave has peaked Dr Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, and Dr Tom Inglesby, a public health expert at Johns Hopkins University, have both said that cases appear to be plateauing. But they warn this drop could be reversed by the rise of new Omicron sub-variants scientifically named BA.4 and BA.5 which are spreading in the United States There are concerns more Omicron sub-variants scientifically named BA.4 and BA.5 (green on the graph) could trigger another surge in cases as they spread in the United States. There is no evidence to suggest they are more likely to cause severe disease or death than previous strains The above map shows the spread of Covid variants across different regions of the country. It reveals that BA.4 and BA.5 (in green) have already spread to every region of the country Daily Covid deaths are trending downwards, with the seven-day average now at 324 every 24 hours, down 46 percent on the same time last week Test positivity rate figures showed that on June 5, the latest date available, it hit a level of 13.5 percent the lowest figure since May 31 and down on the peak of 13.75 percent at the start of the month. The downturn in the percentage shows fewer Covid swabs are picking up the virus, suggesting that the virus' prevalence across the country is now dropping. The number of Covid swabs carried out every day has also dropped by about a third in a week to 460,000 a day, down from 620,000 previously. It is the lowest number of swabs to be carried out a day since testing was ramped up at the start of the pandemic. Novavax Covid vaccine approval could be delayed due to changes in manufacturing The roll out of Novavax's Covid vaccine could be delayed because of changes to its manufacturing process, health officials said yesterday. This week a panel of independent experts at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the green-light for the two-dose shot to be used among over-18s. It has now been sent to top FDA officials for sign-off. But last night a spokesman warned this could be delayed after Novavax revealed to the agency it had 'upgraded' how the jab was made. In a statement, they said: 'FDA will carefully review this and any additional information submitted by the firm as part of its ongoing assessment and prior to authorizing the vaccine for emergency use.' Novavax said it told the agency about the changes on June 3, days before the panel of experts met. It has not revealed what the alterations are, but it is not likely they have impacted the jab's safety profile or effectiveness against the virus. The Novavax vaccine is set to become the fourth to be approved for use in the United States. It will also be the first that is 'protein-based', meaning it uses the spike proteins from the virus to trigger an immune reaction. The other jabs deploy either DNA or mRNA to get the body to make these. Experts hope the jab will help convince some of the last 32million Americans to get jabbed. Advertisement Breaking down the U.S. into states showed a total of 19 are now seeing their infections fall compared to the same time two weeks ago. Only two Oklahoma and Wyoming are still seeing their cases double. This is a marked change from two weeks ago when only eight states were recording dropping infections and seven were seeing them double every 14 days. One state Montana was seeing them more than triple. Asked by DailyMail.com whether the latest wave had peaked during a briefing, Inglesby said: 'I think we are in what appears to be a plateau. '[But] not all plateaus stay plateaus. We have experienced in the last couple of years times when numbers appeared to level off and then for one reason or another started to level up again. He added: 'It is not possible to say this surge has peaked for sure, but in the North East and the Mid-West cases are beginning to come down. 'But in the South and in the West cases are still continuing to go up, hospitalizations are still continuing to go up so, as in the past, it looks different depending on where you are in the country but we are definitely still in the middle of a surge.' Asked whether the Covid pandemic had ended, he said: 'We are in a better place than we were a year ago, certainly better than we were during Omicron, but there are uncertainties about the future. 'There is an expectation that in the fall and the winter we will possibly see new surges that are possibly more serious than the ones we are now, so it's too soon to say we are rounding the corner with Covid.' Official data is not available for the test positivity rate for each of the ten health regions. But looking at the state's at the center of each showed it was falling in five those centered on California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York and plateauing in two Texas and Illinois. The others on Missouri and Colorado are still seeing the rate rise. In the lead-up to Memorial Day several experts called on Americans to take extra precautions such as wearing face masks during the three-day celebrations to protect themselves against the virus. Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, was one of those to suggest the weekend parties could trigger a Covid spike. He told NBC: 'What I'm concerned about is after this weekend, there is a lot more cases.' Dr Peter Hotez, a virologist at Baylor College in Texas, also warned the celebrations would spark an uptick telling the Washington Post: 'Over the Memorial Day holidays, if you are in settings where you are indoors with large numbers of people without masks... there is a good likelihood you will suffer a breakthrough infection.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr Rochelle Walensky warned ahead of the weekend that un-vaccinated Americans or 32 million people should avoid the celebrations. She said during a White House press conference: 'If you are vaccinated, you are protected, and you can enjoy your Memorial Day. [But] if you are not vaccinated, our guidance has not changed for you, you remain at risk of infection. You still need to mask and take other precautions.' Several experts warned last year that Memorial Day would trigger a spike in infections, but this did not materialize across the country. At the time infections were less than a quarter of the levels they are today, and in some areas parades were more muted due to the concerns. Across the states a total of 19 are now seeing their infections start to fall (blue areas) compared to the same time two weeks ago. Only two are still seeing cases double Breaking down the U.S. into states showed a total of 19 are now seeing their infections fall compared to the same time two weeks ago. Only two Oklahoma and Wyoming are still seeing their cases double. The above graph shows the test positivity rate (yellow line) and the number of daily tests (red line) in California, which is at the center of one of ten health regions in the United States. It reveals that the positivity rate is falling The above graph shows the test positivity rate (yellow) and seven-day average for daily tests (red) in Massachusetts, in one of the health regions in the United States. It reveals a drop in the positivity rate The above graph shows the test positivity rate (yellow line) and seven-day average for swabs (red line) in Pennsylvania, at the center of one of ten health regions. It shows this is falling The above graph shows the test positivity rate (yellow line) and seven-day average for daily tests (red line) in Texas, at the center of one of ten health regions. It shows the positivity rate is plateauing The above graph shows the positivity rate (yellow) and seven-day average for number of daily tests (red line) in Missouri, at the center of one of ten health regions. It shows the positivity rate is still rising It comes amid fears the Novavax shot's approval from the FDA which it was hoped would come as soon as this week could be delayed over changes to how the jab is made. This week a panel of independent experts at the agency gave the green-light for the two-dose shot to be used among over-18s, with it then sent for sign-off from health officials there. But last night a spokesman warned they were slamming the brakes onto this process after Novavax told them on June 3 days before the panel meeting that it had 'upgraded' the manufacturing process. In a statement, they said: 'FDA will carefully review this and any additional information submitted by the firm as part of its ongoing assessment and prior to authorizing the vaccine for emergency use.' Novavax has not revealed what the alterations are, but it is not likely that they have impacted the jab's safety profile or effectiveness against the virus. The Novavax vaccine is set to become the fourth to be approved for use in the United States. It will also be the first that is 'protein-based', meaning it uses the spike proteins from the virus to trigger an immune reaction. The other jabs deploy either DNA or mRNA to get the body to make these. Experts hope the jab will help convince some of the last 32 million Americans to get their first course of vaccines. It could also be available for future inoculation programs, as more people come of age to get their shots. Clinical trials show the jab is safe and 90 percent effective against the original Wuhan virus. It has not been tested against other variants. Moderna's long-awaited Omicron-tailored COVID-19 vaccine booster showed success in clinical trials, it was revealed Tuesday, boosting antibodies capable of fighting the variant eight-fold. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based firm's preliminary study results show people given the combination shot experienced a significant increase in protection against the virus, and it hopes it will be available as early as this fall. The new booster shot also showed effectiveness against previous strains of the virus. Moderna began to work on the vaccine late last year, when it became clear that the highly-infectious variant storming the world at the time was resistant to the existing crop of shots. While the shots are too late to deal with Omicron's first major surge last winter, officials expect this booster to play a role going forward, with another spate of cases expected as early as this fall. As the rare virus monkeypox continues to spread across the U.S., now having been detected 40 times in 15 states and the District of Columbia, some are raising concerns about the national stockpile of drugs to deal with the infection. While officials at the White House say the country has enough access to vaccines and medicine to deal with the upcoming surge, official figures have not been revealed, making it hard for Americans to gauge how easy it will be to access resources if a large scale outbreak occurs. America has recorded 40 presumptive cases of the virus so far, but experts warn that lack of surveillance and testing means the real figure is around nine-fold higher. Some also fear the virus will become endemic in the U.S. and parts of Europe - as it is in parts of Central and West Africa. No deaths have yet been recorded as part of the current global monkeypox outbreak with includes 1,200 cases across 29 countries where the virus is not endemic. The White House has failed to be transparent as to how many available vaccine doses the nation has to fight monkeypox. Bavarian Nordic's jab, Jynneos, is considered to be the best available option for fighting the virus. The shot is to be administered to someone after exposure to prevent infection. America already has 300 monkeypox cases almost ten times official tally, expert says America may already have as many as 300 cases of monkeypox more than nine times the official tally of 31 but has missed hundreds due to a lack of testing, an expert warned Monday. Dr Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases expert at Emory University in Georgia, claimed the U.S. likely already has the same number of infections as the UK which is currently the world's monkeypox hotspot. But she said the arduous process of checking swabs which must be sent to one of 74 local labs and then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation was leading to too few being done and many being missed. Other experts say infections may not be detected because cases can be mild and clear up on their own, leading to patients not coming forward, or get misdiagnosed as a sexually transmitted disease like syphilis. Titanji told STAT News: 'The U.S. probably has as many cases as Canada or the UK. 'We're just not testing enough to be able to reliably say that there are only 25 cases. I think we need to be testing way more than we're doing.' Advertisement It is the only shot approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fight monkeypox. It was originally formulated to combat smallpox - a now eradicated disease that comes from the same family of viruses as monkeypox. Last week, at a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) briefing, officials declined to disclose how many shots of the vaccine were available. STAT News reports that the federal government either has or is planning to receive a combined 72,000 doses. Jynneos is a two-dose vaccine, making the allotment enough to immunize 36,000 Americans. STAT reports that the Norweigan manufacturer of the shot also has one million doses already on deck for the U.S., and could meet supply for 16 million more shots. This might not nearly be enough, though, as that would combined only be enough for 8.5 million of over 330 million Americans. Last weed, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the CDC's leading experts on vaccines, issued recommendations to prioritize lab workers who research orthopoxviruses, people who work in lab testing environments, and health care personnel who are treating infected patients for the shots. There is another available jab as well, ACAM2000. ACAM2000 is an older vaccine which was designed to prevent smallpox - just like JYNNEOS - and is only effective post-exposure to the virus. The U.S. is reportedly sitting on a stockpile of over 100 million doses of the jabs, a figure which may have also changed according to the CDC. It also has a higher reported risk of adverse events tied to it, a concern for all smallpox vaccines. After infection, there are no specific antivirals tailored to monkeypox, with doctors instead working with medication designed for smallpox. The federal government has refused to disclose how much of a stockpile it has of smallpox drugs either, though. While Americans may not see this as much of a pressing need yet, with just over one of every one million residents having a recorded infection so far, one expert warns that the virus is spreading more rapidly than surveillance has kept up with. Dr Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases expert at Emory University in Georgia, told STAT that the U.S. likely already has the same number of infections as the UK which is currently the world's monkeypox hotspot. But she said the arduous process of checking swabs which must be sent to one of 74 local labs and then the CDC for confirmation was leading to too few being done and many being missed. Other experts say infections may not be detected because cases can be mild and clear up on their own, leading to patients not coming forward, or get misdiagnosed as a sexually transmitted disease like syphilis. On Thursday, five new cases were added to America's ledger. All in states or city's which had already recorded a previous case. For privacy reasons, the identities of people that have been infected have keep kept under wraps, though one early patient in the UK has been identified. Yesterday MailOnline revealed the first patient in the current monkeypox outbreak to come forward named only as James M. Like many of the other early monkeypox patients, James is gay. Health officials around the world have warned that the virus is spreading through sexual networks, and sex raves in Belgium and Spain last month have been tied to spread of the virus across Europe. James M (pictured), 35, has become the first British monkeypox patient to go public The London-based HR manager said he tested positive for the virus after being deported from Dubai for testing positive for HIV. He slammed British health chiefs for 'a real lack of any basic process or care to stop the spread' of the tropical virus, which has so far infected more than 300 Britons, mostly gay and bisexual men. James who wished to keep his surname anonymous admitted he is not following self-isolation rules because 'I was told to stay home until UKHSA contacted me... and they never did.' He accused the UK of having a lackadaisical approach to contact tracing, saying it was 'no wonder' Britain had more cases than any other country outside of Africa. There is also a lack of awareness about monkeypox's lesser-known symptoms, he claimed. James was readjusting to life in west London when he began suffering from 'really weird aches' in his lower back, exhaustion, extreme thirst and pain when he used the toilet. He became convinced he had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) after sleeping with around 10 new partners in the weeks before his symptoms started. 'Im a gay man, and having just come back to the UK, I was having a good time,' he told MailOnline. But medics wrongly assumed it wasn't monkeypox because he didn't have the virus' tell-tale rash. James had just returned from Dubai, where being gay is illegal, after four years following a 'shock' HIV diagnosis in February. It saw him lose his job and home. After contacting his local STI clinic in west London, James was sent for tests at a specialist center in Soho on May 25 and was told to avoid public transport or close contact with others. He admitted he is not following self-isolation rules because 'I was told to stay home until UKHSA contacted me... and they never did' It comes after the CDC yesterday backtracked on its advice for Americans to wear face masks while visiting countries reporting cases of monkeypox. Late yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deleted this guidance from its website just 13 hours after it was reported by the media. A spokeswoman for the agency told DailyMail.com today that it was removed because of concerns it was 'causing confusion'. They stressed that the advice to wear coverings was 'specifically for people who are traveling' rather than the general public, and added that any future updates would be accompanied by a public announcement. The CDC had quietly added advice to wear coverings to its Level 2 travel alert encouraging 'enhanced precautions' abroad six days ago. It was only picked up by Fox News late on Monday, alongside other outlets including CNBC and this website. An expert said today it was 'unfortunate' that the CDC had put up and removed the advice, because it was bound to further harm public trust in the agency. More than 100million was spent on prescribing common drugs like paracetamol last year, despite them being available for pennies on the high street. Official data also shows the NHS in England spent thousands on illicit substances like cocaine for use as an anaesthetic. It comes just a day after Health Secretary Sajid Javid promised that 'every pound' in the NHS will be 'well spent' going forward. In total the NHS spent 9.69billion on prescription drugs in England for the 2021/22 financial year. That's despite the health service banning GPs and other prescribers from dishing out medications which patients themselves can buy cheaply in shops since 2018. Think-tanks today said taxpayers will be dismayed by the NHS's 'wasteful' spend on 'pointless prescriptions' in light of the recent national insurance tax hike. Paracetamol made up 73.7million of the spend, being prescribed over 16million times, at about 4.50 a pack roughly 15 times the price of a pack of paracetamol at supermarket Tesco. This chart shows how NHS spend on drugs has steadily grown over the past eight years reaching a total of 9.69 billion in 2021/22. This is despite the NHS vowing to ban prescribing over-the-counter medication At a glance, how much did the NHS spend on common drugs? Common painkiller paracetamol was prescribed 16million times to the cost of 73.7million. Aspirin, which can be used a painkiller or as a preventative medicine for heart attacks was prescribed 20.8 million times and cost 25.2million. Ibuprofen, prescribed a painkiller for musculoskeletal and joint diseases cost the taxpayer 12.6 million and was prescribed almost 3.5 million times. Packs of all three of these drugs can be bought for less than 1 at British supermarkets. Viagra, a medication for erectile dysfunction, cost the taxpayer 6.8 million for 3.3million doses. At 2.06 a dose this is actually cheaper than many pharmacies which can charge about 4.25 though the price varies. Advertisement Aspirin prescriptions cost the taxpayer over 25.2m in 2021/22, at about 1.22 a pack, roughly three times the cost of a pack at Sainsbury's. The NHS also paid more than 12.6m for Ibuprofen in the last year. Per pack, the cost was 12.5 times higher than Tesco's own-brand. The health service also spent 6.8million on prescribing Viagra, despite the blue pill becoming an over-the-counter medication in 2018. TaxPayers' Alliance chief executive John O'Connell said the public would be dismayed at the 'wasteful' cost of prescription of drugs that could be bought cheaper at a supermarket. 'Taxpayers are fed up of paying over the odds for pointless prescriptions,' he said. 'As households contend with a national insurance hike, there can be no excuse for doctors prescribing treatments which cost pennies over the counter. 'Now more than ever, the NHS must tackle waste and focus resources on frontline healthcare.' The NHS prescription data also showed that nearly 15,000 penis vacuum pumps were purchased last year to treat erectile dysfunction, to the cost of 1.6m. Cocaine was prescribed 17 times in 2020/21 to the cost of 9,406, about 550 a dose. Ketamine, which is used an illicit party drug, was prescribed 328 times that year, to the tune of just under 20,000, or 60 a dose. Both drugs are rarely used by the NHS for medicinal purposes with cocaine used as part of a medical grade mouthwash for oral inflammation and ketamine as a high-strength painkiller. The total NHS spend on prescriptions of 9.6billion was a rise of 83.7m (0.87 per cent) compared to the previous year's total spend. High blood pressure medication Atorvastatin was the most prescribed drug in England, being dispended 53.4million times. Anti-blood clot drug Apixaban was the most expensive individual medication, costing a total of 401m despite only being prescribed 8m times. The NHS banned the prescription of over-the-counter medications like eye drops, laxatives, sun creams, paracetamol and anti-dandruff shampoo in 2018 in an attempt to save the cash-strapped health service 100million per year. However, as today's figures show, prescription of some over the counter medications remains high. Critics of the move to ban the prescription of some items said poorer households would be the most impacted by the changes and some families could be forced to go without basic medications. Yesterday Mr Javid, who is under massive pressure to make the struggling NHS more efficient, has promised that 'every pound' will be 'well spent' going forward. His comments come as the NHS, which gets 136billion of taxpayer cash every year, is also getting an extra 12.5bn per annum until 2024, funded by a controversial national insurance hike of 1.25 per cent. An NHS England spokesperson said paracetamol should not be routinely prescribed to save the health service money, but they added medics can still do so in certain circumstances. 'NHS England has advised that paracetamol should not be routinely prescribed, in order to free up tens of millions of pounds, to be reinvested in patient care,' they said. 'Doctors can still prescribe over the counter medicines in exceptional circumstances as only the Department of Health and Social Care can blacklist drugs and treatments.' Babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic are 'falling behind' on key milestones including talking and crawling because of a lack of social interaction, early learning staff and scientists have warned. Dominique Spencer, who directs the Jubilee JumpStart early learning center in Washington D.C., revealed many children coming through her doors now less advanced socially than those from before the pandemic began. Studies have also revealed children born after March 2020 are less likely to be able to vocalize than their peers were at this age, and are yet to develop social skills such as sharing and waiting their turn leading to more fights. Scientists including Dr Dana Suskind, a surgeon at Chicago University, suggest a lack of social contact with family and relatives due to restrictions is behind the shift. The long-term impact of the pandemic on children is not yet clear, but experts have warned keeping children away from their peers for so long with lockdowns is bound to have harmed their development. Children born during the Covid pandemic are behind on key developmental steps compared to their peers, it has been revealed (stock image) Dr Dana Suskind, a surgeon at Chicago University, suggested a lack of social contact in early years could have affected youngster's development Speaking to USA Today, Spencer explained that normally babies begin to walk and become more physically active during the spring and summer months. But since Covid hit, she has not seen this occurring as often. She said: 'They're still growing, because they always grow, but it's at a slower pace.' Further evidence of slower development in the youngest children were revealed by Emily Levitt, the vice president of one of America's largest tutoring networks called Sylvan learning. She said that recently they had been inundated with requests for lessons from parents with children less than three years old. 'We often get this question of, "Is this child pandemic behind or are they actually behind?",' she explained. 'And getting to the correct answer for each child is not always easy.' Scientific evidence on how 'Covid' children's development is behind the curve is stacking up. Mother left in shock after being told 18-month-old daughter lagging behind pre-pandemic children A mother has told of her shock after it was revealed her 18-month-old toddler was lagging behind pre-pandemic children. Anissa Perra-Grooms, who lives in Kansas City, Montana, had her daughter Elvira in February 2020 just as the virus was starting to spread around the world. She kept her at home for as long as possible, saying it was the safest and most convenient option. But at Elvira's 18-month appointment she got a shock, after finding her daughter was lagging behind in language development. She was able to say just a dozen words or so, whereas children at her age are normally able to say at least 50. She said: 'Every parent thinks their child is the smartest child ever, and I firmly believe that she's super intelligent.' But the finding left her 'totally clueless' feeling both worried and then guilty. Elvira has now caught up with other children after being signed up to an early childhood education program, which sees her mix with others her own age. Advertisement A paper published in the prestigious research journal JAMA in January this year that looked at 225 children born in 2020 revealed babies were less likely to be crawling and smiling at themselves in a mirror within six months. It also showed they had reduced social and problem solving skills. And a UK-based survey of teachers released last month found those teaching children in the early grades were now seeing more biting and hitting in the classroom than previously. British-based charity Ofsted has also suggested in a report that children are struggling with basic skills such as writing and speaking in the wake of the pandemic after reviewing more than 280 educational settings. They said some teachers even said they had seen youngsters lack confidence in group activities, and struggle to share and take turns. Similarly, Brown University scientists, who assessed 1,000 children, found there was a 23 percent dive in 'pandemic' babies scores in three cognitive tests. Suskind suggests the changes may be down to keeping children away from family and relatives for too long due to Covid. She explained: 'Learning doesn't start on the first day of school, but the first day of life.' Every social interaction the child has gives instructions to their brain on how to communicate developing social skills, she said. But if a child's brain is kept away from social settings, it is going to wire itself on the assumption that the environment will always be like that. More than a million neural connections are formed every day up to the age five, she claimed, when the brain completes at least 85 percent of its development. But to conserve energy the brain will then also begin to shave off brain cells that are rarely used which could include some linked to socializing. Schools across America were closed for at least a week when Covid arrived, as officials scrambled to respond to the outbreak. But in Democrat-led states many classrooms remained shuttered into 2021, despite warnings that it could harm the youngest in society. There have also been warnings that orders to wear face masks in schools which in New York City will only be dropped this month are negatively impacting learning. Other scientists have suggested that wearing face masks could be to blame for the slowdown in the development of social skills in children. Dr Ashley Ruba, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Child Emotion Lab, previously told CNN: 'There are sensitive periods in early childhood development in which language development and emotional development are really rapidly developing for the first few years of life.' She added that developing children need to see others' subtle verbal or facial cues to accurately discern how someone is feeling. One mother in Kansas City, Montana, has revealed her shock after being told daughter Elvira who was born in February 2020 was behind in her language development. Anissa Perra-Grooms, said she kept her daughter at home for as long as possible because it seemed to be the safest and most convenient option. But at Elvira's 18-month appointment she got a shock, after finding her daughter was lagging behind in language development. She was able to say just a dozen words or so, whereas children at her age are normally able to say at least 50. She said: 'Every parent thinks their child is the smartest child ever, and I firmly believe that she's super intelligent.' But the finding left her 'totally clueless' feeling both worried and then guilty. Elvira has now caught up with other children after being signed up to an early childhood education program, which sees her mix with others her own age. Authorities arrested a man from California after the suspect threatened to kill United States Associate Justice BrettKavanaugh and is now facing a charge of attempted murder, said the Department of Justice. Officials identified the suspect as 26-year-old Nicholas John Roske, who appeared before Judge Timothy J. Sullivan in the US District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Wednesday afternoon to face his charge. Roske was dressed in a green long-sleeved shirt and dark pants and told Judge Sullivan that he knew why he was in court. Plan To Kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh The young suspect also noted that he had not had any alcohol or drugs in the last 24 hours prior to his court appearance. When asked if he understood what was happening, Roske said, "I think I have a reasonable understanding. I don't think I'm thinking clearly." Roske admitted to taking medication within the past 24 hours, and after conferring with his attorney, public defender Andrew Szekely told Judge Sullivan he understood what was happening. The suspect was identified in a criminal complaint charging him with the attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice, as per Fox News. When Roske arrived outside Justice Kavanaugh's home after roughly 1:00 a.m., he was dressed in black and had just gotten out of a taxi. The suspect was found to have been in possession of a Glock 17 pistol, ammunition, a knife, zip ties, pepper spray, duct tape, and other items that he said would be used to break into the Justice's home and kill him. Read Also: Kamala Harris Announces $2 Billion Central America Investment as Judge Jeanine Pirro Rips VP, Calls Her "Lazy Woman" Amid Border Crisis The suspect also said that he purchased the gun specifically to kill Kavanaugh and that he was planning to kill himself afterward. The 26-year-old told police that he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court was about to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion case. According to MSN, Roske was also angry about the recent mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 young school children and two teachers. The suspect allegedly called the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center to say that he wanted to kill a Supreme Court justice. Upset Over Roe v. Wade The complaint added that Roske also told the call maker that he came from California to kill a specific United States Court Justice. Police were able to arrest the suspect at around 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday and took him into custody in Montgomery County, said a Supreme Court spokesperson. Furthermore, the Montgomery County police said the case had already been transferred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The affidavit stated that Roske indicated that he believed the Justice that he intended to kill would side with Second Amendment decisions that would loosen gun control laws. The affidavit added that when Montgomery County Police Department officers were dispatched and arrested the suspect without incident, he was still on the call with 911. A person familiar with the matter said that Kavanaugh and his family were at their home when Roske arrived and called 911, the Washington Post reported. Related Article: US Security Report: Chinese Hackers Breach Major Telecom Companies, Exploit MS Office Weakness @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Another 18 British children have fallen ill with the mystery hepatitis that has caused a spate of cases around the world. Health officials announced the new cases today, bringing the cumulative UK total to 240 since the first was spotted in January. Of the confirmed patients, 170 were in England, 32 in Scotland, 21 in Northern Ireland and 17 in Wales. They are predominantly in children under five but a 'small number' of children aged over 10 have also been struck down. Scientists still do not know what is causing the life-threatening liver disease, but they say the chief culprit is a strain of the common cold. A leading theory is that children's immune systems have been weakened because of lockdowns and school closures during the pandemic. The complication has been spotted in around 650 children in Europe, the US, South America, Middle East and Asia. At least a dozen youngsters have died and tens of children have needed liver transplants. No children have died in the UK. The mystery hepatitis has been spotted in the US, Western Europe and a handful of other countries. Globally, at least 12 youngsters have died and dozens needed liver transplants Announcing the new cases today, Dr Sophia Makki, incident director at the UK Health Security Agency, said: The likelihood of children developing hepatitis remains extremely low. 'Maintaining normal hygiene measures, including making sure children regularly wash their hands properly, helps to reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus.' The normal culprits - hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses - have been excluded from laboratory test results of recent cases. Experts are now working under the theory that they are being triggered by a group of viruses that normally cause the common cold, known as adenoviruses. It is unclear if a mutated strain of adenovirus has evolved to become more severe, or if a lack of social contact during the pandemic has made children more vulnerable to existing strains. Dr Makki: 'We continue to remind everyone to be alert to the signs of hepatitis particularly jaundice, look for a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes and contact your doctor if you are concerned.' UKHSA officials said there is no evidence the Covid vaccine is involved as most cases have been in children under five years old, who have not been jabbed. They are due to release a preliminary findings report next week. Symptoms of the complication normally start with diarrhoea or sickness. It then can cause the skin and eyes to turn yellow. The US has recorded 216 cases across 37 states, with Mississippi and Utah the latest to be added to the growing list. No new deaths or liver transplants were reported over the last seven days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed in their weekly update with the totals remaining at 14 and six respectively. The agency has not revealed where the fatalities occurred due to 'confidentiality issues', but at least one was registered in Wisconsin health chiefs in the state say. Globally, the UK has now recorded the most confirmed and suspected cases out of any nation although this may be because of stronger surveillance than other nations. Top experts fear health chiefs won't understand what's behind the peculiar pattern which has been sickened at least 520 children worldwide since March for months. While mild liver inflammation is not uncommon in children, severe illness as seen in these cases is. The mysterious liver inflammation has also been more than 200 cases in the US across 37 states. A young boy that was born with two congenital hear defects and suffered a stroke that caused him to lose feeling in half of his body is finally recovering, and starting to live a normal life. Max Weigel, who was four at the time, of Rockford, Michigan, around 130 miles west of Detroit, was born with atrial septal defect (ASD), a hole in the upper chamber of his heart, and left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy, a condition that occurs when the left ventricle of the heart fails. After getting a surgery to close the hole in his heart, Weigel suffered a stroke, and because of his conditions, treatment options to save him - and prevent him from permanently losing feeling in one of his body - were limited. Doctors were able to perform life-saving treatment on the young boy, though, and now three years later he is starting to return to normal life and catch up to his peers physically. Max Weigel (left), 7, was born with two congenital heart conditions, including ASD, which is when a person has a hole between the chambers of their heart When Weigel was four years old, a local pediatric cardiologist in nearby Grand Rapids, Michigan recommended he receive surgery to fix his ASD. If left untreated, ASD can result in the right side of the heart growing, and becoming weaker, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can also lead to the person suffering from high blood pressure later in like as hypertension forms in the arteries. Weigel was referred to University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, a facility that had a specific ICU for pediatric surgeries, a decision that likely saved Max's life, as the doctors there would be more prepared to deal with crisis. On April 25, 2019, doctors at Mott successfully completed the operation, stitching together the hole in the young child's heart. He initially reacted well to the surgery, even recovering ahead of schedule initially, leaving his parents hopeful that he could return home earlier than expected. Two days after the operation, though, he began to act erratically. 'I asked him what was wrong and tried to talk with him, but he didn't answer. When he began to groan, I knew something was very wrong,' Noel Weigel, Max's mother, said in a statement. Weigel (center) initially responded well to surgery to close his heart, but suffered a stroke days later. Doctors at the University of Michigan performed an endovascular thrombectomy to remove a blood clot from his brain. He has since recovered well from the ordeal In a moment she described as a 'whirlwind', she ran to get help through the hospital to get health. Quickly, doctors and nurses flooded into the room. Soon after, her and her husband Nick Weigel learned that Max had suffered a stroke. Atrial septal defect: The defect that leaves you with a hole in your heart Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a birth-defect where a person is born with a hole between the chambers of their heart Without it being treated on, it can lead to a weakened heart and lungs, and conditions like hypertension People suffering from ASD often experience shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, heart palpitations and other cardiovascular symptoms Untreated ASD has been linked to heart failure, strokes, high blood pressure and even early death Around one in every 2,000 babies born in America suffer from some form of ASD Advertisement 'Max couldn't speak and wasn't able to feel the right side of his body,' Max's father said. 'His vision was also impacted. We felt helpless when we saw the terror in his eyes.' 'In Max's case, imaging revealed that a significant portion of the left side of his brain was at risk of being irreversibly injured due to a major brain vessel being completely blocked with a clot,' Dr Aditya Pandey, a neurosurgeon at Mott, explained. Doctors decided that the only option for saving Weigel was a endovascular thrombectomy, a procedure where a catheter is inserted into an artery, then another devices is put through the catheter to remove the clot. We placed a catheter in an artery in his right leg and navigated to the left carotid artery,' Pandey said. 'We then placed a smaller catheter to reach the clot, allowing for the stent retriever to be deployed and the clot removed. Within 24 hours he began to improve.' Had this surgery not been performed, Weigel may have suffered devastating consequences. 'Without the surgery, he would have been disabled for life,' Pandey said. 'We put all of our trust and faith in Dr Pandey as our son was taken in for the procedure,' Noel Weigel said. Max was partially paralyzed on the right side of hid body, and partially lost his ability to speak as a result of the stroke. His family put him into physical, occupational and speech therapy after he recovered, hoping that he could still live out a normal childhood despite his affliction. Max, now seven years old, is learning to speak again, and even became a nationally ranked BMX racer for his age group, as he lives out a normal life. THE LOVE OF MY LIFE by Rosie Walsh (Mantle 14.99, 368pp) THE LOVE OF MY LIFE by Rosie Walsh (Mantle 14.99, 368pp) I adored the authors 2018 debut, a love story with a fantastic twist. Im thrilled to report that this is another compelling, painful romance, with the page-turning plot of a psychological thriller. Emma and Leo are in love with one another, their daughter and their life. Leo believes there is nothing he doesnt know about his wife and has never felt more connected to her. She is equally in love with him but has kept huge parts of her past concealed. When Emma has a brush with death, Leo starts looking into her past and finds all sorts of things dont add up. He realises he doesnt know his wife at all. Stunning. COUNTERFEIT by Kirstin Chen (Borough Press 14.99, 288pp) COUNTERFEIT by Kirstin Chen (Borough Press 14.99, 288pp) Ava has always played by the rules. Married to a successful transplant surgeon, she took a career break from her high-flying, main-breadwinner legal career to raise their difficult two-year-old. The more tantrums her son throws her way and the more her husband ignores her, the less like herself she feels in fact, these days she has no idea who she is. When Winnie, Avas university roommate, bumps into her after years of silence, Ava cannot believe the positive transformation in her old friend. Winnie used to be shy and awkward. Now, she is loud, confident and clutching endless designer handbags. Its not long before Ava is swept up in Winnies counterfeiting business and telling all sorts of lies to her family, which makes her marriage even worse. All that glitters is not gold and its narrated in the form of a confession to a detective. Darkly comedic with serious undertones, Chen shines a light on secrets, shame and the many ways in which women can be sidelined. NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT by Annabel Monaghan (Hodder 22, 272pp) NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT by Annabel Monaghan (Hodder 22, 272pp) If theres one thing successful rom-com screenwriter Nora knows, its how to plot out a good love story. Theres never normally any jeopardy in Noras tales and everything always works out in the end. However, when Noras too good to work husband, Ben, leaves her and their two young children, she channels her rage and frustration into a very different sort of script. The warts-and-all story of her own failed relationship is picked up by a Hollywood producer who wants to shoot it at Noras own home. She cant believe shes got Leo, Americas hottest actor, living in a trailer on her lawn, but is even more surprised when filming finishes and he asks if he can stay for a bit. Used to doing everything for her family, Nora is charmed by this insanely attractive man who insists on helping out with the kids and chores. Nora and Leo are both believable, engaging protagonists who I rooted for from the start. My wife bought me a 13' Macbook Pro laptop as a present in June 2017, as a thank you for taking care of everything and caring for our young son while she was in hospital with a chronic illness. We bought it from John Lewis and it cost 1,300. Six months ago the laptop stopped starting up when I opened it, and the screen was completely blank. We took the laptop to our local Apple Store in December 2021, and the technician said the issue was to do with the 'flex cable,' which was too short and therefore wore out in a short period of time. The Apple Store told me the cost to repair it would be 566 - not far off half the cost of the laptop. My wife and I both went down to part time hours during Covid and are still financially recovering, so we didn't have the money to spare. Computer complaint: This reader had trouble getting his Macbook repaired when it broke I looked into it and it turns out this is a well-known defect in Macbooks from that period - known among users as 'flexgate'. Apple even recalled certain models because of it, though mine wasn't one of them. As we bought it from John Lewis we took it to a store to get it repaired. The 3-year John Lewis warranty expired in 2020, but I believed it would be covered under the Consumer Rights Act as the laptop was not of satisfactory quality nor fit for purpose. We were pleased that John Lewis accepted the repair and sent the laptop off - but soon after the repair centre contacted me and said John Lewis wouldn't in fact cover the cost, asking me to pay around 500. I've spoken to John Lewis' complaints team many times but they are still refusing to pay for the repair. The best offer I have had is a 70 discount. It told me I didn't have 'definitive proof' that the cable was at fault, even though I sent the report from the Apple Store engineer and the laptop had already been examined by John Lewis' own repair department. D.E, London Helen Crane of This is Money replies: Your wife bought you a pricey computer in the hope that it would last for years to come, but the company was not the Apple of your eye when you learned of the manufacturing blunder. This rendered your laptop - which you needed for work - totally useless, and the 566 the Apple store charged to fix it was a bite out of your monthly budget that you couldn't stomach. You rightly sought a repair from the company that sold it to you. Under the Consumer Rights Act, it is the responsibility of the retailer - not the manufacturer - to deal with any issues that arise. CRANE ON THE CASE Our weekly column sees This is Money consumer expert Helen Crane tackle reader problems and shine the light on companies doing both good and bad. Want her to investigate a problem, or do you want to praise a firm for going that extra mile? Get in touch: helen.crane@thisismoney.co.uk When customers try to get a repair or refund under the act, whether they will be successful depends in part on the product's durability - in other words, how long it can be expected to last. But I would argue that an expensive laptop such as yours can reasonably be expected to work for more than four and a half years - the amount of time you had owned it when the problem occurred. John Lewis has built its reputation on good customer service, and in my opinion it should have agreed to fix your computer which suffers from a well-documented manufacturing issue. Instead, you were locked in a battle with its complaints department which offered you a paltry 70 towards the repair - about one twentieth of the computer's value. You had proof that the laptop was faulty, but this did not compute with the customer service team, despite two tech experts - at Apple and John Lewis itself - inspecting it. It shouldn't even have taken that, as even a luddite could see that it wouldn't turn on. I spoke to John Lewis to try and get to the core of this issue with your Apple laptop, and I'm pleased to say it relented and agreed to pay for the repair. A John Lewis spokesperson said: 'We're really sorry to hear of D.E's trouble with his Macbook. While Apple hasn't identified a recurring fault with this model, we've reviewed this case and agreed to cover the repair costs.' Hit and miss: This week's naughty and nice list Every week, I look at the companies who have fallen short when it comes to customer service, and those who have gone above and beyond. Miss: More tech trauma this week, as reader Janet had a bone to pick with EE regarding a pair of earphones that were supposed to be offered as a perk with her new phone contract. She had been an EE customer for about 25 years, latterly on a 10 SIM-only contract. In March 2022 she saw a deal advertised for a new Samsung Galaxy phone on EE which came with a set of Galaxy Buds 2 earphones. At the time these sold for around 139, and the perk was enough to tempt her away from the cheaper 10 contract. Headphone headache: Reader Janet didn't get the earbuds she was promised by EE when she took out a new and more expensive mobile phone contract She arranged a deal with EE, which is owned by BT, for 37 per month - if she agreed to return her existing phone as a trade-in. Janet received the phone, but never got the Galaxy Buds, or a link to order them, so she called EE and was told they were on their way. When they still didn't turn up, she logged on to the EE live chat and says she spent over three hours messaging several staff members. She was told that, as she had traded in her old phone, the offer of the buds was void. She wasn't told this when she phoned EE to agree the new contract initially - even though the buds were mentioned on the call. She was offered a 50 bill credit as a goodwill gesture, but would still prefer the buds as she wouldn't have agreed to the new contract - and paying an extra 27 each month - without that promotion. I got in touch with EE to see if it would make good on its buds promise - but my request seemed to fall on deaf ears. It said that, given the 50 credit and the 10 off her monthly bill she got for trading in her old phone, the discounts offered outweighed the cost of the earphones. It said that the phone she traded in was subject to an 'increased promotional trade in' offer, and that if she traded in a different model it would have amounted to less. Bud bother: The earphones promised were a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds, which retailed at around 139 at the time she took out the phone deal Had she been given a smaller monthly bill discount for the phone trade-in, she might have still qualified for the free earphones - though Janet wasn't made aware of this at the time. An EE Spokesperson said: 'We're very sorry that Janet has had a poor experience with us. To apologise, we've offered a gesture of goodwill and a discount off her monthly charges. Unfortunately, on this occasion we've been unable to come to an agreement to resolve the complaint.' The company is sticking to its guns and told Janet to complain to Ofcom if she didn't like it. It's disappointing that EE couldn't honour the deal for such a long-standing customer. With the buds now retailing at 99, the company could have saved itself the 50 bill credit - which Janet has since reluctantly accepted - and provided her the earphones at a cost to itself of only 49. Some might say that's a small price to pay for her loyalty. Washing machine win: Carol was happy with the service received from Marks Electrical Hit: At least one reader was happy with her tech purchase this week. Reader Carol told me she bought a new LG washing machine from white goods retailer Marks Electrical. It was delivered and fitted, but she later discovered that it was leaking water from the back hose. She said: 'I called Marks Electrical, and they were quick to answer and sort the problem. 'Two very nice men came the next day and fixed the machine. Wonderful service - I would recommend.' A fertiliser giant that produces the bulk of Britains carbon dioxide supplies is to shut a plant just months after receiving a taxpayer bailout. CF Industries will close its site at Ince, Chester, putting nearly 300 jobs at risk. It has been shut since ministers intervened to prevent a supply crisis last year, by handing CF Industries a subsidy worth tens of millions of pounds. Shutdown: CF Industries will close its site at Ince, Chester (pictured), putting over 300 jobs at risk. It has been shut since ministers intervened to prevent a supply crisis last year The bailout enabled its Billingham plant to reopen in Teesside, which will now supply all its UK fertiliser output. CF produces 60 per cent of Britains CO2 as a by-product of fertiliser production, with the gas used to make fizzy drinks and in packing fresh food. Bosses are in talks with workers and the trade unions over redundancy. A Business Department spokesman said: The closure is a commercial decision for CF Fertiliser and it will not impact supplies of CO2. 'The Government gave only limited financial support, for three weeks last year, to restart the Billingham plant. Without intervention, the CO2 shortage could have severely impacted the food processing sector, the NHS and nuclear power generation. The Hut Group faced further turmoil yesterday as board member Dominic Murphy left. The embattled retailer behind brands including Lookfantastic and Myprotein said Murphy, on the board for eight years, stepped down with immediate effect. Chief executive Matthew Moulding said Murphy had made an invaluable contribution. 'Remarkable journey': Hut Group board member Dominic Murphy (pictured) has stepped down at the embattled retailer after eight years Murphy, 55, said his term was a remarkable journey and it was the right time to go. He is a private equity heavyweight and, as a partner at US giant KKR in 2007, led its 12billion takeover of Boots. He is co-head of UK investments at private equity giant CVC. But he has faced questions over his role as an independent non-executive director at THG given his long-standing connection with Moulding. Murphy struck up a relationship with Moulding while he was KKRs London partner, and was a key player when the US business bought a 20 per cent stake in THG in 2014. He also holds a 1.2 per cent stake in THG, worth 20.2million. Murphy was, until last, night up for re-election at the annual shareholder meeting in Manchester tomorrow. His shock exit comes as THG finds itself a takeover target for bidders including tycoon Nick Candy. Investment firms Belerion and King Street Capital tabled a joint 2billion joint proposal last month, which THG rejected. The retailer has been trying to shore up support in the City over corporate governance concerns which have dogged it since its disastrous 2020 float. It has appointed City veteran Charles Allen as chairman after Moulding agreed to give up the dual role of chairman and chief executive. Moulding agreed in October to surrender a golden share, allowing him to block any takeover. He has not yet done so. Shares closed at 138.9p, well below the 500p IPO price. The boss of Melrose last night paved the way for the core aerospace business of British engineering giant GKN to be sold into foreign hands. Simon Peckham, chief executive of the FTSE 100 turnaround specialist, told the Daily Mail 'all options' were on the table regarding the future of Birmingham-based GKN. He suggested this could include a sale to private equity or a stock market listing. The comments came four years after Melrose bought GKN for 8billion in a deal that met stiff opposition amid concerns the historic British firm could later be sold into foreign hands. War hero: Spitfire Mk.Vb (pictured on memorial day in 2015) is one of 1000 aircraft built at GKN's Castle Bromwich factory which could soon fall into foreign hands A campaign to 'Save GKN' by the Mail was backed by defence industry experts, unions and politicians. But a sale went through, handing Melrose GKN's aerospace, automotive and powder metallurgy divisions. Asked about GKN Aerospace, Peckham said: 'We could float it, we could sell it to a private equity house... all of which are options we think would be available. 'If someone offers us the right price we will sell it.' Asked whether he would favour a listing over a sale to private equity, he said the firm would look to find a 'happy medium'. He said: 'We've got a responsibility to try and do the best for our shareholders. But we also have a responsibility to do the best for the business. 'It may well be that we find a private equity house that has another investment that you could combine this with, and that would be very good for the business. It may be a strategic buyer who could take the business forward is the best. 'Or it could be that floating the whole thing on the London stock market is the best answer.' Deal maker: Melrose boss Simon Peckham said 'all options' were on the table regarding the future of Birmingham-based GKN Founded in 1759, GKN is one of the UK's oldest manufacturing firms and made Spitfire aircraft during World War Two. When it bought the firm, Melrose pledged not to sell the core aerospace division for at least five years, a commitment that is due to expire in the middle of 2023. Peckham said an imminent sale was unlikely. 'In the immediate future, we think there is far more value to be had for our shareholders from continuing to own this business,' he said. '[GKN Aerospace] is the last asset in the Melrose group that we would look at selling.' Despite that, there are fears it could suffer the same fate as other British defence and technology companies such as Cobham, Laird and Meggitt, which have been snapped up by private equity firms and overseas rivals. Fierce criticism of acquisitions has spurred the Government into action, with Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng recently stepping in to block or delay several takeovers of British firms deemed vital to national security. Peckham's comments followed a capital markets day at Melrose in which it upgraded profit margin targets for the GKN Aerospace to 14 per cent as the industry recovers from a slowdown. It unveiled plans for a 500million share buyback, following the sale of Ergotron, a US businesses, for 520million. The shares surged 11 per cent, or 15.6p, to 157.7p. Despite its strong performance, Melrose said it was keeping its payout plans 'under review' as a result of 'world events and market uncertainty.' Elon Musk had threatened to walk away from his 35bn takeover of Twitter Twitter has agreed to share vast amounts of data about the content on its platform with Elon Musk after the billionaire Tesla boss threatened to walk away from his 35billion takeover of the social media website. Musk previously challenged Twitters estimate that under 5 per cent of its daily active users were fake, but the company refused to give him access to the data trove so that he could verify the numbers. However, the company appeared to have buckled last night after Musks lawyers said its failure to provide access constituted a material breach of the takeover deal, according to the Washington Post. The data includes a real-time stream of tweets, known as a firehose, which also contains details about the devices they are written from. It has been suggested the firehose is critical to how Twitter determines the number of fake accounts on its platform. Despite doubts about the billionaires intentions, Twitter reportedly told staff it is planning to hold a shareholder vote to approve the deal in early August. Hunter Biden accused his ex-wife of blackmailing him to sign a divorce settlement by threatening to leak embarrassing photos of him to the media. The allegation was made in a letter from Hunter's divorce lawyer to his ex-wife Kathleen's lawyer in March 2017. The letter, obtained by DailyMail.com from Hunter's abandoned laptop, also accused Hunter's ex, Kathleen Buhle, of expecting Joe Biden to financially 'backstop' their divorce settlement. The news comes as Buhle's memoir is set to be released next Tuesday. Revelations in Buhle's book, If We Break, include how she kicked Hunter out of their home after finding a crack pipe in their ashtray in the summer of 2015, and claims she learned of his affair with his brother's widow in a family therapy session with her kids in November 2016. Emails reveal Hunter Biden accused his ex-wife Kathleen of threatening to leak embarrassing pictures of him to the media if he didn't sign a divorce settlement Hunter's lawyers called Kathleen's alleged threat to release compromising photos 'entirely acceptable and likely actionable under the District of Columbia's blackmail statute'. This revealing photo of Hunter was obtained from his abandoned laptop Hunter claimed in emails that he learned of a 'blackmail' plot by Buhle in March 2017 amid their fraught divorce negotiations. He had his lawyer raise the claims to them in writing. 'Hunter has learned that Kathleen intends, ... to release purportedly compromising photos of Hunter to the media,' Hunter's lawyer Sarah Mancinelli wrote on March 19 2017 Kathleen's lawyers denied that she had any intention to release photos of hunter to the press. 'She has every hope that the parties are able to reach a fair and equitable agreement through good faith negotiations,' the lawyer said People Magazine reported that Buhle told them she 'does not receive alimony from Hunter'. But emails on Hunter's laptop show their divorce settlement included an obligation for him to pay his ex $37,000 per month in perpetuity and that Buhle had her lawyers write angry letters when he allegedly missed payments in 2019. Hunter claimed in emails that he learned of a 'blackmail' plot by Buhle in March 2017 amid their fraught divorce negotiations. He had his lawyer raise the claims to them in writing. Kathleen (left) reveals a number of new details about her marriage to Hunter Biden (right) in her upcoming book If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction, and Healing, which will be released on June 14 'Hunter has learned that Kathleen intends...to release purportedly compromising photos of Hunter to the media,' Hunter's lawyer Sarah Mancinelli wrote on March 19 2017. 'The threat to release compromising photos is entirely unacceptable, and likely actionable under the District of Columbia's blackmail statute.' Buhle's attorney, Rebekah Sullivan, responded that her client 'has no intention of doing so' but Hunter was still suspicious. 'So implicit in this response is that she has picture but at the moment does not intend to release them. It does not address the fact that the threat was made which is a felony in and of itself,' he wrote to his lawyers after seeing the response. The letter from Hunter's lawyer also accused Buhle of relying on Joe Biden to financially back his son to get her alimony and even spoke to the former Vice President about it. 'Hunter has learned that Kathleen's settlement posture is premised on her expectation that Hunter's father will backstop any financial arrangement eventually reached between the parties,' Mancinelli wrote. 'Indeed, Kathleen's expectation has even been communicated to Hunter's father. 'Simply put, there is no 'blank-check.' Any settlement must be economically feasible. 'If Kathleen is assuming that Hunter's father will perform Hunter's obligations, she is woefully misinformed and that mindset will hamper our ability to bring this case to closure.' The letter, obtained from Hunter's abandoned laptop, also accused Kathleen of expecting Joe Biden to financially 'backstop' their divorce settlement. Hunter, Kathleen, Joe and Jill Biden are pictured in 2009 A letter from Kathleen's lawyer to Hunter's in 2019 shows that the couple's divorce settlement included an agreement for Hunter to pay Buhle at least $37,000 per month. 'The MSA [Marital Settlement Agreement] provides that, beginning 04/01/2017, and continuing thereafter RHB shall pay to KBB $37,000 per month as Base Spousal Support,' Sullivan wrote to Mancinelli The lawyer also warned that a Washington Post writer was working on a story about them, and asked Buhle to promise not to speak to her. A friend of Buhle who has known her and Hunter for decades told DailyMail.com the claims of blackmail were patently untrue. The friend, who asked not to be named, said the presidents son made the claims because he was a f***ing crackhead. [Hunter was] literally a f***ing crackhead. A drug addict, an alcoholic, a depraved, sick, pathetic, sad individual going through the worst moment of his personal life, the source said. He was in a bitter, acrimonious divorce proceeding with his wife and he was saying and doing anything he could to try to weasel his way out of his obligations with respect to settling that divorce. DailyMail.com last year commissioned top cyber forensics experts to analyze the data from Hunter's laptop and confirm the laptop's contents were real. This photo was obtained from the laptop People Magazine reported Wednesday that 'Buhle says she does not receive alimony from Hunter and that there was no windfall divorce settlement.' But in a January 2019 email to Hunter's lawyer, she wrote: 'Is there an update on my alimony?' Buhle was concerned at the time because she had allegedly not received scheduled spousal support payments from her ex Kathleen and Hunter were married from 1993 and 2017 and share three daughters People Magazine reported that 'Buhle says she does not receive alimony from Hunter and that there was no windfall divorce settlement.' But in a January 2019 email to Hunter's lawyer, she wrote: 'Is there an update on my alimony?' Buhle was concerned at the time because she had allegedly not received scheduled spousal support payments from her ex. A letter from her lawyer to Hunter's a week later shows that the couple's divorce settlement included an agreement for Hunter to pay Buhle at least $37,000 per month. 'The MSA [Marital Settlement Agreement] provides that, beginning 04/01/2017, and continuing thereafter RHB shall pay to KBB $37,000 per month as Base Spousal Support,' Sullivan wrote to Mancinelli. Sullivan claimed that Hunter had failed to make the payments, hand over financial information or 'failed to reasonably cooperate' with Buhle when the IRS slapped a lien for Hunter's unpaid taxes on an Indiana lake house property she got in the divorce. The letter says that their divorce agreement also provides for extra payments to Buhle if Hunter earned over $875,000 in a given year. The Cancer Council of Victoria says that although Australias Biggest Morning Tea is officially held on May 19, you can still host your own morning tea throughout June, raising much-needed funds for cancer research. This year Karen Dawson, from Kilmore in Victoria managed to host her own workplace event despite having to travel to Melbourne for treatment every three weeks. This will be her tenth year raising funds for the Cancer Council Victoria. Because she caught COVID-19, Karen was unable to personally attend her 2022 Morning Tea, but she was able to dial in remotely to share her experiences with cancer. This year it has touched me more this because I lost two co-worker friends to cancer in May, says Karen. Even though I wasnt able to be there in person it was very emotional. Cancer survivor Karen Dawson enjoyed a celebratory wine over Easter For 29 years, Cancer Councils Australias Biggest Morning Tea has brought together millions of Australians over a cup of tea in support of those affected by cancer. Australias Biggest Morning Tea is the largest and most successful event of its kind in the country and attracts over 4,200 hosts each year. Currently, one in two Australians are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. CANCER FACTS - VIC On average, 95 Victorians are diagnosed with cancer every day, or 1 Victorian every 15 minutes. 11,360 Victorians died from cancer in 2020. Thats on average 31 deaths every day or more than 1 every hour. The 5 most common cancers in Victoria are: lung, prostate, melanoma, breast, and bowel, accounting for 56% of all new cases and 51% of all cancer deaths Your morning tea will help raise vital funds to bring Aussies closer to a cancer free future. You can host at home with friends and family, at the local park with your community, or via online video chat with your colleagues. However you choose to host, just know that every dollar you raise is going to make a real difference to the lives of people impacted by cancer. Those who want to host can register at biggestmorningtea.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85 to receive a free morning tea host kit. Johnny Depp's lawyers have addressed the possibility that Amber Heard might not have to pay damages to the actor after all. After a jury concluded Amber Heard, 36, did defame him in a 2018 article she wrote about her domestic violence experience, he was given a total of $15 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Johnny Depp's Lawyer Says He Might Not Make Amber Heard Pay Johnny Depp, 58, first launched a $50 million lawsuit against his ex-wife, but Amber Heard counter-sued for $100 million. With the jury's decision in his favor, the actor was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive penalties. However, under Virginia law, punitive damages are limited to $350,000. Johnny Depp's total was reduced to $8.35 million after Amber Heard was given $2 million in compensatory damages, according to Metro. Following the conclusion of the tumultuous six-week trial last week, Heard's lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, announced that the 'Aquaman' actress could not afford to pay the damages and is now intending to file an appeal. During the trial, it was reported that Amber Heard had lost her job in Hollywood as a result of her legal battle with Depp. On Wednesday, Johnny Depp's attorneys, Camille Vasquez and Ben Chew, appeared on US morning television to highlight their client's triumph. George Stephanopoulos of Good Morning America questioned the two whether Amber Heard might forego an appeal in return for Johnny Depp waiving the damages she is obligated to pay. After being candid about his drinking and drug issues during the trial, Chew commended his client for accepting accountability and facing his issues. As Depp works to rebuild his reputation, Heard's legal team has issued a statement claiming that "women's rights are moving backwards." "I think our response to that is we encourage any victim to come forward - domestic violence doesn't have a gender," Vasquez said, disputing that the judgment constituted a setback to the #MeToo movement. "The facts are what they were," Vasquez said, "and the jury made a unanimous conclusion based on those facts." Vasquez claimed her team's cross-examination of Heard was centered on using her words against her and that every question that was asked was linked to something she had said previously, as per ABC News. Chew stated that the lawsuit was about restoring Depp's reputation, which he has accomplished. Throughout the week-long trial, Chew and Vasquez became well-known on social media, describing Vasquez as "surreal" and "overwhelming." Read Also: Johnny Depp TikTok: Amber Heard Slams Ex-Husband for 'Move Forward' Post Why Was Johnny Depp Escorted Out of Hotel? Johnny Depp was recently dragged out of a hotel by security to keep him safe from the crowds of fans who have been following him since his trial finished last week. This week, photos showing the actor being led out of the Grand Hotel Birmingham, England, while carrying a coffee mug went viral. His security team was keeping him protected and away from the "large crowds," according to a source. The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star, 58, appeared distressed in the photos as he was escorted out of the fancy hotel with one man holding his right arm and another following closely behind. Per Page Six, Depp wore a black and white checkered sport coat with black pants and black shoes, as well as a scarf, messy hair, and aviator sunglasses. A ceramic coffee mug was in his left hand, although it was unclear what - if anything - was inside. The actor had spent more than $62,000 on a spectacular Indian feast suitable for a legally victorious king and his entourage of roughly 20 hours before the encounter. Authentic Indian cuisine, countless drinks, and loads of rose were served at the Varanasi celebration dinner. He only joined TikTok yesterday and made his first video, in which he thanked his supporters for their sympathy and expressed his wish to move on from the trial. Related Article: Johnny Depp Verdict: Amber Heard Has 4 Options If She Cannot Pay $8.35 Million @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Uvalde school district police chief criticized for waiting too long before law enforcement confronted and killed the gunman during a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school did not appear at a local city council meeting on Tuesday, despite being sworn in to the panel just days after the massacre. Mayor Don McLaughlin said he was unable to explain why the district police chief Pete Arredondo wasn't at the brief meeting. Two weeks ago, 19 students and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Since then, Arredondo has been conspicuously absent from public and press events as more facts emerged indicating he delayed officers from rushing in to save the victims and confront the shooter. McLaughlin told reporters at the meeting that he was frustrated with the lack of information. 'We want facts and answers, just like everybody else,' the mayor said. Steven McCraw, the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has said Arredondo, who was in charge of the multi-agency response on May 24, made the 'wrong decision' to not order officers to breach the classroom more quickly to confront the gunman. Uvalde Independent School District Chief of Police Pete Arredondo, 50, failed to show up at the town's first city council since the May 24 massacre that killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, Jr., center, and members of the city council pray during a special emergency city council meeting, Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas, to reissue the mayor's declaration of a local state of disaster due to the recent school shooting at Robb Elementary School. Two teachers and 19 students were killed People visit a memorial in Uvalde's town square on May 30 for the 19 children and two adults killed As the mayor spoke in Uvalde on Tuesday, lawmakers in Washington heard testimony from the son of a woman who was killed in a recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, as lawmakers work toward a bipartisan agreement on gun safety measures. At a White House press briefing on Tuesday, actor Matthew McConaughey, a Uvalde native, spoke with passion about his conversations with the families of the children who were killed and the need for more stringent gun control. The gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, spent roughly 80 minutes inside Robb Elementary, and more than an hour passed from when the first officers followed him into the building and when he was killed, according to an official timeline. In the meantime, parents outside begged police to rush in and panicked children called 911 from inside. Arredondo has not responded to repeated interview requests and questions from press inquiries. Sen. Roland Gutierrez told The Associated Press last week in a brief telephone interview that a Texas Department of Public Safety official told him school district police Chief Pete Arredondo was without a radio during the May 24 attack. Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, Jr., right, talks with council member Stephen Balke, left Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, Jr., center and four other city council members on Wednesday After the City Council meeting, Alfred Garza III, whose 10-year-old daughter, Amerie Jo, was among the Uvalde students killed, told reporters that he attended the meeting to see what else he could learn about what happened that day. 'I have so many questions and not every one can be answered. They're still collecting data, they're still collecting information on what happened,' Garza said. He said he had been curious as to whether Arredondo would attend the meeting, and said he had 'mixed feelings' about the district police chief's absence. 'He obviously didn't show up for a reason,' Garza said, adding that he assumed Arredondo thought if he did appear he would get a lot of questions. Garza said he doesn't have 'a lot of ill will' toward Arredondo, nor does he blame just one person for what happened, but he does think more could have been done that day. 'They did take a long time to get in there,' Garza said. Alfred Garza III, father of school shooting victim Amerie Jo Garza, talks with the media after attending the special emergency city council meeting on Wednesday Since the shooting, there have been tensions between state and local authorities over how police handled the shooting and communicated what happened to the public. The Texas Department of Public Safety has begun referring questions about the investigation to the Uvalde-area district attorney, Christina Mitchell Busbee. She hasn't responded to interview requested from The Associated Press. McLaughlin said he has asked officials for a briefing but 'we're not getting it.' He said the city's police chief was on vacation at the time of the shooting and that the acting city police commander was on the scene. Asked by CNN reporter Shimon Prokupecz to defend his moves as the incident commander during the massacre on June 1, Arredondo declined, saying: 'We're going to be respectful to the families. 'Just so you know, we're going to do that eventually. Whenever this is done and the families quit grieving, then we'll do that obviously,' added Arredondo, referring to the slew of funerals taking place in Uvalde this week. Arredondo also appeared to dispute claims that he has not been cooperating with an investigation into the shooting and police response by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). 'Just so everybody knows, we've been in contact with DPS every day. I've been on the phone with them every day. Just so you know we've been talking to them every day,' the embattled official said. Arredondo was questioned by a CNN reporter on June 1, but refused to answer his questions and has not spoken to other news outlets since the confrontation US Customs and Border Protection agents (left) are seen alongside local police (center) and sheriff's deputies (right) working to rescue kids from Robb Elementary on May 24 A timeline of the events that unfolded at Robb Elementary School on May 24 Uvalde local Juan Torres, a U.S. Army veteran who was visibly upset with reports coming out about the police response, told the AP this week that he knew Arredondo from high school. 'You sign up to respond to those kinds of situations,' said Torres. 'If you are scared, then don't be a police officer. Go flip burgers.' The 50-year-old Arredondo has spent much of a nearly 30-year career in law enforcement in Uvalde, returning in 2020 to take the head police job at the school district. He started out his career in law enforcement there before transferring to Laredo, a border city located 130 miles miles to the south, where he worked at the Webb County Sheriff's Office and then for a local school district, according to a 2020 article in the Uvalde Leader-News. In the wake of the shooting, Head of Texas Department of Public Safety Steven McCraw said Arredondo (pictured) made the 'wrong decision' to not order officers to swarm into the classroom The school district's board of trustees approved his appointment to the spot. When Arredondo was a boy, Maria Gonzalez used to drive him and her children to the same school where the shooting happened. 'He was a good boy,' she said. 'He dropped the ball maybe because he did not have enough experience. Who knows? People are very angry,' Gonzalez said. Another woman in the neighborhood where Arredondo grew up began sobbing when asked about him. The woman, who didn't want to give her name, said one of her granddaughters was at the school during the shooting but wasn't hurt. After his election to the non-salaried spot on the City Council, Arredondo told the Uvalde Leader-News earlier this month that he was 'ready to hit the ground running.' 'I have plenty of ideas, and I definitely have plenty of drive,' he said, adding he wanted to focus not only on the city being fiscally responsible but also making sure street repairs and beautification projects happen. At a candidates' forum before his election, Arredondo said: 'I guess to me nothing is complicated. Everything has a solution. That solution starts with communication. Communication is key.' Wealthy socialite Phoebe Malouf has lost her appeal to have a drink driving conviction overturned after she drove a nine-year-old home from a play date following a vodka-fuelled dinner. The 39-year-old was blasted by the judge who rejected part of her high-profile barrister's argument, saying she was 'foolish' and 'very selfish' to drive drunk - and that she was 'seven times more likely to harm people in a car accident which that much alcohol in her blood'. District Court Judge Christopher O'Brien told the charity maven and wife of Sydney pub baron James Malouf on Thursday afternoon, 'you could have rung an Uber ... there were options'. His Honour rejected Greg James QC's argument that Malouf was a special case, saying 'I am of the view Mr James, despite your submissions, that a conviction should be recorded'. Dressed in a lightweight cream sweater, cream singlet top and matching jersey pants with a blue mask over her face and her hair in a ponytail, Malouf arrived with an entourage of five which included her father, Sydney barrister Stephen O'Ryan QC. Malouf, who sat looking nervous in court as her barrister tendered nine documents, later fled the John Maddison Tower court complex sobbing and shielded by friends and family on the street after Judge O'Brien's decision. The court heard that Malouf had jumped in her 4WD to drop a primary school friend of one of her three daughters home in April after the child became 'distressed' and her own parents were too drunk to drive. Socialite and Eastern Suburbs charity queen Phoebe Malouf was caught drink driving after a vodka-fuelled dinner followed by her getting behind the wheel of her Landcruiser Sahara and dropping off a child after a play date Dressed in lightweight cream-coloured clothing, Malouf Malouf arrived shielded by an entourage of five including her barrister father, and later fled, sobbing, after Judge O'Brien questioned why she'd drive a 9-year-old drunk instead of calling an Uber Crown prosecutor Daryl Gunter told the court that Malouf's recorded a mid range alcohol reading was among NSW's drink driving statistics which also included 250 annual fatalities and serious injuries. The death rate had dropped from 1200 a year, but he said was still 'horrific' and despite Greg James submission, Malouf 'didn't have a little bit of alcohol ... you really were quite intoxicated'. Mr Gunter questioned why neither Malouf not the nine-year-old's parents - who were 'entertaining' couldn't have just 'got a cab'. Phoebe Malouf was arrested on April 8 this year Malouf, after drinking what police described as 'two unknown sized tumblers of vodka, lemon and soda' and dropping one of her children's friends off from a sleepover. The court heard on Thursday the young girl had become upset and Malouf, dressed in her 'pyjamas and ugg boots' had decided to drive th girl 2.2km home from the Malouf Vaucluse home. According to police facts, the Kincoppal Rose Bay private school mother drank the vodka while eating Indian food at home for three hours from 6-9pm. She then drove her black Toyota Landcruiser Sahara 4WD with personalised plates down New South Head Road and was pulled over at 10.46pm by an Eastern Suburbs Highway Patrol RBT. Malouf, 40, drank 'two unknown-sized tumblers of vodka, lemon and soda' at a three hour dinner between 6pm and 9pm, and was then busted by an RBT at 10.46pm Malouf, the wife of hotel baron Jamie Malouf, was arrested and blew .088. After her conviction in May she went to a police station to have a mug shot taken and be fingerprinted The Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation committee member blew a positive roadside breath test, which later tested at .088. When Malouf was unable to produce her licence, she was placed under arrest and taken in a police vehicle to Waverley Police Station. At 11.31pm Malouf tested positive to mid-range drink driving, her licence was suspended, and she was charged and ordered to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court. On May 20, Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis convicted Malouf and she thereafter attended a police station for a police mug shot and fingerprinting. Malouf, whose husband Jamie Malouf owns a string of hotels including Double Bay's Royal Oak Hotel, used her charity work to try and appeal to the magistrate last month for a reduced sentence. Malouf's barrister Petros Macarounas told the court then she'd been instrumental in raising more than $3.5 million. Phoebe Malouf (right) used her multi-million dollar charity fundraising to try and reduce her sentence, then appealed in the District Court against the 'severity' of an $800 fine and three months disqualification Wealthy charity maven Phoebe Malouf hid behind an entourage after fleeing a court hearing on Thursday where she was blasted by a judge for drink driving and potentially risking other's safety Malouf, who police facts say has a prior drink driving offence in 2013,was ordered to pay an $800 fine, had her licence disqualified for three months, with a further order to use an interlock on her steering wheel for 12 months, which will need to be fitted to her car at her own cost. On Thursday, Malouf's new barrister Greg James argued for dropping the conviction and the interlock order because it was embarrassing to use the device in front of children every time she used the car. Judge O'Brien granted the request on the interlock, giving Malouf an exemption, acknowledging she had 'recurrent anxiety, ongoing shame and (was) burdened by guilt'. Mr James tendered four references, one from her hotelier husband, a letter from her doctor, a record of her medical appointments and a psychologist's report. After nearly a year, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol is finally presenting its findings to the public in a highly-anticipated public hearing on Thursday night. The Democrat-led panel spent 11 months searching for what caused last year's insurrection, when Donald Trump's supporters attempted to stop Congress from certifying the ballots for Joe Biden's electoral victory. Now armed with hundreds of witness testimonies, thousands of hours' worth of footage, and more than 100,000 pages of evidence, lawmakers believe they can contextualize the Capitol riot into a wider scheme by Trump and his allies to undermine American democracy and the 2020 election. 'I think it's really important for the American people to understand how the attack unfolded, to understand what provoked the attack,' the committee's vice chair, Republican Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, said on Dispatch Live Tuesday. The panel even reportedly recruited former ABC News president James Goldston to shape their combination of footage, live testimony, images and videotaped depositions into a blockbuster presentation of evidence. When is the hearing? The first of six sessions is at 8 p.m. Eastern on Thursday evening. The following hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, June 13. It's not yet clear when the next four will be, but two more are expected next week, according to the New York Times. The following week will reportedly see the remaining two hearings. The House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol has heard from more than 1,000 witnesses How can I watch? There are a number of ways to watch the primetime hearing both online and on television. DailyMail.com will be carrying its own live stream of the event as well as live blog coverage. For live analysis and reporter commentary, the Washington Post will begin its online programming at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday. CBSN, CBS News' streaming arm, will also provide live coverage on the outlet's website. Every major broadcast network is interrupting scheduled television to carry the hearing live. Two of the 'big three' cable networks - CNN and MSNBC - will follow suit. Fox News has announced it would not show the event, meaning viewers there will instead tune in to Tucker Carlson's regularly scheduled time slot. Who is testifying? The committee is hearing from British documentary filmmaker Nick Quested and Capitol police officer Caroline Edwards on Thursday. Quested was embedded with the far-right group and would have video evidence of its members' confrontations with law enforcement outside of the Capitol as well as other key findings about its activity. The panel, assembled by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is made up of seven Democrat lawmakers and two Republicans He was also in the room for a meeting between Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes, the leader of another far-right group called the Oath Keepers, Politico reported. On the other side of the conflict that day, Edwards will testify about her experience defending the Capitol against rioters. She was injured in a dust-up linked to Proud Boys members while defending the complex that day and suffered a concussion. Beyond those live testimonies, the committee is also expected to show some of the hundreds of hours' worth of video-taped depositions it has recorded over the last 11 months. Nick Quested is a filmmaker who had been documenting the Proud Boys on and before January 6 Viewers could see part of the hours-long interviews of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, the ex-president's daughter and son-in-law who were also his senior White House advisers when the riot took place. Sources told the Washington Post late last week that their testimonies will make for 'gripping television' if they are eventually shown during the hearings. The outlet also reported that a central focus of the hearings in general will be the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, who was an aide to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows during the insurrection. Hutchinson last month reportedly told the panel that Trump was supportive of rioters chanting 'Hang Mike Pence' - while the former vice president was still within the Capitol complex. The former aide is likely to testify live in addition to what she told the committee behind closed doors, the Saturday report states. What will I learn? The combination of videos and images with live testimony is aimed at showing the American public how close their democracy came to the breaking point. 'It's a pretty dramatic story and it has to be told in a dramatic way,' Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff told NPR. The panel is also expected to hear from the other side of the conflict with testimony from Capitol cop Caroline Edwards (pictured on CBS Evening News), who is thought to be the first officer injured while defending the complex on January 6 Thursday's hearing is expected to provide an overview of events on the day of the Capitol riot and contextualize it in Trump's wider alleged plot to overturn his presidential election loss. 'I think that we will be in a position to show, sort of, an initial set of findings and to begin to walk through what happened and to make sure that we're taking steps necessary, legislatively, so that it never happens again,' Cheney said on Tuesday. The Wyoming conservative told Dispatch Live that the coming weeks will also feature damning evidence on Trump from his former allies themselves. 'You will hear from Republicans who worked in his administration. You'll hear from Republican state officials,' she said. 'You'll hear from people who understood that the election had been lost, for example, who told him that there was not fraud at a level that would have overturned the results.' And Quested and Edwards' testimonies are a sign that lawmakers' first in a series of six hearings will focus heavily on the Proud Boys, who have been accused of playing a central role in instigating the violence that day and coordinating Trump supporters toward the Capitol. An Islamic cleric behind The Lady of Heaven film cancelled by two cinema chains is, according to his critics, a hard line Shia advocate who is exiled in the UK due to his outspoken views on fellow Muslims. Yasser al-Habib, who born in Kuwait and a script writer for the film, also raised funds for the movie which has been at the focal point of Muslim protests in recent days. The film was pulled by Cineworld yesterday after hundreds of people gathered outside its branches in Bolton, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bradford and urged for screenings to be axed. Showcase followed by cancelling screenings today. Mr al-Habib, 43, is a fiery campaigner for Shia Islam, a minority sect within the faith which has been at logger heads with mainstream Sunni Muslims, who make up the majority of Muslims in Britain and the rest of the world. While the two sects share many fundamental beliefs and practices, at their core has been a centuries-old divide over who should have been the direct successor to the Prophet Muhammed - the founder of the faith. Mr al-Habib has regularly taken to social media to rail against Islamic figures exalted by Sunni Muslims, accusing them of being 'culprits' who 'conspired' to take over Islam after the Prophet Muhammed. Yasser al-Habib, who born in Kuwait and a script writer for the film, claims on his website that his involvement in The Lady of Heaven is an attempt to 'enlighten the world' Protests, who have branded the film 'blasphemous', pictured outside a Cineworld chain in Birmingham on Sunday The film was pulled by Cineworld yesterday after hundreds of people gathered outside its branches in Bolton, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bradford and urged for screenings to be axed Protestors claim that this is reflected in The Lady of Heaven, which is offensive to their beliefs and is a dangerous attempt to spread sectarian hate with the UKs Muslim community. Other aspects of the film the protestors considered blasphemous are that it portrays the Prophet Muhammeds face and that of his close associates through computer generated imagery, while their voices can also be heard - something that is forbidden in Islam. It has also been criticised for being racist as many of the negative characters are portrayed by black actors. Mr al-Habibs slick website openly proclaims his involvement in The Lady of Heaven claiming that it is an attempt to 'enlighten the world'. The film follows the life of Lady Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammed, but also suggests that key figures around him usurped the faith, which is considered highly offensive to many mainstream Muslims. Born in Al-Mirqab, Kuwait in 1979, Mr al-Habibs Shia views were considered so hard-line there that he was imprisoned by the countrys government in 2003 and he and his family were stripped of their Kuwaiti nationality. After being released following a pardon, he fled to Iraq, then Iran and eventually arrived in Britain in 2005, where he was granted asylum. He runs his movement, called The Madhi Servants Organisation from its base in Buckinghamshire. In addition to being prolific on social media, he also runs a Shia television channel from there, publishes a Shia newspaper and also regularly holds seminars, which attract people from all over the UK and the rest of the world. It is also where Enlightened Kingdom Production, the company that made The Lady of Heaven, is based. Mr al-Habib maintains on his website that his life is devoted to promoting 'Rafida Islam' which rejects many of the key historical beliefs of Sunni Muslims. He has also published a series of controversial books and research projects in which he criticises Islamic figures such as Abu Bakr, the first caliph and successor to Muhammed and his daughter Aisha, claiming that modern day terrorism stems from them. Both are highly revered by Sunni Muslims and are negatively portrayed in The Lady of Heaven. Mr al-Habibs Shia views were considered so hardline in Kuwait that he was imprisoned by the countrys government in 2003 before he fled to the UK via Iraq and Iran Hundreds of demonstrators have turned out in Bradford, Bolton, Birmingham and Sheffield to protest venues showing screenings of The Lady of Heaven. Pictured: A protest outside Cineworld in Birmingham Representatives of the UKs Sunni Muslim community have accused him of spreading 'sectarian hate' and supported the banning of the film. Imam Numaan, who is based at a leading West London mosque told MailOnline: 'Al-Habibi has a long history of spreading his vile, sectarian beliefs. He does this openly and insults all Muslims, not just Sunnis. 'This film is nothing but an attempt to spread divisions with the Muslim community. He is trying to provoke Sunni Muslims and get a reaction out of them. 'The film is not based on historical facts.' Referring to the banning of the film, he added: Of course freedom of speech is important but there are boundaries. This film has been made by a radical, Shiaso it is right that it should not be shown.' Mr al-Habib has been contacted for comment. Iran set up a committee to deceive the UN atomic watchdog and build devices capable of denoting nuclear weapons in secret, opposition sources have told MailOnline. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) accused the Islamic Republic of developing so-called 'exploding-bridgewire detonators' by sending the UN forged documents that stated they were needed for oil drilling. The devices can be used for detonating implosion-type nuclear weapons, and are monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). NCRI foreign affairs committee member Shahin Gobadi said Iran's intention was to 'hoodwink the international community' to 'prevent the exposure of its ominous objective of obtaining the nuclear bomb'. The accusations came only hours after the UN passed a motion criticising Iran for failing to clarify questions about the presence of nuclear material at undeclared sites. Brigadier General Nasrollah Kalantari, pictured, previously deputy Defense Minister, is said to be part of the committee set up to deceive the UN nuclear watchdog Brigadier General Ali Hossein Tash, left, then the Deputy on Strategic Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council, has been one of the most senior officials who has been pursuing the regimes nuclear weapons program. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, head of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research and a key member of the committee, is pictured right Iran set up a secret committee to deceive the UN nuclear watchdog by falsifying information over the development of devices used to detonate implosion-style nuclear weapons. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, is pictured Tehran had forged documents and exchanged communication between the Oil Ministry and the Defense Ministry to prove that the exploding-bridgewire detonators (EBWs) were produced and used for oil drilling, according to the NCRI. But it said the National Iranian Drilling Company has not received even one of the EBW detonators produced by the Ministry of Defence. WHAT ARE IMPLOSION-TYPE NUCLEAR DEVICES? The US military was the first to use the implosion-type nuclear weapons design in action when they tested it less than a month before the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan in the Trinity Test on 16 July, 1945, in New Mexico. In implosion bombs, a subcritical mass of fissile material is compressed by a chemical high explosive into a denser critical mass. The fissile material is typically plutonium or highly enriched uranium or a composite of the two. In a simple form of the design, a spherical fissile core is surrounded by a reflector which in turn is surrounded by the highly explosive chemical. Considerably less fissile material is needed for an implosion weapon than for alternative nuclear bombs, making it more appealing to nations with limited resources. Such bombs can be detonated by exploding bridgewire detonators, devices which are on the US Munitions List and highly regulated by nuclear watchdogs. An implosion fission weapon with an explosive yield of one kiloton can be constructed with as little as 1-2 kg of plutonium or with about 5-10 kg of highly enriched uranium. The Fat Man, the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki in the Second World War, was designed as an implosion-style device. Advertisement The committee also allegedly made the decision to ban IAEA inspectors from conducting interviews with officials and experts involved in the nuclear program, prompting tension between Iran and the international community. NCRI, an political organisation based in France and Albania which opposes Iran's government, named key members of the committee as then deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Nasrollah Kalantari, then general director for disarmament at the Ministry of Defense Seyed Ahmad Mirzaei, and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, head of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND). Mahabadi was regarded as the chief of Irans nuclear program before he was killed on November 27, 2020, allegedly by a remote-control weapon built by Israeli defence. IRGC Brigadier General Ali Hossein Tash, then the Deputy on Strategic Affairs of the Supreme National Security Council, oversaw the work of the committee, set up in 2015 when the Iran Nuclear Deal was signed, said the opposition group. It said the committee meetings started from July 2015 to answer questions from the IAEA at the Defense Ministrys International Affairs Directorate, in north Tehran on Langari Street. All individuals in the committee are said to have been part of a Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps research centre working on the development of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. They were allegedly tasked with forging documents and explanations to mislead the IAEA. The NCRI said it obtained the information through a network of government agencies operating within the Islamic Republic, principally from the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), the most active political opposition group in the country. Gobadi added: 'The clerical regime has never given up on the drive to acquire the bomb. Only a firm policy, comprehensive sanctions and ultimately regime change by the Iranian people and the resistance will prevent it from obtaining the bomb.' The news comes the day after the UN passed a draft resolution criticising Iran for failing to fully explain uranium traces at undeclared sites. Israel accused Iran of purifying uranium at sites under construction near its Natanz nuclear plant. In 2002, the NCRI previously exposed a secret Uranium enrichment site in Natanz and a heavy water reactor in Arak. The United States, France, Britain and Germany put the draft resolution to the board, which passed on Wednesday. The bill is the first to criticise Iran since June 2020, when tensions were running hot over the attempted revival of the nuclear deal. The foreign ministries of the four Western nations issued a joint statement condemning Irans 'insufficient cooperation with the IAEA on serious and outstanding safeguards issues', relating to its nuclear activities. This satellite photo from Planet Labs Inc. shows Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 'The overwhelming majority vote at the IAEA Board of Governors [yesterday] sends an unambiguous message to Iran that it must meet its safeguards obligations and provide technically credible clarifications on outstanding safeguards issues,' the statement added. 'We urge Iran to heed the call of the international community to fulfil its legal obligations, and cooperate with the IAEA to fully clarify and resolve issues without further delay.' China and Russia voted against the UN motion, while 30 voted in favor and three abstained. 'Although the resolution is a step forward, it by no means covers the highest interests of the Iranian people against the Mullahs' regime,' said Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the NCRI. She added: 'The regime's nuclear dossier must be referred to the UN Security Council as soon as possible, and the six UNSC resolutions should be reinstated by the trigger mechanism, which should have been done a long time ago.' Wang Qun, the ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, is pictured at the meeting Russia's Governor to the IAEA Mikhail Ulyanov waits for the start of the meeting. Russia has been Iran's central ally in opposing the UN motion Iranian Charge d'Affaires to UN Mohammad Reza Ghaebi waits for the start of an IAEA board of governors meeting in Vienna As the bill was being discussed, Iran said it is planning to remove at least 20 of the IAEAs surveillance cameras from within its nuclear facilities, which the US decried as counterproductive. If accurate, reports that Iran plans to reduce transparency in response to this resolution are extremely regrettable and counterproductive to the diplomatic outcome we seek, said a US statement, ahead of a vote. We do not seek escalation (with Iran). The IAEA later confirmed Iran has begun installing advanced IR-6 centrifuges in one cluster at an underground enrichment pant at Natanz. Centrifuges are used to purify uranium for civilian projects or, at higher levels, to make fuel for a nuclear bomb. Iran now intends to add two more clusters, the watchdog said on Wednesday. Iran said the IAEA board resolutions against it could further undermine talks on rescuing the 2015 nuclear deal. Israel's defence minister Benny Gantz warned that Iran is building new underground facilities to purify uranium in advanced centrifuges A man celebrates with Israeli flags as Israeli Air Force planes fly in formation. The Israeli airforce will drill striking targets outside the borders of Israel, in preparation for nuclear talks failing between the West and Iran After the motion passed, President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday said: 'In the name of God and the great nation of Iran, we will not back off a single step from our positions.' The US withdrew from that deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, reimposing sanctions against Iran after it breached many of the deal's restrictions on its nuclear activities, including enrichment. The country has enriched to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% of weapons-grade, with Israel warning that Iran could be only weeks away from obtaining fissile material needed to develop a nuclear bomb. Israel said it may pre-emptively strike Iran in anticipation of nuclear attack should talks fail. The Israel Defense Forces said it will conduct drills in preparation for the nuclear talks between the West and Iran failing. The day after Wednesday's motion, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi for an unannounced visit. The IAEA has not yet responded to MailOnline's request for comment. A tampon shortage across the United States is causing frustration among women dealing with store shelves bereft of the essential products - with one of the main producers of the feminine hygiene products blaming Amy Schumer for its issues keeping up with demand. Procter & Gamble hired the comedian for its Tampax ad campaign in 2020 - and now, two years later, the company alleges the successful ad campaign sparked a run on tampons that has forced P&G to keep its Maine factory going 24 hours a day to keep up with rising demand. The campaign launched in July 2020 with Schumer, 41, front and center as a friendly tampon supplier who popped up in restrooms when someone was in need of the product. But now Tampax tampons are suddenly hard to come by in 'many parts of the country,' Time magazine reported. While the company points to its celebrity ad as the reason for the shortage, it's also apparent that COVID-19-related supply chain issues have hit America's stores hard - and Tampax is no exception. In its most recent earnings call P&G admitted it was having trouble getting the raw materials needed to make tampons, as well as problems shipping the finished products to stores across the country. Comedian Amy Schumer, 41, appeared in a series of commercials for Tampax in 2020 and now the Procter & Gamble brand claims Schumer is the one responsible for the high demand With Tampax tampons flying off the shelves in many parts of the country, some Amazon sellers are 'taking advantage of the shortage,' Time magazine reported Tampax tampons are suddenly so hard to come by in 'many parts of the country,' Time magazine reported, that the company is running its Tampax factory in Maine 24 hours a day Ashley Afonso Coughlin posted a photo of empty shelves along with a comment about her frustration with both the tampon shortage and the recent formula shortage Evidence of the shortage has spread across social media with women posting photos of empty shelves at pharmacies and big box stores like Target and Walmart. 'WTF! There seems to be a tampon shortage,' Amanda Christine posted along with a photo of empty shelves. 'I have been to two pharmacies and Target. Really?? As if menstrual cycles aren't an inconvenience, already.' Kimberly Georgekopoulos posted a similar photo to Facebook and stated that 'with 2 girls this [shortage] cannot happen.' Another asked, 'Is there a tampon shortage!!!! Went to 2 stores and they both looked like this. Ugh with 2 girls this cannot happen!!!!' Dana Marlowe, the founder of I Support the Girls, an organization that provides bras and feminine hygiene products for the homeless, told Time that they have seen a drop off in tampon donations. 'What's been going on for a couple months is that organizations call us up and say, 'we need tampons,' and we go to our warehouse and there's nothing there,' she said. Evidence of the shortage has spread across social media with women posting photos of empty shelves at pharmacies and big box stores like Target and Walmart Kimberly Georgekopoulos posted a similar photo to Facebook and stated that 'with 2 girls this [shortage] cannot happen' Time reported that during the first six months of this year, the group received just 213,075 tampons, which is half as many as during the same time last year and 61% fewer than 2020. With Tampax tampons scarce from the shelves, some Amazon sellers are 'taking advantage of the shortage,' according to TIME. In January, one box of 18 Tampax 'listed for $114, about $6 more more per tampon than women usually pay.' As prices soar, Tampax says it posted its biggest sales gain in decades in the most recent quarter. 'Retail sales growth exploded,' company spokeswoman Cheri McMaster told Time magazine. She said that demand is up 7.7% since 2020 - and linked the increase to Schumer's commercials, which ran during that time. However, P&G also noted in a recent earnings call that it was having trouble sourcing raw materials for tampons and other feminine care products, as well as getting them on trucks bound for retailers. Raw materials that go into tampons, including cotton, rayon, and sometimes pulp and plastic for applicators, have been some of the most in-demand raw materials throughout the pandemic, Time reported, because these material have gone into medical products. Sheng Lu, a professor in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware, said this is the third straight year the demand for cotton has exceeded production. 'Tampons are a staple producta life necessity,' Lu told Time. 'If you look at the pricing strategy for the big players, they will consider more price increases for these necessity products.' News of the possible tampon shortage was quick to spread on social media Women posted about walking into their local stores for tampons and seeing empty shelves Some blamed the tampon shortage on President Biden Others posted how a tampon shortage is 'par on course' for America Some posted how a 'tampon shortage' is a 'healthcare crisis' CEO Thyme Sullivan of The Organic Project, which makes tampons in Europe, told Time that the cost of getting its tampons to the U.S. is up 300% from last year. The company started 'flying, rather than shipping, the biodegradable wrappers for its feminine care products from Italy because shipping has become so difficult and expensive.' Even though women have been posting about the shortage, there are no set figures or information about how much is in stock at local stores. CVS said in a statement to Time magazine that it was 'working with suppliers to ensure that customers had access to these items, but was not able to provide any data about out-of-stocks.' Tampons aren't the only essential item that has recently been hard to find in stores. The successful ad campaign was launched by P&G, America's most popular tampon brand, in July 2020 with Schumer, 41, front and center as a friendly tampon supplier Schumer also is seen in the commercials visiting the gyno Ashley Afonso Coughlin posted to social media a photo of empty shelves along with a comment about her frustration with both the tampon shortage and the recent formula shortage. 'As if a formula shortage wasn't bad enough, apparently we need to hunt for tampons too,' she wrote. A nationwide baby formula shortage was triggered when the largest baby formula factory in the US closed February after a bacteria contamination and has since worsened nationally. Abbott Laboratories finally reopened infant formula production at its facility in Sturgis on Saturday having met FDA requirements agreed to last month. And before the recall of the Abbott formula, 11% of powdered baby formula was out of stock because of covid pandemic-related supply-chain shortages and inflation. Before the pandemic, the normal out-of-stock range for powdered formula was 5% to 7%, according to IRI. Kansas, Georgia, Texas, Montana and Tennessee are among the states experiencing the worst of the shortage. Abbott will resume production of all other formulas, with the plant having previously said it will take six to eight weeks before stocks are replenished at stores. Out-of-stock rates climbed to 74 percent across the US for the week ending May 28, according to data from Datasembly - up four percent from the week before. Additionally, 10 states now have out-of-stock rates at 90 percent or greater, including Arizona, Mississippi, California, Nevada, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Florida and Washington. Georgia is the hardest hit at 94 percent, up from 74 percent the week before. Abbott Laboratories restarted infant formula production at its facility in Sturgis, Mich. on Saturday after having met FDA requirements agreed to last month Out-of-stock formula rates climbed to 74 percent nationally for the week ending May 28, according to data from Datasembly - that's up 4 percent from the week before An almost empty baby formula shelf at a grocery store in New York City is pictured on May 31 In an effort to curb the shortage, the FDA has worked to make it easier for foreign-produced baby formula to be imported. Meanwhile Biden's administration announced Friday it would bring in 1.3 million cans of Gerber formula from Mexico beginning next month. The February shutdown of the largest formula factory in the country led to the supply problems that have forced some parents to seek formula from food banks, friends and doctor's offices. The company's recalls and shutdown triggered a cascade of effects. Retailers have limited customer purchasing to conserve supplies and parents have been told to switch brands to whatever formula is in stock. A mother and daughter were arraigned on murder charges Wednesday in connection to the death of a woman who received an illegal operation for a butt lift in Los Angeles. Libby Adame, 52, and Alicia Galaz, who is in her mid-twenties, both wearing ankle monitors, appeared before Judge Anne Hwang at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. The operation occurred in a private home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles in September 2020. Neither of the women had the proper medical training. Karissa Rajpaul, 26, received three separate operation and died immediately after the third procedure on October 15, 2020. She shared a video of herself to social media during one of the operations, which was meant to help her with her work in the adult film industry after moving to California from South Africa. A mother and daughter were arraigned on murder charges Wednesday in connection to the death of a woman who received an illegal operation for a butt lift in Los Angeles Libby Adame and Alicia Galaz appeared before Judge Anne Hwang at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles The operation occurred in a private home in Encino neighborhood Los Angeles in September 2020. Neither of the women had the proper medical training Adame and Galaz have both been charged over the operation, which happened at a private home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles in September 2020. Both women were wearing ankle monitors during their appearance in front of Judge Hwang Karissa Rajpaul, 26, underwent three butt augmentation procedures and died immediately after the third in October of 2015 Libby Adame and her daughter, Alicia Galaz, have both been charged over the operation Police say that Adame and Galaz were not trained or licensed in any way to perform these operations. 'These individuals have no medical training,' said LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton. 'They're not experienced and they're putting people's lives at risk.' Authorities are worried that there could be more victims of these lawless procedures. 'As we looked into this investigation, we did find that it is occurring a lot,' Detective Bob Dinlocker said. 'The internet is filled with these horror stories where they're cutting the medical grade silicone with the stuff that you would caulk your windows with.' Dinlocker adds that some of the chemicals aren't even intended to be used in humans and can attack your heart, brain or kidneys. She shared a video of herself to social media during the operation, which was meant to help her with her work in the adult film industry after moving to California from South Africa The detective says Adame and Galaz would take supplies to private houses with no regard to typical standards and practices. If anything went wrong, Dinlocker alleges that the suspects would disappear, leaving paramedics to arrive to an unknown medical emergency. 'I have seen patients like this,' says Board Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Dr. AJ Khalil. He says injecting liquified silicon into the buttocks us not only illegal, but that it can be deadly. 'There are implants that go in the buttocks but they're solid,' Khalil says, adding that even those types of implants aren't a common practice. But as for injecting liquified silicon which he says is often mixed with motor oil is against the law. Rajpaul's treatment was performed by Adame and Galaz without any prior medical training or licensing People seek out treatments from less reputable sources over lower prices than what professionals charge. Adame and Galaz charged Rajpaul $3,500 to $4,000 for her operation, whereas a board-certified butt lift would run her anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000, according to NBC4. Brazilian butt lifts have increased in America around 77 percent between 2015 to 2019, according to a survey from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. However, they have the highest mortality rates among plastic surgeries. Police say if you're a victim of this, even if it's embarrassing to admit, they want to hear from you. Nicholas John Roske, 26, has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly threatening to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh A heavily armed 26-year-old man who was detained on Wednesday near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's house allegedly told authorities he wanted to kill the conservative jurist and then himself. Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California, allegedly turned up to Kavanaugh's Maryland home with a disturbing arsenal of weapons including a handgun, tactical gear, a knife and zip ties. He told cops he purchased the lethal equipment 'for the purpose of breaking into the justice's residence and killing the justice as well as himself,' according to court documents. Protesters returned to Kavanaugh's home hours after the arrest on Wednesday while the FBI searched Roske's home on the West Coast. A bipartisan bill that would have expanded security to the justices also stalled in the House after it was passed in the Senate. 'Roske allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas,' Maryland officials said. He was charged with attempted murder of a US judge and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. An accompanying court filing also states Roske was armed with a 'black tactical chest rig and tactical knife, a Glock 17 pistol with two magazines and ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdriver, nail punch, crow bar, pistol light, duct tape, hiking boots with padding on the outside of the soles, and other items.' Officials suggest Roske took a taxi cab to the front of Kavanaugh's home after finding his address online. Two Deputy US Marshals saw him exit the vehicle at 1:05 am and look their way before walking down the street. Roske turned himself in by calling 911 while in Kavanaugh's neighborhood, and informing them that he was armed and suicidal. He told responding authorities that he wanted to kill a 'specific Supreme Court justice,' the filing states. Roske (left and right) allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. He is pictured left and right in older photos FBI agents are seen inside Roske's Simi Valley, California, home on Wednesday night after he was arrested for the alleged assassination plot Protesters returned to Kavanaugh's Maryland home just hours after Roske was arrested while carrying a disturbing arsenal of weapons and equipment A woman holding a 'liar' sign with Kavanaugh's face on it and another saying 'mind your own uterus' walk outside his home on Wednesday night A dog watches from the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as protesters march past on Wednesday night after the arrest He was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Supreme Court spokesperson Patricia McCabe confirmed to DailyMail.com in a statement. 'At approximately 1:50 a.m. today, a man was arrested near Justice Kavanaughs residence. The man was armed and made threats against Justice Kavanaugh. He was transported to Montgomery County Police 2nd District,' she said. A man was arrested after having told police he wanted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh It follows a string of protests across the country over abortion rights - including outside of Supreme Court justices' homes - that has also seen churches, pro-life centers and abortion clinics come under attack from those with opposing views. Republicans in Congress that pressured the White House to take a stronger stance against the demonstrations now accuse the administration of fostering the conditions which allowed the incident to occur. People familiar with the investigation told the Washington Post that the man was also upset over the recent slew of mass shootings across the country that's claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks. It's not clear if Kavanaugh or his family were home at the time. DailyMail.com reached out to the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland for comment but was referred to the FBI for specific details on the suspect. The FBI said they had no additional information to provide. The man was arrested on a street nearby Kavanaugh's Maryland home, where his wife and daughters also live Kavanaugh's confirmation to the court under Donald Trump ignited a firestorm of controversy after he was accused of sexual assault by a former high school acquaintance. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made an ominous warning to Kavanaugh in relation to abortion rights in March 2020. 'I want to tell you Kavanaugh...You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,' Schumer said. He's one of three justices Trump added to the court to form its conservative supermajority at a time when it is facing its most politically-charged docket in decades. Tensions have run high on both sides of the aisle ever since Politico published the leaked opinion draft indicating that the high court's conservative majority considered siding with Mississippi officials in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. The state had asked the court to lower the abortion limit to 15 weeks before asking the court to scuttle those protections granted by Roe v. Wade altogether. Kavanaugh's home had been among those targeted by peaceful protests in the wake of the bombshell Supreme Court leak (pictured: an abortion rights demonstration outside of Kavanaugh's Chevy Chase, Maryland home on May 18) Growing animosity between pro-life and pro-choice factions were among the reasons that forced the Department of Homeland Security to issue a 'heightened threat advisory' warning of increased violent incidents caused by extremist groups and lone wolf actors. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' it stated. Earlier this week a pro-life group's offices was firebombed and graffitied by arsonists in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. Around the same time, an abortion clinic was vandalized in North Carolina. Initial fallout from the leaked memo involved peaceful demonstrations outside of the Supreme Court and even outside of justices' homes - which Republican lawmakers warned could lead to violence against the jurists themselves. Kavanaugh and his wife are the parents of two young daughters. They all reside in the home that was apparently targeted by the suspect After mounting pressure over its silence the Biden administration was finally forced to issue a statement endorsing the 'Constitutional right to protest' while also issuing a condemnation for 'violence, threats or vandalism.' 'Judges perform an incredibly important function in our society, and they must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety,' said Jen Psaki, President Joe Biden's press secretary at the time. DHS issues warning of 'mass casualty violence' over tension on Supreme Court abortion decision The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a 'heightened threat advisory' on Tuesday, warning of an increased risk of 'mass casualty violence' nationwide fueled by extremist ideologies and personal beliefs. Among the drivers is the 'proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding current events,' which includes the national divide over the leaked Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' DHS states. Advertisement White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'President Biden condemns the actions of this individual in the strongest terms, and is grateful to law enforcement for quickly taking him into custody.' 'As the President has consistently made clear, public officialsincluding judgesmust be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety or that of their families,' Bates said. Speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell denounced the 'disturbing' incident and blamed other public figures' 'unhinged, reckless, apocalyptic rhetoric' in an indirect jab at Democrats' outrage over the Roe draft. McConnell directed the most blame toward the leak itself, which Republicans for weeks have decried as the utmost breach of institutional trust. He called the threat on Kavanaugh's safety 'exactly the kind of event that many feared that the terrible breach of the court's rules and norms could fuel.' The Kentucky Republican demanded that House Democrats pass a Senate bill aimed at enhancing police protection for Justices amid the leak's fallout. 'House Democrats need to stop their multi-week blockade against the Supreme Court security bill and pass it before the sun sets today,' he said. Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Minority Whip, said during a press conference: 'You saw from the White House on down to encourage people to go homes, the private homes of Supreme Court justices. It is a dangerous trend.' 'Exercising First Amendment rights is one thing. Encouraging people to go to the homes of Supreme Court justices. You see where that can lead? And it's a shame. Thank God law enforcement was able to arrest the man who was intending on committing that action,' Scalise said. Rep. Darrell Issa of California said the alleged plot to attack Kavanaugh was 'a stark reminder of how the reckless rhetoric of this Administration and Democrat partisans can incite others to violence.' 'Its time for Democrats to finally condemn the hate they have brought to the front doors of justices and their families and provide them the protection they so obviously need,' the Republican lawmaker said. Attorney General Merrick Garland also condemned the incident, declaring that attacks against Justices of the Supreme Court 'strike at the heart of our democracy.' 'We will do everything we can to prevent them,' he vowed at a press conference on Wednesday. A defence lawyer has spoken out about the 'outrage' over the ten-year sentence given to a teenager who fatally mowed down an expecting mother and her partner. Kate Leadbetter, 31, her unborn child and her partner Matthew Field, 37, were run over in Alexandra Hills in eastern Brisbane on Australia Day last year while taking their dogs for a walk. The driver, who cannot be named because he was 17 at the time, ran a red light while driving a stolen Landcruiser, colliding with a truck before rolling and hitting the couple. On Wednesday the teen, now aged 18, was jailed for ten years but Justice Martin Burns ordered he be eligible for parole after serving six years. While many had commented on whether six years was an appropriate penalty, Belinda Robinson, a lawyer and former Bachelor contestant, said it should not be assumed the teen would not be 'automatically released' after six years. Kate Leadbetter, 31, (right) and Matt Field, 37, (left) were walking their dogs in Alexandra Hills, southeast of Brisbane, when a four-wheel-drive ploughed into them Belinda Robinson, a lawyer and former Bachelor contestant said neglected youths needed more support to prevent further tragedies from occurring 'There is no guarantee he will be granted parole by the parole board,' she said. The teen was found to have had a blood alcohol content between 0.151 and 0.192 per cent at the time of the crash. He had been drinking and using cannabis from about 10am that day. The teenager - who was first charged with murder, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and a raft of other charges. At his sentencing on Wednesday, the teen stood stony-faced as he was told he would be spending at least the next six years in prison. The court heard the teen's upbringing was 'marked by significant deprivation and neglect'. Ms Robinson questioned why the public weren't outraged by the lack of support given to youths in troubled homes The child safety department intervened when he was aged nine because he was self-harming, left unsupervised, unfed, and exposed to domestic violence and abuse. At times he used cannabis and methamphetamine every day, was frequently absent from school and sometimes living in parks. Ms Robinson questioned why there wasn't more support for neglected youths. 'The public is outraged by his sentence but why aren't we outraged by the lack of support for our youth who come from abusive and violent homes and turn to crime and drug use because they have absolutely zero support and guidance in life whatsoever,' she said. 'We could be preventing these incidences with proper funding for DV (domestic violence) and substance abuse-affected families and the children from these homes way before it gets to anybody being killed.' Justice Burns said the tragedy was as an 'almost inevitable consequence' of the teen's actions in the lead up to the crash. Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field were six months pregnant with their first child at the time of the crash 'No sentence will be adequate ... (and) can't do justice to the suffering you have caused,' he told the teenager. The couple's devastated families fought back tears as they addressed the court on Tuesday. 'Australia Day will now have a whole new meaning for us. It will be a remembrance day,' Matthew's father Russell Field said before taking aim at the teenager. 'How could you create such destruction in people's lives and then do a runner at the first opportunity you had? 'This was a low act, the lowest of lows, a dog act.' Justice Burns noted the teen had showed genuine remorse for his actions. He will be eligible for parole in 2027. The Labor government's election promise to make childcare cheaper for families could be fast-tracked and brought in before 2023 as Aussies grapple with skyrocketing cost of living. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may bring forward the party's signature childcare policy, hoping an improvement in pay and conditions for workers will solve widespread staff shortages in the industry. The $5.4bn a year policy is expected to help 1.26 million families by increasing the maximum subsidy rate by up to 90 per cent for the first child in care. All families earning less than $530,000 a year will be eligible for the subsidy, which is supposed to kick in from July 2023. Early childhood minister Dr Anne Aly described rising childcare costs as the former Coalition government's 'greatest failing'. The federal government will look to fast-track its key policy of cheaper childcare for families. Pictured is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a childcare centre visit last month 'If there is an opportunity to do that, obviously the earlier we deliver our commitments the better because of the pressures that are currently facing families around the cost of living,' Dr Aly told The Australian. 'It's always good and better to deliver your commitments before the due date, especially in the current economic circumstances.' She also vowed to address staff shortages in childcare with vacancies predicted to surge to almost 40,000 in the next 12 months. 'You hear the aged-care workers going in with a passion for aged care but are leaving because of the conditions and the pay and all the other pressures that are on them, and it's the same for childcare workers,' Dr Aly added. 'How do we attract and retain workers and how do we improve working conditions across all sectors, whether its aged care or childcare and early learning?' Early childhood minister Anne Aly (pictured) confirmed Labor is looking to fast-track childcare subsidies as costs of living for households skyrocket A Productivity Commission review will be tasked with forecasting productivity gains from Labor's childcare policy and addressing structural issues across the industry. Dr Aly expects the review to begin in the next six months and report back to the government within two years. Cheaper childcare was one of the five pillars in Mr Albanese's budget reply speech six weeks out from the election. 'Under our plan, no family will be worse off, but almost all families will be better off,' he told parliament at the time. 'Making childcare cheaper will mean more Australian children get access to early education, giving them a great start in life. 'And, crucially, cheaper childcare is an economic reform. 'Our plan will end the economic distortion that stops mothers in particular from working more than three or four days a week. 'It will boost productivity and workforce participation across the economy.' Moscow blamed Ukraine militants for destroying precious grain stored at a Mariupol's sea port, but the west conveniently ignores what Ukraine does. Russia revealed that the Azov Nazis' atrocities got worse as they burned grain to cover their retreat, which Zelensky denies. Neo Nazis supported by US neocons could add destroying large grain depots so they can blame Russia for something they did. Ukrainian Militants Destroy Food Supplies The Russian Defense Ministry said nationalist battalions intentionally burned down grain storage to cover their escape from Mariupol, reported RT. A statement last Wednesday called it arson because the militant would rather Mariupol residents starve instead. Destroyed by the Neo Nazis are 50 thousand tons of grains, said the Russian military. According to the ministry, the obliteration was carried out as the "civilized West" actively supports Kyiv while trying to accuse Russia of inciting a global food crisis. The ministry said that the special military operation keeps the civilians intact, unlike the pro-west Ukraine forces do the opposite. For example, Kyiv forces attack civilians and allegedly kill them, cited Fars News. Moscow and Kyiv have tried to accuse each other of war crimes since the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, even denying their guilt. Officials in the Donetsk People's Republic stated that despite several days of efforts, fire crews were unable to save the grain supplies, noted IANS Live. Read Also: Donald Trump Net Worth 2022: Did Trump Get Richer Since Leaving the US Presidency? Neo Nazis Burn Grains Yan Gagin of the DPR spoke to an outlet saying the grain composed of corn grain and wheat, looking at the smell and appearance, is not fit for consumption; the Ukraine nationalist militants made sure of that in stores located in the Mariupol's sea port. The Russian military assault in Ukraine has hugely impacted the overall food market, affected by global warming and the Covid pandemic. These two countries account for nearly 30% of global wheat exports. Russia is the world's biggest fertilizer exporter. The Kremlins say the increase of food prices caused by the intentional extension by US neocons and western acolytes is the cause of the food insecurity. Western nations don't care even if their political sanctions are illegal. Ukraine alleges that Moscow stole their grains, sending the stockpiles overseas. Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, stated the claims could not be verified. Finding ways to make Russia look bad, as the proxy state and its western supporters are mistaken to point Ukraine and Western nations have confronted Russia for blocking grain exports by shuttering Black Sea ports. These claims have been debunked by Russia, which has stated that it is prepared to ensure the safe passage of grain-carrying vessels from the ports. Disruption of grain flow is due to Ukrainian leadership's decisions, such as extensive shoreline mining, which is biting them back, from the destruction of grains by neo-Nazis to the assault of civilians, which the US and its allies ignore. Even blaming food insecurity on Russia was forced to act due to actions endorsed by Volodymyr Zelensky, which only getting noticed as Joe Biden's proxy is losing in the DPR and LPR. Moscow reports that Ukrainian Militants destroyed grains to keep them from people in the allegedly twisted agenda of Kyiv in the Mariupol's sea port. Related Article: Zelensky's Aide Throws Massive Tantrum Due To Germany's Failed Promise To Send 5,000 Helmets to Ukraine @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The father of a severely disabled child has told an inquiry the distressing story of how his son was put into a 'holding cell' at school. Speaking at the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability on Tuesday, Edward Croft spoke of the moment he first saw the space his son Ryan was held in. The Western Australian school turned a closet into a 'time out' room he called a 'holding cell' to lock Ryan in. One day, Ryan's brother saw teachers carrying Ryan, who was screaming, by his arms and legs. Mr Croft told the commission in Canberra that Ryan, now aged 20, is completely non-verbal and 'struggles to make sense of the world'. Ryan Croft (pictured), now aged 20, is completely non-verbal and 'struggles to make sense of the world' He attended a mainstream school in regional WA, but his behaviour became increasingly difficult with meltdowns as the years went on. 'The school did try ... but they were unable and unprepared ... not trained in dealing with a child of the nature of my Ryan,' Mr Croft said. His difficult behaviour in years 3 and 4 led to his teacher separating Ryan from his classmates by moving his desk to a corner. While there, he was surrounded by blackboards and could not see any other pupils. Though Mr Croft, who is a teacher himself, acknowledged Ryan's teacher was 'well-meaning', he believed his son was put in the corner out of convenience. Ryan, who does not understand the idea of danger, used to run away from his education assistants, often getting out of the school grounds and across the road. Because of this, the school wanted to have an enclosed space built for Ryan, which could be locked from the outside. Ryan could be put into it for 'time out' to 'compose himself', or sent there for poor behaviour. 'The closed space was an emptied walk-in closet, approximately 1.5 metres across, 2-3 metres deep,' senior counsel assisting the commission Kate Eastman said. Edward Croft (pictured) said the school his disabled son attended was not trained in dealing with a child of his nature 'The walls were painted pink. There was a bean bag, a window was put in the door.' Mr Croft and his wife felt they had no choice but to agree with the proposal, as the school struggled to manage Ryan. 'It really hurt us a lot to know that our son was being put in this place,' he told the inquiry. Mr Croft, In his statement read to the commission, said they did not have the courage to speak out about the closet at the time, despite being distressed by it. 'I remember my wife crying,' he said, 'We absolutely hated this. But we just felt we had to acquiesce. Edward Croft (pictured right) said his younger son had 'seen two or three male teachers carrying Ryan, who was screaming, by his arms and legs' 'Our younger son came home from school very worried one day and we had to comfort him. 'He told us that he'd seen two or three male teachers carrying Ryan, who was screaming, by his arms and legs.' Mr Croft said Ryan was unable to understand the punishment and could not express how it had affected him. 'Ryan can't explain himself, I am his only voice,' he said. The commission continues. Anthony Albanese has declared KFC using cabbage in its burgers is 'just wrong'. The fast-food giant told customers it is using a cabbage-lettuce blend due to the high price of lettuces following floods in NSW and Queensland. The move prompted outrage from hardcore KFC fans with many venting their frustration on social media. One customer wrote: 'Feels like a sign of the apocalypse'. Anthony Albanese (pictured with his son) has declared KFC using cabbage in its burgers is 'just wrong' The Prime Minister weighed in to the saga on Thursday during a KIIS FM interview with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson. He said: 'This is a crisis. My son loves KFC. When he hears about it, he's going to be devastated. Mr Albanese described using cabbage as 'a bit extreme,' adding: 'Cabbage isn't the same as lettuce. That's just wrong.' He joked that he would raise the matter with his ministers in a cabinet meeting. 'I'll put it on the list we have a cabinet meeting today. Cabbage-gate,' he said. Earlier this week KFC posted a notice to its website that warned customers a cabbage 'blend' would be used in any items that contained lettuce. 'Due to the recent floods in NSW and Queensland we're currently experiencing a lettuce shortage,' the notice said. 'So, we're using a lettuce and cabbage blend on all products containing lettuce until further notice.' Australia's lettuce crisis has hit fast food giant KFC as skyrocketing costs for the popular salad item forced the restaurant to change its menu (pictured, a KFC restaurant in Fairfield, NSW) The fast food chain posted a notice to its website that warned customers a cabbage 'blend' would be used in any items that contained lettuce The restaurant urged customers who didn't want the cabbage in their food to remove lettuce completely from their order. A few weeks ago, a head of lettuce was costing shoppers just $2.80, however due to an ongoing supply crisis the price has skyrocketed to as much as $12. A supermarket in suburban Brisbane was pictured selling a single head of iceberg lettuce for as much as $11.99 last month. The price increase follows a wet start to the year with unprecedented rain and flooding spoiling crops in NSW and Queensland. Some lettuce farmers in Queensland have lost their third crop in a row and risk the collapse of their businesses following the unseasonable rain. The peak horticulture group warned growers in the state's southeast will need millions to recover from the string of natural disasters. A supermarket in suburban Brisbane was pictured selling a single head of iceberg lettuce for as much as $11.99 (pictured) Theyd been married for 22 years when Kathleen Buhle made the appalling discovery in 2015 that her husband, the father of her three daughters, was hopelessly addicted to drink, drugs and sex. I found hundreds [of credit card charges] at liquor stores and strip clubs, she writes. The whole time, he told me he was healthy and sober and I was crazy. I continually told him that I was the one person actually trying to get him sober. It became my own kind of addiction. While this sort of tale of sordid excess certainly has a familiar ring to it, Kathleen wasnt married to yet another troubled Hollywood star but to Hunter Biden, the son of the U.S. President. Kathleen would later learn that Hunter whom shed met when they were serving together in their 20s in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps frequently hired prostitutes, obsessively trawled through internet porn and had such a serious drug problem that she found a crack cocaine pipe in their ashtray. Worst of all, he had an affair with his own brothers widow a shocking development even for someone as depraved as Hunter, 52, and a discovery that Kathleen reveals was only made after their children saw incriminating text messages on his phone. Kathleen wasnt married to yet another troubled Hollywood star but to Hunter Biden (right), the son of the U.S. President Unlike his feckless younger brother, Beau Biden had been a high-flying former attorney general of Delaware who was being tipped for a glittering career in politics when he died of brain cancer in 2015. Thrown together by their shared bereavement, Hunter and his devastated sister-in-law became lovers. To make matters worse, his debauched lifestyle was funded by millions of dollars earned from opaque Chinese business interests and a seat on the board of a Ukrainian energy company that spawned accusations denied by the Bidens that Hunter was using the Biden name to unethically peddle influence. Kathleen, 53, who finally divorced Hunter in 2017, has broken her silence about their sordid marriage in a revealing new autobiography, If We Break: A Memoir Of Marriage, Addiction, And Healing is due to be published next week but early extracts have already left White House officials nervous. From what theyve read, it is clear the Biden family will not be spared any blushes. The tawdry life of Hunter Biden has long been a subject that Americas pro-Democrat media has either scrupulously ignored or treated with kid gloves. President Biden has been stalked by personal tragedy apart from the loss of his son Beau, his first wife and a daughter were killed in a car crash in 1972. But natural sympathy for his dogged devotion to Hunter, despite the seemingly endless revelations of dubious or squalid behaviour, is perhaps reaching its limit. Kathleen would later learn that Hunter frequently hired prostitutes, obsessively trawled through internet porn and had such a serious drug problem that she found a crack cocaine pipe in their ashtray While the Biden camp has in the past been able to dismiss any focus on Hunter as political trouble-stirring with the New York Times and Washington Post even claiming it was Kremlin disinformation it will be much harder to change the subject when the criticism comes from his long-suffering ex-wife, a close friend of Michelle Obama. And for the President, the timing really couldnt be worse. Amid continuing questions over his mental alertness, hes floundering badly in the polls, with the expectation that the forthcoming November midterm elections will hammer the Democrats. And then theres the potentially awkward and still unanswered questions over emails retrieved from a damaged computer of Hunters which he abandoned in a repair shop in April 2019 and which appear to contradict Joes repeated insistence that his son never discussed his shady business affairs with him. That computer, dubbed the laptop from hell for its unending dark revelations, recently threw up fresh scandal when it was found to contain dozens of homemade porn videos in which Hunter filmed himself having sex with prostitutes. He then posted the videos on the Pornhub website. Shockingly, Hunter texted a link for a Pornhub page to a phone number he had saved in his contacts book as Dad on October 22, 2018. However, other texts show he and Joe Biden used each others phone numbers on various occasions, so it is unclear whether the President was using the number involved at the time. Kathleen (left), 53, who finally divorced Hunter in 2017, has broken her silence about their sordid marriage in a revealing new autobiography This week, it emerged that one of those sex sessions, recorded in a hotel room in 2018, included a naked Hunter waving around a handgun hed recently bought illegally after lying about his drug history. According to text messages also found on the hard drive, his sister-in-law Hallie (with whom he had the affair) later threw the gun away, fearing for the safety of her children. Hunter is currently being investigated by federal officials in Delaware over possible tax fraud, money laundering and lobbying offences. He earned around 9 million between 2013 and 2018 largely from his seat on the Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma and business deals with Chinese companies linked to the Beijing regime. Hunter and Joe Biden deny there was ever any conflict of interest, although Hunter now admits he may have got the Ukraine job (which paid as much as 40,000 a month) because of his last name. Ex-wife Kathleen claims in her memoir she kept her head deeply buried in the sand on their finances after they married in 1992 and settled down in the state of Delaware with their three young daughters. Ex-wife Kathleen claims in her memoir she kept her head deeply buried in the sand on their finances after they married in 1992 Kathleen, who came from a working-class family in Chicago, began to suspect they were living beyond their means, saying: Hunter and I drove nice cars and had a beautiful home, but we were running fast on that hamster wheel and barely staying on. She knew hed started a property development fund and a technology company but insists she never asked questions at first when her debit card was occasionally denied in a shop, she would simply phone Hunter and he would transfer the necessary funds. Her growing awareness of financial problems coincided with his drinking spiralling from social to problematic. She recalls one Saturday morning when Hunter walked into the kitchen as if he hadnt gone to sleep at around 10am. She was making pancakes for their children and Biden started pulling out a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey. If We Break: A Memoir Of Marriage, Addiction, And Healing is due to be published next week She asked him what he thought he was doing. I dont think he knew what time it was and he still seemed drunk, she says. He laughed and put the bottle back. We all stared. On many other occasions, he didnt put the bottle back. Hunter, who has admitted repeatedly battling drink and drug addiction, spent years in and out of rehab, leaving his wife to makes excuses to their girls Naomi, now 28, Finnegan, 22, and Maisy, 21. But for all her loyalty, including campaigning when Biden shared the ticket with Barack Obama, Kathleen was reminded she wasnt a real member of the family when, after Joe became Vice-President in 2009, the Secret Service visited their home and explained how Hunter and the children would be getting bodyguards but not her. It triggered a memory of a Biden get-together in which she was left out of a family photo as they only wanted Biden blood in it. She also reveals that Joe Biden rather cold-bloodedly made it clear that he would love her because Hunter did. Three years later, Hunter exhibited manic behaviour on the night the Obama-Biden team won re-election in 2012 and later turned up drunk to a fundraising event, she says. In 2014, he was discharged from the U.S. navy reserve after testing positive for cocaine. Then, a year later, his brother Beau died, leaving behind Hallie and two young children. The Bidens are a very close family and Hunter together with his parents and Hallie wanted to set up a charity in Beaus name. Kathleen, who came from a working-class family in Chicago, began to suspect they were living beyond their means Even so, Kathleen says she questioned why her husband needed to spend so much time at Hallies house, but stopped after being discouraged by her therapist, who insisted that it was an important part of Hunters grieving. She threw him out of the family home that summer after discovering the crack pipe in an ashtray, Hunter having already admitted hed cheated on her with prostitutes on foreign business trips. Kathleen had begun to monitor his downward spiral, particularly his rampant infidelity, via their online credit card bills everything from trips to nail salons and ski resorts to expenditure in strip clubs and off-licences. She says she felt so ashamed at the failure of their marriage that she kept his debauched behaviour a secret. However, Kathleen had yet to discover the full scale of Hunters betrayal. That moment came in late 2016 when she received a tearful phone call from daughter Finnegan requesting she join her at the home of their family therapist. Her daughters leaving it to the therapist to break the news because they were too upset, Kathleen learned that, after Finnegan and sister Naomi found Hunters phone, theyd discovered their father was having an affair with Hallie. Kathleen had begun to monitor his downward spiral, particularly his rampant infidelity, via their online credit card bills I could see Finnegans face relaxing now that the secret was out and I hadnt fallen apart, says Kathleen. If anything, I felt a strange vindication. Not only had I not been crazy, but it was so much worse than I could have imagined. I was shocked but not heartbroken. Heartbreak had already flattened my self-esteem that past year. Joe Biden and his wife Jill publicly said they had given their blessing to Hunter and Hallie, saying: We are all lucky that Hunter and Hallie found each other as they were putting their lives together again after such sadness. But Hunter later admitted the President and First Lady had known nothing of the relationship before it was revealed in the media and that hed begged his father for the sake of his children to say he approved of it. Kathleen divorced Hunter the following year, shattering the Biden clans squeaky-clean image with a court battle which revealed Hunter had frittered away nearly 100,000 in just two months, draining the couples assets and leaving his wife and their three daughters with little to live on. His extensive outgoings included drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs and gifts for women with whom he has sexual relations, said her lawyers. Since 2019, Hunter has had a new wife, 35-year-old South African Melissa Cohen, with whom he has a two-year-old son In a 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, Hunter provided a litany of unbeautiful details about himself, including buying crack cocaine from a female addict who was homeless and who later moved in with him drinking two pints of vodka a day, and purchasing clean urine to cheat drug tests. He also claimed that his short-lived relationship with his sister-in-law stemmed from grasping for the love we had both lost, while insisting that the loss of his mother when he was a toddler had left him feeling permanently alone. He suggested, too, that his family had a weakness for addiction which explained why his father doesnt drink. Since 2019, Hunter has had a new wife, 35-year-old South African Melissa Cohen, with whom he has a two-year-old son. Kathleen, who says she came away with no money in their divorce settlement, now lives modestly but financially independently. She was diagnosed with colon cancer months after her divorce was finalised, but has been free of the disease now for four years. For her part, she says shes forgiven Hunter: Anger is such a heavy weight to carry and I was in a lot of pain, she told People magazine. But with Republicans calling for investigations into the Presidents family, the question might be whether the Bidens can forgive her after this new memoir hits the shelves. A former Democratic congressman from Philadelphia pleaded guilty Monday to fraudulently stuffing ballot boxes for Democratic candidates and allegedly bribing judges across multiple elections. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Michael J. 'Ozzie' Myers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deprive voters of civil rights, bribery, obstruction of justice, falsification of voting records, and conspiring to illegally vote in a federal election. Myers, 79, admitted that he bribed a judge of elections - who is in charge of the polling place - to add votes for his chosen candidates, including clients who were running for judicial offices. The bribes were hundreds or thousands of dollars, prosecutors said. Myers also orchestrated schemes to fraudulently stuff ballot boxes for Democratic candidates in Pennsylvania elections between 2014 and 2018. The schemes did not include the 2020 election, which former President Trump insisted was won fraudulent means. A court date has not yet been set for Myers and he will not be in jail while he waits. Myers was infamously expelled from Congress in 1980 after being caught on camera taking bribes in the Abscam sting investigation. Former U.S. Rep. Michael J. 'Ozzie' Myers, 79, pleaded guilty Monday to charges related to fraudulently stuffing ballot boxes for Democratic candidates and allegedly bribing judges Myers - here in 1977 - pled guilty to violations of election law, conspiracy, bribery, obstruction In a sentencing memo dated Friday, federal prosecutors said his 'criminal efforts were generally, although not exclusively, directed at securing election victories for local judicial candidates running for Philadelphia's Court of Common Pleas or Municipal Court who had employed Myers as a 'political consultant.' Myers admitted to bribing elections judge Domenick Demuro as part of a voter fraud scheme. Demuro was charged separately and pleaded guilty in May 2020. He was convicted for his role in accepting bribes to cast fraudulent ballots and certify false voting results for payments between $300 and $5,000. 'Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy,' U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said in a press release. 'If even one vote has been illegally cast or if the integrity of just one election official is compromised, it diminishes faith in process.' Myers and his wife at U.S. District Court in Brooklyn in 1980 just prior to Myers being convicted of bribery and conspiracy for taking money from FBI agents who posed as Arab sheiks Myers and other elected officials were caught on camera in the 1980s accepting bribes from the FBI agents who posed as Arab sheiks Prosecutors said Myers conspired with another elections judge to tell voters on election days which candidates they should vote for, candidates that Myers had selected, and the now former judge cast fraudulent votes for people who did not appear at the polls. Myers also admitted to conspiring to commit election fraud with former Judge of Elections in South Philadelphia, Marie Beren. Beren, who was charged separately and pleaded guilty in October 2021, ran the polling places in her division by installing close associates to serve as members of the Board of Elections. Myers admitted that he gave Beren directions to add votes to candidates supported by him, including candidates for judicial office whose campaigns actually hired Myers, and other candidates for various federal, state, and local elective offices preferred by Myers for a variety of reasons. During the drive to the polling station, Myers would advise Beren which candidates he was supporting so that Beren knew which candidates should be receiving fraudulent votes. Myers, 79, admitted that he bribed a judge of elections to add votes for his chosen candidates, including clients who were running for judicial offices Myers also orchestrated schemes to fraudulently stuff ballot boxes for Democratic candidates in Pennsylvania elections between 2014 and 2018 Inside the polling place and while the polls were open, Beren would advise actual in-person voters to support Myers' candidates and also cast fraudulent votes in support of Myers' preferred candidates on behalf of voters she knew would not or did not physically appear at the polls. During Election Day itself, Myers spoke with Beren via cell phone while she was at the polling station about the number of votes cast for his preferred candidates. Beren would report to Myers how many 'legit votes,' had appeared at the polls and cast ballots. If actual voter turnout was high, Beren would add fewer fraudulent votes in support of Myers' preferred candidates. The judge of elections and the majority and minority inspectors work together to manage the polling place, keep track of the number of voters, and make sure that the returns are delivered to the county election office at the end of the day, according to vote.org. Myers was expelled from Congress in 1980 after being caught taking bribes in the Abscam sting investigation. In the Abscam sting, Myers was convicted of bribery and conspiracy for taking money from FBI agents who posed as Arab sheiks. He served more than a year in prison. Myers also served six years in the Pennsylvania House before his 1976 election to Congress. Myers' admissions of election fraud this week did not involve the 2020 election, which former President Trump has continued to insist was fraudulent by citing a wide range of complaints, many of them involving the expansion of mail voting because of the pandemic. Trumps false claims of a stolen election fueled the deadly Jan. 6 attempted insurrection at the Capitol, have led to death threats against election officials and have become deeply ingrained within the GOP, with two-thirds of Republicans believing Bidens election is illegitimate. Republican lawmakers in several states have used the false claims as justification to conduct costly and time-consuming partisan election reviews, done at Trumps urging, and add new restrictions for voting. The number of cases identified so far by local elections officials and forwarded to prosecutors, local law enforcement or secretaries of state for further review undercuts Trumps claim. Election officials also say that in most cases, the additional ballots were never counted because workers did their jobs and pulled them for inspection before they were added to the tally. Experts say to pull off stealing a presidential election would require large numbers of people willing to risk prosecution, prison time and fines working in concert with election officials from both parties who are willing to look the other way. And everyone somehow would keep quiet about the whole affair. A leading airline boss has sparked a safety row after urging pilots to keep working even if they are fatigued. Jozsef Varadi, the chief executive of Wizz Air, has come under fire after calling on staff to lower the companys fatigue rate. In an internal video seen by the Daily Mail, the budget airline boss said: We are all fatigued but sometimes it is required to take the extra mile. We cannot run this business when every fifth person of a base reports sickness because the person is fatigued. The damage is huge when we are cancelling the flight. It is the reputational damage of the brand. And it is other financial damage because we have to pay compensation for that. Wizz Air has been forced to axe dozens of flights in recent weeks amid staff shortages across the UK. Jozsef Varadi, chief executive of the budget airline, is pictured Wizz Air has been forced to axe dozens of flights in recent weeks amid staff shortages and wider travel disruption across the UK. Last night Martin Chalk, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots Association, condemned Mr Varadis comments, saying: I am shocked that an airline CEO would advise actions so contrary to even a basic safety culture. Fares could soar 10% Air fares could rise by nearly 10 per cent this summer, it emerged yesterday, as an airport boss said the industry must admit to being caught out by passenger numbers. Tim Jeans, director of Cornwall Airport in Newquay, said: We should have planned better and understood that the [pre-pandemic] peak would come back. We had to resource our operations better than we did over the Easter and half-term break and some, but not all operators, got caught out. He told the BBC he believed that a maximum of 5 per cent of flights would face disruption this summer but this would still equate to thousands. Chief executive of budget airline Wizz Air Jozsef Varadi said he expected fares to surge by upper single digits in percentage terms, pushed by the rising cost of jet fuel and fewer seats due to staff shortages. Advertisement I would urge Mr Varadi to swiftly clarify that Wizz Air would fully support any pilot who does the right thing for the safety of their passengers, crew and aircraft by not flying if they are fatigued. The controversy comes after the Hungarian-based carrier announced it had racked up losses of 550million for the 12 months to the end of March although revenue more than doubled to 1.4billion. More than 27million passengers flew with Wizz Air last year up from 17million the year before. In an optimistic address, Mr Varadi said he expects the airline to deliver its largest ever summer flying programme and the fastest growth in the industry. However Wizz Air is expecting to post further losses between April and June due to higher fuel costs and ongoing airport chaos. Other major airlines, such as British Airways and easyJet, have also faced disruption since Covid travel curbs were loosened in March. Yesterday Sajid Javid blasted the industry, saying it was about time [it] took more responsibility for sorting its own challenges out. The Health Secretary added: We havent seen similar problems in France, Germany or Italy. They also have very low unemployment rates like we do so they face labour market challenges like we do. The industry should have done better. The industry got caught out. A Wizz Air spokesman said: Supply chain issues are affecting all airlines, in particular staff availability and welfare. In this context, going the extra mile for all our customers to minimise disruption was a main topic of this briefing. They added that safety is the airlines first priority and said they have a robust and responsible crew management system. Advertisement More protests have erupted outside a Vue cinema in Westfield Stratford City from furious Muslims who are angry at a blasphemous Islamic film being screened. Showcase was the second cinema chain to pull The Lady of Heaven, a film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, from its screens yesterday following an outcry from protestors. The 12million movie was released in the UK over the Jubilee weekend, but Cineworld subsequently removed it from all branches 'to ensure the safety of our staff and customers' after employees faced crowds of protesters outside venues in Bradford, Bolton, Birmingham and Sheffield. Meanwhile, Vue is defiantly continuing to show the film, saying it 'takes seriously the responsibilities that come with providing a platform for a wide variety of content' and believes in showcasing films of interest to diverse communities'. However, Muslim demonstrators entered Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, east London on Wednesday evening - where they chanted 'Take it down' and demanded to speak with the cinema manager. In the footage, a protestor is heard claiming Vue's manager was 'dismissive' when he 'spoke to him regarding the controversial film being screened at the cinema'. More protests have erupted outside a Vue cinema in Westfield Stratford City from furious Muslims who are angry at a blasphemous Islamic film being screened Vue is defiantly continuing to show the film, saying it 'takes seriously the responsibilities that come with providing a platform for a wide variety of content' and believes in showcasing films of interest to diverse communities' In the footage, a protestor is heard claiming Vue's manager was 'dismissive' when he 'spoke to him regarding the controversial film being screened at the cinema' The protests come after Health Secretary Sajid Javid weighed in on the controversy on Wednesday and said the cancellations were 'an incredibly dangerous road to go down' He said: 'We ask you all to go one-by-one or even two-by-two and say to this guy: Are you aware of the content? I personally went to him and he was very dismissive and he had a very arrogant attitude. So I ask you all one-by-one - we will bombard him by going to him hourly. Why The Lady Of Heaven so controversial? How film touches on tensions between Sunnis and Shias Controversial film Lady of Heaven has been banned from some cinemas in the UK after hundreds of Muslims protested against it. Large crowds appeared outside cinemas in Bradford, Bolton, Birmingham and Sheffield in recent days to call for the film to be pulled from theatres. The film and its creators have been accused of blasphemy for depicting Prophet Muhammad and his daughter Fatima. Most schools of Islam ban any depiction of the prophet as they believe it to be against the spirit of the religion, disrespectful and encouraging of the worship of idols. The film has also been accused of inciting hatred between different sects in Islam. Created by Shias, it was nonetheless banned in Shia-majority Iran with the government saying it was aimed at dividing Muslims. The Sunni sect, which makes up 90 per cent of the global Muslim population, have accused the film's creators of deliberately depicting an extremist Shia perspective of Islamic history to create tension. Sunni Muslims are unhappy at the way that some of Islam's holiest figures are portrayed in the film, including the prophet's third wife Aisha and two of his closest companions. Abu Bakr and Omar, who were the first two caliphs and are seen as two of the holiest figures among Sunnis, are depicted as deceitful, conniving and dishonest - characterisation that has caused significant anger among Sunnis. Another complaint has been about how the companions, and Aisha, were portrayed by black actors, leading to accusations of racism. 5Pillars, an Islamic Media organisation, said: 'Most Muslims will find the invective against three of the most beloved companions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) shocking and disgusting. But it is also a deeply racist film with all the main negative characters being portrayed by black actors. Whats more, the film directly disrespects the Prophet (pbuh) by showing his face.' There is also anger at the writer of the film, Sheikh Yasser al-Habib, who is a controversial figure in the Muslim world. A Kuwaiti Shia scholar based in London, he has previously angered Sunni Muslims by calling Aisha, the third wife of the Prophet Muhammad, 'an enemy of God'. The cleric was previously jailed in Kuwait and had his citizenship stripped. Senior Iranian clerics have described him as a mad man and accused him of inflaming tensions between Sunnis and Shia. Executive producer Malik Shlibak said the film had gone to great lengths not to offend Muslims, adding that he was aware the movie was including characters that are 'very holy for close to two billion people'. Advertisement 'Those who are wondering what is wrong with this film, it is a blasphemous film and it has also insulted black people. How have they insulted the BAME community? They have shown portrayed black people as filthy criminals and this film will be shown in Vue cinema. 'We want this film to be taken down immediately. Vue cinema have ignored.' The group is them seen entering the centre holding signs and chanting Take it down. It comes as Dame Sara Khan, an independent advisor to the Government on social cohesion and resilience, has warned that the appeasement of 'religious mobs' will undermine it. She has criticised the failure of the Government and local councils to battle against the protests in recent days, adding that it is important to understand what support Cineworld received from politicians and police before it decided to cancel the screenings. In an article for The Daily Telegraph, she wrote: 'Over the years, leadership from local MPs, local authorities and central government in standing up and firmly defending our democratic values has unfortunately been lacking. 'I have seen how local authorities and MPs have tried to appease religious mobs or sit on the fence in the hope that such protests will disperse and often they have in the short-term. 'But this is a failure of leadership and in the long-term has only galvanised religious fundamentalists who now know that by engaging in such behaviour their unreasonable demands will be met. 'It will undermine social cohesion and result in a gradual erosion of our democratic values and principles.' She added that Cineworld had been 'bullied and intimidated' into the decision and described the move as a 'dangerous, slippery slope'. Health Secretary Sajid Javid also weighed in on the controversy on Wednesday and said the cancellations were 'an incredibly dangerous road to go down'. Speaking to TalkTV, he added: 'I am very concerned about the growing cancel culture in this country. There's people out there who think they have a right not to be offended and of course, no-one has that right. 'You might not like what someone's got to say, but they have a right to say it.' Mr Javid also highlighted that there is no blasphemy law in the UK, saying: 'What we have in this country is freedom of speech and expression and that is a fundamental value.' Claire Fox, who sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Fox of Buckley, also took to Twitter to denounce the decision. She said: 'Same "I Find that Offensive" cancel culture arguments now being used far beyond campus activism. 'Disastrous for the arts, dangerous for free speech, a lesson to those who argue identity politics are no threat to democracy.' The movie's executive producer, Malik Shlibak, called the decision to pull it 'unacceptable' and accused the chain of 'bowing down to radical extremists'. Yesterday he revealed he had received messages from activists telling him 'I'm going to kill you' on Twitter. But he said he wasn't scared by the threats, which included him being called an 'infidel', an offensive term relating to someone who is unfaithful to their own religion. And he added the massive controversy surrounding its screenings had been 'brilliant' for the film and had brought in 'huge audiences'. He said: 'I've had death threats sent to me, to be very frank with you, I've had death threats for the last five years. 'It's nothing new because I'm involved in this type of work where these radicals don't what you to speak about anything they don't agree with. I don't worry about it - it's just empty threats. 'But I have had threats on Twitter now, being called an 'infidel' and with people saying, 'I'm going to kill you' and all this sort of thing.' Cineworld has said it has cancelled all showings of the film nationwide 'to ensure the safety of our staff and customers'. Pictured: A crowd of protesters gathered outside the Cineworld in Birmingham on Sunday, June 5, to protest the film's release Cinemas have seen protests from Muslims claiming the film The Lady of Heaven is 'blasphemous'. Pictured: Birmingham Some cinemas made the decision to pull the film from theatres following the backlash. Pictured: Cineworld in Birmingham Protesters gathered at cinemas to voice opposition to the Lady of Heaven, which was officially released in the UK on June 3 Health Secretary Sajid Javid today weighed in on the controversy and said the cancellations were 'an incredibly dangerous road to go down' The people behind The Lady of Heaven Eli King The director of the film, Eli King has no previous movie credits to his name. He has not done any interviews prior to the film's release, and keeps an under the radar profile. Producer Malik Shlibak said they landed on King after meeting with a lot of directors. He told Deadline: 'The majority of the British ones I would say, many of them were very interested, but felt the subject may have been too complex, but we were very lucky at the end.' Malik Shlibak Executive producer Malik Shlibak Based in London, the executive producer has hit back at criticism and accused cinemas of caving to 'extremists' by pulling the film. On Twitter he wrote: 'While I vehemently disagree with what these protestors stand for (death of free speech), I wholeheartedly thank them for the free publicity, we're already seeing an absolute flood of new audience who had never heard of our film.' Speaking last year he said the film had gone to great lengths not to offend Muslims, adding that he was aware the movie was including characters that are 'very holy for close to two billion people'. Hussein Ashmere Producer Hussein Ashmere One of the producers on the film, Ashmere previously said he hoped the film would educate audiences. Speaking to Deadline last year, he said while it was 'an emotional film' it would also be informative for people unfamiliar with the story of Lady Fatima. 'It's all factually correct, so this is one thing I want to reiterate,' he said. 'We spent meticulous time on this particular subject. We wanted to make sure we wrapped this up very well.' Sheikh al-Habib Sheikh Yasser al-Habib The film's writer, Sheikh Yasser al-Habib is a Kuwaiti Shia scholar based in London. He was imprisoned in the Middle Eastern country before being granted asylum in the UK. He has previously angered Sunni Muslims by calling Aisha, the third wife of the Prophet Muhammad, 'an enemy of God'. The film's producer Malik Shlibak described him as 'a brilliant mind, an intellectual, an academic, a scholar, a historian'. Advertisement It is not the first time images of the Prophet Muhammed have caused controversy. Last year, protests erupted outside Batley Grammar School after a teacher showed pupils an 'inappropriate' cartoon of Muhammed. He was later suspended and forced into hiding. The issue has also sparked violence in the past, including the shooting of 11 people at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine; while in 2020 a teacher was beheaded in Paris for showing cartoons of Muhammed to his pupils. It comes as film fans who watched The Lady of Heaven in London called on cinemas that have pulled it to have a re-think. NHS worker Toqeer Abbas, 47, who watched the film at Vue Cinema in Shepherd's Bush, south west London, said: 'I do not agree with the protests. I think it is sad people have called for it to be banned. Most of those people haven't watched it. 'It is sad that cinemas are not showing it as that allows for any other viewpoint to be restricted. There are certain people that we know that have been against it but this is a conservative view. 'If you shut down dialogue you have nothing. You have a world of ignorance. This film creates a talking point. You don't have to believe it and if you don't you should do your own research. 'Why would you want to ban it? What's the reason for it? 'It's a free country and whatever happens people will find a way to see it but why can't we come here and spend time with our families and chat about it afterwards. 'Talking creates tolerance while shutting things down, no matter how difficult, creates intolerance.' Mr Abbas from south London added: 'Some of it was difficult to watch visually. 'We have heard the stories that were in the film but we have never seen it before. This is the first time we have had a movie showing these events in this way. 'We've never had anything like this before. This is the first time in 1400 years. 'For me there was too much imagery. It was made too human. We will get in the car and have more conversations about it. It's a talking point and I think it has a positive message.' One cinema-goer said: 'I think the protests are ridiculous. Calling for the movie to be banned is shutting down debate and dialogue. 'Everyone should be allowed to see the film. Although I must say it was a little long and boring at times.' A Muslim woman, who is originally from Lebanon who watched the film on her own, said: 'It was a nice movie.I liked it. It had a positive message. 'People who have been protesting have a different opinion. We don't need to do that. We are all Muslim. I would not want to see it banned from the cinema.' Another man who watched the film but asked not to be named said: 'I think people should at least see the film before passing judgment. 'I only came to see what all the fuss was about. It's a low budget movie and there were not many people watching it. 'If anything, any protests and calls for the film to be banned will have the reverse effect with more people going to see it.' In contrast to large scale demonstrations, film-goers who watched the movie in an auditorium, which was half full, were able to do so without having to run the gauntlet from protesters. Cineworld confirmed it had pulled the film to 'ensure the safety of staff and customers' after outcry from protesters who picketed movie theatres and branded it 'blasphemous'. Vue, meanwhile, is still listed as showing the film in a number of its London branches tonight. Made in Britain for 12million, the film opens with the invasion of Iraq by ISIS and features a graphic jihadist murder, before telling the story of Lady Fatima, one of the daughters of the founder of Islam. Islamic tradition forbids the direct portrayal of religious figures, with previous depictions of prophets leading to protests and even murders amid accusations of blasphemy. Director Eli King depicts Fatima as a faceless character, shrouded by a black veil to avoid doing this. But protesters have accused the filmmakers of inaccurately depicting religious history and negatively portraying three of Islam's most important figures. A video from the weekend appears to show a manager at one cinema addressing a crowd confirming the film has been pulled, prompting cries of 'Allahu Akbar'. The film features former Coronation Street actor Ray Fearon and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival last year, but was only released in the UK for the first time on June 3, this year. John Stephenson, who directed the 1999 film Animal Farm and 2004 movie Five Children and It, acted as a creative consultant. And other critics have expressed anger that the negative characters were portrayed by black actors, rather than white, which they say 'stems from the racial bias against darker skinned people'. Those who came out to protest screenings on Monday said they were 'offended' by the film and the way it illustrated the life of revered religious figures. One protester in Bradford, West Yorkshire, said: 'We are very offended. We have a right not to be insulted. 'You talk about freedom of speech but where does your freedom of speech go when it goes to criticising your policies, when it goes to making critical analysis of your version of history. 'You have no right to tell us our history. We will not let this film go on further.' Others carried signs saying: 'It's not ok to offend 1.8 billion #handsoffoursuperheroes' and 'Stop the screening', while using megaphones to get across their message. Left to right: Producer Hussein Ashmere, Mehpe Al Hussaini, executive producer Jawad Salah and executive producer Malik Shlibak from Enlightened Kingdom attend the premier of The Lady of Heaven at the Cannes Film Festival last year Pictured: A movie poster for The Lady of Heaven, which has been pulled from cinemas in the UK after days of protests How Prophet Muhammed cartoons have previously sparked controversy and violence Cartoon during RE lesson A teacher was forced into hiding following protests about a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammed he showed to pupils during a religious education class. The image, which was shown to children at Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire, sparked days of heated protests by parents and activists at the school gates. The 30-year-old teacher, who was forced to flee his home, was suspended at the time but later cleared when an independent investigation found that he had not intended to cause offence. Earlier this year he was reported to still be in hiding. Charlie Hebdo French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was attacked by Islamist fanatics in January 2015, after posting cartoons which were said to have insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Twelve people were killed in the onslaught, including a number of cartoonists who were said to have continually mocked Islam. The magazine is now published from a secret headquarters in Paris - one that is said to be under armed guard at all times. Samuel Paty Teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded outside the gates of the college where he taught in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, north of Paris, in 2020. The killing came after an online campaign led by Muslim parents who were angry at Paty for showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to students. Paty had shown the cartoons - previously printed in magazine Charlie Hebdo - to pupils as part of a lesson on free speech. Advertisement In Bolton, the local chairman of the Council of Mosques, Asif Patel, wrote a letter to his local branch of Cineworld, where he called the film 'blasphemous'. He said: 'You may well be aware of the recently released film 'Lady of Heaven' which has caused much distress to Muslims across the globe. 'It is underpinned with a sectarian ideology and is blasphemous in nature to the Muslim community. 'It grossly disrespects the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in many ways and is deeply disturbing to every Muslim. 'It also misrepresents orthodox historical narratives and disrespects the most esteemed individuals of Islamic history. 'The storyline begs the question to what extent the producers had considered the huge impact of this film upon the Muslim community and notions of sacredness dearly held by them.' 'In Bolton, we are a very diverse community and are very respectful of each other's culture and honour on community cohesion.' A spokesman from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) called for 'respectful dialogue' between protesters and the film supporters. They said: 'The MCB, which proudly represents affiliates from across the different schools of thought in our faith, supports those scholars and leaders who are advocating for greater unity and for the common good, as commanded by our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). 'The MCB has always advocated for respectful dialogue of intra-faith relations. 'There are some - including many of this film's supporters or those engaging in sectarianism in their response - whose primary goal is to fuel hatred. 'We must not let them succeed.' But executive producer of the film Mr Shlibak called the decision to pull the film by the cinema chain 'unacceptable'. He said: 'We think that the protests have brought a lot of newfound attention to the film that did not exist before from people who hadn't heard about the film, and we are okay with the fact that people protest. 'But I believe it's actually unacceptable in this country what they are calling for - that is the removal of this film from the cinemas due to them being offended. 'That is something quite silly, because everyone has the ability to share their thoughts and enact their freedom of speech. 'I genuinely believe from all sides, from the cinema, perhaps from the Muslim Council of Britain, that there is this succumbing and bowing down to these radical extremists and their demands. 'I think this is more than The Lady of Heaven as an individual film, this is about our British values and how much these mean to us. Video on social media appears to show the manager of one cinema addressing a crowd of protesters gathered outside Executive producer Malik Shlibak, pictured here at the Cannes Film Festival last year, blasted the decision to drop the film A lukewarm reaction from film critics While the movie has prompted a strong response from some Muslims, the critics have had a more lukewarm reaction to it. In its two-star review, The Guardian said while production values and sets look good, 'half-baked performances' and a lack of 'poetic flair' drag it down. The review adds: 'For a film that aims to promote religious diversity and freedom of thought, its metronomic alternation between time frames, narrative slavishness and laughable coda have a suffocating sense of orthodoxy.' The Irish Times reacted slightly more warmly, giving it a three-star review, describing it as 'rough around the edges throughout', but 'made with admirable gusto'. It adds: 'The Lady of Heaven is something else altogether. A British independent release, directed by Eli King, it is much concerned with the story of Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, but also takes in wider first millennium history and some contemporary traumas. 'It is made with respect. It has educational value. But the film-makers, working with a modest budget, have made sure to include much head-splitting action.' The New York Times said the film is 'appropriately spectacular', but criticised the 'shoddy script and an overwhelming reliance on cliches' that make it feel cheap. Advertisement 'These groups have now been given the power to dictate what the British public can and cannot watch at their local cinemas.' And Claire Fox, who sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Fox of Buckley, tweeted that the decision to cancel the screening showed the 'creep of extra-parliamentary blasphemy law' was now censoring film. She wrote: 'Same 'I Find that Offensive' cancel culture arguments now being used far beyond campus activism. 'Disastrous for the arts, dangerous for free speech, a lesson to those who argue identity politics are no threat to democracy.' Meanwhile, a petition to get the film removed from all UK cinemas has been signed by almost 120,000 people. In a statement Cineworld confirmed it was pulling the film from all venues to 'ensure the safety' of staff. A spokesman said: 'Due to recent incidents related to screenings of The Lady of Heaven, we have made the decision to cancel upcoming screenings of the film nationwide to ensure the safety of our staff and customers.' Vue, which still has screenings for the movie listed on its website, refused to confirm whether the film had been pulled from any of its cinemas. A spokesperson for Vue said: 'Vue takes seriously the responsibilities that come with providing a platform for a wide variety of content and believes in showcasing films of interest to diverse communities across the UK. 'Vue will only show a film once the BBFC (the independent British Board of Film Classification) has assessed and rated a film. 'The Lady of Heaven has been BBFC accredited and is on show in a number of our cinemas. 'Decisions about how long a film remains on show are taken on a site-by-site basis and based on a variety of commercial and operational factors.' MailOnline has contacted Showcase for comment. How predictable, how cowardly, that cinema bosses should cave in to the mob instead of standing up for free speech: As a film about Muhammad's daughter is pulled by Cineworld, IRAM RAMZAN says it's difficult to see what has got the protesters so upset By Iram Ramzan For The Daily Mail Last Tuesday, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries appeared on the BBCs The One Show to announce the UKs City of Culture for 2025. The winner? Bradford. Crowds that had gathered in the city centre broke into cheers and let off colourful smoke flares at the happy news. But this week, a very different side of Bradford has been on display. Another crowd, with vastly opposing attitudes to culture, aggressively picketed a Cineworld cinema for showing The Lady Of Heaven, a supposedly blasphemous film about the daughter of Prophet Muhammad. Its not OK to offend 1.8 billion, proclaimed one placard brandished outside the venue referring to the estimated number of Muslims worldwide. A bearded man shouted into a microphone that the most important thing in our life been attacked, which is our Prophet. So how did Cineworld react? By cancelling the film. Not just in Bradford, but across the entire country. Other cinema chains have followed suit. Vue Cinemas is showing it in only a few selected branches. Showcase has also pulled the film entirely. Controversy: Poster for the film The Lady Of Heaven Some cinemas made the decision to pull the film from theatres following the backlash. Pictured: Cineworld in Birmingham Thankfully, however, some cinema chains do still refuse to be intimidated by mobs of angry protestors. And, as is the way of these things, controversy only inflames a desire to see it for yourself. So yesterday I headed to a West London cinema to see what the fuss was all about. The Lady Of Heaven is a sweeping British-made epic that travels from the birth of Islam in the 7th century AD to Iraq a few years ago, as it suffered under the monstrous terrorist group ISIS. It tells the fascinating story of an Iraqi boy who is orphaned after his mother is executed by militants. The child is adopted by an elderly woman who comforts the youngster by telling the story of saintly Fatima, daughter of Prophet Muhammad. Many female Muslims see Fatima as the ultimate archetype: her name remains a popular choice for girls throughout the Islamic world. Like her father, she is a deeply revered figure. And, controversially, The Lady of Heaven does depict the Prophet Muhammad but in a computer-generated image, often shown in dazzling sunlight, and with no actors credited for portraying him or any other holy character. All told, its difficult to see what has got the protesters so upset. Cinemas have seen protests from Muslims claiming the film The Lady of Heaven is 'blasphemous'. Pictured: Birmingham The real controversy in the film is, in fact, a split between Sunni and Shia Muslims. The Lady Of Heaven is told from a Shia perspective, portraying the first Sunni caliph as a tyrant. For Sunnis, this could well be offensive. But this is nothing new the portrayal of Muhammad, whatever those protesters claimed, is not the real issue here. In fact, theres only one thing that really matters. If people find this film provocative or even insulting, nobody is forcing them to watch it. But that has not stopped groups of exclusively male Muslim protesters assembling not just in Bradford, but also in Bolton, Sheffield and Birmingham, intimidating cinema staff, claiming the film attacks their religious beliefs. In Bradford, a man screamed: We are insulted. We have a right not to be insulted these people cry freedom of speech, but we will not let this film go on further. Well, yes as a matter of fact: we do cry freedom of speech. It is a rallying cry for which many have died as well as the cornerstone of our democracy. And it is not up for negotiation. In another chilling video, a different man openly issues what sounds like a threat. Birmingham will not tolerate the disrespect of our prophet, he warns. There will be outcomes from your actions [sic]. You will have repercussions for your actions. We have been trained from birth that we must defend the honour of our prophet and we will lay our life on the line. In the end, in the face of warnings like this, it was all too predictable that Cineworld cancelled all showings of The Lady of Heaven to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Executive producer Malik Shlibak, pictured here at the Cannes Film Festival last year, blasted the decision to drop the film Predictable, yes. But also cowardly and shameful. It is up to audiences to decide what films to watch, and for cinema bosses to meet their demands and not surrender to a bunch of male bullies who will almost certainly have not even bothered to see the film. The Lady Of Heavens British producer, Malik Shlibak, has defended the mens right to express their displeasure. But, he adds, it is silly and against the UKs values for the film to be pulled completely. He is right. Britain, thank goodness, no longer has blasphemy laws. But there has been a consistent effort by Muslim hardliners to bring in de facto blasphemy laws, by presenting any criticism of Islam as a form of Islamophobic hate speech. And so it is alarming that a largely liberal and democratic society has allowed a few religious zealots to determine what the rest of us can watch. It is disastrous for our institutions, for the arts and dangerous for freedom of expression. For once you capitulate to the mob, its only a matter of time before more demands are made to which we must acquiesce or face the frightening consequences. Protesters gathered at cinemas to voice opposition to the Lady of Heaven, which was officially released in the UK on June 3 And if anyone was expecting Muslim organisations to provide any clear leadership or guidance, and tell the protesters to go home, then they were sadly mistaken. The Muslim Council of Britain, an umbrella organisation that claims to represent large numbers of UK Muslims, issued a vacuous statement calling for respectful dialogue of intra-faith relations. No outright condemnation of zealots trying to impose their medieval views on society. No defence of freedom of expression. As expected. For, as we have seen time and again, the staunchly British values of freedom and tolerance are under threat trumped by the supposed right not to be offended. Our institutions have for years been far too quick to cave in to intolerant mobs whenever they claim that their feelings have been hurt by one thing or another. Sadly, those who have been objecting to The Lady Of Heaven know this tactic works. Video on social media appears to show the manager of one cinema addressing a crowd of protesters gathered outside Though I am too young to remember the Salman Rushdie affair, its chilling legacy can still be felt today and its echoes resound in the protest dogging the film. When Rushdie, a British novelist, published The Satanic Verses in 1988, Muslim protests and threats swelled both here and abroad. On February 14, 1989, Irans leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued an edict (fatwa) declaring the book to be against Islam and calling on Muslims everywhere to murder Rushdie. With a multimillion-dollar bounty on his head, the mild-mannered author was forced into hiding and needed police protection for many years. Today, the demand for censorship by intolerant minorities continues. In 2015, 12 journalists working for French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were murdered by terrorists after publishing cartoons of Muhammad. More recently, a school teacher in Batley, West Yorkshire, was forced into hiding over fears he might be murdered after showing a cartoon of Muhammad during a religious education lesson. Left to right: Producer Hussein Ashmere, Mehpe Al Hussaini, executive producer Jawad Salah and executive producer Malik Shlibak from Enlightened Kingdom attend the premier of The Lady of Heaven at the Cannes Film Festival last year There are countless more examples and alas there will be more, as long as our political elites give extremists a free pass and do not stand up for liberty. Politicians believe they are speaking for all Muslims when they take offence on their behalf. But they arent. The baying mobs dont speak for the majority. Outside the West London cinema where I saw the film, Imane, a Sunni Muslim in her mid-30s, told me that she believed the film could potentially stoke sectarian divisions. But, she added, everyone has their own view and if the other side disagrees with this, then they can make their own film and tell their side. Quite right. Similarly, Shia Muslim Syed Husain told me: I hope people will watch this movie and understand the real message, which is about spreading peace and that we should speak out against the evil things done in the name of our religion, by the likes of the Taliban and ISIS. Judging by the demonstrators, I highly doubt that. It never surprises me that religious zealots wish to impose their dogmas and blasphemy codes on others. They have a long tradition of doing so. But it is one we should and must continue to fight. The 'hardline' Islamic cleric behind The Lady of Heaven film: Firebrand Shia advocate who is exiled in UK due to outspoken views on fellow Muslims raised funds for movie at the centre of angry protests outside British cinemas By Vivek Chaudhary for MailOnline An Islamic cleric behind The Lady of Heaven film cancelled by two cinema chains is, according to his critics, a hard line Shia advocate who is exiled in the UK due to his outspoken views on fellow Muslims. Yasser al-Habib, who born in Kuwait and a script writer for the film, also raised funds for the movie which has been at the focal point of Muslim protests in recent days. The film was pulled by Cineworld yesterday after hundreds of people gathered outside its branches in Bolton, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bradford and urged for screenings to be axed. Showcase followed by cancelling screenings today. Mr al-Habib, 43, is a fiery campaigner for Shia Islam, a minority sect within the faith which has been at logger heads with mainstream Sunni Muslims, who make up the majority of Muslims in Britain and the rest of the world. While the two sects share many fundamental beliefs and practices, at their core has been a centuries-old divide over who should have been the direct successor to the Prophet Muhammed - the founder of the faith. Mr al-Habib has regularly taken to social media to rail against Islamic figures exalted by Sunni Muslims, accusing them of being 'culprits' who 'conspired' to take over Islam after the Prophet Muhammed. Yasser al-Habib, who born in Kuwait and a script writer for the film, claims on his website that his involvement in The Lady of Heaven is an attempt to 'enlighten the world' Protests, who have branded the film 'blasphemous', pictured outside a Cineworld chain in Birmingham on Sunday The film was pulled by Cineworld yesterday after hundreds of people gathered outside its branches in Bolton, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bradford and urged for screenings to be axed Protestors claim that this is reflected in The Lady of Heaven, which is offensive to their beliefs and is a dangerous attempt to spread sectarian hate with the UKs Muslim community. Other aspects of the film the protestors considered blasphemous are that it portrays the Prophet Muhammeds face and that of his close associates through computer generated imagery, while their voices can also be heard - something that is forbidden in Islam. It has also been criticised for being racist as many of the negative characters are portrayed by black actors. Mr al-Habibs slick website openly proclaims his involvement in The Lady of Heaven claiming that it is an attempt to 'enlighten the world'. The film follows the life of Lady Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammed, but also suggests that key figures around him usurped the faith, which is considered highly offensive to many mainstream Muslims. Born in Al-Mirqab, Kuwait in 1979, Mr al-Habibs Shia views were considered so hard-line there that he was imprisoned by the countrys government in 2003 and he and his family were stripped of their Kuwaiti nationality. After being released following a pardon, he fled to Iraq, then Iran and eventually arrived in Britain in 2005, where he was granted asylum. He runs his movement, called The Madhi Servants Organisation from its base in Buckinghamshire. In addition to being prolific on social media, he also runs a Shia television channel from there, publishes a Shia newspaper and also regularly holds seminars, which attract people from all over the UK and the rest of the world. It is also where Enlightened Kingdom Production, the company that made The Lady of Heaven, is based. Mr al-Habib maintains on his website that his life is devoted to promoting 'Rafida Islam' which rejects many of the key historical beliefs of Sunni Muslims. He has also published a series of controversial books and research projects in which he criticises Islamic figures such as Abu Bakr, the first caliph and successor to Muhammed and his daughter Aisha, claiming that modern day terrorism stems from them. Both are highly revered by Sunni Muslims and are negatively portrayed in The Lady of Heaven. Mr al-Habibs Shia views were considered so hardline in Kuwait that he was imprisoned by the countrys government in 2003 before he fled to the UK via Iraq and Iran Hundreds of demonstrators have turned out in Bradford, Bolton, Birmingham and Sheffield to protest venues showing screenings of The Lady of Heaven. Pictured: A protest outside Cineworld in Birmingham Representatives of the UKs Sunni Muslim community have accused him of spreading 'sectarian hate' and supported the banning of the film. Imam Numaan, who is based at a leading West London mosque told MailOnline: 'Al-Habibi has a long history of spreading his vile, sectarian beliefs. He does this openly and insults all Muslims, not just Sunnis. 'This film is nothing but an attempt to spread divisions with the Muslim community. He is trying to provoke Sunni Muslims and get a reaction out of them. 'The film is not based on historical facts.' Referring to the banning of the film, he added: Of course freedom of speech is important but there are boundaries. This film has been made by a radical, Shiaso it is right that it should not be shown.' Mr al-Habib has been contacted for comment. The UK pension system is a slow-motion car crash, a former minister has warned. Sir Steve Webb, who was pensions minister in David Camerons coalition government and is This is Money and MailOnline's retirement columnist, said there was a generation of middle-aged people at serious risk of not saving enough for retirement. Older workers in their 60s are more likely to have benefited from the golden era of generous defined benefit pensions, while younger people in their 20s have longer to build up a decent pot of money. But there is a huge cohort of people in their 40s who missed out on generous workplace pensions and might be contributing only a minimum amount now through auto-enrolment, Sir Steve told a work and pensions committee hearing yesterday. Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb says there is a generation of middle-aged people at serious risk of not saving enough for retirement If I were to characterise the direction of pensions in the UK, the best analogy would be a slow-motion car crash. We are seeing something which I have described as the ski slope of doom, which is the death of traditional defined benefit pensions. Most employers have abandoned salary-linked defined benefit schemes because they are too expensive. Most instead offer defined contribution schemes where pensions are determined by the amount workers pay in and how well their investments perform. Automatic enrolment into workplace pension schemes was introduced in 2012. The minimum contribution is 8 per cent of earnings, with employers paying in at least 3 per cent. But Sir Steve, now a partner at pensions consultancy Lane Clark and Peacock, said: If we are serious about pensions then we have got to get serious money going in and a 3 per cent contribution from the employer is a joke long-term. He also criticised the pathetically low number of self-employed workers saving into a pension. And he called for urgent reform around retirement outcomes for women, raising concerns about the number of mothers missing out on state pension credits. Sir Steve said: Were going back to the 1940s. Were going back to a world in which mothers who stay at home with children are going to get lower state pensions. How to top up your work pension Savings threatened by inflation? Tempted to start investing? A simple (and potentially cheap) option is to top up your pension fund - find out how here. Separate research recently published by B&CE, provider of workplace scheme The Peoples Pension, found that around 7.4 million pension savers make the minimum employee contribution required by law, and just 7 per cent understood that this would fund only a basic retirement. B&CE says a worker born in 2000 on an average salary of 30,576 would retire at 68 with a pension paying 6,537 a year if they stuck to minimum contributions. The industry says even with a state pension of 9,339, that would leave them unable to afford to run a car and limited cash to spend on leisure, food and drink. Most workers think that because the rates are set by Government they will be left with enough savings, the research found. How much income will you need in retirement? In response to reader question on how much you need to save for retirement, Steve Webb offered the following advice: Former pensions minister and This is Money columnist, Steve Webb The first thing to work out the income you will need to deliver the kind of retirement you are targeting. A useful benchmark is provided by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association who have done a lot of work on retirement living standards. The PLSA have looked at the amount of money you would need in retirement for a pretty basic standard of living, covering your key outgoings and with a little bit to spare. They call this a 'minimum' standard of living. Second, they have looked at what you would need for a higher standard of living, with greater financial security but still not living in the lap of luxury. They call this a 'moderate' standard of living. And third they have estimated what you would need to fund a retirement with plenty of financial freedom and scope for luxuries. They call this a 'comfortable' retirement. For each of these types of retirement, PLSA have then worked out how much annual income you would need, providing separate figures for singles and couples. These are shown in the table below and for a moderate retirement, the figures are 20,800 for an individual and 30,600 for a couple. Source: Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association I am going to assume you are targeting what they call a 'moderate' standard of living in retirement above the breadline but not too luxurious. I will also assume that you are a single person and therefore you are targeting an annual income of 20,800. To start with the good news, your state pension should get you nearly half the way there. From April 2022, the full new state pension is worth an annual 9,628, and most people with a full working life should get that amount. You can check your state pension forecast here. Deducting that from the target of 20,800 leaves you 11,172 to fund from your private pension pot. > Read Steve Webb's full reply: What do I need to save for a decent retirement? I'm 50 and have 60,000 in my pension so far How much should you save for your pension? Pension experts typically say that rather than contributing 8 per cent of earnings under auto enrolment, people should be putting away at least 12 per cent, writes Simon Lambert. One influential report said the UK should set a national target of every worker saving 15 per cent of their salary, including employer contributions and tax relief. The good news is that pension tax relief, which gives a 25 per cent uplift to make up for basic rate tax for every 1 paid in - and more for higher earners - alongside employer contributions go some way to meeting this figure. So, for example, for someone with a generous employer who will match their contributions up to a relatively high level, this would mean paying in just under 6.7 per cent of their salary, with their employer contributing the same and basic rate tax relief adding a further 1.675 per cent, to deliver a total of 15.075 per cent. There are also some general rules of thumb for working out what percentage of your salary needs to be going into a pension, in terms of your and your employer's contributions. The most common is half your age from when you started saving from - so if you start at age 30 it could be 15 per cent, whereas if you start at 40 it is 20 per cent. Advertisement Benefits income could be used to get mortgages under plans being unveiled by Boris Johnson to relaunch his premiership. In the wake of the Tory confidence vote meltdown, the PM is making a major speech in Lancashire vowing to revive Margaret Thatcher's housing revolution for low-income families. He will announce moves to extend the 'Right to Buy', which helped millions purchase their council properties at huge discounts in the 1980s and 1990s, to housing association tenants. He has also drawn up proposals to help families on Universal Credit get on the property ladder. One idea is to allow benefits to be counted as income when applying for a mortgage which could open up the dream of home ownership to millions more. Mr Johnson is set to argue that 30billion in housing benefit that currently goes towards rent could help people secure and pay for mortgages. The PM is also expected to talk up the potential for accelerating housebuilding through a new generation of pre-fab homes. However, critics have pointed out that UC is only available to families with less than 16,000 in investments and savings, meaning they would have very limited access to mortgages. Most lenders ask a minimum of 10 per cent deposit. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove indicated the government was looking at creating a savings vehicle that would not count toward the benefits limit, but it is unclear how that would work or how banks would be made to accept the handouts in their calculations. He also admitted that there is no new funding attached to the Right-to-Buy extension, with only pilot projects mooted at the moment. He refused to say how many people would actually be able to take advantage of the schemes, which give discounts of up to 70 per cent depending how long people have lived in properties. The package seems squarely aimed at the Red Wall which delivered Mr Johnson's huge 2019 majority. He is heavily dependent on the support of MPs from those areas for his survival, after seeing off a coup attempt earlier this week. In other developments today as the PM attempts to get back on track: The average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a record 182.3p on Wednesday, according to data firm Experian Catalist. It means the average cost of filling a typical 55-litre family car is 100.27; There are claims that Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have ruled out cuts to personal taxes this Autumn, despite calls from Tory MPs and the OECD; Tory Eurosceptics are said to have been brought in to help draft legislation scrapping the Northern Ireland protocol, which could be published as early as next week. In a major speech in Lancashire later, Boris Johnson will unveil new proposals to boost home ownership The PM (right) will try to revive Margaret Thatcher's housing revolution today with a new package to help low-income families buy their own homes. But Michael Gove (left) admitted there is no new funding and refused to say how many people would be able to use the scheme What is Boris proposing on housing... and will it make any difference? Right-to-Buy Renewing a pledge made by David Cameron, Boris Johnson will announce a push to extend the Thatcherite scheme, which helped millions purchase their council properties at huge discounts in the 1980s and 1990s. Housing association tenants could be able to take advantage of prices 70 per cent lower than market value, depending how long they have lived in the property. However, Michel Gove admitted there is no new funding attached, with only pilot projects mooted at the moment. He refused to say how many people would be eligible, merely insisting it will be more than 1,000. Another property will need to be added to housing association stocks for every home sold. Benefits for mortgages Plans are being drawn up to help families on Universal Credit get on the property ladder. Benefits could be counted as income when applying for a mortgage. Mr Johnson is arguing that the 30billion in housing benefit that currently goes towards rent could help people secure and pay for mortgages. However, critics have pointed out that UC is only available to families with less than 16,000 in investments and savings, meaning they would have very limited access to mortgages. Most lenders ask a minimum of 10 per cent deposit. Mr Gove indicated the government was looking at creating a savings vehicle that would not count toward the benefits limit, but it is unclear how that would work or how banks would be made to accept the handouts in their calculations. Prefab homes Encouraging a wave of modular or flatpack homes to be built is another new measure being actively considered. However, the potential incentives have not been spelled out, and the PM might not give any more details in his speech. Advertisement Whitehall sources declined to comment on details last night, but one confirmed there will be 'something for hard workers on benefits'. Another source said people would be 'incentivised to save for a deposit no matter what their financial situation'. The source added: 'Currently, too many people are spending huge sums of money in the private rental market when that money could be better spent on investing in their future in the form of mortgage payments on their own home.' But plans to open up Right to Buy to all 2.5million housing association tenants appear to have been scaled back due to the cost, which one source warned could reach 3billion a year. The new scheme has not been given any additional funding. Instead, Mr Gove has been asked to use existing funds at his Housing Department. In a round of interviews, Mr Gove confirmed there will be a 'cap' on the number of people who can take advantage of the Government's new housing scheme. When asked what the limit would be, he suggested it would be more than a thousand but said: 'That's something I will be discussing with housing associations.' Speaking on Sky News, he added: 'We're looking specifically at a savings vehicle that people can use in order to save for that deposit. 'Because home ownership is not just good for individuals, it's good for society overall. 'We want people to have a stake in the future, we want people to be able to invest in their own home, we want people to have somewhere safe and secure, warm and decent, in which they can raise their children.' Pressed on where the funding for the scheme will come from, he said: 'It will come from the overall parcel, the overall envelope, of Government spending.' Mr Gove said the Government will make sure there are new houses to replace those bought by lower-paid workers under new plans where they can use housing benefits to buy their homes and an extension of the right to buy for housing association tenants. He told Sky News: 'One of the things that we will be doing is making sure that there is a replacement a like-for-like, one-for-one replacement. 'Yesterday I introduced legislation into the House of Commons that means there will be a new levy on developers. 'That means that when new developments occur, when new homes are built for sale by the big housing companies, we will extract some of the money that they make and some of that money will be set aside explicitly to make sure that there is more affordable housing or council housing for people who need it.' Mr Gove added: 'The way in which the levy works means that people can be assured that when planning permission is granted for new developments that there will be money in due course. 'Councils can borrow against that in order to invest.' Shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy said there were 'real practical problems' with the ideas. 'In principle, it's a great idea to try to get more people the security of their own home, particularly people who find themselves in the benefits system,' she said. Right to Buy became one of the policies of Margaret Thatcher, whose statue is pictured in Grantham, with around two million families given the chance to buy their home at a discount of up to 70 per cent 'The problem is that, as always, the Government has not thought through the detail. 'There's no sign that any of the lenders are on board with this. 'The Government can say that it wants to open up mortgages to people on housing benefit, but unless the lenders agree to do it, it's not going to happen. 'There are real practical problems as well. To qualify for Universal Credit, you've got to have savings of less than 16,000, which means that most people who the Government are trying to reach with this announcement are not going to have anything near the amount that they need for a deposit on a home in order to qualify for that mortgage.' Today's speech has been billed as the first step in a re-launch in the wake of Monday's bruising confidence vote, which the Prime Minister won by a margin of 211 to 148. He yesterday insisted that 'nothing and no-one' will get in his way as he tries to re-focus the Government's efforts on public priorities after months of political infighting. In his speech, the PM will warn that the economy faces 'strong global headwinds', but insist that the Government has 'the tools we need to get on top of rising prices'. He adds: 'While it's not going to be quick or easy, you can be confident that things will get better, that we will emerge from this a strong country with a healthy economy.' The PM will pledge to bring forward further reforms in coming weeks to 'help people cut costs in every area'. 'We will use this moment to accelerate the reforming mission of the Government, to cut the costs that Government imposes on businesses and people,' he will say. 'With more affordable energy, childcare, transport and housing we will protect households, boost productivity and above all increase the rate of growth of the UK.' Right to Buy became one of Mrs Thatcher's totemic policies, with around two million families given the chance to buy their home at a discount of up to 70 per cent. One pilot scheme in the Midlands found it cost the taxpayer 65,390 per home sold Proposals for renters to be able to buy discounted housing association homes are not new, and appeared in David Cameron's 2015 manifesto. After that failed to materialise, Mr Johnson committed to considering new pilots for the scheme ahead of the 2019 general election. But industry experts have warned that giving tenants the right to buy is far more complex and expensive than the sale of council houses in the 1980s. Unlike council houses, most housing association properties are financed through private sector debt, which needs to be paid off. One pilot scheme in the Midlands found it cost the taxpayer 65,390 per home sold. Pilot schemes have also operated on the basis that a new property would be built for every one sold. While the plan could help avoid criticism of the original scheme, it also adds cost and complexity. Fellow inmates of Gonzalo Lopez allegedly helped the Texas fugitive escape a prison bus last month by causing distraction for guards, allowing to escape and go on to murder a family of five while on the run. Lopez, who was serving a life sentence and had links to the Mexican Mafia, was killed in a shootout last Thursday with law enforcement after his escape, stabbing the bus driver and going on the run outside of San Antonio for the last three weeks. During his time on the run he is believed to have stabbed to death 66-year-old Mark Collins and his four grandsons before stealing their truck. On May 12, prior to escaping into a wooded area near Centerville, which is between Houston and Dallas, Lopez had told 16 other inmates on board the bus that 'this is your opportunity,' state Senator John Whitmire (TX-15) told KXXV 25 News. He further said that the prisoners responded by 'making a disturbance, singing and jumping up and down' the bus to create a distraction for the guards on board the bus. Texas fugitive Gonzalo Lopez escaped from this jail bus carrying 16 other inmates on May 12 before going on the lam for three weeks A photo of the cage inside the bus where escaped prisoner Gonzalo Lopez was transported. He reportedly used a key that he had on him to get out of the restricted area before fellow inmates helped him escape by 'making a disturbance, singing and jumping up and down The Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed that 46-year-old Gonzalo Artemio Lopez (pictured) was shot dead by police three weeks after escaping a prison bus and killing a family of five The 46-year-old fugitive then broke free from his restraints and from a caged area of the bus with a key that he had on him. Lopez was also carrying a knife, Whitmire said. 'Same key for both, I understand,' the Dean of the Texas Senate, who is also the state's longest senator told News 25. The key has yet to be found, the local news outlet added. Whitmire also shared that inmates who helped Lopez could potentially face charges. 'Lopez was the worst of the worst,' and there were 'huge mistakes made,' Whitmire told News 25. After stabbing the bus driver, a second officer at the rear of the bus then exited and approached Lopez, who got back on the bus and started driving down the road. The officers fired at Lopez and disabled the bus by shooting the rear tire, the department said. The bus then traveled a short distance before leaving the roadway, where Lopez got out and ran into the woods. Authorities believe that on June 2, Lopez killed Collins, and his four grandsons, Waylon Collins, 18; Carson Collins, 16; Hudson Collins, 11; and Bryson Collins, 11. Waylon, Carson and Hudson were brothers and Bryson was their cousin. Cellphone video shows the moment inmate Gonzalo Lopez who crashed a prison transfer bus fleeing into the woods Lopez had been the subject of an intensive search since his escape. He was shot dead by officers in Jourdantown, Texas, on June 2 Lopez (pictured) was serving a life prison sentence for a 2006 conviction of murdering a man along the Texas-Mexico border Investigators say Lopez stole an AR-15-style rifle and a pistol from the family's ranch near Centerville, as well as a truck that he drove about 220 miles (350 kilometers) to Atascosa County, south of San Antonio, where the shooting happened later in the same day of the murders. During a service Sunday at the family's church in Houston, Glen Collins, Mark Collins' brother, told the Associated Press that his faith was helping him get through this difficult time. 'This is where I find solace and comfort... There is a purpose in this, no doubt. ... I lost my best friend. He kept me sharp. But there is a purpose,' Glen Collins said. As of Tuesday, Texas prison's system has temporarily stopped transporting inmates. 'The agency is conducting an internal Serious Incident Review and also intends to bring in an outside firm to conduct an independent review to identify factors that may have led to the escape of (Gonzalo) Lopez,' the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said in a statement Monday. No timeline was given for how long the internal review would take to complete. The agency said if it must transport an inmate for an emergency medical appointment or for release, it will have more security. Such additional security measures were in place when a van that was transporting an inmate from a hospital to a prison in East Texas collided with another vehicle early Tuesday on a freeway north of Houston, according to the prison agency and The AP. Three guards were injured but were expected to survive. The inmate was in stable condition. On any given day, authorities move about 2,000 inmates for various reasons, said Jason Clark, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman. According to the agency's Fiscal Year 2020 Statistical Report, the most recently available such report, there were about 121,000 individuals in prisons, state jails and other facilities run by the Department of Criminal Justice. 'We are reviewing our processes and determining how to reduce the need to move inmates,' Clark said in an email. Mark Collins, 66, was murdered with his four grandchildren, allegedly by Lopez From left: Waylon Collins, 18, Carson Collins, 16, and Hudson Collins, 11. They were allegedly killed by Lopez Eleven-year-old Bryson Collins was killed alongside his siblings and grandfather at the family's ranch Whitmire, who backed the inmates transportation halt, praised the prison agency's change in policy. 'While the investigation continues into exactly what happened with the recent escape and tragic murder of 5 members of the Collins family, we must act swiftly to ensure no other Texan is in danger of losing their life or being harmed by an escaped inmate being transported on Texas roads,' Whitmire said in a written statement. The committee will likely have a hearing sometime this summer to review what happened and prison system polices related to transporting inmates, said Lara Wendler, a spokeswoman for Whitmire. The state senator has suggested the Department of Criminal Justice should keep violent offenders in prison units closer to medical facilities or should have medical teams visit the units. Whitmire also called for additional security during inmate transports, including having another vehicle with armed officers follow close behind. Lopez, who had killed on behalf of Mexican drug cartels, was initially being taken from a prison in Gatesville to one in Huntsville for a medical appointment on May 12. In March 2005, Jose Guadalupe Ramirez, 37, was kidnapped from his home by two men, one of them being Lopez, who killed the victim with a pickaxe. Lopez was later arrested and identified after one of the victim's relatives recognized him, according to Valley Central. After his arrest, Lopez confessed the location of Ramirez's body to police. He also told them he was ordered to kill him for a drug cartel the victim owed money to. He was given a life-sentence for his role in the murder. In 2004, Lopez was involved in an attempted murder of a deputy who was part of the Webb County Sheriff's office. He was convicted on Wednesday of attempted capital murder after several hours of deliberation and was handed another life-term behind bars, according to KGNS TV. Lopez's 2005 mugshot after the murder of Jose Guadalupe Ramirez. He was ordered to kill the indebted money by a drug cartel Ministers could fast- track legislation to limit the damage caused by mass strikes, it emerged last night. MPs are calling for laws which would require train companies to run a minimum level of services during walkouts. They would mirror measures in other European countries such as France, Spain and Italy designed to restrict chaos for travellers and the economy by large-scale industrial action. A promise to introduce the measures was made in the Conservative manifesto at the 2019 general election. They were put on the back burner in the pandemic. But Government sources last night said introducing them had assumed a new importance after the RMT called national rail walkouts on June 21, 23 and 25. A source said: Its come up the ministerial agenda very high. As a result, new measures could be in place sooner than planned. However, the source stressed primary legislation would likely be required, meaning they are unable to be brought in for several months which would not be in time for the RMT walkouts. Senior Tory MP Huw Merriman, chairman of the Commons transport committee, joined calls for the measures to be fast-tracked yesterday. Ministers could fast-track legislation to limit the damage caused by mass strikes, it emerged last night. MPs are calling for laws which would require train companies to run a minimum level of services during walkouts Senior Tory MP Huw Merriman, chairman of the Commons transport committee, joined calls for the measures to be fast-tracked yesterday, saying: We regard rail as an essential service; thats why we kept it running during the pandemic... if it was right that we kept the railway running then, its surely right that we keep it running during industrial action He said: We regard rail as an essential service; thats why we kept it running during the pandemic... if it was right that we kept the railway running then, its surely right that we keep it running during industrial action. He added: If the Government wants to succeed in reforming the railways and getting through this industrial action then it may well need legislation in place in order to strengthen its arm. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the Government was looking at all options to prevent disruption by national rail strikes Without that it will be difficult just to negotiate with the unions if the trains grind to a halt, which it looks as if they will. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the Government was looking at all options to prevent disruption. As little as one in five services are expected to run on the RMT strike days, but it could be even fewer. The 2019 Tory manifesto said: We will require that a minimum service operates during transport strikes. Rail workers deserve a fair deal, but it is not fair to let the trade unions undermine the livelihoods of others. Karl McCartney MP, on the Commons transport committee, called for union bosses to be forced to behave in a much more responsible and constructive way. Russia accused Washington of breaking international law by adding helicopters to the military aid for Ukraine, its alleged puppet in a proxy war to destabilize Moscow. Russia sold the helicopters to the US, which is supposed to be for Afghanistan, which is breaching its policies to support the failing regime of Volodymyr Zelensky. US Violates International Law by Sending Military Aid to Ukraine With the latest package of military aid to Ukraine, the US is breaking both international obligations and its policies, Russian Ambassador to the US, said that on Wednesday, reported RT. He pointed out that, among other things, the United States failed to secure the Kremlin's permission before diverting four Mi-17 helicopters from Afghanistan to Ukraine. The diplomat responded to the US Department of Defense's official statement last week that the aircraft will be handed over to Ukraine, cited VOA. The US administration approved a deal to buy four Russian helicopters for Afghan allies, but Joe Biden let the Taliban take over in August 2021. Ukraine did maintenance before sending them to Kabul. According to the ambassador saying the transfer of equipment by Washington has violated an end-user certificate and international law, the Biden administration did not get permission. It seems the US ignores agreements and has denied Russia an appropriate response. Antonov remarked that Moscow is also concerned about other weapons used in Ukraine's military aid. He highlighted that the stock of Stinger missiles would go against international agreements and targeted at decreasing the risks of such weapons ending up in the hands of malicious people. Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids? He quoted a UN General Assembly resolution from 2007 and other documents, noted the Press United. Adding the US knows the threat of terrorists and criminals getting these portable missiles, mentioned the ambassador. The United States and Russia have a lengthy agreement to keep tabs on others about illegal weapon systems sold to overseas nations that are terrorists or ill-meant entities. In statements shared on social media by the embassy, Antonov alerted that the stockpile of multiple rocket launchers in Ukraine presents a danger of escalating the crisis violence. Washington as Arms Supplier The United States is sending increasingly heavy weapons to Ukraine, ostensibly to support Kyiv in protecting itself against Russia. Officials from the United States said they suspected Ukrainian assurances that the weapons would not be misused, including to attack Russian targets. Kyiv intends to use US-supplied weapons to attack Crimea after humiliation and defeat. Even now, Zelensky denies Crimea never wanted to be a part of Ukraine. Both Ukraine and the United States objected to Russia's annexation of the peninsula in 2014 after citizens voted in a referendum to gain independence. Since then, the Kremlin has requested that Ukraine affirm itself as a neutral country that will never participate in the US-led NATO military alliance. Kyiv maintains that the Russian offensive was unprovoked and denies that it meant to retake the two republics by force. Washington stated Anatoly Antonov had violated international law by adding helicopters to the military aid for Ukraine; Relations are degrading between the US and Russia. Related Article: US Democracy Institute Founder Claims Joe Biden's Strategy Failing Against Russia, Support for Ukraine Insufficient @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. South Australia's last dine-in Pizza Hut will shut its doors after over four decades as locals describe the loss as the 'end of an era'. Pizza Hut Marion, in Oaklands Park in Adelaide's south, broke the news to their loyal customers in a Facebook on Wednesday night. 'It is with great sadness that we have to announce that our Marion Pizza Hut restaurant will be permanently closing from Tuesday June 28th,' they wrote. South Australia's last dine-in Pizza Hut will shut its doors after four decades as locals describe the loss as the 'end of an era' (pictured, SA's last dine-in restaurant in Oaklands Park, Adelaide) Pizza Hut Marion, in Oaklands Park in Adelaide's south, broke the news to their loyal customers in a Facebook on Wednesday night (stock image of Pizza Hut's pepperoni pizza) 'Unfortunately, with long term plans to redevelop the site, we have made the tough decision to close after 44 years in the brand. 'We wanted to thank every past employee and all of our customers for supporting us over this journey.' The iconic restaurant is renowned for offering dine-in customers all you can eat pizza and pasta, along with a salad bar, desserts and bottomless soft drinks. Over 3,000 fans expressed their shock at the news while others took the opportunity to share fond memories of the Pizza Hut. The iconic restaurant is renowned for offering dine-in customers all you can eat pizza and pasta, along with a salad bar and bottomless soft drinks (pictured, the Facebook post) Over 3,000 locals expressed their shock at the news in the comments of the post with others sharing fond memories of their time at the restaurant (pictured) 'Have always just loved Pizza Hut for a very, very long time. More visits than I could ever remember now. Part of South Australia so remembered,' one wrote. 'Definitely an end of an era. Had many birthday parties here and a school excursion making own pizza,' a second commented. 'Marion Pizza Hut is where I had my first 'legal' alcoholic drink. I was taken out to lunch here on the day of my 18th birthday,' a third said. 'Absolutely devastating! So many good memories from when I was younger. The last all you can eat Pizza Hut,' a fourth said. In good news for Pizza Hut enthusiasts, 12 dine-in restaurants in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania continue to provide the iconic buffet experience 'This was the only restaurant I ever got to go to as a kid from a big family. Oh those red and white checked table clothes,' another said. 'When my son comes down to Adelaide from Whyalla, we make sure we go and always have bets on what colour the jelly will be Will miss Pizza Hut All you can Eat! Very sad time,' another commenter shared. In good news for Pizza Hut enthusiasts, 12 dine-in restaurants in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania continue to provide the iconic buffet experience. Boris Johnson has been inducted into Ukraines Cossack community with a name that pays homage to his wild blond mane. The Prime Minister has been dubbed Boris Chuprina, which means long lock of hair, by a Cossack community in Chernihiv in northern Ukraine. Local artists have depicted Mr Johnson as a Cossack Mamay a Ukrainian folklore hero playing the kobza, a Ukrainian folk instrument, in a painting. The Cossacks were a semi-nomadic people who originated in the steppes of Ukraine and Russia, and fought for Ukrainian independence. Local artists have depicted Mr Johnson as a Cossack Mamay a Ukrainian folklore hero playing the kobza, a Ukrainian folk instrument, in a painting They are central to Ukraines identity, akin to the medieval knights of Europe and the Japanese samurai. A diploma certifying the PMs initiation will be sent to Downing Street. He was inducted as a sign of respect and gratitude for his support of Ukraine, said Andriy Lisovy of the Chernihiv regional museum. Mr Lisovy added: You can see that he has such a freedom-loving haircut, which underlines his personality, his strong will. The tribute follows Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky hailing as great news that Mr Johnson had won a no-confidence vote on Monday night. The Prime Minister is facing pressure from Tory backbenchers to harden up legislation to override parts of the Brexit deal, it was claimed last night. Boris Johnson held a secret meeting with a representative of the European Research Group of Brexiteer Tory MPs on Tuesday night. A bill to deal with issues over the Northern Ireland Protocol was discussed at the meeting which was also attended by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, The Times reported. The legislation is due to be published in days. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under pressure from hardline Tory backbenchers to toughen up legislation to override parts of the Brexit deal The Times report that Foreign Secretary Liz Truss attended a meeting with the Prime Minister and a representative of the European Research Group to discuss a bill to deal with issues over the Northern Ireland Protocol As part of Brexit negotiations, the UK and EU agreed to the protocol which is designed to avoid the need for a border on the island of Ireland. But this has led to disruption on goods crossing the Irish Sea, with new checks imposed on those moving to the province. Concerns also have been raised that Northern Irelands place within the UK is being undermined. Ministers intend to use domestic law to override aspects of post-Brexit arrangements unilaterally to reduce the checks. A Government source last night dismissed suggestions the legislation was dramatically overhauled in recent days, saying: The bill will basically be as advertised a few weeks ago. Police believe hostile foreign states are fuelling a tidal wave of organised crime activity in Australia as the focus moves to suspected Chinese money laundering and drug manufacture. The multi-million Chinese money laundering syndicate has alleged links to senior Chinese Communist Party figures, Australian Federal Police (AFP) believe. There is also mounting evidence the majority of illegal drug precursor chemicals are being made in China and sold to the Australian underground for a distribution network that includes well-hidden Italian Mafia connections, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said foreign governments are turning a blind eye to the activities of international money launderers AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw on Tuesday raised the spectre of foreign governments backing criminal activities in a speech to international crime-fighting counterparts. 'State actors and citizens from some nations are using our countries at the expense of our sovereignty and economies,' he said. 'Unfortunately, federal crime in Australia is increasing. Contributing to this increase is the long shadow of organised crime and state aggression.' Police believe Chinese money laundering is facilitated by the Chen Organisation, a financial transfer business based in NSW and Victoria which moves millions out of an ordinary house in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Ming Chai, a cousin of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been linked to an organisation police believe send millions of dollars of ill-gotten cash out of Australia Chen Organisation fund transfers have been linked to Ming Chai, who is the cousin of Chinese President Xi Jinping, someone who has long been of interest to Australia authorities. Mr Chai, an Australian citizen, was on board a Gold Coast private jet of high stakes gamblers that police searched in 2016 looking for evidence of money laundering but there were no charges laid against him. Another figure that police say moved more than $200 million through the Chen Organisation is Victorian brothel owner Simon Pan. Mr Pan has previously been investigated over his gambling junkets provided to organised crime figures in China. Casino operator Crown has been dogged by accusations of involvement with shady Chinese gamblers and assisting them in money laundering activities. In May Crown's Melbourne casino received a $80 million fine for abetting illegal transactions. While police believe the proceeds of crime flow out of Australia to China, what flows in are the chemical constituents of illegal drugs, known as precursors While police believe the proceeds of crime flow out of Australia to China, what flows in are the chemical constituents of illegal drugs, known as precursors. In his speech to the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group, which facilitates cooperation between peak law enforcement bodies from the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand, Mr Kershaw outlined the scale of the problem. He said that for international crime syndicates their 'crime model is made easier by countries that have unregulated chemical and financial markets'. 'They maintain global financial flows by exploiting illicit and legitimate industries across our countries,' he said. 'We cannot ignore that some countries are producing precursors at an eye-watering scale. 'We also cannot ignore that some countries, I'd argue, are turning a blind eye to the proceeds of crime washing through their economies.' China's factories have been accused of making the precursors for illegal drugs such as fentanyl, with Australia's top cop saying this activity is happening in 'unregulated' countries China's chemical industry has been accused by US authorities of fuelling the epidemic of fentanyl overdoses, which is the leading cause of death for Americans aged between 18 and 45. US authorities have identified that Chinese-made precursors are being shipped to Mexico by drug cartels who turn them into the finished product for smuggling into the US. The byzantine web of organised in Australia was partly laid bare on Tuesday when police said they have identified more than 5,000 Italian mafia figures operating in Australia, making them a much greater underworld presence than previously suspected. Police said the mafia's clans, including those associated with the notorious Calabrian 'Ndrangheta, work closely with a wide range of organised crime groups including outlaw bikies, Middle Eastern gangs, Asian triads and South American cartels. Up to 5,000 members of the Italian mafia are operating across Australia, according to Australian Federal Police Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan issued a warning to all of them. 'If you are a member of a cartel operating out of Mexico, a member of a triad operating out of Asia or a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang in Australia, and you are impacting on Australians because of your illegal activity, then you will be targeted by the AFP,' Mr Ryan said. An unburnable edition of Margaret Atwoods bestseller The Handmaids Tale has sold at auction for 103,000. In a promotional video, the Canadian author, 82, donned black safety gloves and blasted the book, pictured, with a flamethrower to test its resistance. The one-of-a-kind copy went under the hammer to raise funds for PEN America, a non-profit organisation which promotes freedom of speech. All proceeds will go to its mission to combat book banning and gag orders in American schools. The book was sold at Sothebys in New York. The one-of-a-kind copy went under the hammer to raise funds for PEN America, a non-profit organisation which promotes freedom of speech Margaret Atwood donned black safety gloves and blasted the 'unburnable' copy of The Handmaid's Tale Following the sale, Atwood said: 'I'm very pleased that the one-of-a-kind Unburnable Book of The Handmaid's Tale has raised so much money for PEN America. 'Free speech issues are being hotly debated, and PEN is a sane voice amidst all the shouting. 'The video of the book being torched by me and refusing to burn has now had a potential 5 billion views. 'We hope it raises awareness and leads to reasoned discussion.' Since its publication in 1985, The Handmaids Tale, telling the story of an alternative ultra-religious and oppressive America, has been banned in schools in the US and UK for more than 30 years. The family of a late Bundaberg cane farmer who owned a 1968 Holden HK GTS Monaro 327 for more than 50 years, has sold the car at auction for a whopping $200,000. The car was sold by Bill Young of the Bundaberg Auction Centre at a live auction for $200,000 last month. Mr Young said the 327 Monaro was the first Monaro to ever win Bathurst and only one of two ever to win the historic event. Starting the bidding at $50,000 a bidding war quickly ensued, with the prices skyrocketing in next to no time to $200,000, with the sale being made in under two minutes. Mr Young said the car used to belong to a local cane farmer named Darryl Scherer, who purchased the vehicle as a family car to run the kids to and from school. The first ever Holden Monaro, the first ever Monaro to win Bathurst, which belonged to local Bundaberg cane farmer has been sold for $200k. Scott Tumbridge from the Sunshine Coast for $200,000 at an auction in Queensland last month, with the car garnering interest from around the world. He said once Darryl's wife died, he moved to a block of land on the outskirts of Bundaberg, putting the car in a shed in 2006, with the plan to restore it but sadly never got around to it. 'As time went on the project waned and when he passed in December last year he left his entire estate to his four daughters who are all over the country,' said Mr Young. 'His family hired me to sell everything and he had absolutely everything, every type of tool you can imagine and three large sheds worth of gear. We are talking 500 square metres of sheds.' Mr Young said the craziest part of the ordeal was that while his family knew the car was there, they had no idea its real value. 'When he passed, we knew where it was, but it was in a corner of one of the sheds covered in old corn bags with a vinyl cool liner over the top of it,' he said. 'We winched it out of the shed and got it onto a tilt tray. We never touched it, and we sold it with the red dirt and dust along with all of his stuff. 'At the end, we sold around 500 lots of his belongings.' Mr Young said as soon as he listed the car his phone started lighting up with enquiries from all over the world. 'The car attracted 300-400 enquiries. There was interest from Bangkok to every major capital city, and there was probably 500-600 people who attended the auction in person. The car was eventually sold to Scott Tumbridge from the Sunshine Coast for $200,000. Auctioneer Bill Young said the $200k price tag could represent a bargain with the car likely fetching between $600,000 and $1.5 million once fixed up. Mr Tumbridge had only heard about the sale that week and drove up on Friday night to purchase the car at auction at 1pm the next day, something Mr Young believes was a bit of a bargain. 'I spoke to one of the underbidders who just missed out, and he said the car was worth anywhere from $600,000 to $1.5 million once fixed up, depending on the market climate,' said Mr Young. 'I think if you had the $200,000 to buy it and $100,000 to $150,000 to fix it up you would have something really unique to go to a market and make a lot of money. Noeleen Schulte, daughter of Darryl, who originally purchased the vehicle more than 50 years ago, spoke to The Courier Mail about her memories of the vehicle, recalling how she was the talk of the school when she used to be picked up in the two-door car. Noeleen spoke about seeing the bright red Monaro with a painted black stripe on the roof and how she felt like the coolest kids in school whenever she got to ride in the car. She said the car also wasn't just used as a means of travel but as a way of challenging the boys who were looking to date her and her three sisters. Darryl Scherer's daughter Noeleen recalled fond memories travelling in the car as a kid, saying it made her feel like coolest kid when she got to ride in the car. 'He [Darryl] was a former go-karter in his days and would race them, so he loved speed,' she said. 'He used to check out the courage of prospective sons-in law with a quick drive up the road with the boys as passengers. If they got out of the car after the drive and could stand, they passed.' Cow and sheep burps may be taxed in a novel plan to cut greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. The proposal would make New Zealand, a large agricultural exporter, the first country to make farmers pay for emissions from livestock. The country has a population of five million but about ten million cattle and 26 million sheep. Cow and sheep burps may be taxed in a novel plan to cut greenhouse gases blamed for global warming The animals belching and flatulence is a major source of greenhouse gases. Nearly half New Zealands emissions, mainly methane, come from agriculture but the farming industry has previously been exempted from such attempts to combat global warming. Under the plan, farmers will have to pay for their gas emissions from 2025. Short-and long-lived farm gas will be priced separately, although a single measure to calculate their volume will be used. There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into the atmosphere, and an effective emissions pricing system for agriculture will play a key part in how we achieve that, Climate Change Minister James Shaw said There is no question that we need to cut the amount of methane we are putting into the atmosphere, and an effective emissions pricing system for agriculture will play a key part in how we achieve that, Climate Change Minister James Shaw said. But consumers are likely to be the ones picking up the cost, with warnings the price of meat will rise. A final decision on the scheme is expected in December. Ben Wallace has hit out at the army over dozens of elite Parachute Regiment troops recorded having an orgy with a woman who was smuggled inside their barracks. Defence secretary Mr Wallace said the consensual orgy with a red-headed woman shows the British Army has not changed since the 1990s when it comes to attitudes towards with women. The woman had been smuggled into Merville Barracks in Colchester, Essex, and one soldier was even seen saluting as his friend had sex with the woman. Footage of the orgy has shocked army chiefs and forced the Royal Military Police to launch an investigation. The soldiers - who had the women visit their base up to 31 times - have also been told to take STD tests, the Sun said. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment of 16 Air Assault Brigade reportedly took part in what according to reports appeared to be a consensual orgy with a red-headed woman that was filmed. The woman had been smuggled into Merville Barracks (pictured) in Colchester, Essex Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment of 16 Air Assault Brigade took part in what appeared to be a consensual orgy with a red-headed woman that was filmed, The Sun reported. The paper also claimed a commissioned officer from the Royal Horse Artillery signed the women in according to the barracks logs. Captain Rosie Wild ordered him and 30 other to the clinic and said she was 'disgusted'. Mr Wallace, who is also looking into the incident, said, The Times, reported: 'It makes me think that the army has still not moved forward from 30 years ago.' The 52-year-old army veteran added: 'I'm uneasy because there are lots of issues. The massive power imbalance, even if it was consensual. The culture what does it say to a future woman who wanted to join the army? And security.' The main strands of investigation are how the woman was brought onto the base and whether any military orders were broken. An Army spokesperson said: 'The Army expects the highest standards of behaviour from all personnel. 'Anyone not maintaining these standards will be investigated.' The Army describe 16 Air Assault Brigade as a 'specially trained' force that are 'equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter and air-landing'. Their man role is to help the Air Assault Task Force, a group of soldiers always at the ready for 'a full spectrum of missions, from non-combatant evacuation ops to war fighting'. The Army describe 16 Air Assault Brigade as a 'specially trained' force that are 'equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter and air-landing'. Pictured: Merville Barracks Mr Wallace previously blasted the British Army's attitude to women, saying it needs to become more welcoming to female soldiers. He took aim at the UK's land's forces in November, saying the army was 'woefully behind' when it came to picking 'future leaders' who are not men. 'We have got to make sure the Army is picking the right leaders, the future leaders. We have got to make sure we are doing more than enough to make sure we have women welcome in the army and enjoy a future career in the army,' Mr Wallace told Sky News. 'We are woefully behind the rest - not only of parts of the armed forces - but the rest of the public sector. We have to do more on that front.' The Tate art gallery wants to return works said to be part of painter Francis Bacons archive to their donor after historians raised credible doubts over the documents origins. The 1,000-piece archive includes sketches, magazine and newspaper cuttings, books and photos of Bacon and his friends. It was said to be worth 20million when given to the gallery in 2004 by Barry Joule, a friend of the artist. But the Tate has offered to return the works to the original owner after it announced the oeuvre was of unknown authorship. In a statement, the gallery concluded that the material had been exhausted of its potential to improve understanding of Bacons art. Canadian-born Mr Joule has defended the materials authenticity. He claims to have considered legal action over what he called the Tates failure do justice to the collection. Yesterday a Tate source said: We have honoured the terms of the original acquisition agreement. The Tate art gallery may return works found in Francis Bacon's achieve after 'credible doubts' were raised over the document's origins The collection includes an album of overpainted sketches the Tate describes as of unknown authorship; around 800 magazine and newspaper cuttings, some bearing incidental marks or daubs of paint; 39 photographs of Bacon and his friends, and a selection of books and other documents. Barry Joule was living near to Bacons home and studio in South Kensington, London, when they met in 1978. They became close friends and he helped Bacon with his work until the artists death aged 82 in 1992. Bacon is best known for his paintings of screaming Popes, crucifixions and often brutal portraits. His painting of his friend and fellow artist Lucian Freud fetched 89 million in 2013, making it the then most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. In its statement yesterday, the Tate said some of the photographs and written material have featured in an archive display and been made available for publication. Barry Joule was living near to Bacons home and studio in South Kensington, London, when they met in 1978. He donated several of the artist's work to the Tate after his death It added: The entire gift has also been researched by art historians, and this research has raised credible doubts about the nature and quality of the material. In itself, the material does not lend itself to any significant exhibition and any potential it held to improve the publics understanding of Bacons art has been exhausted. It has therefore been considered unsuitable for retention in Tate Archive. In the first instance, it has been offered back to the donor, in line with the donors wishes. In an essay on the material, Sophie Pretorius, archivist of the Francis Bacon Estate, last year quoted a former senior Tate curator who believed the hands that applied the marks may not have included Bacon to any substantial degree. Ms Pretorius concluded that for scholars to devote time to analysing a collection of works not by Francis Bacon is a waste of resources. Earlier this year, Mr Joule reportedly said he was so frustrated by the Tates failure to exhibit it properly that he has cancelled plans to donate hundred more items to the gallery. Instead, he would like the work to go to the Centre Pompidou Paris in France. The Art Newspaper, which first revealed the Tates action yesterday, reported the archive was apparently valued at around 20m at the time of the donation. The Tate source said the 20m estimated value hasnt come from us and that there was no mention of an estimated value in Tates original announcement about the gift in 2004. At the time, the Tate hailed the generous gift of Barry Joule and said it would undertake to study, photograph and catalogue the collection over the next three years, before displaying these items and making them available for loan. Normally the Daily Mail would treat forecasts by the OECD with a sceptically raised eyebrow. After all, the Paris-based think-tank has been badly off target on everything from the economic impact of Brexit to the UK's post-pandemic rebound. But even a stopped clock is right twice a day. So ministers should take note of the watchdog's latest troubling prediction. Unless Rishi Sunak slashes taxes, it warns, Britain's economy will stagnate next year. Among the G20 nations, only warmongering Russia will fare worse. If the OECD is right, Boris Johnson needs to act quickly Yet the UK is the only major Western economy which is seeking to restore the Covid-blighted public finances in the face of a cost-of-living surge and the Ukraine war. As a result, households and businesses are being stifled by the highest tax burden since the Queen took the throne in 1952. But by leaving more money in Britons' pockets, the Chancellor can encourage investment, boost consumer spending and fuel growth. As part of his great reset, Boris Johnson has promised his backbenchers he will return to Tory principles and cut tax. If the OECD is indeed right on this occasion, he needs to act quickly. The consequences of not doing so would be horrendous for our economy, firms and families. Keir's strike shame Who does union dinosaur Mick Lynch think he's fooling when he says he regrets the hurt the threatened summer of rail strikes will cause the travelling public? Everyone knows it is a cynical lie. In fact, this harebrained throwback to the dark ages of industrial strife and his RMT cronies relish causing economic harm and maximum inconvenience to millions. The planned walkout, spitefully designed to bring the network to a halt for nearly a week later this month, is ostensibly over pay and conditions. But the truth is, these diehard class warriors are spoiling for a fight with the Tory Government. Why else would they call for the biggest rail strike in 30 years before negotiations even began? So where does Sir Keir Starmer, who aspires to be prime minister, stand on this vital issue? With the people, or with the wreckers? He has certainly failed to condemn the strikes so far, instead issuing weasel words about how unions and management should get round the table. Why won't he tell the truth that this action is damaging and uncalled for? Whatever voters might think of Mr Johnson, this is a bleak glimpse of what life could be like under Labour. Kowtowing to their union paymasters while the country goes to the dogs. Blood on their hands When Priti Patel unveiled her bold plan to deport illegal Channel migrants to Rwanda, we warned that opponents would try every trick in the book to block the crackdown. Today, depressingly, we are proved right. A nexus of professional agitators, hard-Left unions and progressive lawyers are taking the Government to court to prevent the first planeload leaving. Unsurprisingly, one of the law firms is close to the Labour Party, which is itself more than happy for illegal immigrants to stay here on the taxpayer. By exploiting the legal system to block these removals, the Left is colluding in evil trafficking gangs' trade in human cargo. They have blood on their hands. A horrifying Berlin car crash resulted in the death of at least one people and the injury of several others after the vehicle rammed through a crowd of pedestrians in a busy shopping district on Wednesday. Officials said that the suspect was a 29-year-old man who was identified as a German-American national. The incident occurred at around 10:30 a.m. near Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a well-known Berlin landmark. The vehicle then crashed into a shop window on an adjoining street, said the city's police and fire department in a statement. Horrifying Berlin Car Crash Berlin's top security official, Iris Spranger, said that among the victims was a woman who was a teacher that was accompanying a group of high school students on a trip from the German state of Hesse. Fourteen of those students were among the injured, said Berlin police, adding that the relatives of the victims have been informed. Six of the injured victims sustained life-threatening injuries and three others were seriously hurt, said the Berlin fire department. Authorities noted that in total, the brutal car crash resulted in 17 people getting injured, as per CNN. Authorities said that the suspect was apparently detained by members of the public at the scene and then later arrested by a police officer who was in the area, said Berlin police spokesman Thilo Cablitz. Police are now trying to determine whether the man deliberately rammed into the crowd or if it was simply an accident. Read Also: Will Johnny Depp Really Waive Amber Heard's $8.35 Million Punishment? Berlin Police President Barbara Slowik said in a news conference on Wednesday afternoon that the suspect was currently in the hospital. Slowik added that authorities currently do not have conclusive evidence for a politically motivated act. According to CBS News, Spranger said that posters were found inside the man's car "in which he expressed views about Turkey." In a later interview, Spranger said that Germany's domestic intelligence agency had no immediate information on the man and authorities were still checking whether or not he was previously known to police. Potential Motives Spranger added that they needed to clarify whether or not the suspect was ill or whether or not he took drugs prior to the incident. She said, "We can't rule anything out at the moment, but there is no claim of responsibility." John Barrowman, an American-British actor who was in a nearby store with his partner at the time of the crash, described the scene as "carnage." He noted that there were large numbers of police and first responders attending to the victims. In a statement, Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said that she was "deeply shocked" by the incident and noted that authorities were keeping an open mind about potential motives. She said that before speculating, the important thing to do was to let the police and fire service conduct their investigation. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the "horrific act" had deeply affected him and expressed his hopes that the people involved would make a quick recovery. In a Twitter post, he said, "The trip of a school class from Hesse to Berlin ends in a nightmare. We think of the relatives of the dead and the injured, including many children. I wish all of them a speedy recovery," Sky News reported. Related Article: Iran Train Crash: 13 Dead, 50 Injured in Train Tragedy, Possible Cause of Crash Revealed @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Advertisement A Dutch non-profit group, The Ocean Cleanup, has spent three years installing a steel-mesh fence across a heavily polluted river in Guatemala in hopes of stopping plastics and other trash from reaching the ocean. Located in the municipality of Chinautla, outside Guatemala City, the Las Vacas River is filled with mounds of garbage deposited by fluctuating river currents. Once the rainy season starts, all of it is swept downstream into the Motagua River before spilling into the Caribbean Sea. Except now the trash is being stopped by a device the group calls the Interceptor Trashfence. Metal fence posts stretch across the river bed and the screen is anchored to the river banks. The device caught so much trash that one part appeared to have buckled. 'What we are trying to do is help clean up,' said Boyan Slat, director of Ocean Cleanup, noting that 'we have never seen plastics pollution like this.' Boyan Slat (right), director of The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit group that is leading efforts to clean up the Motagua River, a waterway in outside Guatemala City, Guatemala, that contributes an estimate of 2 percent of global emissions into oceans as a result of the garbage that flows into the Caribbean Sea View of plastic bottles on the banks of the polluted Las Vacas River in the Guatemalan municipality of Chinautla on Wednesday. A Dutch non-profit group has installed a metal fence to catch thousands of tons of plastic trash and stop of it from spilling into the Motagua River before it can reach the Caribbean Sea Indigenous women collect wood on the shore of Las Vacas River in Chinautla, Guatemala, on Wednesday. It is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the world Engineers stand near the Trashfence, a barrier installed in the Las Vacas River by Dutch non-profit group, The Ocean Cleanup Slat believes the Las Vacas River carries about 20,000 tons of trash annually. Based on the estimation, the river is responsible for 2 percent 'of global emissions into oceans.' By comparison, airplanes across the world contribute to 1.9 percent of the planet's CO2 emissions. 'Our estimates suggest that stopping the flow of plastic in this one river could have a proportionally similar reductive impact on plastic emissions as the elimination of all air travel would have on carbon emissions,' Slat said in a statement on The Ocean Cleanup's website last week. View of the polluted waters of Las Vacas River, in Chinautla, Guatemala, on Wednesday. The Dutch non-profit group, The Ocean Cleanup, seeks to trap thousands of tons of plastic that each year flow into the Caribbean Sea generated from the capital of Guatemala by the Las Vacas River, a tributary of the extensive Motagua River View of garbage on the banks of the polluted Las Vacas River, in Chinautla, Guatemala, on Wednesday A pile of plastic bottles rest on the shore of the Las Vacas River, in Chinautla, Guatemala, on Wednesday The non-profit's research team has spent several years analyzing other polluted rivers across the world that register high amounts of carbon emissions, but none come close to the Motagua River basin. The Motagua River drew global awareness when in 2017 after images of islands of trash and a scuba diver went for a swim in the plastic-filled waterway went rival. Ocean Cleanup dispatched a team to Guatemala in 2018 and since then has been working on how to solve the Motagua River's dire situation. A woman walks over Las Vacas River bridge in Chinautla, on the outskirts of Guatemala City, on Wednesday. Dutch non-profit group, The Ocean Cleanup, is currently piloting a trash collection device in one of the world's most polluted rivers, where unique seasonal challenges include huge quantities of waste and massive water pressure during the rainy season Plastic bottles and waste float pollute the Las Vacas river in Chinautla, on the outskirts of Guatemala City, on Wednesday Aerial view of plastic bottles and waste strewn across the Las Vacas river in Chinautla, Guatemala, on Wednesday The Trashfence was set up in May. It is 164 feet wide across the rocky stream and is 26 feet tall. The steel mesh has a height of almost 10 feet The Trashfence is 164 feet wide across the rocky stream and is 26 feet tall. The steel mesh has a height of almost 10 feet. 'We expect to spend some time optimizing the exact setup (foundation, mesh sizes, fence height), while investigating whether one deployment is enough to stop these trash tsunamis or whether another Trashfence is needed,' Ocean Cleanup said. 'We continue to evaluate variables such as fence height, mesh size, and foundation security during this pilot period in Guatemala.' The trash has sparked complaints in Honduras, on whose shores much of the plastic winds up. Australia's largest Covid-19 quarantine centre will close its door for good as the Northern Territory moves to scrap vaccine mandates. Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced the Howard Springs facility 30km southeast of Darwin will cease operations by the end of the month. Wide-reaching vaccine mandates are also set to be scrapped in just a weeks time as the NT's public health emergency comes to an end on June 16. The facility was used to accommodate those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in the Katherine region as well as returned travellers from repatriation flights. Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced the Howard Springs facility in Darwin will cease operations by the (pictured, a woman soaks up the sun a Australia's largest Covid quarantine centre will be closed as the Northern Territory scraps vaccine mandates (pictured, a woman is swabbed at the facility in January, 2021) The NT is the last state or territory in Australia to require a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for much of its workforce. From June 16, teachers, hospitality workers and beauticians will no longer need to be triple-vaccinated to attend their workplaces. Recently-passed legislation will give the chief health minister the power to issue health directives, including rules on masks, isolation time and vaccines. About 73 per cent of per cent of people aged 16 and older have had three jabs. The Marrara Vaccination Centre is also due to close on June 30 due to the high uptake of the vaccine. 'We are moving into a world where we are living with Covid,' Ms Fyles told reporters during a press conference on Thursday. 'We will end the public health emergency; the vaccine mandate will also end. 'From June 16th, we will transition from a state of public health emergency to living with Covid as it becomes endemic in the community.' About 73 per cent of per cent of people aged 16 and older have had three jabs (pictured, a nurse administers a Covid vaccine at a drive-through clinic in Melbourne) Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced the Howard Springs facility (pictured) 30km southeast of Darwin will cease operations during a press conference on Thursday The facility made headlines last December after three teenagers who were close contacts of a confirmed Covid case escaped. It sparked fears the Omicron sub-variant would spread into the community after a man at the centre tested positive for the mutation. The latest incident was the second escape from the centre in a week, with a 27-year-old man allegedly breaking out of the facility before being found in a bar on Darwin's Mitchell Street party strip last November. The Howard Springs centre again came under fire after Americans on social media began comparing the facility to a 'concentration camp'. US-based conspiracy theorists reacted to news that three people had escaped the centre by likening the facility to 'Auschwitz', the infamous Nazi death camp for Jews. Members of Australia's Olympic team are among those who quarantined at Howard Springs - also known as the Centre for National Resilience - after their return from the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year. Society should stop obsessing over rags-to-riches stories and focus on those making 'small steps', according to the Government's social mobility tsar. Katharine Birbalsingh believes policy makers have been too preoccupied with 'the person who is born into a family in social housing and becomes a banker or CEO'. It has meant creating an 'elite pathway for the few' rather than focusing on improving life in smaller ways for everyone. Miss Birbalsingh, who chairs the Social Mobility Commission, says modest achievements such as a 'postman's son becoming a branch manager' should also receive attention. Katharine Birbalsingh, the Government's social mobility tsar, believes policy makers have been too preoccupied with 'the person who is born into a family in social housing and becomes a banker or CEO' Headmistress Katharine Birbalsingh at Michaela Community School in Wembley, which has excellent results despite having a deprived intake The 'super-head' founded Michaela Community School in Wembley, north London, which has excellent results despite having a deprived intake. In a speech today, Miss Birbalsingh will say: 'If a child of parents who were long-term unemployed, or who never worked, gets a good job in their local area, isn't that a success worth celebrating? 'Would we really say that it doesn't count as social mobility because they are not a doctor or lawyer?' Katharine Birbalsingh appeared on ITV's Lorraine on May 24 to discuss her role as a head teacher and chair of the Social Mobility Commission How Britain's 'tiger headmistress' was sacked for an attack on Britain's failing education system before taking on her own school where students must 'dress smartly' and phones are BANNED Katharine Birbalsingh won a standing ovation at the Conservative Party conference after she delivered a damning indictment of 'utterly chaotic' state schools in 2010. But soon afterwards she was sent home from her school in Camberwell, South London, after her speech, and lost her job as a deputy head teacher at the inner city academy. The former Marxist turned conservative was the surprise star of the Tory conference when she laid bare an education system in which children were 'lost in a sea of bureaucracy'. She said schools were crippled by league tables, exams were dumbed down and 'well meaning liberal' teachers refused to discipline black children for fear of being called racist. The Oxford University graduate also admitted that she had voted Conservative for the first time after a decade working in state schools having supported Labour. She was born in New Zealand, the elder of two daughters of Frank Birbalsingh, an academic, and his wife, Norma, a nurse. After leaving Oxford she began working in inner city schools in South London. After her sacking in 2010 she wrote several books before becoming head of Michaela Community School in Wembley, having founded the school in 2014 with Suella Braverman, who is now a Tory MP. She was dubbed the 'tiger headmistress' for how she runs her school, where Year 7 pupils are taught how to sit properly on a chair. New students are also shown how to walk to lessons quickly in single file and how to concentrate on the teacher and to instill good behaviour as soon as they arrive, while mobile phones are banned. They are told to keep their shirts tucked in and to pick up crumbs from the floor after eating at a boot camp, which teaches pupils how to 'behave in the Michaela way'. She was voted in the top 20 most influential people in British education in 2017 and given a CBE for services to education in 2020. In October 2021, she was appointed Chair of the Social Mobility Commission. She has has never spoken publicly about her private life, other than about her parents, and is understood not to have any children saying previously she is 'completely dedicated' to her work. Advertisement She is due to say: 'We want to move away from the notion that social mobility should just be about the 'long' upward mobility from the bottom to the top - the person who is born into a family in social housing and becomes a banker or CEO. 'We want to promote a broader view of social mobility, for a wider range of people, who want to improve their lives, sometimes in smaller steps. 'This means looking at how to improve opportunities for those at the bottom - not just by making elite pathways for the few - but by thinking about those who would otherwise be left behind.' She will add that too often success has been defined as a caretaker's daughter going to Oxbridge and becoming a top surgeon. More attention should be given to those people taking small steps up the ladder - from the bottom and from the middle rungs, she will argue. These could include those whose parents were out of work getting a job, or the daughter of a care worker becoming a primary school teacher. Miss Birbalsingh will argue that the widening of access to university has not always helped social mobility while the 50 per cent of pupils who do not go on to higher education have suffered from a lack of public attention. 'What can we do for those young people and adults who have not followed the higher education pathway but still need a route to high skills and good occupational opportunities?' she will ask. 'And what more should be done about those at the very bottom - particularly those with low levels of basic literacy and numeracy - who cannot therefore take advantage of higher learning and are unable to access higher paid work?' Miss Birbalsingh will argue that social mobility is not getting worse and that the picture is more 'complex'. The latest analysis from the SMC reveals that occupational mobility has been stable or improving slightly for decades. Miss Birbalsingh was appointed as the chair of the commission in 2021 and is known for making controversial comments. In April, she was urged to apologise for telling a Government committee that girls did not take up A-level physics because they disliked 'hard maths'. She has also championed strict approaches to discipline such as silent corridors in schools and a campaign against mobile phones for toddle The straight-talking headteacher was made chairwoman of the Government's Social Mobility Commission in October last year after repeatedly using her platform as Britain's most high profile school leader to attack 'woke culture' damaging Britain and its education system. She won a CBE in 2020. She has also talked repeatedly about the importance of family in education, and the need for traditional values such as eating with your children each night. In 2010, Ms Birbalsingh told delegates at a Tory party conference that educational standards have been 'so dumbed down that even the teachers know it' and that schools are bound by too many targets that prevent them from teaching properly. She has since spoken out against schools teaching about 'white privilege', saying it gives black British children the impression that the education system and society is pitted against them. In June last year, she said teachers should avoid talking about race to students and stick to 'teaching them maths and English'. Ms Birbalsingh said the secret to success for a child of 'any colour' is to have a family that supports their education, makes them do their homework and will force them 'off their phones'. An award-winning British filmmaker has asked the internet for help after a mysterious Australian woman stopped him moments before he was going to take his own life on a train platform. Layke Anderson, 38, is hoping his viral Twitter thread will help track down the woman who saved his life at Vauxhall tube station in London almost four years ago. He already personally thanked her when the pair bumped into each other by chance in an emotional reunion at a bar a year later - but he never found out her name or saw her again. Mr Anderson said he often thinks about his 'guardian angel', who he described as a brunette who had a grown up son. British filmmaker Layke Anderson (pictured) has launched a public appeal to help track down the Aussie brunette who saved his life 'In late 2018, I tried to end my life on a tube platform,' the thread of tweets began. 'A woman saw what was happening, and stopped me. At the time, all I could remember about this woman were her earrings like Qing Dynasty coins. I don't recall much else to be honest, and I never told anyone. A year later, Mr Anderson was out having a beer with his best mate when he became aware of a presence and felt he was being watched. 'I'd forgotten my specs (glasses) at home, but when I turned around, I knew immediately it was her. She was about 100 feet away,' he recalled. 'While I'd not told anyone the story, I decided there and then to tell my mate everything. It was difficult to share how I'd been feeling, but he's the very best. 'He too turned to look, but she and I were already on our feet. I don't recall us saying anything we simply hugged. 'I recall feeling her heart beating, and of course, the earrings she was wearing the same exact earrings'. Mr Anderson discovered the woman was Australian, who had moved to the UK for work. 'She was sat with another lady, someone she'd only just met, and had been telling her the story of that morning,' he recounted. '"She was just telling me describing you and then out of nowhere you sat down in front of us"', the friend said. 'It was a surreal moment for sure, yet felt sort of expected somehow, in that I had the opportunity to look this woman in the eyes and thank her for saving my life.' Layke Anderson tried to take his own life on the Vauxhall tube platform in late 2018 before a guardian angel from Australia intervened Mr Anderson hopes to find the Aussie again to let her know what she did for him as he urged everyone to watch out for each other. 'In a world so saturated by choices, living lives with ever more options, we still don't get to choose our guardian angels,' Mr Anderson concluded. 'But if we're very lucky, like I was, they will find us when we need them. They're watching, so let's watch out for each other. Sharing this only with love.' Mr Anderson was flooded with messages of support from well-wishers while other shared their own battles with their personal demons. 'Your recollection is such a beautiful gift to us all. It shows how we are all put in places for a reason, and the absolute proof of a divine power in charge is that both of your paths crossed again in the most amazing way! I have seen this in my life too,' one woman commented. Another added: 'I have thought about ending it many times very recently as well, I always manage to chase it away, but be sure, one day it will get me. I love this story though Full of hope and kindness.' Layke Anderson in early 2019, several months after his life was saved by a mysterious stranger The filmmaker is on a mission to track down the woman with the Qing Dynasty coin earrings Mr Anderson later revealed he was overwhelmed by the massive response. 'Im deeply, deeply touched beyond all words and trying to read and respond to every message, while also sending my heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost someone in such circumstances,' he said. His work has won and been screened at dozens of international film festivals, including his debut film Dylan's Room. Mr Anderson previously worked as an actor and starred in the 2009 Luxembourg-set feature film H.O.B alongside Udo Kier and Stephen Fry. Filming has started on his latest project Sweet Brother- a philosophical inquiry into the darkest realms of the soul, and a meditation on mans fall from grace. Layke Anderson urged everyone to look out for each other as he recalled the harrowing ordeal If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 A newborn girl has died in front of her parents after a home birth ended in tragedy in Perth. The baby was born at a Wattle Grove home in the city's east around 3am on Saturday, but was not breathing. The baby's father and a doula were the only ones present when difficulties arose while the mother was in labour. The doula reportedly did not know how to resuscitate the newborn as the dad desperately tried to revive the baby with CPR, WAToday reported. Paramedics arrived 10 minutes after the baby was born and immediately rushed her to the St John of God Midland Hospital, before she was transferred her to the Perth Children's Hospital, but she could not be saved. A doula is a trained companion but not a healthcare professional, who provides non-medical, one-on-one support and care for a woman during pregnancy and before and after the birth. A baby girl has died after a home birth tragedy in Perth. She was rushed to hospital by St John Ambulance (stock photo) but later died It's against the law for a doula to provide any clinical care during labour or birth, according to the WA Department of Health. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the department for further comment. Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act, a person must not undertake the care of a woman during labour unless they are a trained doctor or midwife. Any doula who breaches those rules faces fine of up to $30,000. The number of West Australian women opting for a home birth jumped by 62.6 per cent during the Covid-19 pandemic. The state recorded 304 home births in 2020, according to the department. The newborn was rushed to hospital but was unable to be revived (stock image) Australian College of Midwives said the tragedy exposed the problems that can arise from not having a medical professional attending a birth. 'As you can see in these tragic circumstances, there's no trained health professional there to be able to recognise when there's a deviation from the norm, there was no one there to identify the emergency situation early,' principal midwifery officer, Kellie Wilton told WA Today. 'If a woman is birthing at home, it's important to have a trained professional who is an expert in emergencies and has the ability to resuscitate, even though birth is inherently safe.' Police said the baby's death is being treated as non-suspicious and will prepare a report for the coroner. Cambridge University has risen to second place in new global university rankings with the UK home to four universities in the top ten. The QS Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings for 2023 have seen Cambridge rise from third place, while Oxford fell two places to fourth. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has retained first place in the rankings for 11 years. Stanford University in the US was third and Harvard came fifth. Both Cambridge and Oxford achieved perfect scores for academic reputation, graduate quality and teaching capacity. Imperial College London rose from seventh to sixth in 2023, while University College London was ranked eighth, as in 2022. Of the 90 British universities ranked, ten improved their position since last year, 48 had declined and 32 remained stable. The QS Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings for 2023 have seen Cambridge rise from third place, while Oxford fell two places to fourth. Pictured: All Souls' College from the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has retained first place in the rankings for 11 years. Stanford University in the US was third and Harvard came fifth. Pictured: A graduating student cheers during the Commencement ceremony at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., May 27, 2022 The ranked universities seemed to decline most when it came to teaching capacity the ratio of academics to students, with 92 per cent of UK ranked universities declining between 2022 and 2023 for this measure. Ben Sowter, director of research at QS, said: Perhaps no British research success story has captured the public imagination to the extent that the University of Oxfords role in developing the [AstraZeneca] vaccine has. Despite an overall decline compared to last years performance in our rankings, the UK remains indisputably the worlds second most successful higher education system. As British higher education navigates its post-Brexit and post-pandemic future, it should continue to build on its ability to form effective partnerships and collaborations and attract global talents. Major changes are coming to the thousands of Australians on Centrelink who are trying to find work. From July 1, a new government system called the Points Based Activation System (PBAS) will be brought in which will allow JobSeeker recipients to receive their payments if they accumulate 100 points per month. A person can get five points for every job application they submit, and 20 points for an interview, with varying points given for other employment-related activities. The system replaces the current one which requires those on Centrelink to apply for 20 jobs per month - a process which saw some fudging applicants for jobs they weren't qualified for just to get some money into the bank. The new system will allow some recipients to have their monthly targets reduced under personal circumstances, and if people get more than 100 points in one month, the remainder will be carried over. From July 1, a new government system called the Points Based Activation System (PBAS) will be brought in which will allow JobSeeker recipients to receive their payments if they accumulate 100 points per month. Job applications are worth five points each Some have raised concerns the new system may be 'onerous' for Centrelink recipients as even for people working full time for the Work for the Dole program, they only receive 20 points a week, meaning they'd still have to complete other tasks. Those in casual or part-time employment are entitled to five points for every five hours of work. Edwina MacDonald, the deputy chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service said the elderly, disabled and those living regionally should have their monthly requirements reduced. 'Some people, particularly those with limited digital literacy or poor internet access, will experience significant challenges with the online reporting required,' she told The Guardian. About 169,000 participants will transition to an online portal to manage their job searches, while another 592,000 will be referred to a new face-to-face employment service provider. Welfare groups have complained there isn't enough transparency about the new system. Many Aussies on Centrelink will have to accumulate points from July in order to receive their payments (pictured closed business in Brisbane) A spokesperson for the Department of Education, Skills and Employment said payment suspensions would be paused for the first month the system was running. Activities were 'assigned points value based on the intensiveness of an activity and the strength of the link to paid work. 'A participant's points target will reflect their personal circumstances and local labour market.' Work for the dole will also be compulsory for recipients after six months instead of the current 12, but Aussies will only have to complete it for two months instead of six. It comes after an Aussie Centrelink recipient went viral after sharing the ridiculously quick way he meets government requirements for the JobSeeker payment. Sydney-based music producer 'Mumfighter' filmed a video where he challenged himself to send 15 job applications in eight minutes - and claims in the clip that he actually smashed it out in three minutes and 22 seconds. The former pro rollerblader and rollerblade instructor said he made the video for fun as he likes to 'pretend to do things faster than the average human' and normally takes the task much more seriously. 'In reality applying for jobs normally takes me anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on if I need to rewrite my resume slightly and how much I'm being hindered by my ADHD,' Mumfighter told Daily Mail Australia at the time. Anne Robinson has a new role as chaperone to Norman Scott Fresh from leaving Channel 4's Countdown, Anne Robinson unveils her latest role: Chaperone to Jeremy Thorpe's erstwhile lover Norman Scott. Miss Robinson accompanied Scott to Tuesday's Oldie Literary Lunch at the National Liberal Club where he spouted about how, in 1975, Liberal Party leader Thorpe ordered his execution with the hapless gunman managing only to shoot Scott's dog Rinka. They have known each other for 50 years. 'He is one of my great friends,' she says coyly. 'I was a young reporter for The Sunday Times when the Jeremy Thorpe story had just begun to bubble.' Now, with time on her hands, Anne, 77, can step out with confirmed bachelor Norman, 82. And her reason for leaving Countdown? 'I wanted to make way for an older woman.' The Queen has a soft spot for Paddington Bear and his creator Michael Bond. At her 90th birthday service in St Paul's Cathedral in 2016, she asked Bond who was three months older than her to write a reflection on reaching that grand old age. Sir David Attenborough read it, ending with the words of Minnie Louise Haskins, which Princess Elizabeth persuaded her father to include in his wartime Christmas broadcast of 1939: 'Truly, if you put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.' Bond passed away a year later. HM and Sir David march on. Springwatch's Chris Packham feigned a swoon at the sight of fellow presenter Michaela Strachan's rear as she climbed a ladder, declaring: 'There's a generation of now middle-aged men who have waited years for this view.' But Megan McCubbin, pictured above, trumped her stepfather with her observation of a waterbird in Monday's episode. 'I do love a s**g,' she enthused sweetly. Charles Moore, defending his description of Olivia Colman having 'a Left-wing face', tells Andrew Neil's podcast: 'I was surprised this caused such upset. It seems to me demonstrably the case that some people have faces which reflect their opinion.' Mischievously, Neil quotes Moore's description of his face as having 'that strange characteristic, quite common in Scotsmen, of being composed of features out of scale with each other'. Splutters Charles: 'If that upset you, I'm sorry.' Andrew may not forget but does he forgive? Michael Portillo has just celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with wife Carolyn Eadie at a lavish knees-up with his Spanish cousins and friends including Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin and his wife Anne, Baroness Jenkin, at his Andalucian bolthole. Despite Miguel's childhood association with Ribena he appeared in TV adverts for the drink the numerous toasts featured more robust refreshments than Vitamin C and blackcurrant. Entertainer Dom Joly, explaining why he installed a security camera in the family kitchen, tells Cotswold Life: 'While I was on tour I could watch my wife cooking. But weirdly she thought that was really creepy especially when I used the microphone option to tell her she was doing it wrong.' Isn't life grand! A woman honked and screamed at an elderly couple to 'get back' after they took the carpark space she was waiting for - with many who viewed the vision labelling her a 'Karen' and saying she over-reacted. The dispute, which occurred in April last year and re-posted by a dashcam YouTube channel, started with a woman waiting for a departing car to leave its bay inside a busy western Sydney carpark. After the Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel-drive left she began turning in - only for a white Hyndai to snatch the spot, having driven into it through an empty bay behind. 'Go back, I was parking there,' she shouts at the older couple. 'Hey! Rude b*tch.' The dashcam owner calls the female driver of the other car a 'rude b*tch' after taking the car spot at a complex in western Sydney 'Can you please go back? Go back!' the driver says, as the older couple gesture to her and move further into the space. The woman then honks her horn at the couple, screaming: 'I was parking there'. The footage starts with the female driver waiting as the Jeep Grand Cherokee begins to pull out of the parking space, before following it closely behind to take the spot The elderly couple then exit their car, with the man requiring a walking cane to climb out of the vehicle. She swore at the female driver before conceding and moving away. Commenters almost unanimously agreed the dashcam owner was overreacting, with some even labelling her a 'Karen'. 'I realise how frustrating that is when you are waiting for a carpark and someone does that but you could clearly see they were elderly and the old fella has a cane. In this instance you should have shown them a bit of consideration rather than calling her a rude b*tch,' one person calmly responded. 'They were very likely waiting just as long if not longer than the cammer to move forward into that park as well,' a man replied. 'The oldies may have been waiting for longer for that park too,' another added. 'Can you please go back? Go back!' the driver says, as the older couple gesture to her and move further into the space Several YouTube users said the dashcammer was acting like a Karen, suggesting she should have given way to the older couple. 'Sorry Karen. The old couple had no idea you were there,' one commented. 'White car didn't appear in view, looks as if he drive through another space into the one he ended in without looking to see if anyone else was parking there. Happened to me many a time. Just shrugged my shoulders and found another place,' another said. A boat load of Sri Lankan asylum seekers has been intercepted and kicked out of the country in the first test of new Labor government policy. Locals on Christmas Island said they spotted the asylum-seekers escorted onto the island by Australian Border Force officers early on Thursday morning. Residents said they were then immediately transferred to a specially chartered Skytraders flight from the Indian Ocean island to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. A boat load of Sri Lankan asylum seekers has been intercepted by Australian Border Force and kicked out of the country in the first test of new Labor government policy (stock image) There were 45 people, including government officials, on board for the six-hour flight, which left around 2am local time, The Australian reported. The Home Affairs Department referred all inquiries on the interception and deportation to the ABF. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABF for comment. It follows the arrival of an earlier boatload of Sri Lankan asylum seekers on election day last month, which was turned back by the ABF. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles confirmed after the election the Labor government would continue the Coalition policy of boat turnbacks. 'They have been returned to Sri Lanka. And that has happened in a very ordinary and routine way,' he said two days after Labor claimed election victory last month. 'I think it's important to say upfront that what this shows is that there is absolutely no change in terms of Australia's border settings under this government. 'We will maintain a strong border, which is the right thing to do in terms of protecting lives at sea.' Residents say they were then immediately transferred to a specially-chartered Skytraders flight from the Indian Ocean island to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo (stock image) Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews claimed the boat arrival proved the Coalition was right in predicting more attempts under Labor. 'I have consistently said people smugglers are watching. And they clearly are,' she told The Australian. 'This is exactly what the Coalition said would happen and it is happening. 'The Albanese Government needs to urgently explain how it is going to manage illegal boat arrivals and ensure people smugglers aren't selling passage because of the change in government.' From grimy past to greenish present through ecological restoration efforts Xinhua) 10:46, June 09, 2022 LANZHOU, June 9 (Xinhua) -- As a nature enthusiast, Li Wenjun has always endeavored to make the greatest contribution possible to the environment, and through his afforestation efforts, a total of 6,666 hectares of trees have been planted over the course of seven years. Li, 60, was born in Wuqi County in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. In the early 1990s, the county underwent a miraculous transformation from an area of dust and sand to a sea of lush green, thanks to the relentless afforestation efforts of the locals. As a result, the county became a model for reforestation endeavors across the nation. Seeing how the "green revolution" brought profound changes to the community, Li's desire to create more green spaces has taken root in him. He began nurturing his dream in the neighboring Huachi County in Qingyang City, northwest China's Gansu Province. Li's wife hails from Huachi, which is also where Li went to middle school. Back then, Huachi was frequently plagued by severe sandstorms. Worse, the majority of villagers relied on traditional herding, causing considerable damage to the vegetation of the area. Qingyang City, located on the Loess Plateau in Gansu Province, was one of the areas most severely affected by land erosion along the middle reaches of the Yellow River. The annual sediment deposition into this section of the Yellow River through Qingyang was as much as 168 million tonnes in the late 1980s, accounting for one-tenth of the river's total. In 2013, Qingyang initiated an afforestation project with the goal of increasing the forest coverage to approximately 466,667 hectares in seven years, which is nearly the same size as the Ziwuling Mountains in Gansu. With the support of the local government, Li forged ahead with his green restoration efforts in Huachi, where he founded a farmers' cooperative. He hired over 700 households to work for the cooperative and their work includes planting trees, patrolling and cultivating seedlings, so as to improve their incomes as well as the local environment. Miao Shengjun, who is disabled, is one of the villagers working for the cooperative. He used to make a living by raising sheep and farming, earning 30,000 to 40,000 yuan (about 6,000 U.S. dollars) each year. In 2015, he started to plant trees with Li Wenjun, earning a maximum of 150 yuan per day. He is also eligible to receive 8,000 yuan each year as his patrol subsidy. Within a few years, the barren mountains were covered with pitch pines saplings, and one day Li drove his family to the hilltop where he once used to wander alone. "This is the most valuable treasure I'm leaving to you," he said proudly showing his achievement. More than 270,000 farmers have been engaged in the green restoration efforts, creating an overall income of more than 700 million yuan. By the end of 2020, the total afforestation area reached 487,233 hectares in Qingyang City, significantly improving the local environment. "The green cover has changed the microclimate, helping contain water and injecting more vitality into the area," Li said. Feng Zhikui, 57, feels both a heightened sense of responsibility and joy as he stood on a watchtower amidst the green aura. As a forest ranger in Lianjiabian Forestry Station in Heshui County, Qingyang City, Feng has practically seen this green transformation over the past two decades as well as the return of wild animals like leopards, wild hares and deer to their habitat in the Ziwuling Mountains. Jiang Yong, head of Lianjiabian Forestry Station, said that the forestry station is now home to more than 200 types of woody plants and 150 wild animal species. Feng said that patrolling is no longer a tedious task, but a voyage filled with exciting new experiences. "More and more new species of plants are growing in the forest. Every now and then, I would encounter a small animal," said Feng, adding that he could recognize more than 100 plant species. The results of reforestation have allowed locals to bid farewell to their grimy past and usher in an era of lucid waters and lush mountains. The local government has also rolled out a raft of supporting policies to develop eco industries such as underwood farming and breeding, as well as eco-tourism, with an annual output value of more than 600 million yuan. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) Authorities claimed a former Louisiana police officer was detained after three youngsters discovered a package of guns and loaded magazines that were later connected to him. Benjamin Zeringue, a former Baton Rouge Police Department officer, surrendered to police on Monday and is accused of discarding the firearms into a garbage pile. He was arrested on three charges of misconduct in office, tampering with public documents, and theft of guns. Louisiana Children Found Loaded Guns in Trash On April 16, the youngsters discovered three semi-automatic guns with full 30-round magazines. They handed the pistols over to a parent, who called the cops. The guns were traced back to traffic stops, and Zeringue fraudulently reported that they had been put in evidence. According to Fox News, the firearms were collected during three different stops in April 2018, May 2018, and February 2019. Authorities claimed Zeringue gave in a tiny amount of marijuana from one of the stops but never turned in the pistol recovered. Zeringue had previously been engaged in cases where evidence was not properly booked, according to Baton Rouge Police Deputy Chief Myron Daniels. According to officials, Zeringue worked as a uniformed patrol officer with the police department from November 2016 until June 2020. Zeringue worked for the West Feliciana Sheriff's Office before joining the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office, where he served from December 2021 to April 2022, according to the news site. Zeringue has faced internal affairs inquiries into many earlier incidents of alleged evidence tampering as a member of the department's uniform patrol section, according to Daniels. He declined to provide any specifics, but claimed Zeringue resigned after learning he might face additional sanctions, according to WWLTV. Meanwhile, La Crosse police confiscated almost 100 pounds of cocaine, five firearms, and thousands of dollars in a drug sweep Monday. Officers arrested 26-year-old Jade Deeny at 627 Powell Street Monday as part of an ongoing drug investigation, according to police. Several search warrants led investigators to a storage facility registered in Deeny's name. According to the announcement, authorities uncovered what seemed to be a "pill-press laboratory" with materials to create Xanax, as well as hundreds of USPS boxes. The street value of the narcotics recovered by police is estimated to be $1,027,000. Deeny previously served time in a North Carolina jail for drug and firearms offenses. He's a convicted criminal. Deeny is charged with 18 charges total, including two counts of maintaining a narcotics trafficking location. Deeny is now being held in jail on a $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 10. Tom Tooke, who lives on Powell Street, not far from where the narcotics raid occurred, is concerned. Lieutenant Linnea Mill of the La Crosse Police Department, as per News8000. Read Also: Iran Train Crash: 13 Dead, 50 Injured in Train Tragedy, Possible Cause of Crash Revealed Louisiana Aims To Prevent Abusers From Owning Firearms When it comes to domestic violence deaths, Louisiana ranks sixth in the US, but a new initiative might alter that. The statistics are startling since a firearm is used to kill 66 percent of domestic violence victims in Louisiana. According to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, this is greater than the national average. Louisiana has enacted legislation to safeguard victims who are subjected to violence by a loved one. Abusers who have a restraining order or are currently facing domestic charges have three days to surrender their guns to law authorities. Melanie Fields, the top prosecutor for East Baton Rouge domestic violence cases, said the DA's office works with other agencies to undertake "Knocks and Talks," which involves checking on abusers and ensuring sure they don't have a gun, Baton Rouge WAFB via MSN reported. If you know an abuser who has a firearm, the best thing you can do is call the police. You can also contact an advocacy organization: Capital Area Family Justice Center: (225) 239-7880 The Butterfly Society: (225) 347-7725 Iris Domestic Violence Center: (225) 389-3001 Related Article: Police Officers Refuse To Rescue Drowning Man in Arizona Lake, Police Union Defends Their Action @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two men have been charged with murder two days after four-wheel drivers exploring a remote bush track stumbled upon a skeleton. Queensland Police on Thursday confirmed two people from Caboolture - a 41-year-old man and a 31-year-old man - had been arrested after the body of Donna Howe, 57, was found in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Police allege the pair murdered Ms Howe before she was moved to the track in the Glass House Mountains National Park. Ms Howe was last seen by her family in Caboolture in late April and had been missing for more than a month. Despite an extensive search by police at the time, she could not be located. Police allege the pair, who will face court on Thursday charged with murder and misconduct of a corpse, knew Ms Howe before she died. Two four wheel-drivers found the remains while driving on the isolated bush track on Tuesday. A crime scene was declared and the remains were sent to a lab in Brisbane, who confirmed they belonged to Ms Howe. Four-wheel drivers inadvertently stumbled across the skeleton on an isolated track in the Sunshine Coast hinterland (pictured) Queensland Police Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said a lighter had been found near the body. 'It looks like theres at least some charred areas,' he said. 'But were just trying to ascertain whether its just decomposition theres no extended fire area, so were not ruling that out.' An incident centre was established at Maroochydore Police Station with Sunshine Coast Police to collaborate with other specialist officers. Glass House Mountains is a rural hinterland town in the Sunshine Coast with a population of 5,065 people as recorded in the 2016 Census. The mountains are popular with tourists and locals looking to go on bush walks, climbs, and four-wheel drives on the picturesque tracks. Frontline public health staff will get $3,000 bonuses as an incentive to stay in the Victorian hospital system for what will be a busy winter flu season. The move follows the NSW promising a wage rises and a similar bonus to NSW health staff, and will see workers in public hospitals and ambulances in Victoria receive the cash along with free meals if they work night shifts. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the bonus as part of a $353 million package to aid frontline workers. Healthcare workers are being encouraged to stay working for the winter, as experts fear case numbers of Covid, colds and flus will rise as Australia spends its first winter out of lockdown The one-off $3,000 payment will be given to all health staff who work the entire period between July 1 and September 30 of 2022 'Our people are our health system's greatest asset and this is just one way for us to recognise and support their efforts and ensure nurses, doctors, paramedics, allied health and support staff are there when we need them most,' he said. 'It's also a fundamental acknowledgement of the extreme pressure, the really significant challenge that there is in our health system at the moment.' The move is designed to keep workers in the Victorian health system for the colder months this year. Experts fear this winter could prove deadly and spur more Covid and flu cases than ever. Victoria has 49,347 registered active Covid cases. 'This is all about encouraging people to take up a few extra shifts if they can, go from being part-time to maybe working some further hours,' Mr Andrews added. Thousands of staff across both clinical and non-clinical roles will be provided the payment, including those working in cleaning, food services and laundry services. The free meals will begin in July, lasting until the end of 2022, and will be offered to those who work overnight. Dan Andrews has unveiled a plan to try keep health staff working for Victorian public health over the winter Workers will have to be employed by a public health service by July 1 and still be employed by September 30 to be eligible for the payment. The first $1,500 payment will be made on August 15 and the second at the end of September, as part of the $353 million package from the Victorian Government. 'Healthcare workers have done an incredible job throughout the pandemic, and I want to thank them for the extraordinary work they continue to do under unprecedented pressure,' Health Minister Martin Foley said. Former Royal Australasian College of Physicians president John Wilson recently raised worker burnout and falling care standards as major problems confronting the health sector. Royal Melbourne Hospital nurse unit manager Susan Harding said healthcare workers endured 'dark days' over the Covid-19 pandemic and the cash was recognition of their hard work and stress. 'Every staff member that we work with... they go home to a family,' she said. Staff across clinical and non-clinical roles will be eligible to receive the payment, including those working in cleaning and food services as well as doctors and nurses 'It was really confronting hoping we were making good decisions to get them home safely at the end of the day while we were watching mass graves being dug overseas.' Workers in Victoria's private health system won't get the extra cash. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said the union would write to private acute care providers to push for a separate payment for those workers. 'It's time that the private acute care employers stepped up and recognised their amazing staff in the way that the state government has done,' she said. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the $3,000 payments were a good move and well deserved. 'Now let's give health workers and all Victorians the health system they deserve - not one underfunded and mismanaged,' he tweeted. The Australian College of Nursing called for tax-free Covid-19 bonus payments for nurses across the country. Mr Andrew's plan runs in cheaper than the NSW Premier Mr Perrottet's $4.5 billion, which includes funding for an extra 10,000 doctors nurses and other heath staff. Mr Perrottet announced a three per cent wage increase in the next financial year for all public sector workers. The wage increase could rise to up to 3.5 per cent the year after depending on productivity gains, lifting the lid on the previous 2.5 per cent cap. The babysitter and woman who eventually married Christopher Michael Dawson threatened his first wife Lynette and had reason to see her killed, a judge has heard. In the ongoing murder trial against Dawson, 73, an intercepted phone call between himself and his twin brother Paul from March 1999 was played to the court. In that call, Paul Dawson is heard saying that the babysitter, known only as JC, had motive to kill Mrs Dawson, who disappeared in January 1982. 'If Lyn had been murdered, (JC) had the motive. (JC) had more to gain and (JC) did gain more than Chris ever gained from their relationship,' Paul Dawson told the NSW Supreme Court. Dawson has been accused of murdering his wife and disposing of her body in January 1982 so he could have an unfettered relationship with JC. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge and claims Mrs Dawson left home at the time due to marital issues and never returned. JC and Dawson married in 1984 and separated in 1990. Paul Dawson took to the stand on Thursday to defend his brother Chris, on trial for allegedly murdering his first wife Lynette Chris Dawson and his second wife JC, who was a babysitter for the family before Lynette disappeared Chris Dawson on his wedding day, pictured next to his first wife Lynette and his twin brother Paul Paul Dawson told Justice Ian Harrison that, at a birthday party for one of Mrs Dawson's daughters, JC had threatened to get rid of her if she got in her way. JC was a cruel mother to Dawson's two daughters after the marriage, refusing to pick them up from school, banning the use of the word 'family' when referring to them, and tying their hair back so hard their scalps bled, the court heard. "She really treated them as outcasts in their own home," Paul Dawson said. Police claims Dawson had anything to do with the alleged murder of his wife were preposterous, he said. He told the court that media reports saying his brother was violent were outrageous because he was the least violent person he'd ever met. He also dismissed claims his wife Marilyn Dawson had been seen practicing how to forge Lynette Dawson's signature after she disappeared as "complete and utter garbage". The court previously heard the signature was forged on a life insurance policy taken out under Mrs Dawson's name. He told the court he didn't question Mrs Dawson taking some time away from the marriage because his brother had done the same in December 1981, when he had driven north towards Queensland with JC. After his wife disappeared, Dawson drove up to the Central Coast several times to look for her, the court heard. Mr Dawson admitted he was not in favour of his brother's relationship with JC when they first started dating in late 1981. Mrs Dawson was a good mother, but was not overly affectionate towards her children, he said. She felt they did not need her as much as the kids she looked after as a nurse and childminder, because her husband was hands-on and would take care of most of the mothering and fathering. Chris Dawson (left) leaves the Supreme Court with his twin brother Paul while on trial for the alleged murder of his wife The woman known as JC, Chris Dawson's second wife, arrives at the Supreme Court in Sydney on May 23 Paul Dawson's babysitter from 1980 and 1981 also gave evidence on Thursday. The woman, who can only be referred to as SO, claimed that during car trips in Sydney, she heard Chris Dawson refer to his wife as a bitch and saying she had to go. She said that during another car trip with the Dawson twins and JC, Dawson got out of the car, handed a package to a man outside a building, and returned saying that something had been "taken care of". JC told the court last month that Dawson had attempted to hire a hitman to kill his wife but had changed his mind. In that version of the story, only Dawson and her were in the vehicle. At the end of 1981 or the beginning of 1982, SO claimed Paul Dawson had told her that his family would need to urgently move to Queensland. "He said he was moving and something horrible had happened and he needed to leave as soon as possible." When Dawson's barrister Pauline David pointed out that the Dawsons had only moved to the Gold Coast in 1984, OS said they had been able to wait because nothing happened despite police looking into the disappearance. The trial continues on Friday. An American man fled from a hospital in Mexico's Puerto Vallarta after showing symptoms of monkeypox before boarding a flight and returning to Texas where he tested positive, authorities said Wednesday. The 48-year-old man, whose name has been withheld, was seen by doctors at a Puerto Vallarta medical facility and was instructed to test for the viral bug and quarantine, the Jalisco state health department said in a statement. The health agency said the patient had symptoms of 'cough, chills, muscle pain and pustule-like lesions on his face, neck and trunk.' During his stay in Mexico, he attended parties at the Mantamar Beach Club - an adults-only gay lounge in the resort city. Previously, the man visited Berlin from May 12 to 16 before returning to Dallas and flew to Puerto Vallarta on May 27. After fleeing the medical facility, the Texan then went to the hotel where he was staying with his partner and caught a flight out of Puerto Vallarta on June 4, before authorities were able to locate him. Mexican health officials are asking customers who from May 27 to June 4 visited the at the Mantamar Beach Club in Puerto Vallarta to check their health after a Dallas man tested positive for monkeypox. The individual visited a hospital in the resort city Saturday and was told to quarantine after he showed symptoms of the virus. He instead returned to his hotel and fled the country with his partner the same day before testing positive in Dallas A file photo from 2001 shows a colored electron-microscopic capture of the monkeypox virus. The World Health Organization says that the majority of the cases have been detected in men who have had sex with men The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to Mexican authorities on Monday that the patient had returned to the United States where a test confirmed he had monkeypox. He is the first person to test positive for the virus in Texas. 'We're working with the individual, and that person is cooperating with our department, with the state and federal authorities and is in isolation,' Dallas County Health Director Phillip Huang said, according to NBC 5 Dallas. 'So, again, we have compliance from that individual to do what's necessary to prevent further spread of the infection.' Health officials urged anyone who attended the Mantamar Beach Club between May 27 and June 4 to monitor their health. A Dallas man who tested positive for monkeypox had visited the Mantamar Beach Club while vacationing with his partner in Puerto Vallarta The World Health Organization said Wednesday that it was aware of more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox in countries where the disease is not endemic. Dr. Rosamund Lewis, the public health agency's monkeypox technical expert, said that the majority of the cases have been detected on men who have sex with men. 'There are a few reports now of cases amongst women,' Lewis said. 'At the moment there is still a window of opportunity to prevent the onward spread of monkeypox in those who are at highest risk right now.' All of the more than 130 monkeypox cases in Germany so far have involved individuals in that group. A supermarket owner has called New Zealand a 'third world country' after his store was robbed three times in just 90 days. Jas Sandhu said he was ready to sell the Four Square corner shop he has owned for nearly 20 years in Huntley, 92km south of Auckland, after police took more than three hours to respond to a burglary last Saturday. Mr Sandhu said the four thieves used an allegedly stolen ute to ram his back shop roller door four times before breaking in at 6.20am. The hooded men immediately went to the shop's heavy-duty cigarette cabinet and attempted to use an angle grinder to gain access. When that failed, they went to Mr Sandhu's cold room and stole boxes of alcohol. 'They spent five minutes in the store. There is no fear,' he told Stuff News. Mr Sandhu said he feels like he's living in a 'third world country' because his store is being robbed so often but police have failed to respond effectively. Four Square (above) shop owner Jas Sandhu said he feels like he's living in a 'third world country' after his store was robbed three times in just 90 days He said he called police about the robbery at 6am but no one came until 9.30am. 'I asked for one cop. We didn't feel safe here, we just wanted someone to walk us through the shop to make sure no-one was inside. The person on the phone said if I wait for the cop I will be there all day,' he said. Mr Sandhu's Four Square has security cameras, three alarms on the property - one of which is monitored by an offsite security company - and a fog cannon. The three robberies have cost his business an estimated $70,000 in lost product and damages. CCTV footage shows four hooded men (above) attempting to break into Mr Sandhu's cigarette cabinet before they stole boxes of alcohol He believes the same people conducted two out of the three recent robberies of his store. 'I am feeling insecure at the moment. I have helped the local food bank with nearly $10,000 worth of food for the community. We support our community, so we aren't just a business,' Mr Sandhu said. Waikato west area commander inspector Will Loughrin told Stuff one adult and two minors have been arrested over a robbery of Mr Sandhu's shop in March. Several dozen pro-abortion protesters marched into the Michigan State House chambers Wednesday to demand action in the wake of the draft opinion from the Supreme Court that could overturn Roe vs. Wade. The event was organized by the Michigan Coalition for Reproductive Liberation. Police briefly detained one protester while clearing out the legislature, according to the Lansing State Journal. The protest lasted for about two hours in total but the focus has come on the 10 minutes in which they broke into a legislative session with pro-abortion chants. Activists cited that Michigan has a 91-year-old law on the books that bans abortion in the state that would come into effect should Roe vs. Wade be repealed. The law bans women from having an abortion unless it is 'necessary to preserve the life of such woman.' Demonstrator Cameron Lee, of Detroit, is taken into custody by Jon Priebe, Chief of Police for the Michigan House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms Police Agency Several dozen pro-abortion protesters barged into the Michigan State House chambers Wednesday to demand action in the wake of the draft opinion from the Supreme Court that could overturn Roe vs. Wade The event was organized by the Michigan Coalition for Reproductive Liberation Rep. Cynthia Johnson, middle, and Rep. Sarah Anthony, right, reacted with cheers for the protesters While Michigan has a Democratic governor in Gretchen Whitmer, the state's two legislative chambers have slim but solid Republican majorities. Both houses are up for re-election in November. Cameron Lee, 30, was taken away in handcuffs by multiple police officers. Lee was released within an hour, having been given a citation for trespassing. He was the only person brought into custody or ticketed. He says that he was attempting to leave after police had started dispersing protesters when an officer grabbed him and he grabbed back. Pro choice activists said that lawmakers have not listened to their protests in the wake of the draft opinion leak. 'If they're not gonna listen to us in the streets, we take it to them,' 24-year-old Zora Monico said. Abortion-rights advocates, including Zora Monico, of Detroit, rally outside the State House floor Volunteer Alex Cascio gathers signatures for a proposed abortion amendment at Ferndale Pride in Ferndale, Michigan While Michigan has a Democratic governor in Gretchen Whitmer, the state's two legislative chambers have slim but solid Republican majorities. Both houses are up for re-election in November Pro choice activists said that lawmakers have not listened to their protests in the wake of the draft opinion leak Protestors at the Michigan Capitol. From @LSJNews reporter Mike Ellis. pic.twitter.com/fGAPLL8MjI Lansing State Journal (@LSJNews) June 8, 2022 The group demands that the state pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade into state law. Democratic Rep. Cynthia Johnson and Rep. Sarah Anthony reacted with cheers for the protesters The leaked SCOTUS draft was obtained by Politico in May. 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. 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 An autistic teen and his mother were stranded in the Caribbean for three weeks after airlines refused to fly him home. Jamie Greene set off from her home in Toms River, New Jersey - 50 miles east of Philadelphia - for a vacation in Aruba with her son Elijah Kapatos, 15, who has 'low-functioning, non-verbal autism,' as well as her two younger kids Brandon and Brice, aged seven and 12, and her boyfriend Carlos Pacheco. The family of five had flown to Disney last year, without any event - and enjoyed their week-long vacation. But when they arrived at Oranjestad Airport, Aruba, for their return flight to Newark, on United Airlines, on May 17, Elijah became startled. Jamie Greene is seen with her son Elijah Kapatos (far right), boyfriend Carlos Pacheco (far left), and their two children Brandon and Brice, aged 12 and seven. The family were reunited on Monday after an eventful month Elijah, 15, is pictured on the Carnival Cruises ship that took him from Aruba to Miami, after he and his mother were stranded in Aruba The teenager stopped at the doorway and began to scream 'toilet,' explained Pacheco - which was his way of saying something was wrong. 'I gave him gentle nudge and we made it to our seats, then he lost control,' Pacheco told NJ.com. 'He refused to sit, and Jamie and I had to hold him down. Greene, a mother of three, said it was scandalous that airlines were unable to accommodate those with invisible disabilities, like her son 'Something caused him to be overwhelmed, and he began to hit his mother and me and continued screaming.' The captain of the flight said they needed to disembark, and so the five of them left the plane. Elijah was given his emergency medicine, but it failed to calm him. 'You think you have all your ducks in a row, Elijah's flown before, we have sedation medicine on hand just in case and we made it to Aruba without incident,' Greene explained on Facebook. 'On the flight home, he became scared and violent and we were asked to leave the plane. What we didn't know was there is no policy in place for when this kind of situation arises.' Greene and Pacheco then contacted an emergency medical evacuation company, but they were unable to help. 'Even the U.S. Consulate in Aruba ran out of ideas, and I had to get our two other children back to school at Toms River, so Brandon, Brice, and I flew back,' Pacheco said, saying they returned home on May 24. Elijah is seen on the deck of Carnival's ship, taking him back to the U.S. Elijah and his mother, Jamie Greene, spent almost a month away from home, having left for a week Greene and the teenager remained on the island, posting desperate appeals for help on social media. One of their messages was seen by Julian Maha, an ER physician and the Alabama-based founder of KultureCity, which helps those with nonverbal disabilities like PTSD, strokes and autism. He got in touch with his contacts at Carnival Cruises, and the company agreed to redirect one of their ships to pick Greene and Elijah up. 'It takes a family,' he said on Facebook. The pair left Aruba on June 5, bound for Miami. On arrival in Florida, two KultureCity volunteers drove them home to New Jersey - where they arrived on Monday. 'It's hard to describe the last month - it's heartbreaking, sad and beautiful all wrapped up into one,' wrote Greene on Facebook. 'It's strength, and panic and support.' Greene told NJ.com that the system needed to change, so no other family was abandoned like they were. 'Policies have to change. I understand that airlines must follow safety protocols, but something like this should have never happened,' Greene said. 'Airlines should treat invisible disabilities the same way they treat visible disabilities. 'Invisible disabilities include autism, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, ADHD, strokes and other mental health challenges.' She added: 'We never thought this could happen to us. We now plan to be involved with KultureCity and the autism community. 'I'm seeing the silver lining, just the chance that a policy might change as a result of our story is enough for me.' Australian children aged 12 to 15 who are at risk of severe disease will be eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccine from next week. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended extending eligibility for the Pfizer booster to about 120,00 children starting on June 14. They must have received their second dose at least three months ago, be severely immunocompromised, have a disability with significant health needs, or have complex or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe Covid. ATAGI has recommended eligibility for booster shots be extended to at-risk children between the ages of 12 and 15 starting from next week Otherwise healthy children who have received two vaccine doses are still considered to be well protected against severe disease. Health Minister Mark Butler on Thursday welcomed the recommendation and encouraged anyone eligible to book in for their boosters. Meanwhile, Australians' uptake of potentially life-saving Covid-19 antivirals is slowly ramping up, as authorities look to simplify their distribution criteria. Awareness of the drugs Lagevrio and Paxlovid has increased in recent weeks, largely thanks to media coverage. However, there is still some way to go. Australian Medical Association vice-president Dr Chris Moy said the peak body was working with authorities to further advertise the antivirals. Around 120,000 children will become eligible for Pfizer booster shots, including immunocompromised children and those suffering from disabilities or complex health conditions He said one of the biggest challenges remained getting people to take them within five days of their symptoms starting, the mandatory time frame for access. They also have to test positive for the virus before taking them. 'In the five-day window, sometimes some people are not getting tested in time,' Dr Moy told AAP. 'There is (also) a sub-group who probably would never want it anyway some of that may be those who have been not keen on vaccination previously.' He said it was incumbent on the health system to make Australians aware that antivirals were an important second line of defence to alleviate the risk of severe disease. 'It could make the difference between life and death for some people and also reduce the chances of them ending up in hospital,' Dr Moy said. The antiviral drugs are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and can be accessed in accordance with its guidelines, but there are also state-based regulations that can vary. Healthy teenagers in the 12 to 15-year-old age group are still considered to be protected by the two vaccination shots and won't need a booster 'And also some of them don't match the PBS guidelines,' Dr Moy said. 'It's sometimes difficult for a GP to work out what to do when they find a patient is caught between differing criteria.' He said some sufferers could be referred to state authorities to get the medication. Dr Moy said authorities were looking at simplifying guidelines for the antiviral drugs' distribution so there could be harmony across the board. In Australia there are reportedly 437,934 active cases, with 50 deaths reported across the country yesterday. Political pundit Peter van Onselen is 'tormenting' the troubled TV journalist suing Network Ten over her workplace bullying allegations, her law firm claims. Tegan George, 37, has spent months in hospital with mental health issues since filing her lawsuit in February over claims she was hounded out of Ten by the 'toxic culture' at the station's Canberra bureau. The bitter row has spilled over onto Twitter with van Onselen allegedly making provocative and pointed comments online that are said to be related to the case. He's alleged to have questioned the accuracy of her claims, branded her lawsuit 'frivolous' and questioned 'hospitalised' persons 'backgrounding journalists'. Political pundit Peter van Onselen is 'tormenting' troubled TV journalist Tegan George who is suing Network Ten over her workplace bullying allegations, her law firm claims The bitter row has spilled over onto Twitter with Peter van Onselen allegedly making provocative and pointed comments online that are said to be related to the case Now Ms George's law firm says TV bosses have 'failed to stop Ten's political editor from tormenting her in social media posts' and is seeking aggravated damages. 'Since proceedings were issued, Mr van Onselen has continued to target Ms George with social media barbs and erroneous public comments about the matter,' say her lawyers. They claim the TV analyst's comments have come 'despite a Network Ten policy which requires employees to not bully or harass people on social media'. Van Onselen, 46, is one of several senior employees named in Ms George's lawsuit, which alleges Ten failed to provide a safe working environment for her at the bureau. Ms George has been on leave since last June after the court documents claim the experience left her vomiting, unable to sleep and 'stressed to incapacity'. Her claim alleges that she was also disparaged for taking sick leave. Maurice Blackburn's Josh Bornstein said Ms George was now seeking additional aggravated damages over van Onselen and Ten's behaviour. 'Ten's management has been unwilling to rein in Mr van Onselen,' said Mr Bornstein. 'He continued to publicly vilify Ms George after she went to court, causing her immense distress.' The newly-expanded legal action comes after van Onselen allegedly fanned the flames of the lawsuit with online comments soon after several stories about the case appeared on Daily Mail Australia. The bitter row has spilled over onto Twitter with Peter van Onselen allegedly making provocative and pointed comments online that appear related to the case Initial stories appeared which revealed executive editor Anthony Murdoch allegedly told Ms George: 'Peter is bats*** crazy but we just have to get used to it'. Court documents claim the TV boss added that 'the bureau had always been toxic' and she 'needed to learn to deal with it'. Ms George says in the lawsuit that she tried to resolve the problems directly with van Onselen, but he escalated it to senior management. She was later allegedly told van Onselen 'did not give a s***' how she was feeling'. Court documents alleges other comments made by senior executives to or about Ms George included: 'What did you even do today? Painting your nails and drinking herbal tea?' 'No one even likes her' '(If I had) that many sick days and headaches, I would be getting my f***ing head checked.' Ms George also claims she was ostracised and left out of coffee meetings with van Onselen and other co-workers. George claims The Project host directed these tweets towards her - but didn't mention her by name After the initial details of the lawsuit were revealed - which included claims that journalists were under orders to build up van Onselen's brand - he is said to have fired back on Twitter. 'Accusations are not always accurate,' van Onselen allegedly tweeted on March 27. 'Sometimes they say more about who points the finger without actual evidence. Most of us don't know enough to form any kind of judgement.' He followed that up with another tweet on May 18, say the lawyers. 'Frivolous misuses of the federal court really do need to be stamped out...' he allegedly tweeted. The tweet is not now visible. The law firm claims van Onselen 'publicly mocked Ms George' later that day over her hospital stay, which they claim was 'a result of her treatment'. 'Your thoughts of if the hospitalised person is backgrounding journalists? Stoking attention. Very genuine question.' he tweeted to alleged Parliament House rape victim Brittany Higgins when she confronted him over the row. He also made a series of references to having coffee in an apparent jibe at Ms George. Tegan George (pictured) has worked as a political reporter in the press gallery for Ten since 2019 but has been on leave since June 2021 suffering a 'personal injury' brought on by 'stress to the point of incapacity' Her legal statement of claim has now been expanded in the wake of the new row and alleges Ms George has been further victimised because she exercised her right to go to court under the Fair Work Act. They have also added new claims that Ms George was required to work in a workplace that was hostile to women, in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act. She is also now seeking a court order to enforce annual training, with monitoring, about victimisation, bullying and gender inequality at Ten. Mr Bornstein said the Fair Work Act contained important protections for employees who blow the whistle about problems in the workplace. 'Ten seems to think that Mr Van Onselen is more important than other staff members and is free to do whatever he wants, regardless of the consequences,' he added. 'The network's failure to act like a responsible employer in this matter is extraordinary.' Ms George joined Ten in 2011 and was appointed to the Canberra bureau in 2019. The Statement of Claim alleges multiple instances of adverse action taken against Ms George after she first complained to van Onselen in February 2020. Maurice Blackburn's Josh Bornstein said Ms George was now seeking additional aggravated damages over Ten's and Peter van Onselen's behaviour Ms George met with management a week later and alleges she was told van Onselen expected an apology from her for 'hurting his feelings'. It is alleged he then avoided speaking with Ms George and directed she should work at a different desk. Last month van Onselen told Daily Mail Australia: 'I very much look forward to fully ventilating the truth about these utterly vexatious claims as soon as Im in a position to be able to do so.' Ten deny the allegations and have requested 20 of the claims are struck out because they are 'vague' and 'embarrassing'. The network denies senior editors, including van Onselen, ignored, undermined or humiliated her, and alleges Ms George took text messages out of context. Their legal defence also alleges Ms George refused to be involved in the sexual harassment investigation, but denies threatening her with disciplinary action. They also deny Ten denies earlier tweets from van Onselen in 2021 referred to Ms George, and said van Onselen had offered his support, with new working conditions outlined in text messages sent to her in 2020. Ten will file a defence to the new allegations at a later date. An Aussie student has revealed how a little-known travel rule in the United States saw him detained and thrown behind bars for over 30 hours. Jack Dunn, 23, was asked by a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer if he had a plane ticket to leave the US, which he didn't. Mr Dunn had been planning to book his flights and accommodation on-the-go and told the officer he had booked a flight to Mexico. The youth worker was swiftly handcuffed and taken to the Federal Detention Centre in Honolulu after officers concluded he didn't meet the entry requirements. Matt Dunn, 23, (pictured on holiday in Thailand) was asked by a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer if he had a plane ticket to leave the US, which he didn't Mr Dunn had been planning to book his flights and accommodation on-the-go and told the officer he had booked a flight to Mexico (pictured, a CBP officer in 2020) The youth worker hadn't realised that under the Visa Waiver Program travellers must have another ticket out of the US to any other foreign port or place that is not a bordering country or an adjacent island. The 23-year-old was questioned by officers for hours and in that time tried to book a flight to Panama - the only capital city that came to mind. As he had no service or Wi-Fi, an sympathetic airline worker offered his own phone for Mr Dunn to buy a plane ticket but he needed to transfer money first. 'But that was $US500 and I didn't have that in my account and then I was trying to explain to the (US Customs and Border Protection officer) that I just needed internet to transfer money across,' he told news.com.au. 'She seemed baffled I had money in two separate accounts but I've always done that.' The youth worker was swiftly handcuffed and taken to the Federal Detention Centre (pictured) in Honolulu, shortly after touching down on May 5 The CBP said he had 'no ties or equities' to Australia or sufficient funds to support himself during his intended period of stay in the US (pictured, a CBP officer in 2016) The CBP officer concluded the student was unable to 'overcome the presumption of an intended immigrant' and that he didn't meet the entry requirements. The officers said he had 'no ties or equities' to Australia or sufficient funds to support himself during his intended period of stay in the US. He was ordered to catch the next flight to Sydney, which was the following day, meaning he was forced to stay overnight in a detention centre. The 23-year-old was strip-searched twice by guards and forced to don the same orange prison jumpsuit worn by convicted criminals. Mr Dunn said he was reluctant to sleep because he was frightened of his cellmate, who talked to himself and punched the walls. He recalled the cell walls being smeared with blood and faeces. Back in Victoria, his family received a call from a CBP officer who told them Jack was safe but didn't divulge any other details. Mr Dunn was ordered to catch the next flight to Sydney, which was the following day, meaning he was forced to spend a night in a detention centre (pictured, Hawaiian airlines airplanes) A CBP officer concluded the student was unable to 'overcome the presumption of an intended immigrant' and that he didn't meet entry requirements (pictured, officials in New Jersey) His parents were left to wonder if their son had become an unwilling 'drug mule'. A CBP spokesperson reiterated that under the Visa Waiver Program applicants must have a round-trip ticket that would transport them out of the United States to any other foreign port or place not in 'contiguous territory or an adjacent island'. In addition, applicants should be able to demonstrate access to sufficient funds to support themselves for their intended period of stay, they said. They should also be able to prove sufficient ties or equities to their home country. On the Australian US embassy website, a VWP information page lists the visa conditions but doesn't state applicants must have tickets to destinations that aren't bordering countries or adjacent islands. North Korea tested multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Sunday, according to South Korean witnesses, in a provocative military display that might lead to a live nuclear missile test, according to the US and South Korean defense officials. A salvo of eight missiles was shot from at least four separate places in North Korea, including the western and eastern coasts, as well as two interior regions near Pyongyang, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. North Korea's Missile Failed Sung Kim, US President Joe Biden's special envoy to North Korea, voiced "great sorrow" that North Korea was pursuing nuclear development despite the country's uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreak. The missiles were purposely sent into the sea, but there have been concerns about North Korea's missile accuracy since a test missile in 2017 resulted in a humiliating error for Kim Jong Un's country. In a 2017 test, a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a 1,430lb payload at hypersonic speeds over a range of up to 2,300 miles malfunctioned and fell into buildings in Tokchon, some 40 miles from the launch base in South Pyongan Province, as per Daily Star. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called a political meeting to assess state matters, including a COVID-19 outbreak, and perhaps discuss ties with Washington and Seoul amid his renewed nuclear brinkmanship. The plenary meeting of the governing Workers' Party's Central Committee began Wednesday in Pyongyang, according to the official Korean Central News Agency, and could continue for several days. The summit comes as North Korea seems to be preparing for its first nuclear test explosion in over five years, escalating a provocative run of military displays this year that has included multiple intercontinental ballistic missile launches. KCNA published images of meeting attendees entering inside a party headquarters and said they agreed to the agenda, which was not detailed. According to official media, the summit would discuss state affairs and make decisions on a series of crucial problems, including the country's COVID-19 pandemic. World Health Organization officials stated Wednesday that they feared the outbreak was worsening and asked for further information to be shared with the UN health agency. South Korean officials and analysts, Kim may address tensions with the US and rival South Korea amid long-stalled negotiations and redouble his intentions to create nuclear weapons capable of threatening US allies and the American homeland. Read Also: China-Russia Ties: Beijing Warns West Against Supporting Ukraine, Sanctioning Moscow US, South Korea, and Japan Hold Meeting Amid Threat From North Korea Amid the party's previous plenary assembly in December, Kim repeated his pledge to expand his military nuclear program and command the construction of more powerful and sophisticated weapons systems, during discussions that lasted a record five days. The North Korean conference occurred on the same day that US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with her colleagues from South Korea and Japan in Seoul on Wednesday, underscoring the need for trilateral security cooperation in the face of the escalating North Korean threat. She threatened a rapid and harsh response if the North conducted a nuclear test, but she did not explain, according to ABC News. North Korea launched eight short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Sunday, a day after South Korea and the United States concluded joint military exercises. For the first time in more than four years, the bilateral drills included an American aircraft carrier. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, at least eight missiles were fired from the Sunan area of Pyongyang, and they flew between 110 km and 600 km at altitudes ranging from 25 km to 90 km. In answer, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol summoned a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) and ordered greater deterrence by South Korea and the Joint States, as well as continuing strengthening of the united defense posture. As per the president's office, the NSC meeting determined that the missile launch was North Korea's test and challenged South Korea's new administration, which took office last month, Business World reported. Related Article: Russia Claims Military Control of Donetsk People's Republic as Ukraine Forces Burn Civilian Structure During Retreat @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pauline Hanson is fighting battles on two fronts as she nervously stares down unemployment and faces a lawsuit from a former friend. But the One Nation leader wasn't letting the stress of tough times stop her making a bold fashion statement in a striking red overcoat. Senator Hanson headed into the Federal Court in Sydney on Thursday to support a key witness in her defamation case against former colleague Brian Burston. She teamed the bright coat and matching lipstick and handbag with an eye-catching silver peacock brooch, a black dress, and black and white patterned shoes. The court entrance also marked her first public appearance since she contracted Covid last month, much to the joy of her supporters. Ms Hanson (above) was seen heading into court to defend herself against Burton's claims she defamed him via social media, text, and a television interview for the alleged sexual harassment of his former employee Terri-lea Vairy When announcing her Covid diagnosis she taunted opponents who may have hoped that, being unvaccinated, she didn't survive the deadly disease. 'I thank all of those people who have sent their well wishes, and I look forward to disappointing all of those who hope that I drop dead,' she said. Senator Hanson is facing unemployment next month following a close Senate election that could see her lose her seat on July 1. The conservative firebrand failed to secure a quota in her own right and will have to rely on preferences to scrape together enough votes to stay in parliament. Counting is still going on and it will be some time before the result is clear. Mr Burston was leader of One Nation in NSW in 2000 to 2018 and elected as a senator in 2016. However, he fell out with Senator Hanson over corproate tax cuts policy and defected to Clive Palmer's United Australia Party on June 18, 2018. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (above) was seen heading into court to support a key witness in her case against former colleague Brian Burston, who is suing her for defamation He claims Ms Hanson accused him of sexual harassment on social media, via a text message to his wife, Rosalyn Burston, and during a television interview. Terri-lea Vairy said her former boss, Mr Burston, regularly degraded, humiliated, and disgusted her with sexual harassment including shoving money down her breasts. The 74-year-old denies all allegations as entirely fabricated. Ms Vairy, 47, said she was originally employed by Rosalyn Burston as a cleaner at their home before Mr Burston offered her a job as an electorate officer, with an 'astronomical' pay rise. Mr Burston would allegedly go on to confess his love her for, saying it began when he first saw her 'walking down his driveway'. She said the alleged sexual harassment began soon after she was hired in May 2017 with comments such as: 'Nice to have a good looking sheila in the office.' Mr Vairy said she felt 'degraded, very hurt, and concerned'. Terri-lea Vairy (left) defended Hanson (right) in court on Thursday by testifying that her former employer Brian Burston sexually harassed her The comments escalated to greetings and goodbyes with kissing on the lips, and he tried to 'passionately kiss me' following a function in Canberra in February 2018, she said. 'I slapped him on the back and told him to settle down.' In one alleged incident, she said he told her that she had 'perfect sized-breasts', and asked if they were implants, while on another he gave her a birthday card and $100 note. 'I tried to give it back... he then, forcefully shoved it between my breasts ... I was in shock,' Ms Vairy said. Mr Burston would regularly take her out to lunch, comment on her 'sexy' appearance and touch her clothes, before her daughter was employed and tried to accompany them everywhere, she said. 'I told her... to never leave me alone with him.' Ms Vairy said she became increasingly concerned about other staff members thinking there might be something going on. Ms Vairy (left) claimed Mr Burton confessed love to her, touched her, shoved money between her breasts, and made sexual comments towards her while she worked for him 'Did you ever ask him to stop?' Ms Hanson's barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, asked. 'Yes, I told him it was making me uncomfortable,' Ms Vary said. But he didn't stop, she said, saying she turned around one day to see him 'biting and licking his bottom lip... and staring at my bottom'. Out at a concert one night, she and her co-worker Wendy Leach were being 'harassed' by Mr Burston for photos of Ms Vairy, threatening to fire them if they refused, she said. Ms Leach was soon fired after telling Mr Burston 'enough is enough' with his infatuation, Ms Vairy said. Ms Vairy (right) said she told Mr Burton his actions towards her made her uncomfortable but she didn't make HR report because 'it was known that if you do he gets notified straight away' But the alleged humiliation that brought Ms Vairy to tears in court was after her romance with former senator Peter Georgiou was leaked to the media. 'Was (the article) placed somewhere shortly after that?' Ms Chrysanthou said. 'Yes, on the office window in Canberra,' Ms Vairy said. She said Mr Burston put the article on the window, but didn't quit as she 'needed the money' and didn't lodge a complaint with HR. 'It was known that if you do he gets notified straight away,' Ms Vairy said. Rosalyn Burston earlier testified that allegations her husband sexually harassed two women were false. The producer of a controversial Islamic film branded 'blasphemous' by furious Muslims protesting outside cinemas has told critics to 'take their heads out of the clouds'. Showcase yesterday became the second silver screen chain to pull The Lady of Heaven, a film about the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, from its venues following an outcry from demonstrators. The movie has come under fire for depicting Prophet Muhammad and his daughter Fatima, with most schools of Islam banning any depiction as they believe it to be against the spirit of the religion, disrespectful and encouraging of the worship of idols. The Lady of Heaven has also been accused of inciting hatred between different sects in Islam. But in a heated discussion with Roshan Salih, editor of Muslim media platform 5Pillars, on Newsnight, executive producer Malik Shilbak hit back. He said: 'I think Roshan and others like him need to take their heads out of the clouds, the world doesn't revolve around them. 'Islam is a very complex religion with various interpretations across the world. Hundreds of millions of Muslims agree with what's in the film and believe in what's in the film. 'There are people across the world who are okay with depicting the Prophet, it's just Roshan's mob who don't - they've bullied the world to believe that's the only viewpoint, which isn't the case.' It comes as a government adviser has also warned that appeasing 'religious mobs' risks undermining social cohesion. Dame Sara Khan slammed politicians for not standing up to the protests which have seen screenings axed, describing the situation as a 'dangerous slippery slope'. Such failures could then potentially lead to anybody taking offence to an issue trying to cancel a range of lawful activities through the use of 'intimidation and fear', the Telegraph reports her saying. Muslims protest outside Westfield Stratford's Vue cinema over The Lady of Heaven Cineworld has said it has cancelled all showings of the film nationwide 'to ensure the safety of our staff and customers'. Pictured: A crowd of protesters gathered outside the Cineworld in Birmingham on Sunday, June 5, to protest the film's release Dame Sara Khan slammed politicians for not standing up to the protests which have seen screenings axed, describing the situation as a 'dangerous slippery slope' How Prophet Muhammed cartoons have previously sparked controversy and violence Cartoon during RE lesson A teacher was forced into hiding following protests about a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammed he showed to pupils during a religious education class. The image, which was shown to children at Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire, sparked days of heated protests by parents and activists at the school gates. The 30-year-old teacher, who was forced to flee his home, was suspended at the time but later cleared when an independent investigation found that he had not intended to cause offence. Earlier this year he was reported to still be in hiding. Charlie Hebdo French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was attacked by Islamist fanatics in January 2015, after posting cartoons which were said to have insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Twelve people were killed in the onslaught, including a number of cartoonists who were said to have continually mocked Islam. The magazine is now published from a secret headquarters in Paris - one that is said to be under armed guard at all times. Samuel Paty Teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded outside the gates of the college where he taught in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, north of Paris, in 2020. The killing came after an online campaign led by Muslim parents who were angry at Paty for showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to students. Paty had shown the cartoons - previously printed in magazine Charlie Hebdo - to pupils as part of a lesson on free speech. Advertisement Mr Salih, who Mr Shilbak was responding to, is editor of 5Pillars, a controversial website funded by an organisation linked to Britain's only state-approved press regulator. It recently faced calls to repay a 3,000 grant after it posted a homophobic video online, while it has also published conspiracy theories about terror attacks, including an article suggesting MI5 may have arranged the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby in 2013. He had earlier claimed: 'There's no such thing as unbridled freedom of speech in this country we've seen that by the banning of Russian TV channels in the last few months. 'You can't be openly homophobic or anti-Semitic or racist so you shouldn't be openly Islamophobic as well. There's a real danger of sectarian violence in this country and this film could very well provoke that.' He added: 'All [Mr Shilbak] does is provoke Sunnis because he's a juvenile extremist, he's the Shia Tommy Robinson.' Shahid Ali, a cleric who organised one of the protests was also critical. He told Sky News: 'Our reservations primarily are the false narrative of the early caliphs of Islam, the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad, of them being terrorists. 'These figures are revered throughout the whole Muslim world by the vast majority of two billion Muslims across the globe. 'If they are portrayed in this divisive and inflammatory and inciting movie as terrorists and then Muslims who naturally love and revere these figures who are our founding figures of our religion - this creates an impression in the viewer, especially those who have little or minimal knowledge of Islam, that the central figures are indeed terrorists and all Muslims who revere them and honour them are similar. 'So this is an extremely dangerous and sectarian narrative which is very extreme.' Meanwhile, another of the film's producers, Hussein Ashmere, told LBC the recent uproar has in fact given the film 'a huge push' and 'a huge tailwind'. He went on to explain that there hasn't been such a response in any other country the film has been released: 'The UK wasn't its first release. 'It's been released in the US, it's been released in Canada, in Europe, but no such reaction apart from what we found here in the UK.' Cinemas have seen protests from Muslims claiming the film The Lady of Heaven is 'blasphemous'. Pictured: Birmingham Some cinemas made the decision to pull the film from theatres following the backlash. Pictured: Cineworld in Birmingham It comes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid weighed in on the controversy and said the cancellations were 'an incredibly dangerous road to go down'. Made in Britain for 12million, the film opens with the invasion of Iraq by ISIS and features a graphic jihadist murder, before telling the story of Lady Fatima, one of the daughters of the founder of Islam. Islamic tradition forbids the direct portrayal of religious figures, with previous depictions of prophets leading to protests and even murders amid accusations of blasphemy. Director Eli King depicts Fatima as a faceless character, shrouded by a black veil to avoid doing this. But protesters have accused the filmmakers of inaccurately depicting religious history and negatively portraying three of Islam's most important figures. A video from the weekend appears to show a manager at one cinema addressing a crowd confirming the film has been pulled, prompting cries of 'Allahu Akbar'. The film features former Coronation Street actor Ray Fearon and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival last year, but was only released in the UK for the first time on June 3, this year. John Stephenson, who directed the 1999 film Animal Farm and 2004 movie Five Children and It, acted as a creative consultant. And other critics have expressed anger that the negative characters were portrayed by black actors, rather than white, which they say 'stems from the racial bias against darker skinned people'. Advertisement Thailand has become the first country in Asia to legalise the growth and trade of marijuana. Weed becoming decriminalised for medical and industrial use as of Thursday 9 June in Thailand is a move by the Thai Food and Drug Administration to help boost the country's critical agriculture and tourism sectors. The change has ended decades of prohibition and is now even allowing people to grow the plant at home for self-consumption. However, the extracts of cannabis which contain more than 0.2 percent by weight of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana, will still be illegal. Anutin Charnvirakul, the public health minister, plans to distribute 1 million marijuana seedlings beginning Friday. This has has added to the impression that Thailand is turning into a 'weed wonderland'. It appears that there will be no attempt to police what people can grow and smoke at home aside from registering to do so and declaring it is for medical purposes. When the law came into place on Thursday, the 4,000 inmates nationwide serving time for cannabis, marijuana and hemp-related drug offences across were released from prison and greeted by loved ones. Gloria Lai, Asia regional director of the International Drug Policy Consortium, said: 'People facing cannabis-related charges will see them dropped, and money and cannabis seized from people charged with cannabis-related offenses will be returned to their owners.' Some Thai advocates celebrated on Thursday by buying marijuana at a cafe in Bangkok that had previously been limited to selling products made from the parts of the plant that do not get people high. Thailand has become the first country in Asia to legalise the growth and trade of marijuana. Thai marijuana enthusiast Wiswust Manjit is pictured smoking marijuana next to cannabis plants he grows for self consumption and private business at a home in the Nakhon Nayok province Weed becoming decriminalised for medical and industrial use as of Thursday 9 June in Thailand is a move by the Thai Food and Drug Administration to help boost the country's critical agriculture and tourism sectors. A fridge cooling cannabis brownies in a cannabis cafe in Bangkok is pictured The change has ended decades of prohibition and is now even allowing people to grow the plant at home for self-consumption. However, the extracts of cannabis which contain more than 0.2 percent by weight of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana, will still be illegal. Pictured is a man weighing cannabis flowers for a customer in a cannabis cafe in Bangkok The dozen or so people who turned up early at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok were able to choose from a variety of buds with names such as Sugarcane, Bubblegum, Purple Afghani and UFO. 'I can say it out loud, that I am a cannabis smoker. I don't need to hide like in the past when it was branded as a illegal drug,' said 24-year-old Rittipong Bachkul, the cafe's first customer of the day. Marijuana is also known as cannabis or 'ganja' in Thailand. 'As far as the government is concerned, it's their job to promote medical use only. But it is pretty clear that we have come very far and finally are legalising its use.' 'The government understands that it's more pros than cons,' said Rattapon Sanrak, the cafe's co-owner and a longtime legalisation activist. The country is known for its Thai Stick variety, which is named after the way its potent flowers are dried and tied into sticks and is the origin of many strains now grown overseas. The dozen or so people who turned up early at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok were able to choose from a variety of buds with names such as Sugarcane, Bubblegum, Purple Afghani and UFO. 'I can say it out loud, that I am a cannabis smoker. I don't need to hide like in the past when it was branded as a illegal drug,' said 24-year-old Rittipong Bachkul, the cafe's first customer of the day, pictured The country is known for its Thai Stick variety, which is named after the way its potent flowers are dried and tied into sticks and is the origin of many strains now grown overseas. Pictured is a customer looking at paraphernalia used to smoke weed in Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand Thailand's government has warned that those eager to light up for fun that smoking in public could still be considered a nuisance, subject to a potential 3-month prison sentence and 25,000 baht (577) fine. And marijuana extracts, such as oil, remain illegal if they contain more than 0.2 per cent of THC, shortened from tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical which makes people high. Tourists should proceed cautiously until the rules become clearer after a new cannabis law is passed, said Professor Sarana Sommano of Chiang Mai University's Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. 'There are still risks. The problem is that cannabis is no longer considered a narcotic but there are no ministry regulations and rules governing the use of it,' she said. 'There is no mention of limits on use, drug-impaired driving laws. This could be a mistake by the government in trying to rush out its policy to please voters without really planning the details and explaining to the public what's going on.' Thailand mainly wants to make a splash in the market for medical marijuana. It already has a well-developed medical tourism industry and its tropical climate is ideal for growing cannabis. 'We should know how to use cannabis,' Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a marijuana booster, said recently. Thailand's government has warned that those eager to light up for fun that smoking in public could still be considered a nuisance, subject to a potential 3-month prison sentence and 25,000 baht (577) fine. A customer is pictured viewing samples of marijuana at Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand on the decriminalisation day Marijuana extracts, such as oil, remain illegal if they contain more than 0.2 per cent of THC, shortened from tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical which makes people high. Pictured, a customer shopping for cannabis products in Highland Cafe in Bangkok Thailand mainly wants to make a splash in the market for medical marijuana. It already has a well-developed medical tourism industry and its tropical climate is ideal for growing cannabis. Pictured is an excited customer buying cannabis in Highland Cafe, Bangkok, Thailand 'If we have the right awareness, cannabis is like gold, something valuable, and should be promoted.' Some immediate beneficiaries of the change in law are people who have been locked up for breaking the old law. Thailand's marijuana reforms are projected to boost everything from national income to small farmers' livelihoods, but there is concern whether the benefits will be distributed equitably. One fear is that large corporations could unfairly benefit from proposed regulations involving complicated licensing processes and expensive fees for commercial use that would handicap small producers. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a lawmaker in the opposition Move Forward party, said that under some proposed regulations, the cannabis industry could end up being controlled by a few big companies, as is the case with alcoholic beverages. Thailand's marijuana reforms are projected to boost everything from national income to small farmers' livelihoods, but there is concern whether the benefits will be distributed equitably. Pictured is a businessman touring a cannabis farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand One fear is that large corporations could unfairly benefit from proposed regulations involving complicated licensing processes and expensive fees for commercial use that would handicap small producers, who are keen to move into the marijuana sector as well. Ittisug Hanjichan, owner of Goldenleaf Hemp, a cannabis farm in Thailand's Sri Racha district, led his fifth training course for 40 entrepreneurs, farmers, and retirees (pictured) Goldenleaf Hemp, a cannabis farm in Thailand's Sri Racha district, led their fifth training course (pictured) for 40 entrepreneurs, farmers, and retirees. They each paid about 5,000 baht (120) to learn tips on nicking seed coats and tending the plants to get quality yields Some immediate beneficiaries of the change in law are people who have been locked up for breaking the old law. When the law came into place on Thursday, the 4,000 inmates nationwide serving time for cannabis, marijuana and hemp-related drug offences across were released from prison and greeted by loved ones (pictured in Bangkok) His party wants the laws now being drafted to tackle the problem. Small operators are keen to move into the marijuana sector as well. Ittisug Hanjichan, owner of Goldenleaf Hemp, a cannabis farm in Thailand's Sri Racha district, led his fifth training course for 40 entrepreneurs, farmers, and retirees. They each paid about 5,000 baht (120) to learn tips on nicking seed coats and tending the plants to get quality yields. One of the attendees was 18-year-old Chanadech Sonboon, who said his parents used to scold him for trying to secretly grow marijuana plants. He said his father has changed his mind and now sees marijuana as a medication rather than something to be abused. The family runs a small homestay and cafe and hopes to one day provide cannabis to its guests. A 'beautiful' baby girl died at nine weeks old after her grandmother woke up to find her 'floppy' with her face partially covered by a blanket in a Moses basket. Daisy-Mae Stanley, from Leigh, near Wigan, had been staying at her grandparent's home with her family in November last year when the tragic incident took place. An inquest a Bolton Coroner's Court was told that Lisa Connor, her grandmother, had woken up to find her 'floppy' and with her head against the side of her Moses basket. The baby girl was rushed to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, but tragically died later. The inquest into her death on Monday, June 6, was unable to determine exactly how she died, with the coroner saying her family had not missed any obvious signs leading up to the incident. Daisy-Mae Stanley (pictured) died after being found with her face partially covered by a blanket in a Moses blanket at her grandmother's home The hearing was told that Daisy-Mae had been born on September 17 last year after a 'healthy pregnancy', the Manchester Evening News reports. The Leigh baby weighed 6lb 11oz and was allowed home with her mum, Chelsey Jackson, and father, Brodie Stanley, the next day. In the weeks following her birth, the inquest heard that Daisy-Mae was given antibiotics to treat an umbilical infection. The infection eventually cleared up and the hearing was told that Daisy-Mae was achieving all of her developmental milestones. Ms Jackson, 20, told the hearing that her daughter would 'skip a breath every now and then' and would occasionally fail to breathe for seconds at a time. On November 16, a week before Daisy-Mae's death, Ms Jackson took her daughter to hospital after noticing a rash on her body. She was rushed to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary (pictured) in Wigan on November 23, last year, but tragically later died Paediatrician Dr Joanne Ashworth said the baby girl was diagnosed with a viral infection and discharged home. The inquest heard that on November 22, Daisy-Mae and her parents moved in with Mr Stanley's parents on a temporary basis. That evening, Ms Jackson fed Daisy-Mae before putting her daughter to sleep in a Moses basket next to her bed. After Daisy-Mae woke up some time between 6.30 and 7.30am, Mr Stanley took his daughter into the lounge to be with her grandmother, Lisa Connor, before returning to bed. Ms Connor changed Daisy-Mae's nappy and attempted to feed her before placing her into her Moses basket, the inquest heard. At first, she would not settle but she eventually did at about 9am. After getting her to settle, the inquest heard that Ms Connor placed a fleece over Daisy-Mae as she was worried that the baby's hands were cold. Ms Connor then fell asleep but woke up at 11.15am to find Daisy-Mae 'unresponsive and floppy', the hearing was told. The baby's face was up against the side of the Moses basket and partially covered by a blanket, the inquest heard. Ms Connor woke Ms Jackson and Mr Stanley up and they called for an ambulance. Mr Stanley performed CPR on Daisy-Mae until paramedics arrived at the house and took over. Daisy-Mae was taken to hospital but resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful and she was later pronounced dead. In a statement read out in court, Ms Jackson said she had been left 'devastated' by her daughter's death. An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court (pictured) was unable to determine the exact cause of her death She added: 'Our little girl is missed by all her family and friends and will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives.' Pathologist Dr Melanie Newbould said a post-mortem examination had found 'no obvious cause of death'. Dr Newbould added that she had not found any significant injuries or infection that could have contributed to Daisy-Mae's death. 'As in many cases of sudden and unexpected death in infancy, I'm not able to give a cause of death,' she explained. 'In my opinion, the cause of death should be regarded as unascertained.' Police coroner's officer Marcheta Hogan told the inquest that an investigation had found no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement in Daisy-Mae's death. Recording an 'open conclusion', coroner Stephen Teasdale said: 'It would appear there was nothing obvious that would have been missed by the parents. It simply is that the cause of death remains unascertained.' Following the inquest, Daisy-Mae's family paid a heartbreaking tribute to their 'beautiful baby girl'. 'Daisy Mae was the most beautiful baby girl we have ever seen,' they said. 'She was a happy and healthy baby girl and she had just started to smile. 'Losing her has broke our family, it's still such a shock to us all.. Her brother Theo talks about her ever night before bed. 'When she left, she took a piece of our hearts and we will never forget her gorgeous smile. Forever in our heart mummy and daddy and your brother love you so much and will always talk about you. We miss you dearly RIP baby girl sleep tight.' A boozy British Army medic has admitted drink-driving to buy a McDonald's after being rumbled by workers at the fast food chain. Combat medical technician Andrew Flanagan, 28, has been banned from the roads for two years for driving his black Seat Leon a mile to the restaurant after drinking at a bar in Hartlepool. Police arrested Flanagan at the McDonald's branch after staff reported him, Teesside Magistrates' Court heard. At the police station, he underwent a breathalyser test which showed a reading of 117 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - exceeding the limit of 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres. Andrew Flanagan pictured outside Teesside Magistrates' Court The McDonald's on Burn Road in Hartlepool, where Flanagan drove after drinking Flanagan, who currently resides at the British Army training establishment in Wales, pleaded guilty to drink-driving on May 23. The chair of the magistrates' bench handed Flanagan a 1,100 court bill, including a 923 fine. He was also banned from driving for two years but was offered the drink drivers' rehabilitation course. Matthew Hopkins, mitigating, stated that the defendant was 'fully compliant' when he was approached by officers in McDonald's car park. He added that the offence was a 'stupid mistake' and Flanagan previously had a 'clean driving licence'. Flanagan drove his black Seat Leon one mile from a Hartlepool bar to the fast food joint on Burn Road while over the drink-drive limit Mr Hopkins described Flanagan as an 'exemplary character' who is a serving member of the Armed Forces. The court heard how Flanagan is a combat medical technician and provided a number of references from his commanding officers. The court heard how Flanagan was called to work on Covid wards during the pandemic and volunteers for the NHS ambulance service for the past five years. Mr Hopkins stated that his client was 'embarrassed', 'let himself down and let his regiment down'. 'He wants me to apologise to the court on his behalf as well,' he added. A top black lawyer has described the Queen's privy council as the 'last vestige of colonialism' and called for British judges to stop serving as the final court of appeal for Commonwealth countries. Leslie Thomas, QC, who works in London, claimed that it was time to axe the judicial committee of the privy council, which acts as the final court of appeal for 32 overseas jurisdictions, including 12 independent nations. The committee is made up of judges who mostly sit on the UK Supreme Court and it is also based in the same location in Parliament Square. Historically, it was the final court of appeal for several former British colonies, though many have since removed its jurisdiction. Mr Thomas says the Caribbean Court of Justice should now be the top bench for the region. He previously hit the headlines after he said Britain's traditional 17th century court wigs are 'culturally insensitive' and should be banned. Leslie Thomas, QC, who works in London, says the Caribbean Court of Justice should now be the top bench for the region The judicial committee of the privy council acts as the final court of appeal for 32 overseas jurisdictions, including 12 independent nations He is the latest to make the call after Professor Rosalea Hamilton, a Jamaican lawyer who founded its Institute of Law and Economics, used the Caribbean tour of Prince William and Kate in March to criticise the privy council. Who is Leslie Thomas QC? Leslie Thomas, 57, is one of the UK's leading lawyers, having been a part of some of the biggest trials in recent history. Mr Thomas was born and grew up in London, and attended an inner London comprehensive school. Previously, he has spoken about having to retake his A-Levels. According to an online profile, he is a leading expert in claims against the police and other public authorities, and claims against corporate bodies. He also regularly acts for clients in the Caribbean region on constitutional law challenges and is an advocate for clients in human rights cases. The case that first put him on the map was when he secured an unlawful killing decision against a serving police officer in the Azelle Rodney public shooting enquiry in 2013. A year later, he represented 11 families who lost relatives in the Hillsborough disaster. Since then, he has acted as an advocate for families in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse. He was also lead counsel to the family of Mark Duggan at the 2016 inquest into Duggan's death - which sparked the 2011 riots across England. He has frequently spoken about discrimination and colonialism, having called for Britain's traditional 17th century court wigs to be banned for being 'culturally insensitive'. Advertisement In an interview with Times Law today, Thomas said: 'Contrary to the widely held belief that the privy council is more independent than the Caribbean Court of Justice, recent cases debunk this myth and in fact establish that the CCJ has in recent years been a much better protector of fundamental human rights than the privy council. 'The time is right to get rid of the last vestiges of colonialism and for Caribbean countries and peoples to have renewed faith in the CCJ. It has certainly proven its worth.' Professor Hamilton said in March: 'The colonial legacies that are perpetuated in policies, laws and institutional arrangements that encourage conformity to norms and practices, are ill-suited for the modern world.' She also added it was 'time to dismantle the last vestiges of our colonial institution and the ideological underpinning of racism, discrimination and inequality that persist in the world'. Mr Thomas was previously in the news after he said that Britain's traditional 17th century court wigs are 'culturally insensitive' and should be banned. He said the white Georgian-style hair pieces look 'ridiculous' on black advocates and are 'fashioned for caucasian hair'. It came after Michael Etienne, a black barrister with an afro, was told he risked being in contempt of court if he refused to wear one - before suggesting the tradition was an example of 'hair discrimination'. Mr Etienne, a specialist in public and human rights cases, had written to the Bar Council to seek guidance on the issue. The junior barrister tweeted: 'Asked the Bar Council what could happen if, as a Black Barrister with an Afro, I declined to wear my wig. 'The answer included: 'contempt of court', 'wasted costs' and various potential breaches of Code of Conduct. 'Unless the insistence was discriminatory'' He added hashtag #HairDiscrimination to his tweet. It comes amid growing calls to outlaw hair discrimination - which often sees black adults and schoolchildren suffer criticism if they don dreadlocks, braids or afros. The hairstyles can be deemed as 'unprofessional' in discriminatory settings due to deep-rooted eurocentric concepts of neatness. Etienne added: 'To be clear, I didn't ask for dispensation. I asked the Bar Council for an indication of whether I might be at risk of sanction.' Michael Etienne (pictured) was told he risked being in contempt of court if he refused to wear a wig - before suggesting the tradition was an example of 'hair discrimination' Leslie Thomas (pictured), QC, said the white Georgian-style hair pieces look 'ridiculous' on black advocates and are 'fashioned for caucasian hair'. He said the Bar Council 'doesn't make the rules but it is supposed to be the representative body, So, we might hope it takes proactive steps to address this issue in the interests of its black members'. When a fellow Twitter user suggested Mr Etienne 'tie back' his hair, he replied: 'Afro doesn't just 'tie back'. 'Tie it down, maybe. But I object to restraining my hair as a condition of going to work.' What is the Privy Council? The Privy Council is one of the oldest parts of the UK's constitutional arrangements, with its origins dating back to the time of the Norman kings when the monarch met in private - hence the description Privy - with his or her group of trusted counsellors who fulfilled the role that the Cabinet performs today. As well as advising the Queen, it provides administrative support for the leaders of the Commons and Lords. It also has responsibility for the affairs of 400 institutions, charities and companies incorporated by Royal Charter. The body also has a judicial role as it is the court of final appeal for the UK overseas territories and Crown Dependencies, and for a number of Commonwealth countries. It also has a number of important executive functions - Parliament is dissolved by proclamation approved by the Queen in Council and the monarch formally prorogues Parliament on the Council's advice. Members of the Privy Council are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. Membership of the Privy Council is for life, and members are entitled to be addressed as 'Right Honourable'. Anyone joining the Privy Council is required to take an oath or a solemn affirmation to 'keep secret all matterstreated of in Council'. Members of the Privy Council are known as Privy Counsellors. There are currently around 650 Privy Counsellors. All Cabinet Ministers are, or must become, members of the Privy Council. The Leader of the Opposition is also appointed to the Privy Council so he or she can receive briefings on matters related to the national interest on privy counsellor terms. Advertisement Sam Mercer, head of equality at the Bar Council, told the Times that the organisation was now 'absolutely' prepared to 'take soundings' on the issue. The white wigs worn by barristers, known as perukes, are seen by some as a symbol of authority, and offer a level of anonymity to the QCs wearing them. They are no longer worn in most court hearings in England and Wales, but they are mandatory in the crown court, certain civil hearings and the High Court and Court of Appeal. But Mr Thomas, one of the most high profile black barristers in the country, branded them 'nonsense' and said they should be scrapped entirely. He told the Times: 'Wigs are 17th century male fashion, to have them in the 21st century is nonsense.' Peter Herbert, a former part-time judge and barrister, added that he never wore a traditional wig or forced advocates appearing before him wear them. 'The sky didn't fall in, juries were happy, barristers did not get recognised by criminals and justice was still done,' he said. Alphege Bell, who was the first ever barrister to appear in court with dreadlocks, suggested there should be a law that recognises the impact wearing the wigs can have on black barristers. He cited the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act, which was passed in California in 2019 to outlaw race-related hairstyle discrimination. 'It's about seeing how processes and practices in the workplace have an adverse effect on those with non-traditional hairstyles, and giving them protection and comfort, so they can feel proud and confident that they won't be subjected to adverse treatment because of the appearance of their hair,' he said. Mr Bell added that if the courts want people from diverse backgrounds to become barristers, 'should we make adjustments to ensure that our processes and tradition don't adversely affect them?' In an interview with the Times last year, he said being a barrister 'shouldn't be about how your hair falls.' He said: 'We shouldn't live in fear because our hair isn't a certain way. 'This job should be about intellectual excellence and ability; it shouldn't be about how your hair falls. 'The configuration of your hair doesn't add to the strength of your argument.' Meanwhile family law barrister Yaa Dankwa Ampadu-Sackey, who wears her hair in braids, tweeted that the traditional wigs were 'not always compatible' with her hairstyle and could make her feel uncomfortable, potentially affecting her performance in court. Another female barrister, using the Twitter name KingTriiciia, posted: 'Until we address the deeply rooted anti-blackness at the Bar, nothing will change. 'All the talks, inclusive and equality projects mean nothing when the root is rotten.' Advertisement A German-Armenian man who ploughed his car into a group of school children on an end-of-term trip in Berlin on Wednesday 'has serious problems', his 'shocked' sister has said as he is quizzed by police today. Gor H, 29, deliberately rammed his car into the 10th-grade class in front of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church around 10.30am - killing one female 51-year-old teacher, leaving a second seriously hurt, and wounding 13 students aged between 16 and 17, including six now in critical condition. Franziska Giffey, Berlin's mayor, said Thursday morning that officers are still questioning Gor to try and ascertain a motive - but said a picture is emerging of a 'rampage' carried out by a 'severely mentally impaired person'. Armed police who raided Gor's apartment - located less than a mile from the crime scene - on Wednesday afternoon said they found no explosives or extremist material. A 'confession note' reportedly found in the vehicle turned out not to exist, though officers did find literature 'expressing views on Turkey' which is being probed. Gor - who was filmed being arrested while shouting 'please help' at passersby - is talking to police, German media reported, but is making 'confused statements' that officers are trying to decipher with the help of an interpreter despite the fact that he speaks some German. Interviewed by newspaper Bild outside the apartment they shared with their mental-health nurse mother, Gor's 'shocked' 31-year-old sister - whose car he used to carry out the attack - said only that 'he has serious problems.' Neighbours, who affectionately referred to the overweight Gor as 'little round man', told the paper that he always greeted them warmly while describing him as a 'loving and nice person'. Gor H, 29, deliberately drove his sister's car into a 10th grade class on an end-of-term trip to Berlin on Wednesday morning - killing their 51-year-old teacher, seriously wounding a second teacher, and injuring 13 students, six of them critically Witnesses said Gor accelerated into crowds in front of Berlin's Keiser Wilhelm Memorial Church - scene of the 2016 Christmas market attack - before driving 600ft further down the road and slamming into a perfume shop (pictured) Police tasked with interviewing Gor say he is making 'confused statements' that they are trying to decipher with the help of an interpreter - despite the fact that he speaks some German Officers are today continuing to gather evidence at the scene of the crash, and are probing literature 'expressing views on Turkey' that were found inside Gor's vehicle Forensic investigators are pictured gathering evidence at the scene of Wednesday's 'rampage', which politicians say appears to be the work of a 'severely mentally impaired' mind A police officer works at the scene where a car crashed into a group of people near Breitscheidplatz in Berlin An officer bags up fragments left behind after Gor slammed his sister's car into a 10th-grade class in Berlin on Wednesday A police truck tows away the car used in Wednesday's attack, which politicians now say was deliberate though exactly what motivated it remains a mystery The approximate route the driver took is outlined in red, before he crashed into a perfume shop and was tackled by passersby Almost all of the injured come from a single school in the small town of Bad Arolsen, in northern Hesse state, around 200 miles to the west of Berlin. The class - 24 students in total - was on a trip to the capital city that had been organised for 10th grade pupils to celebrate the end of term and the end of their exams. Jurgen van der Horst, local administrator for the Waldeck-Frankenberg district where the college is located, described it as a 'big school in a small town' and said almost all of the 16,000 residents knows someone affected. 'There is great dismay' in the town, he told Bild late Wednesday. Aside from the six critically wounded students and seriously injured teacher, there are two other people - not students - in hospital with serious wounds. Dozens of others received 'minor' injuries. Investigations into the attack are being carried out by homicide detectives, rather than state security forces who would be leading the case if terrorism was suspected as a motive, Berlin's largest newspaper Tagesspiegel said. It was revealed yesterday that Gor has no record with state security services, though he did have a record with local Berlin police for thefts. It is unclear when those crimes took place or exactly what he stole, though cops say they are 'unrelated to extremism'. Berlin's top security official, Iris Spranger, said the woman killed was a teacher on a trip to the German capital with students from a secondary school in the central German state of Hesse. Six people sustained life-threatening injuries and another three were seriously injured, fire service spokesman Adrian Wentzel. Police said 14 students from Hesse were among those who sustained injuries of varying severity, but didn't give a total tally. American-British actor John Barrowman, who was in a nearby store at the time of the crash, described the scene as 'carnage.' Franziska Giffey, Berlin's mayor, said early Thursday that Gor's actions appear deliberate but he is 'severely mentally impaired' and police are struggling to ascertain a motive Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey speaks to reporters at the scene of Wednesday's attack, as police continue to hunt for clues as to what could have motivated it Police officers work at the scene after a car drove into a crowd of people in central Berlin, Germany Police officers cover a dead body after a car crashed into a crowd of people in central Berlin, Germany, A forensic officer photographs a car which crashed into a group of people on a school trip near Breitscheidplatz in Berlin Emergency services move a stretcher at the site where a car ploughed into a crowd in Berlin on Wednesday A first-response helicopter is pictured at the site after a car crashed into a group of people near Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (pictured rear) in Berlin on Wednesday The driver was apparently detained by passers-by and then arrested swiftly by a police officer near the scene, Cablitz said. Investigators were working to determine whether the man deliberately drove into the pedestrians or whether it was an accident, possibly caused by a medical emergency. Police said the driver was a 29-year-old German-Armenian who lived in Berlin. Spranger said posters were found in the man's car 'in which he expressed views about Turkey.' In a later interview with regional public broadcaster RBB, Spranger said Germany's domestic intelligence agency had no immediate information on the man and authorities were still checking whether he was known to police. She said the driver was in a hospital, 'because we must of course immediately clarify whether he is ill, whether he took drugs and so on.' 'We can't rule anything out at the moment ... but there is no claim of responsibility,' Spranger said. Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said she was 'deeply shocked' by the incident but cautioned against drawing premature conclusions. 'Before speculating, I think it's important at this stage to really let the police and fire service conduct their investigation,' the mayor said. 'We want the greatest possible transparency, but we also want reliable information.' Giffey said the crash brought back 'terrible memories' of a truck attack more than five years ago at the nearby Breitscheidplatz square. An Islamic extremist drove into a Christmas market in 2016, resulting in 13 deaths. In a 2019 incident in central Berlin, an SUV plowed into a group of pedestrians, killing four people. The driver had suffered an epileptic seizure and veered onto the sidewalk. A memorial service for the people killed or hurt in Wednesday's crash was held in the evening at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on the Breitscheidplatz, next to the scene of the crash. Porsche driver Richard Pusey's attempt to have convicted murderers, prison officers and police give evidence to 'paint a picture' of why they should be released on bail has been rejected. The 43-year-old, who uses they/them pronouns, has been charged with twice using a carriage service to harass by posting online graphic images online from the 2020 Eastern Freeway crash that killed four police officers. Pusey asked the Victorian Supreme Court to consider 60 subpoenas, requesting people give evidence or submit documents to assist in their bail application. Porsche driver Richard Pusey's attempt to have convicted murderers, prison officers and police give evidence to 'paint a picture' of why they should be released on bail has been rejected This included a request for Greg Davies, who is serving a 28-year sentence for murder, and Scott Murdoch, who died in prison last year. Pusey wanted Davies to speak on behalf of their bail application as 'a representation of what jails are for', the court heard on Thursday. Eleven prison officers were called on, as Pusey said some would give evidence they were 'respectful, appreciative, caring' while in custody. Pusey also wanted more than a dozen police officers to give evidence, as well as former neighbours and acquaintances. 'If you give me the paints, I'll paint the picture,' Pusey told the court. Justice Lesley Taylor rejected most of Pusey's subpoenas, as they were not relevant to the application for bail. Four officers were killed after they pulled over Mr Pusey Porsche (pictured) for allegedly speeding on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway 'The bail application is limited, it is not the forum to explore issues you have with Victoria Police or other people,' she said. However, she granted Pusey's request to have a woman give evidence about where they would live if granted bail and allowed them to request access to two prison phone call transcripts. The fresh attempt at release comes after Pusey was denied bail by Sunshine Magistrates Court last month. Police officers were stopped on the side of the freeway after pulling Pusey over for speeding in April 2020, when four of them were struck by a truck. Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and and Constable Josh Prestney all died in the horror crash (pictured left to right) Pusey allegedly attached a graphic image from the crash to an email to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and posted another photo to a review on the Porsche Centre Melbourne home page. They are also charged with committing offences while on bail. If convicted, they face 12 months behind bars on each charge. The matter was adjourned to June 14, when a date will be set for a decision on Pusey's bail application. Vladimir Putin has lost two more colonels in Ukraine - including one of Russia's youngest to reach such a high rank - as a video showed a Russian battalion being hit with artillery fire while attempting to rescue a casualty. Elsewhere, in another blow to the Kremlin's war efforts, a separate video released this week showed Ukrainian bombs destroying a Russian ammo depo in a huge ball of flames. Images released by Kyiv also appeared to show a destroyed Russian unit. These are the latest examples of Ukraine's forces putting up a fierce resistance against Putin's invading forces. Moscow expected to capture Kyiv within days of invading on February 24, but its forces have instead been drawn into a protracted conflict that has resulted in tens-of-thousands Russian military losses. Meanwhile, bitter fighting for the eastern city of Severodonetsk continued to rage on Thursday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fate of the whole Donbas region hinges on the 'very fierce' battle. The deaths of the two high-ranking military figures mean the Kremlin has seen at least 52 colonels killed during the bloody conflict. Lt-Col Vadim Gerasimov, aged only 36, a battalion from Leningrad region, was posthumously awarded a Hero of Russia - the country's highest honour - on Putin's orders. His widow was also expected to receive his posthumous Order of Courage. His funeral was being held on Thursday in Russia's Leningrad region. A graduate of the prestigious Frunze military academy, he was the father of a daughter. Details of his citation for the Hero of Russia award were not immediately available. The second high-ranked officer whose death was revealed today is Colonel Ruslan Shirin, a brigade commander, who 'heroically died in battle'. He was chief of staff of the 336th Separate Guards Marine Brigade, part of the Baltic Fleet. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage. It was not clear how and where in the Ukrainian war zone the colonels were killed. Reports of their deaths came as a video showed a Russian battalion being shelled by Ukrainian forces as they attempted rescue a casualty. Scroll down for video Lt-Col Vadim Gerasimov (pictured left), aged only 36, was a battalion from Leningrad region. He was killed in Ukraine, as was Colonel Ruslan Shirin, a brigade commander (pictured right) Pictured: Russian soldiers are seen trying to recover and injured comrade on a road in Ukraine As the soldiers tried to drag their comrade back towards their armoured vehicle, a Ukrainian air strike landed feet away from the vehicle Pictured: Russian soldiers are seen injured next to an armoured vehicle after Ukrainian artiller fire landed just feet away from their vehicle The aerial footage, showing a dirt road running through some woodland, saw Russian soldiers trying to drag their fallen comrade back to what appealed to be an armoured personnel carrier. Suddenly, a large explosion rocked the soldiers as Ukrainian artillery landed just feet away from the armoured vehicle. Smoke covered the scene as the soldiers attempted to crawl back to vehicle in a desperate attempt to escape. Reports suggested at least one soldier was killed in the strike, and others injured. Elsewhere, more aerial footage showed a Ukrainian attack on a Russian ammunition dump on Wednesday in Voskresenka, Zaporizhia Oblast, in Ukrainian territory that is currently held by the Russian invaders. The attack was carried out by members of the 44th Artillery Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces with the support of aerial reconnaissance by the 81st Airmobile Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, the 44th said. Video of the attack showed a series of massive explosions as Ukrainian artillery hit its mark, igniting munitions inside the warehouse - some of which could be seen firing off in different directions into the air above the building. Initial strikes appeared to only collapse the roof and cause a number of smaller fires, but as the attack continued, one huge fireball erupted from the warehouse, ripping it apart and destroying at least half the building completely. According to the Daily Express, a 15-year-old boy used a camera drone to locate the warehouse, which in-turn allowed Ukraine's military to target it. The brigade said on 8th June: 'Artillerymen of the 44th OAbr of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of aerial reconnaissance of the 81st brigade of the 5th BTGR, bombed the accumulation of enemy equipment and ammunition in the Pologovsky district. 'It is known that Russian troops fired at three settlements in the Pologovsky district. Enemy shells hit Gulyaipole, the villages of Dobropolye and Upper Tersa. 'Earlier, the Russian military left some positions in the Melitopol and Vasilyevsky regions. As it became known, they moved in the direction of Kherson region.' Pictured: A warehouse in Ukraine being used by Russian forces to store ammunition, moments before it was targeted by Ukrainian artillery fire Smoke is seen rising from the Russian ammo dump as it comes under attack by Ukainian artillery. The first strikes caused smaller explosions and fires in the warehouse Suddenly, a huge fireball was seen erupting from the ammo dump as the aummunition inside caught fire when it came under attack by Ukrainian missiles, destroying the building The deaths of the two colonels were revealed two days after the 50th colonel - artillery commander Lt Col Vladimir Nigmatullin, 46 - was confirmed dead. Russia recently lost its 11th general of the conflict, Major-General Roman Kutuzov was the chief of staff of the 29th Combined Arms Army. He was awarded a posthumous promotion to Lieutenant-General. Some sources have claimed that Russia lost a second and more senior general - Lieutenant-General Roman Berdnikov, 47 - in the same incident in Donetsk region. There have been claims that Ukraine has received Western intelligence assistance to target Putin's commanders in the field, in an attempt to weaken the morale of Russian forces. Whether or not this is the case, a large number of high ranking officers have been killed, with almost one colonel every two days in the war. The news came after a mercenary who gained notoriety for butchering prisoners of war and civilians in the Donbas was also been killed, in another blow to Putin. Vladimir Andonov, 44, a fighter for the shadowy Wagner Group, was shot by a sniper near Kharkiv during a reconnaissance missions on June 5, Russian media says. Andonov was known to Russians as 'Vakha' or 'the volunteer from Buryatia' after the region he was from, but to Ukrainians as 'the executioner' for massacres he helped carry out during Russia's first invasion of the country in 2014. His death was confirmed by Zhambal-Zhamso Zhanaev, head of the region where Andonov was from, who spoke to Russian newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets. Artillery commander Lt Col Vladimir Nigmatullin was killed two days ago in Ukraine, become Russia's 50th colonel casualty of the war Vladimir a soldier with the notorious Wagner Group, was shot dead by a sniper during a reconnaissance mission near the city of Kharkiv on June 5 Ukraine said Thursday it was losing up to 100 soldiers every day in frontline fighting against Russian troops and that as many as 500 were being wounded in battles. 'The situation at the front lines is difficult. Every day we have up to 100 of our soldiers killed and up to 500 wounded. The Kremlin continues to press by sheer mass, stumbles, faces strong resistance and suffers huge casualties,' Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on social media. Ukrainian forces continued to fight for the industrial zone and adjacent areas in eastern the city of Sievierodonetsk, which Kyiv holds. Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk said on Thursday that the situation is 'difficult but manageable', and Kyiv said Russian forces are now largely in control of the city itself. He said defence lines were holding despite intense Russian artillery fire but that it was now impossible to evacuate people from Sievierodonetsk. He added about 10,000 civilians remained in the city, which is now the main focus of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. The strategic city has become the focus of Russia's offensive as it seeks to seize an eastern swathe of Ukraine, after being repelled from other parts of the country. Western long-range artillery would enable Ukraine to beat back Russian forces and capture Severodonetsk within days, another regional Ukrainian official said Thursday. 'As soon as we have long-range artillery to be able to conduct duels with Russian artillery, our special forces can clean up the city in two to three days,' Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said in an interview distributed on his official social media channels. Moscow's forces are concentrating their firepower on the strategically important industrial hub as part of efforts to capture a swathe of eastern Ukraine. Pictured: An image released by Ukraine's military shows Russian armoured vehicles Pictured: A destroyed Russian tank is seen amongst the ruins of buildings in Ukraine Pictured: Another destroyed Russian tank is seen on a road running through a Ukrainian town Pictured: Another Russian tank is seen in Ukraine in images released by Kyiv's armed forces Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky late Wednesday described the battle as 'one of the most difficult' since the start of the war. 'Severodonetsk remains the epicentre of fighting in the Donbas,' Zelensky said, referring to the region in eastern Ukraine that includes the provinces of Lugansk and Donetsk. 'It is a very fierce battle, very difficult, probably one of the hardest in the course of this war,' Zelensky said in his evening address to the nation. Gaiday said Thursday that Ukrainian forces in the city remained 'highly motivated' and that 'everyone is holding their positions'. 'Russia is constantly shelling areas controlled by Ukrainians with artillery,' he added. The US and Britain have announced they are providing Kyiv with long-range precision artillery batteries, defying warnings from Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Lugansk region more broadly was under continued mortar, artillery and rocket attacks, the Ukrainian presidency said. It said four people were killed and five more wounded in a Russian air strike on Toshkivka, a village around 25 kilometres south of Severodonetsk. Russia's offensive is now targeting the Donbas, after its forces were pushed back from Kyiv and other areas following the February 24 invasion. The cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, which are separated by a river, were the last areas still under Ukrainian control in Lugansk. Lysychansk remains fully under the control of the Ukrainian army but is under 'powerful and chaotic' shelling, Gaiday said, accusing Russian forces of deliberately targeting hospitals and humanitarian aid distribution centres. 'The destruction is enormous,' he added. An emergency officer carries out work in wrecked building after shelling amid Russian attacks on Ukraine in Kharkiv, Ukraine on June 9, 2022 Smoke and dirt rise from shelling in the city of Severodonetsk during fight between Ukrainian and Russian troops in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on June 7, 2022 A view of a building partly destroyed in a shelling in Saltivka neighbourhood of Kharkiv, June 8 Part of the Donbas had already been held by pro-Russian separatists since 2014. At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres added his voice to increasingly dire warnings about the war's impact. 'For people around the world, the war is threatening to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake,' he said. Severodonetsk appeared close to being captured just days ago but outgunned Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks and managed to hold out. Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said Western artillery would help secure a Ukrainian victory, echoing Kyiv's repeated calls for more military aid. 'As soon as we have long-range artillery to be able to conduct duels with Russian artillery, our special forces can clean up the city in two to three days,' he said. Gaiday added that Ukrainian forces in the city remained 'highly motivated' and that 'everyone is holding their positions', while describing Russian tactics as 'very primitive.' The United States and Britain have announced they are providing Kyiv with long-range precision artillery batteries, defying warnings from Putin. The father of a boy who spent the night in freezing cold weather after going missing has been arrested after police allegedly discovered a drug lab in his home. Christopher Wilson, 11, was found safe and well on Thursday morning after he vanished Wednesday afternoon in Sydney's Hills District and spent a night in icy 4C temperatures. But when officers went to give his 28-year-old dad the good news about 10.40am they allegedly found a locked room in his house which contained a hydroponic marijuana setup. The father was arrested and remains in custody but it is understood no charges have been laid as yet. Christopher was found after a member of the public spotted the 11-year-old walking along Annangrove Road near Joylyn Road just before 9:30am. The boy was cold after spending the night outside but appeared to be healthy and he was being assisted by police and provided with food. 'He was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and despite being out in the cold all night, he had no visible injuries,' police said. The schoolboy was taken to hospital for further assessment with arrangements made to reunite him with his family. Christopher Wilson, 11, was found on Thursday after a massive police search Relieved searchers found the boy walking along a road in Sydney's Hills District on Thursday morning still wearing his backpack. This was the moment he was found by them, with the locals giving him food and keeping him warm On Thursday, two searchers - a woman from Annangrove and her friend from Box Hill - were the first to spot the 11-year-old walking along the side of the road still wearing his backpack. The woman had dropped her own two kids off at school and was on her way to the gym when she decided to spend half an hour looking for the boy. 'I saw him and I pulled over and I said 'Christopher is that you?' and he goes 'yes', and he was backing back a bit and it was full on,' she told reporters. She hugged the boy then gave him some protein bars and let him warm up in her car's air-conditioning. Christopher was found after he spent the night missing in freezing cold weather The 11-year-old had not been seen since a last sighting walking along Annangrove Road towards Rouse Hill in Sydney's north-west at 4.45pm on Wednesday, almost two hours after he got off the school bus on that same road. Officers along with 15 SES members and PolAir conducted an extensive search of the area on Wednesday night, as temperatures plummeted to just four degrees. A multi-agency search began at 8am on Thursday with local police, Police Rescue Squad, PolAir and SES members to continue scouring the area for clues. Superintendent Darrin Batchelor said police were alerted by the boy's distressed parents who got in contact when their son failed to come home on Wednesday afternoon. 'His family are extremely distressed, particularly as the temperatures overnight have been quite cold,' he told reporters on Thursday morning. 'They've had a really rough night and have been out looking overnight.' There were a 'high number' of sightings reported to Crime Stoppers but were likely other students commuting to and from school. Police checked they boy's public transport Opal card details to piece together his movements and contacted his extended family and friends. A geo-text was sent to local residents in the region on Wednesday. Equipping ships with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles is just the start, with mobile launchers capable of deploying them in the works. The next-generation hypersonic missile was delivered in 2019 and installed on older Udaloy Class destroyers and newer Gremyashchiy Class stealth corvettes. Russian Federation's Lethal Missile System The armament has been tested from attack submarines and the primary weapon of Kirov class nuclear cruisers, equipping the Kuznetsov Class aircraft carrier once finished in dry dock, reported Military Watch. Other platforms planned will be on planes and even a ground launcher to attack targets like NATO and American targets. The limitation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forced treaty kept Russia and the US from using land-based tactical systems over 500 km, and the Zircon is double that. If the US did not leave the treaty, then Vladimir Putin would not allow the development. The Zircon's predecessor, the shorter-ranged and slower P-800, is still regarded as one of the world's most proficient anti-ship cruise missiles, with a Mach 3 speed. The Bastion has demonstrated itself in a land-attack role since the February outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian War. Zircon is capable of surgical strikes against land objectives with such a reach that is considerably longer and faster. Capable of Mach 9 and started mass production by December 2021, though it looks the same as Bastion and Kalibr cruise missiles for quickly loading into existing vertical launch cells equipping Russian warships. The Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles are set to enter service by the end of 2022, according to Russian state media outlet TASS, citing defense ministry sources. It was established at NPO Mashinostroyeniya in Reutov near Moscow, citing TASS. Read Also: Xi Jinping Net Worth 2022: How Wealthy Is China's President The missile According to the sources, it would also be capable of attacking ground targets. Enables Russia to deny potential enemies access to vast regions of sea or ocean irregularly. According to the sources, the missile would also be capable of attacking ground targets. Sources further highlighted that the missile would be capable of attacking ground targets. It provides Russia with an asymmetric means of denying adversaries access to large areas of sea or ocean. Even without the destructive power of its warhead, its overwhelming speed is assumed to be adequate to disable even larger warships with a single well-placed impact due to the amount of kinetic energy induced. So far, the US has nothing equal in anti-ship cruise missile classes, even if the two superpowers have their hypersonic programs with Russia in the lead. With the ability to launch from low-cost mobile launch vehicles and hit targets very far and rapidly, this missile will become a crucial element of Russia's defense system in the future, augmenting the Russian Army's current reliance on shorter-ranged Iskander ballistic missiles. Other Russian missiles include the larger Kh-47M2 hypersonic ballistic missiles launched by MiG-31K strike fighters and Tu-22M3 bombers. The addition of the Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles complements other missiles in defending Russian and will give the US and NATO a headache if they decide to anger Russia. Related Article: Indian, Japanese Next Generation Fighters To Challenge the J-20 Mighty Dragon in the Indo-Pacific @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A brave Texas mom was forced to play dead to save her children after her ex stabbed her eight times. Brittany Morris, 31, was in a three-year 'on and off' relationship with boyfriend Rondell Raman Malveaux after she fell pregnant with twins the first time they were intimate. After Brittany told Rondell the relationship was over in August 2019, he showed up at her Beaumont home and stabbed her eight times with a kitchen knife. Morris suffered near-fatal wounds to her neck, back, hip and face. She remains paralysed from the chest down. Brittany Morris (left) is pictured with ex-boyfriend Randall Malveaux (right), who stabbed her Brittany (pictured left and right in assistance wheelchairs) is paralysed from the chest down Rondell claimed he 'didn't want her to be with anyone else'. Brittany feared she would die in front of her two horrified toddlers - and said she pretended to be dead so that Rondell would leave without harming them. After stabbing her four times in the neck as well as in her back, hip, side and face, Brittany says Malveaux ran off, taking all of the phones from the home to prevent her calling the police. The mom says she was forced to play dead when he returned minutes later and demanded her car keys from her sister to allow him to flee faster. She said: 'I saw his shadow trying to get in my bedroom window with the knife. Brittany (center) faced a murder attempt in front of twins Isaac (right) and Imanu'el (left), five Inspiring Brittany just got a degree - and is fundraising to pay for a special drivers' license 'He kicked the front door wide open. I walked him outside and sat in the chair on the porch and he just yelled at me. 'He was like "So you're done with me, this is it?" and I said "Yes" and then he just started stabbing away right into my neck to the spine and so I was paralysed instantly. 'I was awake the whole time so I remember everything.' Miraculously, the inspiring mom survived the cruel attack - and is now vying to get her life back in the form of an adapted vehicle and driving license, so she can transport herself and her two sons. Brittany added: 'It was never in my mind to run - I had my kids there and I didn't want him to do something to them to try and hurt me. My sister and nephew were there as well. 'I used the last energy I had to lunge forward at him and that's what made him run off. 'I was just praying that God wouldn't take me in front of my children because my kids were right there in the doorway when he ran off and they saw him. Attempted murderer Randall (left) was jailed for 20 years - but could be freed in just ten Brittany hopes to attain a drivers license so she can transport her five-year-old boys 'I thought about where my kids would go and just thought I have to stay here, I have to be here to take care of them.' Malveaux was sentenced to 20 years in prison but Brittany still fears he could be eligible for parole much earlier than that - leaving her worried for her safety. Brittany's sister was forced to knock on neighbors' doors until someone answered and called an ambulance, which rushed her to Christus St Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, southeast Texas. After allegedly crashing Brittany's car, Rondell was arrested and charged with aggravated assault under the category of family violence. Brittany said: 'When he ran off my sister came outside and my sons came to the doorway. 'One of them said "mommy, that's daddy" and I said "I know, go inside" and told my sister to close the door - I don't even know how I got the energy to speak. Brave Brittany (pictured in hospital) said she may have to relocate when Randall is released 'My sister was trying to help me up but I couldn't move. My left arm dropped in front of me and I had no control over it. 'I told my sister to throw the knife in case he came back - and he ended up coming back to get the keys to my car. 'I had to play dead for a few minutes while my sister gave him the keys so he would leave. Morris was stabbed in her home in front of her two boys - and played dead to save them 'He took our phones so my sister had to knock on everyone's door until someone was able to call an ambulance for us - I don't know how long I was waiting to get help.' Brittany says she and Malveaux were childhood friends that grew up in the same area and went to school together before her family moved to Los Angeles, California. After moving to Arkansas in late 2015, she says the pair reconnected online and started talking before she visited him in their home town in Texas, where they slept together and she conceived her twin boys. The pair then went through a tumultuous relationship for three years until Brittany finally called it quits in August 2019. Brittany said: 'The relationship was on and off. I tried to keep my family together. The last words I told him were "I'm done fighting for the family now." 'Once I said that it was over and I was done with him, that's when he came to find me and tried to kill me because he didn't want me to be with anyone else.' The violent attack left the mom-of-two paralysed from the chest down and in the ICU for a month followed by another four months as a hospital in-patient. The latter four months were spent at The Woodlands Specialty Hospital, where she underwent respiratory therapy to recover from being on a ventilator for three months, as well as physical therapy. Brittany suffered an incomplete spinal injury, meaning the spinal cord had been damaged but not severed. This meant that the nerves could repair and she could regain some movement. In March 2021, Brittany underwent surgery at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Centre to fit a Baclofen pump - a means of administering a muscle relaxant to deal with the spasticity caused by her spinal injury. In March last year, Brittany underwent surgery (left and right) to fit a Baclofen pump, which administers a muscle relaxant to deal with the spasticity caused by her spinal injury Brittany has regained movement and strength in her arms, but the limited movement in her legs means she is forced to use a wheelchair. Brittany said: 'When I got to the hospital I couldn't speak anymore and they had to put me on a ventilator. 'My spasticity was so strong by the time I got to therapy that they couldn't really do anything for me so I had to get the Baclofen straight away. 'I just started thinking about what I have to do to get my independence and wanted to mentally move forward. 'I'm still trying to rehabilitate more. I have a little movement in my legs but I have to do a lot more therapy.' Malveaux was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison at Jefferson County Court, Beaumont in March 2020. The mom says he will have the possibility of parole after just ten years, leaving her concerned for her safety and that of her children. It also means she thinks she will be forced to move out of the area. Brittany is now striving to move forward in her life and find work, having graduated with an associates degree in Occupational Safety last month. She recently passed her first driving exam in an adapted vehicle, with handles for the accelerator and brake pedals, and is working towards achieving a driving license. A charity specialising in helping victims of crime has offered to cover the costs of adapting a van so that Brittany can drive her wheelchair up a ramp and straight into the driving seat. The mom is now fundraising the $18,000 cost of a second-hand van to be able to move forward with the charity and achieve her goal of independence. Brittany said: 'For years I've driven my wheelchair everywhere - to school, to get groceries, to take my children to the park. 'You can't do much without transportation because you have to rely on people. I have to get back to driving. 'I'd be able to find work and do more therapy because I'd be able to transport myself. 'I also wouldn't have to depend on people to drive my children to school or do things for me.' The mother and father of a 10-week-old baby girl found with 19 rib fractures in a Tottenham flat have been charged with her murder and are due to appear in court next week. Darren Hurrell, 25, of Meadow Lane in Derby, and Lauren Saint-George, 25, of Bonnington House in Enfield will appear for trial at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday June 13. Hurrell and Saint-George, have both been charged with with murder of a victim under one year old. They were also charged with manslaughter and assault. Their daughter, Lily-Mai Hurrell Saint George, had been found unresponsive in a flat in Tottenham on January 31, 2018. She was rushed to North Middlesex Hospital in a 'critical and life-threatening condition' and was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where she died two days later. Lily-Mai Hurrell Saint George, had been found unresponsive in a flat in Tottenham on January 31, 2018 and was rushed to North Middlesex Hospital, pictured Lily-Mai was later transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital after the extent of her injuries was discovered A post-mortem examination in St Pancras Coroners Court in February ruled that Lily-Mai had been 'unlawfully killed'. She was found with 19 rib fractures, a fracture to the leg and multiple bleeds to the brain. The couple's daughter had been born two months prematurely, and had spent two months in hospital care before being released to her parents on January 25. During the inquest, the coroner established that Lily-Mai's injuries were consistent with 'shaking type injuries', and that health professionals had reportedly voiced their concerns before the baby was discharged from hospital. Senior coroner Mary Hassell said: 'I have heard the evidence of several professionals who were charged with the care of Lily Mai, the doctors and nurses at Barnet Hospital, who were extremely concerned about her and that they did not believe it was safe for her to be discharged in the care of her parents. 'There were other parents who were of the same view. And yet Haringey Children's Services did facilitate that discharge and that is ultimately bewildering to me. 'I will make a prevention of future deaths report to Haringey Council. 'This is a very, very sad story and I'm afraid it is not the first time that a story has been told.' The case had initially been reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service but due to insufficient evidence, they had decided not to pursue charges against either parent. But, the couple were arrested on April 16 of this year, and charged with Lily-Mai's murder. Prince Andrew's accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre is facing sexual assault claims - after another alleged victim of Jeffrey Epstein says the dead pedophile directed Giuffre to abuse her. Rina Oh, 43, filed a court claim against Giuffre in US District Court and said she was 'frozen like a deer' as Giuffre 'touched her without consent' in 2001. The alleged incident was said to have taken place in the massage room of disgraced financier Epstein's townhouse in Manhattan and has come to light as the women are suing each other. Rina Oh (right), 43, filed a court claim against Virginia Roberts Giuffre in US District Court and said she was 'frozen like a deer' as Giuffre 'touched her without consent' in 2001 In court filings, Oh's representatives claimed: '[Oh] was surprised when she was called to the massage room to see Epstein, and found Epstein and [Giuffre] waiting for her. '[Giuffre] then proceeded to touch [Oh] without [Oh's] consent and much to her horror. '[Oh] did not reciprocate or sexually touch [Giuffre].' Oh told the New York Post: 'I went into the massage room and [Giuffre] touched me without my consent; she sexually abused me. Virginia Roberts Giuffre (left), Prince Andrew's (right) alleged victim, has been accused of sexual assault in court 'I was standing there, frozen like a deer. I did not move. I was in shock. I felt mortified and was uncomfortable.' Oh said that she was introduced to Epstein after the end of a relationship and that she had once described the pedophile financier as a 'rich, older boyfriend' but now says she was a victim of sexual abuse. Giuffre's attorney Kat Thomas told the New York Post: 'The allegations of sexual assault against Ms. Giuffre are not true.' The legal dispute between the two women began when Oh filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuffre after the latter tweeted that Oh 'procured & partook in the abuse of minors' with Epstein. Oh is seeking $10million in damages. Giuffre countersued claiming to be 'the victim of the sadomasochist sexual play and physical abuse perpetrated against her by Oh, including cutting, slashing and other physical injuries during the sadomasochist sessions. Giuffre recently reached a settlement with Prince Andrew worth a reported $12million after sex trafficking claims that she said took place when she was a 'sex slave' for Jeffrey Epstein Oh denied the allegations to the Post, saying: 'I never cut her leg. I never touched her. I never heard of anyone doing anything like that during my involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. 'I am not that kind of person. I am afraid of needles and faint when my blood gets taken.' Giuffre recently reached a settlement with Prince Andrew worth a reported $12million after sex trafficking claims. The prince agreed to pay a huge sum to settle the case before it reached a jury. Although the agreement contained no formal admission of liability from Andrew, or an apology, it said he now accepted Miss Roberts was a 'victim of abuse' and that he regretted his association with Epstein, the disgraced financier who trafficked countless young girls. It also said the prince accepted that Miss Roberts, now 38, had been subjected to 'unfair public attacks' and that he had never intended to 'malign her character'. Millionaire financier Epstein reportedly abused dozens of girls as young as 14 at the opulent property, before his arrest in July 2019. He reportedly installed hundreds of pinhole cameras throughout the home to spy on his victims in 'private moments' in bathrooms and bedrooms. The house was also said to feature an array of bizarre decor, from an oil painting of Bill Clinton in heels and a blue dress, to a large taxidermy tiger. The latest development comes as Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is awaiting sentencing - facing 50 years in jail for five charges related to recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein. Advertisement Thousands of people including British tourists have been forced to flee a village on Spain's Costa del Sol overnight as a wildfire raged nearby. The entire village of Benahavis, located in hills around 10 miles north of Marbella, has been told to evacuate due to a rapidly-spreading wildfire fanned by 25mph winds. British tourists are thought to be among 3,000 people evacuated so far, with some put up in emergency accommodation in nearby San Pedro de Alcantara. The blaze is thought to have broken out on a 16-acre estate once owned by Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi, where he once planned to build a golf resort. 3,000 people - including British tourists - have been evacuated from Benahavis, north of Marbella, due to a wildfire raging in the hills Helicopters are being used in a desperate bid to dampen flames in the Sierra Bermeja mountain range in Malaga Smoke rises over the hills north of Marbella, as a wildfire rages close to the town of Benahavis, which has been evacuated A helicopter participating in fire containment in Sierra Bermeja mountain range in Malaga is pictured from Benahavis Helicopters participating in fire containment in Sierra Bermeja mountain range in Malaga are pictured from Benahavis Smoke from a wildfire in Sierra Bermeja mountain range in Malaga is pictured from Benahavis Benahavis, a small village in the hills north of Marbella, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire raging nearby The estate, called La Resinera, was bought by the Libyan Foreign Bank in 1995. Gaddafi, captured and killed in October 2011 following the fall of Tripoli to opposition forces, had announced plans to build a golf course and nearly 2,000 homes there. But the Spanish government froze his assets in the country, and the real estate project, in March 2011. Three firefighters have been injured trying to contain the 'out-of-control' blaze, including one with burns to 25 per cent of his body. Police shut the sole road from Benahavis to the coast late Wednesday and drove around with loudspeakers ordering everyone out of their homes and hotels with only their essential belongings. Many locals were forced to sleep overnight in their cars. The forced evacuation is thought to have affected Torre Tremores, the exclusive villa on the outskirts of Benahavis where PM Boris Johnson stayed last year on holiday. The army has been brought in to help firefighters tackle the blaze, which has already burnt nearly 5,000 acres of land. The wildfire remained 'out of control' this morning although a predicted change in the direction of the wind in the coming hours is expected to improve the situation. Benahavis Town Hall tweeted late last night in English and Spanish: 'The village is being evacuated. If there is anyone with mobility problems please call 999. 'Buses and taxis are available at the entrance to the village for those who require them.' Smoke rises from the hills above Marbella as seen from a firefighting aircraft battling to stop the wildfire from spreading Smoke fills the sky as thousands of acres of woodland is torched by a fire burning north of Marbella, Spain, as a nearby town is evacuated Beach-goers in Marbella, Spain, look to the sky as it fills with smoke from the wildfire Spanish firefighters head to tackle a wildfire currently burning in Pujerra, north of Marbella 600 people are tackling the blaze, including soldiers and firefighters , which has so-far burned through 5,000 acres Elias Bendodo, an advisor of the president of the regional Andalucia government, said this morning: 'The biggest problem here is the evolution of the wildfire, which is advancing at a speed of around 100 feet per minute. That's very fast indeed. 'The other problem is accessing the source of the blaze.' Around 600 professionals are tackling the blaze. They include more than 200 members of Military Emergencies Unit UME, a branch of the Spanish Armed Forces. Firefighting planes and helicopters have been put on standby, but are said to have been prevented so far from tackling the flames because of a temperature inversion which has reduced visibility. The Infoca firefighting service confirmed: 'At this moment in time there are areas where a temperature inversion is making it impossible for aerial units to work. 'A plane is heading to the area to carry out a reconnaissance flight which will enable us to properly evaluate the situation.' The blaze comes on the back of a devastating wildfire which raged through the hills behind Estepona near San Pedro for six days in September last year. The Sierra Bermeja wildfire led to more than 3,000 people being evacuated from their homes. Firefighter Carlos Martinez Haro, 44, a father of two young daughters, died battling the flames. Diners were ordered off restaurant terraces late Wednesday as all 3,000 residents and visitors in the town were ordered to go elsewhere Police help an elderly man to leave his home, as flames torching acres of nearby woodland bear down on the small town Spanish Civil Guard officers go house to house in Benahavis, telling people to evacuate Civil Guard officers speak to people in the streets of Benahavis, as whole town is evacuated People walk out of Benahavis, after being given the order to evacuate late on Wednesday night Joshua Ma, who led the app's European ecommerce team, will 'step back' after telling shocked UK TikTok staff that as a 'capitalist' he 'didn't believe' firms should offer maternity leave as more claims about the company's alleged 'toxic' culture emerged TikTok's London staff are quitting or being sacked because of a culture clash with its Chinese owners who are accused of forcing them to work through the night and during holidays - or demoting them if they refuse, whistleblowers claimed today. More than 20 staff have left the firm's e-commerce team since it launched TikTok Shop eight months ago, with anonymous current and former workers slamming 'toxic' and stressful working practices in the UK HQ. The raft of resignations and sackings have been linked to October's UK launch of the companys online retail business, branded an anglo-Chinese QVC selling luxury brands on social media. Two people have reportedly been paid off after complaints over working conditions amid allegations those who failed to hit 'unrealistic' sales targets were singled out and reprimanded on internal message boards. TikTok has said it is investigating. One former team leader told the Financial Times: 'The culture really is toxic. Relationships there are built on fear. They don't care about burnout because it is such a big company they can just replace you. They coast on the TikTok brand'. Another said: 'People are leaving every week. It is like a game: every Monday we ask who has been fired, and who has quit'. The row came as a senior executive at the tech giant is to take some time off after he said he didnt believe in maternity leave because it conflicts with 'capitalism'. Joshua Ma, a manager with TikToks Chinese owner ByteDance, will step back from his role leading the apps UK online shopping operation after the comments emerged as part of an investigation into its aggressive work culture. The row has broken out over how TikTok runs its UK online shop and the treatment of staff TikTok's office in Farringdon, London, which it signed a lease on last year Whistleblowers inside TikTok's UK operation have claimed: People are leaving every week - with employees even having a game predicting who has quit and who has been fired; Two employees paid settlements over working conditions, which included long days and working into to the night and 12 hour says to accommodate calls with China and user peaks; Several staff are already off sick with stress caused by alleged 'toxic culture'; People who fail to hit targets are shamed internally, it is claimed; Staff at TikToks London offices were left outraged after Mr Ma said at an employee dinner that, as a capitalist, he didnt believe companies should offer maternity leave. What is TikTok QVC-style' online shop? Social media app TikTok has grown enormously since it was launched in 2017. The app allows people to post videos between 15 seconds and 10 minutes long, and has become extremely popular, claiming to have more than one billion monthly active users worldwide. TikTok Shop is an attempt by the app to monetise some of its content. It hosts livestreams on which it displays adverts for shopping items - much like QVC on broadcast TV. TikTok approaches companies to host their brands and items on the livestreams, with viewers able to buy these by clicking an orange basket on the stream. These goods are often sourced from cheap manufacturers and with some being low-cost compared to established brands. However, the likes of L'Oreal and Charlotte Tilbury, have sold items through the shop. The firm takes five per cent of the sale price as commission, although it is reported that TikTok sometimes waives this to attract brands to take part. This has proven very successful in China, with the firm rolling it out to the UK in October last year. Advertisement In an email to staff, TikTok said it was investigating the allegations, which it branded disheartening. Hopefully, this painful experience will make us a stronger, closer and better team over the long term, it said. Mas comments, reported by The FT, came amid a culture clash within TikToks London ecommerce team, which reportedly suffered an exodus of staff amid complaints of a toxic company culture that set unrealistic targets and ran counter to standard UK working practices. Staff said they were frequently expected to work over 12 hours per day, while some team members found themselves removed from client accounts after taking annual leave. Working into the early hours of the morning or while taking holiday was also celebrated by the company as an example of good practice. Two employees were also thought to have been paid compensation in relation to working conditions at the firm. The raft of resignations was linked to the UK launch of TikTok Shop, the companys online retail business, in October last year. Products sold through the app include those from brands such as LOreal and Lookfantastic, with TikTok often encouraging sellers to offer heavy discounts and flash sales which are often subsidised by the company itself. Employees complained that TikTok set unrealistic sales targets for the division following the launch in a bid to drum up business. In an email to staff seen by the Financial Times, TikTok said it was investigating the claims. In the email, which was titled 'Maintaining a positive working culture', the firm responded to 'some disheartening allegations' about the ecommerce team in the UK. 'Hopefully, this painful experience will make us a stronger, closer and better team over the long term,' it said. It added that 'the wellbeing of our team is our top priority' and said staff could contact an anonymous hotline to report breaches of the company's code of conduct. Patrick Nommensen, who has worked for ByteDance since the app was launched and led the launch of the ecommerce team in the UK, was named in the email as succeeding Ma, who has 'stepped back' from his role while the investigation takes place. A spokesperson for TikTok declined to comment on Joshua Ma specifically, but said it is 'investigating alleged statements and actions to determine whether there has been a breach of company policies'. TikTok is one of the world's most popular social media apps, with the firm claiming to have more than a billion active monthly users It added that it had a clear maternity leave policy, with 30 weeks paid leave. One of the key reasons given for these issues is an apparent culture clash between working practices in the UK and what the Chinese company expects from its staff. Whistleblowers told of punishingly long days where they were expected to be in early so they could talk to Chinese colleagues while also sticking around into the evenings as this is when livestreams work best. They also said the company praised their commitment if staff worked into the early hours of the morning, while someone saying they would work while on holiday was given as an example of something all employees should aspire towards. A spokesperson for TikTok said: 'As with many service businesses, employees in some functions may at times need to work hours that match customer use patterns. 'We aim to make this the exception rather than the norm, and support our team with flexible working hours, regular no-meeting times, and robust health and wellbeing offerings.' It also responded to claims from former employees claiming that when they didn't hit 'unrealistic' targets for sales on livestreams or didn't answer emails out of hours they would be castigated by bosses. It said: 'TikTok Shop has only been operating in the UK for a few months, and we're investing rapidly in expanding the resources, structures and process to support a positive employee experience. 'Examples include a holistic onboarding programme for new joiners; regular employee surveys to solicit and action direct feedback; and dedicated training, mentorship and recognition programmes to support and celebrate professional development and achievements.' The app, which claims to have more than one billion active monthly users worldwide, has proved controversial in the past. Despite it's popularity, particularly among younger people, governments in the West have raised concerns about how the data of users is used. In 2019 the US Army announced it was investigating the app's links to the Chinese Government, particularly in regard to its policy with data sharing. It came after national security experts raised concerns about Tiktok's collection and handling of user data, including user content and communications, IP addresses, location-related data, metadata, and other sensitive personal information. Comedian Sara Pascoe reported a celebrity to television bosses after a fan told her that he had raped her after seeing them on a show together. The writer and comic, 41, disclosed she had been given the tip-off after the alleged victim clocked them appearing on the same programme. Miss Pascoe said she contacted with the information, which she passed on to bosses. Speaking on the new Amazon Prime series Backstage With Katherine Ryan, she said: 'Have you ever done a job and then someone's contacted you and said: "That's my rapist"? 'I had it on a job recently where I've had to go to the channel, and it's that whole thing because you feel such a sense of responsibility but you also want it to be dealt with well... it's so complicated.' The comedy circuit was part of the #MeToo movement and a number of predators were spoken about but never named. She was speaking to fellow comic and presenter, Sara Pascoe (pictured) when she made the revelations Katherine Ryan (pictured at an award ceremony) has revealed how she confronted a colleague on a popular television programme because she believes he is a sexual predator Several women came forward with stories of unwanted advances, inappropriate touching and even degrading rape jokes. The same programme Ms Pascoe spoke on saw Katherine Ryan reveal how she bravely confronted a colleague on a popular television programme because she believes he is a sexual predator. In a shocking confession, she says that she also made the allegation about his behaviour in front of others working on the show. Miss Ryan, 38, made the courageous revelation that there is what she considers to be an abuser working in the television industry during an interview with fellow comic Sara Pascoe, who she says is also aware of the man's identity. Katherine Ryan at Latitude Festival, day three, in Southwold in 2019 Harvey Weinstein, 70, will be charged with indecently assaulting woman in London in 1996 Harvey Weinstein will be charged by the Metropolitan Police with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in August 1996, prosecutors in Britain said today. Rosemary Ainslie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime Division, confirmed that Scotland Yard had been authorised to charge the ex-film producer. The charges related to one female complainant in August 1996 in London, and the decision was reached after the CPS reviewed evidence gathered by the Met. Police said the woman at the centre of the allegations is now aged in her 50s and the two alleged offences are contrary to section 14(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956. Weinstein was sentenced in March 2020 at New York Supreme Court to 23 years in prison for a sexual assault in 2006 and a rape in a separate incident in 2013. The 70-year-old is currently in a prison in California where he is awaiting another trial for alleged sexual assault against five women. He has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Speaking to Miss Pascoe during her new Amazon Prime series Backstage With Katherine Ryan, the Canadian star who has appeared on shows including Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week and a League Of Their Own said: 'I've done a show with a person who I and you believe is a predator. What am I supposed to do? 'I've thought about that, but it's such a messy thing because I don't have proof what, am I not supposed to feed my children because of someone else?' Miss Pascoe replied: 'Also in that instance that you're referencing it was about raising it.' That prompted Miss Ryan to admit: 'I raised it. I called him a predator to his face and in front of everyone every day.' Miss Ryan joins a long line of high-profile women who have made similar allegations against sexual predators. They include Gwyneth Paltrow and Cara Delevingne who both shared their experiences of abuse by disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Since 2017, several high-profile British celebrities have been the subject of MeToo allegations. Last year Doctor Who star Noel Clarke was accused of groping, harassment and bullying after 20 women provided accounts of misconduct to the newspaper. In April, ex-BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood was accused of sexual misconduct by seven women in a joint investigation by BBC News and The Guardian. Separately, more than 10,000 current and former secondary school students in the UK have shared their experiences of sexual harassment and rape culture anonymously on the website Everyone's Invited. Miss Ryan releases her series on Amazon today. In it, she interviews other comedians including Sue Perkins, Joel Dommett, Rob Beckett, Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr. Miss Pascoe (left) revealed that she had reported a male celebrity to a television channel after receiving a phone call from a viewer who claimed to have been raped by him. Miss Ryan (right) joins a long line of high-profile women who have made similar allegations against sexual predators 'I was groped in the lift at my chambers... so why didn't I complain?' One of Britain's top female judges dares to ask why her generation didn't do more to combat sexual harassment at the Bar Wendy Joseph QC looks back at being a young female judge in a male-dominated world UK-based judge says in 1976 she watched her male peers being offered permanent positions in their chambers whilst she tried to get one to take her on She tells how she hated the patronising tone male colleagues often took with her and how they would touch her without permission By Wendy Joseph QC for the Daily Mail When I arrived at the Old Bailey in April 2012, I knew I would be the only female among the 16 appointed judges. What's more, I was only the third woman judge ever to preside full-time over the most famous court in our land. And it was immediately clear my presence was going to take the impressive team of barristers some getting used to. It's the custom that when a new judge enters the courtroom on their first day, the most senior barrister present rises to welcome them on behalf of the Bar. As I walked towards my seat high on the Bench, a man down in counsel's row got to his feet and bowed. I bowed back. He straightened his wig. I did, too. Wendy Joseph QC (pictured) looks back at being a young female judge in a male-dominated world. Wendy was the only female judge on the Old Bailey's Bench when she joined I was both thrilled and anxious, conscious of the importance of being a woman stepping into an overwhelmingly male domain. This was a significant moment. The barrister cleared his throat. 'We at the Bar wish to welcome you, My Lord,' he said. My Lord! It must have been a slip of the tongue. Concerned it would sound horribly pompous for me to say 'Actually, it's My Lady', I decided to ignore it. Then he did it again. 'It is a pleasure to have your Lordship amongst us,' he said. It wasn't rudeness, I knew that. 'My Lord' was just hardwired into his brain. But for how long could I let this go on? The third time I gave a little sigh, looked slowly down at my cleavage and then back up at him. We stared at each other. First realisation, then a deep blush crossed his face. Poor man. Neither he nor any other barrister made that mistake again. Actually, I wasn't especially surprised or upset. Like it or not, I was a novelty here. And like most professional women, I've suffered far worse slights during my career. She tells how she hated the patronising tone male colleagues often took with her and how they would touch her without permission Don't let Amber Heard derail the MeToo movement, suggests Emma Thompson British actress Dame Emma Thompson has said that Amber Heard's blockbuster sex assault libel battle against Johnny Depp was 'not representative' of the wider MeToo movement. The Oscar-winning star, 63, has suggested that the high-profile US court fight between the two Hollywood stars risked 'derailing' MeToo unless women continue to 'keep on talking'. Critics of the movement declared 'the end of MeToo' after a jury in Virginia found that Heard had defamed Depp by describing herself as a survivor of domestic abuse in a 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post. But others fear that the outcome of the 100million trial will 'silence hundreds of thousands' of women who have been attacked by sex predators - particularly in cases involving the rich and powerful. Asked by BBC Woman's Hour if the case signalled the end of MeToo, Dame Emma - who has been one of the most vocal advocates of the movement since it erupted in 2017 - said: 'One of the things that's very difficult to do is judge an issue like the MeToo issue brings to the fore when you're dealing with very very famous people. It's a whole other thing. 'So actually one of the great issues to do with that case is fame and how people who are famous are treated differently and viewed differently. 'I would say that the MeToo movement is not going to be derailed by that, but in order for it not to be derailed, we just have to keep on talking. We have to keep on talking and refuse to allow it to be derailed by a case where two very very very famous people, which has been blown out of all remote human proportion by the press that's something that can't be avoided. 'But a case where the two protagonists are that famous is not representative, and it's just very important to remember that. 'This movement, which is about human kindness and is so simple really and has been made so complicated, cannot and will not be derailed by one case, and that's not going to happen actually, it simply won't happen.' Dame Emma has been one of the most famous proponents of MeToo since the phenomenon exploded across the West following claims of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's abuse of women. In an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2017, she called Weinstein a 'predator' and suggested that more like him existed in Hollywood. 'Perhaps this is a moment when we can say to men and women: Open your eyes and open your mouths and say something I do see and hear a lot of voices, and I do want to add mine to theirs and say that Hollywood can and must change,' Dame Emma said. Advertisement I retired this spring, aged 70. Over the 47 years since I was called to the Bar, there have been huge and positive changes for women across the legal landscape. When I started out in the mid-1970s, while there were a few pioneering and brilliant female barristers who made it to the top, young women like me often just weren't taken seriously in what was a man's world. This was made horribly clear when I took my first pupillage in a set of Chambers, shadowing a more senior barrister. The clerk the man who organised the work and arranged each barrister's diary made a point of calling me 'Sir' from the moment I walked through the door until the day I left, six months later. No one would get away with that now, or even think about behaving that way. But I didn't complain because it didn't occur to me that I could or should. I hated the patronising tone male colleagues often took with me and the uninvited arms around my shoulders, the unwelcome hands about my waist. But even when, in the tiny lift that rattled its way up the old legal building in the Temple, a hand slid down my hip and onto my bottom, all I did was stop using the lift. This was a male-dominated world, and I can see, looking back, that as a very young woman, I allowed myself to be dominated. Thankfully, I was never more seriously molested, but I know there were others who suffered more. It's hard to see now why we the young women at the Bar didn't get together, exchange our stories and bring our complaints into the light. I suppose we were locked into the system and didn't have the courage or sense to break out. But the bias against women went further than unwanted advances. It was galling when, in 1976 at the end of my year-long pupillage, I watched my male peers being offered permanent positions in their Chambers, while I scrabbled around trying to find one to take me on. I wrote endless applications. No one was interested. My meagre savings were fast running out, and with them my hopes. I began to apply for jobs outside of law. One was as a trainee manager at Marks & Spencer, where I was told I was hopelessly over-qualified. I saw an advert for a job in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, reviewing cases. I'd be a lawyer, but without ever seeing the inside of a court. Still, I got the job and wrote a letter of acceptance but I couldn't bring myself to post it. Clearly, I wasn't ready to give up yet. Thank goodness, because three months later, I was offered a place in the Chambers of John Roberts QC, the first person of African ancestry to take silk at the Criminal Bar. I'm so grateful to John. Without that chance, none of what followed could have happened. There have been many lucky chances along the way. I had a relatively ordinary childhood in Cardiff I was a grammar-school girl, lucky enough to get funding from my local authority to study at Cambridge. My dad sadly died when I was 16, and my mum and grandma worked running a little shop, providing for my younger sister and me. Without those grants, I couldn't have started on the journey that brought me where I am. Once called to the Bar, I soon realised that it wasn't only my sex that set me apart from most of my peers. Many of the barristers around me had been to public schools and had a veneer of being part of 'the club', while my path had been very different. But having got my feet on the ground at my first Chambers, I could forge a path through the legal system. This led, in 2007, at 55, to me making the permanent move from Bar to Bench, first at London's Snaresbrook Crown Court, probably the biggest and busiest Crown Court in Europe. And then, finally, The Old Bailey. Over the last ten years, I have presided over hundreds of trials. I'm sometimes asked if I have special sympathy for women victims or accused, or if I have to force myself not to feel that way. But the truth is, my gender simply doesn't come into it. In the judge's head, nothing must be allowed to interfere in the need for universal fairness. In my book, Unlawful Killings, I've tried to explain what it feels like to sit in a courtroom, to look into the eyes of a 16-year-old in the dock for murder, to see the heartbreak of the mum and dad listening to how their child ended up on a mortuary slab. UK-based judge says in 1976 she watched her male peers being offered permanent positions in their chambers whilst she tried to get one to take her on My career has, in many ways, consumed me. I'm married, but we didn't have children. I'll always have a pang of regret that I didn't have a family. But if I had, would I have been able to do either job the way I'd have wanted? The Bar is a tough taskmaster and I've seen too many promising young women barristers horribly stretched or even give up their careers altogether. But for all the struggles women have in the criminal law courts, I'm proud to say I am bowing out on a high note for women who work there. I was the only female among 16 on the Old Bailey's Bench back in 2012; by the time of my retirement true parity was finally achieved exactly half of the 14 current sitting judges are women. That's how it should be. The Bench should represent the community it serves. And now at least at the Bailey, and at least in terms of sex it truly does. Tory Brexiteers have helped draft new legislation to override Brexit rules for Northern Ireland as Boris Johnson seeks to shore up support among Conservative MPs, it has emerged. The Prime Minister is next week set to unveil fresh laws that will set aside key parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The move will come after Mr Johnson repeatedly warned the EU he will push ahead with unilateral action if negotiations with Brussels on border issues continue to stall. The PM's twin-track approach to the Protocol row - in remaining open to further talks with the EU, but also pushing ahead with legislation at Westminster as an alternative route to reform - has already sparked a furious reaction from Brussels. Mr Johnson is also having to balance tensions within the Conservative Party over the pending legislation - between Tory Brexiteers and the Remainer wing - as he seeks to shore up his position in No10. Whitehall source told The Times that the planned bill had undergone 'substantial drafting and redrafting' after the PM survived Monday's confidence vote among Tory MPs, but also took a battering from rebels. The newspaper reported both Mr Johnson and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held secret talks with Sir Bill Cash, a representative of the European Research Group (ERG) of Tory Brexiteers, on Tuesday night. This was before the plan was rubber-stamped at a Cabinet committee yesterday. Boris Johnson is next week set to unveil fresh laws that will set aside key parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol Both the PM and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss are reported to have held secret talks with Sir Bill Cash, a representative of the European Research Group (ERG) of Tory Brexiteers The PM has repeatedly warned the EU he will push ahead with unilateral action if negotiations with Brussels on the Northern Ireland Protocol continue to stall Senior ministers are claimed to have objected to some of the changes demanded by the ERG and the bill was sent back to the Foreign Office for further redrafting. The DUP are also said to have been consulted on the legislation, although Mr Johnson is reported to have told his ministers the Northern Ireland party must not be allowed to be 'driving Government policy'. A source close to Ms Truss played down reports she had been keen on tougher legislation, insisting the bill would be 'as advertised' in the Foreign Sercretary's statement to MPs last month. 'Shes focused on practical solutions to uphold the Good Friday Agreement,' the source told MailOnline. The Financial Times reported both Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove expressed concerns that the legislation could see fresh accusations that the UK is seeking to breach international law. A number of Tory MPs from the party's 'One Nation' wing have previously urged Mr Johnson to pursue further negotiations with Brussels. They have also warned the Government would trash Britain's international reputation by unilaterally tearing up the Protocol. The newspaper quoted a Tory official as saying it was 'absolute madness' to be 'poking the bear' of party tensions over Brexit, as the PM looks to move past the open warfare over his leadership. Concerns among some Conservative MPs will have been raised after it was claimed Sir James Eadie, the First Treasury Counsel, was not directly consulted on whether the forthcoming legislation would breach international law. According to Sky News, Sir James - who is the Government's independent barrister - said he was 'not asked to opine on the merits' of the arguments. However it was reported Sir James sided with one particular lawyer who said it would be 'very difficult' for the UK to argue it is not 'breaching international law'. Foreign Office minister James Cleverly today dismissed suggestions the legislation on the Protocol would be illegal. He told the Commons: 'The Government is confident that our actions are lawful under international law and in line with longstanding convention that we do not set out internal legal deliberations.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was due to meet with Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Dublin today. He will also visit Belfast as part of his trip to meet political leaders at Stormont. Addressing business leaders on Wednesday evening, Sir Keir said: 'Now is not a time for games, but for practical solutions, based on trust. 'And because this is how business operates, it is vital that you are round the table, and your voice is heard.' British actress Dame Emma Thompson has said that Amber Heard's blockbuster sex assault libel battle against Johnny Depp was 'not representative' of the wider MeToo movement. The Oscar-winning star, 63, has suggested that the high-profile US court fight between the two Hollywood stars risked 'derailing' MeToo unless women continue to 'keep on talking'. Critics of the movement declared 'the end of MeToo' after a jury in Virginia found that Heard had defamed Depp by describing herself as a survivor of domestic abuse in a 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post. But others fear that the outcome of the 100million trial will 'silence hundreds of thousands' of women who have been attacked by sex predators - particularly in cases involving the rich and powerful. Asked by BBC Woman's Hour if the case signalled the end of MeToo, Dame Emma - who has been one of the most vocal advocates of the movement since it erupted in 2017 - said: 'One of the things that's very difficult to do is judge an issue like the MeToo issue brings to the fore when you're dealing with very very famous people. It's a whole other thing. 'So actually one of the great issues to do with that case is fame and how people who are famous are treated differently and viewed differently. Dame Emma Thompson, pictured on the set of ITV's Lorraine show on June 8, 2022 Amber Heard testifying in her defamation trial against Johnny Depp at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Fairfax, Virginia on May 26, 2022 'I would say that the MeToo movement is not going to be derailed by that, but in order for it not to be derailed, we just have to keep on talking. We have to keep on talking and refuse to allow it to be derailed by a case where two very very very famous people, which has been blown out of all remote human proportion by the press that's something that can't be avoided. 'But a case where the two protagonists are that famous is not representative, and it's just very important to remember that. 'This movement, which is about human kindness and is so simple really and has been made so complicated, cannot and will not be derailed by one case, and that's not going to happen actually, it simply won't happen.' Dame Emma has been one of the most famous proponents of MeToo since the phenomenon exploded across the West following claims of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's abuse of women. In an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2017, she called Weinstein a 'predator' and suggested that more like him existed in Hollywood. 'Perhaps this is a moment when we can say to men and women: Open your eyes and open your mouths and say something I do see and hear a lot of voices, and I do want to add mine to theirs and say that Hollywood can and must change,' Dame Emma said. Johnny Depp waving as he departs Fairfax County Circuit Court on May 18, 2022 This image released by Searchlight Pictures shows Daryl McCormack, left, and Emma Thompson from the film Good Luck To You, Leo Grande When asked by Emily Maitlis if there are others in the industry 'to [Weinstein's] degree', Dame Emma said: 'Do they all have to be as bad as him to make it count? Does it only count if you have done it to loads and loads of women, or does it count if you have done it to one woman, once. I think the latter.' In an interview with the LA Times two years later, Dame Emma blasted complaints that MeToo has left men unsure of how to behave towards women. 'Get a grip guys, it's not rocket science. You just behave with respect and courtesy. Now shut up and get on with it. And please don't make this your problem. I'm so fed up with that,' she said. Speaking to BBC Woman's Hour, Dame Emma also revealed that she was 'constantly told' that she 'didn't look right' by the movie industry and called for 'parity in all aspects of production'. The British star, whose new film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande explores female sexuality and pleasure, said that sex has been 'industrialised' and warned that the suppression of pleasure was 'at the root' of much violence. She also called young people's expectations of sex 'disturbing' while promoting the movie. Dame Emma added: 'I deeply resent the fact that my attitude to my body and my comfort in my body was taken from me - I think literally taken away from me - when I was very young. 'And I worked in a profession where I was constantly told that I didn't look right, that I didn't have the right kind of body, that all of the 99% of male executives would not be interested anyway, in me in that way. 'Until we get much more parity in all aspects of production, that will continue to remain the same Certainly in television presenting, the issues remain the same.' A 22-year-old marketing coordinator threatened to falsely accuse her female boss of having a secret affair unless she gave her a pay off to leave the company, an employment tribunal has heard. In a 'calculated and premeditated' move, Hortence Yagmur told Marketing Communications Manager at Armstrong Ceiling Solutions Isabel Blanco she would report her after claiming to have been told she was in an 'on-off' relationship with a senior colleague. In a 'scurrilous' attempt to pressure her, the then-22-year-old went on to demand a year's salary to leave her job after previously having said she would resign following a series of disputes with Ms Blanco over her working conduct. She later took her employer to a tribunal claiming she was the victim of age and disability discrimination - but her case was thrown out and her actions condemned by the panel. Hortence Yagmur, who was 22 at the time of leaving the company, made 'scurrilous allegations of sexual impropriety' the tribunal concluded The tribunal ruled that Ms Yagmur sought 'to put pressure on Ms Blanco to negotiate a pay out on her behalf by threatening to make untruthful and damaging allegations against her if she refused to do so.' The panel added: 'This was calculated and premeditated. She tried to coerce Ms Blanco into negotiating an exit package for her by threatening to make scurrilous allegations of sexual impropriety against her.' The hearing in Watford was told Westminster University graduate Ms Yagmur had joined West London firm Armstrong Ceiling Solutions as a Marketing Co-ordinator in April 2019. At the time she was about to turn 22 and was the youngest member of staff. By September 2019 Ms Blanco began receiving reports from colleagues that Ms Yagmur was spending a lot of time on her mobile phone and was away from her desk for 'long periods' of up to 40 minutes, the hearing was told. In one three hour meeting, it was heard she left three times with her phone and was absent for up to 20 minutes. The tribunal heard when Ms Blanco raised the issue with her, Ms Yagmur became 'outraged' and 'emotional'. This was the first in a series of disagreements - the following month the pair had a dispute after Ms Blanco refused to order business cards for her. Five days later the 22-year-old left her desk for more than hour and was seen on her phone. Separately, Ms Yagmur submitted a 900 expenses claim following the cancellation of a flight on a work trip to Germany. Isabel Blanco, who was the claimant's superior, has since ceased working for Armstrong Ceiling Solutions The tribunal heard there was an error in her claim which meant it wasn't paid straight away. In response to the delay, Ms Yagmur emailed the accounts team and wrote: 'I do not earn my salary to finance the company'. Ms Blanco told her that behaviour had been 'unprofessional and argumentative', a point Ms Yagmur refused to accept, the tribunal heard. The following day the pair met again to discuss the expenses claim as well as other issues 'relating to her attitude and tone and continued problems relating to her time away from her desk'. During this meeting Ms Blanco told Ms Yagmur she would have to speak to HR about it, and Ms Yagmur's flexible working agreement was suspended for three months. Shortly afterwards Ms Yagmur had another disagreement with her employer after she refused to use the company's usual taxi company to take her to the airport. At a meeting at the end of November 2019 the young employee told Ms Blanco the events had taken a toll on her mental health and she felt she needed to resign. The tribunal heard she asked for financial support from the company and became annoyed when Ms Blanco said she would not help her negotiate a settlement. Ms Yagmur then told Ms Blanco that two months previously a senior colleague had told her he was having an 'on-off affair' with her. According to the tribunal report, this left Ms Blanco 'uncomfortable and confused and affected her mental health', and she was very 'offended' by the allegation. The report continues: 'Shortly thereafter, (Ms Yagmur) said that it would be better for Ms Blanco to approach HR about her decision to resign, because if she spoke to HR she would have to tell them everything including the allegation about the affair. 'Ms Blanco said that (Ms Yagmur) was very calm during this exchange.' Ms Blanco's notes of this meeting stated she had made 'exceptions for (Ms Yagmur) as she is still so young and inexperienced and gave her the benefit of the doubt on many occasions. 'I now feel like she has totally abused my trust and thrown all my effort and help with her back in my face'. Ms Yagmur, who represented herself at the tribunal, told the panel that the information she claimed to have received about Ms Blanco having an affair 'made me question whether her personal relationship with [the senior colleague] was something to do with her being in a managerial position'. When asked to clarify this statement, she denied that she meant 'Ms Blanco had got her job by sleeping with a senior colleague.' The following month Ms Yagmur told the head of HR she was resigning and that she was looking for 12 months' salary in compensation or help to pay her rent for nine months. The company refused and offered her a month's pay in lieu of notice instead, accepting her resignation. Ms Yagmur then complained she had been the victim of age and disability discrimination. However, the panel - chaired by Employment Judge Akua Reindorf - rejected her case. A cruel mother in India tied up her five-year-old daughter and left her on the roof to burn in scorching Delhi heat as punishment for not completing her homework. Disturbing video shows the girl kicking and screaming as she tries to free herself while the painfully hot 43C (109.4F) sun of India's capital Delhi beats down on her. A neighbour recorded the footage in the north east of Delhi, in Khajury Khas on 2 June at around 2pm in the afternoon. And after the clip went viral on social media, Delhi Police opened an investigation to identify the child involved. This week they confirmed they had 'initiated appropriate action' against a mother who has been identified by her first name Sapna. It is understood she has been arrested by police for child cruelty under section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The investigation is ongoing. Not only is June one of the hottest months in Delhi, it is also one of the hottest periods of the day. The national capital is within an unusually long series of heatwaves, with the maximum temperature going up to 46C (114.8F) in some areas in June. A cruel mother identified as 'Sapna' in Kajury Khas, Delhi, India, tied up her five-year-old girl and left her on the roof to burn in scorching 43C Delhi heat as punishment for not completing her homework (pictured) NDTV reported that the mother had left her daughter on the roof for five to seven minutes. It is not yet known whether or not the girl sustained any burns or injuries. The girl's father, Raj Kumar, a tailor, was not in the house when the ordeal happened. He told police he had gone to get his bicycle repaired. His wife was at home with the girl and her 11-year-old brother. A clip went viral on social media of the girl, who is kicking and screaming as she tries to free herself from the rope as the painfully hot 43C (109.4F) sun of India's capital Delhi beats down on her Mr Kumar said that after receiving a call from his father, who saw the child tied up on the terrace, he rushed home: 'My wife got angry and punished her. When my father told me, I scolded my wife a lot that day but the next day, a relative from our village sent me the video. I scolded my wife.' The girl's uncle, named as Sunil, claimed that the child's mother Sapna 'beats her kids on every small issue'. He told news agency ANI: 'If somebody from the family tries to meddle in between, she says that it is their kids and only she has rights over them. 'She was not like this before, she has become like this in the past two to three years.' A court heard yesterday that a suspected terrorist branded Prince Harry's son Archie an 'abomination that should be put down because he is of mixed race. A jury was heard that depraved Christopher Gibbons, 38, asked for Harry to be tried and judicially executed for treason on the 'Black Wolf Radio' white nationalist podcast he co-hosted with Tyrone Patten-Walsh, 34. White Supremacists Mock Archie For Being Mixed-Race The racist couple is claimed to have despised mixed-race marriages and used Harry's marriage to Meghan as an example. Gibbons and Patten-Walsh are also accused of supporting the 2016 murder of Labour MP Jo Cox and glorifying Brenton Tarrant's 2019 shooting rampage in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which he killed 51 people at two mosques during Friday prayers. The jury was informed that during a discussion about the 2017 Manchester Arena suicide bombing, in which 22 people were murdered, victims were referred to as sluts. Gibbons of Carshalton, south London, and Patten-Walsh of Romford, east London, are on trial at Kingston Crown Court, where they deny promoting acts of extreme right-wing terrorism through their podcast between March 3 and February 9 of this year. Gibbons disputes a new charge of distributing terrorist materials by adding movies to an internet repository known as 'The Radicalisation Library' between April 2018 and February 2020. Meanwhile, Patten-Walsh is accused of using Twitter to spread propaganda for the National Socialist Liberation Front, a neo-Nazi organization, as per Daily Mail. Read Also: Cristiano Ronaldo's Mom in Tears During Portugal-Switzerland Match | Why Did She Cry? Meghan Markle Fans Point Bias Media About Archie, Prince Louis Recently, online fans of Meghan Markle speculated on how the UK media would have ripped into Meghan if cameras caught similar images of her 3-year-old son, Archie, acting up at a public event, using widely disseminated images of 4-year-old Prince Louis, thumbing his nose at his mother, Kate Middleton, and otherwise getting rambunctious at Sunday's pageant for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. While Meghan Markle's supporters are true in stating that the biracial, US-born princess has faced discrimination, Royal family supporters responded to people's criticisms of Prince Louis by claiming that children should normally be off-limits when it comes to criticizing the parents. The royal supporters also criticized anybody who would exploit photographs of a young kid, squirming in public as young children sometimes do, to draw public judgments about the youngster's temperament or how his parents, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, are parenting him. They also considered it was improper to exploit this circumstance to rehash his parents' existing feud with the Sussexes or to address bigger issues about media coverage of the various royal families. Others shared photos of Prince Louis cuddling up with his mother, father, and grandpa, Prince Charles, on the same occasion, demonstrating that he wasn't completely out of control. They also chastised a royal writer who authored a loving biography of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for tweeting a since-deleted tweet about Louis behaving badly. This discussion comes after Meghan and Prince Harry returned to California on Sunday following their highly anticipated and contentious appearances at two ceremonies commemorating the queen's 70 years of the reign. It was the couple's first public appearance together in the UK since their tumultuous exit from royal life in 2020. The Sussexes took their son, Archie, and daughter, Lilibet, to the UK, but the couple stayed mainly out of sight during their four-day visit, heeding suggestions that they did not let their worldwide renown or disagreements with the royal family dominate the Queen's Jubilee celebrations. Unlike William and Kate, the Sussexes kept their youngsters out of sight of photographers. As future king and queen, the Cambridges probably have no option but to have their children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis - appear in public on occasion, occurrences that virtually always draw global attention. One of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's well-known fan accounts highlighted this risk for royal offspring. The Twitter account complimented Harry and Meghan for keeping their children's life private while criticizing others who try to assign a 4-year-character old's future based on their limited public glimpse of him, according to East Bay Time. Meghan Markle's close friend and hairdresser has revealed what Meghan and Prince Harry's two young children are actually like as they visit the UK for the first time. George Northwood described Archie as the sweetest, most well-mannered youngster, and their newborn girl Lilibet, who turns one tomorrow, as stunning. Northwood just traveled to the Netherlands to style Meghan's hair while she was in the Netherlands for the Invictus Games with her husband Harry. He posted numerous photographs of the Duchess on Instagram today to commemorate her family's long-awaited return to Britain, Mirror reported. Related Article: Remarkable Moments of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis During Platinum Jubilee That Make Them Trending Worldwide @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The government's social mobility tsar criticised Britain's obsession with a 'Dick Whittington model' of seeing people rise from poverty to great riches in a generation, saying some people should set their sights lower. Katharine Birbalsingh today said she believes policy makers have been too preoccupied with 'the person who is born into a family in social housing and becomes a banker or CEO'. It has meant creating an 'elite pathway for the few' rather than creating a broader system that allows more people not suited for higher education to improve their lives, but in 'smaller steps'. Miss Birbalsingh, who chairs the Social Mobility Commission, said modest achievements such as a 'postman's son becoming a branch manager' should also receive attention. In a speech to the Policy Exchange think tank today, she cited the Dick Whittington folk tale of a man who leaves poverty in Lancashire and walks - accompanied by a cat - to London, where he makes his fortune. The feted headteacher said: 'We want to move away from the notion that social mobility should just be about the long upward mobility from the bottom to the top, i.e. the person who was born into a family in social housing and then becomes an accountant or a banker or a big CEO. 'There is nothing wrong with that view of social mobility but it is not enough. Katharine Birbalsingh, the Government's social mobility tsar, believes policy makers have been too preoccupied with 'the person who is born into a family in social housing and becomes a banker or CEO' In a speech to the Policy Exchange think tank today, she cited the Dick Whittington folk tale of a man who leaves poverty in Lancashire and walks - accompanied by a cat - to London, where he makes his fortune. 'We want to promote a broader view of social mobility for a wider range of people who want to improve their lives, sometimes in smaller steps. 'This means looking at how to improve opportunities for those at the bottom, not just making elite pathways for a few but by thinking about those who would otherwise be left behind. Those who either didnt want to or could not ''leave to achieve''.' Ms Birbalsingh, is known as a 'super-head' who founded Michaela Community School in Wembley, north London, which has excellent results despite having a deprived intake. She has been influential in Tory circles since winning a standing ovation at the Conservative Party conference after she delivered a damning indictment of 'utterly chaotic' state schools in 2010. The former Marxist turned conservative was the surprise star when she laid bare an education system in which children were 'lost in a sea of bureaucracy'. Katharine Birbalsingh appeared on ITV's Lorraine on May 24 to discuss her role as a head teacher and chair of the Social Mobility Commission Britain's 'tiger headmistress' took on her own school where students must 'dress smartly' and phones are BANNED Katharine Birbalsingh won a standing ovation at the Conservative Party conference after she delivered a damning indictment of 'utterly chaotic' state schools in 2010. But soon afterwards she was sent home from her school in Camberwell, South London, after her speech, and lost her job as a deputy head teacher at the inner city academy. The former Marxist turned conservative was the surprise star of the Tory conference when she laid bare an education system in which children were 'lost in a sea of bureaucracy'. She said schools were crippled by league tables, exams were dumbed down and 'well meaning liberal' teachers refused to discipline black children for fear of being called racist. The Oxford University graduate also admitted that she had voted Conservative for the first time after a decade working in state schools having supported Labour. She was born in New Zealand, the elder of two daughters of Frank Birbalsingh, an academic, and his wife, Norma, a nurse. After leaving Oxford she began working in inner city schools in South London. After her sacking in 2010 she wrote several books before becoming head of Michaela Community School in Wembley, having founded the school in 2014 with Suella Braverman, who is now a Tory MP. She was dubbed the 'tiger headmistress' for how she runs her school, where Year 7 pupils are taught how to sit properly on a chair. New students are also shown how to walk to lessons quickly in single file and how to concentrate on the teacher and to instill good behaviour as soon as they arrive, while mobile phones are banned. They are told to keep their shirts tucked in and to pick up crumbs from the floor after eating at a boot camp, which teaches pupils how to 'behave in the Michaela way'. She was voted in the top 20 most influential people in British education in 2017 and given a CBE for services to education in 2020. In October 2021, she was appointed Chair of the Social Mobility Commission. She has has never spoken publicly about her private life, other than about her parents, and is understood not to have any children saying previously she is 'completely dedicated' to her work. Advertisement The Dick Whittington story is a fictionalised retelling of the story of Richard Whittington, a former lord mayor of London. In reality he was the son of a rich Gloucestershire aristocrat, rather than coming from poverty. 'In this model the focus is on big leap upward mobility from the bottom to the top in one generation, breaking from the circumstances you were born into to achieve in various combinations fame, fortune and occupational status,' Ms Birbalsingh said. 'For the folklore version of Dick Whittington there was a definite levelling-up aspect to his mobility. He grew up in Lancashire but leaves for London to make his dream come true. 'If he was born in Lancashire today his route to an elite profession might still take him along this same geographical route from the north to London, but instead of a picnic and a cat he would now need to take with him some brilliant educational credentials and then find his way through the door of an elite professional company to make his way in life.' She added: 'If a child of parents who were long-term unemployed, or who never worked, gets a good job in their local area, isn't that a success worth celebrating? 'Would we really say that it doesn't count as social mobility because they are not a doctor or lawyer?' Miss Birbalsingh argued that social mobility is not getting worse and that the picture is more 'complex'. The latest analysis from the SMC reveals that occupational mobility has been stable or improving slightly for decades. Miss Birbalsingh was appointed as the chair of the commission in 2021 and is known for making controversial comments. In April, she was urged to apologise for telling a Government committee that girls did not take up A-level physics because they disliked 'hard maths'. She has also championed strict approaches to discipline such as silent corridors in schools and a campaign against mobile phones for toddle The straight-talking headteacher was made chairwoman of the Government's Social Mobility Commission in October last year after repeatedly using her platform as Britain's most high profile school leader to attack 'woke culture' damaging Britain and its education system. She won a CBE in 2020. She has also talked repeatedly about the importance of family in education, and the need for traditional values such as eating with your children each night. In 2010, Ms Birbalsingh told delegates at a Tory party conference that educational standards have been 'so dumbed down that even the teachers know it' and that schools are bound by too many targets that prevent them from teaching properly. She has since spoken out against schools teaching about 'white privilege', saying it gives black British children the impression that the education system and society is pitted against them. In June last year, she said teachers should avoid talking about race to students and stick to 'teaching them maths and English'. Ms Birbalsingh said the secret to success for a child of 'any colour' is to have a family that supports their education, makes them do their homework and will force them 'off their phones'. A British pensioner has been killed while on holiday with friends in Turkey. Patricia Bernadette Ward, 67, died after being hit by a Mini Cooper driven by a drunk driver while on a night out in the city of Bodrum overnight Sunday. Ms Ward was walking back to her hotel around 2am through an area filled with bars and clubs when the female driver lost control of her car and mounted the pavement. The car smashed through a bollard at the side of the road and pinned Ms Ward against a wall, which was partially destroyed by the force of the impact. Medics were called by stunned onlookers, dozens of whom witnessed the accident, but was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver has been arrested by police, local media said, while Ms Ward's body has been sent for autopsy. Ms Ward's friends told local journalists they were on the last day of their holiday, and that they intend to return to England today. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities.' Patricia Bernadette Ward, 71, was hit by a car which mounted the pavement outside this bar in the Turkish city of Bodrum and pinned her against the wall This is the moment a pro-choice activist was wrestled onto the ground by Secret Service agents as she yelled at President Biden's motorcade in LA. The young woman strolled out into the road as the queue of presidential vehicles drove through downtown Los Angeles Wednesday. She was heard shouting messages in favor of abortion rights through a megaphone. The young woman was seen wondering out into the downtown LA boulevard while yelling The young woman was grabbed in the street by Secret Service agents before she was thrown But before the activist could finish a sentence a Secret Service agent in a police jacket grabbed her and threw her onto the street. America's abortion divide was reignited by the leak last month of a draft Supreme Court opinion indicating it will overturn landmark abortions ruling Roe v Wade. The 5-4 vote saw five of the six Republican-appointed justices side with the state of Mississippi in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. Mississippi asked the court to lower the abortion limit to 15 weeks before requesting the scuttling of those protections, granted by Roe v Wade, altogether. The woman was violently slammed onto the road as she shouted pro-choice slogans yesterday After a short tussle she was cuffed and arrested while yelling: 'Get the f*** off of me!' The young protestor appeared to have been radicalized by that news, tussling with the agent and ripping off his hat and glasses. Another officer came along and pinned her down. The woman was then cuffed and arrested. She was heard saying: 'An abortion ban will not stop abortions - only safe ones. A second agent was needed to detain her as she tore the glasses off the first The second agent to come along then leaned on her as her brief campaign came to an end 'Get the f*** off of me!' Secret Service chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi said: Shortly after 5pm, an adult female entered a restricted roadway along a motorcade route on Chick Hearn Ct in Los Angeles. 'As the woman approached passing vehicles, a United States Secret Service agent swiftly removed her from the roadway and placed her into custody. 'There was no impact to the motorcade movement or our protectees. Our investigation into this incident is ongoing.' The pro-choice Biden administration is in favour of abortion rights as the Supreme Court reportedly mulls overturning Roe v Wade. The landmark 1973 court decision legalized abortions across America - but is now reportedly under threat. Republican-appointed Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Coney Barrett all voted to strike down Roe with Samuel Alito, Politico alleged via the explosive leaked opinion draft The beginning of the original leaked draft opinion by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Biden told Jimmy Kimmel late Wednesday Democrats must 'legislate' to preserve women's rights in the event the Supreme Court overturns the ruling. He explained: If [the court's rumoured overturn] occurs, I think we will have to legislate it. We're looking into it right now. 'It's just ridiculous, in my view. I don't think the country will stand for it.' DHS issues warning of 'mass casualty violence' over tension on Supreme Court abortion decision The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a 'heightened threat advisory' on Tuesday, warning of an increased risk of 'mass casualty violence' nationwide fueled by extremist ideologies and personal beliefs. Among the drivers is the 'proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding current events,' which includes the national divide over the leaked Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' DHS states. Advertisement 'It's going to cause a mini revolution and they're going to vote a lot of these folks out of office.' It came as a heavily armed 26-year-old man was detained Wednesday near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's house. He allegedly told authorities he wanted to kill the conservative jurist and then himself. The attempted murder was identified as Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California. 'Roske allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas,' Maryland officials said. He was charged with attempted murder of a US judge and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Growing animosity between pro-life and pro-choice factions were among the reasons that forced the Department of Homeland Security to issue a 'heightened threat advisory' warning of increased violent incidents caused by extremist groups and lone wolf actors. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' it stated. Earlier this week a pro-life group's offices was firebombed and graffitied by arsonists in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. Around the same time, an abortion clinic was vandalized in North Carolina. Initial fallout from the leaked memo involved peaceful demonstrations outside of the Supreme Court and even outside of justices' homes - which Republican lawmakers warned could lead to violence against the jurists themselves. A leading Republican voice on foreign policy accused the Biden administration of setting up an unofficial Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem, after Washington on Thursday announced it was beefing up its diplomatic mission to the Palestinian territories. It means the 'Palestinian Affairs Unit' becomes the 'U.S. Office on Palestinian Affairs' and will answer directly to Washington on 'substantive matters.' In 2019 Trump closed a separate consulate serving Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the moves suggest the Biden administration is seeking to strengthen its presence ahead of Joe Biden's expected visit to the region next month. Sen. Bill Hagerty said it showed the Biden administration was pushing ahead with plans to reopen a consulate despite the opposition of the Israeli government. 'I unequivocally oppose this plan for what appears to be a new unofficial U.S. diplomatic mission in Israel's capital,' he said. 'This plan is inconsistent with the full and faithful implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and suggests that the administration is once again trying to undermine America's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's eternal and undivided capital.' Sen Bill Hagerty expressed anger at the Biden administration's shake-up of how it handles diplomatic relations with Palestinians, accusing it of setting up an 'unofficial consul' President Joe Biden is expected to visit Israel and the West Bank next month. His administration is making a number of moves to improve relations with the Palestinian Authority and announced on Thursday it was rebranding its diplomatic mission The Palestinian Affairs Unit was renamed the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs and will now communicate directly with Washington on 'substantive issues' Although the changes may seem a bureaucratic relabeling, they will be seen as symbolic for the way they restore a two-track approach, separating U.S.-Palestinian diplomacy from U.S.-Israeli relations. Even so, any changes are fraught with difficulty. A senior Palestinian official told Reuters that in a call with the U.S. Secretary of State several days ago, President Mahmoud Abbas rejected any alternatives to the reopening of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem. Ultimately that remains the Biden administration's goal. Trump delighted Israelis by moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018. He also closed the consulate in favor of a Palestinian Affairs Unit inside the embassy. It meant officers who had previously sent diplomatically cables directly to Washington had to operate through officials under the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. That was a blow to Palestinians as they pursue a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the capital of their nation. The first sign of the change came when the name of the Palestinian Affairs Unit was changed on Twitter, and its affiliation with the U.S. embassy to Israel was removed from its description. It is thought to be one of a series of moves designed to improve ties between Washington and the Palestinian Authority. The State Department is reportedly planning to appoint Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr as special envoy to the Palestinians. Donald Trump moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem A protestor of the Jewish Orthodox community holds a Palestinian Flag in protest against Israel during the 2022 Israel Day Parade on May 22 in New York 'The OPA operates under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, and reports on substantive matters directly to the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau in the State Department,' a spokesperson for the mission said. 'The name change was done to better align with State Department nomenclature,' the spokesperson said. 'The new OPA operating structure is designed to strengthen our diplomatic reporting and public diplomacy engagement.' Palestinian officials had no immediate comment. They were due on Thursday to host State Department envoy Hady Amr in Ramallah, their seat of government in the occupied West Bank. Under the Trump-era redesignation, the former consulate's staff and functions remained largely identical, but they were subordinate to the embassy rather than on a strict U.S.-Palestinian bilateral track. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state and saw Trump's embassy move as undermining that aspiration. Israel, which captured East Jerusalem in 1967, calls Jerusalem its indivisible capital. Nancy Pelosi defended her decision not to bring a bill for a vote that would provide more security for Supreme Court Justices and their families until next week by saying Thursday that 'no one is in danger over the weekend.' 'I don't know how she can say' that no one is a threat over the weekend, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said during his briefing on Thursday, pointing to the fact that a man was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home on Wednesday for a plot to kill the jurist. 'So was he not in any threat yesterday?' McCarthy questioned. 'Was he not in any threat after Schumer made his threats in the Supreme Court? Or Jen Psaki said it was the president's position to go to their home?' 'I have no idea why the Democrats have held that bill for a month,' McCarthy added. 'I think they may be playing politics.' McCarthy was joined by GOP leadership and members of his caucus that he tried to appoint to Pelosi's January 6 select committee, but were rejected. His press briefing came shortly after House Speaker Pelosi's where she insisted that 'Justices are protected,' and said the current bill is just about increasing security for clerks and other Supreme Court staff. 'The Justices are protected,' she reiterated. 'There will be a bill,' Pelosi added, 'but nobody is in danger over the weekend because of not having a bill.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stopped exiting the briefing room and turned to reporters to explain that no Supreme Court Justices are 'in danger over the weekend' as she waits to bring a bill on more security for them until next week House GOP Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Thursday that he doesn't know how Pelosi can say there isn't a threat after a man was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Maryland home in a ploy to kill the jurist Democrats continued on Wednesday to hold a Senate-passed bill hostage that would provide more security for Supreme Court Justices as threats increase related to an impending overturn of Roe v. Wade. On Wednesday a man was arrested on a street near Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Maryland home, where his wife and daughters also live. Pictured: Security posted outside Kavanaugh's Chevy Chase home on May 18, 2022 McCarthy again asked Thursday morning for unanimous consent to bring a bill to the floor of the House to provide additional security measures for Justices and their families following an increase in threats related to the leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. The motion, like the same on Wednesday evening, was denied when Democrats refused to agree to bring the bill to the floor that was already passed in the Senate. House Democrats continued to hold the bill hostage Wednesday the same day a heavily armed 26-year-old man was detained for a ploy to kill Justice Kavanaugh and then himself. 'We have a duty to protect the Court, the Justices and their families from political violence and intimidation,' McCarthy said on the chamber floor Wednesday evening. The GOP Leader referenced rhetoric from Democrats, including from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden's former Press Secretary Jen Psaki, which she made when she was still the president's top spokeswoman, that he says have stoked the violent threats against Justices. After a draft opinion from conservative Justice Samuel Alito was leaked last month that showed the impending overturn of Roe v. Wade, Schumer said: 'I want to tell you Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Gorsuch you have unleashed a whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.' Kavanaugh and Gorsuch are just two of the six conservative Justices in the majority on the Supreme Court bench to the just three liberals presiding. Psaki, McCarthy noted, said after the breach: 'I know that there's an outrage right now, I guess, about protests that have been peaceful to date. And we certainly do continue to encourage that outside Justices homes. And that's the president's position.' Nicholas John Roske, 26, (right) was arrested with an arsenal of weapons after telling police he wanted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (left) and then himself 'We have a duty to protect the Court, the Justices and their families from political violence and intimidation,' GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday as he attempted to bring the Supreme Court Police Parity Act to the House floor for a vote Security was stationed outside conservative Justices' homes following the leak from the Supreme Court, but Republicans say they need more as violence, threats and demonstrations heat up as an official decision on the landmark abortion case nears. 'Earlier today a man was arrested for plotting to kill Justice Kavanaugh,' McCarthy said on Wednesday. 'Over a month ago, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to provide more security for Supreme Court Justices and their family,' he continued. 'But House Democrats have let that bill gather dust. This is the same Party whose heated rhetoric has encouraged political pressure on conservative Justices.' When McCarthy attempted to bring the bill to the floor on Wednesday evening the Supreme Court Police Parity Act, but when the president presiding over the session asked for a bipartisan effort to bring it to the floor, only Republicans said that they did not object while Democrats did not respond. The Supreme Court Police Parity Act would, if passed, extend to Supreme Court Justices and their families the same security protection that are provided to certain Article I and Article II officers and their families. Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California was arrested Wednesday near Kavanaugh's home in Chevy Chase, Maryland after he told authorities he wanted to kill the conservative Justice and then himself. At the time of detainment, Roske, 26, was heavily armed with an arsenal of weapons including a handgun, tactical gear, a knife and zip ties. He told cops he purchased the lethal equipment 'for the purpose of breaking into the justice's residence and killing the justice as well as himself,' according to court documents. 'Roske allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas,' Maryland officials said. He was charged with attempted murder of a US judge and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. An accompanying court filing also states Roske was armed with a 'black tactical chest rig and tactical knife, a Glock 17 pistol with two magazines and ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdriver, nail punch, crow bar, pistol light, duct tape, hiking boots with padding on the outside of the soles, and other items.' Officials suggest Roske took a taxi cab to the front of Kavanaugh's home after finding his address online. Last month a group with the moniker 'Ruth Sent Us' doxxed the address of Supreme Court Justices and organized 'walk bys' of their D.C.-suburb residences to protest against the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Two Deputy US Marshals saw him exit the vehicle at 1:05 am and look their way before walking down the street. Roske turned himself in by calling 911 while in Kavanaugh's neighborhood, and informing them that he was armed and suicidal. He told responding authorities that he wanted to kill a 'specific Supreme Court justice,' the filing states. Roske (left and right) allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. He is pictured left and right in older photos A dog watches through the window of Kavanaugh's Chevy Chase home on Wednesday June 8, 2022 as security continues to post up outside the residence where the Justice's wife and two daughters also live He was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Supreme Court spokesperson Patricia McCabe confirmed to DailyMail.com in a statement. 'At approximately 1:50 a.m. today, a man was arrested near Justice Kavanaugh's residence. The man was armed and made threats against Justice Kavanaugh. He was transported to Montgomery County Police 2nd District,' she said. It follows a string of protests across the country over abortion rights - including outside of Supreme Court justices' homes - that has also seen churches, pro-life centers and abortion clinics come under attack from those with opposing views. Republicans in Congress that pressured the White House to take a stronger stance against the demonstrations now accuse the administration of fostering the conditions which allowed the incident to occur. People familiar with the investigation told the Washington Post that the man was also upset over the recent slew of mass shootings across the country that's claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks. It's not clear if Kavanaugh or his family were home at the time. DailyMail.com reached out to the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland for comment but was referred to the FBI for specific details on the suspect. The FBI said they had no additional information to provide. Kavanaugh's confirmation to the court under Donald Trump ignited a firestorm of controversy after he was accused of sexual assault by a former high school acquaintance. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made an ominous warning to Kavanaugh in relation to abortion rights in March 2020. 'I want to tell you Kavanaugh...You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,' Schumer said. He's one of three justices Trump added to the court to form its conservative supermajority at a time when it is facing its most politically-charged docket in decades. Tensions have run high on both sides of the aisle ever since Politico published the leaked opinion draft indicating that the high court's conservative majority considered siding with Mississippi officials in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. The state had asked the court to lower the abortion limit to 15 weeks before asking the court to scuttle those protections granted by Roe v. Wade altogether. Kavanaugh's home had been among those targeted by peaceful protests in the wake of the bombshell Supreme Court leak (pictured: an abortion rights demonstration outside of Kavanaugh's Chevy Chase, Maryland home on May 18) The suspect was among the millions of people who are angry about the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning federal abortion protections Growing animosity between pro-life and pro-choice factions were among the reasons that forced the Department of Homeland Security to issue a 'heightened threat advisory' warning of increased violent incidents caused by extremist groups and lone wolf actors. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' it stated. Earlier this week a pro-life group's offices was firebombed and graffitied by arsonists in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. Around the same time, an abortion clinic was vandalized in North Carolina. Initial fallout from the leaked memo involved peaceful demonstrations outside of the Supreme Court and even outside of justices' homes - which Republican lawmakers warned could lead to violence against the jurists themselves. Kavanaugh and his wife are the parents of two young daughters. They all reside in the home that was apparently targeted by the suspect After mounting pressure over its silence the Biden administration was finally forced to issue a statement endorsing the 'Constitutional right to protest' while also issuing a condemnation for 'violence, threats or vandalism.' 'Judges perform an incredibly important function in our society, and they must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety,' said Psaki, Biden's press secretary at the time. DHS issues warning of 'mass casualty violence' over tension on Supreme Court abortion decision The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a 'heightened threat advisory' on Tuesday, warning of an increased risk of 'mass casualty violence' nationwide fueled by extremist ideologies and personal beliefs. Among the drivers is the 'proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding current events,' which includes the national divide over the leaked Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' DHS states. Advertisement White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'President Biden condemns the actions of this individual in the strongest terms, and is grateful to law enforcement for quickly taking him into custody.' 'As the President has consistently made clear, public officialsincluding judgesmust be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety or that of their families,' Bates said. Speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell denounced the 'disturbing' incident and blamed other public figures' 'unhinged, reckless, apocalyptic rhetoric' in an indirect jab at Democrats' outrage over the Roe draft. McConnell directed the most blame toward the leak itself, which Republicans for weeks have decried as the utmost breach of institutional trust. He called the threat on Kavanaugh's safety 'exactly the kind of event that many feared that the terrible breach of the court's rules and norms could fuel.' The Kentucky Republican demanded that House Democrats pass a Senate bill aimed at enhancing police protection for Justices amid the leak's fallout. 'House Democrats need to stop their multi-week blockade against the Supreme Court security bill and pass it before the sun sets today,' he said. Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Minority Whip, said during a press conference: 'You saw from the White House on down to encourage people to go homes, the private homes of Supreme Court justices. It is a dangerous trend.' 'Exercising First Amendment rights is one thing. Encouraging people to go to the homes of Supreme Court justices. You see where that can lead? And it's a shame. Thank God law enforcement was able to arrest the man who was intending on committing that action,' Scalise said. Rep. Darrell Issa of California said the alleged plot to attack Kavanaugh was 'a stark reminder of how the reckless rhetoric of this Administration and Democrat partisans can incite others to violence.' 'It's time for Democrats to finally condemn the hate they have brought to the front doors of justices and their families and provide them the protection they so obviously need,' the Republican lawmaker said. Attorney General Merrick Garland also condemned the incident, declaring that attacks against Justices of the Supreme Court 'strike at the heart of our democracy.' 'We will do everything we can to prevent them,' he vowed at a press conference on Wednesday. Advertisement Surveillance footage has emerged of the brutal hazing of a University of Missouri student who is now blind, unable to walk and unable to speak as a result of the brain damage caused when he stopped breathing after downing vodka and beer and passing out on a couch in his fraternity house. Danny Santulli, 19, is now wheelchair bound, blind and unable to speak as a result of the brain damage he suffered in October 2021 during the 'Pledge Dad Reveal Night' at Phi Gamma Delta. The teenager was ordered to down a 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's and had beer force-fed to him through a tube. Surveillance footage obtained by Good Morning America shows Danny and the other pledges being led shirtless and blindfolded down a staircase in the frat house. Later, he is force-fed beer through a tube and then he is seen falling backwards, passing out on a table and then slumped on a couch. Scroll down for video Danny Santulli, 19, is now blind, unable to talk and in a wheelchair as a result of the brain damage he suffered on a brutal night of hazing last October Before: Danny is shown in 2020 before the hazing incident left him permanently disabled Danny is shown on the night last October with a bottle of Tito's in his hand Danny is shown slumped half-off of the couch inside the frat house after passing out Danny passed out on a couch inside the frat house and eventually his frat brothers took him to the hospital Danny Santulli is shown above being carried to a car to be driven to the hospital on October 20 after a brutal night of hazing at his University of Missouri fraternity Danny is shown falling backwards onto a table at the frat house on October 20 last year In this blurry image, Danny is force-fed beer through a funnel and a tube despite already drinking a 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka Fraternity pledges at the Phi Gamma Delta 'Pledge Dad Reveal Night' are shown walking blindfolded and shirtless down the stairs of the frat house The boys are shown making their way through the frat house before Danny passed out The footage also shows his panicked frat brothers trying to carry him into a car to take him to the hospital once they realized how severe his condition was. By the time he got there, he had stopped breathing for long enough to cause severe brain damage. After months in a rehabilitation center, Danny was recently taken home to Missouri where his mother now cares for him round-the-clock. His family previously sued 23 people, including the fraternity, and won their case with an undisclosed settlement but they are now suing two individual frat boys; Sam Gandhi and Alec Wetzler. They are also demanding felony charges be brought against the pair. Wetzler has been charged with misdemeanor providing alcohol to a minor and he is no longer enrolled at the school, but Gandhi has not been charged and he remains a student. According to the family's lawsuit, Gandhi saw the dire state Danny was in but did nothing to help until it was too late. In an interview with Good Morning America on Thursday, Danny's mother cried as she explained that none of the boys ever called 911. Danny, shown with his sister, is unlikely to ever walk, talk or see again. He will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life Danny's mother sobbed as she asked why none of the kids called 911 when they saw her son passed out with blue lips 'Just the fact that nobody... they knew he was in distress. His lips were blue and nobody called 911. I mean, six year olds call 911.' She added that he will need care 'for life'. 'He's still not talking or walking, he's in a wheelchair. He lost his vision. But he hears us and he knows we're there. We'll just keep fighting - we're not going to give up hope, she added. Danny's sister told of her disgust that the frat boys responsible had not been charged. 'It makes me sick to my stomach seeing the people involved that harmed Danny walking around campus acting like they did nothing wrong,' she said. His father added: 'I want to see them with felony D's'. DailyMail.com previously revealed the two fraternity boys being sued. Gandhi is an architecture student who is due to graduate next year. Wetzler is studying a BA in business administration. The amended lawsuit against them details how they and others - who were previously sued and who settled those lawsuits - force-fed Santulli beer and gave him a bottle of Tito's to drink. Samuel Gandhi (left) and Alec Wetzler (right) have been named as defendants now by the family of Danny Santulli, a teenager whose family say was forced to drink until his heart stopped last October during pledge month at Phi Gamma Delta When he passed out and went into cardiac arrest, they finally drove him to the hospital. Now, he is unlikely to walk, talk or see again. His mother has quit her banking job to care for him full time. According to the lawsuit, the pair wanted to make the night one 'the pledges wouldn't forget' so filled the frat house with 'cocaine, marijuana and alcohol'. 'This is the worst fraternity hazing case ever in the US in terms of injury. You can't be any worse injured and still be alive David Bianchi, attorney for the victim The new pledges had bottles of Tito's taped to their hands and were branded 'p*****s' if they stopped drinking, according to documents reviewed by DailyMail.com. The lawsuit also claims the boys were under caution from the school for a previous hazing incident at the time. Wetzler has been charged criminally with providing alcohol to a minor but Santulli's lawyer, David Bianchi, tells DailyMail.com the family wants him and others to be charged with hazing. 'This is the worst fraternity hazing case ever in the US in terms of injury. You can't be any worse injured and still be alive,' Bianchi said. He added that Danny's prognosis is 'grim'. The national fraternity and university both suspended the Missouri chapter following Santulli's hospitalization 'He's got massive brain damage, he's blind, he cant walk.. it's unlikely there will ever be any material change.' The parents have settled a lawsuit with 22 defendants and the fraternity, who have now been banned from campus for repeated violations. On Monday, Bianchi sought in a motion to add fraternity brothers Gandhi and Wetzler in an amended petition, which was approved by Judge Joshua Devine. The lawsuit claimed that Santulli (pictured) and the rest of his pledge class were each forced to drink a bottle of hard liquor, given to them by their 'pledge fathers' According to the lawsuit, the fraternity brothers gave Danny a family-sized handle of Tito's vodka and told him to finish it throughout the night. He had, at that point, been at their 'beck and call' for a month as part of the grueling hazing process. 'He was sleep deprived, was having to buy things for the fraternity brothers with his own money and was repeatedly ordered to clean the brothers' rooms and bring food, alcohol and marijuana to them at all hours of the night. 'Making matters worse, during the pledging process, Danny had been ordered to climb inside of a trash can that had broken glass in it,' the lawsuit reads. Two nights before the incident, Danny cried to his sister that he'd had enough, the lawsuit claims. His family told him to quit the fraternity but he said he didn't want to because he 'wasn't a quitter.' On the night of the hazing, the lawsuit says Weltzer stood on a chair 'looking for a target' and spotted Danny. He then forced him to drink a beer via a tube, then made him return to his family-sized bottle of Tito's. The petition alleges Wetzler put a tube into Santulli's mouth and poured beer down his throat, coercing him to drink an excessive amount of alcohol. Gandhi then walked away from Santulli after initially trying to assist him when it was clear that the freshman was dangerously intoxicated, Bianchi claims. He walked into the room at 12.17am and saw Santulli had not moved from where he left him, the lawsuit alleges. The 19-year-old's blood-alcohol content was 0.486 percent, more than six times the legal limit for driving. Santulli's near-death hazing is the latest in a string of similar incidents in America in the last ten years. There have been more than 200 hazing deaths at schools across the country since the 2000, with 2019 being one of the deadliest years. The most recent death was that of Phat Nguyen, a Michigan State University student who died in November last year from alcohol poisoning. He had pledged to Phi Alpha Phi. Before that, Adam Oakes and Stone Foltz died in two separate incidents at Virginia Commonwealth University and Bowling Green State University. They both suffered acute alcohol poisoning. There were no hazing deaths in 2020 because schools were closed due to COVID-19. In 2019, five kids died in alcohol-related hazing incidents. Two more former sub-postmasters have been exonerated over the Post Office Horizon scandal, taking the number of overturned convictions to 75. Richard Ormerod, 79, was acquitted of three charges of fraud by false accounting, amounting to 31,097, and Gillian Harrison, 69, was cleared of four charges of the same offence at an unopposed appeal hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. They were among hundreds of people who ran Post Office branches who were convicted of various offences based on evidence from the faulty IT system used by the Post Office from 2000. Mr Ormerod, who was employed at the Summerhouse Post Office, near Darlington in County Durham, was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay 250 costs after pleading guilty at South Durham Magistrates' Court in 2004. Mrs Harrison pleaded guilty at Newcastle Under Lyme Magistrates' Court in Staffordshire in relation to an alleged cash shortfall of 1,474 at her Post Office in Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent, in 2005 and was sentenced to a 12-month rehabilitation order and ordered to pay 1,474 compensation plus 320 costs. Despite their guilty pleas, both had consistently denied taking any money and Judge Deborah Taylor told them on Thursday: 'The court will allow the appeals. The convictions are quashed. 'Both Mr Ormerod and Mrs Harrison have been of good character throughout. It is a recognition and a public exoneration of you.' Richard Ormerod, 79, was acquitted of three charges of fraud by false accounting, amounting to 31,097 Gillian Harrison, 69, burst into tears after the judgement was handed down, saying the conviction had 'ruined' her life (second from right) Neil Hudgell, whose firm represents 62 of the wrongly convicted post office employees, said: 'Every sub-postmaster affected deserves their day in court to have their names and reputations cleared' Mr Ormerod thanked the judge, while Mrs Harrison burst into tears, as the pair were supported by loved ones in the public gallery. Graeme Hall, representing the appellants, said the convictions had 'plagued their lives for many years'. Mrs Harrison said the ordeal had 'destroyed' her life and those of her family, but that she now wants to look to the future and encourage others who were wrongly convicted to get justice. 'I think the Post Office is diseased and it needs eradicating,' she said. 'I just want people to come forward. It is important.' Mr Ormerod said he could not believe that the hundreds of sub-postmasters convicted were all guilty and that it must have been the Horizon system all along. 'They were so heavy-handed at the top end, and they couldn't bear to face the truth. Nothing will happen to them, they have just been allowed to carry on,' he added. Simon Baker QC, representing the Post Office, said: 'Both are cases in which the convictions were predicated upon the Horizon computer system with which the court is now familiar. 'In both cases the Post Office does not oppose these appeals.' After the convictions were quashed, a tearful Ms Harrison said: 'I just want other people just to come forward.' She said she was feeling emotional: 'Of course I am, I'm a human.' Surrounded by her family, she explained that it could have made them go bankrupt, adding it was not the money that was important but the fact she 'was lied to.' 'I think the post office is diseased,' she continued, 'And I think it needs eradicating.' Their convictions are the latest to be overturned after some 39 former sub-postmasters who were convicted and even jailed for theft, fraud and false accounting had their names cleared in April last year - some after fighting for nearly 20 years. 75 people employed by the Post Office have had convictions related to fraud overturned since revelations about the faulty Horizon system A total of 75 have now had their convictions overturned, with all but one of the original prosecutions brought by the Post Office. It was revealed just before a long-awaited inquiry into the scandal in February of this year that 33 people had died before they could get justice. The hearing was told the scandal was 'the worst miscarriage of justice' in recent legal history. Between 2000 and 2015, 3,500 postmasters were wrongly accused of taking money from their businesses, when a glitch in the computer system was in fact to blame. The landmark inquiry's chairman, Sir Wyn Williams, was also told victims suffered 'grim punishments' and that 'lives were ruined, families were torn apart, made homeless and destitute, and reputations were destroyed'. The first to give evidence, Baljit Sethi, 69 broke down in tears and described how being accused of stealing 17,000 almost drove him to suicide. Solicitor Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, the firm representing a total of 62 people who have now had their convictions quashed, said: 'Each and every conviction overturned is a hugely important milestone. 'Each new case at court is as important as the very first because every case relates to lives ruined by the Post Office. 'Every sub-postmaster affected deserves their day in court to have their names and reputations cleared, but they also deserve so much more. They deserve offers of meaningful compensation, and soon.' Police are hunting four men after a wealthy US tourist was mugged for his 685,000 watch outside his five-star hotel in Barcelona. Police are hunting four men after a wealthy American tourist was mugged for his 685,000 Hublot Black Caviar Bang watch (pictured), made of black diamonds, outside his five-star hotel in Barcelona The American told police the timepiece was snatched off his wrist just after 2pm on Tuesday near the five-star Mercer Hotel where he is believed to have been staying. The watch has been identified as a Swiss-made Hublot, with unconfirmed local reports saying it is a Black Caviar Bang, which features hundreds of precision-cut black diamonds. The limited-edition timepiece has a million dollar price tag in the States and takes over 2,000 hours to finish from the the design stage. The regional Mossos d'Esquadra police force said they were unable to confirm what type of watch had been taken. But a spokesman said: 'I can confirm we are investigating the violent theft of a designer watch worth 685,000 following a complaint from a tourist. 'The person who reported the crime said he was surrounded by a gang of muggers who snatched the watch off his wrist. 'The incident reported happened around 2.20pm on Tuesday. No arrests have yet been made.' The American told police the timepiece was snatched off his wrist just after 2pm on Tuesday near the five-star Mercer Hotel where he is believed to have been staying. File picture of Barcelona city centre One local report said the mugging victim was returning to his hotel for a siesta after lunch at a nearby restaurant when he was targeted. He has told the police he believes his assailants were of North African origin. The theft occurred in Lledo Street, in Barcelona's charming Gothic Quarter, which has narrow medieval streets filled with trendy bars, clubs and restaurants and is always teeming with holidaymakers. The police spokesman said: 'The man who reported his watch had been stolen was slightly hurt but they were minor injuries.' As of Thursday 9 June, is not immediately clear if police had managed to obtain CCTV footage showing the incident. Rolex robbers, who are usually from the Italian city of Naples, mug holidaymakers every summer in places like Ibiza and Majorca as well as Barcelona. The theft occurred in Lledo Street in Barcelona's charming Gothic Quarter, which has narrow medieval streets filled with trendy bars, clubs and restaurants and is always teeming with holidaymakers. Pictured is inside Mercer Hotel, Barcelona, where the tourist was staying Locals complained earlier this month gangs of youngsters were targeting tourists in San Antonio in Ibiza. One businessman told island newspaper Diario de Ibiza: 'They act swiftly, without speaking or drawing attention to themselves so as to surprise their victims. 'They are very well prepared. Before this used to happen at night-time but now they strike at any time of the day.' Rebel Home Office civil servants have launched a Twitter campaign against Priti Patel's 'racist' plan to fly migrants to Rwanda and are posting 'refugees welcome' stickers around offices - as the government gears up for a crunch court date tomorrow. The anonymous 'Our Home Office' account launched its campaign last month with a poster said to have been posted on an official noticeboard which reads: 'We have the spine to say, ''no minister''. 'No to hostile environments, no to shutting down democracy, no to racist deportations'. The account, which uses an orange heart for its profile picture, comes amid claims some staff are threatening a mutiny over the policy - despite political impartiality being a legal requirement for civil servants. A Twitter account called 'Our Home Office' is urging civil servants to put 'refugees welcome' stickers up in offices The anonymous account launched its campaign last month with a poster said to have been posted on an official noticeboard which reads: 'We have the spine to say, ''no minister'' One post shared by Our Home Office shows a poster of the Queen's Jubilee sketch with Paddington Bear designed to look like a 'subject of interest notice' from immigration officials. The poster jokes Paddington is wanted for entering the UK by 'clandestine irregular route, using small boat, without visa' and he 'may have infiltrated important establishment networks including Buckingham Palace'. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Thousands of civil servants work tirelessly every day on priorities that matter to the British people and the Home Office has worked hard to be as constructive and open with staff on our policies'. 'We urge all civil servants to use the mechanism available to them to provide feedback. It is disappointing some staff are taking action that is detrimental to the department and we will take action where necessary'. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Detention Action in seeking a judicial review of the Rwanda policy - which they have described as 'unlawful' - with a hearing due tomorrow in the High Court. Lawyers for almost 100 migrants have already submitted legal challenges asking to stay in the UK, the charity said, with the remaining 31 lined up for the flight anticipated to follow suit this week. The wave of legal action has cast doubt on whether the flight will be able to go ahead as planned. But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said today: 'We remain confident in our position, should the legal challenges require us going to the courts we will argue our case. It's true to say the first flight is due for next week so we have that ready to go.' So far this year 10,020 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK, analysis of Government figures shows. No crossings were recorded today, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The account, which uses an orange heart for its profile picture, comes amid claims some staff are threatening a mutiny over Priti Patel's policy Several Afghans are among more than 100 migrants due to be sent to Rwanda on the first flight next week, according to campaigners. Nine people who fled to the UK after the Taliban takeover have been notified by the Home Office that they could be removed to the East African nation on Tuesday, Care4Calais - one of a number of organisations taking the Government to court over the plan - said. The group said it is also aware of around 35 Sudanese, 18 Syrians, 14 Iranians, 11 Egyptians as well as Iraqi, Pakistani, Albanian, Algerian, Chadian, Eritrean, Turkish and Vietnamese people who have been told they could be put on the inaugural flight. The Home Office has refused to confirm the nationalities of those on board but only Rwandans are exempt from the policy, suggesting that those fleeing conflict - such as in Afghanistan and Ukraine - could be considered for removal if they are deemed to have arrived in the UK illegally under new immigration rules. Clare Moseley, founder of Care4Calais, told the PA news agency: 'The logic to this plan is flawed in many ways. Just one example is that Afghans escaping from the Taliban under our settlement scheme are protected whereas those arriving in other ways will be sent to Rwanda.' Figures published by the department last month showed people fleeing Afghanistan made up almost a quarter of the migrants crossing the Channel in the first three months of the year. This was the most out of any nationality recorded, followed by 16% who were Iranian and 15% Iraqi - which both typically outrank Afghans in the numbers. The rise prompted concerns from campaigners that the Government's resettlement scheme designed to help Afghans seek sanctuary in the UK in the wake of the Taliban takeover is failing and raised questions over whether Afghans could face being sent to Rwanda. Anyone who the department considers has taken a dangerous, unnecessary or illegal journey to the UK would meet the criteria for removal to Rwanda, apart from lone migrant children who are exempt. While officials are likely to focus on removing single adults in the initial phases of the scheme, there is the prospect families with children could be considered for removal under the policy. Actress Dame Emma Thompson, who has an adopted son from Rwanda, has described the scheme as 'eye-wateringly mad and callous' in an interview with Sky News' Beth Rigby today, adding that the Government's approach 'does not represent the soul of this country'. Former minister Jesse Norman, who withdrew his longstanding support of Boris Johnson ahead of the confidence vote earlier this week, branded the policy 'ugly, likely to be counterproductive and doubtful of legality'. Meanwhile a Twitter account entitled 'Our Home Office', purporting to be run by staff in the department, has been set up expressing its support for refugees amid reports that some civil servants have opposed the plan. But it is understood senior Home Office officials are not aware of any staff who have refused to work on the policy. A Home Office spokeswoman said the department 'expected legal challenges, however we are determined to deliver this new partnership', adding that the policy 'fully complies with international and national law'. A lawyer who injected supermarket food with his blood will be sentenced next month. Leoaai Elghareeb, 37, went to three shops on Fulham Palace Road in west London on August 25, 2021 carrying a bucket filled with hypodermic needles. The solicitor jabbed products including an apple, bacon, buttermilk and Chicken Tikka Fillets. He also threw a syringe at a doctor but it bounced off her, causing no injuries. The three supermarkets - Sainsbury's Local, Tesco Express and Little Waitrose - had to throw away all their products as a precaution, causing nearly 500,000 in losses. It was agreed Elghareeb committed the offences, but his barrister argued he was insane at the time he carried out those acts. He denied three counts of contaminating goods and two counts of assault and a jury at Isleworth Crown Court formally found him not guilty by reason of insanity last month. Lawyer Leoaai Elghareeb, 37, injected food with his blood at a series of supermarkets in a 500,000 rampage Judge Alastair Hammerton ordered psychiatrist reports and adjourned sentence until 15 July. He said: 'I do need to hear from the psychiatrist. I certainly have some questions as to the position of risk.' Judge Hammerton said Elghareeb may be transferred to a medical facility before his sentence. 'The defendant may be transferred in any event. There may be an interim hospital order.' Elghareeb was remanded in custody ahead of sentence. Dr Frank Farnham, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, previously told the court Elghareeb suffers from a 'severe disease of the mind resulting in a loss of a sense of reality.' He said Elghareeb heard voices commanding him to do things by controlling his dreams and parts of his body. 'These are often encountered by issues of schizophrenia.' He claimed one of these voices to be Boris Johnson, while another was a former colleague. Elghareeb had previously worked at some of London's most prestigious 'Magic Circle' law firms before he began to abuse crystal meth as part of his 'work hard and play hard lifestyle.' 'He's bright and academically done very well,' said Dr Farnham. 'He has had an extremely successful career within the legal profession.' Dr Farnham said the solicitor had suffered psychological trauma including periods of homelessness after coming out as gay to his family. In 2020 he had tried to hang himself to make the voices in his head stop. Elghareeb believed the voices in his head resulted from government spies placing implants in his ears and skull. Dr Farnham concluded: 'It didn't cross his mind whether it was legal or unlawful, he was making a desperate attempt to draw attention from the police and be treated. Elghareeb is shown on CCTV picking up a food product before allegedly injecting it inside a Sainsbury's Local Elghareeb attacked the three supermarkets on Fulham Park Road, pictured Police forensic teams tried to identify the goods which had been injected by Elghareeb, though in total, more than 500,000 of goods had to be ditched 'He was in such a disordered mental state that he couldn't form a rational decision. They were a set of actions to draw attention to the fact that he needed treatment.' Fellow psychiatrist Dr Bradley Hillier had assessed Elghareeb four months after the incident while he was on remand in HMP Wandsworth. He said Elghareeb has had a 'lengthy history of mental health problems' and has previously sought help from the mental health services in this country. He has at least a 12 year history of mental health problems including 'strong suicidal episodes' and times when he has harmed himself. 'He heard voices from an air conditioning machine in the past that told him to set himself or his flat on fire,' Dr Hillier told the court. As long ago as 2012, he believed that he was being tracked by the security services. Dr Hillier said: 'He believed he was being monitored by the British Secret Service. He believed his telephone was being hacked. He was trying to seek help from the police. 'He believed essentially that the police and everything around him was fake. 'He attributed this interference, as I've said, to the British Secret Service but also to his friends and family. 'He believed friends and family through the device could suck thoughts in and out of his brain.' Elghareeb likened his experience to the character played by Jim Carrey in The Truman Show, as he believed he was living in a world where nothing was real. Dr Hillier continued: 'My diagnosis is that Mr Elghareeb suffers from an illness that causes psychosis. 'This could include schizophrenia or another psychotic illness such as depression that can cause psychosis.' He added that Elghareeb has had a history of using crystal meth intermittently over the years which is known to contribute to psychosis. 'People take substances for a variety of complex reasons but most often to manage emotional difficulties and also to control symptoms of mental health problems,' Dr Hillier said. 'Even though he knew he was literally throwing needles and throwing them into food; he was doing this psychotically believing he would get in touch with the real police who would help him get the implant out of his brain. 'He was not thinking straight. He was in a situation where he was trying to escape this worth that the psychosis had created for him. 'He was so burdened and tortured, is the word he used.' Elghareeb, from Fulham, denied three counts of contaminating goods and two counts of assault. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He appeared in court wearing a dark blue suit with long slicked back hair. Elghareeb was remanded in custody until 9 June. Earlier in the spring, our party received a message from the Election Authority that our electoral designation which we had used in the last four elections the Communist Party of Sweden could no longer be used. Despite the fact that the conditions were the same throughout this period, the Election Authority stated as a justification that the name was... similar to another party's registered designation a party that does not even participate in the parliamentary elections. The Party the statement reads immediate filled an appeal in order to make the Election Authority to reconsider its decision. The Communist Party had participated in previous elections under its own name, which is fully registered. However, the Authority provided a negative response, stating the same reasons about the existence of another party with a similar name. Thus, our party was denied the right to participate in the elections with its own name. We can't see this as anything other than a sabotage action and attack on our right to take part in the elections, reads the communique. After months of bureaucratic confusion, the authorites informed the Communist Party that it can run under its initials SKP. On September 11, 2022, the workers, the people throughout Sweden will be able to vote for the Communists by choosing the ballot paper with the initials SKP and the sickle and hammer. A New Orleans city councilman is suggesting bringing in reinforcements as crime in the city spikes, homicides are on track to reach record highs and the police force struggles with chronic understaffing. 'Maybe it's time to talk about bringing in the National Guard,' District E Councilman Oliver Thomas, who heads the criminal justice committee, told Fox News after a weekend of chaos in the Big Easy. As of June 5, 2022, there were 123 murders in New Orleans. At the same time last year, there were 84 murders in the city. And in 2019, there were 65 killings, according to the Metropolitan Crime Commission. The New Orleans police department is currently experiencing a personnel crisis, according to the city's police union. 'We're designed to operate and keep this city safe with 1,600 officers. We're now barely over 1,000, and if you deduct the individuals that are in our administrative duties division... we're looking at barely over 900 officers,' Police Association of New Orleans Capt. Mike Glasser told the City Council in May. 'And the problem isn't that we're stable at 900 officers. We're losing officers daily.' Only 14 police officers were assigned to Thomas's district over the weekend, which he says is insufficient. 'Fourteen is not enough,' he told the news channel. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has defended the police department's performance, telling Fox 8 News in early May that 'the trend is moving in the right direction relative to violent crime.' Cantrell has also recently been criticized for failing to take a public stand amid the violence. 'I think theres a feeling of hopelessness now,' Robert Collins, Professor of Urban Studies and Public Policy at Dillard University told Fox8Live. 'I think what makes it worse is that we havent seen the mayor as often as people would like recently.' City Councilman Oliver Thomas has suggested that police have lost control of New Orleans as the crime rate has spiked this year. He called for the National Guard to be brought in to help Murder in New Orleans isn't the only crime that's out-of-control. Armed robbery climbed 23 percent and carjacking is up eight percent so far this year. Compared to 2019, carjacking is up 180 percent. Shootings are the only category of violent crime that's decreased since last year, though they are still historically high. Overall there's a general sense that the southern city is in chaos, according to the city councilman. Over the weekend, two men were hit by a car during a gathering of people organized on social media to watch an unauthorized street car show. Video shows drivers doing donuts, blocking traffic, belching tire smoke and creating a general nuisance. Recording of the scene shows hundreds of young men lining the sidewalks and walking in the street. Video shows a red Mustang convertible zooming through the crowd, striking two men and sending them flying up over the top of the car. The impact knocked the shoes off one of the men, according to WDSU News. In another clip, a driver spins out right in front of a New Orleans police SUV stopped at a traffic light, nearly striking several pedestrians in the street. When the police put on their lights and sirens, young men at the gathering jump on the vehicle preventing it from moving. Young men jumped on a New Orleans police SUV, preventing officers from responding to call for help after two men were struck by a car over the weekend Crowds of young men blocked traffic in New Orleans as drivers whipped donuts in the street over the weekend. Here the crowd mocks officers responding to the scene The men start jumping up and down on the hood of the car as police do nothing to stop them. Kat Brennan, the owner of the Crawfish King, located near Franklin and Filmore streets where the men were hit, said she called police, but they were slow to react. 'Police can't get in and when they do there's only one officer that shows up,' she told WDSU News. 'We have a panic button here. We pressed it and sometimes they don't come at all.' Linda Frickey, 73, was dragged nearly a block down North Scott Street after four 'teenage' carjackers stole her car and trapped her outside the vehicle with her arm stuck in the seatbelt in Mid-City, New Orleans She got stuck hanging on her arm on the outside of her gray SUV (pictured) after four teenagers stole her arm and dragged her down the street, severing her arm in the process 'This outburst of indiscriminate crime in too many of our cities includes New Orleans,' Thomas told Fox News. 'People want a balanced response. We want to reform the system. We want 21st-century policing. We want respect for the law, just like we want respect for our citizens, but we don't want to see anything goes.' 'When I use the term Gotham City, too often there are people who think in our cities and in New Orleans that they can do what they want, when they want, how they want, where they want, and to whom they want,' he added. The councilman's call for the National Guard to be brought in has met with both support and skepticism. When asked by a local reporter if military support for New Orleans is realistic, Thomas said: 'If it's realistic to save lives. If it's realistic to stop these people to come in, take over and shoot up our town. If it's realistic to stop them from disrespecting our municipal, criminal and civic laws, that may be the only realistic thing we can count on.' High crime could affect the city's economy, which relies on tourists flocking to the city's French Quarter and jazz festival. New Orleans officers have put some officers on 12-hour shifts for the summer months and the department will bring in the state police to assist with policing high crime areas under a program dubbed Operation Golden Eagle. Just Wednesday, at about 10:30 p.m. a 16-year-old boy became yet another murder victim and a 17-year-old girl was wounded in the Algiers section of the city. The city was stunned in March when a 73-year-old grandmother, Linda Frickey, 73, had her arm ripped off when it became tangled in a seatbelt and she was dragged to death during a carjacking. In May, 80-year-old Augustine Greenwood was walking back to her car after attending her grandson's high school graduation ceremony when she was struck and killed by a stray bullet. Two others were also killed during the daylight shooting. 'I think [this is] only the third or fourth time since the late 90s that we've been above 90 murders through April,' Jeff Asher, who runs New Orleans public safety consulting firm, AH Datalytics, said. 'If you think, in all of 2019, we had 121 murders. So obviously we've seen this dramatic increase in murders, that really started middle half of 2020.' NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson acknowledged that public's cries for violent crimes to be tamped down Greenwood (left) had been attending her grandson's high school graduation (right), which was held at Xavier University's Convocation Center in New Orleans, when she was shot and killed New Orleans isn't the only city looking to the armed forces for help. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said on Monday that he would deploy the National Guard to Chicago to tamp down violent crime. 'I have never, ever hesitated when asked by local law enforcement, when asked by local mayors to provide help from the National Guard,' Pritzker said Monday. 'I have done that several times...We'll call them out whenever they are needed.' The Chicago Police Department Superintendent David Brown threw cold water on the idea, however, saying that they don't have the power to enforce local laws. 'There's a very limited use for the National Guard,' he said. 'A word to the wise. I would say to those trying to fit the National Guard into a policing role, they're not under a policing model to be able to enforce state law or municipal law. They couldn't, for example, stop people for drug or gun possession.' He said that the military could be used for crowd and traffic control and guarding facilities. A lawsuit accusing a former ABC News executive of sexual assault and creating a toxic work environment has been dismissed by a New York State Supreme Court judge. Former Good Morning America producer Kirstyn Crawford, 31, accused former longtime executive producer Michael Corn of forcibly touching and kissing her while the pair were in Los Angeles to cover the 2015 Oscars. She claims the assault occurred during an Uber ride. Judge Barbara Jaffe dismissed the suit on Wednesday, ruling the three-year statute of limitations on the alleged assault had passed. The judge also argued the behaviors described in Crawford's suit did not prove Corn fostered a hostile work environment after the alleged incident. Crawford's lawyer told The Wall Street Journal she plans to appeal the ruling. A New York State Supreme Court judge dismissed a law suit accusing former ABC News executive producer Michael Corn of sexual assault and creating a toxic work environment Crawford filed the suit against Corn in August 2021, well past the three-year statute of limitations on the assault allegation. In order for the alleged assault to be considered by the court, Crawford needed to prove that Corn created a hostile work environment in the years that followed. Jaffe argued that while some of the remarks Corn allegedly made were 'boorish, ill-advised, and inappropriate,' the comments 'do not create a hostile work environment, much less a continuing violation.' Corn, who has denied the allegations, did not immediately respond to request for comment on the case's dismissal. However, his attorney, Meredith Cavallaro, on Wednesday told The Los Angeles Times they applauded the ruling. 'We are very pleased the Court recognized the complete lack of merit to the claims brought against Mr. Corn,' she said. Corn left Abc News in April 2021 as a result of an internal investigation into Crawford's allegations. Last October, in a filing to dismiss Crawford's suit, ABC News said Crawford had been terminated after an 'investigation determined that it was more likely than not that Corn violated ABCs policies.' He is currently the head of programming at Chicago-based NewsNation, owned by Nexstar Media Group. Crawford is no longer employed at ABC after opting not to renew her contract. A spokesperson for Nexstar declined to comment on the matter. Representatives for Crawford, Corn, and ABC News did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries. The suit, filed by former Good Morning America producer Kirstyn Crawford, alleged Cprn forcibly touched and kissed her while the pair were in Los Angeles to cover the 2015 Oscars Crawford's suit alleged Corn kissed her head and rubbed her legs without her consent while the pair were on a business trip to Los Angeles to cover the 87th Academy Awards. 'Corn grabbed Crawford's hand and told her that he wanted to be able to help her with her career,' the lawsuit says. The pair had just left a company party, and when they got back to the hotel, Crawford helped him to his room, where Corn allegedly pulled her head onto his chest and patted her hair. He also allegedly stumbled into her room drunk and laid down on her bed, leaving her 'shaking; she was terrified,' according to the lawsuit. After the incident she avoided traveling with him on business and 'lost work opportunities as a result,' the complaint stated. Crawford also alleged Corn withheld raises and promotions, as well as created a hostile work environment as retaliation for her 'rebuffing' his sexual advances. She was about 25 years old at the time of the alleged attack. The judge dismissed the suit on Wednesday, ruling the three-year statute of limitations on the alleged assault had passed. The judge also argued the behaviors described in the suit did not prove Corn fostered a hostile work environment after the alleged incident. Michael Corn (second from left) is pictured in January 2020 with Robin Roberts (left), Diane Sawyer (second from right) and Charles Gibson (right) Emails from the morning after the alleged incident, which Crawford said happened in the back of an Uber and then at the hotel, undermine what she says in the lawsuit. She said that the morning afterwards, 'not only did Corn fail to acknowledge his inappropriate and inexcusable behavior, but he was also dismissive and rude to Crawford, which made Crawford feel self-conscious and uncomfortable.' She also claimed 'the Monday after the sexual assault incident against Crawford, Corn was particularly terse. 'He exploded at Crawford, because Stephanopoulos decided he wanted to leave the show early and head home, which was something he did regularly. Corn yelled at Crawford that she had failed at her one job of ensuring that Stephanopoulos remained at the studio. 'Corn later tried to apologize, and acknowledge that Crawford only has so much control, but this continued a pattern of harassing Crawford.' Emails from the morning after paint a picture of a friendlier relationship. Among the many exchanged between the pair, Crawford wrote in one message: 'Hahaha why are you so great.' Emails from the morning after the alleged incident paint a picture of a friendlier relationship The lawsuit also included a story from Jill McClain, who worked with Corn on World News Tonight in 2010. She claimed to have been assaulted under 'eerily similar circumstances several years prior.' During a red-eye flight from Los Angeles, McClain said Corn 'slid his hand from [her] upper right thigh to her vagina, and began rubbing her vagina, over her jeans.' ABC officials learned of Crawford's allegations in 2017, but an investigation into Corn's conduct was only launched after Crawford and McClain filed formal complaints to the company in February 2021, according to the lawsuit. Corn was terminated in April following an internal investigation. Crawford's lawsuit also alleged Corn had a pattern of verbally abusive tirades, which left her feeling like she 'walked on eggshells, unsure of when Corn would explode.' 'Corn would waffle between berating Crawford publicly and emailing her privately about personal and confidential matters to make her feel like she was some sort of confidante,' the lawsuit said. McClain added her story to the lawsuit in support of Crawford, but was not an official party in the case. After the incident where he allegedly rubbed her vagina on the plane from Los Angeles, McClain, who was 24 and recently engaged at the time, claimed Corn made more inappropriate comments towards her. 'Corn - unprompted - turned to McClain and said words to the effect of, 'I hope your marriage is better than mine. I wish my wife was more like you. Wouldn't it be great if the two of us could catch a flight somewhere else and spend the rest of the weekend together?' according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also included a story from Jill McClain (pictured), who worked with Corn on World News Tonight in 2010. She claimed to have been assaulted under 'eerily similar circumstances several years prior.' McClain added her story to the lawsuit in support of Crawford, but was not an official party in the case McClain alleged Corn assaulted her again in April 2011 while the pair were in London covering the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. She claimed Corn was 'visibly intoxicated' and followed her to her room after they left the bar. 'In a disturbing parallel to what he would say to Crawford four years later, Corn told McClain that he cared more about her career than Sawyer ever would,' the lawsuit says. He knocked on her door, pushed his way into the room, pinned her against a wall, and started kissing her face and neck, the lawsuit said. 'McClain froze and had a flashback to the assault on the plane. Corn backed McClain into the room, pushed her down onto the bed on her back, and got on top of her. 'Corn then grabbed the top of McClain's jumpsuit as well as her bra and pulled them both down, exposing McClain's bare breasts. Corn began fondling McClain's bare chest. 'McClain mustered all of the strength that she could and managed to push him off of her. She yelled at Corn to leave, and Corn left the room in a huff. McClain felt violated and was in shock; she took the clothes that she was wearing and threw them in the trash.' McClain left her 'dream job' at ABC in 2013, citing a hostile work environment. 'For one thing, McClain did not feel that she could safely report Corn's conduct for fear that Corn would retaliate. But also, the prevailing hostile work environment between men and women at ABC made McClain feel that a future at ABC was unmanageable,' the lawsuit stated. Scandal-hit star Ezra Miller 'groomed' and then 'brainwashed' the teenage girl they are accused in court papers of controlling, her tearful mom told DailyMail.com exclusively. The actor also allegedly tried to get into bed with Tokata Iron Eyes a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe during a trip to London when she was just 14, we can also reveal. Anguished mother Dr. Sara Jumping Eagle said she and lawyer husband Chase Iron Eyes now have 'no idea' where 18-year-old Tokata is after lodging legal papers for a protection order against Miller, 29, on behalf of their activist daughter. The mom says she last saw Tokata in Santa Monica on May 29 in a harrowing street encounter after she and Chase flew from their home in North Dakota following a tip that the teen was in California with the Flash star. Miller and Tokata jumped in a taxi after being confronted and sped off, she said. Unable to hold back tears, Sara told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview: 'I would say to her now what I said to her then as she was going down the road away from me. 'I love you and that I want you to be safe.' Ezra Miller, 29, has been accused of 'grooming' and 'brainwashing' Tokata Iron Eyes, 18, who is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. They are pictured together in a car Tokata's parents Chase (right) and Sara (left) have lodged legal papers in Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court, North Dakota, against the actor. Sara told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview: 'I am fearing for her safety' The star 'established contact with Tokata Iron Eyes under the pretense' of helping the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe during a movement to stop an underground oil pipeline. Tokata, her father and Ezra are pictured in December 2021 when the actor came to visit Sara, a pediatrician, faltered before continuing: 'I would also say, you don't deserve to be in a toxic relationship where you are not being protected. 'You are beautiful and amazing. You are a shining light. You should just be allowed to be yourself.' She said Tokata was like a 'zombie' and 'very, very thin' when she last saw her. Chase, 44, and Sara have lodged legal papers in the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court in North Dakota, which contain startling allegations against the troubled star. A hearing is set for next month. The lawsuit is the latest legal case involving Miller, who was arrested in Hawaii in April for allegedly throwing a chair at a woman's head after refusing to leave her home. He's pictured in his mugshot The parents claim in a lawsuit that the actor plied their underage daughter with drugs including LSD and disrupted her Massachusetts private schooling to such an extent that she dropped out from Bard College at Simon's Rock in December. When they flew to Miller's home in Stamford, Vermont, in January to retrieve Tokata, they allegedly found bruises on her body and she no longer had a driver license, car keys or a bank card. And when the teenager was returned to her parents' home, she fled again to New York to reunite with Miller and they have since allegedly been traveling together to Vermont, Hawaii and Los Angeles. Mom Sara told DailyMail.com: 'During this entire time since then we have only been able to talk to Tokata three times, on the phone. 'Two of those times Ezra interrupted and I could also hear him in the background so we weren't able to freely have a discussion. 'Ezra has control over Tokata's Instagram account, which is really the only way I have been able to send her messages. She barely replied, and sometimes I couldn't tell if it was Tokata or Ezra replying. 'Ezra was isolating Tokata from family and friends. And then brainwashing her. She is still with him. I don't know where. When I tried to talk to her they jumped in a car and took off. We have no idea of their location. 'I am fearing for her safety.' The lawsuit is the latest legal case involving the star, who was arrested in Hawaii in April for allegedly throwing a chair at a woman's head after refusing to leave her home, weeks after another arrest for spitting in someone's face in a bar during a game of darts. The most serious allegations over Tokata by Chase, a former Democratic House candidate for North Dakota, and his wife, can be revealed in detail for the first time by DailyMail.com. Excerpts from the lawsuit filed in the Standing Rock Tribal Court make shocking allegations against Miller, including that they tried to climb into bed with Takota when they was 25 and she was just 14 They begin their lawsuit saying Miller is 'currently physically and emotionally abusing Tokata Iron Eyes (18), psychologically manipulating, physically intimidating and endangering' her safety and welfare. This is 'while perpetuating intimate partner violence upon' their daughter 'after having groomed Tokata since 2016 when she was 12 years old.' They also alleged Miller 'uses violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions, and drugs to hold sway over a young adolescent Tokata'. The star 'established contact with Tokata Iron Eyes under the pretense' of helping the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe during a movement to stop an underground oil pipeline in 2016,' they say. Miller, who identifies as non-binary and queer and uses the pronouns they/them, would likely have been filming Justice League at the time, where one of the sets was located in Illinois. He took 'an immediate and apparently innocent liking' to Tokata and 'began to formulate relations,' the papers continue. The star flew her with other Standing Rock tribal members to London to tour the Harry Potter movie studio in December 2017 when they 'attempted to sleep in the same bed at Tokata, who was 14 years old at the time. Miller was 25 years old at the time,' her parents' lawsuit alleges. Miller had appeared in the 2016 Potter spin-off movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 'Ezra was prevented from sleeping in the same bed with Tokata at that time by a chaperone who can attest to this as the witness lives on the Standing Rock reservation Tokata's parents learned of this episode in June 2022. 'Tokata had read all the available Harry Potter books and was/is enamored by the fantasy/celebrity of Ezra Miller at all times during her still formative years as a young adolescent. Ezra has recently and violently abused Tokata's vulnerability and trust,' Chase and Sara say. Tokata's mother Sara tweeted about the alleged abuse her daughter is facing at the hands of Ezra Miller Miller identifies as non-binary and queer and uses the pronouns they/them. Court papers say they used the same pronouns for Tokata Miller, a non-binary actor, played The Flash in the DC Cinematic Universe Tokata (pictured in 2018) met the Flash star when she was just 12 years old The couple say in the papers that their daughter had been traveling with Miller and friends around California and Louisiana and they arrived back in the New York area in late January this year. It was there Miller 'reportedly gave Tokata an unknown dose of LSD after drugging Tokata into an incapacitated state' she was then 'carted back to Ezra's farm' in Vermont. 'Her mental state deteriorated rapidly to the point that Ezra Miller and the houseguests at Ezra Miller's property finally decided to call Tokata's parents,' the papers allege. 'Tokata had been screaming so much after Ezra gave her LSD, that she lost her voice.' Miller also obsessed about the KKK because they believed the hate group had burned down a friend's house in North Carolina, the papers continue. He 'transported an unknown supply of firearms and ammunition from Vermont to North Carolina for a potential confrontation with the KKK. 'Tokata is compelled to go along and she is subjected to heightened anxiety, impending violence, firearms, drugs use and overbearing fear of this armed situation. To this day Tokata is paranoid about the KKK surveilling them, tracking them and generally being a target of the KKK.' The pair flew to Vermont in January and got their 'incapacitated' daughter back home to North Dakota. 'Tokata did not have and did not know the whereabouts of her bank card, driver license, Standing Rock tribal identification, passport, most of her clothing, car keys and any other items needed for her to navigate life on her own,' says the filing. Tokata spent 'the next three weeks detoxifying from whatever drugs were used with Ezra Miller during the preceding time frame, at the very least cannabis, alcohol, LSD,' the parents say. 'It wasn't until ten days went by that Tokata's parents felt Tokata would be able to function in some capacity on her own.' Tokata's parents got her replacement ID. But in February the teenager reunited with Miller after telling them she was going to stay with a friend in Brooklyn, New York. The pair were then spotted in Los Angeles that month before heading to Hawaii where they stayed in March and April and Miller caused more controversy with the chair incident. 'There's evidence that Miller was the subject of 10 different calls to Hawaii law enforcement,' the papers allege. Eventually the pair return to Miller's Vermont home, where Bennington County Sheriff's Department attempted to serve an order for substance abuse evaluation on Tokata, instigated by her father. Deputies make three unsuccessful attempts to serve the notice in May. On the first, Miller 'lies to law enforcement and falsely states' the teenager is not at his home, the lawsuit says. During that time, two 'former friends' of Miller saw him 'using threats of violence, extreme yelling and aggressive outbursts' at Tokata, the lawsuit alleges. 'Ezra Miller aggressively got in her face calling her a 'b****' and asking her 'what are you putting make up on for you f***ing b****; Ezra also called Tokata a 'thieving b****', 'c*** b****'.' The papers also allege Miller told Tokata they had a sex addiction and they eventually 'convinced' her to have sex with him in January this year to help 'cure' it. They continue: 'Ezra's behavior shows a pattern of sexually predatory behavior.' Tokata dismissed her parents concerns in a post on social media, writing: 'I'd like to make a statement to acknowledge the tragedy that is the narrative of the general public and the assumptions made on my behalf by my family and friends regarding my stability and otherwise' Tokata was a prominent campaigner against the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline and has appeared alongside Greta Thunberg to discuss climate concerns (pictured together in 2019) Actress Shailene Woodley, Tokata and actor Mark Ruffalo are pictured together attending Stand With Standing Rock Benefit in New York City in December 2016 Tokata is pictured standing next to Leonardo DiCaprio during the People's Climate March in 2017 Tokata is a well-known activist, pictured here with Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in September 2019 Sara told DailyMail.com: 'In January, Ezra physically assaulted our daughter. We have photos of bruises. Initially we weren't clear on what had happened because Ezra had given our daughter LSD and other drugs. 'Our daughter was out of her mind at that point.' Recounting the couple's desperation, she continued: 'My husband filed some orders in May and tried to get them served when we heard Tokata and Ezra were in Vermont. 'Ezra lied and said Tokata wasn't there. The cops tried to serve those papers three times. And then they took off we heard they were in New York, then we heard they were in Oklahoma. 'Then we heard through a friend of a friend of a friend they were in LA and that Tokata had a black eye. Ezra wasn't allowing her to eat sometimes, that she was like a zombie. So we got plane tickets and went out to Santa Monica and found a location and tried to talk to Tokata. 'Ezra was actively interfering with me talking to Tokata and during that time she did have a mark above her eye and had some strange story about it. She is very, very thin. 'And then she starred rambling about the KKK, pedophiles and medicine. We tried to get the police to come to talk to her and also to serve the orders requesting her to be evaluated.' Sara accused Miller of being a danger not only to her daughter, but other young women. 'We feel that Ezra keeps being allowed to hurt people, has no accountability. We are concerned for our daughter's safety as his behavior keeps escalating. And that our daughter is there while the behavior is escalating,' she said. 'It is clear from more people we talk to that Ezra is targeting vulnerable young women. It seems that the pattern is to move on to the next one, but some of these women keep coming back, even though they have been at least emotionally abused.' Of their fight for Tokata, she added: 'She is going to need to heal. It's going to take some time.' Tokata dismissed her parents concerns in a post on social media, writing: 'I'd like to make a statement to acknowledge the tragedy that is the narrative of the general public and the assumptions made on my behalf by my family and friends regarding my stability and otherwise. 'I dropped out of bard five months ago, my friend and comrade William passed shortly there after, my mind was incredibly impacted and I've needed space and time for the processing of grief. 'My comrade Ezra Miller for the entirety of the aforementioned era has only provided loving support and invaluable protection throughout this period of loss.' Six people suffered serious injuries after a tour helicopter crashed into a lava field in a remote section of Hawaii's Big Island. Passengers included two teenage women, a 23-year-old man, a 50-year-old man and 54-year-old man. Their injuries ranged from stable to serious, KITV.com reported. Miraculously all five passengers and the pilot survived after the chopper went down on Wednesday afternoon. Photos of the crash show the blue chopper laying on the lava field on its side almost entirely destroyed The pilot, who also reportedly suffered serious injuries, was initially trapped in the wreckage and had to be extracted The chopper was a Bell 407 tour helicopter that belonged to Paradise Helicopters and is operated by K&S Helicopters One of the teenagers, an 18-year-old woman, had to be airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries, while the others were taken by ambulance. The pilot, who also reportedly suffered serious injuries, was initially trapped in the wreckage and had to be extracted, KITV.com reported. The chopper was a Bell 407 tour helicopter that belonged to Paradise Helicopters and is operated by K&S Helicopters. The Hawai'i Fire Department said the crash took place in the area southwest section of the Big Island, which is primarily made up of dried lava fields where past volcanic activity occurred. The Big Island also has active lava fields in the Halemaumau crater where tourist can visit, but where this crash did not occur. Officials have not yet confirmed what caused the crash and where exactly the chopper was headed. Photos of the crash show the blue chopper laying on the lava field on its side almost entirely destroyed. The chopper blades are seen mangled and one of the doors is seen barely hanging on to its hinges. The tours of the the Hawai'i Islands includes a 'Lava and Rainforest Adventure Tour' that flies over Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on earth It is not sure which tour the victims were taking but Paradise Helicopters' website has three main tours of Hacai'i Island, Lana'i Island and O'ahu Island K&S Helicopters said it is cooperating with authorities and helping those involved in the crash. 'The care of our passengers, crew members, and their families is our highest priority' Calvin Dorn, of K&S Helicopters said in a statement. It is not clear which tour the victims were taking but Paradise Helicopters' website has three main tours of Hacai'i Island, Lana'i Island and O'ahu Island. The tours of the the Hawai'i Islands includes a 'Lava and Rainforest Adventure Tour' that flies over Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. Advertisement Boris Johnson was today warned his bold plan to turn 'benefits into bricks' would have little actual effect on the number of Britons becoming home-owners as the cost-of-living crisis will keep them from saving for deposits. In a major speech in Lancashire this afternoon, the PM vowed to revive Margaret Thatcher's housing revolution for low-income families as he continues his fightback from Monday's confidence vote. In a three-pronged approach to making home ownership a more realistic prospect for millions, Mr Johnson set out how Mrs Thatcher's 'Right to Buy' scheme will be extended to two-and-a-half million tenants who rent from housing associations. He also vowed to turn 'Generation Rent' into 'Generation Buy' by launching an independent review of Britain's mortgage market with the aim of increasing the availability of 95 per cent loans. Ministers hope this will allow many more renters to be able to purchase a property as they would only have to save for a five per cent deposit. Thirdly, the PM set out plans to change welfare rules so that one-and-half million people currently on housing benefit will be given a choice to use their handout towards a mortgage, rather than paying rent to a private landlord or housing association. Ministers are also aiming to change the rules for those claiming Universal Credit. This will exempt Lifetime ISA savings from current rules that see claimants' level of benefits fall away when their savings exceed 6,000, and stop entirely when they save more than 16,000. However, critics complained that the ideas are not 'thought through', and people on benefits will struggle to put together deposits. Lindsay Judge, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: 'The number of people affected is likely to be small given that the deposit is the main barrier to home ownership 'More than four-in-five families on means-tested benefits have no savings at all and high cost of living pressures means a second change that allows benefit recipients to save into certain savings accounts without seeing their benefits cut is unlikely to lead to a surge in savings.' Meanwhile, the PM risked a backlash when he refused to guarantee the Government would meet a Tory manifesto target of building 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s. 'I cant give you a cast-iron guarantee that were going to get to a number in a particular year,' he said. There is also no new funding attached to the Right-to-Buy extension, with only pilot projects mooted at the moment. The package seems squarely aimed at the Red Wall voters who delivered Mr Johnson's huge 2019 majority. He is heavily dependent on the support of MPs from those areas for his survival, after seeing off a coup attempt earlier this week. Mr Johnson pointed out the total bill for housing benefit is forecast to rise from 30billion each year to 50billion by 2050 without action. That money was being 'swallowed' to pay the mortgages of private-sector landlords or by housing associations, he said during his speech at a college in Blackpool. 'It's time to put his huge wall of money taxpayers' money to better use. It's time to turn benefits to bricks,' he said. 'We are going to look to change the rules on welfare so that the 1.5million working people who are in receipt of housing benefits I stress working people and who want to buy their first home will be given a new choice: to spend their benefit on rent, as now, or put it towards a first-ever mortgage.' In other developments today as the PM attempts to get back on track: The average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a record 182.3p on Wednesday, according to data firm Experian Catalist. It means the average cost of filling a typical 55-litre family car is 100.27; There are claims that Mr Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have ruled out cuts to personal taxes this Autumn, despite calls from Tory MPs and the OECD; Tory Eurosceptics are said to have been brought in to help draft legislation scrapping the Northern Ireland protocol, which could be published as early as next week. In the wake of the Tory confidence vote meltdown, Boris Johnson used a major speech in Lancashire to vow to revive Margaret Thatcher's housing revolution for low-income families Mr Johnson (pictured observing a bricklaying lesson in Blackpool) announced moves to extend the 'Right to Buy', which helped millions purchase their council properties at huge discounts in the 1980s and 1990s, to housing association tenants In a major speech in Lancashire later, Boris Johnson will unveil new proposals to boost home ownership The PM (right) will try to revive Margaret Thatcher's housing revolution today with a new package to help low-income families buy their own homes. But Michael Gove (left) admitted there is no new funding and refused to say how many people would be able to use the scheme What is Boris proposing on housing... and will it make any difference? Right-to-Buy Renewing a pledge made by David Cameron, Boris Johnson announced a push to extend the Thatcherite scheme, which helped millions purchase their council properties at huge discounts in the 1980s and 1990s. Housing association tenants could be able to take advantage of prices 70 per cent lower than market value, depending how long they have lived in the property. However, Michel Gove admitted there is no new funding attached, with only pilot projects mooted at the moment. He refused to say how many people would be eligible, merely insisting it will be more than 1,000. Another property will need to be added to housing association stocks for every home sold. Benefits for mortgages Plans are being drawn up to help families on Universal Credit get on the property ladder. Benefits could be counted as income when applying for a mortgage. Mr Johnson is arguing that the 30billion in housing benefit that currently goes towards rent could help people secure and pay for mortgages. Critics have pointed out that UC is only available to families with less than 16,000 in investments and savings. But the government is looking at disregarding Help to Buy ISAs from the benefits limit. Mortgage market review A government review is looking at how low-deposit mortgages could be extended. Downing Street says the assessment will consider how to improve access to loans, learning lessons 'around the world'. It will be launched in the coming weeks and report back in the Autumn. Prefab homes Encouraging a wave of modular or 'flatpack' homes to be built is another new measure being actively considered. However, the potential incentives have not been spelled out, and the PM might not give any more details in his speech. Furniture manufacturing giant Ikea has a housing construction arm called BoKlok which has developed 12,000 modular homes across Sweden. It is already building hundreds of properties in Britain. The house can be assembled at a site in Bristol with cupboards, ovens and electrical sockets in place. Three houses a day can be built using the system. Advertisement Mr Johnson said discounting Lifetime ISA and Help to Buy ISA savings from Universal Credit eligibility rules would 'make it easier for hard-working people to put away a little every month until they have enough for a deposit on their first home'. The PM also said mortgage support for those who become unemployed will be available more quickly and the Government is looking at measures to 'securitise' some of the 30billion housing benefits bill in order to fund more development of homes. Mr Johnson said the overall package would 'not only help us to build many more homes in the right place but will help millions of people realise what is currently an unattainable dream of home ownership'. The premier said there are 2.5million households whose homes belong to associations, saying 'they're trapped, they can't buy, they don't have the security of ownership, they can't treat their home as their own or make the improvements that they want'. He said that some associations have treated tenants with 'scandalous indifference'. 'So, it's time for change. Over the coming months we will work with the sector to bring forward a new right-to-buy scheme,' he said. Mr Johnson added that it would give 'millions' more the chance to own their own home and would see 'one-for-one replacement of each social housing property sold' while being affordable within existing spending plans. Downing Street said there will be a 'mortgage review' looking at how low-deposit mortgages could be extended. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We want to look at access to low-deposit mortgages and what our mortgage industry can learn from others around the world.' He said the review into ways to 'extend low-deposit mortgages and create a greater market for them' will start in the coming weeks and report back in the autumn. Discussing plans to allow housing benefits to contribute towards mortgages, he said: 'The bill for housing support is around 30billion a year and it could reach 50 billion by 2050 if we don't take action. 'That's money currently going to private landlords or housing associations, so we're looking to change the rules so rather than taxpayers' money going to private landlords those on housing benefits can spend their benefit on rent or towards a mortgage either for full or shared ownership.' No10 said the move to allow housing benefits to pay for mortgages would effectively discount savings into ISAs from the Universal Credit eligibility rules. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'This would enable people who are privately renting also to save, for people on benefits to save to get a mortgage, effectively by exploring discounting savings into lifetime or help to buy ISA from Universal Credit eligibility rules. 'So, anyone who is able to save specifically for a deposit will be exempt from the UC taper and will be eligible for the Government top-up, which is a 25 per cent bonus to your savings up to a maximum of 1,000 a year.' But plans to open up Right to Buy to all 2.5million housing association tenants appear to have been scaled back due to the cost, which one source warned could reach 3billion a year. The new scheme has not been given any additional funding. Instead, Mr Gove has been asked to use existing funds at his Housing Department. In a round of interviews, Mr Gove confirmed there will be a 'cap' on the number of people who can take advantage of the Government's new housing scheme. When asked what the limit would be, he suggested it would be more than a thousand but said: 'That's something I will be discussing with housing associations.' He also refused to give a figure for how many benefits claimants might be able to use that money to get mortgages. 'I don't know and I can't know... by definition that figure can only be a guesstimate,' he told Talk TV. Speaking on Sky News, he added: 'We're looking specifically at a savings vehicle that people can use in order to save for that deposit. 'Because home ownership is not just good for individuals, it's good for society overall. 'We want people to have a stake in the future, we want people to be able to invest in their own home, we want people to have somewhere safe and secure, warm and decent, in which they can raise their children.' Pressed on where the funding for the scheme will come from, he said: 'It will come from the overall parcel, the overall envelope, of Government spending.' Mr Gove said the Government will make sure there are new houses to replace those bought by lower-paid workers under new plans where they can use housing benefits to buy their homes and an extension of the right to buy for housing association tenants. He told Sky News: 'One of the things that we will be doing is making sure that there is a replacement a like-for-like, one-for-one replacement. 'Yesterday I introduced legislation into the House of Commons that means there will be a new levy on developers. Right to Buy became one of the policies of Margaret Thatcher, whose statue is pictured in Grantham, with around two million families given the chance to buy their home at a discount of up to 70 per cent 'That means that when new developments occur, when new homes are built for sale by the big housing companies, we will extract some of the money that they make and some of that money will be set aside explicitly to make sure that there is more affordable housing or council housing for people who need it.' Mr Gove added: 'The way in which the levy works means that people can be assured that when planning permission is granted for new developments that there will be money in due course. 'Councils can borrow against that in order to invest.' Shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy said there were 'real practical problems' with the plans. 'This speech was yet more evidence that the Prime Minister and his tired government are out of ideas. 'You can't solve a housing crisis with back of the envelope policies that have no realistic chance of success. 'Every family deserves the security of their own home, but under the Conservatives housing has become more insecure and unaffordable. 'Homeownership rates have plummeted. Nearly 200,000 socially-rented homes have been sold off. The impractical proposals announced today will do nothing to fix that. 'We need a government that shares the enormous ambition we have for ourselves, our families, and our communities a government that will invest, grow the economy, get money back into people's pockets, and back its people in every part of the country.' Today's speech has been billed as the first step in a re-launch in the wake of Monday's bruising confidence vote, which the Prime Minister won by a margin of 211 to 148. He yesterday insisted that 'nothing and no-one' will get in his way as he tries to re-focus the Government's efforts on public priorities after months of political infighting. Right to Buy became one of Mrs Thatcher's totemic policies, with around two million families given the chance to buy their home at a discount of up to 70 per cent. How thousands of 'flat-pack' homes were built after Second World War After the Luftwaffe laid waste to housing stocks in the Second World War, the government turned to temporary homes. More than 156,000 'prefabs' - flat-pack properties constructed in a factory out of a limited number of materials - were built across Britain on the orders of Winston Churchill, who had envisaged the problem even before the end of the conflict. Sometimes mockingly referred to as 'tin can homes', due to many being made from steel plate, the structures were only ever meant to be a stop-gap. Thousands were demolished within a decade and replaced with more permanent structures as access to resources improved. But more than 70 years on around 8,000 still remain, including a row situated on Wake Green Road in the leafy Birmingham suburb of Moseley - where sprawling five bedroom houses sell for as much as 1.3million. The 17 steel-framed prefabs have gained somewhat of a cult following by supporters who see them as 'a testament to and symbol of post-war recovery, innovation and optimism for a brighter future'. And all but one of them is now protected with Grade-II listed status. But half now lie empty as hollowed relics, sitting opposite semi-detached homes with two car driveways owned by high-flying professionals and in an area where houses sell for an average of 340,000. One five-bedroom property just a short walk down the road is currently on sale for more than 500,000. Advertisement Proposals for renters to be able to buy discounted housing association homes are not new, and appeared in David Cameron's 2015 manifesto. After that failed to materialise, Mr Johnson committed to considering new pilots for the scheme ahead of the 2019 general election. But industry experts have warned that giving tenants the right to buy is far more complex and expensive than the sale of council houses in the 1980s. Unlike council houses, most housing association properties are financed through private sector debt, which needs to be paid off. One pilot scheme in the Midlands found it cost the taxpayer 65,390 per home sold. Pilot schemes have also operated on the basis that a new property would be built for every one sold. While the plan could help avoid criticism of the original scheme, it also adds cost and complexity. Tim Bannister, Rightmove's director of property science, said: 'If a review of the mortgage market could help with the challenge of needing such a big deposit then it would be greatly welcomed by those who are able to demonstrate that they can afford monthly payments, but who are currently locked out of homeownership. 'It's clear to see why there are many renters keen to get on the ladder, as they're forking out 40% more each month than 10 years ago, while low interest rates means average mortgage payments have only increased by 11% over that same time.' Alicia Walker, head of policy, research and campaigns at Centrepoint, said: 'If the Government is truly serious about turning 'benefits into bricks' then we need to see a serious level of investment into genuinely affordable social-rented housing. 'We support measures to improve homeownership, particularly for young people as rates have declined drastically over the last three decades. However it's not clear how much this will really support people in housing need. 'As well as this, extending the Right to Buy to housing associations risks further eroding the stock of social housing, which many young people desperately need. Promises of like-for-like replacements have been made before but not been followed through.' Charles Roe, director of mortgages at trade association UK Finance, said: 'The mortgage industry recognises the importance of home-ownership and today's announcements by the Prime Minister could help more people realise their dream of owning their own home. 'Firms are committed to lending responsibly, with regulatory rules in place to ensure that mortgages are affordable - it will be important to carefully consider any changes to ensure they deliver good outcomes for customers throughout the life of the mortgage. 'We look forward to discussing the proposals and will continue working closely with the Government to help more people get on to the housing ladder.' An extension of the Right to Buy for housing association tenants is also expected. Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: 'The Prime Minister's housing plans are baffling, unworkable, and a dangerous gimmick. 'Hatching reckless plans to extend Right to Buy will put our rapidly shrinking supply of social homes at even greater risk. 'For decades the promise to replace every social home sold off through Right to Buy has flopped. If these plans progress, we will remain stuck in the same destructive cycle of selling off and knocking down thousands more social homes than get built each year. 'The maths doesn't add up: why try to sell off what little truly affordable housing is left - at great expense - when homelessness is rising and over a million households are stuck on the waiting list? 'The Government needs to stop wasting time on the failed policies of the past and start building more of the secure social homes this country actually needs.' James Andrews, a personal finance expert at Money.co.uk, said: 'Boris Johnson is unashamedly dipping into Margaret Thatcher's 'greatest hits' catalogue to shore up backbench support following this week's damaging no-confidence vote.' The family of a woman found strangled to death while she was on vacation in Turks and Caicos has claimed that local police are trying to cover up her murder in an effort to protect the tourism industry. Marie Kuhnla, 61, a mother and longtime New York public defender, was found dead in the bushes of a remote section of the Club Med Resort on the Providenciales island in October 2018. In the aftermath, local officials called in an American medical examiner who ruled that her cause of death was 'manual strangulation.' But while police originally reported in her death certificate that the manner of death was a homicide, they are now trying to claim in court that she died of 'positional asphyxia' after she fell into the bushes while drunk. 'What we watched last week was that Club Med and the police department were working together to discredit the medical examiner,' family attorney Abe George told DailyMail.com. He said that in an inquest into Kuhnla's death, both the police and Club Med officials are positing that Kuhnla 'tripped and fell into the sand and suffocated herself ... because she was so drunk' even though authorities found sand in her airway.' George claims that the police and Club Med are now making these claims in the inquest because 'Club Med is the largest employer on the island,' and news of a murder would be bad for the tourism industry. A six-member jury is now set to rule on whether the original manner of death - that Kuhnla died from a homicide - could have been incorrect on Thursday or Friday. The body of Marie Kuhnla, 61, (pictured) was found in a remote section of Club Med on Providenciales in October 2018 after she was reported missing following a day of drinking Her family is now saying police and Club Med officials are trying to cover up her homicide, and are instead claiming she died of positional asphyxia Kuhnla was last seen on October 14, 2018 while vacationing with two colleagues from the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society in the Turks and Caicos and was reported missing by her friends who became concerned after she disappeared following a day of drinking at the resort pool. Her body was found two days later in a remote part of the Club Med Turkoise resort only used by staff members, with her underwear pulled down. An American medical examiner, Dr. Michael Steckbauer, was later called into the island to investigate her death and ruled that she died of strangulation by homicide. He continues to stand by that ruling, FOX News reports, and called her death 'intentional' in a $10 million wrongful death suit brought by the family against Club Med officials for allegedly covering up the horrific crime. The family now claims that Frank Yacullo, a former Club Med employee, sexually assaulted her before killing her. They point to an autopsy revealing that after Kuhnla's body was found, her remains were put in front of a refrigerator exhaust fan blowing hot air in an apparent attempt to accelerate decomposition before Steckbauer arrived on the island. And a private investigator, Ed Dowd, said he determined that Kuhnla had broken ribs and bruising on her inner thighs - suggesting she was beaten before her death. But in 2019, Rick Kuhnla Jr. told FOX News, the lead police officer from the islands traveled to their home on Long Island, New York and began expressing doubts that her death was a homicide. Instead, he reportedly suggested that she died of 'positional asphyxia,' which is where a person's position causes improper breathing, leading to death. 'He thinks that she just got herself into a position in the bushes where she couldn't breathe - which didn't happen. It's not possible,' Rick Jr told FOX. 'We've talked to, you know, through our lawyer, we've got in touch with retired NYPD officers who run a private investigation firm and said "That's just absurd."' Those private investigators, he explained, said that when Kuhnla was found, she was barefoot but her feet were clean and her sandals were found hundreds of feet away - suggesting she did not walk through the gravel to the bushes. 'She was not walking to that location. What happened is that she was either murdered there and dumped there, or she was murdered somewhere else and dumped there,' Dowd previously told NBC 4. Kuhnla's body was found in the bushes near the resort, with her underwear pulled down. Police are seen here investigating the scene in 2018 Kuhnla's family and their attorney claim the police are covering up her murder to protect the island's tourism industry Rick is now suggesting that the police are now changing their story to protect the island's tourism industry. 'I think they have the interest that tourism is their number one industry,' he said, 'and it's a lot smoother for them to say that she died by accident in some bushes.' And George pointed out to DailyMail.com that police have previously let Yacullo go just 24 hours after he was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting Kuhnla before her death. He had previously allegedly sexually assaulted Kuhnla's travel mate, Helma Hermans, by putting his hands between her legs, and was allegedly able to secure Kuhnla's room number by his contacts who still worked at the resort. Yacullo, a fellow Long Islander who allegedly tried to impress Kuhnla and her friends that he was a former Club Med employee, was the last person seen with Kuhnla. But he has maintained his innocence and pleaded the fifth when he was deposed last August, the Kuhnla family attorney Abe George said. And when questioned by NBC 4 in 2019, Yacullo said he 'had nothing to do with that. I had no interaction with her besides going to the pool.' Club Med officials now say they are cooperating with the investigation into Kuhnla's death. 'The entire Club Med family is enormously saddened by the death of Ms Kuhnla,' they said in a statement to FOX News, adding: 'The safety, security and well-being of all of our guests remain our highest priority. 'At this time, we are continuing to cooperate with the public inquiry and cannot comment any further on the active litigation.' Former Obama official Brett Bruen wrote in an op-ed this week that President Biden's 'reckless riffs' and foreign policy gaffes are veering into dangerous territory. The former Director of Global Engagement said that the president bears the 'lion share of the blame' for all too often sending the White House into crisis mode when he opens his mouth on foreign policy, but also blamed his National Security staff for being woefully unprepared for the gaffes. In an op-ed for USA Today entitled, 'Biden's careless comments are hurting his presidency and diplomacy. He needs a reset,' Bruen wrote: 'I used to cringe when Vice President Joe Biden took to the podium. Despite all the preparation that went into an event and his remarks, as a staffer on the National Security Council, you never quite knew what he might say.' 'At times, his offhanded comments could spice up what otherwise would be a pretty boring policy address. Yet, there were other times, too many times, when it could veer into dangerous terrain,' he added. 'The reckless riffs have continued during his presidency, especially when discussing diplomacy,' he wrote. 'How does such careless careening into crisis territory keep happening?' he asked. 'Biden bears the lion share of blame for his ill-considered improvisation.' Bruen said the Biden National Security team should better prepare the president for 'obvious questions' because 'They are all too aware that he has this troublesome tendency to go off script.' Bruen chastised Biden for admitting the 'inevitability' that Kabul would fall to the Taliban after the U.S. military's withdrawal. Former Obama official Brett Bruen wrote in an op-ed this week that President Biden's 'reckless riffs' and foreign policy gaffes are veering into dangerous territory In an op-ed for USA Today entitled, 'Biden's careless comments are hurting his presidency and diplomacy. He needs a reset,' Bruen wrote: 'I used to cringe when Vice President Joe Biden took to the podium' On July 8, 2021 Biden told reporters at the White House that the Afghan army was better equipped and more numerous than the Taliban. A Kabul takeover was 'not inevitable' and he scoffed at the idea that it would prove to be his fall of Saigon moment. But by Aug. 19, his tone had changed: 'The idea that somehow, there's a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens.' Bruen also went after Biden for seeming to 'give Russian President Vladimir Putin a tacit green light to take at least some Ukrainian territory' by proclaiming in March that Russian President Vladimir Putin 'cannot remain in power.' The White House did a frantic clean-up, and months later Biden wrote in a New York Times op-ed he would not try to remove Putin from power. 'As much as I disagree with Mr. Putin, and find his actions an outrage, the United States will not try to bring about his ouster in Moscow.' Bruen noted that aides were also forced to walk back Biden's remarks after he stated 'his clear commitment of American forces to the defense of Taiwan, a major departure from our long-standing policy.' During a trip to Asia last month, Biden aides squirmed in their seats, according to people present, as he was asked whether he would defend the autonomous island of Taiwan if it was invaded by China. 'Yes,' Biden replied. 'That's the commitment we made.' In so doing, he went beyond official American foreign policy of 'strategic ambiguity' which helps arm Taiwan and its government but is vague on how far Washington would actually go in protecting its freedom. May and June have seen an extraordinary accumulation of departures from the White House press shop at a time when President Joe Biden is trying to retool his message with road trips amid sagging approval ratings. The departures have come up and down the ladder among people tasked with pitching Biden's policies, coordinating the covid response, and handling the mechanics of the president's mobile messaging operation. New White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made light of the turnover in comments at the White House this week as she once again took to the podium to publicly praise well-regarded departing mid-level staffers. 'I promise we will have a press shop.' She quipped. 'Not everyone is leaving.' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has announced a series of staff departures in recent weeks Some of the turnover coincided with the departure of Jean-Pierre's predecessor, Jen Psaki. Some of the departures amount to steps up substantively even if the aides will soon miss out on some of the thrill of being inside the presidential bubble. Jean-Pierre broke the latest staff news as a 'sad note,' announcing that White House rapid response director Mike Gwin on the way out the door to join the Treasury Department. She called him an 'indispensable' part of the team. 'I know he's moving on to bigger and better things, and only wish him the best at Treasury,' she said. Staff departures announced since Jen Psaki's May 13 exit Amanda Finney, Chief of Staff for President Biden's press office, June 3 Vedant Patel, assistant White House press secretary, June 2 Michael Gwin, White House Director of Rapid Response, June 7 Michael Kikukawa, Press assistant, June 7 Advertisement She also noted that Michael Kikukawa will leave the White House press shop as a press assistant to serve as a spokesman at Treasury. She hailed him as 'the strong engine and reliable engine at the press shop,' and pointed to his 'relentless work ethic and dedication to the mission of this team have been second to none' a role he sometimes filled shepherding reporters who follow the president. Jean-Pierre called it 'very heart-wrenching, but I'm very excited for both of you.' Days earlier, she announced that Vedant Patel, just back from the President's trip to South Korea and Japan, was leaving to become deputy spokesperson at the State Department. 'I cannot stress enough how integral Vedant has been to our team. He's been a rockstar. He's going to be incredibly missed. He is a true talent, an excellent communicator, a gifted writer, and a wonderful coworker and friend,' she said. 'I and the rest of the press team will miss him dearly, but we know that he's on to better and bigger things as he moves over to the State Department so he's not going very far as the Principal Deputy Spokesperson,' she said. On June 2, Jean-Pierre sang the praises of another departing staffer, Amanda Finney, whom she hailed as the unofficial 'Mayor of the West Wing.' She announced Finney was leaving to join the Energy Department, where she will be deputy director of public affairs. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki left and took a job with MSNBC The departures come as Biden struggles to retool his messaging The White House departures have grown to include two-thirds of the press shop, according to AP's count The White House staff turmoil follows a steady departure of aides to Vice President Kamala Harris, plus griping about a 'Blaxit' of departing African American staffers, with a count of departing African American staffers reaching 20 since late 2021. More than a dozen top aides leaving Harris' office, amid complaints about inter-office tensions. They began with departures of high profile figures including senior advisor Symone Sanders. The White House departures have grown to include two-thirds of the press shop, as well as considerable departures from the White House COVID response team, as well as digital staffers, the Associated Press reported. That account put the departures in the context of the 'great resignation,' where people across the economy have been finding new things to do since the pandemic hit. Chief of Staff for President Biden's press office Amanda Finney (pictured) is departing the west wing amid reports of a 'Black staffer exodus' from the White House White House jobs have long been prestigious, and provide avenues to other work either in government or in the private sector. Average salaries in the Executive Office of the President run over $90,000 but lower level press aides often make less, and must turn in extremely long hours, and must keep scrolling through their cell phones long into the night. Some of the perks of the job face time with the president, access to VIP events, watching Marine One take off, have been scaled back amid the pandemic. Aides who have access to the president are limited and are usually masked. It is not unusual for there to be a spate of turnover in a White House staff after a year or 18-months, although these latest departures are coinciding with Psaki's departure and decision to take a job with MSNBC. Senior Republicans are keeping up their attacks on the Biden administration's attempts to tackle misinformation, claiming internal documents show the Department of Homeland Security's disinformation board would have ruled on what was true and what wasn't across a broad range of issues. Republican Senators Chuck Grassley and Josh Hawley on Wednesday wrote to the department demanding more information about how it would have worked. They released a string of internal documents, provided by a whistleblower, they said showed the Disinformation Governance Board (DGB) would have worked with social media platforms to enable the removal of user content. They said the details showed the board would not just have focused on foreign threats but areas of legitimate political disagreement, such as the validity of elections and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. 'The First Amendment of the Constitution was designed precisely so that the government could not censor opposing viewpoints even if those viewpoints were false,' they write in their letter. 'DHS should not in any way seek to enlist the private sector to curb or silence opposing viewpoints. 'It is therefore imperative for DHS to provide additional clarity regarding its policies and procedures for identifying and addressing [mis-, dis- or mal-information] MDM as well as its efforts to operationalize public-private partnerships and the steps it is taking to ensure that it does not infringe on the constitutional rights of American citizens.' Republican Senators Chuck Grassley (left) and Josh Hawley have written to the Department of Homeland Security seeking more information about its 'paused' Disinformation Government Board. They cite whistleblower documents that raise fresh concerns about its links to Twitter Nina Jankowicz resigned as head of the board after it was revealed that she had promoted untrue claims about former President Donald Trump's links to Russia and Hunter Biden's laptop Briefing notes obtained by Grassley's office show that Jankowicz new senior Twitter figures Details of the disinformation board triggered a wave of controversy when they were made public. Its leader Nina Jankowicz resigned after it was revealed that she had promoted claims about former President Donald Trump's links to Russia and about Hunter Biden's laptop that turned out to be untrue. And she faced further ridicule when it emerged she had recorded a TikTok post replacing the words of the Mary Poppins' song 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' with lyrics warning of the dangers of disinformation. Meanwhile the work of the board was put on pause. 'So this begs the question,' write the senators, 'if the (former) executive director of the DGB is incapable of determining what is and is not disinformation, how could the DGB ever have expected to function properly under her leadership?' They say the documents show the department was working on plans to 'operationalize' its relationships with private social media platforms to implement its goals.' 'According to whistleblower allegations, Nina Jankowicz may have been hired because of her relationship with executives at Twitter,' they write, pointing out that briefing notes suggest she knew two senior figures at the social media company. 'Collectively, whistleblower allegations and the documents we've reviewed raise concerns that DHS could be seeking an active role in coordinating the censorship of viewpoints that it determines, according to an unknown standard, to be "MDM" by enlisting the help of social media companies and big tech,' they write. Twitter has become a hate figure for many Republicans and Trump allies, for the way it banned the former president last year and the way it has blocked accounts that for inappropriate content - from violent threats to COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. But the senators say spreading false ideas is not grounds for removal. 'The First Amendment of the Constitution was designed precisely so that the government could not censor opposing viewpoints even if those viewpoints were false,' they write. 'DHS should not in any way seek to enlist the private sector to curb or silence opposing viewpoints.' Ex-Cabinet minister Jeremy Hunt has reacted with fury after the Government gave the go-ahead for gas drilling in his leafy Surrey constituency. The former health secretary, who this week publicly declared his opposition to Boris Johnson, today lashed out at a decision to allow gas exploration near the village of Dunsfold. Mr Hunt branded the move 'wrong both economically and environmentally' and urged ministers to reconsider the approval. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), announced on Tuesday it had overturned Surrey County Council's refusal of planning permission for a project planned by UK Oil & Gas Plc. The site will sit near Dunsfold Aerodrome, which is best known as the location of the former test track for TV motoring show Top Gear. The DLUHC decision was revealed a day after Mr Hunt put himself at the forefront of efforts to topple Mr Johnson as Prime Minister in a no confidence vote among Tory MPs. The one-time Conservative leadership candidate had urged his party colleagues to opt for 'change' from Mr Johnson's leadership in the crunch vote. Jeremy Hunt, who this week publicly declared his opposition to Boris Johnson, lashed out at a decision to allow gas exploration near the village of Dunsfold The decision was revealed a day after Mr Hunt put himself at the forefront of efforts to topple Mr Johnson as Prime Minister in a no confidence vote among Tory MPs The site will sit near Dunsfold Aerodrome, which is best known as the location of the former test track for TV motoring show Top Gear In a letter to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Mr Hunt said he was protesting 'in the strongest of terms' against the department's decision to allow the gas exploration. The South West Surrey MP told Mr Gove that 'ignoring the strength of local opinion goes entirely against the Government's commitment to the devolution of powers and strengthening local communities as well as our net zero commitments'. 'It goes against your personal and long-standing commitment to localism and has caused enormous anger and disappointment across all political parties locally,' he added. 'In addition, with the Government's commitment to reaching net zero, its recent welcome announcements regarding the move to nuclear and renewable energy, and the continued moratorium on fracking, I cannot see how this site has any role to play in our future energy supply needs.' Mr Hunt claimed it would 'take years to ascertain if there is anything worth actually drilling commercially' at the site, adding: 'By which point we will be well on our way to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. 'In short it will create enormous disruption and environmental damage for little if any economic benefit.' Fellow Tory MP Angela Richardson, who represents the neighbouring Guildford constituency, offered her 'full support' to Mr Hunt's protest. Ms Richardson also voted against Mr Johnson in Monday night's no confidence ballot. 'I supported neighbouring Alfold Parish Council in my constituency in their objections, when the planning application came before the committee at Surrey County Council,' she posted on Twitter. Housing Minister Stuart Andrew informed Mr Hunt that he was responsible for the DLUHC decision as Mr Gove had recused himself from having a role as he himself represents a Surrey constituency. Mr Andrew told Mr Hunt he would be 'happy' to meet to discuss the issue. In a letter to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Mr Hunt said he was protesting 'in the strongest of terms' against the decision to allow the gas exploration Surrey County Council said it was 'disappointed' that the plans will be going ahead. 'The Secretary of State has allowed the appeal and granted planning permission for the construction, operation and decommissioning of a well site for the exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbons, for a temporary period of three years at land south of Dunsfold Road and East of High Loxley Road, Dunsfold,' a spokesperson said. 'The Council is disappointed that the committees refusal was not upheld.' Stephen Sanderson, the chief executive of UK Oil & Gas, said: 'We welcome this decision and its backing for Loxley's gas as a secure, sustainable energy source with a far lower pre-combustion carbon footprint than imports. 'Backing UK domestic gas makes strategic, economic and environmental good sense. 'We look forward to moving the Loxley project forwards and to working constructively with the local community.' Due to a potential propellant leak in spacecraft Draco thrusters, NASA and SpaceX are delaying the launch of cargo Dragon mission to the International Space Station. According to NASA, in a statement issued late June 6, they are postponing the launch of the CRS-25 mission after detecting "elevated vapor readings" of monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) in a portion of the spacecraft's Draco thruster system, according to Space News. Propellant Problem is Currently Under Investigation The launch was initially scheduled for June 10. As of writing, the cause of the elevated reading is under investigation. The Draco thrusters is being used by the Dragon spacecraft for orbital maneuvers. This includes approaching and departing the space station, and deorbiting at the end of the mission. MMH and nitrogen tetroxide propellants, a storable, hypergolic combination, are used by the thrusters. Space News said that "the cargo version of Dragon lacks the more powerful SuperDraco thrusters SpaceX developed for the abort system on the Crew Dragon spacecraft." According to NASA, when propellant was being loaded into the spacecraft the elevated readings were detected. However, the agency did not specify when it took place, they just said that the problem was identified over the weekend. According to NASA and SpaceX, to discuss the issue and the best path forward, they met last June 6. NASA said that in order to allow engineers to investigate the issue, the MMH and nitrogen tetroxide propellants had been offloaded from Dragon. "Once the exact source of the elevated readings is identified and cause is determined, the joint NASA and SpaceX teams will determine and announce a new target launch date," NASA stated, as cited by Space News. Read Also: 2021, Most Successful Year of Space Exploration: From NASA, SpaceX Partnership to James Webb Space Telescope Dragon Mission is Set to Deliver Supplies and Equipment to ISS More than two tons of supplies and equipment will be delivered by the Dragon to the ISS. As highlighted in a NASA briefing on June 2, the cargo on the mission include an "Earth science instrument that will study mineral dust in the atmosphere, experiments to study how sutured wounds heal in microgravity and aging of the immune system, and a student-developed experiment that will use biopolymers to create bricks from materials like those found in lunar and Martian regolith," according to Space News. In recent weeks, the problem on the thruster is already the second issue that involves a Dragon spacecraft. On May 24, NASA said that the heat shield structure for the next Crew Dragon spacecraft was being replaced by SpaceX. This will launch in September on the Crew-5 mission. Earlier in May, the heat shield failed an acceptance test. NASA revealed the heat shield issue in a statement. However, a published report denied that "there had been a leak of hypergolic propellants during the reentry of the Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew the Ax-1 private astronaut mission in April, damaging the heat shield," according to Space News. "The data associated with Dragon's recent crew reentries was normal - the system performed as designed without dispute. There has not been a hypergolic leak during the return of a crewed Dragon mission nor any contamination with the heat shield causing excessive wear," NASA said in a statement. Related Article: SpaceX Hopeful That Starship Megarocket Gets Good Review From FAA A woman is charged with the murder of her teenage brother after their plot to rob a man ended with him shooting the boy dead. Tat'yana Mekeva Gaston, 23, reeled in the unnamed 31-year-old on dating app BLK with plans to meet at Kain Palms Apartments, Tampa on Friday, May 31, police said. Her younger brother Jermon Kennard, 18, was waiting there with a knife. Tat'yana Mekeva Gaston, 23, was arrested Friday for her part in the May 31 shooting But the 'date', who had been catfished and was expecting to meet a 22-year-old named Jada, shot Jermon dead in self defense. Under a new Florida law, Gaston has been charged with her brother's murder, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Suspects can be charged with second degree murder under Title XLVI, enacted in 2021, in the event of a death during the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a crime they're involved in. As Kennard's accomplice in the attempted robbery which took his life, Gaston can therefore be held criminally responsible for his death. The list of potential felonies which can bring an accomplice second degree murder charge includes arson, burglary, carjacking, kidnapping, robbery or drug trafficking. The teen, who was wearing a mask, died of gunshot wounds to his chest and head. He had turned 18 in April and was finishing up senior year at Carver Exceptional Center, northeast Tampa. Tat'yana Gaston (left) has been charged with the murder of her younger brother Jermon (right) despite not killing him. She lied to police about their intention to rob her 31-year-old 'date' Big sister Gaston lied to police that she thought her brother was going to sell the man an iPhone. She claimed there was no planned robbery, Hillsborough County Sheriff said. But cops found that she had texted Jarmon telling him to come outside in preparation for the robbery. In Florida, second degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, life on probation, and a fine no higher than $10,000. Tampa, FL's Kain Palms Apartment complex was the scene of Kennard's self defense shooting Gaston catfished her 31-year-old date using dating app BLK, where she posed as 'Jada', 22 Florida books also state that a person who uses a firearm to commit second degree murder must face a minimum sentence of 25 years behind bars. Gaston has been released on a $15,000 bond. Jermon's obituary states: 'He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.' His funeral will take place tomorrow. Prince Andrew has been spotted for first time since he 'tested positive for Covid', leaving Windsor Castle in his Range Rover after being forced to miss the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend. The Duke of York, 62, was seen on an early morning outing today, wearing a dark blue jumper and pink shirt, as he drove the car in the royal estate. He had been on a horse ride this morning. At the start of the month, Buckingham Palace announced that he had 'tested positive for Covid' after taking 'a routine test'. Prince Andrew has been spotted for first time since he 'tested positive for Covid', leaving Windsor Castle The Duke of York, 62, had been on a horse ride this morning, before he left in his Range Rover It meant that Andrew had to withdraw from the Thanksgiving Service being held for the Queen on Friday, June 3, which he had planned to attend. The Duke of York was understood to have seen his mother the Queen in the few days before he tested positive, but she tested negative. He did not see her after testing positive. Andrew was not on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast after Trooping the Colour on Thursday, June 2, after the Queen limited those appearing alongside her to working members of her family. The monarch's disgraced second son stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to a woman he claimed never to have met. The Duke was seen wearing a dark blue jumper and pink shirt, as he drove the car in the royal estate this morning However, Andrew had been expected to attend the thanksgiving service along with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who were also not allowed to stand on the balcony last Thursday. Andrew was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Virginia Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. The Duke has always strenuously denied the claims. Andrew took a central role in escorting his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh memorial service in March. The Queen and Prince Andrew on the Buckingham Palace balcony in London in June 2019 The Queen arrives at Westminster Abbey in London accompanied by her son Prince Andrew for the Service of Thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh on March 29 It came as a surprise change to the planned arrangements only weeks earlier he had been banished from royal public life and paid to settle his court case. The move was taken as a sign of the monarch's support for her son. He was the latest in a long line of royals to catch Covid, including the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Princess Michael of Kent, who is married to the Queen's cousin Prince Michael of Kent, suffered severe symptoms when she was struck down with Covid-19 in November 2020. MPs are pressuring the Government to ban a Chinese cultural organisation from Britain over claims it is a front for spying and censorship of Beijing's critics. China hawks including Tory Alicia Kearns have introduced an amendment to the Higher Education Bill due to be debated next week, targeting the Confucius Institute. The institute is a worldwide education and cultural programme which has branches at UK universities including Edinburgh, Manchester and UCL. But Sweden ended its work in the Scandinavian country in May 2020 . Months later, in August 2020, then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo labelled the US operation 'an entity advancing Beijing's global propaganda and malign influence campaign'. The UK amendment would give the Government powers to order full disclosure of funding and activities of branches and ban them if they don't comply. Ms Kearns said: 'We need to dramatically invest in our Mandarin/Cantonese capability and study of the history and culture of China. 'But for students wanting to learn to have no choice but to learn through a CI (Confucius Institute) - imposing CCP (Chinese Community Party) tunnel vision - is wrong. Choice, and freedom of speech.' The Confucius Institute is a worldwide education and cultural programme which has branches at several UK universities including Edinburgh, Manchester and UCL. China hawks including Tory Alicia Kearns have introduced an amendment to the Higher Education Bill next week giving ministers the power to ban it The bill also has cross-party support, with backers including Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael, meaning it could attract more support if it moved to a vote next week. It is the latest criticism of CI by MPs over its links to the Chinese Government. In a debate on the National Security Bill on Monday, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said: 'Anything that doesn't capture the considerable amount of information about Confucius Institutes, about the universities, about what the law firms and the lobbyists and the former civil servants are doing in relation to oligarchs, in relation to Huawei, in relation to Chinese interests and in relation to Russian interests will not be of service to this country.' The Bill, which seeks to overhaul espionage laws and bolster security powers, cleared its first Commons hurdle as MPs gave it an unopposed second reading. US Conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation estimates that since being set up in 2004 it has enrolled more than nine million students at 525 institutes in 146 countries and regions. It accused them of 'molding attitudes about China, painting an idyllic portrait in which Mao Zedong is a revolutionary hero and the Tiananmen Square massacre never happened'. The institutes in the US were largely staffed and funded by an agency of the Chinese governments Ministry of Educationthe Office of Chinese Languages Council International, better known as the Hanban. It operated more than 100 in the US, but since Mr Pompeo's actions in 202 that has been reduced to just four. Announcing his decision at the time, the former Trump administration figure said: 'Confucius Institutes are funded by the PRC and part of the Chinese Communist Party's global influence and propaganda apparatus. 'The goal of these actions is simple: to ensure that American educators and school administrators can make informed choices about whether these CCP-backed programs should be allowed to continue, and if so, in what fashion. 'Universities around the country and around the world are examining the Confucius Institutes' curriculum and the scope of Beijing's influence in their education systems. 'The United States wants to ensure that students on U.S. campuses have access to Chinese language and cultural offerings free from the manipulation of the Chinese Communist Party and its proxies.' Victims and families in a Michigan school shooting have sued the school district - saying failing to notify police of the killer's 'concerning behaviour'. Four victims and two families of those killed in the Oxford school shooting on November 30 are suing the Oxford school district and school administrators in federal court. They say killer Ethan Crumbley exhibited 'concerning behavior that indicated psychiatric distress, suicidal or homicidal tendencies and the possibility of child abuse and neglect'. Crumbley was said to have been seen by a teacher to be looking at ammunition online and is alleged to have been seen by other students to have shell casings and live ammunition on the day before the shooting. Crumbley also brought a severed bird's head to the high school and placed it in the boy's bathroom. While this behaviour was reported by students, school administrators including the principal and district administrators allegedly concealed the information from staff and parents, according to the filings. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer embraces Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter as the two leave flowers and pay their respects on Dec. 2, 2021 at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan. The school is now being sued by the families of the victims 'Senior Speaker' Kylie Ossege, who was shot and wounded by Crumbley and is now suing the school, addresses the seniors at the Oxford High School graduation at Pine Knob Music Theater in Independence Township, Michigan, on May 19, 2022 They say this inaction breached the constitutional rights of the children at school to be safe. Tate Myre, 16, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Hana St. Juliana, 14, and Justin Shilling, 17, died in the tragic shooting. Kylie Ossege, 17, suffered a shoulder injury in the shooting but survived and is now suing the district and administrators of gross negligence and violation of the Michigan Child Protection Law. Attorney Wolf Mueller said: 'It is clear after reviewing documents and seeing testimony in the preliminary Exam of Crumbley's parents, that the school administrators failed the students of Oxford High School.' He added that the inaction of administrators made the tragedy 'predictable and preventable'. The lawsuit names Superintendent Timothy Throne, principal Steven Wolf, dean of students Nicholas Ejak, student counselor Shawn Hopkins, Superintendent Kenneth Weaver and four teachers, including a teacher who caught the alleged shooter looking at ammunition for his gun online while in class. The lawsuit states that school administrators sent an email on November 12 after reviewing threats and said there was no 'threat to our building nor our students' and principal Wolf said that they were 'merely exaggerated rumours'. One teacher, Pam Parker Fine, is accused of violating the law by failing to contact child protective services in response to evidence that Crumbley was researching ammunition and that Crumbley's parents did not take her call. The law requires teachers to contact the high school's liaison officer at the police when evidence of child neglect, child abuse and danger to others was presented. The lawsuit says killer Ethan Crumbley exhibited 'concerning behavior that indicated psychiatric distress, suicidal or homicidal tendencies and the possibility of child abuse and neglect' Jacqueline Kubina, a teacher who also found Crumbley looking up ammunition in class, is also accused of violating the same law. After teacher's allegedly found Crumbley's drawings of people with gunshot wounds, the lawsuit alleges that Ejak, the dean of students, and Hopkins, a student counselor, failed to search his backpack despite having grounds to do so. The drawings reportedly came with the inscription: 'The thoughts won't stop. Help me.' The shooting occurred after a meeting between Ejak and Hopkins and the Crumbley family in which the shooter's parents refused to take their child home and the lawsuit says the meeting 'deliberately' took place without a safety liaison officer present to search Crumbley's person. The lawsuit called the defendants' actions 'reckless' and put the lives of the victims 'at substantial risk of serious and immediate harm'. It further alleges that it was 'foreseeable that [Crumbley] would carry out such acts of violence. Ven Johnson, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said: 'While this new lawsuit won't remedy the pain and suffering these families have gone through, it will certainly hold the school district and its officials accountable for their role in not properly supervising and training teachers and counselors, who have an obligation to ensure students remain safe.' 'With the alarming number of red flags and desperate cries for help that Ethan's parents, teachers, counselors and administrators all somehow missed, this mass shooting absolutely could and should have been prevented.' Ethan Crumbley, now 16, has been charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree murder for the November 2021 massacre of his fellow Oxford High students. Justin Shilling and Tate Myre's families have launched the lawsuit Madisyn Baldwin, 17, (left) and Hana St Juliana, 14, (right) died in the shooting rampage at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit On Thursday, a judge ruled that he must remain in an adult jail until his trial, which has been set for September. His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were charged with involuntary manslaughter after it emerged they had bought the gun for their troubled son, who spent hours researching mass shootings and pleaded with his parents for help before using the weapon at his school. The judge said they failed to exercise 'ordinary care and diligence' as parents. The parents will go on trial in October, and it is unclear whether Ethan will testify against them. Last month, a judge refused to reduce their bail and insisted they were a flight risk. The development comes days after a spree of mass shootings in schools, including the deadly massacre in Uvalde, Texas, which was the worst school shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012. A gunman killed 19 students, including an entire class, at Robb Elementary School in the town, which has reignited debates over gun control in the US. Some victims in Uvalde are planning to sue the gun manufacturer of the weapon used in the fatal shooting. The families of nine victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting have previously agreed to a $73 million settlement against the maker of the rifle used to kill 20 first-graders and six educators in 2012, according to a court filing. Democrats are attempting to pass gun regulations but face stiff opposition from Senate Republicans who remain fiercely opposed to new restrictions. James and Jennifer Crumbley are accused of making the gun used in the November 30 shooting at Oxford High School available to their son after ignoring multiple red flags The missing daughter of two newlyweds who were murdered and dumped in the Texas woods more than 40 years ago was left at an Arizona church by members of a religious cult. Holly Marie Clouse, then an infant, was left at the church in the early 1980s by two barefoot, white robe-wearing women. They identified themselves as members of a 'nomadic religious group' that practiced separation of the sexes, vegetarianism and didn't believe in using or wearing leather. The women claimed to have previously given up another baby at a laundromat. Her biological parents, Harold Dean Clouse and Tina Gail Clouse, had disappeared in late 1980 while moving from Florida to Texas. The newlyweds were found in dead in a wooded area of Houston on January 12, 1981. However, their disappearance remained a mystery until their remains were identified last year when DNA connected the couple to family members in Kentucky. Holly, now 42, was raised by a family who are not considered suspects in the murder of her biological parents, the Texas Attorney General's Office revealed Thursday. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her five kids. Holly and her biological family met for the first time earlier this week via the internet. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is facilitating an in-person meeting in the near future. Holly Marie Clouse (pictured as a baby) was an infant when her parents Harold Dean Clouse and Tina Gail Clouse disappeared in late 1980 while moving from Florida to Texas Now, more than four decades later, Holly (pictured) has been reconnected with her biological extended family Harold and Tina's family were contacted by an alleged member of the religious cult, who called herself Sister Susan, in either late December 1980 or January 1981. The woman told the family Harold, 21, and Tina, 17, had joined their religious group and no longer wanted to have contact with their relatives. She also claimed the couple was giving up all of their possessions. Sister Susan, who claimed to be calling from Los Angeles, California, asked for money in exchange for returning the vehicle to Florida, where the family lived. They agreed to meet the woman at the Daytona Race Track in early January and alerted authorities of the arrangement. The family described interacting with two to three women, and possibly one man, during the meetup. The individuals were wearing robes and appeared to be members of the same group that dropped Holly off at the church. The group did return the car, which belonged to Harold's mother, and Florida police reportedly took them into custody, however the Texas AG's office claims they have yet to find record of the incident. Harold and Tina were last heard from by their family in October 1980 while they were living in Lewisville, Texas. They were murdered sometime between December 1980 or early January 1981. Harold had been beaten, bound and gagged, while Tina had been strangled. Their bodies were found by dogs off Wallisville Road in Houston between January 6 and 11. They remained unidentified until last year when familial DNA linked the couple to the bodies. No arrests were ever made in connection to Harold and Tina's murders and the investigation into their deaths remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Texas Attorney General's Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit. We wish Holly the best. We are grateful we found her but we must continue with our investigation into who killed them,' First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster said during a press conference Thursday. Harold Dean Clouse, 21, and Tina Gail (Linn) Clouse, 17, (pictured together with their one-year-old daughter Holly Marie) were found in dead in a wooded area in Houston, Texas, in January 1981 - at the time, their identities were unknown Their bodies were found by dogs two months later off Wallisville Road in Houston. Harold had been beaten, bound and gagged, while Tina had been strangled. The area where their remains were found is pictured in February 2022 During a press conference Thursday, First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster revealed baby Holly had been left at a church in Arizona by two women who identified as being members of a 'nomadic religious group.' The family that raised Holly are not suspects in her parents deaths, officials said Police showed up at Holly's place of employment in Oklahoma on Tuesday, on what would've been Harold's 63rd birthday. Officials connected her with her biological relatives and the extended family spoke for the first time online. 'It's one of the most meaningful things I've ever been a part of,' Det. Steve Wheeler, Volusia County Sheriff's Office, told KHOU. 'It's a once in a lifetime thing to play even a small part in reuniting a family after 40 years.' Investigators with Texas' newly-formed Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit began looking for Holly after officials confirmed the identities of Harold and Tina earlier this year. The Hope for Holly project spanned across state lines with law enforcement officials in Texas, Florida and Arizona working to find Harold and Tina's missing baby. Meanwhile, Holly's extended family said finding her was an answered prayer. 'Finding Holly is a birthday present from heaven since we found her on Junior's birthday. I prayed for more than 40 years for answers and the Lord has revealed some of it... we have found Holly,' her grandmother, Donna Casasanta, said. 'Thank you to all of the investigators for working so hard to find Holly. I prayed for them day after day and that they would find Holly and she would be alright. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We will be forever grateful.' The Texas Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit began looking for Holly (pictured as a baby) after officials confirmed the identities of Harold and Tina earlier this year The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children released an 'age progression' photo earlier this year projecting what Holly might look like as an adult Harris County's forensic artist Mary Mize drew pastel reconstructions of the couple after their bodies were found in 1981, but nobody was able to identify the pair because they had only recently moved to Houston. The Clouse's bodies had been exhumed in July 2011 to check if the pair were related. But a major break came in the 40-year-old case in 2021, when forensic scientists Misty Gillis and Allison Peacock, of FHD Forensics, were contacted by Indentifinders International and handed the baffling puzzle. The team inserted new information in GEDmatch.com and were able to match the Harold Clouse's DNA with his cousins in Kentucky. Investigators reached out to Harold's sister, Debbie Brooks, and ultimately identified the bodies as Harold and Tina. Brooks then asked the team if they had found the baby, but the scientists had been unaware that Holly even existed. The discrepancy sparked the renewed search for the child. Harris County's forensic artist Mary Mize in January 1981 drew pastel reconstructions of Harold (left, in his youth) and Tina (right, in her youth) Clouse after their bodies were found, but nobody was able to identify the pair because they had only recently moved to Houston Officials have not yet revealed how they identified the Oklahoma mother-of-five as missing Holly Marie Clouse (pictured during infancy) Officials have not yet revealed how they identified the Oklahoma mother-of-five as missing baby Holly. Regardless, her loved ones are beyond thrilled to beyond thrilled to have been reunited with her four the first time in four decades. 'The very first thing that ran through my head when we heard Holly was found was the call that I got eight months ago from [Peacock] about my sister's death,' Les Linn, Holly's uncle said after police found his missing niece. 'The juxtaposition of that call with Holly's sudden discovery just popped into my head. To go from hoping to find her to suddenly meeting her less than 8 months later how miraculous is that?' 'It is such a blessing to be reassured that she is alright and has had a good life. The whole family slept well last night. The Hope for Holly Project was a success thanks to Mindy and her team,' her aunt, Cheryl Clouse echoed. Bernie Sanders is pushing Democrats to go for broke in the November election and even suggested blaming fellow Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema for the gridlock in Congress. 'You really can't win an election with a bumper sticker that says: 'Well, we can't do much, but the other side is worse,'' he told Politico in an interview. He said without some change in strategy the Republicans will win the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. 'The Republicans stand an excellent chance of gaining control of the House and quite possibly the Senate,' Sanders said. He had a warning for his party: don't just count on voters being angry at bread and butter Democratic issues like abortion - even if the Supreme Court does issue a ruling that essentially overturns Roe vs. Wade. If Democrats 'think that they're gonna march to victory based on those issues, I think that that is not correct,' Sanders, an Independent senator from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, predicted. Senator Bernie Sanders warend Democratic Party that Republicans will 'march to victory' in November without changes And he's advising Democratic leaders to blame Manchin of West Virginia and Sinema of Arizona, two moderate senators who refused to back the party line in some critical votes, including ending the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation. 'Say to the American people: 'Look, we don't have the votes to do it right now. We have two corporate Democrats who are not going to be with us,' Sanders said, referring to the two. 'The leadership has got to go out and say we don't have the votes to pass anything significant right now. Sorry. You got 48 votes. And we need more to pass it. That should be the message of this campaign.' Sanders was still angry at the two senators - as are many progressives - over their failure to support President Joe Biden's Build Back Better program of social welfare programs. He was harsh on both senators: 'Two corporate Democrats, Sens. Manchin and Sen. Sinema, sabotaged [Build Back Better]. And it has been downhill ever since for the Democratic Party.' Manchin told Politico: 'I have never berated Sen. Sanders for his socialist views. It is a shame he refuses to accept the more moderate views I share with my constituents.' Senator Bernie Sanders even suggested Democrats go after fellow Senators Joe Manchin (left) and Kyrsten Sinema (right) Republicans are strongly favored to win the House this November. And Democratic worries about the midterm election weren't eased after Tuesday night's primaries. In the heavily-blue state of California, which uses the 'jungle' primary system to advance the top two voter getters in each primary to the general instead of one candidate from each party, some Democratic favors didn't do as well as hoped. Voters recalled San Francisco district attorney Chesa Boudin, who they criticized for being too lenient toward criminals. In the Los Angeles mayor's race, billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso, a former Republican who ran as a Democrat, will go to a runoff with Democratic Rep. Karen Bass. Advertisement Two British men captured by pro-Russian rebel forces in Ukraine have been sentenced to death and are set to face a firing squad after a sham three-day trial, sparking outrage from the UK and its Western allies. Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were convicted last night of being 'mercenaries' for fighting with Ukrainian troops weeks after they were captured by Russian forces during the siege of Mariupol. They appeared behind a metal cage at a court in territory occupied by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine as the verdict was read out today. Ex-British Army soldier Pinner stared at the ground and appeared distraught and close to tears, while former care worker Aslin remained composed. A third man, Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim, was convicted alongside them. It is understood Aslin's mother Ang Wood found out about the draconian sentence while watching the TV news at the family home in Newark, Nottinghamshire. The pair were captured by Russian forces after becoming surrounded in the port city of Mariupol in April. They have since been paraded in various videos with visible injuries and appeared to read from scripts. Tonight, MP Robert Jenrick said: This disgusting Soviet-era style show trial is the latest reminder of the depravity of Putin's regime.' Meanwhile, the Russian leader was today pictured meeting young entrepreneurs in Moscow as the barbaric sentencing unfolded. The three men said they will appeal the decision. The court in the DPR, one of two self-proclaimed break-away states in Ukraine's eastern Donbas, is not internationally recognised. The devastated family of Aslin today demanded he is 'treated with respect' as it was revealed his mother Ang Wood only found out about the verdict while watching television. In a statement, the family said: 'We've heard the news from Donetsk and need some time to take everything in. 'We love Aiden with all our hearts. He and Shaun, as members of Ukrainian armed forces, should be treated with respect just like any other prisoners of war. They are not, and never were, mercenaries. Aiden Aslin (second-left) and Shaun Pinner (second-right) - along with Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim (right) - were all captured while fighting in Ukraine. Pictured: The three men are seen inside a cage in court on Thursday where they were each handed a death sentence Aiden Aslin (right) and Shaun Pinner (left) were detained in April while fighting in Ukraine, before reportedly appearing in court in the separatist Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) The sentencing came as Russian President Vladimir Putin met with young entrepreneurs in Moscow on Thursday (pictured) Russian President Vladimir Putin meets young entrepreneurs in Moscow on June 9, 2022 Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned the death sentences as a 'sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy' in a statement on Twitter 'We hope that this sentence will be overturned and beseech the government's of the UK and Ukraine to do everything in their power to have them returned to us safely, and soon. 'We can only imagine what they are going through right now. This is a very upsetting development and we ask that our privacy is respected at this time.' Aslin's brother also reacted with shock at the news this evening and said his family needed time to comprehend the situation. He said: Weve just been informed ourselves, currently my mum is in talks with the Foreign Office, but we are requesting that we have time to process this information privately due to how sensitive it is. The UK Government insisted the judgment had no legitimacy and the pair should be treated as prisoners of war. The UK's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned the death sentences as a 'sham judgment' while No10 Downing Street said it was 'deeply concerned' by the development. 'Under the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity,' said a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Elsewhere, Austrian Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic said: 'The illegitimate verdict is a blatant breach of international law and a provocation by the Russian war party.' Former care worker Aslin moved from Newark in Nottinghamshire to Ukraine in 2018 after meeting his now-fiancee. In the same year he became a marine with the Ukrainian military. Pinner, an ex-British Army soldier originally from Bedfordshire, moved to Ukraine four years ago to join the Ukrainian military. The two Britons surrendered in April in Mariupol, the southern port city that was captured by Russian troops after a brutal weeks-long siege that all but levelled the city. They later appeared on Russian TV calling on Johnson to negotiate their release. Brahim surrendered in March in the eastern town of Volnovakha. 'The Supreme Court of the DPR passed the first sentence on mercenaries - the British Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and the Moroccan Saadun Brahim were sentenced to death, RIA Novosti correspondent reports from the courtroom,' RIA said on the Telegram messaging app. Judge Alexander Nikulin said: 'The aggregated penalty for the crimes [means] the sentence Aiden Aslin to an exceptional measure of punishment, the death penalty. 'The aggregated penalty for the crimes [means] the sentence [of] Shaun Pinner to an exceptional measure of punishment, the death penalty.' The judge did not mention another British detainee Andrew Hill, 35, a father of four from Plymouth, who surrendered separately to Vladimir Putin's forces, but who has also been warned about a death penalty. The sentence was issued after a three day trial in which the five 'witnesses' in the case did not appear. The three men stood in a court cage. Aslin and Pinner were detained in April while fighting in Ukraine, before reportedly appearing in court in the separatist Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on Wednesday. They are said to have admitted 'training in order to carry out terrorist activities,' before appearing again on Thursday when they were sentenced. It is believed the men will be permitted to lodge an appeal within one month, and to ask for a pardon from the rebel authorities in Donetsk. The DPR released a video of the three men being read their sentences. Aiden Aslin Born: 1994, Newark-on-Trent Worked as: Care worker Combat experience: Travelled to Syria in 2015 to fight for the Kurds in a western-backed alliance against ISIS. He made headlines on his return to the UK in 2016 when he was arrested, charged with terrorism offences, and then kept on bail until all charges were dropped following protests.. Aslin then returned to Syria in 2017 to help in the fight to re-take the city of Raqqa, which had been the de-facto capital of ISIS's terror-state. Journey to Ukraine: After being arrested in the UK a second time trying to return from Syria via Greece, Aslin moved to Ukraine after falling for a woman from the city of Mykolaiv. Having heard about Ukraine's fight against Russia in Donbas from Ukrainian volunteers in Syria, he was persuaded to join the military and in 2018 signed up as a marine. Aslin completed three tours of the frontline and was dug into trenches in the Donbas in late February when Putin's troops stormed across the border in a second invasion. He ended up falling back to the nearby city of Mariupol where he fought for weeks under siege, before being captured in April after his unit ran out of ammunition. Advertisement Shaun Pinner Born: 1974, Bedfordshire Worked as: A British Army veteran, having served for years in the Royal Anglian regiment. Combat experience: Fought 'many' tours including in northern Ireland, according to his family, who said he also served with United Nations missions in Bosnia. Journey to Ukraine: Pinner moved to Ukraine in 2018 which he made his 'adopted home' and decided to put his military training to use fighting Russian-backed rebels in the country's eastern Donbas. He became engaged to a Ukrainian woman and worked his way into the marines, where he had been serving for the last two years. Pinner's three-year contract with the marines was due to end at the end of this year, his family said, when he wanted to become a humanitarian worker in the country. Pinner was helping to defend the frontlines in Donbas when Putin's invasion began on February 24. His unit of marines ended up hooking up with the Azov Battalion - members of the national guard with links to neo-Nazis - who were defending the city of Mariupol from the Russians. He was captured in Mariupol in April and paraded on state TV. Advertisement Reacting to the news in the UK, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Twitter: 'I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. 'They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them.' A No 10 spokesman said: 'We have said continually that prisoners of war shouldn't be exploited for political purposes. You will know that under the Geneva Convention prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities. 'So we will continue to work with the Ukrainian authorities to try and secure the release of any British nationals who were serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and who are being held as prisoners of war.' Tory former minister Robert Jenrick, who represents the Newark constituency where Mr Aslin lived, called for the Russian ambassador to the UK to be summoned to the Foreign Office. He said: 'This disgusting Soviet-era style show trial is the latest reminder of the depravity of Putin's regime. Russia should be clear, they cannot treat British citizens like this and get away with it. Pictured: Shaun Pinner (second right) is seen in this selfie, along with Aiden Aslin (second left) Thousands killed and roadside graves piled with bodies: The bloody battle for Mariupol Aslin and Pinner were captured by Russian forces during the long and bloody siege of Mariupol. The city is now fully in the hands of Russian forces, having been cut off from the rest of Ukraine early in the war and subjected to horrifying barrages and a siege. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians fought fiercely to defend the city's Azovstal steelworks, a key strategic supply point, from Russian invaders. But despite their valiant efforts, Putin's forces took control of Azovstal two weeks ago following civilian evacuations. As many as 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers stayed behind - with Kyiv claiming its troops are now being tortured with pliers and electric shocks. Civilians were earlier left without heat, food or water for weeks and described melting snow for something to drink before drinking from radiators when the snow ran out. Mariupol was the scene of perhaps the deadliest single attack of the war when a Russian jet bombed a theatre with the word 'children' scrawled on the pavement outside, killing up to 600 people sheltering inside. Thousands are known to have died in the siege, with their bodies often piled into mass graves hastily dug alongside roads. But the true toll is thought to be far higher, with many families force to bury relatives killed by the shelling in plots dug into gardens and parks with no tally taken. City officials estimate at least 20,000 civilians died, but others who remain in the city behind Russian lines and are now helping to dig graves said last week that the true toll could be as high as 50,000. Mariupol's pre-war population was some 450,000, meaning more than 10 per cent could have been wiped out. Advertisement 'Contrary to the Kremlin's propaganda, Aiden Aslin is not a mercenary. He has been living in Ukraine and serving in its armed forces before Russia's illegal invasion and as a prisoner of war is entitled to protection under the Geneva Convention. 'The Russian ambassador should be summoned to the Foreign Office to account for this most egregious breach of the Geneva Convention. 'Aiden must be released as soon as practicable.' Shadow Europe minister Stephen Doughty said: 'It is an outrageous and shameful breach of international law for the Russian regime or its puppets to use an illegitimate court to prosecute legitimate prisoners of war who are entitled to combatant immunity.' James Cleverly, Minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, also took to Twitter to condemn the 'verdict'. 'The UK position on the status of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner is clear,' he said. 'They are prisoners of war and must be treated as such. The judgment against them has no legitimacy. We will continue to support them. Stephen Doughty MP, Labour's Shadow Minister for Europe, said: 'It is an outrageous and shameful breach of international law for the Russian regime or its puppets to use an illegitimate court to prosecute legitimate prisoners of war who are entitled to combatant immunity. 'The international law of armed conflict must be upheld at all times. The FCDO must urgently support the families of these soldiers who will be in deep distress at this time.' Layla Moran - the Lib Dem foreign affairs spokeswoman - said: 'This is horrific and a clear breach of international law. My thoughts are with these brave men and their families at this deeply distressing time. 'It's vital that the UK Government swiftly engages with international partners - we need a unified front of condemnation at this egregious decision.' Human rights organisation Amnesty International called the decision 'grotesque', saying that Thursday's court appearance bore all the hallmarks of a show-trial. 'This is a grotesque decision,' Amnesty International UK's Crisis Response Manager, said. 'This so-called trial always had the appearance of a show trial designed to exert pressure on the UK, and these sentences look like they're intended to fire a warning shot to the UK over its support for Ukraine in this brutal war. 'The Geneva Conventions clearly state that prisoners of war must not be tried or sentenced simply for participating in hostilities, and still less should they ever receive death sentences. 'Russia and its proxies in the Donetsk People's Republic will be adding to a massive catalogue of war crimes if they attempt to carry out these sentences. 'The UK and the UN and other bodies should inform Moscow that these sentences are completely unacceptable and must be quashed immediately.' The court in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) - one of two self-proclaimed break-away states in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region - is not internationally recognised Two Britons sentenced to death after being captured by Russian forces: The human rights implications and what happens next Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, have today been sentenced to death and are set to face a firing squad after a sham three-day trial, sparking outrage from the UK and its Western allies. They were last night convicted of being 'mercenaries' at a court in territory occupied by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine. But the men insist they were serving in the Ukrainian marines, which makes them active-duty soldiers who should be protected by the Geneva Convention as prisoners of war. It means the sentencing has huge human rights implications. Both men have said they plan to appeal the sentencing which, if successful, may see a 25-year prison sentence passed instead. While there is a moratorium on the death penalty in Russia, no such measure is in place in the rebel-held territory in Donetsk. Russia is believed to be using the death sentence as a way of applying pressure on the UK with a view to a prisoner exchange for Russian troops facing war crime charges related to the invasion. Human rights organisation Amnesty International called the decision 'grotesque', saying that Thursday's court appearance bore all the hallmarks of a show-trial. 'This is a grotesque decision,' Amnesty International UK's Crisis Response Manager, said. 'This so-called trial always had the appearance of a show trial designed to exert pressure on the UK, and these sentences look like they're intended to fire a warning shot to the UK over its support for Ukraine in this brutal war. 'The Geneva Conventions clearly state that prisoners of war must not be tried or sentenced simply for participating in hostilities, and still less should they ever receive death sentences. 'Russia and its proxies in the Donetsk People's Republic will be adding to a massive catalogue of war crimes if they attempt to carry out these sentences. 'The UK and the UN and other bodies should inform Moscow that these sentences are completely unacceptable and must be quashed immediately.' Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the pair were prisoners of war, while Newark MP Robert Jenrick added that they are 'entitled to protection under the Geneva Convention'. Advertisement RIA news agency said Sunday that the investigation found Aslin had taken part in 'the armed aggression of Ukraine to forcibly seize power in the republic for a reward.' 'The criminal case was sent to court, the first hearing will be held soon,' it noted. The announcement from the DPR Prosecutor General's Office, which was posted to Telegram, said Mr Aslin had been charged with four separate offences: Committing a crime as part of a criminal group; forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power; being a mercenary; and the promotion of training in terrorist activities. 'Taking into account wartime, on the basis of the provisions of the current main law, according to the results of the trial, the mercenary may be assigned an exceptional measure of punishment - the death penalty,' the statement said. Aslin had previously travelled to Syria in 2015 to fight for the Kurds in a western-backed alliance against ISIS, and he made headlines on his return to the UK in 2016 when he was arrested and charged with terrorism offences. All charges were dropped. Aslin then returned to Syria in 2017 to help in the fight to re-take the city of Raqqa, which had been the de-facto capital of ISIS's terror-state. After being arrested in the UK a second time trying to return from Syria via Greece, Aslin moved to Ukraine after falling for Diane. Having heard about the fight against Russia in Donbas from Ukrainian volunteers in Syria, he was persuaded to join the military and in 2018 signed up as a marine. Aslin completed three tours of the frontline and was dug into trenches in the Donbas in late February when Putin's troops stormed across the border in a second invasion. However, his unit surrendered to the invaders two days ago after they ran out of supplies and ammunition following 48 days of conflict in and around the besieged port city. Pinner, meanwhile, is a former Royal Anglian soldier originally from Bedfordshire. He also fought alongside Ukrainian resistance fighters. He had moved to Ukraine four years before joining Ukrainian marines. In footage shared by Ria Novosti on social media on Wednesday, a translator can be heard asking Mr Aslin if he would 'plead guilty' to an offence, to which he replied: 'Yes.' Ria Novosti reported yesterday that the charge carries a term of 15 to 20 years' imprisonment with restriction of freedom for a term of one to two years or life imprisonment. The video appeared to show the two Britons in the dock in the pro-Russian territory's supreme court alongside a third man, reported to be Mr Brahim. On Wednesday, the Foreign Office condemned the exploitation of prisoners of war for political purposes in the wake of the footage being released, and said it was working with the Ukrainian government on the issue of British captives. Jenrick said Wednesday Mr Aslin should be returned home at the earliest opportunity, possibly through a prisoner exchange. A former care worker, Mr Aslin (pictured left) moved to Ukraine after falling for his now-wife Diane (pictured right), who is originally from the city of Mykolaiv - found about 260 miles west of Mariupol, along the coast. She is reported to have moved to the UK to be with his family Aiden had been fighting Russian forces in Mariupol as a fully paid member of Ukraine's army, but surrendered to the invaders two days ago after his team ran out of supplies and ammunition following 48 days of conflict in and around the besieged port city Aiden (circled) was serving with Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade, but his communication with the outside world via social media became increasingly sporadic as his team was surrounded by Russian forces bombarding the city of Mariupol Pinner is a former Royal Anglian soldier originally from Bedfordshire Shaun Pinner (pictured with his wife Larysa) had moved to Ukraine four years before joining Ukrainian marines The MP condemned the 'trumped-up charges' faced by both Britons and accused Russia of a 'completely outrageous breach of international law'. On Monday, Dominic Raab said the Foreign Office will 'make all the representations' on Mr Aslin's behalf and his family have also issued an emotional statement calling for his release. They said: 'We, the family of Aiden Aslin, wish to ask for privacy at this time from the media. This is a very sensitive and emotional time for our family, and we would like to say thank you to all that have supported us. 'We are currently working with the Ukrainian government and the Foreign Office to try and bring Aiden home. Aiden is a much-loved man and very much missed, and we hope that he will be released very soon.' A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are working with the government of Ukraine on the detention of British Nationals. 'We condemn the exploitation of Prisoners of War for political purposes. They are entitled to combatant immunity and should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities.' Western countries have provided weapons and aid for Ukraine since the February 24 invasion, while a number of people from abroad have come to fight against Russian forces. The fiercest fighting is now focused on Severodonetsk in the Lugansk region, where Ukrainian officials say their outgunned forces are still holding out amid street battles despite the city being mostly under Russian control. The regional governor of Lugansk - also part of the Donbas - said Western artillery would quickly help secure a Ukrainian victory for the bombarded city. 'As soon as we have long-range artillery to be able to conduct duels with Russian artillery, our special forces can clean up the city in two to three days,' governor Sergiy Gaiday said. People walk their bikes across the street as smoke rises above a plant of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, May 2 A view of the destruction of the city of besieged Mariupol in Ukraine on March 26 In his evening address to the Ukrainian people on Wednesday, Zelensky said the battle for the city was 'probably one of the most difficult throughout this war. 'In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there.' Up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers were being killed every day in frontline fighting and as many as 500 wounded, Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said. The city of Lysychansk, which is separated from Severodonetsk by a river, is still in Ukrainian hands but under fierce Russian bombardment. After being repelled from Kyiv following their February 24 invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops have refocused their offensive on the Donbas. Pro-Russian separatists have held part of that region since 2014. Moscow, which has repeatedly warned the West against getting involved in the conflict, said it had targeted a Ukrainian training centre for 'foreign mercenaries' in the Zhytomyr region, west of Kyiv. The Ukrainian presidency said four people were killed in a Russian air strike on Toshkivka, a village around 14 miles south of Severodonetsk. Four more people were killed in fighting in Donetsk and shelling killed two in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, it said. Another person was killed in the Mykolayiv region in the south. The war's shockwaves are spreading around the world. At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres added his voice to increasingly dire warnings. 'For people around the world, the war is threatening to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake,' he said. Zelensky on Thursday called for Russia to be expelled from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), blaming Moscow for 'causing hunger' and spurring the global grain crisis by invading his country. Another day, another two Russian colonels killed in Ukraine: Putin loses one of his youngest commanders as bitter fighting for Severodonetsk rages on in battle that will decide fate of Donbas Vladimir Putin has lost two more colonels in Ukraine - including one of Russia's youngest to reach such a high rank - as a video showed a Russian battalion being hit with artillery fire while attempting to rescue a casualty. Elsewhere, in another blow to the Kremlin's war efforts, a separate video released this week showed Ukrainian bombs destroying a Russian ammo depo in a huge ball of flames. Images released by Kyiv also appeared to show a destroyed Russian unit. These are the latest examples of Ukraine's forces putting up a fierce resistance against Putin's invading forces. Moscow expected to capture Kyiv within days of invading on February 24, but its forces have instead been drawn into a protracted conflict that has resulted in tens-of-thousands Russian military losses. Meanwhile, bitter fighting for the eastern city of Severodonetsk continued to rage on Thursday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fate of the whole Donbas region hinges on the 'very fierce' battle. The deaths of the two high-ranking military figures mean the Kremlin has seen at least 52 colonels killed during the bloody conflict. Lt-Col Vadim Gerasimov, aged only 36, a battalion from Leningrad region, was posthumously awarded a Hero of Russia - the country's highest honour - on Putin's orders. His widow was also expected to receive his posthumous Order of Courage. His funeral was being held on Thursday in Russia's Leningrad region. A graduate of the prestigious Frunze military academy, he was the father of a daughter. Details of his citation for the Hero of Russia award were not immediately available. The second high-ranked officer whose death was revealed today is Colonel Ruslan Shirin, a brigade commander, who 'heroically died in battle'. He was chief of staff of the 336th Separate Guards Marine Brigade, part of the Baltic Fleet. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage. It was not clear how and where in the Ukrainian war zone the colonels were killed. Reports of their deaths came as a video showed a Russian battalion being shelled by Ukrainian forces as they attempted rescue a casualty. Scroll down for video Lt-Col Vadim Gerasimov (pictured left), aged only 36, was a battalion from Leningrad region. He was killed in Ukraine, as was Colonel Ruslan Shirin, a brigade commander (pictured right) Pictured: Russian soldiers are seen trying to recover and injured comrade on a road in Ukraine As the soldiers tried to drag their comrade back towards their armoured vehicle, a Ukrainian air strike landed feet away from the vehicle Pictured: Russian soldiers are seen injured next to an armoured vehicle after Ukrainian artiller fire landed just feet away from their vehicle The aerial footage, showing a dirt road running through some woodland, saw Russian soldiers trying to drag their fallen comrade back to what appealed to be an armoured personnel carrier. Suddenly, a large explosion rocked the soldiers as Ukrainian artillery landed just feet away from the armoured vehicle. Smoke covered the scene as the soldiers attempted to crawl back to vehicle in a desperate attempt to escape. Reports suggested at least one soldier was killed in the strike, and others injured. Elsewhere, more aerial footage showed a Ukrainian attack on a Russian ammunition dump on Wednesday in Voskresenka, Zaporizhia Oblast, in Ukrainian territory that is currently held by the Russian invaders. The attack was carried out by members of the 44th Artillery Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces with the support of aerial reconnaissance by the 81st Airmobile Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, the 44th said. Video of the attack showed a series of massive explosions as Ukrainian artillery hit its mark, igniting munitions inside the warehouse - some of which could be seen firing off in different directions into the air above the building. Initial strikes appeared to only collapse the roof and cause a number of smaller fires, but as the attack continued, one huge fireball erupted from the warehouse, ripping it apart and destroying at least half the building completely. According to the Daily Express, a 15-year-old boy used a camera drone to locate the warehouse, which in-turn allowed Ukraine's military to target it. The brigade said on 8th June: 'Artillerymen of the 44th OAbr of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of aerial reconnaissance of the 81st brigade of the 5th BTGR, bombed the accumulation of enemy equipment and ammunition in the Pologovsky district. 'It is known that Russian troops fired at three settlements in the Pologovsky district. Enemy shells hit Gulyaipole, the villages of Dobropolye and Upper Tersa. 'Earlier, the Russian military left some positions in the Melitopol and Vasilyevsky regions. As it became known, they moved in the direction of Kherson region.' Pictured: A warehouse in Ukraine being used by Russian forces to store ammunition, moments before it was targeted by Ukrainian artillery fire Smoke is seen rising from the Russian ammo dump as it comes under attack by Ukainian artillery. The first strikes caused smaller explosions and fires in the warehouse Suddenly, a huge fireball was seen erupting from the ammo dump as the aummunition inside caught fire when it came under attack by Ukrainian missiles, destroying the building The deaths of the two colonels were revealed two days after the 50th colonel - artillery commander Lt Col Vladimir Nigmatullin, 46 - was confirmed dead. Russia recently lost its 11th general of the conflict, Major-General Roman Kutuzov was the chief of staff of the 29th Combined Arms Army. He was awarded a posthumous promotion to Lieutenant-General. Some sources have claimed that Russia lost a second and more senior general - Lieutenant-General Roman Berdnikov, 47 - in the same incident in Donetsk region. There have been claims that Ukraine has received Western intelligence assistance to target Putin's commanders in the field, in an attempt to weaken the morale of Russian forces. Whether or not this is the case, a large number of high ranking officers have been killed, with almost one colonel every two days in the war. The news came after a mercenary who gained notoriety for butchering prisoners of war and civilians in the Donbas was also been killed, in another blow to Putin. Vladimir Andonov, 44, a fighter for the shadowy Wagner Group, was shot by a sniper near Kharkiv during a reconnaissance missions on June 5, Russian media says. Andonov was known to Russians as 'Vakha' or 'the volunteer from Buryatia' after the region he was from, but to Ukrainians as 'the executioner' for massacres he helped carry out during Russia's first invasion of the country in 2014.is death was confirmed by Zhambal-Zhamso Zhanaev, head of the region where Andonov was from, who spoke to Russian newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets. GOP Rep Lauren Boebert 'bailed' from the driver's seat of a Jeep ATV leaving her son and dog in the back seat and her former sister-in-law struggling to right the vehicle as it careened down a ravine and smashed into a rock face in Moab, Utah, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. According to a family insider Boebert, 35, was off-roading on Mother's Day 2020 just two weeks before she was to win a Republican primary when she lost control and 'bailed,' leaving her family members to their fate. Tori Hooper, 28, who was married to Boebert's younger brother, Benjamin Bentz, at the time, sustained serious injuries to her face and chest that led to further health complications months later. Yet DailyMail.com has learned that no 911 call was ever placed. Instead, the source said, the then-congressional hopeful, Boebert, 'begged' Hooper not to tell anyone about the accident which could have dominated the headlines leading up to the primary. Republican Rep Lauren Boebert, 35 (pictured speaking at the US Capitol on Wednesday) is accused of covering up an off-roading accident she caused in May 2020 that left her sister-in-law seriously injured Boebert's former sister-in-law, Tori Hooper, 28, who was married to her brother Benjamin Bentz (left) was left struggling to take control of the Jeep ATV as it careened down a ravine and smashed into a rock face in Moab, Utah after the congresswoman abandoned the driver's seat Boebert was previously charged with careless driving and operating an unsafe vehicle after rolling her truck into a ditch in Garfield County, Colorado in 2016. She was later arrested and booked into jail months later in 2017 (pictured) for failing to appear for her court hearing The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: 'It was pretty crazy. She [Boebert] got out of the driver's seat and left Tori screaming and freaking out, and her son and dog in the back seat. 'Tori couldn't get out of her seatbelt, so she grabbed the steering wheel. She's steering into a cliff. They hit a rock wall; it struck her whole face. It was bad.' At the time Boebert was ahead in the polls and she went on to win the primary for Colorado's third congressional district, defeating sitting congressman Scott Tipton by nine percentage points in what political observers called a 'shocking upset'. This year she is facing a primary challenge from State Senator Don Coram on June 28. The source told DailyMail.com: 'Lauren begged Tori not to say anything. She tried to use her money. 'She said: 'I'll pay for it all,' but Tori had insurance, so she didn't have to pay for anything.' One onlooker who witnessed Hooper's arrival at St Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colorado, described her injuries as 'severe' and revealed they required emergency treatment as well as ongoing care. Another source told DailyMail.com that a tattoo across Hooper's chest had to be redone due to chest injuries she sustained. Tori did not respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries, but her mother Stephanie Bohochi, 53, confirmed: 'She [Tori] got stuck inside of a crevice in the Jeep while Lauren sort of kind, of took off her belt and slipped out. 'You won't [find any reports of a 911 call] but she was really injured for sure,' Bohochi said from her home in Rifle, Colorado. Co-workers at Shooter's Grill, the Rifle restaurant owned by Boebert and her husband, Jayson, recalled Hooper showing up at work with broken teeth and other visible injuries to her face. Boebert and husband Jayson (pictured) share four sons. One of the boys was in the off-roading vehicle when she lost control and fled, family insiders told DailyMail.com Hooper previously worked at Boebert's restaurant, Shooter's Grill, in Rifle, Colorado, Co-workers recalled seeing her show up at work with broken teeth and other visible injuries to her face after the accident Hooper's mother explained to DailyMail.com that her daughter's 'whole face was smashed,' and her nose and teeth broken, her lip 'busted open.' She was driven to hospital in Utah for emergency treatment and 'stitched up' before being taken back home to Colorado. Hooper's nose then had to be re-broken in a procedure which led to a frightening and life-threatening reaction. Her mother explained: 'She let everything heal up and later she went and got her nose fixed. She came home to recover but her sodium dropped and her body kind of went into shock almost into a coma. 'She was taken back into hospital here [in Rifle] but they had her airlifted her [to a bigger hospital] because they couldn't deal with it there. 'It was terrifying. It all happened months later but it was all from the trauma of the accident.' David Wheeler, President of American Muckrakers PAC Inc the group that released a litany of unflattering information about North Carolina Representative Madison Cawthorn who lost his chance at re-election in primaries last month has now accused Boebert of 'covering up' vital information in relation to her May 2020 accident. Speaking to DailyMail.com he called for her to publicly disclose any details and 'publicly apologize to the victim.' 'Our coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Unaffiliated Coloradans are urging all voters and citizens toask Boebert why she covered up [the accident that] endangered the life of her son, sister-in-law and dog?' he said. Wheeler continued: 'Utah officials must investigate this matter immediately, release their findings, and take appropriate actions against Boebert and anyone else that covered-up this matter. 'We hope voters will fire Boebert in the June 28, 2022, primary election.' Boebert's spokesman called American Muckrakers version of the accident 'an outrageous claim from a partisan political group.' Insiders say Boebert (pictured far right) offered to 'pay' in exchange for Hooper's (far left) silence No 911 call was ever placed to report the incident and Boebert is said to have begged Hooper not to tell anyone about it. Boebert's Twitter shows she advertised the opening of her Colorado restaurant on the day of the accident The 2020 incident wouldn't be the first time Boebert got into trouble while behind the wheel. The mother-of-four was charged with careless driving and operating an unsafe vehicle in 2016 after rolling her truck into a ditch in Garfield County, Colorado, the Denver Post reported. She was arrested and taken into custody months later in February 2017 after failing to appear in court. Boebert later pleaded guilty to the offenses but was ultimately only charged with operating an unsafe vehicle. Hooper's mother Stephanie Bohochi, 53 (pictured) confirmed her daughter was seriously injured in the accident And it is not only driving that has landed the freshman congresswoman in trouble. Earlier this week Colorado officials announced that they are looking into allegations that Boebert inflated the mileage she logged on the campaign trail in 2020. The move came after American Muckrakers called for an investigation alleging that Boebert used more than $20,000 of fraudulently claimed reimbursements from donors to pay off years of tax liens on her restaurant. The Denver Post first reported in February 2021 that Boebert had cashed two checks from her campaign totaling $22,259 for mileage reimbursements. The number equated to 38,712 miles, which is significantly more than the 24,901-mile circumference of the planet. In May 2020, Boebert's restaurant had its food license suspended by Garfield County Health Department after she opened its doors to customers, flouting COVID rules and despite a cease-and-desist order that she had been served by Rifle Police Department. She claimed she needed to open the doors in order to avoid having to shutter the business permanently. Pictured Shooter's Grill, the restaurant owned by Boebert and her husband Jayson which trades on encouraging patrons to bring their guns A Lauren Boebert campaign office is located next door to the restaurant in downtown Rifle, Colorado Boebert opened Shooter's Grill in 2013 on the premise that it was a place where patrons are not only welcome but actively encouraged to bring their guns. That sentiment is reflected in the decor on every wall on which guns are mounted and pro-gun posters and messages plastered. Meanwhile servers bring diners their burgers and fries with a side-order of conspicuously holstered firearms. Boebert recently made headlines when she pushed back against calls for greater gun restrictions in the wake of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which saw 19 children slaughtered along with two of their teachers at Robb Elementary School. She took the view that the shooting was proof of a need to arm teachers in classrooms insisting there was 'no need to take guns away from law abiding citizens.' She reasoned: 'When 911 happened we didn't ban planes, we secured the cockpit.' Uvalde gunman Salvador Ramos, 18, legally purchased two AR-style rifles just days before committing the atrocity and shortly after his 18th birthday. Boebert was a staunch Trump supporter during his presidency The accident took place just two weeks ahead of key primaries in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. President Donald Trump later congratulated Boebert for winning the Republican primary Boebert has since doubled-down on her calls to arm teachers and turn schools into 'impenetrable' fortresses. Days after voicing her views on that matter Boebert was on stage at a pre-primary rally in Casper, Wyoming, in which she lent her support to Harriet Hageman who is challenging Rep. Liz Cheney for the Republican nomination. Ex-president Donald Trump also spoke. Boebert took to the stage to help tee up Trump and was given a warm welcome. The representative and keen markswoman referred to herself as a 'professional RINO hunter.' She told the crowd, 'It has been brought to my attention that your RINO-in-Chief needs to be taken out of Wyoming. 'I have not found a three-letter agency that Liz Cheney does not want to grow, a CNN interview that she does not want to take, or a war that she does not want to engage in and fund with your tax dollars.' Another congressional term for Liz Cheney is looking less and less likely as Republicans in her home state of Wyoming continue to turn on her after she voted to impeach Donald Trump and joined the Democrat-led select committee probing the January 6 Capitol attack. Just 28 percent of Wyoming Republican voters say they would cast a ballot to reelect Cheney in the 2022 midterms, according to a new poll from Fabrizio, Lee & Associates survey and consulting firm. The survey of 400 likely Republican primary voters in the deep red state shows that 56 percent would vote for Trump-backed candidate Harriet Hageman over the incumbent if the election were held today. The 28 points that divide them falls well outside the 4.9 percent margin of error for the poll taken June 1 and 2 that was released this week. Even less respondents had a favorable view of their current at-large congresswoman in the U.S. House of Representative with just 26 viewing her favorably and a whopping 73 percent having an unfavorable opinion of Cheney. A new poll shows that 56% of GOP voters in Wyoming would vote for Trump-backed Harriet Hageman against Liz Cheney if an election were held today The 28% margin shows that GOP voters in the state are increasingly turning against Cheney after she voted to impeach Trump and joined the Democrat-backed January 6 committee When likely GOP voters were specifically asked about their favorability of the job Cheney has done as a congresswoman, 27 percent were favorable and 70 unfavorable. Cheney is one of the two Republicans along with Illinois Representative Adam Kinzinger serving on the House select committee probing the riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. That post on the panel created by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as her vote to impeach Trump, cost Cheney favor with her constituents, a censure from the Wyoming GOP and Republican National Committee (RNC), as well as her No. 3 post in the party as House Republican Conference Chairwoman. Wyoming is the most Republican state in the U.S., according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, which puts the western state at +25 Republican more than any other state. The former Cheney stronghold has voted Republican in every single presidential election since 1952 with the exception of the 1964 election. The poll also shows that 70% of likely Republican voters in Wyoming have an unfavorable view of how Cheney is serving in Congress. Pictured: Cheney along with the only other Republican on the January 6 select committee, Adam Kinzinger of illinois In the most recent presidential contest in 2020, 69.9 percent voted for Trump's reelection compared to the just 26.6 percent that voted for now-President Joe Biden. It was a slight dip in margins from the 2016 presidential election where Trump won the deep red state with a 46 percent advantage over Hillary Clinton. Trump recruited and endorsed Hageman against Cheney. The backing of Hageman has drastically increased since the December poll, which came three months after Trump endorsed the Cheney challenger. The bump comes after Trump went to Wyoming in late May to rally for Hageman in Casper. In December, Hageman was only ahead of Cheney by 8 percent 34 percent to 26 percent. That gap increased by 20 percent in six months. Support for a third candidate, Wyoming State Senator Anthony Bouchard, has decreased from 13 percent support in December to just 8 percent support now. An earlier Wyoming GOP primary poll from WPAi/Club for Growth PAC showed Cheney behind Hagement by 30 percent two more percentage points than the new poll resulted. One of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's lawyers has reached a settlement with the Government after it accepted it was likely she was the subject of 'covert surveillance which breached her human rights', she said. Jennifer Robinson welcomed a statement by the European Court of Human Rights which she said meant the UK Government has 'accepted her rights were breached by surveillance'. She was one of the three lead claimants in a complaint against the UK Government which went to the court. Jennifer Robinson has reached a settlement with the Government after it accepted it was likely she was the subject of covert surveillance which breached her human rights, she said Ms Robinson said the UK Government has reached a 'friendly settlement', admitting there was reasonable cause to believe she was the subject of surveillance. She said: 'The UK Government has now admitted that its surveillance and information-sharing arrangements with the US violated my rights. That includes in relation to the protection of confidential journalistic material. 'This follows a pattern of unlawful spying on Julian Assange and his legal team, and it raises grave concerns about government interference with journalistic material and privilege. 'It also raises serious questions about what information the UK and US governments have been sharing about Mr Assange's case against extradition to the US.' The development came as Mr Assange awaits a decision by Home Secretary Priti Patel on whether he should be extradited to the United States. Ms Robinson is one of the lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (pictured) Ms Robinson, who works from the respected Doughty Chambers in London, has represented Assange for some 12 years. She is the go-to barrister for the rich and famous, and counts the Hollywood elite among her inner circle, travelling to George and Amal Clooney's wedding on a speedboat with actor Bill Murray. In 2019, she was named international pro bono barrister of the year and prior to lockdown, was pictured at events with Prince Charles and Cherie Blair. She has also appeared on BBC Question Time and supported Amber Heard during the Johnny Depp's libel case against The Sun newspaper in 2020. Ms Robinson pictured with Stella Moris (right), Julian Assange's partner in London in 2020 Earlier this month, she said that despite it being years since she was involved in the celebrity case, she is again being hit by threats and targeted by trolls with hundreds of Johnny Depp fans flooding her social media with cruel comments. In a separate trial between the celebrity couple last week, a US jury found Heard was guilty of defaming Depp when she claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse in an article published in the Washington Post in 2018. Depp was awarded a total of $U15million ($A20.9million) in damages, out of a potential $US50million ($A69million), after he won on all three counts of his defamation trial. Team Heard: The top lawyer was an observer in Heard's case, which saw Depp hit with 14 allegations of domestic violence in London 2020 Ms Robinson at the International Court of Justice in September 2018, at the Chagos Islands proceedings Who is lawyer Jennifer Robinson? Kylie-loving Australian who worked with Amal Clooney and represented Amber Heard Ms Robinson, who works from the respected Doughty Chambers in London alongside Amal Clooney, has represented Assange for some 12 years. A self-confessed Kyle Minogue fan, who has 'nothing in her fridge but Champagne' is the go-to barrister for the rich and famous, and counts the Hollywood elite among her inner circle. She has appeared on BBC Question Time and supported Amber Heard during the Johnny Depp's libel case against The Sun newspaper in 2020. Ms Robinson grew up in the small town of Berry, NSW, Australia, where her father is a celebrated racehorse trainer and her mother works as a teacher. She graduated with a double degree in law and Asian studies from the Australian National University, and is fluent in Indonesian. She later became a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, attending Balliol College and graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Law with Distinction and a Master of Philosophy in International Public Law. She previously worked at London law firm Finers Stephens Innocent LLP and has gone on to become one of the UK's most recognised human rights and media lawyers. Ms Robinson advises clients in international law, appeared in the International Court of Justice and has given expert evidence at the UN and in Parliament. She has a particular focus on 'free speech and civil liberties, advising media organisations, journalists and whistle-blowers on all aspects of media law'. Advertisement Heard was awarded $US2million ($A2.8million) after the jury found a statement made by one of Depp's lawyers calling her accusations a 'hoax' to a British tabloid was defamatory. Immediately after the verdict was given, at a court in the US state of Virginia, things worsened for Ms Robinson. In the comments of her latest Instagram post, a photo of London's cityscape, users expressed their disgust at her continued support for Heard. 'Jen, tell Amber Heard that me and all my female friends love Johnny Depp more than ever,' one user commented. 'Imagine supporting a liar! Get yourself enlightened,' a second wrote. 'Anyone who supports Amber Turd deserves to rot in prison,' a third said. In an interview with MailOnline in 2020, Ms Robinson detailed the misogynistic abuse and death threats she and her A-list client had received during the libel trial. 'I found it to be a sad reflection on our society that although Amber was a witness and not on trial herself, we had to have security,' she recalled. 'Some days we had police protection. People were throwing things at our car, shouting abuse we even passed a huge billboard saying 'Ditch the witch', with her face on it.' Amber Heard isn't the only famous face Ms Robinson has represented. The Aussie lawyer met Julian Assange in 2010, who told her he was planning to publish top-secret diplomatic cables revealing embassies' backroom deals. 'I remember sitting with this Australian with a backpack, who said, "Jen, I've got a quarter of a million diplomatic cables and I'm about to publish them. The US will chase me to the ends of the earth and make my life hell",' she recalled. 'Once he published, Julian was the most wanted man in the world. They were freezing his bank accounts and I was getting death threats though the abuse I've had from working with Amber is worse.' Ms Robinson grew up in the small town of Berry, NSW, Australia, where her father is a celebrated racehorse trainer and her mother works as a teacher. She graduated with a double degree in law and Asian studies from the Australian National University, and is fluent in Indonesian. In 2014, the 39-year-old was carried to the Clooneys' star-studded Venetian wedding in a boat with Bill Murray She later became a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, attending Balliol College and graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Law with Distinction and a Master of Philosophy in International Public Law. She previously worked at London law firm Finers Stephens Innocent LLP and has gone on to become one of the UK's most recognised human rights and media lawyers. Ms Robinson advises clients in international law, appeared in the International Court of Justice and has given expert evidence at the UN and in Parliament. She has a particular focus on 'free speech and civil liberties, advising media organisations, journalists and whistle-blowers on all aspects of media law'. Amazon is now safer to shop in than it was last year. The e-commerce giant recently announced in its annual brand protection report that its efforts to keep counterfeit products off its platform are paying off, per CNET. The company is reportedly increasing its efforts to either destroy counterfeit items or remove those that sell them on its platform since 2020, per Ars Technica and Fortune. Amazon's Anti-Counterfeit Item And Seller Measures Details Amazon said in its latest brand protection report that its brand protection investments in 2021 are showing signs of progress. This progress is evidenced by the e-commerce giant stopping 4 billion listings selling fake products, destroying over 3 million counterfeit items, and stopping over 2.5 million attempts to create new selling accounts in 2021. The blocking has prevented "bad actors" or those who wish to sell fake products from publishing even a single product for sale. These measures were made possible through Amazon's investment increase, which was increased from $700 million to $900 million, to keep counterfeit products and their would-be sellers away from its platform. The e-commerce giant also hired over 12,000 people to focus on the platform's counterfeit item sale problem, which was also an increase from its previous number of 10,000 in 2020. This increase may have to do with the company employing AI scientists to improve the company's automated systems to make them quickly identify fradulent products and shady sellers. Read More: NASA's New Browser Game will Remind You So Much of Space Invaders Despite the lower investment, Amazon had blocked 10 million suspected bad listings in 2020 before they were published in its online store and destroyed 2 million counterfeit products in the same year. Amazon also reported that its automated system stopped more than 6 million attempts of bad actors trying to set up shop in its platform in 2020. Additionally, the company has sued or referred over 600 sellers that are supposedly selling fake goods to the proper autorities in 2021, which is a 300% increase from what it once was in 2020. To better prosecute alleged fake item sellers, Amazon partnered with brands such as Yeti, GoPro, Hanesbrands, Valentino, Wber, Salvatore Ferragamo, Whirlpool, and Prcter & Gamble to pursue counterfeiters globally. This part of Amazon's anti-counterfeiter measure is evidenced by its refererral of a bad actor to Chinese authorities, resulting in a raid containing counterfeit luxury goods following Salvatore Ferragomo and Amazon sharing information to them, per a separate CNET report. Amazon's Problem With Counterfeiting Mary Beth Westmoreland, vice president of technology at Amazon, said the the increase in financial investment and employees is necessary as the problem regarding counterfeit items and those that sell them is not going away, adding that "it's an industry-wide" problem." Amazon problems with counterfeiters and their items have increased since 2017, when it created its Brand Registry, a program that provides a suite of tools to help build and protect legitimate sellers' brands. The e-commerce giant is also no stranger to being a target of criticism, with it facing denunciation from consumer protection advocates and business groups for exposing shoppers to potentially dangerous coutnerfeit products to both customer and businesses. Related Article: Does Amazon Pay You for Late Guaranteed Delivery Rates? Yes, Here's How to Make a Complaint The Indiana woman who bravely and publicly outed her former pastor for having sex with her when she was 16-years-old has revealed that the religious leader allegedly started grooming her when she was just 14 years old. Bobi Gephart spoke to Inside Edition about how she had been allegedly manipulated and sexually abused by Pastor John B. Lowe II of the New Life Christian Church & World Outreach. Gephart, now 43, said Lowe earned her trust by telling her he loved her and by the time she turned 16-years-old things escalated. 'Things just progressed into a full on sexual, I guess you would call it relationship,' she told Inside Edition. Scroll Down For Video: Bobi Gephart (pictured) spoke to Inside Edition about how she had been groomed and sexually abused by Pastor John B. Lowe II of the New Life Christian Church & World Outreach 'When you claim and parade yourself as a pastor and you do that to someone, you are a wicked and evil person, and that's what he is,' her husband Nate told Inside Edition (pictured together) Lowe goes on to show pictures of the pastor at major events in her life, including a photo of him embracing her at her high school graduation and even him officiating her 2004 wedding Bobi and her husband then left the church stage and were comforted by other members of the congregation Gephart went on to show pictures of the pastor at major events in her life, including a photo of Lowe embracing her at her high school graduation and even the pastor officiating her 2004 wedding to her current husband Nate, who did not know about their relationship until last month. Gephart revealed that her relationship with Lowe lasted nine years and he was able to keep her quiet about their illicit affair by filling her with fear about what would happen if people found out. 'He told me that this would ruin everybody,' she said. 'Think of the lives that would be destroyed if you ever said anything,' she said he told her. Gephart even said that he sought to make her feel guilty but warning her that he would go to prison if anyone ever found out. Gephart, who said she 'wanted to tell somebody for so long' about what Lowe did to her, said she was inspired to speak up after her brother, Edgar Wolfe, 45, confessed that he had been 'haunted' by the memory of seeing 'his pastor in bed with his younger sister, T-shirt and underwear on.' 'I opened up to my brother absolutely everything and he wept with me,' she said. 'I didn't know that he knew, I didn't know he saw that.' Wolfe immediately confronted Lowe by text, calling on him to resign. During a May 22 sermon at the New Life Christian Church & World Outreach in Warsaw, Lowe admitted to 'adultery' but did not confess it had been with a teen. Gephart, who was in attendance with her husband, said his half-confession enraged them. 'I stood in the back of the sanctuary and we were on fire and just shaking our heads like 'I just cant believe you're lying to these people' and so they decided to storm the stage. She told the congregation the 'adultery' Lowe had previously confessed to, had actually been her rape when she was just 16, which she said occurred 27 years ago. At the time Gephart was known by her maiden name Bobi Wolfe. 'If you love us, please let us talk,' Nate said, handing the mic to his wife. It was 27 years, she said, not 20, that she had 'lived in a prison of lies and shame.' 'For years, I thought I was a horrible person, having suicidal thoughts, not realizing what had truly been done to me, that I was a victim,' she told him. 'I was just 16 when you took my virginity on your office floor. Do you remember that? I know you do.' She told Lowe 'you kept me in your prison,' but 'Im a prisoner no longer.' John Lowe only told his congregation that he had committed adultery, but did not say that it was with a teenage member of his own church Pastor John B. Lowe II and his wife Debra who admits that at 16 she left her home in Upstate New York to work as a stripper Pastor John Lowe was found shirtless in bed with Bobi Gephart when she was underage, her brother told DailyMail.com. Bobi was wearing a T-shirt and underwear A plaque announcing that John and Debbie Lowe are pastors at New Life was still on the church building a week after they had quit The video of the incident has been viewed close to a million times on Facebook. 'When you claim and parade yourself as a pastor and you do that to someone, you are a wicked and evil person, and that's what he is,' her husband Nate told Inside Edition. Gephart said she was met with support from her community after he public confession. 'Many, many people came to us and there were just sobs and hugs and love,' Gephart said. When asked how she feels now about the situation she said: 'It's almost like I cant even believe everybody knows my secret now,' adding, 'I hated lying.' The following day Lowe resigned as pastor, the church said in a statement. The church said no one on staff had previously known about what happened, and it offered to help Gephart with 'healing in any way in which we are able.' In the church's May 29 service, Lowe's son, associate pastor Bryan Lowe, read a statement saying the church would be restructuring and holding meetings with members. Indiana State Police, in a statement, asked anyone with 'information as a victim or a witness' about the situation to contact investigators. Gephart said she spoke with police but acknowledged prosecution of Lowe may be unlikely because of the passage of time and because Indiana law defines the age of sexual consent at 16. She said shes aware of other past abuse within the church. In an interview with DailyMail.com last week, Wolfe recalled the moment he saw his younger sister in bed with Lowe. He said it had been early morning in the Lowes' home in Warsaw, with the pastor's former teenage stripper wife Debbie, 64, away when he walked into the master bedroom 'and I discovered him and my sister under covers'. 'He was shirtless and she was in underwear and a t-shirt,' said Wolfe, who was 16 at the time. 'I looked puzzled so he said, she just came in to say good morning and it was cold. They were in bed under a duvet and his wife was gone. And it was early. 'I was trying to think it through. In my innocence I believed what he said. And I thought we're family, he wouldn't do anything, he's our pastor and I'll trust it. 'Bobi is about 18 months younger than me so she would have been either 14 or 15 at the time. In my young mind I thought, it's a good thing nobody else saw this or they would call the cops, and they wouldn't even know that it was innocent.' Edgar explained the Lowe and Wolfe families were firm friends through the church and looked after each other's children during frequent trips away by both couples. The pastor and his wife went on Christian missions abroad and Karen and her late husband Eddie drove a truck. That's the reason Gephart, Edgar and their older sister Stacy, now 47, were at the Lowe home that fateful morning the pastor was caught out. Incidentally, the video of Gephart confronting Lowe was filmed by Stacy's daughter, Maisie. Edgar, now a retired Army intelligence warrant officer, tried to mentally suppress the image for years and didn't say anything, but said he was often troubled by it. 'It upset me. So as I got older and started to question these things I realized that I probably should have called the cops. And should have done something,' he added. While Gephart and Wolfe's mother told DailyMail.com that she only learned of her daughter's suffering at the hands of Lowe following after her son made his revelation to the family in early May. The pair's mother, Karen, said: 'My kids worshipped this man Lowe. He was their hero. I looked after their kids, they looked after my kids. We were like family,' she said. 'I considered him a protector of my children, not a predator of my children. But that's exactly how it went. 'For Bobi, I felt mad for her, I was devastated for her when I found out. There were so many emotions at the beginning, because I'm thinking, can this actually have happened? And I felt betrayed by Lowe. A serial burglar who tied a pensioner to a chair with telephone wire and left him to die has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 33 years Adris Mohammed, 44, broke into the home of 78-year-old David Varlow in Halesowen, West Midlands, in the early hours of November 3 last year. A court heard the thug tied Mr Varlow's ankles and wrists to a chair with cable ties and a telephone cable before threatening him with a knife for his PIN number. Mohammed then ransacked the house before stealing the OAP's bank cards and going on a 550 spending spree. He then returned to Mr Varlow's home at around midnight on November 11 with a second man, O'Shea Swan. There, they would have seen Mr Varlow was dead and they untied him before stealing a second bank card. A trawl of CCTV uncovered footage of Mohammed withdrawing cash minutes after the burglary which killed Mr Varlow. He was also captured on camera selling a gold bangle at Cash Convertors in Stafford. The bangle had been bought by a friend of Mohammed's using Mr Varlow's card, and Mohammed wanted to turn the purchase into cash by selling it. Mr Varlow's body was discovered by police on November 15 after neighbours raised concerns they had not seen him for some time. It was later found the vulnerable pensioner, who lived alone, had died from a heart attack brought on by the stress of his ordeal. Prosecutors said Mohammed knew Mr Varlow had died alone and had not been able to free himself because his stolen bank card had not been cancelled. Post-mortem tests were unable to establish when Mr Varlow died, but he is thought to have suffered a stress-induced heart attack at his home. Serial burglar Adris Mohammed has been sentenced to a minimum term of 33 years for the murder of a pensioner who was tied up and left to die Mohammed, 44, waited nine days before returning to David Varlow's home in Halesowen, West Midlands Adris Mohammed pawning goods. Mohammed has now been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 33 years for the murder Jailing Mohammed on Thursday at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Melbourne Inman QC said the murder in November last year could 'only properly be described as an horrific case'. Mohammed has now been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 33 years for the murder. The judge ruled that Mohammed had intended to kill, telling the drug user: 'What neither the pathology nor any other evidence can show is when Mr Varlow died between the 3rd of November and the 11th of November. 'The harsh reality is that it is not known whether he survived for hours or days. The major aggravating factor is the terrible nature of this killing and the suffering of Mr Varlow, left as he was. 'Having seen you give evidence it's clear you have not a shred of remorse. You knew Mr Varlow would be at home and when you confronted him you set about a deliberate and calculated course of action in tying him in the way you did. 'You intended to kill him by leaving him immobile without food or water. It is to be hoped Mr Varlow did suffer his heart attack quickly, but the seriousness of the offence is increased by the suffering that you intended.' The court heard that Mr Varlow lived on his own and that Mohammed tried unsuccessfully to burgle the home on October 24 but Mr Varlow dialled 999. He returned to the area the next day and failed to get in another property after claiming he had been mugged. Peter Grieves-Smith QC, prosecuting, said: "He did go back to Halesowen on November 3. On this occasion he got inside the house. Having got inside he stole a Barclays Bank card. His plan was to withdraw as much money as he could." Mohammed used the card to withdraw 250 from the victim's account which had a balance of 19,000 and Mr Grieves-Smith said: "To have done that he must have known the pin and Mr Varlow must have been forced to divulge it. He did not do it of his own free will. He must have been terrified. "The plan would only work if Mr Varlow did not alert the police. He tied him to a chair in such a way he would not be able to free himself. "He was old and frail but he (Mohammed) did not care." Mohammed had rendered his victim 'utterly helpless and in a position that would have been very difficult even for a short time for anyone' let alone an elderly man, Judge Inman said. The judge said Mohammed had mounted an 'absurd' defence, and added: 'Mr Varlow must have been terrified. He must have pleading with you not to leave him in that position. 'That is because Mr Varlow knew that no one would know he was there for a very long time, his brother would not call for nearly two weeks, and that he would die. That is what you intended. 'You left him helpless, without any way of getting food or water, with the curtains closed, and you left. You knew it would take a considerable time to empty his bank account without alerting the bank and you ensured Mr Varlow would never be able to alert them.' Prosecutors said Mohammed knew Mr Varlow had died alone and had not been able to free himself because his stolen bank card had not been cancelled Mohammed, who used telephone wire to tie up Mr Varlow, was found guilty last month of murder, attempted burglary and two counts each of fraud and burglary. The killer, from Birmingham, denied any involvement in the death, claiming someone else had asked him to take part in removal work. Mohammed is then believed to have used a knife to force Mr Varlow to reveal his PIN, aiming to withdraw as much money as possible from an account holding 19,000. As well as allowing others to use the stolen card to withdraw thousands of pounds, Mohammed used the card himself to steal 550, enabling him to buy a bangle which he pawned in Stafford. The body of Mr Varlow, who was 5ft 6in, was found on the floor close to a discarded knife - with his untied arms 'almost crossed' behind his back. Computer-generated images of Mr Varlow's body and his living room were presented to the jury, showing his ankles with bands of injuries consistent with ligatures. There were also binding marks to both wrists and ankles, with evidence of two separate wrappings around his arms. Co-defendant O'Shay Swan, 42, of Winson Green Road, Birmingham, was jailed for six years for burglary and fraud after going with Mohammed to Manor Lane on November 11-12, and being involved in using Mr Varlow's bank card. Three people have been fined 220 each for breaking Covid laws by attending a vigil for murdered marketing executive Sarah Everard. The trio were part of a crowd of hundreds of people who spontaneously gathered on Clapham Common in south London on March 13, 2021, after Miss Everard was kidnapped, raped and murdered by Met cop Wayne Couzens. A demonstration had originally been planned by Reclaim These Streets, but this was cancelled when organisers were threatened with fines of 10,000 by the Metropolitan Police. Instead, people turned up throughout the day, as did he Duchess of Cambridge who arrived to pay her respects. Multiple people were arrested in the evening when police were given the order to break up the vigil, with the Met being heavily criticised for its response. People clash with police during the vigil for Sarah Everard in Clapham Common on March 13, 2021, after she was raped and murdered by Met cop Wayne Couzens Last week it was confirmed that police were prosecuting six people who were at the vigil for allegedly breaking Covid laws under the Single Justice Procedure, a paper-based process not held in open court. And on Tuesday it was revealed unrepentant Met cops justified the arrests by claiming the gathering had become an 'anti-police protest' and they felt 'distress'. Now three of those who were charged have been fined 220 each for their involvement in the vigil, with three more cases set to be heard next week. Dania Al-Obeid, 27, from Stratford, east London, Vivien Hohmann, 20, from Clapham, Ben Wheeler, 21, from Kennington, south London, and Kevin Godin-Prior, 68, from Manchester, were all named on the court papers last week. Dania Al-Obeid (pictured) was one of three people fined for breaking lockdown rules at Westminster Magistrates' Court last week They have now been convicted in their absence at the behind-closed-doors hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court last Wednesday, with each fined 220 and ordered to pay 100 in court costs and a 34 victim surcharge, with 28 days to pay. They were all accused of participating in a gathering at Clapham Common Bandstand on March 13 2021 of more than two people in a public outdoor place when London was under Tier 4 restrictions. A case management hearing has been scheduled for Vivien Hohmann, 20, from Clapham, later this month, while Jade Spence, 33, of Lambeth, south London, and Jenny Edmunds, 32, of Lewisham, south-east London, are due to be dealt with next Wednesday. Kevin Godin-Prior (pictured) is one of three people who have been fined so far A total of nine fixed penalty notices were issued. Two were paid, and the other was dropped with no further action. Marketing manager Ms Al-Obeid, who is taking legal advice over the fine, told the PA news agency last week: 'This isn't about the 200, I've had people come forward and offer to pay this. It's about what this fine represents. 'I've requested any updates regarding the fine to be made via email as I'm not in the country; however the first I hear of this charge is via the media. 'It's been dealt with so poorly from start to finish and I'm just expected to roll over and accept this treatment. I'm considering fighting this as it's simply not fair.' The Met said all six cases have been brought to court because the fines issued for alleged breaches of Covid rules were not paid, with a total of nine fixed penalty notices issued. Two were paid, and the other was dropped with no further action. In a police witness statement submitted to the court, officers said Ms Al-Obeid was one of four women who had linked arms at the edge of the bandstand and that she was arrested after repeatedly ignoring police directions to leave. PC Darryl Mayne said: 'I had witnessed Al-Obeid shout aggressive chants regarding officers being 'Murderers'. However, I was unsure whether she was going to physically assault officers once she had realised officers were detaining her. 'I was fully aware of the seriousness and sensitively of the situation and the reasoning for the gathering. 'However, I informed Al-Obeid that I also had to uphold my duty as a serving constable to maintain public health.' The Met has already faced criticism of the way it dealt with the vigil and its aftermath. Sarah Everard (pictured) was kidnapped, raped and murdered by serving officer Wayne Couzens Hundreds gathered at the event in Clapham Common, in south-west London, last March to pay their respects to 33-year-old Ms Everard, who was killed after disappearing while walking home A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services concluded that police 'acted appropriately' when dealing with the event, but also found it was a 'public relations disaster' and described some statements made by members of the force as 'tone deaf'. Earlier this year, the High Court ruled the Met had breached the rights of organisers at the vigil, but the unrepentant force refused to apologise over its much criticised handling, instead insisting it could appeal. An utterly damning judgement said the constabulary 'failed to perform its legal duty' and did not think if the organisers 'might have a reasonable excuse for holding the gathering'. The ruling added the Met did not even 'conduct the fact-specific proportionality assessment required in order to perform that duty'. Scotland Yard was refused permission to appeal against the ruling for a second time. Dismissing the appeal bid, Lord Justice Holroyde said in a court order that, while he recognised the application of principles guiding the right to protest 'may be difficult for the police, and that the difficulty may be increased when considering a prospective event' they were 'clear' and no separate guidance is needed. The judge said he could see 'no arguable basis on which it can be said that the (High) Court's decision was wrong'. Couzens, 49, is serving a whole-life sentence after admitting Ms Everard's kidnap, rape and murder. The US Justice Department has launched an investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence the force has allowed - and allegedly covered up - a slew of beatings of mostly Black men over the past decade, some proving fatal. The long-called-for probe, which officials Thursday called a 'pattern-or-practice' investigation, will look into whether troopers and their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. It comes as critics and activists have for months demanded feds look into policing practices at the state's foremost law enforcement agency, after concerning details surrounding the fatal 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene - and allegations of a police coverup - surfaced last year. It has since been alleged that Greene's arrest was among at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police engaged in misconduct. The federal action a comes more than three years after white troopers were captured on long-withheld body-camera video beating, stunning, and dragging a bloodied Greene, a 44-year-old black man, on a rural roadside near Monroe. The US Justice Department has launched an investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence the agency has looked the other way in the face of beatings of mostly Black men, including the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene. Video taken from a trooper's body camera shows the violent arrest. Police initially reported that he had died in a car crash Cops at first asserted that Greene, who had been driving erratically and led troopers on a high-speed car chase after running a red light, died after crashing his vehicle - a claim since disproven. In September 2020, during an interrogation over the incident, Louisiana Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth admitted he held down the motorist and bashed him in the head repeatedly with a flashlight during the arrest, just days before his own death in a car crash, newly released audio reveals. The Associated Press published an audio clip of the interview in March. It was held just six days before Hollingsworth, 46, would die in a single-vehicle highway crash hours after learning he would be fired from the force for the misconduct. Bodycamera footage of the incident, released last year amid rising scrutiny into the arrest from critics and activists, shows Hollingsworth telling another trooper after handcuffing a bloodied Greene that he 'beat the f***' out of the restrained man. 'I beat the ever-living f--- out of him, choked him and everything else trying to get him under control,' Hollingsworth told a fellow officer in a phone call picked up on his body-camera mic. 'All of a sudden he just went limp... I thought he was dead.' In the disturbing footage, another trooper, wiping Greene's blood off his person, says: 'I hope this guy ain't got f***ing AIDS.' This undated photo provided by the family of Ronald Greene via the Baton Rouge chapter of the NAACP in September 2020 shows injuries on his body Greene was seen on the body camera footage being bashed and dragged by troopers - contradicting previous claims from the force that Greene died after succumbing to injuries sustained as a result of the crash. In the two-hour interrogation, Hollingsworth said he feared for his life even as graphic footage played over and over of white troopers swarming Greene's car after a high-speed chase, jolting him with stun guns, punching him in the face and dragging him by his ankle shackles. All the while, Greene can be heard: 'I'm your brother! I'm scared! I'm scared!' 'I was scared,' Hollingsworth asserted in the interview, which was held not to charge the trooper but determine whether he kept his badge. 'He could have done anything once my hold was broke off him - and that's why I struck him.' Hollingsworth's story changed significantly during the interview. He initially told detectives he struck Greene with 'a closed fist.' Then he claimed he couldn't remember whether he struck him with an object. Finally, after the investigators replayed the video and pointed out Hollingsworth's flashlight, he conceded to hitting Greene with it, even using his water bottle to demonstrate how he swung with the rounded edge down. Race did not come up in the interrogation, but Hollingsworth opined on the subject decades earlier in a 2002 essay at the Louisiana State Police Training Academy, writing that 'white police officers have to prove they are not racist on every complaint and in every court case involving blacks.' 'Today, the first concern is if the officer is white and the suspect is black... Race is the issue and not the crime,' the then aspiring officer wrote. As for troopers' initial account that blamed Greene's death on injuries from a car crash - fueling allegations of a cover-up - Hollingsworth says he didn't see such injuries himself, but added, 'I'm not a doctor.' Nearly three years after Greene's May 10, 2019, death, still no one has been criminally charged. Though his death was ruled accidental, Hollingsworth's early morning, off-duty crash into a highway guardrail in Monroe in September 2020 prompted widespread speculation that the trooper might have taken his own life to avoid charges, after finding himself the focal point of investigators' probe. Hollingsworth was sober, not wearing a seatbelt and was a state police driving instructor traveling on an interstate he had patrolled for decades. Col. Lamar Davis, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, has conceded that his department has lost trust in the public after details concerning violent arrests by his department over the past decade have come to light This undated photo provided by the family of Ronald Greene in September 2020 shows Greene's vehicle after it was released by the Louisiana State Police. Troopers initially told Greene's relatives the 49-year-old died from a crash at the end of the chase, despite his car showing little damage. It was only later that police acknowledged there had been a struggle Intentional or not, Hollingsworth's death has complicated ongoing federal and state investigations It was particularly painful for Greenes mother, Mona Hardin, who says it robbed her of any hope for full justice while the trooper was allowed to be buried with full honors despite his misconduct. 'It hurts me to the core that Hollingsworth isn't here,' Hardin said. 'He was front and center and they gave him all the bells and whistles on his burial. They overlooked what he did, what he confessed to.' Troopers initially told Greene's relatives the 49-year-old died from a crash at the end of the chase, despite his car showing little damage. It was only later that state police acknowledged there had been a struggle. It took a total of 474 days for state police to launch an internal inquiry after troopers refused to release body camera video for more than two years. Of particular interest to federal investigators is why the state police failed to arrest Hollingsworth, a veteran trooper who can be seen on the video stunning Greene and was later recorded boasting to a colleague that he choked Greene. 'I beat the ever-living f--- out of him, choked him and everything else trying to get him under control,' Hollingsworth told a fellow officer in a phone call picked up on his body-camera mic. 'All of a sudden he just went limp... I thought he was dead.' Greene died before his ambulance reached the hospital. Hollingsworth was photographed there with flecks of Greenes blood dotting his blue uniform and brass badge. This image from video from Louisiana state police state trooper Dakota DeMoss' body-worn camera, shows troopers holding up Ronald Greene before paramedics arrived on May 10, 2019, outside of Monroe, La. Greene was jolted with stun guns, put in a chokehold and beaten by troopers, and his death is now the subject of a federal civil rights investigation Louisiana Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth admitted he held down black motorist Ronald Greene in May 2019 and bashed him in the head repeatedly with a flashlight. He has since died in what was suspected to be a suicide after he came under scrutiny from the state for the arrest Bloodstains are seen on the shield and uniform of Hollingsworth after Greene's arrest Trooper Kory York (pictured) was also seen on camera dragging Greene on his stomach The governor later told police commanders to investigate Hollingsworth's role in the deadly arrest. Edwards' top lawyer, Matthew Block, told AP the then-head of the state police informed him when the decision was finally made to fire Hollingsworth. Edwards has since slammed the actions of Hollingsworth and the other troopers in Greene's arrest as criminal and racist. Asked late last year whether he feels any responsibility for the loss of public trust in state police, a spokesperson for Edwards told AP: 'The troopers on the scene - particularly Trooper Hollingsworth - are responsible for what happened the night of Mr. Greenes death, period.' Federal prosecutors have been considering for months whether to charge the other troopers, including Kory York, who remains on the force after dragging Greene face down by his ankle shackles. The FBI also is investigating whether state police brass obstructed justice in part by rebuffing the detectives who pushed for criminal charges. One supervisor recently told a state legislative committee probing the case that his bosses instructed him not to give prosecutors the body-camera footage of Greene's arrest. That was consistent with an AP investigation last year that found Greenes was among at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. Hollingsworth himself seemed to recognize his legal risk, refusing to provide any statement to the detectives conducting the criminal investigation in the days after Greenes death. Dozens of current and former troopers said the beatings were countenanced by a culture of impunity, nepotism and, in some cases, outright racism. Meanwhile, it had been widely reported that troopers on the force have made a habit of turning off or muting body cameras during pursuits. When footage is recorded, the agency has routinely refused to release it. In once such instance, Louisiana prosecutors last month charged three of the troopers for beating a black motorist and hoisting him to his feet by his hair braids during a 2020 arrest that was recorded on officers' bodycameras. However, following the altercation officers neglected to inform state prosecutors that any body-worn camera video of the arrest existed. Text messages also revealed that officers bragged about the 'whoopin' they gave the man, who surrendered to officers after driving with a suspended license, 'nightmares for a long time.' In this May 23, 2020 image from Louisiana State Police body camera video, law enforcement applies an electric weapon to the back of black motorist Antonio Harris as other officers restrain him on the side of a road after a high speed chase in Franklin Parish, Louisiana 'They kept saying ''Stop resisting'' but I was never resisting,' Harris told investigators. 'As soon as they got to me, one of them kneed me in my face. One of them was squeezing my eyes' Even though Harris had already surrendered, troopers delivered a 'knee strike' and slapped him in the face with an open palm before powering off his body-worn camera This combination of photos provided by the Ouachita Correctional Center and Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office shows Louisiana State Police Troopers Jacob Brown, left to right, Randall Dickerson, George Harper and Dakota DeMoss. New court filings show Louisiana State Police troopers joked in a group text about beating a Black man after a high-speed chase A recently retired supervisor who oversaw a particularly violent clique of troopers told internal investigators last year that it was his 'common practice' to rubber-stamp officers' use-of-force reports without ever reviewing body-camera video. In some cases, troopers omitted uses of force such as blows to the head from official reports, and in others troopers sought to justify their actions by claiming suspects were violent, resisting or escaping, all of which were contradicted by video footage. Those who confirmed the 'pattern-or-practice' investigation spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the inquiry before it was announced. A Justice Department spokesperson did not provide any immediate comment. A state police spokesman had no immediate comment but said the agency plans to issue a statement later Thursday. Black leaders have for months been urging the Justice Department to launch a broader investigation into potential racial profiling by the overwhelmingly white state police, similar to other probes opened over the past year in Minneapolis, Louisville and Phoenix. By its own tally, 67 percent of state police uses of force in recent years were against Black people, who make up 33 percent of the state's population. The action comes as Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards prepares to testify before a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers investigating Greene's death. Edwards and his lawyers privately watched the video showing Greene taking his final breaths during his fatal arrest - footage that didn't reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greene's May 10, 2019, death. Meanwhile, the force's superintendent has since acknowledged that the state police have lost the publics trust, due in part to an 'old-fashioned culture' in Louisianas northern parishes in which some troopers are conditioned to punish anyone who runs from them or disrespects the badge. 'Its uncomfortable to hear, `You guys are bullies. Its uncomfortable to hear, `We thought yall were better than this,' Col. Lamar Davis, a veteran black trooper brought in a year ago as a reformer, said last month an interview. 'We've got to face this head on,' he said. 'We have to change quite a few things in our agency.' Dozens of current and former troopers have spoken of an entrenched culture at the agency of impunity, nepotism and in some cases outright racism Davis has reorganized his staff, overhauled use-of-force policies and mandated all troopers attend training on intrinsic bias. But he acknowledged it may not be enough to stave off growing calls for a U.S. Justice Department 'pattern and practice' probe of potential racial profiling by a nearly 1,000-trooper force thats more than three-quarters white men. One of Davis most uncomfortable reform duties came just weeks into his tenure when he called Bob Brown, a man he once worked for, to tell him 'out of respect' that he had ordered the arrest of his son Jacob and three other troopers on state charges in the separate beatings of three Black men. 'It wasnt pleasant,' Davis said, declining to detail the conversation. Davis, the current head of the state police, says the actions of a few bad troopers shouldnt overshadow the good work done by the majority of his agency every day. But he acknowledged that he still doesnt have a full grasp of how pervasive excessive force may be among his officers. Thats in part because supervisors have for years failed to review thousands of hours of body camera footage, including that of Brown and other troopers with troubling records. Its one of the 'fail points' Davis listed among the 'overwhelming' array of problems he confronted when he took over last year. Asked whether he is confident there isn't another Ronald Greene case out there that state police brass -- and the public -- dont yet know about, Davis didnt hesitate. 'No, I'm not,' he said. 'We've not looked at every video.' Federal prosecutors also are still investigating whether police brass obstructed justice to protect troopers in the Greene case - and whether they sought to conceal evidence of troopers beating other Black motorists. Greene, pictured in this undated photo, died in May 2019 after crashing his vehicle into a tree following a high-speed chase in rural northern Louisiana that began over an unspecified traffic violation. But long-withheld video shows Louisiana State troopers stunning, punching and dragging the Black motorist - growing evidence obtained by an Associated Press investigation has revealed a pattern of violence kept shrouded in secrecy Lock your doors at night! A chupacabra may be on the loose.! Amarillo, Texas, city officials are stumped by a human-like animal seen on zoo surveillance footage last month and they took to social media in their search for answers. The city tweeted: 'Is it a person with a strange hat who likes to walk at night? A chupacabra? Do you have any idea of what this UAO - Unidentified Amarillo Object could be?' Amarillo residents were quick to provide witty answers, with several weighing in that it was a skinwalker - a Native American mythological shape-shifting creature. One Twitter wrote: 'Clearly a skinwalker phasing between two densities/dimensions and what better place but the zoo. I mean. DUH.' Others suggested it could be the cartoon character Swiper from Dora The Explorer or Sonic the Hedgehog. The city of Amarillo, Texas, was stumped by a human-like animal creature found lingering outside the zoo last month. They jokingly dubbed it as a UAO - Unidentified Amarillo Object John Dough wrote on Twitter: 'Obviously Swiper,' alongside a side-by-side comparison of the beloved children's character and the creepy zoo wanderer. Leanne, however, joked that the half-animal was actually insurrectionist Jacob Chansley, who breeched the US Capitol wearing a furry headdress, outfitted with horns, and the American flag painted on his face. Leanne tweeted: 'Is this guy [Chansley] on the loose?' Chansley was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November 2021 for his role in the January 6 riot. Amarillo residents were quick to give their takes, including comparing the creepy creature to the beloved children's creature Swiper and insurrectionist Jacob Chansley Amarillo's Parks and Recreation Department Director Michael Kashuba told Newsweek the zoo found the startling image while casually reviewing recent footage with staffers and reported the creature never got inside the zoo. The creature was walking near the park, which is located inside Thompson Park, early in the morning, at 1.25am. 'It's kind of an anomaly, a unique picture,' Kashuba told Newsweek. 'I think it's exciting to see the interest in something like this. 'It's obviously out of the norm for us. Usually we catch pictures of our animals moving through exhibits and things like that.' DailyMail.com has contacted the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department for comment. French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz are appeasing Vladimir Putin with 'useless' peace talks, Poland's president fumed. Andrzej Duda told German newspaper Bild that the EU leaders are 'legitimizing' the Kremlin leader's war crimes in Ukraine. Macron sparked outrage last month when he said Russia 'should not be humiliated' in Ukraine - and that it will take 'decades' for Kyiv to join the EU. Duda responded: 'Did anyone talk to Adolf Hitler like that during WWII? Did someone say Adolf Hitler must save face? President Duda (pictured at an EU conference in Poland last week) compared Putin to Hitler 'That we should proceed in such a way that it is not humiliating for Adolf Hitler? I have not heard such voices.' Warsaw's hardline approach toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which shares a 330-mile border with Poland, contrasts the softer touch of EU members including Italy and Hungary. Both countries have urged the bloc to seek a peace agreement with Russia. France and Germany have also appeared to soften the tone of their opposition to Putin's failing war, with Macron urging a diplomatic solution to the invasion and Germany mothballing a series of military resupply efforts. The leaders of France and Germany have courted controversy for their alleged soft touch towards Putin in recent weeks. Scholz (left) and Macron (right) spoke to Putin on May 28 Macron said in May: 'We must not humiliate Russia so that the day when the fighting stops we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means. 'I am convinced that it is France's role to be a mediating power.' Poland has sent 240 tanks and more than 100 armoured vehicles to Ukraine worth $2billion (1.6billion). President Duda said he is waiting on promised resupplies from Germany: 'We gave away our tanks and now we have nothing in their place.' Scholz and Macron have also held a series of phone calls with Putin since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24. The pair held a joint conversation with the Russian leader on May 28, in which they reportedly urged Putin to release the 2,500 Ukrainian fighters captured at Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks. Macron (right), pictured at a meeting with Putin (left) in 2019, said France 'must be a mediator' They also asked Putin to speak directly with Ukrainian President Zelensky and visit Macron at the Elysee Palace. President Duda spoke witheringly about these attempts at diplomacy, telling Bild: 'These talks are useless. What do they do? 'They only legitimize a person responsible for the crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine.' Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said last month that Putin is a bigger threat to world peace than Hitler or Stalin When Macron's controversial comments emerged last month about the need to preserve Russia's dignity, Zelensky also compared the idea to appeasing Hitler. Kyiv's foreign minister Dmitry Kuleba hit back over the weekend: 'Calls to avoid humiliation of Russia can only humiliate France and every other country that would call for it. 'Because it is Russia that humiliates itself. We all better focus on how to put Russia in its place. 'This will bring peace and save lives.' The Polish prime minister has also compared Putin's Russia to Nazi Germany, arguing the Russian leader is 'more dangerous than Hitler or Stalin'. In a fiery column for the Daily Telegraph, Mateusz Morawiecki wrote: 'Putin is neither Hitler nor Stalin. Unfortunately, he is more dangerous. 'If Europe does not stop him, Putin will march Russian forces further into Europe. It's up to us to decide where we stop them.' Asked by Bild what Europe can do to stop Putin's continued march into Ukrainian territory - which has seen thousands killed and 7million Ukrainians flee their homeland - Duda was defiant. He said: 'There can be no agreement that the Ukrainian government does not agree to. 'I would be most interested in the Ukrainian defense receiving such support that they can push the Russians out of their territory.' With each passing day that Putin's brutal war in Ukraine rages, tensions between Moscow and London remain high and fears of any Russian aggression against Britain steadily climb. But for teachers at a school in one of the most remote parts of North Wales, RAF training jets preparing for the worst are too loud - and could cause pupils sitting their GCSEs this summer to be distracted. Military chiefs have refused to stop conducting the drills, claiming that to do so would have a 'significant impact' on national security. The row with the Ministry of Defence began last week, when the headteacher of Ysgol Botwnnog in Gwynedd asked his local MP Liz Saville Roberts to curb the number of military exercises. Dylan Minnice, the headteacher, had called for planes to avoid exercises around the school for a period of four hours a day for a month, while Year 10 and 11 pupils sat their final GCSEs. A general view of Ysgol Botwnnog school in Gwynedd, Wales Beechcraft Texan trainer taxiing to the runway at RAF Valley in Wales in October 2021 Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, took up the issue with the MoD, urging military chiefs to be 'mindful' of the impact these operations had on local communities and to 'enact measures to mitigate disruption where possible'. But in a flat rebuttal of their pleas, the MoD said that the 'essential skills' currently being used each day protecting NATO airspace in the Ukraine crisis could only be maintained through training and practice in a 'realistic environment'. A spokesperson said: 'We are keenly aware of the importance of examinations for students across the country. 'Unfortunately, restricting military aircraft activity for two months near schools across the whole of the UK would have a significant impact on defence's ability to train those upon whom we rely for our national security. 'Training is strictly limited to what is absolutely essential for aircrew to achieve and maintain operational effectiveness.' Mr Minnice previously said: 'We understand the importance of RAF exercises, especially with the current situation in Europe. Dylan Minnice, the headteacher at Ysgol Botwnnog in Gwynedd 'Nevertheless, we do not believe that we are being unreasonable in asking them to avoid exercises around the school for a period of about four hours a day for four weeks while Year 10 and 11 pupils sit their final GCSE exams which will have an impact on their futures.' Ms Saville Roberts had said: 'Local students have already experienced several years of disruption to their studies from the Covid pandemic and are now faced with further disruption to crucial examinations due to ongoing military aircraft activity. 'Teachers and students from Ysgol Botwnnog have voiced their concerns over the ongoing disruption, and it is disappointing that the Ministry of Defence has not been more receptive to their concerns. 'While the Minister for the Armed Forces maintains that the amount of training is limited to that which is essential, I fear this will provide little comfort to students experiencing disruption to all-important examinations, as well as their hard-working teachers. 'While I have been encouraged by past meetings with the RAF that steps are being taken to equip the Texan aircraft with the equipment to permit over-sea flying, I remain deeply concerned about the impact on local areas.' There have been a number of complaints about the noise created by the Texan T1 training aircraft over North Wales. In Dwyfor's neighbouring constituency of Arfon, MP Hywel Williams has also regularly raised the issues of plane noise after numerous complaints by constituents. Earlier this year, the US Air Force also issued an apology for disturbance caused by low flying jets after four jets made 'low and unscheduled' flights over north west Wales. Mutinous Home Office civil servants opposing migrant deportations to Rwanda have put up posters comparing Paddington Bear to an illegal immigrant - as they 'refuse to work on policy'. It comes as rebellious mandarins have already launched a Twitter against Priti Patel's 'racist' plan and have also posted 'refugees welcome' stickers around offices - as the government gears up for a crunch court date tomorrow. The Paddington poster, which is stamped with the Immigration Enforcement crest, lists a description of the fictitious bear including his 'claimed country of origin', before describing his 'distinctive behaviour' as 'eats marmalade sandwiches'. The poster adds that Paddington's arrival to the UK was through a 'clandestine irregular route, using small boat, without visa'. And in a reference to a sketch with the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, it adds that he 'may have infiltrated important establishment networks including Buckingham Palace' with a picture. The anonymous 'Our Home Office' account launched its campaign last month with a poster said to have been posted on an official noticeboard which reads: 'We have the spine to say, ''no minister''. 'No to hostile environments, no to shutting down democracy, no to racist deportations'. The account, which uses an orange heart for its profile picture, comes amid claims some staff are threatening a mutiny over the policy - despite political impartiality being a legal requirement for civil servants. The Paddington poster (pictured), which is stamped with the Immigration Enforcement crest, lists a description of the fictitious bear A Twitter account called 'Our Home Office' is urging civil servants to put 'refugees welcome' stickers up in offices The anonymous account launched its campaign last month with a poster said to have been posted on an official noticeboard which reads: 'We have the spine to say, ''no minister'' One post shared by Our Home Office shows a poster of the Queen's Jubilee sketch with Paddington Bear designed to look like a 'subject of interest notice' from immigration officials. The poster jokes Paddington is wanted for entering the UK by 'clandestine irregular route, using small boat, without visa' and he 'may have infiltrated important establishment networks including Buckingham Palace'. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Detention Action in seeking a judicial review of the Rwanda policy - which they have described as 'unlawful' - with a hearing due tomorrow in the High Court. Lawyers for almost 100 migrants have already submitted legal challenges asking to stay in the UK, the charity said, with the remaining 31 lined up for the flight anticipated to follow suit this week. The wave of legal action has cast doubt on whether the flight will be able to go ahead as planned. But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said today: 'We remain confident in our position, should the legal challenges require us going to the courts we will argue our case. It's true to say the first flight is due for next week so we have that ready to go.' So far this year 10,020 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK, analysis of Government figures shows. No crossings were recorded today, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The account, which uses an orange heart for its profile picture, comes amid claims some staff are threatening a mutiny over Priti Patel's policy Several Afghans are among more than 100 migrants due to be sent to Rwanda on the first flight next week, according to campaigners. Nine people who fled to the UK after the Taliban takeover have been notified by the Home Office that they could be removed to the East African nation on Tuesday, Care4Calais - one of a number of organisations taking the Government to court over the plan - said. The group said it is also aware of around 35 Sudanese, 18 Syrians, 14 Iranians, 11 Egyptians as well as Iraqi, Pakistani, Albanian, Algerian, Chadian, Eritrean, Turkish and Vietnamese people who have been told they could be put on the inaugural flight. The Home Office has refused to confirm the nationalities of those on board but only Rwandans are exempt from the policy, suggesting that those fleeing conflict - such as in Afghanistan and Ukraine - could be considered for removal if they are deemed to have arrived in the UK illegally under new immigration rules. Clare Moseley, founder of Care4Calais, told the PA news agency: 'The logic to this plan is flawed in many ways. Just one example is that Afghans escaping from the Taliban under our settlement scheme are protected whereas those arriving in other ways will be sent to Rwanda.' Figures published by the department last month showed people fleeing Afghanistan made up almost a quarter of the migrants crossing the Channel in the first three months of the year. This was the most out of any nationality recorded, followed by 16% who were Iranian and 15% Iraqi - which both typically outrank Afghans in the numbers. The rise prompted concerns from campaigners that the Government's resettlement scheme designed to help Afghans seek sanctuary in the UK in the wake of the Taliban takeover is failing and raised questions over whether Afghans could face being sent to Rwanda. Anyone who the department considers has taken a dangerous, unnecessary or illegal journey to the UK would meet the criteria for removal to Rwanda, apart from lone migrant children who are exempt. While officials are likely to focus on removing single adults in the initial phases of the scheme, there is the prospect families with children could be considered for removal under the policy. Actress Dame Emma Thompson, who has an adopted son from Rwanda, has described the scheme as 'eye-wateringly mad and callous' in an interview with Sky News' Beth Rigby today, adding that the Government's approach 'does not represent the soul of this country'. Former minister Jesse Norman, who withdrew his longstanding support of Boris Johnson ahead of the confidence vote earlier this week, branded the policy 'ugly, likely to be counterproductive and doubtful of legality'. Meanwhile a Twitter account entitled 'Our Home Office', purporting to be run by staff in the department, has been set up expressing its support for refugees amid reports that some civil servants have opposed the plan. But it is understood senior Home Office officials are not aware of any staff who have refused to work on the policy. A Home Office spokeswoman said the department 'expected legal challenges, however we are determined to deliver this new partnership', adding that the policy 'fully complies with international and national law'. A Home Office spokesperson said 'Thousands of civil servants work tirelessly every day on priorities that matter to the British people and the Home Office has worked hard to be as constructive and open with staff on our policies. 'We urge all civil servants to use the mechanisms available to them to provide feedback. 'It is disappointing some staff are taking action that is detrimental to the department and we will take action where necessary.' A total of 46 people have been killed in the last 30 years from Osprey accidents Initial reports said there was nuclear material on board the aircraft, but that has since been debunked Five U.S. Marines have been confirmed dead after an MV-22B Osprey belonging to the 3rd Marine Air Wing crashed in the California desert. The MV-22B Osprey crashed in Imperial County near Highway 78 and the town of Glamis, which is 30 miles north of the Mexican border, and 150 miles east of San Diego. On Thursday, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed the deaths in a statement, writing: 'We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy.' The military has not released the names of the soldier, pending family notification. Family and friends confirmed Nathan Carlson's death. The 21-year-old's girlfriend Emily Baxter posted a tribute to the Marine on Facebook, writing: 'My heart is absolutely shattered...I dont have words to explain what I feel or how badly this is tearing me apart already...he had the biggest heart and was always willing to help somebody if they needed. Nathan Carlson, 21, of Machesney Park, Illinois, was confirmed death by family and friends on Thursday The Marine was one of the five who were killed in the Osprey crash in the California desert on Wednesday Carlson (far right) joined the Marines straight out of high school in 2019 and was a crew chief Carlson appears to standing in front of an Osprey aircraft in a picture 'He left for work yesterday and woke me up and hugged me so tight, he told me he loved me and that was the last time I'd seen my person. 'Rest in peace my sweet angel. I love you always and forever. I pinky promise,' she wrote in an emotional post. Childhood friend Gage McDonald also posted a tribute to the soldier on his Facebook. He wrote: 'Words cant explain the way I am feeling. We were practically raised together. I am so sorry this happened to you. Im still waiting to get a call from you saying you were just helping and couldnt get to your phone. I love and miss you, Nathan Carlson.' The five marines who were involved the MV-22B Osprey crash on Wednesday were confirmed dead The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed the dead, writing: 'We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy.' The military has not released the names of the soldier, pending family notification A helicopter is seen on Wednesday taking off near Glamis, to aid the rescue effort The aircraft crashed on military land in a desert area 30 miles from the border with Mexico The military also announced equipment recovery has begun at the site and the investigation is ongoing. The crash was confirmed by Naval Air Facility in El Centro on Wednesday, who investigated the crash. The crash happened about 12.25pm local time, said 1st Lt. Duane Kampa, a 3rd MAW spokesman. Footage from News 11 Yuma showed military personnel and first responders gathering in the desert, with a helicopter flying off to the crash site. Smoke could be faintly seen on the horizon. His girlfriend Emily (pictured together) confirmed his death in a touching Facebook post She wrote: 'My heart is absolutely shattered...I dont have words to explain what I feel or how badly this is tearing me apart already...he had the biggest heart and was always willing to help somebody if they needed' She said 'he left for work yesterday and woke me up and hugged me so tight, he told me he loved me and that was the last time I'd seen my person' There were rumors the plane had been carrying nuclear material when it crashed, but that has since been debunked. 'Contrary to initial reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft.' The MV-22B Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft, built by Boeing, which can carry 24 Marine combat troops, according to Military.com. Boeing says it is 'a joint service multirole combat aircraft' which has both the vertical performance of a helicopter and the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. 'With its rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter,' Boeing explain. 'Once airborne, it can convert to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. First responders and military personnel are seen arriving at the site of Wednesday's crash A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey is pictured in 2012. An aircraft like this crashed on Wednesday 'This combination results in global reach capabilities that allow the V-22 to fill an operational niche unlike any other aircraft.' It have been in use since 2007. The aircraft were first tested in 1989, but the program initially struggled, and there were several crashes during testing that resulted in 30 deaths. Adjustments were made by the Navy and Marine Corps, and it was first deployed in Iraq. Glamis is famed for the Algodones Dunes, 30 miles north of the US-Mexico border. This is where the crash occurred Naval Air Facility El Centro confirmed the crash. The facility is around 30 miles from the crash site Michael Gove has apologised to families of Grenfell Tower victims for the government being 'too slow in acting' and 'behaving in a way which has been insensitive'. The levelling up secretary debated building safety in social housing with MPs today and said that 'shortcuts were made' and there were 'unforgivable decisions', which ultimately put lives at risk and led to the disaster. The Communities Secretary told the Commons: 'Again, I want to apologise to the bereaved, to relatives and survivors, for the fact that the Government over the last five years has sometimes been too slow in acting, but sometimes we have behaved in a way which has been insensitive. 'It is important now that we translate the actions that they have been demanding into real and lasting change.' Mr Gove, 54, added it 'should not have taken a tragedy like the Grenfell Tower fire for us to realise there were problems in our building safety regime and in our regulatory regime'. Michael Gove has apologised to families of Grenfell Tower victims for the government being 'too slow in acting' and 'behaving in a way which has been insensitive' Mr Gove, 54, added it 'should not have taken a tragedy like the Grenfell Tower fire for us to realise there were problems in our building safety regime and in our regulatory regime' He said: 'We know that there were shortcuts when it came to safety, we know that there were unforgivable decisions that were made in the interests of financial engineering which put lives at risk, we also know again in my own department that there were individuals who sought to speak out and to raise concerns, and that those voices were not heeded. 'That is something that must rest on my conscience and the consciences of Government colleagues.' Five years on from the Grenfell Tower disaster, more than 50 high-rise buildings have the same highly-flammable cladding that caused the fire that killed 72 people. Despite a Government target that all dangerous cladding materials should be removed by June 2020, their latest figures show they are still not there. In total, 486 buildings over 18 metres tall were found to contain the aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding identified by the Grenfell Inquiry as the leading cause of the 2017 tragedy. Work is still to be completed on 111 of them while it has not even begun on 31 buildings and 58 still have the cladding intact. Grenfell Tower, where 72 people were killed when a catastrophic fire tore through the building in June 2017, is covered in protective wrapping and hoardings surround the tower site An inquiry into the disaster found that the leading cause of the fire was aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding, which the government wanted to remove from all buildings by 2020 The Grenfell Fire, which began with a malfunctioning fridge-freezer on the fourth floor of the block in Kensington and Chelsea, ended up claiming more lives than any other residential fire since the World War II. Eighteen months later, the Government banned the type of combustible cladding used on Grenfell and vowed to remove what remained. But plans hit a roadblock as leaseholders in some of the affected buildings were required to pay for the repairs themselves. This left many of them stuck in a Catch 22 unable to afford the repairs and unable to sell their properties because of the work required. Now a deal has been done with Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, for 45 homebuilders to pay 2 billion to fix the unsafe cladding. With that, the Government and industry will fully fund the replacement of the cladding, not leaseholders, and firms such as Intelligent FS say they will expand their capacity five-fold to help sort out the problem. Their Executive Director Adam Gallagher said: 'We believe we have a moral duty to ensure all residents who live in tall buildings can go to sleep at night safe in the knowledge that, in the event of a fire breaking out, their home is fitted with fireproof cladding. 'With a large number of buildings still featuring unsafe facades, we want to work with the Government and developers to help ease the burden. 'That's why we are expanding our operations five-fold to gear up for this necessary work. Construction firms such as Altrincham-based Intelligent FS led Adam Gallagher (left) and Rob Williams (right) say they will expand their capacity five-fold to help sort out the problem 'We are keen to start conversations with Ministers, developers, leaseholders and any other parties who would like to take this forward. 'People's safety is our number one priority - that's why we need all UK high-rise buildings to be fitted with the correct cladding.' According to the head of the London Fire Brigade, the problem of dangerous residential buildings goes beyond simply cladding and is even widespread than is currently acknowledged. Last week, their Commissioner Andy Roe called for a 'culture change' when it came to residential buildings, say that over 1,000 of them in the capital alone had serious fire safety failings. His comments came as Home Secretary Priti Patel rejected the recommendation of the Grenfell Inquiry to make it a legal requirement for building owners to have an evacuation plan in place, especially in the case of disabled residents. Instead, there will be a consultation on sharing the location of disabled residents with the fire service but only in the most hazardous of locations. The directors of Intelligent FS say they feel a moral obligation to rid all buildings in the UK of dangerous cladding so that there will not be a repeat of the Grenfell disaster that took 72 lives A Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: 'We continue to see progress in making higher-rise buildings safer, but we are clear more must be done. 'We are actively pursuing building owners who have failed to act to replace unsafe cladding on higher-rise buildings and are accelerating the work of the Building Safety Fund. '45 of the UKs largest developers have now signed a pledge to undertake all necessary life-critical fire-safety work covering both cladding and non-cladding defects on 11m+ buildings they had a role in developing or refurbishing over the past thirty years. These pledges will be converted into legally binding contractual commitments.' While it is true that ground-based solar panels are already making a significant difference in energy generation, the system is frequently hampered by cloud cover, which prevents full-scale power generation. To further utilize the energy that comes from the sun, China has announced plans to construct a solar power plant in space, an ambitious project that several other countries are attempting to achieve, Digital Trends reported. To get around this, Chinese scientists and engineers have been working on a means to build a solar power plant in space that can beam the stored energy down to Earth. How Much Energy Can This Solar Power Plant Produce? The proponents of a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Chinese Space Science and Technology suggest that such a facility could generate six times the amount of energy as one on the ground. The facility is expected to generate about 10 kilowatts of power, considering that it works effectively. However, the researchers noted that it can be scaled up further to produce considerably more energy. How Can Harnessed Power Be Transmitted to Earth? As per South China Morning Post, while China had planned to launch its first solar power transmission technology in 2030, project team members said that technological advances have allowed it to begin testing its equipment in space in 2028. In that year, a satellite would be launched from an altitude of 400 kilometers to test wireless power transfer technologies from orbit to the earth. The researchers claimed in their paper that the "satellite would convert solar energy to microwaves or lasers and direct the energy beams to various targets, including fixed locations on Earth and moving satellites," South China Morning Post report read. Read More: NASA Announces Lunar-VISE, a Moon Explorer Whose Goal is to Solve the Lunar Mystery of the Gruithuisen Domes Other Countries Are Also Considering This Space-Based Technology It was reported the U.S. military has tested similar technology on the X-37B space plane and is proposing a $100 million experiment to power up a remote military base as soon as 2025. On the other hand, NASA, which had put the project on hold for nearly two decades due to the infrastructure's complexity and cost, announced last month that it was working on feasibility studies alongside the U.S. Air Force. In March, the British government said that it was exploring a 16 billion proposal to launch a pilot solar power plant into space by 2035, with the aid of a number of European defense firms, as reported by South China Morning Post. Potential Challenges of the Space-Based Solar Power Plants According to the study, some of the issues of creating a space-based solar power plants include the following: assembling very large infrastructure in orbit with multiple launches effectively cooling various essential components penetrating the atmosphere with high-frequency beams in all weather conditions avoiding harm from asteroids, space debris, or an intentional attack Related Article: China's Shenzhou-14 Mission Has Launched With the Goal of Expanding the Tiangong Space Station The family of the slain Uvalde teacher whose husband died of heart attack days later and the father of a 10-year-old boy also killed in the deadly shooting joined the $100 million lawsuit against the gunman's estate. Injury attorney Thomas Henry, who filed a lawsuit against 18-year-old shooter Salvador Ramos's estate on behalf of four parents whose children were injured in the massacre on May 24, said two more families have signed onto the suit as of Thursday. The new plaintiffs include the families of Robb Elementary School teacher Irma Garcia, 48 - whose husband, Joe, died of a heart attack days later - and Jose Flores Jr., 10, both of whom were among the 21 people killed by Ramos before he died in a shootout with police. Henry said the lawsuit will also focus on holding accountable the school system, law enforcement, social media, and gun and ammunition manufacturers that enabled the shooting to occur. 'We're sending a message to our country, this cannot go on anymore,' Henry said. 'There will be consequences. 'This case is going be about the flaws and errors that led to this tragic loss of life.' Six families of those injured and killed at the Uvalde elementary school massacre filed a $100 million lawsuit against the estate of the shooter, Salvador Ramos (pictured) Joining the lawsuit against Ramos' estate was the family of Robb Elementary School teacher Irma Garcia (right), whose husband, Joe (left), died of a heart attack days later Also signing onto the suit was Jose Flores Sr. (left), whose 10-year-old Son, Jose Jr., was among the 19 kids gunned down by Ramos Among those filing the lawsuit were Christopher Salinas (left), father Samuel, 10, and Oscar Orona (right), father of Noah, 10. Also suing were Cristina Olivarez and Angelica Rodriguez The lawsuit names Ramos' mother, Adriana Reyes, as a potential defendant as the shooter, who was killed by law enforcement, does not yet have official representation over his estate. Along with the families of Garcia and Flores were Christopher Salinas, father of Samuel, 10, Oscar Orona, father of Noah, 10, Cristina Olivarez and Angelica Rodriguez, mother of Leann. Their children were hospitalized after Ramos shot them during the May 24 massacre that also left at least 17 others injured. 'Each of these children have undergone extensive medical care. Some have undergone multiple surgeries,' the lawsuit states. 'They have all suffered severe physical injuries and unimaginable emotional trauma. 'They witnessed their friends and teachers being shot and dying in front of them.' The plaintiffs are accusing Ramos of assault and battery with a deadly weapon and intentional infliction of emotional distress and malice. The families are also demanding a trial by jury. Injury attorney Thomas Henry said the lawsuit would breakdown all the factors involved that led to Ramos killing 21 people before dying in a shootout with police on May 24 Henry said the family would explore possible legal action against 'all responsible parties for possible constitutional rights violations, gun law violations, and violations of laws, policies, and procedures pertaining to school safety.' This could include legal action against local law enforcement who waited about an hour before entering the school after incorrectly believing that Ramos had stopped his rampage and barricaded himself in a classroom when they arrived. The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District could also face legal action after investigators found the back door Ramos entered the school through failed to lock. Henry previously represented several victims of the November 2017 Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church shooting in a lawsuit against the federal government, securing his clients $230 million in a case that has been appealed by the Department of Justice. The Texas attorney added that both the Uvalde and Sutherland Springs lawsuits would also be effective in pressuring lawmakers to pass gun reform laws as a means to crackdown on deadly shootings. 'We will see an effect on future policies as the debate goes on, particularly with age restrictions on buying fire arms,' Henry said. 'Personally, I think it should be set at around 26.' The lawsuit could be the first in a series of suits to come as a result of the shooting after the father of one of the victims announced earlier this week that he has hired the lawyers who helped families from the Sandy Hook school shooting sue a gun-maker for $73 million. Alfred Garza, the father of Uvalde school shooting victim Amerie Jo Garza, has hired the lawyers who won Sandy Hook victim families $73million in a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Remington In his attack he used a rifle manufactured by Daniel Defense, the DDM4 Rifle (pictured) How parents of Sandy Hook victims made Remington payout Remington Arms manufacturer the AR-15, which was used to kill 20 kids and six adults in the 2012 massacre. In the landmark case they agreed to pay the families of victims $73million. There are many federal laws protecting gun companies from litigation. However the lawsuit circumvented these by arguing that the gun-maker promoted sales of the weapon that appealed to troubled men like the killer. They said Remington's marketing of the weapon had violated Connecticut consumer law. Gun industry representatives said the settlement would not set a pattern. Advertisement Alfred Garza, who lost his daughter Amerie, hired lawyers from Connecticut-based firm Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder to represent him in an expected lawsuit against the manufactures of the guns Ramos used in last month's shooting, Daniel Defense. They law firm sued Remington, the company that made the rifle used in the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012, earning their clients $73 million in a landmark settlement. 'We have to honor her and make sure we do good. From this day forward, I want to live my life for my daughter,' Garza told David Muir in a recent 'World News Tonight' interview. 'My purpose for being now is to honor Amerie Jo's memory,' Garza also said in the statement. 'She would want to me to do everything I can so this will never happen again to any other child. I have to fight her fight.' 'Daniel Defense has said that they are praying for the Uvalde families. They should back up those prayers with meaningful action,' said lawyer Josh Koskoff. 'If they really are sincere in their desire to support these families, they will provide the information that Mr. Garza has requested without delay or excuse. Either way, we will do a complete and thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned.' Last Friday, lawyers at Koskoff filed a petition seeking any communications between Daniel Defense and Ramos before his rampage. They have also requested marketing materials from the Georgia-based gun-maker, particularly those that target teens and children. The petition letter is a precursor to a lawsuit that could seek to hold the gun-maker liable despite federal laws protecting gun-makers. Daniel Defense wrote in a post on its website, 'We are deeply saddened by the recent tragic events in Texas. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and community devastated by this evil act. We will cooperate with all federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities in their investigations.' Emilia Marin, a teacher who survived the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, also has filed a petition seeking information from Daniel Defense, CNN said. Removal vans have been spotted outside the controversial 18 million Swiss ski chalet belonging to Prince Andrew, MailOnline can exclusively reveal. The lodge was put up for sale last year by the disgraced Duke who is thought to be using the cash from the sale of his beloved property to fund his pay off to sex abuse victim Virginia Giuffre. It was reported in January that a buyer had been found for the seven bedroom Chalet Helora in the swish resort of Verbier. The Prince has not been to the timber framed lodge for several years but his former wife Sarah Ferguson and their two daughters Beatrice and Eugenie spent New Year there with their families. Removal vans have been spotted outside the controversial 18 million Swiss ski chalet belonging to Prince Andrew The lodge was put up for sale last year by the disgraced Duke who is thought to be using the cash from the sale of his property to settle out of court Neighbours said that a large blue removals van from London based Abels had arrived in the village earlier this week and boxes had been taken from inside into the vehicle. Abels was given a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty the Queen in 1981 and has been carrying out removal services for the Royal Household ever since and has been rewarded for its continued service. No-one at the firm was available to comment but a villager in Verbier said: Its the talk of the place everyone knew it had been sold and now the removal van has turned up. Ive seen some guys shifting boxes and bits of furniture and they have been there all day and they dont look as if they have finished its huge van so I imagine they will be clearing the chalet completely. Andrew, pictured, settled out of court with Virginia Giuffre in March after she claimed she had been sexually abused by him several times in London and the United States A villager in Verbier said: We used to see the Duke and his wife here all the time but in recent years its been Sarah with the children I know they both loved the place and had many wonderful years here' 'I really think it was with a heavy heart they sold it as Sarah used to ski here all the time when she was younger,' said the villager We used to see the Duke and his wife here all the time but in recent years its been Sarah with the children I know they both loved the place and had many wonderful years here. Sarah was here at New Year with her family for the last time and they watched the firework display from the balcony I really think it was with a heavy heart they sold it as Sarah used to ski here all the time when she was younger. However the sight of the removal vans came as reports in local Swiss media suggested that there could still be a legal obstacle to the sale as money was still owed to the previous owners by the Duke and Sarah. According to the reports they still owed two million Swiss francs to a couple they had had a business relationship with - so the sale could not officially go through. Le Temps and Le Matin both said the property had been at the centre of a legal wrangle over an alleged debt since December 15 2021, just eleven days before Sarah and her two daughters arrived with their respective husbands and children. They added: The measure concerns the sum of two million Swiss Francs a debt that Prince Andrew and his wife have with a couple from Verbier, with whom they have a business relationship. The latter has sent them a letter asking for the money back but has not been repaid, Andrew settled out of court with Virginia Giuffre in March after she claimed she had been sexually abused by him several times in London and the United States. No figure was revealed but it was thought to be in the region of 7.5 million and he was also told to pay an unspecified amount to a charity of Virginias choice as well as his own legal bills. Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts stand together with Ghislaine Maxwell in the background in London on March 13, 2001 Buckingham Palace made it clear that the Queen would not be paying so the only option open to the disgraced prince was the sale of the chalet which includes an indoor pool, sauna, boot room and terrace with spectacular views. They bought the lodge from French socialite friend Isabelle de Rouvre for 18 million and she was due to have been paid the balance in instalments but not all were made on time and it thought the seizure is over the missed payments. It is at odds with what she told MailOnline in February that everything was ok and over with the Duke. A source close to the Duke of York told MailOnline: 'Talks are underway to resolve the matter, which are expected to be concluded satisfactorily for all parties, but it in no way prevents the sale of the chalet, which is proceeding and is expected to complete in due course.' A Cincinnati police officer fired for insubordination after getting the words 'Pure' and 'Evil' tattooed on his knuckles is fighting to get his job back. Former Cincinnati police officer Eric Wayda, 50, had the words 'Pure' and 'Evil' tattooed on his knuckles in December 2021. The tattoos violated a department policy that bans officers from getting tattooed on their face, neck, head, or hands. According to police discipline documents obtained by WLWT, on top of being a violation of department policy, the questionable ink was also deemed unprofessional. Former Cincinnati police officer Eric Wayda, 50, is appealing the police department's decision to can him after getting tattooing the words 'Pure' and 'Evil' on his knuckles in December 2021 But Weyda argued that he was not meant to convey that he is personally 'pure evil' but symbolic of the struggle between good and evil 'Officer Weyda's tattoos are a violation that is ongoing and permanent,' Cincinnati police leadership wrote. 'Additionally, Officer Weyda's tattoos do not promote the professional and neutral image of the Cincinnati Police Department and are injurious to the public trust.' After discovering the tattoos Weyda supervisors transferred the 50-year-old to the department's impound lot 'as a temporary measure to limit his exposure to the public,' disciplinary records said. But even then the department received a complaint from a city vendor about his knuckle tats, officials said. During an April pre-disciplinary hearing, Weyda said he did not regret getting his knuckle tattoos but admitted that he made a poor choice of placement, saying: 'I made a bad decision by getting the tattoos on my knuckles.' Weyda, who told investigators he has tattoos covering 95 percent of his body, refused to get the tattoos removed because of costs. He also argued that he was not meant to convey that he is personally 'pure evil' but was symbolic of the struggle between good and evil. Four months after getting the tattoos Weyda was let go from the Cincinnati Police Department for insubordination and failure of good behavior Quite simply, a police officer's hands should be seen a symbol of safety and security rather than a provocative message of depravity and harm,' CPD captain Craig Gregoire said 'To be honest, they have meaning to me, not only where they're at, but what they say,' he said. But CPD captain Craig Gregoire said the tattoos sent the wrong message about Weyda's intentions as an officer of the law. 'Quite simply, a police officer's hands should be seen a symbol of safety and security rather than a provocative message of depravity and harm,' Gregoire wrote in a pre-disciplinary hearing summary, adding 'Officer Weyda's message also has the very real possibility to cause extraordinary damage to police community relations both locally and nationally.' Four months after getting the tattoos Weyda was let go from the department for insubordination and failure of good behavior. Weyda has since made an appeal to the Fraternal Order of Police. 'The FOP represents all Cincinnati police officers when they participate in the grievance process outlined in our collective bargaining agreement, FOP President Dan Hils said in a statement. 'Every officer is entitled to a fair hearing and that's what will take place here.' Weyda was heavily tattooed when he joined the department 2006, but was still in compliance with CPD procedures. In 2013 the department updated its tattoo protocol- disqualifying any candidates with tattoos on their face, head, hand or neck- with some exceptions for already existing neck tattoos. According to the department, Weyda was well aware of the policy but chose to ignore it, getting additional 'irregular geometric pattern' tattoos on his head and neck in addition to the ones on his hands. Weyda had also been disciplined for other infractions, including absenteeism and cursing during phone calls, WLWT.com reported. 2020 was his worst year, with his attendance being deemed 'unacceptable' and his customer service, grooming and dress, teamwork receiving a 'needs improvement' rating. A day of mountaineering on California's Mount Shasta turned tragic when three climbers plummeted thousands of feet, killing a guide and injuring two others. Jillian Elizabeth Webster, 32, of Redmond, Oregon, was assisting a couple to the summit of the dangerous mountain on Monday when one of the climbers slipped, pulling the other two down 1,500 to 2,500 feet of snow and ice, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's department. 'They were tethered together,' sheriff's spokeswoman Courtney Kreider told the San Francisco Gate. Siskiyou County Sheriff's office and the U.S. Forest Service helped six climbers off Mount Shasta this week On Monday alone, five climbers fell thousands of feet down the icy incline of Mount Shasta It was a hazardous day in general on the mountain. In less than 24-hours on Monday, six climbers had to be rescued from the 14,180-foot mountain. Webster's group was above Helen Lake when they fell at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday when the sunlight hit the newly fallen snow on an area called Avalanche Gulch. 'What makes it dangerous right now is the change from really cold to really warm,' Kreider told the Gate. 'We had snow over the weekend, just a little bit of snow, and it created this thin layer of ice in Avalanche Gulch, and when it warms up, that thin layer of ice sloughs off so you have to have really good climbing gear climbing boots that can really dig into ice.' Jillian Elizabeth Webster, 32, a mountain guide, was unresponsive when she fell Monday at Mount Shasta. She was medevacked to an area hospital where she was declared dead A nurse who was climbing the mountain tried to administer first aid to Webster, but she was unresponsive. Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office helped the surviving climbers off the mountain A nurse climbing in the area tried to administer first aid to Webster, but she was unresponsive. She was airlifted via helicopter to Mercy Mount Shasta, but she could not be saved. The male climber in Webster's group suffered head injuries and a compound fracture to his leg, according to Krieder. He has already been released from Mercy Medical Center Redding. The girlfriend remains under observation in the same hospital with a lower leg injury. 'It was just a perfect storm of bad conditions, people on the mountain and inexperience,' U.S. Forest Service lead climbing ranger Nick Meyers told the San Francisco Chronicle. 'Even a total pro would have a tough time stopping or self-arresting with conditions like that.' Dozens of climbers are rescued from the treacherous slopes of Mount Shasta every year At 12:30 on the same day, a male climber also traversing Avalanche Gulch slipped and fell 1,000 feet down the icy incline. He was also medevacked off the mountain and is expected to recover. The rest of his group continued up the mountain, but a 4 p.m. a woman climber in the same party lost her footing and dropped 1,000 vertical feet, Krieder told the Gate. 'It took a couple hours to locate her,' the spokeswoman told the paper. 'They located her shortly after 6 p.m. and airlifted her to a hospital.' The United States Forest Service cautioned climbers to consult with them before tackling the mountain under the shifting conditions. But on Tuesday, a male climber from Long Beach, California had to be rescued from the mountain. 'We work in an environment where things happen,' climbing guide David Cressman told the Mailonline. 'Climbing and weather can change in a matter of hours.' The Forest Service coordinates about a dozen search and rescue operations every year and usually see about one fatality annually, according to Meyers. President Joe Biden met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Thursday at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles - but led their appearance by commenting on the January 6 primetime hearing back in Washington, D.C. 'One of the things that is going to occupy my country tonight, I suspect, is the first open hearings on January the 6th and as I said when it was occurring and subsequent, I think it was a clear, flagrant violation of the Constitution,' Biden said. 'I think these guys and women broke the law - tried to turn around the result of an election.' The president didn't point fingers. 'And there's a lot of question of who's responsible, who's involved,' he said. 'I'm not going to make a judgment on that.' Biden told Trudeau he was just letting him know that 'a lot of Americans are going to be seeing for the first time some of the detail that occurred.' President Joe Biden (right) met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) Thursday at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles - but led their appearance by commenting on the January 6 primetime hearing back in Washington, D.C At the top of his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Joe Biden took a moment to reflect on the upcoming primetime January 6 committee hearing, happening back in D.C. later Thursday night He then turned to his neighbor to the north and noted: 'You and I have a lot to talk about.' 'We're going to be hanging out with each other a fair amount at the G7 at the NATO conference in Spain,' Biden said, referencing back-to-back meetings in Europe scheduled for later this month. 'But today we're engaged in our hemisphere.' 'I think the presumption is safe that we both share the same sense that the possibilies are unlimited,' the American president added. Biden expressed similar optimism as he kicked off his second day at the U.S.-hosted summit by talking to a group of CEOs. 'My wife often reminds me that I had a doctor, who a long time ago, who was saying - I had an aneurysm - he kept saying, "Is it congenital or environmental?" I said I don't care, just get it done,' Biden recalled. President Joe Biden gave a pep talk to CEOs to kick off his schedule Thursday at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles 'He said, "You know what your problem is senator? You're a congenital optimist,"' the president continued. 'But I am, I'm an American, that's why I'm a congenital optimist.' 'So look, I really mean it, we can do anything,' the president added. Biden has been using the summit - which brings together the leaders of North, Central and South American nations - to make a statement about democracy. 'We meet again today in a moment when democracy is under assault around the world, let us unite again and renew our conviction that democracy is not only the defining feature of American history, but the essential ingredient to Americas' future,' the president said Wednesday evening, at a Hollywood-style opening ceremony for the summit. President Joe Biden greeted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with a hug upon his arrival in Los Angeles for the Summit of the Americas on Wednesday President Joe Biden (center right) and First Lady Jill Biden (right) pose for a photo at the start of the Summit of the Americas with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudea (center left) and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (left) Ahead of the summit, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he would boycott the gathering over the U.S.'s plans to not invite the authoritarian heads of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Biden stuck with the snub - and Lopez Obrador made good on not showing. 'Our region is large and diverse. We don't always agree on everything. But because we are democracies, we work through our disagreements with mutual respect and dialogue,' Biden told the crowd Wednesday evening. Trudeau echoed the message during their meeting. 'And the work that we can do on supporting and projecting and sharing our values has a way of actually supporting and impacting citizens around the world to make the case that democracy is not just fairer but its also better for citizens, in terms of putting food on the table, putting futures in front of them,' Trudeau said. Other than Trudeau - who Biden greeted with a hug when the Canadian prime minister arrived for the inaugual ceremony Wednesday - Biden's only other bilateral meeting Thursday is with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. In the run-up to the summit Bolsonaro, nicknamed 'Trump of the Tropics', raised doubts that Biden was indeed the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, echoing his political ally former President Donald Trump's false election fraud claims. Additionally, ahead of his own October race, Bolsonaro has suggested he might not adhere to the result. On the flight to Los Angeles, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan indicated that elections would come up. 'There are no topics off limits in any bilateral the president does, including with President Bolsonaro, first. Second, I do anticipate that the president will discuss open, free, fair, transparent democratic elections,' Sullivan said on board Air Force One. Sullivan was also asked if Biden is pushing democratic themes during his three days in Los Angeles, why he isn't ending the summit with a press conference. 'I think it would be hard to argue that he hasn't taken many, many questions from the press,' Sullivan answered when asked about a lack of press conference. 'He'll be, over the course of the next three days, obviously in front of and addressing the press in various ways.' Biden ignored questions from the press Wednesday morning after reading a statement to reporters about Tuesday night's primary results on Joint Base Andrews' tarmac. He then tripped up the steps of Air Force One. Biden didn't answer shouted questions as he was sitting alongside Trudeau either. He did answer one at the conclusion of a meeting with Caribbean leaders later Thursday. 'And I think by the end of this you can be pretty confident that he will be displaying - putting on full display - America's raucous democracy and all of its wonderful and attractive forms,' Sullivan continued. 'I don't see the kind of formal press conference issue as a particular litmus test,' the top Biden adviser added. Biden did do one formal interview since touching down in California: with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, marking his first in-person late-night interview as president. The U.S. is indirectly paying an airline controlled by the Taliban to fly out Afghans seeking safety, according to a new report, following the chaotic departure of American troops last year. Washington is committed to helping rescue Afghans who helped U.S. forces or who fear for their lives after working for the former government. But with no diplomatic representation in the country it is reliant on Qatar, which maintains relations with the Taliban, to make arrangements to fly Afghans out of the country en route to the U.S. Four sources told NBC News that Qatar is buying plane tickets in bulk from Ariana Afghan Airlines, the countrys state-owned airline. The airline flies twice a week to Doha, with tickets costing around $480 a seat. The U.S. is indirectly paying an airline controlled by the Taliban to fly refugees out of Afghanistan, it emerged on Thursday The rapid advance of the Taliban as U.S. forces withdrew last year triggered a chaotic operation to help vulnerable Afghans find safety From there, the U.S. arranges onward flights. Any suggestion that American taxpayers money is going to the Taliban will be embarrassing to the Biden administration, which has refused to recognize the new government in Kabul. The Taliban suspended refugee flights in January, reportedly angered by the way they were characterized as evacuation flights. But some 2,500 Afghans en route to the U.S. have reportedly flown out since the flights resumed two months ago. 'The United States remains committed to supporting American citizens, lawful permanent residents and our Afghan allies and their families who are eligible to relocate to the United States,' a State Department spokesperson said. 'This is an enduring effort, and the State Department continues to support travel for these individuals out of Afghanistan at this time.' Refugee advocate say about 160,000 Afghans are trying to resettle in the U.S. because of their previous work. The U.S. and allies managed to fly out tens of thousands of people. But tens of thousands more want to leave because of their links to the U.S. government Thousands more qualify for a refugee program because of their ties to U.S.-backed charities or media organizations. The departure of U.S. troops in August last year triggered the chaotic flight of tens of thousands of Afghans who feared retribution from the Taliban. Families descended on the airport amid scenes of chaos after the insurgents captured the capital with barely a fight. Military planes and charters carried more than 70,000 out of the country in a mad scramble before the final American troops left the country at the end of the month. Images of desperate Afghans falling from U.S. planes as they took generated widespread anger that the Biden administration had botched the withdrawal, and that officials had failed to ensure the safety of its allies inside the country. Officials repeatedly said they could not foresee the collapse of the government in Kabul and the Taliban takeover. But a damning watchdog report last month said it was decisions made by successive administration that laid the groundwork for the disaster. The biggest factors in the rapid collapse of Afghanistan's armed forces were the Trump administration's deal with the Taliban to withdraw U.S. troops and contractors from the country followed by Joe Biden's announcement that he was pulling out all U.S. troops, according to a scathing watchdog report. The rapid advance of Taliban fighters surprised the U.S. military and intelligence community. However, in his report the inspector general said the collapse of the Afghan armed forces should have been predicted once U.S. support was withdrawn Taliban fighters from the Fateh Zwak unit celebrated before storming into the Kabul International Airport after U.S. troops had left, securing their hold on the country The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (S.I.G.A.R) found that Afghan forces had been built to reply on U.S. air power as well as contractors to maintain sophisticated weaponry. Doing a deal with the Taliban to pull out, wrote John Sopko, set in motion the collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (A.N.D.S.F.). 'The single most important near-term factor in the A.N.D.S.F.'s collapse was the U.S. decision to withdraw the U.S. military and contractors from Afghanistan through the U.S.-Taliban agreement in February 2020, signed under the Trump Administration and confirmed by President Biden in an April 2021 address to the nation,' he wrote in a report published on Tuesday. 'Many Afghans thought the U.S.-Taliban agreement was an act of bad faith and a signal that the U.S. was handing over Afghanistan to the enemy as it rushed to exit the country; its immediate effect was a dramatic loss in A.N.D.S.F. morale.' President Biden announced in April last year that he was bringing U.S. troops home in time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. He said the war in Afghanistan needed to end after two decades of war that had cost American lives, drained resources and distracted from more important priorities. The Duke of Norfolk is set to go on trial in August after being accused of using a mobile phone while driving. The Duke of Norfolk aka Edward William Fitzalan-Howard organises major state events The duke, 65, whose full name is Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, is alleged to have been driving a BMW on April 7 on Battersea Park Road in south-west London. He was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) for services to the monarchy in the honours announced in June for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Under his hereditary title Earl Marshal which dates back to the 16th century, he is responsible for organising major state events such as coronations and state funerals. This means that upon the death of the Sovereign, he will organise the funeral as well as the accession and coronation of the new monarch. He appeared as Edward William, The Duke of Norfolk on a magistrates' court list in May with his address listed as Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Medieval Arundel Castle dates back to 1067 but has been restored since it was built during the reign of Edward the Confessor straight after the Norman Conquest. The charge stated that shortly before 4.15pm he drove a BMW 'when he was at the time using a hand-held device...namely a mobile device'. Battersea Park Road in South West London where the alleged incident occured Arundel Castle which once housed Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard The offence falls under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. A Bromley Magistrates' Court official confirmed a summons had been issued for a trial to take place on August 4 at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court. Albanian national has been jailed for his role in a people smuggling operation which saw migrants almost drown off the Devon coast An Albanian national has been jailed for his role in a people smuggling operation after eight migrants almost drowned when the boat sunk off the Devon coast. Illegal immigrant and smuggler Indrit Barhani acted as middleman and fixer between an organised crime gang in Belgium and yacht skipper James Wisbey who crammed the Albanians onto his 27-foot sloop Sea Crystal. Barhani arranged payment for repairs to the yacht's engine before the trip took place on December 14, 2020. The migrants were picked up from the French coast and taken across the Channel in Wisbey's yacht. But the group almost drowned when the overloaded and under-powered yacht was caught in a storm off the Devon coast. Authorities, who had monitored the journey after becoming suspicious, watched as the ill-equipped boat almost founder in mountainous seas before Wisbey ran it aground at Horse Cove, Teignmouth, Devon, a court heard. The terrified passengers scrambled ashore and crossed the main Paddington to Plymouth railway line before climbing a cliff, where they were arrested by Border Force agents and police. The final stages of the doomed trip were monitored by police and coastguards, who filmed the yacht from a helicopter as it was driven ashore by gale force winds. The migrants, who had all paid 20,000 Euros for the trip, were squeezed into a tiny cabin and had almost nothing to eat or drink during their journey. At an earlier hearing, the court heard Wisbey stopped one migrant from calling 999 and asking for help as the Sea Crystal struggled to head for the shore. Caught on camera: Police, who had monitored the trip after becoming suspicious, watched as the ill-equipped boat almost founder in mountainous seas before Wisbey ran it aground James Wisbey, aged 56, (left) and accomplice Faye Miles, aged 39, (right) both from Plymouth, were jailed for five years, four months, and two years respectively at an earlier hearing There were no life jackets and minimal safety equipment onboard the boat which had just one double sleeping berth, a small saloon and a single marine toilet. Barhani, who was smuggled into the UK on a lorry in 2014, was traced through his phone contacts with Wisbey, who was paid 20,000, and police then found other messages arranging to get the migrants to the boat. Barhani, 33, of London, admitted conspiracy to break immigration rules and was jailed for four years and two months by Judge Timothy Rose at Exeter Crown Court. He will face deportation when his sentence comes to an end. Wisbey, aged 56, and accomplice Faye Miles, aged 39, both from Plymouth, were jailed for five years, four months, and two years respectively at an earlier hearing. The Judge told Barhani: 'Everyone knows that this is a very dangerous enterprise indeed. No matter what boats or craft are being used, peoples' lives are put at risk.' Colombian presidential candidate Rodolfo Hernandez said on Thursday he will be canceling all of his remaining in-person appearances at campaign events because an alleged an assassination plot against him. Hernandez, 77, is running neck and neck against leftist Gustavo Petro, who has also previously denounced threats on his life. A national police spokesman said they had no information about threats against the Hernandez but were investigating. 'I am certain that my life is at risk,' the septuagenarian said on Twitter in a series of posts about a leaked video showing a Petro advisor discussing strategy. Colombian presidential candidate Rodolfo Hernandez greets his supporters during a tour of the Malecon as a campaign event, in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Wednesday. He revealed through a series of tweets Thursday that there is a plan to have him assassinated. He blamed the campaign of his rival Gustavo Petro, whom he will face in a June 19 runoff, indicating a leaked video showed a Petro advisor discussing strategy Rodolfo Hernandez took to Twitter on Thursday while on a press tour in Miami to reveal he would cancel in-person campaign appearances due to an assassination plot Hernandez, who is holding a press tour with American networks in Miami, referred to Petro and his supporters as a 'criminal gang.' 'What was evident in these videos is that they have no limits, that they are willing to do anything to get to power, to go over anyone, to break any principle,' Hernandez said. Hernandez revealed that the plotters planned to stab instead of shooting him at an airport or conference hall, according to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo. 'Why the knife? Because it turns out that people go to the airport to meet me or to a conference room like this and you have to go in,' he explained. 'There they put four or five (bodyguards) to protect me, but when there are 500 (people) pushing ... They are telling me that they are going to stab me and I am so jinxed that I don't die and I stay in a wheelchair ...' Rodolfo Hernandez also said that the plotters planned to stab instead of shooting him at an airport or conference hall, according to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo Ex-rebel Gustavo Petro, who is running to become Colombia's next president, said the alleged plot to kill his opponent, Rodolfo Hernandez, is proof his campaign is being targete. Petro says the video is proof his campaign is being targeted. All of Hernandez's remaining in-person appearances will be canceled, his campaign said in a statement. A rally planned in the Colombia capital of Bogota rally will go on as planned Saturday, with the candidate appearing virtually. Petro canceled events in the country's coffee region in May after his office said there was a plot by a gang to assassinate him. The government eventually provided Petro with additional security and the police - who initially said they had no information on the plot - said they would investigate. Hernandez is a civil engineer who says he amassed a fortune of $100 million via his construction company. He has built a presence on TikTok throughout his campaign, pledging to shrink government, provide drug addicts with free narcotics to destroy the drug trade and fully implement a 2016 peace deal with leftist rebels. Though he has employed fiery rhetoric against corruption, Hernandez is under investigation for allegedly intervening in a trash collection tender while mayor of Bucaramanga to benefit a company his son had lobbied for. He denies the accusations. Hernandez won 28.2 percent of votes in a first election round, beating establishment favorite Federico Gutierrez for second place in a surprise result. Petro, long forecast to win the first round, won 40.3 percent. The ex-rebel and current senator has promised a generous package of social measures to right profound inequality. The two candidates must cease all public events from Sunday, ahead of the runoff vote on June 19. Pictured: Labour peer Lord West of Spithead, who served as First Sea Lord, has warned that Britain's armed forces are too weak Britain's armed forces are too weak to prevent war or protect the nation in the event of conflict, a former top military commander has warned. Making the bleak assessment, Labour peer Lord West of Spithead, who served as First Sea Lord from 2002-06, highlighted the chronic underfunding faced by the services, which he argued were 'too small'. Lord West said it was 'probable' there will be a war in the future but that the armed forces 'lack the equipment and manpower to keep us safe'. He was speaking as peers debated at Westminster the impact of the conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, leading to heightened international tensions. Earlier this year, defence secretary Ben Wallace announced a major shake-up of the armed forces. In March, he confirmed a 10,000 troop cut to the British Army, claiming new technology meant 'greater effect can be delivered by few people'. Mr Wallace said the overall number of soldiers will shrink to 72,500 by 2025 as he hit out at critics for playing 'top trumps' over military numbers amid widespread criticism of the move. Lord West told the Parliament: 'Despite all sorts of intentions there has been a lack of funding in defence for many years and, looking to the future, that lack of funding has been exacerbated by the assumption of what are very illusory efficiency savings, because they just will not happen. 'Spending money on defence clearly is very hard for governments in our cosy, secure society, but the reason we are in a cosy, secure society is because we spend money on defence. 'There's considerable truth in the view that wars are won not on the battlefield but by building up military capability beforehand. 'It's noticed by competitors, particularly dictators, and therefore it prevents war, but it takes time. Lord West, a former top military commander, highlighted chronic underfunding of services 'Many of us have warned of chronic underfunding and we have been told time and again we were wrong. 'The reality is our armed forces are too weak to prevent war ... and if there is war, and I am afraid one day there probably will, they lack the equipment and manpower to keep us safe. 'Our army, navy and air force are too small. They lack the ability to withstand the inevitable attrition and are insufficiently equipped with state-of-the-art, fully maintained and sufficient core stocks for the inevitably high war usage rates.' Cutting the size of the army is a 'step too far', Lord West told Parliament. The Labour former security minister said: 'Numbers do matter, whether it's ships, aircraft or people. The reduction of the army to 72,500 is a step too far. 'There seems to be a belief in Government that future wars will be fought solely in cyberspace using advanced technologies ... and there's no need for traditional military equipment and numbers. That is dangerously simplistic nonsense. How big are the UK's Armed Forces and how do they compare with other countries? The total strength of the full-time UK Armed Forces was estimated at 156,600 at the start of January this year, according to a House of Commons Library briefing. Just over half of those people serve in the Army (56 per cent) with the remainder equally split between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Just over 30,000 of those personnel were officers and 126,400 were other ranks. At the start of this year all branches of the Armed Forces were below a Government target set in 2015. The full-time trained strength was just over 135,000 - that is almost 9,000 lower than the target for 2020. An international comparison of total armed forces personnel shows the UK already trails significantly behind some of its global counterparts. Data published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank stated the UK's overall fighting force was 148,450 in 2018. That was significantly lower than neighbouring France with 304,800. The United States had 1.38million, Russia had 1.5million and China had 2.7million. Advertisement 'Clearly those new things are very important to the way we fight war, but you need more than that.' He added: 'The advantages of hi-tech in helping the Ukrainians have been highlighted in this recent conflict, but the Ukrainians still need boots on the ground. 'The steady pressure of heavy forces is grinding them down. We ignore that at our peril. Tanks, for example, are not redundant. 'The fact that so much effort and expense is put into destroying them shows that they remain important on the battlefield.' He added: 'The Government have a choice over whether we spend what is required to ensure the safety of our nation in defence terms, to stop world war, look after our dependencies and our people, or not. At present, I believe they are getting the choice wrong.' Lord West went on: 'With war raging in Europe and possibly extending to a world war, there is a need for an immediate uplift in defence spending.' It comes as the former head of the armed forces, Lord Stirrup, also warned that Nato's ammunition stocks are 'inadequate'. He insisted that production must be ramped up to ensure the alliance is capable of defending itself. The independent crossbench peer told the House: 'The war in Ukraine has reminded those of those who may have forgotten of the appalling rate at which munitions are expended in high-intensity conflict. 'For too many years we and other Nato nations have taken too much risk with our munitions stocks. 'They were already adequate and they have rightly been depleted further because of the need to supply Ukraine. 'We now need a concerted effort to bring ammunition stocks across all three services not just back to where they were, but to where they should have been in the first place and we must press our Nato allies to do the same.' Disneyland's Jungle Cruise ride is one of the amusement park's more popular rides since 1955. Yes. You've read that right. The ride's been with the park ever since it was first opened to the public on July 17, 1955, according to Time. As such, if it could talk, the ride can tell you how much the amusement park has changed since then. However, with the changing of the times, certain norms and ideas become obsolete or sometimes outright offensive. For instance, a part of the ride is being requested by more than a handful of people to be changed to fit the idea of the time. Here is a brief history of Disneyland's Jungle Cruise ride and the problem that would later become attached to it: Disneyland Jungle Cruise Ride - A Brief History Disneyland's Jungle Cruise ride was part of Disneyland's roster of rides since its first opening day, making it one of the park's oldest rides to exist. According to All Ears, the ride's origin dates to the late 1940s, when Walt Disney Pictures began production on its "True-Life Adventures" series, which became successful as it went from two-reel shorts into a full-length documentary. Disney wanted to capitalize on the series' success, and with the idea of Disneyland being born in his mind, he thought of building a ride that was inspired by it. As such, Disneyland's Jungle Cruise ride was meant to be initially known as "True Life-Adventureland," but was eventually shortened to just "Adventureland." Adventureland had the makings of today's Jungle Cruise ride, with its centerpiece being a "jungle river cruise" boat ride, which would have live animals to enhance it, per the Disney Fandom. However, due to safety concerns and obvious reasons, the live animals were replaced by audio-animatronics. Read More: Elon Musk Threatens To Abandon $44 Billion Twitter Deal What's His Reason? Or Is There One? The ride was eventually enhanced by Bill Evans, who is responsible for the amusement park's landscaping, and Harper Goff, who designed the ride's vehicles after the steamer used in the 1951 film "The African Queen." Marc Davis, the creator of Disneyland's various attractions which include the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and It's a Small World, also added his style to the ride in the 1990s. Back then, he added the ride's "Indian Elephant Bathing Pool" and "Trapped Safari" sections. Jungle Cruise Ride's Criticism And Calls For Change However, over time, new ideas became more popular, which eventually convinced Disney to remodel some of the rides it has in Disneyland, such as its Splash Mountain attraction. Jungle Cruise is no stranger to criticism due to it depicting some native populations as headhunters, which were placed next to piles of human skulls, per IGN. One character, Trader Sam, was portrayed as primitive and dangerous, even carrying shrunken heads, and was known as the "head salesman." According to the ride's skipper, Trader Sam has a special for those who wish to buy his wares, "just two of his heads for one of [the audience's]." The ride also includes insensitive period language since the ride was set during the 1930s, in which such language would be less controversial. The notion that indigenous people are dangerous and should be feared, not to mention the language used to describe them, now carries an offensive connotation in our time. And so, people have been calling on Disney to change this particular part of the ride to get with the times. Thankfully, Disney did change them in 2021. According to USA Today, Disney removed the racially insensitive parts (including the language) and replaced them with joke-telling boat skippers and a story more inclusive and less radically insensitive in its depiction of other cultures. Related Article: Did You Know That Some Disneyland Opening Day Rides Are Actually Still There? The Air Force revealed there's a design flaw in former President Donald Trump's wish to paint the presidential plane in his signature red, white and dark blue colors. Trump's plan for the two new 747s being built into flying White Houses called for the underside of the plane and its engine area to be painted dark blue. But that could contribute to excessive temperatures on the plane, a problem that Boeing would have to pay out-of-pocket to fix, Politico reported. Boeing has already lost nearly $1.1 billion so far in converting two 747 aircraft into new Air Force Ones and its CEO has expressed regret at taking on the project at Trump's terms. President Joe Biden's White House has not decided whether it will keep Trump's color scheme or revert the design back to the traditional baby blue and white it now bares. Trump's design - that features a dark blue under carriage - may require the plane to incorporate some modifications to cool some of its components, a source told Politico. Trump revealed his redesign in 2019. The new color scheme resembles the color scheme of Trump's personal Boeing 757, which 2016 campaign crowds called 'Trump Force One.' The model of the new Air Force One design - with its red, white and blue livery - was displayed in President Donald Trump's Oval Office; now Boeing could have to pay for a design flaw - the dark blue covers the engine area and could make plane hotter President Joe Biden will decide whether to keep Donald Trump's new paint job for the presidential plane or switch it back to the traditional baby blue and white Meanwhile, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said in April that the company should have refused Trump's terms for building the two new presidential planes. There are two as the presidential plane always needs a backup. The company had announced that it had lost $660 million in the project to convert two 747 airliners. The presidential plane contains classified communication gear to allow the president to be in constant communication with the outside world and features special items like a surgery suite. Unlike a normal 747, the plane has its own retractable stairways, for the rear entrance and the front entrance. And its own baggage loader so it can be entirely self servicable if it needs to be. It also has an in-flight refueling system that gives it the ability to stay up in the air indefinitely. Trump's deal involved a fixed price of $3.9 billion, leaving Boeing to foot the bill for any design changes or ballooning costs. 'Air Force One I'm just going to call a very unique moment, a very unique negotiation, a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably should not have taken,' Calhoun said, 'but we are where we are, and we're going to deliver great airplanes.' Trump's personal Boeing 757, dubbed 'Trump Force One' by reporters and campaign crowds, has a similar color scheme to what he's proposing for the government Jackie Kennnedy, the first lady at the time, worked with an industrial designer on the look and feel of the jets that the last 11 presidents have flown on. The design was modified slightly for the different body shape of the double deck 747-200Bs which now fly as Air Force One Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said in April that the company should have refused Trump's terms for building the two new presidential planes Since the 1940s, seven different plane types have been specifically designed to carry the American president - the 747 (see above) has been in use since the 1990s Trump took a close interest in plans for the new presidential airplane although it won't be delivered until 2024, meaning he would never have gotten to use it. A model of the new design took pride of place in the Oval Office, on the coffee table by the fireplace where he often showed it off to guests. The work on the two 747s is taking place in San Antonio, Texas. The last Air Force One reboot came during John F. Kennedy's presidency when industrial designer Raymond Loewy worked with first lady Jackie Kennedy on a sky blue and cyan motif. That design stayed when the converted Boeing 747-200 planes that President Biden flies on were placed into service in 1990. 'Air Force One' isn't really a specific plane. It's the radio call sign of any aircraft the President of the United States is aboard. But the name has become shorthand of the specific jumbo jet that attracts attention and photographers wherever it lands. A rare color picture showing John and Jackie Kennedy in front of the Air Force One design which they oversaw. The photograph was taken when they landed in San Antonio, Texas, the day before JFK was assassinated. Air Force One at the time was a Boeing 707 History of Air Force One In 1943, officials became concerned about the president traveling on commercial airlines. A C-54 Skymaster was converted for presidential use, carrying Franklin D. Roosevelt to Yalta in 1945 before it was used by Harry Truman. The call sign was created in 1953 after a Lockheed Constellation, named Columbine II, was almost destroyed. Dwight Eisenhower was on board when air traffic controllers confused flight numbers of Eastern Airlines flight 8610 and the presidential craft, which at the time was called Air Force 8610. Officials thought it was wise to use the name 'Air Force One' to prevent an event like that happening in the future The first Lockheed Constellation was replaced by another, Columbine III, and then two Boeing 707s from the 1960s. Since 1990, two customized Boeing 747-200Bs have been used. Advertisement Soon after taking office, Trump publicly criticized 'out of control' costs of Boeing's then deal to build a new presidential plane. 'Cancel order,' he tweeted. The result was that Dennis Muilenburg, then Boeing CEO, personally negotiated terms with the president at the White House and at Trump's Florida resort of Mar-a-Lago. Trump trumpeted the fixed-price agreement in 2018. 'Boeing gave us a good deal,' he said. 'And we were able to take that.' Boeing also spoke favorably about the deal at the time. 'Boeing is proud to build the next generation of Air Force One, providing American presidents with a flying White House at outstanding value to taxpayers,' the company tweeted. 'President Trump negotiated a good deal on behalf of the American people.' But last year Boeing sued a subcontractor that it blamed for delays. In April, Boeing officials said the pandemic and supply-chain issues have also slowed the work. Boeing promised to deliver the planes by December 2024. The company said the new Air Force Ones will be based on its 747-8 series. And Calhoun said he did not want any more fixed-price contracts. Since the 1940s, seven different plane types have been specifically designed to carry the American president. The grandfather of a 26-year-old man accused of wanting to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh defended his grandson as a 'good kid' on Wednesday. Nicholas John Roske, 26, was charged with attempted murder of a federal judge and faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, according to Maryland authorities. Federal agents raided his Simi Valley, California home on Wednesday night after Roske was arrested shortly before 2am that same day nearby the home Kavanaugh shares with his wife and two daughters in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Local television stations captured the FBI ramming in what appears to be Roske's door. Dan Shannon, his grandfather, told CBS Los Angeles that the incident was 'of course, extremely' out of character for Roske. 'He's a good kid,' Shannon said, reportedly unaware of what his grandson was accused of. Roske's neighbors were also apparently shocked. 'They were always nice people so it's a surprise more than anything,' one told the local CBS station. Another person said, 'I think that it's a scary time we live in and people really need to look out for one another and mental health is a big issue going on in the world.' Dan Shannon is reportedly the grandfather of the 26-year-old accused of hatching a plot to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He only briefly spoke with CBS Los Angeles before excusing himself FBI agents rammed down the door to Roske's Simi Valley, California home on Wednesday night Roske allegedly turned up to Kavanaugh's Maryland home with a disturbing arsenal of weapons including a handgun, tactical gear, a knife and zip ties. Montgomery County law enforcement said he took a tax to just outside of Kavanaugh's home just after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, then proceeded to walk away where he called 911 on himself. In his call to emergency services, Roske revealed that he was armed with a gun, had taken a cab to Kavanaugh's home and 'needs psychiatric help,' NBC reports. He told cops he purchased the lethal equipment 'for the purpose of breaking into the justice's residence and killing the justice as well as himself,' according to court documents. Nicholas John Roske, 26, has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly threatening to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh Protesters returned to Kavanaugh's home hours after the arrest on Wednesday while the FBI searched Roske's home on the West Coast. A bipartisan bill that would have expanded security to the justices also stalled in the House after it was passed in the Senate. 'Roske allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas,' Maryland officials said. He was charged with attempted murder of a US judge and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. An accompanying court filing also states Roske was armed with a 'black tactical chest rig and tactical knife, a Glock 17 pistol with two magazines and ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, screwdriver, nail punch, crow bar, pistol light, duct tape, hiking boots with padding on the outside of the soles, and other items.' Officials suggest Roske took a taxi cab to the front of Kavanaugh's home after finding his address online. Two Deputy US Marshals saw him exit the vehicle at 1:05 am and look their way before walking down the street. Roske turned himself in by calling 911 while in Kavanaugh's neighborhood, and informing them that he was armed and suicidal. He told responding authorities that he wanted to kill a 'specific Supreme Court justice,' the filing states. Roske (left and right) allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. He is pictured left and right in older photos FBI agents are seen inside Roske's Simi Valley, California, home on Wednesday night after he was arrested for the alleged assassination plot Protesters returned to Kavanaugh's Maryland home just hours after Roske was arrested while carrying a disturbing arsenal of weapons and equipment A woman holding a 'liar' sign with Kavanaugh's face on it and another saying 'mind your own uterus' walk outside his home on Wednesday night A dog watches from the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as protesters march past on Wednesday night after the arrest He was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Supreme Court spokesperson Patricia McCabe confirmed to DailyMail.com in a statement. 'At approximately 1:50 a.m. today, a man was arrested near Justice Kavanaughs residence. The man was armed and made threats against Justice Kavanaugh. He was transported to Montgomery County Police 2nd District,' she said. A man was arrested after having told police he wanted to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh It follows a string of protests across the country over abortion rights - including outside of Supreme Court justices' homes - that has also seen churches, pro-life centers and abortion clinics come under attack from those with opposing views. Republicans in Congress that pressured the White House to take a stronger stance against the demonstrations now accuse the administration of fostering the conditions which allowed the incident to occur. People familiar with the investigation told the Washington Post that the man was also upset over the recent slew of mass shootings across the country that's claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks. It's not clear if Kavanaugh or his family were home at the time. DailyMail.com reached out to the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland for comment but was referred to the FBI for specific details on the suspect. The FBI said they had no additional information to provide. The man was arrested on a street nearby Kavanaugh's Maryland home, where his wife and daughters also live Kavanaugh's confirmation to the court under Donald Trump ignited a firestorm of controversy after he was accused of sexual assault by a former high school acquaintance. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made an ominous warning to Kavanaugh in relation to abortion rights in March 2020. 'I want to tell you Kavanaugh...You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions,' Schumer said. He's one of three justices Trump added to the court to form its conservative supermajority at a time when it is facing its most politically-charged docket in decades. Tensions have run high on both sides of the aisle ever since Politico published the leaked opinion draft indicating that the high court's conservative majority considered siding with Mississippi officials in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. The state had asked the court to lower the abortion limit to 15 weeks before asking the court to scuttle those protections granted by Roe v. Wade altogether. Kavanaugh's home had been among those targeted by peaceful protests in the wake of the bombshell Supreme Court leak (pictured: an abortion rights demonstration outside of Kavanaugh's Chevy Chase, Maryland home on May 18) Growing animosity between pro-life and pro-choice factions were among the reasons that forced the Department of Homeland Security to issue a 'heightened threat advisory' warning of increased violent incidents caused by extremist groups and lone wolf actors. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' it stated. Earlier this week a pro-life group's offices was firebombed and graffitied by arsonists in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. Around the same time, an abortion clinic was vandalized in North Carolina. Initial fallout from the leaked memo involved peaceful demonstrations outside of the Supreme Court and even outside of justices' homes - which Republican lawmakers warned could lead to violence against the jurists themselves. Kavanaugh and his wife are the parents of two young daughters. They all reside in the home that was apparently targeted by the suspect After mounting pressure over its silence the Biden administration was finally forced to issue a statement endorsing the 'Constitutional right to protest' while also issuing a condemnation for 'violence, threats or vandalism.' 'Judges perform an incredibly important function in our society, and they must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety,' said Jen Psaki, President Joe Biden's press secretary at the time. DHS issues warning of 'mass casualty violence' over tension on Supreme Court abortion decision The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a 'heightened threat advisory' on Tuesday, warning of an increased risk of 'mass casualty violence' nationwide fueled by extremist ideologies and personal beliefs. Among the drivers is the 'proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding current events,' which includes the national divide over the leaked Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. 'Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,' DHS states. Advertisement White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'President Biden condemns the actions of this individual in the strongest terms, and is grateful to law enforcement for quickly taking him into custody.' 'As the President has consistently made clear, public officialsincluding judgesmust be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety or that of their families,' Bates said. Speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell denounced the 'disturbing' incident and blamed other public figures' 'unhinged, reckless, apocalyptic rhetoric' in an indirect jab at Democrats' outrage over the Roe draft. McConnell directed the most blame toward the leak itself, which Republicans for weeks have decried as the utmost breach of institutional trust. He called the threat on Kavanaugh's safety 'exactly the kind of event that many feared that the terrible breach of the court's rules and norms could fuel.' The Kentucky Republican demanded that House Democrats pass a Senate bill aimed at enhancing police protection for Justices amid the leak's fallout. 'House Democrats need to stop their multi-week blockade against the Supreme Court security bill and pass it before the sun sets today,' he said. Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Minority Whip, said during a press conference: 'You saw from the White House on down to encourage people to go homes, the private homes of Supreme Court justices. It is a dangerous trend.' 'Exercising First Amendment rights is one thing. Encouraging people to go to the homes of Supreme Court justices. You see where that can lead? And it's a shame. Thank God law enforcement was able to arrest the man who was intending on committing that action,' Scalise said. Rep. Darrell Issa of California said the alleged plot to attack Kavanaugh was 'a stark reminder of how the reckless rhetoric of this Administration and Democrat partisans can incite others to violence.' 'Its time for Democrats to finally condemn the hate they have brought to the front doors of justices and their families and provide them the protection they so obviously need,' the Republican lawmaker said. Attorney General Merrick Garland also condemned the incident, declaring that attacks against Justices of the Supreme Court 'strike at the heart of our democracy.' 'We will do everything we can to prevent them,' he vowed at a press conference on Wednesday. Microsoft is set to become one of the first major US employers to disclose salary ranges for all its job postings in America, in a step to boost transparency for jobseekers. The move announced on Wednesday follows a new law in Microsoft's home state of Washington, which will require such disclosures on new job postings starting next year. A slew of such laws have been recently passed or newly proposed in various states, meaning companies that span multiple jurisdictions may soon make similar moves to disclose salary bands to potential applicants. Microsoft said it would start adding salary information to all public and internal job postings starting no later than January 2023. Microsoft is set to become one of the first major US employers to disclose salary ranges for all its job postings in America Microsoft, which like many companies has struggled to attract top talent in a tight labor market, recently vowed to boost merit raises and stock awards. The new salary disclosure law in Washington follows a similar one in Colorado. New York City recently adopted such a measure, which is expected to take effect in November. In California, employers are required to disclose salary upon request after an initial interview. Massachusetts has advanced a similar bill that would require salary disclosure on request. Some of the rules conceivably apply to remote work that could be done in the jurisdiction where they apply, meaning salary disclosure is likely to become widespread. In related moves, Microsoft also said on Wednesday it will stop enforcing existing non-compete clauses in the United States, while also committing to a civil rights audit of its workforce policies in 2023. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is seen above. New laws in several states mean that salary disclosures are likely to become much more widespread in coming years The Redmond, Washington-based software firm said changes to the enforcement of non-compete clauses would not apply to the company's most senior leadership. Microsoft added the civil rights audit of its workforce policies and practices would be conducted by a third party and a report would be published. It would also no longer include confidentiality language in its U.S. settlement and separation agreements that prohibits workers from disclosing conduct they perceive as illegal. The company had last week said it would not resist unionization efforts from its employees in a sign of growing receptiveness in the tech sector that has been for long unconcerned about organized labor. Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is revealing for the first time the extent of her revulsion at former President Donald Trump's inability to 'do what he could have done' to try to counter the events of January 6th, she said in a new interview. DeVos resigned her post on Jan. 7, 2020 calling the riot the previous day and Trump's rhetoric an 'inflection point.' Now in a new interview promoting a book, she says she discussed using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office and says she faulted Trump for failing to 'address the situation.' She even raised the 25th Amendment issue directly with Vice President Mike Pence, who would have become temporary president had the amendment procedures actually been carried out. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos raised the 25th Amendment issue directly with Vice President Mike Pence after Jan. 6th, she said 'When I observed what was happening that day, I thought about kids across the country and what they were seeing, and I just felt that there were things that the president could have done to stop the activity, to turn it back, to avoid all of the things that ensued,' she said. 'And it was just a bridge too far when he turned his back also on his vice president. And so I just, my job in Washington was done. I could do no more significant more on behalf of kids. And so that was the inflection point for me.' 'And then when I saw what was happening on Jan. 6 and didn't see the president step in and do what he could have done to turn it back or slow it down or really address the situation, it was just obvious to me that I couldn't continue,' she told USA Today in an interview. Under the 25th Amendment, the executive officers can vote that a president is unable to perform their duties, and the vice president steps in temporarily DeVos spoke hours before the prime time Jan. 6 hearing She exited right after Transportation Sec. Elaine Chao, who is married to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) 'I was thinking about the kids I was there to represent, and what they are seeing and what they are taking away from this it was not defensible in any way.' 'The resignation came at a time when I knew my job was finished,' she said, with a copy of her forthcoming book propped up in the background. She said 'more than a few people' inside the White House had considered the 25th Amendment. Trump would spend weeks claiming election fraud, failed to participate in a transition for weeks, and skipped Joe Biden's inauguration. She says she spoke to Vice President Mike Pence, who Trump faulted for failing to show 'courage' by refusing to count votes certified by states. 'I spoke with the vice president and just let him know I was there to do whatever he wanted and needed me to do or help with, and he made it very clear that he was not going to go in that direction or that path,' she said. 'I had conversations with a number of my colleagues,' she said. 'And then importantly I also spoke with the vice president.' 'He made clear to me that that was not a direction that he was going to move in. When that was clear ...that was not going to transpire, that was not going to happen. Those were really the conversations. I was intent on finding out what we needed to know and how we would proceed or not proceed on anything,' she said. There was reporting at the time that if skeptics within Trump's cabinet quit en masse, it would remove the ability to try to use the 25th Amendment, which allows the cabinet to vote that the president is 'unable to discharge the duties of his office,' setting up a vote in Congress. 'I spoke with colleagues. I wanted to get a better understanding of the law itself and see if it was applicable in this case. There were more than a few people who had those conversations internally,' she said. She also wrote about the episode in a book, 'Hostages No More: The Fight for Education Freedom and the Future of the American Child.' In it, she complains that Trump's election overturn effort got in the way of acting on a school choice agenda. 'It wasn't about the election results. It was about the values and image of the United States. It was about public service rising above self. The president had lost sight of that,' she wrote. 'A lot of what happened after the election sort of put roadblocks in the way of doing any major additional work, so I really felt that everything I could accomplish in office had been accomplished based on that reality and that dynamic.' Her resignation letter pointed to a break with Trump, even while praising his 'many accomplishments.' 'We should be highlighting and celebrating your Administration's many accomplishments on behalf of the American people,' she wrote. 'Instead, we are left to clean up the mess cause by violent protestors overrunning the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to undermine the people's business. That behavior was unconscionable for our country. There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me.' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Rep. Matt Gaetz a 'bad haircut in a cheap suit' after the Florida Republican suggested that Rep. Jamie Raskin's son's death by suicide made the congressman bitter and unfit to serve. 'What I worry about for the Congress and for Jamie Raskin - no one would ever want to lose a child - particularly to suicide. As a human being our hearts go out to him but I think that he takes that trauma and he associates it now with his work in Congress,' Gaetz said on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's podcast, MTG Live. Gaetz said of Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and member of the House Jan. 6 committee: 'He's unable to do the sort of congressional experience outside of the dungeon of that personal trauma.' Raskin's son Tommy Raskin died by suicide at the age of 25 on New Year's Eve 2021 after a bout with depression. '[Raskin] is a greater statesman, Congressman, human being than most of us. History will remember him. Tommy was a remarkable person and testament of his parents love. Gaetz is a bad haircut in a cheap suit, a feat of mediocrity given that hes here on papas money. Bye,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter. After Tommy's death, Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., announced she would be going vegetarian for lent to honor the outspoken vegan and animal rights activist. .@RepRaskin is a greater statesman, Congressman, human being than most of us. History will remember him. Tommy was a remarkable person and testament of his parents love. Gaetz is a bad haircut in a cheap suit, a feat of mediocrity given that hes here on papas money. Bye https://t.co/3S2cX40nO1 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 9, 2022 Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Rep. Matt Gaetz a 'bad haircut in a cheap suit' after the Florida Republican suggested that Rep. Jamie Raskin's son's death by suicide made the congressman bitter and unfit to serve Gaetz said of Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and member of the House Jan. 6 committee: 'He's unable to do the sort of congressional experience outside of the dungeon of that personal trauma' Raskin's son, Tommy, 25, was an outspoken vegan and animal rights activist who took his own life on New Year's Eve following a battle with depression 'I think it makes him look at everything and he's very like dark in severe ways,' Gaetz sounded off. Gaetz said that he and Greene came to Congress to 'uplift,' while Raskin was there out of a sence of 'grievance or hatred.' 'We come to the job and we're here to uplift people. We love this country, we're not here out of a sense of grievance or hatred. We love America.' 'It's really like his service in the congress is almost become inextricably attached to this sad personal trauma he's had and I think it does cloud his judgment and we could see that,' Gaetz continued. In a particularly low move, Matt Gaetz attacked January 6th committee member Rep. Jamie Raskin as being unable to do his job due to losing his own child to suicide. Gaetz: The country shouldnt have to go through all that with him. pic.twitter.com/pfhGwHPg7F PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) June 8, 2022 Gaetz said that he and Rep. Marjorie Greene came to Congress to 'uplift,' while Raskin was there out of a sence of 'grievance or hatred' 'The country shouldnt have to go through all that with him,' Gaetz concluded. Greene held back from going after Raskin for his son's death. 'It's a horrible thing what he went through but that doesn't change the fact of his political beliefs and I believe he's a communist,' she said. Other Democrats sounded off about the clip too. 'Repulsive,' Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., wrote on Twitter. 'Its particularly rich to see two people who have no sense of their own roles and responsibilities as members of Congress badmouth @RepRaskin a true patriot and public servant. @GOPLeader will you defend this too? Or just pretend you havent seen the clip?' she added, tagging Leader Kevin McCarthy. New York Democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler added on Twitter: '@RepRaskin is a wonderful father, a selfless public servant and an American hero in every sense of the word. Matt Gaetz should strive to be even half of the patriot and kindhearted human being that Mr. Raskin is.' Raskin is a Democratic member of the Jan. 6 committee, which is holding its first public hearing Thursday evening at 8 p.m. Republicans have slammed the committee's work as a political 'sham.' Gaetz himself is currently under investigation for obstruction of justice related to a sex trafficking investigation into him. Gaetz's former pal Joel Greenberg, a Florida county tax commissioner, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges and is reportedly cooperating with the Justice Department's investigation into Gaetz. Greenberg has told the DOJ about encounters he and Gaetz had with women who were given cash or gifts in exchange for sex, according to CNN. An ex-girlfriend of Gaetz testified earlier this year before the grand jury. Leading Senate Democrats on Thursday urged U.S. intelligence agencies to be ready for Russian disinformation campaigns as the nation prepares for midterm elections in November. At stake is control of the House and the Senate, as the Democratic party tries to stave off expected losses. Senior Trump allies quickly dismissed the warning as another attempt to tie Republicans to Russia or explain away defeat. But a grand jury has charged 12 Russian military intelligence officers with efforts to sway the 2016 presidential election against Hillary Clinton. And a group of 17 Senate Democrats led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, and Sen. Jack Reed, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to senior defense and intelligence officials setting out their concerns that Russia's invasion of Ukraine only makes a disinformation campaign more likely. 'As the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to an increase in Russian disinformation and warnings of potential cyberattacks, we urge you to ensure that your agencies are prepared to quickly and effectively counter Russian influence campaigns targeting the 2022 elections' they write. 'Experts have warned that the increase in Russian disinformation and cyber threats creates a security concern for U.S. elections and that Russia will likely view the 2022 elections as a "ripe target" for influence operations.' President Vladimir Putin ordered a Russian campaign to swing the 2016 election in Donald Trump's favor, according to U.S. intelligence agencies. Now Senate Democrats are urging national security officials to be ready for any effort to sway the 2020 midterms Led by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Jack Reed, they warn that Russia's destructive war in Ukraine only increases the chances of a Russian disinformation campaign Some 17 Democratic senators wrote to key intelligence and security officials setting out their concerns about the danger of Russian interference in the midterms 'As the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to an increase in Russian disinformation and warnings of potential cyberattacks, we urge you to ensure that your agencies are prepared to quickly and effectively counter Russian influence campaigns targeting the 2022 elections' they write in their letter to intelligence and security chiefs The letter was sent to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray, and Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command General Paul Nakasone. The Russian operation in 2016 included hacking into the Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee servers, before leaking embarrassing emails, according to the indictments. Hackers also tried to compromise state election systems, including voter registration databases, while troll farms spewed out fake news. An investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee concluded that Russia ran a massive campaign to try to tip the scales in Donald Trump's favor and that it was carried out under the express orders of President Vladimir Putin. But claims that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian effort were never substantiated and he and his allies have accused intelligence agencies and investigators of running a witch hunt. On Thursday, his allies quickly cried foul at the fresh warning. His son, Donald Trump Jr, said on Twitter: 'Here we go again folks.' Donald Trump Jr. was among the Trump allies to cry foul over the warning Mike Shields, former chief of staff for the Republican National Committee, suggested interference was only a worry when Democrats lost. '2016 - rigged. 2020 - not rigged. how dare you say elections are rigged,' he tweeted. '2022 - we're going to lose. rigged.' With President Joe Biden mired in crisis, and with his ratings well underwater, his party is expected to lose control of the House and possibly the Senate too. In their letter, the senators praised the way the administration had worked to reveal Russian covert actions and influence operations around its war in Ukraine. And said they hoped for action to counter midterm interference. 'Our democracy has been a shining beacon for the world and as we continue to assist Ukraine and our European allies, we must also be vigilant in guarding against threats to our own system of government,' they wrote. 'With primaries underway for the 2022 midterm election cycle and ongoing preparations for the November general election, it is vital that the federal government does everything in its power to ensure the integrity of our elections against foreign threats.' Massive queues have formed at Australia's two busiest airports with a warning to holidaymakers to arrive three hours early to avoid the chaos sparked by staff shortages and an influx of passengers. Thousands of passengers have been forced to wait hours to check-in as long lines formed in the terminals and stretched out the door at Sydney Airport at 6am on Friday. Some 80,000 travellers are expected to pass through the airport throughout the day with another 97,000 travelling through Melbourne Airport - leading to similar scenes of chaos in the early hours of the morning. Airline workers are bracing for their busiest day since the start of the Covid pandemic and have been struggling to cope with the massive influx of travellers as staff shortages cripple the industry. Sydney Airport is set to host a jobs fair next Thursday in the hopes of filling in 5000 vacancies in just three weeks to avoid more chaos during the upcoming school holidays. Massive queues have formed at Sydney Airport sparking travel chaos ahead of the long weekend Travellers have been told to arrive two to three hours before their departure time as airport staff struggle to cope with the massive influx. Greens senator David Shoebridge was among the crowd waiting to board a flight from Sydney to Melbourne. 'Another holiday and another meltdown at Sydney's privatised airport,' he wrote on Twitter. 'Massive queue for bag drop then another one for security. They knew in advance how many people were coming because they sold tickets.' One traveller headed to Melbourne described the scenes of chaos as 'stressful'. Another person wrote on Twitter: 'Allow some extra time if you're heading to the Sydney airport this morning. 'Long check-in lines as thousands are expected to travel for the long weekend.' One holidaymaker said they had arrived three hours early and still weren't certain if they would make their flight. '#Sydney airport is utter bedlam this morning,' she wrote. 'Bag drops are even melting down, queues to join queues. Glad Im here 3 hours early but still may not make it.' Sydney Airport will hold a massive jobs fair next Thursday as it 'urgently' recruits staff to cope with the influx of passengers hoping to get away after two years of border closures from the Covid pandemic. Security, baggage handling, government agencies, airlines, hospitality and retail are among the roles that will be advertised. This is Melbourne airport this morning ahead of the long weekend. 97 thousand people are expected to travel today - the largest number since the pandemic @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/Q6RsbGpo2j Cassie Zervos (@cassiezervos) June 9, 2022 Thousands of passengers have been forced to wait hours to check-in as long lines formed in the terminals and stretched out the door at 6am on Friday Travellers have been told to arrive at least two hours before their departure time as airport staff struggle to cope with the massive influx There are around 800 businesses all operating at Sydney Airport, with masks mandatory inside the terminals. The fair will run between the hours of 10am and 4pm and is taking place in the T1 International Terminal. 'The jobs fair will give you an opportunity to talk to different employers at the airport. Over 40 businesses will be joining us on the day,' the airport said. The urgent callout for staff comes after countless passengers complained about huge wait times before boarding their flights, and even longer delays trying to get their passports. At the end of April passengers at Sydney Airport were seen waiting in lines that stretched to up to 300 metres long, as queues snaked around the security checkpoints. Similar delays were seen earlier that month for travellers planning a trip for the start of school holidays with queues stretching to one kilometre long. Melbourne airport right now pic.twitter.com/iA54rg3O7p Julia Bradley (@_juliabradley) June 9, 2022 At the end of April passengers were seen waiting in lines that stretched to up to 300 metres long, as queues snaked around the security checkpoints A huge queue of travellers is seen at Sydney Airport in April Passengers complained of missing their flights while some claimed the long hold-up in the terminals was worsened by queue jumpers barging to the front of the lines. Airport bosses blamed school holidays, a shortage of security personnel and, remarkably, forgetful passengers out of the habit of removing items from their luggage for scanning. More recently those wanting to travel abroad have been set back by massive delays in getting their passports, or having them renewed. Some have been waiting three months to get their passports, with many fearing they'll have to postpone or cancel their holidays altogether. Sydney university student Ed Andronicus has been waiting nine weeks for his new passport which he needs when he travels to Bali next month. A technical glitch at the city's passport office on Tuesday made it all the more difficult, with some residents waiting all day just to be turned away. With 2.4million passports expiring over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, processing times have doubled since October (pictured, lines outside the Sydney passport office) A computer system crash added to the chaos at Sydney Passport Office on Tuesday 'Been waiting at Sydney passport office for almost nine hours today. No communication about what is going on, people being turned away who have been waiting all day with flights tomorrow, because the printers have been turned off now (they were meant to close at 4pm). Appalling,' one woman fumed. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advised holidaymakers to allow six weeks for their new passport, however many say they have waited longer. Sydney's passport office usually receives 7,000 to 9,000 applications every week, however requests in recent months have ballooned to 12,000. It was a similar story at the Melbourne office, where desperate Aussies - including mothers with children - have spent three hours waiting in the cold. A DFAT spokeswoman has since apologised for the delays and said waiting times should level out 'over the coming weeks'. President Joe Biden recently voiced his displeasure to reporters traveling with him on what he sees as the 'quality and tenor of press coverage,' which he said was too focused on his low poll numbers and not the country's economic recovery. On Wednesday, Politico reported on an off-the-record chat Biden had with journalists on board Air Force One while traveling out west, where he voiced these frustrations. But they were apparent, too, in comments he made during his trip to Los Angeles for this week's Summit of the Americas. On Thursday, he called out the press for taking him too literally and seriously - after talking about how 'sensationalized' the coverage has become to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel Wednesday. 'I've only been president for a year and a half but every time I walk in a room and everybody stands up I think there may be a fire or something,' he told a roomful of. CEOs to kick off his second day at the conference of North, Central and South American leaders. 'Press that was a joke,' he said. 'That was a joke.' President Joe Biden (left) has been complaining about his press coverage. During an interview Wednesday with Jimmy Kimmel (right) he told the host: 'even the really good reporters' are trying to get 'clicks' so everything gets 'sensationalized' 'Press that was a joke. That was a joke,' President Joe Biden said to reporters Thursday after he told an audience of CEOS: 'I've only been president for a year and a half but every time I walk in a room and everybody stands up I think there may be a fire or something' On his Wednesday night appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which he pretaped earlier Wednesday upon his arrival in Los Angeles, Biden talked about the media's treatment of him as well. 'Look how the press has changed,' Biden told Kimmel. 'With notable exceptions, even the really good reporters, they have to get a number of clicks on nightly news. So instead of asking a question - anyway, it's just everything gets sensationalized,' the president added. 'But Im convinced we can get through this.' Kimmel voiced his own frustrations on how things were going, asking Biden why it was so hard to make progress on issues like gun control, climate change and abortion rights. 'What a terrible job you have,' the late-night show host told the president. 'I'm glad you're doing it. But, boy oh boy, does this seem like a bad gig.' Kimmel pleaded with Biden to 'start yelling at people.' Biden's appearance with Kimmel rounded out two weeks of using pop culture figures to round out his message. On May 31, K-pop band BTS held court in the press briefing room and then spent time with the president, denouncing the wave of anti-Asian hate crimes that ticked up during the coronavirus pandemic. And then on Tuesday, actor Matthew McConaughey delivered a message from the White House podium to lawmakers to toughen up gun laws after spending days with the victims' families of the Uvalde, Texas mass elementary school shooting. McConaughey grew up in the Texas town. At the same time, Biden has eschewed more typical meetings with the press. There's no press conference this week to mark the conclusion of the Summit of the Americas. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan pushed back when a reporter on board Air Force One Wednesday asked what it said about democracy and the White House's commitment to the freedom of the press by not scheduling a formal Q&A with the president. 'I think it would be hard to argue that he hasn't taken many, many questions from the press,' Sullivan said. 'He'll be, over the course of the next three days, obviously in front of and addressing the press in various ways.' 'And I think by the end of this you can be pretty confident that he will be displaying - putting on full display - America's raucous democracy and all of its wonderful and attractive forms,' Sullivan continued. 'I don't see the kind of formal press conference issue as a particular litmus test.' By Thursday afternoon, Biden had taken just one question from reporters, answering, 'no,' when asked if he was concerned that some leaders had boycotted the U.S.-hosted summit over his refusal to invite three authoriatrian leaders from the western hemisphere. Priti Patel may be forced to release migrants from detention if the first Rwanda charter flight is blocked by a series of legal challenges today. Up to 130 foreign nationals who have been told they have been selected for the inaugural flight on Tuesday have been held in immigration detention centres to prevent them absconding. But if legal action in the High Court is successful, even temporarily, they are likely to be freed and either fitted with electronic tags or ordered to regularly attend reporting centres. Existing laws set out how foreign nationals can only be detained if there is a realistic prospect of removing them from this country. A coalition of charities and a trade union which represents thousands of UK Border Force staff has applied for an injunction to halt the flight. They are also seeking a judicial review of the policy in a case due for a preliminary hearing today. Pictured: Sixteen migrants from Afghanistan on board a dinghy seen heading for the UK The Home Secretary insists the 120million Rwanda deal will save lives in the Channel and help break human traffickers business model Last night, yet more challenges were lodged by group Asylum Aid. It is seeking an urgent interim injunction by the High Court to stop any removal flights until a full judicial review of the policy has been carried out. The Home Secretary insists the 120million Rwanda deal will save lives in the Channel and help break human traffickers business model. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said yesterday: We remain confident in our position, should the legal challenges require us going to the courts we will argue our case. Tory MP Peter Bone, in the Commons, called for new legislation allowing deportations to Rwanda to be brought immediately if measures are stopped by the courts. Commons Leader Mark Spencer said the Home Secretary remained committed to tackling Channel smuggling. The Public and Commercial Services union submitted an application for a High Court injunction alongside charities Care4Calais and Detention Action earlier this week. The law firm acting for them, Duncan Lewis Solicitors, has a long track record of bringing challenges against government immigration measures. Yesterdays separate challenges by Asylum Aid were lodged by law firm Leigh Day, with a legal team featuring several barristers from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers former chambers, Doughty Street. Set in a quiet suburb on the outskirts of the capital city, Kigali, the Desir Resort Hotel has a swimming pool, an outside bar and restaurant and spa facilities The charity has asked judges to hear their claim alongside the case due to take place today. Chief executive Kerry Smith said: This Governments attempt to punish vulnerable people seeking asylum because it doesnt approve of the way they reached our shores is simply unlawful. The Law Society also made clear its opposition to Rwanda scheme yesterday. The solicitors professional body said the policy appeared to breach the Refugee Convention and the selection of migrants for the scheme may be discriminatory. The asylum deal will see irregular migrants those who arrived by small boats or in the back of lorries handed a one-way ticket to Rwandas capital Kigali. They will claim asylum there instead of in the UK with a support package from the British taxpayer. Some senior officials have privately conceded that the Rwanda policy is novel and contentious. Anti-Brexit peers have warned Boris Johnson they will obstruct legislation to over-ride parts of the Northern Ireland protocol. Ken Clarke said a controversial Bill to be unveiled by ministers early next week will be seriously challenged in the Lords. The Tory former chancellor, a strong supporter of the EU, expects a very large majority of peers will hold it up for a considerable time. As part of Brexit negotiations, the UK and EU agreed to the Northern Ireland protocol, which is designed to avoid the need for a border on the island of Ireland. But this has led to disruption to goods crossing the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with new checks imposed on those moving to the province. Ken Clarke said a controversial Bill to be unveiled by ministers early next week will be seriously challenged in the Lords Concerns also have been raised that Northern Irelands place within the UK is being undermined, with the DUP blocking the formation of a power-sharing executive at Stormont until the issue is resolved. The British Government intends to use domestic law to unilaterally over-ride aspects of the post-Brexit arrangements to reduce the checks required. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is expected to publish the legislation early next week. Downing Street said yesterday it remained confident the Bill is lawful under international law, but Lord Clarke said: I think it will be seriously challenged in the Lords. I personally, I am afraid, usually vote against the Government when they are trying to break the rule of law. I do think in the modern world we need a rules-based international order in which countries reach agreements and then stick to them. I do not think the Government should be allowed to negotiate a treaty, tell the public that it is a fine treaty, the perfect Brexit, get it ratified by Parliament, and then almost immediately start trying to break it. The British Government intends to use domestic law to unilaterally over-ride aspects of the post-Brexit arrangements to reduce the checks required. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is expected to publish the legislation early next week. A lorry is pictured leaving Larne port in February I expect to find a very large majority of the House of Lords will hold it up for a considerable time. In November 2020, peers inflicted on the Government the largest defeat in more than two decades over its threat to renege on parts of the UKs Withdrawal Agreement with the EU. Tory grandees including Michael Howard joined the revolt as the Lords voted by 433 to 165 to strip out key clauses of the Internal Market Bill. Lord Howard last night said he expected the new legislation will undoubtedly encounter a rocky road in the Lords. Tim Berners-Lee is a scientist and academic who was named one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Important People of the 20th Century." Let's take a look at the life of the man who created the World Wide Web, whose visionary and revolutionary work has influenced practically every area of our lives. The Inventor of the World Wide Web The British scientist, who was born on 8 June 1955, first described the concept of a global system in 1980 while working at CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Geneva, as per BBC. This is based on the concept of "hypertext," which allows researchers to exchange data from anywhere. He also created an "Enquire" prototype. He published "Information Management: A Proposal" in 1984, in which he combined hypertext and the Internet to establish a system for sharing and disseminating information not just within a company, but globally. And that is how the World Wide Web was born. According to Vanity Fair, Berners-Lee's invention was originally intended to aid scientists in sharing data over an obscure network known as the Internet. However, as he had decided to share the source code for free, it immediately took on a life of its own. He did this in order to make the Web an open and democratic platform for all. Read More: Having Difficulty Writing? Check Out These 7 Useful Google Chrome Extensions To Help You Make Amazing Contents! Challenges on the World Wide Web Vanity Fair also mentioned that Berners-Lee has spent most of his life attempting to protect his creation, despite the fact that he never directly profited from it. He saw that the Web's epic potential will drastically disrupt governments, businesses, and societies. He also saw his creation as having the capacity to ruin worlds in the wrong hands. With the different cybersecurity attacks that are common today, we can tell that his prophecy came true. Other Inventions, Awards and Achievements Because of his massive impact on the world, the creator of the World Wide Web was actually presented various awards. However, did you know that the World Wide Web is not the only thing that Berners-Lee had discovered and founded? Below are some of his achievements throughout the years (via BBC and Web Foundation): He was the inventor of the first web browser and editor He co-founded the Open Data Institute (ODI) in 2012, which promotes open data in the UK and around the world He is a founding director of the World Wide Web Foundation, an organization that aims to ensure the web serves humanity He is the Director of the World Wide Web Consortium, which he established in 1994 to help the web reach its full potential Knighted by H.M. Queen Elizabeth in 2004 In 2004, he received the Finland Millennium Prize Elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009 He played a starring role in the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics Awarded the first Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering in 2013 Awarded the A.M. Turing Award in 2016, which is also known as "computing's Nobel Prize" He was awarded the UK's Order of Merit, which is a personal gift of the monarch limited to just 24 living recipients, in 2017 He has been awarded more than ten honorary doctorates Internet Hall of Fame member An Oxford University graduate who currently holds academic posts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) and the University of Oxford Related Article: Want To Start Living a Healthier Lifestyle? Check Out These 7 Vegan and Vegetarian Apps! Vladimir Putin has compared himself to Russian tyrant Peter the Great as he bragged about 'reclaiming' land in Sweden in a chilling new threat to European security. Putin, speaking on the 350th anniversary of Tsar Peter's birth yesterday, referenced the Great Northern War which saw an anti-Sweden coalition - led by Moscow - smash the Swedish empire and establish Russia as a new imperial power in Europe. 'It seemed [Peter] was fighting with Sweden and seizing territories,' Putin told his audience, a smirk on his face, as he spoke about the founding of St Petersburg on land once held by Sweden. 'He wasn't seizing anything! He was taking it back!' Dropping another historical reference, this time to the Battle of Narva in modern-day Estonia which opened the war, he continued: 'Why did he go there? He went there to take it back and to strengthen it, that's what he was doing. 'It has fallen to us to take back and strengthen. And if we take these values as fundamental to our existence, we will prevail in the issues we are facing.' Putin's words will be viewed as both a thinly-veiled threat to the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania which fear he will launch war on them once he is done with Ukraine, and to Sweden and Finland as the two countries bid to join NATO. Stockholm and Helsinki submitted NATO applications after watching Putin ride roughshod over security agreements between Ukraine and Russia with his invasion - fearing their own agreements with Moscow were now effectively worthless. Vladimir Putin has compared himself to Peter the Great in a speech to mark 350 years since the birth of the man who founded the Russian Empire Putin made thinly-veiled threats to Sweden and Estonia in his speech, which will jangle the nerves of Baltic leaders who fear they are next on his hit-list after Ukraine Tsar Peter I waged wars against the Swedish in the Baltics which smashed Stockholm's empire and established Russia as one of the great European powers The pair had been hoping for fast-tracked entry into the alliance - granting them the benefit of its mutual defence pledge - but they have been left in a precarious position after Turkey's President Erdogan held up their bids. Ukraine had been similarly hoping to join NATO before Russia attacked, and the ambition was used by Putin to justify his attack. As Putin spoke, Russian warships began training exercises in the Baltic Sea while Finland's President Sauli Niinisto was due to meet with Sweden's King Carl Gustav XVI and Queen Silvia on the lightly-defended island of Aland. Niinisto - a close friend of Putin's who was warned by the Russian leader he was making a 'mistake' by applying to NATO - abruptly cancelled the meeting and flew home with his wife. Helsinki denied the move had anything to do with Putin's comments or the Russian military drills, but it will do little to calm the nerves of Baltic nations who fear they are next on Putin's hit-list once the war in Ukraine is over. The Aland islands are a Swedish-speaking part of Finland that sit at the mouth of the Bay of Bothnia, which separates the two countries. They have been demilitarised since the Aland War in the 1850s between Britain and France on one side and Russia the other, which took place against the larger backdrop of the Crimean War in the Black Sea. It would be - along with the Swedish island of Gotland - a key strategic battleground in the Baltic Sea should Russia decide to take preemptive action against its Scandinavian neighbours over their bids to join NATO. Russian Baltic Fleet Zubr-class Landing Craft Air Cushions - hovercrafts - and some corvettes had been spotted heading out from the heavily militarised Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, located between Poland and Lithuania. Although the guests at the 100th anniversary celebratory dinner for Aland's autonomy were forewarned that their Finnish host may have to leave suddenly, they had been originally expected to stay for the gala concert at the end of the evening. Sources in Sweden downplayed the suddenness of the king's exit, saying the departure time was pre-planned. As Putin spoke, Russia launched naval war games in the Baltics from Kaliningrad as Finland's President was due to meet Sweden's King on the Aland Islands - a summit which was cancelled Finland denied that President Niinisto (right) called off a meal with Karl Gustaf (left) due to security concerns, but it will do little to settle jangling nerves around the Baltic Sea The Baltic has been transformed into a hub of military activity in recent weeks, with two Finnish F/A-18 Hornet jets taking part in operations of the Joint Expeditionary Force training event with a pair of British Typhoons over Helsinki today. And while a hot war rages a thousand miles to the south in the Donbas region of Ukraine, the Baltic is also a hair-trigger situation that could escalate. Last month Boris Johnson agreed a major new military pact with Sweden and Finland that would see the UK come to their aid militarily should they be attacked by Putin's forces while they apply to join NATO. Asked whether British troops could be sent to Finland in the event of a Russian invasion, the PM had said: 'Yes, we will come to each other's assistance including with military assistance.' Putin's claim to be re-taking historically Russian lands has underpinned his reasoning for launching what he calls a 'special military operation' in Ukraine, including an embittered speech he gave on the eve of attack denying the country's right to exist. Twisting history to suit his own ends, the Russian depot had branded Ukraine an 'historical accident' created by 'mistakes' of Soviet leaders - Nikita Khrushchev chief among them - the he is set on 'correcting'. Putin asserts that modern-day Ukraine is a state in thrall to fascist Nazi ideology that threatens the existence of ethnic Russians living there with 'genocide'. He cynically claims his 'operation' - which has killed tens of thousands of civilians, many of them ethnic Russians - is designed to save those people from extinction. Though Putin now maintains his goal is 'liberation' of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, which historically has the strongest ties to Russia, in fact his true goal is widely believed to be control of the entirety of Ukraine. That fact was revealed by a state media article, published in error in the early days of the war, which declared victory over the whole of Ukraine and hailed Putin for smashing the established global order and returning Russia to great-power status. Putin's critics argued at the time that the Russian leader was harking back to Russia's imperialist days with his war of conquest - making his comparison with Tsar Peter all the more poignant. Sweden, Finland and the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania fear that Putin will march his army into the region once he is finished with Ukraine (pictured) Fears that scenes of destruction visited on Ukraine (pictured) will be brought to Scandinavia is what prompted Sweden and Finland to apply for NATO membership Firefighters in Kharkiv extinguish a blaze started by Russian bombs dropped on the city overnight, as bitter fighting continues in the Donbas Putin - in keeping with his view of Ukrainians as 'little Russians' with no history of statehood - had expected the Ukrainian army to fold within days of invasion, but has in fact been dragged into a prolonged and bloody war of attrition. After failing in an audacious initial bid to take Kyiv, Putin's generals have been forced to recalibrate and refocus their efforts on seizing Donbas - the eastern industrial heartland that directly borders Russia. They are currently locked into a bitter battle for the city of Severodonetsk - which sits on the east bank of the strategically-important Donets River - with control shifting from one side to the other on a near-daily basis. Ukraine concedes losing more than 100 troops each day in the fight, but insists that Russian losses are worse as battles rage street-to-street. Long-range artillery battles vaguely reminiscent of the First Word War have also become a defining feature of the fight, with Donbas's open fields now pock-marked by shell holes. Should Putin succeed in his mission to take the Donbas, it could embolden him to push further - along the Black Sea coast through Odesa to the region of Moldova where Russia troops have been stationed for years - in a major challenge to NATO. In a worst-case scenario, victory in the east could prompt him to renew his attacks westwards in the hopes of taking the whole country - bringing his troops to NATO's doorstep in Poland. But, should he lose the battle, it would put his personal survival in doubt and perhaps even threaten the future of Russia as a whole. A Ukrainian soldier crouches on a position during heavy battles in the front line in Severodonetsk, the Luhansk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2022 A Ukrainian soldier stands in a position during heavy fighting on the front line in Severodonetsk Viewed in this context, Putin's comparison to Tsar Peter is particularly chilling. Born in 1672 into an age of exploration and conquest, Pyotr Alekseyevich - 14th son of Tsar Alexis - ruled Russian jointly with his elder half-brother Ivan V until Ivan's death in 1696, after which he ruled alone as Tsar Peter I. Schooled in western Europe's progressive ideas and with advisers drawn from overseas, he sought to modernise Russia by updating the military, society and the nobility to rival the other great powers. Tsar Peter remodelled the army to make Russia a feared maritime power, encouraged his relatives to marry into European royalty, and introduced Western styles of dress at court - including banning beards. This prompted rebellions from traditionalists which were brutally repressed, and led Peter into wars of expansion with the Swedish, Ottomans, Persians. As head of an alliance of anti-Swedish states, Peter's Great Northern War saw Stockholm's empire crushed and Russia expand westwards towards the Baltic Sea - granting Moscow access to valuable ports and trading routes. The city of St Petersburg, named after Tsar Peter, was established in 1703 in the midst of this campaign on land that Sweden once occupied and became Russia's imperial capital for more than 200 years. Peter also fought his way to the Black Sea further to the south, including a failed campaign against the Ottomans who by then were sheltering Charles XII of Sweden, and to the Caspian Sea further east in a war with Persia. By the time of his death in 1725, Peter had massively expanded Russia's borders on to territory which it controls to this day, reformed society, and established the country as one of Europe's great powers. Though prone to tyranny - including having his own son tortured to death for fear he was plotting against him - he is widely recognised as one of Russia's greatest rulers and a defining figure in world history. Strike action across Europe threatens to wreak further havoc on summer getaways following half-term flight chaos. Unions representing Ryanair crew in Spain said yesterday they had no option but to call for a walk-out after the carrier abandoned pay talks. The move raises the prospect of more misery for travellers, many of whom are still stuck at holiday destinations after their flights home were cancelled. An estimated 10,000 passengers were grounded yesterday as easyJet pulled another 60 flights. The boss of Heathrow has already warned of up to 18 months of disruption as the aviation industry struggles to recruit and train staff to replace those let go during the pandemic. Yesterday consumer groups responded by calling for tougher action against airlines that fail to switch passengers to another carrier. Rory Boland of Which? Travel said it was totally unacceptable that easyJet customers had seen their holiday plans thrown into chaos at the last minute. Paris Charles de Gaulle airport employees march with trade union flags as they stage a strike to demand higher wages at Roissy Charles De Gaulle Airport. Unions across Europe ahve announced they are staging a walkout over the summer, further disrupting travel He added: The cavalier approach some airlines are currently taking toward their customers is a reminder of why passenger rights must be strengthened. Mr Boland said the Civil Aviation Authority should be given direct fining powers to hold airlines to account when they flout the law. One father told yesterday how his child had to urinate in a plastic bag as his family endured a two-hour security queue at Manchester Airport ahead of a flight to Berlin. In Italy, crews from Ryanair and easyJet walked off the job on Wednesday, while workers at Frances Charles de Gaulle airport went on strike yesterday for more pay, with a quarter of flights cancelled. In Spain two unions representing Ryanair cabin crew yesterday threatened to cause disruption this summer after Europes biggest budget airline walked away from pay talks. They have previously warned of co-ordinated action with colleagues in Italy, France, Portugal and Belgium. BA travellers face more disruption because the GMB union is balloting Heathrow check-in staff and ground handlers over pay. Ryanair last night insisted it had reached agreement with 90 per cent of its workers, including with Spains biggest union. It branded the threats from smaller unions a distraction from their own failures to deliver agreements adding that we do not expect widespread disruption this summer. EasyJet apologised to stranded passengers, blaming the strikes in Italy and France. The Daily Mail reported yesterday that air fares could rise by nearly 10 per cent this summer, partly through higher fuel costs. Police have seized 100,000 a day from UK gangsters since cracking their Enigma code. As well as netting 76,914,575 over two years, officers have made 2,864 arrests, a rate of nearly four suspects a day. Encrochat a secret phone network used by crime lords around the world was cracked in 2020 by an elite team of French and Dutch agents. The UKs National Crime Agency compared the achievement to breaking Nazi Germanys Enigma code and meant officers could snoop on the conversations of gangsters as they plotted executions, kidnappings, drug smuggling and money laundering. So far 1,571 suspects have been charged and 383 have been convicted, many of whom had no choice but to plead guilty in the face of overwhelming evidence. EncroChat was seen as unbreakable until June 13 last year when a warning was sent to users telling them its servers had been hacked by a government unit Among those arrested have been a number of corrupt police officers and individuals in other law enforcement agencies suspected of helping gangs to flood Britains streets with drugs and weapons. The NCA said yesterday that the infiltration of EncroChat had led to 9,296kg of class A drugs and 8,938kg of cannabis being recovered. Officers have also recovered 170 firearms and 3,404 rounds of ammunition, including submachine guns and hand grenades. It is estimated that around 10,000 criminals in the UK used the EncroChat instant messaging system. Developed in the Netherlands exclusively for the criminal market, it boasted being the most secure network in the world. It cost 1,500 for a six-month contract and was designed to frustrate police with a self-destruct system and a panic password to wipe data. EncroChat had been considered unbreakable until June 13 last year when a warning was sent to users telling them its servers had been hacked by a government unit. It then emerged that police and law enforcement agencies around Europe had been secretly reading millions of instant messages practically over the shoulders of suspects. Police have made 2,864 arrests, so nearly four suspects a day thanks to cracking the code Court convictions include that of underworld armourer Umair Zaheer, 34, who called himself Assassins Creed after the violent video game because of his bloody trade selling assault weapons. Nikki Holland, the NCAs director of investigations, said of the breakthrough: It was like having an inside person in every top organised crime group in the country. We have cracked the Enigma code. Demand for overseas homes in Spain has soared and is now at its highest level in four years. The number of buyer enquiries for a home in Spain was up 36 per cent in April this year compared to a year earlier, according to Rightmove. Although that compares to a time when Britain was still under lockdown travel restrictions, Rightmove added that Spanish property purchases by Britons in the first three months of this year were the highest since 2018 and up 16 per cent on 2019, the year before the pandemic. The number of British buyer enquiries for a home in Spain is up 36 per cent in a year, according to Rightmove This five-bedroom villa in Islantilla, Spain, is for sale for 669,000, the equivalent of 572,653 via IAD Espana estate agents The property website said Spain has seen biggest jump in buyer enquiries of any country in the month. It refused to give exact numbers for the number of people contacting estate agents and only revealed the percentage increases. It comes as Rightmove said buyer demand across all overseas countries is up 18 per cent compared to last year. It said that new data from the Spanish Registrars - the Spanish equivalent of the Land Registry - shows that the number of British buyer transactions in Spain is at its highest level since 2018. The number of transactions from British buyers in Spain in the first three months of the year was 73 per cent higher than the same period last year, and 16 per cent higher than the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. British buyers continue to be the biggest overseas market for Spain, accounting for 12 per cent of foreign transactions at the beginning of this year This three-bedroom villa in Vera, Spain, is for sale for 299,950, the equivalent of 256,675, via Spanish Property Choice Spanish estate agents reported an increase in enquiries from British buyers amid a rise in successful visa applications to stay in the EU country. Sorin Neagu, of estate agents Blue Square Spain, said: 'The market in Spain is thriving without a doubt. For British buyers, two things have changed the market massively in the last two years. First, the pandemic, and second, Brexit. 'In Blue Square Costa Blanca we are seeing an increase in the number of British buyers enquiring on properties of more than 500,000 to obtain their 'Golden Visa', allowing them to reside in Spain which wasn't necessary pre-Brexit.' Britons are stay longer in Spain by investing in property costing at least 500,000 as part of the country's so-called Golden Visa scheme The so-called Golden Visa is a residence visa for non-EU citizens who invest in property in Spain costing at least 500,000. At the same time, the so-called non-lucrative visa allows Britons to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days without working so long as they have sufficient financial means to support themselves. It is often used by Britons who are retired. Mr Neagu added: 'We've been helping British buyers with several things that are very new, such as obtaining the TIE - the new ID document for those outside the EU -, the right documents to avoid double taxation on pensions and other incomes, and getting medical insurance among other things.' Rightmove has revealed the most searched for areas in Spain among British buyers This three-bedroom villa in Benijofar, Spain, is for sale for 563,926, the equivalent of 482,571 via Vista Casas Lisa Cornforth, of Welcome Estates in Spain, said: 'The UK market is back in strength. The first quarter of 2022 has seen a great spike in UK buyers. 'There is likely more than one reason for this, the most obvious, travel itself has been difficult in the last two years. This has created a build-up of clients just waiting to come over. 'The second main reason is the successful applications for visas, especially the non-lucrative visa. This has allowed many clients to continue to pursue their dream of owning a property in Spain.' Most searched for locations in Spain Rightmove identified the most in demand areas in Spain with the seaside town of Islantilla being the new search hotspot in the country. Searches in Islantilla are up more than 16 times compared to last year, rising a massive 1512 per cent. The area of Bahia De Marbella in the Costa Del Sol is second, up 477 per cent, and the town of Vera in Andalusia is third, up 229 per cent. Rachel Beaton, of Rightmove, said: 'From the beginning of the year we have seen positive movement in the Spanish market, with an increasing number of people contacting agents to see properties and growing accustomed to new travel regulations. 'As we approach peak summer, our data and the latest Land Registry data from Spain suggests many people have been taking action with their overseas moves, compared to last year when perhaps COVID restrictions meant many people remained in the planning stages. 'It's clear how important British buyers are to the Spanish market given their share of transactions, and the rising number of purchases from British buyers, despite economic challenges at home, is a sign of confidence in the market.' Advertisement The world's first commercially viable workboat that 'flies' above the water using electric-powered hydrofoils has launched in Belfast today. The eco-friendly vessels deploy the same foiling technology used by America's Cup racing yachts, with hydrofoil wings attached to the hull with vertical struts. Much like a plane taking off on a runway, the underwater wings drive the workboat up and out of the water as it picks up speed. That enables the craft to travel almost silently with its hull raised above the waves thus reducing drag, and operating costs, dramatically. Maritime engineers have launched a 'world first' commercially viable workboat that 'flies' above the water using electric-powered hydrofoils Artemis Technologies' 'flying' workboat Weight: 10 tonnes Capacity: 12 passengers Top speeds: 34 knots Range: 60 nautical miles Recharge time: 1 hour Energy saving: 90% Use: Workboats or to ferry crew members on to large ships Advertisement The company behind the new zero-emissions vessel, Artemis Technologies, is based in Belfast and headed by Olympic sailing champion Iain Percy. The 10-tonne vessels, which can carry 12 passengers, have a top speed of 34 knots and a range of 60 nautical miles. Designed for use as workboats or to ferry crew members on to large ships, they can be recharged in one hour and Artemis says its eFoiler propulsion system produces an energy saving of 90 per cent on comparable vessels powered by fossil fuels. The workboat is the result of a 12 million research and development initiative. Artemis says it is the first of its kind available in the commercial market. The company currently employs 60 people and has plans to create 1,000 jobs in the next decade as it further develops its range of green transport solutions. Artemis Technologies is a spin-off of the Artemis Racing team that competed in the America's Cup. Double Olympic champion Mr Percy is a four-time America's Cup veteran. 'Combining our experience from the worlds of high-performance sailing, motorsports and advanced manufacturing, the electric propulsion system that we've designed and developed is an absolute game changer for the industry in terms of range, costs savings and minimal wake created,' said Southampton-born Mr Percy. 'The ride comfort of a hydrofoiling vessel through a large seaway has to be experienced to be believed, offering a completely smooth journey whatever the sea state. 'This will allow engineers in crew transfer vessels or port operations to get to their destination and deliver their services without discomfort. 'This is only the beginning. As our vessels transform the commercial workboat and city-to-city passenger ferry sectors over the coming years, Belfast and the UK will be at the forefront, creating thousands of jobs across the supply chain and heralding a green shipbuilding revolution. The 10-tonne vessels, which can carry 12 passengers, have a top speed of 34 knots and a range of 60 nautical miles The company behind the new zero emissions vessel, Artemis Technologies, is based in Belfast and headed by Olympic sailing champion Iain Percy (pictured) 'With the global small boat market worth 70 billion dollars, we are immensely proud to launch our first range of zero-emission vessels for the workboat sector, from which we have already received significant pre-market interest. 'This is a hugely significant milestone not only for us but in global decarbonisation efforts, with the International Maritime Organisation requiring emissions to be halved by 2050.' Maritime UK, an industry umbrella body, welcomed the innovation development. Chairwoman Sarah Kenny said: 'As an island nation, maritime surrounds all of us, and its impact is felt in every community across the UK. 'We saw that during the pandemic, through the provision of vital supplies, and we are seeing it now as we bounce back. With maritime driving the net zero agenda and providing skilled jobs in all corners of the country. Designed for use as workboats or to ferry crew members on to large ships, they can be recharged in one hour and Artemis says its eFoiler propulsion system produces an energy saving of 90 per cent on comparable vessels powered by fossil fuels 'Artemis Technologies' launch today shows our heritage as maritime pioneers will continue long into the future. But continued collaboration with government, and investment, will be the key to realising our full potential.' Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said Artemis was making a 'positive contribution' to the UK's efforts to cut emissions. 'The talent and expertise at Artemis Technologies is leading the way in maritime decarbonisation and playing an important role in helping Northern Ireland and the UK reach our net zero targets,' he said. 'Artemis is making a positive contribution to the UK's economy, supporting innovation and job growth through the development of zero-emission technology. 'I am delighted that such amazing technology has been developed in Northern Ireland and to have been able to see the eFoiler technology up close during a recent showcase in Belfast. 'The launch of this range of green vessels by Artemis Technologies is a truly positive step in the fight against climate change.' The remains of what may be the largest predatory dinosaur ever found in Europe have been unearthed on the Isle of Wight. Paleontologists say the huge crocodile-faced dinosaur which at 32.8ft (10 metres) long almost as big as a London Bus lived 125 million years ago and would have weighed several tonnes. The 'giant killer' was a member of the spinosaurids, the first dinosaurs known to swim, so may have been able to hunt in the water as well as on land. It would have lived at the beginning of a period of rising sea levels and would have stalked lagoonal waters and sandflats in search of food. Several prehistoric bones belonging to the 'White Rock spinosaurid' named as such because of the geological layer in which the remains were found were discovered on the island off the south coast of England. They include huge pelvic and tail vertebrae and have since been analysed by scientists from the University of Southampton. The remains of what may be the largest predatory dinosaur ever found in Europe have been unearthed on the Isle of Wight. 'White Rock spinosaurid' is pictured in an artist's impression Experts say the huge crocodile-faced dinosaur which at 32.8ft (10 metres) long almost as big as a London Bus lived 125 million years ago and would have weighed several tonnes Several prehistoric bones belonging to the 'White Rock spinosaurid' named as such because of the geological layer in which the remains were found were discovered on the island off the south coast of England. They include huge pelvic and tail vertebrae (pictured) HOW THE LARGEST KNOWN SPINOSAURID EVEN DWARFED T.REX Originally found in Egypt, Spinosaurus is the largest known spinosaurid. It is also thought to be one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to exist - probably reaching over 49ft in length. Spinosaurus (right) faces off against a T-rex in the movie Jurassic Park III. The 50-foot, seven-ton Spinosaurus was the largest known carnivorous dinosaur and lived in North Africa 100 million years ago Thoughts on its feeding behaviours vary, with some studies suggesting it was an active aquatic predator - chasing fish in the sea. Other studies claim it was a heron-like shoreline feeder - grabbing fish and small land prey without venturing out to sea to actively pursue fish. It lived in the Late Cretaceous era - 99 to 93.5 million years ago and lived in what is now North Africa. There are two known species of Spinosaurus that have been named so far: Spinosaurus aegyptiacus or Egyptian spine lizard The disputed Spinosaurus maroccanus or Moroccan spine lizard The first known Spinosaurus fossils were destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, which has hampered palaeontologist's attempts to understand the unusual creatures. More recently the dinosaur found fame in the 2001 film Jurassic Park III, where it battles and defeats a Tyrannosaurus rex. Advertisement PhD student Chris Barker said: 'This was a huge animal, exceeding 10m (32.8ft) in length and probably several tonnes in weight. 'Judging from some of the dimensions, it appears to represent one of the largest predatory dinosaurs ever found in Europe maybe even the biggest yet known. 'It's a shame it's only known from a small amount of material, but these are enough to show it was an immense creature.' The remains were found by dinosaur hunter Nick Chase, who has since died, near Compton Chine, on the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight in the Vectis Formation geological structure, and are now on display in the Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown. Dr Neil Gostling, corresponding author of the study published in the journal PeerJ, said: 'Unusually, this specimen eroded out of the Vectis Formation, which is notoriously poor in dinosaur fossils. 'It's likely to be the youngest spinosaur material yet known from the UK.' Co-author Darren Naish said: 'This new animal bolsters our previous argument published last year that spinosaurid dinosaurs originated and diversified in western Europe before becoming more widespread. 'Because it's only known from fragments at the moment, we haven't given it a formal scientific name,' Mr Naish added. 'We hope that additional remains will turn up in time.' The scientists suggest that marks on the bone including little tunnels bored into a lump of pelvis, show that the body of the giant dinosaur would have been picked over by scavengers and decomposers after it had died. Co-author Jeremy Lockwood, a PhD student at the University of Portsmouth and Natural History Museum, said: 'We think they were caused by bone eating larvae of a type of scavenging beetle. 'It's an interesting thought that this giant killer wound up becoming a meal for a host of insects.' The researchers hope to look at microscopic internal properties of the bones in the near future, which may provide information about the dinosaur's growth rate and possible age. The largest known spinosaurid is Spinosaurus, which even dwarfed the fearsome T. rex. The remains were found near Compton Chine, on the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight in the Vectis Formation geological structure The researchers hope to look at microscopic internal properties of the bones in the near future, which may provide information about the dinosaur's growth rate and possible age This graphic shows the area on the Isle of Wight where the dinosaur fossils were discovered It is hard to guess the behaviour of an animal just from fossils; but based on its skeleton, some scientists have proposed that Spinosaurus could swim, while others think it just waded in the water like a heron. A new study published in March this year claimed that the dinosaur had dense bones that would likely have allowed it to hunt underwater. Researchers at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois came to their conclusion after studying the density of spinosaurid bones and comparing them to other animals like penguins, hippos, and alligators. The new discovery has been published in the journal PeerJ Life & Environment. The remains were found by dinosaur hunter Nick Chase (pictured centre), who has since died The Cretaceous rocks may be famous for their dinosaurs, but little appreciated is the fact that the island's fossil record preserves dinosaurs from more than one section of dinosaur history For thousands of years, philosophers have pondered the question of whether humans are born with a 'moral compass', or if we learn one as we grow older. Now, researchers have found that young babies can make moral judgements and punish antisocial behaviour suggesting we're 'inherently good' from birth. In experiments, the Japanese experts used eye-tracking technology to give eight-month-olds the power to punish a human-like blob on a computer screen. The babies were more inclined to give a punishment after they had seen it being violent towards a victim, the researchers found. Results suggest the motivation to give a punishment when it's due is intrinsic something that we're born with as opposed to learned. For the experiments, a particularly clever form of eye-tracking technology was used so that where exactly a baby looked controlled aspects of the animation ARE WE BORN WITH A MORAL COMPASS? For millennia, philosophers have pondered the question of whether humans are inherently good. Now, researchers at Osaka University have found that eight-month-olds can make moral judgments and punish antisocial behaviour - suggesting the moral compass exists at birth. Punishment of antisocial behaviour is found in only humans, and is universal across cultures. However, the development of moral behaviour is not well understood. Further, it can be very difficult to examine decision-making and agency in infants, which the researchers aimed to address. Advertisement 'Morality is an important but mysterious part of what makes us human,' said lead author Yasuhiro Kanakogi at Osaka University. 'We wanted to know whether third-party punishment of antisocial others is present at a very young age, because this would help to signal whether morality is learned.' For the study, researchers recruited 124 eight-month-olds, who sat on a parent's lap as they watched animations on a computer screen. A particularly clever gaze-tracking system was used so that where exactly a baby looked controlled aspects of the animation. Initially, the babies were presented with two different-coloured anthropomorphic blobs with eyes one green and one orange. If a baby looked at the orange blob on the left, a stone would fall down and squash it. Likewise, if the baby looked at the green blob on the right, the stone would fall on the green blob and squash it. Next, each baby was shown an animation featuring the two blobs that they weren't able to control with their eyes. This animation, played three times, showed the green blob chasing the orange blob around the screen and striking it to squash it, as an act of aggression. Initially, the babies were presented with two different-coloured blobs with eyes one green and one orange. Whichever one they looked at, a stone would fall on it Here, the green blob chases the orange blob around the screen and squashes it - an act of aggression - as a baby watches Each infant was then shown the original screen, where they could drop the stone on one of the blobs just by looking at it. Overall, the babies chose to drop the stone on the green blob more than on the orange blob after they had seen the green blob be aggressive, researchers found. Before they'd seen the green blob being aggressive, the babies chose to drop the stone on the orange blob and the green blob equally. According to the academics, this is a sign that the babies wanted to punish the green blob, because it was aggressive to the orange blob. 'The results were surprising,' said Kanakogi. 'We found that preverbal infants chose to punish the antisocial aggressor by increasing their gaze towards the aggressor. 'The observation of this behaviour in very young children indicates that humans may have acquired behavioural tendencies toward moral behaviour during the course of evolution. 'Specifically, the punishment of antisocial behaviour may have evolved as an important element of human cooperation.' Pictured is a graphical abstract showing the experimental set-up. Overall, the babies chose to drop the stone on the green blob more than the orange blob after they had seen the green blob be aggressive, researchers found The team acknowledged the possibility that the babies might have been looking at the green blob more for other reasons for example, they were expecting it to move around the screen and start chasing the orange blob again. So to verify their findings, they conducted three control experiments to exclude alternative interpretations of the infants' gazing behaviours. For example, in one of the control experiments, a soft object that didn't squash the blobs was used instead of a stone for the gaze-tracking phases. In this case, researchers found that the babies didn't look at the green blob more after its aggressive display, which they said was because the babies were unable to punish it. The researchers claim their study is the first in the world to directly measure the moral decision-making of infants. Further experiments that use this unique gaze-tracking method could 'reveal undiscovered cognitive abilities in preverbal infants', they say. The new study has been published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. Science fiction has just taken one step closer to reality, as scientists have managed to create a living 'sweaty' skin for humanoid robots. The material, developed by scientists at the University of Tokyo, not only has a skin-like texture but can also repel water and 'heal' itself with a collagen plaster. The method for its creation was published today in journal Matter, and involves dipping a robot finger into a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts - the two main components that make up the connective tissue in human skin. Lead author Shoji Takeuchi said: 'The finger looks slightly "sweaty" straight out of the culture medium. 'Since the finger is driven by an electric motor, it is also interesting to hear the clicking sounds of the motor in harmony with a finger that looks just like a real one. 'I think living skin is the ultimate solution to give robots the look and touch of living creatures since it is exactly the same material that covers animal bodies.' Scientists have managed to create a living 'sweaty', water-repellent skin for humanoid robots After the wound was sufficiently healed, the skin's ability to bend and stretch was retested Staining of frozen sections of the artificial skin tissue. Cell nuclei were stained violet, and the extracellular matrix and cytoplasm were stained pink. It shows that an epidermal layer seamlessly covered the surface of the dermis equivalent and formed a uniform layer HOW IS THE SKIN MADE? Scientists first submerged a robotic finger in a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts The collagen contributes to the skin's elasticity and strength, while the fibroblast cells play an essential role in hair development and wound healing The mixture enables the artificial skin to naturally shrink snugly around the hardware, providing a uniform foundation for the next layer The team then coat the skin in human epidermal keratinocytes, which make up 90 per cent of the outermost layer of human skin They provide a skin-like texture and moisture-retaining barrier properties Advertisement When developing biohybrid robotics, looking as 'human' as possible is a top priority. This is because many robots are intended to interact with people in the healthcare and service industries, who feel more at ease if they appear lifelike. It can improve communication between person and robot, and even evoke likeability, according to the researchers. Current artificial skins are made from silicone, which can mimic human appearance, but falls short when it comes to replicating delicate textures like wrinkles. Silicone is also unable to take on skin-specific functions like sweating or repairing itself, and cannot easily be fitted to dynamic objects with uneven surfaces. 'With that method, you have to have the hands of a skilled artisan who can cut and tailor the skin sheets,' Takeuchi added. 'To efficiently cover surfaces with skin cells, we established a tissue moulding method to directly mould skin tissue around the robot, which resulted in a seamless skin coverage on a robotic finger.' To craft the skin, the team first submerged a robotic finger in a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts. The collagen contributes to the skin's elasticity and strength, while the fibroblast cells play an essential role in hair development and wound healing. The mixture enables the artificial skin to naturally shrink snugly around the hardware, providing a uniform foundation for the next layer. Figures show the fabrication process of the skin equivalent used to cover the robotic finger Takeuchi and his team then coated the skin in human epidermal keratinocytes, which make up 90 per cent of the outermost layer of human skin. They provide a skin-like texture and moisture-retaining barrier properties. The scientists and engineers found that the skin had enough strength and elasticity to remain intact as the robotic finger was curled, bent and stretched. The outermost layer was thick enough to be lifted with tweezers, and any wounds would self-heal when covered with a collagen bandage. The bandage gradually morphed into the skin and withstood repeated joint movements. The outermost layer of the skin was thick enough to be lifted with tweezers, and is also water-repellent. This meant charged polystyrene beads would not stick to it through moisture Scientists tested the skin's self-healing functionality by punching a 'wound' into it after it was placed on a robotic finger, and then coating it with a collagen sheet (pictured) Images showing skin fibroblast cell migration into a grafted collagen sheet placed on the artificial skin to repair a wound. (i) Three days after sheet was applied (ii) Seven days after the sheet was applied. It resembled the phenomena observed at wounded sites on human skin The finger skin also repelled water, meaning statically-charged polystyrene packing beads would not stick to it through moisture, if working in a packaging environment. Takeuchi said: 'We are surprised by how well the skin tissue conforms to the robot's surface. 'But this work is just the first step toward creating robots covered with living skin.' Further development is still needed to increase the artificial skin's strength, and enable it to survive longer periods without nutrient supply and waste removal. The team will also be looking to incorporate more sophisticated functional structures within the skin, such as sensory neurons, hair follicles, nails, and sweat glands. A tiny meteoroid has hit the James Webb Space Telescope's main mirror just over a month before the publication of the observatory's first, real colour images. NASA said the damage from the dust-sized space rock was producing a noticeable effect in the $10 billion (7.4 billion) telescope's data, but is not expected to limit the mission's performance. The US space agency added that the impact would in no way ruin the 'wow' factor of the telescope's first views of the cosmos, which are due to be unveiled to the public on July 12. The micrometeoroid struck the newly deployed James Webb between May 23 and 25, knocking one of its gold-plated mirrors out of alignment but not changing the orbiting observatory's schedule to become fully operational shortly, experts said. NASA revealed that it was the fifth and largest space rock to hit the telescope since its launch last December. Analysis indicates that the impact left a 'dimple' in the mirror segment known as C3 one of the 18 beryllium-gold tiles that make up Webb's 21ft-wide primary reflector. Damage: A tiny meteoroid has hit the James Webb Space Telescope's main mirror (pictured) just a month before the publication of the observatory's first, real colour images NASA said the damage from the dust-sized space rock was producing a noticeable effect in the $10 billion (7.4 billion) telescope's data but is not expected to limit the mission's performance KEY FACTS: NASA's $10 BILLION JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE Operator: NASA Launched: December 25, 2021 Full operation begins: Summer 2022 Location: SunEarth L2 point Orbit type: Halo orbit Mission duration: 20 years (expected) Telescope diameter: 21 feet (6.5 m) Focal length: 431 feet (131.4 m) Wavelengths: 0.628.3 m Advertisement 'After initial assessments, the team found the telescope is still performing at a level that exceeds all mission requirements,' NASA said in a statement. 'Thorough analysis and measurements are ongoing.' Engineers have begun a delicate readjustment of the impacted mirror segment to help 'cancel out a portion of the distortion' caused by the micrometeoroid, the US space agency said. Webb parked itself in a solar orbit roughly a million miles (1.6 million km) from Earth in January and is expected to yield its first full-colour images next month. 'This recent impact caused no change to Webb's operations schedule,' NASA said. Webb's mirror was engineered to withstand bombardment with dust-sized particles flying at extreme velocities in space, but the most recent impact was 'larger than was modelled and beyond what the team could have tested on the ground.' The telescope is regarded as the most powerful space-based observatory ever built, with a suite of sensors and 18 gold-plated mirror segments working together to seek out distant planets as well as galaxies from the earliest stages of the universe. Engineers designed it to withstand occasional impacts from micrometeoroids tiny space rocks traveling at ultra fast speeds during predicted meteor showers near Webb's location in space. Last month's micrometeoroid was not from any meteor shower, NASA said. The US space agency called the impact 'an unavoidable chance event' and said it had convened a team of engineers to study ways to avoid future impacts from similar space rocks. James Webb's primary mirror consists of 18 hexagonal segments of gold-plated beryllium metal, and measures 21 feet 4 inches (6.5 metres) in diameter. It is supported by three shallow carbon fiber tubes, or struts, that extend out from the large primary mirror WHAT INSTRUMENTS DOES JAMES WEBB HAVE? NIRCam (Near InfraRed Camera) an infrared imager from the edge of the visible through the near infrared NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) will also perform spectroscopy over the same wavelength range. MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument) will measure the mid-to-long-infrared wavelength range from 5 to 27 micrometers. FGS/NIRISS (Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph), is used to stabilise the line-of-sight of the observatory during science observations. Advertisement Earlier this month, NASA said the release of Webb's first full-colour images would be 'a unique moment for us all to stop and marvel at a view humanity has never seen before'. Officials have previously released a set of engineering pictures to demonstrate that all the hardware is working as it should on the telescope. Those images showed slightly different views of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small satellite galaxy of our Milky Way, but it is unclear what the first full-colour images will capture. Webb has been going through a six-month period of preparation before it can begin science work, calibrating its instruments to its space environment and aligning its mirrors. It was launched to space on December 25 last year and later settled into orbit one million miles from our planet. Scientists hope the observatory a replacement for the 32-year-old Hubble telescope will be able to peer back in time 13.5 billion years to a point within a mere 100-200 million years of the Big Bang. It has an ambitious mission to study the early universe, work out how fast it is now expanding and analyse objects throughout the cosmos ranging from galaxies to exoplanets. NASA said Webb was now at 'full power' and 'ready to begin its science mission'. Once each of Webb's instruments has been calibrated, tested, and given the green light by its science and engineering teams, the first images and spectroscopic observations will be made. The team will proceed through a list of targets that have been preselected, before the images are processed for the public. Webb is about 100 times more powerful than the iconic Hubble telescope, enabling it to observe objects at greater distances, thus farther back in time, than Hubble or any other telescope. NASA likes to think of James Webb as a successor to Hubble rather than a replacement, as the two will work in tandem for a while. The new telescope began development in 1996 and was originally envisaged to launch in 2007, but a major redesign in 2005 put this back and a series of further delays led to it eventually making it to orbit at the end of last year. It is an international collaboration led by NASA in partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies. Advertisement Even now, with Budapest a vibrant capital in the EU, there are public buildings and apartment blocks in the centre of the city pockmarked by bullet holes. They are not accidental oversights but have deliberately been left as a reminder of a six-decade-old trauma that remains the defining moment in the history of modern Hungary and, more broadly, of the Cold War or should we now call it Cold War I? The tragic story of the failed uprising of 1956, when a small, impoverished nation, its people armed with little more than a few rifles and petrol bombs, fought for freedom against a massive Russian invasion force, has powerful resonance today and not just because Hungarys border with Ukraine is only 580 miles or so from Budapest. Architecture abounds: The parliament building on the Danube in Budapest. Hungarian author Victor Sebestyen shares his favourite places in the city, a place that has 'beauty and charm, though behind both lies much darkness and tragedy' It was a rousing example of extraordinary bravery in a doomed cause, which stirred the imagination of the world at the time and still does. When I was in Budapest a few weeks ago, outside one of those scarred buildings from 1956, a Ukrainian refugee family whose home in a Kyiv suburb had been blasted to smithereens days earlier a mother with three children given asylum in Hungary were having their picture taken by a group of British visitors in an entirely unstaged photo op. The tourists were visibly moved. Hungary and its prime minister for a dozen years, the controversial Viktor Orban, has had a much closer relationship with Vladimir Putin than almost any other European leader, which has left many people in cosmopolitan Budapest uneasy. On the other hand, he has just won an overwhelming fourth election victory and his pledges not to let Hungary get sucked into a nearby war went down well with voters outside the capital. The Budapest-born British poet George Szirtes (himself a refugee from Hungary in 1956) described Budapest as a city humbled by time and the ferocious moods of history and it is easy for any visitor for even the briefest period to see what he means. Buda and Pest it wasnt one town until the latter part of the 19th century have seen nearly a dozen revolutions, suffered 13 sieges and were left in near-total ruins five times. Grand spectacle: Above is the city's Fisherman's Bastion monument, one of many magnificent cityscapes Serene beauty: The view across the Danube from the Fisherman's Bastion on the Buda side of the city Invaders have come and gone, empires have conquered, occupied for decades or centuries and left a few footprints behind. Today, the remnants of an ancient Roman bath house near the centre of the city in Florian Square complete with beautifully preserved mosaics from the second century stand next to a Soviet-era apartment block built in the 1970s that is already falling apart. Almost every time I visit Budapest, the first place I go is a quiet, out-of-the-way section of old streets, some of them still cobbled, half way up Rozsadomb (Rose Hill) on the older, Buda side of the Danube. Its almost a secret: the graceful white mausoleum of Gul Baba, a Dervish holy man and favourite of the Ottoman Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent, whose armies conquered Hungary in the 16th century and occupied Buda and Pest for the following 150 years. The mausoleum is the northernmost place of pilgrimage for Muslims and is free to visit, but gets no mention in most Budapest guidebooks. Pictured in the centre is the 'graceful white mausoleum of Gul Baba, a Dervish holy man and favourite of the Ottoman Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent, whose armies conquered Hungary in the 16th century and occupied Buda and Pest for the following 150 years' Mid-morning there is usually nobody about in the surrounding lanes bearing Turkish names Ankara Street, Mecset (Mosque) Street, Torok (Turk) Street one of the most expensive residential districts in Budapest, with fabulous views of the broad sweep of the river below as it bends through the city. In spring, when the frosts melt away, the peaceful stone tomb is surrounded by the scent of first violets and then the most wonderful Damascena roses, said to have been brought to Budapest by Gul Baba himself. True or not, the flowers, along with Turkish baths, paprika and of course coffee, which came to Hungary two centuries before it reached Britain are the few remaining physical reminders of the Ottoman occupation. They are not bad legacies when you consider the way other imperial masters of Budapest have left their mark Hitlers Nazis, say, or Stalins Commissars. The Art Nouveau Gellert Bath in the city. According to Victor, the Turkish baths, paprika, coffee and Damascena roses in the city are the few remaining physical reminders of the Ottoman occupation A stand selling paprika in Budapest's Central Market Hall There is no shortage of hotels but I can never resist the pricey but always reliable Gresham Palace, a secessionist gem set on the riverbank facing the more sedate Buda side of the city. Once the vast HQ of a British insurance company, it was built around 1900 as a monument to capitalism at a time of extraordinary economic growth before World War I. Under the communists it was closed, left empty for decades and fell into decay before it was transformed around 15 years ago into a Four Seasons. It is in the heart of the inner city and by the main sights, on one side of an elegant square directly opposite the first of the glorious 19th-century bridges across the river a few steps from Pests marvellously ornate St Stephens Cathedral and even closer to one of my favourite restaurants for traditional Hungarian food, Cafe Kor, on Sas (Eagle) Street. 'There is no shortage of hotels but I can never resist the pricey but always reliable Gresham Palace,' writes Victor. Above is one of the hotel rooms with a view of Buda Castle The bar at Gresham Palace, 'a secessionist gem set on the riverbank facing the more sedate Buda side of the city' The living room of Gresham Palace's Royal Suite. The building, formerly the vast HQ of a British insurance company, was left empty for decades and fell into decay before it was transformed into a Four Seasons around 15 years ago The grand exterior of Gresham Palace, which lies in the heart of the inner city Before the Covid pandemic, Budapest received more visitors than any other European capital after London, Paris and Rome and happily they are beginning to return. For such a small, landlocked, on-the-face-of-it relatively insignificant nation, Hungary has outsize influence, culturally and for good or ill politically. Budapest is the beneficiary. In the past, it was a favourite of travellers as diverse as King Edward VII, Theodore Roosevelt, Benito Mussolini, Hans Christian Andersen, Wallis Simpson, the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti and the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin. They all agreed the best thing about the place was its position. The novelist Evelyn Waugh wrote that with the Danube, Budapest forms one of the most beautiful cityscapes that exists along a river. The Danube is central to the city figuratively as well as physically. One of the best ways of seeing Budapest, particularly at night during spring and summer, is on the river ferries, part of the cheap public transport network, or kitsch but charming a river cruise complete with (drinkable these days) Hungarian wine and violin music. Pictured above is the 'marvellously ornate' St Stephens Cathedral, which lies on the Pest side of the city Even if you hate opera, the Budapest Opera House, newly reopened in April after a lavish four-year refurbishment, is a thing of opulent wonder. Above is the opera's interior post-renovation It remains a place of two halves, which co-exist. The newer Pest side, on the east, essentially a 19th-century creation, remains the most perfectly preserved Habsburg city in Mitteleuropa, with some of the finest Art Nouveau architecture anywhere. Even if you hate opera, the Budapest Opera House, newly reopened in April after a lavish four-year refurbishment, is a thing of opulent wonder. Its worth taking a tour round the building even if you dont see a performance. The ruin bars of Pest old, crumbling spaces from the Habsburg past, the fascist past and the communist past turned into fashionable nightspots where the young (and a few old) party strike a historian as by no means the worst way for a people with a history as tumultuous as Hungarys to deal with their demons. Above is Szimpla Kert, one of the ruin bars of Pest 'old, crumbling spaces from the Habsburg past, the fascist past and the communist past that have been turned into fashionable nightspots' Above is the poignant Holocaust memorial along the Danube that's composed of sixty pairs of iron and steel sculpted shoes TRAVEL FACTS British Airways (ba.com) flies to Budapest from Heathrow from 153 return; Wizz Air (wizzair.com) from Stansted from 66 return and EasyJet (easyjet.com) from Gatwick from 109 return. Double rooms at the Gresham Palace Four Seasons (fourseasons.com/budapest)start at 347. Advertisement Buda, mostly set atop a series of gentle hills, is quieter, calmer, older, the lovelier parts all baroque, with yellow and cream stucco in elegant, quiet streets. Budapest has grandeur, if faded around the edges; beauty in a gritty, lived-in sort of way. It is the city of my birth though I was a baby when my family left as refugees in 1956 and I do not pretend to be entirely objective about its beauty and charm, though behind both lies much darkness and tragedy. Budapest suffered terribly during World War II and the German occupation. As so often, Hungarians have turned catastrophe and suffering into powerful art. Practically every city in Europe has a Holocaust memorial; a simple display on the Pest side of the river is perhaps the most moving and thought-provoking of them all. In Budapest, during the last months of the war, thousands of Jews were murdered in the city centre itself lined up on the river embankment, shot and thrown into the Danube. Sixty pairs of iron and steel sculpted shoes are arranged at apparent random, though all point towards the river, to remember the victims. It is a work of extraordinary stillness and depth. The whole of central European history can be seen walking the boulevards and byways of Budapest the good, the bad, the beautiful and, at times, the ugly. Commentary: Australia, Canada must drop dangerous provocations 13:03, June 09, 2022 By Dong Yue ( Xinhua BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Recently, Australia and Canada have repeatedly sent their military jets for inflammatory close-in reconnaissance near China's airspace, and complained China's countermeasures to protect its own sovereignty and security. Such a game of provocation first and then condemnation is nothing new. The United States has always used this tactic to hype up the so-called China threat in the South China Sea. Now Canberra and Ottawa seem want to follow suit. For the record, China's responses are safe and professional. Pretending to be pathetic, however, will not conceal the perilous intention of the two Five Eyes members, which is to stoke tensions and even confrontation. Australia and Canada must be aware of how China responded in the face of U.S. provocations in their previous encounters. If they thought they would be treated differently, they now have learned a lesson. Also, their outright lies will not change the fact they are the ones who flew thousands of miles away from their own shores to make waves at China's doorstep under an excuse that is dubious at best. Take Canada. The country claimed that its military aircraft were implementing UN Security Council sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As a matter of fact, UN Security Council resolutions have never mandated any country to deploy forces and conduct surveillance operations in jurisdictional air and sea areas of other countries for the purpose of identifying sanctions evasion activities. With no valid cause, who knows what Canada was trying to spy on by inviting itself so close to China's airspace. But one thing is clear: the two countries' dangerous activities are detrimental to regional peace and stability. These actions also pose new challenges to their troubled relations with China. In fact, thanks to the irresponsible rhetoric and behavior of some politicians back in Australia and Canada over the past years, their ties with China have already encountered serious setbacks. Actually, healthy and stable China-Canada and China-Australia relations conform to their common interests. As Geoff Raby, former Australian ambassador to China, has pointed out, ties between the Australian and Chinese people are very strong, and the two countries share interests as well. Australia and Canada should quit testing China's resolve on defending its territorial sovereignty and national security. If they continue, they will be responsible for all consequences. More importantly, they should abandon confrontational thinking and adopt an independent and practical China policy that is truly in the interests of their people, so that it is possible for their relationships with China to overcome the current difficulties and get back on the right track. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) NASA's newest space telescope has sustained some damage in space. The space agency recently revealed that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb for brevity) had been hit by a larger than expected micrometeoroid sometime at the end of May. Despite the damage sustained, NASA reported that JWST is operating past optimal levels. Webb's Current Condition and Status NASA mentioned in its announcement that one of Webb's 18 primary mirror segments, its C3 segment, had been damaged by a larger than expected micrometeoroid hitting it between May 23 and 25. After inspecting the damage and initial assessments, the team responsible for operating Webb found that the telescope is still performing the same as before - at levels exceeding NASA's expectations and still fully capable of performing the operations it was designed to do. However, the damage to one of Webb's mirror segments did affect the telescope's performance somewhat. NASA noted that there is a marginally detectable effect in the data the space telescope sends back to Earth. Thorough analysis and measurements are ongoing to figure out the full extent of the impact's damage on Webb's performance. NASA mentioned that micrometeoroid strikes are "an unavoidable aspect" of operating any spacecraft due to them routinely sustaining many impacts throughout their lives in space, and Webb is not an exception to this. As such, NASA engineered Webb's mirror to take impacts from the micrometeoroid environment at its orbit around Sun-Earth L2 of dust-sized particles, which are flying at extreme velocities. To create Webb's protection, NASA's engineers used a combination of simulations and actual test impacts on mirror samples to get a clearer idea of how to better fortify Webb in the event of an impact during its lifetime in space. Read More: Happy Birthday, Tim Berners-Lee: What You Have to Know About the Creator of the World Wide Web In fact, Webb has already been hit by at least four different micrometeoroids, The Verge mentioned. However, those were small and were about the size of what NASA had prepared Webb for. However, the micrometeoroid that recently damaged Webb was larger than what was tested here on Earth and is beyond what NASA's engineering team could have tested on the ground. Although the overall size of the micrometeoroid wasn't mentioned, it should be much larger than a grain of sand. NASA's Solution To counteract the effect of a damaged mirror, NASA outfitted Webb with the capability to sense and adjust mirror positions to enable partial correction by adjusting the affected segment's position, thereby minimizing the distortion caused by the damage. Unfortunately, adjusting the affected segment can only get NASA so far before actual repairs are needed, as not all of the degradation can be canceled through this process. NASA's engineers have already performed such an adjustment on Webb's C3 mirror segment, along with additional planned mirror adjustments to fine-tune the correction made. This process of adjusting and fine-tuning the mirrors will have to be repeated when needed in future events as part of Webb's monitoring and maintenance throughout its mission. The space agency has also formed a specialized team of engineers to look for ways to mitigate the effects of future micrometeoroid hits of a similar scale. NASA's Plans With Webb Despite the damage, NASA mentioned that it does not change Webb's operations schedule. Its team is continuing to check the telescope's science instruments and observing modes and preparing for the release of the telescope's first images and the start of Webb's commission and the start of its science operations. Webb's first photos are expected to be released by NASA on July 12. Related Article: James Webb Space Telescope to Release Its First Science-Quality Images When Will It Happen? London's shiny new 18.9billion Elizabeth line has been hailed as a transport revolution. But how does it measure-up speed-wise on the classic Central London to Heathrow journey against the capital's trusty black cab and the lauded Heathrow Express? Not so well it turns out. Three travel experts from The Points Guy UK filmed a fascinating race between the three modes of transport from Oxford Circus to Heathrow Terminal 2 on the day the Elizabeth line opened, Tuesday May 24 - and the Elizabeth line came last. The top podium spot was, surprisingly, taken by the black cab, with the Heathrow Express coming second. Elizabeth line Nicky Kelvin is pictured here racing towards Heathrow on the 18.9billion Elizabeth line Nicky Kelvin, Head of The Points Guy UK (TPG UK), paid 12.50 to whizz along the Elizabeth line from Tottenham Court Road (just east of Oxford Circus Tube) to Terminal 2 via a change at Paddington railway station. He said: 'It was incredibly exciting to be on the Elizabeth line within hours of its opening. The experience on board the train was brilliant with brand-new fresh carriages and a conveniently located and impressive station on Tottenham Court Road. The other huge benefit was the cost. At 12.50 this was far cheaper than the other methods. 'Where this option falls down is time and convenience. The train takes a little longer as it makes various stops and for the time being, you have to change trains at Paddington in order to reach Heathrow. The Elizabeth line will come into its own in the coming months when direct trains from Central London to Heathrow are set to begin.' Heathrow Express Liam, above on the Heathrow Express, said: 'The whole experience felt very relaxed and ensured I arrived at the airport without any stress' Racing the Heathrow Express from Paddington, with a little help from a connecting Bakerloo Tube train, was Liam Spencer, who paid 25 for his ticket. He told MailOnline Travel: 'The convenience and comfort of the Heathrow Express service cannot be overstated. 'In terms of speed, there isn't a faster option than the 15 minutes it takes to get from Paddington Station to Terminals 2 and 3. 'As was the case on this occasion, there are almost always plenty of seats available, complete with charging ports and tray tables. 'The whole experience felt very relaxed and ensured I arrived at the airport without any stress. 'On the downside, a 25 one-way fare is certainly not cheap. Booking further in advance can land you a better price, but this isn't always an option for last-minute travel. 'It's also a shame that the service only operates from Paddington - adding another departure point would help to serve more of London.' Black cab Putting his faith in one of London's cabbies was Benjamin Smithson, who paid a whopping 74 for his ride Putting his faith in one of London's cabbies was Benjamin Smithson, who paid a whopping 74 for his ride. He commented: 'It was a luxurious experience taking an iconic London black cab to Heathrow airport. 'With six passenger seats in my particular cab, there was plenty of room for both my luggage and myself to spread out and my cheery cab driver was up for a chat as we headed to the airport. 'I was shocked by how quickly we reached Terminal 2 - there was no traffic and the entire journey was less than 40 minutes. 'However, this convenience and comfort came at a cost - at 74 it is a pricey journey, though if there were six of us, it would have made more financial sense. 'It took a good five minutes to hail a cab down even on busy Oxford Circus. 'Rideshare apps are cheaper, so next time I think I will save 20 or so and take an Uber or Bolt instead.' To see the full video click here. For more information on travel tips and tricks, sign up to The Points Guy UK. Kim Kardashian joked boyfriend Pete Davidson turned her on with his offer to buy her cheap ice-cream from Rite Aid, as she gushed about him on the ninth episode of The Kardashians. The 41-year-old reality star started dating the 28-year-old comedian after hosting Saturday Night Live in October, and while he hasn't been seen on the show thus far, Kim is clearly happy with him. She even added that the little things he does makes a big impact, revealing that his offer to get Thrifty Rite-Aid ice cream made her, 'so f***ing horny.' She also said he once told her 'he would grow on her' and that she would 'become obsessed with him in four months' if she gave him a chance. 'You're making me horny!' Kim Kardashian got turned on by Pete Davidson's offer to buy her cheap ice cream during the ninth episode of The Kardashians on Thursday Truth: Pete promised Kim she would 'become obsessed with him within four months' if she gave him a chance and said he would 'grow on her' at the start of their romance (pictured in May) The episode begins where the eighth episode left off, with Kim taking the first flight on her brand new custom jet, and getting a surprise gift from boyfriend Pete Davidson, which wasn't revealed at the end of that episode. The special surprise is revealed to be a box of Dibs candy, which Kim says are her 'favorite' to friend Olivia Pierson. 'You have no idea. We went to a movie in Staten Island and all I wanted was Dibs. I'm obsessed with Dibs, but you can only get them at like gas stations these days,' Kim says. Plane: The episode begins where the eighth episode left off, with Kim taking the first flight on her brand new custom jet, and getting a surprise gift from boyfriend Pete Davidson, which wasn't revealed at the end of that episode She adds in confession, 'So Pete and I have been dating for a few months. We're doing really, really good. Pete said, 'I'm gonna grow on you, just wait.' 'He's like, 'I'll give it four months and you're gonna be obsessed.' I was like OK, we'll see,' Kim says, when she's asked by a producer if she's in love. 'Umm I don't know if that's any of your business,' Kim says with a smile. Obsessed: 'He's like, 'I'll give it four months and you're gonna be obsessed.' I was like OK, we'll see,' Kim says, when she's asked by a producer if she's in love Don't know: 'Umm I don't know if that's any of your business,' Kim says with a smile Back on the plane, she tells Olivia that, 'This is when I'll budge on being a vegan,' as Olivia says, 'Oh my God, I'm so impressed.' Kim says, 'I swear it's the cutest, littlest things,' as Olivia says, 'I can't get over how sweet this was,' as Kim - with just a few Dibs left in the box - ponders if it was sweet. 'But is it sweet or is it like being a dick because I have a swimsuit shoot and I shouldn't have eaten that,' Kim says as Olivia laughs, while Kim adds, 'Thanks, a**hole. Shoot: 'But is it sweet or is it like being a dick because I have a swimsuit shoot and I shouldn't have eaten that,' Kim says as Olivia laughs, while Kim adds, 'Thanks, a**hole Cutest: Kim says, 'I swear it's the cutest, littlest things,' as Olivia says, 'I can't get over how sweet this was,' as Kim - with just a few Dibs left in the box - ponders if it was sweet After one of her shoots in the Dominican Republic, Kim gets some more Dibs after dinner, as she talked about Pete with Olivia and another friend, Natalie Halcro. 'It was just a cute gesture from Pete,' Kim says, as Natalie adds, 'I feel like he's like not just that guy in the honeymoon phase, I feel like he's gonna be like that for a long time.' Kim says he is, 'totally like that,' adding there are so many things he's gotten her that, 'are like really thoughtful.' FriendsS: After one of her shoots in the Dominican Republic, Kim gets some more Dibs after dinner, as she talked about Pete with Olivia Pierson (left) and another friend, Natalie Halcro (right). Long time: 'It was just a cute gesture from Pete,' Kim says, as Natalie adds, 'I feel like he's like not just that guy in the honeymoon phase, I feel like he's gonna be like that for a long time' Kim adds in confession, 'Pete is such a good good person, I can't even explain it. He's just has the best heart and always thinks of the small things.' She added, 'One time, he was like, 'Babe, let's go get some ice cream at Thrifty.' And I was like, 'Oh my God you are making me so f***ing horny. Rite-Aid? Thirfty? It was literally like one of the best nights of my life.' Back with her friends, Kim says, 'I just want a drama-free life, and it's like there's always headlines and this and this and this. Even if there's things that are inaccurate, it's not like I can get out there and be like, 'Hey this is wrong, this is wrong, this is what happened.' It's like, at the end of the day, that will just be another story and another thing and I just want it to go away.' Good person: Kim adds in confession, 'Pete is such a good good person, I can't even explain it. He's just has the best heart and always thinks of the small things' Best nights: She added, 'One time, he was like, 'Babe, let's go get some ice cream at Thrifty.' And I was like, 'Oh my God you are making me so f***ing horny. Rite-Aid? Thirfty? It was literally like one of the best nights of my life' Kim adds in confession, 'I never want the person that I'm dating to be like subjected to like public scrutiny, just because we're dating. He' knows what he's getting himself into, obviously, but I'm trying to minimize any tabloid drama.' She tells her friends she just wants to have, 'a good next few days, sleep, focus, and I can't believe I hate that whole f***ing thing of Dibs.' She tells them she's going to bed because she's sick and she cannot be sick for her shoot tomorrow, as they all say good night to the moon. Kim tells her friends they're supposed to look at the moon and 'manifest' as they all raise their arms at the moon. Good days: She tells her friends she just wants to have, 'a good next few days, sleep, focus, and I can't believe I hate that whole f***ing thing of Dibs' Married At First Sight's Olivia Frazer and Jackson Lonie created quite the spectacle when they arrived for their first public engagement since his cheating scandal last month. The OnlyFans star, 28, and her plumber boyfriend, 31, were driven from the Central Coast to Sydney in a $1.2million white Rolls-Royce by Prestige Car Hire so they could attend the launch of the Cabana bar in Martin Place. They were met by a sea of paparazzi as they stepped out of the luxury vehicle, with Jackson looking every inch the gentleman as he held open the door for his girlfriend. United: Married At First Sight's Olivia Frazer and Jackson Lonie created quite the spectacle when they arrived for their first public engagement since his cheating scandal last month Olivia looked stylish in a black denim jacket, which she layered over a matching T-shirt, latex pants and boots. Jackson also opted for a black shirt with the first two buttons undone, which he teamed with jeans and sneakers. Once inside, the reality TV lovebirds packed on the PDA as they enjoyed a steamy makeout session while posing for photos. Living the high life! The OnlyFans star and her plumber boyfriend were driven from the Central Coast to Sydney in a white Rolls-Royce so they could attend the launch of the Cabana bar Going strong: The reality TV lovebirds put on a united front inside the venue She later gave her MAFS co-star Carolina Santos a friendly kiss on the cheek. Carolina was joined by her boyfriend Daniel Holmes, as well as fellow MAFS groom Cody Bromley. The sighting comes less than two weeks after Jackson cheated on Olivia with 20-year-old traffic controller Han Hughes on a wild night out in Melbourne, leaving his girlfriend heartbroken. Get a room! Once inside, the reality TV lovebirds packed on the PDA as they enjoyed a steamy makeout session while posing for photos Stylish: Olivia looked stylish in a black denim jacket, which she layered over a matching T-shirt The couple had been out together earlier that evening, but Olivia went home and Jackson continued partying with friends - and eventually ended up in the arms of another woman at the Lava Lounge bar. Footage of the kiss spread across the internet like wildfire, and a devastated Olivia later told Daily Mail Australia she was 'speechless'. 'We're still together... I have told him to have a big think about what he wants,' Olivia said the day after the incident. Reunited: She later gave her MAFS co-star Carolina Santos (right) a friendly kiss on the cheek Still together! Carolina was joined by her boyfriend Daniel Holmes (right) Taxi, please! At one stage, Daniel was seen carrying Olivia out of the bar Who knew they were friends? They were later seen posing with actress Suzan Mutesi (centre) Jackson has since admitted he 'f**ked up' and is 'seeking help' for his drinking. 'The way I've kind of been dealing with [the negativity from MAFS] is to get blackout drunk, which don't get me wrong, it isn't an excuse, it's not acceptable,' he said. 'It's not the person I want to be. It's not who I am. 'I am seeking help to try and figure out new ways to combat my emotions and how to deal with this negativity.' How could he? The sighting comes less than two weeks after Jackson cheated on Olivia with 20-year-old Han Hughes on a wild night out in Melbourne, leaving his girlfriend heartbroken Karl Stefanovic is a proud Maroons supporter. And the Queensland-born Today host was sledged by NSW Blues fans on Wednesday as he cheered on his state at the first State of Origin game in Sydney. Karl, 47, proudly held a Maroons scarf in the air as the crowd supporting the opposing team stood up and booed him. Proud supporter: Queensland-born Today host Karl Stefanovic was sledged by NSW Blues fans on Wednesday as he cheered on his state at the first State of Origin game in Sydney 'Best crowd sledging ever,' he captioned a video of the moment on Instagram. It comes after the Channel Nine presenter took to social media on Wednesday to share a sweet family photo of himself and brother Peter. The pair relaxed in a pool as Peter carried Karl's daughter Harper, two, as well as his own sons Oscar, two, and Henry, one, whom he shares with wife Sylvia Jeffreys. Opposing teams: The Channel Nine presenter, 47, proudly held a Maroons scarf in the air as the crowd supporting the opposing team stood up and booed him 'QUEENSLANDER,' Karl captioned the snap, referencing the NRL clash. Karl shares daughter Harper with his shoe designer wife Jasmine Stefanovic. He met Jasmine, 38, at a boat party in Sydney just months after he separated from his first wife, Cassandra Thorburn, in 2016. Bond: It comes after the Channel Nine presenter took to social media on Wednesday to share a sweet family photo of himself and brother Peter The couple married at the five-star One&Only Palmilla resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, in December 2018. In May, the couple celebrated Harper's second birthday with a Cocomelon-inspired birthday party at a local park. Karl also shares daughter Willow and sons Jackson and River with his ex-wife. Celebrity trainer Jono Castano and model Simone Holtznagel are the newest couple on the Sydney social scene. And on Wednesday, the pair enjoyed a fun date night at the star-studded launch of QT Newcastle. Simone, 28, who has modelled for the likes of Playboy in the past, looked chic in a silk green trouser suit. New couple alert! Celeb trainer Jono Castano and model Simone Holtznagel cosied up at the launch of QT Newcastle on Wednesday, after confirming their romance The blonde bombshell wore her long locks out and over her shoulders and her makeup included dewy foundation and a soft pink lip. She added height to her frame by wearing a pair of strappy beige heels. Jono, who has trained the likes of Rebel Wilson and Rita Ora, looked smart in a black linen shirt and trousers, which he teamed with white sneakers. Blonde bombshell: Simone, 28, who has modelled for the likes of Playboy in the past, looked chic in a silk green trouser suit Familiar faces: The pair were seen cosying up together as they joined the likes of Christian Wilkins, actor Ben Mingay and MasterChef's Reece Hignell at the event Chic: Christian looked incredibly stylish in a vibrant long top and trousers and had fun mingling with guests The pair were seen cosying up together as they joined the likes of Christian Wilkins, actor Ben Mingay and MasterChef's Reece Hignell at the event. Christian looked incredibly stylish in a vibrant long top and trousers and had fun mingling with guests. At one point, he happily posed in a bath filled with ice cubes and champagne. The luxe life! At one point, he happily posed in a bath filled with ice cubes and champagne Fancy seeing you here! Pictured is actor Ben Mingay, best known for his role on Packed to the Rafters Stepping out: MasterChef star Reece Hignell looked thrilled to be at the event Jono and Simone recently went public when they locked lips at Mimi's - the celebrity hotspot owned by Justin Hemmes, who is dating Simone's sister Madeline. Simone and Jono, 31, cosied up on the balcony at the eatery, with the blonde beauty taking selfies while the couple passionately kissed. It came after Jono's split with wife Amy Castano, but the pair remain on good terms. Alexa Chung looked nothing short of stylish on Wednesday night as she attended the launch of the Adidas x Gucci collection at the Peckham Liberal Club in London. The British fashion designer showcased her sartorial taste in a cropped yellow cardigan and a matching midi skirt from the Adidas collection. The chic ensemble featured both the multinational brand's logo and distinctive stripes. Chic: Alexa Chung looked nothing short of stylish on Wednesday night as she attended the launch of the Adidas x Gucci collection at the Peckham Liberal Club in London The 38-year-old accessorised her outfit with a simple Gucci handbag and black pointed-toe heels. As for her hair and makeup, the writer wore her middle-parted bob with a loose wave and completed her look with a bold pop of red lipstick. Once inside the venue, Alexa, who joined the likes of Lila Moss at the fashion event, posed up a storm for the cameras. The British fashion designer, 38, showcased her sartorial taste in a cropped yellow cardigan and a matching midi skirt from the Adidas collection Making an entrance: The 38-year-old accessorised her outfit with a simple Gucci handbag and black pointed-toe heels Style: As for her hair and makeup, the writer wore her middle-parted bob with a loose wave and completed her look with a bold pop of red lipstick Beauty: Once inside the venue, Alexa, who joined the likes of Lila Moss at the fashion event, posed up a storm for the cameras In March, it was revealed that Alexa's business suffered a loss of more than 11million before she decided to shut it down, as her fashion website closed its doors. The star revealed she was going to shut her eponymous brand Alpha Charlie, which she launched in May 2017, earlier that month. And new accounts for the company revealed that its losses went up by 1.3million to more than 11million during the Covid-19 pandemic, in the 12 months up to March 31, 2021. End of the road: In March, it was revealed that Alexa's business suffered a loss of more than 11million before she decided to shut it down, as her fashion website closed its doors The business cash reserves also dropped by half to less than 120,000 over the worst months of the lockdown last year. Alexa's company, which employs 17 staff, used the furlough scheme to claim up to 40,000 to pay some employees across four months of 2021. The fashion business also took out a 50,000 government-backed Bounce Back Loan. Former Love Island star Bethany Rogers claims she lost herself to drugs and ended up in an abusive relationship after she was portrayed as a 'monster' on the show. The ex contestant, now 26, appeared on the first series in 2015 as a late arrival when she says she was told to stir the pot by producers. She was kicked off the programme after 10 days and recalls turning her phone on to vile messages and death threats from some viewers, and she later turned to drugs in a bid to feel comfortable in her own skin. Tough time: Former Love Island star Bethany Rogers, 26, claims she lost herself to drugs and ended up in an abusive relationship after she was portrayed as a 'monster' on the show The mother-of-one says she lost her 'self worth' due to the relentless trolling and became addicted to ketamine. She was acquitted of money laundering in a case that lasted four years, concluding at Bradford Magistrates Court last week where she was given an absolute discharge on one remaining count of possessing 134mg of ketamine. Bethany told The Sun: 'I quickly realised this show is nothing to do with finding love. They were just pitting the Islanders against each other. Looking back: The ex contestant appeared on the first series in 2015 as a late arrival when she says she was told to stir the pot by producers 'Producers would come in everyday and direct us to talk to a certain person - to stir the pot. They were manipulating us to fit their narrative. But everything shown of me was negative and aggressive.' She entered the villa on day 14 and was dumped from the island 10 days later, and says she was inundated with 'so much trolling and malicious remarks, even death threats' online when she turned on her phone once off camera. Bethany added: 'I was literally shocked when I watched the show and saw how I'd been portrayed. They'd made me out to be so aggressive.' Horrific: She was kicked off the programme after 10 days and recalls turning her phone on to vile messages and death threats from some viewers A spokesperson for Love Island told MailOnline: 'This is not a version of events we recognise. 'As with all Islanders, Bethany was offered aftercare, both at the time and in the years since her appearance. 'Because of medical confidentiality, we do not comment on individuals' duty of care, but our welfare protocols are widely publicised and we have a robust set of measures in place to ensure support before, during and after filming is prioritised.' Bethany performed as a dancer and fire breather in and around Leeds before her time on the show and was approached on Facebook by producers who asked her to audition. Addiction: The mother-of-one says she lost her 'self worth' due to the relentless trolling and became addicted to ketamine She jumped at the chance thinking it would further her career but did not make the original line-up. Instead, she was flown out to the villa part way through the series as a late arrival on the show. She recalls how she was told: 'You know what you've got to do,' by show staff before she was put in the villa late at night after the Islanders had spent the evening drinking. Bethany claims producers instructed her who to talk to every day so she would fit in with their narrative. She added that while she got on well with her fellow Islanders and left on good terms, the footage shown of her on television was 'negative and aggressive'. First night: She recalls how she was told: 'You know what you've got to do,' by show staff before she was put in the villa late at night after the Islanders had spent the evening drinking Bethany later got into a relationship with a man who she claims was violent towards her. While with him she ended up on money laundering charges in 2019 after she was accused of jointly buying an Audi A3 using 16,500 criminal money. She says he beat her over the course of a year and eventually she ran and left the relationship. Bethany says police wanted to press charges against him for domestic violence but she just wanted to get away from him so didn't go through with it. In 2018, despite having split from her ex, she was arrested alongside him on money laundering charges and turned to drugs deal with the stress. After giving birth to a little girl she realised she needed help and checked herself into rehab. All charges against her were dropped in 2020 and her case concluded last week. She is now studying psychology at Bradford University and hopes to help other people who have suffered trauma. She moved overseas this time last year. And it looks like Married At First Sight alum Tamara Joy is still living the European dream 12 months later. The reality star, 33, showcased her incredible bikini body while soaking up the sun at the beach in Ibiza, Spain, on Wednesday. Holiday mode: Married At First Sight alum Tamara Joy showcased her incredible bikini body at the beach in Ibiza, Spain, on Wednesday The tattooed brunette turned heads as she waded through the water in a barely there blue bikini with a tie-dye print. Tamara, who has been holidaying on the party island for the last week, slicked back her hair after going for a refreshing dip. She has been practically living in swimwear since arriving in Ibiza, writing on Instagram on June 5: 'If it requires a bikini, my answer is yes!' The former MAFS bride moved to the UK this time last year. Hello, boys! The tattooed brunette turned heads as she waded through the water in a barely there blue bikini with a tie-dye print She told Daily Mail Australia at the time she'd been granted permission to travel during the Covid pandemic because of a work permit. 'I applied for an exemption as you can't get past the Australian borders without an exemption to leave, and it was granted quite quickly,' she said. 'I was approved for an existing working contract and left five weeks ago. What also helped was the fact I have no intention to return to Australia anytime soon and it's at my own risk. 'I had to provide all correct documentation to support this and prove I could support myself being away from Australia for a certain period of time.' Endless summer: She has been practically living in swimwear since arriving in Ibiza, writing on Instagram on June 5: 'If it requires a bikini, my answer is yes!' Tamara concluded: 'I have gone through the correct channels and did a lot of research to find out how to make my situation work.' A few months after her move, she called it quits with her OnlyFans star boyfriend Thomas Powell. She announced their split during an Instagram Q&A in August 2021. 'No, Thomas and I are not dating anymore,' she said when asked about her relationship status. 'I was going to go on a bit of a tantrum and tell you all about it. But you know you know what? It's just not worth my energy or my breath.' Heading overseas: The former MAFS bride moved to the UK this time last year Tamara, who is on OnlyFans herself, said she and Thomas were just 'two different people' and their relationship simply 'didn't work out.' However, a source told Daily Mail at the time the former couple broke things off because their relationship was 'toxic'. 'They were always fighting and arguing. It was just very toxic. Tamara felt like she was always walking on eggshells around him,' the insider said. Presided over by the Earl of Derby and held in the River Room of the Savoy Hotel, the 150-a-head black tie Derby Club Dinner is arguably the most glittering and traditional evening event in racing's social calendar. But this year's gathering has precipitated a fearful row about its status as a men-only affair. The Racing Post quoted the former head of the Racehorse Owners Association, Rachel Hood, who calls it 'damaging to racing' and 'an embarrassing anachronism'. One guest Joe Saumarez Smith, newly installed as chairman of the British Horseracing Authority said he had been unaware that it was an all-male event and 'would not return' if that continued to be the case. This, in turn, has inspired a backlash from some members of the club, which was founded in 1932 and was thereafter regularly addressed by Winston Churchill, a keen Derby Club Dinner attendee. Indeed, one member, controversial City PR man Piers Pottinger, has resigned in the wake of the row's coverage. Presided over by the Earl of Derby (left) and held in the River Room of the Savoy Hotel, the 150-a-head black tie Derby Club Dinner is arguably the most glittering and traditional evening event in racing's social calendar But this year's gathering has precipitated a fearful row about its status as a men-only affair Quite why Pottinger has chosen to resign is unclear. However, no other member of the club, whose gilded roll-call includes the Marquess of Blandford, Earl De La Warre, the Queen's former representative at Ascot Sir Johnny Weatherby, and the Sangster brothers, Guy and Ben, has done likewise. Instead, they emphasise that the club is a purely social gathering, lacking any official connection with the racing world. 'No woman in her right mind would attend,' one stalwart tells me. 'It's a lot of jolly, red-faced men getting p****d. There's nothing stopping somebody from setting up another Derby Club.' The Earl of Derby's brother Peter Stanley, who runs his family's stud in Newmarket, describes the policy of not inviting women as 'constantly under review', but adds: 'My wife is a mad-keen racing lady and I've discussed it with her many times. She has said that it's not the sort of occasion she would want to go to.' This, in turn, has inspired a backlash from some members of the club, which was founded in 1932 and was thereafter regularly addressed by Winston Churchill, a keen Derby Club Dinner attendee Labour's Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, is known for her attacks on the privileged backgrounds of Tory 'scum', yet she does seem to enjoy the perks of her position. Rayner, 42, has just declared in the Register of Members' Financial Interests that she accepted almost 1,000 worth of free outfits from a U.S. label, Adrianna Papell. 'Eleven dresses, total value 948,' she confirms. He lords over the sumptuous Hovingham Hall in North Yorkshire the childhood home of his aunt, the Duchess of Kent and its 3,000-acre estate. But Sir William Worsley, 65, is occasionally obliged to rummage down the back of the sofa, as it were, to aid the upkeep of Hovingham, which costs more than 100,000 a year to run. Hence, presumably, next month's Christie's sale of a 4,500-year-old Egyptian statue given to Sir William's ancestor by George III. It's estimated to go for 4 million enough to ensure that Hovingham remains in the family, as it has for the past 450 years. TV pundit Francesca welcomes baby Teddy ITV's perkiest presenter, racing pundit Francesca Cumani, has given birth to a boy named Teddy. 'Utterly delicious in every way,' she says of the baby, whose father is her boyfriend, Ironman triathlete Max Johnson, 37. Cumani also has a six-year-old son, Harry, by her ex, Australian polo player Rob Archibald. That marriage fell victim to the couple's job commitments Rob is based Down Under while Francesca works here. The presenter, 39, also dated her ITV Racing co-host Oli Bell for two years before they split in 2020. ITV's perkiest presenter, racing pundit Francesca Cumani, has given birth to a boy named Teddy 'Utterly delicious in every way,' she says of the baby, whose father is her boyfriend, Ironman triathlete Max Johnson, 37 Trademarking is an art for Madonna's boy Rocco Ritchie, the son of pop queen Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie, has inherited his parents' creative genes, painting art works that sell for five figures. Now, I can disclose that the artist, 21, has applied to trademark the monikers he uses, Rhed and Maison Rhed, at the Intellectual Property Office. His paintings are displayed at the Tanya Baxter Contemporary gallery in Chelsea, alongside works by Banksy, Antony Gormley and Andy Warhol. 'Rhed's cultural background is diverse and unconventional,' his biography states. Rocco Ritchie, the son of pop queen Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie, has inherited his parents' creative genes, painting art works that sell for five figures Georgina will go to the ball... despite dislodging two ribs! Talk about adding insult to injury. West End star Georgina Castle starred in two of the final performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Cinderella, yesterday, despite dislodging two ribs just last week. 'I'm in tight corsets for the show and I'm moving around, jutting about and dancing, and I think someone squeezed me a little too hard and two of the rib heads just popped out,' says the actress, 29, who plays a wicked stepsister (pictured). The daughter of BBC Wimbledon commentator Andrew Castle adds: 'It was painful, and I still feel a bit battered and bruised now. You don't want your ribs piercing through. I was really struggling to breathe.' Lord Lloyd-Webber shocked fans when he announced the production would close this weekend earlier than planned. So Castle was determined not to miss a show. 'Obviously, loads of friends and family want to come, so you've gotta do what you've gotta do.' What a trouper! West End star Georgina Castle starred in two of the final performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Cinderella, yesterday, despite dislodging two ribs just last week Sophie hits bullseye on Jubilee trip Watch out, Prince Harry! Any more nonsense, and your aunt Sophie will have you in her sights. Yesterday, the Countess of Wessex, 57, tried her hand at archery during a visit with her husband, Prince Edward, to Gibraltar, where they are celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Former public relations boss Sophie's trip to the Rock has already been eventful. The plane they were on had to make an unscheduled landing due to what was described as a 'technical issue'. Yesterday, the Countess of Wessex, 57, tried her hand at archery during a visit with her husband, Prince Edward, to Gibraltar, where they are celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee The Royal Family is above such things as commissioning opinion polls, but the Duchess of Cambridge may have learnt a thing or two at a Kensington Palace meeting on Tuesday. I hear she held talks via video link with Kelly Beaver, chief executive of the polling organisation Ipsos. A Kensington Palace spokesman declines to comment on what they discussed. No doubt Beaver could have told our future queen that, according to the latest polls, her popularity has rocketed over the past year, with a net favourability rating of +55. Theresa's 109k talk If Boris Johnson is worried about being forced out of No 10, he can console himself with thoughts of how much he could earn. His predecessor, Theresa May who was hardly known for her captivating addresses has just revealed that she was paid 109,000 for a five-hour speaking engagement. According to the Register of Members' Financial Interests, she received the sum last month for a speaking engagement with the Danish Bar and Law Society in Copenhagen. The former prime minister has reportedly earned more than 2.1 million on the lucrative speaking circuit in the three years since leaving Downing Street. Jason Bateman has left the film Artemis, which he was slated to direct, over creative differences. Deadline on Tuesday reported that the decision between Bateman and the film's production company These Pictures was an amicable one, and that the sides could work again if the right project was to arise. The film, which details the timeframe around the Space Race, stars Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans; Johansson is also a producer on the movie. The latest: Jason Bateman, 53, has left the film Artemis, which he was slated to direct, over creative differences. The actor was snapped at a promotional event for Ozark on Sunday Apple in March paid more than $100 million to acquire the motion picture, which was penned by screenwriter Rose Gilroy, who is the daughter of writer-filmmaker Dan Gilroy and actress Rene Russo, Deadline previously reported. Bateman recently finished making the last season of his Netflix hit Ozark. The collaboration between Evans and Johansson comes as the performers had hoped to work with one another in the wake of their work of the Avengers series. The decision between Bateman and the film's production company These Pictures was an amicable one, and the sides could work again if the right project was to arise, sources told Deadline The film, which details the timeframe around the Space Race, stars Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson The entertainers had been slated to work with one another on the forthcoming film Ghosted, but Johansson left the movie due to scheduling issues and was replaced by Ana de Armas. Johansson is working with Apple on a film called Bride, which will be directed by Academy Award winner Sebastian Lelio. The movie is in development at this point, according to the outlet. Apple purchased the highly-anticipated movie in a deal brokered by CAA, the outlet reported. The studio in the past year has spent big on prestige projects ranging from a Formula 1 film Brad Pitt will star in, and Argylle, a spy thriller from director Matthew Vaughn featuring Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill and Bryan Cranston. Apple earlier this year collected an Oscar for Best Picture for the movie CODA, marking the first time a movie a streaming service distributed achieved the honor. Twitter is testing a new feature called Product Drops. As recently announced, the social media company is expanding its shopping features with the newly created Product Drops. According to Twitter, this brand-new shopping option gives customers the ability to keep ahead of the launches that are most relevant to them and gives retailers an additional opportunity to engage customers in conversations about significant product releases. Twitter Product Drops Twitter releases Product Drops. The newest addition to the company's array of features is the Twitter Shopping family. This feature will allow brands that are launching product drops will have the ability to tweet links to impending launches, and customers will have the option to sign up for in-app notifications so that they are alerted of the launch before it occurs. When a brand tweets about an impending launch using Product Drops, customers will notice a "Remind me" button at the bottom of the tweet. This button will allow users to be reminded of the product launch with just one press. As described by The Verge, during the release day, users will receive an in-app notification in their Notifications tab fifteen minutes before and at the time of the drop. This will allow them to be among the first customers to shop on the brand's website and successfully purchase the items ahead of other competing customers. However, this feature is not designed for the transaction to be done within Twitter. Instead, when users click on the reminder notification, it will lead them to an option that will state "Shop on Website," and that button will allow them to purchase the item on the brand's website. When users click the "Remind me" button, they will be presented with a brief product description. When brands tweet about their upcoming releases, users will be able to open a full-screen Product Details Page. Users will be able to see the product information, such as price, images, description, and a clickable hashtag feature that will highlight what other people are saying about it on Twitter. According to Twitter, at this time, Product Drops can only be viewed and interacted with by consumers located in the United States who conduct their Twitter activity on an iOS device using the English language. In addition, the company also stated that they are in collaboration with a limited number of brands such as the Lego Group, Union Los Angeles, Home Depot, Fossil x Jeff Staple, and Dior. Read Also: Twitter Confirms Addition of Edit Button - Is Elon Musk Responsible? Twitter Shopping According to Engadget, Twitter is releasing this feature with the intent of leveraging the way Twitter is already used to build anticipation for limited-edition products or things that are particularly highly demanded. Although the social media company has stated that it views the field of e-commerce as a potential opportunity, Twitter has been rather slow in incorporating features that are related to e-commerce into its platform when compared to the majority of its competitors. When comparing Twitter to Meta's Facebook and Instagram, the latter social media platform has its own e-commerce features such as the Facebook Marketplace, and Instagram has also been popular for its shopping terms called "instacarting." Although the company is not that far behind, Twitter has already released features like Twitter Shops, Live Shopping, and Shop Spotlight. With the announcement of this testing feature, the company also stated that as they refine these new services and bring them to more brands and customers, Twitter will provide additional information about their progress and public roll out in the coming months. Related Article: Twitter Board Votes Against Elon Musk's Ally - Silver Lake CEO Egon Durban Veteran Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne has been spotted filming her final scenes on Ramsay Street, following the long-running program's shock axing. The 66-year-old, who has been playing the role of Susan Kennedy since 1994, was seen battling the Melbourne winter chill as she appeared on camera wearing a decidedly summery outfit. When the cameras weren't rolling, producers rushed to hand Jackie a hot water bottle and long-line puffer jacket. Freezing over: Neighbours veteran Jackie Woodburne, 66, battled Melbourne's winter chill by clutching a hot water bottle as she filmed her final scenes on Ramsay Street on Tuesday At one stage, the actress was seen clutching a rolled-up newspaper to her chest in an attempt to keep warm. Despite the less-than-ideal working environment, showbiz stalwart Jackie remained stoic as she focussed on the film crew's instructions. Also spotted on-set was actor Stefan Dennis, 63, who has played the role of ruthless businessman Paul Robinson since 1985. All wrapped up: When the cameras weren't rolling, producers rushed to hand Jackie a hot water bottle and long-line puffer jacket Chilly: Putting her body on the line! At one stage, the actress was seen clutching a rolled-up newspaper to her chest in an attempt to keep warm Jackie's appearance on-set comes weeks after she expressed her disappointment over the shock axing of Neighbours after 37 years on the air. Speaking to TV Week, Jackie said the long-running Aussie soap had been a terrific training ground for cast and crew for almost four decades, and will be greatly missed. 'I will miss this place very much,' she said. Neighbours veteran: Also spotted on-set was actor Stefan Dennis, 63, (pictured) who has played the role of ruthless businessman Paul Robinson since 1985 Production on the series will cease in June and Jackie said she hopes viewers can get a finale that is 'upbeat and happy'. 'I can't begin to imagine what kind of story will wrap up 38 years of TV history,' she said, 'but I hope it showcases our fantastic cast and crew, and leaves fans satisfied.' Jackie's character Susan is married to Dr Karl Kennedy, who is played by Alan Fletcher. The Kennedys arrived in Ramsey street in 1994. Dr Karl became the GP and Susan taught at the local school. The couple provided Neighbours viewers with many memorable storylines, including Susan's struggle with multiple sclerosis. Iconic duo: Jackie's character Susan is married to Dr Karl Kennedy, who is played by Alan Fletcher. The pair are pictured together in character during their formative years on the show Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco has delivered a scathing verdict after seeing rival bride Olivia Frazer's racy OnlyFans photos. The two women clashed during filming last year when Olivia outed Dom as an OnlyFans model - but in a strange twist of fate, Olivia and her boyfriend Jackson Lonie are now making a living off the adult website. The former makeup artist, 29, didn't hold back after being shown an X-rated snap from Olivia's subscribers-only account on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday. 'I need bleach in my eyes': Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco (pictured) has delivered a scathing verdict after seeing rival bride Olivia Frazer's racy OnlyFans photos Domenica, who was joined by her co-star Ella Ding, told radio hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson she had already seen the content and wasn't impressed. When asked by Ella if she had signed up for Olivia's OnlyFans in order to view the photos, she laughed: 'Babe, it's on the internet!' 'I've seen it and I tell you what, I need bleach in my eyes. I need bleach all over me.' Kyle and Jackie then decided to show the pair a photo from the private account, and Domenica acted like she was repulsed by it. 'I've seen it': Domenica, who was joined on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday by her co-star Ella Ding (left), said she had already seen the content and was repulsed 'What's with the rings?' Domenica remarked, after taking a moment to look at the image. It comes after Olivia cleared up some misinformation about the 'nude photo scandal' that rocked this year's season of MAFS. The former teaching student was accused of maliciously sharing an intimate photo of Domenica during filming, and outing her as an OnlyFans model. The matter remains the subject of a NSW Police investigation. Revenge: When asked by Ella if she had signed up for Olivia's (pictured) OnlyFans in order to see the photos, she laughed: 'Babe, it's on the internet!' During a recent Instagram Q&A, Olivia made four main points: firstly, she insisted she never 'slut-shamed' Domenica by sharing her nude photo among the cast. Secondly, she alleged she didn't send the image to anyone electronically, and simply showed her co-stars the picture on her phone. Thirdly, she claimed the photo at the centre of the scandal was not from behind an OnlyFans paywall and had actually been posted by Domenica on her public Twitter account. And lastly, she speculated that producers were aware of Domenica's OnlyFans and related social media profiles and wanted the other participants to discover them. Speaking out: Olivia was accused of maliciously sharing an intimate photo of Domenica while filming MAFS last year. The matter remains the subject of a NSW Police investigation Olivia also admitted the whole saga was ultimately a drunken mistake. After being asked by a follower 'what actually happened with the OnlyFans photo', she said she'd been drinking when she showed the photo to her co-stars, but stressed that no one was 'mean about it' and there was 'no slut-shaming'. She added that they were mostly just curious as to why producers had allowed Domenica to have public social media accounts during filming when the rest of the cast had been ordered to lock down their Twitter and Instagram profiles. Response: Olivia claimed the photo was not from behind an OnlyFans paywall and had actually been posted by Domenica on her public Twitter account. She also alleged she didn't send the image to anyone electronically, and simply showed her co-stars the picture on her phone 'It was not an OnlyFans photo. It was a photo that was posted on her [Domenica's] Reddit and Twitter to advertise her OnlyFans,' she began. 'It was not behind a paywall. I did not send it to the whole group. I showed [my phone to] the people who I was with, which was a small group of five or six of us, when I received the photos [from a friend]. 'And I say photos because it wasn't just one photo, it was all the open [public] social media platforms.' Olivia continued: 'No one ever slut-shamed her. 'We were just questioning why she was allowed to have open social media pages when everyone else had to have theirs shut down.' 'Entrapment': Olivia also speculated that producers were aware of Domenica's OnlyFans and related social media profiles and wanted the other participants to discover them Hinting at a conspiracy, she added: 'We were wondering if producers had left it up on purpose to maybe create a storyline. 'We just had the Simon Blackburn scandal. I think producers intentionally left it all up as entrapment to create a storyline, which they got.' While Olivia said she suspected foul play on the part of MAFS producers, Channel Nine's head of content Adrian Swift has previously said they do not stage storylines. Mr Swift told Variety Australia in April: 'We don't make things happen and we don't excise anything that has happened.' Bradley Cooper has been transformed into famed composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein through the artful use of prosthetics and movie makeup for the upcoming biopic Maestro. And on Wednesday the leading man, who's also serving as director, was spotted on the set preparing to shoot another scene in New York City as a younger version of his real-life character. Not long later, Sarah Silverman, who plays Leonard's sister Shirley Bernstein, would join Cooper on set for the first time since the production shifted to Manhattan. Getting into character: Bradley Cooper, 47, transformed into famed composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein for another day of shooting in New York City for the Netflix biopic Maestro Cooper, 47, looked to already be fitted with a prosthetic nose for his portrayal of Berstein by the time he was seen on the bustling streets. The costume department had him dressed in a gray retro suit with a white dress shirt and short black-patterned tie. The two-time Grammy Award winner also sported brown dress shoes, and had his dark brown hair parted to the side, with the exception of a few loose strands curling over his forehead. As the crew were getting prepared behind the scenes, Cooper could be seen off to the side with a cigarette in his mouth, which appeared to be a prop for the next scene. Take five! Cooper looked to already be fitted with a prosthetic nose for his portrayal of Bernstein as he prepared to shoot another scene in his retro gray suit Scene set-up: Cooper could be seen on set with a cigarette in his mouth, which appeared to be a prop, talking with crew members as they prepared to shoot another scene He flashed a big smile just as he began a conversation with what appeared to be one of the director's assistant's, as well other members of the crew. At one point, the Pennsylvania native was seen walking across a street with the cigarette still in his mouth in an apparent test run for an upcoming shot. This is the first film Cooper has both starred and directed since A Star Is Born (2018), which went on receive eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor. The day's events also included Silverman, 51, making her debut on the set with her hair done up in what looked to be the style of the late 1940's-early 1950s. Still in preparation mode, the actress and comedian appeared to be wearing her normal civilian cloths, consisting of black pants, a black and white striped shirt and green slippers. Double duty: Cooper is both starring in the film and serving as director for the first time since he did double duty for A Star Is Born (2018), which went on to receive eight Oscar nominations The cast of the Netflix production also includes Carey Mulligan as Bernstein's wife Felicia Montealegre, as well as Jeremy Strong, Matt Bomer and Maya Hawke. The film, which was also co-written by the Hangover star, focuses on the complex relationship between Bernstein and Montealegre. Despite grappling with his own sexuality and a turbulent on-off engagement, the couple ended up marrying in 1951 and had three children. Considered to be one of the most important conductors of his time, Bernstein was the first American conductor to receive international acclaim, earning him seven Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards and 16 Grammy Awards during his storied career. His best-known work is the Broadway musical West Side Story, which continues to be regularly performed worldwide, and has been adapted into two feature films (1961 and 2021). Maestro is expected to debut on Netflix sometime in 2023. Joining the crew: Sarah Silverman, 51, who plays Leonard's sister Shirley Bernstein, was seen on the set with Cooper for the first time on Wednesday Lewis Hamilton is set to join forces with Brad Pitt for a drama after Apple won the rights to the film in a reported $130 million deal. According to Deadline, the film will see Pitt, 58, star as a racing driver who comes out of retirement to compete with a rookie, with the former World Champion, 37, acting as a producer on the project. The film, which is yet untitled, will be directed by Joseph Kosinski, who recently helmed the critically-lauded sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Coming soon: Lewis Hamilton is set to join forces with Brad Pitt for a drama after Apple won the rights to the film in a reported $130 million deal Pitt's character will make one last bid for racing glory as he tries to mentor a young driver against some of the fastest racers in Formula One. The upcoming film is shaping up to have an action film dream team working under the hood, as super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer is attached to the project, as is screenwriter Ehren Kruger. Back in December it was reported that Pitt's latest film had sparked a fierce bidding war between a range of film studios and streaming services. Exciting: The film will see Pitt star as a racing driver who comes out of retirement to compete with a rookie, with Lewis acting as a producer on the project. The upcoming film is shaping up to have an action film dream team working under the hood, as super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer is attached to the project, as is screenwriter Ehren Kruger. Lewis himself is no stranger to Hollywood, having previously made cameos in Cars 2, Cars 3 and Zoolander 2, and in March Apple secured the rights to a documentary about his life and racing career. When asked about a move to Hollywood back in 2019, Lewis said: 'I don't know if I am ever going to be good at movies, but I'll give it a try.' Pitt has reportedly long been interested in making a racing picture with Kosinski, and the duo were previously in talks to make an early version of what eventually became the hit racing film Ford V Ferrari. An early version of the project was titled Go Like Hell and featured Kosinski directing Pitt with Tom Cruise. Heavy hitters: The untitled project is set to be directed by Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski (L), and super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer (R) is also attached Change of plans: Pitt previously wanted to work on a racing film with Kosinski and Tom Cruise, which evolved into Ford V Ferrari Although racing- and car-focused films have a mixed history of success with audiences, Ford V Ferrari's commercial performance and critical approval suggest that they can still be a hit under the right conditions. Pitt received some of the greatest reviews of his career for his 2019 Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which costarred Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie and earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He followed it up with the critically acclaimed but underseen science fiction epic Ad Astra. The actor and producer will next appear in the comedy The Lost City Of D with Sandra Bullock, the action thriller Bullet Train and La La Land director Damien Chazelle's film Babylon. Margarita Smith is no stranger to plastic surgery. And the Love Island Australia star paid tribute to her favourite cosmetic surgeon on Wednesday as she showcased his impressive work on Instagram. The influencer flaunted her eye-popping cleavage in a barely there pink bikini and praised her preferred nip-and-tuck clinic in the caption. Thanks, doc! Love Island Australia star Margarita Smith paid tribute to her favourite cosmetic surgeon on Wednesday as she showcased his impressive work on Instagram 'My favs always looking after all my cosmetic needs!' she wrote, tagging the popular Sydney clinic Cosmetic Avenue. The surgery replied in the comments section: 'We love our girl.' Margarita is no wallflower when it comes to her surgeries, and regularly gives her 200,000 followers updates on her procedures. Candid: Margarita is no wallflower when it comes to her surgeries, and regularly gives her 200,000 followers updates on her procedures The 27-year-old, who has had a breast enlargement and nose job among various other procedures, previously said she has never had an issue with body confidence. In an interview with Daily Mail Australia in November 2019, she spoke candidly about being happy with her appearance both pre and post surgery. 'I've always been a really confident person, my whole life. I've never actually sat there and thought, "Oh, I don't like this,"' she explained. Aesthetic choice: The 27-year-old previously said, 'I've always liked that dolled-up, fake look' 'I liked my boobs before. I thought they were fantastic! But to be honest, I've always liked that dolled-up, fake look. 'Initially I thought, "Do I want it? Do I not?" and then I thought, "S**t, yeah, I want it!" I love it. It's just how I want to portray myself, but I'm confident in who I am, 100 per cent.' She added: 'I was so happy with myself. If you spoke to anyone who knew me before [plastic surgery], they'd say, "She's just as confident now as a she was before." It wasn't a confidence thing, it was more just a preference in look.' Below Deck Down Under fan favourite Benny Crawley has butted heads with Bosun Jamie Sayed on the hit show this season. And speaking to Daily Mail Australia this week, the deckhand confirmed they are no longer on speaking terms ever since he saw Jamie talking badly about him on the show and in press interviews. The 34-year-old also stressed how dangerous it was to have to enter a chain locker on the boat, and that he didn't appreciate Jamie's flippant attitude towards his safety concerns. EXCLUSIVE: Below Deck Down Under star Benny Crawley (pictured) has opened up about his feud with co-star Jamie Sayed 'It was actually really intense. A lot of the time I was having to watch my back,' Benny said of working under Jamie. 'It culminates with the fishing and the chain locker. That was so dangerous, I don't give a f**k what anybody says. That is not safe,' he continued. 'I had just come out of fear of death with my parents, I'm in a three by two metre thing, chains filling up in there. S**t's dangerous. 'No instruction, I don't know who these people are, who's controlling it.' Danger: The 34-year-old stressed how dangerous it was to have to enter a chain locker on the boat, and that he didn't appreciate Jamie's flippant attitude towards his safety concerns Since his issues with Jamie came to a head, Benny has since taken Aesha Scott and Brittini Burton's side in their own feud with Jamie, which exploded when he became upset that the girls kept jokingly calling him a 'b***h' on board. 'I took the opportunity to back them up because we were always saying "yass b***h!" every second,' he explained. 'And Jamie, for whatever reason, has gone and attacked Brittini. And it's like, "No, Brittini wasn't saying it in a negative way."' Benny admitted the pair are no longer on speaking terms, despite sparking up a friendship shortly after they finished filming Below Deck together. It's over: Benny has also fallen out with the show's controversial chef, Ryan McKeown (pictured) 'It was lovely to hang out after the show, but then I got back and I saw him still putting out articles about me not being competent, or me driving the tender because I couldn't be on the boat - I was the only one with a license and the experience!' In addition to Jamie, Benny has also stopped speaking to Chef Ryan McKeown, who was fired by Captain Jason Chambers in a recent episode. 'I just don't appreciate the way he's behaving afterwards,' Benny explained, referring to Ryan's behaviour in the media and online since the show aired. 'I have nothing against him, he's lovely to me, but I don't want to be involved in hate like that,' he added. 'I don't want to be involved in hate like that': Benny explained that Ryan's post-show interviews had left a bad taste in his mouth It comes after Jamie accused deckhand Brittini and chief stewardess Aesha of 'bullying' him by repeatedly calling him a 'b***h' on the series, despite his many requests that they stop. Jamie took to Instagram last week to post a seven-minute video about the incident, which has become a major storyline on the yachting show. 'Two of these people decided to bully me,' he said, referring to Brittini and Aesha. 'These people have now since taught me that I can't trust them as much as I was hoping,' he continued. Broken: Jamie (pictured) accused deckhand Brittini and chief stewardess Aesha of 'bullying' him by repeatedly calling him a 'b***h' 'Brittini and Aesha used it on me in a bullying way and I don't accept that, especially after I've told them, I've set a boundary and said, "Please don't use that on me." 'It doesn't matter what it is, I've set a boundary. And I thought they were going to respect that. It made me feel uncomfortable and it hurt me to know that it was coming from Brittini and Aesha, two people I had confided in.' The conflict has played out over the last few episodes of Below Deck Down Under, and started when Brittini jokingly called Jamie a 'b***h' during a wild night out. 'Don't call me b***h again,' he snapped at her sternly. First time: Jamie (left) was furious after Brittini (right) jokingly called him a 'b***h' while they were out drinking together at a bar After Brittini told Aesha about the incident, Aesha later called Jamie the B-word while he was eating alone in the crew mess. 'Yo, b***h!' she called out, prompting an unimpressed Jamie to look up and say: 'I don't like that.' 'You're a bit sensitive towards that,' Aesha responded in a condescending tone. Aesha and Brittini later laughed about it in a taxi while heading to a bar to meet the rest of the crew, when Aesha turned to stewardess Magda Ziomek and told her to call Jamie a 'b***h' when they arrived. 'Yes, b***h, Jamie!' Magda screamed in Jamie's direction as Brittini laughed, which infuriated him. 'Yo, b***h!' After Brittini told Aesha about the incident, Aesha later called Jamie a 'b***h' while he was eating alone in the crew mess Rude: 'You're a bit sensitive towards that,' Aesha told Jamie in a condescending tone 'Okay, Magda. Call me that again and I'll never talk to you again,' he said. 'He's so stupid,' said Brittini, before a furious Jamie confronted her. 'You know exactly what I'm talking about, Brittini!' he said. 'Don't f**k around. I've told her, and now I've told her, that's three chicks, not to call me that.' Speaking to producers in a confessional, Aesha admitted it was 'childish' of her to 'egg Magda on' to call Jamie a 'b***h', even though he'd asked her not to. Instigating: Aesha and Brittini later laughed about it in a taxi while heading to a bar to meet the rest of the crew, when Aesha turned to stewardess Magda Ziomek and told her to call Jamie a 'b***h' when they arrived Hilarious? Brittini and Aesha laughed hysterically after Jamie told Captain Jason Chambers to ask them to stop calling him the slur The next day, Jamie reported the name-calling to Captain Jason Chambers, who then had a word to Brittini and asked her to stop. Complaining to producers about Jamie telling on her to the captain, Brittini said: 'Like, now who's being a b***h? That was a b****y b****h move.' Brittini and Aesha then laughed about it together, with Aesha saying: 'He's such a b***h!' Upset: 'These people have now since taught me that I can't trust them as much as I was hoping,' Jamie said in a video on Instagram Despite Jamie making his feelings about the incident clear on Instagram, deckhand Benny has since come out with a video of his own to defend Brittini and Aesha. He also criticised Jamie's leadership as a bosun, and said he was put in unsafe situations and had his work ethic unfairly criticised by Jamie throughout the show. 'I love Brittini and I love Aesha. They haven't got a bad bone in their body,' Benny said. No remorse: Speaking to producers in a confessional, Aesha admitted it was 'childish' of her to 'egg Magda on' to call Jamie a 'b***h', even though he'd asked her not to 'We did throw that word around on deck quite often, in the interior, it was always said endearingly. It's a famous quote or saying and it was used fairly often.' 'I just wanted to clear that up and make sure the girls had some support there,' he added. Aesha commented on the post, writing: 'Ohhhh Benny I love youuuu thank you so so much. And you are an amazing human being, that locker IS dangerous, never loose your shine.' Below Deck Down Under is available to stream on Hayu in Australia American actor Austin Butler was warned about dangerous 'drop bears' before coming to Australia to film the Elvis biopic in 2020. The 'drop bear' is a fictional carnivorous version of the koala that Australians like to warn foreigners about as a prank. The popular hoax plays upon fears many Americans and Europeans have about native Aussie wildlife. Drop bears? Hollywood actor Austin Butler, 30, has reveals the biggest 'lie' he was told about Australia before filming the Elvis biopic in Queensland Austin told the Hey Doll! podcast he'd been warned about 'drop bears' falling on him from above before he embarked on a kayaking trip. 'I did this kayaking thing where people said koalas would drop down on you,' he said. But the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star already knew koalas posed no threat to human beings. Vicious: Austin told the Hey Doll! podcast he'd been warned about 'drop bears' falling on him from above before he embarked on a kayaking trip. The 'drop bear' is a fictional carnivorous version of the koala (pictured) that Australians like to warn foreigners about as a prank 'Yeah, they turned out to be the most docile little things,' he said of the marsupial. According to the hoax in Australian folklore, 'drop bears' supposedly attack by 'dropping down' on unsuspecting prey. The pretend animal is often used to scare unsuspecting tourists who lack knowledge of Australia's flora and fauna. Down Under: Austin spent six months filming Elvis in Queensland alongside Australian co-star Olivia DeJong (left), who plays Priscilla Presley in the movie Austin confirmed he never fell for the prank. Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann, was filmed on the Gold Coast in Queensland from 2020 to 2021. Austin stars as rock and roll legend Elvis Presley alongside Olivia DeJong (Priscilla Presley) and Tom Hanks (Colonel Tom Parker). Elvis is screening in cinemas around Australia He has just taken the reins as Australia's new prime minister. But it seems Anthony Albanese has already booked himself a side gig, after confirming he will keep his promise to DJ at Kyle Sandilands' upcoming wedding to Tegan Kynaston. Albanese, an amateur DJ who loves music from the '80s and '90s, initially promised to perform at the radio host's nuptials back in March, but most listeners assumed he was joking. DJ Albo in the house! Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) has promised to DJ at radio host Kyle Sandilands' (left) upcoming wedding to fiancee Tegan Kynaston However, it seems the PM was dead serious, because on Thursday he once again assured Sandilands he'll be spinning some tunes at his wedding. 'That's on!' the Labor leader declared on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Sandilands' co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson didn't seem convinced, saying: 'So you're going to keep your promise? You might have to be called away...' Hip to the hop: Albanese, an amateur DJ who loves music from the '80s, initially promised to perform at the radio host's nuptials back in March, but most listeners assumed he was joking 'I keep my promises!' Mr Albanese responded. A thrilled Sandilands said he'd make room in the venue's car park for the politician's armoured vehicle. 'Yours will be the worst car in the car park. Even though it's a very nice car,' joked Sandilands, to which Mr Albanese replied: 'It may be the heaviest.' 'I keep my promises!' However, it seems the PM was dead serious, because on Thursday he once again assured Sandilands he'll be spinning some tunes at his wedding 'I've got a few other people with bomb-proof cars as well, but they're different. I'll put you on different sides of the marquee,' Sandilands laughed. The KIIS FM presenter later joked he wouldn't let the PM back out of his commitment - even if Australia was being ravaged by bushfires. 'I would not disappoint my future bride!' he chuckled. 'I would not disappoint my future bride!' The KIIS FM presenter later joked he wouldn't let the PM back out of his commitment - even if Australia was being ravaged by bushfires Sandilands, who is a supporter of the Liberal Party, also revealed he and Mr Albanese had put their political differences aside by bonding over their shared love of music. 'Him and I have chatted heaps of music... he's come to my office and everything!' he said, adding that they had recently discussed 'what's cool' in the music industry. 'I played him some up and coming tracks - he's actually interested in music.' Sandilands and marketing executive Kynaston became engaged in Port Douglas over the Christmas holidays. Two months later, the couple announced they were expecting their first child together. Their son is due in August. Wedding bells! Sandilands and marketing executive Kynaston (right) became engaged in Port Douglas over the Christmas holidays Advertisement Keke Palmer turned up the glamour factor at the star-studded premiere of the new Disney film Lightyear when it was held in Los Angeles this Wednesday. The Toy Story spin-off is computer animated and features Keke, 28, in a major voice role amid a glittering cast who joined her on the evening's red carpet. Chris Evans, who plays the title role of Buzz Lightyear, was also an unmistakable presence at the event, showing off his musclebound arms in a short-sleeved shirt. Looking fab: Keke Palmer turned up the glamour factor at the star-studded premiere of the new Disney film Lightyear when it was held in Los Angeles this Wednesday Buzz Lightyear is an action figure who comes to life in the Toy Story films, while the new movie provides an origin story for the flesh-and-blood 'Space Ranger' on whom the toy was modeled. Over the course of the movie the title character finds himself lost on a faraway planet struggling to return to Earth - only to be impeded by the machinations of James Brolin's Emperor Zurg. The glittering cast includes dreamboat director Taika Waititi, who is known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Dale Soules, who co-starred with Uzo on Orange Is The New Black. Keke cut a sprightly figure at the fete, slipping into a dazzling true blue sequined skirt over a colorful skintight top that emphasized her enviably svelte frame. When you got it: Keke cut a sprightly figure at the fete, slipping into a dazzling true blue sequined skirt over a colorful skintight top that emphasized her enviably svelte frame When you got it: Chris Evans, who plays the title role of Buzz Lightyear, was also an unmistakable presence at the event, showing off his musclebound arms in a short-sleeved shirt Opting for green eye-makeup that complemented a trace of green in the print of her top, she balanced expertly on a highlighter-green pair of sky-high stilettos. Meanwhile Chris, who became a global heartthrob through his role as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, went for 1970s chic in a salmon, black, white, rust and tan print shirt. He teamed the top with a pair of charcoal trousers and added an extra dash of style to the ensemble by warding off the summery rays with bronze-tinted shades. Chris, whose role was originally played by Tim Allen in the Toy Story films, got in a bit of mingling during his time on the red carpet including with his jokey 'Twitter girlfriend' Yvette Nicole Brown. In the flesh at last: Chris, whose role was originally played by Tim Allen in the Toy Story films, got in a bit of mingling during his time on the red carpet including with his jokey 'Twitter girlfriend' Yvette Nicole Brown There she is: Despite not being in Lightyear, Yvette appeared to be a social success at the film's premiere this Thursday, sidling up to Keke for a snapshot as well Despite not being in Lightyear, Yvette appeared to be a social success at the film's premiere this Thursday, sidling up to Keke for a snapshot as well. A number of famous names who are not in the film nevertheless made their presence felt at the premiere, including Girls Trip star Tiffany Haddish and The Real World alum Jamie Chung. Jamie could be seen posing up a storm for the shutterbugs with fellow actress Sherry Cola, who like her was decked out in an eye-popping bubblegum pink ensemble. Celebs galore flocked to the Lightyear premiere, from child star Xochitl Gomez, who is not in the film, to Orange Is The New Black star Uzo Aduba, who is. What a night: A number of famous names who are not in the film nevertheless made their presence felt at the premiere, including Girls Trip star Tiffany Haddish and The Real World alum Jamie Chung Match-up: Jamie could be seen posing up a storm for the shutterbugs with fellow actress Sherry Cola, who like her was decked out in an eye-popping bubblegum pink ensemble Known names: Celebs galore flocked to the Lightyear premiere, from child star Xochitl Gomez (left), who is not in the film, to Orange Is The New Black star Uzo Aduba (right), who is By the way: Lightyear made headlines over the decision to cut a gay kiss involving Uzo's character, only to then put it back in as Disney placed itself in opposition to Florida's Parental Rights In Education Bill Midnight Cowboy icon Jon Voight exuded star power even at the age of 83, and Barbra Streisand's husband James Brolin was as dashing as ever at 81. Lightyear made headlines over the decision to cut a gay kiss involving Uzo's character, only to then put it back in as Disney placed itself in opposition to Florida's Parental Rights In Education Bill. Helmed by Angus MacLane, who previously co-directed Finding Dory for Pixar, the new Lightyear movie will bow in movie theaters all over the United States on June 17. Dazzling: Buzz Lightyear is an action figure who comes to life in the Toy Story films, while the new movie provides an origin story for the flesh-and-blood 'Space Ranger' on whom the toy was modeled Domenica Calarco has ripped into former Married At First Sight star Nasser Sultan after he made rude comments about her and her co-star Ella Ding. During an appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday, the former makeup artist, 29, said she didn't understand why people troll each other on social media for no reason. 'I don't understand this trolling thing,' she said as she started becoming frustrated. Fury: Married At First Sight's Domenica Calarco (pictured) didn't hold back as she unleashed on franchise troll Nasser Sultan, who recently attacked her friend Ella Ding on social media 'Ella had something said about her yesterday, and I'm not even going to name names because I don't want to give him any attention,' she said, before admitting it was Nasser behind the attack. 'Nasser called Ella a media w***e and a handbag,' she explained, adding that his comments were rude and uncalled for. 'I'm a fierce friend and if you say s**t about my friend... Don't say anything about my family and friends, when it comes to that I get very protective and you don't want to see the other side of Dom.' 'Babe, I'm from south-west Sydney, don't come for me,' she raged, before she agreed with host Kyle Sandilands that she would 'smash a glass' and 'not muck around'. Enraged: 'I'm from south-west Sydney, don't come for me,' Domenica (left) said after slamming Nasser (right) for his comments It's not the first time Calarco and Sultan have clashed. Nasser previously unleashed at Domenica during a live interview on KIIS FM back in March, and claimed she had been 'playing the victim' ever since Olivia Frazer exposed her OnlyFans account on the show. The live conversation between the pair got so heated that host Jackie 'O' Henderson was forced to tell Nasser to 'stop being so aggressive'. The on-air argument started when Nasser said he has 'seen all the photos' of Dom, before sensationally claiming that she had allowed producers to distribute the photos for a storyline. 'I'm a fierce friend!' Domenica (left) was defending best pal Ella (right). The pair now have their own podcast together called Sit With Us He doubled down on his tirade against Dom and jumped to the defense of Olivia, saying that the 'bigger issue' was the wine glass smash at the couples' retreat. 'The problem is here right, she broke a glass, looked at Olivia and that's a threat to me. If I did that at a pub I'd be kicked out, if you did that at a party, you'd be thrown out. But she did it and got away with it,' he said. 'This is actually quite shocking hearing this,' Dom admitted, before Nasser cut her off and yelled: 'You're shocking! You broke a glass!' According to Business Insider,TikTok's alleged overwork culture is taking a toll on employees in different places around the globe. It should be noted that ByteDance, which is located in Beijing, China, had a significant impact on TikTok's working culture. Employees in Chinese tech companies work six days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., or what is usually known as the "996" schedule. While China's top court declared the "996" work practice illegal last year, prompting ByteDance to announce that its employees would not be allowed to work after 7 p.m., this is not the case for the social media giant's employees outside of China. TikTok's U.K. Employees Quit Every Week Due Overworking Citing a Financial Times report, Business Insider reported that according to 10 current and former UK TikTok employees, the exodus began in October, when TikTok's UK e-commerce division launched TikTok Shop, a live-streaming e-commerce platform. The team is now half its size after some 20 staff left. These employees, who spoke with Financial Times, claimed that they had to adjust their schedules to China's, which often meant working more than 12 hours per day. Just recently, a ByteDance employee in Singapore told Business Insider that she was frequently required to work past 7 p.m. even on Fridays, so she could respond to requests from her U.S. and U.K. colleagues. This claim was supported by the publication's report last month where two former TikTok employees in San Francisco and New York said they often had to stay late to accommodate working hours in China and the U.K. Read More: Pinduoduo Ex-Employee Suicide: Chinese Marketplace Giant Hit by Toxic Workplace Allegation A Senior Executive at TikTok Europe Embraces the Overwork Culture As per the report of Business Insider (via Financial Times), Joshua Ma, who oversaw TikTok Europe's e-commerce division and was a top executive at TikTok's parent company ByteDance, recently enraged his London-based staff by saying that as a "capitalist," he "didn't believe" in offering maternity leave. In addition to this, workers who spoke to the publication held that the social media giant "celebrated overworking and punished employees who took time off." TikTok's Senior-Level Employee Quit His $220,000 Job Pabel Martinez, a former TikTok senior-level employee who earned $220,000 a year, also claimed that managers obligated employees to work 12-hour days six days a week. "I do think that the culture of working too much or not having as much of the work-life balance does permeate throughout the organization, and it is often encouraged you work 'after hours'," he said in a separate Business Insider report. Martinez also admitted to feeling under pressure from bi-monthly revenue and growth targets. "I was made to feel like I was never doing enough," Martinez said. "At TikTok, no conversation started with 'How are you? ' It was like, 'How's the revenue? What are we doing to drive more growth? '" Related Article: GameStop Hosts TikTok Contest, Gives Away 10 Additional 'Labor Hours' as Prize to Employees Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has complained about 'a**eholes' who keep asking him to 'explain the significance of pronouns'. Speaking to Phoebe Burgess on the Under the Gloss podcast, the haircare guru, 35, said that many people ask the question from a 's***ty and uneducated place'. He said non-LGBT people can do their own research on the subject and don't always have to ask non-binary people to explain it to them. 'Don't ask me about it again!' Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness (pictured) has complained about 'a**eholes' who keep asking him to 'explain the significance of pronouns' 'I think there's something to be said, like, what place are you coming from?' he said. 'If you're coming from a s***ty place or an uneducated place, you could have done a bit [of work] on that. Like, I don't need to explain to you a significance of a f**king pronoun. That information is out there for you. 'And I'm going to say, don't anyone ever ask me about that again. Because at this point, if you're asking a queer, out, non-binary or gender non-confirming or trans person about the significance of pronouns, I think you're an a**ehole. 'And it's fine for me to say that at this point.' Bad intentions: Speaking to Phoebe Burgess on the Under the Gloss podcast, the haircare guru, 35, said that many people ask the question from a 's***ty and uneducated place' The gender-nonconforming star also said experiencing misogyny isn't just limited to women. 'As a nonbinary trans person who is very femme, I feel that I've faced a lot of the misogyny,' JVN explained. 'I'm obviously not a woman so I don't know what it is to be a woman and that's not what I'm saying, but misogyny doesn't only affect women,' he continued. 'And I think that's what's so hard for trans people and gender-nonconforming people, is like, misogyny is an energy, it's like a thing, and so is the patriarchy. It's like this insidious thing and it affects everyone, obviously in different ways.' Education: JVN said non-LGBT people can do their own research on the subject and don't always have to ask non-binary people to explain it to them Jonathan identifies by a variety of different pronouns that span the gender spectrum. He told The Daily Telegraph last month he's comfortable with all identifiers, from masculine and feminine to non-binary. 'When I say, he, she, they, whatever, I mean it because I feel like in ways I am all of those things and I'm none of those things at the same time,' he said. 'That's why I feel like whether you want to say he, she or they, it is okay for me. 'If it is they or she, for me who I am is so much more than what that means to other people and to me. Comfortable: Jonathan told The Daily Telegraph last month he's comfortable with all identifiers, from masculine and feminine to non-binary 'That is where I come at it and why I identify as he, she or they because I feel like I'm everything and I feel like I'm nothing at the same time. That is kind of existential, but it is how I see it.' Jonathan is set to return to Australia in September for his Imaginary Living Room Olympian tour. He'll stop by Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, before heading over to New Zealand for one show in Auckland. The stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a 'farewell tour' of the UK after the finale episode airs in August. Key cast members will visit eight cities across England, Scotland and Wales in March 2023, according to Digital Spy. They will visit London, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff, if the rumours are to be believed. Tour: The stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a 'farewell tour' of the UK after the finale episode airs in August The soap had previously planned an 'in conversation series' in 2020, coinciding with its 35th anniversary, but had to cancel due to Covid. These plans have now apparently been rebooted as a 'farewell tour'. The 'key stars' taking part in the rumoured tour have not been revealed. Rumour has it: Key cast members will visit eight cities across England, Scotland and Wales in March 2023, according to Digital Spy It comes after executive producer Jason Herbison hinted Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan may have a bigger role in the finale than previously reported. Mr Herbison told The Herald Sun that a recent storyline 'leak' did not fully explain how the '80s golden couple will return to Ramsay Street. 'What I've read is not what happens which is great. It hasn't come out yet,' he said. Coming home: It comes after executive producer Jason Herbison hinted Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan may have a bigger role in the finale than previously reported Mr Herbison kept tight-lipped about the details of their appearance, but he did say the cameo was 'emotional' for the actors. 'Seeing Kylie back as Charlene was quite a moment. Very special and I think for them too it was a real full circle for them,' he said. Kylie and Jason's wedding on the series 34 years ago was watched by 22 million people across Australia and the UK. Neighbours was axed after Channel 5 decided in March not to renew its contract with production company Fremantle to finance and broadcast the Aussie soap. Confirmation: Mr Herbison (pictured) told The Herald Sun that a recent storyline 'leak' did not fully explain how the '80s golden couple will return to Ramsay Street Home and Away star Courtney Miller has confirmed she is leaving Summer Bay. The 26-year-old actress revealed on Instagram she is quitting the Channel Seven soap after playing Bella Nixon for four years. Courtney, who joined the cast in 2018, wrote in her farewell message: 'To the time of my life.' Farewell: Home and Away star Courtney Miller has confirmed she is leaving Summer Bay She added: 'Thank you @homeandaway. Forever & always your Bella.' Courtney went on to thank her castmates and gave an honourable mention to several crew members. 'But most importantly to the loved ones I made,' she added, tagging a number of the producers. Fans were quick to send their well-wishes to the actress. Shock exit: Fans were heartbroken but wished the actress all the best for her next venture. She is seen here with Lynne McGranger, who plays Irene Roberts Character: Courtney, who played Bella Nixon on the soap, joined the show in 2018 'Omggg are u gone????? My sweet river sis x,' co-star Sarah Roberts commented. 'I'm literally going to miss you playing Bella,' a fan added. 'Thank you for playing her and bringing her to life. Good luck on your next chapter.' Courtney's character, a dedicated photographer, bid farewell to Summer Bay after being offered a job opportunity in New York. Her exit from Home and Away comes a month after her on- and off-screen pal Lukas Radovich also departed the show after five years. 'What an incredible ride. I can't really express how the last 5 years has felt or impacted my life so I'll keep it short. I'll miss the job, but most importantly I'll miss the people,' Lukas wrote in May. 'Time of my life': Courtney said she'll miss her time on the Aussie TV series 'A special mention to @tony_gardiner for directing my final block with empathy. And thanks to the FANS OF THE SHOW who've made the experience unforgettable. 'Also having my parents and @liamforcadilla appear as extras in my final episodes fills my heart. Until the next thing - catch you on the flipside.' Lukas, 27, played the role of Ryder Jackson, and made his first appearance in 2017. At the time of his last episode, Courtney penned a touching tribute to Lukas to commemorate their on-screen journey together. 'Lukie, may we always look at each other like this. Congratulations on the last five years,' she wrote. 'I love you. We love you. They love you. Long live Ryder. ,' she added. Chanel Ayan broke down crying as she described how her father used to beat her when she was a girl on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Dubai. 'I've forgiven a lot of people in life but forgiving my father is the hardest thing I could do,' Chanel, 43, said. 'Twenty six years I've never spoken to him. If you know the stuff that he's done to me, he wanted to marry me off at 14 years old.' Chanel had gone to see Dr. Sara Al Madani, 36, and told her that she thought her father's repeated abuse was what triggered her hostile reaction toward Caroline Stanbury, 45, at Nina Ali's dinner party. Childhood abuse: Chanel Ayan broke down crying as she described how her father used to beat her when she was a girl on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Dubai Chanel said that one day her father left their family deciding that he didn't want to be a father anymore. She said her mother was left by herself with kids. She said once when she was seven that her father got upset with her and tied her to a tree when it was raining. 'My whole entire life all he has done is beat me,' Chanel said as she broke down crying. 'He beat me so bad that I ran away with my other sister.' 'I don't want to cry but honestlyforgiving him is not something I can do today or tomorrow,' Chanel said crying. 'It's not.' 'I want to f***ing get this stuff out of my soul,' Chanel said. 'I have my husband that f***ing adores the sh** out of me. He makes me feel so safe. My dad never gave that to me ever.' Ran away: 'My whole entire life all he has done is beat me,' Chanel said as she broke down crying. 'He beat me so bad that I ran away with my other sister' Chanel said that experience with her abusive father was why she was so triggered at Nina's dinner when Caroline Stanbury kept saying, 'I don't like you.' Sara suggested that she consider trying hypnotherapy. Sara said she had been with partners who would physically and mentally abuse her and in the past could also be triggered easily. 'I know what it feels like to be in a dark place,' Sara said in a confessional. Got triggered: Chanel said that experience with her abusive father was why she was so triggered at Nina's dinner when Caroline Stanbury kept saying, 'I don't like you' Sara told Chanel that she was going to introduce her to a hypnotherapist so she could work on getting rid of all these feelings. The episode titled G.O.A.T opened with Sara making a cake with her son Maktoum, 6. 'I have been raising my son as a single mom since the day he was born,' Sara said in a confessional. Single mom: The episode titled G.O.A.T opened with Sara making a cake with her son Maktoum, 6 Sara showed her son how to eat their dinner on the floor with their hands the traditional way her grandmother did it. 'I serioiusly don't wanna do this. For real,' Maktoum said. 'Just try,' Sara said. Over it: 'I don't want to do this for real,' Maktoum said. 'I seriously don't want to do this,' Maktoum said. They then moved to the table to have dinner. Caroline Brooks, 37, met Lesa Milan, 33, for dinner. Caroline Brooks asked her if she had seen Nina's Instagram where she wrote 'every blonde needs a brunette bestie.' 'Please explain to me when Nina Ali became best friends with Caroline Stanbury,' Caroline B. said. Catching up: Caroline Brooks, 37, met Lesa Milan, 33, for dinner Lesa said in a confessional that Nina had said some horrible things to her about Caroline Stanbury. 'Some of the things she said were so horrible, I won't even repeat it,' Lesa said in a confessional. 'She's ghetto. She's ratchet. She's trashy. Those are the good things.' Lesa asked her how things were between her and Chanel. Good question: Lesa asked her how things were between her and Chanel 'We fight like hell and then we kiss and make up,' Caroline Brooks said. Sara and Caroline Brooks went over to visit with Caroline Stanbury at her house and they talked about the dinner at Nina's and the blowup with Chanel. 'She came for me really strong and I've never been anything but a friend,' Caroline B. said. 'I was hurt by that.' Drama recap: Sara and Caroline Brooks went over to visit with Caroline Stanbury at her house and they talked about the dinner at Nina's and the blowup with Chanel 'Obviously the girl got triggered and people that went through trauma feel like everything is' Sarah said. 'Trauma from not being invited?' Caroline S. said. 'I think we should leave her better than we found her,' Sara said. 'I'm very sorry if she has had trauma in her life but she's not going to add to mine,' Caroline S. said. Chanel, wearing a blonde wig and Givenchy coat and boots, went to have lunch with Nina. Givenchy items: Chanel, wearing a blonde wig and Givenchy coat and boots, went to have lunch with Nina Expensive boots: She wore $1,100 Givenchy boots 'I am the queen of fashion,' Chanel said in a confessional. 'It's like I'm Rihanna and then Nina's mashed potatoes with no butter, plain.' Chanel asked said she wanted to apologize to Nina after the drama that happened at her dinner party, but was also mad at her for not sticking up for her. 'I came in knowing that I was excluded from hanging out with all of you,' Chanel said. 'And that really triggered me because me and you have discussed how I grew up with my Dad and how emotional I am.' Plain potatoes: 'I am the queen of fashion,' Chanel said in a confessional. 'It's like I'm Rihanna and then Nina's mashed potatoes with no butter, plain' 'I went home and I was crying because I just felt like I was that little girl that was not good enough,' Chanel said. Nina said she felt that she and Caroline S. have misunderstood each other. Nina said she didn't like Caroline S. when she first met her, either. 'She was not my cup of tea,' Nina said. 'But I gave her the chance.' A misunderstanding: Nina said she felt that she and Caroline Stanbury have misunderstood each other Nina asked her to give Caroline Stanbury one more chance to put the flames out. 'There's no flames, there's a volcano,' Chanel said. Lesa went shopping in the non-Muslim section of the supermarket with her son to find the bacon that they like and for Thanksgiving food to make for dinner. Lesa went home and cooked the Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving shopping: Lesa went shopping in the non-Muslim section of the supermarket with her son to find the bacon that they like Nina and her family had Thanksgiving dinner with Sara in a rotating eye over Dubai. 'When I met my husband he literally had nothing when we started together,' Nina said in a confessional. 'There was a time in my life where I worked four jobs, seven days a week. I know how to hustle.' Nina said her now husband flew to America every couple of weeks when he was courting her. High dinner: Nina and her family had Thanksgiving dinner with Sara in a rotating eye over Dubai 'He became a platinum member because of me,' Nina said. Sara said she had been married two times but that she picked the wrong men. Chanel showed up at Lesa's house for her home cooked Thanksgiving meal with her husband Chris and son with a baby goat as a gift. Goat gift: Chanel showed up at Lesa's house for her home cooked Thanksgiving meal with her husband Chris and son with a baby goat as a gift 'In Jamaica this animal would definitely be in somebody's pot,' said Lesa. 'We would curry it.' 'The reason I brought you a goat is because in Kenya if somebody shows you love and you invite my family to your house, you give them something that's so special to you,' Chanel said. 'In our country goats are so important.' 'We are going to keep the goat,' Lesa said. Important gift: 'The reason I brought you a goat is because in Kenya if somebody shows you love and you invite my family to your house, you give them something that's so special to you,' Chanel said. 'In our country goats are so important' While they were talking, the goat fell in the pool and they rescued it. Lesa said that Nina wanted to get Chanel and Caroline Stanbury together to talk. 'I don't know when Nina became Dalai Lama,' Chanel said. 'I don't know why we have to sit down and talk. I don't want to sit down with Stanbury.' 'She showed me she is mean,' Chanel said in a confessional. 'There's an issue with her.' Reluctant participant: 'I don't know when Nina became Dalai Lama,' Chanel said. 'I don't know why we have to sit down and talk. I don't want to sit down with Stanbury' The goat then escaped into the neighborhood slipping through the house gates. 'You should see what I'm going to bring her next,' Chanel said laughing. The Real Housewives of Dubai will return next Wednesday on Bravo. Married At First Sight star Jackson Lonie has undergone a dental transformation. Last month, the plumber, 31, had $24,000 worth of Picasso Porcelain Veneers applied to his upper teeth by Dr Dees at Vogue Dental Studios in Melbourne. Jackson revealed that he's always been 'a little bit insecure' about his two front teeth that overlap. EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight star Jackson Lonie, 31, showed off his $24,000 dental transformation in exclusive photos obtained by Daily Mail Australia. Pictured before on the left and after on the right Before and after photos obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia see the Central Coast-based star unable to wipe the smile off his face. Jackson's original teeth were slightly misaligned, but are now completely straight and a brighter white. 'I've always kind of wanted to get my teeth done. I've always been a little bit insecure about my front overlap,' Jackson explained. The result: Last month, the Central Coast-based plumber had $24,000 worth of Picasso Porcelain Veneers applied to his upper teeth by Dr Dees at Vogue Dental Studios in Melbourne Smile makeover: Jackson's original teeth were slightly misaligned, but are now completely straight and a brighter white. Pictured on MAFS, before the treatment, earlier this year The reality star revealed that had he gone down the braces route, he would have had to break his jaw. 'Getting veneers was just the next step, I guess,' he said. The transformation comes after Jackson announced that he's joined adult website OnlyFans. Concerns: 'I've always kind of wanted to get my teeth done. I've always been a little bit insecure about my front overlap,' Jackson explained. The reality star revealed that had he gone down the braces route, he would have had to break his jaw Big reveal: The transformation comes after Jackson announced that he's joined adult website OnlyFans. In an Instagram post last month, Jackson posed for a saucy image in which he went shirtless and suggestively grabbed at his crotch In an Instagram post last month, Jackson posed for a saucy image in which he went shirtless and suggestively grabbed at his crotch. 'Link in bio,' the caption simply read, with the link taking fans to his OnlyFans page, where he is offering subscriptions for $9.99 a month. 'If you think you know me' his biography on the site reads, alongside two shirtless photos. Christine Quinn looked incredible on Wednesday as she attended Sunday Riley brunch at the London Hotel. The Selling Sunset star, 33, showed off her slender legs in a pair of very short black denim shorts. She paired them with a crisp white shirt and black tie, and draped a leather jacket across her shoulders. Sensational: Christine Quinn looked incredible on Wednesday as she attended Sunday Riley brunch at the London Hotel Toting her essentials in a black handbag, she elevated her height in a pair of extremely tall platform boots. Her blonde locks were scraped back in an elegant bun and she hid her eyes behind a pair of stylish sunglasses. The reality TV realtor's outing comes after she slammed Selling Sunset bosses as 'misogynistic', accusing them of only wanting to portray her as a mother. Leggy display: The Selling Sunset star, 33, showed off her slender legs in a pair of very short black denim shorts Christine gave birth to her first child, a son named Christian, last year, but remained a part of the series despite taking time off work to focus on parenthood. In series five, she returned to the office but Christine said she was told by show bosses to focus on her baby, telling Us Weekly: 'I had a lot of real estate going on at the time and a lot of legitimate work, but they didn't want to show my listings. 'They wanted "Hey, why don't you bring the baby into the office?" and "Hey why don't you do a baby scene with Chelsea (Lazkani)." Speaking out: It comes after Christine slammed Selling Sunset bosses as 'misogynistic' accusing them of only wanting to portray her as a mother (pictured in May 2022) Christine then added: 'I felt that was a very misogynistic perception. Yes, I want people to see that (stuff). (But) I'm a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, a friend, a lover. 'I'm all these other things and I'm crushing it.' Christine has appeared in all five seasons of Selling Sunset despite taking some time off from work to focus on her son. Family: The reality TV realtor, 33, gave birth to her first child, a son named Christian, last year, but remained a part of the series despite taking time off work to focus on parenthood She remained a part of the show and in the fifth series, she was seen returning to work after her maternity leave. However, Christine has now said she has 'terminated' her contract with the Oppenheim Group so she can focus on launching her own business. She's set up a new crypto real estate business called RealOpen with her husband Christian Dumontet, and the launch has left her future on the show looking uncertain. Netflix has yet to confirm whether Selling Sunset will return for a sixth series, but if it does it may be without Christine if she is no longer working for the Oppenheim Group, which forms the focus of the hit reality drama. Christine said: 'I had a lot of real estate going on at the time and a lot of legitimate work, but they didn't want to show my listings. 'They wanted "Hey, why don't you bring the baby into the office?"' Christine recently revealed she is 'figuring out' what TV work to do next but is adamant that 'the door is not shut at all' when it comes to being on Selling Sunset. Appearing on This Morning, the blonde bombshell also insisted there's 'power in quitting a workplace that doesn't serve you.' Christine told hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: 'Adam [DiVello] and his production company has used every kind of manipulation in the world to try and silence me. He has given me so many letters. What's next? Christine recently revealed she is 'figuring out' what TV work to do next but is adamant that 'the door is not shut at all' when it comes to being on Selling Sunset 'I've been a part of plenty storylines that I didn't even know I was involved in on the show. I have absolutely never bribed a client, I would never. 'I have been silenced from talking about the show but I love TV and will be returning to TV. The door is not shut on Selling Sunset at all, I need to figure out what I want to do. I feel like I'm just very strategic in everything that I do. 'I think there is power in quitting a workplace that doesn't serve you, and I'm speaking about my business endeavours not the show.' Kaia Gerber flaunted her toned legs as she left the gym with her boyfriend Austin Butler in LA on Wednesday. The model, 20, had her slender pins on display in a pair of black exercise shorts for the workout session which she teamed with an orange checked jumper. Kaia and Elvis star Austin, 30, were first seen together since last December, with the couple being inseparable ever since. Workout: Kaia Gerber flaunted her toned legs as she left the gym with her boyfriend Austin Butler in LA on Wednesday Kaia completed her look with white socks and a pair of black trainers and sported stylish shades on her visage while stepping out. She carried a huge white water bottle in her hands as well as her car keys and chatted on the phone leaving the gym. Meanwhile Austin showed off his muscly arms in a dark blue T-shirt and black and white Adidas tracksuit bottoms while accessorizing with a cap. Low-key style: The model, 20, had her slender pins on display in a pair of black exercise shorts for the workout session which she teamed with an orange checked jumper The pair's budding romance came just one month after Kaia ended her prior 13-month relationship with Euphoria star Jacob Elordi. While it was the first relationship Austin had since ending his long-time romance with actress Vanessa Hudgens, after eight years. Kaia was recently spotted on the glamorous red carpet premiere of Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann. The star-studded premiere was held in Cannes, and the model made an appearance to support her boyfriend, Austin, who plays the king of rock himself. Stunning: Kaia was recently spotted on the glamorous red carpet premiere of Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann The couple made big headlines when they shared a sweet kiss on the red carpet as the swirl of camera flashes snapped around them. The film chronicles the life and career of Elvis from his early days as a child growing up in Mississippi to his ascent as a rock and roll icon and movie star, along with his complex relationship with his manager. Baz served as the film's director and co-screenwriter, along with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce and Jeremy Donner, from a story he conceived with Jeremy. The musical drama stars Austin and Tom Hanks, who plays his infamous manager Colonel Tom Parker. By LILLIAN GISSEN FOR DAILMAIL.COM TV star Nick Cannon is preparing to expand his family once more, revealing that he is expecting his ninth child with baby mama Abby De La Rosa - just five months after he announced that he and his girlfriend Bre Tiesi were also having another child. As he prepares to welcome two new babies, here's a look at the former America's Got Talent host's other children. Daughter Monroe and son Moroccan Scott, 11, with ex wife Mariah Carey Nick and Mariah Carey tied the knot in 2008, and they welcomed the rapper's first kids on April 30, 2011 - a set of twins named Monroe and Moroccan Scott. The family is pictured in 2018 Nick and Mariah Carey tied the knot on in the Bahamas in 2008, and they welcomed the rapper's first kids on April 30, 2011 - a set of twins named Monroe and Moroccan Scott. According to People, Monroe was named after late actress Marilyn Monroe, who was said to be an inspiration to Mariah. They decided not to give her a middle name since Mariah doesn't have one. As for Moroccan, the idea for his name came from the Moroccan decor in Mariah's apartment, which is where Nick proposed to her. His middle name, Scott, is also Nick's middle name and his grandmothers maiden name. Back in December, in the wake of Zen's death, Nick spoke out about how hard it was for him to tell the twins, who are now 11 years old, about Zen's passing - but credited their support, especially Monroe, with helping him get through the tragedy. He said Monroe is so 'so pure and so honest,' and called the 11-year-old his 'best therapist.' 'Having to explain that to [then]-10-year-olds ... is pretty intense,' he admitted to People. 'But their understanding and them being there for me probably helped me keep it together as well as really deal with it. Specifically, Roc and Roe. They were there for the entire journey. 'My daughter, really, she's so in tune and in line and wise beyond her years. I got a lot of therapists, but she's probably my best therapist. 'She keeps me in check. She's so pure and so honest. To be 10, she asks some really strong and powerful questions. 'Really, just it's all out of love. She's my oldest child. Even though they're twins, she came out first and she lets everybody know it. She's helped me keep it strong.' Back in 2016, after the birth of his second son, Golden, Nick opened up about the twins' relationship with their younger sibling, and he revealed that they really enjoyed having a little brother. 'They love hanging out with him, and it is almost like they are more concerned about him having fun than them having fun,' he gushed to Entertainment Tonight. 'They are always trying to make them laugh, and he is walking now, so they are trying to get him all the toys. 'Watching that whole older sibling thing take place, they understand the responsibility of it. They understand that they can teach him things, so it is really cool.' He also called them 'geniuses,' and admitted that he was not happy with how fast they were growing up. 'I'm fine with my son growing up. It's my daughter that I have a problem with,' he joked. 'I mean, shotgun's loaded.' As for how he his ex Mariah were co-parenting the twins, he explained in 2016 that they had come to a place of 'understanding and unconditional love.' 'When you come from a place of understanding and unconditional love for so many things, you can't really go wrong,' he said. 'It would be very easy to throw our egos in - what we believe we want to do with our time and effort - but then you step back. 'When it comes to my kids, it is whatever they want at whatever time, and I build my schedule around it. 'Those children are the most important thing to both of us. It kind of turned her into this wonderful mother, that I feel like the world started to connect with her on that level. 'There will always be unconditional love and a great relationship. That is one of my best friends in life, so it is always going to be that. 'The fact that there is no bad blood and we can still coexist, I think that is the best place for it.' Son Golden, five, and daughter Powerful Queen, one, with Brittany Bell Nick and Phoenix Suns dancer Brittany Bell have son Golden, five, and daughter Powerful Queen, one, together. They are pictured here in 2021 After his split from Mariah, Nick dated Phoenix Suns dancer Brittany Bell on-and-off for years. They welcomed a son together, named Golden Sagon, on February 21, 2017. At the time, Nick gushed on Instagram, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning! 'No matter how hard the world may hit you, God always reminds us of our purpose! Welcome to Earth, son. #TrueHappiness #Awakened.' Reports came out that the couple had split after that, but in November 2020, they were seen walking hand-in-hand at his 33rd birthday celebration - with Brittany sporting a growing baby bump. They then welcomed their second child, Powerful Queen, in December 2020. 'The best gift ever,' Brittany, who is also a model, shared on Instagram at the time. 'We have been surprised with A GIRL! Powerful Queen Cannon came this week, perfect timing for Christmas. 'So much more to share. All I can say is that Nick was my rock through the most intense yet empowering natural water birth. 'It was nothing but POWERFUL. Merry Christmas! THANK YOU GOD.' One month later, Nick was asked by Power 106 radio hosts if her pregnancy had been an 'accident,' and he insisted that it was not. 'Im having these kids on purpose,' he said. 'I didnt have no accident. [There were] a lot of people that I couldve gotten pregnant that I didnt. You only live once.' In December 2021, just after Powerful Queen's first birthday, the Masked Singer host couldn't stop raving over how smart she was on Instagram. He shared a clip of her saying words like 'nose, cat, dog, and tree' while he held up flashcards for her. 'Wow! Look at this brilliant baby!' he captioned it. 'They got mad when we named her POWERFUL QUEEN! Yall lucky I didnt go with my other choice GENIUS EMPRESS! 'LOL. I cant take any of the credit here though! Thats all her amazing mommy.' Sons Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, 11 months, with Abby De La Rosa - who is now pregnant with Nick's ninth child Nick and Abby De La Rosa, who is a DJ and broadcast professional, kept their relationship a secret until they announced that they were expecting twin boys together in April 2021 The boys - who they named named Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir - were born on June 14, 2021. They are pictured in December 2021 Nick and Abby, who is a DJ and broadcast professional, kept their relationship a secret until they announced that they were expecting twin boys together in April 2021. 'Our dearest sons - my miracle babies, thank you for choosing me to be your mommy,' Abby wrote on Instagram at the time, in a now-deleted post. 'I know the Lord has destined me and prepared me for the gift of not one but two little angels. 'I pray that God gives you both the strength to walk brave and boldly in your individual truth just like your daddy... That God bless you and your brother and guide you into living out your full purpose. 'Your dad and I will always be here for you both; in complete unison and support. 'No matter what this world may throw your way, know that forgiveness is key and what is for you - is for YOU! You both are already so loved and we can't wait to meet you both.' The boys - who they named named Zion and Zillion - were born on June 14, 2021. In an Instagram Q&A, Abby later revealed that she and Nick accidentally got pregnant in April 2020, but sadly, they lost that baby. Then, they became focused on getting pregnant again. 'First pregnancy, April 2020, was definitely not planned, but Nick was such a great friend to me and just so good to me, and then our focus became to have a baby,' she explained. 'Little did we know we would end up having twins. 'Let me just add that this planning wasn't like us sitting down with a calendar and being like, "You gotta be pregnant by this date." It had already been a thought and it happened. 'It had already been out there, it was something we were manifesting and we were just letting it flow.' Now, they are gearing up to welcome their third child together, whose gender is unknown. Son Zen with Alyssa Scott Nick met Alyssa Scott when they both starred in MTV's Wild 'N Out. Years later - in January 2021 - they announced that they were having a baby together Nick met Alyssa Scott when they both starred in MTV's Wild 'N Out. Years later - in January 2021 - they announced that they were having a baby together. Their son, Zen, was born on June 23, 2021, with Alyssa writing at the time, 'I will love you for eternity.' But when the baby was two months old, they noticed he had come down with a cough that wouldn't go away, and decided to have it checked out by doctors. 'I always noticed he had a cough and so I wanted to check it out,' Nick later said on The Nick Cannon Show. 'He had this interesting breathing and by the time he was two months, I noticed he had this nice sized head too, we called it a Cannon head. 'We didnt think anything of it, but I wanted to take him to the doctor for his sinus and breathing.' After taking the newborn in for a 'routine' checkup, they were told he had a malignant tumor and needed emergency surgery immediately. He had also developed hydrocephalus - a condition where fluid builds up in the cavities of the brain causing the head to increase in size and ultimately putting pressure on the brain. He unfortunately passed away on December 5, 2021 - spending his last moments by the ocean. He unfortunately passed away on December 5, 2021 - spending his last moments by the ocean 'He was the most loving. We called him Z Chilling. He was always smiling. He had the most beautiful spirit,' Nick said after his death. On the Today show, Nick praised Alyssa - 'who carried a beautiful child for nine months and nurtured and cared for him every single day through this process' - for her 'strength.' '[Alyssa] is strong,' he said. 'She is definitely one of the strongest individuals I've known. 'I couldn't imagine - I mean, as a father, it's painful, but for a mother who carried a beautiful child for nine months and nurtured and cared for him every single day through this process. 'There were so many medicines and so many trips to the hospital and the doctor, and also she's a mother-of-two so to watch her go through this...' At the time, he said he was using his faith and therapy to get through the immense loss. 'I'm taking it - as my therapist says - five minutes at a time, but I'm optimistic in finding the purpose through all of the pain, so I'm attempting to smile, I'm attempting to be the high-frequency individual that I've set out to be, but along the way there's definitely some curves in the journey, so I'm taking it five minutes at a time. 'Honestly [there] was a lot of fear involved [in telling people about Zen's death]. I'm so used to being upbeat and outspoken and even vulnerable at times, where I'll talk about anything. 'But this was probably the most delicate and the most precious thing I've ever had to talk about. 'And I didn't know how to talk about it, I never imagined having to be in this scenario, so as much as it was such an outpouring of love, there was a lot of fear, there was obviously some hurt. 'I wanted to be the protector as well for all of the rest of my family, Alyssa and [everyone], so I wanted... It's a very delicate thing, even when talking about this. At the time, he said he was using his faith and therapy to get through the immense loss In January 2022, the star admitted that he was 'still missing his little dude' Zen, while sharing a throwback photo of Moroccan, Zion, Zillion, and Monroe sitting with him, as he held Zen 'And that's coming from a person who is used to talking to people each and every day live here on television. It's scary.' After the tragic passing, Nick opened up about the 'guilt' he felt about having to divide his time between working and being a dad. 'I'm a father, first and foremost. There's a lot of guilt that I feel and I talk about this in therapy all the time,' he admitted. 'It's rooted in not having enough time to spend with my loved ones, specifically my children, because I have a lot of children. 'I'm also spread so thin in my work because that's how I cope. That's how I deal with things. 'I have several jobs and several shows and movies and music, all that stuff. And I call myself a provider for many, but one thing no matter how much money I generate, one thing I can't generate is time. 'It's not about quantity, it's about quality. And it's really just having quality moments with my children, quality moments with my family. 'Had a lot of quality moments with Zen in his short time here. I always say time is a manmade thing, but love and energy is a godsend.' In January 2022, just days before his and Bre's gender reveal party, the star admitted that he was 'still missing his little dude' Zen in an emotional Instagram post. 'Still missing my little dude His spirit and brightness were so strong #ZensLight,' he captioned a throwback snap that showed Moroccan, Zion, Zillion, and Monroe sitting with him, as he held Zen. He added: 'The whole family, we ALL miss you young King! Forever Our Angel!' They have been inseparable for weeks. And teenage lovebirds Cruz Beckham and Tana Holding had a fun evening out with friends on Wednesday, hitting a Notting Hill pub for some al fresco drinks and dinner. Cruz, 17, looked smitten with his new girlfriend Tana, showering her in kisses as they left the drinking spot. Sweet: Cruz Beckham and his new girlfriend Tana Holding had a fun evening out with friends on Wednesday, hitting a Notting Hill pub for some al fresco drinks and dinner Cruz showed off his quirky sense of style in a purple knitted beanie hat teamed with a black t-shirt layered over a pink top for the pub trip. He added brown baggy trousers and sneakers while carrying a large gym bag. Tana matched the quirky vibe with her bold blue printed sweats. The new couple put on a PDA outside the pub as they said their goodbyes to friends after sharing drinks and dinner on an outside table. Fashion fans: Cruz showed off his quirky sense of style in a purple knitted beanie hat teamed with a black t-shirt layered over a pink top for the pub trip Low key vibes: Tana matched the quirky vibe with her bold blue printed sweats Things appear to be getting serious for the new couple as they were recently seen heading to the Beckham's family home to meet his parents, according to a source. Last month, Cruz was seen enjoying a night out in London pub Alice House in Queen's Park with Tana and is believed to have met her earlier this year. A source told The Sun: 'They make a really lovely couple and she is down-to-earth and really fun. She is not fazed by Cruz's fame and where he comes from. PDA: Cruz, 17, looked smitten with his new girlfriend Tana, showering her in kisses as they left the drinking spot Fun night: The couple enjoyed burgers and drinks with a small group of friends at the Portobello Road pub Working out? The couple both carried gym bags to the pub where they sat outside 'It is early days but Cruz seems smitten with Tana.' Cruz recently split from his ex-girlfriend Bliss Chapman, according to reports. The couple were in a relationship for 18 months but reportedly decided to go their separate ways in March. Victoria and Bliss's mother Rosemary Ferguson, a model turned nutritionist, are good friends and the reason the youngsters met in the first place. Night out: Cruz was spotted sharing a joke with a member of staff, and making his girlfriend beam Love: Tana rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder as they waited to head home Serious: Things appear to be getting serious for the new couple as they were recently seen heading to the Beckham's family home to meet his parents, according to a source Young love: Last month, Cruz was seen enjoying a night out in London pub Alice House in Queen's Park with Tana and is believed to have met her earlier this year A source told The Mail on Sunday: 'Cruz and Bliss are both only young but they had been together for a quite a while, particularly for two teenagers. 'But they decided to end things. The Beckhams loved Bliss, especially Victoria. Cruz's older brothers Brooklyn and Romeo thought it was all lovely too. 'Cruz now has a music career to launch and when the time is right that will mean travelling across the globe.' Inseparable: .A source told The Sun : 'They make a really lovely couple and she is down-to-earth and really fun. She is not fazed by Cruz's fame and where he comes from' Moving on: Cruz recently split from his ex-girlfriend Bliss Chapman, according to reports Smitten: While Cruz was with his ex Bliss for 18 months, he has moved on with Tana, who seems to have been welcomed by his group of friends Calling it a night: After a couple of hours over dinner and drinks the pair were seen heading home with their friends Kelly Brook is reportedly set to walk down the aisle with her Italian boyfriend of seven years Jeremy Parisi, 37. The marriage would be the first for Kelly, who has four failed engagements behind her to a string of big-name exes including two Hollywood stars and even a Gladiator. As the wedding bells ring for Kelly, 42, MailOnline takes a look back at her dating history. Wedding bells: As Kelly Brook is reportedly set to walk down the aisle with her Italian boyfriend of seven years Jeremy Parisi, 37, MailOnline takes a look back at her dating history Kelly longest relationship before Jeremy was with Hollywood hardman Jason Statham. The lads mags favourite dated the actor for six years between 1997 and 2003, and got engaged in their period. At the time of their split Kelly told Hello! Magazine that she was a different person to the young woman who fell in love with Jason. She said: 'I'm not the same as I was when we met. I'm a lot more complex now a lot more high maintenance. And sometimes you don't know what you want until it hits you.' Number one: Kelly's relationship with her first fiance Jason Statham, now 54, lasted for seven years before they split up in 2004 (pictured 1999) Back in 2019 Kelly referred to Jason as 'skint', and was left visibly squirming when her now 'multi-millionaire action hero' ex was referenced on her Heart FM Breakfast Show by her co-host Ashley Roberts. Begging her fellow presenters to stop talking about the Hollywood actor, Kelly made a dig at her former flame by declaring: 'He was skint when I was there. Trust me.' Jason now has two children with his supermodel finace Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who he has been with for over a decade. Reading out the day's showbiz news, Ashley announced: 'Hobbs and Shaw is out today and Jason Statham is multi-millionaire action hero with a supermodel fiance and a star of one of the biggest film franchises in the world...' Second go: Fiance number two 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) Kelly interrupted her, squirming: 'Ugh. Can we just stop? These are all the things you do not want to hear about an ex-boyfriend.' After sulkily reeling off the list of attributes about the Hollywood actor, Kelly mimicked shooting herself in the head. Showbiz expert Ashley then asked: 'Wait, catch me up, you dated him?' to which Kelly responded: 'Let's not go there Ashley, he was skint when I was there. Trust me.' Through a combination of canny investments and an explosion in his earning potential since he graduated to big-budget action movies, Jason is now estimated to be worth between 30-35million. Fiance number two was another actor - American Billy Zane, 56. Kelly and the Titanic star met on the set of Survival Island, also known as Three, in 2005. Messy split: After Billy, Kelly dated rugby player Danny Cipriani for two years, from 2008 until 2010 (pictured in 2010) The couple became engaged and lived together in 1 million farmhouse in Kent before their split in 2008 after Kelly reportedly decided 'Billy is not the man she wants to marry.' After Billy, Kelly dated rugby player Danny Cipriani for two years, from 2008 until 2010. The model is said to have dumped the sportsman after he allegedly cheated on her and she found messages to other women on his mobile phone. 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. After losing their first child in May 2011, the pair became engaged with Kelly telling The Sun at the time: Past: Scottish international rugby union player Thom Evans, 37, was Kelly's third husband-to-be, and they dated from 2010 to 2013 (pictured 2012) Kelly told The Sun: 'After the miscarriage Thom and I decided it was time to make a fresh start... Thom proposed. 'He'd bought a beautiful ring. I immediately said yes. The miscarriage actually brought us closer together.' 'Later I went to see my doctor, who said, 'The best way to get over this is to try and get pregnant again'. 'So Thom and I weren't careful, and just before Christmas 2011, I got pregnant again. 'The look on Thom's face said it all. I think he was terrified ... I had another miscarriage after a few weeks.' Thom is now dating Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. Short-lived romance: In at fourth, Gladiator competitor David McIntosh, now 36, and Kelly were together for less than a year before they split in January 2015 Kelly moved on with Gladiator competitor David McIntosh, now 36, who marked her fourth engagement. The couple 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 first met hunky Italian model Jeremy in 2014 after watching one of his Instagram videos, with friends claiming this week that she's 'happier than ever' following their understated engagement. Kelly Brook 'will marry long-term boyfriend Jeremy in July after accepting his secret marriage proposal' - and has already started viewing potential venues Hard to miss: While the couple are yet to publicly confirm his proposal, Kelly has been seen wearing a prominent ring on her wedding finger (pictured in April) While the couple are yet to publicly confirm his proposal, Kelly has been seen wearing a prominent ring on her wedding finger during daily visits to Global Radio studios - where she serves as Heart Drive-Time co-host. They are now said to be considering wedding venues across Italy, and were believed to be viewing locations in 37-year old Jeremy's home-country as recently as this week. An image posted by Jeremy several days ago suggested as much, with the couple posing for a selfie alongside the abbreviated caption: 'IT.' A source told The Sun: 'Kelly and Jeremy are getting married this summer in Italy. They kept it quiet for as long as they could but theyre happy and cant wait to make it official. 'They flew out to Italy this week to try and settle on the perfect location, but its going to be a low-key wedding very romantic and just with closest family and friends.' Happy: Kelly and Jeremy, who met via Instagram, recently marked their seventh anniversary - which marks the day he packed up his French abode and moved in with her (pictured 2017) Potential venues include Italian capital Rome, wine region Tuscany and Lake Como - the breathtaking Lombardy hotspot favoured by Hollywood star George Clooney and his glamorous wife Amal, who own a home there. Kelly and Jeremy recently celebrated their seventh anniversary - which marks the day he packed up his French abode and moved in with her in Kent. Opening up about her romance with her 'best friend and soulmate', Kelly told The Mirror: '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.' Of their secret to long-lasting love, Kelly recently 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.' Developers can now download a new AirPods beta firmware. According to Apple, this allows for the development of AirPods-related features on iOS and macOS, as well as the debugging of issues. Apart from "improvements to Automatic Switching," it's unclear what's new in the update. Which Models Can Get the Updates Only the second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max are supported with the beta firmware. For the time being, the first-generation AirPods haven't received the update, as per the report by 9to5Mac. How To Install the Beta Firmware According to Mac Rumors, through the Developer Portal, Apple provides instructions for installing the latest firmware. The basic requirements for this firmware is for the developers to have an iPhone running iOS 16 beta, a Mac running macOS Ventura beta, Xcode 14 beta, and of course, a supporting AirPods to install the beta software. They can follow these steps if they match the requirements: AirPods must be paired with an iPhone Using a Lightning cord, connect the iPhone to a Mac On the Mac, launch Xcode 14 beta Navigate to Settings, the choose "Developer" Click on the "Pre-Release Beta Firmware" under the "AirPods Testing" section The beta update may take up to 24 hours to receive and install on AirPods, according to Apple. The tech behemoth also claims that once installed, the beta firmware will continue to work on the AirPods until a non-beta software update is issued. In the meanwhile, any additional beta software updates will be delivered automatically. Read More: Apple Pay Later Feature Includes an Installment Plan with No Interest Fees Did You Know That AirPods Are Not Only Used To Listen to Music? Last month, the German Formula One racer Sebastian Vettel had his backpack stolen outside a hotel in Barcelona. Instead of heading straight to the cops, the racer used his iPhone's Find My app to track the whereabouts of his possessions in real time. You might wonder how he tracked down the robber. It's none other than his AirPods, of course. Let us go through the details of the incident. As previously reported, Vettel had parked his Aston Martin at a hotel in Barcelona when the incident occurred. Before fleeing, the robbers took advantage of the opportunity to grab a backpack from the car. It was reported that the four-time Formula One champion did not immediately notify the authorities and instead chose to handle the situation himself. And instead, Vettel hopped on an electric scooter and used the Find My app to search for his AirPods, which were stashed in his backpack. As he tracked the thieves through the city, he was subsequently joined by police, who advised him to lodge a formal complaint at a station rather than continue the chase. Unfortunately, despite the chase, the robbers appear to have been aware that the Find My app can track AirPods, so they dumped the earphones on the street and left with the bag and what was inside. Related Article: iOS 16 Offers Extra Protection for iPhone's Hidden Photos Love Island fans are convinced they've seen contestant Andrew Le Page before, after spotting his striking resemblance to 2019 star Curtis Pritchard. Viewers rushed to Twitter to compare the two Islanders after Wednesday night's episode. One said: 'Everytime I see Andrew, all I see is Curtis.' Seeing double: Love Island fans are convinced they've seen contestant Andrew Le Page (left) before, after spotting his striking resemblance to Curtis Pritchard (right) Another agreed, writing: 'Why is Andrew just Curtis 2.0 #LoveIsland'. A third echoed: 'Im sorry but they are actually the same person.. they give off the same vibes; a weirdo. Curtis core.' While a fourth quipped: 'itv said we miss curtis lets bring him back for 2022 #loveisland'. Twins: Viewers rushed to Twitter to compare the two Islanders after Wednesday night's episode Someone else chimed in to say: 'no one can convince me that Andrew and Curtis werent twins separated at birth.' Even Amber Gill, who won the series of Love Island that Curtis appeared on, could see the similarities. She tweeted: 'Andrew is giving Curtis Pritchard #loveisland'. Expert: Even Amber Gill, who won the series of Love Island that Curtis appeared on, could see the similarities And the comparisons weren't just based on look, as fans also compared Andrew's relationship with Tasha Ghouri with Curtis' doomed romance with Amy Hart in 2019. After Andrew's attempts to apologise to Luca Bish for implying Tasha wasn't interested in him, fans took to social media to question whether the coupling could already by hitting trouble waters. It came as viewers saw Andrew profusely apologise to Luca for misleading him in Wednesday's show, with the hunk insisting he'd 'never jeopardise anyone's chances with a girl.' Seem familiar? Love Island fans are already predicting there could be 'trouble ahead' for Tasha Ghouri and Andrew In the show's opening moments, Andrew was keen to know how Luca felt about Tasha and speaking at the fire pit, Luca said: 'She's attractive. She pulled me for a chat.' But that evening as the Islanders got ready for bed, Andrew suggested to Tasha that Luca isn't keen on pursuing things with her. The next day, Tasha and Luca had a chat and Tasha says: 'What are your thoughts? Just be open and honest.' Throwback! Many fans took to social media to compare the couple to the doomed 2019 pairing Amy Hart and Curtis Luca said: 'I fancy you. There is no denying that. I want to keep getting to know you but sharing a bed with another person is so hard.' Tasha replied: 'It's a weird one isn't it, because me and Andrew share a bed and we cuddle.' Tasha then revealed how Andrew told her that Luca doesn't have his sights set on her and Luca is left less than impressed. Speaking with Paige in the kitchen, Luca said: 'I've got to have a word with Andrew. He's snaking me.' Suspicious: During Wednesday's show Luca Bish began to question Andrew's loyalty, as the two of them vied over Tasha's affections Wants to know the goss: Andrew was keen to know how Luca felt about Tasha and speaking at the fire pit, Luca said: 'She's attractive. She pulled me for a chat' Later that evening, Luca decided to question Andrew about his conversation with Tasha. As Luca said: 'For Tasha she was actually upset. It sounds like you kind of just said it, but I never dog a boy out to get to a girl,' Andrew replied: 'My point was never to do that. 'It was an honest mistake I'd never jeopardise anyone's chances with any other girls. Especially my mates I'd never do that on purpose.' Candid: The next day, Tasha and Luca had a chat and Tasha said: 'What are your thoughts? Just be open and honest' Romance: On Tuesday night's show things heated up between Andrew and Tasha as the two shared a kiss, having locked lips during the earlier airport challenge Drama: Later that evening, Luca (left) decided to question Andrew (right) about his conversation with Tasha, with the pair clearing the air after he profusely apologised Speaking later in the Beach Hut, Luca said: 'We need to move on and get back to how we were. My most important thing is for everyone in the villa not to feel awkward.' Andrew went onto pull Tasha aside for a chat, apologising for his behaviour, and she admitted she wanted to 'slow things down' between them. Despite it being just three days into the series, viewers were quick to predict that things could end in heartbreak between Tasha and Andrew, comparing them to the doomed 2019 couple Amy and Curtis. Taking to Twitter, several viewers shared comparison images of Tasha and Andrew alongside Amy and Curtis. One wrote: 'We need more season 5 vibes, Amber and Michael's Casa Amor fallout, Maura putting Tom in his place, Ovie memes, Anna's 'two days.. TWO. DAYES'' Belle and Anton, Curtis and Amy coffeegate, just arguments all the time.' 'Anyone else looking at Tasha & Andrew & just getting those Amy & Curtis vibes?? There may be trouble ahead,' another added. A third tweeted: 'Tasha and Andrew are headed straight for Amy and Curtis territory, I'm calling it now.' One viewer also posted: 'Just waiting for Tasha and Andrew to be the next Amy and Curtis.' It's going to happen! Despite it being just three days into the series, viewers were quick to predict that things could end in heartbreak between Tasha and Andrew Amy and Curtis famously coupled up on the first day of the series, and things appeared to be going well until the infamous Casa Amor, when Curtis' head was turned by Jourdan Riane. Amy was stunned to learn that Curtis had been tempted after he decided to stick with her at the recoupling, and in an iconic moment confessed she was about to declare her love for him. The emotional impact of Curtis' betrayal became too much for Amy, and she quit the villa just days later, with the dancer going onto pursue, and date, Maura Higgins for seven months after the show. Falling apart: Amy and Curtis famously coupled up on the first day of the series, but their relationship crumbled after the dancer's head was turned in Casa Amor She's been busy posing up a storm on the beach after she jetted off on a sunshine break to Thailand. And Jessica Alves made sure to turn heads as she slipped into a colourful printed strapless dress for lunch at the luxurious hotel, The Slate, in Phuket on Thursday. The TV personality, 38, stunned in the statement number, complete with a leg-flashing asymmetric hem and tired skirt, after she revealed her hopes to cover Playboy magazine in the future. Jaw-dropping: Jessica Alves made sure to turn heads as she slipped into a colourful printed strapless dress for lunch at the luxurious hotel, The Slate, in Phuket on Thursday Jessica's platinum blonde locks were worn in a sleek straightened style and she opted for a full face of glamorous makeup. The reality star carried a green Yves Saint Laurent handbag and boosted her frame with hot pink heels. The bombshell completed her look with a glass of champagne to ensure she was suitably hydrated. Jessica's appearance comes after she revealed exclusively to MailOnline that she has her heart set on covering Playboy magazine in the future. Bold: The TV personality, 38, stunned in the statement number, complete with a leg-flashing asymmetric hem and tired skirt, after she revealed her hopes to cover Playboy magazine Stunning: Jessica's platinum blonde locks were worn in a sleek straightened style and she opted for a full face of glamorous makeup She explained: 'It's unbelievable when I look at myself in the mirror and see the woman that I've become. My OnlyFans images are taken by photographers who have also shot for Playboy.' Revealing she's now set her sights on covering the iconic men's magazine, she continued: 'I never thought that when I started my gender transition process I would go this far, look as good as I do right now, and I feel so happy.' Jessica - who appeared on Italian Celebrity Big Brother - revealed she had been in talks to cover Playboy Italy. She said: 'Being on the cover of Playboy magazine has always being a dream to me but I always thought that it could never happen because I am trans. Glamorous: The reality star carried a green Yves Saint Laurent handbag and boosted her frame with hot pink heels Bottoms up! The bombshell completed her look with a glass of champagne to ensure she was suitably hydrated 'Being on Playboy would be a validation to me as a model and a woman that everything that I have done so far has been the right decision in my life.' The Celebrity Big Brother star certainly looked every inch the cover star for a beach shoot earlier this week as she flaunted her very ample cleavage in a floral bikini top with tassel detailing across the bust. She paired the garment with tie-side briefs in a thong design that highlighted her very peachy bottom. Despite heels not being the first choice of footwear one would bring to the beach, glamour puss Jess was seen carrying a pair of stilettos with pink feather detailing. Ricky Gervais is refusing to rein in his famously controversial stand up routines, joking about his taboo subjects as he previewed new material on Wednesday night. The comic, 60, performed at London's Leicester Square Theatre, testing out new content for his upcoming stand-up show titled Armageddon. Posting on Twitter after the show, Ricky quipped that his audience had been 'reported for hate crimes' for laughing at his jokes, weeks after Twitter's 'woke brigade' accused him of hate crimes for his material about trans people in his recent Netflix special. Back to stand up: Ricky Gervais is refusing to rein in his famously controversial stand up routines, joking about his latest tour as he previewed material on Wednesday night 'Another amazing audience at @lsqtheatre for my #Armageddon new material night,' Ricky wrote on Twitter. 'They laughed at things that shouldn't be laughed at and I have reported them all for hate crimes. I'll do more soon.' The star also retweeted a string of complimentary tweets about his latest material, with one declaring him to be a 'comic genius' while another called it 'a breathtaking performance'. On stage: The comic performed at Leicester Square Theatre, testing out new content for his Armageddon show, and later tweeted about reporting his audience 'for hate crimes' Ricky previously admitted that he wanted to 'try to get cancelled' with Armageddon, revealing he is keen to push boundaries as far as he can with his long-awaited return to stand-up comedy. He told Heat: ''I'm treating it like it's my last one ever. It won't be, but I want to put everything into it. I want to try and get cancelled. No, I just want to go all-out there. 'It's about the end of the world and how we're going to destroy ourselves for lots of reasons, whether it's media stupidity, or the actual end of the world.' Fans: The star also retweeted a string of complimentary tweets about his latest material, with one declaring him to be a 'comic genius' while another called it 'a breathtaking performance' Ricky's SuperNature gags which kickstarted a Twitter row Mocking up a debate over gendered toilets, Gervais starts the joke: 'They are ladies, look at their pronouns. What about this person isn't a lady? 'Well, his penis.' 'Her penis you f****** bigot'. 'What is he rapes me?' 'What if SHE rapes you?' Turning his sights onto a new branch of 'woke comedy', in which he says comics are required to sign a waiver before their sets promising not to say anything contentious, he jokes he would rather watch American stand-up comedian Louis CK masturbate. 'Can't mention him anymore. He's cancelled', he adds. Gervais later tells his audience: 'You can't predict what will be offensive in the future. You don't know who the dominant mob will be. 'Like, the worst thing you can say today, get you cancelled on Twitter, death threats, the worst thing you can say today is, 'Women don't have penises', right? 'Now, no one saw that coming. You won't find a ten-year-old tweet saying 'Women don't have penises.' You know why? We didn't think we f***ing had to!' Discussing the minorities and the demographics of Britain, Gervais points out: 'We're 5 per cent black, 5 per cent Asian. 5 per cent LGBQT. 'I'm a white, heterosexual multi-millionaire. There's less than one percent of us. 'Do I whine? No. I don't mind'. In another joke towards the end of the show in which he addresses self identity, Gervais says he supports trans rights - a remark met by cheers by a few members of the audience. He adds: 'Full disclosure. In real life, of course I support trans rights. I support all human rights and trans rights are human rights. 'Live your best life, use your preferred pronouns, be the gender that you feel that you are. But meet me halfway ladies, lose the c**k, that's all I'm saying.' Advertisement Last month Ricky angered Twitter's 'woke' brigade following the broadcast of his Netflix special, SuperNature, which mocks cancel culture with jokes about trans people, Hitler and AIDS. The comic kicks off the show by describing comedy to the audience as 'basically a bloke talking', before deliberately failing to recall any 'funny female comedians'. Just minutes into his opening monologue, Gervais yawns to the crowd as he talks about 'those old-fashioned women, you know, with wombs'. In one skit he says: 'The worst thing you can say today is, 'Women don't have penises', right?' He at one point references his transition to becoming 'Vicky Gervais'. The show sparked a backlash from LGBT groups and has seen Gervais accused of hate crimes. His jokes were described as 'dangerous' material by an American LGBT rights group, while Stonewall accused him of 'making fun of trans people'. In response, Gervais told The Spectator: 'My target wasn't trans folk, but trans activist ideology. I've always confronted dogma that oppresses people and limits freedom of expression.' Last month the star defended his decision to joke about 'taboo' subjects including Hitler and AIDS by saying he wants to take 'smart' audiences to a place they haven't been before. Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Gervais explained that he had added new material to the special, which he had taken out on tour before the coronavirus pandemic. Asked if he had to change jokes due to a long touring break in lockdown, Gervais said: 'It was always evolving. 'There was a thought, 'Will this be out of date?' And then I realized that when you're dealing with, you know, famine, AIDS, cancer, Hitler, those dudes are evergreen. Yeah, so they're not going to, they don't date.' Colbert, 58, said: 'There is no audience that isn't going to love that.' 'Boo! Not Hitler! It was a long time ago,' Gervais said facetiously while laughing. Colbert noted that people have to know they will be forced to deal with offensive subjects at one of his shows. 'Like, you don't go to a Ricky Gervais concert for just feel good,' Colbert said. Gervais responded: 'No, they do feel good, and the aim is to make them laugh and they do laugh, but they know that I deal with taboo subjects. 'But I deal with taboo subjects because I want to take the audience to a place it hasn't been before and there is a tension. 'And I think people get offended when they mistake the subject of a joke with the actual target, and smart people know you can deal with anything, particularly when dealing with something like irony.' The Office creator said that he explains irony at the beginning of his new show. 'Humor gets us over bad stuff. That's why I laugh about terrifying bad things. You know, that's why comedians are obsessed with death because, you know, it gets us through... t's an inoculation to the real things that are going to happen.' The Project's Hamish Macdonald has come under fire for asking co-host Kate Langbroek a question laced with 'smutty sexual innuendo'. Following a segment on supermarket chain Costco's 'inappropriate' interview questions for new employees, Macdonald asked Langbroek, to 'agree or disagree' with the statement, 'Often I cannot swallow,' only for the 56-year-old to stare at him in disbelief. 'I don't even know how to answer that,' Langbroek protested, while panellist Peter Helliar laughed profusely. He said WHAT? The Project's Hamish Macdonald has come under fire for asking co-host Kate Langbroek (pictured) a question laced with 'smutty sexual innuendo' on Thursday night. But many viewers were less than impressed by the former Q+A host's suggestive line of questioning. 'Oh stop it with your smutty sexual inuendos (sic) Hamish McDonald. You are a disgrace in this time-slot and seriously, you should be sacked!' tweeted one viewer. 'Hamish Hamish Hamish I saw that. Juvenile TRASH!' added another. Q+A: Telling her she had to 'agree or disagree' with the statement, Hamish (left) said, 'Often I cannot swallow,' only for Kate to stare at him in disbelief. Pictured with Georgie Tunny (right) Low blow: Many viewers were less than impressed by the former Q+A host's suggestive line of questioning The segment in question was about Costco Australia coming under fire after a job applicant revealed the 'bizarre' employee application questionnaire she received. Sharing the questions on Facebook, the person who was applying for a Front End Cashier role at the Costco Ringwood store described the questions as 'intrusive' and 'confronting'. The Suremploy assessment, which took '21 years to develop', required applicants to answer whether they disagree or agree with the statements, such as 'I often eat too much', 'I like hot spicy food' and 'I often forget my own name'. Sharing the questions on Facebook, the person who was applying for Front End Cashier role at the Costco Ringwood store a described the questions as 'intrusive' and 'confronting' Costco Australia declined providing a comment to FEMAIL It appears applicants were also asked whether they have a range of mental health issues or disorders. A Suremploy spokesperson defended the questions and told 7NEWS.com.au: 'Our psychometric tool is designed to save lives and improve mental function for workers.' 'And while we understand that in and of themselves the individual questions can seem a little strange, the tool is based on cutting edge science and has been independently verified as one of the most reliable in the world.' The questionnaire asked applicants to answer whether they disagree or agree with the statements, such as 'I often eat too much', 'I like hot spicy food' and 'I often forget my own name' Another question also asked applicants to disclose how much they weigh in kilograms. Online the confused applicant said she reached out to Costco to discuss the odd request. 'I was wondering what the purpose of these pre-employment questions are and what benefit I get from answering them?' she wrote on Facebook. 'Safe to say I will not be accepting a job offer here.' On Facebook, other customers were just as shocked as the applicant. 'This has gotta be some sorta alien masquerading as a human manager attempting to learn more about humans,' one person wrote. 'That literally makes more sense than this being real.' Another person said the questions are 'common' in the US. Costco Australia declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia. David Tennant and Catherine Tate were spotted on the set of Doctor Who in Cardiff on Wednesday after the BBC announced they were reviving their roles. Scottish actor David, 51, first stepped into the Tardis in 2005 to play the 10th Time Lord with his final episode airing on New Year's Day in 2010, with comedic actress Tate, 52, starring as companion Donna Noble. They reunited late at night alongside Yasmin Finney to film dramatic scenes which included explosions and soldiers. Exciting: David Tennant and Catherine Tate were spotted on the set of Doctor Who in Cardiff on Wednesday after the BBC announced they were reviving their roles David looked in high spirits as he bundled up in a black padded jacket which he wore over a long dark coat and trousers. Meanwhile, Catherine stood out in a pink and red striped top and black leggings, teaming with sporty trainers and a khaki jacket. Yasmin - who is making her debut playing Rose - looked sensational in a floral mini skirt and a blue denim jacket. Appearance: They reunited late at night alongside Yasmin Finney to film dramatic scenes which included explosions and soldiers Vibrant: Catherine stood out in a pink and red striped top and black leggings, teaming with sporty trainers and a khaki jacket Casual: Yasmin (right) - who is making her debut playing Rose - looked sensational in a floral mini skirt and a blue denim jacket Highly-anticipated: David and Catherine have reunited to film scenes that are due to air next year to coincide with the 60th anniversary celebrations of the popular TV series David and Catherine have reunited to film scenes that are due to air next year to coincide with the 60th anniversary celebrations of the popular TV series. Doctor Who's returning showrunner Russell T Davies said of their return on Sunday: 'They're back! And it looks impossible - first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? 'Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. 'The only thing I can confirm is that it's going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.' They're back: Scottish actor David, 51, first stepped into the Tardis in 2005 to play the 10th Time Lord with his final episode airing on New Year's Day in 2010, with comedic actress Tate, 52, starring as companion Donna Noble Doctor Who's returning showrunner Russell T Davies said of their return on Sunday: 'They're back! And it looks impossible - first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? He continued: 'The only thing I can confirm is that it's going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.' A synopsis teasing their Doctor Who return mentioned Donna's memory wipe to save her life, adding that the Doctor had "left her family with a warning: if ever she remembers, she will die". It adds: 'But with the two coming face to face once more, the big question is, just what brings the Doctor and Donna back together?' It was recently announced that Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will be taking over from Jodie Whittaker to become the show's 14th Doctor. The 29-year-old becomes the fourth Scot to take up the post, following on from Sylvester McCoy, fellow Royal Conservatoire graduate Tennant and Peter Capaldi. Showrunner Chris Chibnall, who cast Whittaker as the first female Doctor, is leaving to be replaced by Davies, who was behind the programme's 2005 revival and left in 2009. Welcome back! David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning to Doctor Who, the BBC has announced (pictured 2006) Tennant and Tate's collaborations extend beyond Doctor Who. They worked on a stage version of Much Ado About Nothing together in 2011, with Tennant also cropping up on Tate's sketch show The Catherine Tate Show. A synopsis teasing their Doctor Who return mentioned Donna's memory wipe to save her life, adding that the Doctor had "left her family with a warning: if ever she remembers, she will die". It adds: 'But with the two coming face to face once more, the big question is, just what brings the Doctor and Donna back together?' Dame Emma Thompson has spoken out on 'the complex issue' of young people's expectations of sex. In an interview with Sky's Beth Rigby, the veteran stage and screen star, 63, admitted she is 'disturbed' by the younger generations views on sex, which she blames on 'easy access to porn.' Emma was speaking ahead of the release of her new sex-worker inspired film Good Luck To You, Leo Grande co-starring Daryl McCormack. 'Disturbing': Dame Emma Thompson has spoken out on 'the complex issue' of young people's expectations of sex In the new interview, she admitted: 'I think some things are worse [for my daughter's generation] when I hear stories in schools about boys and what they expect from girls and I mean that the easy access to porn, so anal sex is because it's so freely available to watch in porn. 'If you talk to young people about their sexual knowledge and what they expect and what they think sex is, it can be very disturbing indeed. 'I think it can interfere with their sexual development because it's all been taken away, industrialised and fed back to them in a completely un-indigestible form.' Dame Emma, who is mother to daughter Gaia, 23, and son Tindyebwa Agaba, 27, with husband Greg Wise, also said she thinks the sexual revolution is a 'very complex issue'. New role: Emma was speaking ahead of the release of her new sex-worker inspired film Good Luck To You, Leo Grande co-starring Daryl McCormack She said: 'It's not like we had that and then everything was better. And now young people, it's all better. 'It's never like that in human experience, we take a step forward and then we tie ourselves into weird knots because the fact of the matter is we have no respect at all for our sexual desires. 'We ridicule them. We make them the butt of our jokes. We don't respect what our desires are. And we find when they're odd, which they often are we find them shameful and ridiculous.' Emma has detailed her steamy new role in the upcoming film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande in which she plays widower Nancy, who after experiencing an unfulfilled marriage, meets with a younger male escort in the search for self discovery. Younger generation: In the new interview, she admitted: 'I think some things are worse [for my daughter's generation] when I hear stories in schools about boys and what they expect from girls' (pictured with daughter Gaia, 23 and husband Greg Wise) Speaking to Lorraine Kelly in a candid conversation, Emma said of her character: 'She's someone who has been widowed and it looking back at her life and thinking, "I'm not sure that I've ever experienced that essential part of my life", or sexual pleasure of any kind. 'She's never had an orgasm - not even on her own.' The upcoming film also stars Irish actor Daryl, 29, as young escort, Leo Grande. The film, directed by Sophie Hyde, is set to be released on June 17. Beth Rigby Interviews continues at 9pm on June 9. Proud mom Tori Spelling has hit back at claims she heavily edited an Instagram picture of her 14-year-old daughter Stella, which she shared in honor of the teenager's middle school graduation. The former Beverly Hills, 90210 star gushed about her daughter in the caption, describing her 'pride' at how Stella overcame a series of struggles - including 'bullying, severe anxiety, and teachers and who didn't believe' she could graduate - in order to finish middle school. 'My girl graduated from middle school today,' Tori wrote on Wednesday, adding that the moment was 'bittersweet'. 'So proud of how hard she fought to graduate amongst bullying, COVID, adversity, migraines, severe anxiety, and sadly teachers and counselors who didnt believe she could do it all in time to graduate she proved them all wrong!' the 49-year-old continued. 'So beyond proud but I still look up at that stage and see my tiny little buggy running around. You have such drive and such a kind spirit! You can do absolutely anything you want to do! I love you with all my heart and soul bff.' Despite the heartwarming caption, commenters were quick to accuse the mother-of-five for sharing what appears to be a very Photoshopped image of Stella posing in her graduation gown. Both Tori and her husband Dean McDermott shared photos of the teenager to celebrate the milestone achievement - with Stella's father opting to share a much more natural-looking set of photos of his daughter, which drew all the more attention to Tori's version. But in a comment added to her post on Thursday, Tori insisted she was 'horrified' by the suggestion she'd digitally altered the image and said it was just 'make up' and 'studio lighting'. Milestone: Tori Spelling gushed over her daughter Stella, 14, in a social media snap celebrating her middle school graduation on Wednesday but was accused in the comments of heavily editing the photo with an app Both Tori, 49, and her husband Dean McDermott, 55, shared images of their daughter to mark her graduation - with Stella's father opting to share a much more natural snap, which drew further attention to Tori's version 'Horrified': On Thursday afternoon, Tori denied adding heavy filters to the image and insisted it was just 'make up' and 'studio lighting' Followers had been quick to point out that Tori's image of her daughter appeared to have been edited and noted that it looked noticeably different to the images shared by Dean, 55. 'That looks nothing like Stella,' one follower wrote in the comments of Tori's Instagram post. Side-by-side comparisons of Tori and Dean's photos showed distinct differences. In Tori's snap, Stella's cornsilk hair was lightened to a platinum-blonde shade and smoothed out, her complexion appeared to have been blurred and contoured, and she was seen sporting heavy eye makeup, complete with false eyelashes, none of which were visible in the photos shared by her father. FaceTune and FaceTune2 are photo-editing apps used the world over by celebrities and influencers and FaceTune2 in particular features a digital makeup setting. But Tori denied using an app, writing on Thursday afternoon: 'Horrified to read messages and press that I added heavy filters to my daughter. My photos are not from school in natural daylight at her actual graduation! 'Right after, she opted to up the amount of makeup bc she is a budding makeup guru ( and at school she needed to keep it natural) for a professional in studio photoshoot ( with in studio lighting) we did for her on our cooking show together #@homewithtori' In the photo that Dean posted of Stella, her hair is styled in a natural blow out, she is modeling a very simple, low-key makeup look. Both Tori and Dean's photos show the graduate sporting a blue graduation robe and a floral lei, while holding a bouquet of flowers. 'That looks nothing like Stella,' one follower wrote in the comments of Tori's Instagram post that shows the soon-to-be high schooler with added makeup, lightened hair, bigger lips and a blurred complexion That's more like it: In Dean's pictures, Stella's hair was styled in a chic blow out and she had on a no-makeup makeup look, wearing a blue graduation gown and a floral lei while holding onto a bouquet of flowers Tori, 49, and Dean, 55, are parents to five children: sons Liam, 15, Finn, nine, and Beau, five, and daughters Stella, 14, and Hattie, 10. Stella's graduation comes as Tori and Dean are taking a break from their 16-year marriage. After months of rumors that the actors romance has been on the rocks, a source told Us Weekly the couple are 'going through with a trial separation.' Tori and Dean have been together since 2006 and share five kids together, McDermott also shares son Jack, 23, with his ex-wife Mary Jo Eustace. Friends of the actress are concerned as they no longer hear from her, according to the source. Pals have attempted to reach out to Tori but never hear back. Over it? Stella's graduation comes as Tori and Dean are taking a break from their 16-year marriage; Seen in 2019 Tori, 49, and Dean, 55, are parents to five children: sons Liam, 15, Finn, nine, and Beau, five, and daughters Stella, 14, and Hattie, 10 'She hasn't been doing social things anymore. She seems to be isolating herself. She's been so MIA that they're worried something's going on if she's having money troubles again or is depressed,' the source said. The insider also claimed Tori and her friends have not been gathering together like they once did. Meanwhile, Tori celebrated her 49th birthday in May in West Hollywood. The actress flashed her midriff in a crop top and spandex shorts as she was seen leaving the restaurant Catch LA with friends. Tori donned a cleavage-baring black crop top with matching spandex shorts and a leather jacket. The 90210 star added netted tights, combat boots, and a bronze hued handbag, opting to carry her smart phone. Tori wore her blonde tresses loose around her with smokey eye makeup and glossy pink lips. Her husband Dean was not part of her group for the early birthday celebrations. Tori and Dean, 55, have been under intense scrutiny for months regarding the unstable state of their marriage. Her comments: Tori and Dean have been under intense scrutiny for months regarding the unstable state of their marriage; seen in 2019 at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital's 20th Annual Party on the Pier at the Santa Monica Pier The duo were pictured together in late November 2021 for the first time since reports of their impending divorce; the duo were seen taking their children to dinner. In late November, Tori further fanned the rumor mill when she shared her family holiday card - featuring herself and their five kids with Dean McDermott not pictured. The photo came five months after the couple sparked rumors of a split after they were seen sans wedding rings, according to US Weekly. Soon after, Tori revealed during an appearance on SiriusXM's Jeff Lewis Live that they are not sleeping in the same bed. Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are 'devastated and disappointed' after being found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. The pair were found guilty Tuesday of running a years-long conspiracy to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million of fraudulent loans. Prosecutors said they then used the funds to repay previous loans and fund a lavish lifestyle that featured luxury cars, real estate, expensive clothing and travel. The Georgia jury also saw Todd's ex-business partner confess to helping the couple with their crimes, while also claiming he had a gay affair with the father-of-five. The Chrisley's attorney said they plan to appeal the verdict and will 'continue to fight until they are vindicated.' Todd and Julie face up to 30 years in prison and will be sentenced in October. Despite their guilty convictions, USA Network still plans to keep airing Chrisley Knows Best, with the second half season nine set to debut on June 23. It was renewed for a tenth season last month, however industry experts remain skeptical that production will move forward. Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are 'devastated and disappointed' after being found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion Guilty: Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley are 'devastated and disappointed' after being found guilty Tuesday of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30M of fraudulent loans (pictured in 2019) The Chrisley's accountant Peter Tarantino was convicted of conspiring to defraud the IRS and filing two false corporate tax returns on behalf of their film production company A federal jury in Atlanta convicted Todd, 53, of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and tax fraud on Tuesday. Julie, 49, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax fraud, wire fraud. 'Both Chrisleys are devastated and disappointed with the verdict and will be pursuing an appeal,' the couple's lawyer Steve Friedberg told People on Thursday. 'Julie and Todd are so grateful for the love and support shown by their family, friends and fans. They both remain strong in their faith and will continue the "fight" until they are vindicated. 'They have their priorities in order and are currently concentrating on the welfare of their children and Todd's mother, Elizabeth Faye Chrisley.' In addition, the Chrisley's accountant Peter Tarantino was convicted of conspiring to defraud the IRS and filing two false corporate tax returns on behalf of their film production company. Like the Chrisleys, he too could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. They will face a judge for sentencing on October 6 at 9.30am. Todd (left) and Julie Chrisley (right) enjoyed a hearty family brunch at Atlanta hot spot Peach & the Porkchop on Sunday, just two days before they were found guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion Witnesses the family was 'all smiles' and seemed to make the most of their meal despite the looming verdict in Todd and Julie's fraud trial. Todd allegedly left the table to take a 10 minute phone call that some speculate was related to the then-ongoing proceedings. When he resumed his seat at the table, the positive and and light-hearted mood picked back up 2020 family portrait: The Southern grandparents-of-two are also parents of son Kyle, 30; daughter Savannah, 24; son Chase, 26; and son Grayson, 16 (also pictured with Todd's mother Faye and granddaughter Chloe) Todd and Julie, who are currently on house arrest, have been married 26 years and share five children: Lindsie, 32; Kyle, 30; Chase, 25; Savannah, 24; and Grayson, 16. Their show, Chrisley Knows Best, which depicts their seemingly picture-perfect southern lifestyle, is USA Network's most watched original series. NBCUniversal, the cable station's parent company, renewed the show for a tenth season on May 10, a week before their trial began. However, reality TV industry experts told TMZ the fate of the show remains up in the air because they looming sentencing date doesn't give Todd, born Michael, and Julie much time for filming. Sources familiar with the show's production have described the situation as 'very fluid,' noting the network is 'awaiting the sentencing.' Additionally, E! Network recently greenlit a new speed-dating match-making series Love Limo hosted and executive produced by the so-called 'patriarch of perfection.' Peacock also renewed spin-off Growing Up Chrisley - starring the Chrisley's children Savannah and Chase - for a fourth season to premiere in July. Fighting for their lives: Tarantino and the married couple of 26 years - who are now on house arrest - face up to 30 years in prison when they get sentenced on October 6 at 9:30am Jeopardized: That doesn't give Todd (born Michael) and Julie much time to shoot the 10th season of their boisterous reality show, which the USA Network had renewed on May 10 Still on? Plus, the E! Network greenlit a new speed-dating match-making series Love Limo hosted and executive produced by the so-called 'patriarch of perfection' (2006 stock shot) 'Life is a party' Peacock also renewed spin-off Growing Up Chrisley - starring the Chrisley's children Savannah and Chase (pictured May 11) - for a fourth season to premiere in July Meanwhile, Todd, known for being a devout Christian, saw his on-screen image ripped apart as shocking details about an alleged relationship with his ex-business partner were unveiled during the trial. Mark Braddock, 57, a married father and grandfather, told the court in May that he had a year-long gay affair with the reality star in the early 2000s - while they were both married to their respective wives. He then sensationally turned against his ex-lover and business partner on the stand, when he told the jury that he had not only been witness to the Chrisleys' crimes, but had helped to commit them. Mark Braddock, 57, a married father and grandfather, told the court in May that he had a year-long gay affair with Todd Chrisley in the early 2000s - while they were both married to their respective wives According to Braddock, who was granted immunity in return for testifying, he and Todd continued working together for a decade after their secret affair ended, with the businessman describing their close relationship as a 'brotherhood'. However, that brotherhood blew up in Todd's face in 2012, when he reportedly threw Braddock out of his office and threatened to call the police on him. Braddock, who had to tell his wife of 34 years about the affair before testifying, then turned the Chrisleys into the FBI for tax fraud. His testimony also saw him confessing not only to his role in the Chrisleys' years-long fraud, but to his infidelity, which he is said to have kept hidden from his wife for years before revealing it all to the world on the stand. Braddock has been married to wife Leslie for more than three decades - with the couple celebrating their 34th anniversary on October 10, 2021, having tied the knot back in 1987. Despite his testimony, she is said to be standing by her husband, with whom she shares two children. According to Media Take Out, Leslie - who is reportedly a real estate agent - has 'forgiven' Braddock for his affair with Todd, and intends to stay married to her husband, despite his confession about his affair. Together, Braddock and his wife have welcomed two sons over the years, named Ian and Colin. Ian is married to a woman named Eva, and together, they have a son and daughter. Colin's marital status is unclear. Todd's alleged ex-lover Mark Braddock (pictured with his wife in 2019) told the court that he not only had a romance with Chrisley, but that he also helped the reality star to commit fraud Braddock has been married to a woman named Leslie for more than three decades - with the couple celebrating their 34th anniversary in October 2021. They are pictured at the wedding Braddock and his wife have welcomed two sons over the years, named Ian and Colin. Ian has a son and daughter with his wife, Eva. The family is seen in 2014 After the affair ended, while Braddock worked at Chrisley Asset Management, he claims an anonymous source sent text messages threatening to expose the relationship and his boss' fraud. 'Pay cash and we'll shut up,' he claimed the blackmailer threatened over text during his testimony. According to Braddock, he and Todd ended up paying the blackmailer $38,000 to stay quiet. However, the former business partners ultimately had a major falling out which led to the end of their professional relationship. In 2012, Braddock said Todd threw him out of his office and called the police, which caused Braddock to feel vengeful - and he eventually tipped off the FBI about Todd and Julie's criminal activity. He went on to became a partner at the Pontchartrain Resources Group - 'a full-service business consulting organization helping executives to manage technology and business process change to achieve maximum efficiencies in their operations' - where he currently still works. Braddock currently resides in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and often shares snaps to social media with his family. Their lawyer Steve Friedberg told People on Thursday: 'Both Chrisleys are devastated and disappointed with the verdict and will be pursuing an appeal. Julie and Todd are so grateful for the love and support shown by their family, friends and fans' Friedberg added: 'They both remain strong in their faith and will continue the "fight" until they are vindicated. They have their priorities in order and are currently concentrating on the welfare of their children and Todd's mother, Elizabeth Faye Chrisley (L)' Legal woes: A federal jury in Atlanta convicted 53-year-old Todd and 49-year-old Julie of tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS, and she was convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice Excited? The ninth season of Chrisley Knows Best premieres June 23 on the USA Network The Chrisley's trial began three weeks ago and seemingly remained heavy on their minds until the guilty verdict was reached. The Chrisley family dined together at a popular southern comfort style restaurant in Atlanta on Sunday, just two days after jurors in their fraud trial began deliberation. Witnesses told TMZ the family was 'all smiles' while brunching at Peach & the Porkchop. Todd left the table to take a 10 minute phone call that some speculate was related to the then-ongoing trial, which was clearly on the family's mind. However, when he resumed his seat at the table, the positive and and light-hearted mood picked back up, neighboring brunch-goers allege. Later Sunday, Todd - who boasts 4.9M social media followers - took to Instagram to post the quote: 'God doesn't give us what we can handle. God helps us handle what we are given.' 'Always remember, God is always in control,' he captioned the post. His daughter Savannah replied to the post: 'Weve got this! God has got us!' On Wednesday, the Chrisley's 32-year-old estranged daughter Lindsie Instastoried that she and her family were 'deeply saddened' over the verdict and she's taking a hiatus from her podcasts until 'the time is right.' Todd and the breast cancer survivor are also parents of son Kyle, 30; daughter Savannah, 24; son Chase, 26; and son Grayson, 16. Later Sunday, Todd, 53, took to Instagram, reminding his followers: 'Always remember, God is always in control.' His daughter commented on the post issuing her support 'Please pray for us': On Wednesday, the Chrisley's 32-year-old estranged daughter Lindsie Instastoried that she and her family were 'deeply saddened' over the verdict and she's taking a hiatus from her podcasts until 'the time is right' The Chrisleys were initially indicted in August 2019 and a new indictment was filed in February of this year. Their trial began about three weeks ago, and a jury found the pair guilty of all charges Tuesday, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta. Prosecutors alleged that the Chrisleys submitted fake documents to banks when applying for loans. They said Julie Chrisley also submitted a false credit report and fake bank statements when trying to rent a house in California, and then the couple refused to pay rent a few months after they started using the home. They used a film production company they controlled to hide income to keep the IRS from collecting unpaid taxes owed by Todd Chrisley, prosecutors said. The Chrisleys were initially indicted in August 2019 and a new indictment was filed in February of this year. They are pictured in a court sketch at a bond hearing at the US Bankruptcy Court on August 14, 2019 After they were found guilty, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross allowed the Chrisleys to remain free on bond. But she placed them on location monitoring and home detention, meaning they can only leave the house for certain reasons, including work, medical appointments and court appearances. They also have to alert their probation officers to any spending over $1,000, according to the order entered Tuesday. Peter Tarantino, an accountant hired by the couple, was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns. He was found guilty on all counts, the U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta said. He also remains free on bond. On Wednesday, she wished Kanye West a happy 45th birthday despite rumors they had split. And hours later, Kim Kardashian clone Chaney Jones was seen stepping out in LA on the rapper's birthday - without him - while sporting an eye catching look that channeled the 41-year-old Skims founder. The 24-year-old Instagram model poured her curves into a low-cut hot pink dress and matching boots - looking very similar to a look Kim wore in March. Inspiration? On Wednesday, she wished Kanye West a happy 45th birthday despite rumors they had split. And hours later, Kim Kardashian clone Chaney Jones was seen stepping out on the rapper's birthday - without him - while sporting an eye catching look; seen Wednesday night in West Hollywood while meeting friends at Ysabel restaurant Chaney has been seen channeling Kim in a number of outfits, as well as rocking the same hairstyles, shoes and accessories. Chaney chose a curve-hugging flower printed neon pink dress that highlighted her hourglass figure. The brunette paired the look in a very Kim Kardashian inspired fashion - adding thigh-high boots that resembled leggings. The influencer styled her hair loose and wavy around her with a full face of makeup to round out her evening look. Casual: The 24-year-old Instagram model poured her curves into a low-cut hot pink dress and matching boots Interesting: Chaney chose a curve-hugging flower printed neon pink dress that highlighted her hourglass figure Chaney was seen heading to dinner at Ysabel in West Hollywood with friends on Wednesday night - which was Kanye's birthday. Kim rocked a similar look on March 19, 2022 in Miami following her Skims swim pop-up shop launch. Her outing comes just hours after she wished Kanye publicly a happy birthday, despite rumors the duo have split. On early Wednesday morning, Chaney wished the rapper a happy birthday, adding 'I love you' to the video montage. Chaney's video featured photos and videos of her and Kanye laughing and smiling during various dates, dispelling rumors of a split. Love: It was reported that Kanye split with his Kim Kardashian lookalike girlfriend Chaney. However, it appears the duo are still going strong She captioned it: 'Happy birthday I love youuuuu,' adding a black heart. Chaney also wiped out all her pictures except for two on her Instagram; they do not follow each other either. Page Six's source close to Kanye said that their relationship became 'choppy,' after their trip to Tokyo last month. Duo: Chaney's video featured photos and videos of her and Kanye laughing and smiling during various dates, dispelling rumors of a split Couple: On early Wednesday morning, Chaney, 24, wished the rapper, 45, a happy birthday, adding 'I love you' to the video montage Love: She captioned it: 'Happy birthday I love youuuuu,' adding a black heart Closer look: The 24-year-old Instagram influencer got his name 'Ye' tattooed on her left wrist The insider reported it was due to Kanye's erratic behavior. 'You know how things are. Tomorrow they might be posted together again,' the source said. The breakup rumor came out on Tuesday came just days after the rapper was pictured at the movies with a mystery woman, who fans believe is the glamorous influencer Monica Corgan. In the report, Kanye and Chaney allegedly ended things after their trip to Japan, but it is not clear who broke up with who, TMZ said. It was only a month ago that Chaney showed off a tattoo dedicated to the rapper on her wrist, with an inscription that read 'Ye,' the name which Kanye goes by legally. Turmoil: Page Six's source close to Kanye said that their relationship became 'choppy,' after their trip to Tokyo last month; seen on March 12 at the Miami Heat v Minnesota Timberwolves game in Miami Fans started buzzing after the social media model posted a series of snaps of herself to her Instagram page, with her left wrist in full view. Chaney's wrist featured the word 'Ye' - which is Kanye's name - inked permanently in black cursive handwriting. The pair were first spotted together at a party in Malibu, California, while he was still believed to be casually dating Uncut Gems actress Julia Fox. He has a type: Not much is known about her, besides the fact she is an Instagram model and dresses like Kim Her muse: Chaney appears to be a fan of the rapper's estranged wife, as she often rocks almost identical looks as Kim Chaney then stepped out wearing all-black clothes, including a catsuit and knee-high boots that were strikingly similar to the clothes worn by Kanye's ex-wife Kim, 41. When news broke that Kanye and Julia had split in February, rumors began that the rapper had officially moved on with Chaney, quickly becoming his next muse. In March, Kanye is said to have gifted Chaney a rare Birkin bag worth $275,000, something that he did for both Julia Fox and his ex Kim in the past. Last week, Kanye was spotted on a cinema dating watching Top Gun: Maverick with a woman who fans claim is influencer Monica Corgan. Movie date: Last week the Donda rapper, 45, was spotted catching a screening of Top Gun: Maverick in the presence of a blonde companion Internet sleuths quickly pointed out that Kanye's new date looked to be Corgan, who is an Instagram model known for being an ambassador for the swimwear brand Boutine LA. 'Forgot to mentionwent to see @topgunmovie the other night and sat next to @kanyewest,' Motta wrote in the caption of the photo, which sees Ye and his companion intently taking in the action on the screen. Monica boasts 34.6K followers on her Instagram profile, and posted a snap of her legs in Balenciaga boots as she sat inside of a movie theater on the day the snap was taken. 'Cool girl,' she captioned the carousel of photos, which also saw her wearing Kim's favorite brand as she posed in a bathroom mirror. Model looks: Corgan is an Instagram model who is known for being an ambassador for the swimwear and bikini brand Boutine LA Interestingly enough, the two seem to have known each other for a while, as Kanye has previously mentioned Corgan's name on a song. Last year, when West and fellow rapper, Drake, were feuding, the Canadian star leaked a song by Ye and Andre 3000, titled 'Life of the Party.' In the song, Kanye is heard rapping: 'So don't text me like I'm Juanita JCV/ Or more important, Monica Corgan, who was there for me/ Somebody really there for me, was rare for me.' Fans have also pointed out that Corgan was spotted wearing Kanye's merch, and has been seen on his tour bus several times. Since splitting with his wife Kim, Kanye has been linked to a string of other women - including model Irina Shayk - though nothing has run the distance. Meanwhile, Kim has moved on in a new relationship with SNL funnyman Pete Davidson, who was recently seen out with Kim and Kanye's son Saint. The ex: Kim Kardashian, 41, filed for divorce from the rapper in February 2021, after seven years of marriage; Pictured in 2016 The first official images of the hotly-anticipated upcoming movie My Policeman were released on Thursday - sending fans into a frenzy. The two snaps showed main character Harry Styles, 28, gazing at his on-screen wife Emma Corrin, 26, in a swimming pool before having an intimate chat in a gallery with the man he will go on to have an affair with. The One Direction star is taking the lead in the movie, which is set in Brighton in the 1950s, and based on Bethan Roberts' novel. Exciting: The first official images of the hotly-anticipated upcoming movie My Policeman were released on Thursday - sending fans into a frenzy (Emma Corrin and Harry Styles are pictured) The plot focuses on police officer Tom, who is gay, but married to Marion (Emma) due to expectations. He goes on to have an affair with museum curator Patrick Hazelwood (David Dawson). In the first picture released a shirtless Harry looks across at Emma as they relax in a swimming pool and she gazes adoringly at her. In the second snap Emma, David and Harry all stand close to each other in the gallery where David works and look at a painting together. Harry looked dapper in a dark jacket with his hair swept back in the style of the times. First look: The two snaps showed main character Harry Styles, 28, gazing at his on-screen wife Emma Corrin, 26, in a swimming pool before having an intimate chat in a gallery with the man he will go on to have an affair with Production on the film kicked off in Brighton last April, and it will be released on November 4. Harry reportedly filmed sex scenes with co-star David in the upcoming LGBT romantic drama. An insider said: 'Harry will be having sex on screen and they want it to look as real as possible. The plan is to shoot two romps between Harry and David, then another scene where Harry is naked on his own.' A source added to The Sun: 'Not much is going to be left to the imagination. Harry is throwing himself into this new role and is really excited about the challenge, even though its a daunting task. Upcoming: Production on the film kicked off in Brighton last April, and it will be released on November 4 (Harry and Emma pictured filming last May) 'He always wants to do things that people wouldnt expect and challenge what people think about him and this film will really do that.' A spokesperson for Harry declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. MailOnline also contacted a representative for David at the time. Baz Bamigboye revealed in The Daily Mail earlier this year that The Last Kingdom star David would portray the lover of Harry's character. Rupert Everett will appear as the older version of Patrick in the film, while the former One Direction artist will be replaced by Linus Roache for scenes set years after their affair began, while Golden Globe winner Emma's character will be taken over by Gina McKee later in the film. Racy: Harry reportedly filmed sex scenes with co-star David in the upcoming LGBT romantic drama The film sees Tom embark on an affair with Patrick after they fall in love at first sight when they meet at Brighton Museum. Tom's spouse becomes jealous when she discovers their passionate relationship, and decides to take drastic action during a time when homosexuality was illegal. The 2012 novel explores the sexual mores of the 1950s and the criminalisation of homosexuality. The Amazon Studios production is being directed by Michael Grandage, and it will shoot from April 12 on locations in London and the South-East coast, while the more intimate moments were filmed at one of the big film studios. Drama: Tom's spouse (played by Emma who is pictured) becomes jealous when she discovers their passionate relationship and decides to take drastic action Harry is currently in a relationship with American actress Olivia Wilde, 37, and has previously dated celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, 25, Taylor Swift, 31, and Kiko Mizuhara, 30. The hunk previously insisted he is not using 'sexual ambiguity to try and be more interesting' but demands fans respect his refusal to discuss his sexuality. Speaking to The Guardian's Weekend Magazine, the hitmaker revealed that while he doesn't mind being asked about his sexuality, he has no plans to definitively provide an answer. Meta is reportedly canceling all its plans to release a smartwatch under its brand. The parent company of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp is backing off with its project in the smartwatch industry. The development of a smartwatch by Meta that has two built-in cameras has been discontinued. It was rumored that the product, which had the codename Milan, would be made available in the spring of 2023 at a price of about $349. According to reports, the cancellation was brought about by a combination of technical challenges and Meta's ongoing efforts to reduce costs generally. Meta's Dual-Camera Smartwatch Meta's hardware division, Reality Labs, has been developing this smartwatch for two years now. Just this week, the employees were told it was now being scratched off. Despite the fact that comprehensive details have already leaked out in their entirety. As of right now, the vast majority of smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, do not include any cameras at all. Hence, Meta thought that the existence of not just one but two cameras could differentiate its wearable in a sector that is already quite competitive. The first camera would have been a front-facing camera with 5 megapixels that would be housed in a small display notch for use with video calls. The second camera was originally designed to be placed underneath the display and would have had 12 megapixels. The purpose The second camera is to capture photos and record videos when the device is removed from the owner's wrist. The crucial selling point of Meta with their smartwatch is stated to be its dual-camera feature. Unfortunately, as reported by The Verge, Meta had issues with this second camera, which made it difficult for the watch to pick up nerve signals from the wrist. This problem plays a significant role in the device, as Meta's would like to differentiate themselves from releasing a typical watch that is already available on the market. Meta also hoped for their Android-powered watch to serve as a controller for augmented reality (AR) glasses and other metaverse devices the company would release. Read Also: How to Create Your Metaverse Avatar on Facebook Meta's Wrist Worn Devices Meta also planned for Milan to be equipped with functions that are typically found on modern smartwatches, such as GPS, cellular networking, activity monitoring, and music playback. The team had high hopes that the watch would have a battery life of 18 hours on a single charge. In addition, Milan was intended to access Instagram stories, WhatsApp messaging, access Spotify, access a photo gallery, a calendar, and track daily activities such as breathing. According to 9TO5Google, Milan was supposed to launch after the new generation of the Apple Watch, Samsung's wearable watch, and Google's Pixel Watch. This week, Meta informed staff who were working on the project that it would not be published; nonetheless, the company is still developing a variety of other wrist-worn devices. Again, this decision comes at a time when the firm is facing cost-cutting measures and other significant hardware endeavors, such as developing smart glasses and augmented reality headsets. It is part of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's ambition to offer more consumer devices of its own and to minimize the company's dependence on users having to go through Apple and Google in order to utilize Meta's services. Related Article: Mark Zuckerburg's Vision for Metaverse Receives a Huge Pass From Amazon Executive Jodie Comer will be swapping the theatre boards of the West End for the bright lights of Broadway as she heads to the US with her one-person play. The Killing Eve star, 29, has received critical acclaim for her West End debut in the role as Tessa in Prima Facie, a one-person play by Suzie Miller, and cried on social media as she shared the news with fans. The production sees Comer portraying a brilliant barrister who has progressed from her working class origins to the top of the profession, when an unexpected event forces her to 'confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge'. Exciting! Jodie Comer will be swapping the theatre boards of the West End for the bright lights of Broadway as she heads to the US with her one-person play (pictured crying as she delivered the news to fans) Sharing the news on Instagram, alongside a picture of her with tears in her yes, Comer wrote: 'I am so honoured to play a part in the telling of this story and beyond thrilled that next week isn't the end. 'It means so much to see and hear so many of your positive responses. 'Thank you to all of you who have supported the show and a special shout out to those who have travelled thousands of miles, now it's our turn. I love you Tess, we're going to BROADWAY!'. It comes after she reportedly found herself at the centre of a security scare last month, after an overzealous fan allegedly tried to get under a shutter to the stage door at the theatre of her play. Popular: The Killing Eve star, 29, has received critical acclaim for her West End debut in the role as Tessa in Prima Facie, a one-person play by Suzie Miller Important: The production sees Comer portraying a brilliant barrister who has progressed from her working class origins to the top of the profession Her popularity has no doubt soared after picking up the Leading Actress gong for her role in Channel 4 's Help at this year's BAFTA Television Awards held at London 's Royal Festival Hall earlier this month. The star who won the category in 2019 for Killing Eve, admitted she was 'very nervous' as she took to the stage to receive her award for her outstanding performance in the pandemic drama. The Liverpool-born actress has been lauded for her role in BBC spy thriller Killing Eve in which she stars as Russian assassin Villanelle alongside Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri. Plot: The production sees Comer portraying a brilliant barrister who has progressed from her working class origins to the top of the profession (pictured leaving Wednesday night's show) Kind: She signed autographs for fans as she left the venue on Wednesday night after another stellar performance Safety first: She made sure to wear a face mask as she greeted her fans outside the theatre She has also starred alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names appearing in Sir Ridley Scott's historical epic The Last Duel alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and sci-fi comedy Free Guy with Ryan Reynolds. At this year's Bafta ceremony, Comer claimed the leading actress award for her role in Channel 4's Help - a fictional drama set in a Liverpool care home during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Prima Facie will arrive on Broadway in 2023, Comer confirmed. Matthew Morrison and Ashley Byam were seen arriving at the set of EastEnders for their first day of filming for the soap on Thursday. The actors are part of a new family who are due to arrive in Walford this summer when the estranged brother of Mitch, played by Roger Griffiths, turns up in Albert Square. Set to play the character of Felix, Matthew was seen wearing an open pink teddy zip up hoodie over a T-shirt in a slightly darker shade. Born to perform: Matthew Morrison (left) and Ashley Byam (right) were seen arriving at the set of EastEnders for their first day of filming for the soap on Thursday He wore a pair of coral-hued shorts and carried a rucksack on his back. The new cast member completed his look by shielding his eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses and wore a gold chain around his neck. Ashley, who has been cast as Finlay, wore a pink jumper with Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the front. Arrivals: EastEnders will welcome a new family this summer when the estranged brother of Mitch (played by Roger Griffiths, centre) turns up in Albert Square Keeping it casual: Set to play the character of Felix, Matthew was seen wearing an open pink teddy zip up hoodie over a T-shirt in a slightly darker shade Ready for action: He wore a pair of coral-hued shorts and carried a rucksack on his back as he arrived on set He opted for a khaki jacket and a pair of blue denim shorts for his trip to work. The actor also wore a pair of sunglasses and carried a pair of headphones and his phone in his hands. The pair were announced as members of the new EastEnders family earlier this week. Musician and actor Omar Lye-Fook, MBE will be playing Avery Baker, the charming older sibling of Mitch, who will arrive on the scene with his two sons. Casual clobber: Ashley, who has been cast as Finlay, wore a pink jumper with Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the front In style: He opted for a khaki jacket and a pair of blue denim shorts for his trip to work at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire Camera ready? The actor also wore a pair of sunglasses and carried a pair of headphones and his phone in his hands Almost always on the verge of causing trouble, Avery couldn't be more different to his little brother and his arrival will immediately cause heads to turn. Avery will be joined by his children, Felix and Finlay, who will be played by Matthew Morrison (Felix) and Ashley Byam (Finlay). The youngest of the two brothers, larger than life Felix will throw himself into life in Albert Square, but with his quick-wit and frank honesty he'll be sure to stir up some drama along the way. Older half-brother Finlay has a different biological dad but was raised by Avery soon after birth. Finlay has sailed through life using his cheeky charm but is set to face a wake-up call as he begins life in Walford. Coming soon: Almost always on the verge of causing trouble, Avery (left) couldn't be more different to his little brother (right) and his arrival will immediately cause heads to turn Despite being the complete opposite of each other, Felix and Finlay present a united front and always have each other's backs. While Mitch dearly loves his nephews, it's fair to say he has a complicated relationship with his brother after not speaking to him for years and Avery's unexpected arrival is set to cause some issues for Mitch. Realising there must be a reason for Avery suddenly coming back into his life, Mitch is determined to get to the bottom of what's going on and find out what secret Avery is hiding Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, EastEnders said: 'The Baker Family bring a fresh, fierce, fun and exciting energy to the Square. Gang: Musician and actor Omar Lye-Fook, MBE will be playing Avery Baker, the charming older sibling of Mitch, who will arrive on the scene with his two sons 'Felix and Finlay are two very different firecrackers and, yes, these brothers fall out, take the mick and challenge each other, but none of that compares to their unswerving love and loyalty they have for one another. 'They may be charming young men, full of sass, swagger and strength but these brothers are Bakers and, like their father, Avery, have their own unique way of surviving. 'Omar, Matthew and Ashley all bring star quality to EastEnders and we're excited to see them bring Avery, Felix and Finlay to life. The Baker family are the just the start of some new faces landing in Walford later this year - so watch this space' Spellbinding: While Mitch (stock picture) dearly loves his nephews, it's fair to say he has a complicated relationship with his brother after not speaking to him for years On taking on the role as Avery, Omar said: 'I've been watching EastEnders since I was at school so it's such a surreal experience to now be part of the show. 'I'm having so much fun and it's an honour to be working alongside this incredible cast.' Matthew Morrison, who will play Felix, added: 'It's an honour to be a part of such a legendary show that I grew up watching. 'It hasn't quite sunk in yet, and I don't think it ever will. I'm having a ball getting to grips with Felix and cannot wait for you all to meet him!' Ashley Byam, who will play Finlay, said: 'I'm very excited to be joining the Square. Like many people I grew up with EastEnders; it was almost like an unspoken family tradition. 'My mum and I sat there together watching so many incredible and iconic storylines. So to now be joining this classic British TV drama is an honour, and I'm truly grateful. I can't wait for everyone to meet Finlay and see what lies ahead for him.' The actors have begun filming and will be first seen on screen this summer. Lisa Hochstein will soon be spilling the tea amid her messy divorce from Lenny Hochstein. 'I know I've been pretty quiet. I'll have a lot to say soon,' The Real Housewives Of Miami star, 39, cryptically tweeted on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Lenny, a surgeon who has nicknamed himself 'boob god', fawned over his new girlfriend Katharina Mazepa's topless snap. Spilling the tea! Lisa Hochstein vowed to spill on her split from 'boob god' husband Lenny on Twitter on Wednesday In the sexy photo, Katharina served a smoldering stare towards the camera as she lay with her bare breasts concealed and her thong underwear on display. 'I can be a handful sometimes,' she captioned the post along with a shoulder shrug emoji. Lenny showed his appreciation for the image by commenting with three flame emojis. Katharina 'liked' the message and replied back with a lip print and skull and bones flag emoji. Spilling all: Hochstein promised fans they would be hearing from her 'soon' on Twitter Chest a glimpse! Meanwhile, Lenny, a surgeon who has nicknamed himself 'boob god', fawned over his new girlfriend Katharina Mazepa as she posted a topless snap Hot stuff! Lenny showed his appreciation for the post with a string of flame emojis After 12 years of marriage and two children together, Lenny announced his divorce from Lisa as well as his new relationship with a model who is almost 30 years his junior last month. The 55-year-old famed plastic surgeon told Page Six that he and Lisa were going their separate ways, just weeks after initially denying rumors that they had split. He told the publication: 'Lisa and I are getting divorced. A few weeks ago, I denied this because because I am trying my best to protect my family during this process. This is a very difficult time, and I would ask for some privacy so that we can best take care of our children who mean the world to us.' It's over: Lenny filed for divorce from Lisa after 12 years of marriage on May 20 As well as sharing the news of his divorce, Lenny also revealed that he is already involved in a new relationship with Mazepa - however he insisted that the romance did not begin until after he and his now-former wife had gone their separate ways. 'None of this happened until after the decision was made to get divorced,' he added. According to Lenny, he and Lisa - who share two children together, six-year-old son Logan and two-year-old daughter Elle - had 'contemplated divorce for the last several years', explaining that he had hoped to avoid ending his marriage 'for the sake of their children'. New flame: As well as sharing the news of his divorce, Lenny also revealed that he is already involved in a new relationship with Mazepa - however he insisted that the romance did not begin until after he and his now-former wife had gone their separate ways 'I tried my best to avoid it for the sake of our children, who we love deeply,' he claimed, before revealing: 'We have been living separate lives for months and made the decision to divorce last month. 'It was after the decision was made that I started seeing Katharina. This is something that Lisa was well aware of before it happened. Our issues have nothing to do with the filming of the show.' But while Lenny claims that his romance with Katharina did not begin until his marriage was over, his former wife still spoke out to slam his handling of their divorce announcement in a statement given to Page Six, saying that she had been 'blindsided' by his behavior. Messy split: In the latest update, Lenny has demanded the court remove Lisa from their marital home as she refuses to do so despite the conditions of their prenuptial agreement, according to The Sun 'With two young children involved, as a mom Im going to focus all of my energy and time on them,' she said via her spokesperson. 'Im blindsided by his behavior and reckless handling of the situation.' In the latest update in their divorce, Lenny has demanded the court remove Lisa from their marital home as she refuses to do so despite the conditions of their prenuptial agreement requiring her to leave the property should one of the parties file for divorce, according to The Sun. Lenny filed for divorce on May 20. According to the surgeon, their prenup stated Lisa would 'vacate the Marital Home then occupied by the parties within thirty (30) days of such filing.' But in his Friday filing, Lenny claimed: 'The Wife has indicated she currently does not intend to vacate the Marital Home.' While the prenup does not indicate whether or not Lenny would have to provide Lisa with a home, he did offer to buy one for her. 'Husband has offered to purchase a $3.5 million dollar residence where the Wife may reside, or rent the Wife a luxury residence for a reasonable period of time while she obtains her own residence,' Lenny said. Lenny also offered to foot the bill for her moving costs and said he would take 'all steps necessary to comfortably transition the Wife to luxurious accommodations that are comfortable for her and the children.' He has requested that the court 'enter an Order that establishes a date certain the Wife will vacate the residence in accordance with the Prenuptial Agreement.' As Lenny believes this motion is unnecessary, he has also asked the court to 'award the Husband his professional fees and costs; require the Wife to bear her own' in regard to the legal fees connected with the motion. Cuba Gooding Jr. stepped out for the Filming Italy 2022 photocall in Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy on Thursday. The 54-year-old actor's outing comes after he pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching in April, following an incident that took place at a nightclub in 2018. Cuba wore a pair of white linen trousers and a matching shirt as he arrived for the event. Arrival: Cuba Gooding Jr, 54, stepped out for the Filming Italy 2022 photocall in Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy on Thursday He had on a navy blue waistcoat and wore an olive green linen scarf draped over his shoulders. The star opted for a pair of brown shoes and accessorised with some necklaces, a black leather band around his wrist and a watch. He was seen smiling as he posed at the event alongside film producer Tiziana Rocca. Looking back: The actor's outing comes after he pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching in April, following an incident that took place at a nightclub in 2018 Cuba pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman in April. He was previously accused of groping a women at a New York City rooftop bar in 2018, and during a court appearance in Manhattan on 13 April, the actor admitted to kissing a waitress 'on her lips' without her consent. He told the courtroom: 'I apologise for ever making anybody feel inappropriately touched.' Fashion focus: He wore a pair of white linen trousers and a matching shirt Keeping it casual: He had on a navy blue waistcoat and wore an olive green linen scarf draped over his shoulders The incident took place inside the LAVO New York restaurant and nightclub. Gooding Jr has been accused of violating three different women in New York in 2018 and 2019 - but having previously denied all of the allegations, he now pleaded guilty to one count of forcibly touching a woman in April. The Hollywood star's plea deal called for no jail time, the New York Times newspaper reported. Completing the look: The star opted for a pair of brown shoes and accessorised with some necklaces, a black leather band around his wrist and a watch But provided he continues counselling for six months, Gooding Jr will be able to withdraw the misdemeanour plea and he will instead be able to plead guilty to harassment, which is a lesser violation. While his criminal case may be over, an attorney representing an alleged sexual assault victim of the actor said she will proceed with an ongoing $6 million civil lawsuit because 'justice was not achieved' when Gooding Jr. got a no-jail plea deal in a separate criminal case. Famed women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred, 80, issued a statement decrying a New York State Supreme Court judge's decision not to allow 19 alleged victims, two of whom she represented, to testify against Gooding Jr. during pre-trial hearings for admissibility of evidence. Friends: He was seen smiling as he posed at the event with film producer Tiziana Rocca Troubles: It comes after Cuba pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman in April this year, with the case playing out in court in the US 'Unfortunately, however, the judge refused to allow the testimony of any of the Molineux witnesses, which the prosecutor wanted to be able to call as witnesses if this case went to trial. That was a significant setback for the prosecution,' Allred said, according to Deadline. The actor, whose net worth is approximately $12 million, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching of a 29-year-old victim, and entered a no-jail plea deal. He also admitted to subjecting two other women to non-consensual physical contact in October 2018 and June 2019. Incident: He was accused of groping a women at a rooftop bar in 2018, and the actor admitted to kissing a waitress 'on her lips' without her consent in court in April The self-proclaimed feminist lawyer said that her client, a Jane Doe who accused Gooding Jr. of raping her at a hotel room in SoHo in 2013, will proceed with a pending $6 million civil lawsuit filed in 2020. 'Justice was significantly delayed in this case for many reasons, and I do not feel that justice was achieved today with the entry of this plea, although I do understand why under the circumstances that the prosecution offered a plea,' the statement added. 'My law firm ... will continue to litigate our civil case against Cuba Gooding, Jr. in Federal court in New York on behalf of our brave client.' Apology: He told the courtroom: 'I apologise for ever making anybody feel inappropriately touched' Looking good: Later in the evening Cuba Gooding Jr. cut a dapper figure at the Filming Italy 2022 red carpet as he wore a tuxedo jacket and matching waistcoat Stylish: She wore a pair of grey trousers and accessorised with a beaded necklace that hung low down his front In the detail: The star wore a pair of dark sunglasses and opted for a pair of smart brown leather shoes Allred, who has handled numerous high-profile cases and represented Jeffrey Epstein's and Bill Cosby's victims, said she hopes the civil case yields a just result after criminal proceedings against the Hollywood star proved to be unsatisfactory. Allred has represented at least three of the 19 women who were willing to testify against Gooding Jr. during pre-trial hearings for the criminal case. One of her clients, known in court papers by the pseudonym Jane Doe, filed the $6million civil lawsuit against Gooding Jr. in August 2020, Reuters reported. Doe said she was raped twice in August 2013 at a hotel room in Manhattan's SoHo neighbourhood, soon after she met the actor in a Greenwich Village restaurant and lounge. Keeping it casual: Cuba was joined by fellow actor James Franco, 44, at the event, wearing a red and black plaid shirt Fashion focus: He wore a white T-shirt underneath his red and black shirt on which he wore a 'Hello my name is...' sticker Rough and ready: The actor sported a bushy beard as he walked the red carpet at the event in Italy Supportive: At the event James was joined by his girlfriend Izabel Pakzad, with the pair seated hand-in-hand Stylish: Izabel opted for a boho-inspired look as she donned a flowing white mini dress for the red carpet in Italy No prison: Cuba, whose net worth is approximately $12 million, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching of a 29-year-old victim, and entered a no-jail plea deal In January, Gooding Jr. asked a Manhattan judge to dismiss the civil lawsuit, saying she took too long to sue by waiting nearly seven years. Gooding's lawyers said laws allowing rape accusers to sue their alleged perpetrators after many years applied to victims who had suppressed traumatic rapes or did not initially realise they had been raped, and did not apply to Doe. They said letting Doe invoke the seven-year statute of limitations under a New York City law protecting victims of gender-motivated violence violated Gooding's due process rights under the U.S. and New York state constitutions. Many allegations: While his criminal case may be over, an attorney representing an alleged sexual assault victim of the actor said she will proceed with an ongoing $6 million civil lawsuit 'No exceptional circumstances forced her to wait,' Gooding's lawyers said in January. 'Plaintiff choosing to sue Mr. Gooding, Jr almost seven years later will not rectify any serious injustice; the opposite is true.' Doe's lawyers argued the seven-year statute of limitations applies in this case, and have also rejected a defense request that their client reveal her name, saying the case involved 'matters of a highly sensitive and personal nature.' The criminal case has been scheduled to go to trial at least twice, with an April 2020 trial date scuttled as coronavirus cases surged in New York and the state shut down most court matters due to the pandemic. Gooding was arrested in June 2019 after a 29-year-old woman told police he squeezed her breast without her consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square. A few months later, he was charged in two additional cases as more women came forward to accuse him of abuse. The charges alleged he pinched a server's buttocks after making a sexually suggestive remark to her at TAO Downtown and forcibly touched a woman inappropriately at the LAVO New York nightclub, both in 2018. Argument: Women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred, 80, issued a statement decrying a New York State Supreme Court judge's decision not to allow 19 alleged victims to testify against him Surveillance footage emerged in 2019 of one of the alleged groping incidents. The video does not show him clearly grabbing her buttocks but it does show him reaching out toward her back and rear. The TAO victim won a default judgment against Gooding last year after he failed to respond to her lawsuit for over a year. The judgment will allow the victim to seek monetary damages. Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty to the LAVO nightclub allegation. He had previously pleaded not guilty to six misdemeanour counts and denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His lawyers have argued that overzealous prosecutors, caught up in the fervour of the #MeToo movement, are trying to turn 'commonplace gestures' or misunderstandings into crimes. This reared its head during one of the victim impact statements, in which Gooding's defense attorney called one of the victims 'delusional' and frequently interrupted her, according to the New York Daily News. The judge had ruled that if the Gooding case went to trial, prosecutors could have called two additional women to testify about their allegations that Gooding also violated them. Those women, whose claims did not result in criminal charges, were among 19 other accusers whom prosecutors were seeking to call as witnesses. He's been a judge on Strictly Come Dancing for over 15 years, beginning during its 2004 launch. And with the news that other original judge Bruno Tonioli won't be returning to the show this year, Craig Revel Horwood, 57, has revealed that he's 'going to miss' Bruno on the panel. The judge has also shared details of his wedding plans to fiance Jonathan Myring, during an exclusive chat with MailOnline at the opening night of Matthew Bourne's The Car Man. Personal life: Craig Revel Horwood has shared details of his wedding plans to fiance Jonathan Myring, and admitted to MailOnline that he's 'going to miss' Bruno Tonioli following his Strictly departure on Thursday at the opening night of The Car Man at Royal Albert Hall As it has been revealed that his pal Bruno is leaving the Strictly judging panel to focus on his commitments to US version Dancing With The Stars, Craig admitted that he'll miss him on the panel, but will still see him plenty. As the pair set to take off on another series of their ITV roadtrip show this summer, Craig explained: 'I am gonna miss him but then I do get to spend quite a few months with him travelling around the country in a Mini so I get my yearly fill which is quite good.' The last season of the show saw the two judges swap the dance floor for the open roads as they took on six of Britain's best drives. Pals: As it has been revealed that his pal Bruno is leaving the Strictly judging panel to focus on his commitments to US version Dancing With The Stars, Craig admitted that he'll miss him on the panel, but will still see him plenty (Bruno pictured on Dancing With The Stars) Delayed: Craig's nuptials to partner Jonathan Myring have been pushed back to around 2024, due to both Covid and work commitments After meeting in 2018 during a Strictly tour, Craig got engaged to his horticulturalist partner Jonathan Myring in May 2021. But despite the pair having big plans for the day, including a haunted wedding at witchcraft hotspot once known as Witches Heath, the nuptials have been pushed back to around 2024. Putting the delay down to both Covid-19 and work, Craig told MailOnline: 'We dont know when it's gonna be yet, we think its gonna be 2024, its been pushed mainly because of Covid and work commitments too. Lineup: Craig is getting prepped for another season of Strictly Come Dancing, with Anton Du Beke set to replace pal Bruno Dapper: Craig donned a grey suit to Thursday's opening night of The Car Man, layered over a black jumper Sweet: Dancers AJ Pritchard and his girlfriend Abbie Quinnen were also in attendance, as the pair beamed for some snaps 'I hope its still gonna be in the haunted castle with all our ghostly friends,' he added. With the wedding further away, Craig is currently getting prepared to return to Strictly in full swing, admitting he'd 'love' to see Simon Cowell on the show. 'I'd like Simon Cowell because I think he would be brilliant television. Ive met him but Im not friends with him, It was in America actually with Bruno,' he detailed. Colourful: Anneka Rice (left) sported a summery ensemble with a blue dress and blush blazer, while Maureen Lipman (right) went for an all red look Stunning: Rosemarie Ford looked ultra chic as she held onto the arm of husband Robert Lindsay Bold: Clare Balding and partner Alice Arnold were also out in full force, as Clare went for a statement piece with a bright pink and blue design Beaming: Julia Bradbury also cut a chic figure in a white blazer for the evening Craig attended the opening night of dance-thriller The Car Man on Thursday, sporting a grey suit layered over a dark hoodie. The star-studded event was held at Royal Albert Hall, also welcoming guests such as AJ Pritchard and girlfriend Abbie Quinnen, Anneka Rice and Maureen Lipman. While Clare Balding and Alice Arnold put on a cosy display too, with Clare sporting a bold pink and blue coat for the appearance. Smiles: Clare seemed in high spirits for the event, sporting a pair of black leather trousers and velvet heeled boots Cheese! Ranvir Singh (left) and Kay Burley (right) were all smiles for the evening, putting on a cheerful red carpet display Chic: Ranvir looked ultra chic in an all-black jumpsuit, paired with a maroon belt and a crossbody chain bag Work it! Johannes Radebe and his guest both sported statement pieces for the appearance, with Johannes opting for a draping cardigan Bob Saget was America's dad from 1987 to 1995 in his role as Danny Tanner on Full House, but he wanted to be much more than that. In a recently released interview, issued in three parts from the Til This Day with Radio Rahim podcast on Luminary, the late comedian explained he was looking forward to working on new projects that would allow him to touch his audience in a special way. 'I actually believe I'm just starting, because I haven't made a movie that I feel hit everybody, and I want to do a couple of those.' Getting started: In one of his final interviews, Bob Saget said he wanted to do more with his career. ''I actually believe I'm just starting, because I haven't made a movie that I feel hit everybody' In the May 2021 interview, the versatile star declared, 'I'm just getting started. I swear. I'm going to be more than Bob.' In discussing his lengthy resume', the Philadelphia native said it was his father, Ben, a supermarket executive, who inspired his own work ethic. 'He worked non-stop. I worked non-stop.' Interview: The late comic, who died in January at age 65, talked about his experience on Full House and what he hoped to do in the future When offered the role that made him famous, the funnyman explained he knew what he was getting into. 'I wanted to play that part. I knew I was the Richie Cunningham of the show. It had the same producers as Happy Days. I was there to sit down to give the lectures or just talk to my kids about how you get through life, you know.' He admitted, laughingly, 'and sometimes I'll do it with my own kids. They'll be in there room and I'll sit down on the bed and start talking and where's the synthesizer music, you know?' America's dad: The actor played Danny Tanner on Full House from 1987-1995. 'I wanted to play that part. I knew I was the Richie Cunningham of the show.' Pictured with Dave Coulier, John Stamos and Lori Loughlin 1994 Family life: The funnyman revealed he often used the same tactics he used as a TV dad on his own daughters, Aubrey, 35, Lara, 32, and Jennifer, 29. Pictured New York November 2008 The Surviving Suburbia actor was father to three daughters, Aubrey, 35, Lara, 32, and Jennifer, 29, from his first marriage to marriage and family therapist Sherri Kramer, 65. After being single for more than 20 years, he married Eat Travel Rock TV host Kelly Rizzo, 42, in 2018. The late actor dedicated his time and talents to the Scleroderma Research Foundation after his sister, Gay Saget, died from the rare disease which causes hardening and tightening of the skin in 1994. New love: After being single for more than 20 years, the comedian married Eat Travel Rock TV host Kelly Rizzo, 42, in 2018 It was when his friend and former co-star John Stamos threw a birthday party for his 60th birthday that the Historical Roasts contributor explained that he learned about the impact he'd had on the lives of others, comparing himself to the George Bailey character in the film classic It's a Wonderful Life. 'I know for a fact that I have helped people. I know that I have given a lot of love to people because I have a lot.' 'I have an extreme amount. I was raised with it. It's what helped me to survive and stay sane.' Advertisement Florence Pugh, Gal Gadot and Sabrina Elba looked sensational as they attended the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s Vision & Virtuosity at the Saatchi Gallery brand exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London on Thursday. Film star Florence, 26, turned up the heat in a black lace crop top that highlighted her toned midriff. The Little Women actress also wore a matching skirt with a patterned detail, pairing with black sheer gloves. Glamour: Florence Pugh, Gal Gadot and Sabrina Elba looked sensational as they attended the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s Vision & Virtuosity at the Saatchi Gallery brand exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London on Thursday Also opting for a pair of open-toed heels, Florence complimented her outfit with a gold shimmering necklace. Looking in good spirits as she made heerr way down the blue carpet, the actress completed her look with silver earrings. Gal looked effortlessly stylish in a light blue long-sleeved mini dress with an a-symmetric, black hemline and a turtle neck. The Wonder Woman actress also featured a sheer detail while Gal opted for a pair of black, open-toed heels. Style: Film star Florence turned up the heat in a black lace crop top that highlighted her toned midriff Sensational: Wonder Woman actress Gal's outfit also featured an a-symmetric, black hemline and a turtle neck Beaming: The Wonder Woman star beamed as she made her way to the fashion exhibition in a flirty frilled blue and black mini dress, teaming her look with thin-strapped heels A-lister: Gal accentuated her natural beauty with a light palette of makeup Model Sabrina ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived to the event in a golden-brown figure higging midi dress. The sleeveless garment featured a scooped neckline while the star added height to her frame with a pair of gold strappy heels. Sabrina, who is the wife of actor Idris Elba, styled her locks into a ponytail for the evening and also sported a gold necklace. Posing for the cameras on the blue carpet, she completed her look for the event with matching earrings. Daisy Edgar-Jones cut an elegant figure for the evening as she donned a black strapless crop top that highlighted her jaw-dropping figure. Breathtaking: Sabrina's garment featured a scooped neckline while the star added height to her frame with a pair of gold strappy heels Elegant: Daisy Edgar-Jones cut an elegant figure for the evening as she donned a black strapless crop top that highlighted her jaw-dropping figure The top featured a v-neckline while the Normal People actress also wore a pair of high-waisted black trousers. Letting her brunette tresses fall loose down her shoulders, she added to her outfit with a silver necklace. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan cut a trendy figure in a black blaer which she wore over a black crop top. The Derry Girls actress also wore a pair of matching trousers and a gold shawl. Star: Nicola Coughlan cut a trendy figure in a black Roksanda blazer which she wore over a black crop top The Bridgerton star styled her blonde tresses into a bob and added to her look with gold earrings Model: Also in attendance was Georgia Fowler who looked incredible in a black strapless midi dress Attendees: Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark walked the blue carpet alongside Georgia and fellow model Lara Worthington Glamour: Daisy added to her look for the evening with a silver necklace and matching earrings Also in attendance was Georgia Fowler who looked incredible in a black strapless midi dress. The New Zealand model also wore a pair of matching heels with a gold buckle along with black gloves. Adding to her outfit with a gold necklace, the star wore her brunette locks in an updo. Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark cut a glamorous figure in a white sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline. The royal styled her platinum blonde tresses into loose waves and added to her look with a pair of light blue open-toed heels. Dazzling: Sabrina added to her look with a light palette of makeup and a smokey eye Smiles: Inside the exhibit, Gal Gadot beamed alongside Anthony Ledru (left), who is President & CEO of Tiffany & Co. and Alexandre Arnault (right), who is Tiffany & Co. EVP of Product and Communications On the dance floor: Gabriella Brooks and Georgia Fowler were in high spirits as they enjoyed a drink inside Beauties: While Sabrina and Simone Ashley looked ultra chic as they beamed for a snap together DJ: Mark Ronson was also in attendance to keep the music flowing at the star-studded event A night of fashion: CEO & Chairman of Louis Vuitton Michael Burke and Jefferson Hack were also in attendance to the couture brand's exhibition Editorial: While Donna Wallace, Deborah Ababio and Vanessa Kingori, Chief Business Officer at Conde Nast, looked gorgeous as they beamed for a snap Careful! K pop sensation Rose held her white embellished dress away from the rainy London pavement as she departed the venue High spirits: Sabrina and Florence made their way out of the exhibition later in the evening, both beaming towards the camera as they made their way out Gorgeous: Simone looked as glamorous as ever as she departed the evening, beaming as she was joined by a male pal Kylie Jenner is a pretty serious car collector who doesn't mind opening her check book for some of the most impressive wheels around. The 24-year-old makeup mogul has at least 15 luxury cars in her ownership that total an eye-watering $6million. And on Thursday the reality TV queen took a selfie in one of her rides: a $200,000 Lamborghini. The star shared a 'fast' emoji in her caption. Scroll down for a look at her car collection... Vroom: Kylie Jenner is a pretty serious car collector who doesn't mind opening her check book for some of the most impressive wheels around She was seated in the car as she flashed her very long pink nails and chunky silver rings. The beauty wore her dark hair down as she had on a multi-colored top on that fit her just right and a pair of pink tinted sunglasses. Her car collection is impressive. Jenner has several Rolls-Royces: a white, red, beige and black one. They have been in many of her photo shoots. Fast wheels: The 24-year-old makeup mogul has at least 15 luxury cars in her ownership that total an eye-watering $6million Lambo me: And on Thursday the reality TV queen took a selfie in one of her rides: a $200,000 Lamborghini. The star shared a 'fast' emoji in her caption And then there is her white Bugatti Chiron which is pricy and rare. Kyle has a thing for Ferraris: She has a black Ferrari LaFerrari, as well as a regular yellow Spider and a blue Italia. Then there is the Mercedes black G550 44, a maroon G-Wagon, a black G-Wagon and the grey Maybach. She told Vogue that Stormi decides what care they take out for the day. This comes after she announced she has 'finally' collaborated with her pal Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou on a mini collection of Kylie Cosmetics products. Ready for a green light: She was seated in the car as she flashed her very long pink nails and chunky silver rings. The beauty wore her dark hair down as she had on a multi-colored top on that fit her just right and a pair of pink tinted sunglasses She revealed the exciting news over Instagram on Tuesday night with a photo of them in skimpy latex bodysuits, which showcased their incredibly toned physiques and sun-kissed skin. 'I started dreaming of this collab a few years ago and we finally made it happen,' the mother-of-two gushed in the caption. 'It was so special creating this with my best friend.' The duo teamed up on a gloss duo, 'special stassie lipkit, a highlighter in stas's perfect shade and two fun liquid eyeliner pens,' which fans will be able to purchase next Monday. KYLIE JENNER'S $6M CAR COLLECTION Kylie Jenner has a massive purse and shoe collection. But the reality TV star also has a stunning car collection too, which is said to be worth around $6M and include at least 15 cars. Happily, the daughter of Kris Jenner likes to show the whips off on Instagram so fans can get a good look at her collection. Here are some of the best ones - from Ferraris to Range Rovers. Vroom: Kylie Jenner has a massive purse and shoe collection Ride: But the reality TV star also has a stunning car collection too, which is said to be worth around $6M and include 15 cars Rolls-Royces She has at least four: a white, red, beige and black one. They have been in many of her photo shoots and on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Bugatti Chiron She has at least one and it is white. They are pricy and rare. Orange love: Happily, the daughter of Kris Jenner likes to show the cars off on Instagram so fans can get a good look at her collection Feeling blue? This aqua toned Ferrari sure stands out in her motor court The door is open and waiting: The Life Of Kylie star was in her black wheels Red one here: She was seen holding Stormi while in a fire engine red car German power: Mercedes The CEO has a black G550 44, a maroon G-Wagon, a black G-Wagon and the grey Maybach White dream: Bugatti Chiron She has at least one and it is white. They are pricy and rare Ferraris She has three: a black Ferrari LaFerrari, as well as a regular yellow Spider and a blue Italia. Mercedes The CEO has a black G550 44, a maroon G-Wagon, a black G-Wagon and the grey Maybach. Lamborghnini She has an orange one and a black one. And it appears Kylie also has a Lambo SUV. Range Rover The cosmetics guru has been seen sitting on a Range Rover, but it is not certain the model is hers. Import(ant): Range Rover The cosmetics guru has been seen sitting on a Range Rover, but it is not certain the model is hers Advertisement In the image of the longtime besties, Jenner sported a pink wig, matching arm-length gloves and bright eyeshadow in a coordinating hue. Meanwhile, her model sidekick, 23, matched in the light blue version of the reality star's look. Jenner and Karanikolaou also gave their millions of Instagram followers a first glimpse of one of their products, which was placed on top of a marble counter top. BFFs: Kylie announced she has 'finally' collaborated with her pal Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou on a mini collection of Kylie Cosmetics products In addition to previously collaborating with all five of her sisters and mom, the beauty notably released a Kylie x Jordyn Woods collection before their falling out after news broke she kissed her Jenner's half-sibling Khloe Kardashian's partner and baby daddy Tristan Thompson. In April, Karanikolaou revealed she no longer associates with Woods during an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast. When asked if she is still acquainted with Jordyn, 24, the Instagram model, also 24, said: 'Oh no. For my own reasons. This is the first time I'm ever saying this but it's for my own reason.' 'It's notI was not following anyone else. I've had my own reasons and that's it,' the social media star added. Though childhood friends since they were 10, Stassie became the Kylie Cosmetics founder's ride or die after her fallout with Woods following the cheating scandal with Thompson. Nicola Coughlan displayed her sophisticated sense of style as she arrived at the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s brand exhibition Vision & Virtuosity at the Saatchi Gallery in London on Thursday. The actress, 35, wore a black bandeau beneath a smart blazer which featured a plunging neckline as she arrived for the swanky fashion event. Nicola wore a pair of black tights to match the rest of her outfit and opted for a pair of heels in the same colour to add a few inches to her stature. Stepping out: Nicola Coughlan, 35, looked stylish as she arrived at the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s brand exhibition Vision & Virtuosity at the Saatchi Gallery in London on Thursday A cream sash hung on one of the shoulders of her jacket, reaching right down to the floor at the front and the black. She went for a palette of nude hues for her make-up to highlight her pretty facial features for the evening. The Derry Girls star was happy to pose for pictures before heading inside the event. In style: The actress wore a black bandeau beneath a smart blazer which featured a plunging neckline as she arrived for the swanky fashion event Fashion focus: Nicola wore a pair of black tights to match the rest of her outfit and opted for a pair of heels in the same colour to add a few inches to her stature The screen star recently shared a poignant throwback Instagram snap as she reminisced on her life changing experience on Derry Girls as the final episode aired last month. The actress shocked her 2.2 million followers with a selfie from her final audition for her much-loved character Clare Devlin five years ago. She compared the old photo to one she took on set after filming an 'emotional' final scene with the hit Channel 4 show. Fashion forward: A cream sash hung on one of the shoulders of her jacket, reaching right down to the floor at the front and the black Animated: She looked a little bleary-eyed as she later left the party Home time: She hopped in a waiting car to take her away Event: She had wowed in her outfit earlier in the night Taxi: She headed home in the back of the cab Stunning: She posed up a storm All smiles: She looked in great spirits Glam: It was a very glitzy event Posing: She put on a radiant display Alongside the post she wrote: 'Final scene as Clare Devlin/Final audition for Clare Devlin 5 years prior 'Its impossible to put into words what Derry Girls has meant to me and how much its changed my life so I wont even try. Thank you all so much to you all, what an honour its been' Born in 1987 in Galway, Nicola decided she wanted to become an actress at the age of five. New look: The screen star recently shared a poignant throwback Instagram snap as she reminisced on her life changing experience on Derry Girls as the final episode aired She graduated with a degree in English and Classical Civilisation from the National University of Ireland before training at the Oxford School of Drama and Birmingham School of Acting. After suffering from depression, she left London and returned to Ireland where she worked part-time at an optician. However it was when she took on the role of Penelope Featherington, the youngest Featherington daughter, in Netflix smash hit period drama Bridgerton in 2020 that her star really soared. Gal Gadot put on a gorgeous display on Thursday evening as she arrived at the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s Vision & Virtuosity exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Even donning the brand's signature colours, the 37-year-old opted for a mint cocktail dress with a black ruffle hem design. The number featured a three-quarter length sleeve and high neck design, with black chiffon material on the ruffle. Chic: Gal Gadot, 37, nailed couture chic on Thursday in a mint and black cocktail dress as she arrived at Tiffany & Co.'s Vision & Virtuosity Exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London She paired the look with black kitten heels, which included thin strappy detailing. Gal had her raven tresses sleekly styled in a bun, sporting a subtle yet glowing makeup look. The Wonder Woman actress kept her accessories matching the outfit, donning turquoise drop earrings and a matching ring. On brand: Even donning the brand's signature colours, the actress opted for the mint cocktail dress - which featured a black ruffle hem design Subtle: Gal had her raven tresses sleekly styled in a bun, sporting a subtle yet glowing makeup look With this year marking Tiffany's 150th anniversary in London, the exhibition is a celebration of the luxury jewellery brand's legacy in the capital. The exhibition is through seven-sections, described as a journey through Tiffanys history and featuring over 400 unique objects that have defined the brand since 1837. Running until Friday, 19 August, the star-studded event marked the opening of the exhibition, available to the public from Friday. Gorgeous: Her dress featured a three-quarter length sleeve and high neck design, with black chiffon material on the ruffle Matching: She paired the look with black kitten heels, which included thin strappy detailing Backdrop: The beauty posed in front of a grass wall, decorated with white Tiffany lettering The appearance comes as Gal is currently filming for the upcoming Netflix American spy film Heart Of Stone. The actress is taking on the role of Rachel Stone in the film, playing alongside Jamie Dornan and Alia Bhatt. Israel native Gal has been shooting films for the film in London over the past few months - with the plot of the film yet to be revealed. Accessories: The Wonder Woman actress kept her accessories matching the outfit, donning turquoise drop earrings and a matching ring Cellist Choi Ha-young / Courtesy of Kumho Cultural Foundation By Dong Sun-hwa A growing number of Korean classical musicians are stepping into the global spotlight after taking top honors at the most coveted music contests around the world. Cellist Choi Ha-young, 24, made headlines recently for winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition for cello, which is considered as one of the three most prestigious contests for classical musicians along with the Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia and the Chopin Piano Competition in Poland. Choi was announced as the winner on June 4 in Brussels, Belgium, after edging out Yibai Chen from China and Marcel Johannes Kits from Estonia, who ranked second and third, respectively. Choi received 25,000 euros ($27,000) in prize money. She is the first Korean winner in the cello category since its creation in 2017. Before Choi, the last Korean to come first in the Queen Elisabeth Competition was violinist Lim Ji-young, who achieved the feat in 2015. "I felt like my heart stopped when I was announced as the winner," Choi said in her acceptance speech. "I am so happy to be recognized by the audience of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, who truly love music. While I was performing, I felt that I was part of a music festival." Choi, who studied at the Korean National University of Arts and the Kronberg Academy in Germany, clinched awards in numerous international contests such as the Krzysztof Penderecki Competition in Poland and the International Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria. Violist Park Ha-yang / Courtesy of Park Ha-yang Choi is not the only musician creating an international splash. On June 3, violist Park Ha-yang, 23, became the first Korean to take home the first prize at the Tokyo International Viola Competition, the only international competition for viola in Asia-Pacific, founded by prominent Japanese violist Nobuko Imai. She also received 1 million yen ($7,500) as an award. The second and third prizes went to Emiko Yuasa of Japan and Sao Soulez Lariviere from France, respectively. Park, an alumna of the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia in Madrid, Spain, is currently studying at Kronberg Academy in Germany. On May 29, Yang In-mo, 27, wrote a new page in history by becoming the first Korean violinist to win the XII International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki, Finland. He won a prize of 30,000 euros ($32,000) after outperforming Nathan Meltzer from the United States and Dmytro Udovychenko from Ukraine. For the first time since the launch of the contest, Yang was also given a non-fungible token (NFT) trophy. Violinist Yang In-mo / Courtesy of Kumho Cultural Foundation "I am happy to have a good result after pouring a lot of time and effort into practicing," Yang said through his agency, Credia Music & Artists. "I think this competition has helped all participants learn from each other." The International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition is one of the oldest violin competitions in the world. This year, the total number of applicants was 240. Yang studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and is currently based in Berlin. He will team up with the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance at the Busan Cultural Center, Nov. 2. Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan were spotted looking glamourous in 1940s styles as they shot a romantic street scene in New York Thursday. The two are costarring in the film Maestro about the life of composer Leonard Bernstein. Carey, 37, appeared elegant in an oyster colored frock with short sleeves and shoulder pads as Bradley wore a gray suit and tie. 1940 Glam: Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan were spotted looking glamourous in 1940s styles New York Thursday, where they are shooting their latest project, Maestro Elegant: Carey, 37, appeared elegant in an oyster colored frock with short sleeves and shoulder pads. She carried a matching evening purse and shoes while donning a lavender shawl and gloves Carrie had all the right accessories. She carried a matching evening purse and shoes while donning a lavender shawl and gloves. The Promising Young Woman star's light brown hair was styled in a long bob with loose curls. Bradley, 47, was attired in a classic gray suit and coordinating polka dot tie, with a white button down shirt and pocket square. Classic: Bradley, 47, was attired in a classic gray suit and coordinating tie, with a white button down shirt and pocket square Passion project: Maestro traces the relationship of composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre from their first meeting at a party in 1946 through the ups and downs of their 25 year marriage The A Star is Born actor's naturally wavy hair was combed back in a short cut favored in the era. The sophisticated pair are portraying composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife, actress Felicia Montealegre, in the biopic which traces the couples' relationship from their first meeting at a party in 1946 through the ups and downs of their 25 year marriage. The multi-talented composer is perhaps best known for his work with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and for scoring Broadway productions such as West Side Story and films such as On The Waterfront. Composer: Leonard Bernstein is perhaps best known for his work with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and for scoring Broadway productions such as West Side Story and films such as On The Waterfront Actress and activist: Felicia Montealegre went from being a TV and stage actress to social activist. She protested against the Viet Nam war in the 1960s and supported the Black Panther Party in 1970 Felicia went from being an TV and stage actress to a social activist. The mother of three helped found the anti-war organization Another Mother for Peace in 1967. The group's goal was to help educate women about the war in Viet Nam. She also hosted an evening for the Black Panther Party in 1970. The project, which is being directed by Bradley, has faced some backlash from the Latinx community with the British-born Carey playing a Chilean-American. Felicia's children, Jamie, Alexander and Nina have given their blessing to the casting, with Jamie, 70, releasing a statement which read, 'Were absolutely thrilled that Carey Mulligan will play our mother in Maestro. Carey will surely capture Felicias unique combination of wit, warmth, elegant beauty and depth of emotion. She is one of Australia's most stylish exports. And Lara Worthington led the Aussie contingent at the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s Brand Exhibition in London, England, on Thursday. The model, 34, showed off her incredible physique in a figure-hugging velvet jumpsuit with a twist tie design at the front. Bombshell in black! An ultra-stylish Lara Worthington led the Aussie contingent at the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s Brand Exhibition in London, England, on Thursday Making a statement: The model, 34, showed off her incredible physique in a figure-hugging velvet jumpsuit with a twist tie design at the front Lara completed her look with black strappy heels and accentuated her slender waist with a thin gold belt. She styled her short blonde hair loosely, and opted for dramatic makeup consisting of red lipstick and blush. Lara posed with Liam Hemsworth's model girlfriend Gabriella Brooks at the star-studded event. Strike a pose: Lara posed with Liam Hemsworth's model girlfriend Gabriella Brooks (right) Stunning: Gabriella, 25, flaunted her figure in a backless silk blue dress, and accessorised with a pair of silver heels and matching bracelets Gabriella, 25, flaunted her figure in a backless silk blue dress, and accessorised with a pair of silver heels and matching bracelets. She lightly curled her blonde hair and let her natural beauty shine by opting for a neutral palette of makeup. Lara and Gabriella were also joined by New Zealand model Georgia Fowler. Star-studded: Lara and Gabriella were also joined by New Zealand model Georgia Fowler Glamazon: Georgia looked glamorous in a strapless black dress with long black gloves Georgia looked glamorous in a strapless black dress with long black gloves. The 29-year-old, who welcomed her first child last September, completed her look with sparkly stilettos and silver jewellery. She looked every inch the top model as she posed on the red carpet upon her arrival. Style: Sarah Ellen went for a similar approach, flaunting her figure in a strapless brown dress and matching-coloured gloves Sarah Ellen went for a similar approach, flaunting her figure in a strapless brown dress and matching-coloured gloves. The model and actress, 25, accessorised with black heels, a diamond necklace and bracelets. The Neighbours alum left her brunette locks out, and wore a neutral palette of makeup for the event. Her ex husband Kanye West rang in his 45th birthday on Wednesday, with the star opting not to publicly wish him a happy birthday. And one day later, Kim Kardashian shared a throwback snap of her and family friend Stephanie Schiller, who passed away in 2010. Kim, 41, posted it with the caption 'The 90s,' tagging her son Anthony Schiller. Her ex husband Kanye West rang in his 45th birthday on Wednesday, with the star opting not to publicly wish him a happy birthday. And one day later, Kim Kardashian shared a throwback snap of her and family friend Stephanie Schiller, who passed away in 2010 In the snap, Kim rocked long tresses with a makeup free face; rocking a black shirt and choker necklace. Stephanie looked lovely in her blazer and striped shirt as she beamed alongside Kim for the snap. The throwback snap came just one day after ex husband Kanye West's 45th birthday. Kim, who shares four children with him, did not acknowledge him or his birthday on Wednesday. The latest: Kim, 41, posted it with the caption 'The 90s,' tagging her son Anthony Schiller The ex: Kim Kardashian, 41, filed for divorce from the rapper in February 2021, after seven years of marriage; Pictured in 2016 The way they were: Kim shares four children: North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm, three, with Kanye They are parents to kids North, seven, Saint, six, Chicago, four and Psalm, three. The couple became legally divorced in March; she filed for divorce February 2021. Last month Kim revealed that her and Kanye were not on speaking terms, but said she doesn't 'judge' the way he communicates. Just weeks prior, Kim spoke out about how the rapper 'treated' her family over the years during an episode of The Kardashians on Hulu. Apologies: Kim Kardashian, 41, tried to make amends with her family for how her ex-husband Kanye West had 'treated' them over the years on The Kardashians Kim tried to make amends with her family during the May 26 episode of the show, sharing that she regretted how Kanye had behaved in recent years after most of her siblings dropped by for a family dinner at her home. The group, which included Khloe, Kourtney, Travis Barker, Kendall Jenner, Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble, sat down with Kim in her home for a heart to heart. Their conversation was interrupted when both Kim and Kris got a text message revealing that Kanye was preparing to release a new song that would bash her and her family. Family: She sat down for a heart to heart with Khloe, Kendall, Kourtney and her future husband Travis and their mother Kris with her boyfriend Corey Gamble 'It means he's talking s**t about me and probably saying whatever,' Kim explained to her family. 'You're the mother of his kids and have been nothing but great to him. One day your kids are going to read all of it, and see all of it. And that's something that everybody has to be really aware of,' Kris said. 'When people are saying really disparaging things about any of us, it hurts all of us,' she added. Khloe said that the only thing that Kim can control was her own actions, adding that she would 'never regret' being kind to others. In the episode, Kim vowed not to 'stoop' to Kanye's level and suggest that the artist 'always' treated her family poorly, hinting the issues preceded his battle with bipolar disorder and their split. More abuse: Their chat was interrupted when both Kim and Kris, 66, got the same text message revealing that Kanye was preparing to release a new song 'I protected that for so long, but I said I will never let that happen to you guys again,' Kim said. Kim is currently in a relationship with Pete Davidson, 28, after sparks flew during her Saturday Night Live hosting gig in October. Rumors of a possible romance with Pete were first sparked when the two kissed during an early October Saturday Night Live skit as she played Princess Jasmine and he portrayed Aladdin, and while initial reports claimed they are just friends, fans believed something more significant was brewing. True love: Kim is currently in a relationship with Pete Davidson, 28, after sparks flew during her Saturday Night Live hosting gig in October Weeks later, she was spotted at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California for the theme park's annual Halloween event with a group of friends, including Pete, her sister Kourtney and Travis Barker. She went Instagram official with Pete in March, marking the first time she has shared him on her Instagram page; the images she posted were taken on Valentine's Day 2022. In a June episode of The Kardashians, Kim revealed that she pursued Pete first... and that it was all about sex. Where it all started: Rumors of a possible romance were first sparked when the two kissed during an early October Saturday Night Live skit as she played Princess Jasmine and he portrayed Aladdin, and while initial reports claimed they are just friends, fans believed something more significant was brewing Getting serious: Pete and Kim appeared on Saturday Night Live together in October She said that at first she wasn't looking for a relationship when she first hooked up with Pete, adding that she heard about his 'BDE' (big d**k energy) and she was simply DTF (down to f**k). Kim hinted in the interview on her series that she was having the best sex of her life with Pete, adding that he is simply the 'best human' she's met. In Wednesday's episode of The Kardashians, Kim said that the little things Pete does make a big impact, revealing that his offer to get Thrifty-Aid ice cream made her, 'so f*****g horny.' Goodluck to you, Leo Grande Rating: Emma Thompson might not be everyones cup of tea, let alone their glass of fizz, but as a widowed former RE teacher called Nancy, she had me hooked from the moment she apprehensively takes a bottle of champagne from a hotel mini-bar in preparation for an encounter with a male escort. The sex workers pseudonym is Leo Grande and he is quite splendidly played by Peaky Blinders actor Daryl McCormack. Until the last of four separate acts, Sophie Hydes funny, moving, thought-provoking film, smartly scripted by comedian Katy Brand, features just the two characters in a series of hotel-room trysts. There is duly a slightly theatrical feel to proceedings, but such is the quality of both the acting and writing, it never feels stagey. Emma Thompson might not be everyones cup of tea, let alone their glass of fizz, but as a widowed former RE teacher called Nancy, she had me hooked from the moment she apprehensively takes a bottle of champagne from a hotel mini-bar in preparation for an encounter with a male escort When we (and Leo) first meet her, Nancy is a bag of nerves. It is two years since the death of her husband Robert, the only man she has ever been to bed with There are nuns out there with more sexual experience, she says and now she has decided that she wishes to pay for sex. Even when Robert was alive theirs was a humdrum, robotic sex life, which always left her disappointed. But the arrival of this handsome, self-assured, worldly young Irishman plunges her into self doubt. The age gap alone is alarming. Does she really want to go through with it? Leo has a quick wit and abundant charm. He tells Nancy he likes her perfume. Coco Chanel... Nigella Lawson wears it, she gabbles by way of reply. Leo says he finds Nigella sexy. Nancy waits for him to add, for her age. But he doesnt. He is a man in complete command of their transactional situation, overcoming its potential for awkwardness by effortlessly flirting with her. Yet his confidence merely exacerbates her own mounting anxiety, compounded by phone calls from her grown-up daughter who, of course, has no idea what her mother is up to. Leo tells her that his oldest customer was 82, which makes her feel a little better, but she cannot shake off the feeling that what she is about to do is irredeemably, indefensibly seedy. I feel like Rolf Harris all of a sudden, she says. Leos family in Ireland dont know what he does for a living he tells them he works on a North Sea oil rig and over the course of three meetings, slowly but very effectively, and thanks to a genuinely nuanced performance by McCormack, his own vulnerabilities begin to show. Nancy, by contrast, is growing in self-esteem. She begins to feel intimacy beyond their physical connection but is she starting to misinterpret the nature of their relationship? When we (and Leo) first meet her, Nancy is a bag of nerves. It is two years since the death of her husband Robert, the only man she has ever been to bed with Brands excellent script keeps all this real, faltering only once or twice when Nancys guilelessness feels a bit forced, but otherwise sustaining our interest in knowing how it might end. Wisely, the questionable morality of paying for sex is not overlooked (Nancy used to get her secondary-school pupils to write essays on the subject) although anyone who feels strongly that it is intrinsically wrong in any circumstance should probably give this film a swerve. But really it is a rite-of-passage story made with humour and sensitivity, and hats off to Thompson, not to mention towelling robes, for fleetingly exposing her sexagenarian body not just to a single camera, but also to widespread comment. There is bound to be plenty. But nudity is not the point of this film. Nor, even, is sex. It is about emotional growth, and how were never too old to start. Moon Mi-aie's oil paintings and Han Yong-jin's stone sculptures are on display on the first floor of Hyundai Hwarang in central Seoul, for the exhibition titled "Kim Whanki's New York Period, Han Yong Jin and Moon Mi Aie." Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai By Park Han-sol Painter Kim Whanki in his New York studio in 1971 / Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai Hailed as one of Korea's greatest abstract masters, Kim Whanki (1913-74) forged his legacy when he birthed a series of pointillist paintings during his final years spent in New York (1963-74). While the painter's earlier focus in Korea lay in depicting classical East Asian motifs like moon jars, apricot flowers, cranes and deer, his so-called "New York period" ushered in a new creative era best characterized by a seemingly infinite constellation of dots dominating the canvas, awash with blue, red, yellow and black. Created in yearning of his homeland and its sky, these mosaic-like dots remain as his signature imagery to this day. In November 2019, his 1971 diptych, "Universe 05-IV-71 #200," fetched 13.2 billion won (HK$88 million) at Christie's Hong Kong, making history as the most expensive Korean art piece ever auctioned. But for Kim, New York City wasn't just a birthplace of his new artistic style. A photo of artist couple Han Yong-jin, left, and Moon Mi-aie taken during the mid-1960s / Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai Rather, it was the place where he, as an alien creator in the city that was rising as a hub of the modern art world, was able to forge lifelong friendships with a handful of fellow artists from his home country. Among them were the pioneering young artist couple: painter Moon Mi-aie (1937-2004) and sculptor Han Yong-jin (1934-2019). And it is these bonds shared among the trailblazing Korean creators in a foreign land that Hyundai Hwarang in central Seoul has brought under the spotlight with its latest exhibition, "Kim Whanki's New York Period, Han Yong Jin and Moon Mi Aie." Accordingly, a total of 45 works Kim's signature dot paintings, Han's stone sculptures and Moon's encaustic and oil paintings are placed in dialogue with one another throughout the gallery's two floors. Kim and Han first crossed paths in the 1950s when Han, as a high school senior, was presented with an award by Kim at an international students' art competition organized by Hongik University. Kim was a professor at the university's college of fine arts at the time. "You and I are the same (in height)," Kim playfully told the young Han. Who could have known then that their creative relationship would continue later, beyond Korea's borders? In 1963, the two artists together represented Korea at the 7th Sao Paulo Biennial. And in the following years, they met again in New York City along with their partners: Kim with his wife Kim HyangAn and Han with his wife Moon. Kim occupied a towering presence in Han's life both as his life mentor and father figure. When Kim died in 1974, Han created the tombstone for his grave in New York. Kim Whanki's "Untitled 20-III-71" (1971) / Courtesy of Whanki Foundation, Whanki Museum The first floor of Hyundai Hwarang is dedicated to the couple's art, its walls adorned with Moon's canvases enveloped in colorful and wild brushstrokes. Her free-spirited approach to painting and improvisatory, gestural technique were influenced by Art Informel, which encompasses the abstract, non-geometric style that emerged in the 1940s and 50s. Meanwhile, Han's stone sculptures, marked by the unobtrusive, earthy tones of granite and basalt, strike a nice visual balance with Moon's dynamic paintings. As a member of the first generation of Korean abstract sculptors, Han adhered to his approach of respecting the stone's original character and energy. As a result, rather than shaping the stones in predetermined forms, he focused on adjusting his carving methods based on each material's quality and limiting his touch to a minimum. "Han produced artwork that was somewhat crude and coarse, conveying the sense of having been formed naturally over years rather than sculpted artificially," Gallery Hyundai said in a statement. The gallery's second floor is filled with Kim's iconic pointillist paintings, tracing his steps from when he began to introduce dots on paper along with other geometric shapes during the late 1960s to the moment he finally filled the entire canvas with colorful constellations. It also includes three of the painter's works produced during the final year of his life. "Kim Whanki's New York Period, Han Yong Jin and Moon Mi Aie" runs through June 30 at Hyundai Hwarang. Kakao Pay management and key officials from the Korea Exchange (KRX) and local brokerage industry celebrate the listing of Kakao Pay on the main benchmark KOSPI market at the lobby of the headquarters of the KRX in Yeouido, Seoul, on Nov. 3, 2021. Newsis By Anna J. Park Small shareholders of Kakao Pay are suffering from plunging stock prices, following news that the firm's second largest shareholder sold off five million shares in a block deal. The stock price ended at 89,500 won ($71.23), falling 15.57 percent on Wednesday, as the company officially disclosed earlier in the day that Alipay Singapore Holding the second largest shareholder of the company dumped five million shares on Tuesday, which amount to 3.77 percent of Kakao Pay's entire stocks. The company explained that the five million shares sold by Alipay through the block deal are about 10 percent of Alipay's own stake in the Korean fintech company, adding that Alipay remains the second largest shareholder as well as its strategic investor, holding some 46 million shares or a 34.72 percent stake in the Korean company. A three-month lock-up period will be applied to the remaining stocks. The two company's partnership began in 2018 and remains strong, despite the block deal sale, Kakao Pay officials said. Despite the company's explanation, the payment fintech company's market cap shrank by more than 2.1 trillion won in a single day to 11.8 trillion won. Since the company's IPO in early November last year, the firm's shares have been on a declining trend, despite fluctuations. Wednesday's closing price is less than half of the firm's closing price of 193,000 won logged on November 3, the first day of its listing on the main benchmark KOSPI market. The management of Kakao Pay stirred up controversy as they exercised their stock options last December, just a month after the company's listing on the stock market. They collectively earned 87.8 billion won ($73 million) through the sale of the stocks, but the disposal was interpreted as a signal of the management's distrust in their company's valuation, leading to mounting criticism from small shareholders who sustained losses after betting on the fintech company. Hyderabad: In a new development, cyber fraudsters are now targeting newly verified profiles on Twitter. Within minutes of getting verified, the user receives a message from the support team, seeking submission of documents and related details. They threaten that the user might lose the verified badge if they dont submit details. The message either says your verification badge has been reviewed, the account is termed as spam by our Twitter team, or the blue badge is being given illegally and the user must re-register to confirm that it was received legally. It asks users to appeal this decision using an online form by clicking a link in the message or by sharing documents and user data, warning that those who did not oblige would see their blue badge getting deleted. The string of messages on Twitter DM comes after a number of verified users on the platform. The messages come from accounts claiming to be Twitter support and ask users to click on a link in the message to fill in a form to re-apply for a blue badge of verification on the site. These might include malicious attachments or links to spam or phishing websites. Twitter is not known for sending emails or messages with attachments as the verification is done before the user receives a badge, pointed out Harsha Chaitanya, an expert in cyber security. Officials from cybercrime said that online fraudsters are targeting users across all social media platforms. Often the links and documents that are shared are used to swindle money and hack the account. We advise the public to carefully consider before clicking any link they are sent, unsolicited, by an organisation. We encourage people to look for poor spellings or grammatical errors or a sense of urgency in the messaging to try to encourage a rash decision, said the officials. When asked by a user on the platform, Twitter responded that it never asks for a users password when contacting someone. Weve heard some accounts are posing as Twitter employees, sending DMs and emails. If we contact you, well never ask for your password and our emails will be sent from @twitter.com or @e.twitter.com only. (sic). HYDERABAD: Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Dubbak M. Raghunandan Rao said that he is ready to join the prosecution team in the Jubilee Hills gangrape case to ensure justice if the victim seeks his services. The BJPs man of the moment, after having forced the police to take cognizance of the presence of an MLAs son as one of the culprits in the case, told Deccan Chronicle: It does not matter what they will choose to call me an assistant to the public prosecutor, or anything else. And I will not charge a single penny for joining the efforts in ensuring justice to the victim. Rao, however, made it clear that any contribution from his side will be possible only if the victim seeks his assistance, which she will need to do through the public prosecutor. In criminal cases, there is no opportunity to implead. If the victim asks, I will work for the victim, he said. In an interview, the BJP MLA downplayed his role in outing the evidence against the MLAs son in the case saying it was a falsehood to say that he was the first to have those videos. Saying it was disingenuous for the police to say that they did not see the video before he released a clip at a press conference, Raghunandan Rao said: The videos were seen by the police first, including the DCP. It was only when they tried to hush them up to shield the prime accused, who is the MLAs son, that I exposed a part of the video that forced the police to include the MLAs son as the sixth accused in the case. Rao said he was disappointed with the commissioner of police C.V. Anand for ignoring the fact that senior police officers, such as A.R. Srinivas, D.S. Chouhan and Joel Davis, without conducting an investigation, gave a clean chit to the MLAs son in the case and declared that the home ministers grandson was not involved in the episode. They tried to shield the prime accused, who is now named an accused by the commissioner. The CP should have issued a show cause notice to these officers for jumping the gun. Or at least, said what kind of departmental action will be taken for such premature conclusions in a case like this, he said, adding that in the situation, Joel Davis, the DCP, should have been removed as the supervisor investigating the case. As a legislator, I want to know what action will be taken against these police officers, he said. On whether he would continue working for victims such as the 17-year-old minor girl in the Jubilee Hills rape case, Rao said, I will definitely work for those who do not have a voice of their own, dont have the muscle to take on the powerful. Irrespective of who the girl is, poor or rich, from Hyderabad or elsewhere, I would like to represent the people who do not have a voice. The BJP MLA also wanted to know why the police did not issue summons to the owners of the red Mercedes Benz or the Innova, the cars used in the crime. There is vicarious liability, and the owners of the cars are culpable under that, even if not directly part of the crime. What about the person who drove the Innova to the farmhouse? What about the farmhouse owner? Why have these people not been summoned for questioning or charged in the case? he asked. Rao also said that the commissioner of police overstepped his brief by declaring the punishments that the accused will get. He said that the officials job is to collect evidence and present it to the competent court, and it is for the court to declare the punishment. All Mr Anand has done is for optics, to create an illusion that culprits are staring at severe punishment. But the police did everything to water down the evidence, Rao said. Unaware of the cancellation, people from the far reaches of the country thronged the venue on Tuesday night, with security staff having a hard time managing them. (Deepak Deshpande/DC) Hyderabad: Scores of people who turned up for the fish prasadam (medicine) at the Exhibition Grounds on Wednesday were disappointed over the events continued cancellation this year as well, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The medicine, believed to cure asthma and bronchial infections, was held annually by the Bathini family in Nampally on mrigasirakarthi (start of monsoon) and attracted heavy footfall. However, it has not been held since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unaware of the cancellation, people from the far reaches of the country thronged the venue on Tuesday night, with security staff having a hard time managing them. Savitri Devi (65) of Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh said, I am disappointed. In 2019, I took this dose for the first time and was healthy for almost one year, without any asthma attack. Its the third year now that we are being denied this medicine. Tejpal Singh (69) of Faridabad in Haryana said, Coming all the way from Haryana, we were shocked to see this banner (of cancellation). They should at least have considered those coming from outstation. Kali Gujar, who had come with a group of 17 people from Rajasthan, said, When there are no Covid-19 restrictions for any other event, then why for this? We have travelled for two days. This is a medical cause; we are here not for a fancy event. We are suffering due to an ailment and this medicine gives us relief. Bathini Anirudh Goud, from the organisers family, said, We have been serving this medicine from 1845 and around 4 lakh people turn up each year. Because of the pandemic prevalence, the family decided not put lakhs of people at risk. So, we have cancelled it this year too. The personnel of the CISF have been tasked to enforce the mask rules at all airports. (Representational image: PTI) New Delhi: If a passenger does not comply with Covid-19 protocols and refuses to wear a mask despite repeated warnings, such a passenger can be treated as an unruly passenger and can be de-boarded, if need be, before departure, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation has told all airlines. Such passengers can also be fined as per the rules of the state where the airport is located and may be even handed over to the security agencies for further action. The latest order by the DGCA comes after the Delhi High Court order with regard to strict compliance of Covid-19 protocols inside airports and in aircraft. The DGCA has said all passengers at all times must wear masks throughout the journey. The mask can be removed under exceptional circumstances and permitted reasons only. The personnel of the CISF have been tasked to enforce the mask rules at all airports. Airlines and airports have been asked to make regular announcements on the wearing of masks and keep extra masks with them for passengers who do not have one. Airport operators have been asked to take sanitisation measures and provide hand sanitisers at prominent places at the terminals. The DGCA has clarified these directions are not in supersession of the prevailing directions issued by the Centre or any state government, but are in addition to such prevailing directions. Covid-19 cases in the country are again on a slow rise as India recorded 5,233 fresh cases and seven deaths in the past 24 hours. While observing that the Covid-19 pandemic has not abated and keeps springing up its ugly head now and then, the Delhi high court on Friday underlined the importance of enforcing and following Covid-appropriate behaviour, especially in enclosed spaces like aircraft. The high court called for strict action against those found violating the mask and hand hygiene norms at airports and in aircraft. The DGCA should issue separate binding directions to all airlines to authorize the staff at airports and in aircraft, including flight persons, captains/pilots, air hostesses and others to take strict action against passengers and others who violate masking and hand hygiene norms. All persons violating the said norms should be booked and fined and they should be placed on the no-fly list, the HC order said. Vijayawada: BJP state president Somu Veerraju was booked on the charge of obstructing a police officer from discharging his duty and of intimidation. The case was filed by the police of Alamur in Konaseema district on Wednesday. The BJP leader was proceeding to Amalapuram in his vehicle from Rajahmundry to meet a party activist and console him in connection with the recent violence there. The police stopped his vehicle at Jonnada Junction by blocking the road with a big private vehicle. Cops advised him not to proceed as Section 144 of CrPC and Section 30 of the Police Act, were in force in Amalapuram. A heated argument took place between Alamur SI Sivaprasad and the BJP chief. Veerraju said he was on his way to meet a party activist and had no intention to hold any public meeting or provoke anyone against the government. However, the police said they were having orders from their seniors to block his way to Amalapuram. The argument continued for some time. The BJP chief later proceeded to Ravulapalem and from there reached Vijayawada. Based on a complaint from the Alamur SI, police booked Veerraju. Meanwhile, the BJP chief spoke to the media at Ravulapalem and slammed the police for becoming puppets in the hands of the YSR Congress government. He also criticised a section of the IAS and IPS officers for their efforts to safeguard the political interests of some people. He said the liberty of the people to move freely was being eroded in the state under the YSRC rule. BJP MP GVL Narasimha condemned the YSR Congress government for preventing their party chief from visiting a partys activist at his house in Konaseema district and then registering a police case against him. Our party national president JP Nadda has already explained how the YSR Congress government is preventing political activity in the state, he said. VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has set a target of winning all the assembly seats for the YSR Congress in the 2024 elections. He has asked party leaders to be with the people for eight months to strengthen its relations with the mass. The CM addressed the Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prubhatvam workshop for party functionaries including ministers, regional coordinators, MLAs, district party presidents and others at the party office at Tadepalli on Wednesday. Recalling the landslide wins for the YSRC in the assembly elections and later the local body polls, he said, Nothing is difficult to achieve if we have the will, commitment and readiness to do hard work. Gadapa Gadapa ki Prabuthvam is an ongoing programme through the next eight months. This apart, a workshop would be held by the YSRC every month to discuss the outcome of the programmes based on public feedback. Jagan said the door-to-door campaign should be conducted in every secretariat for 2-3 days from morning to evening. The plan is to cover ten secretariats a month and the fieldwork should be done for at least 20 days each month. In the monthly workshops, suggestions will be taken to focus on improving the mass-contact programme. Special focus should be laid on resolving public grievances during this period, the CM said, and asked party leaders to treat all requests from the people with utmost importance. Asserting that the government has done many good things in the last three years, especially in public welfare, Jagan said winning in all constituencies is not impossible. Let us target winning all the 175 seats, he said. In door-to-door campaign, each of us should go and explain to the people the good initiatives of the government, and how the family was benefitted. Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Bok-hyun, left, enters the regulatory agency's headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap New FSS chief hints at reinvestigating Lime, Optimus cases By Lee Min-hyung Securities firms could end up in the hot seat after the country's regulatory watchdog hinted at re-launching a probe into the misselling of problematic fund products managed by Lime Asset Management and Optimus Asset Management. Major brokerage houses here, including NH Investment & Securities and KB Securities, were slapped with sanctions by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) last year for their mishandled sale of the risky fund products. But with new FSS Governor Lee Bok-hyun taking office on Tuesday, the prosecutor-turned-governor hinted at the possibility of reinvestigating the fund fiasco. "The watchdog will look into whether we have to launch a probe into the case again, as some raise problems (regarding the need to do so)," Lee said Wednesday. Officials from the FSS were unavailable to comment on further details. In general, the authority does not reinvestigate specific financial scandals after a probe has been completed, but there are no restrictions on reinvestigations. As Lee is the nation's first prosecutor-turned-FSS governor, the securities industry expressed concerns over the escalating likelihood of being reinvestigated by the watchdog. "The FSS' investigative authority is expected to grow bigger under the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol, so the industry does not rule out the possibility of going through a reinvestigation by the watchdog," an industry source said. Even if the FSS already imposed sanctions on companies that were involved in the incident last year, major brokerage houses have to stay on their toes with the former prosecutor-led FSS, according to the source. Another official from the financial circle, however, said that it might be tough for the FSS to reopen the case. "It still remains to be seen whether the FSS will launch an all-out reinvestigation, as this goes against the deregulatory stance of the Yoon administration," the official said. "We expect the FSS to maintain the supervisory role, while at the same time focusing more on pursuing market stabilization and fair competition here, as the overall stance of President Yoon and his economic team is to deregulate a series of tight regulations across all industry sectors," the source said. On Wednesday, Discovery Asset Management CEO Jang Ha-won was arrested on charges of selling fraudulent funds between 2017 and 2019. These fraudulent funds caused 250 billion won in losses to victims. Ha-won is a younger brother of former presidential policy chief and Ambassador to China Jang Ha-sung. As Jang Ha-sung and a group of high-ranking political figures of the former Moon Jae-in administration had invested in the funds, police are considering summoning them for questioning. Under the scenario, there is a chance that the FSS and investigative authorities may launch additional investigations into the funds' sellers, such as the Korea Investment & Securities, the Industrial Bank of Korea and Hana Bank, even if no specifics have been confirmed for the time being. Last month, the prosecution reinstated the Financial and Securities Crime Joint Investigation Team to enhance supervision and investigations into major financial crimes here. The team is widely expected to join hands with the FSS, so both authorities can carry out more systemic and timely investigations into any financial scandal. Talib Hussain, a terror suspect from Kashmir caught in Bengaluru last week, had managed to stay in a mosque here since the second Covid lockdown in 2021. Said to be a member of the separatist group Hizbul Mujahideen, Hussain was arrested from a mosque in Okalipuram on May 29. He was wanted in a few cases related to terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir. The Jammu & Kashmir police say Hussain joined militancy in 2016 and allegedly recruited youths into his organisation. Bengaluru police commissioner C H Pratap Reddy said on Tuesday they are collecting more details from the Jammu & Kashmir police. A team of Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camped in Bengaluru from the first week of May. They kept a close watch on Hussains movements from a room in the Majestic area. After confirming that he was the one they were looking for, they informed the Srirampuram police and arrested him. Hussain had worked as a porter at the KSR Railway Station and had rented a shed in Okalipuram. He had later started driving a goods auto. He used to deliver goods to key locations like the airport, the Kempegowda bus stand and the city railway station, a senior police officer said. Anwer Ahmed, president of Okalipuram mosque committee, suspects Hussain must have been in Bengaluru for 10 years. During the second lockdown, he was driven out of his rented shed. He came to the mosque with his wife, a six-month-old baby and two older children, for shelter. On humanitarian grounds, we gave him the room used for storing firewood for preparing gruel during Ramzan, he said. The mosque did not collect rent from him. Hussain was to leave in six months, but was allowed more time as the pandemic had disrupted his livelihood. His wife had delivered a baby at the government hospital in Srirampuram. He was courteous when he approached us, Ahmed said. When Hussains older children caught chickenpox, people in the neighbourhood pooled in money and sent his wife back to Kashmir with her three children. Hussain has two wives -- one who lived with him in Bengaluru and another in Kishtwar of J&K, according to police. Residents of Okalipuram had unwittingly helped Hussain with money, believing he was in distress. He used to work at the railway station and even delivered goods to airport, so we had assumed his employers had thoroughly verified his background, a neighbour told DH. Hussain kept to himself and looked like a regular man supporting his family. Every Ramzan we would give him at least Rs 1,500. We also gave him smaller amounts every now and then. Now we wonder if all of that was just an act, another neighbour says. Apart from money and food, a resident had lent him a SIM card and donated clothes to his children. It is scary to think who we had welcomed into our community, he says. Former prime minister Imran Khan was on Wednesday re-elected unopposed as the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after his challengers had withdrawn in his favour. The election of 69-year-old Khan was held during the meeting of the party's National Conference in Islamabad. The elections of the senior office bearers were held following a directive by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold intra-party polls by June 13. Apart from Khan, Umar Sarfaraz Cheema and Naik Muhammad were the other two contenders who were running for the top post of chairman. However, both opted to withdraw in favour of the former premier, allowing him to become chairman of the party. Among others, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was re-elected as the vice-chairman of the party, while former planning minister Asad Umar was one again elected as the secretary-general. After the elections, Khan addressed the party workers and leaders at the party's National Council Meeting where he vehemently criticised the government, alleging that the incumbent rulers would "not do anything without the approval of the United States". "They are afraid that if America is disgruntled with them, then they will suffer the same fate as the Russian oligarchs," he said, and alleged that his rivals had stashed billions of dollars in foreign bank accounts. He also said to give within a few days a date for the "biggest protest in the history of Pakistan. "We have to go all-in for our campaign for true freedom in the next phase. I will give a date within the next few days," he said. He called on party workers to be prepared for the protest which he said was a "jihad for the nation." Khan also castigated the current government for increasing the prices of petroleum and asked the government why it had not approached Russia to ink an agreement for supplying cheap oil. He said that his government had negotiated a deal for cheap oil. Khan, who was ousted from power in April through a no-trust vote, has been claiming that the no-trust motion against him was the result of a foreign conspiracy because his independent foreign policy and funds were being channelled from abroad to oust him from power. He has named the US as the country behind the conspiracy, a charge denied by Washington. With the Election Commission announcing the Presidential poll schedule, the ruling BJP and the Opposition are now getting into deliberation mood, trying to guess the opponents choice, and decide their strategies. There is speculation about several names from the BJP fold who could possibly be the candidate. These include Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu, Telangana Governor Tamilsai Soundararajan, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Union Minister Mukthar Abbas Naqvi, former Union Minister Jual Oram and former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. While the BJPs final decision will come after a meeting of its Parliamentary Board later this month, the Congress has started reaching out to Opposition parties. Sources said Congress president Sonia spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Pawar and CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on the issue of fielding a common candidate. She is also learnt to have spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has reached out to some of the Opposition floor leaders in Parliament. Kharge, sources said, has also been tasked to find out the mind of certain non-UPA parties like YSR Congress, TRS and BJD before top leaders get to the negotiation table. Kharge said Congress president Sonia Gandhi has asked him to think about a name for a candidate after talking to other parties. Kharge, who is in Mumbai to coordinate Fridays Rajya Sabha polls, said he met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and would be meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as well as DMK and Trinamool Congress leaders. A non-Congress leader told DH that the joint candidate in all probability will be a non-Congress person. Another leader said the Congress should not insist on its own candidate even as a section in the Opposition expressed reservations about the Congress taking the lead role. The Opposition is closely watching the moves of the BJP, which had sprung a surprise in 2017 by fielding the then Bihar Governor Kovind, prompting the Opposition to calibrate its strategy and field Meira Kumar instead of former Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, whom many in the Opposition were planning to field as a joint candidate. The non-NDA parties are expecting that the BJP may choose either a tribal or a leader from the north-east or a south Indian to be the First Citizen of the country. In such a scenario, sources said, the Opposition would also have to look at its options and names. Leaders in the Opposition told DH that there will be no consensus candidate and they would not let the Presidential polls go uncontested. CPI Parliamentary Party leader Binoy Viswam said, Kharge telephoned and consulted about a common candidate for the Presidential election. I told him that CPI would support a common candidate with secular credentials and progressive outlook. He replied that Sonia Gandhi and the Congress Party have the same position. According to the existing electoral college, a BJP nominee can get votes with a value of 5.39 lakh, including those from the TDP. At the same time, the non-NDA parties can garner only votes with a value of 4.47 lakh. However, if the BJD and YSR Congress, who otherwise are friendly with the ruling NDA, with votes with a value of 75,136 along with the TDP decide to join hands with the non-NDA group, the election would get really interesting. Leaders, however, discount this possibility. Opposition ranks are also worried about the choice of BJP. If a Maharashtrian or a Tamil is chosen, it will create trouble for UPA allies like Shiv Sena and DMK to vote against such a candidate. Sena had earlier voted in favour of UPA nominees while they were in the NDA. The analysis of the electoral college also showed that the anti-NDA parties have more vote value among MLAs (2.78 lakh) than the BJP-led coalition (2.20 lakh). However in Parliament, it is reversed and the NDA has votes with a value of 3.16 lakh while their opponents have 1.7 lakh only. While the NDA is not getting a single vote in Kerala, anti-NDA grouping will not get any votes in Andhra Pradesh and Nagaland. The anti-NDA forces are doing very well in the south while it is not faring bad in the north but the BJP-led combine is ahead. The northeast is another region, though the vote value is not very high, where the anti-NDA forces are doing well. A certain amount of disquiet has set in among leaders within the Bharatiya Janata Party after the party took action against spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal. Even though senior leaders have not publicly come out in support of them, the mood online was palpable. In fact, several leaders DH spoke to said it was unfair to the two. It was definitely unfair on them, and friends and colleagues are distressed about it, a spokesperson told DH on condition of anonymity. It just feels like you're on your own. An MP from the lower house, who did not want to be named, said that spokespersons are usually briefed on their stand. They are given an orientation when they are appointed, then they are groomed, and every day when they go on shows, they are assigned the shows across TV channels, and briefed what the partys position is, the MP said. After the fracas, the party also issued directives to the spokespersons asking them to toe the line. Spokespersons have also been strictly told to not insult any religion in any manner, and to be aware of the topic of debate as well as the partys line on it. Also read: The rise and fall of Nupur Sharma Online, the spokespersons, especially Nupur Sharma, found the support of right-wing hardliners, and trends like #shamelessBJP and #ISupportNupurSharma have been doing the rounds on Twitter since the incident. Some local BJP leaders expressed their disappointment on Facebook. In addition to that, several supporters of the right wing found the BJPs stand a weakened one. Sharma also found support from Kapil Mishra, one of the leaders in the BJP accused of inciting violence in two riots but had no disciplinary action against him. In a Hindi tweet, Mishra said that within Hindus, unlike other religions, a person mocking the religion is rewarded not punished. Meanwhile Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the saffron party, saying the "fringe" is the BJP's core. In a tweet, he highlighted some past statements of top BJP leaders holding senior positions in the government. This includes a news report of home minister Amit Shah calling migrants "termites", and another of I&B minister Anurag Thakur saying, "desh ke gaddaro ko, goli maro salo ko" (shoot the traitors of the country). The bit of news that China is building a new bridge across Pangong Lake that will be capable of bearing heavy armoured vehicles, barely a few months after completing another bridge in the same region, which is claimed by India, is yet another provocation to which India seems inured. In fact, even the 2017 India-China standoff in Doklam was over a Chinese bid to build a road in that area, at the trijunction of India, Bhutan and China. The ongoing India-China standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020, following clashes at locations along the Line of Actual Control with China. On June 15 that year, 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops died in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. Both sides enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry. Fifteen rounds of talks over the last two years to end the standoff at various points in eastern Ladakh have managed to achieve disengagement in the Galwan Valley (July 2020), the North and South banks of Pangong Tso (February 2021), and Gogra (August 2021). Indias call for a quick disengagement at the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, such as Patrol Point 15 (Hot Springs), the Depsang Bulge and Demchok is yet to be addressed. This is the official version. But with reports of China building a second bridge in Pangong Tso, it looks like there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. Infrastructure development undertaken by China in total disregard of Indias territorial concerns can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, by which time China built the Karakoram Highway, which linked Xinjiang with northern Pakistan. India was a bit late to grasp the full significance of the blow the highway delivered to its strategic interest by supporting Pakistani control of the occupied part of Kashmir and fortifying Chinas position in Aksai Chin. It was not only a strategic transport route between China and Pakistan, even for transfer of arms and ammunition, including nuclear and missile material, but with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also a conduit for bringing Middle Eastern oil and other commodities into northwest China and potentially to support Chinese naval operations in the Arabian Sea. Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam Valley (or the Trans-Karakoram Tract) to China, a disputed territory claimed by India, in 1963 even as India and China signed a boundary agreement to settle their border differences. Cross-border infrastructure projects are key to Chinas BRI. To understand the enormity of it, it is not enough to say that by March 2022, 146 countries have joined it by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China. What takes the cake is that infrastructure investment along the Belt and Road is concerned with six economic corridors covering a large energy and resource-rich part of the world. While the proposed New Eurasia Land Bridge, involving rail to Europe via Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Poland is ambitious, the China, Central Asia, West Asia Economic Corridor linking to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Turkey will get China right in the midst of the energy hub of Central Asia. The China Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor envisages linking Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia -- Southeast Asian countries right in Indias backyard and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor links Kashgar city in landlocked Xinjiang with the Pakistani port of Gwadar, a deep-water port used for commercial and military purposes, as an extension of the Karakoram Highway. The fate of the proposed China, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar Economic Corridor is uncertain in view of the deep distrust over security issues between India and China. China, by dint of the railway link between Beijing and Lhasa, Tibet, was able to rapidly deploy troops to the latter when riots broke out in the region in 2008. Besides Beijing, long-distance buses as well as trains link Lhasa with Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, Chongqing, Xining, and Lanzhou. Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, coming up as a key regional hub connecting the province with existing rail networks to Southeast Asia. Should Chinas proposed extension of this line to Yatung, just a few miles from Sikkims Nathu La, and subsequently to Nyingchi, north of Arunachal Pradesh, at the trijunction with Myanmar become a reality, China will have great strategic advantage over India. The simple point is that Chinas capacity for rapid infrastructure development (besides the huge financial resources at its command) is something that India lacks. China might well weaponise it against India. Across the LAC in the Tibet region, China is constantly upgrading its road, rail and air connectivity as well as 5G mobile network, besides building border villages (employing nomadic communities living along the Himalayan frontier) close to the LAC that can be used for dual purposes so as to increase its capacity to mobilise its military. On the Indian side, a dedicated agency, the Border Infrastructure Management Authority (BIMA), which will be responsible for the development of road, rail, water, power and communications infrastructure along the borders, including the frontier with Tibet, is on the anvil. But it looks like its a bit late in the day. In the 2022-23 Union budget, the government also increased the capital outlay for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) by 40%, including a six-fold increase in allocation for Arunachal Pradesh's Border Area Development Programme which, one guesses, is in response to China's infrastructure capacity enhancement across the border in Arunachal Pradesh. India is desperately seeking to close the infrastructure gap with China by developing its own cross-border transport corridors. Its plan to connect the capitals of all states in Northeast India with a national rail network, and to integrate the border region with the rest of the country, and to construct and restore road and rail links between Northeast states and border areas in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, is yet to materialise fully. India must rethink its decades-long policy of neglecting infrastructure along the border with China. (The writer is a Kolkata-based commentator on geopolitical affairs, development and cultural issues.) Glam Hair and Beauty on Derry's Waterloo Street, have scooped the top prize for Bridal Hair of the Year at the NI Hair and Beauty Awards. The salon was shortlisted along with nine other finalists from across the country after being nominated by the public. After a judges panel made their decision, the Derry salon took home the trophy at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. Owner of Glam Hair and Beauty, Patricia McCallion, told Derry News she is extremely honoured to take home the award. "I am absolutely buzzing. I was so chuffed to even get the email to say we'd made the list of finalists, I was so shocked to win. "You kind of think, 'aw I would love to win' but we're against so many other great salons, so to then win it, it's amazing. I'm still in a bubble. "I don't think it has hit home yet, we were straight back to work the next day. It feels very surreal." Patricia works alongside her colleague, Tara Rodgers, working the bridal parties and salon clients. Sadly, Tara couldn't make it to the event. However, Patricia's daughter was by her side on stage to receive the award and Patricia's mum was proudly sitting in the crowd to congratulate her on the win. "It was such an amazing night. It was so lovely to get all dressed up and have my daughter and mum with me. My mum was crying when our name was called, bless her," Patricia continued. "I spent the whole night just staring at the award, I don't think I put it down." The nominees were decided by the public and then the judging panel decided the winner. Patricia said it means a lot to her to have the support of the community. Patricia added: "It was so nice to be recognised for what we do here and for everyone's support. We got to show what the salon is all about and receive this recognition for doing what we love. "It is so special. Even being part of someone's bridal experience on its own is amazing, so this award means so much. I am lured." The Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards have become the leading celebration of the hair and beauty professionals that operate in the country. Creative Oceanic hosted the event for the 5th year with the awards split across two chapters and two events; one dedicated to hair professionals and the other focused on beauty. Incredible contenders ranging from stylists, colour technicians, barbers, academies and most loved salons amongst others attended the memorable celebration on June 5, at The Europa Hotel in Belfast. A Spokesperson for The Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards 2022 said: The winners reflect the creativity and talent that flows within the profession. These specialists inspire others when it comes to the big and competitive world of beauty. The Awards provided a platform to thank those that deliver high class services, making sure clients are left with the best of impressions. The winners lead the way in providing innovative treatments and are role models for the rest of the beauty world. We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their amazing achievements. Patricia: "I spent the whole night just staring at the award, I don't think I put it down" A man who is accused of possessing a knife in a Derry Shopping Centre has been bailed on condition he does not enter the Richmond Centre in the city. Dean Dillon (25) of Glenabbey Drive in Derry appeared at the local Magistrate's Court today charged with possessing a knife in the Richmond Centre on June 7. He was also charged with a series of drug offences including possessing cannabis, Diazepam and Pregablin on the same date. A police officer connected the accused to the charges. Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that the police were agreeable to bail but not to the address put forward by the defendant. He asked the court to grant bail to an address agreed by the PSNI. Bail was granted to an address approved by the PSNI and that he does not enter the Richmond Centre. He will appear again on June 23. A woman watches a TV screen at a train station in Seoul, June 5, showing a news program reporting about a North Korean missile launch with file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea test-fired a salvo of multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea Sunday, South Korea's military said, extending a provocative streak in weapons demonstrations this year that U.S. and South Korean officials say may culminate with a nuclear weapon test. AP-Yonhap The United States is closely monitoring the possibility of North Korea conducting its seventh nuclear weapon test, which if conducted, will prompt a robust response from the U.S., National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Wednesday. However, he said the U.S. remains open to dialogue and will continue to do so. "We are also watching very closely the continuing possibility of a nuclear test, to which we would also have a robust response," Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to California with President Joe Biden for the upcoming Summit of Americas there. His remarks come one day after U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim said the U.S. and its allies will have a "swift response" against any North Korean nuclear test. Author, Rosaline Callaghan, who sadly lost three family members to amyloidosis has launched her new book: 'Donegal Amy: a rare inherited disease from Ireland'. A former barrister, Rosaline's aunt, father and cousin, died from Familial Amyloidosis. All three were from Burt in the south of the Inishowen peninsula. Amyloidosis is also known as Donegal Amy, due to its prevalence along a 15 mile stretch of coastline between Carrigart and Burtonport. It is caused by the build-up of an abnormal protein in the bodys tissues and organs, which affects their shape and function and can lead to organ failure. Rosaline's book launch took place at the recent hugely successful 'Emerging from the Shadows' amyloidosis conference in Gaoth Dobhair. Speaking to Inish Times / Inish Live, Rosaline said she was inspired to write her book when she retired. I had to find something to do, she laughed. She added: When I realised that not very many people knew about amyloidosis and just to raise awareness, I decided to write the book. People were asking me so many questions about it. But the real catalyst came when one of my infusion nurses, Olivia, told me that of the eleven patients in the North of Ireland currently getting treatment for hereditary amyloidosis, I was the only one who seemed to be aware of their family history, it got me thinking. The figures from the National Amyloidosis Centre in London suggested only 40% of patients know their family history regarding amyloidosis. I thought that was a big gap, and thought if I let people know of my family history, perhaps they might be able to link in with their family histories. It was a fabulous challenge. It was something to do, like many people, when I was home for 19 months alone speaking with the cat and the cat speaking back. So, I just concentrated on writing the book to donate it as a gift to help raise awareness about this condition. I am quite proud with the way it turned out. Iprint Design and Print in Derry were absolutely fabulous and it is another way to spread the story of Donegal Amy, said Rosaline. Rosaline said she did not want to write a heavy medical book or a diary type book detailing her daily life. She said: I just wanted to give an overview about our family learning about amyloidosis. We heard from Professor Mary Reilly, from University College London, during the 'Emerging from the Shadows' conference. Professor Reilly was the person who broke the news to my father in the 1980s that amyloidosis was hereditary, so I have included a story about that. I also thought it was important to include the story of Ireland because people in Canada, America and Australia do not fully understand amyloidosis. So, I included a little bit of the history of Ireland. How it was one country until 100 years ago. I also went to great lengths to explain the Irish Diaspora, how amyloidosis moved through Ireland with the hiring fairs and wandered the world with the Diaspora. The book is a little bit of geography, history. It is a mix. I have done it in my own style. It is not really going to appeal to any established editor I am sure but I know the people who are affected by ATTR Amyloidosis will appreciate having it. I have also included practical tips for living with the condition and what it is like to go over to the National Amyloidosis Centre. I really wrote about anything I could think to include to help other people learn what it is like living with amyloidosis, said Rosaline. 'Donegal Amy: a rare inherited disease from Ireland' is available through: www.wildstoryteller.com. Proposed laws to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol are not designed to prop up the UK Prime Minister or appease hardline Brexiteers, a British Government minister has insisted. Northern Ireland Office minister Conor Burns denied there is a sub agenda behind the legislation and said it is about fixing issues with the post-Brexit trading arrangements. Mr Burns told members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee he wants to take the politics out of the impasse over the protocol and instead refocus on the process issues with its implementation. Committee chairman Simon Hoare praised Mr Burns approach but suggested he is in the minority within Government. Mr Hoare said there is concern the protocol row would be used to create a punch up with the EU and as red meat, dead cats, play-things, distractions either to salve the appetites of the European Research Group, shore up the robustness of the Prime Minister or get editorial red tops on side. Mr Hoare suggested other ministers would use the issue to show a bit of leg and a bit of muscle to further their own leadership ambitions. Mr Burns insisted Boris Johnson is in the space of wanting to fix this. He said the Governments preferred resolution is an agreed settlement with the EU, but said that will not be achievable unless European leaders widened the negotiating mandate of European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic. We cannot just sit back and wait in the hope that the mandate will broaden, he told MPs. So that is why we will get into the legislative space but it will be to fix it and it will not be about propping up or getting headlines or appeasing any particular element within Parliament, be that inside the Government or inside Northern Ireland political parties. On the suggestion the Government is trying to assuage DUP concerns, Mr Burns said: Im an openly gay Catholic born in north Belfast who supports the Union, I dont do things for the DUP. I do things because they are the right things to do for the United Kingdom. And fixing this will have the consequence hopefully of restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland. The NIO minister said he appreciates businesses in Northern Ireland need certainty on their trading environment. We want a negotiated solution to this with the Commission; we think that is by far the best means, the optimum means to do that, he said. But, in the absence of that, in order to provide the level of certainty that we want to deliver to businesses in Northern Ireland and across the rest of the United Kingdom, we will bring forward legislation. We want a spirit of co-operation and partnership with our friends in the EU. One of my ambitions is to drag this protocol stuff maybe out of the politics and back into process, because thats essentially what were talking about. Were talking about how to create a system of checks and regulations that reflect different destinations of different goods and types within these islands. We have long maintained that with a degree of pragmatism and goodwill there should be a negotiated solution that can be found. Regrettably, it cannot be found within the strict mandate that vice president (of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations Maros) Sefcovic is currently operating under. While creating new checks and processes on the movement of goods between Great Britain and the Northern Ireland, the protocol also offers traders in the region unfettered access to sell both within the UK internal market and into the EU single market. Alliance MP Stephen Farry asked Mr Burns if the Government acknowledges the economic opportunity presented by the dual market access. The minister replied: Were absolutely of the view that this is an amazing opportunity for Northern Ireland. During his evidence session before the committee, Mr Burns was also asked about Government investment programmes in Northern Ireland. There was a particular focus on programmes designed to replace lost EU financial support, such as the Levelling Up fund. Stormont ministers have criticised the Governments policy of directly funding projects in Northern Ireland, expressing concerns the approach could lead to duplication or conflict with the devolved executives funding plans. Mr Burns rejected the criticism of the centralised funding approach. We see it as value added, he said. We see it as adding to, not detracting from, the core responsibilities of the Executive. Its been a big week for the operator formerly known as Telenor Myanmar. In March, Telenor finalised its sale of the unit to M1 Group for US$105 million, and its new owner has now opted to drop the previous owners name in favour of rebranding as ATOM (Advancing Telecommunications of Myanmar) as part of the post-transaction situation. Following this announcement, the operator issued a statement assuring its customers that it would continue supplying the same product and service offering under its new name. Days later, ATOM pledged to invest more than US$330 million into its network across the next three years, and stated its goal of launching the countrys first 5G service. ATOM claimed that this investment would lead to job creation by developing home-grown talent in the industry, with MMK3 billion (US$1.6 million) to be spent on humanitarian initiatives delivering aid, education and healthcare to remote communities between now and 2024. ATOM plans to deploy 5G-ready digital infrastructure imminently, with COO Ahmad Abdallah saying that Myanmar should not have to wait too long to experience and enjoy the benefits of 5G. CEO Ziaullah Siddiqui promised a 5G launch in the near future, and added that the operator would supercharge Myanmars digital transformation with secure digital services. Despite the promise of secure services, ATOMs continued operation in Myanmar will obliged it to comply with the military juntas surveillance mandate implemented in June 2021. Under this order, operators in Myanmar must install intercept technology to enable the junta to monitor calls, messages and web traffic. The junta seized power in a coup in February 2021, and almost immediately began imposing internet restrictions including service blackouts. Telenor cited its refusal to comply with this directive as the key factor that made continuing its operations in Myanmar untenable, although the unit also registered an impairment loss of NOK6.5 billion ($686.5 million) in Q1 2021. This drove Telenor to seek a buyer for its unit, although the Norwegian firm claimed that it the political instability made it effectively impossible to conduct an ordinary sales process. Eventually it reached an agreement with M1 Group, and the companies have a six-month transition agreement in place. M1s affiliate Investcom now controls ATOM. SoftBank Corp, a leading Japanese communication and information technology service provider, says it has secured an equity stake in German company 1NCE, described as the only provider of connectivity and software for IoT at a global flat rate. It has also signed an exclusive distribution deal covering the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Daichi Nozaki, Vice President, Head of Global Business Division, Enterprise Business Unit at SoftBank Corp, says: 1NCE is the only company that can deliver true cross-border, future-proof IoT connectivity without uncertainty a perfect extension of SoftBank Corp's existing IoT portfolio. He describes the APAC region as underserved and expects explosive growth in that area. SoftBank will sell 1NCE IoT services exclusively in 19 APAC markets. 1NCE, in partnership with operators, now delivers connectivity and software to more than 110 countries, with plans to expand its footprint to more than 140 by the end of 2022. 1NCE will open sales offices and technical operations in Singapore and Tokyo to expand its service capability to Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This isnt the first SoftBank investment in the company. In September 2021 1NCE announced US$50 million in financing provided by investors including Deutsche Telekom, SoftBank and others. Digital infrastructure company Equinix is planning to build its fourth data centre in India, which will also be its third facility in the city of Mumbai. The company aims to invest more than $86 million developing the facility. The new MB3 International Business Exchange (IBX),described as the largest data centre in India focusing on retail enterprise customers and interconnection, is to be built on a four-acre plot in Mumbais commercial district, next to Equinixs existing MB2 facility. The first phase of MB3 is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2024. It will provide an initial capacity of more than 1,375 cabinets, and more than 4,150 cabinets when fully built out. According to the Data Centre Dynamics website, this is more than double the companys existing footprint in the city. Further investments in building infrastructure in India are planned by the company, whose existing two Mumbai facilities total more than 8,200 square metres of colocation space and an initial 1,350 cabinets, with an additional 500 cabinets to be built out. And this sort of activity seems likely to accelerate if a recent report from ratings agency CRISIL proves correct. It suggests that data centre capacity in India could double to 1,700-1,800MW between the 2022 and 2025 fiscal years. This expansion will be driven by such factors as the data boom, digital adoption and local data storage mandates, along with the launch of 5G services. Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, accounts for around half of the existing capacity and is likely to do best out of this boom, not least because it is near to subsea cables, optic fibre connectivity, power and skilled manpower. Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune will also do well. Twitters head of legal, Vijay Gadde, has reassured the staff that the deal to sell the company to Elon Musk is still progressing and will see a vote from the shareholders in late July or early August. The deal has been on standby for the Securities and Exchange Commission to concur with the proxy according to people close to the matter. In their statement, Twitter said that they will share the data required following the merger agreement. We intend to close the transaction and enforce the merger agreement at the agreed price and terms. the company added. One of the concerns raised by the employees was the ability to continue working from home, as promised by Twitter. Gadde responded that remote work is not a part of the merger agreement, which means that Musk might not allow it after the deal's completion. The Firehose Access Twitters user count and automated bots have been a topic of concern for Elon Musk making him sceptical about the completion of the deal. According to Washington Post, Twitter will share its public tweet data to relieve Musk of his concerns. Twitter complied with Elon Musks demands by giving full access to the firehose, which is data consisting of over 500 million tweets per day. Twitter executives were sceptical of Musk's ability to use data to uncover previously unknown information: Companies who pay Twitter for the ability to analyse the data stream to identify trends and correlations in the daily conversation have had access to it for years. They, as well as some analysts and Silicon Valley insiders, believe Musk is using the data requests to get out of the deal or negotiate a lower price. Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 price is 1,71,990 in India. Lets see what we get for this much money. Lenovo has launched a new premium AIO PC in India called the Yoga AIO 7. It has got a soft-textured finish, and a 27-inch rotatable 4K screen laid on top of a flexible hinge. Thanks to the latter, you can even adjust the screen height without much effort. Inside, it has got an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM, and Windows 11 software. Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 Specs and Features Lenovo has equipped the Yoga AIO 7 with a 27-inch UHD panel with 360nits brightness, 100% sRGB colour coverage, and touch support. The visuals from this screen are aided by JBL Harman-certified dual 5W speakers. Under the hood, there is an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with 16MB of L3 cache, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD storage. The other things you get with the Lenovo AIO 7 are Windows 11 Home Edition, 1x removable 5MP webcam, 2x mics, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, 1x combo input-output, 1x 3.5 mm audio jack, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI 2.0 port (output), and 1x RJ45 LAN port. Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 India Price and Availability You can buy the Lenovo Yoga AIO 7 now at 171,999 in Silver color through Lenovo.com, Amazon India, and eventually via Lenovo retail stores. As for other news, reviews, feature stories, buying guides, and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in. The Moto G82 is the latest mid-range phone from Motorola with features like a 50MP triple camera setup with OIS, stereo speakers, 10-bit AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate support, all packed in a thin and lightweight profile. The G82 builds upon the Moto G71 from earlier this year and addresses most of the drawbacks of that phone. However, Motorola continues to sell the G71 5G which could confuse the end-user who are looking for a great value for their hard-earned money. So, is the Moto G82 just another mid-range outing for Motorola or does it pack enough firepower to have an upper hand against incumbents like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ (review) and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite (review)? Heres what we found out. Moto G82 review: In the box The retail box of the Moto G82 has a pre-applied TPU case along with a 33W fast charger, a Type-C cable, some paperwork and a SIM ejector tool. Moto G82 review: Key specifications at a glance Price: 21,499 - 6GB/128GB | 22,999 - 8GB/128GB Display: 6.6-inch 10-bit AMOLED, FHD+ (2400x1080 pixels), 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, Gorilla Glass 3 Thickness: 7.99mm Weight: 173g IP rating: IP52 Platform: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 RAM: 6GB/8GB LPDDR4x Built-in storage: 128GB UFS Expandable storage: Yes, dedicated 5G support: n1/2/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41/66/77/78/78 USB-C: Yes 3.5mm jack: Yes OS: stock Android 12 with MyUX customizations Rear Camera: 50MP (f/1.8, OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro Rear Camera Video: 1080p (30/60FPS) Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.2) Speakers: Stereo speakers Battery and charging: 5,000mAh, 30W fast charging Colours: Meteorite Grey, White Lily Moto G82 review: Performance Most phones with Snapdragon 695 under the hood offer a balanced performance thats just perfect for daily use. While Snapdragon 778G offers better performance chops, more brands have accepted the 695 for their mid-range offerings. Motorola was the first brand to launch a phone powered by the 695 in India with the Moto G71 and the G82 carrying the same power inside. The Moto G82 performed as expected in our synthetic benchmarks with scores that are at par with other Snapdragon 695 phones. In AnTuTu, the G82 got a better score than the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ but the Nord CE 2 Lite jumped ahead by a margin. In Geekbench tests, however, the G82 got lower scores than the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and the Nord CE 2 Lite in both single-core and multi-core tests. This means that while the G82 is functionally adept at running workloads that mimic real-world use and is as good as the other two competing phones. In the PCMark workload test, the G82 came in a close second after the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ while the Nord CE 2 Lite was left behind in the dust. PCMark runs multiple workloads that are based on real-life use cases like web browsing, photo editing and more and these scores are only a foretaste of the kind of daily performance you can get from the G82 which is not at all bad. We also ran the CPU throttling test where the Moto G82 throttled to 85% of its maximum performance in 15 minutes and 75% in 30 minutes. In comparison, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ throttled to 73% of the maximum performance. This means that the G82 is able to draw more power without compromising on its thermals which leads to sustained performance. The Moto G82 also qualified GPU tests like 3DMark and GFXBench, performing equally good and sometimes better than its two counterparts. We also used Gamebench metrics to record the gaming performance of the G82 and it did not disappoint. The G82 ran COD Mobile at 60FPS at 100% stability, BGMI at 30FPS and 100% stability and Asphalt 9 at 30FPS at 97% stability. This goes on to prove that the G82 is great for playing games and I did not encounter any major lags or frame drops while gaming on it. The display is very smooth and makes the overall experience better. Moto G82 review: Battery Life One of the best things about the Moto G82 is its battery life and how Motorola has optimized it to make it efficient. Youre looking at a full days worth of battery life if youre a heavy user whos on their phones for most of the time watching videos on YouTube or social media, playing games, calling, messaging, using cameras and more. But casual users and those with little to no multimedia consumption can get over two days of battery life from the G82 which is much better than what most phones offer at this price. In our video loop test, the G82 lasted for over 16.5 hours which is a great score and reminds me of the battery performance of the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. The phone supports 30W fast charging but Motorola is providing a 33W charging adapter in the box. It took around 1 hour and 46 minutes to fully charge the G82 from 0-100%. Of course, you will find a faster-charging standard with the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ which supports 67W and fills the battery in around 55 minutes. Moto G82 Camera review The Moto G82 has the same cameras as the Moto G71 except that you get OIS (optical image stabilization) on the main camera of the former. With OIS, you can expect to shoot videos with little to no shakes as the stabilization lends good support for hand-held use. Other than that, the main camera of the G82 takes good and sharp pictures in daylight. The large aperture means that the sensor gets more light and details for the final output. The main camera also lends a shallow depth of field effect to pictures which is subtle and doesnt look artificial. The pictures from the main camera are ever so slightly brighter than those from the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, especially in the shadow areas. However, since the Note 11 Pro+ has a higher resolution sensor, it can capture even the minute details in the frame easily which is where the G82 struggles a bit. In low light, the Moto G82 takes decent pictures but the loss in details is clearly visible when pixel-peeping. Switching to night mode improves the contrast, and shadows and eliminates most noise from the picture but at the cost of the brightness. Here, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ performs much better as it can control highlights and shadows in a much more efficient way giving you a good nighttime picture. Coming to the ultra-wide camera, it takes decent wide-angle pictures but as you move away from the centre, the details start getting hazy. It will still give you usable pictures that you can edit further to make them appealing and Instagram worthy. In comparison with the Redmi Note 11 Pro+s ultra-wide camera, the G82 performs better as it has less noise and enough details. Also, like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, the G82 doesnt have a night mode for the ultra-wide camera either. There is a 2MP macro camera thats good for extreme close up shots but keep in mind that because it's a low-resolution sensor, you will need enough light on the subject for a decent picture. As for the selfie camera, works great and takes close to natural-looking pictures with a good amount of brightness and details. Moto G82 review: Display In my use, the display of the Moto G82 is one of its best highlights as the screen gets bright enough at even 70-80% brightness and produces a wide range of colours making it great for watching videos and movies. But just like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, the display doesnt support HDR playback on YouTube, Netflix and other apps. Calman Ultimate: ColorChecker Analysis in sRGB colour space We used Calman Ultimate with a C6 colourimeter to test the display on the Moto G82. In the sRGB (Natural) colour space, the display has an average deltaE value of 2.5 with 97.7% colour gamut coverage and 645 nits of peak brightness. Calman Ultimate: ColorChecker Analysis in DCI-P3 colour space Calman Ultimate: Color Volume analysis In the DCI-P3 (Saturated) colour space, the display on the G82 has an average deltaE value of 3.5 with 120.3% colour gamut coverage and 908 nits of peak brightness. The display is also biased towards a bit of blue and red hues. All of this goes on to prove that the display is capable of generating a great many colours and can get really bright if needed. Moto G82 review: Build and Design The Moto G82 is pretty thin and lightweight but also very comfortable to hold in the hand with a slightly curved back panel that fits perfectly in the hands. Even though the frame is plastic, it doesnt feel flimsy and theres a nice pattern on the back which is also home to a lot of fingerprints and smudges. The volume buttons are positioned slightly higher than normal which could be an issue for those with small hands. Otherwise, its built for daily use and will survive the wear and tear easily. It also comes with a pre-applied protective case, so no complaints there. Moto G82 review: Verdict There are many reasons to buy this phone but none greater than the fact that it runs stock Android 12 yet it lets you customize the little things like fonts, colours, icons, themes and more as a part of the MyUX personalization features. The user interface is clean, slick and a breeze to use. The Moto G82 is a great mid-range phone for its asking price. Its a got a beautiful display and a powerful processor that offers smooth performance and its cameras are at par if not better than the competing phones like Note 11 Pro Plus. The battery life remains another great feature of the G82, but you are getting faster charging speeds on the Redmi phone. Yet, the Moto G82 is a strong contender against the Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus this year with its fairly balanced set of features and value on offer. Subscriber content preview VANCOUVER, Clark County (AP) The City Council in Vancouver has passed a measure that would make it illegal to picket outside the homes of city employees and elected officials. Opponents of the move called it an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights. . . . Xi, Georgian president exchange congratulations on 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties Xinhua) 13:09, June 09, 2022 BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Georgian counterpart, Salome Zurabishvili, exchanged congratulations Thursday on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Georgia diplomatic relations. In his message, Xi pointed out that China and Georgia are traditional friendly and cooperative partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have made solid progress in cooperation in various fields, conducted effective communication and coordination in international affairs and promoted the sound and stable development of bilateral relations, Xi said. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two peoples have helped each other in earnest to overcome difficulties, leaving a fine story of solidarity against the pandemic, he said. Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Georgia relations and is ready to work with President Zurabishvili to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to push for more results in China-Georgia relations and bilateral cooperation in various fields, so as to deliver benefits to the two countries and two peoples. Zurabishvili, for her part, said that Georgia is actively committed to developing friendly relations with China and is willing to work with China to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote common prosperity of the two countries. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) South Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations Cho Hyun speaks during a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly after China and Russia vetoed new sanctions on North Korea in the U.N. Security Council, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, June 8. Reuters-Yonhap South Korea's top representative to the U.N. called on North Korea, Wednesday, to stop its provocative activities and engage in dialogue. Ambassador Cho Hyun made the remarks in a U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York to discuss the recent failure of the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution regarding North Korea. "We are here today to debate the outcome of the Security Council meeting held on May 26. It is with deep regret that the Security Council, for the first time in handling the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile programs since 2006, has failed to respond to the DPRK's serious provocations," Cho told the meeting, according to a transcript of his remarks released later by the South Korean mission to the world body. "We urge the DPRK to stop such provocative actions, abide by all relevant Security Council Resolutions, and respond to the call for dialogue and peace on the Korean Peninsula through complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization," he added. Peck Kyong-ran, the commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) speaks during a press conference at the agency's office in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Thursday. Courtesy of KDCA By Lee Hyo-jin Imposing an entry ban on travelers of foreign nationality could be reviewed in the event of the emergence of more fatal COVID-19 variants or new infectious diseases, according to the newly-appointed commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Peck Kyong-ran, Thursday. "The transmission characteristics of a new variant, if it emerges, will be highly uncertain. And if a new strain is found to be more fatal than the Delta variant, an entry ban on foreign arrivals could be fundamentally necessary," she said during a press briefing held at the KDCA office in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, the first such event since Peck took office in May. In the early stages of the pandemic, Peck, who was then serving as the director of the Korea Society of Infectious Diseases and a professor at Samsung Medical Center, had called on the government immediately to ban the entry of foreign nationals, citing a lack of medical resources to treat them. "The doctors are exhausted from treating our people (Koreans). We don't have resources left to treat foreign patients," she wrote on Facebook in March 2020, fueling the notion that some foreign nationals had entered Korea with the distinct purpose of receiving COVID-19 treatment. She added, "A foreigner was hospitalized and the patient requested an interpreter service. So the nurses had to buy a translator device." In response to The Korea Times' query about whether her thoughts remain unchanged, she said, "The situation was very different back then. There were so many uncertainties about the disease. We did not know exactly how the virus is transmitted, nor did we have a medical system to respond to a surge in patients." She explained that imposing an entry ban on foreign nationals could have bought time for the government to be better prepared for the pandemic. Peck went on to say that although the virus situation is relatively stable for now, the government could consider banning the entry of foreign arrivals if a more fatal variant than Delta emerges in the future. Meanwhile, Peck said that her agency will introduce COVID-19 response measures based on scientific data, using the information accumulated over the last couple of years. "We will establish a big data platform to gather data on infectious diseases, and come up with more tailored, sustainable pandemic response measures to reduce social conflicts," she said. Paek also said that the KDCA will preemptively respond to the possible influx of other infectious diseases such as the Monkeypox virus or acute hepatitis in children that have been reported in other countries. Responding to a question on to what extent the government plans to reveal the tracing data of the country's first patients of the diseases if reported, she said, "We will be extra cautious about the issue of excessively revealing the personal information of patients." She added that although the previous administration's extensive contact tracing tactics played a big role in controlling the virus spread in the early stages of the pandemic, any excessive disclosure of information about patients' movements should be rectified. UK Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused the Prime Minister of taking a wrecking ball to relationships with Ireland and the EU with his controversial plan to unilaterally scrap aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Sir Keir is on a visit to Dublin to meet senior figures in the Irish government to discuss the deepening row over the post-Brexit trading arrangements. Boris Johnsons Government has revealed plans to introduce domestic legislation that would override parts of the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced plans to legislate last month and the Bill is expected to be published in the coming days. This week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned that a UK Government move to legislate to override parts of the protocol would represent a historic low point in recent Anglo-Irish relations. On a visit to Trinity College in Dublin city, Sir Keir said: As someone who cares deeply about the relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom, Im concerned about the comments that have been made. Of course there are challenges with the protocol, but I think that we have faced much greater challenges than that in our shared history and I think we can deal with the remaining issues. Weve faced bigger problems than this. With good faith, statecraft and trust around the negotiating table, which is what a Labour government would bring, these problems can be overcome. But a Prime Minister without those attributes taking a wrecking ball to the relationship is not going to help anybody. Trust is very important in all of this and this Prime Minister does not have the trust, or I fear he doesnt have the trust, to negotiate in the way that I actually think would lead to a solution to the problems. Post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland will dominate discussions when Sir Keir meets with Irish political leaders in Dublin. He also visited the Irelands oldest library at Trinity College and the Book of Kells exhibition. Commenting on the prospect of the UK Government unilaterally scrapping parts of the protocol, Sir Keir said the Labour Party believed in upholding international law. There are challenges that need to be overcome but I start, and the Labour Party starts, with the principle that we believe in and will always uphold the Good Friday Agreement, and we believe in and will abide by international law, he added. The single biggest barrier at the moment is a Prime Minister who doesnt have those attributes, who is distracted, is divided, hes doing everything he can to save his own skin rather than focusing on the issue here, which is how do we get people around negotiating table, flexibility on both sides so we can overcome the remaining problems. Sir Keir said there is a long shared history between Ireland and the United Kingdom, adding that the Good Friday Agreement is one of the proudest achievements of the last Labour government. I am here to assure everyone I speak to, of our renewed commitment to the Good Friday Agreement which is as relevant today as it was the day it was signed and to make the commitment against the backdrop of a Government led by Boris Johnson which is divided and frankly taking a wrecking ball to relations between Ireland and the UK, he added. The Labour leader is also meeting President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin later on Thursday. His first visit to Ireland while at the helm of the Opposition comes as the UK Government proposes controversial legislation to override the Northern Ireland Protocol. Sir Keir, who will visit Belfast as part of the trip, is also meeting with Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. The leader of the Irish Labour Party Ivana Bacik will also hold a meeting with Sir Keir in the Irish capital. On Friday, the Labour leader will be in Belfast to meet political leaders in Stormont, where he is expected to call for compromise and negotiation to end the political deadlock over the return of the powersharing Executive. Cllr John Reilly tabled a motion at the Dundalk Municipal District June meeting, calling on Louth County Council to make the Dungooley Crossroads at Dungooley in north Louth, a four way stop in the interest of road safety. Cllr Reilly expressed his concerns at the meeting in relation to a recent car accident at the junction which saw emergency services from both sides of the border being dispatched to deal with it. He told the meeting that for a rural location, it has high volumes of traffic going through the junction en route to the M1 motorway from the north of Ireland, and the village of Forkhill with traffic heading onto the Armagh road. The response provided to Cllr Reilly from Catherine Duff, Director of Services, Operations, was that Louth County Council "would not recommend implementing a four way stop at the junction". She stated that "four way stop arrangements are rare in Ireland and there is no national standard/guidance in relation to them. Recorded accident statistics for this junction show five minor injury and two material damage accidents for this junction over the 15 year period 2002-2017." Ms Duff went on to say that "there is advance warning signage and stop signage in place as appropriate on the L3113 at Dungooley Cross and we can arrange for existing line markings to be refreshed if necessary. We have also added the L3113/L7105 to the queue for placement of traffic counter so that we can collect traffic volume and speed data in order to obtain a fuller picture of the traffic using these roads." She added that they have recommended that the location be referred to the local authority's Road Safety Officer, Adrian O'Sullivan to raise with An Garda Siochana, whose opinion and information would help make the best informed decision. Cllr Reilly told the meeting that he has communicated with the Garda station in Hackballscross, who he says agree about changing the junction in the long-term interest of safety. He added that he lives 600 metres from Marmion's Cross which is now a four way stop, which he says leaves the junction considerably safer. His comment was supported by Cllr Conor Keelan at the meeting, who said that the four way stop at Marmion's Cross "works well." Popular TV presenter Brian Dowling and husband, DWTS judge Arthur Gourounlian celebrated the launch of the 2022 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, encouraging community leaders in Louth to apply for funding at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou. Now in its twelfth year, the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is continuing to take steps to create a nation of change champions, with grants totalling 100,000 now available to charities, community groups and non-profit organisations across the island of Ireland, committed to helping young people take a more active role in the creation of sustainable communities. Having grown up in a small village in Co. Kildare, Brian has seen first-hand the influence local community programmes can have on the future of young people, while husband and world-renowned choreographer Arthur had his own experience as a 12-year-old refugee, having escaped the war in his hometown of Armenia. Commenting on the importance of this years Coca-Coca Thank You Fund, Brian said: As the eldest of seven, Ive always felt a sense of responsibility for my sisters, and in more recent years for all our nieces and nephews. The grants made available through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund are safeguarding programmes like this one here in Drogheda, that are delivering education, encouraging diversity and inclusivity in all our communities and empowering young people to take a more active role in caring for the environment, so if youre a community leader with an idea that needs funding to get it off the ground, I really would encourage you to apply. Agnese Filippi, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland went on to say; Life skills, good values and positive routines are passed down from generation to generation, but with so many young people isolated from their network in recent years, through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund were seeking to invest in youth orientated organisations across the island of Ireland that are supporting the next generation of change champions. Its never been more important to empower our young people with the dispositions and skills they need to take a more active role in the creation of sustainable communities, so were delighted to be in a position to once again this year fund programmes and projects that are committed and aligned to this mission across the island of Ireland. Since 2011 weve donated over 1.2 million to 120 charities, community groups and non-profit organisations and with the help of our fantastic Coca-Cola Thank You Fund launch ambassadors Brian and Arthur and the continued support of our long-standing partners, Irish Youth Foundation and YouthAction Northern Ireland, we hope to inspire local leaders seeking funding to apply. Operated in partnership with YouthAction Northern Ireland and supporting partner Irish Youth Foundation (IYF), Lucy Masterson, Chief Executive of the Irish Youth Foundation closed by saying; As we look to the future, we also look to an entirely new tool kit of skills that our young people need in order to navigate it. With the increased demand on services, the innovative approach of local leaders at the heart of their communities is making vital support services more accessible, but also helping to breakdown those barriers of engagement that weve seen as a result of the pandemic. With a shared commitment to improving the future for young people, were delighted to once again be part of this years Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, and part of a solution that will see 100K in funding directly invested in the development of sustainable communities. Assessed under the categories of education and training, diversity and inclusion and those that take an innovative approach to caring for our environment, applications for funding can be submitted via www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou until midnight on Wednesday 20th July. Applicants are encouraged to visit the website to see full details of the conditions of entry. Leaders of the shortlisted projects will once again be invited to attend a special skills and networking workshop empowering them with top tips on how to pitch their project and apply for funding, before presenting their ideas to a panel of judges in September. Communities will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite project from the shortlisted organisations as the Peoples Choice Award returns, with successful 2022 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund recipients to be announced in the autumn. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The United Nations Security Council meets on threats to international peace and security, June 8, at the United Nations headquarters. AP-Yonhap China and Russia defended their vetoes of a strongly backed U.S resolution that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea at a first-ever General Assembly meeting Wednesday that is now required for any measure that sparks a veto in the Security Council by one of its five permanent members. The close allies reiterated their opposition to more sanctions, blaming the United States for rising tensions on the Korean peninsula and insisting that what's needed now is dialogue between North Korea and the Biden administration. Nearly 70 countries signed up to speak at the open meeting which General Assembly President Abdalla Shahid hailed as making the U.N. more efficient and accountable. ''It is with good reason that it has been coined as revolutionary by several world leaders I have recently met,'' he said. Denmark's U.N. Ambassador Martin Bille Hermann told the 193-member world body as he started his address on behalf of the Nordic countries: ''History is being made today.'' The Security Council is entrusted with ensuring international peace and security, he said, and the use of a veto to prevent the council from discharging its duties ''is a matter of great concern.'' The General Assembly's adoption of a resolution April 26 requiring a debate on the issue not only gives the country or countries casting a veto to explain their reason but it gives all U.N. member nations ''a welcome opportunity to share our views on the matter at hand,'' Hermann said. A united Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea's first nuclear weapon test in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking so far unsuccessfully to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and cut off funding. The 13-2 Security Council vote, May 26, marked a first serious division among its five veto-wielding permanent members China, Russia, the United States, Britain and France on a North Korea sanctions resolution. On Sunday, North Korea launched eight short-range missiles in what appeared to be a single-day record for the country's ballistic launches. It was the reclusive north Asian country's 18th series of missile tests in 2022 that included its first launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles in nearly five years. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis told the assembly the record number of launches have taken place as North Korea ''is finalizing preparations for a potential seventh nuclear test.'' Foreign Minister Park Jin / Yonhap Foreign Minister Park Jin will make his first visit to the United States since taking office next week, his ministry said Thursday. During his four-day trip from Sunday, he plans to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington D.C., it added. This will be the first face-to-face talks between the top diplomats of the allies since the May 10 launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. The two sides are expected to focus on North Korea issues and measures to follow up on a set of agreements that Yoon and President Joe Biden reached during their Seoul summit last month. (Yonhap) South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup departed for Singapore on Thursday to attend an annual security forum, where North Korea's military threats, Russia's war in Ukraine and China's assertiveness are expected to take center stage. The three-day Shangri-La Dialogue is scheduled to open Friday, with the attendance of senior officials from more than 40 countries, including the United States, China, Britain, Australia, Canada, Japan and Ukraine, according to Seoul officials. The forum consists of seven key plenary sessions, including those on the U.S.' Indo-Pacific strategy, China's vision for regional order, military modernization and the management of "geopolitical competition in a multipolar region." During Sunday's sixth session on "common challenges" in the Asia-Pacific and Europe, Lee plans to explain the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's policy on North Korea and its Indo-Pacific strategy framework currently in the making. Seoul's envisioned Indo-Pacific strategy is expected to entail more comprehensive elements for regional security, economic and diplomatic cooperation beyond its previous focus on deepening ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, observers said. On the margins of the forum, Lee is set to hold bilateral and trilateral meetings with his counterparts. On Saturday, Lee is scheduled to meet bilaterally with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and attend trilateral talks with Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. Lee and Kishi have no plan to hold bilateral talks, according to the officials. During the forum, Lee also plans to meet bilaterally with his counterparts from China, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the Netherlands and the European Union. The back-to-back talks are expected to focus on cooperation in coping with the North's evolving nuclear and missile threats. Last weekend, the North fired eight short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea in its 18th show of force this year. The latest provocation came amid speculation the North could conduct what will be its seventh nuclear test at its Punggye-ri testing site. The Shangri-La Dialogue, launched in 2002, is hosted by a British research institute, the International Institute for Strategic Studies. (Yonhap) A firefighting helicopter puts out fires near Gangneung, Gangwon Province, March 6, as a series of wildfires burned some 15,420 hectares of woodland. A court sentenced a 60-year-old man to 12 years in prison Thursday for starting the fires that left more than 4,000 hectares of woodland on the east coast devastated. Yonhap A court sentenced a 60-year-old man to 12 years in prison Thursday for starting a fire in March that left more than 4,000 hectares of woodland on the east coast devastated. The man, surnamed Lee, allegedly set fire to a forest in the east coastal city of Gangneung, 168 kilometers east of Seoul, in the early morning of March 5, as well as his home, empty houses and warehouses there. Driven by strong winds and a dry spell, the blaze spread rapidly, burning six houses and 1,455 hectares of woodland in Gangneung, as well as 74 houses and 2,735 hectares of forestland in the nearby city of Donghae. It remains one of the most devastating wildfires on record in Korea, with the combined damages reaching nearly 40 billion won ($31.8 million). Investigations blamed Lee's accumulated animosity toward neighbors and paranoia reinforced by seclusion for the arson offence. "Victims sustained massive damages without knowing the reason, and the damages still remain," the court said, delivering the prison sentence on charges of violating the Forest Protection Act. (Yonhap) A MAJOR train frequency boost on the Cork to Cobh and Cork to Midleton lines has been announced in what Iarnrod Eireann has described as the start of a decade of delivery for Cork. From Monday July 18, with the approval and support of the National Transport Authority (NTA), Iarnrod Eireann will double the number of weekday trains operating during daytime off-peak on both lines from every 60 minutes each way currently, to the current peak frequency of every 30 minutes, to/from both Cobh and Midleton. With both services sharing the line between Glounthaune and Corks Kent Station, a turn-up-and-go frequency of every 15 minutes each way between 6:45am and 7:45pm will be provided for the communities of Glounthaune and Little Island. 32 extra train services In total, 32 extra train services will operate every weekday on the Cork commuter network. The doubling in off-peak frequency will make the commuter rail in Cork more useful for more people, the chief executive of the NTA, Anne Graham said. It will make it easier to get around and open up this part of East Cork to greater numbers of locals and visitors alike. Improvement in the commuter rail offering was a key component in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS). While todays announcement is just the beginning, it is a clear signal of intent on the part of NTA and Iarnrod Eireann that delivering for the people of Cork by implementing the Strategy, is now the priority, she continued. Iarnrod Eireanns chief executive, Jim Meade echoed this sentiment. We are beginning to bring to life the vision of Corks commuter rail network as set out under CMATS. Having worked with the Minister for Transport and his Department officials, the National Transport Authority, and Cork local authorities and the wider community in developing these transformative plans, we now embark on what we believe will be a decade of delivery for Cork, he said. Changes welcomed Cork Chamber warmly welcomed the introduction of more frequent suburban rail services by from Glounthane and Little Island into the city every 15 minutes. "This move to more frequent services is crucial to getting Cork commuters out of their cars and on to public transport, with trains running every 15 minutes from July at the peak morning commuting period. We look forward to seeing the same level of service rolled out across the whole Cork suburban rail commuter network in the short term and the move to a more frequent 30 minute service from Cobh and Midleton is also really welcome," Cork Chamber CEO, Conor Healy said. "The Chamber is determined that the new planned commuter rail stations along the lines to the north and east of the city, towards Blarney and Midleton are completed in a short time frame, and that funding is made available by central government that these lines can then be electrified to provide more frequent high speed rail services for the whole metropolitan area, he continued. Mr Healy also said that central government needs to green light funding for the order of electric trains as soon as possible for Cork. We look forward to seeing the rapid development of a fast, frequent and electrified suburban commuter rail network across the Cork metropolitan area. It is key to cutting emissions and building a more liveable and sustainable Cork city region, he added. Essential works Ahead of the introduction of the frequency boost on the Cork to Cobh and Cork to Midleton lines, Iarnrod Eireann will undertake essential track and bridge works at a number of locations between Cork and Cobh/Midleton. The company has advised that this will necessitate the closure of both lines from July 2-17. An hourly bus substitute service will be provided during these dates, each way between both Cork and Cobh, and Cork and Midleton. Iarnrod Eireann has said full details of arrangements will be confirmed to customers in advance of these works. A NATIONAL exercise evaluation of the Irish Defence Forces is taking place in Kilworth Camp in Cork this week, under the supervision of NATO. The 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment (BAR) is being assessed by NATO to ensure that its tactics, techniques, and procedures are in line with best practice and NATO standards. The military exercise evaluation is part of NATOs Operational Capability Concept (OCC) programme, a voluntary programme that the Irish Defence Forces have been involved in since 2016. Involvement with the programme is primarily about standardisation of equipment and procedures, and the Irish Defence Forces have already had three exercise evaluations involving our land, maritime and special forces. OCC is designed to assist those NATO partner nations who aspire to improve their national militaries by measuring their performance against a wide catalogue of NATO standards, said a spokesperson for the Irish Defence Forces. A nation which engages in NATO OCC military exercise evaluation is improving its overall military capability, is reinforcing its force protection measures and is ultimately strengthening its national defence, they added. This week, from June 6 to 9 , the 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment is conducting a Defence Forces led self-evaluation known as a SEL. They will continue training until November, when they undergo NATO led evaluation. Irelands role as a NATO partner dates back to 1999 when Ireland joined NATOs Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. The Defence Forces spokesperson said participation in PfP is seen as fundamental to Ireland being able to meet its obligations in providing professional peacekeepers for international crisis management, and peacekeeping operations mandated by the UN, and in enhancing the Defence Forces interoperability with other professional military forces. Ireland is currently a participant in a NATO-led and UN-mandated PSO mission in KFOR (Kosovo). By Dominic McGrath, PA Keir Starmer will meet with political leaders in Dublin on Thursday, with the ongoing row over post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland expected to dominate discussions. The UK Labour leader will arrive in Dublin on Wednesday evening for a dinner with the British-Irish Chamber, before meeting President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Thursday. It will be his first visit to Ireland as the leader of the opposition in the UK parliament. Mr Starmer, who will visit Belfast as part of the trip, will also meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe. The leader of the Labour Party Ivana Bacik will also hold a meeting with Mr Starmer in Dublin. On Friday, Mr Starmer will be in Belfast to meet political leaders in Stormont, where he is expected to call for compromise and negotiation to end the political deadlock over the return of the powersharing Executive. The Biden administration announced new steps to protect the nations oceans in honor of both National Ocean Month and World Ocean Day. These measures include the creation of a new national marine sanctuary and a long-awaited phaseout of single-use plastics from national parks and public lands. During National Ocean Month, we celebrate the beauty and bounty of our ocean and reaffirm our commitment to protecting and conserving our marine environments for a sustainable future, President Joe Biden said, according to a White House fact sheet announcing the new measures. The administration said that it had begun the process to designate the deepest Atlantic canyon in the U.S. as a national marine sanctuary. Hudson Canyon is a biodiversity hotspot about 100 miles off the New York and New Jersey coasts. It is two to 2.5 miles deep and provides habitat for cold-water coral, sperm whales, sea turtles and other endangered or vulnerable species. It also stretches 7.5 miles wide, and The Washington Post compared it to the Grand Canyon in scale. Protecting it works towards the administrations goal of protecting 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. A sanctuary near one of the most densely populated areas of the Northeast U.S. would connect diverse communities across the region to the ocean and the canyon in new and different ways, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration head Rick Spinrad said in a statement reported by The Washington Post. As someone who grew up in New York City and went on to a career in ocean science, I am excited about how this amazing underwater environment can inspire shared interest in conserving our ocean. On this #WorldOceansDay, the @WhiteHouse has announced an important series of steps to conserve and restore the ocean. At @NOAA we're excited to seek public comment on a potential new national marine sanctuary in Hudson Canyon off the coast of NY and NJ. https://t.co/k8OJ9X6Y35 Rick Spinrad, NOAA (@rickspinradnoaa) June 8, 2022 In an effort to reduce the amount of ocean plastic, the administration also announced that Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will issue Secretarys Order 3407, according to the White House fact sheet. This order will reduce the amount of single-use plastic purchased, sold and distributed at national parks and other public lands, with a goal of phasing these products out entirely by 2032. The announcement comes nearly a year after more than 300 businesses and organizations wrote a letter to Haaland asking for a national-parks plastic ban. The move is also supported by 82 percent of registered U.S. voters surveyed by Oceana. Our national parks, by definition, are protected areas ones that Americans have loved for their natural beauty and history for over a century and yet we have failed to protect them from plastic for far too long, Oceanas plastics campaign director Christy Leavitt said in a statement emailed to EcoWatch. The Department of Interiors single-use plastic ban will curb millions of pounds of unnecessary disposable plastic in our national parks and other public lands, where it can end up polluting these special areas. We applaud President Biden and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for recognizing the devastating impact single-use plastic is having on our planet and taking meaningful action to keep this persistent pollutant out of our oceans and communities. We urge the secretary and Interior Department to move swiftly to carry out these changes to protect our parks from single-use plastic. The Biden administration made other announcements for World Oceans Day. These include: The beginning of a partnership between the federal government and Indigenous Tribes to manage the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area. The development of a government-wide Ocean Climate Action Plan that will coordinate marine efforts to adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis, such as green shipping and marine carbon storage. The release of an Environmental Justice Position Statement from the interagency Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology. The U.S.s newly-minted membership in the UN Environment Program Clean Seas Campaign, which officially began place June 3. The White House also said that more oceanic announcements would be made by different federal agencies throughout the month. The Biden-Harris Administrations ongoing work to harness the clean energy potential of the ocean, conserve and restore its health and productivity, and lead the world toward sustainable ocean policies is informed and motivated by an understanding that a healthy ocean is indispensable to our economy, our health, and to our climate, the White House fact sheet read. The electric car of Dresden, Germany's Mayor Dirk Hilbert, a Volkswagen ID4, drives to the charging station in the courtyard of the city hall on May 11, 2022. Robert Michael / picture alliance via Getty Images The European Parliament has voted in favor of effectively banning the sale of new fossil fuel-powered cars in the European Union (EU) beginning in 2035. The vote confirms the support the lawmakers expressed last year for the European Commissions proposal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles by 100 percent by 2035, reported Reuters. The vote comes ahead of talks with EU member countries about the final law, which is part of a larger bundle of climate change measures. European Parliament Environment Committee Chair Pascal Canfin, a French Member of the European Parliament (MEP), said stopping the sale of emissions-producing vehicles was a historic decision that will lead us towards a new era of climate neutrality. It is a major victory, The Guardian reported. The vote rejected an amendment that would have included 90 percent of cars instead of the agreed upon 100 percent. MEPs also rejected a proposed amendment to allow automakers to purchase credits for e-fuels synthetic fuels consisting of sequestered carbon and hydrogen from renewable sources reported Bloomberg. We dont think that politicians should decide if the electric vehicles or synthetic fuels are the best choice. I personally believe that most consumers will buy an electrical car if we give them the necessary infrastructure and thats what we need to do, said German lawmaker Peter Liese, as CNN Business reported. The final law part of the EUs Green Deal has yet to be negotiated between MEPs and ministers from the 27 EU member governments, reported The Guardian. MEPs also voted not to overhaul the European Unions emissions trading system (ETS), which is one of the EUs main policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The environment committee of the European Parliament proposed the energy and industrial divisions of the ETS should cut their emissions by 67 percent by the end of the decade as compared to 2005 levels, but the European Commission suggested a reduction of 61 percent. When the modifications to the ETS were rejected, two other climate-related policy votes were postponed and will be sent back to the environment committee to attempt to find a compromise. It is essential that we get the emissions trading system right. ETS, as the biggest climate policy instrument, only works if we have ambitious targets for significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, said member of the Swedish Green Party Jakop Dalunde, as The Guardian reported. Scientists have recently sounded the alarm that the levels of carbon dioxide in the Earths atmosphere are currently 50 percent above pre-industrial levels. The EU has a goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030. The European Commission said that EU member countries would be required to increase their capacity to charge electric vehicles in order to help with the shift, reported CNN Business. On major highways, charging stations will be installed every 37.3 miles, and the minimum gas and diesel fuel tax rate will be increased, reported Bloomberg. While new gas and diesel vehicles would be banned by the new law, car owners wouldnt have to give up their old vehicles. This regulation encourages the production of zero-emission vehicles, said MEP from the Netherlands Jan Huitema, as Bloomberg reported. Im very relieved and happy with the outcome, said Huitema, who led in the drafting of the policy, as reported by CNN Business. By Brett Wilkins The critical importance of reducing global methane emissions, including those generated by the fossil fuel industry, is more significant than previously understood, according to a report published Thursday by the United Nations Environment Program. The new global methane assessment concludes that slashing a pollutant that is 84 to 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period is a crucial step needed to tackle the climate emergency. According to the report, cutting methane emissions dramatically is relatively inexpensive and could be accomplished by repairing leaking fossil fuel pipelines, preventing natural gas venting during drilling, capturing gas emitted by landfills, and reducing animal agriculture. Reducing human-caused methane emissions is one of the most cost-effective strategies to rapidly reduce the rate of warming and contribute significantly to global efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5C, an executive summary of the report states, referring to the more ambitious goal of the Paris climate agreement. To reach the #ParisAgreement 1.5C target, we must reduce methane emissions in 3 sectors: ?Fossil Fuels: 60% ?Waste: 30-35% ?Agriculture: 20-25% New @CCACoalition / UNEP assessment shows how this can be done quickly and cost-effectively.#CutMethane https://t.co/KOUfDJB5UV UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) May 6, 2021 Available targeted methane measures, together with additional measures that contribute to priority development goals, can simultaneously reduce human-caused methane emissions by as much as 45%, or 180 million tonnes a year (Mt/yr), by 2030, the summary continues. This will avoid nearly 0.3C of global warming by the 2040s and complement all long-term climate change mitigation efforts. It would also, each year, prevent 255,000 premature deaths, 775 000 asthma-related hospital visits, 73 billion hours of lost labor from extreme heat, and 26 million tonnes of crop losses globally, it adds. In a statement announcing the new report, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said that cutting methane is the strongest lever we have to slow climate change over the next 25 years and complements necessary efforts to reduce carbon dioxide. Methane pollution is fueling the #ClimateCrisis, & the latest data from @CCACoalition and @UNEP shows that global methane levels are at an all-time high. The U.S. can #CutMethane from the oil & gas sector 65% by 2025 if we take action now. More at https://t.co/QkrnyL4by9 pic.twitter.com/HUPWjfZzd5 Climate Nexus (@ClimateNexus) May 6, 2021 As Common Dreams reported last month, a study published by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed that both carbon and methane emissions rose in 2020 to levels unseen on Earth for more than three million years, despite the temporary reduction in global emissions due to the coronavirus pandemic. The benefits to society, economies, and the environment are numerous and far outweigh the cost, Andersen said Thursday. We need international cooperation to urgently reduce methane emissions as much as possible this decade. It is absolutely critical that we tackle methane and that we tackle it expeditiously, she stressed. Environmental groups weighed in on the new report, with Center for Biological Diversity population and sustainability director Stephanie Feldstein noting the impact of animal agriculture on methane emissions. Methane from meat and dairy production has been ignored for far too long even though its a leading source of climate pollution, Feldstein said in a statement. Americans eat three times the global average of meat. We cant lower methane emissions with unproven half-measures that cater to the ag industry. We have to reduce meat consumption and production if were going to effectively address agricultural methane. Reposted with permission from Common Dreams. Rhyu Si-min, a liberal commentator and former chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, speaks to reporters before attending his sentencing hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, June 9. Yonhap Rhyu Si-min, a former health minister and an influential liberal commentator, was fined 5 million won ($4,000) by a court Thursday for defamatory comments made years ago about Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. The Seoul Western District Court handed out the monetary penalty after convicting Rhyu of defaming Han by making false remarks about him in public between 2019 and 2020 when the minister was serving as a senior prosecutor. Rhyu, who formerly headed a foundation memorializing the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, was indicted in May last year for alleging on his YouTube channel in December 2019 and in a media interview in July 2020 that a prosecution department led by Han at that time illegally accessed his personal bank account and that of the foundation sometime between late November and early December 2019. Han, picked last month by President Yoon Suk-yeol as his administration's first justice minister, was serving as head of the Supreme Prosecutors Office's Anti-Corruption and Organized Crimes Department when Rhyu alleged the illegal accessing of the accounts occurred. "(Han) appears to have suffered considerable psychological pain from the defendant's remarks, as he was painted as a prosecutor who abused his investigative power for an unjust purpose," the Seoul court said, noting Rhyu may have considerable influence in the formation of public opinion, particularly as a YouTuber with more than 1 million subscribers. In a previous court hearing, prosecutors demanded a one-year prison term for Rhyu. Leaving the courtroom, Rhyu told reporters that he respects the ruling but will appeal to seek an acquittal. Han met reporters at his office before the sentencing hearing but declined to comment, saying it was not appropriate for him, as a minister, to speak on personal litigation matters. (Yonhap) France lifts restrictions on poultry farming The French ministry of Agriculture and Food announced that bird flu-related restrictions on poultry farming across the country would be lifted, citing a halt in outbreaks, Reuters reported. The recent bird flu outbreak was the country's worst ever, resulting in the culling of 16 million birds. In early May, the European Union's second largest poultry producer eased restrictions in much of the country, including keeping birds inside, but kept those restrictions in the worst-affected areas. Since then, only four outbreaks on farms have been detected, with none since May 17, prompting the ministry to reduce the risk level assessment for the entire country to "negligible," according to the ministry. Governments and the worldwide poultry industry are concerned over the effects of bird flu spreading, which includes potential trade restrictions, flocks destroyed, and possible risk of human transmission. Following a first wave that resulted in the culling of approximately 4 million birds, mostly ducks, in southwestern France, the country faced outbreaks further north on the Atlantic coast, which were thought to have been brought by returning wild birds. find out more Since late November, France has recorded 1,378 bird flu outbreaks. The region of Pays de Loire, France's second-largest poultry producer, was the hardest hit. Millions of chickens and laying hens were culled, resulting in a drop in output and a spike in egg prices. According to the ministry, some sanitary measures will be in place around the worst-affected areas. - Reuters Average pork prices in China edged up last week China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said the average pork price in the country tracked from May 30 to June 2 was CNY 21.03 (~US$3.16; CNY 1 = US$0.15) per kg, up 0.1% week-on-week, Xinhua News Agency reported. The price was down 5.3% compared to a year ago. China has implemented a three-tiered early-warning system to warn of excessive swine price swings. To maintain the stability of hog production capacity, livestock farms and households in China are advised to make reasonable production and operation decisions. The China Merchandise Reserve Management Centre recently said that the country will purchase 40,000 tonnes of frozen pork for its state reserves. - Xinhua News Agency A memorial Mass celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, the first Korean native Catholic priest, is held at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Aug. 21, 2021. Yonhap The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul has made a public apology for the recent controversy over possible transactions of the remains of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, the first native Korean Catholic priest. "We apologize to all people who are concerned about recent news on relics of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon," the Archdiocese said in a press release Wednesday. The apology came as the whereabouts of Kim's physical remains have come into the spotlight since a fragment of his spine was put on sale through an online e-commerce platform in March. Some cited that the Code of Canon Law strictly bans the sale of sacred relics without the permission of the Vatican. The debate heated up with the recent revelation of a church report published in 1996. The report showed that some 141 institutions and clergy, including a church of the Archdiocese of Seoul, had been given a fragment of Kim's body as of 1996. A separate paper said his remains have been scattered to a total of 209 places, including 40 churches or religious institutions, with more than 160 Catholic priests and followers having obtained a physical relic of the saint. The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul started a comprehensive investigation into its 150 member churches last year to check whether they have the physical relics. It said out of 103 chapels under its jurisdiction that enshrine relics of Catholic saints, 85 of them have Kim's remains. "We've distributed the relics to church officials in accordance with our practice and tradition," it said. "We've checked their names on a list of receivers, but it's incomplete due to the lack of detailed personal information." The organization also admitted that a fragment of Kim's remains was stolen from a chapel in 1983. "We found out that a relic of St. Kim Tae-gon was stolen in 1983 while on display at a church," it said. The Seoul Archdiocese said it will re-issue certificates to those who possess part of Kim's remains in a bid to keep close tabs on preservation of sacred remains and prevent further transactions. Born in 1821, St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon was ordained as the first Korean priest in 1845. But he was persecuted and executed for practicing Christianity the following year. He was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Korea in 1984. The Korean Catholic church celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. Kim last year, carrying out various memorial events and campaigns, including pilgrimage programs and special services across the country. (Yonhap) Microsoft has announced a handful of significant changes for employee contracts and agreements that would scrap some of the most controversial workplace policies in tech. To start with, the tech giant will no longer add non-compete clauses in its contracts for employees in the US and will not enforce it for most of its current staff. Only employees in senior leadership roles, such as partners and executives, will have to sign and comply with non-compete agreements. That means most employees in the US will be free to look for jobs with other companies considered as Microsoft competitors, such as Google. "While our existing employee agreements have noncompete obligations, we do not endorse the use of such provisions as a retention tool. We have heard concerns that the noncompetition clauses in some U.S. employee agreements, even when rarely and reasonably enforced, feel at odds with our talent principles," Microsoft explained in its announcement. The company is also ending another controversial practice: Having workers sign agreements with non-disclosure clauses when resolving disputes and providing separation benefits. Historically, NDAs have prevented workers from talking about instances of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. By preventing them from talking, it keeps them from connecting with other employees who may have the same experiences and from banding together to demand real change from the company. As GeekWire notes, Microsoft may have no choice but to implement this change anyway. A new law that makes it illegal for companies to ban workers from talking about "acts of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour violations, and sexual assault" is set to take effect in the Washington state, where Microsoft is based, this week. Microsoft is also increasing pay transparency by publicly disclosing salary ranges in all of its job postings across the US starting in January 2023. Finally, it will go through a civil rights audit that would examine its workplace policies and practices as conducted by a third party. It has committed to complete the audit by fiscal year 2023 and to publish a report of its results. You won't have to settle for PS4-era graphics to play the original The Last of Us on your PS5. As Twitter user Wario64 noticed, the PlayStation Direct online store has prematurely revealed that a The Last of Us Part I remake is coming to PS5 on September 2nd, with a PC version "in development." While there aren't too many details, it's clear this represents a major visual upgrade this isn't just a performance patch or a touch-up. You can also expect "modernized" game mechanics with better combat, control, exploration and accessibility features. The Last of Us Part I (PS5 standard/Firefly Edition) up for preorder at PS Direct ($69.99/$99.99) https://t.co/HTMHHsMi6v trailer: https://t.co/dumiWe62Kj pic.twitter.com/I7HNA3wD2X Wario64 (@Wario64) June 9, 2022 The "rebuilt" game will apparently be available in standard ($70) and special Firefly Edition ($100) copies. The listings were otherwise empty apart from a trailer, and they disappeared while we were writing this. Clearly, Sony wanted to save them for a formal announcement in the near future. The arrival of a Last of Us Part I re-do isn't shocking. Sony and Insomniac are bringing Spider-Man and Miles Morales to PC later this year, and that's on top of existing refreshes and PC ports for titles like God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn. Sony is eager to profit from re-releases of the PlayStation platform's best-known games, and TLOU certainly qualifies for that treatment. Sovereigns scoring worse than Russia on ESG merit investor scrutiny, says Verisk Verisk Maplecroft has called for 'fresh scrutiny' of fifteen states it assigned lower sovereign environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings than Russia for both ethical and credit risk reasons, including Turkey and Egypt. To access this article please sign-in below or register for a free one-month trial. People wait for rescue at an office building in the southeastern city of Daegu, June 9. Yonhap A fire apparently caused by arson killed seven people and injured 50 others at an office building in the southeastern city of Daegu on Thursday, officials said. Police pinpointed a 53-year-old man as the suspected arsonist responsible for the blaze based on CCTV footage. The man was killed at the scene, they said. A broken window is seen at an office building, believed to be the site of an arson attack, in the southeastern city of Daegu, June 9. Yonhap The fire started at around 10:55 a.m. on the second floor of the five-story building housing lawyers' offices in Daegu, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul, according to firefighting officials. The fire killed seven people, including an attorney and five assistants from a law office on the second floor. Fifty others were hurt, suffering burns and inhaling smoke, and 30 of them were sent to nearby hospitals. Many others were evacuated to safety. Police suspect the alleged arsonist set fire to a lawyer's office handling a case involving him. "We are looking into the exact motive after confirming CCTV footage showing him leaving his home earlier in the day carrying something," a police official said. Police said the suspect appears to have been disgruntled by his loss in a lawsuit that he filed seeking to reclaim money invested in a new residential and commercial building project in the city. CCTV footage showed the suspect entering the building holding an unidentified object covered with a white cloth. Police suspect the object may have been flammable material he used to set the fire. Police said sparks flared within 23 seconds after he entered the lawyer's office on the second floor. The building, located close to a district court, houses many lawyers' offices. The building had sprinklers only in the basement, police said. The fire was fully extinguished in 20 minutes, with some 60 fire trucks and 160 firefighting personnel sent to the scene. Paramedics move casualties out of an office building, believed to be the site of an arson attack, in the southeastern city of Daegu, June 9. Yonhap New Zealand released a draft plan to put a price on agricultural emissions in a bid to tackle one of the country's biggest sources of greenhouse gases: belching sheep and cattle. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Ex-San Antonio attorney Christopher Chris Pettit has been sued for allegedly absconding with his former law clients money. Hes landed in bankruptcy and hes surrendered his law license. Hes also dealing with medically related issues, his attorney disclosed during the first hearing in Pettits massive bankruptcy case. Bankruptcy lawyer Michael Colvard declined to reveal his clients medical issues but told a San Antonio judge Wednesday that Pettit was referred to another lawyer who works closely with the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program. The program helps attorneys who have substance use and other mental health issues, according to its website. Hes receiving treatment, Colvard said to Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta. He may be seeking treatment in in-care facilities for those medical conditions. On ExpressNews.com: Embattled San Antonio lawyer, accused of defrauding clients of millions, files huge bankruptcy case Pettit, who specialized in estate planning and personal-injury law, has been sued at least 14 times by former clients who say he stole millions of dollars from them. He has issued general denials to the allegations in some of the cases but has entered into judgments with some plaintiffs agreeing to pay them actual and punitive damages. Pettit and his law firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection June 1, essentially putting a hold on the pending litigation. He listed $27.8 million in assets and $115.2 million in liabilities in his personal bankruptcy, making it one of the largest ever filed in San Antonio. He has given up his law license in lieu of disciplinary action by the State Bar of Texas. Gargotta agreed to the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee who will essentially act as a CEO or manager to shepherd the bankruptcy cases and appoint professionals, including forensic accountants to track down money and other assets for the benefit of Pettits former clients and other creditors. A considerable amount of that money is missing and were talking $50 million or more, Raymond Battaglia, who represents one of Pettits former clients, said during the hearing. It will be up to the U.S Trustees office, which administers bankruptcy cases, to select the trustee. Pettits bankruptcy papers show he owns several residences including a 7,300-square-foot mansion in Disney World thats listed for sale for $8.9 million, and a house at 555 Argyle Ave. in Alamo Heights overlooking Olmos Dam. Its valued at $3.6 million. Pettit is under investigation by the FBI and, according to a source, the Internal Revenue Service. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio lawyer who allegedly looted client accounts of millions surrenders his law license Colvard said that before he agreeed to represent Petitt and his firm, Pettit gave assurances of his cooperation. But it may not be absolute. Mr. Pettit has no intention of waiving his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, Colvard told the judge. At some point in time, (those rights) may be asserted within these proceedings. Im confident youve explained to him the repercussions of invoking the Fifth Amendment in the context of a civil proceeding, and how the court may view that, Gargotta replied. Unlike in a criminal case, a judge in a bankruptcy proceeding can draw an adverse inference from a witness who cites the Fifth Amendment in refusing to answer questions or testify. S.A. VOTES Voter Guide: What to know for the Texas runoff election A breakdown of key state and local races and candidates in the May 24 primary runoff. Pettit also hasnt waived his right to deny the allegations against him, Colvard said. Pettit didnt appear at Wednesdays court hearing. Its possible hell be subpoenaed to appear for future hearings. Gargotta directed him to surrender his passport to Colvard to turn over to the U.S. Trustees office. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio lawyer faces multiple lawsuits for allegedly stealing millions from clients The breadth and scope of Pettits alleged fraud has angered lawyers involved. They say hes left an indelible stain on their profession. Frankly, I believe the State Bar of Texas should be down here cleaning up their own mess, and should be here to help us not have to pay the cost of trying to get money back from him, attorney Dean Greer, who represents some creditors, said during the hearing. Chapter 11 is commonly used by businesses and individuals with large estates to reorganize their debts. There is no expectation that will happen in Pettits case. Theres a possibility that the bankruptcy cases, which have been consolidated into one case, could be converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation. In bankruptcy, the court can grant a discharge that eliminates a debtors legal obligation to repay debts. However, Pettit is preparing to waive his discharge, his lawyer said. pdanner@express-news.net A majority of Texas school teachers and employees dont want to carry a firearm into the classroom or confront a school shooter, according to a statewide survey released Wednesday by a teachers union. The survey, conducted by the Texas American Federation of Teachers, or AFT, found that 77 percent of K-12 teachers and school employees said they were not comfortable being armed, while 23 percent said they were. The teacher's union said 5,100 K-12 teachers and school employees, parents, community leaders and higher education employees participated in the survey, which was conducted a week after the school shooting in Uvalde on May 24 that took the lives of 19 students and two fourth-grade teachers at Robb Elementary School. On ExpressNews.com: What Texas officials got wrong about the Robb Elementary School shooting The number of respondents in the survey who were K-12 teachers or school employees was 4,610, including counselors, paraprofessional educators, nurses, food service workers and bus drivers. Tom Cummins, president of the Bexar County AFT, said the survey confirms what he has been hearing from local teachers and school employees he has spoken to. Our members dont want to be armed, said Cummins, whose union represents teachers and school employees in both the South San Antonio and North East independent school districts. Teachers didnt go into teaching to be a security guard; they want to be teachers. On ExpressNews.com: Uvalde school officials wont say whether Police Chief Pedro Pete Arredondo is still on the job The timing of the survey comes as several state leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have suggested increasing the number of marshal programs in school districts across Texas, according to the Texas Tribune. Created in 2013, the school marshal program allows educators to voluntarily carry weapons on school campuses after undergoing 80 hours of training and a psychological exam. The survey, however, found that an overwhelming number of teachers and school employees support several measures to restrict gun access, including 99 percent who back comprehensive background checks for purchases from gun sellers and 98 percent who want red flag laws passed to stop individuals with extreme emotional or mental health issues from buying or using a gun. Another 96 percent want to raise the minimum age for all legal gun purchases to 21, while 82 percent support rigorous secure storage laws so children cant access guns at their homes or those of their friends. A ban on assault weapons was supported by 83 percent who took the survey. On ExpressNews.com: Thomas J. Henry files suit on behalf of families of students injured in the Uvalde school shooting Cummins said the problem is not with the schools, but that an 18-year-old can legally purchase a gun or assault-style weapon in Texas. The shooter in the Uvalde school massacre, Salvador Ramos, purchased an assault-style rifle on May 17, the day after he turned 18, and purchased a second assault-style rifle three days later, authorities said. Somebody who is angry, they can really, really get a gun, Cummins said. That you can get it at 18 means a student in a high school could skip out during lunch and go buy a gun. Alejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance, an AFT affiliated union representing teachers and school support personnel within the San Antonio Independent School District, said the survey also reflects the viewpoints of local union members. On ExpressNews.com: Out-of-town police in Uvalde block cameras, disrupt coverage of tragedys aftermath As the survey makes clear, educators overwhelmingly support legislation focusing on access to guns, Lopez said. These are all reforms that have overwhelming support not just from our members, but we see broad support across the public for them. Lopez criticized Abbott for his stance on arming more schoolteachers. Honestly, it is absolutely terrifying that instead of thinking of ways he can actually support educators, students and families, Gov. Abbott thinks its appropriate to talk about arming teachers, she said. Instead, Lopez said, more funding is needed for more mental health resources for counselors and social workers and safety measures in schools to protect children, staff and teachers. The survey included 181 responses from SAISD members. The results of the survey can be found on the Texas AFT website. ddekunder@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Several dozen Texas teachers, school employees and union officials argued Tuesday afternoon at a protest in downtown Austin, that teachers should be focused on their students and the curriculum, not target practice or how to stem the bleeding on a child with a gunshot wound. The group met downtown at a union headquarters, marching to a Uvalde memorial on the steps of the Texas Capitol and then to Sen. Ted Cruzs office, who the teachers union identified as having a particularly abominable response to last weeks shooting. Their goal was to call for safer classrooms and tighter gun regulation policies, as well as against the arming of teachers as a way to secure classrooms. Educators are here to teach, not to police, said Zeph Capo, the Texas chapter president of the American Federation of Teachers, which organized the rally. More broadly, many were angered by the idea that it falls to schools to stop mass shootings from occurring, while Republican politicians refused to consider tighter regulations on the firearms used to perpetrate such slayings. For too long, the focus has been on protecting guns, not protecting students, said Dan Wright, a special education teacher with Round Rock ISD, in an interview while walking with the crowd. At the same time, he said he in not hopeful for change given the powerful political forces that defend gun access in this country, and how attached culturally the nation is to guns. Honestly, I dont know. I havent seen it happen. Its failing us, our institutions are failing us. In the post-Uvalde discussions of how to stop future mass shootings, Cruz and other Texas Republicans have focused on school hardening, making the buildings more secure or arming teachers rather than limiting access to the firearms used by mass shooters. Cruz has derided proposals for gun control measures being pushed by Democrats as infringements upon law abiding gun owners that wouldnt stop mass shootings. The elites who dominate our culture, tell us that firearms lie at the root of the problem, Cruz said in a Friday speech at the National Rifle Association conference in Houston. Its a lot easier to moralize about guns and to shriek about those you disagree with politically, but its never been about guns. RECONSTRUCTION: How the Uvalde massacre unfolded Several teachers at the event said its hard to hold onto hope that things will improve given the cycle repeated after past mass shootings: horror, grief, calls to action, fading headlines and finally inaction. I want it to be different, said Tammy Conrad, an elementary school math teacher also with Round Rock ISD. Conrad took a long pause. Yeah, but Im afraid to say that. The 22 kids in Conrads classroom are about the same age as the 19 slaughtered last week in Uvalde, she said, making it all too easy for her to imagine the horror. The day after the shooting, she said she welcomed students into the school building at the front entrance. She studied their faces to try to tell which of them had been told about the Uvalde school shooting, looking for signs of fear or paranoia, but they were hard to read. Teachers were nervous to discuss the shooting even among themselves, away from their students, out of fear of discussing a political issue, Conrad said. Republicans around the country, and notably in Texas, have over the last year identified teachers and the public school system as political actors aiming to brainwash their kids with leftist values such as critical race theory. The Legislature took action to ban discussion of controversial political topics in classrooms without offering the perspective of both sides. One Dallas-area school district interpreted that to mean they couldnt have one-sided discussions about the Holocaust. That state law was opposed by teachers groups and education experts on the grounds that it could whitewash American history and discourage troubling conversations about the way Black people have been treated historically. More recently, school and public libraries have faced huge numbers of book challenges, with adults in the communities saying their kids are being exposed to pornography or inappropriate content. Many of the objections were aimed at award-winning books about race in America or childrens books that promote tolerance for LGBT people. I think there is a sense of we cant take this anymore, Conrad said. While Sen. John Cornyn, Cruzs counterpart, has taken on a leading role among Republicans in negotiating with Democrats to arrive at compromise gun control legislation, Cruz said Friday the real goal of anyone seeking to place additional restrictions on military-style rifles frequently used in mass shootings is disarming America. Gov. Greg Abbott gave a similar message in his videotaped speech played at the NRA conference shortly before Cruz spoke, although in a press conference in Uvalde happening almost simultaneously he also said all options are on the table regarding a potential special session on gun violence, and promised new laws. A spokesperson on Tuesday pointed to Cruzs School Security Enhancement Act, his Protecting Communities Act as examples of legislation to keep our kids safe by improving background checks and securing schools. The GOP in Texas took this approach after the Santa Fe High School shooting in 2018, passing school security policies, mental health programs for schools and a pathway for teachers to arm themselves in class the thinking being that a good guy with a gun could stop a bad one. A recent Houston Chronicle investigation found that Texas school mental health programs remain hugely insufficient. In Uvalde last week the shooter, a teenager with an AR-15 assault-style rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, walked in the unlocked backdoor of a school just as the Santa Fe high school shooter did. Then, he barricaded himself in a fourth grade classroom, outside of which 19 police officers waited for nearly an hour before the room was breached and the shooter killed. edward.mckinley@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate UVALDE Soon after the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School, a spring-loaded glitter bomb packed with rubber fragments went off at Uvalde police headquarters. It injured no one but raised tensions in a city already under siege. Authorities also received what they described as a credible threat that bombs had been placed strategically around town. Police forwarded the threat to the FBI. No bombs were found. On ExpressNews.com: What officials got wrong about Uvalde massacre: a timeline Then people claiming to be journalists entered a funeral home, trying to obtain photos of some of the 19 children killed in the massacre. It was against this backdrop that hundreds of law enforcement officers from across Texas descended on Uvalde, a city of 15,000, to support local police. Dilley Police Chief Homer Delgado, who has been overseeing the out-of-town officers at the request of Uvalde officials, said the accumulated tension helps explain some officers overbearing conduct toward the news media. On ExpressNews.com: Remembering those slain at Robb Elementary Thats not an excuse, he said. Delgado apologized for their conduct and said he has instructed officers to respect journalists First Amendment rights. Some police officers have ordered reporters off public sidewalks, positioned public safety vehicles to blocks photographers cameras and shooed mourners way from journalists all to interfere with coverage of funerals and burials for victims of the mass shooting. Delgado told the Express-News he has told officers under his command that reporters and photographers have a right to stand on public property. On ExpressNews.com: Thomas J. Henry files suit on behalf of Uvalde families Were not there to interfere with the media, he said in an interview. He added, however, that the officers conduct must be viewed in the context of a torrent of threats against police since the massacre. Delgado said hundreds have been received by phone and mail. He said intruders have even scaled the fence at the Uvalde Police Department and tried to break in. An offer of help Dilley is a town of 4,400 people about 60 miles southeast of Uvalde. After the mass shooting, Delgado called Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez and asked what he could do. We are very familiar with the chief and the city of Uvalde, Delgado said. I knew that his people were coping and wanted to see what we could do to help. Delgado and Rodriguez reached out to the Texas Police Chiefs Association to ask for assistance from departments across the state. On May 26, the association issued a formal request for statewide aid. The next day, more than 120 outside law enforcement officers were in Uvalde. By May 30, there were over 220, the association said. Two days later, the number was 350. Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr. appointed Delgado to oversee the visiting officers in cooperation with Rodriguez. A memorandum of understanding outlined the Dilley chiefs authority and duties. On ExpressNews.com: Out-of-town police in Uvalde block cameras, disrupt coverage of tragedys aftermath The visiting officers are supervised from an emergency operations center at Garner Field, an airport three miles southeast of downtown Uvalde. The center is at the same location as Uvalde Countys Office of Emergency Management. After the massacre, authorities stationed additional mobile command trailers there to accommodate all the out-of-town law enforcement. On Thursday, five trailers from different agencies were parked outside a large World War II-era warehouse that once housed an aviation museum. One was a large white command trailer from Bexar Countys Office of Emergency Management. Thats where out-of-town officers check in for their daily assignments. Each officer also picks up a Galaxy A32 5G phone that serves as a radio. Many of the officers have helped with funeral escorts or provided security at funeral homes. Some have stood sentry outside the homes of victims families who wanted extra security. Some have paired with Uvalde police officers to conduct patrols. Others have inspected incoming mail. At first, officers were working 12-hour shifts, but thats been scaled back to 10 hours, said Mike Young, assistant chief of police at the North Richland Hills Police Department near Fort Worth. Hes helping Delgado run the command center. Young said city officials havent had to worry about meals. Those have been donated by local groups. On Wednesday night, the visiting officers enjoyed a batch of spaghetti from a Uvalde church. In all, more than 450 officers from 65 agencies have passed through the command center. But the number has dropped sharply in recent days, Delgado said. Delgado said he and other law enforcement leaders were working on an exit strategy and expected that most out-of-town law enforcement will have left by Monday. Its not as critical for us to be here, Young said. Our goal is to help augment what Uvalde police are doing, and our assistance is not needed as much. Many people are upset Delgado said he understands why some people are angry at law enforcement especially as questions persist about why the on-scene incident commander at Robb Elementary, the chief of police for Uvaldes public school district, waited more than an hour before sending officers into the classrooms where 18-year-old Salvador Ramos was holed up with an assault-style rifle. Ultimately, members of a Border Patrol tactical team, along with sheriffs deputies from Uvalde and Zavala counties, confronted Ramos and shot him dead. Im sure many people are upset we all are, Delgado said. But unfortunately, you also have some people who dont respect the privacy of grieving families. Thats all were trying to do, help grieving families get through this time. He said the thought of imposters posting as journalists to obtain photos of the dead children pained him. That kind of thing is heartbreaking to hear about, he said. The pain these families are experiencing, they really just want time to grieve. They dont want to worry about fake journalists taking photos of their dead children. Young said its been a trying couple weeks but also a learning experience, about how to coordinate many law enforcement agencies in a small jurisdiction. We learned a lot, said Young, who has been in law enforcement for 37 years. I dont know of a situation where we had to put together a response like this before. He said that might come in handy in the future, perhaps after a natural disaster. But a mass shooting? He hopes he never has to face one of those again. eeaton@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The city of San Antonio wants businesses to track their power usage as a small step toward easing climate change, but some council members are putting up a fight. First proposed in the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan adopted in August 2016, the city program would require owners of buildings 50,000 square feet and bigger to report and publicly disclose the amount of energy consumed annually. The proposal split the City Council this week. North Side councilmen Clayton Perry and Manny Pelaez both blasted the measure, saying that requiring companies to participate in the program was government overreach. This is crazy. This is insane, Perry said. I cannot support this to be a mandatory program. No way, shape, or form or fashion. Richard Perez, president and CEO of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, also took issue with mandating participation. Its just another way to force businesses to do things that the municipal government does not need to force them to do, Perez said. Businesses are so busy right now trying to keep their doors open Forcing them to report their energy usage that will then be public seems just like not the best way to treat businesses that give back to this community every single day. However, some council members felt the proposal didnt go far enough in addressing the threat posed by climate change. We are either going to act to address the climate crisis, or were not, District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo said. Its that simple. You are or you arent It is that binary. Its either youre in for a better world, or youre not. The owners of about 2,100 buildings in San Antonio would be required to report their energy consumption, according to the citys Office of Sustainability. However, there would be exemptions to the reporting rule. Perez said the number of affected buildings was too small to warrant the program, noting, The universe of what this is targeting is null it is a very finite universe. Douglas Melnick, the citys chief sustainability officer, said the program could help San Antonio battle climate change by encouraging business owners to track and possibly reduce their facilities greenhouse gas emissions. (T)his is based upon voluntary action, Melnick said at a City Council meeting on Wednesday. But the research has shown that drives property owners to make change. Several other cities already have similar bench-marking ordinances targeting large commercial buildings on the books, including Austin, Denver, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Melnick said his office plans to submit a draft ordinance for council consideration later this year. Even assuming it passes muster, he said, It would be a good couple years at least before any property owner would be required to do anything. Like cities across the U.S., San Antonio is already feeling the effects of climate change. The city is currently in the grip of a historic heatwave that has seen some daily temperatures reach 100 degrees or above weeks before the first day of summer. We dont need to be reminded about the impacts that were already seeing locally of a changing climate, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. The citys goal is to reduce emissions by 41 percent by 2030 and 71 percent by 2040 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Will it be the only thing we need to do to reach that goal? No, Melnick said of the program. But its a really good first step. caroline.tien@hearst.com San Antonio lawyer Thomas J. Henry is suing the estate of the gunman who committed the Uvalde mass shooting. Henry filed the case in Uvalde on behalf of four families of victims. It names as a defendant the estate of Salvador Ramos, who purchased two assault-style rifles shortly after turning 18 and then used one of them to kill 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School on May 24. He wounded 17 other people. Ramos was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers at the end of the massacre, following a disastrous police response that left the gunman inside the building for more than 75 minutes. The plaintiffs Christopher Salinas, Oscar Orona, Cristina Olivarez and Angelica Rodriguez are parents of four children who were injured in the shooting. The litigation seeks $1 million. This initial lawsuit will allow us to discover evidence and possibly add other parties to the lawsuit, if necessary, Henry said in a statement Wednesday. The discovery process will focus on the school system, law enforcement, social media, and gun and ammunition manufacturers. Though Ramos estate is unlikely to have any money, the suit appears aimed more to try to pry details from several agencies involved in the matter over what transpired the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, Uvalde Police Department and others. The city of Uvalde has already begun bracing itself over potential litigation over its departments response, contacting the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool for advice. The district, meanwhile, has said little about the potential legal fallout, but its lawyers on Monday obtained an exemption that temporarily allows public entities affected by a catastrophic event from having to comply with the Texas Public Information Act. On ExpressNews.com: Teacher, father of mass shooting victim looking to sue gun-maker over rifle sold to Uvalde gunman Henrys law firm did not respond to a request for comment. Henry is widely known to file lawsuits early on in high-profile cases, often as a means of obtaining court orders that forces those who may be involved to preserve evidence. In his statement announcing the suit, Henry said his firm is investigating the facts surrounding the school shooting, including how the gunman purchased the guns and ammunition used, how he was able to enter the school, and the response by law enforcement. The firm is also examining questions about Ramos past, including potential red flags or threats of violence that may have been posted to social media or communicated directly to others but not properly reported to law enforcement. Officials have said police delayed entering the classroom to attack the gunman for more than an hour, even as children inside desperately called 911 for help. At a press conference on May 27, Col. Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said the delay was because the on-site commander school district police chief Pedro Pete Arredondo determined the situation was one of a barricaded individual rather than an active shooter. Henry said that for him and his clients, the lawsuit goes beyond representing those directly impacted by the shooting. They want to understand why the tragedy was possible and how institutions and private companies could have prevented it, his statement said. The one thing that is vital in our country right now is ensuring our children go to school and come home safe, Henrys statement said. We want to obtain justice for the families that have been devastated by this shooting and ensure we have swift changes that protect our children while they are at school. Arredondo was elected to the Uvalde city council on May 7 and was sworn in during a private ceremony at City Hall on March 31. DPS has said he stopped cooperating after providing an initial statement, though Arredondo disputed that, saying he had been in daily contact with DPS. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland If there is a political equivalent to a coachs pregame speech, Greg Brockhouse was delivering it. The former city councilman (and two-time mayoral candidate) stood before a group of GOP precinct chairs last week at a North Side barbecue restaurant and declared that this is the greatest environment in 25 years for Bexar County Republicans. In particular, Brockhouse touted a campaign he is helping to guide, the effort by former County Commissioner Trish DeBerry to flip the office of county judge after 21 years of Democratic domination by Nelson Wolff. The last time we saw a competitive race for county judge, it was 2014, a Republican wave year in which the GOP nominee, Carlton Soules, got within eight percentage points of Wolff. Related: We asked every Texas lawmaker for their views on gun regulations. Just one Republican answered. In a way, DeBerry has a less daunting challenge than Soules. For one thing, the seat is open this year, so she doesnt have to convince voters to throw out an incumbent. Also, unlike Soules, a cantankerous, conservative hard-liner, DeBerry has considerable bipartisan appeal and generally comes across as someone guided more by a pragmatic search for solutions than rigid ideology. On the other hand, Soules had a couple of advantages that arent readily accessible to DeBerry. In the eight years since the 2014 GOP tsunami, the county has become more firmly Democratic. Consider the fact that Democratic former President Barack Obama carried the county by only 4.5 percentage points in 2012, while Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee in 2020, won the county by 18 percentage points. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott narrowly carried Bexar County in 2014, but lost it by 6.3 percentage points in 2018. This suggests that a GOP wave election in 2022 might not be sufficient to carry Bexar County Republicans to victory in the same way that it did eight years ago. Theres also the fact that Soules had clear policy distinctions that he could draw between himself and Wolff. Soules said Wolff had overstepped the bounds of his office by focusing on vanity projects such as the transformation of San Pedro Creek and a proposed downtown streetcar system. Policy differences will be harder to find in this years general-election race between DeBerry and Democratic nominee Peter Sakai. Both DeBerry and Sakai talk about the need to bring down property taxes. DeBerry can accurately claim that last year she was the driving force behind the countys first-ever homestead exemption. Now that county commissioners have maxed out with a 20-percent homestead exemption, however, there isnt much that the next county judge can do on this issue, other than push for appraisal reform at the state level which both DeBerry and Sakai have promised to do. Both candidates talk about infrastructure, economic development, public health, the need to close the digital divide and a desire to improve the countys jail system. If you look at the Democratic primary, we really were all aligned, Sakai said. And I dont think youre going to see that much difference between me and DeBerry. The differences will come down to emphasis. Related: For Texas Republican lawmakers, its an A grade from the NRA or else Sakai, with his judicial background dealing with childrens issues, will place considerable emphasis on foster care and family restoration. DeBerry, a lifelong San Antonian who created a successful public-relations consulting firm, is an intriguing candidate in the sense that she devotes a lot of attention to chronic problems that other members of her party dont necessarily discuss: generational poverty, food deserts and the way some parts of the community have been blocked from economic opportunity. What I want to do in this office is really address the root cause of a lot of the issues that we have here, DeBerry said. That means generational poverty. If we look at the poverty rate, and I said that when I came out of the primary, its the same that its been since the 1980s. Among other things, DeBerry points to the negative impact of the Bexar County jail on San Antonios West Side. You have a side of San Antonio and Bexar County that have been hamstrung, because you have a big jail in the middle of an urban county, DeBerry said. Weve got to talk about bold ideas. One of those bold ideas may be that we talk about a new jail. If we remove that hindrance from the West Side, what does that do to that area of town regarding economic development? Huge. One indication of DeBerrys ability to connect across party lines can be found on her campaign finance reports. In February, she received a $25,000 donation from superstar attorney Mikal Watts, a long-time Democratic benefactor. It adds up to a contest relative low on partisan rancor, but heavy on nuance. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 The morning of May 24, my Texas House colleagues and I were sitting in a hearing room in the Texas Capitol taking testimony about the mental health of students. Our phones started buzzing and the audiences demeanor changed. After my staff texted, Active shooter at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, I left to pick up my daughter from pre-K. The chairman ended the meeting early. Gov. Greg Abbott, at his first major press event following the tragedy, looked directly at the cameras, offered thoughts and prayers and said it could have been worse. He insisted this massacre was a direct result of a mental health crisis affecting Texas. Just like he did after El Paso. Just like he did after Santa Fe High School. At every turn, Abbott has placed blame for mass shootings on mental health. Conversations and roundtables inevitably exclude one thing: gun reform. Even now, gun safety laws are where they have always been during Abbotts tenure: off the table. It seems Abbott only turns to mental health when he does not want to talk about the other factors that contribute to gun violence or laws that might help prevent it. But although he said mental health is a priority, he cut the states mental health budget $211 million to fund one of his pet projects, Operation Lone Star. Additionally, year after year, Abbott and state leadership continue to ignore legislation and billions of dollars in federal aid through Medicaid expansion that would provide more Texans, specifically more low-income Texans, with no-cost or low-cost opportunities to access mental health care services. In fact, after the shooting at Santa Fe High School in 2018, Abbott said mental health was his No. 1 priority. He then signed laws to harden school campuses and allowed school districts to increase the number of armed employees working on campuses. As for mental health, Texas remains dead last in the nation in access to mental health services, according to Mental Health America. The ratio of students to counselors is supposed to be 250-to-1; today it is 350-to-1. This was Abbotts best effort. Then came the horror in El Paso in 2019. After the shooting there, Abbott entertained ideas around red flag laws and expanded background checks, only to dismiss them wholly when the legislative session began in 2020. Instead, he and state leadership pushed and passed permitless carry legislation that allows individuals to buy and carry weapons with no license or training as well as laws that legalized and deregulated silencers. Who needs a silencer? They made Texas a Second Amendment sanctuary state, purposefully refusing to comply with any federal gun reform legislation. For example, if the federal government raised the limit to purchase assault rifles to 21, Texas would openly reject it. All of this happened in the legislative session after El Paso. My time in the Legislature has been marked by six mass shootings. My response? Filing legislation that would close the gun show loophole (gun shows sales dont require background checks), prohibit the open carry of long guns and assault rifles, and give businesses more authority to prohibit guns on their premises; and supporting legislation that would create red flag warnings and require universal background checks. These actions are my thoughts and prayers. As Texans, we cannot continue to let Abbotts do-nothing approach to mass shootings continue. The Legislature cannot address gun violence if Abbott removes half of the solutions from the table. We have to demand real action. For starters, the governor could call a special session, immediately convening the Legislature to review and pass thoughtful, meaningful gun reform bills. But he hasnt, and it looks like he wont. That means that students and educators will return to school after this summer with nothing changed. No new laws. No new funding. Nothing. Thats unacceptable. We have to try. Our communities our children cannot wait any longer. State Rep. Diego Bernal, a Democrat from San Antonio, represents District 123. U.N. Special Rapporteur for Truth, Justice and Reparation Fabian Salvioli meets Lee Yong-soo, a 93-year-old activist who was sexually enslaved by the Japanese military during World War II, at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Seoul, June 9. Yonhap U.N. Special Rapporteur for Truth, Justice and Reparation Fabian Salvioli has arrived in Korea for meetings with victims who suffered human rights violations connected to the country's colonial and authoritarian legacies, officials said Thursday. During his eight-day visit that started Wednesday, the special rapporteur will examine progress made in redressing the legacy of serious human rights violations committed during Japan's colonial rule, the Korean War and the country's authoritarian period. Based on the results, he will compile a report to be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2023. Late Thursday, Salvioli was scheduled to meet with Lee Yong-soo, a 93-year-old activist who was sexually enslaved by the Japanese military during World War II, and the head of the biggest civic group fighting for "comfort women" victims, according to officials from the group. Also Thursday, the rapporteur will hold meetings with Koreans adopted in the U.S. and Denmark as children in the 1970s and a civic group for the victims of a 1948 civilian massacre on the island of Jeju, as well as families of people who died under the past authoritarian rule here and remain unaccounted for. On Friday, he will meet with victims of fabricated espionage charges as well as others victimized under past authoritarian governments. From Saturday to Sunday, Salvioli will make a visit to the sites of the May 18 democratization uprising in 1980 in the southern city of Gwangju as well as other historic areas where human rights violations occurred. According to the officials, Salvioli also plans to meet with government officials during the visit, including the head of the state Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (Yonhap) Journalists are not the story in Uvalde. They are there to tell the story of Uvalde, following a tragedy that will always remain beyond comprehension. Their pictures and words bring context, insight and understanding to the immeasurable depths of sorrow, despair and outrage following the murders of 19 children and two teachers May 24 at Robb Elementary School. Journalists are in Uvalde because so many in the public cannot be there. Their questions are the publics questions. Their pursuit is to learn the truth about what happened, sharing facts with the public about this tragedy and, in turn, cultivating a shared understanding. This means intimate portraits of the victims and their grieving loved ones, questioning law enforcement officials about their response to the shooting, questioning state officials about their statements in the aftermath of tragedy, analyzing the killers intent and background, questioning officials about past and future policies. Related: Editorial: Why it will take years to reduce gun deaths Its disturbing that law enforcement and motorcycle clubs have hassled, intimidated and obstructed journalists, including those with the San Antonio Express-News, as they cover this tragedy, moving the press from public streets and sidewalks, blocking cameras and creating barricades. The news reporters are about getting to the truth, and thats why theyre being obstructed and treated poorly, because there are some folks, apparently, who dont want the truth to come out, Kelley Shannon, executive director for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, told us. The press is symbolic for the truth, really, in this situation. And if theyre being harassed, and theyre being blocked, and theyre being mistreated, well, thats because there is some blockage of the truth going on, and its just a misplaced agitation thats being aimed at journalists. Lets be clear: Journalists have been respectful of private citizens and this grieving community. They have covered the tragedy with sensitivity and humanity. They have also asked pointed questions of public officials, as the narrative of the police response has shifted with time. It is vitally important for the residents of Uvalde to have a full understanding of the facts of this tragedy. Its vitally important for the nation to have accurate information about this tragedy as federal and state officials debate responses. Would that happen without the presence of journalists? Of course not. Just look at how the narrative of the police response shifted under questioning. Related: Editorial: Now is the time to rebuff NRA donations The public is best served with the communication of clear and accurate information from a reliable official source, and that has not happened in Uvalde. Instead, the public has incrementally learned that officers, under the direction of Pedro Pete Arredondo, chief of police for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, did not enter adjoining classrooms for more than an hour, even as the killer fired sporadic shots and children were calling for help. We also have learned a teacher did not leave a door propped open, contrary to initial statements. As funerals of the victims continue, law enforcement officials from across the state have descended on Uvalde, under the command of Dilley Police Chief Homer Delgado. When officers (funded by tax dollars) order reporters off sidewalks or obstruct photographers from taking pictures in public settings, they may be speaking to specific journalists, but they are really removing the public. News gathering is a constitutionally protected activity, and such threats have the potential to chill reporting. If journalists are threatened with an arrest for standing on a public street, for example, they are less likely to report and that is information that wont reach the public. In Uvalde there is also the obvious tension of police shutting out journalists, who have raised pointed questions about the flawed police response to the tragedy, a response that officials initially praised. How reporters are treated is important, and public officials and agencies always benefit from transparency, even if it reveals missteps. But whats most important is getting to the truth about May 24 in Uvalde. Thats why journalists are there. To antagonize the press distracts from this higher purpose, and it ultimately clouds public understanding. A survey of nearly 4,000 K-12 teachers in Texas found that most do not want to be armed while in class or be expected to intercept a gunman at school, according to the states teachers union, which released its survey results Wednesday. The Texas American Federation of Teachers sent an online questionnaire to its 65,000 members, which include public school teachers, support personnel and higher education employees, a week after an 18-year-old gunman killed 21 people including 19 children at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Soon after the shooting, Texas Republicans said the solution could be arming teachers. A total of 5,100 members responded to the unions survey, including 3,673 secondary school teachers. Of those K-12 teachers, 76% of them answered no when asked, Do you want to be armed? About 90% of all school employees who responded said they are worried about a shooting happening at their school. Texas AFTs membership includes public school teachers and employees, as well as those who work at colleges and universities. Zeph Capo, president of the Texas AFT, said at a press conference Wednesday that the Texas Legislature has made it easier for people to buy guns instead of focusing on protecting the lives of children. Were depending on the United States Congress to take action because what the Texas Legislature has shown us is rather than doing things to fix it, they want to put Band-Aids on it, he said. Capo called on Texans to vote in November for people who will bring real change to gun policy and protect Texan students and teachers. Nearly a decade ago, Texas lawmakers created the school marshal program, a way for educators to carry weapons inside schools. But since then, only 84 school districts have opted to have such a program. In those districts, only 361 people have become licensed school marshals across a state that has 9,000 campuses and more than 369,000 public school teachers. The survey of Texas school employees found that there is an overwhelming support for stricter enforcement of guns. Of all those who answered the survey, 98% support red flag laws, which would allow local officials to take someones guns away if a judge declares them to be a danger; 96% want the minimum age for legal gun purchases raised from 18 to 21; and 83% support a ban on assault weapons. Texas Democrats have already called for a special legislative session to pass sweeping gun reform. The Uvalde shooting may also have ramifications to Texas already struggling teacher workforce. Slightly less than half of those surveyed said the shooting may affect their decision to leave teaching. Over the last two years, the pandemic and attacks on teachers have exacerbated the states teacher shortage. It has become such a major issue for school districts that Gov. Greg Abbott created a task force to come up with ways to solve it. Across the state, teachers in Texas are finishing out one of the toughest years they have ever seen. Since the pandemic hit two years ago, teachers have had to navigate a series of disruptions caused by the coronavirus first the closure of schools and the switch to online education, then a return to classrooms last fall that was marred twice by major outbreaks. At the same time, they have had to face parents angry about mask mandates and learn to tailor history lessons about racism to keep students from feeling uncomfortable, per a state law passed last year. Katrina Rasmussen, a Dallas high school teacher and union member who attended AFTs news conference, said schools are supposed to be one of the safest places for communities, yet the only answer she hears is more guns. Ive seen student and teacher deaths mounting, and yet all I hear from policymakers is empty rhetoric, she said. I asked my legislators, Is turning my learning community into a militarized zone really the best you can come up with? Disclosure: Texas AFT has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In the Tech Port Center + Arena on the South Side, Joshua Baer, founder and CEO of Austin-based startup accelerator Capital Factory, was talking Tuesday with enthusiastic supporters about his organizations new office space in the $70 million, 130,000-square-foot facility that opened in April. Baer, 46, carried Stormey, a Maltese mini poodle, in a backpack draped over his chest as Capital Factory hosted its most recent San Antonio Open Coffee event that morning, joined by millennials in T-shirts and pink jeans and gray-haired techies with ponytails and sunglasses. Tech Port is a draw, Baer said. Its the reason people are coming down to San Antonio. Its why Im here. Since Baer launched Capital Factory in 2009, it has provided finance and mentorship to startups and entrepreneurs in Texas. In 2017, he wrote The Texas Manifesto, a tech insider manual in which he called on Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio to connect together entrepreneurs, investors, customers, talent and press in meaningful ways. Since then, Capital Factorys 85 employees have stretched out into offices across the state, expanding into Houston in November and more recently pushing into Dallas. And in mid-April, Capital Factory installed three full-time employees in San Antonio to work in a 5,000-square-foot office at the Tech Port Center + Arena across the hall from what will become a showroom operated by the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology, along with the 3,200-seat arena for esports competitions Capital Factory plans to bring its Center for Defense Innovation program, created in 2019, here to further its mission to build partnerships between the private sector and the Defense Department. It is also interested in working with businesses in gaming and the world of esports the Tech Port Center + Arena has drawn thousands of gaming fans and investors to live events this year. Q: What is Capital Factory? Baer: Capital Factory is the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. We started in Austin, but were now working across the state. We have The Texas Manifesto, which speaks to the entrepreneurs and tells them to treat all of Texas like one big city. And if they do that, Texas can compete with any other city, any other state, really any other country in the world. Texas is kind of like a country, and its one of the best places for startups. Thats why everyone is moving here, for the talent and the quality of life, and thats where San Antonio brings a lot to the table. Q: Where do you sit financially? Baer: To me, whats most interesting is that were the most active early-stage tech investor in Texas since 2010, according to Pitchbook. In the past 12 months, we made 53 investments, which means we invest in a company pretty much every week across Texas. Right now, most of those arent in San Antonio. Some of them are: Easy Expunsions (a legal service that helps clients remove criminal offenses from their records), and Allosense (a computer hardware manufacturer that makes sensors). But certainly, part of us being here and having a presence here is that we expect that to grow. The courting Since becoming president and CEO of Port San Antonio in 2018, Jim Perschbach has led its charge to become a hub for tech companies, with an eye toward fostering their collaboration with other industries, such as aviation. To do that, you got to find people who are creative, who have new ideas, who arent stuck looking at things in the same box, said Perschbach, who used to work as a lawyer for Bracewell LLP representing defense contractors, specifically in military aviation, in San Antonio, Houston and Washington, D.C. But you also have to have people who understand the underlying industry and technology. Perschbach knew about Capital Factorys CDI program. But nobody was ever thinking about coming down here, he said Tuesday while visiting the coffee event. For Baers part, he didnt know much about what was happening here at Port San Antonio. So Perschbach tapped Will Garrett the Ports 37-year-old vice president of talent and technology development and integration, who had previously led CyberSecurity San Antonio at the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to change that. Garrett had help getting Capital Factorys attention. Baer recalled that in early 2021, Lew Moorman co-founder and chairman of TechBloc and co-founder of Scaleworks, a local venture equity firm reached out to him and asked: Whats it take to get Capital Factory more plugged into San Antonio? We want to get more plugged into whats happening across the state. Also, Illeana Gonzalez, who had just moved from TechBloc to Capital Factory at the time, was among those in San Antonio who helped Baer understand the local tech scene. Gonzalez, who now works from San Antonio for Colorado-based accelerator Techstars, told him that the Port was the up and coming site for tech companies and that Perschbach was focused on building out Tech Port. So Baer came to San Antonio in the early summer for a fact-finding trip. I give credit to Joshua himself for coming to San Antonio and meeting with all the right people to try to decide where to place Capital Factory, Garrett said. Baer looked at properties downtown, talked with commercial real estate development company Weston Urban and fell in love with the Pearl District. He also toured the Tech Port Center, which had only some concrete walls built at the time. It was hard to see the vision, Baer said, laughing. The rest of it was kind of an old base, you know. But fortunately, Jim helped sell us. He was so passionate on what this is for and how its going to be great for the community. And Will is a great partner. Perschbach recalled the day that Baer and Capital Factory staffers including Jorge Manresa, vice president of industrial capacity expansion and federal programs came to the Port one day in a big party bus and sat with him and Garrett for about two hours. It became really apparent, Perschbach said, that if you bring these two groups of people together the innovative, kind of hip crowd that they represent and the kind of boring old short-sleeved shirts with ties that I represent that you start to make magic happen. Q: Why did you open an office in San Antonio? Baer: San Antonio has a lot to offer. Its not the place that has the most startups yet. If you measure who gets the most funding out of the four largest cities, San Antonio is fourth. But we are working with lots of great companies here, and were bringing companies from Dallas, Houston and Austin here to plug into the things going on here. And were also bringing in corporate partners, and theyre all very interested in whats going on here. Q: How did Port San Antonio convince you? Baer: Its funny. They brought us in because of the CDI, because of all the military and defense connections, because thats all the companies that are here, right Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Deloitte. But the cool factor of whats happening here is the esports and gaming, and thats super big in military. The business of gaming is military. Theres video games, and then theres simulations. The Center for Defense Innovation program The Defense Departments ability to create and adopt tech has lagged behind the private sector. And for years, the military has courted Austin tech companies and academics to help it with research and development. With that in mind, the military created the Army Futures Command in 2018 to focus on ways to speed up the pace of developing weapons and getting them into soldiers hands. That summer, the Army Futures Command announced it had embedded itself in the University of Texas System building in downtown Austin. And the Army Applications Laboratory, part of the Futures Command, moved into Capital Factory to act as a concierge service in furthering the militarys efforts to unlock the citys tech potential. The following year, Capital Factory launched its Center for Defense Innovation, which Baer called an unprecedented public-private partnership when lauding its first year as a success in May 2020. Capital Factory thought it set an ambitious goal to have three companies receive government funding in 2020. But in the end, 31 companies took home more than $63 million through government and defense innovation programs. The success spurred Capital Factory to introduce companies to DoD programs, launch an SBIR Accelerator to connect startups with the defense industry, and replicate defense innovating programs across Texas. Incorporating San Antonio into such efforts was a no-brainer, Garrett said. In a one-mile radius, you have a thousand military personnel, and most of those mission partners have an innovation sell of some sort, he said. Just having Capital Factory here for those airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines to get out and interact and meet with startups and nontraditional companies, it made total sense for Capital Factory to expand here. In September, the Port announced that Capital Factory planned to expand its CDI at the Tech Port Center + Arena. Perschbach said the CDI program can help connect tech companies to the citys large defense communities, particularly those on Port San Antonios 1,900-acre campus, which has an established network of major cybersecurity, aviation, biomedicine, military intelligence and logistics companies. The Port is also home to the Air Force Medical Operations Agency, and it is adjacent to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, where the Air Force Civil Engineering Center and the 16th Air Force, known as Air Forces Cyber, are located. S.A. VOTES Voter Guide: What to know for the Texas runoff election A breakdown of key state and local races and candidates in the May 24 primary runoff. Perschbach believes Capital Factory can find a bountiful supply of Defense Department tech contracts aimed at tackling problems beyond how to speed weapons development, such as environmental, energy and health issues. Sometimes people say, Jim, you come out of the defense world. All you care about is breaking things and killing people, he said. Thats completely not true. If you can make the world better, thats how youre going to provide global security. Q: Will San Antonios CDI program replicate the one in Austin? Baer: Its not that were replicating whats happening in Austin and San Antonio. Theres one thing happening, and were connecting all together across the state. If youre a startup, you dont care where the investor is. You just dont get investors in San Antonio or Dallas. And if youre hiring, youre recruiting from all over the place. And if youre looking for customers, where are the big companies in Texas? Most of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Dallas, and all the energy companies are in Houston. Q: Geekdom, the coworking space downtown, is trying to bring in tech companies and hire in San Antonio. Are you wanting to do the same? Baer: Were friends with Geekdom. We invited them here today. They have a table out there (nodding toward Geekdom staffers nearby). Their focus is really on economic development of the downtown core by creating small businesses and startups that are going to stay there and grow there. Thats an awesome thing. Thats not our focus. We dont try to get anybody to move anywhere. We dont try to get anybody to move to Texas. We dont try to get anybody to move from one city to another. Everybody is already moving here. This is the fastest-growing state in the country. These are the fastest-growing cities in the country. We dont have to convince anybody. We just find the people who are already moving here that want to get involved in tech, that want to transition from other industries and help them all together. Closing the deal After their sit-down, the Port joint-ventured and partnered with Capital Factory, as Perschbach put it. Under that partnership, Capital Factory isnt paying rent for its space at the Port. Its not a lease, Perschbach said. Were sharing in the expenses. Were sharing in the revenues on this. Theyre going to accelerate the startup community and the entrepreneur community in Texas, he said. And were going to find opportunities for people to make our existing industries better and stronger. So everybody is absolutely happy. Garrett said the Ports board of directors is tripling down on this opportunity with Capital Factory. If they are successful and are able to acquire the technology and talent that they need and continue to expand, he said, that at the end of the day creates a successful model for us to redevelop and invest. Baer visits often three times so far in June and plans to continue doing so to meet with private sector and military leaders interested in collaborating on tech. Hes also been to several events at the Tech Port Center + Arena. Last month, he saw the band Smashing Pumpkins perform and brought his 12-year-old son to the Overwatch esports League gaming competition featuring the Houston Outlaws and Dallas Fuel. The Port made us feel at home, he said. Q: So, coming to San Antonio is an extension of your manifesto? Baer: Thats exactly right. Its what value do we bring to San Antonio. Its not that we walk in here and brought all of these San Antonio investors. No. What we bring is the rest of Texas to San Antonio, and we want to connect in whats already happening here and help elevate it, help give them get exposure to other angel investors, to other entrepreneurs, to be part of a bigger community that will just help them grow and bring in more resources. Q: What does growth look like? Baer: That means bringing startups from the rest of Texas here to plug into the cool stuff happening here and to be kind of role models and examples. That means finding the startups here that are growing and bringing them not just from San Antonio but investors and talent from other places. eric.killelea@express-news.net Vegan Friendly UK has had its advertisement campaign banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after the public complained they were too graphic. The ASA, the UK's advertisement watchdog, said it had received 63 complaints in response to the television advert, which were aired in March. It showed two women and one man eating around a table. The first woman said: [A]nd plastic straws are ruining the oceans. Poor fish dont stand a chance. A close-up of the womans mouth whilst eating fish was shown, followed by three clips of fish in quick succession, before showing the womans mouth again. The first clip showed a large number of live fish out of water on a conveyor belt, the second clip showed a close-up of a fish head which was still gasping for air, and the final clip showed headless fish being filleted on a chopping board that had streaks of blood and fish guts on it. The man then said: Theres countries that still have bullfighting, to which the first woman replied, And wet markets. A close-up of his meal was then shown, followed by a close-up of him eating it. He replied: They just dont care about animals like we do babe, followed by three clips in quick succession. The first clip showed a live piglet, alongside a pig with its eyes closed. The second clip then showed pork meat being chopped with a cleaver, followed by blood splashing onto a takeaway box. Another part of the commercial showed a graphic clip of a cow's skinned head, with its eyes and teeth still present. Complainants challenged whether the ad contained graphic imagery and gratuitous violence towards animals, which caused unnecessary distress to viewers. There was also concern whether the advert was scheduled appropriately, because it was broadcast when children could be watching. And some complainants questioned whether the commercial was offensive because it vilified meat eaters. Vegan Friendly responded by saying it believed that the ad did not cause distress, but said that if offence was caused by the ad, it was justifiable because billions of animals were killed in the meat industry. The ASA said: "The ad was likely to cause distress to both younger and adult audiences and therefore was not suitable for broadcast on TV regardless of scheduling restrictions. "We concluded that the ad was likely to be seen as distasteful by some viewers, but not likely to cause widespread offence by vilifying meat eaters." The watchdog added that the ad must not appear again: We told Vegan Friendly UK to avoid using imagery which was likely to cause distress to both younger and adult audiences. The spread of African swine fever (ASF) closer to the UK has sparked fresh calls for proper border checks on imported pigmeat to be brought into place. The confirmed case of ASF in late May on a domestic pig farm in the south west of Germany is a short distance from the French border. Of notable concern is that the latest case is more than 500km away from other outbreaks, suggesting that the disease has been transported. The lethal swine disease is highly contagious, and any incursion into the UK would likely devastate the national pig herd. Farming groups have frequently requested that the disease threat from ASF be raised from moderate to high, and fresh calls have now been made. Speaking about the heightened risk, NFU Scotland said the government "should be doing everything within its powers to keep it out". However, the union slammed plans to postpone proper border checks on food entering the UK from Europe until the end of 2023 as utter madness. NFU Scotland pigs working group chair, Jamie Wyllie said: The government continues to leave pig producers exposed to ASF a disease that would wipe out our pig production were contaminated pork products to arrive on our shores. "We are on record calling for the threat from ASF to be raised from moderate to high and for UK retailers to seriously reconsider where in Europe they are choosing to import pork from." Farming groups say checks are crucial to the nation's biosecurity, animal health and food safety, without them farmers are left at risk. The UK government recently postponed introducing proper Border checks on goods entering the UK from the EU for a fourth time. For the beleaguered pig sector, the lack of checks at the border on EU pork imports presents a risk to the health and welfare of the pig herd. The latest German outbreak, which has 'jumped' 500km from known disease cases in wild boar, shows how easily the disease can be spread. Likely to have happened through movement of humans, pigs or food rather than wildlife, the case highlights how easily ASF could enter the UK without checks in place. Looking to curb the potential for the disease to be introduced, the Scottish government recently introduced sniffer dogs trained to detect illegal meat at some ports, airports and parcel hubs. "These dogs have demonstrated that there are significant quantities of illegal meat coming into the country by these routes," Mr Wyllie noted. "We remind everyone that even small parcels for meat imported in this manner and for personal consumption are an unacceptable risk and are illegal. British Summer Fruits, the industry body that represents UK soft fruit growers, is relaunching and rebranding to become British Berry Growers. The new organisation has also unveiled new priority areas, with an overall ambition for British seasonal berries to continue to provide 100% of the UKs needs. British Berry Growers, founded in 1992, also seeks industry exports to be 50 percent bigger than British sales volumes by 2035. The industry body has supported UK growers to build a billion-pound industry, making it the largest within UK horticulture. Now worth over 1.6 billion year-round, the value of the industry has doubled in just a decade. British Berry Growers chair, Nick Marston said he hoped the body would "secure the long-term success of the British berry industry". The launch of British Berry Growers marks an exciting moment for the British berry industry," Mr Marston added. "Our growers sit at the heart of the rural economy and our industry is recognised as a key contributor to UK food self-sufficiency. British Berry Growers will champion the tireless work of our berry growers, both big and small, and support them as they adapt to the future challenges of seasonal berry production. British Berry Growers also has a new ambition to direct world-leading berry research and development that supports treatment of pest and disease, crop utilisation and drives future. The body also seeks to improve efficiencies, including the reduction of the carbon, waste and water footprint of the UK berry industry. The evolution of the trade body also sees the appointment of two new non-executive directors to the British Berry Growers organisation. Former MEP Anthea McIntyre CBE joins the organisation to advise and support policy matters, while Dr Louise Sutherland brings expertise in agri-tech to scope and set up the newly formed R&D advisory board. Farmers and landowners are being urged to 'look creatively' at any new agreements with onshore wind farm developers to optimise their revenues in fluctuating energy markets. Despite the end of subsidies, development of larger wind farms is continuing as the reduced costs of production enable wind power to compete effectively with other sources of energy. While electricity prices remain high, renewable developments are set to generate greater revenue, leading to increased profitability as their costs of production are largely unaffected. Property consultancy Galbraith is recommending that landowners look closely at securing variable turnover rental agreements with developers. Unlike the traditional fixed percentage of income rental mechanism, a variable turnover rent enables owners to receive higher percentages of the turnover linked to the average energy price over the year. Typically, developers of onshore wind farms are offering landowners rentals of between 6 and 8% of gross income for the initial period of any development, with these rents increasing over a couple of agreed review dates over the term of the lease. With a variable turnover rental structure, owners could see these rents more than double in times of high electricity prices. Farmers and landowners are currently facing unprecedented challenges, said Mike Reid, head of energy at Galbraith. These are a mixture of many factors including pressure from environmental concerns and now war in Ukraine, in which sanctions against Russia have led to huge rises in crucial commodities such as diesel, fertiliser and energy costs. Maintaining profitability to ensure survival is imperative and that should include all aspects of the business including structures for renewable energy agreements." Mr Reid added: "With no payment for the wind resource, the costs of production arent impacted by international events. With wholesale prices rising so strongly, mitigating these impacts is more important than ever. Not only does this structure maximise revenues, it also provides a measure of protection from the commodity price fluctuations hitting food producers. Farmers and landowners with wind turbines could benefit from an increased rental return, helping to offset higher energy costs, Mr Reid said. The developer also benefits from these variable turnover rental agreements as they are structured so the rent they pay when the electricity price drops below a certain level is lower than they would have to pay under a traditional fixed percentage formula. In our experience, both parties benefit from a variable turnover rent, said Mr Reid. Its a question of mutual benefit rather than one side taking all the upside. The UK's advertisement watchdog has ordered an end to Tesco's plant-based food adverts because they were 'misleading' the public on environmental claims. The retailer launched TV, radio, press ad, tweet and website adverts during October and November 2021, all centred on its Plant Chef campaign. The TV ad featured a woman about to eat a burger while watching TV. The programme she was watching said the planet is continuing to warm after which the voice-over said, Now thats not what Zoe likes to hear, but shes gonna roll up her sleeves and do her bit [] and there it is, a delicious Tesco plant chef burger. "Weve lowered the price of dozens of our Plant Chef products because a little swap can make a difference to the planet. And the radio ad stated: It may not sound like it, but Zoe here is doing her bit for the planet. By swapping to Tesco Plant Chef burgers every now and then, shes making a difference, not by much, but every little, well you know, and were all for it. "So weve lowered the price of dozens of our Plant Chef products. Good for your pocket, even better for the planet. The adverts received 171 complaints from the public, with some challenging whether Tesco's claims were misleading and could be substantiated. Complaints specifically centred on the adverts' claims a little swap can make a difference to the planet and even better for the planet. Complainants also questioned the claim a little swap is [] even better for the planet. The ASA stated that it expected to see evidence that that was the case based on the full life cycle of the Plant Chef burger in comparison with a meat burger., The watchdog added that it understood that Tesco did not hold any evidence in relation to the full lifecycle of any of the products in the Plant Chef range, or of the burger featured in the ads. Claims regarding their positive benefits to the planet had not been substantiated and were likely to mislead," the ASA concluded. "We told Tesco to ensure that in future they did not make environmental claims about their products unless they held sufficient evidence to substantiate the claims. "We also told them to ensure that the basis of any environmental claims was made clear." Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions enter here to gain access. If you are not a Current Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Please return to the subscription page to purchase one of our offers. Thank you! US-funded project draws new criticism of data on Lancang-Mekong dams 13:57, June 09, 2022 By HOU LIQIANG ( China Daily The Mekong Dam Monitor program, funded in part by the US State Department, was rebuked and debunked again for orchestrating the theory of Chinese dams posing so-called threats to the Lancang-Mekong region. This time, the criticism comes from the Global Critical Research Center, a US-based nonprofit organization. Describing the organization behind the program as one that releases contents "highly politically oriented with obvious political stances", the center said the program is just "one of many chips of the United States" used to suppress China, and the program's "survey results are full of loopholes and errors". The center's conclusions are based on a joint in-depth study by two of its departments, according to a recent release on the center's website. The Mekong River, known as the Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway that also stretches across Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Mekong Dam Monitor project is based on satellite imagery and "digital elevation model water level extraction methods", the Global Critical Research Center said. The methods can result in large errors between survey results and the actual water level, especially for narrow reservoirs, the center quoted its editor-in-chief of the technology department, Ryuu Shiroishi, as saying. In a post on its Facebook page, for example, the project claimed that Jinghong Dam, which is in China, had a significant flow restriction of 144 cubic kilometers in one week, Ryuu said. However, the figure is dozens of times more than the overall reservoir capacity of the entire dam and a thousand times more than the cumulative amount of water released by the 45 dams in the basin in a week, according to Ryuu. The Mekong Dam Monitor project has acknowledged that its findings were error-prone. However, Ryuu said, its revised data was still 8 meters off from the actual water level measurement, resulting in a water volume error of about 1.2 billion cubic meters, he said. The project is run by the Washington-based Stimson Center and supported by the Mekong-US Partnership. Other content released by the organization is highly politically oriented and lacks objective research and analysis based on survey data, according to the Global Critical Research Center. Rachel Blake, editor-in-chief of the center's current affairs research department, "regarded the project's activities as part of the 'public opinion war on water resources' and predicted that China's various dam projects would still be under pressure from all sides", the center said. The function of maintaining the stable flow of the Mekong River through Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation has been "deliberately ignored", the center added. "Creating tensions, contradictions and conflicts among the Lancang and Mekong countries seem to be what the White House prefers to see," it added. In March, researchers from Tsinghua University also pointed out serious errors in reservoir level readings released by Mekong Dam Monitor, saying these could lead to the wrong conclusion that Chinese dams have intercepted water and are causing drought downstream on the Mekong River. The Tsinghua University team found that project data does not constantly reflect the overall trends of water availability. For example, the team said, the data reversed the actual water level rise and fall trends in the Xiaowan Reservoir in at least three monitoring periods, with errors ranging from 3 to 10 meters. The Chinese scientists reached their conclusions by comparing Mekong Dam Monitor's data with water level readings from dam operators. Their conclusions were supported by data obtained by satellites using laser altimeters. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) President Yoon Suk-yeol, center, gives remarks during lunch with a group of war heroes and family members of the fallen at the presidential office in Seoul, June 9. Yonhap President Yoon Suk-yeol welcomed a group of war heroes and bereaved family members at the presidential office Thursday to demonstrate his commitment to personally taking care of them as Korea's commander in chief. Twenty people, including survivors of North Korea's torpedo attack on a Korean warship in 2010, were invited to lunch with the president, as June is the month of appreciation for patriots and veterans. The visitors were greeted by an honor guard and escorted to a room where photos of the fallen soldiers were placed on a table alongside candles and flowers. The president shook hands with each one of them there before taking a close look at the photos. He then took them to an adjacent room for lunch. "There is a saying that a country's national status is determined by whom it remembers," Yoon said. "National defense and rewarding patriotism are two sides of the same coin. That is why without a proper system of rewarding patriotism, there can be no such thing as strong national defense." The president repeated his determination to create a nation where those who sacrificed themselves for the country are treated properly and not left feeling "angry." Sitting close to him at the table was Yoon Cheong-ja, the mother of one of the 46 sailors killed aboard the corvette Cheonan when it was torpedoed by North Korea in March 2010. The mother famously walked up to then President Moon Jae-in during a memorial ceremony in March 2020 to demand an answer on who carried out the attack that killed her son, as some had questioned the government's conclusion that it was the North. Other attendees included those who fought or lost a family member in a 2002 naval skirmish with North Korea, North Korea's 2010 shelling of the border island of Yeonpyeong, and a 2015 border land mine explosion blamed on the North. Yoon said it is the responsibility of any normal state to properly honor the services of troops and watch over their families. "From now on, I will protect you as the commander in chief responsible for our country's national defense," he said. (Yonhap) Children follow in the footsteps of their parents, so goes the popular phrase. Well, it holds true in the case of Shouger Merchant Doshi, founder of Rainmaker Consults Marketing and PR Firm. As a young girl, watching her father run his business with over 500 employees made her aspire to establish her own one day. At the time, I didnt have any preference of category or industry; I just knew it would be in the realm of communication, as that has always been my strong point, she shares. Growing up, Shouger was fairly social and creative, and, when the time came for her to choose a field to major in, she knew it had to be PR and marketing. I studied journalism and opted for a law course for my graduation, she recalls. I did practise law for a few years before realising that it wasnt meant for me, and that Id much rather own my business and help people build their brands. Which led me to establish Rainmaker Consults in 2018. Building a brand and name from scratch is never easy but very satisfying, she reveals. I think your brand is an extension of you and it speaks for itself. If you are consistent, adopt a customer-centric approach, keep pushing yourself to innovate, and come up with out-of-the-box strategies to capture the market, you will win. Shouger also shares that, for her, the toughest part of running a business is the unorganised employment market in the country. I lived in the US for 10 years, so coming back and then starting up here, I noticed that there is a huge disparity in the way people view a job in India, she explains. Rainmaker Consults Marketing and PR Firm was one of the few that was active during the pandemic, and working through the lockdowns turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The pandemic actually helped our company to gain momentum in some ways, she tells us. We were two years old when the pandemic hit, and every campaign we ran during the COVID waves and lockdowns was much appreciated, and it brought us new and interesting clients. We grew our business tenfold after the lockdowns since everyone wanted to promote and market their business as soon as the world opened up. Indeed, the world is opening even more for Shouger, and the future looks bright; she is going full steam ahead to grow her business in various sectors. Also Read: Deepa Kumar, Creator Of Period Panty, Made Menstruation Go Green Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category A string of wreaths are laid along the fence of the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday to commemorate Rep. Lee Jae-myung as he began his first day as a lawmaker after winning the June 1 by-election in Incheon's Gyeyang B District. Some of the wreaths were sent by his diehard supporters. Yonhap 'Fandom' in politics is double-edged sword that can make or break politicians' careers By Kang Hyun-kyung On Tuesday, the fence of the National Assembly building was decorated with flowers. A string of wreaths was placed along the fence all the way to the front gate. Under each wreath was a ribbon on which a short congratulatory message for Rep. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) was written regarding his recent election win and successful return to politics as a lawmaker. Most of the senders are his most resolute supporters, better known in the media by the Korean portmanteau, "gae-ttal," meaning "daughters of reform" in English. Women in their 20s and 30s make up the majority of Lee's fervent supporters. The second part of the term changes depending on these supporters' age groups. For instance, female Lee supporters in their 40s and 50s are called "gae-imo" or "aunts of reform," and those who are in their 60s or older are referred to as "gae-halmeoni" or "grandmas of reform." Tuesday was Lee's first day as a lawmaker since he won the June 1 by-election in Incheon's Gyeyang B District. The string of wreaths placed along the National Assembly fence showed his fans' collective expression of a warm welcome for their favorite politician, Lee, and their wishes for a fresh restart for him in politics as a new lawmaker. "As a representative of the residents of my electoral district, I will do everything to fulfill my duty as a lawmaker," Lee told reporters. Rep. Lee is one of the few politicians who have such fans. Former Presidents Moon Jae-in, Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun are three of the country's most renowned politicians who currently have or have had such fervent fans. Unlike other supporters who freely give and then withdraw their support for particular politicians as they see fit, fans in Korean politics are stalwart supporters and their backing for certain politicians rarely changes. "Fanatic supporters identify themselves as alter egos of certain politicians they support," Yoo Seong-jin, a professor of political science at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said. "Unlike most other supporters, the hardcore supporters can't stand if and when their favorite politicians are criticized or under attack by others. They take it personally. They take such criticism as an attack against themselves." It seems that Rep. Lee enjoys fan-like support, the political scientist went on to say. But he said it's not certain how many of his supporters are hardcore supporters and to what extent they exert any influence in politics. "Former President Moon, for example, enjoyed fan-like support throughout his presidency, as you can see when you look at his support rates," said Yoo. "His approval rating was in the mid-40-percent range later in his presidency, which was higher than those of other presidents. His steady ratings that continued until the end of his presidency owe something to his fan base." Rep. Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea receives a bouquet of flowers from a supporter on his first day as a lawmaker outside the National Assembly, Tuesday. Yonhap News of Mahima Chaudhry being diagnosed with breast cancer has sent shock waves throughout the film fraternity and her fans alike. The veteran actress spoke about her journey battling cancer in a video shared on Instagram, as Anupam Kher recorded the video and encouraged her in moments when she broke down. Anupam Kher was in the United States to shoot for his 525th film when he got in touch with Mahima to ask her to play a role in his movie. That is when he learned that Mahima was battling cancer and being treated for the same. The actors got together to shoot a video where Mahima Chaudhry shares her journey. Mahima revealed that when Anupam Kher offered her a role in The Signature, Mahima could not turn him down. She also asked him if she should wear a wig to the set and Kher advised that she should do the film the way she is. Mahima then shared with him that she did not know if she had the courage to do so, but Kher said that she was the most courageous person he knew. While talking about this incident, Mahima broke down in tears. Sharing the video on his Instagram, Anupam Kher wrote, Story of @mahimachaudhry1 s courage and Cancer: I called #MahimaChaudhry a month back from US to play a very important role in my 525th film #TheSignature. Our conversation turned to her discovering that she has #BreastCancer. What followed is in this candid conversation between us. Her attitude will give hope to so many women all over the world. She wanted me to be part of her disclosure. She calls me an eternal optimist but dearest Mahima! You are my HERO! He also shared, Friends! Send her your love, warmth, wishes, prayers and blessings. She is BACK on sets where she belongs. She is ready to fly. All those producers/directors out there! Here is your opportunity to tap on her brilliance! Jai ho to her!! With Vignesh Shivan and Nayanthara's wedding taking place today, fans have been eagerly waiting for official photos of the newlyweds. The event was a star-studded affair. The celebrities who attended the wedding were Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Mani Ratnam, Boney Kapoor, and Atlee among many others.The couple has managed to keep the wedding photos under wraps. However, a photo of the wedding menu has been leaked, and it is, to say the least, mouthwatering. They chose a delectable menu with delicacies from Tamil Nadu and Kerala for the wedding.Some of the dishes on the menu include Kathal (jackfruit) biryani, Paneer Pattani Curry, Aviyal, Mor Kozhambu, mock Chicken Chettinad Curry, Ponni Rice, Chepakezhangu Puli Kozhambu, Poondu Milagu Rasam, and Elaneer Payasam.Meanwhile, Vignesh Shivan revealed that they would share photos from their wedding on June 9 in the afternoon and that both Nayan and he would meet with the media on June 11. "Like how your blessings have been there for me professionally, I needed those for my personal life as well. I am moving onto the next stage of my personal life. On June 9, I am getting married to love of my life, Nayanthara. It is going to be an intimate event at Mahabalipuram with family and close friends. Initially, we planned to get married at Tirupathi temple, but due to logistics issues, that didnt happen. After the marriage, in the afternoon, we will share our pictures with you all. On June 11 afternoon, Nayanthara and I will meet you all and we will have lunch together, he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vignesh Shivan (@wikkiofficial) Vignesh Shivan got married Nayanthara today, June 9, at the Sheraton Hotel in Mahabalipuram. Their close family members and friends attended the wedding ceremony. The couple have always been open about their feelings for one another. They frequently post photos and videos to social media. Vignesh recently shared an adorable video in which he can be seen lovingly feeding his wife-to-be Nayanthara. Sharing the video he captioned, Time to eat well. Happiness is feeding her with the best of local food! From a Favourite sea food restaurant the only places we enjoy eating are these nice houses with such tasty food and awesome people.Vignesh Shivan, ever the adoring partner, took to Instagram ahead of the big day and also shared a few photos of Nayanthara while writing a heartfelt note on his special day. He dedicated June 9 to the love of his life and is said to be overjoyed to see his thangamey walk down the aisle.According to reports, Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan will marry in a private ceremony in front of their closest family members. On Thursday afternoon, Vignesh Shivan will release the first images from their wedding. Nayanthara and Vignesh met with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin recently to invite him to their wedding. Many close friends have been invited, including Anirudh Ravichander, Sivakarthikeyan, Vijay Sethupathi, Ajith Kumar, and others.Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan will reportedly host a grand reception on June 10 in Chennai, with many biggies from the film industries expected to attend. They will make their first public appearance on June 11, meet the media, and have lunch with them. USound's MEMS speaker now meet automotive standards for electronic components. The company qualified its patented MEMS speakers to enable totally new audio in-vehicle experiences for the automotive market. USound, the leading supplier of MEMS speakers for personal devices and wearables technology, announces its entry into the automotive market with its revolutionary MEMS speaker arrays. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220608005087/en/ USound's products enable new audio system solutions for cars. The MEMS loudspeakers can be mounted in the vehicle's headliner to create acoustic sweet spots for each passenger. (Photo: Business Wire) Surround stereo listening is limited to a sweet spot, symmetrically to the speaker set-up. Due to cars' current audio system design, passengers are outside of this area, either too close to the left speaker or too close to the right speaker, limiting the possibilities for spatially arranging the speakers in cars. With the ultra-flat and ultra-light USound MEMS speakers, and their outstanding performance in macro applications, it is possible to create the ideal listening position for each passenger no matter where they are sitting in the car. The arrays can be positioned in the car's headliner or headrest to create spatial audio and a more enjoyable sound experience for each passenger. USound MEMS speakers from the Ganymede series are qualified to be used in automotive interior applications and withstand extreme temperatures, meeting the automotive standards for electronic components. Also, MEMS speakers from the Conamara series are qualified in a temperature range from -40C up to +85C. "The automotive industry is always looking for ways to improve the listening experience for the passenger. With our MEMS speakers, the car audio system can be customized to create a Hi-Res audio sweet spot for each passenger that enhances audio clarity for navigation, in-car calls, and music," says Andrea Rusconi, CTO at USound. USound is currently sampling major automotive OEMs. About USound USound is a fast-growing audio company offering high-performance silicon speakers and high-quality sound solutions based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology, safeguarded by over 300 filed patents. With its offices in Graz, Vienna, San Francisco, and Shenzhen, USound serves international customers to design smart audio applications with MEMS speakers. Learn more on www.usound.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220608005087/en/ Contacts: Press contact Dr. Alexandra Vasak Reiter PR, +43 699 120 895 59, alexandra.vasak@reiterpr.com Janel Leonor press@USound.com BEIJING, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, VIOOH , the leading premium global digital out of home (DOOH) supply-side platform, announced the hire of Calvin Chan as the new Chief Executive Officer in China. In his new role, Chan will be responsible for scaling and developing VIOOH's programmatic digital out of home (pDOOH) offering across mainland China and Hong Kong, China. "We're delighted to be welcoming Calvin Chan to the VIOOH team. Calvin is a widely respected leader within the industry and he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role," said Jean-Christophe Conti, Chief Executive Officer, VIOOH. "It's an exciting time for the region, with the recent launch of our programmatic digital OOH offering across the Hong Kong Metro network, and further expansion set for mainland China," added Conti. Chan is an innovative and widely respected digital industry expert in China, with nearly 20 years of experience in the digital and marketing technology industry. Prior to joining VIOOH, Chan served as The Trade Desk's first General Manager for China, where he contributed to the exponential business growth and talent development for its market entry. Previous to this, Chan was the Chief Executive Officer at AdMaster, China's leading digital measurement and data solutions provider, and he has held management positions in China and the US for The Nielsen Company. In addition to Chan's wealth of experience, he currently serves as the Immediate Past Co-Chairman & Board Member for MMA China and the Executive Chairman of the ECI@MarTech Committee, an industry organisation focused on driving innovations in the digital economy, and has been further recognised by Campaign magazine as one of Asia Pacific's "40 under 40" and featured in Campaign's "China's Digital A-List". "I'm thrilled to be joining VIOOH at such a transformational time for the industry. As highlighted in VIOOH's Hong Kong State of the Nation report, an impressive 94%* of agency and advertising executives stated they plan to increase their pDOOH ad spend and over a third (37%) are expecting to more than double their ad spend. This reiterates that the future of programmatic DOOH in this region is strong and represents a big opportunity for the industry," said Calvin Chan, Chief Executive Officer - China, VIOOH. "Programmatic digital out of home is certainly one of the most promising growth engines for the AdTech industry both in the Mainland China and Hong Kong markets and I look forward to sharing more developments to come from VIOOH," added Chan. VIOOH launched in Hong Kong back in 2020 at Hong Kong International Airport. This was shortly followed by its expansion into urban Hong Kong with JCDecaux Cityscape's street furniture and bus shelter inventory. Most recently at the beginning of last month, VIOOH launched its programmatic digital OOH offering across the Hong Kong MTR network in partnership with JCDecaux Transport - bringing VIOOH's coverage to 70% of Hong Kong's total number of digital screens. You can read more about the MTR announcement here. Notes to Editors *VIOOH, State of the Nation: The Future of Digital Out of Home , Hong Kong, 2021 About VIOOH VIOOH is a leading premium global digital out of home supply-side platform. Launched in 2018 and with headquarters in London, VIOOH's platform connects buyers and sellers in a premium marketplace, making OOH easily accessible. Led by a team of digital OOH and programmatic tech experts, VIOOH is pioneering the transformation of the OOH sector, championing its role in enhancing omni-channel digital campaigns through the use of programmatic capabilities and data. VIOOH currently trades programmatically in 16 markets, with more to follow. For more information about VIOOH, please visit www.viooh.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835728/Calvin_Chan_Headshot.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835729/VIOOH_Primary_RGB_Logo.jpg LONDON, June 9, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., today announced the appointment of AxiCom, WPP's technology specialist communications agency, as its PR agency of record in Europe, following a competitive pitch process. AxiCom will support JCB's growth in the region through strategic media relations and communications, as the company evolves as a data-driven global financial services provider.Building on JCB's unique heritage, AxiCom's remit also includes growing brand recognition with merchants, acquiring partners and other target groups to assist in differentiating the company from other payment providers. JCB is entering into a new era as travel restrictions gradually ease, and with that in mind the JCB brand has prioritised carving out a niche space for JCB in a competitive European market - and AxiCom will support JCB in this endeavour.In a recent brand study, JCB learned that although brand awareness in Europe is currently low, there is a phenomenal opportunity for growth, with the brand already being recognised as:- Specialists in Asian cardmember insights and data to support partner prosperity- Premium and high-quality with affluent cardmembers- Collaborative and customer-centric with partnerships, based on trust and reliability- Strong commitment to upholding Japanese legacy principles, such as OmotenashiRay Shinzawa, recently appointed as the Managing Director for JCB International (Europe) Ltd., explained: "The AxiCom team is a very welcome addition to the JCB network in this stimulating growth phase for JCB within Europe. We are eager to utilise their in-depth expertise in our very niche industry of payments and technology to drive JCB brand awareness cross-regionally - with the core purpose of unlocking new payment gateways for our 140 million international cardmembers and European business partners alike."Victoria Perea-Usher, Vice President, Marketing Communications, JCB International (Europe) Ltd., said: "As we strive to innovate our marketing and communications, and be a trusted partner for our customers, it was crucial that we appoint a PR agency that could support our strategy. Throughout the pitch process, the AxiCom team presented us with contemporary ideas and ways of thinking that demonstrated a clear understanding of our technology and objectives across Europe, helping us to further engage with the JCB community."The AxiCom team will be led by Director of Fintech, Robert Roessler and will include resources from AxiCom's European offices as well as the Content Hub.Rosie Bannister, managing director UK at AxiCom, said: "The financial services industry is changing rapidly, meaning large and small brands need to adapt quickly to maintain their market position by translating their messages into stories that engage customers. Robert and his team are experts in building brand awareness through strategic media engagement that will firmly position JCB as a data-driven organisation dedicated to providing customers with a best-in-class payment experience."About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 39 million merchants around the world. JCB issues cards across various countries and regions internationally with more than 140 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/About AxiComFounded in 1994, AxiCom is a technology specialist communications agency. We fuse intelligence, integrity and initiative to deliver powerful integrated communications for our clients that turn them into true technology heroes. At AxiCom, we translate technology. We bring the most meaningful message to the people our clients care about, wherever they are in the world. Our team of technology and communications experts make what's global local, and what's complex clear, turning separate systems into an integrated approach. AxiCom is part of the global communications group BCW Group and is the only specialist technology PR agency within the WPP Group (NYSE: WPP).AxiCom Media Contact:Ricky Broughton: ricky.broughton@axicom.com+44 7552 212 026JCB International (Europe) Ltd. Contact:India Stone: istone@jcbeurope.euJCB (Head Office in Japan)Ayaka Nakajima: jcb-pr@jcb.co.jpSource: JCBCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Longueuil, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - June 8, 2022) - HRH Workforce (the "Company" or "HRH") invites you to visit and discuss your recruitment needs with its team at Booth #1004 at The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) on Monday June 13 to Wednesday June 15, 2022. About HRH Workforce HRH is the one-stop shop for all companies facing recruitment and immigration challenges in the mining, construction and geoscience industries. HRH proposes complete recruitment and immigration packages to Canadians companies from those industries looking for qualified professionals and operational recruits to integrate their teams. The company offers many services from the selection of potential candidates, through all the recruitment and immigration processes until the integration of the recruit to the new position. HRH can provide outstanding candidates for different positions such as drillers, labourers, mining and geological technicians, mechanics, engineers and many more. Canadian companies operating in the mining industry are invited to meet HRH's representatives at booth #1004 to discuss and find the best solutions for their HR needs. About PDAC The World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading convention for people, governments, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. In addition to meeting more than 1,100 exhibitors, 2,500 investors and 23,000 attendees in person in 2020, participants could also attend programming, courses and networking events. The annual convention is held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) in Toronto, Canada. It has grown in size, stature and influence since it began in 1932 and today is the event of choice for the world's mineral industry. From 2021 it is also offered as an online event. For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://www.pdac.ca/convention/registration. We look forward to seeing you there. For further information: HRH Workforce Sarah Berny, Senior Account Manager 514-612-7172 sarah.berny@hrhworkforce.com www.hrhworkforce.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127057 SINGAPORE, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Request Finance , the Web3 enterprise crypto payments startup, has closed a $5.5 million seed round with institutional backers including Animoca Brands, Europe's leading early-stage venture capital investor Balderton Capital, and XAnge. The seed round also attracted a star-studded lineup of Web3 founders including Sebastien Borget co-founder and COO at The Sandbox, Michael Kong, CEO of Fantom, and Stani Kulechov, founder and CEO of Aave, and Julien Bouteloup, Founder of StakeDAO. The fresh round of capital will support the company's efforts to expand its in-app services, and grow its team to capture a greater share of the growing crypto payments space. According to a report from blockchain data platform Chainalysis, the volume of cryptocurrency transactions globally grew to $15.8 trillion in 2021, up 567% from 2020. Yat Siu, the executive chairman and co-founder of Animoca Brands, commented: "The services provided by Request Finance allow Web3 projects - including some Animoca Brands companies - to save time and effort on crypto payments. We believe the company has a significant potential for growth and expansion." Simplifying Enterprise Crypto Payments Since launching in January 2021, a whopping $203 million in crypto invoices have been paid in the app . Today, Request Finance simplifies and automates invoicing, expenses, payroll, and accounting in crypto for more than 2,000 Web3 teams. Sebastien Borget, Co-Founder and COO of metaverse giant, The Sandbox, who personally backed the company's seed round, said: "We've been looking for a robust solution to enable crypto payments for the hundreds of invoices; salaries and various expenses generated through our activity each month. Request Finance has been the go-to solution that delivered above our expectations and that scales as The Sandbox keeps expanding the open metaverse." It all started with a simple idea: give businesses a better way to pay, and be paid in crypto. The founders saw serious problems that had to be solved before more businesses would start using crypto. For one, making crypto payments by copying and pasting wallet addresses from a spreadsheet is both laborious, and frightfully vulnerable to human error. On top of that, keeping proper financial records of crypto transactions was also an accountant's nightmare. To address these pain points, the team built a suite of enterprise-friendly features like on-chain payment confirmations, automated billing and payments in crypto, and even integrations with accounting software like Xero. The self-custodial platform currently supports over 150 tokens and stablecoins on 14 different chains. By addressing the common challenges faced by companies using crypto, it has attracted large users from different Web3 verticals. Notable names include DeFi companies like Aave, metaverse projects like The Sandbox and Decentraland, as well as DAOs like Maker. With growing calls for crypto payments to be regulated under existing tax and anti-money laundering laws, Request Finance also offers enterprises an easy way to document critical information about their crypto payments which are typically required by the authorities. Alexis du Peloux, Principal, at XAnge, commented: "After backing Ledger, Coinhouse, and Dogami we're backing a Web3 company that is set to become an essential part of tooling for Web3 businesses like DAOs, DeFi platforms, metaverse companies, and more." What Winter? Despite the cratering in crypto asset prices, and skepticism over the real-world adoption of cryptocurrencies, the company appears immune to the cold of the crypto winter. According to the company's published data for the month of May, the number of crypto invoices paid rose 81% month-on-month, bringing the total count to over 10,000 invoices paid to date. This represents about $10.5 million in crypto invoices paid last month alone, up 91%, or about $5 million more than the previous month . And while larger crypto companies have recently been making the headlines for layoffs and canceled job offers, Request Finance is actively looking to grow its ranks. It is hiring for various roles including a Chief Finance Officer (CFO), software developers, as well as positions in business development and marketing . The remote-first team currently comprises more than 20 blockchain engineers, UX designers, growth hackers, and support staff working from 12 different countries across Asia and Europe. This includes Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, the UK, Netherlands, France, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Mauritius, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. Follow us: Twitter Discord Contact Us: (Marketing & PR) Ivan Hong - ivan.hong@request.finance (Partnerships & Integrations) Christophe Fonteneau - christophe.fonteneau@request.finance Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835354/Request_Finance_Press_Release___Image_1.jpg Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835355/Request_Finance_Press_Release___Image_2.jpg Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835356/Request_Finance_Press_Release___Image_3.jpg Pratteln, Switzerland, and Rockville, MD, USA,June 9, 2022 - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) and ReveraGen BioPharma, Inc announce presentations of new data with vamorolone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Cross-study comparisons of long-term efficacy, impact on growth velocity, and frequency and severity of spinal fractures for vamorolone versus current standard of care from the Phase 2b VISION-DMD study and the FOR-DMD study will be presented during the poster session at the 2022 Annual Conference of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) to be held from June 23-26, 2022, in Scottsdale, AZ, USA. "Data being presented by our academic collaborators at PPMD this year will provide further insight into our understanding of the potential of a dissociative steroid, such as vamorolone, in maintaining muscle strength whilst addressing important safety concerns such as preventing growth stunting and reducing the frequency and severity of bone related side effects such a spinal fractures in the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy," said Dr. Shabir Hasham, Chief Medical Officer and Head Global Medical Affairs ofSanthera. Propensity score matched populations from the pivotal Phase 2b VISION-DMD study and the FOR-DMD study compared the efficacy of vamorolone to prednisone and deflazacort over 48-weeks. Safety analyses focused on the comparison of the long-term endpoints of height and spinal fractures, with vamorolone data collected in study VBP15-LTE (long-term extension) [1] versus prednisone and deflazacort data from the FOR-DMD study [2] over 2.5 years. Abstracts will be available on the PPMD website. Santhera will be participating in the PPMD Resource Fair (June 23-24) at the conference where medical representatives of the Company will be onsite to provide scientific information and latest updates. Santhera expects to complete the rolling new drug application (NDA) filing for vamorolone in DMD to the U.S. FDA in June 2022. Vamorolone has been granted Orphan Drug status in the US and in Europe for DMD, and has received Fast Track and Rare Pediatric Disease designations by the US FDA and Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) status from the UK MHRA for DMD. Vamorolone is an investigational medicine and is currently not approved for use by any health authority. About Vamorolone Vamorolone is a drug candidate with a novel mode of action that binds to the same receptor as corticosteroids but modifies its downstream activity and as such is a dissociative agonist [2-4]. This mechanism has the potential to 'dissociate' efficacy from typical steroid safety concerns and therefore vamorolone could emerge as a promising alternative to existing corticosteroids, the current standard of care in children and adolescents with DMD. In the pivotal VISION-DMD study, vamorolone met the primary endpoint Time to Stand (TTSTAND) velocity versus placebo (p=0.002) at 24 weeks of treatment and showed a good safety and tolerability profile. In clinical studies, vamorolone was generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported adverse events versus placebo from the VISION-DMD study were cushingoid features, vomiting and vitamin D deficiency. Adverse events were generally of mild to moderate severity. About the FOR-DMD Study The Finding the Optimum Regimen for DMD (FOR-DMD; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01603407 / EudraCT 2010-023744-33) study is a randomized, prospective, multicenter, double-blind, comparative study of the efficacy and safety of 3 corticosteroid regimens (prednisone daily, prednisone intermittent or deflazacort daily) in boys aged =4 years and <8 years with a confirmed diagnosis of DMD and who were corticosteroid naive at study entry. References: [1] Mah JK et al (2022). JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(1):e2144178. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.44178 [2] Guglieri, et al (2022) JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.4315 [3] Heier CR at al (2019). Life Science Alliance DOI: 10.26508 [4] Liu X, et al (2020). Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 117:24285-24293 About Santhera Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines for rare neuromuscular and pulmonary diseases with high unmet medical need. Santhera has an exclusive license for all indications worldwide to vamorolone, a dissociative steroid with novel mode of action, which was investigated in a pivotal study in patients with DMD as an alternative to standard corticosteroids. The Company plans to complete the rolling submission of its filing for approval for vamorolone with the U.S. FDA in June 2022. The clinical stage pipeline also includes lonodelestat to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) and other neutrophilic pulmonary diseases. Santhera out-licensed rights to its first approved product, Raxone (idebenone), outside North America and France for the treatment of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) to Chiesi Group. For further information, please visit www.santhera.com . Raxone is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals. About ReveraGen BioPharma ReveraGen was founded in 2008 to develop first-in-class dissociative steroidal drugs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other chronic inflammatory disorders. The development of ReveraGen's lead compound, vamorolone, has been supported through partnerships with foundations worldwide, including Muscular Dystrophy Association USA, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Foundation to Eradicate Duchenne, Save Our Sons, JoiningJack, Action Duchenne, CureDuchenne, Ryan's Quest, Alex's Wish, DuchenneUK, Pietro's Fight, Michael's Cause, Duchenne Research Fund, and Defeat Duchenne Canada. ReveraGen has also received generous support from the US Department of Defense CDMRP, National Institutes of Health For further information please contact: Santhera Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG, Hohenrainstrasse 24, CH-4133 Pratteln public-relations@santhera.comor Eva Kalias, Head Investor Relations & Communications Phone: +41 79 875 27 80 eva.kalias@santhera.com ReveraGen BioPharma Eric Hoffman, PhD, President and CEO Phone: + 1 240-672-0295 eric.hoffman@reveragen.com Disclaimer / Forward-looking statements This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. # # # Attachment President Yoon Suk-yeol answers reporters' questions while reporting to work at the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo Speculation is growing that jailed former President Lee Myung-bak could be pardoned in August after President Yoon Suk-yeol said, Thursday, that it would not be appropriate to keep him behind bars for decades. "I think it is not right for him to be imprisoned for over two decades based on similar instances in the past," Yoon told reporters as he arrived at the presidential office. His remark was a shift in tone from the previous day when he seemed not likely to free Lee, who has been serving a 17-year jail term since November 2020 for embezzlement and bribery. Yoon, who had been advocating for releasing the former president as soon as possible during the campaign period and right after his election, said, Wednesday, that pardoning Lee is not an issue to talk about right now, raising conjecture that he may have changed his mind after winning the election in March. Speculation over a possible pardon for Lee comes as the 80-year-old has filed a petition for a suspension of his sentence to the Anyang branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, according to the prosecution. A prisoner over age 70 who is in poor health or whose life cannot be sustained under imprisonment is eligible to receive a suspension of penalty, depending on the prosecution's opinion. While in prison, Lee has been in and out of the hospital several times for treatment of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and bronchitis. He also received cataract surgery last year. In response to his request, the Anyang prosecutors will conduct field research and report to the Suwon office, which will form a deliberation committee comprising legal, medical and academic specialists and members of the public to reach a final decision on Lee's sentence. In that respect, if Lee's petition is accepted by mid- or late July, he could make the list of presidential pardons on the occasion of National Liberation Day, which falls on Aug. 15. Each administration has used national holidays to grant paroles or presidential pardons under the pretext of national unity. When former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were convicted of treason and mutiny in 1996 for their roles in the 1979 coup and the 1980 Gwangju massacre, both of them were pardoned the following year. Former President Park Geun-hye was also pardoned in December 2021, after serving five years of a 22-year prison sentence following her conviction on a series of corruption charges. BILLUND, Denmark, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The LEGO Foundation has awarded the 2022 LEGO Prize to Maria Adelaida Lopez, Executive Director aeioTU, in recognition of her work advocating for, and championing learning through play. Since 1985, the LEGO Prize has been presented to individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of children. The prize is accompanied by $100,000 USD to fund further research and development within learning through play. Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, Fourth Generation LEGO Owner & Chair of the Board of Directors of the LEGO Foundation, said: "I am delighted to award this year's LEGO Prize to Maria Adelaida Lopez for her critical role championing learning through play in early childhood development in Colombia and Latin America and for inspiring and encouraging her wide network of contacts in this space to bring learning through play opportunities to thousands of children." The Colombian social enterprise aeioTU has worked for over a decade with the aeioTU Educational Model, which recognises children as protagonists and co-builders of their learning, building their confidence and a sense of security to explore, ask, inquire, and create through participating in learning through play experiences. "The LEGO Foundation has had a significant impact on the growth and strengthening of aeioTU, and also to my own personal and professional development. Having the LEGO Foundation by my side, together creating a better, more playful and more meaningful environment for children, their educators and families, has opened up opportunities for aeioTU to contribute towards ending the cycle of poverty that affects thousands of children. It has allowed us to empower the early educational system in our beloved country, Colombia, as well as in Panama and Mexico," said Maria Adelaida Lopez, Executive Director of aeioTU. "It is an honour for me to receive this recognition on behalf of aeioTU and, at the same time, dedicate it to all the people that have taught me so much and made aeioTU what we are today." The prize was awarded at the annual LEGO Idea Conference, hosted by the LEGO Foundation. An ideal playground for merging play, partnerships, programme learnings and policy ambitions, the LEGO Idea Conference offers opportunities for hands-on, minds-on play, exciting announcements, celebrations, inspirational knowledge-sharing and debates. With 2022 turning into a year of opportunities in the education space, the LEGO Idea Conference also serves as the key event for the LEGO Foundation to frame global conversations around transforming education systems. This year's conference brings together hundreds of partners from across the world, including researchers, government representatives, educators, and practitioners to discuss and explore how we can take playful learning beyond the classroom to transform learning systems together - to give as many children as possible the opportunity to learn through play and develop the skills they need now and in the future. Through the focus on transforming learning systems the LEGO Idea Conference is proud to host notable speakers, in-person and virtually. Speakers include Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF and Charles North, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education, as they debate early childhood development, financing the transformation of learning systems and inclusive learning systems - with a special focus on children in conflict areas and on the move. "Together with partners and global decision makers, we can transform learning systems to ensure that every child, regardless of background, gets the opportunity to develop through a joyful, meaningful, lifelong learning journey, infused with the power of play. That's the focus of this year's LEGO Idea Conference, acting as a stepping stone on a larger journey to transform the lives of millions of children across the world together with the global education, learning and early childhood community," said Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Foundation. NOTES TO EDITORS About the LEGO Foundation The LEGO Foundation aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow; a mission that it shares with the LEGO Group. The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is about re-defining play and re-imagining learning. In collaboration with thought leaders, influencers, educators and parents the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for learning through play. Learn more on www.LEGOfoundation.com. About aeioTU aeioTU is a Colombian social enterprise that develops the potential of children under five years old to transform communities through an innovative pedagogical model. With a model centred around collaboration, aeioTU delivers programmes to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and practitioners fully understand why play is so important and build the skills they need to ensure that children get the greatest benefits from it. www.aeiotu.com Contact Rikke Bruntse Dahl rikke.bruntse.dahl@lego.com +45 53195134 Zaandam, the Netherlands, June 9, 2022 - Ahold Delhaize published its second Human Rights Reporttoday, an important milestone for the company. The report focuses on the past two years of progress by Ahold Delhaize and its great local brands on the company's global Roadmap on Human Rights. In addition, Ahold Delhaize published its updated Position on Human Rights today, which is grounded in the company's Code of Ethics and outlines its commitment to supporting and respecting human rights in its own operations and supply chains. This updated Position on Human Rights broadens the benchmarks and international standards that guide the company's approach to human rights. The updated Position also includes additional information on Ahold Delhaize's approach to due diligence and access to remedy. The Human Rights Report 2022 provides an update on efforts to ensure human rights are respected, both within Ahold Delhaize and the brands and across the supply chains they rely on. Following the global due diligence process finalized in 2020, Ahold Delhaize implemented a methodology to help each of the brands assess the human rights impacts in its own operations and supply chains. In addition to implementing this methodology, each brand or region also conducted a supply chain risk assessment. This report highlights examples of the brands' great work, such as Albert Heijn recently publishing a report on its approach to human rights due diligence and Ahold Delhaize USA engaging Business for Social Responsibility to conduct a human rights assessment. In 2020, Ahold Delhaize shared an overview of its salient issues, including six priority issues: i) health & safety, ii) compensation, iii) freedom of association, iv) women's rights, v) forced labor and vi) discrimination & harassment. Another issue the brands consistently prioritize is child labor. The present report includes 27 case studies that highlight relevant programs and partnerships on each of the salient issues, including Alfa Beta's SHARE Equality label, Food Lion Feeds and the partnership between Albert Heijn, Delhaize Belgium and IDH The Sustainable Trade Initiative in the Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables. The Human Rights Report 2022 also gives an update on Ahold Delhaize's global governance of human rights and progress on key programs in its own operations, including the diversity and inclusion aspiration to achieve 100% gender balance at all levels, to be 100% reflective of the markets the brands serve, and to strive for 100% inclusion. The report shares how the company provides access to remedy through Speak Up lines and engages with stakeholders through its associate engagement survey and relevant partnerships. Frans Muller, President and CEO of Ahold Delhaize said, "We believe that it is our responsibility to respect human rights. By stepping up on our commitments, we aim to contribute to a more equitable society that also recognizes and respects human rights. Over the past two years, our brands have made significant progress on our Roadmap on Human Rights. The brands are the driving force of our business and the case studies in this report demonstrate their dedication to advancing our efforts on topics such as diversity and inclusion, health, sustainability and human rights. As we progress, we will continue to learn and grow so that we can make meaningful contributions to human rights in our brands' operations, supply chains and communities." More work needs to be done, and the implementation of the Roadmap is a process of continuous improvement. Ahold Delhaize will continue to demonstrate progress on its Roadmap and report publicly and transparently on its human rights commitments to external stakeholders and against relevant benchmarks in its annual reports. The next steps on our Roadmap on Human Rights More information on the report and the updated Position on Human Rights can be found here. The Ahold Delhaize team welcomes feedback and input on this Report and its Roadmap. Please send any comments or questions to: ethics@aholddelhaize.com. - Ends - Cautionary notice This communication includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as progress, commitment(s), supporting, respecting, broadens, approach, efforts, ensure, assessment, priority, consistently, prioritize, update, to be, strive for, to, believe, stepping up, aim to, are, advancing, continue, learn, grow, so that, meaningful, contributions, needs to be, implementation, process, continuous, improvement, will, demonstrate, report, relevant, next steps, incorporate, upcoming, review, embed, engage, implement, develop, monitor, along and way, or other similar words or expressions, are typically used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (the "Company") to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the Company's public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company's management and assumptions based on information currently available to the Company's management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. For more information Press office: +31 88 6595134 / media.relations@aholddelhaize.com Investor relations: +31 88 659 5213 Social media: Instagram: @Ahold-Delhaize | LinkedIn: @Ahold-Delhaize | Twitter: @AholdDelhaize About Ahold Delhaize Ahold Delhaize is one of the world's largest food retail groups and a leader in both supermarkets and e-commerce. Its family of great local brands serves 55 million customers each week, both in stores and online, in the United States, Europe, and Indonesia. Together, these brands employ more than 413,000 associates in 7,452 grocery and specialty stores and include the top online retailer in the Benelux and the leading online grocers in the Benelux and the United States. Ahold Delhaize brands are at the forefront of sustainable retailing, sourcing responsibly, supporting local communities and helping customers make healthier choices. The company's focus on four growth drivers - drive omnichannel growth, elevate healthy and sustainable, cultivate best talent and strengthen operational excellence - is helping to fulfil its purpose, achieve its vision and prepare its brands and businesses for tomorrow. Headquartered in Zaandam, the Netherlands, Ahold Delhaize is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and Brussels stock exchanges. Prodways Group announces a strategic distribution partnership with Dental Axess, a leading integrator of digital dental systems, thus expanding its global reach for its industry appraised MovingLight printer series and associated materials. The partnership will strengthen Prodways capacity to address large players of the dental industry who are printing high volumes of dental parts and require industrial production capacity, leading to more multi-printer installations. Prodways Group, a specialist in 3D printing and digital manufacturing solutions, has entered into a distribution agreement for its MovingLight printer line and associated materials with Dental Axess, a global and independent integrator of CAD/CAM solutions for dental clinics and laboratories. With this agreement, Prodways will reinforce its presence in the dental market in Europe and North America and establish commercial presence in Australia. The MovingLight printer and material line offered by Prodways has gained a strong momentum in the dental industry in the recent years thanks to its unique combination of industrial productivity and best-in-class accuracy. The technical quality of its systems and the expertise of its team compared to competitors led Dental Axess to choose Prodways as its preferred partner for high-volumes printers serving the dental market. "Prodways' printers offer customers a next level printing experience when it comes to scaling up digital manufacturing in the dental industry, especially in the clear aligner sector." explains Per Claesson, CEO and Co-founder at Dental Axess. "The unique ability to print dozens of models within minutes while achieving superior precision even for the most demanding applications will allow us to serve our customer base who is experiencing strong growth and needs to move to larger systems". Dental Axess has accompanied the fast-paced digitalization of the dental industry since its inception in 2011 and proposes a complete offer of CAD/CAM software, hardware and service for dental labs, clinics and industrial manufacturers. With offices in Switzerland, USA, Canada, Colombia and Australia, it serves thousands of dental professionals in 4 continents as a value-added reseller but also with in-house developed solutions. "Dental Axess has an in-depth knowledge of the dental technologies, uniquely developed digital workflows and markets" says Alban d'Halluin, CEO at Prodways printers, "we are thrilled to partner which such an experienced team. We believe that their expertise in local markets will help accelerate Prodways sales and success with new customers". Prodways and Dental Axess partnership aims at strengthening the offer for industrial systems in the dental sector. With the increased penetration of intraoral scanners, the demand for large-scale manufacturing continues to surge on many applications: clear aligners for orthodontics, crowns & bridges for prosthetics, digital dentures, etc. Many professionals turn to external experts to help them operate their digital transition. Prodways and Dental Axess combined expertise will deliver a comprehensive approach to large scale printing of dental parts, allowing professionals to scale-up from desktop solutions to industrial printers as their activity continues to grow. Dental Axess will also integrate Prodways manufacturing system into its unique cloud based data management system Xflow, allowing for a seamless Scan to Print workflow using only web based technology. Xflow customers can manage their complete digital workflow, including case approval from doctors, with direct integration with intra-oral scanners and now also manufacturing through Prodways MovingLight printers. Dental Axess will present the Prodways solutions at the Dental Bern 2022 exhibition taking place in Bern June 9th to 11th at booth 3.0 C550. About Prodways Group Prodways Group is a specialist in industrial and professional 3D printing with a unique positioning as an integrated European player. The Group has developed right across the 3D printing value chain (software, machines, materials, parts & services) with a high value added technological industrial solution. Prodways Group offers a wide range of 3D printing systems and premium composite, hybrid and powder materials (SYSTEMS division). The company also manufactures and markets parts on demand, prototypes and small production run 3D printed items in plastic and metal (PRODUCTS division). Listed on Euronext Paris (FR0012613610 - PWG), the Group reported in 2021 revenue of 71 million. For further information: www.prodways-group.com Follow us and keep up with Prodways Group's latest news on Twitter Contacts INVESTORS CONTACT Hugo Soussan Investor relations Tel: +33 (0)1 44 77 94 86 / h.soussan@prodways.com Claire Riffaud Investor relations Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 79/ criffaud@actus.fr MEDIA CONTACT Manon Clairet Financial medias relations Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 / mclairet@actus.fr About Dental Axess Dental Axess is an independent integrator of CAD/CAM solutions for dental clinics and laboratories based in Europe, Australia/New Zealand and North and South America. We enable customers to move from traditional working methods to partly or fully digital workflows by providing professional consultancy, cutting-edge products and solutions, specialist training and around-the-clock customer support. Dental Axess was founded upon the belief that digital dentistry gives dental professionals new possibilities to improve the patients' experience. We understand the challenges and deeply believe in helping and guiding dental professionals to become partly or fully digitalized and to gain the full benefits of a perfect workflow. For further information: www.dentalaxess.com Contacts PRESS CONTACT Dental Axess Management AG Patricia Zoller Talacker 35 8001 Zurich Tel: +41 (0)44 552 01 01 / patricia.zoller@dentalaxess.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: mZmblcdml5eVy2yfaJyZaWJqb5xok5TIbWSVlGNsl8jIa5tnypmVacXIZnBlnmdv - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-74929-cp_prodways_dentalaxess_en.pdf BUENOS AIRES (dpa-AFX) - Auto major General Motors Co (GM) plans to begin production of its Chevrolet Tracker SUV in Argentina next month, Reuters reported citing the company and the Argentine government. GM senior vice president and president of GM International Shilpan Amin discussed production plans with Argentine President Alberto Fernandez in a meeting in Los Angeles. As per the report, the company's goal is to export the new vehicle to other Latin American countries, mainly to Brazil and Colombia, where 80% of the production will be destined. Till now the popular Chevrolet Tracker was coming to Argentina from Brazil, where the automaker started the production in 2020. In 2017, the company reportedly had announced its plans to invest $300 million in its Argentina operations to build a new Chevrolet model at its Alvear plant in Argentina's northeastern Santa Fe province. Earlier, between 2014 and 2016, the company had invested $740 million in the plant. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. New data centre in the Middle East meets the security and data requirement needs for Nintex K2 Cloud customers DUBAI, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nintex, the global standard for process intelligence and automation, today announced that Nintex K2 Cloud, a low-code platform to build and run applications and solutions that automate and streamline processes and operations, is now available to customers in the United Arab Emirates through a Microsoft Azure data centre. To experience how organizations are building process apps fast and digitizing workflows and forms with Nintex K2 Cloud, visit https://www.nintex.com/case-studies/NintexK2Software By accessing the capabilities of Nintex K2 Cloud via a local data centre, organisations located in the Gulf region can confidently meet data privacy and residency requirements while standardising their business process improvements with Nintex software. "Our mission is to transform the way people work through process intelligence and automation, and a key component is providing even more options for our Nintex community to deploy secure and easily accessible cloud-based solutions in their geographic regions,' said Nintex Chief Product Officer Neal Gottsacker. "Having a local Nintex K2 Cloud data centre in the United Arab Emirates further supports the mission-critical applications and workflows running on Nintex. Nintex K2 Cloud provides low-code application development tools and features that enable teams to easily build process-based solutions that connect people, processes and systems. Organisations can quickly roll out everything from lightweight departmental workflows and simple applications, to complex, integrated, mission-critical process automation at scale. "One of the features in Nintex's products that we considered to be excellent is the ease of-use," said Colonel Mohammed Al Shamsi, UAE Ministry of Interior, Director of Smart Solutions Programs. "Today I have programmers and analysts that handle the program, and the interface has proven to be user-friendly and that allowed us to execute our programs in a faster manner." Nintex recently announced that its process mapping software, Nintex Promapp, is also available to customers in the Emirates through a Microsoft Azure data centre, making it easy for people to securely document and improve their organisation's business processes with visual tools that seamlessly integrate with workflow automation. To put The Power of Process to work, request a live demo. Media Contact Laetitia Smith laetitia.smith@nintex.com cell: +64 21154 7114 About Nintex Nintex is the global standard for process intelligence and automation. Today more than 10,000 public and private sector organisations across 90 countries turn to the Nintex Process Platform to accelerate progress on their digital transformation journeys by quickly and easily managing, automating and optimising business processes. Learn more by visiting www.nintex.com and experience how Nintex and its global partner network are shaping the future of Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836075/Nintex_Logo.jpg Press release Sainte-Marie, June 9, 2022, 10:30 COMBINED GENERAL MEETING OF JUNE 8, 2022 Dividend of 0.24 per share, i.e. a yield of 6.2%*, approved by the Combined General Meeting. Eric Wuillai, CBo Territoria's CEO, has expressed his confidence in the Group's development and has set a target of 430 million in economic assets in the tertiary sector by year-end 2025, up 43% from year-end 2021. All resolutions were passed by a large majority of the votes cast. CBo Territoria has announced that all resolutions submitted to the Combined General Meeting of June 8, 2022 were approved by a large majority. The regular Shareholders' Meeting was well attended with 682 shareholders present or represented or voting by mail, totaling 38.93% of the shares entitled to vote and 35 shareholders present at the meeting. The special Shareholders' Meeting recorded the attendance of 686 shareholders present or represented or voting by mail, totaling 39.02% of shares with voting rights and 35 shareholders present at the meeting. The Meeting agreed to pay a dividend of 0.24 gross per share, representing a yield of 6.2%*. The dividend will be detached on June 14 and paid in cash on June 16. The Shareholders' Meeting also reappointed EXA and DELOITTE ET ASSOCIES as statutory auditors for a period of six financial years, i.e. until the Annual Shareholders' Meeting to be held in 2028 to approve the financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2027 The Meeting decided to extend the terms of Mr. Eric WUILLAI and Mr. Guy Dupont as directors for another three years. Similarly, the meeting decided to appoint Mrs. Josephine LELONG-CHAUSSIER as director for a four-year term, succeeding Mrs. Sophie MALARME-LECLOUX, and the company TOLEFI, in the context of its capital increase last January, replacing Mrs. Guillemette GUILBAUD. The meeting also confirmed Mr. Jean-Marc HEYNDERICKX's non-renewal and non-replacement as a director. Following the non-replacement of Mr. Philippe Diricq, who resigned, the Board of Directors now consists of eight members, half of whom are independent and half of whom are women The meeting also approved all resolutions concerning corporate officer compensation and renewed financial delegations. CBo Territoria's board of directors renewed Mr. Eric Wuillai's term as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for one year at the end of the shareholders' meeting, which will expire at the end of the shareholders' meeting held to approve the financial statements for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2022. The 2021 Annual Report, which was distributed to shareholders present at this General Meeting, can be accessed via the website www.cboterritoria.com. (Finance / Shareholders' Area / Downloadable Documents / Annual Reports). Eric Wuillai, Chairman and CEO of CBo Territoria, used this Combined General Meeting to reaffirm his belief in the Group's development prospects, which are supported by a pipeline of new commercial assets and a strong order book in Development. It should be noted that CBo Territoria's new strategic plan announces a target of 430 million in economic tertiary assets by 2025, representing a 43% increase over 2021.. * Based on an average share price of 3.86, calculated between June 1 and 7, 2022 Forthcoming financial calendar publication First-half 2022 revenues: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 (after trading) About CBo Territoria Leading property developer and planner in Reunion Island and Mayotte, CBo Territoria is a real estate operator listed on Euronext C (FR0010193979, CBOT), and eligible for the PEA PME (Leveraged Share Savings Plan for the SME). The Group has been in the Top 10 (compartment C) of the Gaia Index for 5 years for its ESG approach and relies on best practices for its governance. Owner of 2950 hectares, the Group aims mostly to become a multi-regional Tertiary Property company, whose development is co-funded by its promotional activity. www.cboterritoria.com Contacts INVESTOR RELATIONS TEAM Caroline Clapier Administrative and Financial Manager direction@cboterritoria.com PARIS MEDIA RELATIONS TEAM dmorin@capvalue.fr REUNION MEDIA RELATIONS TEAM Nathalie Cassam Sulliman ncassam@cboterritoria.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: nJybYcpnZJnHlW6fZZZraJWWmmlmlZKYa2fLxmGaY8jFa2qVnZeUl8acZnBlnmhn - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-74931-cbot-cp-post-agm2022-09.06.22-v-ang.pdf Exhibiting the latest innovations and holding real-car demonstrations for European automakers, on June 14-15 in France . Introducing 27 new technologies and presenting Next-Generation Braking and Steering technology on a motor racing track. Orders from Europe have doubled every year for the last three years, Mobis to diversify its order portfolio with AR HUDs, Grille Lighting, and RWS. Launch of Tech-Marketing Campaigns SEOUL, South Korea and PARIS, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Mobis (KRX: 012330) is quickly developing its presence in the European Market, with ingenious technologies for autonomous driving, infotainment, and electrification. Hyundai Mobis will hold a Tech Show for two days on June 14 and 15 to present its latest innovations to its customers. In addition to introducing new products, MOBIS also will present key technologies on demonstrator vehicles. This Tech Show will be held at the JP Beltoise Circuit, a racing track, which consists of high-speed tracks, circular tracks, and straight tracks. Among the 27 brand new technologies Hyundai Mobis will unveil are: AR Head Up Displays (HUDs), Grille Lighting, Swivel Displays, In-Cabin Sensing, In-Wheel Systems, and Rear Wheel Steering systems (RWS). The show will cover all essential technologies in the field of Autonomous Driving, Electrification, and In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI). These technologies, designed to meet strict European requirements in terms of quality and sustainability will be embedded on electric cars and 48v mild hybrid cars. According to Axel Maschka, Head of Global OE Sales, Executive Vice President at Hyundai Mobis, "Hyundai Mobis will increase the number of new orders for our latest products to satisfy the needs of European Customers and mount diverse Tech Marketing campaigns." In order to further increase touchpoints with customers worldwide, Hyundai Mobis participated to the IAA (International motor show in Germany) in September 2021 and to the CES in Las Vegas in January this year. Hyundai Mobis also set up new key account management (KAM) organizations in North America, Europe and Japan and expanded its R&D network of engineering experts from various automotive fields to best address regional customers' needs and expectations. About Hyundai MOBIS Hyundai Mobis is the global no.7 global automotive supplier, headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Hyundai Mobis has outstanding expertise in sensors, sensor fusion in ECUs and software development for safety control. The company's products also include various components for electrification, brakes, chassis and suspension, steering, airbags, lighting and automotive electronics. Hyundai Mobis operates R&D headquarter in Korea, with 4 technology centers in Germany, China, India and the United States. For more information, please visit the website at https://www.mobis.co.kr/kr/index.do Media Contact Jihyun Han: jihyun.han@mobis.co.kr Choon Kee Hwang: ckhwang@mobis.co.kr Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1166884/hyundaimobis_CI_Logo.jpg Firework taps Krister Karjalainen as new Managing Director for Nordics SAN MATEO, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Firework, the leading livestreaming commerce and digital transformation platform, today announced that it has hired Krister Karjalainen to lead its new Nordics unit as Firework continues to expand globally. Karjalainen, based in Sweden, will serve as Managing Director of Firework's Nordic unit. He comes to Firework from Samsung Electronics, where he served as Digital & E-commerce director. The hire represents a strategic geographic expansion for Firework, already operating in 28 countries to date. Karjalainen brings a wealth of e-commerce, digital innovation, and marketing expertise to Firework. He's been leading Samsung's live commerce initiatives since 2020, and recently launched the world's first live commerce event in the Metaverse with a virtual influencer. "I'm excited to join a team that's pushing the bleeding edge of our Web3 future," said Karjalainen. "We have an opportunity to fundamentally redefine the ways in which companies interact with their customers through the dynamic power of short form, live, shoppable video anywhere on the open web-and I'm so looking forward to bringing the momentum we're already seeing stateside and in APAC to the Nordics." Prior to Samsung, Karjalainen served in key strategic roles at Procter & Gamble, IKEA, Nokia, Arla Foods and Gucci Eyewear (Safilo Group). He has also been awarded for his innovative and creative leadership at Cannes Lions, the Webby Awards, the Global M&M awards, the Global Sabre awards and at the New York Festival. Karjalainen joins Firework at a moment of rapid expansion and momentum. Last month, the company closed a $150 million Series B fundraising round, spearheaded by Softbank Vision Fund 2. Firework is using the capital to scale out its engineering, product, and marketing teams and deliver continuous innovation to its flagship platform. "Krister's wealth of experience spearheading digital transformation initiatives in the Nordics makes him an invaluable ally as Firework looks to expand its presence in the region," said Jason Holland, president and chief business officer at Firework. "Livestreaming and short-video make up a universal digital dialect for next-generation consumers, and we're looking forward to helping organizations use that language to forge meaningful connections with consumers in the Nordics." About Firework Firework is the global leader in humanizing the open web through the language of video. Leveraging shoppable video, live streaming commerce and powerful monetization capabilities, Firework empowers the world's most dynamic and exciting retailers, consumer brands, and publishers to build engaging video experiences on their owned and operated digital properties and across channels at a global scale. Firework enables organizations to bring new levels of authenticity and connection to online video experiences, speaking to digital natives in the language they understand fully-and taking control of their own customer data. The company has raised over $235 million in capital to date. To learn more, please visit firework.com . Media Contact Fatimah Nouilati Scratch Marketing + Media for Firework fatimah@scratchmm.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1611690/Firework_Logo.jpg PRESS RELEASE CHARM Therapeutics launches with a $50 million Series A financingto transformstructure-based drug discovery using its proprietary DragonFold AI technology CHARM Therapeutics is a pplying its end-to-end 3D deep learning protein -ligand co-folding technology , Dragon F old , to develop small molecule therapeutics against previously hard-to-drug targets in cancer and other therapeutic areas Series A financing was co-led by blue-chip life-science investors F-Prime Capital and OrbiMed Dragon F old was developed by CHARM c o-founde r s Laksh Aithani and David Baker, Ph.D. , providing the first rapid, accurate protein - ligand co-folding algorithm Industry veteran and experienced drug developer Gary D. Glick, Ph.D., named Executive Chair LONDON - 9 June 2022 - CHARM Therapeutics ("CHARM", "The Company"), a 3D deep-learning research company discovering and developing transformational medicines founded by David Baker, Ph.D. and Laksh Aithani, announces today a $50M Series A financing co-led by F-Prime Capital and OrbiMed, with General Catalyst, Khosla Ventures, Braavos and Axial also participating. CHARM Therapeutics is pioneering end-to-end 3D deep-learning to discover and develop transformational medicines against previously hard-to-drug targets. The Company's proprietary platform, DragonFold, applies expertise in protein-ligand co-folding to deliver transformational medicines targeting challenging molecular targets in cancer and other disease areas. "3D deep-learning on macromolecular configurations represents a new era in drug discovery. The work of David Baker in predicting highly accurate three-dimensional structures of proteins offers potential to explore new frontiers in medicine, approaching disease targets previously considered undruggable. CHARM Therapeutics has been created to combine these breakthroughs in 3D deep-learning with excellence in drug discovery and development," said Gary D. Glick Ph.D., Executive Chair of CHARM Therapeutics. "With the support of these high-quality new investors, we look forward to realising these goals." Leveraging end-to-end 3D deep-learning to predict protein-ligand co-crystal structure Structure-based drug design has had a significant impact on drug discovery, but its full potential has been limited by three fundamental challenges: first, determining non-orthosteric binding sites; second, predicting the joint pose of a ligand bound to a flexible protein; and third, predicting the strength of the binding interactions, which is an intricate interplay between enthalpy and entropy. CHARM Therapeutics' proprietary DragonFold technology, developed by David Baker and Laksh Aithani, uses end-to-end 3D deep-learning to predict the co-crystal structure of a protein-ligand complex based on a protein's primary sequence and the ligand's chemical structure. "Due to the end-to-end nature of DragonFold, it has the potential to simultaneously determine the binding site and model induced fit as well as predict the pose and affinity of the ligand, thus unlocking the true potential of structure-based drug design," said Laksh Aithani, co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of CHARM Therapeutics."We are advancing this technology and its application to the hit discovery, hit-to-lead and lead optimization processes of small molecule drug discovery." The Company is building a robust engine to translate these 3D predictions into novel small molecule therapeutics that modulate challenging targets, initially in cancer, with the potential to transform the lives of patients. Pioneering founders and experienced scientific leadership team CHARM Therapeutics was founded by Laksh Aithani, who previously founded Y Combinator-backed genei, and was a core contributor to the machine learning platform at Exscientia and most recently was Entrepreneur in Residence at Braavos. He will serve as CHARM's Chief Executive Officer. Joining him as scientific co-founder is David Baker, Ph.D., Head of the Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington. David received the 20th Wiley Prize for his work in predicting accurate three-dimensional structures of proteins and is a world-renowned leader in protein design. David Baker, Ph.D., co-founder of CHARM Therapeutics, commented:"Recent advances in deep-learning-based protein-folding have radically altered the scope of what we can achieve in biology, and I'm thrilled that we have created CHARM Therapeutics to develop this to address unmet needs in medicine." Gary D. Glick, Ph.D., a scientist and serial biotech entrepreneur who founded IFM Therapeutics, Scorpion Therapeutics and Odyssey Therapeutics, joins as Executive Chair of the Company. Gary D. Glick and Laksh Aithani will be supported by a Board of Directors that includes Muz Mansuri, Ph.D., Venture Partner at F-Prime Capital and previously on the Executive Committee at Sanofi and Gilead Sciences. Also joining the Board will be Nihal Sinha, M.D., Partner at F-Prime Capital and member of the founding team at Orchard Therapeutics, and Rishi Gupta, J.D., Partner at OrbiMed. Joining as Senior Vice President and Head of Drug Discovery is Sarah Skerratt, Ph.D., previously Head of Preclinical Sciences at MSD. Before joining CHARM Therapeutics, she held senior positions at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer. Sergey Bartunov, Ph.D., Director of AI, joins from Google DeepMind. Chris Bischoff, Managing Director at General Catalyst, Alex Morgan, M.D., Ph.D., Partner at Khosla Ventures, and Nessan Bermingham, Ph.D., Partner at Khosla Ventures and previously founder and CEO of Intellia Therapeutics, join the Board as observers. Rishi Gupta J.D., Partner at OrbiMed, commented: "The dramatic advances in predicting the three-dimensional structures of proteins representsone of the most significant breakthroughs in the application of AI to the life sciences.CHARM Therapeutics has assembled a world-class team of experts in AI, drug discovery and structural biology and we look forward to supporting the team in this journey to redefining the process of drug discovery." Nihal Sinha M.D., Partner at F-Prime Capital, commented:"CHARM was founded to extend the protein-folding innovations to small molecule drug discoveryand has made significant progress towards predicting the structural basis of protein-ligand interaction - a technology with the potential for far-reaching consequences in medicine." -ENDS- About CHARM Therapeutics CHARM Therapeutics is a 3D deep-learning research Company discovering and developing transformational medicines. Based on the award-winning discoveries of David Baker in protein-folding, CHARM Therapeutics has developed a proprietary technology based on the first rapid, accurate protein/ligand co-folding algorithm. The Company's mission is to use these insights to address challenging targets in cancer and other disease areas and discover and develop new drugs against these targets. CHARM Therapeutics was co-founded by David Baker and Laksh Aithani. The Company is Chaired by Gary Glick, founder of IFM Therapeutics, Scorpion Therapeutics and Odyssey Therapeutics. London-based CHARM Therapeutics has raised $50 million to date and is building an interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial team, combining leaders from the fields of AI and biotechnology. It is supported by high quality international investors including OrbiMed, F-Prime, General Catalyst, Khosla Ventures, Axial and Braavos. https://www.charmtx.com For further information, please contact: CHARM Therapeutics Laksh Aithani, Chief Executive Officer Phone: +44 7933 185425 info@charmtx.com Consilium Strategic Communications Amber Fennell/Chris Gardner/Jessica Hodgson Phone: 44 (0)20 3709 5700 charm@consilium-comms.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM) (FRA:1XMA) (OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") announces that drilling is planned to start this month at its Amelia gold property near Greenwood in southern British Columbia. Ximen now controls over 21,450 hectares of mineral properties in the Greenwood Mining Camp. The Amelia gold property is located west of Rock Creek and consist of 3,425 hectares of claims surrounding the historic Cariboo-Amelia gold mine (see figure below). Historic production was 81,602 ounces of gold, 32,439 ounces of silver, 113,302 pounds of lead and 198,140 pounds of zinc. The average recovered gold grade was 24.68 grams per tonne gold. Map of Amelia Gold property showing mineral occurrences and major gold-quartz veins. Photo of historic Amelia mine head frame on Cariboo quartz vein. The Amelia drill permit is for a total of 38 drill sites, with 19 sites approved for the first year. Multiple holes can be drilled from each of the sites, so the permit allows for approximately 11,400 meters to be drilled this year. Drill holes are planned initially to test at depth below the mine, followed by testing for an extension of the veins to the east. Perspective view of the 3D model for the historic Cariboo-Amelia mine showing the vein models (red) and planned drill holes. Assays up to 103 grams per tonne gold were obtained by Ximen for grab samples of mineralized vein material from the historic mine area (news release dated Oct. 22, 2020). Readers are cautioned that historical records referred to in this News Release have been examined but not verified by a Qualified Person. Further work is required to verify that historical records referred to in this News Release are accurate. Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Ximen Mining Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, approved the technical information contained in this News Release. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Christopher R. Anderson" Christopher R. Anderson, President, CEO and Director 604 488-3900 Investor Relations: Sophy Cesar 604-488-3900 ir@XimenMiningCorp.com About Ximen Mining Corp. Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects, The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under an option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment. Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL. This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. This press release shall 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 state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. 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: Ximen Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704428/Ximen-to-Drill-Amelia-Gold-Property A ruling People Power Party (PPP) delegation led by Chairman Lee Jun-seok returned home Thursday from a weeklong trip to Ukraine, where they discussed cooperation and support for the country at war with Russia. Lee and PPP lawmakers traveled to Ukraine last Friday, and visited Kyiv and other cities ravaged by Russia's invasion. They met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials for discussions on various support measures. "We have witnessed how the Russian invasion left a big scar on Ukraine in humanitarian terms and acts against humanity in cities, like Bucha and Irpin, destroyed in war," Lee said at Incheon International Airport. Lee also said he will deliver various topics discussed with Kyiv officials, from humanitarian aid and post-war reconstruction to military aid, to the government, adding Ukrainian officials showed high hopes for Korea's proactive support for Ukraine. (Yonhap) LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British American Tobacco Plc (BATS.L, BTI), a British maker of cigarettes, tobacco, and other nicotine products, on Thursday said that it maintains the guidance for the fiscal 2022 on strong revenue and volume growth. For the full year, the firm still expects a revenue growth of 2 percent to 4 percent at constant currency. The company had posted revenues of 25.684 billion pounds for the fiscal 2021. The London-headquartered firm also continues to project a mid-single figure adjusted EPS growth at constant currency. By applying current foreign exchange rates, the tobacco company still projects a translation tailwind of 2 percent on adjusted EPS growth for the first half and 5 percent for the full year. For 2022, the Group expects a gross capex of around 700 million pounds, previously around 750 million pounds, broadly in-line with adjusted depreciation and amortization. Jack Bowles, Chief Executive, said: 'We are proud that BAT's transformation continues at pace, with strong revenue and volume growth in all three New Categories driving share gains across our key markets. We are leveraging the strength and increasing scale of our three global drive brands, and are continuing to reduce New Category losses. Our New Category business is increasingly contributing to Group performance, and we are confident in delivering our 5bn New Category revenue and profitability targets by 2025.' 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched 'Next Legends' Youth E-cigarette Prevention Campaign, aiming to protect American Indian/Alaska Native or AI/AN youth from the dangers of tobacco use. The campaign will educate Native American youth, ages 12-17, about the harms of vaping through culturally specific ads. The 'Next Legends' campaign will reach AI/AN teens online through social media sites, the platforms where they spend much of their time. The agency will place digital video advertisements on social media sites such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, and streaming and gaming platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. Billboards, radio, and TV in Alaska will also be used to help spread the public health messages to Native youth. Members of the AI/AN community will be featured in the ads, giving messages on the negative health consequences and addiction risks of using e-cigarettes. They will also talk about the dangerous mix of chemicals and metals found in them, and how vaping can negatively affect aspects of life that are very important to the community. According to the FDA, more than half of around 400,000 Native teens in the U.S. are at risk of using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Native youth are more susceptible to e-cigarette use than their non-Native peers, as per studies. They also show disproportionately high experimentation and current use of e-cigarettes. FDA noted that e-cigarettes are the most used tobacco product among youth, and they cause serious health risks if used during adolescence, when the brain is still developing. As per data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, AI/AN youth are more likely to use e-cigarettes and almost twice as likely to be frequent users of e-cigarettes than high school students overall. The agency has conducted previous youth e-cigarette prevention campaigns with a focus to protect youth from the harms of vaping through regulation, scientific review of products, and taking enforcement actions against tobacco manufacturers, retailers, importers and distributors, when needed. At present, the FDA restricts youth access to tobacco products by requiring retailers to check ID prior to sale and not sell to anyone under the age of 21. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de LONDON (dpa-AFX) - U.K.-based Senior plc (SNR), engaged in the business of aerospace and defense components worldwide, on Thursday announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of California-based Spencer Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC, a unit of Pivotal Manufacturing Group, LLC. Senior has agreed to pay 48 million pounds ($60 million) for Spencer Aerospace, comprising an initial consideration of 24 million pounds ($30 million) in cash at completion and a further 24 million pounds ($30 million) 12 months after completion. An additional 32 million pounds ($40 million) is potentially payable in milestone amounts, dependent on the financial performance of Spencer Aerospace, during the period between completion of the acquisition and 31 December 2026. The final earnout milestone would become payable upon Spencer Aerospace's annual revenue reaching $40 million, representing revenue growth to more than 300 percent of expected 2022 revenue of $12 million. The Group expects to benefit from future tax relief valued at approximately 10 million pounds($13 million). The acquisition is expected to generate a return on invested capital in excess of Senior's cost of capital in the third full year following acquisition. The acquisition is scheduled to complete in the third quarter of 2022. The transaction would be funded using the Group's existing borrowing facilities and is expected to be accretive to adjusted earnings per share in the first full year of ownership. Shares of Senior plc were last traded at 127.80 pence, down 3 pence or 2.29 percent from the previous close. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX SENIOR PLC-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Report commissioned by SambaNova uncovers top challenges in deploying AI, including finding or customising models and algorithms (67%), setting up infrastructure (43%), and preparing data (38%) SambaNova Systems, the company delivering the industry's only comprehensive software, hardware, and solutions platform to run AI and Deep Learning applications, today announces the results of new research into AI adoption within enterprise organisations. The study of UK enterprise leaders sought to understand the challenges when delivering AI-based solutions during a period of accelerated change and transformation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005312/en/ The data from a recent study shows that enterprise technology leaders in the UK are eagerly adopting AI models and algorithms. Keeping pace with the speed of model and data growth, however, is an increasing challenge. 80% of IT leaders surveyed report that it's a challenge to keep up. They also report that it's difficult to deploy the algorithms once identified. (Graphic: Business Wire) AI is becoming a huge driver of value to businesses and is set to contribute trillions to the global economy over the next decade. Business leaders are aware of the potential value of AI. However, benefiting from it requires technology teams to deliver; this is where difficulty surfaces for most organisations. The data from the study shows that enterprise technology leaders in the UK are eagerly adopting AI models and algorithms. Keeping pace with the speed of model and data growth, however, is an increasing challenge. 80% of IT leaders surveyed report that it's a challenge to keep up. They also report that it's difficult to deploy the algorithms once identified. Top UK enterprise challenges highlighted in the research include: Finding or customising models and algorithms 67% Setting up infrastructure 43% Preparing data 38% Marshall Choy, SVP Product at SambaNova commented on the findings: "Our research shows that enterprise business leaders understand the value they can derive from AI today. But the technology teams tasked with delivering on their goals are struggling to keep up both from a technology and a resourcing point of view." Skills have become the limiting factor for AI implementation For business leaders, AI is a driver of business value, and more than half (54%) said that AI's business impact will be "transformational" or "significantly improve the business" over the next 12-24 months. Only 19% said it will have "no impact at all." For enterprise technology leaders, finding skilled staff across all technology disciplines is difficult. However, the challenge is particularly acute in the specialist field of AI. Almost three-fifths (59%) of IT managers reported that they have the budget to hire additional resources for their AI teams while 82% said that hiring the skilled staff is challenging. Over half (53%) said that retention is a challenge too. "You'd be hard-pressed to find an area of technology that is being developed more intensely than AI, especially around large language models such as GPT," said Chris Kenny, General Manager, EMEA at SambaNova. "The opportunity these models deliver is there for the taking, although technology teams often don't have the resources or expertise to take advantage of the opportunity." "For enterprises struggling to deliver on business leaders' demands, deploying AI as a service is a fast track, a scalable way to avoid falling behind their competitors," continued Kenny. "AI is already here at most organisations." Notes to the editor: The research surveyed 501 enterprise business leaders and 502 enterprise technology leaders based in the UK between May 20, 2022 and May 30, 2022. To receive the survey data please email sambanova@resonancecrowd.com. About SambaNova Systems: AI is here. With SambaNova, customers are deploying the power of AI and deep learning in weeks rather than years to meet the demands of the AI-enabled world. SambaNova's flagship offering, Dataflow-as-a-Service, is a complete solution purpose-built for AI and deep learning that overcomes the limitations of legacy technology to power the large and complex models that enable customers to discover new opportunities, unlock new revenue, and boost operational efficiency. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, SambaNova Systems was founded in 2017 by industry luminaries, and hardware and software design experts from Sun/Oracle and Stanford University. Investors include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Intel Capital, GV, Walden International, Temasek, GIC, Redline Capital, Atlantic Bridge Ventures, Celesta, and several others. For more information, please visit us at sambanova.ai or contact us at info@sambanova.ai. Follow SambaNova Systems on Linkedin. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005312/en/ Contacts: Tom Fry Resonance, for SambaNova Systems sambanova@resonancecrowd.com +44 208 819 3170 Virginia Jamieson SambaNova Systems virginia.jamieson@sambanovasystems.com 011-650-279-8619 BARCELONA, Spain, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Openbravo has announced the launch of its brand new Point-of-Sale (POS) for Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) and Fast Casual Restaurants, which will be first presented June 14 and 15 during the Resto Days event in Deauville, France. The phenomenal and continued global growth of this sector in the last decade is expected to continue in the coming years, creating new challenges for quick service restaurants. Customers obviously expect rapid service, but they have heightened expectations and are demanding more personalization, greater menu diversity and the ability to use new channels, especially online. At the same time, restaurants are under increasing pressure to maximize efficiency and improve profit margins. To give restaurants the right tools to effectively manage these challenges Openbravo launches a cloud-based quick service POS system designed for speed, customer service and operational efficiency, which is especially well suited to multi-location Quick Service and Fast Casual Restaurants because of its robust features and scalable architecture. "Quick service restaurant chains are in the midst of a rapid transformation, facing similar key challenges and needs to those affecting specialty retailers. This confluence of business challenges made the option of building a new quick service POS a very interesting next step in our product strategy. Thanks to our modular platform, we have been able to extend our strong retail-centric functional footprint with restaurant-specific features." said Matthijs Kneppers, Chief Product Officer of Openbravo. Key features of the solution include fast and flexible creation of menus and a powerful pricing engine with options like the definition of specific prices based on restaurant areas and delivery modes. It allows order customization, supports a variety of payment and delivery options, and offers restaurants the ability to easily integrate with online ordering solutions, kitchen systems, as well as delivery platforms for order preparation and delivery. Powered by a rich and adaptable user interface technology, the solution supports a variety of restaurant touchpoints. It also avoids the use of local servers and possible service interruptions due to temporary connection outages, thanks to its cloud-native design and its offline resilient technology. These features allow the reduction of total hardware costs and increase IT agility. "We are extremely excited to announce our Quick Service POS for the growth opportunity it represents for Openbravo and our distribution partners. Quick Service Restaurants can benefit from a modern solution that has been designed with their business challenges in mind and we are confident in our ability to add value in this sector just as we do in retail, where Openbravo is already a player of reference." said Marco de Vries, Chief Executive Officer of Openbravo. The new solution is currently running in pilot phase for a major restaurant chain, with full-scale rollout due to start after the summer, ultimately reaching over 200 locations. To know more visit openbravo.com/solutions/products/quick-service-pos-restaurants . About Openbravo Openbravo is the software platform of choice for brands, retailers and restaurants looking to accelerate their unified commerce strategy and increase the agility of their operations. It is a fully modular platform that integrates the online and offline channels and provides intelligent order management, a single, real-time view of customers and inventory, a complete store solution and restaurant POS to deliver more personalized and convenient experiences. It is an all-in-one cloud-based solution. International clients such as BUT, Decathlon, Norauto, Sharaf DG, Toys 'R' Us Iberia and Zodio prefer Openbravo, which is today used in over 50 countries with more than 10,000 back office users and in more than 40,000 points of sale. To learn more, visit openbravo.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Xavier Places, Marketing Director, +34 607 676 568, xavier.places@openbravo.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/703504/Openbravo_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835929/Openbravo.jpg Flight bookings are up 118% compared to the start of 2022 LONDON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From historic city centres, to the culturally vibrant capital city London, to the beautiful crowd-free countryside, the UK has always been a popular choice for global travellers. With all remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions being lifted in March, travel intent has continued to improve. Sojern , a leading provider of digital marketing solutions for travel, shares travel trends and insights for a promising summer ahead in the UK. What will happen this season? Flight bookings to the UK are on the rise globally Travel demand to the UK in 2022 continues in an upward direction, closing the gap with 2019 flight booking levels. As of 9th May 2022 bookings are up 118% compared to the start of the year. All global regions demonstrate positive uplift in the leadup to the peak summer travel season. US, Canada, and Caribbean is up 171% vs the start of 2022, Asia-Pacific (APAC) is up 118%, Europe, Middle East and Africa is up 105%, and Latin and Central America is up 104%. APAC is the slowest region to recover vs 2019, perhaps due to having had some of the tightest travel restrictions in the world, however all subregions, beside East Asia, have achieved or exceeded 2019 booking levels. UK summer and Jubilee travel demand The Queen's recent Jubilee celebrations could account for a minor increase in June's contribution to total travel within the year, as well as pent-up travel demand to the UK. What is clear is that a strong summer season is ahead of us with June - August total booking contributions increasing from 25% in 2019 to 27% in 2022. Top origin countries to the UK include the United States (23.5%), domestic travellers within the United Kingdom (6.7%), Germany (6.6%), Canada (6.8%), and notably Australia, now exceeding their 2019 contribution level (up 1%)-from 4.1% in 2021 to 5% in 2022. Length of stays on the rise for summer travel Sojern has seen a sharp increase in medium length trip durations (4-14 days), up 24% in 2022 from 18.6% in 2019, at the expense of short (0-3 days) and long trips (15+ days) A decrease in long trip duration during this period follows a long-term decline observed from back in 2019. This could partly be due to travellers taking advantage of "workcations"-the travel trend mixing work and play that's here to stay. According to the BBC , there's no sign of workcations slowing down as companies continue to offer flexible remote work policies. About Sojern Sojern is a leading digital marketing platform built for travel marketers. Powered by artificial intelligence and traveller intent data, Sojern provides multichannel marketing solutions to drive direct demand. Thousands of hotels, attractions, tourism boards and travel marketers rely on Sojern annually to engage and convert travellers around the world. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/249299/sojern_logo.jpg VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / (TSX.V:OGN) (OTCQX:OGNRF) Orogen Royalties Inc. ("Orogen" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed an agreement (the "Agreement") with Advance Lithium Corp. ("Advance") to purchase 3% net smelter royalties on three prospective mineral licenses (the "Royalties") in the Lake Victoria Gold Fields ("LVG") in western Kenya. Upon closing of the Agreement, Orogen will pay Advance US$120,000 for the Royalties and transfer its interest in the Sarape Gold project to Advance. Orogen will retain a 1.5% net smelter return royalty on the Sarape project. "Identifying royalties on high-quality early-stage exploration opportunities forms part of Orogen's strategy of royalty creation and acquisition," commented Paddy Nicol. "Using the Sarape project in the transaction is a creative solution that demonstrates the ability of Orogen's hybrid prospect generation and royalty business model. Advance Lithium, a Mexican based lithium and gold explorer, is seeking exposure to the highly prospective Rio Sonora Valley, that hosts the Santa Elena/Ermitano Mine, the Mercedes Mine and the Las Chispas deposit as well as Sarape." About the Western Kenya Royalties Upon closing of the Agreement, Orogen will hold a 3% net smelter royalty on the Rosterman, Sigalagala, and Bukura licenses located in the Liranda Corridor, a structural zone within the northern-most greenstone belt in the LVG. The licenses collectively cover approximately 19.75 square kilometres of ground within a larger land package known as the West Kenya Project held by Shanta Gold Limited ("Shanta Gold"). Shanta Gold is an AIM-listed gold producer with operations in Tanzania and western Kenya. The three royalties were created in February 2022 from a joint venture between Shanta Gold and Gold Rim Exploration Kenya, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advance. Two licenses (Sigalagala and Bukura) are located approximately four kilometres east and two kilometres northwest of the Isulu and Bushiangala deposits, respectively, that are currently being advanced by Shanta Gold (see figure 1). Indicated resources of 378,000 ounces gold grading 11.70 grams per tonne ("g/t") and inferred resources of 739,000 ounces gold grading 10.80 g/t gold at Isulu and Bushiangala were announced in March 20221. Shanta Gold plans to initiate a feasibility study on the deposits over the duration of 2022. Bukura and Sigalagala cover the extensions of the shear zone that forms the structural setting for Isulu and Bushiangala. Previous exploration on the Sigalagala and Bukura licenses includes soil geochemistry, geophysics and several air-core, reverse circulation, and diamond drilling campaigns. Highlight drill holes from the Sigalagala license include LCD0013 grading 8.74 g/t gold over three metres from 62 metres, and LCD0036 grading 4.94 g/t gold over 1.2 metres from 221.9 metres. At Bukura, drillhole LCD0043 grades 7.10 g/t over one metre. The Rosterman license lies approximately eight kilometres north of the Isulu and Bushiangala deposits and contains the historical Rosterman Mine where approximately 250,000 ounces of gold grading 12.3 g/t were produced from shallow dipping quartz veins hosted within diorite. An interpreted splay fault travels northeast from the mine and coincides with a coherent gold soil anomaly extending over 1.8 kilometres. The extensive and strong soil geochemistry appears to be related to the historical Rosterman Mine and defines an attractive drill target. Figure 1 - Claim locations of Bukrua, Sigalgala, and Rosterman licenses in the Liranda Corridor. Qualified Person Statement All technical data, as disclosed in this press release, has been verified by Laurence Pryer, Ph.D., P.Geo., Exploration Manager for Orogen. Dr. Pryer is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Certain technical disclosure in this release is a summary of previously released third-party information and the Company is relying on the interpretation provided. Additional information can be found on the links in the footnotes. About Orogen Royalties Inc. Orogen Royalties is focused on organic royalty creation and royalty acquisitions on precious and base metal discoveries in western North America. The Company's royalty portfolio includes the Ermitano gold and silver deposit in Sonora, Mexico (2% NSR royalty) operated by First Majestic Silver Corp. and the Silicon gold project (1% NSR royalty) in Nevada, U.S., being advanced by AngloGold Ashanti. The Company is well financed with several projects actively being developed by joint venture partners. On Behalf of the Board OROGEN ROYALTIES INC. Paddy Nicol President & CEO To find out more about Orogen, please contact Paddy Nicol, President & CEO at 604-248-8648, and Marco LoCascio, Vice President of Corporate Development at 604-248-8648. Visit our website at www.orogenroyalties.com. Orogen Royalties Inc. 1015 - 789 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6C 1H2 info@orogenroyalties.com Shanta Gold - https://shantagold.com/_resources/MRE%20Update%20v2%20without%20Ramula%20Pit%20Shell.pdf Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward looking statements". All statements in this presentation, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Orogen Royalties Inc. (the "Company") expect 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" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believe 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 the forward looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Furthermore, the extent to which COVID-19 may impact the Company's business will depend on future developments such as the geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions, physical distancing, business closures or business disruptions, and the effectiveness of actions taken in Canada and other countries to contain and treat the disease. Although it is not possible to reliably estimate the length or severity of these developments and their financial impact as of the date of approval of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements, continuation of the prevailing conditions could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations for future periods. 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. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. SOURCE: Orogen Royalties Inc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704471/Orogen-Acquires-Three-Royalties-in-Africa-and-Creates-One-Royalty-in-Mexico creativestyle GmbH, based in Munich, Germany, joins Smile, the European leading group in open source technologies. creativestyle will operate and grow on the German market supported by its Polish entity and will benefit from Smile's expertise to strengthen its client offering. The project benefits from the active support of the management of both companies and the shareholders of the Smile Group: Keensight Capital, one of the leading private equity managers dedicated to pan-European in Growth Buyout1 investments, and Eurazeo through its Small-Mid Buyout team. Smile and creativestyle are bringing together their expertise and know-how in digital & e-commerce services through open source technologies to innovate and best meet customer expectations throughout Germany and German-speaking countries. The aim is to develop in those markets thanks to a combination of both creativestyle expertise and Smile capacities, technologies & solutions, and international presence. creativestyle will be part of Smile Group, a European leader in open digital and open source (consulting, innovation, integration, infrastructure). Smile contributes each year to hundreds of strategic digital projects for the largest French and European accounts through high-level innovative solutions and concepts. Founded in 2001, creativestyle is headquartered in Munich and also has offices in Hamburg, Krakow and Rybnik. With a team of over 85 digital experts, creativestyle is one of the leading agencies in Germany in terms of consulting, backend integration, operations and customer experience of e-commerce solutions, for which it is regularly awarded with prizes such as the Shop Usability Awards. The acquisition of creativestyle is part of Smile's Open Arrow strategic plan, notably to develop the Group's geographic coverage. creativestyle will benefit from the continued development of Smile on an international scale with the support of its shareholders in the endeavor. creativestyle will reinforce the overall Smile Group delivery skill centers and know-how with its Polish entity and experts. Marc Palazon, Smile Group CEO, declares: "Entering the German market is key to strengthening Smile's leadership in the open-source industry in Europe and we believe that building a European open-source digital champion strongly benefits our clients and partners. creativestyle has demonstrated a fast industrial growth, especially thanks to its Polish capacities and its straightforward, high-level expertise. Smile & creativestyle share a similar company culture and mindset which have been key in building this partnership. We are looking forward to working with creativestyle's outstanding managers & teams." Jaromir Fojcik & Krzysztof Daniel, founders and managers of creativestyle, add: "We are pleased to expand our open-source strategy with Smile. In addition to our current consulting and web development services in B2C commerce, we will grow our B2B commerce offer and digital solutions across the German-speaking region. Furthermore, we are strongly increasing our remote capacities, ensuring a sufficient developer firepower for our customers at a time when skilled experts are making themselves scarce. Joining Smile gives us a great opportunity to deliver large, ambitious and international projects to large corporations." Stanislas de Tinguy, Partner at Keensight Capital, concludes: "We are proud to support Smile in this new stage of its international development as part of the Open Arrow strategic plan. Following the recent acquisitions of UX-Republic and alter way, this new build-up will be key to strengthening Smile's position as a European leader in the field of high added value open-source digital solutions. This acquisition is a key step in Smile's ambitious growth strategy." 1 Growth Buyout: investment in unlisted profitable growth companies, in minority or majority stakes with or without leverage, with a flexible approach adapted to the needs of each entrepreneur, to finance organic growth projects, acquisition strategies or to provide liquidity to historical shareholders. New data centre in the Middle East meets the security and data requirement needs for Nintex K2 Cloud customers LONDON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nintex, the global standard for process intelligence and automation, today announced that Nintex K2 Cloud, a low-code platform to build and run applications and solutions that automate and streamline processes and operations, is now available to customers in the United Arab Emirates through a Microsoft Azure data centre. To experience how organizations are building process apps fast and digitizing workflows and forms with Nintex K2 Cloud, visit https://www.nintex.com/case-studies/NintexK2Software By accessing the capabilities of Nintex K2 Cloud via a local data centre, organisations located in the Gulf region can confidently meet data privacy and residency requirements while standardising their business process improvements with Nintex software. "Our mission is to transform the way people work through process intelligence and automation, and a key component is providing even more options for our Nintex community to deploy secure and easily accessible cloud-based solutions in their geographic regions,' said Nintex Chief Product Officer Neal Gottsacker. "Having a local Nintex K2 Cloud data centre in the United Arab Emirates further supports the mission-critical applications and workflows running on Nintex. Nintex K2 Cloud provides low-code application development tools and features that enable teams to easily build process-based solutions that connect people, processes and systems. Organisations can quickly roll out everything from lightweight departmental workflows and simple applications, to complex, integrated, mission-critical process automation at scale. "One of the features in Nintex's products that we considered to be excellent is the ease of-use," said Colonel Mohammed Al Shamsi, UAE Ministry of Interior, Director of Smart Solutions Programs. "Today I have programmers and analysts that handle the program, and the interface has proven to be user-friendly and that allowed us to execute our programs in a faster manner." Nintex recently announced that its process mapping software, Nintex Promapp, is also available to customers in the Emirates through a Microsoft Azure data centre, making it easy for people to securely document and improve their organisation's business processes with visual tools that seamlessly integrate with workflow automation. To put The Power of Process to work, request a live demo. Media Contact Laetitia Smith laetitia.smith@nintex.com cell: +64 21154 7114 About Nintex Nintex is the global standard for process intelligence and automation. Today more than 10,000 public and private sector organisations across 90 countries turn to the Nintex Process Platform to accelerate progress on their digital transformation journeys by quickly and easily managing, automating and optimising business processes. Learn more by visiting www.nintex.com and experience how Nintex and its global partner network are shaping the future of Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836075/Nintex_Logo.jpg DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FlowForma, the leading provider of Process Automation tools for Microsoft Office 365, today announced it has been selected by NHS Digital as an approved vendor for the provision of its award-winning FlowForma Process Automation tool for NHS trusts, across the United Kingdom. As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHS prioritised implementing a shared tenancy, 'N365', to increase collaboration and improve productivity among staff. With over one million users to date, procuring solutions to further drive efficiency and create a culture of continuous improvement became a priority for NHS staff. The NHS London Procurement Partnership (LPP) provides a portal to its members to support the procurement process and facilitate contract management with suppliers nationwide. FlowForma has been recognised as a proven vendor to aid the digital transformation of NHS trusts across the United Kingdom. The 3-in-1 FlowForma Process Automation tool combining forms, workflow, and document generation is a proven solution to replace paper, excel spreadsheets, and email-based processes across healthcare institutions. The 100% no-code tool features rapid prototyping capabilities that empower process owners to deploy digital processes at speed and scale across hospitals and other public bodies, ultimately delivering better patient/customer experiences. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one such institution who are reaping the rewards from digitising. Mark Greenwood, Senior Developer, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and his team have automated and streamlined more than 40 processes with further areas for transformation outlined. "We had brought some processes online using other tools, but the speed of development and the opportunity to involve process owners in creating their own forms and workflows using FlowForma Process Automation is a game-changer. A process automation solution that can be procured easily for NHS trusts like ours is key to assist a wider transformation across the entire NHS ecosystem. We hope we can act as a successful business case for others to follow in the future," said Mark Greenwood, Senior Developer, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. "For us, it was about leveraging the national tenant to gain further efficiencies and adopting an internet-first approach to cyber security. FlowForma was part of our core PASA (Provisioning and System Access) solutions and the ability to create workflows quickly with governance from IT, without being reliant on them, is critical as we seek to further automate in other areas," said Shaun Bucknill, Head of ICT & Acting Deputy CIO, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Olivia Bushe, CEO of, FlowForma added, "We are delighted to be selected as a vendor for the NHS's 'N365' shared tenancy. The FlowForma Process Automation tool will provide NHS bodies with a proven process automation solution to deliver rapid results throughout healthcare institutions. "We are excited to continue working with NHS trusts and other institutions having recently also been selected by the NHS London Procurement Partnership as a trusted solutions provider to digitise processes and ultimately improve patient care as a result." To accelerate process automation, FlowForma has recently launched a set of fully editable common process accelerator templates for this sector, helping organisations to digitise their business processes with speed and flexibility whilst encouraging adoption across all departments. Users can benefit from process templates such as: Monthly Housekeeping Inspection Hospital to Hospital Transfer Referral Form Incident Report IT Request Medication Incident Report Theatre Notes Transfer Request Waiting List Card Consent for Release of Information Users can benefit from our process accelerators and more by taking a free 14-day trial of the FlowForma Process Automation tool. Supporting Resources: To learn more about how FlowForma is empowering the healthcare sector visit: www.flowforma.com/helping-healthcare To find out how the FlowForma Process Automation tool works visit: www.flowforma.com/how-it-works T o download a free 14-day trial of FlowForma Process Automation visit: www.flowforma.com/start-your-flowforma-trial To learn more about FlowForma Process Automation, book a demo with one of our experts: www.flowforma.com/book-a-demo To find out how FlowForma Process Automation compares against its peer's visit: www.g2crowd.com/products/flowforma-process-automation/reviews About FlowForma FlowForma is the leading provider of enterprise-class, no-code business process management, and automation tools that empower business people to rapidly digitise a wide range of processes. The company empowers businesspeople in construction, engineering, healthcare, financial services, and more, to digitise complex business processes in-house, without writing any software code. Customers are live with digital processes, empowered and self-sufficient within 4 weeks of onboarding. Users rapidly reap ROI, resilience, and innovation. FlowForma Process Automation is making waves in the automation space with its process accelerators, external stakeholder engagement, and offline capability. FlowForma is a Microsoft Gold Partner, with over 200,000 global users. The company is headquartered in Ireland with offices in Boston and London and is motivated by its values to innovate, evolve, and achieve with employees, customers, and partners. For further information or a 14-day free trial, visit www.flowforma.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835835/FlowForma_CEO.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/715823/FlowForma_Logo.jpg This is the 13th in a "Letters to President Yoon" series The Korea Times has organized to convey policy recommendations in open letters from politicians, scholars and experts to President Yoon Suk-yeol following his May 10 inauguration. ED. By Jeffrey Jones Dear Mr. President, I would like to extend to you my very heartfelt congratulations on your inauguration as the new president of South Korea after winning the March presidential election. The American business community in Korea applauds your recent actions and policies to align Korea with international norms and standards and your passionate commitment to the rule of law. This will propel Korea's continued economic progress and assure Korea's global leadership as a country based on fairness and transparency providing equal opportunity to all. The recent summit with U.S. President Joe Biden was an excellent opportunity to display your leadership and skills on the international stage. By all standards, the summit was a success for you, your administration and for Korea and was an opportunity to prove to the Korean electorate that you are a capable and passionate leader with a vision on how to ensure Korea's voice is heard and heeded in the region in respect of diplomacy, security and economic matters. I have no doubt that President Biden and the leadership of his administration were similarly impressed with the results of the summit and your excellent leadership. This will open the doors for further cooperation at all levels of your administration with the United States and other nations in the region and, equally important, further cooperation with the private sector as well. Strengthening the partnership with the United States and further enhancing the commitment of both nations to the alliance will have a lasting impact on peace and security in the region. No doubt, all nations in the region were paying close attention to the results of this summit. I am confident that they too were impressed with the mature leadership you displayed and your commitment to the principles of international law and order. This will have a positive impact on aligning their various policies to those of Korea and assuring that a more consistent voice is heard in the region. In particular, the partnership announced with the United States and the agreement to jointly pursue areas of innovative technology involving semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, AI and the environment was an important and impressive result of the summit. These are specific and deliverable objectives that will benefit the economies of both Korea and the United States. It is also a very real and justifiable confirmation that Korea is a critical and important partner of the United States. No longer is Korea dependent on the largess of the United States for Korea's economic or security survival and these agreements are excellent examples of Korea's technological leadership and worthy partnership with the United States. It is wise to closely partner with the world's largest economy and create a stronger integrated environment that will benefit Korea's economy and strengthen Korea's economic and diplomatic role in the region. Prior to the summit with President Biden, the entire leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea sent you a letter assuring you of our support for your policies championed during your campaign. We promised to work closely with your administration to make Korea the center of business in the Asia-Pacific region. We are anxious to expand the list of companies who are bringing their Asian headquarters to Korea. Already, many companies have their Asian leadership located in Korea and more will follow. There are few important adjustments that can be made that will ensure this happens, to include the following: Restoration of 19 percent tax rate for foreign residents Improve the flexibility of employment conditions Eliminate much of the strict criminal liability on CEOs Restructure the inheritance tax law impact on foreign residents The world is changing at an amazingly fast pace. Competitive pressures are real. The commitment to the rule of law will provide Korea with the credibility and strength to remain competitive and assure that the future generations of Korea can look forward to a fair, democratic, secure and prosperous nation. Mr. President, you are on the right track. There will be significant challenges and hurdles to overcome, but your stated policies and commitment to principles of international law and order will bring Korea successfully to the finish line. You are off to a great start and you can count on our continuing support. Sincerely, Jeffrey Jones The writer is chairman of Partners for the Future Foundation, the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. ETC Group (www.etc-group.com), Europe's leading specialist provider of institutional-grade, digital asset-backed securities, announces that Enigma Securities, a full-service international financial services firm for digital assets liquidity and advisory, has been appointed as Authorised Participant. ETC Group has an ongoing process to identify and add to its range of liquidity partners, to constantly build on trading quality for its product suite. Enigma Securities will facilitate note share creation and redemption process for ETC Group's products, leveraging its existing operational and regulatory infrastructure in cryptocurrency securities. Leveraging technology infrastructure built to compete on global stock exchanges, Enigma has rapidly become one of the most competitive participants in the digital asset market with its proprietary trading platform. The ETC's Authorised Participant status will strengthen Enigma's European presence, offering deeper liquidity and greater efficiency when transacting with global clients. Recent research shows that, as of January 2022, derivatives accounted for 60% of the total trading volume in crypto assets. The growing crypto derivatives market allows more options for investors managing and mitigating risk in their digital asset portfolios by opening up broad and deep liquidity pools a core feature of ETC Group's exchange traded crypto (ETC) offering with Authorised Participants. ETC Group's Physical Bitcoin ETC known under its ticker BTCE (ISIN: DE000A27Z304) has traded a daily average of $19 million1 on Deutsche Borse XETRA alone in the past 6 months and is the underlying asset for Europe's first Bitcoin Futures. Olivier Sultan, Head of Investment Products at Enigma Securities commented: "We are looking forward to building a strong partnership with one of the biggest ETP providers in the industry. Through our unique cross-functional position as an appointed representative of Makor Securities London Ltd, an FCA-regulated brokerage firm, we are able to continue providing independent and competitive liquidity for high-volume crypto trades, as well as giving our institutional clients regulated access to an alternative source of digital-asset securities and future innovative products." Rafael Zanatta, Head of Business Development at ETC Group said: "We are pleased to welcome Enigma Securities as a new Authorised Participant given their extensive experience in crypto markets. Their support will further increase the liquidity of our products, including BTCE, already the most liquid listed bitcoin ETN in Europe, reflecting their relevance and appeal to the wider institutional investment base." ETC Group's institutional grade exchange-traded products are popular with a wide range of investors who want to continue investing through traditional financial markets while gaining access to the digital asset class. Investors can currently choose from 14 different ETCs at ETC Group in order to be able to participate in the price development of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other popular cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and your capital is at risk. Disclaimer: https://bit.ly/etcdisc - ends - Media information About ETC Group (www.etc-group.com) ETC Group develops innovative digital asset-backed securities including BTCetc ETC Group Physical Bitcoin (BTCE) and ETHetc ETC Group Physical Ethereum (ZETH) which are listed on European exchanges including XETRA, Euronext, SIX, AQUIS UK and Wiener Borse. ETC Group launched the world's first centrally cleared Bitcoin exchange traded product (ETP) in June 2020 on Deutsche Borse XETRA, Europe's largest ETF trading venue. ETC Group is continuously working on expanding its suite of institutional-grade cryptocurrency backed ETPs, providing investors the opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Solana and other popular digital assets on major European stock exchanges. ETC Group's securities are marketed to professional investors by HANetf. About Enigma Securities Ltd. (www.enigma-securities.io Enigma Securities Ltd. is a leading digital asset liquidity provider and appointed representative of Makor Securities London Ltd, an FCA-regulated brokerage firm with a 10-year track record of excellence. Leveraging technology infrastructure built to compete on Wall Street, Enigma has rapidly become one of the most competitive participants in the digital asset market with its proprietary trading platform. The firm's dedicated team of research analysts provide exclusive insights into the evolving digital asset industry through periodic reports on regulatory developments and quantitative analysis, to advancements in blockchain technology. For more information on Enigma, visit enigma-securities.io, LinkedIn and Twitter. 1Source: Bloomberg, information as of 01.06.2022 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005463/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Jemma Loman, Clarity PR for ETC Group etc.group@clarity.global Elle Welch, Interdependence Public Relations for Enigma Securities Makorgroup@interdependence.com Expansion of European business development team supports next phase of growth for Metrion's ion channel drug discovery services Metrion Biosciences Limited ("Metrion"), the specialist ion channel contract research and drug discovery company, today announced the appointment of Dr Benedetta Montagnini as Head of European Business Development. Driven by the uptake of its ion channel discovery services, the appointment follows the recent creation of a Client Services team as Metrion expands its operations and enhanced drug discovery capabilities, internationally. Based in Rome, Italy, Dr Montagnini will provide local support to Metrion's existing client base across Europe and Israel, along with leading the development of new business opportunities in the ion channel field. With over 20 years experience working within the drug discovery services environment, Dr Montagnini was previously Business Development Manager at Eurofins Discovery and DiscoveRx and prior to that Account Manager for the Industrial BioProcessing Division at Invitrogen. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and a PhD Magna cum Laude in Biochemistry from Sapienza Universita di Roma. Dr Benedetta Montagnini, Head of European Business Development at Metrion Biosciences, commented: "Metrion's continued growth substantiates its position as a leading provider of drug discovery research services for ion channel targets across a broad range of therapeutic areas. This reputation attracted me to the Company, and I am delighted to be joining the team at this point in its expansion. I look forward to working with both existing and new clients and supporting the community across Europe. I have a great respect for Metrion's strong scientific focus for ion channel drug discovery and vision for the future development of its services" Nick Foster, Chief Commercial Officer of Metrion Biosciences, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Benedetta to the Metrion team. Engaging with and supporting our clients, locally and internationally, is Metrion's top priority and this exciting development enables us to enhance our ability to provide local support in Europe. Benedetta's appointment and the continuing expansion of our team of scientists, celebrates the Company's success and gives us a strong footing for our future growth in these regions." ENDS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005455/en/ Contacts: Media contact: Lily Jeffery Zyme Communications E-mail: lily.jeffery@zymecommunications.com Tel: +44 (0)7891 477 378 BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Takeda (TAK) said its dengue vaccine candidate, TAK-003, prevented 84% of hospitalized dengue cases and 61% of symptomatic dengue cases, with no important safety risks identified, in the overall population including both seropositive and seronegative individuals through four and a half years after vaccination in the phase 3 Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study trial. The company said these long-term results supplement previously published TIDES data that showed the candidate vaccine met its primary endpoint of overall vaccine efficacy against virologically-confirmed dengue. The company noted that, while the long-term follow-up for the primary two-dose series has been completed, the TIDES trial remains ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a booster dose. TAK-003 is undergoing regulatory review for the prevention of dengue disease in children and adults in the European Union and select dengue-endemic countries. 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. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Estonia's trade deficit widened in April, as imports rose faster than exports, figures from Statistics Estonia showed on Thursday. The trade deficit increased to EUR 542 million in April from EUR 103 million in the same month last year. In March, the trade deficit was EUR 178 million. Exports increased 4.0 percent yearly in April, after a 36.0 percent rise in March. Imports rose 31.0 percent annually in April, after a 32.0 percent increase in the previous month. The main export partners were Finland, Latvia and Sweden, and the import partners were Finland, Lithuania and Russia. 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. To revamp Digital Workplace Management, Network Security, and IT Infrastructure, powered by Infosys Cobalt BENGALURU, India, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a global strategic collaboration with TK Elevator, one of the world's leading elevator companies based out of Dusseldorf, Germany. The global seven-year collaboration is an extension of the successful modernization of TK Elevator's IT infrastructure in Europe and Africa. As part of this engagement, Infosys will consolidate and harmonize the global service desk and workplace operations. Infosys will provide AI-powered IT helpdesk services, digital workplace management, as well as network services, powered by Infosys Cobalt-driven automation framework. This will humanize TK Elevator's workplace experience by building a resilient enterprise and digitally transforming their underlying IT infrastructure. Infosys will aim to boost cybersecurity and enhance digital experience for TK Elevator's end users, by leveraging its deep domain expertise, industry-grade IT infrastructure modernization capabilities, and a strong global presence. The collaboration, while improving availability of IT infrastructure, will reduce overall IT operational costs. "At TK Elevator, IT infrastructure is the core of our digital initiatives and we continuously strive to provide state-of-the-art user services. With Infosys as a strategic partner, we are confident to achieve our target of automation, innovation and efficiency across the IT landscape," said, Susan Poon, Global CIO at TK Elevator. "Infosys will provide our business with high-performance IT services and enhanced user experience for our employees worldwide. Leveraging artificial intelligence and automation will not only make our IT more customer-centric, but will also help improve our customer experience at reduced cost," added John Hemming, Head of Infrastructure at TK Elevator. Commenting on the collaboration, Jasmeet Singh, Executive Vice President & Global Head, Manufacturing, Infosys, said, "Enterprises globally are repeatedly choosing cloud-based modernization solutions to enable their digital journeys, rendering their businesses more resilient. We are excited to collaborate with TK Elevator to enable their digital transformation. As we work towards establishing an engagement based on mutual trust and creating a value ecosystem, Infosys' best-in-class solutions in LAN, digital workplace, cybersecurity and infra, powered by AI and hybrid cloud, will drive operational excellence for TK Elevator globally. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future." About TK Elevator (formerly thyssenkrupp Elevator) With customers in over 100 countries served by more than 50,000 employees, TK Elevator achieved sales of around 8 billion in the fiscal year 2020/2021. Over 1,000 locations around the world provide an extensive network that guarantees closeness to customers. Over the past decades, TK Elevator has established itself as one of the world's leading elevator companies and became independent since its separation from thyssenkrupp AG in August 2020. The company's most important business line is the service business represented by over 24,000 service technicians. The product portfolio covers commodity elevators for residential and commercial buildings to cutting-edge, highly customized solutions for state-of-the-art skyscrapers. In addition, it also consists of escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts. Integrated cloud-based service solutions, such as the MAX platform, are gaining in importance. With these digital offerings, there are no limits to urban mobility anymore. TKE - move beyond. About Infosys: Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in more than 50 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg New Equity Investment Comes as Sustainability Becomes a Greater Priority for Leading Global Retailers and Brands Recover, a leading materials science company and producer of sustainable, premium recycled cotton fiber and cotton fiber blends, announced today that it has closed a new $100 million minority equity capital investment led by the Sustainable Investing business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs). Goldman Sachs is investing alongside majority shareholder STORY3 Capital Partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220607005869/en/ Goldman Sachs x Recover (Photo: Business Wire) Recover will use the investment to accelerate its global expansion and production capacity, allowing more rapid adoption of sustainability initiatives by leading brands and retailers. Recover serves some of the largest and most recognizable retailers, brands and vendors in the world, including, among others, Primark, Inditex, C&A, Revolve and Lands' End. Recover's proprietary recycled cotton fiber reduces the carbon and water intensity of the apparel supply chain, addressing the apparel sector's contribution to one of the world's largest sources of environmental degradation. Recover estimates that the new investment places Recover on a path to increase its production to over 350,000 metric tons of recycled cotton fiber per year by 2026, saving up to 5 trillion liters of water annually-equivalent to the drinking water consumed by over 4.5 billion people each year-and allowing for significant reductions of carbon emissions, energy and land use relative to conventional cotton fiber, based on industry research.* "Goldman Sachs is committed to partnering with innovative businesses that help drive sustainability," said Letitia Webster, Managing Director and Chief Sustainability Officer of Goldman Sachs Asset Management Division. "Recover is a leading disruptor in the apparel and textiles space with much-needed sustainable solutions grounded in materials science. We're excited to invest in Recover's growth to accelerate scaled production and the continued development of its technologies." As part of the transaction, Webster will join the Board of Directors of Recover. "Recover is helping create a sustainable future by solving a colossal environmental issue and we are overjoyed to partner with Goldman Sachs to accelerate our growth," said Alfredo Ferre, fourth-generation family steward and CEO of Recover. Ben Malka, Operating Partner at STORY3 Capital Partners and Executive Chairman of Recover, stated, "Recover has perfected the art and science of scaled production of sustainable recycled cotton fiber over more than 70 years across multiple generations of the Ferre family in Spain. Today, Recover offers a solution grounded in proprietary IP that provides cost-competitive, maximum-performance recycled cotton fiber for both rotor and ring-spinning applications." The Recover brand is an important part of leading retailers' and brands' sustainability commitments and credentials, and a growing number of Recover's customers are co-branding products with Recover to showcase that they have been produced with the company's recycled cotton fiber. Operating in the $50 billion cotton market, Recover is a leading innovator and category-defining business that has experienced rapid growth. The company has opened new manufacturing hubs in Pakistan and Bangladesh, with additional hubs in Bangladesh and Vietnam due to open in the near term. "For change to happen at scale across the fashion industry, we need partnership and collaboration with innovators like Recover," said Lynne Walker, Director of Primark Cares, Primark. "As we increase the use of Recover's recycled cotton fiber in Primark products, this investment will enable us to meet our pledge to make more sustainable fashion affordable to millions of customers." Peter Comisar, Managing Partner of STORY3 Capital Partners and former Partner of Goldman Sachs, said, "We are incredibly proud that our collaboration with Recover has enabled the business to dramatically scale since our acquisition in 2020. Over the coming years, we will see radical transformation of large industries with sustainable solutions. Recover is uniquely positioned to be the global leader in sustainable cotton fiber and we are excited to partner with Goldman Sachs on the next phase of Recover's evolution." *Source: LCA study verified by AITEX, Universitat de Valencia and UNESCO. About Recover Recover is a leading materials science company and global producer of low-impact, high-quality recycled cotton fiber and cotton fiber blends. Its premium, environmentally friendly, cost-competitive products are created in partnership with the supply chain for global retailers and brands, offering a sustainable solution to close the loop on fashion. As a fourth-generation, family-owned company with a 70-year history in the textile industry, Recover is on a mission to scale its proprietary technology to make a lasting positive impact on the environment and partner with brands/retailers and other change makers to meet the industry's sustainability targets. For more information, visit www.recoverfiber.com and follow @recoverfiber on social media. About STORY3 Capital Partners STORY3 is a leading alternative investment manager exclusively focused on the consumer value chain, including businesses at the intersection of consumer and sustainability. Since the firm's inception in October 2018, the STORY3 team has sourced, arranged and executed over $1 billion of capital transactions in consumer-facing businesses. STORY3 employs a flexible investment strategy and pairs deep industry expertise, operating support, and unique transactional experience to support value creation for its partners. For more information, please visit www.story3capital.com About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world's leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market-overseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2022. Driven by a passion for our clients' performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220607005869/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: For Recover and STORY3 Stacy Berns Michael McMullan Berns Communications Group sberns@bcg-pr.com mmcmullan@bcg-pr.com For Goldman Sachs Avery Reed Goldman Sachs Co. LLC Avery.Reed@GS.com +1 212 902 5400 The "Sweden Cards and Payments Opportunities and Risks to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Swedish cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cards, credit transfers, cash and direct debits during the review-period (2017-21e). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2021e-25f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together the publisher's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure. The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Swedish cards and payments industry, including: Current and forecast values for each market in the Swedish cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards Detailed insights into payment instruments including cards, credit transfers, cash and direct debits. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments Ecommerce market analysis Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Swedish cards and payments industry Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards The competitive landscape of the Swedish cards and payments industry Report Scope The proliferation of digital-only banks will support payment card market growth. Digital-only bank N26 launched in Sweden in November 2018, while Revolut launched its banking services in the country in January 2022. The latter offers individual and business accounts along with a Mastercard-branded debit card. Other digital-only banks offering bank accounts and debit cards in the country include Northmill Bank, bunq, and Rocker. The adoption of contactless payments for public transport will further drive payment card usage. In February 2021, Stockholm rolled out an open-loop contactless payment system on public transport across the city. Commuters can now pay for metro, rail, bus, tram, and boat trips by tapping their contactless card or NFC-enabled mobile wallet solution against card readers. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express contactless cards are all accepted, as are digital wallet solutions including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. Sweden's merchant acquiring space saw a series of mergers and acquisitions during the review period. Swedbank acquired PayEx (a Swedish payment services provider operating in the Nordic region) in May 2017. In November 2017, Ingenico acquired payment services provider Bambora to offer integrated and omnichannel solutions. Ingenico was later acquired by Worldline in November 2020. Elavon acquired Swedish payment processing company Payius in October 2019. In June 2021, Italian payment processor Nexi acquired Nets for EUR7.8 billion ($9.5 billion). The deal made Nexi one of the leading acquirers in the Nordics and the second-largest acquirer in Sweden. In October 2021, Worldline acquired Handelsbanken's card-acquiring business in Nordic countries including Sweden. Key Topics Covered: Market Overview Payment Instruments Card-Based Payments Merchant Acquiring Ecommerce Payments In-Store Payments Buy Now Pay Later Mobile Payments P2P Payments Bill Payments Alternative Payments Payment Innovations Job Analysis Payment Infrastructure and Regulation Companies Mentioned Swedbank SEB Nordea Handelsbanken ICA Banken Lansforsakringar Bank IKANO Bank Mastercard Visa American Express Diners Club Nexi Worldline Elavon PaypPal AfterPay Apple Pay Samsung Pay Google Pay Klarna Swish For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xjuyz2 Source: GlobalData About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005516/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 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resources Estimate for the North Zone includes 559M tonnes of Indicated Resources grading 28.2% magnetite and 507M tonnes of Inferred Resources grading 25.98% magnetite North Zone Indicated Resource potential to produce 163M tonnes of magnetite concentrate grading at least 65% Fe and 0.52% vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ) South Zone updated mineral resource includes 119M tonnes of Indicated Resources grading 25.6% magnetite and 88M tonnes of Inferred Resources grading 23.5% magnetite resources NI 43-101 Bankable Feasibility Study targeted for completion by end of Q1 2023 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Voyager Metals Inc (Voyager or the "Company") (TSXV:VONE) is pleased to announce an updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") at its Mont Sorcier Iron and Vanadium project located in Chibougamau, Quebec. The updated mineral resource incorporates results from its 2021 infill drill program which was designed to upgrade Inferred Resources in the North Zone to the Indicated category in support of a future Bankable Feasibility Study, which is targeted to be completed by Q1 2023. The 2021 infill drill program consisted of 42 holes or 15,178 meters. See News Release of March 29 th , 2022 at the company web site for more details (www.voyagermetals.com). The new mineral resource update was completed by InnovExplo, an independent engineering firm located in Quebec, Canada. The MRE has delineated an Indicated Mineral Resource in the North Zone of 559M tonnes grading 28.2% magnetite and 0.21% V 2 O 5 , with an additional 507M tonnes grading 25.98% magnetite and 0.18% V 2 O 5 in the Inferred category up from 809M tonnes of Inferred Resources in the prior Mineral Resources Estimate. This represents a total mineral resource tonnage increase of 31% in the North Zone. Total Indicated Resources for both the North Zone and the South Zone are now estimated at 679M tonnes grading 27.7% magnetite and 0.20% V 2 O 5 , with the potential to produce 195M tonnes of magnetite concentrate grading at least 65% Fe and 0.52% vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ). Total Inferred Resources for both the North Zone and the South Zone are now estimated at 596M tonnes grading 25.6% magnetite and 0.17% V 2 O 5 , with the potential to produce 158M tonnes of magnetite concentrate grading at least 65% Fe and 0.52% vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ). An updated NI 43-101 Technical report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days. Cliff Hale-Sanders, President and CEO commented "We are extremely pleased by the results of the upgraded NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate which exceed our original expectations. The new mineral resource demonstrates the robust nature and global scale of the Mont Sorcier deposit and will be used to backstop the delivery of a Bankable Feasibility Study that the Company anticipates will demonstrate the exceptional economic potential we see at Mont Sorcier. Additionally, we look forward to working with our team of experienced iron ore consultants, who are immersed in the Quebec mining industry, to demonstrate that this project will be a high margin, low capital cost and long life Project to benefit all the communities in the region of Chibougamau, Quebec.". In the table below we have presented the updated MRE completed by InnvoExplo. See Table 1 for summary results. Table 1: Mineral Resources at Mont Sorcier effective June 6 th , 2022 Notes to accompany the Mineral Resource Estimate: The independent and qualified persons for the mineral resource estimate, as defined by NI 43-101, are Marina Iund, P.Geo., Carl Pelletier, P.Geo., Simon Boudreau, P.Eng. all from InnovExplo Inc. and Mathieu Girard P.Eng from Soutex. The effective date is June 6 th , 2022. , 2022. These mineral resources are not mineral reserves, as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The mineral resource estimate follows current CIM definitions and guidelines. The results are presented undiluted and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction by having constraining volumes applied to any blocks using Whittle software and by the application of cut-off grades for potential open-pit extraction method The estimate encompasses two (2) deposits (North and South), subdivided into 8 individual zones (7 for North, 1 for South). No high-grade capping was applied. The estimate was completed using sub-block models in GEOVIA Surpac 2021. Grade interpolation was performed with the ID2 method on 4 m composites for the North deposit and on 10 m composites for the South deposit. The density of the mineralized zones was interpolated with the ID2 method. When no density analysis was available, the density value was estimated using linear regression with Fe2O3 analysis. For the unmineralized material, a density value of 2.8 g/cm3 (anorthosite and volcanics), 3.5 g/cm3 (Massive sulfide formation) and 2.00 g/cm3 (overburden) was assigned. The mineral resource estimate is classified as Indicated and Inferred. The Inferred category is defined with a minimum of two (2) drill holes for areas where the drill spacing is less than 400 m, and reasonable geological and grade continuity have been shown. The Indicated category is defined with a minimum of three (3) drill holes within the areas where the drill spacing is less than 200 m, and reasonable geological and grade continuity have been shown. Clipping boundaries were used for classification based on those criteria. The mineral resource estimate is locally pit-constrained for potential open-pit extraction method with a bedrock slope angle of 50 and an overburden slope angle of 30. It is reported at a rounded cut-off grade of 2.30 % Weighted recovered Fe (Fe % x Process Recovery). The cut-off grade was calculated for the concentrate using the following parameters: royalty = 3%; mining cost = CA$3.30; mining overburden cost = CA$2.45; processing cost = CA$3.62; G&A = CA$0.75; selling costs = CA$58.36; Fe price = CA$190/t; USD:CAD exchange rate = 1.3; and mill recovery = 100% (concentrate). The cut-off grades should be re-evaluated considering future prevailing market conditions (metal prices, exchange rates, mining costs etc.). The number of metric tonnes was rounded to the nearest thousand, following the recommendations in NI 43-101 and any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects. The authors are not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political, or marketing issues, or any other relevant issue not reported in the Technical Report, that could materially affect the Mineral Resource Estimate. The grades of magnetite and other elements may appear lower than in previous MRE statements for Mont Sorcier as a lower cut-off grade was used as well as an upgraded geological model. Drilling in 2021 reached new depths on a strike length of 1.6 kilometers of a total strike length of 4 kilometers for the North Zone to support the 31% tonnage increase. The South Zone has less Inferred Resources than prior estimates despite not having been drilled since the last MRE. The new QP is of the opinion that some of the Inferred Resource in the South Zone should be declassified. It should be noted that this material is supported by historical drilling from 1966 and could be upgraded in the future. As a result, the Inferred Resource in the South Zone has decreased from 144M to 88M tonnes. Soutex metallurgists used 215 out of a total 478 Davis Tube test results for 2021 core samples (plus a further 1,856 DDT results from prior years), completed as of June 6, to build a weight recovery model to calculate the expected production of concentrates at a grade of at least 65% Fe. Based on the Davis Tube test results, Soutex considers it possible to produce a concentrate with grades of at least 65%. The only deleterious element foreseeable is a zone of higher concentration of Sulphur, which can be controlled both in the mine by selective mining and in its processing using flotation. This will be determined as part of the feasibility study testwork. The sulphides are located on the north contact of the North Zone in a specific, well confined area. There is no significant quantity of sulphides in the South Zone. Feasibility Program Update In addition to updated MRE presented above, Voyager is also pleased to provide an update on activities related to the ongoing work to complete a NI 43-101 Compliant Bankable Feasibility study ("BFS") at the Mont Sorcier iron and vanadium project. The Company has now retained all key consultants related to the various works programs for the BFS, which is targeted for completion by the end of Q1 2023. Many of these work programs have commenced and are ongoing. See Table 2 for details of the primary consultants for the BFS. InnvoExplo has been selected to act as the project integrator for the Mont Sorcier BFS along with responsibility for mineral resources and mineral reserve estimates. Additional input is being provided by various experts and consulting companies. A summary of the key contributors' qualifications are presented below. Table 2 Key Consultants Company Role / Activities Description InnovExlpo Project Integrator, mineral resources, and mineral reserves InnovExplo offers a wide range of services from exploration to mining geology to mineral resources evaluations, engineering services for both open pit and underground operations. InnovExplo is recognized in the industry for delivering NI 43-101-compliant expert reports (Mineral Resources Estimates, preliminary economic assessments or mineral reserve, substantiated by pre-feasibility or feasibility studies). LDV Consultants Site Infrastructure, Capital and Operating Cost Estimation LDV Consultants main business is mechanical and electrical engineering. LDV's focus for the Mont Sorcier feasibility is capital and operating costs estimation. LDV had already participated in a detailed review of the CAPEX of the project in June 2021 Soutex Process Design Soutex is a consulting firm specializing in mineral processing and metallurgical processes. Founded in 2000, Soutex has offices in Canada (Quebec City and Longueil) as well as in Germany (Munich). Soutex has more than 35 metallurgists and process engineers representing one of the largest groups of specialists in this field in Canada. Soutex offers a wide range of services, notably in process engineering for all study levels (Conceptual, Pre-Feasibility, Feasibility and Detailed Engineering). Le Groupe Desfor Railway and alignment Desfor has carried out many Civil Engineering projects for forestry and mining companies and offers a turnkey option for their clientele, including road type assessment, layout planning, layout optimization, construction and works surveillance. WSP Environmental Impact; Tailing and Waste Rock management WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms with 55,000 employees working in more than 850 offices located on 6 continents, WSP provides strategic advisory, engineering, and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Earth & Environment, Property & Buildings, Power & Energy, Resources, and Industry sectors WSP has solid expertise in analyzing the biological, physical, human and social aspects and to carry out comprehensive and robust ESIAs for mining projects. Qualified Persons Statements The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Pierre-Jean Lafleur, P.Eng. (OIQ), who is a Qualified Person with respect to the Company's Mont Sorcier Project as defined under National Instrument 43-101. The independent and qualified persons for the mineral resource estimate, as defined by NI 43-101, are Marina Iund, P.Geo. (OGQ), Carl Pelletier, P.Geo. (OGQ), Simon Boudreau, P.Eng. (OIQ) all from InnovExplo Inc. and Mathieu Girard P.Eng. (OIQ) from Soutex. InnovExplo is finalising a Technical Report to comply with NI 43-101 in support of the MRE as disclosed in this News Release. About Voyager Metals Inc. Voyager Metals Inc is a mineral exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The Company is focused on advancing its Mont Sorcier, Vanadium-rich, Magnetite Iron Ore Project, in Chibougamau, Quebec. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VOYAGER METALS INC. Cliff Hale-Sanders, President and CEO Tel: +1-416-819-8558 csanders@voyagermetals.com Nicholas Campbell, CFA Director, Corporate Development Tel.: +1-905-630-0148 ncampbell@voyagermetals.com info@voyagermetals.com www.voyagermetals.com Cautionary Note Regarding 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. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "Forward-Looking Statements") that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-Looking Statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "guidance", "outlook", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or that state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions. The Forward-Looking Statements in this press release relate to, among other things: the future exploration performance of the Company. Forward-Looking Statements are based on certain key assumptions and the opinions and estimates of management and Qualified Persons (in the case of technical and scientific information), as of the date such statements are made, and they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any other future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Statements. In addition to factors already discussed in this news release, such factors include, among others: there being no assurance that the Company will upgrade a significant portion of the North Zone to the Measured and Indicated categories to support the pending feasibility study; as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's MD&A under the heading "Risk Factors" and under the heading "Forward-looking statements and use of estimates" which include further details on material assumptions used to develop such Forward-Looking Statements and material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Forward-Looking Statements, and other documents filed from time to time with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of Canada and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The reader has been cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company's Forward Looking Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date hereof. Other than as it may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update Forward Looking Statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements. SOURCE: Voyager Metals Inc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704372/Voyager-Metals-Announces-Updated-Mineral-Resource-Estimate-with-Increased-Indicated-Resource-of-679m-Tonnes-Grading-277-Magnetite-and-Inferred-Resources-of-596m-Tonnes-Grading-256-Magnetite-at-Its-Mont-Sorcier-Iron-and-Vanadium-Project-in-Quebec TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE/ June 9, 2022 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. (CSE:AIML); (OTCQB:AIMLF); (FWB:42FB), a company committed to acquiring and advancing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technologies that address urgent societal needs, is pleased to announce that its minority-owned subsidiary, Tech2Heal SAS, reports that it has been chosen as a finalist in the highly competitive "i-Nov Innovation Contest" based on its Qookka digital therapy for depressive and anxiety disorders. It is a testament to the quality of the Qookka entry that Tech2Heal was chosen as a finalist, as less than 10% of the entries are chosen as finalists. The winner is expected to be chosen by mid-June. The i-Nov Innovation Contest is financed by the Programme d'Investissements d'Avenir (PIA) in France, which aims to select innovative projects with particularly strong potential for contribution to the French economy. This competition of excellence is dedicated to the accelerated emergence of leading companies in their field that can claim a global scale. Winning participants will receive co-financing for research, development and innovation projects with a total cost of between 1M and 5M, and a duration of between 12 and 36 months. Tech2Heal's innovations which were recognized by the selection committee as revolutionary at large scale included: Intelligent engagement algorithms with multidimensional factor analysis in real time. Alerts are generated to the care team for immediate actions to assist patients. Biomarkers for digital phenotyping The Qookka digital therapy takes aim at effective relapse prevention and just-in-time support through the integration of various digital biomarkers: voice, actimetry, usage behaviors, language analysis. This non-intrusive approach to data collection allows the implementation of a passive monitoring system of the patient's health evolution and will trigger alerts to the care team when necessary. These data coupled with the data entered by the user will allow caregivers to have a look at the patient's health at any time. Artificial Intelligence Data is at the heart of the Qookka ecosystem, enabling better patient care thanks to a predictive health model based on intelligent algorithms. This real-time data helps healthcare teams in their clinical decisions and allows them to better understand the evolution of their patients, triage priority patients, generate automatic alerts and even predict risks of decompensation. About Qookka Qookka is an award winning, proprietary digital therapy for anxious and depressed patients. The rapid increase in mental health disorders globally, combined with a shortage of professionals and resources in the mental health field, have led to a health crisis. Qookka's clinically supported approach is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) belonging to the 3rd wave of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), combined with personalized therapy modules for patients and their families, and a multidisciplinary medical dashboard for remote monitoring of patient progress. About Tech2Heal Tech2Heal is a Paris, France based healthcare innovator specializing in digital health technologies with the objective of creating a compassionate, collaborative and patient-centered healthcare ecosystem. T2H has developed a portfolio of health-tech products and services designed to improve an individual's mental and physical well-being by utilizing a unique blend of proprietary digital assets and remote live counselling. Tech2Heal's premier products include Qookka - clinically supported and evidence-based digital therapy for anxious and depressed patients delivered via a secure digital platform, and Alakin - a bespoke, digital remote patient monitoring platform designed for healthcare providers and pharma. For more information: https://www.tech2heal.com/ About AI/ML Innovations Inc. AI/ML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through strategic partnerships with Health Gauge (70% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 8.33% currently owned), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML) and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AI/ML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB". On behalf of the Board of Directors Tim Daniels, Executive Chairman For more information about AI/ML Innovations : For detailed information please see AI/ML's website at https://aiml-innovations.com/ or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com. For further information: Blake Fallis at (778) 405-0882 or info@aiml-innovations.com. Corporate video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2QSjo7clXc&feature=youtu.be Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfOj2P_Fu3TOK6Jl1G9vEQ 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. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements 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 competition by other industry players, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals and the ability to raise additional capital as may be needed in the future. 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. SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704423/AIML-Innovations-Tech2Heal-Chosen-as-a-Finalist-in-the-i-Nov-Innovation-Contest VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / BCM Resources Corp (Company) is informing its shareholders that the Company successfully completed the (6) holes (15,850ft or 4,831m) in its Phase II exploration drilling at its Thompson Knolls (TK) Cu-Au-Mo porphyry project in the southwestern part of Utah, USA. TK is located approximately 225 km southwest of Rio Tinto's giant Bingham Canyon porphyry Cu-Mo-Au mine and smelter complex near Salt Lake City, Utah. The overall Phase I & II programs have involved seven (7) drill holes for 16,968ft (5,172m). Highlights from Phase II drilling: Drillholes TK3a and TK6 are the deepest holes drilled to date, extending to 3,653ft (1,113m) and 3,930ft (1,198m) depths respectively and having the most extensive mineralization documented. TK6 assay results are pending and will be reported with all analytical results for Phase II drilling. Hole TK3a intercepted Cu-Mo mineralization, stretching for 1,853ft (565m) as part of an intrusive stockwork and veinlets porphyry system within the zone of sericitic alteration in quartz-monzonite porphyry intrusion with local zones of potassic alteration. intercepted Cu-Mo mineralization, stretching for 1,853ft (565m) as part of an intrusive stockwork and veinlets porphyry system within the zone of sericitic alteration in quartz-monzonite porphyry intrusion with local zones of potassic alteration. Hole TK6 discovered a significant extent of skarn mineralization stretching for over 946ft (288m) with Mo-Au-Cu mineralization (drill hole was stopped in the skarn due to equipment failure). Visual chalcopyrite mineralization in the skarn appears to be directly correlated with the amount of magnetite (https://bcmresources.com/site/assets/files/5930/2022-06-09-bcm-nrcp.pdf) Figure 1. Photo TK6 core at 3,420ft (1,042m) interval of massive diopside-magnetite skarn with 15-20% volume of pyrite-chalcopyrite Figure 2. Photo of TK6 core at 3,845ft (1,172m) interval of diopside-magnetite skarn with accumulations of chalcopyrite-molybdenite President Dr. Sergei Diakov stated, "Significant copper-gold mineralization intersected in hole TK6 is critically important for the Thompson Knolls project as it obviously indicates project's potential for presence of significant copper porphyry system with mineralization hosted by both mineralized intrusion and the skarns around it." Processing and synthesis of geological and geophysical data is underway - this compilation of data will be critical for designing the Phase III exploration drill program that will be focused on continuing search of the TK porphyry system copper core in the mineralized quartz-monzonite intrusion testing central and eastern part of the magnetic high anomaly. Phase III is expected to start in 4Q22 once additional exploration drilling permits are secured. The Company's Director, Mr. Richard R. Redfern, M.Sc., and Certified Professional Geologist, a 'qualified person' for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has verified and approved the information contained in this news release. About BCM Resources Corporation BCM Resources Corporation is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company focused on continued exploration of the Thompson Knolls Porphyry Cu-Au-Mo project. BCM also controls prospective Copper, Gold, and Molybdenum exploration projects in British Columbia. BCM Resources is managed by experienced and successful board members and advisors. For further information, including area maps, sections, and photos, please visit our website at www.bcmresources.com or contact us by e-mail at info@bcmresources.com. ON BEHALF OF BCM RESOURCES CORP. Sergei Diakov President & Director For further information, please contact: Investor relations 604-646-0144 ext. 222 info@bcmresources.com www.bcmresources.com Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: This news release and related texts and images on BCM Resource Corporation's website contain certain "forward-looking statements" including, but not limited to, statements relating to interpretation of mineralization potential, drilling and assay results, future exploration work, and the anticipated results of this work. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the company's projects; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of sampling and drilling results and other tests; the possibility that required permits and access agreements may not be obtained in a timely manner; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions, and; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in these exploration programs. SOURCE: BCM Resources Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704443/BCM-Resources-Successfully-Completes-Phase-II-Drilling-at-Thompson-Knolls-Project-in-Utah-USA By Lee Hyon-soo In the golden age of Asia Korea was one of its lamp-bearers. And that lamp is waiting to be lit once again For illumination in the East. The above poem was written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1929. Lo and behold, that lamp has been lit and it illuminates not only Asia but also the whole world. K-pop has taken the world by storm and it is a popular global phenomenon now. K-drama is also popular in many countries and Korean cinema is critically acclaimed internationally. To enjoy such cultural content, a multitude of people in many parts of the world are learning the Korean language. What's more, Korea has a rags-to-riches story that fascinates people around the world. Korea's economy was a basket case over half a century ago, but it is now the world's 10th-largest economy as well as the seventh-biggest exporter and ninth-biggest importer. Also, Korea has a competitive edge in the production of semiconductors, cell phones, cars, electric batteries, ships, television sets and other electronic goods. Many Korean companies such as Samsung, Hyundai and LG are household names worldwide. Korean politics, too, is worthy of mention, as the country has made remarkable progress over the years to have a more democratic political system. Presidential, parliamentary and local elections have been held at regular intervals and political power has been peacefully transferred back and forth between the two main parties. K-politics is anybody's guess; it works in mysterious ways. Take the two recent elections for instance. The results of these elections took not only Koreans but also foreign Korea watchers by surprise twice. The former government led by President Moon Jae-in governed the country for five years. Yet, some policies that it pursued did not achieve their desired results. So Korean voters wanted a change of administration, and some had anticipated that the candidate of the People Power Party would defeat his opponent easily. It, therefore, came as a surprise to some that the margin by which he won the election was very small. About three months later, on June 1, a local election was held and Korean voters gave the People Power Party a landslide victory. It came as a second surprise to some that the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lost the local election by a bigger margin than they did in the presidential election. Why did this happen? Although there may be a variety of reasons, I think the course of action they took after the presidential election cemented their fate in large measure. Let me elaborate. After the DPK lost the presidential election by a narrow margin, they did not take their defeat seriously. Instead of planning to win the voters back at the forthcoming local election, they hastened to pass prosecution reform laws which some believe were designed to protect their leaders as they could have been investigated and prosecuted under various allegations. With this hidden agenda in mind, they came up with the prosecution reform bills aimed at weakening public prosecutors' powers to investigate. According to a Realmeter poll on April 13, 38.2 percent of respondents supported the reform, and 52.1 percent opposed it, but, as they held the majority, the DPK passed the bills through the National Assembly. They thought they could get away with what they did, but their misguided intentions and arrogance seem to have turned many voters off. It is no wonder then that the DPK was defeated soundly at the local election. This episode demonstrates what happens if politicians go against the wishes of the voters. Indeed, Korea is a dynamic country culturally, economically and politically. The writer (tomhslee43@gmail.com) is a freelance columnist and the author of "Tales of a Korean Globetrotter." The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a world-wide community of more than 300 mobile operators, vendors, and research academic institutions operating in the Radio Access Network (RAN) industry. As the RAN is an essential part of any mobile network, the O-RAN ALLIANCE's mission is to re-shape the industry towards more intelligent, open, virtualized and fully interoperable mobile networks. The new O-RAN specifications enable a more competitive and vibrant RAN supplier ecosystem with faster innovation to improve user experience. O-RAN based mobile networks at the same time improve the efficiency of RAN deployments as well as operations by the mobile operators. To achieve this, the O-RAN ALLIANCE publishes new RAN specifications, releases open software for the RAN, and supports its members in integration and testing of their implementations. 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. Soledad Project Highlights Include: Drilling campaign will test thirteen new targets on the north side of the Soledad project. The priority targets were selected from an inventory of 154 total targets defined after integrating results from recently completed geophysical surveys. Permitting on the south side of the project is advancing and will allow testing of additional high priority targets once approved. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Chakana Copper Corp. (TSXV: PERU) (OTCQB: CHKKF) (FSE: 1ZX) (the "Company" or "Chakana"), is pleased to confirm that drilling will start June 15, 2022 to test thirteen new targets not previously drilled on the north side of the project. These thirteen targets were selected from a total of 154 targets identified on the project that were prioritized during an in-house technical workshop incorporating recently acquired Offset IP survey results. The objective of the drill program is to test the exploration potential of numerous additional targets beyond the targets that have been drilled leading to the initial resource estimate for the project (see news release dated January 11, 2022). "For 2022, our goal is to test some of the best targets outside the current resource area to better understand the upside potential of the Soledad project. Although we have numerous targets defined on the project, these targets rank highly based on the multiple datasets derived as a result of detailed mapping, rock and soil geochemistry, geophysical surveys, detailed modeling of several well-mineralized targets, and an improved understanding of the structural controls on the Soledad mineral system," stated President and CEO David Kelley. Exploration Update and 2022 Drill Program A targeting workshop was recently held to review and update drill targets for the Soledad project. Since the original targeting workshop was held in 2019, several new data sets have been acquired over the entire 12 square kilometer area of the prospective Soledad mineral system. New data sets incorporated into the targeting include 1) detailed ground magnetics, 2) gradient array induced polarization, 3) offset (3D) induced polarization, 4) detailed mapping, and 5) hyperspectral alteration mineralogy studies. Targets are categorized as breccias, vein-breccias, mineralized intrusions, and high sulfidation alteration zones, representing a continuum of mineralization styles related to an intrusive-driven mineral system that underlies the Soledad project (Figure 1). Drilling will begin on June 15, 2022 with one drill rig to test thirteen targets with approximately 3,000m of drill core with one or two holes in each target. Once these targets have been drilled, a decision will be made regarding both additional target testing and follow-up drilling. The principal target areas for the next round of drilling on the north side of the project are 1) Cima Blanca, 2) Bx 4 cluster, 3) Faro, 4) Western Breccias, 5) Paloma Trend, and 6) Paloma-Huancarama megabreccia target (Figure 1). A number of targets exist in the Paloma Trend and Paloma-Huancarama area defined by outcropping tourmaline breccias, and Gradient Array IP and Offset IP metal factor anomalies (Figure 2). Three principal target areas exist on the south side of the project: 1) Companero breccia complex, 2) Mega-gold anomaly, and 3) La Joya (Figure 1). The Companero breccias are similar to the mineralized breccia pipes on the north side of the project with strongly enriched gold in surface rock channel samples (see news release dated July 16, 2018). The Mega-gold target is defined by a large soil anomaly strongly anomalous in gold-molybdenum-tin, in part overlying a poorly exposed, phylically-altered granodiorite intrusion. The La Joya target area shows evidence of high sulfidation advanced argillic alteration with vuggy silica, alunite, dickite, zunyite, diaspore, and pyrophyllite. About Chakana Copper Chakana Copper Corp is a Canadian-based minerals exploration company that is currently advancing the Soledad Project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. The Soledad Project is notable for the high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization that is hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes. An initial inferred resource estimate for seven breccia pipes was announced in Q1 2022 (see news release dated February 23, 2022), with 6.73 Mt containing 191,000 ounces of gold, 11.7 million ounces of silver, and 130 million pounds of copper. In addition, extensive multidisciplinary exploration has defined 154 exploration targets, 18 of which have been tested to date (12%), confirming that Soledad is a large, well-endowed mineral system with strong exploration upside. Chakana's investors are uniquely positioned as the Soledad Project provides exposure to copper and precious metals. For more information on the Soledad project, please visit the website at www.chakanacopper.com. Results of an initial resource estimate and additional information concerning the Project, including a technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, are available on Chakana's profile at www.sedar.com. Qualified Person David Kelley, an officer, and a director of Chakana, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD (signed) "David Kelley" David Kelley President and CEO For further information contact: Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations Officer Phone: 647 964 0292 Email: jjobin@chakanacopper.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statement Advisory: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Chakana to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements or information relates to, among other things, the interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the Soledad copper-gold-silver project (the "Project"), the potential to expand the mineralization, and to develop and grow a resource within the Project, the planning for further exploration work, the ability to de-risk the potential exploration targets, and our belief in the potential for mineralization within unexplored parts of the Project. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward- looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law. Figure 1 - Map showing total defined targets for the Soledad project by type. Principal target clusters on the north side of the project will be tested in the current exploration drilling program - Cima Blanca, Bx 4, Faro, Western Breccias, Paloma-Huancarama trends. Target clusters on the south side will be drill tested once the drill permit is approved for this area. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/127042_e716ea12546e7bda_001full.jpg Figure 2 - A) Plan map showing principal features in the Paloma Trend and Paloma-Huancarama target areas; and B) 3D section showing the blind megabreccia target between the drilled Paloma and Huancarama breccia pipes. Red shapes show Offset (3D) IP metal factor anomalies (combination of chargeability and resistivity); black shapes show known tourmaline breccias; contours show Gradient Array metal factor intensity. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2172/127042_e716ea12546e7bda_002full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127042 The German renewable energy investment firm plans to build three unsubsidized solar parks in the regions of Sicily and Latium. The facilities should begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2024.German investment holding firm KGAL Group announced it secured approvals for three solar projects with a combined capacity of 380 MW in Italy. "The Italian government is pushing the expansion of renewable energies with legislative initiatives," the company said in a statement, referring to more favorable permitting processes recently implemented by the Italian government. Two of the approved ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. DGAP-News: African Energy Chamber / Key word(s): Miscellaneous African Energy Chamber: Addressing European Energy Security Through Equatorial Guinean LNG Exports 09.06.2022 / 12:45 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Addressing European Energy Security Through Equatorial Guinean LNG Exports Equatorial Guinea's strategic location on the west coast as well as future connectivity to intra- African LNG pipelines consolidates the country's position as a top exporter to European markets. Rich with 1.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves and with an objective to become a regional gas processing hub, Equatorial Guinea's gas journey has been both ambitious and highly successful. A number of exploration campaigns, large-scale project developments and regional partnerships have served as key drivers of the country's gas expansion agenda, and now, using the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as well as its strategic location on Africa's west coast, the country is gradually positioning itself as a regional Gas Mega Hub (GMH) as well as global exporter. What separates Equatorial Guinea from other gas producing countries in Africa is the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons' GMH initiative, a comprehensive development model to utilize unexploited offshore gas resources to drive energy security and economic growth. Since the launch of the GMH in 2018, the country has made significant progress to enhance exploration and production as well as the development of gas infrastructure and processing facilities, strengthening the country's export capacity. In addition to processing domestic resources from fields including the 580 billion cubic feet offshore Alen Gas Project, Equatorial Guinea's Alba Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Punta Europa onshore facility serve as the official processing platform for the entire region. Through partnerships with neighboring producers including Cameroon, Nigeria and the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea not only processes its own resources but regional reserves, converting gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG), ready for export. Equatorial Guinea's significance as a European exporter comes from two primary factors, namely, its maritime proximity to Europe and its potential connection to Europe-bound pipelines. To date, Equatorial Guinea has managed to leverage its position on Africa's west coast, gradually increasing LNG exports to Europe, South America and Asia via LNG shipments. Processed at Punta Europa, LNG has been transported to worldwide destinations, generating critical revenue for the country while strengthening global LNG supply chains. In 2021 alone, Equatorial Guinea exported 44 LNG shipments worldwide, equivalent to 3.2 million tons, out of which 11 were exported to Europe bringing total European exports to 0.78 million tons or 38,604,434 million metric British thermal units (MMBtu). Out of those 11 European bound shipments, nine were delivered to Spain, equivalent to 0.64 million tons or 31,505,322 MMBtu's; a cargo to Lithuania equivalent to 3,513,620 MMBtu's; and a cargo to the Netherlands equivalent to 3,585,492 MMBtu's. With 17,218,105 MMBtu's delivered to South America and an incredible 94,047,539 MMBtu's to Asia, Equatorial Guinea emerged as a top supplier to international markets. In 2022, these exports are expected to only increase further on the back of rising demand in Europe as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to disrupt global supply chains. With European nations considering cutting off all gas imports from Russia in light of imposed sanctions on the eastern European giant, Equatorial Guinea could be the solution the bloc needs. Developing its own gas resources as well as those from the wider region, the country can leverage its already strong LNG export networks, increasing LNG trade and helping Europe address critical energy challenges. What's more, with other African countries taking steps to develop intra-Africa gas pipelines bound for Europe, Equatorial Guinea can tap into these pipelines, increasing exports via pipeline infrastructure in collaboration with regional partners. Specifically, with the multibillion-dollar Trans-Saharan gas pipeline resuming, opportunities for tapping into new export routes has been revealed. The 4,128 km pipeline will link Warri in Nigeria to Hassi R'Mel in Algeria, enabling African gas from west African producers including Nigeria and Niger to reach European markets. Having already established strong regional energy relations with countries such as Nigeria, expanding upcoming pipeline infrastructure will create new export routes for Equatorial Guinea. In addition to representing one of the top gas producers in Africa, Equatorial Guinea has consolidated its position as a top exporter, both regionally and globally. Building on the export success seen in 2021, and led by Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons, the country is well positioned to increase exports, addressing European energy needs and improving energy security on a global basis. African Energy Chamber believes that Gas to Europe makes sense but also building African gas infrastructure for LNG to Africa is just as important. We have to deal with energy poverty crisis in Africa and gas is key. Over 600 million lack access to electricity and 900 million lack access to clean cooking solutions and most of them women. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. Download image: https://bit.ly/3zms2hA 09.06.2022 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 COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (NYSE American:IDR) ("IDR", "Idaho Strategic" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received final approval for its Diamond Creek Rare Earth Element (REE) drill program scheduled to begin later this month. The Company's Diamond Creek Rare Earth Element property was initially discovered in the 1950's by the U.S. Government during extensive country-wide exploration efforts aimed at locating nuclear power related raw materials. This campaign resulted in the discovery of Thorium in areas of Lemhi County including substantial Rare Earth Element occurrences throughout Diamond Creek, Roberts, and Lemhi Pass. Idaho Strategics' 8-10-hole drill program is building on the base of knowledge and past surface exploration; including mapping, sampling, and handwritten notes, conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Idaho Geological Survey (IGS), and the Department of Energy (DOE). The combination of having an extensive amount of successful prior surface exploration at Diamond Creek, coupled with the opportunity to advance the property through core drilling, is an exciting setup for Idaho Strategic. The samples from this drill program are to be used as part of IDR's participation in the Idaho Dept. of Commerce' IGEM program - a partnership between IDR, the U. of Idaho, Idaho National Labs, the Idaho Geological Survey, and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies. The IGEM program is focused on developing technologies for the environmentally responsible separation of Rare Earth Elements. IDR's VP of Exploration Rob Morgan commented, "The strategic mix of operating in the business-friendly and mineral endowed state of Idaho, and our "We Live Here" community-based approach to business, has once again been a huge advantage to the Company. The permitting process for our drill program was straightforward and we look forward to working with the agencies as future phases of the project come together. Becky and I are excited to begin working at Diamond Creek this summer to gain a better understanding of the geology and its extensive Rare Earth Element mineralization." In addition to Idaho Strategic receiving final approval for its drill program, it has also purchased a company office building in Salmon, Idaho. IDR prides itself on taking a community-based approach to mining and this is one of the first ways to differentiate the Company from some of the more 'temporary' groups within the industry. Idaho Strategics' President and CEO, John Swallow concluded, "The folks in Salmon, Idaho, the Silver Valley and other Idaho communities share many of the same down to earth traits and experiences. Many of us have grown up in mining, timber-related, and tourism-based communities and have lived through the ups and downs that occur when the mining and timber industries enter a downturn. We are planning for long-term success at Diamond Creek, Roberts, and Lemhi Pass and purchasing a building as opposed to renting made the most sense." About Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. Domiciled in Idaho and headquartered in the Panhandle of northern Idaho, Idaho Strategic Resources (IDR) is one of the few resource-based companies (public or private) possessing the combination of officially recognized U.S. domestic rare earth element properties (in Idaho), the largest known concentration of thorium resources in the U.S., and Idaho-based gold production located in an established mining community. Idaho Strategic Resources produces gold at the Golden Chest Mine located in the Murray Gold Belt (MGB) area of the world-class Coeur d'Alene Mining District, north of the prolific Silver Valley. With over 7,000 acres of patented and unpatented land, the Company has the largest private land position in the area following its consolidation of the Murray Gold Belt for the first time in over 100-years. In addition to gold and gold production, the Company maintains an important strategic presence in the U.S. Critical Minerals sector, specifically focused on the more "at-risk" Rare Earth Elements (REE's) and Thorium. The Company's Diamond Creek and Roberts REE properties are included the U.S. national REE inventory as listed in USGS, IGS and DOE publications. IDR's Lemhi Pass Thorium-REE Project is recognized by the USGS and IGS as containing the largest concentration of thorium resources in the country. All three projects are located in central Idaho and participating in the USGS Earth MRI program. With an impressive mix of experience and dedication, the folks at IDR maintain a long-standing "We Live Here" approach to corporate culture, land management, and historic preservation. Furthermore, it is our belief that successful operations begin with the heightened responsibility that only local oversight and a community mindset can provide. Its "everyone goes home at night" policy would not be possible without the multi-generational base of local exploration, drilling, mining, milling, and business professionals that reside in and near the communities of the Silver Valley and North Idaho. For more information on Idaho Strategic Resources click here for our corporate presentation, go to www.idahostrategic.com or call: Travis Swallow, Investor Relations & Corporate Development Email: tswallow@idahostrategic.com (208) 625-9001 Forward Looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by forward-looking words such as "intends", "potential", "believe", "plans", "expects", "may", "goal', "assume", "estimate", "anticipate" and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, Idaho Strategic Resources targeted production rates and results, the expected prices of gold, rare earth elements, and/or thorium, as well as the related costs, expenses and capital expenditures, and the potential advancement of rare earth element, thorium, or other critical mineral resources. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of Idaho Strategic Resources as of the date such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of IDR to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The forward-looking statement information above, and those following are applicable to both this press release, as well as the links contained within this press release. With respect to the business of Idaho Strategic Resources, these risks and uncertainties include risks relating to widespread epidemics or pandemic outbreaks, if they occur, including our ability to access goods and supplies, the ability to transport our products and impacts on employee productivity, the risks in connection with the operations, cash flow and results of the Company relating to the unknown duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information; unfavorable exploration results; inability to obtain permits required for future exploration, development or production; general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices; the ability to obtain necessary future financing on acceptable terms; the ability to operate the Company's projects; and risks associated with the mining industry such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, and energy prices), ground conditions, failure of plant, equipment, processes and transportation services to operate as anticipated, environmental risks, government regulation, actual results of current exploration and production activities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, permitting timelines, capital and construction expenditures, reclamation activities. 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 not to place undue reliance on such information. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from this forward-looking information is available in Idaho Strategic Resources filings with the SEC on EDGAR. IDR does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law. SOURCE: Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704431/Idaho-Strategic-Receives-Final-Approval-of-its-Diamond-Creek-Rare-Earth-Element-Drill-Program-and-Prepares-for-Long-Term-Success-in-Salmon-Idaho TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Vox Royalty Corp. (TSXV:VOX) (OTCQX:VOXCF) ("Vox" or the "Company"), a returns focused precious metals royalty company, is pleased to provide recent development and exploration updates from royalty operating partners Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. (HKSE:2899) ("Zijin Mining"), Develop Global Limited (ASX: DVP) ("Develop"), Black Cat Syndicate Limited (ASX:BC8) ("Black Cat"), and Tartisan Nickel Corp. (CSE: TN) ("Tartisan"). Spencer Cole, Chief Investment Officer stated: "The past month has seen strong progress by operating partners on a number of Vox's gold and base metal royalty properties, including a 33% ore tonnage upgrade at the Binduli North gold project. Demonstrating the depth of Vox's royalty portfolio, a number of exploration-stage royalties are being actively progressed towards development ahead of Vox management expectations, such as the Merlin/Electric Dingo gold deposits near the Paulsens mill and the Kenbridge nickel-copper project commencing construction on an all-season access road." Key Updates Significant increase in forecasted royalty ore tonnages at the Binduli North gold expansion project covered by the Janet Ivy royalty and construction plans for an 8MW solar farm to power the Binduli heap leach project, released by Zijin Mining's subsidiary Norton Gold Fields Pty Ltd; Exceptional drilling results at the Sulphur Springs copper-zinc project by Develop, which are expected to result in a significant resource upgrade based on Develop management guidance; JORC 2012 resource estimate filed for the Paulsens Gold mine by Black Cat, which include Vox's Merlin and Electric Dingo gold royalty assets; and Construction commencement of an all-season access road at the Kenbridge nickel-copper project by Tartisan, demonstrating a significant next step in preparation for a mining operation. Janet Ivy (Producing - Western Australia) - Increased Royalty Ore Tonnages1 and Solar Power Plans Vox holds a A$0.50/tonne production royalty over the Janet Ivy gold mine in Western Australia; In March 2022, Zijin Mining filed a mining proposal for the Binduli North heap leach gold project, which included: 33% increase in forecast ore tonnages from the previously filed December 2020 Mining Proposal report (and Janet Ivy Technical Report 1 dated October 5, 2021), with total Binduli North life of mine ore tonnages increased from 41Mt @ 0.6g/t Au for 787Koz 1 to 55Mt @ 0.6g/t Au for 1,103Koz 2 ; Significant increase in gold royalty tonnages covered by the Vox royalty expected over the project over the +10 year mine life of the expansion project; and Plans to install up to 8MW of single axis tracking solar PV, reducing reliance on diesel generated power. Vox Management Summary: This 33% increase in forecast ore tonnages at the Binduli North gold expansion project has directly unlocked value for Vox shareholders by providing potential for production upside and mine life extension beyond 10 years. We look forward to commencement of production from the Binduli North expansion in the second half of 2022. Sulphur Springs (Pre-Construction - Western Australia) - Exceptional Drilling Results & Upcoming Resource Upgrade Vox holds a A$2.00/tonne production royalty (capped at A$3.7M) on the Sulphur Springs copper-zinc deposit and an uncapped A$0.80/tonne production royalty on the Kangaroo Caves deposit, which is part of the combined Sulphur Springs project in Western Australia; On May 16, 2022, Develop announced: Exceptional final results from the A$10M drilling program; Thick high-grade copper-zinc mineralisation intersected in resource drilling: 65.1m @ 3.5% copper-equivalent grade 3 (" CuEq ") Western lens open pit infill; 50.0m @ 2.9% CuEq 3 Eastern lens underground infill; 33.0m @ 4.6% CuEq 3 Eastern lens underground infill; 27.8m @ 6.7% CuEq 3 Western lens open pit infill; 23.0m @ 5.2% CuEq 3 Western lens underground infill; High-grade hangingwall zinc mineralisation expanded further with results including: 11.7m @ 26.7% Zn & 148 g/t, including 3.7m @ 51.9% Zn & 385g/t Ag; 25.0m @ 8.9% Zn & 39.6 g/t Ag; Exploration drilling continues to intersect thick zones of high-grade mineralisation: 23.0m @ 2.6% Cu; and A resource update for Sulphur Springs is scheduled for release in the September 2022 quarter. Vox Management Summary: These copper and zinc drilling results are some of the highest-grade intersections in the history of the feasibility-stage Sulphur Springs project. Vox management is confident that the upcoming resource update in the September 2022 quarter is likely to further support a near-term construction decision. Merlin and Electric Dingo (Exploration - Western Australia) - JORC Resource Release & Open Pit Potential Vox holds a 0.75% gross revenue royalty (>250koz cumulative production) over the Merlin gold deposit, and a 1.75% gross revenue royalty (>250koz cumulative production hurdle that is combined with the Ashburton gold royalty) over the Electric Dingo gold deposit. Both royalties form part of the Paulsens gold operation in Western Australia; On May 25, 2022, Black Cat announced: Total high-grade JORC 2012-compliant resources at Paulsens have been confirmed as expected; Due diligence expectations were met at Paulsens where Mt Clements, Merlin and Electric Dingo deposits were converted to JORC 2012-compliant resources; These three deposits all have the potential to provide open pit material into the Paulsens processing facility; and There is high potential to grow all resources. Vox Management Summary: Since acquiring the Paulsens mine in April 2022, new operator Black Cat has reprioritised the royalty-linked Merlin and Electric Dingo gold deposits as potential sources of open pit material for the existing Paulsens processing facility. We look forward to future updates from Black Cat on these deposits with potential for them to be fast-tracked into production via the existing processing facility. Kenbridge (PEA - Canada) - Construction Commencement for All-Season Access Road Vox holds a 1% net smelter return royalty on part of the Kenbridge nickel-copper project in Canada, which is subject to a full buyback right for C$1.5M in favour of Tartisan; On May 25, 2022, Tartisan announced that: It has commenced construction on an all-season road into the project; It has received the necessary work permit from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry to conduct the road maintenance and all necessary upgrades, including brushing, ditching, graveling and installing culverts; and CEO Mark Appleby commented: " All-season access for the Kenbridge Nickel Project is a significant next step in preparation for a mining operation and we are pleased to have a full team engaged in road construction. The ability to have fuel, utility and construction vehicles able to drive into the Kenbridge mining camp via the Kenbridge Nickel Project access road is game changing. Construction completion is anticipated by September 2022." Vox Management Summary: The commencement of construction of an all-season road is a key long-lead item towards preparing for a mining operation at the Kenbridge nickel-copper project. Recent strength in nickel prices have increased the potential for this Canadian project to be advanced forward into development. Transaction Update El Molino (Peru) Originally announced on April 26, 2022 Vox is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Terrace Gold Pty Ltd's ("Terrace Gold") rights and interests in an agreement with Lumina Copper S.A.C, which includes the right to receive the El Molino 0.5% NSR royalty in Peru. On April 26, 2022, Vox entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Terrace Gold, a subsidiary of hearing aid technology company Nuheara Limited. The April 26, 2022 agreement was subsequently amended and restated on June 7, 2022. The upfront consideration issued to Terrace Gold was 17,959 common shares of the Company. A further payment of US$450,000 is payable in cash following the registration of the El Molino royalty rights on the applicable mining title in Peru and the satisfaction of other customary conditions. Qualified Person Timothy J. Strong, MIMMM, of Kangari Consulting LLC and a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this press release. About Vox Vox is a returns focused precious metals royalty company with a portfolio of over 50 royalties and streams spanning eight jurisdictions. The Company was established in 2014 and has since built unique intellectual property, a technically focused transactional team and a global sourcing network which has allowed Vox to target the highest risk-adjusted returns in the mining royalty sector. Since the beginning of 2020, Vox has announced over 20 separate transactions to acquire over 45 royalties. Further information on Vox can be found at www.voxroyalty.com. For further information contact: Spencer Cole Kyle Floyd Chief Investment Officer Chief Executive Officer spencer@voxroyalty.com info@voxroyalty.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. 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" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" "plans", "estimates" or "intends" or stating that certain actions, events or results " may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include, but are not limited to, summaries of operator updates provided by management and the potential impact on the Company of such operator updates, statements regarding expectations for the timing of commencement of development, construction at and/or resource production from various mining projects, expectations regarding the size, quality and exploitability of the resources at various mining projects, future operations and work programs of Vox's mining operator partners, the receipt of future royalty payments derived from various royalty assets of Vox, anticipated future cash flows and future financial reporting by Vox, and requirements for and operator ability to receive regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Vox to control or predict, that may cause Vox's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the requirement for regulatory approvals and third party consents, the impact of general business and economic conditions, the absence of control over the mining operations from which Vox will receive royalties, including risks related to international operations, government relations and environmental regulation, the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties; the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration data; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with Vox's expectations; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; fluctuating metal prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations; currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. Vox has 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. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Vox 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 Vox may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Technical and Third-Party Information Except where otherwise stated, the disclosure in this press release is based on information publicly disclosed by project operators based on the information/data available in the public domain as at the date hereof and none of this information has been independently verified by Vox. Specifically, as a royalty investor, Vox has limited, if any, access to the royalty operations. Although Vox does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such information from the project operators is complete or accurate. Some information publicly reported by the project operators may relate to a larger property than the area covered by Vox's royalty interests. Vox's royalty interests often cover less than 100% and sometimes only a portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, mineral resources and production from a property. References & Notes: Janet Ivy Ore Tonnages sourced from NI43-101 Technical Report, Janet Ivy Gold Mine (M26/446), Western Australia dated October 5, 2021 and dated September 30, 2021 prepared by Timothy J. Strong, MIMMM, Principal Geologist of Kangari Consulting Limited and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Matthew Randall CEng MIMMM as Principal Mining Engineer. The aforementioned Janet Ivy Technical Report was released on the Vox SEDAR profile (https://www.sedar.com/) and was referenced in the Vox press release entitled "VOX PROVIDES AN UPDATE FOR THE JANET IVY GOLD MINE AND FILES A TECHNICAL REPORT ON SEDAR" dated October 5, 2021 (https://voxroyalty.com/_resources/news/nr-20211005.pdf). The full text of the March 2022 Mining Proposal with mine ore tonnages included can be retrieved at https://geodocs.dmirs.wa.gov.au/Web/documentlist/9/EARS_regi_id/101262. Copper Equivalent (%) = Cu grade% * Cu recovery + ((Pb grade % * Pb recovery % * (Pb price $/t/Cu price$/t)) + (Zn grade % * Zn recovery % * (Zn price $/t/Cu price $/t)) + (Ag grade g/t /31.103 * Ag recovery % * (Ag price $/oz/Cu price $/t)). SOURCE: Vox Royalty Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704441/Vox-Provides-Development-and-Exploration-Updates NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the market research report published by P&S Intelligence, the global hospital risk management market size was $1,115.4 million in 2021, which is predicted to touch $3,482.3 million by 2030, progressing at a 13.5% CAGR from 2021 to 2030. This will be because of the increasing occurrence of medical blunders, as well as the high ubiquity of chronic diseases at the global level. The risk and compliance management category is likely to witness the highest growth rate, of over 14%, in the coming years. The main reason for this will be the increasing safety concerns of patients, need to lessen healthcare costs, and rising hospital-acquired infection occurrence. According to a government agency, there was a more than 30% increase in the standardized infection ratio related to ventilators, an about 15% surge in hospital-onset MRSA infection cases, and a 25% rise in the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections in 2020. The cloud-based category had the larger share of the revenue, of over 80%, in 2021 in the hospital risk management market, and it is expected to show the higher growth rate, of 14%, in the near future. This was due to the increasing necessity to endorse interoperability among different hospitals and corporations, for exchanging information between databases, applications, and computer systems and lessening operating costs. Furthermore, the increasing acceptance of e-prescriptions, mHealth, EHRs, and telehealth is responsible for the market growth. Get the sample pages of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/hospital-risk-management-market/report-sample Large hospitals are likely to have the largest share, of about 60%, in 2030. This is because of the increasing count of large hospitals, propagating hospital expenditure, and acceptance of EHRs. For example, 90% of the hospitals in the U.S. are validating EHRs. Hospital risk management is needed for the appropriate working of EHR systems, to eliminate the incidence of medical faults. The highest density of hospital beds is in Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Germany, which reflect a high potential for hospital risk management solutions. Regional Analysis of Hospital Risk Management Market Report The hospital risk management market was dominated by North America in 2021. This is mainly because of the existence of numerous market players in the U.S., shift to cloud-based risk management solutions in the medical sector, and increasing use of data analytics to ease the workflow in hospitals. in 2021. This is mainly because of the existence of numerous market players in the U.S., shift to cloud-based risk management solutions in the medical sector, and increasing use of data analytics to ease the workflow in hospitals. The spending of the U.S. is approximately $40 billion yearly on patients stricken with medication errors. Avoidable medical errors dominate the death rate from predictable hazards, such as car accidents, breast cancer, and AIDS Browse detailed report on Global Hospital Risk Management Market Size, Growth Drivers and Demand Forecast To 2030 Workflow management had the second-largest share, of about 20%, in 2021. The amount of medical data is increasing worldwide because of the escalating occurrence of chronic illnesses, thus putting pressure on medical infrastructure. A government agency states that chronic diseases bring about in excess of 40 million deaths each year. These solutions improve the internal processes in hospitals via automation and provide better efficiency in medical data regulation, thus pushing the hospital risk management market growth. Hospital Risk Management Market Segmentation Analysis By Type Risk and Compliance Management Audit Management Third-Party Risk Management Enterprise Risk Management Risk Mitigation and Remediation Workflow Management Reporting and Visualization By Hospital Size Small Hospitals Medium-Size Hospitals Large Hospitals By Deployment Cloud-Based On-Premises Regional Outlook North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Asia-Pacific (APAC) China India Japan Australia South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa Browse Other Reports Published by P&S Telemedicine Market Size, Share, Trends, Drivers, Growth, Demand Analysis Data Governance Market Size, Share, Trends, Drivers, Growth, Demand Analysis mHealth Market Size, Share, Trends, Drivers, Growth, Demand Analysis About P&S Intelligence P&S Intelligence provides market research and consulting services to a vast array of industries across the world. As an enterprising research and consulting company, P&S believes in providing thorough insights on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness. P&S keeps the interest of its clients at heart, which is why the insights we provide are both honest and accurate. Our long list of satisfied clients includes entry-level firms as well as multi-million-dollar businesses and government agencies. Contact: Prajneesh Kumar P&S Intelligence Phone: +1-347-960-6455 Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1224988/P_and_S_Intelligence_Logo.jpg XTIXS announces the first disruptive Defi-Funded event in partnership with GET Protocol LONDON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scalable and boutique ticketing solution XTIXS in partnership with GET Protocol today announced a new, disruptive decentralised finance (DeFi) funded event when Lewis Capaldi plays on August 23rd in Reykjavik. It means the show is backed up by a bespoke application of blockchain technologies - DeFi, NFT and GET Protocol's utility token $GET- where future ticket inventory serves as collateral for a loan, the conditions of which are programmed into a smart contract. In addition to this, all tickets are claimable as an NFT, which makes fraud, scalping and secondary sales of any sort totally impossible. XTIXS offers a Web3 adapted and more than upgraded alternative for 'on demand' show solutions where people had to crowdfund a show and as it was funded it was booked. The funding process for this event took 24h to be completed from real, professional investors from different parts of the world creating a first precedent for a very powerful tool into an industry that has independence and decentralisation as key pillars of growth. On the side of the investor, the investment has been honoured in less than 24 hours from the on sale of the show, making this first collaboration an incredible success with big replication potential. To be able to circle this pioneering funding mechanism, XTIXS uses blockchain and DeFi technology and product approaches designed by GET Protocol, adding the business strategy and services, then creating a platform integrating all different actors in the financial side of the value chain of a show. This DeFi approach is in line with the disruptive spirit of blockchain and the decentralization of the notoriously opaque ticketing market. XTIXS' blockchain ticketing system has already been tested at Switzerland's Caprices Festival, El Bosque Sonoro - Brizna Festivals in Spain and other events, but this is the first full scale roll out and it happens at the celebrated Reykjavik Live where many of the world's biggest bands have performed. QR codes on XTIXS tickets are dynamically changing all the time, and this, together with the fact that each ticket is linked to a personal phone number, makes it impossible for fraudsters to create any sort of secondary scalping sale. On appearance, the system for the end user is the same as they are already used to using, but enhanced backend technology gives rise to a new set of possibilities in terms of security, personalization, art and memorabilia. Tickets: https://app.xtixs.info/bb0s4e/htr3df Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836440/Lewis_Capaldi_Xtixs.jpg 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. STOCKHOLM, SE / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Adverty AB (STO:ADVT) Apple doesn't unveil new product categories very often - the last was the Apple Watch a full seven years ago - so the news that a seemingly finished mixed-reality headset was presented to the company's board last month counts as big news for Apple-watchers. It's big news for metaverse-watchers, too. Other companies, most notably Meta, have made big bets on an immersive connected future, but if they are to tempt the mainstream, such experiences need compelling interfaces; they need hardware. And with all due respect to Meta's Oculus headsets, when Apple pulls back the curtain on virtual and augmented reality devices, that is the moment when things start to happen. The VR/AR industry has been waiting for a newcomer like Apple to put the final gloss on a sector that has for years been a picture of potential, out on the margins. While the keynote at Apple's recent Worldwide Developers Conference didn't signal any new VR/AR hardware - or any new mobile devices at all, suggesting further announcements later this year - there is a significant focus on AR content in the week-long programme. If the persistent rumours of a possible new Apple device are accurate, we could be about to witness the world's biggest consumer tech game-changer giving its stamp of approval to the entire mixed-reality concept. In fact, like tectonic plates shifting before our eyes, the landscape of the metaverse can already be seen grinding into position on numerous fronts. To add to Meta and Apple's moves, Sony and Lego each recently handed $1bn to Epic Games to fund metaverse development. Sony has PS5 VR headsets of its own in the pipeline and Microsoft has made its own clear metaverse play with the almost $69bn acquisition of Activision. Some reports have even suggested Apple - along with Disney and Amazon - as a potential buyer of Electronic Arts, creator of Madden, Apex Legends and Battlefield. The gaming space is the most obvious forerunner of Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney's vision of the metaverse as a vast network of spaces where "players can have fun with friends, brands can build creative and immersive experiences, and creators can build a community and thrive". Apple has its own hardware-driven ways to make money out of the metaverse, but for other interested parties, the involvement of brands is crucial. Both Sony and Microsoft have recently indicated their interest in in-game advertising on their gaming platforms. Like the internet, like the physical world, the metaverse needs ads, and it also needs ways of serving them and measuring their impact. Apple has been working on its headset since around 2015, and it was in summer the following year that Adverty began the work that would result in three patents around viewability metrics for in-game and metaverse ads on any given gaming screen, from VR to mobile. What we are consequently able to offer is the only meaningful way to prove that an ad has been seen by a user in a 3D space. Our BrainImpression technology measures the viewability of ads by a sophisticated method, taking into account the size of the ad, the length of time it appears on screen and the angles from which it is viewed, as well as interfering objects and lighting conditions. For right now, that means we are measuring in-game ad viewability through the infrastructure we have built for mobile gaming - fully programmatic, third-party verified and globally scalable through integrated marketplaces such as Yahoo and PubMatic. But give or take a new Apple device or two, it could soon mean measuring viewability in a whole range of new augmented and virtual environments. Technology like virtual reality always requires a great deal of foundational work. There will be years when the hype cycle is revving up, the tracks being laid, the connections being made. The involvement of Apple, the shrewdest of market entrants, indicates that those years are nearly done. So, five years after we first began building towards it, the consumer metaverse is on the way. Now, let's build the real thing. For further information, please contact: Anders Rossel, CFO Phone: +46 70 867 00 20 E-mail: ar@adverty.com About Adverty Adverty, the leading in-game advertising platform, delivers seamless In-Play and In-Menu ads to connect brands and people through its revolutionary and patented technology built for games. The platform offers true in-game ad inventory at scale and allows content creators to monetise the complete experience with unobtrusive, easy-to-integrate, immersive ads. Founded in 2016, Adverty has offices in Stockholm, London, New York, Madrid, Helsinki, Istanbul and Lviv and works with advertisers, agencies and developers to unlock audiences and gaming revenue streams. More information at www.adverty.com. Attachments Apple headset heralds the mainstream arrival of the real Metaverse SOURCE: Adverty AB View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704479/Apple-Headset-Heralds-the-Mainstream-Arrival-of-the-Real-Metaverse By Kaushik Basu ITHACA Food shortages are beginning to cast a shadow over the world. One long-term factor is the warming of our planet, which has slowly destroyed agricultural land. But the proximate cause of greatest concern is the war in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin's Black Sea blockade, which is preventing Ukrainian grain and fertilizers from leaving the port of Odessa. This is an extremely urgent problem, and policymakers are rightly scrambling to solve it. But there is also a generic problem, beyond the immediate emergency, that needs to be understood if we are to overcome the current food crisis. It arises from our failure to keep pace with the march of economic globalization by implementing global policy and conventions. Since late 2019, the world has been in relentless crisis mode as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain disruptions, and now Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine. This train of crises has naturally left all concerned citizens rushing to put out one fire after another. But, if we spend all our resources fighting fires, we will probably fail to produce innovative flame-resistant institutions. In this spirit, I want to step back from our immediate concerns, grave as they are, to address their underlying causes. Some of these causes are clearly visible, starting with the Russian blockade around Ukraine. Until 2021, Ukraine exported roughly 17 million tons of wheat annually, or 8.5 percent of the world's total. But it is not immediately clear why this should lead to such a big increase in wheat prices, and to the dangers of global food shortages and famine that we are seeing today. After all, most countries have some buffer stocks and should be able to absorb this shock. The answer lies in the behavioral response of national and local governments and even of individuals. When global policy coordination is poor, the natural reaction to news of some shortage is to hoard supplies. We know this from studies such as Amartya Sen's classic work on the 1943 Bengal Famine, and we see it happening now. While Ukraine has halted its wheat exports because it had no option, other countries have chosen to stop or curtail shipments. India, for example, announced a virtual ban on wheat exports on May 14. And it is not alone; 26 countries have limited their wheat exports to ensure that they have sufficient supplies for their own citizens. All this is causing global wheat prices to rise precipitously. India's announcement alone triggered a 6 percent price increase. A similar phenomenon occurs at the household level. Once fear of shortages sets in, people stock up on more food than they immediately need in order to guard against a full-blown crisis. Yet, these small actions by millions of people, along with local and national government policies, can end up causing just that. This is not unique to food. We have seen the same thing happen with vaccines: Countries acquire far more doses than they need in order to guard against the possibility of a future shortage. Such hoarding explains some of the glaring global inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines. If such responses were inevitable, we would have to treat them like the law of gravity, which is not something we can do anything about. But there is much we can do through collective action to overcome shortages that the market cannot fix. A system of global buffers or an international agreement that countries with a surplus must help others during times of scarcity would go a long way toward solving much of the problem. Just like the introduction of deposit insurance put an end to bank runs, most people would stop hoarding once they had confidence that this system worked, and that in itself would help avert a crisis. If this sounds like wishful thinking, consider what happened in India, a country with a history of food shortages and hoarding. Longstanding efforts to establish a national public food distribution system resulted in a major improvement in 1992 and culminated in the 2013 National Food Security Act. With a sophisticated system of minimal food guarantees in place for three decades, the psychology of hoarding at the household level has diminished, which in turn has diminished the need to hoard. Global agreements and buffers to mitigate food crises may seem impossible. But a similar arrangement at the national level for a large country like India also was thought to be out of reach until it happened. Likewise, large republics like the United States had seemed impossible until the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The fact that a successful global or regional buffer system or surplus-sharing agreement has never existed is not a reason to give up hope. This argument carries over from food to other economic and social domains. Despite recent hiccups, the march of globalization will not end, so we must try to establish minimal global conventions and agreements to prevent it from trampling the most vulnerable. Kaushik Basu, a former chief economist of the World Bank and chief economic adviser to the government of India, is professor of economics at Cornell University and a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. This article was distributed by the Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - SoLVBL Solutions Inc. (CSE: SOLV) (OTCQB: SOLBF) ("SoLVBL" or the "Company"), an innovative cybersecurity company that provides proprietary data authentication SaaS that uniquely features advanced cryptography for data authentication, is pleased to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted the Company U.S. Patent No. 11,334,879 for its "Method and System for Digital Payment Instrument Deployment of Authentication Seal". This patent confirms that the intellectual property of the Company's flagship cryptographic cybersecurity product, Q by SoLVBLTM, is both unique and will be protected, and creates enhanced value for the Company's growing intellectual property portfolio. This patent will allow the Company to aggressively market its solutions to the distributed financial (DeFi) and centralized financial (CeFi) sectors. This newly granted patent together with the previously granted US patent 11,146,386 strengthens the Company's intellectual property in data authentication and cryptographic validation of data. This patent should allow for an acceleration into the Company's foray in the digital payment sector. "We have been enhancing strong intellectual property protection around our assets, and we continue to create value for our Company. This new Patent allows us to protect our technology portfolio and continue to develop data authentication products for the financial services sector. We strongly believe that digital currencies and digital payment systems will play an integral role in the global economy for the foreseeable future, and our digital payment authentication seal has the opportunity to be a large part of this future," said Kaiser Akbar, CEO of SoLVBL. This key patent is the next step in the Company's growth and has been nearly two years in the making. In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity and overall technological developments, this patent sets the Company apart from its peers. The patent granted comes after a rigorous process conducted by the USPTO following the first lodgment on February 14, 2020. The granting of the patent also validates an independent third-party cryptographic review and validation, that was previously announced, that had been provided by Professor Sonam Kaul of University of Toronto's Mathematical and Computational Sciences Department. You can authenticate your data before use by Q by SoLVBLTM. Q by SoLVBLTM allows you to create Trust, Fast. If you have data worth forging, it's worth protecting with Q by SoLVBLTM. SoLVBL Solutions Inc. SoLVBL is an innovative cybersecurity and data authentication company. The Company's mission is to empower, better, faster decisions by developing a universal standard for establishing digital record authenticity. Q by SoLVBL, is a proprietary technology platform of the Company, designed to be easy to use and adopt, economically priced and provide digital record authentication at very high speed. Q by SoLVBL allows organizations to establish trust in their data. The Company is currently pursuing the following verticals: chain of custody for digital evidence; including, NG-911, data used in the financial sector, medical applications and critical IoT infrastructures. For Further Information, Contact: SoLVBL Solutions Inc. Kaiser Akbar, President & CEO 100 King Street West, Suite 5700 Toronto, ON, M5X 1C7 E: kaiser.akbar@SoLVBL.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives, including, the implementation and success of Q by SoLVBLTM, and expectations for other economic, business and/or competitive, factors. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, SoLVBL assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the "United States", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127015 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTC Pink: OMGGF) ("Omai" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Don Dudek as an independent Director of the Company. Further, the Company announces the granting of incentive stock options to a director of the Company. Mr. Dudek is a geologist with over 40 years of experience in various technical and corporate roles with junior to senior exploration and mining companies. He recently served as President and CEO of Savary Gold Corp., which was sold to Semafo Inc. in 2019. He has held senior technical roles for a number of mining companies including Endeavour Mining Corporation, Avion Gold Corporation and Aur Resources, and is currently Vice President Exploration for Wolfden Resources Corporation and Technical Director for Desert Gold Ventures. Don brings considerable board experience with publicly traded companies. He holds a B.Sc. Geology (Honours) from the University of Saskatchewan. Omai Gold CEO, Elaine Ellingham, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Dudek to our Board. His wealth of experience in the mining sector in both corporate and board roles, as well as in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of our business will add additional strength to our Board as we advance our Omai Gold project in Guyana." The Company has granted incentive stock options to a director of the Company to purchase up to 1,000,000 common shares of the Company pursuant to the Company's stock option plan. The options have a five-year term at an exercise price of $0.075 per share. ABOUT OMAI GOLD Omai Gold Mines Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary Avalon Gold Exploration Inc., holds a 100% interest in the Omai Prospecting License that includes the past producing Omai Gold Mine, and a 100% interest in the adjoining Eastern Flats Mining Permits. Once South America's largest producing gold mine, Omai produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold between 1993 and 2005. In 2022, the Company announced an initial Mineral Resource Estimate on its new Wenot gold deposit. The Company's short-term priorities are to build on the known Mineral Resources, while advancing exploration on key targets, providing a solid opportunity to create significant value for all stakeholders. For further information, please see our website www.omaigoldmines.com or contact: Elaine Ellingham P.Geo. President & CEO elaine@omaigoldmines.com Phone: +1 416-473-5351 Greg Ferron VP Business Development greg.ferron@omaigoldmines.com Ph: +1 416-270-5042 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of exploration, trenching and drill programs, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in the Omai Gold news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127067 The 300 world-wide Cittaslow to gather at the Assembly in Orvieto on 10-11-12June 2022 - Orvieto (Terni) - Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. ORVIETO, Italy, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- How to transfer the "good living" of the Cittaslow to the metropolitan districts of large cities. Cittaslow means planning and realizing a positive future and community promoting peace and everyday sustainable activities. Despite the structural signs of crisis that characterize our day and age and the prevailing economic and social model that is crumbling, it is possible here and now to imagine and implement a quality future that does not necessarily end up being invasive and for the planet. The Mayors of the Cittaslow International are starting to travel to Orvieto. Almost two hundred mayors are expected to arrive, despite the travel difficulties in some countries such as China. The President of Cittaslow, Mauro Migliorini, Mayor of Asolo, will open the assembly on Friday 10th June with a round table dedicated to the Cittaslow Metropolis Project. A round table conversation with questions and answers is scheduled at 4 p.m. in Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (free admission subject to availability places, in compliance with Covid prescriptions - online on the Cittaslow Facebook page). "Cittaslow Metropolis, the laboratory of the future" - A contradiction that sets a precedent: when and how the metropolis takes on slow qualities. Greetings by the President of Cittaslow International, Mauro Migliorini, Mayor of Asolo. Moderator: Pier Giorgio Oliveti, Secretary General of Cittaslow International. Participants: Tunc Soyer Vice President Cittaslow, Coordinator of the Cittaslow Turkish Network, Mayor of Izmir, Walter Ganapini Italian environmentalist, lecturer and researcher, honorary member of the Scientific Committee of the European Environment Agency, Sohn Dehyun, Academic at Seoul University, Coordinator of the Korean Network of Cittaslow Giacomo Degli Antoni, Professor of Political Economy and International Relations at the University of Parma, Giuseppe Roma, Scientific Committee of Cittaslow, President of the Rur / Urban Network of Representations Presentation in Orvieto of the "Cittaslow Metropolis"; project in a world premiere. Secretary General Oliveti explains, "After two years, we have concluded with the pilot project in three districts of Izmir (Turkey) to bring 'good living'; from small and medium-sized cities to the metropolis. A great success, the result of the work of an international team of Italian, French, Turkish and South Korean collaborators. It is a new customised method for large cities with a slow value grid, the participation of citizens and stakeholders, for a choice linked to the specific needs of neighbourhoods, which differ from one place to the next. Hence the concrete actions with Cittaslow projects in every field, chosen and co-decided by the inhabitants of the neighbourhoods." The Mayor of Izmir/Smirne (a megalopolis of about 5 million inhabitants) and Vice President of Cittaslow International, Tunc Soyer will be in Orvieto, along with the Coordinator of the South Korean Cittaslow Network, Prof. Bon Sohn Univ. Seoul, Walter Ganapini, an Italian lecturer and researcher, member of the Scientific Committee of the European Environment Agency, Prof. Giacomo Degli Antoni, professor of political economy and international relations at the University of Parma. The discussion will be opened by the President of Cittaslow International Mauro Migliorini, Mayor of Asolo. The following day, Saturday 11 morning, the Mayors associated with Cittaslow will begin the general assembly to which about 160 mayors and delegates have signed up, from Korea to Germany, from Poland to Brazil. The architect Vicente Guallart from Barcelona (Spain) will be a special guest. Media Contact: Luca Filippetti redazione@cittaslow.org Ph. +39 0763341818 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1835378/Cittaslow_General_Assembly_2022.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1559015/Cittaslow_Logo.jpg COVENTRY, United Kingdom, June 09, 2022to manage supplier communications. As the third-largest supermarket chain in the UK, Asda operates over 600 retail stores. The brand also offers their products online via Asda.com, which serves 98% of UK homes. To do so, Asda is supported by 37 distribution and fulfilment centres and thousands of suppliers. In February 2021, Asda was sold by Walmart to the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital. That sale led the company to choose a new EDI provider that would support its future as a standalone business: TrueCommerce. "TrueCommerce was part of a comprehensive RFP process and was selected on the basis of four key factors: its ability to understand and meet the Asda capability requirements, its confidence in adhering to programme timelines, its deep knowledge and expertise, and its overall commercial competitiveness," said Jenny Hopkins, Senior Director at Asda. As part of the agreement, TrueCommerce will implement a supplier enablement platform catering to the needs of the over 2,000 suppliers that make up Asda's entire supplier community, with integration into the business's SAP ERP system. As an SAP Silver Partner, TrueCommerce's solution offers the highest level of integration and automation with the SAP system. The solution offered by TrueCommerce features key capabilities that will enable thousands of Asda suppliers, regardless of their size or technical maturity, to easily communicate with the retailer. In addition to supporting EDI transactions, the supplier enablement platform also includes a web-EDI portalfor use by non-EDI capable vendors. TrueCommerce's platform also includes fully managed supplier onboarding and communications management for EDI-related supplier queries. TrueCommerce's expertise in the market and experience in managing complex supply chain communications for enterprise-grade businesses will enable a seamless transition for Asda and its supplier community. It will encourage higher rates of adoption that will, in turn, underpin the company's ongoing supplier communication efforts. Jenny highlighted that, "By partnering with TrueCommerce, Asda will offer a strong, stable, fully reliable and excellently managed EDI programme to our highly valued Asda suppliers, no matter how big or small they are!" David Grosvenor, Managing Director, TrueCommerce Europe said, "I'd like to thank Jenny and the team at Asda for their cooperation in this process. Our teams at TrueCommerce are delighted to begin working with Asda and help further strengthen their business in the UK retail landscape." About Asda Stores Ltd Founded in the 1960s in Yorkshire, Asda is Britain's third largest supermarket. Dedicated colleagues serve customers from its network of stores and online services, including supercentres, superstores, supermarkets, living stores, petrol filling stations and depots across the UK. Asda was acquired by Issa TDR from Walmart in 2020. About TrueCommerce TrueCommerce is the most complete way to connect your business across the supply chain, integrating everything from EDI to inventory management, to fulfilment, to digital storefronts and marketplaces. We've revolutionised supply chain visibility and collaboration by helping organisations make the most of their omnichannel initiatives via business P2P connectivity, order management, collaborative replenishment, intelligent fulfillment, cross-functional analytics, and product information management. The TrueCommerce Global Commerce Network can connect businesses to over 160,000 retailers, distributors, and logistics service providers. As a fully managed services provider, we also manage new trading partner onboarding, as well as the ongoing management of partner-specific mapping, labeling changes, and communications monitoring. That's why thousands of companies-ranging from startups to the global Fortune 100, across various industries-rely on us. TrueCommerce: Do business in every direction For more information, visit TrueCommerce. Media Contact Yegor Kuznetsov, TrueCommerce 703-209-0167 yegor.kuznetsov@truecommerce.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / PJX Resources Inc. ("PJX") is pleased to announce that 3- Dimensional (3D) inversion and interpretation of airborne magnetic (mag) and MobileMT data by Expert Geophysics has identified a potential large Porphyry Gold-Copper ("PGC") Target on PJX Resources' Zinger Property in the Sullivan Mining District, Cranbrook, British Columbia. Highlights Magnetic Data Gold rich porphyry copper deposits can have a distinctive magnetic signature where a mag-high anomaly occurs in the center surrounded by a mag low which produces a donut shaped anomaly (see figure 1). Expert Geophysic's 3D inversion and interpretation of the airborne magnetic data has identified a donut shaped anomaly that resembles the mag signature for a gold-rich copper porphyry deposit (see PGC target on figure 2). MobileMT Data Expert Geophysics' airborne MobileMT data has identified a large low conductive anomaly at depth (see blue area on figure 3). The PGC target occurs on the edge of the low conductive anomaly. The Gar Intrusive target with gold in sheeted quartz veins at surface, and the Gar North target (see PJX news release March 7, 2022) also occur along the edge of the anomaly. The large low conductive anomaly may represent an intrusive at depth that could be a common source for the multiple phases of intrusives mapped at surface, and the PGC and Gar North targets. Gold-Copper Mineralization The PGC target occurs adjacent to the Leader granitic porphyry intrusive that is associated with gold and copper occurrences called the Leader and Dug-Dug (see figure 4). Leader occurrence - gold, silver, lead, and copper mineralization occur with quartz veining in a shear in sediments adjacent to the Leader intrusive. The narrow (0.15 to 1.5 metres ("m") wide) vein was identified by historical surface trenching and/or underground workings for approximately 600 m along strike in the 1930s. PJX grab sample of mineralized quartz vein material in 2021 analyzed 10,226 ppb (10.2 g/t) gold, 107 ppm (107 g/t) silver, 2.56% copper, and greater than 10% lead. Dug-Dug occurrence - shear hosted quartz veins with gold and silver mineralization occur within the Leader stock. One of 4 holes drilled by Ruby Red Resources in 2007 intersected 2.91 g/t gold, 394 g/t silver, 2.94% lead, and 3170 ppm (0.31%) copper over 1.27m from 33.2 m - 34.47 m down hole. John Keating, President of PJX commented: "The Leader and Dug-Dug occurrences are not our primary targets. The PGC target is considered to be more significant as it may be a gold-rich copper porphyry that has intruded adjacent to the Leader intrusive. Gold, copper and other mineralization in the Leader and Dug-Dug occurrences support the potential that the PGC target may host gold and copper mineralization. The PGC target, like the Gar North target, occur in areas covered with overburden and no known rock exposure (see figure 4). Next steps will include prospecting, mapping, and soil sampling in these areas to identify potential gold and copper mineralization." DD-NZOU-Moby Dick Drilling Update DLP Resources ("DLP") has announced temporary abandonment of drilling Hole MD22-01 on the Moby Dick claims, which are part of DLP's option of PJX's DD Property. The hole was started in late April to test an MT anomaly at a depth of about 1700 m. The MT target is on strike with Sullivan type alteration encountered by a hole drilled in 2021 on the adjacent DD claims. Hole MD22-01 hit a major fault and became stuck at approximately 1200 m. The re-drill off a downhole wedge placed at 1150 m had to be abandoned at 1305 m due to poor drilling conditions. The hole was in Middle Aldridge sediments with weak pyrrhotite mineralization and intense sericite alteration with trace tourmaline within the fault zone. DLP has indicated that they plan to continue with the drill program and re-enter Hole MD22-01 at a future date when equipment is available to continue drilling with a smaller core size. Qualified Persons The geological disclosure and content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Keating P.Geo. (qualified persons for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Keating is the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of PJX. Source - http://www.dmec.ca/DMEC/media/Presentations/10_Clark_Magnetic-effects-of-alteration-in-mineral-systems.pdf Figure 1 - CSIRO (Australian government Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) type-example for a Porphyry gold-copper deposit with zoned magnetic signature. Zonation in alteration and mineralization within and around the porphyry can produce a somewhat donut shaped magnetic anomaly. The central mag high (red area) reflects a potassic altered zone with gold, copper, and magnetic mineralization. The central mag high is encircled by a mag low (blue area) that reflects a phyllic altered zone, and this produces a somewhat donut shaped anomaly. Figure 2 - Porphyry Gold-Copper (PGC) target has a typical porphyry gold-copper signature with a central mag high (red area) encircled by a donut shaped mag low (blue area). Figure 3 - Apparent Conductivity (33 Hz frequency) displays a large low conductivity anomaly (blue area) at depth. The large conductivity low may represent an intrusive body at depth that was the original magma source with multiple pulses of magma to form intrusive offshoots, such as the Gar granitic intrusive, and the Gar North and PGC Targets with their near surface outlines shown on the map. Figure 4 - The Gar and Leader intrusives with associated gold and/or copper mineralization occur along a 5 km trend of skarn altered sediments on the Northwest part of the Zinger Property. The PGC and Gar North targets occur in low topography covered by overburden and alluvium with no known bedrock or surface expression. About PJX Resources Inc. PJX is a mineral exploration company focused on building shareholder value and community opportunity through the exploration and development of mineral resources with a focus on gold, silver and base metals (zinc, lead, copper, nickel). PJX's primary properties are located in the historical Sullivan Mine District and Vulcan Gold Belt near Cranbrook and Kimberley, British Columbia. Please refer to our web site http://www.pjxresources.com for additional information. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Linda Brennan, Chief Financial Officer (416) 799-9205 info@pjxresources.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by PJX Resources Inc. as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, PJX Resources Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in PJX Resources Inc.'s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which PJX Resources Inc. has no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. 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. This press release may use the terms "Measured", "Indicated", and "Inferred" resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource is economically or legally mineable. 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: PJX Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704407/Porphyry-Gold-Copper-Target-Identified-on-PJX-Resources-Zinger-Property-in-the-Sullivan-Mining-District TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Adcore Inc. (the "Company" or "Adcore") (TSX:ADCO) (OTCQX:ADCOF) (FSE:ADQ) (TSX:ADCO-WT), a leading e-commerce advertising management and automation platform to leverage digital marketing in an effortless and accessible way ("Effortless Marketing"), today announced the launch of its new blog on the Company's website. Adcore believes that its new blog will better serve its growing customer base and provide valuable industry insights. The blog is constantly being updated with the latest industry news and articles and is aligned with the Company's brand identity, vision and mission. The blog aims to help marketing professionals such as chief marketing officers and marketing managers better understand and harness the power of digital marketing technology to grow their businesses. The new blog features a wide variety of popular categories in digital marketing, including: PPC, e-commerce, advertising channels, technology and more. The blog's content is created and delivered through various mediums including traditional blog posts, news reports, videos, "how to" articles and trending topics. Additionally, Adcore's blog will also feature a capital markets section focused on marketing and AdTech, providing industry developments and updates to help readers understand the sector at large. Omri Brill, CEO of Adcore, commented, "In today's world, content is becoming more and more crucial, as it answers our audience's questions and helps to build trust, develop relationships, improve conversions, and increase engagement. Customers expect high-quality, consistent content from their favorite brands, and Adcore's new blog is all about that and more. The new blog is an exciting addition to our website, allowing digital marketing professionals from around the world to connect, read and share opinions." "The Company is already experiencing a dramatic increase in its subscriber base, demonstrating the value and relevance of the content that Adcore is providing. We look forward to further leveraging the blog to support our existing customers." Mr. Brill concluded. Visit the new blog at: https://www.adcore.com/blog ABOUT ADCORE Adcore is empowering entrepreneurs, advertisers, and the future of e-commerce through its advertising management and automation platform. By combining extensive industry knowledge and experience with its proprietary artificial intelligence engine, Adcore offers a unique digital marketing solution that empowers entrepreneurs and advertisers by managing and automating their e-commerce store advertising and monitoring and analyzing the performance of their advertising budget to ensure maximum Return on Investment. In addition to being named numerous times on Deloitte's Fast 50 Technology list, Adcore is a certified Google Premier Partner, Elite Tier Microsoft Partner, Facebook Partner and TikTok Partner. Established in 2006, the Company employs over fifty people in its headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel and satellite offices in Toronto, Canada, Melbourne, Australia, Hong Kong and Shanghai, China. For more information about Adcore, please visit https://www.adcore.com/investors/, https://www.adcore.com/blog or follow us on LinkedIn ABOUT AMPHY Founded in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic, Amphy is the world's most diverse 24/7 live online learning marketplace. With Amphy, learners can choose from thousands of classes across hundreds of categories to grow their passions and skills, expand their children's learning opportunities, and much more. Instructors on the Amphy platform join a vibrant virtual teacher community that promotes and supports their success through enrichment seminars, marketing and advertising, and a suite of tools that allow them to run their classes hassle-free and focus on their students. Amphy students gain access to high-quality, personalized classes accessible from 24/7, as well as join a growing community of lifelong learners. For more on Amphy please visit - https://www.amphy.com/, https://blog.amphy.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the Company and the blog. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. For further information please contact: ADCORE INC. https://www.adcore.com/investors/ Martijn van den Bemd, GM North America U.S. Investor Relations John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau IMS Investor Relations Telephone: 647-497-5337 Telephone: 203-972-9200 Email: martijn@adcore.com Email: adcore@imsinvestorrelations.com SOURCE: Adcore Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704483/Adcore-Launches-New-Blog-Focused-on-Digital-Marketing VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / SILVER X MINING CORP. (TSX-V:AGX) (OTCQB:AGXPF) ("Silver X" or the "Company") announces that it has completed the debt settlement transaction (the "Debt Settlement") previously announced in its news release dated April 20, 2022, settling US$4,198,356.16 (CAD$5,285,310.58) of debt pursuant to an unsecured convertible debenture maturing on June 21, 2022, through the issuance of 17,617,701 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a deemed price of $0.30 per Share, to Baker Steel Resources Trust Limited ("BSRT"). BSRT now has beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, directly or indirectly, 19,502,695 Shares or 13.89% of the issued and outstanding Shares, (representing an increase of 12.35% from the number of Shares owned by BSRT prior to the Debt Settlement, which was 1,884,994 Shares). The Shares will be subject to a four month hold period which will expire on the date that is four months and one day from the date of issue of the Shares. Depending on market conditions and other factors, BSRT may from time to time acquire and/or dispose of securities of Silver X or continue to hold its current position. The Company is also pleased to announce that it has appointed Francis Johnstone to the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") effective as of the date hereof. Mr. Johnstone was appointed pursuant to the terms of the agreement entered into in connection with the Debt Settlement, whereby the Company granted BSRT the right, among other things, for so long as BSRT and its affiliates together hold at least 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares (determined on a partially diluted basis), to designate one nominee for election or appointment to the Board. Francis Johnstone has been an Investment Advisor to London Stock Exchange listed specialist resources Investment Company, BSRT, since its inception in 2010. Having trained in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions at Citibank he entered the mining business in 1989 with Cluff Resources plc. Since that time, he has been active in the mining business as both an executive and non-executive director of a number of junior mining companies, listed and unlisted. He is currently a non-executive director of Tungsten West PLC a mining company quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, as well as a number of private companies in the BSRT portfolio. Silver X CEO Jose Garcia commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Johnstone to the board. From a business perspective, Francis brings vast experience with a variety of public and private mining companies, as well as the voice of Baker Steel Resources Trust Limited, our cornerstone investor since 2019. We look forward to working with Francis in meeting our corporate goals." A copy of the early warning report required to be filed with the applicable Canadian securities commissions in connection with the Debt Settlement will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and can be obtained by contacting Tino Isnardi at +44 (0) 20 7389 0009. Arnold House St. Julians Avenue Guernsey GY1 1WA About Silver X Mining Silver X is a Canadian silver mining company with assets in Peru. The Company's flagship asset is the Nueva Recuperada silver, gold, lead, zinc and copper project located in Huancavelica, Peru, 10 km north-northwest of the Nueva Recuperada polymetallic concentrate plant. Founders and management have a successful track record of increasing shareholder value. For more information visit our website at www.silverxmining.com. Suite 1430 - 800 West Pender Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2V6 Canada ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jose Garcia CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Silver X Mining Corp. Jose Garcia, Chief Executive Officer +1 604 358 1382 | j.garcia@silverxmining.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). 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 acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". All information contained in this press release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forward looking information. Forward- looking information contained in this press release may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Debt Settlement by the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to those risks described in the Company's annual and interim MD&As and in its public documents filed on www.sedar.com from time to time. Forward- looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Silver X Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704486/Silver-X-Completes-Debt-Settlement-Appoints-New-Director Featuring Fluence's diverse spectral portfolio, RAPTR is a highly efficient and durable one-to-one replacement for high-pressure sodium fixtures Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, today launched RAPTR, the company's latest high-output lighting solution built to replace 1,000-watt, high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures and maximize energy efficiency. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005332/en/ Fluence today launched RAPTR, the company's latest high-output lighting solution built to replace 1,000-watt, high-pressure sodium fixtures and maximize energy efficiency. (Photo: Business Wire) Greenhouse and indoor growers are increasingly seeking more efficient, higher-output lighting solutions to reduce installation, operating and maintenance costs while increasing yield and plant quality. Recognizing the importance of maintaining consistency in harvest schedules while accommodating specific energy requirements, Fluence designed RAPTR to help enable cultivators to seamlessly retrofit their lighting solutions. In most cases, existing HPS electrical infrastructure such as cables or distribution panels can be reused for RAPTR-making it a true plug-and-play solution. "Retrofitting a facility with LED technology opens the door to more light, creates opportunities for greater yields and ultimately increases revenue," said Jordon Musser, chief product officer of Fluence. "RAPTR is designed to lower operating expenses for cultivators, increase light levels or even achieve both without changing the existing facility layout." Fluence's ongoing global research exploring the effects of LED lighting on cannabis and produce crops has consistently shown that higher light intensities boost production at a nearly one-to-one ratio. Multiple Fluence research studies and customer trials found that, for every 1% increase in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), growers are achieving a corresponding 1% increase in yield. For commercial produce growers, increasing light output is certainly desirable but cannot come at the expense of energy efficiency. RAPTR achieves higher light levels than its HPS equivalent-boosting yields for cannabis and produce growers-while helping to optimize a facility's energy usage. "We are in the business of meeting a grower's goals, whether through a 100% LED lighting strategy or a hybrid approach," said David Cohen, CEO of Fluence. "Adding RAPTR to our suite of lighting solutions gives growers yet another option to optimize their facilities based on what retailers and consumers want. We look forward to collaborating with our global cultivators to design best-in-class lighting strategies tailored to their environments using RAPTR." Purposely designed to mitigate surface dirt and dust collection, RAPTR fixtures are IP67-rated and feature powder-coated surfaces for easy cleaning and chemical resistance. RAPTR will be featured inside Fluence's booth (No. 05.524) at GreenTech Amsterdam from June 14 to June 16. For more information on RAPTR, Fluence and the company's extended portfolio of luminaires and lighting controls, visit www.fluence.science. About Fluence Fluence Bioengineering, Inc. (Fluence) creates powerful and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial crop production and research applications. Fluence is a leading LED lighting supplier in the global cannabis market and is committed to enabling more efficient crop production with the world's top vertical farms and greenhouse produce growers. Fluence global headquarters are in Austin, Texas, with its EMEA headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Fluence operates as a business unit within Signify's Digital Solutions division. For more information about Fluence, visit www.fluence.science. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005332/en/ Contacts: For Fluence, Emma Chase pr@fluencebioengineering.com C: 512-917-4319 DCVC and Magnetic Ventures co-led a $25 million seed financing, with participation from Khosla Ventures, OMERS Ventures, and firstminute Capital, among others Relation Therapeutics, the pioneer of drug discovery using active-graph machine learning (ML) combined with single-cell analysis and deep clinical insights, announced today that it had raised a $25 million investment and hired a Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer. The funding and expanded leadership will enable Relation to scale its platform and advance therapeutic candidates for diseases with no or few good medicines. Dr. David Roblin joins the company as Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Lindsay Edwards as Chief Technology Officer and President of Platform. "We will dramatically improve success in drug discovery-we must, because patients are waiting for breakthrough medicines," said Roblin. "Our approach brings together, for the first time, human genetics, single-cell omics, functional genomics, and active-graph machine learning in a single, engineered design. We believe our techniques will significantly accelerate the discovery of new, life-changing drugs." The critical bottleneck in drug discovery remains the poor understanding of the biology underlying disease. As a result, we don't know why patients become sick; and far too often most drug candidates fail in trials and many devastating diseases remain untreated. Historically, successful drugs have mostly been discovered by sheer luck. Relation delivers a radically different approach that can better understand the biology of disease and rationally discover new therapeutics. Relation's platform uses the power of active-graph ML, called Metagraph. The technology has been successfully employed by technology companies to solve problems in computer vision and product recommendations, but never before in drug discovery at this scale. With active-graph machine learning, Relation can understand the huge number of combinatorial functional relationships between genes, proteins, and drugs. Relation will be piloting part of this work with NVIDIA, as one of only four startups to have access to the NVIDIA Cambridge-1 GPU supercomputer. Relation's pioneering "lab-in-the-loop" integrates active learning at every step of drug discovery, from predicting cell states to the validation of new targets. An important challenge for any therapeutics company using machine learning is "ground-truth data," or information known to be true. Working from real cells provided by proprietary biobanks, Relation's technology generates genomic data that provide direct insights into critical biological relationships that are fed directly into its ML systems. The platform then automatically requests new experiments to improve its predictive ability, cutting through an otherwise intractable combinatorial space. Relation is focusing initially on bone diseases, where there is a pressing unmet medical need, and because the company's platform has a clear advantage where there exist good cellular representations. "Relation brings a powerful, proven approach to interrogating extremely complex information to efficiently make high-quality recommendations. The speed at which they operate and the progress they've made are remarkable and may be transformative. We're thrilled to join them in their efforts," said Jason Pontin, a DCVC Partner and Relation board member. Christine Aylward, Founder Managing Partner of Magnetic Ventures and a member of Relation's board, commented, "Beyond its groundbreaking platform technology, Relation's team has demonstrated its ability to form partnerships and attract an interdisciplinary set of global leaders across machine learning, single-cell genomics, and drug discovery. We are delighted to partner with Relation and the investor syndicate to support the company's vision of transforming drug discovery with its novel approach." Dr. David Roblin is a distinguished scientist, physician, entrepreneur, and life-sciences industry executive. Roblin has been involved in Relation since its founding, while engaged as CEO of Juvenescence Therapeutics, an early investor in Relation. Before joining Relation, he was Chair of Scientific Translation at the Francis Crick Institute, where during his eight-year tenure, he held several executive positions. Earlier, Dr. Roblin was SVP and Head of European R&D for Pfizer. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Sosei Heptares (SOLTF) and Non-Executive Chair of Centauri Therapeutics. Dr. Lindsay Edwards was previously Vice President and Head of Artificial Intelligence for Respiratory and Immunology at AstraZeneca, where he built a world class machine learning function. Earlier, he founded and led one of GSK's first data science groups and served as Vice President and Head of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning for the UK and Europe. Relation's scientific advisory board includes luminaries from a broad range of disciplines, including Professor Michael Bronstein, DeepMind Professor of AI at Oxford University and Head of Graph AI at Twitter; Professor Caroline Uhler, core institute member and co-director of the Eric Wendy Schmidt Center at the Broad Institute and Associate Professor at MIT; and Professor Alex K. Shalek, institute member at the Broad Institute and Associate Professor at MIT. Relation has a history of collaboration and co-publishing with Turing Award Winner Professor Yoshua Bengio of the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (Mila) on the application of the active learning algorithms. In addition to DCVC and Magnetic Ventures, the seed financing also included participation from Khosla Ventures, OMERS Ventures, and firstminute Capital, Peer Schatz, the former CEO of Qiagen (NYSE:QGEN), Jonathan Milner, founder of Abcam (LSE:ABC), and Mark Stevenson, former COO of ThermoFisher (NYSE:TMO). About Relation Relation discovers new biology to cure disease faster, transforming the traditional R&D model: because patients are waiting. Integral to this, Relation combines the power of active-graph machine learning and large-scale, high-quality data that describes disease biology to find better ways of targeting human pathology. We generate proprietary maps of disease in humans, leveraging human genetics, single-cell omics and perturbational data, so that these powerful models can be deployed at last. Relation's platform sits in an integrated wet-lab, dry-lab, translational science loop, located in London. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005363/en/ Contacts: Media: Michael Lampe michael@scientpr.com SEATTLE, June 09, 2022, a leading global Biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization. The award, shared in the special Quality Assurance Edition(May 2022) of Pharma Tech Outlook Europe magazine, lists the top ten companies providing the best Quality Assurance services for the pharmaceutical industry. AGC Biologics is the only CDMO to be included in this year's Top 10 Quality company list. Pharma Tech Outlook is a leading global industry news source pioneering real-world solutions, news, product trends, and other important topics related to the pharmaceutical industry. The publication uses a collaborative, peer-driven approach to address the important needs of the industry. The magazine highlights leaders, innovative companies and important news impacting the pharmaceutical space. "We are honored to accept the award as one of the Top 10 Quality Assurance Services Companies in our industry. As a company, we lead with quality and safety, and truly believe that quality is the responsibility of every individual at AGC Biologics," said Paul Tsang, Executive Vice President of Global Quality, AGC Biologics. "I'm humbled to help guide the direction of our global team that cares deeply for our customers and their patients. This honor is a true testament to the hard work, dedication and work of everyone within the Global Quality organization." "Our integrated Quality Management System combined with our cGMP expertise helps us support our clients in not only performing in-process, intermediate, and final product testing, but also offering them faster time-to-market and improved success rates by building quality into products and processes," notes Tina Guldberg, Vice President of Quality, AGC Biologics Copenhagen. AGC Biologics offers an integrated quality management system (QMS), which incorporates requirements from the US, EU, Japan, and other major compliance and regulatory guidelines (e.g., ICH, PhEur, USP). The company's facilities have been inspected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Health Canada and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). AGC Biologics is currently expanding at several facilities across the globe to grow quality and other important services, including at three sites in Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark, Heidelberg, Germanyand Milan, Italy. These expansions support the company's mission of furthering quality standards for pharmaceutical products it helps bring to market. In Copenhagen specifically, the company is building an additional facilitythat adds 8,000 square meters of space to the current mammalian and microbial biologics site. The new expansion includes state-of-the-art mammalian manufacturing capabilities, additional technical and warehouse space, and new quality control laboratories that will help the company continue to innovate its quality and regulatory services. To learn more about AGC Biologics' quality assurance, quality control and regulatory services, visit www.agcbio.com/capabilities/quality-regulatory. About AGC Biologics AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization. Attachment Time to boost competitiveness of Korean firms President Yoon Suk-yeol has instructed his Cabinet members to map out special measures to boost the semiconductor industry and nurture talented workers. "Semiconductors are a national security asset and a mainstay of our economy, accounting for 20 percent of the total exports," Yoon said during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday. The presidential office released a photo of Yoon viewing a photomask used for producing chips, reminiscent of U.S. President Joe Biden holding up a silicon wafer, on the sidelines of the meeting as Science Minister Lee Jong-ho gave a special lecture on semiconductors. These all show how earnestly the Yoon administration considers the semiconductor industry as being crucial for the national economy and economic security. Yoon ordered the Ministry of Education to take steps to increase enrollment quotas for semiconductor departments. "The education (ministry) has failed to provide the talented people required for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It should regard itself as an economic apparatus," Yoon said. He scolded the ministry for maintaining university student quotas in the greater Seoul area which serve as an impediment to nurturing semiconductor experts. Yoon underscored the need to foster human resources to promote the chipmaking industry and increase its global competitiveness. Businesses are faced with growing setbacks due to shortages of skilled workers. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, chip companies will likely suffer a shortage of some 30,000 technicians in the next 10 years. The previous Moon Jae-in administration pledged to increase the student quotas for semiconductor departments at universities in the Seoul metropolitan area. Yet it failed to keep its pledge in the face of the strict regulation on capping the total number of students. The problem has been aggravated due to the decreasing population and regulations aimed at easing the demographic and economic concentration in the capital and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. The long-held government policy of promoting balanced regional development has also make it difficult to ease or lift the quota system. Given this, companies have opted to set up semiconductor contract departments with major universities. Yet they have so far produced only 419 graduates from 15 universities. Worse still, their sustainability is questioned because such departments are usually set up under contracts lasting five years on average. This situation in Korea stands in stark contrast to its rival Taiwan which has been producing some 10,000 chip specialists per year since the mid-2000s, with its universities recruiting new students twice a year. China, which is adamant in developing its semiconductor industry, is producing some 200,000 experts every year via renowned institutions such as Peking University and Tsinghua University. It is not proper to pass the buck to the education ministry. Pan-national support is pivotal to sharpening the competitiveness of the chipmaking industry. It is also important to step up cooperation with the relevant industries producing materials and equipment. Besides, it is necessary to expand the infrastructure to supply water, electricity and land, coupled with a favorable tax system. Yoon urged the education ministry to "bet all" to foster the chip industry. Yet, this is not enough. The Yoon administration should double down on efforts toward that end. But it should also pay more heed to the fluctuations of chip businesses which are sensitive to boom-and-bust economic cycles. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) has reached an agreement to acquire Gross & Perthun GmbH, a Germany based developer, manufacturer, and distributor of coatings primarily for the heavy equipment and transportation industries. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2022. The acquired business has annual sales of approximately $50 million, and will become part of the Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group reportable segment. Sherwin-Williams CEO, John Morikis, said: 'The combination of our businesses provides multiple opportunities to accelerate profitable growth throughout Europe and beyond.' 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. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Metallic Minerals (TSX.V:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) ("Metallic Minerals", or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing for aggregate proceeds of $4,032,000 through the issuance of 9,600,000 units at a price of $0.42 per flow-through unit (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit consists of one flow-through common share and one-half purchase warrant where each whole warrant is exercisable into a flow-through common share for 30 months at a price of $0.50 on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V"). Greg Johnson, CEO and Chairman, noted, "We are pleased to complete this premium-to-market Private Placement and to strengthen our shareholder base with new institutional investors. These new funds will be primarily directed toward the ongoing exploration and development of our Keno Silver Project in the high-grade, Keno silver district of Canada's Yukon Territory. Final planning is underway for the initiation of our 2022 exploration programs at Keno Silver, as well as at our La Plata silver-gold-copper project in Colorado, USA. We look forward to meeting with existing and potential shareholders during PDAC 2022 in Toronto June 13-15, as well as during the Yukon Property Tours and Conference June 20-24 in Dawson City." Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used toward eligible Canadian Exploration Expenses, within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Private Placement is subject to the final approval of the TSX-V. The flow-through shares will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from their date of issuance under applicable Canadian securities law. The flow-through shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. An officer of the Company participated in the private placement for an aggregate of 4,400 FT Units. The participation by the insider in the private placement is considered to be a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101. The transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities being issued, nor the consideration being paid exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Upcoming Events PDAC 2022 - Metallic will join fellow Metallic Group members, Stillwater Critical Minerals (formerly Group Ten Metals) and Granite Creek Copper, at PDAC in Toronto, June 13-15 (Booth IE2851). Yukon Property Tours & Conference - Metallic will be in Dawson City June 20-24 for the 2022 Yukon Property Tours, with President, Scott Petsel, and CEO, Greg Johnson, both visiting the Keno Silver Project for exploration planning. About Metallic Minerals Metallic Minerals Corp. is an exploration and development stage company, focused on silver, gold and copper in the high-grade Keno Hill and La Plata mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources and advancing projects toward development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada's Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp's operations, with more than 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. In addition, the Company recently announced the inaugural resource estimate for the La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado. All of the districts in which the Company works have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. About the Metallic Group of Companies The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration and development companies, with a portfolio of large, brownfields assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry's highest-grade producers of silver and gold, platinum and palladium, and copper. Member companies include Metallic Minerals in the Yukon's high-grade Keno Hill silver district and La Plata silver-gold-copper district of Colorado, Granite Creek Copper in the Yukon's Minto copper district, and Stillwater Critical Minerals (formerly Group Ten Metals) in the Stillwater PGM-nickel-copper district of Montana, USA and Kluane district in the Yukon. The founders and team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful explorationists formerly with some of the industry's leading explorer/developers and major producers. With this expertise, the companies are undertaking a systematic approach to exploration and development using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven, but under-explored, mining districts. Members of the Metallic Group have been recognized as recipients of awards for excellence in environmental stewardship demonstrating commitment to responsible resource development and appropriate ESG practices. The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and its member companies are listed on the Toronto Venture, US OTCQB and Frankfurt stock exchanges. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Website: mmgsilver.com Phone: 604-629-7800 Email: cackerman@mmgsilver.com Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420 Forward-Looking Statements 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 Metallic Minerals 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 Metallic Minerals 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: Metallic Minerals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704468/Metallic-Minerals-Closes-4-Million-Private-Placement-Financing FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary Palm Beach, Fla., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- While Gold always seems to be in the spotlight, some other metals will also be important in 2022. Copper, Silver, Zinc, Lithium, Nickel and Lead should also be in investor's radar. An article in Mining.com discussed a report from Finch Solutions said that the Mining industry will continue to fly-high through 2022. It said Global miners can continue to expect an "exceptional year of earnings" through 2022 as a broad commodity price rally underpins strong financial results for most actors, according to a new report from Fitch Solutions. Despite sky-high earnings, Fitch expects miners to maintain restraint over capital expenditure, instead focusing on further debt reduction with the additional profits generated this year and next. According to the report, the industry is in the age of disruption with technology, changing consumption patterns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations shaping the future of market players and inevitably determining success - or the contrary. It said: "Major mining companies could weather the covid-19 pandemic better, primarily thanks to higher metal prices following the first quarter of 2020. Fitch expects these financial results to be even stronger through FY2022. The updated guidance reflects more robust financials, low base effects, and a general vision to return to pre-planned levels of activity with the assumption that there would be no more lockdowns that could once again hamper miners' capabilities, Fitch says." Active Companies in the markets today include Rockridge Resources Ltd. (OTCQB: RRRLF) (TSX-V: ROCK), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK.A), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM), Foran Mining Corporation (OTCQX: FMCXF) (TSXV: FOM). Fitch Solutions continued: "MINERS WILL INCREASE INVESTMENTS IN COPPER, LITHIUM AND NICKEL PROJECTS OWING TO THE RISING DEMAND - Going forward, Fitch expects miners to increase investments in copper, lithium and nickel projects owing to the rising demand for these metals from the renewable energy, battery and electric vehicle sectors. However, in taking a closer look at individual company capex figures, FitchSolutions says the overall trend remains that companies are investing more in developing their existing assets than in exploring new ones. " Rockridge Resources Ltd. (OTCQB: RRRLF) (TSX-V: ROCK) BREAKING NEWS: Rockridge Resources to Commence Fully Funded Drill Program at its High-Grade Knife Lake Copper Project, Saskatchewan- Rockridge Resources Ltd. (Frankfurt: RR0) ("Rockridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its fully funded Summer 2022 diamond drill program is set to commence in mid-July at the Knife Lake Copper VMS Project located in Saskatchewan, Canada (the "Knife Lake Project" or "Property"). Using the results and interpretation from the 2021 geophysical programs, as well as the 2021 drill and field programs, the upcoming program will focus on Geophysical VTEM targets at the Gilbert Lake zones. Furthermore, the Company is evaluating other targets across the property as well as infill and expansion drill targets at the deposit. The Knife Lake Project, consisting of 82 claims totaling 56,865 hectares (140,516 acres), is an advanced-stage copper, silver, zinc and cobalt exploration property in Saskatchewan host to the Knife Lake Deposit. Knife Lake VMS Project Location Map: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Knife-Lake-Region-20210331-003.jpg Plans for Upcoming Summer Diamond Drilling Program: The focus of the 2022 drill program will be on the highly prospective Gilbert Lake target area. The Gilbert Lake targets were identified from the results and interpretation of the 2021 geophysical, drill and field programs. Results from these programs show that airborne VTEM surveys can successfully identify zones of VMS-style mineralization hosted in favourable stratigraphy on the property. Additionally, the Company is currently finalizing 3D modeling of the VTEM data focusing on the highest-priority drill targets for the upcoming program. Rockridge has signed contracts for the installation of the exploration camp, helicopter rental and a preferred drill contractor to support the upcoming program. Rockridge's CEO, Jonathan Wiesblatt, commented: "Returning to the Knife Lake Project for a summer drilling campaign is a top priority for Rockridge. Exploration at target areas outside of the existing mineral resource offers compelling discovery potential as there has been limited historical work done on these highly prospective targets. Our work to date has only advanced our thesis that the identified target areas display very common characteristics synonymous with comparable VMS systems. Our efforts have been focused on identifying new prospective VMS discoveries in and around the Knife Lake deposit. The project remains an exciting exploration story that can offer investors exposure to a top mining jurisdiction and to commodities in high demand like copper. We look forward to updating our shareholders in the coming weeks." Knife Lake Target Areas 2022 Drill Program: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/KF-Target-Areas-20220329.jpg Specifically, management has assessed high-priority targets that include additional drill testing in the Gilbert Lake Area. The planned holes will further investigate strike-length continuity of the mineralized horizon intersected in 2021 drilling, which remains open to the south. The holes will also evaluate potential zoning of mineralization, which is commonly observed in VMS systems. Additional holes at a newly discovered copper showing at the Gilbert West Area have also been prioritized. The holes will target the down-dip extension of a mineralized and intensely altered volcanic package which is interpreted to be the Knife Lake stratigraphic horizon. The Gilbert West target has never been drill tested. CONTINUEDRead this full release for Rockridge Resourcesat: https://rockridgeresourcesltd.com/news-and-media/news/ Other recent developments in the markets include: Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK.A) ("Teck") recently announced that it has amended certain terms of its previously announced cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase up to US$500 million aggregate principal amount (subject to increase or decrease by Teck, the "Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount") of its outstanding notes listed in the table below (collectively, the "Notes" and each a "Series" of Notes), in the order of priority shown in the table below. Teck amended the Tender Offer as follows: extended the (i) Early Tender Deadline to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 13, 2022 (originally June 7, 2022), (ii) Price Determination Date to 10:00 a.m., New York City time on June 14, 2022 (originally June 8, 2022), and (iii) Early Settlement Date to June 16, 2022 (originally June 10, 2022); and modified the applicable Fixed Spread as set forth in the Offer to Purchase (the "Original Fixed Spread") to the applicable amended Fixed Spread. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in an Offer to Purchase dated May 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Offer to Purchase"). The Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, which may be obtained from Global Bondholder Services Corporation as described below. Subject to applicable law, Teck may waive any and all of these conditions or extend, terminate or withdraw the Tender Offer with respect to one or more Series of Notes and/or increase or decrease the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount. The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. In accordance with the terms of the Tender Offer, the withdrawal deadline was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 7, 2022. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) was recently named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens in the U.S. in annual rankings based on the environmental, social and governance practices of the 1,000 largest publicly traded companies. Freeport ranked 61st overall and fifth in the Minerals Industry category. This is the 10th time the company has made the list since 2007. Freeport most recently made the top 100 in 2019. The rankings are compiled annually by 3BL Media in partnership with Institutional Shareholder Services. They are based on an analysis of publicly available information, such as corporate websites, financial disclosures and reports on sustainability, as well as reputable third parties such as federal regulatory agencies. Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM) recently announced the results of the preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") of its 100%-owned Copper World Complex in Arizona, which includes the recently discovered Copper World deposits along with the Rosemont deposit. All dollar amounts are in US dollars, unless otherwise noted. The valuation metrics presented in this news release are based on a preliminary economic assessment that includes an economic analysis of the potential viability of mineral resources. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. This preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature, includes inferred resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves and there is no certainty the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Foran Mining Corporation (OTCQX: FMCXF) (TSXV: FOM) recently announced the grand opening of its Saskatchewan Head Office. The Company's office in Saskatoon will be the operating headquarters supporting all in-province initiatives at its 100%-owned McIlvenna Bay development project and surrounding properties. The company held an event at its office yesterday hosting provincial and municipal government members. Dan Myerson, Foran's Executive Chairman & CEO, commented: "We are honoured to make Saskatoonour home as we become the province's first copper producer. Our goal is to deliver carbon-neutral critical metal production and help establish Saskatchewan as leader in a transforming and decarbonizing world. Saskatchewan is a top-ranked jurisdiction for mining globally, and we are extremely grateful to grow in this abundant province." DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated twenty six hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Rockridge Resources Ltd. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Contact Information: Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com Phone - +1(561)325-8757 LISBON (dpa-AFX) - Portugal's foreign trade deficit widened in April, as imports grew much faster than exports, figures from Statistics Portugal showed on Thursday. The trade deficit rose to EUR 2.44 billion in April from EUR 1.40 billion in the corresponding month last year. In March, the deficit was EUR 2.46 billion. Exports climbed 17.3 percent annually in April, faster than the 13.7 percent increase in the prior month. Imports grew 29.2 percent in April from a year ago, following a 30.8 percent surge in March. On a month-on-month basis, both exports and imports decreased 5.5 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively, in April. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Investment Control Systems (ICS), today announced that MA Financial Group will be implementing ICS ATHENA. MA's Asset Management division will be leveraging the cloud-based solution to move to a single source of truth for all its investment data. This will support a number of functions including maintaining multiple books of records, automated reconciliation and NAV validation, post-trade compliance, cash forecasting as well as managing data integrations across a number of platforms. "We have experienced significant growth in recent years, and we were searching for a platform that would support our continued expansion and future scaling of our business", said Asset Management's Chief Operating Officer, Alice Tang. "With the ATHENA platform, we found a modern solution that will allow us to scale our operations for future growth." ICS Director, Christian Eriksen, said the following, "MA Financial has a unique offering to the investment market and their growth is a testament to this. We are excited at ICS to welcome MA Financial as a client, and extremely proud of ATHENA's ability to meet the needs for the diverse range of investment organisations within our client community." Enquiries regarding this announcement should be addressed to: Christian Eriksen, Director. Email: christian.eriksen@investmentcontrolsystems.com About MA Financial Group MA Financial is an ASX-listed financial services firm specialising in asset management, lending, corporate advisory and equities. Their Asset Management division originates and manages investment opportunities for wholesale, retail and institutional investors across credit, real estate, equities, hospitality, private equity and venture capital. As at 30 April 2022, the firm has $7.2 billion in assets under management. About Investment Control Systems We make your investment data worth more by introducing a single source of truth via our cloud-based investment data management, warehouse, and reporting platform - ICS ATHENA. This enables our clients to increase efficiency while scaling the operations of their investment teams to support their growth plans. Our solution is designed for asset owners, asset managers and asset consultants. Contact Details: Dom Ryan dom.ryan@investmentcontrolsystems.com +447852272499 Platinum Sponsor Apiture To Conduct Digital Banking Platform Demos in Booth #309 WILMINGTON, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Apiture , a leading provider of digital banking solutions, is a Platinum sponsor of the American Banker Digital Banking Conference , being held June 13-15, in Austin, Texas. The conference hosts 1000+ senior attendees from financial institutions, fintech startups, merchants, and regulators to network and convene for live demos, panel discussions, and workshops. Apiture's EVP of Innovation Daniel Haisley will host a unique "unconference" workshop on June 13 from 9:15-10:30 am CST titled: Unlocking Creative Solutions to Today's Most Pressing Banking Challenges . By replacing formal presentations with meaningful roundtable discussions, Haisley will facilitate conversations among attendees on real-world banking challenges, stress-testing new ideas, and identifying solutions to the industry's current problems. "We are excited to network with industry peers to examine the current state of the banking industry and shape the innovative solutions that financial institutions and their customers need most," said Haisley. "Our workshop is an opportunity to gather with disruptors in the space and brainstorm ways to take digital banking to the next level." Apiture, which was recently named the Best Business Digital Banking Solutions Provider by the FinTech Futures Banking Tech Awards USA , will showcase the Apiture Digital Banking Platform in booth #309. Executives will be available to conduct in-booth demonstrations and discuss key capabilities of Apiture's solutions. The American Banker Digital Banking Conference website shares more details and the full agenda . About Apiture Apiture delivers award-winning digital banking solutions to banks and credit unions throughout the United States. Our flexible, highly configurable solutions meet a wide range of financial institutions' needs, from leveling the playing field with larger banks to enabling unique, digital-only brands. Through our API-first strategy, our clients can maximize the capabilities of their platform while preserving a seamless user experience. Our exclusive focus on digital banking means we're dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients while providing a level of support that's unmatched in the industry. Apiture is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, with offices in Austin, Texas. To learn more, visit www.apiture.com . Media Contact Aarzoo Jena Caliber Corporate Advisers aarzoo@calibercorporateadvisers.com SOURCE: Apiture View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704245/Apiture-to-Host-Innovation-Workshop-at-American-Banker-Digital-Banking-Conference CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Eagle Plains Resources (TSXV:EPL), ("EPL") and Riverstick Resources Corp. (a private B.C. company), ("Riverstick") announce that the companies have entered into a formal option agreement whereby Riverstick may earn an undivided 60% interest in the Dictator Property (the "Property"). EPL holds the exclusive right to obtain a 100% interest in the Property, located approximately 70 km east of Vernon, BC. Under terms of the agreement, Riverstick can earn it's 60% interest by completing exploration expenditures of $1,500,000, making cash payments of $500,000 and issuing 1,000,000 common shares to EPL over a five-year period. Eagle Plains holds an underlying option on the Property as described below. See Dictator Property Map here The Dictator Property is road-accessible and located within rocks of the prolific Quesnellia Terrane, host to many major B.C. porphyry deposits such as Highland Valley, Gibraltar, Mount Polley, Mount Milligan, Copper Mountain and others. Despite the rich endowment of mineralization in these rocks, the Dictator area has seen relatively little exploration activity by industry or government. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the Dictator Property. See Dictator Regional Projects Map here The Property consists of 6 tenures comprising 2578 ha overlying Jurassic-aged porphyritic intrusive rocks that are host to parallel gold-bearing veins that have seen limited past production at the Dictator and Morning occurrences. During a property inspection carried out by Eagle Plains personnel in Summer, 2020, grab samples from the Morning workings ranged from trace values to a high of 39.4 g/t gold and 912 g/t silver (sample TTLPR016*) and 1.31 g/t gold, 205 g/t silver, 1.88% lead, 5.03% zinc and 0.12% cadmium (sample TTLPR015*). Prospecting in 2020 resulted in the discovery of numerous float boulders containing brecciated semi-massive sulphides that consistently contain highly elevated gold, lead and zinc mineralization with values ranging from trace quantities to a high of 5.84 g/t gold, 30.6 g/t Ag, 3680 ppm lead and 674 ppm zinc (sample TTLPR010*-float boulder). The source of the boulders is unknown and will be the focus of ongoing work. *Management cautions that rock grab samples are selective samples by nature and as such are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted across the Property. In 2021 Terralogic Exploration Services carried out prospecting and soil geochemical sampling to follow up a 2-Phase airborne magnetometer survey carried out by Eagle Plains in late 2020 and early 2021. The survey outlined two prominent magnetic features within an area where high-grade gold mineralized float boulders were located during the summer of 2020. In April 2022, Eagle Plains received a Multi Year Area Based (MYAB) Permit from the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation that will guide future exploration on the Property. Dictator Option Eagle Plains holds the exclusive option with Aurum Vena Mineral Resources Corp. of Cherryville, BC, whereby EPL may earn up to a 100% interest in the Dictator (formerly Lightning Peak) Property. Under terms of the agreement, EPL will make exploration expenditures totalling $150,000, cash payments of $70,000 and share payments of 250,000 shares over a four-year period to earn its interest. A one percent net smelter return royalty will be reserved for the vendor, which may be purchased by Eagle Plains for $1M. 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. Director's Resignation Eagle Plains announces the resignation of Darren B. Fach from the board of directors, effective June 7th, 2022. The Board would like to thank Mr. Fach for his many years of service to the company and wish him well in his future endeavours. 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 on projects controlled by Cameco Corp., Iso Energy Corp., Denison Mines Corp., Skeena Resources Ltd. and Alexco Resource Corp./Banyan Gold Corp., among others. 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/704421/Eagle-PlainsRiverstick-Resources-Execute-Option-Agreement-on-Dictator-Gold-Property-South-central-BC-Directors-Resignation WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) on Thursday announced its first seasonal beverage, Watermelon Limeade, that would be available for a limited time at all restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. The new Watermelon Limeade from farmer-created Tractor Beverage Co. features the bright and refreshing flavor of sweet watermelon and real lime. Tractor Beverage Company is the first and only Certified Organic, Non-GMO full line beverage solution for foodservice. For a limited time, Watermelon Limeade joins Chipotle's organic beverage line up of Tractor's Lemonade, Mandarin Agua Fresca, and Berry Agua Fresca, which are available for dine-in and carry out. Made exclusively for Chipotle, the bottled Tractor Beverage Lemonade and Black Tea are also available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. The company also said that five percent of profits from the sale of these beverages would be donated to causes that support farmers. Chipotle's Culinary team partnered with Tractor Beverage to create a Watermelon Limeade recipe that complements Chipotle's 53 real ingredients. In 2021, Chipotle had leveraged its stage-gate process to test Watermelon Limeade in Atlanta, Kansas City, and Orange County, Calif., before deciding on a launch strategy. 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Ahead of its virtual Investor Day later on Thursday, energy utility PPL Corp. (PPL) provided an update on its strategy to deliver top-tier growth and a clean energy future. The company said its top-tier earnings and dividend growth will be fueled by $27 billion of investment opportunities through 2030, superior operating expertise and one of the strongest balance sheets in the U.S. utility sector. The company projects top-tier earnings per share and dividend growth of 6 to 8 percent annually, culminating in an annual 9 to 11 percent total return proposition. The investment will advance grid modernization, grid resiliency and cleaner energy to best serve its customers. The company is also looking to transition its coal-fired generation fleet in Kentucky in support of PPL's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company will also reduce costs through the use of data and technology and the centralization of shared services functions, driving optimal resource allocation and supporting affordability for PPL's customers. 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. The former President and Chief Financial Officer of Salesforce brings an esteemed career in tech and finance to Cloudflare's board Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the security, performance, and reliability company helping to build a better Internet, today announced that Mark Hawkins, former President and Chief Financial Officer of Salesforce, was elected to the company's board of directors at the Cloudflare 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. During his more than 7 year career at Salesforce, Hawkins helped the company grow its revenue from $4 billion to $26 billion, eventually rising to President and CFO. Hawkins will lend his 35+ years of experience leading finance organizations at global software and technology companies including Salesforce, Autodesk, Logitech, Dell, and Hewlett Packard to support Cloudflare on its continued path of growth. "We're honored to welcome Mark to Cloudflare's Board of Directors," said Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. "Mark brings an exceptional background in financial operations for enterprise technology to our board, having helped companies like Salesforce, Autodesk, Dell, and HP successfully grow and scale, and I am looking forward to leveraging his expertise as we continue in our mission to help build a better Internet." "The Internet is now indispensable to our daily lives, whether we're using it to do business, connecting with loved ones, or relying on it to secure our infrastructure. As the company operating one of the world's largest networks, and bringing fast, reliable, secure, efficient, and private Internet to some of the largest organizations in the world, I believe that Cloudflare is the future of the Internet," said Mark Hawkins. "I've long been impressed by Cloudflare's rapid product innovation, and I look forward to working with a team and board that's committed to helping to build a better Internet for all of us." In addition to his new role with Cloudflare, Hawkins currently serves as a board member for Toast, Plaid, DataRobot, and Secure Works. He is the recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement award from the San Francisco Business Times Bay Area CFO of the Year, and inducted into the CFO Hall of Fame. Hawkins holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado, a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, and he completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Hawkins joins the other members of Cloudflare's board of directors, which include NEA Managing General Partner Scott Sandell, SimpleRose CEO Carl Ledbetter, Nike Foundation Founder and former Co-Chair Maria Eitel, Alteryx CEO Mark Anderson, Chairperson of the Advisory Council on Digitalization to the German Federal Government Katrin Suder, Cloudflare Co-Founder and CEO Matthew Prince, and Cloudflare Co-Founder, President and COO Michelle Zatlyn. About Cloudflare Cloudflare, Inc. (www.cloudflare.com @cloudflare) is on a mission to help build a better Internet. Cloudflare's suite of products protect and accelerate any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare have all web traffic routed through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request. As a result, they see significant improvement in performance and a decrease in spam and other attacks. Cloudflare was named to Entrepreneur Magazine's Top Company Cultures 2018 list and ranked among the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2019. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Cloudflare has offices in Austin, TX, Champaign, IL, New York, NY, San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Dubai, Lisbon, London, Munich, Paris, Beijing, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. 2022 Cloudflare, Inc. All rights reserved. Cloudflare, the Cloudflare logo, and other Cloudflare marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Cloudflare, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. All other marks and names referenced herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005361/en/ Contacts: Cloudflare, Inc. Daniella Vallurupalli Vice President, Head of Global Communications press@cloudflare.com LG Energy Solution Chief Data Officer Pyun Kyung-suk responds to questions during a recent interview with The Korea Times at the company's head office in Yeouido, Seoul. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk LGES chief data officer stresses necessity of collaboration among data professionals By Kim Yoo-chul The era of digital transformation is here, and with the shift, have come a lot of innovations for leading Korean companies to explore. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has awakened the need for them to adapt rapidly and speed up their utilization of emerging technologies. Korea's international competitiveness lies in manufacturing because the country is home to the world's top two memory chipmakers: Samsung and SK. Plus, it has the global top-tier steel manufacturer, POSCO, as well as automaker Hyundai Motor. LG Energy Solution (LGES) is also one of the leaders in the battery industry, followed by Samsung and SK. So far, new strategies for guaranteeing faster product delivery and better pricing for clients have been successful for almost all Korean manufacturers. Actually, decades ago, the major corporate growth strategy was seen as "value management," in which the role of C-suite executives was more about bringing out the maximum value from the businesses on hand. Business operations were tied to the concept of "synergies" across businesses, and the corporate headquarters was responsible for maximizing synergies across its flagship portfolios of businesses, with executives cultivating the right style of overseeing them. Now, according to company executives, the central point is that leading Korean manufacturers are well aware of the effects of the old guard insisting on hanging on to old business methods. Within that context, because intelligent technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and cloud-based platforms are already affecting how technology companies communicate with their customers, Korean tech leaders are also weighing in on the level of readiness in terms of adapting strategies and driving the changes that would impact customer satisfaction and business growth. Despite concerns that the once obscure chief data officer (CDO) position won't deliver actual business value in terms of justifying its existence, the newly-hired CDO at LGES, which supplies high-end rechargeable batteries to vehicle manufacturers including Tesla and General Motors, is ready to employ an incremental approach to build a set of data-driven management structures. "As the CDO of the company, my role is how to optimize (customize) and even underpin the business essentials with data from logistics, production, to even human resources management. I will navigate the best possible ways how to ensure customization, which provides us with the chance to offer outstanding services in terms of quality, and defect rates. Once addressed, then I will move to find ways to have custom logistics systems," LGES CDO Pyun Kyung-suk said in a recent interview at the company's head office in Yeouido, central Seoul. According to the senior executive, who previously had led projects as the lead architect for driverless vehicles, industrial artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology at Nvidia's U.S. headquarters, the following four areas were his responsibilities at LG: governance, operations, innovation and analytics. "I wanted big data, infrastructure and software to be interactive. Assuming that digital transformation is the process of incorporating computer-based technologies into a company's products, processes and strategies, biopharmaceutical companies are ideally positioned to pursue data-driven management by providing the authority to CDOs as a lot of discussions and communication are happening between domain experts and AI experts," according to the company's senior vice president. "Why does data matter inside LGES? Like the semiconductor industry, the global battery market will be reshaped by a few rational players because battery demand growth will flatten out once a large volume of internal combustion engine vehicles are replaced by electric vehicles. That means, if a company doesn't establish a structure that will work on AI and big data frameworks, then this will challenge that company's future," the CDO added. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Pan Global Resources Inc. (TSXV: PGZ) (OTC Pink: PGNRF) ("Pan Global" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the final payment has been made to acquire all rights to the "Escacena" Investigation Permit (the "Property") at the Company's Escacena Project in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, southern Spain. The Escacena Project includes both the "Escacena" Investigation Permit and the 100% controlled "Al Andaluz" Investigation Permit. Tim Moody, Pan Global President and CEO states: "The final payment for the purchase of the Escacena Investigation Permit marks an important milestone as the Company advances exploration in the Escacena Project and further secures its position in this highly prospective area. The Escacena Investigation Permit is a key part of the Company's Escacena Project and contains the La Romana copper discovery and other important exploration targets." On May 15, 2017 Pan Global, through its subsidiary Minera Escacena S.L., entered into an agreement with EVALAM 2003 S.L., providing the Company an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Property rights. The agreement required the payment of C$350,000 over three years, C$1,000,000 work expenditure and includes a capped royalty. Final payment of C$170,000 to EVALAM 2003 was made on June 3, 2022. The Company has also exceeded cumulative exploration expenditures as required under the agreement. Transfer of the Escacena Investigation permit to Pan Global's wholly-owned Spanish subsidiary, Minera Escacena S.L. was completed on May 8, 2020. The Escacena Investigation Permit was granted for an initial term of three years on November 26, 2018 and authorization to renew the Investigation Permit for a second three-year term on was received on February 4, 2022. Adoption of Shareholder Rights Plan The Company also announces that that its board of directors (the "Board") has approved a shareholder rights plan (the "Rights Plan"). The adoption of the Rights Plan is intended to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the Company are treated fairly in connection with any unsolicited take-over bid for the Company (as defined in the Rights Plan) and to protect against acquisition of control of the Company through purchases of shares that are exempt from applicable Canadian take-over bid rules, also referred to as "creeping" take-over bids. The Rights Plan is substantially similar to shareholder rights plans adopted by other Canadian issuers and it was not adopted in response to any specific third-party proposal to acquire control of the Company. Subject to the terms of the Rights Plan, the rights will become exercisable only when a person (an "Acquiring Person"), together with its affiliates, associates and joint actors, acquires or attempts to acquire beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares without complying with the "permitted bid" provisions of the Rights Plan or without approval of the Board. Should such an acquisition occur or be announced, each right would, upon exercise, entitle the holder thereof, (other than the Acquiring Person and its affiliates, associates and joint actors), to purchase shares of the Company at a 50% discount to the market price at the time. The Rights Plan provides that the rights are redeemable by the Company in certain circumstances. Pursuant to the Rights Plan, one right shall be issued at the record time in respect of each share issued and outstanding at the record date, and one right shall be issued in respect of each share issued after the record date. The Rights Plan is effective immediately but is subject to ratification by shareholders of the Company at the Company's 2022 annual general and special meeting of shareholders, which will be held on July 12, 2022 and to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. If the Rights Plan is not ratified by Company's shareholders on or prior to July 12, 2022, the Rights Plan will terminate and all rights issued thereunder will be cancelled. A copy of the Rights Plan will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About the Escacena Project The Escacena Project includes a large, plus 5,760-hectare land package controlled 100% by Pan Global in the eastern area of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The project is located near operating mines at Las Cruces and Rio Tinto, and is immediately adjacent to the former Aznalcollar and Los Frailes mines where Grupo Mexico is planning to restart mining. Escacena includes numerous large gravity anomalies that are mostly untested. The La Romana gravity anomaly was the first target tested and resulted in the discovery of potentially significant copper-tin mineralization from surface and extending over more than 1.2 kilometers of strike, and open in several directions. Pan Global has completed more than 130 drill holes at La Romana. The mineralization indicates a simple geometry potentially suitable to open pit mining. The first drill holes at the La Jarosa target also confirmed copper mineralization and remains open. The company is now preparing to commence drilling on other targets in the project area. Qualified Persons James Royall, P Geo, VP Exploration for Pan Global Resources and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Royall is not independent of the Company. About Pan Global Resources Pan Global Resources Inc. is actively engaged in base and precious metal exploration in southern Spain and is pursuing opportunities from exploration through to mine development. The Company is committed to operating safely and with respect to the communities and environment where we operate. On behalf of the Board of Directors www.panglobalresources.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: tmoody@panglobalresources.com or visit the company's website. +44 7766 253145 Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this news release 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. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127084 Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - CBD of Denver, Inc. (OTC Pink: CBDD), a cannabis roll-up company and owner of multi-brand cannabis eCommerce and marketing company mellow, today announced that Paul Gurney, CEO of CBD of Denver, will be featured on Benzinga's All Access Series on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 11:20 a.m. Eastern time.. Benzinga's All Access show is a hub for discovering the latest trending stocks and investment opportunities and where individual investors get front-row access to live CEO interviews, due diligence presentations and Q&As with company leadership. Benzinga All Access Series Event Details: Date: Friday, June 10 Time: 11:20 a.m. ET Location: Benzinga All Access Series "I invite everyone to join us tomorrow for this exclusive event with Benzinga," said Gurney. "The Benzinga All Access Series is a great opportunity for investors to learn about the CBD of Denver story and our plans to dominate the European CBD and cannabis markets." About CBD of Denver, Inc. CBD of Denver, Inc. owns 100% of Rockflowr a full-line Distributor of CBD and Cannabis flower and a producer of a full line of CBD oil and unique products sold in Switzerland and throughout Europe. As a Cannabis Roll-Up company CBD of Denver, Inc. is focused on using equity to acquire profitable assets at attractive valuations to create value for all our shareholders and is driven by a passion to improve lives and strengthen communities by unleashing the full potential of cannabis. Through the Rockflowr brand CBDD has been able to build a very strong European customer base by focusing on top quality products and meaningful customer relationships. Follow CBDD & mellow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbd-of-denver/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mellow-store/ About Mellow Mellow group operates as a multi-brand eCommerce Marketplace, a full-service digital & performance marketing agency, as well as a market expansion service into the Asian markets. Recently acquired by CBD of Denver, mellow is playing a key role in expanding the CBDD business revenue streams, as well as diversifying the brand portfolio, as part of a commercial roll-up strategy. With offices in the UK and Switzerland CBDD is able to offer and end-to-end service proposition for brands wanting to enter and/or operate across the UK / EU markets, including manufacturing, production, supply-chain, distribution, eCommerce and Marketing. Visit CBDD & Mellow: CBD of Denver mellow Grow by mellow Investor Contact Todd McKnight RedChip Companies 1-800-733-2447 CBDD@redchip.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127082 STOCKHOLM, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EMQ, the world's leading provider of open-source IoT data infrastructure, announced that it has officially become a Founding Sponsor of the Erlang Ecosystem Foundation (EEF). The sponsorship of EEF indicates an ongoing commitment from EMQ to support open-source BEAM languages that are scalable, resilient, and future-proof. The Erlang Ecosystem Foundation is a non-profit organization for driving the further development and adoption of Erlang, Elixir, LFE, and other technologies based on the BEAM virtual machine. Backed by companies like Erlang Solutions, EMQ, Cisco, and others, the foundation aims to grow and support a diverse community around the Erlang Ecosystem. Erlang is a functional programming language originally developed at the Ericsson Computer Science Laboratory in 1986. Initially, it was designed as a switching language for solving the problems of the telecom world, but was released as open-source software in 1998. Since being released to the public, Erlang has been spreading beyond Telecom and is widely used for many other verticals like Automotive, FinTech, IoT, e-commerce, Healthcare, and Blockchain. To date, more and more organizations use Erlang as their backend programming language for high-profile IoT projects. One of the main reasons for using Erlang is its ability to build massively concurrent, scalable, and fault-tolerant distributed systems with requirements of high availability. EMQ has always been a strong supporter of the Erlang Ecosystem and has built its flagship product EMQX - the world's most scalable distributed MQTT-based IoT messaging platform - by incorporating Erlang within its tech stack. As the number of connected IoT devices continues to boom, so do all the issues that come up around IoT scalability and concurrency. According to the latest State of IoT-Spring 2022 report by IoT Analytics, the number of connected IoT devices is expected to reach 14.4 billion by the end of 2022. To accommodate the massive amount of IoT devices flooding the markets, high-performance messaging technology needs to be rolled out for high-throughput and error-free scalability. Due to Erlang's parallelism and distributed nature, EMQX can support the scalability requirements of fast-growing IoT applications. As demonstrated by a recent scalability and reliability test, EMQX 5.0 can easily handle 100 million concurrent MQTT connections in one single cluster while maintaining low latency and high fault tolerance. Today, over 10,000 international organizations, have successfully adopted EMQX as their core IoT data infrastructure solutions in a variety of industries such as oil & gas, automotive, logistics, renewable energy power generation, and manufacturing. As a Founding Sponsor of EEF, EMQ is dedicated to contributing libraries, tools, documentation, and other critical technologies of IoT data infrastructure that are used regularly by companies relying on the stability and versatility of the ecosystem. Meanwhile, EMQ will work closely with EEF to build awareness of the Erlang Ecosystem, foster growth in the open-source community, and promote innovative software development projects. "We are proud to work together with EEF in its mission to foster a strong, healthy, Erlang developer community. Erlang is the core of our always-connected IoT data infrastructure platform serving millions of customers around the world. Thanks to Erlang's features, EMQ can create high performance, concurrency, fault-tolerant systems, and scalability across cloud, hybrid, and edge computing deployments in a cost-effective manner," said Feng Lee, CEO and Founder of EMQ, "We're passionate about Erlang and will continue making contributions toErlang frameworks and toolsets. " To learn more about EMQ's work with Erlang technologies, please visit http://www.emqx.com or follow @EMQTech on Twitter About EMQ EMQ is an innovative open-source software provider with strong roots in IoT data infrastructure, delivering the world's leading cloud-native MQTT messaging, streaming database, and edge computing solutions. Since 2017 EMQ has been developing a high-performance and massively scalable distributed MQTT messaging server - EMQX to accelerate the connectivity and integration of a wide spectrum of IoT applications and data across multiple platforms. So far, EMQX has been adopted by more than 10,000 enterprise users from over 50 countries, connecting more than 100 million IoT devices worldwide. EMQ's robust and flexible edge-to-cloud IoT data solutions encompass a suite of technologies designed for IoT applications: reliability, security, availability, scalability, latency & throughput. This enables successful enterprise-grade IoT deployments with ease and scale. As a global organization, EMQ located its R&D center in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 10+ offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836532/EMQ_Technologies.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1823495/Logo.jpg Current COO/CTO Ruben Buell is Named Successor Las Vegas, Nevada USA, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After sixteen years as the steward of the world's largest upscale dating platform, Brandon Wade is stepping down as CEO of Seeking.com and Reflex Media, effective immediately. Wade has tapped current COO/CTO Ruben Buell to take the helm and move the companies forward in exciting, new directions. Wade will continue to support the leadership team, sharing his continued insights and expertise as a guide for the global staff and personnel but will no longer be an executive or involved in the daily operations of the companies. "The evolution of Seeking reflects my personal journey and evolution," says Wade, who is marrying his soulmate Dana on June 9, 2022. "When I founded one of the most successful dating sites in the world, I was completely clueless about love. Now that I have met and understand true unconditional love, all I want is to focus on and learn more about embodying and spreading love." Wade hopes he can help others avoid the same mistakes he's made as they search for their own versions of happiness. Buell, who found his soulmate years ago, albeit not online, has more than two decades of professional experience with online dating platforms. Originally from Texas, he attended the University of Texas at Arlington and in 1998, began his career in the finance industry. Leveraging his skills and technical expertise, he simultaneously established and built a technology-driven company focused on developing a state-of-the-art ad-serving system to service the rapidly growing online space. "After crossing paths with Brandon repeatedly for over a decade, I reached out to him for a collaboration," says Buell, about first joining Reflex Media. As Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Buell was brought on board to drive the innovation behind Seeking through recruitment of the world's best talent and implementation of advanced technology to solve real world problems in online dating. "I'm excited for this next adventure and look forward to continuing Seeking's success for years to come." Since Buell joined the company 3.5 years ago, his responsibilities have been expanded to include Chief Operating Officer (COO) duties and he has been at the forefront of leading the company in exponential YOY growth, surpassing 40M members globally. As CEO, Buell will continue his current duties while assuming leadership of all companies, which includes additional executive and fiscal responsibilities. About Seeking.com With more than 40 million members worldwide,Seeking.comis an online dating community where singles are encouraged to find real and honest relationships that fit their lifestyle. Founded by Brandon Wade in 2006, SeekingArrangement was a new concept in the dating industry, where intellect and success became the new "hot." In 2022, Seeking announced a major rebrand, ditching the sugar and relaunching as the largest platform for success-minded individuals. Seeking has partnered withUrSafeandFreedomLightto make dating safer and work to prevent sex trafficking, while also offering background check verifications for users, two-factor authentication to safeguard information and a dedicated 24-hour customer service. ### For more information about Seeking, please visitSeeking.comand follow @seeking on social platforms. Attachments Leading Georgia Shake Roofer harnesses the power and style of DaVinci Synthetic Shake roofing to give local neighborhood homes a beautiful and long-lasting new look AUGUSTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Braswell Construction Group (BCG) is a preferred partner in the roofing industry known for its exceptional installations and great customer service. Recognized as the top roofing specialist for real cedar shake and synthetic shake roofing, BCG is one of the few Georgia contractors that knows how to restore and maintain cedar shake. 99% of the cedar roofing replacement jobs BCG has worked on were incorrectly installed by the original roofing company. With over 20 years of experience, Braswell Construction Group installs shake roofing correctly the first time. BCG offers premium shake roofing options for customers wanting to improve the look and function of their home. Additionally, there are different grades of cedar shake and different manufacturers most of which produce inferior products as compared to the products BCG uses. The expanding category of synthetic roofing products cater to homeowners, builders, and remodelers who prefer renewable resources that come with the advantage of extreme durability and longevity yet want the look of natural shake roofs. Advanced materials and manufacturing technologies give the synthetic products better resistance to weathering, greater durability, and longer lifespans than real cedar, according to manufacturers. "The material is mimicked to obtain efficiency and also longer life over the natural product," says Chris Braswell, owner of BCG. BCG is recognized as a DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor by DaVinci Roofscapes. The program, sponsored by DaVinci RoofScapes, was established to facilitate relations with select contractors in recognition of their expertise and experience in installing and maintaining DaVinci synthetic shake roofing systems. This esteemed accolade and elite status of being named a DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor recognizes a heightened level of expertise and experience in installing DaVinci roofing systems. The Power of DaVinci's Synthetic Shake Roofing professionals know that top manufacturers let their materials speak for themselves, and that is exactly what DaVinci Roofscapes has done since they originated back in 1997. "DaVinci offers a superior quality of product that strikes the balance between high-end luxury design and stunningly modern appearances that are made to last," says Chris Braswell, CEO of Braswell Construction Group. DaVinci's focus on creating beautiful appearances that last longer than the average tile is what makes them a preferred partner with roofing companies all around the United States. Earlier variations of shake shingles from other brands have slowly become less popular over time, but DaVinci aims to bring it back into the spotlight with a proprietary line of polymer-based composite cedar shake tiles. Their compelling synthetic line offers exactly what customers expect-a stunning appearance and a long lifespan. It pairs the appearance of genuine cedar shingles with even more durability than natural materials currently offer. DaVinci's Synthetic Shake preserves its beautiful color, even after exposure to the elements. To the delight of homeowners, these shingles are ideal for withstanding a long list of problems caused by nature, including hazards associated with wind, hail, moss, tree falls, and drastic temperature changes. The Synthetic Shake line has proven its durability and security through a comprehensive series of flame tests, including intermittent, spread, and burning brand tests. These shingles proudly received a Class A rating in the roof fire ratings offered by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), making them a cut above the rest. Able to resist spreading flames, fire penetration, and recurring intermittent flames, DaVinci offers yet another remarkable product designed to keep homeowners safe. Ideal for homeowners in different climates, DaVinci's Synthetic Shake is built to last no matter what life brings. Available in both single-width and multi-width varieties, the Synthetic Shake line is a compelling example of yet another wonderful DaVinci Roofscapes product. Homeowners can enjoy these shingles in a range of color schemes that covers everything from the subtle Chesapeake all the way to the DaVinci-coined Fancy Shake. Already, the reviews agree that this product is a new age for synthetic shakes in roofing, and DaVinci is changing the way that we view them with these resilient and aesthetically pleasing materials. About DaVinci Roofscapes: DaVinci Roofscapes is a roofing manufacturer that wants to make the roofing industry better one roof at a time. Committed to natural looks and styles, they provide materials that make homes look gorgeous, offering any home an instant upgrade. Bringing together natural beauty, exceptional performance, and a long-lasting design, they are able to meet the needs of consumers living in a wide range of different environments. As game-changers in the industry, they can bring together years of experience with innovative designs to create products that look great and perform even better. About Braswell Construction Group: Braswell Construction Group is a leader in specialty roofing and a DaVinci Roofer Masterpiece Contractor. BCG has been a recipient of the prestigious DaVinci Project of the Year Award Winner multiple times, an award that is only given to three roofing specialists nationwide. BCG has been locally owned and operated since 2002, and prides itself on its high-quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and professional acumen. They have a reputation for always completing its roofing and restoration projects on time and on budget while providing customized service, top-notch customer service, and unparalleled workmanship. Braswell Construction Group has been featured several times in both Yahoo Finance, ABC, FOX, among many others as an industry leader and the top Roofing Contractor in the state of Georgia. Braswell Construction Group operates from many Georgia locations to service homeowners with all their roofing and restoration needs in Greensboro/Lake Oconee, Augusta, Athens, Covington/Conyers, Stone Mountain, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, and their respective surrounding areas. For more information, please visit https://www.braswellconstructiongroup.com Contact Info: Name: Michelle Bird Email: info@braswellconstructiongroup.com Organization: Braswell Construction Group, Inc. Roofing & Restoration Address: 1051 Village Park Dr, Greensboro, GA 30642 Phone: (678) 283-2551 SOURCE: Braswell Construction Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704436/Augusta-Shake-Roofer-Braswell-Construction-Group-Uses-Synthetic-Shake-Roofing-to-Improve-Georgia-Neighborhoods Funding received from L Catterton-backed parent of Chopt and Dos Toros, Founders Table, to accelerate expansion and launch franchising program. New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Gelband & Company, a New York-based investment banking firm focused on strategic growth capital investments and M&A transactions, is pleased to have acted as the exclusive placement agent for Sweet Chick Lyfe, LLC ("Sweet Chick"), a popular New York-based restaurant group specializing in chicken and waffles. The funds will be used to fuel the rapid growth and expansion of Sweet Chick throughout New York City, Los Angeles, and beyond, as well as for the completion of the restaurant's transformation to a fast casual model. The company has also expressed interest in exploring franchising as a part of its growth model. Gelband & Company previously completed the first institutional equity financing for Five Guys Burger and Fries. Sweet Chick To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8880/127016_e3ea142aa4127926_001full.jpg "I am very excited to have added such a strong investor as a partner in Founders Table. The deep industry experience of their management team will be invaluable as Sweet Chick accelerates toward becoming a national restaurant brand," said John Seymour, founder and CEO of Sweet Chick. "Gelband & Company did a wonderful job of helping me navigate the unforeseeable financing obstacles presented by the pandemic and closed the transaction expeditiously while ensuring a good deal for Sweet Chick and its investors." "Alex Gelband and Tom Bell from Gelband & Company were a pleasure to work with, making the due diligence and closing process seamless and easy with great communication," said Rick Goldberg, CFO of Founders Table. "We look forward to working with Gelband & Company on future transactions and could not be happier to be partnering with Sweet Chick on the company's expansion." About Gelband & Company For over 35 years, Gelband & Company, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer based in New York City, has been a trusted advisor to individuals and organizations seeking to create value through strategic transactions. The firm has completed over 100 deals, including mergers and acquisitions, capital raises and placements, and go-public transactions. For more information, please visit http://www.gelband.com. About Sweet Chick Originally founded in 2013 as a full-service restaurant concept in Brooklyn, Sweet Chick has grown to seven locations in New York City and Los Angeles, including Citi Field and iconic Dodger Stadium, with additional locations planned for development. Restaurants offer New American Comfort food, specializing in chicken and waffles. About Founders Table Founders Table Restaurant Group launched in January 2020 to create, acquire, and cultivate innovative and profitable founder-led restaurant companies. With four brands and nearly 100 restaurant locations in its portfolio, Founders Table leans on digital and operational innovation to drive the growth of its industry-leading culinary concepts. Current Founders Table investments include Chopt, Dos Toros, FIELDTRIP, and Sweet Chick. Contact: Alex Gelband / Tom Bell Gelband & Company, Inc. (646) 859-5788 contact@gelband.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127016 ZUG, Switzerland, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At AIBC Summit Americas in Toronto, the BSV Blockchain Association was honoured to win the Blockchain Government Initiative of the Year. The BSV Blockchain Association won this award for their dedication, relationship building and educational outreach with governments. They are working on providing better awareness learning around BSV, its solutions and products. Winning the AIBC's Blockchain Government Initiative of the Year award will help the BSV Blockchain Association build stronger relationships for future government, NGOs, business and enterprise outreach opportunities and projects, thus creating better awareness of BSV. BSV Blockchain Association Founding President, Jimmy Nguyen said: "We are delighted to win this award and hugely appreciate this recognition from the team at AIBC for all the effort that is going into promoting the use of BSV blockchain." "As an Association we are committed to showing how bitcoin and blockchain has actual use for the public, governments, and industries. We are working to demonstrate how scalable and useful Bitcoin's original protocol is for making micro payments and big data applications worldwide. That is why one of the Association's key aims is to engage with governments and organizations the world over to show them the benefit and uses of BSV to have them use blockchain." About BSV Blockchain Association BSV Blockchain Association is a non-profit association (Verein) in Switzerland, and the global industry organization which advances Bitcoin SV (BSV). It brings together enterprises, start-up ventures, developers, merchants, exchanges, service providers, blockchain transaction processors (miners), and others in the Bitcoin SV ecosystem. The Association supports Bitcoin SV as the original Bitcoin, with a stable protocol and massive scaling roadmap to become the world's new money and global blockchain for enterprise. The organization seeks to build a regulation-friendly ecosystem that fosters lawful conduct while encouraging digital currency and blockchain innovation. TALLINN, Estonia, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading cryptocurrency payment gateway CoinsPaid has demonstrated record growth in 2022. The company's overall processed volume reached 12 billion and keeps growing by almost 1 billion each month, making CoinsPaid the largest crypto processor by monthly volume. In 2022, the number of processed transactions hit 6.5 mln and the operations volume approached the 4.5 billion mark. These figures are several times higher than those for the same period in 2021. Outstanding results 4th year in a row Since 2018, CoinsPaid's metrics have been doubling each year. In 2018, the company processed 561k transactions worth 210 mln. At the end of 2021, it completed 9.2 mln transactions worth 5.65 bln. Overall between 2018 and 2021, the volume in euro equivalent grew 27x, while the number of transactions increased by 16x. The total number of transactions processed by CoinsPaid reached 21 mln with the volume hitting the 12 bln mark. The gateway now processes around 8% of all on-chain Bitcoin transactions. Considering the 2022 numbers, the company may very well set a new record by the end of the year. $CPD, CoinsPaid's own utility token CoinsPaid has also introduced its own utility token. Holding $CPD and paying the processing fees with it allows the company's clients to receive discounts of up to 50% on the commissions charged by CoinsPaid. To get the maximum discount, merchants need to keep a large amount of tokens on their balance. CoinsPaid already serves over 800 merchants, and this number keeps increasing; as the volume grows, there will be a steadily increasing demand for $CPD. What's next? In Q1 2022, the company obtained two positive legal opinions on $CPD from trusted law firms and successfully integrated the token into its main processing solution. Starting from Q2, business customers can take advantage of the loyalty program and pay their commissions in $CPD. In Q3, token functionality will be integrated into CoinsPaid's personal cryptocurrency wallet, while merchants will be able to accept $CPD as payment for purchases. More information about the token is available on the official CoinsPaid website . Another major step planned for 2022 is the launch of CoinsPaid Foundation, an organization based in Zug, Switzerland that will promote the adoption of $CPD and the interests of its holders. The Foundation will sign partnerships with other blockchain businesses, facilitate exchange listings, etc. CoinsPaid's roadmap for 2022 and 2023 also includes a liquidity aggregator for currency conversions at minimal fees, and even crypto debit cards under the company's brand. About CoinsPaid CoinsPaid is a crypto payment ecosystem providing services to both businesses and individuals. Launched in 2014, the company is registered and licensed in the EU. The current number of CoinsPaid's B2B customers exceeds 800, and together they serve over 7 million end users. CoinsPaid supports 30+ crypto assets and 20+ fiat currencies. CoinsPaid products have passed cyber security audits by Kaspersky Labs, Hacken and 10Guards. More Info: CoinsPaid Website Official Telegram Channel CoinsPaid crypto Wallet in AppStore CoinsPaid crypto Wallet in Google Play Promotional materials are not intended to give and do not contain any sort of personal, legal, or financial advice. It is highly recommended to consult your own legal and/or financial experts for further guidance. CPD Token users have sufficient investment knowledge and experience and the capacity to take risks arising from using CPD Token, and agree to independently assume all the risks arising from using CPD Token. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Prince of Travel, the website dedicated to helping Canadians raise their travel game, is excited to announce The Travel Summit to be held in Toronto in 2022. "If travel is a core part of your identity, you don't want to miss this event," says founder Ricky. "Join Prince of Travel for this two-day event in which attendees will be able to attend discussion panels, breakout sessions, special offers, and more." The Travel Summit will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022, and Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the beautiful Metro Toronto Convention Centre conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Toronto. "At The Travel Summit, you'll learn how to maximize your reward points to travel the world at a fraction of the cost. Our breakout sessions are geared towards arming attendees with all of the best knowledge, tips, and strategies for traveling the world on points," Ricky continues. "In addition, we'll explore a wide range of topics about the travel industry in general and the forces that shape all of us as we move throughout the world." The star-studded lineup of guest speakers include: Albert Hsieh from JetAlbert and Foxtrot Dash Andrew d'Amours from Flytrippers Anshul Singh from Points Miles & Bling Ashley Antidormi & Spencer Giles from Spencer & Ashley Barry Choi from Money We Have Carmen and Serge Sognonvi from Top Flight Family Chris Dong from TheChrisflyer Gilbert Ott from God Save the Points And more The breakout sessions will be available for the full two days of The Travel Summit, and will follow the themes of The Points Beginner, The Frequent Flyer, The Bucket List Traveller, and The Future of Travel. General Admission tickets include: Access to both days of keynote speeches, breakout sessions, discussion panels, and networking sessions Lunch on both days Video recordings of keynote and breakout sessions Special offers from leading travel brands And more to be announced, so be sure to enter your email address on The Travel Summit website for updates. General admission tickets can be purchased on The Travel Summit website or log in to your member dashboard to purchase discount tickets as a Prince of Travel member. About PrinceofTravel.com Some of the most satisfying and luxurious travel experiences can be virtually free, simply by maximizing travel rewards. Prince of Travel was founded to help Canadian consumers raise their travel game and inspire them to head out into the world and learn more about all it has to offer. Prince of Travel is a popular online destination for those seeking advice and guidance when selecting the right credit card for their needs. Visitors seeking to maximize their credit card rewards and points game are encouraged to use the free dynamic tools offered on the Canadian credit card page. Media Contact Ricky Zhang ricky@princeoftravel.com (541) 829-0058 The Travel Summit venue & guest presenters Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8889/127089_9b3d6cdca42c4a7c_002full.jpg. Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8889/127089_9b3d6cdca42c4a7c_003full.jpg. Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8889/127089_9b3d6cdca42c4a7c_004full.jpg. Figure 4 To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8889/127089_9b3d6cdca42c4a7c_005full.jpg. Figure 5 To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8889/127089_9b3d6cdca42c4a7c_006full.jpg. Figure 6 To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8889/127089_9b3d6cdca42c4a7c_007full.jpg. Figure 7 To view an enhanced version of Figure 7, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8889/127089_9b3d6cdca42c4a7c_008full.jpg. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S.NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127089 BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc (LEI: 549300MS535KC2WH4082) Results of AGM BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc announces that, at the Annual General Meeting held today, all 13 resolutions were duly passed on a poll. The full text of the resolutions can be found in the Notice of Annual General Meeting set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 28 February 2022, which has previously been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and is available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism The results of the poll were as follows: Votes For & Discretionary % Votes Against % Votes Total % of Available voting rights* Votes Withheld Resolution 1 23,219,972 93.68 1,565,278 6.32 24,785,250 50.76 2,148 Resolution 2 24,718,283 99.83 43,202 0.17 24,761,485 50.71 25,913 Resolution 3 24,785,750 100.00 691 0.00 24,786,441 50.76 957 Resolution 4 24,492,930 98.89 275,025 1.11 24,767,955 50.72 19,443 Resolution 5 24,606,522 99.35 161,836 0.65 24,768,358 50.72 19,040 Resolution 6 24,608,529 99.36 159,426 0.64 24,767,955 50.72 15,930 Resolution 7 24,752,172 99.93 16,303 0.07 24,768,475 50.72 15,410 Resolution 8 24,598,252 99.31 171,005 0.69 24,769,257 50.73 14,628 Resolution 9 23,192,735 93.63 1,577,153 6.37 24,769,888 50.73 17,510 Resolution 10 24,776,181 99.97 6,841 0.03 24,783,022 50.75 4,376 Resolution 11 24,760,068 99.93 16,184 0.07 24,776,252 50.74 11,146 Resolution 12 24,728,593 99.80 49,109 0.20 24,777,702 50.74 9,696 Resolution 13 24,758,127 99.92 20,910 0.08 24,779,037 50.75 8,361 *Available Voting Rights (exc. Treasury) equals 48,829,792 9 June 2022 SFA CEO Kim Young-min speaks during a press conference held at the company's plant in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of SFA Display equipment maker expands battery, logistics, chip equipment biz By Baek Byung-yeul ASAN SFA, a local display equipment maker, is seeking to expand its presence in equipment for semiconductors, batteries and logistics, as part of the company's effort to diversify its business portfolio, the CEO of the company said, Wednesday. "SFA expects that it will make a full-fledged leap forward this year by receiving more orders in the battery and logistics businesses," Kim Young-min, CEO of SFA, said during a press conference held at its plant in Asan, about 90 kilometers south of Seoul. The CEO said that the company aims to become a leader in the smart factory equipment sector in the long term. The industry view is that the smart factory sector has huge growth potential, as factories in many industries are introducing digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analysis to produce better quality products with less money. "From a mid- to long-term perspective, SFA will continue to develop smart factory technologies to actively target overseas markets and become a global smart factory solution leader," the CEO said. Established in 1998, SFA has focused on producing equipment for automation systems in display-manufacturing facilities. However, Kim realized that the company desperately needs to diversify its portfolio, as SFA had been highly dependent on the business cycle of the display industry. "To reduce its dependence on the display sector, the company has tried to diversify its portfolio since 2017. Thanks to these efforts, we started to show solid performance in non-display businesses from the second half of 2021," Kim said. A SFA official explains the company's equipment used for manufacturing battery cells to reporters at its plant in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of SFA Partnership creates a standout reinsurance and advisory business, bringing full capability and scale to Howden's diversified and differentiated brokerage, MGA, capital markets and data analytics proposition Howden Group Holdings("Howden Group" or the "Group"), a leading international insurance group, today announces the acquisition of TigerRisk Partners, ("TigerRisk") the leading risk, capital and strategic advisor to the global insurance and reinsurance industry. The transaction significantly enhances the scale and depth of Howden's reinsurance and capital markets offering and creates the much-needed fourth global player in the reinsurance market. This builds on the Group's global integrated approach and continued commitment to deliver more choice for clients and act as the natural long-term home for talent in the market. At a time of continuing market disruption, the combination also enhances the credibility, relevance, scale and capability of Howden's full service offering across insurance, reinsurance, MGA and capital markets. This further consolidates the Group's position as a global insurance intermediary creating a $30bn GWP business with an enterprise value of over $13bn, employing 12,000 people across 45 countries. Howden RE's global distribution network and complementary data-driven reinsurance expertise in international Specialty Treaty, Fac and the MGA sector will accelerate the growth potential of TigerRisk's leading US focused reinsurance, capital markets, advisory and technology and analytics offering. The combined reinsurance business will be able to meet the rapidly changing demands of large global clients, domestic and regional insurers, MGAs and reinsurers. The partnership represents approaching $400m of combined reinsurance revenues and provides clients with access to 450 experts in a business across more than 30 offices and a track record of delivery in local markets. The acquisition represents Howden's continued investment in the US, focusing on MGA and reinsurance, to support its existing retail, wholesale and MGA clients and follows its recent move to enhance DUAL, its leading specialist general agency and underwriting management group in the US, through the purchase of Align Financial Holdings. The transaction is backed by Howden's long-term investors, including General Atlantic (investor since 2013), CDPQ (investor since 2018), and Hg (investor since 2021). David Howden, CEO, Howden Group said: "TigerRisk has been the standout business and innovator in the reinsurance and capital markets space for many years and the decision to join forces with Howden is a unique opportunity and a game-changer for us and the industry. Importantly, its evolution mirrors our own journey; from a standing start it has empowered employees through ownership and by taking an entrepreneurial and client first approach, it has delivered phenomenal organic growth and become a genuine market challenger of the highest quality. "Not only does the combination create an unrivalled digitally driven reinsurance and capital markets business underpinned by a complementary product offering and strong cultural fit, it brings full capability to our diversified and differentiated client offer, creating a fresh alternative of real scale for clients and talent. I am so excited about unlocking the potential of the two businesses and I can't think of a better place for TigerRisk to continue its incredible long-term journey." Rod Fox, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of TigerRisk Partners, who will now become Executive Chair of Howden Tiger, said: "All I can say is 'Wow!' This combination is transformational we will become the difference the market is looking for. "The combined entities will have the culture, deep experience and the scale to really benefit our clients and world-class team members. It is a fantastic opportunity that we have been able to make a reality. We have built TigerRisk from the ground up and this combination allows us to take our global capabilities to the next level while maintaining our entrepreneurial and 'can-do' attitude. "People want choice, and it is clear that as part of Howden Group all of our existing and future clients, as well as the experienced professionals looking to join our team, will benefit from our distinctively different approach. "I was immediately impressed with David and his team's boldness. Together, we will be very bold." Elliot Richardson, Chair, Howden RE added: "I have been a big admirer of what TigerRisk has built and its achievements; the areas of the market in which it leads are incredibly complementary to our own strengths. The combination of our talent, expertise and distribution, underpinned by friendship and trust, means the solutions we can offer clients will be astonishing. Our ambition has always been to take a leading position in our chosen markets. This partnership immediately creates the global leader in Fac, Capital Markets, MGA, Analytics and Specialty Treaty the pre-eminent reinsurance and capital markets provider for reinsurance buyers." The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. ENDS About Howden Group Holdings Howden Group Holdings is a leading international insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Founded in 1994, the Group comprises Howden, the international insurance broker, and DUAL, one of the world's largest MGAs. We are a group of global experts with a local touch and a digital backbone. Alongside our long term, aligned growth equity investors, employees make up the single largest shareholder group. Howden Group Holdings' businesses operate in over 45 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand and employs over 12,000 people. For more information, please visit www.howdengroupholdings.com About TigerRisk Partners TigerRisk Partners LLC is a leading risk, capital and strategic advisor to the insurance and reinsurance industries founded in 2008. TigerRisk Capital Markets Advisory ("TCMA"), a broker dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a member of FINRA and a member of SIPC, is a wholly owned subsidiary providing clients strategic advice on mergers, acquisitions, and capital markets products and transactions. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, TigerRisk has offices in Stamford, New York, Bermuda, London, Hong Kong, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Raleigh. For more information, visit www.TigerRisk.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005666/en/ Contacts: PRESS: FTI Consulting: Ed Berry 07703 330 199 edward.berry@fticonsulting.com Howden Group: Sam Horril 07706 352108 samuel.horril@howdengrp.com MADRID (dpa-AFX) - President Joe Biden will travel to Europe later this month to attend two important global summits. He will be in Schloss Elmau in southern Germany on June 25 to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit. 'The G7 leaders will discuss a range of the most pressing global issues, including the G7's unwavering support for a democratic, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine, economic and democratic resilience, tackling the climate crisis, development infrastructure, global health security, and the food and energy crisis caused by Russia's war of aggression,' the White House said in a press release detailing the President's tour itinerary. On June 28, Biden will travel to Spain's capital Madrid for the 2022 NATO Summit. Allied leaders will endorse a new Strategic Concept to guide NATO's transformation over the next decade, according to the White House. It includes strengthening deterrence and defense, building resilience against transnational threats such as cyber and climate, and deepening partnerships with democratic partners in Europe and Asia in order to strengthen the rules-based international order. 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. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / The American Sword and Tuna Harvesters are concerned about the negative consequences to American citizens' access to safe and sustainable seafood by a marine sanctuary designation of the Hudson Canyon. This decision was announced yesterday without warning or consultation with participants in the many well-regulated fisheries, operating under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, that depend on this area to survive. Simply put, a commercial fishing ban in the Hudson Canyon has the potential to cause the collapse of the East Coast commercial fishery. This is another disappointing action from an Administration that claims to be committed to science, working families, and communities. But it is unfortunately not out of character. Our June 2021 attempts to arrange a meeting with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to discuss the harm to our fishers from reimposition of a commercial fishing ban in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument were rebuffed. Although acknowledged by staff via email, a terse, tardy, and condescending reply did not come until January 2022, six months later, and three months after the ban was reimposed. Yesterday's announcement is, as the expression goes, deja vu all over again: a cadre of tax-deduction funded environmental organizations working in secret with a friendly Administration orchestrates the unveiling of a far-reaching potentially negative action affecting America's commercial fishing industry under the false banner of "much-needed" ocean protections. The details are distributed in advance under embargo to a wide swath of journalists. Then, when the proposal is simultaneously unveiled by its proponents and the White House, pre-written stories appear in numerous media outlets; filled with self-congratulatory quotes, without the inconvenience of input from our hard-working fishing families and communities. This announcement comes on the second day of Capitol Hill Oceans Week, an annual gathering of environmental and conservation groups organized by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. In past years, our efforts to reach out to Foundation officials, both directly and through mutual contacts, to include commercial fishing voices in this event have been rebuffed. As can be seen in this year's event agenda , with the exception of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), there was once again not a single speaker representing domestic commercial fisheries. It would seem that the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's commitment "to a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, justice, and belonging" does not extend to the inclusion of commercial fishing. Tonight, in Washington, DC -- in an action that can only be described as audacious, hypocritical, and exploitative -- the Foundation will host a fundraiser featuring a screening of the film The Perfect Storm, which tells the story of the tragic loss of the Gloucester, Massachusetts fishing vessel Andrea Gail. This creates the false illusion that the Foundation is interested in the plight of domestic commercial fishing families. Hudson Canyon. Photo credit: NOAA We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration's stated commitment to equity, environmental justice, and workers' rights, but at a time when the need for self-sufficiency and supply chain security should be at the forefront of our domestic agenda, the Administration should not support actions that are likely to incentivize the increased importation of often-illegal, underreported, and unregulated (IUU) seafood to the detriment of law-abiding American commercial fishers. About American Sword and Tuna Harvesters American Sword and Tuna Harvesters are experienced fishers, fish buyers, vessel owners and support businesses who represent a significant harvesting segment of the U.S. pelagic longline Industry. We strive for equitable, logical and science-based fishery management to maximize the harvest of the United States' allocation internationally-determined highly migratory fish species, to supply the American public with a healthy and renewable food source. PRESS CONTACT: Bob Vanasse Stove Boat Communications (202) 333-2628 bob@stoveboat.com SOURCE: American Sword and Tuna Harvesters View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704513/American-Sword-and-Tuna-Harvesters-Respond-to-Hudson-Canyon-Marine-Sanctuary-Consideration Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) ("Battery" or "BMR" or the "Company") announces encouraging drill core assay results from the recently completed Phase 1 exploration and infill drill program at the Dalmacia zone of the Punitaqui mine complex ('Punitaqui") in Chile. The Punitaqui mine is slated for resumption of mine operations in the second half of 2022. The Dalmacia target is located in the southern portion of the Punitaqui area approximately 6 kilometers ("km") south of the Punitaqui copper processing plant. The Dalmacia target has underground mining access, partially delineated mineralized zones and is targeted as a potential new source of ore feed to the Punitaqui plant. Highlights Final assay results for the following Dalmacia drillholes include (see Table 1): DS-22-09: 18 meters ("m") at 1.51% Copper ("Cu") including 8m at 2.39% Cu DS-22-10: 23m at 1.55% Cu including 12m at 2.50% Cu DS-22-11: 11m at 1.96% Cu , 6m at 2.40% Cu and 11m at 1.50% Cu DS-22-12: 5m at 1.08% Cu, 4m at 1.22% Cu and 11m at 0.90% Cu DS-22-13: 5m at 1.00% Cu DS-22-15: 29m at 1.05% Cu including 7m at 1.94% Cu DS-22-16: 4m at 1.17% Cu DS-22-17: 6m at 1.15% Cu DS-22-18: 6m at 0.96% Cu The phase 1 drill program at Dalmacia has been completed and comprised of 9,757 meters in 52 drill holes. Geological drill cross-sections were compiled, and an updated 3D geological model has been finalized. The new 3D geological model and assay database will form the basis of a resource estimate to be completed by consultants JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Planning for a follow-up infill Reverse Circulation ("RC") program at Dalmacia North and an exploration and infill drill test of the remaining 1,000m strike length at Dalmacia is complete and a number of new drill pads have been constructed. Battery CEO, Martin Kostuik states; "We continue to advance the Punitaqui project via drilling, metallurgical testing, permit modifications, community relations and are gaining clarity on non-dilutive financing for the capital required for resumption of operations at Punitaqui. These drilling results further confirm the high-grade of the copper mineralization at Dalmacia North. Overall, the 2021-2022 Dalmacia North assay results are far better than expected. These results clearly delineate high-grade copper grades over significant intervals including: 23m at 1.55% Cu, 18m at 1.51% Cu and 11m at 1.96% Cu." "We are very pleased with the Dalmacia Phase 1 drill program results - continued results like these leading to the planned restart of our former producing Punitaqui copper mine, will give our investors an opportunity to participate in a potentially significant re-rating in BMR's valuation as we transition from development to operations and positive cash flow. We look forward to providing further exciting updates for the drill program as we continue to progress." Dalmacia Drill Program The 2021-22 phase 1 drill program consisted of 9,757.56m in 52 diamond core holes. The geological setting of the Dalmacia target is different from the Cinabrio orebody which is located 20 kilometers to the north. At Dalmacia, structurally controlled copper-gold mineralization is developed in the contacts between granite, sub-volcanic andesitic porphyry intrusives and volcano-sedimentary rocks. Controls on mineralization include small scale shear zones, intrusive contacts, vesicular andesites and alteration zones. High grade copper mineralization occurs in small high-grade pods which locally occur in clusters enveloped in low grade mineralization. The upper portion of the Dalmacia target is accessed via a portal and an underground ramp with limited level development. The Phase 1 drill program focused on the northernmost 600m of the zone, was designed to infill and confirm the continuity of mineralization between previous drilling and includes a series of step-out holes to test the potential adjacent to the main zone of copper-gold-silver mineralization as defined by historic drilling. Complete assay results were recently received for eleven holes (see Table 1 and Figure 1). A summary of the targeting rationale and results for the significant recent drillholes follows below. DS-22-09 was planned to test a "drilling gap" above the lower portion of the DS-21-08 intercept (102m at 1.41% Cu including 78m at 1.67% Cu and 16m at 3.52% Cu). This infill drillhole intersected two narrow copper zones including 6m at 1.01% Cu, 3m at 1.19% Cu higher up in the hole and deeper hits of 18m at 1.51% Cu including 8m at 2.39% Cu as well as 6m at 1.18% Cu. The higher-grade deeper intercepts correlate with an extension of the DS-21-08 mineralization. DS-22-10 was designed to test as an infill hole in the northeast part of the target area to follow-up hole DS-22-02 (11m at 1.08% Cu, including 4m at 2.32% Cu). The new hole produced two significant assay intervals: 23m at 1.55% Cu including 12m at 2.50% Cu as well as intercepts of 4m at 1.81% Cu and 7m at 1.12% Cu. The upper intercept is interpreted to represent be the extension of the DS-22-02 mineralization while the lower assay interval is the southern extension of the copper mineralization encountered in DS-11-15 (29m at 1.05% Cu including 7m at 1.94% Cu). DS-22-11 is an infill hole drilled along the eastern margin of the target zone. This hole cut several mineralized intercepts including: 11m at 1.96% Cu, 6m at 2.40% Cu and 11m at 1.50% Cu including 6m at 2.28% Cu. The copper mineralization encountered is interpreted as the down-dip extension of the DS-22-13 intercept (5m at 1.00% Cu). DS-22-12 was drilled as an infill hole in the northeast part of the target area to follow-up the copper zone intersected in DS-2202 (11m at 1.08% Cu, including 4m at 2.32% Cu). DS-22-12 encountered three copper zones: 5m at 1.08% Cu, 4m at 1.22% Cu and 11m at 0.90% Cu. The upper intercept is an extension of the DS-22-02 mineralization. DS-22-13 was planned as an infill hole in the northeast part of the target area to test the up-dip extent of the copper mineralization cut in hole DS-22-11: (11m at 1.96% Cu, 6m at 2.40% Cu and 11m at 1.50% Cu including 6m at 2.28% Cu) The new hole confirmed the up-dip extension of the copper zone with an intercept of 5m at 1.00% Cu. DS-22-15 was planned to test the for a western extension of the lower intercept in DS-22-12 (11m at 0.90% Cu). Hole DS-22-15 intersected two mineralized zones: 29m at 1.05% Cu including 7m at 1.94% Cu as well as an intercept of 15m at 0.81% Cu including 3m at 1.81% Cu and 3m at 1.34% Cu that confirmed the western extension of the DS-22-12 copper zone. DS-22-16 was designed as an infill hole that tested a "drilling gap" between a number of mineralized intercepts within the northeastern part of the target. The new hole successfully tested the gap and yielded two intercepts: 4m at 1.17% Cu and 3m at 1.18% Cu. DS-22-17 was planned as an infill hole in the central part of the target testing a "drilling gap" between several mineralized intercepts. The new hole encountered 6m at 1.15% Cu which is interpreted as a feeder structure for the copper mineralization intersected in historic hole DS-14-12 (20m at 1.53% Cu). DS-22-18 was designed as an infill hole in the northeast part of the target. The new hole encountered number of narrow zones of anomalous copper mineralization, hosted within an andesitic intrusive. The best intercept reported in DS-22-18 was 6m at 0.96% Cu. DS-22-19 was designed to test the southwest margin of the target area and probe for a southeast extension of the DS-21-21 high grade copper intercept of 17m at 3.77% Cu. The new hole encountered several narrow zones of moderate grade mineralization which are interpreted to correlate with the high-grade intersections in DS-21-21. DS-22-19 intersected 17m at 0.69% Cu including 2m at 1.93% Cu DS-22-20 was planned to test for northeast extension of mineralization encountered in drill holes DS-22-02 (11m at 1.08% Cu, including 4m at 2.32% Cu), DS-22-12 (11m at 0.82% Cu) and DS-22-16 (8m at 5.29% Cu and 8m at 3.53% Cu) in the eastern part of the target area. The new hole encountered 4m at 1.02% Cu suggesting the copper mineralized extends in this direction. Table 1: New BMR-Dalmacia Target Significant Assays Hole Number From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Copper (%) Silver (g/t) DS-22-09 46 52 6 1.01 0.9 and 58 61 3 1.19 0.8 and 103 105 2 2.01 1.5 and 114 132 18 1.51 2.0 including 114 122 8 2.39 3.6 and 126 132 6 1.18 0.9 DS-22-10 19 23 4 1.81 1.7 and 26 28 2 4.53 8.5 and 48 71 23 1.55 0.7 including 59 71 12 2.50 0.8 and 183 190 7 1.12 0.9 including 183 187 4 1.64 1.1 DS-22-11 68 72 4 0.93 1.1 and 128 134 6 2.40 2.1 and 140 151 11 1.50 2.4 including 141 147 6 2.28 3.5 and 156 167 11 1.96 1.1 and 192 194 2 0.76 0.7 and 197 202 5 0.81 including 200 202 2 1.36 DS-22-12 55 60 5 1.08 0.8 and 90 94 4 0.82 1.1 and 116 120 4 1.22 1.0 and 135 140 5 0.82 0.6 and 155 166 11 0.90 0.6 DS-22-13 129 131 2 0.63 1.0 and 149 154 5 1.00 0.4 and 192 195 3 0.80 1.1 DS-22-15 158 173 15 0.81 1.4 including 158 161 3 1.81 1.7 including 168 171 3 1.34 2.7 and 197 226 29 1.05 2.5 including 197 204 7 1.94 5.1 including 212 215 3 2.59 4.7 including 223 226 3 0.71 1.3 DS-22-16 9 15 6 0.88 0.9 and 22 26 4 1.17 2.0 and 98 101 3 1.18 0.8 and 146 148 2 0.84 2.0 DS-22-17 65 71 6 1.15 1.0 DS-22-18 5 7 2 0.60 1.0 and 25 31 6 0.96 1.0 and 48 54 6 0.79 1.0 and 67 69 2 0.69 1.5 and 117 118 1 1.20 1.0 and 172 176 4 0.58 0.4 and 182 187 5 0.79 1.2 including 182 184 2 1.09 2.0 DS-22-19 7 11 4 0.59 0.7 and 15 32 17 0.69 0.9 including 15 27 12 0.64 0.8 and 30 32 2 1.93 2.0 and 72 75 3 0.85 8.3 DS-22-20 73 77 4 0.60 0.4 and 87 92 5 0.90 0.4 including 87 91 4 1.02 0.4 Note: All intervals are downhole core lengths Significant BMR assay results received to date for the Dalmacia 2021-22 drilling include the following (see Table 2): Table 2: Earlier 2021 BMR - Dalmacia Target Significant Drill Assay Intervals Drillhole Number From To Sample Interval (m) Copper Silver Gold (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) DS-21-01 79 91 12 1.79 2.5 0.028 including 80 88 8 2.44 3.2 0.035 and 105 128 23 1.16 1.7 0.016 including 115 128 13 1.56 2.1 0.024 including 115 122 7 2.32 3.1 0.036 and 137 139 2 1.06 0.7 0.03 and 180 184 4 0.89 0.4 - and 220 224.9 4.9 0.72 0.6 - DS-21-02 22 29 7 1.67 2.6 0.08 and 64 74 10 1.03 2.1 - including 64 67 3 1.49 2.3 - and 71 73 2 2.34 5 - and 99 106 7 2.58 2.7 - and 177 188 11 1.08 0.9 0.08 including 177 181 4 2.32 1.4 0.17 including 177 180 3 2.9 1.7 0.22 DS-21-03 46 61 15 1.01 1.2 0.017 including 46 50 4 2.47 3.1 0.05 DS-21-04 70 76 6 0.71 0.9 0.012 including 72 76 4 0.87 1 0.01 and 89 102 13 0.64 0.9 - including 93 95 2 1.24 1.5 - DS-21-05 52 58 6 1.16 1.7 0.017 and 131 132 1 1.81 0.4 0.695 and 141 143 2 2.98 5 3.835 and 155 156 1 3.22 2 - DS-21-06 37 69 32 0.73 0.5 - including 37 53 16 1.15 0.6 0.06 including 37 44 7 1.75 0.8 0.079 and 112 115 3 2.14 0.6 0.03 and 134 139 5 1.58 0.4 0.019 and 167 262 95 0.78 0.5 - including 167 170 3 1.84 0.8 0.096 and 183 187 4 1.75 0.6 0.071 and 19 262 65 0.93 0.5 - including 197 211 14 2.44 0.7 0.039 and 243 262 19 1.1 0.6 0.022 including 243 251 8 1.88 0.7 0.029 and 260 262 2 1.79 0.7 0.06 DS-21-07 24 57 33 1.77 1.5 0.052 including 24 33 9 3.44 1.6 0.167 and 39 46 7 2.54 3.5 0.02 and 84 94 10 0.84 1.2 0.032 and 176 182 6 2.19 0.4 - DS-21-08 48 150 102 1.41 1.2 - including 48 126 78 1.67 1.4 - including 48 64 16 3.52 4.5 0.017 DS-21-10 138 140 2 2.4 1 - DS-21-11 59 61 2 1.14 2 0.043 and 78 102 24 1.04 0.5 - including 78 88 10 1.06 0.5 - including 78 82 4 1.6 0.4 - including 86 88 2 1.78 1 - and 96 102 6 1.95 0.4 - DS-21-12 116 121 5 0.62 1 - and 143 145 2 0.95 1 - and 161 172 11 0.82 0.5 - DS-21-13 44 62 18 1.61 0.7 0.01 and 135 147 12 2.13 1.5 - including 139 147 8 2.95 1.9 - and 157 162 5 3.26 0.9 - and 181 188 7 1.87 0.7 - DS-21-14 73 82 9 0.74 0.7 0.038 including 78 82 4 1.03 0.7 0.05 and 145 160 15 1.16 0.4 - including 145 152 7 1.44 0.4 - and 172 174 2 1.11 0.4 - and 186 195 9 1.53 1.6 0.052 and 205 209 4 1.5 0.4 0.24 DS-21-16 74 82 8 5.29 0.026 and 102 110 8 3.53 0.065 DS-21-09 89 91 2 0.88 1.3 - and 98 114 16 1.84 0.5 - including 101 113 12 2.18 0.6 - and 234 236 2 1.35 0.5 - DS-21-15 128 136 8 1.14 1.2 0.023 including 128 131 3 1.58 1.8 0.032 and 133 136 3 1.36 1.3 0.025 DS-21-18 12 80 68 1.14 0.9 - including 12 38 26 1.48 0.8 - including 12 26 14 2.07 1 - and 46 62 16 1.43 1.4 - and 72 80 8 1.5 1.1 0.009 DS-21-19 12 48 36 0.99 0.3 - and 66 72 6 1.3 0.7 - DS-21-20 56 70 14 1.3 0.7 - including 62 70 8 1.27 0.9 0.521 and 116 120 4 0.72 0.1 - and 140 144 4 1.79 0.4 - DS-21-21 68 121 53 2.34 0.8 - including 76 121 45 2.57 0.9 0.047 including 104 121 17 3.77 0.8 0.1 DS-21-22 60 64 4 3.6 2.5 - and 93 96 3 1.12 0.3 0.044 and 128 130 2 1.06 0.1 - DS-21-23A 39 57 18 1.05 0.3 - including 40 44 4 1.92 0.9 0.069 including 48 50 2 2.05 0.1 0.178 including 55 57 2 1.54 0.1 0.065 and 94 113 19 1.36 0.8 - including 97 102 5 2.44 1.1 0.468 and 110 113 3 1.96 1.7 0.112 DS-21-24 75 96 21 0.64 0.8 - including 92 96 4 1.21 2.1 - and 115 117 2 1.02 0.6 - DS-21-25 52 72 20 1.22 1.2 - including 52 58 6 2.87 3.2 0.149 and 210 216 6 1.46 0.3 - and 224 229 5 1.57 0.1 - DS-21-26 72 105 33 1.64 4.8 - including 77 98 21 2.05 6.9 - DS-21-27 68 73 5 1.45 0.7 - including 68 72 4 1.64 0.8 0.005 DS-21-28 79 99 20 1.38 0.6 - and 106 109 3 1.13 0.9 0.079 and 121 123 2 1.15 0.1 0.079 Note: All intervals are downhole core lengths Figure 1: Dalmacia North Target Drill Collar Plan with Assay Result Highlights To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/127098_07359a6a2414088d_002full.jpg Quality Control Sample preparation, analysis and security procedures applied on the BMR exploration projects is aligned with industry best practice. BMR has implemented protocols and procedures to ensure high quality collection and management of samples resulting in reliable exploration assay data. BMR has implemented formal analytical quality control monitoring for all field sampling and drilling programs by inserting blanks and certified reference materials into every sample sequence dispatched. Sample preparation is performed ALS Global - Geochemistry Analytical Lab in La Serena, Chile and sample analyses by ALS in Lima, Peru. ALS analytical facilities are commercial laboratories and are independent from BMR. All BMR samples are collected and packaged by BMR staff and delivered upon receipt at the ALS Laboratory. Samples are logged in a sophisticated laboratory information management system for sample tracking, scheduling, quality control, and electronic reporting. Samples are dried then crushed to 70% < -2 millimeters and a riffle split of 250 grams is then pulverized to 85% of the material achieving a size of <75 microns. These prepared samples are then shipped to the ALS Laboratory in Lima Peru for analyses by the following methods: ME-ICP61: A high precision, multi-acid digest including Hydrofluoric, Nitric, Perchloric and Hydrochloric acids. Analysed by inductively coupled plasma ("ICP") mass spectrometry that produces results for 48 elements. ME-OG62: Aqua-Regia digest: Analysed by ICP-AES (Atomic Emission Spectrometry) or sometimes called optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for elevated levels of Co, Cu, Ni and Ag. Certified standards are inserted into sample batches by ALS. Blanks and duplicates are inserted within each analytical run. The blank is inserted at the beginning, certified standards are inserted at random intervals, and duplicates are analysed at the end of the batch. Additional Information Michael Schuler, Battery Mineral Resources Corp. Chile Exploration Manager, supervised the preparation of and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release pertaining to the Punitaqui Exploration Drill Program. Mr. Schuler is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Battery Mineral Resources Corp. Battery Mineral Resources ("BMR") is a battery mineral company focused on growth through cash-flow, exploration, and acquisitions in favourable mining jurisdictions. BMR is currently developing the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a past copper-gold producer, in the Coquimbo region of Chile and pursuing a potential near-term resumption of operations in late 2022. Battery Mineral's mission is the discovery, acquisition, and development of battery metals (namely cobalt, lithium, graphite, nickel, and copper), in North America, South America and South Korea, to become a premier and responsible supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace. BMR is the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp in Ontario, Canada, and continues to pursue a focused program to build on the recently announced, +1-million-pound high-grade cobalt resource at McAra. In addition, Battery Mineral owns 100% of ESI Energy Services, Inc. a profitable pipeline equipment rental and sales company with operations in Alberta, Canada and Arizona, USA. Battery Minerals Resources is based in Canada and its shares are listed on the Toronto Venture Exchange under the symbol "BMR" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "BTRMF". Further information about BMR and its projects can be found on www.bmrcorp.com. For further information, please contact: Battery Mineral Resources Corp. Martin Kostuik Phone: +1 (604) 229 3830 Email: info@bmrcorp.com Mars Investor Relations +1 604-335-1976 bmr@marsinvestorrelations.com Twitter: @BMRcorp_ www.bmrcorp.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions, and projections of the Company on the date the statements are made, are based upon several assumptions, and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual 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 and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to complete exploration and development activities, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, government regulation and fluctuating metal prices. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Battery undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether because of added information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127098 Brampton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (CSE: SNA) (CSE: SNA.CN) ("Star" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Letter of Intent "LOI" for Fly540 Kenya ("Fly540") to purchase three (3) units of the STAR-ISMS (In-Flight Safety Monitoring System) for three (3) of its airline fleet. Fly540 is East Africa's premier low-cost airline offering low fares on scheduled flights all year round to destinations within Kenya and Zanzibar in Tanzania. Headquartered in Nairobi and operating from Jomo Kenyatta International and Wilson Airports' Fly540 flies to Eldoret' Kisumu' Lamu' Lodwar' Malindi' Mombasa and across the border to Zanzibar utilizing 3 Dash-8 aircraft. Fly540 took to the skies in November 2006. The company's first flights were between Nairobi and Mombasa using a 48-seat ATR 42-320 turbo prop aircraft. The destination network was soon increased with more domestic routes and extra airplanes were added to the existing fleet. The value for money flights won instant popularity among passengers as this was the first time they could affordably and conveniently travel by air. Mr. Amir Bhatti, Chief Executive Officer of Star said: "The Fly540 LOI is another achievement towards Star's revamped sales efforts. We are excited to have this opportunity to work with Fly540 on their Dash-8 aircraft and with it a new addition to our STC pool. We look forward to providing them with the solutions to improve their flight safety and bring optimization to their operations." Mr. Don Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Fly540 said: "We are keen on installing the STAR-ISMS system and look forward to utilizing the product to improve our Safety, Efficiency and profitability." About Star Navigation Systems - www.star-navigation.com Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. manufactures the In-flight Safety Monitoring System, STAR-ISMS, the heart of the STAR-A.D.S. System. The STAR-A.D.S. System has real-time capability of tracking, performance trends and predicting incident-occurrences which enhances aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the operator. Star's MMI Division designs and manufactures high performance, mission critical, flight deck flat panel displays for defence and commercial aviation industries worldwide. About Fly540 - www.fly540.com Fly540 is East Africa's premier low-cost airline offering low fares on scheduled flights all year round to destinations within Kenya and Zanzibar. Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that address or discuss activities, events or developments that Star expects or anticipates may occur in the future. When used in this news release, words such as "estimates", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "projects", "will", "believes", "intends" "should", "could", "may" and other similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations and beliefs of Star's management. Because forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, actual results, performance or achievements of Star or the industry may be materially different from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking information that may be contained in this news release include statements regarding; growth and future prospects of our business; our perceptions of the industry and markets in which we operate and anticipated trends in such markets; expectations regarding the operation of our app; and our future revenues. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, our ability to execute on our business plan, increase visibility amongst consumers and convert users to revenue producing subscribers and the success of the business of our partners. Forward-looking statements involve significant uncertainties, should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved. The risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to the airline industry are real and substantial but cannot be defined or measured in any meaningful way at this time. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Accordingly, readers should exercise caution in relying upon forward-looking statements and Star undertakes no obligation to publicly revise them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. NEITHER CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Please visit www.star-navigation.com or contact Mr. Amir Bhatti, CEO at 1-416-252-2889 #230 amir.bhatti@star-navigation.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127101 Highlights: Ten-year net annualized return of 9.8% leads to $25.9 billion in cumulative net investment gains above Reference Portfolio, indicative of long-term added value through portfolio construction and active management decisions Five-year net annualized return of 9.0% leads to $19.7 billion in cumulative net investment gains above Reference Portfolio One-year total portfolio net return of 10.9% outperforms Reference Portfolio Continued focus on risk management supports agile response to markets in a rapidly evolving global landscape Inaugural green bond issuance, first climate strategy and bespoke Green Asset Taxonomy indicate continuing focus on integrating ESG factors into responsible investment decision-making Shift to a hybrid workplace poised to attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive environment MONTREAL, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) ended its fiscal year on March 31, 2022, with $230.5 billion of net assets under management (AUM) and a 10.9% one-year net portfolio return. Net assets under management grew by nearly $26 billion, up 12.7% from $204.5 billion at the end of the previous fiscal year. Net contributions represented $3.5 billion, while $22.5 billion was generated from net income. From a long-term investment approach perspective, PSP Investments measures success at the total fund level through the following performance objectives and their related benchmarks: -Achieve a return - net of expenses- greater than the return of the Reference Portfolio over a 10-year period: During fiscal year 2022, PSP Investments achieved a 10-year net annualized return of 9.8% against the Reference Portfolio benchmark of 8.4%, leading to $25.9 billion in cumulative net investment gains above the Reference Portfolio. This outperformance of 1.4% per annum represents the value added by PSP Investments' strategic asset allocation decisions and active asset management activities. -Achieve a return - net of expenses - exceeding the Total Fund Benchmark return over 10-year and 5-year periods: During fiscal year 2022, PSP Investments achieved a 10-year net annualized return of 9.8% against the Total Fund Benchmark of 8.6% and a 5-year net annualized return of 9.0% against the Total Fund Benchmark of 7.9%. This represents an outperformance of 1.2% per annum (or $16 billion over 10 years) and 1.1% per annum (or $10.6 billion over 5 years) respectively. During fiscal year 2022, PSP investments continued to generate strong net income as the markets recovered, translating into a higher AUM of $230.5B at the end of the fiscal year as compared to $204.5B at the end of fiscal year 2021. PSP Investments' increase in operating costs was lower than the average AUM growth of 18.0% and was in line with its strategic and operational priorities including talent retention and total fund performance. Due to a combination of sound cost management and the increase in net AUM, PSP Investments' total cost ratio decreased below our expected average costs and represents the lowest ratio in the last seven fiscal years. "In the wake of the pandemic, PSP Investments delivered solid, above-benchmark performance," said Neil Cunningham, President and Chief Executive Officer at PSP Investments. "We did so at the same time as raising our climate ambition by developing our first climate strategy and a bespoke green asset taxonomy. These actions enable us to use our capital and influence to support the transition to global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050." "Our 10-year and five-year performance indicates the long-term value we add through patient capital, portfolio construction and active investment activities," said Eduard van Gelderen, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at PSP Investments. "The broad diversification of our portfolio across public and private asset classes, industries, geographies and currencies has been a key factor in helping us reduce risk and improve resilience." ASSET CLASS (at March 31, 2022) NET ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (billion $)1 ONE-YEAR RETURN FIVE-YEAR RETURN % OF TOTAL NET ASSETS Capital Markets $99.9B 3.0% 7.4% 43.4% Private Equity $35.4B 27.6% 17.6% 15.3% Credit Investments $21.9B 7.5% 7.9% 9.5% Real Estate $31.1B 24.8% 8.7% 13.5% Infrastructure $23.5B 13.9% 10.4% 10.2% Natural Resources $11.6B 15.9% 8.5% 5.0% Complementary Portfolio $1.4B 16.9% 12.0% 0.6% 1 This table excludes Cash and Cash equivalents. All amounts in Canadian dollars, unless stated otherwise. As at March 31, 2022: Capital Markets, comprised of Public Market Equities and Fixed Income, ended the fiscal year with $99.9 billion of net AUM, an increase of $2.4 billion from the end of fiscal year 2021. The group generated portfolio income of $2.9 billion, for a one-year return of 3.0% versus the benchmark return of 1.3%. The five-year annualized return was 7.4%, compared to the 6.6% benchmark return. Public Market Equities, with a year-end AUM of $59.1 billion, a one year-return of 6.0% and a five-year return of 10.1% (versus 3.3% and 8.8% for the respective benchmark returns), was able to outperform as global equity markets were impacted by the emergence of highly contagious COVID-19 variants. The majority of Public Market Equities' positive relative performance in fiscal year 2022 came from alternative investments, where many investments were well-positioned to take advantage of market dislocations induced by a notable increase in macroeconomic events. Fixed Income ended the fiscal year with a net AUM of $40.7 billion and outperformed its one-year benchmark by 0.2% and its five-year benchmark by 0.1%. Private Equity ended the fiscal year with net AUM of $35.4 billion, up $3.7 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated portfolio income of $8.6 billion, resulting in a one-year return of 27.6% versus the benchmark return of 19.5%. The five-year annualized return was 17.6% versus a benchmark of 17.2%. The strong performance highlights the strength and quality of the private equity portfolio, both in co-investments and funds. In addition to a favourable valuation environment, portfolio income has been driven by strong earnings growth and cashflows, particularly in the financials and healthcare sectors. The growth of the portfolio was driven by $6.3 billion in valuation gains and $6.4 billion in acquisitions. During the fiscal year, Private Equity deployed $4.4 billion of capital through funds and $2.0 billion in new co-investments which included supporting growth in existing portfolio companies. Credit Investments ended the fiscal year with net AUM of $21.9 billion, up by $7.4 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated portfolio income of $1.2 billion, resulting in a 7.5% one-year return that exceeded the benchmark return of -0.5%. The 7.9% five-year annualized return also beat the 2.6% benchmark return. Record levels of acquisition activity by private equity sponsors led to significant opportunities for Credit Investments across the debt capital spectrum. Real Estate ended the fiscal year with $31.1 billion in net AUM, up by $4.3 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated $6.4 billion in portfolio income, resulting in a 24.8% one-year return, versus 30.2% for the benchmark return. The 8.7% five-year return exceeded the 8.0% return for the benchmark. Real Estate focused on deploying into high conviction sectors, resulting in key acquisitions within the industrial, residential, life science and studio sectors. Infrastructure ended the fiscal year with $23.5 billion in net AUM, a $5.1 billion increase from the end of the previous fiscal year and generated $2.7 billion of portfolio income. The one-year return of 13.9% was below the benchmark return of 16.1%. The five-year annualized return of 10.4% exceeded the 6.4% benchmark return. During the fiscal year, Infrastructure deployed $4.8 billion of capital in direct and co-investments and $1.3 billion through the funds. New investments supported energy-friendly transition across Europe and Oceania by acquiring equity participations in utilities and industrials. Natural Resources ended the fiscal year with net AUM of $11.6 billion, an increase of $1.9 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated portfolio income of $1.6 billion, for a one-year return of 15.9%, versus 26.3% for the benchmark return. The 8.5% five-year annualized return beat the benchmark return of 7.6%. The fiscal year was marked by significant valuation gains of $1.3 billion and continued strong deployment of $1.9 billion, mainly in Oceania and the US. Corporate Highlights We launched the execution of our new strategic plan, PSP Forward, with the vision to be an insightful global investor and valued partner that is selective across markets and is focused on the long-term. Key accomplishments for fiscal year 2022 include: We released our Green Bond Framework and issued a C$1.0 billion 10-year Green Bond to fund projects that demonstrate positive environmental and climate outcomes. PSP Investments' Green Bond Framework is aligned with existing standards in green bond and sustainable debt markets, and was awarded a rating of "Medium Green" and the highest possible governance score of "Excellent" by CICERO Shades of Green. 10-year Green Bond to fund projects that demonstrate positive environmental and climate outcomes. PSP Investments' Green Bond Framework is aligned with existing standards in green bond and sustainable debt markets, and was awarded a rating of "Medium Green" and the highest possible governance score of "Excellent" by CICERO Shades of Green. We prioritized climate change as an important focus area company-wide during fiscal year 2022 and committed to use our capital and influence to contribute to the transition to global net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050. By implementing our climate strategy, we expect to reduce our portfolio GHG emissions intensity by 20% to 25% by 2026, from a 2021 baseline. We outlined a clear and straightforward approach for achieving our commitments that include substantial investments in green and transition assets, the latter being those that will require capital and assertive mitigation plans to reduce their carbon intensity along a science-based trajectory. Developed during fiscal year 2022, the climate strategy was launched in April 2022 and is available on our website. and is available on our website. We continued to enhance our data-driven approach to integrating ESG factors into our investment and asset management processes and practices. We developed an ESG Composite Score that incorporates the standards of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and enables our investment teams to integrate ESG information with data-driven insights as we quantitatively assess and monitor a company's ESG performance. We ranked among the founding members of the ESG Data Convergence Project, the first LP-GP partnership aiming to standardize ESG reporting in the private equity industry We also joined the Institutional Limited Partners Association's Diversity in Action Initiative and participated in various other industry collaboration initiatives including the Investor Leadership Network, the Sustainable Action Finance Council and Focusing Capital on the Long Term. Our technology and digital strategy remains a key strategy enabler, supporting PSP Investments with scalable systems, organized data and advanced analytics. In fiscal year 2022, we continued to modernize and simplify our technology platforms and data governance to enable efficient global investment operations. We also initiated the build-out of our self-serve analytics capabilities and continued incubating use cases within our advanced analytics framework. We took action to respond to the opportunity of reimagining the future of work following the workplace disruptions created by the pandemic. One of the changes we embraced was the shift of employee expectations related to flexibility on where, when and how work gets done. During fiscal year 2022, we developed a principles-based hybrid workforce model to facilitate the transition to a new way of working. We placed a heightened focus on the employee experience, building trust, leading with empathy, managing with accountability, leveraging inclusivity and promoting collaboration and well-being. Nurturing an inclusive and respectful work environment has been at the top of our people agenda for many years. We recognize the importance of equity, inclusion and diversity (Ei&D) - a cornerstone of our corporate culture - in attracting and retaining top talent and building high-performing teams. We conducted our second annual employee self-identification survey in fiscal year 2022 to continue to better understand our workforce demographics and measure progress. Spearheaded by our Ei&D Council and its eight affinity groups, we continued to embed Ei&D into our workplace culture and developed a three-year roadmap for delivering on our Ei&D priorities. As a notable example, our Veteran Integration Program celebrated its one-year anniversary and is currently recruiting for the next cohort of participants. Our efforts were recognized with a Canadian HR Award in the category Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion and a ranking as a Montreal Top Employer for a fifth consecutive year. Other corporate highlights include: We are deeply committed to the communities where we operate. During fiscal year 2022, our PSP Gives Back campaign raised close to $500,000 (including PSP Investments' matching donations), which represented a 14% increase over last year. Funds benefited a range of local charities in Montreal, Hong-Kong , London and New York . (including PSP Investments' matching donations), which represented a 14% increase over last year. Funds benefited a range of local charities in Montreal, , and . We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact inflicted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine . While PSP Investments does not have material exposure to Russian investments and does not hold any private direct investments in Russia , we have some exposure through passive index replication and external investment manager activities. As stated in our press release, we took immediate steps to divest of our Russian holdings, committing to exit this market completely as soon as conditions permit, and we continue to actively monitor the evolving risks and implications for our portfolio and investment activities. As a special initiative, we partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross and raised $139,000 over a three-week period through a combination of employee donations and PSP Investments' matching contributions. invasion of . While PSP Investments does not have material exposure to Russian investments and does not hold any private direct investments in , we have some exposure through passive index replication and external investment manager activities. As stated in our press release, we took immediate steps to divest of our Russian holdings, committing to exit this market completely as soon as conditions permit, and we continue to actively monitor the evolving risks and implications for our portfolio and investment activities. As a special initiative, we partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross and raised over a three-week period through a combination of employee donations and PSP Investments' matching contributions. Board succession planning was an important topic in fiscal year 2022. Mr. Garnet Garven and Mr. William Mackinnon fully completed their mandates. PSP Investments thanked them for their years of exceptional service and welcomed the arrival of three new directors - Mr. Gregory Chrispin , Ms. Helen Mallovy Hicks , and Mr. Maurice Tulloch - and the reappointment of Ms. Miranda Hubbs . PSP Investments' Board comprises six women and five men, and during fiscal year 2023, all four of the Board's standing committees will be chaired by women. and Mr. fully completed their mandates. PSP Investments thanked them for their years of exceptional service and welcomed the arrival of three new directors - Mr. , Ms. , and Mr. - and the reappointment of Ms. . PSP Investments' Board comprises six women and five men, and during fiscal year 2023, all four of the Board's standing committees will be chaired by women. During fiscal year 2022, Ms. Michelle Ostermann joined PSP Investments as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Capital Markets Investments. Mr. Patrick Samson , formerly Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Infrastructure, was appointed Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Assets. joined PSP Investments as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Capital Markets Investments. Mr. , formerly Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Infrastructure, was appointed Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Assets. During fiscal year 2022, Mr. Neil Cunningham , President and CEO, announced his planned retirement at the end of our next fiscal year, on March 31, 2023 . PSP Investments has thrived under Mr. Cunningham's leadership, with important advances on its strategy and presence in international markets, leading to strong financial performance. "I want to thank PSP Investments' management, employees and Board of Directors for their dedication over the past couple of years; their commitment and resilience have been nothing short of amazing," said Neil Cunningham, President and Chief Executive Officer of PSP Investments. "Despite all challenges and difficulties posed by the pandemic and global affairs, we remained ever mindful of our responsibility to create a better tomorrow for the 900,000 contributors and beneficiaries on whose behalf we invest. While I will be retiring in March 2023, I have confidence in the passion and abilities of my colleagues to ensure PSP Investments' future sustainability and performance." For more information on PSP Investments' fiscal year 2022 performance, visit our website and download the annual report. In a break from our previous practice, our Responsible Investment Report will be released in the fall of 2022. About PSP Investments The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) is one of Canada's largest pension investment managers with $230.5 billion of net assets under management as of March 31, 2022. It manages a diversified global portfolio composed of investments in capital markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and credit investments. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages and invests amounts transferred to it by the Government of Canada for the pension plans of the federal Public Service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, PSP Investments has its principal business office in Montreal and offices in New York, London and Hong Kong. For more information, visit investpsp.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Maria Constantinescu, PSP Investments, Phone: (514) 218-3795, Email: media@investpsp.ca Regulatory News: Sopra Steria (Paris:SOP), a European Tech leader recognised for its consulting, digital services and software development, is proud to be part of Euronext Tech Leaders, the new initiative dedicated to high-growth and leading Tech companies. Euronext's rich Tech ecosystem brings together 700+ Tech companies listed on Euronext markets with 660+ alumni of its pre-IPO programmes and a large international investor base financing all growth profiles of Tech companies. Euronext Tech Leaders is composed of 100+ high-growth and leading companies, each meeting a specific set of criteria to qualify. It complements Euronext's existing Tech offer and aims to strengthen the European Tech sector and be a catalyst for the next generation of Tech leaders. As a Euronext Tech Leader, Sopra Steria will benefit from the suite of services developed by Euronext and its partners to support participants along their listing journey. Euronext Tech Leaders euronext.com About Sopra Steria Sopra Steria, a European Tech leader recognised for its consulting, digital services and software development, helps its clients drive their digital transformation to obtain tangible and sustainable benefits. It provides end-to-end solutions to make large companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and innovative technologies with a fully collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart of everything it does and is committed to making the most of digital technology to build a positive future for its clients. With 47,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, the Group generated revenue of 4.7 billion in 2021. The world is how we shape it. Sopra Steria Group (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) ISIN: FR0000050809 For more information, please visit our website https://www.soprasteria.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005479/en/ Contacts: Relations Investisseurs Olivier Psaume olivier.psaume@soprasteria.com +33 (0)1 40 67 68 16 Relations Presse Alexandra Paleologue alexandra.paleologue@soprasteria.com +33 (0)1 53 70 74 65 The "Biofertilizers Market Research Report by Microorganism Type (Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and Blue-Green Algae), Technology, Crop Type, Application, Region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East Africa) Global Forecast to 2027 Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Biofertilizers Market size was estimated at USD 3,491.19 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 3,842.76 million in 2022. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR 10.32% to reach USD 6,295.31 million by 2027. 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. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19: 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: The publisher continuously monitors 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 Biofertilizers 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 Biofertilizers 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. Company Usability Profiles: Agri Life Agrinos AS BASF SE Bayer AG Biomax Naturals Borealis AG Camson Biotechnologies Limited Certis USA LLC Criyagen Agri Biotech Pvt Ltd ICL Group Ltd. Kiwa Bio-Tech Products Group Corporation Lallemand Inc. Mapleton Agri Biotech Pty Limited MC FERTICOM Co., Ltd. Mitsui Co. Ltd National Fertilizer Ltd Novozymes A/S Origin Enterprises plc Rizobacter Argentina SA Symborg SL Key Topics Covered: 1. Preface 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Overview 5. Market Insights 5.1. Market Dynamics 5.1.1. Drivers 5.1.1.1. Increasing demand from the organic industry worldwide 5.1.1.2. Growing application attributed to its potential benefits compared to chemical fertilizers 5.1.1.3. Surge in production and yield of crops coupled with environmental concerns 5.1.2. Restraints 5.1.2.1. Dearth of infrastructure and need for high initial investment 5.1.3. Opportunities 5.1.3.1. Emerging adoption of precision farming and modern agriculture techniques 5.1.3.2. Robust investments and implementation in developing economies 5.1.4. Challenges 5.1.4.1. Non-favorable regulatory policies and availability of counterfeit products 5.2. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 6. Biofertilizers Market, by Microorganism Type 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Azospirillum 6.3. Azotobacter 6.4. Blue-Green Algae 6.5. Mycorrhiza 6.6. Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria 6.7. Rhizobium 7. Biofertilizers Market, by Technology 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Carrier Enriched Biofertilizers 7.3. Liquid Biofertilizers 8. Biofertilizers Market, by Crop Type 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Fruits Vegetables 8.3. Grains Cereals 8.4. Plantation Crops 8.5. Pulses Oilseeds 9. Biofertilizers Market, by Application 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Seed Treatment 9.3. Soil Treatment 10. Americas Biofertilizers Market 10.1. Introduction 10.2. Argentina 10.3. Brazil 10.4. Canada 10.5. Mexico 10.6. United States 11. Asia-Pacific Biofertilizers Market 12. Europe, Middle East Africa Biofertilizers Market 13. Competitive Landscape 13.1. FPNV Positioning Matrix 13.2. Market Ranking Analysis 13.3. Market Share Analysis, By Key Player 13.4. Competitive Scenario 14. Company Usability Profiles For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/zhyws5 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005803/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 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Appointment of Dan Levy as Group Chief Financial Officer Paris, June 9, 2022 - Ipsos announces the appointment of Dan Levy as Group Chief Financial Officer as of June 10, 2022. After training as an economist and statistician, Dan Levy spent the first part of his career at the Ministry of Finance, in the Treasury Directorate and then in the Budget Directorate, in economic, financial and expenditure control functions. Between 2005 and 2007, he was seconded as an economist to the British Ministry of Finance in London. Dan joined Societe Generale in 2010, initially at the General Inspection, an audit and consulting department at the service of the General Management, where he supervised missions in France and abroad on all the bank's business lines for 3 years. In 2013, Dan became senior banker, in charge of strategic relationship (financing and M&A) with Midcaps clients in the technology, engineering and business services sectors. In 2017, Dan led the merger project of two business centers dedicated to the bank's large corporate clients and served as director of the resulting business center (front-to-back organization of 230 people). Dan is an alumnus of Ecole Polytechnique (Promotion 1996), ENSAE (Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Administration Economique) and SciencesPo (Institut d'Etudes Politiques Paris). Dan Levy said: "I am very pleased and proud to join the Ipsos leadership team as Chief Financial Officer. I warmly thank Ben Page for his trust. In a complex and uncertain world, Ipsos has an essential role to play in helping governments and companies to decipher major societal trends, public opinion, understand and anticipate the behaviours of consumers, employees and citizens. I look forward to putting my energy, my financial skills as well as my international and management experience at the service of a global, innovative Group whose success and development over the last decades command respect and admiration." Dan Levy will report to Ben Page, Group CEO, and will replace Laurence Stoclet as Chief Financial Officer, Laurence Stoclet, Group Deputy CEO and previously Head of Finance and Support Functions at Ipsos. Laurence Stoclet said: "I am highly confident that the transition with Dan Levy, whom Ben Page has chosen to succeed me, will be successful. He will be able to rely on me during a transition period of a few months and, above all, on teams in charge of Finance and Reporting which are strong and stable, with an average seniority of 14 years. Dan is not only an experienced financier but also a data and statistics enthusiast, like all the key executives at Ipsos." Laurence Stoclet's term of office as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and her participation in the Group's Executive Committee will end on September 30, 2022, the date on which her other executive functions will have been transferred to the new management team led by Ben Page. Laurence Stoclet will continue to advise Ben Page in relation to certain minority interests, not consolidated in the Group's accounts or having minority partners with whom she will continue to represent the Group. Ben Page said: "I am delighted to welcome Dan as our new CFO, who will be working closely with me as part of our new global management team. Dan's extensive skills in financing, M&A and cash management as well as strong international and management experience of large and diverse teams make him the right choice for Ipsos, and particularly for our planned growth plan for 2025 that I will be present on June 14. I would also like to thank sincerely Laurence for her major contribution to Ipsos over the past two decades in building our global network and systems that our growth will depend on." 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 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques. "Game Changers" - our tagline - summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our 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 the Mid-60 indexes and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www Attachment NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO US NEWSWIRES TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / BitRush Corp. (CSE:BRH,Frankfurt:0XSN) ("BitRush" or the "Company") announces that the Company has granted effective June 8, 2022, an aggregate of 250,000 incentive stock options to certain (5) consultants under its 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 250,000 common shares at an exercise of $0.05 per share until June 8, 2026. 187,500 options vest in equal amounts on a quarterly basis over one year, while the remaining number of options vested upon grant. The common shares of the Company, including the common shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the options, remain suspended from trading in accordance with the rules of the CSE. Such suspension will continue until such time as the Company effectively meets certain listing requirements of the CSE. Although the Company does not currently have any definitive plans for the operation of a business, it is investigating and evaluating opportunities with a view to the development of a sustainable business. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction. This press release contains certain "forward-looking information". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, the Company's expected future plans described in this news release) constitute forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company as well as certain assumptions including, the ability of the Company to be presented with or find appropriate business opportunities in a timely manner. Forward- looking information is subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, include, but are not limited to, the inability of the Company to find appropriate business opportunities that are economically viable or to raise funds in a timely manner, if at all, that may be required to grow and develop a business and/or the failure to formulate definitive plans to operate a business successfully, or the inability of the Company to meet CSE listing requirements and to reactivate the trading of its shares on the CSE. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Karsten Arend CEO, President and Director For further information, contact Karsten Arend at 647-660-8703 or info@bitrush.com. SOURCE: BitRush Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704520/Bitrush-Corp-Announces-Grant-Of-Stock-Options China turns surrounding sea waters into blue storehouses of life through marine ranches People's Daily Online) 14:38, June 09, 2022 China was able to enhance its capacity to provide seafood to its people in 2021 thanks to the continual development of deep-sea aquaculture and the construction of marine ranches, according to a statistical communique recently released by the countrys Ministry of Natural Resources. Photo shows a marine ranch in Haiyangdao township, Changhai county, Dalian city, northeast Chinas Liaoning Province. More than 10 state-level marine ranch demonstration zones have been approved in Changhai county. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng) The largest smart net cage in Asia developed by China welcomed a harvest last year, and the Deep Blue 1 fully-submersible deep-sea fish cage also harvested salmon for the first time. Employees are busy working at a state-level marine ranch demonstration zone, where net cages are used for premium fish varieties such as large yellow croakers, in the Xihaian New Area of Qingdao city, east Chinas Shandong Province. We have 280 net cages and only 20 employees at the marine ranch who are responsible for farming 14 million kilograms of fish this year, said Fan Pengbo, an executive from Luhaifeng Group, the developer of the marine ranch. Marine ranches are created by installing artificial structures that provide spawning grounds and habitats for marine organisms through measures such as releasing fish fry and eco-friendly mariculture in designated sea areas to improve the marine environment and realize the sustainable use of fishery resources, introduced Yang Hongsheng, a researcher from the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Marine ranching facilities include smart net cages and multifunctional aquaculture platforms, Yang added. The construction of marine ranches is by no means equal to placing artificial reefs and releasing fish fry. Marine ranches aim to provide high-quality, safe and healthy aquatic products while protecting the marine environment and fishery resources, Yang said. China aims to build 200 state-level marine ranch demonstration zones by 2025, according to a plan issued in 2017. The countrys first national standards on marine ranch construction came into effect on June 1 this year. At present, China has built 153 state-level marine ranch demonstration zones in the Yellow Sea, the Bohai Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Marine ranches help increase fishermens income. A marine ranch called Changjing No. 1, situated near the Daqindao township off the coastal city of Yantai in Shandong Province, has generated much wealth for local fishermen. Chen Degang, an executive at the marine ranch, introduced that after the marine ranchs net cages and aquaculture platforms were put into use, the marine ranch signed contracts with local farmers to purchase fish fry raised by them according to relevant standards, thus realizing win-win results. Fishermen work at a marine ranch in Haiyangdao township, Changhai county, Dalian city, northeast Chinas Liaoning Province, May 31. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng) According to Li Chuanqiang, director of the Yantai Municipal Marine Development and Fishery Bureau, marine ranches which mainly specialize in deep-sea aquaculture are committed to pursuing win-win cooperation with individual fishermen and driving the development of the fishery industry. In Yantai city, some competent marine ranches have guided fishermen to establish cooperatives. So far, there are 300 fishermens cooperatives in the city, helping over 20,000 households increase their incomes. Besides, marine ranches drive the development of the fishery, leisure, tourism, culture and other sectors. Surveys show that the direct economic benefits generated by a marine ranch hit about 7,000 yuan (about $1,049) per mu (about 0.07 hectares) each year, and each fishing boat can create an additional annual income of 50,000 yuan to 80,000 yuan thanks to leisure activities. Marine ranches have also boosted the development of relevant industries, such as catering, tourism, transport, retailing, handicrafts, and business investment. In addition to developing mariculture with a high level of efficiency, marine ranches play an active role in protecting biological resources and improving the ecological environment. After the construction and operation of marine ranches in Wudi county, Binzhou city, Shandong Province, the proportion of good quality offshore waters in the county has risen to 88.9 percent, and the number of bird species in the Beikedi island and wetland national nature reserve in the county has increased to 230 from a count of 45 when the reserve was first established. The development of marine ranches entails sound marine ecology, while the operation of marine ranches that aim at developing eco-friendly mariculture contributes to the protection of marine ecology, said Zheng Zhenliang, Party chief of Wudi county. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) Michael Heckmeier, executive vice president and head of Display Solutions at Merck / Courtesy of Merck Korea By Baek Byung-yeul Merck has been working on developing display materials and expanding its production facilities in Korea to further strengthen partnerships with Korean display companies, which possess industry-leading technology, according to the head of the company's display unit. Michael Heckmeier, executive vice president and head of Display Solutions at the Germany-based company, believes that Korea will continue to lead the display industry, saying that Merck will continue to invest and conduct research activities in Korea to provide display makers here with specialized services. "As with the successful strategy of achieving success through domestic research and production of liquid crystals in the past, Merck began to lay the foundation for R&D, production and the stable supply of OLED materials to Korean panel makers in 2005. We are continuously interacting with OLED researchers from Korean panel companies so that Korea can continue to lead OLED technology, and we are developing materials for OLED TV and flexible, rollable and foldable OLED with customers," Heckmeier told The Korea Times in a recent written interview. "Recently, we decided to invest in new equipment to improve the analysis and quality inspection capabilities of OLED materials. This is to provide specialized services to Korean customers and we expect to commence stable operations this year," he said. "We are also planning to add an OLED process simulator to the development process. This is a simulator specifically for studying the correlation between OLED materials and process properties which occur in the process of deposition. The reason for adding these simulators to the development process is to predict possible defects caused by materials in the customer's manufacturing process and develop improved materials based on this," the head of the display business said. Merck's OLED material equipment installed at its Pyeongtaek facility in Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Merck Korea The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) combines the expertise of renowned scientific and international key-opinion leaders in the fields of immunology, immuno-oncology, inflammation and immunotherapy. The SAB will work with the Company's leadership team and advise its Board of Directors on its scientific, medical, translational and developmental strategy. The SAB members include Pr. Wolf-Herve Fridman (Universite de Paris), Dr. Sophie Brouard (CRTI, Nantes), Dr. Bernard Malissen (CIML, Marseille), Pr. Miriam Merad (Mount Sinai, New-York), Pr. Charles Serhan (Harvard, Boston) and Dr. Jennifer Wargo (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston). Regulatory News: OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE) (Paris:OSE)today announces the appointment of six leading international experts to its newly formed Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to guide the Company in its next phases of growth and scientific orientations. "We are proud to have gathered this team of independent world-renowned key-opinion leaders in immunology, immuno-oncology and inflammation" commented Nicolas Poirier, Chief Scientific Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics. "Since OSE's inception, it has been an incredible journey at the forefront of immunology for translating our scientific discoveries into first-in-class innovative immunotherapy treatments against cancers, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. We will now benefit from their outstanding and highly complementary expertise to further develop our R&D capabilities and nurture the science developed by OSE Dominique Costantini, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics, adds: "We are very pleased and honored to bring together experts with such scientific high level and strategic insight in immunology to guide the Company in its scientific orientations. Together with the OSE team, this Board will help addressing novel issues and challenges pertaining to our current and future research to prepare the Company's new phase of growth focused on bringing new entities into our portfolio and advancing our preclinical and diversified first-in-class products in immuno-oncology and immunology inflammation." The SAB, chaired by Pr. Wolf-Herve Fridman who will lead the Board's reflections and discussions, will comprise the followings: Prof. Wolf-Herve Fridman, MD, Chairman Professor Emeritus of Immunology at the 'Universite de Paris' Medical School in Paris, France Dr Fridman's research focused on the analysis of the tumor microenvironment. Since 2005, his studies have changed the paradigm of host/cancer interactions by demonstrating that the 'immune contexture", taking in account the functionality, the location and the density of the immune infiltrate in colorectal tumors, is the major prognostic factor for human cancers. He is involved in the development of bioinformatic tools to quantify cells of the tumor microenvironment which are being successfully applied to predict prognosis and immunotherapeutic responses in Renal Cell Cancers, Colorectal Cancers or Sarcomas. One major achievement is the establishment of an immune classification of soft tissue sarcoma tumors that allowed to demonstrate that Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) and B cell signatures, better than T cells, predicted favorable clinical outcome and therapeutic response to anti-PD- 1 therapy in patients. These findings were recently extended to other cancers treated with immune check-point blockers showing that plasma cells generated inside TLS produce anti-tumor antibodies associated with patient's response to immunotherapy. They open the way for novel immune-based tools for efficient prognosis and therapy of cancers. Dr. Sophie Brouard Immunologist and Doctor in veterinary sciences, Director of Research at the Institut National de la Sante et Recherche Medicale (INSERM, National Institute for Health and Medical Research) in Nantes, France Dr. Sophie Brouard is Director of Research in the INSERM unit located in Nantes (France) and is working in immunology (auto-immune diseases and transplantation). She is an immunologist interested in fundamental and translational questions on the process of inflammation, chronicity, rejection and tolerance. Previously, she served as Director of the Centaure national RTRS (Reseau Thematique de Recherche et de Soins) transplantation network in France. Dr. Brouard received the Bronze medal from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in 2004, the price from "Medicine Academy" in 2012, the medal of innovation of the CNRS in 2020 and the "Trophee" of "Academy-Biotech partnership" from the Nantes University in 2021. She funded three companies, TclandExpression, Effimune and BioMadvanced. Dr. Brouard participates and is co-authors of 11 patents. She published around 200 scientific papers (h-factor 43). Bernard Malissen, PhD Group Leader at Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy and Founding-Director of Center for Immunophenomics, Marseille, France Dr. Bernard Malissen pioneered the use of gene transfer approaches to dissect the function of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. He also succeeded reconstructing a full T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex and demonstrated that the present-day signaling subunits associated with antigen receptors stem from a common primordial building block. He provided the first evidence for chromosomal inversion during TCR gene rearrangements. His team was also the first to elucidate the atomic structure of an alloreactive TCR in complex with its peptide-MHC ligand, providing a molecular explanation for the basis of transplant rejection and TCR binding-degeneracy. His recent interests extend to dendritic cells and macrophages, leading him to disentangle their functional complexity primarily in the skin. To make sense of the complexity of the signal transduction networks involved in T cell activation, he recently used "omic" approaches to provide a systems level picture of the TCR signal transduction network and of its tuning by costimulatory and coinhibitory receptors. Bernard Malissen published 400 scientific papers, (h-factor of 94) and ranked for the last 5 years among the most highly cited researchers in Immunology. Dr. Myriam Merad, MD, PhD Director of the Precision Immunology Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and the Director of the Mount Sinai Human Immune Monitoring Center (HIMC), US Dr. Merad is an internationally acclaimed physician-scientist and a leader in the fields of dendritic cell and macrophage biology with a focus on their contribution to human diseases. Dr. Merad identified the tissue resident macrophage lineage and revealed its distinct role in organ physiology and pathophysiology. She established the contribution of this macrophage lineage to cancer progression and inflammatory diseases and is now working on the development of novel macrophage-targeted therapies for these conditions. In addition to her work on macrophages, Dr. Merad is known for her work on dendritic cells, a group of cells that control adaptive immunity. She identified a new subset of dendritic cells, which is now considered a key target of antiviral and antitumor immunity. Dr. Merad leads the Precision Immunology Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine (PrIISM) to bring immunology discoveries to the clinic. PrIISM integrates immunological research programs with synergistic expertise in biology, medicine, technology, physics, mathematics and computational biology to enhance our understanding of human immunology. She also founded the Human Immune Monitoring Center at Mount Sinai, one of the world's most sophisticated research centers, which uses cutting-edge single-cell technology to understand the contribution of immune cells to major human diseases or treatment responses. Dr. Merad has authored more than 200 primary papers and reviews in high profile journals. Her work has been cited several thousand times. She receives generous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her research on innate immunity and their contribution to human disease, and belongs to several NIH consortia. She is an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the recipient of the William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Basic and Tumor Immunology. She is the President-elect of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). In 2020, she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of her contributions to the field of immunology. Prof. Charles N. Serhan, PhD, DSc Pr. Serhan is the Simon Gelman Professor of Anaesthesia (Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology) at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, US He is Director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Co-Director of the Brigham Research Institute. Charles received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Stony Brook University followed by a Doctorate in experimental pathology and medical sciences from New York University School of Medicine. He was a visiting scientist and postdoctoral fellow at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm with Professor Bengt Samuelsson (Nobel Laurate Medicine 82). In 1987, he joined the faculty at Harvard Medical School and in 1996 received the honorary degree from Harvard University. Pr. Serhan has experience leading multidisciplinary research teams as PI/PD for several NIH supported Program Project Grants and a P-50 Center Grant. He is currently Program Director of the Program Project entitled "Resolution Mechanisms in Acute Inflammation: Resolution Pharmacology" (P01-GM095467). He received several research awards including an NIH MERIT and recent international awards: 2016 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine, International Eicosanoid Research Foundation's 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Society of Investigative Pathology 2018 Rous Whipple Award and the 2018 British Pharmacology Society's Gaddum International Prize and Award Lecture. 2019 Honorary Lifetime Award, Society for Leukocyte Biology, for excellence in leukocyte biology research. His h-index is 172 in google scholar. Dr. Jennifer Wargo, M.D., M.M.Sc. Professor of Genomic Medicine Surgical Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston After completing her medical degree, she entered surgical residency training at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School where she became interested in the biology and treatment of cancer. During her training, she completed 2 fellowships in surgical oncology with a focus on immunotherapy for cancer. Dr. Wargo was recruited to the Division of Surgical Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital in July 2008 and had an active research laboratory focusing on melanoma tumorigenesis and immunotherapy for cancer. One exciting finding involved data describing the effect of BRAF-targeted therapy on tumor antigen expression in melanoma as a basis for combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy in the treatment of this disease. Dr. Wargo validated those findings in patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. She has continued critical studies to better understand the effects of BRAF inhibition on immune responses in melanoma and established a unique set of serial tumor biopsies and blood samples from patients enrolled on clinical trials on BRAF inhibitors. Through analysis of these samples, she contributed significantly to the world literature regarding resistance mechanisms and the effect of targeted therapy on anti-tumor immunity. Dr. Wargo was recruited to MD Anderson Cancer Center in September 2013 to continue this work and to build a program to collect serial biopsies in patients with melanoma and other cancers on targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and to better understand responses to therapy and to develop novel strategies to combat resistance. ABOUT OSE Immunotherapeutics OSE Immunotherapeutics is an integrated biotechnology company focused on developing and partnering therapies to control the immune system for Immuno-Oncology and Immuno-Inflammation. Its balanced first-in-class clinical and preclinical portfolio has a diversified risk profile: Immuno-Oncology first-in-class products Tedopi (innovative neoepitope combination): the Company's most advanced product; positive results for Phase 3 trial (Atalante 1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. Other ongoing combination trials sponsored by cooperative clinical research groups in oncology: Phase 2 in pancreatic cancer (TEDOPaM), sponsor GERCOR. Phase 2 in ovary cancer, in combination with pembrolizumab (TEDOVA), sponsor ARCAGY-GINECO. Phase 2 in non-small cell lung cancer in combination with nivolumab, sponsor Italian foundation FoRT. - BI 765063 (OSE-172, anti-SIRPa mAb on CD47/SIRPa pathway): developed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim in advanced solid tumors; positive Phase 1 dose escalation results of BI 765063 in monotherapy and in combination with ezabenlimab (PD-1 antagonist); ongoing expansion Phase 1; BI sponsored international phase 1b clinical trial ongoing in combination with ezabenlimab alone or with other drugs in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). - OSE-279, anti-PD1 advanced preclinical stage. - BiCKI: bispecific fusion protein platform built on the key backbone component of anti-PD1 combined with a new immunotherapy target (for example: BiCKI-IL7, preclinical stage) to increase anti-tumor efficacy. Immuno-Inflammation first-in-class products - OSE-127/S95011 (humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of IL-7 receptor): developed in partnership with Servier; positive Phase 1 results; ongoing Phase 2 in ulcerative colitis (sponsor OSE) and ongoing Phase 2a in Sjogren's syndrome (sponsor Servier). - FR104 (anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody): licensing partnership agreement with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in transplantation; ongoing Phase 1/2 in renal transplant (sponsored by the Nantes University Hospital); Phase 1 ongoing in the US (sponsor Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.); Phase 2 planned in an autoimmune disease indication. - OSE-230 (ChemR23 agonist mAb): preclinical stage therapeutic agent with the potential to resolve chronic inflammation by driving affected tissues to tissue integrity. CoVepiT: a prophylactic second-generation vaccine activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes against COVID-19, developed using optimized epitopes from SARS-CoV2 viral proteins, epitopes non impacted by multi-variants. Shows good tolerance and very good level of T cell immune response. In clinical testing, a long-term memory response was confirmed at 6 months. Click and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn Forward-looking statements This press release contains express or implied information and statements that might be deemed forward-looking information and statements in respect of OSE Immunotherapeutics. They do not constitute historical facts. These information and statements include financial projections that are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by OSE Immunotherapeutics' management in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements include statements typically using conditional and containing verbs such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "target", "plan", or "estimate", their declensions and conjugations and words of similar import. Although the OSE Immunotherapeutics management believes that the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, the OSE Immunotherapeutics' shareholders and other investors are cautioned that the completion of such expectations is by nature subject to various risks, known or not, and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of OSE Immunotherapeutics. These risks could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. These risks include those discussed or identified in the public filings made by OSE Immunotherapeutics with the AMF. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This press release includes only summary information and should be read with the OSE Immunotherapeutics Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on 15 April 2022, including the annual financial report for the fiscal year 2021, available on the OSE Immunotherapeutics' website. Other than as required by applicable law, OSE Immunotherapeutics issues this press release at the date hereof and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information or statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005763/en/ Contacts: OSE Immunotherapeutics Sylvie Detry sylvie.detry@ose-immuno.com +33 153 198 757 Investor Relations Thomas Guillot thomas.guillot@ose-immuno.com +33 607 380 431 Media U.S. Media: LifeSci Communications Darren Opland, Ph.D. darren@lifescicomms.com +1 646 627 8387 French Media: FP2COM Florence Portejoie fportejoie@fp2com.fr +33 607 768 283 Guillaume van Renterghem LifeSci Advisors gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com +41 76 735 01 31 Regulatory News: Advicenne (Euronext Growth Paris ALDVI FR0013296746) (Paris:ALDVI), announces that its Combined General Meeting held on June 9, 2022, authorized the Board of Directors for a period of 18 months to purchase shares up to a maximum of 10% of the share capital. After deliberation, the Board, meeting on the same day, unanimously decided to implement this program. The shares may be repurchased on one or more occasions at such times as the Board of Directors may determine. Advicenne reserves the right to use options or derivatives in accordance with applicable regulations. The total number of shares that may be repurchased is 10% of the capital, adjusted if necessary to consider any capital increases or reductions that may occur during the term of the program. The maximum purchase price is 21 euros per share and the maximum amount of the transaction has been set at 3,000,000 euros. The Company will engage an investment services provider under its liquidity contract in accordance with the market practice accepted by the AMF ("Autorite des Marches Financiers") in respect of liquidity contracts for shares. A full description of the share buyback program is provided on pages 228 to 231 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document, which is available on Advicenne's website (www.advicenne.com), in the Investors/Financial Information section, and on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org). About Advicenne Advicenne (Euronext Growth Paris ALDVI FR0013296746) is a specialty pharmaceutical company founded in 2007, specializing in the development of innovative treatments in Nephrology. Its lead product SibnayalTM (ADV7103) has received its Marketing Approval for distal renal tubular acidosis in EU and the UK. ADV7103 is currently in late-stage development in cystinuria in Europe and in dRTA and cystinuria in the US and in Canada. Headquartered in Paris, Advicenne, listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange since 2017, has now been listed on Euronext Growth Paris since its transfer on March 30, 2022. For additional information see: https://advicenne.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005806/en/ Contacts: Advicenne Didier Laurens, CEO +33 (0)1 87 44 40 17 Email: investors@advicenne.com Ulysse Communication Media relations Bruno Arabian +33 (0)6 87 88 47 26 Email: barabian@ulysse-communication.com Consilium Strategic Communications Mary-Jane Elliott, Ashley Tapp, Davide Salvi +44 (0)20 3709 5700 Email: advicenne@consilium-comms.com Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares For immediate release 9 June 2022 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 125,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 777.42p per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 9 February 2022. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 3,547,895; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 221,443,408. The figure of 221,443,408 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 STOCKHOLM, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mentice AB (publ) ("Mentice" or the "Company"), a leading provider of high-tech solutions for decision support and productivity with the medical field of image guided interventional therapies, announces the intention to acquire all assets of the Ankyras software suite ("Ankyras") from Galgo Medical S.L. ("Galgo") for an amount of EUR 1.80 million (approximately SEK 18.78 million[1]) with a possible additional purchase amount of EUR 0.975 million (approximately SEK 10.17 million1), and with a total purchase consideration amounting to approximately EUR 2.775 million (about SEK 28.95 million1) to be paid in cash (the "Acquisition"). The agreement and the completion of the said agreement is conditioned upon Mentice financing the transaction, which is planned to be performed through a directed new share issue. [1] EUR/SEK = 10.4330 The Acquisition The Acquisition is related to precision medicine software solutions for the area of neuro interventional therapies, specifically for planning and analysis regarding preventive treatment for cerebral haemorrhage and aneurysms in the brain. The Acquisition is the Company's first within the area of precision medicine and in line with the strategic direction that the Company has previously communicated with its intention to expand vertically in the field of therapy for image-based interventions. The Acquisition is characterized as a technology acquisition as this solution is in an early phase of its commercialization. However, the solution has been developed for a long time by Galgo and the software Ankyras is patent protected and CE-marked product (Medical Device Regulation MDR) with technology published by Galgo since 2013. This area for treatments of aneurysms in the cerebral arteries in the brain is a growing therapy area and one of the causes of stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death due to illness in healthcare and the largest cause in the world for lifelong care dependence. One of fifty people in the world is estimated to have an undetected or untreated aneurysm in the brain that potentially can lead to a stroke (cerebral haemorrhage). Ankyras is an advanced cloud-based analysis solution that allows a physician to plan treatment for a specific patient. The doctor can, with the help of Ankyras, select a suitable clinical instrument, i.e. type and size, and then by marking where this instrument should be placed obtain an analysis of how well the instrument rests against the vessel wall and how effectively it blocks the opening to the aneurysm. The Company estimates that this market, which is growing rapidly, currently amounts to approximately SEK 100 million, which is a factor in the Company's decision to expand in this market. Although Ankyra's current market share is small, we believe that Mentice will quickly be able to gain market share, thanks to its strong relationship with, above all, the medical technology industry, but also with leading doctors and hospitals in the area. Mentice has an ambition to expand its offering to the market for decision-making and performance solutions in the area of Image Guided Interventional Therapy ("IGIT"), where the addressable market, according to the Company's own estimates, exceeds USD 0.5 billion and has an estimated market potential of approximately USD 2 billion. "It is very exciting to be able to present this acquisition of Ankyras. Ankyras has a unique technology and validated algorithm for planning aneurysm treatments in the brain. This exemplifies what we mean with our vertical strategy and our ambition to expand deep into our clinical specialty" says Goran Malmberg, CEO of Mentice. "We are pleased to have found a home for Ankyras at Mentice and we believe this will be a step in the right direction for the commercialization of Ankyras. We have been working with the Ankyras technology for a long time and we believe Ankyras clearly is addressing a large need in the market" says Antoni Riu, CEO of Galgo Medical S.L. About Galgo Galgo is a Barcelona-based development company originating from the Department of Information Technologies at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, Spain). Galgo has worked with solutions for medical technology and in addition to the software solution Ankyras has developed a number of other solutions in areas such as stereotactic neurosurgical planning, cardiac electrophysiology and osteoporosis. Financing and terms The completion of the Acquisition is expected to occur in June 2022 and is conditioned upon customary terms and completed external financing, which is planned to be obtained through a directed new share issue based on the authorization the board of Mentice received at the Annual Shareholders Meeting on April 27 this year. This disclosure contains information that Mentice AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 09-06-202218:24 CET. CONTACT: For additional information, please contact: Goran Malmberg, CEO, Mentice M US: +1 (312) 860 5610 M Sweden: +46 70 309 22 22 E: goran.malmberg@mentice.com Gunilla Andersson, CFO, Mentice M: +46 70 213 71 38 E: gunilla.andersson@mentice.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/mentice-ab/r/mentice-ab-intends-to-acquire-all-assets-related-to-the-software-solution-ankyras-from-the-spanish-c,c3583006 EPH European Property Holdings PLC (the 'Company') announces the results of the Annual General Meeting held on 09 June 2022 at 11:00 AM at Hotel Amathus, 75 Amathus Avenue, 4532 Limassol, Cyprus ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 9 June 2022, Nicosia, Cyprus / Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR EPH European Property Holdings PLC held its Annual General Meeting ('AGM') on 9 June 2022. All matters contained in the Notice of the AGM issued on 18 May 2022 were considered and accordingly, resolutions were duly approved on the following: 1. Approval of the results of the Company for the year ended on 31 December 2021 2. Acknowledgement of the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Company not to declare a dividend out of available profits from the year ended on 31 December 2021 3. The following new board members were elected for a 3-year period: Michael Cuthbert Tomasz Dukala Hans Messmer Gustav Stenbolt Olga Melnikova Annamaria Vassiliades The remuneration of the all the new Board Members be considered and determined by the Board of Directors of the Company. 4. Re-Election of DELOITTE AG, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND as auditors of the Company alongside DELOITTE CYPRUS, for a period of one year 5. Conversion of the currency of the authorized and issued share capital of the Company from USD to EUR. Following the conversion, the authorised share capital of the Company shall be equal to EUR 20,460,000 divided into 21,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal value of EUR 0.93 each and 1,000,000 Class A shares of a nominal value of EUR 0.93 each and the issued share capital equal to 13,400,390.5 divided into 14,409,022 ordinary shares of a nominal value of EUR 0.93 each. The Memorandum and Articles of Association will be amended accordingly. The amended Memorandum and Articles of Association become effective today and will be available on the Company's homepage as soon as registered with the Company's registrar and having received the signed version by the Cyprus Registrar. The Company's shares listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ISIN: CY0109992111) will be traded in EUR accordingly starting from 10 June 2022. EPH European Property Holdings PLC is an investment company listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. Additional information on EPH European Property Holdings PLC is available by contacting Anna Bernhart Tel: +41 44 503 5400 or at contact@europeanpropertyholdings.com . Attachment Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Bear Creek Mining Corporation (TSXV: BCM) (OTCQX: BCEKF) (BVL: BCM) ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") is very pleased to announce the publication of its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") report, which sets out the Company's ESG practices and performance for the year ended December 31, 2021. Anthony Hawkshaw, CEO, states "Bear Creek is committed to the principles of sustainability and best practices in corporate governance. We have long put this commitment into practice in tangible ways: by developing innovative social programs and initiatives that respect the traditions, customs and ancestral relationships of local communities; by enacting strong environmental stewardship practices; and by adopting best practices in corporate governance that exceed our regulatory requirements. We are excited to continue our ESG journey by describing and quantifying those practices through a formal ESG Report. As Bear Creek continues to grow, we pledge to maintain our commitment to responsible and transparent business practices, safe, healthy and equitable workplaces, sustainable social development and environmental stewardship." Bear Creek's 2021 ESG Report is available at https://onyen.com/published/BCM_2021_Annual_587.html Bear Creek's Annual General Meeting ("AGM") took place in Vancouver, BC on June 8, 2021. Shareholders voted in favour of all matters of business described in the Company's Information Circular dated April 26, 2022 and put before the meeting, including the re-election of Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, Anthony Hawkshaw, Andrew Swarthout, Kevin Morano, Erfan Kazemi, Stephen Lang, Alfredo Bullard and Alan Hair as directors of the Company for the ensuing year, and the confirmation, ratification and approval of the Company's stock option plan dated April 26, 2022. Following the AGM Bear Creek's board of directors appointed Catherine McLeod-Seltzer as Chair of the Company, Anthony Hawkshaw as CEO, Eric Caba as President and Chief Operating Officer, Paul Tweddle as Chief Financial Officer, and Barbara Henderson as Vice President Corporate Communications and Corporate Secretary, and constituted its standing committees for the ensuing year including the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Operating, Safety and Sustainability Committees. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Anthony Hawkshaw CEO For further information contact: Barbara Henderson, VP Corporate Communications Direct: 604-628-1111 / E-mail: barb@bearcreekmining.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's ESG practices, plans and commitments and future reporting thereon. These forward-looking statements are provided as of the date of this news release, or the effective date of the documents referred to in this news release, as applicable, and reflect predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events based on the Company's beliefs at the time the statements were made, as well as various assumptions made by and information currently available to them. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to: the Company's business and ESG practices will continue as expected. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions on which they are based do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the expectations expressed in them. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions expressed above do not occur, but specifically include, without limitation, risks relating to evolving regulations and informal expectations related to ESG practices; general market conditions and the additional risks described in the Company's latest Annual Information Form, and other disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR. The foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on behalf of the Company, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127130 Nantes, France, June 9, 2022 - Lhyfe (the "Company"), an independent green hydrogen producer for low carbon industry and mobility, has received notification that Portzamparc, acting as Stabilisation Agent in the context of the first admission to trading of ordinary shares of Lhyfe on Euronext Paris, has carried out stabilisation activities (as defined in Article 3.2(d) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the "Market Abuse Regulation")) on the following securities: Issuer: Lhyfe Securities: Ordinary shares with a par value of EUR 0.01 (ISIN: FR0014009YQ1) Offering size: 12,571,429 ordinary shares (excluding the overallotment option) Offer price: EUR 8.75 per ordinary share Market: Euronext Paris Stabilisation Agent: Portzamparc Pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 2, of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 supplementing the Market Abuse Regulation with regard to technical regulatory standards concerning the conditions applicable to buyback programs and stabilisation measures, Lhyfe, on the basis of the information provided by Portzamparc, is publishing in this press release the information relating to the stabilisation activities carried out by Portzamparc as Stabilisation Agent between 1st June 2022 and 9 June 2022: Execution date Intermediary Buy/Sell Number of shares Average transaction price in EUR Lowest/Highest price in EUR Total amount in EUR Market 01/06/2022 Portzamparc Buy 14,250 8.4044 8.25/8.54 119,762.70 Euronext Paris 02/06/2022 Portzamparc Buy 7,263 8.4711 8.23/8.55 61,525.60 Euronext Paris 03/06/2022 Portzamparc Buy 6,821 8.5193 8.45/8.56 58,110.15 Euronext Paris 06/06/2022 Portzamparc Buy 5,800 8.5122 8.506/8.668 49,370.76 Euronext Paris 07/06/2022 Portzamparc Buy 6,900 8.4899 8.439/8.500 58,580.31 Euronext Paris 08/06/2022 Portzamparc Buy 1,500 8.6 8.6/8.6 12,900.00 Euronext Paris 09/06/2022 Portzamparc Buy 3,000 8.5981 8.545/8.600 25,794.30 Euronext Paris The detailed list of transactions is available on Lhyfe's website (www.lhyfe-finance.com). This press release is issued also on behalf of Portzamparc pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 2, of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 About Lhyfe Created in Nantes in 2017, Lhyfe produces and supplies renewable green hydrogen for mobility and industry. Its production plant and its commercial pipeline will allow access to renewable green hydrogen in industrial quantities and form part of a virtuous energy model benefitting the environment. It is a member of France Hydrogene and Hydrogen Europe. Lhyfe inaugurated its first green hydrogen industrial production site in September 2021. It currently has 93 projects in its pipeline across Europe, of which 20 in advanced development by 2026, to contribute in mobility and industry decarbonization. A research program started in 2019 should also lead to the start of a test phase in real conditions for the world's first floating electrolyzer linked to a floating wind farm planned for fall 2022. For more information go to Lhyfe.com Contacts Investor relations ACTUS Mathieu Omnes +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92 lhyfe@actus.fr Financial press relations ACTUS Manon Clairet +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 mclairet@actus.fr Business press relations Nouvelles Graines Clemence Rebours +33 (0)6 60 57 76 43 c.rebours@nouvelles-graines.com Disclaimer This announcement does not, and shall not, in any circumstances constitute a public offering nor an invitation to the public in connection with any offer. The distribution of this document may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation"). The prospectus approved by the AMF is available on the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org) and Lhyfe's website (www.lhyfe.com). ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lWxxZZeXZGfJnHFpaMdsmWNql25jkpPJlpbGyWieZJ6YcJuTlWeUaZyaZnBlnmpn - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-74951-09.06.2022_cp_lhyfe_stabilisation-transactions_en.pdf Brussels, Belgium--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) formally announces SAE International as the organization's international standards publisher. The IAQG/SAE Standards Development and Publications Agreement takes effect on all new and newly revised standards moving forward. The first standard to fall under this new agreement will be the IAQG 9137 (IA9137), scheduled to be released later this year. Under the IAQG/SAE Standards Development and Publications Agreement, organizations will be able to turn to SAE or one of their many global resellers to purchase new and/or newly revised standards. This agreement is designed to streamline the development and publication process using a single, common workflow that increases the speed to market while improving global distribution management. "The IAQG/SAE Standards Development and Publications Agreement is based on a 25-year partnership between SAE and IAQG," stated Andy Maher, IAQG president and member company representative for BAE Systems. "Their solid reputation and proven process of global standards development makes this agreement a natural evolution." Currently, published standards will remain under the same sector-related distribution channels. In addition to having a singular, global publisher, the new and newly revised standards will have a consistent look and format. For example, the naming structure for newly developed and released standards will follow the standard naming prefix of IA (for International Aerospace). Previously released standards will transition from sector designations of AS, EN, SJAC or JISQ to the new singular designation at the time of revision. "SAE International is honored to continue and enhance the longstanding and successful partnership with IAQG in the development and publication of global quality standards for the aerospace and defense sectors," said Sr. Director Standards David Alexander for SAE International. "SAE's recognized consensus process and platform, coupled with worldwide distribution through direct and reseller networks will accelerate the speed and availability of the standards." IAQG sets the standard for quality within the worldwide supply chain within the aviation, space and defense industry. IAQG currently maintains 26 active standards that establishes common/shared tools and methods for quality improvement. To learn more, visit https://iaqg.org. IAQG President, Andy Maher, BAE Systems signs the global standards publisher agreement with David Alexander, Mobility Standards Leader, SAE International To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8890/127139_a3c5565874922be0_001full.jpg About the International Aerospace Quality Group: As an international non-profit association under the Belgian law with office registered in Brussels (Belgium), the IAQG sets the standard for quality within the worldwide supply chain of the aerospace industry. The organization is comprised of member companies within the aviation, space and defense industries who design, develop, manufacture and support original equipment at system or subsystem levels. The IAQG is committed to establishing commonality of quality systems and improvement standards. These standards are documented, published and applied internationally by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and circulated throughout the supply chain. To learn more, visit https://iaqg.org. About SAE International: SAE International is a global organization committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion and the Collegiate Design Series. More at http://www.sae.org. Contact Details Susan Matson at Atlas Marketing on behalf of IAQG Email: susan@atlasstories.com Phone: 4127499299 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127139 UK team establishes flagship headquarters in the Mayfair section of London; Dallas office increases square footage; Miami team forms to support South Florida clients. NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abacus Group, a global provider of IT services for alternative investment firms, announced expanded office locations recently in three major cities, with a new location in London, UK, a renovation of its Frisco, TX, office, and a new presence in Miami, FL. Originally founded in San Francisco in 2008 and currently headquartered in New York City, the growing company now has a presence in eight major financial cities across the US plus the UK, with nearly 250 employees supporting more than 650 client firms. UK & EUROPE: At the end of May, the Abacus team that supports its UK and Europe clients moved into a new, larger headquarters in the heart of Mayfair in London, a popular location for the alternative asset management community. The investment in this new space for the London team is poised to invigorate team collaboration as the team grows and adds headcount, while supporting a significant growth in clients in the UK and Europe markets. The new space accommodates up to 40 people in an open-office format plus dedicated collaboration and meeting spaces. "Our investment in a new, larger office location in a prime area of London aligns with our clients returning to offices, allowing our team to be readily available to support client needs in London," said Tom Cole, Managing Director - UK & Europe at Abacus Group. TEXAS: Two years ago, in anticipation of continued growth of their Dallas team, Abacus Texas moved into a 6800 square foot office at HALL Park in Frisco. Abacus has now taken over an adjoining space, expanding its footprint at HALL Park by over 50%. The renovation to combine the two spaces together is expected to be completed within the coming weeks, anticipating even further growth of the Texas team. "We love the amenities and collaborative workspaces available to us at HALL Park and look forward to recruiting even more top talent in the Dallas area as we grow our Client Support teams," said Mike Herman, Managing Director - Client Services at Abacus Group. MIAMI: As a result of an influx of clients opening offices in South Florida at the onset of the pandemic, Abacus started recruiting a team last year to support clients in the Miami area. Covering an expansive geography throughout South Florida, the newly established Abacus team in the area is available to support client sites in a variety of locations, helping with both traditional in-office and home office setups. "Many investment managers who had traditionally been in offices in New York City decided to expand or relocate to South Florida during the pandemic, and Abacus has responded to this geographic shift. We've had our eye on the South Florida market for some time, and during the pandemic it finally made sense for us to invest in setting up a local team. We've recruited top talent in the area to support our clients, and we look forward to expanding even further in South Florida over the coming years," said Chris Grandi, CEO at Abacus Group. About Abacus Group Abacus Group is a leading provider of hosted IT solutions and service focused on helping alternative investment firms by providing an enterprise technology platform specifically designed for the unique needs of the financial services industry. The innovative and award-winning Abacus Cloud platform allows investment managers to source all technology needs as a service, offering the capacity to scale on demand to meet current and future cybersecurity, storage, and compliance requirements. The company has teams in New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Boston, MA; Dallas, TX; Greenwich, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Charlotte, NC; Miami, FL; and London, England. For more information, visit www.abacusgroupllc.com . Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1748653/Abacus_Group.jpg PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / The following abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds announced today that the closed end funds in the chart directly below will pay the distributions indicated on a per share basis on June 30, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of June 22, 2022 (ex-dividend date June 21, 2022). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ACP NYSE Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund $ 0.1000 AEF NYSE American Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.1100 AGD NYSE Aberdeen Global Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0650 AOD NYSE Aberdeen Total Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0575 ASGI NYSE Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1200 AWP NYSE Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund $ 0.0400 FAX NYSE American Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 FCO NYSE American Aberdeen Global Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0700 At the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the amount and composition of each fund's distributions and provide information with respect to their appropriate tax treatment for the prior calendar year. You should not draw any conclusions about any of these Funds' investment performance from the amount of the distributions. MANAGED DISTRIBUTION POLICY FUNDS ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION PAYMENT DETAILS Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI") Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. ("FAX") The above-noted abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds will pay the distributions noted in the chart above on June 30, 2022, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of June 22, 2022 (ex-dividend date June 21, 2022). Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital in reliance on an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders. The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions to be paid as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies. Each Fund's estimated sources of the current distributions to be paid and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows: Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1200 $0.0144 12% $0.0060 5% $0.0996 83% - - FAX $0.0275 $0.0155 56% - - - - $0.0120 44% Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Fiscal Year* to Date Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $1.0098 $0.1212 12% $0.0505 5% $0.8381 83% - - FAX $0.2200 $0.1233 56% - - - - $0.0967 44% * ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end; FAX has a 10/31 fiscal year end. **includes currency gains Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 05/31/2022 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI 13.24%3 6.08% 5.73% 3.95% FAX 0.20% 9.19% (13.44%) 5.36% 1 Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of May 31, 2022. 3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through April 30, 2022. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy"). While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances. Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., abrdn Australia Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. If you If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact Investor.Relations@abrdn.com. https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter/fund-centre/closed-end-funds For More Information Contact: U.S. Closed-End Funds Investor Relations 1-800-522-5465 Investor.Relations@abrdn.com SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704574/abrdn-US-Closed-End-Funds-Announce-Distribution-Payment-Details A road in Yongsan Park in Seoul. Courtesy of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport By Lee Kyung-min A total of 25,000 people who make online reservations will be allowed a two-hour on-site tour of Yongsan Park, near the newly relocated presidential office, in the southwestern part of Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, which the U.S. returned to Korea last week. Reservations will be possible from Friday through June 19, in a partial resumption of an ill-prepared plan scrapped earlier due to environmental contamination concerns, the land ministry said, Friday. The 1.1-kilometer tour connecting the south of the presidential office with the "Sports Field" is part of 51,000 square meters of land covering roads within the military base and areas nearby Gates 13 and 14 in Yongsan District, Seoul, which was returned from the U.S. Forces Korea on June 3. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport dismissed the ongoing controversy over the serious level of soil and groundwater contamination of the site, since visitors will be limited to areas cleared by the government for environmental safety and covered with artificial turf, thus having limited contact with contaminants. "We will fully prepare safety measures for visitors," said Kim Bok-hwan, the head of the ministry's Yongsan Park project, during a press tour of the park on June 7. "The 10-day trial opening of the park will help us gather public opinion before we fully open the park in September," he added. A guide gives reporters a tour at Yongsan Park, Seoul, June 7. Courtesy of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport The press tour was rescheduled about three weeks after the ministry postponed opening the park to the public, May 20, citing poor preparation. But the abrupt cancellation ended up fanning concerns that the ministry is pushing forward with the opening solely because it was a major campaign pledge of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Further undermining the pledge is the ministry's move to put up artificial turf and asphalt, a measure which, coupled with the two-hour access limit, essentially acknowledges the danger of exposure to the toxins. Environmental groups have expressed concerns that opening the space to the public temporarily will interfere with plans to remove the contaminants in the future. Nearly a dozen carcinogenic toxins have been detected in the recently returned area. A land ministry official gives an interview at Yongsan Park, Seoul, June 7. Courtesy of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport WASHINGTON and LONDON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amazon to join Mondelez and Mars in the Climate Resolute Coalition (CRC) that was launched in November 2021 at COP26 in Glasgow. This coalition, organized by The Mara Partners and Kite Insights, taps the power of vast global supply chains to demonstrate how and why increasing agency, incomes and decision-making for women throughout supply chains is a catalytic - if often overlooked -- climate strategy. "We are honored to join the Climate Resolute Coalition (CRC) as a founding member," said Kara Hurst, Vice President of Worldwide Sustainability at Amazon. "Climate change continues to disproportionately impact women and girls. Amazon is committed to supporting the long-term health and economic resilience of women throughout our value chain, and promoting women's leadership in the design of climate solutions as we continue to work toward reaching net-zero carbon across our operations by 2040. Through CRC, we will partner on actions to advance gender equality and reduce carbon emissions in supply chains around the globe." Cathy Pieters, Vice President, Sustainable Ingredients and Cocoa Life at Mondelez International, the first CRC member, said: "As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Cocoa Life - our flagship cocoa sustainability program - we reflect on just how much our longstanding focus on women's empowerment in cocoa communities has been instrumental to make a real difference and amplify our impact. We see firsthand how there can be no lasting progress on tackling climate change without lifting the voices of women at each and every table. We invite all companies to join us in this transformative journey." CRC was formed to flip existing power dynamics. Evidence shows that as women's incomes and influence rise, climate outcomes improve, underscoring the value of companies focusing on gender equity and women's leadership in their supply chains as an innovative climate strategy alongside their other climate efforts . CRC is a cross-industry group comprised of supply chain practitioners and other experts that seeks to enable companies to innovate and test new approaches that put women at the center of climate solutions and raises awareness of the important role gender equity can play in creating more sustainable and resilient supply chains. Lisa Manley, Vice President, Sustainability at Mars said: "We are thrilled to have Amazon join us as one of the Climate Resolute Coalition pioneers because the momentum we need to reach our sustainability goals will require unprecedented levels of collaboration and working together to unlock opportunities for women will supercharge innovation and action to address climate change and many other sustainability challenges." Over time, CRC members will be able to contribute to a field-building research agenda, establish new business cases for gender and climate action, and scale transformative social and climate impacts. Gender equity is among the top solutions to climate change, however it is estimated by the World Economic Forum that it will take 136 years to close the gender gap - a timeline that must be accelerated for gender equity to serve as a meaningful climate strategy. CRC invites additional like-minded companies, experts, donors, and governments to join this effort to leverage the power of global supply chains to unlock economic opportunities for women. About the Convenors The Mara Partners is a research, training and strategic dialogue organization that works to structure equitable solutions to environmental and human rights challenges through its pioneering Integrated Gender and Climate Framework. Our global team helps design, convene and lead equitable dialogues that harness the power of global supply chains to accelerate progress on climate change by raising the incomes-- and voices -- of women worldwide. Kite Insights is a diverse, highly analytical and internationally minded team that prepares organisations and their people for the green economy. We develop and co-develop cutting-edge content, research, learning and education programmes, provide event curation and help clients build or participate in targeted coalitions that support their brand and purpose and reveal insights on issues that matter. We have extensive experience in structuring and brokering action-focused coalitions and partnerships, developing and managing agendas, secretariats, and community management. We believe that global challenges require urgent and thoughtful action, and that systems transformation should leave no one behind. The initial four holes in the 2022 Robinson program have intercepted visible gold in the immediate surrounds of the historic Robinson Mine approximately 2 km from Costerfield's operating underground infrastructure TORONTO, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mandalay Resources Corporation ("Mandalay" or the "Company") (TSX: MND, OTCQB: MNDJF) is pleased to provide a special update on the early success of the Robinson drilling campaign at its Costerfield Operation (Victoria, Australia). Highlights: Drilling has identified a potential offset to the historically producing Robinson Mine with an intercept of: 1,780 g/t gold over 0.17 m (Estimated True Width "ETW" of 0.15 m) in RB007; and (Estimated True Width "ETW" of 0.15 m) in RB007; and Visible gold seen in two other drill holes along trend (assays pending) and within two additional intercepts along a parallel trend beneath the historic Cochran Mine. Notes: Due to the potentially material nature of the primary intercept, this news has been reported prior to the assay of other visually significant intercepts within the drilling program. A supplementary update will follow shortly. Further intercept details can be found in Table 1 in the Appendix to this document. Dominic Duffy, President and CEO of Mandalay, commented: "We are pleased to report the extraordinary result from the Robinson Prospect drilling campaign. These intercepts sit 2 km to the south of the Brown Prospect, which was the focus of our 2020 and 2021 eastern drilling campaign. The high-grade results look to be related to the historic Robinson Mine which historic accounts suggest, produced high-grade gold ore during the 1880s. While geological interpretation is preliminary, the intercept looks to be an offset downward continuation of the historically worked veining, a scenario which Mandalay is very familiar with. Past identification of similar kinds of offsets subsequently led to the discovery and mining of the Cuffley and Youle orebodies. Excitingly, this intercept is accompanied by two others within RB005 and RB008 which are on trend and, although assays are still pending, similar veining is observed within each suggesting a structural continuation over approximately 250 m. Visible gold was also identified in both RB005 and RB008, but to a significantly lesser degree than RB007. Mineralization was identified in a potential parallel structure further to the east with visible gold located in a secondary intercept in RB007 and in RB004 that could align with the parallel Cochrane trend and historic mining. The Robinson Prospect is approximately 2 km east of the underground infrastructure and is within the bounds of Mandalay's current mining licence which makes this discovery all the more significant. This intercept is outstanding, although not a surprise as it is situated next to Costerfield which has consistently been one of the world's highest gold grade mines." 2022 Robinson drilling program Located approximately 2 km east of the Augusta Mine site in the Costerfield State Forest, the Robinson Prospect is characterised by extensive surface workings and several shafts that were sunk on the two historically mined lodes, the Cochrane and Robinson lodes. A drilling campaign comprising three diamond drill holes was completed in 2020 to test the nature and extent of gold mineralization under the historically mined lodes. Drilling results showed the presence of gold anomalism below the Cochrane workings but failed to intercept any significant gold mineralization below the Robinson line of workings and historic infrastructures. A reassessment of drilling results from the 2020 Robinson drilling program suggested that the lack of gold anomalism below Robinson's workings in drillholes was likely caused by fault-blanking on a series of moderate to steeply dipping north-east striking shears which are interpreted to introduce a progressive westward offset in the mineral system. The 2022 program has been designed to any potential westward offset of the Robinson line of lode, as strike extensions. Four holes in this program have now been completed and the fifth in progress. Quartz veining containing visible gold has been intercepted in four holes so far. Intercepts gained to date lie predominantly to the west of the Robinson surface workings, supporting the proposed westward offset of the Robinson line of lode at depth (Figure 1). A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/492e350e-b06a-45a3-9b8e-16e6f403e4af Figure 1. Section at 5040N showing the location of surface historic workings and the location of new drilling at depth. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f9a41680-12ed-4121-987b-60466711fbc3 Figure 2. Surface map in local mine grid of the Robinson Prospect, showing collar locations, drillhole traces and historic workings. The inset to the top left shows the location of the Robinson's prospect relative to the Augusta and Brunswick mine sites. The Intercepts RB007 was drilled west to east to test the area of anomalism identified in RB005 and RB006 (described below). This drillhole successfully intercepted a 0.17 m (0.15 m ETW) gold bearing quartz breccia vein to the west of the Robinson's workings (Figure 1). The breccia is oriented sub-vertically, with a roughly north-south strike, interpreted parallel to the historic Robinson's workings. The gold is concentrated in the first 0.05 m of the intercept along with pyrite mineralization seen both within the vein and in the hosting siltstone. A distinct boundary is seen between the visible-gold rich quartz breccia and the downhole quartz breccia, as the downhole breccia appears darker may indicate multiple pulses of mineralising fluids through the host structure (Figure 1). The breccia vein was sampled as one returning a grade of 1,780 g/t gold over a length of 0.17 m (0.15 m ETW). A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3df50010-5eb7-480b-804b-62c817cec88a Figure 3. Images of the RB007 intercept including a picture of the core tray showing surrounding breccia and assays grades (A), hand specimen of the uphold contact of the mineralized breccia (B) and micrographs of some of the gold grains (C). RB008 is currently testing for the continuation of this mineralised trend ~90 m to the south RB007 and has intercepted a 300 mm thick quartz breccia with visible gold (Figure 2). While this intercept will still need to be fully interrogated, the structural orientation and character of veining indicate that this structure could represent further westward offset of the intercept in RB007. RB008 is currently advanced 250 m and will continue to transect the Cochrane trend target. Drilling results from RB007 and RB008 have also identified several moderately west to northwest dipping faults occurring before mineralized intercepts that were not identified in the previous round of drilling. While their significance is still being investigated preliminary interpretations suggest they may represent the hanging wall of the mineralization seen in RB007 and RB008. The offset in the mineral system could be introduced by these faults and their presence would explain the lack of a surface expression of the mineralisation intercepted to the west of the workings. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5d93f319-499e-4564-b471-1af8efcc637f Figure 4. Images of the RB008 intercept including a picture of the core tray showing surrounding fault zone and host rock (A), hand specimen of the mineralized breccia (B) and a micrograph of a gold grain within the breccia (C). Initially designed to test for gold mineralization under the South Robinson Shaft, RB005 intercepted mineralization a further 70 m to the west of the South Robinson Shaft. This intercept consisted of a 0.15 m fault gouge, followed by a zone of quartz tension veining and bedding parallel quartz veins over approximately 4.5 m characterized by moderate to strong pyrite alteration. One of the bedding parallel veins held visible gold and the assays for this intercept are still pending. A broad zone of quartz stockwork veining and strong pyrite alteration was also identified at a similar easting in RB006, highlighting the potential for a ~300 m corridor of anomalism west of the Robinson's working. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/89203b0f-96a2-4026-a89a-757664a59a41 Figure 5. Images of the RB005 intercept including a picture of the core tray showing tension veining faulting and host rock (A) and a micrograph of a gold grain spotted within the veining (B). Drilling also highlighted the upgrade potential on the Cochrane line of lode anticipated in the 2020 Robinson Drilling campaign, with quartz-stibnite veining intercepted in RB003 and RB002 in the vicinity of the Cochrane trend (press released June 22, 2020). RB004 intersected a zone of strong mineralisation broadly correlating with the Cochrane. This zone comprises several mineralized structures culminating with two quartz breccias containing minor stibnite and several specimens of visible gold within a quartz-stibnite stockwork zone. RB007 has also intercepted a similar zone characterized by quartz-stibnite veining with free gold present in one vein which could indicate the continuation of this mineralised trend at depth. While still poorly understood this additional line of mineralization is a welcome addition and exploration of this trend will continue alongside Robinson. The RB004 composite is 8.3 g/t gold over 0.69 m (0.42 m ETW). A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d528410-5dd3-4cc7-bc1d-88fed1b95105 Figure 6. Images of the RB004 intercept including a picture of the core tray showing mineralised veining and host rock with interval assays (A) and two micrographs of gold grains spotted within the veining (B). Some Context The historic Robinson Mine and the current prospect sits on a regional trend that includes the Brown Prospect and is approximately parallel and 2 km to the east of the Costerfield Mine. Offset from the Augusta/Cuffley and Youle hosting Costerfield Formation by the King Cobra Fault, the Robinson-Brown corridor mineralization is hosted in the younger silty sandstone dominated Wapentake Formation turbidites. The Costerfield Formation is interpreted to sit approximately 800m below the surface, which suggests that mineralization along the Robinson-Brown trend could be the most surficial expression of a deep system that parallels the ~2 million oz central corridor. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ba22847-8064-4668-930b-81b977a6eac1 Figure 7. Regional perspective block diagram showing the spatial relationship of Costerfield Central Corridor, where current mining is ongoing, and the Brown and Robinson line. The Robinson Mine was worked from discovery in 1881 to 1899 and from historic accounts was a high-grade gold mine. No recorded reason for the cessation of mining at Robinson has been found to date however, in other deposits mined in the same era at Costerfield, veining was lost on flat faults at the base of the mines where the operators at the time failed to locate the offset depth continuation of veining. Mandalay's preliminary interpretation suggests that this could have also happened at the Robinson Mine. Future Exploration Drilling will continue on the Robinson Prospect, with an intent to define the geological framework of the prospect and understand the breadth of mineralization. Further soils and bedrock sampling is also planned to provide greater resolution to the current 200 m spaced lines. Although still in the early stages of exploration, Mandalay has committed to extending and augmenting the Robinson testing program in the near future. Drilling and Assaying All diamond drill core was logged and sampled by Costerfield geologists. All samples were sent to On Site Laboratory Services (OSLS) in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, for sample preparation and analysis by fire assay for gold, and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for antimony. Samples featuring coarse grained visible gold were assayed using a variant of fire assay known as screen fire assay. This method is routinely used to mitigate potential problems associated with heterogeneity in the distribution of coarse gold within drill samples. The procedure collects all coarse heterogenous coarse gold by screening at 75m after crushing and pulverisation, and subsequently fire assays the resultant mass to extinction. A mass weighted average of gold grade of the sample is subsequently calculated from the +75m and -75m fractions of the sample. Site geological and metallurgical personnel have implemented a QA/QC procedure that includes systematic submission of standard reference materials and blanks within batches of drill and face samples submitted for assay. Costerfield specific reference materials produced from Costerfield ore have been prepared and certified by Geostats Pty Ltd., a specialist laboratory quality control consultancy. See Technical Report entitled "Costerfield Operation, Victoria, Australia NI 43-101 Report" dated March 30, 2020, available on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) for a complete description of drilling, sampling, and assaying procedures. Qualified Person: Chris Davis, Vice President of Operational Geology and Exploration at Mandalay Resources, is a Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM CP(Geo)), as well as a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG) and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information provided in this release. For Further Information Dominic Duffy President and Chief Executive Officer Edison Nguyen Director, Business Valuations and Investor Relations Contact: 647.260.1566 ext. 1 About Mandalay Resources Corporation Mandalay Resources is a Canadian-based natural resource company with producing assets in Australia (Costerfield gold-antimony mine) and Sweden (Bjorkdal gold mine). The Company is focused on growing its production and reducing costs to generate significant positive cashflow. Mandalay is committed to operating safely and in an environmentally responsible manner, while developing a high level of community and employee engagement. Mandalay's mission is to create shareholder value through the profitable operation and continuing the regional exploration program, at both its Costerfield and Bjorkdal mines. Currently, the Company's main objectives are to continue mining the high-grade Youle vein at Costerfield, bring online the deeper Shepherd veins, both of which will continue to supply high-grade ore to the processing plant, and to extend Youle Mineral Reserves. At Bjorkdal, the Company will aim to increase production from the Aurora zone and other higher-grade areas in the coming years, in order to maximize profit margins from the mine. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securitieslaws,includingstatementsregardingtheexplorationanddevelopmentpotentialof theBrown's Prospect(Costerfield).Readersarecautionednotto place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things,changesincommoditypricesandgeneralmarketandeconomicconditions.Thefactors identifiedabovearenotintendedtorepresentacompletelistofthefactorsthatcouldaffect Mandalay.Adescriptionofadditionalrisksthatcouldresultinactualresultsanddevelopments differingfromthosecontemplatedbyforward-lookingstatementsinthisnewsreleasecanbe foundundertheheading"RiskFactors"inMandalay'sannualinformationformdatedMarch 31, 2022, a copy of which is available under Mandalay's profile at www.sedar.com. In addition, there can be no assurance that any inferred resources that are discovered as a result of additionaldrillingwilleverbeupgradedtoprovenorprobablereserves.AlthoughMandalayhas attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differmateriallyfromthosedescribedinforward-lookingstatements,theremaybeotherfactors thatcauseactions,eventsorresultsnottobeasanticipated,estimatedorintended.Therecan be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results andfutureeventscoulddiffermateriallyfromthoseanticipatedinsuchstatements.Accordingly, readersshouldnotplaceunduerelianceonforward-lookingstatements. Appendix Table 1. Significant intercepts of the Robinson Testing drilling program DRILL HOLE ID FROM (M) TO (M) DRILL WIDTH (M) ESTIMATED TRUE WIDTH (M) AU GRADE (G/T) SB GRADE (%) SAMPLED STRUCTURE RB004 121.91 122.60 0.69 0.42 8.3 0.2 Cochrane Trend INCLUDING 122.20 122.60 0.40 0.24 13.1 0.2 RB004 147.60 148.20 0.60 0.32 1.7 0.0 Unnamed RB005 225.90 226.35 0.45 0.28 Assays pending Unnamed RB007 125.11 125.28 0.17 0.15 1780.0 0.0 Robinson Trend RB007 276.00 277.50 1.50 1.30 Assays pending Cochrane Trend RB008 121.91 122.60 0.69 0.42 Assays pending Robinson Trend Notes Composites that are not interpreted to be connected to a named vein or trend and are below 1 g/t Au are not considered significant and are not recorded here. Table 2. Drill Hole Collar Details CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2022 / Eagle Plains Resources (TSXV:EPL) is pleased to announce that option partner Rockridge Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:ROCK) (OTCQB:RRRLF) (Frankfurt:RR0) ("Rockridge") is set to commence a fully funded Summer 2022 diamond drill program in mid-July at the Knife Lake Copper VMS Project located in Saskatchewan, Canada (the "Knife Lake Project" or "Property"). Using the results and interpretation from the 2021 geophysical programs, as well as the 2021 drill and field programs, the upcoming program will focus on Geophysical VTEM targets at the Gilbert Lake zones. Furthermore, Rockridge is evaluating other targets across the property as well as infill and expansion drill targets at the deposit. The Knife Lake Project, consisting of 82 claims totaling 56,865 hectares (140,516 acres), is an advanced-stage copper, silver, zinc and cobalt exploration property in Saskatchewan host to the Knife Lake Deposit. Rockridge holds the exclusive option from Eagle Plains to acquire a 100% interest in the Property that covers the Knife Lake Cu-Zn-Ag-Co VMS deposit (details following). The contiguous claims are located approximately 50 km northwest of Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan. A 357kV powerline runs within 16 km of the Knife Lake Deposit area. See Knife Lake VMS Project Location Map here Plans for Upcoming Summer Diamond Drilling Program The focus of the 2022 drill program will be on the highly prospective Gilbert Lake target area. The Gilbert Lake targets were identified from the results and interpretation of the 2021 geophysical, drill and field programs. Results from these programs show that airborne VTEM surveys can successfully identify zones of VMS-style mineralization hosted in favourable stratigraphy on the property. Additionally, Rockridge is currently finalizing 3D modeling of the VTEM data focusing on the highest-priority drill targets for the upcoming program. Rockridge has signed contracts for the installation of the exploration camp, helicopter rental and a preferred drill contractor to support the upcoming program. Rockridge's CEO, Jonathan Wiesblatt, commented: "Returning to the Knife Lake Project for a summer drilling campaign is a top priority for Rockridge. Exploration at target areas outside of the existing mineral resource offers compelling discovery potential as there has been limited historical work done on these highly prospective targets. Our work to date has only advanced our thesis that the identified target areas display very common characteristics synonymous with comparable VMS systems. Our efforts have been focused on identifying new prospective VMS discoveries in and around the Knife Lake deposit. The project remains an exciting exploration story that can offer investors exposure to a top mining jurisdiction and to commodities in high demand like copper. We look forward to updating our shareholders in the coming weeks." See Knife Lake Target Areas 2022 Drill Program Map here Specifically, Rockridge has assessed high-priority targets that include additional drill testing in the Gilbert Lake Area. The planned holes will further investigate strike-length continuity of the mineralized horizon intersected in 2021 drilling, which remains open to the south. The holes will also evaluate potential zoning of mineralization, which is commonly observed in VMS systems. Additional holes at a newly discovered copper showing at the Gilbert West Area have also been prioritized. The holes will target the down-dip extension of a mineralized and intensely altered volcanic package which is interpreted to be the Knife Lake stratigraphic horizon. The Gilbert West target has never been drill tested. Summary of Exploration in 2021 Rockridge received and previously announced results from a field program completed in October of last year. A two-person field crew was mobilized to complete mapping and prospecting at regional target areas, investigating conductivity and magnetic anomalies identified through the Phase I (February 2021) and Phase II (October 2021) airborne geophysical programs (VTEM). See Knife Lake Project VTEM and Grab Sample Survey Map here Prospecting on the west side of the Gilbert Lake target identified altered volcanic and green pegmatite lithologies consistent with the host rocks at the deposit, indicating continuity of favourable stratigraphy approximately 10 km west of the deposit. Field geologists reported visual confirmation of trace interstitial chalcopyrite hosted within the green pegmatite interval. The drill program at the Gilbert North and South target areas in 2021 was designed to evaluate conductivity and magnetic anomalies identified during the early 2021 airborne VTEM Plus survey and corresponding surficial geochemical anomalies. It was the first modern drill program that tested these target areas and several drill intercepts included pyrrhotite-pyrite dominant VMS-style mineralization hosted at the same stratigraphic horizon as the Knife Lake Deposit. Following the initial drilling at the Gilbert North and South targets, a Borehole Electromagnetic survey of all holes at the Gilbert North and South target areas was completed to refine future drill targets which will be tested in this upcoming program. Furthermore, previous surficial work programs have indicated that the stratigraphic position of the targeted anomalies correlates with the Knife Lake Deposit to the east. The discovery potential at the broader 15 km Gilbert trend is robust and warrants follow-up work. Rockridge continues to utilize modern exploration techniques and methods with the goal of making new discoveries. Knife Lake Geology and History The Knife Lake Deposit is interpreted to be a remobilized VMS deposit. The stratabound mineralized zone is approximately 15m thick and contains copper, silver, zinc, gold and cobalt mineralization which dips 30 to 50 eastward over a known strike-length within Rockridge's claim area of 3,700 metres, and a known average down-dip extension of approximately 300 metres. See Knife Lake Deposit Map here The deposit is hosted by felsic to intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks which have been metamorphosed to upper amphibolite facies. The deposit contains VMS mineralogy which has been significantly modified and partially remobilized during the emplacement of granitic rocks. The mineralization straddles the boundary between two rock units and occurs on both limbs of an interpreted overturned fold. Rockridge has completed twenty-four holes consisting of 3096 metres of diamond drilling in the 2019 and 2021 winter drilling programs. This represented the first drilling on the property since 2001. Both programs have given Rockridge's technical team valuable insights into the property geology, alteration, and mineralization that will be applied to future regional exploration on the highly prospective and underexplored land package. Highlights from the drill programs include previously reported hole KF19003 which intersected net-textured to semi-massive sulphide mineralization from 11.2m to 48.8m downhole. This 37.6 metre interval returned 2.03% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 9.88 g/t Ag, 0.36% Zn, and 0.01% Co for an estimated 2.42% CuEq. In August 2019, Rockridge announced a maiden NI 43-101 resource estimate for the Knife Lake deposit which consisted of a pit-constrained indicated resource of 3.8 million tonnes at 1.02% CuEq and an inferred resource of 7.9 million tonnes at 0.67% CuEq using a 0.4% CuEq cut-off. For more information, please refer to the News Release dated August 14th, 2019 or the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Knife Lake Property, Saskatchewan dated September 27, 2019, filed on Sedar. Knife Lake Option Agreement Details To earn a 100% interest in the Knife Lake Project, Rockridge has agreed to make a cash payment to Eagle Plains of $150,000 (complete), issue up to 5,550,000 common shares of Rockridge (4,550,000 shares issued to date) and complete $3,250,000 in exploration expenditures over four years. Eagle Plains will retain a 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR") on certain claims which comprise the project area. Under the terms of the agreement Rockridge is designated as the Operator of the project. Qualified Person Kerry Bates, P. Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and a Geologist employed by Eagle Plains Resources, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release relating to the Knife Lake Project. 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 on projects controlled by Cameco Corp., Iso Energy Corp., Denison Mines Corp., Skeena Resources Ltd. and Alexco Resource Corp./Banyan Gold Corp., among others. 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 https://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/704435/Eagle-Plains-Partner-Rockridge-Resources-to-Commence-a-Fully-Funded-Drill-Program-at-the-High-Grade-Knife-Lake-Copper-Project-Saskatchewan *** Dressed as iconic Marilyn Monroes, drag-queens disrupted the Summit of the Americas in LA, demanding urgent funds for Latin America and Caribbean nations to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises *** LOS ANGELES, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During Pride month, a group of drag-queens welcomed the arrival of many of the most prominent heads of state at the Summit of the Americas, calling on presidents from the US to Canada to Argentina to become environmental leaders the world could be proud of. The queens paid particular attention to President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whose countries are behind in paying financial assistance to other nations in the hemisphere to tackle the climate crisis, land degradation and biodiversity loss. Los Angeles drag-queens Aurora Sexton, Mischa Kinx, Marilyn, Vivienne Vida, Pixie Dot and Hope showed up to the Summit of the Americas dressed as Marilyn Monroe alongside Kalista Stage dressed as Evita. The event, organized by the 70-million member global rights group Avaaz, aimed to draw attention to the extreme impacts the ecological crisis is having across the Americas including tragic migration waves, increased food insecurity, and a mounting financial crisis. Mischa Kinx, Los Angeles-based drag-queen, said:"We are literally lip syncing for our lives! The earth, the one and only mother, is all we have. If world leaders don't listen today, we'll just find higher heels so they can't ignore us tomorrow. It's time to act on climate change and show us you know what pride means!" Oscar Soria, Avaaz Campaign Director, said: "This Summit of the Americas can't be another summit of nice words and empty promises. President Biden, the host of the summit, must offer an ambitious regional cooperation package, including debt relief, so countries in Latin America and the Caribbean can use these resources to protect the environment and their people. If he does not, the United States will face a climate crisis and a migrant crisis it is woefully unprepared to handle." Twelve years after the Obama-Biden administration's $100 billion pledge to support low income countries experiencing disproportionate impacts from the climate crisis, the US is still falling *tens of billions* short of delivering on its promise. This week's Summit is another opportunity for Biden to restore America's image in the Americas, committing to pay $32-49 billion per year in climate funding. For professional images free of editorial use, and to set up interviews: email media@avaaz.org High resolution photos of the action will be available here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzTE5j (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflic.kr%2Fs%2FaHBqjzTE5j&data=05%7C01%7CCQuartin%40ap.org%7Cb2af870b92324743c3da08da4a648a78%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C637904092931044035%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UwEU6Kr0Z%2FugBeDqc07vU8BSzr4UiDoAIbSloJ7IEtc%3D&reserved=0) (https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflic.kr%2Fs%2FaHBqjzTE5j&data=05%7C01%7CCQuartin%40ap.org%7Cb2af870b92324743c3da08da4a648a78%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C637904092931044035%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UwEU6Kr0Z%2FugBeDqc07vU8BSzr4UiDoAIbSloJ7IEtc%3D&reserved=0) Video link for b-roll will be available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wYLGgk3zMJEtD5aH5JFSpoDKVfc0BeXC?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wYLGgk3zMJEtD5aH5JFSpoDKVfc0BeXC?usp=sharing) A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6dd48207-d582-485c-8867-891c306a47ca The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress. Notes to the editor: The drag queens each sang a spoof version of "Happy birthday, Mr. President" to life-sized cut-outs of the heads of states of the United States (Joe Biden), Canada (Justin Trudeau), Argentina (Alberto Fernandez), Brazil (Jair Bolsonaro) and Ecuador (Guillermo Lasso). Here's the message for each head of State: United States: Addressing US President Joe Biden, Marilyn Monroe reminded President Biden that he needs to pay the money promised to address climate change, and ensure ambition is met at the summit by "saving nature before it's gone." Canada: The Marilyn serenading Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also pressured him to pay the money pledged to halt climate change, and further called on him to end his government's investments in fossil fuels. Argentina: President Fernandez was urged "not to kneel to the IMF", and to work for a debt for nature solution. The Argentinian leader was also greeted by his country's most iconic idol, a drag-queen Evita Peron, who asked him to call upon the rich countries to pay their ecological debt to developing nations. Argentina holds high amounts of sovereign debt, while its territory encompasses important ecosystems that help to regulate the climate in the world. Ecuador: President Lasso was urged to stop annihilating the Amazon by drilling for oil, primarily to feed demand from California. Brazil: Brazil's Bolsonaro faced a Marilyn furious about the destruction of the Amazon and his contempt for the rights of Indigenous peoples. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Copland Road Capital Corporation (CSE:CRCC) (FSE: A2PL) ("Copland Road" or the "Company"), a Canadian investment issuer, announces the resignation of Ms. Nicole Rusaw as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The Company would like to thank Ms. Rusaw for her contributions as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanna Groszek as its Chief Financial Officer, effectively immediately. Ms. Groszek has over 20 years of experience in senior financial leadership positions. Most recently, she held the position of Group Chief Financial Officer at Ogilvy Canada/John St. Ms. Groszek is a CGA/CPA and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University. About Copland Road Capital Corporation Copland Road is a Canadian investment firm that invests in assets across multiple industries, with the aim of creating tangible value for its shareholders. For more information, please visit https://copland-road.com For inquiries, please contact: Bruce Langstaff, Executive Chairman langstaff@copland-road.com (647) 242-4258 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements and such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward-looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the annual Management's Discussion and Analysis of the Company and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements under its profile available at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Purchase nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Purchase) 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/127156 LibLab, an Austin, Texas-based developer-tools company that offers a SDK-as-a-Service, raised $42M in Series A funding. The round, which brings LibLabs total raised to $50m, was led by Insight Partners with participation from Zeev Ventures, Stepstone, Sheva, and Rainfall. In conjunction with the funding, Praveen Akkiraju, Managing Director at Insight Partners, has joined LibLabs board of directors. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and expand operations. Led by CEO Sagiv Ofek, LibLab is a remote-first developer-tools company that automates the development, production, and maintenance of SDKs. It has an open-source engine that generates SDKs from any API in any language. In addition, the company provides a suite of products that automate, and support the production and maintenance of SDKs security monitoring, developer portals, analytics, and more. The service is currently in a closed beta and the company is expecting to release its open-source engine next. FinSMEs 09/06/2022 SecureSave, a Kirkland, WA-based financial technology company advancing savings programs product, raised $11m in funding. The round was round led by Truist Ventures, the venture capital division of Truist Financial CorporationBank, with participation from Stearns Financial Services Inc., and crypto platform FTX. The new funding, which brings the total amount raised to $14.7m, following an initial seed round in January 2021, will enable the company to expand its partnerships and develop its emergency savings product. Led by Devin Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Suze Orman, Chief Strategy Officer, and Bassam Saliba, Chief Technology Officer, SecureSave partners with companies to offer emergency savings accounts (ESAs), which can be automatically deducted from a workers payroll and deposited into their FDIC-insured account to help them save for the unexpected. Employees are able to instantly access the funds within their accounts at any time, which holds matching contributions from their employer. The account also provides bonuses when users hit financial goals and savings targets to help incentivize employees to engage in financial wellness practice. This new funding follows recent distribution partnerships with Transamerica, a provider of life insurance, retirement, and investment solutions, and Milliman, a premier global consulting and actuarial firm. FinSMEs 09/06/2022 Seed-X Technologies, a US and Israel-based agri and food tech startup, closed a $10M Series A funding. The round, which brings Seed-Xs total funding raised to date to $20 million, was led by iAngels with participation from Neva SGR, a part of Intesa Sanpaolo Group, and Champel Capital. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its development, expand the market reach of its AI-powered seed sorting technology, and collaborations and partnerships towards future solutions for the food industry. Founded in 2018 by Moti Shniberg and Sarel Ashkenazy, as part of Nacre Capital, a global venture builder Seed-X has developed image-based technology which integrates AI, machine vision and deep-learning algorithms to optimize seed and grain sorting at the single seed and grain level. The company operates out of California, with offices in the Netherlands and Israel and serves over 50 customers worldwide. Seed-X was recently selected out of hundreds of candidates, to join the RisingFoodStars Network of the European Institute of Innovation, in order to support the development of the companys AI solution for the grain (food) industry. In October 2021, Seed-X announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with Petkus, a global manufacturer of seed and grain optical processing machines, to develop, manufacture, and distribute next generation sorters powered by Seed-Xs proprietary AI technology. FinSMEs 09/06/2022 Synklino, a Copenhagen, a Denmark-based biotech company developing new drugs for the treatment of chronic viral infections, raised EUR 29.8M in Series A funding. The company is owned by renowned Nordic funds and institutional investors Eir Ventures, The Danish Growth Fund and PKA as well as approximately 70 private shareholders. Led by CEO Thomas Kledal, Synklino is a biotech company developing therapies against chronic viral infections. The company intends to use the funds to advance its drug candidate SYN002 for the treatment of Cytomegalovirus (CMV), into both ex vivo and in vivo Phase 1 clinical trials and generate safety and efficacy data establishing a solid foundation for expanding its pipeline, and widening the strategic options for further value creation. Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a -herpes virus. CMV is a widespread, chronic viral infection found in more than 60% of adults worldwide. Initial infection in otherwise healthy immunocompetent individuals results in productive (lytic) infection and is almost always asymptomatic. Like all other herpes viruses, CMV establishes lifelong latent infection and incorporates its DNA into host cells. CMV reactivation from latency is a serious issue in transplant patients due to the need for concomitant immunosuppressive therapy. Active infection and accumulation of a high virus load in immunosuppressed patients leads to a variety of CMV diseases, including organ rejection, developmental and neurological complications, and can be fatal. CMV has a major impact on morbidity and mortality during transplantation and increases transplant costs by up to 50% due to long-term hospitalizations and difficult courses of treatment. The treatment of CMV therefore represents a large unmet medical need. No currently marketed or pipeline drugs can cure CMV, and current drugs pose a risk of developing resistance. FinSMEs 09/06/2022 Members of Cargo Truckers Solidarity stage a strike for basic wages amid soaring diesel prices in front of a gate of Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant, about 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul, June 8. Yonhap Hyundai Motor said Thursday the ongoing truckers' strike is affecting production at its main domestic plants, which are already suffering from a global chip shortage. About 6,500 out of 22,000 members of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity began a strike Tuesday, demanding the government extend a freight rate system meant to guarantee their basic wages amid soaring diesel prices. Striking cargo truckers refused to deliver automotive parts to Hyundai's five plants in Ulsan from 2 p.m. Wednesday, causing a disruption of vehicle output due to a lack of auto components. Hyundai produces about 6,000 vehicles of 17 different types a day at its five plants in Ulsan, an industrial city located about 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The models include the Genesis GV80 SUV and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 all-electric model. Trade, Industry and Energy First Vice Minister Jang Young-jin, front right, and POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo, front left, as well as members of the Korea Iron & Steel Association enter a conference room to celebrate the 23rd Steel Day at POSCO Center in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy A Korean Air flight attendant serves inflight meals to business class passengers. / Courtesy of Korean Air Following a crime spree, a Salem man reportedly led police through Albany city streets in a high-speed chase before colliding with a delivery truck on Wednesday, June 8. Firefighters had to extricate the car driver by shearing off the roof of the sedan, according to officials. Officers allege the driver, later identified as Grant Tyler Rasband, 24, of Salem, stole the 2022 Altima from a Nissan dealership in Salem and used it in "a string of crimes in multiple counties," Albany police spokesperson Laura Hawkins said. Albany officers were initially called to a local convenience store, according to a news release from Albany Police Department, on a report of a suspicious man at around 9:30 a.m. Store employees at the 7-Eleven on Belmont Avenue Southwest told police a man was behaving erratically, Hawkins said. Officers discovered a vehicle matching the description of one that was stolen and involved in a robbery in Linn County on Wednesday. It was not clear when the car was stolen or where in Linn County the crimes occurred. Officers tried contacting the man, who then fled in the vehicle, the news release states. "When we arrived, the chase was on," she said. Police cars followed a dark blue Nissan through Albany at speeds faster than posted limits before the car apparently crossed a railroad, blew through a stop sign and collided with a FedEx truck. The chase lasted around 10 minutes, according to the news release. After hitting the truck, the driver struck two other vehicles, a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser and a 1984 Isuzu pickup, the release states. People standing outside Stop and Save at the corner of Geary Street Southeast and Salem Avenue said they heard sirens and then a loud vehicle-on-vehicle collision around 10 a.m. The car was likely traveling northbound on Geary. He was coming so fast, store owner Singh Dhaliwal said. Dhaliwal said police officers surrounded the car with weapons drawn but had to wait for firefighters to cut the vehicle open with hydraulic shears before taking a man into custody. People who saw the crash reported the car driver as yelling and ranting from behind the wheel. Rasband was taken into custody on suspicion of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, second-degree burglary, reckless driving, eluding law enforcement and criminal mischief. Transported by ambulance, he was held in custody at a hospital with unknown but probably minor injuries, Hawkins said. Robbery charges are pending as Linn County Sheriffs Office continues its investigation. Oregon State Police is investigating the crash. The car came to rest near Dhaliwal's store, both sides smashed and doors pinned closed after the collision. But Stop and Save was "lucky," Dhaliwal said, spared damage in the chase and crash. He said he counted more than 10 police vehicles before police pulled the driver from the car. Phone users subscribed to a notification push service received a text message at 10:01 a.m. warning about police activity in the area. "Avoid area," the message reads. "No action required." As the investigation is continuing anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Department, 541-917-7680. Alex Powers (he/him) covers business, environment and healthcare for Mid-Valley Media. Call 541-812-6116 or email Alex.Powers@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Cody Mann Reporter Follow Cody Mann 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 Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. A group of minority shareholders of Hanwha Corp. holds a rally in front of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn's house in Seoul, June 4. Courtesy of Korea Stockholders Alliance By Park Jae-hyuk Protests have been continuing since last month in front of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn's house in Gahoe-dong, central Seoul, run by a group of minority shareholders of Hanwha Corp., the conglomerate's de facto holding firm, according to the Korea Stockholders Alliance, Thursday. The alliance, which consists of retail investors here, has collaborated with Hanwha Corp.'s minority shareholders, who claim that Kim has been restraining the company's stock price intentionally to keep it low so he can avoid higher taxes when he hands over control of the group to his three sons. Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn / Courtesy of Hanwha Group For the past few years, Hanwha Corp.'s market cap has stood at around 2 trillion won ($1.6 billion). Its stock price has not bounced back from the 30,000 won-level, after falling from the peak of 52,900 won in August 2017. Citing that Hanwha Corp. posted a sales record of 52.8 trillion won last year, as well as a record operating profit of 2.9 trillion won, its minority shareholders claim that the company has been underestimated in comparison to holding firms of other "chaebol" groups. They plan to hold another rally on June 18, following the previous ones held on May 14, 15, 28 and June 4. "We will not stop our protest until the company comes up with plans to enhance its shareholder value," Korea Stockholders Alliance leader Jung Eui-jung said. He is also considering sending letters to the governments of foreign countries, where Hanwha Group is doing business. "We will take the action, if the company remains silent, even after our rally on June 18," he said. Jung also urged the Yoon Suk-yeol administration to reduce inheritance and gift taxes, in order to prevent chaebol owners from lowering the stock prices of their companies before family successions. This is not the first time for Hanwha Corp. to face concerns about its stock price. Yuanta Securities analyst Choi Nam-kon said in his report in April 2021 that Hanwha Corp.'s stock price had been discounted, due to fears among investors that the company had been curbing its potential intentionally to prepare for a family succession. "If a chaebol group is at the brink of a family succession, it is usually tempted to lower the stock price of its key affiliate," said Kim Woo-chan, a professor at Korea University Business School. Another domestic securities analyst, who requested anonymity, admitted that Hanwha Corp.'s stock price has been underestimated for a long time. However, he added that it is difficult to simply attribute its lower stock price to the succession issue. "Because of the previous hikes in stock prices of companies that resolved their governance issues, minority shareholders may make such claims," the analyst said. "However, there can be other reasons behind Hanwha Corp.'s lower stock price, such as the businesses it manages." Hanwha Corp. said it will listen to its minority shareholders and keep making efforts to enhance its shareholder value. "The stock prices of other Korean holding companies have also remained low because their key subsidiaries are listed on the stock market," its official said. "We will make efforts to enhance our shareholder value by improving the competitiveness of our machinery and global businesses, as well as our fully owned subsidiary, Hanwha E&C." By Lee Kyung-min The CEOs of two Korean state-run energy firms held separate meetings with their counterpart at Westinghouse Electric Company, a U.S. nuclear power firm, Thursday, over joint cooperation in overseas nuclear energy projects, according to Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and its subsidiary Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). KEPCO CEO Cheong Seung-il met with Patrick Fragman, president and CEO of Westinghouse Electric Company, Wednesday, to bolster cooperation in joint overseas nuclear business opportunities. Fragman, who is visiting the country for three days, also met with KHNP CEO Chung Jae-hoon, Thursday. The two closed-door meetings were a follow-up to the Korea-U.S. summit last month between President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to leading the global nuclear power industry via strategic partnerships to cement a strong global market presence. The CEOs agreed to bolster cooperation in the nuclear industry including efforts to win joint business projects overseas and other areas. "Bilateral cooperation will bear a fruitful outcome, as expected by the combination of Korea's excellent business management capabilities, technology and supply chain management know-how and the strengths of Westinghouse Electric Company," KEPCO and KHNP said in a joint statement. Wednesday's meeting is the beginning of tangible progress in joint activities, to be followed by the establishment of cooperative working groups and committees composed of representatives from both countries, the two said. "The cooperation is expected to gain momentum without major roadblocks, buoyed by the new policy initiative of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration which is seeking to win 10 advance orders of nuclear projects overseas by 2030," they said. During his three-day visit through Friday, the U.S. CEO will visit Ulsan where Shin Kori reactors 3 and 4 are in operation and reactors 5 and 6 are under construction, to help determine the construction, operation and maintenance capabilities of Korea's nuclear power plants. Sydney, May 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets. - https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Angola-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW Progress has also been made with terrestrial links. Angola Telecom in May 2021 completed an 800km cross-border cable linking Luanda to Cabinda province, bordering the DRC. The cable has onward connectivity across the DRC.Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Facebook have also partnered to build a 2,000km network in the DRC which will serve as a hub for connecting to other cables linking to Atlantic Ocean to East Africa. This creates a digital corridor connecting the DRC with Angola and other countries in the region, with work expected to be completed by late 2023.A separate 600km link connecting Angola and the DRC was completed by Internet Technologies Angola (ITA) in September 2021, providing an additional 200Gb/s of capacity which is expected to result in reduced access prices for end-users. Investment in the cable by Paratus Group was stimulated by the strong growth in broadband traffic and connectivity needs resulting from measures adopted by the government during the pandemic.In line with these developments, the government has launched a tender for an operator to manage Angola Telecoms national backbone and metropolitan networks. The new operator of the companys network infrastructure is expected to improve the quality of services nationally by extending metro fibre networks. Key developments: Africell Angola launches commercial mobile services; Regulator awards spectrum in the 3.3-3.7GHz range to the MNOs for 5G services; State takes full control of Unitel; Angola and the DRC agree to coordinate spectrum at their borders; New data centre is opened, quadrupling capacity in the country; Government cancels plans for an IPO for Multitel, deciding instead to offer its 90% stake in the operator via a tender; Government ITC and Communications ministries merge to form the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Social Communication; Tender for an operator to manage Angola Telecoms national backbone and metropolitan networks is extended; AngoSat-2 satellite launch put on hold due to Russias war against Ukraine; INFOSI aiming to connect an additional 160,000 people to free Wi-Fi; Regulator again cracks down on informal SIM card sales; Report updates include the regulator's market data updates to September 2021, updated Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, recent market developments. Companies mentioned in this report: Angola Telecom, Movicel/MoviNet, Unitel, Mercury Telecom (MS Telecom), Telesel, Nexus, Mundo Startel (Telecom Namibia) , Wezacom, Main One, Angola Cable, Angola Communication Systems (ACS), Snet, Multitel, Maxnet, Net One, Internet Technologies Group (ITG), TV Cabo (Visabeira), Portugal Telecom Read the full report: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Angola-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW Roseau, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of the Commonwealth of Dominicas aims to become the first climate-resilient country in the world by 2030, as announced by President Roosevelt Skerrit following the devastation ravaged on the island nation by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the nation is actively investing in sustainable development projects. These include developing and enhancing its renewable energy capabilities, as well as sustainable housing, healthcare and educational facilities. The Commonwealth of Dominica already obtains 28% of its energy requirements from renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind. However, it currently has a small power system that relies heavily on diesel to produce electricity. The average price of electricity on the island is amongst the highest in the world, close to US $0.33/kWh and customers are exposed to the volatility of international oil prices. In March 2019, the World Bank approved a US$27 million project to support the construction of a 7MW small geothermal power plant in the Rosseau Valley area of Dominica, which aims to increase the share of renewables, diversify the countrys energy matrix, and identify a clear road map for private sector investment in geothermal development. Geothermal power plants essentially work the same as coal or nuclear power plant, the main difference being the heat source. With geothermal, the Earths heat replaces the boiler of a coal plant or the reactor of a nuclear plant. The hotter the resource, the less fluid needs to flow from the ground to take advantage of it, and the more useful it is. Brimming with hot springs, geysers, and volcanic activity where the Earth is particularly hot just below the surface, Dominica is the perfect location to manifest geothermal energy. The Geothermal Power Plant shows Dominicas commitment toward resilience. Projects like the geothermal plant are putting the Nature Isle ahead of the world in combatting climate change while relieving the nation of its reliance on imported fossil fuels, said Micha Rose Emmett, CEO of the world's leading government advisory and marketing firm, CS Global Partners The Geothermal Risk Mitigation Project will significantly lower electricity costs in Dominica and increase the share of renewable energy in the countrys energy mix from 25 to 51%, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 38,223 tons of CO2 per year. The Dominica Geothermal Development Company Ltd (DGDC) is implementing the project and is financed by a US $17.2 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), US $9.95 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), as well as grants from the UKs Department for International Development US $10 million from DFID and US $2 million from the SIDS DOCK Initiative and technical assistance from the Government of New Zealand and the Agence Francaise de Developpement. Economic Diversification Fund proceeds from the countrys Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme are also providing part of the funding. The DGDC has decided to build a binary cycle power plant, which whilst more costly than alternative geothermal plant models, is the most environmentally friendly and accordingly, the long-term benefits accrued by not causing pollution, far outweigh the additional cost. Work on the geothermal plant is well underway, and in February 2021, the Government signed a US $12.5 million contract with an Iceland-based company to drill two wells. Dr Vince Henderson- the Parliamentary Representative for the Grand Bay Constituency and Minister for Planning, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development, and Renewable Energy of Dominica recently visited the site to observe the progress of the project and confirmed that the completion of the geothermal project is to take around 18 months, with the plant expected to be operational by the end of 2023. The geothermal plant will have a substantial and positive impact on the islands national advancement and the lives of its citizens. In addition to the creation of local jobs related to the construction and maintenance of the plant, the Government is hoping to use the energy generated to power 23,000 homes with clean geothermal energy, which represents approximately 90 per cent of Dominicas entire population. It will also provide electricity to the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, which in turn will encourage foreign exchange. About Dominicas Citizenship by Investment Programme Though small in size, Dominica is considered the best second citizenship to invest in, according to an independent study by the Financial Times PWM publication, which particularly highlighted the programmes stringent due diligence, efficient times and affordability. After applicants pass the due diligence checks, citizenship hopefuls then choose to either invest in real estate or contribute to a government fund. The latter is known as the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), and it sponsors public and private sectors in Dominica that need financial support or have economic potential, such as the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Project. Each eligible person to become a citizen of Dominica adds at least USD 100,000 to the EDF. If they apply jointly as a family, which is possible under Dominicas Citizenship by Investment Programme, these contributions amount to USD 200,000 for a family of four and another USD 25,000 for any additional dependents. Ultimately, the money goes towards modernising the local infrastructure, schools, and hospitals, and even towards developing thriving industries like tourism and IT. Successful applicants, often within three months, attain the rights that come with Dominican citizenship, like travel to over 75 per cent of the world, including key business hubs like China and increased business prospects and the ability to pass citizenship on for generations to come. Considering the flow of foreign investment through programmes like citizenship by investment, Dominica is prepared to set long-term goals that exceed sustainability expectations on a global scale. The government of Dominica has allocated a part of the revenue generated from the Citizenship by Investment Programme to fulfil the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, which include improving marine life, forest management, and youth and women-led grassroots movements for better land stewardship. Additionally, Citizenship by Investment funds have provided a much-needed lifeline in rebuilding, focusing on housing through Dominicas housing revolution. The project aims to build over 5,000 hurricane-proof homes across the island for displaced families. Accordingly, those applicants who pass the vetting process and are allowed to invest can rest assured that their contribution is channelled towards the betterment of their new home country and the lives of their fellow citizens. RESTON, Va., June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHAT: FCW and Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, will be hosting the annual Government Customer Experience & Engagement Summit on Wednesday, June 22 in Washington D.C. This in-person and virtual summit will explore how technology can expand the digital delivery of services and strengthen customers trust in Federal, State, and Local Government agencies. This event will feature industry leaders and government executives who will discuss: Managing digital government services across multiple delivery channels Increasing availability of self-service options Gathering user feedback on performance and customer experience Improving accessibility of agencies websites Managing/Optimizing data from customer interactions to improve future performance Understanding the roles of OMB and GSA in the towards government service delivery and CX WHO: The event includes presentations by government leaders, including: Evan Albert, Director of Measurement and Data Analytics, Veteran Experience Office, Enterprise Measurement and Design, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [Pending Agency Approval] Taka Ariga, Chief Data Scientist and Director of the Innovation Lab, Government Accountability Office Ken Corbin, Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division and Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer, Internal Revenue Service Holly Joers, Program Executive Officer, Defense Healthcare Management Systems Pat McLoughlin, Chief Data Officer, Maryland Barbara Morton, Deputy Chief Veterans Experience Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vanetta Pledger, Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology Services, City of Alexandria Mike Rupert, Associate Chief Technology Officer for Customer Experience, Washington, D.C. Ed Walters, Chief Customer Officer, U.S. General Services Administration Colt Whittall, CCXP, Chief Experience Officer, Department of the Air Force As well as presentations by industry experts, including: Billy Biggs, VP Public Sector, Walkme, Inc Steven Boberski, Lead Business Development, Genesys Russell Brodsky, Regional Vice President, Government Sales, Nuance Fred Butler Jr., Senior Director for Industry Strategy & Solutions US Federal, Docusign Tom Guarini, Area Vice President, Delphix Rusty James, Director of Channel Sales, North America, ABBYY Mia Jordan, Digital Transformation Executive, Public Sector, Salesforce Charlotte Lee, Strategic Lead for CX and Innovation, Granicus Nancy McNee Newell, Head of Marketing Experiences, Adobe Tiffany Smith, Manager, Public Sector Solutions, Sprinklr Stuart Wells, CTO, Jumio Robert Wren, ReleaseTEAM Consultant, Atlassian Certified Expert, SAFe Trainer, Atlassian This years summit is sponsored by the following industry partners. Attendees are encouraged to learn more about each of these solution providers by visiting their booths at the onsite event to access relevant resources, chat with company representatives, or learn about procurement of solutions through Carahsofts reseller partners. WHEN: 7:30 am - 3:15 pm ET; 4:30 am - 12:15 am PT The virtual program will begin at 8:30am ET; 5:30am PT Wednesday, June 22, 2022 WHERE: Online Marriott Marquis 901 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001, USA Directions REGISTER: The event agenda and registration are available on the Government Customer Experience & Engagement Summit website. Attendees are eligible to receive up to five continuing professional education (CPE) credits. This event is complimentary for all Government attendees. Contact Mackenzie Cox at (571) 662-3095 or CXmarketing@carahsoft.com for more information. About Carahsoft Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, we deliver solutions for Customer Experience, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Open Source, and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Visit us at www.carahsoft.com. Contact Mary Lange (703) 230-7434 PR@carahsoft.com Los Angeles, CA, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ACTIVE HEALTH FOODS, INC. (OTC: AHFD) announces that the Company has signed and closed a definitive Share Purchase Agreement to purchase 100% of the shares of Bioidentical Hormones Inc. (BIO) www.bio-hormones.com , a healthcare holding company, and its principal subsidiary, Australian Menopause Centre (AMC) www.menopausecentre.com.au . This will expand the Companys Anti-Aging business on a global scale and is complimentary to our skin care subsidiary. BIO is in the Anti-Aging Medicine industry treating qualified Menopausal women and Andropausal men with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and Body-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (MHT). AMC has been an operating business for 20 years in New South Wales, Australia. Founded in 2003 by Dr. Gary Aaron, AMC has treated more than 80,000 women for menopause symptoms throughout Australia using Telemedicine for 19 years. AMC currently has about 5,000 active patients. Joseph Wallace, the AHFD's President said, The acquisition of Bioidentical Hormones Inc. and its 20 year old operating subsidiary in Australia, AMC, expands our anti-aging business on a global scale. The projected revenues and profits from this business should add tremendous value to our shareholders." AHFD has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission to commence a $20 million Regulation A public offering at $0.001 per share for 20 billion shares. Investors will receive a total of 10% of the Company, fully diluted, for $20 million, valuing the Company at $200 million. The BIO business plan calls for a global expansion of the BHRT and MHT business to 45 countries over the next 3 years, using Telemedicine to treat patients and prescribe and distribute the Companys proprietary Bioidentical Hormones and other products, which alleviate the symptoms of Menopause in most women and replace the loss of Testosterone in men. BIO has a whos who Board of Directors and Scientific Board comprised of 7 leading Anti-Aging Doctors, each with more than 35 years of experience in treating patients and in training other Doctors in this field of medicine. Many published studies in leading Medical Journals have verified the validity and safety of BHRT in reducing the symptoms of menopause, and increasing energy and vitality in men, as well as lowering the risks of heart disease, prostate cancer, bone loss, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, reducing the inflammation of Osteoarthritis, lowering LDL and increasing HDL cholesterol and lowering triglycerides. The Company will be making additional announcements in the near future regarding the specifics of our new business model and further developments as a global healthcare company, as well as progress on funding the Regulation A offering. Contact: Joseph Wallace, President Active Health Foods, Inc. Email: joe@jwallace.biz About Active Health Foods Active Health Foods, recently experienced a change of control with Los Angeles-based Entrepreneur Joe Wallace becoming CEO and Chairman. Previously, the Company acquired CoinChamp, Inc. CoinChamp is developing a platform for the plug-and-play creation of non-fungible tokens. Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could", "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. Dallas, TX (SMU), June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three hundred participants from around the country and two from Belize are advancing their banking industry leadership skills during the 65th session of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at SMU. The SWGSB Foundation, headquartered at the Cox School of Business on the campus of Southern Methodist University, kicked off in-person graduate school last week for this years summer program. The curriculum focuses on leadership development of participants over three years. Along with first-year or freshmen participants, second- and third-year students, referred to as juniors and seniors, are taking classes at the Cox Schools Collins Executive Education Center through Thursday, June 9. Senior bank managers and those tapped by management for executive training take part in leadership sessions led by industry consultants, top bank executives, SMU Cox professors and other academics. Since 1957, when a group of Dallas banking leaders and top administrators at Southern Methodist University founded SWGSB, our goal has been to teach bankers how to be leaders in their industry, said SWGSB Foundation President and CEO Jeffrey R. Schmid. For more than six decades, thousands of financial services professionals have taken part in our elite banking management programs, and were proud to say that SWGSB alumni fill the senior ranks of financial institutions, bank regulatory agencies and bank affiliated organizations throughout North America and beyond. The current session culminates Thursday, June 9, with the graduation of SWGSB Class 62, consisting of 72 participants who began the program in 2019. This is the first year since the start of the pandemic that SWGSB students have met entirely on-site for the full SWGSB experienceallowing all 300 participants to network, bond peer-to-peer and learn from each other. This years program also marks a 65-year partnership between SMU, the Cox School of Business and the SWGSB Foundation to provide graduate-level continuing education for those in the financial services industry, said Schmid. Our students, the banking industry and the broader community benefit from that strong university and business school connection and the exceptional world-class executive education experience that we have forged together. During its keynote banquet and alumni dinner on June 2, SWGSB honored two distinguished industry leaders and trustees: J. Rogers Pope, Jr., vice chairman and CEO of Texas Bank and Trust, and Robert L. Clarke, founder of Bracewell LLPs global financial services practice, and former United States Comptroller of the Currency. The keynote was delivered by entrepreneur and philanthropist John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE in Atlanta, Georgia. About the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation Established in 1957 at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (www.swgsb.org) has become one of the top national banking educational institutions. It is a professional school for bank officers, regulators and others holding management positions in the financial services industry. Emphasis is placed on bank performance, leadership development, and strategic planning. The SWGSB Foundation also conducts the prestigious Assemblies for Bank Directors, a series of annual seminars and workshops held throughout the United States, Canada and off shore for bank board members and senior officers. SWGSB and SWGSB Foundation are headquartered at SMUs top-ranked Cox School of Business. For more information about the SWGSB (www.swgsb.org) or SWGSB Foundation programs, contact (214) 768-2991 or info@swgsb.org. About SMU Cox In 2020, the Cox School of Business celebrated 100 years of business education at SMU. The Cox School is committed to influencing the way the world conducts business via prolific research that provokes innovation, change and global thought leadership. SMU Cox offers a full-range of business education programs including BBA, Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA (part-time), Executive MBA, Online MBA, Direct MBA and Master of Science degree programs, as well as Executive Education. Consistently ranked among the worlds leading business schools, SMU Cox maintains an active, world-wide alumni network. SMU Cox is accredited by the AACSB. Attachments NEW YORK, NY, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The circular net-zero economy is a promising solution to the currently accelerating waste problem. CleanCarbon, a company established and registered in Dubai and Spain, was born to develop new ways of connecting blockchain technology with effective environmental initiatives. CleanCarbon is involved in accelerating circular and net-zero economies by building green infrastructures that make a real difference. The company introduces state-of-the-art UHTG (ultra-high-temperature-gasification) technology to produce valuable and highly sought-after energy products and new materials besides supplying energy for the community. The produced energy is 100% renewable, with zero carbon emissions. CleanCarbon converts waste into syngas, hydrogen, heat and electricity, chemicals, and liquid fuels by applying the latest in Europe patented technology in the field of waste conversion. CleanCarbons facility and operation provide its investors with sound revenue streams resulting from the production and use of hydrogen. Besides revenue from waste disposal for local governments and enterprises, CleanCarbon monetizes black carbon. The project's UHTG installation produces black carbon as a by-product of its gasification process. Syngas produced by CleanCarbon contains between 40-75% hydrogen. The range of CleanCarbons products from its waste-to-energy conversion plant is high in demand across the industry. CleanCarbon raised about 2 million dollars in two presale rounds in April/May 2022. Investors accumulated 28.7M tokens in the first presale round in April, plus another 15M CARBO tokens in just a few days in May 2022. The platform launch is planned for the same day the CARBO token starts trading on PancakeSwap on the 12th of June 2022, 13:00 UTC. The launch price on PancakeSwap will be the same as during the presale periods. The token is a real asset-backed utility token aiming to provide significant incentives to cultivate a hold-to-earn culture. As a sign of commitment, the team has locked its tokens for 25 months, and only 4% of the locked CARBOs will be released monthly. For the marketing department, tokens are also partially locked and will be used to promote CARBO. The CARBO token has a deflationary design. The total supply of CARBO is 500,000,000. There will never be more tokens minted and added to the circulation. All CARBO tokens purchased during the presale have a vesting period. A limit of 4000 CARBO tokens per day will be released to "every" holder. The CARBO token is paired to BUSD, a stablecoin on Binance Exchange, and designed to provide resilience against wild market fluctuations. CARBO token holders are rewarded with sustainable financial incentives, such as staking rewards in BUSD, accumulating native reflections in CARBO, and bonuses from the different CARBO scores on CARBO's platform. The reward mechanism functions through a buy and sells tax from every transaction on PanCakeSwap. The CARBO treasury will collect a 5% buyer's tax on every PancakeSwap transaction, and a 5% seller"s tax will increase the liquidity pool on PancakeSwap. The platform contains multiple token utilities collected in one place for users' convenience. Interactions with the Smart Contract, CARBO score, and airdrops are just some of the present utilities for investors' convenience. Lately, CleanCarbon's management has started intensified two-way communication with well known motor corporation. Talks are about the profitable usage of hydrogen in rental cars in CleanCarbon's first geographical holiday location, Fuerteventura. The strategic part of the company (CleanCarbon FZCO) is registered in Dubai and funded with an initial capital of $200,000 in the Digital Silicon Oasis Zone. Responsible for the project's physical installations on Fuerteventura is CleanCarbon Solutions SL, the operational headquarter for Spain. In the first quarter of 2022, CleanCarbon applied for subsidies managed by the national and regional authorities in Spain and Fuerteventura. CleanCarbon Solutions SL ticks multiple boxes in the current geopolitical landscape and is entitled to receive subventions in various specified categories of European Union funding. CleanCarbons subvention partner, Finnova, ensures CleanCarbon fulfills all requirements to receive subventions directly from the EU funds. Finnova and CleanCarbon will apply for the complete large-scale subvention package that includes CleanCarbons Research and Development facilities and the first project's expansions. CleanCarbons social media exposure has rapidly increased from March until the end of May. The community is experiencing strong growth in the numbers of its members and investors, going from zero to 28,000 organic members in just 80 days. For further information on announcements, please contact or join CleanCarbon on Discord, Telegram Announcements, and Twitter, or read the whitepaper on CleanCarbon's website. To find more about CleanCarbon's business model, vision and mission, please refer to www.cleancarbon.io Media Contact Brand: CleanCarbon Email: marketing@cleancarbon.io Website: https://cleancarbon.io/ SOURCE: CleanCarbon Forbion announces first close of Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund II at 470 million New fund to invest in late-stage European life sciences companies Investors include Pantheon, pension funds PME and PMT, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company, Reggeborgh and Wealth Management Partners Naarden, The Netherlands and Munich, Germany June 9, 2022 Forbion, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm, today announces the first 470 million (USD 500 million) close of its Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund II (Forbion Growth), focused on investing in late-stage European life sciences companies, exceeding its 450 million target size. This new Growth Opportunities Fund has attracted several new institutional investors, including pension funds PME and PMT, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Reggeborgh, who join returning investors Pantheon, Wealth Management Partners and Eli Lilly and Company. The second Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund will continue to invest in mostly European, later-stage biopharma companies, developing novel therapies for areas of high medical need. The Fund will target this market segment with three proven strategies: providing private growth capital for mature clinical development-stage assets, furnishing pre-IPO funding to companies pursuing a public listing in the near-term, and injecting capital and hands-on capabilities to under-valued public companies. In these financings, Forbion Growth Opportunities II aims to take leading positions with investment sizes of up to 70 million per deal. The teams goal is to build a portfolio of 15 such investments in the most promising late-stage European life sciences companies. Forbion expects to reach its 600 million hard cap, completing the raising of Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund II over the summer. Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner and co-founder of Forbion said: The European market for late-stage, private life sciences investments is large and remains significantly underserved. The increase in the number of institutional investors committing to the Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund II is a testament to our successful track record in investing in late clinical-stage life sciences companies. A recent example is the sale of Gyroscope Therapeutics to Novartis for a total consideration of $ 1.5 billion earlier this year, after a mere nine-month hold period. Dirk Kersten, General Partner, added: In the past two years, we have successfully deployed Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund I, providing growth capital to a selected number of high-quality European life sciences companies. Forbion Growth has built the most experienced and sizeable team in Europe focusing on the late-stage segment and is ready to continue investing in ambitious life sciences companies looking to accelerate their growth. We are therefore very excited to announce this substantial first close of Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund II and look forward to the final close of the fund later this year. - ENDS - For more information, please contact: Forbion Investor Relations Email: Robbert.van.de.Griendt@forbion.com General Partner IR & Impact Forbion Communications Email: laura.asbjornsen@forbion.com Head of Communications Consilium Strategic Communications Ashley Tapp, Sue Charles Email: forbion@consilium-comms.com Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700 Notes for Editors: About Forbion Forbion is a dedicated life sciences venture capital firm with offices in The Netherlands, Germany and Singapore. Forbion invests in life sciences companies that are active in the (bio-) pharmaceutical space. Forbion manages well over EUR 2 billion across multiple fund strategies that cover all stages of (bio-) pharmaceutical drug development. Forbions current team consists of over 30 life sciences investment professionals that have built an impressive performance track record since the late nineties with investments in 87 companies. Besides financial objectives, Forbion selects investments that will positively affect the health and well-being of patients. The firm is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. Forbion operates a joint venture with BGV, the manager of seed and early-stage funds, especially focused on Benelux and Germany. A quarter of UK households total food budgets are spent on ordering groceries for home delivery BERLIN and LONDON, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spryker , the fastest-growing enterprise digital commerce platform for B2B, B2C, Enterprise Marketplaces and Unified Commerce, has today launched its UK Online Grocery Report 2022 . The research of 2,500 UK consumers finds that more than half (60%) buy at least some of their groceries online, with 16% now ordering all or most of their groceries via the internet. The research, conducted by Spryker in partnership with market research firm Appinio , surveyed consumers from across the UK on their experiences and opinions of grocery shopping. The research finds that, while the UK has a mature and robust online grocery market, there are still opportunities for expansion in a sector valued at 200bn . 80% of UK consumers say they would do more food shopping online if the experience was improved, and 28% plan to shop mostly online within the next two years. Home delivery is further cited as the preferred channel (23%) over pick-up in store (6.6%). With the cost-of-living crisis shrinking consumer budgets, customers are increasingly looking for the best deals both online and in-store. According to our research, shoppers at low-cost supermarkets are crying out for online services. These retailers could benefit hugely by offering internet ordering and home delivery, commented Boris Lokschin, Co-Founder and CEO of Spryker. The UKs online grocery consumer has high demands, and theyre hungry for new experiences. If providers can deliver on product with wider variety and higher availability coupled with an exceptional customer experience, they stand to win these consumers over. One challenge they will face is ensuring existing in-store services remain viable as focus shifts online. To solve this, retailers should invest in technology infrastructure that seamlessly links on- and offline channels to ensure that customers keep coming back, whether in-person or digitally. Amazon failing to compete with challenger brands When it comes to brand recognition, 77% of those surveyed recognised Uber Eats, putting it on an equal footing with Just Eat; Deliveroo followed in third place with 74%. However, despite considerable investment in the UK market, Amazon was only identified by 63% as an online grocery provider. Looking at newer challenger brands, Gorillas and Getir were recognised by 17% and 21% respectively, while other on-demand providers (Zapp, GoPuff, Jiffy, Weezy) fell between 5% and 15%. Location, location, location The research underlined further growth opportunities for online grocery providers in rural locations. Online shoppers were more likely to live in cities with access to numerous local grocery stores, whereas those in rural locations were less likely to buy online despite being further from a supermarket. But this isnt necessarily due to a lack of demand there are simply fewer online grocery services available in smaller towns and rural areas. In fact, despite a lack of availability there is a strong desire for e-food services in these areas, with 17% of respondents from rural locations already doing most of their shopping online. The last three years have seen massive growth in the e-food sector, but theres still a great deal of untapped potential for retailers to explore, commented Boris Lokschin, Co-Founder and CEO of Spryker. Online grocery shopping in the UK is currently driven by 3544-year-olds, who spend over a third of their grocery budgets online. However, older consumers are fast becoming online converts in fact, over 55s are the age group most likely to shop exclusively online. For retailers looking to attract new customers, composable commerce will be paramount. By choosing best of breed services and integrating them rapidly, providers can create better digital experiences and outpace competitors. Negligible decrease in spending As grocery shopping moves rapidly online, 22% of online UK shoppers reported heavy cuts to their spending in health food stores, with another 19.3% spending less at local farm shops and open-air markets. Despite this, just 7% reported noticeably cutting their spending in supermarkets, and only 10% bought markedly less at low-cost providers such as Lidl and ALDI. The decline of shoppers budgets at these low-cost retailers might be due to a lack of online offerings, highlighting the difference that digital can make. If they can provide online services, these retailers stand to regain a larger slice of their customers wallets. The full UK Online Grocery Report 2022 is available here . Methodology The UK Online Grocery Report 2022 is based on a study run by Appinio and digital commerce platform provider Spryker in spring 2022. Appinio asked 2,500 respondents a range of detailed questions about their experiences of online grocery shopping to date and their opinions regarding it. The result is the largest and most detailed set of data currently available about online food shopping habits in the United Kingdom. Survey participants were between 16 and 65 years of age (average age: 39.7) and lived in Britain at the time at which they took part, the sample was nationally representative according to age and gender. 39.1% lived in towns or areas with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, while 8.8% were residents in London and a further 6.2% in the countrys other large cities (population in excess of 750,000). 14.7% lived in smaller cities (250,000-750,000) and 31.2% in towns (50,000 to 250,000). About Appinio Hamburg-based Appinio is the global market research platform which enables companies to source thousands of opinions from specific target audiences worldwide - in just a few minutes. For the first time, everyone can validate decisions and ideas in real-time with representative results from consumers. As the fastest solution for market research, Appinio delivers feedback from 90+ markets. More than 1000 companies from all industries use Appinio's comprehensive platform to become more agile and customer-centric. Customers include VW, Unilever, Netflix, Gorillas, Bertelsmann, Warner Brothers, Samsung, Jagermeister, Red Bull and About You as well as all major agencies and management consultancies. Appinio has received several awards, including the Top European Business Startup at the Pioneers Festival, the Best of Mobile and the Best of Hamburg Award. Jonathan Kurfess, Founder and CEO of Appinio, belongs to Forbes 30 under 30 in Europe 2020. About Spryker Spryker is a composable digital commerce platform that enables enterprises to future-proof their business and accelerate growth at any point in their commerce journey. Sprykers easy to use, headless, API-first model offers a best-of-breed approach that provides businesses the flexibility to adapt, scale, and quickly go to market while facilitating a lower cost of ownership and higher return on investment. As a leading platform for Enterprise Marketplaces, IoT Commerce, B2B and D2C, Spryker has empowered 150+ customers in more than 200 countries worldwide to differentiate based on how they sell best and is trusted by brands such as Aldi, Siemens, Hilti, and Ricoh. Gartner recognized Spryker as a Visionary in the 2021 Magic Quadrant for Digital Commerce, just one year after it first appeared (2020), and has also been named as a major player in B2B e-Commerce by IDC. Spryker is a privately held technology company headquartered in Berlin, Germany and New York, USA. Find out more at https://spryker.com . Contact details: press@spryker.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cd11bc9-1aa4-4a00-acc7-c7fbaa2c7d8a By Baek Byung-yeul KT's headquarters in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul / Courtesy of KT Dublin, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Bioherbicides Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global bioherbicides market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19.98% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$2,434.72 million in 2027 from US$680.381 million in 2020. For farmers, weeds are an ongoing issue. They compete with crops for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space, as well as harbour insect and disease pests, clogging irrigation and drainage systems, degrading crop quality, and depositing weed seeds into agricultural harvests. Weeds can drastically affect crop output if left unchecked. Tillage, hand weeding, synthetic herbicides, or a mix of all of these approaches are used by farmers to combat weeds. However, the essential topsoil is exposed to wind and soil erosion by tillage, which leads to negative effects on the environment. As a result, an increasing number of farmers are opting for reduced or no-till farming practices. Bioherbicides are weed killers and are created by microorganisms such as viruses, fungus, and bacteria; as well as insects, and insects including parasitic wasps and other insects. The bacteria have invasive genes that can assault the weeds' protection genes, killing them. Because of this selective response, bioherbicides are extremely valuable because they destroy only the weed plants that are interfering with crop productivity while causing no harm to the crop itself. Bioherbicides can be used to target a single weed while causing no harm to the rest of the environment. The advantage of using bioherbicides is that they can remain in the environment long enough to infect additional weeds in the following growing season. It is less expensive than synthetic pesticides, and if used properly, it might significantly cut farming costs. When compared to conventional herbicides, it is less hazardous to the environment and has no effect on non-target organisms. Market Trends Bioherbicides are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and do not harm other species that are essential to crop growth. In the next few years, rising knowledge of these benefits is projected to increase market demand. Manufacturers are focusing on implementing awareness programmes to educate farmers about the adverse chemical effects of synthetic herbicides in collaboration with local governing bodies. This is predicted to have a beneficial impact on bioherbicide demand, resulting in increased market growth. The use of synthetic herbicides is being harmed by increased insect resistance and the presence of herbicide residues on tolerant crops such as soybeans and maize. As a result, industrialised countries have enacted tough import controls for such crops, which is projected to increase demand for bioherbicides. In integrated pest control systems, bioherbicides are also gaining favour. But the presence of and accessibility to chemical-based replacements is expected to restrain the market's growth during the forecast period as they have better capabilities as compared to bioherbicides. Growth Factor Increasing demand for organic products Due to rising customer demand, the bioherbicide market for organic products is expanding rapidly. The rise in demand for organic foods is mostly due to an increase in the number of health-conscious people, an increase in environmental concerns, and government support in the form of subsidies and premium market conditions. Farmers all across the world will be able to produce crops using organic methods, which will propel the bioherbicide market even more. Additionally, there has been a huge shift in people's eating habits and tastes around the world. Subsidies, financial aid, and R&D programmes run by various government and non-government organisations, such as APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) in India, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the United States, are expected to benefit the organic food market. As the organic food sector grows, so does the demand for bioherbicides and organic manures, which are both required for organic cultivation. COVID-19's Impact on the Bioherbicide Market: The COVID-19 pandemic, however, is expected to act as a restraint to this market's growth considering the disruptions in supply chains and business operations of market players caused by the lockdowns imposed because of the pandemic. Competitive Insights The increasing global demand for coupled inductors has led to the entry of several new players in the global bioherbicides market. Major market participants such as HerbaNatur, Inc., Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc and BHA (BioHerbicides Australia) among others, have been profiled, as have their respective competitive strategies. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1. Market Drivers 4.2. Market Restraints 4.3. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers 4.3.3. The threat of New Entrants 4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes 4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Function 4.4. Function Value Chain Analysis 5. Global Bioherbicides Market, By Agent 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Microbial 5.2.1. Bacteria 5.2.2. Fungi 5.2.3. Virus 5.3. Plant-derived 5.4. Others 6. Global Bioherbicides Market, By Application 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Agricultural 6.3. Non-Agricultural 7. Global Bioherbicides Market, By Geography 8. Competitive Environment and Analysis 8.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis 8.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness 8.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations 8.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix 9. Company Profiles. 9.1. HerbaNatur, Inc. 9.2. Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc 9.3. BHA (BioHerbicides Australia) 9.4. Valent Biosciences 9.5. Emery Oleochemicals 9.6. Bayer CropScience 9.7. Deer Creek Holdings 9.8. Belchim Crop Protection USA, LLC. 9.9. WeedOUT Ltd. 9.10. Hindustan Bio-Tech For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/453tmn Attachment LONDON and NEW YORK, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BibliU , provider of a Learning Enablement platform, today announced details of its Series B funding. The company has raised the first tranche of $15M led by its current investors with participation from new investors. The funds are targeted for expansion in the U.S. market, including new product development, additional publisher partnerships and further investments in sales and marketing. All existing institutional Series A investors Stonehage Fleming, Oxford Science Enterprises, Guinness Ventures, and Nesta Impact Investments participated in the round. Richard Hill, Head of Direct Investments at Stonehage Fleming, joins the BibliU board of directors in a newly created position. "Since our initial investment in 2020, BibliU has experienced tremendous growth both in the U.K. market, where half of the nation's higher education students now have access to content through the BibliU platform, and in the U.S. market, where universities and colleges are replacing legacy bookstore models with BibliU's digital-first solution for content," said Richard Hill, Head of Direct Investments, Stonehage Fleming. "Were excited to increase our investment in BibliU, and by the growth opportunity BibliU has created. We also believe BibliU is delivering significant impact not only through substantially reducing the costs of textbooks and course materials but also by increasing student engagement and improving learning outcomes for students. This is an important aspect for our investors. BibliU addresses long-standing pain points in Higher Education that directly impact student success. Even those students with full financial aid packages that cover tuition, room and board, do not anticipate hidden costs such as textbooks and course materials. These expenses can derail a college education. Sixty-five percent of students in the U.S. admit to not buying their course content due to cost, while similar research from BibliU found that 70 percent of students in the U.K. have skipped buying their textbooks and learning materials. The BibliU study also found that more than a third of students (35 percent) said they could not afford to buy their textbooks. Since digital content equalizes socio-economic disparities and students gain access to the required learning materials from day one, BibliU is helping colleges and universities promote diversity, equity and inclusion. During its 2021 fiscal year, BibliU achieved 236 percent growth in recognized revenue. The company officially launched its Universal Learning solution, which aggregates digital content from thousands of publishers and OER (open educational resources) sources on one platform for one low price, per student, per class. Reception from the higher education market was positive, enabling BibliU to welcome new clients such as Wichita State University of Applied Sciences and Technology , Jackson College , and Dublins Trinity College to the platform. BibliU Co-Founder and CEO Dave Sherwood said, Were excited to announce our successful Series B, which will power our growth over the coming years. We are working with an outstanding group of investors. This funding will enable BibliU to develop additional technology that further automates content management for publishers, streamline the complexities for institutions associated with managing learning content, and most of all support our clients goals to advance student success in an equitable manner. BibliU Board Chair, Mark Whitby, commented, BibliUs global growth has been impressive in particular the companys expansion in the U.S. market. Tranche 1 of Series B will enable the company to further fuel and accelerate this growth, whilst enabling institutions around the world to make content more accessible and affordable to their students. Nick Dixon-Clegg, Principal, Oxford Science Enterprises, said, Oxford Science Enterprises is delighted to invest in BibliUs Series B, having invested in and supported the company since 2017. We are impressed by the growth being delivered by simultaneously solving problems for students, higher education institutions and publishers. We are excited to support BibliU as it continues to grow revenue and deliver its mission to expand access in the U.S. and beyond. Hugo Vaux, Fund Manager, Guinness Ventures, shared, BibliU has achieved impressive levels of growth and continues to welcome top institutions as new clients. This funding round puts BibliU in an even greater position to develop their proposition further and bring their Universal Learning solution to more institutions and students worldwide. Lisa Barclay, Executive Director of Investment, Nesta Impact Investments, said, "Through BibliU, we have seen how tremendous commercial growth has come hand in hand with social impact as hundreds of thousands of university students gain access to their course materials at low or no cost. A study has shown that access to BibliU improves students' learning outcomes. Nesta is excited to provide further investment to enable BibliU's continued growth and impact, particularly in closing the gap between students from more disadvantaged backgrounds and their better-off peers." About BibliU New York, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Grease Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06101196/?utm_source=GNW Key Highlights In the short term, factors such as the growing industrial sector in Asia-Pacific, and increasing adoption of higher performance greases in the wind power and electric vehicle industries are likely to drive the market growth. Environmental regulations concerning the usage of grease are likely to slow down the market. Technology advancement and product innovation and growing usage of polyurea greases are the opportunities that will drive the market in the future. Key Market Trends Automotive and Other Transportation to Dominate the Market The demand from the automotive sector contributes significantly to the global grease market. The growing OEM and RMO markets in the automotive industry are expected to have a direct impact on the demand for greases during the forecast period. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), automotive production in 2021 increased by 3%, with 80.15 million vehicles in comparison to 2020. Asia-Pacific, the largest hub for automotive manufacturing, witnessed an overall increase of about 6% in 2021. Furthermore, China was the largest producer of motor vehicles with 26 million units in 2021, a 3% rise from 2020. On the other hand, the Indian automobile sector saw immense growth with a production of 4.4 million vehicles manufactured in 2021, a 30% increase from 2020. The growing application of batteries in the automotive sector has led to a surge in the production of Electric Vehicles. As of 2021, Norway has the largest share of electric vehicles in its fleet. Over the next two decades, rising passenger volumes are expected to necessitate the purchase of 44,040 new jets (worth USD 6.8 trillion). The global commercial fleet is expected to reach 50,660 planes by 2038, including all-new airplanes and jets that will remain in service. According to Boeing, the commercial airplane market will be worth USD 3.1 trillion by 2028, as operators replace older jets with more fuel-efficient designs and develop their fleets to facilitate the steady rise in air travel across developed and emerging markets. Therefore, all the aforementioned factors are likely to drive grease consumption over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Market Asia-Pacific was found to be the major market for the consumption of grease, followed by North America and Europe. China, India, and Indonesia are expected to be leading countries witnessing strong demand for grease consumption during the forecast period. China is the largest consumer of lubricants and greases in the current scenario. The vast manufacturing activities pertaining to different sectors and the rapid growth in the industrial and automotive sectors have pushed the country to stand among the major consumers and grease producers in the global landscape. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), China, reported that in 2021, the total profits of the food industry in China were CNY 618.71 billion. Furthermore, the industry is likely to upscale with the growing demand for processed & packaged food items in the country. As per OICA and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the total automobile production in 2021 stood at 4,399,112 units in 2021, an increase of 30% compared to the previous year. The Indian domestic chemicals sectors small and medium enterprises are expected to showcase 18-23% revenue growth in 2022, as per the reports by IBEF. In November 2021, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) announced plans to invest Rs. 3,681 crore (USD 495.22 million) to set up Indias first mega-scale maleic anhydride unit for manufacturing high-value specialty chemicals at its Panipat Refinery in Haryana. In Indonesia, as per the reports by Gaikindo & AAF, automobile production accounted for 63% growth in 2021 as compared to the numbers in 2020. The total production in 2021 was 1,121,967 units. Further, production is likely to increase with the growing demand from end-consumer industries. The above-mentioned factors are likely to ascend the demand for grease across the application industries in Asia-Pacific. Competitive Landscape The grease market is fragmented in nature. Some of the major players in the market include (not in any particular order) Shell PLC, Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP Plc (Castrol), FUCHS, and Axel Christiernsson, among others. Additional Benefits: The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06101196/?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. __________________________ SAN FRANCISCO, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Note Therapeutics today announced plans to provide Spanish-speaking patients with immediate access to a new cancer-specific wellness app, attune ensemble OTC. The wellness app is a first-of-its-kind digital therapy designed to help patients cope with the emotional symptoms of cancer, such as stress. Providing attune ensemble OTC in Spanish supports Blue Note's goal of providing all patients with access to cancer-specific support to ease the burdens of cancer and improve outcomes. Those who are interested in learning more about attune ensemble OTC can visit www.bluenotetherapeutics.com/OTC or call (415)200-3697 to speak with a bilingual Patient Service representative. "As a cancer survivor, I can attest to the physical, financial, and emotional challenges faced following a cancer diagnosis, and these challenges are often exacerbated when English is not your native language," said Daniel G Garza, anal cancer patient advocate and Blue Note Therapeutics' patient advisor. "Offering a free, over-the-counter therapy app available in Spanish will help to fill a great need for Spanish-speaking cancer patients, a community too often overlooked." "I am proud to work with Blue Note Therapeutics because they understand the importance of bridging healthcare to Spanish speaking communities of which I am a part. Attune ensemble OTC helps to bring understanding and strategies to reduce the mental and emotional toll for those coping with cancer. Most importantly, attune ensemble OTC identifies the importance of family and friend support systems and provides information on how to build stronger bonds to those close with the patients," said Sam Haro, product development and design quality engineer, Blue Note Therapeutics. "Contributing to this work and development of a new digital tool that will support Spanish-speaking patients living with cancer has been an honor." Attune ensemble OTC applies Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) to teach relaxation and coping skills specifically to address the unique challenges of cancer and can be used at any point from diagnosis through to survivorship. Attune ensemble OTC is made available through the Public Health Emergency and is adjunctive to usual care. "We're excited to offer a new tool to support the overall well-being of Spanish-speaking patients with cancer," said Geoffrey Eich, CEO, Blue Note Therapeutics. "Attune ensemble OTC will be offered for free and is the first app of its kind. This is a remarkable milestone on our journey to expand patient access to cancer-specific mental health care; now we can welcome more members of our Hispanic, Caribbean, and Latin American communities." Interested in learning more about this topic? Please join Blue Note Therapeutics on July 13 for an engaging panel discussion with native Spanish-speaking clinicians and patients. The webinar, titled Serving the Mental Well-Being Needs of the Hispanic and Latino Cancer Community, will be conducted in Spanish. For more information and to register, visit www.bit.ly/BlueNoteWebinarES02. English-speaking patients can visit www.restoreclinicaltrial.com to learn more about potential opportunities and support for the emotional symptoms of cancer. About Cancer-Related Distress There are about 18 million cancer patients and survivors in the United States today.1 Nearly half of all cancer patients experience psychosocial distress, anxiety, or depression.2 If left untreated, these feelings can lower a cancer survivor's quality of life and may negatively affect survival.3 The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has established guidelines for the delivery of mental health care services in oncology, which include screening patients for signs of distress and implementing a treatment plan to address these needs with a mental health care specialist.4 Unfortunately, fewer than half of patients who experience cancer-related distress, which can be defined as any unpleasant feeling, emotion, or experience that affects a patient's quality of life or ability to cope with cancer diagnosis and treatment, are referred to mental health care specialists.5,6 Prescription digital therapeutics designed to treat cancer-related distress can help close this cancer treatment gap. About Blue Note Therapeutics Blue Note Therapeutics is a prescription digital therapeutics company singularly dedicated to serving patients suffering from cancer. We aim to make treatment accessible to any cancer patient, at any time, by merging deep scientific and clinical expertise, neuroscience, and digital innovation. Working closely with cancer research and patient communities, we are developing a pipeline of clinically validated prescription digital therapeutics to help reduce anxiety, depression, and other forms of cancer-related distress. For more information, visit www.bluenotetherapeutics.com. Media Contact Kim King kimk@bluenotetx.com +1(805)410-0180 References 1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2022. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2022/2022-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf. 2 Mehnert A, Hartung TJ, Friedrich M, et al. One in two cancer patients is significantly distressed: Prevalence and indicators of distress. Psychooncology. 2018;27:75-82. 3 Wang, Y.H., Li, J. Q., Shi, J. F., Que, J. Y., Liu, J. J., Lappin, J. M., & Bao, Y. P. (2020). Depression and anxiety in relation to cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies Molecular psychiatry, 25(7) 1487-1499. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31745237/. 4 National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Distress Management, Version 3.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31590149/. 5 OncoLink. What is Cancer Related Distress? https://www.oncolink.org/support/practical-and-emotional/coping-communication-concerns/what-is-cancer-related-distress?msclkid=89974db3b06411eca99998fe3d8c1cfe. 6 American Cancer Society. Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts & Figures 2019-2021. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-treatment-and-survivorship-facts-and-figures/cancer-treatment-and-survivorship-facts-and-figures-2019-2021.pdf. Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment New York, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Metal Magnesium Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06249285/?utm_source=GNW However, the demand has increased in 2021, due to the rise in consumption from various growing end-user sectors, such as automotive, electronics, and others. Specifically, in automotive, metal magnesium is used in the manufacturing of car bodies, seat frames, steering wheels, transmission cases, and others. Moreover, in electronics, metal magnesium is used in heat dissipation systems, television and computer casings, and others. Key Highlights Over the medium term, the growing demand for magnesium for alloying with other metals and increasing demand for lightweight materials in the aerospace and automotive industry are expected to drive the markets growth. On the flip side, fluctuation in the prices of metal is expected to hinder the market growth. Incrasing adoption of electric vehicle is likley to act as an opportunity for the metal magnesium market. The Asia-Pacific region dominated the market and is also likely to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Key Market Trends Aluminum Alloys Segment to Dominate the Market The magnesium offers moderate as well as high strength characteristics to the metals, especially aluminum alloy without impacting the ductility. Aluminum alloys with magnesium added are placed into the 5xxx series and are commercially available in plates and sheets forms. The added proportion of magnesium in aluminum increases strength through solid solution strengthening and improves their strain hardening ability. These alloys are the highest strength non-heat-treatable aluminum alloys and thus are, used extensively for structural applications. Major applications of aluminum alloys include aerospace parts manufacturing, automotive components manufacturing, industrial components, tools, machinery, and others. On account of its superior advantages of high specific strength, high processability, predominantly anti-erosion, increased conductivity, and eco-friendly nature, aluminum alloys are widely used in the fields of electric module packaging, electronic technology, automotive body structure, wind and solar energy management High strength aluminum alloys with added magnesium content are widely used in the production of aerospace components owing to their superior strength, durability and lightweight characteristics. Usage of aluminum alloys in the aerospace industry has been prominent for the past many years, considering factors such as reliability, reasonably isotropic, low cost compared to more exotic materials, high strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight. The global automotive industry is currently witnessing switching trends as consumer inclination toward electric vehicles is changing dynamics of the manufacturing process. As per OICA, the global automotive production has declined in 2020; accounted for over 77.62 million units, a decline from over 92 million units in previous year. The global automotive production in 2021 was increased to 80.16 million units. However, the rise in demand from electric vehicle segment is likely to ascend the demand for aluminum alloys. Further, the growing demand for lightweight components across several application industries are anticipated to ascend the market. Aluminum alloys are installed in aircraft owing to their high strength and lightweight characteristics. An effective way to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption is reducing the mass of aircraft, as a lower mass requires less lift force and thrust during flight. The growing demand for commercial aircraft on account of increasing air passengers and increased air transport for trade operations has triggered manufacturing. This covers high-strength and lightweight aircraft that can carry heavy loads at efficient performance. For instance, Airbus estimates about 39,000 deliveries of new aircraft by 2040. This include 4000 deliveries of large aircrafts, and over 29,000 deliveries of small aircrafts in A220 and A320 Families. Increasing investment in R&D for weight reduction in industrial machinery has significantly contributed. This has implemented the critical components in the machinery to reduce weight. Asia-Pacific Region to Dominate the Market Asia-Pacific is the largest consumer of metal magnesium in the global market, with significant consumption from countries such as China, India, and Japan, among others. Metal magnesium is mainly used in aluminum alloys, die-casting, iron and steel, metal reduction, and others. Moreover, Aluminum alloys and die-casting have been increasingly used in manufacturing automotive parts, aerospace parts and equipment, and other such end-user industries. Asia-Pacific region has a significant share in the global automotive, aerospace, and electronics market. For instance, According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), China is the largest producer of automobiles. The country produced 1,82,42,588 vehicles from Q1 to Q3 of 2021, which accounted for about 31.86% of the global volume. The production of vehicles for 2021 was 2,60,82,220 units. The growing production of automobiles in the country is expected to drive the consumption of metal magnesium in aluminum alloy and die-casting, thereby benefiting the markets growth. The demand for electric vehicles in China is anticipated to witness strong growth during the forecast period because of the rapid development due to rising government initiatives, increasing number of manufacturing companies, and increasing charging infrastructure. A growth of 106% in battery-plugged-in electric vehicles was witnessed in November 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The countrys sales of electric vehicles reached 413,094 units in November 2021. In addition, the market share also increased to 19%, including 15% of all-electric and 4% of plug-in hybrid cars. China is one of the largest manufacturers of aircraft and one of the largest markets for domestic air passengers. Moreover, the aircraft parts and assembly manufacturing sector in the country has been growing at a rapid pace, with the presence of over 200 small aircraft parts manufacturers. Chinas aerospace industry is projected to return to profitability in 2022 after facing a significant decline in the previous years. In addition, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has estimated the aviation sector to recover domestic traffic to around 85% pre-pandemic levels. The Chinese airline companies are planning to purchase about 7,690 new aircraft in the next 20 years, valued at approximately USD 1.2 trillion, which is further expected to raise the market demand for metal magnesium. According to the Boeing Commercial Outlook 2021-2040, around 8,700 new deliveries will be made in China by 2040, with a market service value of USD 1,800 billion. Due to such new deliveries in the country, the demand for metal magnesium consumption in aluminum alloys and die-casting is anticipated to grow during the forecast period. Furthermore, in India, according to the OICA, 2020, 43,99,112 vehicles were produced in 2021, which increased by 30% compared to 33,94,446 units manufactured in 2020. Moreover, the governments reforms, such as Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and Make in India programs, are expected to boost the automotive industry in the near future. ? The Indian automotive sector is optimistic about reaching pre-pandemic levels of production volume in 2022 after laying a solid foundation in 2021 despite manufacturing being hampered by a semiconductor shortage. With demand for passenger vehicles remaining strong despite rising commodity prices, many automakers are eager to adopt new technologies, particularly EVs.? Thus, the expansion of the automotive sector is anticipated to benefit the markets growth during the forecast period. In the aerospace sector, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the countrys aviation industry is expected to witness INR 35,000 crore (~USD 4.99 billion) investment in the next four years. According to IATA (International Air Transport Association) report, India is expected to become the third-largest aviation market in the world by the end of the forecast period. The country is projected to have a demand for 2,100 aircraft over the next two decades, amounting to over USD 290 billion in sales. ?Owing to these factors, the demand for aluminum alloys and consumption of magnesium in die-casting applications from the aerospace sector is expected to rise in the coming years., thereby benefiting the markets growth. Therefore, all the aforementioned factors are likley to significant impact on the demand for the metal magnesium market in the Asia-Pacific region, through the years to come. Competitive Landscape The metal magnesium market is partially consolidated in nature, with a few players dominating a significant portion of the market. Some of the key players in the studied market include Nanjing Yunhai Special Metal Co. Ltd, Taiyuan Tongxiang Magnesium Co. Ltd, Regal-metal, Wenxi YinGuang Magnesium Industry (Group) Co. Ltd, and US Magnesium LLC, among others. Additional Benefits: The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06249285/?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. __________________________ Vancouver, British Columbia, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- St. James Gold Corp. (TSXV: LORD) (OTCQB: LRDJF) (FSE: BVU3),( the Company or St. James Gold) is pleased to announce that its Operator at the Florin Gold Project (as defined below), has assisted in securing and paying deposits to an established drill contractor to complete 7,000 meters and up to 8,500 meters of HQ-NQ2-NQ diameter diamond drilling with the option to add a second drill to expand the program to in excess of 12,000 meters for the 2022 drill season, at its district-scale, 89 square-kilometer Florin Gold Project (the Florin Gold Project) located in the prolific Tombstone gold belt of the Yukon Territory, Canada (Figure 1). Fig 1. Location of St. James Florin Gold Project, Yukon Territory. Further, the Company has retained Fox Exploration Ltd to provide camp and access support services for the planned drill program at the Florin Gold Project. Drilling at the Florin Gold Project this season is expected to be focused on expansion drilling adjacent to the existing inferred resource which currently contains an inferred mineral resource of 2,474,000 ounces of gold in 170,993,000 tonnes grading 0.45 g/t gold, with a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t gold at a gold price of 41,650 per ounce (see the Companys news release dated June 8, 2021, a copy of which is filed under the Companys SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com). Prior drill programs at the Florin Gold Project have returned gold mineralization from surface to depth with intercepts and grades comparable to similar intrusion-related gold deposits in the region, including Victoria Golds Eagle and Olive gold deposits. The current resource area spans approximately 900 meters on strike along the NW, Jethro fault which, through multiple exploration programs, has now been traced for a distance in excess of five kilometers. In addition to expansion drilling to test for potential mineral on adjacent to the existing inferred resource area, the Company intends to test other encouraging geochemistry targets, in particular: those in and around the Treadwell adits immediately to the east of the inferred resource area which have returned high grade rock grab samples containing up to 15.85 g/t Au (see St. James Golds news release dated April 29, 2022); and an area of possible clay alteration supported by nearby gold in soil anomalies approximately two kilometers west northwest on strike within the Jethro fault that has been traced for in excess of 5 km. Grab samples are selective by nature and may not be representative of actual grades of styles of mineralization across the Florin Gold Project. Oversight of the Florin Gold Project is being provided by a 6-member Geoscientist Technical Committee with input from consultants which has currently identified a number of high priority targets across in excess of 30 drill holes at an estimated 300 + meters each. The Company anticipates mobilizing for the 2022 exploration drill program at the Florin Gold Project shortly and the Company will provide further updates in subsequent news releases in the coming weeks. Historic highlights from the Florin Gold project: *** Hole Number From (meters) To (meters) Interval (meters) Au g/t DD03-12 4.71 162.15 157.44 0.75 DD04-14 3.82 217.38 213.56 0.81 DD04-18 16.01 220.68 204.67 0.85 DD05-19 0 190.2 190.2 0.60 DD05-20 110.97 308.85 197.88 0.84 inc 122.47 227.38 104.91 1.07 and 157.6 186.23 28.63 1.60 DD05-21 42.83 106.4 63.76 1.13 inc 74.15 106.4 32.25 1.60 DD05-22 4.27 156.36 152.89 0.62 ICE10028 0 526.57 526.57 0.75 inc 48.5 149.9 101.4 1.41 and 87.5 102 14.5 4.23 and 446 475.05 29.05 1.25 and 488.4 508.75 20.35 1.83 ICE 10029 4.5 455.5 451 0.58 ICE 10030 26 294.5 268.5 0.72 DD21065 3.7 184 180.3 0.40 inc 14 18.5 4.5 1.55 and 24.5 29 4.5 1.02 and 44 56 12 0.58 and 71 103.5 32.5 0.44 and 162 174 12 0.44 DD21068 9 307.85 298.5 0.32 inc 79 86.5 7.5 0.59 and 121 125.5 4.5 0.55 and 179.5 202 22.5 0.57 and 278.5 302.5 24 0.51 (Simpson and Jackson 2021) Since the intercepts lie within a disseminated deposit with mineralization starting at surface and extending beyond the deepest intercepts, and the mineralized zone is laterally extensive, the intercepts are interpreted to represent true thickness of the mineralization. Previous anomalous soil samples, from trace up to 4,256 ppb gold, extend over a broad zone extending well beyond the footprint of the indicated resource, particularly to the northwest and southeast. With a highly experienced drill contractor secured, the Company is in an excellent position to further the Florin Gold Project, stated George Drazenovic, Chief Executive Officer of St. James Gold. The prior drill results, include hole ICE 28, being 526 metres of 0.75 g/t Au mineralized from surface and ending in mineralization. The broader intercept also includes a near surface higher grade intercept of 101.4 metres at 1.41 g/t. The current inferred resource remains open both laterally and at depth. We are looking forward to the 2022 drilling program as well as continuing exploration efforts at other prospective target areas within the district-scale property. St James Operator has a Class 3 Mining Land Use Permit for the Florin Gold Project claim blocks, comprising the 89 square km Florin Gold Project. The Class 3 permit, valid until November 19, 2025, will allow St. James Gold to complete advanced exploration activities across the Florin Gold Project claim blocks. The Class 3 land use permit will allow St. James Golds Operator to aggressively move forward to drill test several priority targets across the district-scale Florin Gold Project in 2021 and beyond. Dr. Stewart Jackson, P.Geo., senior technical advisor geologist, and a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects), has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information presented herein as accurate and has approved this news release. About St James Gold Corp. St. James Gold Corp. is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol LORD, in the U.S. Market listed on OTCQB under "LRDJF" and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under BVU3. The Company is focused on creating shareholder value through the discovery and development of economic mineral deposits by acquiring prospective exploration projects with well-delineated geological theories; integrating all available geological, geochemical, and geophysical datasets; and financing efficient exploration programs. The Company currently holds: (i) 100-per-cent stake in 29 claims, covering 1,791 acres, in the Gander gold district in north-central Newfoundland located adjacent to New Found Gold Corp.'s Queensway North project; and (ii) a 100-per-cent stake in 9 claims and an option to acquire a further 100-per-cent interest in 19 claims, covering a total 1,730 acres, in central Newfoundland located adjacent to Marathon Gold's Valentine Lake property; and (iii) an option to acquire up to an 85-per-cent interest in the Florin Gold Project, covering nearly 22,000 contiguous acres in the historical Tintina gold belt in Yukon Territory, Canada. For more corporate information please visit: http://stjamesgold.com/ St. James Gold Corp. For further information, please contact: George Drazenovic, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 1 (800) 278-2152 Email: info@stjamesgold.com Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). All other statements that are not historical facts, particularly statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance of the Company. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified through the use of words or phrases such as will likely result, are expected to, expects, will continue, is anticipated, anticipates, believes, estimated, intends, plans, forecast, projection, strategy, objective and outlook. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made based on reasonable estimates and assumptions made by management of the Company at the relevant time in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that are believed to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update any such forward-looking statements as a result of new information or if managements beliefs, estimates, assumptions or opinions change, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control, which could cause actual results, performance, achievements and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors outlined in the Companys Annual Information Form dated July 26, 2021 (the AIF) filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company cautions that the list of risk factors and uncertainties described in its AIF on SEDAR are not exhaustive and other factors could materially affect its results. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to consider all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. 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. Attachment Toronto, Ontario, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas One Capital Corporation (TSXV: ACAP.P) (the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its initial public offering of 2,660,000 common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.10 per share for gross proceeds of $266,000 (the "Offering"). As a result of this issuance, the Corporation has 5,320,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding of which 2,660,000 Common Shares are subject to escrow restrictions as disclosed in the Corporation's final prospectus dated April 5, 2022, a copy of which may be obtained on the Corporations System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") profile at www.sedar.com. M Partners Inc. (the "Agent") acted as agent for the Offering. In connection with the Offering, the Agent and other sub-agents received an aggregate cash commission of $26,600, representing 10% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. In addition, the Agent received a corporate finance fee of $20,000, and a non-transferrable warrant entitling the Agent to acquire 266,000 Common Shares at a price per Common Share of $0.10, exercisable until close of business on June 8, 2024. The Corporation is a capital pool company pursuant to Policy 2.4 (the "CPC Policy") of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). Except as specifically contemplated in the CPC Policy, until the completion of its "Qualifying Transaction" (as defined in the CPC Policy), the Corporation will not carry on business, other than the identification and evaluation of companies, business or assets with a view to completing a proposed Qualifying Transaction. The net proceeds from the Offering, together with net proceeds raised prior to the Offering, will be used to identify and evaluate assets and businesses with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction. The Common Shares were listed on the Exchange on June 8, 2022 at 5:01 p.m. and are expected to commence trading under the symbol "ACAP.P" at the opening this morning. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of a capital pool company is considered highly speculative. Early Warning Report In connection with the Offering, David Rosenkrantz, an officer and director of the Corporation, has announced, in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues and applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "NI 62-103"), that he and those acting jointly or in concert with him now hold a total of 1,426,000 Common Shares, inclusive of the stock options (the "Options") he has been granted on an as-converted basis, representing 25.8% of the Companys issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis. Prior to the Offering, Mr. Rosenkrantz beneficially owned 1,000,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 37.6% of the Corporation's issued and outstanding Common Shares. On June 9, 2022, Mr. Rosenkrantz and those acting jointly or in concert with him acquired beneficial ownership of an additional 226,500 Common Shares and 199,500 Options, thereby triggering the requirement to file an early warning report under NI 62-103. In connection with the Offering, Ilana Prussky, an officer and director of the Corporation, has announced, in accordance with the requirements of NI 62-103, that she now holds 1,199,500 Common Shares, inclusive of the Options she has been granted on an as-converted basis, representing 21.73% of the Companys issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis. Prior to the Offering, Ms. Prussky beneficially owned 1,000,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 37.6% of the Corporation's issued and outstanding Common Shares. On June 9, 2022, Ms. Prussky acquired beneficial ownership of an additional 199,500 Options, thereby triggering the requirement to file an early warning report under NI 62-103. While Mr. Rosenkrantz and Ms. Prussky currently have no plans or intentions with respect to their Common Shares, depending on market conditions, general economic and industry conditions, trading prices of the Common Shares, the Company's business, financial condition and prospects and/or other relevant factors they may develop such plans or intentions in the future and, at such time, subject to any applicable escrow arrangements or other restrictions under the policies of the Exchange, may from time to time acquire additional Common Shares, dispose of some or all of the existing or additional Common Shares or may continue to hold the Common Shares of the Company. Copies of the early warning reports filed by Mr. Rosenkrantz and Ms. Prussky will be available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or may be obtained by contacting David Rosenkrantz at (416) 865-0123. The Company's head office is located 20 Holly Street, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, M4S 3B1. For further information, please contact: David Rosenkrantz, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Director at (416) 865-0123. 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. Tarrytown, New York, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP (ENTA), the largest ear, nose, throat, allergy, and audiology practice in the nation, which continuously strives to encourage and promote the very best medical advancements in the fields of otolaryngology, allergy, and audiology announced today that it is currently participating in the international ENLIGHTEN I Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating LYR-210, a flexible bioresorbable drug matrix designed by Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. to be placed inside the nasal passages where it gradually releases mometasone furoate for up to 24 weeks, in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. This clinical study will be led by Dr. Moshe Ephrat, who is at the forefront of clinical research. Dr. Ephrat is a fellowship-trained and board-certified ENT surgeon practicing at the Lake Success office of ENTA. He has over 20 years of ENT expertise with specialized interests in nasal and sinus surgery and is consistently among the first in the area to offer new breakthrough medical technologies. The Lake Success office, which is located at 6 Ohio Drive, Lake Success, NY, 11042, is currently screening and enrolling subjects for this clinical study. Dr. Ephrat has academic appointments as an Assistant Clinical Professor for the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage therapeutics company leveraging its proprietary XTreo platform to enable precise, sustained, local delivery of medications to diseased tissues not accessible with conventional therapeutic approaches. Lyras product candidate, LYR-210 is comprised of a bioresorbable polymeric drug matrix formulated to locally deliver continuous mometasone furoate directly to the sinonasal mucosa for up to 24 weeks. LYR-210 is intended to be bilaterally administered using topical anesthesia in a straightforward in-office visit. The ENLIGHTEN I study is a phase III, randomized, controlled, blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LYR-210 in adults with CRS. The studys primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of LYR-210, compared with a sham procedure, in improving the 3 cardinal symptoms of CRS, i.e., nasal blockage/obstruction/congestion, anterior/posterior nasal discharge, and facial pain/pressure. Study subjects who receive the sham procedure will receive LYR-210 in the extension period. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition defined by symptomatic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses lasting longer than 12 weeks. Common symptoms of CRS include nasal blockage/obstruction/congestion, facial pressure or pain, nasal discharge, and sense of smell dysfunction. The underlying cause of CRS-related symptoms is inflammation of mucosal tissue, often leading to impairment of mucociliary clearance. The trial is being conducted at approximately 60 study sites in the US and Europe consisting of both private ENT clinics and academic medical centers. Dr. Ephrat and Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. are looking for individuals with CRS that meet these criteria: You are over 18 years of age You have documented medical history of CRS, and have not responded to at least 2 previous therapies, one of which must include intranasal corticosteroid sprays You have not had a previous ethmoidectomy surgery Other requirements apply Patients with CRS who are interested in participating in LYR-210-2021-004 (ENLIGHTEN I) may visit https://www.clarahealth.com/studies/hearing-study to begin the application process. About ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP: ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP (ENTA) has over 240 physicians practicing in over 50 office locations in Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as New York City and northern/central New Jersey. The practice sees over 100,000 patients per month. Each ENTA clinical location provides access to a full complement of services, including General Adult and Pediatric ENT and Allergy, Voice and Swallowing, Advanced Sinus and Skull Base Surgery, Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Disorders of the Inner Ear and Dizziness, Asthma, Clinical Immunology, Diagnostic Audiology, Hearing Aid dispensing, Sleep and CT Services. ENTA has clinical alliances with Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, Northwell Health, and a partnership with the American Cancer Society. To learn more, visit www.entandallergy.com. About Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage therapeutics company leveraging its proprietary XTreo platform to enable precise, sustained, local delivery of medications to diseased tissues not accessible with conventional therapeutic approaches. Lyra's XTreo platform is comprised of a biocompatible mesh scaffold, an engineered elastomeric matrix, and a versatile polymer-drug complex. The company's current pipeline of therapeutics target tissues deep in the ear, nose, and throat passages and are designed to deliver continuous drug therapy for up to six months following a single non-invasive, in-office administration. Lyra has two product candidates in late-stage development for CRS, a highly prevalent inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses which leads to debilitating symptoms and significant morbidities: LYR-210, for surgically naive patients is being evaluated in the ENLIGHTEN Phase 3 clinical program, and LYR-220, is being evaluated in patients who have recurrent symptoms despite surgery in the BEACON Phase 2 clinical trial. These two product candidates are designed to treat the estimated four million CRS patients in the U.S. that fail medical management each year. For more information, please visit www.lyratherapeutics.com. Attachment Las Vegas, Nevada USA, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After sixteen years as the steward of the world's largest upscale dating platform, Brandon Wade is stepping down as CEO of Seeking.com and Reflex Media, effective immediately. Wade has tapped current COO/CTO Ruben Buell to take the helm and move the companies forward in exciting, new directions. Wade will continue to support the leadership team, sharing his continued insights and expertise as a guide for the global staff and personnel but will no longer be an executive or involved in the daily operations of the companies. The evolution of Seeking reflects my personal journey and evolution, says Wade, who is marrying his soulmate Dana on June 9, 2022. When I founded one of the most successful dating sites in the world, I was completely clueless about love. Now that I have met and understand true unconditional love, all I want is to focus on and learn more about embodying and spreading love. Wade hopes he can help others avoid the same mistakes hes made as they search for their own versions of happiness. Buell, who found his soulmate years ago, albeit not online, has more than two decades of professional experience with online dating platforms. Originally from Texas, he attended the University of Texas at Arlington and in 1998, began his career in the finance industry. Leveraging his skills and technical expertise, he simultaneously established and built a technology-driven company focused on developing a state-of-the-art ad-serving system to service the rapidly growing online space. After crossing paths with Brandon repeatedly for over a decade, I reached out to him for a collaboration, says Buell, about first joining Reflex Media. As Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Buell was brought on board to drive the innovation behind Seeking through recruitment of the world's best talent and implementation of advanced technology to solve real world problems in online dating. Im excited for this next adventure and look forward to continuing Seekings success for years to come. Since Buell joined the company 3.5 years ago, his responsibilities have been expanded to include Chief Operating Officer (COO) duties and he has been at the forefront of leading the company in exponential YOY growth, surpassing 40M members globally. As CEO, Buell will continue his current duties while assuming leadership of all companies, which includes additional executive and fiscal responsibilities. About Seeking.com With more than 40 million members worldwide, Seeking.com is an online dating community where singles are encouraged to find real and honest relationships that fit their lifestyle. Founded by Brandon Wade in 2006, SeekingArrangement was a new concept in the dating industry, where intellect and success became the new hot. In 2022, Seeking announced a major rebrand, ditching the sugar and relaunching as the largest platform for success-minded individuals. Seeking has partnered with UrSafe and FreedomLight to make dating safer and work to prevent sex trafficking, while also offering background check verifications for users, two-factor authentication to safeguard information and a dedicated 24-hour customer service. ### For more information about Seeking, please visit Seeking.com and follow @seeking on social platforms. Attachments Continues Vision to Create Premier Destination at Estrella Ranch in Paso Robles California Anaheim, CA, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LiveWire Ergogenics Inc. (OTC: LVVV), a company focused on acquiring, managing, and licensing special purpose real estate properties conducive to producing high-quality, handcrafted, and organically sun-grown cannabis products for medical and recreational adult-use in California is accelerating its efforts to develop Estrella Ranch in Paso Robles into Californias premier Cannabis destination. Cannabis vacations or Canna-cations are not just for Stoners anymore, says Forbes magazine on May 27, 2002. We at Livewire agree with the Forbes article wholeheartedly. Therefore, we are carving a somewhat different path than most cannabis operators in California and continue to develop Estrella Ranch into more than just a successful cultivation operation. More than producing the best organic sun-grown cannabis in the Country, we go beyond the weed and are also focused on building the ultimate cannabis destination for cannabis tourism in California to experience the worlds first Estate Grown Weedery at Estrella Ranch. When feasible, Estrella Ranch will invite visitors to learn about sun-grown cannabis and experience the living and breathing organic style operation firsthand in a beautiful and safe environment. About Estrella Ranch Estate Grown Weedery Estrella Ranch is a historic property in Paso Robles, the center of the world-renowned California wine country. Through its affiliate Estrella Ranch Partners, LLC., the Company has begun transforming this stunning property into the world's first "Estate Grown Weedery," developing it into a facility to cultivate high-end organic cannabis products. Estrella Ranch has a long-standing history, was once owned by the Prince of Morocco, and is considered among the finest Ranches in California and the gem of the California Central Coast. Estrella Ranch is located near Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and is surrounded by hundreds of world-renown wine yards. The Estrella Ranch location is the central hub for all Livewire operations. The Cannabis Tourism Industry While total cannabis sales in 2021 hit $72 Billion nationwide, the most sizable portion, 65%, is still illegal and the leading cause of why many legal operators are struggling. Legal operations have difficulty competing with illegitimate sales, especially in California, with taxes on legal sales as high as 40%. Out of the $25 Billion in legal cannabis sales in 2021, as much as $4.5 billion (about $14 per person in the US) was driven by tourists. According to Whitney Economics, these tourists pour another 12.6 billion into hotels, restaurants, other shops, and, most importantly, municipalities tax coffers. More than two-thirds of Americans now support adult use, and as legalization spreads across the Country, pot use has become less stigmatized. According to a Harris Poll of May of this year, half of the millennials state that access to legal recreational cannabis plays a significant role in choosing their vacation destination. Nearly 18% of American leisure travelers are interested in traveling to destinations where cannabis is legal and can have a cannabis-related experience (MMGY Travel Intelligence). This number jumps to 62% for cannabis-consuming adults over twenty-one. According to the Cannabis Travel Association International, cannabis travelers are skewed toward millennials, with 59% with a college degree or 82% with a job and an average household income of $87,000. Livewire recognized this trend several years ago. We have continued to implement a business plan that takes full advantage of this trend. This allows the Company to set itself apart from the competition and compete with more than just the largest number of pounds produced. Accordingly, the Company chose its perfectly suited location with its Estrella Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to develop into what we believe will be the premier cannabis destination in California. Not only are we developing the best sun-grown cannabis at this location, but we will also allow different social groups to visit and learn about and experience cannabis firsthand in a legal and safe environment, following our cultivation process from seed to flower. Don't hesitate to contact Investor Relations if you want to schedule a tour. The Estrella Ranch Concept We consider the cannabis cultivated by Estrella River Farms a wellness product and a lifestyle grown under strict quality control guidelines, creating the possibility of an eventual alternative to several prescription medications. Some studies suggest that cannabis has been helpful for many ailments. Estrella Ranch, majority-owned by Livewire, is now fully operational for its initial cultivation area. After two years of careful planning and development and intense environmental and legal inspections followed by complex compliance actions, it has become the poster child for the legal and environmentally responsible cultivation of high-quality organic and sun-grown cannabis products in California. Accordingly, the Livewire and Estrella team can now utilize the combined experience of its affiliates and subsidiary teams to build a unique network of valuable cannabis entities. As part of this network, we embark on the bigger plan to turn Estrella Ranch into THE cannabis destination in California, following the business model of the vineyards it is surrounded by and supported by our network of facilities throughout the Country. Our goal is to acquire and manage additional and carefully selected facilities throughout the Country that are fully licensed, meet our exacting standards, can be easily integrated into our wellness network, and operated in the same spirit and passion that we demonstrate at Estrella Ranch and expect from all our operators. Our dedicated management team at Livewire and the cultivation teams at Estrella Farms and Makana Ola Farms are committed to producing the best cannabis in the State and generating maximum revenue for the Company. About Makana Ola The Makana Ola Farms is a 40-acre parcel with a 9,900 sqft cultivation area located in the heart of Humboldt County in Northern California with sufficient water and electricity facilities. Processing, including drying and curing, occurs within a 560-square-foot structure, with further trimming and packaging executed offsite at a licensed processing facility. Makana Ola is a guarded secret of proper marijuana horticulture quietly grown amongst the giant redwoods. Cannabis has been an integral part of the Humboldt culture for decades. Growing organic cannabis for a living is a local tradition practiced and handed down from generation to generation, with a clear focus on reducing environmental impact and generating the smallest carbon footprint possible About LiveWire Ergogenics Inc. The Company focuses on acquiring, managing, and licensing well-qualified cannabis real estate locations to establish fully compliant and permitted facilities to produce cannabis-based products and establish relationships for the state-wide distribution of these products in California. This includes developing and licensing high-quality organic cannabinoid-based products and services and creating the "Estrella Grown Weedery" brand via its affiliate companies Estrella Ranch Partners and Estrella River Farms. LiveWire Ergogenics does not produce, sell, or distribute products that violate the United States Controlled Substances Act. For more information about LiveWire Ergogenics, visit www.livewireergogenics.com. For non-material updates, follow LiveWire Ergogenics on Twitter @livewireLVVV, or go to www.stockwatchindex.com/livewire-ergogenics. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or the Company's future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should carefully review various risks and uncertainties identified in this release, the Company's Social Media postings, and matters set in the Company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Download the Livewire Presentation here. LIVEWIRE ERGOGENICS, INC 1600 North Kraemer Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92806 714-740-5144 www.livewireergogenics.com info@livewireergogenics.com MARKET AWARENESS Stockwatchindex, LLC 442-287-8059 www.stockwatchindex.com info@stockwatchindex.com LIVEWIRE INVESTOR RELATIONS Tristan Cavato (805) 835-2415 ir@livewireergogenics.com info@livewireergogenics.com Attachments Firefighters remove debris in search of a casualty following a military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Thursday. Reuters-Yonhap Russian forces pounded an eastern Ukrainian city Thursday and the two sides waged pitched street battles that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said could determine the fate of the critical Donbas region. Meanwhile, Russia claimed that it struck a training facility far from the frontlines, west of the capital. In the wake of a series of setbacks in the 3-month-old war, Russia set its sights on the industrial Donbas region of coal mines and factories, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian troops for years and where they already held swaths of territory before the invasion. But, as elsewhere, the Russian advance has not been as quick as expected, and the plodding battle for control of Sievierodonetsk has devolved into street-to-street fighting that has been relatively rare in the conflict. ''Fierce battles continue in the city itself, street battles are taking place with varied success in city blocks,'' Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai told The Associated Press. ''The army of Ukraine is fighting for every street and house.'' Separately Thursday, Russia's Defense Ministry said it used air-launched missiles against a Ukrainian military base in the Zhytomyr region, to the west of Kyiv, alleging that mercenaries were being trained there. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities to the Russian claims. Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukraine of using mercenaries in the fighting. Foreigners have fought as part of Ukraine's regular military and some have joined volunteer brigades, but it's unclear whether they're mercenaries. Zhytomyr has periodically suffered missile strikes -- but the vast majority of fighting and attacks have been concentrated in Ukraine's east. Late Wednesday, Zelenskyy called the painstaking, inch-by-inch fight for Sievierodonetsk the ''epicenter'' of the battle for the Donbas and perhaps one of the most difficult battles of the war. The city is one of the last yet to be taken by the Russians in Luhansk, one of the two regions that make up the Donbas. ''In many ways, it is there that the fate of our Donbas is being decided,'' Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address, which was recorded in the street outside his office in Kyiv. Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Zelenskyy's office, said Tuesday that Russian forces have changed their tactics in the battle, retreating from Sievierodonetsk, while pounding it with artillery and airstrikes -- without any particular success. They are also targeting the neighboring city of Lysychansk with ''day and night shelling,'' as well as trying to storm the key road connecting Lysychansk and Bakhmut to the southwest, he said. Evidence of the enormous human cost of the war mounted as workers pulled up to 100 bodies from each smashed building in the devastated city of Mariupol -- a gruesome effort that one official described as an ''endless caravan of death.'' Petro Andryushchenko, a mayoral aide in the Russian-held port city, said on the Telegram app that the bodies are being taken to a morgue, landfills and other places. At least 21,000 Mariupol civilians were killed during the weeks-long Russian siege, Ukrainian authorities have estimated. Meanwhile, fears of a global food crisis escalated over Ukraine's inability to export millions of tons of grain through its blockaded ports. (AP) PHILADELPHIA, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced Rachael Chatel as its 2022 Teacher of the Year. SESIs inaugural Teacher of the Year (TOY) program honors educators who exemplify high-quality, evidence-based instruction and the importance of equitable education for all SESI students. We created this program to celebrate the phenomenal educators in schools and classrooms across our organization, said Jeff Cohen, CEO of FullBloom. We are thrilled to recognize Rachael as our first Teacher of the Year. At the High Road School of Hartford, shes gone above and beyond for her students and worked to engage families in meaningful ways to support each childs development. Employed with the High Road School of Hartford since 2020, Chatel works diligently to support her students IEP goals. She collaborates with her fellow teachers, families, and district partners to ensure students are receiving the supports they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. Chatel said her philosophy that a student is not ready to learn until they feel safe and included stems from her own personal experiences as well as her background in psychology. It is an incredible honor being named SESIs Teacher of the Year, said Chatel. I love to be creative, to use technology, and to personalize whatever I can so that all my students feel they are valued and included. Teaching is my lifes passion and this award helps me recognize just how my work is appreciated by my colleagues at the High Road School of Hartford and Specialized Education Services, Inc. Chatel recently co-developed an app for her students called Fun Banking, designed to provide them with a realistic experience of managing money and a checking account. According to Chatel, students enjoy knowing their balance, how they earn/spend their money, and that they dont have to wait to ask staff to check their accounts; it gives them full independence. With more than 2,800 educators, SESI is one of the largest employers of teachers nationwide. Chatel was selected as TOY by a SESI leadership panel, and Aatiqah Ali of Excel Middle Years Academy and Pete Storniolo of Sierra School of San Diego were named divisional winners. SESI implemented TOY to further create an effective professional learning community. The programs goals include enhancing the importance of teachers and the teaching profession, promoting the value of quality education and teaching for the future, and recognizing and honoring educators who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. High Road School of Hartford: High School is a state-approved privatized special education day school for students ages 15-21 with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. The program is designed to focus on personalized academic and behavioral goals within a supportive and structured environment. To learn more about SESIs Teacher of the Year program and see the full list of regional and campus winners, visit: https://sesischools.com/teacher-of-the-year/. About Specialized Education Services, Inc. Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting. SESI partners with school districts to run in-district classrooms and standalone schools that meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of special education students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Disabilities, Learning Disabilities and other challenges; and alternative education students in need of trauma-informed education. Implementing a research-based education model that incorporates supportive therapies, positive behavior interventions and supports, life skills training, and workforce development programs as well as professional learning for special education teachers SESI guides students toward success in and out of the classroom. SESI proudly serves more than 7,000 students in over 95 day schools and more than 90 in-district classrooms, and partners with over 600 school districts nationwide. SESI is accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED). Learn more: www.sesischools.com. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4b49d6c-0576-4026-a3dc-99e280c6c1ac English Italian Watch the latest video on cnhindustrial.com London, June 9, 2022 CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI), through its New Holland Agriculture brand is evolving tradition, and helping build a more inclusive culture by supporting women in farming. In a new video filmed across Italy, New Holland spotlights the work of women customers who play an increasingly important role in the rural economy. Meet some of the women who are changing the face of farming in Italy and see how they are using the latest New Holland agricultural equipment to increase production, improve quality and make agribusiness ever more sustainable. Watch here: bit.ly/BreakingNewGround_en CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) is a world-class equipment and services company. Driven by its purpose of Breaking New Ground, which centers on Innovation, Sustainability and Productivity, the Company provides the strategic direction, R&D capabilities, and investments that enable the success of its global and regional Brands. Globally, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture supply 360 agriculture applications from machines to implements and the digital technologies that enhance them; and CASE and New Holland Construction Equipment deliver a full lineup of construction products that make the industry more productive. The Companys regionally focused Brands include: STEYR, for agricultural tractors; Raven, a leader in digital agriculture, precision technology and the development of autonomous systems; Flexi-Coil, specializing in tillage and seeding systems; Miller, manufacturing application equipment; Kongskilde, providing tillage, seeding and hay & forage implements; and Eurocomach, producing a wide range of mini and midi excavators for the construction sector, including electric solutions. Across a history spanning over two centuries, CNH Industrial has always been a pioneer in its sectors and continues to passionately innovate and drive customer efficiency and success. As a truly global company, CNH Industrials 37,000+ employees form part of a diverse and inclusive workplace, focused on empowering customers to grow, and build, a better world. For more information and the latest financial and sustainability reports visit: cnhindustrial.com For news from CNH Industrial and its Brands visit: media.cnhindustrial.com Media contacts: Rebecca Fabian Anna Angelini North America United Kingdom Tel. +1 312 515 2249 Tel. +44 (0)7725 826 007 mediarelations@cnhind.com Attachments Washington, D.C., June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) today unveiled Faces of Manufacturing, a new initiative designed to rally the 2.8 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry in support of pro-manufacturing policies. The centerpiece is a 90-second video featuring 22 equipment manufacturing workers urging their peers to speak with one united voice and tell elected officials to create jobs, grow the economy, and keep the industry strong. AEM will deploy the video, along with supportive digital and print materials, to equipment manufacturing facilities across the country to make sure that supporters make their voices heard and advance policies that help strengthen manufacturing in America and the communities it supports. As Congress considers the Bipartisan Innovation Act, legislation to outcompete China, boost domestic research and manufacturing, and secure supply chains that are critical to the countrys national security and economy, Faces of Manufacturing will rally equipment manufacturing workers from coast to coast and drive support for the bill from the ground up. Faces of Manufacturing is part of I Make America, AEMs national grassroots campaign, which educates and engages equipment manufacturing workers around the issues that impact their jobs, their families, and their communities. Fueled by a legacy of grit and ingenuity, Americas equipment manufacturers can outcompete anyone, said Kip Eideberg, AEMs senior vice president of government and industry relations. But when other countries engage in unfair trade and investment practices, we are effectively forced to compete with one hand tied behind our back. With less than seven months until the midterm elections, we are mobilizing the men and women of our industry to send a message to Congress: they must come together in a bipartisan fashion to enhance American competitiveness and empower U.S. workers and companies to succeed in domestic and international markets. For more than a decade, I Make America has empowered its supporters to advocate for the policies that will keep the U.S. equipment manufacturing industry strong and workers employed. This marks the first time that the campaign has mobilized the backbone of the industryassemblers, electricians, machinists, painters, welders, and othersto help rally everyone around a common cause. The Faces of Manufacturing video was shot on location at Astec (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Case IH (Racine, Wis.), Husco (Waukesha, Wis.), Komatsu America Corporation (Chattanooga, Ten.), Kondex Corporation (Lomira, Wis.), and Miller Formless (McHenry, Ill). #### About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is the North American-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers, with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry supports 2.8 million jobs in the U.S. Equipment manufacturers also contribute $288 billion a year to the U.S. economy. About I Make America I Make America is the national grassroots campaign of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, which advocates for policies that support manufacturing jobs and help Americas equipment manufacturers compete globally. Launched in 2010, I Make America engages, educates, and mobilizes tens of thousands of supporters across the country in support of pro-manufacturing policies. Attachment WOODBRIDGE, N.J., June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Branko Skovrlj, MD, of NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, has received a board certification in neurosurgery by The American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS). Board certification demonstrates a physician's expertise in their respective specialty and/or subspecialty. By choosing a neurosurgeon who is board-certified, patients can be assured that his or her doctor has committed to the highest level of expertise in the field of neurosurgery. To receive board certification in neurosurgery, candidates must meet requirements in several areas. Candidates must complete seven years of residency training and an optional one- or two-year fellowship. Following residency, candidates complete several years practicing medicine, in which they are to log 125 cases prior to a rigorous oral and written examination that covers the diagnosis and management or surgical and medical diseases of the nervous system. Most board certifications are valid for 10 years, at which point physicians must complete continuing education requirements to receive recertification. "Passing the oral boards and becoming board-certified is the dream of every practicing neurosurgeon," Dr. Skovrlj said. "It is the culmination of 15+ years of hard training, dedication, and sacrifice. For me, it represents achieving my life-long pursuit of perfection in surgical outcomes and patient care." Dr. Branko Skovrlj received his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He completed a neurosurgery residency program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, followed by a complex spine and deformity surgery fellowship program at Mount Sinai as well. He is a significant contributor to the field of neurosurgery, well-known for his vast list of publications and speaking engagements at conferences and society meetings. Dr. Skovrlj is the founder of NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute, with four New Jersey locations: Toms River, Holmdel, Woodbridge, and Paramus. For more information about Dr. Branko Skovrlj and his practice, visit https://www.nu-spine.com/. For press inquiries, please contact Michael Sloan at 201-835-9839. Related Images Image 1: Dr. Branko Skovrlj Dr. Branko Skovrlj, Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Fellowship Trained in Complex Spine Deformity This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment BIDDEFORD, Maine, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of New England is excited to announce a new partnership with Upright Education to offer industry-leading online bootcamps in Software Development and UX/UI Design that train adults for high-demand careers in the technology sector. These two online certificate programs will be available to adult learners in Maine and beyond through UNE Online, the online education division of UNE. UNE is seeking to support the communities of Maine as the regional technology sector continues to grow. The career accelerator trainings are designed to complement learnings from virtually any academic program and to help students develop skills that increase their career flexibility. "As the technology industry continues to expand in Maine and throughout New England, and as technology becomes increasingly central to many careers paths, the demand for training and for these new skills will only increase," said Beth Taylor-Nolan, Ed.D., dean of UNE Online. "As Maine's largest private University, and with a history of offering leading online programs, UNE is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of this increasingly diverse workforce." Tech in Maine has boomed over the past several years. In 2021, the state added 500 new technology jobs, and projections for 2022 promise to match. Even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine achieved one of the highest statewide rates of technology job retention in the country. UNE Online's courses in user experience design and user interface design are offered through a partnership with Upright Education, whose career accelerators in Software Development and UX/UI Design have achieved a 91% job-placement rate to date. "UNE's partnership with Upright is allowing us to quickly launch quality programs that meet the needs of Maine's adult learners, as well as of regional employers that are seeking a workforce development partner," said Taylor-Nolan. Students who successfully complete the technology bootcamps will receive certificates of completion, as well as microcredentials through Credly, which promise to increase the appeal of each student's resume. If you are interested in learning more about these programs, please join UNE and Upright Education staff at an Introduction to Career Accelerator Programs information session on June 28 at 6 p.m. Register HERE. For more information on these programs or to apply, visit us HERE. Press contact information: Alan Bennett abennett11@une.edu Office: (207) 221-4939 Related Images Image 1: UNE Technology Bootcamps UNE student learning to code online. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment TUCSON, AZ, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa Arizona, a leading provider of community management services throughout the Tucson and Scottsdale areas, is pleased to announce that Erica Rivera has been promoted to the position of client accounting manager. In her new role, she will oversee and support the comprehensive range of accounting services Associa Arizona provides to its community association partners. Ms. Rivera joined Associa Arizona in 2014 as an assistant community manager. Since then, she has joined the branch leadership team and overseen both its administrative staff and compliance department. Her management expertise encompasses work with many different types of associations, ranging from single-family residential homes, co-ops, 55+ communities, and mixed-use commercial properties. Ms. Rivera is a recipient of Associas Key Player Award, which was awarded to branch team members who went above and beyond the call of duty for clients or other team members. She has her M-100 certification from the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and is currently studying to obtain that organizations Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) credential. Erica Rivera is a well-regarded professional with years of practical operations experience, said Claudia Oberthier, AMS, CMCA, PCAM, Associa Arizona branch president. As our new client accounting manager, her skills and expertise will bring a higher level of service and job satisfaction to our community partners and team members. About Associa With more than 225 branch offices across North America, Associa is building the future of community for nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 11,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 43 years, Associa has brought positive impact and meaningful value to communities. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com. Stay Connected Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa Subscribe to the Blog: https://hub.associaonline.com/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa Join us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associa Attachment NEW YORK, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 8B Education Investments (8B), the first tech-enabled platform serving globally mobile African students, has launched the Ukraine Initiative to enable African students affected by the war in Ukraine to continue their studies in global universities. 8B has negotiated with colleges in the US and Canada for full and partial scholarships, and will provide access to an affordable loan financing marketplace to admitted students. On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This continuing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people. Among the displaced were more than 16,000 African students pursuing graduate and undergraduate education in the country, representing the hopes and dreams of thousands of families across the African continent. As the conflict escalated, African students found themselves stranded. While many of the students may have since been evacuated, their academic futures are now in limbo due to shuttered Ukrainian Universities. They risk becoming unwelcome refugees across Europe. The Ukraine Initiative aims to bridge the gap for African students affected by the war, enabling them to continue their studies in global universities, including in North America. In line with the mission of 8B to connect brilliant African students with global universities and affordable college financing, the Ukraine Initiative features full and partial scholarships from global universities, for which displaced African students can apply. Qualified, displaced students who receive offers from partner universities can also apply for affordable financing from 8B's financing marketplace, the first one of its kind focused on African students. 8B is negotiating or has received commitments for approximately 400 students to enroll in new Universities this fall. Academic institutions that have agreed to consider late applications from African students displaced from the crisis include the University of British Columbia, Minerva University, Smith College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Illinois State University, Keuka College, and MacEwan University. All universities participating in this initiative have re-opened their regular admissions windows, and provided various forms of support, including: Tuition discounts ranging from 10% to 100% of international tuition, Enrollment at domestic rather than international tuition rates Full-ride scholarships (tuition, room and board). 8B Finance continues to advocate for and grow this initiative by: actively requesting universities in North America and elsewhere to consider enrolling displaced African students outside the normal cycle; compiling resources to help African students identify new universities and programs including scholarships and affordable financing; and helping partner universities shortlist applicants from Africa in line with university specifications, using the 8B platform. The team at 8B is looking to add more global universities to this effort. To be part of the solution, please share this story with your friends and friends of Africa, tag global universities and colleges who can be part of the solution, rally your alumni groups, or reach out directly to the 8B Team. About 8B Finance: Launchpad for African Brilliance 8B Education Investments is on a mission to empower African brilliance to have a global impact. Towards that end, 8B has built the first platform that connects high-potential African students with world-class colleges and universities, the financing options they need to enroll, and the career support and job matching they need to realize their highest potential. The impact of 8B's work is in providing global universities and employers a gateway to the world's youngest and fastest growing pool of diverse talent, while creating a critical mass of African innovators equipped to participate, compete, and thrive in the knowledge economy of the 21st century. Reference Links 8B Ukraine Initiative - https://8b.africa/home/ukraine 8B Financing Marketplace - https://finance.8b.africa 8B Jobs - https://8b.africa/home/jobs 8B Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/8BEducationInvestments 8B Instagram - https://instagram.com/8beducation?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= 8B Twitter - 8B_AfricaEdu 8B LinkedIn - 8B Education Investments For Business Development or Media Inquiries, Contact: kwasi@8b.finance For Investment Inquiries, Contact: info@8b.finance Related Images Image 1: 8B Finance 8B Finance Image 2: Lydiah Kemunto Bosire Lydiah Kemunto Bosire Image 3: Lydiah Kemunto Bosire Lydiah Kemunto Bosire This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment CHICAGO, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tammy Kocher, Assistant Vice President, Cyber Underwriting at BCS Financial, was recently named a winner of the 2022 Elite Women awards by Insurance Business America (IBA). Tammy was selected by a panel of esteemed judges based on her achievements and initiatives over the past 12 months, including examples of her professional accomplishments and contributions to the entire insurance industry. The Elite Women honor was started by IBA to further improve and promote women in the insurance industry, where they account for only 11% of named executive offer positions and 19% of board seats at insurance companies pre-pandemic (source: IBA). According to IBA, the women named in this year's special report are " ascending to new heights, and make sure to leave the ladder down to enable the next generation of women to climb up as well." Tammy has proven herself a pioneer in the male-dominated cyber industry. At BCS, she is the lead cyber underwriter, helping drive BCS toward becoming a "top 10 carrier of admitted cyber insurance premium" in the country, as ranked by AM Best. She is responsible for a consistently growing portfolio of over $20 million, including the CyberBlue book of business (a unique and innovative cyber insurance product for Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans), and an excess cyber block that includes some of the most sophisticated public and Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, she strives to better herself, voluntarily doing more than 100 hours of professional development each year, and participating in thought leadership and speaking engagements, and is a member of Women in Technology International and the VigiTrust Global Advisory Board. "Tammy is a remarkable underwriter, leader, and colleague. She brings unmatched enthusiasm to her job every day, and refuses to let anyone, or anything, stand in the way of her success," said Timothy LeMarbre, Vice President, Underwriting, Property & Casualty, BCS Financial. "She is an inspiration to all her colleagues at BCS and a shining example of what a leader should look like in the world of cyber underwriting." Congratulations to Tammy and to the other honorees! To see the entire Elite Women special report, click here. About BCS Financial BCS Financial Corporation has more than 70 years of experience delivering a wide range of insurance and financial solutions for Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations nationwide and globally. Through its subsidiaries, BCS Insurance Company, 4 Ever Life Insurance Company, and 4 Ever Life International, BCS is licensed in all 50 states and is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. BCS Financial is headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Learn more at bcsf.com. ### Media Contact: Nathan Post Phone: 630.472.7860 Related Images Image 1: Tammy Kocher This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChartWater a division of Chart Industries, Inc. (Chart) (NYSE: GTLS), and Calgon Carbon Corporation (Calgon Carbon), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd. (TYO: 3405) (Kuraray), today formally announced an agreement signed in 2021 to jointly offer drinking water systems, using granular activated carbon, to under-resourced rural areas. The terms of the Agreement allow Calgon Carbon to refer all communities in the United States requiring treatment of up to approximately 175 gallons per minute to ChartWaters AdEdge Water Technologies (AdEdge ), who will source all related GAC from Calgon Carbon. While both companies will continue to provide water treatment solutions for all flow rates, the Agreement enables the Companies to combine their capabilities for solutions that will cost-effectively provide safe drinking water to communities. According to the U.S. EPAs Safe Drinking Water Act, there are over 140,000 small drinking water systems in the United States. Many of these systems face challenges in meeting ever-changing and stringent regulations around drinking water contamination, making it difficult to provide consistently safe drinking water to customers. The new Agreement offers these small systems access to AdEdges variety of equipment offerings as well as Calgon Carbons premium product line, FILTRASORB GAC. We are excited to partner with Calgon Carbon to combine their decades of GAC experience with our experience providing complete, packaged treatment systems to municipalities around the United States, said Chris Milligan, President of ChartWater. ChartWaters AdEdge Center of Excellence provides solutions for municipal and industrial customers of all sizes. This relationship with Calgon Carbon will specifically strengthen our ability to serve smaller utilities with a world-class GAC solution for the removal of PFAS, TOC, disinfection byproducts, and any other contaminants that can be addressed with GAC. Since creating the first activated carbon products from bituminous coal in the 1940s, Calgon Carbon has been a pioneer in developing high performing granular activated carbon products for water purification. Calgon Carbon has provided GAC to hundreds of water suppliers for over 40 years, and we are enthusiastic about this Agreement, said Nora Stockhausen, VP of the Drinking Water Solutions and Innovative Carbon Technologies business unit. This collaboration allows our FILTRASORB GAC to be more accessible to smaller utilities through AdEdges reach in this market and were proud to work together to provide clean, safe drinking water to more Americans. About Chart Industries, Inc. Chart Industries, Inc. is a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment servicing multiple applications in the Energy and Industrial Gas markets. Our unique product portfolio is used in every phase of the liquid gas supply chain, including upfront engineering, service and repair. Being at the forefront of the clean energy transition, Chart is a leading provider of technology, equipment and services related to liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, biogas and CO2 Capture amongst other applications. We are committed to excellence in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues both for our company as well as our customers. With over 25 global locations from the United States to Asia, Australia, India, Europe and South America, we maintain accountability and transparency to our team members, suppliers, customers and communities. To learn more, visit www.chartindustries.com. About ChartWaterTM ChartWater, a division of Chart Industries, is a global manufacturer and service provider of engineered solutions for municipal water treatment and industrial process applications. Its portfolio of proven products, processes, and engineering expertise provides customers with single-point responsibility for complete solutions that enable water professionals to achieve their objectives with the lowest combination of risk and costs while driving enhanced outcomes for people, communities, and the planet. For more information, visit www.chartindustries.com/products/water-treatment About AdEdge Water Technologies Founded in 2002 and headquartered just north of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, AdEdge Water Technologies, LLC is a leading provider of advanced water treatment technologies and systems serving municipal, residential and industrial applications nationally and overseas for flow rates up to 15 MGD. AdEdge manufacturers fully integrated and custom water treatment systems to remove over twenty different contaminants from water, including arsenic, iron, manganese, fluoride, PFAS, TOC, and radionuclides. AdEdge also offers an ultra-high recovery reverse osmosis membrane solution for removal of TDS and multiple contaminants, using ROTECs Flow Reversal Reverse Osmosis. AdEdge was acquired by Chart Industries in August of 2021 as a ChartWater Center of Excellence. For more information, visit www.adedgetech.com. About Calgon Carbon Calgon Carbon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd. (TYO: 3405) (Kuraray), is a global leader in the manufacture and/or distribution of innovative coal-, wood- and coconut-based activated carbon products in granular, powdered, pelletized and cloth form to meet the most challenging purification demands of customers throughout the world. Calgon Carbon provides purification solutions for more than 700 distinct applications, including drinking water, wastewater, pollution abatement, and a variety of industrial and commercial manufacturing processes. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Calgon Carbon employs approximately 1640 people and operates 20 manufacturing, reactivation, innovation and equipment fabrication facilities in the U.S., Asia, and in Europe, where Calgon Carbon is known as Chemviron. Calgon Carbon was acquired by Kuraray in March of 2018. With complementary products and services, the combined organization will continue to focus on providing the highest quality and most innovative activated carbon and filtration media products, equipment, and services to meet New York, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Connected Car Market Research Report by Transponder, Form, Network, Service, Component, End User, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06259547/?utm_source=GNW The Global Connected Car Market size was estimated at USD 89.01 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 105.46 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 18.65% to reach USD 248.38 billion by 2027. Market Statistics: The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2019 and 2020 are considered historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered the forecast period. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Connected Car to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Transponder, the market was studied across Onboard Unit and Roadside Unit. Based on Form, the market was studied across Embedded, Integrated, and Tethered. Based on Network, the market was studied across Cellular and Dedicated Short Range Communication. Based on Service, the market was studied across Autonomous Driving, Connected Services, and Safety & Security. Based on Component, the market was studied across Connected Hardware, Infotainment Services, and Vehicle Services. Based on End User, the market was studied across Aftermarket and Original Equipment Manufacturer. Based on Region, the market was studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19: COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, and the long-term effects are projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report delivers insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecasts, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. Cumulative Impact of 2022 Russia Ukraine Conflict: We continuously monitor and update reports on political and economic uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Negative impacts are significantly foreseen globally, especially across Eastern Europe, European Union, Eastern & Central Asia, and the United States. This contention has severely affected lives and livelihoods and represents far-reaching disruptions in trade dynamics. The potential effects of ongoing war and uncertainty in Eastern Europe are expected to have an adverse impact on the world economy, with especially long-term harsh effects on Russia. This report uncovers the impact of demand & supply, pricing variants, strategic uptake of vendors, and recommendations for Connected Car 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 Connected Car 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 Connected Car Market, including Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd, Aptiv PLC, Autoliv Inc., Continental AG, DENSO Corporation, HARMAN International, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., Infineon Technologies AG, NXP Semiconductors N.V., Robert Bosch GmbH, Valeo, Visteon Corporation, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG. 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 Connected Car Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Connected Car Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Connected Car Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Connected Car Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Connected Car Market? 6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Connected Car Market? 7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Connected Car Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06259547/?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. __________________________ Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, left, meets with the UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan during a snap visit to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi in this handout picture obtained from the Israeli Government Press Office, Thursday. AFP-Yonhap Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with the snap trip coming as efforts to salvage a deal over Iran's nuclear program are stalled in a deepening standoff with Tehran. The visit was Bennett's second public trip to Abu Dhabi since Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize ties in 2020 after years of quiet cooperation, mainly over their shared concerns over Iran's nuclear capabilities. Bennett's office said the Israeli leader will meet the UAE's president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and that the two will discuss ''various regional issues.'' Iran is likely to top the agenda. In a video statement before departing, Bennett commended countries at an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna on Wednesday that voted to censure Iran over its lack of transparency about nuclear activities at three undeclared sites in the country. ''We see here a firm stance by the countries of the world regarding the distinction between good and evil, as they clearly state that Iran is concealing things. We will not let up on this issue,'' he said. The IAEA said Thursday Iran plans to ramp up its uranium enrichment, with the installation of advanced centrifuges. Advanced uranium enrichment is a key component in the manufacture of a nuclear bomb. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy and it strongly opposed the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, which eased economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities. Israel says it wants an improved deal that places tighter restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and addresses Iran's long-range missile program and its support for hostile proxies along Israel's borders. Israel also says the negotiations must be accompanied by a ''credible'' military threat to ensure that Iran does not delay indefinitely. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. The withdrawal caused the deal to quickly unravel. Talks in Vienna over Iran's tattered nuclear deal have been stalled since April. Since the deal's collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges, and has a rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Israeli leaders have claimed Iran is just weeks away from accumulating enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon, though other components of a bomb are believed to be months or years away. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Israel and the UAE agreed to thaw ties under the U.S. brokered agreements known as the ''Abraham Accords,'' which saw similar deals struck with Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Since then, Israel and the UAE have deepened ties in tourism and trade, to the dismay of the Palestinians who long relied on an Arab wall of support to serve as leverage against Israel. Bennett's trip comes as Israel is on the cusp of another political crisis, with members of his fragile coalition threatening to bolt unless the government can pass a law over the legal status of its West Bank settlers. (AP) Guides law enforcement in documenting critical details needed for officers defense in use of force incident investigations and litigation App inspired by Zach Presley litigation and 39+ years of law enforcement investigation and defense experience Augusta, GA, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Martinez, Georgia-based Seven Eight Technologies officially launched Thin Blue Defend, an innovative, one-of-a-kind Software-as-a Solution (SaaS) mobile app that promises to be a gamechanger for law enforcement in their defense related to use of force incidents. Seven Eight CEO J. Douglas Parker, a 30-year veteran of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and author of A Killher Plan, developed Thin Blue Defend as the first and only mobile application that guides law enforcement through the process of documenting critical details in Use of Force incidents to aid officers in their defense for anticipated investigations and civil and criminal litigation. Seven Eight worked closely with the office of Columbia County Georgia Sheriff Clay Whittle to develop and test the app, and Columbia County is the first in the nation to deploy Thin Blue Defend for the entire department. There are currently approximately 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers in the United States, and 1.2 million security officers who could potentially benefit from Thin Blue Defend, and thousands more when Thin Blue Defend expands to correctional officers and the private sector. Why Thin Blue Defend is needed The current system used by law enforcement agencies nationwide for reporting use of force incidents is a two-page questionnaire that fails to adequately guide officers in capturing all the critical details needed for investigations and litigation that usually follow these incidents. The numbers of officers are at critically low levels. Many current and prospective law officers are shying away from law enforcement careers due to the increasing threat of litigation that could destroy their careers and lives if they are not properly prepared. Having these details can influence court decisions that mean the difference between continuing as an officer, incarceration, or bankruptcy. Parker shared what inspired the app, During preparation for the defense of former Kingsland officer Zech Presley, Presley revealed details that werent included in his initial report because he said he didnt know they were important, and the report form hadnt asked for them. The prosecutor cast doubt among the jurors by suggesting that Presley had constructed a new narrative before the trial because those details werent in his original report. Right then I decided to develop Thin Blue Defend to guide officers in capturing those critical details to help prevent these types of scenarios from destroying the careers and lives of good officers for legitimate use of force actions in the line of duty. Barry Fleming, Georgia House of Representatives (R-121) stated, Doug Parker had a phenomenal career in the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and continues to serve the State by applying his extensive investigative experience to fill the gaps in data collection for use of force incidents. We owe it to our law enforcement officers who risk their lives to provide the best tools to help them perform their duties and provide accurate, timely reporting. Were proud to see Thin Blue Defend developed in Georgia and that the Columbia County Sheriffs office is the first to deploy this valuable new tool in support of its officers before it is deployed nationally. Thin Blue Defend Features & Benefits Thin Blue Defend is a mobile app installed on an officers personal mobile phone that provides a series of prompts to encourage comprehensive documentation of use of force details. Key features include: Guidance for immediate comprehensive data capture App guides officer through categories of in-depth information based on case law. Prompts officer to record details such as officers perceptions of incident as it occurred, the officers cognitive process of events (what the officer was thinking at each step, why they made certain decisions), locations of key elements, their equipment, weather, lighting, dialogue, activities leading up to incident, and much more. Easy to use The app interface offers easy point and click response options, as well as audio and photo input for easy documentation following a stressful situation. Privacy All data is encrypted, password protected and stored in the cloud in secured servers to deter unauthorized access. Thin Blue Defend enables the officer to authorize instant access to the data by the officers attorney, making it subject to attorney-client privilege. The law enforcement agency does NOT have access to the information, as it is private information owned by the officer. The officer can reference information stored in the app to fill out his departments official incident report form, but at no time should the officer directly forward data from the app to the department or parties other than officers attorney Instruction Thin Blue Defend provides in-person instruction on how to use the app, with an emphasis on officers understanding the importance of including small, yet vital, details. Columbia County Sheriffs Office First to Deploy Thin Blue Defend Officers from the Columbia County Sheriffs Office recently completed their instruction sessions for the use of the app, as well as guidance on how to properly reference data from their app when completing their official incident report forms. This helps ensure they dont compromise the privacy of their information and are able to complete the official report more thoroughly with the comprehensive detail that will be needed in their defense. Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle remarked, We are dedicated to providing our officers with the tools they need to do their jobs correctly and protect themselves physically and legally. Thin Blue Defend will be an immensely valuable tool for our officers to document everything related to the use of force incident. With better documentation immediately after the event, the officer can reference that information in their formal report so our agency can have a better understanding of what took place. Additionally, it helps ensure that the officer can provide the detail that may verify the legitimacy of their actions and influence a favorable outcome so they can continue in their law enforcement career. Providing Thin Blue Defend to our officers demonstrates our commitment to them and confidence in them. It gives them peace of mind that they are not alone in figuring out the process. The 30+ years of experience packaged into this app will guide them to document the information they will need for their defense. Attorneys Embrace Thin Blue Defend Thin Blue Defend builds the bridge between the investigation of an officer involved in a use of force incident and the attorney representing that officer. W. Keith Barber, Attorney, Representing Law Enforcement Officers Involved in Critical Incidents with the Police Benevolent Association, (PBA) and member of the Thin Blue Defend Board of Directors, noted, In the past, law enforcement personnel have been pretty much on their own in trying to figure out how much information and what types of information they should include in their Use of Force Reports. Every little fact in these sometimes lethal exchanges needs to be documented and preserved for review to understand what happened and why it happened. It is imperative that an officer have the tools and resources to document what was happening at every stage of these incidents. This is the tool that will allow the most thorough gathering of information during use of force incidents. We need to be able to do this for many varied reasons, some of which are: To be fair to the law enforcement officer or officers involved in these situations. To be fair to others involved in these situations; and To be fair to the public at large in these situations. Barber concluded, Thin Blue Defend is the best tool I have ever seen which allows officers and their attorneys to capture this vital and important information which, in turn, allows attorneys to better advise and represent law enforcement officers who find themselves involved in these serious situations. I believe this resource will allow all of us to come to just and fair resolutions in these cases, of which I believe we are all be in favor. ### Editor Notes: Downloadable photos, logos and product information for the media are available at this LINK A video of the Thin Blue Defend Official Launch Press Conference is available at this LINK. About Seven Eight Technologies J Douglas Parker created Seven Eight after decades of investigating as an agent for the GBI in use of force cases involving law enforcement officers because officers needed a more comprehensive tool to aids the cognitive process of what the officer perceives on the scene and allows collection of this data. versus the standard single one to two-page form that checks the boxes. Seven Eight created a true Software-as-a Solution (SaaS), Thin Blue Defend, for law enforcement (active and retired), security officers and attorneys to collect data on the scene immediately following use of force incidents in anticipation of civil and criminal litigation. For the latest information, please visit www.ThinBlueDefend.com and follow us on Facebook: @thinbluedefend About the developer: J. Douglas Parker James Douglas Parker, Seven Eight Technologies Inc. Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO, has 30 years with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, having investigated 300+ violent felonies. Over his career, he has investigated numerous police officer use-of-force cases involving the death of the suspect by law enforcement. Since retiring and creating Parker Consulting, he has assisted attorneys who represent officers charged with crimes as a result of their actions as a law enforcement officer. Some of these cases have gone to a jury trial where he assisted in the defense in a court of law. Private individuals have also employed Parker in reviewing use-of-force cases where the client was involved in an altercation with law enforcement. Parker is a graduate of Georgia Southern University in 1981 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. He has over 2,000 hours of law enforcement training and is certified as a P.O.S.T. instructor in Georgia. He was certified in 2021 as a Use-Of-Force forensic interviewer. He provided expert testimony in several law enforcement categories in Georgia and Texas. He authored an article in Attorney at Law magazine in 2016 and a book, A KillHer Plan. Attachments CALGARY, Alberta, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INVENTURE$ 2022 (Inventures) wraps up its third in-person innovation event. With over two thousand people in attendance over three days and as many as 11 thousand watching online, delegates heard from over 300 speakers in 200 sessions. The conference ran from June 1 3, covering seven streams, including: Future-casting work Taming urban jungles Game-changing health Mission critical moonshots Cultivating ag tech Navigation to net-zero Redefining capitalism Media Announcements that happened during Inventures: reciChain A multi-partner project to transform plastic recycling in Alberta. Ecosystem Development Program Announcing $9.1 million to 15 projects in Albertas emerging technology ecosystem Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) Announcing $5 million in funding focused on encouraging the expansion of a national network of smart farms. Corporate Knights Future 50: fastest-growing green companies in Canada Pitch Competitions: An international startup pitch competition took place during Inventures. Thirty companies pitched their best ideas and innovations to an expert panel hoping to take home one of the $10,000 prizes, free registration to Inventures 2023, and exposure to attendees and potential investors who are looking for the newest ideas and innovation. A team of judges made up of respected venture capitalists, selected the winners. The winners in this years startup pitch competition are: The Tenet I2C competition is a $100,000 business pitch competition to assist companies working in the area of medical discovery and innovation, transition towards commercialization. The awardees in the 2022 Tenet I2C competition are: AgGene $100,000 prize Fluidome $10,000 Alberta Innovates: Data enabled health transformation prize Nimble Science $10,000 Alberta Innovates: Digital Health prize Zymedyne Therapeutics $10,000 Alberta Innovates: Engineering Solutions for Human and Animal Health prize THRIVE SVG Ventures held their demo day and awarded $500 thousand in follow-on investment to two companies: Verdi Sustainability award: $250,000 SpaceAg Innovation award: $250,000 Lupinta Peoples Choice award HerStory 2022, co-sponsored by The 51 and Alberta Innovates, announced the winners of their story-pitch competition: Fly and Fetch Shelvie Fernan, CEO & Co-founder VoxCell Bioinnovation Dr. Karolina Valente, CEO & CSO Shoelace Julia Rivard Dexter, CEO & Co-founder A student pitch competition also took place during the conference with these three finalists participating in a Student Entrepreneur Showcase: Elev Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Blue.o Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada Agora Work Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada Alberta Innovates is pleased to have successfully, and safely, held an in-person event this year. We know that when we meet collectively, we experience creative collisions. Contacts are established, deals are made, and we all leave Inventures having learned something new. We congratulate all the pitch competition winners. And, we cant wait to see you at Inventures 2023. Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates Inventures is a global innovation experience hosted by Alberta Innovates to bring together the worlds brightest minds, angel investors, venture capitalists and industry leaders. Launched in 2018, Inventures is the place to discover new technologies, talent, capital, customers and markets. Join us for INVENTURE$ 2023, May 31 - June 2, 2023 in Calgary Alberta. Tickets are available for $249 at https://inventurescanada.com/ Belmont, California, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) has announced the launch of a new pilot program to provide transitional housing to up to 36 Afghan refugees on its Belmont campus. It is the first university on the West Coast to offer such a program. Refugees are slated to arrive this month. The program is a partnership between the university, Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR), and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), two national organizations that provide assistance to international refugees as they resettle in the United States. NDNU and the two organizations will collaborate to offer vital resources, including housing, food, and social support to refugees as they navigate a difficult resettlement process. The refugees are admitted to the United States through the Biden Administrations Operation Allies Welcome, a multi-agency initiative to assist vulnerable Afghan refugees to resettle in the United States. Many of the refugees worked alongside the United States government in Afghanistan, providing critical support for the past two decades. Refugees will live on campus for a period of up to 90 days as they transition into permanent housing. Afghan refugees escaped unimaginably dangerous circumstances during last years evacuation. As they begin to rebuild their lives here in Northern California, the support of our community is essential. We are grateful to NDNU for welcoming them to campus, said Jordane Tofighi, IRC in Oakland Director. As a Catholic university dedicated to our founding core principles of social justice we are delighted to answer the call to act upon our stated values and advance our mission, said NDNU President Beth Martin. NDNU is committed to being a leader in values-based higher education and call on our peer institutions to join us in this important effort. Founded upon the values of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and rooted in Catholic tradition, NDNU values community engagement, social justice, and global peace. The work of ECAR and IRC represents the core values and mission of NDNU. NDNU and ECAR draw from Catholic tradition, emphasizing values of diversity, justice, and civic engagement. College campuses provide vital resources such as shelter, food, community support, and education which are necessities during the resettlement process. University and college campuses have so many assets to draw from to support our national and local resettlement efforts, said Diya Abdo, founder and Director of ECAR. About NDNU, ECAR, and IRC Notre Dame de Namur Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) is a Catholic, not-for-profit, coeducational institution serving adult learners from diverse backgrounds. Established in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, NDNU is the third-oldest college in California and the first authorized to grant women a baccalaureate degree. The university is fully accredited and offers undergraduate degree completion programs and masters degree programs in business, education, and psychology, as well as teacher credential programs. NDNU maintains a strong commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement. For more information, visit www.ndnu.edu. Every Campus A Refuge ECAR was founded at Guilford College to call on every college and university in the world to partner with their local refugee resettlement agencies to house refugees on campus and assist them in resettlement. ECAR aids university and college campuses in using their resources housing, food, care, skills to take in refugees and support them as they begin their lives in the U.S. International Rescue Committee The International Rescue Committee responds to the worlds worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook. ### VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solaris Resources Inc. (TSX: SLS; OTCQB: SLSSF) (Solaris or the Company) is pleased to announce an agreement with the Government of Ecuador in relation to an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) for its Warintza Project (Warintza or the Project) in southeastern Ecuador. The IPA provides a foundation of certainty with respect to the legal framework governing the Project, including stable mining regulations, security of title and investment for the term of the agreement, as well as significant new tax incentives to accelerate development. Specific tax incentives include a 5% reduction of income tax, fixing the income tax rate applicable to the Company at 20%, exemption from the capital outflow tax, as well as the exemption of all import duties for the import of goods needed for new investments in the Project. Specific protections relate to the prohibition of all forms of confiscation, non-discriminatory treatment and equal playing field, legal security, tax stability and international arbitration if there are any disputes in relation to the Project. The signing ceremony for the IPA is expected to take place with the participation of the Warints and Yawi communities in the village of Warintza in July 2022. The Company recently amended its Impact and Benefits Agreement with these communities reaffirming community support for the responsible advancement of the Project. Ms. Lorena Konanz, Vice Minister of Export and Investment Promotion of the Government of Ecuador, stated, From day one, our administration has been focused on encouraging sustainable and transparent economic growth in Ecuador with incentives to facilitate major investments in the country. In the mining sector, our most important goal is to ensure that development is responsible, environmentally friendly, and socially-committed, as at the Warintza Project. Mr. Vicente Tsakimp, Coordinator of the Warintza Project Strategic Alliance, stated, We are excited to be part of the successful advancement of Warintza and show the industry that it is possible to develop a mining project in a responsible and inclusive way. The people of Warints and Yawi welcome President Lassos approach which promotes the development of remote communities as this has had a direct impact on our families economy, living conditions and opportunities. Mr. Daniel Earle, President & CEO, commented, President Lassos administration continues to take consequential action to accelerate the development of the formal mining sector in Ecuador. Its positive approach of regulatory reform and meaningful tax relief focused on major new projects like Warintza, which embrace responsible approaches to community development and environmental protection, will pay great dividends to the people of Ecuador for generations to come. We are humbled to operate in service of its vision. On behalf of the Board of Solaris Resources Inc. Daniel Earle President & CEO, Director For Further Information Jacqueline Wagenaar, VP Investor Relations Direct: 416-366-5678 Ext. 203 Email: jwagenaar@solarisresources.com About Solaris Resources Inc. Solaris is advancing a portfolio of copper assets in the Americas, focused on its Warintza Project in Ecuador that features a broad cluster of outcropping copper porphyry deposits anchored by a large-scale, high-grade open pit resource inventory at Warintza Central. Ongoing efforts are focused on rapid resource growth and further discovery drilling. The Company offers additional discovery potential at its portfolio projects: Capricho and Paco Orco in Peru, Ricardo via joint-venture with Freeport-McMoRan and Tamarugo in Chile, and significant leverage to increasing copper prices through its 60%-interest in the La Verde joint-venture with Teck Resources in Mexico. Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively forward-looking statements). The use of the words will and expected and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include statements that the IPA provides a strong foundation of legal certainty and stability of mining regulations, security of title and investment, and significant new tax incentives to accelerate development of the Project, specific tax incentives include a 5% reduction of income tax, fixing the income tax rate applicable to the Company at 20%, exemption from the capital outflow tax, as well as the exemption of all import duties for the import of goods needed for new investments in the Project, specific protections relate to the prohibition of all forms of confiscation, non-discriminatory treatment and equal playing field, legal security, tax stability and international arbitration if there are any disputes in relation to the Project, and that the signing ceremony for the IPA is expected to take place with the participation of the Warints and Yawi communities in the village of Warintza in July 2022. Although Solaris believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, readers are cautioned that actual results may vary from the forward-looking statements. These statements are based on a variety of assumptions including assumptions made about the Companys ability to advance efforts at the Warintza Project; and the Companys ability to achieve its growth objectives. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Solaris Managements Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021 available at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and Solaris does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable securities laws. SPARKS, Md., June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TridentCare, a national leader of portable diagnostic services, is teaming up with Worksite Medical, a leader in mobile medical surveillance services, to provide episodic and annual X-rays, ultrasounds, respiratory fittings and other on-site services for employer-sponsored clinics. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of change across the healthcare industry. When it comes to employer-sponsored clinics, employers want safe, easily accessible and quality healthcare, while at the same time minimizing risk to the business and its employees. With on-site diagnostic services, employees receive the high-level, quality care they deserve without having to travel off-site or take time off to complete the health-mandated requirements of their job, while employers enjoy the benefit of minimal interruption to employee productivity. "We are very excited and thankful for the opportunity to work with an industry leader like Worksite Medical, which shares the same vision and high level of commitment to deliver quality healthcare wherever and whenever it is needed," says TridentCare COO Jeff Hooper. "After 25 plus years of successfully providing services to Skilled Nursing Facilities and other long-term care sites, it is a natural progression to broaden our client base and strategically position the company for future growth. " Based in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Worksite Medical provides mobile health testing services that help employers of all sizes and industries maintain compliance with specific state and federal workforce health and safety standards. "We look forward to working with TridentCare, now and into the future," said Anthony Santilli, Chief Executive Officer at Worksite Medical. "With TridentCare's national presence and proven operational know-how for one-stop-shop diagnostics, we can deliver an end-to-end solution to an even wider base of employer customers. About TridentCare Based in Sparks, Maryland, TridentCare is the leading provider of portable diagnostic services in the Country, operating in 38 states, servicing a wide variety of patients and clients. Each day, the company deploys experienced medical professionals and leading-edge technology to provide phlebotomy, laboratory, vascular and imaging services to tens of thousands of patients nationwide. For more information about TridentCare, please visit TridentCare.com, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. TridentCare Deborah Shelton Director, Marketing Services 443-662-4101 www.tridentcare.com Worksite Medical www.worksitemed.com Related Images Image 1: TridentCare & Worksite Medical This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Youngsville, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Youngsville, Louisiana - Dumpit.biz, a family owned, dumpster rental company based in Lafayette, LA, is pleased to provide dumpsters for any project that requires the removal of waste and debris. Dumpit.biz has built A reputation for being one of the most dependable dumpster rental services in the area. Learn more here: DumpIt.biz - Lafayette. Those choosing to rent a dumpster in Lafayette are not always contractors and large construction companies, and a large number of customers can be homeowners or small business owners. As many of these individuals have quickly discovered, a dumpster rental is the best solution for those who want to get rid of a lot of garbage quickly (and affordably) without having to drive to a local dump, landfill or transfer station in Lafayette. The company offers several sizes of roll-off dumpsters, and their flat rates keep costs low and predictable. A wide range of dumpsters are available, based on the purpose they are designed to serve. The company offers 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, 30-yard and 40-yard dumpsters for construction and demolition as well as mixed waste loading. They also offer a 14-yard concrete dumpster, 14-yard dirt dumpster and 14-yard shingles dumpster. All these rentals can be obtained for two weeks for the base price (with the company charging $15 per additional day of rental). The weight included in the base price varies for each dumpster, and customers can clarify with the companys representatives to see which would be best suited for their needs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZfsrKr_K_I Customers who are renting a dumpster in Lafayette and the surrounding areas for the first time will find that the team can provide them with helpful dumpster rental tips along with information on the available rentals, including dumpster sizes, dumpster rental prices and any other information they may need to know. As an example, the companys 10-yard dumpster can accommodate a small household, garage, or attic cleanout, and is rented out for $250 for a construction load or $350 for a mixed waste load. The companys 15-yard dumpster, which can be used by homeowners for yard debris, is rented out for $275 for a construction load or $375 for a mixed waste load. The 20-yard dumpster, which is best suited for a large household that is moving or in the process of renovating, can be rented out for $325 for a construction load or $425 for a mixed waste load. The 30-yard dumpster, generally used by many contractors, roofers for a one-day job, can be rented out for $400 for a construction load or $525 for a mixed waste load. Learn more here: Dumpster Rental Lafayette LA. DumpIt.Biz is a waste removal provider serving the greater Lafayette area and beyond with over 20 years of experience in the industry. In addition to dumpsters and roll-off containers, the company also provides on-demand portable toilet and concrete washout services. Their porta-potty rentals include standard portable restrooms, graded flushing restrooms, ADA-accessible portable toilets and more. On the other hand, their concrete washout services are self-contained, watertight and portable roll-off bins that exceed US EPA, State EPA and regional guidelines. The company is also fully licensed and insured to serve all residential and commercial waste removal needs, ensuring that their customers can turn to the DumpIt.Biz team without fear of any surprise expenses. The company states, Whether you are a DIYer working on a home improvement project or a professional contractor with obligations to a customer, you want your construction, demolition or waste cleaning task to go as smoothly as possible. You dont want to be scurrying around looking for a good place to dump waste while you try to focus on the main task at hand. The ideal solution is to rent a dumpster that can be used to keep your waste organized and have it rolled away by professionals when you are done with it. DumpIt.Biz has been providing these exact services in Lafayette, LA for a long time now. We use GPS locators in our vehicles to ensure on-time delivery. Our skilled drivers are certified to work in construction, corporate events, weddings, concerts, disaster relief and more, and they will transport our clean, functional, and reliable dumpsters on time without damaging your property. Learn more here: Dumpster Rental Lafayette LA. DumpIt.Biz serves Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, Sulphur, Port Barre, Breaux Bridge, Crowley, Milton, New Iberia and all areas in-between. To learn more about the services provided, customers may visit the companys website or contact the team directly. ### For more information about DumpIt.Biz, contact the company here: DumpIt.Biz Jason Dejean 337-552-5009 jasondejean@yahoo.com 199 Vendeur Rd, Youngsville, LA 70592 *** Dressed as iconic Marilyn Monroes, drag-queens disrupted the Summit of the Americas in LA, demanding urgent funds for Latin America and Caribbean nations to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises *** LOS ANGELES, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During Pride month, a group of drag-queens welcomed the arrival of many of the most prominent heads of state at the Summit of the Americas, calling on presidents from the US to Canada to Argentina to become environmental leaders the world could be proud of. The queens paid particular attention to President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau whose countries are behind in paying financial assistance to other nations in the hemisphere to tackle the climate crisis, land degradation and biodiversity loss. Los Angeles drag-queens Aurora Sexton, Mischa Kinx, Marilyn, Vivienne Vida, Pixie Dot and Hope showed up to the Summit of the Americas dressed as Marilyn Monroe alongside Kalista Stage dressed as Evita. The event, organized by the 70-million member global rights group Avaaz, aimed to draw attention to the extreme impacts the ecological crisis is having across the Americas including tragic migration waves, increased food insecurity, and a mounting financial crisis. Mischa Kinx, Los Angeles-based drag-queen, said: We are literally lip syncing for our lives! The earth, the one and only mother, is all we have. If world leaders dont listen today, well just find higher heels so they cant ignore us tomorrow. It's time to act on climate change and show us you know what pride means! Oscar Soria, Avaaz Campaign Director, said: "This Summit of the Americas can't be another summit of nice words and empty promises. President Biden, the host of the summit, must offer an ambitious regional cooperation package, including debt relief, so countries in Latin America and the Caribbean can use these resources to protect the environment and their people. If he does not, the United States will face a climate crisis and a migrant crisis it is woefully unprepared to handle. Twelve years after the Obama-Biden administration's $100 billion pledge to support low income countries experiencing disproportionate impacts from the climate crisis, the US is still falling *tens of billions* short of delivering on its promise. This weeks Summit is another opportunity for Biden to restore America's image in the Americas, committing to pay $32-49 billion per year in climate funding. For professional images free of editorial use, and to set up interviews: email media@avaaz.org High resolution photos of the action will be available here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzTE5j Video link for b-roll will be available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wYLGgk3zMJEtD5aH5JFSpoDKVfc0BeXC?usp=sharing A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6dd48207-d582-485c-8867-891c306a47ca The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress. Notes to the editor: The drag queens each sang a spoof version of Happy birthday, Mr. President to life-sized cut-outs of the heads of states of the United States (Joe Biden), Canada (Justin Trudeau), Argentina (Alberto Fernandez), Brazil (Jair Bolsonaro) and Ecuador (Guillermo Lasso). Heres the message for each head of State: United States: Addressing US President Joe Biden, Marilyn Monroe reminded President Biden that he needs to pay the money promised to address climate change, and ensure ambition is met at the summit by "saving nature before it's gone." Canada: The Marilyn serenading Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also pressured him to pay the money pledged to halt climate change, and further called on him to end his governments investments in fossil fuels. Argentina: President Fernandez was urged "not to kneel to the IMF", and to work for a debt for nature solution. The Argentinian leader was also greeted by his countrys most iconic idol, a drag-queen Evita Peron, who asked him to call upon the rich countries to pay their ecological debt to developing nations. Argentina holds high amounts of sovereign debt, while its territory encompasses important ecosystems that help to regulate the climate in the world. Ecuador: President Lasso was urged to stop annihilating the Amazon by drilling for oil, primarily to feed demand from California. Brazil: Brazils Bolsonaro faced a Marilyn furious about the destruction of the Amazon and his contempt for the rights of Indigenous peoples. PHILADELPHIA, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether the directors of Anaplan, Inc. (Anaplan) (NYSE: PLAN) breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders in approving a buyout with Thoma Bravo LP (Thoma Bravo) for inadequate consideration. ANAPLAN SHAREHOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CLICK HERE TO CONTACT KEHOE LAW FIRM, P.C. AND PROVIDE DETAILS ABOUT THEIR ANAPLAN SECURITIES. On March 20, 2022, Anaplan announced it had reached an agreement to be bought out by Thoma Bravo for $66 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $10.7 billion. On June 6, 2022, Reuters reported that "private-equity firm Thoma Bravo had trimmed its takeover offer to $10.4 billion, after the software maker agreed to resolve a disagreement regarding compliance with certain merger terms." Further, Reuters reported that "[t]he company's shares, which have risen nearly 44% this year, were down about 4% in premarket trading." The investigation concerns whether Anaplans board of directors failed to maximize the value of Anaplan for the benefit of Anaplans shareholders in connection with its announced buyout by Thoma Bravo, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Anaplans shareholders, and whether Anaplans shareholders have suffered damages as a result. INVESTORS OF ANAPLAN STOCK ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, MYARNOFF@KEHOELAWFIRM.COM, INFO@KEHOELAWFIRM.COM, TO DISCUSS THE ANAPLAN INVESTIGATION AND FOR A NO-OBLIGATION EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS. Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., with offices in New York and Philadelphia, is a multidisciplinary, plaintiffside law firm dedicated to protecting investors from securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties, and corporate misconduct. Combined, the partners at Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. have served as Lead Counsel or Co-Lead Counsel in cases that have recovered more than $10 billion on behalf of institutional and individual investors. This press release may constitute attorney advertising. Toronto, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A full 20 percent of new personal vehicles and transport vehicles will be zero-emission by 2026. Rising fuel prices have given Canadians another reason to purchase electric vehicles. According to research by AutoTraders, two-thirds of Canadians are now considering going electric for their next vehicle purchase. However, most interested buyers are unable to obtain an electric vehicle, according to EV online sales platform Carnex CEO Bruce Wu, Long wait times Canadas transportation agency reported that over half of Canadian auto dealers do not have electric vehicle inventory. In severe cases, dealerships must wait up to six months to fulfill backorders. Major global EV makers like Toyota and Nissan have already depleted their stock for 2022 and hit their peak production capacity. The mainstream view attributes semiconductor shortage and Canadas inadequate supply distribution to be the roadblock to the vacuum. However, Bruce Wu offers another perspective. With seven years of experience in the industry, Wu said most major automakers do not see a strong business case to sell electric vehicles in Canada. Traditional revenue streams for the auto industry come from aftermarket support. Because electric vehicles require less maintenance, theres less money to be made in this regard. Moreover, Wu believes that Canada lacks the robust EV regulations established in markets like China and the E.U. Automakers have no EV production sites in Canada. If the government refuses to invest in infrastructure and develop stronger policies to support this market, then theres simply no motivation for brands to sell here without a monetary or growth incentive, said Wu. New brands to fill the void The federal government had promised to invest C$3.8 billion to secure the battery supply chain for electric vehicles. This investment includes ensuring that manufacturers will gain enough raw materials. Furthermore, the Canadian government aims to have at least 20 percent of new personal vehicles and transport vehicles be zero-emission by 2026, and 100 percent by 2035. Automakers are also ramping up their efforts in Canada. In March, Stellantis and LG announced a $5 billion investment in their battery manufacturing plants in Windsor, Ontario. General Electric also announced in April that it will transform its Ingersoll assembly plant into a full EV production facility. But these long-term strategies do not tackle near-term problems. We recently saw LUCID and Vietnamese EV company VinFast opening their first experience stores in Toronto, said Wu. Wu believes that Canadian consumers have a strong desire to purchase EVs. Canada must embrace global brands, especially ones from China, in order to satiate the strong demand. China is the global leader in electric vehicle technology. In 2021, the country manufactured more than 294.2 million fully-electric vehicles, accounting for nearly 50 percent of the global production. Political conflicts aside, Chinese brands can be self-sustaining in Canada and provide greater choices for Canadians. NIO, XPeng, Lynk&Co and several other Chinese EV brands plan to expand their brands in Europe, where there are mature policies supporting the industry. Their interest to grow on a global scale is increased after seeing BDY Autos successful entry into the Australian market and the excellent sales of MG. Chinese EV makers lead the way in providing digital experience, customer service and cost management. Compared to the era of combustion vehicles, electrification and digitalization have provided a vast opportunity for Chinese brands to thrive on the global stage. Carnex believes that Canada should build stronger relationships with Chinese innovators and bring their products to the great north. About Carnex Carnex.ca is Canada's first e-commerce platform for used Electric Vehicles, with the EV company's headquarters located in Toronto, Ontario. Its core management team has specialized in the automotive industry for more than ten years primarily in China, which is home to the worlds largest EV market. Carnex's monthly turnover currently exceeds more than C$1 million. It recognized that the potential EV market is enormous, as more and more customers seek high-quality, environment-friendly EV products and services. Therefore, the founders want to enable anyone to access the convenience and benefits of electric vehicles. To that end, Carnex.ca is dedicated to providing customers with EV knowledge, as well as to meeting consumer needs with after-market service capabilities, such as EV test drives; technical consultations, meanwhile, for its local customers in Canada, they also offer online car selection; online loans; online replacement; and door-to-door car delivery. For more details please check www.carnex.ca . Attachment South Africa: Government making headway in restoring services Deputy President David Mabuza says government has made headway in implementing recovery interventions in areas that were affected by the recent devastating floods. The Deputy President said this when he responded to oral questions during a sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday. As part of Phase 2 interventions, the government is making headway with stabilisation and recovery actions, including rehousing those who were displaced and restoring basic services. As previously mentioned, the Department of Water and Sanitation has established a Water and Sanitation War Room to assist the province's affected state organs, particularly the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, in restoring water services and addressing water and infrastructure-related challenges, he said. While the first phase of governments response comprised rolling-out immediate humanitarian relief - ensuring that all affected people are safe and that their basic needs are met the second phase is anchored on stabilisation and recovery. This includes rehousing people who have lost their homes and restoring service provision. To this end, water supply restoration has progressed in many regions of eThekwini, with the exception of the Tongaat Supply System, which remains a major challenge. This is due to the critical water infrastructure badly destroyed. We are advised that the restoration of Tongaat Waterworks is expected to take 3 to 6 months to complete, he said. The Deputy President said since all affected people should be taken care of without losing a single day of their lives without basic necessities, the criticism that the processes have been slow is expected. However, the severity of the situation necessitates some time to fix. Even with all the difficulties we face, we want to apprise this House that affected municipalities and government departments have been conducting technical assessments of damage costs and recommending short, medium, and long-term measures since the floods. Last month, the national government received the coordinated response interventions and requested funds for both essential and emergency repairs, as well as long-term solutions to restore normalcy to the affected areas. The National Treasury has issued a directive outlining the public management and budgeting system that would be used in the event of a national disaster to guarantee that services to the impacted communities are not disrupted. The Deputy President said affected provincial departments and municipalities have already begun the process of reprioritising their budgets and submitting requests to the National Disaster Management Centre for the reallocation or repurposing of funds in conditional grants. He said in this regard, the primary focus has been on humanitarian relief and emergency repairs of critical infrastructure such as water and waste management, electricity, roads and engineering infrastructure, as well as social services such as healthcare. We will continue to monitor and assist land identification processes by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and rapid housing initiatives by the Department of Human Settlements; as well as the delivery of other necessary services to affected communities through Inter-Ministerial Committees. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-06-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China's FAST telescope detects weird repeating fast radio burst Xinhua) 14:41, June 09, 2022 BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have found a highly active, repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB), only the second example of its kind, which is hinting at the evolutionary picture of those mysterious cosmic events. FRBs are the brightest millisecond-duration astronomical transients in radio bands with yet unknown origins. Less than five percent of them ever detected have been seen to repeat and only a few are persistently active. Using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), also dubbed "China Sky Eye," an international team led by astronomers from the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) has discovered and localized an active repeating fast radio burst called FRB 20190520B in a metal-poor dwarf galaxy nearly three billion light-years from Earth. Then, telescopes including the Very Large Array, the Palomar telescope, the Keck Telescope, Subaru Telescope and Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope continued the observations, respectively, to confirm the FRB 20190520B. The scientists said that FRB 20190520B seems to reside in a complex plasma environment resembling that in a super luminous supernova, suggesting that it may be a "newborn." It is the second example of a highly active FRB with repeating bursts and persistent radio emission between bursts coming from a compact region, after the discovery of the first repeater FRB 20121102A in 2016, according to the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. The differences between the two FRBs and all the others have hinted at a possibility that there may be two different kinds of FRBs, said the researchers. Now, candidates for the FRB sources are the superdense neutron stars left over after a massive star explodes as a supernova, or neutron stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields, called magnetars. The astronomers said that there may be either two different mechanisms or that the objects producing them act differently at different stages of their evolution. "We further postulate that FRB 20121102A and FRB 20190520B represent the initial stage of an evolving FRB population," said the paper's co-corresponding author Li Di with NAOC. "A coherent picture of the origin and evolution of FRBs is likely to emerge in just a few years," said Li. Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in southwest China's Guizhou Province, FAST started formal operation in January 2020 and officially opened to the world on March 31, 2021. It is believed to be the world's most sensitive radio telescope. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) Dragon boat participants from Pantang Village row along a canal in the historic Lychee Bay scenic area in Guangzhou in southern China's Guangdong Province, June 3. A Chinese Dragon Boat Festival custom that excludes women has stirred a heated public debate about how to handle cultural traditions that promote gender discrimination. AP-Yonhap An Iranian flag flies at Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start work on a second reactor at the facility in this file photo taken Nov. 10, 2019. Iran disconnected some of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog's monitoring cameras, the country's Atomic Energy Organization said in a statement, after Western nations accused Tehran of non-cooperation, June 8. The move was announced after a resolution submitted by Britain, France, Germany and the United States to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to censure Iran, the first since June 2020 when a similar motion censuring the country was adopted. AFP-Yonhap Iran said it had disconnected some International Atomic Energy Agency cameras monitoring its nuclear sites Wednesday, hours before the U.N. nuclear watchdog adopted a resolution criticizing the Islamic republic for failing to cooperate. The move by Iran's atomic agency came in anticipation of ratification of the censure, drafted after the Vienna-based IAEA raised concerns about traces of enriched uranium previously found at three sites Tehran had not declared as having hosted nuclear activities. The U.N. nuclear watchdog formally adopted the censure, diplomatic sources told AFP, after it was submitted by Britain, France, Germany and the United States. The censure the first to criticize Iran since June 2020 was approved by 30 members of the IAEA board of governors, with only Russia and China voting against it, according to two diplomats. The move was welcomed by Israel, which said it was a "first and necessary step towards the goal of restoring Iran's compliance with its safeguards obligations." After the adoption of the resolution, the U.S., Britain, France and Germany urged Iran "to fulfil its legal obligations, and cooperate with the IAEA." The foreign ministries of the four Western nations issued a joint statement welcoming the IAEA's resolution "responding to Iran's insufficient cooperation with the IAEA on serious and outstanding safeguards issues," surrounding its nuclear activities. "The overwhelming majority vote at the IAEA Board of Governors today sends an unambiguous message to Iran that it must meet its safeguards obligations and provide technically credible clarifications on outstanding safeguards issues," the statement added. "We urge Iran to heed the call of the international community to fulfil its legal obligations, and cooperate with the IAEA to fully clarify and resolve issues without further delay." 'Goodwill gesture' ends Iran earlier said the cameras it had disconnected had been operating as a "goodwill gesture," outside its safeguard agreement with the IAEA. "As of today, the relevant authorities have been instructed to cut off the On-Line Enrichment Monitor and the flow meter cameras of the agency," said the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. The AEOI added that Iran's agreement to allow the cameras to run was not "appreciated" by the U.N. agency but considered an "obligation." Its statement did not specify how many cameras had been turned off, but said "more than 80 percent of the agency's existing cameras are operating according to the safeguard agreement and will continue to operate just as before." Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Iranian agency, had "monitored the shutdown of two IAEA cameras at a nuclear facility," the statement added. "Other measures are being considered and we hope that they will come to their senses and respond to Iran's cooperation with cooperation," he told state TV. 'Counterproductive' The U.S. State Department said that Iran's reported move, if confirmed, was "extremely regrettable" and "counterproductive" to attempts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran reached the deal limiting its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief but the agreement has been on life support since then President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from it in 2018. Tehran, which denies seeking to build a nuclear bomb, has backed away from some of its own commitments since 2019. European capitals have expressed mounting concern over how far Iran has gone in resuming nuclear activities since the U.S. began re-imposing sanctions in 2018. Iran has built up large stockpiles of enriched uranium, some of it enriched to levels far higher than those needed for nuclear power generation. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi attends a press conference during an IAEA Board of Governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters of the U.N. seat in Vienna, June 6. EPA-Yonhap In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. This Privacy Policy (Policy) sets out our data collection and processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal information is used. This Policy contains important information about your personal rights to privacy. Please read it carefully to understand how we use your personal data. We may update this Policy from time to time without notice to you, so please check it regularly. The provision of your personal data to us is voluntary. However, without providing us with your personal data, you will be unable to (as appropriate): contact us; subscribe to our mailing list; subscribe to any of our publications; or receive information about In Defence of Marxism. We collect information about you: (1) When you give it to us DIRECTLY You may give us your personal data in order to subscribe to a newsletter or publication, when you contact us by phone, email or post, when you sign a petition / statement, and/or when you donate money to us. (2) When you give it to us INDIRECTLY Your information will also be provided to us when you follow us or otherwise interact with on or via Twitter, when you like and/or join our page on Facebook or interact with us in other ways on or via Facebook. (3) When you give permission to OTHER ORGANISATIONS to share it or it is AVAILABLE PUBLICLY We may combine information you provide to us with information available from external publicly available sources. Depending on your privacy settings for social media services, we may also access information from those accounts or services. We use this information to gain a better understanding of you and to improve our communications and fundraising activities. (4) When you visit our WEBSITE We use cookies to identify you when you visit our website. Please refer to our Cookies Policy for details on the way our use of cookies affects your personal data. What information do we collect? We may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal data: (1) We will typically hold your name and contact details, including telephone number, location, and e-mail address. However, we may request other information where it is appropriate and relevant, for example: Your bank details or debit/credit card details (if making a donation). (2) any communication preferences you give; (3) information about your computer and about your visits to and use of this website including your IP address, geographical location, browser type, referral source, length of visit and number of page views; and/or (4) any other information shared with us as per clause 1. Do we process sensitive personal information? Applicable law recognises certain categories of personal information as sensitive and therefore requiring more protection, including political opinions and trade union membership. In limited cases, we may collect sensitive personal data about you. We would only collect sensitive personal data if there is a clear reason for doing so; and will only do so with your explicit consent. How and why will we use your personal data? Personal data, however provided to us, will be used for the purposes specified in this Policy or in relevant parts of the website. We may use your personal information to: (1) Enable you to subscribe to our hard copy publications; (2) Send you information about our work, campaigns, organisations and any other information, products or services that we provide (this will not be done without your consent); (3) Provide you with the services, products or information you have requested; (4) If you request, put you in touch with other supporters in your area (who have also provided such consent); (5) Handle the administration of any donation or other payment you make via credit/debit card, cheque, standing order or BACS transfer; (6) Collect payments from you and send statements and/or receipts to you; (7) Conduct research into the impact of our activity / campaigns; (8) Deal with enquiries and complaints made by you relating to the website or us in general; (9) Make petition submissions to third parties, where you have signed a petition and the third party is a target of the campaign to which the petition relates; and/or (10) Audit and/or administer our accounts. Supporter Analysis Google Analytics We may use some of your personal information to analyse our digital performance, for example to see how our website can be improved to help us achieve the purposes set out in section 9 below, to record how you are using our website or to assess the popularity of different articles / campaigns. For more information on how we use your personal information in relation to Google Analytics, please view our cookie policy by clicking this link cookies policy You can opt-out of the collection of information for such purposes here: http://www.aboutads.info/choices Communications, updates, fundraising Where you have provided appropriate consent, we will contact you by telephone and e-mail, with targeted communications to let you know about our events and/or activities that we consider may be of particular interest; about the work of In Defence of Marxism; and to ask for donations or other support. 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If we come to discover, or have reason to believe, that you are 15 and under and we are holding your personal information, we will delete that information within a reasonable period and withhold our services accordingly. Security of and access to your personal data We endeavour to ensure that there are appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to prevent the loss, destruction, misuse, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or of access to your personal information. Your information is only accessible by appropriately trained staff and volunteers. We may also use agencies and/or suppliers to process data on our behalf. We may also merge or partner with other organisations and in so doing transfer and/or acquire personal data. Please note that some countries outside of the EEA have a lower standard of protection for personal data, including lower security requirements and fewer rights for individuals. We may transfer and/or store personal data collected from you to and/or at a destination outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Such personal data may be processed by agencies and/or suppliers operating outside the EEA. If we transfer and/or store your personal data outside the EEA we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient implements appropriate measures to protect your personal data. Otherwise than as set out in this Privacy Policy, we will only ever share your data with your informed consent. Your rights Where we rely on your consent to use your personal information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This includes the right to ask us to stop using your personal information for direct marketing purposes or to be unsubscribed from our email list at any time. You also have the following rights: (1) Right to be informed you have the right to be told how your personal information will be used. This Policy and any other policies and statements used on our website and in our communications are intended to provide you with a clear and transparent description of how your personal information may be used. (2) Right of access you can write to us to ask for confirmation of what information we hold on you and to request a copy of that information. Provided we are satisfied that you are entitled to see the information requested and we have successfully confirmed your identity, we have 30 days to comply. (3) Right of erasure as from 25 May 2018, you can ask us for your personal information to be deleted from our records. (4) Right of rectification if you believe our records of your personal information are inaccurate, you have the right to ask for those records to be updated. (5) Right to restrict processing you have the right to ask for processing of your personal data to be restricted if there is disagreement about its accuracy or legitimate usage. (6) Right to data portability to the extent required by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) where we are processing your personal information (i) under your consent, (ii) because such processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are party or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contact or (iii) by automated means, you may ask us to provide it to you or another service provider in a machine-readable format. To exercise these rights, please send a description of the personal information in question using the contact details in section 15 below. You can also unsubscribe from our email list by sending a blank email to news-unsubscribe@marxist.com Where we consider that the information with which you have provided us does not enable us to identify the personal information in question, we reserve the right to ask for (i) personal identification and/or (ii) further information. Lawful processing We are required to have one or more lawful grounds to process your personal information. Only 4 of these are relevant to us: Personal information is processed on the basis of a persons consent Personal information is processed on the basis of a contractual relationship Personal information is processed on the basis of legal obligations Personal information is processed on the basis of legitimate interests (1) Consent We will ask for your consent to use your information to send you electronic communications such as newsletters and and fundraising emails, and if you ever share sensitive personal information with us. (2) Contractual relationships Most of our interactions with supporters are voluntary and not contractual. However, sometimes it will be necessary to process personal information so that we can enter contractual relationships with people. For example, if you subscribe to one of our publications, or purchase merchandise online. (3) Legal obligations Sometimes we will be obliged to process your personal information due to legal obligations which are binding on us. We will only ever do so when strictly necessary. (4) Legitimate interests Applicable law allows personal information to be collected and used if it is reasonably necessary for our legitimate activities (as long as its use is fair, balanced and does not unduly impact individuals rights). We will rely on this ground to process your personal data when it is not practical or appropriate to ask for consent. Achieving our purposes These include (but are not limited to) promoting socialist policies Governance Internal and external audit for financial or regulatory compliance purposes Statutory reporting Publicity and income generation Conventional direct marketing and other forms of marketing, publicity or advertisement Unsolicited messages, including campaigns, newsletters, and fundraising appeals Analysis, targeting and segmentation to develop and promote or strategy and improve communication efficiency Personalisation used to tailor and enhance your experience of our communications Operational Management Maintenance of suppression files Processing for historical, scientific or statistical purpose Purely administrative purposes Responding to enquiries Delivery of requested products or information Communications designed to administer existing services including subscriptions, administration of petitions and financial transactions Thank you communications and receipts Maintaining a supporter database and suppression lists Financial Management and control Processing financial transactions and maintaining financial controls Prevention of fraud, misuse of services, or money laundering Enforcement of legal claims Reporting criminal acts and compliance with law enforcement agencies When we use your personal information, we will consider if it is fair and balanced to do so and if it is within your reasonable expectations. We will balance your rights and our legitimate interests to ensure that we use your personal information in ways that are not unduly intrusive or unfair in other ways. Data retention The length of time each category of data will be retained will vary depending on how long we need to process it for, the reason it was collected, and in line with any statutory requirements. After this point the data will either be deleted, or we may retain a secure anonymised record for research and analytical purposes. In the event that you ask us to stop sending you direct marketing/fundraising/other electronic communications, we will keep your name on our internal suppression list to ensure that you are not contacted again. Policy amendments We keep this Privacy Policy under regular review and reserve the right to update from time-to-time by posting an updated version on our website, not least because of changes in applicable law. We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy occasionally to ensure you remain happy with it. We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email. Third party websites We link our website directly to other sites. This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit via links on our website. Updating information You can check the personal data we hold about you, and ask us to update it where necessary, by emailing us at webmaster@marxist.com Contact We are not required by law to have a Data Protection Officer however we have a Data Protection Manager. Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com Volkswagen of America (VWoA) opened its Battery Engineering Lab (BEL) in Chattanooga, to test and optimize batteries for all electric vehicles in the American marketplace. By developing critical battery expertise in-house, the $22-million, 32,000 square feet facility will enable Volkswagen to gain a competitive edge in the push to electric mobility. Coupled with the $800-million factory electrification in Chattanooga, the opening of the BEL is the latest step in Volkswagens $7.1-billion commitment to boost its product portfolio, R&D, and manufacturing capabilities in the North American region. The first American-assembled Volkswagen EV, the ID.4 compact SUV, is poised to roll off the assembly line in 2022. The BEL is the first facility of its kind for Volkswagen of America and one of four strategically located units in the Volkswagen Group globally, with one in Germany (Braunschweig) and two in China (Shanghai, Changchun). Engineers will initially focus on batteries and battery packs for Volkswagens MEB vehicle platform, with the potential to incorporate various types for all vehicle brands across the Volkswagen Group. Going forward, Volkswagen aims to look at emerging battery technologies and get an early understanding of how new concepts and prototypes can withstand the companys rigid specifications. These insights are crucial know-how, as battery technologies continue to improve in terms of energy density, weight and cost, and shape the characteristics of an electric vehicle. Volkswagen of Americas local engineering group in Chattanooga consists of more than 100 dedicated engineers in various roles, from chassis to driving performance, interior and digital technologies. With the BEL, Volkswagen is adding more highly-qualified jobs. Working on-site or remote via cloud access, a new team of 30 engineers will focus on various climatic, mechanical, electrical, and corrosion tests of battery cells and battery packs. They can replicate every climatic environment in the world and scale between extreme settings well beyond what a typical customer would put a vehicle through. This is especially important in countries such as the USand even more so for the North American continentwith its climate variations, from arctic cold to desert heat. Building the Battery Engineering Lab from the ground up allowed Volkswagen to install highly specialized equipment such as the electrical Multi-Axial Shaker Table (eMAST). This unique machine allows for extreme vibration tests to simulate one average year of driving (15,000 km or about 9,321 mi) in just one week. Thats the equivalent of driving from Orlando to Seattle three times in seven days. Other primary tests include a drive-in climate chamber that can fit a larger SUV model, and the ability to set temperature ranges between -70 to 130 Celsius (-94 to 266 F) to mirror hundreds of possible climate conditions. The BEL is also equipped with thermal-shock chambers that rapidly expose battery packs to changing hot and cold environments to stress their welds and fasteners, durability tests with certified, super-fine Arizona dust to add abrasive elements and test the sealing of battery packs, and water immersion tanks to simulate water ingress scenarios. The BELs focus on sustainability goes beyond its work, encompassing the facility's operation. When batteries are discharged during testing, the energy produced will be transferred back into the building, and local public grid and scrapped materials will be recycled. Volkswagen has invested more than $800 million to prepare its Chattanooga plant for the local assembly of the ID.4 SUV in 2022, including dedicated facilities for vehicle and battery pack assembly. Since 2019, Volkswagen has already transformed four of its global factories to assemble these MEB-specific battery packs, with sites in Germany, Czech Republic and two in China; Chattanooga is the fifth one. Volkswagen employs more than 4,000 people at its factory, and aims to hire 1,000 new production team members through 2022, to help meet customer demand for the Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and upcoming ID.4. Plug Power Inc. will build a 35-tons-per-day green hydrogen generation plant at Port of Antwerp-Bruges in the heart of Europe. Plug signed a 30-year concession agreement to build the plant at the Belgian port, the second-largest in Europe. Plug plans to erect a 100-megawatt green hydrogen plant, using its own electrolyzer and liquefaction technology, on 28 acres of land leased under the agreement. Plug will produce up to 12,500 tons per year of liquid and gaseous green hydrogen for the European market. Construction of the plant will begin upon completion of the permitting process, anticipated in late 2023. Initial production of green hydrogen is expected in late 2024, and plant commissioning will be in 2025. Port of Antwerp-Bruges sits in a strategic location in Europe. At the center of the largest chemical industry cluster in Europe and close to the North Sea, it provides transportation connections to Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, UK, and France. It is less than an hours drive to Brussels, the capital of Europe. The port area is also one of the busiest logistics areas in Europe, handling annually 289 million tons of maritime freight, 24 million tons of rail freight, and 108.5 million tons of barge freight. Sixty percent of Europes purchasing power is located within 300 miles. Port of Antwerp-Bruges, set to become a major hydrogen hub for Europe, has plans to be a lighthouse port for climate-neutral infrastructure. The site location provides the opportunity for a ready supply of electricity from on-site and site-adjacent wind turbines generating dozens of megawatts, with an electric interconnection point less than a mile away. In addition, the site offers water, road, rail, and pipeline access for the delivery of green hydrogen to customers. An open-access hydrogen pipeline will be built along the site, and Plug has signed a contract with Fluxys to engage in a feasibility study for enabling a connection to the pipeline, which will be part of a European open-access hydrogen backbone. Plug will build in the ports NextGen District, an area dedicated to companies supporting the circular economy. Leveraging the cluster being assembled in the NextGen district, Plug is exploring partnerships to complete the circular use of wastewater expelled during the production of green hydrogen. NextGen District More than 1,500 acres of covered warehousing at Port of Antwerp-Bruges supports heavy manufacturing industries. Plug will contribute to decarbonizing the logistics flows of the port, with material handling solutions, fuel cell vans through HYVIAa joint venture between Plug and Renaultand stationary power solutions for shore power. North Sea countries are major producers of wind power with more than 15 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity. They have committed to grow capacity to 65 GW by 2030 and 150 GW by 2050, as part of a recent cooperation agreement signed by Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The European Union recently launched a $315-billion REPowerEU initiative to support the shift from Russian fossil fuels to renewable energy including green hydrogen. ZeroAvia has signed an agreement with MONTE Aircraft Leasing (MONTE), the pioneering zero-emissions regional turboprop aircraft lessor. As part of the agreement the partners will offer aircraft leasing and financing solutions that enable operators to run zero-emission flights. Under the deal, MONTE will purchase up to 100 ZA600 powertrains to be installed on existing and new Cessna Caravan, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Dornier 228 and HAL-228 aircraft. MONTE and ZeroAvia aim to retrofit the aircraft for clients starting in 2024 and will provide and finance maintenance and hydrogen availability services to support these operations. The deal will make ZeroAvia MONTEs exclusive hydrogen-electric powertrain provider for these aircraft. ZeroAvias ZA600 powertrainZeroAvias market entry, 600kW system, designed to support 5-20 seat airframes by 2024uses gaseous hydrogen stored onboard in lightweight tanks. The hydrogen feeds fuel cell stacks that generate power by converting hydrogen into electricity. ZeroAvia will soon flight test the ZA600 powertrain in a retrofitted Dornier 228. In the initial testing configuration, the aircraft testbed will fly with one hydrogen-electric powertrain on one wing, while keeping the stock engine on the other wing to ensure safe testing conditions. The testing program will then sequentially move to full hydrogen-electric flight, ultimately working towards a certifiable hydrogen-electric powertrain as the sole propulsion source for the categories of airframes included in this deal with MONTE. The work to develop ZA600 up to a certifiable configuration is part of the HyFlyer II project, in part supported by the UK Government through the ATI program. Based in the UK and USA, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for its two-prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA, passed significant flight test milestones, secured a number of key partnerships with major aircraft OEMs and major global airlines, and is on track for commercial operations in 2024. The companys expanding UK operations are supported by grants from UKs Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, and ZeroAvia is part of the UK Governments Jet Zero Council. MONTE is exclusively focused on supporting the aviation industrys transition to net zero carbon emissions by providing financing and leasing solutions for zero-emission technologies to regional aircraft operators. MONTE has a goal of becoming the first carbon neutral aircraft leasing company in the world by 2027. Green River Police Department reports for May 23 At 9 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Hitching Post Drive and issued the driver, Lacy Miller Rudolph, 40, of Green River, a citation for alleged stop sign violation. At 9:44 p.m., officers responded to a report of barking dogs on Hackberry Street. Upon arrival officers heard the dogs barking and attempted to make contact with an owner. Officers were able to contact an owner who responded to the house and brought the dogs in the house with no further issues. Officers completed a report of the incident. May 24 At 1:49 a.m., officers observed two juveniles in violation of curfew. Officers met with both juveniles and issued both, 17, of Green River, citations for curfew violations. Officers released the juveniles to their parents and completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. At 9:29 a.m., officers responded to a report of larceny at Delaware Place. Officers met with the reporting party who advised that someone who previously lived with them had filled out a change of address form and was now receiving all their mail and would not return it. Officers gathered the information and completed a report of the incident. At 11:54 a.m., officers while on patrol observed a vehicle being driven on Adams Street by an individual with a suspended drivers license. Officers made contact with the individual who had parked and exited the vehicle. The individual stated he was not the one driving the vehicle. The individual later admitted he had lied and he was the person driving the vehicle. Officers issued the individual, Kerry Rivera, 51, of Green River, citations for alleged driving while license canceled, suspended, or revoked - 2nd+ offense and interference with a peace officer. Officers placed Rivera under arrest and transported him to the Sweetwater County Detention Center without incident. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 8:01 p.m., officers responded to a report of found drug paraphernalia. Officers collected the items and booked them in for destruction. Officers completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. At 10:12 p.m., officers responded to a report of trespassing on wilderness trail. Officers obtained information from the reporting party and met with the suspect. Officers advised both parties and completed a report of the incident. At 10:53 p.m., officers responded to a report of larceny at Maverick. The reporting party advised they were missing a bag from their motorcycle. Officers met with the reporting party and gathered information on the missing items. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the bag. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 11:48 p.m., officers responded to a report of barking dogs on Clark Street. Upon arrival officers could hear the dog barking and were able to locate an owner. The owner stated they would bring the dogs in for the remainder of the night to prevent any further issues. Officers completed a report of the incident. May 25 At 12:18 a.m., officers responded to a report of a dog at large on East Teton Boulevard. Officers located the dog and were able to get it back to its owner. The owner was warned for dog at large and officers completed a report of the incident. At 9:08 p.m., officers responded to West Teton Boulevard in reference to a trespassing call. Officers met with the reporting party who wished to have an individual trespassed from their residence. Officers spoke to the individual and issued the trespass. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 10:26 p.m., officers responded to Evans Street in reference to a noise complaint. Officers spoke with all parties involved and completed a report of the incident. At 11:25 p.m., officers responded to Arctic Circle for a report of a hit and run. Officers completed a crash report of the incident. May 26 At 11:28 a.m., officers responded to Stratton Myers Park in reference to a one vehicle crash. Officers made contact with the reporting person who told them that they drove their vehicle into a ravine causing damage. Officers completed a crash report of the incident. At 3:46 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Green River Police Department for a report of a stolen bicycle that occurred on Indian Hills Drive. Officers spoke with the reporting party and the owner of the bicycle, who stated the bike was last seen unsecured in the front yard of a friends house three days ago. Officers completed a report of the incident. May 27 At 4:15 a.m., officers responded to Windriver Drive for a report of an unknown person trying to break into an apartment. Upon arrival, officers observed the front screen door to the residence was open and was blowing open and closed in the wind. The reporting party reported hearing loud banging noises coming from outside the residence. Officers searched the front and back of the residence and were unable to locate anyone in the area. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 11:56 a.m., officers responded to a report of a vehicle that backed into a fence on Uinta Drive. Officers met with the driver and issued a citation for alleged improper backing to Shannon Nettik, of Green River. Report to follow. At 2:04 p.m., officers responded to a report of a one vehicle roll over at North 1st East Street and Cemetery Road. Officers observed the vehicle to be laying on its passenger side and the sole occupant was extracted from the vehicle by removing the windshield. The individual was found to be intoxicated. EMS responded and the individual was transported and later placed under arrest for alleged DWUI of alcohol .08 or greater and open container. Officers transported Richard Meeks, of Green River, to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. May 28 At 7:45 a.m., officers responded to a report of an unattended death. Officers assisted EMS and the Coroner. No suspicious circumstances are suspected. Offices completed a report of the incident. The case is still under investigation. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. At 7:58 a.m., officers responded to a report of a citizen assist on West 5th North Street. Officers met with individuals, conducted a civil standby, and issued a trespass warning at the property owners request. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 8:05 a.m., officers responded to a report of fraud on East Flaming Gorge Way. Officers met with an individual who reported a fraudulent financial account had been opened up in their name but they were able to close the account. No monetary losses were reported and officers completed a report of the incident. At 7:16 p.m., officers responded to a report of a suspicious male in the area of Alabama Drive. Officers canvassed the area and did not locate the individual. Officers completed a report of the incident. May 29 At 1:49 p.m., officers responded to a two-vehicle collision on Bridger Drive and East Teton Boulevard. It was reported one vehicle was parked on the shoulder on Bridger Drive. A second vehicle later parked behind the first vehicle. The owner of the first vehicle later began to reverse the vehicle and collided with the front bumper of the second vehicle. Officers met with both owners and completed a report of the incident. May 30 At 10:02 a.m., officers responded to a report of a citizen assist on West Teton Boulevard. Officers met with individuals over civil matters and welfare concerns. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 12:35 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision at North 3rd West Street and West Flaming Gorge Way. It was reported one vehicle was pulled over and stopped in front of a second vehicle on the shoulder of North 3rd West Street. As the driver of the first vehicle backed up, the rear bumper of the first vehicle struck the front bumper of the second vehicle. Officers met with the driver of the first vehicle, Gene Pierce, of Green River, and issued citations for alleged failure to maintain liability coverage and limitations on backing- safely. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 1:19 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop at Upland Way and Commerce Drive and issued the driver Trevor Duvall, of Green River, citations for alleged expired temporary license/permit/improper registration and seat belt required violation. At 1:43 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on East 4th South Street and issued the driver Bradyn Boutin, of Green River, a citation for alleged failure to provide proof of liability insurance. May 31 At 5:50 a.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision on Uinta Drive and East 2nd South Street. It was reported one vehicle was traveling east on East 2nd Sout Street and stopped at the intersection waiting to turn left onto the overpass. Another vehilce was traveling southwest on Uinta Drive approaching the intersection. The first vehicle pulled out into the intersection initiating a left-hand turn when the second vehicle struck the drivers side of the first vehicle. EMS responded but no transports were made. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 2:13 p.m., officers responded to a report of a larceny on Oklahoma Drive. Officers met with an individual who reported items that were missing. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 2:15 p.m., officers responded to a report of vandalism on Cumorah Way. Officers met with an individual who reported that eggs had been thrown at their vehicle. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 11:03 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop at Jefferson Street and Schultz Street and issued the driver, Jeanette Franks, of Green River, a citation for alleged DWUS- driving on a suspended drivers license. June 1 At 3:22 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision at Smiths. It was reported a vehicle was stopped at the pharmacy drive up window when another vehicle pulled in behind the vehicle and stopped. Moments later the second vehicle struck the rear of the first vehicle, then went over a curb and struck the side of the building. Officers gathered information, issued the driver, Jacqueline Newey, of Green River, a citation for alleged inattentive driving, and completed a report of the incident. At 6:28 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. Officers met with individuals involved in an altercation. Officers gathered information, conducted a civil standby, and completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. At 9:36 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on West Flaming Gorge Way and North 7th West Street and issued the driver, Sydney Ferrer, of Green River, a citation for alleged failure to provide proof of liability insurance. At 11:49 p.m., officers responded to a report of a REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) at Uinta Drive and East 4th South Street. Officers observed a vehicle matching the description and began to follow the vehicle. The vehicle was traveling at a low rate of speed and failed to maintain the lane of travel. As officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle continued to drive until the driver attempted to park in a driveway then struck a parked vehicle. Officers met with the driver and detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the drivers breath. Officers gathered information and subsequently placed the driver, Jerry Medina, of Green River, under arrest and issued citations for alleged DWUI - .08 or greater, eluding a police officer, and failure to provide proof of liability insurance. Officers transported Medina to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. June 2 At 10:36 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Uinta Drive and Powell Street for the registration being obscured. The driver was found to have a suspended license. Officers issued the driver, a juvenile, 17, of Green River, citations for alleged compulsory auto insurance and driving while license suspended. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 11:21 p.m., officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at Grant Circle. The reporting party advised there was a suspicious individual who looked like they were attempting to get into vehicles. Officers spoke with the owners of the vehicles and determined that no items were damaged or missing. Officers then made contact with the suspicious individual who stated they were walking to a friends house and had not attempted to get into any vehicles. Officers completed a report of the incident. June 3 At 12:11 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Monroe Avenue and East Teton Boulevard and issued the driver, Shayne Macdonald, 54, of Evanston, a citation for left turn at intersections violation. At 8:12 a.m., officers responded to a report of a student in possession of a tobacco product at Green River High School. Officers met with school administration and the student. Officers gathered information, made contact with a parent or guardian, and issued a citation for alleged use or possession of a tobacco product by a minor. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 1:35 p.m., officers responded to a report of a burglary on Cumorah Way. Officers met with an individual who reported finding their belongings on the front porch of the property and they were unable to enter the property to retrieve the rest of their property. Officers gathered information and determined the incident to be a civil matter, offered assistance, then completed a report of the incident. At 2:34 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop and issued the driver, a juvenile, 16, of Green River, a citation for alleged improper lane usage. At 2:51 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Roosevelt Drive and Uinta Drive with a windshield obstruction and issued the driver Kevin Gelinas, of Green River, a citation for alleged seat belt: driver violation. At 4:36 p.m., officers responded to a report of an animal bite on Crossbow Drive. Officers met with the victim who reported they had been outside playing with some dogs and as they picked up a ball to throw it a dog bit them on the leg. Officers met with the owner of the dog and determined the dog was not current on its Rabies vaccination. Officers impounded the dog for a 10-day Rabies quarantine and completed a report of the incident. At 8:58 p.m., officers responded to a report of an assault. Officers met with an individual who reported an altercation that occurred with another individual that had been throwing boxes into a dumpster illegally. Officers met with the other individual, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. June 4 At 12:14 a.m., officers responded to a report of disturbance on East Flaming Gorge Way. Officers met with individuals regarding a noise complaint, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 12:48 a.m., officers responded to a report of a noise complaint on Indian Hills Drive. Officers met with individuals, gathered information, issued a verbal warning, and completed a report of the incident. At 4:15 p.m., officers responded to a report of a suspicious individual on North 3rd East Street. Officers met with an individual who reported that an individual was outside their window. Officers met with the individual, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 7:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. Officers met with the individuals involved in a verbal dispute, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. At 8:57 p.m., officers responded to a report of an assault. Officers met with an individual who reported that they had been assaulted by an individual during an argument. Officers gathered information, attempted to identify and locate the individual, and completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. June 5 At 12:04 p.m., officers responded to a report of civil issues on Shoshone Avenue. Officers met with individuals involved in a dispute. Officers gathered information, offered assistance, and completed a report of the incident. At 2:01 p.m., officers responded to a report of civil issues at Virginia Circle. Officers met with an individual over concerns regarding an ex and completed a report of the incident. At 6:31 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. Officers met with individuals who were involved in a verbal dispute and gathered information. The parties agreed to stay separated and officers completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. At 10:44 p.m., officers responded to a report of a noise complaint on Clark Street. Officers made contact at the residence and advised of the complaint, gathered information, issued a verbal warning, and completed a report of the incident. June 6 At 4:48 a.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. Officers met with an individual who reported an altercation with an ex. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. At 10:23 a.m., officers responded to a report of a burglary on Jensen Street. Officers met with an individual who reported an item missing. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 1:47 p.m., officers responded to a report of a collision at the Star Twin Theater. Officers met with an individual who reported a collision that happened the previous evening. It was reported that one vehicle was parked facing east against the building and a second vehicle was parked facing east in a parking spot behind and kiddy corner to the first vehicle. As the first vehicle was backing out of their parking spot the rear bumper made contact with the front drivers side of the second vehicle. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 5:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance on Hitching Post Drive. Officers met with individuals involved in a dispute. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 9:40 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. Officers met with an individual who reported a verbal dispute. Officers were unable to make contact with the other involved party, since they had left prior to officer arrival. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. The GRPD did not release the address officers responded to. When the news gets bad and your children cant avoid it, its best to talk with them. The rise of childhood stress and anxiety during the past two years with COVID-19, coupled with incidents such as the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, its understandable your child may feel anxious, nervous or afraid. Its particularly concerning because it is so close in timing to the mass grocery store shooting earlier that same month. As disturbing as it is to address, parents should try to respond honestly but with a level head, according to Tammy Walker, a nurse practitioner with the Pediatric Clinic of Sweetwater Memorial. Upsetting events will happen again. We can plan on that, said Walker, who also is a certified Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist. Children must know they can look to their parents as a source of comfort when something causes distress. Heres a Q & A from Walker offering some suggestions: Is it OK for parents to talk to their children about it? Absolutely. Parents should always encourage the expression of honest feelings and receive those feelings without judgment. Children need to know they have a place to go to discuss uncomfortable topics, and this is undoubtedly uncomfortable for people to talk about. How should they approach it? As a parent, first check your response and processing of what has happened. Turn off the news. Use self-care techniques to model excellent and healthy coping responses. Teach your children how to do this. Go for a walk, do something kind for someone, develop a skill, create something new, and get involved in creating positive change. What should parents say? Ensure safety. There is no scenario where a person has a 0% risk of being a part of a mass shooting, but statistically, the chances are minimal. Encourage the expression of honest feelings. Speak to your child in terms they can understand. If you cannot assist them in processing traumatic events, seek help. Reach out to area resources such as Southwest Counseling Services and other counseling providers who specialize in assisting children and adults in processing difficult information. Are there materials available to order or download that would help? Yes. Helping children after a disaster from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Helping-Children-After-A-Disaster-036.aspx Restoring a sense of safety in the aftermath of a mass shooting from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at https://www.cstsonline.org/resources/resource-master-list/restoring-a-sense-of-safety-in-the-aftermath-of-a-mass-shooting-tips-for-parents-and-professionals Age-related reactions to traumatic events from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network at https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/age_related_reactions_to_traumatic_events.pdf CASPER Land use revenue earmarked for Wyomings schools dropped for the fifth year in a row, the Legislative Service Office reported Monday. Its the least the state has earned from activities on school trust lands in at least 15 years. The majority of Wyoming state lands are managed to support K-12 education. Money earned from leasing those lands for grazing or mineral extraction goes toward public schools, along with up to one-third of the state mineral royalties generated there. Wyoming has accrued about $2.9 billion from activities on its school trust lands since 2007, Matt Willmarth, a senior school funds analyst for the LSO, told the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on Monday. Of that total, $2.3 billion came from nonrenewable activities, including state mineral royalties, Willmarth said. Renewables contributed another $466 million in leases in bonuses, with the remaining $164 million from other activities like land sales, right-of-way easements and surface damage payments. Royalties, the largest source of that income, declined over the last couple of years. So did the smaller share from leases and bonuses primarily, Willmarth said, because of the loss of bonuses. In fiscal year 2017, 18 and 19, there were significant bonus payments, Willmarth said. In 2020 and 2021, those payments largely disappeared. Total annual revenue from bonuses up-front, one-time payments to mineral owners trended down in the years before the pandemic, dropping from $31 million in 2017 to $29.5 million in 2018 and $22.2 million in 2019. But it plummeted after the pandemic hit, falling to $4.8 million in 2020 and then to $2.7 million in 2021. Asked by Rep. Aaron Clausen, R-Douglas, why bonuses have dropped, Willmarth said, I think it relates more to the market conditions of the commodities for the oil, gas and coal market. Those bonuses are generally paid on those mineral-related sections of land. The LSO expects that revenue from non-mineral sources including investment income will exceed revenue from mineral sources for the first time during 2021 and 2022. State coal lease bonuses, formerly a major source of school construction funding, have dried up as the coal industry contracted; Wyoming received its last payment in 2017, and its not expected to see any more. No coal mine is expanding right now, said Shannon Anderson, staff attorney for the Powder River Basin Resource Council, a landowners group. More recently, uncertainty about how COVID-19 would continue to affect oil and gas demand has suppressed companies interest in leasing new lands, which has diminished the industrys contribution to public schools. And the LSO projects that total federal mineral royalties from coal, oil and gas another key contributor to the states public schools will also decrease over the next several years. In the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, however, the highest sustained oil price in a decade has incentivized companies to resume investing in new production. Wyomings first state oil and gas lease sale of 2022, which took place in March, brought in more than any sale since before the pandemic, though it was still dwarfed by the states pre-pandemic numbers. The next sale will be held in July, two weeks after the Biden administrations first federal oil and gas lease sale in Wyoming in more than a year. Ryan McConnaughey, director of communications for the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, said the success of the states March sale is a promising sign for the recovering industry. I think were still seeing a strong desire to produce on those lands, he said. Jeri Neal greets her friends Lexie and Sheree when she arrives to the Sweet Delilah cabin. "The Sweet Delilah Swim Club" cast members include Crisye Dyess, left, as Lexie; Nina Tyler, center, as Jeri Neal; and Aubrey Jeppson, right, as Sheree. The strength of friendship across the years is explored in the Actors' Mission's newest production, "The Sweet Delilah Swim Club." The play follows the friendship of five women who met on their college swim team and get together once every year at a cabin called "The Sweet Delilah." The women share a time of bonding as they keep up with each other's lives, from marriages and divorces to children and jobs. "You kind of track their friendship," Director Shane Westfall explained, saying the play is mostly a comedy with some tragic moments. "It really is just about people supporting each other and how important friendship is." Since the play focuses on five women over the course of several decades, the process of putting the production together has included unique challenges and rewards. "We were fortunate enough to get five people with very distinct personalities, and that was very good for the script," Westfall said of the cast. While the actresses all have a strong presence of their own, they have each found unique ways to channel themselves into their different characters, finding there are times when they relate to the women they portray and times they don't. Ann Marie Mattila, who plays Vernadette, explained her character "has some of the worst luck on the planet," so her defense mechanism is sarcasm. Mattila said she can be sarcastic herself at times, but her main connection to the character is through Vernadette's voice. Since the play takes place in the south, Mattila has loved the chance to speak with an accent, which makes her feel connected to her mother who is from Virginia. "I just channel my momma's side of the family," Mattila said, dropping easily into the accent. Aubrey Jeppson has the challenge of playing Sheree, the former captain of the swim team. "She's pretty type A," Jeppson said of Sheree. "[She] likes to stay organized, likes to keep everybody kind of under control if she can, sometimes to a point that it annoys the other characters and sometimes to the point that it pleases them immensely because she's prepared for a crisis." Jeppson relates to being organized, but pointed out she's different from Sheree because she's not a mom and she's not a horrible chef. Crisye Dyess relates strongly to her character Lexie, although she feels a little bad admitting it, since Lexie is predominantly "very vain, very full of herself and outrageous." Dyess said she relates to wanting to look good and wanting to be the center of attention, but she also sees how Lexie is a fun and a caring person who's not as shallow as she initially appears. As they connect with their own characters, portraying the group of friends onstage has also made the actresses connect with one another over the roughly five weeks of rehearsals. "Our cast seems to work really well together," Mattila said. "Everyone is so fun to work with," Dyess agreed, saying she's gotten close to her fellow cast members throughout the process. "All five of them are the stars," Westfall said, explaining one of the unique aspects of having so few characters is how vitally important each cast member is. While having five stars is fun for the ensemble story, it also makes it that much more difficult when someone is sick or can't make it to a rehearsal, according to Westfall. Despite these challenges, he said "overall it's been nice working with that smaller cast." The cast and crew brought together for this production also include "some new faces that we haven't had in the Actors' Mission previously," Westfall said. Some of those new faces include Dyess, who has been performing on stages all her life but considers this production to be the first she's been in as an adult, and Jeppson, who said she hasn't acted in roughly 20 years. Both the "new faces" and Actors' Mission veterans have worked through challenges of the production together, from memorizing lines to, in Mattila's case, learning to use crutches to portray her injury-prone character. One of the biggest challenges for both cast and crew members has been portraying the aging process for all the characters as they meet up over the span of four decades. Volunteers helping with costumes and makeup had to work on the visual changes, portraying different styles in different decades and using makeup to make actors appear younger or older. The cast members had to work on portraying their characters' changes in mannerisms to show their age, while also holding true to their core personalities. "Not a lot changes with her," Dyess said of Lexie. "She gets a lot of implants, she changes her hair color, but she's still the same person." "It's really interesting to think about just how, even though the characters do progress, they're still them," Jeppson said. "They stay pretty true to themselves throughout the entire story." Mattila agreed, adding that "their core personality pretty much stays the same, but life experience changes all of us." Seeing the characters stay true to themselves and each other despite the years and the changes they go through connects to some of the play's most touching moments and important messages. "The final scene is quite poignant," Mattila explained. "Overall it's a very funny play, but the last scene has got a few moments that, if we do it right, should cause some tears." Westfall admitted to often fighting back tears himself during the final scene, even though he's seen and read it several times now. Seeing it come together and watching the actors nail the emotions has been one of the most rewarding parts of the process for Westfall, and he hopes everyone will come enjoy the play for themselves and learn from its story of friendship. "That overall message I'm really trying to get across is how important friendship is and having a social support system," Westfall said. "Today so many of us, especially post-COVID, tend to be very isolated, and the show makes it very salient how important those social connections are." Dyess hopes the play will make those who see it think about choosing their friends wisely and realize you can have friends you can both argue with and have fun with, and regardless of your situation or age or location you can always go be with your friends. Jeppson also hopes audience members will take away the concept that "if you care for your good friends and keep in touch you can have something for a long time, and that you can have a little family that you've established through the years." "The Sweet Delilah Swim Club" will be performed at the Broadway Theater in Rock Springs at 7 p.m. June 16, 17, 18, 24 and 25, with a matinee at 2 p.m. June 26. As with all Actors' Mission plays, a complimentary meal will be served one hour before each performance, and admission to the play is free. When Jim and Anita Shoemaker wanted some trees removed from their yard, they didnt expect the mess theyd be left with, but also didnt expect the ways the community would step in to help. The Shoemakers recently hired someone to get rid of three of their trees. The person they hired cut the trees down and started to clear away some of the debris left behind, saying hed come back for the rest. But then he didnt. He never came back and cleaned up the mess, Anita explained. This left the Shoemakers with piles of debris around their home, including branches and tree stumps. Anita estimated a large piece left behind from the first tree was around 48 inches in diameter. With this mess all over their yard, the Shoemakers also had no way of cleaning it up. We couldnt have done it, Jim said, adding jokingly if theyd tried to do it on their own he would probably have been 80 or in the ground by the time they finished. Anita explained shes 74 and still recovering from a back surgery, while Jim is 75 as of Wednesday and on oxygen. While they couldnt handle the problem alone, the Shoemakers didnt have to. As soon as friends and neighbors saw what was happening, they were ready to help out. According to Anita, one neighbor became aware of the situation and brought it to the attention of a deputy from the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office. The deputy stopped by and brought along two men to help. They cleaned up the yard in less than one day, Anita said. The men the deputy brought to help were a work crew from the Sweetwater County Detention Centers Inmate Community Service Program, according to a press release from the sheriffs office. The program employs screened volunteers who carry out their tasks under the supervision of detention officers. While in the past the program has traditionally been used for snow removal and trash cleanup, weve expanded it in the last couple of years to include a wider variety of community service projects for our friends and neighbors who could really use the help with whatever the task, the press release stated. Jim was so thankful for the help of the work crew members in clearing the yard, he said theyre welcome to sit at his table any time they want to. Anita and Jim reiterated their gratitude for everyone who helped multiple times. Theres no way that we could have done it without the help that we had from family and friends and neighbors and the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Department, Anita said. While grateful, the Shoemakers arent necessarily surprised by the kindness they received. Green River has always been a welcoming community, Anita said. Anybody sees somebody else off to the side, they usually pull over and see if they can help. And if they cant help, then they find somebody that can help. Thats always the way. Even when I was a kid, I grew up in Green River, and thats the way it was. You always helped your neighbor. Jim and Anita have traditionally been the kind of community members offering help to others, but in this circumstance they were thankful to be the ones receiving it. LOS ANGELES (AP) A little more than two years ago, Juan Guaido was showered with bipartisan applause when President Donald Trump during his State of the Union speech praised the Venezuelan opposition leader as a very brave man" who carries on his shoulders the democratic hopes of an entire nation. But in a sign of how far his political fate has fallen, and how quickly U.S. geopolitical calculations can shift, the 38-year-old wasn't even invited to this week's Summit of the Americas despite the Biden administration's persistent promotion of democracy and insistence it recognizes Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Meanwhile, the man Guaido has been trying to unseat, Nicolas Maduro, is taking something of a victory lap. On a rare foreign trip to Turkey this week, Maduro, who is the target of U.S. sanctions and a federal narcotics indictment, denounced the decision to exclude him and leftist allies from Cuba and Nicaragua from the gathering as a stab in the back of regional cooperation. This is a clear win for Maduro, Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of Americas, said from Los Angeles, where he was attending the summit. Hes seen allies take up his cause at the summit while preventing his primary rival, whom Washington recognizes as president, from attending. In what may be an attempt at damage control, Biden on Wednesday spoke with Guaido. It was the first time the two leaders have spoken and during the call, which lasted around 17 minutes, Biden reiterated his support for Guaido, whose claim to the presidency stems from his role as head of the National Assembly elected in 2015. President Biden expressed his support for Venezuelan-led negotiations as the best path toward a peaceful restoration of democratic institutions, free and fair elections, and respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans, according to a White House readout of the call. They discussed the role the United States and other international partners can play to support a negotiated solution to Venezuelas crisis. President Biden reaffirmed the United States is willing to calibrate sanctions policy as informed by the outcomes of negotiations that empower the Venezuelan people to determine the future of their country. But coming on the heels of weeks of silence from the White House about whether Guaido would be invited or not, the call provided little comfort to Venezuela's pro-democracy movement. We don't want to be seen as party crashers going where we aren't wanted, said one Guaido envoy on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic dealings. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan downplayed suggestions the U.S. was snubbing a staunch ally. Speaking aboard Air Force One on its way to Los Angeles, Sullivan insisted the decision to not invite anyone from the Guaido camp, and instead involve civil society activists from Venezuela, was a tactical one to encourage negotiations between Maduro and his opponents that leads to "ultimately a better future for the Venezuelan people. Guaido's possible presence at the summit also appears to have irritated many of the Venezuelan government's allies, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who decided to skip the summit over the exclusion of Maduro and the leaders of Cuba and Nicaragua. A Mexican official confirmed that his government asked the U.S. to exclude Guaido as part of its back-and-forth with the Biden administration on the guest list, an effort that ultimately failed to persuade Lopez Obrador to partake in the summit. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic dealings, said that other countries had done the same. Joining the Mexican leader's boycott were fellow leftist leaders of Bolivia, Grenada, Honduras, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Also staying home in protest, although not in solidarity with Maduro, were the leaders of El Salvador and Guatemala, as well as the president Uruguay, who was exposed to COVID. But it's not just foreign pressure that has Biden wary of inviting Guaido. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a spike in energy prices, the U.S. has started to re-evaluate its policy on Venezuela, a country that sits atop the world's largest petroleum reserves but whose decades-long decline in oil production has been made worse by U.S. sanctions. In March, U.S. officials led by Juan Gonzalez, the National Security Council's senior director for the western hemisphere, traveled to Caracas to meet with Maduro. Then, as now, Guaido was kept on the sidelines, with U.S. officials not meeting with him during the several day trip. The goal of the talks was to dangle before Maduro the possibility of sanctions relief in exchange for a return to negotiations in Mexico with his opponents, something that so far hasn't happened. Meanwhile, Guaido continues to fight for change, although his street appearances are less frequent, and crowds greatly diminished from when he launched his challenge to Maduro in 2019. On Saturday, his supporters were met in the western city of Maracaibo, a short distance from Colombia and a flight onward to the U.S., with a barrage of flying plastic chairs and fisticuffs from allies of Maduro. The violent ones were left empty handed, Guaido told a small group of supporters to shouts of Freedom, Freedom, Freedom after the raucous brawl. Let's be clear: we are not going to take a single step backward. Goodman reported from Miami. AP Writer Claudia Torrens from New York and Jorge Rueda in Caracas, Venezuela contributed to this report. GREENWICH A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a Greenwich woman that claimed an allegation of sexual assault at a pool party in 2016 was improperly investigated by Greenwich police. U.S. District Judge Kari Dooley agreed to a motion by the towns legal team late last month to dismiss the case against two detectives and the police department. The federal judge in Bridgeport stated in her decision that evidence was lacking that police had deliberately undermined a criminal case against a young man, then a student at Brunswick School, who was suspected of committing a sexual assault at a pool party hosted by the young womans family. A lawsuit filed in 2018 by the young woman, who was attending Greenwich Academy, another private school in town, and her parents, contended that the Greenwich Police Department acted improperly in investigating the case, which did not result in an arrest. The federal suit said the young womans Constitutional rights were violated. The womans legal team said Greenwich police allegedly offered preferential treatment to the Brunswick School student given the pseudonym Peter Roe in court papers because of his age as part of what it said was a larger pattern. The Brunswick security department is largely staffed by former Greenwich police officers, and the suit claimed there was an inappropriate back channel between the police and the school to shield its students from criminal prosecution and to protect itself against unfavorable publicity, according to the initial legal complaint filed on Aug. 9, 2018. Dooley, in her May 20 decision, said she saw no evidence to support those claims. As a factual matter, the court concludes that there is no direct evidence of any inappropriate or back channel communications between Defendants (the police) and Brunswick School regarding the investigation of plaintiffs complaint, or any Greenwich Police Department policy of protecting Brunswick School students, the judge wrote. In reviewing the history of the case, Dooley noted that the police detective named in the suit, Krystie Rondini, did, in fact, submit an application for an arrest warrant charging Roe with sexual assault in the fourth degree. Sexual assault in the fourth degree is a misdemeanor, unless the victim is younger than 15, in which case it is a felony charge. The judge noted that the decision not to present the application to a Superior Court judge was made by Assistant States Attorney John Cappozzi. and (then) States Attorney Richard Colangelo. After Cappozzi declined to advance a prosecution, a meeting was set up with then-States Attorney Richard Colangelo; he, too, declined to take the matter to a judge for an arrest warrant to be issued, Dooley said. Dooley wrote, States Attorney Colangelo advised plaintiff, her parents and her lawyer that the case would not be prosecuted because of the inconsistencies in plaintiffs statements. Ultimately, it was the decision of the States Attorney, not defendant (Greenwich police), that the charges against Roe would not be pursued. The federal lawsuit also alleged the Brunswick administration carried out an investigation before officers did, enabling the school to craft a narrative that there was no probable cause for a criminal charge to be filed. The end-of-school pool party on June 3, 2016, drew more than a dozen teenagers to the familys home. The young man from Brunswick School, intoxicated according to the court filings, tugged at the bikini of the young woman in a pool house and touched her genital area, the complaint states. She was able to free herself, and the young man left the party in a hired car with other students, according to the complaint. The young woman eventually spoke about the incident a few weeks later to a counselor at Greenwich Academy in July 2016, after numerous periods of panic and distress, the federal complaint stated, and a process was set in motion which eventually led to a police investigation. Rondini, the Greenwich detective, submitted a 21-page application for an arrest warrant, but the criminal case did not advance to an arrest. The womans family also complained that Brunswick School, which has an affiliation with Greenwich Academy, allowed the young man to participate in combined events between the schools at which she was present. The young man later graduated from Brunswick, and the young woman, both of similar age, graduated from Greenwich Academy. She used the pseudonym Jane Doe in filing the lawsuit with her family. Looking at the claim that there were inappropriate communications between police and Brunswick School authorities, Judge Dooley wrote that claim was based on supposition upon supposition. The federal lawsuit also contended that Greenwich police did not properly investigate another claim involving sexual assault at a party involving private school students in 2014. In October of 2014, Greenwich Police Department received information that a minor female was recorded being digitally manipulated under her clothing by a male juvenile, who attended Brunswick School, according to the Dooley ruling. That allegation did not lead to an arrest, and the young womans legal team, headed by Greenwich attorney Meredith Braxton, cited the earlier case as part what she called a pattern and a systematic problem. But the federal judge reviewed that case and found that the detective in charge had sought to make an arrest in the 2014 allegation of sexual assault talking to the girls family repeatedly to seek their cooperation for an investigation and the issuance of an arrest warrant. The family refused cooperation, claiming the incident was consensual, and at the detectives insistence, issued a written refusal, according to Dooleys decision. These are not the actions of Greenwich Police Department shielding Brunswick School students from prosecution, Dooley wrote. The federal lawsuit against the town and the detectives named in the suit was seeking an unspecified financial sum for compensatory and punitive damages. Braxton, the lawyer representing the family who sued police, wrote in an email, We believe the motion was wrongly decided and we will be appealing. A lawsuit filed against the Brunswick School administration in state Superior Court in August 2018 by the young womans family said they were negligent and inflicted emotional distress on the girl in the aftermath of the pool party in 2016. The town was not named in that suit. The suit later ended with an out of court agreement. Dooley also cited an expert witness who was brought in by the towns legal staff, Richard Hough, a specialist in law enforcement procedures. Hough submitted testimony that Rondini, the police detective, and her supervisor, Detective Sgt. Brent Reeves, carried out an investigation in a reasonable and appropriate manner that accorded with customary law enforcement practice involving allegations of battery or sexual assault, in the judges words. Attorneys representing the town in the lawsuit, Robert Mitchell and Jessica Slippen, did not respond to a request for comment. According to Brunswick spokesman Dan Griffin, Brunswick concurs with the judges decision and is glad the matter is resolved. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LOS ANGELES (AP) California is a Democratic fortress, but Tuesdays primary election may have revealed some cracks. Gov. Gavin Newsom and other top-tier Democrats emerged safely from contested statewide races in which they will be strongly favored this fall, and the Legislature appears on track to stay firmly in Democratic control. But the ouster of San Franciscos top prosecutor in a recall election could foreshadow problems for the progressive district attorney in Los Angeles. And the front-running performance of billionaire Republican-turned-Democrat Rick Caruso in the Los Angeles mayors race highlights frustration with crime and homelessness that will influence other races this year. A string of closely matched U.S. House contests anchored in Orange County and the Central Valley will figure in control of Congress. Takeaways from Tuesdays primary election in the nations most populous state: SHIFTING GROUND IN LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO Los Angeles and San Francisco have long been in the vanguard of progressive politics. But results Tuesday suggested voters who might lean toward lofty ideals also want results on the street. In LA, Caruso positioned himself as an outsider challenging the citys progressive establishment amid an unabated homeless crisis, soaring rents and home prices, and worries over crime. He was running first in preliminary returns and will face Democratic Rep. Karen Bass, a stalwart in the partys progressive wing, in a November runoff that will bring a stark contrast to voters. The developer of high-end malls who sits on the board of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation spent more than $40 million on the contest, much of it from his estimated $4.3 billion fortune. Bass and her allies have compared Caruso to former President Donald Trump and argue hes more interested in power than the plight of struggling people on the streets. The contest will test whether a left-leaning city in which Republicans represent a mere 13% of voters will embrace a change in direction for the first time in decades. In San Francisco, progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin was elected in 2019 after promising a new approach to law enforcement that stressed alternatives to incarceration and ending the war on drugs that disproportionately harmed people of color. He was ousted in a recall b y a wide margin Tuesday amid longstanding complaints over open drug use, robberies and vandalism. But in the statewide primary Tuesday, progressive state Attorney General Rob Bonta easily advanced to a November runoff. Boudin's loss is most likely to reverberate in Los Angeles, where a campaign is underway to recall progressive District Attorney George Gascon. HOUSE RACES COULD SHAPE FUTURE OF CONGRESS A string of competitive U.S. House races in California will play into the fight to control Congress. Democrats are defending a slim, endangered majority in the chamber in midterm elections that typically punish the party in the White House. One of the marquee races will be in a Democratic-leaning district north of Los Angeles, where Republican Rep. Mike Garcia will have a rematch with the Democrat he defeated two years ago, former legislator Christy Smith. In a closely divided coastal district in Orange County, Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, a star of the partys progressive wing, will face Republican Scott Baugh, a former state legislative leader. And in the Central Valley, Republican Rep. David Valadao was hoping to advance to a November showdown with Democrat Rudy Salas, though the vote count remained incomplete. GOP SEES RARE COMEBACK CHANCE AFTER YEARS OF DEFEAT Republicans havent won a statewide race in heavily Democratic California since 2006. The partys best chance of breaking that dismal record might be in a little-recognized agency that plays a watchdog role over public dollars the state controller. The top vote-getter in Tuesdays primary for the job was Republican Lanhee Chen, the son of immigrants from Taiwan who holds multiple Harvard University degrees, served in President George W. Bushs administration and won the support of the left-leaning Los Angeles Times editorial board. Four Democrats divided the partys vote, with incomplete returns showing Malia Cohen leading the pack. Regardless of the outcome on the Democratic side, Chens challenge will be growing his support beyond the 37% of the vote he had in preliminary primary returns. Recent history shows it will not be easy in a state where Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2-to-1. A BIG NIGHT FOR DEMOCRATIC BIG NAMES OR NOT? Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla coasted to November runoffs in which they are heavily favored, but preliminary results suggested a slight dip in enthusiasm for two of the states leading politicians. Newsom gathered 62% of the vote in beating back an attempted recall last year, but incomplete returns showed him with 56% in Tuesdays primary for a second, four-year term. Padilla ran up over 64% of the vote when he was reelected secretary of state in 2018, before he was appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy when former Sen. Kamala Harris was selected to be President-elect Joe Biden's vice president. In races Tuesday for a full Senate term and to complete the remainder of his current one, he was tallying roughly 54%. Nonetheless, the two Democrats also held huge margins over their closest Republican rivals, not surprising in a state where Democrats control every statewide office and dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation by wide margins. One reason for the lower numbers: The races for governor and Senate are widely seen as walkovers for the incumbents, and contests lacking drama are less likely to motivate voters to fill out a ballot. Additionally, they were competing on ballots with a long list of contenders, which inevitably dilutes the vote. At one point, Newsom was seen in imminent danger in the 2021 recall election but that's not the case this time, noted Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney. There's no suspense about the outcome. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BROOKFIELD A recently obtained report reveals new details about the multi-agency response over Memorial Day weekend that led to the ongoing search for a missing 24-year-old on Candlewood Lake. Fire Chief Andrew Ellis said several agencies responded, but Brookfield firefighters were first on scene. The Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company responded to the lake after receiving a call about a person lost in the water around 6:40 p.m. May 29, according to the fire companys incident report. We were the first ones alerted, and from there, we called for help, Ellis said Wednesday. Upon their arrival, firefighters established a command post at Brookfield Town Parks boat launch and headed to the Candlewood Inn to observe operations in the water. According to the incident report, the call about a missing person was made by occupants of another boat, but firefighters were unable to locate them at the scene. Attempts were made to identify the occupants from the boat that reported the incident, but attempts were unsuccessful, the report states. Unable to locate them, first responders used information provided by the Candlewood Lake Authority to figure out which area of the lake the man went missing. The last scene point was determined to be in the cove of Candlewood Lake between the town beach and Candlewood Inn, according to the incident report. According to DEEP spokesperson Will Healey, the man had been on a vessel that was not moving when he went into the water. Brookfield firefighters established a unified command structure with police, EMS and DEEP, and divers from Brookfield and Danbury police departments and Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue were called to the scene. Additional marine units were also requested from nearby towns, and the Connecticut State Police Dive Rescue Team responded to the scene to conduct dive searches. The area between the town beach and Candlewood Inn was searched extensively by all on-scene marine units using various sonar detection devices, according to the report, and multiple dives were made to targets identified by sonar devices. The search operation was eventually suspended until the next morning. According to the Brookfield firefighters report, incident command was transferred to DEEP and the state police dive team after the first day. Since then, DEEP has been leading the search efforts. Its been over a week since the 24-year-old man whose name has not been released went missing, but DEEP has not given up. In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Healey said efforts continue with personnel utilizing sonar equipment to search the water and conducting shoreline searches. At this time, this incident is viewed as an accidental drowning, though the incident remains under investigation, he said. DEEP asks anyone around the Brookfield Bay area of Candlewood Lake between 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. May 29, to call conservation police at 860-904-8154. Trevor Ballantyne contributed to this report. NEWTOWN From the start, Sandy Hook families who won three defamation cases against Alex Jones in Connecticut and Texas said his effort to seek federal bankruptcy protection was a calculated stunt to avoid jury trials that will decide how much in damages he has to pay them. Now that Jones has been bounced from bankruptcy protection, and three trials to award defamation damages are back on track, families here and in Texas want state judges to make Jones pay their legal costs for the 45 days they had to fight his sham filing in federal court. (Jones) counsel knowingly misled the court and then later embarked on a fraudulent removal for the purpose of disrupting a trial and gaining advantage in litigation through frivolous forum shopping, wrote the Texas attorneys representing the parents of two slain Sandy Hook children who won two defamation cases against Jones last year. (T)he bankruptcy scheme was not a legitimate use of the Subchapter V reorganization process, but a calculated stunt to use the bankruptcy court to deny the (families) their day in court and compel claims liquidation. In Connecticut, where an FBI agent and eight Sandy Hook families who lost loved ones in the 2012 mass shooting won a third defamation case against Jones last year, lawyers agreed that Jones Chapter 11 filing served no valid bankruptcy purpose, filing their own motion this week with state Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis. (N)ot content to waste this courts time and ignore this courts rulings, Jones expanded his bad faith abuse of process to bankruptcy, wrote the Connecticut families attorneys in a motion on Tuesday. The tactical advantage (Jones) sought was disruption and delay of the (families) cases and interference with their rights to proceed to trial through abuse of the judicial process. The families are not asking for specific costs at the moment but are asking judges to rule that Jones acted in bad faith by seeking bankruptcy protection in mid-April for three of his shell companies, without filing for bankruptcy protection himself. The shell companies had a combined monthly income of $38,000, according to Jones representatives in bankruptcy court. In contrast, Jones himself made at least $76 million in 2019 selling merchandise on his conspiracy broadcasting platform, Infowars, his representatives said. Jones didnt file for bankruptcy himself because he feared it would diminish his brand name, which his representative likened to the Coca-Cola of the conspiracy theory community. Should the judges rule Jones filed for bankruptcy in bad faith and consider sanctions, the families attorneys would submit their legal costs to the court. Jones attorneys in Texas and Connecticut had not yet filed replies to the families motions on Wednesday. In Texas, Jones attorney Andino Reynal did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. In Connecticut, Jones legal representation is complicated because his high-profile New Haven attorney, Norm Pattisx, has asked to be dropped from the case. Bellis has said no for now arguing that Pattis and other Jones attorneys have either replaced themselves or have asked to be dropped from Jones case 13 times in the last four years. Bellis plans to hear arguments next week about dropping Pattis from Jones case and about an outstanding matter of $37,000 in legal fees the families want Jones to pay for two days Jones disobeyed court orders and failed to show up for depositions. Jones bankruptcy attorneys insisted that his Chapter 11 filing was a bona-fide attempt to stay in business while paying his creditors equitably, noting that Jones had already spent $10 million in legal fees and lost at least $20 million as a result of the Sandy Hook defamation cases. Jones called the 2012 killing of 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. A jury trial to award damages to the parents of a slain Sandy Hook boy that was scheduled to begin in Texas one week before Jones filed for bankruptcy and has yet to be rescheduled. A jury trial to award defamation damages in Connecticut is planned for Sept. 6. Attorneys in Texas and Connecticut said their arguments that Jones filed for bankruptcy in bad faith was supported by a federal official, U.S. Trustee Kevin Epstein, who oversees bankruptcy cases. Alex Jones caused the shell company defendants, which he controls, to file sham reorganization bankruptcies, wrote the Connecticut families attorneys. The U.S. Trustee described the bankruptcy as an abuse of the bankruptcy system and a scheme of avoiding the burdens of the bankruptcy while reaping its benefits. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A group of U.S. senators led by Vermont independent Bernie Sanders is lending its support to workers at two CNH Industrial plants who have been on strike for better pay and benefits for more than a month. The group, which was also led by Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin and includes three other Democrats, has written a letter to CNH CEO Scott Wine urging him to offer the more than 1,000 striking workers a better deal. Sanders plans to attend rallies with the strikers next week. The group said workers at the plants that make construction and agriculture equipment shouldnt have to accept the drastically higher health care costs and modest raises the company is offering now, especially when the company reported a $336 million profit in the first quarter. The senators said the lowest-paid workers at the plants in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, would receive raises of $1.33 an hour, which they say wouldn't cover the $6,400 health insurance deductible CNH Industrial has proposed. If CNH can afford to provide you with a $9.2 million signing bonus and nearly $22 million in total compensation for one year of work nearly 8,000 times the raise you are offering some workers it can afford to pay all of your workers better wages and better benefits, the senators wrote to Wine. If CNH can afford to spend over $100 million on stock buybacks over a six-month period to enrich its wealthy shareholders, it can afford to treat all of its workers with the dignity and the respect that they deserve. Officials with the company, which is based in the United Kingdom, didn't respond Wednesday to questions about the strike, but previously they have said they were committed to resolving the contract dispute through the bargaining process. CNH Industrial has more than 37,000 employees total. Sanders, who has been working with unions across the country over the past year to support workers during a spate of high-profile strikes, plans to visit Wisconsin and Iowa on June 17 to attend town hall rallies with the striking CNH workers. The former presidential candidate previously unsuccessfully urged Warren Buffett to intervene in a strike at one of the companies his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns. He also rallied with striking Kellogg's cereal plant workers last year before they agreed to a new contract. About 10,000 UAW members who work for Deere & Co. secured 10% raises and improved benefits after they went on strike for a month last fall. So far the CNH workers haven't been able to achieve similar results. The ongoing worker shortages have prompted many unions to press for better wages and benefits after keeping plants operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The letter was also signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal and Sherrod Brown. Google Maps wants to help you only breathe fresh air, and as such it's debuting a new air quality layer in the US on both Android and iOS. This will show you what to expect, air-wise: whether it's smoggy, smoky, otherwise bad, or simply wonderful. With these details at your fingertips, you can make better informed decisions about whether to go outside, and if so, for how long. What you'll see is AQI or Air Quality Index numbers, along with guidance for outdoor activities, when the information was last updated, and links to learn more. The data comes from trusted government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US. Maps also shows air quality information from PurpleAir, a low-cost sensor network which can give you a hyperlocal view of conditions. To add this air quality layer to your map, you need to tap on the button in the top right corner of your phone's screen, then select Air Quality under Map details. The information from PurpleAir is also available on Nest displays and speakers. There's also a wildfire layer available in the US as the wildfire season is approaching. This lets you see details about active fires in the area, thanks to Google partnering up with the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). For large wildfires you can also just search "wildfires near me" and the associated details will be surfaced, along with air quality information. "In the coming months", Google search will also be adding smoke data across the US from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Source The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will satisfy the need for a powerful chipset until the end of the year, so Qualcomm is looking at what comes next. And what comes next is a highly unusual 1+2+2+3 CPU configuration, according to leakster Digital Chat Station. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU will allegedly feature the following cores: one Cortex-X3, two Cortex-A720, two A710 and three A510. Or to go by their code names, 1x Makalu-Elp, 2x Makalu, 2x Matterhorn and 3x Klein-R1. If you have been following ARMs announcement, the Makalu and Matterhorn names should be familiar. Those were announced as the follow-ups to the Cortex-X1/A78 generation. Matterhorn is clearly the X2/A710 step in the chart, Makalu is the next generation. The Cortex-X3 and A720 promise an up to 30% uplift in peak CPU performance compared to the X1/A78 cores and a smaller jump from the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Presumably, this for performance at equal clock speeds. Which matters since the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550, code name Kailua ES) will be fabbed on TSMCs N4 node, according to DCS. That is the same 4nm process that the 8+ Gen 1 is made on, so we cant expect major increases in clock speeds. This will probably be the first mobile chipset to feature four different CPU cores (the current chipsets use three kinds). But if thats what it takes to deliver next-gen performance then so be it. Anyway, the Gen 2 flagship chip is said to use an Adreno 740 GPU, which doesnt tell us much, unfortunately. It will use same architecture as the 730 in the current chips, but any details performance improvements will have to wait for future leaks. Qualcomm typically announces its flagship chipset for the next generation of phones at the end of the year with a big in-person event in Hawaii (which explains all the Hawaii-themed code names). Source (in Chinese) | Via Samsung announced today it is beginning to merge Samsung Pass into Samsung Pay. The fusion begins in South Korea, where users will have their digital passes, cards, and smart locks automatically moved from Pass to Pay. Other regions are expected to follow soon. Samsung Pay interface Samsung Pay is already the in-house system for payments by the Korean maker and allows you to store credit cards, debit cards, and some membership cards. Everyone in South Korea with a Samsung device that is running at least Android 9 will receive an update to their Samsung Pay app. A Digital Key for a smart lock, compatible with the SmartThings environment, is also one tap away, and travel tickets are also easier to find now. The new mega app will also have support for some travel and movie tickets, including Korean Air and Megabox. The reason behind this merger is a "more convenient experience", according to Jini Han, VP of Digital Life Team, MX Divison at Samsung. The ecosystem will keep expanding to include not just payment but also home, car, public transportation, and cultural life services. Source (in Korean) An increase in rent for vendors at the CHamoru Village needs to be considered as costs rise and the Department of CHamoru Affairs continues to struggle financially, said Melvin Won Pat-Borja, the agencys president. During a budget hearing on Thursday, Won Pat-Borja explained that CHamoru Affairs generates most of its revenue through rent at the CHamoru Village, along with fees collected from the Wednesday Night Market vendors. Won Pat-Borja also said that the venue, a long-time community staple, was originally conceived of as a business incubator and farmers market in the 1990s. Though business incubators are conceptually great, the reality is that when rental rates are so low to benefit businesses, the cost doesnt just disappear. It is usually subsidized by the government, he said. Won Pat-Borja admitted that the CHamoru Village serves an important purpose, But the costs of the overhead and what we incur in order to maintain that operation have increased. I mean, everything across the board has increased. While CHamoru village was shuttered through fiscal year 2021 and vendors only had to pay common area fees, CHamoru Affairs still made $148,000 because they no longer had to pay for utilities and contractual services like security, an audit from the Office of Public Accountability shows. In fiscal 2019, the village was operating at a $6,000 loss. At the same time, Won Pat-Borja said CHamoru Affairs has two divisions shuttered due to lack of funding for staff: Research, Publications & Training, which produced the CHamoru Dictionary; and the Guam Archive. While attempts to raise rent at CHamoru Village were unsuccessful in the past, Won Pat-Borja said hes hoping to grease the wheels by upgrading the degraded facilities. His agency is competing for a grant to upgrade a number of major issues for vendor facilities, including unsecure windows and doors that have led to break-ins, leaking roofs, electrical issues and unsafe walkways which have led to at least one lawsuit, he said. The grant also will allow for some of the concrete huts built for the Festival of the Pacific Arts and Culture in 2016 to be enclosed and turned into permanent vendor stalls. A major waterline repair also needs to be completed at the site. CHamoru Affairs is asking for a status quo appropriation for fiscal year 2023 of about $2 million, including $1.78 million from the general fund and $285,997 from special funds. Guam Museum The Guam Museum also is in need of repair for one of the facilitys arches, Won Pat-Borja said, which, while structurally sound, is causing water to leak into the museum. Additionally, about $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan money that went to CHamoru Affairs will be used to repair the HVAC unit needed to preserve items at the museum. Our AC just went down, we had to run a repair. And were notified that our chillers are kind of at their end, Won Pat-Borja said. ARP funds also will be used to hire more assistants to allow the Museum to host revenue-generating events on nights and weekends. The Museum also is looking to extend regular tour hours, which currently are limited to 10 a.m.-2 p.m., four days a week. A man and woman suffered fractured bones, bleeding to the brain and nerve damage to the eye after being victims of a car crash that was livestreamed on Facebook, according to a magistrates complaint. Siro Retonong was charged in the Superior Court of Guam after a May 18 traffic collision in Macheche. According to the complaint, a police officer responded to the accident to find Retonong in the passenger seat of a white Toyota Echo where he opened and drank a beer in the presence of the officer. The officer also smelled alcohol coming from Retonong and police found more opened and unopened beers in the car. On Tuesday, police interviewed Retonong who said he was severely depressed because his girlfriend broke up with him and admitted to drinking beer while driving around, the complaint stated. I bought more beer, I was angry, I didnt care. I drove and drank, Retonong said to the police. Ya I was driving fast, I didnt care. I put it on video and Facebook. Retonong, according to the complaint, also said he does not remember the events of the crash and said, I knew what I was doing but I dont care. Retonongs car was traveling on Route 26 when it struck a curb, veered into the turning lane where it sideswiped a second vehicle, and rear-ended a car with two occupants, a man and woman, the complaint stated. The woman suffered a fractured bone in her pelvic area. The man, who reports confirm is the womans husband, suffered bleeding and swelling to the brain, along with nerve damage to his eye. The man told police he had difficulty communicating because of his injuries. His wife said he uses a wheelchair for mobility. May 3 Retonong also faces charges in connection to an incident on May 3 at a Barrigada residence. Police met with a woman who said Retonong threw rocks at the door of a tenants residence after Retonong and the tenant were seen arguing, the complaint stated. On the same day, Retonong came back to the residence to find a locked gate. He then threw rocks toward the residence, which also hit a car in the area, according to the complaint. Retonong was charged with: Individuals interested in teaching or other education-related positions for the 2022-2023 academic school year will have an opportunity to see what's available at the Guam Department of Education's job fair scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday at the Okkodo High School cafeteria. The education department is calling all job seekers to pick up applications and learn more about the positions available in Guam's public schools. On-site interviews Guam DOE officials will be at the job fair conducting on-site interviews and helping to connect applicants with positions that suit their other interests and skills. Teachers who are fresh from college should bring their transcripts and other applicable certification documents. Job seekers transferring from different departments, other school systems or from off-island schools are recommended to bring resumes and other supporting documents pertinent to help ease their application processes and quickly secure positions. The Guam Commission for Educator Certification will have a table set up at the job fair to help potential teachers determine if they meet the qualifications to teach in the local public school system, said Michelle Franquez, Guam DOE's public information officer. The Division of CHamoru Studies and Special Projects also will be at the event to conduct on-site proficiency tests and make recommendations for those who would like to become CHamoru teachers. Other positions Although the job fair is mainly targeting teachers, other residents are encouraged to apply for other available positions within the department. Franquez said that other positions available include on-call substitute teachers, community program workers and school aides. Residents are encouraged to visit the Guam DOE website at gdoe.net for more information. After a one-year delay, a contract to maintain park restrooms around the island was awarded to Guam Cleaning Masters. But the Department of Parks and Recreation still will have to keep some restrooms closed until a damage assessment report is made and repairs are completed, Director Roque Alcantara told senators during a budget hearing Thursday. Theyre going around and looking at what is damaged, because those restrooms have been idle for a while and a lot of the homeless have been infiltrating into the restrooms, Alcantara said. More information on what needs to be repaired is expected by next week. Parks and Rec spent about $707,431 refurbishing the restrooms in 16 parks in late 2020. But the agency couldnt award a contract to maintain the facilities after a dispute last April with the General Services Agency over how the contracts would be processed. The delay left many restrooms padlocked through much of last year. If you go back to see what was renovated in the restrooms new toilets, new urinals some of those were damaged already. Its just awful, Alcantara said. Restrooms at the Dededo skatepark were particularly bad and had to be shut down completely. Its like a typhoon ran through there, he said, along with Ipan Beach Parks restrooms. Pools The long-closed Dededo Pool has a tentative reopening date of July 29, Alcantara said. The facility originally was meant to open in April, but delayed shipments of silica sand and pump items delayed that. The Swimming Pool Task Force will meet by the third week of June and have an update on what can be done with the closed Hagatna Pool. Negotiations with an engineering firm to handle refurbishment were completed, Alcantara said, and construction could begin as early as December if a deal can be reached. He said the deciding factor was whether there was enough money available to refurbish it estimated at $1.3 million before construction costs began to rise. Sen. Telena Nelson told Alcantara that if Parks and Rec needed additional funding to fix the pool, they should request it. The amount needed was a drop in the bucket, compared to the over $1 billion in federal funding the government had received through the pandemic, she said. The departments budget request for the upcoming fiscal year is the same as the last year, at just over $4 million, according to the executive budget request submitted by the Office of the Governor. Its very disappointing to see. For myself, growing up, Guam had parks that were maintained. The restrooms were available, they had restrooms attendees, we had our pools fully functioning and we were able to go to our swim meets. And we cant afford that same opportunity for our children today. Its really really disheartening to see that we are not prioritizing these projects. Security In a push to increase park security, more than 15 parks will have solar-powered security cameras installed through a pending contact, Alcantara said. Additionally, two new park rangers have been hired and another six are awaiting processing with the Department of Administration. Before the recent hiring, there were only two park rangers on staff. Officials said the new cameras will help Parks and Rec monitor problem areas into the evening, like the Paseo de Susana Park and the Dededo Skatepark, where a March riot led to a man losing an eye. Bevacqua: Congress and the UN one form of advocacy does not prevent the other We urge everyone in our community to take advantage of every job fair event and every opportunity for employment possible. Grab your identification cards, resumes and documents and head to the Guam Department of Educations job fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today at Okkodo High School. SK hynix announced that it began mass production of HBM3, the world's best-performing DRAM. The announcement comes just seven months after the company became the first in the industry to develop HBM 3. It is expected to solidify the company's leadership in the premium DRAM market. SK hynix stated that mass production of HBM3, the world's best-performing DRAM, has begun. The news comes just seven months after the business became the industry's first to produce HBM3 in October, and it is expected to reinforce the company's leadership in the premium DRAM market. With advances in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data advancing, major global technology businesses are looking for ways to quickly process rapidly rising volumes of data. HBM, which outperforms regular DRAM in terms of data processing speed and performance, is predicted to garner widespread industry interest and adoption. NVIDIA recently finished testing the performance of SK hynix's HBM3 samples. SK hynix will supply HBM3 for NVIDIA systems, which are slated to ship in the third quarter of this year. In accordance with NVIDIA's schedule, SK hynix will increase HBM3 volume in the first half. The widely anticipated NVIDIA H100 accelerator is the world's largest and most powerful. With up to 819 GB/s of memory bandwidth, SK hynix's HBM3 is predicted to improve accelerated computing performance, comparable to the transmission of 163 FHD (Full-HD) movies (5 GB standard) every second. According to Kevin (Jongwon) Noh, president and chief marketing officer of SK hynix, the company has achieved top-tier competitiveness in the premium DRAM market through close collaboration with NVIDIA. "Through constant open communication, we strive to become a solution provider that deeply understands and meets our clients' demands," he stated. CELEBRATIONS for the Queens platinum jubilee took place across Henley and South Oxfordshire. Thousands of people attended street parties, concerts, picnics and other events over the four-day bank holiday weekend. Neighbours and different generations came together with some meeting for the first time in more than two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jubilee beacons were lit and the National Anthem was sung as people showed their appreciation for her Her Majesty in the unprecedented 70th year of reign. A number of streets in Henley were closed as residents brought out their tables and chairs for street parties with food and drink, games and fancy-dress. Ukrainians now living in the area following the Russian invasion of their country joined in the celebrations. They had yellow and blue cakes made for them. Goring and Streatley attempted to stage the worlds longest inter-county street party, with 3,500 people enjoying picnics and Prosecco at tables which stretched 1km between the two village high streets. People gathered in churches and parish halls for concerts dedicated to the Queen, featuring her favourite pieces of music and songs from different decades of her reign. Those who remembered her coronation in 1953 were transported back to that time with a series of Fifties-themed lunches and dances. Wargrave welcomed more than 1,100 people to a jubilee lunch in the grounds of St Marys Church and two streets came together to celebrate as one in Lower Shiplake. Beacons standing in fields and hills across the district were lit simultaneously on Thursday evening before the Queen lit the main beacon in London. Thousands of people attended lightings in Henley, Sonning Common, Rotherfield Greys, Goring Heath, Nuffield, Whitchurch, Watlington and Peppard. Henley Mayor Michelle Thomas, who helped organise a party in her street, said: I was delighted to join the celebrations and it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying themselves with friends, family and neighbours. The community really came together. See this weeks Henley Standard for 28 pages of reports and pictures on the local jubilee celebrations. JOHN HOWELL has refused to reveal if he backed Boris Johnson in the confidence vote. The Henley MP said: It was a secret ballot and Im keeping it that way. The Prime Minister survived as Conservative Party leader despite 148 MPs 41 per cent of the parliamentary party voting against him. A total of 211 MPs supported him but the scale of the rebellion was larger than many had expected. Mr Howell also refused to discuss if he considered the Prime Minister to be a man of integrity or whether he had confidence in his ability to continue to lead the party. He said: My reaction is that Boris Johnson won by a decisive majority but he has a lot of work to do to take the Conservative Party forward and we have to see if thats possible and if he is able. It depends entirely now on what he does and how he does it. Everyone is looking at that. He has to show real leadership to get us out of this problem and thats something he will have to demonstrate in spades. Proper leadership is a difficult thing to define but it would require him to show real humility in the situation and convincingly move us on. He was always a controversial figure and nothing has changed about that. Mr Howell, who succeeded Mr Johnson as Henley MP in 2008 when he became Mayor of London and was re-elected in 2019 with a majority of 14,053, did confirm he was not one of the 54 MPs whose letters of no confidence to the partys 1922 Committee triggered Mondays vote. He said the Prime Ministers future was not a big issue among constituents despite an online poll last week in which 72 per cent of Henley Standard readers said Mr Johnson should resign in the wake of the Partygate scandal. Mr Howell said: I was emailed by about 250 people which, considering the number that could have emailed me, is quite small. But its not about the numbers, its about the issues. He said MPs had made their own minds up how they would vote. He had taken into account the Sue Gray report into the scandal and Mr Johnsons police fine but not whether the PM had misled Parliament as that was subject to a separate inquiry. Despite this, Mr Howell did reveal his views on the issue in a reply to Henley Standard reader David Morris, who had written to him several times. He said that Ms Gray had been reassured by the reforms introduced in Downing Street by the Prime Minister since Partygate. He wrote: It is essential to look at the whole report in detail if we are to avoid the overwhelming emotional response that has characterised much of our media and newspapers. I have to decide whether the current campaign against the Prime Minister has any substance or is simply a media campaign. There have undoubtedly been things that have not been helpful but they have been magnified by a media campaign to destroy the Prime Ministers premiership. The bottom line for me in this is that, having examined all the evidence so far, I can see no reason to put in a letter now to the 1922 Committee asking for a vote on whether we, as a group of MPs, have confidence in him. I do have some sympathy for the Prime Minister. Having won the general election with a big majority, he was assailed by covid and an unprecedented series of circumstances to which no one has the answer. As a result, he was not able to implement what we both stood on in the manifesto. I want to see us move faster in implementing the changes we voted for. There is certainly a responsibility to deliver on the rising cost of living, on the aftershocks of covid, against Putins aggression and on levelling up across the UK. He, of course, has my support for these, and my sense of urgency in needing them to happen. Mr Howells reply is published on this weeks Letters page. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for the Henley constituency, has called on Mr Howell to ask for Mr Johnsons resignation. Laura Coyle said: When so many people in the Henley constituency are suffering from spiralling bills and a cost-of-living emergency, we cant have a Prime Minister just focused on saving his own skin. It is time John Howell finally does his patriotic duty and sacks Boris Johnson. Our country needs strong leadership and we cant have any more of this nonsense. The Conservative Party is wasting precious time with these internal squabbles. We need an emergency tax cut, not a Westminster soap opera. If Mr Howell and his colleagues had the courage and decency to act months ago, when the rest of the country all knew Mr Johnson had to go, then we wouldnt be in this mess right now. By supporting a law-breaking and lying Prime Minister, they are insulting people in our area who made heart-breaking sacrifices during the pandemic. A NATIONAL inquiry into child marriages, sexual exploitation and abuse of young girls commissioned by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has revealed shocking and deep-rooted cases of child abuse in Hopley, Harare. In an interview with H-Metro, ZGC deputy chairperson commissioner, Obert Matshalaga, expressed concern over the scourge of child marriages in the area. Most of the young girls are getting married at 14-15 years and what is most interesting is that some of them appear like they were indulging already in sexual activities, he said. Comm Matshalaga said the authorities in Hopley said young girls would come demanding sexual protection, as early as 10 years, which translates into early marriages. We have two or three cases where we heard a girl went away from home and came back late but was told to go back and I asked the lady why she returned to the boyfriend, instead of going to an uncle or aunts place, she responded by saying in this environment I do not have them nearby so they end up going to the boyfriend, he said. The most difficult thing is that normally they are accepted back by the boyfriend and the parents immediately try to initiate marriage processes unaware that it is illegal for them to marry when they are below 18. Its a big problem. He said there was need to mobilise communities and identify ways of handling the situation. They say its a very difficult situation because one of the biggest problems that we have is that most of these young girls do not have birth certificates. The young men, once caught up in this processes, there is need for cooperation from the parents, to have somebody arrested, but where its a hash situation its very difficult, Commissioner Matshalaga What is needed is to mobilise communities to police the process and to identify ways of handling the situation at community levels. Hopley residents, who attended the hearings, attributed the early marriages to high levels of poverty, peer pressure and drug and substance abuse. H Metro Queen of the button empire: Chinas legend of female empowerment 15:04, June 09, 2022 By Kou Jie ( People's Daily Online Zhang Huamei is Chinas first licensed private business vendor. (Photo by Peoples Daily Online) Punctilious and humble, 61-year-old Zhang Huamei is not the most appealing of characters at first glance. In her face, one discerns a sharp blend of the mildness of an ordinary Chinese housewife and the sophistication of a persistent businesswoman forged by decades of commercial endeavors. Chinas economic miracle started with her: she was the nations first licensed private business vendor after the reform and opening-up policies were adopted 44 years ago. In the past decades, she has founded a business empire selling buttons in her hometown of Wenzhou. She, along with other local business leaders, now produce over 60 percent of the worlds buttons. My life is like a button: small, but not insignificant. A tiny button can make a big difference on clothes, an ordinary woman like me can also take the lead in the business arena, said Zhang. An arduous path to success Zhang Huamei's business permit shows that her shop opened on November 30, 1979. She was the first individual in China to establish a private enterprise. Photo provided by Zhang Huamei I dropped out of elementary school because of poverty. I was born into a family with seven kids, and I had to find a way to survive, and doing business was the only option then, said Zhang. Following her neighbors, the teenaged Zhang became a street vendor selling small commodities such as buttons, memorial medals and watch straps. She could only make one or two yuan per day, but that was almost enough to meet the entire familys daily expenses. Zhangs biggest fear back then was that she might be detained for conducting speculative activities. Back in the 1970s, the term businessman was equivalent to petty criminal in China, as the country strictly forbade private-owned businesses, even if this so-called business was nothing more than an outdoor table piled with knick-knacks like buttons and zippers. I had to endure contempt and fear as a business owner. Society looked down on people like us, and I had to set up my stall outside my house, so that when the officials came, I could wrap up everything and flee as fast as I could, she said. Zhang had no idea that a dramatic transformation was on its way and that she would soon be jumping on the bandwagon to become Chinas first entrepreneur. In 1978, the debate on whether the country should adopt private business ownership was heating up. It was eventually settled in the affirmative in December at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Hearing the news, Zhang quickly applied for a business license by submitting her personal information, two photos and a description of her business. In 1980, she became the first of more than 2,000 vendors in Wenzhou to be approved, and went on thereafter to upgrade her table-shop into a one floor store. The buttons that she sold were now displayed on counters. I felt really relived when I received my license. With a legal paper in my hand, I was no longer a speculator, and my children would not be teased because of my occupation, said Zhang. In the years that followed, Zhang tried her hand at a number of different businesses, but buttons have always been the heart of her enterprise. She came to the brink of bankruptcy twice, once when her brother was badly injured and she had to cover the medical bills, and the other when an unsuccessful investment in leather shoes incurred tens of thousands of yuan in debt, a devastating amount at that time. The twists and turns of her business ventures have turned Zhang into an astute businesswoman. She founded her button empire in 2000, with 200 square meters of shop floor in Wenzhous commercial center, along with design, sales and stockpile divisions in addition to several assembly lines. She makes millions of yuan in revenue every year, and has become a legend and role model for women in China with dreams of making it big in the world of business. In 2019, Zhang decided to retire, handing over her business empire to her son. She kept nothing but her license, along with her memories as a shy girl who witnessed Chinas rapid economic development and progress over the course of 40 years. After all, we are all small buttons, but dont forget, buttons will always be needed and will always have their place on clothes, added Zhang. The right to become a successful woman "Being a woman is hard, but being a successful businesswoman is even more difficult. If you ask me what a fundamental human right is, I would say the right to equal opportunities and success regardless of gender," Zhang said. "I've seen China's progress toward gender equality firsthand, and I'm one of the lucky ones to be a beneficiary of it. I believe Chinese women can compete with and even outperform their male counterparts," she said. In Zhang's hometown, where China's female commercial empowerment began, over 326,000 female business owners were registered in 2020, stimulating growth in the so-called "She-economy" and resulting in the emergence of numerous business streets and shopping malls with a "Woman power" motif. Female business leaders have also formed business alliances to assist young women in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams and pursue their desired careers. Its not your gender but your talent that makes you a successful business leader in China. Prepare for the best, seize the moment, and at the right time, press the right button, she said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) Major-General (Retired) Sikhulile Simpson Nyathi has been declared a national hero. Zanu PF National Political Commissar Cde Mike Bimha confirmed the development last night. The Politburo this afternoon (yesterday) applauded the decision made by President Mnangagwa to confer national hero status on Major-General (Rtd) Simpson Nyathi. The public will be advised on the burial arrangements in due course, said Cde Bimha Maj-Gen Nyathi died on Sunday morning at the Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks Referral Hospital in Harare. He was 61. Relatives and colleagues yesterday described him as an intelligent and quiet man who stood firm for justice and defended Zimbabwes legacy. They were speaking during a funeral parade held at the Charles Gumbo Barracks (formerly 1 Commando) in Harare. Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Phillip Valerio Sibanda led the proceedings. As per the armys custom, the fine soldier was given a dignified parade which included parading of the coffin, a sermon from the chaplain and laying of wreaths. General Sibanda laid the first wreath followed by Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General David Sigauke while Air Vice Marshal Jacob Nzvede, who was representing Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Elson Moyo, laid the last one. Speaking at the funeral parade Gen Sibanda said Maj-Gen (Rtd) Nyathi will be remembered for his immense contribution to the liberation struggle. We will always remember you as a humble, warm, likeable, patriotic, and selfless team player and a true revolutionary cadre, he said. Gen Sibanda said the sacrifices made by Maj-Gen Nyathi together with other heroes and heroines that freed the country should always be remembered. It remains a challenge to us all to defend the values that they stood and fought for. We must always remember that to be who we are today it is because somebody shed their sweat or blood as the late Nyathi and many others did. Let us never lose sight of this important fact, no matter kuti tinenge tadziyigwa sei, he said. A colleague, Major-General Emmanuel Matatu said Maj-Gen Nyathi was a friend, somebody with whom he shared a lot of memories. I knew him as a hard worker, a man who would stick to his word. A man who would articulate especially logistics policies quite clearly for everybody to be able to understand where we were going and supposed to be doing, he said. Beitbridge East legislator, Cde Albert Ngulube said Maj-Gen Nyathi was a class ahead of him in secondary school and they crossed to Zambia via Botswana together for military training. He said they separated briefly before reuniting in 1980 and came back home together. From there he is a person I knew very well. I treated him like a brother. We were very close as friends until up to the last days when he left us. He was a very quiet guy, but very intelligent. He rarely talked even when we used to go to his farm or home he didnt raise his voice. He was so cool and calculative. He would give you advice, he was a mature guy, he said. The elder brother, Colonel Samuel Mpabanda, said Major-Gen Nyathi was a frank person. He was quiet and did not bring any problems to the parents. He was a hardworking man and very intelligent, he said. His sister, Ms Gildah Maphosa, said Major-Gen Nyathi was an intelligent person whom the family thought would become a medical doctor but was hurt when he dropped out of school to pursue the liberation struggle. She said the family elders tried to convince him to pursue academics, but he stuck to his decision to serve in the army. He was a helping brother. Losing him is hard but we have accepted it because it is the way we leave this world. We are grateful to the army for the decent funeral, said the sister. Herald PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa admitted that the country is experiencing a food price hike crisis, but blamed it on saboteurs and supply chain monopolies. Addressing scores of Zanu PF supporters at Murewa centre, Mnangagwa promised villagers that his administration would deal with the food crisis. I know you are suffering because of price issues, especially in the food sector. They are doing this to sabotage us; they want you to turn against us. This is because we have few companies and they monopolise the food sector. As government we are doing much to break this monopoly, especially on the supply side. One of the remedies is to suspend import duty on basic goods, he added as the villagers interjected saying they were really feeling the pinch of the countrys economic hardships. Zimbabwe is currently experiencing massive food shortages coupled with frequent price increases and a poor 2021/22 agricultural season due to low rainfall. Prices of basic commodities like bread and other foodstuffs have gone beyond the reach of many. Bread now costs as much as $945. Mnangagwa promised that the bread price issue will be solved soon because the country will be producing enough wheat. We found out that we need 470 000 metric tonnes of wheat in this country per year. We used to produce wheat that would last for two months while importing the rest. We then came up with ideas to increase wheat productivity, and our wheat is now lasting us 11 months, hence the remainder is imported. We are going to have wheat that lasts us 13 months next month. It will be sufficient, hence bread prices will go down, he said. Mnangagwa addressed the villagers soon after officially opening a Registrar-Generals office at Murewa centre, whose construction started about 17 years ago. Promising the villagers free food handouts to deal with food insecurity, Mnangagwa said: We had erratic rains in some areas this past season. We are aware that because of drought some areas are experiencing food shortages. We will liaise with your Minister of State in Mashonaland East (Aplonia Munzverengwi) and ensure that you will get free food (maize). He also added that the country would soon be harvesting enough maize due to interventions which saw the establishment of irrigation schemes to mitigate climate change effects. Newsday MONTREAL (JTA) - In her 96 years on earth, Lilly Toth didn't get much of a formal education. Born in Budapest in 1925, the self-proclaimed spoiled brat often misbehaved and was frequently suspended from school. But instead of attending university in her late teens, the Holocaust survivor was literally running for her life - hiding with neighbors, surviving an attempted execution on the shores of the Danube, then working for the very fascist organization that attempted to take her life. Despite these huge upheavals and larger losses, Toth managed to amass something very small, and very valuable: a collection of 1,119 miniature books that are a testament to Toth's resilience and worldliness. Toth's collection, which she bequeathed to Montreal's Jewish Public Library prior to her death last May - and which the library will honor in an exhibit starting May 15 - is as diverse as the inside of a Barnes & Noble. There are cookbooks, musical scores, sports-themed books, novelties known as "mass-market minis" because of their ubiquity, and children's literature, including "The Tales of Peter Rabbit," first published between 1902 and 1909. Shakespeare features prominently in two nearly-complete 24-volume sets published between 1890 and 1930. It's also one of the finest miniature book collections in Canada, and likely of Hungarian miniature books in North America, according to the exhibit's curator, historian Kristen Howard. The earliest mini books date back to around 2,000 BCE, Howard noted. In order to qualify as miniature, she says, a book must be bound and smaller than three inches in length and width. Books up to four inches are considered "macrominiatures," while "microminiatures" are less than one inch, and "ultra-microminiatures" are smaller than a quarter inch. Toth's collection encompasses all of these, with many so tiny they can only be read with a magnifying glass. For collectors, the allure of minis extends far beyond their cuteness. "Miniature books are fascinating," said Howard. "Besides being quaint, practically they're so easy to transport. So if you have one that is very prized, like a religious book, you can keep it close and safe in a pocket or purse. There's also something really special about being able to carry all the words of God or works of Shakespeare in your hands." Toth's collection also includes an early-20th-century English-Yiddish dictionary printed in Germany that packs 1,200 words, sample conversations and vocabulary lists in a palm-sized book. As Howard discovered, the vocabulary lists are curiously all food-related. "They're grouped by course," she said. "Appetizers, mains, desserts, drinks. It's a nice insight into how it was intended to be used. You could take the dictionary with you to a restaurant and order effectively." Raised in a secular home, Toth treasured both Jewish and Christian books, some dating back several centuries. These include Bibles, an ornate Hebrew-Hungarian Passover haggadah and an ultra-microminiature volume of "The Lord's Prayer" in seven languages. There is an abridged Hebrew-English prayer book, intended for Jews serving in the U.S. armed forces, was first created in 1917 by the National Jewish Welfare Board days after the U.S. declared war on Germany. While the collection contains English, Hebrew, French, Spanish, German and Russian books, a notable portion comprises Hungarian literature and poetry - a nod to Toth's roots. "In the mid-20th century, miniature book collectors considered Hungarian minis to be some of the finest and most prized in the world," said Howard. "One reason is because they were multilingual, which enabled people from various places to read them, instead of simply admiring them." Howard believes Toth was likely drawn to the Hungarian minis because they represented a link to her past and a means of preserving her identity. "Lilly remained in contact with family and friends in Hungary throughout her time in Canada," said Howard. "These books were an important touchstone to her culture." For Paul, Toth's rich collection speaks volumes about her family's scholarship and sophistication. "Her parents were worldly," he said. "They were from Austria-Hungary; that was their tradition. Lilly was probably exposed to music, art, various kinds of culture and manifestations of beauty." Paul also speculates that the Holocaust inspired her collection. "The Holocaust motivated people to create and collect beautiful things and preserve them so that others could appreciate them," said Paul. While little is known about Toth in later life, she recorded her oral history in 1994 for the Montreal Holocaust Museum and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. "We only know Lilly's story because she shared it with us," said Eszter Andor, the Montreal museum's oral history and commemorations coordinator. "Every testimony is precious, and we are so grateful to all of the survivors who have and continue to tell us their stories." Toth was born in Budapest, the only child of Viktor and Carla Gluck. After Germany invaded Hungary in 1944, the fascist Arrow Cross movement united with the Nazis and seized the Hungarian government. Viktor Gluck was sent to a forced labor unit and shot in Austria. Her mother, aunt and uncle were arrested by the Arrow Cross and shot near Gyor, close to the Austrian border. Toth hid with neighbors until they were betrayed and forced to flee. "She was taken with another friend to the shores of the Danube where they were tied together," said Paul. Her friend was shot and killed. "Lily managed to unfasten her bonds and swam a kilometer down the icy river." A Hungarian police officer rescued her, and, upon learning that she was Jewish, turned her over to German soldiers who brought her to a Jewish hospital to recover. Toth survived the mass deportations of Hungarian Jews that began on May 15, 1944; she survived the rest of the war by working under an assumed identity as a cleaning lady at an Arrow Cross building. During the Hungarian Revolution in 1957, Toth moved to Canada to be close to family in Montreal. Sometime after she began collecting her prized minis, which she displayed on custom-built shelves in her bedroom. "The Hungarian Revolution was the second huge break in Lilly's life," said Howard. "It makes sense after these very traumatic experiences that one would be drawn to collecting something so easy to transport." Said Andor: "If you think about the history of the Jewish people, how many times we've had to flee at short notice, it's interesting that a Holocaust survivor collected books that would be very easy to just put in your pocket and run for it." A year before her death, Paul and a colleague visited Toth to view the collection the Jewish Public Library was to inherit. This trilingual miniature lists individual and team gold medal winners on behalf of Hungary in the Olympic Games between 1896 and 1972, with pictures of some of the country's most celebrated athletes. "Lilly was a remarkable lady," Paul said. "She was very understated in her assessment of her life and legacy. To her it was as though everybody had collections like this; it wasn't a big deal. I had the sense that because Lilly never had children, these books were, in a sense, symbolic children for her." Andor is moved by Toth's resolve to rebuild her life after losing her parents and experiencing such trauma. "Resilience is a common theme in many survivors' stories," she said. "They not only survived; they rebuilt their lives. It's very important that the next generation does not only see the destruction, but the reconstruction." On May 15, Montreal's Jewish Public Library launched the Lilly Toth Miniature Book Collection together with the Montreal Holocaust Museum and pay tribute to Toth's life and legacy. There is an online version of the exhibit here. They escaped destruction by the Nazis, survived communism, and found their ways to new homes. This is a story of three Torahs that all have their roots in long-gone Czechoslovakian synagogues. Up until World War II, Czechoslovakia had a thriving Jewish population rooted in hundreds of years of interaction with its Christian neighbors. With the rise of Hitler, however, came the rise of antisemitism and The Final Solution. Throughout Europe, synagogues were burned and Jews were deported to concentration camps. Almost all Jewish artifacts, including Torahs, candlesticks, and prayer books, were destroyed. The one exception was Bohemia and Moravia, with its population of 115,000 Jews, which was declared a 'protectorate' of Germany. Miraculously, the artifacts remained unscathed throughout the beginning years of the war. In 1942, however, the Nazis ordered all Jewish synagogue possessions in the region to be sent to Prague. The Jewish Committee of Prague, feeling that the Judaica would be safer if stored in one place, worked closely with the Nazis to collect and evaluate over 210,000 items. In the end, it took 40 warehouses to hold it all. Unfortunately, nearly every Jew who worked on the project died in the concentration camps. The Czech Torahs survived the war but almost did not survive communism. The artifacts, including 1564 Torahs, sat in a musty, damp warehouse until 1963. At that point, the Czech government, in need of currency, made an arrangement with Ralph Yablon, a philanthropist and founder member of Westminster Synagogue in London that he put up the funds. On Feb. 5, 1964, the Torahs and other scrolls arrived at the synagogue. They were divided into three categories: usable condition, in need of some repair; and those deemed too far damaged. The Memorial Scrolls Trust was then set up in London to preserve and restore the 1564 scrolls. They were then loaned out to Jewish communities around the world in need of a Torah under the condition that the Torahs were not to be sold; they only could be allocated on loan with the promise that they would be returned if the synagogue no longer operated. Each congregation was responsible for the Torah's upkeep. Each one had an identity tag fixed to one of the etz chaim, the wooden shafts onto which the Torah is rolled. As of 2022, 1400 scrolls have been allocated on loan around the world including two in the Orlando area - the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation and Congregation Shalom Aleichem. 150 scrolls remain in the Memorial Scrolls Trust museum, which also has some 500 binders and wimples. Scroll MST#293, a circa 1870 Torah I first had the honor of holding a Holocaust Torah as a member of Congregation Beth Shalom, Clifton Park, New York. In 1981, the synagogue received one after requesting a replacement for the three that had been stolen. The circa 1870 Czech Torah, which once was housed in a synagogue in Vlasim, was loaned thanks to a gift from then congregants Abbey and Richard Green. It arrived from London with a tag stating: "The Old Testament of the Jews near Prague for the Central Museum." At the time, Beth Shalom was less than 10 years old, an irony that was not lost on one of its congregants, Yetta Fox, who is a child of Holocaust survivors. Having the Torah at a new congregation is "almost like a second life," said Fox. "Having lost one community, there is now a new community that can nurture this Torah." In 2007, the parchment was in need of repair. That June, the congregation held a rededication ceremony, which included a procession from the Clifton Park Town Hall to the synagogue five minutes up the road. The scrolls were passed from hand to hand under a chuppah that the children of the Hebrew school had decorated with Stars of David. Upon its arrival, the Torah was wrapped in a wimple, the cloth traditionally used to wrap a boy at his circumcision. "This is our baby," said Fred Pineau, a former president, "so we're wrapping our Torah." David Clayman, the current president, reported that the Torah is still in good condition. To preserve it, however, it is left rolled to Parasah Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16), which contains "The Song of the Sea." Every year, in the month of Shevat, the Torah is brought out and Beshalach is chanted. The congregation also brings the Holocaust scroll out for Simchas Torah, a holiday that celebrates the completion of the reading of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Genesis. The Torah is brought out and held for Kol Nidre, Erev of Yom Kippur. "The scroll is so fragile, we are afraid to roll it to other parashot," said Clayman. Scroll MST#408, circa 1775 Torah When we moved to Florida, we joined Congregation Shalom Aleichem, which was founded in 1981, ironically the same year Congregation Beth Shalom had received its Czech Torah. Initially, congregants met at the Kissimmee Women's Club. Holocaust survivor Harry Lowenstein and his wife, Carol, began to press for a building of their own. "I saw a synagogue burn," said Lowenstein, "and I was determined to build another one." Starting with a $120,000 contribution from Sandor Salmagne, another Holocaust survivor, the Lowensteins raised another $60,000 for building expenses. As the synagogue on Pleasant Hill Road neared completion, the Lowensteins continued to work tirelessly to obtain the prayer books for every day and holy days, the Torah finials, and the Yartzheit (memorial) board. Most important to the congregation was obtaining a Torah. Lowenstein and other members reached out to the Memorial Scrolls Trust, noting in the correspondence that four of its members were Holocaust survivors. "Our Temple will be dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust," wrote then president Henry Langer. "We would therefore deem it an honor to have you lend us a Scroll for our Temple." With the Lowenstein's financial support, they were able to obtain a Scroll, believed to be from Pisak-Strakonice area in what was then Czechoslovakia, about 60 miles south of Prague and dated back to circa 1775. Once they received word that they would indeed be loaned a Czech Torah, it was now up to the congregation to figure out how get it from London to Kissimmee. The Lowensteins realized that they had British friends who had a vacation home near the synagogue. "[Our friend] sat on the plane with the Torah on his lap for 12 hours," recalled Carol Lowenstein. "He would not let it out of his sight until he could hand the Torah to Harry." For those who had miraculously escaped hell, welcoming the Torah was like welcoming another Holocaust survivor. "It's like holding a piece of history," said Phil Fuerst in 1993. "You feel like you own a piece of a world that survived." According to Marilyn Glaser, congregation president, the atzei chayim are broken. The congregation is making arrangement for the atzei chayim to be replaced in accordance of the terms of the loan agreement with MST. Scroll MST#20, circa 1850 Torah In 1982, Sharon and Barry Kaufman, now residents of Kissimmee, were responsible for obtaining a Holocaust Torah for Jewish Community North in Spring, Texas, in honor of their daughter Robin's upcoming bat mitzvah. While awaiting completion of their new building, the congregation was holding services at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Their only Torah was on loan from another synagogue. The Kaufmans worked with Rabbi Lawrence Jacofsky, the regional director of the United Association of Hebrew Congregations, to obtain Scroll MST#20, a circa 1850 Torah that had previously been housed in a synagogue in Kostelec/Orlici, Czechoslovakia. When their precious cargo arrived at the Houston airport in February 1982, Barry and Sharon immediately brought the Torah to the church to show Father Ed Abell, Good Shepherd's priest and their good friend. The three of them carefully unrolled the scroll to where the last Torah reading before the Jews in the community were rounded up and sent to concentration camps: Yom Kippur 1938. Father Abell then read from the scroll in flawless Hebrew. The Kaufmans brought the Torah home that evening to show Robin. As they slowly unrolled the entire scroll on their pool table to make sure it was undamaged, they found a cardboard tag that read: "Aeltesternrat der Juden Prague. The Old Laws of the Jews of Prague. To be soon displayed in the Thousand Year Reichs' Museum of Decadent Jewish Objects." At Robin's bat mitzvah in May 1982, the Torah was dressed in a cover sewn and embroidered by Barry's mother. In a moving speech to the congregation held at Good Shepherd, Barry spoke eloquently about the Torah's history. Screenshot of all the synagogues in the United States where Memorial Torahs are on loan. "If this Torah could talk - might it share with us the heart-wrenching knowledge of a prosperous people whose world had suddenly been taken from them, whose home and synagogues were gutted and destroyed for the value of their belongings? Would it tell us of the helpless terror in the fragile hearts of old men and women forced to watch their children brutally slaughtered before their own end was to come." After Barry spoke, the Ark was opened, and the Holocaust Torah was passed from the rabbi to Barry to Sharon to Robin. Clutching it tightly, Robin walked through the congregation. For the first time in two generations, a B'nai Mitzvot carried it with joy and reverence throughout a tearful congregation. Three Czech Torahs. Three congregations. As Gloria Kupferman stated in her speech at the Congregation Beth Shalom Torah rededication, contrary to the Nazis' plan to eradicate the Jewish people, "We are by no means extinct. We are alive. We are thriving." Rachel Brosnahan and Milo Ventimiglia are seen at the film set of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" TV Series on June 10, 2021 in New York City. Season four of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" was just as Jewy as the ones that came before it - with bar mitzvah scenes, lots of Yiddishisms, Jewish foods and contemplations about the existence of God. The Amazon Prime show about a Jewish standup comedian played by Rachel Brosnahan has consistently been one of the most Jewish shows on TV, despite the controversy about the fact that its star isn't a Jew. In almost every season, protagonist Midge Maisel visits a very Jewish location. In season two, it was the Catskills and the Jewish resort area famously known as the "Borscht Belt," where the Maisels and the Weissmans enjoyed some much-needed R&R. In season three, Midge visited the Jewish retiree capital of the world - Miami. Season four saw Midge ambush her family while they were visiting the Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood of Coney Island. Now that "Maisel" is filming its fifth and final season, it looks like the show could be pulling out all the stops and finally sending Midge on a visit to Israel. A current casting call circulating for Jewish actors to fill in as extras an "agrarian fieldwork scene" says that the scene takes place in Israel. The filming itself, however, will take place around New York, where the rest of show is filmed - "likely" on Long Island, the casting call notes. Where could an agrarian Jewish fieldwork scene take place in the 1960s? Likely a kibbutz. Some quick kibbutz history: They are Israeli communal living settlements where everything is shared - from meals to child-rearing responsibilities (they famously had children's quarters where all families' kids stayed together until the 1970s) to labor, property and investments. The first kibbutz was founded in 1909, and they exist in Israel to this day, albeit in smaller numbers. As the "Maisel" callout suggests, they used to be mostly "agrarian settlements," but nowadays, only a minority of kibbutzniks work in agriculture. The 1960s was a great time to visit an Israeli kibbutz. It was a period of prosperity, and kibbutz members enjoyed outsized representation in Israeli parliament, growing modernization and improved standards of living. American Jews also started volunteering at kibbutzim at that time, as a summer experience or a time away from college or a job. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders volunteered at kibbutz Shaar Haamakim, near Haifa, back in 1963. Maisel will not be the first show to visit a kibbutz: In season three of "The Nanny," Fran Fine revealed that she lost her virginity to a strapping Israeli man while volunteering at a kibbutz (yes, there's a flashback scene). This article first appeared on Kveller. (JTA) A Pew Research Center survey released Thursday found that American adults are just not paying attention to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. A whopping 84 percent of adults surveyed said they have heard not much or nothing at all about the movement, which seeks to pressure Israel into changing its policy towards the Palestinians by promoting boycotts and economic sanctions. Only 5 percent of the surveyed adults who were of diverse religious backgrounds knew some about it, and only 2 percent strongly support it. Pew used an online panel to survey 10,441 U.S. adults from March 7 to 13, with the stated goal of better understanding Americans views of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The margin of error for the full sample was 1.5 percentage points. Jewish American organizations are at odds over how best and even whether to combat the movement, often referred to as BDS, and Arab American and Palestinian American organizations are generally in favor of the movement. That has led to fraught political clashes but Americans by and large dont seem to notice. The survey also asked about views on how to best solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and only 35 percent favor a two-state solution, the outcome long favored by the United States and many other world power governments. The numbers changed little even among partisans, with 34 percent of Republicans and 36 percent of Democrats favoring the outcome. As far as an alternative: 37 percent say they dont know the best solution, while 27 percent favor a one-state solution, in most cases with a joint Israeli-Palestinian government. The survey also found that Americans favorable impressions of both Israelis and Palestinians are slightly on the rise. Since 2019, when Pew conducted a similar survey, favorable impressions of Israelis rose from 64 percent to 67 percent, and of Palestinians from 46 percent to 52 percent. Favorables also rose for the peoples governments, although they were not as popular: Israels government was viewed favorably by 48 percent of Americans as opposed to 41 percent in 2019. Notably, in the interim, Benjamin Netanyahu, who had famously tense relations with Democrats, was ousted as Israeli prime minister. The Palestinian governments favorability rose from 21 percent to 28 percent and its unfavorable ratings dropped from 71 percent to 63 percent. The questions, Pew said, did not give particulars on Palestinian government, which has two branches: The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas-led authority in the Gaza Strip. Older Americans were the likelier they were to be favorable to Israeli people: 63 percent of those aged 18-25 viewed Israelis favorably while 77 percent of those 65 and older did. Republicans also were likelier to view Israelis favorably: 78 percent said they had positive views of the Israeli people, while 37 percent said they had positive views of Palestinians. Among Democrats, 60 percent said they viewed Israelis favorably and 64 percent said they viewed Palestinians favorably. Three out of ten Americans also believe God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people; that breaks down to 46 percent of Republicans and 18 percent of Democrats. (JTA) More than half of bankruptcies in the United States are connected to medical debt. For some families in the Chicago area, however, that debt is being erased in accordance with the Jewish law of shmita, the sabbatical year. The Torahs shmita laws prescribe that, every seven years, all agricultural activity in the Land of Israel is forbidden, and the land must be left fallow. There are many specific rules, including prohibition against plowing, pruning and planting. But a lesser-known custom in observance of the shmita year is the release of all debts. After all, in biblical times, a poor agricultural output one year could indebt a person to the point of slavery. Pastor Chris Harris, who leads two churches on Chicagos South Side, has been a longtime proponent of debt release to help low-income people in dire circumstances. But he didnt know about the specific shmita concept when Rabbi Ari Hart, who leads the Orthodox Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue and often collaborates with Harris congregations on service projects, reached out with an idea. I fell in love with it. And I said listen, lets keep this thing rockin, Harris said, referring to their service partnership. The pair started a fundraiser through RIP Medical Debt, an organization that purchases peoples medical debt from the debt collection market through the help of private donation campaigns and then releases it. Since their founding in 2014, RIP Medical Debt says they have erased over $6 billion in debt. In 2020, Mackenzie Scott donated $50 million to the organization. Through a campaign that began in January and finished this week, members of Hart and Harris congregations raised over $10,000, which RIP Medical Debt used to purchase a $1.9 million debt. That will translate into medical debt relief for 2,327 people in the Chicago area who either: earn less than two times the federal poverty level, have debts that constitute 5 percent or more of their annual income, or have more debts than assets. The recipients dont know the relief is coming and will be surprised by the news with letters in the coming days. In Jewish living today, we talk a lot about values, we teach about values, and thats great, but I love this because it was real for those 2,000 families, Hart said. These are very religious biblical concepts that people can get trapped by debt, he added. It can ruin your life. Hart said he has noticed an increased interest in shmita within his own community, typically related to environmental concerns. But the interest in debt release is relatively new, and at least partially inspired by the growing calls for the White House to forgive student loan debt. Its starting to happen in the Jewish community, he said. Its cool to see it happen in the Christian community also. A Methodist Church in Wahoo, Nebraska is also partnering with RIP Medical Debt in honor of the jubilee, which is the end of a 49-year cycle, or seven shmita cycles. The word jubilee actually comes from the Hebrew word yovel, but jubilee is a typically Catholic concept related to the pardoning of sins. Harris, who leads the Bright Star Church in Bronzeville and the St. James Church in West Pullman, has a long affiliation with and fondness for Jews and Israel. He is about to embark on his seventh trip to Israel; on one of his earlier visits, he was impressed by the NATAL center in Tel Aviv, which helps veterans deal with PTSD. He brought back lessons from the center and trained counselors who work in the communities he serves on NATAL protocols. Harts congregation has teamed up with Harris to respond to racial injustice, antisemitism, mental health, violence prevention, literacy and other issues. In one recent example, Harts synagogue helped conceive of and build a Digital Literacy Center for children on one of Bright Stars floors. So while the shmita project hit on a core value for Harris, he also saw it as a way to further push one of his other passions: Black-Jewish cooperation. Every time Im on college campuses, people always brag about the fact that Blacks and Jews have been working together for a long time. And I tell them, you know, stop taking credit for what Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel did, thats 50 years ago Lets keep the old frames, and lets put new pictures of us working together in that old frame, he said. Rabbi Ari Hart is one of the rabbis who said Im very serious about it. And every single thing that weve done, he has showed up, its amazing. Hart and Harris announced the results of the fundraiser campaign on Sunday, at a joint worship service during which Harris and Rabbi Seth Limmer, formerly of the Chicago Sinai Congregation, led a sermon about debt release. (Limmer recently took a leave of absence, during which an independent investigative firm looked into allegations that he created a hostile work environment while he was a senior rabbi.) People of faith have had some kind of consciousness of this for a while but I think its time to start talking about it more, Hart said. Debt is not just a financial issue. Its a spiritual issue, its a mental health issue. We know how crippling long-term debt can be if people cant get out of it, on all levels of life. Its just a new frontier and shared value, he added. Im excited about this because its just something thats really different. WASHINGTON (JTA) The Biden administration has suspended assistance to Sudan, including assistance related to its normalization deal with Israel, and wants Israel to call out the bloody coup that removed the countrys civilian government last year. The United States is not moving forward at this time with assistance originally committed to Sudans civilian-led transitional government in connection with its efforts to improve Sudans bilateral relationship with Israel, a State Department spokesman said in an email Friday in response to a query. This includes wheat shipments and certain development and trade and investment assistance. Jewish Insider first reported the development. The spokesman noted that the United States also suspended foreign assistance unrelated to the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements between Israel and four Arab states, because of the coup. He said the Biden administration expected Israel to join in the call for a return to a democratically elected government. Any moves made in this regard by Sudans military leaders would not enjoy credibility with the Sudanese people, he said. We strongly encourage the State of Israel to join us and the broader international community in vocally pressing for Sudans military leaders to cede power to a credible civilian-led transitional government. Sudans military seized power last fall, arresting the countrys prime minister. Protesters turned out in force and dozens were killed by security forces in demonstrations. Israel has not commented on the situation, and a minister in the former civilian government said in Haaretz last month that this will be seen as backing for the coup. The Trump administration in its final months brokered normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Bahrain, as well as Sudan. The full agreement with Sudan has yet to come to full fruition because of instability in the country. The Biden administration, in one of its few areas of agreement with its predecessor, has committed to advancing the Abraham Accords. As for the Abraham Accords, as weve said, they are a positive development that have had clear benefits for Israel and the region, said the spokesman, who spoke on condition that he not be named, as is State Department custom. The United States will continue to look for opportunities to engage with Israel and other countries to normalize relations and expand cooperation. Zionist Organization of America National President Morton A. Klein and ZOA Director of Research & Special Projects Elizabeth Berney, Esq. released the following statement: The U.S. State Department just clarified that the Biden administration is committed to opening an illegal Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem. This dashed the recent, previous sliver of good news, reported by The Times of Israel and Israel National News, based on statements from senior Biden administration officials, that the Biden administration had finally given up its plans to open an illegal Palestinian Arab consulate in the heart of Jerusalem (but was instead planning other unsavory alternatives). At a U.S. State Department press briefing Tuesday, May 31, a questioner asked about the Times of Israel report that you guys have shelved, once and for all, opening the Palestinian consulate. State Department spokesman Ned Price responded that this part of the Times of Israel report is not accurate. We remain committed to opening a consulate in Jerusalem. The hostile-to-Israel questioner then asked what the holdup was. Ned Price responded that there are some steps that have to be taken and unique sensitivities and we are working through the issue with our Palestinian and Israeli partners. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others have repeatedly explained that opening a U.S. consulate for Palestinian Arabs in Jerusalem over the opposition of Israels current and previous government is wrong and illegal under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), which requires the consent of the host country to open a consulate, and is illegal under the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which recognizes Jerusalem as Israels capital and a united, undivided city. The consulate would also promote dividing the Jewish peoples eternal capital Jerusalem; exert illegal pressure on Israel regarding her internal affairs; serve as a hotbed of spies and anti-Israel activities; and reward, promote, cater to, and send a terrible message to the Palestinian Authority terror regime, which continues to pay terrorists to murder Jews. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the functions of a consulate are limited to passports, visas, helping nationals of the sending country, and the like. A consulate is not permitted to promote the interests of a hostile group in the host country. There is also no need for a separate consulate now that the U.S. Embassy is properly in Jerusalem. (See, e.g., ZOA Praises Pompeo Saying Re-Opening U.S. Consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem is Illegal & Wrong, Oct. 6, 2021; Action Alert: ZOA Opposes Re-Opening a U.S. Palestinian Arab Consulate in Jerusalem, Aug. 23, 2021.) The hostile questioner at the State Department briefing also misleadingly insisted that the U.S. would simply be reopening a 160-year-old consulate. In fact, as Ambassador David Friedman explained, the original U.S. consulate was established by American Christian Zionists in 1844 104 years before the establishment of the state of Israel and when Jerusalem was part of the Ottoman Empire to facilitate the return of Jewish people to Jerusalem. (U.S. Should Not Re-Open the Jerusalem Consulate, by Amb. David Friedman, The Hill, May 26, 2021.) The Biden State Departments commitment to opening an illegal, divisive consulate serving the Palestinian Arab terror regime in Israels capital is no way for the U.S. to treat its ally Israel. (JNS) Israel has boosted the deployment of its air-defense systems due to concerns that Iran could retaliate for the May 22 assassination of a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officer in Tehran, Kan News reported on Monday. The move comes after the National Security Council took the unusual step on Monday of updating a travel advisory to Turkey, citing a tangible threat of Iranian attack on Israeli nationals there. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told a weekly government meeting that the era of immunity for Iran is over. Those who fund terrorists, arm terrorists and send terrorists will pay the full price. On May 23, the day after the Iranian officer was killed, Israel raised the alert level of its embassies worldwide out of concern over possible Iranian retaliation. While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing, an unnamed intelligence official told The New York Times last Wednesday that Israel was behind the hit. According to the report, the assassination was a warning to Iran to halt the operations of its Unit 840 a covert group within the IRGCs black-ops arm, the Quds Force. According to the Israeli government, the Israeli military and intelligence officials, Unit 840 is tasked with abductions and assassinations of foreigners around the world, including Israeli civilians and officials. Eighty-one Democrats from both the House and Senate sent a strongly worded letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, urging him to pressure the Israeli government into stopping potential evictions of Arabs from an IDF firing zone. We are deeply concerned that this relocation of Palestinian families from homes they have lived in for generations could spark violence, is in direct violation of international humanitarian law, and could further undermine efforts to reach a two-state solution, wrote the Democratic lawmakers, headed by Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Such evictions undermine our shared democratic values, imperil Israels security, and disregard Palestinian human and civil rights, the letter continued. With President [Joe] Biden visiting Israel in late June, it is critical that the Administration respond quickly to ensure that this momentous trip can deliver concrete steps toward peace. A senior Biden administration official, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also spoke out about the slated evictions. It is important to refrain from unilateral actions that exacerbate tensions and jeopardize a negotiated two-state solution, said Greenfield-Thomas while speaking to the U.N. Security Council last Thursday. This includes the situation in Masafer Yatta and other evictions, which we continue to monitor closely and voice our concerns about. Israels Supreme Court recently decided in favor of the Israeli government after a court battle stretching more than two decades, ruling that the authorities have the right to evict some 1,300 Bedouin Arabs living in tents and temporary homes from a closed IDF firing zone in the South Hebron Hills. The court accepted the Israeli governments position that the residents had never maintained a continuous presence in the area, which would have entitled them to reside there permanently rather, they periodically spent time there during seasonal migration, then moved on to other areas. The nomadic Bedouin failed to convince the court that they lived permanently in the area prior to it being declared a closed military zone in the 1980s. (JTA) Jewish extremists shouted racist slogans and clashed with Palestinians during a heavily policed Jerusalem Day march, but there were no major injuries at an event that last year was among the spurs to a deadly conflict. Police said 50,000 Jews marched through the Old City on Sunday, Jerusalem Day, the Hebrew calendar anniversary of Israels capture of the area in the 1967 Six-Day War. A record 2,600 Jews visited the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, which is also the sight of a mosque enclave among the holiest in Islam. A number of the Jewish marchers shouted Death to Arabs, reports said, and may your villages burn. Some Palestinians rushed the marchers, and there were fights. There were reports of minor injuries. Media reported police arrested about 50 people, most Palestinians. Kann, Israels public broadcaster, reported Palestinians stoning vehicles and Jews attacking Palestinians with pepper spray. There were some minor injuries. The day culminated with tens of thousands of Jews dancing at the Western Wall, the Jewish holy site that is adjacent to the Temple Mount. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he would not tolerate Jewish extremists who tried to provoke a conflict and had instructed police to arrest rioters. The overwhelming majority of participants have come to celebrate but unfortunately there is a minority that has come to set the area ablaze, take advantage of the governments strong position against Hamas threats, and trying to use force in order to ignite a conflict, he said. A number of marchers hoisted Israeli flags when they reached the Temple Mount, something that Hamas, the terrorist organization controlling the Gaza Strip, had warned could provoke rocket attacks. Israels Iron Dome antimissile system reportedly is on alert. Hamas used the planned Jerusalem Day celebration last year as among its pretexts for launching rockets into Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict in which more than 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis were killed. Bennett, whose governing coalition is hanging by a thread, is eager to stem tensions ahead of a visit next month by President Joe Biden. The region has been roiled by a spate of deadly Palestinian terrorist attacks and unsettled by Israels recent announcement of new settlement building. FORMER Public Service minister Petronella Kagonye was yesterday sentenced to three years in prison following her conviction on charges of corruption and criminal abuse of office after she converted 20 laptops donated to schools in Goromonzi to personal use. Sentencing her, Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro said Kagonye betrayed the trust bestowed on her as a top civil servant. The court takes cognisance that the accused was a former minister and she is the best person to see schools within her constituency benefiting, but she decided to take the bread away from the hungry children, Muchuchuti-Guwuriro said in her ruling. Kagonye will, however, spend 16 months in jail after 12 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while eight months were set aside on condition she restitutes the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) US$10 000 equivalent to the laptops she stole. The magistrate said theft of public funds and property could not be tolerated. A crime as such is a problem to democracy and social welfare. The conviction will certainly be severe punishment on its own. With the serious underdevelopment problems the country is facing it is sad that one can steal public funds. There is a need for the accused to restitute the value of the computers so that those meant to benefit still benefit, the magistrate said. In mitigation, Kagonye had pleaded with the court for a fine, saying she was the sole breadwinner. Muchuchuti-Guwuriro said Kagonye had requested a donation of computers to give to Goromanzi South schools, but no computers were given to the schools. The court heard that between June 2018 and July 2019, Kagonye wrote to former Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira requesting computers to donate to schools in Goromonzi. On June 20, 2018, Mandiwanzira wrote to Potraz requesting facilitation of the donations through its e-learning project to Goromonzi South schools. Potraz then donated the computers to Kagonye, which were collected by her brother Evans on her behalf and he signed the collection form. But the computers could not be accounted for when Potraz made a follow-up, leading to the former ministers arrest. Newsday On May 27, Heritage Florida Jewish News employee Gil Dombrosky, along with his wife, Risa, and daughter, Karyn, attended a lecture on the Jewish History of Florida at the DeLand Regional Library. Sam Friedman, former director of Stetson University Hillel and now chief development officer of Shalom Orlando, presented the program. Some interesting facts presented were: The first Jewish congregations in the state were Ahavath Chesed in Jacksonville and Temple Bethel in Pensacola, both claiming to be the oldest synagogue founded in 1898. The first Jewish settler, Isidore Cohen, arrived in Miami in 1896, three months before the first train. He also was the first merchant to open a store in the city. In 1953, following 26 mayors, Abe Aronovitz became the first Jewish mayor of Miami. Florida's one and only Jewish governor was David Scholtz, who served from 1933-1937. His parents were Russian Jews. (JTA) French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed as prime minister Elisabeth Borne, a former cabinet minister whose father, Joseph Bornstein, was a Polish Holocaust survivor who died by suicide when she was 11. Borne, a 61-year-old former Socialist Party politician who previously had served as labor minister, is the second woman to hold the post and one of several people with Jewish roots, including Laurent Fabius and Leon Blum. Joseph Bornstein and his three brothers, Isaac, Albert and Leon, were born to Polish-Jewish immigrants in Belgium. The family fled that country to France in 1940 when Germany invaded Western Europe. Joseph Bornstein was arrested by occupation forces and deported to Auschwitz as a teenager in 1943 along with his brother Isaac, according to a filmed interview with Isaac Bornstein. Leon Bornstein was murdered at the Majdanek death camp in occupied Poland. Albert Bornstein, who was born in 1930, was murdered at Auschwitz. But Isaac and Joseph, both of whom served in the French resistance before their arrest, according to a filmed testimony by Isaac, survived until Auschwitz was liberated in 1945 and returned to France. Deeply traumatized by the Holocaust, Joseph Bornstein died by suicide in 1972, when he was 48 and his daughter, Elisabeth, was only 11. Joseph Bornstein converted to Christianity after World War II to marry Elisabeth Bornes mother, Marguerite Lescene, according to Isaacs testimony. He suffered from epilepsy and other medical problems but, Isaac Bornstein said, I think he never got over Auschwitz. Borne, who has never run for public office, is widely seen as a technocrat with little interest in media attention. Her nomination may also be temporary, pending the results of legislative elections set for next month. She has led a tough negotiation against some trade unions since 2017, when Macron was elected for his first term in office. That year, she led a reform that forced the SNCF railway company to give up considerable pension benefits for its employees, a move the company resisted by mounting multiple strikes. The leaders of Frances far-right and far-left parties both expressed displeasure at Bornes nomination, citing her role in reducing some social benefits. (JTA) General Mills announced Tuesday it would be fully divesting from a business venture in Israel that had operated in an East Jerusalem settlement, in a move pro-Palestinian activists celebrated as the result of their campaign against the food conglomerate. The Minnesota-based company has operated a Pillsbury frozen-food factory in the Atarot Industrial Zone since 2002, in a joint venture with Israeli investment group Bodan Holdings. In a statement, the company said it would sell its majority stake in the venture back to Bodan as part of a larger international investment strategy. General Mills statement did not mention politics and noted that the company had previously moved to sell off its European dough business, as well. Reached for comment, a company spokesperson redirected the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to its statement. The company has been a target of pro-Palestinian activists since it was included in a 2020 United Nations database of companies doing business in Israeli settlements. American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker-affiliated activist organization that has been pushing the company to end its Israel operations via a campaign called No Dough For The Occupation, took credit for the divestment in a statement. General Mills divestment shows that public pressure works even on the largest of corporations, Noam Perry, a member of the groups Economic Activism team, said in the statement. The divestment carried echoes of another food producers Israel-related move: last years decision by ice-cream manufacturer Ben & Jerrys to stop selling ice cream in Occupied Palestinian Territory. In that case, the decision was explicitly political, coming on the heels of Israels deadly conflict with Hamas. And the blowback was swift, with Jewish groups and several state governments lining up to not only boycott Ben & Jerrys products but also divest from its parent company, the British multinational conglomerate Unilever in many cases citing anti-Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions laws to do so. At least 70,000 Israeli from all over the country proudly participated in the Flag Parade celebrating Jerusalems Day on Sunday night, ignoring Hamas threat to attack Israel. The Jerusalem Day celebrations, marking the victory during the 1967 Six-Day War and the reunification of Israels capital, include a parade in which tens of thousands of Israelis march with flags through the citys center and then through the Old City while entering it through the Damascus Gate. In one of the most joyful and memorable marches in recent years, families, schools, youth groups and public officials marched with tens of thousands of Israeli flags through Jerusalems streets, celebrating the 55th anniversary of Israels victory and the reunification of its capital. The police deployed about 3,000 officers to secure the Jerusalem Day events and the traditional parade. Police forces contended with a number of incidents of Arab rioting, stone-throwing incidents, and clashes in the Old City area. Vehicles were damaged and a number of police officers and civilians were lightly injured. The police arrested more than 60 suspects in connection with the various violent incidents. Five policemen were lightly injured in the disturbances. A record number of 2,626 Jews ascended the Temple Mount on Jerusalem Day, a 126 percent increase from the last peak, set in 2018 when 2,084 Jews visited in one day. Despite Muslim riots, Hamas threats, and the polices challenge in accommodating the thousands of Jews who arrived, a new record was set for the highest number of visitors a day. Hundreds more were unable to enter the Temple Mount due to the polices limitations. The Jerusalem Day events were conducted as usual despite Hamas repeated threats to attack Israel, threats it failed to follow through with. After saying it would fire missiles at Israel, Hamas did not act in any way. Hamas is apparently not ready for another military clash with Israel, as it is still licking its wounds from Operation Guardian of the Walls from a year ago, because it is interested in maintaining the civilian relief measures Israel has recently granted to the Gaza Strip, and because it is still in the process of preparing for the next attack on Israel. In refraining from attacking Israel as it threatened to do, Hamas exposed its Achilles heel to Israel. However, Hamas received a ringing slap in the face that it will not forget, and as a popular movement that is anxious about its status on the Palestinian street, it is already planning its next move, and therefore, attacking Israel in the near future is not off the table, Israeli officials believe. Israeli analyst Yoni Ben Menachem, of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, noted that the Jerusalem Day events ended with an Israeli victory in the battle of minds between Israel and Hamas over sovereignty in Jerusalem. Hamas maintained restraint despite its promises, the Palestinian street is disappointed but Hamas promises a response at the right time for it, he said. (JNS) The Jewish presence in the Galilee is shrinking in part, critics say, because of government policies that effectively discriminate against Jews in favor of Arabs, who constitute the vast majority of the areas inhabitants. The stakes are high, say those warning of the danger, noting that a large ethnic minority controlling a significant bloc of territory can lead to irredentist movements. The issue also exists in the Negev with the Bedouin, but the problem in the Galilee is much more serious, Bentzi Lieberman, chairman of the Shiloh Forum, a research and policy institute that encourages Jewish settlement, told JNS. In the Galilee, he said, You find about 45 Jewish communities amid a gigantic Arab population that is growing, encroaching towards them and threatening them. The area Lieberman refers to is a section of the Galilee in the central part of the region, its borders roughly defined by Highway 70 in the west, Highway 65 in the east, in the north reaching nearly up to, but not including, Highway 89 and to the south Highway 79, including some areas extending still further south of that road. The area is sometimes referred to as Lev HaGalil, or the heart of the Galilee. We saw what happened during [Operation] Guardian of the Walls, said Lieberman, referring to the widespread rioting in heavily Arab-Israeli areas during the May 2021 Israeli military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In the Galilee, Arab Israelis stoned passing cars, blocked roads with burning tires, attempted to lynch Jews, launched fireworks at police and fired on at least one Jewish community. Little by little, the demographics have changed, said Lieberman. According to the Shiloh Forum, using numbers provided by Israels Central Bureau of Statistics, Jews comprised 18.1 percent of the population in the heart of the Galilee in 2005, but only 14.6 percent in 2020. In actual numbers, the Jewish population increased slightly, from 97,526 in 2005 to 98,716 in 2020, but the Arab population over the same period jumped 26.5 percent, from 441,212 in 2005 to 576,556 in 2020. The key problem is the skyrocketing cost of land in the Galilee, said Israel Naaman, an American immigrant and local council chairman of the Jewish community of Eshchar, where he has lived for 34 years. Eshchar, located just north of the Arab city of Sakhnin, was founded by American immigrants in 1986 and is now home to 200 families. The reason land prices are so high is that government land assessors review comparable home sales when setting prices, and home prices have skyrocketed, said Naaman. Young couples starting families dont have the wherewithal to come to the Lower Galilee, he added. When you come as a young couple, you invest your life. You raise your kids here. You build community together. You have loyalties. And the ideals are up-front, really serious ideals of development of the Land in Israel, he said. Instead, people in their 40s and 50s who can afford it move in. Their commitment is much less. Theres less community building, and youre no longer having a young generation growing up as Galileans, he said. Naamans answer is for the government to stop charging so much for the land. Settling the land is the first ideal. The laissez-faire economy is only a tool to be used to advance that goal. And when that tool doesnt work, you change it. So what if the government gets a little less in taxes? he said. On a Day of the Galilee held in Israels parliament on May 10, Knesset Member Ofir Sofer of the Religious Zionism Party, one of the leaders of the Knessets Caucus of the Galilee, had a similar message. [Galilee day] is to remind us that we returned to the land [of Israel] to settle the land and not for any other reason, he said. While there are a host of regulations imposed on Jewish communities that limit their growth and drive-up prices, Lieberman noted that these are not enforced when it comes to the areas Arab population. The result, he said, is a dramatic difference in prices. A particular piece of land can cost 20,000 shekels [$5,900] for an Arab buyer, while 500 meters [1,600 feet] away a similar plot of land sold to a Jewish buyer can reach 1 million shekels [$295,000], he said. One reason floated for the governments failure to impose the same rules and prices on the Arab population is the fear that doing so will lead to an outburst of violence. Naaman argued that much greater violence will result if the government doesnt act to encourage Jewish presence in the Galilee. Once its understood that Jews live here, irredentist movements are cut off before they can really start, he said. Naaman pointed to some improvements in the area since he arrived in the Galilee in the 1970s. Then, he said, there were almost no Hebrew signs. You didnt even know if you were in Israel. Now you can see more economic integration. Youll see places where the signs in Hebrew are much larger than the ones in Arabic, and if you go to the Druze sections, youll see almost nothing in Arabic, he said. They realize theyre in the Jewish state. Theyre a minority. They live here, they have individual rights, but they dont have rights as a national or religious group to the Land of Israel. Naaman noted that as bad as the situation was during Operation Guardian of the Walls (a transformer was shot out in Eshchar), it was much worse during the Second Intifada in 2000. What happened after that big mess and Sakhnin was very involved in it was that nobody went to buy anything there for a year or two. Sakhnins boundary is creeping towards Eshchar, which concerns Naaman. Arab efforts to expand their municipal boundaries must end, he said. Sakhnin has city status and can build building several stories high, it doesnt have to build out, he said. They can build six stories if they want. Here, we can only go up two and a half, he added. Were heading toward a 10 percent Jewish minority if this continues, Lieberman warned. But in the last half-year, weve been standing still. I dont feel anyone has taken the wheel to try and change course. (JTA) - A new super PAC led by "Black and Jewish" leaders has endorsed five Black Democrats who have positions that are friendly to AIPAC, the latest sign that pro-Israel donors are determined to stem erosion of support for Israel among African Americans. In its May 27 launch statement, first reported by Politico, the Urban Empowerment Action PAC does not mention Israel, instead saying that it "will support pragmatic, solutions-oriented congressional candidates dedicated to the educational empowerment and economic uplift of Black Communities." It says its "supporters include a broad coalition of Black and Jewish business, political and civic leaders." But Bakari Sellers, a political commentator who appears in the PAC's literature as a spokesman, told Politico that Israel was "definitely high up on the list" in the decision by the super PAC to endorse Janice Winfrey, the Detroit City Clerk who is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Tlaib is Israel's most strident critic in Congress and the only one who openly says it should not exist as a Jewish state. "It's not the primary focus," Sellers, a former South Carolina state representative, said, referring to Israel. Nevertheless, Urban Empowerment Action's launch document does allude to the fraying of Black-Jewish ties, once resilient in the civil rights era. Winfrey and the other four candidates it endorsed, meanwhile, are known to have Israel positions close to those favored by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Sellers and the PAC did not return requests for comment. The PAC arrives after years of tension between the center-right pro-Israel community and Black Democratic lawmakers, spurred in part by the antagonism between former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama, the first Black president. Black lawmakers were especially furious with Netanyahu for accepting an invitation from Republicans to speak to Congress in 2015 to attack Obama's Iran policies; it was seen as a sign of disrespect. Since Netanyahu's election loss last year, Israel's government has pledged to repair ties with Democrats, and the mainstream pro-Israel movement has made cultivating Black political leadership a priority. A number of pro-Israel PACs have in recent months lent considerable support to Black candidates facing progressives who are skeptical of the depth of the U.S.-Israel relationships. The pro-Israel donors have scored successes, among others, with Rep. Shontel Brown in Ohio, and with two primary candidates in North Carolina, Don Davis and Valerie Foushee. Urban Empowerment Action has pledged to spend an eye-popping $1 million on Winfrey; by contrast, the only other expenditure has been for Rep. Nikema Williams in Georgia, an incumbent in the Atlanta area who did not face a serious challenge in the primary this month and will not face one in November. "This joint effort builds on the strong relationship between African American and Jewish leaders to uplift all communities," Sellers is quoted as saying in the launch document. "Instead of allowing our communities to be divided, history teaches us that when Black and Jewish communities stand together to fight for our common ideals - we create positive change in society." The PAC's only disclosed donor is Third Point LLC, a New York-based hedge fund helmed by Daniel Loeb, who is Jewish and who gives mostly to Republicans. Third Point gave Urban Empowerment Action $76,355. Loeb's wife, Margaret, gives mostly to Democrats. Super PACs may solicit and spend unlimited amounts as long as they do not coordinate directly with a campaign. AIPAC PAC, the new political action committee affiliated with the lobby, is backing Williams. Another pro-Israel PAC, Pro-Israel America, founded by two former senior AIPAC staffers, is backing Winfrey. The PAC affiliated with Democratic Majority for Israel, which hews to traditional pro-Israel positions, is backing two candidates backed by Urban Empowerment Action: Randolph Bracy, who is running for the seat being vacated by Florida Rep. Val Demings, who is running for the U.S. Senate; and Sydney Kamlager, who is running in a Los Angeles-area district being vacated by Rep. Karen Bass, who is running for L.A. mayor. Another Urban Empowerment Action endorsee, Nykea Pippion-McGriff, is running in a crowded primary race to replace Rep. Bobby Rush, a Chicago-area Democrat who is retiring. Tlaib, notably, is the only incumbent that the new PAC is seeking to unseat. She immediately cast Urban Empowerment Action's decision to target her as an outsider attempt to remove her for her pro-Palestinian outlook. Tlaib is Palestinian American. "We will outwork those who don't want to see someone like me serving in the U.S. Congress," she said on Twitter. "No one will bully me and get me to stop speaking truth." Tlaib and a number of other progressives, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Jewish lawmaker who twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, have sought pledges from Democrats not to take super PAC money. These progressives have argued that super PACs, including the AIPAC-affiliated United Democracy Project, distort democracy through unlimited spending, and that AIPAC PAC has endorsed dozens of Republicans who refused to certify Joe Biden's election as president. AIPAC for its part notes that its PAC has endorsed a number of progressives, as well as moderate Democrats and Republicans. Sellers for years has been close to the pro-Israel community and has appeared at AIPAC conferences. In his Politico interview, he said that Urban Empowerment's emphasis was on maintaining the Black presence in Congress, in part by ensuring that Black incumbents who are leaving the House are replaced by Blacks. Tlaib replaced a long-time Black congressman, John Conyers, who resigned in a scandal. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, the sole Black congresswoman in the state, is retiring, and the state with one of the most important African-American communities in the country may soon not have a Black representative in Congress, Sellers noted. "We want people who are elected to Congress that have keen focus and understanding on the plight of African Americans and the uplift thereof," Sellers said. WASHINGTON, D.C. Last week at the 75th World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the Biden administrations attempt to present 13 proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations that would empower the World Health Organization to unilaterally declare a public health emergency for any reason, failed miserably. None of Joe Bidens 13 proposed amendments were adopted by the WHO. Rather than reducing the time frame, as Biden sought, the delegates agreed to extend the time for a member nation to reject an amendment from 9 to 10 months. The current 24-month time to implement a regulation after entry into force of an amendment remains the same. A Working Group on IHR Amendments has been established and there are upcoming meetings scheduled to continue the process of discussing proposed IHR amendments. The timelines for IHR amendments and a new Pandemic Treaty are as follows: Proposed IHR Amendments Timeline: Sept. 30, 2022 deadline for proposed amendments to IHR Oct. 1, 2022 Director-General to convene IHR Review Committee to make technical recommendations on the proposed IHR amendments Nov. 15, 2022 WGIHR meets to consider IHR amendments Jan. 15, 2023 IHR Review Committee reports to the Director-General May 2023 Present proposed IHR amendments at the 76th annual World Health Association meeting Proposed New Pandemic Treaty Timeline: June 16-17 request to speak or submit written statement regarding the new Pandemic Treaty Aug. 1 working draft of new Pandemic Treaty is submitted Throughout the week, delegates from nations like Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union and the United States spoke in support of the amendments and urged other states to join them in signing away their countries sovereignty. However, other countries such as Africa, Brazil, Brunei, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Malaysia, India, China, and Iran expressed reservations or objected to the proposed amendments. Brazil said it would exit the WHO altogether, rather than allow its population to be made subject to the new amendments. The African delegation expressed reservations about these IHR amendments, saying all reforms should be tackled together as part of a holistic package later. Iran and Malaysia are reported to have also expressed reservations to the proposed IHR amendments, while Russia and Brazil seem set to possibly exit the WHO. Therefore, when the WHA ended on Saturday, May 28, the Biden administration failed to have its proposed amendments added to the IHR. On Jan. 18, 2022, officials from the Biden administration quietly sent the WHO the original 13 amendments to the current International Health Regulations and tried to keep them hidden without an official statement or a single press conference. These were not made public until April 12, 2022, when a researcher, discovered them on March 31. The proposed amendments, in combination with the existing ones, enabled Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and any future Director-General to have unrestricted powers to define and then implement their interventions and to declare health emergencies at will. During the WHA in Geneva on Tuesday, May 24, a new set of amendments, Conference Page 7, was submitted in complete violation of Article 55 Section 2 of the IHR, which requires amendments to be submitted at least four months prior to the WHA. After more than 50 nations objected, the secretary reserved rooms so they could have backroom discussions in order to persuade those countries that were objecting to the amendments. These efforts failed. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver stated, The Biden administration and the World Health Organization suffered a stunning defeat. The WHO must not become the global authority on public health issuing directives influenced by its funding stakeholders that impact the sovereignty of independent nations. We must continue to monitor the WHO because the effort to gain more global authority has not abated. (JNS) U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government has resolved to pass legislation that will stop public bodies from adopting anti-Israel boycott resolutions. The proposed legislation was outlined in the Queens Speech, an annual ceremonial address on May 10 that opens parliament and which sets out the governments legislative priorities. The bills purpose, according to a government summary, is to stop public bodies in the United Kingdom from engaging in BDS measures and to prevent them adopting their own approach to international relations. Several U.K. municipal councils, among them the Lancaster City Council in 2021 and the Leicester City Council in 2014, have passed BDS resolutions against Israel. The summary said that boycotts politicize public institutions, erode community cohesion and overwhelmingly target lsrael, contributing to the horrific rise in anti-Semitism in the U.K.including kosher food being removed from supermarket shelves, Jewish films being banned from a film festival and a student union holding a vote on blocking the formation of a Jewish student society. The Conservative Party has shown a determination to put an end to such boycotts. In September 2016, under then-Prime Minister Theresa May, the government introduced regulations, or guidance, to stop local councils from making politically motivated pension fund decisions against Israel or U.K. defense companies. However, in April 2020, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom struck down those regulations in a case brought by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), a pro-BDS group. Pro-Palestinian activists were successful in securing a Supreme Court ruling in the United Kingdom saying that the advice from the conservative government was unlawful and that local councils had the right to take these kinds of decisions, said Toby Greene of the political studies department at Bar-Ilan University. Since then, the conservative government has said that it would propose legislation to enforce its position that local councils should not be able to make such decisions. Robert Festenstein, legal counsel for Jewish Human Rights Watch (JHRW), an organization formed in 2014 to stem the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the U.K., and which played a key role in pushing the government to take action against local councils, told JNS he expects the bill could pass before the summer recess of Parliament in July. The Conservative Party has been enormously supportive of the Jewish community and they have made it very clear to us repeatedly that they think that the rise in anti-Semitism in the U.K. is a matter of very considerable concern, he said. JHRW put a spotlight on local council boycotts by filing suit in 2015 against the Leicester City Council, which in 2014 targeted goods from Judea and Samaria. Our claim was based upon our view that the debate which has taken place in the council chamber amongst the councilors had not complied with their obligations under what is called the public sector equality duty, said Festenstein. What that means is, theyve got to make sure that nobody is disadvantaged by the actions that they take. We were saying that they failed to do this when they had this debate, that is, to think about the impact this resolution would have upon the Jewish community. Festenstein said the Leicester City Council claimed in their defense that the boycott was a non-binding resolution. While the judges rejected that argument, they still ruled in the councils favor, saying that the council had weighed the impact on the Jewish community. They were satisfied that the council had discharged that duty, he said. Although JHRW lost the case and subsequent appeal, It wasnt the great victory they thought it was because after that we turned to the conservative government to say to them, Look, this is ridiculous. We cant always be arguing with local authorities when they say they want to boycott Israel, which is a country 2,000 miles away and has nothing to do with local politics, said Festenstein. Ian Jade, a spokesman for JHRW, told JNS that the proposed legislation will be an effective tool because it sends a signal for democracy and decency that its no longer acceptable in this day and age to use boycotts against Jews and against Israel. It draws a line in the cement that says were not going to put up with this. Its up to the government to decide foreign policy, not a group of organizations with clear links to Holocaust deniers, he said, referring to the anti-Israel groups pushing local councils to boycott Israel, particularly the aforementioned Palestine Solidarity Campaign. We made a series of reports on PSC and we clearly showed that the membership was full of Holocaust deniers, he added. JHRW focused its efforts on BDS when it recognized that theres never been an organization such as BDS that acts globally with one set of strategies. BDS is unique insofar as it moves as one single organism across the world, and its aim really is to harm Jews, because it cant take on the Israeli state. It contaminates Jewish life by essentially blaming Jews for the rights or the wrongs of Israeli government actions, Jade said. At the heart of all of this isnt Israel, he said. This is another form of Jew-hate coming down through the years. These people would still exist without the State of Israel. In a first, Israeli government to pay Orthodox women to advise on Jewish law By Ron Kampeas (JTA) In a first, Israel will pay 21 women to be advisers on Jewish law in the Orthodox community, a concept that has spread in the United States but that Israels Orthodox establishment has resisted. Matan Kahana, the deputy religious services minister, said in a release Thursday he will hire the women for communities across Israel this year. Women advisers on halacha, or Jewish law, have flourished in recent years in the United States, where there has been a demand among women for counseling on issues considered too sensitive to bring to a male rabbi. The rabbinic establishment in Israel has resisted the concept, saying that certification may be seen as a form of ordination, which is prohibited for women across almost all of Orthodoxy. Polling in Israel has nonetheless shown that there is a demand for the service among Orthodox women, and the institute founded by Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin, who died last year, and his wife Chana to train and certify Yoatzot Halacha is based in Jerusalem. Kahana has become known for his efforts to accommodate non-Orthodox and more liberal Orthodox Jewish practices, and has come under fire from extremists for doing so. Jewish Federation leaders accompany Ethiopians to Israel as aliyah resumes (JNS) Dozens of community leaders from Jewish Federations across North America will accompany 180 Ethiopian new immigrants (olim) on a charter flight to Israel on Wednesday, following a three-day mission in Ethiopia. Federation leaders are meeting with community members awaiting aliyah in Gondar and Addis Ababa, and visiting sites of historical significance for Ethiopian Jewry. The leaders are joined by other officials from the Jewish Agency for Israel, Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), the World Zionist Organization (WZO), and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Also accompanying the passengers are Minister of Aliyah and Integration Pnina Tamano-Shata, the first Ethiopian-born woman to enter the Knesset; chairman of the WZO and acting chairman of the Jewish Agency Yaakov Hagoel; and Jeffrey A. Schoenfeld, chair of the Israel and Overseas Committee of the Jewish Federations of North America. A second flight of 160 olim is scheduled to arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Thursday. In addition to $100 million in core funding Jewish Federations raise every year, allowing partner organizations such as the Jewish Agency to both carry out their routine work and prepare for extraordinary moments such as these, Federations have launched a campaign of more than $7 million for the continuation of aliyah from Ethiopia and for humanitarian assistance for community members waiting to leave. The two flights mark the resumption of Operation Tzur Israel (Rock of Israel), an initiative approved by the Israeli government allowing 3,000 members of the Jewish community in Ethiopia to reunite with their family members in Israel. Some olim have waited more than 10 years to reunite with their loved ones. Jewish Federations are awaiting final approval from the Israeli government to enable those remaining in Ethiopia to make aliyah, as thousands still remain behind. Israel-based i24News to start branches in Morocco (JNS) The Israel-based network i24News is expanding its operations to Morocco, the network announced on Monday evening at a gala event in the nations capital of Rabat. CEO Frank Melloul said the company would be opening bureaus with broadcast studios in Rabat and Casablanca, according to a report by the network. The companys headquarters are in Tel Aviv; it launched news channels in English, French and Arabic in 2013. It also has broadcast studios in France, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The channel received a license in the UAE in 2021, the year following the signing of the Abraham Accords. Chinese diplomat threatened to downgrade relations with Israel over media interview (JNS) A senior Chinese diplomat has threatened to downgrade relations with Israel following an interview published in The Jerusalem Post with Taiwans foreign minister, the Posts editor in chief, Yaakov Katz, tweeted on Tuesday. Got call from Chinese embassy. Apparently, Im supposed to take down the story or they will sever ties with The Jerusalem Post and downgrade relations with the State of Israel. Needless to say, story aint going anywhere, Katz stated in the tweet. In the interview, published on Monday, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said that Israel had become over-reliant on China and that Beijing was preparing for an invasion of the breakaway island. China is an authoritarian country, and they do business in a very different philosophy, said Wu. He added that sometimes, they use trade as a weapon, and we have seen them practicing their weaponized trade relations with many other countries. Wu further suggested that Israel not make concessions to Beijing nor worry about China getting upset with you. When they get upset with you, that means youre doing something right. On May 10, the Chinese embassy sent a letter to the Post, accusing an opinion piece it published over events in the Xinjiang province of being an anti-China article written by a Xinjiang independence separatist, according to a report by i24News. Student union in Melbourne withdraws anti-Israel motion after threat of lawsuit (JNS) The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) has voted to rescind an anti-Semitic measure passed in April that endorsed the BDS movement against Israel. The motion had defined Zionism as a racist, colonial ideology; called Israel a settler-colonial apartheid state; accused the country of massacres, forced expulsion and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, and supported Palestinians to engage in self-defense against their occupiers. University officials had condemned the measure, saying it was not a reflection of the views of the school administration. According to The Age newspaper in Australia, Justin Riazaty, a law student who is not Jewish, threatened to file suit against the student union claiming their actions violated the countrys Racial and Religious Tolerance Act of 2001. The Australasian Union of Jewish Students said in a statement on Thursday that they had held countless meetings with UMSU in the aftermath of their vote on April 29. The original UMSU motion was put forward over the objections of Jewish students, the Jewish student union further said. UMSU attempted to define Judaism, Zionism and anti-Semitism in a way that solely reflects the views of a fringe group of Israel-haters but bears no relationship to the lived experience of the Jewish people. The Jewish student group added that it calls on student groups to ensure that unions represent the viewpoints of all students. Universities and their student representative bodies should be places for well-informed, nuanced and open dialogue rather than hectoring polemics, said the Australasian Union of Jewish Students. We simply ask that student unions consult AUJS and relevant Jewish bodies on campus before putting forward motions impacting Jewish students. IDF chief of staff in Cyprus for joint military exercise (JNS) Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi arrived in Cyprus on Monday night to take part in a joint Israeli-Cypriot military drill. The exercise, called Beyond the Horizon, will last for the remainder of this week, and will include land, sea and air forces, according to Israel Defense. The objective of the exercise, the largest of its kind held with Cyprus to date, is to preserve combat readiness in a range of scenarios, including surprise events, the report said. The IDF has sent conscripted and reserve forces, units from its 98th Paratroopers Division and Israeli Air Force fighter jets, helicopters and transport aircraft. Special forces from the Israeli Navy, including the Shayetet 13 commando unit, as well as the elite Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit and Intelligence Directorate personnel, will all take part. The goal is to drill the forces in combat deep in enemy territory, and [to] implement a variety of actions like activating combat helicopters, evacuating the wounded by transport helicopter, and parachuting logistical equipment by heavy transport squadrons, said the report. The exercise will see forces working in a variety of Cypriot terrain, including forests, urban settings, villages and hills. According to Cyprus Mail, the drill will be joined by the Cypriot National Guard. Israel hosts OECD International Education Innovation Conference in Jerusalem (JNS) The Israeli Education Ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality jointly opened the OECD International Education Innovation Conference on Tuesday. The conference, being held at the Jerusalem International Convention Center, will last until June 2. The opening was attended by Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon and other senior officials. According to a statement by the Education Ministry, representatives from 48 countries are taking part, including leading educational professionals from around the world. We are excited to host, for the first time in the Israeli capital, a conference which presents unique programs of educational innovation in our education system. Israeli teaching personnel who are participating in the conference display impressive entrepreneurship capabilities and the development of programs, teaching methods and educational breakthroughs, said Shasha-Biton. To host this conference is a source of great pride for the Israeli education system, she added. Dalit Stauber, director-general of the Israeli Education Ministry, added, The mosaic of initiatives from our wonderful principals and teachers generates pride, bringing the Israeli education system to the forefront of the global stage. The conference is expected to attract 15,000 visitors, according to organizers, including supervisors, school administrators, educational departments, educational consultants, psychologists, educators, teachers, educators from the academy and parents. The conference will feature innovative educational initiatives from some 400 Israeli schools from all over the country, as well as products produced by academic institutions and private-market initiatives. In addition, hundreds of booths will be opened and 200 lectures will be given on education from leading educators in their field. Israel and UAE sign historic free-trade agreement (JNS) Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed a free trade agreement on Tuesday in Dubai. The deal is the first of its kind between Israel and an Arab state. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hailed the agreement, calling it historic, and thanked Israels Economy and Industry Minister Orna Barbivai for her contribution to achieving it. Barbivai attended the signing ceremony in Dubai, together with her UAE counterpart Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. Barbivai said on Monday that customs duties will be eliminated on 96 percent of products, including food, agriculture, cosmetics, medical equipment and medicine, according to Reuters. The agreement also includes regulation, customs, services and government procurement. Minister Al Zeyoudi tweeted on Tuesday: Today, we signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with #Israel that builds on the strong foundations laid by the Abraham Accords. It will push the value of our non-oil bilateral trade beyond $10 billion within five years. The UAE and Israel normalized relations in September 2020 as part of the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords that also included Bahrain and Morocco, and later Sudan. In March of this year, academic institutions in Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed their first agreement to date for academic cooperation, further strengthening ties between the two countries. In the same month, Israel, the United States and the UAE began a new program to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue, as well as counter religious intolerance and hatred at the inaugural meeting of the Trilateral Religious Coexistence Working Group in Dubai. Christian Arab Justice George Karra ends term in Israels Supreme Court (JNS) Arab-Israeli Supreme Court Justice George Karra completed his term as judge on Sunday. At a farewell ceremony, Karra, an Arab Christian, noted that during the last five years, at a time when I served in the Supreme Court, the state and society in Israel saw polarizing political and social processes, that deepened the cracks between Arabs and Jews, according to a report by Ynet. During his remarks, the judge talked about his experience of being an Arab justice, stating: As the son of the Arab minority, this period has not been easy for me. He added that during his rulings, I expressed my opinions, and as I said sometimes to my interns, it is good to be in the majority opinion, but it is not terrible to be in the minority. Yet all of the divisions [in the court] were altruistic, for the sake of truth and the matter at hand. The outgoing judge called for the principle of equality to be enshrined in law, saying, I dont intend to express a stance on how this legislation should be anchored, but if it is done, it should encompass all of the states civilians. Karra, who served as a judge for 33 years, became known for his fight against organized Arab crime and received death threats following some of his rulings. He also drew criticisms for his refusal to sing Israels national anthem, Hatikvah, due to its lyric, the Jewish spirit is yearning deep. Government approves plan to station police at hospitals throughout Israel (JNS) The Israeli government approved on Sunday a plan to station police at every hospital in the country, following a series of violent attacks by patients and their families against medical staff. In a tweet, Israeli Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz said: We must eradicate violence against medical teams quicklyand thats exactly what we are doing. Zero tolerance for violence in hospitals. According to a tweet by Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday, the government will allocate 19 million shekels (nearly $5.7 million) for setting up the police stands in all hospitals by the end of 2023. We are returning security to the hospitals, he said. The latest events demonstrate to us that we cannot allow medical teams to work without protection. On May 16, tens of people rioted at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem after receiving news of the death of a loved one who was transported to the hospitals ICU in critical condition, reported Ynet. The hospital said relatives burst into the ICU, shattering doors and windows, and vandalizing computers and equipment at a nurses station before physically assaulting medical staff. Concerned about an Iranian attack, Israel boosts air-defense deployment (JNS) Israel has boosted the deployment of its air-defense systems due to concerns that Iran could retaliate for the May 22 assassination of a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officer in Tehran, Kan News reported on Monday. The move comes after the National Security Council took the unusual step on Monday of updating a travel advisory to Turkey, citing a tangible threat of Iranian attack on Israeli nationals there. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told a weekly government meeting that the era of immunity for Iran is over. Those who fund terrorists, arm terrorists and send terrorists will pay the full price. On May 23, the day after the Iranian officer was killed, Israel raised the alert level of its embassies worldwide out of concern over possible Iranian retaliation. While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing, an unnamed intelligence official told The New York Times last Wednesday that Israel was behind the hit. According to the report, the assassination was a warning to Iran to halt the operations of its Unit 840a covert group within the IRGCs black-ops arm, the Quds Force. According to the Israeli government, the Israeli military and intelligence officials, Unit 840 is tasked with abductions and assassinations of foreigners around the world, including Israeli civilians and officials. (JNS) Conspiracy theories cast a shadow over the 75th World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), as hundreds of health officials and diplomats converged on Geneva last week. One of the assemblys key goalsto draft a new agreement that would strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and responseopened the U.N.-affiliated world body to accusations that it was attempting to usurp national governments powers to make health decisions. The conspiracy caught fire online as cultural, media and political figures, such as British comedian Russell Brand and Fox News host Tucker Carlson, claimed that amendments introduced by the Biden administration were a power grab. Former U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann told Steve Bannon on his War Room Podcast that the Biden amendments would propose that all nations of the earth cede their sovereignty over national health-care decisions to the WHO. The amendments create a platform for global governance, Bachmann said. In Israel, too, the amendments produced shrill criticism. Former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin wrote that the theft of Israels national freedom by WHO was one of the two most urgent threats facing the country, the first being Israels loss of control on the Temple Mount. Israel, counted as one of WHOs 194 member states, would be required to adhere to the changes. Preben Aavitsland, a Norwegian physician who participated in the drafting of the current international health regulations in 2005, a WHO agreement on the prevention of the spread of disease across borders, dismisses these accusations. He told JNS that there has been a tendency, now in the United States especially, but also in other countries, to spread sort of a conspiracy around these amendments and the future pandemic treaty; that this is some kind of U.N. takeover of the international global order. This is, of course, not the case. In general, these amendments are meant to improve international health security, he said. According to the Biden administration, the amendments, titled by the WHO Provisional Agenda Item 16.2, are meant to strengthen the international health regulations after WHOs failures to combat COVID-19. (Everyone seems to agree that WHO dropped the ball on COVID-19, including an independent investigation that it commissioned.) Among the amendments: Member states are to notify WHO within 24 hours of a public health emergency of international import, and the WHO director-general will be given more latitude in determining whether an event constitutes an international health emergency. Richard Goldberg, senior adviser at the Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, warns that off-the-wall conspiracy theories make it easy for WHO supporters to dismiss all criticisms as fringe nonsense when in fact theres much to complain about the WHO. Of the amendments, Goldberg said, The idea of empowering the WHOs leadership to make those calls sooner, and issue those warnings sooner, is not necessarily a bad thing. The problem is giving more power to an organization desperately in need of reform, he said, describing the WHO as a corrupt and politicized organization, lacking transparency and with a director-general beholden to China. It also boasts dictatorships like Russia and Syria on its executive board, which seek influence in the organization to block it from looking closely at their own activities, he noted. They end up wielding these world bodies as a weapon against the West, said Goldberg. He also said WHO is antisemitic. WHO castigates Israel on an annual basis. Israel is the only country for which there is a standing agenda item at the World Health Assembly, much like we see at the U.N. Human Rights Council, he said. Is it a good idea to give money, without reforms, to this organization for any reason? he asked. Goldberg said that if the United States were serious about reform, it would start with three items: 1) Giving Taiwan observer status. Although its COVID-19 response was held up as a gold standard, China bans Taiwan from participating in the WHO; 2) Ordering an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19; 3) Ceasing all anti-Semitic activities within the WHO, including the removal of the standing agenda item targeting Israel. He also expressed disappointment in the Biden administration, which didnt object to the reappointment as director-general of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whom Goldberg views as Chinas man at the WHO. The United States also appeared to acquiesce to a change in how the WHOs budget works, giving Tedros discretion on how to spend instead of allocating funding for specific projects. Lastly, Goldberg said, No processes are in place to remove authoritarian dictators from positions of leadership, to prevent China from concealing another pandemic in the future. These reforms are missing a key agreement, he said, and that is, how you would prevent China from covering up the next pandemic? The Sheriff of the High Court, McDuff Madega, has been by arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). Madega is expected to appear in court today. In a statement last night, ZACC said Madega is alleged to have been instructed to auction a stand by a judgment creditor in fulfilment of a judgment debt. He attached and auctioned the property to the highest bidder. However, it is alleged that before confirming the sale of the property, Madega received an objection which he presided over, resulting in him not confirming the sale. But after allowing the objection to stand, Madega is alleged to have put the same property for sale by private treaty and did not disclose to the buyer about the previous objection. Investigations are continuing into several other allegations against Madega. Herald Dear Editor: I had the opportunity to pick up the May 13, 2022 issue of Heritage. Not having read it in many months, I was impressed at the many articles, which were on top of critical issues facing Jews in America today. One article, however, raised more questions for me than it answered: What do Jews say about abortion? by Phillissa Cramer via JTA Cramer does not explain what overturning Roe v. Wade means. Jewish women in dozens of states will almost certainly become unable to access care that they might well decide is required religiously, says Cramer. Nowhere does she clarify that this is a state-by-state issue, with at least 43 states likely to have gestational, not total, limits on abortion. Those with the tightest limits, no doubt will be those with the lowest Jewish population: South Dakota - 250 Jews; Mississippi - 1,525 Jews; North Dakota - 400 Jews; Arkansas - 2,225 Jews; Oklahoma - 4,425 Jews (just past legislation no abortion; Idaho - 2,125 Jews; West Virginia - 2,310 Jews; Montana - 1,495 Jews; Iowa - 5,475 Jews; Utah - 5,650 Jews* */www.homesnacks.com/research/jewish-population-by-state/ Halacha law is referred to several times in the article: The first time, abortion is allowed, Cramer asserts in some circumstances, particularly when the life or health of the pregnant person is at stake. Then, Rabbi Shafran promotes regulation of abortion through laws that generally prohibit the unjustifiable killing of fetuses while protecting the right to abortion in exceptional cases. Unjustifiable? Exceptional? Rape and incest? There is NO Constitutional right to abortion, that is the issue now before the Supreme Court. The states anti-abortion policymakers according to guttmacher.org have been focused on four types of abortion: 15-week, Texas-style, total bans and bans designed to be triggered if Roe is overturned. Other than Oklahoma, hardly any other state will totally abolish abortion. I read on Aish.com: Abortion on demand the right to choose (as well as the right to die) are thus completely at odds with our religious and halachic values. ... Jewish law prioritizes the life of the pregnant mother over the life of the fetus such that where the pregnancy critically endangers the physical health or mental health of the mother, an abortion may be authorized, if not mandated, by Halacha (Jewish law) and should be available to all women irrespective of their economic status. ... As a general rule, abortion in Judaism is permitted only if there is a direct threat to the life of the mother by carrying the fetus to term or through the act of childbirth. While researching this, a topic I have not seen in general discussion: Medical abortions. Guttmacher research shows that following two decades of safe and effective use, medication abortion accounted for 54 percent of all U.S. abortions in 2020. Questions include up to what point of the pregnancy should they be allowed, who prescribes, etc. www.guttmacher.org Clearly there is plenty of room for discussion about abortion. On May 6, 2022, Pew Research Center reported: A majority of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, but many are open to restrictions; many opponents of legal abortion say it should be legal in some circumstances. It would be great if news sources would more fully and fairly present arguments, recognizing this dichotomy. In researching this topic, I found answers to some of these questions in past issues of Heritage. Its time for me to subscribe, again! Gloria Green Winter Garden, Fla. (JNS) The May 24 slaughter of 19 children and two adults at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, provided fresh ammunition for the rhetorical and ideological battle over gun control. Combatants in this ongoing war tend to be diehards on the left and right. The former hold firearms and those who champion the constitutional right to bear them responsible for such horrific acts of violence. The latter hail the Second Amendment and support the National Rifle Association, which backs the right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their homes. Both groups came out swinging, each from its own political corner, following the horrifying mass murder committed on Tuesday by 18-year-old Salvador Ramos. Arguments on each side included comparisons between his dastardly deed and the Dec. 14, 2012, massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, carried out by killer Adam Lanza. One parallel between the two incidents is that Lanza committed matricide before murdering 20 children and six adults, while Ramos attempted to kill his own grandmother (who is currently hospitalized in critical condition with bullet wounds to her face) prior to his vile spree. A far more recent mass shooting has been noticeably absent from the gun-control debate, however. Indeed, the May 14 slaying of 10 shoppers at a Tops Friendly Markets store in Buffalo, New York, aroused a different left-right fight: the one surrounding systemic racism in America. This was due to the fact that it involved a self-described white supremacist, 18-year-old Payton Gendron, who had expressed, in a lengthy manifesto, his intention to eliminate Blacks. In contrast, Ramos and his victims were all of Latino origin. One attitude surprisingly shared by Americans across the political spectrum is anger at the Uvalde police for failure to do its job. When details of the event began to emerge, there was virtually universal disgust in the way that the men-in-blue on the scene behaved as though they were more afraid for their own safety than for that of the fourth-graders locked in a classroom with and eventually gunned down by Ramos. But the astounding consensus on this point has only enhanced the controversy about guns, even in the grieving rural Texas town where deer-hunting is a prized pastime. While some residents are rethinking their position on the states lax laws, others are more convinced than ever of the need to be at the ready with their weapons wherever they go. The logic is twofold. On the one hand, had Ramos not been able to legally purchase the AR-15 with which he killed his helpless victims, he would have found an illegal way to acquire it. On the other, the cops, due to poor orders from their commanders, were ineffectual, as State Police Director Steven McCraw acknowledged on Friday. This brings us to Israel, where obtaining a gun license is difficult, despite compulsory military service that includes serious training. Even Israelis who are called up regularly to the reserves and are armed for the duration of their stints have to meet many criteria including a clean bill of mental health before being permitted to purchase guns for private use. Such limitations are taken for granted in the Jewish state, where unlike in the United States a gun license is a privilege, rather than a right. And extending this allowance too freely has been frowned upon by successive governments bent on preventing unnecessary deaths during volatile situations. The idea, of course, is to leave the taking down of criminals and terrorists to security forces. In a perfect world, this might make sense. But in a country whose citizens are constant targets of jihadist organizations and lone wolves, it hasnt worked out that way. In March, for instance, it was civilians and off-duty Border Police officers who neutralized the Arab Israelis and Palestinians on stabbing, car-ramming and shooting rampages in Beersheva, Hadera and Bnei Brak. In light of the circumstances, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that whoever has a license to carry a weapon, this is the time to carry it. The spike in antisemitic assaults also spurred the Israel Police to urge the public to volunteer for the Civil Guard, and led to a steep rise in the number of civilians seeking gun permits. In other words, desperate times call for commensurate measures. Americans with an aversion to firearms, particularly those progressives who have been on a campaign to defund the police, would do well to keep this in mind. They should also wake up to the reality that Israelis live with daily: villains on a mission to spill blood dont need guns; cars and kitchen knives get the job done, too. Furthermore, guns in and of themselves arent the problem; in the hands of heroes, theyre often the only solution. Ruthie Blum is an Israel-based journalist and author of To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama, and the Arab Spring. Iconic South African resort reveals new design that honours the destination's ocean, land and heritage in a celebration of modern Cape Town. One&Only Cape Town has unveiled an extensive reimagining, with a new design showcasing a refreshed take on ultra-luxury, modern accommodation. Situated in the heart of Cape Town, at the fashionable V&A Waterfront overlooking the marina and with panoramic views across to Table Mountain, One&Only Cape Town is a tranquil enclave on the doorstep of the vibrant city. The refurbishment spans the full 133 rooms and suites of the resort, as well as the entrance lobby, Vista Bar & Lounge and landscaping, with new flooring, fittings and fixtures. The reimagined resort takes inspiration from shapes, textures and colours found amidst one of the world's richest destinations. Each element pulls from the city surrounds, richly layered in the ocean, land or heritage of the beautiful Cape Town region, from the topography of the majestic Table Mountain, to the city's mythology, and the thousands of indigenous plant species that occur nowhere else in the world. Vista Bar & Lounge The resort has weaved a distinct style of storytelling into its design narrative for the revamped Vista Bar & Lounge at the heart of the resort, highlighting the local legend fondly known as 'The Watchers', the story of the creation of Table Mountain. Cape Town-based Kenyan artist, Stanislav Trzebinski, was commissioned to create a centerpiece Watchers sculpture for the Vista Bar & Lounge, standing tall above the bar display and in perfect alignment with the view of Table Mountain. His use of the human form combines with natural components, depicting the relationship between humanity and nature - some more distorted and others in contrast with it. Intricate patterns adorn the new carpeting, replicating the topography of Table Mountain - an imaginative interpretation and execution of the city's beauty within the interior decor space. Guest Rooms and Suites Guest room interiors have been crafted using thoughtful textures and organic materials, creating not just a space, but a whole experience and story. Entering the bedroom, warm lighting and an earthy colour scheme set the tone, the Kente cloth-adorned entrance, using fabric inspired by the traditional Northern African mud cloth, creates an authentically African welcome. The space is a perfect blend of metals and minerals, modernity and tradition. Every element is carefully considered, from the curved headboard of the bed which harmonises with the contrast of structural shapes and angles, to the handmade ceramics in organic shapes representing the textures and colours of Table Mountain: the golden yellow of the sun, the green of the plants and the blue of the sea, and the black texture of the Cape pine trees and silverleaf pine. Considered the gemstone capital of the world, almost half of the world's gemstones are found in Southern Africa. Sparkling accents are added throughout the guest rooms, with details of Tiger's Eye drawer pulls and facetted artworks adding an ornate touch to modern African luxury. Gemstone-shaped shields, made by artists that are community figures in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, adorn Marina Rise's headboard walls and are symbolic of the Sun and Moon. The beaded pots in all the rooms were created by Zimbabwe-born Richard Madongwe and his team of bead artists. The jars are representative of the vessels carried on the heads of the people of Africa, transporting the lifeblood of earth - water - to their families. The Cape Kelp Forest, one of the most intricate ecosystems in the world, found in the ocean waters off the coast of Cape Town, also influenced touches of the design in the guest rooms and suites with bespoke carpeting and scatter cushions reflecting the exquisite sea forestry. Frames have been handmade for the bedroom mirrors by Coote and Wench in Johannesburg, each unique and hand carved by Ben Tuge, a master wood sculptor, with a design based on the kelp forests. The suites offer space, repose and a journey of discovery. An extension of the overarching design concept but dotted with touches of green, the suites are a playful alternation of texture, use of lighting and colour, layered with honest natural minerals and unexpected objects. Limestone and African Ash feature tiles in the lobby, as well as statement tables and structural seating, complement the arrival experience. Both the reception and lounge spaces showcase individual identity with a balance of shadow and light, a colour palette of calm neutrals deep browns and warm earth tones, as well as exquisite African patterns. Works by local artists decorate the suites; Johanny Twala has contributed intricate structural ink line mountain contour drawings of Lions Head, Signal Hill and Table Mountain to the dining areas of the Marina Rise suites, while Claude Chandler, utilising the longitude and latitude of Table Mountain, has created his artworks which proudly feature in the lounges. Local Layers The Cape Mountains are synonymous with the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the planet's six plant kingdoms, yet the most diverse. One&Only Cape Town's love of fynbos and protea varietals is reflected in the fresh flowers throughout the resort and in many of the decor touches dappled within the rooms and common areas. Cape flowers remain an ongoing inspiration for the team, building constantly on the small touches and novel ways in which to incorporate them on the resort. By weaving the inspired design in collaboration with local artists and artisans, One&Only Cape Town has created a destination reflective of its setting - Africa in a fresh, nuanced way that is inclusive and expansive, and with an elevated residential feel that makes guests instantly feel at home. The resort retains its inimitable location and unique offering of inner-city yet resort-style accommodation - a sense of detachment from day-to-day life. This exceptional location, now coupled with the reimagining, speaks to the ultra-luxury and modern while retaining an authentic local feel. Hotel website Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the opening of Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, the luxury lifestyle brand's second hotel in the city. The hotel's name comes from its distinct Mansard roofline, designed as an homage to the signature Parisian Haussmann style of the mid 1800s, and evokes images of the grand buildings which line the fashionable boulevards of Paris. Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel is ideally located in the northern neighborhood of Ar Rabi, an area that boasts easy access to shopping centers, cafes, and dining options, and is just a short distance away from the King Abdullah Financial District, located in the heart of Riyadh, which once its open will be a sustainable financial center with a beautiful mix of public spaces, retail, residential and commercial buildings. The architect of the newly built hotel is Remaizan S. Al Remaizan Architectural Consultants and designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates Dubai (HBA). The hotel offers 191 beautifully designed rooms serviced apartments, and duplex villas designed with subtle color hints of blue and beige which weave through the hotel's interiors, creating a calming and timeless atmosphere for guests. Corridors are lined with contemporary works by local artist Mishal Saad Alzaid. The striking millwork of the guestroom doors set the scene for the rooms' modern design featuring contemporary furniture with rich upholstery that give the pieces a sense of timeless elegance. The understated yet luxurious three-bedroom penthouse suite has been stylishly designed with contemporary details, hardwood floors, and elegant fabrics. The penthouse suite consists of a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, three spacious bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, and dining room which seats up to eight guests. Guests can relax in the suite's whirlpool tub surrounded by marble floors, Italian finishes, and double vanities. The two floor duplex villas boasting up to 230 square meters with fully equipped kitchen, living room, powder room, and dining room with a table for six. On the second floor, find three spacious and sophisticated bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The names of the villas reference the grand squares of Paris, such as Vendome, Concorde, and Opera. The hotel's facilities include six meeting rooms overlooking the hotel's outdoor plaza with plenty of natural daylight and all with the latest state of the art technology. Opening later this year in collaboration with New York City-based restaurant group Major Food Group, will be Carbone, one of the Group's flagship Michelin-starred restaurants that celebrates the retro charm of the Italian American dining experience, and Sadelle's, a perennial brunch-time favorite hailing from the heart of the SoHo neighborhood in New York. Hotel website Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, Wine Country's leading luxury resort in the heart of California's famed wine region, announces the appointment of acclaimed chef Rogelio Garcia as the Executive Chef of TRUSS Restaurant + Bar, as well as a soon-to-be-announced fine dining restaurant. Making a welcome return to Wine Country, the chef brings with him a multitude of culinary prowess and a passion to showcase the region's legendary terroir, produce, and ingredients. Chef Garcia's vision for the new restaurant will reference his global cooking techniques to create a menu that spotlights Napa Valley produce and artisans at the forefront and pairs exquisitely with world-class local wines. The space was thoughtfully designed by award-winning hospitality design firm EDG, featuring dark woods, warm, soil-inspired hues, and muted tones, drawing upon the natural surroundings just outside. Uniquely, the kitchen is fully visible behind glass walls for guests to observe the action, including two in-kitchen chef's tables. The restaurant also boasts a terrace that overlooks sprawling views of the Calistoga vineyards and Palisades Mountains. Born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles and Napa, Chef Garcia's culinary interest was sparked at an after-school job as a dishwasher at a restaurant in Yountville. Rising through the kitchen ranks, Chef Garcia held positions in some of Wine Country's most respected restaurants including at two-Michelin-starred Cyrus in Healdsburg under the guidance of renowned Chef Douglas Keane, as Executive Sous Chef at Calistoga Ranch, as Chef de Partie at the iconic, three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry, and finally as Executive Chef at Angele along the Napa River. Following his time in wine country, Chef Garcia set forth to San Francisco where he spent the last seven years perfecting his craft at notable restaurants such as Traci des Jardins' The Commissary, then at Michelin-starred Spruce, earning Michelin stars of his own in 2018 and 2019. Most recently, Chef Garcia led the team at Luce in San Francisco's InterContinental Hotel. Additionally, Chef Garcia is an alumnus of Bravo's Top Chef Season 15 and author of an upcoming cookbook, Convivir: Modern Mexican Cooking in California's Wine Country. Chef Garcia and the team at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley look forward to sharing details on the new restaurant in the coming months, including its name, concept, menu, opening timing, and more. Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas names Anthony Clement Vice President of Food and Beverage. Clement is responsible for strategic planning, operational management, and implementation of new and innovative food and beverage concepts across Atlantis Paradise Island's 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges in his new role. He will also drive training and development programs for team members. Clement brings over 20 years of executive experience in the food and beverage industry to his position at the resort. Prior to joining Atlantis, he served as National Director of Food and Beverage for the Germain Group overseeing 18 hotels. Throughout his career, Clement has been a member of various leadership teams, including General Manager of Hotel William Gray in Montreal, Director of Operations at W Montreal, Hotel & Resort Manager at the Sifawy Boutique Hotel in Oman, and Restaurants & Bars Director at the W Bogota where he collaborated with the Culinary Concepts Hospitality Group (CCHG). Clement earned his Master's Degree in International Hotel Management at the Vatel Institute in Lyon, France. Clement also received the Tourism & Restaurant Cooking City and Guide Certificate, Hotel and Management Industry BTEC, and Hotel and Management Industry HDN from Le Castel in Dijon, France. During his studies in France, Clement oversaw operations in multiple Michelin star-rated restaurants. Clement is an avid traveler, having visited over 100 countries. His extensive travels and studies have allowed him to achieve fluency in many languages, including English, French, and Spanish. View Anthony Clement's LinkedIn Profile Anthony Clement is a graduate of Vatel Paris in Paris - France Anastasiya Babenko was appointed as a key marketing player at one of the largest resorts in the Maldives, LUX* South Ari Atoll. Originally from Ukraine, Anastasiya brings a decade of hospitality experience garnered through various brands and destinations. Her journey in the industry started in her home country to Turkey, UAE, and now - Maldives. Tapping into different departments and roles, she also supported three hotel pre-openings, including her latest island experience. Some notable brands in her portfolio are Rixos Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, and the recent JOALI BEING. With a background in fashion design, Anastasiya is passionate for crafts and writing, and believes that creativity is the key to success in everything. Her other area of interest is sustainable approach to travel, which she actively supports through her initiatives at LUX* South Ari Atoll. Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE: VAC) announced today that after 50 years of dedicated service in the hospitality and travel industry, Stephen P. Weisz informed the company's Board of Directors of his intent to retire as Chief Executive Officer at the end of the company's fiscal year on December 31, 2022. The company also announced current President, John E. Geller, Jr., will succeed Steve and assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2023. Steve has served in senior leadership roles for the last 26 years, first as President of Marriott Vacation Club International, a division of Marriott International, and the last 10 years serving in the role of Chief Executive Officer, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, which became a publicly traded company in 2011. Throughout his tenure, Steve's leadership has resulted in significant growth across the company's business. Most notably, he led the 2018 acquisition of ILG, which expanded the company's collection of leading vacation ownership brands, diversified the company's business lines, and solidified the company's leadership position in the leisure travel industry. He also spearheaded significant innovations over his career, including the introduction of a guest loyalty program, the expansion of Marriott Vacation Club into Asia and the introduction of a points-based vacation ownership product in response to customers' desires for greater flexibility and variety in vacationing. In addition, Steve has made a lasting impact outside the company through his commitment to advancing talent in the travel industry through his alma mater, Cornell University, and his advisory board role at the University of Central Florida Rosen School of Hospitality Management as well as his board service with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the trade association for the timeshare industry. "Throughout Steve's tenure, he has successfully guided the business and demonstrated a remarkable level of leadership, resulting in steady and significant growth and consistent value delivery for shareholders," said Bill Shaw, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we recognize the lasting mark he has made on the company. In addition, we are pleased to appoint John into his new role and are greatly confident in his ability to continue the important transformational efforts underway and lead the company forward in the future." The forthcoming appointment to Chief Executive Officer in 2023 is the next natural step for John, who has served as the company's President since 2021 with oversight over the Vacation Ownership, Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, and IT functions. He previously served as the company's Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he worked for Marriott International in various senior roles supporting North America Lodging Operations and Internal Audit. "This is a well-earned recognition of John's outstanding business acumen and his ability to think differently about the company's business and customer all while maintaining superlative relationships with investors," said Mr. Weisz. "He has a balanced and well-regarded leadership style that has helped accelerate our growth ambition, and those qualities will be instrumental in guiding the organization forward in the years ahead." As President, John has led the company's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and helped guide the company's incredibly strong recovery, all while accelerating growth. He also helped lead the spin-off of the company from Marriott International in 2011 and more recently played a key leadership role in the acquisition and integration of ILG in 2018. Currently, he is helping to transform the Marriott-branded vacation ownership business with a new combined product form set to debut this summer and most recently helped lead the completion of the Welk Resorts acquisition and revitalizing the Hyatt Vacation Ownership business. "I want to thank Steve for his leadership and support, and I am appreciative of the Board's confidence and endorsement," said Mr. Geller. "I believe we are perfectly positioned to continue to benefit from the strength of our brands and the leisure travel segment. As I transition into this new role, I look forward to spending time with our talented associates around the globe as we continue to create many meaningful vacation experiences for our customers." Steve will continue to lead the company throughout the remainder of 2022 as John completes a transition period. In the near-term, the company will continue to focus on delivering value to its shareholders, growing the business organically through transformational initiatives, and maintaining its distinctive culture to attract and retain the best talent in the industry. Catherine Rey joined EHL Advisory Services as Sales & Marketing Manager in 2015. Her role involves developing and implementing the EHL Advisorys Sales & Marketing plan and promote the Advisory portfolio around the globe. Prior to EHL she worked in the International Education industry for over 5 years both in Mexico and Switzerland, where she moved with her family in 2013. She represented in Latin America prestigious wine and spirit brands within the Hospitality industry for over 10 years. She worked closely with International Hotels, government institutions and corporate executives and multinationals and had to support them in the international implementation of their educational projects. She is a graduate in International Business from the University of Blaise-Pascal in Clermont-Ferrand France and spent her last year of study in the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business USA. She followed several wine and spirit training both in France and Mexico. She lived in 5 different countries and enjoy multicultural environments where relationships, new ideas, innovation and original concepts are valued. She appreciates being challenged and strongly believe in enhancing the customer experience to growing the business. Learn how a digital tipping solution can offset the labor crisis give employees daily accessible income measure guest, employee, and operator satisfaction capture feedback boost online reviews provide financial wellness to employees and more; Exhibitor Tutorial 03B to be held Tuesday, June 28 at 12:00 p.m. Stage B in the Exhibit Hall at the Orange County Convention Center. Chicago - youtip, hospitalitys leading cashless, contactless, and app free digital tipping service, will host an Exhibitor Tutorial at HITEC Orlando titled: "The Power of Tipping: Going Beyond the Money". The session will address the challenges of todays cashless economy and explain how hoteliers can combat the labor shortage, measure satisfaction, capture feedback, improve online reviews, and set employees up for financial wellness with an end-to-end digital tipping platform. "The Power of Tipping: Going Beyond the Money" will be held Tuesday, June 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall, Stage B, Booth 2500, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. To show appreciation to those wanting to learn more about this hot topic, the company will tip the first 25 people who register early a $25 Visa Gift Card to be redeemed at the conclusion of the session. To pre-register for this educational session, click here. For most hotel workers, tips are their livelihood, said Sarah Taveprungsenukul, youtip co-founder and chief commercial officer. Today people are not living paycheck to paycheck, they are living day to day. With cash non-existent on the travel scene, discretionary tipping is a BIG problem. Recently, operators have seen numerous companies entering the hospitality scene with a variety of ways to leave tips for hotel staff that do not involve cash. While most of these solutions are solving a problem for tippers, they are causing huge headaches for hoteliers and those on the receiving end namely, tips cannot be accessed for up to two weeks when they are disbursed via employee paychecks. For some, that could mean not having gas money to get home or the ability to buy groceries for their families. What the industry needs is a true end-to-end solution that solves the money problem for employees and brings operational insights and efficiencies. "The Power of Tipping: Going Beyond the Money will discuss: How going cashless has set the industry back for tipping, and how hoteliers can help propel it forward by implementing an end-to-end digital tipping solution. Why consumer peer-to-peer apps (like Venmo and Cashapp) are bad for business and how implementing an enterprise tipping solution can provide the same convenience without compromising on safety. How Tipping is a Key Performance Indicator and how digital tipping data can provide insights that can measure guest and employee satisfaction as well as help owners and operators optimize their business. How an effective digital tipping strategy can be used to attract and retain employees while motivating, encouraging, and supporting the opportunity for tips to be earned again. How digital tipping can be Faster than Cash speeding money up and slowing it down and how it can be leveraged to provide financial wellness for tipped workers. Tipping is not just a monetary exchange, its a key performance indicator of a positive guest experience, Taveprungsenukul said. We at youtip understand the power of tipping going beyond the money. Hoteliers interested in learning more about digital tipping should attend this Tutorial. The first 25 to register early to attend this presentation will be tipped with a $25 Visa Gift Card to be received in person at the conclusion of the session. For more information on youtip, visit www.youtip.money. About youtip www.youtip.money. The world is going cashless, and employees are receiving fewer tips. youtip provides a simple, fast digital tipping solution for hotels and hospitality businesses. Guests can tip employees by simply scanning a QR code or clicking a link no cash or app downloads required. With youtip, everyone wins. Guests can reward employees for outstanding service. Employees earn more money and are encouraged to provide great experiences. And businesses are able to attract, retain, and motivate their hard working staff all while gaining insights into the operations. For more information visit www.youtip.money. Barbara Worcester PRPRO 4409305770 Richmond, Va. Sandpiper Hospitality a Virginia-based hotel management company with vast expertise in the extended-stay segment - has added two newly developed Wyndham Hotels & Resorts properties in Texas to its managed portfolio, a first-of its kind dual-branded La Quinta Inn / Hawthorn Suites in Pflugerville, TX and an AmericInn in San Angelo, TX. The hotels are the first Wyndham Hotels & Resorts brands under management by Sandpiper Hospitality and the burgeoning relationship is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The hotels opened to rave reviews in May, followed by rousing Grand Opening celebrations with live music and local dignitaries in attendance. The two hotels are the first of four properties being developed in Texas by Mike Forrest and Brett Emerson of Odessa. Two additional dual-branded La Quinta Inn & Suites / Hawthorn Suites properties will be also managed by Sandpiper Hospitality one opening in Del Rio later this year and another in Austin in 2023. According to Mike Forrest, The combination of Wyndhams design and brand concepting, Sandpiper Hospitalitys ability to provide superior management and to breathe life into these hotels will create very special projects that will generate significant return-on-investment. We love developing in the great state of Texas and we feel our partners here are ideal." Located just off I-35, 24 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and close to the Typhoon Texas Waterpark and Stone Hill Town Center, the La Quinta Inn / Hawthorn Suites in Pflugerville is the first ever purpose-built dual brand hotel of its kind for Wyndham. The hotel features 103 beautifully appointed rooms and suites with rates starting at $109 per night. Hotel amenities include free breakfast, a fitness center, an amazing Lobby Market featuring many Texas brands, meeting space, and a unique outdoor pool with a giant Texas Star at the bottom, along with a fire pit. Located off US-67, eight miles from San Angelo Regional Airport and close to Goodfellow Air Force Base and Angelo State University, the AmericInn has 84 rooms with rates starting at $99 per night. Amenities include free breakfast, a fitness center, an extensive Lobby Market featuring many Texas brands a business center and an outdoor pool with a fire pit. First, and most importantly, we want to congratulate our new clients, Mike Forrest and Brett Emerson, on these openings. We are very excited to now be managing these two amazing new properties in Texas for Mike and Brett and under the Wyndham flags, said Sandpiper Hospitality President & CEO Jim Darter. Both hotels are game-changers as they have been beautifully developed and will be category killers in their markets. We look forward to making the most of a great situation for all involved. Sandpiper Hospitality is approved by Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Extended Stay America to manage their select-service and extended stay brands and now manages over 10 different brands in its growing portfolio. About Sandpiper Based in Richmond, Va., Sandpiper Lodging Trust ("SLT") is a nationally focused real estate investment trust recognized as one of the leading companies specializing in extended stay lodging properties. The company continues to develop its portfolio through ground-up development and selective acquisition of performing and non-performing properties. SLT, along with its affiliated funds, owns a total of 35 extended stay hotels under the WoodSpring Suites, Candlewood Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, and Residence Inn brands. For more information, please visit www.sandpiperlodgingtrust.com. Sandpiper Hospitality, an affiliated hotel management company, manages the entire SLT portfolio and manage 15 more hotels for unaffiliated third parties. Sandpiper Hospitality has earned its position as the leading operator in the extended stay hotel segment of hospitality by combining the spirit of genuine, welcoming hospitality with superior financial returns, fueling the growth and prosperity of its various stakeholders from associates to guests to owners and investors. For more information, visit www.sandpiperhospitality.com. Applying for a college course can be an overwhelming and daunting task for candidates. The process is often alien to candidates and the pressure to curate the perfect submission upon which the outcome will determine the next four years of their lives is huge. If this sounds like you, you won't want to miss out on the insider tips to follow... EHL Insights grilled the EHL admission officers to spill the tea on what they're really looking for when they review applications. Here's a short list of helpful tips on how to correctly prepare and submit all the different pieces of your application - directly from the horses mouth. Get organized before you begin Most schools use an online application process. Online applications can be processed quickly and may have built-in checks to ensure all materials are included but they also require planning to have everything at hand and ready. Beginning early is a great way to kick start the process as it gives margin for error, and technical failures do happen. Whats important here is to take control of your work and your time by devising a plan that breaks down the deadlines. Good grades are not everything Your school application represents one of your first adult choices, because the strength of your application depends truly on the effort and hard work you decide to put into it. As each school has its requirements, your transcripts and standardized test scores are a significant part of your application. However, keep in mind that your overall record will be considered so do not spend most of your weekends test-taking to get that extra twenty points. Instead, spend your time on things that will help you grow as a person: school work, extracurricular opportunities, etc. Like in many schools, EHL also requires an online assessment (with an online video interview) made to examine the applicants motivation, knowledge of the industry and soft skills. There is no right answer, so make sure you relax, speak clearly, present well and articulate what makes you special. Be genuine in your essay We know that you will want to fit your entire life story into your application essay, but we dont expect you to. Pick a topic that inspires you and that will give us an idea of who you are. School applications really are about fit, so remain genuine to who you are by using your own voice and reflects what you are passionate about. Have a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend proofread your essay, but don't ask anyone else to write them for you! 5 ways to ace any college essay Be clear and concise. Support statements with evidence. Create an outline which flows. Write a first draft and then refine it. Write the introduction last. Put forward your extracurriculars How you engage your community beyond the classroom, demonstrate commitment and leadership can strengthen your candidacy. Your record of extracurricular experiences shows how you will contribute to EHLs vibrant community. You do not need to be president of an organization to impress the admissions team but put forward the committee you would like to join and explain how you spent time pursuing opportunities that are meaningful to you and have a positive impact on people around you. Choose your recommendations wisely Some programs require recommendations like EHL Master and EMBA programs. These tell a great deal about your intellect and character, the way you think and learn and contribute to a classroom or school community dynamic. Make sure they illustrate your progress, your rigorousness but also your potential. Prepare for the interview The EHL Motivation Day interview is another way to help your application stand out. Make sure you come prepared, research the school online, the industry and approach each question as an opportunity to show who you are. Tell your story, elaborate with concrete examples, ask questions and engage with your interviewers. This is your chance to put forward your ideas, character, and values. Finally, your school applications are a serious matter but are also about celebrating the next chapter of your life. Start and complete them with enthusiasm and conviction as these qualities will shine throughout the process and are always a great plus. About EHL Group EHL Group encompasses a portfolio of specialized business units that deliver hospitality management education and innovation worldwide. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Group includes: EHL Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne is an ambassador for traditional Swiss hospitality and has been a pioneer in hospitality education since 1893 with over 25,000 alumni worldwide and over 120 nationalities. EHL is the world's first hospitality management school that provides undergraduate and graduate programs at its campuses in Lausanne, Singapore and Chur-Passugg, as well as online learning solutions. The university of applied sciences is ranked n1 by QS World University Rankings by subject and CEOWorld Magazine, and its gastronomic restaurant is the world's only educational establishment to hold a Michelin Star for a third consecutive year. EHL Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality has been one of the leading hospitality management colleges for hotel specialists for over 50 years. The College delivers Swiss-accredited federal diplomas of vocational education and training and of higher education in its 19th century spa-hotel in Chur-Passugg, Graubunden, to Swiss and international students from 30 countries. EHL Advisory Services is the largest Swiss hospitality advisory company specializing in service culture implementation, business consulting, as well as the development and quality assurance of learning centers. EHL Advisory Services has offices in Lausanne, Beijing, Shanghai and New Delhi and has delivered mandates in more than 60 countries over the past 40 years. www.ehlgroup.com Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source Apple Leisure Group(ALG), a leading North American resort brand management, leisure travel and hospitality group, part of Hyatt, and Hotel Investment Partners (HIP), the largest owner of resort hotels in Southern Europe owned by Blackstone real estate funds, announced the recent openings of Dreams Calvia Mallorca and AluaSoul Zakynthos in May 2022 after extensive renovations. Located in one of the most popular tourist areas of the Balearic Islands, the recently refurbished,family-friendly,4-star Dreams Calvia Mallorca features 391 luxuriously appointed rooms just 100 meters from the sea. Designed by the renowned interior designer Jaime Beriestain, the resort underwent a complete renovation of existing facilities in addition to the construction of two new buildings. Guests of all ages can enjoy an upgraded wellness area, gym, four swimming pools, Balinese beds, several terraces, an Explorer's Club for kids, a Core Zone for teens, a solarium and new adults-only areas. New gastronomy offerings include live cooking and recipes with local produce at four gourmet a la carte restaurants featuring Mallorcan and international cuisine, two all-inclusive buffets, two snack bars and a food market. Following its renovation in May, Dreams Calvia Mallorca received the BREEAM sustainability certification with a "very good" rating, an international benchmark for sustainability in the field of building construction. The new AluaSoul Zakynthos began welcoming guests on May 1, 2022, with sustainably refurbished public areas and guestrooms. The 4-star, all-inclusive, adults-only beachfront resort is one of the most reputable hotels in Zante offering guests outstanding views of the Ionian Sea and surrounding unspoiled natural scenery. The resort features 161 rooms, all refurbished, including 48 reserved for "My Favorite Club" guests, offering a higher level of relaxation and comfort for an exclusive experience, access to private areas including an exclusive lounge and pool area, private check-in and check-out, and more. A paradise for food lovers, AluaSoul Zakynthos offers three restaurants serving local and international specialties with special themed nights. We are very excited to partner with HIP in welcoming two of the most popular resorts in destination to our European portfolio. The strategic investments made at Dreams Calvia Mallorca and AluaSoul Zakynthos underscore Apple Leisure Group Developments commitment to elevating the all-inclusive experience for guests across the world, said Javier Coll, Group President of Global Business Development at Apple Leisure Group. We will continue to partner with owners committed to developing properties that meet evolving traveler demands and new market realities to remain competitive in Europes top destinations and beyond. To further enhance guest safety and peace of mind, the brand offers AMR Collections CleanComplete Verification. The 360-degree quality, safety and hygiene protocols take into account every aspect of resort operations, backed by one of the highest-level third-party certification. To learn more about the Apple Leisure Group advantage, visit www.algdevelopment.com. The term ALG and group are used in this release for convenience to refer to Apple Leisure Group, or one or more of the group affiliates, which collectively provide sales, marketing and brand management services to resort and hotel brands; hotel & resort membership program; leisure travel and destination management services, and technology solutions to travel agents and suppliers. About AMResorts The AMR Collection includes six distinct resort and hotel brands designed to celebrate every moment for every lifestyle and stage of life including Secrets, Dreams, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. The AMR Collection of brands is continuously raising the all-inclusive concept to a new level of luxury with its signature Endless Privileges , Unlimited-Luxury , and Unlimited-Fun programs. Located throughout Mexico, Jamaica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, St. Martin, and Spain, the 102 award-winning properties under the AMR Collection treat every guest to premium accommodations, desirable locations, and extraordinary inclusions. Visit the AMR Collection of brands: Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. AMR Collection will manage Now Emerald Cancun until it transitions to the Dreams Resorts & Spas brand. Images, logos and informational material about the AMR Collection of brandsand properties are available at amresorts.com/mediasite/media. Introduction If there is one destination within Greece that lives up to its fame as one of the most alluring destinations in the world that is Santorini. Visiting the island with the dramatic landscapes and unique terrain, part of the legacy of a violent volcanic eruption that took place in the second millennium BC, is on the bucket list of every savvy traveler. Thousands of tourists that visit Greece flock to the island of Santorini to admire the caldera-perched villages, the authentic local architecture with its cave houses dug into the volcanic rocks, the captivating sunsets, and the cultural antiquities buried and preserved under the volcanic ash that buried the island. At the same time, by virtue of its cosmopolitan fame, Santorini boasts some of the most luxurious accommodation options across the country, and a vibrant gourmet scene partially attributed to its winemaking tradition. International hotel brands are currently entering the market, through franchise agreements, making the market scene even more active and sophisticated. Santorinis huge popularity, however, has sadly come at a price as the island is currently coping with the negative effects of overtourism. Overview Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the south Aegean Sea, about 200 kilometers southeast of Greece's mainland. It is also known as Thera (or Thira), forming the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km and a population of 15,250 (2011 census). It has a total land area of more than 90 km including the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiani. All five islands are arranged in a ring around a giant calderai.e. a large volcanic craterthats almost submerged beneath the Aegean Sea. The caldera is the result of the Minoan eruption, which was the biggest volcanic eruption of them all that took place around 1613 BC. While most of the caldera is filled with water today, whats left of it above ground is a semicircle of land on Thira (Santorini) that faces west and has become the most well-known part of the island. The modern history of Santorini begins in 1956 with a devastating earthquake that severely damaged the islands infrastructure. Santorini had survived on manufacturing, agriculture, and quarries, but after a period of reconstruction in the 1970s, it concentrated its efforts on the growing tourism industry, which today remains the largest contribution to the islands economy. Although winemaking has been a major factor, too, that process was modernized after the 1956 earthquake into the industry that exists today. Today Santorini is one of the best and most recognized tourist destinations in the world. Due to its unique beauty enhanced by the volcano and the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, and its famous sunset, the island is well-positioned in the niche market of weddings and honeymooners as an ideal destination. The island is also seeking to develop theme tourism, such as gastronomy tourism, wine tourism, and cultural tourism, in its bid to become a year-round destination. Santorini, Greece Photo by Google Maps Accessibility By Air Santorini is served by one airport, the Santorini International Airport, located north of the village of Kamari, approximately six kilometers southeast of the center of the city of Thira. The airport serves both as a military and as a civil airport. The airfield can accommodate medium-sized jets as well as smaller aircraft scheduled airlines including Ryanair, Olympic Air, and Aegean Airlines, with seasonal scheduled and charter flights from other airlines during the higher seasons in spring, summer, and fall. There are currently 75 airlines offering flights to Santorini, with their number rising and flights arriving from dozens of countries, reaching as many as 57 a day during the summer months. As part of its mandate for taking over management and operations at the 14 airports, Fraport Greece realized a comprehensive plan for the modernization and development of the airports. The companys plan included immediate projects and development works for upgrading the airports facilities, which contribute significantly to improving the overall customer travel experience while responding to the expected increase in passenger traffic. Chart 1: Airport Arrivals 2010-21 Photo by HVS The airports have tripled the number of passengers since 2010, while during the last years, prior to the pandemic, the island accepted more than 100,000 additional airport passengers each year showing the dynamics of the market but also the fact that sea access to Santorini is less convenient than to other Greek islands due to its far distance from the main Greek seaports. The devastating impact of COVID-19 is seen through the 2020 data, recording a decrease of approximately 75% compared to last year. Results for 2021 however, indicate a tremendous recovery trend, especially in international arrivals. According to the latest data, international arrivals for 2021 are only 5.5% below 2019 levels highlighting both the resilience of the specific sector and the indisputable worldwide fame that the island enjoys. By SeaSantorini has four seaports that serve not only cruise ships and ferries but also yachts and fishing boats. Athinios Port is where the ferries land in Santorini; Skala Port is built below Thira. Skala is the old port of the island where the cruise ships put anchor today; Amoudi Bay is situated below the village of Oia. Due to its small depth and size, it doesnt accommodate big vessels. From Amoudi there are small boats that sail to the island of Thirassia. Also, some boat tours start and end there; Vlychada Port is next to the beach of Vlychada. This is where small fishing boats and yachts put anchor. Many boat tours start and end here too. Santorini authorities are planning a major overhaul of its maritime infrastructure. A new marina budgeted at 40 million has been recently approved for development in the area of Monolithos. It will have 350 berths up to an unspecified superyacht size. It will be run by the Municipal Port Fund of Thira and it is anticipated that 120 new jobs will be created once it is completed. Chart 2: Cruise Ship Passenger Arrivals 2010-21 Photo by HVS In 2019 Santorini welcomed almost a million cruise ship passengers who stop by the island either for a few hours or one day, a figure increased by 30.9% as compared to 2018. This activity, however, is closely linked to the phenomenon of overtourism that Santorini is dealing with during the last years. Tourism The tourism product in Santorini is driven by individual tourists (accommodated in luxurious hotel units), and by group leisure tourism visiting mainly off-season, while a significant sub-market is the so-called honeymooners who travel to Santorini for their wedding ceremony and banquet. This niche market segment has rapidly developed on the island from 1998 when there were only 150 weddings to 2018 with an estimated 900 weddings. In general, Europe represents the dominant source region for visitation to Santorini by air. Nevertheless, incoming tourists from China and the U.S.A. are also numerous and represent a high proportion of the islands total international visitation, but most commonly arrive by boat or plane from Athens or as part of a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. Although Santorini accepts the main volume of tourists during summers it is considered to be the only Greek island that has managed to substantially extend its seasonality and feature a smoother seasonality pattern. According to tourism professionals, the island will be the first island to achieve the target of all-year tourism. It is worth mentioning that some 100 hotels remained open throughout the winter of 2019, representing one-eighth of the islands total accommodation capacity, in order to serve visitors in the winter months. The islands market is divided into two distinguished parts: The cliffs to the west of the island, are dominated by small ultra-luxury hotels and villa complexes offering unobstructed views towards the famous volcanic Caldera, and achieving the highest average rate on a national level (especially the ones located in the settlements of Oia and Thira); The beachfront hotels developed on the east side are mostly new developments, with a higher number of rooms, and are preferred by groups of tourists, and families (which for safety reasons are not allowed in the hotels built on the cliffs). These hotels satisfied the increased investors appetite for presence on the island of Santorini, as due to land shortage and building restrictions they had limited options for development in the western part of the island. Consequently, these new developments opened the way for international brands, which were also eager to enter the market, through franchise agreements. Coping with Overtourism There is growing concern that Santorini cannot cope with its burgeoning popularity for much longer. The island is just 76 km -and traffic jams and overcrowding have become an issue, as has rising water and energy consumption. What is striking about the case of Santorini is that the development pressures on the island did not slow down even during the decade of economic recession. On the contrary, by 2019 Santorini experienced a frantic growth stopped by the pandemic and the lockdowns which made the Municipality of Thira one of the richest in the country. At least 11% of the island has been concreted over in recent years, something that only compares with Attica while the population has shot up to 25,000 [from 15,500 in 2011]. Private and public authorities are intensively working on the establishment of strategic solutions that can lead to a more sustainable future for the island. Actions centered around the balance between the visitors' numbers and the island's carrying capacity are on top of the agenda. Other actions of primary concern are related to the improvement of infrastructure, the application of sustainable environmental practices by everyone involved in the tourism industry, and the strengthening of local communities. In August 2020, the Greek Ministry of Environment & Energy recently suspended the issuance of new building permits for tourist accommodation facilities on plots of land outside planning zones on the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. The decision, which specifically concerns the construction of new buildings of tourist accommodation, special tourist infrastructure facilities, and other tourism businesses, was signed aiming to slow down construction activity while the town planning for the two Cycladic islands is in process. According to Environment and Energy Minister, the suspension of building permits will last until the Special Urban Plans for both islands are approved. The plans are expected to set clear rules on the building capacity of the two islands. Excluded from the suspension are plans that have already been pre-approved by the department of urban planning or applications for revisions to permits that have already been submitted.Basic Visitation FactorsVisitation at hotels in Santorini has been mainly of international nature; foreign visitation accounted for more than 85% nearly every year while their contribution has reached more than 90% of the total accommodated bednights. It should be also noted that until 2017 only 40-to-50% of the hotels provided data to the Hellenic Statistical Authority while from 2018 all hotels on the island were obliged to communicate their visitations results to the Ministry of Tourism. Chart 3: Basic Visitation Factors Santorini (Including the small island of Anafi), 000s 2010-20 Photo by HVS In general, the international segment has demonstrated increased resilience over the last years, reaching a peak in 2011, and decreasing thereafter, owing to a mix of the global economic uncertainty together with the negative publicity Greece received over the 2010-12 period, and vigorously recovering in 2013-14. Year after year international visitation experiences new record-breaking levels. Domestic tourism recorded significant shrinkage from 2010 to 2012, mainly on account of the decrease in local business activity and the consequent reduction in disposable income. From 2012 onwards, domestic visitation in hotel properties in the region shows relative stagnation. The number of tourists kept growing thereafter as a result of the expansion of the tourism season and the addition of new hotel properties. The average length of stay for international travelers remained relatively unaffected throughout these years ranging between three and four days while seasonal bed occupancy went through more intense fluctuations. The devastating impact of COVID-19 is seen through the 2020 data, recording a decrease of approximately 79% and 59% in international and domestic bednights respectively while many hotel units on the island stayed closed. As for 2021, the tourist traffic in Santorini was particularly high according to press releases, with the island's hoteliers declaring themselves satisfied with this season, despite the difficulties they experienced due to the pandemic. According to the president of the Santorini Hotel Association, during the second half of July and August, there were many last-minute bookings that rocketed the occupancy rates to more than 90% and ultimately reached 2019 levels. As for September occupancy rates remain unexpectedly high, at 85% and 75% during the first and second half, respectively. Hotel Supply The majority of hotels in Santorini are classified as one- and two-star, while five-star units account for only 17% of the total hotel supply in 2020. Nevertheless, five- and four-star hotel units together represent about 55% of the total number of available rooms and beds. In 2020, the average five-star hotel in Santorini featured 36 rooms, a figure that remained unchanged since 2012. Chart 4: Hotel Supply 2013-20 Photo by HVS The small number of rooms featured by luxury hotels is due to various limitations such as building coefficient, and architectural restrictions, especially in Oia, where the most luxury properties are located. It is evident that investors on the island favored the construction of luxury properties, since the number of five-star units reached 53 from 16 over the past eight years, while five-star rooms and beds increased by more than three times. To overcome the problem of land shortage and space limitation, and given the sustained growth of tourists, five-star hotel investors have started developing luxury projects in less congested areas of the island where they will be able to generate more roomnights at lower rates though. What is striking is that only during the last three years 18 new five-star hotels have been added to that islands supply displaying the increased luxury investment appetite. Regardless of this growth, branded hotel supply on the island was, until recently, almost non-existent mainly due to the limited number of rooms featured by luxury hotel properties but also due to the fact that the owners of the properties, located in Oia and Fira, have witnessed remarkable revenue growth even without being associated with a brand. Mystique Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort in the settlement of Oia, and Vedema Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort in the area of Megalochori, were the first-ever branded properties on the island. Recently, investors or hotel owners, realized that properties built outside the widely known settlements of Oia and Thira could be associated with an internationally known hospitality brand, either by a franchise or a management agreement, to be able to command higher rates and prolong the operating season as compared to other unbranded hotels in the immediate area. This is the case of the Nikki Beach Resort and Spa Santorini, with 62 rooms, which started operations in 2019 in the area of Monolithos, the five-star TUI Blue Meltemi, the first-ever TUI branded hotel on the island opened in 2019 in the area of Perissa featuring 99 rooms, and the Radisson Blu Zaffron with 102 rooms which opened in July 2021 in the area of Kamari. Forthcoming branded properties include the new Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton which will launch in summer 2022, with 37 rooms in the area of Exomitis, and the new Magma Santorini Resort, Unbound Collection by Hyatt, set to open in summer 2022 with 59 rooms and suites in the area of Vourvoulos. The most recent announcement of an upcoming branded property is that of Nobu Santorini which is set to open in June 2022 with 30 rooms, in the area of Imerovigli, boasting Caldera views. Finally, there are several hotels that have become members of hotel marketing consortiums such as Relais & Chateaux, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Leading Hotels of the World, Great Hotels of the World, Historic Hotels of Europe, and Design Hotels. Hotel Performance The following chart provides an indication of the evolution of the performance of 22 hotel properties, comprising some of the most prestigious hotels in Santorini, located along the eastern coast of the island and overlooking the Caldera. The properties developed in this part of the island, are able to command the highest rates, among all properties on the island, in virtue of their unique location and the views they feature. Areas such as the renowned villages of Oia and Thira gather many of these properties. It should also be noted that all occupancy percentages refer to 365 days of operation for consistency reasons. Chart 5: Performance of Selected Hotels 2018-20 Photo by HVS Santorini is one of the leaders in Greece, in terms of achieved performance. This is also reflected in the dynamics of occupancy and the average rate of the specific competitive set. Hotel operators in Santorini focus more on average rate rather than volume, as some of the most affluent tourists visit the island. The occupancy rate however is one of the highest recorded, on a national level, when compared to other Greek seasonal destinations. This is attributed both to the fact that Santorini is enjoying a worldwide reputation as one of the most sought-after leisure destinations, but also to the fact that the ministry of tourism and the islands administrative authorities are intensely working on expanding its operating season and positioning Santorini as a year-round destination. In 2019 occupancy slightly fell because of new hotels/rooms entering the market. The unfortunate event of the pandemics outbreak is depicted in 2020 results when hotel operators witnessed the occupancy of their hotels plummeting to unprecedented levels as traveling came to a halt; they managed however to keep the average rate on relatively high levels due to the profile of the islands visitors. According to conversations with hotel professionals, in 2021 occupancy and average rate almost recovered to levels prior to the pandemic, highlighting the resilience of the destination. View source KYIV, Ukraine (AP) From the battlefronts of Ukraine comes rap music filled with the anger and indignation of a young generation that, once the fighting is done, will certainly never forget and may never forgive. Ukrainian rapper-turned-volunteer soldier Otoy is putting the war into words and thumping baselines, tapping out lyrics under Russian shelling on his phone, with the light turned low to avoid becoming a target. It helps numb the nerve-shredding stress of combat. Russian soldiers drink vodka, we are making music, says the rapper, whose real name is Viacheslav Drofa, a sad-eyed 23-year-old who hadn't known he could kill until he had a Russian soldier in his sights and pulled the trigger in the war's opening weeks. One of the ironies of the Feb. 24 invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin is that in ordering the destruction of Ukrainian towns and cities, he is fueling one of the very things he wanted to extinguish: a rising tide of fierce Ukrainian nationalism, forged in the blood of tens of thousands of Ukrainian dead and the misery of millions who have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods and peace. Just as many people in France found it impossible to absolve Germany after two invasions a quarter-century apart in World Wars I and II, young Ukrainians say three-plus months of brutality have filled them with burning hatred for Russia. In France, antipathy for all things German lasted a generation or more. Only in 1984 four decades after Nazi Germany's capitulation were French and German leaders Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl able to stand hand-in-hand in reconciliation at a WWI monument in France filled with bones of the dead. In Ukraine, the young generation born after the country's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 likewise say they cannot imagine feeling anything but disgust for Russia for the duration of their lifetimes. Otoys lyrics, with choice expletives directed at Russia and stark descriptions of Russian war dead, speak from the heart he lost his older brother, a soldier, in the siege of the Azovstal steel mill in the devastated port city of Mariupol. But they also give voice to the cold fury shared by many of his peers, now pouring out in song, in art and tattoos, online in hashtags proclaiming, death to the enemies, and memes targeting Putin, and in fundraising activism for the war effort. In Enemy, one of four new tracks that Otoy penned between and during stints on the battlefield driving ammunition and weaponry to front-line troops, he snarls of Russian soldiers: Were not scared but we are nauseous, because you smell stale even when your heart still beats. Bullets await you, you sinners. He imagines a taunting conversation with the widow of a dead Russian soldier, singing: Well, Natasha, where is your husband? Hes a layer in a swamp, face-down. Natasha, he wont come home." Others are riffing off the war, too. In the furious heavy metal track We will kill you all," the band Surface Tension screams: We will dance on your bones. Your mom won't come for you." The expletive-laced track has accumulated more than 59,000 views since its April 5 release on Youtube. Iryna Osypenko, 25, was among concertgoers at a fundraising music festival last weekend in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where Otoy gave a fiery performance. She broke down in tears as she explained how the growing reservations she'd had about Russia before the invasion have scaled up into rage. I hate them and, I'm sorry, it will never change," she said. I will explain it to my children and I hope that my children will explain to their children." Otoy says that if he has kids, he'll do likewise, telling them, the Russians were killing my family, killing my brothers, my sisters, bombing our theaters, hospitals. It's not just that I dont like Russia, I hate this country, and I hate Russian people as much as I can, he said in an interview in his Kyiv apartment, where he records and stores his guns and combat gear. If I had the ability to save the life of a dog or the ability to save the life of a Russian soldier, I would pick the dog." His older brother, Dmitry Lisen, is missing, believed dead in the bombed-out ruins of Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks. He was a fighter with the Azov Regiment, among the units that clung doggedly to the surrounded plant for nearly three months, becoming an enduring symbol of Ukrainian resistance. Otoy dedicated his song, Find My Country, to Azovstal's defenders rapping in English with the aim, he says, of reaching people all around the world. This is my lands, you boys should leave," he sings, holding a rifle and dressed in combat gear in the track's video on YouTube. Miss those Fridays we used to have, kisses, twilights, refuse to sleep. Now we soldiers. His duties of late have included helping at a military hospital with the triage of bodies from Azovstal, turned over by Russian forces in an exchange. His brother's remains are still missing. He's also working on his collection of songs largely penned during repeated ammunition runs to troops in the east, where fighting has raged since Russian forces were pushed back in their initial assault on Kyiv. Themes include life on the front and the camaraderie of soldiers, war-time life for civilians, enmity and fighting for Ukrainian freedom. He says the mini-album reeks of "the smell of war dust. "I was actually lying on the ground under the airstrikes and bomb shelling, he said. You can actually the feel the smell of, you know, like bombs, dead bodies, and dust, blood and other stuff. This is the best way to show your hate, I think. ___ Hanna Arhirova contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Only one bar in Texas made the list of North Americas 50 Best Bars, and its right here in Houston. Julep, the boutique bar inspired by Southern cocktail traditions, came in at No. 46 on the list which canvasses the best bar experiences in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Julep owner Alba Huerta was in New York for the ceremony announcing the 2022 list on June 7. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Beaumont is home to both the oldest and youngest traditions in Texas barbecue. Beaumont-style barbecue originated in the early 1900s, combining East Texas-style barbecue with the Cajun and Creole traditions in this southeast corner of the state. Patillos Bar-B-Q, established in 1912, is still going strong, serving the all-beef sausage links for which it is famous. More recently, the first true Central Texas-style craft barbecue joint opened with 1701 Barbecue, garnering high praise, long lines and a Texas Monthly Top 50 nod after only being open for a year. The barbecue scene in Beaumont continues to expand with a new trailer, James & Jon Barbeque, making some of the citys most creative smoked-meat dishes. Helmed by James Filipich and son-in-law Jon Couzens, it is a classic tale of Texas barbecue entrepreneurs following their passions. Jon Couzens grew up in Southern California and joined the Army right out of high school, in response to the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. After being wounded in Iraq, he was stationed in Germany where he became known for cooking American comfort food for his fellow soldiers, using techniques and recipes he learned cooking with his mother and grandmother. Returning stateside, he and his wife, Eryn, eventually settled in Sugar Land, where he attained a culinary degree from the Art Institute of Houston using funds from the G.I. Bill. They made frequent visits to Beaumont, where Eryns family lived. During those visits, Jon began teaching her dad, James, how to cook. In 2016, they acquired a pair of David Klose offset smokers and began experimenting. James & Jon Barbeque 890 N. 11th, Beaumont; 409-203-6332 facebook.com/jamesandjonbbq Call to confirm opening time and location. See More Collapse We fell down the rabbit hole of Texas cooking and smoking and grilling, says Jon. When in Sugar Land, Jon frequented Harlem Road Texas BBQ in nearby Richmond, where he became friends with and solicited advice from owner and pitmaster Ara Malekian, who is also a classically trained chef. After James retired from the health care industry, they decided to team up on a commercial barbecue endeavor, creating a business plan in 2019 and acquiring a trailer in 2020. They opened James & Jon Barbeque in 2021 in the parking lot of an old auto repair business on a busy intersection in central Beaumont. Central Texas-style barbecue was relatively new to the city, so Jon decided they needed a niche to attract publicity and customers. Being a fan of the breakfast tacos at Pappas Bar-B-Q in Houston, he decided that could be a unique menu item to feature. Today, they are open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Jon stays in Beaumont during the week to work at the trailer and heads back to Sugar Land on the weekend to be with Eryn and their two kids. On a recent visit, I sampled the breakfast taco offerings, including both the brisket and pork belly versions. These are some of the best barbecue breakfast tacos this side of Austin and reflect Jons culinary training and James pitmaster skills. A fragrant flour tortilla envelops a generous portion of buttery, well-seasoned scrambled eggs, melted cheese and chopped brisket for one taco and a crispy slab of pork belly for the other. For lunch, theres a selection of inventive sandwiches, including a brisket grilled cheese option as well as classic chopped beef and pulled pork versions (call ahead for daily features). Sides include campfire-style beans and a creamy mac n cheese. jcreid@jcreidtx.com twitter.com/jcreidtx Willowbend may soon be getting some help for animals trapped in the bayou. Weeks after the community came together to rescue a trapped dog from Willow Waterhole Bayou, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle teamed up with the Harris County Flood Control District to make the waterway safer to get out of. Called the Willow Waterhole Safety Project, the HCFCD will install six sets of concrete stairs along the bayou. The stairs will be constructed in a way so that residents and animals can climb out of either side of the bayou. THE RESCUE: Houston neighbors came together to save a dog and it wasn't the first time "Good neighbors protect each other," Cagle said, "and Harris County government should always strive to be a good neighbor." Willowbend resident Rhonda Gibbons has lived along the bayou since 1995 and said rescuing animals that have fallen into the channel system has become a regular occurrence. Gibbons credited the Chronicle's report of one such rescue with helping spur the change. "Even after the first article, there was another dog in the bayou just two weeks after that, and an older gentlemen got down there to get it and we had to help him out," Gibbons said. "This is a great idea that they're doing this." According to the project details, the county is anticipating the construction to cost $50,000 and to begin in mid-August 2022. Harris County Precinct 4 The stairs will not be constructed at road crossings to prevent the public from viewing them as potential access points. "I am truly grateful to the Flood Control District for working with me to provide these potentially life-saving measures for the residents of Willowbend and their pets," Cagle said. Gibbons says there's still work to be done with mitigating animal dumping and preventing animals from getting stuck in the bayou in the first place. "I don't know how you would stop it," Gibbons said. "But it's just rampant here, for sure." ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Hometown Oprys popular 1950s show will wrap up the groups one-year return from the pandemic with guest artists Heath Spencer Phillip and Jivin Gene Bourgeois at 7:30 p.m. June 17 at East Harris County Activity Center in Pasadena. We just added a dance floor, said Taylor Brooks, the manager of the community facility at 7430 Spencer Highway. Now people can get up and dance with their significant other or they can line-dance. I am looking forward to two to four hundred people piling in for this. Other headliners on June 17 will include Jerry Locke of Deer Park and Pat Varley of Pasadena. Locke will sing Blue Monday, My Blue Heaven and Hello Josephine, among others, said Don Wester of Pasadena, who began producing the Hometown Opry 26 years ago at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center in Deer Park. Hes a hoot, Wester said of Locke. Want to go? What: Hometown Opry's 1950s Show Where: East Harris County Activity Center, 7430 Spencer Highway, Pasadena When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 17 Admission: $15 (presale $12) Information: 713-274-2222; https://fbook.cc/3wNF. See More Collapse Varley, who will sing tunes made famous by Brenda Lee, returned last fall from living in Louisiana for 12 years with an even greater appreciation for Hometown Opry. It is a Cadillac opry, she said, praising the band of studio musicians Andy Lingenfelter and Jimmy Lingenfelter on horns, Rick Burton (drums), Johnny Foster (keyboard), Karl Hlavinka (backup vocals), Rick Robertson (bass) and Wayne Animal Turner on lead guitar. Turner recently took the place of the late Randy Cornor of Deer Park, who died on March 24. Hometown Opry fans and others mourned Cornor in a benefit and celebration of life that was held May 15 inside Campbell Hall on the Pasadena Fair Grounds. The event raised more than $34,000 for Cornors widow, said Wester. The master of ceremonies for the 50s show will be Dr. Steve Kuykendall of Pasadena. Phillip, who hails from Lake Jackson, is expected to perform Unchained Melody, which premiered in a 1955 movie, and Lucille, which was a hit by Little Richard. Bourgeois recorded the crowd-pleasing Breaking Up is Hard to Do in 1959. He is my personal favorite, said Varley, who worked for many years in administrative support for the Deer Park Fire Department. I saw him perform a few months back and he left me speechless, she said. Brooks said the 50s show is always the most popular of all of the centers music offerings. She is looking forward most to hearing the band perform Stars on the Water. Following the pandemic, Hometown Opry was the most requested event that Pasadena-area residents wanted brought back at the center. Our (Harris County) commissioner Adrian Garcia stepped up and made sure we had this show open and going as quickly as possible, Brooks said. The Hometown Opry has now been running successfully since July 2021 and we look forward to having many more. Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.net MOBILE, Ala. (AP) A one-time leader in a south Alabama town was sentenced to probation after using his local radio show to threaten a police officer who pulled him over for drunken driving, authorities said Wednesday. Former Evergreen City Council member Luther James Upton, 74, also was ordered to undergo mental health and substance abuse treatment during the three-year period, records show, and he can't drive until federal probation officials say so. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KYIV, Ukraine The Ukrainian army says Kyivs forces continue to frustrate Russian attempts to take the fiercely contested eastern city of Sievierodonetsk. The occupiers, with the help of motorized rifle units and artillery, conducted assault operations in the city of Sievierodonetsk. They were not successful; the fighting continues, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a regular operational update Thursday evening. It added that Ukrainian forces had successfully repelled a Russian attack on the village of Toshkivka, on the northwestern outskirts of Sievierodonetsk. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, where Sievierodonetsk is located, said Thursday that fierce battles continue to engulf the city. In a Telegram post, Serhii Haidai said Russian forces continue to shell the neighboring city of Lysychansk using large-caliber weapons which pierce even concrete. It is extremely dangerous for civilians to remain, even in shelters, Haidai said. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: War rap: In Ukraine, an angry voice for a furious generation Smashed buildings in Mariupol produce caravan of death Russia, Turkey back plan to export grains; Ukraine doubtful UN report: Ukraine war is increasing suffering of millions ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine The death sentences handed by a pro-Russian separatist court to British and Moroccan nationals fighting for Ukraine should be considered null and void, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. The so-called trial of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the occupied Ukrainian territories is of no significance, Oleh Nikolenko told the Interfax Ukraine agency. Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality; they undermine the mechanisms for the return of prisoners of war. The Ukrainian government will continue to make every effort to release all the defenders of Ukraine, Nikolenko added. He stressed that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel, and protected as prisoners of war. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree Thursday imposing personal sanctions on Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin and all sitting ministers. The sanctions, approved by Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, target all members of Russias government and security council, as well as the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov. They ban entry to Ukraine, revoke visas and permits, and block financial assets. The decree came into force on Thursday, according to a copy published on the website of the Ukrainian presidency. Zelenskyy also signed a directive sanctioning 236 Russian universities and their leaders. Russias education minister said in response that Moscow will not be deterred. Todays decision by the Kyiv regime speaks to its inadequacy and inability to control the situation. Its a gesture of desperation, which cannot prevent the integration of Donbas and the liberated territories into a single educational space with Russia, Sergey Kravtsov told the Interfax agency. ___ MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin says foreign companies that have left Russia will regret their decision. In todays conditions, when someone jumped off somewhere, left, chose to stop some activity here, they will regret it, he declared at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow. They will regret it, not because we threaten anyone, Putin continued. They will regret it because Russia is a country with great potential, really. Putin also appeared to claim that the exodus of foreign firms from Russia was evidence of U.S. domination over other Western states and economies. Many regret that they have to leave. This is all a manifestation of the internal state of these countries that cannot make sovereign decisions, he added. He then reiterated that Russia is a sovereign country that should be looking to the future. ___ MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russias need to take back (territory) and defend itself Thursday in a speech in which he compared himself to Peter the Great. Speaking at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow, Putin drew parallels between the conquering monarchs founding of St. Petersburg and his governments annexation of territory. When he founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. And Slavic people had always lived there along with Finno-Ugric people, and the territory was under the control of the Russian state. What was he doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well, he said. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further territorial expansion, while asserting Russias sovereignty. There is no state in between. A country is either sovereign or a colony, he said. Its impossible do you understand impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, Putin added. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive on Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region in order to capture it completely, a top Ukrainian military official said Thursday. Oleksei Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, said Russian forces are likely to strike out from the southern Kherson region, which is majority-controlled by Moscow, towards neighboring Zaporizhzhia. The enemy has focused on holding the lines, but at the same time does not cease (its) attempts to resume the offensive in these areas, probably in order to reach the administrative borders of the Zaporizhzhia region, Gromov said in a briefing hosted by Ukraines state Ukrinform agency. The southern part of Zaporizhzhia, including two major cities and a key nuclear plant, was overrun by Moscows troops in the early weeks of the war, and remains in Russian hands. Kyiv continues to hold the north of the region, including the capital city of Zaporizhzhia, which was previously a staging post for evacuees from the ruined port of Mariupol. Gromov did not rule out a Russian assault on the southern Mykolayiv region, which likewise borders Kherson, and the key cultural hub of Odesa, further west along Ukraines Black Sea coast. He did not provide further information regarding any such planned attacks. ___ WASHINGTON A resolution urging NATO to quickly admit Finland and Sweden won easy passage in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, in a signal of bipartisan support from lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans on the committee approved the measure supporting the expansion and urging other NATO states to swiftly admit the two Nordic states by voice vote, with no voiced objections. Thursdays vote had been seen as a test of Republican lawmakers stand on the expansion, which President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind. Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to end longstanding policies of military non-alignment and apply to join the 30-member U.S. and European defensive alliance. Biden encouraged the two countries application and welcomed their leaders to the White House in May to celebrate it. Unexpected opposition from NATO member Turkey has clouded what had been expected to be quick ascension to the bloc by the two countries. Turkey says it objects to the two countries stances regarding the Middle Easts Kurdish minority. ___ LONDON The British government says it is deeply concerned that two U.K. nationals captured while fighting with the Ukrainian military have been sentenced to death. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said Thursday that under the Geneva Conventions prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and shouldnt be exploited for political purposes. He said: We will continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release of any British nationals who were serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and are being held as prisoners of war. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss tweeted: I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found Aslin, Pinner, as well as Saaudun Brahim of Morocco, guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. ___ A court in separatist-controlled territory of eastern Ukraine sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan man to death for fighting on Ukraines side in the war with Russia. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops and surrendered to Russian forces weeks ago. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found them guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. The three were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim are set to face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. ___ PODGORICA, Montenegro Montenegros prime minister says he has spoken on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and expressed readiness to visit Kyiv. Dritan Abazovic also told Zelenskyy on Thursday that he will suggest to other leaders of countries in the Western Balkans that they should all travel to Ukraine together to show support. Small Montenegro in 2017 defied Russias strong opposition to join NATO, and is viewed as the next in line for EU membership. The country, along with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, prevented the visit of Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to neighboring Serbia earlier this week by refusing to grant permit for his plane to fly through their airspace. Abazovic hopes that Ukraine, too, will soon become a formal EU candidate, said a statement from his office. Abazovic offered Montenegros help on Ukraines accession path. The statement also says that Zelenskyy invited Abazovic to visit Kyiv as soon as possible. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines top military official says the situation on the frontline is very difficult and calls for very quick weapon supplies. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post Thursday that every day up to 100 Ukrainian troops are killed and up to 500 end up wounded. He said Kyiv needs heavy weapons, as well as aircraft and air defense systems quickly. We proved that we dont fear the Kremlin, unlike many others. But we as a country cant afford to bleed, losing our best sons and daughters, Reznikov wrote. He said that Russia continues to press by sheer mass, suffering huge casualties as well. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said earlier that every day 60-100 Ukrainian servicemen die on the frontline and some 500 sustain wounds. ___ BRUSSELS Senior members of the European Unions parliament are urging EU leaders to make Ukraine and neighboring Moldova official candidates for joining the 27-nation bloc. Political group leaders in the European Parliament said Thursday that the EU must be a reliable partner and a credible geopolitical actor that lives up to its principles and values by showing solidarity with those who stand up for the same ideals. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, is drafting an opinion on the membership requests of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. In recent years, the commission repeatedly expressed concern about corruption in Ukraine and the need for deep political and economic reforms. The official opinion will be weighed by EU leaders at a June 23-24 summit in Brussels. Several leaders are wary of opening the door to Ukraine, although acquiring full membership would take the country many years. The parliamentary group leaders say that giving Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status would mark the start to a merit-based process for joining. They also urged EU leaders to work towards granting the same status to Georgia. ___ MOSCOW Russias defense ministry says it used air-launched missiles to destroy a Ukrainian military base where foreign fighters allegedly were being trained. Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Thursday that the training center was in the Zhytomyr region of central Ukraine, about 125 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kyiv. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine to the Russian claims. Russia refers to foreign fighters who joined Ukrainian troops in the war as mercenaries. Konashenkov said Russian missiles also destroyed an ammunition depot and an anti-aircraft system elsewhere in Ukraine. ___ KYIV, Ukraine The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk province says Russian forces are employing scorched-earth tactics against the city of Sievierodonetsk, hitting it with rockets, artillery and mortars. Serhiy Haidai also told The Associated Press on Thursday that neighboring Lysychansk is enduring day and night shelling." Russians are trying to storm the key road connecting Lysychansk and the city of Bakhmut but have failed to gain control of it, he said. Haidai says Ukraine still remains able to deliver humanitarian supplies to the region by a relatively safe route. Ukraine's east has been the main focus of Russia's attacks for more than two months. Haidai said there were two attacks on a chemical plant and fierce battles" continue in Sievierodonetsk. Street battles are taking place with varied success in city blocks, the governor said. "The army of Ukraine is fighting for every street and house. ___ PARIS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russias invasion of his country is a threat to the environment and could lead to dangerous pollution in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Zelenskyy made the comments at a ministerial meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He used the platform to impress on ministers the need to wean states off Russian natural gas in favor of green energy. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov border both Ukraine and Russia. The Black Sea also borders Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Turkey. ___ BERLIN Polands president has sharply criticized phone calls the leaders of France and Germany had with Vladimir Putin, saying the conversations serve only to legitimize the Russian leader. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have spoken to Putin several times since Russia invaded Ukraine, both separately and together, in attempts to nudge him toward ending the war. Polish President Andrzej Duda was quoted Thursday as telling Germanys Bild newspaper that hes astonished by the calls. Duda argued they achieve nothing and only bring about a legitimization of a person who is responsible for the crimes the Russian army is committing in Ukraine. Bild quoted Duda as adding: Did anyone talk like this with Adolf Hitler during World War II? Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler must save face? I have not heard such voices. The bullet that killed Jalen Randle in a police shooting in the Houston community of Pleasantville entered through the front of the 29-year-old's neck, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, contradicting a statement from the family's attorney. The agency on Wednesday released its autopsy report, more than a month after the April 27 deadly shooting and two days after Houston Police Chief Troy Finner accused Ben Crump, the attorney for Randle's family, of making an inaccurate statement about the shooting. Crump said an independent autopsy performed a week after the shooting shows that Randle was shot in the back of the neck. Arthur Reed, an attorney representing the family, said Wednesday that the family and their attorneys stand by the results of the independent autopsy conducted by Autopsy and Pathology Services of Kingwood. "We stand by our pathologist," he said. Crump's law firm hired its own pathologist because "police killings are being covered up," Reed said. Warren Randle, the father of the man killed, said medics at the emergency room told him his son was shot in the back of the neck. Regardless, he said, he thought the police chief's recent statement was an effort to deflect from the deadly shooting. "The issue is not really where he got shot at -- it's him being shot as an unarmed man," Randle said. "You need to take responsibility and accountability for your officer's actions and do the right thing." CALLS FOR ACTION: Jalen Randle's family demands charges against Houston police officer who killed son According to the Harris County institute's autopsy, HPD Officer Shane Privette shot a bullet which entered on the left side of Randle's neck and lodged in the right trapezius muscle. On Monday, Finner criticized Crump's claims as an irresponsible, false statement. "Mr. Crump should correct the false information and explain that the diagram is not part of Mr. Randles official autopsy," Finner stated. "I ask everyone in our community to not rush to judgment and wait for the investigations to be completed." Privette shot Randle seconds after getting out of his patrol car and before he could finish saying, "Hey, let me see your hands," according to body camera footage released by the police department. Officers then handcuffed Randle while he lay face-down on the ground. The shooting happened after a brief pursuit. Randle was wanted on two felony warrants. Randle's death has been a recent point of contention among family members, residents of the east Houston community and law enforcement. On June 6, Randle's family organized a protest in front of the Harris County District Attorney's Office to call for Privette to be charged criminally and stated they intend to file a civil rights complaint against the Houston Police Department. Prior to the protest, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg met with Randle's family to listen to their concerns and clarify how the office handles police shootings. Members of the office's Civil Rights Division will review the autopsy report as well as evidence from HPD's internal investigation before presenting it to a grand jury, which will determine if Privette will be indicted, according to a news release the district attorney's office issued on Wednesday. Attempts to reach Autopsy and Pathology Services on Wednesday were not immediately returned. Tiffany Rachal, the mother of Jalen Randle, said her son was a bright light with a good heart. He loved helping senior citizens and recently took care of a sick relative. She urged the police department to take accountability and do the right thing. "I will keep his name alive," she said. "That's my child. Whatever it takes...I'm going to keep on screaming my son's name." Joel.Umanzor@chron.com Chronicle file In the first of a series of articles looking at reckless driving, reporter Mike Thorne introduces the reader to Helen Edgar, a 20-year-old nursing student. Edgar was killed while walking down Fannin by a driver who was fleeing police. She was dragged more than 200 feet by "the reckless hotrodder." Two men were looking for people to rob near Houstons Larchmont community this week when one apparently accidentally shot the other, mortally wounding him, police said. Julio Arnoldo Osorio Saca would continue with their plan and rob a man, authorities said, shooting the man after he asked his attacker if he could keep his ID. On Houston Chronicle.com: Man fatally stabbed at Baytown trailer park in possible altercation with bikers Osorio Saca, 18, is now charged with felony murder and aggravated robbery in the Tuesday shootings. Osorio Saca and his accomplice were in the area of 6000 Skyline, near Richmond and Renwick, looking for people to rob, Houston police said Thursday in a news release. As Osorio Saca was leaving the front passenger seat of the vehicle they were in, the gun he was holding discharged and struck his accomplice. Court documents identify the accomplice as 26-year-old Michael Samir Nunez. After Nunez was shot, Osorio Saca continued with their plan, police said, robbing a man of his wallet. When the man asked for his ID, Osorio Saca then shot him in the leg, according to a court document. The accused attacker then returned to the vehicle with Nunez driving. Nunez lost consciousness after a short distance and Osorio Saca removed him from the drivers seat and placed him in the passenger seat, police said. Osorio Saca then drove a few blocks to to 6320 Windswept Lane, where he carried Nunez into an apartment there, police said. Authorities soon detained and questioned Osorio Saca, who is now in Harris County Jail. A man accused of stalking and making death threats against U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls has been arrested, police say. Federal authorities apprehended Brett Coulter, 38, last Thursday in Florida, charging him with felony harassment and stalking. Nehls released a statement Wednesday saying Coulter repeatedly called him and left "disturbing and threatening voicemails where he threatened to kill me." In the statement, Nehls added that he alerted U.S. Capitol Police to the threats before Coulter's arrest. "I commend the professionalism and seriousness which all members of law enforcement handled the matter and am thankful Mr. Coulter has been arrested," he said. SIGN UP FOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: Stay up-to-date with all of the biggest stories on HoustonChronicle.com as they happen Nehls is the representative for Congressional District 22, which encompasses most of Katy and Fort Bend County. Prior to being elected to Congress in 2019, he served as the sheriff of Fort Bend County. Coulter self-identifies as an "independent journalist," though he does not have any press credentials, Nehls' office confirmed. In November 2021, Coulter was arrested and charged with third-degree felony battery of a person 65 years of age or older, Florida court records show. Coulter also has an active warrant in the state of New Jersey after allegedly making death threats against someone on Instagram in 2020, according to New Jersey municipal court records. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An insurance company has suspended a Houston bail bondsman following a federal search warrant at her business, effectively preventing her from securing freedom for jailed defendants under that license, authorities on Wednesday said. United States Fire Insurance Company notified the Harris County Sheriffs Office that Aable Bonds Texas would be unable to write bonds under that license because of the June 1 raid at 1620 Austin Street, said Sgt. Sisto DeLeon, the sheriffs representative on the Bail Bond Board, during their monthly meeting. Federal and local authorities were spotted a week prior carrying out boxes and computers out of the downtown building as part of an unspecified, anti-gang operation. The bail bondsman, Sheba Muharib, also operates a license through Financial Casualty & Surety, Inc. in Harris County and that one remains operational, authorities said. Muharib has not been charged with a crime following the search at her business. She did not attend the Wednesday meeting but a lawyer did so on her behalf. He could not be reached for comment. Bail Bond Board chairman Troy McKinney tagged discussion of the federal raid onto the end of the agenda to determine if any action, such as revoking her license, was needed on that remaining permit. Do we know anything, McKinney, a Houston defense attorney, said to kick off the inquiry. Very little was disclosed in the meeting to answer McKinneys question about why federal agents seized records from several of Muharibs businesses run out of the building including a half way house for men and a home healthcare operation. Nobody knows anything of whats going on except maybe the people who served that warrant, Ken Good, lawyer for Financial Casualty & Surety, said. We dont know if she is the issue or the victim or if this is dealing with a client who bonded out. We just dont know. The insurance company, meanwhile, has opened another audit of her bail business in light of the search and a list of seized files will be provided to the sheriffs office. Good pledged to disclose their results at a future board meeting. Were going to complete our review and make a decision about that, Good told board members. Muharibs license under Financial Casualty & Surety faced scrutiny in April during her renewal application when board member Kathryn Kase legal counsel for County Judge Lina Hidalgo questioned her following allegations of deceptive trade practices that a fellow bail bondsman aimed at her and her family. During that hearing, Good said Financial Casualty & Surety audited her office following the allegation, disclosed by Mario Garza now a board member in February during Commissioners Court, and found nothing amiss. He asked Muhabrib point-blank if she was ripping people off. Not at all, Muharib replied. Are you taking advantage of people, he continued. Not at all, she again said. If Financial Casualty had found any truth to the allegations, we wouldnt be here on a renewal, he continued. We would be presenting to the board a runoff plan for this license. The questioning preceded a board vote approving a policy requiring bail bondsmen to take in a 10 percent minimum surety fee from defendants charged with violent offenses to secure their release from jail. Debate over bail fees stemmed from a Houston Chronicle investigation last year that found bail bondsmen who act as intermediaries between the defendant and the court have for years offered defendants discounted rates. A review of court records found that bail agents have been increasingly accepting lower fees on more violent crimes amid diminishing profits. Bail agents have more recently relied on payment plans. During the April meeting, Muharib acknowledged that she uses payment plans, predominantly with family members of jailed defendants. She also told Kase that she has posted bail in the past for people she has personally known without a fee. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez ended the questioning during that meeting by adding that his office found Muharibs license through Financial Casualty & Surety to be in compliance for the Bail Bond Board rules in place prior to the 10 percent vote. The license associated with United States Fire Insurance Company was not at question during that meeting. nicole.hensley@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Megachurch leader Naason Joaquin Garcia has been sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in a California prison for sexually abusing three minors, which has spurred mixed emotions for former members of La Luz del Mundo, an international institution with ties to Houston. Naason Joaquin Garcia , 53, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, had vigorously fought charges that included child rape, until abruptly accepting a plea deal on the eve of trial. Alleged survivors of sexual abuse and other abuse within the church made emotional pleas to authorities in California, where the case has been tried, asking that Garcia receive a longer sentence. If he is not in prison for life, this man will continue to grow and to be more powerful, said Sochil Martin, an alleged survivor of sexual abuse and trafficking by leaders of La Luz del Mundo. Sochil has filed a separate lawsuit against La Luz del Mundo, claiming the institution has made the economic and sexual exploitation of children and others a centerpiece of its operations for decades. The church, known in English as Light of the World, has 18 congregations in greater Houston and has been in the region since the 1960s, according to local Pastor Bigvai Estrada. Church Shooting: No one injured when shooter fired into La Luz del Mundo church in Houston "He deserves to be in jail the rest of his life," Houston resident and former church member Raquel Haifa Chantres told the Houston Chronicle. Chantres calls La Luz del Mundo a cult and said she was smuggled by members of the church into Texas from Mexico in the late 1990s as an 18-year-old. Her extended family has close ties to the church in Mexico. Chantres also contends two of her family members were sexually abused in their teens by a church leader in the early 1990s in Puebla, Mexico. She said the sentencing of Garcia is a pivotal moment for the future of the church. We're seeing the last days of this institution where it's gonna be a very difficult time for everybody involved, said Chantres, who in recent years has watched a growing number of former church members call out abuse and mistreatment on social media and through private conversations. Though speaking out about the church comes with serious consequences - shes said shes seen as a traitor and has received angry messages from family members, including veiled threats toward her parents, who still live in Mexico in a neighborhood for La Luz Del Mundo church goers. Chantres said during her childhood she wasnt able to listen to music, watch TV or go to the movies like other kids and was forced to dress modestly in long skirts. You cannot have friends outside the cult, said Chantres. When she first distanced herself from the church, 25 years ago, her family begged her to return. My whole family was telling me all the time you're gonna burn in hell, said Chantres, who returned to the church for a short time in the 2010s. But she said she left the church for good when apostle Naason Joaquin Garcia visited her congregation in Houston. It was the very same Naason that made me leave, Chantres said. It was a Sunday in 2015. He started talking about how parents need to educate their kids, and he was saying that we are entitled as parents to hit them, she said. That was the last day she attended church. On Friday, in Los Angeles, Garcia pled guilty to sexually abusing three girls, which included two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. After Wednesdays sentencing, La Luz del Mundo church released a statement arguing that the prosecution has manipulated evidence, forcing the plea deal. We publicly manifest our support for the Apostle of Jesus Christ Naason Joaquin Garcia; our confidence in him remains intact with full knowledge of his integrity, his conduct and his work, the statement said. Garcias grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church in 1926. Garcia took over as apostle after his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, died in 2014. Flores was also the subject of child sex abuse allegations in 1997, but authorities in Mexico never filed criminal charges. elizabeth.trovall@chron.com With temperatures expected to approach triple digits this weekend, Houston has activated its emergency heat plan unusually early this year, offering cooling shelters for residents to escape the sweltering weather. Opening of city facilities as cooling centers in early June is uncommon, said Porfirio Villarreal, spokesperson for the Houston Health Department. The middle of June is likely the earliest Houston has ever activated the emergency plan. The city of Houston activates its heat emergency plan once or twice a year, typically either the end of July or sometime in August or September. On Saturday and Sunday, temperatures across Southeast Texas will be some 7 degrees to 11 degrees hotter than normal for this time of year, said Katherine Lenninger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Houston/Galveston office. Inland locations could see temperatures in the high 90s up to 102 degrees; coastal locations could see temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s. Peak heat index values what it feels like outside when considering air temperature and humidity could be between 106 degrees and 110 degrees. A southerly wind could make the weather slightly more tolerable next week, with the heat index settling between 100 degrees and 105 degrees Monday through Thursday, but that heat index could approach 108 degrees on Friday, Lenninger said. Christy Penders, a spokeswoman for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said the power grid is ready if temperatures this weekend do end up crossing the record threshold. ERCOT will continue to deploy all available tools to manage the grid reliably and coordinate closely with the Public Utility Commission, generation resource owners and transmission utilities to ensure they are also prepared for the warm weather across the state, she said. Mayor Sylvester Turner recognized that inflation and higher gasoline prices have many Houstonians trying to save money. But he encouraged his constituents, particularly seniors, to turn on their air conditioning this weekend. Dont be in a hot home and be more concerned about your bill than your health, Turner said during a news conference. I want you to be mindful of your health first and your bills secondly. The Houston Fire Department has already responded to more heat-related calls this year. When averaging the past three years between April and May, Fire Chief Sam Pena said there was a roughly 130 percent increase in calls up from about 45 calls per month to an average of 104 this past April and May. Calls from May to June increased about 230 percent, up from 60 calls to about 199 calls. There have already been two heat-related deaths this year in Houston, Pena said. CenterPoint Energy does not anticipate any outages this weekend, said George Buenik, director of the mayors Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. Demand for electricity set daily and monthly records this week as temperatures across Texas soared, but fell well short of the record for power consumption that the states grid manager predicted earlier. Both Monday and Tuesday set records for the amount of power Texans used in one day for the month of June, according to unofficial numbers released Friday by ERCOT. The data shows demand reached as high as 72,785 megawatts on Tuesday, well above the previous June record of 70,257 megawatts set last year. Demand on Monday reached 72,386 megawatts. One megawatt is enough electricity to power about 200 homes on a hot summer day. Record-setting temperatures, along with population growth, are helping to drive that sky-high demand. Thursday saw the hottest temperatures ever logged on June 9 in the Houston-Galveston region, with the heat rising to 97 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Its expected to get even hotter this weekend, with the weather service forecasting triple-digit temperatures on both Saturday and Sunday within Houston. If they get that high, the heat would likely tie record temperatures for those dates set in 1902. Temperatures for this part of June are typically closer to 92 degrees, the NWS said. To respond to those temperatures, and higher electricity demand that often accompanies them, ERCOT has asked power generators to defer maintenance from Friday through Monday so they can be online and generating power over the weekend. ERCOT officials estimated on Friday that demand on Saturday could break the record of power use of 74,820 set in August 2019. By Saturday, ERCOT estimates demand could reach as high as 75,921 megawatts. ERCOT, however, has overestimated the demand for power every day this week, in some cases by thousands of megawatts. On Tuesday, for example, officials originally projected demand to reach over 75,000 megawatts, but actual demand was nearly 3,000 megawatts below that estimate. Penders of ERCOT, chalked that up to cooler-than-expected temperatures and some unexpected rainfall in North Texas, which drove down demand there. The Houston Health Department is urging people to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugar-heavy drinks. Among other safety precautions, people should also be careful not to leave infants, children, senior citizens and pets unattended in a parked vehicle. High-risk groups adults age 55 and older, children under the age of 4, people with chronic illnesses or who are either overweight or on certain medications should stay inside air-conditioned buildings between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration stressed the importance of allowing new and returning workers to take frequent breaks and work shorter shifts as they build their tolerance for heat. Nearly 3 out of 4 heat illness fatalities happen during the first week of work, OSHA said. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness, dizziness, excessive sweating, cool or moist skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, and a fast and weak pulse. A throbbing headache, red, hot, and dry skin (no longer sweating), extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees), nausea or vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness, and a rapid, strong pulse are signs of heat stroke. Centers, including many at libraries, also will provide Fort Bend County residents who lack air-conditioning in their homes with relief from the heat Anyone without air-conditioning can seek shelter at the Houston cooling centers listed below. People without transportation can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride from METRO to travel to and from these locations. Saturday Houston Public Libraries (All locations): Normal operating hours: https://houstonlibrary.org/all-locations Houston Parks & Recreation Department- Community Centers (all locations) Normal operating hours: https://www.houstontx.gov/parks/communitycenters/ Tidwell Community Center 9720 Spaulding St., Houston, Texas 77016 Hours: 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Hartman Community Center 9311 E. Avenue P, Houston, Texas 77012 Hours: 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Sunday Houston Public Library - Downtown 500 McKinney St., Houston, Texas 77002 Hours: 12 p.m. 6 p.m. Tidwell Community Center 9720 Spaulding St., Houston, Texas 77016 Hours: 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Hartman Community Center 9311 E. Avenue P, Houston, Texas 77012 Hours: 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Acres Home Multi Service Center 6719 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, Texas 77091 Hours: 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Southwest Multi Service Center 6400 High Star Dr., Houston, Texas 77074 Hours: 2 p.m. 6 p.m. julian.gill@chron.com shelby.webb@chron.com andrea.leinfelder@chron.com Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night voted 384-37 to approve the plan for the $31-billion Ike Dike, a massive project designed to protect the vulnerable region from storm surge. The plan centers on gates that would be built across the mouth of Galveston Bay and lowered ahead of hurricanes to block waves of water from pushing up the ship channel, and flooding industrial facilities and homes. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate David Leebron arrived in Houston with grand plans for Rice University. The native northeasterner talked of increasing enrollment at the small private school, and devoted alumni worried his presidential agenda might change the culture of a place known for being behind the hedges on Main Street insulated, happy and distinctively Rice. Eighteen years later, Rice is still Rice. But Leebron, who ends his tenure this month, dramatically expanded the reach of the university. While the campus remains secluded, university and local leaders said he pushed Rice beyond the hedges with numerous city and international partnerships, all while preserving a distinctive undergraduate experience and cementing the schools standing in higher education. If you look at the ways Rice has changed, one of them is we have no doubt who we are,, said Leebron, 67. TEXAS COLLEGES: Aggies are fighting over Texas A&M's soul. One conflict? A campus drag show. In late May, Leebron had not yet packed his office, which sits on a corner of campus above Rices canopied oak trees. His space is a testament to a love of the university, with owls Lego, wooden and otherwise perched on the shelves and walls. Beneath some of those birds, he sat on his office couch and reminisced about the time he has spent at the tier-one research institution nestled between the Texas Medical Center and the Museum District. It wasnt without some regret, he said, but it ended without major controversy. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A decorative owl made from Lego blocks is seen in the office of David Leebron, the outgoing president of Rice University, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Rice University in Houston. Leebron has served in the role since 2004. Leebrons final years at Rice came during a tumultuous time the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted campuses all over the country and Rice was pushed to come to terms with its origins. On HoustonChronicle.com: Former VP Mike Pence criticizes Biden energy policy during speech at Rice Leebron responded to COVID by moving quickly to online instruction in spring 2020 and investing in large outdoor tents for socially distanced instruction in the fall. The school implemented widespread surveillance testing and kept coronavirus cases low on campus until the Omicron variants spread late last year. All the while, historians were investigating the murky beginnings of the university. A task force discovered that founder William Marsh Rices wealth was not as distanced from slavery as previously believed. The board of trustees accepted plans to add historical context and relocate his statue from the center of Rices main courtyard to a location on its perimeter - and despite some criticism, Leebron said he felt the change properly reflects the history of the school. Massive growth will still be the outgoing presidents hallmark, his colleagues said. Full-time enrollment sat at 7,800 undergraduates and graduates in 2021; it was 4,700 students in 2004, when he took office. Research dollars more than doubled, hitting $181.9 million in 2021. And Leebron oversaw $1.8 billion in physical construction to the campus, he said. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Rice grew more diverse, increasing its Black, Asian and Hispanic student populations. It also became more affordable for many students, with new policies that make need-based financial aid loan-free from the university. The school also provides full-tuition grants or scholarships for undergraduates whose families earn below $140,000 a year. President Leebron has been, I would argue, the most consequential figure in Rice history since (first president) Edgar Odell Lovett, said Annise Parker, Rice alumna and former Houston mayor. He has transformed the campus, he has transformed and increased the student body, and he has shifted the mindset to how can we take the work were doing inside the hedges and make it more relevant and impactful to the community? An unconventional pick A search committee recruited Leebron to Rice in 2003, and in some ways, the lawyer from Philadelphia was an unconventional pick, said Kevin Kirby, vice president for Administration. Rice didnt - and still doesnt - have a law school. Trustees were drawn to his leadership as dean of Columbia Law School, but also to his intellect and commitment to excellence, said Jim Crownover, leader of the presidential search committee. I didnt really understand how effective an external representative he would be, said Crownover, who became the chairman of the Rice Board of Trustees in 2005. He was also internally a great leader. Leebron came to Rice in 2004 as its seventh president. He issued a strategic plan in 2005 and in that and a second strategic plan years later, major goals involved engaging more directly with Houston and the world. Parker and others said Leebron followed through. In 2007, he created the Passport to Houston program, which provides students unlimited access to certain Houston museums and the zoo. It also gave them a free METRO card for transport, including the light rail. The school invested in the medical field through the BioSciences Research Collaborative with the Texas Medical Center, and it founded the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, which conducts the annual Houston Area Survey and other studies that delve into Houstons urban issues. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer When Amazon was looking for a new headquarters, Leebron said he offered up the empty former Sears building in midtown, owned by Rice. Houstons bid failed, but Rice kept working with the city to build a $100 million tech hub called the Ion. Other forays brought Rice further into the global sphere, Leebron said. New educational centers and research partnerships have strengthened Rices relationships with countries in Asia and Latin America, he said, and Rice committed itself to recruiting international students. Twelve percent of Rice undergraduates come from other countries, the president said in an April town hall. And of the roughly 2.5 million people enrolled in online courses through Rice, more than 56 percent of them logged in from outside of the U.S. Rice continued to ramp up the size of its student body while keeping acceptance rates competitive; more than 9,000 students are expected to enroll by 2025, the university estimates. Alumni such as Parker and former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said they initially worried what those changes might have meant for Rices on-campus culture, where every undergraduate student belongs to a distinct residential college with its own traditions. But during Leebrons 18 years, he added two residential colleges. A third is underway. I think as people saw, we could grow and maintain our culture, Leebron said. We could reach out more into the city and people still could feel that the campus was kind of a special and safe place for them. Transforming the campus Rice University took new shape under Leebron, with public art and buildings frequently under construction. He appreciates art on a personal level (back at his office, the Mona Lisa peeked out of his loafers, on his socks), and in the past 18 years, he transferred that onto Rices landscape. Leebron created a program in 2008 that resulted in dozens of major pieces of public art on campus - including the James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace exhibit. Leebrons presidency oversaw the creation of several new arts buildings, including the Moody Center for the Arts, the new Brockman Hall for Opera and the upcoming Sarofim Hall for Visual and Dramatic Arts. He didnt accomplish everything he set out to do. He never got around to creating a law school. And in 2010, talks of a high-profile merger between Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine shut down. The decision to sell the popular student-run radio station, KTRU, drew protests. But colleagues say his legacy is secure. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Theres so many things you can describe about his 18 years, but ultimately people will be recognizing the things he did, said Rice Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Ladd. The universitys endowment grew to $8.1 billion by the end of the 2021 fiscal year, according to the institution. Since 2004, Leebron launched two major fundraising campaigns, with the latest already amassing more than half of its $2 billion goal. Research awards poured in as well, with $181.9 million and 921 awards received in 2021, the university administration reported. Thats an increase from $73.9 million and 596 awards in 2004. Rice is currently ranked No. 17 in the US News and World Report. Campus culture Students at Rice are known for being happy and collegial: The Princeton Review in 2020 ranked the Owls the highest among any campus for quality of life and for an assessment of interactions between races and classes. Leebron his wife, Y. Ping Sun, set the tone. They are known for their strolls on the 300-acre campus, where they stop and converse with the student population. The First Couple is famous on campus for hosting regular events at the Rice Presidents House, where they live. Sun was instrumental in Leebrons decision for the pair to move to Houston, he said. Also a lawyer, Sun serves on a number of boards around the city. Aaron Pathak, a senior and president of Jones College, said he often ran into Leebron himself. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer He loves talking to students, which truly made him stand out, Pathak said. While student movements sometimes flared up over race or sexual assault, those issues usually resolved through cross-campus and personal conversations, Leebron said. One concerned a Rice graduate who said her assailant was allowed to graduate without serving a suspension or significant disciplinary action, and the university formally apologized in 2019. Leebron used his capacity for direct engagement to steer the university through Harvey, COVID and two financial meltdowns, said Kathy Collins, Rices vice president for Finance. He also made a decision early on not to lay anyone off during the pandemic. He was inclusive in terms of reaching out and seeking input from a range of people affiliated with Rice, she said. Ill also remember him for what Ill call the tone from the top - the emphasis he put on values. Emmett, the former county judge, said he witnessed that firsthand as a fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Leebron listened to concerns, but in a time where many became frantic, he remained composed, he said. Future plans Leebron is staying in Houston. He fell in love with the city and its people, he said, finding a culture here that he hasnt seen elsewhere. Thats also part of why he stayed for 18 years much longer than the average university president, whose tenure is just over 7 years, according to the American Council on Education. He might get re-involved with Rice after a period of travel, but he said he will at least stay attuned to issues in higher education. Some of those topics could play out at Rice under the next president, current provost Reginald DesRoches. Leebron and others agree: He is situated to handle them. When I came to Rice, Rice was a very simultaneously proud and successful institution, but also a bit insecure, Kirby said. Theres a confidence now... Its palpable. Thats something you wont see written about anywhere. samantha.ketterer@houstonchronicle.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The robbery of an ATM technician in Tennessee this week ended with the arrests of four people with Houston ties, including the father of an 11-year-old boy fatally shot earlier this year and a rapper who authorities said has boasted about previous robberies on YouTube. Darius Dugas Sr., 37, his wife, Sashondre Dugas, 32, LaDesion Riley, 30 and Christopher Alton Jerome, 27, are all charged with felony bank robbery, according to federal court documents. If convicted, each faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Authorities believe the four drove in two cars a gray sedan and a red Jeep to a Bank of America in Nashville on Monday around 10:45 a.m., the criminal complaint states. More on HoustonChronicle.com: 42 years later, a murdered Texas couple's missing baby has finally been found Bank surveillance obtained by investigators showed Jerome and Riley get out of the sedan before approaching the technician repairing an ATM machine, according to court records. Jerome allegedly threatened the man before he and Riley removed the metal cash cassette boxes from the ATM, put them into the sedan and left. The crew took about $125,000, court documents state. The surveillance also showed the red Jeep allegedly driven by the Dugas couple follow the gray sedan out of the banks parking lot right after the incident, the complaint added. The technician was able to get the license plate of the sedan as the men attempted to leave, according to court records. The plate number was registered to a rental company that notified investigators of the sedans location around 11:45 a.m., showing it was parked at a Motel 6 in Dickson, Tenn. about 40 miles east of Nashville. Authorities who went to the motel saw the four move bags from a room and the cash cassettes from the sedan to inside the Jeep before both cars left in separate directions, according to court records. More on Houston Crime: Brazoria County sheriff fires deputy who was arrested on public intoxication charge in Uvalde The couple and Riley were detained in the Jeep after stopping at a gas station on Highway 46 while Jerome was detained in the sedan, court records show. Sashondre Dugas then consented to a search which revealed three bags that contained over $116,000 and three Texas ID cards with her image but different demographic and date of birth information inside the Jeep. All four remain in custody in Tennessee as of Thursday afternoon and are awaiting a detention hearing date to be set, according to the U.S. District Attorneys Office Middle District of Tennessee. Riley who goes by the rap name 213 Jugg God on YouTube was released from jail in April on a $20,000 surety bond after being charged with evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle earlier this year, according to Harris County court records. In multiple music videos on YouTube, Riley can be heard rapping about various criminal activities while a gun is tucked in his waistband. In April, his song Make it home which included lyrics detailing trips out of town to different states was released and shared on his social media accounts garnering just over 13,000 views. Dugas was also released from jail in April on a personal bond after being charged with felon in possession of a weapon, court records show. More from Joel Umanzor: Autopsy shows Jalen Randle was shot in front of neck by Houston police, says medical examiner Prosecutors initially requested Dugas to be held without bail due to his classification as a habitual offender, Harris County Magistrate Joy Thomas set bail at $5,000 and waived the $150 processing fee, according to a spokesperson from the Harris County District Attorneys Office. Dugas is the father of 11-year-old Darius DJ Dugas Jr. who was shot and killed on Feb. 3 at his familys apartment complex in northeast Harris County while grabbing his jacket from his mothers car. The woman arrested with him on Tuesday is not the boys mother. DJs alleged shooter, 19-year-old Daveyonne Howard, was charged with murder on Feb. 18 while already in the county jail on unrelated robbery charges, according to court records. joel.umanzor@chron.com Texas is the No. 1 state in the country for animal shelter deaths for the last two years, according to a new report from the animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society. The report, which was released Tuesday, offers a vivid picture of the state of animal shelters in Texas and across the country. Texas was the No. 2 state for shelter deaths in 2019 but was back up to the No. 1 spot and stayed there in 2020 and 2021, according to the report. BURNED OUT: Houston is in the middle of a stray animal crisis, and local rescues are feeling the brunt of it Best Friends collects data directly from more than 4,000 brick and mortar shelters, state and local coalitions, government websites, and FOIA requests to compile the annual report, offering one of the most comprehensive looks at shelter animals in America to date. Nearly 61,245 dogs and cats were killed in animal shelters across Texas in 2021. Overall, Texas shelters reached an aggregate save rate of 80.8 percent in 2021, with 596,730 total animals entering shelters and 482,330 of those animals finding good outcomes. This is a decrease from 2020, during which Texas shelters reached an overall save rate of 81.6 percent. Most shelters use a metric called a save rate to determine the number of live outcomes they are able to achieve compared to the total number of animals they take in. A 90 percent save rate is the nationally recognized benchmark to be considered a no-kill shelter. The reason a shelter can be labeled as no-kill when it still euthanizes animals is that the 10 percent gap is intended to allow for humane euthanasia or euthanasia that is warranted only when its the best option for the animal, such as one suffering from extreme and inoperable medical issues, according to Brent Toellner, senior director of lifesaving programs for Best Friends Animal Society. The organization is working toward moving Texas to an entirely no-kill state by 2025. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer In 2021 the county shelter, Harris County Pets, recorded a 95.6 percent save rate, while the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control, or BARC, the citys municipal shelter, recorded a 91.7 percent save rate. During that time, Harris County Pets saw 12,660 total intakes and euthanized 132 animals, according to Eddie Miranda, senior public information officer for Harris County Public Health, which oversees the shelter. During that same time, BARC saw 17,662 animals enter its shelter, of which 1,488 died, according to reports on the city website. A LOCAL SHELTER'S PLEA: A Fort Bend County shelter is 'busting at the seams with dogs' and it's waiving adoption fees Shelters across the Greater Houston area, including Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery counties, reached a combined save rate of 89.3 percent in 2021, according to Kerry McKeel, state communications strategist for Best Friends. While the shelters are doing very well in terms of save rates, they are feeling overwhelmed, Toellner said. Most of them are running at 50 percent or so above capacity, particularly for dogs and it is creating a big drain for those folks that are trying to find positive outcomes." Most local shelters saw a drop in intakes and therefore in euthanasia rates in 2020 due to COVID restrictions, but those numbers are tracking upward now. But the pandemic affected shelter numbers in other ways, too; As the public transitioned into a new normal, adoptions slowed and intakes soared. There is a multitude of reasons for the uptick in animal shelter intakes including a rise in evictions after COVID relief stopped and pandemic pet surrenders but the overall effect has resulted in a stray animal crisis in Houston that has local shelters and rescue groups burned out. This crisis is escalating nationally as well, and threatens the progress animal advocates have struggled to make over the last several years. For the first time in five years, US shelter systems are seeing a setback in lifesaving, the organization stated in its report. The number of animals killed in shelters across the US increased from 347,000 to 355,000 in 2021. If the trend continues, then a lot of the positive gains and save rates are going to obviously go away, Toellner said. If they (local shelters) continue to take in animals at a faster pace then they are able to find live outcomes, at some point that is going to reverse that positive momentum that those shelters all have. NO MORE SPACE: Despite overcrowding, no expansion plans for Montgomery County animal shelter Toellner added the national crisis directly impacts cities like Houston that rely on out-of-state transport to move animals. Because other cities are struggling, Houston shelters and rescues are unable to transport animals as easily as they used to. The report did offer a bit of good news, though. The number of no-kill shelters across the country actually increased in 2021, with more than 50 percent of all shelters now above a 90 percent save rate. Thats the first time thats ever happened, Toellner said. We also saw really good no-kill sustainability numbers for those that achieved no-kill in 2020, they were able to maintain that into 2021 despite the challenges. Toellner added its important to consider the cats being killed in shelters right now, too, since dogs usually get more attention. Cats are dying in shelters at a 2:1 rate over dogs, he said, a staggering number that could be calmed by community cat programs like TNVR, or trap neuter, vaccinate and release. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Best Friends is currently working on introducing these cat programs to the Baytown and Pasadena areas, which have a dismal 77.6 percent and 42 percent cat save rate, respectively, according to McKeel. The pilot program has saved hundreds of lives in Baytown, she said, moving that city off the top 100 list for cities with the highest lifesaving gaps. States with high numbers like Texas need to invest more resources in lifesaving programs, expand shelter facilities and staff numbers, increase funding from municipal governments and private donors, and garner more support from the community, Toellner said. The responsibility of saving pets lives should not rest solely on shelters and those in animal welfare, but on entire communities including community members, government leaders, shelters and other animal welfare groups, Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society said in a statement. When a community supports its shelters critical needs, we see dramatic results. rebecca.hennes@chron.com As negotiations in Congress over gun reform legislation continue, there are two things we can say about Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the Republican tapped by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to represent his party in talks with Senate Democrats. First, Cornyn is trying. And thats something. Itd be embarrassing, Cornyn told Politico last week, if the Senate cant pass something in the wake of the murder of 19 fourth graders and their two teachers in Uvalde, Texas last month. It would feed the narrative that we can't get things done in the public interest, he said. I don't believe that narrative. The second thing to know, however, is that hes not trying hard enough. And thats unacceptable. How hes trying Working with Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, whose been calling for gun legislation since the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, Texas senior senator is seeking to add funding for mental health resources and school safety. He also supports modest changes to gun laws that could help, such as requiring certain juvenile records be uploaded into the national firearms-purchasing background database. When an 18- to 21-year-old attempts to purchase a firearm, and his records contain troubling information, the sale would be subjected to a waiting period and further investigation. Cornyn also wants federal funding for any state that implements a red flag law. A spokesman for Cornyn told us Thursday hes also seeking to close the boyfriend loophole, a reform House Democrats approved in 2019 amid strong support from voices such as former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. Federal law forbids anyone convicted of violence against a family member from buying a firearm, but does not apply to individuals who have attacked dating partners. Cornyn also wants to crack down on unlicensed firearms dealers masquerading as hobbyists, the kind that sold the shooter in the 2019 Odessa mass shooting his weapon. These steps are worthy of praise. Perhaps under ordinary circumstances, theyd even be sufficient. But were not living in ordinary times. No ordinary times In just the past month, mass shootings have robbed innocents of life, of their very future, in Buffalo, Uvalde, Tulsa and in more than 20 other cities. Members of Congress heard directly from survivors on Wednesday. Testimony included the tear-filled stories of a fourth grader forced to cover herself in blood to pretend she was dead, of a pediatrician who bore witness to the way a bullet fired from an AR-15 ravages a small body, of grieving parents pleading for changes in gun laws. Similar testimony has been heard countless times before. The horrific, heartrending stories shared after El Paso, Santa Fe and Sutherland Springs, and after Orlando, Parkland, Pittsburgh, and so many others, all testify to the fact that we have an exceptional problem in this nation that requires exceptional efforts to resolve. Mere trying isnt enough. We are not talking about restricting the rights of current, law-abiding gun owners or citizens, Cornyn said in a Senate speech this week. What Im interested in is keeping guns out of the hands of those who, by current law, are not supposed to have them. People with mental health problems, people who have criminal records. Again, this is about the art of the possible. We believe in the art of the possible As an editorial board, we believe in focusing on the art of the possible. Were on record supporting an incremental approach to gun reform, even in the wake of Uvalde. We recognize, for instance, that there are not enough votes in the Senate to heed President Bidens call to reinstate the federal ban on assault weapons. Is the ban on new sales of such rifles the right thing to do? Of course it is. But we did not expect Cornyn to don a white hat and ride to the rescue of a nation in the throes of an epidemic of mass shootings. We do expect him to push his party past its comfort zone, toward sensible reforms that will at least set us on a path to closing loopholes, addressing glaring vulnerabilities and tempering an absolutist gun culture thats made deadly weapons and wartime killing machines dangerously accessible in this nation. The art of the possible looks like a sham when possible is defined as what the NRA-beholden GOP is willing to accept. As Andy Warhol said, art is what you can get away with. Cornyn can get away with much more. Because the majority of Americans, even many voters and donors within his own party, want much more. When even reforms passed in conservative states such as mandatory red-flag laws and higher age limits for assault rifles are ruled non-starters, then the quest has stopped being about possibility and all about political convenience. Expanding already-required background checks to include sales through private parties isnt even worth talking about? A national red flag law allowing a judge to temporarily seize weapons of an owner deemed to pose a threat to himself or others is a step too far? Even if a renewed ban on assault rifles is out of reach, how in the world did raising the age to buy one to 21 to match federal handgun regulations become something Congress cant even discuss? An aide to Cornyn stressed that the senator is dealing with what can pass in a 50-50 Senate. He knows that better than just about anyone. Thats probably true. But this moment requires more of Cornyn, to push his colleagues to genuine action. When normal means endless shootings and nonstop tears, we need a new standard. The bittersweet irony of John Cornyn is that he seems to know all this. If you're not in the Senate in order to make a difference and make tough, politically challenging decisions which you know are the right thing to do, then you need to find another job, he said this week. We couldnt have said it better. Of course, knowing is the easy part. Leadership is something else. Regarding Babys autopsy could have been prevented, (June 3): While growing up in Argentina in the 1940s and 50s, my sister and I had measles, mumps and chickenpox. Although I dont remember much suffering, my mother had a hard time taking care of us. We were lucky to recover as many of our friends did. My sister also caught whooping cough which was a lot worse and more long-lasting than the previous illnesses. Even after she recovered, she continued to have breathing problems on and off. Fortunately, my children and grandchildren were born at a time when vaccinations were readily available. Reading Dr. Thomas Gross painful account reminded me of individuals who did not get their children vaccinated against polio. As he says when the polio vaccine first appeared, mothers dragged their children to the public health clinics and stood in lines around the block to get them immunized. In my case, we got them at my school. Many years later, I had the opportunity to meet a family who did not vaccinate their daughter against polio; she was crippled by the disease and told me that, as a teenager, she felt a serious amount of hate for her parents. I remember, by the time the polio vaccine came out, people had seen photos of iron lungs showing only the heads of patients outside. It was like a miracle indeed to save us from that horrible outcome. We need to, again, appreciate and have respect for the scientists who dedicate their lives to saving ours. Toy Brando Halsey, Houston In my opinion, if a baby or child becomes ill or dies from a disease preventable by immunization which a responsible adult fails to provide, that adult should be prosecuted for child abuse. Ralph C. Frates Jr., Houston Abortion Regarding A Houston mother's terrible choice: deliver Theodora and watch her die or terminate her pregnancy, (June 1): Texas abortion laws are a testament to the ignorance, closed-mindedness and pure cruelty of this states political leaders and the so-called pro-life lobby. What kind of twisted, sick minds think it is morally or ethically right to force a woman to suffer severe medical complications and risk to herself in order to deliver a fetus that is highly likely to die upon birth or live a while with profound disabilities? This woman, herself mildly disabled, painfully came to the conclusion that inducing labor to end the suffering of her fetus and herself was the best option also recommended by her doctors only to discover that Texas law would not allow any doctors to do it without risking prosecution. And hers is only one of many different medical issues pregnant women encounter that have been brought to light recently as a result of these medieval abortion laws. Texas and Houston brag about their world-class medical centers. But what good does it do to have great physicians and medical facilities if the states politicians and their ridiculous laws tie the hands of these physicians and medical facilities? Monica Perin, Sugar Land Failing our children Regarding Tomball grieves loss of shining stars after slaying of family at Centerville ranch, (June 4): I was still reeling from Uvalde when I read Saturdays headline about the five family members slain by an escaped convict. We are failing our children. Firearm-related deaths are now the number one cause of death among American children aged 1-19. It just isnt fair. Ive got options. I at least have a vote. The children dont. As American citizens, having consented to be governed by majority rule, we have made our bed, and if I get plugged by a bullet, Ill have to lie in it. But the children had no part in making it, even though they have to lie in it, too. We have failed them. We cant keep our children safe from firearms. We couldnt save them in Uvalde, where a lone teenager used a legally-acquired assault rifle to kill 19 children before law enforcement gunned him down. We couldnt save them in Centerville, where an experienced and desperately determined criminal broke into a home and used the weapons he found there to kill the homeowner and his grandchildren before fleeing in the homeowners vehicle. So to all my gun-owning friends and neighbors who tell me that by owning a gun, they can protect our children and loved ones from the guns of others, I say Uvalde. And to all my gun-owning friends and neighbors who tell me that they can at least protect their children and loved ones from their own guns, I say Centerville. Thats the reason why Ill never own a gun. Cynthia Humphries, Sugar Land A second major lawsuit was filed Wednesday in state court requesting that the states child welfare agency put a stop to abuse investigations of parents whose children have received gender-affirming medical care. The lawsuit includes a detailed account of the suicide attempt of a 16-year-old transgender boy whose parents are among the plaintiffs. The boy consumed an entire bottle of aspirin on Feb. 22, the same day Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas child welfare workers to investigate medical care for transgender youth as possible child abuse. The investigations resumed last month shortly after the Texas Supreme Court tossed a lower courts order that had temporarily halted them in a separate but similar case. The states highest civil court found that despite Attorney General Ken Paxtons non-binding legal opinion and Abbotts directive to the Department of Family and Protective Services, only the agency has the authority to initiate investigations. That case is still before the Third Court of Appeals in Austin. The latest suit, filed in Travis County district court by civil rights groups Lambda Legal, the ACLU and Texas-based law firm Baker Botts, seeks an injunction against further investigation of three families named in the suit and any others who belong to the national LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG. It names Abbott, the Department of Family and Protective Services and its Commissioner Jaime Masters as defendants. The families include Adam and Amber Briggle, whose son is transgender and who have been vocal in speaking out against the policy, as well as two other families using pseudonyms to protect their privacy. The agency has confirmed at least nine investigations have been opened against familes with transgender children. With today's filing, we are joining with PFLAG in working to protect all Texas families who simply want to make sure their children are safe, happy, and healthy, said Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Paul D. Castillo. It is unconscionable that the state wants to interfere in that relationship. The attorney generals office, which represents the state in court, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Paxton, in his legal opinion, had argued that courts were likely to find that taking away a childs constitutional right to procreate, especially when they are too young to legally consent and even the use of gender-affirming medications could result in physical and mental harm that amounts to abuse. The opinion applied to the use of puberty blockers, which delay the onset of puberty for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria, and hormone treatments, as well as surgery, though thats not common among minors. PREVIOUS SUIT: Texas can launch more investigations into families of trans kids, state Supreme Court says The previous suit suit was filed on behalf of an unnamed family who came under review for supporting their 16-year-old transgender daughters care for gender dysphoria. The childs mother, who was employed by the state welfare agency, testified that she was put on leave after asking a supervisor about the orders possible effect on her family. When the Texas Supreme Court lifted the injunction on investigations last month, it made an exception for that plaintiff family. Karen Loewy, senior counsel for Lamda Legal, said in doing so, the court implicitly recognized that the findings were correct that there was imminent harm. Theres a clear message to the agency that targeting families of transgender kids this way is both unlawul and causes imminent harm, and nonetheless, they are conducting them anyway, Loewy said. So this is a second round (lawsuit) in order to put a stop to the investigations. Transgender boys suicide attempt detailed in court filings The 16-year-old boy said that the political environment, including Abbotts letter, and being misgendered at school, led him to attempt suicide, his mother stated in legal filings. The teen was admitted to a local hospital and then referred to an outpatient psychiatric facility a couple days later, court records say. While there, staff learned that the teen had been prescribed hormone therapy for treatment of his gender dysphoria. At a family therapy session, he and his mother learned that staff might need to report the family for abuse because of Abbotts letter. He was discharged March 5, and about a week later, an investigator came knocking on the door of the family home. I assumed the investigator was there for a suicide attempt and was prepared to discuss the medical treatment and mental health therapy my son was receiving, his mother said. But the investigator told me that she was only there because I was an alleged perpetrator of child abuse. IN-DEPTH: Families of trans kids are living in fear of CPS investigations, some leaving Texas altogether The investigation is ongoing, though the mother declined to sign a release to provide Child Protective Services with medical records once she learned about the ongoing litigation and instead sought legal counsel. The teen is receiving mental health care and is recovering from the attempt, but these events have devastated our life, his mother stated. He has been forced to drop out of in-person school and stay at home so that I can more closely monitor his health and wellbeing, but I am a single mom who works two jobs. I love my son unconditionally, and I can think of nothing worse than losing him. I am so glad that he is alive, but no young person should ever have to experience what he went through. The investigator confirmed that the outpatient psychiatric facility had made the report of abuse, which the mother said she found particularly horrifying. The place that was supposed to help my son the outpatient mental health facility has now caused him even more harm, she said. Stopping her sons medical treatment is not an option for this mother who said that it is necessary to ensure his health and wellbeing. Nor is moving out of Texas, where she and her son have lived all their lives and where all of their extended family lives, including her elderly mother for whom she is the sole caretaker. Our family is as much a part of Texas as any other family, and (my son) has the same right to live safely and authentically as any other person in this state, she said. taylor.goldenstein@chron.com After a gunman killed 21 people at a Uvalde elementary school two weeks ago, Hearst Newspapers sent a survey to every Texas lawmaker, both at the state and congressional level, gauging their support for widely discussed gun control measures. The survey aimed to collect lawmakers' stances for the public record. We inquired about universal background checks, a ban on assault-style weapons, a ban on high-capacity magazines, raising the age to purchase an assault weapon from 18 to 21, and the so-called "red flag" laws that would temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. We also asked whether lawmakers would support any additional safety policies, either related to firearms or not. Republicans hold every statewide office in Texas, control both chambers of the Texas Legislature and represent a majority of the states congressional districts. Yet just one Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Houston answered the survey. Related: 2021 was a study in how Texas Republicans quash gun control proposals after mass shootings State Rep. Dustin Burrows, the Lubbock Republican chairing the state Houses new committee investigating the shooting, thanked us for the opportunity but said he would pass on the questionnaire. A representative for state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, referred us to his voting record. State Rep. Lyle Larson, a moderate Republican from San Antonio, did not fill out the form but said via email that he would support bipartisan talks on background checks and raising the age to purchase firearms. He also supports better training for local and state police and state funding for security and "architectural changes" at schools. On the Democratic side, there were 43 responses. Most of their answers were the same straight yes answers to every question. But there were a few notable exceptions. Sen. Borris Miles of Houston, for example, said he would not support a full ban on assault-style weapons or high-capacity magazines, but he said he would consider regulating both. Others offered similar nuance. State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg did not answer yes or no to the assault weapon ban but responded: I would need more information. For instance, is it a ban on future sales? What effect would it have on gun owners who already own these types of firearms? The question, in that respect, is incomplete. Related: After messy handling of Uvalde shooting, experts say even the fastest response can't outrun bullets To be sure, some legislators who did not answer this survey have spoken in other public forums about their stances on firearm restrictions. Generally, Democrats have endorsed most of these gun policies, while Republicans have shied away from such regulations to instead focus on mental health resources and school security measures. Please continue scrolling to read a sampling of lawmakers' responses. We have chosen five to feature online, but a full list is available in the document embedded below. U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston Red flag law: No Assault-style weapons ban: No High-capacity magazine ban: No Raise age to purchase assault-style weapons from 18 to 21: No Universal background checks: No Additional commentary on these policies: In response to the question on background checks, background checks already exist for virtually all gun sales from (Federal Firearm License) dealers, including at gun shows. In recent years, Republicans have taken meaningful steps to address gun violence. President Trump signed an executive order banning the sale of bump stocks, which is a device that increases the rate of fire on firearms. This was a concrete solution to address the tragic mass shooting that unfolded in Las Vegas in 2017. In 2018, the Fix NICS Act (P.L. 115-141), was signed into law by President Trump to strengthen the background check system. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is a critical tool to prevent disqualified individuals from purchasing a gun, and the Fix NICS Act has led to improvements in the system. During the 115th Congress, Republicans also passed the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act. This law aims to make our schools safer by providing resources to train students, teachers, and local law enforcement so they can help stop school violence before it happens. It also provides funding for technology and equipment to harden school security and stop attacks. Additional gun-related measures they'd support: Rep. Crenshaw cosponsored H.R.3252 - Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act. Under current law, it is unlawful to steal a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, or from their business premises. This bill broadens the scope of unlawful conduct to also prohibit stealing a firearm from a gun range that rents firearms or a shooting club. An attempt to commit an offense is subject to the same penalties as a substantive offense. The bill modifies these penalties by increasing the maximum prison term. Additional school safety policies they'd support: Rep. Crenshaw introduced H.R. 7241 - Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act, to reauthorize the program to allow states to better aid adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances. The bill also allows states the flexibility to deliver targeted solutions outside of the one-size-fits-all methodology of Washington, D.C. to treat our mental health crisis. This bill recently advanced through the Energy and Commerce Committee to the full House of Representatives. Rep. Crenshaw co-sponsored H.R. 1518 - 21st Century NICS Act, which allows the FBI to access the N-Dex system when performing a background check under NICS for the potential sale of a firearm. This database aggregates criminal records from various local, state, and federal agencies to provide critical information to the criminal justice community. It contains incident, arrest, and booking reports; pretrial investigations; supervised released reports; calls for service; photos; and field contact/identification records. According to FBI data, there are approximately 3,000 improper gun sales a year to people who are already legally prohibited from owning a gun. Had it been enacted; this bill may have prevented the Charleston shooting. Lawmakers who did not respond Statewide: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) U.S. Senate: Ted Cruz (R) John Cornyn (R) U.S. House: Louie Gohmert (R) Van Taylor (R) Pat Fallon (R) Lance Gooden (R) Jake Ellzey (R) Kevin Brady (R) Michael McCaul (R) August Pfluger (R) Kay Granger (R) Ronny Jackson (R) Randy Weber (R) Veronica Escobar (D) Pete Sessions (R) Sheila Jackson Lee (D) Jodey Arrington (R) Chip Roy (R) Troy Nehls (R) Tony Gonzales (R) Beth Van Duyne (R) Roger Williams (R) Michael Burgess (R) Michael Cloud (R) Henry Cuellar (D) John Carter (R) Marc Veasey (D) Brian Babin (R) Texas Senate: Bryan Hughes (R) Bob Hall (R) Robert Nichols (R) Brandon Creighton (R) Charles Schwertner (R) Paul Bettencourt (R) Angela Paxton (R) Kelly Hancock (R) Larry Taylor (R) Jane Nelson (R) Joan Huffman (R) Lois Kolkhorst (R) Brian Birdwell (R) Royce West (D) Dawn Buckingham (R) Donna Campbell (R) Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D) Charles Perry (R) Drew Springer (R) Kel Seliger (R) Texas House: House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) Gary Gates (R) Ed Thompson (R) Geanie Morrison (R) Ryan Guillen (R) Todd Ames Hunter (R) Justin Holland (R) Abel Herrero (D) Oscar Longoria (D) Sergio Munoz (D) Alex Dominguez (D) Erin Gamez (D) Armando Martinez (D) Robert Guerra (D) Richard Raymond (D) J.M. Lozano (R) John Kuempel (R) Sheryl Cole (D) Eddie Rodriguez (D) Andrew Murr (R) Brad Buckley (R) Hugh Shine (R) Charles Anderson (R) Trent Ashby (R) DeWayne Burns (R) Shelby Slawson (R) Glenn Rogers (R) Phil King (R) Reggie Smith (R) Tan Parker (R) Lynn Stucky (R) Michelle Beckley (D) Matt Shaheen (R) Jeff Leach (R) David Spiller (R) James Frank (R) Scott Sanford (R) Stan Lambert (R) Drew Darby (R) Kyle Biedermann (R) Eddie Morales (D) Mary Gonzalez (D) Claudia Ordaz Perez (D) Lina Ortega (D) Joe Moody (D) Tracy King (D) Brooks Landgraf (R) Tom Craddick (R) Dustin Burrows (R) John Frullo (R) Phil Stephenson (R) John T. Smithee (R) Four Price (R) Ken King (R) Candy Noble (R) Ramon Romero Jr. (D) Stephanie Klick (R) Jeff Cason (R) Matt Krause (R) Tony Tinderholt (R) Nicole Collier (D) David Cook (R) Craig Goldman (R) Giovanni Capriglione (R) Charlie Geren (R) Jasmine Crockett (D) Ana-Maria Ramos (D) Jared Patterson (R) Victoria Neave (D) Morgan Meyer (R) Carl Sherman (D) Toni Rose (D) Yvonne Davis (D) Angie Chen Button (R) Rhetta Bowers (D) John Lujan (R) Elizabeth Campos (D) Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D) Steve Allison (R) Ray Lopez (D) Sam Harless (R) Dan Huberty (R) Briscoe Cain (R) Dennis Paul (R) Tom Oliverson (R) Mike Schofield (R) Jim Murphy (R) Ann Johnson (D) Jon Rosenthal (D) Gene Wu (D) Lacey Hull (R) Jarvis Johnson (D) Harold Dutton Jr. (D) Ana Hernandez (D) Mary Ann Perez (D) Shawn Thierry (D) Hubert Vo (D) Valoree Swanson (R) Gary VanDeaver (R) Bryan Slaton (R) Cecil Bell Jr. (R) Keith Bell (R) Cole Hefner (R) Matt Schaefer (R) Jay Dean (R) Cody Harris (R) Brian Harrison (R) Travis Clardy (R) Kyle Kacal (R) Ben Leman (R) John N. Raney (R) Steve Toth (R) Will Metcalf (R) John Cyrier (R) Ernest Bailes (R) James White (R) Terry Wilson (R) Joe Deshotel (D) Mayes Middleton (R) Greg Bonnen (R) Cody Vasut (R) Jacey Jetton (R) Ron Reynolds (D) See More Collapse U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston Red flag law: Yes Assault-style weapons ban: Yes High-capacity magazine ban: Yes Raise age to purchase assault-style weapons from 18 to 21: Yes Universal background checks: Yes Additional commentary on these policies: As to the above questions, because I support the right to bear arms with constitutional limitations; I support the right to legally use traditional hunting rifles and handguns; I support banning assault weapons and high capacity-magazines; and I support red flag laws with due process. Additional gun-related measures they'd support: Some additional legislative policies that I would support include the following: Require a waiting period prior to the purchase of a weapon with some exceptions. The banning of bump stocks. The repeal of special immunity from liability laws enjoyed by the gun industry. Requiring licensing before the purchase of a firearm with training to include anger management and dispute resolution, as well as safe storage methods. The funding of a national summer youth job program with a dispute resolution and anger management component. Fully fund gun violence prevention research through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Close the gun show loophole which allows a person to purchase a weapon from a private seller at a gun show without a background check. Additional school safety policies they'd support: In addition to securing the school facility itself with technology and properly trained security personnel, as well as active shooter response training, there are other things which can be done to improve our school safety. This is why I am a cosponsor of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultzs legislation H.R.5428, the School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act. This bill directs the Department of Education, in consultation with the Departments of Justice, and Health and Human Services, to annually report on indicators of school safety for each school shooting. This includes statistics on school shootings, such as the number of shootings, number of people killed, demographics of shooters and victims, the motivation of shooters, types of firearms and ammunition used, how the firearm was acquired, and more; and safety and prevention, such as building designs, and communication and response plans. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 6538, The Active Shooter Alert Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives David Cicilline and Fred Upton. This bill will create a program similar to the AMBER Alert system for law enforcement to alert the public of active shooters in their community. It is a common-sense piece of legislation that could save lives across our communities. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio Red flag law: Yes Assault-style weapons ban: Yes High-capacity magazine ban: Yes Raise age to purchase assault-style weapons from 18 to 21: Yes Universal background checks: Yes Additional commentary on these policies: You can't buy handguns before the age of 21. That change was made for a reason to prevent negligent or violent incidents with guns. As a health measure, we raised the age required to buy cigarettes to 21. At the very least we can raise the age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle to the age of 21. Additional gun-related measures they'd support: We need to instill a "cooling off" period, where if someone tries to buy too many guns or too much ammunition in a short span of time, they are denied the purchase and told to come back several days later for a purchase. There are too many bad actors out there who have a bad day, go stockpile guns and ammo, and unleash their anger on innocent victims. Additional school safety policies they'd support: First of all, we need to fully fund public education and mental health in Texas. Full stop. Schools do not have the resources and therefore the ability to make sure that kids are mentally well and looked after. When looking at the Uvalde shooter, it's clear that someone should have flagged him for some sort of mental assistance. You have a teenager with alleged anger issues, who is into decapitating cats and picking fights, who was then allowed to purchase multiple guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition unfettered. This is a systematic failure and this event could have possibly never happened if the school system had the resources to assess and correct these issues with students. State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo Red flag law: Yes Assault-style weapons ban: Left blank High-capacity magazine ban: Left blank Raise age to purchase assault-style weapons from 18 to 21: Yes Universal background checks: Yes Additional commentary on these policies: I would support banning assault weapons for anyone younger than 21, who failed a background check or refused to abide by a cooling-off period; and would consider other reasonable restrictions. I would support a ban on high-capacity magazines but consider compelling reasons for exceptions. Additional gun-related measures they'd support: As vice chair of the Committee on Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety, I developed recommendations to prevent future tragedies. They included limiting the sale of guns and ammunition to minors, implementing red flag laws and narrowing the definition of private sales of firearms to increase the number of purchases subject to a background check. I also would support requiring a cooling-off period for the purchase of a firearm. Although legislative support for many of these proposals is lacking, I remain optimistic that we can find consensus in this area. We need to focus on areas of agreement so that we can make immediate progress. The goal should not be to take away the guns of law-abiding citizens, but to implement reasonable restrictions that save lives. Additional school safety policies they'd support: Improving mental health care for students, preventing bullying and strengthening reporting mechanisms are critical to intercepting bad actors before it's too late. Students who exhibit alarming behaviors should receive the same care, compassion and love we extend to all our students. Fostering a nurturing and safe environment where students can access mental health resources could prevent more tragedies from occurring in the future. What's more, we must ensure direct access to classrooms and other learning sites on campus cannot be accessed directly or easily, including by re-imagining the construction of safe schools for the future. It's our job to keep our students safe. State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie Red flag law: Yes Assault-style weapons ban: Yes High-capacity magazine ban: Yes Raise age to purchase assault-style weapons from 18 to 21: Yes Universal background checks: Yes Additional commentary on these policies: These are common-sense measures that most Texans support. Three years ago, a horrific shooting happened in a Walmart in El Paso. Sixty-three House Democrats responded by asking Gov. Abbott to call a special session and immediately pass necessary, common-sense gun safety legislation. The governor ignored our call for action, and instead of prioritizing public safety, Abbott made it easier than ever for anyone anywhere to get a gun without training, without licensing and without a background check. Texas House Democrats remain ready to debate and pass common-sense gun safety legislation. During the 87th Regular Session, Texas House Democrats filed over 50 bills that would address this crisis. But the Republicans in charge of our state for the last two decades have refused to support meaningful reforms. Additional gun-related measures they'd support: Requiring stolen guns to be reported to law enforcement. If assault weapons are not banned, prohibit them from being openly carried. Additional school safety policies they'd support: In general, funding for public schools should be increased to support increased educational quality, which includes ensuring a safe learning environment and providing adequate counseling services for students. Benjamin Wermund, Jeremy Blackman, Taylor Goldenstein, Jasper Scherer, Edward McKinley and Eric Dexheimer contributed to this report. WFO LAS VEGAS Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 11, 2022 _____ EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 106 PM PDT Wed Jun 8 2022 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PDT /10 AM MST/ THURSDAY TO 8 PM PDT /8 PM MST/ SATURDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Arizona, southeast California and southern Nevada. * WHEN...From 10 AM Thursday to 8 PM PDT/MST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities and those consuming alcohol and/or drugs. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Some forecast high temperatures around the region...106 to 109 in Las Vegas, Barstow, and the Morongo Basin, 101 to 103 in Kingman, and 117 to 120 at Furnace Creek in Death Valley. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of water, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. MST/ THURSDAY TO 8 PM PDT /8 PM MST/ SUNDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures of 110 to 116 expected. * WHERE...In Arizona, Lake Havasu and Fort Mohave and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. In California, San Bernardino County- Upper Colorado River Valley. In Nevada, Lake Mead National Recreation Area. * WHEN...From 10 AM Thursday to 8 PM PDT/MST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities and those consuming alcohol and/or drugs. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Interview: Washington spreads hate speech, lies against China, says Palestinian expert Xinhua) 16:27, June 09, 2022 GAZA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States has adopted hate speech against China, spreading lies and rumors to deter China's growth, a Palestinian political expert has said. "The U.S. used to resort to spreading baseless allegations against its opponents in order to promote internal strife among the countries," Talal Okal, a Gaza-based analyst, told Xinhua in a recent interview. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently described China as the "most serious long-term challenge to the international order," and slung groundless accusations against China on issues related to Xinjiang. "Blinken's remarks are only part of a series of lies and slanders pursued by the U.S. against China. It is launching huge media campaigns through international media agencies," Okal said. In fact, the analyst said, the incitement by the United States against China is rooted in its hostile attitude towards the Asian country, behind which is Washington's true intention of disrupting and hindering China's development. The United States insists on adopting hate speech and false allegations against China despite China's efforts to enhance international cooperation, Okal said. "There is no doubt," he said, that China's efforts to promote multilateralism were deemed as a challenge to the American monopoly in the international system. "China establishes its relations with the world on the basis of partnership and mutual benefit ... and this is worrying the U.S. administration," the analyst said. Therefore, the United States has been relying on malicious methods to wage smear campaigns against China, spreading disinformation and false accusations on such issues as democracy and human rights, Okal said. However, he believes that China has succeeded in refuting all the U.S. falsehoods by showing facts to the world. "It is better for the U.S. to talk about its own violations against human rights in the world by waging wars against multiple countries, and to review itself for its blatant bias," said the expert. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu) As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. North Adams School Officials OK $800K for School Feasibility Study NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The School Committee on Tuesday approved the expenditure of up to $800,000 to pay for the design team and feasibility study the Brayton/Greylock project. "It is a reasonable estimate based on the expectations and the complexities of this project since there are in fact two sites involved in this project," said Superintendent Barbara Malkas. "And so they felt that that was a reasonable amount for design services, as well as for all the ancillary testing that will be needed around site selection and development of the educational plan." The Massachusetts School Building Authority had initially accepted a rebuild and renovation of Greylock School into the feasibility stage until reviewing enrollment projections last year. The MSBA then encouraged and accepted the city's application to change its project to include Brayton Elementary with the understanding that this would likely mean the closure of Greylock. Two studies had projected a 10-year enrollment of about 625 students in Grades kindergarten through 6. Brayton and Colegrove Park currently have a capacity for 716, leading to the decision to once again consolidate schools. Conte Middle School (now Colegrove) was closed a decade ago and its students shifted to Drury High. The School Committee had previously approved using $300,000 from school choice funds to begin efforts in the eligibility stage and, at that time, Malkas had cautioned that MSBA officials had recommended it could be $750,000 or more once they moved into the feasibility stage. Colliers International was hired in February as the owner's project manager and its representatives Kenneth Guyette and Matthew Sturz have been working with the School Building Committee on a request for services for a design team. "At the end of this month, we will be looking at applications for a design team and then moving from there to go forward to the MSBA board for approval of our design team," Malkas said. The superintendent she had "asked explicitly and confirmed" from the MSBA that the city can begin getting reimbursements in $50,000 increments for the funds even though a construction project has not been approved. The city expects an 80 percent reimbursement rate, the same as that received through Colegrove Park Elementary School project. That project, completed in 2015, cost about $30 million of which the MSBA covered $22 million. "That we can start to take advantage of the MSBA reimbursement process at this point makes that a much more palatable to our overall consideration of this project," said Malkas. Mayor Jennifer Macksey, chair of the School Committee, said she was somewhat concerned at first with the language in the order but that this was required by the MSBA. "It kind of leads you to believe that we're already starting to borrow and it has the word Proposition 2 1/2," she said. "This is boilerplate language and the superintendent said that the MSBA requires us to have this. It is in no way teeing us up to borrow or to do any movement there with a Prop 2 1/2 override at all." School Committee member Richard Alcombright asked for more clarification on where the money was coming from because the language did sound like it was being borrowed. Malkas said the borrowing would be from the School Department's school-choice revolving account, as approved by the School Committee and which would have to be accepted by the city. The school choice account now has more than $2 million. "So in effect, the city is borrowing this money from the school choice revolving account which is under the jurisdiction if you will, of the school," she said, and confirmed that with the MSBA reimbursements, the study should cost the city $160,000 in the end. The mayor said the reimbursements would go into a fund established by the city. "As we move forward with this project, we will evaluate what we have for a balance and use that as a contingency," she said. "When the project is closed out at the very end, if we get a project to fruition, after we do our audit any funds that are still in the contingency account, will we return to the school choice [account.] "From what I recall, we're in a much better position to be doing this now then we actually did when we did Colegrove," said Alcombright, who was mayor during the Colegrove project. "The financial positioning seems very solid at this point." Macksey added that she wanted to remind everyone that there's no construction project at this point but rather a "fact finding mission." "This project is evaluating two schools. There's been no decision and we will, hopefully, from this study be able to make a sound decision based on that," she said. "No decision has been made. This is just the next step. And I think sometimes people in the general public, every time we talk about this, they get a little nervous." Thompson Trial Rescheduled for September After Monday Bus Crash PITTSFIELD, Mass. The trial for Joseph Thompson on motor vehicle negligent homicide charges was delayed yet again after the bus carrying jurors to the scene of the 2018 accident got in an accident itself on First Street on Monday. The bus mishap led Superior Court Judge Jennifer Tyne to declare a mistrial. A new trial date was set for Sept. 19, with a trial readiness conference scheduled for Aug. 16. Tyne also was on board the bus along with attorneys and other court officers when it was hit head-on by a pickup truck at about 1 p.m. The jurors were expected to view the area at South Church Street near Berkshire Family and Individual Resources where the fatal accident occurred on July 20, 2018. According to police reports, Steven Fortier, 49, was southbound on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle at about 10 p.m. when he collided with Thompson's northbound Audi sport utility vehicle. Thompson allegedly attempted to avoid Fortier, who he said was in the northbound lane as he came around the curve from Ashland Street. Both collided in the southbound lane. Toxicology tests show that Fortier had a blood alcohol level of .28 percent, or more than four times the legal limit, but the clerk-magistrate found sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial. Thompson, 63, former longtime director of Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, is also charged with a marked lanes violation. The trial had been expected to start in early 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic, along with numerous other cases. BBPW Accepting Applications for Career Advancement Scholarship Program PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Business & Professional Women (BBPW) 2022 Career Advancement Scholarship Program, which supports the unique needs of non-traditional women students, will be accepting applications through Friday, June 17. Applications can be completed and submitted online at berkshirebpw.org. Recipients can receive awards of up to $2,500 and selections will be announced in early August. In the last two years, BBPW scholarships have provided $41,000 in support to 42 local women reflecting diverse ages, backgrounds, and career aspirations. Scholarship awards support women in Berkshire County looking to bolster their careers through continued education. Grants can be used toward tuition, books, travel, childcare, or any expenses incurred for college, graduate school, vocational programs, licensing courses, or other areas of professional development. Hannah DeLisle-Stall, chair of the Scholarship Committee, said that BBPW scholarships help women with costs beyond tuition and course fees. "Our scholarships help to close the gaps often left by other aid sources. Scholarship recipients have used BBPW grants to cover childcare, course materials, and even purchase a laptop all barriers that may have otherwise kept them from taking steps to advance or even change their careers," said DeLisle-Stall. BBPW also recognizes the changing employment landscape in the community, with many career paths requiring credentials outside of a formal degree. In response, BBPW scholarships can also be awarded for women pursuing licenses, certifications, or sitting for exams required to advance their careers. Jennifer Valente, a 2021 scholarship awardee, said the award has helped her take her career to a new level. "I was so excited to have this opportunity to enhance my skill set which helped me achieve a new level of autonomy in my professional life," said Valente, who used her scholarship to pursue a massage therapy certificate to complement her work as a physical therapist assistant. Nicole Rivera, another 2021 recipient, said the grant helped her return to school after postponing her education to work to support her family. "Receiving this scholarship not only alleviated the financial burden of paying for my academic and professional growth but also encouraged me to continue my educational path to become a bilingual social worker," Rivera said. DeLisle-Stall said she wants current donors to the BBPW scholarship program, as well as those interested, to know that these grants truly make a difference in the lives of recipients, and have a positive impact on the community. "So many of our scholarship recipients go on to achieve great success in their careers - many with nonprofits or as educators, others as entrepreneurs and executives. Many serve as mentors and role models for other women through BBPW and other organizations. It sort of brings new meaning to your donations stay local," Delisle-Stall said. For complete details on eligibility and how to apply, visit https://berkshirebpw.org/programs/scholarship/ To donate to the BBPW Scholarship Fund, please visit http://tinyurl.com/BBPWdonate Mount Greylock Announces Student Speakers for Class of 2022 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Alayna M. Schwarzer and Anthony J. Welch are the student speakers selected to address the Mount Greylock Regional High School class of 2022 at graduation exercises on Saturday, June 11, at 11 a.m. in the school gymnasium. Respected and highly regarded by her peers, Schwarzer was chosen by her classmates to speak. She is respected and highly regarded by her peers and considered welcoming and outgoing. She is well-known to the senior class for her thoughtful and kind ways. Similarly, her staunch support and advocacy to build empathy and work to end bias and hate is valued and admired. Academically talented and curious, Schwarzer has taken the most rigorous program of studies that Mount Greylock has to offer, complete by year end with nine Advanced Placement classes and dual enrollment, multi-variable calculus course at Williams College. She is a valued member of the Mount Greylock School community and has been recognized for her contributions including awards for academic excellence, leadership, and community service. She was selected to represent Mount Greylock as a Girls State Delegate, National Honor Society member, Peer Team member, and the Daughters of the American Revolution representative this year. Schwarzer lives in Lanesborough with her father, Ralph Schwarzer. In the fall, she will study math and sciences at Northeastern University in Boston. Welch was selected by the Mount Greylock faculty to speak at graduation. He has distinguished himself in multiple ways throughout his time at Mount Greylock, to include academic achievement, National Honor Society acceptance, and sportsmanship accolades on the playing field. He was chosen because he embodies goodwill, school and community spirit, preparedness, reliability, and enthusiasm for learning. He is a scholar, a musician, a leader, and an athlete. He possesses an exceptional warmth of personality, and an endearing sense of humor and is deeply respected by faculty and peers. He has been an integral part of the Mount Greylock band for the past six years, and he is the captain of the robotics team and is the recipient of the Boy Scout Eagle Award. His integrity, perseverance, and responsibility are demonstrated daily; he is an exemplary role model and student. Welch is the son of Jeffrey and Jennifer Welch of New Ashford. He will be attending Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the fall. Resolutions Found for Pittsfield Municipal Airport Solar Panel Project PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Airport Commission was informed by Oak Leaf Energy Partners that the Earhart solar project along South Mountain Road is still on its way. Oak Leaf worked with electric utility Eversource's engineers to come to a resolution regarding the interconnection issues has been resolved. "Eversource is that they're going to bring their line in onto our property a little bit more. And Oak Leaf is going to develop this portion of the line," Airport Manager Dan Shearer told the commission on Tuesday. "So, it's kind of a it's kind of a give and take. But it helped resolve some of the issues with Eversource." Half of the project will be underground, which will be more convenient because it means there will be less overhead in that area. Eversource's three poles will be above ground. They were able to lower the cost of the project from the projected $1.5 million to $200,000 to $300,000 which is slightly overbudget but is closer to the original estimate than before. Construction should start in late August or early September but may change based on the equipment. They are also working on the environmental study. Approval is also required from Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for that interconnection route. The Doolittle solar project is still in interconnection study with an update expected by the end of the year. Gale Associate's Jackie Marks gave an update on the avigation easement project, telling the commission that they are is still coordinating with property owners and that she would give a more detailed update during the executive session. Gale Associates also gave an update on the tree-clearing project, explaining that the rare plant surveying is scheduled for June 13 until June 15. It is still negotiating with property owners regarding property access. The grants were submitted April 7 and officials are waiting to hear back. There will also be a bill funding meeting on Monday to discuss the expansion of the utilities at the airport. Shearer said they are in good standing with this year's budget as they are only on average 75 percent through it and they are 92 percent through the fiscal year. There has been a lot of purchases of equipment and tools to get the stock back to normal but Shearer said he applied for funds. Currently the revenue is at $222,996 but a couple more final payments are expected. When looking at the year-over-year total, this year looks higher than previous years but will normalize when they get their grant reimbursements. When looking at the budget with the grant reimbursements they are about net ever or positive $2,000. In other news: The airport has $59,000 left in its American Rescue Plan funds and truck has been delivered and Shearer is working on the reimbursement grant. iciHaiti - Music : Follow Jah et Gaga la 30 : Walking band in unison in the Dom. Republic Haitian Raras and Dominican Gaga met from June 4 to 7 in the Dominican Republic as part of the "Binational Cultural Dialogue" project, which aimed to strengthen binational collaboration in the field of culture and communication https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36822-icihaiti-music-meeting-between-rara-and-dominican-gaga.html Monday, June 6, 2022, it was a real party that closed this 48-hour meeting. The small courtyard of the Portail de la Culture, in the colonial zone of Santo Domingo, was crowded with the public and the atmosphere very festive between "Gaga la 30" from San Pedro de Macoris and the rara "Follow Jah" from Petion-ville. Hearing the Dominican musicians sing the Creole songs and the drums and vaccines of the two countries forming a single rhythm, have brilliantly translated the success of this binational dialogue, started the day before between the formations of the two countries. Earlier in the afternoon, Rara and Gaga had combined their knowledge during a workshop in this same place. At the end of July, it will be Haiti's turn to host these meetings. A unique opportunity for musicians, researchers and students to discuss this popular tradition common to the two countries of the island. Learn more about Rara and Gaga : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36822-icihaiti-music-meeting-between-rara-and-dominican-gaga.html IH/ iciHaiti Name: Ian Cruxton Organisation: Callsign Job title: Chief Security Officer Date started current role: June 2019 Location: London Ian Cruxton is Chief Security Officer at Callsign. Prior to joining Callsign, he spent nearly 35 years in law enforcement culminating in the role of Director of International Operations for the National Crime Agency leading the UK Interpol, Europol, and Overseas law enforcement network. What was your first job? I moved to London aged 19 from my home near Birmingham and joined Her Majestys Customs and Excise (HMC&E), as an Excise Officer with responsibility for an area of North London. How did you get involved in cybersecurity? As a Director in the National Crime Agency targeting serious and organised crime, more and more of the work I was involved in related to cyber criminals or criminals using cyber enabled technologies to facilitate their crimes. Additionally, our capability to tackle these criminals relied on law enforcements developing array of cyber offensive tactics. I am not from a technology background but this exposure and the fact that the fundamental underlying principles for Cybersecurity are consistent with non-cyber security and crime prevention, led to me being approached to take up the role of CSO at Callsign. What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? I took a vocational path in my career rather than taking a University route. I hold a certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. My first role was as an Excise Officer in Customs and Excise. From there I quickly applied for and was successful in moving into the HM Customs and Excise Investigation specialism targeting top echelon organised criminals involved in International drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. After a number of years gaining experience and skills in everything from interviewing suspects to covert intelligence collection and surveillance, I was promoted and joined the relatively new UK National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), which had been set up to bring Police, Customs and other agencies together to tackle organised crime. I was promoted on a number of occasions eventually holding the role of Director UK Division when NCIS was merged with other organisations to form the Serious Organised Crime Agency (or SOCA). In 2013, SOCA became the National Crime Agency (NCA) and I ended my career in Law Enforcement in the role of Director International Operations after 34 years of service, leading 160 officers covering 104 countries, as well as the UKs Interpol and Europol Bureaus. I joined Callsign in June 2019. Was there anyone who has inspired or mentored you in your career? I have met many inspirational people in my career but for me three stand out at different stages of my development. One as a young gung-ho investigator, another as I moved into management, and finally a former colleague and still a friend, Keith Bristow QPM. I worked with Keith a few times and he was the first ever Director General of the NCA, and the most talented and impressive senior leader I have ever worked with. What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job? Ensuring that we never lose sight of the fact that without commercial success, we dont have a business. Security is the means by which we provide the right protection to allow the business to be sustainably successful. If our security suppresses our innovation, then we cease to thrive and we become an inhibitor to success. What metrics or KPIs do you use to measure security effectiveness? This is an area where we are spending a lot of time currently. There is no single killer metric here and security effectiveness is a blend of tangible evidence and active engagement on a day to day basis. We are looking at metrics and KPIs that evidence our people recognise good security from bad and take responsibility by being pro-active in keeping Callsign and our clients safe and secure. Is the security skills shortage affecting your organisation? What roles or skills are you finding the most difficult to fill? We are certainly seeing many of the same challenges as others in the marketplace, including balancing a relatively short supply of highly skilled people with driving salary expectations. That said we have also found that skilled people want to work in a team of other talented individuals, and we have therefore managed to continue attracting and retaining the right calibre people for Callsign. Cybersecurity is constantly changing how do you keep learning? Its a cliche but change really is the only constant! I aim (but not always successfully) to carve out some time each week for some reflection and self-learning. Ensuring you get a smaller quantity of more insightful information is far more important than volume! What conferences are on your must-attend list? Obviously the last 18 months has meant a virtual rather than actual attendance, but for me, Security Awareness and Special Interest Group (SASIG), International Security Expo, and RSAC are on my must-attend list. What is the best current trend in cybersecurity? The worst? For most successful cyber security practices, I would say DevSecOps is the most interesting trend. I would caveat there are multiple interpretations of this, and the most successful ones are (in my opinion) those where security engineers collaborate with developers early on, in the agile teams. Ransomware is still at the top of the list in term of impact and cost, but we are starting to see several of the leading groups turning to build their own Cybercrime cloud platforms where one can purchase access to botnets software and infrastructure. Think the AWS of cybercrime. What's the best career advice you ever received? A successful career is not about never making honest mistakes but rather about how you deal with and learn from them. What advice would you give to aspiring security leaders? Have the courage to speak truth to power about risk exposure. If something goes wrong no-one will remember that you tried to raise the discussion before just that you werent forceful enough to make them listen. What has been your greatest career achievement? Protecting people from those who would do them great harm. Whether directly or indirectly, that always gave me a real buzz and still does today at Callsign, albeit in a different setting. Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? I was once asked what my career strategy was in law enforcement and if I had my time again in that world I would have had one! That said it all worked out well. DBC News journalist Abdul Bari was found deceased at the bank of Hatirjheel lake in the Gulshan area of Dhaka on June 8. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the murder and urges the Bangladesh government to immediately investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice. At 7 am on June 8, police recovered the deceased body of Abdul Bari with visible stab wounds to his neck and chest. Following a call from a passer-by, Baris body was found on the bank of Hatirjheel lake near the Police Plaza shopping mall on Hatirjheel Link Road. A mobile phone, wallet, shoes, and a knife were found next to the body. Police primarily suspect that Abdul Bari was murdered by assailants, believing that he was stabbed and ran into the lake to escape, but the assailants pinned him to the ground and slit his throat. Baris body was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College for a post-mortem. Police, however, are yet to make an arrest in relation to the case. We are visiting the incident venue and collecting proof. We will move ahead based on findings of investigation, said Gulshan police inspector Shahanur Rahman. The reason for the murder of the journalist is currently unknown. Abdul Bari is the second journalist to be murdered in Bangladesh in 2022. On April 13, journalist Mohiuddin Sarkar Nayem was allegedly shot dead by drug dealers near the border with India in Cumilla city. IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: The IFJ urges the Bangladesh authorities to initiate a swift investigation into the murder of Abdul Bari and bring the perpetrators to justice. There must be no impunity for the killings of journalists in Bangladesh. A global research study from Lenovo reveals how the CIO role has evolved with growing areas of responsibility and increasing influence in the C-Suite. Today, technology is the nervous system that connects corporate strategy, finance, innovation, operations, and talent. CIOs are now tasked to connect with key stakeholders in order to ensure alignment and drive execution. With IT playing a vital part in the business, CIOs believe that their organizations must continue to invest in digital transformation to remain relevant. Key findings from Lenovos global survey of more than 500 CIOs include: Nearly all CIOs surveyed believe their roles have evolved in the past few years. Today, they make business decisions that go far beyond technology. 9-in-10 CIOs say that their role and responsibilities have expanded beyond technology, including non-traditional areas such as data analytics and business reporting (56%), sustainability/ESG (45%), DE&I (42%), HR/talent acquisition (39%), and sales/marketing (32%). 9-in-10 CIOs dabble in non-traditional areas like data analytics, sustainability, talent acquisition, and marketing. 82% shared that their role has become more challenging with the advent of new concerns like the automation of talent acquisition and the increasing use of AI. On top of this, they have to keep up with the advancements in technology and manage fragmented vendor ecosystems. The majority of CIOs believe their role in the organization has increased in influence. More than 3-in-4 CIOs say they have a greater impact on their companys overall fortunes than other C-Suite positions. 88% agree that my role as CIO is the most critical component of my company or organizations continued operation. As the CIO role expands and evolves, respondents say that their technology vendors play an invaluable role in their companys overall success and productivity. Over half of the respondents (61%) say that halting investments toward digital transformation will greatly impact their companys efficiency in a matter of weeks. In the next five years, CIOs expect to turn to their vendors for help in increasing their organizational agility (60%), providing security for their companys systems and operations (52%), simplifying the configuration, deployment and maintenance of technology (50%), and optimizing costs (43%). Considering their new challenges and evolving responsibilities, CIOs suggest their current tech stack has much room for improvement. If given a chance to start from scratch, most respondents (57%) would replace at least half of their companys technology. Compared to the previous year, 63% of companies are using more device-as-a-service in their tech stack and with business models evolving, nearly all respondents are considering adding new aaS offerings over the next two years. Modern CIOs are the mission control of their organizations, said Ken Wong, President of Lenovo Solutions and Services Group. From navigating tech ecosystems to upskilling employees, todays CIOs are responsible for the entire technology value chain. To manage an increasingly complex digital transformation journey, businesses need simple and flexible IT solutions. Lenovos solutions provide organizations the breadth of Everything-as-a-Service offerings in Lenovo TruScale. This provides businesses with flexibility to pay for the infrastructure solutions they need and a depth of expertise and services to empower CIOs to focus more on their strategic imperatives. In order to enhance productivity and support remote collaboration especially during the implementation of hybrid work set ups, Lenovo in partnership with Microsoft aids workers with a reimagined but familiar operating system. Snap groups on Windows 11 allows users to easily switch between apps making it possible to efficiently maximize workflow. Lenovos research shows that it may be an uphill battle for CIOs with data privacy/security, cybersecurity/ransomware and managing a fragmented IT vendor ecosystem as their most challenging concerns. Lenovo ThinkShield and Microsoft strive to provide them with the most comprehensive hardware-based security for their business. Industry forecasts by Technology Business Research indicate that Device Subscription Services are growing at a CAGR of 26% from 2020 to 2024 and data center subscription services are growing at 42% during the same period. As-a-Service solutions provide mission-critical support and services, enabling businesses to use technology to scale quickly, lower costs, and reap greater efficiencies. With its flexible and simple offerings, Lenovo has helped organizations from the education to aerospace sectors optimize the right technology with the potential to transform and future-proof their operations. The full study is available at: [link] The world is embracing a new form of digital moneycryptocurrency. In a country ranking based on The Chainalysis 2020 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report, illustrated by Triple A, India currently holds the top spot for cryptocurrency ownership with an estimated amount of 100 million, followed by the USA and Nigeria with 27 million and 13 million ownership, respectively. Meanwhile, in Asia, the Philippines is seen as one of the worlds fastest adopters of cryptocurrency, with over 4.3 million people investing in cryptocurrency, translating to about four percent of the countrys total population. During the pandemic, the popularity of bitcoin is seen as an investment and income-generating currency by the Filipinos. This trend was also bolstered by adopting various remittance companies, viral play-to-earn games, and intensification in regulatory certainties as the Philippines adopts a regulatory framework for crypto. Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has also opened up channels with 17 virtual currency exchanges that are industry compliant. The central banks data confirms that the volume of cryptocurrency transactions grew 362 percent year on year to nearly 20 million in the first half of 2021. The challenge in the cryptocurrency rig While more and more Filipinos are becoming optimistic about cryptocurrency, some setbacks hinder the country from thoroughly drilling into crypto mining. Aside from safety and accessibility concerns, one major issue is the rampant power outages. People have gotten used to brownouts. However, power vulnerability is a letdown for crypto miners. Without access to the Internet, a single day can cost crypto exchanges, miners, and traders millions. If you are a bitcoin miner, you will need to build the proper hardware, especially since you will be mining 24/7. It would help if you had quality personal computers, servers, and other electronic devices. So, protecting each of the components of your hard-earned gaming rig is integral, significantly since building it may cost you a lotthis is where an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) device comes in. Crypto miners must have a UPS device that protects against power interruption and provides adequate power during short and long-term outages, enabling them to work efficiently, said Jason Lim, country manager of Vertiv Philippines. With the help of a UPS device, you will also get to protect all the components of your crypto mining rig components, such as several computer components, peripherals, operating systems, and mining software, among others. A sudden power interruption can also wreck ones progress in crypto mining. To put it simply, a UPS serves as an added lifeline. Its a device that can save your PC and other peripherals and accessories that make up your crypto mining rig from sudden power loss and fluctuations, both the hardware and software components, added Lim. Protect your investments with Vertiv The good thing is that Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, offers Vertiv Liebert GXT MT+. It is a high-performing and reliable UPS, which features best-in-class power protection for critical applications using online double conversion technology. The sleek and compact power design boasts comprehensive specifications to provide higher care to your IT equipment. The Liebert GXT MT+ passes the safety criteria and electromagnetic compatibility standards while offering intelligent monitoring and network management functions. It provides an ultra-wide input voltage range. Running time capabilities can be extended by building up additional battery resources. It also has a high input power factor, low THDi, and zero transfer time. With this powerful UPS, you can now create and safeguard your crypto rig and efficiently mine and earn bitcoin. To learn more about how Vertiv supports the continuity of todays vital business, visit Vertiv.com. Global aviation software provider Ramco Systems has announced that it has successfully gone live at Iraqi Airways, the national carrier of Iraq with its Aviation M&E MRO Suite V5.9, thereby completely digitalizing all core business processes in the company. Ramcos next-gen digital platform offers Iraqi Airways real-time data availability ensuring 100% aircraft airworthiness on the release.With modules for CAMO, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Flight Operations, bundled with Core HR, Ramco Aviation Software automates all business processes at Iraqi Airways. The solution will also automate regulatory reports.Hayder Qahtan, Technical Director of Iraqi Airways, said, With deep domain expertise and rich functionalities, Ramco is a respected and established brand amongst the international airlines. As the airline industry witnesses permanent fundamental changes, we at Iraqi Airways are excited to have embarked on our tech transformation journey with Ramco.The softwares user-friendliness bundled with intuitive features together with a qualified and experienced team, we look forward to reaching greater heights.Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Customer Officer Aviation, Aerospace & Defense, Ramco Systems, said, The future of the aviation industry is going high tech post pandemic. It is during these times that Ramco is supporting airline operators like Iraqi Airways with a comprehensive and enhanced platform with latest tech tools to transform businesses. We are happy to offer the company a platform that will give them a technological edge over their competition.On Thursday, Ramco Systems ended at Rs245.15 per piece lower by 1.17% on the BSE. 1. Shah Rukh Khan Recovers From Covid-19, Looks Dapper As He Attends Co-Star Nayanthara's Wedding The wedding took place at Mahabalipuram. It was a private affair that saw the attendance of only near and dear ones. Among the other celebrities who were present at the wedding were Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Kamal Haasan, Suriya, Karthi, Ajith, Vijay Sethupathi and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. For the occasion, Shah Rukh Khan was seen dressed up in a beige suit. He looked dapper, as always. The photos from the occasion were shared by his publicist Pooja Dadlani. "For Nayantharas Special Day!!" she wrote in the caption. Web Screen Grab 2. Stranger Things 4 Hindi Version Has A Tiger Shroff Connection And It Will Leave You In Splits! The creepy yet funny scene reminds us of the Bollywood actor instantly from the viral meme. The dialogue is said after Dustin takes out a torch to look around when, Steve asks this silly question - "Tumko torch kaha se mili? Dustin then turns around to say, "Tumhe kya sab kuch batana padta hai? Chhote bache ho kya? Moreover, soon after the video surfaced on Instagram, fans of Tiger Shroff started to pour in their comments on the social media platform. "I think I need to watch it again but in Hindi," a user wrote while another one said, "Yes stranger things is inspired by the Flying Jatt." Web Screen Grab 3. Story Of Courage: Mahima Chaudhry Breaks Down As She Shares About Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis "We are just so terrified with the word Cancer, which is why I didn't share about this with my parents." Finally, Mahima gathered the courage to tell her mother that she couldn't meet her for 10 days as she had a lump in her breasts which she got removed. When she told her mother, her blood pressure shot up and she passed out. She had to be taken to the hospital, in the evening, she said. Instagram/MahimaChaudhary 4. Afghan Model And YouTuber Ajmal Haqiqi Arrested By Taliban For Allegedly Insulting Islam Sharing the video on Twitter, a person who goes by the id @natiqmalikzada and claims to be a journalist wrote, "Ajmal Haqiqi is a YouTuber and model in AFG. The #Taliban have arrested him yesterday on charges of encouraging young people to an Islamic behavior through modeling. In this forced confession he says, he had intention to encourage others towards an Islamic acts and he is sorry." Web Screen Grab 5. Vivek Agnihotri Reacts After Naseeruddin Shah Called The Kashmir Files A 'Fictionalised' Story Reigniting the debate, Naseeruddin Shah recently said that the movie was an almost fictionalised version of the suffering of Kashmiri Hindus. When asked about The Kashmir Files, Naseeruddin Shah told NDTV, " They want to be on the winning side". He even said that the government was promoting the movie rather than ensuring security and rehabilitation for the community. Web Screen Grab 6. Johnny Depp Wasn't Seeking Money, He Only Wanted To Restore His Reputation, Reveals His Lawyer "We obviously can't disclose attorney-client communications, but as Mr Depp testified ... this was never about money for Mr Depp," Chew told Good Morning America. "This was about restoring his reputation - and he's done that. It was a total win for Johnny", he said. After the verdict was announced, Depp was over the moon. "Like the weight of the world had been taken off his shoulders," he said and added, "And I feel that finally, after six years, he's gotten his life back." AFP 7. 'Representation Matters', Priyanka Chopra Wishes Farhan Akhtar, Ms Marvel Team Luck And Love Priyanka Chopra took to her official Instagram handle to congratulate the entire cast of Ms Marvel including Farhan Akhtar and Iman Vellani. In her post for the show's cast The Sky is Pink actress wrote, "So exciting! I love @msmarvelofficial and am so excited to see it come to life. Wishing my friends and everyone involved so much luck and love." (For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.) A notebook used to write notes and observations during the defamation trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has just been sold for $14,969 (Rs. 11,608,79) on eBay, with 142 bids. Trial lawyer Larry Forman sold the notebook he maintained during the trial on eBay. AFP Larry Foreman, who traveled from Kentucky to Virginia for the trial, sat in on dates of May 17 and May 23 to May 26 and maintained a "Secret" notebook. What does this 'notebook' contain? E-Bay According to the sellers information on the platform, the description of this special notebook reads: TOP SECRET NOTES: Johnny Depp jury trial notes on jurors reactions to Dr. Hughes and Amber Heard never before seen by the world (roughly 100+ tweets of top secret information about the jurors). This notebook maintained by Foreman has details of the courtroom hearing, including "never-before-seen details" and "roughly 100+ tweets of top-secret information about the jurors." Foreman added approximately 20 pages of information per trial day in this' secret' notebook. You can view the listing of the item here. Reuters According to the listing, the proceeds will be donated to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. What else are fans buying? AFP The high-profile trial between Depp and Heard gained a lot of attention for obvious reasons the salacious details of the relationship between the former couple became enticing for fans. Web Screen Grab Fans who followed the case but could not attend are spending a lot of money to buy memorabilia from this historic trial. People who attended the defamation trial are now selling their wristbands from the courtroom in Fairfax County, Virginia. Sellers have started auctioning these bands for a large amount of money. Ebay A blue wristband from May 23 had a starting price of $4,999 (about 3.88 lakh) on eBay. This one is STILL INTACT and is in one piece! https://t.co/nCbnSwqXaL The DUI Guy+ (@TheDUIGuyPlus) June 9, 2022 In the description section, the seller wrote: Up for auction is 1 of 100 actual wristbands given out on day 20 of the Depp v Heard trial in Fairfax County, Virginia at the County courthouse. This was the first day of the final week of the trial and one of the busiest days. I was there, and you are obtaining this from a verified first-person source. Agencies The Depp v/s Heard trial gained media frenzy and became one of the most high-profile trials in the history of America. Agencies Johnny Depp sued Heard over an actor's op-ed in the Washington Post. Heard claimed to be a survivor of domestic violence in the op-ed but didnt specifically identify Depp as the abuser. She later accused Depp of abuse during the defamation trial. (To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.) I feel my life was spent in a submarine. The journey has ended; I saw nothing. Ifti Nasim Ifti Nasim is thought to be the first openly gay poet from Pakistan. In 1971, he immigrated to the Chicago to avoid persecution for his sexual orientation. He was an openly gay Muslim poet and a human rights activist. He still faced lots of prejudice as a queer Muslim living in the United States, so he dedicated his life to fight for LGBTQ rights and to increase tolerance within the Muslim community. A remarkable journey The Juggernaut Iftikhar Naseem 'Ifti' was born in Lyallpur, Pakistan, on September 15, 1946, and later moved to the United States. He has dedicated his life to literature and has had poetry published and performed all over the world in English, Urdu, and Punjabi. Narman, a poetry collection that was the first open representation of homosexual themes in the Urdu language ('Narman' means hermaphrodite or 'half-man, half-woman' in Persian), is one of his most recognised novels. In Pakistan, the publishing of Narman sparked immediate outrage, causing it to go underground. Nasim was the fifth of seven children, and in such a large family, he frequently felt like the "invisible child." His mother died while he was a child, and as he grew older, he felt increasingly isolated and alone, aware that he was gay but unable to live openly. When it comes to his youth in Pakistan,Nasim reflected: "I wanted to be a dancer. Let's put it this way, in a Muslim society a boy wanted to be a dancer, right away you are mark[ed] with the scarlet letter that he is a sissy and disgrace to the family...So I've always thought because I'm gay they will find out later on so I won't have any friends. I'll die a lonely death. You know. Because, I thought I will live only 35-40 years old, and after that I'll die or I'll commit suicide or something like that." He published his second book, Myrmecophile after Narman. A myrmecophila is an insect of a foreign species that lives permanently in an ant colony, and the book is a hybrid of political and personal poems that cover topics like paedophilia, homophobia, and the nature of God. He received an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Delaware's World Peace Academy. Nasim also got the R.N. Tagore Award for his work as a speaker on sexual diversity at institutions around the world. At the age of 64, Ifti Nasim died of a heart attack at a Chicago hospital on July 22, 2011. Life in Chicago Nasim became a full-time employee at Loeber Motors after settling in Chicago. By exploiting his flamboyant, uninhibited attitude to charm consumers, he worked his way up to become a top salesman for the company. Nasim was also a regular contributor for Weekly Pakistan News, where he wrote lengthy essays exposing the hypocrisies of society's self-proclaimed "pious and decent" members. Nasim also served as president of the South Asian Performing Arts Council of America and launched his own successful radio talk programme, which he also hosted. Unsplash/Representational image He co-founded the group SANGAT/Chicago which provides support and education to Chicago's South Asian LGBT community and was recognised into the Chicago LGBT Hall Of Fame in 1996 for his revolutionary and influential efforts in this regard. His defiance lives on Ifti Nasim truly deserves greater respect and appreciation for his efforts as a trailblazing, flamboyant figurehead who bravely established a route for himself rather than succumb to the expectations that surrounded him. Nasim was a true pioneer for the South Asian LGBTQ diaspora. As Chicago Tribune cites, "He didn't want to fight, but Ifti Nasim could provoke". For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. In a shocking incident from Bihar, an elderly couple was seen begging on the streets to collect 50,000. Why? To pay to the government-run hospital in order to release their son's body. What parents of the deceased say The heart-wrenching video from Bihar's Samastipur has now gone viral on the internet. The couple has alleged that an employee of Sadar Hospital allegedly asked them to pay Rs 50,000 to release their sons body. Watch the video below: #Bihar: Parents of a youth beg to collect money to get the mortal remains of their son released from Sadar Hospital after a hospital employee allegedly asked for Rs 50,000 to release the body. - "50 " pic.twitter.com/LISm3WxJTd Amit Mishra (@Amitjanhit) June 9, 2022 Some time ago my son had gone missing. Now, weve received a call that my sons body is at Sadar Hospital, Samastipur. A hospital employee has asked for Rs 50,000 to release my sons body. Were poor people, how can we pay this amount? Deceaseds father Mahesh Thakur was quoted by news agency ANI as saying. Shortly after the video went viral, the Samastipur Sadar Hospital administration sent the body along with a watchman to the family's house. What hospital says Samastipur civil surgeon Dr SK Chaudhary said, The staffer may ask for money, but he cannot demand Rs 50,000. However, the hospital worker has denied asking for money. There has been a history of asking for money in the past too. Strict action will be taken against the accused. We have formed a team to investigate the matter, he said. sadar-hospital What district authorities say However, Additional District Magistrate Vinay Kumar Rai said that an investigation was done and it was found that the whole matter was wrongly put. Calling it an attempt to tarnish district administrations image, Rai said that the body was in police custody and it was not be released before 72 hours and the mortuary staff had told the parents that even if they are paid Rs 50,000, they would not be able to hand over the body. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. This could be big news for India as the Nepal government has given a nod to Indias tourist train, Gaurav Bharat, on the Ramayana Yatra Circuit, to visit places of historical and religious importance related to Lord Ram in the country. ZeeNews/Representational image However, this decision has been welcomed and seen as a positive step to build good ties with the neighbouring country. It is also predicted that plying of this train can help in cross-border tourism as well. The train which is scheduled to depart from New Delhi on 21st June has paved the way to Indias first tourist train to cross the international border. The train will visit destinations associated with Lord Ram in Nepal which includes Dhanusha Pahar, Baawan Bigha Kshetra, Ma Janki Janmasthali Mandir and Shri Ram Vivah Sthal. It will cover a distance of approximately 8000 kilometres over the 18-day tour, starting from Delhis Safdarjung station. The tour will cover eight states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and 12 major cities - Ayodhya, Buxar, Janakpur, Sitamarhi, Kashi, Prayag, Chitrakoot, Nasik, Hampi, Rameshwaram, Kanchipuram and Bhadrachalam, India Today reported. Firstpost/Representational image As per the railway officials, the total capacity of the train will be 600 passengers and the cost will be Rs 65,000 per person approximately. We have already begun receiving bookings and about 450 bookings have been made till date. Children above four years old will have to buy their tickets. This will be the first train to go to Nepal from India. The bookings can be done on the IRCTC website, said Anand Jha, the IRCTC official spokesperson. The travel, food, lodging and insurance, as well as ward management, will be looked after by the railways as all this will be included in the cost of travel, Jha said. Interestingly, on June 17, the IRCTC will showcase the Bharat Gaurav tourist train at the New Delhi station. Facebook image is representational purpose only Kshama Bindu, the Gujarat woman who had last week sparked a debate after she announced that she was going to marry herself has fulfilled her wish. The wedding, the first sologamy in India took place at Kshama's home in Vadodra on Wednesday, three days before the original date. Instagram Getting married to herself at home, in a traditional ceremony The 24-year-old had initially announced that she will marry herself in a traditional ceremony at a temple on June 11. However, after her story went viral, some people including a BJP leader opposed her plan of getting married in a temple. The priest who had earlier agreed to solemnise the wedding also reportedly backed out after the controversy. This meant that Kshama had no temple or priest for her big day. Instagram Close friends, family attend Kshama's wedding Despite this, she went ahead with her plan and on Wednesday, with the blessings of some ten close family members and friends Kshama got married to herself. In the 40-minute wedding digitalized rituals organized at her home in Gotri area, Kshama's friends showered flowers while promising to support her all through life. According to Kshama, the wedding had to be held as a private ceremony after a few neighbours had objected to the constant flow of visitors to her home. "I felt that someone may try to create controversy on the day of the wedding and I didn't want to spoil my special day. So, I advanced it to Wednesday," Kshama told The Times of India. Instagram "I wanted to do this wedding in a temple but unfortunately, I had to change the venue to avoid any trouble," she added. First sologamy in India Kshama who works at a private company in Gujarat had earlier said that she never wanted to get married, but wanted to become a bride. I never wanted to get married. But I did want to become a bride. So I decided to marry myself, Kshama had said. According to her, this is probably the first self-marriage in India. She did some online research to find out if any woman has married herself in the country, but couldnt find any. Maybe I am the first to set an example of self-love in our country, she said. Instagram Kshama marrying herself is a problem for others After her sologamy announcement went viral, Sunita Shukla, former deputy mayor of Vadodara, has expressed objection and said that such marriages are against Hinduism and will reduce the population of Hindus. "I am against the choice of the venue. She will not be allowed to marry herself in any temple," the BJP leader said. Many others had also questioned her choice. Instagram Negative comments have an impact Kshama, in an interview with The Economic Times, admitted that it was not easy to deal with such an amount of negativity over a choice she made for herself. "When an individual celebrates his/her birthday, she/he gets the freedom to choose how it will be. A wedding is one such celebration for me. I get to make my decisions. I have been surrounded by a lot of controversies since my story went viral. Many people said that my mind, body and soul were not in sync. The trollers made nasty comments about my sexuality, sexual orientation and choices. People don't realise that it's none of their business. Some even called me psychotic and that I have mental health issues I must address. People fail to realise that their comments can negatively impact an individual's mental health and well-being. It's ironic to see that the mental health advocates were missing in action when you needed them the most," she said. For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Israeli scientists have managed to create sperm using a silicon chip. For this purpose, they designed a microchip to create sperm in culture. The entire apparatus was supported by a microfluidic mechanism. What inspired the team of scientists to create artificial sperm? Children who have cancer receive chemotherapy that may eventually make them infertile. To this end, scientists from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) collaborated with a research group at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology to create sperm in a lab setting that depends on a microfluidic system and a silicon chip. This method relies on hundreds of micro channels for fluids to pass through. iStock Growing sperm in a lab setting During the course of their assessment, scientists found that young mice that hadn't begun producing sperm cells served as a model to imitate the growth of sperm cells in the testicle. With a special chip, scientists built a full-fledged 3D system that contained microfluidic channels to facilitate the addition of growth factors or cells from the testicles. They could also use cells from tissues of the body. In essence, the cells from testis were grown in the microchip and fresh cell culture was added to support growth of cells. BGU Also read: With 3D-Printed Sperm Cells, Scientists Bring Hope To Many Men With Infertility According to Professor Mahmoud Huleihel from the Ben-Gurion University, it was imperative to produce sperm cells in a lab setting to jump past limitations like the potential return of cancer cells in a patient, especially for kids who hadn't begun producing sperm yet. "The problem with the boys is that we were afraid that some of the tissues that we were going to use in the future still have residual cancer cells. So if we inject these cells to the boys, we might restore the cancer," No Camels quoted him. iStock Also read: Sperm Cells Developed In Rats Show Promising Infertility Treatment The research titled "Testis on a chip a microfluidic three-dimensional culture system for the development of spermatogenesis in-vitro" was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Biofabrication and was developed keeping cancer patients in mind. What do you think about artificial sperm created in a lab setting? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com. References Shemer, S. (2022, June 8). Israeli Scientists Grow Sperm On A Microchip. NoCamels. Online, F. E. (2022, June 6). Israeli scientists successfully create sperm using silicon chip. Financial Express. It's snowing microplastics! Researchers from New Zealand have found traces of microplastics in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica for the first time, proving that unfettered consumption of plastic has now permeated all ecosystems on Earth. Scientists are worried that microplastics in Antarctic snow could accelerate the melting of ice and snow, eventually threatening the health of Antarctica's peculiar ecosystems. Unsplash The microplastics found in Antarctic snow are extremely small - even smaller than a grain of rice. Earlier, microplastics were found in Antarctic sea ice and surface water but this marks the first time tiny plastics were found in fresh snow. The study was conducted by Alex Aves, a PhD student at the University of Canterbury and supervised by Dr. Laura Revell. It has now been published in the scientific journal The Cryosphere. Finding microplastics on Antarctica For the study's purpose, Aves collected snow samples from the Ross Ice Shelf in 2019. They found that microplastics from the atmosphere had now infiltrated snow. All 19 samples from this ice shelf had plastic particles. iStock Aves found 29 microplastic particles per litre of melted snow. According to The Guardian, this is higher than concentrations reported from Ross Sea and surrounding areas. Also read: Sponges With Special Coating Could Absorb Microplastics From Our Oceans Unsplash 13 different types of plastic were found - with PET being the most common. Yep, the same thing used to make your sugary cola drinks and clothes. It's possible that these microplastics travelled by air or were brought by human tourists. Unsplash Microplastics are now found virtually everywhere - from the summit of Mount Everest to our lungs. One way or another, we are consuming as much plastic as we are expelling into the environment. These microplastics can damage human cells. Also read: Microplastics Found Deep Inside The Lungs Of Living People For The First Time Unsplash What do you think about microplastic pollution in Antarctica? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com. References Corlett, E. (2022, June 8). Microplastics found in freshly fallen Antarctic snow for first time. The Guardian. Did you know that in April 2022, the number of tourists visiting Indonesia reached 111,000, the highest number since the COVID-19 pandemic? It's no surprise that picturesque locations, beaches, and greenery are everyone's first pick when seeking solace. But what if you could work for your existing company while staying in Indonesia? WOF Since the reopening of borders, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said in an interview that ecotourism, sporting events, and a special five-year visa for remote workers are indeed being planned to target over 3.6 million overseas travelers. Unsplash According to Bloomberg, Indonesia is working on offering a special five-year visa to international employees of Airbnb, Twitter, and several other companies that have started allowing their employees to work remotely. Did you know a special visa for remote employees and business-leisure travelers was already in the works? Unsplash It was put on hold after a new COVID-19 wave led to fewer flights and stricter border controls. Tourists who get the visa are permitted to stay in the country for up to five years without paying taxes if their income comes from outside the country. According to Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia hopes that the move will create 1 million jobs for locals. What is a digital nomad visa? This visa will allow you to stay and work in the country for up to five years without paying tax on foreign-sourced income. If they earn an income within Indonesia, they will be taxed, but if its solely from overseas, there will be zero tax, Tourism and Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said. According to the Minister, approximately 95% of "digital nomads" interviewed chose Indonesia, specifically Bali, as their "top of mind" remote work location. How can you work in IndonesiaThe current scenario: Bali offering vaccines to tourists | Photo: Unsplash Apply for a work permit: You'll need an IMTA (Ijin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing), also known as an IKTA, to work in Indonesia (Expatriate Work Permit). It will be sponsored by the company that hires you. Obtain a valid residence proof: You'll need a new IMTA if you move jobs. You will need a residence permit in Indonesia in addition to your work permit. Your employer will also sponsor the Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas (KITAS), or Temporary Stay Permit Card. (For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.) The verdict is in: Londoners enjoy and value working from home and dont see a future that includes a return to the old five-day office week, no matter what politicians, their bosses or the media say. Almost 80% of London-based staff who now work remotely at least once a week say the experience has been good for them, according to a report published on Wednesday by the Policy Institute at Kings College London. Four out of five say working from home helps them feel more in control and that theyre happy to cut down on their daily commute. Two-thirds say its helped them better manage home and family responsibilities. Rise of Remote Work to Define Future of City of London One or Two Days in the Office Is the Sweet Spot of Hybrid Work YouGov surveyed 2,015 London workers for the Kings College report, a cohort that included people who live outside the city and travel into a place of work. Kings researchers say the study is the first of its kind to focus specifically on the impact of changing working patterns. The findings back up the experiences of white-collar workers around the world, many of whom are continuing to work from home several times a week even as the threat of COVID-19 recedes. The Kings study comes as employees across the UK begin an official six-month experiment working a four-day work week. More than 3,000 workers at 70 companies will take part in the trial with no loss of pay, in what organizers say is the biggest pilot of its type to take place anywhere in the world. For all the political and media focus on whether working from home means working less hard, most people disagree with this view, regardless of their politics, age or seniority, said Mark Kleinman, professor of public policy at Kings. Three in five respondents said they would react negatively if they were forced to come into the office more often despite the fact that they still feel positive about their offices and dont find it difficult to get work done there. Among the biggest benefits to working from home are avoiding the commute, managing home responsibilities and feeling a greater sense of control. Our society grew up with the expectation that there was one person at home running the home and one person earning the money, said Christine Armstrong, a UK-based workplace researcher who was not involved in the Kings study. Until the pandemic changed everything, we got to a place where we didnt know how it all fitted in with work, she said. Not all trends appear positive. Those surveyed were twice as likely to agree that widespread remote-work policies will disproportionately hurt young peoples careers. Equally, 50% of workers think senior managers work regularly from home while just 27% feel their bosses encourage them to do the same. Elon Musk wanting people to go the office is no surprise. Its not the world that he lives in, said Armstrong. You have a disconnect in some organizations between senior leaders for whom it all used to work fine, and younger generations. Away from the daily grind there is less agreement on the future of London itself. Respondents were split almost evenly on whether the quality of life in central London is at risk if workplaces dont fill up to pre-pandemic levels. Older workers are much more likely to be pessimistic. But the popularity of remote work doesnt mean that workers dislike their London offices. The study shows almost two thirds of employees feel positive about attending the workplace, while only 15% feel negative about being there. Its the volume of office days that plays the biggest part in staff satisfaction, according to Tara Reich, reader in organizational behavior and resource management at Kings Business School. The opportunity to work from home has given many London workers a sense of control that they arent keen to give up, she said. Top photograph: A worker uses a desktop computer whilst working from home in Stow Maries, UK, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Photo credit: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg. Related: Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics London Removing sea mines near Ukraines key ports could take months, and hundreds of seafarers are still stranded in the region following Russias invasion of the country, according to the United Nations agency responsible for shipping safety. Even if the ports wanted to reopen tomorrow it would take some time until ships could enter or depart, Peter Adams, special adviser on maritime security at the International Maritime Organization, said in an interview. Completely removing sea mines in the port areas would take several months. Russian ships have blocked Ukraines Black Sea access, essentially halting seaborne exports of staples from grains to chicken and worsening a global food crisis. Moscow has denied responsibility for the disruption, blaming Ukraine for refusing to remove mines protecting its harbors from possible Russian attacks. Efforts to reopen the ports are stumbling, with no sign of progress from Turkeys efforts to broker a deal. Freight and insurance costs spiked after several merchant ships were hit in the early days of Russias invasion, and some shipping companies are still avoiding the Black Sea. Three mines were detected free-floating in March, two off the coast of Turkey and one near Romania. In the northwest of the Black Sea near Ukraine, commercial ships have stopped operating, according to Adams. Some 450 foreign seafarers remain stranded on over 80 ships in Ukrainian ports, down from about 2,000, he said. A third are from the Philippines, with substantial numbers also from Turkey, Syria and Azerbaijan. Cost of Insurance for Merchant Ships Sailing to Black Sea Ports Spirals Out of Control Still, most of the Black Sea is back to near normal shipping levels, aside from the northwest and the Sea of Azov, where Russian ships are mainly operating, he added. Ukraine lost access to the Sea of Azov after Russia occupied nearby territories. Meanwhile, the number of Libyan-flagged vessels calling at Russian ports has increased since April 1 compared to the same period last year, while the number of Russian-flagged ships doing so has doubled, according to Braemar ACM Shipbroking Pte. Those vessels are able to take advantage of elevated freight rates since other ships wont call at Russia, the company said. Photograph: The Izmailskaya hopper barge moored at the Izmail Sea Commercial Port in the waters of the Kiliia River estuary of the Danube in Izmail, Ukraine, on May 7, 2022. Photo credit: Andrei Pungovschi/Bloomberg Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Russia Ukraine Mining A Detroit-area county and a health care provider have agreed to a $2.45 million settlement with the family of a man who died while in jail for a minor driving offense. David Stojcevski, 32, suffered serious withdrawals from drug use while serving a 30-day sentence for careless driving at the Macomb County jail in 2014. Stojcevski failed to get proper care, despite evidence that he was hallucinating in his cell and shaking with seizures, his lawyer said. The county agreed to pay $1.15 million, with some covered by insurance, and Correct Care Solutions, now known as Wellpath, paid $1.3 million, the Macomb Daily reported Tuesday. County attorney John Schapka said an insurance company took over defense of the lawsuit in 2018. He said a 2021 court ruling involving a Tennessee jail set a precedent in Michigans federal courts. It made it far more difficult to defend these types of cases, Schapka said. He said jails can be held liable if they should have known that someone was showing objective signs of medical distress. The FBI investigated Stojcevskis death but no charges were filed. The video made it clear as day that people were not paying attention to his care, said Harold Perakis, a lawyer for the family. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Michigan New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Liberty Mutual Insurance said David H. Long, CEO since 2011 and a nearly 40-year veteran of the company, will retire at the end of the year. The companys board of directors appointed Timothy M. Sweeney, currently Liberty Mutuals president, the new CEO effective January 2023. Sweeney, who will become a member of the board immediately, has been with the insurer nearly 30 years and will be the 10th CEO in its 110-year history, Liberty Mutual said. Long, who will serve as the companys executive chairman on the board, has been with Liberty Mutual for 37 years. He was appointed president in 2010, CEO in 2011, and chairman in 2013. Long is credited with growing Liberty Mutual into the sixth-largest global P/C insurer. In July 2021, Liberty Mutual announced the acquisition of State Auto Group, adding $2.3 billion in premiums while becoming the second-largest carrier in the independent agent channel. The deal closed in March. Other major acquisitions during Longs tenure as CEO included Ironshore, AmTrust Financial Services, and AmGeneral. In 2018, Liberty Mutual sold off its life insurance unit. Liberty Mutual has been a part of my life for nearly four decades, Long said, in a statement. The company has experienced significant change, challenges and transformation over the years, and Im fortunate to have been a part of it all. Im extremely grateful to our employees as they are what makes this an exceptional place to work by doing whats right for our customers, partners, communities and each other. Bill Van Faasen, lead director, said Long has shaped Liberty Mutual into a world-class P/C provider that is stronger than ever and will be there for its customers into the future. Hes driven immense growth for the organization while prioritizing the companys identity and values. David believes in putting people first and leading with empathy and transparency, and the board thanks him for his dedication to the company. Long has been recognized for his philanthropy, workplace culture, and efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Liberty Mutual said Long focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) with the formation of the Offices of DEI and Sustainability and starting an annual ESG report to announce DEI goals. Liberty Mutual to Limit Coal Underwriting, Investments; Names First Sustainability Officer Employees under Long had a 75% participation rate to support 12,000 non-profit organizations through nearly $600 million in total giving, Liberty Mutual said, adding that there has been a four-fold increase in charitable giving through the Liberty Mutual Foundation to an annual distribution of $50 million. Outside of Liberty Mutual, Long serves on the boards of multiple organizations, including Eversource Energy, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, Tamarack Technologies, Fords Theatre in Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he also acts as chairman for an annual gala to raise money for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. He also serves on the MIT Presidents CEO Advisory Board and is Chair of the Board of Trustees for his alma mater Hartwick College. In recognition of his philanthropic leadership, he was honored by the Boston-based USS Constitution Museum and Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit that services homeless and high-risk youth and is supported by the Liberty Mutual Foundation. Since his appointment as president about a year ago, Sweeney has had oversight of the organizations three business units Global Risk Solutions, Global Retail Markets (GRM) and Liberty Mutual Investments. He previously served in a variety of senior leadership positions, including president of GRM the companys global personal and small commercial insurance division. Tim is an outstanding leader who will continue to drive the organization forward, harnessing the strength of our global organization, Long said. Liberty Mutual said Sweeney is also passionate about DEI and is the co-executive sponsor of Liberty Mutuals Employee Resource Group focused on people with disabilities and those who are caregivers, family members and allies. He is also on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., the Massachusetts General Hospital annual Aspire gala fundraiser, as well as the executive committee of the Board of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A provider of predictive data and analytics for climate risk and resilience is partnering with global environmental organization The Nature Conservancy to protect sensitive natural areas and provide estimates of future heat and water stresses associated with climate change in Colombia. In announcing the project, San Mateo, California-based Jupiter said climate change poses significant challenges to the country, with some of the most severe impacts related to water availability, agriculture, human health, coastal systems, development and flooding. According to the announcement, Jupiters analytics will help TNC anticipate climate risk in Colombias Magdalena River Basin through 2100 using climate models and peril metrics to identify vulnerable ecosystems. Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with ecosystems that include rainforests, savannas, steppes, wetlands and deserts, Rich Sorkin, CEO of Jupiter, said in a statement. He said their plan is to l help prioritize efforts to protect the area from the worst effects of climate change. Jupiter has been growing. The firm in 2020 raised additional capital from insurers Liberty Mutual and MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, and SYSTEMIQ, a sustainable economic systems firm. That year it also got a $1 million grant from the Moore Foundation to accelerate deployment of its FireScore Operations service, a wildfire threat and intelligence platform to make it available for public safety entities throughout California, and Jupiter announced that it had completed a $23 million Series B funding round to expand its analytics services that can provide investors and companies with detailed short and long-term weather patterns for specific locations. Wildfire and water The Union of Concerned Scientists recently put out a brief explaining how wildfires are water are more tied together than just the drought that currently plagues the Western U.S., where forests are now roughly 50% drier due to climate change, according to the group. The group cites statistics from the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program, a multi-group government agency collaborative, showing the number of acres burned in the U.S. on average has risen from below 2 million to 5 million in the 1980s to between 5 million to 10 million in the last few years. Climate change cannot always be blamed for reducing the amount of water an area receives, the group acknowledges. But its changing how, when, and in what form the drought-prone western United States gets its waterwith profound consequences for watersheds, wildfires, and the communities downstream, the group states. The group explains how wildfires affect watersheds, creating runoff hazards and reducing how much water is absorbed and stored in the groupexacerbating drought conditions. The group is calling for better forest and fire management, post-wildfire treatments, such as salvage logging and replanting, and community investments in things like heat-resistant pipes or better filtering at municipal water treatment plants to help safeguard against contamination. But until we tackle the root causes of climate change, the relationship between wildfire and water will only worsen, the group states. Hawaiian Children A group of Hawaii children and teenagers filed a lawsuit alleging the state is violating its constitution by operating a transportation system that harms the climate and infringes upon their right to a clean and healthy environment. The 14 youths, ages 9 to 18, argue in their lawsuit that the Hawaii Department of Transportation has consistently prioritized building highways over other types of transportation, according to an Associated Press story on Insurance Journal. Because of this climate pollution, children in Hawaii are experiencing grave threats to their ability to live healthful lives in the Islands now and into the future, the lawsuit states. One plaintiff, a 14-year-old Native Hawaiian from a family that has farmed taro for more than 10 generations, has seen extreme droughts and heavy rains caused by climate change reduce crop yields and threaten her ability to continue this cultural practice, the complaint said. Rising sea levels also threaten to put their lands underwater, the story states. The plaintiffs want the court to declare that the state has a constitutional obligation to protect the climate for the benefit of present and future generations. Law firms Earthjustice and Our Childrens Trust are representing the youths. British Coastal Residents Climate change will force some residents of British coastal communities from their homes as sea level rise eats away at shores, the head of Englands Environment Agency is warning. This means some of our communities cannot stay where they are, Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the agency said. Beban was speaking at the Flood and Coast Conference in Telford on Tuesday, and his remarks were covered in an article by Sky News this week. While we can come back safely and build back better after most river flooding, there is no coming back for land that coastal erosion has taken away or which a rising sea level has put permanently or frequently under water, he stated. He offered examples occurring now to back up is assertions: the Welsh village Fairbourne was told it will have to relocate because Gywnedd Council cannot maintain flood defenses indefinitely, agriculturally rich Fens in eastern England already lies partly below sea level due to drainage. He said that no one should be forced from their homes against their will, but we need to start the conversation about all this now, Sky News reported. Past columns: Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters USA Wildfire A Louisiana man was arrested June 8 on fraud charges of selling $39,000 in fake insurance policies. The Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft (IFAT) Unit announced the arrest of 47-year-old Trampus Wagoner of Baton Rouge, who allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities by accepting insurance premiums from customers without securing insurance policies on their behalf. In January 2022, the IFAT Unit received a criminal complaint from the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI). The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation (DWC) said it is extending its mandatory data call for information on COVID-19 injuries through Dec. 31, 2022. The DWC previously extended its mandatory data call through June 2022. The latest extension is to ensure that the DWC has sufficient information to determine the impact of COVID-19 injuries on the Texas workers compensation system. The DWC is reminding insurance carriers: Only selected insurance carriers/groups are required to comply with the data call. Selected insurance carriers must provide summary data using the COVID-19 data call reporting forms and instructions. Each selected insurance carrier or group is required to provide one data submission per insurance carrier or group. Insurance carriers/groups must submit the requested data to DWC through the insurance carrier Austin representatives secure file transfer protocol box no later than 5 p.m., Central time to be considered timely. See the schedule attached to this bulletin for a complete list of data call submission deadlines. Data call submissions are cumulative. Source: DWC Topics COVID-19 Texas Workers' Compensation New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A 2-year old boy fatally shot his father in an accident after finding a gun, and the boys mother is now facing criminal charges, authorities in Florida said Monday. Reggie Mabry, 26, was fatally shot late last month while he was playing a video game. The gun was fired by his 2-year-old son in the home Mabry, his wife Marie Ayala, and their three young children shared in metro Orlando, according to an Orange County Sheriffs Office report. The gun was not properly stored, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said at a news conference. In fact, it was easily accessible, even to a 2-year-old, and the result is a tragedy that no one in this community can really comprehend. Ayala, 28, was charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and violation of probation, Mina said. Both Ayala and Mabry had been on probation for child neglect and narcotics possession. Ayala remained in jail on no bond Monday, according to an online jail record. Online court records showed she was being represented by the public defenders office but no further details were provided. Ayala told detectives that her 5-year-old son told her that his 2-year-old brother had fired the gun, but the older brother couldnt explain how his younger brother had gotten hold of the weapon, the arrest report said. The children werent harmed and have been placed in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families. The tragedy could have been prevented if the gun had been properly stored, the sheriff said. Now these young children have effectively lost both of their parents, Mina said. And a young child has to live his life knowing he shot his father. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Hub International, a global insurance broker, has named Mark Bowron senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the Carolinas, Hub announced. Bowron, a licensed property and casualty advisor, was previously the director of carrier relations for PCF Insurance Services and was chief brokerage officer at Gallagher. He will be based in Charlotte. Headquartered in Chicago, Hub provides risk management, insurance, benefits and wealth management services. Industrial Commission Gets Three New Deputy Commissioners, Keeps a Full Commissioner The North Carolina Industrial Commission will see three new faces at the deputy commissioner positions, and one full commissioner was reappointed. This week, Patrick Wooten, a deputy state attorney general for workers comp matters since 2003, was named deputy commissioner. Wooten has litigated hundreds of complex workers compensation cases before the Industrial Commission on behalf of state agencies and institutions, the Commission said in a bulletin. Wooten earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his law degree from North Carolina Central University. Michelle Denning, who has worked at the Industrial Commission and at the attorney generals office, was also named deputy commissioner. She represented the Industrial Commission in noninsured cases and in penalty enforcement matters and later represented the N.C. Department of Public Safety in workers compensation litigation, the Commission explained. Denning earned her undergraduate degree from Meredith College and her law degree from Regent University School of Law. Anne Harris, a long-time claimants attorney, also was recently named deputy commissioner. Harris earned her undergraduate degree from Emory & Henry College, her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, and her L.L.M. in elder law from Stetson. While practicing law, Harris was a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission certified mediator. The Commission also announced that Amber May had been named general counsel. She recently returned to the Industrial Commission after eight years as Rules Review Commission counsel at the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. May earned her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law and her bachelors degree in Business Administration from Meredith College. In February, Gov. Roy Cooper named Myra Griffin to a second, six-year term, which begins July 1. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the state General Assembly. The governor named Griffin vice-chair of the commission in 2019 after serving as deputy commissioner. Commissioners are the first step in the appeals process in workers compensation claims disputes, after deputy commissioner issue decisions. The governor appoints commissioners and the Commission chair appoints deputy commissioners. Topics North Carolina No-code platform speeds up service delivery and significantly enhances customer experience for insurance, banking and other financial institutions Tokyo, June 09, 2022 EasySend Ltd. (Headquarters: Israel, CEO & Co-Founder: Tal Daskal, EasySend), an InsurTech company supporting the digitalization of the insurance and financial industries, has established a Japanese entity, EasySend Godo Kaisha in Tokyo. With Kazuyo, Yamashita as Director of Business Development in Japan, EasySend will further expand its customer base and partner companies in Japan and promote the digitalization of the financial industry in Japan including insurance companies and banks by leveraging its knowledge and experience in the global market, while addressing Japanese laws and market needs such as privacy data and security. The importance of digitalization is widely recognized in the insurance and financial industries, with strategies to simplify, accelerate, and automate business processes. Driven by Covid 19, the industry has also been rapidly strengthening non-face-to-face channels and digitizing and automating administrative procedures of various forms in paper and PDF, contract processing and payment claims. EasySend meets the needs of these insurance companies and financial institutions by providing a no-code development platform that does not require programming expertise. In particular, EasySend supports digitization by streamlining customer data intake and automating workflows that previously required paper forms into web forms and workflows in a short period of time and at a low cost. EasySends platform has already been implemented by dozens of insurance companies and banks in Europe, the U.S., and Israel. In Japan, EasySends platform has been implemented by Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. Toppan Forms Co., Ltd. has also signed a distributor agreement. EasySends platform allows non-system developers to quickly and easily develop systems with intuitive drag-and-drop operations and simple configuration, reducing a companys five-year digital transformation plan to just three months, speeding service delivery, reducing system development and operations costs and improving customer services, resulting in the increase in the revenue. It also leverages a cloud-based, no-code builder that leverages third-party integrations, and analytics to address increasingly diverse and complex customer needs, giving it a competitive advantage over its competitors. EasySend also connects to Salesforce CRM to pre-populate fields, collect electronic signatures, initiate journeys, and optimize results. Enterprises can initiate the digital process through their website, email, SMS or CRM and the customers can start the process from any device, at any place or time. EasySends platform keeps personal and corporate information secure with strict security measures that comply with Japanese and international standards. Tal Daskal, EasySends CEO stated, The establishment of EasySends presence in the important Japanese market will allow us to build relationships with many companies, including Japanese insurance companies and financial institutions. EasySend is a digitalization expert in the insurance and financial industries. EasySend shortens sales cycles, reduces manual work, and increases brand loyalty. Akiyuki Matsuda, Data Business Group, DX Promotion Department, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. said, By using EasySend, we are smoothly digitizing our traditional paper-based operations without major changes to our workflow. The file upload function, check boxes, electronic signatures, and other useful tools have made implementation easy. We also feel that intuitive operations such as copy and paste and drag and drop allow us to develop sophisticatedly designed web flows without advanced digital skills, he said. Reference Demo video for the solutionshttps://ja.easysend.io/demo-video Customer case-study: Real Garant by Zurich Changing a complex process into a streamlined digital journey, impacting the revenue https://ja.easysend.io/customer-stories/real-garant VGM Achieved 5-year digitalization plan in 3 months https://ja.easysend.io/customer-stories/vgm Nurnberger -Built a digital journey in just 6 weeks and increase customer satisfaction https://ja.easysend.io/customer-stories/nurnberger Partner programhttps://ja.easysend.io/partner-program About EasySend EasySend is a no-code platform that empowers organizations to transform complex forms, customer data intake and signature collection processes into easy digital experiences. By collecting customer data and signatures in a way that seamlessly integrates into internal systems and processes, EasySend empowers organizations to automate workflows and streamline customer interactions. Learn more at easysend.io. Press Contact Name: Elyssa Bloom Email: e.bloom@easysend.io Topics InsurTech Tech The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) are appealing to motorists to take extra care as the number of tractors, trailers and other farm machinery using the roads increases during the summer season. The appeal comes as farmers and contractors have started cutting silage around the country. Both the RSA and IFA want farming contractors and other drivers to remember to be mindful of other road users and to always be on the lookout for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. This is a very busy time of year for farmers," said Sam Waide, chief executive of the RSA. The number of tractors and trailers out using the roads will increase dramatically. I am asking all drivers and motorcyclists to be on the lookout for tractors, trailers and other farm machinery on the road, turning into and out of fields. "If you are travelling behind farm machinery, please be patient and only overtake when its safe to do so. Farmers should be aware of traffic building up behind them and keep left where possible and if safe to do so to allow other vehicles pass safely. "Use your indicators to warn other road users of manoeuvres, and never use your mobile phone whilst driving on the road. We should all expect the unexpected, as danger could literally be around the next corner. IFA president Tim Cullinan advised anyone driving farm machinery, especially on rural roads, to cut back on their speed, not to get distracted and understand that around every corner could be a neighbouring family or friend out for a walk, a cycle or maybe riding a horse. Drivers of agricultural vehicles are being reminded that they are subject to all road traffic legislation. They are required to carry the appropriate licence and farm vehicles are required to be taxed, insured and must be roadworthy, including fully operational lights front and rear. Drivers of agricultural vehicles are reminded: To wash down wheels regularly to avoid carrying mud and stones onto the public road; To be particularly careful when transporting material such as silage, slurry, sand and gravel so that it does not spill on the road and pose a road safety risk; Not to load overload trailers so as to cause them to be unstable on the road; To look out for low bridges, overhanging trees, overhead cables and uneven road surfaces which could cause the load to shift and possibly overturn; The driving mirror must provide an adequate view of the road to the rear and all agricultural vehicles must have proper working brakes on both tractor and trailer units. They also must be fitted with lights, reflectors and indicators; That large farming vehicles should consider using an escort vehicle to warn other road users; To ensure tractors are driven at an appropriate speed for the road conditions. Farmers are also being reminded of the following safety tips: Plan and prepare for all work with machinery. Always allow adequate time for the job; Always practise the SAFE STOP procedure. Reverse-park safely, handbrake on, controls in neutral, lower all attachments, engine off and remove keys; Carry out regular checks and maintenance of all farm vehicles, particularly brakes; Never remove or modify guards in order to save time; Only use machines if you know how to use them safely and have received suitable training; Always drive at a safe speed and know your limits; Make sure that plough lamps/work lights are never used when travelling on public roads. Amber flashing lights give adequate notice of slower vehicles to other road users. Irelands fifth Government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% over the next 10 years. This means reducing deaths on Irelands roads annually from 144 to 72 or lower and reducing serious injuries from 1,259 to 630 or lower by 2030. The strategy is the first step in achieving the 2020 Programme for Government commitment of bringing Ireland to Vision Zero. This is to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by the year 2050. Burma Karenni Resistance Ambush Reportedly Kills 10 Myanmar Regime Soldiers KNDF fighters / KNDF Around ten junta soldiers were reportedly killed on Tuesday when a column of 100 regime troops was ambushed in Kayah State, southeast Myanmar by a combined force of Karenni resistance groups. The column retreated on Wednesday. Junta soldiers left the Kayah capital Loikaw around 8.30am on Tuesday heading for Moe Bye, and were attacked by Karenni resistance fighters at noon by the Balu Chaung River in Moe Bye. The clash continued until 3.30pm, with the juntas light Infantry Battalion 442 based in Moe Bye and a regime battalion based in Loikaw supporting the column with artillery strikes. We ambushed junta reinforcements at noon. It is fair to say that the fighting was a little fierce, said an information officer of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF). Around ten military regime soldiers died in the firefight and some resistance fighters were also injured, according to the KNDF. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the casualties. They [the junta column] have retreated. Military tensions are running high and clashes can happen any time, the KNDF information officer told The Irrawaddy. Six resistance units including Peoples Defense Force (PDF) groups in Pekon and Moe Bye, the Karenni Army, the KNDF and the Southern Shan Revolution Youth took part in the fighting. Some 1,000 Moe Bye residents fled their homes following the fighting, according to the Karenni Human Rights Group. A woman was killed by a junta artillery strike and two other civilians were injured. A sick man died of shock caused by the artillery strikes, according to the Moe Bye PDF. An ethnic affairs analyst based in Myanmar said that the regime lacks the soldiers to launch a large-scale military operation in Kayah, because it has had to reinforce its troops in Rakhine and Shan states. I think the military cant carry out large-scale military operations for now. It will only conduct small-scale operations to deter the KNDF and allied forces from advancing to Loikaw and Moe Bye. Resistance forces are getting stronger in Kayah State and they have armed themselves. But the regime cant deploy additional troops. So it can only control towns now, and they have lost control of transportation routes, said the analyst. During the rainy season, Kayah State is more likely to see ambushes and surprise attacks in towns by Karenni resistance groups rather than a large-scale attack by the regime, suggested military and ethnic affairs analysts. There are more than 20,000 resistance fighters in Kayah State, with ten per cent of them are armed with automatic assault rifles and the rest with homemade rifles, according to a report One Year: The Momentum of Myanmars Armed Rebellion jointly published by the Tagaung Institute of Political Studies and the US-based Wilson Center, Due to a lack of information and support from local people, the overstretched junta troops will be unable to forcefully extend their sway beyond urban areas, only solidifying the areas they currently control. In the upcoming rainy season, resistance forces will seek to forcefully contest the juntas control in urban areas, which will lead to intensified conflicts across the Karenni theater, stated the report. Burma Myanmar Junta Not Invited to India Meeting With ASEAN Foreign Ministers The Myanmar regime's foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin For the fourth time, the Myanmar military regime has been excluded from an international meeting, with Indias decision not to invite the juntas foreign minister to its upcoming meeting with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers next week. The exclusion is another major diplomatic blow to the junta, which has been desperate for international recognition as the legitimate ruler of the country since its coup last year. According to Indias The Economic Times, ASEAN, which works by consensus, has taken the position that in multilateral forums, Myanmar should be engaged at a nonpolitical level, as the junta has shown no signs of progress in resolving the post-coup crisis in the country. The paper reported that India has invited Myanmar Foreign Ministry officials but not the foreign minister of the military-ruled country. Myanmar has been a thorn in ASEANs side since the military takeover in February 2021 due to the social and political instability caused by the coup. In an effort to settle the problems, the bloc adopted a peace plan, known as the Five-Point Consensus, in April last year but the regime has failed to implement the points. Instead, it has continued to kill its opponents, with the death toll now standing at more than 1,800 people. As a result, in a very rare move, the 10-nation group has blocked the regime leadership from attending its summits since last year. So far, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has been excluded from the regional summit in October and the US-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington last month. Its Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin was also barred from the blocs foreign ministers meeting in February this year. Indias exclusion of the military regime from next weeks meeting will likely come as a huge embarrassment to the junta, as New Delhi has refrained from backing Western sanctions against Naypyitaw following the takeover. Plus, the two countries armies cooperate on countering an insurgency in Indias northeast. Furthermore, India has key infrastructure projects in Myanmar, including the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP), which connects Northeast India with Kolkata through Myanmars Sittwe Port via the Bay of Bengal and is nearing completion in Mizoram. It is also constructing the 1,360-km India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway. New Delhis exclusion of the foreign minister from the meeting hardly means it is turning its back on the junta, however. In April, Vinya Kumar, Indias ambassador to Myanmar, met with the junta-controlled electoral body, asking about electoral processes and discussing further cooperation with the Union Election Commission on an election the regime plans to hold next year. The regime frequently claims its coup was necessary due to electoral fraud in the countrys 2020 general election, in which the since-ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory. Local and international observers said the polls were free and fair. After staging the coup, the junta said it would hold an election when the state of emergency was over and hinted last year that it could be possible in 2023. However, the regime has failed to bring the country under its control, more than one year after the takeover. Burma Myanmar Junta Sentences Striking Mandalay Hospital Staff to Jail Obo Central Prison in Mandalay. / The Irrawaddy Myanmars junta sentenced four Mandalay medical workers to prison on Wednesday for joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and refusing to work for the military regime. Lab manager Daw Tin May Thu, head of ward Daw Hla Hla Win and senior nurses Daw Zin Mar Myint and Daw Zin Mar Oo, all from the Tuberculosis Hospital in Mandalays Patheingyi Township, were each sentenced to three years for incitement at a junta court inside Mandalays Obo Prison. All four health workers joined the CDM last year and were arrested on 2 May, 2021 at the hospitals staff housing and charged with incitement under section 505(a) of the Penal Code. The regime claimed that the four persuaded other hospital staff to join the CDM and threatened workers who refused to participate. One of them, Daw Tin May Thu, is suffering from endometrial cancer. But she cant get proper healthcare, said a friend of the detained hospital workers. Soon after last years coup, medical staff were some of the first government workers to launch the CDM by refusing to work for the regime. Since then, the junta has especially targeted striking medical workers as many public hospitals and healthcare centers remain closed and support for the CDM is still strong. Some 40,000 healthcare workers have joined the CDM, according to the CDM Medical Network. One CDM doctor from Mandalay said that the sentences handed out to the four staff from the Tuberculosis Hospital are unjust and that the regime is treating everyone as if they are lawbreakers. Not only CDM healthcare workers but also other civilians are being treated as lawbreakers by the junta. The regime kills civilians and burns down their houses. Everything it does is unjust, said the doctor. Between the February 2021 coup and April 2022, 362 medical workers were arrested and 40 killed by junta forces. With the regime still targeting striking doctors and nurses, many medical staff in the CDM are in hiding, according to the shadow National Unity Governments Ministry of Health. You may also like these stories: Resistance Fighters and KIA Clash With Junta Forces in Northern Myanmar Myanmar Junta Raises SIM and Internet Taxes to Silence Opposition Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Continue in Kayah State Burma Myanmar Junta Soldiers Tell Villagers to Run to Shoot Them Dead From Behind Myinmu Township. Eleven civilians were killed when Myanmar junta soldiers told villagers hiding in a monastery to run and shot them from behind in Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region, on Monday, according to witnesses. Around 150 soldiers raided Kan Phya village on Monday and shot dead male villagers, a Myinmu Township Peoples Defense Force (PDF) member told The Irrawaddy, quoting witnesses. Junta soldiers asked three men to come out and told them to squat and put their hands on their heads. They then asked some 80 other people to come out. They gunned down the three men, telling the villagers to run and that they would shoot anyone who did not run. They then separated men from the group and asked them to run between the burned monastery and Myat Saw Nyi Naung pagoda. They counted to five and started shooting, he said. Five men were gunned down and another man was injured in his thigh. Junta troops looted food on Monday and told villagers hiding at the village monastery to give them motorbikes to carry food. They shot dead a man when villagers refused to give them motorbikes. Villagers were interrogated after a handgun was found in a motorbike, leading to the shooting of villagers. A Myinmu resident, who witnessed the shooting, said: Two other men were killed when junta troops torched the monastery. All of them were Kan Phya villagers. Two of the victims were around 50 and the rest were between 16 and 30, according to Myinmu PDF, which cremated the bodies on Tuesday. Villagers have since fled into forests and require food and medicine. PDFs are gathering donations for food. Junta troops also torched a hall at Myat Saw Nyi Naung pagoda as well as the monastery and around 100 motorbikes from villagers. I have previously only seen those things in films in which people were told to run and shot from behind. But we have seen it in the real world now. Junta soldiers are quite despicable and cruel. We wont forgive them, said the PDF member. The troops are reportedly from the North Western Command based in Monywa and currently deployed in San Tin Kin village in Myinmu. Burma No Mercy for Democracy Activists Sentenced to Hang, Myanmar Junta Says Ko Jimmy, veteran democracy activist and leading member of the 88 Generation Students Group (left), and former NLD lawmaker Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw (right). Myanmars junta has vowed to carry out the death sentences of leading activists Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, despite widespread condemnation of the decision, both internationally and locally. The United Nations and a number of countries and other world organizations has joined local groups in condemning the juntas recent announcement that it had approved death sentences handed to four anti-regime activistsincluding veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy (aka Kyaw Min Yu) and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former lawmaker from ousted State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis partyand called on the junta to reverse the order. Amid the condemnations, junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the activists would definitely be executed, in a follow-up report by Radio Free Asia published on Tuesday, three days after the order was confirmed. It [the executions] will definitely carry on. There wont be mercy [for those sentenced to death]. They have finished the appeal process, the spokesman responded when asked whether junta chief Min Aung Hlaing would consider issuing a stay of execution. The junta on Wednesday night also aired details of how the pair came to be convicted and sentenced to death for their anti-regime activities, in a move apparently aimed at winning public support for the executions. After being arrested in townships in which the junta has declared martial law, Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw were sentenced to death on terrorism charges in January by a military tribunal for masterminding armed resistance operations in Yangon. In imposing martial law, the junta transferred all executive and judicial authority to the head of the relevant regional military command, meaning appeals to reverse the death sentences can only be made to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. The two other men whose executions were approved are Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw, who were earlier sentenced to death for killing a woman who was an alleged military informant. A total of 114 prisoners have been sentenced to death since the coup, including students and anti-coup activiststwo of them minors. Of the 114, the four are the first to have their sentences approved. The condemned prisoners were subjected to unfair trials, and denied their legal rights to counsel and to defend themselves, for their roles in the revolutionary movement against the junta. Min Aung Hlaing and his regime have already committed many unforgivable mistakes against the whole of Myanmars society, from the coup itself to the arrests of elected leaders to mass killings of citizens and more. The execution would be another unforgivable mistake, political analyst Naing Khit wrote recently. He warned that hanging the two popular figures, who are dear to many in Myanmar and are regarded by the public as symbols of the ongoing anti-regime resistance, would certainly escalate that resistance and bring about all-out war from all of the juntas opponents as well as the general public. Such a move will also lead to global condemnation and cement the juntas reputation as among the worst of the worst human rights abusers in Asia, said Phil Robertson, deputy director of US-based Human Rights Watch. Burma Resistance Kills 20 Myanmar Junta Troops in Magwe: Claim Regime camps caught fire after being bombed by PDF drones in Gangaw Township, Magwe Region in April. / Hyper UAV Force Around 20 Myanmar regime troops were reportedly killed in ambushes by the Yaw People Defense Force (PDF) in Gangaw Township, Magwe Region, on Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, PDFs ambushed a military detachment of 150 troops and Pyu Saw Htee pro-regime militia members between Ye Hla and Hmawe Lal villages in the north of the township. The PDFs said they used landmines, heavy weapons and drones to attack. An aerial Hyper UAV Force video from the ambush shows the troops being attacked with bombs dropped by drones. During 90 minutes of fighting about 15 regime troops were killed while many others were wounded, said Yaw Regional PDF Alliance (YRPA). It said five troops were also killed when PDFs ambushed the same military detachment between Hmawe Lal and Yay Shin village in the afternoon. The regime is largely confined to Gangaw town and struggles to control rural areas of the township, Ko Yaw Lay, a YRPA leader, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday. Currently, three military detachments are operating in the township. We are resisting troops without proper weapons and ammunition, said Ko Yaw Lay. He urged the civilian National Unity Government and ethnic armed groups to provide proper weapons and commanders to the Yaw resistance. The regime uses 120mm artillery, armored vehicles and helicopters against Yaw PDFs, which are mostly armed with homemade weapons, said Ko Yaw Lay. On Saturday, eight regime soldiers from a convoy of 70 troops were killed by YPDF mines in Gangaw. Between June 2 and 4, more than 120 houses were burned down when regime troops torched five villages on the Pale-Gangaw highway in the township. Since then at least 15 civilians, including a disabled person, have been detained by junta soldiers. The military regime is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity with arbitrary arrests and killings, using human shields, shelling residential areas and looting and burning houses nearly every day, especially in Magwe and Sagaing regions and Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayah and Karen states. The regime faces daily attacks from PDFs and ethnic armed groups across the country. You may also like these stories: Resistance Fighters and KIA Clash With Junta Forces in Northern Myanmar Myanmar Junta Raises SIM and Internet Taxes to Silence Opposition Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Continue in Kayah State The Coconut Playhouse, an iconic structure first opened on the 1920s and which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has been closed for about 15 years after closing in 2006 due to financial difficulties. In recent years, litigation over the building's fate halted any attempts to restore the theater. Raquel Regalado, County Commissioner for District 7, which encompasses Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne, was charged by her colleagues on the County Board of Commissioners with the task of brokering a resolution to the conflict between the County and the City of Miami over plans to restore the historic venue. On Wednesday, Commissioner Regalado announced that the City of Miami was giving up its legal fight. Im absolutely thrilled, said Regalado via email, adding People are passionate about this theater, and I think everyone involved did their best to create a plan that we can all be proud of while respecting the needs of the area. But is the fight truly over? A Facebook page - SAVE THE COCONUT GROVE PLAYHOUSE which lists its objective as being dedicated to the efforts of preserving the Playhouse from turning into the last thing Coconut Grove needs: more condos and t-shirt shops, posted late Wednesday that the fight might not be over. Contrary to premature news reports, the legal fight over the playhouse IS NOT over. The Third District Court of Appeals three-member judicial panel ruled against the citys appeal of the lower court ruling which quashed the City Mayors veto. But one of the three judges dissented and said it is unconstitutional to make it illegal for citizens to speak with their elected leader, read the post. However, Regalados message was upbeat. I appreciate the efforts of Miamis Mayor and the City Commission to advocate for a good plan, Regalados email read. We all want our residents and businesses to benefit from a beautiful, financially viable theater that honors our history. Working together with our community, we have made this a better plan. If the legal fight is indeed over, and restoration proceeds, the theater will be managed by a partnership between Florida International University and GableStage. Plans call for a 300-space parking garage will alleviate the parking deficit in the area and help fund the theater in perpetuity. Regalados email added that the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District and the Knight Foundation will also contribute funding to bring back what she called a cultural gem. For the complete message from Commissioner Regalado, click here. PARTNER CONTENT: Global cybersecurity damages are expected to cost up to $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, with a 15% annual growth rate. It means cyber crimes are rising at an alarming rate. So, everyone and all organizations have laid their eyes on the cybersecurity horizon. Believe it or not, cybersecurity is the only way to prevent heinous Internet crimes. Cybersecurity tactics are the best solutions to prevent and respond to various online crimes. These reasons make cybersecurity professionals highly demanded in the industry. Considering a career in cybersecurity will help you bag lucrative jobs and work for a goodwill cause of protecting vulnerable networks, applications, and systems. You might already have decided to pursue a Simplilearn online certificate regarding cyber security. Before that, its better to have a basic understanding of how cybersecurity works, after all. You have assembled at the best place if you wish to get an introduction to the working of cybersecurity. So, without further ado, lets jump into the beginner's guide to cyber security! Understanding cyber security Cybersecurity signifies the practice of preventing digital attacks on computer systems, networks, data, and applications. Cyberattacks are typically used to gain access to, change, or delete information or extort money from web users. Cybersecurity leverages several methodologies, technologies, and processes to coordinate activities across all information systems, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and illegal access. Working methodology of cyber security Cybersecurity is intended to provide many layers of security across all of a company's computers, networks, and programs. The business, workers, procedures, and technology must work together to form a united defence against potential cyberattacks. Cybersecurity systems that work effectively will be able to detect, examine, and remedy potential system weaknesses and vulnerabilities before a hacker or lousy software may exploit them. Layers of cyber security Understanding the seven layers of security is the first step for cyber security specialists. So, let's review these layers in detail. 1. Mission-Critical Assets It is highly confidential data that you must safeguard at all costs. Businesses constantly encounter numerous evil forces, whether they confess it or not. The point is, how are leaders responding to such vulnerabilities and threats? What procedures have they leveraged to dodge security breaches? Mission-critical assets include electronic medical record (EMR) software in the healthcare industry. In the financial sector, customers' financial records are kept. 2. Data Security When security mechanisms are in place to safeguard data transport and storage, this is referred to as data security. There must be a backup security solution and encryption and archiving to prevent data loss. Since a data breach can have serious consequences, data security is a top priority for all firms. 3. Endpoint Security This layer of protection ensures that breaches do not target the endpoints of user devices. Mobile devices, desktops, and laptops are all protected in this manner. Depending on the demands of a business, endpoint security systems can protect a network or in the cloud. 4. Application Security It refers to the security elements that govern application access and the application's access to your assets. It also contains the app's internal security. Most of the time, applications are built with security features that safeguard the user even after using the program. 5. Network Security It is where security procedures are implemented to safeguard the company's network. The purpose is to prevent unauthorized network access. It's critical to keep all systems on the company's network up to date with the latest security fixes, including encryption. It's usually a good idea to turn off unneeded interfaces to protect yourself from potential risks. 6. Perimeter Security This layer of security ensures that a company's physical and digital security systems work together to keep it safe. Firewalls, for example, are used to safeguard the company network from external threats. 7. The Human Layer Despite its reputation as the weakest link in the security chain, the human layer is critical. Management controls and phishing simulators, for example, are included. 8. These human management controls are developed and designed to safeguard the most sensitive information in a company's security system. Humans, cyber attackers, and rogue users offer a severe threat to a company. Cyber security - the key concept Cyber security is a massive domain grounded upon three core concepts known as "The CIA Triad." Do you know? Confidentiality, integrity and availability are the three essential components of the CIA triad. This model is focused on guiding an organization's cyber security policy in the field of information security. 1. Confidentiality It establishes the guidelines governing information access. Confidentiality is the methodological principle disabling cybercriminals and hackers from gaining access to sensitive information. People in an organization can modify how data is handled to guarantee data security. Data classification, two-factor authentication, biometric verification, security tokens, and data encryption are techniques to ensure secrecy. 2. Integrity It guarantees that the data is consistent, accurate, and dependable. It signifies that data in transit should not be altered, modified, deleted, or accessed without permission. Proper steps should be considered and leveraged to ensure an organization's safety. File permissions and user access control are in charge of the data breach. It's better to develop methods and technologies to detect any data change or intrusion. Various organizations utilize a checksum or a cryptographic checksum to authenticate data integrity. 3. Availability All relevant components, such as software, hardware, networks, security devices, and equipment, should be maintained and upgraded to ensure availability. It will ensure that the system runs smoothly and that data remains accessible without latency. Furthermore, sufficient bandwidth is required to provide ongoing communication between the components. It also entails purchasing additional security equipment in a calamity or traffic congestion. Firewalls, disaster recovery plans, proxy servers, and a reliable backup solution should all be in place to protect against DoS assaults. To Sum Up! Cybersecurity is a massive concept. However, as you saw, understanding its fundamentals is simple. With such information, you are all set to get a cyber security certification and start your career in the industry. GUEST RESEARCH: Research by Humanforce , a provider of intelligent workforce management solutions, has shown 74% of frontline workers in Australia believe that technology plays a critical role in customer service today. Alarmingly, while technology is being recognised as increasingly important to meeting customer needs, only twenty-eight percent of Australian workers feel that the technology they use in their workplace is advanced, with thirteen percent identifying that the technology in their workplace was either poor or limited. Part-time and casual workers are at the frontline of customer service in Australia, making them commonly the first point of contact for customer queries and taking the lead for any issue resolution. Importantly, these workers rely on technology to connect with their employers and colleagues, assist in their roles and meet customer needs, said Humanforce CEO Clayton Pyne. Workers themselves identify that they need advanced technologies to do their jobs, with only four percent of people surveyed saying that technology did not play a role in their ability to serve customers. Today, frontline workers not only prefer employers that offered workplace technologies that support their work but sought out companies that used technologies that empowered workers to manage their own shifts. Eighty-three percent of those surveyed would be more likely to join a company if they used automated technology to help better manage their work including tasks, shift availability and pay. Conversely, 23% of frontline workers would consider leaving an employer if they did not offer technologies in the workplace that helped employees plan and manage their work. After mobile phones, tablets, and computers. the workplace technologies reportedly most used by frontline workers in Australia were: Scanners 36% Point of sale (POS) systems 29% Wearable technologies 11% One bad experience or poor customer service interaction today can lead to customers abandoning a purchase and forming a negative perception of a brand, that may never subside. To meet Australian consumers expectations, businesses need to step up their customer service game and support workers with the right technologies, said Pyne. Solutions that can speed purchase processes, instantly surface a customers purchase history, or provide background on a product issue or complaint, equip frontline workers with invaluable tools and information to better meet customer needs, while in the flow of work. Training was identified as a priority by workers to help them adapt to new workplace technologies, with hands-on training provided by a manager or colleague and online training accounting for 49% of respondents preferred training metholodogies. In a competitive hiring environment, businesses need to focus on the employee experience by offering workers technologies that support positive customer service outcomes and enables them to better manage their work; while allowing businesses to optimise costs, improve productivity and realise compliance. Workforce management solutions can help simplify workplace processes and empower employees to manage their working lives through automating shift management, onboarding, training and more, while ensuring business objectives are met, said Pyne. Methodology Humanforce contracted Zoho Survey to survey 500 Australian frontline workers (part-time and casual worker respondents) on technologies used in their workplaces in Q4 2021. About Humanforce The intelligent platform for your shift-based workforce. Almost every shift has its no-shows, late arrivals, and special requests, but youve also got to stay up to date with the big shifts in how people work everything from new employee expectations to new technologies, new regulations and more. Humanforce brings a whole new approach to managing your teams by simplifying the process, giving you complete visibility and allowing you to stay ahead of the curve. Thats why thousands of businesses of all sizes from hotels to hospitals, resources to recreation, stadiums to shops and more use Humanforce to get ready for the next shift. www.humanforce.com Huawei director of the board and director of corporate sustainable development committee Tao Jingwen Chinese telecommunications equipment vendor Huawei and the International Union for Conservation of Nature are calling for the need to adopt and deploy new and green technologies that could better protect the planet. In line with the theme of Only One Earth on World Environment Day last 5 June, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Huawei hosted an online summit to demonstrate how technologies can improve nature conservation outcomes, unveiling innovations that can bolster environmental protection. All sectors of society should work together within an open and collaborative market environment to apply technological innovations to industries and transform new technologies into solutions and services that can help build a green planet, said Huawei director of the board and director of corporate sustainable development committee Tao Jingwen. Huawei claims to promote green advocacies in companies that support global zero-carbon journey. On energy, Huawei says it has integrated power electronics and digital technologies to accelerate the development of renewable energy. Huawei will continue to innovate energy-saving technologies to improve efficiencies in IT infrastructure to reduce emissions in industries. IUCN and Huawei have a history of working on green initiatives. In 2020, both launched the global Tech4Nature project and have initiated pilot projects based on IUCN Green List Standard in Switzerland, Spain, China, Mexico, and Mauritius. According to Mobile World Live, underwater cameras with special lenses and sensors have been deployed in Mauritius to monitor its coral reefs. Data is captured and then coursed through a 4G network and analysed using artificial-intelligence systems. This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 8 June 2022. Canon Oceania has opened submissions for its 2022 Grants Program. This year, the company has introduced a new sub-category to its community grant, to specifically support the recovery of flood-affected businesses and community organisations following the recent devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales. Over the last 16 years, Canon Oceania has supported more than 80 schools, not-for-profits and community groups with over $450,000 in monetary and product support all in the spirit of Canons guiding philosophy of Kyosei (meaning living and working together for the common good). This year, the Canon Oceania Grants Program returns to support both individuals and organisations. The nation has experienced a tumultuous few years as we navigated the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and natural disasters, and were so pleased to be able to extend our support to those affected by the recent floods, said Canon Oceania managing director Kotaro Fukushima. The three categories in this years grants program include community, education and environment. Each grant recipient will receive $2,500 cash and $2,500 in Canon product ranging from cameras and printers to projectors and other accessories. Last years winner stories Winners of the 2021 Canon Oceania Grants have put their rewards to great use. The Young Naturalists, winner of the 2021 Small Business Grant (now part of the community category) aims to connect children with nature by providing nature photography workshops. Since the win, they have enjoyed a greater awareness of their work, and have secured a contract to present the workshops at Sydney Olympic Park. With the products we received from Canon, weve been able to provide Nature Photography workshops that allow children to connect closely with nature- something we could not do prior to winning the grant, said The Young Naturalist director and co-founder Dr. Fiona Benyon. Winning the grant gave myself and my colleague, Aniuzka, an enormous boost of confidence and were incredibly grateful to Canon for awarding the grant to The Young Naturalist- it has been the highlight of our journey so far! Last years winner of the education category, Giant Steps Australia, operates a school, as well as providing intervention and adult services for children and adults living with autism spectrum disorder. Many of the students at Giant Steps are non-verbal and face complex challenges. Thanks to the Canon Oceania Grant, weve been able to create visual systems and supports to help children on the autism spectrum to communicate, said Giant Steps Australia's Phillippa Talbot. With the product donation we received, weve also been able to create videos to showcase the work we do to help raise awareness about autism in the wider community. Furthermore, the winner of the 2021 Community Grant, KidsXpress, is supporting the mental health of children via trauma-informed expressive therapy and educational services. As a mental health organisation that supports children affected by trauma via Expressive Therapy, weve been able to take the children outside of the therapy space, exploring their potential and possibilities through a safe medium the lens of a camera. This is with thanks to the Canon Oceania Grants Program. said KidsXpress CEO and founder Margo Ward. I truly believe this Grants Program can significantly change the lives of people and organisations, and how they then support people. I encourage everyone to enter this year. The 2022 grants categories The 2022 grants will be awarded under the following categories: 2 x community grants AU$10,000 1 X community grant AU $5,000 Open to any for-profit entity that employs fewer than 20 people and have less than AUD 10 million aggregated turnover (according to ABS and ATO guidelines along with a range of organisations keeping their community at the heart of what they do, ranging from not-for-profits, to grassroots groups. AU $5,000 1x community flood recovery grant AU $5,000 Open to any organisation or for-profit entity affected by the 2022 Eastern Australia floods. AU $5,000 1 x education grant AU$5,000 Open to schools and other educational centres for children and adults alike. 1 x environment grant AU$5,000 Open to not-for-profits and organisations dedicated to raising awareness of the protection of the environment or promoting sustainable practices. Submissions are open now until 29 July 2022 via https://www.canon.com.au/about-canon/community/grants. The wider community will vote on finalists in August, and winners will be announced in September. For more information about Canon Oceanias Grants Program 2022, please visit: https://www.canon.com.au/about-canon/community/grants. Dell Student TechCrew, a technical certification program by Dell Technologies, hones the IT skills of students by allowing them to be their schools own tech support, and arms them with access to skills and training for future tech jobs. The program features a train the trainer model, where Dell Technologies trains educators or non-profit partners on how to deliver the TechDirect certification, which has been adapted to meet the needs of high school students. Using the Conrad Design Method developed by the Conrad Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Dell Technologies partner, the program equips students with future career skills such a problem solving, entrepreneurism and innovative thinking. Students are also invited to participate in the Conrad Challenge, where teams compete to develop innovation solutions to global challenges. Based on feedback from the initial pilot program, from April this year, TechCrew has introduced on-demand training for the schools and a live monthly Q&A session for teachers. In June, step-by-step lesson plans will be made available for the participating schools. At the end of the program, the students train the next class of Student TechCrew participants and help them obtain their Dell TechDirect Certification, an industry qualification that IT professionals use to manage their devices, allowing the program to further scale. Dell Technologies claims to have run this initiative worldwide and counts The Cathedral College as one of first Australian schools to participate. Six schools have signed up to participate in the program in 2022. The schools, which are located across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, will provide their students with the career-readiness skills and certifications to help them thrive in the IT sector after leaving school. The Cathedral College principal Rob Alexander said to be chosen by global leaders Dell Technologies to be the first school in Australia to deliver its Student TechCrew program is a great honour. Our Dell Student TechCrew have the opportunity to drive a world class program gaining industry qualifications that will equip them with the skills they need to flourish in the IT industry whilst assisting their peers with IT support, he says. The Cathedral College student Will says the highlight of the program is the career pathways. The qualifications we receive give us a clear advantage in the STEM field for study and work beyond school. To see passionate people through the virtual field studies who love their work in IT makes this career very appealing and opens your eyes to what may be possible. The Dell Student TechCrew program has given me a tremendous sense of empowerment and independence that I dont need to rely on others, says Maridon, a female Year 12 student. Technology is our present and future. To know that I am able to work with technology and have an understanding of it through the qualifications the Dell Student TechCrew program gives me is invaluable for my future. From the industry qualifications, to the hands on practical, to the valuable soft skills and insights, our students have enthusiastically embraced the program and are eager to broaden their future career pathways, says The Cathedral College ICT director Aaron Nunn. When you reflect on the skills shortage facing the technology industry, as well as the hybrid learning education models that have become more pervasive, programs like this play a pivotal role in equipping students with the tools they need for the future, concludes Dell Technologies ANZ senior vice president and managing director Angela Fox. Mute swan rescued nearly seven years ago visits man who saved its life People's Daily Online) 16:53, June 09, 2022 A man in Beijing who rescued a trapped mute swan nearly seven years ago is still as close as ever with the migratory bird. Photo shows the mute swan with a band that reads F67 attached to its neck at Nanhaizi Park in Beijing. (Photo/Beijing Daily) Pan Qingquan, a professional photographer, removed the bird with a band that read F67 attached to its neck from a net on Nov. 5, 2016, when he discovered it at Nanhaizi Park in the city. Since then, Pan has continued to visit the mute swan, which belongs to a species that is under second-class national protection, coming by every day and feeding the bird food such as corn kernels and peanuts. I knew that it was not an ordinary swan because the band F67 was a tool scientists used to track it, Pan said. Seeing swans fly over a lake has been a childhood dream of Pans. In 2011, Pan, together with his counterparts from a photographers association in Beijings Daxing district, went to photograph swans inside Yandunjiao village, a paradise for swans in Weihai city, east Chinas Shandong Province. In the 1970s, a local farmer saved an injured swan, which made a recovery and was released back into the wild. A swan rescue base was then built there, which also provides food for the birds. Gradually, an increasing number of swans began to overwinter at the village. One year, there were as many as 700 swans that wintered there. (Photo/Beijing Daily) In 2007, the village became a part of the Rongcheng Swan National Nature Reserve in Rongcheng, a county-level city of Weihai. Now, nearly 5,000 swans overwinter in the nature reserve every year. I envied residents in the village having a habitat for swans and expected one near my home in Beijing, Pan said. The appearance of the mute swan with the F67 tag rekindled Pans childhood dream. I fed it, hoping that it would stay here, Pan said. Pan went to Nanhaizi Park to feed the swan as usual on the 39th day after they met each other. The swan was very familiar with Pan and approached him to get some food. But the swan then flew south that day. Pan felt lost and sent photos of the swan to a chat group of shutterbugs across the country, hoping that someone who photographed the swan would immediately inform him. Three days later, he received photos of the swan living in Yandunjiao village, which made him excited. Surprisingly, the swan revisited Nanhaizi Park together with other swans in the ensuing year. I felt so excited when I met it again. It directly approached me as if it remembered me, Pan recalled, adding that the reunion made him believe that the park would become an ideal habitat for swans. (Photo/Beijing Daily) Pan then took care of the birds in the park almost every day, keeping them away from stray dogs and yellow weasels while reminding photographers and tourists to keep a safe distance between themselves and the swans. Since then, the mute swan with the F67 tag arrived at Nanhaizi Park for a stopover alongside more and more swans during their seasonal migration every year. This year, the park has welcomed a new record of more than 420 swans so far. With a total area of more than 11 square kilometers, Nanhaizi Park has become the largest wetland park in Beijing. As further improvement has been witnessed in the wetland ecosystem of the park, it has become an important habitat for birds and a vital transfer station for migratory birds. More than 200 species of wild birds have been monitored at the park by the Beijing Biodiversity Conservation Research Center. (Photo/Beijing Daily) (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. One man has been arrested on a weapons charge in a mass shooting over the weekend in Tennessee, where three people died and 14 were injured Johnson City, TN (37604) Today A few clouds. Low 72F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 72F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. A British man fighting in Ukraine has been captured by pro-Russian separatists, an international legion backing the Kyiv government said on Wednesday. It was announced in the Ukrainian press that the Russians had completed a criminal investigation against three foreigners whom they were preparing to put on trial and that they risked the death penalty, Damien Magrou, spokesman for the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine (LIDU) told AFP. One of the three names mentioned in the article, Andrew Hill, is a legionnaire who has a contract with the Ukrainian army, he added. Magrou stressed that under the Geneva Convention Hill should be considered a prisoner of war, and treated as such. According to the LIDU, Hill has been held in captivity for some weeks by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Executing prisoners is a war crime, it said. Pro-Russian officials have suggested in recent weeks that captured Ukrainian soldiers, including those from the nationalist Azov regiment, could face trial and the death penalty. A moratorium on the death penalty has been in place in Russia since 1997, but this is not the case in the two separatist territories of eastern Ukraine. Four foreign military volunteers have already been killed while fighting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the LIDU, the official body for foreign volunteer fighters. The international legion had given the names of a Dutchman, an Australian, a German and a Frenchman, without specifying the date or circumstances of their death. On Wednesday Magrou, said the Frenchman was from the northern region of Normandy and that he died in an artillery strike. Russia claimed this week that it had killed hundreds of foreign fighters in Ukraine since the start of its invasion in February. Dealers who trade looted antiquities with armed groups should be prosecuted for complicity in war crimes or financing terrorism, the Clooney Foundation for Justice said Wednesday. The looting of antiquities is not a victimless crime, said Anya Neistat, legal director of The Docket, a project of the foundation launched by actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal, a human rights lawyer. The pillage of cultural artifacts is destructive physically and socially, and the sale of conflict antiquities enables armed groups to fund conflict and terrorism and other crimes against civilians, Neistat said. The Docket calls on law enforcement agencies in market countries to launch investigations and prosecutions of antiquities dealers when there is evidence of their complicity in war crimes and financing of terrorism, she added. Neistat unveiled the results in Washington on Wednesday of a two-year investigation into the theft of antiquities in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen and their sale in the United States and Europe. Antiquities trafficking has been linked to armed groups such as the Islamic State organization and the former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, allowing them to purchase arms and finance violent attacks, Neistat said. According to The Docket, IS made tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars from looting antiquities, which was a key source of its financing. IS, which controlled a wide swathe of Syria and Iraq between 2011 and 2016, had a sub-department for antiquities with a system of taxation and licenses, Neistat said. Stolen antiquities often transit through Turkey, Lebanon, Eastern Europe or Thailand before being offered up by dealers or in private sales. Recovered items have been returned to their countries of origin but dealers tend to receive little more than a slap on the wrist, according to The Docket. Prosecution for serious crimes are a critical element to break the cycle and to make sure that the market is dismantled, Neistat said. The report comes shortly after a former director of the Louvre Museum in Paris was charged with conspiring to hide the origin of archaeological treasures that investigators suspect were smuggled out of Egypt. There has been stalemate for six months. On December 5, four ICTR acquitted persons Prosper Mugiraneza, Protais Zigiranyirazo, Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye and Andre Ntagerura and four convicts released after serving their sentences Anatole Nsengiyumva, Tharcisse Muvunyi, Alphonse Nteziryayo and Innocent Sagahutu left their safe house in Arusha, Tanzania, keen to rebuild their lives in Niamey, Niger. After many years of waiting for a host country, the UN said it had finally found them a permanent place of refuge. Then everything went wrong. At the end of December, the Niger authorities reversed their position, declaring the agreement signed with the UN a month before null and void and ordering the Rwandans immediate expulsion, before agreeing to temporarily suspend the decision. Tanzania expressed its refusal to take them back. Since then, nothing has moved. Deprived of their papers since December 25, 2021 and watched by police officers who have surrounded their residence, none of the eight Rwandans has set foot outside except for a medical emergency. A restaurant owner comes to sell us food, while a boy comes every morning to run errands for us in town, said Innocent Sagahutu, contacted by phone. If I had to choose, I would definitely choose the UNDF [United Nations Detention Facility in Arusha], he adds. Since the beginning of March, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been granted permission to visit us as they do for prisoners all over the world. The former Rwandan army captain, now 60, who served 15 years in jail in Arusha for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has just received assistance from the ICRC. I was seriously ill and was taken to hospital, where I learned that the ICRC would pay for my treatment. When the doctors prescribe us medicine, the ICRC buys it for us and brings it to our prison here. Nigers rejection The migrants without papers in Niamey have (re)adopted the vocabulary of prison. After what happened to them in December, they want to be evacuated as soon as possible to a third country and have made several such to the UN Mechanism, which took over the residual tasks of ICTR after its official closure in 2015. But evacuated to where? In Arusha, the UN registry refuses to give answers on the progress of negotiations it is currently conducting with Niger or another potential resettlement country. Its got nothing to say, replied one of the prisoners in Niamey, who requested anonymity. Either the registry is not up to it, or its sold out, or both. It says its still trying to convince Niger to change its mind and honour the agreement [of late 2021 on taking in the ICTR eight], and that if Niger persists in its refusal, it will find another place for us. But the registry never says what its doing. Responding via lawyers to the UN judge who ordered Niger to suspend its expulsion decree, the Niger authorities insisted on January 14 that: As well as for diplomatic reasons about which the Niger government is entitled to keep silent, it has been established that the presence of the applicants on Nigerien territory constitutes a threat and a disturbance of public order. On behalf of the government, lawyer Aissatou Zada criticized the UN judges order as untimely. According to Niamey, any dispute arising from the so-called resettlement agreement between Niger and the UN must be settled by negotiation or by a mutually agreed means. In its view, the Mechanism is not competent to settle the matter. But it said nothing on the fact that Nigers unilateral decision on expulsion may have been a violation of the agreement. Repeated orders from the judge and referrals to the UN Security Council by the President of the Mechanism have been in vain. Tanzania refuses to take them back Given the standoff with Niger, as well as multiple cries of alarm and requests for immediate evacuation, the judge turned to Tanzania. He ordered the Registrar to immediately take all necessary measures () for the Relocated Persons to be returned to the Arusha branch of the Mechanism on a temporary basis, until their transfer to another State. But the Tanzanian government said its obligation to facilitate the temporary stay of released or acquitted persons under its headquarters agreement with the UN had ended with their transfer to Niger. There was no question of bringing them back. Faced with the impasse, the Mechanism judge ordered the Registrar to make more efforts and actively engage with Niger and other possible relocation States until an acceptable resolution of this matter is found in order to ensure the respect for the fundamental rights of the relocated persons and asked Niger to adhere to the rule of law in relation to the situation of the relocated persons and ensure their safety and welfare until a resolution is found. Judicial failure, diplomatic dead end According to the judge, at present, all appropriate and available judicial relief has been extended to the Relocated Persons and the primary avenue for redressing this crisis lies in political, diplomatic, and administrative efforts undertaken by the Registrar under the supervision of the President and with the Presidents referral of this matter to the Security Council. The Niamey prisoners thought it necessary to inform the UN Security Council of Nigers failure to meet its obligations, violating the agreement on their relocation. They also sought a new order requiring Tanzania to facilitate their return to its territory, and a hearing before the Mechanism in The Hague or, alternatively, in Arusha, in their presence. But on May 27, the Appeals Chamber of the Mechanism rejected this request. This is a profound disappointment, said lawyer Peter Robinson, who is representing Nzuwonemeye. We gave the judges a way to rescue these men by bringing them to The Hague or Arusha for an oral hearing on the appeal or a status conference. The [Mechanisms] headquarters agreements with the Netherlands and Tanzania obligate them to allow persons on their territory when their presence at the seat of the Mechanism is required. But the Appeals Chamber denied our appeal, ruling that the Mechanisms duty to ensure their welfare extended only to encouraging a diplomatic solution. Exit Bicamumpaka Defence counsel is working on three fronts, the US attorney explains. On the judicial front, they are pushing for judges to use all powers at their disposal to rescue these men. That front, however, seems to be exhausted. Secondly, they are working on the diplomatic front, using our own contacts with various countries to persuade them to work with the Registrar and take our clients. Robinson says these clients are willing to go anywhere except Rwanda. Thirdly, they are working with lawyers in Niamey to obtain, in the meantime, the withdrawal the police and an end to their clients house arrest. But caution is the order of the day. Frankly, we are afraid to push Niger too hard. Our clients fear that if we do, the government might try to expel them to Rwanda, said Robinson. He calls this a mammoth injustice. My client was acquitted and remains a prisoner eight years later. That is unacceptable, he complains. Of the nine Rwandans who were offered the chance to go to Niger last December, only one, former Rwandan foreign minister Jerome Bicamumpaka, firmly turned the offer down. Bicamumpaka, who was acquitted in 2011 after more than 12 years in prison, was ill. He died in a hospital in Kenya on May 19 at the age of 64. Canada, where his family obtained citizenship, had not allowed him on its soil. On May 28, it agreed to receive his remains. There is a serious risk that Chinese authorities could perpetrate a genocide against the Muslim minority in Xinjiang province, members of the European Parliament warned Thursday. It was not the first time that members of the EU assembly in Strasbourg spoke out against crimes against the Uyghurs, but it comes as Washington is also sharpening its tone. The MEPs urged EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to follow the US lead in banning imports of Chinese products allegedly manufactured by forced labour. The motion cited credible evidence that forced sterilisation and the separation of Uyghur children from their parents amount to crimes against humanity and represent a serious risk of genocide. The motion, passed with raised hands, is not binding on the Brussels authorities. Beijing denies any repression against these minorities in this vast region in the far east of the country, despite mounting evidence from exiled Uyghurs, leaked documents and satellite images. At the end of May, a trove of leaked files attributed to the Chinese police revealed what appeared to be a large-scale repressive operation directed from the top of the Chinese state. China has justified some police action as anti-terror operations against alleged Islamic extremists, but NGOs and western governments now warn of indiscriminate persecution. Reports by western NGOs and intelligence services accuse China of having interned at least a million Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities there in re-education camps. Once the risk of genocide is proven, the EU and member states must take all necessary measures to end it, in accordance with the UN Convention on Genocide, French MEP Raphael Glucksmann said. They have no right to look away, to act as if nothing had happened and continue business as usual with China, he warned. Dutch lawyers for a suspect accused of downing Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 said prosecutors failed to prove a Russian-made missile brought down the jetliner, as they wrapped up their case on Thursday. The passenger jet was shot down while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014 killing all 298 on board, as Kyivs forces battled pro-Russian separatists in Ukraines war-torn east. The trial of four men, which started in March 2020, has taken on a new significance since Russias late February invasion of its neighbour, in which a slew of new war crimes are being alleged. To conclude, the prosecution failed to prove from tapped (mobile) conversations, images and witness statements that this was the missile that downed MH17, said Sabine ten Doesschate, who represents suspect Oleg Pulatov. And even if a missile was launched, it cannot be proven conclusively this was the missile that hit MH17. Prosecutors in December called for life sentences for the four men allegedly involved: Russian nationals Pulatov, Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky as well as Ukrainian national Leonid Kharchenko. Only Pulatov has legal representation and none of the men have appeared in court. Pulatovs lawyers told judges that there were holes in the prosecutions case because they were too focused only on proving separatists used a Russian-supplied BUK missile. Telling the story to them was more important than finding conclusive evidence, Ten Doesschate said at hearing, held at a courthouse close to Schiphol airport where flight MH17 took off. For instance, it could not be proven that a smoke trail which prosecutors said was seen shortly after the missile was fired was in fact that belonging to a BUK missile. Judges could not come to any other conclusion than an acquittal for her client, she said. Defence lawyers said they will discuss alternative scenarios for the downing of MH17 on Friday, after which the judges are set to retire to deliberate. The court has said a verdict is not expected until November 2022 at the earliest. All four men deny any involvement in the downing of the plane. The hearings come as fighting continues in eastern Ukraine and the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor called the whole of the country a crime scene following Russias invasion. jhe/dk/jv Malaysia Airlines Ukraines interior minister said Thursday there was no imminent risk of Russians marching on Kyiv, ore than 100 days after Russia invaded, but the capital would not let its guard down. There is no danger of an attack on Kyiv today, Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky said. There is no concentration of troops near the Belarusian border, but we understand that any scenarios are possible tomorrow, he told AFP, dressed in a black military sweater, a Ukrainian flag on its right sleeve. Therefore, serious training is under way preparation of the line of defence, training of troops who will remain in Kyiv and around the city. The minister also said Russian air strikes could hit at any time. Any place in Ukraine can be a target for rocket fire, including Kyiv, he said. Targets could even include the government quarter and historic centre of the capital, he added. Russian forces had their sights set on Kyiv when they moved into Ukraine in late February, rapidly taking over control of several towns around the city. But the invading forces withdrew from those suburbs a month later, leaving a trail of death in their wake, and have since focused on trying to gain ground in the east and south of the country. Monastyrsky said Ukraine would continue to prosecute captured Russian soldiers for alleged war crimes. These crimes have no statute of limitations. Whenever these monsters are found, they will be held accountable, he said. Up to 288 people have been suspected so far. He added that negotiations were underway to bring home Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia or Moscow-backed separatists. It is vital to bring them back here today, to save the boys from imminent death, he said. We are working to return the wounded first. Good news to all K-drama fans! South Korean stars Lee Junho and Lim YoonA are about to begin working soon with their upcoming series! Keep on reading for all the details. 'King the Land' Confirms To Start Production in September After they confirmed their participation in the romantic-comedy K-drama "King the Land," fans rejoiced as this is one step closer to seeing Lee Junho and YoonA in one frame. As it becomes one of the highly-anticipated series today, the drama production released new updates regarding the drama. According to a source, 2PM's Lee Junho and SNSD's YoonA will begin filming this coming September and are estimated to finish by mid of March 2023. In addition, it will be helmed by "Reflection Of You" director Im Hyun Wook and "All of Us Are Dead" writer Cheon Sung Il is in charge of the script. Furthermore, it will air on JTBC. 'King the Land' Synopsis "King the Land" follows the story of Gu Won (Lee Junho), son of a chaebol family, who owns and runs the King Group. He may be dubbed as the perfect guy, but despite his good looks and intelligence, he isn't good at dating as he can't smile in front of other people. Opposite him is Cheon Sa Rang (Lim YoonA). She has a bright aura and captivates everyone with her smiling face. She starts to work at the King Hotel, which was part of her childhood memories. Though it brings her fulfillment to work in the hotel, Sa Rang faces difficulties, particularly when she finally gets to work with the hotel's CEO Gu Won. Lee Junho and Lim YoonA Updates While waiting for their production to start, Lee Junho and Lim YoonA are busy with their solo activities. Particularly, the 2PM member is working on various brand advertisements which were featured on various social media platforms and even made it to fashion magazine pages. He is also active in producing spontaneous content on his YouTube vlog. On the other hand, SNSD's YoonA has lots of brand commitments these days. She is also preparing for her upcoming legal-romance series coming this July, where she will team up with Korean heartthrob Lee Jong Suk. The drama's production already dropped the behind-the-scenes photos during their first script reading. The SNSD member will have a back-to-back drama comeback this year. Plus, her group Girls' Generation also known as SNSD is gearing up for a comeback this August in celebration of their 15th anniversary. What are your thoughts about the upcoming drama of Lee Junho and Lim YoonA? Tell us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, follow and subscribe to KDramastars. KDramastars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. Ahead of the much anticipated premiere, Seo In Guk's upcoming drama "Cafe Minamdang" causes a stir as several employees were unjustly fired without a stable basis. Read more to know what went down in the drama production! Seo In Guk's 'Cafe Minamdang' Embroiled in Labor Controversies Ahead of Premiere KBS2's forthcoming comedy mystery romance series "Cafe Minamdang" starring Seo In Guk and Oh Yeon Seo causes a stir after the production company fires employees without legal basis. "Cafe Minamdang" (also known as "Beautiful Man") is a Ko Jae Hyun-directed drama that follows the story of a male shaman who was a former criminal profiler. Seo In Guk takes on the role of the charismatic profiler-turned-shaman Nam Han Joon. Meanwhile, Oh Yeon Seo plays the role of Han Jae Hee, a third year homicide detective who has immense passion and dedication for her job. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Seo In Guk Is Back! Upcoming Mystery Drama Releases First Stills On June 8, The Broadcast Staff Branch of The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a public protest outside the KBS building in Yeouido, Seoul, denouncing the production company. According to the Confederation, many employees were fired after requesting that the company abide by South Korea's Fair Labor Standards Act. The article 53 of the Fair Labor Standards Act states that companies can extend employees' work hours by up to 12 hours a week with mutual agreement. In this case, when employees on the set of Seo In Guk's drama asked the production company to comply with the law, the production company refused. They claimed that the staff members on the set of a drama are not "laborers," in which the Fair Labor Standards Act does not apply. With that said, The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions protested that the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, especially that the drama pushed forward with the filming knowing that its actions were illegal. Korean Confederation Demands Seo In Guk's Comeback Drama's Dismissal The forthcoming drama "Cafe Minamdang" under KBS2 is solely produced by People Story Company and Monster Union. During the protest against the company, The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions demands that the production company postpones the premiere of "Cafe Minamdang" until the issue is resolved. The broadcasting staff union said, "People Story Company and Monster Union shouldn't mislead the truth through puns, and should take full responsibility now." "Reinstate the staff and guarantee the workers just treatment and fair work hours," they added. ALSO READ: Oh Yeon Seo Steals Attention With Overflowing Charisma in New Drama With Seo In Guk Should the companies refuse to do so, The Broadcasting Staff Branch of the Hope Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Union will hold Monster Union and People Story Company legally and morally responsible for the improvement of illegal broadcasting sites. Meanwhile, "Cafe Minamdang" starring Seo In Guk, Oh Yeon Seo, Kwak Si Yang and more is a mystery comedy series based off of a popular web novel. It is KBS2's newest Monday and Tuesday drama, and it is scheduled to premiere for the first time on June 27! KDramastars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. The long wait is over as SBS dropped updates regarding the much-awaited premiere of "Taxi Driver" Season 2, starring Lee Je Hoon. Following the success of season 1, the action-mystery Kdrama is officially getting renewed. Lee Je Hoon & Pyo Ye Jin Returns for 'Taxi Driver' Season 2 It's official! Lee Je Hoon and Pyo Ye Jin will join "Taxi Driver" Season 2. According to a report, the duo confirmed their appearances and will reprise their roles as Kim Do Gi and Ahn Go Eun. Unfortunately, Esom, who played the role of feisty prosecutor Kang Ha Na, stepped down due to some issues. As noted by JoyNews24, Esom's agency, Artist Company, confirmed the news announcing that the actress will not join the K-drama because of "difficulty in coordinating the schedule," which prompted her to withdraw from Taxi Driver" Season 2. 'Taxi Driver' Season 2 Script Reading on June 12 + Slated to Debut in 2023 Following the confirmation of two lead stars, the report added that script reading for "Taxi Driver" Season 2 is slated for June 12 and will be attended by the main cast, director, and crew. Moreover, the highly-anticipated sequel will also be joining K-dramas airing in 2023. As of this writing, only Lee Je Hoon and Pyo Ye Jin are the confirmed cast for the upcoming season, and it is yet to be confirmed if Kim Eui Sung will also join the duo. Is 'Taxi Driver' Worth Watching? The webtoon-based series "Deluxe Taxi" is among the Kdramas that have gained massive hype. Debuted in April, "Taxi Driver" garnered the highest viewership rating of 16 percent, and its finale made a record-breaking history as the fourth-highest rated SBS Friday-Saturday Kdrama; joining "The Penthouse 2," "Hot Stove League," and "The Fiery Priest." In addition, the SBS drama also gained popularity among international fans as the Lee Je Hoon-led series was also released on Netflix. The series follows the story of Kim Do Gi, played by Lee Je Hoon. He used to be a Special Forces officer whose mother was murdered by a serial killer. Spending his days in agony, he was contacted by Rainbow Taxi CEO Jang Sung Chul (Kim Eui Sung) to use his anger to help other people who are also dealing with the same faith as him. The secret group, alongside Ahn Go Eun (Pyo Ye Jin), Choi Kyung Goo (Jang Hyuk Jin,) and Park Jin Eon ( Bae Yoo Ram), infiltrate syndicates and criminal organizations by disguising themselves to help individuals with their revenge. Aside from the powerful cast lineup, viewers also lauded how the series covers social issues like bullying, harassment, and more. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 6 Non-Romantic K-Dramas To Watch this 2021 If You are Not Into Heart Fluttering Love Stories KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Owners of homes in Kelowna and West Kelowna that are unoccupied or only seasonally occupied have paid almost $13 million to the provincial government through the Speculation and Vacancy Tax since it was introduced in 2018. Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray is kissed by Oddree Mayormaynot, the drag persona of Wilbur Turner, during opening ceremonies for Pride Week in 2012. Turner has been named Grand Marshall of this year's Pride March, set for Saturday in downtown Kelowna. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The work of Kenosha County Gang Intervention Supervisor Donna Rhodes is dedicated to changing the lives of at-risk youth and setting them on the right path for productive adulthoods. Little did she know that an awards ceremony last week at Hillcrest School would prove to be a celebration of the students accomplishments, as well as her own. During the Bridges Program event, Rhodes was honored with Hillcrests Courage to Care Award an accolade that caught her by pleasant surprise. Presenting the award to Rhodes, School Social Worker Melissa Szejna credited Rhodes for putting her heart and soul into her work, while always keeping a smile on her face and an ability to talk with anyone she meets. Donna has the ability to take any situation and find solutions and positives to make them teachable moments for all involved, Szejna said. Donnas passion and commitment to our students and school is truly a source of inspiration. Rhodes was honored along with Jay Beltran, a food services worker at Hillcrest. Szejna said both demonstrated resiliency throughout many changes and challenges throughout the school year. Hillcrest Principal Eitan Benzaquen said Rhodes has been vital in creating and maintaining a partnership between the nonprofit Community Impact Programs, the county Division of Children and Family Services and the Kenosha Unified School District, in which the agencies work together to ensure student and family success. Donna has always put kids first and has dedicated her life to helping kids and families in crisis, Benzaquen said. It takes such a strong and dedicated person to not fight or flight when crisis occurs; instead, she is there through it all, helping everyone. We are so lucky to have Donna working with us. Hillcrest is a Kenosha Unified School District school that offers programs for middle and high school students who have experienced difficulties in traditional settings. As Gang Intervention Supervisor, Rhodes works with local schools and coordinates the countys long-running Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides paid employment and job skills training to at-risk youth. Rhodes joined Kenosha County in 2009 after 20 years of supervising programs for Professional Services Group, a CIP sister agency. Rhodes said it is gratifying to her to see students who have had struggles go on to graduate from school and succeed in life. I am completely honored and humbled to receive this award, but I know I could not have done it without the staff at Hillcrest, KUSD and CIP, and the staff at DCFS, Rhodes said. Hillcrest is an amazing place, and it would not be the same without the support of all of the staff, and I share this Courage to Care Award with all of them. Because we all need the courage to care to help these kids succeed. For more information about the Kenosha County Division of Children and Family Services and its various services, please visit https://www.kenoshacounty.org/241/Children-Family-Services. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Central Bank of Ireland has issued a warning about a company associated with Catriona Carey. In the warning, issued today (June 9) the Central Bank says it is warning the public that Careysfort Asset Estates Limited is not authorised by the Central Bank to provide financial services. The company, which lists Catriona Carey as a director, can be named by the Central Bank under the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013. The Central Bank warning states: "Careysfort Asset Estates Limited is an English-registered company, having its registered address at 22 Wenlock Road, London, England N1 7GU. Catriona Carey is the sole director of Careysfort Asset Estates Limited. "The Central Bank believes that Careysfort Asset Estates Limited is holding itself out as a person whose business consists wholly or partly of providing credit directly to a relevant person but it holds no authorisation from the Central Bank as a retail credit firm. "It is a criminal offence for an unauthorised firm / person to provide financial services in Ireland that would require an authorisation under the relevant legislation, which the Central Bank is the responsible body for enforcing. Consumers should check the Central Bank registers online to find out if a firm / person they are dealing with is authorised. Consumers should be wary of advertisements offering loans from unauthorised firms or persons." For some general steps that individuals should take before dealing with firms / persons which purport to offer financial services, and tips to avoid scams and unauthorised activity, click here for the Central Bank website. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, announced the launch of the Animal Welfare Grant Programme for Registered Animal Charities for 2022 on Thursday June 9, inviting applications from registered animal charities providing animal welfare services in Ireland that wish to be considered for funding in 2022. In launching the application process, the Minister said: Animal welfare is a priority for me and this Government, and I am delighted to announce the opening of the application process for animal welfare charities to receive grants from my Department to support their valuable work. Ireland has a strong, active voluntary sector dedicated to animal welfare, and I want to acknowledge their efforts. Officials from my Department work closely with many of them every day and can testify to their commitment and dedication to preventing animal welfare issues and protecting and caring for surrendered, abandoned and at-risk animals. The Programme for Government contains an undertaking to provide additional funding to support animal welfare again this year to which I am fully committed. I awarded a record level of assistance of almost 3.8 million to 98 animal welfare organisations last December which coincided with Irelands first Animal Welfare Awareness Day. This funding for animal welfare organisations was evidence of mine and the Governments ongoing commitment to animal welfare and acknowledged the important role played by animal welfare organisations. These organisations play such a crucial role in ensuring all our animals are cared for and protected. This is frontline work that we can all be proud of. Further information including the application form can be found here The picture shows a screenshot of the introduction about the "Insect Allies" program on the official website of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Recently, the official website of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency(DARPA) released related content of its "Insect Allies", a program seeking to mitigate the impact of non-state actors incursions by applying targeted therapies to mature plants with effects that are expressed at relevant timescalesnamely, within a single growing season. Senior Colonel Shao Yongling, a researcher at the PLA Rocket Force Research Institute and military observer, believed that US military's participation in an agricultural security project does not exclude the possibility of future use in biological warfare, which should arouse vigilance. According to Shao, as scheduled and conceived by the US DARPA, the "Insect Allies" program aims to rapidly transfer genetically engineered viruses by insects to prevent crop failure driven by climate change and pathogens, and in turn to protect the US agricultural production system and ensure food security of the Americans. However, related research carried out by the US military can also transfer modified genes to field crops through insect vectors, that is, to artificially control crop failure or even total crop failure. The fact that a food security-centered project is led by a US military agency responsible for the development of sophisticated weapons, is sure to have the potential of a transformation to the development of biological weapons. The picture shows the US Army Biological Warfare Laboratories (USBWL) in Fort Detrick, Maryland, that is, the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). (File Photo) Furthermore, Shao explained that the use of insects as the carrier of virus transmission is characterized by low cost and high stealthiness. Once utilized by people or countries with ulterior motives to attack crops in other countries, the crops infected may suffer output reduction or even total failure, so as to result in a food crisis in the country. Shao also questioned the impact of this project on the ecological environment. She said, once the insects are deployed in farmland, it is difficult to confine them to a certain range. Meanwhile, it is yet to study whether the genetic changes are hereditary. Once it goes out of control, the project may cause unexpected damage to the entire ecological environment. "I think there are many ways to deal with issues on food security. To protect crops by resorting to genetic modification is to assume a false identity to conceal the true purpose. It is prone to arouse concerns of others over the US military-led program's potential as a disguise to develop biological weapons to launch biological warfare, which is in line with the US military's constant way of act." Editor's Note: This article is originally published on military.cnr.cn, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Heat index values up to 105. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && By Sverre Alvik The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused the world, but foremost Europe, to fret over its energy security. Prices at petrol stations hit record highs, and low-income households struggle to pay their gas and energy bills. A tough autumn and winter can be expected. Apart from the war-inflicted burden on consumers and many industries, I believe an important question is whether the war in Ukraine will derail Europe's energy transition? This is tricky to answer as it depends on several variables, including the extent and duration of the war. However, given the present circumstances, I believe that improved energy security will not occur at the expense of decarbonization. In fact, Europe, which had been so dependent on Russian oil and gas, should expect a small acceleration in its energy transition, with less fossil fuels in the mix and thus lower greenhouse gas emissions. This is supported by DNV's Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) model which effectively captures some of the emerging global complexities and assumes a scenario where zero Russian gas will be imported into Europe in 2025 at the latest. To set the context, European policymakers are determined to slash their dependence on Russian gas by two-thirds already this year, which seems like a tall order. This would be a painful and costly switch, as it explores the increased import of LNG. Currently, the role of imported LNG is restricted by the regasification capacity. Production in places linked to the European gas pipeline networks in Norway, Algeria and Azerbaijan can only inch their output upwards, while the building of additional infrastructure takes two to five years. This means, LNG import by ships is needed to fill the gap. Despite the challenges, LNG will still play an important part in Europe's overall energy security strategy. Other alternatives include Belgian nuclear, French heat pumps, German solar and pan-European wind. However, the time needed for some of these options to take meaningful effect could take multiple years, and they are far from perfect. For example, though the delayed retirement of nuclear plants is somewhat easy to implement, maintenance and security issues may arise. Germany, for example, remains committed to eliminating all domestic atomic energy by the end of this year, which is backed by its population even in the current energy crisis. The following are some insights highlighted by our model: Coal is needed in the very short term as a bridging energy source to meet Europe's demand. Its higher cost due to the war will not be a major problem since it is a source of last resort, and it will only replace six percent of the shortfall of Russian gas in 2024. Renewables and nuclear will help to produce 34 percent of Europe's energy by 2024, two percentage points higher than our pre-war forecast. Specifically, bioenergy, which is sourced mainly from sewage and waste, is expected to make up 20 percent of the shortfall in 2024. While it offers little relief in 2023, meaningful effects should be observed by 2030, where solar PV and wind will contribute to more than 50 percent of the shortfall in Russian gas supply. As for nuclear, it is expected to provide one-third of the shortfall in Russian gas in 2023. In the long run, its place in Europe's energy mix is possibly driven by country specific politics rather than costs. Energy emissions will similarly fall by 2.3 percent in Europe between 2022 and 2030 compared to the absence of the Ukraine war because of the usage of low carbon energy (renewables and nuclear), higher energy efficiency, and lower economic growth in the intermediate term. Overall, Europe's gas use will drop by 9 percent in 2024 compared with DNV's pre-war forecast. Although non-fossil supply and energy efficiency can be accelerated, there are counterforces at work regarding the energy transition that must be acknowledged. Examples include burning more coal to replace natural gas as well as rising costs of EV batteries and PV panels. Thus, the push for energy security will work against the energy transition. As a result of the Ukraine war, global trade and cooperation have been seriously impacted. Global logistics must be realigned to tackle the escalating food crisis and there is also a shortage of critical materials. These grave repercussions could slow down the energy transition in Europe. No one can predict the duration and outcome of the Ukraine war, or the strength of the policies imposed by the European nations to address energy security and sustainability. However, in the current circumstances, I would anticipate a small acceleration of the energy transition in Europe despite the ongoing Ukraine war. Unlike other leading economies that deepened their reliance on fossil fuels during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing subsidies for heavily polluting industries to protect jobs, the EU kept its promise to focus on low carbon energy in preparation for its post-pandemic economy. One notable initiative is its NextGenerationEU package, which is worth 2 trillion euro, and encourages the adoption of low carbon energy. So far, Europe has been able to cope with the effects of the short-term pandemic alongside the long-term climate crisis, which is why I believe that Europe can push through the energy transition during this uncertain period. It will be interesting to see how policymakers in Asia will adjust their policies, learning from Europe's trial and error. Sverre Alvik is director of energy transition research at global risk management company DNV, which is based near Oslo, Norway. The company is also the world's leading classification society for ships and has been operating in Korea for more than 50 years, having stations at all major Korean shipyards. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade will present the classic musical, Beauty and the Beast, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at DeKalb High School as part of the DeKalb Theater Department summer theater intensive. The June 1 filing deadline for nomination papers has now passed and races for the 2022 fall election are coming into sharper focus, with multiple contested races in Walworth County. And with the redistricting of Wisconsins legislative maps in the wake of the 2020 U.S. Census, several West End communities are seeing major changes in their districts, according to Wisconsin State Legislature maps posted at https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/. The biggest is that both the east end of Geneva Lake, where the City of Lake Geneva is located, and west end of Geneva Lake, including Fontana, Williams Bay and Walworth, will be located in the same legislative district. As part of the new legislative boundaries, the Elkhorn area, previously split between the 31st and 32nd Assembly Districts, now falls solely within the 31st Assembly District. The Whitewater area in Walworth County, previously in the 43rd Assembly District, also moves to the 31st Assembly District. The East Troy area, previously split three ways between the 32nd Assembly District, the 33rd Assembly District and the 83rd Assembly District, now falls entirely within the 83rd Assembly District. Currently the City of Lake Geneva is located in the 32nd legislative district, represented by Rep. Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, and the west end of the lake is located in the 31st legislative district and represented by Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton. Two candidates have filed to run against August for the seat in the new 32nd district Republican Bart Williams of West Bend and Democrat challenger Adam Jaramillo of Williams Bay. Loudenbeck, who represented the 31st district, has opted to not run again and is instead running for secretary of state against Democrat Doug LaFollette, along with six other candidates. Four candidates are running for the open 31st Assembly District. Three Republicans are running for the position. They are Ellen Schutt of Clinton, Maryann Zimmerman of Whitewater and Jason Dean of Whitewater. Democrat Brienne Brown of Whitewater is also running for the seat and will face whoever wins the Aug. 9 primary in the Nov. 8 election. Three candidates had filed campaign registration statements for the 83rd Assembly District, with ballot status approved for Republicans Pat Goldammer of Waterford and Nik Rettinger of Mukwonago, and independent Chaz Self of East Troy. Incumbent Republican Chuck Wichgers filed notification of non-candidacy for his 83rd Assembly District seat. Wichgers ballot status has been approved to run for the 82nd Assembly District. State senate race The communities directly around Geneva Lake will all remain in the 11th State Senate district, but there are changes to the northern part of the district. For the 11th State Senate seat, incumbent Republican Stephen Nass of La Grange is running again and will face Democratic challenger Steven Doelder of Bloomfield. The new 11th Senate district will include the City of Whitewater, which was in district 15 and had been represented by Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, who is not running for re-election. The new 11th Senate district will not include East Troy, which is moving to the 28th Senate district and is represented by Sen. Julian Bradley, R-Franklin, who is not up for election this November. Congressional district changes Additional changes are also coming to the 1st Congressional district, which has voted Republican since 1995, first for Mark Neumann and subsequently for former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and incumbent Bryan Steil. Previously, the 1st Congressional District encompassed the vast majority of Walworth County, all of Racine and Kenosha counties, and parts of Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha and Milwaukee counties. The new 1st Congressional District map adds Democratic areas around the Beloit and Janesville in Rock County, the Whitewater area in northeastern Walworth County and the southeastern Milwaukee suburbs of St. Francis, Cudahy and South Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, while subtracting Republican areas in southern Waukesha County and the East Troy area in northeastern Walworth County. Three have filed for the 1st Congressional District, with incumbent Republican Bryan Steil of Janesville set to face Democratic challenger Ann Roe of Janesville, and independent Going Away Party challenger Charles E. Barman of Sharon. With redistricting, East Troy in northeastern Walworth County becomes part of the 5th Congressional District, currently held by incumbent Republican Scott Fitzgerald. Republican Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau is being challenged by Mike Van Somerson of Pewaukee. According to the Madison-based Wisconsin Elections Commission, state offices up for election this fall are those for governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, secretary of state, state senator (odd-numbered districts) and state representative. Federal offices up for election are U.S. Senate and Representatives to Congress. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Enjoy the long-lasting goodness of a paradise island through a Golden Paradise Visa A long term resident visa program dedicated to investors to enjoy the benefit of the paradise island while contributing and reaping the benefits of the blooming economy. Investors and their families will enjoy the lasting benefits of this visa program. View Brochure For more information please visit https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/golden-paradise-visa.html REPATRIATION OF HUMAN REMAINS Step I: Parents/family member or spouse of the deceased has to make a written request with an affidavit to this Mission through the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka. Please note that NOK of the deceased in Sri Lanka should give consent to receive the human remains and undertake burial arrangements. An Affidavit should be signed in this regard [affidavit has to be filled by the NOK and has to be attested by a J P expressing his /her wish i.e whether he /she willing to get the human remains repatriated to Sri Lanka or not] and submit to; the Consular Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2nd Floor, Ceylinco Building, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo. 01, Sri Lanka. Tel: 011-9411-2446302 / 5743362/ Fax: 011-9411-2473899, e-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , prior to the dispatch of human remains. Step II In order to provide no objection letter from the Mission please bring the following documentations. Original Sri Lankan passport of the deceased and valid visa. (To verify identification and to cancel the passport) Death certificate issued by the coroner including the cause of death( it is essential to see the cause of death).In case cause of death is not available in the death certificate, a document verifying cause of death, issued by the health authority should present) Certificate issued by the health authorities for certifying the remains for non-contagious diseases (including Covid 19)-This certificate is mandatory. (If the the body is identified covid infected no remain will be allowed to Sri Lanka) Authorization to close the coffin (issued by funeral undertakers/agent) Coffin certificate-issued by the funeral undertakers/agent (No human remain should be arrived in Sri Lanka unless such corps have been embalmed and enclosed in a coffin or hard wood with lead or zinc lining (sealed). Hermetically sealed with lead or zinc lining with suitable disinfectants (i.e Chloride or lime zinc sulphate mixed with sawdust, filling the empty spaces with the coffin) Embalming certificate (issued by the funeral undertakers/agent) / document issued certifying that the body is secured with necessary preservation requirements. Authorization to repatriate remains (issued by the Swiss authorities) Please kindly be informed that only the nominated person by the NoK will be issued the "no objection" certificate along with the cancelled passport upon submission of his/her identification. "No objection" letter is issued free of charge. New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): The world's largest coal miner Coal India Limited on Thursday said it has issued a tender to import 2.42 million tonnes (MT) of coal, which will be used by state power generating companies (gencos) and independent power plants. "In a first ever, Coal India Limited (CIL) on Wednesday floated an international competitive bidding e-tender, seeking bids for import of 2.416 million tonnes (MT) of coal," Coal India Limited said in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges. Also Read | Karnataka Honour Killing: 17-Year-Old Girl Blamed Her Parents for Death in Last Call to Dalit Boy. The coal being sourced on behalf of the state generating companies (gencos) and independent power plants is based on the indents received from them. It is for the July-September period of the current fiscal year, the government-run miner said. There is a provision in the tender to accommodate a variation of above or below 30 per cent of the bid quantity. Also Read | Cybertruck Will Be Tesla's Best Product Ever, Says Elon Musk. The coal being sought is 5,000 GAR (gross as received) thermal grade coal. Coal India Limited has issued the international tender for importing coal after the Government of India nominated CIL as a centralised agency to augment coal supplies to state gencos and independent power plants (IPPs) through import of coal, at a time when the demand for coal is high. Board of Coal India Limited at its meeting held on 2nd June gave its nod for the company to proceed ahead with the issuance of two international tenders for sourcing coal from overseas, a short-term and a medium-term tender. The current short-term tender for the import of coal, for Q2 of the financial year 2022-23, is source agnostic. This means the coal can be sourced from any country. Though coal import is an uncharted terrain for CIL, within a week of receiving indents from the 7 State Gencos and 19 IPPs, for a total of 2.416 MTs of coal, the company on a war footing has finalised and floated the tender, Coal India said in a statement. The last date for the receipt of bids is 29th June. There is an option of pre-bid meeting on 14th June to seek clarification on any nuances of the tender. After the price discovery, CIL shall immediately execute a contract with the successful bidder for supply of coal. Then the state owned coal miner shall enter into a back-to-back agreement with state gencos and IPPs to whom coal has to be supplied. The coal imported shall be routed through 9 ports located in east and west coasts of the country. The successful agency, selected through the bidding process, shall deliver coal at the doorstep of the power plants of state gencos and IPPs, the company said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhubaneswar, Jun 9 (PTI) A day after the Centre announced a hike of Rs 100 per quintal on paddy, raising the minimum support price (MSP) to Rs 2,040, the ruling BJD in Odisha expressed its dissatisfaction over the move, and demanded that the amount be further increased to Rs 2,930 per quintal. BJD national spokesperson Sasmit Patra, at a press conference here, said the rise in MSP of the common grade variety of paddy was "insufficient". Also Read | Monsoon 2022: First Eight Days of Southwest Monsoon Records Large Deficit. "The BJD had been demanding a 1.5-time MSP rise over the cost of production of paddy, as per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. The Centre, however, did not pay any heed," the BJD MP said. He pointed out that the Odisha Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on March 25, 2017, recommending Rs 2,930 per quintal as MSP of common paddy Also Read | Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Drones, Apps to Keep Strict Vigil in Ahmedabad After Al Qaeda Threat Over Prophet Row. All MLAs, including those from the BJP, Congress and the BJD, had unanimously supported the government decision, he noted. The BJD leader also came down heavily on the Centre "for not lifting surplus parboiled rice from Odisha". "The rice produced in Odisha is mostly of the par-boiled variety. The state is one of the contributors to the PDS system in the nation. The Centre's decision to stop lifting surplus par-boiled rice will adversely affect lakhs of farmers in Odisha," Patra said. He also stated that the Odisha government had demanded the release of Rs 10,334 crore food subsidy bill for ease of paddy procurement, "but no action has been initiated by the Centre on the matter thus far". The BJD leader said that the state government had placed before the Centre at least five demands, including the MSP hike to Rs 2,930, "none of which has been fulfilled". Meanwhile, the Congress lashed out at both the BJP and the BJD for their "anti-farmer attitude". "If the BJD government is serious about its intentions and wants farmers to earn more, it should announce a bonus on every quintal of paddy being sold by the cultivators," Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati said. BJP Krushak Morcha state president, Pradip Purohit, however, welcomed the Centre's decision as "much-needed move". "The state government must first ensure that the farmers get the MSP of Rs 2,040. Middlemen and agents often eat up a share," Purohit added. (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, June 9: India on Thursday said it carefully monitors developments along its border areas including the construction of infrastructure by the Chinese side in the eastern Ladakh sector. The comments by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came in response to remarks by an American military commander that some of the defence infrastructures that China is creating near its border with India in Ladakh is "alarming". "The government is committed to and takes all adequate and appropriate measures to safeguard territorial integrity and sovereignty as the developments in recent years have clearly demonstrated," Bagchi said at a media briefing. Prophet Mohammed Remarks Row: India Rejects OIC's Comments Over Derogatory Remarks by BJP Functionaries, Says 'Unwarranted and Narrow-Minded'. He said the government of India has taken various measures in recent years to develop infrastructure along the border areas to not only meet India's strategic and security requirements but also facilitate the economic developments of the areas. US Army's Pacific Commanding General Charles A Flynn on Wednesday talked about the infrastructure development by China along its borders with India in the Ladakh sector, and called the Chinese activities in that region as "eye-opening". "As far as the current situation (in eastern Ladakh) is concerned, we have maintained continuous communication with the Chinese side both through diplomatic and military channels," Bagchi said. He said India will maintain its dialogue with the Chinese side to resolve the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh. (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, Jun 9 (PTI) India will host the foreign ministers of ASEAN nations from June 16 to 17 to mark the 30th anniversary of its relations with the 10-nation grouping. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Myanmar's participation at the ASEAN-India foreign ministers' meeting would be based on the rules of the grouping, which is seen as an indication that the country's foreign minister is unlikely to be in New Delhi. Also Read | Delhi Court Seeks Report From Tihar Jail on Conman Sukesh Chandrashekar's 'Threat to Life' Plea. The position of the ASEAN on engaging Myanmar at multilateral forums following the military coup in that country last year has been that it should be at the non-political level. "India will host the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting (SAIFMM) on June 16 to 17 to mark the 30th anniversary of our dialogue relations and the 10th anniversary of our strategic partnership with the ASEAN," Bagchi said at a media briefing. Also Read | COVID-19: Omicron Sub-Variants Behind Sudden Rise in COVID Cases in India. He said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan will co-chair the meeting. The foreign minister of Singapore is India's country coordinator in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Bagchi said foreign ministers of other ASEAN member states and the ASEAN secretary-general will participate in the SAIFMM. The year 2022 has been designated as the ASEAN-India friendship year. Asked about Myanmar's participation, Bagchi said it would be as per the ASEAN rules. There were indications that India is unlikely to invite the Myanmarese foreign minister for the meeting and instead would invite an official. On February 1 last year, Myanmar's military grabbed power in the coup and imposed a state of emergency after detaining Nobel laureate Suu Kyi and other leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD). The country witnessed massive protests following the coup. The international community has been severely critical of the coup. ASEAN-India dialogue relations started with the establishment of sectoral partnership in 1992 which graduated to full dialogue partnership in December 1995, Summit level Partnership in 2002, and strategic partnership in 2012. "Today, ASEAN-India strategic partnership stands on a strong foundation. The ASEAN is central to India's Act East Policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific," Bagchi said. "This multi-faceted partnership encompasses many sectoral dialogue mechanisms and working groups that meet regularly at various levels and include annual summit, ministerial and senior officials' meetings," he said. The ongoing India-ASEAN collaboration is guided by the Plan of Action 2021-2025 which was adopted in 2020. While ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM), hosted by the ASEAN Chair is an annual event, the SAIFMM would be the first ASEAN-India FMM to be hosted by India in New Delhi. The SAIFMM will be preceded by 24th ASEAN-India Senior Officials Meeting on June 15. The SAIFMM will be accompanied by the 12th edition of Delhi Dialogue, a premier Track 1.5 Dialogue in the ASEAN-India calendar, which will be hosted by India on June 16-17. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Jun 9 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said party president Sonia Gandhi has asked him to hold talks with all like-minded parties on the possibility of fielding a common candidate for the Presidential polls. Also Read | Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Drones, Apps to Keep Strict Vigil in Ahmedabad After Al Qaeda Threat Over Prophet Row. Following her direction, Kharge, who is Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, called on NCP chief Sharad Pawar here to discuss the issue. Also Read | Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey Orders Probe into Couples Allegations of Government Hospital Demanding Bribe to Handover Sons Body. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Kharge said, "I have been asked by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to discuss the possibility of all like-minded parties coming together to field a common candidate for the Presidential polls." He said Pawar also supported the idea. Pawar indicated that the Presidential poll issue may gain momentum after June 20, when polls to 10 seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council will be held. "Our focus is presently is on the elections to Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council," Pawar told reporters. Kharge said he will also meet Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the issue. He said he will also approach the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Samajwadi Party, among others. "We will fix a meeting to discuss the possibility of fielding a common candidate," he added. Election for the next President of India will be held on July 18 in which 4,809 electors comprising MPs and MLAs will vote to elect incumbent Ram Nath Kovind's successor, the Election Commission announced on Thursday. Kovind's term ends on July 24. Going by its strength in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as in many state assemblies, the BJP is in a comfortable position to ensure the victory of the candidate nominated by it in the upcoming election. Maharashtra has 288 MLAs and 78 MLCs, who form the electoral college for the presidential election. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 9 (ANI): To promote privatisation in the space sector, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) headquarters have been set up at Bopal in Ahmedabad which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday. IN-SPACe will be the nodal agency that will allow the use of Department of Space-owned facilities by non-government private entities and ensure their participation in the space sector. It will be a single-window nodal agency which will permit and oversee Space activities including the building of launch vehicles and satellites, as approved by the Union Cabinet in June 2020. Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh. Chairman of IN-SPACe, Pawan Kumar Goenka told ANI, "It is a very big day for IN-SPACe as well as the space industry as the Prime Minister himself is announcing to the world the importance of IN-SPACe, the vision behind it and how it will boost the Indian space sector." He further said, "The primary problem that we are trying to solve here is that the private sectors are not active in the space sector, which is not the case in other advanced space bearing countries. With IN-SPACe, the private sector will be facilitated to come into space. The aim is to acknowledge that the private sector plays a very strong role in the space economy of India." Also Read | Monsoon 2022: First Eight Days of Southwest Monsoon Records Large Deficit. "The future growth of IN-SPACe depends on various factors. Space technology is very dynamic and it's not like you push a button to avail the desired results. A lot of learning will be involved before a strong infrastructure for the private sector is developed," he said. "The starry-eyed start-ups in the country have the ability to come up in the space and play shoulder to shoulder with private sectors in other countries," Goenka added. Prime Minister, after inaugurating the multi-speciality hospital in Navsari, will reach the IN-SPACe centre at Ahmedabad after which he will visit the facility centre within the campus. "The facility centre is of great importance," added Goenka. The Union cabinet headed by the Prime Minister approved the establishment of IN-SPACe in June 2020. The aim behind setting up this centre was to enable non-government entities to use the facilities of the Department of Space for greater participation of private players in space technology and related activities. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Jun 9 (PTI) The stage is set for the elections to four seats of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Friday, with the ruling Congress in a position to win two seats and the Opposition BJP one. However, the contest for the fourth seat spiced up after media baron Subhash Chandra filed his papers as an Independent candidate. Also Read | Maharashtra: A Special Court Refuses Temporary Bail to NCP Leader Nawab Malik and Former Latest Tweet by Prasar Bharati News Services. He is backed by the BJP and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), and despite having the support of 33 MLAs of both parities needs eight more votes. A candidate requires 41 votes for victory. On the other hand, the Congress is claiming the support of 126 MLAs, exuding confidence of winning three seats but it needs the backing of Independent legislators and those of other parties to win a third seat. Also Read | Realme GT Neo 3T Reportedly Spotted on Official India Website. The Congress currently has 108 legislators in the 200-member state Assembly and needs 123 votes to win three seats. The Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) with two MLAs has extended support to the ruling party. The party is also claiming the support of 13 Independents and one Rashtriya Lok Dal MLA, who is currently a state minister. Fearing horse-trading, the Congress on June 2 shifted its MLAs and some of the Independent legislators supporting it to an Udaipur resort. They are expected to return Jaipur on Thursday, a day ahead of the polling. Meanwhile, the BJP too shifted its MLAs to a Jaipur hotel in the name of a "training camp". The BJP has also given a complaint to the Election Commission of India and Enforcement Directorate accusing the Congress of horse trading. The Congress has fielded Mukul Wasnik, Pramod Tiwari and Randeep Surjewala for the polls while the BJP has chosen as its official candidate former minister Ghanshyam Tiwari, who earlier was an open critic of former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje. Amid allegations of horse-trading attempts, Subhash Chandra increased worries of the ruling party on Tuesday by claiming that eight MLAs will cross vote in his favour. However, the government chief whip in the state Assembly, Mahesh Joshi, had claimed that all party candidates will win. "When the numbers are with us, then from where will the independent candidate get votes? Looking at the possibility of horse-trading attempts, our party has given a complaint to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Election Commission of India," a Congress MLA said on Thursday. A BJP spokesperson also expressed confidence that party candidate Ghanshyam Tiwari and media baron Subhash Chandra will emerge victorious. "We are confident of the victory and it will be clear in the results tomorrow," he said. Despite claiming the support of 126 MLAs, enough to win three seats, the ruling Congress this time has faced a difficult time keeping its flock together with some of the party legislators and independents expressing their resentment against the government. The six legislators who had defected to the Congress from the BSP said they did not get due respect in the party and the government. They initially avoided going to Udaipur but after meeting CM Ashok Gehlot on Saturday night, they changed their mind and went to the resort there on Sunday. To mount pressure on the six MLAs, the BSP issued a whip on June 4, directing them to vote for the independent candidate, and not to the Congress or the BJP nominees. One of the 13 independent legislators has been away from the Congress camp while the CPI (M) having two MLAs is yet to clear its stand. After winning two seats, the Congress will have 26 surplus votes, 15 short of the required 41 to win the third seat. On the other hand, BJP has 71 MLAs. Three MLAs backing Chandra belong to the RLP. The RLP is headed by Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal, a former BJP leader. After the victory of the party candidate, the BJP will be left with 30 surplus votes, which will go to Subhash Chandra. The polling will take place from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday in the Assembly building and the counting will start from 5 pm. There are 10 seats of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan and currently the BJP has seven and the Congress three MPs. The elections to the four seats are taking place as BJP's Omprakash Mathur, K J Alphons, Ramkumar Verma and Harshardhan Singh Dungarpur are going to complete their term on July 4. The other other three Rajya Sabha MPs of the BJP are Kirodi Lal, Bhupendra Yadav (Union minister) and Rajendra Gehlot. The Congress Rajya Sabha MPs from Rajasthan are former PM Manmohan Singh, party general Secretary K C Venugopal and Neeraj Dangi. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Jun 8 (PTI) In a fresh development that is likely to worry the Congress further, the Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP) on Wednesday night issued a whip to its two MLAs directing them to not take part in voting in the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections. The whip came a day after the BTP MLAs announced support to the Congress after meeting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Udaipur. Also Read | Dog Home Foundation, a Foundation With the Vision of Providing the Greatest Medical Care to Ill-Treated Pets. BTP state president Velaram Ghoghra said that the MLAs have been directed through the whip to refrain from voting in Rajya Sabha elections. "Our MLAs supported the (Congress) party during the political crisis in 2020. The party had given representations to CM with our demands but nothing happened. Therefore, it was directed to the MLAs to refrain from voting, Ghoghra said. Also Read | Prophet Remarks Row: Due to BJP, Country Faced Embarrassment and Was Forced to Apologise, Says Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. Reacting to the development, BTP MLA Rajkumar Roat said that it was decided to support the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections after consultation with the party leaders and workers, but now the state president has issued the whip on his own. "We got the information that the state president has issued a whip. Discussions with the party leaders and workers were held before the decision to support the Congress was taken. Since the Congress party is in power, our demands which are related to tribal people and development of the area can only be fulfilled by it and hence we had decided to announce support for the ruling party candidates in the RS elections, Roat said. We (MLAs) will hold discussion with the party leaders and workers tomorrow to decide further course of action, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 9 (ANI): Rajasthan Congress MLAs were driven back to Jaipur from Udaipur ahead of the Rajya Sabha voting on Friday and party leaders assured of securing three seats in the state for the Upper House of the parliament. MLAs lodged at the Leela Palace Hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur on the penultimate day of Rajya Sabha voting. Also Read | Monsoon 2022: First Eight Days of Southwest Monsoon Records Large Deficit. "Now it should be clear to them (BJP) that they can't disintegrate the unity of Congress through their actions. Congress is intact and together the party will win all 3 seats tomorrow. After voting you can count, Congress will have all 126 votes," Congress leader Raghu Sharma said. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also reiterated the confidence and negated any chance of cross-voting. Also Read | Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Drones, Apps to Keep Strict Vigil in Ahmedabad After Al Qaeda Threat Over Prophet Row. "We are winning all three seats. We want results to be such that no one would even try to win here. All of us stand together. BJP is scared. They are going to the election commission, to Enforcement Directorate (ED), to courts," Gehlot said. Elections to four seats of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on Friday going to take place with the ruling Congress party has fielded 3 candidates Randeep Singh Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari. The Congress currently has 108 legislators in the 200-member state Assembly and needs 123 votes to win three seats. The polling will take place from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday in the Assembly building and the counting will start from 5 pm. There are 10 seats of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan and currently, the BJP has seven and the Congress three MPs. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Samastipur (Bihar), Jun 9 (PTI) An elderly couple was allegedly forced to beg on the streets to collect Rs 50,000 to pay as a bribe to an employee of a government hospital in Bihar's Samastipur district for getting their son's body released from there. After a video showing the couple begging has gone viral, the authorities ordered a probe into the matter and handed over the body to his parents. Also Read | Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022: Drones, Apps to Keep Strict Vigil in Ahmedabad After Al Qaeda Threat Over Prophet Row. This is shame on humanity," Samastipur Civil Surgeon SK Chaudhary told reporters. Mahesh Thakur, the father of the deceased, said his son had gone missing on May 25 and his body was found in Bejhadih village in the district on June 7. The local police sent the body to the mortuary of Samastipur district hospital. Also Read | Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey Orders Probe into Couples Allegations of Government Hospital Demanding Bribe to Handover Sons Body. After Thakur came to know about it, he went to the hospital and identified the body. An employee of the mortuary demanded Rs 50,000 to release the body of my son. We are poor people, how can we pay that hefty amount?" Thakur said. So, he and his wife started begging money from people but managed to collect only Rs 2000. Thakur claimed he requested the employee to accept that and release his son's body, but in vain. After that, we decided to perform the last rites of our son without collecting the body, he said. The civil surgeon said a committee has been formed to probe the matter. Strict action will be taken against those who will be found guilty, Chaudhary said. Reacting to the report, election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over his claims of sushasan (good governance). Humanity is ashamed, yet #NitishKumar's claim of good governance is intact!!! Kishor tweeted in Hindi. Shiv Sena MP from Maharashtra, Priyanka Chaturvedi, urged Kumar to take strict action against the hospital, saying the matter is depressing to the core. (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, Jun 9 (PTI) The Election Commission will provide "particular" pens to electors to mark their vote on ballot papers in the presidential election to be held on July 18. Polling will take in Parliament House here and in state legislative assemblies. Also Read | COVID-19: Omicron Sub-Variants Behind Sudden Rise in COVID Cases in India. Elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and elected MLAs are entitled to vote. Nominated MPs and MLAs and members of legislative councils cannot vote to elect the President. "For marking the vote, the Commission will supply particular pens. The pen will be given to the electors in the polling station by the designated official when the ballot paper is handed over," the Commission said in a statement. Also Read | India's Global Role as a Net Food Security Provider Grows Despite Ban on Wheat Exports. Electors have to mark the ballot only with the pen provided by the poll panel "and not with any other pen". "Voting by using any other pen shall lead to invalidation of the vote at the time of counting," the EC cautioned. On the issue of environment, the EC said it has always been its endeavour to make elections eco-friendly. The election to the office of President of India, being an indirect election, does not involve campaigning in the conventional way of displaying banners or posters. "Still, the Commission, in view of importance of this election, has directed the returning officer and assistant returning officers concerned to ensure use of eco-friendly and biodegradable material and eliminate the use of prohibited plastic materials as per extant instructions of government of India," it said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Jun 9 (PTI) The BJP on Thursday accused Congress leader Randeep Surjewala of insulting goddess Sita, asking why the party "hates Hindus so much". Surjewala, who is a Congress spokesperson and a Rajya Sabha candidate from Rajasthan, referred to goddess Sita of the Ramayana while mentioning an episode related to Draupadi in the Mahabharata. Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: Schools Across Union Territory Observe Two-Minute Silence in Memory of Late Teacher Rajni Bala. Sharing a video of Surjewala, who by mistake mentioned goddess Sita instead of Draupadi in the context of disrobing episode in the epic, BJP national spokesperson Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore asked, "Why the Congress hates Hindus so much." "Rahul Gandhi, who does election tours from temple to temple, is irritated by a sacred word like Hindutva. His party keeps insulting Lord Ram. Today again, the Congress has hurt the faith of Hindus by making indecent remarks on Mata Sita," tweeted Rathore, who is the Jaipur (Rural) MP. Also Read | LinkedIn Expands Its Live Audio Feature for Creators: Report. Surjewala is one of three candidates the Congress has fielded for the Rajya Sabha polls from Rajasthan. He was expressing confidence of the party's victory and was simultaneously hitting out the BJP when by mistake he referred to Sita. "Majority will win, democracy will win, Constitution will win, law will win, morality will win and those who are under cover of lies like at one time Sita Maiya's 'cheerharan' had happened they want to do 'cheerharan' of democracy, those people will be defeated and exposed," he told reporters in Udaipur on Thursday. Targeting media baron Subhash Chandra who is contesting as an independent candidate, Surjewala said, "Those who have come to Rajasthan on the basis of money power, CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department will be defeated." Elections to four seats of the Rajya Sabha from the state will take place on Friday. Besides Surjewala, Congress has fielded Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari while BJP has given ticket to former minister Ghanshyam Tiwari. Subhash Chandra is contesting election as an independent candidate and he is backed by the BJP and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP). (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], June 9 (ANI): At the current rate of retreat the vast glaciers, which extend deep into the heart of the ice sheet, could contribute as much as 3.4 metres to global sea-level rise over the next several centuries. Antarctica is covered by two huge ice masses: the East and West Antarctic Ice Sheets, which feed many individual glaciers. Because of the warming climate, the WAIS has been thinning at accelerated rates over the past few decades. Within the ice sheet, the Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers are particularly vulnerable to global warming and are already contributing to rises in sea level. Also Read | India vs South Africa Stat Highlights 1st T20I 2022: Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller Help Proteas End Hosts' 12-Match Winning Streak. Now, a new study led by the University of Maine and the British Antarctic Survey, including academics from Imperial College London, has measured the rate of local sea-level change - an indirect way to measure ice loss - around these particularly vulnerable glaciers. They found that the glaciers have begun retreating at a rate not seen in the last 5,500 years. With areas of 192,000 km2 (nearly the size of the island of Great Britain) and 162,300 km2 respectively, the Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers have the potential to cause large rises in global sea level. Also Read | NZ vs ENG Dream11 Team Prediction: Tips To Pick Best Fantasy Playing XI for England vs New Zealand 2nd Test 2022 in Nottingham. Co-author Dr Dylan Rood of Imperial's Department of Earth Science and Engineering said: "We reveal that although these vulnerable glaciers were relatively stable during the past few millennia, their current rate of retreat is accelerating and already raising global sea level. "These currently elevated rates of ice melting may signal that those vital arteries from the heart of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet have been ruptured, leading to accelerating flow into the ocean that is potentially disastrous for future global sea level in a warming world. Is it too late to stop the bleeding?" (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Canberra [Australia], June 9 (ANI/Xinhua): Australia's energy ministers have agreed to an 11-point plan to address the nation's gas crisis when the country's energy prices are spiking due to high winter demand and supply shortages. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Wednesday night chaired a meeting with his state and territory counterparts to discuss solutions to the crisis, agreeing to give the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) the capacity to procure and store gas supplies. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: 'Time Is Short To Prevent Global Food Crisis', Says UN. Australian energy prices are spiking due to high winter demand, gas supply shortages and coal-fired power generators failing. Bowen warned that there was no "silver bullet" short-term fix for the current crisis but that the measures would give governments the capacity to manage future crises. Also Read | China Lauds India for Helping Sri Lanka Amid Economic Crisis. "There's storage facilities around the country. We agreed to work to give the AEMO that power and to give them that power expeditiously," he said. Bowen said the principles outlined are clear that the AEMO should support new technologies and he supports storage and renewables being a particular focus of capacity mechanism going forward. The meeting also agreed to enhance the powers of energy regulators to ensure transparency for customers and that retailers work in their best interests. A national transition plan for the energy market will be developed for the ministers' next meeting in July. (ANI/Xinhua) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], June 9 (ANI): US President Joe Biden spoke with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to calibrating sanctions on Caracas depending on how internal reform negotiations go in the country, the White House said on Wednesday. "President Biden reaffirmed the United States is willing to calibrate sanctions policy as informed by the outcomes of negotiations that empower the Venezuelan people to determine the future of their country," the White House said in a readout of the leaders' call. Also Read | US Approves USD 120 Million Sale of Ship Parts To Maintain Taiwanese Warships. Guaido, whom the United States recognizes as the Interim President of Venezuela, was invited to attend events on the periphery of the Summit of the Americas, to which the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro was not invited. Biden in the call expressed his support for negotiations in Venezuela toward fair elections and a restoration of democratic institutions, according to the readout. Biden and Guaido discussed the role the US and others can play in supporting the negotiations, the readout added. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: 'Time Is Short To Prevent Global Food Crisis', Says UN. At the opening ceremony of the Summit of the Americas, Biden announced the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity. The White House has described this as a historic new agreement to drive the hemisphere's economic recovery and growth, and deliver for the working people. "Accounting for 31.9 % of global GDP, the Western Hemisphere is one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world, and the United States' ties with the rest of the hemisphere are broad and deep," the White House said. Earlier this month, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the United States for excluding Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela from the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles of the US state of California. Maduro expressed his government's "firm, strong and total rejection of the imperialist vision that intends to exclude the peoples of the Americas" from a regional gathering. Earlier, the US coordinator of the Americas Summit Kevin O'Reilly reiterated that the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, all members of ALBA-TCP, had not been invited to participate in the meeting. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Brussels [Belgium], June 9 (ANI): The Chinese loans to Africa tend to decline during times of crisis and the loan commitment dipped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic and its economic aftershocks have adversely impacted projects under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), both in terms of implementation and funding, reported European Times. Also Read | Thailand Decriminalizes Marijuana, but Not the Strong Stuff. Chinese loan commitments to the African nations hit a historic low of USD 1.9 billion in 2020 and the total number of projects decreased with only 11 projects funded compared to a total average of around 60 projects a year during 2015 - 2019. Among the top ten loan recipients, only Ghana received new loans in 2020. In contrast, historically heavy borrowers such as Angola and Ethiopia did not receive any loans. Also Read | Cockroaches Released in New York Courtroom During Hearing; Courthouse Closed for A Day for Fumigation. The trend raises the question of whether Chinese loans to Africa are drying up. This is against the backdrop of Chinese financiers signing 1,188 loan commitments worth USD 160 billion with 49 African governments during 2000-2020, reported European Times. But there are other larger issues pertaining to Chinese investment in African countries. Apart from the impact of the pandemic, BRI projects are losing credibility due to violations of labour and human rights besides causing severe environmental damage. Chinese unethical ways of doing business in African countries is fast becoming a new normal than exception. A Chinese national was recently arrested in Uganda for allegedly blocking the Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister, Betty Amongi Akena from inspecting the working conditions of employees at Sunbelt Industries Ltd. Apparently, at least 80 per cent of the 100 women working in the plant lack access to even basic amenities like clean sanitary facilities. The minister also found that none of the factory workers were wearing headgear despite operating heavy machinery. Further, workers alleged rampant assault and intimidation by Chinese owners to workers besides their poor working conditions. Cases of exploitation of workers and sexual harassment by Chinese nationals had also been reported earlier. The police in Bukwo district, Uganda, arrested (April, 2022) two Chinese nationals from China State Construction Engineering and Cooperation for alleged sexual harassment of female workers of the company Similar instances of torturing locals were also reported from neighbouring Rwanda. A Chinese national was sentenced to 20 years for torturing local mine workers after a video showing him whipping a man tied to a post went viral on social media. Chinese companies are also notorious for signing highly skewed contract agreements with host countries in Africa. Beijing has often been criticized for signing stringent agreements and further prohibiting their publication. It also stipulates conditions like repayment being undertaken in Chinese currency or it's conversion at the prevailing rates, making the settlement a difficult task. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Karachi, Jun 9 (PTI) The idols of deities at a Hindu temple in this Pakistani city have been destroyed, police have said, the latest incident of vandalism against the places of worship of the minority community in this country. The idols of deities at Shri Mari Maata Mandir in Karachi's Korangi area were attacked on Wednesday. The temple is located in "J" area within the limits of Korangi police station. Also Read | Thailand Decriminalizes Marijuana, but Not the Strong Stuff. After getting information, the police reached the area and inspected the temple and inquired about the incident. The Express Tribune newspaper reported that the incident caused panic and fear among the Hindu community living in Karachi, particularly in the Korangi area where police were deployed to avoid any untoward incident. Also Read | Cockroaches Released in New York Courtroom During Hearing; Courthouse Closed for A Day for Fumigation. Sanjeev, a Hindu resident of the area, told the newspaper that six to eight individuals on motorcycles came into the area and attacked the temple. "We don't know who has attacked and why," he said, adding that the police were approached to lodge a case. Five to six unknown suspects entered the temple and escaped after vandalising it, Korangi SHO Farooq Sanjrani confirmed. He added that the case was being registered against the unknown suspects who attacked the temple. Temples belonging to the minority Hindu population in Pakistan are often the target of mob violence. In October, a historical temple located at the bank of the Indus River in Kotri was allegedly desecrated by unidentified people. Law enforcement agencies came to the scene soon after the news of the incident went viral on social media. An FIR of the incident was lodged at the Kotri police station against the unknown miscreants. Local residents said that an unidentified person entered the temple premises and vandalised the idols of their deities after midnight. In August, dozens of people reportedly vandalised a Hindu temple in the town of Bhong and blocked the Sukkur-Multan Motorway after an eight-year-old Hindu boy, who allegedly urinated in a local seminary, was granted bail by a local court. Following the court's decision, a mob of young men gathered and vandalised the Shree Ganesh Hindu temple in the town, according to the paper. According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country. The majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with Muslim residents. They often complain of harassment by extremists. (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], June 9 (ANI): India has lodged protest with Pakistan over the recent vandalisation of a Hindu temple in Karachi and said it's "another act of systemic persecution of religious minorities" in the neighbouring country. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the weekly media briefing that India has called upon Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities. Also Read | UN Condemns Killing of WHO Staff Member in Southeastern Myanmar. "We have noted recent incident of vandalisation of a Hindu temple in Karachi. We believe it's another act of systemic persecution of religious minorities. We have conveyed our protest to Pakistan government, urging them to ensure safety, security and well-being of its minority communities," Bagchi said. A Hindu temple was attacked by some extremists in Pakistan's Karachi. The incident took place at the Korangi Number 5 area of the country's port city. Also Read | Fast Radio Burst Repeating Itself Detected Coming From Distant Galaxy. The Shri Mari Mata Mandir, which also houses the residence of the Hindu priest, was attacked late on Wednesday, triggering fear among the Hindu community. A violent mob attacked the house of the priest and vandalised the idols. No arrests have been made by Pakistan police so far. The idols were brought by the priest a few days ago to be installed in the under-construction temple. Eyewitnesses said six to eight individuals on motorcycles attacked the complex. "Five to six unknown suspects entered the temple and escaped after vandalising it," said Korangi SHO Farooq Sanjrani. Temples in Pakistan are often the target of mob violence. Last October, a historical temple located in Sindh's Kotri was desecrated by unidentified people. Activists say human rights in Pakistan have touched a new low with several media reports and global bodies reflecting the dire situation for women, minorities, children, and media persons in the country. In Sindh, forced conversions and attacks on minority communities have become more rampant. Forced conversion of minor Hindu, Sikh, and Christian girls, always under duress, have become an increasingly common phenomenon in the country. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], June 9 (ANI/Xinhua): Malaysia's unemployment rate dipped to 3.9 per cent in April, being below 4 per cent for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Southeast Asian country, official data showed Thursday. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement that economic activities continued to flourish after Malaysia reopened its international borders on April 1. Also Read | Fast Radio Burst Repeating Itself Detected Coming From Distant Galaxy. The labour force condition in April strengthened further with a surge of 0.4 per cent month on month to 16.50 million persons. Accordingly, the labour force participation rate edged up by 0.2 percentage points to 69.4 per cent, as compared to 69.2 per cent in March. The encouraging situation was due to the continuous increase in employment while the unemployment remained on a declining trend, said the DOSM. Also Read | India's Global Role as a Net Food Security Provider Grows Despite Ban on Wheat Exports. According to the DOSM, the number of employed persons increased to 15.85 million in April from 15.77 million in March. The number of unemployed persons continued to decline for nine consecutive months, registering a decrease of 3 per cent to 649,300, as compared to 669,200 in March. "A more positive economic outlook is observed as the country moves into the phase of transition to endemic ... This situation is seen to open up more job opportunities since business activities require more workers to accommodate the growing demand for goods and services. Thus, the labor market is foreseen to be able to sustain its resiliency in the months to come," said the DOSM. (ANI/Xinhua) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lilongwe [Malawi], June 9 (ANI): Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, met with the Vice-President of Malawi, Dr Saulos Chilima, and discussed the prospect of strengthening cooperation in various sectors between India and the southeast African nation. Taking to Twitter, Muraleedharan wrote, "Taking to Glad to call on Vice-President of Malawi, Dr Saulos Chilima in Lilongwe. Discussed possibilities of enhancing cooperation in various sectors. The relationship between both our countries is stronger today." Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh. The MoS after concluding his visit to Zimbabwe from June 6-7 is on a visit to Malawi from June 8-9. Muraleedharan, on his visit to Zimbabwe on Wednesday, handed over a consignment of 288 boxes of medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB) to the Deputy Minister of Health and Family Welfare John Mangwiro. Muraleedharan said he is confident that these medicines will help Zimbabwe in its fight against tuberculosis. Also Read | UN Condemns Killing of WHO Staff Member in Southeastern Myanmar. "From the people of India to the people of Zimbabwe. Happy to hand over a consignment of 288 boxes of medicines to treat Tuberculosis to Deputy Minister of Health and Family Welfare H.E. John Mangwiro. Confident that it will help Zimbabwe in its fight against TB," he tweeted. Muraleedharan met the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe, advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda on Tuesday. The MoS exchanged views on strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship, including political cooperation, cooperation in the fields of health, energy, trade, investments, and multilateral fora. Moreover, On March 5, 2021, 350,000 doses "Made in India" COVID Vaccines were dispatched to Malawi under Covax facility. On March 12, 2021, India donated 50,000 doses of "Made in India" COVID vaccines. On May 7, 2021, MoS had a telephonic conversation with Eisenhower Nduwa Mkaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Malawi, and discussed various matters to enhance bilateral cooperation. The 7th International Day of Yoga Day was organised on June 20, 2021. In the run-up to Yoga Day, a curtain-raiser event was organised at Salima on June 13, 2021. On June 16, 2021, India and Malawi signed an MoU on Cooperation in the field of Trade of Pigeon Peas in Lilongwe for a period of five years from 2021-2026. This MoU will facilitate export of 50,000 MTs of Pigeon Peas annually from Malawi to India. (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], June 9 (ANI): Myanmar is an ASEAN member state and the participation of Myanmar in the upcoming Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting is as per the consensus of the association, said Arindam Bagchi, MEA Spokesperson on Thursday. Replying to a question on whether Myanmar's Foreign Minister will also be a part of the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting, Bagchi said, "ASEAN meeting is in the ASEAN format and Myanmar is an ASEAN member state. So, the participation of Myanmar in this Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting is as per ASEAN consensus in this regard." Also Read | Russian Radio Station Owned by President Vladimir Putin's 'Favourite Oligarchs' Hacked and Started Broadcasting Ukraine's National Anthem. Marking the 30th anniversary of India-ASEAN dialogue relations and the 10th anniversary of the country's strategic partnership with ASEAN, India will host the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting on June 16-17, said Bagchi. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will co-chair the meeting. Foreign Ministers of other ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretary-General will participate in the meeting. Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh. ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meetings are hosted by the ASEAN chair on an annual basis and this will be the first Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' meeting to be hosted by India in New Delhi. It will be preceded by the 24th India-ASEAN senior officials meeting which will take place on June 15. The 12th edition of the Delhi Dialogue will also be hosted by India on June 16-17. The theme of the Delhi Dialogue is "Building Bridges in the Indo-Pacific." The ministerial session of this Delhi Dialogue will be attended by the EAM Jaishankar as well as ASEAN ministers. The year 2022 marks 30 years of ASEAN-India relations and it has been designated as ASEAN-India Friendship Year by the leaders in October 2021. India began formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a "Sectoral Dialogue Partner" (and subsequently as a "Dialogue Partner" in 1996. The initial years as a Dialogue Partner (DP) entailed interaction at the Foreign Minister level which was further upgraded to the Summit level in 2002 when the first such Summit level meeting was held. At the 20 years Commemorative Summit Meeting in New Delhi (December 2012) the India-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership was further elevated to a Strategic Partnership. During the 25-year Commemorative Summit in New Delhi (January 2018), India and ASEAN have further agreed that the Strategic Partnership will be focused on building cooperation in the maritime domain. Engagement with ASEAN is a multi-level interaction process. At the apex is the annual summits ("ASEAN-India Summit") supported by meetings at the Foreign Minister level. In 2021, the 18th ASEAN-India Summit was held on October 28, 2021; AIFMM was held on August 4, 2021, and the 23rd AISOM was held on April 28, 2021. The cycle of meetings begins at Ambassador's level, ASEAN India Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting (AIJCC), which was held on 23 March 2022. On October 28, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the 18th India-ASEAN Summit with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. The Summit was held virtually and sawparticipation from the Leaders of ASEAN Member States. Moreover, on October 27, 2021, PM Modi participated in the 16th East Asia Summit viavideoconference hosted by Brunei. It saw the participation of leaders from ASEAN countries andother EAS Participating Countries including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA and India. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hindu temple was attacked by some militants in Karachi, the Sindh province of Pakistan. Karachi [Pakistan], June 9 (ANI): In yet another incident of atrocity against minorities in Pakistan, a Hindu temple was attacked by some extremists in Karachi, Sindh province of the country. The incident took place at the Korangi Number 5 area of the country's port city. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: 'Time Is Short To Prevent Global Food Crisis', Says UN. The Shri Mari Mata Mandir, which also houses the residence of the Hindu priest, was attacked late on Wednesday, triggering fear among the Hindu community. A violent mob attacked the house of the priest and vandalised the idols. No arrests have been made by Pakistan police so far. Also Read | UN Watchdog Says Iran Plans To Ramp Up Uranium Enrichment. The idols were brought by the priest a few days ago to be installed in the under-construction temple. "We don't know who has attacked and why," The Express Tribune newspaper quoted a local Hindu resident as saying. Eyewitnesses say six to eight individuals on motorcycles attacked the complex. "Five to six unknown suspects entered the temple and escaped after vandalising it," said Korangi SHO Farooq Sanjrani. Police said that they are collecting the evidence adding that they cordoned off the area and provided protection to the community. Temples in Pakistan are often the target of mob violence. Last October, a historical temple located in Sindh's Kotri was desecrated by unidentified people. Activists say human rights in Pakistan records have touched a new low with several media reports and global bodies reflecting the dire situation for women, minorities, children, and media persons in the country. In Sindh, forced conversions and attacks on minority communities have become even more rampant. Forced conversion of minor Hindu, Sikh, and Christian girls, always under duress, has become an increasingly common phenomenon in the country. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gadsden, Jun 9 (AP) A person who was trying to enter an Alabama elementary school where a summer programme was being held was shot to death by a police officer Thursday morning, authorities said. Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a potential intruder went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy programme was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were already locked, he said, and the principal sought help when she realized what was happening. Also Read | Russian Radio Station Owned by President Vladimir Putin's 'Favourite Oligarchs' Hacked and Started Broadcasting Ukraine's National Anthem. Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton told The Gadsden Times that a police officer from nearby Rainbow City was working as a school resource officer and encountered the person, got involved in an altercation and called for backup, Horton said. At least one other officer responded and the person was shot to death. No students were hurt, sheriff's officials said. All kids are out of the building, Reddick said, and most didn't even realize something had happened. Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh. We don't know the potential of what could have happened had those two officers not responded the way they did, so we very much commend them for that, Reddick said. Authorities didn't immediately release the identity of the person who was killed or any details about the altercation, including whether the person who died was armed or why they might have been trying to get into the school. The Rainbow City officer suffered minor injuries, Horton said. Gadsden is about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Birmingham. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, June 9: The United States has approved the sale of ship parts to Taiwan worth USD 120 million amid the increasing threat of Chinese invasion. China has warned the US against enhancing ties with the democratic island that Beijing regards as its island and threatens to overtake by force. Last month, 30 Chinese warplanes breached Taiwan's air defence identification zone or ADIZ, while a US congressional delegation was on a surprise visit to Taiwan. After the approval of the sale, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress regarding the deal. US President Joe Biden Pledges To Defend Taiwan if China Attacks. "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) has requested to buy unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems; logistical technical assistance; U.S. Government and contractor representative technical and logistical support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is USD 120 million," the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to maintain a credible defensive capability. The US government said the proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. "The sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient's surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats. The proposed sale will contribute to the recipient's goal of maintaining its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies," the statement said. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the statement said. "The equipment will be sourced from approved US Navy vendors and/or US Navy stock. There is no prime contractor. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives," the statement said. The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said there will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Nairobi [Kenya], June 9 (ANI/Xinhua): The World Bank said it has provided 385 million US dollars in International Development Association (IDA) financing to Horn of Africa countries to tap groundwater potential and boost climate resilience. The World Bank said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening that the Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience Project (HoAGWRP), a new multi-phased project, will boost the region's capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Also Read | Russian Radio Station Owned by President Vladimir Putin's 'Favourite Oligarchs' Hacked and Started Broadcasting Ukraine's National Anthem. "World Bank experience shows that gaining knowledge on aquifers, building trust around shared groundwater resources, and jointly developing groundwater management mechanisms among countries involve a long-term trajectory that needs to be approached gradually," Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Africa said. The lender said the project fosters cooperation with Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), who will work together to tap into the region's largely untapped groundwater resources to cope with and adapt to drought and other climate stressors impacting their vulnerable borderlands. Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh. Djibouti and South Sudan have also expressed interest in joining the program in subsequent phases, it said. The World Bank said the first phase of the project is estimated to reach 3.3 million direct beneficiaries, of whom at least 50 per cent are women, through interventions designed to increase access to water supply and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. The project will also contribute to improving food security in a region undergoing a severe drought. Daher Elmi Housssein, IGAD's Director of Agriculture and Environment Division, said groundwater constitutes a natural buffer against climate variability and change, as it is available in times of drought when other surfaces or subsurface resources are scarce. "The potential is vast, and we are committed to building inclusive community-level use of this shared resource, along with better information, infrastructure, and institutions to ensure our groundwater is sustainably managed for generations to come," Elmi said. The lender said the project will establish the building blocks that will enable the medium and long-term agenda of improving transboundary water management in the Horn of Africa. IGAD, a seven-member East African bloc that groups Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, will play a central role as the main promoter and facilitator of the long-term regional strategy, including data and information sharing. (ANI/Xinhua) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Natalie Portmans work kind of speaks for itself to be honest. An exceptionally brilliant actress who is known for taking challenging roles and pushing herself to the absolute limit. With her movies, there is always some sort of conversation to be had. Either it be the big blockbuster Star Wars films, or the more deeply intimate dramas, she has done a considerably great amount of work. Thor: Love and Thunder Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman Are Lost in Each Others Eyes in New Still From the Film (View Pic). With Natalie Portmans career constantly growing with a great amount of diverse and challenging films, she as an actress has grown a lot too. Starring in huge blockbuster films, then transitioning to genre pieces and now being able to find a great balance between the both, her filmography is like no other. So, to celebrate Natalie Portmans 41st birthday, lets take a look at five of her best films that you should definitely check out. Thor Love and Thunder: Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson Look Intimidating in This New Still From Chris Hemsworth's Marvel Film! (View Pic). Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith An epic conclusion to the prequel saga of Star Wars, this film saw Anakin Skywalker finally turn to the dark side and become Darth Vader. It pits Obi-Wan and Anakin against each other and puts Padme in quite the difficult position. If there is an epic conclusion you ever wanted to check out, then this film is for you. Black Swan Director Darren Aronofsky is known for putting harrowing tales on to the screen, and Black Swan fits the bill quite well. A film about competition that sees a performer perform two roles of the white and black swan on stage simultaneously, Portman will wow you with the talent that she brings over here. Leon: The Professional Portman debuted with this French action-thriller that saw Leon, a hitman, take in a 12-year-old Mathilda after her family is murdered and train her in his ways. The film is a stylist action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat constantly. Jackie This biopic sees Portman play the role of Jackie Kennedy. It follows her during her initial days as the First Lady in the White House and her life after JFK was murdered. Portman gives the performance of a lifetime as she will captivate you with her screen presence. V for Vendetta A dystopian political and action thriller that is an adaptation of Alan Moores famed graphic novel, V for Vendetta was a master house boosted by Portman and Hugo Weavings performance. Following a masked freedom fighter with quite the extremist ways of handling things, he gets a young woman caught up in his mission. We cant wait to see Portman return to the big screen in a month as she returns to the role of Jane Foster in Thor: Love and Thunder. With this we finish off the list and wish her a very happy birthday. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 09, 2022 10:36 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, June 9: With India reporting a sudden rise in the number Covid-19 cases for a second day in a row, doctors said on Thursday that Omicron sub-variants are behind the spike in Covid caseload. The Union Health Ministry said on Thursday that India registered 7,240 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, up from 5,233 infections logged the previous day. Maharashtra reported 2,701 fresh cases, its highest infection count since January 25, while Kerala reported 2,271 new cases in the last 24 hours. The national capital reported 564 cases. Although the cases are rising sharply, doctors are calling them mild, noting that the symptoms resolve within 2-3 days, and require no hospitalisation. "I have observed that the recent Covid positive patients are getting better in 48 to 72 hours. Nobody has required any Remdesivir or immunotherapy. Patients are not having major complications," Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine at Global Hospital, Mumbai, told IANS. COVID-19 Surge in India: Centre Closely Monitoring Situation in Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Karnataka. Agarwal credited vaccination to be the reason for low severity. "This is a mild wave compared to January. Or we can say this is the mildest wave of Covid that we have seen," Agarwal said. Satish Koul, Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, told IANS that he is seeing patients with Covid symptoms in OPD on a regular basis. The symptoms begin with "fever, sore or scratchy throat, body ache, fatigue, followed by cough and throat irritation", Koul told IANS. The symptoms are similar to those seen in Omicron, "but with a possibility of a sub-strain". The sub-variant is "demonstrating immune escape, meaning it's evading vaccine induced immunity and immunity gained with previous Covid-19 infection", he added. According to Sushila Kataria, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, the new cases are "of Omicron lineage, possibly the BA.2 variant". Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have reportedly detected cases of BA 4 and BA 5 strains of Omicron. However, people are getting better with home medication and "there is no need to panic". "If you wear a mask and follow all the Covid protocols, it will help you to not fall sick. People should follow the protocols even if the government has not made them mandatory," the doctors said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 09, 2022 07:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). #Japan's lower house of parliament shot down a no-confidence motion put forward by the main opposition party against embattled Speaker @HosodaHiroyuki. pic.twitter.com/nCYK7Ry6sI IANS (@ians_india) June 9, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, S.D. The top federal prosecutor in South Dakota, stepping into the middle of a bitter dispute between the Oglala Lakota Nation and the FBI, has reopened a series of unsolved murder cases that tribal leaders say the FBI has for too long ignored. The homicides shootings, stabbings and beatings, some stemming from a violent political uprising in the 1970s have deeply frustrated residents because no arrests were ever made. Many no longer trust the FBI and believe that the bureau, with jurisdiction on federal lands, lost interest in Pine Ridge after two FBI agents died during the unrest here. FBI officials, denying that they have forsaken this place of crushing poverty and a deadly history going back 130 years, said they had conducted their own review 12 years ago of many of the deaths but simply could not produce new arrests. Now Brendan Johnson, the U.S. attorney for South Dakota, has moved squarely into the center of the conflict by agreeing to reexamine homicide cases from lists presented to him by tribal leaders. They include 45 unsolved murders and 11 other homicides that reservation officials said resulted in light prison sentences. Johnson also is circumventing the normal process of having the FBI investigate the cases. Instead, he is contracting with a private investigator in nearby Rapid City to dig up new leads, has asked the criminal division of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to share its expertise and assigned his top three prosecutors to manage the review. Advertisement What is happening today on the Upper Plains in many ways mirrors what occurred two decades ago in the Deep South, when activists urged federal officials to reopen closed homicide cases in which African Americans were killed during the civil rights struggles there. That effort ended with a few new convictions. But the vast majority of the unsolved deaths there remain just that unexplained. Now it is Indian countrys turn to be tested. I hope, I pray, that a lot of people will come forward and we will achieve justice, Tom Poor Bear, vice president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said at a recent Rapid City meeting with Johnson. Every day someone calls me or stops me and says this has opened their hopes again. In a large white cowboy hat, his long black hair hanging in braids, his voice low but firm, Poor Bear stood before the U.S. attorney and pleaded: Just one case. Cant we solve at least one case? The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, 2 million acres rimming the South Dakota Badlands, is home mainly to the Oglala Sioux and some of Americas harshest poverty. The summers are blazingly hot, the winters brutally cold. Eighty percent of the residents are unemployed and many struggle with alcoholism. The reservation says its community is burdened with crushing financial, housing, health, educational and social issues. It also is where the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee essentially ended the Plains Indian Wars. In the early 1970s, tensions mounted on Pine Ridge when political factions sparred over control of the reservation and residents split between a new tribal chairman and traditional tribe members. Some members of the American Indian Movement led an armed takeover at the Wounded Knee site, which prompted a 71-day siege by federal law enforcement officials. Later, in 1975, FBI Special Agents Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams, while investigating reports of an assault and robbery on Pine Ridge, were shot to death. Leonard Peltier was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, becoming a cause for Indian rights activists who believed him innocent. During that time, at least 50 homicides were reported on Pine Ridge, cases tribal leaders want resolved. They include: Leo Wilcox, a tribal councilman, who law enforcement officials said froze to death after his car broke down in 1973. We do not believe it, Gerald Big Crow said. Oglala Sioux Tribe Judiciary Committee Chairman James Toby Big Boys brother Marvin, killed in a 1960 beating. We didnt find him until the snow melted, and nothing came of it, James said. Buddy Lamont was shot at a roadblock near Wounded Knee in 1973. No charges were filed. In 1974, John S. Moore was found with stab wounds in the neck and face. His death was ruled a suicide. And others, including a girl who was raped and left in a grove of trees, a man killed in a snowbound home and a young man whose body was dumped in a trash barrel. Johnson has emerged as a strong advocate for many reservation families as they mail, email and text potential leads to his office. Private lawyers provide him legal documents with new details about old homicides. He also chairs the Justice Departments Native American Issues Subcommittee, and dresses in blue jeans and a starched white shirt, the curve of a tobacco tin embedded in his hip pocket all an easy fit in Indian country. Yet as someone who appears ambitious his father is Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) failure to solve any of the cases could carry political risks. Indeed, he cautions that his review may not bring arrests. I wont make everybody happy, he told the tribes judiciary committee members. There may be nothing we can do in a lot of these cases. But his first assistant U.S. attorney, Randolph J. Seiler, said one case already showed promise. An 11-year-old girl was killed and a person of interest has been located in a penitentiary on unrelated charges. Seiler declined to discuss specifics but added with a smile, A fresh set of eyes brings new hope. At FBI regional headquarters in Minnesota, Kyle Loven, chief FBI division counsel and a special agent, said the bureau stood by its 2000 review of 57 cases, though none resulted in new arrests. That review came after the South Dakota Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was sufficiently impressed about reservation complaints and forwarded 57 names to the FBI. Agents began a review and sent a brochure back to Pine Ridge saying that our records show most of the cases either brought a conviction or were accidental deaths, suicides or other causes. Fifteen cases were declared unsolved murders known to the FBI and remain under investigation. Absent any new information, Loven said in a recent interview, we werent going to open up any of these closed investigations. But Jane Turner, a former FBI agent who handled reservation cases, said teams of agents should have been dispatched to Pine Ridge searching for new witnesses and evidence. Nobody went out to Indian country, she said. If they had, they would have opened some cases. Many on Pine Ridge want justice at long last, even if only one case is solved. Peltier, locked away for killing the two FBI agents in 1975, said in an email that he hoped Johnsons independent investigation healed old wounds from the unrest of the 1970s. We never knew who we could trust, he said, and many people died in that bitter time. richard.serrano@latimes.com Social media platform Twitter is preparing to hand over internal data regarding fake accounts and spam to Tesla CEO Elon Musk after he threatened to walk away from the Twitter buyout deal if refused. The Guardian reported that Musk will have access to more than 500 million tweets posted daily while a number of companies already pay for access to the data. It includes a real-time record of tweets, the devices users tweet from, and information about the accounts of the tweet. In addition, Twitter would let Musk review its "firehose" of daily traffic in response to legal threats that the deal would be in jeopardy otherwise. Musk earlier warned that he might walk away from the $44 billion Twitter buyout deal if it fails to provide the data on the span and fake accounts he asks for. Musk's lawyers said that declining to present the information was a "material breach" of the deal agreement, which would allow the Tesla CEO to walk away from the deal without paying the $1 billion break fee written into the deal. READ NEXT: Starlink in Brazil: Elon Musk Announces Major Move to Help 19,000 Schools, Protect Amazon Twitter Internal Data on Fake Accounts A source familiar with the matter told the Washington Post that the internal data could be provided as soon as this week. Some two dozen companies pay for access to the trove, which comprises real-time records of tweets, as well as information about the accounts that tweet. The contract for the $44 billion deal noted that the Tesla CEO has to continue the purchase unless he can prove that Twitter had "deceived him" about the true value of the company, according to a Tech Crunch report. U.K.-based GlobalData published a study that states at least 10 percent of Twitter users could be bots. The study analyzed about four million tweets from 20,976 unique handles. Data scientist Sidharth Kumar said that incessant tweeting of non-original content can be considered spam, but some may choose to see it as a very active user sharing articles or opinions. Twitter has consistently claimed that only around five percent of accounts are spam since filing to go public in 2013. Elon Musk Twitter Buyout Deal Elon Musk's lawyers said their client must have a complete and accurate understanding of the very core of Twitter's business model, including its active user base. Twitter spokesman Scott Bisang said that Twitter has and will continue to cooperatively share information with Musk to consummate the transaction in compliance with the terms of the merger agreement. Musk believes that at least 20 percent of Twitter users are spam or fake accounts. He noted that his team would do its own random sampling to calculate the total percentage. Fox Business reported that Musk threatened to walk away from the deal after accusing the company of breaching its obligations under the merger agreement. Musk pledged a total of $33.5 billion in equity to help finance the transaction. READ MORE: Twitter Net Worth 2022: How Much Is Twitter Valued After Elon Musk Made $43 Billion Offer? This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Elon Musk repeats request for Twitter user data in new filing - from CNBC Television Amid the ongoing border surge, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to transport migrants deeper into the U.S. while waiting for their immigration proceedings. According to internal documents obtained by NBC News, the DHS will transport migrants from the southern border to cities farther inside the country in the coming weeks, beginning with Los Angeles. According to the Daily Mail, this plan is one of the measures the Biden administration considers as it prepares for the end of Title 42, which would prompt a border surge. The new model will use federal funds to send migrants to shelter in cities farther inside the country before they go to their final destinations. Besides Los Angeles, migrants could also be transferred to cities including Albuquerque, Houston, and Dallas, where the DHS is already preparing shelters in advance of moving migrants. According to reports, the plan of the DHS would alleviate overcrowding along the border, where a record number of migrants overwhelmed the capacity of shelters within the area. Migrants awaiting immigration proceedings are usually sent to shelters run by religious and nongovernmental organizations after they are released from CBP custody. From there, migrants pay for flights and bus transportation to travel to cities where immigration judges hear their cases and rule on their asylum claims. READ NEXT: Migrant Caravan Starts March Towards U.S.-Mexico Border Amid Ongoing Summit of the Americas DHS Calls Sending Migrants Deeper Inside U.S as 'The Abbott Plan' An official told NBC News that DHS officials have jokingly referred to the new model as the "Abbott plan," referring to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's decision to bus migrants from Texas to Washington, D.C. Earlier in April, Abbott announced in a press conference that the lone star state is prepared to deliver migrants to Washington D.C. Late last month, the governor noted that at least 45 buses have already transported migrants to the country's capital as a symbol of the Biden administration's "Open Border Policies." Abbott has vowed to increase the number of bus trips with migrants processed at the border to Washington D.C. Several officials expressed disagreement with the move of the Texas governor. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Abbott has no legal authority to forcibly move migrants out of their state. She also called Abbott's move a publicity stunt. Republicans Call on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to Control Border Surge According to Fox News, Republicans called on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to utilize security equipment and technology at the southern border to mitigate the illegal migrant border crossings and the influx of drug and human smuggling. Republicans made the demand through a letter that was sent to Mayorkas. Among the signatories of the letter were Representatives John Katko and Young Kim. "We are troubled by claims that DHS is not fully deploying innovative 'smart' technologies along the border, such as AST towers and fiber optic sensors.... procured by the federal government through contracts previously granted for building border barrier infrastructure," the lawmakers wrote. The lawmakers noted that failing to respond adequately to the upcoming surge of illegal crossings presents a major risk to CBP personnel. READ MORE: California: Military Plane Crashes, Nuclear Rumors Debunked This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: US-Mexico Border: Highest Number Of Migrants Arrive In 22 Years - From TODAY PHNOM PENH, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday started an upgrade project in the Ream Naval Base located in the southwestern province of Preah Sihanouk with China's aid, officials said. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, among around 2,000 people, attended the ground-breaking ceremony. Banh said the project will strengthen Cambodia's naval capacity to protect maritime territorial integrity and combat crimes. "I have a strong conviction that when completed, these modern facilities will importantly contribute to protecting Cambodia's independence, peace, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to enhancing the image of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) in regional and international affairs," he said in a speech. Banh said the modernization of the Ream Naval Base would also contribute to maintaining peace, security and prosperity in the region. "On behalf of the government and the defense ministry of Cambodia, I'd like to express my profound gratitude to the government, the People's Liberation Army and the people of China for providing kind support to the RCAF," Banh added. "Your assistance has elevated our defense capacities to a new level." Noting that the bond of friendship between China and Cambodia has grown stronger, Wang said the Ream Naval Base upgrade project is a result of mutual respect and equal consultation between the two sides, in line with domestic laws of both countries and relevant international laws and practices. "It is not targeted at any third party," the Chinese ambassador noted. Wang said certain countries keep smearing the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia, arbitrarily impose unilateral sanctions on Cambodia under the disguise of democracy and human rights, and blatantly interfere in Cambodia's internal affairs through long-arm jurisdiction. "We firmly oppose all these misbehaviors," he said. The ambassador said China will always be a good neighbor, a reliable friend and a trustworthy partner that Cambodia can count upon, and that it is ready to build a closer China-Cambodia community with a shared future, contributing to the well-being of the two peoples and the construction of a China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) community with a shared future. The leader of Mexico's La Luz del Mundo megachurch, Naason Joaquin Garcia, has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison at a Los Angeles court after pleading guilty to three counts of sexually abusing girls from his congregation last week. According to BBC News, Garcia's plea deal means that his sentence is considerably shorter than the life imprisonment he could have faced if he had been found guilty in a trial. Garcia is known as "the Apostle" to his followers. READ NEXT: Mexican Murderers' El Chino,' 'Monsters of Ecatepec' Among Most Notorious Serial Killers in Mexico Leader of Mexico's La Luz del Mundo Megachurch The fundamentalist Christian organization La Luz del Mundo, or The Light of the World in English, was founded in Mexico in 1926 by Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez, the grandfather of Naason Joaquin Garcia. The church's influence has reached parts of California that have large Hispanic populations. Garcia reportedly would often visit these areas. The church claimed that it had baptized more than five million people worldwide. However, independently verifying the numbers of its followers was hard. In a statement, the church noted that Garcia pleaded guilty as he did not think he could get a fair trial after prosecutors withheld or doctored the evidence. The church said the agreement would allow Garcia to be freed sooner, ABC News reported. The church added that "the Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church." Garcia took over as an "apostle" after his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, died in 2014. Flores was also allegedly abusive in 1997. However, authorities in Mexico never filed criminal charges. Garcia was arrested at Los Angeles airport in 2019 along with two of his female followers as they arrived by private jet. Naason Joaquin Garcia's Child Sex Abuse Case Prosecutors noted that Naason Joaquin Garcia used his spiritual influence to have sex with girls and young women who were told it would lead to their salvation or damnation if they refused. Five young women testified that Garcia had sexually abused them. They called him in court "evil," monster," "disgusting human waste," and the "antichrist." A woman identified only as Jane Doe 4 said she worshipped her abused, adding that she was Garcia's niece. The woman noted that Garcia used her "over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter." Sacramento Bee reported that the La Luz del Mundo megachurch leader pleaded guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 on Friday. Prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women and human trafficking to produce child pornography in response to Garcia's plea. Patricia Fusco, supervising deputy attorney general, praised the victims for their bravery in standing up to Garcia and his followers, who have rallied around him and shamed the young victims. Garcia was reported to be aided by others in the church who groomed his victims and facilitated the abuse. However, the two women who have pleaded guilty to related charges have yet to be sentenced. Victims said they were called angels and were told they were Garcia's property. They added that Garcia told them that his wishes were godly commands and they should serve the Lord without question. The La Luz del Mundo megachurch leader also told the girls that a king could have mistresses and "an apostle of God can never be judged for his actions." READ MORE: Brian Laundrie Manhunt: Parents of Gabby Petito's Fiance Change the Date of Florida Fugitive's Disappearance This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Bail Set at $50M for La Luz Del Mundo Church Leader Facing Sex Charges - From ABC7 A street shooting left five high school students and a woman dead in Mexico's Guanajuato state plagued by Mexican drug cartels. According to Borderland Beat, local authorities said the gunmen opened fire on a group of students on Monday night, killing three males and two females aged between 16 and 18. The 65-year-old woman, who was just in the same area, was also killed. Cesar Prieto, mayor of Salamanca city in Guanajuato state, confirmed that six people in the Barron community lost their lives in an armed attack. Police are still investigating the incident. READ NEXT: El Chapo Trial: Sinaloa Cartel Boss to Ask Supreme Court to Review His Case to Overturn Drug Trafficking Conviction Mexican Drug Cartels Violence in Mexico's Guanajuato State The street shooting occurred just two weeks after two bodies of men with signs of torture were found in separate locations in the Mexico's state of Guanajuato. One of the bodies was discovered near the entrance of Otates community in the city of Leon, lying face down in the dirt. Police believed the man was killed at the scene since some shell casings were found there. The other body was found in the Coecillo neighborhood, also in Leon city. According to witnesses, two men went out of a vehicle and dropped the man's lifeless body before fleeing the scene. A day before the discovery of these bodies, eight women and three men were killed in an apparent gangland revenge attack in two bars and a hotel in Celaya, another city in Guanajuato. Reports said a group of 15 armed men arrived in two trucks and attacked a bar in Azalea Street on the corner of Fresno. The gunmen then entered the "Gala" hotel and the bar next to it, where they also fired multiple times. Before fleeing the scene, the suspects reportedly set the venues on fire using Molotov cocktails. Guanajuato was the second most violent state in the first four months of the year, with 993 murders. Michoacan was the first with 1,000 homicides. Mexico state came third with 830 homicides, followed by Baja California with 805, Jalisco with 642, and Sonora with 580. Mexican Drug Cartels in Guanajuato, Mexico Guanajuato has become one of the most violent states in Mexico due to disputes between the Jalisco cartel and the home-grown Santa Rosa de Lima gang. CBS News reported that the Mexican drug cartels fight for control of trafficking routes for drugs and stolen fuel. The bloodbath in the state reportedly started in 2018 when the Jalisco New Generation Cartel or Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) moved into Guanajuato. The Jalisco cartel is infamous for its public displays of violence and military power. According to the U.S. State Department, the Jalisco cartel is considered "to be the most violent drug trafficking organization currently operating in Mexico, with the highest cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine trafficking capacity." Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera is currently leading the Jalisco cartel. The U.S. government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest as he continues to evade capture. READ MORE: 2 Cops Associated With El Mencho's Jalisco Cartel Get More Than 77 Years in Prison in Mexico This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Mexico Violence: Homicide Rate Reached Record Numbers in 2019 - From Al Jazeera English A California man planning to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh due to his leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was arrested on Wednesday. According to Crime Online, Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, California, was arrested near Kavanaugh's home in Maryland after allegedly making threats against the judge. The California man allegedly had a handgun with two magazines and ammunition, a tactical knife, pepper spray, zip ties, a nail punch, duct tape, a hammer, and a crowbar. According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, two U.S. deputy marshals saw Roske get out of a taxicab that had stopped in front of Kavanaugh's home at around 1:05 a.m. The California man was reportedly dressed in black clothing and carrying a backpack and a suitcase. Roske reportedly abandoned his plan to kill the Supreme Court justice after seeing the two marshals standing next to their parked vehicle. NBC reported that he then walked down the street and called 911, claiming he was armed and homicidal. The Montgomery County Police Department officers arrived shortly and found Roske still on the phone. Roske allegedly told the police that he traveled from California to Maryland "to kill a specific" Supreme Court Justice. The California man was reportedly frustrated about Kavanaugh's leaked draft opinion in overturning Roe v. Wade and the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. "Roske indicated that he believed the Justice that he intended to kill would side with Second Amendment decisions that would loosen gun control laws," an FBI affidavit said as CNN reported. The affidavit added that the California man stated that he started thinking about how to give his life a purpose and decided that he would kill the Supreme Court Justice after breaking into his home. Roske, who also reportedly planned to kill himself after killing Kavanaugh, appeared in a federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland on Wednesday, and he agreed to remain in jail. According to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's office in the district of Maryland, it filed charges of "attempted murder of a Supreme Court Justice." If convicted, Roske will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 22. READ NEXT: Border Surge: DHS Plans to Send Migrants Deeper Into the U.S., Starting With Los Angeles Joe Biden Condemns Plan of California Man to Kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh The White House said President Joe Biden condemned the actions of the California man arrested outside Brett Kavanaugh's home. "President Biden condemns the actions of this individual in the strongest terms and is grateful to law enforcement for quickly taking him into custody," White House spokesman Andre Bates told CNN. Bates reiterated what Biden said that public officials, including judges, must perform their jobs without concern for their safety or their families. He added that any violence or attempt to intimidate the justices "have no place in our society." Bates noted that Biden supported legislation "to fund increased security for the court and judges." Also commenting on the incident, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the attacks and threats of violence against Supreme Court justices "strike at the heart of our democracy." In a statement, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan noted that there had been heightened security at the homes of the justices since last month. He said they would continue to partner with law enforcement officials to help ensure these residents are secure. Supreme Court's Opinion on Roe v. Wade According to a draft majority opinion that leaked last month, the Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion in the U.S. The draft was reportedly written by Justice Samuel Alito, who said Roe must be overruled since it was "egregiously wrong from the start." He added that it was "time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives." Brett Kavanaugh was among the other Republican-appointed justices that voted with Alito. 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: Dominican Republic Minister Shot Dead by Childhood Friend Who Surrenders After Confessing Crime to Priest This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Armed Man Arrested Near Brett Kavanaugh's Home Charged With Attempted Murder - From CNN A Circuit Court Judge said Portlaoise has an enormous illegal drug problem thats worse than any of the other towns in the midlands. Judge Keenan Johnson made the comments as he sentenced Ugnius Sakalis, 26, of Monastery Gate Close, Clondalkin Dublin. The defendant was sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended for possession of 120 kilos of cannabis herb valued at 2.42 million at a storage facility in Emo in August of 2021. Having presided in Portlaoise for a number of days, Judge Johnson said the issue of illicit drug use in Laois and particularly in Portlaoise is enormous. Its by far the biggest problem of any of the towns I deal with in the midland district. The use of illegal drugs creates crime, puts pressure on the health system and basically undermines society, he told the court. I think it is very important that young people be educated as to the dangers of drugs, he added. Judge Johnson warned that cannabis is anything but a safe drug and he said it is linked to psychosis in users. He made the comments during the sentencing hearing and said society has to severely punish such crimes to reflect societys abhorrence of illegal drugs. The Lithuanian defendant had admitted working for an eastern European organised crime group. He had been transporting the drugs for payment. The court heard he had been in custody since his initial arrest and was a model prisoner and had cooperated with gardai during their investigation. Judge Johnson imposed a six year sentence which he backdated to August 30, 2021. He suspended the final 12 months for five years on condition that the man enter a bond and engage with the probation services. Safety work in the shape of a new turning lane is needed at the deadly Mountmellick junction on the Portlaoise to Tullamore N80. Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fail, made the plea to Laois County Council to take action at Derrycloney as part of an upcoming multi-million Euro investment in the road. He tabled a motion at a meeting in County Hall calling on Laois County Council to upgrade and provide a right turning lane on the N80 at the Derrycloney Junction. That junction is deadly, he declared. Apart from the traffic through and into Mountmellick on the N80 he said a lot of cars and trucks turn at the junction to go to Ballyfin or use a back route around the town. Cllr Bracken said extensive resurfacing is in the pipeline for the N80 and he hoped that the junction would be part of this. Mr Farhan Nasiem, A/Senior Executive Engineer, replied in writing with news that work is under consideration. Road Design Office has engaged with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to implement Safety measures at this location. Topographical survey will be carried out and design options will be submitted to TII for approval, he said. Cllr Bracken welcomed the reply expressing the hope the money would support the safety work. The N80 between Portlaoise and Mountmellick has been the scene of sever accidents in near misses with the Derrycloney junction. Laois County County Council's CEO John Mulholland is among those who has called for action. "For a national secondary route, its very deficient in every respect," the CEO said at a Laois Joint Policing Committee meeting in 2021. A 2.3 million investment under the route was given the green light by Minister Eamon Ryan at the end of last year. Cllr Bracken raised the issue at the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting in June. Objectors are meeting this week after planning was approved for what would be one of the Irelands largest anaerobic digesters on the outskirts of Portlaoise. The massive Bord na Mona Powergen Ltd facility will cover over 17 hectares, or around 42 acres, at Cuil na Mona cutaway bog near Junction 18 off the M7 motorway in Portlaoise. The plant will use 80,000 tonnes of feedstock a year and require the construction of roadways and 2.3km of gas pipeline. Dubbed the Bog Superdump by local opponents, the development is located close to Portlaoise. Cllr Thomisina Connell was opposed to the plans from the beginning. She believes the plants location was chosen purely for commercial reasons. Cllr Connell said residents in the area are still coming to terms with the decision and are shocked and disappointed. She believes a Judicial Review, a costly legal challenge to the planning in the High Court, is the only way the residents can now prevent the plant from being built. She noted that Bord na Mona has plenty of land it could have used to locate the site and said it was foisted on this community. I dont think anybody would want to live in the shadow of an anaerobic digester, she remarked. Cllr Connell said the opponents will meet this week in order to decide what to do. The planned development includes an electrical substation, a weighbridge and a reception centre covering 2,700 square metres will also be built to facilitate the plant. Anaerobic digestion is a process where organic matter, in this case brown bin waste and animal byproducts, are treated in an oxygen free environment and the gas emitted in the process is saved for use. The raw material is converted into both gas which is to be injected into the grid, and digestate which is to be stored in the digestate lagoon and then exported off-site for land spreading. An Bord Pleanala, who approved the project which had been appealed after it was initially approved by Laois County Council, attached 19 revised conditions to the ten year planning permission for the facility within the townland of Clonboyne and Clonkeen. Around 70,700m3 of peat will be removed from the site area during the construction phase and will be deposited over existing cutaway bog at depths of between one and two metres. Peat deposition areas will be re-vegetated. Some of the peat will be used for the creation of berms and planting, according to Bord na Mona. A combined heat and power (CHP) plant is also proposed as part of the development. The proposed development would be self-sufficient in relation to electricity and heat generation as the CHP plant and hot water generator would run on the biogas from the plant. A gas flare is also proposed. The project is of such a scale that it attracted more than 210 observations on foot of the planning application to Laois County Council. These were from residents of the general area, two TDs, and eight councillors (one submission being a combined submission from a TD and a councillor). In the appeals to An Boarda Pleanala, objectors expressed concern about the potential health implications. The prospect of vermin, flies, odours and the impact of 80,000 tonnes of waste being brought by lorry to the plant each year and the potential for an explosion. Residents also question the impact of the plant on the locality in terms of its appearance and the potential harm a project of this scale could have on biodiversity. An Bord Pleanala found many of the issues could be dealt with if correct mitigation measures were put in place at the facility. The board noted air quality could be adversely affected but said onsite procedures and control of storage areas could mitigate against the odour. In terms of biodiversity, the board noted the site represented only 2.4% of the entire Cuil na Mona bog. The ten year permission for the Renewable Gas Facility requires an Industrial Emission Licence from the EPA. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompanied the planning application. An Bord Pleanala has applied 19 conditions to the proposal. The maximum annual feedstock of 80,000 tonnes will have to be brought to the site by road. An Board Pleanala has said planning can only go ahead on condition the deliveries are confined to between 8am and 6.30pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Bord na Mona can deviate from these times only in exceptional circumstances and only with prior written consent from Laois County Council. The site will also undergo monitoring and Laois County Council will be provided with an annual report detailing the activities at the site. The report will have to detail the volume of raw materials used, the types of raw materials and the volume and weight of the gas produced at the plant. An Bord Pleanala also requires an Bord na Mona to employ a qualified archaeologist to monitor all preserve and record all archaeological materials and features while construction work is taking place. Bord na Mona has been contacted in relation to the plans but as yet has not responded to the Leinster Express. Over 150 Laois volunteers matched to local good causes -480 For the first time, Laois has a central dedicated volunteer placement service, and already it has matched over 150 volunteers to a charity that suits them best. Laois Volunteer Service based in the BloomHQ in Mountrath, has supplied and trained volunteers to support charity shops, SOSAD mental health centre, tidy towns, victim support groups, Le Cheile, scouts, Failte Isteach, Laois SPCA, PATH homeless charity, Laois African Support Group and the Zero Cost shop for Ukraine refugees, among other good causes. Catriona Ryan Manager gave a presentation to Laois councillors in May at county hall. She has ambitions to offer yet more supports. Not a week goes by but we get a call, perhaps from a full time carer looking for a volunteer who is vetted and we want to reactivate that service. It might be someone with an intellectual disability who needs someone trustworthy. The Alone charity for older people has gone to Kilkenny. We want to get that service back in Laois. We also aim to reactivate Befriending Laois. She asks people who are interested in volunteering or in getting volunteer help, to visit their website. Registration is free, and you get advice in finding a suitable role. We give training and arrange Garda vetting, and give advice. There is a volunteer role for everyone. There has been a huge explosion in virtual volunteering. People want to give a bit back, such as doing bookkeeping. The impact of volunteers was estimated back in 2013 to be worth 5 billion to the economy. We hope to get an update on that from the census. It boosts physical and mental wellbeing, it helps people to return to employment and the community benefits as well. During Covid 79% of people volunteered in some way. Ms Ryan said. Councillors warmly praised the work. It is uplifting. Without volunteers wed be in a sad situation in this country, said Cllr John Joe Fennelly. You are doing a wonderful job. One close to me is SOSAD and I know the support you give. Thank you very much, said Cllr Noel Tuohy. Communities would die without volunteers. Older people need volunteers more than anybody. Work with smaller towns. We have new people who move in, maybe who are old and are quite lonely. It can take 20 years to settle in. Im involved with the Vincent de Paul and we have a major problem with getting enough volunteers. There is no greater reward than that feelgood factor, Cllr Ollie Clooney said. Cllr James Kelly noted the benefit of volunteers from Befriending Laois who sit with old people for a couple of hours for company, and of those who helped at the Mountrath St Patricks Day parade. Laois Volunteer Service is one of 29 established around Ireland in the past two years, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. See www.volunteerlaois.ie Seven food businesses across Ireland were forced to close in May this year for food safety legislation breaches. According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), closure orders and one prohibition order were served on businesses located in counties Donegal, Offaly, Monaghan, Wexford and Dublin. Pygamalion Public House in Dublin 2, Go Go Pizza and Kebab in Wexford, HG Ritchie Limited in Dublin 8, and the Mart Cafe at Raphoe Mart in Donegal were issued closure orders under the FSAI Act 1998. Three closure orders were served to Sillis Green Veg in Monaghan, Milne Foods Limited in Birr, Offaly, and Golden Beach Supermarket in Dublin 1 under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020. A prohibition order was served under the same legislation to Bullet Duck & Dumpling in Dublin 7. The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a multitude of reasons including inadequate food hygiene and safety procedures and rodent activity. No hot water was available in any sinks at the Mart Cafe in Donegal with no wash basin provided in the staff toilet, and inspectors noted the premises was not kept clean with accumulation of food debris, grease and encrusted dirt. Live rodents and rodent droppings at Pygmalion Public House in Dublin were noted by inspectors and cited as a reason for closure. An electric fly killer full of dead insects was located directly above a production line at HG Ritchie Limited, and rodent activity was also noted by inspectors. A fly infestation was observed at Go Go Pizza & Kebab as well as encrusted dirt and grease on floor surfaces and shelving. A number of ready-to-eat foods at Milne Foods Limited in Offaly were deemed unsafe after Listeria monocytogenes was detected following sampling. According to the FSAI report, these foods were placed on the market between October 2021 and February 2022. Commenting today, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that it is disappointing to see such disregard for consumer health in these food businesses. She said, "It is simply unacceptable that some food businesses across Ireland continue to operate without fully adhering to food safety and hygiene legislation. In particular, multiple occurrences in Enforcement Orders issued in May show a complete lack of adequate procedures in place to control pests. Consumers of food in Ireland have a right to safe food and hygienic food premises. "As we move into warmer summer months, it is disappointing to note that some food businesses are also inadequately monitoring their electric fly killers, and in some cases are preparing food directly beneath leading to a risk of possible contamination. The health of consumers must never be put at risk, and we urge food businesses not to be so careless." Housing activists have been evicted from a vacant building in Dublin City Centre after an early morning raid by Gardai. The Revolutionary Workers Union (RWU) confirmed the raid - which they state occurred shortly before 6am this morning (Thursday June 9) - in a video posted on their official Facebook page. Members have been occupying James Connolly House for a number of weeks to protest Ireland's ongoing housing crisis and provide shelter to those in need. A statement published today by the James Connolly House Facebook page claimed Garda resources involved in the operation were "enormous" and "disproportionate". A man in the video - identified as a representative of the RWU in accompanying text - states the group will "continue to take other places". He then says "They are now just breaking in" as loud banging is heard in the background. The person filming - who is not identified - proceeds to video footage of a barricade being breached. Several rallies have previously been held at the property on Eden Quay to resist eviction and raise awareness of Ireland's homelessness crisis. As per the government's latest Homeless Report (April 2022), 7,105 adults are homeless in Ireland as well as 2,944 child dependents. The RWU has previously called for "a militant, working class led all Ireland housing movement that can smash landlordism and housing vultures". Thousands homeless in Ireland today while state forces are busy evicting housing rights activists from a vacant building taken back to give shelter to those on streets. At a meeting there yesterday Revolutionary Workers Union called for a radical movement to reclaim empty homes. pic.twitter.com/1mlRmNIbVo Caelainn Hogan (@CaelainnH) June 9, 2022 An Garda Siochana confirms an operation took place this morning "to execute a High Court order at a building on Eden Quay". They also confirm two men were detained in accordance with the order and were due to appear before the court this morning. According to an update on RWU-operated social media, the activists have since been released. Image: Video still Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, speaks during the start of his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on March 30, 2022, at El-Mouradia Palace, the president's official residence in the capital Algiers. JACQUELYN MARTIN / AFP The Algerian presidents office announced Wednesday, June 8, that the North African nation was immediately suspending a two-decade-old friendship treaty with Spain. It was the latest blow to increasingly wobbly relations between Algiers and Madrid, which depends on Algeria for a large part of its natural gas supply. Tensions have soared in a complex three-way dispute after Spain gave its backing to Moroccos position over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Algeria backs the Polisario independence movement in the region, which rejects Morocco's annexation of Western Sahara. The Polisario are encamped in southern Algeria. The statement from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's office cited what it said was the unjustifiable turnaround in March on Spains position, amounting to a fait accompli using fallacious arguments. It said Spain has since campaigned to justify its position. The statement said Spain was abusing its role as an administrating power in the Western Sahara until the United Nations sorts out the status of the vast, mineral-rich territory. It is, therefore, contributing directly to the degradation of the situation in the Western Sahara and the region, the Algerian president's office said. In consequence, Algeria has decided to proceed immediately with the suspension of the treaty, which has served as the framework in the two countries ties, the statement said. The treaty dates back to 2002. More on this topic Algeria: Journalist Ihsane El-Kadi sentenced to six months in prison Spains government said it regretted Algerias decision and reaffirmed its commitment to the friendship treaty. The Spanish government regards Algeria as a friendly neighbor country and restates its complete readiness to keep and develop the special cooperation relationship between our two countries, to the benefit of the people of both, a Spanish Foreign Ministry statement said. Spain was the former colonial power in Western Sahara until it was annexed by Morocco in 1975. Since then, Algeria and neighboring Morocco have had tense ties over the fate of the Western Sahara, at one point fighting a desert war. Morocco wants some autonomy for the region with Moroccan oversight over what it calls its southern provinces. The two African countries broke diplomatic relations in August in the standoff. The Western Sahara issue has combined with turbulence over energy supplies from gas-rich Algeria. The Algerian press regularly refers to Spains backing of Morocco as a form of treason. Algeria's diplomatic slap at Spain came hours after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke at length in Spain's Parliament on his decision to side with Morocco over the future of Western Sahara. Mr. Sanchez said having Western Sahara operate autonomously under Moroccan rule is the most serious, realistic and credible initiative for resolving the long dispute over the territory. While a leader in wind and solar power, Spain still needs to import natural gas to meet its energy needs. In 2021, Algerias Sonatrach furnished Spain with more than 40% of its imported natural gas, most brought in via the underwater Medgaz pipeline. Another supply route to Spain was via the Maghreb Europe pipeline that passes through Morocco, but that was shut off after the August break in diplomatic ties between Algeria and Morocco. In recent months the United States has taken over as Spain's top natural gas supplier. So far there is no indication that Algeria plans to not uphold its current contract to send gas to Spain via pipeline and tankers. But it has recently announced that Italy, with which it has a separate pipeline, will be a preferred customer as European countries scramble to find alternatives to Russian energy to punish it for its invasion of Ukraine. Algeria is well known for being a trustworthy supplier (of gas) and has given guarantees from the highest level of its government that the gas will keep flowing, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Albares said. Le Monde with AP SNAPCHAT and other social media platforms are frequently being used to facilitate the sale of drugs, a Limerick judge has been told. One defendant who pleaded guilty to having 5,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply through a Snapchat page was told he was within a hairs breadth of going to prison for the offence. Declan Breach, aged 25, of Dromroe, Rhebogue, Limerick city was before Limerick Circuit Court after he was detected supplying the drugs through the social media account Judge Tom ODonnell, who conceded he wasnt an IT aficionado, asked the investigating garda, Eoin Murray, if this method of purchasing drugs is common. It would be. Through multiple social media platforms the sale of drugs can be facilitated, said Garda Murray. Limerick Circuit Court heard that gardai raided a property on Upper Gerald Griffin Street in the city on October 23, 2020. Outlining the case, John O'Sullivan BL, instructed by state solicitor Padraig Mawe, said the defendant was supplying the drugs through a Snapchat account. Garda Murray agreed. He said the products would be advertised for sale and what was in stock. Mr OSullivan said during garda interviews Mr Breach admitted to selling weed through the Snapchat account. When gardai put it to the defendant that he was using Snapchat to organise the sale of drugs Mr Breach said: When you put it like that. The page that Mr Breach set up had a few hundred followers and those who wished to purchase cannabis would text the page. Mr OSullivan said the accused was doing this for profit and to feed his own habit. Eimear Carey BL, who represented Mr Breach, said her client panicked initially. He ran, said Garda Murray. Following that he was very co-operative said Ms Carey. He gave full and frank interviews, said Garda Murray, who agreed with the barrister that Mr Breach had quite a significant drug addiction. Ms Carey said her client is a chef and due to the pandemic was out of work for a period of time. Due to the financial implications he set up this page to make extra money, said Ms Carey. She said there was a positive probation report. He had a difficult upbringing. He started abusing drugs at age 12 - from cannabis to cocaine and tablets. He did complete his Junior Cert and worked as a chef in a number of premises in Limerick city. He suffers from anxiety and depression and is almost drug free. He has written a letter of apology and gave chapter and verse to gardai, said Ms Carey, who asked Judge ODonnell to give him a chance. Judge ODonnell said this was a sophisticated operation albeit it on a small scale. Nevertheless he had a mobile phone, plastic bags, plastic container, resealable bags, scales - all the paraphernalia, said Judge ODonnell, who added that Mr Breach doing a runner didnt help matters. In the defendant's favour was his early admissions, accepting responsibility and a lengthy probation report. Judge ODonnell was inclined to impose an immediate custodial sentence but decided it was not the best course. He handed down a two and half year suspended sentence for the sale or supply of drugs. You were within a hairs breadth of going to prison. Im giving you a chance. I dont want to see you back here, said Judge ODonnell. MORE than 400,000 in funding has been secured to upgrade seven enterprise hubs across Limerick and the Mid-West region. Engine Hubs provides a hybrid working infrastructure for remote workers and business owners, as well as full landing pad services to multinationals looking to set up or expand their operations in the region. A a network of privately and publicly owned co-working spaces that serve businesses and individuals in both urban and rural areas, the network of 17 homegrown hubs work together as one network, serving both rural and urban communities. Each hub has its own unique character and offers move-in and drop-in office space for business owners, start-ups, scale-ups and a growing number of remote workers. It's one of 81 nationwide projects to be given funding as part of the national hubs network development plan. In total 401,000 has been granted, and this will enable the enterprise hubs in Limerick to enhance and expand the remote working infrastructure available across city and county. Mike Cantwell, the chief executive of Innovate Limerick and the head of the Local Enterprise Office said the Engine Hub's overall aim is to copper-fasten the attractiveness of the Mid-West as the first choice location for living, working and investing by providing opportunities for the companies to explore, create and facilitate important collaborations. "I am confident that the successful funding announced will add greatly to the enterprise development infrastructure of Limerick and the entire region. Quality workspaces in accessible locations is key to the development of the region. The strong working relationships between the members of the Engine Hubs network ensures successful collaboration and the securing over 400,000 in funding is a great example of how we work together," he said. Seven remote working hubs, including those located at Roxboro, Newcastle West, Croom, Bruree and the city centre, will benefit from the share in funding. Senator Maria Byrne has welcomed the funding announcement, adding: "Fine Gael is determined to ensure balanced regional development across the country and an important element of that is making remote working an option for more people. The drive to encourage remote working will help revitalise towns and villages and it supports Fine Gaels ambition and campaign to build stronger, safer communities in Limerick." THE YOUNGEST person to come out in support of Caherconlish Post Office last Friday morning was three-year-old Fiadh Halvey. She was with dad Mike to collect grandmother Elsies pension. News that the post office was due to close later this week had spread like wildfire in preceeding days. Local historian and notes correspondent, Pat Hourigan said there has been an ever present post office in Caherconlish since the mail service began centuries ago. The long but now defunct telegram service, if it were still around, would read: Stop We Will Stop Win, said Pat. There has been a late reprieve for Caherconlish Post Office thanks to the postmistress for the last 40 years, Kitty (affectionately known as Kitsy) Hickey. She has put off her well deserved retirement for another month. It gives An Post more time to try and find a postmaster to keep it open permanently. Mrs Hickey has given incredible service to Caherconlish and surrounding areas because she worked for over 20 years with the previous postmistress Alice McCormack. But she has no interest in accepting plaudits for her sixty years behind the counter. Thats only a small thing. You wonder where the years go, said Mrs Hickey, whose only concern is her customers. I would love for it to continue. I have petitions here and they are signing it goodo. My oldest customer is 95, there are a good lot in their 80s and some of them don't drive, naturally. A lot of the youngsters dont have cars, said Mrs Hickey. Mike and Fiadh Halvey are two of countless locals who want to see the post office remain. Mike said they call down every second day to post letters and see Mrs Hickey. The social aspect of the post office is huge. It would be a massive loss. A lot of elderly people dont drive, said Mike. The Leader understands one pensioner makes their way down with the aid of a walker. Jenny Platt and Bernie OSullivan, of Caherconlish Pharmacy, called down to show their solidarity. Bernie said the post office, doctors, chemist and shop are all near each other so people can frequent them at the same time. Jenny said there is wonderful community spirit in Caherconlish and there is a lovely vibe as people stop and chat as they do their errands. Patrick and Maureen Ryan collect their pension every Friday. And not just that, we pay the bills here too, said Patrick, who went to school with Mrs Hickey. Another concern raised by locals was the economic impact on the village as people will have to travel to other post offices. Minister for State Niall Collins, Deputy Willie ODea and Deputy Maurice Quinlivan have all pledged their support in keeping Caherconlish Post Office open. Deputy Kieran ODonnell, Cllr Brigid Teefy and Cllr John Egan were in attendance on Friday. Deputy ODonnell said the Government is looking at providing additional supports to post offices. He said he will be highlighting it in his role as chairperson of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications committee. We want to ensure new contracts are viable and sustainable for the postmasters. We must ensure the survival of the rural post office network like here in Caherconlish, said Mr ODonnell, whose great grandaunt was the aforementioned former postmistress Alice McCormack. Cllr Teefy said it was an essential service and spoke of the possible loss of passing trade. She said Mrs Hickey has seen many changes in her time as postmistress. She has managed it all very well, provides a great service and is a friend to so many. It is very much appreciated by the community, said Cllr Teefy. Deputy ODea is confident Caherconlish Post Office can be saved due to the number of expressions of interest some who have run post offices he received to a social media post. TWO friends have been jailed for their role in an unprovoked attack on two brothers who were celebrating their graduation. The victims, aged 17 and 18, were punched and head-butted during a bus journey home following a night out in Newcastle West on May 25, 2018. Richard O'Shaughnessy, aged 29, of Liosdara, Broadford and Conor Greaney, aged 26, of John Paul Terrace, Broadford had pleaded guilty to assault charges. During a sentencing hearing, Garda James Finn said the brothers had travelled from their home to Newcastle West at around 10pm and were returning home on a private bus when the incident occurred at around 2.10am. He said the defendants were on a separate night out and boarded the bus in Newcastle West without permission. The garda told Lily Buckley BL, instructed by state solicitor Aidan Judge, a verbal argument broke out involving the younger victim which prompted his older brother to intervene. He was then head-butted and punched in the face by Mr Greaney who also struck the then 17-year-old. Mr OShaughnessy punched the younger brother in the face. Judge Patrick Meghan was told both brothers sustained bruising and soft-tissues injuries and that the older of the two required medical treatment for a displaced nose. Both also suffered significant stress and worry as the incident happened close to their exams. Barrister Liam Carroll, representing Conor Greaney said his client accepts he did the wrong thing and made the wrong decision and that he has regretted it since. He said his client is working full time, has a young child and has limited his drinking. Barrister Pat Barriscale said client, Richard OShaughnessy, is also working full time and now understands the gravity of what he did. Both men, Judge Meghan was told, are at low risk of re-offending while 8,000 was offered as compensation. Imposing sentence, the judge said the incident was towards the higher end of the scale and that the pair had inflicted a particularly bad and unprovoked beating to save a 25 taxi fare. While accepting the defendants have matured since, he said a custodial sentence was still warranted. He imposed four year prison sentences, suspending the final two years. THE TEMPO will be rising in Newcastle West this Friday night when renowned Latin rumba guitarist Vincenzo Donnarumma performs. The guitar virtuoso has wowed crowds in Newcastle West twice before and this Friday, June 10, is set to be a night to remember with up-tempo Latin summer sounds, and sangria flowing for Clearys Window Sessions. Vincenzo, a passionate player who hails from Italy, but is now firmly rooted in Galway, is looking forward to the upcoming gig and playing once again beautiful music for the beautiful people of Newcastle West. He has spent many years crafting his energetic style, and often sounds like a full Latin band, rather than a solo artist, with flavours of the Gypsy Kings at points, yet remaining unique, explained Emmet Scanlan, one of the organisers. The Window Sessions of Clearys Bar, Newcastle West puts a strong focus on original music, although not exclusively an original music night. The Latin night shows the diversity of acts passing through The Window Sessions fortnightly and its commitment to providing exceptional quality of music to the people of West Limerick, Emmet added. Entry is free and there will be complimentary sangria on the night. The music starts at 10pm - bring your salsa shoes! Goldman Sachs Group Inc.s asset-management arm led a $100 million growth investment in Recover Textile Systems SL, an early player in the sustainable fashion movement. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Chairman of the Governing Council of the National High Electoral Commission, Imad al-Sayeh, Thursday met in Tripoli with the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Libya, Stephanie Williams, to discuss the latest developments in the electoral process in light of local and international developments NEW DELHI : Taiwan and Iran have rejected as many as three containers of Indian tea due to phytosanitary issues and the presence of pesticides beyond permissible limits, two people aware of the development said. Falling tea exports from Sri Lanka due to a financial crisis opened newer markets for Indian tea; however, recent rejections of Indian tea may cast a shadow on New Delhis efforts to capture new markets. An official, one of the two cited above, said, however, that export rejections from India were extremely low. Only two containers have come back from Taiwan and one from Iran. The maximum residue level (MRLs) in Taiwan is too low and exporters are aware of the risk," the official said on condition of anonymity. MRL is the maximum concentration of pesticide residue likely to occur in or on food and feeding material after the use of pesticides. Exporters said that about 95% of the rejected Indian tea consignment have Quinalphos beyond the permissible limit. The container that got rejected in Iran was because of phytosanitary issue. Some unsanitary matter was found in that tea. It was not the fault of the producer, but the exporter is to be blamed," the official further added. Queries sent to a spokesperson for the commerce and industry ministry remained unanswered till press time. A former official of Tea Board of India said MRL for the chemical quinalphos is 0.01 mg per kg in India, making it among the strictest in the world. The standard is much higher at 0.7 for the European Union and 0.1 for Japan, the person said, adding that if Indian producers manage to even bring the number to 0.1, none of the export shipments will get rejected. Exporters said India is not the only country that finds it tough to export tea to Taiwan because of their strict MRL requirement. Vietnam and Chinese shipments also get rejected as they find it difficult to comply with Taiwanese norms. One of the exporters aware of the development said the rejected container belonged to one of Indias largest tea exporters based out of Kolkata, without naming the company. Only two out of 600 containers that his company shipped got rejected," the exporter said. As far as Iran is concerned, Indian tea is well established in Iran, exporters said. Tea Board officials said Sri Lanka was the only competitor in the Iranian market, but with its financial challenges, the entire Iranian market is up for grabs. According to commerce department data, the value of tea exports has slipped from $785 million in 2017-18 to $700 million in FY21. Experts pointed out that the Indian tea industry has seen limited reforms, and much of the production and exports are still done in the traditional way. There are countries that use non-tariff barriers, but Taiwan and Iran do not reject Indian tea because of that reason. China rejects large amounts of India CTC tea, citing chromium content. Indian tea has traces of chromium because of the stainless steel machinery that we use. And China does it to target India," an exporter who did not want to be named said. Meanwhile, the official cited above said tea producers and sellers have been asked to strictly comply with quality norms laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The board has instructed authorities that no tea consignment that has failed on FSSAI test parameters should be released from the warehouse, he added. KYIV (UKRAINE) : Russian troops shelled the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and other border towns overnight, bringing fresh violence to a region trying to rebuild after months of bombing and highlighting a problem for Kyiv of how to respond. Four years ago, 070 Shake made one of the most memorable entrances in recent music history. I let go of everything that I know, she belted, two minutes and 30 seconds into Kanye Wests Ghost Town. And nothing hurts anymore/I feel kinda freeeee. That feeling of spiritual release, a sense of liberation by way of song, is what 070 Shake does best. And now, after making a thrillingly experimental solo debut with 2020s Modus Vivendi, shes back. I just want to heal people, says the New Jersey artist, 24, born Danielle Balbuena. On a random Wednesday in March, two and a half years into working on her latest project and mere days after having finished it, shes at Soho House in downtown Los Angeles. She throws on her oversized leather jacket, places her arms pretzel-style on the table, and looks firmly at me from between curly curtains of hair: So, did you hear the new album yet? You fuck with it? Her second album, You Cant Kill Me, references the freedom shes found from letting go of phones and social media, and the belief that the less people know about her, the more untouchable she is a thought more pointedly detailed in the albums original title, You cant kill me if I dont exist. Largely produced by her go-to collaborator Dave Hamelin, with mixing and mastering plus final touches by close Ye associates Mike Dean and Johan Lenox, the album is an emotional rollercoaster that theatrically explores the idea of love. On its first two tracks, Shake invites you into her world, and then ensnares you by way of Marza Wilks cello, along with layered vocals, heavy percussion, orchestral transitions and synths. Im in your world for the night, she sings on standout Invited. Dont wanna fuck it up, lets get it right. From there, we travel back to the agonies of lost loves; release the weight of being someones medicine; explore the effects of dipsomania; and relish in the pleasures of love on smooth and subtly sensual tracks like Blue Velvet and Purple Walls. Overall, You Cant Kill Me feels dark and light, uncategorizable and ahead of its time. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Youve explored different aspects of love in a very beautiful but also cynical way throughout your work. How would you define love in this moment of your life? I always say, love is like carbon. Its the base of everything You can find love in all things. To me, its God, you know? And it is the same way I feel about God finding God in all things. Thats how I feel about love. Theres even love in hate. Thats how powerful love is. What do you feel like youre exploring on this album? In love and otherwise, what makes it special for you? Ive never heard anything like it. Thats the purpose for me I wasnt trying to do something that people already know. I understand the sacrifice of making something new. People might not understand it at first, which is fine for me, because the purpose of it is the fact that there is nothing like it. Its just doing something different with music. Im not doing it for numbers. Im fine living how I live, being minimal, not living above my means I come from a place where I didnt even know that Hollywood was a real place. Im very grateful, and I dont need too much. I want exactly what I need. With that, Ima always be good. Ill never fail. Does that mindset come from a place of spirituality for you at all? Oh, sure. Definitely. I mean, I just went to Brazil [for the South American leg of tour] and gave a kid $100 and he threw everything he was selling that day, hugged his dad, and they jumped around. We were watching them, literally crying, like, Bro, why the fuck do I need a billion dollars? That shit is crazy. I would never want a billion dollars to myself. Never. If I got a billion dollars, Im not doing enough. Im not giving enough in my life. Was there a moment in the studio that felt special to you? Well, I actually made half of it in Arizona in the desert [over the course of 6 months]. That was probably the most special time for me being in the desert and stuff, just away from everything. Out here [in L.A.], things are changing every day. I go outside and its different people walking by, different cars, and the sky looks different. Over there, every day is still. Every day I wake up and the trees are the same trees. So I was very at peace. You explore themes of balance at times, whether its the idea of keeping and losing your cool on your recent single with NLE Choppa, or referencing yin and yang and war and harmony on Wine and Spirits. Do you think that that balance is possible or necessary? I dont know if its possible, but I think that its important for me to put that out there. Wellits definitely possible. Music is frequency. Everything has a low and a high frequency, literally everything. Even food. Colors have low and high frequency especially music. Whats important about music is its just something thats in our everyday lives. Even when we dont notice it. Were in a restaurant, theres music playing; were watching a show, theres music in the show; were in a car, music [is playing]. Music is part of our everyday life, so were constantly being fed these frequencies, you know? Words have frequencies. Thats why we have things like curse words. For me, its important to send that message to start sending these frequencies to reprogram the mind. Because most of the songs, if you look at whats charting, its very not that its a bad thing but its a lot of low-frequency music. Im here to create that balance. On Body, you say I wanted your body but it came with your soul. Its a simple line but it holds essays in it, because I think it captures what romance looks like to a lot of our generation. What do you think of our generations romantic habits? Body is the most physical song on the album. That line at the end, its just touching on the fact that nothing is really just physical. You touch somebody and youre taking something from them. You might be cleaning them or dirtying them with your energy type shit and we dont see it But even sex is such a spiritual thing. Even though the song was about the body, I ended with that line It came with your soul, you know what Im saying? Nothing is really just physical. Most people are delighted to have you here on Earth. Who is the you youre referring to when you say You Cant Kill Me? The you is basically humans, to be honest. I came up with it when I was talking to [creative director Bharata Selassie] about social media, and I was like, Yo, if Im not on social media, your words cant hurt me, cause they dont exist to me. And Im like, You cant kill me because I dont exist. It goes back to nothing really being physical even when it is physical. Because were infinite, you know? You know how people say they will save for a house? But what does saving look like for the afterlife? You know what Im saying? Were so infinite. When you realize that, shit really cant hurt you. Not taking things personally is one of the most important things to go by in my life. When someone is trying to hurt you, thats just a projection of their own fear,, and dont take that personal, because theyve had experiences in their life that brought them here. For example, I literally had a friend that told me that they thought about killing me. The next day, I invited them to my house to talk about it. Like, Bro, why you felt like that? You get what Im saying? I didnt take it personal. I genuinely wanted to help him through that. We can really be above everything when you have that mentality of, You cant kill me, your words cant hurt me, your fire cant burn me, your water cant wet me. Freedom is something you touch on often as well. Tell us about what that concept means to you. Im put in this position for a reason. I am who I am for a reason. I have the message that I have and the beliefs that I have for a reason. And I have been put in a position where I have a place to really be heard by people. So Im going to live my truth. I know I have a duty and Im going to do whatever it takes to take that on and spread this freedom. Do you feel that thats part of your mission? It is my mission. You seem so confidently in tune with yourself. Or is it more an example of following Rihannas motto of pretending if you need to? When it comes to my music, Im so fucking free. I dont give a fuck, like, I really dont. I truly dont care what anybodys doing. I got people calling my phone right now, big stars. And I dont give a fuck, Im just in my world. Im confident in it for sure. In my music and myself. Im ready for whatever is coming. Im strong enough to handle it. Im very advanced mentally and spiritually, because I know that Ive done this before. My spirit has worked very hard to be where I am right now, so Im like a million years old. Theres definitely parts where Im insecure, which just comes with being a human being. Thats why I have such a lack of presence on social media, because its the only thing in this life that makes me insecure. The only thing. Why do you think that is? Because I really love people, and Im a sensitive being. Like, Im very sensitive. I really love people, and I know that people never love me like I love them, you know? So its like Im doing all of this for humans. Im not doing this shit for myself; Im good. Im not trying to be anything that Im not. So l dont want to hurt myself in that way. Its self-sabotage, you know? People are mean because theyre hurt. I just want to heal people. But Im not a therapist, you know? Right. Ive read about the idea that narcissists are attracted to empaths because they feed on that energy. So its important to realize you cant change people. Yeah, and even empathy can be detrimental to you. Theres a blessing and a curse about being an empath, because you might live your life for somebody else. And then you realize 10 years too late, like, Dang, I didnt even care about myself. I didnt even live my experience. I was too worried about everybody else. We only live this life through our eyes, through our perspective. If everybody does that, well all be OK. If everybody puts themselves first, well all be good. Well, God first, and then us. Where does that spirituality come from for you? Is it from childhood? I was raised in the church. Im talking about not just a Christian church. Spanish Christian church. El evangelio[Laughs] And Im not talking about just Sunday. Im talking about Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, I was at the church. Thats one thing that Im most grateful to my mom for: She made sure that I met God at a young age. At 11 years old, I was speaking in tongues. So I felt God at a very young age, and theres no way that I can ever turn my back on that, ever. I do shit and I feel so bad. I pray before all my shows, but I also get very drunk before my shows. Not after? Before. I dont go on stage sober. But you still feel connected to the source. Yeah. Because thats me God is in me no matter what. Even though I do bad things hes still there, you know? Itll always be like that. Godll never leave me. And as long as I always know that, God will always be with me. You sprinkled in some Spanish at the end of the album. How was that? Do you want to do more of it? I do, but I want to go slowly and I dont want to do it the conventional way. I want to be very genuine about it. People are always telling me about the Spanish market, and I cant stand that shit, because Im not trying to take advantage of people or manipulate peoples fucking ears and not be true to myself. I want to do it when it actually feels right. I grew up listening to Spanish music, so people be like, Oh, you dont know this song by Luther Vandross? Im like, Never heard it before. You know what Im saying? Like, I grew up listening to Spanish Christian music. Marcos Witt. Jesus Adrian Romero. [Laughs.] Yeah, exactly. Thats all I listened to. I know every single Marcos Witt song ever. Every single song. Whats something youre tired of people asking you about? Other than Whens the next album coming out, because I know you were probably getting that a lot. Im tired of people asking me How is it from being from Jersey? Almost every interview. And How was it working with Kanye West? Obviously thats one of the highlights of my career. Im just tired of the question. You know what Im saying? Hes obviously one of the most influential artists of all time. My biggest influence in music. I would not be here without him. But the question is just redundant. Like, just listen to the last interview and youll find out. Click here to read the full article. Big news for Ghostbusters fans: the franchise is in development on an animated film, and the sequel to Afterlife is returning to the original films home of New York City. Several announcements were delivered by Sony Pictures and Ghost Corps Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan as part of Ghostbusters Day, the annual celebration of the first Ghostbusters films release on June 8, 1984. The new animated film is based on Ghosbusters IP and being developed by Jason Reitman and Kenan along with Sony Pictures Animation. Chris Prynoski (executive producer, Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe) and Jennifer Kluska (Hotel Transylvania: Transformania) are set to direct, with Brenda Hsueh (supervising producer, Disjointed) on board to write. During the presentation, Jason Reitman and Kenan also confirmed that the sequel to 2021s Ghostbusters: Afterlife will return to New York City and the iconic Firehouse setting of the original films. Other news includes the unveiling of Ivan Reitman Way on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City, a virtual reality training simulator called Ghostbusters VR Academy and a Ghostbusters comic series by Dark Horse that will bridge the gap between Afterlife and the upcoming sequel. Hasbro also revealed two Ivan Reitman figurines, one given to Ghost Corp to be displayed and the other donated to the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles to be auctioned off at a charity event. The announcements come after Variety exclusively revealed on Wednesday morning that a Ghostbusters animated series is in the works at Netflix, produced by Jason Reitman and Kenan. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The rumors are true: Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck have recorded a new album, 18, that will arrive this summer. After jetting off to Europe to play some shows with the famed guitarist amid the closing of his contentious defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard, Beck teased that the duo had an LP ready to go. That album recorded over the past three years is out July 15. The pair first met in 2016 and formed a close friendship; Beck previously appeared on a track by Depps classic rock supergroup, the Hollywood Vampires. When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful spirit and creativity, Beck said in a statement. We would joke about how we felt 18 again, so that just became the album title too. The 13-track LP is largely a covers album, with Depp and Beck tackling a diverse range of artists spanning from the Beach Boys and Marvin Gaye to Killing Joke and the Velvet Underground. However, 18 features a pair of Depp originals: The first single, This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr, which they debuted on stage, and Sad Motherfuckin Parade. (The album also includes their first released collaboration, a cover of John Lennons Isolation that they shared in 2020.) I was blown away by it, Beck said of This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr in a statement. That song is one of the reasons I asked him to make an album with me. Depp added in a statement, Its an extraordinary honor to play and write music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother. Ahead of the albums release, Beck will kick off another month-long tour of Europe starting June 19, reportedly with Depp in tow. Depps collaborative LP follows his lengthy, much-publicized court battle, where he prevailed on all three claims of his defamation suit against Heard. The actress, meanwhile, won just one of the three claims in her countersuit against Depp (he was awarded $15 million in damages, she $2 million). Depp had sued Heard over a 2018 op-ed for the Washington Post, in which she spoke about her experiences with domestic abuse but did not name Depp. While both Heard and Depp had accused each other of abuse, the jurys decision seemed to suggest they doubted Heards claims even as she presented photos of her injuries, video recordings of Depps meltdowns, and witness testimony corroborating her claims of abuse. Click here to read the full article. Kid Cudi is inviting some friends along for an Entergalactic journey. As part of Netflixs Geeked Week event, the first look of the hip-hop stars new animated series has been released, revealing the plot and full cast for the upcoming show. Cudi, credited as Scott Mescudi, stars in the series as Jabari, a young, passionate artist who moves into his dream apartment next door to Meadow (Jessica Williams), a stylish and self-assured photographer. The show follows the two as they meet, develop a relationship and navigate their respective careers together. Timothee Chalamet, Ty Dolla $ign, Laura Harrier, Vanessa Hudgens, Christopher Abbott, 070 Shake, Jaden Smith, Keith David, Teyana Taylor, Arturo Castro and Macaulay Culkin voice the supporting cast of the series. Cudi created the series with Ian Edelman. The two previously worked together in 2010, when Cudi played a supporting character in How To Make It in America, which Edelman created. The two executive produce Entergalactic the series, with Cudi executive producing through his Mad Solar production company. Additional executive producers include Fletcher Moules, who serves as a director for the series, Kenya Barris through his Khalabo Ink Society production banner and Maurice Williams. Entergalactic will be accompanied by an album of the same name. Both the album and the show will feature music composed by Cudis longtime collaborators Dot da Genius and Plain Pat. The album was initially set to be Cudis followup to his 2016 project Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin, before being delayed so Cudi could focus on Man on the Moon III: The Chosen, which was released in 2020. A release date for both projects has yet to be announced. Watch the full teaser for the animated series below. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The trial in a civil suit against Bill Cosby got underway in a Santa Monica courthouse last week. Judy Huth is accusing the disgraced entertainer of sexually assaulting her in the 1970s when she was a teenager. I reached out to one of Huths attorneys, Gloria Allred, and she emailed me her response: Ms. Huth alleges in her lawsuit that she was the victim of sexual battery by Mr. Cosby when she was 16 years old, she says. We are honored to represent Ms. Huth and to seek justice for her in a California court of law. Allred further tells me, Bill Cosbys lawyers said that my role as an advocate for various women claiming to be victims of his conduct might make me a witness in this case. Since the defense may, in fact, call her to testify, Allred says, I will not be speaking at the trial, unless I am called as a witness. Huth sued Cosby in 2014, but the case was put on hold while the disgraced entertainer was being criminally prosecuted for allegations of drugging and sexually assaulting a Temple University employee, Andrea Constand. Cosby was charged in 2015, convicted in 2018 and sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for aggravated indecent assault against Constand at his Philadelphia home in 2004. Cosby served three of those years, but in June 2021, he was released in a stunning turnabout after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction due to a prior agreement between Cosby and the former prosecutor in the case, which began in 2005. I was horrified to think that this could possibly mean that Harvey Weinstein, who had been sentenced in March 2020 to 23 years in prison for sex crimes, could also possibly walk free if his appeal were upheld. Weinstein had been found guilty of two felonies, a criminal sexual assault in the first degree and third degree rape. Last year, Weinsteins lawyers appealed his conviction, arguing that the women who had accused him of sexual assaults for which he was not charged should not have been allowed to testify, nor should testimony have been admissible from actor Annabella Sciorra, who alleged that Weinstein had raped her in the early 1990s. My fears of his getting out of prison were allayed last week when, on June 2, a New York appeals court upheld Weinsteins conviction. Weinstein, who is in prison in Los Angeles, is still awaiting trial in the city, where hes been charged with several counts of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and additional sex crimes. A trial date is expected to be set this week. Like Weinstein, Cosby has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. Allred was also involved in Weinsteins criminal litigation in New York and represents alleged victims in his upcoming L.A. case. I am thrilled that the criminal conviction of Harvey Weinstein was upheld, says Allred, whose client Mimi Haley was the key prosecution witness in the case. Based on her testimony Weinstein was convicted of criminal sexual assault and sentenced to 20 years in prison for that crime against her, Allred notes, adding, I am very proud of her and my two other clients who testified in this case. Justice was done, but now I am also looking forward to the criminal prosecution of Mr. Weinstein in Los Angeles, where I also represent alleged victims for whom charges have been filed there. There is still much ongoing interest in the trials of Cosby and Weinstein, whose next chapters will be written as their respective cases wind through the courts in our city Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A judge in New York State Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit against former ABC News producer Michael Corn, who was alleged to have sexually assaulted a subordinate and to have created a toxic work environment at ABC News. In August of last year, Kirstyn Crawford, a producer who worked with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, alleged that Corn, the former top producer at Good Morning America, assaulted her and another staffer, Jill McClain, on different occasions over a span of multiple years. Both women reported to Corn, who also for a time supervised World News Tonight. Crawford also alleged she lost opportunities to advance at work after she began trying to avoid Corn. After leaving ABC News abruptly last year, Corn was named president of news for NewsNation, a start-up news operation backed by large U.S. station owner Nexstar Media Group. We are very pleased that the Court recognized that the claims asserted against Michael have no merit, said Meredith Cavallaro, an attorney who represents Corn, via email. The Los Angeles Times previously reported details of the dismissal of the case. In a court filing, the judge in the case said Crawford had not proven the existence of a hostile work environment. Because the statute of limitations on the alleged assault has lapsed, the foundation of the case was proving that a hostile work environment had developed in the years that followed. The suit raised eyebrows. Crawford had claimed Corn assaulted her in 2015 during a trip to Los Angeles to cover the Academy Awards. The suit also alleged that Stephanopoulos heard about some of the claims against Corn by Crawford in 2017, and disclosed them to executives and urged Crawford to reach out to an ABC attorney to discuss further. But Crawford, fearing that making a formal complaint would do more harm than good or even result in losing her job, did not follow up, according to the suit. The original suit also levied claims against ABC News, and the judge dismissed some of those as well. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Speaker of the House of Representatives in Libya, Aguila Saleh, has reaffirmed to the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, Stephanie Williams, that he supports the constitutional process and the agreement reached between parliament and the High State Council to achieve national elections as soon as possible NEW YORK - The theme is the stuff of theatrical lore: the onetime star desperate for a comeback. On this occasion, though, it's an entire industry that's aching for the comeback - in a story that reaches its climax on Sunday night. I'm talking about Broadway and the Tony Awards, the celebratory vehicle by which American theater sells itself to a national television audience. Oh, yeah: It also hands out a bunch of statuettes to talented show people. But make no mistake. Marketing the Great White Way's latest output is the Tonys' most sacred mission. What producers really want to hear, each time the band strikes up on this exuberant evening in Radio City Music Hall, is the sweet sound of ka-ching. The stakes surrounding the event - the Tonys' 75th anniversary ceremony, hosted this year by "West Side Story" Oscar winner Ariana DeBose - could not be higher: A win in a major category can add weeks, months or more to a show's life. And this year, Broadway is still in what you might call a viral convalescence, recuperating from the debilitating effects of a pandemic shutdown that began in March 2020. It didn't begin to ease until late June 2021, when Bruce Springsteen led the way with the return of his hit solo show. Then came the first post-pandemic play in August, Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's "Pass Over," and the return in September of the tentpole warhorses - "The Lion King," "Wicked," "Hamilton" and "Chicago." Dozens of other returning or new shows followed in the 2021-22 season, which ended April 30 - the first full season on Broadway since 2018-19. (Last fall's oddly conceived, catch-up Tonys gave out awards for the abbreviated 2019-20 season.) This season has proved to be an artistically robust re-engagement, even surprisingly so, as evidenced by an unusually overstuffed slate of nominees: six shows vying for best new musical; seven contenders for best actor in a play. (The norm is four or five at most.) Works up for consideration, including the musicals "A Strange Loop," "Six" and "Girl From the North Country," and such plays as "The Minutes," "The Lehman Trilogy" and "Clyde's," speak to those vital renewable resources of the arts, freshness and inventive energy. But if Broadway and the theater beyond are staging a comeback, well, not everything has done so successfully. Just this week, three musicals that saw triumphs on pre-pandemic Tony nights - "Dear Evan Hansen," "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" and "Come From Away" - announced end dates for their Broadway runs. Broadway's health has indeed been spotty, with some productions, including the Tony-winning "Hadestown" and the star-driven Hugh Jackman revival of "The Music Man," reporting brisk business. At the same time, such newcomers as the musical version of "Mrs. Doubtfire" and the revival of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf" prematurely cratered. A glance at statistics published by the Broadway League - the trade group that runs the Tonys with the American Theatre Wing - reveals the slow progress. For the week ending June 2, 2019, for example, Broadway shows collected a total of $37 million; for the week ending June 5 of this year, the take dropped to $29 million. In 2019, 11 shows were sold out; for the comparable week this year, it was two. "Christmas and January in New York felt like chaos," said one veteran Broadway producer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the industry more freely. For some mainstay Broadway shows, the producer added, "all the profits were made before the shutdown. They did not come back well." The pandemic roller coaster has also wreaked havoc on theater reliability. Few things raise consumer anxiety more forcefully than a well-planned visit to New York scuttled by performance cancellations. Broadway menace, thy name was omicron: The coronavirus variant raced through acting ensembles and stage crews regularly throughout the holiday season. So a mad rush to open delayed productions in April, right up to the deadline for Tony Award eligibility, created an unprecedented traffic jam. That affected the bottom line, too, as shows that garnered outstanding reviews had little chance to lasso the media's, and therefore the public's, attention. "Shows were opening five times a week for four weeks," the producer said, explaining the dearth of buzz-fueled momentum. "Everyone was having one good day, and no one could break out." In such an environment, the need to acquire the publicity-enhancing luster of a Tony Award takes on a more urgent dimension. The traditional Tony broadcast - which on Sunday begins with an hour of awards in design and other categories on Paramount Plus and continues with a three-hour event on CBS - draws a nationwide audience in the 5 1/2 million-viewer range. That may be minuscule by network TV standards. But history demonstrates that a sparkling production number in prime time can give a show a substantial box-office boost, because those who tune into the Tonys tend to be theater patrons. A total of 29 shows earned nominations in the 26 eligible categories this year. Nineteen of those shows are still running, including all six vying for best musical. (These also include "Paradise Square," "MJ" and "Mr. Saturday Night.") The race, I think, is between "Six," a rollicking, revue-style musical that tells the stories in witty, contemporary fashion of the six wives of Henry VIII, and "A Strange Loop," Michael R. Jackson's brilliant Pulitzer-winning portrait of a struggling Black queer composer of Broadway musicals. I'd give the edge to the groundbreaking "A Strange Loop." In the other most coveted category, best new play, the call is harder because the competition is so fierce. The aforementioned nominees - Tracy Letts's "The Minutes," Stefano Massini and Ben Power's "The Lehman Trilogy" and Lynn Nottage's "Clyde's" - are vying with Martin McDonagh's "Hangmen" and Dominique Morisseau's "Skeleton Crew." This is one of those unusual years in which you couldn't quibble no matter which way the 650 Tony voters - producers, directors and other theater professionals - decide to go. If it were a three-way tie among "Minutes," "Lehman" and "Clyde's," I'd be a happy critic. In the end, I predict the trophy will go to the now closed, epic-length "Lehman Trilogy," the story of the rise and fall of Lehman Brothers, as dramatized by three protean actors, Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Adrian Lester (all of whom are nominated as best actor in a play). Other races to watch: Two young newcomers making their Broadway debuts - Jaquel Spivey in "A Strange Loop" and Myles Frost in "MJ," the Michael Jackson musical - seem to me the favorites for best actor in a musical. Look to Sharon D. Clarke to nab the prize for best actress in a musical, for her sterling turn as the exhausted housekeeper in the revival of "Caroline, or Change." If there is justice in Times Square, "Trouble in Mind" - Alice Childress's play about backstage racism, making its Broadway debut more than 60 years after it was written - will win for best revival of a play. I'd also love to see LaChanze win for her portrayal of an actress frustrated by being consigned to Black stereotypes in Childress's comedy-drama. And in that seven-man sprint for best actor in a play, Sam Rockwell would be a worthy Tony recipient as a manic, small-time scam artist in the satisfying revival of "American Buffalo." (Although a three-way tie among the "Lehman Trilogy" trio would also suit me just fine.) No matter who else might be covered in glory on Sunday, there's one universally loved winner already: Angela Lansbury, at 96, is being honored with a lifetime achievement award. That's one Broadway denizen a theater lover wishes would always come back. - - - The Tony Awards begin Sunday at 7 p.m. on Paramount Plus, and then continue on CBS at 8 p.m. for three hours of coverage. Click here to read the full article. The Vancouver branch of the Directors Guild of Canada has reached an agreement with the studios, averting a strike that threatened to shut down film and TV production in British Columbia. The union issued a strike notice on April 26, after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the Canadian Media Producers Association reached an impasse. That followed the unions first-ever strike authorization vote earlier in the month, which passed with 92.2% support. In a statement on Wednesday, the union said it had reached a tentative agreement. As of this afternoon, the DGC BC has reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP and the CMPA, the union said. We are finalizing the language of the Memorandum of Agreement and will release further details as soon as thats completed. The union represents about 1,700 directors and other film and TV workers in the Vancouver area. Negotiators have been working on a new contract since the last agreement expired in March 2021. The union has previously said that the studios were refusing to budge on issues including higher pay rates for low-wage workers, COVID testing compensation and making increases retroactive to the expiration of the last agreement. British Columbia has become a hub for TV production in the last couple decades, thanks to generous subsidies from the provincial and federal governments. Production has continued during the negotiations, with producers signing safe harbor agreements that would allow them to continue in the event of a strike. However, no new safe harbor agreements have been granted since the strike notice was issued. Under Canadian law, the union was required to give 72 hours notice before going on strike. The AMPTP and CMPA had earlier warned that the unions approach risked forcing productions to relocate outside the province. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Warner Bros. Discovery Thursday announced its management team for Japan, Australia New Zealand, reporting into James Gibbons, WBDs president and managing director. The reshuffle follows similar announcements for the EMEA area under Priya Dogra and India, Southeast Asia and Korea under Clement Schwebig. Masami Takahashi is appointed country manager, head of studios, Japan , and be based in Tokyo. He will continue to oversee all theatrical activity, local production, content licensing, games and consumer products. is appointed , and be based in Tokyo. He will continue to oversee all theatrical activity, local production, content licensing, games and consumer products. Glen Kyne is appointed head of networks, Japan and Australia & New Zealand . Based in Auckland, he will oversee all networks activity in all three markets across pay-TV, free-to-air and BVOD. is appointed . Based in Auckland, he will oversee all networks activity in all three markets across pay-TV, free-to-air and BVOD. Sydney-based Michael Brooks continues as MD of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia [WBITVP], where he will, just like WBITVP NZ, continue to report directly into the global WBITVP organization. Brooks is additionally appointed as head of studios, Australia & New Zealand , responsible for content licensing, and optimizing studio-related activities across both markets, for which he will report to Gibbons. continues as [WBITVP], where he will, just like WBITVP NZ, continue to report directly into the global WBITVP organization. Brooks is additionally appointed as , responsible for content licensing, and optimizing studio-related activities across both markets, for which he will report to Gibbons. Robi Stanton is appointed head of franchise development & affiliate relations , Australia & New Zealand, based in Sydney. is appointed , Australia & New Zealand, based in Sydney. Andrew Brommel continues in the role of VP, consumer products, Australia & New Zealand, based in Sydney. In addition to the above appointments, David Macdonald is named VP Networks, Japan, based in Tokyo. He will continue to manage network activity, reporting to Glen Kyne, while Singapore-based Lynn Ng will continue to lead content operations for the APAC region. Additionally, she has been appointed head of factual & lifestyle South East Asia, for which she will report to Schwebig. These appointments reflect the strength of leadership from both legacy companies, bringing an impressive track record and deep knowledge of our diversified Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio, said Gibbons. Benefitting from a combination of market oversight and functional expertise, I look forward to working together with this team to optimize our businesses and build further scale across Japan and ANZ. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Closing arguments in the case about a drunken crash that killed two men are expected to be heard on Thursday. Miguel Angel Meza, 29, faces two counts of intoxicated manslaughter and two counts of criminal negligent homicide. He is accused of being intoxicated when he was behind the wheel of a yellow 2006 Ford Mustang and rear-ended a 2006 Ford F-150, killing David Angel Alejandres, 19, and Jorge Salazar Jr., 20. The crash occurred during the wee hours of June 10, 2017, along Mines Road after the F-150 ran out of gasoline and was stalled along the roadway. Testimony heard in the 49th District Court indicated that Alejandres and Salazar were cruising along Bob Bullock with Jose Verastegui and Benjamin Hipolito after leaving a friends house in Century City. Prior to the fatal crash, their F-150 had stopped two times. They managed to start the vehicle again until Meza rear-ended the F-150 with his Mustang. I was in shock, Verastegui had testified. He tried to help Alejandres and Salazar as they laid on the pavement on their final moments of their lives. Meza, however, did nothing to help Alejandres and Salazar. Instead, Meza asked the group if they had been drinking, according to testimony heard in court. Defense attorneys did question Verastegui and Hipolito as to why they did not seek help when the F-150 stalled two times prior to the fatal crash. Hipolito did mention that they made a split decision to keep moving forward until reaching a gas station. The defense questioned Verastegui about his testimony saying that Meza looked f----d up the night of the incident. Defense attorneys pointed out that Verasteguis testimony was not consistent with what he told police the night of the crash. Nowhere in the statement to police Verastegui mentioned that Meza looked f----d up, the defense pointed out. On Wednesday, prosecutors played a recorded phone call between Meza and a State Farm Insurance employee. The prosecution alleged that Meza was recorded saying he had more than five drinks. The trial resumes on Thursday. After the decision by Dr. Victor Trevino to not extend his contract as Laredos health authority, city council approved this week the appointment of Dr. Maurice A. Click to return to his former position. Click was sworn in Tuesday by City Secretary Jose Valdez Jr. at City Hall. According to the city, the Laredo Health Department and city management created the first Full-time Employee Medical Doctor position, also known as Medical Authority, to comply with the objective of enhancing health equity and a higher level of public health care services in the community. The city states the FTE MA position consists of providing health care services to the uninsured and underinsured populations at the Laredo Health Department during regular business hours while also performing the duties of a Health Authority. This position is also on-call 24 hours a day. Click accomplished many years of practice in family medicine alongside directory experience in various HIV/AIDS treatment and viral prevention services in the state of Texas, the city stated. Throughout his career, Dr. Click has been directly involved in serving the community and surrounding areas as a board member of various committees in participating South Texas Hospital systems. Dr. Click previously served as the City of Laredos Health Authority for 20 years from 1997-2016. During the pandemic, Dr. Click served as the Deputy Health Authority as an alternate to Dr. Victor Trevino. He has been recognized by many coalitions for his continued service in managing HIV/AIDS/STD programs. The City of Laredo thanks Dr. Click for his continued dedication and commitment to the health and safety of all Laredoans, Laredo is currently in the process of working toward addressing the health care needs of the community. On Monday, a motion was approved to use bridge funding to hire the Healthcare Management Associates to find solutions regarding Laredos health care needs, finding funding mechanisms to support needed expenses and addressing how to solve the staffing shortage. According to the firms representative, Stephen Palmer, services would take approximately six months and cost approximately $225,000. It is safe to assume the Laredo Economic Development Healthcare Advisory Committee, who is working in tandem with the city on the health care service needs situation, will also look to Click for his expertise and experience as the city moves forward with the endeavor. As the last three years have shown, a health authoritys experience and guidance help municipalities take cautious and informed decisions in health-related situations and emergencies. Amid the pandemic, Trevino was an integral piece of the citys efforts in fighting against COVID-19. He was also a proponent of working toward addressing the medically underserved designation. LMT reported in April he would return to his clinic full time after his health authority responsibility shifted his focus away from his regular patients. Trevino's recommendations led to Laredo being the first city in the U.S. to enact a mask mandate prior to any guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, he has been a proponent of addressing Laredo's medically disadvantaged designation. "We also took a lot of hits along the way," Trevino said. "A lot of people that did not agree. A lot of other different opinions -- the school boards and some politicians and the state did not agree with my medical guidance. But I took those hits for the people and basically at the end, thats what matters -- to protect the public and to tell the public the truth. "I am pretty satisfied that we made an impact and made a difference in the outturn of the pandemic here in Laredo." A man responsible for several robberies around the city has been arrested, according to Laredo police. On Monday, Jose Casarez III, 41, was served with arrest warrants charging him with one count of aggravated robbery and two counts of robbery. The case unfolded on June 3, when officers responded to a robbery at a convenience store in the 9800 block of Bob Bullock Loop. A man wearing a mask entered the store at about 4:30 and demanded money. Police said the suspect made it out with $150 and fled in a green pickup. A second case was reported on June 4. At about 1:53 a.m., police officers responded to a robbery at a convenience store in the 100 block of East Del Mar Boulevard. Police learned that a man forcefully took the cash register from the counter. He left with about $150 in a green pickup. A third convenience store reported a robbery at about 2:30 a.m. that same evening in the 600 block of Crossroads Loop. A male suspect went to use the restroom and then went straight for the cash register. He pulled out a knife and ordered the employee to open the cash register. Police said the suspect got away with about $100 in a green pickup. Authorities put out a lookout on the suspect and vehicle. On June 5, an officer came across the green pickup at about 10 p.m. along East Saunders Street. Authorities identified the driver as Casarez. Investigators were then able to secure the warrants for his arrest. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A prosecutor filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against the Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head following a traffic stop captured on a bystanders phone. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced his decision against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya minutes after a traffic stop on April 4. Video from a passenger in the car captured the final chilling moments. Schurr fired the fatal shot while Lyoya was on the ground, demanding that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo let go of the officer's Taser. The death was not justified or excused, for example, by self defense, the prosecutor said, reciting the elements of second-degree murder. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Roughly a minute later, Lyoya began to run after he was asked to produce a drivers license. Schurr caught him quickly, and the two struggled across a front lawn in the rain before the fatal shot. Defense lawyers said the shooting was not murder but an unfortunate tragedy during a volatile situation. Mr. Lyoya gained full control of a police officers weapon while resisting arrest, placing Officer Schurr in fear of great bodily harm or death, Matt Borgula and Mark Dodge said in a written statement. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he would recommend Schurr be fired, though he is entitled to a hearing and the ultimate decision would be up to the city manager. Schurr has been on leave since the shooting. Becker said he consulted experts from outside Michigan about the use of force in the case. He informed Lyoya's parents about the charge before holding a news conference and also sent a letter in Swahili, their native language. Across the state in Detroit, Peter Lyoya watched the announcement with his lawyer, Ven Johnson, and said he was pleased with the decision. We strongly believed there was no justice in America, until today, Peter Lyoya said. What I want is the final justice for my son." Another family lawyer, Ben Crump, said the murder charge was the right call, adding: Officer Schurr must be held accountable. Schurr turned himself in and was being held at a jail outside Kent County ahead of a court appearance Friday. His personnel file shows no complaints of excessive force but much praise for traffic stops and foot chases that led to arrests and the seizure of guns and drugs. Black community activists had accused Becker, a Republican, of being too close to police and urged him to give the case to the Michigan attorney general, a Democrat, to avoid even the appearance of a conflict. But the prosecutor declined. Everybody thinks prosecutors are an arm or just a branch of police. And we're not, Becker told reporters. We are our own entity. We have a duty to enforce the law. We work a lot with them but we dont work for them. Grand Rapids, population about 200,000, is 160 miles (260 kilometers) west of Detroit. The shooting turned into an immediate crisis for Winstrom, who was a commander in Chicago before taking charge in Grand Rapids early in March. Over Becker's objections, he released video from four different sources on April 13. At a community forum that same month, Winstrom said he wanted to put more emphasis on officers knowing how to turn down the heat during tense situations. This is going to be a difficult time for the police department, he said after the murder charge was announced. Well get through it. Lyoyas killing by an officer came after numerous others in recent years involving Black people, including George Floyd, whose killing in Minneapolis sparked a national reckoning on race;Daunte Wright, who was shot during a traffic stop in suburban Minneapolis; Andre Hill, who was killed in Columbus, Ohio; and Andrew Brown Jr., who was killed in North Carolina. Robert Womack, a Kent County commissioner who is Black, said bystander video of Lyoya's death was critical in the prosecutor's decision to charge Schurr. The officer wore a body camera, but it didn't capture the shooting and was found on the ground, possibly dislodged during the struggle. Womack wondered how many Black lives have been lost in the past without justice because of a lack of video. Days like this show we can believe in a process, he said of the justice system. ___ White reported from Detroit. Corey Williams in Detroit and Don Babwin in Chicago contributed. ___ Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A fire caused by suspected arson spread through an office building Thursday in South Koreas Daegu city, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens, fire and police officials said. Dozens of firefighters and vehicles quickly put out the blaze, which began in the late morning on the second of a seven-floor office building near the citys district court. Seven people were confirmed dead, including an unidentified man who police suspect set the fire in a lawyers office. At least 49 others were hurt, mostly from smoke inhalation, and 31 of them were being treated in hospitals, the Daegu Fire Department said. The high number of casualties was possibly because the building didnt have sprinklers on office floors, according to Park Seok-jin, chief of Daegus Suseong district fire department. He didn't answer directly when asked whether there were any lapses in legally required safety standards. Jeong Hyeon-wook, an official from Daegu Metropolitan Police, said security camera footage shows the suspect leaving his home holding an apparent container with both hands that may have been used to set the blaze. Jeong said all of the dead were found in the same room and that police were investigating possible motives. A team from the National Forensic Services was also deployed to the site. With the suspect dead, its unclear whether anyone will be prosecuted over the fire unless police find an accomplice, Jeong said. Photos showed people awaiting rescue on the roof and crowded balconies as smoke emerged from the building in Beomeo-dong, an affluent business district in Daegu, which is South Koreas fourth-largest city and home to more than 2.4 million people. Rescue workers wearing helmets and oxygen masks escorted people out of the buildings front door and used ladders and broke windows to get inside the second floor before carrying out the dead on stretchers. Police and forensic investigators were later seen examining the severely damaged and blackened walls and doors. Daegu was the site of one of the worst arson attacks in South Koreas history in 2003, when 192 people died after a 56-year-old man set fire on a subway train. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Workers pulled scores of bodies from smashed buildings in an endless caravan of death inside the devastated city of Mariupol, authorities said Wednesday, while fears of a global food crisis escalated over Ukraines inability to export millions of tons of grain through its blockaded ports. At the same time, Ukrainian and Russian forces battled fiercely for control of Sievierodonestk, a city that has emerged as central to Moscow's grinding campaign to capture Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas. As the fighting dragged on, the human cost of the war continued to mount. In many of Mariupol's buildings, workers are finding 50 to 100 bodies each, according to a mayoral aide in the Russian-held port city in the south. Petro Andryushchenko said on the Telegram app that the bodies are being taken in an endless caravan of death to a morgue, landfills and other places. At least 21,000 Mariupol civilians were killed during the weeks-long Russian siege, Ukrainian authorities have estimated. The consequences of the war are being felt far beyond Eastern Europe because shipments of Ukrainian grain are bottled up inside the country, driving up the price of food. Ukraine, long known as the bread basket of Europe, is one of the worlds biggest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, but much of that flow has been halted by the war and a Russian blockade of Ukraines Black Sea coast. An estimated 22 million tons of grain remains in Ukraine. The failure to ship it out is endangering the food supply in many developing countries, especially in Africa. Russia expressed support Wednesday for a U.N. plan to create a safe corridor at sea that would allow Ukraine to resume grain shipments. The plan, among other things, calls for Ukraine to remove mines from the waters near the Black Sea port of Odesa. But Russia is insisting that it be allowed to check incoming vessels for weapons. And Ukraine has expressed fear that clearing the mines could enable Russia to attack the coast. Ukrainian officials said the Kremlins assurances that it wouldn't do that cannot be trusted. European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday accused the Kremlin of weaponizing food supplies and surrounding their actions with a web of lies, Soviet-style. While Russia, which is also a major supplier of grain to the rest of the world, has blamed the looming food crisis on Western sanctions against Moscow, the European Union heatedly denied that and said the blame rests with Russia itself for waging war against Ukraine. These are Russian ships and Russian missiles that are blocking the export of crops and grain, Michel said. Russian tanks, bombs and mines are preventing Ukraine from planting and harvesting. The West has exempted grain and other food from its sanctions against Russia, but the U.S. and the EU have imposed sweeping punitive measures against Russian ships. Moscow argues that those restrictions make it impossible to use its ships to export grain, and also make other shipping companies reluctant to carry its product. Turkey has sought to play a role in negotiating an end to the war and in brokering the resumption of grain shipments. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met on Wednesday with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. Ukraine was not invited to the talks. Meanwhile, Moscow's troops continued their painstaking, inch-by-inch campaign for the Donbas region with heavy fighting in and around Sievierodonetsk, which had a prewar population of 100,000. It is one of the last cities yet to be taken by the Russians in Luhansk, one of the two provinces that make up the Donbas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Sievierodonetsk the epicenter of the battle for the Donbas and perhaps one of the most difficult battles of the war. He said the Ukrainian army is defending its positions and inflicting real losses on the Russian forces. In many ways, it is there that the fate of our Donbas is being decided, Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address, which was recorded in the street outside his office in Kyiv. An adviser to Zelenskyys office said Russian forces have changed their tactics in the battle, retreating from the city while pounding it with artillery and airstrikes. As a result, Oleksiy Arestovych said, the city center is deserted, and the artillery hits an empty place. "They are hitting hard without any particular success, he said in his daily online interview. Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai acknowledged the difficulties of battling Russian forces, saying, Maybe we will have to retreat, but right now battles are ongoing in the city. Everything the Russian army has artillery, mortars, tanks, aviation all of that, theyre using in Sievierodonetsk in order to wipe the city off the face of the Earth and capture it completely, he said. The city of Lysychansk, like Sievierodonetsk, is also wedged between Russian forces in Luhansk province. Valentyna Tsonkan, an elderly resident of Lysychansk, described the moment when her house came under attack. I was lying on my bed. The shrapnel hit the wall and went through my shoulder, she said as she received treatment for her wounds. Russia's continuing encroachment could open up the possibility of a negotiated settlement between the two nations more than three months into the war, analysts said. Russian President Vladimir Putin "has the option of declaring his objectives met at more or less any time in order to consolidate Russias territorial gains," said Keir Giles, a Russia expert at the London think tank Chatham House. At that point, Giles said, Western leaders may "pressure Ukraine to accept their losses in order to bring an end to the fighting. Zelenskyy said Russia is unwilling to negotiate because it still feels strong. Speaking by video link to U.S. corporate leaders, he called for even tougher sanctions to weaken Russia economically, including getting it "off the global financial system completely. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to negotiate to find a way out." But a settlement cannot come at the expense of our independence. Meanwhile, to the north, Russian shelling of the Kharkiv region killed five people and wounded 12 over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian authorities said. The Russian military said it used high-precision missiles to hit an armor repair plant near Kharkiv. There was no confirmation from Ukraine of such a plant being hit. ___ Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Oleksandr Stashevskyi, John Leicester and David Keyton in Kyiv, Ukraine; Andrew Katell in New York; and Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine New York, US (PANA) - While the number of deaths from terrorism has declined, the overall threat is far from over, particularly in Africa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in New York on Wednesday This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate VIENNA (AP) Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday, warning this could deal a fatal blow to the tattered nuclear deal as Tehran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. The development comes a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors censured Tehran for failing to provide credible information over manufactured nuclear material found at three undeclared sites in the country. It also follows months of deadlocked over stalled talks aimed at restoring the Islamic Republic's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions remain high across the wider Middle East over the accord's collapse as U.S. sanctions and rising global food prices choke Iran's ailing economy, putting further pressure on its government and its people. This, of course, poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there," warned Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA's director-general. He added that if an agreement cannot be reached to restore the cameras in three to four weeks, this would be a fatal blow to Iran's nuclear deal. Already, Grossi warned that without the cameras, Iran could make centrifuges and divert them to unknown locations. When we lose this, then its anybodys guess, he added. Iran did not immediately acknowledge it was removing the 27 cameras, though it earlier threatened it could take more punitive steps. State media aired footage Thursday of workers disconnecting two IAEA cameras from power. It is not acceptable that they show inappropriate behavior while Iran continues to cooperate, Behrouz Kamalvandi, an Iranian nuclear program spokesman, said Wednesday of the IAEA officials. Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi struck a much more combative tone Thursday while visiting the central city of Shahr-e Kord. "Do you assume that we withdraw because of resolutions? he asked. In the name of God and in the name of the nation, Iran will not withdraw from its stance a single step. Grossi made the comments at a suddenly called news conference in Vienna, standing next to an example of the cameras installed across Iran. Iran will remove IAEA cameras from sites, including in Tehran, the underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, the facility in Isfahan and the Arak heavy water reactor in Khondab, he said. Forty-something IAEA cameras would remain active in Iran, Grossi said, though Tehran already has been withholding IAEA footage since February 2021 as a pressure tactic to restore the atomic accord. We are in a very tense situation with the negotiations on the revival of the (nuclear deal) at a low ebb, Grossi added. Now we are adding this to the picture; so, as you can see, its not a very nice one. On Wednesday, Iran said it shut off two devices that the IAEA uses to monitor enrichment at Natanz. Grossi acknowledged that Thursday, saying that among the devices being removed was the Online Enrichment Monitor and flowmeter. Those watch the enrichment of uranium gas through piping at enrichment facilities and allowed inspectors to remotely track its work. Meanwhile, the IAEA earlier Thursday said Iran informed the agency that it planned to install two new cascades of the IR-6 at Natanz. A cascade is a series of centrifuges hooked together to rapidly spin uranium gas to enrich it. An IR-6 centrifuge spins uranium 10 times faster than the first-generation centrifuges that Iran was once limited to under its nuclear deal with world powers. As of February, Iran already had been spinning a cascade of IR-6s at its underground facility at Fordo, according to the IAEA. Iran earlier said it planned to install one cascade of IR-6s at Natanz. The IAEA said it verified the ongoing installation of that cascade Monday, while the installing of the newly promised two other cascades had yet to begin. Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. Talks in Vienna about reviving the deal have been on a pause since March. Since the deals collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges and rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that America remains committed to a mutual return to the nuclear deal, but only if Iran drops its additional demands that are extraneous. That likely refers to Iran's insistence its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard be delisted by the U.S. as a terror group. Nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enriched enough up to 60% purity a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90% to make one nuclear weapon should it decide to do so. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Building a nuclear bomb would still take Iran more time if it pursued a weapon, analysts say, though they warn Tehrans advances make the program more dangerous. Israel has threatened in the past that it would carry out a preemptive strike to stop Iran and already is suspected in a series of recent killings targeting Iranian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised Wednesday's IAEA board vote to censure Tehran as a significant decision that exposes Irans true face. The IAEA vote is a clear warning light to Iran: If Iran continues its activity, the leading countries must bring the matter back to the U.N. Security Council, said Bennett, who made an unannounced trip Thursday to the United Arab Emirates. The crisis risks escalating further, however. On Wednesday night, a drone exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in the northern Kurdish region, slightly wounding three people and damaging cars and a nearby restaurant, officials said. The Iraqi Kurdish regions directorate-general of counterterrorism alleged on Thursday that the Iran-backed militia Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, launched the drone. The militia later denied launching the drone attack. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. City of Amarillo What appeared to be a mysterious-looking creature was filmed lurking outside the Amarillo Zoo, leaving city officials baffled on what it might be. In the "dark and early morning hours" of May 21, security cameras inside a perimeter fence at the Amarillo Zoo captured a still image of a strange visitor outside of the zoo at approximately 1:25 a.m., according to a Wednesday news release from the city. Now city officials are asking the public for help in determining what it might be."Was it a person with a strange hat who likes to walk at night? A large coyote on its hind legs? A Chupacabra? It is a mystery for Amarillo to help solve," city officials said in the release. Chattanooga police said the public safety camera on McCallie Avenue was not working during this past weekend's shooting. They said the issue was reported, but not fixed. Chattanooga police said the camera has power and the lens moves, but no video was received when 17 people were shot Sunday morning. Chattanooga police chief says public safety cam malfunctioned during shooting on McCallie Avenue Chief Murphy assured the council that the malfunction has in no way affected the investigation of the shooting. "Technology is not something we can control all the time. Cameras go down," Chattanooga Police Department Chief Celeste Murphy said. The city has 53 safety cameras in Chattanooga. Chief Murphy said they're used proactively and for investigations. "If we capture an incident while it's happening, then the investigation starts immediately from that point," Chief Murphy said. Four of the cameras are not working right now, including the one on McCallie Avenue. "It was not functioning properly the date of the incident," Chief Murphy said. A Chattanooga police spokesperson said an investigator reported the issue to City IT on May 21, weeks before the shooting. A City of Chattanooga representative said it was tested and the next step was for the Chattanooga Police Department to coordinate maintenance with the camera vendor, Convergint, and EPB to take down the camera. Chattanooga police said a request was made, but because of scheduling issues, it never happened. The City said the Chattanooga Police Department didn't have a spare camera available at the time, so a new camera would have had to be ordered as part of the process. EPB said they didn't receive a request to remove the camera on McCallie Avenue until Monday, after the shooting. "What we will do a better job is, try to find, maybe have extra resources to be able to replace cameras quicker as opposed to try to wait on them to get repaired," Chief Murphy said. ChattaData shows the city has used more than a million taxpayer dollars to pay the camera vendor, Convergint, from 2017 to 2021. Chattanooga police said 25 cameras have been ordered to replace some old cameras and supplement current cameras. Chief Murphy said although the McCallie Avenue camera wasn't working, it isn't affecting the investigation. "I don't want at all the city of Chattanooga to feel that they should have any loss of hope in that investigation coming to resolution just based off of that one camera, we have a lot of leads despite that camera malfunctioning," Chief Murphy said. EPB said they took down the malfunctioning camera on McCallie Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Chattanooga police said Convergint is meeting with them on Friday. Chief Murphy said every weekend this summer, more people will be in the Real Time Intelligence Center monitoring the working cameras. We will be in Storm Alert Weather mode today as dangerous heat and humidity continue across the Tennessee Valley. High temperatures will reach Read More To be considered a gang, it has to be a group of three or more people who are committing criminal acts for furtherance of the group. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. The final countdown is underway for Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movements, Hospice Sunflower Days on-street collection which is returning to towns and villages all over the country on Friday and Saturday, June 10 & 11. Volunteers nationwide will be selling sunflower merchandise to raise vital funds for local hospice and specialist palliative homecare services. Members of the public who wish to support their local hospice by donating online can do so by sponsoring a virtual sunflower in memory of a loved one at www.togetherforhospice.ie/ sunflowerdays In Longford, volunteers will be out collecting on Friday , June 10 to raise funds for Longford Hospice. Hospice care and homecare is all about providing help and support to those living with a life-limiting illness and their families. Hospice care is provided either in specialist units in the hospice or in the persons own home with specialist palliative trained home care nurses. With hospices nationwide needing to raise approximately 20 million each year to continue to provide their person-centred loving care to patients and their families, Hospice Sunflower Days aims to raise as much funding as possible for hospice and specialist palliative homecare services across Ireland, with all funds raised locally, staying locally. Speaking ahead of the return of the on-street collection, Dan Rooney, Chairperson, Longford Hospice, said, We are thrilled to be able to return to our traditional on-street collection this year as part of our fundraising campaign and we are calling on members of the public throughout the country to donate what they can to help support their local hospice or homecare service. With all funds raised locally, staying locally, together we can all make a difference to the lives of hospice patients and their families. You can support Longford Hospice Homecare by donating to the on-street volunteers on Friday, June 10 or by dedicating a sunflower in memory of a loved one online today at www.togetherforhospice.ie/sunflowerdays Micheal Martin has called for a new era in protecting biodiversity in Ireland. In a speech opening the second day of a national biodiversity conference in Dublin Castle, the Taoiseach told delegates he believes there is a deepening acceptance of the importance of protecting the natural world. The time has come for a new era of stewardship for our natural world, he said. The challenges ahead of us are substantial. The approaches that brought us to this point will not suffice. Delighted to speak at #Biodcon22 The great mistake of our species is to think that we are somehow separate from nature; that we can continually hollow out natural systems without consequence. Nature provides the essentials for human life. https://t.co/Fn7GgpQgkW pic.twitter.com/RKvTlRbGLB Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 9, 2022 The conference was dismissed as a talking shop on Wednesday by Extinction Rebellion and the Irish Wildlife Trust, who staged a protest outside Dublin Castle. On Thursday, Mr Martin stressed his Government understands the need for a change of direction to protect wildlife. He pledged that success will require a whole-of-government approach. He said: You all know the statistics on biodiversity loss. You know what the science says. Many of you have been involved for many years in communicating it to people like me. The message is being heard and the consequences of biodiversity loss are more clearly understood. Campaigners from the Irish Wildlife Trust and Extinction Rebellion protested outside the event on Wednesday The Fianna Fail leader also spoke of the role the countrys vast peatlands and mighty rivers played in the history of the Republic. As we look to the future, we do so in the knowledge that those same ecosystems are vital to the resilience of our society, climate and economy over the next hundred years and the centuries to follow that, Mr Martin said. We must think long-term and not be afraid of changing how we do things to meet the challenges of our new reality. He also said he is impatient for progress on cross-border co-operation to protect biodiversity on the island of Ireland. Mr Martin said biodiversity does not recognise borders and work has begun to boost north-south and east-west co-operation on the issue. Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases By Long Island Published: June 09 2022 New Bridge Decks and Structural Repairs Will Ease Travel and Enhance Safety on Four Heavily Traveled Crossings Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $46 million investment in two projects now getting underway that will rehabilitate four bridges - each more than 60-years-old - along the Staten Island Expressway (Interstate 278), easing travel and enhancing safety through this heavily traveled corridor. The bridges carrying Woolley Avenue and Bradley Avenue over the Staten Island Expressway, and the bridges carrying the Staten Island Expressway over Richmond Avenue will receive new bridge decks and other improvements that will extend their service life by an estimated 40 years and reduce the need for future maintenance. "New York State is committed to rebuilding our infrastructure and ensuring that our transportation network remains safe and reliable, which will allow our economy to grow and keep our communities vibrant," Governor Hochul said. "These two projects will improve conditions on four critically important bridges to Staten Island motorists and help keep people and commerce on the move throughout the borough for decades to come." Woolley Avenue and Bradley Avenue Bridges over the Staten Island Expressway Scheduled for completion in fall 2023, the project rehabilitating the bridges carrying Woolley and Bradley Avenues over the eastbound and westbound Staten Island Expressway will replace the concrete bridge decks, sidewalks and steel bearings, paint the structural steel and repair the structural steel beams and concrete on the pier columns and abutments. The project will also replace the steel bridge railings with concrete barriers, install new pedestrian fencing, replace the utilities across the bridges and add new LED lighting beneath each bridge. Both bridges, located half a mile apart, will be rehabilitated simultaneously to expedite the construction completion. Other benefits include replacing street lighting, adding pavement markings and resurfacing the pavement at intersections within the project limits. Existing curb ramps will be upgraded to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Traffic signals will be replaced and upgraded and will include Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), devices that communicate information about the "Walk" and "Don't Walk" cycles in a non-visual form for blind and visually impaired pedestrians. Additionally, advanced technology will be used to help preserve the service life of the bridges, including the use of "link slabs" instead of bridge joints. Link slabs, comprised of concrete, are designed to continuously connect two adjacent spans in order to eliminate bridge joints on the bridge, which require regular maintenance as a result of moisture leaking into the joints. Polyester Polymer Concrete (PPC), a type of concrete that provides waterproofing protection to concrete surfaces on bridge columns and abutments, will also be used. Staten Island Expressway Bridges Over Richmond Avenue Scheduled for completion in fall 2024, the project rehabilitating the bridges carrying eastbound and westbound traffic on the Staten Island Expressway over Richmond Avenue will replace the concrete bridge decks, approaches and lampposts on the approaches. The steel bridge railings will be replaced with concrete barriers to enhance safety. New bridge joints will be installed at the ends of the approaches rather than in the bridge decks, minimizing maintenance needs on each bridge. Other benefits within the project limits include painting of the steel beams and fascia, repairing concrete and bricks beneath the structures and upgrading the underdeck and overhead lighting systems. An overhead sign structure located on the westbound Staten Island Expressway will also be replaced. Additionally, the Intelligent Transformation Systems (ITS) on the sign structures within the project limits will be upgraded. During construction, a temporary bridge will be installed between the eastbound and westbound Staten Island Expressway bridges to allow all travel lanes to remain open. New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State is investing in transportation infrastructure projects that connect communities, improve resiliency and facilitate economic growth. These two projects on Staten Island will extend the service life of four important bridges by decades and help ensure that this vital travel corridor continues to meet the needs of the tens of thousands of motorists who travel through it each day." State Senator Diane Savino said, "I am happy to have been part of securing funding for these much needed projects. I want to thank the Governor and the entire State DOT team for making these projects a priority. As any Staten Islander knows the SIE is the lifeblood of our borough and these improvements will undoubtedly help ease congestion." State Senator Andrew Lanza said, "This appropriation of New York State DOT funding for Staten Island road and bridge infrastructure improvements is important for our road safety and resilience. I am grateful to our tax payers, the Governor, State DOT and the Staten Island State Senate and Assembly delegation for this work." Assemblymember Michael Cusick said, "Staten Island's dated infrastructure is in desperate need of maintenance and repair. I am glad to see that Governor Hochul is prioritizing the safety of Staten Island residents and commuters by investing in much needed repairs to several Staten Island expressway bridges." Assemblymember Charles D. Fall said, "I would like to extend out a special gratitude to the Governor for allocating this much needed infrastructure funding for Staten Island. I look forward to continue working with the administration on future infrastructure projects, such as the North Shore Bus Rapid Transit Project." Council Member Kamillah Hanks said, "A major investment like this one in Staten Island's infrastructure is absolutely critical for a borough that so heavily relies on transit via cars and MTA buses. This rehabilitation along the Staten Island Expressway is a vital step towards improving both transit safety and quality of life for drivers, bikers, and residents alike, and I am grateful to the Hochul Administration for prioritizing this." 9th June 2022 Runtime 14:36 London South East spoke to Shaun Bunn, MD at the AIM-listed gold/copper explorer Empire Metals (EEE) and he gave us an operational update on Empire's four Australian assets, gold and gold/copper exploration, as well as the legacy Austrian assets. Empire Metals recently raised 1.7 million pounds, which means, as Shaun Bunn says "The mining industry is booming and it's difficult to get exploration activities going. We have managed to overcome all that and we will be starting drilling on 16th June, targeting all of our high grade intercepts around Gindalbie and Eclipse, (to the West of Kalgoorlie). We look forward to starting the aeromatic surveys across the Pitfield licences, and then towards the end of the year we will be on the ground at Walton and at Stavely." "We've got the resources now, we've got scale, we've got quality, we are well funded, we've got at least the next two years of exploration funding in the bank, we are going to put our heads down and get going" said Shaun. As to what the strategy is, #EEE are hoping for a massive discovery, and "that discovery is what triggers all those possibilities. We're going to reduce the risk down to just an exploration risk. What we are dealing with is - are we good at what we do, have we got quality assets and can we fund the drilling programme, and the answer is yes, yes and yes." In a unique collaboration with Canadas leading mining investment bank Red Cloud Securities, we bring you 4 amazing speakers. Canadian-listed Consolidated Uranium have 13 projects across 4 countries. Australian-listed Lake Resources are developing clean lithium from brine in Argentina. Sigma Lithium Resources are developing potentially the worlds 4th largest lithium mine in Brazil. And David Talbot, top mining analyst at Red Cloud talks us through the metal supercycles. Please register here. Illumina Inc - San Diego, California-based biotechnology company - Announces that Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer Joydeep Goswami will also serve as interim chief financial officer while it searches for a permanent CFO. Sam Samad will be departing as CFO on July 8 after being in the role for more than five years. Prior to joining Illumina, Goswani served in senior management positions as Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, the company adds. Current stock price: USD224.47 12-month change: down 50% By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Unite Group PLC on Thursday said its Unite Students arm will donate 1% of annual profit, worth about GBP2 million per year, to social initiatives. The money will go toward Unite Students' 'Leapskills' programme, which helps young people make the transition to university life. Another beneficiary will be the Unite Foundation, which provides free accommodation for people leaving social care and for students estranged from their families. FTSE 250-listed Unite Group is a real estate investment trust. Unite Students is the UK's largest provider of student accommodation, with 172 properties in 25 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. Altogether, the Bristol-based company provides housing for 74,000 students. "We have a long track record of funding social initiatives, but this new commitment ensures a sustained positive social impact," said Unite Students Chief Executive Richard Smith. Unite Group shares were down 0.6% at 1,128.00 pence in London on Thursday afternoon. The stock is down 4.3% over the past 12 months. By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Next Fifteen Communications Group PLC on Thursday said its agreed M&C Saatchi PLC takeover offer is "full and fair", after undervaluation claims. It follows takeover rival AdvancedAdvT Ltd on Monday saying its own offer to buy M&C Saatchi values the London-based advertising agency higher than Next Fifteen's deal. In May, digital marketing services firm Next Fifteen Communications announced it had reached an agreement with M&C Saatchi on a cash-and-shares takeover. It offered 0.1637 of a Next Fifteen share and 40 pence in cash for each M&C Saatchi share, valuing M&C shares at 247.2 pence each. The Next Fifteen offer had represented a 48% premium to M&C Saatchi's closing price of 167.5 pence on January 4, the last business day before AdvancedAdvT, a London-listed acquisition vehicle led by Vin Murria, said it had taken a minority stake. Up until Monday, Murria was a non-executive director at M&C. AdvancedAdvT's own offer, tabled in May, would see shareholders in M&C Saatchi receive 2.043 new shares in AdvancedAdvT and 40p in cash, or receive 2.530 new AdvancedAdvT shares. Shares in M&C Saatchi were down 3.0% to 196.00p each in London on Thursday afternoon, giving it a market capitalisation of GBP239.6 million. At the time of AdvancedAdvT's offer, it valued each M&C share at 207.5p, about 40p lower than Next Fifteen's offer of 247.2p. Next Fifteen's acquisition deal valued M&C at about GBP310.1 million. AdvancedAdvT's proposal had valued M&C lower, at GBP253.6 million. However, AdvancedAdvT on Monday said due to the fall in Next Fifteen's share price, its own offer now values M&C Saatchi higher. Despite this, Next Fifteen on Thursday said the terms of the deal struck with M&C are final and will not be increased. However, it noted it does reserve the right to up its bid if there is an offer or a possible offer for M&C by a third party offeror or potential offeror, other than AdvancedAdvT. It added: "Based on the closing price of a Next Fifteen share on June 8, being the last practicable date prior to release of this announcement, of 1,086.0 pence, the acquisition values each M&C Saatchi share at 217.8 pence." Further, the company said that the acquisition value represents a multiple of 10 times M&C Saatchi's forecast headline pretax profit for the 12 months to December 31, 2022, expected to be in the region of GBP31.0 million. It also represents a multiple of 7.6 times M&C Saatchi's forecast headline pretax profit for the 12 months to December 31, 2023, expected to be in the region of GBP41.0 million. Chief Executive Tim Dyson said: "We reached agreement with the board and executive team of M&C Saatchi after extensive negotiation and believe our offer is full and fair; we do not believe that the recent market volatility undermines the fundamental proposition of this transaction." Shares in Next Fifteen were down 0.6% to 1,080.00 pence each in London on Thursday. AdvancedAdvT's stock was untraded, last quoted at 85.00p. By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Wednesday and not separately reported by Alliance News: ---------- Cambridge Cognition Holdings PLC - Cambridge-based assessment software provider - At its annual general meeting, 51% of voters voted against resolution seven, the disapplication of pre-emption rights. 9.8% of voters also vote against resolutions one and six, approving the 2021 reports and accounts and the authority to allot shares. ---------- Plaza Centers NV - Amsterdam-based property investor in India - Says that negotiations between the parties for a sale of Elbit Imaging Ltd's rights in the Bangalore property have not yet matured into a binding agreement. The dispute is between Elbit Plaza India Real Estate Holdings Ltd - a subsidiary held equally by the company and Elbit Imaging Ltd - and an unnamed local investor. Company says Elbit Imaging is preparing to open an arbitration proceeding in Singapore against the investor. ---------- Red Rock Resources PLC - London-based natural resource development company with interests in Africa and Australia - Issues 28.3 million shares at a price of 0.38 pence per share, raising gross proceeds of GBP108,280, on Tuesday. ---------- Gem Diamonds Ltd - London-based diamond miner - At its annual general meeting, 41% of voters voted against resolution 14, the renewal of directors' authority to allot securities. 13% of voters also voted against resolution two to approve the directors' remuneration report. 9% of voters voted against resolution six, seven, and eleven which regarded the reelection of Harry Kenyon-Slaney, Michael Lynch-Bell, and Clifford Elphick. ---------- MetalNRG PLC - London-based investor in natural resources and energy - Provides an update on the legal proceeding taken against the company by former director Pierpaolo Rocco regarding his now-terminated employment with MetalNRG. Sheriff Philip Mann denied all applications made by Rocco in the Scottish Courts. Company says this ruling "effectively disposes" of Rocco's claims. Rocco has now brought a separate claim in the Scottish Employment Tribunal for wrongful and unfair dismissal. Company says it will vigorously defend this action when it is heard. ---------- Geiger Counter Ltd - Jersey-based investor in uranium exploration and production stocks - Issues 1.4 million shares for cash at a price of 55 pence per share. Company says the issue was in response to market demand. ---------- DP Eurasia NV - Amsterdam-based master franchisee of Domino's Pizza brand in Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - At its annual general meeting, 34% of voters voted against resolution 14b, "reappointment of Mr P. Williams by the general meeting excluding the controlling shareholder". 9.1% of voters also voted against resolution 14a, the reappointment of Williams by the general meeting. ---------- Challenger Energy Group PLC - Isle of Man-based oil and gas company focused on the Caribbean and the Atlantic-margin - Notes the intention of Predator Oil & Gas Holdings PLC to initiate a litigation process regarding the Inniss-Trinity Well participation agreement between Predator and FRAM Exploration Trinidad Ltd. FRAM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Challenger. FRAM denies owing any amount to Predator regarding the agreement. Company says FRAM will defend any legal proceedings. ---------- Phoenix Copper Ltd - London-based base and precious metals explorer focused on the US state of Idaho - Engages a syndicate of brokers to execute the placement of floating rate corporate bonds. The bonds are to finance the construction and development of the Empire Open Pit Copper Mine in Idaho, US. Company expects minimum gross raise of USD60 million. Chief Financial Officer Richard Wilkins says: "We have previously indicated that we intended to finance construction of the Empire Open Pit Mine with minimal or no dilution to existing shareholders, and we expect the bond placement to achieve this, as the bonds will be non-convertible. Furthermore, with repayment scheduled after 10 years, the bond placement should free up significant additional cash during the initial few years of the mine life, which would otherwise have been used to repay more traditional forms of mine finance." ---------- EP Global Opportunities Trust PLC - Edinburgh-based investment company investing predominantly in quoted equities - Transitions to a self-managed investment trust following approval from the UK financial conduct authority. Intends to change its name to Global Opportunities Trust PLC. Company also appoints Juniper Partners Ltd as company secretary and administrator. Company terminates a management agreement with AIFM Franklin Templeton Investment Trust Management Ltd and a depositary agreement with Northern Trust Global Services Ltd. ---------- Altona Rare Earths PLC - London-based mining exploration company focused on projects in Africa - Announces preliminary results from its phase two drilling programme at its Monte Muambe project in Mozambique. Says the programme is progressing with schedule, with a maiden resource statement by the first quarter of 2023 and a preliminary economic assessment by the second quarter of 2023. Results from the phase two exploration shows continuing improvement in grades and orebody dimensions. Company says Monte Muambe has the potential to become one of the highest-grade carbonatite rare earth elements projects in Africa. ---------- By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Ryanair has halted talks with two Spanish unions over a salary hike, the unions said, amid threats the low-cost airline's cabin crew could go on strike in several European countries during the summer season. Europe's biggest budget airline walked away from the talks thios week arguing the strike threat by European unions showed a lack of commitment to dialogue, Spanish unions USO and STCPLA said in a joint statement. They accused Ryanair of acting in bad faith and said they sought to return to the negotiating table. Ryanair did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Seven unions from Italy, France, Portugal, Belgium and Spain issued a statement in May warning that Ryanair's cabin crew in those countries could launch a strike this summer if the airline did not offer a "meaningful response" to their demands for better working conditions. The threat comes as the airline sector hopes to recover this summer from the impact of the pandemic. Ryanair's Group Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said in May bookings looked very strong for the summer and the load factor should gradually rise to 94-95% in June-August, practically reaching pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Portugal's union of civil aviation staff SNPVAC said in May after meeting other unions in Brussels that Ryanair acted as if "European and national legislation can be negotiated". It complained that crew members work without access to drinking water on board and have no local support from human resources. The UKs soaring cost of living and last months record increase in household energy bills have slammed the brakes on consumer spending, retail sector figures show but is has not stopped Britons from booking their holidays. However, apart from the chaos at UK and European airports, including Palma, many Britons are having to watch their pennies when booking a holiday and while Spain is, as always, the most popular destination, some destinations are cheaper than others and, as tourism chiefs have always warned that price is king when it comes to booking a holiday. And a recent survey has revealed that the Balearics is the most expensive destination in Spain for Britons to rent accommodation this year. According to data from the holiday home search engine, Holidu, the Canary Islands are the cheapest destination in Spain this summer. The average holiday rental rates per night (Holidu) 1.Canary Islands (100) 2.Costa de Almeria (117) 3.Costa de Galicia (119) 4.Costa Calida (123) 5.Madrid (128) 6.Costa Verde (132) 7.Valencian region (150) 8.Andalucia (151) 9.Catalonia (176) 10. Balearics (256) MANISTEE COUNTY Manistee County has recorded 84 new COVID-19 cases and one new death since June 1, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Manistee County has had a total of 2,992 cases of COVID-19 and 77 deaths. This is an increase of 304 new cases and eight new deaths reported since Feb. 28. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions updated COVID-19 Community Level tool shows the risk for new cases in Benzie and Manistee counties is at a medium level. Other counties in the region are also at a high COVID-19 community level, including Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Antrim counties. The CDC updates the community level maps once a week, showing its last update as of May 13. On Nov. 28, 2020, the county recorded 17 new cases in a single day and the same number again on April 12, 2021. On Nov 16, 2021, the county broke that record with 18 cases recorded, according to MDHHS information. On Jan. 11, 2022, Manistee County recorded 24 new cases in one day the highest total yet. With COVID-19 cases going up in Manistee County, it is important to test if you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms can include any or all of the following, according to the CDC: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea In Manistee, people can get free COVID-19 testing at these locations: Rite Aid at 1243 U.S. 31 South. Walgreens at 1525 U.S. 31 South. Meijer at 15 Caberfae Hwy. As of April 6, MDHHS is providing COVID-19 updates weekly on Wednesdays. Here are some quick facts from the most recent MDHHS report: There have been over 2.54 million probable and confirmed cases and 36,407 confirmed and probable deaths statewide during the pandemic. MDHHS has updated its COVID-19 reporting to include confirmed and probable cases and deaths, instead of only confirmed cases and deaths. This is an increase of 19,535 confirmed and probable cases and an increase of 50 confirmed and probable deaths. MDHHS noted its average number of new confirmed cases at 2,791 cases per day for seven days. Grand Traverse County reported 14,627 cases and 205 deaths. This is an increase of 255 new cases with no new deaths. Wexford County reported 5,577 cases and 96 deaths. This is an increase of 45 new cases with no new deaths. Benzie County has seen 2,588 cases and 60 deaths. This is an increase of 19 new cases with no new deaths. Lake County has seen 1,645 cases and 34 deaths. This is an increase of 10 new cases with no new deaths. Mason County has seen 6,457 cases and 92 deaths. This is an increase of 37 new cases with no new deaths. Manistee County is considered part of Region 7 for tracking by the state. Region 7 includes Manistee and 17 other counties. The region has 935 hospital beds with 576 occupants in hospital beds and 125 adult patients in the intensive care unit, as of Wednesday. The region has 40 adults who have had suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the hospital, one on a ventilator and nine adult intensive care unit patients who have been confirmed or suspected to have had COVID-19. Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital has two COVID-19 patients, according to the most recent data available from MDHHS. Manistee County has 62.9% of its population completely vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the states data from June 7, the most recent available data. This is 14,797 out of 23,506 eligible residents, according to 2019 U.S. Census estimates for people 5 years old and older. The county has 63.6% of the population considered fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot for those who are eligible. This is 9,092 out of 14,340 eligible residents who are eligible for a booster shot. So far, 368 residents in Manistee County aged 5-11 years old have initiated their COVID-19 vaccine or 24.4%; this age group has a total population of 1,509. In the 12-15 group, 461 children have initiated the vaccine with 415 completed, or 43.2% who have had an initial dose and 38.9 % who have completed their vaccinations. There are 1,067 children in this age group. In Benzie County, about 67.2% of the residents are fully vaccinated. Parents and guardians can schedule an appointment to vaccinate their children age 5 and over from COVID-19 through DHD#10 at dhd10.org/schedule. DHD#10 is offering off-site vaccine clinics. Participants do not need an appointment. All clinics will have Pfizer for people 5 and older and most will have Moderna and Johnson & Johnson for those 18 and older. The health department is also scheduling third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone age 12 or older; you can schedule an appointment at dhd10.org/schedule. The U.S. has the highest counts globally. India has the second-highest number of cases and Brazil has the second-highest number of deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been about 84.76 million cases in the United States and just over 1 million deaths. The World Health Organization lists over 530.8 million confirmed cases and about 6.3 million deaths in the world. There have been about 11.83 billion vaccine doses administered worldwide. Johnny Depp won his defamation trial against Amber Heard and the result was that the actress was ordered to pay her ex-husband 15m dollars, although this has already been reduced to 10m dollars. It has been widely reported that Heard would struggle to come up with the 10m dollars, however Depp might waive this fee. Why would Johnny Depp let Heard off the hook with the 10m dollars? Depp's lawyers Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez appeared on 'Today' and 'Good Morning America' on Wednesday morning and this issue came up. "We obviously can't disclose attorney-client communications, but, as Depp testified, and as we both made clear in our respective closings, this was never about money for Depp," Chew said. "This is about restoring his reputation and he's done that. "It was like the weight of the world had been taken off his shoulders and I feel that finally after six years he's gotten his life back." Vasquez spoke as well and explained that Depp was happy just to have the chance to tell his side of the story. "He had an opportunity to speak the truth for the first time" Vasquez said. "It was six years in the making, and I think he was able to connect with the jury and the general public and tell what really happened in this relationship. "The facts in this case were overwhelmingly positive for Johnny and the verdict speaks for itself. "The facts are what they were. The jury made a unanimous decision based on those facts." Heard's legal team criticise Chew and Vasquez's breakfast show appearances Meanwhile, Heard criticised the TV appearances through a statement released by a spokesperson. "It is as unseemly as it is unprofessional that Johnny Depp's legal team has chosen to do a victory lap for setting back decades of how women can be treated in the courtroom," the spokesperson told USA Today. "What's next? A movie deal and merchandising?" President Biden tripped on the steps of Air Force One as he embarked on another day without a one-on-one interview with journalists, hours before taping a late-night comedy interview with ABC host Jimmy Kimmel. Biden began his tense ascension of the plane's stairs by declining to take questions from reporters, who had complained about Biden's lack of press availability during the flight to Los Angeles. The commander in chief's stumble went largely unnoticed, in part because footage from unfiltered pool feeds was not immediately broadcast by TV outlets like C-SPAN. Despite the fact that Biden hasn't given an on-the-record sit-down interview to a reporter in nearly four months, his interview with comedian Jimmy Kimmel was scheduled. Biden issued a statement shortly before his resignation in response to the recall of far-left San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin on Tuesday night. "I think the voters sent a clear message last night," he said. "Both parties have to step up and do something about crime, as well as gun violence." Biden then walked away from the press and boarded the plane. As he left the White House on Wednesday morning, he did not stop to speak with reporters. Not Biden's first fall this year Last month, as he traveled to Illinois, the president, whose critics frequently accuse him of being mentally ill, appeared to lose his balance navigating Air Force One's steps. Biden repeatedly fell on the steps in March 2021. Windy weather at the airport, according to the White House, was to blame for the incident. Biden will spend the next three days in Los Angeles as the host of the Summit of the Americas, which has been overshadowed by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's decision to boycott the event after the White House refused to invite the leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. A journalist pressed White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on board Air Force One for an explanation of why Biden did not hold a press conference while in Los Angeles, as he has done at other international summits. Sullivan's attempt to appease irritated journalists failed miserably. Despite Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressuring Latin American countries this week to do more to promote press freedom, White House Correspondents' Association President Steven Portnoy of CBS News Radio tweeted that Biden chose to forego a press conference. The China-assisted renovation of Cambodia's Ream Naval Base kicked off on Wednesday. Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, together with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's representative, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh, were among some 2,000 people who attended the ground-breaking ceremony. The normal cooperation project between China and Cambodia, which aims to "strengthen Cambodia's naval capacity to protect maritime territorial integrity and combat maritime crimes," has been discredited, blocked and sabotaged by the US, becoming another typical case of Washington's "coercive diplomacy." The incident fully exposes US hegemonism, and shows that US hegemony does not work in sovereign countries that pursue independent and autonomous diplomacy, as Cambodia resisted extreme US pressure. It is clear that the international camp against hegemony is far more powerful than the geopolitical clique that Washington has taken great pains to pull together. The diplomatic principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit that China adheres to and practices have gained worldwide recognition, support and resonance. In this regard, we have full confidence. A recurring rumor in the US and Western public opinion is that China is secretly building a naval base in Cambodia for the exclusive use of the People's Liberation Army. This has been repeatedly debunked and refuted by China and Cambodia. Cambodia's constitution does not permit foreign military bases on Cambodian soil. The US has turned a blind eye to Cambodia's rumor-debunking voices with its insidious and poisonous intentions: to sow discord between China and Cambodia, to promote the "China threat theory," and to stab the Hun Sen administration, which is not well received by Washington, by insinuating that it had violated the constitution. This shows US' domineering attitude as it "calls a stag a horse." To allay Washington's "doubts," Cambodia had allowed the defense attache of the US Embassy in Phnom Penh to visit the Ream Naval Base. But the US pushed its luck and made even more outrageous demands. Prime Minister Hun Sen angrily said that "Ream Naval Base is not a place for thieves or robbers. You can say whatever you want. I allowed you to visit, not to investigate or inspect." This gets to the point. The US, which regards itself as the "world's policeman," obviously treats Cambodia as the target of law enforcement. Over the years, many countries have been suppressed by the US because of their normal security or infrastructure cooperation with China. In cases such as the Solomon Islands, Equatorial Guinea, and the United Arab Emirates, the US' excuses are all rumors like "China wants to establish overseas military bases." As if it had become a crime. It must be stressed that it is the right of a sovereign country to "establish military bases abroad," and that right is recognized by international laws. In terms of whether and where to build those bases, it is another matter. The US owns about 800 overseas military bases around the globe, much more than the combined number of overseas military bases owned by other countries. No matter how the US speaks with justice to portray its trick of "forbidding others to do what it is doing itself," it can't change the essence of its blatant coercion of diplomacy, which is a violation of other countries' legitimate rights. In other words, although the US has always been acting like this, the international community cannot "become accustomed to it" and should firmly oppose and resist every bullying and coercion conducted by the US. China adheres to the path of peaceful development and does not engage in military expansion or gunboat policy. So far, China has only one overseas military support base, which is in Djibouti. If one day, out of the need to safeguard national interests and assume international responsibilities and obligations, China decides to build new overseas supply bases, it will be aboveboard. China does not need to report to the US, let alone "prove its innocence." The US has no right to point fingers and interfere in the legitimate and mutually beneficial cooperation between other countries. The Chinese version of Radio France Internationale's report on Ream Naval Base on Tuesday had an interesting headline: "Beijing expediates Asia-Pacific NATO." This exposes another genuine purpose of Washington's hype over the issue, namely, to seek rationality and legitimacy for its moves in creating an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO" and to pass the buck for the militarization of the Asia-Pacific to China. Washington is looking for nails all over the world with a hammer. This farce of "a thief crying stop thief" should end. Regional ex-deputy prosecutor gets 3 years in jail for corruption RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 10:27 09/06/2022 ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 9 (RAPSI) A court in Taganrog has sentenced a former deputy prosecutor of the city Victor Plyushkin to 3 years behind bars for bribery, according to the Joint press service of the Rostov Regions courts. He also was banned from holding law enforcement posts for 2 years. In March 2021, Plyushkin took a bribe in the amount of 100,000 rubles (about $1,700 at the current exchange rate) from a businessman who asked to help him avoid responsibility after a prosecutors check in his company, the statement reads. During the trial the defendant pled not guilty. Journalist Kara-Murza to stay in jail over fake news allegations RIA Novosti, Yevgeny Odinokov 10:43 09/06/2022 MOSCOW, June 9 (RAPSI) Moscows Basmanny District Court has extended the detention of journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza (declared a foreign agent) until August 12 in a case over fake stories about Russias army, RAPSI has learnt from the courts press service. The journalists motion for a non-custodial measure of restraint has been dismissed. Kara-Murza stands charged with public distribution of knowingly false information about Russias military forces. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Prior to his detention the journalist served a 15-day administrative detention for resisting the police. He was arrested near his place of living on April 11. According to the police records, he refused to submit his documents and march to a police car. Advertisement Omicron Sub-Variants BA.4 and BA.5 The two subvariants represented the highest percentage of cases in a region that includes Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, according to the CDC,reported.Another subvariant BA.2.12.1, which remains the dominant variant in the country, made up 62.2% of all new US cases in the past week following months of steady growth.CDC data showed they were present in all US regions.Evidence suggests the new subvariants are yet-more contagious versions of Omicron which may be able to dodge antibodies from earlier infection well enough to trigger a new wave, health experts said."BA.4 and 5 may end up becoming the dominant Omicron lineages in the coming weeks or months," said Nathan Grubaugh, an associate professor of epidemiology at Yale University's School of Public Health.The United States is currently averaging about 108,000 COVID-19 cases and 300 deaths each day, the latest CDC data showed.Health experts believe the real number is significantly higher as increasing at-home testing results had not been tracked.Some epidemiologists warned surging cases may put people with compromised health at risk and can also expose many infected people to long-term health problems.Source: IANS Posted by Liam on at 08:34 AM CST Greetings,fans! This week on the site, were looking at the Lars homestead where Luke Skywalker grew up. In case you hadnt heard, a young Luke and his adopted uncle were featured in the Disney+ series. Make sure to stay tuned throughout the week for more articles, insights, videos, and merchandising opportunities about this iconiclocation!But Uncle Owen! Luke whines throughout his introductory scenes of. A lot of young adults could relate to Mark Hamills existential musings in the opening moments of the first film. He seemingly wanted to go on grand adventures throughout the galaxy, but hes forced to stay home on Tatooine with his relatively dull adopted guardians. Little does Luke know that Uncle Owens strict concern is actually merited; hes trying to protect his nephew from falling down the same dark path that his father did. When Luke brings up the idea of visiting a Ben Kenobi, Owen dismisses him.The death of Owen and Beru Lars is one of the most shocking moments in the entire saga (and surprisingly violent for a PG rated film). Luke has his first experience with tragedy, and realizes that he will never be the same wholesome teenager ever again. Owen and Beru are unfortunate casualties of the larger events of the galaxy. The early moments where Luke interacts with his Aunt and Uncle show a causal sense of decency that is so rare in the Outer Rim.Phil Brown played Owen Lars in. Although he was living in England during the time ofproduction, Brown was cast for his strong American accent. Lucas compared the character of Owen to the unseen parental figures in his previous film,. Brown wrote, directed, and starred in many U.K. productions before he returned to the United States in 1993. He frequently appeared atand fan events. In 2002, Brown attended. He got to meet Joel Edgerton, who had been cast as Owen inEdgerton has had an amazing career trajectory since his first appearance in thefranchise. An Australian actor, Edgerton was cast inin the early stages of his career. However, he has become one of the greatest character actors of his generation in the past twenty years. Edgerton delivered phenomenal performances in films such asand. Edgerton also began a career behind the camera, earning critical acclaim for his directorial effortsand. He received a Critics Choice Award nomination for his performance in Barry Jenkins historical miniseries. It is exciting to see an actor whose career launched withreturn to his origins.What do you think,fans? Which version of Uncle Owen do you prefer? Do you have any favorite action figures? Let us know in the forums , and as always, may the Force be with you!Check out Rebelscum.com merch!Be sure to follow us on all of our social media platforms: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The test couldn't have been much easier and Facebook still failed. Facebook and its parent company Meta flopped once again in a test of how well they could detect obviously violent hate speech in advertisements submitted to the platform by the nonprofit groups Global Witness and Foxglove. The hateful messages focused on Ethiopia, where internal documents obtained by whistleblower Frances Haugen showed that Facebook's ineffective moderation is literally fanning ethnic violence, as she said in her 2021 congressional testimony. In March, Global Witness ran a similar test with hate speech in Myanmar, which Facebook also failed to detect. The group created 12 text-based ads that used dehumanizing hate speech to call for the murder of people belonging to each of Ethiopias three main ethnic groups the Amhara, the Oromo and the Tigrayans. Facebooks systems approved the ads for publication, just as they did with the Myanmar ads. The ads were not actually published on Facebook. This time around, though, the group informed Meta about the undetected violations. The company said the ads shouldn't have been approved and pointed to the work it has done to catch hateful content on its platforms. A week after hearing from Meta, Global Witness submitted two more ads for approval, again with blatant hate speech. The two ads, written in Amharic, the most widely used language in Ethiopia, were approved. Meta said the ads shouldn't have been approved. Weve invested heavily in safety measures in Ethiopia, adding more staff with local expertise and building our capacity to catch hateful and inflammatory content in the most widely spoken languages, including Amharic, the company said in an emailed statement, adding that machines and people can still make mistakes. The statement was identical to the one Global Witness received. We picked out the worst cases we could think of," said Rosie Sharpe, a campaigner at Global Witness. "The ones that ought to be the easiest for Facebook to detect. They werent coded language. They werent dog whistles. They were explicit statements saying that this type of person is not a human or these type of people should be starved to death. Meta has consistently refused to say how many content moderators it has in countries where English is not the primary language. This includes moderators in Ethiopia, Myanmar and other regions where material posted on the company's platforms has been linked to real-world violence. In November, Meta said it removed a post by Ethiopias prime minister that urged citizens to rise up and bury rival Tigray forces who threatened the country's capital. In the since-deleted post, Abiy said the "obligation to die for Ethiopia belongs to all of us. He called on citizens to mobilize by holding any weapon or capacity. Abiy has continued to post on the platform, though, where he has 4.1 million followers. The U.S. and others have warned Ethiopia about dehumanizing rhetoric after the prime minister described the Tigray forces as cancer and weeds in comments made in July 2021. When ads calling for genocide in Ethiopia repeatedly get through Facebooks net even after the issue is flagged with Facebook theres only one possible conclusion: theres nobody home," said Rosa Curling, director of Foxglove, a London-based legal nonprofit that partnered with Global Witness in its investigation. Years after the Myanmar genocide, it is clear Facebook hasnt learned its lesson. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate John F. Kennedy said, We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came. World Ocean Day is June 8 and its purpose is to draw attention to the impact humans have on ocean life while working to develop sustainable goals to protect the resource. The theme for Manistee County Librarys Summer Reading Program is Oceans of Possibilities. Submitted photo/Manistee County Library Adult Including studies from the American Museum of Natural History, Ocean: The Worlds Last Wilderness Revealed by Robert Dinwiddie is filled with fascinating information, colorful photographs and fun facts about marine life. Written by a Navy admiral, Sea Power: the History and Geopolitics of the Worlds Oceans by James Stavridis traces the history of the Navy and the oceans on which it sails. Sextant: a Young Mans Daring Sea Voyage and the Men Who Mapped the Worlds Oceans by Barrie David focuses on the navigational tool all sailors depend on for survival in the open water. Read about the legends of the sea, their voyages and discoveries. Using maps to pinpoint key locations throughout the world, Christina Conklin highlights the damage being done to our oceans and what might be lost if changes arent implemented in The Atlas of Disappearing Places: Our Coasts and Oceans in the Climate Crisis. Traveling to the last frontier, Expedition Deep Ocean: the First Descent to the Bottom of all Five of the Worlds Oceans by Josh Young takes the reader to the oceans depths using the latest technology. Acclaimed scientist Drew Harvell takes the reader on an investigation into deadly issues with marine life in Ocean Outbreak: Confronting the Rising Tide of Marine Disease. Access the secret world of whales and sharks. Wondrous Secrets of the Ocean Realm: Great Whales and Sharks (DVD) introduces the viewer to the distinctive behaviors of whales and sharks. Meet the sea life that carries its own weapon. Wondrous Secrets of the Ocean Realm: Venom and Creatures of the Darkness provides an in-depth look at marine animals that have a deadly sting (DVD). When shark and whale populations begin to decrease, Cousteau and his colleagues launch an underwater investigation into the cause in Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Adventures: Sharks at Risk (DVD). Submitted photo/Manistee County Library Juvenile Young readers can journey into the deep ocean and visit jellyfish, narwhals and other ocean creatures in Earths Incredible Oceans by Jess French. Children will be fascinated by the diversity they find in Oceans: Underwater Worlds by Simone Payment. Being able to adapt keeps marine life safe. Check out the natural habitats and try to find the creatures that live there in Animal Camouflage in the Ocean by Martha Rustad. Join mothers and babies as they spend time together in Oceans of Love by Janet Lawler. Out of the Ocean by Debra Frasier highlights many things found on a walk along the shoreline. Listen for the calming sounds of the water as the moonlight catches the waves. Oceans Lullaby by Laura McGee Kvasnosky is a relaxing way to end a busy summer day. Join the kids from a variety of PBSs television series as they visit a sea turtle, investigate a coral reef and more in Ocean Adventures (DVD). The Manistee County Librarys Summer Reading Program kick-off begins at noon on Saturday in Manistee. All ages are welcome. More information on upcoming Manistee County Library programs can be found online at manisteelibrary.org, or on the librarys Facebook page. Newsletters are available at each of the librarys six locations or by email every month. The Zonta Club of Midland offers annual scholarships to women of all ages pursuing career goals that will positively impact the status of women. Funds to support the scholarships are raised through the Annual Zonta Homewalk held in December. Zonta is pleased to announce this years scholarship recipients, recognized at Zontas May meeting: Brittany Ames (Mid-Michigan Community College nursing), Emily Montgomery (Central Michigan University graduate student in education counseling), Kelly Keene (Delta College nursing), Lyndi Smith (Northwood University computer/information systems), Rebecca Gamble (Central Michigan University physician assistant) and Whitney Ellison (Delta College nursing). This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MIDDLETOWN When two Middletown natives went to college, they stayed in their hometown. And when they finally left Middletown after graduating Wesleyan University in 1972, they took a part of their hometown with them on their journeys. One even met his wife and life partner who grew up in Middletown herself because he chose to go to school close to home. Paul Edelberg, now a lawyer living in Stamford and working for a national law firm, said his wife was attending college elsewhere and went to a different high school. The pair did not know each other from town until they met at City Hall, he said. Edelberg came there to do research for school, and his now-wife, Laura Fulin, was doing an internship at the municipal building when they met. I met my wife because I attended Wesleyan, said Edelberg. Its almost like I never left Middletown. Certainly, it isnt unusual for us to come back to Middletown to visit because the couple each has family and acquaintances in town. Edelberg is one of eight Middletown students who attended Wesleyan from 1968 to 1972, and who were recognized on the 50th anniversary of their graduation at an annual celebration by the school last month. Six of the graduates were unable to attend, but Edelberg was joined at the four-day-long event by Leon Vinci, who was a fraternity brother of Edleberg at Wesleyan and is now retired and living in Virginia. Vinci was the director of the Middletown Health Hepartment until he left for a similar job in Nebraska in 1998. Vinci said it was unusual for that many Midletown students to attend the university in one class. Knowing Wesleyan and its rigorous academic criteria, they accepted more from Middletown than they usually do, said Vinci. None of us ever heard of this happening before or since, he added. Both Edelberg and Vinci said it was comforting to know other Middletown students were joining them in their college journey. I was familiar with those students even though we came from different high schools, Vinci said. Of the eight who graduated, three attended Middletown High School, two attended Woodrow Wilson High School, and three went to private high schools, including Xavier. Vinci and Edelberg were among about 100 Wesleyan graduates from a variety of different classes to attend the annual event that recognizes graduating classes at five-year intervals. Having familiar faces in the class provided some comfort during the extremely tumultuous times that marked the late 1960s and early 1970s with its swirling civil rights, feminist, and political movements, Vinci and Edelberg said. Vinci said his time at Wesleyan was marked by a student strike, Vietnam War protests, a trial of a Black Panther in New Haven, and visits from feminists such as Gloria Steinem. He said a seminar offered by Wesleyan for the graduation celebration focused on all those profound changes. We were talking about the tumultuous time on campus, he explained. Vinci and Edelberg said going to school in Middletown also meant they could go home easily and stay around their familiar hometown, which also gave them some continuity and stability in the midst of so much change. There was a familiarity and comfort that came from that, said Edelberg. It creates a connection. Edelberg, whose father and brother attended Wesleyan, said it was natural to be drawn to other students they knew. Recalling his early days as a freshman after moving into his dorm room, Edelberg said he visited with now attorney William Gallitto, who went to Woodrow Wilson High School with Edelberg. One of the first things I did was go to his room, he said. It makes sense that the first people you reach out to are those with whom you are familiar. It helps ease your way into your freshman year. Vinci said being in a class with so many Middletown students was a point of pride for them as individuals as well as a group. We felt good about Wesleyans recognition of us as individuals and collectively, he said. We felt very good that Wesleyan accepted so many top students from Middletown. We felt pride in Middletown as well as recognition that we had a lot to offer. Edelberg credited Wesleyan and staying in Middletown with cementing his ties to Connecticut. Staying at Wesleyan solidified my ties to the state and made it important to remain in Connecticut, he said. MIDDLETOWN Family came from as far as Florida and California to celebrate Mary Pandolfes 103rd birthday at Waters Edge Center for Health & Rehabilitation June 2. About 40 Pandolfe and LaCava cousins, nephews, and two of her four living children enjoyed the afternoon of birthday festivities, according to a press release. Miss Mary, as she likes to be called, is the only living sibling of Pasquale and Carmella LaCavas 10 children, the news release said. When Miss Mary was asked to share words of wisdom about the longevity of life, her response was I wake up every day thinking with positivity, optimism, and thanking God for my upbringing and the hard-working ethics of my parents, according to a prepared statement. Mary Pandolfe graduated from Buckley High School in Hartford in three years, and worked at the telephone company as well as various downtown Hartford insurance companies. She wanted to attend nursing school, but her two older brothers were drafted during WWII, and only one of girls could go to college, the statement said. She grew up on Franklin Avenue in Hartford until she married husband Ralph Pandolfe, who, along with her three brothers, owned Pandolfes Auto Parts. She and her husband had five children. Her daughter, Francesca Pandolfe-Johnston, who now lives in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., remembers vividly the days when her mom modeled at G Fox & Co.s Connecticut Room. I recall how impressed we were on how our mom was able to change from being a busy housewife to a really beautiful fashionista, she explained. My sister Patricia and I would often sit at the top of the stairs at our home to watch our mom and dad go out to dinner with friends to the Hearthstone Restaurant in Hartfords South End, Pandolfe-Johnston added. My moms beauty is measured by the spirit she exudes from within. She loves all people no matter their skin color, religious beliefs, gender preference, etc. She makes everyone feel important, stated Pandolfe-Johnston. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BERLIN (AP) A man accused of driving into a school group in Berlin, killing a teacher and leaving others injured, appears to have a history of mental illness, prosecutors said Thursday, adding that there was no sign of a terrorist motive for what appeared to have been a deliberate act. A court ordered the man placed in a secure psychiatric hospital. He faces preliminary charges of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder, prosecutors said. However a spokesman for the prosecutors office, Sebastian Buechner, said its not clear whether the suspect could be held criminally responsible. Investigators found medicines when they searched the man's apartment, and a great deal speaks for paranoid schizophrenia as the suspect's diagnosis, Buechner told reporters. What there isnt is indications of any kind of terrorist background. Police also found two hand-written placards with a very general reference to the long-running dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, but they appeared to be unrelated to Wednesdays incident in the center of Germany's capital, Buechner said. Witnesses and police said a car drove into pedestrians on a popular shopping street in Berlin. A teacher with the school group from central Germany died, and nine people suffered serious injuries. In all, 31 people were injured, 14 of them students. Police identified the suspect as a 29-year-old German-Armenian who lives in Berlin. They said he was driving his sister's car and that passerby detained him after he crashed to a halt in a shop window. Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said that, by Wednesday evening, authorities had determined that it was an amok act by a really seriously psychologically impaired person. She told public broadcaster RBB Inforadio that investigators were trying ... to find out more from the partially confused statements he is making." Berlin's top security official, Iris Spranger, told the state legislature that the suspect obtained German citizenship in 2015 and apparently had psychological problems in the past. He was known to police because of proceedings for suspected bodily harm, trespassing and slander, but not for political or other extremism, she added. The car plowed into pedestrians close to the site of a 2016 attack in which an Islamic extremist drove a commandeered truck into a Christmas market, resulting in 13 deaths. Giffey said Wednesday's crash reopens deep wounds and traumas associated with that event. The regional government in central Hesse state said the students who were hit attended 10th-grade ages roughly 15-17 in Germany in the town of Bad Arolsen. State governor Boris Rhein, visiting the town on Thursday, said the students had been on a final-year trip. He said 17 members of the group had been brought home. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. WASHINGTON (AP) A COVID-19 vaccine that could soon win federal authorization may offer a boost for the U.S. military: an opportunity to get shots into some of the thousands of service members who have refused other coronavirus vaccines for religious reasons. At least 175 active duty and reserve service members have already received the Novavax vaccine, some even traveling overseas at their own expense to get it. The vaccine meets Defense Department requirements because it has the World Health Organizations emergency use approval and is used in Europe and other regions. The Food and Drug Administration is considering giving it emergency use authorization in the U.S. The Novavax vaccine may be an acceptable option for some of the 27,000 service members who have sought religious exemptions from the mandatory vaccine. Military officials say many troops who refuse the shots cite certain COVID-19 vaccines' remote connection to abortions. Laboratory-grown cell lines descended from fetuses that were aborted decades ago were used in some early-stage testing of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and to grow viruses used to manufacture the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The vaccines do not contain fetal cells. Novavax, however, says that no human fetal-derived cell lines or tissue were used in the development, manufacture or production of its vaccine. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory last year, saying the shots were critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. Military leaders have argued that troops for decades have been required to get as many as 17 vaccines, particularly for those who are deploying overseas. One group involved in lawsuits targeting the military's vaccine requirement said it's possible some shot opponents may see Novavax as an amenable option. I definitely think it is for some, but certainly not for all, said Mike Berry, director of military affairs for First Liberty Institute. There are some for whom abortion is really the ultimate issue, and once that issue is resolved for them spiritually, then theyre willing. Berry added, however, that for others, abortion is just a tangential issue, and they have broader opposition to vaccines as a whole. A rudimentary way of looking at it is that theyve asked for Gods will, and they believe that it would be wrong for them to get the vaccine, Berry said. In other words, they believe that God has told them no. Novavax also may appeal to people who are uncomfortable with the new genetic-based technology used in Pfizer and Modernas so-called mRNA vaccines. They deliver genetic instructions for the body to make copies of the coronavirus' outer coating, the spike protein. The Novavax vaccine is made with a more familiar technology, like those used for years to prevent hepatitis B and shingles. It trains the body to fight the coronavirus by delivering copies of the outer coating which are grown in insect cells, then are purified and packaged into nanoparticles that to the immune system resemble a virus, according to Novavax research chief Dr. Gregory Glenn. While some religious groups oppose the shots, when COVID-19 vaccines first started rolling out the Vaticans doctrine office called the options morally acceptable and Pope Francis, who has received Pfizer shots, has strongly encouraged widespread vaccination. First Liberty and the law firm Hacker Stephens LLP represent a number of Navy sailors in one lawsuit, and First Liberty and Schaerr Jaffe LLP represent nine airmen in another. Berry said he doesn't know how many would consider Novavax acceptable, but guessed it may be a small percentage. Military officials declined to publicly detail the nature of any service members' religious exemption requests, but spoke on condition of anonymity to provide some descriptions. They said that the most predominant issue mentioned in waiver requests is the remote link to fetal cell lines, while others argue that their body is a temple that must remain pure. Others, officials said, describe reasons that appear to have less connection to faith. Berry said his firm carefully screens individuals for the lawsuits, to make sure their objections are based on sincerely held religious beliefs, rather than political or other opposition masquerading as faith-based views. The military can't administer the Novavax shot now, and won't pay for anyone's travel overseas to get it. But tens of thousands of American forces are based in Europe, where Novavax is available. Earlier this week, advisers to the FDA backed the Novavax vaccine. Next, the FDA must decide whether to authorize it. A final FDA decision isnt expected immediately, as the agency finishes combing through the data. Across the military, more than 5,000 service members have been discharged for refusing the vaccine, according to the latest statistics provided by the services. Of those who requested religious exemptions, only slightly more than 100 have been approved. In the lawsuit against the Navy, a federal judge in Texas agreed the case can go forward as a class-action lawsuit and issued a preliminary injunction barring the service from taking action against sailors who objected to the vaccine on religious grounds. Berry said the Justice Department has said it will appeal the ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. In the Air Force lawsuit, Berry said, lawyers have asked that it also be a class action, and they are seeking a temporary restraining order preventing the Air Force from taking any adverse actions. The court has not yet ruled. ___ AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SMITHSBURG, Md. (AP) An employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in rural western Maryland on Thursday, killing three coworkers before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, authorities said. Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore said that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg and a fourth victim was critically injured. The sheriff said at a news conference that the victims and suspect were all employees at the facility. The suspect fled in a vehicle before authorities arrived at the scene and was tracked down by Maryland State Police, Mullendore said. The suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire, according to the sheriff. Mullendore said the suspect was a 42-year-old man but declined to release his name while criminal charges were being prepared. The sheriff identified those killed in the shooting as Mark Alan Frey, 50; Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30. Mullendore said the wounded victim was Brandon Chase Michael, 42 Maryland State Police Lt. Col. Bill Dofflemyer said that three troopers encountered the suspect's vehicle and that he opened fire when troopers made a traffic stop. Troopers returned fire, wounding the suspect. Dofflemyer said the wounded trooper is doing well and that the suspect was being treated Thursday night. Authorities declined to release a motive. Were still working with sheriffs office on what happened and why it kept escalating, Dofflemyer told reporters. Mullendore said the suspect used a semiautomatic handgun, which was recovered after the shootout. He declined to specify the caliber or model. Family members of workers at the manufacturer were gathering at a fire station in downtown Smithsburg on Thursday evening, awaiting information on their loved ones. They declined to speak to a reporter. Several hours after the shooting, numerous law enforcement officers remained at the scene. Police had closed off the road that runs past the Columbia Machine Inc. facility, and yellow tape blew in the wind outside the business. Messages left seeking comment with the company werent immediately returned. Smithsburg, a community of nearly 3,000 people, is just west of the Camp David presidential retreat and about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore. The manufacturing facility was in a sparsely populated area northeast of the town's center with a church, several businesses and farmland nearby. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, lamented the loss of life in his state so soon after other recentshootings and vowed action. Today's horrific shooting comes as our state and nation have witnessed tragedy after tragedy, and it's got to stop, he said in a statement. We must act to address the mass shootings and daily toll of gun violence on our communities. David Creamer, 69, is a member of Smithburgs volunteer fire department and has lived in town since 1988. He saw alerts related to the shooting go out shortly before 3 p.m. Creamer said the last fatal shooting that he can recall in Smithsburg was roughly a decade ago. This stuff doesnt happen here, Creamer said. Everybody pretty much knows everybody. Its a family atmosphere. We watch out for each other. Creamer was chatting with neighbors at a Little League game on Thursday evening. He wore a T-shirt promoting a gun rights organization. The shooting makes me feel even stronger about it. I just feel that I should be able to protect my family and my neighbors. In a community like this, everybody is your neighbor, he said. Funeral home employee Ashley Vigrass, 29, lives less than a mile (kilometer) from where the shooting occurred. She was home with her two children when her fiancee called to tell her about the shooting and urged her to keep the kids inside the house. The helicopters were out, she said. Asked if she was shaken by the shooting, Vigrass said, I feel like we come from a desensitized era. You feel something, but its the same thing that you felt yesterday, she added as she watched the Little League game. Its unfortunate, but you just got to make sure the kids are safe to play baseball and carry on. ___ Associated Press writer Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report. The Marine Corps has confirmed that all five Marines who were on board a MV-22B Osprey that crashed in southern California on Wednesday afternoon are dead, according to a statement from the branch. The Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed near Glamis, Calif. a small town between El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz. According to the Marines, the aircraft was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39. "We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap, Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, the commander of 3rd Marine Air Wing, said in the latest update issued Thursday. Read Next: Andrews Plans to Swap its Vietnam-Era Huey Helicopters for the New Grey Wolf While speaking over the radio, first responders discussed having to be cautious around the crash because of radioactive materials, leading to concerns that the aircraft was carrying nuclear materials. However, the Marines have confirmed that contrary to initial social media reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft. The service said that recovery efforts have begun and an investigation is underway. We ask for the public's patience as we work diligently with first responders and the unit to identify what occurred, the Marines said in an update Wednesday night. The service had not released the identity of the five dead Marines citing ongoing next-of-kin notifications as of early Thursday afternoon. According to posts on social media, the nearby Naval Air Facility El Centro, along with country firefighters, responded to the crash. While military service is inherently dangerous, the loss of life is always difficult, the statement said. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is committed to providing support to the families, friends, and fellow service members of the fallen Marines. The crash is the second fatal Osprey incident for the Corps this year and once again brings attention to the crafts troubled and deadly development. In March, an Osprey crashed near Bodo, Norway, while participating in a military exercise, killing four Marines. That aircraft was based out of Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. Initial reports suggested weather may have been a factor. Although these latest crashes are the first deadly incidents with the aircraft since 2017, between 1991 and 2006, while the aircraft was undergoing testing, there were four crashes resulting in 30 deaths. The Wednesday crash is the third deadly incident in southern California for the military this month. Navy pilot Lt. Richard Bullock was killed on June 3 when his F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed near Trona, Calif., about 250 miles from Naval Air Station Lemoore. That same day, 29-year-old Electronics Technician 2nd Class John Deltoro was killed in a car crash while returning from training at Camp Billy Machen in Niland around 10 p.m. Friday when the car he was in drove off the road and hit a large boulder. The four other sailors in the car were all hospitalized. All five were part of a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, according to the Navy. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: Navy Identifies Sailors Who Died After Pair of Incidents in California The Air Force has chosen Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as the latest location to host its new Grey Wolf helicopters as it starts to retire aging Vietnam-era choppers from the fleet. But the service still must conduct an environmental assessment in the summer of 2023 before the decision is finalized. If the study goes well, Andrews will join Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana; Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; and F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, as the latest installation to receive the modern helicopter. Andrews currently has 21 UH-1N Hueys attached to the 1st Helicopter Squadron; the aircraft have been in operation by the U.S. military since the late 1960s. Read Next: 41-Year Sentence for Air Force Veteran Who Killed Guard Since 1969, the 1st Helicopter Squadron has used the Huey to provide transport for high-ranking officials, emergency medical situations and search-and-rescue operations, often ferrying cabinet officials around the National Capital Region. The Air Force announced this week that it will replace the squadron's Hueys with 25 MH-139 Grey Wolves, which offer increased speed, range and payload. "The additional four aircraft will allow the base to execute continuation of government operations and distinguished visitor transport mission requirements without augmenting support units," the Air Force said in a press release. Changing out the aircraft will require more airmen to provide maintenance and support to the Grey Wolves. The Air Force expects manpower needs "will grow from 235 personnel to approximately 310," according to the press release. The Air Force's announcement is the latest development in a nearly five-year effort to replace its aging helicopter fleet. In 2018, the service picked Boeing Co. to build the replacement for its UH-1N helicopter, at a cost of approximately $2.38 billion, and plans to purchase 84 MH-139 helicopters, along with maintenance and support equipment, over the next decade. In 2020, it was announced that Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, would be the preferred site to train pilots for the Grey Wolf. But there have been some headwinds in recent years for the helicopter. In the 2022 budget, the Air Force didn't ask for any funds to purchase new MH-139s because technical issues discovered during contractor testing led to a certification delay by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to Air Force Magazine. The service, however, doesn't seem to be fazed by the issue and is recommending funds to purchase five MH-139s in its proposed fiscal 2023 budget. The Huey reached legendary status when earlier versions were used during the Vietnam War to transport American service members in and out of jungle conflict. Presently, roughly 60 UH-1N helicopters are attached to units at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and Yokota Air Base in Japan. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: It's Official: The Air Force's Huey Replacement Is Named 'Grey Wolf' The D-Backs announced last night that Nick Ahmed has been placed on the 60-day injured list. The club announced his diagnosis as right shoulder inflammation. Ahmed had been on the COVID-19 list for three weeks, so he hadnt been occupying a spot on the 40-man roster. Hes apparently recovered from the virus, but his shoulder issue will prevent him from playing for at least a couple months. Rather than designate someone for assignment to clear a 40-man spot, the Diamondbacks simply placed Ahmed on the 60-day IL. The news doesnt come as much of a surprise, as the veteran shortstop was recently shut down from his rehab process due to shoulder soreness. Hes set to visit noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache next week to gauge his treatment options, writes Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. If he were forced to go under the knife, Ahmed would almost certainly not return this season. Even if hes able to pursue a non-surgical rehab course, it doesnt seem theres much chance hell be in game shape in the foreseeable future. Ahmeds right shoulder has given him problems dating back to 2020. He played through the issue for most of last season but eventually landed on the IL during the final week of the year. Ahmed was still bothered this spring, receiving a pair of cortisone injections and missing the first 15 days of the regular season. He returned to appear in 17 games before his COVID diagnosis, and the shoulder issues have again arisen during his rehab process. The physical limitations seemed to take their toll on Ahmed last year, as he struggled through one of the worst seasons of his career. The Massachusetts native hit only .221/.280/.339 across 473 plate appearances, offense that checked in 36 percentage points below league average by measure of wRC+. Ahmed has always been a glove-first player, but that was easily his worst showing at the plate since 2016. The 32-year-old is under contract through 2023 under the terms of an extension he signed in February 2020. Hes making $7.875MM this season and will receive a $10.375MM salary next year, a lofty enough sum the D-Backs arent likely to find a trade partner while hes battling shoulder problems. In Ahmeds absence, the D-Backs have relied primarily on 22-year-old Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop. The switch-hitter has a .223/.337/.302 line across 164 plate appearances. Perdomo has long been regarded as one of the better prospects in the organization, so the club will probably continue to give him regular run for evaluative and developmental purposes so long as Ahmed is out. My colleague, PD Lawton, creator of: africanagenda.net, has authored an excellent article on the energy needs of Africa, and South Africa in particular, published by ESI-Africa-(see above). She makes an excellent case for African nations to utilize all forms of energy as a transition to developing a nuclear powered industrialized economy. As I shall be discussing in future articles, the objective of the dictates of the now all-popular green ideology is to prevent Africa nations from exploiting their natural hydro-carbon resources. The intention is to obstruct the industrialization of African. Without a platform of energy dense manufacturing and agricultural industries, African economies will not grow, thus allowing the conditions for poverty, hunger, and death to continue. As a physical economist, I know that by applying the scientific economic principles of Alexander Hamilton, we can eliminate abject poverty and starvation. This will require abundant supplies of cheap, accessible energy. Western nations grew their economies through the consumption of gas, coal, and oil, much of it extracted from the African continent. Who gave the Western governments and financial institutions the authority, the right to disallow Africans from exploiting their own energy resources for their own people? African nations have the sovereign right and obligation to provide for the general welfare of their citizens, free from external decrees. Excerpts from Lawtonsarticle: Electricity means life is better. And 80% of that better life in South Africa is from coal. So, when Europeans impose green energy policies on Africa, they do it with total ignorance of the Sleeping Giant. And by their total ignorance of condemning coal and nuclear energy, they condemn 1,4 billion people to a future of poverty when the majority of those 1,4 billion people do not use so much as one light bulbs worth of electricity. Every human being wants to breathe clean air and drink pure water. Most human beings want to protect the natural kingdom which is our God-given role. No one wants to live in creativity-crippling, futureless poverty. Only creative human innovation can bring solutions. Nuclear power technology fulfils all the requirements of clean energy. And until nuclear energy can power African cities and industries, let fossil fuels, hydro, gas, solar and wind reduce sub-Saharan Africas energy deficit. Africans are tired of living in the dark and they are tired of Eurocentric energy policies. Read the entire article: op-ed-putting-coal-into-an-african-perspective The suspected dynamite explosion at Santa Maria in Accra on Tuesday afternoon is being investigated, according to Municipal Chief Executive for Ga Central, Mohammed Bashiru. Speaking to Citi News, he said people from the Ministry of Defense had been at the scene to gather information. We are receiving different accounts of the incident, he noted. He, however, said there was no evidence of a dynamite explosion, as had been previously reported. Dynamite will not explode in an area and in a 30 metres radius, 20 metres radius, 10 metres radius, you dont see any evidence of an explosion. If it was dynamite, at least the walls of the houses would have been destroyed, Mr. Bashiru said. A groundnut seller was injured in the incident, according to the MCE. Somebody called her to buy groundnuts from her, and she stepped on something and there was some sound. The person who called her told her that there is blood coming from her toe, and she looked at it and was rushed to the hospital, Mr. Bashiru said. ---Citi Newsroom Letters from great French writers of the 19th century such as Victor Hugo, Honore de Balzac, Stendhal, Gustave Flaubert, George Sand, Charles Baudelaire and Paul Verlaine, will be auctioned tomorrow, Thursday 9 June. The 345 lots belong to the collection of a former academic and literature lover, Jean-Luc Mercie, and are being put on sale by the Cornette de Saint-Cyr auction house. A letter from Hugo, for example, written from Brussels in 1866 to a journalist and admirer, Auguste Vacquerie, is a plea against the death penalty, which was to be reintroduced on the island of Jersey. "Everywhere freedom is denied. Everywhere the ideal is insulted. Everywhere reaction flourishes," ("Partout la liberte est reniee. Partout l'ideal est insulte. Partout la reaction prospere"), laments the author of 'Les Miserables', in this missive expected to fetch between 8,000 and 10,000 euros. Flaubert on 'Madame Bovary' Four letters from Flaubert to Louise Colet written between 1846 and 1853 are expected to go for up to 15,000 euros each. One of them refers to the writing of Madame Bovary. "No lyricism, no reflections, no personality of the author. It will be sad to read," he promises his former lover. There is also a letter from George Sand is addressed to Flaubert in 1868 (6,000-8,000 euros), in which she complains that he lives a cloistered life. "You, a raging troubadour, I suspect you enjoy your profession more than anything else in the world," she notes. Surrealism The twentieth century and especially surrealism are well represented in the collection. A collage by Andre Breton entitled Equipe fantome is expecte to go for between10,000 and15,000 euros, as is a book in English about Salvador Dali with a dedication drawn by the Spanish artist. The most expensive item (40,000 to 50,000 euros) is an original edition of Julien Gracq's novel Le Rivage des Syrtes, with a letter from the author to Jean-Luc Mercie, which the auction house says is "a truly unpublished page". Algeria said Wednesday it was suspending a decades-old co-operation treaty with Spain, after Madrid backed the position of the North African country's arch-rival Morocco on the disputed Western Sahara. "Algeria has decided to immediately suspend the treaty of friendship, good neighbourliness and co-operation," the Algerian presidency said in a statement. Madrid and Algiers had signed the deal in 2002 to promote dialogue and cooperation on political, economic, financial, education and defence issues. A Spanish diplomatic source told AFP that the government of Pedro Sanchez "regrets the Algerian decision". Algeria's move came in retaliation after Spain in March publicly recognised Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed territory, helping end a year-long diplomatic spat between the two kingdoms. But Algeria said Wednesday that Spain's move had been "in violation of its legal, moral and political obligations" towards the territory, a former Spanish colony. That reflects the complex challenge Madrid faces in balancing its ties with both states, bitter rivals. Algeria, which backs the Polisario movement seeking independence in the Western Sahara, had in August last year broke off diplomatic ties with Rabat over "hostile acts". Morocco controls 80 percent of the Western Sahara. The rest is held by the Polisario, which fought a 15-year war with Morocco after Spanish forces withdrew in 1975 and demands a referendum on independence. 'Illegitimate formula' Morocco has offered limited autonomy but insists the phosphate and fisheries-rich enclave must remain under its sovereignty. Spain officially endorsed that position in March to help resolve a year-long diplomatic dispute sparked by a visit by Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to Spain for treatment for Covid-19. Weeks after his hospitalisation, Moroccan border forces looked the other way as more than 10,000 migrants surged into Spain's tiny North African enclave of Ceuta, an incident seen as meant to pressure Madrid. In April Sanchez made an official visit to Morocco to patch up ties after his government backed Rabat's 2007 autonomy plan. Algiers said Wednesday that Madrid had thereby "given its full support to an illegal and illegitimate formula... advocated by the occupying power". Spain's position is complicated because while it shares borders and strong economic ties with Morocco, it also depends partly on Algeria for natural gas. That dependence that has become more acute as energy prices exploded following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but also because Algeria in October last year stopped pumping gas to Spain through a pipeline traversing Morocco. And in a veiled warning to Morocco, Sanchez said Wednesday that "Spain will not tolerate any use of the tragedy of illegal immigration as a means of pressure." "The best way is international cooperation," he said. Algeria and Morocco have seen months of tensions since Morocco re-established ties with Israel in December 2020 in exchange for Washington also recognising Rabat's sovereignty over the Western Sahara. That came just weeks after the Polisario had declared a 1991 ceasefire null and void, stepping up attacks on Moroccan forces. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the European Union, and the Ministry of Trade and Industries (MoTI) on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, organized the maiden edition of the Cluster International Conference in Ghana to strengthen cluster inclusiveness for Small businesses in Accra. The conference was hosted by the EU- funded West African Competitiveness Program (WACOMP) implemented by UNIDO and MoTI in collaboration with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI). The main objective was to present and promote Ghanaian clusters results and strengthen connections between Ghanaian SMEs as a sustainable way to enhance the country's competitiveness and integration in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In an address, UNIDO Representative in Ghana and Liberia, Mr. Fakhruddin Azizi touched on the strong cooperation between UNIDO and the Government of Ghana and the joint commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in relation to areas such as energy and environment, investment, and quality standards. He emphasised the successful achievements of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP), which can become a reference in the region, in terms of enhanced value addition, low carbon, sustainable production and processing and increased access to regional and global markets. He said promoting the concept of clusters is vital because it is the way for SMEs to have a full effect and to be competitive in global value chains. Clusters add value to the development of the economy by creating groups of networked businesses in specific sectors and improves business capabilities by offering tailored support. UNIDO is promoting this concept to support SMEs to identify their niche and work together as entities to be competitive in the domestic and international market, Mr. Fakhruddin Azizi said. The UNIDO Representative in Ghana added, UNIDO supports the industrialization drive of the Government of Ghana by supporting in building competitiveness of SMEs, development of standards, procuring equipment where necessary to augment the efficiency of testing and measurements in laboratories in GSA and FDA. Mr. Fakhruddin Azizi further emphasised that supporting SMEs and clusters is indeed a strategic approach to ensure Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, to ensure that no one is left behind and that women can fully take advantage of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Delivering a speech on behalf of the Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Patrick Nimo who is the Chief Director of the Ministry emphasised that the conference has come at the right time. He said clusters are important owing to the fact that it is key to assisting small business to scale up without losing their quality. We need to lift standards, we need to lift or price limited to ensure we can compete. We need to conform because the market has become very complicated where there is a demand for labour standard We also need to connect among ourselves, we need to upscale and work with partners for linkage to the international market, Mr. Patrick Nimo said while referencing the theme of the conference; Coordinate, compete, conform, and connect. He urged UNIDO to consider a study that will look at how best clusters can work together in harmony to cut down on cost, adding that it will help in the scale-up of businesses. Mr. Timothy Dolan, Team Leader - Macro-Economic and Trade Section of the European Delegation to Ghana indicated that: Supporting SMEs and promoting cluster approach and cooperation is indeed a strategic approach to ensure Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, that no one is left behind and that women can fully take advantage of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. He said the UNIDO Conference is a unique opportunity to share knowledge with the view to help SMEs to scale up. Mr. Timothy Dolan while underscoring the importance of the conference urged everyone present to fully participate to enjoy the many benefits. On his part, Mr. Charles Kwame Sackey who is the Chief Technical Advisor of WACOMP - Ghana highlighted that: Business clusters are core actors of change in the countrys industrial strategy and strengthening their resilience and their capacity to cooperate and trust each other should be the target of policymakers. This first Ghanaian Cluster conference will contribute to ensuring knowledge sharing in the region and will allow Ghanaian clusters to learn from each other and capitalising on networking and collaboration. Mr. Charles Kwame Sackey also shared the benefits of the conference noting that it is to contribute to the knowledge sharing in the region by allowing Ghanaian clusters to exchange and learn from each other and support networking and collaboration He added that organisers also want to see an exchange with national authorities on ways to further upscale the approach and start brainstorming on possible ways to institutionalize the cluster approach at the Ghanaian level. He noted that among other things, the conference is to present the Ghanaian experience to colleagues from Liberia in view of promoting an efficient and present some international best practices to further motivate and inspire Ghanaian Clusters. In all, over 120 SMEs attended the first-ever Cluster International Conference in Ghana which also showcased products from Ghanaian entrepreneurs exporting their products and benefiting from the WACOMP Ghana project. Our oceans, an important source of food and livelihoods and an intrinsic part of our culture and heritage are at risk. On World Ocean Day, as we celebrate the critical role of oceans in our everyday life, we are reminded that we all have a role to play in protecting our common future. Protecting oceans protects our future Our future depends on keeping our oceans healthy. The ocean economy contributes up to USD3 trillion every year to the global economy and 3 billion people depend on the oceans for their livelihoods. In Ghana, the fisheries sector employs about 20% of the labor force, almost 3 million people. The Oceans contribution to people, prosperity and keeping nature in balance are at risk from multiple stressors driven by human action. Rising plastic pollution, overfishing and the impacts of climate change have a negative impact on marine environment and resources, livelihoods as well as food security. It is estimated that 9% of about 1.1million tonnes of plastic waste generated each year in Ghana leaks into water bodies. Policies and collective actions National policies and actions are important in driving collective action. Ghana is a member of the High Level Panel on Oceans and has a robust policy framework for protecting ocean health in line with international agreements on ocean governance. The plastic management policy provides guidelines to tackle marine waste pollution, Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing as well as promote the conservation of marine biodiversity. Collective action is nurtured through partnerships and local action. The Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), supported by UNDP provides a platform for the government to work together with over 120 stakeholders to take action to combat plastic waste pollution. Organizations like Plastic Punch, one of the winners of the first edition of UNDPs Waste Recovery Innovation Challenge are working together with communities to clean up beaches and sensitize the public regularly. Ahead of this years World Ocean Day, Plastic Punch in collaboration with UNDP and the European Union (EU) Commission in Ghana mobilized over 250 communities including school children, volunteers and staff of the EU and UNDP for a beach clean-up and sensitization. Collective actions will improve ocean benefits for people, planet and the economy More is needed to sustain a healthy ocean economy with benefits for people, the planet and the economy in line with the High-Level Ocean Panels report launched in Accra in 2020. First, more effective collective action is needed to protect our oceans. Fostering stronger collaboration between actors at national, regional, local and community levels will reduce duplication and strengthen synergies. Partnerships with traditional, religious and community leaders, the youth, women, CSOs, and the private and public sector enhances the sharing of data, information and best practices. Facilitating this multistakeholder collaborations means creating more spaces for joint learning, planning and resource mobilization for greater impact. The Ghana Waste Recovery Platform and the NPAP are important vehicles for multi-stakeholder engagements. Second, more ambitious advances in sustainable production will reduce waste and pollution. Plastic waste remains a significant challenge globally and in Ghana only 5% of all plastic generated every year is recycled. Efforts to create a new balance by reducing consumption and production of plastic while creating greener alternatives can generate a triple win for people, planet and the economy. Advancing sustainable consumption and production across all productive sectors can also help to reduce carbon emissions and slow global warming and ocean acidification. Third, we need to increase finance for ocean science and technology. By exploring innovative financing mechanisms and tools we can generate the resources required to advance equitable access to science and technology driven solutions. Blended financing approaches can help to unlock private sector financing by de-risking investments in innovative solutions to enhance food, energy and climate security. We must create an enabling environment to attract investment by reforming policies so that they support more equitable technology access and transfer. More investments in scientific research will help to guide appropriate mitigation and adaptation actions. UNDP is committed to fostering partnerships for inclusive collaboration to ensure the protection and sustainable use of our oceans resources towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 on life below water and all the SDGs. To realize the promise of a healthy ocean that supports people, the planet and our economy, we must scale up ocean action now. Ghana is well-positioned to revitalize the ocean economy through collective action supported by effective protection, sustainable production and increased ocean finance. By Dr Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana on World Ocean Day An investigative journalist of the Accra-based online news portal, the Fourth Estate, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has asserted that Nana Akufo Addo will now use the monkeypox outbreak as his excuse for the poor economic performance. In a Facebook post by Manasseh Azure on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, he asserted that the President will be adding another blame aside from the COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine war since they have been overused. Monkeypox will give the Akufo-Addo administration another excuse since Covid-19 and Ukraine are becoming stale, he wrote. His post comes just hours after the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, stated at a press conference on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, that Ghana has recorded five cases of monkeypox disease. Nana Addo has frequently stated that the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the war between Russia and Ukraine has contributed to Ghanas economic crisis. Notable among those claims is his assertion on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, where the President stated that Russias bomb on Ukraine is "affecting our pockets of Ghanaians." The bombs might be dropping on cities half a world away, but they are hitting our pockets here in Ghana. Even so, we have managed to ensure that fuel supplies have not been disrupted, unlike in several other parts of the world, President Akufo Addo emphasised. 08.06.2022 LISTEN The ECOWAS Commission through one of its training institutes known as Ecole du Service de Sante des Armees de Lome (ESSAL), is currenting conducting a two-week training on the management of psychotrauma and psychiatric emergencies in the context of armed conflict. The training which commenced on the 31st of May and ends on the 10th of June 2022, is formulated to train personnel on strategies to deal with psychological injuries and well coded interventions in the immediate and post immediate period. These interventions help to reduce psychological distress, prevent the development of severe disabling psychopathologies such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) and treat acute and urgent psychiatric conditions. The training is intended to strengthen and build the capacity of the ECOWAS Standby Force to respond to such medical emergencies in complex and high-risk environments in which they may find themselves. The workshop is particularly for civilian, police and military medical personnel from ECOWAS Member States. In his welcome remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Agba Komi, The Director of ESSAL, provided a brief background of the center, indicating their structure, roles, and responsibilities. He further highlighted the importance of the seminar which is meant to enhance the knowledge of participants and to enable them to be deployed in high-risk environments. He thanked the ECOWAS Commission for facilitating this essential course and for their continuous partnership. He also extended his gratitude to the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations Support Project (EPSAO) project for funding the training. The German Ambassador in his opening speech, reiterated the commitment of Germany in providing support to ECOWAS to promote and maintain peace in the region, stating, As a key partner of ECOWAS since 2008, Germany has consistently supported several initiatives and projects aimed at strengthening ECOWAS mechanisms dedicated to the promotion and maintenance of peace and stability. These projects include the EPSAO project among several others. He thanked ESSAL and all partners for their commitment throughout this training and for making mental health an essential component of conflict management and resolution in the West African space. He added that personnel to be deployed in peace support operations needs such vital training considering the high stressful environments they often find themselves in. Also speaking during the opening event, Colonel Major Ollo Alain Pale, the head of the ECOWAS Peace Support Operation Division (PSOD), on behalf of the Director for Peacekeeping and Regional Security congratulated all participants on this important training. He noted that this effort is a concrete demonstration of the willingness by all partners to strengthen cooperation and coordination in peace and security with the Economic Community of West African States. He added that the workshop is especially intended to strengthen the level of knowledge of participants with a view to increase their skills in the field and to respond to traumatic and stressful situations. He thanked GIZ EPSAO for their support in making this training a success. This training was organized with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through the GIZ-ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) project. Source: ECOWAS 09.06.2022 LISTEN Prof. Ransford Gyampo, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana's political science department, claims Ghana's developmental setbacks can be blamed on Akufo-Addo's inability to initiate a ministerial reshuffle. Prof Gyampo stated in a Facebook post on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, that the President's action has prevented Ghana from bringing in new people with adequate knowledge of economic management who could have helped redeem the nation from economic difficulties. He noted that the president's failure to reshuffle his cabinet is something that no subsequent administration should replicate. The Presidents inability to undertake a major reshuffle of his ministers has palpably denied Ghana of the brains, talents, and expertise that could have been tapped for national development. Are these the only Men? This precedent isnt worth emulating. His post reads. Unlike previous governments, President Akufo-Addo has not conducted any ministerial reshuffles following those in his first term, with the only one being in February 2019. This has sparked much debate among Ghanaians, who believe that the reason for the country's economic insecurity is underperforming ministers who need to be fired. 09.06.2022 LISTEN The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has granted bail to a communicator of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dela Coffie who was arrested for alleged corruption, corruption-related offences and forgery. Dela Coffie is being investigated for allegedly faking letters purporting to have been issued by the Special Prosecutor. He is also alleged to have faked a retainer agreement of a prominent law firm, Atuguba and Associates, in connection with a corruption investigation on the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea. He was arrested on Monday, June 6, 2022, after he turned himself in following the OSP issuing an arrest warrant last Friday. He was detained to allow the OSP to conduct further investigations and was granted bail on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Meanwhile, further investigations are still ongoing into the matter. citinewsroom An angry husband grabs his wife and raises his fist to strike her. But the gesture isn't real -- the man is a participant in a training exercise, and in this drill he's been stopped by two women dressed in traditional skirts who volunteer for a Mozambican police unit. It's part of a scheme designed to educate women in a remote region of central Mozambique about gender-based violence. The project seeks to change perceptions in a country where half of all women are married before they are 18 and, according to UN figures, more than one woman in five has suffered violence. The sense of helplessness among victims is pervasive, for few ever file charges. Eighteen-year-old Fatima is a survivor who was forced into a marriage at age 15. Training exercises are designed to educate women about gender-based violence. By Alfredo Zuniga (AFP) "My husband beat me but my mother told me to stay," she said, shyly. She was able to leave when her husband was finally jailed. In 2009, a law was introduced to punish violence against women, but implementation has been slow, especially in remote areas. Every one of the trainees enrolled in the scheme in Manhene village in Manica district said they had been attacked. Talk and the law The project is part of an effort by the community to change things, using a mix of verbal dissuasion and awareness programmes backed by the power of the law. Since 2011, a civilian policing unit made up entirely of women -- originally set up to search female suspects and if necessary arrest them -- has retrained. It is empowered to arrest offenders in violence against women and detain them while waiting for police to arrive from the nearest town. But the team's main approach is to talk and dial down the confrontation. And they say they're having impressive results. "At first there was a lot of resistance from men. But after 10 years, and lots of talking, explaining and raising awareness, we see less violence," said Elisa Eduardo, the brigade's coordinator. "Now we only have about one case a month." Her unit rarely needs to use force. Most conflicts are defused verbally. Their priority is to educate and assist the women, rather than punish their aggressors. With local authorities poorly trained to settle gender-based violence, three-quarters of Mozambicans resort to community courts to resolve conflicts, according to UNICEF. Near the community's makeshift jail, a separate room has been set up for victims. Here they can receive care and testify in privacy and safety -- something that was unthinkable not long ago. Weight of tradition Silence is often the watchword in rural Mozambique. If they dare to complain about the abuse they face at home or on the street, women tend to find little support from their families. Every one of the trainees enrolled in the scheme in Manhene village in Manica district said they had been attacked. By Alfredo Zuniga (AFP) "Before this, they didn't see their abuse as oppression," Eduardo said. "They thought these bad things were because of tradition." The volunteer force receives help and financial backing from a local organisation called Lemusica, an acronym from Portuguese words that mean "Get up, woman, and follow your way." The group also offers shelter to children and teenagers in the regional capital Chimoio. Lemusica's emphasis is on education and emancipation -- but this sometimes meets resistance in rural villages. "The patriarchal system teaches us that women have no voice, no power to make decisions and that they have nothing important to do in their lives," said Achia Anaiva, Lemusica's president." In this traditional society, views such as hers are a challenge for some men. Vasco Filip, an adviser to the local chief, says the all-woman policing unit "are good for searching other women, because women can hide stolen objects in places where men can't look." 'Women have no voice,' says Lemusica's president, Achia Anaiva. By Alfredo Zuniga (AFP) "Yes, there is some violence," he said. "But there's also the psychological violence of women against men." Such conversations are difficult, Anaiva admitted. With her Afro hairstyle, elegant clothes, and forthright feminist approach, Anaiva stands out when she visits the villages. But when residents jibe that she's a city girl importing Western ideas, she reminds them of the law banning violence against women. "Lemusica didn't make that law. The (National) Assembly voted it," she said. The seeming endless fighting in Bawku is a matter of serious concern. It has always been so anyway but under the current situation in which terrorists have us in their sights, we must be even more worried about the senseless killings. The national security apparatus could not have been busier; the possibility of terrorists cashing in on the nasty security situation in Bawku and sneaking in. Bawku is too close to the terrorist hotspots of Burkina Faso, an hour's drive or less to that country from the Upper East, a former bustling trading centre. Widana, which is part of Bawku, shares a frontier with Sankasi, which is in Northern Togo, a place where terrorist activities have been observed. This restive town is also not far from Niger and Nigeria. Bawku is some twenty four hours away from the fringes of parts of Nigeria. For those who are conversant with security management and possess a good working knowledge of Bawku, and appreciate the common languages among the people of these parts of Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria, they know how these factors would facilitate the movement of terrorists when they take the decision to move. We cannot vouch for the non-cooperation between the warring factions in the Bawku hostilities and the terrorists in Burkina Faso, Niger or even Mali. A few weeks ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration warned Ghanaians from traveling to Mali where terrorists are active. Although the reason for the directive was not given, we could presume without any iota of apprehension that the terrorists were targeting citizens of some countries and Ghana could be one. The history of war shows that weapons are smuggled from theatres of hostilities to neighbouring countries a booming gunrunning business. Our country's unfortunate situation of hosting nasty and endless hostilities in Bawku presents a fertile ground for the reception of smuggled weapons. With terrorists already seeking to widen their axis of fire, a restive Bawku already awash with weapons in the hands of non-state actors the town offers them a welcome opportunity. In the latest bout of firefight in the former bustling trading centre, information has it that a police officer was killed and a soldier seriously injured. A man who called the bluff of the soldiers also lost his life. For how long shall we contain this imbecile bout of murderous bravado? Now that the national security implication of the senseless internecine war is expanding beyond its seams, and preparing the grounds for the likely exploitation of terrorists next-door, shouldn't we do even more to stem the bedlam? Of course we must because, it is less costly to prevent terrorists than confronting them when they pitch camp here. The security implications would be too much for us to bear. The time to stop the Bawku bloodshed is now! 09.06.2022 LISTEN Mr Bill Godson Ocloo, a security analyst and crisis management professional has advised government to strengthen and retool the security structure in the country for every citizen to feel at safe. According to him, data shows that in the first quarter of 2022, the West Africa sub-region has recorded over 160 terrorist attacks out of 346 on the whole continent. He noted that African leaders have a lot to do to tackle the terrorist threats on the continent. "What is it that African leaders are not doing right that the growing rate of insecurity is at the high right like this, the leaders must check their backs well," he stated. Mr Bill was responding to the growing threat of terrorists in Africa which he said must be tackled head-on for everyone to have the free mind to operate freely. Mr Bill in an exclusive interview with ModernGhana News indicated that corruption, unemployment, agitations and civil unrest among the youth can fuel terrorism. "If we continue this way, l tell you the future of Ghana for that matter that of African countries could be in jeopardy," he intimated. He added, "You see a country like Togo is under attack by terrorists, it will affect every country sharing boundary with them especially Ghana which has a good relationship with them. Can you imagine it is speculated that over one million weapons are in the hands of citizens with hundred thousand not licensed and renewed?" As the island nation confronts a terrible economic and humanitarian food crisis, Sri Lanka's prime minister has warned of a food shortage, promising to buy enough fertilizer for the upcoming planting season to enhance yields. Sri Lanka is pleading with its neighbors for food assistance as the country's fiscal problem worsens into a humanitarian disaster. The government has applied for help from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation's food bank, which has previously provided rice and other necessities to member governments during food emergencies. It's worth noting that SAARC is currently dormant due to the Indo-Pak matter. However, all regional parties, including Pakistan and India, should work together this time to resurrect SAARC in order to maximize regional interests. India should be aware of present regional challenges and approach the resurrection of SAARC with pragmatism. Pakistan must increase its diplomatic engagement with other countries. Bangladesh has agreed to provide potato aid to Sri Lanka in a bid to resolve the ongoing food crisis in the country. In the midst of the ongoing crisis, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed that her country will deliver potatoes to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the guarantee during a meeting with Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). In times of difficulty, Bangladesh, as a friend and neighbor, stands ready to support Sri Lanka. It is true that, by working together, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other members of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) can overcome the crisis. The assistance is intended to support the Government of Sri Lanka's efforts in overcoming the looming humanitarian crisis in Sri Lana. Sri Lanka can benefit from from such kind of bilateral assistance thus far. At Ganabhaban (Bangladesh PM's residence), Weerakoon paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh's Prime Minister. Sheikh Hasina urged South Asian countries to cooperate together in the fight against poverty on Sunday, characterizing poverty as the region's greatest opponent. "We, the countries in this region, should work together to achieve our goals. Many issues can be resolved in a bilateral manner "She informed the Secretary-General of SAARC. As a result of the country's faltering economy, which has resulted in shortages of vital products, such as food, and a rise in food prices, families' access to inexpensive, healthful meals has been hampered. Malnutrition rates among children and women were significant even before the pandemic. Approximately 40% of primary-aged children were underweight for their height. Bangladesh will send Sri Lanka a humanitarian potato relief package to help alleviate severe shortages caused by the country's worst economic crisis in recent memory. They will be delivered to low-income families in various sections of the country. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated that despite Bangladesh's large population, the country may offer potatoes to Sri Lanka during this period. She claimed that, in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak and the Ukraine-Russia war, Bangladesh has taken initiatives to increase food production. Bangladeshi scientists are working to develop saline and drought-tolerant rice types, according to Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh's contribution to the SAARC Agriculture Centre was lauded by Weerakoon. He claimed the pandemic is also to blame for his country's continued economic difficulties, and he thanked Bangladesh for its assistance to the island nation. He noted that Sri Lanka now requires fertilizer because rice production has decreased by 50%. Prime Minister Hasina asked South Asian countries to join forces in the fight against poverty, which she described as the region's biggest opponent. "We, the countries in this region, should work together to achieve our goals. Many issues can be resolved in a bilateral manner "she stated Bangladesh has proposed strengthening the SAARC food bank in the wake of the global food crisis. On Monday, when visiting SAARC Secretary-General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon met with senior officials from the foreign ministry, the recommendation was made. M Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the idea emphasizes the necessity for a coordinated effort among regional countries to absorb the shock of the current crisis. "We have previously donated to the food bank and are willing to continue," he said, noting that agriculture supplies are currently in short supply in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Bangladesh encouraged the SAARC to take new methods to alleviate the global food scarcity caused by the Ukraine war and the epidemic. He continued, "We have extended our assistance to Sri Lanka and are willing to assist further under the SAARC umbrella." In response to his meeting with the Secretary-General of the SAARC, he stated that the two of them decided to speed up collective measures to fight the region's food and economic problems. Sri Lanka expressed interest in importing potatoes from Bangladesh in March of this year, preferring the barter system in this regard. Bangladesh urged the SAARC to adopt new approaches to address global food scarcity caused by the Ukraine conflict and pandemic. "We have extended our help to Sri Lanka and are eager to assist in the future under the SAARC umbrella," he stated. In reaction to his discussion with the SAARC Secretary-General, he declared that the two of them agreed to accelerate collaborative action to address the region's food and economic concerns. In March of this year, Sri Lanka expressed interest in importing potatoes from Bangladesh, preferring the barter method. Earlier, Bangladesh has provided $2.3 million in emergency medical supplies to Sri Lanka, which is experiencing its worst economic crisis since 1948, resulting in a shortage of food, gasoline, and other necessities. Dhaka had previously given Colombo $250 million in the form of a currency swap. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque presented a few cartons of pharmaceuticals to Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sudharshan D.S. Seneviratne at a token handover ceremony in Dhaka. Debt-ridden Sri Lanka said last month that it had pre-defaulted on a $51 billion external loan because its usable foreign exchange reserves had fallen to only $50 million, making it extremely difficult for the government to pay for crucial imports. India has also been delivering medical supplies as part of its over $3 billion in aid this year. As Dhaka and Colombo commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations, Momen hailed the delivery of 65 types of medications and equipment as a sign of solidarity and goodwill between the two countries. Bangladesh assists Sri Lanka in navigating its economic and humanitarian turmoil. It is really praiseworthy that Bangladesh has been helping Sri Lanka to overcome its crisis. Other neighbouring and south Asian countries can follow Bangladesh's footprint. Such kind of assistance can help mitigate Sri Lanka's looming catastrophe. For example, the SAARC food bank was established in 2007 to give rice and wheat to member countries in times of crisis, but it was only used for the first time in 2020 when Bhutan requested a rice shipment. According to analysts, Sri Lanka's crisis could be an opportunity to reinvigorate SAARC. This necessitates the SAARC countries displaying the highest levels of goodwill, cooperation and harmony toward one another, as well as maximizing opportunities and cooperation. The SAARC as a regional forum should be revived by all member states as soon as possible. Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka's crisis are the best example to understand that. to revitalize All member states must try their level best to revitalize the SAARC by holding consultations with each other. However, Bangladesh's potato assistance to Sri Lanka remembers the necessity of SAARC revival. By Dr. Shakuntala Bhabani. A Kolkata-based educator (Assistant Professor) and Southasian affairs researcher in the Political Science department at a Kolkata Honors College which is affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Mr Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has advised personnel of the Ghana Police Service to carry out their mandate with respect. He said being aggressive with the public only made them unprofessional and that respect was earned and could be reciprocated. Mr Whittal gave the advice at the opening of a two-day collaborative session organised by CHRAJ and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to strengthen the cooperation between the Police Service, Media and CSOs towards effective case management and improved accountability. In 2019, Ghana accepted the invitation of the German Federal Foreign Office to become part of its "Programme to Build and Strengthen Police Structures in Selected Partner Countries in Africa" (In Short: Police Programme), being implemented by GIZ. During an appraisal mission in 2019, the Ghana Police Service and GIZ identified three thematic result areas for their cooperation -Training System, Community Policing, and Police Accountability. Mr Whittal charged the Police Service to listen to the citizens, maintain their (police) respect and desist from physically assaulting suspects. He noted that the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) was handling police-civilian matters in such a way that citizens stopped reporting to CHRAJ, however, the difficulties in getting the Bureau to be transparent to citizens pushed people to CHRAJ. The Commissioner underscored the need for enhanced cooperation to ensure that stakeholders understood and appreciated the roles and responsibilities of the institutions towards improved accountability. He said it could be done through advocacy and awareness creation. Mr Whittal said the Media and the CSOs could educate appropriately and provide accurate information to the public when they understood the operations of the Police Service. The Commissioner said it was important that stakeholders had regular monitoring of compliance with standards of accountability. Mr Philipp Niehenke, Manager of Country Component, Ghana, GIZ, said the meeting must not become a blame game where stakeholders would criticise one another. ''Also, it is not about Civil Society and Media teaching Police how to do their job, but it is about creating a better understanding of each other's role in ensuring police accountability,'' he said. Mr Niehenke commended the leadership of the Police Service for their efforts in engaging with the public. ''The Inspector General's field trips and other POMAB members, including the Director General, PPSB, getting involved when critical incidents like the one in Nkoranza happened have shown citizens that the Police was listening to their concerns,'' he said. Mr Niehenke noted that the PPSB had taken pro-active steps to fight misconduct within the service. He applauded CHRAJ for exercising its mandate in handling complaints, including those involving unprofessional conduct and other forms of misconduct by police officers. ''This strong mandate as well as your long experience in the field of accountability has led to a lot of respect from all sides, the Police Service as well as Civil Society and the Media,'' he said and assured that the GIZ would support some of the reform initiatives of the Police Service. GNA The celebration took place at the British High Commissioners Residence in Accra and saw young people from across the country receive awards for their achievements in building key skills for work on Princes Trust International programmes. Princes Trust International began piloting its programmes in Ghana in 2019 and has since supported over 1,500 young people. The charity was founded by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in 2015 and now works in 17 countries. Through collaboration with local organisations, Princes Trust International enables young people to build key skills with its education, employability and enterprise programmes. In Ghana, the organisation has partnered with Junior Achievement, Youth Opportunity and Transformation Africa, Environment 360, and funders including Fidelity Bank and Bank of America. As more than half of Ghanas population are under 25, empowering these young people, especially girls, can help build a more equitable community and society. Princes Trust International programmes recognise that todays young people want more sustainable careers and access to better futures. Last year, the organisation published research into the future of work. Of the young people surveyed in Ghana, 54% were interested in working in the green economy and 68% in the digital economy. To celebrate the beginning of Princes Trust Internationals work in Ghana, the charity invited young people from across its programmes to be acknowledged with awards celebrating their achievements and innovation. The young people were presented with their awards by the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Harriet Thompson, Princes Trust International Chief Executive Will Straw and Edward Effah, Chair of Fidelity Bank. One of the awards presented during the ceremony was for the Regional Winners for Africa of The Princes Trust Group Sustainability Award. This award recognises young people working innovatively to make a difference to their communities. The winning group of young people took part in the first Enterprise Challenge programme. As part of this, teams play a business simulation game with support from a local business mentor, which takes them through the stages of setting up and running a successful business. The top performing teams go through to a business planning and testing phase before pitching their sustainable ideas as part of a national finals in which they compete for a business development grant. During the programme, the young people developed a business idea of transforming coconut husk into jewellery and gifts. Using the entrepreneurial skills they learned, the team identified that the coconut waste produced daily in Accra is enough to pollute the environment and saw an opportunity to turn this waste product into a marketable product. Commenting at the event, one of the team members said that we would rather recycle and reuse waste to produce other products that become more useful to humanity and society at large. The judging panel selected the team from a wide-ranging pool of applications submitted across Africa. British High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Harriet Thompson, said: The determination and energy of the young people here today is an inspiration to us all. The UK and Ghana are achieving a huge amount together, supporting young people into employment or enterprise, and I am eager to continue this work. I am delighted that organisations like Princes Trust International and their local partners are giving these opportunities to young people, especially in developing sectors such as the green economy. Will Straw, Princes Trust International Chief Executive, added: I am excited to scale up our work with partners in Ghana through the targeting of opportunities that will prepare young people for the labour markets of tomorrow - particularly through green and sustainable jobs and business practices. As we grow our work here and across the world, we are seeking partners who are willing to invest in future skills programmes, with a focus on digital and green economies, to prepare young people for the workplace. To succeed in an increasingly challenging world, young people need to be more entrepreneurial than ever. Our work gives them the tools to achieve their ambitions. 09.06.2022 LISTEN This is the second time within a space of about three weeks that two Ghanaians within the same office block as I am, but different departments, have unreasonably vented their frustrations on me, Rockson Adofo. They are not my friends. They are not my work colleagues since we neither do the same work, nor work for the same employer. Each of the three of us does a different job and works for different companies. I had already written about the first incident hence will not talk about it in this publication. On Tuesday, 7 June 2022, a Ghanaian that I am friendly with and often chat merrily together when we have time, did approach me at the time that I was getting ready to rush to my post after a short breakfast break. As soon as he saw me, he greeted me and could see him about to strike a conversation with me. I told him I am sorry I need to rush back to work as I had about four minutes left. As I was about to move, he quickly asked, what is the owner of the Consolidated Bank? I said, Ghana. He then asked, who owns the UniBank? I told him, I am in a hurry and need to go or else, I shall be late for work However, I quickly answered, UniBank does not exist but its part of the Consolidated Bank and it belonged to Dr Kwabena Duffour. He then said, I have remitted home money but since the past five days, they have not released the money to the recipient. They keep saying they are having network problems. How come? He continued to say, write about it Just at this point, I was left with two minutes. I told him, I am almost late so I have to go. Just at saying this and turning to walk away, hurrying to my post, he angrily shouted, You NPP, you are very corrupt! Look, you are walking away because it is your party and Dr Duffour is from your town. You could see his face, how he was extremely angry as though, I had directed that his remitted money be not released to whomever he had sent the money to. What has his money not been delivered in time got to do with NPP or Dr Duffour? I find it totally absurd on the part of those Ghanaians who, when they ask me to write about an issue and I tell them I have not got time at that moment, will simply attack me. They always think I dont want to do it because it impacts negatively on NPP. They see me as NPP so they decide to shamelessly insult or attack me for all their stupid reasoning. I see all those behaving as such towards me as little-minded individuals. Have they not got a head, brains, two hands, two eyes, two legs, a mouth, etc.; same as Rockson Adofo has? Why dont they write whatever they think about NPP themselves? Rockson Adofo is not paid to write anything, bad or good, about any political party or person. He does so voluntarily and at his own volition and pace, according as he sees things and evaluates them in terms of their impact on Ghana and the citizenry. I dont condone any acts of corruption by any political party or whomever. This person who has wrongly attacked me thinks I dont want to write about his predicament because Dr Kwabena Duffour is my Kumawu compatriot and again, I belong to NPP. The fact that I have volunteered to be the voice for the voiceless does not mean that every Tom, Dick and Harry has the absolute right to compel me to write for public consumption any issue or problem they bring to my attention. For the public notice, Rockson Adofo is not a political fanatic. He is not an NPP activist who will protect them if they were seen to be corrupt. He wields a double-edged sword that cuts on both sides. I dont draw any wages or salary from NPP so why will I protect them when they are doing anything wrong? Why again, will I attack them if I dont have the facts and proofs that they are involved in malpractices of some sort? Ever since NPP came to power, I have never approached them for any favours. I have not asked any top member of the party for a job for any of my family members, friends or schoolmates. None of my family members has personally benefitted from NPP except for the general benefits like free Senior High School (SHS) education that the whole nation is enjoying. Even on this, none of my family members is availing themselves of that opportunity. Most of them are abroad and those in Ghana are all gone beyond the SHS age. Therefore, I am not a sycophant for NPP to sing their praises if I find them to be doing wrong. If people can be that irrational to insult or attack me out of their overflowing fountain of frustrations, they had better not come to me to ask me to write about this or that. They cannot dictate to me what I should write about and what not to. Keep your frustrations away from me as I have my own load of burden to bear or deal with! If I were to insanely hold grudges against anyone, it is the NPP that I shall. They are very ungrateful. How they have cruelly treated one of the people that played a decisive role in their election 2016 victory, without whom, as among a few those, John Mahama and his NDC, would obviously have rigged the election for themselves. As soon as they won the election, they pretended not to know him or had ever seen him. My heart bleeds for that person. He is currently not well. That is the level of the ungratefulness of NPP who behave like the proverbial chicken that scrubs its beak on the ground just after eating or bite the very hand that feeds them. I will not discuss anything further but to plead for those who approach me with their requests not to attack me if I am unable to assist them at that material moment. Why should I help anyone at the expense of my job that feeds me? Please, go away with your partisanship, political polarisations and spiteful attitude towards NPP all for your selfish and parochial interests. To say I am highly infuriated at the behaviours of those two people who have attacked me for no justifiable reasons is an understatement. Rockson Adofo Thursday, 9 June 2022 The November 2015 Paris attacks trial took another crucial step towards judgement on Wednesday with the beginning of the final presentation of the case by the prosecution. On Friday, the three co-prosecutors will demand the sentences they believe each of the accused deserves. "This is where we put the pieces of the puzzle together. We are motivated by impartiality and objectivity." With those words, senior state prosecutor Camille Hennetier launched the latest phase of the Paris terror trial. Hennetier makes it sound straightforward. But this puzzle has more than one miliion pieces of evidence. And many of them can be turned in different directions, even given different significance, depending on whose turn it is to handle them. Impartiality is a question of point of view. The rest of this week will be taken up with the presentation of the prosecution's version of events as established during the nine-month examination of five years of police investigation in Belgium, France and Austria. "If we have not managed to disclose the truth," said Camille Hennetier, "we can at least offer judicial truth. That will not satisfy the victims, the bereaved. But that is the problem with justice, which tries to rationalise the irrational. It won't help us to understand evil, barbarity or terror." On Friday afternoon, when Camille Hennetier and her two fellow anti-terrorist magistrates have completed their version of the Paris attacks puzzle, they will call on the tribunal judges to sentence those whose guilt they have worked to establish. Some of the accused will die in jail The accused men risk punishments including life imprisonment. "Life" In French law can mean a period of anything between 18 and 30 years in jail. But the courts are entitled to impose a real, incompressible life sentence, notably for terrorist crimes. If found guilty, the surviving Paris attacker, Salah Abdeslam, now 33 years old, could spend the rest of his days in jail. Literally. We're not there yet. First, we have to be reminded of the details. And the object of this objective telling by those who orchestrated the investigation, and put together the 450 volumes of evidence, is to convince the tribunal that the 20 accused are guilty as charged and deserve to suffer the penalties laid down by law. "We have based our case exclusively on those elements which can be solidly supported," Camille Hennetier explained with the solemn dignity that has been her signature since the start of these hearings. "We insist on the fact that those who participated in the terrorist enterprise in any way are co-authors of the criminal outcome. "Complicity is punishable by law, even if the accomplice is not aware of the nature and scale of the crime projected. "The acts leading to a crime can not be divided into the categories of 'significant' and 'insignificant'. Action is indivisible!" 'Eradicate the rabid dogs of disbelief!' Co-prosecutor Nicolas Braconnay then took up the narrative with a view to summarising the indivisible actions that led to the tragedy of 13 November 2015, and the loss of 132 lives. It's a long story. And Braconnay chose a strange way of telling it, with diversions, parentheses and asides, leaving more than one hearer in the packed courtroom wondering where, exactly, we were. Braconnay explained the importance of the Islamist ideology of violent jihad as the factor linking the 33 members of the Brussels group, the terrorists who were responsible, not only for the Paris killings, but also for the 2016 airport and metro attacks in Belgium, and the 2015 attempt to murder passengers on board the Thalys high-speed train. He said they shared a rigid mental state, Hannah Arendt's "logic of the idea", which made extreme violence acceptable because the idea bypassed normal thought processes, excluding all contradictions and controls. Nicolas Braconnay began his telling in September 2013, with the departure of Ousama Atar for Damascus, ostensibly to learn Arabic, but in fact to fight against US soldiers in Iraq. Atar is one of the absent accused. He is believed to have died in a coalition air attack in Syria in 2016. He is also believed to have masterminded the formation of the Brussels terrorist group, and to have directed their attacks from Syria. His stated aim was "the eradication of the rabid dogs of disbelief". 'Family links do not make you guilty' Ousama Atar's younger brother is among the accused at this trial. "He is not being tried for his family relationships," Nicolas Braconnay assured the court, referring to Yassine Atar's brother and to his cousins, the Bakraoui brothers, coordinators of the 2016 Belgian attacks in which the two men died in suicide explosions. The litany of links and names continued . . . Mohammed Bakkali, another of the Paris accused, described as "a third brother" to the Bakraouis; Ali Al Hadad Asufi, friend of Salah Abdeslam since childhood. Nicolas Braconnay insisted on the strategic and propaganda importance of the Brussels group for Islamic State, and on the need to co-opt men who could be depended upon. Those who had been to the warzone in Syria were solid; the others were chosen from a network of long-term friendships and family. They all knew what they were getting into, insisted the state prosecutor. The murderous legacy of Molenbeek After a brief suspension, the story was taken up by the third co-prosecutor, Nicolas Le Bris. His style is laborious but linear, so at least you know where he's going, even if you generally get there before him. He spoke of the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek as a village in which conservative Muslim values have been significant since the arrival of the first wave of Moroccan migrant workers in the late 1940s. This was the breeding ground of a fundamentalist movement, and home to many of the Brussels group, including Abdelhamid Abaaoud, "the bloody face of Islamic State terrorism," one of the Paris killers and the operational commander of the November 2015 attacks. Abaaoud's grisly career in Syria, his status as an IS propaganda figure, and his influence on other key members of the terrorist group were patiently retold. The Abdeslam brothers, Mohammed Abrini, Ahmed Dhamani were all early recruits to the cause of extremist violence, said Nicolas Le Bris. All had criminal backgrounds; some showed clear signs of religious radicalisation. And so it continued, each claim and counterclaim made by the accused over the past nine months put in the context of a story in which each man is guilty of some level of participation in what each knew to be a terrorist enterprise. Le Bris has the cold, relentless pace of a glacier. He is not quick, but he is terribly efficient. When, approaching 20h00, prosecutor Nicolas Le Bris asked the court president if it would suit him to stop for the day and pick up the story on Thursday, Jean-Louis Peries replied with a benign smile and to general relief, "that would suit me very well indeed!" The trial continues. Since March 2022, fighting has intensified in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between the army and the rebel group Mouvement du 23 mars, better known as M23. The latter allegedly attacked army positions near the border with Uganda and Rwanda. A United Nations helicopter also crashed in the combat zone, killing eight peacekeepers. These events made headlines around the world and prompted a reaction from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The upsurge in fighting between the M23 and government troops actually started in late 2021. Moreover, this is just one of the many ongoing armed clashes in eastern DRC where, moreover, the Allied Democratic Force, an insurgent Islamist group of Ugandan origin, continues to massacre citizens , despite ongoing joint operations between Uganda and the DRC. Another proxy war is taking place in the highlands of Uvira and Fizi, not far from Burundi. And in Ituri, at the northeast end of the DRC, various armed groups, including CODECO factions, continue to wreak havoc. Yet the March 2022 clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 were the deadliest in a decade. This situation raises important questions about timing and context that we will address in this article. We have both undertaken research on conflict dynamics in eastern Congo for many years. Included in this research are, among others, the role of armed groups in society, the interplay between armed mobilization and the recent Ebola outbreak, and the fragmentation of belligerents. As part of this research, we also analyzed the evolution of M23 from its beginnings in 2012 until today. From our point of view, the resurgence of the group's activities since the end of 2021 is undoubtedly a reaction to Kinshasa's attempts to end insecurity in the east. It may be that, feeling threatened, the M23 seeks to strengthen its position in the event of possible negotiations. Safety, a priority President Felix Tshisekedi has made security in eastern Congo one of his top priorities. He tried different strategies to achieve this, including negotiations with armed groups, a demobilization and disarmament program and the declaration of a state of siege in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. But, as recent research indicates, this combination of tactics has rarely been effective in the past. The current slew of initiatives is therefore unlikely to put an end to the M23 and other rebellions for good, until the underlying historical issues that fuel the violence are resolved. The rise of the M23 Created in April 2012, the M23 is at the crossroads of local, national and regional power dynamics, where it takes part in various struggles for control of territory, people and resources. These struggles are linked to the security concerns of different cross-border political and military networks, which bring together state and non-state actors. The M23 quickly gained international notoriety when it occupied the city of Goma, capital of North Kivu province, for 10 days in November 2012. This occupation followed eight months of intense fighting in the Rutshuru region, in the province of North Kivu. These events greatly embarrassed the international community, which had invested billions of dollars to restore peace and rebuild the state, notably through its UN peacekeeping mission. But the soldiers of the mission had contented themselves with playing the spectators when the M23 marched on Goma. Although the rebels withdrew after coming under heavy international pressure, they continued to control key strategic sites, such as the Bunagana border post bordering Uganda, which provided them with significant tax revenues. Ultimately, the group's ability to challenge the Congolese government and the UN was its downfall. In 2013, a new component of the UN peacekeeping mission was tasked with dismantling armed groups in eastern DRC: it was called the Intervention Brigade and was made up of regional armies; it had made the M23 its main target. Internal tensions have, moreover, caused a split within the M23, leaving the group weakened and forced into exile in Uganda and Rwanda. After its defeat, the M23 signed a peace accord with the government in December 2013, in which it agreed to demobilize its fighters and transform itself into a political party. However, under the leadership of Commander Sultani Makenga, parts of the group returned to the DRC as early as late 2016. This situation was foreseeable because the peace agreements did not resolve the underlying problems of the conflicts. The story of the rebellion An important feature of the genealogy of the armed groups to which the M23 belongs is that they were led primarily by Tutsi commanders from North Kivu. Historically speaking, these commanders have maintained close ties with the Rwandan army. In the early 1990s, as one of us was told in the multiple interviews, several of them joined the Rwandan Patriotic Front in its fight to overthrow the extremist Hutu regime in Rwanda, which perpetrated genocide in this country. One of the main driving forces behind rebellions, such as the M23, has been the precarious situation of the Tutsi community in North Kivu due to a combination of complex and interrelated factors. First, the policy applied by the colonial state (1885-1960) and by the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko (1965-1997) was to divide and rule. In the 1990s, Mobutu's regime fueled long-running conflicts between Hutu and Kinyarwanda-speaking Tutsi populations by denying the latter the right to citizenship, sparking violent conflict in the east. Secondly, there is the political propaganda which falsely labels all those who speak Kinyarwanda in eastern DRC as "immigrants" rather than "citizens", not "citizens". despite the fact that several Kinyarwandophone communities have been present in the DRC since well before colonization. The fact that Tutsis were involved in several foreign-backed rebellions, in particular the RCD-Goma, from 1998 to 2003, does not help matters either. Finally, members of the Tutsi economic elite bought large tracts of land in a context marked by land grabbing by local elites, of which many peasants were victims. Due to all these factors, Tutsis and Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in general are subject to widespread resentment. Conversely, the Tutsis of North Kivude deplore the lack of consideration and protection due to them as citizens from the Congolese state. Hence the support given by those who speak Kinyarwanda to successive rebellions, in order to protect themselves against armed groups that are hostile to them. What the future holds After the first clashes in March and April this year, the M23 unilaterally declared several ceasefires. He also announced his desire to lay down his arms definitively. Then, in April, he promised to withdraw from areas he had occupied after fighting in late March and called for a dialogue with the Congolese government. These statements were made at the start of a new round of negotiations between the armed groups and the Congolese government in Nairobi, under the aegis of Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta. The Congolese government presented the talks as the last chance for armed groups to surrender. This threat was followed by the announcement of a new regional force to be set up to fight the armed groups. However, fighting later broke out between the Congolese army and M23 units, with both sides accusing each other of being behind the clashes. As a result, the main M23 faction, led by Sultani Makenga, was expelled from the Nairobi talks. At the regional level, the return of the M23 coincides with several important changes, namely in particular negotiations for the accession of the DRC to the East African Community and the military intervention of Uganda in the north of the M23 area of operation to fight to fight the Allied Democratic Forces. Furthermore, after five years of friction leading to border closures, bilateral relations between Rwanda and Uganda appear to be improving rapidly, despite geopolitical rivalry and competition for trade and infrastructure projects in eastern DRC. On the ground in North Kivu, other Congolese armed groups recently declared the creation of a new ad hoc coalition, which would have been negotiated by Congolese army officials, with the aim of combating the M23. Thus, the M23 rebellion finds itself in the tiny but highly strategic border triangle between eastern DRC, Rwanda and Uganda, and at the center of a rapid shift in local security and diplomacy. and regional. Kasper Hoffmann receives funding from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) of the United Kingdom Christoph Vogel 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. By Kasper Hoffmann, Adjunct assistant professor, University of Copenhagen And Christoph Vogel, Research Director of the Insecure Livelihoods Project, Ghent University Chief of La Leshie, Nii Tettey Ofro Osro I 09.06.2022 LISTEN The Chief of La Leshie, Nii Tettey Ofro Osro I, has challenged Government's decision to release 361 acres of land on the periphery of the Achimota forest reserve to any family claiming ownership of the Forest. According to him, the people of La Leshie are the rightful owners of the Achimota Forest land and not the Owoos family. Nii Tettey Ofro Osro I made this know in his engagement with ModernGhana News and some selected journalists in Accra. He stated that he has an Indenture covering the land. The chief said he is ready to provide proof of ownership of the land and further challenged any family or Stool that has the indenture of the Achimota Forest land to provide it. Nii Tettey Ofro Osro I, further stated that contrary to assertion that the Achimota Forest land was acquired in 1917, the acquisition was rather made in 1931. For this reason, he is calling on government to ignore any other family or stool that is claiming ownership of the Achimota Forest. The La Leshie Mantse revealed that the Achimota Forest land acquisition was spearheaded by the late La Mantse Nii Maale Dada IV and others (signatories Name and titles) which was signed by Humphrey Edward Gibson Bartlett on behalf of the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony in the presence of Yemofio who was the 1st DIV. Clerk, land Dept. Nii Leshie further revealed that when the British landed in Gold Coast, it was their grandparents who gave the Achimota Forest land out with proper documentation which can be found in the national archives. The document he added was signed by the District Commissioner and attested by some elders of La, which according to him will be provide to the government at the appropriate time. He further revealed that, there are documents to show that the British used part of the Achimota Forest land as a place to keep stones and other road construction materials for the construction of the Dodowa road for which compensations are yet to be paid to the people of La Leshie. He called on the government to as a matter of urgency meet the people of La Leshie to negotiate on how the compensation will be paid. He added that the La Leshie people will sit with the government to address the issue of the Land and the way forward. The chief indicated that the La Leshie people are in support of the government Green Ghana Agenda hence their call for negotiation. According to Nii Tettey Ofro Osro I, he will be writing to the government with his documentation related to the transaction on the Achimota forest land. He advises the Owoo family and the Osu stool claiming ownership of the land to go to Court than engaging in a media banter. According to him, all those claiming ownership of the Achimota Forest land are just throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaians to claim what does not belong to them. At a press conference on Tuesday, 17 May 2022, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Jinapor, said the government is returning 361 acres of land on the peripheries of the forest reserve in the national capital, to the custodial owners, since those lands have not been used for their intended purpose. This matter has stirred several controversies in the country as many beginning to suspect the policians of using the Owoos family to annex lands at the Achimota Forest Reserve. Trade between China and Africa is growing. The General Administration of Customs of China recently noted that bilateral trade between China and Africa amounted to USD 254.3 in 2021, an increase of 35.3% from 2020. In the first quarter of 2022, China's Customs Data confirmed that trade between the two regions increased by 23%, to USD 64. 8 million. Africa exported goods worth USD 105.9 billion to China, an increase of 43.7% from the previous year. China is increasingly importing agricultural products and manufacturing goods from Africa, in addition to its continued strong focus on oil, precious minerals and metals. African imports from China mainly focus on manufactured goods such as electronics, clothing and appliances, and technology. While COVID lockdown in the large port city of Shanghai and other large Chinese cities resulted in logistics bottlenecks, trade with Africa has not been severely impacted. China has continued to import African agricultural goods and raw materials, with food security and materials needed for the energy transition being prioritized. However, China's capacity to export products to Africa was temporarily affected by its strict lockdowns. Data from the Chinese Ministry further revealed that over the last 20 years, China's trade with Africa has risen 20-fold, showing that China is one of Africa's biggest bilateral trading partners. To balance the trade gap, China has also pledged to import USD 300 billion of African products by 2025. The country has also increased the amount of products that can be exported to China tariff-free. A recent report by Economist Corporate Network, supported by Baker McKenzie and Silk Road Associates, BRI Beyond 2020 (Economist report), showed how these strengthening trade links are, in part, a result of favourable financial incentives offered to African jurisdictions by China. According to the Economist report, 33 of the poorest jurisdictions in Africa export 97% of their exports to China with no tariffs and no customs duties. This report noted that bilateral trade was still heavily centred on Chinas import of Africas natural resources. However, in recent years China had increased its import of manufacturing products from more diversified economies such as South Africa. A Baker McKenzie report with Oxford Economics - AfCFTA: A Three Trillion Dollar Opportunity (AfCFTA report) - revealed that over three quarters of African exports to the rest of the world were still heavily focused on natural resources, but that on the import side, manufactured goods accounted for more than half the total volume of imports into African jurisdictions. Africas most important suppliers of manufactured goods were listed as Europe (35%) China (16%) and the rest of Asia, including India (14%). Infrastructure Africas strong reliance on foreign jurisdictions for its manufactured goods shows that for intra-regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to fully succeed, more jurisdictions in the region must develop their manufacturing bases and reduce their reliance on natural resources. As such, reliable transport infrastructure is vital for businesses in Africa to be able to scale up production for regional export. The continent also needs to redouble efforts to ensure that an adequate supply of water and electricity is available. Additional investments in utilities infrastructure will have the added benefit of incentivising foreign companies to set up production facilities on the continent. To aid Africa with these massive infrastructure needs, China has provided significant capital for key infrastructure projects in Africa in the last few years. A further Baker McKenzies report - New Dynamics: Shifting Patterns in Africas Infrastructure Funding (infrastructure report) - showed that lending by Chinese banks into energy and infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa saw a small uplift in 2020, despite the pandemic, although deal values were well below their 2017 peak. In 2017, Chinese banks lent USD 11 billion to African infrastructure projects, which decreased to USD 4.5 billion in 2018, USD 2.8 billion in 2019 and USD 3.3 billion in 2020. Overall, the numbers show that there has been a slowdown in the number of infrastructure deals from China, although they are by far still the biggest investors in the region. In the short-term, the report notes that more targeted lending from China is expected. Forum on China-Africa Trade Cooperation The Economist report pointed out that political and policy commitments between China and Africa have strengthened and expanded in their scope in recent years. Since its launch in 2000, the Forum on China-Africa Trade Cooperation (FOCAC) has focused on forming closer relationships between China and Africa. At FOCAC's latest conference, held at the end of 2021, China announced that it would move away from state-backed projects in Africa, partly due to the impact of COVID-19. Instead, the focus would be on increasing reciprocal China-Africa trade, incentivizing private firm investments from China into Africa and strengthening co-operation between the two regions. At the 2021 FOCAC conference, President Xi pledged USD 40 billion to infrastructure projects in Africa as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. Nine programs were identified as part of this initiative - medical and health; poverty reduction and agricultural development; trade promotion; investment promotion; digital innovation; green development; capacity building; cultural and people-to-people exchanges; and peace and security. Also discussed at the conference was China's intention to focus on bilateral cooperation with African countries with regard to aviation, finance, tourism, and the digital, marine and green economies. As Africa reduces its over-dependence on natural resources and increases its manufacturing capacity, it must also ensure it develops other industries in a sustainable way. To this end, the Economist report outlined how China and Africa have agreed to work together on improving Africas capacity for green, low-carbon and sustainable development, and to roll-out more than 50 projects on clean energy, wildlife protection, environment-friendly agriculture and low-carbon development. The trade in sustainable goods and services is also expected to reap benefits for the African continent in future years. Successful regional trade under AfCFTA will connect the regions wealthier and poorer nations, promote the growth of value chains and lay the foundations for increased international trade in the process. As free trade under AfCFTA takes hold, the existing strong trade ties that African jurisdictions already enjoy with China are expected to be further boosted. By Virusha Subban, Partner specialising in Customs and Trade, and Head of the Tax Practice, Baker McKenzie in Johannesburg One of the sponsors of the anti-LGBTQ bill in Parliament, Samuel Nartey George has given the Police 24 hours to pull down a billboard said be advertising LGBTQ activities in Ghana. The Ningo Prampram lawmaker said the bill board is an affront to the 1992 Constitution there if the Inspector General of Police fails to act , he and other citizens of this country will take action within the legal framework to destroy the bill board. As sponsors of the bill before Parliament and as Members of Parliament who represent the aspirations and will of the Ghanaian people, we have deemed it important to show up here today to register in the strongest term our displeasure, our discomfort and our abhorrence for unholy, uncultural and untraditional advertisement that has been put up on a very iconic road the N1, the Tema motorway. We are by this, calling on the Inspector General of Police Dr Akuffo Dampare to immediately, within the next twenty four hours, carry out the necessary security operations to ensure that this billboard, which is an affront to the 1992 Constitution is taken down in conjunction with the MCE for the area. Failure to take action, as citizens we will take action as enjoined by the Constitution to defend the Constitution, he said while he and some lawmakers and anti-gay activist such as Moses Foh-Amoaning, visited the location of the billboard on Thursday June 9. Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns over what they believe is an attempt to delay the passage of the anti-gay bill. Asawase Member of Parliament, Muntaka Mubarak said on the floor of the House, Wednesday June 8 that until the anti-gay bay is passed, even if the government introduces a bill that seeks to bring water to the people of his constituents, the NDC MPs will oppose it. Muntaka explained that since the anti-gay bill was introduced, several other bills have come to Parliament and passed by the House. He suspected a deliberate attempt not to approve the bill. So far, as this constitution is concerned when we introduce a bill in this house and it is before the committee that committee must not spend more than three months without coming to tell us reasons why it has to go beyond the three months. Since this is a matter that the Chair of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs wants to use to delay that bill, that bill was in this house before several other bills, I can assure you that any other bill introduced in this house, we shall resist it. Even if it is to provide water in Asawase we will resist it. We will make sure that that bill, as long as it stays there no other bill passes through this house. The controversial bill divided opinion in the Ghanaian public discourse. While some, particularly the religious and traditional groupings, supported the Bill and hopeful of its passing, others say it could incur the wrath of the international community against Ghana. The bill is being promoted by Ningo Prampram lawmaker Samuel Nartey George and some of his colleague legislators. ---3news.com 09.06.2022 LISTEN CHAPTER 1: Norways Turn at Judas Never a Quisling be. I remember stumbling upon this perfectly worded sentence years back as a kid, and being instantaneously wowed by it. There is some musicality to it; you cannot denynever a Quisling be. But as you know, lying behind this beauty is an ugly history from a not-so-distant pastfor a particular group of people, at least. Coming from a long line of preacherseight consecutive generations of preachers, to be precise, Vidkun Quisling could never stand anywhere and claim he had never heard of Judas and the fate that befell himcausally, by his own lips (a kiss), and consequently by his own hands (death by suicide). Yet Quisling was to undertake steps during the span of his eventful adult life that led to him becoming a Judasthe Judas of Norway. There comes a time in a persons life when they want to be something. So there was Quisling in 20th Century Europe, a Norwegian, an extremely brilliant young manso brilliant that one could understand his tireless and religious search for purpose He was twenty-four when he ditched the family profession of pastorship and joined the army. He was thirty-one when he left his home, Norway to Russia, then to Finland, then to Ukraine. This military officer was with these travels, and with the leadership and humanitarian edge he exhibited during these travels, slowly transformed into a diplomat. He returned to Norway no longer a military man, but a politician. And it was in politics that Quisling was plagued with yet another urge of wanting to be something. He wanted to be Prime Minister; to achieve this, he thought it best to create his own political partyso in 1933, he did. The Nasjonal Samling (the National Union), it was called. Having suffered a couple of defeats in the national elections with this political party of his, Quisling decided he needed another plan. He found a plan in war. It was 1939 and the Second World War had kickstarted with Germanys invasion of Poland. Knowing very well that the Nazi Party needed commodities like iron and ships to foster its war efforts, and knowing very well that these were commodities his own country, Norway could offer, Quisling, having tried and failed at the Presidency, devised a plan He was going to stage a coup. Quisling went to the Nazis with this proposal: I will stage a coup detat in my country, install myself as Prime Minister, and willingly open our national borders up for your occupation, so far as you support my claim at the throne. This got Hitlers attention. So Hitler, he said yes. The truth is Quisling, in this ambitious thinking, did not intend this so much an occupation as he did, a plan to deter the Allied powers from laying claim to Norway first. But this supposed nationalistic move of his was quite easily marred with his own selfish ambitionthe ambition of wanting to beof wanting to be ruler. Needless to say, things did not go as he expected. Arguably, Judas when he planted that kiss, intended it a con directed at the Roman soldiers, not a betrayal of Jesus per se. Because how many times during his time with Jesus, had he seen the Saviour escape from crowds of aggressors? Wasnt Jesus going to pull this same disappearing stunt on the Roman soldiers? Wasnt Judas going to walk away freely with that money, having supposedly played his part of finger-pointing (or in his case, mouth-pointing)everyone none the wiser? Wasnt the failure at capturing Christ going to be attributed to the ineffectiveness of the soldiers instead of the inadequacy of his intel given them? Ah, and wasnt Judas going to respond, yes to the question you want to bam ba, you wanna chill with the big boys?!, and go about on the frolic, a few Cedis richer? But what did Jesus do? Submitto Judas dismayto the arrest. Judas was left with no option but to find peace in self-imposed death. Quislings fate was no different, as the Germans pulled a fast one on himevery step of the way. He was to succeed at getting that Presidency, but was only a shell of a leadera ceremonial leader, an unceremonious leader. His plan had been for Norway to maintain its sovereignty, yet have its military defence outsourced to the then higher powerGermany. To live independently on a land and enjoy freely the fruits therefrom, and leave the strong to fight your national battles for you... this makes no sense, does it? In fact, not only was Norway put under the restrictions of German rule with this planned occupation, but on top of that, they were to find themselves mobilised and forcefully conscripted to fight German warsso much for an independent Norway outsourcing its defence to Germany. Naturally, this plan of a sovereign Norway allied with the then ubiquitous Germany was to come to not. Quisling was merely a puppetthe nations premier Puppet. A brilliant young man, a proven leader, he was to spend his years as Head of State tainted with insufficiency. Because if there is one thing we all know about puppets, gossips, traitors, and co., having encountered them in our workplaces, families, churches etc., is that they always shoot for the top, but they never get there. In fact, it is always for this top that they take to the art of puppeting, gossiping, and traitoring in the first place. Yet very interestingly, having been tainted with the servitude of puppeting, gossiping, and traitoring, they are never seen as persons deserving of leadershipnot even by the beneficiaries (e.g., puppeteers) of their acts themselves. And this was the fate that befell Quisling. He was to eventually fall with the fall of his puppeteerHitler and the Nazi regimein 1945. Death by firing squad, read his obituary. His legacy: treason, crime against humanity (having, among others, helped lay the foundation for the persecution and mass incarceration and incineration of Jews), war crimes, corruption, etc. He lays buried, doomed for eternityso doomed with history into perpetuity, so much so that if fraudulent White Jesus were true, one would know for certain that Judas would sooner get to heaven than Quisling ever could. Not only is he doomed in heaven but more poignantly on earthfor all eternity. The White folk, seeking to eradicate all instances of a re-occurrence of yet another Quisling, has made it a point to undertake full-fledge national ostracisation of such acts of un-patriotism and betrayaleven where the lines of these supposed betrayals are blurred. I mean, just look at what America did to Edward Snowden Betrayal done the White folk is supposedly betrayal felt so deeply that its perpetrators name becomes a word, subsumed in the English language as equivalent, globally, to traitorship. A citizen of a relatively small country has risen to sheer international prominence; hes been put on the global plane and derided; his name ditched into a global gutter, no person ever to be re-named that again; hes noted as traitor par excellence; his existence and betrayal to his homeland highlighted as consequential to the whole world so much so that as we speak, in the world ranking of top traitors of all time, a ranking which includes notorious names like Judas Iscariot, Quisling always ranks in the top fivesometimes he is fourth, sometimes hes third. Sometimes he even ranks higher than Judasthe betrayer of the Messiah himself. Why? Because this territory upon which he caused this betrayal happens to be largely WhiteEuropean. I tell you, betrayal done the White folk is presumably betrayal done the whole worlda pain felt more deeply. Weve spent too much time on this matter, lets move on to the next chapter CHAPTER 2: Russia v. Ukraine Is Telling Us Something Have you ever met those kinds of people who would brush off whatever situation it is youre going through should you make a mistake of, for fraternity sake, informing them of your fate, but when they are to be faced with same or situations smaller than yours, they demand of you and the whole world around them, utmost attention and audienceas though to say, World, stop whatever it is youre doing, come and see what has happened to me! Whereupon should you remind them of the fact that youve been faced with something worse, a fate of which they themselves belittled, they would respond impliedly or sometimes explicitly, But now, its happening to me! Emphasis on the me. Ladies and gentlemen, this is what we have unsurprisingly been presented with in the case of Russia v. Ukraine. Not that this has not happened countless times before. But now, in the wake of the White folks supposed wokeness, one would think we would witness from them, a much better jab at introspectiveness and I dare say, wisdom. As Russias claim on sovereign Ukraine proceeded vehemently, we all received the shock of our lives as media reportage, in print, on TV, on the internet, etc. spewed nonsenses such as: Its very emotional for me because I see European people with blonde hair and blue eyes being killed every day with Putins missiles and his helicopters and his rockets, said Ukraines former deputy general prosecutor on BBC, to which the BBC presenter responded, I understand, and of course respect the emotion. Score one for stupidity. Yes, we are keeping scores. Now the unthinkable has happened to them [Ukrainians], and this is not a developing, Third World nation; this is Europe! One reporter lamented on ITV News. So you see, if this Ukrainian wahala had happened to a developing, supposed third world nation like Ghana, in the eyes of this reporter and many people like him it would be totally normal. There would be nothing tragic or excruciatingly sad about it on the international plane. But you see, this is happening to the Europeanladies and gentlemen, the European! So the world must join this dim reporter in grieving more viscerally. One British journalist wrote in The Telegraph, They seem so like us. That is what makes it so shocking. Ukraine is a European country. Its people watch Netflix and have Instagram accounts, vote in free elections and read uncensored newspapers. War is no longer something visited upon impoverished and remote populations. Now, dont get too excited thinking that your Netflix and Instagram accounts would qualify you, in the eyes of this journalist, as deserving of global attention should this Ukrainian fate befall you. Because the keyword here, you see, is European. Well, White European. This isnt a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan that has seen conflict raging for decades. This is a relatively civilised, relatively EuropeanI have to choose those words carefullycity where you wouldnt expect that, or hope that its not going to happen. One CBS news senior correspondent pulled one of the stupidest comment yet out of his anal region and splashed it on the rest of us all. And notice how he said he had chosen his words carefullythis stupidity spewed was in that Eurocentrically raptured mind, so spewed out of care. One can only imagine the actual nonsense he intended to say. There is another layer to this dense comment. We witness Ukraine insulted and degraded too, because apparently they are relatively civilised, and they are relatively European. In his dim Eurocentric mind, European is in itself a status of civilisationthe highest status of being. But the Ukrainian they are, according to this commentator, just civilised and European enough to merit better treatment and attention from this world of cause and effect. There is yet another layer to this silly comment: the part about Ukraine (being relatively in Europe, according to this commentator) being a place where one would not hope such a tragedy would happen. Pardon us asking: who is doing this hoping? This hoping where such a people are deemed not deserving of such ill-fate as those of us in non-White territories should sufferwhos doing this hoping? According to him, its the whole world. Why, because wont Africa sooner wish upon themselves such a fate, than they would, any European nation? Score four for stupidity. Were not talking here about Syrians fleeing the bombing of the Syrian regime backed by Putin, were talking about Europeans leaving in cars that look like ours to save their lives. This was said by a French journalist on the nations premier news channel. Someone tell the supposed sub-humans of Syria that a higher set of beings are suffering the same fate as themso they should suffer silently, I guess. An Al Jazeera English presenter came in with, Looking at them, the way they are dressed, these are prosperous middle-class people. These are not obviously refugees looking to get away from areas in the Middle East that are still in a big state of war. These are not people trying to get away from areas in North Africa. They look like any European family that you would live next door to. Ah! Is there ever an effective belittling without the mentioning of Africa? A French parliamentarian, in an attempt of extending an open arms to the Ukrainian refugees, is said to have described them as an immigration of great quality, intellectuals, one that we will be able to take advantage of.. Never has the refugee status received such status. In showing support for these Ukrainians, politicians, journalists, and all such persons having recognisable voices, have used words such as intellectuals and European in description of these peopleand have in so doing, done so in supposed contrasts against brown and black people of the Middle East, Africa, etc. I mean, we can ignore the explicit blue eyes, blond, and they look like us descriptions used by White commentators, and argue that by European, they mean Europeans of all colours. But then again, we are all bearing witness to the hard time Black people are facing at those Ukrainian bordersbeing made to give room firstly for the escapes of their White counterparts in this very crucial bid at fleeing. Many are calling this racismmany are referring back to this decadent word, racism in description of this all. But over here in this column, we call it, quite bluntly, a lack of wisdom and insight (what we actually mean to say, is stupidity)and then there is that infamous selective amnesia weve talked about on numerous occasions right here in this column. The White selective amnesia. In this article, we shall refrain from calling all these people racist, and shall go with the right description instead, dim-wittedmomentary dim-wittedness, for some of them at least. We do hope that what it was that was suffered by them that they made such comments was temporary enough that they would accept this description of momentary dim-wittednesswhereupon such lapse in mental prowess shown by them would be forgiven. Anything outside this would mean dim-wittedness in perpetuity. But frankly, do you know whats funny about these whole Russia-Ukraine dense commentaries? It is the fact that when it comes to this world commodity called war, it is the White folks who have done them so consistently, ruthlessly, and unapologetically. All the great warscross-national, multinational, civil, unrests, etc. and the consequent instabilities, displacements, arising therefrom have been done very largely by White folk in their individual histories of nationhood. But of course, suffering this selective amnesia, they are too quick to very conveniently forget, and treat any re-occurrence as an abnormality. Oh sweet amnesia, thou art abundant! Before we move on to the next chapter, we must quickly note that having been Eurocentrically trained as those of us in Africa characteristically are, it is to be expected that the gravity of the above-listed stupidities might just be lost on some of us. We shall refer back to something Nelson Mandela wrote in his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, a matter we have already discussed in the article Willingly, Your Ideological Slave. Mandela wrote: While I was walking in the city one day, I noticed a white woman in the gutter gnawing on some fish bones. She was poor and apparently homeless, but she was young and not unattractive. I knew of course that there were poor whites, whites who were every bit as poor as Africans, but one rarely saw them. I was used to seeing black beggars on the street, and it startled me to see a white one. While I normally did not give to African beggars, I felt the urge to give this woman money. In that moment I realised the tricks apartheid plays on one, for the everyday travails that afflict Africans are accepted as a matter of course, while my heart immediately went out to this bedraggled white woman. In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy. Mandela has spoken; now to the real matter at hand CHAPTER 3: The Matter Spoil So the IGP sent a four-page letter. Coming into this matter against this global backdrop of a misguided White superiority, you know that the sentence so the IGP sent a four-page letter is written with a hint of prideyou know what lets be frank, more than a hint. And of course, this particular headline is arguably old news. But what are we to do, this is a weekly column, we had to wait for this week to dissect the matter. And in fact, the matter contained within the letter, or the fine lines of the letter are, sadly, still as pertinentand weve found this to be very true following the media reportage derived from the Russia-Ukraine rift. And it is this: the White folk, for some strange reasonand a credence given them by people like us, Black folks, having suffered a gory, servile history in their handsthink themselves, quite bluntly a better race, on all fronts. Their individual prowess, they deem better. Their collective ability at nation building, they deem bettereven though their nation building has been largely blood, gory, and death-enabledour blood, gory, and deaths, to be precise. And even their pain, they deem betterwhen misfortune befalls them, they deem it an abnormality, they deem them situations requiring immediate solutionsno road is bad road in this search for remedies. [Without bothering with the legality of the matterwithout making reference to the written text of law, i.e., the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and on capacity (i.e., the IGPs), we are going to have to dissect this matter as briefly as possible because time (or ink) is far-spent.] One cannot help but sniff a hint of a cognisance of this backdrop in this letter issued the British High Commissioner by the Inspector General of Police. Ordinarily, the Ghana Police Service would not have responded to comments such as yours, obviously made from either a biased or uninformed position Dr. George Akuffo Dampare famously wrote in his letter addressed to the British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompsona response to that tweet of hers that read, convenor of #FixThe Country movement arrested again, I understand for a motor offence on his way to court. Ill be interested to see where this goes The letter goes on to raise the issue of legality and alleges a breach thereofon the part of the High Commissioner, that is. Having considered silence on the matter, i.e., the tweet, the letter sends us through the thinking of the IGP, choosing this time around not to stay quiet in satisfaction of some supposed notion of diplomacy. He does so with fifteen solid questions. There comes a time in a persons life when they want to be something. And in this era of social media, where instant gratifications for our sense of self is sought each and every dayeach and every tweet, every picture and written text posted on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and co., is very often so done for instant gratification sake. And this bane of wanting to instantaneously be something, a person having climbed to the position of High Commissioner is not automatically free of. So then, a tweet, barely two sentences long, with ellipsis at its end, implying that there is more the writer would want to say and is privy to but chooses not to... Press sendand right there and then, instant gratification is derived on a matter a person perhaps knows very little of. In this particular case, it does not help matters that the person doing the tweeting is clothed in a skin that has, and is still quite plainly, claiming a throne of global superiorityovertly and covertly. Would you blame us then, for misinterpreting or interpreting this tweet, and reading into it, the supposed world dynamic of the White teacher and a forceful Black student?no matter how supposedly well-intended this tweet was? Such comments tend to read as though, by default, we never know what we are doingthat we need help and supervision. Ordinarily, we would dismiss this as reading too much into a thing a simple as a tweet. But then again, within these past weeks, the Russia-Ukraine War has been telling us something. It behoves of us to listen. I, for one, see why the IGPs letter might be getting a bad rap from some campsbecause four pages long! Eh, many think the response might just be a tad too long for a two-sentence tweet. Kindly go back and reread this letter and tell me if there wasnt a way to condense that whole thing into three pages instead. Eh, perhaps the fonts could have been made smaller, and the spacing, tighter. Overall, the fourth page could have been squeezed in with the rest to make three pagesbut thats one persons opinion. Also, on the matter of the language of the letterhow it sounded... Too harsh, some think. I, for one, think in selecting the Ghanaian language to use for that Ghanaian adage, the IGP could have perhaps gone with Akuapim Twi instead, and said something to the tune of, Mepakyew se, di wo fie asem. That would have solved this whole harshness issue. But then again, thats one persons opinion. But I do hope Harriet Thompson got the time to read that letter. I hope she looked closely at those crucial fifteen questions raised. And I do hope she will find introspection enough, to be able to answer each question with the sentence: I am deeply sorry. Then again, this would depend on the sincere conclusion her introspection brings her to. Otherwise she can just forget the matter, sweep it under the carpet, after all we are a people whose reparation never came. We will be totally fine. I guess. [Published in the Business & Financial Times (B&FT) - 9th June, 2022] The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has commended the Tema Lube Oil Company (TLOC) for successfully acquiring the requisite International Organization for standardization (ISOs) certification. The certifications include ISO 9001: 2015, in Quality Management System, 14001: 2015, Environment Management, and ISO 45001: 2018 in Occupation Health and Safety Management System. Madam Alpha Welbeck, NPA Director of Economic Regulations and Planning who gave the commendation on behalf of the Authority mentioned that indeed the position of the company confirmed that recognizing the importance of the private sector brought efficiency, growth, and value under the right enabling environment. Madam Welbeck stated at the 30th Anniversary launch of the Tema Lube Oil Company (TLOC) which is on the theme 30 years of producing world-class lubricant, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. The NPA Director of Economic Regulations and Planning noted that the theme for the celebration summed up what the company had been up to over the past three decades producing world-class lubricants. Your hard work and dedication have paid off and to see that the company whose establishment was as a result of governments decision and in line with its policy on privatization is still on its feet celebrating its 30th anniversary, she added. Madam Welbeck also reaffirmed that NPA would not relent on its mandate to support businesses it regulates to succeed by providing the necessary support and collaboration in areas including licensing, and certification compliance among others. She said the Authority is mandated to monitor and oversee petroleum industries to thrive to boost the economy. After all the relevance and continuous existence of the regulator is tied to the success of the business that we regulate, she added. Mr. Alex Josiah Adzew, Board of Chairman of Tema Lube Oil Company said the contribution of lube oil to the economy of the country could not be overemphasized and urged Ghanaians to patronize lube oil as it was of high quality. Mr. Adzew urged the public to patronize Tema Lube Oil Company products which included engine oils, industrial oils, gear oils, hydraulic oils, other machine oils, and others to enable them to provide more of such projects to schools, hospitals, and the communities. Mr. Amos Donkor, Managing Director of the Tema Lube Oil Company said since the inception of the company, we have been adding on to everything we have, the manpower, list of achievement, areas we deal in within to the enthusiasm and dedication for work and responsibility, in our view we have made the dreams of our forefathers come through. He however said the proliferation of very lowly priced substandard lubricants into the market negatively impacted the volumes significantly adding that the absence of legalizing a National Minimum Standard for lubrication is a major contribution to the phenomenon. 09.06.2022 LISTEN The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of the Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that the lack of agricultural processing companies is hindering the growth of the sector as most of the farm products ended up getting rotten. When you dont have a processing plant you think you are producing enough but when you do, you realize that the capacity of those processing plants in a day to a month, would expose your production level you may be struggling to even have enough of the foodstuffs to feed the industry, Mr Edward T. Kareweh, GAWU General Secretary stated in a media encounter as monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. Mr Kareweh explained Its just like when you cook food and you dont have a freezer to store it, how much can you eat? And therefore, called on the government to establish modern processing plants and factories to process agricultural products for local and international markets. The GAWU General Secretary said that such a major move would help solve postharvest losses which is a challenge to farmers. One of the things with agriculture is that the products are bulky and perishable so you need to process it to expand its lifestyle, if you take tomatoes, you know that the raw tomatoes cannot stay for long unless you are able to can it, he stated. Mr Kareweh explained that processing perishable foods preserved it to be safe to be eaten beyond the harvest season and also create more employment for the youth to boost the countrys Gross Domestic Product. He added that it was also a sure way of boosting the agricultural industry to match the increasing demand for both local consumption and exportation as well as preserving food for the citizens during unforeseen circumstances. The National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) has rolled out strategic objectives aimed at empowering the population to prevent new HIV infections, and ensure the availability of and accessibility towards prevention, treatment, care, and support services. The strategies were also geared toward mitigating the social and economic effect of HIV on persons infected and affected by HIV and subsequently ensuring the availability of adequate funding to execute the policy strategies. Dr. Stephen Ayisi-Addo, NACP Programme Manager stated during the 13th edition of the Ghana News Agency-Tema Regions Stakeholders Engagement and Workers Appreciation Day Seminar, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. The GNA Tema Stakeholder Engagement is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues and serves as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters toward national development in general and the growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub. Other speakers include Ms. Fatimata Mahami, Tema Regional Director for Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) who spoke on "Is the fight against corruption a mirage or reality, Perspective of CHRAJ". Speaking on the topic; Ghanas HIV strategies in line with the global health strategy for HIV, STI and Viral Hepatitis; An integrated approach to prevention. Dr. Ayisi-Addo revealed that NACP has initiated the combination of prevention and treatment for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), as one of the strategies. He said the Programme was determined to continue implementing key policies geared toward accelerating the progress of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Dr Ayisi-Addo said it was the goal of the NACP to achieve epidemic control and fast track targets of 95-95-95 by 2025 as a means of accelerating the global target to end the epidemic by 2030. The 95-95-95 targets which was launched globally by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has the aim of diagnosing 95 per cent of all HIV positive persons, put at least 95 per cent of those diagnosed on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and also achieve viral suppression for 95 per cent of those on treatment by 2025. "There was also the provision of timely Pre-Exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis to Key Populations and persons exposed to HIV, he said. Dr Ayisi-Addo noted that NACP has also initiated the implementation of HIV self-testing, and the effective integration of HIV services to ensure universal health coverage. He indicated that these targets and commitments in Ghanas HIV Strategy which was in line with that of the Global Strategy when achieved, would ensure that the number of people who newly acquired HIV would decrease from 1.7 million in 2019 to less than 370, 000 by 2025, and the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses would also decrease from 690,000 in 2019 to less than 250,000 in 2025. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has disclosed that corruption-related activities were negatively affecting foreign investment. Corruption is also fuelling the unemployment rate in the country, especially among the youth who are ready and willing to work but there are no existing jobs, Ms. Fatimata Mahami, the Tema Regional Director for CHRAJ has said. Ms. Mahami was speaking at the 13th Edition of the Stakeholders Engagement And Worker's Appreciation Day Seminar of the Tema Regional Office of the Ghana News Agency on the theme: "Is the fight against corruption a mirage or reality, Perspective of CHRAJ" which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema. The GNA Tema Stakeholder Engagement is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues and serves as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters toward national development in general and the growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub. The engagement also saw Dr. Stephen Ayisi-Addo, Programme Manager, the National AIDS/STI Control Programme who spoke on the topic: "Ghana's HIV strategies in line with the global health strategy for HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis; An integrated approach to prevention. Ms. Mahami noted that corruption was a threat to national development, dents the democratic credentials of the country, and affects the stability of the nation adding that it usually distorts markets, and curbs economic growth. She explained that the act does not only discourage foreign investment but also erodes public services and trust in officials. "Corruption increases the cost of doing business. For instance, if you are in a public office supposed to give people some services then you demand bribes or envelopes whether directly or indirectly you make things difficult just because you want them to give you something. It really increases the cost of doing business in the country," she bemoaned. Ms. Mahami indicated that corruption does not promote economic growth, foreign and domestic investments in the short run hence the need for the citizenry to be diligent in their actions and inactions to end the menace. The CHRAJ Tema Director said corruption remained a major challenge for the country with its impact on investments and economic growth scaring the country from development. According to her, corruption in Ghana has limited economic growth by reducing investment activities through the increase of transaction costs, leading to misallocation of resources and undermining functions of policy institutions. Ms. Mahami said corruption simply means using trusted power for private gains which in the end weakens policymaking and implementation and destroys public confidence in the government. She indicated that CHRAJ over the years has used a series of approaches to protect integrity and combat corruption hence the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP), to fight against corruption and to promote national development among numerous initiatives. The Tema Director of CHRAJ noted that the Commission had an online portal where people lodge complaints including districts without offices and urged Ghanaians especially stigmatized victims to log onto the site and lodge their complaints. Ms. Mahami said the cases which were received online were followed up and given equal attention whether it is to address torture, inhuman and degrading treatment meted out against vulnerable members of the society, especially women and children Go to the website and lodge a complaint, put your details there, and a focal officer will contact the person for the commencement of the necessary action, she said. She urged the public to report corruption and inhuman activities to the Commission to enhance the right of every Ghanaian citizen. Mr. Francis Ameyibor, the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager in welcoming remarks tasked the media to continue to lead strong advocacy that will make the grounds infertile for corruption to thrive. He said the fight against corruption will bear no fruit without the active participation of the media in raising awareness of its dangers, both in the public and private sectors and enlightening the citizenry of their duty to combat it. 09.06.2022 LISTEN The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has revealed that through the trade facilitation agreements the division is about eliminating non-tariff barriers to trade which was estimated to constitute an alarming 214 percent of trade cost. These trade barriers are what we call red tapes and these red tapes are what we intend to eliminate. In line with the TFA, we are embarking on simplification, harmonisation, transparency, and modernisation of our systems, Ms. Daina Ayorkor Agbenyega, Principal Officer, at the Policy and Programmes Unit at the GRA Customs Division has stated. Ms. Agbenyega who was speaking at a media forum organized by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) in Tema and monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) said when the processes were simplified and transparent, more investments would come in, trade volumes would increase and more taxes would be collected. She added that as such, measures have been instituted for Customs authorities to implement to achieve the trade facilitation objectives, saying the Revised Kyoto Convention which Ghana was a signatory to, required all Customs authorities to enhance processes toward the simplification, harmonization, and predictability of systems. She also outlined measures to scientifically ascertain the average time for the clearing of cargoes at Ghanas Ports. She said the Customs Division of the GRA has commenced a time-release study in line with international best practices, which is expected to fully begin this month and be completed by January 2023. It would be funded by the USAID and GIZ with technical assistance from the World Customs Organisation. Ms Agbenyaga said the study was part of GRAs strategic actions to enhance administrative efficiency, adding that it also aligned with Ghanas commitment to the Trade Facilitation Agreements at the international level. She said although Customs have a fair estimate of the average time of clearance at the ports, the trade facilitation agreements required them to publish results using scientific processes. She noted that the recommended and approved tool for customs administrations is the World Customs Organisation Time Release Study (WCO TRS) Tool across the world and that is what we want to use to undertake the study so we can officially publish it based on empirical evidence, so it can be recognised internationally. The Custom Principal Officer explained that the study would also fish out the operational inefficiencies which were not associated with the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS). She said, for instance, the study would ascertain how long it would take for the laboratory to take samples and provide an analysis of a product, emphasising that the study would not be limited to customs processes but would examine the entire clearance chain. Ms Agbenyaga stated that the study would cover the Tema Collection, the Kotoka International Airport, the Paga, and Aflao Collections to have a well-represented sample size. She said customs authorities around the world were being encouraged to simplify processes and expedite trade by saving time and money. Snapshot of CCTV report The US recently announced the plan to hold the Rim of the Pacific 2022 (RIMPAC 2022) from June 29 to August 4, news came from US media. The exercise, on a larger scale than before, will involve participants from 26 countries, including five countries bordering the South China Sea. American media called it the largest naval exercise, which they claimed was in response to the military tension in the South China Sea. According to military observer Cao Weidong, by inviting more out-of-region countries to participate in the RIMPAC 2022, the US hopes for their support on the South China Sea issue. Unfortunately, those countries may not side with it as it wishes. Initiated in 1971, the RIMPAC exercise was originally aimed to reinforce the interoperability between the US and its military allies considering Soviet Unions activities in the Pacific Ocean. After the Soviet Union collapsed, the exercise was kept but its purpose was reinvented from blockading the Soviet navy to dealing with regional disputes. Cao pointed out that the US used to invite Russia and China to participate because, at that time, counter-terrorism was the chief goal of its military operations. But things have changed in 2018, after the country went back to the Cold-War thinking and adopted the major country confrontation principle, it no longer invited Russia and China. Besides, the contents of the exercise were more aggressive, expanding from seizing air supremacy over the sea and sea supremacy to fostering the sea-to-land strike capability. He analyzed that as a country outside the South China Sea region, the US is the mastermind behind the RIMPAC while all the participating countries are its chess pieces that will be divided into various groups and assigned different tasks according to the status of their equipment. For example, the RIMPAC exercise commander is usually American or Japanese, sometimes with an Australian deputy commander, thus marginalizing other countries as far as commanding is concerned. For anti-missile air defense subjects, usually only Japan and ROK are invited because they use American-standard missiles that can intercept and attack objects flying at a high altitude and high speed. Other countries, because they have no such equipment nor the clearance to share intelligence and information, are not qualified to participate in such subjects. As a result, the participating countries are on guard against each other, thinking the US has been partial in the assignment of roles. In fact, these countries have their own ax to grind in taking part in the exercise. They have no interest in joining the major-country confrontation in the future, but just want to take the opportunity to learn more about other countries naval strengths and their naval equipment development. The exercise is more of an opportunity to learn and observe for them, said Cao. He added that countries around the South China Sea are generally on good terms with China and have reached agreements with us on the South China Sea issue. That is conducive to preserving peace and stability in the region. Editor's Note: This article is originally published on military.cnr.cn, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. After nine years of gathering, cleaning, processing and interpolating data, an international team of researchers this week released the second version of the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO v2). The Southern Ocean is a major component of the coupled ocean-atmosphere climate system and includes the largest ocean current on Earth, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. It is furthermore the most important ocean region for the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide and heat from the atmosphere and cold and dense bottom waters form on the shelves surrounding Antarctica. Interactions of the Southern Ocean with Antarctic glaciers and ice shelves are the main drivers of present, past, and future Antarctic ice sheet mass balance and thus global sea-level change. Biologically, the Southern Ocean is a high-productivity area with high biodiversity. It is also one of the most remote and harshest areas of the world with extensive sea-ice cover and year-round severe weather conditions. Despite its remoteness and hostility, human activities are increasingly extending into this distant part of the world, examples including research, fisheries, and tourism. Precise bathymetric information are paramount to better understand the Southern Ocean and its processes as well as for human activities and conservation and management measures. No matter where you travel or work, you need a map for orientation, said Dr. Boris Dorschel-Herr, head of bathymetry with the Alfred Wegener Institute at the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research. Thats why virtually all oceanographic disciplines rely on detailed maps of the ocean floor. For example, the seafloor topography of the Southern Ocean is essential to understanding a range of climate-relevant processes. Warm water masses flow into deep troughs in the continental shelf towards the ice shelves and glaciers of the Antarctic, affecting how they melt. Conversely, the stability and calving behavior of glaciers and ice sheets greatly depend on the features of the ground beneath them. With the IBCSO v2, we have delivered the best and most detailed representation of the Southern Ocean to date. The first IBCSO map (IBCSO v1) of the area south of 60S was released in 2013. The new version of IBCSO now covers the entire area south of the 50th parallel which means 2.4 times as much seafloor as the first version at a high resolution of 500 by 500 m, Dr. Dorschel-Herr said. As a result, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the key oceanographic gateways essential to understanding it the Drake Passage and the Tasmanian Passage are included in their entirety. The chart is based on more than 25.5 billion measurements supplied by 88 institutions in 22 countries. The map and the complex methods used to create it were described in the journal Scientific Data and the information system PANGAEA. _____ Boris Dorschel et al. 2022. The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean Version 2. Sci Data 9, 275; doi: 10.1038/s41597-022-01366-7 Boris Dorschel et al. 2022. The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean Version 2 (IBCSO v2). PANGAEA, doi: 10.1594/PANGAEA.937574 The appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor for the University for Development Studies (UDS) has suffered another setback following a court injunction. The motion filed by Kodjoduga Adawudo, counsel for Emmanuel Osabutey, a former student of the University who is a plaintiff, is restraining the University, its Council Chair and the registrar from declaring Professor Seidu Alhassan as the Vice Chancellor of the University. The court has also placed an interlocutory injunction on Professor Seidu Alhassan from holding himself as the Vice Chancellor of the University until a final determination is made by the court. Already, there are contradictory statements from the University. While various chiefs including the overlord of Dagbon, Ya Na Abukari II, have written to congratulate Professor Seidu Alhassan on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of the University, a statement came from the office of the Registrar last week, indicating that, the University had not appointed anyone to such position. The Registrar later issued a statement to disclaim the earlier rejoinder. The tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye, ends in August, with a new Vice Chancellor expected to take office on the 1st of September 2022. However, the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor by the search committee has so far been embroiled in controversy. Citi News has seen on social media, a letter signed by the Council Chairman for the UDS, Professor Wayo Seini, appointing Professor Seidu Alhassan as the new Vice Chancellor. However, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has written to the University to provide it with details of the minutes of the Committee meeting. Sources at the University have told Citi News that, there is deep internal wrangling which is affecting the appointment process. ---citinewsroom 09.06.2022 LISTEN The Sunyani Technical University (STU) is hosting the Bono regional edition of the Green Ghana Day event on Friday June 10, 2022, as part of activities marking this years World Environment Day. The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene is joining the Vice-Chancellors of the Sunyani Technical University and the University of Energy and Natural Resources as well as officials of the Forestry Commission and other institutions to kick-start the planting of about one million trees in various parts of the region. A statement issued by STU ahead of the event said as we celebrate our 55th Anniversary this year, the Management, staff and students are committed to planting and nurturing two thousand trees on the Green Ghana Day as a legacy project aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change. About Green Ghana The Green Ghana initiative, introduced last year, seeks to create enhanced national awareness of the necessity for collective action toward restoration of degraded landscape in the country and inculcate in youth the value of planting and nurturing trees and their associated benefits It further seeks to mitigate watersheds, enhance livelihoods towards communities through engagement in the production of tree seedlings and beautify our communities and environment in general. This years Green Ghana Day is under the theme, Mobilizing for a Greener Future. Reports indicate that the controversial LGBTQ+ billboard on the N1 Tema motorway has been pulled down. This was after the Member of Parliament for the Ningo Prampram constituency, Mr. Sam Nartey George and other group members gave the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo Dampare 24hours to pull it down. He said failure to do so will compel them to use the powers of 1992 Constitution to ensure that the LGBTQ+ billboard is pulled by themselves. Sam George, who is the lead promoter of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, together with some other members of the Anti LGBTQ+ group addressed the press on the issue on Thursday morning, June 9, 2022. According to him, the erection of the said billboard violates section 104 of the Criminal Offenses Act of Ghanas 1992 Constitution, and as such the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo Dampare must join hands with the MCE of the area to pull it down. We are by this calling on the IGP to immediately within the next 24 hours carry out the necessary security operations to ensure that this billboard which is an affront to the 1992 constitution is taken down in conjunction with the MCE for the area. Failure to take action, as citizens we will take action as enjoined in our constitution to defend the constitution," he declared. Mr. Sam George registered his displeasure after hearing over the weekend that a billboard, which seeks to promote LGBTQ+ activities has been mounted on the N1 Tema motorway. "...over the weekend our attention was drawn to an illegality, we realized that a billboard promoting the activities LGBTQ+ community have been mounted along the motorway, as sponsors of the bill in parliament and as Members of Parliament we have deemed it necessary to show up here to register in the strongest way our displeasure and our discomfort for this unholy and untraditional advertisement that has been put up on a very iconic road the N1 Tema motorway," he stated. Mr. Sam George has since 2021 been fighting for the illegalization of the anti-gay bill currently before Parliament. 09.06.2022 LISTEN The Executive Director of the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG), Francis Dadzie has indicated that the LGBT+ billboard causing controversy in town did not go through due process before it was mounted. Last week, a billboard portraying LGBT was seen in the capital on the Accra-Tema Motorway. Today, the billboard has become the talk of town after Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George demanded its removal by the Ghana Police Service. Speaking on the matter in an interview with Citi News this evening, AAG Executive Director Francis Dadzie has stressed that the MP and any other person that calls for the pulling down of the billboard has a case. According to him, the LGBT billboard just like almost 80% of billboards seen in town did not go through the right processes. It didnt go through the process. I know that it didnt go through the process. It is required that any billboard that goes through that process will have a sticker on the board as to who owns the billboard. In the situation that we find ourselves in it, itll obvious that it did not go through that process, Francis Dadzie noted. The AAG Director added, The advertising standards and code of ethics says a billboard must be legal, must be decent, must take into consideration the countrys own cultural practices when you are putting up such things. This did not go through that process. Meanwhile, information gathered this evening indicates that the LGBT billboard has finally been pulled down. Ghana will host the Study in India Expo 2022 later this month at a two-day event scheduled to be held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra from June 13 to 14, 2022. The Expo will provide relevant information to students on higher education options in India, admission criteria & procedures, scholarships, etc. Affairs Exhibitions & Media from India in association with Study in India- a flagship project under the Ministry of Education, Government of India as a Lead Partner The expo is supported by the High Commission of India Accra, India Africa Trade Council, and Periyar African Foundation. Study In India Expo will open up the doors of all possibilities for African students to connect with a large number of premier universities and colleges from India, interact with the heads & faculties of the admissions, and learn more about higher education opportunities in India, all under one roof. "India has been a land of knowledge and believes in sharing it with the world. Consequently, EdCIL (India) Limited continues to propagate the sharing of knowledge through the Study in India Programme. The Study in India Expo: West Africa, aims at highlighting the thriving Indian higher education system and how it can benefit the African students wishing to study in India. Do come in great numbers and explore more at the Study in India pavilion, says Shri Sandeep Goel, Head of Study in India. Study in India program facilitates the inflow of international students to study in India at globally recognized premier institutions across India. This is a truly commendable initiative of the Government of India in making esteemed Indian universities seats of a global multicultural audience. Mr. Sanjeev Bolia, Founder and Managing Director of AFAIRS Exhibitions and Media Pvt. Ltd., explains, "The rising numbers year on year of foreign students studying in India has made India one of the most lucrative destinations for higher and school education. We are happy to provide a common platform through Study in India Expo to the global students and parents in Asia and the Middle East to meet and interact with prestigious Indian Institutions, under one roof. Find more on the Study in India Expo 2022 in the press release below: Consumption of polyphenol- and nitrate-rich foods, such as the beetroot, the bright-red veggie more often found in the Ukrainian borsch than a breakfast smoothie, may provide trivial beneficial effects for endurance exercise performance, according to a new review of previous studies by University of South Australia scientists. Increasing bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule that is involved in numerous physiological processes, may induce physiological effects that enhance endurance exercise performance, said University of South Australia Ph.D. candidate Noah DUnienville and his colleagues. Our review sought to evaluate the performance effects of consuming foods containing compounds that may promote nitric oxide bioavailability. In their review study, the authors analyzed data from 118 studies involving 1,872 participants from 25 countries. They evaluated the effect of consuming nitrate-rich foods (typically green leafy vegetables), foods that contain polyphenols (such as berries, cherries and cocoa), L-citrulline (found in watermelon) and L-arginine (found in seafood, nuts, seeds, soy protein isolate and watermelon) on exercise endurance performance. They found that the nitrate levels contained in beetroot, which have been shown to boost blood flow and increase the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to muscles during exercise, helped athletes perform better more quickly. Similarly, the polyphenols in grapes, cherries and pine bark extract helped protect nitrate from degradation in the body, boosting stamina. And, despite the ability of L-citrulline to boost nitric oxide production in the body, consuming watermelon did not boost exercise performance. These findings provide further evidence of foods as natural endurance enhancers, DUnienville said. Theres a lot of interest in nitrate-rich and polyphenol-rich foods because of their potential to boost exercise performance, but just because they contain these elements, doesnt mean this will translate into improved exercise performance. While our study shows that beetroot (among other foods) can boost performance, other nitrate-rich foods such as red spinach, Swiss chard and rhubarb, did not show similar benefits. Also, while grapes, pine bark extract, and sour cherries can help athletes perform better and faster, we found no effects for other polyphenol-rich foods, including blackcurrant, cocoa, ginseng, green tea or raisins. While these foods were effective in boosting exercise performance and building stamina, their effects did discriminate, said University of South Australia Professor Jon Buckley. The results did show that more significant effects among athletes who were less fit, and also that men were more likely to benefit from these foods than women. Certainly, there were some limitations with the sample size of women, but this finding does suggest further investigation is warranted. All in all, we know that trying to get fit takes time and effort but add a glass of beetroot juice to your training schedule and you just might see the difference. The results were published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. _____ N.M.A. dUnienville et al. 2021. Effect of food sources of nitrate, polyphenols, L-arginine and L-citrulline on endurance exercise performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 18, 76; doi: 10.1186/s12970-021-00472-y Page Content On Monday, May 30th, a United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) delegation consisting of the Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Costa Rica, Panama and the Dutch and English-speaking Caribbean countries, the Head of Programs, and the Principal Technical Advisor for Infrastructure and Project management met with the Council of Ministers (CoM) for the kick-off to the first official work visit by UNOPS to Sint Maarten for the prisons new construction project. On behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, UNOPS received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Silveria E. Jacobs, Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson, Minister of VROMI Egbert J. Doran and Minister of Finance Ardwell M.R. Irion. During the meeting, Prime Minister Jacobs expressed her delight with the arrival of the delegation to Sint Maarten. Minister Richardson shared the Prime Ministers sentiments and expressed her gratitude to UNOPS and the Dutch Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) for the work visit finally materializing, as it had been part of the technical discussions for quite some time. During the meeting, a presentation was given by UNOPS Director Mr. Alejandro Rossi, introducing the organization and sharing the objectives and goals of the work visit. The main purpose of the work visit was geared toward UNOPS familiarizing itself with Sint Maarten and the various stakeholders in the justice chain that will be involved in the project. In addition, the aim was also to further the discussions on the finalization of the Project Agreement to start phase one of the project which focuses on planning, design and procurement activities for the new prison. The discussions with UNOPS concerning the prison have predominantly been held on a technical level by representatives of the Ministry of Justice Sint Maarten and BZK, who together with UNOPS representatives, have formed a working group for the new prison project. During the work visit, several working sessions were held to work out further details relating to the project proposal of UNOPS. Following the kick-off meeting with the CoM, an introductory meeting was held with the prison management team, headed by the Prison Director Mr. Steven Carty. He discussed the current challenges experienced in the prison and the improvements being made to address these challenges. An extensive tour was also provided at the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention where UNOPS received a good first impression of the facility. Thereafter, the working group also toured the Immigration holding cells and KPSM holding cells. During the work visit, courtesy visits were paid to the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) and the Sint Maarten Medical Center for informative discussions as both organizations have experience with current infrastructural projects. The organizations were able to share their knowledge and best practices in the areas of procurement, project management, building material, the labor market and more. To get a better insight into the crime trends on Sint Maarten, a meeting was held with the Public Prosecutors Office. This discussion provided UNOPS with a deeper understanding of the types of crimes committed on Sint Maarten, which is relevant information when discussing the scope of the prison project. The Mental Health Foundation and Turning Point were also visited to discuss the psychological and psychiatric care for prisoners during incarceration. A meeting was also held with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DBB). On the last day of the work visit, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Governor Eugene B. Holiday and Parliaments Justice Committee who received a presentation on UNOPS as well as a recap of the weeks visit along with the first impressions formed by UNOPS based on the discussions held throughout the week. Minister Richardson stated, Much progress has been made in defining the project proposal to secure and sign the project agreement. As such, I am delighted to know that the representatives of UNOPS and BZK got to meet with critical stakeholders in a bid to understand the realities being faced here on Sint Maarten before the first phase of the project. The working visit was officially closed off with a meeting with the CoM where UNOPS advised that it hopes that in the coming months all parties will be able to successfully take the final steps towards signing the project agreement to officially start the new prison project. Having taken note of articles published in the local media since the conclusion of the UNOPS work visit, where reference is made to the 43rd report published by the Sint Maarten Progress Committee since February 2022, Minister Richardson finds the contents being highlighted, counterproductive to the fruitful work visit that took place and the support rendered by UNOPS and BZK to the Ministry. To my understanding, the Progress Committee was fully aware that the Ministry of Justice would be welcoming the delegation of UNOPS to Sint Maarten for the first official working visit during the past week, as such, the timing of these publications with dated information is highly questionable and quite unfortunate. In fact, the 43rd report of the Progress Committee was published all the way back in February of this year. Since then, essential steps have been taken towards finalizing an agreement with UNOPS. Regardless of the attention being placed on this report, the Ministry of Justice remains committed to working with UNOPS and BZK to realize the finalization of an agreement to start of phase one of the new prison project, concluded Minister Richardson. June 09, 2022 Washington Starts Blame Game Over Defeat In Ukraine The New York Times, here via Yahoo, has some rather weird piece over alleged lack of intelligence on Ukrainian warplanes: U.S. Lacks a Clear Picture of Ukraine's War Strategy, Officials Say President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has provided near-daily updates of Russias invasion on social media; viral video posts have shown the effectiveness of Western weapons in the hands of Ukrainian forces; and the Pentagon has regularly held briefings on developments in the war. But despite the flow of all this news to the public, U.S. intelligence agencies have less information than they would like about Ukraines operations and possess a far better picture of Russias military, its planned operations and its successes and failures, according to current and former officials. Governments often withhold information from the public for operational security. But these information gaps within the U.S. government could make it more difficult for the Biden administration to decide how to target military aid as it sends billions of dollars in weapons to Ukraine. ... Avril D. Haines, the director of national intelligence, testified at a Senate hearing last month that it was very hard to tell how much additional aid Ukraine could absorb. She added: We have, in fact, more insight, probably, on the Russian side than we do on the Ukrainian side. One key question is what measures Zelenskyy intends to call for in Donbas. Ukraine faces a strategic choice there: withdraw its forces or risk having them encircled by Russia. Andrei Martyanov rants about the piece: Well, NYT decided to start steering clear of this whole Russia "lost in Ukraine" BS it promoted together with neocon crazies, and begins this ever familiar tune of the "intel failure". Right. U.S. Lacks a Clear Picture of Ukraine's War Strategy, Officials Say Hm, how about I put it bluntly--the U.S. never had clear picture on anything, especially on Russia, or, as a private case, [the Special Military Operation] and completely bought into Ukie propaganda, which shows a complete incompetence of the "intel" in the US. ... The narrative on [the Special Military Operation], in reality, is dead and the failure is not being set, it already happened. It is a fait accompli no matter how one wants to put a lipstick on the pig. Larry Johnson thinks there is another another motive behind the story: Frankly, I find it hard to believe that there are not solid analysts at the Defense Intelligence Agency who know the answers to all these questions. The real problem may not be a lack of intelligence. Nope. It is the fear of telling the politicians hard truths they do not want to hear. Given the billions of dollars the United States is spending on intelligence collection systems, it is time for the Congress and the American public to demand that the intelligence services do their damn job. I do not believe for one moment that U.S. intelligence services do not know what is going on in Ukraine and in Kiev. They know that the Ukraine has lost the war and will have to sue for peace as soon as possible. They also have told the White House that this is a case and that the whole idea of setting up the Ukraine to tickle the Russian bear was idiotic from the get go. The question now is who will take the blame for the outcome. Who can the buck be passed to? There is always the option for politicians, as Andrei assumes is the case, to blame the intelligence and the various agencies which provide it. This was done when the war on Iraq, based on false claims weapons of mass destruction, started to go bad for the U.S. But what the NYT piece does is passing the buck from the intelligence community to president Zelensky of Ukraine: "He did not inform us about the bad position his country was in." It is cover your ass time and Zelensky prominence in the 'west' makes it possible to blame him personally for the outcome of the war. On May 31 the Council of Foreign Relations, with its head Richard Haass, had a public discussion about the state of the war in Ukraine. One of the participants was the former Deputy Commander of the United States European Command Stephen M. Twitty. He knows and makes absolutely clear where the war stands: TWITTY: I think the war in the Donbas is starting to turn to the Russians favor, and when you take a look atand Im particularly talking about the eastern part of the Donbasthe Russians have transitioned from trying to pour all their combat power into the Donbas to obliterating every single town. Whether it be Rubizhne, Lyman, theyre working now on Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk as well, theyre obliterating these particular towns, and thats how theyre making their headway. Theyre not putting a bunch of combat power with infantry forces and tanks in there. Theyve taken all their artillery and theyre treating it like Mariupol and thats how theyre making their headway. So theyre starting to make some headway in the eastern Donbas and so we have to watch that one closely. HAASS: ... Why dont we reverse [our policies]? General Twitty, is there something that the president said? Are things were not doing that we should be doing? Is there things that you would recommend at this point? TWITTY: Well, as I take a look at this, you know, Secretary Austin came out that were going to weaken Russia. We have not really defined what weaken means, because if you take a look at the Ukrainians right now, I take a strong belief in Colin Powells doctrineyou overwhelm a particular enemy with force. And right now, when you take a look at Ukraine and you take a look at Russia, theyre about one to one. The only difference is Russia has a heck of a lot of combat power than the Ukrainians. And so theres no way that the Ukrainians will ever destroy or defeat the Russians, and so we got to really figure out what does weaken mean in the end state here. And I will also tell you, Richard, theres no way that the Ukrainians will ever have enough combat power to kick the Russians out of Ukraine as well, and so what does that look like in the end game. There follows some discussion with other participants about potential outcomes the U.S. would like to see, like Ukraine in the state that it was in before 2014. Twitty then explains why those ideas are all unrealistic and that what is needed instead are immediate negotiations: TWITTY: Yeah. So I got a couple of things for you, Richard. So I want to go back to what you said. Pre-2014I want you to think about that one, because Ive had time to think about it hearing others here, and what I will tell you, Richard, you know, I learned from the National War College theres something called ends, ways, and means. So if thats your end statepre-2014then Im interested to hear the ways and the means because, from a military standpoint, if thats the way then the means would be the Ukrainians lack, again, the ability to pull that off to pre-2014. They just lack that ability. They dont have the combat power. And I also want to remind you we hear a lot about Russian casualties and Russian losses. We hear very little about Ukrainian losses, and keep in mind theyre losing soldiers throughout this war as well. They started at approximately two hundred thousand. Who knows where they are today? And so its hard to recruit and maintain that level of professionalism in that military. So thats my first point. The end, ways, and means, they lack that, to be able to go back to the pre-2014. The second point that I would make is, you know, as you look at the DIMEdiplomatic, informational, military, and economicwere woefully lacking on the diplomatic piece of this. If you notice, theres no diplomacy going on at all to trying to get to some type of negotiations. And I dont think that we can lead that, given where Putin thinks about us. But if you sit back and think about those that could possibly be a part of this negotiation team, you know, you have thetwo of them are inthat Im going to list are in NATO. One is President Orban out of Hungary. Perhaps he can help out in the negotiation effort. The other one is President Erdogan of Turkey. Longtime friends of President Putin, although some view that relationship as transactional. I dont know. Lets put it to the test and see. Someone objects and makes a case for 'giving the Ukraine more time' by pushing more weapons to them. Twitty dismantles that argument: TWITTY: Charlie, I agree 100 percent. But I will tell you, when you look at time, the Ukrainians have to go into negotiations with the upper hand at a position of strength, and so right now they are at a position of strength. The more this war goes on we never know if thats going to wane, and then they will lack the ability to go to the bargaining table at a position of strength and may lose more than they intended, and so lets keep that in mind as well. There it is. The professional military and intelligence people know exactly what is up. The Ukraine is already in a very bad situation and from here on it can only get worse. They expect that the Ukrainian frontline will break down. I am sure they are urging, like Twitty does above, for immediate negotiations using whatever third party is available. It is the White House for which such an outcome is not what it had hoped to achieve. It can in fact not allow it. It is currently blocking any negotiations because admitting to a loss in Ukraine would give the Republicans more ammunition to damage Biden. Yves Smith detects some signs that, behind the curtains, some direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are actually taking place: We may know in due course, but this development, even if these talks are more at the feeler stage, is proof that Zelensky is losing power. Recall that there has already been some chatter about a possible military coup. And it is hardly uncommon for the senior officials of a leader on the ropes to start negotiating with the other side, both out of the best interests of their country and to improve their odds of survival. ... So that is a long winded way of saying that Zelensky may not have altered his stance, but that instead he is no longer driving the train. And it may also be that some in the Ukraine government are also trying to get the UKs and USs hands off the wheel. It may be too early for that to happen, but if they keep trying to shore up Zelensky when his own senior staff (and the military) are turning against him, they could find they bet on the wrong horse. Again, Im not saying this is a likely outcome, but the fact that it is even conceivable is a big change in the state of play. Passing the buck to Zelensky, to then have him removed from this planet, may indeed be the best outcome for the White House ... and for Ukraine. Posted by b on June 9, 2022 at 15:13 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page Permian Basin marketed natural gas production capped off a steady rise by reaching a new annual high in 2021, according to the Energy Information Administration. The EIA said Permian Basin marketed natural gas, which has been rising steadily since 2012, reached 16.7 billion cubic feet per day. The agency said the Permian Basin is the nations second-largest shale gas-producing region after the Appalachian Basin, which produced an average of 34.8 Bcf per day in 2021. Tall City Exploration III is one of the Permian Basin producers that has noticed that increase in production. Mike Oestmann, president and chief executive officer, told the Reporter-Telegram by email his companys gross gas production has risen from 15 million cubic feet per day at the end of 2021 to over 25 million cubic feet per day in May of this year. We anticipate that our gas production will increase further through 2022 as we continue operate two rigs and ramp our overall net production to 20,000 net barrels of oil equivalent per day as we exit 2022, he said. Texas oil and natural gas producers are meeting our energy needs here and abroad, and investment in the Permian Basin is expected to increase as much as 40 percent from last year to more than $25 billion in 2022, according to research group Rystad, Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, told the Reporter-Telegram by email. If Texas were its own country, it would be the worlds third largest producer of natural gas and fourth largest producer of oil, Staples continued. The resiliency and commitment of this industry continues to prove noteworthy with increasing rig count, production and jobs, and no one produces the oil and natural gas the world needs in a more environmentally responsible way than American producers. The EIA noted that, unlike the Appalachian Basin where natural gas is produced from natural gas wells, most of the natural gas production in the Permian Basin is associated gas produced from oilwells. As a result, the agency said, Permian Basin producers respond to fluctuations in crude oil prices in planning their exploration and production activities, including whether to deploy drilling rigs or take rigs out of operation. Amid elevated crude oil prices from mid-2017 to the end of 2019, the number of drilling rigs operating in the Permian Basin remained high and peaked at an average of 492 rigs in November 2018, the EIA said. After crude oil prices and the rig count both declined in 2020, both prices and rig activity increased steadily in 2021. West Texas Intermediate averaged $68 per barrel for the year, compared with $39 averaged in 2020, and has continued to increase this year. At the same time, the number of rigs operating in the Permian Basin has also been rising. The EIA also noted that additional pipeline takeaway capacity in the Permian also supported natural gas production and delivering it to market. PointLogic estimates pipeline takeaway capacity in the Permian Basin to be 18 Bcf a day as of May. BERLIN (AP) An aviation industry group representing most major airlines criticized the European Union's Parliament on Thursday for seeking to expand its emissions trading system to all flights departing the bloc. EU lawmakers voted Wednesday that existing requirements for airlines to buy credits for the greenhouse gas emissions that their flights produce should be extended to include all that leave the 27-nation bloc, Norway and Iceland. Current rules only apply to flights within that area. The International Air Transport Association warned Thursday that such a move could undermine a separate international agreement, known as CORSIA, that allows airlines to buy credits to offset their emissions. Critics, however, say that system isnt effective enough. The IATA, which claims to represent about 290 airlines accounting for over 83% of global air traffic, said expanding the EU's emissions trading system as planned would also cause a serious distortion of competition and weaken the global competitive position of EU airlines and hubs. This decision by the European Parliament is disturbing because it endangers international cooperation to tackle aviations climate change impacts," IATAs director general, Willie Walsh, said in a statement. He urged EU nations to reject the plan and commit to negotiating a global agreement on aviation emissions. The EU Parliament decision, part of a package of climate-related measures voted on by lawmakers that also included plans to ban selling new cars with combustion engines from 2035, was welcomed by environmentalists. Jo Dardenne, aviation director of the Brussels-based group Transport and Environment, said EU vote was a major step forward in tackling heavily polluting long-haul flights. The group also welcomed EU plans to monitor the climate impact of water vapor released by planes the white lines in the sky known as contrails and phase out free emission allowances for airlines sooner. Airlines in the EU currently get more than half their carbon credits for free, but that was due to be phased out by 2027. European lawmakers voted to bring the deadline forward to 2025. ____ Follow AP's climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate Page Content Last week several interviews and focus group discussions were held as part of the process of the development of a Positive Parenting Support Program (PPSP) on Sint Maarten. The Program will be piloted later this year and aims to help parents and caregivers increase their knowledge and understanding of positive child development practices, improve communication, increase the opportunities for bonding between parents and caregivers and reduce harsh parenting practices. The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport (MECYS), Drs. Rodolphe Samuel encourages those in the community that want to contribute to the development of the PSPP to reach out: The success of this program depends highly on the involvement of Government and community stakeholders. Those interested in contributing to or requesting information about this project can contact the Department of Youth by sending an email to deptofyouth@sintmaartengov.org. The PPSP will be tailor-made for the island and has been a long-term goal of, and initiative led and executed by the Department of Youth, in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS). It is being developed and implemented with technical support from UNICEF the Netherlands, The University of the West Indies Open Campus, through the Caribbean Child Development Centre (CCDC), in partnership with Parenting Partners Caribbean (PPC). The PPSP is part of the Child Resilience and Protection Project (CRPP), financed by the Government of The Netherlands, through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, administered by the World Bank. The draft PPSP will be presented to The Youth Department and Minister Samuel this summer, and after their approval, a pilot training will be organized for 60 Facilitators and 20 Master Trainers to provide positive parenting support classes to the wider community. PPSP Facilitators will be able to provide parenting classes and Master Trainers will be able to train others to become PPSP Facilitators. This will help to ensure the sustainability of the Program, shares Ceceile Minott, Head CCDC, of The University of the West Indies Open Campus. Once participants complete the required minimum hours of training, they will receive a Certificate with Continuing Education Units from The University of the West Indies Open Campus. In addition, their feedback will be incorporated into revising and finalizing the PSPP. Updates on this project can be followed on www.facebook.com/departmentofyouthsxm & www.facebook.com/unicefsxm This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A French parliamentary delegation pledged support for Taiwan during a meeting Thursday with the president of the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its own territory with no right to diplomatic recognition. Senator Joel Guerriau, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces, told Tsai Ing-wen he would help Taiwan oppose its oppressors and promote Taiwans freedom. Tsai, who won a second term as president in 2020, emphasized the strong connection between Taiwan's high-tech economy and countries in the European Union. We expect Taiwan and France to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields," Tsai said. France assumed the presidency of the Council of the EU in January. The visit is the third by French lawmakers to Taiwan in recent months, and follows a meeting earlier this week between Tsai and a group of Slovak lawmakers who offered similar expressions of support for the island's democracy. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China is firmly opposed to any forms of official and political contacts between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic ties with China." We urge the relevant party to avoid sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, and take concrete actions to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," Zhao said at a daily briefing. Taiwan has drawn increasing support from European nations in defiance of China, while current and retired U.S. politicians have also visited the island to show Washingtons backing. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department notified Congress that it has approved a possible sale of $120 million in spare parts for ships to Taiwan. China strongly opposes such sales. French Senators Vincent Eble, Sylvie Goy-Chavent, Dany Wattebled and Ludovic Haye were accompanying Guerriau on the six-day visit. In February, the European Commission unveiled the European Chips Act aimed at enabling the EU to work more closely with Taiwan and other world leaders in the semiconductor industry. China routinely threatens retaliation against politicians and countries that show support for Taiwan, which has only informal relations with the U.S., France and most other countries as a result of Chinese diplomatic pressure. Beijing downgraded relations and blocked imports from Lithuania, a member of both the EU and NATO, after the Baltic nation broke with diplomatic custom by agreeing that a Taiwanese representative office in its capital of Vilnius would bear the name Taiwan instead of Chinese Taipei, which other countries use to avoid offending Beijing. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MIAMI (AP) A major effort backed by Democratic fundraisers to purchase Spanish-language radio stations is stirring up opposition in Miami, where Cuban exiles describe it as an attempt to stifle conservative voices in markets where Democrats have lost ground. The Latino Media Network, a startup founded by two political strategists who worked for President Barack Obama and Hillary Clintons presidential campaign, reached a $60 million deal to acquire 18 AM and FM stations in ten U.S. cities from Televisa/Univision. The agreement announced June 3 still needs Federal Communications Commission approval. These markets are diverse Hispanics with roots all over Latin America listen to the stations in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, McAllen, Fresno and Las Vegas, including some Hispanic communities where Democrats have lost ground to Republicans. The network said it will focus on creating content that addresses the different cultural and political nuances that impact different types of Latinos. But the deal isnt going over well in Miami, where Radio Mambi is popular among hardline Cuban exiles. We would need to be deaf and blind not to understand the motives behind this buyout," Irina Vilarino, who co-owns a chain of Cuban restaurants in South Florida, said at a news conference held by a coalition called the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance. The network has raised a total of $80 million from high-profile investors such as actress Eva Longoria, who is also a Democratic political activist, and former Florida Republican Party chairman Al Cardenas, now a critic of former President Donald Trump. The debt involved is financed by Lakestar Finance LLC, a company affiliated with Democratic mega-donor George Soros. The deal has been harshly criticized by Republicans in Florida, from the Cuban American House delegation to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Coalition members said they are exploring legal ways to contest the takeover. Democrats have pointed to some shows on Radio Mambi and other Spanish-language radio stations when raising concerns about disinformation, especially following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Republicans say those accusations are used to distract from the Democrats' lackluster performance among Hispanic voters in South Florida and Texas in the 2020 election. Stephanie Valencia, who helped lead Obamas White House Office of Public Engagement, co-founded the Latino Media Network. The Latina strategist heard about four or five months ago that TelevisaUnivision had plans to sell radio stations. TelevisaUnivision said in a statement it met with dozens of potential buyers. We did not want to miss that opportunity to obtain such a large number all at once and keep them in Latino hands, Valencia told The Associated Press, adding that other interested parties did not appear to have Latino programming. Valencia said she wants to ensure a smooth transition. We are going to be looking at this from a business perspective. How do we maintain the spirit of what these stations are? How do we balance journalistic integrity and ensure we build spaces for free speech? she said. One of the most popular commentators, Ninoska Perez, a fervent Trump supporter, has assured listeners that they have been told there would be no major changes. Radio Mambi got its start in the 1980s with support from the Reagan administration and has long received federal funding to beam Radio Martis anti-communist content into Cuba for an hour after midnight each morning. Cuba, in turn, tries to jam the stations signal from reaching the island. Cubans in Miami recall growing up listening to the station in the kitchen or while in the car. Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette Nunez shared at the news conference that as a girl she would she would hear it so much that she get annoyed with her father. Why do I have to listen to this? Nunez said she would tell her father while he drove her to school. He insisted. He would never let me change the dial, Nunez said, adding that she later followed the same tradition with her own daughter. The group still has to file with the FCC to transfer the broadcast licenses. A public comment period will follow. If approved, the startup would take full ownership in late 2023, after a one-year transition period. ______ This story was first published on June 9, 2022. It was updated on June 11, 2022 to remove comments erroneously attributed to Martha Flores, former host of a show on Radio Mambi in Miami, one of the stations in the proposed deal. Flores died in 2020. The comments were made by another woman. This version of the story removes those comments. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram Show More Show Less 3 of 3 A new store concept is being developed at a gas station on Rankin Highway just south of Interstate 20. The TXB's grand opening will take place Monday at 2503 Rankin Highway It was previous known as Kwik Chek. On its website, the rebranding is described as "The Kwik Chek family would like to introduce you to Texas Born, or TXB. We will be rebranding our stores to TXB in the coming months to emphasize the Texan roots and values which our company has been built uponauthenticity, hospitality, and integrity." Jack Ladd Jr. will seek another term as the city council representative for central Midland. Ladd has served District 3 for three years after winning a five-person election in 2019. District 3 is one of three city seats on the November ballot. The mayors seat and District 4 (generally west Midland) are also on the ballot in November. The filing period for the November election is July 25-Aug. 22. I signed up believing that the decisions we make on city council were local, and they are, but what I did not realize is that over the last three years, the nations and even the worlds problems would come to our community, Ladd said in a statement. Despite it all, Midland has thrived over the last three years. The downtown park (Centennial Park) has proven a huge success. Local businesses and jobs are being created in industries as diverse as apparel, breweries, restaurants, oil and gas, and even pickles. Events like the Lo Street Market, and the Downtown Farmers Market have provided a sense of community that I havent seen in Midland since I was a child. I truly feel like we have come through the night of the pandemic, and to borrow a line, it is Morning in Midland Again. Ladd listed his work in the development of parks, including the new hike and bike trails in southeast Midland (Harris Park). He said he was instrumental in stopping the citys use of a Austin Lobbyist that wasnt working in Midlands interests while charging our taxpayers $10,000 a month in the process. He said during the pandemic that the council created grants to help small business owners keep their doors open. He also listed water source development, region transportation funding, first responder recruiting and working with other local entities as positive steps that took place during his first term. Ladd also has been elected as the chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which serves to represent our regions transportation interest to Austin, and is also a representative for West Texas to the Texas Municipal League. Despite working full time as an attorney, I have treated my council position as a second full-time job, Ladd wrote. I am proud to say I have never missed a council meeting in my three-year term. If a resident took the time to send me an email personally, I answered that email personally. I hope to have the honor to serve as your District 3 representative for another term, and truly believe that the best is yet to come for Midland. Basil centric anti-government criticism will face an inevitable dilemma within. It will face a scuffle in finding a way out. Then many will realize, yet again, that powerless Basil is more politically powerful than he was in power. Editorial Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa resigned today. He is no longer a member of the present parliament. Apparently, the empty seat will be filled. Announcing his resignation, he called a press conference and allowed all present journalists to ask questions. It is commendable that he has come up with very clear interpretations of his political beliefs. His resignation is not surprising, but he should be commended for the unconditionality he placed at the press conference to ensure that journalists questioned him. This is a rare behaviour that most politicians do not like to do. It is the usual habit of many politicians to hide when defeated but brag when win. Compared to 2015, the change in the nature of his attitude and response this time around to the rejection of his political power across society is positive and eye-catching. Instead of sneaking out of the scene, he has chosen to express his views in the public domain, whether accepted or not. He faces serious charges of abuse of political power. The disgraceful image created against him across the country is not so optimistic and it has become commonplace to construe him as the centre of all glitches in the country. Basil sought to be a popular figure in society, but like the current president, he too failed to implement a strategic communication plan to maintain his public persona. He did not have the means to propagate his political views throughout society and maintain his popularity. However, giving birth to a political party and running it to the exceptional victory in a very short period of time demonstrates the potential of his political readings. Speaking to the media today, he clarified the matter more precisely and pointed out the limits to which he could go. Basil has recognized his limitness in a limitless political quagmire for the first time. One can observe how he has come to an assessment of himself politically. He says that democracy is costly affair. He also referred to the RSS, the shadow body of the BJP in India, and said that the next step of the Sri Lanka People's Front (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) could be to turn it into a similar movement. Basil said his party's ideology was similar to that of the Chinese Communist Party when the current government came to power, and in less than three years he has focused on an India-centric political movement. Finally, Basil has told his story. He has changed his behaviour in a way that many would not have guessed. It is our understanding that this resignation was made in view of the political climate that is expected to prevail five years from now. He talks to the future as he is well-understood present is not belonging to him. The bottom line is that the wave of Basil centric anti-government criticism will face an inevitable dilemma within. It will face a scuffle in finding a way out. Then many will realize, yet again, that powerless Basil is more politically powerful than he was in power. That is why he may have said that governance and politics are two different things. He has made his choice and is ready to take the next step in the oldest but debt-ridden democracy in Asia. His next move could largely be an attempt to break away from the Rajapaksa family and seize power. Only time will unveil its triumph or failure. Congress asks why US, Australia unprepared for China in the Pacific This photo from the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency shows some of the methamphetamine it seized last year. A Highland Cafe's staff holds up a piece of cannabis at the Highland Cafe on the first day of removing it from the narcotics list under Thai law in Bangkok, Thailand, June 9, 2022. Philippine President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is photographed during a news conference at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila on May 23, 2022. While securing territory is the Kremlins most obvious motivation, annexation is also tied to strengthening Russias energy position both regionally and globally. by John P. Ruehl After Russian forces seized Ukraines Kherson region at the beginning of its invasion, a Ukrainian official named Kirill Stremousov was installed as the new governments deputy head. In a YouTube video posted in May, Stremousov stated his intention to have Kherson join Russia, declaring, We will integrate as much as possible into the Russian Federation. All those citizens in the Kherson region will have the right to obtain Russian citizenship [and] Russian passports so they can be a part of a state that has the potential to provide stable social assistance and security. Official annexation, like in Crimea, would play into the Kremlins strategy of highlighting the local support for Russia in southeastern Ukraine and portraying Ukraines government as ineffective across much of its border region. Additionally, Russia would likely use annexation to legitimize nationalizing the valuable Ukrainian energy infrastructure that Russia currently holds. Across the country, Russian and pro-Russian forces have relentlessly targeted Ukraines energy industry. Days before the invasion began, pro-Russian militants attacked the Luhansk thermal power plant (TPP) and destroyed a railway bridge in Vasylivka in southern Ukraine that supplied the plant with coal. Russian forces briefly seized the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (still used for nuclear waste processing) hours after the war began, while a power plant in Okhtyrka was damaged beyond repair on March 5. The Kryvorizka thermal power plant in the town of Zelenodolsk was also recently attacked by Russian and pro-Russian forces, resulting in a fire that damaged operations. And in Mariupol, where Russian forces recently gained full control after laying siege to the city for three months, the Azovstal steel plant located in the city was heavily damaged during the conflict. Ukrainian fuel storage facilities have similarly been frequent targets of the Russian armed forces, along with substations, generators, and energy lines. Cyberattacks by Russia have also severely disrupted electricity flows in Ukraine. But the fate of Europes largest nuclear power plant near the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia shows the Kremlins true ambitions with Ukraines energy infrastructure. While Ukrainian officials were able to contain a fire at the plant that began shortly after the war began, the facility came under Russian control by the first week of March. On May 18, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said Russia would integrate the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant into Russias energy system if Ukraine did not pay for the electricity it produced. The Kremlins intention to connect the station to Russias electricity grid was described as wishful thinking by Leonid Oliynyk, a spokesman for Energoatom, Ukraines nuclear power operator. But with only two of its six reactors currently operating, the developments at the Zaporizhzhia power plant have further undermined Ukraines ability to secure access to energy. The plant generates around half of Ukraines nuclear power and a fifth of the countrys electricity. Even if Ukraine maintains control over most of the electricity lines stemming from the plant, they will be useless if Russia shuts it down and is later able to integrate it with its own grid. The seizure of Ukrainian energy infrastructure has been replicated across Russian-occupied areas of the country. Russian forces also gained control over the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and the combined heat and power plant in Luhansk. Much of Ukraines industrial heartland lies in the east, which is also where its enormous coal, oil, and gas deposits are located. Additional energy deposits in the Black Sea, as well as Ukraines port infrastructure in the eastern region, have fallen even further under Russian control since February. Until 2014, Ukraine was reliant on Russian fossil fuels and other sources of energy. Though it has significantly reduced this dependency since then, Ukrainian companies remain unwilling to give up the transit fees that Russian resources exported to Europe generate by passing through Ukrainian territory. This is despite Russias growing leverage, which it has gained through the construction of new transit routes to Europe in recent years, notably the TurkStream and the original Nord Stream pipeline networks. Following the election of Western-leaning former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who took office in 2005, Ukraine attempted to reduce its energy dependency on Russia in other ways. This included plans to synchronize Ukraines energy system with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA) electrical grid by 2026, a plan that accelerated following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Ukrainian war has, however, sped up this process even more quickly, with an emergency synchronization being initiated in March. The completion of this project will permanently remove Ukraine from the Russian-dominated IPS/UPS system and allow it to receive electricity from Europe. It was therefore no coincidence that Russias invasion of Ukraine occurred at a critical moment in this process. On February 24, as part of a three-day trial, the Ukrainian power grid was disconnected from the Russian electrical grid that it had been connected to for decades. Within a few hours, Russian forces had begun their invasion, with Ukraine unable to rejoin the IPS/UPS system. This necessitated the trial synchronization of the Ukrainian and Moldovan power systems with CESA on March 16, but full synchronization is likely years away. It will require transmission operators to work out frequency control capabilities, additional safety tests, regulatory and power market agreements, and other measures to ensure long-term interoperability. Nonetheless, the Russian invasion has significantly accelerated this initiative. While the Kremlin no doubt knew it could not stop this development, its military campaign is part of a wider strategy of cementing its energy influence wherever it can. Expanding its energy grid into Ukraine and seizing local infrastructure will complement Russias influence in other post-Soviet states. This is particularly prevalent in Belarus, which is still heavily reliant on Russian resources to function and has lucrative transit fee agreements with the Kremlin. Additionally, during the Soviet Union, the transportation and other logistical infrastructure of Central Asia was directed toward European Russia, meaning resource-rich Central Asias access to European markets depends heavily on Russias goodwill. And through the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, Russia intends to introduce a common energy market across member states. Seizing control of some of Ukraines most valuable energy infrastructure and reserves will help ensure Russias regional energy dominance. Without Western assistance, Ukraines energy sector would have already crumbled, which would have made it unable to continue with the war. The Kremlin is therefore intent on making the West pay for Ukraines volatile energy situation as energy prices continue to rise. The United States Congress recently approved $40 billion for Ukraine, its sixth aid package since the war began. Europes Energy Community also recently created a Ukraine Energy Support Fund that will be financed by the EU, international financial institutions, and private companies and corporations. Ukraines energy ministry stated that the funds will be used to restore the energy infrastructure that was damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. But the war will continue to have an escalatory effect on the price of energy, and this effect will be felt more acutely in countries without significant reserves. Russia will keep targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, and Kyiv cannot rely on Europe for electricity flows if its situation worsens. Synchronization with CESA could also put the entire grid at risk if Ukraine is destabilized. But Russia also aims to preserve as much of Ukraines energy infrastructure as possible, so that it can be used in Russia and the regions it annexes. While Russia will have to spend significant resources to upgrade and integrate this infrastructure, the immediate and long-term benefits of shoring up its own energy security and undermining Ukraines energy security this way are clear. Pricing and payment disputes between Russia and European resource customers have increased significantly since the start of the invasion. But Russias vast reserves have allowed it to make inroads with countries such as India and China, helping it to build on top of years of expanding energy trade. By offering its growing Asian clientele competitive prices for vital resources, Russia is hoping that much of the international community looks the other way as it attempts to expand its energy empire in Ukraine. This article was produced by Globetrotter. John P. Ruehl is an Australian-American journalist living in Washington, D.C. He is a contributing editor to Strategic Policy and a contributor to several other foreign affairs publications. He is currently finishing a book on Russia to be published in 2022. Editor Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com U.S. servicemembers hold a flag- raising ceremony in Chalan Kanoa village on July 10, 1944. With this event, the Northern Marianas came under the control and administration of the U.S. Navy. Law enforcement officers from three counties are being honored for their actions after a west-central Illinois police chief was shot and seriously injured. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police presented Valor Awards on Wednesday to Chapin Police Chief Steven Helmich, Pike County sheriffs deputies Steve Lowry and Skylar Lambeth and Brown County Sheriffs Deputy Rusty Richard. Pike County Sheriffs Deputy Dan Williams was given the FOP's Life Saving Award. Helmich, 39, of Jacksonville was shot twice March 26 as he and other officers approached a car that had crashed. The driver had fled a traffic stop in Meredosia and led police on a high-speed chase through three counties. Helmich, who also is a part-time South Jacksonville police officer, has been with Chapin police since 2016 and its chief since January. He was shot in his abdomen and upper left thigh. His injuries were severe and required him to be hospitalized for 19 days and undergo at least three emergency surgeries. He has been released from the hospital but will require several months of ongoing treatment. Lowry, Richard and Lambeth were able to arrest the suspect and then gave emergency assistance to Helmich. Williams arrived with a field tourniquet, which is credited with helping to save Helmichs life, according to the FOP. Thanks to the heroic actions of these five officers, no lives were lost, said FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood, who presented the awards. Their efforts and sacrifice embody the true meaning of the police motto, 'to protect and serve'. The suspect, Daniel B. Payne, 29, of Greenbrier, Tennessee, was captured and faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. He was being held in lieu of $1 million bail and has asked the court to reduce bail. Payne is next scheduled to appear in court July 6. During the regular press briefing Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian yesterday reaffirmed that China pays close attention to and feels for the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka. Here is teh answer to the questiona raised by a CCTV reporter in Beijing. CCTV: According to reports, Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said in an interview on June 6 that Sri Lanka couldnt tap a $1.5 billion credit line from China and has yet to hear back on the request to China for a $1 billion loan. He also said that China seems to have shifted its strategic focus to Southeast Asia and Africa, and has less interest in South Asia. Do you have any comment? Zhao Lijian: As traditional friendly neighbors, China pays close attention to and feels for the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka. We have all along provided support to Sri Lankas socioeconomic development as long as our ability permits. China has announced that it would provide emergency humanitarian assistance worth 500 million RMB for Sri Lanka. The first delivery of medicine has arrived in Sri Lanka, and the first shipment of rice has left China for Sri Lanka. Through government-to-government and subnational channels and through friendly organizations, China has provided multiple batches of assistance in diverse forms to people across the sectors of Sri Lanka to improve their livelihood. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian As to China-Sri Lanka financial cooperation, shortly after the Sri Lankan government announced to suspend international debt payments, Chinese financial institutions reached out to the Sri Lankan side and expressed their readiness to find a proper way to handle the matured debts related to China and help Sri Lanka to overcome the current difficulties. We hope Sri Lanka will work actively with China in a similar spirit and work out a feasible solution expeditiously. China is ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to continue to play a positive role in supporting Sri Lankas response to current difficulties and efforts to ease debt burden and realize sustainable development. In the meantime, we believe Sri Lanka will boost its own effort, protect the legitimate rights and interests of the investment and financing partners and ensure the stability and credibility of Sri Lankas investment and financing environment. South Asian countries, along with the other countries in our neighboring areas, are Chinas priority in its diplomacy. China attaches great importance to forging closer good neighborly relations with its neighbors and has worked hard to this end. China and South Asian countries are each others friendly neighbors and development partners. Together we belong to one community with a shared future. From natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, to global challenges like financial crises and COVID-19, history has shown that China has always stood in solidarity with South Asian countries through difficult times. Under the current circumstances, China will work with relevant countries to respond to risks and challenges and pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to jointly sustain the sound momentum of security, stability, cooperation and development in our region and bring great benefits for all peoples in this region. In the wake of a June 1 shooting at an Oklahoma hospital, and with threats to medical professionals on the rise in recent years, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital continues to try to ensure that its staff, patients and visitors remain safe. "Violence in hospitals is not new," Jacksonville Memorial Hospital President and CEO Scott Boston said. "We have kept up with the changes." The American Medical Association has warned for months that physicians and other health care workers are enduring new levels of threats and violence since the COVID-19 pandemic started. "In the past, it would have been a discussion; now it evolves into a confrontation," Boston said. "Society is less tolerant." On June 1, Michael Louis opened fire at the Natalie Building on the Saint Francis Hospital campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing four people, three of whom were hospital staff, and injuring an unspecified number of others before committing suicide. It was reported that Louis specifically targeted Dr. Preston Phillips, who performed back surgery on Louis in May. Jim Krug, JMH assistant vice president of information systems and support services, said JMH hospital staff undergo drills and, when an incident does occur whether a patient is being violent or someone calls in a threat they assess each incident so they can learn and adjust to prevent issues arising in the future. "We have and actually do drills," Krug said, adding that staff also are provided a list of protocols for dangerous situations. Drills range from what to do if there is an active shooting in the building to fire emergencies, bomb threats or child abduction. "Threats can be social media posts, phone calls to face-to-face," Krug said. "We take it seriously." Krug, who runs the security team at JMH, said that he has seen a change in threats in recent years. "Suffice to say, it has increased over the past five years," he said. "We have increased security officers." Staff also are trained on how to deal with people who are becoming upset or belligerent, Boston said. "We have specific training in de-escalation," Boston said. "We try to be very thorough." A person was booked Friday into the Morgan County jail on charges of aggravated battery involving a nurse. "We get (Jacksonville Police Department) involved," Boston said. Jacksonville Police Chief Adam Mefford said his officers constantly are being called to the hospital for a range of reasons, from taking an incident report from someone in the emergency room to possible threats. "We treat incidents with the hospital as we do schools," Mefford said. "We do have a good relationship. Jacksonville police have regular meetings with hospital representatives to make sure incidents are not overlooked, he said. "It's a table-top discussion," he said. Off-duty Morgan County deputies and Jacksonville, South Jacksonville and Illinois State police also work at the hospital from 8 p.m. into the early morning hours for added safety. "It's about the safety of staff and the patients," Mefford said. Injuries caused by violent attacks against medical professionals grew by 67% from 2011 to 2018 with health care workers five times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in all other industries, according to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "I would like to believe we're not just being reactive, but proactive," Boston said, adding that they're "realistic about all threats." SAN DIEGO (AP) A Navy helicopter crashed Thursday and everyone on board survived near the California desert site where a day earlier a Marine Osprey went down, killing all five people aboard, authorities said. Four people were aboard the Navy chopper, which went down around 6 p.m. on a training range while conducting a routine training flight from Naval Air Facility El Centro, according to the base. The helicopter is an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 based at Naval Air Station North Island. One crew member received an injury that was not life-threatening and was taken to a hospital, the base said. The crash site was originally described as being about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Yuma, Arizona. A day earlier, all five Marines on board a tiltrotor aircraft were killed when it crashed in the California desert near the Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday. The MV-22 Osprey went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Yuma, Arizona. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap, Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy. The statement said as a matter of policy, the Marine Corps would be contacting family members before identifying those who were killed. Efforts to recover equipment were underway and an investigation into the cause of the crash has started. No additional details were provided in the Marine Corps statement. The Marines were participating in a routine live-fire training over their gunnery range in the Imperial Valley desert, said Marine Maj. Mason Englehart, spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Osprey, a hybrid airplane and helicopter, flew in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but has been criticized by some as unsafe. It is designed to take off like a helicopter, rotate its propellers to a horizontal position and cruise like an airplane. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Prior to Wednesday's crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22 Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a hard landing in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. Its development was marked by deadly crashes, including an April 2000 accident in Arizona that killed 19 Marines. ___ Baldor reported from Washington. Darren Iozia/Journal-Courier A state agency has issued multiple citations to Beardstown's fire department over violations it says contributed to three firefighters being injured in a May 2021 apartment blaze. In a report released Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Labor Division of Occupational Safety and Health said there were 15 indirect causes that contributed to the firefighters' injuries, according to television station KHQA. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during clashes in the West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as Israeli troops continued arrest raids in the occupied territory. The ministry identified the man as Mohammed Abu Ayhour, 27, from the village of Halhul in the southern West Bank. The Israeli military said in a statement that its troops operated in areas around the West Bank throughout Wednesday night and early Thursday. It said forces faced violent protests in a number of locations, with Palestinians throwing rocks and firebombs. Troops responded to disperse the protesters using live fire and other means and nine people were arrested. The military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the circumstances that led to Abu Ayhour's death. Violence has swept the region for weeks, set off by a spate of Palestinian attacks in Israel that prompted near-daily Israeli arrest raids in the West Bank. Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians were further stoked as clashes erupted in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, and with the killing of a well-known Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist, who was shot covering Israeli operations in the West Bank. The Palestinians and witnesses say Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli fire, while Israel says its not clear if soldiers or Palestinian gunmen fired the deadly bullet. The Palestinian attacks, which began in March and have largely subsided, killed 19 people. The Palestinian Health Ministry says more that 60 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the year. It does not differentiate between civilians, militants and those who were killed after carrying out deadly attacks. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem territories that Palestinians seek for their hoped-for state in the 1967 Mideast war. The West Bank is home to nearly 3 million Palestinians and has been under military rule since Israel occupied the territory. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Preston E. Mullens, 18, of 702 E. State St. was arrested at 1:19 p.m. Wednesday on charges of theft and resisting a peace officer. Jamie L. Haley, 41, of 302 W. Dunlap St. was arrested at 10:09 a.m. Wednesday on a violation of an order of protection. Tre H. Tollefson, 20, homeless, was arrested at 4:04 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of criminal trespass to state-supported land after being found on property in the 100 block of West Independence Avenue from which he was prohibited. He also was charged with resisting a peace officer after police said he refused to follow commands while being arrested. He also was charged with criminal damage to property after police said he broke a fence in the 700 block of North Main Street while running from officers. ACCIDENTS A 14-year-old boy was treated at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital after being struck at 7:53 p.m. Tuesday by a car that was backing out of a driveway in the 400 block of West Walnut Street. Nathanial R. Newingham, 28, of Woodson was cited on a charge of operating an uninsured vehicle after the car he was driving collided with another vehicle at 12:02 p.m. Tuesday at East Morton and Clay avenues. THEFTS, BURGLARIES The rear license plate was stolen between 9 and 11:15 a.m. Wednesday from a car parked in the 1900 block of West Morton Avenue. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GENEVA (AP) Over two years after the coronavirus was first detected in China, and after at least 6.3 million deaths have been counted worldwide from the pandemic, the World Health Organization is recommending in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is required into whether a lab accident may be to blame. That stance marks a sharp reversal of the U.N. health agencys initial assessment of the pandemics origins, and comes after many critics accused WHO of being too quick to dismiss or underplay a lab-leak theory that put Chinese officials on the defensive. WHO concluded last year that it was extremely unlikely COVID-19 might have spilled into humans in the city of Wuhan from a lab. Many scientists suspect the coronavirus jumped into people from bats, possibly via another animal. Yet in a report released Thursday, WHOs expert group said key pieces of data to explain how the pandemic began were still missing. The scientists said the group would remain open to any and all scientific evidence that becomes available in the future to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses. Identifying a disease's source in animals typically takes years. It took more than a decade for scientists to pinpoint the species of bats that were the natural reservoir for SARS, a relative of COVID-19. WHO's expert group also noted that since lab accidents in the past have triggered some outbreaks, the highly politicized theory could not be discounted. Jean-Claude Manuguerra, a co-chair of the 27-member international advisory group, acknowledged that some scientists might be allergic to the idea of investigating the lab leak theory, but said they needed to be open-minded enough to examine it. The report could revive accusations that WHO initially was too accepting of Chinese government explanations early in the outbreak, which ultimately killed millions of people, sickened millions more, forced dozens of countries into lockdown and upended the world economy. Investigations by The Associated Press found that some top WHO insiders were frustrated by China during the initial outbreak even as WHO heaped praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping. They were also upset over how China sought to clamp down on research into the origins of COVID-19. Former U.S. President Donald Trump speculated repeatedly without evidence that COVID-19 was started in a Chinese lab. He also accused WHO of colluding with China to cover up the initial outbreak, citing the U.N. health agency's continued public praise of the country despite China's refusal to share crucial data. WHO's expert group said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent two letters to senior Chinese government officials in February requesting information, including details about the earliest human cases of COVID-19 in the city of Wuhan. It's unclear whether the Chinese responded. The experts said no studies were provided to WHO that assessed the possibility of COVID-19 resulting from a laboratory leak. Jamie Metzl, who sits on an unrelated WHO advisory group, has suggested that the Group of Seven industrialized nations set up their own COVID origins probe, saying WHO lacks the political authority, expertise and independence to conduct such a critical evaluation. Metzl welcomed WHO's call for a further investigation into the lab leak possibility but said it was insufficient. Tragically, the Chinese government is still refusing to share essential raw data and will not allow the necessary, full audit of the Wuhan labs, he said. Gaining access to this information is critical to both understanding how this pandemic began and preventing future pandemics. In Washington, a Republican-led subcommittee in the House of Representatives on the COVID-19 pandemic tweeted: Americans were smeared as conspiracy theorists for asking whether #COVID19 came from a lab leak. Now, the WHO is asking the same questions. WE NEED ANSWERS, added the committee, which is headed by Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. WHO's expert scientists said numerous avenues of research were needed, including studies evaluating the role of wild animals, and environmental studies in places where the virus might have first spread, like the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan. In March 2021, WHO released a report about COVID-19's origins following a highly choreographed visit by international scientists to China. The report concluded that the disease most likely jumped into humans from bats and that there was no evidence to suggest there was a connection to a laboratory. Yet after considerable criticism, including from some scientists on WHO's team, the agency's director acknowledged that it was premature to rule out a lab leak. In its new report, WHO said the experts were given access to data that included unpublished blood samples from more than 40,000 people in Wuhan in 2019. The samples were tested for COVID-19 antibodies. None were found, suggesting the virus was not spreading widely before it was first identified in late December that year. WHO's experts called for numerous studies to be done, including testing wild animals to find which species might host COVID-19. They also said the cold chain supply theory should be probed. China has previously advanced the idea that traces of COVID-19 on frozen packaging was causing outbreaks rather than any domestic source, a theory widely panned by outside scientists. To investigate whether COVID-19 might have been the result of a lab accident, WHO's experts said interviews should be conducted with the staff in the laboratories tasked with managing and implementing biosafety and biosecurity. China has called the suggestion that COVID-19 began in a laboratory baseless and countered that the virus originated in American facilities, which were also known to be researching coronaviruses in animals. The Chinese government has said it supports the search for the pandemic's origins, but that other countries should be the focus. In a footnote to the report, WHO's group noted that three of its own experts scientists from China, Brazil and Russia disagreed with the call to investigate the possibility of COVID-19 being sparked by a lab accident. Scientists connected to WHO lamented in August 2021 that the search for the pandemic's origins had stalled and that the window of opportunity was closing fast. They warned that collecting data that was now at least two years old was increasingly difficult. ___ Cheng reported from London. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic The leaked draft Supreme Court opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health case gives hope to those who believe in the humanity of every person, including those yet to be born. It also gives hope to state lawmakers and Americans across the country. If the Supreme Court follows through with the arguments presented in the brief, a long-overdue statewide discussion on protecting life will happen. Lets start with the obvious: The leaked opinion is a draft and is not the Supreme Courts final opinion. The draft has likely changed, as Justice Samuel Alito has probably received feedback from other justices. Because the leaked opinion is a draft, we dont know what the current draft says right now. Assuming the key holdings in the draft remain in the final opinion, the Supreme Court is not outlawing abortion. Rather, the debate around protecting life will shift to state legislatures. And despite the latest pro-choice talking points, the decision will not affect any other civil right. The court acknowledged both in Roe v. Wade and Southeastern Planned Parenthood v. Casey that abortion is inherently different from all other civil rights because it destroys life or potential life. This means that abortion is different from other issues such as marriage, which does not threaten the life of an unborn child. The Supreme Court cannot make laws. It can only determine if certain laws are consistent with the Constitution. Because it cannot make laws, any decision in the Dobbs case will not make abortions federally illegal. Granted, 21 states have conditional, life-protecting laws on the books that are likely to take effect if principal holdings in the draft become the opinion of the court. But this highlights the most important aspect of the draft brief it pushes the debate to the people and state legislatures. When Roe was decided in 1973, and Casey more than two decades later, the Supreme Court prematurely stopped a very important debate that was occurring in states across the country: whether life should be protected at all stages of development, or whether a woman should be able to terminate a pregnancy. Through Roe, the Supreme Court injected itself, contrary to the 10th Amendment, and pre-empted the debate. Instead of allowing the people, through their elected representatives, to decide if, or how, abortion should be regulated, the court dictated one policy for the entire nation. If the draft opinion in Dobbs holds, the court is merely returning the debate to the states. Returning the debate to the states means that we have a greater role not just protecting life but in providing for it. Those in the state legislatures need to look ahead. How can we, as a people, come alongside of mothers to be? What type of assistance can we provide? How can we demonstrate our care and concern? The leaked opinion in Dobbs is encouraging for those of us who believe in protecting life. The Supreme Court will return to the states the constitutional responsibility to debate this important issue. This should be a welcome development for all Americans, as more citizens are encouraged to speak up and even run for office. If the leaked draft opinion becomes the opinion of the court, it will send a powerful message that federalism still matters. It will remind Americans of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. Australia: Update on proposed amateur class licensing Communications regulator ACMA was announced a delay in the consultation process for the proposed amateur radio class licence The ACMA announcement says: The next stage of our consultation on the proposed amateur class licence and supporting arrangements has been delayed until Q3 2022. At that time, we will consult on an updated draft amateur class licence, which incorporates feedback and practical suggestions made by submitters. We will also update the amateur community on the status of key outstanding matters, including international recognition of amateur qualifications and call sign management, since we released our Response to submissions in November 2021 Source ACMA Amateur Radio Update June 2022 https://acma.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/d/CE6DCBE1F76609812540EF23F30FEDED/A1942D187CDAF0B6A7F290B8E8FDC6A0 You can subscribe to the free ACMA Amateur Radio update emails at https://www.acma.gov.au/subscribe-our-newsletters Pakistanis rally to denounce India over remarks about Islam View Photo ISLAMABAD (AP) Thousands of Islamists rallied Thursday and briefly scuffled with police in Pakistans capital, urging Muslim countries to cut diplomatic ties with New Delhi over remarks by two officials from Indias ruling party that were derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad. The scuffles between demonstrators from the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan party and police erupted when the protesters tried to march toward the Indian Embassy in Islamabad but were stopped by police. No one was reported hurt in the melee. Anger has been growing in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority nations since last week, when two spokespeople for Indias Bharatiya Janata Party made comments seen as insulting Islams prophet and his wife Aisha. Prime Minister Narendra Modis party has suspended one official and expelled the other while saying it denounces insults of religious figures. In Pakistan, Sirajul Haq, the leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, denounced India at the rally on Thursday and asked Islamic countries to boycott Indian products and recall their envoys to show New Delhi that Muslims will never tolerate insults to Islam and its prophet. Pakistan and India have a history of bitter relations. Since they gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, the nuclear-armed nations have fought two of their three wars over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, split between them but claimed by both in its entirety. Michigan officer charged with murder in Lyoya shooting View Photo GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A prosecutor filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against the Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head following an intense physical struggle recorded on a bystanders phone. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced his decision against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya minutes after a traffic stop on April 4. Video from a passenger in the car captured the final chilling moments. Schurr fired the fatal shot while Lyoya was on the ground, demanding that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo let go of the officers Taser. The death was not justified or excused, for example, by self defense, the prosecutor said, reciting the elements of second-degree murder. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Roughly a minute later, Lyoya began to run after he was asked to produce a drivers license. Schurr caught him quickly, and the two struggled across a front lawn in the rain before the fatal shot. Defense lawyers said the shooting was not murder but an unfortunate tragedy during a volatile situation. Mr. Lyoya gained full control of a police officers weapon while resisting arrest, placing Officer Schurr in fear of great bodily harm or death, Matt Borgula and Mark Dodge said in a written statement. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he would recommend Schurr be fired, though he is entitled to a hearing and the ultimate decision would be up to the city manager. Schurr has been on leave since the shooting. Becker said he consulted experts from outside Michigan about the use of force in the case. He informed Lyoyas parents about the charge before holding a news conference and also sent a letter in Swahili, their native language. Across the state in Detroit, Peter Lyoya watched the announcement with his lawyer, Ven Johnson, and said he was pleased with the decision. We strongly believed there was no justice in America, until today, Peter Lyoya said. What I want is the final justice for my son. Another family lawyer, Ben Crump, said the murder charge was the right call, adding: Officer Schurr must be held accountable. Schurr turned himself in and was being held at a jail outside Kent County ahead of a court appearance Friday. His personnel file shows no complaints of excessive force but much praise for traffic stops and foot chases that led to arrests and the seizure of guns and drugs. Black community activists had accused Becker, a Republican, of being too close to police and urged him to give the case to the Michigan attorney general, a Democrat, to avoid even the appearance of a conflict. But the prosecutor declined. Everybody thinks prosecutors are an arm or just a branch of police. And were not, Becker told reporters. We are our own entity. We have a duty to enforce the law. We work a lot with them but we dont work for them. Grand Rapids, population about 200,000, is 160 miles (260 kilometers) west of Detroit. The shooting turned into an immediate crisis for Winstrom, who was a commander in Chicago before taking charge in Grand Rapids early in March. Over Beckers objections, he released video from four different sources on April 13. At a community forum that same month, Winstrom said he wanted to put more emphasis on officers knowing how to turn down the heat during tense situations. This is going to be a difficult time for the police department, he said after the murder charge was announced. Well get through it. Lyoyas killing by an officer came after numerous others in recent years involving Black people, including George Floyd, whose killing in Minneapolis sparked a national reckoning on race; Daunte Wright, who was shot during a traffic stop in suburban Minneapolis; Andre Hill, who was killed in Columbus, Ohio; and Andrew Brown Jr., who was killed in North Carolina. Robert Womack, a Kent County commissioner who is Black, said bystander video of Lyoyas death was critical in the prosecutors decision to charge Schurr. The officer wore a body camera, but it didnt capture the shooting and was found on the ground, possibly dislodged during the struggle. Womack wondered how many Black lives have been lost in the past without justice because of a lack of video. Days like this show we can believe in a process, he said of the justice system. ___ White reported from Detroit. Corey Williams in Detroit and Don Babwin in Chicago contributed. ___ Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya By JOHN FLESHER and ED WHITE Associated Press Justice Department opens probe into Louisiana State Police View Photo BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) The U.S. Justice Department is opening a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence that the agency has a pattern of looking the other way in the face of beatings of mostly Black men, including the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene. The federal pattern-or-practice probe announced Thursday followed an Associated Press investigation that found Greenes arrest was among at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. Dozens of current and former troopers said the beatings were countenanced by a culture of impunity, nepotism and, in some cases, outright racism. We find significant justification to open this investigation now. We received information of the repeated use of excessive force, often against people suspected of minor traffic offenses, who are already handcuffed or are not resisting, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Departments civil rights division. She added there were also reports of troopers targeting Black residents in traffic enforcement and using racial slurs and racially derogatory terms. The federal probe, the first such action against a statewide law enforcement agency in more than two decades, comes more than three years after white troopers were captured on long-withheld body-camera video beating, stunning and dragging Greene on a rural roadside near Monroe. Despite lengthy, ongoing federal and state criminal investigations into a death troopers initially blamed on a car crash, no one has been charged. APs reporting found troopers have made a habit of turning off or muting body cameras during pursuits. When footage is recorded, the agency has routinely refused to release it. And a recently retired supervisor who oversaw a particularly violent clique of troopers told internal investigators last year that it was his common practice to rubber-stamp officers use-of-force reports without ever reviewing body-camera video. In some cases, troopers omitted uses of force such as blows to the head from official reports, and in others troopers sought to justify their actions by claiming suspects were violent, resisting or escaping, all of which were contradicted by video footage. This systemic misconduct was blessed by top brass at the Louisiana State Police, said Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. She described a culture of violence, terror, and discrimination within the agency, calling Greenes death the tip of the iceberg. Clarke said the civil pattern-or-practice probe is aimed at driving needed reforms, if necessary by suing to implement a federal consent decree. She added that Gov. John Bel Edwards and the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, Lamar Davis, have pledged their cooperation. Davis, in an internal email obtained by AP, told troopers to hold your heads high and embrace the federal scrutiny. We have nothing to hide and can only benefit from learning, he wrote. Edwards issued a statement Thursday welcoming the investigation. It is deeply troubling that allegations of systemic misconduct exist that would warrant this type of investigation, he said, but it is absolutely critical that all Louisianans, especially African-Americans and other people of color, have their faith, confidence and trust in public safety officers restored. Black leaders have been urging the Justice Department for months to launch a broader investigation into potential racial profiling by the overwhelmingly white state police, similar to other probes opened over the past year in Minneapolis, Louisville and Phoenix. By its own tally, 67% of state police uses of force in recent years were against Black people, who make up 33% of the states population. The action comes as Edwards prepares to testify before a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers investigating Greenes death. AP reported last month that the Democratic governor and his lawyers privately watched video showing Greene taking his final breaths during his fatal arrest footage that didnt reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greenes May 10, 2019, death. Federal prosecutors also are still investigating whether police brass obstructed justice to protect troopers in the Greene case and whether they sought to conceal evidence of troopers beating other Black motorists. The head of the state police at the time of Greenes arrest, Kevin Reeves, has denied the death was covered up but current commanders have told lawmakers investigating the states response that it was. The agencys own use-of-force expert called what troopers did to Greene torture and murder. The AP also found that a former trooper implicated in three separate beatings, Jacob Brown, tallied 23 uses of force dating to 2015, 19 of which involved Black people. In one case that resulted in federal charges, Brown was seen on body-camera video beating Aaron Larry Bowman 18 times with a flashlight after deputies pulled him over for a traffic violation in 2019. State police didnt investigate the attack until 536 days later, and only did so after a lawsuit from Bowman, who was left with a gash to the head and a broken jaw, ribs and wrist. Finally!!! Bowmans attorney, Donecia Banks-Miley, said in a text message upon hearing of the pattern-or-practice probe. We still need transparency and accountability to help bring restoration to the pain that continues to occur with LSP and other law enforcement agencies. ___ Bleiberg reported from Uvalde, Texas. ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ By JIM MUSTIAN and JAKE BLEIBERG Associated Press CARTHAGE, N.C. (AP) A man and a woman from Texas have been charged with animal cruelty after deputies in North Carolina found 10 dead dogs in the back of their rented box truck, authorities said Thursday. Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields said Scott Thomas McCaffrey, 48, and Tambra Lynn Clift, 50, of Weslaco, Texas, each were charged with 10 felony counts of cruelty to animals, news outlets reported. The two are being held at the Moore County jail under a $30,000 bond. NASA leadership to advocate for Agency missions at ESA council meeting NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will travel to Noordwijk, Netherlands, to participate in the ESA (European Space Agency) Council Meeting on Wednesday, June 15. The event will be livestreamed at: https://esawebtv.esa.int ESA is one of NASAs key partners in science and exploration. Nelson and Melroy will address the heads of delegation from the 22 agencies that comprise ESA and advocate for continued, robust funding for NASA-ESA collaboration for the next three to five years, including for Artemis, Mars Sample Return, and Earth science missions. At the ESA Council, NASA and ESA will also sign two agreements: a strategic partnership in Earth science and a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies on the Lunar Pathfinder mission. CARIBOU, Maine (AP) A person accused of entering a high school and spraying a fire extinguisher has been arrested, police said Thursday. The person, a 23-year-old without a fixed address, entered Caribou High School on Thursday morning through a lobby entrance and went to the school's science wing, police said. The person was confronted by staff members and grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprayed it before fleeing, police said. Police said the person was in custody on Thursday. Students were blocked off from part of the building while emergency workers and school staff cleaned and ventilated the building. Charges include terrorizing and criminal trespass, and a court date is scheduled for Aug. 4. BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) In a story published June 9, 2022, about three foreign fighters who were sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine, The Associated Press misspelled the first name of Britains foreign secretary. Her name is Liz Truss. The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on an electric vehicle infrastructure plan that would add hundreds of new charging stations statewide. Texas will receive a total of $407.8 million in federal funding between fiscal years 2022-2026 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed in November 2021 to execute the plan, according to TxDOTs website. The department plans to construct one EV charging station in Plainview with four individual charging plugs, according to a map from TxDOT. Hale County currently has one charging station with one charging plug. Additional EV charging stations will be placed along I-27 in Lubbock and Happy, as well as in Floydada along U.S. Hwy. 70 or U.S. Hwy. 62. Governor Greg Abbott directed TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams in a March 2022 letter to use the plan to focus on rural placement and connectivity. The governor specifically mentioned allowing electric vehicle drivers to be able to travel from Beaumont to El Paso and Texline to Brownsville. Texas sheer volume of roadway miles leaves ample opportunity for EV charging deployment, Abbott wrote in the letter. The plan should ensure that every Texan can access the infrastructure they need to charge an EV. Plan details TxDOTs five-year EV infrastructure plan will add hundreds of charging stations across the state to support one million EVs, according to the draft plan published by the department. The plan will first focus on interstate routes and then transition to urban areas. Most of the funding for the plan will come from the federal government with the remaining funds coming from the private sector, the plan reads. Stations will be located about 50 miles apart along designated electric alternative fuel corridors and about 70 miles apart in other areas of the state, according to the plan. Each station will have at least four charging units capable of 150 kW, which can charge most EVs from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes, the plan said. The network will give electric vehicle drivers confidence and flexibility when traveling for work, recreation, or exploration regardless of distance traveled or weather conditions, the plan reads. Screenshot via Texas Department of Transportation In addition to those requirements, each station will have at least one pull-through unit for cars pulling trailers and campers, have a 45-minute time limit and a 15-foot charge cable length. Stations will be open 24/7 and include adequate lighting, restrooms and follow ADA requirements, according to the plan. Implementation of the plan will cost about $317.32 million in federal funds and $101.58 million in private sector funds, the TxDOT document reads. Additionally, the plan said it will use $88.92 million in federal funds for the maintenance and operation of the stations for five years. Plan timeline In order to receive the federal funds, TxDOT must submit a plan for the use of the funds to the Federal Highway Administration by Aug. 1, according to TxDOT. As part of the process of drafting the plan, the department is accepting public comments on the current version of the proposal until June 22. Comments can be emailed to txdot_nevi@txdot.gov. The FHWA will approve or request changes to the states plans by Sept. 30, according to TxDOT. The department plans to request proposals for the new charging station in October, evaluate the proposals in November and December and award contracts starting in January 2023, the draft plan says. In year one of the plan, TxDOT plans to construct 48 new EV charging stations along the designated electric alternative fuel corridors, according to the document. This is in addition to the 27 stations currently in operation and 26 stations already planned in these corridors. The 48 new stations would be located across the state, including from South to Central Texas along I-35 and I-37, in Northeast Texas along I-20 and I-30, in the Panhandle along I-27 and I-40 and between existing stations along I-10 and I-20. Years two through five of the plan will emphasize rural counties and small urban areas with a focus on installing stations at or near county seats, the plan said. As the timeline progresses, the plan will focus on more rural and remote areas of the state. The plan proposes to construct a total of 190 stations at or near county seats. Grid, workforce, EV ownership considerations While the addition of hundreds of EV charging stations will add energy use to the states electricity grid, TxDOT said the potential impact will be minimal. The total maximum energy usage of the new stations will be a fraction of the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas total capacity. ERCOTs total capacity is expected to be 110,683 MW by 2026, according to the proposal. If each new charging station included in the proposal was utilized at the same time at each of their maximum rates, it would consume 605.8 MW of electricity from the grid, TxDOTs plan said. The potential impact on the overall statewide grid appears minimal for the type and quantity of EV chargers outlined in this plan, TxDOT said in the draft proposal. The investment in EV charging stations will help the electric transportation sector grow in the state, the plan said. In 2019, there were more than 7,000 employees in 1,200 companies working in the industry. The number of employees in that sector is expected to grow to over 13,000 by 2024, and the proposal said more than 400,000 Texans in various industries could be positively affected by the growth of eclectic transportation. TxDOTs plan is in anticipation of one million EV drivers in the state, the proposal said, but there are different opinions on how soon the state will get there. TxDOT said it is predicting there will be one million EV drivers by 2031, while ERCOT predicted the state could reach that milestone as early as 2028. There are 129,010 EVs registered in Texas as of May 31, according to data from DFW Clean Cities. Although EVs represent less than 1% of total vehicles in the Lone Star State, the number of these vehicles in Texas has tripled since 2020, according to TxDOT. More than a third (35.61%) of EVs are registered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, followed by 23.58% of EVs located in the Houston area and 21.32% of EVs registered in the Austin area, DFW Clean Cities shows. Lubbock County is home to 509 EVs, while there are just 21 EVs registered in Hale County, the site shows. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday warned Greece to demilitarize islands in the Aegean Sea, saying he was not joking and posting tweets in Greek and English, in a marked harshening of rhetoric against Turkeys neighbor and historic regional rival. Turkey says Greece has been building a military presence in violation of treaties that guarantee the unarmed status of the Aegean islands. It argues the islands were ceded to Greece on the condition they remained demilitarized. Athens counters that the islands, which have been garrisoned for decades and lie within close striking distance of a large Turkish landing fleet, can't be left undefended. We invite Greece to stop arming the islands that have non-military status and to act in accordance with international agreements, Erdogan said on the final day of military exercises taking place near Izmir, on Turkeys Aegean coast. Im not joking, Im speaking seriously. This nation is determined. Greece and Turkey are NATO allies, but have a history of disputes over a range of issues, including mineral exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and rival claims in the Aegean Sea. The two countries came close to war three times in the past half century, the last being in 1996 over ownership of an uninhabited eastern Aegean islet. But Ankara has recently been questioning Greece's sovereignty over large, inhabited Greek islands Rhodes, Kos and Lesbos, for example, would meet the description of militarized islands. We warn Greece to stay away from dreams, statements and actions that will lead to regret, as it did a century ago, and to return to its senses, the Turkish leader said. A hundred years ago, Turkey defeated Greece after a three-year war that saw Greek armies invade western Turkey. Greece maintains Turkey has deliberately misinterpreted the treaties and says it has legal grounds to defend itself following hostile actions by Ankara, including a long-standing threat of war if Greece extended its territorial waters. Later Thursday, Erdogan made the rare move of tweeting in Greek and English, saying: As Turkey will not resign its rights in the Aegean, it will not hesitate either to make use of its rights arising from international treaties on the issue of the islands' demilitarization. Greek government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou commented that Erdogan's choice of Greek was notable. Greek is known as the language of reason, freedom and justice, he said. The tactics Turkey has chosen do not fall under any of these categories. Earlier, Oikonomou said Greece was dealing with Turkish provocations with calm and determination. It is clear to everyone that our country has upgraded its geostrategic and geopolitical footprint as well as its deterrent capacity to be able at any time to defend its national sovereignty and sovereign rights, he said. Meanwhile, Erdogan also reiterated Turkeys determination to launch a new cross-border offensive in Syria with the goal of pushing back Syrian Kurdish militia and creating a 30-kilometer (19-mile) buffer zone. Turkey regards the militia as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. We will never allow the establishment of terror corridors along our countrys borders, and we will definitely complete the missing parts of our security zone, the Turkish leader said. Erdogan continued: We hope that none of our real allies and friends will oppose our legitimate security concerns." Erdogan has said that Turkeys new offensive in Syria would target the towns of Tall Rifat and Manbij, which lie west of the Euphrates River and from where the Syrian Kurdish fighters launch attacks on Turkish targets. JERUSALEM (AP) The United States is restoring a line of communication for the Palestinians that had been canceled by the Trump administration. The move, announced Thursday before a possible visit by President Joe Biden to Israel and the occupied West Bank, is bureaucratic in nature. But it means the Palestinians will deal directly with the U.S. State Department in Washington rather than first go through the American ambassador to Israel. The department has changed the name of the Palestinian Affairs Unit to the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs. In a statement, the newly renamed office said the move was meant to strengthen our diplomatic reporting and public diplomacy engagement. We felt that it was important to reintroduce separate reporting lines to Washington on Israeli and Palestinian issues, by our respective teams on the ground that focus on these issues, according to the statement, which also said the U.S. was reinstating a system in place for decades before President Donald Trump's decision. The move had been expected for months and the announcement had been postponed several times. But it falls short of Biden administration pledges and Palestinian demands for the U.S. to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem, which for decades had functioned as a de facto U.S. Embassy to the Palestinians. Both the Palestinian Authority and Israel declined to comment. The Trump administration shuttered that consulate in one of a series of controversial moves that favored Israel over the Palestinians. Those steps included recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital despite Palestinian claims that east Jerusalem become the capital of an eventual state, and moving the U.S. Embassy to the holy city from Tel Aviv. Under Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has repeatedly promised to reopen the Jerusalem consulate, which was established in 1844, well before the creation of the state of Israel. But Israel says such a move would challenge its sovereignty over the city. It was thought that such a reopening could help mend U.S. ties with the Palestinians that were ruptured under Trump. The U.S. has so far failed to reopen the consulate, apparently in fear of upsetting ties with Israel or destabilizing its fragile coalition government. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said there was no room in Jerusalem for another American mission. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said it views the reopening of the consulate as part of the international communitys commitments to ending Israels decadeslong occupation of territories the Palestinians seek for their future state. Dan Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel who is now a distinguished fellow with the Atlantic Council, called Thursday's move "an interim step by the Biden administration toward reestablishing a consulate in Jerusalem. The Biden administration has already moved to improve ties with the Palestinians, in part by restoring U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority and funding to the U.N. agency that deals with Palestinian refugees. It has also looked into ways that the Palestinian mission to Washington, closed under Trump, could be reopened, although there are congressional hurdles to such a step. ___ Lee reported from Washington. Soon, Burbank High School's class of 2022 will walk the stage, but not before its senior mariachi musicians say goodbye to the storied halls of the Southside campus and christen the new building with their music. The 2022 class is the last to graduate from the original 1960s-era campus. Burbank will usher in a new era on the Southside as the school moves into its new building for the 2022-23 school year. Though the outgoing seniors missed out on the chance to learn in the new digs, they recently left their mark on the halls. The five seniors of El Mariachi Estrellas de Oro, Burbank's performing varsity group, swapped out their trajes for graduation garb and played songs like "El Son de La Negra (or La Negra)," "El Rey," and "Como Quien Pierde una Estrella" for their fellow Bulldogs. Seniors Arly Hernandez, Michael Alejandro Garcia Olmos, Amberly Galilea Ramirez, Alejandro Hernandez Vega, and David Hernandez Vega performed "El Son de La Negra" from the old hallways of Burbank to the new, flanked by their underclassmen band members. The moving moment was captured on TikTok where more than 14,000 users have shown their appreciation of the cultural display in the form of likes and hundreds of comments. "I got chills and danced with you," TikTok user @lmo8146 says. "Viva la musica ancestral." "Eso mijos," @acraftyreyna follows up. "Show them nothing will keep us down." "This made me proud," @gypsy_jullie also chimes in. "You guys are awesome." Mariachi Director Alvin Martinez tells MySA the performance was part of a year-long effort to promote spirit and create more memories on campus. Courtesy, Alvin Martinez "It was very nice to say that this senior class was the first to not only walk the school, but also perform at the new school," Martinez says. "It was definitely an honor and a lot of them really cherish the moment." Martinez is appreciative that Burbank's administration invested in the group that evokes a sense of pride in culture for the students, whether by providing support or equipment for the mariachi group. "The group really runs on the students, the parents, and the administration," Martinez says. "They have made this group what it is right now." Now the group can also add the support from a wealth of new online fans. Some TikTok users are asking for an encore. What can the fans expect next from El Mariachi Estrellas de Oro? Martinez says the group is planning on composing a fight song. Amarillo city officials are scratching their heads and trying to figure out what mystery creature security cameras capture inside a perimeter fence at the Amarillo Zoo in the dark morning hours around 1:25 a.m. on May 21. "Was it a person with a strange hat who likes to walk at night? A large coyote on its hind legs? A Chupacabra? It is a mystery for Amarillo to help solve," city officials wrote in a news release on Wednesday, June 8. The City of Amarillo described the Chupacabra-looking thing as a UAO (an unidentified Amarillo object). In the spirit of fun if not curiosity, the City of Amarillo is letting the public offer ideas on the identity of the UAO and all of Texas is getting in on the sleuthing. "We just want to let the Amarillo community have some fun with this," said City of Amarillo Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba. "It is definitely a strange and interesting image. Maybe Amarillo can help solve the mystery of our UAO." Kashuba added the creature was seen outside the Amarillo Zoo and no animals or individuals were harmed. There were also no signs of criminal activity or vandalism. If you have a theory as to what this UAO really is, contact the City of Amarillo at publiccommunications@amarillo.gov or on its social media page. On the city's Facebook, people have already made their guesses, calling it Rocket the Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy and a Chupacabra. "Looks like someone in a grinch costume," Mandi Marufo commented. "It's a baby Loch Ness monster, looking for a towel," Annie Layer joked. The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security warned on Tuesday that people in online forums known for hosting violent extremist content are lauding the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texasand are pushing others to commit further attacks. Individuals in online forums that routinely promulgate domestic violent extremist and conspiracy theory-related content have praised the May 2022 mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas and encouraged copycat attacks, DHS officials wrote in a bulletin released Tuesday morning. DHS officials explained that others have capitalized on the shootingduring which a lone gunman shot and killed 19 children and two teachersto push conspiracy theories, including the false claim that the federal government faked the shooting to boost support for gun control measures. DHS officials also noted that the alleged perpetrator of a mass shooting that killed 10 in a majority-Black neighborhood of Buffalo, NY 10 days before the Uvalde shooting, was motivated by racist conspiracies he found online; the shooter that killed 23 in a majority Latinx neighborhood in El Paso in 2019 was animated by many of the same theories. Officials advised readers to maintain digital and media literacy and practice recognizing false or misleading narratives to protect themselves against proliferating misinformation. Mass shootings have fomented similar conspiracies in the past: after a gunman killed 20 kids at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012, Austin-based far-right provocateur Alex Jones pushed the lie that the federal government had staged the shooting to drum up support for gun control measures. After Buffalo, claims that the shooting was an orchestrated false flag operation bubbled up again. Jones website Infowars trumpeted that hed predicted a false flag operation at a grocery store in the days after; an Arizona state lawmaker is now under investigation for endorsing the conspiracy on Telegram following the shooting. The bulletin comes as evidence of law enforcements calamitous mishandling of the shooting continues to emerge. Officers took more than an hour to enter the school after the attack began, as parents implored them to intervene. One Uvalde mother who rescued her two children from the school while the shooter was still inside said U.S. marshals tried to stop her by threatening her with arrest and handcuffing her. A New York Times story published Friday alleged that Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo committed disastrous communication errors that slowed law enforcements response as the shooting unfolded. BCSO The Bexar County Sheriff's Office recently arrested a "high-ranking" California wanted murder suspect who's been on the run since 2018, according to a Wednesday, June 8 Facebook post from the agency. Augustine Singh, 42, was arrested and transported to the Bexar County Jail where he faces pending drugs and weapons charges and extradition back to Merced, California, where he will face his charge of homicide. Firefighters and others killed in a fire at the BM Container Depot in Sitakunda, Chittagong, were buried at their village home. When the body reached the village, a mournful atmosphere was created. by Anwar A. Khan Its like theres fog across the whole world of Bangladesh. But of the killing of a man, who is a man as we are, there is nothing good that remains. Anselmo. The Sonaichhari area of Sitakunda in Chittagong, Bangladesh has come to a standstill due to the horrific explosion and fire at the BM container depot. There is a burning smell in the air. Although four days have passed since this horrific incident betided on the night of 4 June, 2022, the residents of the area adjacent to the BM container depot are living in a state of mental trauma. The people of Sonaichhari area of Sitakunda were preparing to sleep after eating dinner like other normal days. The clock strikes exactly 11 o'clock. At that time there was a loud explosion in the BM container depot. The blast shook the area for several kilometers. Then the burnt people rushed to the whole area. The environment of a wide area became heavy due to their wailing. That terrible night is mentioned in the statements of the eyewitnesses, whom they have compared with the hour. Matiur Rahman, a 56-year-old resident of the area, spoke to a Daily in Bangla. He could not speak normally. Saying, I have never witnessed such a horrible incident in my life. After the explosion, people's limbs and brains fell a few hundred meters away. Even broken pieces weighing 40 to 50 kg fell on people's houses. When I remember the incident of that day, my body still shuddered. I can't get those scenes out of my head. Describing the incident of that day, Nazim Uddin, a resident of Keshabpur area, said, "I was preparing to sleep after eating rice at night. At that time the whole area trembled with a loud noise. The doors and windows of the house broke with a loud noise. Then I panicked and left the house with the other members of my family. The epicenter was reported below the ground, however; no tsunami alert was issued. The epicenter was reported below the ground, however; Hossain Bhutto. According to him, I got the news of the fire at the depot and stood on the balcony. Suddenly there was a loud explosion in the depot. At that time, it seemed that there was a 10-magnitude earthquake. The wholedepot building has fallen on my body. 'Saleha Begum of Alauddin's house near BM Depot said, Everyone was running around after the blast. Some were rolling on the ground in pain. Some of the burn victims were trying to save their lives by jumping into the pond again. Then it seemed that I was witnessing the hour. Selim said, "I came out of the house immediately after the explosion and saw the screams of burnt people. The bodies of all the burn victims are covered in white. Many have no arms, no legs. Even then they are running and running to save lives. I can't express in words what a terrible environment it was. I don't want to face such a hostile environment anymore. BM Container Depot CFS Supervisor Emran Hossain said, "The depot's alarm went off around 9:30 pm. Feeling we have 'Run out of gas' emotionally. However, one after other explosions were taking place after 11 pm. At that time no security equipment was working. We have had a catastrophic night. I have never seen such a scene in my life. The fire has been now brought under control.The smoke from the fire was coming out of the container depot till 9 am yesterday. Fire service personnel are trying their best to control the fire. Army and police personnel are stationed at the spot. It is learned that some containers on the west side of the depot are on fire. Moreover, smoke is coming out from a few more containers in the vicinity. Members of the fire service are spraying water on these containers from above with the help of special devices. Twelve fire service vehicles are working to put out the fire. When one car runs out of water, another is being sent. A police team is stationed in front of the main gate of the depot. There is strict security. The fire service staff continued to make strenuous efforts. The rescue operation could not be started by entering all the sheds of the depot. Smoke was coming out of there. Sitakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Sumon Banik, who was present at the spot, said the fire was burning. Not yet fully under control. The smoke is rising. It is learned that a horrific container explosion took place at BM Depot at Sitakunda in Chittagong around 9 pm last Saturday. Nearly fifty people were killed and about five hundred were injured. Containers are exploding repeatedly due to chemical explosions in the event of a horrific explosion. Due to the intensity of the fire, the fire service personnel could not get close at first. The chemical explosion at the BM Container Depot in Sitakunda will have a devastating effect on the environment and the human body. Experts fear short-term and long-term damage as well as mutilation. They say it is a matter of great concern that the BM container depot has not been able to determine what kind of chemical was present along with hydrogen peroxide. However, it is important to take immediate action considering the severity and type of the chemical. Jahangirnagar University Professor of Environmental Sciences Masura Shammi said, "We still do not know what kind of chemicals were in the depot other than hydrogen peroxide. Depot authorities should disclose it as soon as possible. Then action can be taken accordingly. He added: "Hydrogen peroxide alone does not explode. The way the depot exploded and caught fire over a long period of time suggests that there must have been some other chemical presence. In this case, if there is the presence of ammonium nitrate, the consequences will be really terrible. The world is aware of the Lebanese ammonium nitrate explosion. The presence of something like hydrogen chloride or petroleum is also deadly. However, hydrogen peroxide alone is sufficient to have adverse effects on the environment and public health. It will have a big impact on the human respiratory system. Entering the human body with oxygen will cause sores in the lungs. In addition, the waste will mix with water or rain to make the soil acidic, which can adversely affect agriculture. At the same time, it will have a negative impact on biodiversity. Saidur Rahman Chowdhury, a professor in the Department of Marine Sciences and Fisheries at the University of Chittagong, said, Therefore, those engaged in firefighting must work carefully. Because if some chemicals fall into the sea, it can create a terrible situation. Therefore, it is necessary to take necessary steps to protect the sea. Abu Naser Khan, chairman of the Save the Environment Movement, told news media that those who are involved in the process, be it stockpiling, exporting or importing chemicals, cannot avoid this responsibility. Because if the protocol had been obeyed, such a horrible explosion would not have taken place. Of course, there was a lack of supervision. They should be subjected to exemplary punishment subject to proper investigation he said. We do not yet know if there were any more chemicals. Therefore, appropriate action should be taken after speedy investigation. Otherwise, the waste is likely to mix with soil and water and have a detrimental effect on public health. After Nimtali and Chawkbazar, Banani, now Sitakunda. We are in a lot of troubles. Is human life so trivial? Now we can hear that the depot did not have any license for stockpiling or processing chemicals. So, what have those who were in charge of supervising it done for so long? Whoever is guilty, everyone should be subjected to exemplary punishment. Firefighters and others killed in a fire at the BM Container Depot in Sitakunda, Chittagong, were buried at their village home. When the body reached the village, a mournful atmosphere was created. Somewhere some wereburied, somewhere some are waiting for the corpses. Hasina, one of the victims of the chemical blast at Sitakunda in Chittagong, is on life support at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Four are in the ICU, while the condition of the other 12 is critical, hospital authorities said. The director of the Burn Institute, Professor. Abul Kalam Azad said, Four of those admitted are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). One of them has been placed on life support. The condition of the rest is also alarming. A 10-member medical board has been formed to treat the patients. Besides, doctors from Dhaka Medical came and saw them, said Abul Kalam Azad. A three-member expert team led by Dr. Samanta Lal Sen visited the victims. Samanta Lal Sen said, "We have identified the three. They should be taken to Dhaka. Will be taken if relatives agree. They need a burn ICU. " The number of fire service stations across the country has doubled in the last 10 years, but firefighting capacity has not increased. Meanwhile, a project to modernize the fire service in the next 10 years has been pending in the Ministry of Home Affairs for a long time. Midway on our lifes journey, I found myselfIn dark woods, the right road lost. These famous lines, narrated by famed Italian writer Dante Alighieri, open Inferno and immediately establish the allegorical plane on which the storys meaning unfolds. -The End The writer is an independent political analyst based in Dhaka, Bangladesh,who writes on politics, political and human-centred figures, current and international affairs. A few hours before Young Women's Leadership Academy student Kayla Price was set to graduate, school officials told her she had a to take an eagle feather off of her graduation cap. But Price, who is from the Indigenous Nakoda and Lakota people, wasn't going to take the feather off. Price's mom, Jennifer Falcon, said her daughter was pulled out of graduation rehearsal by school officials on June 3, which was just hours before the actual ceremony. Price says those officials were Delia McLerran, head of schools, and YWLA Principal Regina Arzamendi. Price, who is also Black, says she was singled out first by McLerran because her feather broke graduation handbook rules, which dictate the top of the cap, also called a mortarboard, can't be decorated with items that stick up in the air or hang off the edge of the cap. Although she says she didn't explain the full context, Price says she did tell McLerran that the feather was significant to her Indigenous culture. "For me, I felt like that wasnt something that I had to get approved because it was cultural," Price says. "It was embarrassing. No one wants to be singled out for just a cap." Price also wore a necklace of garnets and sweet grass gathered by her great-grandmother in Montana, and beaded moccasins gifted from her aunt. The beaded necklace was approved before graduation but at that time, Price says, she didn't think to ask for approval of the feather because it was just as significant to her culture. The feathers, Price says, are gifted to Indigenous people during rites of passage. Price says she asked Principal Arzamendi if she could hang the feather off her tassel as a compromise, but she was still denied. Falcon says that she spoke with McLerran only an hour-and-a-half before graduation, and says she was told by the administrator that she has to somehow prove that the eagle feather was culturally significant while also saying that she was busy trying to organize the graduation. "This is anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism that has been going on for years," Falcon says. Falcon says she has raised these issues to the school before, saying white students were once allowed to dress as Native Americans on Disney Day. In March, Walt Disney World said it regretted allowing the performance from the "Indianettes" dance team out of Port Neches-Grove High School. The dance team was visiting the theme park and performed a dance using Native American stereotypes. Since the incident, protesters attended board meetings in May in favor of changing the Port Neches school's Native American-themed mascot. Stephanie Fryberg, a professor at the University of Michigan and member of the Tulalip Tribe told Politico in 2020 that these stereotypical representations can lead to increased suicidal ideation. Suicide rates among Native Americans were higher than any other race from 2011 to 2020, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Price was eventually allowed to wear the eagle feather in her cap. Falcon says the school finally budged when she and Price's father, Joaquin Gonzalez, arrived and spoke to staff. They both said that the school was violating the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978. Gonzalez is a civil rights attorney with Texas Civil Rights Project. YWLA is part of San Antonio ISD. The district does have a policy that prohibits the district from discriminating based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or disability in its vocational programs. A district spokesperson reaffirmed this in an emailed statement regarding incident. "The district and Young Womens Leadership Academy support and respect all cultures, and the student fully participated in her graduation ceremony. Although the students mortarboard design did not meet the districts guidelines, an exception was immediately made by district administration when we learned the feather was worn to honor the students culture. We want students of all cultures to feel included, and we work with students and their families when we learn of ways we can accommodate their requests." Price says the moment was also empowering when it comes to looking at how authority figures try to further disparage already marginalized communities. "I definitely dont want anyone to hold me back," Price says. "They dont just use it to hold you back but to you bring you down." San Antonio firefighters were out on Culebra Road near Woodlawn Lake early Thursday morning fighting a blaze at a sign shop. Firefighters arrived to Signs Channel Letters at 1322 Culebra Road around 3:52 a.m. to find the top of the sign shop building engulfed in flames, according to the incident commander on the scene. The fire is believed to have started in the back of the building and then spread into the attic. There are two spaces in the building but the sign store was the only tenant. Firefighters had a difficult time getting into the building to attack the fire. Courtesy of Ken Branca At one point the San Antonio Fire Department was worried about the fire spreading to neighboring businesses, like the Original Asadero Mexican Restaurant right next door, as well as the homes behind the store. Firefighters were able to eventually contain the fire. No one was reported to be inside the building, and the cause of the fire is still being investigated as of this morning. This is the second business destroyed by fire within the past month. In mid-May, Taqueria El Tapatio De Jalisco, an old restaurant on the Southside, was deemed a complete loss by firefighters after it was razed by flames overnight. Fire Fighters believed that fire began in the kitchen when a small propane leak caused an explosion. The damage for the restaurant fire was estimated at $80,000. Steven Santana | MySA The NRP Group and San Antonio Housing Authority are now welcoming residents to its new affordable living community on the Far Northeast Side and a majority of it is already leased. Both groups and county officials celebrated the grand opening on Wednesday, June 8, of Elevate at 7347 Kitty Hawk Road, a $41 million, 212-unit affordable apartments in Universal City, according to a news release. The apartments offer floorplans with one-to-four-bedroom units for residents earning 30% to 70% of the area median income. Yves here. This VoxEU post does a very solid job of trying to estimate the importance of Russian output to various commodity markets, and importantly Russias role in supply chains. However, even this piece misses some issues due to the impact of the conflict on Ukraine, and that Ukraines output profile has parallels to that of Russia. Rev Kev pointed out recently that Russia has stooped to a bona-fide sanction (as opposed to its more passive-aggressive variants) with neon after the US and EU barred the export of semiconductors to Russia. As you can see from the video below, Ukraine had accounted for about 50% of the global output of neon via two plants, one in Mariupol and one in Odessa. Thats now off the market. Russia had 30% of the market, which is now 60% of what is left. And neon is essential for the lasers used to etch semiconductors. (Readers: does a laser keep using the same neon over its life, or does it need new neon periodically/often? That will make a big difference in terms of how quickly this restriction bites). The speaker is sweeping in his claims about who shelled what in Mariupol. Its clear that Ukraine was responsible directly and indirectly for attacks in residential areas; Im not clear why Russia would have wanted to attack the neon facility but it might have been collateral damage when Azov retreated to the industrial part of town. By Maria Grazia Attinasi, Economist in the External Developments Division of the European Central Bank; Rinalds Gerinovics, Analyst, ECB; Vanessa Gunnella, Senior Economist, ECB; Michele Mancini, Economist, Bank of Italy and ECB; and Luca Metelli, Economist, Bank of Italy (on leave at the ECB). Originally published at VoxEU The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions imposed on Russia are adding strains to already disrupted global supply chains. This column introduces a new indicator to show that the war is already rattling global supply chains. It also argues that despite the modest share of Russia and Ukraine in global trade, the ramifications for global activity can be sizeable as both countries are among the top global exporters of energy products and raw materials that enter upstream in the production processes of several manufactured goods and that may be hard to substitute in the short term. Supply bottlenecks have worsened since the onset of the war, especially in sectors largely dependent on Russias and Ukraines exports. We construct a new index of global sectoral supply chain pressures (GSSP) which disentangles the contributions of seven industries to aggregate supply pressures in the manufacturing sector. This indicator is derived from a vector auto-regression (VAR) with global purchasing managers index (PMI) variables such as: output, output prices, and the suppliers delivery times of seven manufacturing sectors. A global supply shock is identified through sign restrictions and the indicator is obtained bottom-up by aggregating the fluctuations in sectoral PMI suppliers delivery times (SDT) that are explained by the global supply shock.1 The GSSP indicator suggests that supply pressures intensified again since March (Figure 1), with the natural resources and chemical industries sectors being the main contributors. This pattern of sectoral disruptions likely reflects the impact of the war in Ukraine, as both Russia and Ukraine are important exporters of metals and mining products, as well as products used in the production of fertilizers (i.e. the chemicals sector).2 Such supply disruptions, not yet fully captured by available economic data, are likely to intensify in the next few months, especially in Europe. Figure 1 Supply chain pressure indicator in global manufacturing (standard deviations from the average value and point contributions) Sources: IHS Markit and authors calculations. Latest observation: April 2022. Notes: Left (right) hand side panel is aggregated at quarterly (monthly) frequency. Higher values of the indicator point to worsening in the supply chain pressures. Figure 2 Russias share in global exports of raw materials and degree of export market concentration (share in worlds exports; Herfindahl-Hirschman index; 2019) Source: Trade Data Monitor, European Commission and authors calculations. Notes: Materials marked with red circles denote strategic raw materials as defined by the European Commissions latest criticality assessment (2020 Factsheets). The size of the bubbles refers to share of Russia in global exports. Looking at Russias trade specialisation is useful to assess the potential implications of war-related disruptions for global supply chains and their geographical dimension. Russias exports of oil, gas, and coal account for 15% of the worlds exports of these commodities and the EU is its largest importer and the region with the highest import dependence from Russia. This explains the supply pressures emerging in the natural resources sector. In addition to energy commodities, Russia is also a key exporter of raw materials, including those classified by the European Commission (2020) as critical given their economic importance and high supply risks (Figure 2). For example, Russia exports materials used in the production of fertilisers, especially potash, where it has a dominant position, but also of sulphur and phosphate rocks. When looking at critical raw materials, Russia is a large exporter of palladium, vanadium, and cobalt, which are most prominently used in the production of 3D printing, drones, robotics industries, batteries, and semiconductors, thus affecting also other sectors, such as electronic appliances, transportation, and most prominently the car sector. Russia is also the fourth largest producer of coking coal, used for steel production, where it also enjoys a dominant market position, while Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of iron ore, which is used in iron and steel industries. War-related disruptions to production and trade flows from Russia may be amplified through global production networks given the countrys significant forward integration in global value chains. Russias share in global forward global value chains participation is around double the size of its share in gross global trade (2.8% versus 1.5%). Notably, Russia has one of the highest forward participation rates in supply chains, as more than 30% of its exports consist of inputs used by its trade partners as intermediate inputs, compared to a global average of just 18% (Figure 3). This is explained by Russias specialisation in energy and metal industries, which are intrinsically more forward integrated, being positioned upstream in the production process. Therefore, disruptions to Russias exports might well propagate downstream through supply chain networks, having an impact also via the indirect trade (Winkler and Wuester 2022, Winkler et al. 2022). Moreover, as Russian inputs are involved in several stages of production, implications of disruptions could potentially be long-lasting, in line with previous firm-level empirical evidence based on the Tohoku earthquake (Boehm et al. 2019). Quantitative trade models which account for global value chain linkages find that the size of the welfare effects of trade disruptions due to the war is double compared to standard models. In a recent work (Borin et al. 2022) a multi-sector, multi-country general equilibrium trade model (Antras and Chor, 2018) is exploited to gauge to what extent supply chains may amplify the effects of the collapse in trade between Russia and its trading partners. A decline in Russian imports from sanctioning countries in line with the most recent trade data is obtained through an increase in bilateral trade barriers. The results suggest that Russia and some EU countries, most notably Central and Eastern European countries and Finland, would be affected disproportionally compared to others, with the welfare effects being significantly larger when sanctions on energy are assumed, suggesting a highly pervasive role for energy inputs in production (Figure 3). Indirect cross-country and cross-sectoral linkages effects act as a significant magnifier, as they double the size of the standard (i.e. non-global value chain) effects, especially for those countries which have tighter supply chain linkages with Russia. One caveat to these findings is that the quantitative trade model features a high degree of substitutability across inputs, a feature arguably unrealistic especially in the short run for critical inputs such as energy (Bachmann et al. 2022). Under lower but plausible degree of substitutability, Borin et al. (2022) show that the magnitude of the effects on economic activity of disruptions to trade in energy products would be higher than estimated above and, in the case of a full energy embargo, they would increase markedly and may reach 4% of GDP in the euro area. Figure 3 Russias participation in global value chains across sectors by different modes (percentage share of total exports, 2020) Sources: World Bank WITS, ADB MRIO tables. Notes: Measures are based on Borin et al. (2021). Figure 4 Amplification effects of global value chains (GDP changes, percentages) Source: Borin et al. (2022). Notes: The model with GVCs relies on a full input-output structure. The model without GVCs utilizes an altered input-output structure where trade in intermediate products is attributed to trade in final products. Data refers to 2018. Only countries where welfare changes are larger than 0.2% are reported. _____________ 1 The indicator is obtained by aggregating the fluctuations of the sectoral PMI delivery times which are due to the global supply shock. These sectoral fluctuations are weighted by the relevance of various sectors in the global economy. The indicator compares well with the indicator GSCPI produced by the NY Fed, sharing a high degree of correlation (around 90%). The sectors considered in the indicator are Chemicals, Natural resources, Automobiles & Auto parts, Food and Beverages, Household & Personal Use Products, Industrial goods, and Technological Equipment. 2 Our indicator likely picks up also the effects of the severe lockdown measures introduced in China since mid-March in response to the spread of the Omicron variant, and which caused disruptions to economic activity and logistics. See original post for references My Nashville Post role has evolved since 2000 when I joined the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister publication in 2008 (when I began doing some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have been managing editor of the Post since late 2011. Follow William Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Three full years and two false starts since Bonnaroos last installment thanks, COVID and Hurricane Ida the Roo faithful are, at last, set to descend upon the farm this weekend. How it all plays out remains to be seen, but promises to be interesting. Thisll be my fifth trip to Manchester, so while I may not yet be a seasoned vet, Im no novice either and can say with confidence that Thursday and Friday are ideal days for discovering new acts in comfortable environs before everything speeds up and gets wild. On Thursday, the main stages (What and Which) have yet to open. The grounds are pristine, lines are short, and everyone is wide-eyed and excited. Neo-soul lovers can beat the heat with party-starting Seattle septet The Dip (4:30 p.m., This Tent), supporting the bands Dualtone debut Sticking With It. For early-arriving rock types, Nothing (4:30 p.m., That Tent) is essential. Led by the charismatic, outspoken Dominic Palermo, the Philadelphians provide a tuneful spin on grungy, shoegazey 90s traditions that consistently hits the mark. In 2020, Nothing leveled up with its fourth LP The Great Dismal. Thoughtfully heavy and crazily catchy, it was among that lost years finest records of its kind. Asheville, N.C.s Indigo de Souza (9:15 p.m., That Tent) made a major impression with her passionate 2021 Saddle Creek album Any Shape You Take an apt title for the sonically varied, ultra-dynamic 12-song collection. Over in Centeroo, near the craft beer and coffee tents, Garcia Peoples (10:15 p.m., Who Stage) will attempt to lure in passers-by with kaleidoscopic psych-rock heroics inspired by, but not indebted to, the Grateful Dead. Originals from the New Jersey sextets latest, the stellar Dodging Dues, promise to electrify. Sons of Kemet (11 p.m., That Tent) are the main jam of 38-year-old sax guru Shabaka Hutchings also one-third of 2018 Roo alums The Comet Is Coming, and leader of his own ensemble The Ancestors. A meeting of the minds between Hutchings, tuba virtuoso Theon Cross and a pair of drummers, Sons express righteous anger in stirring, powerful fashion on their recordings 2021s Black to the Future, on Impulse!, is their latest but the quartets scorching live sets are the stuff of legend. Xi inspects southwestern Chinese city of Meishan EditorLi Wei Time2022-06-09 00:30:44 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting the village of Yongfeng to learn about local efforts in advancing high-standard farmland development, boosting grain production, promoting rural revitalization, maintaining effective COVID-19 prevention and control, in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. Xi on Wednesday inspected the city of Meishan. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) CHENGDU, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Wednesday inspected the city of Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. In the morning, he visited the village of Yongfeng and San Su Ci, the memorial temple and former residence of Su Xun and his two sons Su Shi and Su Zhe, three literary masters of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Xi learnt about local efforts in advancing high-standard farmland development, boosting grain production, promoting rural revitalization, maintaining effective COVID-19 prevention and control, and protecting historical and cultural heritage. Back in 2020, the two major music festivals that have marked the arrival of summer in Tennessee for decades five decades in the case of CMA Fest (nee Fan Fair), and two decades for Bonnaroo were canceled, thanks to the pandemic. Rising COVID case numbers led to the cancellation of CMA Fest again in 2021, and torrential rains from Hurricane Ida canceled Bonnaroo that year as well. Finally, with any luck, the jam-packed events are back on for 2022: CMA Fest takes over downtown Nashville from June 9 through 12, and Bonnaroo pops up at The Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester June 16 through 19. In our cover package, we look at how the CMA has responded to the long-standing issues of systemic racism that became a major part of the national conversation in 2020, and what more the organization needs to do. We also talk with experts about how weather can affect festival season, as well as about how to protect yourself in a post-lockdown world in which the pandemic remains ongoing. And, of course, weve got lots of recommendations for artists to see at both fests. Dig in. Festival Frenzy 2022: Preparing for Festival-Season Weather Looking ahead at festival seasons weather trends and how to prepare for them +3 Festival Frenzy 2022: Nashville Sounds Catch a kaleidoscopic array of local artists at Bonnaroo +2 Festival Frenzy 2022: Bonnaroo Thursday On its first day back in action, Bonnaroo promises stellar rock, soul, jazz and much more +2 Festival Frenzy 2022: Bonnaroo Friday As Bonnaroo rolls on, choose your own adventure among R&B, forward-looking pop, triumphant country and more +2 Festival Frenzy 2022: Bonnaroo Saturday On the third day of Bonnaroo, check out top-notch hip-hop, stellar pop and more +2 Festival Frenzy 2022: Bonnaroo Sunday Bonnaroo heads toward the finish with superlative dance music, outstanding rap and more +2 Festival Frenzy 2022: Smaller Stages, Major Country Talent From Brittney Spencer to Kidd G to Lily Rose and beyond, 10 CMA Fest artists you dont want to miss outside the stadium +2 Festival Frenzy 2022: CMA Fest Remains a Work in Progress Considering the work done to make the event more welcoming to nonwhite and LGBTQ musicians and fans and how much more there is to do (Natural News) President Joe Biden has announced that the U.S. is sending longer-range missiles to the Ukraine to help its forces fight against Russian invaders. The move is being interpreted by some as a sharp turnaround from his earlier vow that the U.S. was not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that can strike into Russia, although Ukraine has agreed not to use the new missiles for that purpose. The new weapons package for Ukraine contains what Biden described as more advanced rocket systems and munitions. The $700 million package, which is the 11th one to be approved so far, includes tactical vehicles, javelin antitank missiles, helicopters and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, among other advanced weapons. However, he made a point of emphasizing that while the weapons will help the Ukrainians defend themselves, the administration is not enabling Ukraine to attack Russia. Ukraine officials had been pushing for systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, but it is only being provided on the condition that it is not used to strike across the border. We are not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders, Biden stated. We do not want to prolong the war just to inflict pain on Russia. However, the weapons systems are capable of being shot into Russia if they are fired close to the border. The package also includes medium-range rockets, which can travel around 45 miles. Ukraine is expected to use the rockets in the eastern Donbas region for intercepting Russian artillery and taking out Russian positions in towns that have been seeing intense fighting. One area where they may prove useful is Severodonetsk, a city situated 90 miles south of the Russian border that has been the last piece of land to stay under Ukrainian control in the Luhansk region HIMARS can be mounted on a truck and holds six rockets. In addition to firing medium-range rockets, it can also fire the longer-range Army Tactical Missile System, which has a range of 190 miles but does not figure into the current plan. Although Biden has not ruled out providing any specific types of weapons systems, the administration does appear to be placing conditions on how they can be used. In a guest essay published by the New York Times, Biden tried to allay fears about nuclear attacks while warning the Putin regime to act carefully. We currently see no indication that Russia has intent to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, though Russias occasional rhetoric to rattle the nuclear saber is itself dangerous and extremely irresponsible. He cautioned: Let me be clear: Any use of nuclear weapons in this conflict on any scale would be completely unacceptable to us as well as the rest of the world and would entail severe consequences. US, allies trying to help Ukraine while avoiding the ire of Putin At the same time, Germany has pledged to provide Ukraine with modern radar systems and anti-aircraft missiles as the country has been coming under fire for not doing enough to help Ukraine defend itself from Russian invaders. Ukraine has also received Harpoon anti-ship missiles from Denmark. As the war continues, the U.S. and its allies have been trying to strike the delicate balance between helping Ukrainians fight off Russia without enraging Putin and potentially triggering a bigger conflict that impacts other areas of Europe. Thousands of people have been killed in the fighting in Ukraine, with millions more displaced since the beginning of the Russian invasion in late February. Moscow has characterized it as a special military operation to denazify Ukraine, but it is widely being viewed as a pretext to seize Ukrainian territory. Sources include: Finance.Yahoo.com News.Sky.com FoxNews.com (Natural News) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has cited 69 hospitals in the United States for failing to comply with the workplace Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate of President Joe Bidens administration. As part of his administrations desire to force every American to take the experimental and deadly COVID-19 vaccines, the president directed the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) last September to create a vaccine mandate for around 17 million healthcare workers at healthcare institutions that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding. This mandate does not provide an opt-out option for workers willing to submit to regular COVID-19 testing instead. (Related: Biden poised to ROUND UP anti-vaccine doctors and force them into insane asylums.) Bidens expansive mandate was rolled back slightly to allow workplaces with 100 or more employees to decide for themselves whether they want to force their employees to get vaccinated. But the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers remained. The COVID-19 vaccine mandate was supposed to get healthcare workers vaccinated. But by February of this year, up to one-third of nurses working at some facilities in the country remained unvaccinated. Sixty-nine of these hospitals were cited by CMS for not complying with the agencys mandate to make sure unvaccinated workers comply with the vaccine mandate or lose their jobs. Since the implementation of the COVID-19 healthcare worker vaccine rule, hundreds of surveys of hospitals have taken place, and the majority of hospitals are in compliance with the vaccine requirement, wrote a CMS spokesperson in an email to journalist Kelly Gooch of Beckers Hospital Review. In total, surveyors have made 69 citations of hospitals since the rollout of the requirement, and surveys are still underway. As a reminder, hospitals are one of the 17 provider types included in this rule. What this email suggests is that other types of healthcare facilities have yet to comply with the mandate, as well. This means there are likely more unvaccinated healthcare workers than either the government or mainstream media outlets may admit. Noncompliant hospitals could be taken off Medicare and Medicaid The spokesperson continued by saying that the goal of CMS is to bring healthcare facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding in compliance with federal government requirements. Compliance is based on reviews of the facilitys COVID-19 vaccination policies and procedures. CMS also looks at the number of employees who contract COVID-19 and a list of workers provided by the employer, which includes interviews and observations and data regarding their vaccination statuses. If healthcare facilities keep refusing to comply with the federal mandate, the facilities could be subject to civil monetary penalties and denial of payment. As a last resort, the facilities could be terminated from the Medicare and Medicaid program for protecting their unvaccinated employees from unemployment. The agency noted that the remedy for noncompliance is termination. CMS goal is to bring healthcare facilities into compliance. Termination would generally occur only after providing a facility with an opportunity to make corrections and come into compliance, said the agency. We are holding the health system accountable, said CMS Chief Operating Officer and Principal Deputy Administrator Jon Blum. However, CMS officials have noted that the fact that the agency has to ensure the compliance of health facilities is a sign of how unprepared the U.S. is to fully enforce its vaccine mandates. Weve been so unprepared for this pandemic from the start, said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation. CMS is not even intended to be a regulator of hospitals in general, let alone during a pandemic. To make up for its shortcomings in enforcing compliance, CMS said earlier in May that it is boosting oversight of hospitals with COVID-19 outbreaks among its staff. The agency added it will release a full year of data on the number of healthcare workers in facilities covered by CMS who are vaccinated against COVID-19 by October of this year. The agency is far from satisfied with this arrangement, said Blum, but he claimed that CMS has made tremendous progress since it received additional funding from the federal government that can go towards surveying infection control at healthcare facilities, particularly nursing homes. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, notes that the systematic, daily medical violence committed against patients by doctors in America is still very widespread. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: VIOLENCE IN HOSPITALS: Mass shootings barely compare to the medical violence routinely inflicted by many surgeons and doctors. Utah nurses try to hide cases of fully vaccinated patientscoughing up massive fibrous clots from one of their lungs. Dr. Jane Ruby: Nurses that stayed in hospitals allowed COVID death protocol to remain Brighteon.TV. Nurse activist: Healthcare workers who supported COVID-19 hospital policies should stand trial for deaths they enabled. Dr. Paul Marik: Hospitals are KILLING COVID-19 patients by refusing to give them life-saving medications. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com BeckersHospitalReview.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) withdrew its recommendation for travelers to wear face masks against monkeypox following backlash. The original version of the CDCs travel advisory page for monkeypox urged Americans to wear a mask as it helps protect against many diseases, including monkeypox. However, the same page mentioned that the disease spreads through contact with the skin lesions or bodily fluids of infected animals or humans or through contact with materials contaminated with the virus. The manner of monkeypoxs spread contrasts with that of the airborne Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). The recommendation drew strong backlash from the public, with many pointing out that monkeypox spreads via close and prolonged contact. In particular, sexual contact between gay had been cited as the reason for its spread. Thus, masks would seem to be unnecessary and useless leading to the CDC dropping the recommendation as of June 7. CBS News reporter Alexander Tin pointed out the CDCs backpedaling on mask guidance in a tweet. After adding the warning a week or so ago, the CDC now appears to have removed its previous urging for travelers to don masks to curb monkeypox, he wrote, attaching a screenshot of the CDCs travel advisory page. Even though the public health agency rescinded its recommendations for travelers to mask up, it did not do the same for people infected with monkeypox. Persons with monkeypox should wear a surgical mask, especially those who have respiratory symptoms. If this is not feasible, other household members should consider wearing a surgical mask when in the presence of the person with monkeypox, said the CDC. Urologist and Newsmax contributor Dr. David Samadi took to Twitter to voice out his criticism. He tweeted: [Im] still trying to comprehend the CDC guidance to wear masks to slow the spread of monkeypox. The disease is not airborne as of the moment. What exactly are the masks supposed to do in this case? Biden wants everyone to be concerned about monkeypox The CDCs recommendation and subsequent withdrawal of guidance on face masks against monkeypox followed remarks by President Joe Biden, who called on Americans to be concerned with the new infectious disease. They havent told me the level of exposure yet, but it is something that everybody should be concerned about. It is a concern in the sense that if it were to spread, its consequential, he told reporters on May 22 before departing for South Korea. Were working on it hard to figure out what we do and what vaccine, if any, may be available for it. According to the CDC, there have been a total of 35 confirmed monkeypox cases across the U.S. as of June 7. Cases were recorded in 15 states, with California having eight and New York having seven. Its not clear how the people were exposed to monkeypox but early data suggest that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men make up a high number of cases, it added. However, Texas-based cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough remarked that the hysteria over monkeypox is unwarranted. (Related: Dr. Peter McCullough: No need to panic over monkeypox.) There should be absolutely no panic, he told InfoWars founder Alex Jones during a sit-down interview. I have to tell you, we have such a lead time on this illness. We can manage this. McCullough pointed out that monkeypox has very little respiratory component, instead causing the formation of lesions or pustules on the skin. Monkeypox-related deaths only occur in regions where there is no general medical care support for patients who get ill or suffer dehydration, he added. Furthermore, he mentioned that monkeypox is easily treated with available drugs: The treatment is actually very well tolerated. Tpoxx [tecovirimat] taken twice a day is perfectly fine. Outbreak.news has more stories about monkeypox. Watch Dr. Peter McCullough below explaining to Alex Jones why there is no need to be afraid of monkeypox. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: If CDC mandates Smallpox vaccine for Monkeypox pandemic, expect serious side effects, including breathing difficulty and deadly cardiac events 2005 CDC study. CDC just issued Level 2 travel alert on monkeypox; Level 3 coming in June and will likely restrict travel of Americans. CDC preparing bogus narrative to push SMALLPOX vaccines, mask mandates in reaction to MONKEYPOX spread. Monkeypox release is PSYCHOLOGICAL TERRORISM to keep humanity paralyzed with FEAR. Monkeypox outbreak could be used to justify expansion of medical surveillance. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com CDC.gov 1 Twitter.com 1 CDC.gov 2 Twitter.com 2 TheHill.com CDC.gov 3 Brighteon.com (Natural News) Rob Verkerk, the co-director of the Alliance for Health International, reflected on the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the statistics that he said created huge polarization, depending on interpretation: the number of COVID-19 deaths, cases and adverse reactions to the vaccines. He noted that the official figures of the polarizing statistics can be unreliable and widely misrepresented. Thus, people cannot rely on them to understand the real impact of the COVID-19 disease, as distinguished from the impacts of the human response, statistical noise or statistical manipulation. For example, Norman Fenton and his colleagues from the Queen Mary University of London previously dismantled official U.K. data regarding the vaccinated and unvaccinated cases of COVID-19. While their work was regarded as the most reliable dataset available internationally, it also provided a stark reminder of how deception can work. Their paper stated that there had been numerous discrepancies that indicate the reports on vaccine effectiveness have been grossly underestimating the number of unvaccinated people, causing statistics to underestimate the mortality rates of vaccinated individuals per age category. COVID deaths, cases and vaccination rates It is important to reflect on the mortality data associated with COVID-19, no matter how painful, to make sure that history does not repeat itself. (Related: Pfizers covid injections are killing people, including babies, and the FDA has known the entire time.) COVID-19 deaths were always conflated with other causes. In other countries, they represented deaths reported from any cause that occurred within a specific timeframe of a positive COVID-19 antigen test, usually up to 28 days after. Many of the reported deaths were in hospitals where the sickest tend to go, and where they are most likely to contract infections certainly, it is the most likely place to test for COVID-19 status, using a known flawed diagnostic technique based on real-time testing platforms like the RT-PCR. This gives no accurate way of measuring the impact of the disease, but a proxy or a comparison of all-cause mortality against the expected average mortality, or the so-called excess mortality. This number showed an undeniable elevated excess mortality in some countries, which coincided with the waves of apparent infection. While some countries like one-third of Europe or those in the African continent experienced no excess mortality whatsoever, other countries experienced excess mortality of varying severity. Using a comprehensive excess mortality dataset of 28 EuroMoMo (European mortality monitoring) partners, it was found that 32 percent experienced no significant excess mortality impact between 2020 to the present. There is also no clear correlation, positive or negative, between excess mortalities and COVID-19 injection rates. However, some data showed the countries with the highest excess mortalities also tended to have the highest full vaccination rates against COVID. Excess deaths caused by COVID Verkerk posited that it would be foolish to ignore the possibility of vaccines causing excess deaths as there had been more pronounced increases in excess mortality in the 0-14 age group in 2021 from the year before, kicking just in time around week 38 (or September 2021) when the injections were being encouraged in adolescents. However, it is reassuring that excess mortalities in 2022 so far are tracking lower, which could also be linked to the declining infection rates, lower vaccine uptake, and partial restoration of primary and secondary health care services. Moreover, it is important to note that the idea of a vaccination saving the day may not be the case at all. Excess mortality post-vaccine rollout considerably exceeds that of the pre-rollout period, when virulence was considered greater. (Related: America at war: Excess deaths mount after COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, mandates.) Follow Pandemic.news for more updates about COVID-19. Watch the video below to get more information about COVID-19 as discussed by Rob Verkerk himself. This video is from the Alliance for Natural Health channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Repeated COVID vaccinations compromise bodys natural ability to fend off disease, resulting in VAIDS. Science: Fully vaccinated bodies are breeding grounds for new coronavirus variants. FDA warns of CARDIAC INFLAMMATION risk linked to the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID vaccine is causing the COVID variants. Arizona bans mandatory COVID-19, HPV vaccines for K-12 students. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org EuroMoMo.eu EECS.QMUL.ac.uk Brighteon.com (Natural News) There are plenty of threats to humanity right now, from the widespread use of toxic pesticides to governments mandating that people get risky vaccines. However, one of the biggest threats of all may prove to be the Green World Order. One of the main goals of the recent Stockholm+50 event was to provide leaders with an opportunity to draw on 50 years of multilateral environmental action to achieve the bold and urgent action needed to secure a better future on a healthy planet. A big part of this is phasing out the use of fossil fuels, but some experts fear that stopping the use of crude oil could be the biggest threat there is to our planets eight billion residents. The climate does go through changes even in the absence of human activity, and those changes can sometimes have negative effects on people. But those risks are minor compared to those of a world without fossil fuels. Ronald Stein, PTS Advance founder and ambassador for Energy & Infrastructure, explained in a recent op-ed how life without oil is not the pipe dream many seem to think it is. First, theres the fact that renewable energy is really just intermittent electricity that comes from sunshine and the wind that is not truly dependable to power society and cannot be used to actually create anything useful to society. Meanwhile, being forced to live without the products that are manufactured using oil could set us back to the horse and buggy era. There are lots of industries that have made our lives safer, healthier and more efficient that depend on fossil fuels, including materials science, the chemical industry, energy, heating, transportation and the pharmaceutical industry. Reaching a decarbonized global status could lead to billions of fatalities from malnutrition, disease and weather-related deaths, which far outnumbers the fatalities that could be caused by changes in the climate. Finding a balance Although it is true that no one should be poisoning the planet just to get faster internet in the form of 5G, for example, it is possible to find a good balance of preserving humankinds advancements without wasting resources for frivolous reasons. It is important to acknowledge that the fossil fuel infrastructure is actually less invasive than the mining in developing countries that is being used to get the exotic minerals and metals needed for so-called cleaner energy. These activities are undoubtedly profiting green energy companies and their governmental sponsors, but they are also destroying the environment and leading to humanity atrocities, particularly in third-world countries where people already have a poor quality of life. Crude oil, when refined into oil derivatives, is the basis of more than 6,000 products that people depend on in their daily lives that did not exist prior to the 1900s. It also powers the long-range needs of heavy machinery and equipment such as merchant ships, jets and the space and military program. These products products have helped the advancement of rocket technology, allowing humans to send satellites into space that have dramatically evolved the way we all navigate and communicate. Solar panels and wind turbines, in contrast, may create intermittent electricity, but they are not capable of manufacturing anything. Moreover, the products needed to make solar panels and wind turbines are made using oil derivatives from crude oil. Stein summarized: Everything that needs electricity, from lights, vehicles, iPhones, defibrillators, computers, telecommunications, etc., are all made with the oil derivatives manufactured from crude oil. There would be nothing to power in a world without fossil fuels. Instead of demonizing fossil fuels, world leaders need to find a way to reduce certain demands on the planet or find a replacement for crude oil that is capable of both producing electricity and creating all the meaningful products that we depend on in modern times. Reducing crude oil use is prudent, but eliminating it entirely could spell the end of humanity. Sources include: Expose-News.com Stockholm50.global Last week Instagram notified me that a viral post I had published was fact checked by a group called The Healthy Indian Project. My mother is from Bombay, and I did lose 40lbs last year, but I didnt think they had created an entire unit just for me. So, I decided to find out who this group is. My findings are bemusing. (Natural News) (Article by Raheem Kassam republished from RaheemKassam.Substack.com) The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) appears to have started as a fitness and lifestyle site in 2018. Its CEO Sudipta Sengupta is a life-long marketing consultant from a small city (Gurgaon, Haryana) in India. The group is a member of the high-profile Poynter network called the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), though a two separate audits of its membership reveal concerns about non-partisanship, transparency, and the organizations finances with a particular focus on a grant from the U.S.-based search engine Google: The applicant has shared proof of its status as a legally registered company. It has provided a balance sheet that indicates that the funding comes from its directors. They have mentioned a grant from Google this does not reflect in the balance sheet, we do not know if it accounts for more than 5% of the revenue. The balance sheet does not reflect any income or expenses. IFCN assessor Surekha Deepak. The network was added to Facebooks fact-checking program which includes Instagram in the summer of 2021. The B.S. Fact-Check. Heres the context behind this investigation. On February 6th, I shared a screenshot of a Paul Hsieh article from Forbes: Originally entitled, Could A Morality Pill Help Stop The Covid-19 Pandemic? the August 30th 2020 article discussed the widespread administration of psychoactive drugs that could provide moral enhancement that would make people more likely to adhere to social norms such as wearing masks and adhering to social distancing guidelines. In other words, Huxleys Soma. My highlighting of the article and its contents even garnered a retweet from current media bad boy Joe Rogan, causing author Hsieh and outlet Forbes to both alter the headline and attach an amendment to the article insisting that Hsieh was not in favor of the morality pill. But whether or not the author was in favor of the pill was not the point of my posts. I couldnt care less what Hsiehs position on the matter is. I care about the fact this is being discussed, or developed. Spreading the word was a way to warn people about this pill, not the opinion of some radiologist with 2,000 Twitter followers. Regardless, the fact check article of my post is headlined: Fact Check: Does Forbes article suggest the morality pill to stop the COVID-19 pandemic? Again, to be clear, nowhere did I claim Forbes suggested the morality pill to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact check now counts as a violation against my Facebook and Instagram pages, affecting reach and potentially leading to the removal of my pages from those platforms. Worse still, the fact check obfuscates the truth about this so-called morality pill, i.e. that it is actually a real discussion taking place in academic and scientific circles. Who? The review of my posts was performed by someone who isnt even listed on the staffing page for THIP: Dr. Shikha Shiromani. There is scant information about anyone by that name online, and there is no headshot nor significant biography for the author on the THIP website. This shady publishing practice, coupled with another assessment from the IFCN, raises questions as to whether or not people like Dr. Shiromani even exist. In May 2020 IFCN assessor Kanchan Kaur wrote of THIP: The applicant has shared proof of its status as a legally registered company. It has provided a balance sheet that indicates that the funding comes from its directors. However, in the balance sheet, it does not show an expenses toward staff salaries and the like. Perhaps an explanation is in order. In fact, a lot of THIPs online presence gives the feel of a chop-shop of people who may or may not exist. Even the so-called Editorial Team is a slipshod web page with half names, missing images, and biographies for just four people. CEO Sudipta Sengupta is listed, then a person simply called Nishant is listed as the sites Executive Editor. Nishant is alleged to be a seasoned journalist with over 18 years of experience, but even a cursory glance at his LinkedIn page shows no such history. Instead, Nishant himself claims to have worked for something called NewsX for one year, the Millenium Post for less than a year, and THIP for two years and five months. Hardly the 18 years of journalistic experience THIP claims: But even if Nishant just forgot about his previous 14 years of experience, the inconsistencies are not limited to the sites Executive Editor. Next on the list is another faceless, one-name profile of someone called Geetika. Geetika Veti does have a surname in her LinkedIn bio, which reveals she has been a public relations writer for the Accenture corporation for 10 years, and a Sub Editor for the Economic Times for 19 months. Again, hardly a journalistic titan. Fourth on the THIP list is Smita Anand, an English teacher and copywriter. And it gets even stranger after her. Satish Srivastava has no picture, and is simply described as having over 10 years of experience working as a professional in multiple industries including events and training. No LinkedIn bio is linked for Srivastava. The one-named Niranjan is oddly described as a technocrat by educational background and a content lover from heart. Finally, Dilpreet Kaur Virk is vaguely described as a multi-talented professional with 18 years of experience in handling various roles in the corporate sector. In other words, none of the THIP Editorial Team are actually reporters with any credibility. Nor do they appear to be subject matter experts in the topics fact-checked by THIP, which include healthcare, COVID-19, current affairs, and politics. More to the point: the politics of nations half-way across the planet from THIPs oddly-located headquarters. Where? It gets stranger, still. While a number of THIP staff list New Delhi as their place of origin or residence, the official THIP address is listed as nearly 1,000 miles away in West Bengal, near Calcutta and Indias eastern border with Bangladesh. Two addresses exist for THIP, the most frequent being listed as No: 95 Dwarik Jungle Road, Bhadrakali in a district by the name of Hoogly. There isnt a Google StreetView available, and no images of the THIP office. But the pictures of the surrounding neighborhood dont fill me with confidence about the operation. Another big question remains: who is funding this chop shop in the slums of India, in order to fact check accredited Western journalists? How? This bring us to the how. As usual, the culprits appear to be the same Big Tech barons who often freely wield the banhammer this side of the planet: Google. THIPs 2020 balance sheet reveals cash on hand roughly equivalent to $1,300 USD. While a $200 USD a month salary goes a decent way in a place like Hoogly, $1,300 doesnt seem quite enough to run a reputable fact-checking operation accredited by Poynter. And that was in THIPs second year of operations. Then, something happened. The 2021 balance sheet reveals a far healthier ?2,310,383 (Indian rupees) in revenue, equivalent to about $31,000 USD. While thats hardly a lot for a Silicon Valley giant like Google, it would certainly pay for an office and a handful of staff in India for a year or more. Indeed the THIP Funding web page reveals that Google is almost their only source of income: On August 2020, THIP Media received a grant of USD 31,800 from YouTube (via the Google News Initiative) through Fact Checking Development Fund. The grant was given towards THIP Medias project of building Short Video Facts. You can read about the grant here. The grant amount constitute [sic] the major part of THIP Medias earning for the financial year. It turns out YouTube, via the Google News initiative, distributed $1,000,000 in 2020/21 to 22 different programs from around the world. This grant included THIP alongside better known outlets such as USA Today ($38,400), Le Monde ($50,000), and the Washington Post ($50,000). WTF? While evidently strange enough in and of itself, this Google-backed censorship program in an Indian slum has at least one more bizarre approach to transparency and fact-checking, as laid out on their Editorial Policy page. THIP admits, despite being a fact checking service, that it does NOT change the ratings of articles if the facts change. Here is how they justify it: Medical Science is a constantly changing field with researches happening across multiple genres in multiple locations. Hence we accept that every piece of information is subject to change. We make active efforts to periodically review every piece of information and keep them updated. Last update date is mentioned on every article. However, when a new research finding changes the result of an old fact check article, we DO NOT change the rating of the article keeping the time context in mind. We add an extra paragraph below the article, wherever possible, to update readers about the new findings. This practice can actively skew search engine results on critical topics related to health. In fact, Google appears to be funding a practice that could corrupt the integrity of its own search engines results, with the above refusal to alter or remove factually incorrect articles in a satisfactory manner. In conclusion: theres a handful of people (some of whom may not even exist) in a small town in India, being given grants by Google to censor news and social media posts in America and the Western world. Theyre used by Facebook and Instagram as reliable actors, and frankly, Im not sure any of them have any real journalistic experience or accreditation. Weird. Read more at: RaheemKassam.Substack.com (Natural News) Were not supposed to notice that the collectivist actions of one nations socialist party just happen to mimic the actions of other nations socialist parties or one particular National Socialist German Workers Party, thats just a coincidence, dont pay any attention to that. (Article by D Parker republished from TheBlueStateConservative.com) Have you ever noticed that our esteemed national socialist media spends an inordinate amount of time attacking anyone who dares to compare their collectivist actions to other collectivists? Have you also noticed that you can be sure a socialist nation has failed when our nations socialist media suddenly decides that it was somehow, someway right-wing? Their severe difficulty in always trying to push these lies is that all of these socialist nations have certain characteristics in common that simply dont exist with countries imbued in the pro-freedom right. The most glaring example is the parallels with the government of the National Socialist German Workers Party, with gun control. To which the Washington Post and the Philadelphia Inquirer are in high dungeon. Because the Nazis only wanted gun registration and then gun confiscation. These days, this is massively contrasted with the nations anti-liberty, socialist left only wanting gun registration and then gun confiscation. But these are called expanded background checks and unconstitutional gun confiscation red or yellow flag orders, so its totally different. Considering all of this, we present a video of Kitty Werthmann, a survivor of that time who gives her account of Hitlers takeover of Austria. The similarities will be stunning, but remember, thats just a coincidence. According to the nations socialist media, theres nothing to see here, so just move on. WWII Survivor Warns of SOCIALISM and GUN CONTROL! (MUST WATCH) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-awkYhtey50 Kitty Werthmann, an Austrian World War II survivor, gives her account of Hitlers takeover of Austria. The similarities to todays left and their progressive agenda, are staggering! This is a MUST WATCH! Most people grounded in logic and basic word definitions realize that the National Socialist German Workers Party was of the anti-liberty, socialist left. You can just imagine the feigned outrage in any of them in reading that last sentence. We know thats fake because they never can make a full case for their biggest circular lies. Again, were not supposed to notice that the Nazis were a Socialist Workers Party, that is one of the primary reasons they use Nazi instead of their actual name, a tradition that dates back 90 years to the 1930s and the defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Nazi 1930, noun and adjective, from German Nazi, abbreviation of German pronunciation of Nationalsozialist (based on earlier German sozi, popular abbreviation of socialist), from Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei National Socialist German Workers Party, led by Hitler from 1920. The 24th edition of Etymologisches Worterbuch der deutschen Sprache (2002) says the word Nazi was favored in southern Germany (supposedly from c. 1924) among opponents of National Socialism because the nickname Nazi, Naczi (from the masc. proper name Ignatz, German form of Ignatius) was used colloquially to mean a foolish person, clumsy or awkward person. The NSDAP for a time attempted to adopt the Nazi designation as what the Germans call a despite-word, but they gave this up, and the NSDAP is said to have generally avoided the term. Before 1930, party members had been called in English National Socialists, which dates from 1923. The use of Nazi Germany, Nazi regime, etc., was popularized by German exiles abroad. From them, it spread into other languages, and eventually was brought back to Germany, after the war. In the USSR, the terms national socialist and Nazi were said to have been forbidden after 1932, presumably to avoid any taint to the good word socialist. Soviet literature refers to fascists. Also, take note that the National Socialist German Workers Party avoided the term Nazi. Their primary methodology in arguing these ridiculous assertions is to state it without evidence with the false presumption that its true and then demand that we prove its untrue. As they say That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence. But we can easily do more than that. Because after decades of pushing this lie, the nations anti-liberty, socialist left, you would think that would have come up with some better arguments besides the absurd North Korea talking point to explain away that the Nazis were socialist-left. Their other talking points are equally flaccid, starting with the rivalry argument that somehow rivals cant have the same ideology, which is absurd given the example of Islam. But the same holds for the various collectivist ideologies, they can simply be rivals and have the same belief system. Then there is the privatization talking point that is eviscerated by the fact that fascism is defined as socialism with a capitalist veneer. There is private ownership of property, but it is controlled by the government. As the Oxford English Dictionary defines socialism: A political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. Then, of course, there is the tried-and-true trade union talking point that completely ignores the fact that other socialist nations such as the Warsaw Pact era Poland suppressed the trade union Solidarity. We would be remiss if we didnt address the fact that the Washington Post and the Philadelphia Inquirer have their knickers in a twist over the fact that someone from the pro-freedom side would dare compare their socialist national agenda to pre-WW II Germanys national socialist agenda. The fact that they obsess over gun confiscation while being sure to always tell us that: For so many of you at home, I want to be very clear: This is not about taking away anyones guns. Its even more amazing that they barely have the slimmest toehold on a slight advantage in congress. Some making open threats to take full advantage of the current crisis to empower themselves and ram though draconian controls on guns. But the Washington Post sees this raw power grab as the workings of democracy: It would constitute elected representatives responding to a severe public health and safety crisis with modest regulations that would not remove the right to bear arms and put us on a slippery slope to tyranny, as Mastriano feverishly puts it. So, remember, even if the nations anti-liberty, socialist left has been caught lying about a lot of things and even if they are acting like collectivist authoritarians of the past. There is even more reason to believe their lies that the Nazis were right-wing because why would they lie about something like this? Its not as if their lies would bring them, even more, control and authority over the people, just like the Nazis, and they would have no reason to want to do that would they? Read more at: TheBlueStateConservative.com (Natural News) A pregnant mother was shot dead in Philadelphia the other day. And thanks to police officers who quickly arrived on the scene, her unborn baby yes, baby, not fetus was able to be saved. Proving once again that an unborn child is, in fact, a child and not just a clump of cells, the saving of this precious life deserves attention as it completely destroys the false narrative of the abortion cultists. According to reports, the mother, 19-year-old Matayah Haynes of Camden, N.J., was 34 weeks pregnant when she was shot in the head in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philly. Police officers rushed her baby to Temple University Hospital after realizing that it was still alive, even without its mother, said the Philadelphia Police Department in a statement. At the time, the baby was in critical condition but stable, officers confirmed. The shooting happened in the early morning hours around 1 a.m. The shooter is believed to have been a man driving a black or blue Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Charger. A pregnant woman is TWO people, not just one Further details about the case are irrelevant for the purposes of this article, other than to say that a pregnant woman and yes, only a real biological woman can get pregnant is not just one person but two. This goes against the prevailing narrative in multiple ways, including the false claim that an unborn baby is just a fetus until it leaves its mothers womb. The American College of Obstetricians is so hellbent on dehumanizing unborn lives in this way that it is now pushing for a change in language to eliminate the word baby from all references to unborn life. According to the group, doctors should stop calling unborn babies babies because this represents anti-choice rhetoric and is inherently biased and inaccurate and at the very least, is not medically appropriate. Tell that to the police officers in Philadelphia who just saved an unborn babys life. Had they adopted the anti-choice rhetoric line of thinking, that baby would probably now be dead, which is exactly what the pro-death abortion crowd would have preferred. Only a decaying and dying culture like the one that now prevails in America would so callously disregard unborn human life in this manner, while at the same time railing against guns because think of the children! Somehow, a child only has worth once he or she is old enough to attend school, even preschool. At that point, the childs life is so valuable that the Second Amendment must be abolished in order to protect it from possibly dying in a mass shooting. Before a child is old enough to go to school, however, it can be aborted on demand in the name of womens rights. Does it make any sense? Hardly. You can call it what you want to hide your guilt, but I for one will always refer to these unborn babies as babies, wrote someone at Natural News about the subject. Another cited Luke 1:41 in the Holy Bible, which reads: And it came to pass that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. Clearly the Gospel of Luke, inspired by the Holy Spirit, defines unborn human life as a baby and not just a clump of cells to be aborted on a whim. So we should refer to grandma and grandpa as our geriatrics so we dont emphasize their humanity and offend anyone who supports euthanasia? asked another, making a powerful point about the logical implications of dehumanizing unborn life. More related news about abortion can be found at Abortions.news. Sources include: NBCPhiladelphia.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) In America, once you turn 18 years of age, you can be drafted into the military to fight in wars using guns, grenades, tanks, jets, bombs and missiles to kill people in masse, including children. Fake POTUS Joe Biden and his communist partners in Washington D.C. want to take away all guns from all citizens, including the latest push that claims if youre 18 (under 21), you are a child and should not be able to purchase or use guns all thanks to the latest enabled elementary school mass shooting. Immediately following the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the gun grabbing freaks in DC went on their mass media rampage, declaring how Americans must surrender all their guns in order to save the children. Meanwhile, the police at the Uvalde elementary school hog-tied and handcuffed the parents of the children being murdered, while other police rushed into the school, only to try to save their own kids, while letting the rest get slaughtered for an hour by the alleged active shooter, who was an 18-year-old adult, capable of being drafted into war by the US government. Recently, during a primetime gun-grabber speech, the severely demented Resident Biden claimed that guns kill more kids that car wrecks, where hes really comparing statistics of 18 and 19-year-old young adults who drink and drive, to gang killings in deadly Democrat-run metropolitan cities, like St. Louis, Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Washington DC, New York, Baltimore and Atlanta. Vaccines and abortions KILL hundreds of thousands more U.S. children every year than guns and automobiles added together What the confused, script-reader Biden left out of the kid-killer equation includes the leading killers of children (that Democrats worship), namely abortions and vaccines. So, before we continue, lets put this all in proper perspective. The Democrats want to de-fund the police in all metropolitan cities that they run, thus perpetuating violence in those cities where, even if you get caught, the district attorneys let you off the hook with a slap on the wrist. Then, the Democrats want total gun control, where first they illegalize and confiscate all automatic weapons, then semi-automatic, then anything with 6 bullets or more (all of them). Meanwhile, they train 18-year-old kids to fight in the wars they instigate, start and profit from, like whats happening right now in Ukraine. Plus, they tell the police to stand down during school shootings, enabling the most carnage possible, so the media can swoop in and capture everyones emotions, to enact new gun bans and confiscation legislation, as part of the Democrats main goal to eliminate the 2nd amendment of the constitution. All this while deadly vaccines are pushed on children, babies and pregnant women, including the COVID-19 jabs that cause SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS, miscarriages, blood clots, nervous system disorders, infertility, myocarditis and other horrific side effects. Plus, the Democrats always push for abortion, during pregnancy at any term, on the day of birth of the child, and even weeks and months after birth. In fact, every year in the USA, nearly 20 percent of pregnancies (excluding miscarriages caused by vaccines) are terminated by ABORTION alone. Thats genocide, and the number is quickly approaching 1 million murdered U.S. babies annually. FACT: The COVID-19 vaccines have been shown by evidence-based research to terminate 4 out of 5 pregnancies through miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Forget about guns, vaccines are the real child serial killers. Kill as many children as possible thats the motto of the Democrats, because wait for it wait for it gun control. Guns dont make children autistic, vaccines do According to the Biden Regimes highly corrupt CDC, guns are killing more kids than cars, but if you simply remove the adults who are 18 and 19 from that statistic, that cherry-picked ratio flips entirely the other way. Guns are not top killers of kids, and guns dont kill kids anyway, its young male adults who are on anti-depressant medications sold by Big Pharma to promote gun control. What we need is vaccine and abortion control legislation, especially in the metropolitan cities, where you find gun (pawn) shops, liquor, pornography and Planned Parenthood outlets at all the popular intersections downtown. If you dont get an abortion and kill your child, the CDC makes sure that child gets 60 vaccines by age 6, nearly guaranteeing theyll wind up somewhere on the spectrum and need hospital care, medications and probably some gun control help. This has been a public service announcement from Natural Health News. Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news about abortions and vaccine-violence thats being censored from the rest of media as you read this. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com CBSnews.com GutMacher.org (Natural News) The Joe Biden Administration chose to dishonor the 405,000 Americans who gave their lives fighting the Nazis, and thousands more who served with honor to defeat the Third Reich, by taking the side of Nazi-promoting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. A quick history lesson can prove that. Russian President Vladimir Putin has credited Soviet leaders with inventing a Ukrainian republic within the Soviet Union in 1922 by forging a fictitious state that is unworthy of sovereignty in historically Russian territory. When Ukraine declared its independence in 1991, the president argued that Ukrainian leaders began to mythologize and rewrite history, edit out everything that united the two countries and referred to the period Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union as an occupation. However, the historical reality of modern-day Ukraine is more complex, encompassing a thousand-year history of changing religions and borders, with many conquests by warring factions. Ukraines diverse geography has created complex multiethnic states. Over the centuries, the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires, Poland and Lithuania, all gained jurisdiction over Ukraine, which first asserted its modern independence in 1917 with the formation of the Ukrainian Peoples Republic. However, Russia soon gained back control, making it part of the newly-established Soviet Union and retaining power in the region until Germany invaded during World War II. Remembering wartime history and its implications for Ukrainian nationalism and independence play a role in understanding the current conflict. Based on Putins version, the modern independence movement began during World War II under the German occupation from 1941 through 1944, when some Ukrainian independence fighters aligned themselves with the Nazis, whom they viewed as saviors of Soviet oppression. In this period of history, Putin portrayed any Ukrainian push for sovereignty as a Nazi endeavor, according to Markian Dobczansky, a historian at the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. Scholars attempt to dismiss Putins version of Nazi occupation in Ukraine While scholars like Dobczansky insist that Putins version of the Nazi occupation of Ukraine is a stunningly cynical attempt to fight an information war and influence peoples opinions, a significant number of bona fide German Nazis remained in Ukraine. In a 2014 coup, those Nazis organized neo-nationalist militias, like the Azov Battalion, the Right Sector and Svoboda, to take over the Kyiv government as they infiltrated the Ukrainian National Guard and prepped for military action against Russia. Given the awareness of the history between Russians and the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War, there could be some level of self-loathing for Europeans who chose to align with todays Ukrainian Nazis and did not hesitate to join the effort in destroying Russian sovereignty. (Related: Former French marine returns from Ukraine, says war crimes are being committed by Ukrainian troops who would skin Jews or Blacks.) The belief that The West won World War II became somewhat tarnished as the U.S. undermined its own victory in 1947 by introducing over 2,000 scientists, engineers and high-level Nazis into specialized departments, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Plum Island and the U.S. defense industry. Now, with Biden at the helm, the U.S. spent unspecified millions of dollars training and arming Ukrainian troops not to mention allotting $54 billion directly to Ukraine since February, when the U.S. coordinated a proxy war with no formal declaration. As Russia continued its aim to eradicate Nazi neo-nationalists in the Donbas region and nail down important key locations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dramatically flipped his dismissal of the Russian Army, admitting that the Donbas region had deteriorated and Ukrainian troops had been suffering staggering losses, mutinies in ranks and starvation in the trenches. Peace negotiations with Russia were going nowhere and gas supplies have been cut off in various countries. However, Russia has not crumpled under the economic sanctions levied by the West. (Related: NYT spins mass SURRENDER of Ukrainian Nazis at Azovstal factory, claiming they were evacuated more word salad from the queens of disinformation.) Even as Putin offered ways to overcome the food crisis with increased wheat and fertilizer shipments in exchange for reconsideration on some politically motivated sanctions, some of which have been proven to be ineffective, Western governments would rather see their citizens in dire straits and experience the trauma of severe food insecurity than admit they failed to consider the full implications of their errant policies. Follow WWIII.news for more updates on the Russia-Ukraine war. Watch the video below for more updates on the war in Ukraine. This video is from the Katy Odin channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraines top military medical commander brags about ordering mass CASTRATION of all wounded Russian soldiers in latest Nazi-like eugenics celebration. Buffalo shooter used same neo-Nazi symbols as Ukrainian Azov Battalion US reportedly trained and armed them. CIA admits training Nazi terror troops in Ukraine, which have been fighting and killing Russians since 2015. Sources include: SmithsonianMag.com GlobalResearch.ca Brighteon.com (Natural News) In the mid-1980s, a film called Red Dawn starring the late Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Gray and others sent shivers down the spines of millions of Americans for its authentic potential. The movie, released at the height of the Cold War, was a fictional account of an invasion of the United States by Russia, which included divisions of Cuban soldiers as well, that focused on a group of high school teens who formed a guerilla unit called the Wolverines, the mascot of their local Colorado school. According to the film, tens of thousands of airborne troops dropped deep into the heartland of the country from transport planes flying the same routes as commercial airlines, in order not to tip off American air defense units and fighter interceptors. A remake of the original movie involving North Korean troops was released just a few years ago. Again, the movies are supposed to depict fictional accounts of an invasion of the U.S., but according to a newly obtained audio recording by an Asian media group with extensive contacts in China, the scripts are far more realistic than believed. In an interview with investigative journalist J.R. Nyquist, members of Lude Media described the contents of a 56-minute recording of a military-civil meeting in Guangdong province tasked with preparing China for war. A summary of the interview notes: According to Lude media sources, China will try to use nuclear blackmail and unrestricted warfare to collapse the United States while forcing Taiwan, Japan and South Korea under Chinese control. Failing this, China and Russia will launch a full-scale war against the United States. The Russian and Chinese fleets will be united not in the same ocean but by attacking the same continent, North America. The Russians will attack through the Arctic, the Chinese through the Pacific. The perpetual lockdowns in China are not due to COVID-19, Lude Media notes, but rather served as cover to hide the deployment of mobile ICBMs and other weapons. Streets have been cleared and highways closed for this purpose. To avoid satellite detection, missile convoys have been disguised as medical or COVID convoys. Lude Media has reported that Russia and China have an agreement to invade and occupy North America, dividing the territory between them, the summary added (which would explain Russias rapid expansion of military assets in the Arctic and the Pentagons rush to counter those deployments): Even as the CCP has declared a Peoples War against the West, anticommunists in China have declared a Peoples War against the CCP. They want to warn Americans about the China-Russia alliance. They want our leaders to know that we must resist the CCP at all costs. There can be no negotiating with Moscow and Beijing. America must not abandon her allies in Asia. If we fail to defend those allies, we will find ourselves isolated and economically broken. In the interview with Nyquist, Lude Media reps described Chinas preparations and what Americans should expect moving forward (President Trump was obviously aware of these plans judging by the tariffs he put in place and his policies of moving China-based U.S. manufacturing back to America). The strategy here involves a very ancient Chinese tactic. It is encirclement of an enemy post in order to eliminate their reinforcement. So, the point they are encircling is Taiwan. And the support they are trying to fight back or eliminate is the U.S. [relief] force, a representative of Lude Media noted. On February 4th I explained in my broadcast that Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin signed a secret document to become military partners. So after that is signed the CCP and China has been funding Russias invasion into Ukraine. Putin needs this kind of guarantee to even think about starting this war, the rep continued. Sounding a dire tone, the rep added: I want to warn the U.S. political elites that there is no room to give. If the U.S. loses Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, the supply chain to the U.S. would break, it would be a disaster. The economy would be a disaster. China and Russia would then start stirring things up in the U.S. This defeat will set the U.S. back a hundred years. Nyquist responded: If there is a breakup of the United States, or any weakening, the Russians and Chinese I assume will send troops to the United States. Yes. Red Dawn is not really a movie anymore, said the Lude rep. Sources include: JRNyquist.blog NYTimes.com (Natural News) A leading global health figure with a distinguished banking career divulged that food shortage and the soaring food and energy prices could kill millions both directly and indirectly. Peter Sands, the executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, an international financing and partnership organization, told Reuters in an interview on June 7 that growing food shortages sparked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict may represent the same health threat to the world as the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Food shortages work in two ways. One is you have the tragedy of people actually starving to death. But second is you have the fact that often much larger numbers of people are poorly nourished, and that makes them more vulnerable to existing diseases, Sands said. Furthermore, Sands said investment was needed to strengthen health systems to prepare for the consequences of the food crisis, which is part of the Global Funds remit. The Geneva-based organization is aiming to raise $18 billion to boost health systems, fight the three core diseases in its title, and reverse setbacks caused by the pandemic. They have raised one-third of their target for year 2024 to 2026. Sands said the efforts the global experts are doing to improve pandemic preparedness should not include the classic mistake of concerning themselves only with crises that resemble the latest global catastrophe. It is not as well-defined as some brand new pathogen appearing with distinctive new symptoms. But it could well be just as deadly, Sands stated. The World Health Organization reckons that about 15 million people may have died of coronavirus or its impact on overwhelmed health systems in the past two years. Most of the fatalities were in Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas. UN: We will take food from the hungry to feed the starving The United Nations (UN) World Food Program (WFP) has come up with a solution to address the looming world famine. David Beasley, the executive director of the WFP, said: Just when you think the world food crisis couldnt get any worse well over a year ago, you had Ethiopia and Afghanistan, and then the breadbasket of the world [Ukraine] just got the longest breadlines of the world and so now because of this crisis, were taking food from the hungry to give to the starving, Beasley told the audience. Aid agencies that are working in countries with the most urgent needs, including Yemen, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Ethiopia, are having difficulties with how to make the funding work. As of March, WFP has already reduced rations for eight million people in Yemen but the number of those most desperately in need is still growing. Moreover, in Afghanistan, the hunger-relief organization is running $525 million short of the funding it urgently requires for the next six months. In Ethiopia, they are more than $300 million short of the $957 million target fund. South Sudan communities have resorted to looting aid supplies and attacking aid workers as they still need $529 million. In Sri Lanka, protests have already erupted over food and fuel shortages and the county has already declared bankruptcy. Similar chaos that endangers social and economic order is also being seen in Indonesia, Peru and Pakistan. Beasley warned that this is only a sign of things to come. (Related: Global crop collapse now a certainty widespread famine to plague planet Earth from 2022 2024 it is set in motion and cannot be stopped.) He also said there are about 49 million people in 43 other countries that the world needs to be extremely concerned about due to emerging famine, destabilization and mass migration. In April, the Rockefeller Foundation warned that a massive and immediate food crisis will emerge in poorer nations following Russias invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. should lead efforts to fully fund the WFP and pre-position emergency food supplies in countries expected to face food shortages in the next six months, the foundations President Rajiv Shah, said in an interview on Bloomberg TV. Watch the below video that talks about food shortages in six months. This video is from the Wardo Rants channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NO LONGER A CONSPIRACY THEORY: Global elites have joined forces to form one world government. Globalists want to track your individual carbon footprint for total control over your travel, food and consumption of goods. Worldwide famine looms as Russia-Ukraine conflict drags on. The global UPRISING begins: Fiat currencies melt down while food and fuel inflation unleashes SUDDEN POVERTY for billions (who will soon face worldwide FAMINE.) In new video, Mike Adams and Steve Quayle warn about the planned and orchestrated extermination of the human race. Sources include: Reuters.com NYPost.com TheGlobalFund.org NBCNews.com SHTFplan.com TheGuardian.com ThePrint.in Bloomberg.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Guest host Sondra Martin Hicks shared the life-changing story of evangelist Mario Murillo during the June 6 episode of America Unhinged on Brighteon.TV. An award-winning filmmaker and founder of Hearthstone Network, Hicks loves to tell true stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives after they partnered with God. This time, she created a series called I Am Not Ashamed: The Making of a Warrior which is about Murillos life. Hicks described Murillo as an evangelist focused on his God-given assignment to raise an army of God to reclaim America. She added that Murillo sees amazing things happening in his tent revivals across the country. The author and motivational speaker shared that she had an opportunity to sit down with Murillo and listen to his story from the beginning how he came to know the Lord, how he learned to hear from the Lord and the fascinating stories that he had along the way. Hicks put them together to make a series and shared some of its episodes during the America Unhinged show. He is truly an incredible man and I will tell you he is a what you see is what you get kind of guy. His stories are fascinating. I could hear them over and over, Hicks said about Murillo, whose international ministry was launched after a supposedly four-day conference in San Jose, California was extended to six months with nearly 250,000 people attending. In the first episode entitled Recruited by God, Murillo talked about his conversion to Christ in 1964 at the Bay Area of San Francisco, which he said was the ground zero of three major revolutions that were going on at one time. Murillo said he was in turmoil at that time with the Vietnam War hanging over Americans heads and the most chilling thing was being drafted. He added that America was totally racially divided, with the anxiety very great and the racial tension rising. Major riots and demonstrations based on race and politics were also happening in the country. He was going to school one day when he met a blond-haired, blue-eyed Norwegian who walked up to him and invited him to come to their church. He first attended service at the Free Methodist Church on October 4, 1964. Murillo mentioned that a team from Teen Challenge New York was brought to the church at the time and the young men talked about how they had all gotten off of heroin by the power of God. The future evangelist said he was wrapping his mind around it when the Spirit of God began to work on him. Called by God to preach the gospel Murillo said the first thing he heard was Gods calling for him to preach the gospel and become a true Christian. He added that he was struggling at first before being intensely overcome to bursting into the front. And thats when I was converted. And it was instant, it was revolutionary. It was complete, Murillo said. The first episode ended with Murillo saying that the Christian Church has lost the voice of America. He challenged Christian believers to be ready to end Americas miserable record. In episode two entitled A Jedi To The Rescue, Murillo shared the attempts made on his life after seeing a group of young men taking heroin. He said that he had to yell the one Bible verse he had memorized, which was 1 John 4:4, before opening his eyes to see that they had dispersed in different directions. He also talked about a black Christian high school student named Larry Cobb, who became his friend and mentor on discipleship, witnessing and prayer. Murillo also talked about the prayer meetings he had with Cobb at the Double Rock Baptist Church in Hunters Point every Friday night. He added that he had to learn how to wait on the Lord and that his initiation to prayer was praying all night. Within two weeks of his conversion, Murillo was able to lead 14 of his friends to Christ. He also mentioned the persecution they had to face because of the activism going on with the Black Panthers. (Related: Christianity is increasingly coming under attack around the world.) More episodes of I Am Not Ashamed: The Making of a Warrior can be found at HearthstoneNetwork.com. Follow Awakening.news for more stories about the great awakening happening in America. Watch the full June 6 episode of America Unhinged below. America Unhinged with Dr. John Diamond airs every weekday at 9-10 a.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Biden bans conservatives and Christians from the military. The Ohio Brett Show host: Everybody has a different calling from God Brighteon.TV. Coach Dave Daubenmire: Christians have to reclaim the territory for Christ Brighteon.TV. Americas Night of the Long Knives under Biden and Democrats MUST be repelled theyre readying their bloody purge of Christians and Conservative Americans. Pastor Matthew Trewhella says cowardice among Christians is a huge problem Brighteon.TV. Sources include: Brighteon.com HeartstoneNetwork.com MarioMurillo.org (Natural News) American mainstream media outlets are working overtime to push out stories claiming that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and boosters are effective when the reality is proving the opposite. The propaganda spinning immediately began as soon as the data began to show those who have been injected several times are not doing nearly as well as those who have refrained from taking the shots, wrote Mac Slavo for SHTF Plan. The mainstream media wants you to know that it isnt the booster shots that are increasing the risk of getting COVID. (Related: Patrick Gunnels tells Dr. Lee Merritt: Americans are the most gaslit people in the world when it comes to vaccines Brighteon.TV.) Alexander Tin, writing for CBS News, tried to claim that the rising hospitalization and death rates in American hospitals do not mean the booster vaccines are ineffective or that they somehow increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. Ongoing studies continue to provide strong evidence of additional protection offered by booster shots against infection, severe disease and death, wrote Tin. Instead, what CBS News is offering as a supposed justification for the sudden increase in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, is that the vaccines simply arent meant to prevent infections, merely lower the risk of hospitalization and death. John Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College, spoke to CBS News and admitted that the omicron variant, which mainstream media outlets fearmongered months ago, can still break through the antibody protections supposedly provided by COVID-19 vaccines. But Moore added that fully vaccinated and boosted individuals who still contract breakthrough infections will only experience mild infections. He also went on to blame people for believing that theyre protected by the vaccine. So, one of the dynamics here is that people feel, after vaccination and boosting, that theyre more protected than they actually are, so they increase their risks, he said. That, I think, is the major driver of these statistics. Government still pushing for more vaccinations Some of the data are too remarkable even for mainstream media outlets to deny. Information from the federal government shows that COVID-19 cases are on the uptick once again, but this time more of these new cases are coming from vaccinated and boosted Americans. Furthermore, the data also shows that more and more fully vaccinated individuals are making up the number of people dying of COVID-19. But despite media outlets admitting to this, government health officials still claim the best option for people is to get vaccinated and boosted. Almost no one in this country should be dying from COVID if only they get vaccinated and take their boosters, claimed Dr. Robert Califf, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), during an appearance on CNN. What we really should be worried about is getting the boosters that we need to stay up to date so with the new variants that we have, we dont have the unnecessary deaths and hospitalizations. Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, also claimed that a surge is coming this fall and winter and the only way to prevent it is to get more Americans vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Its really important that we try to get the half or a little bit more than half of Americans who have only received two doses to get that third dose, he said, during a different appearance on CNN. That may make a difference moving forward here, and it may particularly make a difference now that were coming into yet another wave of COVID-19. Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about the sudden uptick in people who are fully vaccinated, but who are either dying or dead. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Dr. Zelenko shares how the MSM smeared him for revealing the cure to COVID Brighteon.TV. Its Kristallnacht again, as our free press ramps up its war on the unvaccinated. New head of left-leaning Toronto Star said last year she opposes COVID vaccine passports in now-deleted tweet. WSJ misleads public on ivermectin, ignores latest revelations about hidden author who undermined its efficacy. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com CBSNews.com Edition.CNN.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) Remember late last summer when pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced that its Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine had received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? It turns out that the whole thing was a hoax. Comirnaty, as the company calls the FDA-approved version of its covid injection, does not exist and never will, we now know. It only exists on paper, and the shots still being dispensed are Pfizers emergency use authorization (EUA) version, which is legally distinct and not the same as Comirnaty. Pfizer is quietly admitting to this with changes it just made on the company website. Up until recently, the company claimed that Comirnaty was soon to come once all of the EUA injection stocks are depleted. Now, however, the company is saying that there are no plans to ever produce Comirnaty. At present, Pfizer does not plan to produce any product with these new NDCs and labels over the next few months while EUA authorized product is still available and being made available for U.S. distribution, Pfizers website now reads. As such, the CDC, AMA, and drug compendia may not publish these new codes until Pfizer has determined when the product will be produced with the BLA labels. Pfizer just might take the prize from Monsanto as the worlds most evil corporation In May, Pfizer updated its statement to at least mention Comirnaty, which was licensed in December of 2021. Just last week, however, Pfizer admitted to the fact that Comirnaty will never actually be manufactured, let alone dispensed into any arms. Pfizer received initial FDA BLA license on 8/23/2021 for its COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals 16 and older (COMIRNATY), the company says. At that time, the FDA published a BLA package insert that included the approved new COVID-19 vaccine tradename COMIRNATY and listed 2 new NDCs (0069-1000-03, 0069-1000-02) and images of labels with the new tradename. These NDCs will not be manufactured. Only NDCs for the subsequently BLA approved tris-sucrose formulation will be produced. The difference between the originally approved formulation and the tris-sucrose formulation is that the latter, according to Pfizer, can be stored for a much longer period of time outside of an ultra-cold freezer. Said freezers are extremely expensive and require a lot of energy to run. We also now know that Pfizers clinical trials were conducted on the version of the shots without the modified tris-sucrose ingredient. The significance of this remains unknown, but it is a distinction worth noting. In order to continue requiring American servicemen to take Pfizers mRNA injections, the federal government must at least order some Comirnaty vials, even if they never actually arrive. The Dossier is advising people interested in tracking this whole saga to be on the lookout for more sleight of hand by the likes of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which just quietly removed language from its website about Comirnaty not (being) orderable at this time. I called Pfizer awhile back and asked them for vaccine locations dispensing Comirnaty. They said there were none, wrote a reader of The Dossier. I received this information in an email follow up of my phone call. I knew the answer before I asked it, but I wanted proof for anyone who didnt believe me! Total bait and switch! Another responded that this is par for the course as far as Pfizers business practices, seeing as how the drug giant has already had to fork out some $4.7 billion in cumulative fines over the years due to endless lawsuits over fraud and dangerous products. Fines, no matter how high the cost, simply mean legal for a fee, noted another about how $4.7 billion, as big as that sounds, is only a fraction of what Pfizer has raked in over the years in ill-gotten profits. The latest news about Pfizers Fauci Flu shots can be found at Vaccines.news. Sources for this article include: Dossier.substack.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Law enforcement arrested a man who wanted to kill conservative Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The would-be killer was taken into custody during the early hours of June 8 near the magistrates home in Maryland. Police officers arrested Nicholas John Roske, 26, at around 1:45 a.m. near Kavanaughs residence. He was found in possession of a gun and burglary tools during the time of his arrest. Roskes drivers license showed his address as Simi Valley, California but he was previously based in Seattle, according to New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz. Markowicz added that Roske, who was suicidal, called 911 on himself. He told the operator that he traveled all the way from California to Maryland just to kill the magistrate. Officers arrived at the scene while Roske was still on the call and took him into custody without incident. The 26-year-old Californian was charged with attempts to kidnap or murder, or threatens to assault, kidnap or murder a U.S. judge. According to two people familiar with the investigation, initial evidence revealed that Roske was angry over the leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion on abortion. The opinion, penned by Justice Samuel Alito, could overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion if adopted by other justices on the bench. Furthermore, the two added that Roske was also angry over the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. Attorney and legal analyst John Turley put in his two cents on the matter. We are hearing that the individual arrested near the home of Kavanaugh was armed, and did make threats against the justice. The reckless rhetoric directed at the [Supreme] Court only fuels such extremist threats, he tweeted. Targeting the homes of justices only increases such dangers that unhinged, violent actors will seek to mete out their own retributive justice. Calls for aggressive protests at these homes are reckless and wrong. Murder attempt follows pro-abortion protests at Kavanaughs home Roskes arrest came more than a month after pro-abortion activists gathered outside Kavanaughs residence. About 100 demonstrators rallied outside the Trump-appointed justices home on the evening of May 7 to protest the impending overturn of Roe v. Wade. The protesters chanting pro-abortion slogans and holding signs first assembled outside Kavanaughs house before heading to the nearby residence of Chief Justice John Roberts. After protesting outside the chief justices house, they returned to Kavanaughs residence where police officers ordered them to disperse. The time for civility is over. Being polite doesnt get you anywhere, Lacie Wooten-Holway, 39, said. She organized the protests that occurred in front of the two magistrates homes. The May 7 protests were the result of actions by a pro-abortion group called Ruth Sent Us (RSU), which published the addresses of the five conservative justices on the bench. Aside from the addresses of Alito, Kavanaugh and Roberts, the group also published the home addresses of Justices Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett. (Related: Pro-abortion leftists DOX and TARGET conservative SCOTUS justices following leak of draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.) Our 6-3 extremist Supreme Court routinely issues rulings that hurt women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights, stated RSUs website. We must rise up to force accountability using a diversity of tactics. The groups name pertains to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September 2020. The liberal Ginsburg had been a staunch supporter of abortion from her 1993 appointment to the high court by former President Bill Clinton until her passing. Clay Travis, one half of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, denounced the shameful and indefensible assassination attempt on Kavanaugh. This is a direct result of Democrats sharing justices home addresses and encouraging people to go there and protest. Thank God protection was there for Kavanaugh and his family, he tweeted. Watch the video below that explains why the Democrats are to blame for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. This video is from The Clampdown Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Op-ed: Abortion activists reveal their EVIL nature through threats and vandalism. Democratic senator threatens a revolution if Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. FULL LIST: Pro-abortion vandalism, church storming over possibility Roe v. Wade will fall. Abortion activists call for PROTESTS at conservative SCOTUS judges houses following leaked Roe v. Wade opinion. Left-wing abortion terrorists vow to target conservative Supreme Court justices who signed on to draft repeal of Roe v. Wade. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Twitter.com 1 Twitter.com 2 NYPost.com FoxNews.com Twitter.com 3 Brighteon.com (Natural News) Pro-life pregnancy center CompassCare was firebombed early this morning in the latest attack by pro-abortion group Janes Revenge. (Article by Clare Marie Merkowsky republished from LifeSiteNews.com) Pro-abortionists smashed windows in the reception room and nurses office and threw firebombs inside, CompassCare reported. This is the pro-abortion Kristallnacht, CompassCares CEO Jim Harden said, referring to the wave of violence and destruction meted out by the Nazis and their supporters against the Jews in Germany and occupied territories in November 1938. Janes Revenge, a violent pro-abortion group, has been attacking numerous pro-life organizations in what they call a Night of Rage. Because of this act of violence, the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancies will go unmet and babies will die, Harden said. I wonder if Gov. (Kathy) Hochul will veto the Pregnancy Center Investigation Bill? I wonder if Attorney General Letitia James will investigate these cowardly criminals? Despite the recent violence against pro-lifers, Hochul pledged?$35 million of taxpayer funds to increase security at abortion clinics.?Additionally, New York passed legislation?investigating pro-life pregnancy centers for not performing abortions. CompassCare is a pro-life center that offers help to pregnant women, including ultrasounds that show women their unborn children. The organization also helps women to carry their babies to term. CompassCare will rebuild because women deserve better, Harden promised. CompassCare will not stop serving because pre-born boys and girls deserve protection. In response to the recent pro-abortion violence and threats to the center, CompassCare alerted local police and FBI and contacted security professionals to develop a safety plan. (Natural News) During the strategically-planned covid-19 state of emergency, the United Nations (UN) authorized the Spanish government to spray lethal chemtrails from the skies. On April 16, 2020, the Spanish government quietly admitted that they authorized the military to spray biocides on the entire population. This population-wide medical experiment was carried out under the cover of a state of emergency for the management of the health crisis situation caused by Covid-19. This desperate, yet well-devised plan violates multiple counts of the Nuremberg Code a human rights and medical ethics treaty that is not being enforced in any capacity. Spanish Minister of Health was authorized to use military units to spray citizens en masse This biocidal chemtrail operation was enabled by Royal Decree 463/2020, of March 14th, which enabled the Minister of Health to take a series of measures aimed at protecting the welfare, health and safety of citizens and the containment of the progression of the disease and strengthen the public health system. Royal Decree 463/2020 enables the Minister of Health to dictate the orders, resolutions, provisions and interpretive instructions that, within their scope of action as a delegated authority, are necessary to guarantee the provision of all services, ordinary or extraordinary, in order to protect of people, goods and places, through the adoption of any of the measures provided for in article eleven of Organic Law 4/1981, of June 1, of the states of alarm, exception and site. Furthermore, order SND/351/2020 gave the Spanish Ministry of Health the supreme and unlimited power to activate the Spanish Armed Forces and Military Emergency Units to deploy biocide chemicals over the citizens. Health Minister Salvador Illa Roca used these new powers to dictate medical experiments over the entire population, using the military as a tool in accordance with article 15.3 of Organic Law 5/2005, of the National defense. Spain has a history of using aerial media to modify the weather Spain had previously adopted procedures to spray the entire population with chemicals. The UNE-EN 14476 standard authorizes the Ministry of Health to prepare a list of virucidal chemicals, antiseptics and disinfectants. The Royal decree calls for the Ministry of Health to activate aerial media and aerial disinfection techniques to be deployed during an emergency. The techniques include nebulization, thermos nebulization and micro nebulization, with the stated goal of reaching all surfaces in the country. The CBRN defense units inside the Armed Forces and Military Unit of Emergencies are already equipped to deploy these materials and carry out nationwide aerial disinfectant procedures. These actions are typically referred to as conspiracy theory even though Spain has previously been used as a testing ground for chemtrails that include lead dioxide, silver iodide and diatomite. These chemtrail operations were used in 2015 to engineer the climate. The cocktail increases local temperatures and pushes moisture out of the sky to create conditions conducive for tourism. MEP Ramon Tremosa Balcells testified to the European Parliament on May 19, 2015 that workers from the State Meteorological Agency reported planes spreading the toxic chemicals across Spain. Globalists such as Bill Gates are also trying to use countries as testing grounds for sun-dimming chemtrail projects. These geo-engineering projects have been proposed as solutions for climate change. Bill Gates project has been deemed unethical by international scientists. These geo-engineering programs negatively impact weather patterns, agriculture, ecosystems, air quality, human health and food and water security, while calling into question a variety of human rights violations. Who owns the skies and who will be held accountable for experimenting on human populations without their consent? See ChemtrailsNews.com for more news coverage of chemtrails. Sources include: Newspunch.com Boe.es [PDF] Newstarget.com (Natural News) The murderous medical regime knows that covid vaccines are killing healthy young people at an alarming rate, so theyve suddenly assigned a medical label for the phenomenon in order to distract people from the truth. Now, healthy young people who suddenly die without any medical explanation are said to have died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) rather than from vaccines. While SADS has existed in medical terminology long before covid, doctors and the media are now using this syndrome label in a new way: To try to explain away vaccine deaths. From what we can tell so far, there are no such sudden deaths in unvaccinated young adults. So far, this seems to be happening solely among those who have been vaccinated. The UK Daily Mail has published an article detailing this new so-called syndrome which is of course just a convenient label to mask the true underlying cause of these sudden deaths. The title of their article is, Healthy young people are dying suddenly and unexpectedly from a mysterious syndrome as doctors seek answers through a new national register, and it says that everyone under the age of 40, may potentially be at risk of having Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). All people under the age of 40 are now supposed to get their hearts checked, while oblivious doctors claim to be searching for the genetic cause behind SADS. Never before in the history of medicine have doctors and the media urged young people to get their hearts checked. This is only happening after the global push for covid vaccines which hijack the bodys cells and force them to create spike protein particles that cause blood clots. Murderous doctors are killing young people en masse with clot shots You cant make this up. The medical negligence, incompetence and even maliciousness behind all this is mind-boggling. Medical doctors who function as Big Pharma shills inject young people with gene therapy cocktails containing experimental mRNA sequences that produce spike proteins in the blood, contributing the artificial clotting. In some people, the clots build slowly over time, meaning many people are walking around with partially-formed blood clots in their circulatory system. Because mRNA injections alter DNA and get incorporated into the genetic code source: researchers from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) some of the bodys cells continue to produce these pro-clotting spike proteins indefinitely. These clotting factors contribute to additional clot formation in the body, resulting in diminished cardiovascular function and importantly a reduction of blood flow to the brain, which results in a loss of higher cognitive capabilities. (This is likely why so many vaccinated people have become brain damaged / cognitively retarded and have plunged into animalistic rage emotional processing of the world around them.) At some point, one or more of the clots in the body completely shuts off the blood circulation necessary to maintain consciousness. At this point, the person loses consciousness and dies. Often this happens when they are driving, flying an airplane or even sleeping at night. This is why so many pilots are dying on the flight deck, for example, which is a major cause contributing to the current nationwide shortage of commercial airline pilots. A doctor named Dr. Elizabeth Paratz who claims to be wondering what genes cause this syndrome says that 90 percent of these spontaneous deaths occur outside the hospital. (Source: UK Daily Mail) Australia is now launching a SADS registry to try to solve the mystery of why seemingly healthy adults are spontaneously dying. They are doing this while pushing more mRNA injections onto those very people, apparently oblivious to the fact that mRNA injections are clot shots. It is widely known in the biosciences that viral genetic code is readily and automatically incorporated into human DNA mRNA injections arent even technically vaccines. They are gene therapy experimental medicines that alter not just cellular protein synthesis but are even incorporated into human DNA via reverse transcription. It turns out that a significant percentage of human DNA was acquired via this very process over many thousands of generations, where genetic material circulating in the environment is incorporated into human chromosomes. This phenomenon is widely known even in the conventional scientific community. Non-retroviral RNA virus sequences have been detected in the genomes of many vertebrate species, including humans, said biomedical researcher Liguo Zhang from MITs Whitehead Institute. (Source: MIT.edu) Zhang even ran an experiment to test if SATS-CoV-2 viral fragments might incorporate themselves into human DNA: With this in mind, Zhang and Jaenisch began to design experiments to test whether this viral integration could be happening with the novel coronavirus. With the help of Jaenisch lab postdoc Alexsia Richards, the researchers infected human cells with coronavirus in the lab and then sequenced the DNA from infected cells two days later to see whether it contained traces of the virus genetic material. In all samples, they found fragments of viral genetic material In other words, parts of the SARS-CoV-2 were incorporated into the DNA of human cells. Another researcher explains: Theres a very clear footprint for LINE1 integration, Jaenisch says. At the junction of the viral sequence to the cellular DNA, it makes a 20 base pair duplication. Anyone claiming spike protein genetic code cant be incorporated into DNA is flatly ignorant of the state of modern genetic science. Spike protein mRNA becomes human DNA which turns the body into a clotting factory As the above experiment shows, when the body is injected with genetic material, some of that material can be incorporated into the chromosomes of living cells. Although this is an oversimplification of the mechanisms in play, the overall result is the same: The body becomes a factory for spike proteins, producing them far beyond the intended time window during which an mRNA vaccine might be expected to function. In other words, the vaccinated person becomes a walking spike protein factory that can never be turned off. From that point, they become a spike protein shedding machine while increasingly dumping self-synthesized spike proteins into their own circulating blood. Over time, this forms blood clots. When those clots complete their blockage or large arteries, blood can no longer reach the brain. When the brain has no blood supply, brain death occurs, and the death of the body quickly follows. This is now being called Sudden Adult Death Syndrome even though its clearly caused by vaccine-induced blood clots. Heres a photo of a blood clot taken from a covid patient. It shows the clotting power of the spike protein, which is also present in covid vaccines: Billions of people on our planet are now at risk of blood clot-induced sudden death, all by design: Vaccine Depopulation Syndrome In summary, the murderous medical regime first injects billions of people with a biological weapon that might kill them, then they pretend to be shocked and surprised when so many healthy young adults start dying for no apparent medical reason. Do these medical monsters have no humanity (or scientific credibility) remaining at all? Although this syndrome is called SADS, whats really sad is that it was all done on purpose in order to achieve global depopulation. If anything, these deaths should be labeled, Vaccine Depopulation Syndrome deaths. But of course the media and the medial tyrants are working triple time to cover all this up, and they know that dead vaccine victims dont talk, so they cant tell the living humans to save themselves by avoiding these deadly jabs. Get full details on this story and much more in todays Situation Update podcast, which also covers economic survival strategies for surviving the total collapse of fiat currencies around the world: Brighteon.com/35995936-dd2b-4546-962f-2e5d9e0f0ba6 Discover more information-packaged podcasts each day, along with special reports, interviews and emergency updates, at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HRreport Follow me on: Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@healthranger Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger Parler: Parler.com/user/HealthRanger Rumble: Rumble.com/c/HealthRangerReport BitChute: Bitchute.com/channel/9EB8glubb0Ns/ Clouthub: app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/naturalnews/posts Join the free NaturalNews.com email newsletter to stay alerted about new, upcoming audiobooks that you can download for free. Download my current audiobooks including Ghost World, Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind at: https://Audiobooks.NaturalNews.com/ Download my new audiobook, Resilient Prepping at ResilientPrepping.com (Natural News) ANZ bank in Australia and New Zealand is going woke with a new policy that allows transgender employees to take six weeks of paid leave and up to 12 months of unpaid leave in order to affirm their new gender identity. Australias second-largest bank by assets with more than 40,000 employees worldwide, ANZ wants any aspect of gender affirmation including social, medical, and legal gender affirmation to be covered with special benefits that employees who accept their natural biology will not receive. Fiona MacDonald, ANZs Diversity and Inclusion Lead, says the scheme was cooked up as part of the banks ongoing commitment to supporting the LGBTQ movement. The new transgender benefits are part of ANZs inclusive culture, she told the media. It is especially important, MacDonald added in a statement, for so-called trans people to feel special because gender diverse people are more likely to experience lower incomes and employment rates. The six weeks of paid leave means people who are affirming their gender do not need to exhaust their annual or sick leave entitlements, while also easing some of the financial pressures, she further added. Australias big four banks all support gender insanity In a press release, ANZ included various examples of social affirmation for trans and gender-confused people, including explanations about gender pronouns and how they are used by some people to better align with their gender identity. All four of Australias biggest banks, in fact, are paying homage to the trans cult with these types of press releases. The big four, as they call them, all now agree that gender identity can be expressed in many ways and that some gender-confused people need extended leave in order to process their gender changes. ANZ and the other big banks Down Under also support medical affirmation in the form of genital mutilation, hormone therapy with pharmaceuticals, medical appointments, and recovery from all the surgical and chemical damage that gender-confused people inflict on their own bodies. On its website, ANZ has an entire section devoted to reiterating itself as a leading employer for LGBTQ+ inclusion. The bank claims numerous titles by the Australian Workplace Equity Index, which measures the workplace inclusion levels of Aussie businesses. ANZ is also a member of the Welcome Here Project, a government-funded (meaning taxpayer-funded) group of the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON). Businesses that are part of this group are forced to display a rainbow sticker in a prominent place at the business so that LGBTQs know it is a safe space. ANZ is also a signatory of the UN Standards of Conduct for Business Tackling Discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, which is closely partnered with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Transgender Victoria, and Intersex Human Rights Australia. ANZs announcement comes just three weeks after the Coles supermarket chain in Australia announced a similar scheme to provide paid gender affirmation leave to its employees. We know that we have at least 900 team members who identify as transgender or gender diverse, announced David Brewster, Coles Chief Legal and Safety Officer and chair of the companys so-called Pride Steering Committee. We need to have proper policy and education in this area so there is clear guidance around taking leave for this important transition in their life. In the comment section at The Epoch Times, someone from Australia wrote that ANZ is rotten to the core with rampant profiteering. The trans issue is a great smokescreen to hide the crazy things happening inside, this person added. Another wrote that he hopes straight, white Christians will challenge these unfair special privileges for self-identifying trans people. More related news about the trans-ification of the West can be found at Gender.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The amount of plastic waste worldwide is expected to almost triple over the next four decades if radical action is not taken to control the level of pollution. This was the warning issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in a new report released Friday, June 3. According to the report entitled Global Plastics Outlook: Policy Scenarios to 2060, almost two-thirds of the plastic waste that will be polluting the environment by 2060 will come from single-use and short-lived products such as cheap toys, consumer goods, household items, packaging and textiles. The report has established projections of future plastic production and consumption in addition to a series of policy scenarios that if legislated could dramatically reduce the extent of the crisis humanity has made with its overdependence on cheap plastics. (Related: REPORT: Reducing global plastic pollution would require halting plastic production, improving waste management, participating in cleanups) If we want a world that is free of plastic pollution, in line with the ambitions of the United Nations Environment Assembly, we will need to take much more stringent and globally coordinated action. This report proposes concrete policies that can be implemented along the lifecycle of plastics that could significantly curb and even eliminate plastic leakage into the environment, said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. Based on the OECD announcement, the report predicts global plastics consumption soaring from 460 million tons in 2019 to 1,231 million tons in 2060 a rise faster than most raw materials. The report will be accessible as a preliminary version before its full publication later this year. Growth will be fastest in developing and emerging countries in Africa and Asia, although OECD countries is still expected to produce much more plastic waste per person (238 kilogram) in 2060 than non-OECD countries (77 kilogram). Globally, plastic leakage to the environment is seen doubling to 44 million tons a year, while the build-up of plastics in lakes, rivers and oceans will more than triple as plastic waste balloons from 353 million tons in 2019 to 1,014 million tons in 2060. Most pollution comes from larger debris known as macroplastics, but the leakage of microplastics (synthetic polymers less than five millimeter in diameter) from items like industrial plastic pellets, textiles and tire wear is also a serious concern, the OECD report added. Recycled plastic waste to rise 17 percent in 2060 The report predicts the amount of recycled plastic waste will rise from nine percent in 2019 to 17 percent in 2060, and the share of plastic that ends up in unrestrained dumpsites, burned in open pits or leaked into the land or bodies of water rather than enter a waste management system will fall from 22 percent to 15 percent in 2060. According to the report, about 20 percent of plastic waste will continue to be incinerated. About 8.3 billion tons of plastic since the 1950s have been made with more than 60 percent of that thrown into landfills, burned or dumped straight into rivers and oceans. Some 460 million tons of plastics were used in 2019, twice as much as two decades earlier. The amount of plastic waste has almost doubled, surpassing 350 million tons, with lower than 10 percent of it recycled. On current trends, the use of plastics is predicted to nearly double in North America, Europe and East Asia. It is expected to grow three- to five-fold in other emerging and developing countries and more than six-fold in sub-Saharan Africa. The report contradicts a common course with the benefits of more promising worldwide policies of decreased plastic use and pollution. Driven by economic growth and growing population, the OECD warned that plastic production will continue to rise. Follow Pollution.news for more news about plastic pollution. Watch the video below to know more about addressing the worlds plastic crisis. This video is from the Finding Genius Podcast channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Humans are releasing more chemical and plastic pollution into the environment than Earth can handle, warn researchers. Experts warn that the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans will triple in just 7 years. Plastic pollution threatens the food supply from the worlds oceans. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Yahoo.com News.CGTN.com Brighteon.com Here's what will happen if the Great Salt Lake, which has already decreased by two-thirds, continues to dry up: The lake's flies and brine shrimp would die out - scientists say it could happen as early as this summer - posing a hazard to the 10 million migrating birds who visit the lake every year to dine on the small animals. Ski conditions would deteriorate in areas above Salt Lake City, a major source of revenue. The lake's profitable magnesium and other mineral exploitation may end. The air around Salt Lake City would periodically turn toxic, which was particularly concerning. Wind storms bring significant quantities of arsenic from the lake bed into the lungs of adjacent individuals, who make up three-quarters of Utah's population. Environmental Nuclear Bomb Joel Ferry, a Republican state legislator and rancher on the north side of the lake, stated, "We have this potential environmental nuclear bomb that's going to go off unless we take some fairly drastic action." There are no easy fixes as climate change continues to generate record-breaking droughts. To save the Great Salt Lake, more snowfall from the mountains would have to flow into the lake, which would imply less water for inhabitants and farmers. That would jeopardize the region's rapid population expansion and high-value agriculture, which state officials are hesitant to undertake. As the country warms up, Utah's problem poses a key question: how quickly are Americans willing to adjust to the repercussions of climate change, even as they become urgent, evident, and even catastrophic? According to Timothy D. Hawkes, a Republican legislator who favors more forceful action, the stakes are disturbingly high. Otherwise, he claims, the Great Salt Lake would suffer the same fate as California's Owens Lake, which dried up decades ago, causing the country's highest levels of dust pollution and turning a neighboring hamlet into a ghost town. "This isn't simply scaremongering," he said of the lake's disappearance. "It's quite possible." Also Read: Another Body Found in Lake Mead As Water Level Continues to Drop Spreading Drought Assume you stepped into a car at the Pacific's edge and began driving east, following a line across the United States. You'd reach the Great Basin Desert of Nevada and western Utah after passing the verdant and lush Klamath and Cascade mountains in Northern California. The terrain is one of America's driest regions is a dull brown that borders on gray. Continue east, and just shy of Wyoming, you'll discover a contemporary oasis: a 100-mile-long ribbon of green, home to a continuous metropolis amid snow-capped mountains shielded by maple and pear trees. The Great Salt Lake sits on the edge of that oasis, between the city and the desert. The Wasatch Front is named after the 12,000-foot Wasatch Range that rises above it. It's one of the fastest-growing urban regions in America, stretching roughly from Provo in the south to Brigham City in the north, with Salt Lake City at its heart. It's home to 2.5 million people, lured by the natural beauty and low cost of living. A little hydrological miracle has made that megacity conceivable. Snowfall in the mountains east of Salt Lake City feeds three rivers: the Jordan, Weber, and Bear, which supply water to the Wasatch Front's cities and towns, as well as the fertile farmland nearby, before draining into the Great Salt Lake. That hydrological system was in a fragile equilibrium until recently. The lake would evaporate approximately two feet in the summer, and the rivers would replenish it in the spring when the snowfall melted. Two recent adjustments have thrown the system off balance. One factor is the rapid population increase, which causes more water to be diverted from those rivers before reaching the lake. Climate Change and Global Temperature According to Robert Gillies, a professor at Utah State University and Utah's state climatologist, the other shift is climate change. Higher temperatures cause more snowfall to convert to water vapor, which escapes into the sky instead of becoming liquid and flowing into rivers. More heat implies more demand for water for lawns and crops, limiting the quantity that reaches the lake even further. A diminishing lake also implies less snowfall. Storms suck part of the moisture from the Great Salt Lake, which subsequently falls as snow in the mountains. A disappearing lake jeopardizes that pattern. "If you don't have water, you don't have industry; you don't have agriculture, you don't have life," Dr. Gillies explained. The water level in the Great Salt Lake fell to its lowest point on record last summer, and it's expected to drop even more this year. According to the USGS, the lake's surface size has fallen from roughly 3,300 square miles in the late 1980s to fewer than 1,000 square miles. Geographical Survey According to Bonnie Baxter, a biology professor at Westminster College, the salt level in the area of the lake nearest to Salt Lake City used to range between 9 and 12 percent. However, when the lake's water level declines, the salt content rises. The algae in the water will struggle if it reaches 17 percent, which Dr. Baxter predicts will happen this summer, endangering the brine shrimp that eat it. "We're at the edge," Dr. Baxter remarked, adding that the ecology hasn't yet collapsed. It's frightening." Worse is Yet to Come The long-term dangers are significantly worse. Kevin Perry, an atmospheric sciences professor at the University of Utah, went out onto the ground that had previously been submerged one morning in March. He plucked at the dirt, the color of dried mud, and looked like a beach where the tide had gone out and never returned. Related Article: Western Drought Dries Up Utah's Great Salt Lake Leaving it on "Critically Dire" State For more environmental news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! A Polar Bear walks on the frozen tundra on the edge of Hudson Bay waiting for the Hudson Bay to freeze-over 14 November 2007 outside Churchill, Mantioba, Canada. Polar Bears return every year to Churchill, the Polar Bear capital of the world, where they remain hunting for seals on the icepack until the Spring thaw. (Photo : Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images) Polar bears are not just born to adapt to extreme Arctic conditions, but they rely heavily on sea ice for mating; however, their populations were significantly affected over the years as climate fluctuated and caused the ongoing loss of their habitat. Consequently, evidence shows that grizzlies from the South had mated with them and modified their gene pool, according to scientists. DNA data from an ancient polar bear tooth reveals there was "at least one ancient introgression event from brown bears into the ancestor of polar bears, possibly dating back over 150,000 years," Newsweek reported. Furthermore, researchers at the University of Buffalo said this may have implications for understanding the impacts of climate change. 'Pizzly' bears to Carry on the Species' Genes? Findings of a 2012 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reveal that polar and brown bear genomes reflect a species tree consistent with expectation that they are sister species. Researchers estimate that 5-10% of brown bears' nuclear genome is most closely related to polar bears, indicating ancient admixture between the two species. Bear genetics expert Charlotte Lindqvist, also an associate professor of biological sciences in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, said that scientists are not exactly sure when interbreeding began in the two species after they split from a common ancestor over 1 million years ago. "We know they are still able to mate today and can produce fertile offspring so they may have been mating off and on since their species split, whenever the two species came into contact," she said. She adds that the older a mating event is, the more difficult it is to find evidence of such in today's populations. However, they find that brown bears and modern polar bears do share DNA and even involve a 115,000-130,000- year-old polar bear. "This suggests mating happened before the age of this ancient polar bear." Also read: Animals Used to be Bigger, Why Don't We Have Them Anymore? Warming World and Hybrids While the scientists made it clear that the two species can mate and produce offspring, one potential reason why it has not happened extensively over the last millennia is because of their geographic ranges. Now if the two species start to get closer geographically and increase contact as a result of climate change altering their habitats, Lindqvist said interbreeding will likely be more prevalent between them, eventually resulting in entirely new species. "Species evolve all the time and there is nothing to say that new species of bears won't appear in the future, but it will likely not be in our lifetime," Lindqvist said. "And it brings up the general issue of what a species really is!" Unfortunately, it is also likely that we will see the demise of polar bears if they continue to lose their sea ice habitat. According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the survival and protection of the polar bear habitat are urgent matters as the number of their subpopulations experience recent declines. Nonetheless, we can only hope that this new type of bear the warming world has created will be more resilient to harmful impacts of climate change. Related article: Fossilized Bones Fuel Debate on the Purpose of Giraffe's Necks For cat and dog owners, talking to pets is a normal activity where the pet somehow knows if its owner is angry or happy. In recent studies, animals other than cats and dogs can also differentiate between positive and negative sounds. Animals were tested to confirm if the subjects could tell the difference between positively and negatively charged sounds from humans and members of their species. The team of international researchers focused specifically on wild and domesticated horses and pigs. Elodie Briefer, the study author and behavioral biologist from the University of Copenhagen's Department of Biology, stated that her team wanted to confirm if all of the species tested expressed emotions in the same way and if the animals could distinguish between them. Their research was part of a larger project looking into the evolution of emotional vocalization in hoofed animals or ungulates. Another concern for their team, according to Briefer, was whether domestication influenced the vocal expression of emotions. For the experiment, the team tested domesticated pigs and wild boars, as well as domesticated horses and wild Przewalski's horses by playing human voices that mimick positive and negative emotions. Briefer explains that since the farm animals have constant interaction with humans, the farm animals are considered domesticated. This led to the team's hypothesis that the farm animals would also share the same abilities as the dogs, Treehugger reports. She added that this concept is already common knowledge for horses, however, there are less data when it comes to pigs. The biologist pointed out that emotions are a big part of animal welfare, making talking to the animals very crucial. Influenced by Emotion Researchers analyzed the calls of domesticated pigs against those of wild boars and vice versa for the study. They also analyzed wild Przewalski's horses' calls against domesticated horses' calls and vice versa. Animals from parks and zoos were used to study the two wild species. Those animals were used to humans, but not to their domesticated species. Then they played recordings of human voices talking gibberish but with positive or negative expressions. Briefer explains that animals living around humans learn to associate words with consequences or contexts. She added that their study was aimed at testing how voice intonation o 'emotional prosody', in a similar way as changes occurring in animal calls, affect emotions. Actors reciting nonsense words were used to rule out the possibility that animals understand certain words. Their study revealed that domesticated pigs and horses and wild horses can tell the difference between sounds coming from distantly related species, as well as from human voices. Wild boars, on the other hand, reacted differently to domesticated pig calls, but not to sounds produced by other wild boars or humans. Horses reacted by pointing their ears, stopping eating or walking, and moving their heads in various ways. The position of the heads of pigs and boars was used to determine whether they stopped walking or eating. Read also: Scientists Discovered Octopuses, Mollusks, and Other Invertebrates Have Emotions Animal Welfare Researchers wanted to confirm if animals could mirror human emotions, a phenomenon is known as emotional contagion. That would have been obvious in the study if animals had negative emotions when playing negative vocalizations, or positive emotions when playing positive vocalizations. Briefer says explains that a challenge for the study is that the indicators of emotional valence, or whether the animals are experiencing negative or positive emotions, are very subtle and tricky to assess. These indicators include movement in the ears or tail. The ability of wild Przewalski's horses to distinguish between positive and negative human voices astounded the researchers. They also discovered that wild boars did not change their behavior in response to humans but instead responded with more calls and "freezing" when they heard positive pig calls, and vice versa. Briefer believes that the fact that so many of the animals reacted more strongly to a negative sound suggests that the way humans talk around animals may have an impact on their well-being. The biologist shared the findings that the two species of horses and pigs discriminate between positive and negative speech and react stronger when they first hear negative speech. This means that the way humans speak around or to animals influenced the animals' emotions, and hence their welfare. Related article: Animal Emotion: Here Are Several Ways to Know What Animals Feel Flood risk for British Columbia, Canada, continues to increase as of Wednesday, June 8. as a potential major natural disaster is being forecasted in the province. The B.C. River Forecast Centre (RFC) reportedly warned the B.C. flood risk still poses a threat as B.C. mountain snowpack skyrockets way above-average levels. The potential threat pertains to continuous accumulation of snowpack, which entailed that snowmelt at this time of the year should have taken place already, which is already far from its deadline. The delayed snowmelt is posing a high chance of snowmelt flooding and overland flooding as Canada's summer season normally takes place from June to September. Since May, the B.C. RFC, along with meteorologists and hydrologists, have been on high alert. This is due to the fact that the snowpacks, ice, and frozen water from the winter season should have melted in the province during the spring season from March to May. With the snow chunks still intact and growing, local authorities fear that hot temperatures and even rainfall could trigger widespread ice melting and lead to an abrupt, simultaneous flooding. The risk puts communities near inland bodies of water at risk, as well as low-lying areas in the southwestern Canadian province. B.C. Flood Risk A large portion of mountain snow in B.C. has not yet melted for several weeks. In a report of the B.C. RFC on June 1, snowpack level has increased by 165% beyond the normal level across the province, as cited by Global News. The flood monitoring agency stated that around half of the accumulated snowpack should already melted by June 1. However, snowpack melting has been long overdue by two to four weeks due to the cold weather in April and May. The B.C. RFC says the following areas in the province are at most risk from the potential snowmelt floods: Upper Fraser Cariboo Mountains North Thompson South Thompson Lower Fraser Upper Columbia The Kootenays Similkameen Also Read: British Columbia, Canada is Threatened by Increasing Flood Risk: Hydrologists and Meteorologists on High Alert B.C. Mountain Snowpack On May 15, the B.C. mountain snowpack reached its highest level within a decade, according to the snow survey bulletin of the B.C. RFC. It was during this time experts hinted of the possibility that a major flooding may occur by June 30 should a prolonged heat wave occur in the province. B.C. RFC hydrologist Jonathan Boyd issued the flood risk warning across the province as early as May 10. The high snowpack was a result of persistent cold temperatures, alarming both meteorologists and hydrologists alike regarding the looming danger. Snowmelt Flooding of 1894 and 1948 Anti-flood structures of B.C. have significantly improved since previous flood incidents. However, a number of dikes are still "inadequate" to brace a flood similar to the magnitude of the 1894 Fraser River flood, according to the Vancouver Sun. In June 1894, Canada's largest flood in recorded history took place as water levels from the Mission Bridge started to overflow caused by snowmelt flooding. More than 50 years later, a similar flooding occurred at the Fraser River in the spring of 1948; when its water levels overflowed along its banks and destroyed dikes. The 1948 Fraser River flood resulted in the evacuation of around 16,000 people, displacement of 1,500 others, destruction or damage of 2,300 houses, and resulted in material damage worth $150 million at that time. Also Read: Flood Threat Forces British Columbia Province to Issue Evacuation Orders, State of Emergency in Some Communities A sudden shift in climatic conditions in the North Atlantic approximately 800 years ago had a part in a drop in Atlantic salmon populations returning to rivers, according to research headed by the University of Southampton. Salmon stocks were further depleted as a result of subsequent human exploitation. Climate change and human exploitation affect the population of Atlantic salmon The findings hinted at large-scale changes in the marine ecosystem caused by a shift from a warm to a cold climate and what is now known as the Little Ice Age (about 1300-1850), which coincided with a fall in salmon in Scotland's River Spey. These findings can help us understand some of the constraints on salmon populations before and after considerable human exploitation, according to lead author Professor David Sear of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton. Professor Melanie Leng of the British Geological Survey, one of the study's co-authors, stated that the research benefitted from state-of-the-art geochemistry, which enabled us to fingerprint salmon abundance through hundreds of years. They demonstrated that climate has had a significant impact on salmon populations, which is especially pertinent now given the rapid pace of climate change. Atlantic salmon deposit their eggs in the gravels of headwater streams and raise their young for a year or two before going to sea. They eat and mature here before returning to the river to spawn when many of them perish. The sperm, eggs, and corpses are high in marine nutrients that can be found hundreds of years later in sediment. Also Read: Salmon Discovered to Posses Natural Version of Night Vision Goggles, New Study Shows The rapid decline in Atlantic salmon The findings demonstrated that during the previous 50 years, the number of Atlantic salmon returning to Scottish coastal waters has decreased, as per Marine Scotland. This is not linked to a decrease in salmon leaving rivers and appears to be caused by higher at-sea mortality. Previously, losses in coastal returns were offset by reductions in commercial net fisheries and the adoption of catch-and-release fishing practices by rod fisheries. However, this buffering capacity has now been entirely utilized, and the expected quantity of salmon spawning in Scottish rivers has decreased since 2011. These decreases have been worsened by a drop in the size of returning salmon, and therefore egg production. The entire stock is below its conservation limit, with rivers on Scotland's east coast faring better than rivers elsewhere. Although reported spatial disparities may be the consequence of local variables, the major driver of changes in Atlantic salmon populations is occurring in the maritime environment. According to the best information available, the total sea trout stock is at its lowest point since 1952. Over the last 20 years, there has been evidence of general deterioration. A closer look revealed that decreases are occurring across the country. Larger salmon populations (inferred from MDN shifts) were diminished in the past during a cooling environment at the same time people began exploiting them, resulting in a substantial reduction in the fish during the previous 800 years; Salmon populations were higher in the past when rivers were also home to beaver, implying that migratory fish can coexist with beaver, which is a major worry of fishermen for contemporary beaver reintroductions. Migratory fish, such as salmon, transport marine nutrients into our nutrient-depleted upland rivers, providing a significant boost to aquatic and wetland ecosystems in the past, with nutrient declines now significantly harming these ecosystems. Related article: Salmons 'Boiled Alive' in Unlivable Water Due to Record-Breaking Heat Waves South Carolina police officers arrested the CEO and director of an animal rescue group after a total of 30 cats and dogs were found dead inside her house. The arrest reportedly came as part of a "welfare check" operation following a complaint that the property had a "smell of death." The incident is being treated as an ironic case of animal cruelty since the arrested individual involved belongs to an organization that advocates for animal rights and animal welfare. In addition, the suspect is also reportedly a "known figure" in the animal rescue community. The arrest adds to the list of growing cases of animal cruelty and animal abuse across South Carolina and the United States. Governed by an existing animal law, related incidents are treated as a criminal offense in the US, where a convicted individual can face either heavy fines or jailtime. Welfare Check Arrest The operation on Friday, June 3, led to the arrest of Caroline Dawn Pennington, 47, the head of the South Carolina-based non-profit organization GROWL, according to a statement of the Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) in a news release, as cited by NBC News. Officials stated Pennington was charged with 30 counts relating to ill treatment of animals. Among the dead animals, 28 dogs and two cats, were found in a state of decomposition stuck in cages and crates inside her house. The South Carolina Police first conducted their welfare check at Pennington's home in the state capital city of Columbia on May 22. The tip off was from an undisclosed call, indicating a foul smell was coming from the property. Also Read: Mass Deaths of Koalas in Australia Prompt Animal Cruelty Charges Initial Investigation During the initial investigation, the RCSD believed the animals died from dehydration and starvation. The decomposing animals were also seen lying in their own waste as officers entered the home. The time of death of both cats and dogs is not certain. However, investigators reportedly estimated they could be dead for a "significant amount of time" and RCSD Sheriff Leon Lott called the unprecedent discovery to be one of the worst cases of extreme animal cruelty he has seen, as cited by NBC News. Animal Trainer Arrested In a related case of animal cruelty, Netflix's "Tiger King" docuseries star Bhagavan Antle was arrested in South Carolina on June 3. Also called Kevin Antle or Doc Antle, the 62-year-old American animal trainer was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last Friday afternoon. He was later booked in the Horry County jail in the same night, according to New York Daily News. Antle was placed in the spotlight during the Netflix docuseries release in 2019. Doc Antle fans also got to know more about the high-profile animal trainer in the "Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story," which also came out in December 2021. South Carolina has existing laws and ordinances pertaining to the rights and welfare of dogs and cats in general, according to the Charleston Animal Society, an animal protection organization based in North Charleston, South Carolina. Related Article: Arizona Man Accused of Freezing Almost 200 Animals Inside a Garage Freezer According to a tweet published by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on June 9, 2022, Philippine Navys guided-missile Frigate, BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) is on its way to participate in the US-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise in Hawaii. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Jose Rizal class frigate BRP Antonio Luna (Picture source: Philippine Navy) BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is the second ship of the Jose Rizal-class of guided-missile frigates in service with the Philippine Navy. She is able to conduct multi-role operations such as anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and limited anti-air warfare (AAW). She is one of the service's primary warships until the introduction of new and more powerful contemporaries. The Jose Rizal class frigate has a length of 107 m (351 ft 1 in), a beam of 13.8 m (45 ft 3 in), and a draft of 3.65 m (12 ft 0 in). She has a displacement of 2,600 tons. The ship can reach a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km). She has a complement of 110 people and has an endurance of 30 days. She is powered by Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system that includes four MTU-STX 12V1163-TB93 12-cylinder diesel engines and up to three diesel generators. The BRP Antonio Luna is fitted with Hensoldt TRS-3D Baseline D multi-mode phased array C-band search radar, Kelvin Hughes SharpEye I-band & E/F-band navigation radars, and Selex ES NA-25X fire control radar. The Electro-Optical Tracking System of the ship includes Safran PASEO NS. Electronic warfare equipment and decoys include the Elbit Systems Elisra NS9300A and two Terma C-Guard DL-6T decoy launchers. The BRP Antonio Luna is armed with one OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun, one ASELSAN SMASH 30mm automatic cannon, four S&T Motiv K6 .50cal (12.7mm) machine guns, one CIWS, four LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile on twin canisters, two SEA triple torpedo tubes for K745 Blue Shark torpedo, two MBDA Mistral Simbad-RC twin launchers and 8-cell VLS. According to information published by Global Times on June 9, 2022, China's first domestically developed 200-ton-class USV, characterized by its capabilities in stealth and far sea operation, has wrapped up its first autonomous sea trial. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link First Chinese 200 ton-class Unmanned Surface Vessel (Picture source: Weibo) The sea trial took place in waters near Panzhi Island in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province and ended in success after three hours of data collection, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. The vessel has a displacement of about 200 tons, a length of more than 40 meters, and a trimaran design. The unmanned surface vessel has a top speed of more than 20 knots, can carry out tasks undersea state 5, or rough waves, and can sail safely undersea state 6, or very rough waves, CCTV reported. Some of the technical parameters of the vessel, including its detection range, stealth capability, integrated power system, and comprehensive environmental awareness, are world-leading, media reports said. Zhejiang-based Beikun Intelligent Technology company started the project with research and development in late 2015, aiming to build a hundred-ton-class, intelligent, autonomous, and highly stealthy unmanned surface vessel with the ability to cruise in high sea conditions while making little noise. The ship was launched on August 28, 2019, in Jiujiang, East China's Jiangxi Province, and sailed for 1,000 nautical miles in about 30 voyages in the Boyang Lake before arriving in Zhoushan in 2021, proving its initial navigational capability prior to the first sea trial, the report said. With characteristics like outstanding stealth and high situational awareness, the drone ship could see military applications and provide many new tactics in naval warfare, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday. There's no risk of casualties with unmanned equipment, so the drone ship can be sent into dangerous combat zones to carry out reconnaissance, anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, or anti-ship missions with corresponding equipment, the expert said. China is building an even more advanced, large drone ship. On May 31, the No.716 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corp started construction of China's most advanced large unmanned ship, which is characterized by its high speed, long-endurance, and fully domestically developed propulsion system. Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). 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. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. Record high temperatures expected. High 98F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low near 75F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Early diagnosis of infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is important to restrict its transmission. In this context, a reliable point-of-care testing system is urgently needed. Some of the necessary features for mass testing of COVID-19 include short detection time, low-cost procedure, and simple sample collection method. Study: Detecting COVID-19 from Exhaled Breath Clinical Studies. Image Credit: Danilina Olga / Shutterstock.com Background The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay is the gold standard for COVID-19 detection. However, this technique cannot be used for rapid and mass testing, as RT-PCR requires skilled personnel to collect test samples from the infected person and perform this assay. Thus, the development of an exhaled breath analysis device for the rapid detection of COVID-19 could be extremely convenient. This type of device could be highly beneficial because of its simple sample collection method, non-invasive nature, reusability, and ability to deliver results within a short interval. Interestingly, previous studies have reported a distinct scent from COVID-19 patients that was easily detected by dogs. The compound that was detected by the dog was further analyzed through gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry. Breath samples can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection by determining the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the sample. The exhaled breath of a COVID-19 patient contains specific VOCs that arise due to altered metabolic reactions or changes in the microbiota of the lungs during infection. The exhaled breath, which contains various gases including VOCs, can be acquired by an electronic nose device. Unlike RT-PCR tests, an electronic nose device can easily detect SARS-CoV-2 infection during its varied developmental phases. Several studies have reported the development of nanoparticle gas sensors, carbon nanotube sensors, and metal oxide gas sensors for the selective detection of VOCs. Previous studies have also shown that exhaled breath analysis techniques can detect viruses, such as influenza and human rhinoviruses, through the analysis of exhaled VOCs using an electronic nose device. There are several concerns regarding COVID-19 detection through an electric nose breath analyzer, such as the limited repeatability of infection detection through this approach. Additionally, these devices cannot be applied in varied environmental conditions for breath sample collection and analysis. About the study In a recent study under review in the Scientific Reports journal and published on the preprint server Research Square*, researchers discuss the development of an electronic nose device for the detection of VOCs by using commercial gas sensors, which require low energy for their operation at high temperatures. Herein, researchers conducted clinical studies in the northern part of Poland to assess the efficacy of the device. In the current study, scientists performed the experimental studies in hospital wards that were dedicated to treating SARS-CoV-2 infected patients during the third COVID-19 wave in Poland, which was between March and July 2021. Breath samples were obtained from the University Center of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Poland, and subsequently analyzed by the newly developed electronic nose device. A total of 56 breath samples, which consisted of 33 samples obtained from severely infected COVID-19 patients, 17 from healthy controls, and six from ambient air, were used for the current study. All samples were collected in the morning after the study participants brushed their teeth but before having breakfast. This measure was taken to reduce contaminated breath sampling. About 130 mL of breath sample was collected by a BioVOC breath sampler from all study participants breathing in the same atmosphere of the hospital ward. Developed electronic nose analyzing the sample of exhaled breath by using the end-tidal part the final wave, and (b) illustration of collecting the breath sample with the BioVOCTM. Study findings Breath samples obtained from COVID-19 patients exhibited higher humidity levels as compared to controls. Notably, the electronic nose device used here provided a better COVID-19 detection rate for the elderly group as to younger patients. In fact, the device provided a detection accuracy as low as 80% in some younger patients. The device described here could be used for assessing the efficacy of a particular medical treatment or for mass pre-screening. One of the challenges associated with this device is its limited accuracy when used outdoors; thus, future studies should focus on enhancing its accuracy and improving its resistance to fluctuating environmental factors. Future research Taken together, the results of the current study strongly suggest that the use of commercial gas sensors is favorable for the identification of VOCs in breath samples. Therefore, the device and methodology used in the current study could be applied in practice for the detection of COVID-19. In the future, more research is needed to determine why repeated calibration of the device must be performed during its operation. Additionally, a more efficient and faster procedure for cleaning the gas sensor is required. *Important notice Research Square publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. A molecule in mosquito spit has been identified as a potential new target for vaccination against a range of diseases for which there is no protection or medicine. University of Leeds Virus Host Interaction Team researchers have discovered that the molecule, called sialokinin, makes it easier for a number of viruses to pass from mosquitoes to human, where they can then take hold - leading to unpleasant and potentially deadly diseases. These viruses include Yellow Fever, which causes serious illness in around 15% of people infected; dengue, which can develop into the potentially fatal disease dengue fever, and Zika, which caused a global medical emergency in 2016. Previous research determined that sialokinin was able to alter the function of blood vessel cells grown in a lab, allowing increased blood flow and more effective feeding for the mosquito. But experts did not know what role it played in helping the virus to infect the body. Inspecting the behavior of sialokinin on skin cells from mice, the team discovered that the molecule causes blood vessels to become permeable, allowing contents to leak out into the skin which inadvertently helps viruses to infect the host. We have identified sialokinin as a key component within mosquito saliva that worsens infection in the mammalian host. Our research suggests that blocking sialokinin, for example through a vaccine or a topical treatment, may be an exciting new approach that prevents severe disease following infection with numerous distinct viruses." Dr Clive McKimmie, Research Supervisor, Associate Professor, University of Leeds' School of Medicine Lead author Dr Daniella Lefteri worked on the study as a PhD researcher in Leeds' School of Medicine. She is now a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Glasgow. She said: "Our findings may also explain why some mosquitoes can spread infection to humans, while some cannot. Anopheles mosquitoes cannot spread most viruses. Crucially, we show that their saliva, which cannot cause leaky blood vessels, and cannot enhance infection of virus in mammalian host, does not contain sialokinin. "Our work has increased our understanding of the way mosquito-derived factors influence infection in a host's body." Mosquito-borne viruses Viruses spread by mosquitoes are known as arboviruses. They can affect humans and other mammals, such as cattle. In humans, symptoms generally occur three to 15 days after exposure, and can last three to four days. The most common symptoms are a debilitating fever and headache, but more serious disease can occur and some infections prove fatal. The Aedes mosquito, which is found on all continents except Antarctica, spreads arboviruses. Species include the Asian tiger mosquito and the Yellow Fever mosquito. Yellow Fever infects people living in and visiting parts of South America and Africa. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches. About 15% of cases develop into serious illness that can be fatal. Dengue is contracted by people visiting or living in Asia, the Americas or the Caribbean. According to the World Health Organisation, 5.2 million people contracted the disease in 2019. Half of the world's population is now at risk of infection. Zika virus is found in parts of South and Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands, Africa and Asia. It can harm a developing baby. In 2016, thousands of babies were born brain-damaged after their mothers became infected while pregnant. There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for dengue, Zika, and other potentially serious mosquito-borne viruses including Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, Semliki Forest virus and Rift Valley Fever virus. The research team says future work should focus on identifying the other factors in mosquito saliva that help viruses infect hosts, and developing therapeutics to target and block them. Dr McKimmie said: "One way to do this would be to develop a vaccine that generates neutralizing antibodies that bind to these factors, and thereby stop them from working and helping the virus." In the early 1960s, University of Michigan alumnus Marshall Nirenberg and a few other scientists deciphered the genetic code of life, determining the rules by which information in DNA molecules is translated into proteins, the working parts of living cells. They identified three-letter units in DNA sequences, known as codons, that specify each of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins, work for which Nirenberg later shared a Nobel Prize with two others. Occasionally, single-letter misspellings in the genetic code, known as point mutations, occur. Point mutations that alter the resulting protein sequences are called nonsynonymous mutations, while those that do not alter protein sequences are called silent or synonymous mutations. Between one-quarter and one-third of point mutations in protein-coding DNA sequences are synonymous. Ever since the genetic code was cracked, those mutations have generally been assumed to be neutral, or nearly so. But in a study published online June 8 in the journal Nature that involved the genetic manipulation of yeast cells in the laboratory, University of Michigan biologists show that most synonymous mutations are strongly harmful. The strong nonneutrality of most synonymous mutationsif found to be true for other genes and in other organismswould have major implications for the study of human disease mechanisms, population and conservation biology, and evolutionary biology, according to the study authors. Since the genetic code was solved in the 1960s, synonymous mutations have been generally thought to be benign. We now show that this belief is false. Because many biological conclusions rely on the presumption that synonymous mutations are neutral, its invalidation has broad implications. For example, synonymous mutations are generally ignored in the study of disease-causing mutations, but they might be an underappreciated and common mechanism. Jianzhi George Zhang, study senior author, the Marshall W. Nirenberg Collegiate Professor, U-M Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology In the past decade, anecdotal evidence has suggested that some synonymous mutations are nonneutral. Zhang and his colleagues wanted to know if such cases are the exception or the rule. They chose to address this question in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) because the organisms short generation time (about 80 minutes) and small size allowed them to measure the effects of a large number of synonymous mutations relatively quickly, precisely and conveniently. They used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to construct more than 8,000 mutant yeast strains, each carrying a synonymous, nonsynonymous or nonsense mutation in one of 21 genes the researchers targeted. Then they quantified the fitness of each mutant strain by measuring how quickly it reproduced relative to the nonmutant strain. Darwinian fitness, simply put, refers to the number of offspring an individual has. In this case, measuring the reproductive rates of the yeast strains showed whether the mutations were beneficial, harmful or neutral. To their surprise, the researchers found that 75.9% of synonymous mutations were significantly deleterious, while 1.3% were significantly beneficial. The previous anecdotes of nonneutral synonymous mutations turned out to be the tip of the iceberg, said study lead author Xukang Shen, a graduate student research assistant in Zhangs lab. We also studied the mechanisms through which synonymous mutations affect fitness and found that at least one reason is that both synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations alter the gene-expression level, and the extent of this expression effect predicts the fitness effect. Zhang said the researchers knew beforehand, based on the anecdotal reports, that some synonymous mutations would likely turn out to be nonneutral. But we were shocked by the large number of such mutations, he said. Our results imply that synonymous mutations are nearly as important as nonsynonymous mutations in causing disease and call for strengthened effort in predicting and identifying pathogenic synonymous mutations. The U-M-led team said that while there is no particular reason why their results would be restricted to yeast, confirmations in diverse organisms are required to verify the generality of their findings. The other authors of the Nature study are Siliang Song of the U-M Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Chuan Li of Stanford University. The work was supported by a U.S. National Institutes of Health grant to Zhang. The spread of Covid-19 in passenger ships is exacerbated when a cabin door is left open to let in fresh air, according to new research led by Cranfield University. High performance simulations were developed to show how infected particles from a person's mouth were distributed onboard small passenger ships. The key finding was that keeping the cabin door shut led to a shorter area spread of particles. The research aims to aid the post-pandemic recovery of the maritime industry - which saw a reduction of 43% in passenger vessel operations due to Covid-19. The results will advance on-board protection measures against future viruses - reducing the economic and social impact of pandemics on seafarers, passengers and the shipping industry. Maritime industry hit hard by pandemic Passenger transportation across the world has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the time passengers spend confined together creating a risk to health and spreading the virus. Although research of how the virus spreads in hospitals and other settings such as cars is extensive, equivalent studies into Covid-19 on ships have been limited. The key findings - published in the Ocean Engineering journal show that the airflow environment on ships is unique because of their forward motion, and that the location of a front-facing door can cause significant wind flow to distribute infected particles more widely. Researchers led by Cranfield University's Dr Luofeng Huang, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering carried out research using a series of computational models to look at the airborne transmission of Covid-19 inside a ship. They examined what happened when an infected person coughed or was speaking when the door was open, and how the spread of this virus changed when the door was closed. Closed doors and air conditioning units Results from the research modeling showed that the movement of virus particles was limited to a radius of half a meter, less than a seat's width, when doors were closed. The passenger seats could then be adjusted accordingly to take this spread radius into account. The researchers also looked at the influence of air conditioning units and found that adjusting the direction of air flow downwards acted as a measure to limit virus spread. Cranfield University's Dr Luofeng Huang, the paper's lead author, said: "We initially started the research with a focus on Indonesia, a nation which relies heavily on sea transportation. But when the pandemic hit, there were ships around the world which were unable to leave port, or had to operate at reduced capacity. Our research demonstrated a safe way forward for ships, and will assist as the maritime industry recovers from the effects of the pandemic. "We were very surprised by the results of the research as it differs to mainstream guidance on covid and fresh air. In the case of ships, it is evident that keeping the front door of a vessel shut will mitigate the spread of an infection. "Our next step is to continue the research to develop guidelines for fishing vessels, on which the catching process usually requires more than 10 crew working side-by-side, and the physical demands make it impractical to wear masks. With this concern, hundreds of thousands of fishing vessels are still suspended which increases the economic toll in the region." The UK-Indonesia collaboration was initiated by Professor Giles Thomas from UCL, in partnership with Cranfield University and ITS University in Indonesia, and funded by the British Council. A series of workshops are being held with Indonesian partners to help governmental departments and industrial operators to adopt COVID-19 guidelines developed through this project. Social isolation is linked to lower brain volume in areas related to cognition and a higher risk of dementia, according to research published in the June 8, 2022, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study found that social isolation was linked to a 26% increased risk of dementia, separately from risk factors like depression and loneliness. Social isolation is a serious yet underrecognized public health problem that is often associated with old age. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation, or the state of being cut off from social networks, has intensified. It's more important than ever to identify people who are socially isolated and provide resources to help them make connections in their community." Jianfeng Feng, PhD, Study Author, Fudan University, Shanghai, China The study looked at 462,619 people across the United Kingdom with an average age of 57 at the beginning of the study who were followed for nearly 12 years before the pandemic. Of those, 41,886, or 9% of people reported being socially isolated, and 29,036, or 6% of people felt lonely. During the study, 4,998 developed dementia. Researchers collected survey data from participants, along with a variety of physical and biological measurements, including MRI data. Participants also took thinking and memory tests to assess their cognitive function. For social isolation, people were asked three questions about social contact: whether they lived with others; whether they had visits with friends or family at least once a month; and whether they participated in social activities such as clubs, meetings or volunteer work at least once a week. People were considered socially isolated if they answered no to at least two questions. Of the 41,886 people with social isolation, 649 people developed dementia, or 1.55%, compared to 4,349 people of the 420,733 people who were not socially isolated or 1.03%. After adjusting for factors including age, sex, socioeconomic status, alcohol intake and smoking, and other conditions like depression and loneliness, researchers found that socially isolated individuals had lower volume in the brain's gray matter in various regions involved with learning and thinking. Researchers found that people who were socially isolated were 26% more likely to develop dementia than those with no social isolation. Researchers also looked at loneliness, but after adjusting, saw no strong correlation with developing dementia. "People who reported high levels of social isolation had significant differences in brain volume, also associated with cognition and dementia," said Feng. "Given the findings of this study, social isolation may be an early indicator of an increased risk of dementia." People who reported higher levels of social isolation were more likely to have lower gray matter volume in areas of the brain associated with learning and thinking. Overall, the results showed that lower gray matter volumes were associated with higher social isolation. A limitation of the study was that participants reported fewer health conditions and were less likely to live alone than the general population, so the results may not apply to the general population. The study was supported by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, National Natural Sciences Foundation of China, the municipal government of Shanghai, ZJ Lab, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology and the Wellcome Trust. The study was a collaboration between Fudan University, the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick. It's no secret that puffing cigarettes is the culprit behind a whole host of ailments, including respiratory diseases and cancers of the lungs and throat. But a new UNLV study has revealed that male smokers -; who, demographically, are more likely than women to light up -; are also placing themselves at a significantly increased risk of osteoporosis, bone fractures, and early death. A UNLV research team analyzed nearly 30,000 broken bone cases reported over the past three decades in 27 research publications and found that smoking increases the risk of breaking a bone by as much as 37%. The meta-analysis, published last week in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, is the first to expand scientists' scope beyond examining primarily hip fractures to other parts of the body, including the wrists, shoulders, forearms, femurs, lower legs, and spine. UNLV's study bolsters data from previous studies, which found that smoking increases the chance of spine and hip fractures in men to 32% and 40%, respectively. And, the older studies found, between 21% and 37% of those injured male smokers die within a year of their bone breaks. Smoking is a major risk factor for osteoporosis and risk of fracture. Men tend to smoke more than women, increasing their risk for osteoporosis, which has traditionally been thought of as a women's disease." Qing Wu, study lead author, researcher with UNLV's School of Public Health and Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine Cigarettes' influence on fracture risk isn't fully understood, researchers said. Smoking is thought to increase the risk of skeletal fractures because the chemicals in cigarettes negatively impact bone cells and reduce the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D and calcium -; critical nutrients for strong bone mineral density, said Wu. Additionally, he said, smoking is considered a risk factor for injury in general because there is evidence that nicotine interferes with the tissue repair process, making the body more susceptible to wounds and inhibiting fracture healing. As medical advancements contribute to an ever-aging population, researchers call on consumers to pay attention to the link between smoking and osteoporotic fractures, which are a major cause of disability and premature death for older people. "Smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States," researchers wrote. "Smoking cessation would greatly reduce fracture risk in all smokers, particularly in men." It is important to prevent transmission of the highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, the causal agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, scientists and policymakers have formulated many strategies for various settings, e.g., schools, offices, public places, etc., to stop the further spread of the disease, which will invariably help contain the pandemic. Study: Ventilation Improvement Strategies Among K12 Public Schools The National School COVID-19 Prevention Study, United States, February 14March 27, 2022. Image Credit: Halfpoint / Shutterstock National School COVID-19 Prevention Study The National School COVID-19 Prevention Study (NSCPS) is an ongoing longitudinal, population-based study that focuses on COVID-19 preventive strategies and assesses its effectiveness in the U.S. K12 public schools. This study includes all public schools in the fifty states and the District of Columbia. It has also used Common Core Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Market Data Retrieval database. In addition, scientists also used a web-based survey that included school administrators (e.g., principals) and nurses involved in designing COVID-19 prevention strategies at schools. This survey was initiated at the beginning of summer 2021. Recently, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluated the aforementioned data on ventilation improvement strategies implemented in kindergarten through grade 12 (K12) public schools in the United States. They evaluated data between February 14 and March 27, 2022 (fourth wave of COVID-19), obtained from the National School COVID-19 Prevention Study (NSCPS), which contained information from 420 schools. This study is published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Assessment of CDC on Ventilation Improvement Strategies in K-12 Schools Scientists stated that effective COVID-19 prevention measures in K12 schools require multi-component prevention strategies, which involve the ventilation system of school buildings and school-based transportation. Improved ventilation can lower the risk of COVID-19 infection by decreasing the concentration of infectious aerosol and the period of exposure to the potential viral component. Apart from lowering the risk of COVID-19 incidence, a proper ventilation system also offers better respiratory health and reduced allergy symptoms. Although CDCs COVID-19 guidance for schools included various strategies to improve the ventilation system, only some were found to be implemented commonly. The current study examined eleven ventilation improvement strategies associated with schools and school-based transportation. Among these strategies, CDC observed that the most frequently implemented ventilation improvement strategies in schools were those that involved low cost. Some of these strategies were relocating activities outdoors, opening doors or windows when possible, and properly inspecting and validating existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The less frequently implemented strategies involved installing portable HEPA filtration systems in classrooms or eating areas. A very small number of schools adopted resource-intensive strategies, e.g., new installation of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems in classrooms and eating areas and replacing or upgrading HVAC systems. City schools were less likely to open windows even when it was perfectly safe to do, compared to schools situated in suburban, town, and rural areas. Similarly, city schools were less likely to open windows on school buses than rural schools. Unsurprisingly, schools situated in rural or mid-poverty-level areas were found to be less inclined to implement resource-intensive strategies. However, these schools can utilize available federal resources to improve their ventilation system. Scientists stated that ensuring the implementation of a proper ventilation system could significantly reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in schools. CDC observed that six ventilation strategies differed by school poverty level. For instance, compared to mid-poverty schools, low-poverty schools were more likely to inspect and validate existing HVAC systems, relocate activities outdoors when possible, replace or upgrade HVAC systems, and enhance ventilation in eating areas for students. The current study also observed that mid-poverty schools were less inclined to use portable HEPA filtration systems in classrooms or high-risk areas compared to low-poverty and high-poverty schools. Mid-poverty level schools are less likely to implement various strategies, compared to higher poverty schools, because of their inexperience in accessing and using federal funds. On the other hand, lower poverty schools might be able to implement many of the strategies because they are self-sufficient and do not require government support. Limitations of this Study One of the limitations of this study is that the implementation of ventilation improvement strategies was assessed based on a self-reported survey, and some responses could be biased. Assessment of the knowledge and training of the persons who participated in the survey was not confirmed. This study also fails to account for the fact that ventilation varies with seasons, building type, and environment. Conclusion The current study highlighted affordable strategies that were easily implemented in schools at all poverty levels. HVAC and HEPA filtration systems were used in the majority of schools, which were found to be regularly inspected and validated. According to CDC, ventilation plays a vital role in reducing COVID-19 spread in school settings. Therefore, ensuring proper ventilation could help prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in schools. Jessica Oberoi, 13, can't exactly remember when her eyesight started getting blurry. All she knows is that she had to squint to see the whiteboard at school. It wasn't until last fall when her eighth grade class in Bloomington, Indiana, got vision screenings that Jessica's extreme nearsightedness and amblyopia, or lazy eye, were discovered. She's been going through intense treatment since then, and her optometrist, Dr. Katie Connolly, said Jessica has made great improvements but her lazy eye, which causes depth perception problems, may never go away. The chances of it being completely corrected would have been much higher if her condition had been caught earlier, said Connolly, chief of pediatric and binocular vision services at Indiana University's School of Optometry. Jessica is one of the countless students falling through the cracks of the nation's fractured efforts to catch and treat vision problems among children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 600,000 children and teens are blind or have a vision disorder. A recent opinion article published on JAMA Network notes that a large number of these children could be helped simply with glasses, but because of high costs and lack of insurance coverage, many are not getting that help. Yet the National Survey of Children's Health, funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, found that in 2016-17 a quarter of children were not regularly screened for vision problems. And a large majority of those vision impairments could be treated or cured if caught early, Connolly said. "Screenings are important for kids because kids don't realize what's abnormal," said Connolly. "They don't know what their peers around them or even their parents are seeing to realize their experience is different." Eye exams for children are required under federal law to be covered by most private health plans and Medicaid. Vision screenings are mandated for school-age children in 40 states and the District of Columbia, and 26 states require them for preschoolers, according to the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at the nonprofit advocacy organization Prevent Blindness. Still, many children who are struggling to see clearly are being overlooked. The pandemic has only exacerbated the issue since classes moved online, and for many students in-school vision screenings are the only time they get their eyes checked. Even when campuses reopened, school nurses were so swamped with covid testing that general screenings had to be put to the side, said Kate King, president-elect of the National Association of School Nurses. "The only kids who were getting their vision checked were the ones who were complaining about not being able to see," King said. The problem is most prevalent among preschoolers, according to the national center. It points out that the federal survey of children found that 61% of children 5 and younger had never had their vision tested. Kindergarten, Connolly said, is a critical time to check a child's vision because not only are they old enough to cooperate with eye exams, but it's when vision problems are more likely to be identifiable. The CDC survey also found that 67% of children with private health insurance had their vision screened, compared with 43% of those who were uninsured. Optometrists, physicians, and school nurses are concerned not only about children's visual acuity, but also their ability to learn and overall quality of life. Both are strongly linked to vision. "There seems to be an assumption that maybe if kids can't see, they'll just tell somebody that the problems will sort of come forward on their own and that they don't need to be found," said Kelly Hardy, senior managing director of health and research for a California-based child advocacy group, Children Now. But that's not the case most of the time because children aren't the best advocates for their own vision problems. And when left untreated, those problems can worsen or lead to other serious and permanent conditions. "It feels like a pretty low-tech, pretty easy intervention to make sure that kids have a chance to succeed," Hardy said. "And yet there's kids going around that haven't had their vision screenings or haven't had an eye exam, and that seems unacceptable, especially when there's so many other things that are harder to solve." Connolly's visit to Jessica's school last year marked the first time Jessica had her vision checked. Her brother, Tanul Oberoi, 7, tagged along on her follow-up visit to Connolly's clinic and had his vision screened for the first time. His serious astigmatism was identified, and he now wears glasses. Since his condition was caught early, there is a good chance his eyesight with glasses will improve and that over time his prescription will be reduced. "It was surprising to me that they have trouble seeing because they didn't say anything to me before," said Sonia Oberoi, Jessica and Tanul's mom. "They usually tell me when they have a problem, and I watch them when they read something. I didn't know." Getting vision screenings is only part of the battle, Connolly said. Purchasing glasses is a stretch for many families lacking coverage since the average cost without insurance is $351 a pair. The JAMA article points out that in developing countries, sturdy glasses made from flexible steel wire and plastic lenses can be manufactured for about $1 a pair but that option is not generally available in the U.S. Since Jessica and Tanul are not insured, their mom said the family would have to pick up the cost of their glasses. Connolly's clinic worked with several programs to completely cover their treatment and glasses, plus contacts for Jessica. The issue goes beyond poor eyesight and overlooked vision problems. There is a strong link between children's vision and their development especially the way they learn. Struggling to see clearly can be the beginning of many downstream problems for children, such as low grades, misdiagnosed attention-deficit disorders, or lack of self-confidence. In a 2020 study by researchers in Spain published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, students who had "bad academic performance" were twice as likely as those with "good academic performance" to admit that they can't see the blackboard properly. Additionally, those who performed poorer academically were also twice as likely to get tired or suffer headaches while reading, according to the study. "Kids do better in school and they do better socially if they're not going around with uncorrected vision problems," said Hardy. "And so it feels like a no-brainer that we need to make sure that we're doing better to make sure that kids are getting the care they need." King, who works at a middle school in Columbus, Ohio, said that even before the pandemic students' vision problems were being overlooked. Of all the optometrist referrals she sends home, she said just around 15% of children are taken to an eye doctor without her having to reach out to parents again. "An overwhelming majority actually don't follow up and don't get a comprehensive exam," King said. Another issue is that Medicaid and private insurance usually cover one pair of glasses every year or two, which King said is not ideal for growing and clumsy kids. "School nurses are experts at glasses repair," King said, while chuckling. "Often we need to put in a new nosepiece or put in a new screw, or get them fixed because a classmate sat on them." In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers investigated whether strict lockdowns could effectively reduce the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant transmission in Shanghai. Background The high transmissibility and enhanced immune-evasiveness of Omicron coupled with the lack of Omicron-targeted vaccines warrant the need for lockdowns. On 1 March 2022, Omicron BA.2 infections were first reported in Shanghai. The daily count of infections elevated swiftly in the subsequent weeks, due to which, on 28 March, the government of Shanghai government implemented a lockdown in eastern regions of Shanghai and subsequently a citywide lockdown on 1 April to control the spread of Omicron. About the study In the present retrospective study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of strict lockdown measures implemented in Shanghai for curbing Omicron transmission. Based on daily counts of Omicron infections between 1 March 2022 and 30 April 2022, obtained from the Shanghai municipal health commission database, the effective reproductive numbers (Rt) of Omicron were calculated. Correlation analysis using the Pearson correlation coefficient was performed to correlate the lockdown outcomes in 16 districts of Shanghai, for which the infection index and the active infection index were calculated. The Shanghai lockdown policy was divided into three public health and social measures (PHSM) stages. Stage I (between 1 March and 12 March) comprised regular COVID-19 prevention and control measures with minimum restrictions. Stage II (between 13 March and 31 March) was the precise epidemic control stage wherein only residents of particular high-risk communities were to be quarantined. Stage III (beginning 1 April) comprised citywide lockdowns. For quantifying the stringency of lockdown policies, the Oxford coronavirus government response tracker project was followed with metrics such as school closure, workplace closure, prohibition of public events, restrictions for public gatherings, internal movement restrictions, public transport closure, stay at home restrictions, domestic and international travel restrictions, and public information campaigns. After excluding public health campaigns, stringency indices for Shanghai were calculated from the other metrics at the three stages and compared to those of the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, and other nations. The rate of asymptomatic spread of Omicron infections was determined, and Omicron infection trends in every district were observed. To further evaluate the effectiveness of lockdown, the period between the date of lockdown commencement and the date of peak in Omicron infections was calculated and referred to as the effective interval (EI) of lockdown. In addition, the impact of Omicron cases and population movement on EI was evaluated. Results Daily average Rt of stages I and II were 1.76 and 1.79, respectively, lesser than the mean (Rt 3.4) for South Africa, the Netherlands, India, and the United Kingdom. Of note, the Rt was substantially lower (Rt 1.0) in stage III in Shanghai, indicating that lockdowns could prevent Omicron transmission effectively. The stringency index of the Shanghai lockdown was as high as 97, marginally lower than India lockdowns but higher than all other countries. The everyday stringency index in stage I was as low as nine as only persons with medium-risk or high-risk region travel history were being monitored. Subsequently, Shanghai began to control particular high-risk communities, and the daily stringency index during stage II increased to 45 and further increased to 97 in stage III. After the citywide lockdown beginning on 1 April, the daily count of Omicron infections reported in Shanghai demonstrated a peak on 12 April, indicating an 11-day EI, which was substantially shorter than that of the Wuhan city of China in the year 2020 (EI of 20 days). Distinct EIs were reported for the different Shanghai districts ranging between six days and 20 days, with double peaks noted for districts such as Yangpu, Baoshan, and Hongkou. A positive correlation was observed between EI days and the active infection index, indicating that an increase in Omicron infections and extensive movement of personnel are challenges in reducing Omicron transmission. Therefore, timely lockdowns before a surge in Omicron infections are essential for rapidly controlling Omicron spread, particularly in population-dense urban areas. In Shanghai, during stage I and stage II, the median rates of asymptomatic spread of Omicron infections were 94.7% and 96.8%, respectively, which reduced to 90% in stage III. The rates fluctuated above 80%, which could be due to characteristic Omicron traits, vaccination rates, and prompt detection of Omicron infections among the masses. The rates were pushed up by healthy individuals aged <60 years, accounting for 85% of cases, including young individuals with active social contact and middle-aged individuals with contact limited to family and neighborhoods sharing the kitchen and/or toilet. Overall, the study findings showed that stringent lockdowns could effectively curb Omicron transmission, particularly the spread of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. In addition, adopting the lockdown strategy by population-dense urban cities in the initial stages of the pandemic would provide maximal benefit in controlling Omicron spread. *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. Scott Wiener made a startling revelation at a spring legislative committee hearing: "I was in the hospital. I experienced the most intense abdominal pain that I could even imagine." The Democratic state senator recalled crawling up the stairs to his landlord's apartment last July to get a ride to the hospital. The San Francisco lawmaker also disclosed to his colleagues on the Senate Health Committee that he has Crohn's disease, a chronic autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. His body, he said, wasn't responding to his medication, which led to abscesses in his abdomen and a weeklong stay in the hospital. Wiener is a youthful, lean 52-year-old who is known around the Capitol as an energetic workaholic. It's a reputation he has had since his early days as a San Francisco supervisor. He is known for his progressive proposals on housing affordability, safe injection sites, mental health, and sentencing reform. Wiener is also an intensely private lawmaker, who, by his own admission, isn't the type to "personalize these things." He opened up after some Republican lawmakers and health insurance lobbyists questioned the cost of one of his bills during a committee hearing in April. SB 853 would require state-regulated insurance companies to cover a denied prescription while the patient appeals the decision if a patient has previously taken the drug even if it's at a higher dose than the FDA has approved or in a different form than was previously prescribed. The clause about drug dosage and form is especially important for patients who have an autoimmune disease, such as Crohn's, because they sometimes need a higher dose of a medication than the FDA recommends. Or the medicine might work better for them in injectable form than as a pill. Patients who are denied medicine often go without it while they appeal, a process that health plans say generally takes 30 days. Some patients, however, say it can take months. Under his bill, if he ever had to contest his health plan's decisions about his medications, Weiner told his colleagues, "I could get the proper dosage during the appeal so that I wouldnt have to miss more health committee meetings." But Jedd Hampton, legislative affairs director for the California Association of Health Plans, said the bill would give patients "unfettered access to prescription drugs," which could lead to abuse and addiction. "We are strongly concerned that stripping health plans of the ability to provide clinical oversight and access to certain drugs may cause potentially adverse reactions and real harm to our enrollees," he said. The Senate approved Wiener's bill 39-0 last month. It is awaiting a hearing in the Assembly. Wiener sat down with KHN senior correspondent Samantha Young to talk about what it's like to live with Crohn's disease, his hospital stay, and how that experience informs his work. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: How does Crohn's disease affect your life? I have had it for 33 years, and Ive been lucky that, other than last year, I just deal with periodic pain. But last spring, I started getting more symptomatic, and I was hospitalized for one night at the end of June with pain. Then a month later, on a Tuesday night, getting into bed, all of a sudden, the only way to describe it, it was like an electrical storm in my abdomen. The most severe pain I have ever felt. The hospital did a scan and found multiple abscesses in my abdomen. I was in the intensive care unit for three nights and in the hospital for a week. They had to drain abscesses, and I was on heavy antibiotics. I had a reoccurrence in September, and I had to go back to the hospital for four days. But now it got all cleared out, and I've been doing great since then. I feel lucky. It's never really affected my ability to be a workaholic, my ability to just live my life, travel, vacation. I feel very privileged. There are other people with other autoimmune diseases and Crohn's who are much more impacted. Q: How do you monitor your Crohn's? After I left the hospital, I began consulting with an infectious disease specialist. I know what to look for, so hopefully this will never happen again. I know I need to go to the hospital if I have an unexplained fever with some pain and I'm testing negative for covid-19. For a lot of people, if you have an unexplained fever for a few days and you just don't feel well, you let it go. For me, I need to go to the hospital and have a scan done just to make sure I don't have an infection. Q: There are so many chronic health conditions that require specialty care and drugs, which can be very expensive. Have you ever had trouble getting coverage for them? I was always on common generic medicines, but then the two times I had to go on specialty drugs, Ive had two opposite experiences. The first time, my insurance company said I had to first try and fail the steroid prednisone. Well, anyone who knows anything about prednisone knows that it is a last resort. Prednisone has so many side effects, and long term, it can cause a lot of problems. It was just shocking to me and my doctor that the insurance company said you have to try and fail. Then, when my doctor went to switch me to what I'm on now, it was approved within 24 hours. It was as easy as could be. So Ive experienced amazing health plan response and also really challenging response. Q: What does that tell you as a lawmaker about the way our health care system works? Sometimes the system works really well, and sometimes it doesnt. And if you are not the kind of person who can advocate for yourself or you dont have your primary care physician able to advocate for you, you can really have a bad outcome. Q: What have you and other lawmakers done to address that? We do a lot of work around health plan accountability. I'm carrying another bill, SB 858, that would increase fines for health plan violations. During my entire experience last year, with various hospitalizations, my health plan was terrific. Everything was very prompt, and we always had a nurse follow up with me after I left the hospital. But people do fall through the cracks sometimes mistakes are made in terms of denying coverage. Ive supported and co-authored numerous pieces of legislation to lower prescription drug costs. I'm very fortunate that I have excellent health insurance, but a lot of people don't. I haven't had copay problems, but there are people who had to pay huge amounts of money just to get medicine because coverage doesn't kick in until they pay $5,000. It makes me very sensitive to those cost issues. And I was a proud champion and co-author of AB 1400, Assembly member Ash Kalras single-payer legislation. Q: Does your personal life influence the bills you sponsor? My personal experience certainly influences my perspective on life. My personal experience as a gay man, as a patient, and in the community in general. It's true for any elected official, and thats why its important to have officials with lots of life experience because I think it makes you a better representative. Q: Your bill came under tough questioning from some Republican lawmakers, but that shifted after you shared your story. Do you think personal stories like yours carry weight with your colleagues and the public? Yeah. I was really grateful that it got bipartisan support. And I think for some of these issues, theres really no reason for it to be partisan. As elected officials, sometimes we're viewed as caricatures of human beings. Were human beings who have the same challenges that other people do challenges parenting or having a sick family member. Weve had members who have had to deal with difficult family situations or health situations. I think its good for the public to know that. This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. Evident, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is proud to announce that its Olympus Provi CM20 incubation monitoring system is the 2022 recipient of the prestigious "Best of the Best" award in the Product Design category of the Red Dot Design Award. This Award is bestowed on a product that the Red Dot Jury deems as groundbreaking and is the highest honor given in this world-renowned design competition. Pioneering design of the CM20 incubation monitoring system The CM20 incubation monitoring system automatically measures the number and density of cells in a cell culture and enables users to monitor cells remotely while the culture vessel is in an incubator that maintains an endogenous-like environment. Cell culture operations, which were traditionally dependent on the user's experience, technology and skill have been streamlined through the CM20 system's monitoring and quantification features, helping improve researhcer's work efficiency and experiment consistency. To learn more about the Olympus Provi CM20 incubation monitoring system, visit: www.olympus-lifescience.com/ cell_culture_solution/cm20/. In Japan's rapidly aging society, elderly people commonly receive medical treatment at home from doctors who make house calls instead of in a hospital setting. The doctors who provide this service are based at home support clinics and hospitals (HCSCs). In addition to making regular visits to the patients, these doctors must also be ready to make emergency house calls on patient requestthis service is available on a 24-hour basis. In a study published this month in BMC Primary Care, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have revealed several key factors that can be used to predict which patients are most likely to require frequent emergency house calls. The first factor is whether a patient is receiving home oxygen therapy. The second is whether they have been classified as belonging to "care level need 4-5" under the government's long-term insurance care system (that is, the highest level of need for care). The third is whether they are receiving treatment for cancer. Not knowing when they will be called on to make an emergency house call is a major problem for the doctors in the HCSCs. We were interested in seeing if there was a way to predict which patients were most likely to require frequent emergency house calls so that the doctors could get a better sense of where they will be needed." Professor Nanako Tamiya, lead author of the study To investigate this question, the researchers looked at medical insurance claims records and long-term care insurance claims data for about four thousand patients over the age of 65 in Tsukuba City and Kashiwa City (both in the vicinity of Tokyo) over a four-year period from 2014 to 2018. They looked at various factors that might be relevant to the likelihood of emergency house calls being needed, ranging from various medical conditions to the need to conduct medical procedures at home, and used them to develop a risk-scoring model to assess the likelihood of emergency house calls. "We selected 19 factors as candidates for predicting the need for frequent emergency home visits," explains Professor Tamiya. "We were able to narrow these down to the three most significant predictors: home oxygen therapy, care level need 4-5, and cancer." The study's findings promise to be useful in allocating medical resources. For example, elderly patients identified as being at high risk of requiring emergency house calls can be assigned to enhanced HCSCs with greater numbers of doctors, thus relieving the pressure on smaller clinics. Omicron was first reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, 2021, and within mere days it was already making the rounds in the United States, spiking SARS-CoV-2 case numbers as it infiltrated every school, restaurant, and family gathering. But when exactly did omicron unseat the delta variant to become dominant? And how quickly did it actually take over? These are the questions that a team led by researchers at Harvard Medical School set out to study in real time using a new, faster, variant-determining technique to analyze SARS-CoV-2 samples from screening programs across area universities. Their analysis, published May 25 in Clinical Infectious Diseases, shows that omicron arrived in Massachusetts earlier than experts predicted, and took over in a matter of days-;information that the study authors immediately presented to local hospitals and public health departments to inform preparations for a surge of COVID-19 cases. Omicron's rise to global dominance was extremely rapid, and so was its emergence here in Boston. It moved so fast that we'd have missed a lot of cases if it weren't for these screening programs run by colleges, but with them we were able to document the takeover." Bill Hanage, Study Lead Author and Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School Researchers from Boston University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University collaborated to analyze SARS-CoV-2 samples from their asymptomatic screening programs. They found that omicron accounted for over 90 percent of SARS-CoV-2 infections as early as nine days after it arrived in a community. Moreover, 10 percent of cases in university communities were from omicron up to 10 days before omicron hit the 10 percent mark in Massachusetts. Omicron outcompeted the delta variant at universities one to two weeks earlier than it did in the state as a whole. Additionally, patients infected with omicron had a lower viral load than those infected with delta-;indicating that increased transmission of omicron was due to characteristics of the variant itself, rather than the presence of more virus. The research not only helped sound the alarm about omicron, but suggests that university campuses may offer valuable monitoring hubs to set up surveillance programs for the early detection of incipient infectious disease outbreaks. "Universities are a bit of a melting pot that reflects the surrounding community, so they can be a good spot to pick up things as they arrive," said senior author Michael Springer, associate professor of systems biology in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS. A rapid takeover In early December, the researchers began to see an increase in COVID-19 cases in screening programs at Boston-area universities that coincided with an uptick in cases in Massachusetts as a whole-;and by mid-December, universities were inundated with positive cases. "We had all been seeing that omicron was spreading around the world and was going to be coming to Massachusetts," Springer recalled, adding that at the same time "the number of positive cases we had in the testing lab was pretty shocking," as it jumped exponentially from what it was only a few weeks earlier. The standard technique for determining whether a SARS-CoV-2 sample is one variant or another involves sequencing the entire viral genome-;a process that often takes seven to 10 days to complete. In fact, when omicron arrived in Massachusetts, many labs that conduct genetic sequencing for SARS-CoV-2 had a backlog of samples, putting them a week or two behind in understanding the true prevalence of omicron. With the clock ticking and COVID-19 cases rising, the researchers knew they needed a more efficient way of distinguishing omicron from delta, which up to that point had accounted for over 99 percent of cases. They employed a variant-determining technique recently developed by Nicole Welch, a PhD candidate at HMS and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and an author on the paper. The technique combined PCR gene amplification and CRISPR gene editing technologies to home in on the specific genetic mutations that differentiate delta from omicron. "Rather than sequence the whole virus, we asked if there are defining mutations at particular locations that collectively served as markers of the viral variants," said first author Brittany Petros, an MD-PhD candidate at HMS and the Broad Institute. The team found that omicron can be distinguished from delta in a matter of hours based on as few as three nucleic acid differences between the variants. Moreover, the researchers used GISAID, a database of SARS-CoV-2 sequences from all over the world, to confirm that these three nucleotide changes differentiated omicron from delta over 99 percent of the time. "That really allowed us to say yes, the shortcut method is sensitive and specific for the variants we want to differentiate," Petros said. Using this technique, the researchers determined that omicron completely overtook delta within a nine- to 12-day period in university communities. They also figured out that omicron was present and became dominant on local university campuses about one to two weeks earlier than in Massachusetts as a whole-;and it was spreading quickly despite patients with omicron having a lower viral load than those with delta. "Studying these things is really important to understand how transmissible new variants are, and how much of that is down to an ability to sidestep immunity that might mean we need to update vaccines," Hanage said. Spreading the word The researchers shared their data with hospitals and public health departments in real time, which prompted some hospitals to pause elective surgeries in anticipation of more people being hospitalized with COVID-19. "We realized, omicron was not coming, omicron was already here, and we needed to let everyone know," Springer said. "Showing our data to people at hospitals and in public health departments as we were generating it allowed for a rapid public health response," Petros added. Public health departments in Massachusetts also began implementing this variant-determining technique to more rapidly analyze SARS-CoV-2 samples. "The state took over the pipeline of processing samples, working at amazing speed to bring this to public benefit," Springer said. Petros noted that the same platform can easily be adapted to differentiate between new SARS-CoV-2 variants, which will be important as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the virus continues to evolve. Springer and Petros say several factors made universities the ideal place to profile the dynamics of omicron. The schools had comprehensive screening programs where everyone was tested once or twice a week, rather than only when they had symptoms and sought clinical care. Additionally, university communities tend to include many people from the surrounding area. Thus, all those tests from all those different people resulted in a large, varied dataset that could be easily studied. People are often not hospitalized for COVID-19 until days or even weeks after they are infected with SARS-CoV-2, but university samples, which are based on testing everyone regularly regardless of symptoms, captured omicron as soon as it arrived. "We're talking about omicron having completely outcompeted delta in nine days-;at the turnaround of less than one person's full cycle of getting infected and being hospitalized for COVID-19," Petros said. Springer added, "There's actually quite a big delay between when something hits and is spreading and problematic, and when it gets to the hospitals." On the logistical side, universities had plenty of SARS-CoV-2 samples, and plenty of researchers and technology. "Universities are centers of innovation. We have new and useful technologies and everyone is open to collaboration, so it was down to how we could help figure out what was going on," Springer said. Many universities are now halting their SARS-CoV-2 screening programs, but Springer and Petros agree that similar programs could be a valuable tool in the future. "Moving forward, we need to think about how we stop future pandemics, and how we better mitigate standard, endemic, communicable diseases. Surveilling certain communities might be useful for this because they give us early response," Springer said. "This points towards universities as the place to do surveillance for emerging infectious diseases and future outbreaks," Petros added. Such surveillance, she said, could shed light on how an emerging disease is spreading and how different pathogen lineages may be competing with each other. Now, Springer's lab is working on developing large-scale diagnostic panels that will make it cheaper and easier to analyze SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens. Petros is exploring whether it is possible to alter technologies like those used in the study to sequence SARS-CoV-2 samples taken with at-home rapid antigen tests. Such testing is likely to become even more essential for understanding the circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains or lineages, she noted, as asymptomatic screening programs shut down. Springer and Petros both emphasized that the research could not have been accomplished without substantial collaboration and rapid data sharing between researchers and institutions-;something that they hope continues in the future. "Any one of these school's studies alone wouldn't have been as strong as having data from multiple different schools together, where you can see the same reactions and the same trajectories," Springer said. "We're trying to solve a real-world problem, so we're going to have to work together." Successful treatment of cancer frequently depends on early detection. However, many cancers are detected late, often after metastasizing to other sites. Participants at the 7th USA-Japan Workshop on Biomarkers for Cancer Early Detection presented cutting-edge research to improve early detection and cancer prevention using advanced biomarkers and radiomics. Their findings and recommendations are published in a special issue of Cancer Biomarkers. The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN), and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) hold an annual USA-Japan Workshop on Biomarkers for Cancer Early Detection. The 7th USA-Japan Workshop was held at the Ito International Research Center at the University of Tokyo in January 2020. Researchers from Japan and the US have been meeting annually to exchange ideas for the early diagnosis and detection of cancer since 2016. These pipelines and platforms for early detection of cancer will contribute to the implementation of attractive new methods for early cancer diagnosis, with the potential to decrease cancer." Kazufumi Honda, DDS, PhD, Guest Editor, Department of Bioregulation, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan The papers in this special issue describe new technologies for comprehensively measuring proteins and metabolites using mass spectrometry; validation studies to evaluate the clinical utility of new diagnostic methods; use of computational science to analyze large volumes of information acquired by new technology; and blood biomarkers that facilitate the early detection of pancreatic cancer and also help identify high-risk individuals. Mortality rates of pancreatic cancer are the worst among solid cancers. However, this is an uncommon cancer with an age-adjusted annual incidence of 12.9 cases per 100,000 person-years. To efficiently identify patients with potentially surgically-curable pancreatic cancer, high-risk individuals should be identified by easily and minimally invasive methods from the general population. Dr. Honda and colleagues described blood biomarkers that facilitate not only the early detection of pancreatic cancer, but also help identify high-risk individuals. The clinical usefulness of apolipoprotein A2-isoforms (apoA2-i), which are formed by post-translational modification via enzymatic activity in pancreatic lesions, for the early detection and risk stratification of pancreatic cancer were reviewed. The results of a large-scale prospective screening study for pancreatic cancer that used the apoA2-i blood test were also presented. The large volume of information acquired by new technology cannot be analyzed without computational science. Matthew B. Schabath, PhD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA, and colleagues utilized peritumoral and intratumoral radiomics and volume doubling time (VDT) to identify high-risk subsets of lung cancer patients diagnosed by lung cancer screening who tend to have poor survival outcomes. They generated a model that identifies the high-risk group of screen-detected lung cancers that is associated with poor survival outcomes. Sumio Ohtsuki, PhD, and colleagues from Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan, reported on rapid validation methods for protein biomarkers using targeted proteomics and mass spectrometry. A team co-led by Yoshihiro Shimizu, PhD, from RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Osaka, Japan, and Alireza Mashaghi, MD, PhD, from Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands, presented a novel exploration method using capillary microsampling-based single-cell metabolomics with high-resolution mass spectrometry, which can identify the metabolomic profile of a single circulating tumor cell. Pierre Massion, MD, presented at this conference but unexpectedly passed away on June 4, 2021. He was the Lead Primary Investigator of the Clinical Validation Center (CVC) of the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) along with Eric L. Grogan, MD, MPH, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, USA. In honor of Dr. Massion's decade of work developing and validating lung cancer biomarkers, Michael N. Kammer, PhD, also from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr. Grogan, and colleagues described the roles of the Vanderbilt University EDRN Lung CVC in phase-1, -2, and, -3 lung cancer biomarker validation studies. Jennifer B. Permuth, PhD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA, and colleagues covered the importance of implementing quality control procedures when designing multicenter evaluations of miRNA abundance. D.J. Crichton, MS, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA, and colleagues presented the collaborative work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), JPL, NCI EDRN, and the Molecular and Cellular Characterization of Screen-Detected Lesions (MCL), which will enable data-driven discovery in cancer biomarker research using artificial intelligence and machine learning with automated annotation and data science. "The development of biomarkers requires sizeable investment and infrastructure-related resources, and it takes several years to bring biomarkers to clinical use," noted Sudhir Srivastava, PhD, Chief of the Cancer Biomarkers Research Group, National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Prevention, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA, and Editor-in-Chief of Cancer Biomarkers. "The US-Japan partnership will strengthen collaborations by creating a vehicle for each country to interact with and co-fund the development of the required infrastructure." Dr. Srivastava continued, "There is an urgent need to discover and validate biomarkers for less common cancers and the collaboration between the US and Japan could enhance the discovery process. It is hoped that such sharing of data and knowledge will continue to help tackle the complex issues surrounding biomarkers for early detection." Liverpool is in the center of one of the UKs largest urban areas. Originally a port, Liverpool was developed into the UKs second most important city during the Industrial Revolution, after London. Liverpool has a rich cultural history; however, socioeconomic discrepancies resulted in deprivation, with subsequent health burdens. As a result, expert research and innovation in health have gathered in Liverpool. The University of Liverpool is a world-leading university that supports specialist health resources like the University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility, which now includes one of the oldest tissue banks in the UK. The biobank is an invaluable resource for researchers who study the molecular mechanisms of medical conditions with the hope of developing new treatments. Employees at the biobank work closely with researchers, advancing medicine globally and expanding scientific knowledge on health conditions like cancer. A long history of quality research The University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility gathers and archives biological samples (blood and tissue) from patients undergoing biopsy procedures or surgery for the treatment and diagnosis of an array of medical conditions. This undertaking which is still relatively novel was formed to afford professional research groups with access to high-quality biosamples and data. Additionally, the biobank provides an array of histology-based services. Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. Based at the University of Liverpool, the biobank was formally the Liverpool Tissue Bank (LTB) and was founded in 1993. The LTB then became the Bio-Innovation Hub (LBIH) Biobank, which was finally combined with the Liverpool University Biobank (LUB). It has been working with PHCbi ever since its inception. Susan Holden, manager of the biobank, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the biobank. Holden preliminarily assesses research proposals before they are put forward to the Biobank Review Panel, as well as overseeing finances, and acts as an ambassador for the facility at a local, national and international level. Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. The University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility has evolved significantly since it was established in 2015. It was originally focused on bioresources for cancer research, and while this is still an important area for us, there is now much more to our capabilities, she explained. We work together with the University of Liverpool, but also collaborate with Principal Investigators (PIs) from research in many other institutions, such as hospitals. Specialties including head and neck, cardiovascular and alcohol-related conditions are areas that we collaborate on frequently. As well as collections of biosamples from patients, we also have collections of healthy donor tissues. Currently, the biobank gathers biosamples and clinical data from patients who have undergone surgery at hospitals and health trusts, including, Liverpool Womens Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Supporting scientific breakthroughs The biobank frequently collaborates with research projects that underpin major advances in medical treatment and scientific knowledge. For example, a recent project explored the potential of using volatile organic compounds in urine as biomarkers in the surveillance of Urothelial Bladder Cancer. This could replace more invasive cystoscopy, such as camera investigation via the urethra, which is currently the only available method of monitoring the occurrence and recurrence of this common cancer. Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. Professor Chris Probert (University of Liverpool) and Professor Norman Radcliffe (the University of the West of England, UWE) lead a research team on a groundbreaking study1. The study, which commenced in 2016, created Odoreader, a gas chromatography sensor system which is capable of analyzing biomarkers for prostate cancer. Odoreader has since been applied to new scenarios and is now capable of detecting bladder cancer. The study results suggest a statistically significant potential for further investigation. This will compare the diagnosis made by the Odoreader with findings of surveillance cystoscopy. Depending on that study, there is potential for the commercialization of Odoreader for bladder cancer. The biobank has worked in close partnership with Professor Probert in this investigation, which will ultimately change the way we test for bladder cancer with the aim of making it far less invasive for patients and health care professionals, and create a reliable tool that even General Practitioners (GPs) can use to detect the disease. Susan Holden, Manager, Biobank Contributing directly to public health The publically funded NHS (National Health Service) runs most of the UKs health services. In England and Wales, the NHS is organized into NHS Trusts. The Trusts mostly serve a specialism or geographical area. Various NHS Trusts provide healthcare to the local population in the Liverpool area. By working with these Trusts, the University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility has better accessibility to a larger number of biosamples. As a result, the biobank can make a more substantial contribution to a larger scale, health-based research projects. Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. We already work together with some of the NHS Trusts in Liverpool and it is our aim to get the biobank approved to work with more of them, explained Holden. This is both one of our biggest challenges and opportunities. Liverpool has a health landscape that is expanding and changing considerably. There are many new clinical research centers under development within the multiple NHS Trusts that serve the city. In 2020, a new specialist facility, the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, opened its doors, and a large new hospital, the Royal Liverpool Hospital, is being completed. Building a working partnership with an NHS Trust involves an intricate process of approval, but when successful, enables us to make a direct contribution to public health. Susan Holden, Manager, Biobank Highest standards of regulatory compliance In the UK, using human tissue in research in the UK is highly regulated through national and local policies. The University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility stringently adheres to all relevant regulatory procedures. Some variation does exist between NHS Trusts and other organizations in procedures and policies; nevertheless, all of these are incorporated into the biobanks work. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, additional procedures have been introduced. For example, extra disinfection procedures for samples, reductions in the number of people in the laboratory, and risk assessments for infection. Expanding resources At present, the biobank obtains consent and gathers biological samples (blood and tissue) from around 800 patients per year that are then banked. There are over 40,000 samples of frozen and paraffin wax embedded material. The biggest collections of samples are of pancreatic, colorectal, and breast tissues. The University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility also exclusively adopts biological sample collections with the appropriate consent. This facility is already a vital resource for important research; however, there are plans to expand with the appropriate restructuring to accommodate this already underway. As part of the process of issuing biosamples and clinical information, researchers that utilize the University of Liverpool Biobanking facility are required to supply raw data attained by using its samples back to the biobank after completion of their research project or publication. This process allows the facility to assist in directing future research projects and promotes partnership between research groups whilst consolidating its contribution to broader research even further. All of the sample collections at the biobanking facilities are listed in the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Tissue Directory, and the facility is a member of the UKs Confederation of Cancer Biobanks (CCB). Far from a frozen environment Despite one of its primary functions being the storage of biological samples, the biobanking facility is a highly dynamic research facility. The contribution of the facility in progressing science and medicine is increasingly coming to the fore. Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. Well-equipped for the future Our capabilities as a biobank now and in the future are possible because the University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility is extremely well equipped, said Holden. We have a large freezer capacity provided by PHCbi, who have been our suppliers for almost two decades. This is essential. A large part of the appeal of using the biobank is that researchers do not have to buy their own freezers and other equipment to handle biosamples. We currently have 25 MDF-U700VX-PE and MDF-DU702VX-PE -80 C PHCbi freezers, thirteen MDF-C2156VAN-PE -150 C PHCbi freezers, and one fridge-freezer. Of course, a service agreement for maintenance and care of the equipment is provided by PHCbi too. What we particularly like about PHCbi is the intense attention to detail that they provide us within products and services. They really do look at everything. Nothing is left to chance For example, when installing new equipment, they will always check the installation parameters, such as if equipment will fit through certain doors, etc. We also like features of the PHCbi freezers, such as interchangeable racking. Susan Holden, Manager, Biobank Moving forward clinical research is not possible without partnership and collaboration, concluded Holden. Creating a better future for patients, their families, and healthcare professionals requires synergy, intricate and continual communication, and sharing of high-quality resources and data. We are delighted to provide a central role in advancing research through effective partnership. Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. Services offered by the University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility Sectioning of frozen and FFPE tissue. Histology services This includes processing and paraffin wax embedding of formalin-fixed tissue. Digital slide scanning which utilizes an Aperio slide scanner. Staining services This includes immunohistochemistry, Hematoxylin and Eosin. Nucleic acid extraction from frozen or fixed material using a QIAsymphony machine. Next-generation sequencing using a MiSeq. Laser capture microdissection. Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. Equipped to offer an array of services Thirteen -150 C PHCbi freezers 25-80 C PHCbi freezers H&E autostainer One fridge freezer Cryostat 2 x biosafety cabinets Microtone Tissue processor DNA robot Slide scanner Inverted microscope Fluorescent microscope TMA construct Solid regulatory framework Applicable UK regulation for the biobanking facility includes: The Human Tissue Act Code of Practice is issued by the Human Tissue Authority. The Human Tissue Act 2004 and subsidiary regulations. The Data Protection Act 1998. The Health and Social Care Act 2003. The General Data Protection Regulation Act 2018. Scientific papers published from material provided by The University of Liverpool Biobanking Facility 2019 Hannah A. Davies, Eva Caamano-Gutierrez, Ya Hua Chim, Mark Field, Omar Nawaytou, Lorenzo Ressel, Riaz Akhtar & Jillian Madine. Idiopathic degenerative thoracic aneurysms are associated with increased aortic medial amyloid. Amyloid, DOI:10.1080/13506129.2019.1625323 2018 Areege Kamal, Anthony Valentijn, Roger Barraclough, Philip Rudland, Nihad Rahmatalla, Pierre MartinHirsch, Helen Stringfellow, Shandya B. Decruze and Dharani K. Hapangama. High AGR2 protein is a feature of low grade endometrial cancer cells. Oncotarget, 2018, Vol. 9, (No. 59), pp: 31459-31472 2017 Raymond Q. Migrino, Hannah A. Davies, Seth Truran, Nina Karamanova, Daniel A. Franco, Thomas G. Beach, Geidy E. Serrano, Danh Truong, Mehdi Nikkhah, and Jillian Madine Amyloidogenic medin induces endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation through the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts. Cardiovascular Research, Volume 113, Issue 11, 1 September 2017, Pages 13891402. Ahmed A, Pritchard DM, Burkitt MD. PTH-060 Expression of MAdCAM-1 in the upper gastrointestinal tract: Is there a role for disrupting interactions between MAdCAM -1 and alpha-4/beta-7 integrin in upper GI Crohns disease? Gut 2017. 66 (S2) A236. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314472.459 Presented as a poster at the British Society of Gastroenterologys Annual Meeting 2017. Thamir M. Ismail, Daimark Bennett, Angela M. Platt-Higgins, Morteta Al-Medhity, Roger Barraclough, and Philip S. Rudland. S100A4 Elevation Empowers Expression of Metastasis Effector Molecules in Human Breast Cancer. Cancer Res; 77(3) February 1, 2017 2016 Rasheed Zakaria, Angela Platt-Higgins, Nitika Rathi, Daniel Crooks, Andrew Brodbelt, Emmanuel Chavredakis, David Lawson, Michael D Jenkinson and Philip S Rudland. Metastasis-inducing proteins are widely expressed in human brain metastases and associated with intracranial progression and radiation response. British Journal of Cancer (2016) 114, 11011108 | doi: 10.1038/bjc.2016.103 Hiu-Fung Yuen1, Ka-Kui Chan1, Angela Platt-Higgins2, El-Habib Dakir1,4, Kyle B. Matchett1, Yusuf Ahmed Haggag1,7, Puthen V. Jithesh6, Tanwir Habib6, Ahmed Faheem5, Fennell A. Dean3, Richard Morgan4, Philip S. Rudland2, Mohamed El-Tanani4. Ran GTPase promotes cancer progression via Met receptor mediated downstream signalling. Oncotarget, Vol. 7, No. 46 Image Credit: PHC Europe B.V. About PHC Europe B.V. Founded in 1990 as subsidiary of the PHC Holdings Corporation, it is our mission to become a leading, trusted brand for sustainable healthcare and biomedical product solutions, which support the work of our customers to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. For more than 25 years now, we respond to the needs of our pharmaceutical, biotechnology, hospital/clinical and industrial customers, offering an unique perspective on scientific research in general. As a result we play a critical role in product development for worldwide applications and have established a reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality and innovative medical and laboratory equipment. Long lasting relationships have been built with leading pharmaceutical, healthcare and biotechnology companies as well as with major academic and research institutes in Europe. PHC Europe B.V. has set the standard in many aspects. V.I.P. panels, Cool Safe compressors, Active Background Contamination Control and the worlds first -152 C ULT freezer. Where PHC Europe B.V. took the initiative, the others followed. This made us a very important player in both the ultra-low temperature and the CO 2 market. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. (Newser) An Arizona man says a mistake by American Airlines led to a nightmarish 17-day ordeal that he's still not fully recovered from. According to a lawsuit filed against the airline by Michael Lowe, American wrongly identified him to police as a person seen on surveillance video breaking into a duty-free shop at Dallas-Fort Worth airport in May 2020, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. More than a year later, Lowe was visiting friends in New Mexico when somebody called police about a disturbance at a Fourth of July party. Officers took the names of everybody presentand arrested Lowe when they found there were two outstanding Texas warrants out for him, including one for felony burglary. Lowe was taken to the Quay County Jail without being told what he was accused of, and his "confusion was profound," the lawsuit states. Since he had only been at DFW to change planes on his way from Flagstaff, Arizona, to Reno, Nevada, he didn't know how he could be accused of a crime in Texas. He spent 17 days in exceptionally grim conditions in a general population quarantine pod at the jail, alongside inmates accused of violent crimes, the lawsuit says. After his release, he tried to find out what had happened, but it didn't become clear until he hired a lawyer. Attorney Scott Palmer found out that when airport police saw surveillance video of the break-in suspect boarding the flight to Reno, they asked the airline to provide a list of all the passengers. Instead, Palmer says the airline sent police only Lowe's name, though he does not closely resemble the man seen in surveillance footage, USA Today reports. "If it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone," Palmer says. The charges were dismissed after officials compared Lowe's mugshot to the surveillance images. Lowe is still dealing with the effects of spending 17 days in a "constant state of fear of confrontation, physical abuse, or sexual victimization," the lawsuit states. It says Lowean outdoorsman who works as a tour guide at the Grand Canyonalso suffered substantial economic damages and had to repay $6,000 to each of five people who had booked a two-week tour of Alaska. (Read more wrongful arrest stories.) (Newser) We have the clearest view yet of what's below the Antarctic or Southern Ocean, one of the most remote and harsh regions on Earth, thanks to a five-year mapping effort that, among other things, revealed a previously unknown deepest point. The Factorian Deep at the southern end of the South Sandwich Trench, with a depth of 24,383 feet, could fit nine versions of the world's tallest building stacked one on top of the other. It was measured in 2019 by undersea explorer Victor Vescovo of Texasone of numerous people who contributed to the project, which sought to update the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean published in 2013, per the BBC. With "1,500 datasets from more than 20 countries and over 80 organizations," it certainly did. While the first version of IBCSO covered the ocean floor poleward of 50 degrees South, the updated version published Tuesday in Scientific Data covers the floor poleward of 60 degrees Southan area of 18.5 million square miles. "You have to realize just what the change from 60 degrees to 50 degrees means; we've more than doubled the area of the chart," lead author Dr. Boris Dorschel of Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute tells the BBC. Ships navigating the waters revealed "a visual extension of the terrestrial world we know below the waves," Dorschel tells Insider. "We now can see canyons, channels, and mounts in great detail in many places"which you can explore for yourself. Such mapping aids navigation, fisheries management, and climate change forecasts as, per the BBC, "the rugged seafloor influences the behaviour of ocean currents and the vertical mixing of water." The Southern Ocean is home to the world's largest ocean current, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, as WION notes. "We can also study how the Antarctic Ice Sheet has changed over thousands of years just by looking at the seafloor," Dr. Rob Larter of the British Antarctic Survey tells the BBC. The Seabed 2030 project from Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans aims to map the entire ocean floor, with help from the most advanced autonomous robots, by 2030. (Read more Antarctic Ocean stories.) (Newser) The California man arrested Wednesday outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home has been charged with attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice. A federal affidavit identified the man as Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, the New York Times reports. The document says that the man was carrying a suitcase and backpack that held, among other items, a "black tactical chest rig and tactical knife," a pistol, two magazines, ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, and a hammer. He intended to break into the justice's house in the Maryland suburbs of DC, kill him, then commit suicide, according to the filing. Before his arrest, he had called 911 after arriving near Kavanaugh's house, per the Washington Post and Fox News. In addition to threatening the justice, he said he was having suicidal thoughts, prosecutors said. "Roske stated that he began thinking about how to give his life a purpose and decided that he would kill the Supreme Court Justice," the affidavit says. He was still on the phone when Montgomery County police officers arrived. The filing does not say which justice the suspect intended to kill; a Supreme Court spokesperson confirmed that a man was arrested near Kavanaugh's home after threatening him. He appeared in court Wednesday afternoon with a public defender at his side. When the judge asked Roske if he understood what was going on, he answered, "I think I have a reasonable enough understanding, but I wouldn't say Im thinking clearly." He told the judge that he was on medication and that he'd taken it Wednesday, per the Post. Roske agreed to be held until trial, waiving a bond hearing. (Read more attempted murder stories.) (Newser) Sloth bears aren't aggressive unless they feel threatened and they live mainly on insects and fruit, which makes the death of a couple in central India all the more puzzling, authorities say. Officials in Madhya Pradesh say the man and woman were killed and eaten by a sloth bear they encountered in a forest near a Hindu temple Sunday morning, the Times of India reports. Witnesses said the bear killed the couple as they went to fetch water and was seen eating the bodies for hours afterwards. The animal died hours after it was tranquilized and taken to a nearby national park. "We saw the bear walking from one body to another, clawing out flesh and eating it," forest officer Gaurav Sharma tells India Today. "It is a very rare occurrence. While sloth bears eat meat, they are not known to consume human flesh, not even of those they have killed." Uttam Kumar Sharma, field director of Panna National Park, says the bear appeared to be in the final stages of rabies, which would explain its "odd behavior." He added that a post-mortem did not find human flesh in the sloth bear's stomach. Other officials say the bear may have been driven to desperation by hunger. (Read more India stories.) (Newser) Police officers in Tempe, Ariz., who refused to rescue a drowning man were following their training, which doesn't include water rescues, their union says. "Attempting such a high-risk rescue could easily result in the death of the person in the water and the officer, who could be pulled down by a struggling adult," the Tempe Officers Association said in a statement, per NPR. Sean Bickings, 34, drowned in Tempe Town Lake after he tried to swim away from officers on May 28. In body camera footage, an officer can be heard telling Bickings "I'm not jumping in after you" as the man pleaded for help. Officers told Bickings to swim toward a bridge pylon. The union says officers don't have the training or equipment for water rescues, per the Sacramento Bee. Instead, they're trained to call the fire department or call for a police boat, which they did, the union says. The drowning is "a human tragedy," the statement from the officers' association said, per NPR. "Our grief mirrors our community's grief. No one wanted this incident to end as it did." The three officers involved are on paid administrative leave while the investigation is underway. The union said earlier this week that it will work for a change in how police and the city "approach potential water incidents in Tempe Town Lake, including instituting training and equipment changes," per the Washington Post. Bickings entered the water around 5am while officers were speaking to him about a reported domestic incident. Officers told him he wasn't allowed to swim in the lake but didn't try to arrest him. "Swimming in Tempe Town Lake is a civil violation, not a criminal offense," the union statement said, per the Bee. "Violators receive a ticket; they are not arrested." (Read more Tempe, Arizona stories.) (Newser) Take a deep breath, Sriracha loverstrying times may shortly be upon you. Those ubiquitous bottles of the widely beloved hot sauce may soon be in short supply, according to a new message from Huy Fong Foods, which has been a major manufacturer of its own brand of the condiment for decades. The company tells Axios that a chile pepper shortage is "affecting our production supply" of Sriracha, mainly because Mexico, where it gets the bulk of its peppers from, is in the midst of a major drought. In a letter to customers in mid-April, Huy Fong noted that any orders for its Sriracha sauce and other products submitted after that point won't be fulfilled until after Labor Day, in the order that the orders are received. The company confirmed to Axios that it hopes to "resume production as normal" in the fall; Axios poked around the internet and found that people are indeed starting to have trouble finding the hot sauce, or are discovering that there are limits to the number of bottles they can pick up. Consumers aren't taking the news well, with some hyperbolically calling it the "worst news of the year" and "the end of days," per Bloomberg. "This is what fear looks like in a sriracha shortage," one aficionado lamented on Twitter, showing a shopping cart filled with Sriracha bottles. If you're already going through withdrawal, the Takeout offers a few alternatives to the Huy Fong brand of hot sauce to get you through this tough spot. (Across America, a more serious shortage is wreaking havoc.) (Newser) Margaret Atwood took a flamethrower to a copy of her bestseller The Handmaid's Tale to show that "powerful words can never be extinguished." Note it was a one-of-a-kind "unburnable" copy that just sold at a Sotheby's auction for $130,000. Publisher Penguin Random House created the copy in collaboration with Canadian creative agency Rethink as a form of protest to a recent flurry of censorship in the form of book bans. The book includes fire-resistant pagesmade from Cinefoil, a material often used in film and stage lighting, per the Toronto Starand a flame retardant cover. And in a promotional video, it does indeed appear unburnable. "I never thought I'd be trying to burn one of my own books... and failing," Atwood said, per Artnet. Proceeds will support PEN America, a nonprofit literary and free expression advocacy group which aims "to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible." It notes The Handmaid's Tale, which showcases a world in which fertile women are forced to bear children for the powerful, is one of 1,145 titles by 874 different authors banned in 86 school districts in 26 states over a nine-month period ending March 31. Atwood's book has recently been banned in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, and Texas. "In the face of a determined effort to censor and silence, this unburnable book is an emblem of our collective resolve to protect books, stories, and ideas from those who fear and revile them," PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said, per CNN. (Read more Handmaid's Tale stories.) (Newser) Have you thought about Malm, Kivik, or Trotten? Swedish retailer Ikea is known for the distinctive names of its flat-pack home products. Now, the company's Norway branch wants to use the brand's experience to help parents browsing the baby-naming department. Ikea Norway has built a "name bank" with more than 800 listings available on its website. The names are drawn from ones Ikea has given to its furniture instead of product numbers since 1948, per the AP. "After all these years, [Ikea] has built up a large 'catalog' to pick from," Ikea Norway says in a statement. Ikea names its products after Swedish towns, lakes, and other geographical features, but it also uses names that have traditionally gone to people. The branch notes that while retailers saw "both a shortage of raw materials and challenges with delivery times" during the COVID-19 pandemic, "there is at least no shortage of children" in Norway. The Scandinavian country registered the births of 56,060 babies last year, or 3,081 more than in 2020. The increase creates "a challenge in finding unique names," Ikea Norway says. (Read more Ikea stories.) (Newser) Police in Cape Coral, Florida, say a 14-year-old boy broke into a gun shop and stole 22 guns with an even younger accomplicehis 11-year-old brother. Cape Coral Police Department spokeswoman Sgt. Julie Green says the boys were arrested after they broke into the Guns 4 Less store and ransacked it around 3am Wednesday, the News-Press reports. "Both juveniles ran from the business armed with multiple handguns, ammunition, magazines, and long guns," Green told reporters. "Due to the weight of the multiple guns and ammunition stolen, the juveniles dropped the guns and fled on foot in separate directions," Green said. She said the boys visited the store Tuesday afternoon to look around and were asked to leave. Green said the older boy was already on probation for offenses including robbery with a weapon and burglary, and had previously been arrested for "making threats of harm with a weapon to another juvenile through social media." At a court appearance Thursday morning, an arraignment date was set for July 5, WINK reports. The brothers will be held in secure detention for 21 days and are banned from having unsupervised contact with each other. "The arrests prevented a possible critical incident that could have stemmed from these guns being in the wrong hands," Green said. She said the boys tried to cut power to the store before the burglary and investigators believe they are linked to other thefts in the area. (Read more Florida stories.) (Newser) Can a gecko blush? Geico may have to pay millions to a woman who says her boyfriend gave her an STD during sex in his car, reports the Kansas City Star. The woman, identified as M.O. in court documents, says she contracted HPVthe human papillomavirusfrom her (now former) boyfriend. She says he knew he had the STD but failed to tell her before their encounter, per WebMd. Upon being diagnosed, she asked for $1 million in damages from Geico because it happened in a vehicle insured by the company. When Geico rejected the claim, an arbitrator stepped in and ruled that the insurance company should pay M.O. $5.2 million. Geico appealed on a number of grounds, including that it is responsible only for injuries that come out of the ownership, maintenance or use of the auto, per the Washington Post. The company also said the woman is at fault, not Geico, because the STD "arose from an intervening causenamely, her failure to prevent transmission of STDs by having unprotected sex." This week, the state Court of Appeals declined to toss the arbitrator's decision, though the matter is not settled yet. Geico is contesting the judgment separately in federal courtarguing that the claim is not covered under its policiesand the outcome of that case will determine whether Geico must pay up. If so, it could be precedent-setting. This case presents novel and potentially important issues about whether an insurance carrier can be held liable under such policies for the consequences of two adults voluntarily having unprotected sex in the insureds automobile, wrote US Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell last year. Interpretation of these policies could have far-reaching implications for other policies with similar terms. (Read more GEICO stories.) (Newser) The latest arrest related to the Capitol riot is a doozyit just happens to be the leading GOP candidate for governor in Michigan. The FBI arrested Ryan Kelley at his home in Allendale on Thursday after executing a search warrant, reports the Detroit News. Among other things, the criminal complaint accuses Kelley of disorderly conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. It's a misdemeanor charge, per the AP. Kelley has said he never actually entered the Capitol building, notes Bridge Michigan. But he allegedly was encouraging protesters from outside the building: The News notes that the Michigan Democratic Party promoted this video purporting to show Kelley yelling, "Come on, let's go! This is it! This isthis is war, baby!" outside the Capitol. In court documents, federal investigators filed photos of a man they identify as Kelley trying to rally protesters. Kelley is a real estate agent who has become well-known in conservative circles the last few years for championing high-profile causesprotesting the removal of a local Confederate statue, for example, and organizing a protest against COVID policies, per Bridge Michigan. In January, he made headlines for telling a crowd in Livingston County to unplug voting machines if "you see something you don't like happening with the machine." He is one of five GOP candidates on the ballot in the gubernatorial primary, and a poll last month had him in front at 19%, reports Deadline Detroit. The winner will face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. A Kelley campaign spokesperson declined to comment on the raid. (Read more Capitol riot stories.) (Newser) Two Brits and a Moroccan who fought against Russians in Ukraine have been sentenced to die. A court in Russian-controlled Donetsk in east Ukraine delivered the sentence Thursday after what onlookers call a "show trial" meant to mimic war crimes trials against Russian soldiers in areas controlled by Ukraine, reports the Guardian. Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, of the UK, were convicted of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, and other crimes, alongside Saaudun Brahim of Morocco. Though they were also convicted of "being a mercenary," per the Guardian, Aslin and Pinner claim to be long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both have lived in Ukraine since 2018, their families say, per the AP. As prisoners of war, they should be entitled to combatant immunity under the Geneva Conventions, says a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, adding the government is "obviously deeply concerned." British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss calls the sentencing a "sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy." Aslin's family argues Russia also violated the Geneva Conventions in sharing a video of Aslin "speaking under duress and having clearly suffered physical injuries," per the Guardian. "All the defendants, without exception, pleaded guilty to all charges," judge Alexander Nikulin announced at the conclusion of the trial, largely carried out in secret, reports Reuters. Russian state media says the men are not entitled to the same protection as other POWs because they are mercenaries. Pinner and Aslin, who surrendered in Mariupol in mid-April, and Brahim, who surrendered in Volnovakha in mid-March, had been "held in a cage with black bars, guarded by soldiers with their faces covered and wearing arm-bands with the pro-war Z-logo," Reuters reports, citing footage published by the Russian state-owned RIA Novosti news agency. They are now to face a firing squad, RIA Novosti reported, per the AP. However, the three men could instead receive a 25-year prison sentence on appeal. They have a month to get the process started. Andrew Hill, another British fighter captured by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine, still awaits trial, the AP reports. (Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.) (Newser) (This summary has been updated to reflect the death of the fifth Marine.) Five Marines were killed after an Osprey aircraft crashed in the Southern California desert, a military official said Thursday, one day after the accident. The MV-22B Osprey was carrying the five Marines when it went down at 12:25pm Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles east of San Diego, per the AP. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, said Maj. Mason Englehart, a spokesperson for the wing. The MV-22B is a twin-engine tiltrotor aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter but transit as a turboprop aircraft. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. Prior to Wednesday's crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, including 19 during a single accident in 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22B Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a hard landing in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. (Read more Marines stories.) (Newser) With never-seen video, new audio, and a mass of evidence, the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol will attempt to show the harrowing story of the deadly violence that erupted that day, along with the backstory of then-President Trump's efforts to overturn Joe Biden's election victory, per the AP. Multiple hearings are scheduled for this month, with the first beginning at 8pm Eastern Thursday. Major networks and their websites, except for Fox News, plan to carry the proceedings. The hearing also be streamed live via the committee's website and its YouTube channel. First two witnesses: Thursday's prime-time hearing will open with eyewitness testimony from the first police officer pummeled in the riot and from a documentary filmmaker tracking the extremist Proud Boys, who prepared to fight for Trump immediately after the election, and led the storming of the Capitol. Thursday's prime-time hearing will open with eyewitness testimony from the first police officer pummeled in the riot and from a documentary filmmaker tracking the extremist Proud Boys, who prepared to fight for Trump immediately after the election, and led the storming of the Capitol. More on the witnesses: First up will be accounts from police who engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the mob, with testimony from US Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who was seriously injured in the attack. Also appearing Thursday will be documentary maker Nick Quested, who filmed the Proud Boys storming the Capitoland a pivotal leadership meeting with another extremist group, the Oath Keepers, the night before in a nearby parking garage. Trump allies: Thursday's hearing will also feature the committee's accounts from Trumps aides and family members, interviewed behind closed doors, of the deadly siege that Democrats and others say put US democracy at risk. Thursday's hearing will also feature the committee's accounts from Trumps aides and family members, interviewed behind closed doors, of the deadly siege that Democrats and others say put US democracy at risk. End game: The result of the coming weeks of public hearings may not change hearts or minds in politically polarized America. But the committee's investigation with 1,000 interviews is intended to stand as a public record for history, per the AP. A final report aims to provide an accounting of the most violent attack on the Capitol since the British set fire to it in 1814, and to ensure such an attack never happens again. The result of the coming weeks of public hearings may not change hearts or minds in politically polarized America. But the committee's investigation with 1,000 interviews is intended to stand as a public record for history, per the AP. A final report aims to provide an accounting of the most violent attack on the Capitol since the British set fire to it in 1814, and to ensure such an attack never happens again. Member's quote: "Putting it all together in one place and one coherent narrative, I think, will help the American people understand better what happened on January 6thand the threats that that could potentially pose in the future," Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., a member of the 1/6 committee, said in an interview. (Read more Capitol riot stories.) (Newser) The Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, with a shot to the back of his head has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutor Chris Becker announced charges Thursday against Grand Rapids officer Christopher Schurr, weeks after Lyoya was killed following a chaotic traffic stop on April 4. The 26-year-old Lyoya was on the ground when he was killed, the AP reports. The shooting was recorded on video by a bystander. "The death was not justified or excused ... by self defense," Becker said, referring to an element of second-degree murder. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Roughly a minute into the stop, Lyoya began to run after he was asked to produce a driver's license. Schurr caught him quickly, and the two struggled across a front lawn. The officer demanded that Lyoya "let go" of Schurrs Taser before he fired the fatal shot. Becker said he consulted experts from outside Michigan about the use of force in the case. Attorney Ven Johnson in Detroit, with at least one member of Lyoya's family present, said the prosecutor called Johnson and the family about two minutes before making the announcement that the officer is being charged. "You will not see any celebration on behalf of the Lyoya family," Johnson said. The Grand Rapids police chief released video from four sources on April 13. Attorneys for Lyoya's family have called the death an execution. Schurr has been a police officer since 2015. His personnel file shows no complaints of excessive force but much praise for traffic stops and foot chases that led to arrests and the seizure of guns and drugs. The shooting turned into an immediate crisis for police Chief Eric Winstrom, who was a commander in Chicago before taking charge in Grand Rapids early in March. At a community forum in April, Winstrom said he wanted to put more emphasis on officers knowing how to turn down the heat during tense situations. (Read more Patrick Lyoya stories.) Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 74F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Overcast. Low 53F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 53F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 53F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Rep. Adam Wool represents District 5 in Fairbanks. He was elected to state office in 2014 and is currently running for Alaskas House seat in Congress. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Staff reporter Construction and outdoor workers in Bahrain are pleading to the Labour and Social Development Ministry to implement an outdoor work ban instantly as mercury levels exceeded 42 degree Celsius yesterday. Every year, the ministry implements an outdoor work ban starting July 1 with an aim to protect labourers from heat stress. Upon implementation, the ministry directs all employers to strictly follow the outdoor work ban in line with the Kingdoms keenness to protect workers from occupational health issues and injuries, especially during the summer period, which witnesses a rise in temperature and an increase in humidity. The Labour Ministry has always implemented initiatives that affirm the Kingdoms position as a leader in ensuring a secure and safe work environment for workers. Indian national Ramesh Kumar, a laborer, said it has become very difficult to work during afternoons with temperatures increasing day-by-day. We are hopeful that the rule will be issued ensuring a midday break between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Another worker, who doesnt want to be named, said it will be a great move if the ministry implements outdoor work ban in the month of June itself, although it is usual for our bodies to bear this extreme temperature. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Lyn Le Altarejos, Director of Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society, said the summer and warm weather is a welcome sight for most people, but it poses some serious risks and hazardous particularly to outdoor workers. Definitely, I agree for a work ban this summer to protect and to safeguard our outdoor workers against sun-related illness, injuries and accidents. The high temperatures and humidity will cause body dehydration; Generally our human body consists of 60 per cent of water which needs to be maintained to survive. Heavy physical exertion on an extremely hot day is all it takes to bring on heat stress that leads to symptoms like headaches, to severe, life-threatening heat stroke. After all, health is wealth. According to an International Labour Organization report, which quotes many medics, labourers who work during heavy summers are at major health risk. Above a certain threshold of heat stress, the bodys internal regulation mechanisms are no longer capable of maintaining body temperature at a level required for normal functioning... If the body temperature rises above 38C (heat exhaustion), physical and cognitive functions are impaired; if it rises above 40.6C (heatstroke), the risk of organ damage, loss of consciousness and, ultimately, death increases sharply. Global warming is expected to exacerbate heat stress levels even further. According to a report by Germanys Max Planck Institute, temperatures in the Mena region could increase by 4 degree Celsius by 2050. The report notes that the people in the Middle East and North Africa will then have to expect about 200 unusually hot days per year toward the end of the 21st century. XINJIANG, June 9 -- New-type anti-tank missiles appeared in recent drills of a regiment under the PLA Xinjiang Military Command on the plateau at an altitude of more than 4,500 meters. The new-type missile has once been unveiled at the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 2019being the latest vehicle-mounted anti-tank weapon system in China. Compared with the tracked type, its wheeled chassis is more maneuverable on the plateau featuring scarcity of oxygen. UN Secretary- General Antonio Guterres Many UN agencies were created that have and continue to provide critically important assistance in many fields, saving the lives and wellbeing of millions of people. Meanwhile, the UNSC has failed to maintain international peace and security which was its intended purpose. What it needs now is comprehensive reforms to make it relevant again. Righting the Wrong Any fair analysis of the United Nations strongly suggests that the UN of today is not the same UN that was established in 1945. The United Nations Security Council in particular, which was intended to maintain international peace and security, has sadly outlived its usefulness in its current makeup. It has, for all intents and purposes, been paralyzed due to its own structural fault line that provides the five permanent member statesthe United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and Franceveto power. Whereas political consideration and self-interest understandably influenced their respective decisions, their veto power has often been used to meet one state or anothers narrow political interest regardless of its impact on international peace and security. The composition of the UN When the UN was established, 51 countries were member states of the General Assembly (GA). Presently, there are 193 member states, along with two Permanent Observer states (the Holy See and Palestine). The GA can pass resolutions by a simple majority that expresses only a general consensus but without any enforcement powers. The problem here is that although the number of states in the GA has quadrupled and represents the entire international community, the Security Councils size and permanent makeup has not changed, granting decision-making powers over binding resolutions to an increasing disproportionately small number of nations. The United Nations Security Council The UNSC (the Council) is composed of 5 permanent states: The United States, Russia (the successor nation of founding member USSR), China, the United Kingdom, and France. These countries were accorded veto power because of their status as both great powers and the victors in World War II. They continue to exercise that power even though they do not represent the changing global demographic composition or realities of current geopolitical power. Moreover, whereas the Council was bestowed with the powers to maintain peace and international security with enforceable mechanisms, it has generally failed to reach a consensus on enforcing its own resolutions. Thus, many countries who committed even egregious violations of the UN Charter have not generally been punished, which in many ways signaled that any country can violate the Charter and do so with impunity. The creation of UN agencies Although the UN has lagged greatly in its intended purpose to maintain international peace and security, it has over the years established many agencies that provide significant humanitarian assistance in many fields. Among the most important agencies are the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, World Food Program, International Monetary Fund, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization, High Commissioner for Refugees, and UN Women. In this respect, the UN has become a massive relief organization. UN Peacekeeping Forces Another important branch of the UN is its peacekeeping forces. In many cases the peacekeepers rendered important services to keep the peace in different areas of conflict and at different times; currently, peacekeeping missions are ongoing in the Golan, Cyprus, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mali, Central African Republic, Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and India and Pakistan, to maintain ceasefires, prevent outbreaks of violence in contentious areas, promote human rights, support humanitarian services, and support stabilization efforts as each mission requires. On the whole, however, UN peacekeeping forces have become basically an afterthought to the global community as an increasing number of states no longer view UN forces as effective in their missions, and as the UN fails to hold accountable peacekeepers who commit human rights abuses, particularly sexual abuse and exploitation. Nevertheless, as the World Bank notes, every study that looked at diverse types of peacekeeping missions found that the UN was more effective in preventing and reducing violence than non-UN missions, and that stronger mandates and larger missions increased the likelihood of any missions success. In recent years, however, there has been a decrease in funding for UN peacekeeping forces, particularly due to the Trump administrations withholding of full funding, which may eventually lead to the dispatching of fewer and fewer peacekeepers, especially if more countries refuse to provide their share of funds. Reforming the Security Council Regardless of the importance of the humanitarian agencies, given the increasingly violent conflicts around the world, the importance of the Security Councils task to maintain international peace and security must become again central to the functioning of the UN. Due to the present makeup of the Council, however, it cannot operate in that capacity unless significant reforms are undertaken. As a case in point, one must only look at the behavior of Russia at the onset of its invasion of Ukraine, where Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia denied in the midst of the invasion that it was not a war but only a special military operation. He also vetoed numerous resolutions condemning Russias actions, a move that Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul criticized, stating A veto cast by the aggressor undermines the purpose of the council. Its a violation of the very foundation of the U.N. Charter. It will be presumptuous on my part to provide the kind of reforms necessary to make the council relevant to international peace and security. Many have tried before me and sadly to no avail. One thing though is clear. For the Security Council to meet its obligation and responsibility and be effective in maintaining peace and security, it must first and foremost represent the demographic makeup of the international community. In addition, given the fact that the current countries on the Security Council will not relinquish their veto power voluntarily or by any provision in the UN Charter, the following partial reforms stand at least a small chance of being adopted. To that end, the following should be considered: The Security Council should expand from 15 to 21 member states. Nine states or regional unions will be granted permanent membership with veto power: the EU , the US , Russia, China, India, Indonesia to represent Asian countries, Brazil to represent the Latin American countries, the Arab League , and the African Union . Naturally, the UK could present a major obstacle in this format, as it is no longer a member of the EU and would thus lose representation on the Council. , the , to represent Asian countries, to represent the Latin American countries, the , and the . Naturally, the UK could present a major obstacle in this format, as it is no longer a member of the EU and would thus lose representation on the Council. Twelve other countries in the Security Council would rotate every two years based on the current format. in the Security Council every two years based on the current format. A resolution can only be vetoed if two countries exercise their veto power. exercise their veto power. The Security Council will establish an enforcement mechanism to ensure that its resolutions are carried out. to ensure that its resolutions are carried out. The Security Council will be empowered to resolve current violent conflicts and mediate other conflicts before they become violent. and mediate other conflicts before they become violent. The General Assembly will have the power to override any veto by a two-thirds majority. by a two-thirds majority. The current global population is approximately 7.9 billion, and the total population of the above states or unions is 5.8 billion. As such, the Security Council would represent 73 percent of the global population, instead of the current Council makeup which only represents a paltry 25 percent, lower even than the 35 percent of the global population that the permanent UNSC members represented at its creation. As I indicated above, this may well be a farfetched idea, but then again, we must begin to think seriously about reforming the Security Council if we want the UN to perform the way it was intended to. Indeed, violent conflicts are on the rise, countries are infringing on the sovereignty of other weaker countries, and still, many old conflicts remained unsolved. Together we are witnessing a far greater global volatility. To stem these tides, we need a renewed effort to reform the UN Security Council and give it the power to resolve conflict peacefully. WASHINGTON (AP) The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has laid the blame firmly on Donald Trump, saying the assault was not spontaneous but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated president's effort to overturn the 2020 election. With a never-before-seen 12-minute video of extremist groups leading the deadly siege and startling testimony from Trump's most inner circle, the 1/6 committee provided gripping detail Thursday night in contending that Trumps repeated lies about election fraud and his public effort to stop Joe Biden's victory led to the attack and imperiled American democracy Democracy remains in danger, said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the panel, during the hearing, timed for prime time to reach as many Americans as possible. "Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after Jan. 6, to overthrow the government, Thompson said. "The violence was no accident. The hearings may not change Americans' views on the Capitol attack, but the panel's investigation is intended to stand as its public record. Before this fall's midterm elections, and with Trump considering another White House run, the committee's final report aims to account for the most violent attack on the Capitol since 1814, and to ensure such an attack never happens again. Testimony on Thursday showed how Trump desperately clung to his own false claims of election fraud, beckoning supporters to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when Congress would certify the results, despite those around him insisting Biden had won the election. In a previously unseen video clip, the panel played a remark from former Attorney General Bill Barr, who testified that he told Trump the claims of a rigged election were bull. In another clip, the former president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, testified to the committee that she respected Barr's view that there was no election fraud. I accepted what he said. Others showed leaders of the extremist Oath Keepers and Proud Boys preparing to storm the Capitol to stand up for Trump. One rioter after another told the committee they came to the Capitol because Trump asked them to. President Trump summoned a violent mob, said Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the panel's vice chair who took the lead for much of the hearing. When a president fails to take the steps necessary to preserve our union or worse, causes a constitutional crisis we're in a moment of maximum danger for our republic. There was a gasp in the hearing room when Cheney read an account that said when Trump was told the Capitol mob was chanting for Vice President Mike Pence to be hanged for refusing to block the election results. Trump responded that maybe they were right, that he deserves it. At another point it was disclosed that Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., a leader of efforts to object to the election results, had sought a pardon from Trump, which would protect him from prosecution. When asked about the White House lawyers threatening to resign over what was happening in the administration, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner scoffed they were whining. Police officers who had fought off the mob consoled one another as they sat in the committee room reliving the violence they faced on Jan. 6. Officer Harry Dunn teared up as bodycam footage showed rioters bludgeoning his colleagues with flagpoles and baseball bats. In wrenching testimony U.S. Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards told the panel that she slipped in other peoples blood as rioters pushed past her into the Capitol. She suffered brain injuries in the melee. It was carnage. It was chaos, she said. The riot left more than 100 police officers injured, many beaten and bloodied, as the crowd of pro-Trump rioters, some armed with pipes, bats and bear spray, charged into the Capitol. At least nine people who were there died during and after the rioting, including a woman who was shot and killed by police. Biden, in Los Angeles for the Summit of the Americas, said many viewers were going to be seeing for the first time a lot of the detail that occurred. Trump, unapologetic, dismissed the investigation anew and even declared on social media that Jan. 6 represented the greatest movement in the history of our country. Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee tweeted: All. Old. News. Emotions are still raw at the Capitol, and security was tight. Law enforcement officials are reporting a spike in violent threats against members of Congress. Against this backdrop, the committee was speaking to a divided America. Most TV networks carried the hearing live, but Fox News Channel did not. The committee chairman, civil rights leader Thompson, opened the hearing with the sweep of American history. saying he heard in those denying the stark reality of Jan. 6 his own experience growing up in a time and place where people justified the action of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, outlined what the committee has learned about the events leading up to that brisk January day when Trump sent his supporters to Congress to fight like hell for his presidency. Among those testifying was documentary maker Nick Quested, who filmed the Proud Boys storming the Capitol along with a pivotal meeting between the group's then-chairman Henry Enrique Tarrio and another extremist group, the Oath Keepers, the night before in nearby parking garage. Quested said the Proud Boys later went to get tacos. Court documents show that members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were discussing as early as November a need to fight to keep Trump in office. Leaders both groups and some members have since been indicted on rare sedition charges over the military-style attack. In the weeks ahead, the panel is expected to detail Trumps public campaign to Stop the Steal and the private pressure he put on the Justice Department to reverse his election loss despite dozens of failed court cases attesting there was no fraud on a scale that could have tipped the results in his favor. The panel faced obstacles from its start. Republicans blocked the formation of an independent body that could have investigated the Jan. 6 assault the way the 9/11 Commission probed the 2001 terror attack. Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ushered the creation of the 1/6 panel through Congress and rejected Republican-appointed lawmakers who had voted on Jan. 6 against certifying the election results, eventually naming seven Democrats and two Republicans. House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, who has been caught up in the probe and has defied the committee's subpoena for an interview, called the panel a scam. In the audience were several lawmakers who were trapped together in the House gallery during the attack. We want to remind people, we were there, we saw what happened, said Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. We know how close we came to the first non-peaceful transition of power in this country. The Justice Department has arrested and charged more than 800 people for the violence that day, the biggest dragnet in its history. ___ Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Michael Balsamo and Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report. ___ For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BOSTON (AP) Brenda Hampton first came across the toxic industrial compound PFAS after finding it was part of the cocktail of contaminants that tainted the drinking water in her North Alabama community. Hampton, who believes the contaminated water contributed to kidney problems she and other residents suffer, soon learned the chemicals were found in another source that hit close to home fast food wrappers, boxes and plates. Knowing her three daughters and eight grandchildren ate their share of burgers and fries, she joined the national fight in 2020 to ban PFAS in food packaging. "Everybody is eating fast food. Fast food is selling everywhere. No one has time to cook anymore, said Hampton who teamed with the environmental health advocacy group Toxic-Free Future to spearhead a petition drive last year that collected nearly 75,000 signatures. McDonald's later announced it would remove PFAS from all its packaging. Environmental and health groups are pushing dozens of fast food companies, supermarkets chains and other retail outlets to remove PFAS chemicals from their packaging. Known as forever chemicals" for their persistence in the environment, they have been used for decades to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through wrappers, boxes and bags. Opponents of the practice argue the packaging poses a danger to consumers as well as the environment, since the waste ends up in landfills. in compost or is incinerated where the chemicals can leach into groundwater or soil. They contend there are safer alternatives. Several groups have maintained that many major brands use packaging with PFAS and that testing at times showed extremely high levels. A 2017 study by the Massachusetts-based nonprofit research organization Silent Spring Institute found PFAS in almost half of paper wrappers and 20% of boxes from 27 fast food outlets. Tests by Toxic-Free Future in 2018 produced similar results. And, this year, Consumer Reports found eight restaurants, including McDonalds, Burger King and Cava, had packaging that had more than 100 parts per million of fluorine, which indicates likely presence of PFAS. One of the concerns is that, especially with the pandemic, weve seen just this huge increase in food packaging, delivery, takeout, said Sheela Sathyanarayana, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Childrens Research Institute whose 2021 study found 16 different PFAS chemicals in the breast milk of mothers. We have much, much higher potential for exposure to these kinds of chemicals to everybody in the population, not just certain segments of the population, she said. Basically eating or drinking is one of the biggest sources of exposure. Tom Flanagin, a spokesman for the American Chemistry Council, said his group supports the Food and Drug Administrations agreement with several manufacturers to voluntary phase out some PFAS chemicals used in substances applied to food packaging. But his group opposes what he described as unscientific, one-size-fits-all restrictions on the entire class of PFAS chemistries. "The mere presence of PFAS does not indicate a health risk, Flanagin said. All PFAS are not the same. Individual chemistries have different uses, as well as environmental and health profiles." Studies have linked PFAS exposure to increased cancer risk, developmental delays in children, damage to organs such as the liver and thyroid, increased cholesterol levels and reduced immune functions, especially among young children, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Less studied are health hazards from PFAS in packaging, where the chemicals give material a reflective sheen. A 2019 study by Silent Spring Institute found people who ate at home had on average lower PFAS levels in their blood than those who ate fast food or ate more frequently at restaurants including pizza places. FDA studies of rodents also found that some PFAS chemicals in grease-resistant paper can bioaccumulate in the body. However, there are few guidelines about what levels of PFAS in food packaging, if any, are potentially harmful. The EPA only sets a voluntary health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion for two PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The FDA, which regulates use of certain PFAS chemicals in food packaging, came out in 2020 with a three-year, voluntary phase-out program. The agency is reviewing a petition from environmental groups calling for a PFAS ban in food packaging. In the U.S., only California sets a limit of 100 parts per million of total fluorine in food packaging. The absence of federal standards has shifted the fight over PFAS in food packaging to state legislatures. California, Washington, Vermont, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota and New York have passed bills banning PFAS from being purposely added to food packaging, according to the advocacy group Safer States. Seven other states are considering similar legislation. Federal legislation has also been introduced. In Vermont, the push to ban PFAS in packaging was inspired by findings that the chemicals had contaminated some of the state's drinking water. As a result, the legislature passed a bill last year banning PFAS and other chemicals including bisphenols and phthalates in food packaging as well as in carpeting, ski wax and firefighting foam. Most people just look at the tissue paper around their sandwich and they think I got my sandwich. But the reality is that the coating on that sandwich paper is PFAS, said the bill's author, Democratic state Sen. Ginny Lyons. It's not very much chemical but if you eat a lot of wrapped sandwich and use a lot of paper plates over time that chemical accumulates in the body and can cause cancer or other disorders. The regulations have coincided with bans announced by some of the largest restaurants and retailers. Fourteen fast-food and fast-casual restaurant chains with a total of nearly 124,000 stores and over $203.2 billion in annual sales have committed to removing PFAS from their food packaging, according the Toxic-Free Future. Among them are McDonald's, Starbucks and Whole Foods. Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Horton, also plans to eliminate PFAS. If there are harmful chemicals in food packaging, people get that those chemicals can migrate into food, said Mike Schade, who directs Toxic-Free Future's market transformation work. This is something that really resonates with consumers. None of the companies have referenced health concerns in announcing their PFAS bans. Instead, most stated a desire to use sustainable packaging or said a ban was the right thing to do. A spokesperson for Whole Foods said many factors went into its decision, including that PFAS was a persistent environmental contaminant. The challenge now will be for these companies to find safer alternatives. Environmental groups are urging companies to switch to safer alternatives such as uncoated paper, bamboo or plastic derived from corn starch or sugar cane and alternative coatings including bio-wax or clay. Washington must first find safer alternatives exist before the state's ban takes effect in the next two years. Its assessments found there are alternatives for all takeout containers. "Manufacturers can replace PFAS in their food packaging, which will protect people and the environment from these harmful chemicals," said Lauren Tamboer, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Ecology. ___ Follow Michael Casey on Twitter: @mcasey1 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LOS ANGELES (AP) There weren't a lot of laughs, but President Joe Biden got some unsolicited advice from Jimmy Kimmel when the president sat down for his first in-person interview with a late-night host since taking office. The host of ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! expressed frustration on Wednesday about the intractable problems in Washington, and he advised the president, I think you need to start yelling at people." Biden demurred, saying the country is still suffering from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but he insisted hes never been more optimistic in my life. Kimmel swiftly interjected: Why are you so optimistic? It makes no sense! Biden said he was pinning his hopes on young people, the best educated, least prejudiced, most giving generation in American history. This generation is going to change everything, Biden said. We just have to make sure we dont give up. The show was taped in the afternoon in Los Angeles. Biden is visiting the city for this weeks Summit of the Americas, which brings together countries from across the hemisphere. First lady Jill Biden was in the audience, along with Bidens granddaughter Naomi and her fiance. Biden's only previous late-night appearance as president was in December, when he spoke remotely with Jimmy Fallon on NBCs The Tonight Show." Kimmel began his interview by asking about gun control, referencing a string of recent mass shootings. "I guess, I mean, just to get into it, why haven't we done anything about this?" Kimmel asked. Biden responded that this is not your fathers Republican Party, and he blamed his political opposition for being too afraid to do anything about guns because they fear primary election challenges. Kimmel pressed Biden on whether he could use executive orders to increase gun control, noting that former President Donald Trump passed them out like Halloween candy. Although Biden has taken some unilateral steps on firearms, the president said he wasn't interested in stepping beyond the limits of his authority. I dont want to emulate Trumps abuse of the Constitution and constitutional authority, he said. Biden said he knows some people feel like Republicans dont play it square, why do you play it square. Well, guess what, he said. If we do the same thing they do, our democracy will literally be in jeopardy. Not a joke. Kimmel responded, Its like youre playing Monopoly with somebody who wont pass go or wont follow any of the rules, and how do you ever make any progress if theyre not following the rules. Youve got to send them to jail, Biden joked. At another point in the interview, Kimmel suggested he was disappointed in the progress that was being made on issues like climate change and abortion. Weve moved backwards, he said. Later on, Kimmel sympathized with Bidens challenges, particularly the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision that is expected to overturn Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion access nationwide. What a terrible job you have, Kimmel said. Im glad youre doing it. But, boy oh boy, does this seem like a bad gig. Biden said he was looking at executive orders that could help with abortion access were looking into it right now but said the best solutions were through legislation and elections. If the court overturns Roe v. Wade, Biden said, its going to cause a mini revolution and theyre going to vote a lot of these folks out of office. The year 2022 budget is already off to a dramatic start with allegations of massive misappropriation to the tune of about US$24,866,637.54 being leveled against the Minister of Finance for his failure to remit to the National Road Fund. According to the audit conducted on the Road Fund by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) for two fiscal years July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2020, and released to the National Legislature last week, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) collected US$53,018,871.54 and deposited some of the money in the Consolidated Fund Account instead of the National Road Fund (NRF) account. According to the Act, all funds of the NRF shall be held in the Fund Account from which disbursement shall be made solely to finance the approved annual road maintenance expenditure program and directly related costs as hereby required in this Act. The act, among other things, states the primary objective of the Road Fund is to ensure that the countrys road assets are sustained and maintained periodically from funds collected from the taxes which cannot be diverted for any purpose except to fix roads. The Consolidated Fund Account is the Government general revenue account that is controlled by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). Of the US$53,018,871.54 collected, according to the audit report, the MFDP remitted US$28,152,231 to the National Road Fund thereby leaving a difference of US$24,866,637.54 which was not remitted. Appearing before the Senate's Public Account Committee, Samuel Tweah, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, said that a handful of legislators whom he had conversations with gave him the go-ahead to divert US$24.8 million intended for the National Road Fund to the payment of civil servants salaries. He also said he was authorized by the international partners to divert the money from the National Road Fund. Minister Tweahs action violates Chapter 2.2 of the Act that created the National Road Fund, whose source of revenue is taxes collected from motorists solely for the construction/maintenance of roads and bridges across the country. Question: Should a government that claims to have the interest of its citizens at heart so brazenly loot or misappropriate public funds? Does the average person know the intricacies of how the budget is appropriated? These are questions that must command the interest of Liberians as yet another cycle of wasteful spending unfolds. In seeking answers to the above questions, we will begin an analysis of the 2022 budget with an assessment of the Presidencys allocations. It includes the Office of the President, Financial Management, Domestic and Special Services, the National Security Council Secretariat, Presidential Advisory Board, Technical Services, Ministry of State without Portfolio, Public Affairs, Public Affairs, Communication and Technology, Finance, Economic and Legal Affairs and Administration, and Management. Indeed, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commissions, General Auditing Agency, Public Procurement, and Concession Commission, National Disaster Management Agency, Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) and all executive bodies can be considered part of the Presidency, though under separate budget sub-heads, however for this article, we look at the Presidency The Executive Mansion, while the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will be examined in the ensuing weeks. The Executive Mansion is an important budget subhead that overlooks MDAs, some of which are central to Liberias anti-corruption, transparency, and disaster preparedness. In the 2022 approved budget, the presidency was authorized to spend US$20 million of the national budget as compared to the 10.8 million it got in 2021. $14.5 million of the $ 20 million budget of the presidency is apportioned to personnel costs or staff salaries /goods and services while 5.2 million is for non-financial assets and US$475,000 for a grant. Total allocations across the presidency revealed the following: Office of the President ($5,4 million), Financial Management ($343,000), Domestic and Special Services ($830,500), Technical Services(631,944), Public Affairs, Communication and Technology ($180,000), Finance, Economic and Legal Affairs ($42,000), National Security Council Secretariat ($237,000) and Presidential Advisory Board ($179,000). Similarly, the Administration and Management of the Presidency have US$ 11 million, and the Ministry of State without Portfolio $870,800. As is evident from the above, the highest allocation of $20 million goes to the Ministry of States and Presidential Affairs (The Presidency) alone whose only responsibility is catering to the President and his largely missing-in-action deputy. Analyzing the presidency budget further, it becomes clear that this government is insincere in its fight against corruption and transparency. How can it justify the allocation of $2.2 million to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), but $20 million to the Presidency and $5 million to the General Auditing Commission (GAC)? It is even more pathetic when one considers that the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) gets a miserable $846,386 in the 2022 fiscal year. The budgetary provisions can be seen in clearer perspective if you consider that the Presidency intends to amongst others, spend its allocations on renovating the Executive Mansion, presidential humanitarian outreach, foreign travels, allowances, scratch cards, residential property rental, and lease, fuel and lubricants, gas for generators, special presidential projects, celebrations, commemorations, and state visit, etc. while the LACC, GAC, and NDMAall agencies which render essential anti-corruption and disaster management services get fractions of its allocation. A closer look at the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) will illustrate the sorry state of affairs in Liberia. Procurement is the single greatest corruption risk in the public sector. Millions of dollars are lost every year through corrupt contracting and untransparent procurement processes for public contracts, especially related to public infrastructure in Liberia. Beyond a shortage of funds, the PPCC faces the challenges of securing staff with significant experience in the procurement or concession process or matters relating to the administration of procurement or concession contracts. This reality should ordinarily lead to increased funding for the PPCC, but President Weah simply cannot be bothered. In 2022, the PPCC got $952,495 to reduce corruption and improve transparency and accountability in public procurement. While this is an increase over the 2020/2021 special budget allocation of $254,494, it is a classic example of perverse prioritization when you consider that the Presidency is spending $1.8 million on domestic travel-daily subsistence allowances and $1 million on celebrations, commemorations, and state visit, US$700 on special presidential projects while the PPCC, which is the transparency watchdog of the procurement or concession contracts in Liberia is less funded. As concerned Liberians, we should ask important questions: if the fight against corruption is sincere, why do the Presidency's domestic travel-daily subsistence allowances or commemorations and state visits allocations are higher than PPCC? Why does the Presidency also think that the welfare package ($3.7 million) for a few Executive Mansion employees is more important than the transparency and anti-corruption drive? To use the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) as another example, with Liberias insecurity issues, threats of global warming, sea erosion, flooding, and other unforeseen disasters, why is the agency not getting higher allocation for research and development? Nowhere in its paltry provision line item for the disaster fund? The consequences could be unpreparedness for disasters which would only lead to an increase in the number of internally displaced Liberia as evidenced by the sea erosion in West Point, New Kru Town, etc. This would hamper the operations of NDMA and impact the timeliness of its response to disasters, Sadly, NDMA gets only $846,386 in the budget while the presidency gets US$ 700,000 for Humanitarian Outreach. Unarguably, almost every item in the approved 2022 Presidency budget redefines the term wasteful. For instance, there is a provision of $400,000 for the Wroto Town Housing Project under the presidency and an additional $700,000 for Special Presidential Projects, but the approved budget cleverly leaves out details of the special presidential Projects. Most ridiculous is spending $231,000 on generator fuel. The Presidency should simply get connected to the national grid and experience the much-touted improvement in the power supply if it believes in its fairy tales. Misappropriation of public funds should not be treated with such levity if there is going to be a more even distribution of national income and if there is any hope of closing the wide gap between the rich and poor in Liberia. The populace must not fall for the deliberate distraction tactics of this government whenever their failures manifest. Public accountability must be paramount in the minds of those that have the privilege to work in public service or vying for political office as well as the electorates. The $24.8 million diverted from the National Road Fund must be accounted for. We must demand accountability and insist on it. The government beginning with the Presidency needs to urgently reduce wasteful spending by trimming unnecessary costs and eliminating wasteful provisions to free up funds for investments in human and physical infrastructure. The Presidency should set standards for probity and sensible spending. Unfortunately, the Presidencys current approved budget shows no indication of any real progress or positive change, only the jamboree mentality that has become a hallmark of Weahs government. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The finale of the Jurassic Park series, "Jurassic World: Dominion," roars into theaters this week, and lead actress and Greenwich native Bryce Dallas Howard, is no stranger to tackling wild beasts. Howard and her family moved to Greenwich from Los Angeles when she was four years old, she told the Wall Street Journal in 2019. Her parents decided on the area based on its "excellent" school system and animal-filled environment. "They discovered Greenwich while house-hunting North of New York in the mid-1980s," Howard told the Journal. "The surrounding area was charming and a step back in time. The landscape was wooded and rustic, with lakes and beautiful rolling hills." Located in the Conyers Farm area of Greenwich, the custom-built Howard family home straddled the New York-line into Armonk, but it was sold in 2014 for $27.5 million, according to the Associated Press. "Land was important, since we were big animal lovers," Howard told the Journal. "By big, I mean we had dogs, cats, a pig, sheep, miniature donkeys, horses, a turtle, two birds and 20 chickens named Jennifer. They all looked the same and responded to the name." The actress, who plays Claire Dearing in "Jurassic World: Dominion," said that when she walks in the woods behind her childhood home, she feels the same sense of "magic and mystery" as she did as a child. "Theres a depth of feeling and presence there, like a walking meditation without distraction. Best of all, Im able to focus, settle my thoughts and dream," she told the Journal. The actress' father is renowned director, Ron Howard. He has directed critically-acclaimed movies, including "A Beautiful Mind," "Apollo 13" and "Parenthood." However, Her father almost didn't let the future "Jurassic" actress watch the original "Jurassic Park" when it was released. She was only 12 years old at the time, and the film was rated PG-13, but after watching the film, the director saw the film's cinematic relevance. "My dad said, 'You have got to see this movie in theaters you cannot miss this. Cinema has changed forever,'" Howard said in a TODAY interview. Howard's character in "Jurassic World: Dominion" ended up mirroring her real-life love of animals. Dearing is an animal rights activist who advocates for de-extinct life like the dinosaurs to have the same rights as other species. Dearing is also featured in "Jurassic World," "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" and "Jurassic World: The Ride." Now that the "Jurassic" series ending, Howard told TODAY it's "difficult" to see it conclude, and the emotion of its ending "just kind of hit [her] in the last few days" as the movie makes its entry to theaters. HARTFORD A man was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Wednesday for shipping large amounts of cocaine and marijuana from California to Hartford, according to federal prosecutors. . Marvin Lloyd, 51, was one of more than a dozen people charged with cocaine trafficking offenses in June 2019. Lloyd pleaded guilty in August 2021. Lloyds sentence stems from an investigation into packages of cocaine that were being shipped from Puerto Rico and California that were being distributed in and around Hartford. The Drug Enforcement Administrations Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service discovered Lloyd, who last resided in Hartford, coordinated the shipment of numerous parcels containing kilogram-quantities of cocaine, as well as packages containing large amounts of marijuana, from California to Hartford, according to U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery. When the drug-filled packages arrived, U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jesus Rodriguez delivered them to Lloyd and other cocaine traffickers in the Hartford area. Rodriguez also dealt cocaine, some of which he received from Lloyd, to his own customers, Averys office said. Lloyd has been detained since his arrest in May 2019. In June 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Lloyd, Rodriguez and 17 others with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and related offenses. Rodriguez has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing, Averys office said. U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford sentenced Lloyd to 87 months in prison or seven years and three months on Wednesday. Since Lloyd is a citizen of Jamaica, he faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term, according to Averys office. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ROME (AP) Food import bills will reach a record high this year and food markets are likely to tighten around the world, according to a glum new forecast by a U.N. food agency. The Food Outlook, issued twice a year by the Food and Agriculture Organization, also found that many vulnerable countries are paying more but receiving less food in imports. The report issued Thursday by the Rome-based agency noted that developing countries are reducing imports of cereals, oilseeds and meats, reflecting their inability to cover the price increases. The forecast cited soaring input prices, concerns about the weather, and increased market uncertainties stemming from the war in Ukraine, which has seen millions of tons of grain stuck in silos and unable to be shipped abroad from that major agricultural exporter due to the Russian invasion. With Ukraines next grain harvest due within weeks, and no imminent sign of a let-up in the war unleashed by Russia on its neighbor, the food security of import-dependent countries in Africa and the Middle East could worsen. Its forecast points to a likely tightening of food markets and import bills reaching a new record high, said Upali Galketi Aratchilage, an FAO economist and lead editor of the report. The outlook discussed how agricultural sectors are struggling with rising costs of production, especially fertilizer and fuel, which could trigger further increases in food prices. Russia and its ally Belarus are major exporters of fertilizer. But while international sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine havent targeted food exports, sanctions regarding Russian shipping and insurance for such shipping has complicated logistics for Russian farm exports. Spiking prices for agricultural production inputs, such as rising energy costs, could call into question whether the worlds farmers can afford to buy them, wrote FAO experts in markets and trade. That scenario applies to major exporting countries as well, the report said. Some North American farmers are shifting from maize to soy, which requires less nitrogen fertilizer, the report noted. All these factors point to low (and falling) real prices for farmers, despite the high prices faced by consumers, FAO said. Based on current conditions, the situation does not augur well for a market-led supply response that could conceivably rein in further increases in food process for the 2022/23 season and possibly the next, the report said. __ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP BRUSSELS (AP) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called off a series of in-person meetings in Germany and Romania because he has contracted shingles after having a coronavirus infection last month, his office said Thursday. The Secretary General will conduct his planned visit to Germany (and Romania) remotely rather than in person. He has been diagnosed with shingles, which can occur after COVID-19, and is working from home, a NATO official said. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina Democratic legislators and gun-control advocates pleaded Thursday for Republicans to allow debate and pass measures they say would keep weapons out of the hands of young people and those with mental illness. Renewing their calls for additional gun restrictions following recent mass shootings at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, and a school in Uvalde, Texas, speakers at a Legislative Building news conference criticized GOP leaders for failing to act on their proposals years ago. Nothing is radical. Nothing violates the Second Amendment, said Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham County Democrat. Are guns more important than children? Dont look away it's time to save lives. Morey highlighted proposals that would require background checks for all gun sales, prohibit people under 21 from owning assault-style weapons and create a legal process whereby firearms can be removed from someone believed to be an extreme risk of harming themselves or others. Nineteen states already have similar risk protection order laws. Republicans have refused to hold hearings on such measures and in recent years have instead approved bills later vetoed by Gov. Roy Cooper that would have eliminated the permit someone must obtain from a sheriff before buying a pistol and expanded the right-to-carry in more churches. Gun-rights advocates are influential at the General Assembly. While Democratic-controlled legislatures in New York and Delaware have passed or advanced gun restrictions in recent weeks, the GOP-led General Assembly is North Carolina is expected to bottle up the Democratic measures while this year's annual work session ends, likely in early July. House Speaker Tim Moore, a Cleveland County Republican, told reporters later Thursday that the legislature last year put $83 million in the current budget on school safety improvements, with more spending expected in budget adjustments currently being negotiated. Spending priorities also have included mental health services, he said. Regions of the country with tough gun control laws are still riddled with crime evidence, Moore said, that the restrictions don't prevent violence. I dont think the voters of the state want to see North Carolina go down the road of all this gun control, that does not work, Moore said. A new proposal unveiled at Thursday's news conference by Democratic Sen. Natalie Murdock of Durham County would prevent gun sales and new gun dealer shops within roughly a quarter-mile of any school or child care center. Murdock, who grew up in a home with a gun that her father owned, said the idea is not about trying to eliminate gun sales all together. She cited a study of California high school data that associates the proximity of gun stores to schools with gun-carrying by students. Were trying to keep our children safe so that they have the freedom to get an education, Murdock said. Lets not gavel out this summer and yet again fail to do anything. Other speakers unhappy with gun-control measures sitting in idle recalled the 2019 shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that left two people dead and four wounded. Leah Krevat, a former Apex High School student with the group Students Demand Action, looked to the November elections, when all 170 General Assembly seats are on the ballot. If we want to end gun violence, we need to reelect those that are currently fighting for us and elect new gun-sense candidates to replace those who arent, Krevat said. John Kovach / Hearst Connecticut Media STAMFORD A Norwalk man accused of allegedly trying to drown a woman after a failed kidnapping in New Canaan rejected a state disposition offer on Wednesday that would have resulted in him serving less than half of a possible 85 year prison sentence on a slew of felony charges. Mynor Alvarado-Canahui, 33, rejected an offer of 30 years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to first-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping, attempt to commit murder and attempt to commit first-degree at aggravated sexual assault. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HONOLULU (AP) A federal aviation accident investigator will be sent to Hawaii to investigate after a tour helicopter crashed on a remote Big Island lava field of jagged rocks, injuring all six people on board and forcing rescuers to fly in to extricate some of them from the wreckage, officials said Thursday. Photos taken by rescuers showed the crunched Bell 407 helicopter lying on its side in the barren lava field with its nose partially detached and some of its blades bent at odd angles. It had departed from Kona International Airport about 5 p.m. Wednesday on a sightseeing tour and crashed about 30 minutes later near the southernmost tip of the island, National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Jennifer Gabris said in an email. The rough lava field is more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the nearest road, so rescuers had to be taken there by two helicopters, Hawaii County Assistant Fire Chief Darwin Okinaka said. Firefighters extricated three people an 18-year-old woman, a 19-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man who managed to walk to waiting medics, the fire department said. A 48-year-old man also walked from the crash site. The most seriously injured person was a 19-year-old woman who was flown to a hospital, the fire department said. A seriously injured 54-year-old man, along with the four others, were taken by ambulance to the hospital. The helicopter passengers and pilot were not identified. Hawaii has a thriving helicopter tour sector because of the flights that are extremely popular among tourists who want to see the islands stunning scenery from the aircraft that fly above rugged terrain thats hard to reach otherwise. A 2019 helicopter tour crash on the island of Kauai killed all seven people on board and the NTSB in its investigative report accused regulators of lax oversight of the helicopter tours. That crash was blamed on the pilots decision to keep flying despite worsening weather. Witnesses and other pilots reported fog, rain and low visibility around the time of the crash, and some pilots had turned around. In the Big Island crash, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said he was awaiting updates on the conditions of the injured, and other information and information on what might have caused the crash. The weather in the area about the time firefighters were called included winds of about 16 mph (26 kph), gusts of about 23 mph (37 kph) and some scattered or broken clouds, said Thomas Vaughan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Standard, afternoon weather on the Big Island, he said. Paradise Helicopters owner Calvin Dorn said in a statement that there were five passengers and one pilot on the tour. The company is cooperating with authorities, the statement said. According to an NTSB database, the company was involved in at least two previous accidents during sightseeing tours. While returning from a sightseeing tour in 2005, a helicopter developed a sudden vibration in the tail rotor pedals followed by a loud crack or snap and then a loud banging noise, the NTSB said. It hit low trees and shrubs when the pilot landed in a clearing in a forest near the Big Island town of Pahoa. The pilot and four passengers were uninjured. And as a Paradise helicopter pilot prepared to take off in 2009 for a sightseeing tour of Oahu for four passengers, the helicopter's left landing gear collapsed, NTSB records said. The helicopter tilted to the left and was damaged, but no one aboard was injured. In Wednesday's crash, even though all of those on board were hurt, the crash could have been much worse, Okinaka said. Theyre very, very lucky looking at how significant the damage to the aircraft was, Okinaka said. The NTSB investigator is not traveling to the crash site at this time but will go to Hawaii to examine the wreckage after it is recovered, Gabris said. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report. Comrades and friends, sons and daughters of the Bantustans and native reserves of the poverty-smitten masses of our people, domestic workers, petrol attendants, the working poor, patriotic professionals, exploited Laborers on the plantation workers on the capitalist establishments of Arcelor Mittal and Firestone, motorcyclists and taxi drivers, teachers and health workers who are underpaid, marketers, and factory workers, conscious university students- precisely the Fix The University generation, progressive student radicals in the struggle for justice and equality, distinguished intellectual militants and cadres of Liberias lone yet surviving Marxist-Leninist and Pan Africanist revolutionary institution- the indomitable Vanguard Student Unification Party-SUP, Pressmen and Women, fellow countrymen and compatriots; The Revolutionary Vanguard Party categorically frowns on the University of Liberia's authority and the government of Liberia over the slow pace shadow of the renovation exercise ongoing at the university Liberia Capitol Hill Campus. Fellow Liberians, its nearly six months since the university began renovations but it will amaze you to know that the university is yet to complete a single building on the Capitol Hill Campus which is the only campus under renovations out of the four campuses; even though President Nelson lied of receiving $US 4.7million from the government to carry on the project. The decision of President Nelson to allow himself to be used by the multi-color Samuel Tweah to falsely announced receiving a 4.7million for renovations as a way of pretentiously stopping huge criticism against the government over the deplorable conditions of the university does not just show how Mr. Nelson is sycophant but also a puppet of the rotten CDC-Weah despotism of social misfits and buzzards. Per the intelligence SUP has gathered from her reliable multiple sources, only $US 100,000 has been given to the university to carry out renovations. The callous attempt and lack of will of the CDC government not to support the university is not just reckless, but we see this as an attack on education and we are not going to take it lightly. And the Vanguard Party takes serious exception to this! Nonetheless, the Vanguard Party wants to thunderingly restate its position that we will not accept any unrealistic increment in transportation fares on buses commuting students from Benson Hospital to Fendall Campus. We want to make it clear that the students are only going to accept an increment from $LD 20.00 to $LD 30.00 regularly. We are not going to settle for the LD$ 500.00 increment in registration fees for transportation and at the same time pay $LD 50.00 regularly. SUP wants to warn the Nelson administration to stop devising failed tactics of decentralizing the responsibilities of the university on suffering student masses at the university. The students are going to be used to raise funds to upkeep the university due to your timid behavior as administration to compel the irresponsible CDC government headed by incompetent Weah to support the university. Hope Mr. Nelson understands that the charter that created the university says eighty percent of the university endeavors will be fully supported by the government of the day. And as such, the Nelson administration must stop the unscrupulous imposition of unrealistic charges on the suffering university students! Lastly, the Vanguard Party wants to unequivocally state to the Nelson administration that we will not accept any further postponement on the agreed June 6, 2022, as per the May 10, 2022, Faculty Senate meeting for the resumption of academic activities. Firstly, we were told by the administration that the school would have reopened on April 18, 2022, and then based on the slow pace of the renovation, the administration cited us for meeting on May 10, 2022, at which time we all once again agreed for the school to reopen on June 6, 2022, assuring us that by that time, the renovation exercise will be done. Here again, President Nelson is saying that the university will reopen on June 27, 2022, with no guarantee of renovation ending before that time. The Vanguard party wants to emphatically say here that students have beard enough patience with the administration and as such, the university must remain committed to the agreed June 6, 2022, Memorandum of understanding. Anything other than this is null and void and the vanguard will take unspecified revolutionary actions! Long Live Massecracy- Long Live SUP! Gwei Fei Kpeh- The struggle continues! Done and issued on this 3rd day of June A.D 2022 by and through the mandate of the 31st Central Committee and Politburo of the Vanguard Student Unification Party- SUP! Signed_______________________ Cde. Jusu Kamara Secretary-General/ SUP Approved_____________________ Cde. Mustapha N. Kanneh Chairman/SUP This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Scorching temperatures are in store for the southwestern U.S. over the next several days, with cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs in California expected to top 110 degrees. Parts of New Mexico and Texas also will see triple-digits. Heat is part of the normal routine of summertime in the desert, but weather forecasters say that doesn't mean people should feel at ease. Excessive heat causes more deaths in the U.S. than other weather-related disasters, including hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. Though weather conditions are going to be nice, you have to limit your outdoor activities significantly," said Gabriel Lojero of the National Weather Service in Phoenix. The temperatures forecast from Wednesday through Monday are the highest yet this year. Scientists say more frequent and intense heat waves are likely in the future because of climate change and a deepening drought. The effects of spiking temperatures are felt most acutely among vulnerable populations, including people without homes and workers who labor outside. Homeless people are about 200 times more likely to die from heat-associated causes, said David Hondula, a climate scientist who leads the city of Phoenix's Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. At least 130 homeless individuals were among the 339 people who died from heat-associated causes last year in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, and has the highest population of any county in Arizona. Phoenix already is considered the hottest big city in the United States. A heat wave last summer pushed temperatures up to 118 degrees (48 Celsius). Most everyone in central and southern Arizona, southern Nevada and southeast California will be at risk for heat-related illness if they don't take proper precautions, Lojero said. Those include wearing light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and seeking shade if they need to go outside. Temperatures are expected to tie or break records, even at night when it's cooler, before dropping overall early next week. Phoenix and Yuma are forecast to be just shy of 115 degrees (46 C) on Saturday when the heat peaks across the region. Blythe and El Centro in California will be at or above that temperature. Las Vegas will top out at 111 degrees (44 C) during the heat wave, the National Weather Service said. Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon also will see triple-digit temperatures a reminder that the weather changes drastically from the canyon's rim to its inner depths. Heat was a factor in the June 2 death of a woman who was hiking back up the popular Bright Angel Trail after reaching the Colorado River the same day something the park advises against doing, especially during the hottest times of the day, said Angela Boyers, the chief ranger. Thomas De Masters, a seasonal ranger at the park, wears a sun-protective hoodie under his shirt, a hat and soaks his clothing whenever he passes a water station. He spends much of his time talking to visitors to get a sense of whether they're prepared for what they've planned and whether it's safe. Among the tips he offers is resting in the shade for an hour and aggressively cooling down with water if the heat becomes too much. It's very hot, no doubt about that, he said Wednesday. There's almost always a week like this in June. We just hope we can get out there and talk to people enough. Some places in New Mexico also are expected to see temperatures that could break records over the weekend. Thunderstorms over the next couple of days could cause flash flooding in areas that have been scorched by wildfire, forecasters said. While temperatures had cooled this week in Texas, the heat is building through the weekend. The sizzling numbers come ahead of the annual rainy season in the Southwest, known simply as the monsoon, that starts in mid-June and runs through September. Weather experts say the phenomenon has equal chances of being above, below and normal this year in Arizona. ___ Associated Press writer Anita Snow in Phoenix contributed to this story. WEST HAVEN One of the most important lessons Nabiha Khan learned during high school was not in a textbook. Khan, valedictorian of West Haven High Schools class of 2022, said her classmates have learned resilience from an unpredictable world with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a tumultuous national political climate. Weve been through so much as a class, she said. Not only did we pull through, we excelled. We are so much more resilient now. After graduation, Khan will attend Yale University as a cellular biology major on a premed track. She said she hopes eventually to work in gynecology. I see women have issues with reproductive health. I see gynecology as combining an aspect of advocacy and medicine, she said. Khan, a Pakistan native who moved to West Haven from Bridgeport when she entered the seventh grade, said shes witnessed a global need for affirming reproductive health care. Khan said she received a lot of support from West Haven High School staff, including Principal Dana Paredes. Paredes supported Khans assessment of the students resiliency. This class spent more than half of their high school living through a pandemic. Through all that they faced, they remained positive and steadfast in their goals. I couldnt be more proud of all they have achieved, she said. Khan said the support of West Haven educators was essential in laying the foundation for students to continue on. In such unprecedented times, it was important to make sure students feel supported, and she did that, Khan said. Attending school through a screen gets tiring. Some of us had to find something to do so we could keep moving on. Outside of academics, Khan was involved in the local chapter of HOSA, a student organization for aspiring health professionals, as well as the schools debate team. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com On Dec. 14, 2012, 20 elementary school students and six teachers lost their lives to gun violence. Immediately after the shooting, a group of West Haven residents drove up to Sandy Hook to provide whatever comfort we could. The late Tim Wrightington and his wife, Lisa, even dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus to try and give the children some sort of diversion from the tragic reality. Those were very dark days from which we still have not healed. Almost eight years ago to the day, on June 15, 2014, West Haven dedicated the pink playground on Sea Bluff Beach as a remembrance to Charlotte Bacon, a bubbly 6-year-old who loved all things pink, animals and visiting West Havens beaches. Hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life gave up an entire weekend to construct that playground on Sea Bluff Beach. Students left school early, parents took days off from work, and strangers became close friends as every single Westie worked around the clock to ensure that the playground was built. There were so many volunteers that weekend that it seemed like every resident of West Haven was down on that beach. Today, that pink playground stands as a tribute to not only Charlotte, but to the innocent lives taken on that horrific December day. In the time following this senseless act, an outpouring of pleas urging lawmakers to do whatever it took to prevent another shooting flooded the media. West Havens entire delegation was pushing for stricter gun control measures and it seemed as if Congress was listening. The mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, is just the latest mass shooting of many that have occurred since Sandy Hook, which was not the first. It goes without saying that all mass shootings are horrible, as are all violent crimes, but the shooting in Uvalde really strikes a nerve. Most of the victims were just little kids in their classroom. If you look at the statistics, mass shootings do not occur as often in other countries as they do here in the United States, especially not in schools. As you watch each of these nightmares unfold, ask yourself why that is. What have they done that we have not? Our elected officials must seek out an answer. This appalling violence must stop. I have thought about the children that we lost in Sandy Hook, the children of Uvalde and all of the other victims over these years. I have also thought of all of the good people that drove up to comfort the residents of Sandy Hook and the countless amount of people that came out to help install a playground on the beach in just one weekend. It does not take away the pain and suffering, but it does give me some hope that the good people far outweigh the bad. In closing, I would like to ask our elected officials, once again, from every level of government to put party politics aside and get to work on solving this problem. Keep in mind that the victims in the most recent shooting, as well as in Sandy Hook, were mostly children. Their futures were taken from them and their families. Please let that guide you in your efforts, and the efforts of your colleagues, to put in place measures that will protect and save the futures of all students. I know this goal is daunting and a complex one, but nonetheless, it should be the goal. May all of the victims rest in peace and may all of the families affected find comfort knowing that you are not alone in holding our leaders accountable for finding the solution. Ed OBrien is former mayor of West Haven. WESTPORT The Representative Town Meeting overwhelmingly passed a resolution that upholds the rights and principles in Roe v. Wade and opposes the elimination of them from any Supreme Court decision. The sense-of-the-meeting resolution passed 29-0 with several members absent for a variety of reasons, including business engagements or health. Dick Lownstein, a District 5 member, said he was leaving the meeting prior to the vote though because the opinions of the members differed on what aspects of abortion they actually supported, much like Connecticut residents feelings on it. Everyone else who spoke on the resolution, which had 23 co-sponsors more than half of the 36-member body, said the resolution was needed. I have two teenaged girls at home and a looming Supreme Court decision thats basically transforming the landscape of the health care available to them, said Candace Banks, a District 6 member and one of the lead sponsors. The resolution comes on the heels of a leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe. Liz Milwe, another lead sponsor and a District 1 member, said they had 21 co-sponsors on the resolution within 24 hours of the news breaking about the draft decision. Sense-of-the-meeting resolutions dont tend to binding, but are largely symbolic, showing where the political body stands. Some members said theyre still important and can bring about change. Passing this resolution will not only reflect our values, but back up and perhaps move the officials who are perhaps in more of a position to take more specific actions, said Wendy Batteau, a District 8 member. Karen Kramer, a District 5 member and another lead sponsor, said speaking about the issue openly could also inspire someone to help at least one woman. Please, lets try and make a difference, she said. Several speakers said those most affected by Roe v. Wade potentially being overturned are those already facing challenges, but that people in Westport arent immune. They said that something like this affects so many everywhere nd so its become a local issue for that reason. Banks held up a map of the country with different states colored in various ways depending on the restrictions there and used her daughters as examples of how Westport women might be affected, including college choices, potential jobs or travel opportunities within those jobs that would bring them to those states for long periods. I look at this map and see a lot of lost potential, she said. I see a lot of roads not taken. I dont think my daughters or your children should have to consult this kind of map before going to their dream school or taking their dream job or a dream assignment. She added that the map also represents fewer opportunities for women and a smaller world for them to operate in. It doesnt represent progress, it doesnt represent freedom and I think resisting it here in Connecticut is worthwhile, Banks said. Several members pointed to the RTMs history of nonpartisan resolutions that upheld various rights. Nancy Kail, a District 9 member also spoke to Westports character overall and the number of women who hold leadership positions in town, including and all female Board of Selectwomen, chairs for a number of boards and 50 percent membership on the RTM. Other members spoke about how abortion is womens healthcare and should be treated with the same dignity, privacy and autonomy as other healthcare decisions between the patient and their doctor and not based on what the government or politicians decide. Some also said it was more than a womens health issue and men needed to back it too. Its not a womens issue, its a peoples issue, said Matthew Mandell, a District 1 member. HELMEPA: A member of the House of Representatives, Shina Abiola Peller has advised the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola... A member of the House of Representatives, Shina Abiola Peller has advised the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve all internal issues in the ruling party. Peller represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency in Oyo State. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, had defeated other aspirants, among whom are Chibuike Amaechi, Ahmed Lawan, Yemi Osinbajo,Yahaya Bello, among others. Peller described Tinubus victory as a well deserved one. The lawmaker in a statement signed by Kola Popoola, his Press Secretary, urged Tinubu to ensure that peace reigned within the party. It was indeed a battle well fought, which deserves commendation from all well meaning Nigerians irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliation. I salute Asiwaju Tinubus courage, doggedness and political sagacity it is a well deserved victory. I am using this opportunity to urge Asiwaju to leverage on his emergence as the presidential flag bearer of the APC to resolve all the internal issues and disagreements emanating from the party and bring everyone together as one big family. Asiwaju needs to ensure that peace reigns within the party. However, this cannot be achieved except we allow internal democracy, justice, equity and fairness prevail in our activities, he said. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Adamu on Thursday met with the partys presidential candidate, Bola... The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Adamu on Thursday met with the partys presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. Adamu led APCs National Working Committee, NWC, to the meeting with Tinubu. The meeting was disclosed by the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, via a series of tweets. Israel wrote: Our National Chairman H.E Abdullahi ADAMU today led us on a courtesy visit to our Presidential Candidate H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu this afternoon. The full NWC are behind our Candidate. Hon. Dayo Isreal, together with every NWC members has proven to Nigerians that fair play and the rule of law are well tenable in our great party, the APC. This commitment has paid off with the emergence of @Official_ABAT as our partys flag bearer. Tinubu emerged the APC flag bearer during the partys Special Convention in Abuja on Wednesday. The former Lagos State governor polled the highest number of votes to defeat other presidential front runners like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dave Umahi, and Rotimi Amaechi, amongst others. Prior to the presidential primary, Adamu had suggested the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan as the partys consensus candidate. Adamus choice was, however, rejected by APC Northern governors, who insisted that the partys flag bearer should be a Southerner. Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, the factional presidential candidate of the Labour Party has reportedly withdrawn from the contest. Ezenwafor ha... Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, the factional presidential candidate of the Labour Party has reportedly withdrawn from the contest. Ezenwafor had received ultimatum from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide led by Mazi Okwu Nnabuike to withdraw from the contest. It was learnt that he took the decision via a letter he conveyed to the national leadership of his faction of the party. He said in the letter being circulated online that his decision to withdraw was personal and appealed to his supporters to understand him. The letter reads, I hereby withdraw from the forthcoming Presidential Election in 2023. After consulting my supporters Nationwide, I decided to withdraw for personal reasons. I regret any inconvenience my withdrawal might cost our great Party. I thank the leadership of our great Party for giving me the opportunity to serve Nigeria. This is coming amidst ultimatum also given to him by the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had also earlier dismissed Ezenwafor and his faction. With the development, the coast is now clear for former Anambra Governor and Presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi. When contacted over the development, the President-General of OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said the letter of withdrawal was not enough, stressing that, Ezenwafor should do a broadcast for us to be convinced. He can disown the letter at any time. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Yes, all of it should be forgiven Yes, but only a portion should be forgiven No; none of it should be forgiven Vote View Results An American flag along with white roses is seen in front of Robb Elementary School, where 19 children and two adults were killed on May 24 during a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on Monday, May 30. Lola Gomez/The Dallas Morning News/TNS The Prospect series of citywide, international art exhibits started in 2008 and has taken place every two or three years since. The fifth Prospect closed in January, but plans began immediately for Prospect.6, which is scheduled to open in fall 2024. The paintings, sculpture, photos and installations in each event are selected by a guest artistic director. On Thursday, Prospect announced that the Susan Brennan Artistic Director of Prospect.6 will be Miranda Lash, who is senior curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver. Lash, a Harvard graduate who grew up in Southern California, will be familiar to New Orleans art lovers, because from 2008 to 2014 she was the New Orleans Museum of Arts dynamic curator of contemporary art. During her tenure, Lash invited the renowned street artist Swoon to produce and enormous installation in the museum great hall. She also arranged a traveling retrospective of works by conceptualists Mel Chin, plus avant-garde exhibits and performances by locals Skylar Fein, Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Generic Art Solutions, and others. Lash, who spoke by phone Wednesday as she strolled the Bywater, said shes beyond elated to be selecting art for the next Prospect. She said she considers New Orleans the greatest city in the world. Lash said its far too soon in the process to announce any of the artists who may appear in the 2024 show, but she promises a strong Louisiana representation blended into the international group. As far as the theme of the next show, Lash said she may focus on artists whose work addresses the environment. Im thinking very deeply about climate change as I walk around, she said. Lash will remain in her position at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver but will visit New Orleans regularly as she composes the next Prospect exhibit. Past Prospect artistic directors include Naima J. Keith and Diana Nawi (Prospect.5), Trevor Schoonmaker (Prospect.4), Franklin Sirmans (Prospect.3) and founder Dan Cameron (Prospect.1, 1.5 and 2). Fish out those batteries and start stockpiling water, because the least-loved season in southern Louisiana has officially arrived and promises to be more active than average. And even as blue tarps still ripple on roofs from Hurricane Idas wrath, safety officials and longtime New Orleanians alike say now is the time to prepare for the next storm. Know what the plan is and have everything organized, said lifelong resident Alisha Reed, a pharmacist and self-care advocate. A plan helps reduce stress. Its like an instruction manual to follow when you start to get overwhelmed. Even those whove put off prep until the last minute in the past are reconsidering their positions, given the pace of Idas approach last year. At this point, storms are changing so quickly that its hard to know what to expect, said New Orleans resident Susan Whelan, who moved to the area in 1982. They seem to get bigger more quickly. Reed, Whelan and other hurricane veterans outlined what people can do today to prepare for the worst, even as the region collectively hopes for the best. THE BASICS Begin collecting or updating your hurricane supplies now, before theyre in short supply, the pros advised. Have the basics like a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, unscented bleach, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and at least three days worth of clothing and personal items stored somewhere thats easily accessible. Make sure you have the right sized batteries for the things you own, Whelan said. If you wait until theres a storm near the Gulf, all the C batteries will be gone. Items like insect repellent and sunblock were especially in demand following Ida, said Bywater resident Devin De Wulf, whose nonprofit Feed the Second Line helped deliver supplies to the bayou communities. So, were tools needed to triage home damage, he added. Keep a cordless chainsaw, tarps, rope and duct tape on hand, if possible. And having a small, one-room air conditioner is a really good move if you do have to live on a generator or solar for a while, De Wulf said. Anyone who sweated it out during Ida would agree. THE PANTRY City and parish officials recommend keeping water on hand for at least three days. Budget a gallon of water per person per day. Non-perishables like canned soup and instant coffee are no-brainers, too. Dont forget can openers and other essential utensils. Whelan recommends buying a large-capacity, high-quality cooler, so you can take the contents of your fridge and freezer with you during an evacuation. She made the mistake of leaving two pounds of crab meat in her freezer during Hurricane Katrina, only to return a month later for clean up. Thats probably why I dont really make my signature crab dip any more, she said. In the aftermath of Ida, De Wulf said he cleaned out a lot of fridges and freezers in his neighborhood. If you evacuate, have a way to get somebody into your house, he advised. You dont know how long youre going to be gone. THE POWER Outages are common during storms and, as New Orleanians saw with Ida, can last weeks. Those conditions lead to deaths each year from people improperly using gas-powered generators, according to the U.S. Product Safety Commission. Check that your portable generator is in working order, and never run it in an enclosed space. Even garages with open doors and windows can accumulate enough lethal carbon monoxide to kill, the commission warned. Generators should be placed at least 20 feet from dwellings. Whelan, who doesnt use a generator, keeps a flashlight in each room in her home, shying away from candles for safety reasons. Why add one more element of risk to a natural disaster? she quipped. And De Wulf, who launched the Get Lit Stay Lit initiative last year to power local restaurants with solar energy, recommended the community urge city officials to invest in solar panels and batteries to deal with an unreliable power grid. PAPERWORK Now is the time to locate home and flood insurance policies and double check theyre up to date. The St. Bernard Sheriffs Office also recommends taking video and photos of your homes interior and exterior before a storm hits. Keep vital records like Social Security cards, birth certificates, passports, medical information and prescription cards in an easily accessible, waterproof container, Reed said. As a pharmacist, I always recommend that you make sure all of your critical medications have refills on them as soon as hurricane season starts. That way, your doctor can phone in refills ahead of time, she said, adding a good rule of thumb is to have two weeks of meds on hand, insurance permitting. And dont forget about medical records for your pets, urged Zeus Place Office Manager Gaby Zapata, who fielded hundreds of calls for records during Ida. You should have your rabies tags and be up-to-date on vaccines. And you should have physical copies of that information, Zapata said. A lot of hotels, even pet-friendly ones, require proof your pet is up-to-date." COMMUNICATIONS Expect cell service to be spotty to non-existent during and immediately after a storm. And, when the power goes out, so does wifi. Providers say text messages, which are less of a draw on overloaded networks, are often most reliable. Collect neighbors phone numbers in case of emergencies. And designate someone outside the hurricane danger zone to be a point of contact in case you and your party get separated. Keep a battery-powered or hand crank radio on hand, so you can tune into local news for information. TRANSPORTATION Whether you plan to shelter-in-place or evacuate, gas up early, Whelan said. For Ida, I got gas on Friday, and it was already harder to get, she said. In the future, Ill get gas even sooner if I need it. Likewise, emergency supplies like jumper cables and a can of fix-a-flat can make a big difference for drivers before and after a storm. Those without the means or ability to evacuate can sign up through their parish government for evacuation assistance. KIDS Brainstorm ways to keep kids occupied off line and on long car rides out of the city. But dont forget about their mental health, said Reed, whose son turns 7 later this month. He worries each storm will be like Hurricane Katrina because of what he sees on TV, according to Reed. Limiting his access to news and letting him assist with hurricane planning has helped calm those worries. We have to remember our kids are anxious and have no clue what is going on," she said. She learned the hard way how important keeping kids comfortable during storms can be. We made the awful decision to have my sons tonsils removed with a storm approaching, she added. Do not recommend. Cancel the appointment or surgery until the storm has passed. PETS Aside from keeping vaccination records on hand, there are many other ways pet owners can prepare for storm season. City and parish officials recommend keeping seven days worth of food and supplies ready to go. Zapata would add 30 days worth of medications to that list. Owners should also think about how theyd find a pet that gets lost, Zapata said. She recommended taking photographs of Fido (or Felix) from all sides, including distinguishing marks. Tags and collars are also a must if the furry friend will tolerate them. And if your animal is chipped, find out what manufacturer your vet used. Investigate how you keep the chip active, she said, adding many chip companies require ongoing memberships or renewals. She said vaccination requirements vary by state, so researching likely evacuation destinations ahead of time is a good idea. So are sturdy carriers, crates and kennels, which some hotels require. STRESS If contemplating six months of hurricane season makes you feel anxious, youre not alone. There are homes that still havent been repaired, insurance claims yet to be paid those feelings are valid, Reed said. I think we can all agree that hurricane season is stressful, said Reed. Stress affects our immune system, our mental and physical health. Now is the time to figure out healthy ways to cope. She recommends breath work, meditation and of course having a plan in place. Jessica Fender is a writer who blogs at TravelerBroads.com. Reach her at jessica.fender@gmail.com. The international contemporary art triennial Prospect New Orleans has named Miranda Lash the Artistic Director of Prospect.6, which will open in 2024. Lash formerly was the curator of contemporary art at the New Orleans Museum of Art, and was influential in the local art scene as contemporary art blossomed in the city following Prospect.1, which opened in 2008. Lash was NOMA's first official Curator of Contemporary Art. In her six year tenure, she curated a Mel Chin retrospective, a show by New Orleans native Rashaad Newsome, installations by Swoon, artist residencies and more. (See Gambit's August 2014 profile of Lash here.) She left in 2014 for the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. She currently is the Ellen Bruss Senior Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Lash also is the vice president of the board of directors of the Joan Mitchell Foundation, which has a campus for artist residencies in New Orleans. In 2016, Lash and Trevor Schoonmaker collaborated on "Southern Accent: Seeking the American South in Contemporary Art." Schoonmaker was the artistic director of Prospect.4 Prospect New Orleans recently closed Prospect.5, which featured more than 50 artists at an array of local museums, galleries and venues as well as other installations. Prospect New Orleans was founded by Dan Cameron. His debut Prospect.1 was a stunning exposition featuring more than 80 artists at venues and locations across the city. Prospect.6 will open in late 2024. A Civil District Court judge Wednesday denied a top Cantrell aides attempts to block the City Council from obtaining documents relating to the citys abandoned Smart Cities broadband project. District Judge Sidney H. Cates IV sided with the council over its call for transparency amid its ongoing investigation. As part of that investigation, the council subpoenaed records from Mayor LaToya Cantrell's chief of staff Clifton Davis and others. The Council has been digging into potential contract rigging, corruption and other misconduct relating to the canceled project. The initiative would have expanded internet-connected infrastructure and installed a "city-directed" broadband network through public and private partnerships. Amid media reports of potential conflicts of interest in April, the council requested information from the administration regarding the project. City lawmakers' suspicions were further raised after Cantrell's utilities director Jonathan Rhodes admitted under oath in late April that he and mayoral IT adviser Christopher Wolff had formed a company that consulted with Qualcomm prior to the tech giant's participation in a consortiums that was selected for the Smart Cities project. The Lens also pointed out the project would have included "the installation of thousands of 'smart' city devices, like street lights and traffic signals, that could collect and transmit data to improve city services and raise revenue through advertisements and selling data." Qualcomm ultimately bailed on the deal, and the project was canceled altogether. Davis and other members of the administration are also being questioned in a separate probe by the Office of the Inspector General. One of the subjects of the investigation, Josh Cox, resigned in May and complied with the council's request for documents. After the council issued a subpoena to hand over documents relating to the project, Davis on May 31 filed a restraining order seeking to halt enforcement of that subpoena. District Judge Nicole Sheppard, serving as the "duty judge" granted Davis' request temporarily. Davis said the request was burdensome, too broad in scope. Davis also suggested it would interfere with the inspector general's separate probe, though a city attorney said that would not be the case. Sheppard's temporary order expired June 7, so Davis sought a permanent injunction with Cates, which was denied Wednesday afternoon. The judge told the virtual court room, "I suspect this is not over" in regards to the ongoing legal clashes. "This is a simple case," said District A Council Member Joe Giarrusso. "The council subpoenaed records. The city attorney and the OIG said the documents needed to be produced. Instead, the city ran to court to avoid production. The trial court correctly found documents created by public officials should be made public." Council vice president JP Morrell called it a "victory for transparency." There is absolutely no reason for city employees to shield records from the public, especially after a legally binding subpoena was issued," he said. "The truth will come to light, and the public will be able to discern for themselves, alongside the New Orleans City Council, the contents of these public records. In a separate motion and a win for Davis, however, Cates ruled that the private law firm Sher Garner et al. can keep representing him, despite the council's earlier claims that this violates the city charter. Gambit has reached out to the mayor's office with a request for comment. This story will be updated. The New Orleans City Council Thursday voted to hold two of Mayor LaToya Cantrells top aides in contempt for their refusal to turn over documents related to the failed Smart Cities broadband access project after a district judge refused to block the councils ongoing investigation into the scandal. On a unanimous vote, the council agreed to hold Cantrells Chief of Staff Clifton Davis and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Arthur Walton in contempt. Former Director of Strategic Initiatives Josh Cox, who resigned in May and was also a subject of the subpoenas, complied in some manner with the document request, according to Council President Helena Morenos office. If the officials dont turn over the documents and remain in contempt, which is a misdemeanor charge, they could face a maximum $500 fine or jail time. Prior to the vote, Council President Helena Moreno said, it is really disappointing that we are at this point, adding that this council may not agree on all issues but we do stand united on the fact that we must protect the authority provided us by the city charter. Requesting public information shouldnt be this hard or costly, Moreno said, noting the councils efforts to work with the city on the subpoenas "were met with defiance. My hope now is that there will be compliance with the subpoenas so we can consider dropping the contempt charges, Moreno said. District A Council Member and Budget Chairman Joe Giarrusso agreed, noting the administration repeatedly told the city lawmakers theyd comply and then didnt. Theres a worry that we get lulled into inaction by relying on what weve been told ... I dont like the fighting. I dont think its good for us as a city and a council. Meanwhile, Council Vice President JP Morrell said, What's extremely disturbing to me is that Mr. Davis wasted our resources, he wasted our time and undermined public confidence by trying to create a special exemption for certain people to not respond. He also said he remains concerned that Davis hired outside law firm Sher Garner to fight the subpoenas, pointing out the he didnt go through the legal process to appoint a special counsel. A judge ruled in favor of Davis on that issue and allowed him to retain his attorneys. Members of the public at Thursday's council meeting appeared to support the vote, and complained the public has long faced problems getting basic information from the administration. Y'all been saying what weve been saying all along, said one attendee. In May, the council filed subpoenas with the three officials after Cantrell utility director Jonathan Rhodes, who was in charge of the "Smart Cities plan and approved the choice of consortium including telecom company Qualcomm to implement it, admitted under oath that he and IT advisor Christopher Wolff had formed a company that consulted with Qualcomm before its selection. Qualcomm ultimately pulled out of the deal and the project has been scrapped for now. Last week Davis sought to block the investigation entirely, arguing the subpoenas were overly burdensome and would conflict with an ongoing Inspector General inquiry, even though city attorney Donesia Turner and IG Ed Michel both denied that. Davis filed a temporary restraining order against the council that expired June 7 with acting duty judge Nicole Sheppard and then sought a permanent injunction with District Judge Sidney H. Cates IV. At a Wednesday hearing, Cates denied his request, which set the stage for the Thursday contempt vote. The contempt vote is a significant escalation in a series of clashes between the council and Cantrell, who has chafed at its oversight efforts and demands for reforms to a variety of city agencies. PIGGS PEAK A member of the Lutsango Regiment gave her take on the major cause of gender-based violence (GBV) towards older women. Lutsango is a traditional regiment for married women. Yesterday, Lutsango members had been invited to the Piggs Peak Town Councils commemoration of International Womens Day. The event was held at Gobolondlo Hall in collaboration with the Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA), as well as the Alliance of Mayors Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL). Delisile Dlamini, who spoke on behalf of Lutsango, said many people did not know the truth about the real cause of GBV. She said many women ended up being assaulted when they left their homes to find someone who was younger, who she referred to as a Ben 10. The term Ben 10 is often used to refer to someone who is in a relationship with an older woman, at least 10 years older. Delisile said the reason was that men allegedly failed to satisfy their wives sexually. Satisfy Labancane bayayeweta inkomazi, she said figuratively, meaning the younger ones were able to satisfy the woman sexually.Sewutawuhlala uhlalele bantfwana, said Delisile, meaning a woman would continue living in the same house with her husband because of the children, yet she was not sexually satisfied. Kuliciniso kutsi ingati iyagijima, sengiyaphuma kutsi ngiyozama embili selicala, added Delisile to mean that they also had sexual feelings yet when they left their homes to try and get satisfaction elsewhere, they ended up in trouble. Delisile said women also enjoyed sexual intimacy and needed to be satisfied, yet their husbands did not see this as important. She also said the other challenge was that some men had developed erectile dysfunction due to medical problems such as diabetes. Nalabo babe lesihlala nabo wena make Ndlela, kuliciniso kutsi nale dayideng ihamba iphelelwe ngemandla kulabanye bo babe, she said, informally meaning some of their men developed erectile dysfunction. The former Minister of Health, Sibongile Ndlela-Simelane, burst into laughter and appeared shocked at Delisiles statement as she continued explaining why abuse was common in homes. Simelane was representing AMICAALL. Delisile did not hide her dissatisfaction with men whom she said failed to sexually satisfy their wives. Laba nibabona baphetse nje bayasidoja shem, she said as her fellow lutsango members continued to cheer her on. They ululated and while some performed the kutsamba dance around her. Her remarks attracted applause and ululation not only from members of lutsango, but also among other guests who were present. Another form of abuse, according to Delisle, was of men not financially supporting their spouses. More than two dozen classic cars owned by embattled nursing home owner Bob Dean, a collection that includes a 1930's coupe owned by a prominent member of the French Resistance and several vintage Corvettes, will be auctioned later this month after the vehicles were seized as collateral for an unpaid $10 million loan. According to court records, Baton Rouge-based Investar loaned the money to Dean in August, before he became embroiled in controversy for sending nearly 1,000 residents from his elder care homes in Louisiana to a warehouse following Hurricane Ida. Dozens of Dean's clients died after spending time in the sweltering and fetid conditions, though only a handful of the deaths have been directly linked to the storm. Since then, Investar has filed foreclosure actions against Dean Classic Cars LLC in Missouri, New Hampshire, Mississippi and Georgia. Seizure orders were issued, according to court records. Earlier this month, a judge in Upson County Superior Court in Thomaston, Georgia, found Dean in contempt of court for failing to appear at a hearing where he would have been required to put up further collateral or be jailed. The court has issued a warrant for Dean's arrest, according to the Upson County Clerk of Court's office. One of Dean's legal representatives said Dean wasn't able to comment because he is suffering from dementia. Dean first said through lawyers in February that he wasn't fit to sit for depositions or other legal appearances because of the condition. Investar and its lawyers declined to comment. Over the last few months, Investar has managed to take possession of Dean's antique cars from various locations around the country. Those cars will be auctioned on June 25 at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. A rare and extensive collection Lawrence Green, CEO of Henderson Auctions, said Dean's 28 cars will be part of an auction of up to 100 classic automobiles. Dean had been a vintage car collector and trader for decades. Green said his collection includes some gems. "It is very rare to have an auction of bank-seized classic cars, period. But this is an especially large collection with some very rare and high value examples," Green said. The car with the most interesting backstory, Green reckons, is the Delahaye 135 Coupe des Alpes Chapron Roadster. Built in 1937, the coupe's first owner was a young French industrialist called Cyriel Depery, who joined the French Resistance after the Nazis took over the country. Auction background on the car includes a photograph of Depery and fellow members of the Resistance driving the Delahaye through the streets of Depery's home town, Annecy, in the Haute-Savoie region of France, on August 20, 1944, when it was liberated. Green said he believes Dean acquired the car just last year. Probably the most valuable of Dean's cars up for auction, Green said, is a 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Gangloff Coupe. There were only just over 700 of the stylish touring cars built by Jean Bugatti between 1934 and 1940 and the one in auction has been restored to "Concours" level. "There is probably only a handful of these models in this condition in the world," said Green. NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Restored antiques, flashy racecars There is no reserve price for the Bugatti or any of the other seized vehicles. The price Dean paid is not being disclosed but the model has sold at auction at between about $800,000 and $1.5 million over the last five years, according to Classic.com, which tracks those prices. Dean's seized collection includes other immaculately restored antiques, like a 1938 Peugeot Darl'mat and a 1939 Packard Twelve Cabriolet. There are several racecars, like a 1967 Sunbeam Tiger, a 1964 Cheetah, and a 1996 Lola T96-50. There are also several Chevrolet Corvettes from the 1950s and 1960s. The auction will include some curiosities, like vintage Ford work trucks and a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda that has only 87 original miles on it. Antique work trucks The Plymouth was bought straight off the factory floor by a man named Phil Reardon who had plans to turn it into a drag racer, Green said. Reardon raced the car 30 times before he died early from natural causes. The car has since been owned by collectors and dealers who drove it only to move it in and out of showrooms and storage. While the rarest and most sought after cars in the collection are expected to attract bids in seven figures, some of cars are in the $250,000-to-$600,000 range, Green said. The 1958 Facel Vega FV-4 Typhoon, for example, was the first non-bespoke vehicle made by the same French firm that produced the Delahaye. Though it has more prosaic styling than the earlier custom-built cars, the auction background says the cars were fancied by Hollywood movie stars and socialites of its era. "The Facel Vega has a Chrysler engine but the interior features were very luxurious for 1958," Green said. Other legal battles The foreclosures come amid several legal battles Dean has faced in recent months. The Louisiana Attorney General has opened a criminal investigation into last year's incident. Dean is trying to have licenses for his seven nursing homes reinstated after the state of Louisiana revoked them. Also, Dean is resisting efforts by the federal government to ban him from housing any residents who receive assistance from federal programs. Meanwhile, dozens of nursing home residents also are suing Dean over conditions in his facilities. Austin Nguyen was shot in the head almost 18 months ago. But it wasn't until this week that police put a suspect behind bars. Mark Conley, 21, was arrested and charged Monday with second degree murder for gunning down 20-year-old Nguyen on Jan. 19, 2021 in the 2700 block of Marigny Street. He was also booked with attempted second degree murder in the botched killing of another man at the scene, police wrote in court documents. Detectives allegedly tied Conley to the crimes through DNA testing. A witness told police that when she got home from an errand around 3 p.m., a relative who was picking up trash in her backyard called her to come quickly. The relative had found Nguyen, who had been shot twice, once in the head and once in the neck. Paramedics brought Nguyen to a hospital where he died, according to documents. Investigators later discovered that another victim was in the hospital after being shot in the head at the same location, documents said. A second witness told investigators that the shooter was wearing a blue and white surgical mask, and through the course of their investigation, the New Orleans Police Department began to focus on Conley, the documents said. Louisiana State Police tested a sample of Conley's DNA and found that it matched DNA from a surgical mask at the scene. NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Conley was arrested Monday during a traffic stop in St. Mary Parish, according to the documents. Michael Kennedy, Conley's lawyer, cast doubt on the strength of the case, saying there was no blood splatter or gunshot residue found on the mask. He also said the mask alone is not sufficient evidence, considering everyone was wearing them at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "How many times did I see people open their car doors and see masks tumbling out?" he said. "Are those people potential murder suspects now?" Kennedy said his client was unaware that an arrest warrant had been issued. Conley remains jailed at the Orleans Parish Justice Center on a $125,000 bond. Nguyen's family couldn't be immediately reached for comment. Anyone with information about this crime can call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. A Gretna woman was arrested Tuesday and jailed on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, accused of attacking her father and grandmother with a hatchet, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said. The victims suffered grisly injuries, hit on the head and body. Both are expected to survive, said Capt. Jason Rivarde, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. Authorities identified the suspect as Amanda Benton, 25. Benton is accused of forcing her way into her 59-year-old father's Morningside Drive home in Terrytown, just before 6 a.m. Sunday, Rivarde said. Benton is accused of attacking her father with the hatchet while he slept. Benton allegedly hacked at his face and arm, striking him multiple times, Rivarde said. NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Authorities said she also attacked her grandmother, 84, hitting the woman in the head and collarbone. Benton then ran from the house. Investigators aren't sure what provoked the attack. The Sheriff's Office searched for Benton two days before she was arrested Tuesday. In addition to the attempted first-degree murder charges, Benton was booked with aggravated burglary. She was being held Wednesday without bond at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. A man who was injured in a Little Woods shooting Wednesday afternoon died later at the hospital, New Orleans police said. Update: Bloody 24 hours leaves 3 dead, 3 injured in New Orleans The gunfire was first reported to police at 3:23 p.m. in the 8000 block of Trapier Avenue. There, police said, a man who was shot was taken to a hospital by paramedics. Police announced at 8:46 p.m. that the man had died at the hospital. No other details were immediately available. Two hours before church sex abuse victims on a court-appointed committee were scheduled to address Archbishop Gregory Aymond in bankruptcy court, a federal judge put a stop to it and removed four of the six victims from the panel. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Grabill said in her order that she was forced to remove them because one of their attorneys, Richard Trahant, had allegedly disclosed highly confidential information in violation of her previous orders. That leaves only two members remaining on a committee representing about 450 alleged victims of sexual abuse by clergy in the Archdiocese of New Orleans two-year-old bankruptcy case. The committee was going to court Tuesday to begin mediation, a process to decide how much money the archdiocese owes its creditors. Victims of sexual abuse by clergy were prepared to argue the church owes them damages for allegedly allowing abuse to happen and covering it up. This really changes the momentum of the bankruptcy, said James Adams, the chairman of the committee and one of the four who were removed because they are represented by Trahant. This could add tremendous delays to the process on the very day when mediation was scheduled to begin. Grabills order says an investigation by the U.S. Trustee, an officer of the court who acts as a neutral representative of the Justice Department in bankruptcy cases, found that Trahant disclosed protected information to an unnamed third party and the media, but the report was filed under seal and remained secret. Grabills order says because of Trahants alleged actions, she was forced to remove his clients from the committee and would hold a hearing to consider sanctions against Trahant. But Adams said he and Trahants other clients were never given a chance to choose a different lawyer. Im not a lawyer, but its very strange to me that the perceived actions of someone else would lead the judge to sanction the members of the committee, Adams said. Its shocking. It really is. Trahant said punishing his clients for his actions is unfair to them and all the sexual abuse victims they represent. NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Our four clients who were removed from the Unsecured Creditors Committee did nothing wrong, he said. These child sexual abuse survivors have volunteered their time selflessly and have given incredible effort for the past two years to hold the Archdiocese of New Orleans accountable while representing the interests of approximately 450 sexual abuse survivors in this bankruptcy. This is a sad day for childhood sexual abuse survivors and for those who advocate for them, but we will continue to represent our clients zealously. As a member of the committee, Adams had access to sealed court records, and he said the judges allegation that Trahant disclosed confidential information is not consistent with what I know to be the actions of Richard Trahant. Richard Windmann, head of the advocacy group Survivors of Childhood Sex Abuse, also blasted Grabills order, saying it robbed (victims) of their voices in the midst of their abusers. The archdiocese declined to comment on Grabills order. In addition to ousting the four committee members, Grabills order prevents Trahant and two attorneys he works with, Soren Gisleson and John Denenea, from participating in settlement negotiations from now on. Trahant, Gisleson and Denenea represent almost one in every five claimants alleging child sexual abuse in the bankruptcy case. They also handled nearly all of three dozen sexual abuse lawsuits that were pending against the archdiocese in state court seeking millions of dollars in damages when the local church filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2020. By filing for bankruptcy, the archdiocese was able to stop those civil court cases in their tracks, including preventing Aymond and other top church officials from having to testify under oath in depositions. And since then, according to court records, Grabill has kept secret hundreds of documents related to the child sexual abuse claims. According to a court transcript from July 2020, Grabill refused to accept into the record documents related to sexual abuse claims against a living former priest, Lawrence Hecker. The archdiocese acknowledged Hecker was credibly accused of sexually abusing minors in 2018, but Trahant and Gisleson argued in 2020 that records of the allegations against him, disclosed in a state court lawsuit, were not fully reported to law enforcement. Instead of letting those documents into the bankruptcy case, Grabill said she would destroy them because they had been sealed previously by a state court. Trahant and Gisleson said they have not been allowed to see the U.S. Trustees report and were not given a chance to rebut the claim that Trahant disclosed confidential information. Gisleson said they will challenge the courts ruling. A proposal to build new condominiums in West End on the New Orleans lakefront that has raised flooding concerns among area businesses and residents will be the subject of a public permit hearing Thursday. The hearing will be at 6 p.m. at New Orleans Lakefront Airport by the state Department of Natural Resources. The Pearl condominiums, proposed by Oceana USA LLC, originally was going to be a 15-story facility that would include a parking garage and condos on South Roadway Street, adjacent to the Municipal Yacht Harbor and on a segment of the New Basin Canal just north of the Sewerage & Water Board's Pump Station 12. The project would be outside the lakefront hurricane levee. In May, the developers submitted a dramatically smaller condo proposal that included only six floors of condos, parking and amenity space, but DNR officials said the revision couldn't be acted upon until an initial decision was made on renewing a permit request for the project that expired in 2021. That decision also would include a two-year extension of the time for its construction to begin. Both versions of the project plans call for about 800 cubic yards of fill material to be added to the canal, which would allow a part of the building and its balconies to be built atop a sliver of what is now canal water. Opponents of the project, including the Lakeshore Property Owners' Association, the Municipal Yacht Harbor Management Corp. and the Southern Yacht Club, as well as several tenants of nearby boathouses, contend narrowing the flow of water in the canal will increase the potential for flooding of boathouses and businesses in the area. New Orleans District A Council Member Joe Giarrusso, who represents Lakeview, also has opposed the project because of the potential flooding concerns. The canal serves as the outlet for rainfall runoff pumped from about 1,600 acres of the Lakeview neighborhood by Pump Station 12, and if the pump station is operating during high tides, the narrowing of the waterway could cause water levels to rise a foot or more, opponents told the DNR in written comment letters. The S&WB is presently working with the Army Corps of Engineers to find ways of reducing flash flooding in Lakeview during thunderstorms, which might result in more water being pumped into the canal, the opponent letters said. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges said the agency will be checking in with the S&WB on the results of that investigation and take them into account as part of the permit decision. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In a response to similar questions about the canal fill's effects raised by the state agency, the engineering firm planning the project for Oceana said there would be little increase in water heights. Engineer Jamie Saxon pointed out the narrow segment of the canal is only 165 feet long and would only raise water levels in that area by 10 inches, and would be unnoticeable in other parts of the harbor and in the lake. In part, that's because the higher water flows back into the wider portion of the canal after moving past the new building, and again drops in height. And the narrowing also would not cause a backup of water that would affect the flow from the pump station, he said. Richard Sackett, chief executive of Oceana, said in an interview Wednesday that the canal is only authorized for a width of 60 feet and that the area presently is used by yachts and houseboats that take up much of that room. The proposed building's footprint would not impinge on the navigation channel, he said. The S&WB has not yet taken a position on the project because the developers had not provided the agency with details of the project, said S&WB Executive Director Ghassan Korban, though correspondence in the DNR online database shows the developers did point S&WB officials to the documents they had filed with the state agency. "Once we do, we will evaluate with care the impact of the project on our canal," he said. "Therefore, it is premature to ascertain what impacts this project will have on the New Basin Canal. "While we generally support future development in our city, our utmost priority is to protect our canals from any potential negative impacts that may diminish our ability to pump storm water," Korban said. Opponents also had raised questions about the original plans for the project to be 15 stories high, towering 159 feet and dwarfing other buildings in the area. They pointed out that it would also block the view of boats attempting to enter the yacht harbor. The opponents contend that height would be in violation of New Orleans zoning rules that limit the height of buildings in the yacht harbor area. However, the proposed reduction of the project to six stories, or 65 feet, might bring it in line with city rules. Sackett, who is best known for developing television commercials for plaintiff law firms in Louisiana, Texas and nationwide, is also a former member of the Orleans Levee Board. He said his decision to downsize the condo plan was made to meet neighbor concerns. He said the new plan also would include space for resident and visitor parking within the building. "The new building has been redesigned smaller in mass than the Southern Yacht Club and the condos across from them, and while each of those buildings violate the zoning heights, we do not," he said. The mysterious bug thats been devouring coastal marshes in Louisiana over the last six years likely came aboard a ship from Beijing, new research has found. And the solution to this insect invasion may also come from China. A study led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture traced the bug, a tiny, sap-sucking insect known as a scale, to the region in northeast China that surrounds Beijing. Genetic analysis of the scales that have been spreading across Gulf Coast marshlands since 2016 shows they likely descended from a small group that traveled to Louisiana in a single event, probably via infected plants that somehow ended up on a ship while it was docked in Beijing. The study, published last month in the scientific journal Biological Invasions, suggests recruiting help from the scales natural enemies in south China, where scale predators and parasites may be better suited to Louisianas subtropical climate. The rice-grain-sized insect feeds almost exclusively on Phragmites australis, a hardy, thick-rooted reed known locally as roseau cane. Roseau is considered the lower Mississippi River Deltas best natural defense against storms, sea level rise and other factors contributing to Louisiana's land loss crisis. But roseau has been dying at an unprecedented rate since the insect appeared. In the roseau-dominated marshlands of Plaquemines Parish south of Venice, land has been reduced to open water in a matter of months. Weakening and dying roseau is most pronounced on the delta's east side, along Main Pass, Pass a Loutre and South Pass areas that are part of the states Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area and the neighboring Delta National Wildlife Refuge, which are a combined 165,000 acres. Scientists have estimated the scale has damaged more than 80 percent of land in both wildlife areas. Its unclear how much land has disappeared, but some roseau marshes showed nearly 1,000 feet of retreat over a 16-month period, according to an analysis by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Unraveling roseau marshes may impede river shipping, harm various near-shore fisheries, and expose hundreds of oil wells to waves and storms, state officials say. In 2017, the scale was mostly confined to Plaquemines, but as of December, the scale was found along every stand of roseau surveyed in coastal Louisiana, according to Rodrigo Diaz, an LSU AgCenter entomologist. The scale has also popped up in Mississippi and east Texas marshlands. Scientists still arent sure how to combat the scales spread. They cant spray pesticides because bug-killing chemicals would harm other animals in Louisianas sensitive wetlands. In China, scale outbreaks are battled with fire, but burns in wet environments require large doses of toxic accelerants, and the presence of oil wells and pipelines on the coast raises safety concerns. One of the scales natural enemies is already in Louisiana a parasitic wasp that apparently crossed the Pacific Ocean with the scale. The tiny black wasp uses the scales body as a sort of edible nursery. The larvae the wasp injects into scales grow into adolescence while feeding on the scales insides. As nightmarish as the wasps methods are, they havent been very effective at curbing the scales explosive growth in Louisiana, possibly because the wasp does best in the cooler temperatures of north China. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The study suggests looking for a warmer-weather scale enemy, perhaps one that likes to eat scales and could thrive, as the scale has, in Louisiana's hot and humid climate. Ecological niche modeling conducted by the USDA suggests southern China, Malaysia or Indonesia might have just the thing. This means the search for natural enemies could be optimized, Diaz said. Natural enemies found in these regions could have the best chance to attack the roseau cane scale in Louisiana (and) adapt to our climate. The study recommends foreign exploration efforts to find south Asian scale predators and parasites. The study didnt indicate when or how these efforts would be undertaken. Introducing more foreign species to combat a problematic one could have unforeseen consequences. Its unclear how the USDA would manage potential blowback. The studys lead author was unable to discuss the study. The fight against the scale began in earnest in 2019, when Congress appropriated $1 million to fund roseau and scale research. State and other federal resources brought the total to $2.4 million, allowing the expansion of a small research team that includes Diaz and other LSU scientists. That funding is set to run out this summer. One potential remedy identified in the research is to foster the growth of a European strain of roseau that is much more resistant to the scale than the varieties already in Louisiana. But European roseau is, like the scale, an aggressive invader. On the East Coast and along the Great Lakes, European roseau pushes out native plants, clogs waterways and has been the target of expensive removal efforts for decades. On the positive side, the European roseau might prevent large sections of the Mississippi Delta from washing away. European roseau could be strategically planted where local varieties are in rapid retreat and then managed to control its spread, said Jim Cronin, an LSU ecologist. Recent trial plantings in scale-damaged marshes havent offered much hope, though. While the European roseau manages to keep scales at bay, the plant doesnt appear to like Louisiana marshes. Cronin admits the results were a surprise, but he stressed more research and time is needed to determine European roseaus potential to revive Louisianas marshes, possibly in combination with the scales natural enemies and other solutions. Its a complicated problem, and were attacking it from a lot of different directions, he said. A battle between Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the City Council over their respective powers continued to rage on Wednesday as a judge upheld the council's subpoena for records about the canceled "smart city" broadband project from a top administration official. Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Sidney Cates IV denied the city's request for a preliminary and permanent injunction blocking the subpoena issued last month to Clifton Davis, the mayor's chief of staff. "But I suspect this is not over," Cates said as he issued his decision, foreshadowing what could be a lengthy fight between the two branches of city government. An attorney for the city immediately said he would appeal the ruling. With Cates ruling in hand, the council prepared to vote Thursday on contempt motions against Davis and another top staffer. At issue is City Hall's multimillion-dollar smart city plan that was canceled in April amid accusations of bid-rigging and concerns about whether it would infringe on residents' privacy. The consortium that won the right to negotiate a contract, which was never finalized, had outside ties to two city officials involved in the 2021 procurement process. Subpoenas rebuffed The City Council opened a rare formal investigation into the project in April, and called Jonathan Rhodes, head of the city's office of utilities, to testify about his interactions with the winning bidders. On May 10, it sent subpoenas to Davis and two other city officials asking for a raft of documents related to the procurement process. Instead of turning over the documents by a May 31 deadline, on June 1 Davis filed a lawsuit against the City Council. The next day, he secured a temporary restraining order from Judge Nicole Sheppard that blocked the subpoena. The order also halted the council from seeking contempt charges against Davis and Arthur Walton, the mayors director of intergovernmental affairs, for failure to comply. Parallel probes On Wednesday, attorney James Garner, who was hired by the Mayor's Office to represent Davis, appeared before Cates via Zoom to make the city's case. He argued that the council's investigation is interfering with a simultaneous probe by New Orleans Inspector General Ed Michel. Michel personally appeared at City Hall last month to request computers and cellphones as part of his probe, the Mayors Office said in a recent statement, adding that it complied with his requests. NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up However, City Council attorney Adam Swensek noted that both Michel and City Attorney Donesia Turner said there was no reason the council could not pursue its own investigation at the same time. Cates said that while the two sides had raised sweeping legal questions about the separation of powers, he was making his decision on a narrower ground. Davis has not received a subpoena from the inspector general, so there is no reason to find a conflict between the investigations, he said. "The issues just don't appear to be that broad, and you both seem to be expanding this beyond whats before me today," said Cates. Garner said he intends to file a writ with the state 4th Circuit Court of Appeal within 48 hours and asked the judge to stay his ruling while the appeal plays out. Cates declined to immediately decide whether to issue a stay. Cates did hand Garner a win on a side issue. He said that the Mayors Office was within its rights to ink a $15,000 contract to hire Garners firm to represent Davis. The City Council said the firm should be kicked off the case because the mayor failed to seek council approval for its hiring. A promise to 'work with' council Within minutes, City Council President Helena Moreno and Vice President JP Morrell issued a statement hailing the judge's decision. Todays ruling is a victory for government transparency and accountability in its purest form, said Morrell. There is absolutely no reason for city employees to shield records from the public, especially after a legally-binding subpoena was issued. The truth will come to light, and the public will be able to discern for themselves, alongside the New Orleans City Council, the contents of these public records. The Mayors Office issued a statement that promised to work with the council. "Although Judge Sidney Cates ruling is regrettable, we respect the court's decision," said Gregory Joseph, a spokesperson for Cantrell. "Our office will continue to fully cooperate with the Office of Inspector Generals inquiry and work with the City Council to satisfy their demands in a timely manner." Contempt sought While the judge's decision likely won't be the last word on the subpoena request, it does open the door for the City Council to pursue misdemeanor contempt of council charges at its hearing Thursday, as long as Cates does not issue a stay. Moreno and Morrell said the council will consider contempt motions against Davis and Walton at the start of the hearing. The motions are only the first step of a process that could result in Davis and Walton being forced to pay fines or serve jail time. The motions direct the city attorney or such other person with lawful prosecutorial power to pursue contempt charges in court. As the attorney for both the mayor and the council, Turner would most likely recuse herself. At that point, she could refer the case to Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams. MBABANE Dead end! This phrase has proven to be true following the obtaining scenario at the joint negotiations forum (JNF). Shortly after the resumption of talks yesterday, the government negotiations team (GNT) and public sector associations (PSAs) failed to agree on the items on the agenda. This has resulted in PSAs agreeing to register a dispute with CMAC today. Last week, PSAs petitioned government following its last-minute postponement of the JNF, citing other commitments by the GNT. However, the talks could not continue yesterday as they did not agree on the items on the agenda. This follows an agreement that was reached during the last JNF meeting to have the negotiations framework come first on the agenda, followed by 2016 appeals, allowances and salary review exercise. However, government on the other hand, wanted the sequence of the agenda to be COLA, negotiations framework, appeals and salary review. Both parties then agreed in principle that the negotiations framework should be the first item. Withdrew Government had a change of heart yesterday and withdrew the agreement. This was after PSAs refused that the cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA) be placed as a second item on the agenda. Articulating on what transpired during the meeting, Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Deputy Secretary General Simanga Khumalo said trouble began when they were supposed to take up item number two on the agenda, which had to be appeals but government insisted on discussing CoLA. Khumalo said if the 2022/2023 CoLA was placed ahead of 2016 appeals and allowances, it did not make sense to them as the judgment made would be on a false position. If 2016 allowances will be effected as per the salary review, it means when 2022/2023 is effected, it will be on improved wages. Khumalo said this was because if the 2016 review stated that housing allowance was at 3 500 which had not been effected and when this years CoLA was included, it would add on top of the allowance which would make the wages much better. However, he mentioned that if CoLA was ahead on the agenda and discussed before the appeals and allowances, it would mean they were disregarding the pending 2016 salary review process, yet it would allow members to survive the current economic situation. He stated that item two, which had to be discussed, were appeals, while three was allowances. These issues, he said, were not exhausted from the 2016 salary review. He said as PSAs, they were of the view that they needed to complete those issues first because the salary review for 2021/2022 would also have its own appeals and allowances. Khumalo said they hoped that they would first address the pending issues before engaging on the new ones. Government refused to discuss the items and also went to the extent of withdrawing item number one on the agenda. The deputy SG said the differences between the PSAs and government were delaying the JNF as they were failing to come up with the agenda for 2022/2023. He said following the disagreements, they were yet to consult on the way forward. Khumalo stated that the order of priority on the agenda was informed by their principals. He said parties needed to justify why they wanted a specific item to be discussed. He said their argument was that the issues were common, adding that the challenge was prioritising them. By allowing the negotiations forum to be first on the agenda is because the other issues will then automatically fall into place. He said government, on the other hand, was not prepared to justify why they wanted CoLA to come second on the agenda. Khumalo said they raised their concerns that they were not meeting at the JNF to be dictated to by government but instead to be partners and look at issues in order of their priority. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service Sipho Tsabedze said they wanted CoLA to be the first item, but the PSAs refused and wanted the negotiations framework. Tsabedze said through the spirit of negotiation, they allowed for it on condition that CoLA was second on the agenda. PSAs are not negotiating but dictating. He said the challenge with PSAs was that they were dictating and wanted government to take their sequence. The PS said all they wanted was for the items to alternate, being PSAs item and government followed which they believed was fair. Tsabedze said they also felt CoLA was a priority and that nothing would be disregarded if it came second on the agenda. MBABANE An investigation into operations of Siteki SOS Childrens Village has unearthed alleged acts of corruption, forgery and fraud involving millions of Emalangeni. According to a forensic audit report, out of E3 699 606.60 that was spent by Siteki SOS Childrens Village from January 2021 to September 2021, a total of E2 736 567.59 covering the seven months of January, February, April, May, June, August and September had no documented records supporting the expenses. According to the auditors, the whereabouts of the files could not be established, both at Siteki SOS Childrens Village and the national office. The alleged acts of corruption, fraud and nepotism within the Siteki SOS Childrens Village, were unearthed after the management of SOS Childrens Villages conducted a project costs analysis where it uncovered fraudulent activities, which were allegedly carried out by the management of Siteki SOS Childrens Village. The forensic audit report, which was carried out by an independent auditor, also reportedly found that there were many fraudulent activities which took place in the Siteki SOS Childrens Village and were among others allegedly perpetrated by the management. Investigations In their report, the auditors further highlighted that in their investigations they also unearthed that a total of E517 657.26 was withdrawn by the local leadership (programmes director, finance assistant and human resource assistant), using staff not connected with the activities for which it was withdrawn. This was allegedly done to disguise their fraudulent acts. It alleged that Ezrome Magagula, who was the Programme Director in charge of the Siteki SOS Childrens Village and Themba Shija, who was the Director of Finance Administrator, were behind the fraudulent activities in the institution. The auditors stated that in a period spanning from 2019 to 2021, Magagula and Shija allegedly abused the eWallet system (from First National Bank) and sent monies to their subordinates and would immediately request them (subordinates) to forward them the PINs for withdrawing the money. Payments It was further alleged that some of the eWallet payments were loaded by the director of finance on Saturdays and/or weekends through the online banking service and were approved by Magagula. In the report, the auditors mentioned that the conduct of the duo (Magagula and Shija) was deliberate and calculated to defraud SOS Childrens Village of the monies sent via eWallet to their subordinates. The auditors also pointed out that SOS Eswatini might get penalised by regulatory authorities like Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) as loss of financial records was deemed as an action to evade taxes. They stated that missing of key payment documents was an indicator of fraud. It was further the auditors findings, that in November 2018, SOS Childrens Village paid E7 304.17 to Baceth Hardware in Siteki for the construction of a guardhouse. The materials, according to the auditors, were requested by the child and youth development coordinator and approved by the programmes director. The auditors said they did not find any documented evidence to prove that the materials were delivered and used in the SOS Siteki facility. The procurement was reportedly made before any process covering design of the guard house and bill of quantities had been initiated. An interview with the manager of Baceth Hardware found no details of the staff member who picked the items as the payment was made in cash on March 20, 2019. Audit also noted that, Siteki SOS Childrens Village did not indicate the details of the member of staff who initiated the purchase, reads part of the report. The child and youth development coordinator reportedly told the auditors that she had no knowledge of the procurement of the material above. Fraudulent The auditors mentioned that SOS Childrens Village suffered financial loss due to the items procured and not delivered. It was further their observation that payments into different accounts were an indication of fraudulent transactions. The audit noted that the Siteki programmes director appointed three co-workers as procurement committee members, namely; child and youth coordinator, kindergarten cook and Siteki SOS Childrens Village driver. The investigation revealed that the kindergarten cook and the driver never participated in any procurement committee meetings to deliberate on items to be procured by the Siteki SOS Childrens Village, much as their names were used in procurement documents. Audit also noted forgeries of the signature of the driver and the kindergarten cook in the report allegedly from the procurement team dated October 22, 2019, supporting the procurement of building blocks and river sand for the guard house of E7 775 paid to R.D. Kaye through eWallet, reads part of the report. It was observed by the auditors that all the illegal procurement team members never participated in any process but their names and signatures were used multiple times in various transactions. The appointment of the junior staff with limited knowledge of the procurement process and limited ability to question the intentions of the senior staff was as a result of fraudulent intentions of the programmes director, who in collusion with finance assistant, human resources assistant and child and youth development coordinator, were the principal staff behind most procurement activities as noted in financial records, said the auditors. Communication It was also allegedly discovered that in all the subsequent communication from the procurement committee supporting the various purchase material, the audit noted that the human resource assistant signed in place of the driver indicating (PP), while the kindergarten cook had no knowledge of the construction of the guard house, yet her signatures were on the procurement report as a member. The audit team recommended that the child and youth development coordinator for the Siteki Childrens Villages, who initiated the procurement of the construction material for the guard house, must account for the undelivered construction material and that the costs of same should be recovered from her, the former finance assistant, former human resource assistant and the former programmes director. Review The audit implored the management of the Board to establish an internal audit department for regular and timely review of internal controls and follow up of allegations raised by whistle-blowing calls. The finance assistant of Siteki SOS Childrens Village, according to the report, made himself the procurement officer both in-charge of paying for goods and services and receiving goods. In the malpractices above, the finance assistant disguising his fraudulent activities as having proper segregation of duties would transfer funds for most activity owners to majorly two junior staff members namely; Family Strengthening Field officer, Abel Lukhele and Siteki SOS Childrens Village driver, Nhlanhla Mngometulu through eWallet payment to their respective cellphone numbers, observed the auditors. The auditors report now forms part of court proceedings in the matter where SOS Childrens Village is demanding payment of part of the money from the implicated former employees. The finding is that the manner in which the former programmes director of the Siteki SOS Childrens Village and the finance assistant worked conflicted with SOS policies, in that they never produced physical documents before authorising payments. Upon enquiry from the Siteki team, the former finance assistant would tell them to submit motivation letters through an email, since he was rarely in office, said the auditors. Furthermore, the auditors found that a total of E517 657.26 was unaccounted for. These, according to the report, were eWallets that were allegedly abused by the former management team. The forensic audit report cites the construction of the guard house that was overpriced by E54 717. SOS Childrens Village is demanding E517 657.26 from Magagula who was the Programme Director in charge of the Siteki SOS Childrens Village and Shija, who was the Director of Finance Administrator. The plaintiff (SOS Childrens Village), through its lawyers from Musa M. Sibandze Attorneys, has since taken the duo to court where they are demanding the aforementioned amount. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The benefits of working with the other Chicagoland KL2 leaders and their teams cant be overstated, especially for generating novel approaches, scaling up, and serving as near-peer mentors for each other. Under National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) leadership, the CTSA Program supports a national network of medical research institutions that work together to improve the translational research process to get more treatments to more patients more quickly. The hubs collaborate locally and regionally to catalyze innovation in training, research tools, and processes. In Chicago, three hubs The NUCATS Institute, Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM), and University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) frequently partner on initiatives, both large and small. One such collaboration is The New Normal clinical research recruitment portal, which is an easy-to-understand, mobile tool matching interested individuals with applicable research studies. The New Normal has already connected more than 1,000 people with health research opportunities. The goal is to make health research accessible and approachable, says Sara Serritella, ITM director of communications. Chicago Consortium for Community Engagement Founded more than a decade ago, the Chicago Consortium for Community Engagement (C3) helps bridge the gap between translational research discoveries and the clinical care that improves community and population health. Recognizing this, C3 took the novel step of creating a coordinator for research and evaluation position within the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), a position that Rachelle Paul-Brutus has held since 2017. This position is co-funded by the three Chicagoland CTSA hubs. The consortium is comprised of community stakeholders including CDPH, AllianceChicago, Brenda Boyd (Greater Chatham Initiative), Michelle McCullough, Julius Mercer, Kristin Smith (Health & Medicine Policy Research Group), as well as Chicagos three CTSA hubs. Paul-Brutus is co-chair of C3 alongside Marc Atkins of UIC. There are two unique advantages of C3. First, to our knowledge, we are the only city coordinating the efforts of three CTSA programs, especially related to community-based research, says Atkins. Second, we are among a small group of hubs working directly with our citys health department. Atkins presented on C3 during the ACTS conference and highlighted numerous consortium accomplishments, including: the development of a NUCATS-CCTS dissemination and implementation science workshop; the inclusion of research-based questions in a city-wide survey completed by 4,000 people; and Healthy Chicago 2025 working groups that have helped define CDPH health priorities. EQuaTR Conference The momentum built by the Enhancing Quality in the Translational Research Workforce (EQuaTR) Conference can be seen in a single graph. Presented by Nicole Masen, senior program administrator at the NUCATS Center for Education and Career Development, at Translational Science 2022, the chart showed the sharp increase in EQuaTR registration from 103 in 2016, to 402 last year. Qatar Airways first flight from Doha to Santorini on June 7 was operated by an A320 aircraft and was welcomed by senior executives from Fraport Greece as the aircraft landed at Santorini International Airport for the first time. The airline marked the occasion by creating a bespoke in-flight food menu, designed to embrace traditional Greek cuisine, with specially decorated cutlery bands for all passengers, and an illustrated menu card for Business Class customers. Passengers were also gifted celebratory cupcakes to mark the occasion. The inaugural flight from Doha was operated by Qatari Captain Abdulaziz Al Kaabi and Greek Captain Andrew Evlambides, in honour of the first flight to Santorini. The island destination joins Athens and Mykonos to become the third Greek gateway to be served by the national carrier of the State of Qatar. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, said: The Greek Isles are a leading tourist destination and an important market for Qatar Airways. There is high interest from across our network for flights to Santorini, specifically in the leisure segment. We are committed to offering our passengers as many seamless one-stop connection choices as possible. I am sure visitors from the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Americas will be pleased to have Santorini served by our airline. Alexander Zinell, CEO Fraport Greece said: We feel honoured that Qatar Airways has included Santorini in its network and expanding its presence at the Fraport Greece operated airports. Greece offers to the world some truly iconic holiday destinations and Qatar Airways now makes Santorini accessible from numerous new markets via its Doha hub. The 5-star Qatar Airways product is a perfect match to outstanding Santorini. The travel experience has been further upgraded as our brand-new Santorini Airport Terminal is now completed. We will continue to work with Qatar Airways and partners offering highly efficient airport operations and passenger experience worthy of the Santorini brand name. Seasonal flights to Mykonos resumed on June 3, with four weekly flights, and flights to Athens have increased to a double daily service, offering greater choice for business and leisure passengers alike. With the three weekly flights to Santorini, passengers can now enjoy seamless connectivity to over 150 destinations across the airlines extensive global network via Hamad International Airport, connecting with popular destinations across the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Enhanced connectivity means customers can leave Australia on Friday night and arrive in Santorini by Saturday afternoon. Santorini, famous for its distinctive blue and white architecture and known as Thira, is one of the jewels of the Aegean Sea and its popular with visitors looking for wonderful cuisine and hospitality set against the backdrop of some of the most famous views in the world. Qatar Airways continues to apply its flexible booking policy that offers unlimited changes to travel dates and destinations, and fee-free refunds for all tickets issued for travel completed by 30 September 2022. TradeArabia News Service GARY If you're looking for a new job opportunity, take note that Beyond 4 Walls Christian Center will have a job fair for its new Harvest Square strip mall in Miller Saturday. Beggars Pizza, Blast Laundromat, Chicagoland Popcorn, Don't Be Scared, Harold's Chicken, Lil Coffee Cabin, Litehouse Whole Foods Grill, Phenomenal Ribs 2 and Steel City Bakery will be looking to hire workers at the job and health fair. The Beyond 4 Walls Christian Center Job Fair and Da'Fellas Outdoor Community and Health Workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at 875 S. Lake St. "All the shops will be there," Beyond 4 Walls Deacon Barbara Leek said. "The job fair is being held in conjunction with a men's health day event in the parking lot. All are welcome. It's not just open to church members." Beyond 4 Walls Christian Center, which is led by Pastor Maurice White Jr., came together to raise the funds needed to construct the new strip mall on U.S. 30 in Gary's Miller neighborhood. It aims to bring more businesses and services to Miller, Aetna and Gary's East Side. The commercial development will make it easier for Gary residents to find somewhere to eat, get their hair cut or grab a cup of coffee. The church put down a down payment for the Harvest Square strip mall and plans to service the mortgage with the rent it collects. Beyond 4 Walls Christain Center has been working on the project since 2019 but it faced multiple delays with COVID-19, supply chain disruptions and Lake Street and South Shore Line construction. The Harvest Square strip mall is however now 100% leased out and plans to open by as soon as the end of July. Leek said companies are looking to fill a variety of positions such as cashiers, cooks and managers. Some will hire right on the spot, she said. "All of the owners and vendors will be there," she said. "They're getting ready to open soon." For more information, call 219-938-0731. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The United Steelworkers union is gearing up for contract talks this summer with Northwest Indiana's biggest steelmakers. The current contracts were reached four years ago with U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal USA, which will be replaced at the bargaining table with Cleveland-Cliffs, which bought most of its U.S. assets and assumed the labor agreement already in place. Now the two sides of labor and management will again hammer out deals that will affect wages, benefits, working conditions and workplace safety. The outcome of the collective bargaining will affect more than 10,000 steelworkers in Northwest Indiana, the steel capital of North America with half the nation's blast furnaces. Contract talks between union locals and steel mill management kicked off this week. National contract talks are slated to start July 11, USW District 7 Director Mike Millsap said. The United Steelworkers union is in the process of surveying its members about what they want out of the next deal. "I can't tell you what the main issues are yet," Millsap said. "I can tell you we want a fair and equitable agreement." The last round of contract talks in 2018 was often contentious with steelworkers threatening the largest strike in decades after threatened clawbacks of health care benefits. After months of negotiations, workers finally ratified four-year contracts with U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal USA with cumulative raises of 14% over four years, improved benefits and stronger contract language. Thousands of steelworkers rallied for a fair contract in Burns Harbor, Gary, East Chicago and Crown Point during the previous round of talks in 2015, when contracts still typically ran three years. Steelmakers, who were financially struggling amid of surge of cheap imports at the time, were asking for pay freezes and for workers to pay thousands of more dollars a year in out-of-pocket expenses for health insurance. The unions fought to save the benefits they attained through generations of collective bargaining. "I hope they don't try anything this time," Millsap said. "They haven't indicated what they're going to do." This time, steelmakers have benefited from stronger tariffs, improved marketed conditions and relatively elevated prices for the last few years. Both of Northwest Indiana's Big Two steelmakers posted record profits and other financial metrics last year. The USW will go to the bargaining table with both U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs, which has been the first to reach an agreement with the steelworkers during recent rounds of talks. Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves has often said he views the union as partners with shared goals for a prosperous steel industry, middle class and Midwest, where much of the company's business is concentrated. "Out of respect for the bargaining process, we do not discuss specifics of our labor negotiations," Cleveland-Cliffs spokeswoman Patricia Persico said." Cleveland-Cliffs and the USW have successfully negotiated equitable agreements for decades, and we share several common goals. Our relationship at both the local and national levels are respectful and based on these common goals. We look forward to begin discussions and plan to bargain in good faith with the goal to reach an equitable agreement with the USW." The USW also is negotiating on behalf of 10,000 steelworkers nationwide employed at U.S. Steel. It will seek a new contract for workers in production, maintenance, plant protection, security, emergency services and office and technical at 13 locations around the country. The deal will include Local 1014 and Local 1066 at Gary Works, Local 6103 at the Midwest Plant and Local 2695 at Gary Works and the Midwest Plant. The USW will send bargaining teams to reach a master contract with both Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel. Union locals will also simultaneously hash out agreements with local management on site-specific issues like parking, bathrooms and lunch rooms. Once a tentative preliminary agreement is reached, a detailed summary will be mailed to all union members in good standing with their dues. They will get to vote to either ratify or reject the deal. "We're looking for better pay, more health insurance and better pensions," Millsap said. "It's the same thing workers always want." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HAMMOND The first graduating class of Hammond Central High School was told at its ceremony Wednesday to never stop learning. "There are many different ways to continue to grow," guest speaker David Jasper said. There were 365 graduates, all from the former Gavit High School, Clark Middle/High School and Hammond High School. Jasper, a leader in the information technology field, emphasized the students had many paths ahead of them. The ceremony began with a formal welcome from De'Aria Morris, class secretary and treasurer. She said that while they come from different backgrounds, they are all united as Hammond Central students. "No matter where we go, or what we do, there will be challenges. But we must face those challenges head on, as we have through the pandemic," Morris said. Lesli Hernandez, senior class vice president, and Gabriela Calderon, senior class president, recognized the teachers, staff and families involved in getting the graduates to the ceremony. Calderon provided her remarks in both English and Spanish. Salutatorian Yazline Herrera said that the past four years and especially this year pushed her out of her comfort zone. "Getting to know this school was quite the experience, and it had a rocky start. But leaving now, I am disappointed," Herrera said. She said she wished she had more time with the friends she made. Valedictorian Dominique Woods said that while the future is uncertain, the graduates have a lot of experience with change. "We all share one experience. We were forced to uproot schools and environments that were home to us," Woods said. "Not only did we have to make this huge adjustment, we had to deal with the effects of COVID." She said they did not let the change bring them down and instead valued the accompanying opportunities. "Despite all of our fears, we need change," Woods said. "Learning to accept change is learning to accept progression." Following the valedictorian's remarks, Hammond AlumCats provided scholarships for both Herrera and Woods. Jasper then came up and spoke about his background and emphasized how there are so many paths to take. He said no matter what choices they make, they can do it and be successful. "You've shown good determination in getting all your credits," Jasper said. "Graduates, now what do you want to do in this ever-changing world we are in?" He said there is no one right path, and students can pursue college, the military or other options. "2022 graduates, you can do it. You can do it," Jasper said. Following Jasper, the class was presented by Principal David Verta. School board President John Czulno accepted the graduates and conferred their degrees. Superintendent Scott Miller then emphasized to the graduates why it is important for them to be kind and "life-givers" rather than cruel and "life-takers." "Realize that your choices are greater than yourself," Miller said, noting how any small choice can impact the greater community. He said it is important to spread more positivity in the world and that many people do not. "If you're like me, you know we have a lot of life-takers in this world and need more life-givers," Miller said. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A man charged in a series of home invasions and a rape in late 2019 and early 2020 in Hammond accepted a plea agreement Wednesday that calls for a 13-year prison sentence. Jahmal Sanders, 26, of Hammond, previously rejected a plea deal negotiated by a public defender that called for him to admit to similar charges and receive a 20-year sentence. Standing alongside his new attorney, Lonnie Randolph III, Sanders pleaded guilty Wednesday to rape and burglary, both level 3 felonies, in two separate cases. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Tara Villarreal told Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez the U.S. attorney's office in Hammond took over prosecution of a third case. Sanders was expected to be brought before a U.S. District judge after his case in Lake Criminal Court is decided, she said. Federal court records showed Sanders was charged last year with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of marijuana. The charges stem from the execution of a search warrant in 2020 at a woman's Hammond home. Sanders later admitted in an interview with police that a gun found in the woman's home belonged to him and that he knew he could not legally possess it because he was a felon, court records state. Sanders previously has served two different prison sentences for burglary and robbery. In the two cases before Vasquez, Sanders admitted he broke into a woman's home Nov. 5, 2019, in the 7500 block of Magnolia Avenue, pulled her off a bed and punched her in the face before leaving with her jewelry. He also admitted to raping a woman Dec. 30, 2019, after breaking into her home in Hammond. If Vasquez accepts Sanders' plea agreement, Sanders would be required to register as a sex offender after completing at least 75% of his 13-year sentence. He would receive a significant amount of credit time toward his sentence because he's been incarcerated since early 2020 while his cases were pending. Vasquez scheduled Sanders' sentencing for July 6. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A judge sentenced a Calumet Township man Wednesday to six years in prison for molesting a 10-year-old girl in 2019 while living with her family in Gary. Nicholas J. Turpin, 27, continued to act as a friend to the family for two years before his crime came to light "in what could only be described as pure manipulation," Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez said. Turpin's attorney, Christopher Eskew, said the girl has autism but is high-functioning, so Turpin likely didn't know of her diagnosis. Vasquez rejected that argument. Turpin spent enough time with that family that he knew or should have known of her age and mental state, the judge said. Turpin will be required to register as a sex offender for life. "The defendant should never have contact with a child moving forward," Vasquez said. In a letter to the court, the girl wrote she used to think of Turpin as her uncle, but now she sees him as a monster. He betrayed her and her family and made their lives miserable, she said. "I don't hate myself," she wrote. "I'm proud of myself for finally speaking up." She said she hoped that her decision to come forward would prevent Turpin from harming any other children. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Tara Villarreal also read a letter from the girl's mother, who wrote Turpin was one of the few people she trusted to watch her children. Her daughter was a sweet, happy 10-year-old until the abuse Turpin inflicted on her caused her to withdraw and fall into a depression, she said. "He took her childhood from her," the mother wrote. Villarreal said the girl is high-functioning on the autism spectrum, so she gets good grades in school. It's social situations where she faces challenges. Turpin's abuse made social interactions even more difficult for her, Villarreal said. The deputy prosecutor said some of those who wrote letters to the court on Turpin's behalf said one mistake should not define a person, but Turpin's mistake changed the girl's life. She asked for a seven-year sentence, one year less than the maximum of eight years Turpin could have faced under his plea agreement. Turpin told the judge he had fallen into a depression in 2019, was feeling lonely and took several drugs the day of the crime. He said the sexual abuse "lasted for a moment before I came to my senses," and he immediately felt disgusted with himself. "Not a day goes by that I don't regret what I did that day," he said. Eskew said Turpin was a veteran, had no criminal history and was unlikely to commit such a crime again. In many child molest cases, there are allegations of repeated sexual abuse, but Turpin molested the girl only once, the defense attorney said. Turpin confessed when confronted by the girl's family and showed remorse from Day One, he said. Eskew asked for a sentence of six years, all suspended on probation. Vasquez said it would be "absolutely inappropriate" for him to impose a suspended sentence. The state could have proved Turpin committed a level 1 felony, but he ultimately pleaded guilty to a level 4 felony. The reduction significantly reduced his possible sentence, Vasquez said. "This case can only lead to a significant prison term," Vasquez said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. EAST CHICAGO A Hammond man flipped his car after hitting a bicyclist in East Chicago on Tuesday afternoon, according to police. East Chicago police officers responded to reports of a hit-and-run at 919 West Chicago Ave at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Police found 65-year-old Rudy Conyers, of East Chicago, laying face down in front of 909 West Chicago Ave. Officers also found a white 2002 Yukon that was flipped over a few blocks away. A witness standing near the flipped Yukon told officers he saw the driver crawl out of the car and start walking away. The witness pointed out the driver, Ronald V. King, who was about 100 yards away from the wreck. Officers approached King, 39, and noticed he had a ripped left sleeve and was bleeding from his shoulder. Police then arrested King. Police said City of East Chicago surveillance cameras showed King driving eastbound on Chicago Avenue, going in and out of traffic and traveling into oncoming traffic in a "reckless manner." Footage showed King hitting Conyers who was crossing the street on his bike. King then fled the scene and flipped his car a few blocks later. Conyers was flown out to Advocate Christ Medical Center and was in "serious condition," police said. King has been charged with failure of duty and reckless driving. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper would be stripped of his power to appoint members of the community college trustee board in Senate leader Phil Berger's home county under legislation approved Wednesday by the state House. Rockingham Community College has a 13-member board. The local board of commissioners, school board and governor now choose four members each, in keeping with the state law that most community college governing bodies follow. A handful of colleges have board modifications, a bill supporter said. Under the bill now heading to the Senate, the four appointments currently from the governor would instead be based upon recommendations of the House speaker and Senate leader. And six of the remaining eight spots would now rest with the commissioners, with the school board getting two. Rep. Reece Pyrtle, a Rockingham County Republican shepherding the bill, said the governance proposal would largely mirror the board's makeup at Cleveland Community College, in Speaker Tim Moore's home county, since 2018. Moore and Berger are Republicans. Pyrtle said the changes would give more authority to the county commissioners, which agreed to put on the ballot a successful sales tax referendum. The tax proceeds go to workforce development efforts at the college. Pyrtle said he had spoken to local leaders about the changes, but not to the governor. The House approved the bill on a party-line vote. Democratic Rep. Raymond Smith of Wayne County called the bill a stepping stone to erode Cooper's authority statewide. Berger said later Wednesday he agrees that having more local input for the college board is a step in the positive direction. The bill would become law if the Senate agrees to the measure, since local legislation isn't subject to Cooper's veto stamp. The Republican-controlled legislature passed a law in late 2016 weeks before Cooper took office that eliminated the governor's power to appoint members of trustee boards at University of North Carolina system campuses. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Workers pulled scores of bodies from smashed buildings in an endless caravan of death inside the devastated city of Mariupol, authorities said Wednesday, while fears of a global food crisis escalated over Ukraines inability to export millions of tons of grain through its blockaded ports. At the same time, Ukrainian and Russian forces battled fiercely for control of Sievierodonestk, a city that has emerged as central to Moscow's grinding campaign to capture Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas. As the fighting dragged on, the human cost of the war continued to mount. In many of Mariupol's buildings, workers are finding 50 to 100 bodies each, according to a mayoral aide in the Russian-held port city in the south. Petro Andryushchenko said on the Telegram app that the bodies are being taken in an endless caravan of death to a morgue, landfills and other places. At least 21,000 Mariupol civilians were killed during the weeks-long Russian siege, Ukrainian authorities have estimated. The consequences of the war are being felt far beyond Eastern Europe because shipments of Ukrainian grain are bottled up inside the country, driving up the price of food. Ukraine, long known as the bread basket of Europe, is one of the worlds biggest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, but much of that flow has been halted by the war and a Russian blockade of Ukraines Black Sea coast. An estimated 22 million tons of grain remains in Ukraine. The failure to ship it out is endangering the food supply in many developing countries, especially in Africa. Russia expressed support Wednesday for a U.N. plan to create a safe corridor at sea that would allow Ukraine to resume grain shipments. The plan, among other things, calls for Ukraine to remove mines from the waters near the Black Sea port of Odesa. But Russia is insisting that it be allowed to check incoming vessels for weapons. And Ukraine has expressed fear that clearing the mines could enable Russia to attack the coast. Ukrainian officials said the Kremlins assurances that it wouldn't do that cannot be trusted. European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday accused the Kremlin of weaponizing food supplies and surrounding their actions with a web of lies, Soviet-style. While Russia, which is also a major supplier of grain to the rest of the world, has blamed the looming food crisis on Western sanctions against Moscow, the European Union heatedly denied that and said the blame rests with Russia itself for waging war against Ukraine. These are Russian ships and Russian missiles that are blocking the export of crops and grain, Michel said. Russian tanks, bombs and mines are preventing Ukraine from planting and harvesting. The West has exempted grain and other food from its sanctions against Russia, but the U.S. and the EU have imposed sweeping punitive measures against Russian ships. Moscow argues that those restrictions make it impossible to use its ships to export grain, and also make other shipping companies reluctant to carry its product. Turkey has sought to play a role in negotiating an end to the war and in brokering the resumption of grain shipments. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met on Wednesday with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. Ukraine was not invited to the talks. Meanwhile, Moscow's troops continued their painstaking, inch-by-inch campaign for the Donbas region with heavy fighting in and around Sievierodonetsk, which had a prewar population of 100,000. It is one of the last cities yet to be taken by the Russians in Luhansk, one of the two provinces that make up the Donbas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Sievierodonetsk the epicenter of the battle for the Donbas. This is a very fierce battle, very hard, perhaps one of the most difficult of the entire war, he said in his nightly video address, which was recorded in the street outside his office in Kyiv. He said the Ukrainian army is defending its positions and inflicting real losses on the Russian forces. In many ways, it is there that the fate of our Donbas is being decided, Zelenskyy said. Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai acknowledged the difficulties of battling Russian forces, saying, Maybe we will have to retreat, but right now battles are ongoing in the city. Everything the Russian army has artillery, mortars, tanks, aviation all of that, theyre using in Sievierodonetsk in order to wipe the city off the face of the Earth and capture it completely, he said. The city of Lysychansk, like Sievierodonetsk, is also wedged between Russian forces in Luhansk province. Valentyna Tsonkan, an elderly resident of Lysychansk, described the moment when her house came under attack. I was lying on my bed. The shrapnel hit the wall and went through my shoulder, she said as she received treatment for her wounds. Russia's continuing encroachment could open up the possibility of a negotiated settlement between the two nations more than three months into the war, analysts said. Russian President Vladimir Putin "has the option of declaring his objectives met at more or less any time in order to consolidate Russias territorial gains," said Keir Giles, a Russia expert at the London think tank Chatham House. At that point, Giles said, Western leaders may "pressure Ukraine to accept their losses in order to bring an end to the fighting. Zelenskyy said Russia is unwilling to negotiate because it still feels strong. Speaking by video link to U.S. corporate leaders, he called for even tougher sanctions to weaken Russia economically, including getting it "off the global financial system completely. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to negotiate to find a way out." But a settlement cannot come at the expense of our independence. Meanwhile, to the north, Russian shelling of the Kharkiv region killed five people and wounded 12 over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian authorities said. The Russian military said it used high-precision missiles to hit an armor repair plant near Kharkiv. There was no confirmation from Ukraine of such a plant being hit. Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Oleksandr Stashevskyi, John Leicester and David Keyton in Kyiv, Ukraine; Andrew Katell in New York; and Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report. Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 South Africa: Government to invest in climate-proof infrastructure Deputy President David Mabuza says government will invest in climate-resilient infrastructure following the recent devastating floods that caused loss of life and devastated roads and drainage systems. The Deputy President said this when he responded to oral questions during a sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday. In the medium to long-term, particularly for purposes of better preparedness in the vulnerable areas, the response will be to invest in climate-proof infrastructure, including climate-sensitive drainage systems. Furthermore, the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency's technical support services to municipalities will ensure that spatial allocation is reshaped, resulting in better access to safer settlements, economic prospects, and long-term infrastructure provision, he said. Mabuza said the destruction to infrastructure and loss of life in the flood-affected areas in parts of the country means as government rebuilds, it has to ensure that it does so better and differently. Most importantly, local government will need to communicate information to populations living in flood-prone areas in the future, as well as provide early warning systems and improved spatial design that is sensitive to environmental conditions, in order to build resilience, he said. Mabuza said government was mindful that the current spatial distribution patterns and water management systems were not designed to handle severe natural disasters as experienced in the affected provinces. This called for a rigorous re-design of the countrys spatial arrangements and for the proper maintenance of drainage systems to prevent it from clogging up. Prior to these unfortunate floods government, through the Department of Water and Sanitation, had already started a process to investigate the potential impact of projected climate change disasters that are caused by extreme rainfall and tropical cyclones. To this end, government has put in place interventions for post-floods reconstruction of the infrastructure in affected provinces. A war room by the Department of Water and Sanitation has been established as part of short-term interventions to assist vulnerable communities with water supply and sanitation systems. This will address current challenge to communities in affected areas, while essential services are being replaced and repaired. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-06-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. CHENGDU, June 9 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping stressed maintaining stable economic development and overall social stability during his inspection in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, underscored resolutely implementing the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and adhering to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. He demanded the full, accurate and comprehensive application of the new development philosophy, and actively serving and integrating into the new development paradigm. Efforts should be made to coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, Xi said. He also called for promoting the governance and development of Sichuan to a new level. Xi went to the cities of Meishan and Yibin on Wednesday, visiting places including a village, a cultural relic protection site, a university, and a company. During the inspection, Xi said all localities and departments must strive to maintain a stable and healthy economic environment, a stable social environment and a clean political environment. Xi called for efficiently coordinating COVID-19 prevention and control with economic and social development, and resolutely overcoming challenges currently faced by economic development. He highlighted key areas including employment, social security and aid for people living in difficulties. Work to maintain social stability must be carried out well in all aspects so that people feel reassured and social stability is secured, Xi said. The country's dynamic zero-COVID approach must be unswervingly upheld, Xi said. He ordered meticulous and solid work in key areas of COVID-19 response to consolidate the country's hard-won achievements in reining in the coronavirus. Speaking of recent floods and geological disasters in some parts of China, Xi called for early contingency preparations to safeguard people's lives and property. He also demanded swift rescue efforts after disasters to minimize casualties and loss of property. After a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Ya'an in Sichuan on June 1, Xi immediately ordered all-out rescue and relief efforts to help resume normal production and life order as soon as possible. Most residents from quake-hit areas have returned to their homes. The province has de-activated the emergency response for the earthquake, and shifted the focus to post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. During the inspection, Xi, deeply concerned about the rescue and treatment of the people injured in the quake and people's production and lives in the quake area, urged local authorities to make appropriate arrangements for residents affected by the quake and ensure the supply of daily necessities. Paris Society International, a leading global name in hospitality, has announced a pioneering joint venture agreement with MJS Holding, an international restaurant operator in Saudi Arabia. A strategic alliance and joint venture agreement has been signed in the French capital between the two restaurant powerhouses, who join forces in expanding the international footprint of Paris Societys restaurant brands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The joint venture will leverage the combined global and local expertise of two organisations that share the ultimate aspiration of enriching the kingdoms luxury lifestyle offering to its resident community and to incoming travel and leisure visitors. Reinvention of French hospitality Founded in 2008 by Laurent de Gourcuff, Paris Society (formerly Noctis) has been credited with the reinvention of French hospitality and boasts a portfolio of 60 exceptional venues. In 2017, with investment from world leading hospitality group, Accor, Paris Society began a new strategic development phase. In the past five years, a series of internationally renowned ultra-premium and luxury lifestyle dining brands such as CoCo, Girafe, Mun, Gigi, and Maison Russe - to name a few - rose to fame. In 2021, the group founded its global division, Paris Society International, with a strategic plan to deploy its incredible brands and experiences in the worlds gateway capitals and hotspot destinations. High quality restaurants MJS Holding, founded by Mohammed Jawa, is an international restaurant operator with more than 20 years experience in hospitality, and is recognised for developing and operating high quality restaurants throughout the kingdom. The company is credited with being the first to attract some of the worlds foremost luxury and lifestyle restaurants to the kingdom and leading a new era in Saudis F&B market, propelled by a mission to establish the kingdom as a leading player in the global restaurant scene and actively building towards Vision 2030. Brian Bendix, CEO of Paris Society International, commented: We are thrilled to join forces with MJS, a true pioneer on the Saudi Arabian hospitality scene. Leveraging the inherent expert domestic knowledge of MJS, this joint venture will launch a series of Paris Society brands in the most iconic destinations in the kingdom, satisfying Paris Society Internationals ambition to become an integral part of the evolving cultural tapestry of this great nation and contributing firsthand to the realisation of its ground-breaking vision. Elite group of F&B Jawa said: It has always been a dream to see the kingdom at this point in its development, with such an elite group of F&B professionals shaping the future of hospitality in Saudi Arabia. Milad Nasserddine, CEO of MJS Holding, added: Together we are pursuing the goal of bringing a new flavour of hospitality to the kingdom. With Paris Societys clear vision of delivering exceptional brands and reinventing the art of entertaining, we truly believe that this will be a great partnership that will work in symmetry with our vision here in Saudi.-- TradeArabia News Service In withering cross-examination, Bill Cosbys lawyer on Wednesday hammered Judy Huth on the question of why it had taken her decades to accuse the entertainer of sexually assaulting her at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in 1975. Ms. Huth, who sued Mr. Cosby in 2014, has testified in the civil case that, until she grew into adulthood, she did not recall the full trauma of the encounter she had with Mr. Cosby when she was 16. She has said she spent decades burying the painful memories and only told her father 30 years later. But Jennifer Bonjean, a lawyer for Mr. Cosby, worked to persuade the jury in the Santa Monica courthouse that it was not shame but racism that had led her to be so reticent about her trip to the Playboy Mansion with a friend and Mr. Cosby. In Bitcoins early years, crypto enthusiasts could mine from home. But as Bitcoins popularity surged, mining required more computing muscle, outstripping what most home computers could handle. That made mining increasingly energy intensive. Crypto companies began trying to repurpose old, coal-burning power plants and generate behind the meter electricity. Thats where the bill that was passed last week came in. It would impose a two-year ban on new crypto-mining permits at fossil-fuel burning plants. [Fight Looms Over New Yorks Bid to Slow Crypto-Mining Boom] Its not clear whether Hochul will sign the bill, but the deep-pocketed crypto industry is expected to spend heavily to persuade her not to. Her campaign has already received $40,000 from the chief executive of a company with a crypto-mining operation at a former aluminum plant in Massena, N.Y., northeast of Niagara Falls. Far more has gone to Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who is facing two primary challengers this month. FTX, a major cryptocurrency exchange, is spending roughly $1 million through a super PAC on television and digital ads supporting Delgados campaign, according to state filings. (Michael Levine, a spokesman for the PAC, said it was focused on candidates it believed would back pandemic-readiness measures, although the ads refer to Deglados work on other issues, including climate change, infrastructure and abortion.) From The New York Times, Im Anna Martin, and this is Modern Love. This weeks essay is written by Mansoor Adayfi. Its about how Mansoor nurtured hope in a place designed to destroy it. Its called Taking Marriage Class at Guantanamo. And its read by Edoardo Ballerini. Until I was 35, the most significant relationship Id had as an adult was with an iguana. It wasnt easy to meet anyone where I was for all of my 20s and nearly half of my 30s, at the prison camp at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. When I arrived, I was put in an isolation cell, where huge fans blew day and night, making deafening noise to prevent us from talking to each other. Even when we went outside for recreation, we were not allowed to talk to the other detainees. But outside, we did meet new friends the cats, banana rats, tiny birds and iguanas that came through the fences, asking to share our meals. I had a good friendship with a beautiful young lady, an iguana. She was so elegant. She used to come every day at the same time, and we would have lunch together. When I went on a hunger strike, I had no food to give her and I was ashamed to stand there without food as she came up to me. Sometimes, the guards punished us for sharing our meals with the animals, but they couldnt stop me from talking to her. She was a good listener. As the years passed, our friendship grew into a strong bond. Finally, after seven years of isolation, I was moved into a communal block where I could talk with my fellow detainees. I was born in a tiny village in the mountains of Yemen and was only 19 when I came to Guantanamo. I didnt know much about the world. The world to me was my village. Now my world was Guantanamo. Until I was 12, I thought Id been born from my mothers knee. I learned in school where babies really came from. But there was no dating in my society, so my knowledge remained theoretical. The same was true for most of us at Guantanamo. Very few of us had been married or knew much about the relations between men and women. Even so, when someone would tell a story about a woman, all of us would listen. Talking about women was our favorite topic. Not in a bad way. As Muslims, we are forbidden to talk about women in a bad way. But we talked about women because it relaxed us. We were surrounded by men, but we imagined loving women. One of the older married detainees saw that the single detainees were desperate to know about women, so he decided to teach us. We used to arrange classes and learn from each other anything that could be taught. For example, a former chef taught a cooking class. He would say, now I will add the onion to the hot oil. Shh, shh, imitating the sound of frying onions because, of course, we had no onions or oil or stoves. He would make jokes, asking the students to please taste the dishes to test if they had enough salt, or if they thought the meat was ready, even though there was no salt or meat. I didnt like that class. It just made me hungrier. On our first day of marriage class, our teacher began by asking each of us to say what we thought about how men should treat women. We agreed that men should have absolute respect for women, but many of the students said men always were and always would be superior to women. Then the teacher asked, if you were a woman, how would you answer my question? How would you want men to treat you? At first we started laughing, imagining each other as women. Look at Mansoor with hair all over his body, one detainee shouted at me. You would scare all of the men. If I were a woman, another said, I would make you all dream, cry and spend all of your money. But none of your ugly faces would touch a single hair of mine. Our teacher let us joke for a while, but then said, Answer my question, ladies! I said that if I were going to choose someone to accompany me for the rest of my life, I would want a wife who was better than me. One of the students tried to embarrass me by saying, So will you let your wife be in charge? Should men just be like donkeys, serving women? I argued that men have been thought to be superior throughout history. But look where we are now. War follows war without end. Men never give birth to a single soul. They only take lives. I said that all of us, guilty or innocent, were sitting around Guantanamo talking about marriage, instead of experiencing it, because of what men had done. As we kept meeting for marriage class, our teacher taught us about loving and being loved. He described what it would feel like when we saw and talked to the woman we loved. He told us how we would act on our engagement day. And then we had an entire class dedicated to the biggest day in our lives the marriage day. We pretended that one of the students was getting married. And we held a traditional Yemeni wedding celebration. We sang and danced as if it were a real marriage. I have never been in love, but now I could feel its sweetness. Just like the cooking class, the marriage class made me hungrier. I felt there was a missing part of myself. And that part was a wife and family. For a while, I had in my cell a photo from a friend of his 10-year-old daughter. I made a frame out of scraps of cardboard with flowers surrounding it and hung the photo on the wall. Whenever visitors came into my cell, I would tell them she was my daughter. When they look surprised that I had a blonde daughter and started asking more questions about the mother, I would say I had never met her. But still, I had a daughter just the same. I gave her an Arabic name, Amel, which means hope. One night, the guards came in and pepper sprayed us and tore down everything in our cells. They threw away my hope. After many years of not being able to speak to my family, I was finally allowed phone calls with them. There was talk of perhaps trying to arrange a marriage for me, and I was tempted to accept this hope. But in marriage class, we had discussed the problem of forced marriage in some countries. The idea of girls being sold like sheep hurt me. And so I declined the possibility of such an arrangement. On the last day of marriage class, our teacher told us to always remember how we had answered his first question about how men should treat women. We all had different answers now. He had made his point. He wished us happy marriages and good lives with love in them. In 2016, after being detained for more than 14 years, I was released from Guantanamo. But I wasnt allowed to go home to Yemen. Instead, I live in Serbia. I am lonely. I havent yet found a woman to be my friend and my wife and teach me the art of love. I dont even have an iguana anymore. But thanks to my friend, the beautiful iguana, I learned how to take care of others. She reminded me how to connect with life, while I was behind the fences of prison. And thanks to my marriage class, I know I will one day be a good husband and loving father. [MUSIC] WASHINGTON House Republicans voted en masse on Wednesday against a resolution condemning a white supremacist conspiracy theory, after Democrats tacked it onto a procedural measure to advance gun control legislation, effectively daring the G.O.P. to oppose it. The resolution condemned the so-called great replacement theory, the belief that Western elites want to replace and marginalize white Americans, which apparently motivated the gunman who slaughtered 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo last month. The measure, which also opened an hourslong debate on legislation to prohibit the sale of semiautomatic weapons to people under the age of 21 and ban the sale of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition, passed 218 to 205, with Republicans uniformly opposed. Republicans are also all but unanimous in their opposition to Democrats gun control package, and it is exceedingly unusual for members of the minority party to vote in favor of the majoritys procedural measures in any case. By including the resolution on replacement theory, Democrats were seeking to put Republicans on the spot on the issue. LOS ANGELES President Biden opened the three-day Summit of the Americas on Wednesday by promising leaders from Latin America that the United States was committed to helping the region combat crime, corruption and its economic struggles. These challenges affect all of us, Mr. Biden told the leaders at the opening ceremony of the summit, a gathering of nations of the Western Hemisphere intended to address the regions shared problems. All of our nations have a responsibility to step up and ease the pressure people are feeling today. The United States is serving as the host to the ninth of these summits, which began in Miami in 1994. In brief remarks, Mr. Biden delivered a version of his domestic economic pitch, urging governments in the hemisphere to invest in workers and the middle class. When 35 Republicans defied Donald J. Trump to vote in favor of an independent, bipartisan investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, they immediately braced for backlash from the former presidents most loyal voters. But it hasnt quite hit as hard as expected at least not yet. Only one of the 35 has lost a primary challenge, while 10 of the 13 incumbents in contested races had survived primary challenges as of Wednesday. (Nine of the 35 who voted for the panel opted to retire or have resigned.) The fate of two incumbents whose races had elections on Tuesday still has not been determined, with Representative David Valadao of California expected to advance to the November election after appearing to finish second in Tuesdays open primary and Representative Michael Guest of Mississippi being pushed into a June 28 runoff after narrowly trailing Michael Cassidy. WASHINGTON John R. Allen, the retired four-star general who once commanded American troops in Afghanistan, has been placed on administrative leave as president of the Brookings Institution amid a federal inquiry into whether he secretly lobbied for the government of Qatar, the think tank announced on Wednesday. The decision was released in an email by the leaders of the board of trustees of the prestigious, left-leaning institution. It came a day after The New York Times and The Associated Press revealed that federal prosecutors had obtained records indicating that General Allen engaged in the lobbying effort, lied to investigators about his role and tried to withhold evidence sought by a federal subpoena. We want to assure you that Brookings is not a subject of this investigation, the announcement said. Brookings has strong policies in place to prohibit donors from directing research activities. In any case, given how fast the virus is mutating, some vaccine experts say it makes more sense to target its most recent versions, rather than forms of the virus that have already been overtaken, or soon will be. The problem is that Moderna and Pfizer the maker of the other main coronavirus vaccine in the United States do not have enough time now to run more human clinical trials and still manufacture shots before the fall, when the Biden administration is hoping to be able to offer an updated vaccine to counter what public health experts predict will be a winter surge. That might force regulators to choose updated vaccines based on data from laboratory tests and trials involving mice or other animals, rather than robust human trials. It is also possible that another new variant or subvariant of concern will appear by the fall, further complicating the picture. Outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration are scheduled to meet June 28 to discuss which vaccine formulation would work best as a fall booster; vaccine manufacturers have said they would need to start production soon. Of course, the final decision is always left to the F.D.A., Dr. Fauci said. But what the F.D.A. will likely do is keep as many irons on the fire as they possibly can. And they may need to revert to alternative pathways of decision, which are laboratory data and possible animal data. Asked if Americans would accept a booster formulation without lengthy human trials, he said, People who really are very concerned about protecting themselves will. Angela Merkel says she will not apologize for her policies during her 16 years as Germanys chancellor, rebuffing criticism that they were somehow responsible for Russias invasion of Ukraine, in her first extensive comments to the public since leaving office last year. I dont need to blame myself, Ms. Merkel told an audience on Tuesday at the Berliner Ensemble theater in Berlin during an interview with a reporter from Der Spiegel magazine. I tried hard, she said. Its a great shame that it didnt work. Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February, Germanys political class has been forced to rethink its decades-long approach to Moscow, seen as a policy of change through trade. Critics long argued it was too soft on Moscow. As Russia wages a destructive war in eastern Ukraine, its forces have been busy trying to restore transportation links and other key infrastructure in the vast stretch of land it occupies in the south. Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu said on Tuesday that Russias military, working with Russian Railways, had repaired about 750 miles of track in southeastern Ukraine and set the conditions for full-fledged traffic to flow from Russia, through Ukraines eastern Donbas region, to occupied territory in Kherson and on to Crimea. He also said that water was once again flowing to Crimea through the North Crimean Canal an essential source of freshwater that Ukraine cut off in 2014 after the Kremlin annexed the peninsula. Satellite imagery reviewed by The Times showed that water was flowing through the parts of the canal in Crimea that were dry until March 2022. Another Rajapaksa quits in Sri Lanka Colombo, June 9 (UNI) Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, an influential brother of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Thursday resigned from Parliament, marking another breach in the Rajapaksa clan which until recently held a tight grip over the island nation. Parliament sources told the Daily Mirror that Basil Rajapaksa met Parliament Secretary Dammika Dassanayake in the morning and handed over his resignation. Basil Rajapaksa, a veteran of the President's ruling SLPP party, was for long considered the "political manager" behind the Rajapaksa family. The 6,500 items on show in the National Museum include perhaps the best-known Norwegian artwork, Munchs The Scream, as well as stylish exhibitions of Viking drinking horns and medieval tapestries and modern Norwegian furniture design. The museum also includes what Ingvild Krogvig, a curator focused on contemporary art, described as the first permanent overview exhibition of postwar Norwegian art in an Oslo museum. Krogvig explained that organizers had assembled the collection with the goal of spurring a discussion around the countrys artistic canon. Maybe there is now more confidence that we are part of the international discourse, she said. At times, the project has been overshadowed by public disputes. The opening was delayed from 2020 by problems with subcontractors, drawing anger from many residents who had already spent many years without access to the museums collections; Klaus Schuwerk, the buildings architect, has publicly bristled at the museum staffs interior design and choice of signage. In an interview with NRK, Norways public broadcaster, he derisively described the setup of the inaugural contemporary art show as resembling a flea market. Other pushback has centered on Hindsbo, the director. She has been criticized in the media for her managerial style and her purchasing decisions for the collection. She was also accused of receiving her job via connections through her husband, a former politician in the Norways Conservative Party. I think that was a bit misogynist, she said. Im quite sure that I was appointed for my skills. She added that she had barely met her husband at the time of her appointment. Ingram Marshall, a minimalist composer known for the mystery and melancholy of his works, which featured sounds as disparate as San Francisco fog horns and Balinese bamboo flutes, died on May 31 in New Haven, Conn. He was 80. His wife, Veronica Tomasic, said the cause was complications of Parkinsons disease. Mr. Marshall was an influential figure in American experimental music, part of a group of composers who, beginning in the 1960s, stripped music down to basic elements of rhythm and tempo and incorporated digital sounds. A self-described expressivist, he was known for haunting, mystical works that fused various traditions, among them European Romanticism, Indonesian gamelan and electronics. Ranan Lurie, an Israeli war hero and world peacemaker who set records as the worlds most widely syndicated political cartoonist, died on Wednesday in Las Vegas. He was 90. His death, at an assisted living center, was confirmed by his son Rod Lurie. At his peak, Mr. Luries evocative caricatures appeared in about 1,000 publications with more than 100 million readers in 100 countries, setting a benchmark in the Guinness Book of Records in the 1980s (since surpassed by Johnny Hart, creator of The Wizard of Id and B.C.). He welded drawing and writing into a mightier-than-the-sword instrument that gave voice to his strongly-held political opinions and whose imagery, he said, conveyed even greater impact than photography. Calhouns candor is uncommon, especially given that her father is not only living but beloved, even worshiped, in his own right. Frankly, I didnt expect him to be alive. People are like, Oh, youre so brave, but is it bravery if someone has a six-month diagnosis? she said. I never had the expectation that he would be at the book party. Which I think he might be. Schjeldahl, reached recently at his country house in the Catskills, said he was nervous before reading the book. But it just works so well, he said. Theres some embarrassment for me, but I can take it. I can vouch for the truth of everything she says. The real point, for him, was the honesty and originality of what his daughter had written. I have never read anything like it, he said. Have you? Calhoun teared up when she described her fathers response. The way hes been about the book makes me forgive him for everything he did my whole childhood, she said. Soon after Schjeldahl finished the book, he wrote his daughter an email. I compulsively reread it, deeply joyful, he wrote. It is such a gift to me. Sure, I have mixed feelings, because they are the only kind that I ever have, about anything, but irradiated now by your bravery and, by the way, tremendous talent. I could go on and on and will, if you like, when face to face rather than in (excuse the cuss word) writing. Love, Dad The shortage is due to rising gas prices, pandemic lockdowns and the war in Ukraine, an important glass supplier. Germanys national brewers association is urging drinkers to recycle bottles. Still, beer itself is in good supply and brewers remain optimistic. We will get through this, said Stefan Fritsche, who runs a brewery in Neuzelle that has existed for centuries. Have a hopping 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. Russia restores rail links to the south of Ukraine Russia is cementing its grip on southern Ukraine, extending infrastructure that could help it claim permanent dominion over the region. The repair work would allow Moscow to fortify a land bridge between Russia and Crimea and build on efforts to claim control through the introduction of Russian currency and the appointment of proxy officials. Follow the latest updates from the war. Russias defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, said yesterday that the military and Russian Railways had together repaired about 750 miles of track in southeastern Ukraine and set the conditions for traffic to flow from Russia through Ukraines eastern Donbas region to occupied territory in Kherson and Crimea. These claims could not be verified. Satellite imagery reviewed by The Times showed that water was again flowing through parts of the Northern Crimean Canal in Crimea that had been dry until March. The 250-mile canal is an important source of freshwater that Ukraine cut off in 2014 with bags of sand and clay after the Kremlin annexed the peninsula. Its kind of a Wizard of Oz thing, Mr. Kime said. In other words, his team realized that there was no all-powerful being forcing their attendance; there was only a man behind a curtain (or Zoom screen). As much as we grumbled about going back to work, we all understood that it was going to happen. But the second we started going, we realized how silly it was, he added. Optimism about return-to-office plans, across industries and cities, is slowly abating. When asked in early 2021 about the share of their workers who would be back in the office five days a week in the future, executives said 50 percent; now that percentage is down to 20, according to a recent survey from the consulting firm Gartner. Office occupancy across the country plateaued last month at around 43 percent as Covid cases spiked again, according to data from Kastle, a security firm. The vast majority of Americans, particularly those in the service sector and low-wage jobs, have been working in person throughout the pandemic. But those who were able to work remotely got attached to the flexibility. In a January survey, the Pew Research Center found that 60 percent of workers whose jobs can be done at home wanted to work remotely most or all of the time. What is abundantly clear is that there are fewer and fewer companies expecting their employees to be in the office five days a week, said Brian Kropp, vice president in Gartners human resources practice. Even some of the major companies that came out and said We want our employees in the office five days a week are starting to backtrack. Federal prosecutors in New York have opened a criminal investigation into whether Wells Fargo violated federal laws by conducting sham interviews of minority and female job candidates, according to two people with knowledge of the inquiry. The investigation is being conducted by members of a newly created civil rights unit inside the criminal division of the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, the people said. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The investigation, which is in its early stages, was spurred by a May 19 report in The New York Times that centered on a whistle-blower, Joe Bruno. Mr. Bruno, a former Wells Fargo employee, and others said bank managers were interviewing job applicants whom the bank deemed diverse a catchall term for racial minorities, women and members of other disadvantaged groups for roles that had already been promised to other people. Lucien has pouty good looks and ostensible literary talent. The baron and Mme. de Bargeton have connections to the Marquise dEspard (Jeanne Balibar), a powerful figure in royalist circles. What seemed like a lark in Angouleme goes sour in a hurry. Cast out of his protectors company his bumbling naivete, so sexy in the countryside, is embarrassing in the big city Lucien finds his way onto the staff of an anti-royalist scandal sheet, where he makes a splash writing criticism, using de Rubempre as his byline. As we follow this rakes progress onscreen through editorial offices full of hashish smoke, and on to bistros, bawdy houses and music halls a narrator lays out how it all works. Balzac, one of the fathers of literary realism, was a pioneer of what a later century would call the systems novel, and his explanatory zeal, far from didactic, is almost always delightful. And so it is in Giannolis version. Lost Illusions is in some ways a very old-fashioned, supremely French movie, full of costumes and quill pens, sex and speechifying, and stylish acting even in the smallest roles. (The Quebecois actor and filmmaker Xavier Dolan, as Luciens well-connected rival, is particularly charismatic.) The novel was turned into a mini-series for French television in 1966, but the breathless sprawl of a longish feature film may serve it better. Balzac was a prodigious coffee drinker, and the movie, though its characters run on champagne and schadenfreude, is nothing if not caffeinated. Among the Black kids is the bright, brave Wendy (Lovie Simone), the daughter of an emergency medical worker (Terrence Howard). The film occasionally switches perspectives from Billy and his family to Wendy and her father, though their arcs all tie up in a melodramatic display of Billys heroism that reaffirms tired white-savior cliches. The topic is, of course, timely. (When is racism not?) Yet The Walk feels dated. Every exchange among Adamss schema of archetypes the radical, quick-tempered Black man and the peace-loving Black woman; the impoverished, racist white people and the do-gooding liberals lands like a platitudinous lecture about fighting hate, with the stilted performances (featuring too-forced Bah-stin accents) adding to the after-school-special vibe. The Walk Rated R for racist epithets and violence. Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes. In theaters. New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) The Congress on Thursday slammed the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre over Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif crops and accused it of betraying the farmers. "Modi government has once again betrayed the farmers of the country over MSP for Kharif crops for 2022-23," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala wrote on twitter. Attacking the ruling BJP, Surjewala further said, "Far from increasing the income of the farmer, the pain of the farmer has increased a hundred times." Hundreds of staffers have left New York Citys public defender organizations over the past year, fed up with low pay, which they say undervalues their public service and puts them on an uneven footing with the prosecutors whom many of them face in court each day. The Legal Aid Society, New Yorks largest provider of criminal and civil services for indigent clients, has lost 10 percent of its staff, or about 200 people over the past 12 months, a 73 percent jump from the organizations 2021 attrition rate. That number includes 55 public defenders who try criminal cases, 37 legal services attorneys who represent clients in housing and immigration court, as well as numerous paralegals, investigators and social workers. Other defender organizations have even higher rates. Over the past year, Brooklyn Defender Services has lost 40 attorneys, or 27 percent of its staff; and the New York County Defender Services has lost 30 attorneys, or 24 percent of its staff. The Bronx Defenders has lost 18 attorneys, while the Queens Defenders has lost 17 attorneys. The Legal Aid Society, New Yorks largest provider of criminal and civil services for indigent clients, has lost 10 percent of its staff, or about 200 people, over the past 12 months, a 73 percent jump from 2021. Among those who left were 55 public defenders who tried criminal cases and 37 legal services attorneys who represented clients in housing and immigration court. The turnover at other defender organizations has been even higher. Over the past year, Brooklyn Defender Services has lost 40 attorneys, or 27 percent of its staff; and the New York County Defender Services has lost 30 attorneys, or 24 percent of its staff. The Bronx Defenders has lost 18 attorneys, while the Queens Defenders has lost 17 attorneys. My colleague Jonah E. Bromwich writes that the departures have put additional pressure on the lawyers who remain. The concern is that clients will not receive the representation they deserve at a time when there is political pressure on prosecutors and the police to tamp down gun crime. The court system has expedited gun possession cases in recent months. Such cases are often complicated, and public defenders say that faster schedules make it more difficult to ensure that clients receive fair treatment. The lawyers worry that speed could lead to mistakes which could, in turn, send their clients to jail for years. As a compromise, Save Telegraph, the opposition group behind the posters, which seems to be made up of a handful of local business owners, suggests a dedicated lane for bikes, scooters and skateboards. (Save Telegraph did not respond to requests for comment.) Ive written quite a bit about this clash between the interests of people in California who want to build denser, more affordable, walkable cities and the demands of homeowners and businesses to keep things the way they are. Even under relatively favorable political conditions, it takes a mammoth effort by local politicians and activists even to broach the question of a street without cars. A student organization like Telegraph for People might be able to grab press coverage from actions like taking over the street, but they are usually no match for well-run, trenchant homeowners associations and business organizations. Yung told me he will be traveling to Taiwan this summer and doesnt know if hell return to live in Berkeley. The same is true for many of his fellow organizers in Telegraph for People. When the activists are gone and its the City Council versus the business owners who, like Moskowitz, do make some reasonable claims and have the status quo on their side, it may be hard to keep up the energy. Thats when proposals get tabled for years. The most powerful weapon the businesses have on their side is plain attrition. If a proposal like a car-free Telegraph gets passed, it then has to be processed through reviews that can take years. Every time a shovel needs to go into the ground, established forces can block the actual construction of the thing through a variety of tactics, including legal action. Last August, a judge ruled in favor of a Berkeley community group that, upset with the citys overcrowding, sued the university under an environmental protection statute. Until the State Legislature stepped in, Cal was going to have to cut 3,000 incoming students and $57 million in lost tuition from its rolls. Currently, Robinson and the City Council are waiting for plans to come back from Berkeleys Public Works Department that will give a range of options for the street along with some reports on what impacts any changes might have on nearby traffic. At that point, the City Council will vote on two separate issues. The first: if they will spend the money to make Telegraph look like a pedestrian plaza by raising it to be level with the sidewalks. The second: if the plaza they build will actually have no cars on it. Given that Robinsons initial proposal passed unanimously, a few victories seem likely: raising the height of the street and creating a dedicated bus lane, which at the very least will reduce personal auto traffic down to one lane. But the question of whether any cars will be allowed on Telegraph Avenue is still very much an open question. The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol begins its hearings tonight for the American public, hoping to shine a spotlight on the discoveries from its months of painstaking inquiry. How should we measure success? As veterans of congressional and other official misconduct investigations, we will be watching for whether the committee persuades the American people that the insurrection didnt end on Jan. 6, 2021, but continues, in places all across the country; motivates Americans to fight back in the midterm elections; and, if warranted, encourages prosecutors to bring charges against those who may have committed crimes, up to and including former President Donald Trump. The future of our democracy may well depend on the achievement of these objectives. First, the committee must use the televised hearings to emphasize to viewers that Jan. 6 was but one battle in a wider war against American democracy. Yes, there are gaping holes that remain to be filled in on the events of the day itself, like Mr. Trumps 187-minute refusal to intervene while the mob was violently attacking the Capitol and the 457-minute gap in White House phone records. But the hearings must widen the scope to a larger narrative that begins in the run-up to the insurrection and continues in its long aftermath. To the Editor: Re U.S. Helps Prolong Ukraine War (Opinion guest essay, June 4): Christopher Caldwell essentially suggests that Russia has a claim to Crimea, that the U.S. should have let the Russians seize Ukraine to reduce destruction and loss of life, and that calling Vladimir Putin a war criminal made him commit more war crimes. This nonsensical self-flagellation ignores the prior Russian attacks on Georgia and the Donbas region of Ukraine, and the history of Mr. Putins desire to restore the U.S.S.R., at least geographically. Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for protection. Allowing the country to be ripped apart is morally corrupt and emboldens countries like Russia, and possibly China (regarding Taiwan) and others, by demonstrating that there are few real consequences to seizing territory. But that doesnt diminish the rightness of what shes doing. Nor does it undercut how unusually independent-minded she is. To wit: Shes not only isolated within the Republican Party. Shes also unlike many other Never Trumpers, whose revulsion at Republicans coddling of the former president has led them to insult and attack the party on all sorts of fronts and effectively turned them into provisional, situational Democrats. Cheney, in contrast, votes with the party, holding tight and proudly to her conservative bona fides. Dont take it from me. Take it from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the wackadoodle Georgia Republican. Let me remind everyone, while Democrats are being fooled by Liz Cheney right now, they should remember that she is not a Democrat, Greene said in January on Steve Bannons War Room podcast. As a matter of fact, she has a very conservative voting record more conservative than some of my Republican colleagues. Greene was prompted by reports that Democrats in Wyoming might cross over into the Republican primary to back Cheney, and she added: Democrats, while you think its fun because Liz Cheney is totally dishing on Trump and trying to do everything she can to destroy us and Trump and Ivanka now and all these people, youre getting tricked. So while youre going to go vote for her in the Republican primary in Wyoming, youre voting for a snake thats going to bite you, too. Such venom! And such bunk, inasmuch as Cheney openly disagrees with Democrats about sweeping voting reforms, disagrees with Democrats about the size of Bidens Build Back Better agenda, disagrees with Democrats about abortion. She has made only limited cause with them. Shes clear about that and about her passion for that cause, which is to hold Trump accountable once and for all. Id say shes a woman without a country, except she has this country our country foremost in her thoughts. She knows what makes it special, and she recognizes what her Republican colleagues in Congress choose to ignore, which is that the sacred obligation to defend the peaceful transfer of power has been honored by every American president except one, as she observed when she received a 2022 Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in Boston in April. The question for every one of us is, in this time of testing, will we do our duty? she said, articulating the stakes in a precise and irrefutable manner that will surely stand the test of time. Or will we look away from danger, ignore the threat, embrace the lies? Yet somewhere along the way, the good will slowed. After expressing enthusiasm for Russias first post-Soviet president, Boris Yeltsin, Americas leaders found his K.G.B.-fashioned successor, Vladimir Putin, less to their taste. Mr. Putin made it clear that he didnt care. American hegemon, a phrase from my Soviet childhood, began popping up in Russias pro-Kremlin media. In the West, Russians were no longer viewed as liberated hostages of a totalitarian regime, reformed villains from James Bond movies or emissaries of the great culture of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, but rather as all-cash buyers of luxurious properties in Manhattan and Miami. The enchantment between the countries and their citizens dimmed, yet shared interests and social bonds held. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 was a turning point. True, Mr. Putin had previously given vent to his aggression in Georgia and, devastatingly, in Chechnya, but it was his claiming of Ukrainian territory that gave the West its wake-up call. The sanctions that followed hit the Russian economy hard. They also supplied the Kremlin with ample means to stoke anti-American sentiment. Blaming America for the countrys troubles was a familiar, almost nostalgic narrative for Russians, more than half of whom were born in the Soviet Union. The simple tune NATO expansion, Western aggression, enemy at the gate played on repeat, keying Russians to believe that America aimed for their motherlands destruction. The propaganda worked: By 2018, America was once more regarded as Russias No. 1 enemy, with Ukraine, its puppet, coming second. In America, things werent nearly as bad. But Donald Trumps arrival on the global political stage complicated the already strained Russian-American relationship. Mr. Trump cozied up to the openly authoritarian Mr. Putin, strengthening anti-Russian sentiment that had been rising since the Kremlins meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and rarely distinguished between Mr. Putin and the country he ruled. Economic and cultural ties began to wilt as it got harder to secure visas and funding. Still, student exchanges happened, films were screened and family visits paid, if at longer intervals. The Russian missiles that struck Ukrainian cities on Feb. 24 extinguished that flickering light. America now provides billions of dollars worth of weapons to be used against Russia, while Russias stated aim is to put an end to Americas unfettered global domination. The two countries, once allies in the war against Nazi Germany, are effectively fighting a proxy war. As I watch videos of Russian parents egging on their children to destroy iPhones or read about threats against a venerable Seattle bakery known for its Russian-style baked goods, Im gripped, above all, by sadness. Our post-totalitarian dream of a peaceful, friendly future is over. Apart from wreaking physical horror, Mr. Putins war in Ukraine is erasing countless intangibles, among them the collective good will of the West toward Russia. In my childrens future, I see no cultural miracles akin to the one that I experienced back in 1989. This is a loss for both countries, and Russias will be greater if Mr. Putin continues doubling down on carnage and isolation. That future isnt set in stone. After all, the perestroika years, when the Soviet Union embarked on wholesale reforms in the name of openness, showed that Russia is capable of change. For now, though, each explosion in Ukraine also strikes at what was good in the relationship between America and Russia. In Mr. Putins land, Goodbye America, once a tongue-in-cheek song suffused with hope, has become a darkly self-fulfilling prophecy. Perhaps we have more tools at our disposal than we know. A full 86 percent of mass shooters under age 20 give warnings, according to Jillian Peterson and James Densley in their book The Violence Project. (Note: I provided a blurb for this book.) Dr. Peterson calls these warnings a cry for help. The problem comes from how these warnings are interpreted and what people do or can do with the information received. The threateners almost always young men reach out to classmates and to people on social media, and sometimes they are reported to authorities, as in Buffalo; Parkland, Fla.; Sutherland Springs, Texas; and Uvalde. And occasionally these authorities might step in, as they did with the Buffalo shooter, but then they could not hold him for more than a day and a half in a hospital for a mental-health evaluation. In the United States, only a third of primary care physicians offices have mental health practitioners, compared with over 90 percent in the Netherlands and Sweden. Mental health is a convenient lens through which to view mass shootings, but it provides an incomplete picture. The overwhelming majority of those who have mental illness are victims of crimes, not perpetrators. Often more germane to the question of stopping these crimes is domestic violence, which intersects with not only mass shootings but also many of the vast social issues that we face and their consequences. Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness in this country, especially for women. It speaks to gender inequality and teen dating violence and stalking. When you align it with guns, it becomes not merely another in a cascade of issues but the issue to address, because guns increase the lethality of essentially all domestic-violence-related situations. Rates of domestic violence homicide increase fivefold with the presence of a gun. The easier a gun is to reach, the easier it becomes to succumb to a moment of desperation; a recent shooting in Tulsa, Okla., for example, happened less than three hours after the gunman legally purchased his weapon. And more than half of mass shootings are domestic violence: Sandy Hook began with the gunman killing his mother, Uvalde with the gunman shooting his grandmother. But even those that do not begin with shootings of close family members like the ones at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., and at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas have domestic violence in the background of the shooters life. Its not always in the public data, but Dr. Peterson told me familial violence is present. In every case, literally, whether its parental, violence against Mom or physical abuse with a kid, she said, perpetrators personal histories directly influence their shootings. The worse the crime, the worse the story. Cecilia has lived in Chinatown since she was in elementary school. And for as long as she could remember, the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and School had been the heart of the community: People wanted from all over the city to send their kids to Chinatown to learn Chinese in a Chinese school and to have their children meet other children of the same ethnic background, Cecilia said. Its where not only we went to school, where we got married, where we buried our dead, Cecilia continued. Everything that was part of our life happened at Holy Redeemer. The original plans for the Vine Street Expressway cut straight through Chinatown and required demolishing the church. But in the late 1960s, Cecilia was instrumental in the fight to preserve it. We had a town meeting, and I kind of broke how should I say it tradition, by speaking out, Cecilia said. Women dont speak out in Chinatown. Now they do, but not before. One-fifth of an ounce of dark specks brought to Earth from an asteroid by a Japanese spacecraft are some of the most pristine bits of a baby solar system ever studied, scientists announced on Thursday. That fact should help planetary scientists refine their knowledge of the ingredients in the disk of dust and gas that circled the sun about 4.6 billion years ago before coalescing into the planets and smaller bodies. We must rewrite the chemistry of the solar system, said Hisayoshi Yurimoto, a professor of earth and planetary sciences at Hokkaido University in Japan and the head of the research analysis described in a paper published by the journal Science on Thursday. Helsinki, June 9 (UNI) Finland's government announced that it plans to amend border legislation to allow the building of barriers on its eastern frontier with Russia, in a move to strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, Khaleej Times reported on Thursday. Finland, which is currently applying for a NATO membership, has a history of wars with Russia, although currently the forest-covered border zone between the two countries is marked merely with signs and plastic lines for most of its 1,300-km (810-mile) stretch. The Finnish government has rushed to strengthen its border security as it fears Russia could attempt to put pressure on Finland by sending asylum seekers to its borders - as the European Union accused earlier Belarus of doing at the end of last year when hundreds of migrants from the Middle East, Afghanistan and Africa got stuck on the Polish border. In its first report, a team of international scientists assembled by the World Health Organization to advise on the origins of the coronavirus said on Thursday that bats likely carried an ancestor of the coronavirus that may have then spilled over into a mammal sold at a wildlife market. But the team said that more Chinese data was needed to study how the virus spread to people, including the possibility that a lab leak played a role. The team, appointed by the W.H.O. in October as the organization tried to reset its approach to studying the pandemics origins, said that Chinese scientists had shared information with them, including from unpublished studies, on two occasions. But gaps in Chinese reports made it difficult to determine when and where the outbreak emerged, the report said. Independent experts said it was unclear how the team, comprising scientists from the United States, China and two dozen other countries, could help the W.H.O. break through the political barriers in China that have stalled the publication of most information that would place the viruss emergence within the countrys borders. For years a military intelligence official, Luis Elizondo, ran a little-noticed group within the Pentagon called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. The Pentagon has said the program was shut down in 2012, but backers of the program said its work continued. In 2021, the Pentagon announced it would form a new task force to look at the issue after a Congressionally-mandated report found there was insufficient data for many incidents that had been observed. At a House subcommittee hearing last month, Pentagon officials testified about military reports of unexplained phenomena, including a reflective spherical object speeding past a fighter jet. The officials said there was no evidence that these phenomena were extraterrestrial in nature. NASAs effort will be independent of the Pentagons and will be led by David Spergel, an astrophysicist who is currently president of the Simons Foundation in New York, which finances fundamental research work in mathematics and the sciences. NASA has not yet chosen the other scientists who will participate on the study. The NASA study will also consider other explanations like natural phenomena or unknown advanced technology developed by Russia, China or other countries. I think weve seen time and time again that when you have a company that has captured control over a key artery of commerce, that control can be used unlawfully. That was partly what animated the passage of the antitrust laws where Congress recognized that the dominance of the railroads and their control over key arteries of commerce was really allowing these small number of companies to pick winners and losers in our economy to shape the trajectory of innovation. Those are the same types of principles that we are considering, and thats animating our work now. Instead of blocking or approving deals, youve sent some letters to companies saying if they close their deals, they are doing so at the risk of your agency coming back to block them later. Should we expect you to revisit deals that have closed? We have 30 days after parties make a filing with us to determine if were going to do a deep-dive investigation. Thirty days is an extremely short amount of time when you have deals that are so large and that are so complicated. And so there are going to be instances, especially when you have the type of surge in merger filings that we did last year, that by the end of the 30 days our staff has not faithfully been able to come to a clear determination. And so in those instances, we signaled the parties were needed, that our investigation is ongoing, and they shouldnt take the lapse of that expiration period as a sign of somehow the F.T.C. approving the deal. We retain the authority and the ability to challenge consummations after the fact. Our inaction is never signaling that we approve a deal. Can your work really rein in tech, which often outpaces rule-making and policy?A lot of the work that weve done has really broadened the aperture for how were understanding and recognizing and diagnosing harm. Were really trying to be forward looking, anticipating problems and taking swift action, rather than just, you know, 10 years down the line realizing, oh, there was a big problem and a big moment that we missed. Theres been a lot of discussion this season about the role of understudies and standbys, who kept many shows going when other performers tested positive for the coronavirus. Can you talk about what your intention is for Sunday on that front? In three of my six Broadway shows, I was an understudy. And I began in this industry in the ensemble. Theres no way in the world that a host like me is going to let this moment go by without acknowledging swings and understudies, but also the myriad groups of people that put in the work to keep this industry going, and that includes stage managers, dance captains, associates, hair and makeup departments, musicians. Theres not a version of the world where I dont have something up my sleeve. Im not going to tell you what it is, but what I am going to tell you is if it doesnt happen, you can hold me accountable. One of the other important developments this season was the death of Stephen Sondheim. Should we expect to see that acknowledged? Well, we wouldnt have the American theater as we know it without him. So while I will not tell you what we are doing, there will be a beautiful moment for the man that is Stephen Sondheim. How has the pandemic affected you? Im one of the few actors who actually had opportunities Im painfully aware of that, and I have a bit of survivors guilt. But my eyes are very open, and Ive seen all the challenges that my colleagues have faced. Its part of why I was really passionate about coming back to host the Tonys. Whats your sense of how Broadway is doing? Were taking steps in the right direction. There is work to be done, though. If you look at this crop of nominees, you look at the shows that were on Broadway this season, there were steps taken toward equity and inclusion. Im happy to see more faces that look like mine. Im happy to see that the honorees are more diverse. Jodie Comer, known for playing the charismatic assassin Villanelle on Killing Eve, has received glowing reviews for her West End stage debut in the one-woman play Prima Facie. Now shes setting her sights on Broadway. Next spring, Comer will reprise her role, as a lawyer named Tessa who discovers the limitations of the law after being sexually assaulted, when the show arrives on Broadway at a yet-to-be-announced Shubert theater. This will be her Broadway debut. The play, written by Suzie Miller, is currently in the final weeks of its run in Londons West End. Critics praised Comer for her breakneck performance in an emotionally demanding role that, under Justin Martins busy staging, is quite physical. It calls for her to leap onto furniture, endure a brief onstage rainstorm and more as she tells the story of working her way up from working-class origins and later being assaulted by a colleague whom she brings to trial. Rays job involves visiting schools for educational programs, usually related to a show the students are about to see. He claims that he has been assigned less work and has been subjected to retaliation after raising concerns about the organizations diversity training programs. The lawsuit comes at a time when the use of antiracism training programs and the creation or expansion of diversity initiatives has grown significantly in the theater industry, as in many other sectors of society, following the unrest over racism in the United States in the summer of 2020. The lawsuit is being backed by an organization called the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, which says it is concerned about a cynical and intolerant orthodoxy that pits us against one another, and diminishes what it means to be human. The organization, founded by Bion Bartning, has filed other lawsuits challenging what it says are forms of discriminatory overreach by organizations trying to implement diversity programs; the Ray suit is the organizations first in the arts arena, but it has begun an arts program as it considers other action. A lawyer for New 42, David Lichtenberg, said via a spokeswoman that the nonprofit had no comment at this time. LOS ANGELES The leader of La Luz del Mundo, a Mexico-based church that claims to have more than one million followers worldwide, was sentenced on Wednesday to more than 16 years in prison for sexually abusing three minors. The head of the church, Naason Joaquin Garcia, 53, was sentenced in Superior Court in Los Angeles after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors last Friday before a trial that was set to begin this week. He pleaded guilty to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15 years old, Californias attorney general, Rob Bonta, said in a statement last week. Mr. Garcia will be required to register as a sex offender for life. An employee opened fire at manufacturing plant in Maryland on Thursday afternoon, killing three co-workers and critically injuring another before he was shot by a state trooper in an exchange of gunfire that left both wounded, the authorities said. Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies arrived at the facility near Smithsburg, Md., about 70 miles northwest of Baltimore, in response to reports of an active shooter at about 2:30 p.m., but the man had already fled, the sheriffs office said. Deputies found three people dead and one person in critical condition at Columbia Machine, a company based in Vancouver, Wash., the sheriffs office said. Officials from the company did not immediately respond to phone calls and emails. Officer Schurr, who grew up near Grand Rapids and has worked in law enforcement for about seven years, could face up to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. The death of Mr. Lyoya, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, worsened longstanding tensions with the police in Grand Rapids, a city of about 200,000 people where 18 percent of residents are Black. The case also renewed a national conversation about when officers should face charges for on-duty killings. The law allows police officers to use deadly force when they have a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm. Mr. Lyoya was pulled over on the cold, rainy morning of April 4. After stepping out of his car, videos released by the police show, Mr. Lyoya appears confused as the officer tells him to get back in the vehicle. Officer Schurr asks him whether he speaks English. Mr. Lyoya responds that he does speak English and asks, What did I do wrong? After a brief exchange about whether Mr. Lyoya has a drivers license, Officer Schurr grabs Mr. Lyoya, who pulls away and starts to run, the footage shows. The officer tackles Mr. Lyoya in a nearby lawn, yelling Stop! as Mr. Lyoya appears to try to regain his footing. At one point, body camera footage shows Mr. Lyoya grasping for the Taser in Officer Schurrs hand. Midway through the struggle, the officers body camera stops filming. Chief Eric Winstrom of the Grand Rapids police said pressure was applied to the camera to turn it off during the struggle. It was not clear who applied that pressure or whether it was intentional. WASHINGTON President Bidens nominee to run the embattled Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives appears to have secured the 50 votes needed to ensure his confirmation after two conservative Democrats came out in favor of his nomination on Thursday. Senators Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana both announced their support for the nominee, Steven Dettelbach, paving the way for him to become the first permanent director of the tiny agency responsible for enforcing the nations gun laws in nearly a decade. Their support comes two weeks after Mr. Dettelbach, 57, a former federal prosecutor in Ohio, earned the backing of Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats. The White House saw Mr. Kings vote as critical: His decision to oppose Mr. Bidens first pick for the job, David Chipman, a fiery former A.T.F. agent, sank the nomination. Islamabad, June 9 (UNI) Ahad Cheema, a former civil servant and senior bureaucrat was appointed as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's adviser on establishment, by Pakistan's President Arif Alvi on Thursday, Dawn reported. Cheema's who was the first high profile arrest in Punjab by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) before the general elections of 2018 in relation to the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme. Later, another inquiry was initiated against him regarding the LDA City scam and assets beyond means against him. Cheema was granted bail in all three cases in April last year. GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba A Pakistani man who was tortured by the C.I.A. and then pleaded guilty to serving as a courier for Al Qaeda has filed suit against the Biden administration for continuing to hold him prisoner after he completed his war crimes sentence. Lawyers for Majid Khan, 42, asked a federal judge in a 30-page petition filed in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to release him to anywhere but his native Pakistan where, they argue, he would risk persecution. They suggested that he should be granted parole on the Navy base here, which has about 6,000 residents, until a country is found to receive him. The Justice Department declined to comment on the case. Mr. Khan has a unique status at Guantanamo Bay as the only former prisoner of a C.I.A. black site who has been convicted of a crime. He pleaded guilty and became a cooperating witness for the United States government, starting in 2012, when he admitted to delivering $50,000 from Pakistan to a Qaeda affiliate that was used in the deadly 2003 bombing of a Marriott hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. WASHINGTON The Biden administration expelled nearly 4,000 Haitians on 36 deportation flights in May a significant increase over the previous three months after renegotiating agreements with the island nation, which has been crippled by gang violence and an expanding humanitarian crisis. Over the past year, a growing number of Haitians have been making the journey through the jungles of South America to dangerous stretches of northern Mexico, then crossing into the United States. Recently, many have also been trying to reach Florida by boat. They have been part of a record wave of migration at the border with Mexico. While the number of Haitians crossing into the United States has increased recently, it is far from the biggest migration challenge facing the country. It just happens to be one of the easiest for the administration to manage. WASHINGTON The House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the United States Capitol opened a landmark set of hearings on Thursday by showing video of aide after aide to former President Donald J. Trump testifying that his claims of a stolen election were false, as the panel laid out in meticulous detail the extent of the former presidents efforts to keep himself in office. Over about two hours, the panel offered new information about what it characterized as an attempted coup orchestrated by Mr. Trump that culminated in the deadly assault on the Capitol. The panels leaders revealed that investigators heard testimony that Mr. Trump endorsed the hanging of his own vice president as a mob of his supporters descended on Congress. They also said they had evidence that members of Mr. Trumps cabinet discussed invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. The session kicked off an ambitious effort by the nine-member committee, which was formed after Republicans blocked the creation of a nonpartisan commission, to lay out the full story of a remarkable assault on U.S. democracy, orchestrated by a sitting president, that led to a deadly riot, an impeachment and a crisis of confidence in the political system. Much of the news coverage of Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 election has rightly focused on the machinations in and around the White House. If you havent yet, read The New York Timess big package today pulling together the definitive timeline. But one major component of Trumps ramshackle effort to subvert the outcome was his reliance on lawmakers in swing states who were receptive to his claim that Joe Bidens victory was not legitimate. At least 21 state legislators all of them Republicans participated to one degree or another in the events of Jan. 6, 2021, according to research compiled by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Youve probably heard that much, and youll most likely hear more about them if you tune into the rest of the House investigative committees public hearings, the first of which was held last night. It was not immediately clear what evidence led to the new charges, but the indictment underscored the central role played by the Proud Boys in the effort to forestall President Donald J. Trumps defeat and oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power by force by storming the Capitol. The group and its actions around the Capitol will be central to the narrative being pieced together by the House committee investigating the attack and Mr. Trumps efforts to overturn the election results, two people familiar with the committees plans said on Monday. When the committee on Thursday evening holds the first in a series of public hearings scheduled for this month, the two people said, it intends to present live testimony from Nick Quested, a British documentarian who was filming the group with its permission during the riot, and from Caroline Edwards, a Capitol Police officer who was injured, according to videotape of the incident, by a rioter who had been in a conversation moments earlier with one of the Proud Boys indicted on the sedition charge. Mr. Quested spent a good deal of the postelection period filming members of the Proud Boys, including Mr. Tarrio, and is considered by the committee likely to have been a witness to their conversations planning for Jan. 6. Mr. Quested had accompanied the Proud Boys to pro-Trump rallies in Washington in both November and December 2020, and was on the ground with members of the group on Jan. 6 when several played a crucial role in breaching the Capitol. The action is unfolding after several mass shootings including a racist attack that killed 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo and a school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and two teachers have pushed the issue of gun violence to the forefront in Washington, where years worth of efforts to enact gun restrictions in the wake of mass shootings have failed amid Republican opposition. Over the past several weeks, we have watched in horror as gun violence has touched communities across the country and dozens of people, young and old, have lost their lives, Representative Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York, said on Thursday. The details of each case may differ, each tragic in its own way, but there is one theme that comes up most often: Someone deeply troubled, experiencing some sort of crisis, had easy access to firearms. In about 56 percent of mass shootings between 2009 and 2020, the attacker showed warning signs before the shooting, according to a report by Everytown, the leading gun safety organization. The report concluded that red-flag laws give community members a means to intervene, without going through the criminal court system, before those signs escalate into deadly attacks. The separate wide-ranging gun control bill that passed the House on Wednesday stands no chance in the evenly divided Senate, where solid Republican opposition means it cannot draw the 60 votes needed to break through a filibuster and advance. False. Seven Democrats and two Republicans sit on the select committee, contrary to Mr. McCarthys claim that it is entirely partisan. Moreover, Mr. McCarthy is omitting the fact that he is partly responsible for the small number of Republicans participating. His evocation of a two-century tradition of minority input is also wrong. The House passed a resolution creating the select committee in June 2021, giving Ms. Pelosi the power to appoint eight members and Mr. McCarthy five. A few weeks later, Mr. McCarthy appointed Representative Jim Banks of Indiana as the ranking member, as well as Mr. Jordan, and Representatives Rodney Davis of Illinois, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota and Troy Nehls of Texas. Ms. Pelosi rejected Mr. Banks and Mr. Jordan, arguing that the two vociferous supporters of Mr. Trump might affect the integrity of the investigation but agreed to the other three Republicans participation. In response, Mr. McCarthy said Republicans would not take part at all unless Mr. Jordan and Mr. Banks were allowed to join the committee. Ms. Pelosi later appointed two Republicans critical of Mr. Trump, Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. Moreover, Mr. McCarthy was wrong to say that Ms. Pelosi broke with a two-century tradition by rejecting two of his picks. In fact, the speaker appointed members and committee leaders until 1911, and the speaker has retained the authority to appoint members to select committees, according to a guide by House parliamentarians. In other words, the minority party had no role in the appointment process for most of American history, said Joshua C. Huder, a senior fellow and expert in congressional procedures and history at Georgetown University. After 1911, it has been uncommon for the majority party to deny the minority partys picks, but Mr. Huder said, I know for a fact that they have used informal political weight to limit who the minority selects. Ryan Kelley, a Republican running for governor in Michigan who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, was arrested at his home in Allendale, Mich., on Thursday morning, according to Mara R. Schneider, a special agent with the F.B.I. Mr. Kelley is the first person running for election in a major state or federal race to be charged in connection with the attack. According to a criminal complaint, Mr. Kelley was charged with committing violence against a person or property on restricted grounds, damaging federal property, disorderly conduct and entering a restricted building or grounds without permission. All four charges are misdemeanors, according to Bill Miller, a spokesman for the United States attorneys office in the District of Columbia. An F.B.I. agent described Mr. Kelleys actions in a filing to the court, saying at one point that Mr. Kelley appeared to use his phone to film the crowd assaulting and pushing past U.S. Capitol Police officers. The filing also said that Mr. Kelley used his hands to support another rioter who was pulling down a metal barricade, and that he gestured to the crowd, consistently indicating that it should continue moving toward the entrance to the Capitol. The Supreme Courts order let stand a ruling from a unanimous three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in Philadelphia, which said the part of the state law requiring the declarations to be dated ran afoul of a provision of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. The provision prohibits government officials from denying the right to vote because of an error or omission if it is not material in determining whether such individual is qualified under state law to vote. The case arose from an election in November 2021 for a seat on the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in which David Ritter, a Republican, leads Zachary Cohen, a Democrat, by 71 votes. The local elections board determined that it would also count 257 undated ballots, and challenges in state and federal court followed. It was undisputed that the undated ballots were received by Election Day and that the elections board had accepted ballots with incorrect dates, including birth dates, rejecting only missing ones. The suit, brought by five voters who had submitted undated ballots, argued that the federal law required that all 257 undated ballots be counted. The voters, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Supreme Court that requiring a date served no purpose. We think there are some injuries in there, the man believed to be Chief Arredondo said several minutes before the breach, according to the transcript. And so you know what we did, we cleared off the rest of the building so we wouldnt have any more, besides whats already in there, obviously. It was not clear from the transcript whom he was speaking to. But even with additional documents and video, much about the chaotic scene remained unclear, including precisely when Chief Arredondo and other senior officers became aware of injuries inside the classrooms. It is not known whether Chief Arredondo or other officers inside the school learned of the 911 calls from a child inside the classrooms who said that some had been shot but were still alive. Among the revelations in the documents: The gunman, Salvador Ramos, had a hellfire trigger device meant to allow a semiautomatic AR-15-style rifle to be fired more like an automatic weapon; some of the officers who first arrived at the school had long guns, more firepower than previously known; and Chief Arredondo learned the gunmans identity while inside the school and attempted in vain to communicate with him by name through the closed classroom doors. But with two officers who initially approached the door shot at and grazed, Chief Arredondo appeared to have decided that quickly breaching the classrooms without shields and other protection would have led to officers possibly being killed. He focused instead on getting other children out of the school while waiting for additional protection equipment. The response by the police at Robb Elementary School is now the subject of overlapping investigations by the Texas state police and the U.S. Justice Department. It was the subject of a closed-door hearing at the State Capitol in Austin on Thursday that featured the director of the state police, Steven McCraw. Tel Aviv, June 9 (UNI) Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man in confrontations following a military raid in the southern occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said the man, identified as 27-year-old Mahmoud Fayez Abu Ayhour, was shot in the stomach and killed on Thursday in the town of Halhul, 5km (3 miles) north of Hebron city. At least seven more Palestinians were injured in the confrontations, including three with live bullets and two with rubber-coated bullets. LOS ANGELES The United States and Latin American countries on Friday plan to issue a joint declaration at the Americas summit, committing nations across the region to receive migrants and provide avenues for them to secure humanitarian protection and earn a living, according to U.S. officials who publicly spoke of the plans Thursday. The American public and politicians have for decades focused on the large influx of migrants crossing the southern border into the United States, but ever-growing numbers of migrants have been pouring into countries across the Western Hemisphere. What we are seeing now is categorically distinct; from the southern tip of Chile to Canada, countries are affected by migration, Clayton Alderman, director for regional migration and protection with the National Security Council, said in an interview after a panel in Los Angeles held alongside the official summit. He added that everyone is feeling this in a way we have not before. It has happened before, as when a Chinese fighter jet collided with a U.S. Navy surveillance plane over the South China Sea in 2001. The Chinese pilot was killed, and the American EP-3E Aries II was forced to make an emergency landing on Hainan Island. China held the American crew for 11 days. It allowed their release only after extensive negotiations and the release of a letter saying the United States was very sorry for the pilots death. The incident has become a rallying point in China. The pilot, Wang Wei, was posthumously given the title Guardian of Territorial Airspace and Waters, and the date of his death, April 1, is still commemorated in extensive official propaganda. Last year, the Communist Party tabloid Global Times interviewed an employee of the cemetery where Mr. Wang is buried, who said his grave was often covered with flowers and model aircraft left by mourners. She described reading the letter of one visitor who said he had joined Chinas navy because of Mr. Wang. He wants to protect the country like Wang Wei, said the worker, Shen Lu. I think it is because the spirit of our heroes has been influencing our next generation. But such commemorations mean that a confrontational model of flying is held up for new Chinese pilots to emulate, said Collin Koh, a research fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore. SEOUL Seven people were found dead and 48 others injured after an explosion set off by a spray of gasoline ignited a fire on Thursday at a law office in the southern city of Daegu, South Korea, according to the police. The police said the blaze was being investigated as arson, and after a review of security camera footage, a man in his 50s was identified as a suspect. The man is believed to have died at the site, the police said. He was not identified. On Friday, the police said that they had begun autopsies after they found stab wounds in the abdomens of two men who died, as well as a knife with a 4.3-inch blade in the room where the fire started. Residues of gasoline and glass containers were also found in the office room. A spokeswoman for Royal Holloway said that Mr. Woodley completed a doctorate in plant ecology there from 2007 to 2011, and that his 2010 article referenced by the Buffalo gunman was written and published in a personal capacity. The article described the authors affiliation as School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London. Elsevier, a major, mainstream academic publisher that produced the journal that printed Mr. Woodleys article, said in a statement that it was urgently reviewing the 2010 paper, and that it would consider any necessary correction. It also said it would closely monitor the review by the Belgian university. Angela Saini, a British journalist who wrote a book called Superior: The Return of Race Science, said Mr. Woodley was a fixture in a group of far-right academics she researched, centered around an academic journal called The Mankind Quarterly, which has been accused of promoting scientific racism and in which the researcher has been published. I do think things have changed in recent years, partly because of political discourse, Ms. Saini said. And with the rise of ethnic nationalism and the far right, we have become more aware of just how risky, how dangerous these people are, she said, adding, They gained a huge following over the years. Vrije Universiteit Brussel declined to answer questions about who began the relationship with Mr. Woodley in 2013 and for what purpose. According to the universitys records, Mr. Woodley was a speaker at a seminar in April, but the video of his appearance is missing from the official website, which features the recordings of the three other speakers. And on Mr. Woodleys personal website, sections about his research and media appearances were removed over the past week. Among President Vladimir V. Putins motives for invading Ukraine, his view of himself as being on a historic mission to rebuild the Russian Empire has always loomed large. On Thursday, Mr. Putin went further, comparing himself directly to Peter the Great. It was a new, if carefully staged, glimpse into Mr. Putins sense of his own grandeur. Mr. Putin on Thursday marked the 350th anniversary of Peters birth by visiting a new multimedia exhibit about the czar in Moscow. He then held a town-hall-style meeting with young Russian entrepreneurs and opened it by reflecting on Peters conquest of the Baltic coast during his 18th-century war with Sweden. Mr. Putin described the land Peter conquered as rightfully Russian. He was returning it and strengthening it, Mr. Putin said, leaning back in his armchair, before hinting with a smile that he was now doing the same thing in his war in Ukraine. Well, apparently, it has also fallen to us to return and to strengthen. Russian investigators on Thursday said they had opened more than 1,100 cases into crimes against peace committed by the Ukrainian government, paving the way for what could turn into a mass show trial of hundreds of Ukrainian service members. From the start, Russia has justified its invasion of Ukraine with a false claim that the government in Kyiv is controlled by far-right, pro-Nazi groups that have perpetrated humiliation and genocide against the Ukrainian people. Announcing the invasion in February, President Vladimir V. Putin claimed the purpose of the offensive was to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine, as well as bring to trial those who perpetrated numerous bloody crimes against civilians. Alexander Nikulin, the chairman of the board of the Appellate Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Donetsk Peoples Republic, said the men had intended to overthrow the regions de facto government, which is allied with Moscow and which Ukraine, along with much of the rest of the world, does not regard as legitimate. Mr. Nikulin said that the court had convicted the men and sentenced them to death after they had pleaded guilty to the charges of being mercenaries. When handing down the sentence, the court used not only written regulations and rules, but also the main, unshakable principle of justice, he told reporters, according to Interfax. The men have one month to appeal. At a hearing on Wednesday, the three men stood in a glass cage in a courtroom in Donetsk, the capital of the region, according to video released by the Russian government. All three were asked if they would plead guilty to the charges, and each said yes. Interfax said that Mr. Pinner and Mr. Aslin had surrendered in the southern port city of Mariupol in April, while Mr. Brahim had surrendered in the eastern town of Volnovakha in March. The British prime ministers office stressed that, under the Geneva Conventions, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities. On Wednesday night, he swung back toward emphasizing its importance, framing the fighting there as pivotal to the broader battle for the region. In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there, he said in his nightly speech to the nation. We defend our positions, inflict significant losses on the enemy, Mr. Zelensky said. This is a very fierce battle, very difficult. Probably one of the most difficult throughout this war. Still, the governments mixed signals emerged again on Thursday when Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraines defense minister, made a desperate plea for more powerful weapons. We have proved that, unlike many others, we do not fear the Kremlin, he said. But as a country we cannot afford to be losing our best sons and daughters. He warned that as many as 100 Ukrainian soldiers were being killed every day. Indeed, the fighting on the plains in eastern Ukraine has become a race between Russias tactic of making slow, methodical advances that gain ground even as they reduce towns to rubble and kill untold numbers, and the delivery far too slow, Ukrainians say of powerful Western weapons needed to halt the invaders. The Ukrainian military and government are now making no secret of the challenges they face in the east, three and a half months after Russia invaded. Their daily updates that highlight real setbacks are atypically honest by the standards of military press offices, a tactic perhaps intended to add a sense of urgency to their daily calls for heavy Western weaponry. Iran began dismantling the U.N. monitoring system of its nuclear program this week, partly blinding nuclear inspectors in apparent retaliation for a resolution condemning its lack of cooperation with international inspectors, just at a moment when Tehran is again on the verge of possessing enough fuel for a bomb. The decision by Irans leadership along with a threat to install new equipment that would dramatically increase its ability to produce nuclear fuel marks the most vivid confrontation between Iran and the West since President Donald J. Trump pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. Administration officials believe the chances now that the deal will be revived a major foreign policy initiative for President Biden are extremely small. The Biden administration condemned the Iranian move, as did the governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, which said in a statement that there has been a viable deal on the table since March, 2022 that Iran has rejected. By contrast, Israels relationship with the United Arab Emirates has been markedly warmer and more friendly. After years of quiet and informal ties, business deals are out into the open, multiple direct flights cross daily between Tel Aviv and cities in the U.A.E. and hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken vacations in Dubai. As he left Israel on Thursday morning, Mr. Bennett said he was going to Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital, to express his condolences, and those of the Israeli people, on the death last month of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the countrys president and the older half brother of Mohammed bin Zayed. Mr. Bennett described Sheikh Mohammed, the former crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Khalifas successor, as a man of vision and a brave leader, and said: Today, together, we will take the special bond that has been woven between our countries to the next level for the growth and security of both our peoples. Mr. Bennett also referred to the Iranian nuclear issue, one of the main factors underpinning the Israeli-Emirati alliance, commending an International Atomic Energy Agency resolution on Wednesday criticizing Iran for a lack of transparency in its nuclear program. Islamabad, June 9 (UNI) PTI MNA and well known television show host Aamir Liaquat passed away in Karachi, DIG East Muquddas Haider told Dawn on Thursday. Liaquat was 49 years old. He was married thrice. Police said Liaquat's health deteriorated early in the morning after which he was moved to the Aga Khan University Hospital, where he was later declared dead. He added that initial reports show no foul play; however, the post-mortem examination of the politician/host will be conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. These sugar cookie bars are tangy and not-too-sweet thanks to the addition of cream cheese and lemon. Credit... David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. When the pandemic collided with the spring migration, the sounds of the city changed overnight. Here are 13 birds that you can hear right now. New York is quiet. Listen to the birds. When the pandemic collided with the spring migration, the sounds of the city changed overnight. Here are 13 birds you can probably hear right now. New York is quiet. Listen to the birds. There is an obvious upside to the unnatural pall that has fallen over the city. Suddenly, in place of car horns, roaring planes, rattling trains and buses, New York City seems to be filled with bird song. The birds are not new to the city. Its just that the pause in the urban soundtrack happens to coincide with the peak of the spring migration along the Atlantic coast. The birds have always been here. This spring, we can hear them. Here is a mix of the birds passing through New York right now. Some are easy to spot, and some offer more of a challenge; some are best found only in the mornings or at dusk. And some will probably only be heard, and never seen. Yellow Billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Play Listen For A sharp, staccato, Kak-kak-kak-kak! Its the mysterious bird hiding the jungle in every Tarzan movie. Where to Find One Early mornings at the edges of woodlands. Stake out tent caterpillar nests; cuckoos have a weakness for them. In flight, the yellow-billed cuckoo has attractive rust-colored wing patches, with white spots arranged in parallel lines along the underside of a long tail. Long and lean, these birds perch in the dense tangles of local woodlands. Their ability to hide is legendary, but hearing them always confirms their presence, and that is always easier without airplanes overhead. Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla Play Listen For Riotous laughing, braying. Where to Find One Small and shapely, with a dark red bill and legs and a black head, the laughing gull can be spotted all day along shorelines or in the Rockaways and parts of southern Brooklyn. Around New York City, laughing gulls have staked out a claim to the marshes of Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn and Queens, and have forced a grudging relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration at Kennedy Airport. Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea Play Listen For A melodic trill that sounds like a robin with a sore throat. Where to Find One Thoreau put it best: The tanager flies through the green foliage as if it would ignite the leaves. Scarlet tanagers prefer the crowns of trees. Despite plumage so bright they look lit from within, they stay out of sight. Only the males show this brilliant scarlet, and only in spring. By late summer, they begin to shed their flaming red to resume a more sensible, camouflaged life in olive green. Females remain drab green all year, a better strategy for protecting valuable eggs while nesting. During the height of the spring migration that is, now wander woodlands in the mornings. Osprey Pandion haliaetus Play Listen For A high-pitched killy, killy, killy or a loud chirp that carries very effectively over open water. Where to Find One There is no mistaking this graceful hawk. It has a white-crested head with dark, horizontal eye stripes. In flight, ospreys long wings are bent, with a dark patch at each wrist. Ospreys are found anywhere there is open water, from the Central Park Reservoir to the edges of Queens. Black-Throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens Play Listen For A buzzy, husky call described as Zoo-zoo-zee-zoo! Where to Find One These warblers challenge even binocular-wielding birders because of their preference for heights. Fortunately, the males distinct black markings and yellow-green face and upper body make identification pretty easy. Males are particularly active and never seem to stop calling and flitting about the branches. Where taller trees are absent, birds may forage at lower levels. Willet Tringa semipalmata Play Listen For A repeated and piercing Will, will, willet, will, will, willet. Which is why theyre called willets. Where to Find One Choose a shoreline, and youll hear these charismatic birds before you see them. Pelham Bay in the Bronx and Plumb Beach in Brooklyn are two places to look. During breeding, males make themselves very visible on fence posts and open snags on quiet bay beaches. Red Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Play Listen For One of the most magnificent screams in the bird kingdom. Where to Find One Red-tailed hawks seem to be all over the city, from Central Park to parkway median strips, always glaring, on the lookout for rodents. In flight this bird spreads its broad wings and tail, often soaring on thermals. And as for that iconic cry: As impressive as bald eagles look, their high-pitched chirps can be underwhelming. When an eagle cries in a car commercial or a cowboy movie, youre probably hearing the dubbed scream of a red-tailed hawk. American Woodcock Scolopax minor Play Listen For A unique peenting of the adult males. Where to Find One A landlocked shorebird with a plump body and a long, probing bill, the woodcock is unmistakable but difficult to see in dim light. Just the same, its worth trying to spy on one of springs most captivating rituals. Listen for the unusual peenting call in a field in the late evening or at dawn in spring. Stay silent and still. Breeding woodcocks will emerge and suddenly spiral upward in a mating flight that takes them 50 or 60 feet high, before falling back to their original locations. Unfortunately, these birds seem prone to window strikes during migration, and can sometimes be observed, up close, recovering, or deceased below large buildings in early spring. Red-Winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Play Listen For The famous (among birders) Cock-a-r-e-e-e. It is the sound of spring. Where to Find One Females are a streaky brown color in order to camouflage with vegetation while raising their young. But around the edges of wetlands, ponds or saltwater bays, males make themselves very visible: They are jet black in breeding season, with brilliant orange and yellow shoulders. They are unmistakable. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Play Listen For A clear, musical three-note call, but the final syllable is an anatomical wonder: several tones produced simultaneously, resulting in a complex, oddly metallic and resonant call, like a softly echoing tambourine. Where to Find One Rusty brown overall, the wood thrush spends most of its time foraging through leaf litter looking for insects and other prey. Its breast is a warm white with well-defined speckling, and it has a prominent eye-ring. But you are more likely to hear this bird before you see it. The call of the wood thrush is the sound of summer evenings. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Play Listen For A repetitive, piercing witchety-witchety-witchety-witchety from low tangles of vegetation. Where to Find One The yellowthroat prefers swampy tangled shrubbery, where it can be observed low in the branches foraging for insects. One of the most attractive warbler species, it is easy enough to spot without binoculars. The males have a broad bandits mask (very pronounced during breeding season) set off by a white band. Both males and females are a warm olive green, shading toward yellow at the face and breast, the females a little less bright. White-Throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis Play Listen For There are many comical mnemonics for this birds unique and plaintive call. Most common are probably O sweet Canada Canada! or the oddly specific Sam PeabodyPeabodyPeabody. Where to Find One The cutest, most lovable little sparrow out there. At this time of year, males are marked with bright yellow spots just above their bill (the lores, technically), a bright white throat and stripes across their heads, set off by crisp black markings. Youll find them at the edges of woodlands, at bird feeders or even streetside near parks. As days lengthen, males begin their plaintive calling, and freshen up their plumage, so that a bird who is with us most of the year suddenly appears like a recent arrival from warmer ports of call. Two forms of this bird coexist, tan-crowned and white-crowned each attracted to the opposite color for breeding purposes. From Protest to Riot Like so many things during Mr. Trumps time in the White House, it started with a tweet. On Dec. 19, 2020, six weeks after losing the election, Mr. Trump took to Twitter and issued a call to his supporters to join him in Washington for a last-ditch rally to protest the results of the vote. A date was set for Jan. 6, 2021 the day Congress would oversee the final certification of the count. Be there, Mr. Trump wrote, will be wild! The response online was huge and instantaneous. Within hours, the presidents words had been amplified by a network of right-wing activists and hard-core conservatives in Congress. In the offline world, pro-Trump organizers set to work obtaining permits and Port-a-Potties, and people across the country started to mobilize, making travel plans and arranging for hotel rooms. Ultimately hundreds of thousands of Trump supporters descended on Washington that day and many listened to the president deliver an incendiary speech at the Ellipse near the White House. They heard his claims that the election had been stolen and his encouragement to fight like hell to save the country. Thousands heeded his call to march from the Ellipse to the Capitol. While only a fraction of these people eventually took part in the riot that erupted, investigators both in Congress and in the Justice Department have been focused on an array of questions that concern the crowd. How did it come together? Who, aside from Mr. Trump, helped direct it toward the Capitol? And how was it transformed into a violent mob? The inquiries remain ongoing but have touched on a sprawling cast of characters: figures in the White House and the Trump campaign; Stop the Steal activists; members of Congress allied with Mr. Trump; and far-right extremist groups that placed themselves at the forefront of the action. As prosecutors have repeatedly pointed out, a significant role was also played by more ordinary people who had no affiliations with right-wing organizations. Court records show, in fact, that those who acted most violently on Jan. 6 were in many ways those with the most ordinary backgrounds. One of the earliest public calls to march on the Capitol was posted on Twitter on Dec. 16, 2020 three days before Mr. Trumps more famous tweet by Tina Forte, a self-described America First Patriot running in this years Republican primary in New York for the chance to face the Democratic congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ms. Fortes post she said it was a screenshot of a Facebook invitation announced what was billed as a Patriots United March on Congress at noon on Jan. 6, well before most organizers were discussing such a thing. The invitation, which has since been removed from Facebook, appears to be connected to an organization called the Patriot Party Inc. in Florida. A representative listed in the groups incorporation papers did not return a phone call seeking comment. While Ms. Fortes post got only a couple of hundred retweets, Mr. Trumps announcement of a Jan. 6 event shot around the internet. Ten minutes after it went up, Michael Coudrey, an associate of the Stop the Steal activist Ali Alexander, reposted it with more than 5,000 retweets. The right-wing media outlet Gateway Pundit soon published an article about the tweet and a similar video that Mr. Trump released that night. Mr. Trumps social media guru, Dan Scavino, posted the article on Twitter and soon had more than 20,000 retweets. Read More Aaron Byron Baretz+Brunelle adds former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer Aaron Byron to its newly launched Talent Intelligence & Analytics practice, which is led by partner Howard Rosenberg. Byron will help lead and manage the team that produces military-grade intelligence reports on law firm lateral candidates for firms to use to make more informed decisions about prospective hires. Before joining B+B, Byron served 12 years of active duty, including as a major, in the U.S. Army, during which he led numerous high-profile classified intelligence and counterintelligence operations domestically and internationally. His military service and vast experience will provide the foundation for an unmatched quality of service for our law firm clients, said Rosenberg. Natalie Hill TSN Communications promotes Natalie Hill to CEO, succeeding company founder Greg Zilberfarb, who is stepping down from his role in day-to-day operations. Hill was previously senior vice president of client services at TSN. Prior to joining the agency, she worked at web design agency ACS Creative. In her new position, Hill will focus on managing and building the company's strategic plan, client relations and operations. Adrianna Amato, who has been with TSN since 2018, succeeds Hill as vice president of client services, and Erin Tholen joins the company as director of editorial content. Jim Mocci EP Wealth Advisors names Jim Mocci managing director, marketing. Mocci joins the company from Fisher Investments, where was vice president for brand advertising and global creative services. He previously held senior marketing positions with BlackRock, Wells Fargo and Barclays Global Investors. Jim is a genuine leader who has made significant contributions to some of the most successful companies in our industry, said EP Wealth Advisors president Ryan Parker. His experience is exactly what we need to drive the evolution of our business. Marisa Todd Huge names Marisa Todd executive creative director. Todd was most recently vice president, product and design at Artsy, an online platform that sells fine art. She was previously managing director at Code & Theory London. Todd will work from the agencys New York and London offices. The agency has also promoted Kim Nguyen to head of distributed commerce,brought on Katherine Jones-Siemeen as head of product and technology, and hired Nina Osborn as head of strategy. SKILLS training is crucial to achieving a just transition from peat to a green economy in Offaly and the wider Midlands, a leading manager with the Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) said last week. Padraig Boland, further education and training skills manager with the LOEB, was speaking at the EPA Annual Climate Change annual conference in Croke Park. The conference was addressed by experts on climate change across a number of disciplines and its theme was Creating Ireland's Climate Future. In his speech, Mr Boland focussed on what he believed must be done to deliver the so-called just transition, especially in a county like Offaly where educational attainment has been very low for communities which previously relied heavily on a peat-based economy. Mr Boland, a Ferbane man whose background is in youth work and community development, told his audience that he had also previously been a manager at Bord na Mona's Lough Boora Parklands and he detailed how his grandfather, the late Eddie Joe Dooley, had been a lifelong employee of the turf company. Born in 1916, Eddie Joe had lived a life less ordinary, said Mr Boland, revealing how Mr Dooley's wife died when she was only 43, leaving him with nine young children, the youngest of them one-year-old twins. He took a hands on approach to parenting and grandparenting. He also represented the Ferbane Electoral Area in west offaly for 43 years of his life, a local public representative at a time when it was voluntary, at a time when there were no mobile phones, at a time when his own house had no running water, he said. In 1939 Eddie Joe joined Bord na Mona's predecessor, the Turf Development Board, and he went on to spend 43 years with the company. Though he was elected as a Fianna Fail councillor, was chair of the council and a recipient of the Offaly Person of the Year award, Mr Boland said his grandfather's proudest achievement was what the largely uneducated Bord na Mona operators, bog operators had managed to do. They were bog operators that took massive machinery, coming in, in the 1940s and '50s from Russia and Germany, and they were able to adapt those machines to the unique Bog of Allen conditions that they faced on a daily basis in their boglands, he said. These were west Offaly men, bogmen, BIFFOs, but they were able to provide local solutions to local problems. Mr Boland also said he was glad his grandfather did not live to the realisation that he was part of the decimation of Ireland's rainforest. That would have killed him if he hadn't gone before now. Because he was a man who loved nature and loved the environment. He said Bord na Mona had been set up to provide employment by using the only available resource in the Midland counties and it is the successors of Eddie Joe Dooley who must now not be left behind. I'm talking about communities that were marginalised and disadvantaged before Bord na Mona ever opted to go from brown to green, he said. Across Ireland 33% of those over 15 have third level education but in areas like Daingean, Kilcormac, Ferbane and Edenderry, the equivalent figure is just one-third of that. Nationally, 12.5% of people have either no formal education or primary only, but in the peatland communities the rate is 23.5% in places. The 2016 census also revealed that 8.1% of workers nationally were designated as professional but the equivalent proportion in Daingean was only 1.1%. The proportion of the national workforce deemed unskilled was 3.6% but in Daingean it was 7.6% and in Kilcormac 6.6%. But every cloud has a silver lining, declared Mr Boland, saying that the programme of collaboration between the EU, the Government, the agencies around the Midlands and the stakeholders, is a genuine plan which provides a pathway towards just transition and towards enabling communities to transition towards a sustainable future based on a green future. He identified regional development and job creation as key elements of the transition but warned: It is based on the theory that a rising tide lifts all boats. And it may well do, but the individual or the community who doesn't have a boat when the tide rises, is in danger of being drowned, and very often that's the low level that the peatland communities are at. The focus therefore must be on social inclusion and active inclusion and in the LOETB a pathway had been developed towards the skillsets required for a currency in the labour market of today and tomorrow. He mentioned retrofitting and bicycle engineering as examples of skills which will be required in Ireland's critical growth areas. Mr Boland concluded: We believe that this approach will ensure that this is not just a transition, but it is a just transition. That it will enable all of us, even those of us living in the peatland communities, to share in the National Economic and Social Council's vision for our society to become a resilient, sustainable, net zero carbon economy, environment and society, using innnovation and collective preparedness to shape the future we all want to achieve. MINISTER of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy TD, visited Offaly last week where he met client companies of Enterprise Ireland and also discussed progress and implementation of the recently launched Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan with steering committee members. The Ministers first port of call was to Glenisk Organic Dairy in Killeigh. The company was established in 1987 by the Cleary family and is recognised for its premium, clean label, organic cows milk yogurt and goats milk dairy. Minister Troy then travelled to Birr where he visited Grant Engineering. The company has been manufacturing high quality, high efficiency heating products since 1978 and is the leading oil-fired condensing boiler manufacturer in Ireland. Minister Troy said There are many companies throughout the country who are receiving valuable support and assistance through Enterprise Ireland. Glenisk and Grant Engineering are excellent examples of how large companies do not have to be located in our major cities and towns to thrive. The Government is committed to more balanced regional enterprise and one way to achieve this is through companies like Glenisk and Grant working productively with our agencies. The Ministers final engagement was at streamBIRR where he met with Dr Anne Cusack, Chair of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan (REP) and Programme Manager Sarah Morgan. They discussed the progress being made on the actions outlined in the Midlands REP since it was launched at the beginning of March. Minister Troy added: I am delighted to be here at this excellent facility at streamBIRR and to hear about progress on the implementation of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan. The Plan is focused on achieving a transition to a climate neutral economy, capitalising on strengths of the Midlands through Smart Specialisation and Digitalisation and positioning the Midlands as a destination of choice to live, work, visit, invest and learn. I have every confidence that this Plan will strengthen economic and enterprise development throughout the Midlands. streamBIRR is a Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) supported project that can facilitate remote workers, researchers, start-ups and growing businesses. They provide access to hot desk space on a daily or monthly basis, as well as renting dedicated office space. In addition, streamBIRR provide networking and learning opportunities in data analytics and related subjects. Dr Anne Cusack, Chair of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee commented: It is great to have Minister Troy with us for an update on the implementation of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024, as well as visiting two of our flagship companies in the Midlands, Glenisk Organic Dairy and Grant Engineering. The Minister also got to visit StreamBIRR where they facilitate remote workers, hot desks, researchers, start-ups and growing businesses. In addition, they partner with the researchers at I-LOFAR in Birr and third level universities. The Minister has been so supportive of our region as we focus on the transition to low-carbon, whilst capitalising on the regions strengths through smart specialisation as well as positioning the Midlands as a great place to live, work, study, visit and invest. I would like to thank the Steering Committee members across Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath and of course, the Regional Enterprise Plan team, led by Programme Manager, Sarah Morgan, for their full commitment to the region and to the implementation of the Plan. Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Maria Delaney said: It has been great to meet Minister Troy, who has designated responsibility for the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan, in person and welcome him to Offaly. We have advised the Minister of the progress that has been made in implementing the Midlands REP across the region, including Offaly. Offaly County Council, LEO Offaly and Offaly businesses were key contributors to the development of the MREP to 2024 and are actively contributing to its implementation. This afternoon we have held discussions around the three strategic objectives of the MREP: transitioning to a carbon neutral economy; smart specialisation and digitalisation and placemaking, and we have taken the opportunity to visit Glenisk, Grant Engineering and streamBIRR, whom are actively involved advancing specific objectives and actions of the Plan. IN early October, our teachers Ms Pilkington and Mr Cunningham introduced our class to VEX Robotics. We had a zoom call with Ray Bell from Offaly County Council to tell us all about this years game and competition. Before we built the robot we had to dismantle the old robots. We were very interested about it and we started building it in October. There were three groups, two groups building the robots and one researching with the iPads about it. It took us a good while to build the robots because we were making mistakes but thats how we figured it out too! Two months later, we finished the robots and Ben, Jack and Yixuan built the arena with the help of Ms Makim. We finished it in two days. After that week we started coding with Mr Cunningham. As part of Engineers Week, We also let other classes have a go at the free-driving, they were all really good at it. When coding began Ben, Yi-Xuan, Jamie and Fionn went down first. Everyone got a turn at coding, some boys liked the coding part and others found it hard. From then on, Ben and Yixuan did most of the coding with the help of Mr Cunningham. It took us three weeks to finish the codes because we made a few mistake along the way. A week later, everyone came down to see who was the fastest at free-driving. We took the scores of every boy, and we practised for three days. Finally, we were ready for the competition. On May 6th, we arrived at Tesco car park. We left for OConnor Park, Tullamore, normally home to Offaly GAA but for today, home of Offaly VEX Robotics. It took us about half an hour to get there. We had to play eight matches, the first ones to play were Darragh and Kyle, they did great. When Hugh and Jack played, the robots arm fell off, they still scored fifteen points. Then we had some time and we explored the place, we visited the Virtual Reality Station. There was also the Microsoft Dream station where you could get a pen and notebook for free. We took part in the Coding competition and our codes worked so that was great. We were really surprised when we were in the top 10 final. Callum and Ryan played the last final. They had to get 32 points and they got. 39 points! The presentation finally came and we were runners up, we were delighted to come 2nd out of 48 schools. The winners were only one point ahead of us. But it was okay, we were happy with 2nd place. We went home. It was 3.40pm when got back to Tesco car park. It was a great experience and we were really happy. The next week, we were brought to the County Arms Hotel for breakfast as a reward for doing so good. Thanks to the County Arms Hotel for sponsoring this for us. We have to thank Ms Pilkington, Ms Makim and Mr Cunningham for all their help with our VEX Robotics journey. We also need to thanks Ray Bell and all in Offaly County Council for organising this project. Beauty, inclusiveness and sustainability are the main themes of a new European Commission festival that is hosting a discussion on the future of Irelands peatlands communities organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation and taking place on this Friday, June 10th. The discussion is connected to the Irish Architecture Foundations Workers Villages climate action project, which works with communities in the Midlands living with the impact of Irelands transition from industrial peat harvesting, namely in Cloontuskert, Co Roscommon, Lanesborough, Co Longford and Kilcormac, Co Offaly. Workers Villages is a community-led creative project, supported by Creative Irelands Creative Climate Action Fund, that builds awareness around climate change and empowers citizens to make meaningful behavioural changes. The panel for the Communities in Transition: Reimagining Place, Communities and Climate Action discussion will include members of Irelands peatlands communities. They will be sharing their journey so far of transition away from industrial peat harvesting, their concerns about how the built architecture and industrial heritage around its legacy is protected, and their aspirations for the future. They will be joined by members of the Zollverein Foundation, which operates a former coal mine and coking plant in Essen, Germany that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001 and the biggest tourist attraction in the Ruhr area, attracting 1.5 million visitors a year. They will highlight how they transformed the site into a cultural destination that offers museums, concerts and events, while retaining the original industrial architecture. Commenting on the event, Nathalie Weadick, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, said: As a New European Bauhaus partner organisation, the Irish Architecture Foundation is excited to host this online panel at the innovative Festival of the New European Bauhaus. The festival is all about exploring bold and imaginative projects that place sustainability, culture, heritage and aesthetics at their heart, as a way of reimagining a new future for Europe. Our panel provides space to consider how Irelands peatlands communities in transition, including those were working with on the Workers Villages project, can benefit and even thrive. By living with and in the built architecture of this important phase of Irelands industrial heritage, peatlands communities have become guardians of its legacy and are concerned about how that is protected. We want to make sure their voices are heard. We are delighted to be welcoming the Zollverein Foundation into the discussion and look forward to learning from their experience of transforming a major industrial complex into the most beautiful coalmine in the world that is now a World Heritage Site and major visitor attraction. The Communities in Transition Reimagining Place, Communities and Climate Action is the Irish Architecture Foundations first Reimagine Session of 2022. The online event will be facilitated by Hans Zomer, CEO of the environment organisation Global Action Plan, a partner on the Reimagine programme. The event is part of the line-up of the inaugural hybrid Festival of the New European Bauhaus, a European Commission initiative. The webinar is taking place on Friday, June 10th, 3.00-4.30pm, and is free to attend, with pre-registration essential at https://reimagineplace.ie/news/communities-in-transition. Reimagine is funded by the Arts Council, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Reimagine was made possible through seed funding by the Creative Ireland Programmes National Creativity Fund. Dublin, June 9 (UNI) Low-cost carrier Ryanair said that it will continue requiring South African passengers to take an Afrikaans test to enter the United Kingdom, despite receiving criticism of backward profiling, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. Europes which is the largest airline by passenger volume does not operate flights to and from South Africa. Therefore, it requires any South African passport holder flying to Britain from elsewhere in Europe on the carrier, to prove their nationality. However, its simple questionnaire is in Afrikaans, one of 11 official South African languages. Afrikaans is spoken by only 12 percent of the countrys estimated 60 million people, mainly the white minority, and was used in the oppression of Black citizens during apartheid. An example of the much-trumpeted bog restoration programme by Bord na Mona has been slammed by a prominent environmental group. Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) have published a short video on YouTube clearly displaying the many things which the semi-state company got wrong during their rehabilitation of Clonfert North (Seymour) bog, which is located a short distance north-west of Banagher in East Galway. The video has been well put together and it urges Bord na Mona to do better in its restoration of Clonfert North. For the last couple of years Bord na Mona has been engaged in a 108m rehabilitation of many of its cutaway bogs, an essential part of its decarbonisation programme. The company has done a considerable amount of good work in its bog rehab programme, but it's not always hitting the mark, as shown by the FIE / Clonfert North example. Clonfert North was restored last year by the company but Friends of the Irish Environment said the company needs to return to the bog and properly do the job. Bord na Mona was given 108m in November 2020 for Restoring Raised Bogs for a Greener Future program. The site in East Galway in the video is part of the 7,200 hectares that Bord na Mona claims to have restored. The scheme will cover an area of approximately 33,000 hectares of Bord Na Mona peatlands previously harvested for peat extraction for electricity generation; and will create 310 jobs. The video of the bog near Clonfert begins with a Bord na Mona quotation from a couple of years ago: We're restoring and rehabilitating Ireland's bogs to help meet climate and biodiversity goals. The FIE responds in the video, to this statement, with the comment, You're not doing it very well! The video shows a landscape more like Africas Sahel than Ireland and photographs drainage pipes sticking up like chimneys, eroding banks, and unconnected pipes. The video also highlights deep water easily accessible beside the road which locals fear may lead to drownings in the summer. There are no warning signs and no safety equipment, according to the video. While Bord na Monas remit for this project includes more intensive management of water levels through drain-blocking and bunding and re-profiling that will deliver suitable hydrological conditions for development of wetlands, fens and bog habitats, the video appears to paint a very different picture, according to FIE. In an introduction to the video, released today on Facebook, FIE said it is expanding its monitoring with drone investigations of what appears to be wide-spread engineering incompetence, sub-standard workmanship and dangers to the public. The 108m scheme is administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and regulated by the newly funded National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). A notice on the Governments website announcing the scheme said It will involve many other diverse stakeholders including Bord na Mona, the EPA, relevant NGOs, local authorities, representative organisations and importantly, the local community. FIE is appealing to communities in the midlands to report similar failures in rehabilitation on their website Hotline. Here are some of the comments which FIE makes on its video as it's showing views the various things which haven't been done right: Deep water with no signage very dangerous. No water in the ponds. Two pipes either side for what reason? Pond completely dry no carbon sequestering. Water eroding away the side walls of embankments. Water not even reaching the inlet pipe. Pipe not even joined to the inlet elbow. No sign of pipe only the elbow. Base of pond too deep one side and too high the far side. What benefit is this? Pipes sticking up like chimneys. Very poor display of workmanship... The Summit of the Americas (SOA) is an international summit meeting that brings together the leaders of countries in the Organization of American States (OAS). Cuba was expelled from the OAS under pressure from the United States after the Cuban Revolution of 1959. Cuba participated in the 2015 summit in Panama, and sent its foreign minister to the subsequent 2018 summit in Peru. In the early 1990s, the formerly ad hoc summits were institutionalized into a regular "Summit of the Americas" based on the principles of democracy and free trade. The meetings, organized by a number of multilateral bodies led by the OAS, provide an opportunity for discussions about a variety of issues and topics. Wizz Air, legally incorporated as Wizz Air Hungary Ltd. and stylised as W!ZZ Air, is a Hungarian ultra-low-cost carrier with its head office in Budapest, Hungary. The airline serves many cities across Europe, as well as some destinations in North Africa and the Middle East. It has the largest fleet of any Hungarian airline, although it is not a flag carrier, and currently serves 44 countries. Its Jersey-based parent company, Wizz Air Holdings plc, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. As of 2020, the airline has its largest bases at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and London Luton Airport and flies to 164 airports. Sir David Attenborough has been knighted for the second time, recognised for services to television broadcasting and conservation, by Prince Charles. New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi has sought three weeks' time to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the National Herald case. Sources said the Congress President is still Covid positive, and her reports have been sent to ED seeking a fresh date. The last report sent to ED was dated June 7. The ED had asked the Congress president to appear before it on June 8 in the National Herald case. Last week, while announcing that the Congress President had tested positive for Covid, Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had said she would attend the summon. Party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi has also been infected with Covid. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has meanwhile been asked to appear on June 13. He had earlier been asked to appear on June 5, but it was rescheduled as he was out of the country. UNI AO MYK USATODAY.com 09 Jun 2022 The House will consider a bill to protect Supreme Court justices after the arrest of an armed man near Brett Kavanaugh's home,.. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Sydney Morning Herald 10 Jun 2022 The Murugappan family has received a warm homecoming to their community of Biloela, four years after they were removed and placed.. By Anna Mikulska* (FPRI) The European Union has been one of the primary drivers of climate action, advocating for a.. Eurasia Review 14 Jun 2022 For the first time in its over 50-year history, the annual gathering in the Swiss resort town is taking place against the backdrop of a major war in Europe. But that's not the only thing which sets this year's WEF apart. The world is on the brink of a terrible food crisis if Russia doesn't lift the blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports ... so says Ukrainian President Zelensky. Zelensky made a televised announcement Thursday, warning dozens of countries may face a In March, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died suddenly at the age of 50 while getting ready to play a Foos show at a festival in Bogota, Colombia. The tributes poured in from Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish, Pearl Jam, and countless others. In the wake of Hawkins death, the Foo Fighters naturally cancelled their touring plans. Later this year, though, the remaining members of the Foo Fighters will pay tribute to Hawkins in a pair of huge tribute show in London and Los Angeles. Marco Buschmann told DW that Germany is collecting evidence against Putin and others for war crimes prosecutions. He said a structural investigation has been opened to collect evidence in Russia's war of aggression. The city had been in lockdown for two months as China imposed its "zero Covid" policy on the population of 25m. The head of security at the Champions League final admits failings but says his aim was to save lives. US may upgrade diplomatic mission to Palestinians Washington, June 9 (UNI) The Biden has signalled that it is upgrading its diplomatic mission to Palestinians, which is currently located within the US embassy in Jerusalem, after former President Donald Trump downgraded the status of the mission, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. The Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU), which operated within the US embassy in Israel, will now be redesignated as the US Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA), and, while remaining within the embassy in Israel, will report directly to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the US Department of State on substantive matters. The PAU was created in 2019 when Trump decided to close the US consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, which had served as the de facto embassy for the Palestinians. Two Britons who were captured by Russian forces while fighting in Ukraine have been sentenced to death, state-owned Russian news agency RIA has said. Three men who were fighting alongside Ukrainian forces have now been sentenced to death by a court in a Russia-backed separatist region. DW has the latest. Russian troops are reported to have entered the city of Sievierodonetsk amid heavy resistance. Meanwhile, Ukraine's president is set to address European leaders at a special EU summit. Follow DW for the latest. Lithuania proposed a naval coalition of the willing to lift Russia's blockade on Ukraine grain. Is this practical? A German author who lives in Ukraine describes life in the country during the war. Disenchanted about hostilities ending anytime soon, he wonders about the endless debates in his native Germany. President Joe Biden slips again on the stairs of Air Force One while boarding on its way to California to witness how voting in the state addresses crime. By Anneke Smith of RNZ The High Court has heard from New Zealand First Foundation donors who believed they were giving money to party leader Winston Peters.Two men are on trial in Auckland this month, accused of mishandling... The sole pediatrician in Uvalde, Texas testifies before members of Congress on the horrific scene he encountered when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire inside Robb Elementary School with an AR-15-style rifle, killing 19 children and two teachers. (June 8) A California man was arrested after making a threat to kill United States Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and traveled to his home. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Nicholas John Roske, called 911 and confessed his plans and was later arrested by police without incident. Dozens of rights groups called for the resignation of UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, charging that she "whitewashed" Beijing's "atrocities" during her trip to China last month. Washington, June 9 (UNI/Sputnik) The US government will take additional measures and deploy more forces if required to protect its people and interests, President Joe Biden said in a message to the head of the US Senate on Wednesday. "If necessary, in response to terrorist threats, I will direct additional measures to protect the people and interests of the United States," Biden said. "It is not possible to know at this time the precise scope or the duration of the deployments of US Armed Forces that are or will be necessary to counter terrorist threats to the United States." The Biden administration had boosted US troop levels in Europe to counter what the US government had said was the threat of Russian aggression, Biden said in his message. "With approximately 17,000 additional US Armed Forces deployed in recent months to reassure our allies and to deter further Russian aggression, approximately 90,000 US Armed Forces personnel are deployed to NATO countries in Europe," he said. Biden said he had directed the participation of US military in all current operations pursuant to his constitutional and statutory authority as Commander in Chief and as Chief Executive. UNI/SPUTNIK MYK B. G., Opalesque Geneva: The SPAC bubble is bursting, according to Charles-Henry Monchau, CIO at Zyz, a banking and asset management group in Switzerland. "With monetary policies tightening, speculative bubbles are bursting one after the other," he says. "SPACs are no exception." The SPAC bubble burst was predicted by Ivana Naumovska, professor at INSEAD, last year. She said the most obvious sign could be found in the frenzied growth of the practice, in testimonials that the boom was not sustainable in the long term, and in that many firms taken public by SPACS had little to show in terms of business plan or revenue. The most infamous example was Nikola Motor Company, which was accused of fraud by short-sellers three months after going public. Another red flag came in the form of negative media sentiment and regulatory concern. A special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) is a company that has no commercial operations and is formed strictly to raise capital through an initial public offering (IPO) or the purpose of acquiring or merging with an existing company. The boom seems to be behind us "The period of massive liquidity injections that was put in...................... To view our full article Click here Opalesque Industry Update - The hedge fund industry posted a loss of -0.66% in May, though losses narrowed from April's decline of -2.35% according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. By comparison, the S&P 500 Total Return Index eked out a slim gain of 0.18% in May. For the year-to-date, hedge funds were down -5.88% through May, bettering the S&P 500 Total Return Index which lost -12.76% over the same period. Among hedge fund subsectors, the balance was tilted decidedly to those losing ground for the month, with approximately two-thirds of subsectors in the red for May. Subsectors in positive territory for the month were led by the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index, which picked up 2.42%. Other gainers included the Emerging Markets Global Fixed Income Index 1.43%; the Volatility Trading Index 1.35%; the Option Strategies Index 1.00%; and the Global Macro Index, gaining 0.76%. Subsectors posting monthly losses in May included the Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index, which tumbled -6.79%, the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index -3.10%; the Fixed Income Arbitrage Index -2.27%; the Emerging Markets MENA Index -2.01%; and the European Equities Index -1.92%. A majority of hedge fund subsectors are underwater on a year-to-date basis, though there are a few notable exceptions: The Global Macro Index is up 8.62% so far in 2022 and the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index has advanced 7.07%. The Emerging Markets Latin America Index has managed 3.44% followed by the Emerging Market MENA Index, up 1.55% and the Equity Market Neutral Index with 1.46%. Among subsectors posting year-to-date red ink, the worst losses have been unsurprisingly in Eastern Europe. The Emerging Markets Eastern European Equities Index is down -39.24% as of the end of May followed closely by the Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index, underwater -32.32%. Elsewhere, the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index has lost -17.88% of its value and the Technology Index has given up nearly as much (-17.44%). Emerging Markets managers in Asia are also navigating challenges in 2022. The Emerging Markets Asian Equities Index is down -13.44% and the Emerging Markets Asia Index is down -11.99% on the year. The Emerging Markets Index has shed -10.54% and the Emerging Markets Global Equities Index is down -10.36%. "The investment environment remained a difficult one in May as stock markets experienced their longest slump in a decade - two decades in the case of the Dow - before rallying late in the month," said Ben Crawford, Head of Research at BarclayHedge. "While many macroeconomic metrics still appear favorable, there are some leading indicators beginning to flash recession warnings. The downturn in markets is but one of them. More worryingly is an apparent slowdown in China's output, linked unambiguously to its aggressive 'zero-Covid' policy stance. As the so-called 'factory to the world', a prolonged slowdown in China could further exacerbate production backlogs, worsening supply-demand imbalances and continue to drive prices higher. The ripple effects are capable of dampening production planning, hiring, market sentiment and consumer spending, which in turn could easily nudge the world into the swampy confines of a globalized stagflation." Bg Press release: Article source - Opalesque is not responsible for the content of external internet sites The sort gifts individual have can't be found without they themselves being allowed the chance to grandstand it. ability is one thing that people are brought into the world with yet gifts can be resolved effectively whenever one is allowed to exhibit what they have in them. One Tanzanian youthful Male digital artist who is generally excellent in making Illustration artwork he is here to show us a greater amount of his JERUSALEM & NEW YORK--US-based NYVC Ventures LLC (www.NYVC.com) announced the addition of Michael Dvorin as a Managing Partner and Head of NYVC's Israel Office. Mr. Dvorin, a prominent Israel-based attorney, has extensive experience with startup funding, venture capital investments, M&As, SPACs, IPOs, and other investment banking transactions. Mr. Dvorin worked with high-profile clients in the upper echelons of the Israeli government and the high-tech industry, including hundreds of startups and investors remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Britain's Prince Charles traveled to Romania's capital Wednesday to visit refugees, mostly women and children, from Russias war in Ukraine who have found safety in the neighboring Eastern European country. The Prince of Wales visited the Romexpo Donation Centre for Ukrainian refugees in Bucharest. There, he met some of the nearly 1 million Ukrainians who have reached Romania since the war began on Feb. 24, and observed the relief effort being mounted by the government and volunteers. Speaking to a group of Ukrainians through an interpreter, Charles apologized for his lack of language skills, saying, I wish my Ukrainian was better. We feel for you greatly, its a nightmare situation, he said. Im full of admiration for the Ukrainian people. Total, extraordinary courage and resilience. During his visit, Charles received a gift from some of the Ukrainian children at the center: wooden spoons painted in traditional Ukrainian patterns. Marvelous, thank you, thank you, Charles told one of the children. I love the way you painted that. Joining Charles were representatives of the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the U.N. refugee agency, as well as the mayor of Bucharest and members of other state relief agencies. Over 1,000 Ukrainians visit the donation center daily to get free supplies like food, hygiene products, clothing and shoes, according to the managers of the facility. Refugees also have access to social services and counsel while they remain in Romania. The visit was the latest of a number of engagements Charles has had with Ukrainian refugees in recent weeks. According to the British Embassy in Bucharest, he visited a Ukrainian community in Ottawa, Canada last week, where he met with a family displaced by the war. More than 972,000 Ukrainians have fled into Romania since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, according to the U.N. refugee agency. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate VILLA CLARA, Cuba (AP) A vessel carrying more than 800 Haitians trying to reach the United States wound up instead on the coast of central Cuba, in what appeared to be the largest group seen yet in a swelling exodus from crisis-stricken Haiti. Red Cross officials in the province of Villa Clara said Wednesday that the 842 Haitians were being housed at a tourist campground. The group arrived Tuesday at Villa Blanca, about 300 kilometers (180 miles) east of Havana, and reportedly included 70 children and 97 women. The Haitians said they called for help with light signals after being abandoned and cast adrift by their captain. We were on Tortuga Island for two months waiting for the trip until last Saturday, when at five in the morning they took us to the boat, 19-year-old Joyce Paul, who arrived on the boat, told The Associated Press. In the following days, 15 people threw themselves into the sea because they couldnt stand hunger," Paul said. "There was a herring for (each) 15 people and they gave us water. Paul was traveling with an uncle, his wife and a baby at a cost of $4,000 per person. The family said the captain abandoned them early Tuesday on a separate small boat after taking their cellphones. The ship was listing. With a flashlight, they managed to draw the attention of people on Cuba's coast. While the number of migrants on this single vessel seemed unprecedented, the U.S. Coast Guard and other nations have reported intercepting several boats carrying well over 100 Haitians in recent months. It is not unusual for currents and winds to carry Haitians to Cuba, which borders most of the sea path between Haiti and the U.S. Cuba returns most of the arriving migrants to Haiti. A crumbling economy and a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings in Haiti has prompted thousands of Haitians to flee their country in the past year. Human rights activists in Haiti say those fleeing believe they are safer taking the risk on an overcrowded boat than staying in their country. U.S. authorities say the number of Haitian migrants detained in and around U.S. jurisdictions in the Caribbean has doubled. On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said it stopped a sail freighter carrying 153 Haitian migrants near the Florida Keys. Earlier this month, the Coast Guard rescued 36 Haitian migrants and found 11 others dead all women after a boat capsized northwest of Puerto Rico. The rescue came just days after 68 migrants were rescued in treacherous waters between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. In April, the U.S. Coast Guard spotted more than 130 Haitian migrants aboard a boat near the Bahamas. A month prior, 140 migrants landed in the Florida Keys. U.S. Coast Guard crews have interdicted about 4,500 Haitians since October. Many were trying to come ashore in the Florida Keys in overloaded vessels. More than 3,000 of those migrants have been found since mid-March, signaling the pace has been picking up in the spring. Meanwhile, Cuba's government reported a group of 292 Haitians had reached the province of Ciego de Avila in February. Maximo Luz, a journalist with Telecubanacan broadcaster, said that adverse navigation conditions brought the latest group of Haitians to Cuba, where they sought the help of border guard troops. The national news site Cubadebate showed images of a gray vessel packed with people and of rescue workers carrying some of the Haitians for treatment. Miguel Angel Fernandez, head of the Red Cross in Villa Clara province, said the 842 Haitians had received medical attention and first aid. They are in quarantine, Fernandez told AP, indicating that they would remain there for three to five days. Arletys Ramos, a municipal epidemiology director, said Haitians are monitored in relation to diseases such as COVID-19, malaria and cholera, although no one among the group was seriously ill. ___ Associated Press writer Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CHICAGO (AP) A Chicago man who jumped onto train tracks to rescue someone who had fallen onto an electrified rail during a fight at an L station earned more than praise for his heroic act: Hes also been gifted with a car. Anthony Perry, 20, was surprised Wednesday with a 2009 Audi A8 from Early Walker, founder of the anti-violence organization Im Telling Dont Shoot. We wanted to literally show our appreciation because we need more people like you. We need more Anthonys in the world," Walker said after also giving Perry a $25 gasoline card. Perry said the car will make his life way easier. He's been taking two buses and a train to get from his home in the South Side neighborhood of Park Manor to his job with Amazon Fresh in suburban Oak Lawn. On Monday, he got off at a stop on the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line when he noticed a nearly unconscious man on the electrified third rail of the tracks. He jumped down onto the tracks and pulled the man to safety. I was hoping I could just grab him and not feel nothing, but I felt a little shock, Perry said. I felt it all though my body actually. I didnt let that stop me. With the help of another commuter, Perry administered CPR on the man, who had been hurt by an electric shock. The man was taken to a hospital and was expected to survive. Police are still investigating the incident that led to the man falling onto the tracks, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Perry's car was delivered to him blocks from his home as residents and police officers looked on in support. So many times people think these young men are out here doing the wrong thing, but this is just a prime example of how a young man took it upon himself to jump in and do the right thing, said Chicago police Lt. Yolanda Irving. MANISTEE "We're in a crisis situation when it comes to housing." That is what Yarrow Brown, executive director of Housing North said to the Manistee City Council during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday. The council agreed by unanimous vote to enter into an agreement for three years for $20,000 each year with Housing North in order to create a housing-ready coordinator position for Manistee County. The position would look at ways to attract housing development to both the city and county of Manistee, according to Brown. It would be funded by the city along with help from other organizations including nonprofits like the Manistee County Community Foundation. Housing North is a nonprofit organization that is trying to bring housing to northwest lower Michigan. According to a statement on its website, "In the 1990s, several organizations whose work touched various aspects of the housing crisis joined forces to create the Housing Solutions Network." Related Content Housing North: 15K housing units needed in northwest Michigan While many organizations were trying to solve the problem, none of the organizations could fully address the scope of the problem. "Stakeholders such as Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Networks Northwest and Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency hoped this collaboration would address barriers to affordable housing. It soon became very clear: It was going to be difficult if not impossible to meet the regions housing needs without first addressing the communications, policy and capacity barriers to a functional housing environment none of which were being addressed by existing organizations," the site reads. The website noted that new solutions were needed to address a chronic shortage of housing in northern Michigan. "A new organization was needed. This independent nonprofit would be laser-focused on addressing the systemic problems embedded in zoning laws, development financing and public-private partnerships problems that were so pervasive they impacted every aspect of housing work and prevented real progress from being made. If these barriers could be removed, a new and strong foundation could be built, one that would serve as a stabilizing force for a healthier, more sustainable, thriving northwest Michigan." According to a 2019 study commissioned with the help of Networks Northwest, it was projected that the city of Manistee alone would need 396 new housing units. Around 302 would be rentals and 94% of those rentals would need to be for people who make $40,000 or less a year. Jeff Zide/News Advocate However, Brown noted those numbers are outdated, and that the pandemic and many other associated issues mean the need is probably far greater than what the 2019 study projected. She said she does not have exact figures and that her organization still does not have access to the 2020 census data to be able to take a deep dive. Brown noted that the person who fills the position will have to find unique and creative solutions in order to bring in more housing. The entire region, which goes from Manistee to Traverse City, needs 15,000 units. She noted that sometimes the issues come down to the expense of new housing. Right now, it is impossible to build an apartment or a house for less than $250,000 a year without some support, Brown said. " Even people making a very significant income are still not able to find housing. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Photo provided by City of Midland Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Photo provided by City of Midland Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The City of Midland announced in a news release on Thursday the hiring of Rebecca (Becky) Schaefer as Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations, and Jacob Kain as Director of Planning and Community Development. Schaefer will join the City of Midland on June 27. She brings more than 15 years of HR management experience, including the last nine years at Central Michigan University as an assistant director of staff and faculty resources. Before her position with CMU, Schaefer worked as a human resources coordinator for Menards Corporation. She holds a bachelors and a masters degree in business administration from CMU; both include a concentration in human resources management This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ST. LOUIS (AP) After a record-setting Midwestern rainstorm that damaged thousands of homes and businesses, Stefanie Johnsons farmhouse in Blandinsville, Illinois, didnt have safe drinking water for nearly two months. Flood water poured into her well, turning the water a muddy brown and forcing Johnson, her husband and their two young children to use store-bought supplies. Even after sediment cleared, testing found bacteria including E. coli, which can cause diarrhea. The family boiled water for drinking and cooking. The YMCA was a refuge for showers. I was pretty strict with the kids, said Johnson, who works with a private well protection program at the local health department. Id pour bottled water on their toothbrushes. Though estimates vary, roughly 53 million U.S. residents about 17% of the population rely on private wells, according to a study conducted in part by Environmental Protection Agency researchers. Most live in rural areas. But others are in subdivisions near fast-growing metro regions or otherwise beyond the reach of public water pipes. While many private wells provide safe water, the absence of regulation and treatment afforded by larger municipal systems may expose some users to health risks, from bacteria and viruses to chemicals and lead, studies have found. Risks are elevated after flooding or heavy rainfall, when animal and human feces, dirt, nutrients such as nitrogen and other contaminants can seep into wells. And experts say the threat is growing as the warming climate fuels more intense rainstorms and stronger and wetter hurricanes. Areas that hadn't been impacted are now. New areas are getting flooded, said Kelsey Pieper, a Northeastern University professor of environmental engineering. We know the environment is shifting and we're playing catch-up, trying to increase awareness. Pieper is among scientists conducting well testing and education programs in storm-prone areas. After Hurricane Harvey caused widespread flooding along the Texas coast in 2017, sampling of more than 8,800 wells in 44 counties found average E. coli levels nearly three times higher than normal, she said. Sampling of 108 wells in Mississippi following Hurricane Ida in 2021 produced a similar bump in E. coli readings. Other studies turned up higher levels in North Carolina after Hurricane Florence in 2018. The following year, above-average snowfall and a March storm unleashed flooding in Nebraska. Levees and dams were breached. Fremont, a city of more than 25,000, turned into an island when the nearby Platte and Elkhorn rivers overflowed. The municipal system continued to supply drinking water but some nearby private wells were damaged or contaminated. Julie Hindmarsh's farm was flooded for three days, and it took months to make the well water drinkable again. At times, the cleanup crew wore protective suits. They didnt know what was in that floodwater, she said. CONTAMINATION RISK Groundwater is often a cleaner source than surface supplies because soil can provide a protective buffer, said Heather Murphy, an epidemiologist at the University of Guelph in Canada. But she said that can give well owners a false sense of security, leading them to forgo testing, maintenance and treatment. There's a big misconception that it's underground, therefore it's safe, said Murphy, who estimates 1.3 million cases of acute gastrointestinal illness in the U.S. are caused annually by drinking untreated water from private wells. Old, poorly maintained wells are especially vulnerable to floodwaters entering through openings at the top. It just runs right in and its full of bacteria, said Steven Wilson, a well expert at the University of Illinois. It doesnt always take a flood or hurricane to pollute wells. Industrial contamination can reach them by seeping into groundwater. Around 1,000 residential wells in Michigans Kent County were tainted for decades with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in landfill sludge from footwear company Wolverine World Wide. The pollution, discovered in 2017, spurred lawsuits and a $69.5 million settlement with the state that extended city water lines to affected houses. We thought we were getting this pristine, straight-from-nature water and it would be much better for us, said Sandy Wynn-Stelt, who has lived across from one of the dump sites since the early 1990s. She said tests detected high levels of PFAS chemicals in her water and blood, leaving her fearful to drink or even brush her teeth with well water. In a suit later settled, she blamed the contamination for her husbands 2016 death from liver cancer. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer four years later. LITTLE REGULATION FOR WELL OWNERS While many well owners dont have the option of hooking up to a public water system, others are happy with well water. They might favor the taste or want to avoid monthly bills and government regulation. What I hear from people is freedom, said Jesse Campbell, private well coordinator for the Midwest Assistance Program Inc., which addresses rural water needs. Private well owners are responsible for them. While public water systems must meet federal safety standards, those rules dont apply to wells that have fewer than 15 connections or serve fewer than 25 people. State and local standards usually involve only construction and design, although some states set tougher rules. New Jersey requires water quality testing before sales of property with private wells. Rhode Island requires testing when new wells are built and when property with a well is sold. But many states rely on public outreach and voluntary action to protect private well users. Theres an overall lack of education, Campbell said. He meets with well owners from Montana to Missouri, providing free inspections and advice. A lot of harm can be prevented if owners make sure the well's top keeps out debris and that the pump is turned off before a storm to keep out floodwaters. Experts recommend testing after a flood and decontaminating wells with chlorine if a problem is found. People arent regularly testing, said Riley Mulhern, an environmental engineer at the research group RTI International. Indianas health department offers testing for bacteria, lead, copper, fluoride and other contaminants. Some land-grant universities and private labs provide similar services. While many owners know how to maintain their wells, others ignore problems even if the water isnt sanitary. Water that tastes fine can still be contaminated. I wish I had a nickel for everyone who's walked into a workshop and said, Ive been drinking this water forever and it's fine,' said Jason Barrett, who directs a Mississippi State University program that educates well owners. It provides free testing. But where such assistance isn't available, costs can run to a few hundred dollars, according to experts. Some owners avoid testing because they are concerned it will reveal an expensive problem. Johnson, the Illinois resident whose well was fouled by the 2013 downpour that killed four people and caused $465 million in flood damage, paid about $3,500 for repairs and upgrades. Luckily, none of us became ill, she said. Even ordinary rainstorms can carry diseases into groundwater, said Mark Borchardt, a microbiologist formerly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A lot of times people say, Well, no one got sick,' Borchardt said. It's hard to see when people get sick unless it is a huge outbreak." Bea and Neil Jobe live in Primm Springs, Tennessee, an hours drive from Nashville. Several times a year, when there is heavy rain and a nearby creek floods, their well water turns dingy," Bea Jobe said. The discoloration disappears after a few days but Jobe takes precautions such as keeping bottled water available. I guess Im used to it, she said. ___ Flesher reported from Traverse City, Michigan. ___ On Twitter follow Phillis @mjphillis and Flesher @JohnFlesher ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/environment The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin. Tuesday, June 7: 11:15 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Geneva Township residence for a 34-year-old woman who was feeling suicidal. The deputies contacted the woman, who said she wanted to harm herself. They transported her to MyMichigan Medical Center, where deputies completed a mental petition. 9:16 p.m. Deputies did a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple violations in Lee Township. Upon further investigation, the deputies learned the 26-year-old female owner did not have the vehicle insured. The owner was cited for no insurance. 8:10 p.m. A deputy responded to DNR state land in Lincoln Township after an 88-year-old woman got her vehicle stuck while trying to turn it around and was having phone trouble. A deputy located the woman and a tow truck was called to the scene and assisted with getting the vehicle back to stable ground. 7:50 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township location for an unknown man surrendering ammunition. The deputies took possession of the ammunition and it was later disposed of. 7:50 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township location for dogs in the roadway. They arrived on the scene but were unable to locate the dogs. 6:55 p.m. Officers responded to a call of disorderly conduct on Waldo Avenue. 5:26 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township residence for a 41-year-old man who was being disorderly. The man had been drinking and it was learned that he had a conditional bond that stated that he was not to use alcohol. The male was arrested for the bond violation. 5:11 p.m. An animal control deputy submitted a bat for rabies testing to the Michigan Department of Health. A domestic cat was exposed to the bat. 4:32 p.m. Officers responded to an assault on Ashman Street. 1:37 p.m. An animal control deputy received a complaint about a dog running loose from a home in Homer Township. This has been an ongoing problem and the complaint was referred to the Midland County Prosecutors Office. 1:32 p.m. A deputy took a report of a traffic crash on the eastbound exit ramp from US-10 onto M-30. There were no injuries. 1:26 p.m. Officers responded to a sex offender violation on South Saginaw Road. 10:52 a.m. An animal control deputy was dispatched to a complaint of a pet exposed to a bat. The bat was sent to Michigan Department of Health for testing. 10:19 a.m. Officers responded to a death investigation on Dartmouth Court. 4:07 a.m. A 33-year-old Saginaw female was cited following a traffic stop in Greendale Township. A report was completed and forwarded to the Midland County Prosecutors Office for review. 12:53 a.m. Officers responded to a traffic license violation in the area of West Indian and Fitzhugh streets. SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) The childhood friend accused of fatally shooting the Dominican Republics Minister of Environment and Natural Resources this week allegedly did so because he was denied environmental permits he was seeking on behalf of various companies, according to judicial documents obtained Wednesday. One of the permits that slain former minister Orlando Jorge had denied had been submitted by his longtime friend and now suspect, Fausto Miguel de Jesus Cruz de la Mota, who served as intermediary between the companies and the ministry. That particular permit involved a request to export 5,000 tons (4,500 metric tons) of used batteries, according to the documents obtained by The Associated Press. Those permits and others were found inside a briefcase the suspect was carrying when the minister, who is the son of a former president, was shot six times at his office on Monday, the documents state. Authorities wrote that the suspect was bothered by that particular permit: It had been denied, but they had resubmitted it. They also described Cruz as a cold and calculating murderer and are seeking one year of preventive prison as the investigation continues. It was not immediately clear if Cruz had an attorney. Shortly after Mondays killing, police arrested Cruz at a church dozens of blocks away after telling a priest he committed a crime and handed over a gun to him. Authorities also state in the documents that Cruz allegedly took advantage of his ties with Jorge to seek environmental permits given his support during the 2020 campaign for the ministers Modern Revolutionary Party. Jorge, who was a founding member of that party, was appointed minister in August 2020. I campaigned, and theyre not helping me, exclaimed Cruz when he arrived at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources before the shooting on the morning of June 6, according to the documents. The evidence shows that the accused had been trying to obtain multiple permits but complained angrily that no one was helping him solve anything, the Dominican Republics Department of Justice said in a statement. It also accused Cruz of threatening the legal adviser of the ministry less than a month ago. Authorities stated that after the shooting, they seized Cruzs car and found a 9 mm Uzi with two 30-round magazines each and $2,000 in cash, among other things. Cruz is the son of Maj. General Fausto Miguel Cruz, who served as commander of the Dominican Republics Air Force from 1988 to 1990, a spokeswoman told the AP. He is also a shareholder of a construction company and an armory. Meanwhile, Jorge, the slain minister, comes from a well-known political family. He is the son of former Dominican President Salvador Jorge Blanco and his sister is a vice minister in Abinaders administration. Jorges son is a lawmaker for the Modern Revolutionary Party. Jorge's family held a two-day wake for him that drew multiple mourners, including David Ortiz, former Red Sox slugger and a Hall of Famer. He was quoted by newspaper Listin Diario as saying: This is horrible. ... Let's stop all this violence. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BIG RAPIDS Career changes can be a daunting challenge, and one former Big Rapids midwife gave up a life of catching babies for one of writing page-turners. Sarah Bransons new book, A Merry Life, takes readers to the 24th century New Earth, where new nations have arisen to replace those that died with Old Earth, which was plagued by floods, fires and pandemics that changed the planet and decimated its human population. The publication marks Bransons first authored book release. The first in the Pirates of New Earth series, A Merry Life was published by Sooner Started Press in April. Branson first moved to Big Rapids from Oregon with her husband to pursue nursing school as he began work at Ferris State University in the journalism department. Once Branson completed school, she became a nurse-midwife, delivering many babies in Big Rapids. After starting a family, Branson and her husband moved to Petoskey to continue work and eventually ended up in Connecticut. Bronson said she always had an affinity for writing and first began imagining her story at age seven. I've always enjoyed writing, and I always thought it'd be a great thing to do, Branson said. But I never kind of felt like I had a story to tell, so it was simply a sideline thing. I traveled as a kid. My dad was born under a wandering star, and we moved every couple of years or so. At one point, we took a freighter to Australia when I was in about third grade, and the captain of the ship talked about being on the ship and traveling, she added. He talked about pirates, and I started kind of conjuring ideas of pirates in my head at that point. It's been kind of a long time percolating. 'A FORCE OF NATURE' Cultivating characters was a unique part of the book-writing experience for Branson. Her main character, Kat Wallace, is one of the have-nots of New Earth and she is on a mission. After escaping torturous enslavement, she sets her sights on ending the human trafficking that is flourishing. Branson said creating the character of Kat came from some real-life experiences. She's this headstrong young woman, and it is set in the 24th century so it's a speculative fiction and a science fiction, Branson said. Its what I would consider women's fiction because it really is about her emotional growth through her life. I kind of came upon the inspiration for my protagonist in a friend I met in real life. She showed up in my life, and she's a bit of a force of nature. Its about growing and becoming more empowered through your life, she added. Not just as a young person, but as a mother with children and having the ability to do all kinds of things. Women do all kinds of awesome things and then go home and make sure that suppers on the table at night, so there is the message that we can be whoever we need to be. After leaving Michigan, Branson spent six years teaching science and history to middle and high school students in Brazil and Japan before returning to the United States, where she recently ended a successful career as a midwife to write full time. Through her travels and myriad experiences, Branson has developed a deep appreciation for peoples strength and endurance. She draws on her past and her imagination while creating stories about strong women and men finding adventure and love, carving out paths in worlds that are constantly changing. Branson said making the transition to writing full time and publishing her first book has been exhilarating. I loved seeing it come to the initial draft, which was really a big, long stream of consciousness, Branson said. It was a lot of fun just putting that down on electronic paper. Through the editing process and through collecting a team to assist with all this, to see that come about has been amazing. To be more at the forefront of having to talk about my book and talk about me has been a shift for me that I did not think I would like, she added. I find that I'm really enjoying it because I really do feel like it's a good story. I'm having a lot of fun encouraging people to take a chance on it and have a read. Hard to say what I liked the best because right now I'm kind of in the honeymoon stage of loving it all. The second book in the Pirates of New Earth series, Navigating the Storm, is due out in July 2022. Branson will be holding a reading from noon to 2 p.m. June 11 at Artworks in downtown Big Rapids, at 106 N. Michigan Ave. For more information about the author, visit Bransons website at www.sarahbranson.com. For more information on Schuler Books & Music, visit their website at www.schulerbooks.com. A former Midland County resident was prosecuted and put behind bars after decades of sexual abuse. On June 2, Edgar Dee Brown, now 77 years old, was sentenced to between 20-30 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections after being convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. As a habitual offender, he was also sentenced to lifetime compliance with the Sexual Offender Registration Act and electronic monitoring/GPS tether by Midland County Circuit Court Judge Michael Beale. Brown was considered a habitual offender since he had at least two prior felonies, with a criminal sexual conduct charge back in 1989 being the most concerning, said Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks. The most recent charges came after a referral was made to police in August of 2020 and a warrant for Browns arrest was placed in May of 2021. Brown was later arrested, extradited out of Texas, and arraigned on Aug. 3, 2021, Brooks said. The charge arose from Brown's sexual abuse of several minor family members over the course of several years dating back to 2000 while living in Midland County. Brooks said Brown admitted to sexually assaulting at least six family members under the age of 16, some under the age of 13. The 1989 charge came before the sex offender registry was created in 1994, meaning that Brown did not have to register after serving his jail and probation time, Brooks said. In addition to his prison sentence, Brown was ordered to pay $4,083 in restitution for his extradition expenses from Texas, and other required state fees and costs. The case was investigated by the Midland Police Department, and the prosecution was handled by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Geoff Rettig with assistance from Assistant Prosecutors Joe Amend and Michael Yelsik and Victims Rights Coordinator Tabitha Spencer. In a Facebook post, Brooks thanked all involved in the successful prosecution of the case, including his staff, MPD investigators Sgt. Jeremy Davis and Det. Mark Stefaniak, and the victims and their families. Obviously, this is an extremely sad case, extremely unfortunate, Brooks said. We hope that we accomplished two things: gave some sense of closure and justice to those victims and their families, and we also, with this individual, wanted to make sure he would never be in a position again to harm a child. Brooks said that he understands that CSC-related trials can be a difficult and emotionally trying process for survivors. He said the prosecutors office has support mechanisms to limit trauma and make the process of the trial as comfortable as possible. Other local programs and organizations that help sexual assault survivors include Shelterhouse, Safe and Sound Child Advocacy Center, and Family and Children's Services of Mid-Michigan. MANISTEE COUNTY The official start to summer is right around the corner, and the Manistee County Library wants to help get ready for the season. Starting the second week in June, the library is kicking off its countywide summer program series. On June 11, the main Manistee library branch is set to host its summer reading program kick-off party. This beach-themed event is scheduled to run from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the green space outside the library. Families can register their children for the summer reading program at the party and enjoy free food and planned activities. Angela Fischer, Library Youth coordinator, said in a news release about the kickoff that There are a plethora of amazing, free activities you simply wont want to miss what were doing this summer." Kids are invited to explore the depths of this years Oceans of Possibilities youth summer reading program. Fischer designed a simplified program that will allow readers of all ages and comfort levels to enjoy the many benefits of a library summer program, reads part of the release. Registration for the youth summer reading program is scheduled to begin at all Manistee County Library branches starting June 13 and includes activities for ages up to age 18. An adult summer reading program is also set to begin June 13. Participants can fill out an entry form for every book they read for a chance to win one of several prizes that include a book lovers treasury, a fishing kit and gift cards to local businesses. Books, audiobooks, eBooks and eAudiobooks all count towards entry in the drawing. The Manistee County Library Talks series continues on June 14 with Michigan Road Trips: Nature Getaways. Author and podcaster Ron Rademacher will share some easy walking trails, little known preserves and some forgotten history, according to the release. This event is set to take place starting at 6 p.m. at the Wagoner Community Center. No registration is required. Rademacher is the author of "Trails & Treasures," "Oddities & Rarities" and "3 Day Getaways." Rademacher documents his travels at michiganbackroads.com. He also hosts the podcast, Michigan Back Roads. Michigan is a fascinating state with incredible diversity, Rademacher stated in the release. We travel long distances and often drive right by the coolest places in our own neighborhood. Julie Cirone, Manistee County Library assistant director, notes increased attendance at programs featuring the states natural wonders. We are excited to offer the Nature Getaways program because we are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area, Cirone said. There are so many hidden gems that are only a short drive away. Cirone said the Nature Getaways program can give residents ideas for affordable places to relax this summer. For details on these and other Manistee County Library events, visit its website at manisteelibrary.org or call 231-723-2519. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LOS ANGELES (AP) U.S. House battles took shape in heavily Democratic California that could tip the balance of power in Congress, while former Trump administration Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was in a tight match to claim the Republican nomination for a new House seat in Montana. In Mississippi, two Republican congressmen were forced into runoffs to keep their seats. Rep. Steven Palazzo had been dogged by ethics questions over his campaign spending, while Rep. Michael Guest faced a challenger who criticized his vote on a proposal to create an outside commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Primary elections across seven states Tuesday set up November contests in dozens of races, as Democrats look to protect the party's fragile majority in the House. In a diverse district anchored in California's Orange County, Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel, a South Korean immigrant, will face Democrat Jay Chen. The district, which includes the nations largest Vietnamese American community, is widely considered a toss-up. In other districts in the nation's most populous state, two Republican House members were trying to surmount challenges tied to former President Donald Trump: One voted to support Trump's impeachment after the U.S. Capitol insurrection, while the other fought against it. A look at results in key U.S. House races Tuesday: BATTLEGROUND CALIFORNIA: TRUMP HISTORY LOOMS IN KEY DISTRICTS In 2020, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia won a narrow victory in a Democratic-leaning district north of Los Angeles. The former Navy fighter pilot was endorsed by Trump that year, then joined House Republicans who rejected electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania and opposed Trumps impeachment after the Capitol insurrection. That record will be a focus for Democrat Christy Smith, who earned a chance for a rematch with Garcia, after losing two years ago. In a Democratic-tilting district in the states Central Valley farm belt, Republican Rep. David Valadao is highlighting an independent streak while contending with GOP fallout for his vote to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6 insurrection. Early returns showed him holding an edge over Republican Chris Mathys, who made Valadaos vote a centerpiece in his campaign to oust him. The winner will face Democrat Rudy Salas, a state legislator. California uses a top-two election format in which only the two leading vote-getters advance to the November general election, regardless of party. In the Central Valley, Republican Connie Conway won a special election to complete the term of former Rep. Devin Nunes, who resigned to head Trumps media company. TWO MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSMEN FORCED INTO RUNOFFS A pair of GOP congressmen in Mississippi are headed to June 28 runoffs. U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, first elected in 2010, will face Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell after failing to win the GOP nomination outright on Tuesday, earning less than 50% of the vote. A 2021 report by the Office of Congressional Ethics found substantial reason to believe Palazzo, a military veteran who serves on the Appropriations and Homeland Security committees, abused his office by misspending campaign funds, doing favors for his brother and enlisting staff for political and personal errands. His then-spokesperson, Colleen Kennedy, said the probe was based on politically motivated false allegations. In another Mississippi district, U.S. Rep. Michael Guest will face former Navy pilot Michael Cassidy in a district that cuts through parts of central Mississippi. Cassidy criticized Guest for being in the minority of Republicans who voted to create an outside commission to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol a group that would have been separate from the congressional committee now conducting the investigation. Cassidy also says on his website that President Joe Biden should be impeached. FORMER TRUMP CABINET MEMBER SEEKS RETURN TRIP TO WASHINGTON Montana gained a second congressional district this year thanks to its growing population, and Zinke, an Interior Department secretary under Trump, is one of five Republicans on the primary ballot for the open seat. Zinke's rivals have been drawing attention to his troubled tenure at the agency, which was marked by multiple ethics investigations. One investigation determined Zinke lied to an agency ethics official about his continued involvement in a commercial real estate deal in his hometown. Hes faced a smear campaign over his military service from the extreme right wing of his party and questions about his residency following revelations that his wife declared a house in California as her primary residence. Zinke, a former Navy SEAL and former Montana congressman, was in a tight race Wednesday against former state Sen. Al Doc Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon and hard-line conservative who has tried to paint Zinke as a liberal insider. The results of the race were being delayed because of ballot printing errors that forced officials in one county to count votes by hand. The winner will face Olympic rower and attorney Monica Tranel, a Democrat, in the general election. IOWA'S SOLE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MEMBER FACES A TOUGH FIGHT A Republican state senator has captured the slot to take on Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne this fall in a newly drawn district that appears more favorable for the GOP. Axne is the only Democrat in Iowa's House delegation. State Sen. Zach Nunn easily outdistanced rivals Nicole Hasso, a financial services worker, and Gary Leffler, who works in the construction industry, to claim the GOP spot. Nunn, an Air Force pilot who has served in the Legislature since 2014 and has worked to cut taxes, was the best known among the GOP contenders. In previous elections, Axne was elevated by her strong support in the Des Moines area, even as she struggled in rural counties that typically lean Republican. The new district includes several counties in southern Iowa known to turn out strongly for Republicans, increasing the pressure on Axne to drive up her numbers in Democrat-friendly Des Moines and its suburbs. REMATCH COMING IN NEW JERSEY HOUSE BATTLEGROUND In what could be New Jerseys most closely watched contest in the fall, Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski and Republican Tom Kean Jr. won their primaries, setting up a rematch of their closely contested 2020 race. Malinowski, a State Department official in the Obama administration, is seeking a third term as his party faces headwinds heading into the general election. His district added more Republican-leaning towns during redistricting, making his reelection bid potentially more difficult. Another complicating factor is an ethics investigation hes facing over stock transactions in medical and tech companies that had a stake in the pandemic response. A report from the Office of Congressional Ethics said the board found substantial reason to believe he failed to properly disclose or report his stock transactions. Malinowski said his failure to initially disclose the transactions was a mistake that I own 100%. He said he didnt direct or even ask questions about trades made by his brokerage firm. Kean, a former state Senate minority leader and the son of the former two-term Republican governor, said in a tweet that he was humbled by his victory and looks forward to seizing the seat in November. SOUTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN BEATS BACK CHALLENGE FROM POLITICAL RIGHT U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota won his states GOP primary contest as he runs for a third term. Johnson defeated state lawmaker Taffy Howard, who tried to run to his right. He is set for reelection in November because no other candidate has entered the race. Howard repeated Trumps lies that there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election and attacked Johnson for certifying the electoral college vote. While Johnson touted his conservative voting record during the primary contest, the congressman has also worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers called the Problem Solvers Caucus. Johnson drew attacks from a pro-Trump political action committee called Drain the DC Swamp, which spent $500,000 trying to knock him from the House. ___ Associated Press writers Scott McFetridge in Des Moines, Iowa; Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Miss.; Matthew Brown in Billings, Mont.; Mike Catalini in Trenton, N.J.; and Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls, S.D., contributed to this report. ___ 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 With the U.S. House select committee on the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack about to begin its hearings, a panel of Michigan voting advocates met over Zoom for a news conference on Wednesday. The panelists discussed what should be expected from the hearings that begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, and spoke about how the hearings and election misinformation impact Michigan. The hearings will share the committees findings regarding efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to undermine President Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election, the funding and organizing of the rallies in D.C. that took place before the attack, and the actions of the rioters themselves. One of the advocates, Leslie Dach, co-chair of the Defend Democracy Project, spoke about polling data and voter thoughts on what occurred on Jan. 6, 2021. He said 68% of voters think the events leading up to Jan. 6 are important to them and 83% view what happened on Jan. 6 as a crime. Another speaker was Heaster Wheeler, political education director of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP, who said Trump and his allies, including some in the Michigan legislature, want to erect barriers to voters in underserved and marginalized communities. I had the opportunity to serve as a firefighter back in the 80s here in the city of Detroit, and this moment is the equivalent of a five-alarm fire, Wheeler said. That means we need all hands on deck. This is a very critical moment in our American democracy and in our American history. Christina Schlitt, co-president of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Michigan, gave support for the Jan. 6 hearings and spoke about voter suppression in Michigan. She mentioned the Michigan legislature introducing what she called voter suppression bills in March of 2021, even after voters in Michigan chose in 2018 to make voting more convenient and accessible. The League of Women Voters welcomes the bipartisanship and transparency of the Congressional committee investigating the actions of Jan. 6, 2021, and in sharing their findings with the American public, Schlitt said. Through these hearings, voters will learn factual, evidence-based information. These hearings are critical to the future of our elections, and we encourage all Michigan voters to follow them. Debra Perlin is the policy director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonprofit, nonpartisan government watchdog organization. She said even before the hearings begin, her group has significant evidence that Trump and his allies were involved with violating federal and state laws and should be held criminally responsible. This could include charges related to criminal obstruction of an official proceeding and criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States, she said. In response to a question, Perlin said people should expect that more charges against people at the Jan. 6 attack will follow the hearings. The U.S. Department of Justices list of Capitol breach cases has 14 people being charged with crimes related to the event. With these investigations, when a subject is located in Michigan, the FBI in Detroit will arrest the subject, who will then have an initial appearance in the state and then will be required to appear in front of the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C., according to Mara Schneider, public affairs officer for the FBI Detroit Division. Since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 800 people have been arrested across the U.S. for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 250 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to a press release from the Justice Department. When asked if people should expect any Michigan lawmakers to be implicated in the insurrection, Dach said he is not sure but that the list of them being implicated is growing. Anyone with tips related to the Jan. 6 attack can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Four Jefferson Middle School students earned high honors at a national chemistry competition on Monday in Texas. Kanushi Desai, Louis Huang and Ian Koh, rising ninth graders, and Emma Huang, rising seventh grader, earned third place while representing the state of Michigan at the You Be The Chemist Challenge. Five finalist teams met Monday in Houston, home of NASAs Johnson Space Center, where they participated in interviews with a panel of representatives from the chemical and space industries. Teams of fifth- through eighth-graders participated in the challenge this year, including in regional events where they answered 40 questions and produced a three-minute to five-minute video on states of matter in space. "The students there competing were professional and smart," said Jefferson science teacher Christine Brillhart, who helped coordinate the group. "(It was a) very positive experience for everyone." Brillhart said the students also earned a $1,000 academic scholarship for post-high school education. The students utilized Midland's chemistry roots to their advantage by networking with helpful adults who could help students through the competition process. We are so proud of our You Be The Chemist Challenge participants," said Dwayne Sattler, executive director of the Chemical Educational Foundation. "The passion for science that the challenge nurtures and the teamwork demonstrated will help serve as a strong foundation for their education and careers. The contest designated Midland's win as "second runner-up." The Chemical Educational Foundation, which is a nonprofit dedicated to building the future STEM workforce, announced the winning teams in a press release from Monday. Information released to the press designated the ranking as third place. Photo Provided Christine Brillhart You Be The Chemist programs are designed to inspire students, engage educators, and strengthen communities to build a better world through chemistry. The next You Be The Chemist Challenge will take place on June 13, 2023 at the Westin Memorial City in Houston, Texas. For more information on next years challenge, visit www.chemed.org. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) The U.S. Justice Department is opening a sweeping civil rights investigation into the Louisiana State Police amid mounting evidence that the agency has a pattern of looking the other way in the face of beatings of mostly Black men, including the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene. The federal pattern-or-practice probe announced Thursday followed an Associated Press investigation that found Greenes arrest was among at least a dozen cases over the past decade in which state police troopers or their bosses ignored or concealed evidence of beatings, deflected blame and impeded efforts to root out misconduct. Dozens of current and former troopers said the beatings were countenanced by a culture of impunity, nepotism and, in some cases, outright racism. We find significant justification to open this investigation now. ... We received information of the repeated use of excessive force, often against people suspected of minor traffic offenses, who are already handcuffed or are not resisting, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Departments civil rights division. She added there were also reports of troopers targeting Black residents in traffic enforcement and using racial slurs and racially derogatory terms. The federal probe, the first such action against a statewide law enforcement agency in more than two decades, comes more than three years after white troopers were captured on long-withheld body-camera video beating, stunning and dragging Greene on a rural roadside near Monroe. Despite lengthy, ongoing federal and state criminal investigations into a death troopers initially blamed on a car crash, no one has been charged. APs reporting found troopers have made a habit of turning off or muting body cameras during pursuits. When footage is recorded, the agency has routinely refused to release it. And a recently retired supervisor who oversaw a particularly violent clique of troopers told internal investigators last year that it was his common practice to rubber-stamp officers use-of-force reports without ever reviewing body-camera video. In some cases, troopers omitted uses of force such as blows to the head from official reports, and in others troopers sought to justify their actions by claiming suspects were violent, resisting or escaping, all of which were contradicted by video footage. "This systemic misconduct was blessed by top brass at the Louisiana State Police, said Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. She described a culture of violence, terror, and discrimination within the agency, calling Greene's death the tip of the iceberg. Clarke said the civil pattern-or-practice probe is aimed at driving needed reforms, if necessary by suing to implement a federal consent decree. She added that Gov. John Bel Edwards and the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, Lamar Davis, have pledged their cooperation. Davis, in an internal email obtained by AP, told troopers to hold your heads high and embrace the federal scrutiny. We have nothing to hide and can only benefit from learning," he wrote. Edwards issued a statement Thursday welcoming the investigation. It is deeply troubling that allegations of systemic misconduct exist that would warrant this type of investigation, he said, but it is absolutely critical that all Louisianans, especially African-Americans and other people of color, have their faith, confidence and trust in public safety officers restored." Black leaders have been urging the Justice Department for months to launch a broader investigation into potential racial profiling by the overwhelmingly white state police, similar to other probes opened over the past year in Minneapolis, Louisville and Phoenix. By its own tally, 67% of state police uses of force in recent years were against Black people, who make up 33% of the states population. The action comes as Edwards prepares to testify before a bipartisan panel of state lawmakers investigating Greene's death. AP reported last month that the Democratic governor and his lawyers privately watched video showing Greene taking his final breaths during his fatal arrest footage that didn't reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greenes May 10, 2019, death. Federal prosecutors also are still investigating whether police brass obstructed justice to protect troopers in the Greene case and whether they sought to conceal evidence of troopers beating other Black motorists. The head of the state police at the time of Greene's arrest, Kevin Reeves, has denied the death was covered up but current commanders have told lawmakers investigating the states response that it was. The agencys own use-of-force expert called what troopers did to Greene torture and murder. The AP also found that a former trooper implicated in three separate beatings, Jacob Brown, tallied 23 uses of force dating to 2015, 19 of which involved Black people. In one case that resulted in federal charges, Brown was seen on body-camera video beating Aaron Larry Bowman 18 times with a flashlight after deputies pulled him over for a traffic violation in 2019. State police didnt investigate the attack until 536 days later, and only did so after a lawsuit from Bowman, who was left with a gash to the head and a broken jaw, ribs and wrist. Finally!!! Bowmans attorney, Donecia Banks-Miley, said in a text message upon hearing of the pattern-or-practice probe. We still need transparency and accountability to help bring restoration to the pain that continues to occur with LSP and other law enforcement agencies. ___ Bleiberg reported from Uvalde, Texas. ___ Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/ This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Russia and Turkey voiced support Wednesday for a safe corridor in the Black Sea to allow Ukrainian grain exports, but Kyiv rejected the proposal, saying it was not credible. The European Union accused Moscow of weaponizing food supplies to gain an advantage in the war. Russia also demanded Ukraine remove mines from the Black Sea, and both Moscow and Ankara said the West should ease sanctions on Moscow to allow the export of Russian grains amid an escalating world food crisis. While food exports are technically exempt from the sanctions, Russia claims that restrictions on its ships and banks make it impossible to deliver its grain to global markets. Ukraine is one of the worlds largest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, but Russia's invasion and a blockade of its ports have halted much of that flow, endangering food supplies to many developing countries, especially in Africa. Many of those ports are now also heavily mined. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu hosted his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Ankara on Wednesday for discussions focused on a United Nations proposal to free Odesa and Ukraine's other Black Sea ports and allow 22 million tons of grain sitting in silos to be shipped out. Ukraine was not invited to the talks. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been working on a package for weeks that would allow Ukraine to export wheat and other commodities from Odesa and enable Russia to export grain and fertilizer to global markets. He told reporters Wednesday the package is essential, especially for millions of people in developing countries facing the threat of an unprecedented wave of hunger. Guterres said saying anything more in public about the talks would jeopardize the chances of success." Russia and Turkey appear eager to dictate the terms and cement further control over the Black Sea. Turkey has maintained its close ties to both Ukraine and Russia. It has criticized Russias invasion of Ukraine, but hasnt joined the international sanctions against Russia. Russia has urged Ukraine to remove mines from the area near Odesa to allow safe grain exports, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged that Moscow wouldn't use the corridors to launch an attack. Both Ukrainian and EU officials cast doubt on the pledge; it was Putin who also insisted earlier this year that he had no plans to invade Ukraine. But Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia is ready to formalize the guarantee for Odesa. The Russian envoy promised that Moscow would not abuse its naval advantage if the mines were removed from Ukraine's ports and would take all necessary steps to ensure that the ships can leave there freely. Turkey says it would facilitate and protect the transport of the grain in the Black Sea. The Greek government has also offered the countrys powerful shipping fleet for the task, but Ankara has not made any mention about Athens being part of the possible deal. The Turkish government has recently ramped up rhetoric against neighbors including Greece and Cyprus over historical disputes. Turkey has other vested interests in helping to secure a deal: Ankara needs Moscows approval to continue its presence in northern Syria, where it plans to launch a new cross-border offensive against Syrian Kurdish militia that Ankara views as a security threat. Turkey really needs Russias blessing in order to be able to carry on this operation," said Merve Tahiroglu, Turkey program coordinator at Project on Middle East Democracy. "I think theyre really going to try to get that kind of a concession out of the Russian side. Turkey also depends heavily on Russian and Ukrainian wheat imports for its own food supplies and is eager to burnish its reputation in Africa, which has been severely affected by the food crisis, said Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti, a Milan-based research fellow at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies. Ankara has been investing quite a lot in its image in Africa as a benevolent country, she said. Russia, meanwhile, is trying to portray itself as a country willing to compromise, to reach a deal," Tafuro Ambrosetti added. Lavrovs meeting came as Turkey a NATO member has voiced strong opposition to Sweden and Finlands recent bids to join the alliance. Moscow has also objected to the Nordic countries candidacy which analyst say may play a role in discussions concerning Syria. The head of Ukraines grain traders group scoffed at Turkeys effort to negotiate a deal. Turkey doesnt have enough power in the Black Sea to guarantee security of cargo and Ukrainian ports, Ukrainian Grain Union chief Serhiy Ivashchenko said Wednesday. He said it would take three to four months to remove sea mines, and also alleged that it was Russia that mined the area. At a joint news conference with Lavrov, Cavusoglu said Turkey considers the plan to be a reasonable and feasible one, although he acknowledged that it would require negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. The Turkish minister also backed easing Western sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. European Union officials emphatically pushed back Wednesday. Lets be very clear, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. "Our sanctions do not touch basic food commodities. They do not affect the trading of grain or other food between Russia and third countries. And the port embargo specifically has full exemption on agricultural goods. So lets stick to the truth. Its Putins war of aggression that fuels the food crisis and nothing else. At the European Parliament on Wednesday, European Council President Charles Michel accused the Kremlin of "weaponizing food supplies and surrounding their actions with a web of lies, Soviet-style. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the creation of a safe sea corridor last week, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. The ministry also called for security guarantees, such as a supply of weapons to defend against maritime threats and the participation of NATO ships in the Black Sea. Addressing the possibility of resumed peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, Cavusoglu said Wednesday that Turkey was much more optimistic," and he reiterated Ankara's offer to oversee a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin. Lavrov said Russia was willing to hold further talks but accused Zelenskyy of changing his position all the time over conditions for a leaders summit. ___ Wieting reported from Istanbul. Associated Press writers Andrew Wilks in Istanbul; Lorne Cook in Brussels, Frances D'Emilio in Rome, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LOS ANGELES (AP) The leader of the Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo was sentenced Wednesday to more than 16 years in a California prison for sexually abusing young female followers who said he made them his sex slaves. Naason Joaquin Garcia, 53, abruptly pleaded guilty last week in Los Angeles Superior Court to three felonies on the eve of a long-awaited trial. Prosecutors said Garcia, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, used his spiritual sway to have sex with girls and young women who were told it would lead to their salvation or damnation if they refused. I never cease to be amazed at what people do in the name of religion and how many lives are ruined in the guise of a supreme being, said Judge Ronald Coen, who called Garcia a sexual predator. The sentence came after nearly three hours of emotional statements by five young women Garcia was charged with sexually abusing. They had once been his most devoted servants. But in court they called him evil and a monster, disgusting human waste and the antichrist. I worshipped my abuser, said a woman identified as Jane Doe 4 and said she was his niece. He used me over and over again like a sacrificial lamb taken to slaughter. Garcia, dressed in orange jail scrubs and wearing a surgical mask pulled under his glasses, didnt turn to face the women. He sat upright and looked straight ahead with this hands shackled at his waist as he followed along with the proceedings listening through ear phones to a Spanish interpreter. Garcia pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. In exchange, prosecutors dropped 16 counts that included allegations of raping children and women, as well as human trafficking to produce child pornography. The victims objected to the plea deal, saying they only learned about it at the last minute and were not consulted. They implored Coen to impose a stiffer sentence but he said his hands were tied by the agreement. The world has heard you, he told the weeping Jane Does and their supporters. I promise you that. The church, which is also known as the Light of the World, said in a statement that Garcia pleaded guilty because he didnt think he could get a fair trial after prosecutors withheld or doctored evidence. The agreement would allow him to be freed sooner. The Apostle of Jesus Christ has had no choice but to accept with much pain that the agreement presented is the best way forward to protect the church and his family, the church said. It repeated its support for him. Garcias grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church in 1926. Garcia took over as apostle after his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, died in 2014. Flores was also the subject of child sex abuse allegations in 1997, but authorities in Mexico never filed criminal charges. Patricia Fusco, supervising deputy attorney general, tearfully praised the victims for their bravery in standing up to Garcia and his followers who have rallied around him and shamed the young women. She said their courage had saved others' lives. They trusted him. They thought he was basically God on Earth, Fusco said of the victims. We know, of course, hes not God. Not even close. ... Anyone who still believes hes God is complicit and theyre supporting a child molester. Garcia was aided by others in the church who groomed his victims and facilitated the abuse. Two women who have pleaded guilty to related charges were not sentenced Wednesday. The victims spoke of how their delight at being invited into a secret inner circle with Garcia quickly spun into an out-of-control nightmare of rape and other sexual abuse that they described at times in graphic detail. They said they were called angels and told they were Garcias property and that his wishes were godly commands and they should serve the Lord without question. Bible verses were twisted to make them comply. But they were also told they would damned if they spoke out and so would anybody they told. The women had been born into the church and it was the only life they had known. They prayed three times a day and sang songs to Garcia. Defense lawyers had said prosecutors were operating under a far-fetched legal theory that Garcia used spiritual coercion for sexual pleasure. It is a fantasy seemingly invented out of whole cloth, defense attorney Alan Jackson wrote in a court filing. But prosecutors said the victims were essentially brainwashed by Garcia and felt they would be ostracized by the insular church community if they didnt submit to his desires. In denying a defense motion to dismiss the case, a judge said Garcia used religion as invisible handcuffs to exploit his victims. When some of his followers finally turned on him, they found themselves isolated and suffering in silence. Some of their own family members didnt believe them. Being called an apostate was the worst of the worst and you would go to hell no matter what, said Jane Doe 2, who cried throughout her statement. They were humiliated and shamed, called sluts and whores, they said. Their families were threatened. One woman said she had suicidal thoughts and another said she tried to kill herself several times. They all said Garcia had ruined their lives. On the day Garcia was apprehended three years ago, Jane Doe 3 said her mother took her to church to join other worshippers who were crying and praying for him. I knew those tears were not for me. It broke me to stand there, she said as she wept. I couldn't help but feel betrayed. Midland County added 110 COVID cases and one death from June 2-8, according to the state's website on Wednesday. COVID-19 numbers June 2-8 Midland County added 110 cases and one death from June 2-8. Overall, Midland County has 18,401 cases, 1,757 probable cases, 213 deaths and 17 probable deaths. Bay County added 117 cases and two deaths. Overall, Bay County has 25,451 cases, 2,856 probable cases, 565 deaths and 33 probable deaths. Gladwin County added 38 cases. Overall, Gladwin County has 4,932 cases, 838 probable cases, 111 deaths and four probable deaths. Isabella County added 45 cases and one death. Overall, Isabella County has 13,756 cases, 2,490 probable cases, 194 deaths and 21 probable deaths. Saginaw County added 346 cases and two deaths. Overall, Saginaw County has 47,825 cases, 4,286 probable cases, 908 deaths and 50 probable deaths. Overall, Michigan is at 2,565,819 confirmed and probable cases and 36,538 confirmed and probable deaths. MyMichigan Health statistics As of May 30, MyMichigan Medical Center in Midland was listed as having a 81% bed occupancy with 16 COVID patients and one in the ICU. MyMichigan Medical Center in Gladwin was listed as having a 10% bed occupancy with no COVID patients. Both medical centers reported having at least 15-30 days worth of personal protection equipment (N95 masks, surgical masks, gowns, gloves and eye protection) on hand. Recovered According to the Midland County Health Department website, 17,874 Midland County individuals have recovered from COVID. This data was last updated on May 31. Testing Midland Countys seven-day rolling positivity rate between May 30-June 5 was listed at 13.1% and Gladwin Countys was listed at 13%. Midland and Gladwin counties have high community transmission. Our 12-county region was listed at 14.6% and Michigan was at 14.6%. Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests for free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. To place an order for at-home COVID tests, visit covidtests.gov. Midland County vaccinations Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available at clinics administered by the health department at the Midland County Services building, 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland. The health department will vaccinate anyone who needs a first or second dose; those who need their second dose must bring their vaccination card. Following FDA approval, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging all eligible Michiganders to get a Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer booster vaccine if they have received their primary COVID-19 vaccines. Following CDC approval, MDHHS is urging all eligible Michiganders 12 and up to get the Pfizer booster vaccine if they have received their two primary COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, Pfizer is the only authorized vaccine for under age 18. The Midland County Department of Public Health has vaccine booster shots available for children ages 5-11. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type they originally received and others may prefer to get a different type of booster vaccine. CDCs recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. Consult your healthcare provider if there is a question which vaccine is appropriate for you. Michiganders should bring their COVID-19 vaccine card or immunization record with them when getting their booster dose, which is available at any vaccine provider. Downloadable immunization records are accessible free at the Michigan Immunization Portal. To obtain their record, Michiganders must create a MILogin account at Michigan.gov/MiImmsportal and upload a valid government issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. If you do not have records in the portal, contact your healthcare provider or local health department. Future COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Midland County are listed at www.co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/COVIDVaccineInformation.aspx. Those with questions may call 989-832-6380 or email MCDPH@co.midland.mi.us. Gage Skidmore The Mackinac Center for Public Policy announced that Lawrence W. Reed, president emeritus of the Mackinac Center, will be presented with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. This is the highest honor awarded by Poland to a foreigner. Previous recipients include President Ronald Reagan and British intellectual Sir Roger Scruton. Reed served as the Centers president from December 1987 until September 2008. During his tenure, the Mackinac Center emerged as one of the largest and most effective think tanks in the country. After two decades at the helm of the Center, Reed left to become the president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE). He remained at FEE until his retirement in 2019. After visiting communist Poland in 1986, Reed began publishing articles about Polish heroes who were leading an underground resistance. While he was at the airport to return home, he was arrested, detained and had his possessions searched and seized before being expelled from the country. This was likely prompted by a speech he gave at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, in which he said that a revolution was coming. He returned to Poland several times after the collapse of its communist regime and continued to forge relationships with freedom leaders. A statement from the President of Poland Andrzej Duda notes Reeds dedication to the fight for freedom in Poland. Since his first trip to Poland, Larry is ideologically and emotionally tied to Poland and her fight for freedom, a commitment lasting to this day, said Duda. In a contemporary free world, Poland has few such dedicated and influential supporters and enthusiasts. For this long-term commitment to freedom and to Poland, the free Republic of Poland has yet to thank him until now. In his book, "Real Heroes: Inspiring True Stories of Courage, Character and Conviction," he included several chapters detailing the stories of some of the Polish heroes he met during that initial visit. In addition to his own writings, Reed also raised funds to translate Milton and Rose Friedmans Free to Choose into Polish. He later organized a program that translated and published the works of F. A. Hayek, Ayn Rand, Ludwig Von Mises and other prominent free-market thinkers for a Polish audience. Larry Reed played a pivotal role in bringing global awareness to the harsh realities Polish citizens were facing under the oppression of communism, said Joseph G. Lehman, president of the Mackinac Center. His stories and experiences have prompted real change and continue to inspire the next generation of freedom fighters. There are few who have done more to assist the fight for liberty, not only in Poland, but around the globe. I am proud to call him my friend and colleague. MANISTEE COUNTY Over $650,000 was awarded by Little River Casino Resort to the Manistee County Local Revenue Sharing Board in June. The casino, on behalf of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, awarded $650,460.20 to the local revenue sharing board as part of a compact between the state and tribal governments. The compact requires the board to distribute 2% of electronic gaming profits from the casino in the form of grants. Funds are designated to supplement public safety organizations, payments in lieu of taxes or PILT and costs incurred by local units of government. Of this, local public schools, West Shore Community College, Manistee County Council of Aging, Manistee Township, Manistee County Conservation District, Manistee County Medical Care Facility and others have benefited. The board is required to distribute nearly 12% of that amount through public safety grants, meet its PILT obligations and then award additional public safety or other lawful local government purpose grants as needed. Since 1999, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has provided in excess of $40.7 million to the board, according to a press release from the casino. There is a long-standing commitment to be a good member and community partner, striving to help where we can. This distribution is an agreement made with Manistee County but in our hearts represents the positive impact we make by being here, reads part of the release. Grant applications must be submitted by a Manistee County government entity, though some may submit applications on behalf of other non-governmental organizations. According to Lisa Sagala, Manistee County controller/administrator, grant applications were submitted by or for the following entities this distribution cycle: West Shore Community College Manistee Intermediate School District Manistee Area Public Schools Manistee County Manistee County Library Manistee County Medical Care Manistee County Central Dispatch/911 Manistee County Transportation Manistee County Council on Aging Manistee Conservation District Manistee Township. The revenue sharing board is set to hold its 2022 grant award meeting on June 13 to determine recipients for this distribution cycle. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in the board of commissioners meeting room, located at the Manistee County Courthouse and Government Center, 415 Third St. in Manistee. More information about the revenue sharing board is available on the county website, manisteecountymi.gov. Director of Content and Operations Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half. Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) The Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW) on Wednesday launched a free mass sterilisation campaign in a bid to curb the growth of the dog population in a more humane, efficient and cost-effective manner, the Government information Service (GIS) reported Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, Thursday expressed concern during a telephone discussion with Libya's minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Najla Al-Mangouch, over the recent violence in the capital, Tripoli Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) A man in India divorced his wife for cooking him instant noodles three times a day. ML Raghunath, a principal district- and sessions-court judge, shared the case at a press conference, dubbing it the "Maggi case" in reference to a popular brand of instant noodles. The judge said he granted the divorce. India has low divorce rates, but a judge and a professor said it is now rising, The Independent reports. The Maggi Case Raghunath shared that he was a district attorney in Ballari when he attended what he called the "Maggi case." The judge did not provide the couple's names or the case's date. According to the judge, the man said that throughout their marriage, his wife would only buy packets of Maggi instant noodles and serve them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The husband said that the wife did not know how to prepare any food other than Maggi noodles. It was noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, he added. When his wife goes to the provision store, she would only buy instant noodles. Eventually, the couple divorced with mutual consent, Raghunath disclosed. Under the Special Marriage Act of 1954, divorce by mutual consent requires both parties to live separately for one year. After which, the couple would agree to dissolve the marriage. Read Also: Pizza Hut Gets Slammed for Featuring Book About Child Who Dresses Drag in Celebration of Pride Month The divorce rate in India A study in 2018 revealed that India's divorce rate is 11 percent. The U.S., in the same study, recorded 50 percent. Raghunath noted that the divorce rate has been increasing in the past years. The judge said in a press conference that couples have to stay together for at least a year before seeking a divorce in India. He also noted that more couples in urban areas seek divorce than in rural villages. In rural areas, women have no independence, and they usually fear the pressures of society and the family, forcing them to cope with the situation despite their interest in getting into a divorce. In contrast, women in the cities are more educated and financially independent, giving them more freedom and capacity to get through divorce, according to Yahoo!Life. Shubhada Maitra, a professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, thinks that high expectations from women are one of the reasons why couples divorce. Men still expect their wives to fulfill traditional roles. Netizens react A Twitter user reacted to the story, saying that the husband should have checked before marriage, which was his mistake. The user added that divorce should not be possible, NDTV reports. Others added that the judge may have failed to ask the husband why he did not try cooking instead, wondering if cooking should only be assigned to the woman in the family. A user also commented that he feels like they are living in the 1890s, wondering why the judge did not ask the husband if he knows how to cook. Cooking, the user-added, is not only a woman's work. If the husband knows how to cook, he should also teach the wife. Related Article: World's Only Nonuplets: Proud Dad Shares How Mom Manages to Care for Them All Photo: (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The missing 4-year-old boy from a small town in Montana has been rescued and found safe after being alone for two days in the wilderness. Ryker Webb was hungry, thirsty, and cold, but he was still in good spirits when members of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office located him in a remote area some 2.4 miles from his home. The toddler was taken for a medical evaluation at the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. According to People, Ryker was playing with the family dog in their yard when his father stepped inside the house "for a moment." When his father came out, he realized that Ryker was nowhere to be found. The sheriff's office then responded to the report of a missing boy, and the Webb family's neighbors had a Code Red Alert, which implored them to search their own properties for any traces of the child. Some 50 people actively searched for Ryker in the wilderness using drones, dog teams, boats, and all-terrain vehicles, while the Montana Air National Guard and the Flathead County and Spokane Police also conducted their search. However, the sheriff's office said they had abysmal weather due to the perennial rains, thus making it more challenging to locate the child. Fortunately, the community did not give up despite the weather. Read Also: Father and Son Save Neighbor's Toddler With Autism from Pool Drowning; Parents Offer Water Safety Tips Ryker Webb Found! By Sunday, June 5, groups and families were checking out cabins and other locations in the Montana wilderness. One group saw a cabin and heard a boy's voice from behind the shed with a generator. According to Sheriff Darren Short via Today, Ryker sought shelter at this shed but was "very, very scared." The area is known to have bears and mountain lions. Short also noted that the boy's eyes lit up when told his parents were waiting for him. He said that the family has been distraught over Ryker. However, the sheriff's office will still investigate why the toddler didn't have close supervision. The police also want to know why it took his mom and dad two hours until they reported him missing. Preliminary investigations showed that Ryker looked for bugs and insects because the trail leading away from his house had many rocks turned over. The boy told the officers that he had taken a long walk and then got tired and realized he was lost. Other Missing Boys Found Safe In March, an 8-month-old baby was also found alive in a Louisiana field after an overnight search. Niguel Jackson wasn't crying when he was rescued. He immediately received medical care. According to WAFB, the baby was left alone by his mother, who was said to be suffering from a mental health condition. A 5-year-old child also went missing overnight in Texas and was located across a field in Bandera County when he flagged down the chopper looking for him. Cameron Crumrine's family thought he went out to walk the dogs, but when he didn't return after dinner, they reported him missing to the police. However, it wasn't the first time the boy had gone out to venture into the outdoors. He told the cops he wanted to try camping on his own. Related Article: Baby Brandon Cuellar Rescued, Suspects Arrested in San Jose 3-Month-Old Kidnapping Photo: (Photo : Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) Authorities announced that five people were killed and five others injured in southeast Arkansas after a large truck collided with a van belonging to a school serving disabled adults, according to a report by NBC News. The crash happened on U.S. 65 on Monday afternoon, June 6. Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said in Tuesday's press conference that the 15-passenger van failed to yield when crossing U.S. 65 in rural Chicot County. That resulted in the van colliding with a truck that was hauling cooking oil. Sadler told reporters that the van belonged to C.B. King Memorial School. According to its website, it is a nonprofit organization that provides services to people with developmental delays or disabilities in several southeastern Arkansas counties. C.B. King family is hurting following crash Lora Medina, the school's director of programs, issued a statement on Monday, saying "Our C.B King Family is hurting tonight. We don't have the words right now to express our pain. The Adult Center in Arkansas City will be closed for now as we process what has happened." According to Arkansas State Police, the vehicular accident happened around 2:45 p.m. when a school van that was traveling westbound on Highway 35 attempted to cross over into the southbound lanes of Highway 65. It was then that the van crashed after failing to yield to an oncoming 18-wheeler Freightliner. State police said that the five people killed in the collision were ages 19 to 73. According to a report by KARK, the crash claimed the lives of 73-year-old Geraldine Prewitt, 65-year-old Regina Jackson, 56-year-old Terry King, 50-year-old Tommy Figures, and 19-year-old Brayshawn Ranson. Morning anchor Hunter Hoagland posted a message on social media platform Twitter to pay tribute to Prewitt, the oldest victim in the crash. Dermott City Council Member Chris Akins told Hoagland that Prewitt was loved by the whole community and everyone called her "Lil Bit." Hoagland added that according to Prewitt's friends, she rarely missed a home game at McGehee High School and could often be heard cheering the loudest. They said that she was the town's biggest fan. Read Also: Son Surprises Michigan Mom With Restored 1972 Honda Motorcycle She Gave Up 25 Years Ago Crash victims taken to various Arkansas hospitals for treatment Officials added that the drivers of both vehicles were injured, along with three other passengers in the van. The five crash victims were taken to between Chicot Memorial Medical Center, McGehee Hospital, and UAMS in Little Rock for treatment of their injuries. Sadler said that state police will assign a reconstruction team to try to determine what led to the crash. A police report revealed that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were cloudy, according to KATV. Sadler did say in his statement that at this juncture in the investigation, it appears that the driver of the van did not see the oncoming traffic. The vehicular crash occurred south of Dermott, which is located about 100 miles southeast of Little Rock in the Mississippi River Delta region. Related Article: AAP and FDA Warn Parents That Homemade Baby Formula is Not Safe for Babies and Infants Photo: (Photo : Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images) A man described as a white supremacist and an extreme right-wing advocate has threatened to "put down" Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Christopher Gibbons, 38, has landed himself in court for declaring in his podcast show, "Black Wolf Radio," that Archie is an "abomination" who should not exist. He also alluded that the Duke of Sussex committed treason for marrying a woman of mixed race. Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, is Caucasian while her mother, Doria Ragland, is African-American. Gibbons and his co-host, Tyrone Patten-Walsh, 34, declared that they do not recognize people of mixed races. Gibbons and Patten-Walsh have denied that they encouraged terrorism on their show. They also denied that their videos in "The Radicalisation Library," which were uploaded online, were resources for disseminating information about terrorism, according to Daily Mirror. Read Also: Meghan Markle Visits Uvalde Memorial After Sister Accuses Her of Neglecting Their Father Who Had A Stroke Abusing Freedom of Speech Prosecutor Anne Whyte QC said that the accused tried to pass off their extremist views as a "legitimate exercise of their freedom of speech." However, the lawyer pointed out that Gibbons and Patten-Walsh, who are both based in London, used a kind of language in their podcast show that incited hate among their listeners, who are also haters of mixed-race individuals. The jury was made to listen to at least 23 podcasts, which were also posted online. Aside from their hateful comments against Archie and his parents, Gibbons and Patten-Walsh also made disparaging remarks against the victims of the 2017 Manchester bombing at the concert of Ariana Grande. The trial will still continue into the week but it comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a photo of their second child, Lilibet Diana, who celebrated her first birthday in private at Windsor Castle. Lilibet, who is rarely seen in public, was photographed by her mother's friend, Misan Harriman, who posted the image on her social media. It was Lilibet's first time to visit London since the Sussexes have uprooted their lives to California, where Meghan was born and raised, in 2020. Meanwhile, the public did not get any chance to see Lilibet and Archie when the British Royal Family and the United Kingdom celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee over the course of four days. Harry and Meghan were low-key during the celebrations. Queen Elizabeth Turns Down Photo With Lili Sources told Daily Record that Harry and Meghan asked the Queen for a private photo with their daughter. However, Her Majesty allegedly told the couple there was no chance because Queen Elizabeth didn't want the images leaked to the U.S. press. Royal commentator Dan Wootton confirmed that Harry and Meghan were booed by the public waiting to see the other royals during the Jubilee celebrations. Wootton said that the people see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as a "couple of frauds." Related Article: Debate Sparks Over Kate Middleton's Parenting After Prince Louis Behaved Like a Brat in Public Photo: (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Lynda Espinoza is living a nightmare nowadays. Her 13-year-old son was fatally shot by a San Antonio police officer and she said it took the police department five days to call her to let her know her teenage child was dead. The San Antonio native said she first found out that a police officer killed her son, Andre Hernandez Jr., because she pieced together news articles about a police shooting of a teen in her neighborhood around the time her young boy died. The mom from Texas was emotional when talking to NBC News, saying "I really don't understand what the police are hiding. My son was 13 years old. That's the key. He was a little boy, and he did not deserve to get shot and killed by a police officer." Espinoza wants to see why police shot her son Cops finally called the worried mother on Tuesday evening after the media outlet contacted them and she appeared on the local news. They told the victim's mom that they would allow her to view partial police bodycam video of the tragic encounter on Monday morning. She said that she does not know what she is supposed to do when she sees the video, but she wants to see why they shot her son. What makes Hernandez Jr.'s death even more painful for her is that she had just laid to rest her 16-year-old daughter, Naveah Martinez, two weeks earlier. The teen girl was found shot to death on May 10 in a stolen vehicle near the family's home. The most recent tragedy for the family happened around 1:20 a.m. on Friday, when Andre was killed by the police. Texas cops allege that a youth intentionally slammed a stolen vehicle into a police car, causing a police officer to shoot into the car to stop him from striking again. She told KSAT that Hernandez was no angel but he did not deserve to be killed. San Antonio Police Capt. Jesse Salame told reporters on Friday that officers were responding to gunfire in the area when they spotted a red vehicle that matched the description of a car seen by the shooting. According to Salame, when police approached the vehicle, driven by Andre and carrying two other teenagers, he threw it into reverse and struck another patrol car behind him. Read Also: US Navy Pilot Dad Builds Backyard Roller Coaster For His 2 Kids in One of a Kind Amusement Park Hernandez taken to nearby hospital where he died Fearing that officers would be struck again, a police officer from the first patrol car fired once into the fleeing vehicle, killing the boy in the process. Cops said the youth stepped out of the car to surrender after he was shot. Police added that Hernandez Jr. was treated by paramedics and taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died, according to KVUE. Police also said that the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative duty until further notice. No other officers or passengers in the car were injured. According to San Antonio police, they have not publicly identified the victim because they are prohibited by law in releasing the suspect's name, and any video/reports associated with this suspect/incident because of his age. Related Article: New York Mom Prepares to Bring Home Miracle Baby After 12 Years of Heartbreak With 6 Miscarriages The 29th Meeting of the Revised Kyoto Convention Management Committee (RKC/MC) was held from 30 May to 3 June 2022. Over 100 Participants representing about 80 Contracting Parties to the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) and 10 Observers from international organizations, academia, and stakeholders joined the hybrid meeting that was held at WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. In his opening remarks, Mr. Pranab Kumar Das, Director, Compliance and Facilitation, thanked delegates for their hard work and cooperation. He further urged them to maintain the momentum as for the first time, under Step 4 of the Four-step Framework, Potential Draft Texts (PDTs) relating to the Specific Annexes would be discussed at this meeting. The main objective of this meeting was to discuss the PDTs drafted in consultation with the proponents and interested Members. Over the 5-day meeting, the RKC/MC was able to discuss 50 PDTs relating to the Specific Annexes. These PDTs were largely concerning concepts on processing of goods, postal traffic, relief consignments, express/expedited shipments, travellers, rules of origin and free zones. The 29th RKC/MC meeting also held discussions on the possible way forward concerning the updated work plan of the comprehensive review of the RKC and decided to continue the deliberations, as well as further discuss the PDTs relating to the Specific Annexes at the next meeting. Since the comprehensive review of the RKC has entered a critical phase, the meeting urged all Members and observers to provide their full commitment and to take active participation throughout the process. The next RKC/MC will be held from 26 to 30 September 2022. For further information, please contact us at RKCReview@wcoomd.org. Photo: (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) An Illinois dad of 3 was killed instantly at work after tripping and falling into a vat of molten iron at 1,500 degrees Celsius. Steven Dierkes, 39, was left with half his body lying on the factory floor at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry in Illinois last Thursday, June 2. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood told the Peoria Journal Star that foul play was not suspected in Dierkes' death. The dad of 3 died after tripping next to the vat of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit (1,427 degrees Celsius) iron, wherein he was taking a sample. Harwood said the 39-year-old, who lived on West McClure Avenue, was working near a crucible when he accidentally fell in and died instantly. Caterpillar spokeswoman Lisa Miller issued a statement about the tragic accident, saying, "We are deeply saddened by the death of an employee who was involved in a serious incident at our Mapleton, Illinois, facility on June 2." Miller added that their thoughts are with this employee's family, friends, and colleagues and that the safety of their employees, contractors and visitors is their top priority. Dierkes died instantly after the horror plunge According to Peoria County Sheriff's Office Captain Chris Watkins, deputies were called to the scene at around 10 a.m. on Thursday to respond to an "occupational accident." The Sheriff's Office, Peoria County Coroner's Office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are still investigating the unfortunate tragedy. An anonymous veteran Caterpillar worker spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the incident, saying that Dierkes was "taking a sample of iron for the met lab and apparently just tripped." They said he died instantly, but not all of him went in. Part of the victim's body remained on the deck for the coroner to retrieve. The worker said it must have been ghastly for those who witnessed it and to wait for the coroner with half of their co-worker lying on the floor. Jermaine Pigee mourned his friend's death in a social media post, writing, "We naturally grew up together. We were into professional wrestling, so every Friday night, we'd get together with friends, and we'd try wrestling moves on each other. Then, we'd play video games all night. RIP, buddy." Read Also: Enraged Georgia Dad Tracks Teen Daughter's Phone Location, Shoots at Boy He Found With Her Dierkes leaves behind a partner and three daughters They claimed that the incident occurred in the main foundry melting area, adding that all employees had been sent home by 10:20 a.m. An obituary for Dierkes remembers the Illinois dad as a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart who would have done anything for anyone. According to the Mirror, he leaves behind his partner Jessica Sutter and their three daughters. His tragic death comes just six months after another Caterpillar worker, 50-year-old Scott M Adam, died at the same factory. Just like Dierkes, Adams fell to his death. According to an initial investigation by OSHA, the East Peoria native was believed to have stepped off a ladder before falling 20 feet to his death through a hole in the floor. Related Article: Murder Mystery in South Carolina as 4 Teens Shot Dead Within Hours in Small City of Newberry In a new analytical report today we learn that Qualcomm was the leading Application Processor (AP) brand by revenue by 44% followed by Apple at 26% and MediaTek at 19% as the Counterpoint chart below presents. Counterpoint noted that Qualcomm has dominated the AP market in terms of revenue in Q1 2022 owing to strong premium-tier sales. Supply improved and Qualcomm made flagship design wins with all major Chinese brands. These devices are now hitting the market. It is a feather in Qualcomms cap that Samsung has increased the variants of its Galaxy S22 line-up powered by Snapdragon. Last week Qualcomms CEO Cristiano Amon talked about their future PC Chip by ex-Nuvia team, stating that "We're aiming to have performance leadership in PC on the CPU, period. Yet the chip isnt going to be on the market until late 2023. Amon said the he was thankful to Apple for driving the development of programs that work on Arm and noted that Microsoft's also on this journey. According to the Twitter site Ming-Chi Kuo, The code name of Qualcomm's first chip to compete with Apple Silicon is Hamoa, which is made by 4nm (vs. M2's N5P/5nm) and going to mass production in 3Q23. Before challenging Apple, Qualcomm must convince PC brands to use its chip instead of x86 chips. Over the past few years weve tested a ton of VPN services for performance, privacy policies, and extra features to present our take on the best picks. Weve done most of this work for the PC, but were also testing the Android apps to see which services reign supreme on Googles OS versus what you get on Windows PCs. While some services are champs on any platform, others are particularly good on Android and were here for it. To determine the best VPNs for Android we consider several criteria. First, it has to be a top performer on Android. While Wi-Fi can have inconsistent results at times, we test these apps over three days, running a total of 15 tests each day (three times for each test country location). We also considered the Android app itself and whether it was easy to manage, as well as other criteria such as pricing and the number of simultaneous devices allowed per account. In our picks below we link to the stand-alone app in the Google Play store, but we also link to our reviews of the full desktop program, in case you want a complete AV solution for all your devices, in addition to your Android phone. Here are our recommendations for the best VPNs for Android. 1. Speedify Best Android VPN overall Pros Very fast Harnesses multiple connection types Cons Interface is not user friendly Switching countries is a pain Best Prices Today: Speedifys claim to fame is that it harnesses all your active connections to make one super-zippy VPN connection, and the effect was undeniable during our tests. Speedify maintained a jaw-dropping 83.56 percent of the base speed. These speeds only happened when the phone had Wi-Fi and cellular connections available. One other nice thing about Speedify is that the switch from Wi-Fi to mobile network is near seamless. So if youre streaming a song and step outside of your wireless networks range, the connection will switch to mobile without missing a beat. Speedifys app design is not the simplest or most straightforward design, but its easy enough. It also maintains some statistics such as how many seamless failovers youve had with your device, how much datas been transferred, and your top download and upload speeds. It would be better if you could pick your country location before connecting, as opposed to the current setup: connecting, choosing a new country location, and then reconnecting. Still, its a minor quibble for an excellent mobile VPN. Read our full Speedify review 2. NordVPN Best Android VPN for Netflix Pros Fast Lots of features Cons Price goes up after initial subscription period NordVPN is easily one of the most popular services around. The company offers 59 country locations with 5,500 servers. It also promises that its service will work with Netflix. It doesnt offer dedicated servers for this. Instead, Netflix is just supposed to work no matter which server youre on, and it does in our tests. NordVPNs Android app is similar to the desktop app in that it has the same style of map that you can use to select a location. The rest of the app is very mobile friendly with a movable carousel of popular locations, and a full country list underneath. The Android app also supports Nords specialty servers for P2P file sharing, TOR over VPN, and double-hop VPNs. NordVPN also offers malware protection that is activated by default. NordVPNs privacy policy says it doesnt log any of your activity and charges $59.88 per year, or you can get two years for $99.48those are both new customer prices. After the initial period, the single year price goes up to $99.48 and the two-year price is $198.96. Its a higher-priced VPN, but its also feature filled, and fast. In our tests, Nord maintained nearly 67 percent of the base speed. Read our full NordVPN review 3. CyberGhost Best Android VPN for rookies Pros Very easy-to-understand interface Good speeds Cons Not as many options as other competitors Another good choice for newcomers is CyberGhost from Kape Technologies. This VPN has a similar-ish design to ExpressVPN (below). It has a simple on/off button at the top of the app, and underneath that is the tile where you can pick the country location. Tapping on the country location option takes you to a list where you can choose a connection based on the country, or you can choose a streaming location, or choose from your own favorites list. In our tests, CyberGhost maintained close to 61 percent of the base speed. Thats about all there is to this app, which makes it an excellent option for first timers. For the full program CyberGhost charges $51.48 for a single year, or you can get two years for $78, or three for $89.31. Read our full CyberGhost VPN review 4. ExpressVPN Best Android VPN for rookies runner-up Pros Very easy-to-use app Excellent speeds Cons Logs data transfer amounts Higher-priced option ExpressVPN has always been very easy to use and is another Kape-owned VPN. Combine ease of use with its excellent speeds, and Express is a great choice for rookies. In our tests, ExpressVPN maintained 72.14 percent of the base speed, which is excellent and earned it a second place finish behind Speedify. Switching locations is as easy as tapping on the tile underneath the on/off button at the top. When the VPN is not active the app background is red, and when the VPN is connected the background turns green. ExpressVPN for Android also supports split tunneling, auto-connect, and a kill switch to help maintain privacy should the VPN connection drop. This VPN is more complicated than CyberGhost, which is why its our second choice for rookies, or those looking for something a little more advanced but still decidedly in newbie territory. Express VPN costs about $100 for the first 15 months for the multi-device subscription. Read our full ExpressVPN review 5. Mullvad Best Android VPN for privacy Pros Excellent privacy measures Best option for pseudo-anonymity Cons Not as many extra features as other options Not guaranteed to work with Netflix Its no surprise to see Mullvad as our top choice for privacy. Its simply unbeatable when it comes to staying as anonymous and private online as possible while using a VPN. Unlike most other services, Mullvad doesnt even ask for your email address. Instead, it generates a random account number and then you use that to log in and pay for the service. The service will also accept cash, as well as Bitcoin, PayPal, and credit card giving you an even wider number of options to stay as anonymous as possible. Mullvad promises it wont track your browsing habits (as all the services in this roundup do), and it has good speeds. In our tests, Mullvad for Android maintained around 57 percent of the base speed. Thats not as good as some of the other services, but its definitely good enough for most uses. Mullvad charges 5 per month, which at this writing was a little over $5. Read our full Mullvad review 6. ProtonVPN Best VPN for privacy runner-up Pros Good speeds, but not as good as on Windows Lots of features Cons Expensive Best Prices Today: If Mullvad isnt your speed then another solid choice for privacy is ProtonVPN. This service is just one part of a larger suite of services that includes ProtonMail, ProtonCalendar, and ProtonDrive. You dont have to subscribe to everything as ProtonVPN is available as a standalone service, though you can get a deal with ProtonMail if you like. In our tests, ProtonVPN maintained around 56 percent of the base speed. It has a wide number of country choices, its privacy policy makes all the right promises, and it supports Netflix streaming, TOR over VPN, and P2P on specific servers. It also has a security feature called Secure Core that you can read about on the companys site. ProtonVPN charges $71.88 for the first year. Read our full ProtonVPN review How we tested We use the same approach on Android as we do on Windows. We picked five country locations and tested each location three times on three separate days. Then we took the average global performance of the VPN as an average, and then compared that to the average base speed. Then we represented the difference as a percentage. The reason we do that as opposed to showing actual megabytes-per-second scores is that those numbers can change based on so many factors such as your ISP, equipment, and time of day. What we really need to know is how much speed we lose when connected to the VPN (its always a loss). That is an experience that is more likely to translate across various setups as opposed to specific speeds. What to look for in a VPN To get the most out of a VPN you need to consider a few factors. First, you want something that respects your privacy and logs as much information as youre comfortable with. If that means no data at all then something like Mullvad or ProtonVPN is best for you. If you dont mind a little logging and your primary concern is speed or Netflix support then there are many VPNs that will suit that purpose. Speed is also a concern since you want to make sure the service can support whatever it is you want to do, be it streaming video, gaming, or just browsing the web. Going with a known quantity is also critical since VPNs are handling such important, and personal, data you need to know whos behind the company and what their reputation isreading reviews will help with that. Finally, after all that, consider pricing and what best suits your budget. Keep those tips in mind and youre likely to find an excellent VPN service thats right for you. Thats it for our roundup of the top five Android VPNs. If you want to take a look at more VPN services check out PCWorlds complete VPN roundup. While the reviews are focused on PC, almost all of the services weve covered offer an Android app as well. Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, UCC, has stressed the challenges that women particularly face in the world of work. According to him, despite there being setbacks for all genders in a very cynical world out there, there are more pronounced challenges for ladies. In a speech he delivered over the week at the 2022 Graduation Ceremony of Ashesi University, he underlined the importance of knowledge and ethical leadership, tasking graduands to do all it takes to impact their various societies positively in different fields. Trust me, the most potent weapons against prejudice are knowledge and competence. These harsh realities will be faced by all of you, but even to a greater extent by the ladies amongst you. Unfortunately, the world out there has not fully appreciated the tremendous role our women play in society and therefore the women among you might face even more challenges Mr Jonah said. He observed that globally, female leaders have proven gamechangers in many respects, citing among others Golda Meir of Israel; Winnie Mandela of South Africa; Indira Ghandi of India; Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom; and more recntly, Angela Merkel of Germany. He proceeded to list eight Ghanaian women leaders who he described as "extraordinarily talented" having worked with them in one capacity or the other. Find Sir Sam Jonah's list below: Mansa Nettey of Standard Chartered Bank Abena Osei-Poku of ABSA Ghana Afua Kyei, the young CFO of Bank of England Beatrice Agyemang of Media General Mimi Darko of Food and Drugs Authority Patricia Obo-Nai of Vodafone Ghana Patience Akyianu of Hollard Insurance Lucy Quist formerly of Airtel Ghana and now Managing Director of Morgan Stanley in London, which is one of the biggest investment banks in the world The Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, added two women to the list, his wife and daughter, praising their strides in business and entrepreneurship. And there is also my own wife who is here with me today, a uniquely talented and inspiring woman who conceived and built Africas first 5- star Marriott Hotel from scratch; not forgetting my daughter Tamara Jonah who after school chose the entrepreneurial route and set up what has become arguably Ghanas biggest events management company. These are just a few of the women who have shown that prejudice cannot stop a person who is determined to succeed; and these are women who against all odds, have broken the glass ceiling for your generation to emulate and perhaps even surpass, he stressed. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The leading Ghanaian tissue brand, Flora tissues, has been adjudged the National tissue brand of the year at the just-ended National Fast-Moving Consumer Good (FMCG) Summit and awards ceremony held on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the Labadi beach hotel, Accra. According to the organizers of the event, the award was a recognition of Flora tissues tremendous effort in product innovation and resilience in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest award makes it three in the space of a week for the fast-rising Ghanaian brand which was awarded the Disposable tissue of the year at the National Brand Innovations awards event held last two weekends. Addressing the media on the night, Ms. Barbara Incoom, Marketing Director at Delta Paper Mill Limited, has extended appreciation to the Ghanaian populace for their support in making the brand a household name. The brand, she assured was not taking the recognition lightly and has instituted measures necessary for continuous product innovation to match consumer preference and taste. She noted that the Ghanaian consumer deserves the best for their money in the face of the enormous brand trust and loyalty. The FMCG Summit & Awards Night is the first of its kind and aims to be Africa's premier gathering of companies, leaders, and experts in the consumer goods sector, addressing modern discoveries and future trends in the industry through a variety of sessions and experiences. Under the theme: Codes of Winning in the New Reality; Sustaining Winning Brands with the New Consumer, the event brought together key players and delegates from the consumer-packaged goods and business industries in Ghana, Africa, and around the world. Within the last nine months, the Flora tissues have won four awards in total. Notable amongst which are; Made in Ghana Tissue Product of the Year (Made in Ghana Awards 2021), Disposable Tissue Brand of the Year (National Brand Innovations Awards 2022), and Recognition as One of the Top 100 Brands Across Industries in Ghana (National Brand Innovations Awards 2022). Other notable awardees (brands) on the night were Indomie Noodles, Pepsodent, Guinness, and Dano milk, to name a few. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A private school at Oyarifa in Accra, Gracefield School Limited, has been put before court over alleged negligence that risked the health of a five-year-old pupil of the school. The school is said to have on June 24, 2021, fed the pupil with banku, knowing well that he had corn or maize allergies. The plaintiff, who is being represented by Mr Charles Kofi Kwadam, is therefore claiming compensatory damages of GH150,000 for the trauma, ill health and inconvenience suffered by the minor. The plaintiff is also claiming punitive damages against the school for putting the life of the minor at risk regardless of being aware of his health condition. The plaintiff is further seeking special damages of GH1,634 being the cost of seeking medical treatment for the minor. The court heard that the minor was enrolled in the School on April 23, 2021 and started on May 4, 2021 In a statement of claim, the minor's mother said she had informed the School of his allergies. It said the mother, on the admission form indicated that her son had allergic rhinitis, corn or maize and groundnut allergies. "The defendant, for this reason had, prior to June 24, 2021, given the plaintiff alternative food whenever the banku was served to other students for lunch. The defendant on June 24, 2021 at lunch, instead of serving the plaintiff with an alternative food, served the plaintiff with banku, which he was allergic to because it contained corn or maize," the statement of claim said. The court heard that because the minor was starving by lunchtime, he ate about six morsels of the banku before the school's lunchtime attendant changed it to a bowl of spaghetti for him. The court was told that after school, the minor fell asleep and woke up around 7 pm the same day and started vomiting profusely. "Plaintiff between 7pm and 11 pm had vomited about 7 times," the statement of claim said. The court heard that he was rushed to two different hospitals and spent days on admission. He was said to have suffered a lot of physical pains with the vomiting leaving him weak and dehydrated. Again, he suffered emotionally and psychologically, the statement of claim said. The School's administrator and class teacher were said to be informed about his plight and they promised that "they will not repeat that mistake again." The Plaintiff held that the School had, however, not done anything to mitigate the harm it caused him or compensate him for the physical pain, trauma and distress. The School, in its statement of defence, denied some of the issues raised by the plaintiff. The defendant said at all material time since the admission of the plaintiff at the School, its officers had constantly followed the instructions of the (plaintiff's) mother and at no material time had the School failed to comply with instructions related to "his allergies." ...At no material time to the day in question did any of our officers make available to the Plaintiff banku in lieu of any other food to, which the plaintiff is not allergic.'' The defendant said on June 24, 2021, the Plaintiff brought snacks to school where he ate them at about 10:00am before lunch was served at 11:00 am and, therefore, he could not have been starving at lunchtime. The School averred that during lunchtime, the minor was served with spaghetti in sauce only. The defendant said after lunch, the minor ate the rest of her snacks, which he had brought from home and he did not show any sign of sickness, weakness or allergic reaction whilst in the School. The School further contended that any substance found in the vomit of the minor could have been any chewed material and maintained that it did not "serve or make available banku'' to the minor. According to the defendant, the minors family had been making false and unfounded allegations against the School, a behaviour, which was unreasonable and denied the claims in its entirety, maintaining that the minor was not entitled to any of his claims. The Plaintiff has been cross-examined and the matter, adjourned to July 15, 2022. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The rollout of free Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) has resulted in a record-breaking enrolment of over 45,000 students. The policy has also led to an increase in the number of TVET schools from 47 to 200, accompanied by improved infrastructure and equipment. Only 14, 000 students sat for the TVET examination in 2017 but that number increased to 24, 000 in 2021. Dr Bawumia also handed over 37 buses, 21 double cabin pickups, two tractors, three Toyota Fortuners and a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser to the service. The Vice-President was speaking at the inauguration of the TVET Service Headquarters and Applied Technology Institute at East Legon in Accra yesterday [June 7, 2022]. The $131.6 million projects comprise classroom blocks, ICT centres, administration blocks, workshops, male and female dormitories and equipment, making it one of the biggest TVET centres in the country. Dr Bawumia said the applied technology institution concept was implemented by the government to provide rigorous academic core and industry-led programmes to support the socio-economic transformation of the country. He said as part of the governments effort, it signed a contract with Planet One Group, a construction entity for the upgrading and modernisation of vocational schools, including the establishment of a TVET Commission. Dr Bawumia said the governments decision to make TVET education free was yielding results, and urged the people to embrace TVET for job creation and entrepreneurial development. Initiatives Some of the interventions made in the TVET sector include the upgrading and modernisation of all erstwhile 34 National Vocational Training Institutes (NVTIs) and head offices, including 10 regional offices and five apprenticeship offices across the country within the last six years, the Vice-President said He also mentioned an Opportunities Industrialisation Centre in Accra which comprises the construction and rehabilitation and equipping of laboratories, workshops, additional classrooms, hostels and administrative blocks, and the establishment of two new foundries and machining centres at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Accra and another one at the Kwame Nkrumah Unversity of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi. "Also, we have completed and rehabilitated 10 technical universities and 13 technical institutes which include the construction of new workshops and laboratories, supply and installation of equipment fit for disciplines in electrical and electronics engineering, welding technology, automotive maintenance and civil and mechanical engineering. There is also the construction of five new district TVET centres of excellence which are ongoing, Dr Bawumia added. Employment opportunities The Director-General of the Ghana TVET Service, Mawusi Nudekor Awity, said the training gave opportunities to the youth to gain employment. She said the projects had revived hope and brought smiles to many homes and expressed gratitude to the government for making TVET enticing and the preferred option of education in the country. Mrs Awity further said the service was in the process of implementing start-ups for TVET graduates in collaboration with donor agencies, international NGOs and the government. That, she explained, was aimed at fashioning out a support policy to assist graduates to start their own businesses. The D-G added that her outfit was planning to introduce an e-learning platform for the study of TVET, and, therefore, advised the youth to take advantage of the programmes and opportunities offered by the service to become self-reliant. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has launched the No Guarantor Student Loan Policy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technolgy (KNUST) in Kumasi, on Wednesday June 8, 2022. The No Guarantor Student Loan Policy, a promise by the Akufo-Addo government prior to the 2020 elections, is to make tertiary education accessible to Ghanaian youth, especially graduates from the highly subscribed Free Senior High School policy. With the No Guarantor Student Loan Policy, the cumbersome and restrictive policy of students providing three SSNIT contributors as guarantors before they could access student loan for tertiary education, has been abolished. The No Guarantor Student Loan Policy Dr. Bawumia explained, makes it possible for qualified young Ghanaians to access loans to fund their tertiary education, using their Ghanacard. REMOVAL OF BARRIERS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION Speaking at the launch, Vice President Bawumia said, the coming into fruition of the pro-poor policy, will remove barriers and significantly increase inclusive access to tertiary education. "The removal of the guarantor requirement is a critical first step to ensuring cost is not a barrier to access and participation in tertiary education," Dr. Bawumia said. "Indeed, these are exciting times to be a youth in Ghana. One can go through education from basic to tertiary with guaranteed support from Government." The Vice President noted that globally, loans have enabled financially challenged individuals to go through Universities and pay after graduation and the government of President Akufo-Addo recognised this need, and the challenges associated with students getting guarantors to secure loans, hence the introduction of the No Gurantor Policy to ease the burden of parents of qualified Free SHS graduates. Expressing his delight over the launch of the policy and how it will help the poor, Dr. Bawumia gave a startling statistics of how many students are unable to access guarantor-required students loans, thus, possibly being denied access to tertiary education. "Evidence shows that the guarantor requirement poses a barrier to access. Out of the 325,000 eligible students whose details were submitted by all the tertiary institutions on the Student Loans portfolio, only 9.6% could access the loan in the 2019/20 academic year,' Dr. Bawumia revealed. "Similarly, only 8.4% of eligible students could access loans in 2016/2017, 9.8% in 2017/18 and 8.6% in 2015/16. Further, in the 2019/20 academic year, 42% of the 7,552 loan applicants could not submit their completed forms because of difficulty finding eligible guarantors," he added. "We promised to remove the guarantor requirement as a condition for loan access in the 2020 manifesto of the NPP. In fulfilment of this promise, the Government has revised the policy; hence, tertiary students will not have to present a Guarantor in order to access student loans. Effective this school year, all eligible tertiary students will have to submit their Ghana Card to access the loans," Dr. Bawumia said. Dr. Bawumia also expressed delight that the No Guarantor Student Loan Policy has been made possible through the Ghanacard thanks to the investment the government has made in digital infrastructure, which has made the Ghanacard a reliable national identity card for Ghanaians. "This is one of the benefits we derive as country by prioritizing digitalization. It is at the core of every serious econiomic mangement." APPRECIATION Various Speakers at the ceremony, including the Vice Chancellor of KNUST Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson and the President of NUGS, Dennis Appiah Larbi, expressed gratitude to the government of President Akufo-Addo for the policy. All the speakers agree the policy will open doors for more brilliant but needy students to access tertiary education, which they usually miss out due to lack of funding. Also present at the ceremony was the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who expressed his Ministrys commitment to ensuring the success of the policy. The No Guarantor Student Loan Policy is another milestone in education after expanding access to secondary education through the Free SHS policy. Qualified students are required to apply online to the Ghana Students Loan Trust with their Ghanacard and successful students will have their fees paid directly to their tertiary institutions. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, a former MP for Tamale Central, has stated that the 1992 Constitution of Ghana does not give room for Article 71 officeholders to be paid what is known as ex-gratia. He indicated that it is only retirement benefits that these public servants are entitled to thus after their term of office - something that has been given the nomenclature ex-gratia by the general public. Fuseini, therefore, called for the scrapping of the retirement benefits of Article 71 officeholders. He argued that they are misplaced due to the fact that MPs and other Article 71 officeholders are contract workers and as such must receive their retirement benefits at the end of their tenure. Theres no ex-gratia, theres nothing like ex-gratia. Ex-gratia is a lexicon taken from the ordinary people and put on the payments to Members of Parliament. Theres no ex-gratia in the constitution. The constitution says they should pay you retirement benefits," Alhaji Inusah Fuseini speaking on JoyNews PM Express, Wednesday, June 8. He explained that the pension scheme Members of Parliament contribute to should not be confused with retirement benefits. ...No, because youre a contract worker. Youre working for four years and at the end of the four years, youre gone. So your retirement benefits will be calculated on the basis of your salary. This is not the case, the principle is quite different. With the greatest respect, its all over the world. In fact, in Britain, its called gratuity. Even the court in Apasera called it gratuity. Gratuity means youre working, youre being paid salary and when your contract ends they pay you a percentage of your salary as gratuity, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini stressed. He continued: I agree there is some kind of conspiracy and that is what is evoking the anger of the people that you cant bring together a class of people and treat them differently. So when His Excellency John Mahama was in power, I remember this matter came out very seriously, very prominently, and he thought that committee [Presidential Emoluments Committee] should be a standing committee. And it should not be at the instance of a sitting President. And any time theres a new parliament, you dont need to change the members unless you replace some who are dead or who cannot perform then they take decisions." Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has called on the President, Nana Akufo-Addo to extinguish all interests in the Achimota Forest if he seeks to protect those lands. In an interview with Kofi Adoma on Angel TVs Anpa Bfo Morning Show on Wednesday said extinguishing the interests and issuing a decree on the Achimota Forest lands is the only way of ensuring that the forest belt remains same. If we truly want to preserve the Achimota Forest, then the best policy will be for government issuing a decree that no one can own lands in the Achimota Forestwe should extinguish all interests in the forests" The issue of lands in the forest became a subject of national debate after government through Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144 gazetted on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on April 19, 2022 by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor gave 361 acres of the land back to the Owoo family. The debate was further fueled by a declaration in the Will of the late Sir John which stated that he was willing his lands in the Achimota Forest to his nephews and other family members. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources also caused investigations into the Will. The Ministry takes a serious view of the allegations and has requested for all documents relating to the lands in question as part of an initial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims, it said in a statement. The issues that form the basis of the allegations predate the tenure of the current Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor. It is important that he is seized with the full facts to enable him to take appropriate actions, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims. The Ministry assures the general public and the good people of Ghana that it will ensure that the national interest is protected at all times, especially in matters pertaining to the Achimota Forest, the statement added. But this investigations, General Mosquito said is unnecessary arguing that stop people from owning lands in the forest is the only way to go. Government should stop everyone no matter which party the person belongs to, whether NPP or NDC or CPP from owning lands there. We cant persecute one and protect the other, he said. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Religious institutions have been urged to be security conscious to detect suspicious characters who may infiltrate their ranks as terrorists. The Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu-Banahene, said social gatherings including religious services were targets of terrorists. She, therefore, urged religious bodies to partner the government and the security agencies to sensitise their members to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. Ms Owusu-Banahene was speaking at the opening of this years Episcopal Conference of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) in Sunyani last Tuesday. The four-day conference is dubbed: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission. Security concern Ms Owusu-Banahene said the growing trend of terrorism within the West African sub-region was of great national security concern to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as the chairperson of ECOWAS, the West African economic bloc. She said the activities of terrorists were intended to cause instability in the sub-region, cause fear among the public and derail the progress of governments in their development efforts. She, therefore, advised the public to embrace the See Something, Say Something Campaign, and be one anothers keeper to prevent the activities of terrorists from spreading into the country. Church and state Ms Owusu-Banahene expressed the governments appreciation to the religious institutions for the role they had played in the socio-economic development of the country over the years, stressing particularly that in modern times, the Catholic Church had demonstrated that it was a true and reliable partner of the government in its efforts to improve the standard of living of their people. She said apart from the churchs core mandate of spiritual upbringing of humanity to attain salvation, its numerous interventions such as the provision of schools, scholarships, health facilities, water and sanitation, relief services and micro credit to its vulnerable members were commendable. Ms Owusu-Banahene encouraged the church to continue to collaborate with the government to enhance development, explaining that the government alone could not provide the needed development for the country. She urged the church to imbibe in the youth its socio-cultural values to shape them into complete and responsible adults in the country. Detecting terrorists Speaking to journalists after the opening session, the President of the GCBC, Most Reverend Phillip Naameh, said it was crucial to sensitise the public, particularly church members, on how to detect activities of terrorists in order to report to appropriate authorities. He said the Catholic Church had already started sensitising communities and church members to the activities of terrorists. Most Rev. Naameh, who is also the Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale, expressed the need for community members to identify strange characters in order to report them to the security agencies. He charged the public not to delay in reporting strange people with strange characters in their churches, social gatherings and their communities. The Catholic Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, commended the Sunyani Traditional Council, the regional minister and the local organising committee for the smooth organisation of the conference. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana has disclosed that Muslims in the country will have to pay GH39,000 each to attend the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage. The office indicated that the amount is for new applicants. It said that persons who paid GH19,500 for the 2020 Hajj, which did not come off, are to pay a top-up of GH7,000 to attend this years Hajj. To make the top of GH7,000, make the payment to your agent. If you paid directly, contact the Hajj Board for the appropriate procedure to follow to make the payment, a Facebook post shared by the Pilgrims Affairs Office on June 7, 2022, added. The post also indicated that tentatively the 2022 Pilgrimage will span from June 21 to July 20, 2022. Tentative date for departure from Ghana (Tamale airport) to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is Friday, June 21st (this may or may not change). Tentative date to return to Ghana is Wednesday 20th July, thus, from Jeddah airport to Tamale airport. (This may or may not change), portions of the post read. Meanwhile, the Ministry for Hajj and Umrah of the Republic of Saudi Arabia has announced that only 3,069 Ghanaian Muslims can attend the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage. The Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Sheikh I. C. Quaye, who disclosed this in a press statement indicated that Ghanaian Muslims above the age of 65 years will not be allowed to go for the pilgrimage. Also, Sheikh I. C. Quaye said that the Saudi Arabia government will be implementing strict COVID-19 protocols during the Hajj period. He indicated that all Ghanaians who will be going for the pilgrimage will be required to show proof of vaccines with COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Saudi government and they are also to present a PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before they arrived in Saudi Arabia. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy General Secretary for the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has condemned those speaking against Togbe Afede XIV who has returned his Ex-gratia paid him by the state. According to him, over politicization of issues in the country is the reason the country is not developing. The Paramount Chief and the Agbogbomefia of Asogli has become the talk of the town after a statement he released indicated and explained that he had returned an amount of GHC365,392.67 as ex-gratia for his service as a Council of State member from 2017 to 2020. Following this, praises and condemnations alike emerged both on traditional and social media alike. Ghanaian broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere believes Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State has more money to refund to the state than the GHC365,000 ex-gratia he returned recently. He asserts the revered chief attended only 16% of Council of State meetings in four years. Paul Adom-Otchere, said out of 242 meetings held by the Council in 48 months, the former member attended only 39 representing 16%, but despite his failure to attend majority of the meetings, he collected all his salaries and other benefits. But speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Nana Obiri Boahen explained that people who are condemning Togbe Afedes action have chosen to see the issue through political lenses rather than tackle it from a very fair and objective point of view. "What is wrong about that, what exactly is wrong about that . . . what crime has Togbe Afede committed?" Nana Obiri Boahene rhetorically asked. "Let's stop doing childish politics . . . what they are saying about Togbe Afede they are not being fair to him," he added. He said Togbe Afede is resourceful and as such he can decide to forfeit whatever monies he is given. "For me, I see nothing wrong with Togbe Afedes decision to return state money, It is commendable and that Ghanaians should applaud him for the kind gesture. "Togbe Afede has helped Agyekum Kufour, Atta Mills, Mahama and helped the nation in terms of electricity. Even if he says he is NDC, there is nothing wrong he is a human being, if Obiri Boahen says he is NPP, theres nothing wrong. Let us give credit where it is due," he noted. He urged Ghanaians to move beyond party politics and consider the general well-being and development of the nation when contributing to discussions or debate on critical national issues. Watch video below Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Member of Parliament(MP) for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfrom, Sylvester Tetteh, has advised the newly-elected executives as well as the members of hte New Patriotic Party (NPP) to assess the national executive aspirants on competence and not how deep their pockets are. He asked them not to fall for inducements by some of the aspirants as they head to their delegates' conference and vote for them blindly. The NPP will in July this year hold its national delegates conference to elect national executives and subsequently go into its big contest where they select a Presidential candidate. The party recently ended its Regional elections with reports about some of the aspirants inducing the delegates with money to win their votes. Sylvester Tetteh reprimanded the party for allowing monetization in partisan politics to dominate their internal politics. He cautioned the members to be wary of their indulgence in this "monecracy", noting that electing leaders for the party "should not be on the altar of how much the person can pay you". "If the person is sharing his/her message and the message is not important to you but what is important to you is how much the person can give you, then you are letting the party down. You are letting the party down, so we plead with them that, as national officers have started picking forms to file their nominations, they should listen to them. "Critically assess them on the basis of the work they have done for the party and what you think they will be able to do. It should not be based on the person being able to organize and give you resource for that matter. The resource should be human resource the person can mobilize to build the party base. I believe if we do that, it will help our nation development because if the party is weak, it is from the party," he urged. The Parliamentarian made these submissions on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has stated that the assumption by party members that the NDC would always win political votes in the Volta Region is a problem. "Our biggest enemy is complacency, where we tend to think that whatever happens, we have won Volta Region. It is our stronghold, so we are going to win. he stated" He said everyone was disappointed but not surprised that the party lost the Hohoe parliamentary seat. Party anniversary Addressing branch executives of the party in Hohoe as part of activities to mark the party's 30th Anniversary, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the seat was lost partly through gerrymandering. He said the carving out of the Guan enclave from the Hohoe Constituency, even though unlawful, could not be reversed although they fought it. Mr Asiedu Nketiah said there was the need for the party members to look at the new Hohoe Constituency without the Guan and begin to strategise to win the seat back. The occasion was also used to sensitise members to the party's membership registration processes. Volta research He said the party had decided to embark on decision-guided research in the Volta Region particularly in the Hohoe Constituency ahead with the view to winning the 2024 general elections. He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government was focused on disrupting the NDC's power base in the Volta Region with decisions such as the creation of the Oti Region. He said the creation of the Oti Region had even gone in favour of the NDC by being the only region where all parliamentary seats were won. Ghana Card The National Chairman of the Party, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, urged leaders of the party to begin assisting individuals without the Ghana Card to register and not wait till last minute. He said the Ghana Card might be the ultimate identification card for the 2024 general election. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, therefore, appealed to the people to secure the Ghana Card and vote for the NDC in 2024. He stressed the need to bring together all members, reconcile with each other, and see themselves as one people with a common agenda. The Volta Regional NDC Chairman, Henry Ametefe, said parliamentary democracy required that a member of a party sacrificed for his or her party. The NDC Member of Parliament for Kpando, Della Sowah, noted that the 2024 election in the Hohoe Constituency must not be business as usual. She urged party members to begin the hard work and not wait until it was late. The Hohoe Constituency Chairman of the NDC, George Bright Anni Bansah, urged the national executives to put in place measures to ensure that votes of the party in the Constituency were protected ahead come the 2024 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. Featured Video Bernard Allotey Jacobs has applauded the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for holding successful Regional elections, though not without reports of aspirants inducing delegates with money to win their votes. Although not subscribing to this culture of vote-buying but as an experienced politician, Allotey Jacobs noted that it is not a novelty for aspirants to dole out things to woo delegates. To him, the important thing that the New Patriotic Party should be focusing on now is how to get their members and supporters to place their differences aside and support a common goal. "The elections have ended. What is important for them is how to unify the various groupings within the party because no matter what you do, every political party has whippings . . . your advice you should give to your people is they should come together because unity is best than any other thing," he advised while speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A sick and extreme social media craze of jumping in front of moving trucks is proving fatal for some teenagers in Indonesia. The dangerous pastime, known as the challenge malaikat maut (the Angel of death challenge) is catching on throughout the south-east Asian country, with participants videoing themselves on TikTok performing the deadly stunts that have had dire consequences for some of the people involved. An 18-year-old was killed instantly in Tangerang, Banten, when he and two friends leaped in front of a heavy lorry in an apparent attempt to halt the juggernaut. His pals managed to avoid the vehicle and thus injuring themselves, but he wasnt so lucky as he collided with the truck and rolled under the lorry and was crushed to death. The driver was detained for questioning.Local police are now looking for the truck driver, who has gone AWOL presumably out of fear of criminal charges. Police say locals have been trying to stop teenagers from stupidly risking their lives while engaging in the challenge, but their pleas have mostly fallen on deaf ears. Read Full Story .... dailystar.co.uk >>> : Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Akwaaba Group launched the eighteenth (8th) edition of the Ghana Party in the Park UK at the British High Commissioners residence in Accra. The Ghana Party in the park is an annual outdoor festival held in London for the Ghanaian Community in the diaspora. Hosted by Akwaaba Group since 2005. The festival attracts over 10,000 people, making it the biggest Ghanaian event outside of Ghana. Attracting visitors from the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Ghana The event is expected to host an EXPO dubbed Ghana Party in the Park EXPO for the first time on the 14th of July which is to create a business network between stakeholders and customers. Personalities who were present at the launch include Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Honorable Mark Okraku-Mantey, British High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Harriet Thompson, President of GUBA Enterprise Dentaa Amoateng MBE. The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Harriet Thompson said last year's event was distracted by the 2020 covid-19 pandemic and she hopes this year's event is going to be an amazing event in the United Kingdom. She said this event will create a positive picture for Ghana and the ultimate goal of the festival is to showcase Ghanaian music, food, arts, fashion etc. to the world. Deputy Minister of Tourism arts and culture, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey in his remarks commended the organisers for coming up with such an event in order to portray African culture to the rest of the world, especially in the United Kingdom. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The founder and leader of Heaven's Gate Ministry, Prophet Nicholas Osei, has criticised the government for its stand on the National Cathedral project though many important issues remain unresolved. Prophet Osei, who is popularly known as Kumchacha, said that the money the government is using for the cathedral project could be used to fix the roads in the country. Kumchacha, who was speaking in an Onua TV, alleged that the Church leaders who are supporting the government to go on with the project are getting something from it, adding that he will not contribute a penny towards it. " on the Accra to Kumasi road, every week there are accidents where at least ten people die. This road can be expanded, and street lights on it fixed so that these accidents can be mitigated. Why won't the government use the money for the Cathedral to fix our roads? "The pastors who are supporting the government with the National Cathedral are well to do, they get some of the funds for the project to themselves, and so if other pastors complain about it, they become annoyed with us. " before the Cathedral is completed, the people overseeing it would have built more than four houses for themselves; most of the pastors involved in the project are crooks. So, as for me, Kumchacha, my GH 1 or GH 2 will not go into this project. If I support the project with a penny, then call my a Monkey," he said in Twi. He added that Ghana is having challenges developing not because of prayer but because of the high level of corruption in the country and the looting of state properties. Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that the National Cathedral is the missing link in Ghana's development. According to him, the project is equally important as any development project in the country. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A passenger holds a Canadian passport before boarding a flight in Ottawa on Jan. 23, 2007. Officials have been bracing for a rise in demand for passport services with the relaxation of COVID-19 border measures, bringing on 600 new employees to help sort through the influx of paperwork. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tom Hanson Gord Portman with his dog, Zippy, at the spot where he hopes to erect a memorial bench to remember those lost to the opioid crisis. For the first time in four years, Celebration, the largest gatherings of Southeast Alaska Native peoples to celebrate their culture, is being held in person in Juneau from June 8-11. The gathering, sponsored by Sealaska Heritage, drew about 5,000 people pre-COVID, including more than 2,000 dancers. The Wrangell tribe will lead the way this week. Every Celebration features a lead dance group and this year it is Shxat Kwaan (People Near the Mainland) of Wrangell, Sealaska Heritage spokesperson Kathy Dye said Friday. They were chosen in 2018 for Celebration 2020. But COVID curtailed th... Day 1 of Event #16: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em at the 2022 World Series of Poker at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas saw 1,080 players buy into the event and create a $2,469,750 prize pool, a figure that should rise thanks to late registration remaining open for two more levels. Only 407 of those starters bagged up chips when the curtain came down on the day's proceedings. David Tovmasyan claimed the overnight chip lead; he carries over a stack of 325,500 chips. Tovmasyans biggest WSOP cash to date came in 2015 for slightly over $45,000. Should he continue in this form, Tovmasyan will blow that prize out of the water. Event #16: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Top 10 Chip Counts Place Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 David Tovmasyan United States 325,500 163 2 Barry Hutter United States 311,500 156 3 Jarrett Bates United States 311,500 156 4 Calvin Anderson United States 300,000 150 5 Christina Gollins United States 298,000 149 6 Stephen Song United States 297,600 149 7 Michael Scarborough United States 288,500 144 8 John Reiter United States 286,000 143 9 Yi Wei Peng Taiwan 285,000 143 10 Alexandros Theologis United States 283,000 142 Other leading stacks include Barry Hutter (311,500) Calvin Anderson (300,000), Stephen Song (297,600), Alexandros Theologis (283,000), and Chance Kornuth (226,000). A number of noted players also made the cut as Day 1 finished up. Faraz Jaka bagged 184,600 moving into Day 2 . He joins fellow Day 2 players Maria Ho (76,500), Heidi May (40,500), Kathy Liebert (97,000), Niall Farrell (81,500). Sadly, it was the end of the road for the likes of Jake Daniels, Eddy Sabat, Matt Berkey, Nacho Barbero, Chris Brewer, and British grinder Scott Margereson. Day 2 of this exciting event shuffles up and deals at 12:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, June 9th. Late registration remains open for the first two one-hour levels before slamming shut and starting the march towards the money places; official payouts will be published once the final attendance is confirmed. Players return to Level 11 where the blinds are 1,000/2,000 with a big blind ante of 2,000. Of course, PokerNews will be on hand to bring you all of the action, as it happens, from this and every other bracelet-awarding event of the 2022 WSOP. Why not check out some of the other events while you wait for the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em to resume? Learning the skills to pay the bills is what people in the Aiken County Public School District say students get at the Aiken County Career and Technology Center. Now more students are getting an opportunity to start learning skills for the future with the CTE Summer Academy. The academy is running through Thursday, said Alvina Jackson, the CATE program specialist at the career and technology center. The summer academy is for rising seventh through ninth graders in Aiken County and offers cosmetology, barbering, fashion design, biomedical science, digital photography, drones, robotics, automotive technology, culinary arts and emergency fire and management services. Participants were were able to choose two programs out from the 10 offered. The purpose of this program is to expose our students to career and technical education opportunities that we have offered here at the career center and within Aiken County, Jackson said. We're finding that CTE, it's important for every child, no matter if they're planning to go to college, straight into the work force, going into the military, to be exposed to our program. The skills, the fundamental and technical skills they learn in CTE programs are needed not only in the careers that they chose and the career pathways that they choose, but in life. These programs help to prepare our students to be career and college ready, so that no matter what field they decide to go in or whatever it is they want to be, they will be prepared prior to high school. The classes teach students different fundamental skills for that particular career. For culinary arts, Jackson said students are learning the about equipment that is need and the basic skills of cooking. Students in the drone program are learning how to operate drones, while those in the robotics program are learning how to operate lego robots. They are learning how to design their robots and then they program them, and at the end of the week they're going to have a battle of the robots that they're going to display to the parents at our end of camp celebration, Jackson said. "Cosmetology and barbering, they're learning the fundamentals of nails, hair, cutting hair, washing the hair and some aesthetics. Fashion design is like learning the fundamentals of the use of fabrics. +11 Students show off their knowledge with Biomedical Science Student Showcase Students showed off their medical lab knowledge during the Biomedical Science Student Showcase at Aiken Career and Technology Center on April 27. The students are learning from instructors who work in those fields and Jackson said they are able to take what they do daily and turn the topic into something fun for the students. The goal is on Thursday every student that participated in our program, they will have an opportunity to take something home, Jackson said. A product that they created in their respective programs that's tangible. The camp is in its second year and has 200 students participating, Jackson said. There are plans to hold the camp again in 2023, and depending on how everything goes, possibly open it up to more students. We just hosted middle school this year, in addition to, we did a techno camp in the spring for our elementary students, but they just come out for one day, Jackson said. We are planning to do this and we never know, we may have to do two weeks, we'll just have to see how it goes with this camp. Voters in two Aiken County precincts will be casting their ballots in different locations for the June 14 primaries. Cynthia Holland, director of the Aiken election board, said Thursday morning that South Aiken 75 and Pine Forest 59 would be moving to temporary homes for the primary. South Aiken 75 will move to Cedar Creek Baptist Church from Mount Anna Baptist Church. Cedar Creek Baptist Church is located at 3001 Banks Mill Road S.E. The church is also the home of Cedar Creek 64 so two areas will be established for precincts at the church. Holland said there was a conflict at Mount Anna Baptist Church that resulted in the temporary move. Pine Forest 59 will move to Warrenville Elementary School from Pine Forest Baptist Church. Warrenville Elementary School is located at 569 Howlandville Road (access is available from Howlandville Road and Pine Log Road). The school is also the home of Gem Lakes 60 so two areas will be established for precincts at the school. Holland said Pine Forest can no longer be used as a precinct. Friday will also be the last day for early voting in the June 14 primary. Early voting in Aiken County is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ronnie Young Aiken County Government Center located at 1930 University Parkway. A list of voting precincts and their locations will be available in the Aiken Standard prior to the election. Precinct locations are also available under the "General" tab of the South Carolina Election Commission website, SCVotes.gov, and on voter registration cards. Salve! (Hello in Latin) June 9 marks the anniversary of the death of the fifth Roman emperor Nero. Neros death marked the end of the first dynasty, known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty, of the Roman Empire that started with Augustus. This week we are going to look back at what may arguably be the most influential ancient empire to the modern world: Rome. So join up with your legion, form your phalanxes and get ready for Roman trivia. GREENVILLE Purpose Financial, a consumer financial services company, is packing up its headquarters in Spartanburg and moving to downtown Greenville. The company plans to add new offices to the still-under-construction McClaren building at the corner of Wardlaw and Rhett streets in Greenville's West End. Once completed, the nine-story complex will have 244 apartments with about 20 percent dedicated to affordable housing 14,000 square feet of retail space, and now the new headquarters for Purpose Financial. The company will occupy the first and second floors as well as the newly added rooftop floor, Vice President of Marketing for Purpose Financial Laura McCutcheon told the Post and Courier. Purpose Financial operates more than 1,200 locations in 25 states across the country. The financial institution sold its 75,000-square-foot building on North Church Street in Spartanburg to Johnson Development Associates in January for $8 million, according to property records. The development group plans to renovate the structure into a multi-tenant building "to increase office inventory in downtown Spartanburg," according to a release. "The current space is underutilized" with a larger remote workforce than before, Purpose Financial CEO Jessica Rustin said in a statement in January. Across the company, Purpose Financial employs about 3,000 people, with roughly 300 located in the Upstate. McCutcheon estimated that once the new headquarters opens, about 150 to 170 employees could work from the office at any given time. The company plans to maintain its hybrid work model. McCutcheon said it started to get difficult to form connections in the larger Spartanburg office where the employees were spread across multiple floors. "This will put us in a smaller space where we can focus on more collaboration, more creativity," McCutcheon said. "A space that really inspires the people that are in the office. We want people to want to come to the office." Purpose Financial toyed with several options when trying to choose where to set up in Greenville, but called the opportunity at the McClaren a standout spot for its amenities, and with the views that will come from the rooftop component. The expectation is to move in by the end of the year, McCutcheon said. "We're excited that we're able to mold it to be the inspiration that we want for our team and all of our employees that are coming into the office," McCutcheon said. The McClaren sits on half a city block along the Academy Street gateway entering Greenville from the west. The project reappeared on the agenda for a Design Review Board meeting in March, seeking approval for the addition of 5,907 square feet of office space to the rooftop of the Rhett Street section, which was not part of the original project plan. The addition accounted for 11 percent of the total building footprint. The New York-based real estate company Lighthouse Living is developing the project. The Johnston Design Group handled the architecture for the apartments, the core and shell for the commercial retail spaces and the historic medical clinic. DP3 Architects is spearheading the commercial office space for Purpose Financial. Architectural drawings are being finished now by DP3. The overall project is named after E.E. McClaren, a physician that moved to Greenville to work at a hospital that eventually shut down. He then took his own money to open the McClaren Medical Shelter, the first Black-owned medical clinic in Greenville. The clinic remained open for about five years. Thousands of Black patients were cared for in the small brick building at the corner of Academy and Wardlaw streets. The clinic still stands in the shadow of the new building. In the summer of 2020, it was moved a few thousand feet to be closer to its original location and to be restored. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Partly cloudy. Near record high temperatures. High 91F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low near 75F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. A Charleston County sheriff's deputy who faces three counts of reckless homicide for her role in a fatal Mother's Day collision is expected to surrender to authorities by the end of the week. South Carolina Highway Patrol announced the charges June 7 against Deputy Emily Pelletier. She is accused of killing Stephania Dantzler, 53; Shanice Dantzler-Williams, 28; and Miranda Dantzler-Williams, 22, when her cruiser collided with the family's sedan just before 11 p.m. May 8 near Ravenel. Pelletier ran a stop sign as she turned onto U.S. Highway 17 from New Road, plowing across four lanes of traffic before striking the car carrying Dantzler and her two daughters, according to a Highway Patrol collision report. Their car careened into nearby woods where it hit a utility box, power pole, signage and some small trees, the report states. All three passengers died at the scene. Pelletier was released from the hospital after being treated for injuries that weren't life-threatening. The Highway Patrol's report which was released June 7 states Pelletier contributed to the collision. Shanice Dantzler-Williams, who was driving the other car, played no part in causing the crash, according to the report. Pelletier's cruiser was traveling at an estimated 73 mph, whereas the victims' car was going approximately 53 mph, the report states. The speed limit was 60 mph. Pelletier, who has worked at the Sheriff's Office since 2021, was responding to a call for assistance from a broken-down motorist. The lights and sirens on her cruiser were not turned on at the time of the collision, Sheriff Kristen Graziano said. The Highway Patrol issued a warrant for the deputy's arrest on June 7. Pelletier is expected to surrender herself on June 10 before a 2 p.m. bond hearing in Charleston County, Sgt. Sonny Collins said. Frank Cornely, a Charleston attorney representing Pelletier in the criminal case, did not respond to a request for comment. Marvin Pendarvis, a North Charleston-based lawyer representing the victims' estate, said the charges against Pelletier represent "a step in the right direction." Still, members of the Dantzler-Williams family are left with lingering questions, like why it took so long to charge the deputy, Pendarvis said. Pelletier remains on paid administrative leave, per Sheriff's Office policy, spokesman Andrew Knapp said. The Charleston Forum is holding an in-person event at 6 p.m. Friday, June 10, called Appreciating Each Others History: Monuments, Memory, and the Future of the Past in the Palmetto State. The public discussion is hosted by Morris Brown AME Church, 13 Morris St. The event features two panels, one consisting of historians, the other of political leaders. John L.S. Simpkins, president and CEO of the Durham, N.C.-based nonprofit MDC, will lead a conversation among historians Michael Allen, Walter Edgar, Tonya Matthews and Blain Roberts. Interim University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides will lead the discussion among elected officials state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, and state Reps. Chardale Murray, D-Hollywood, and Gil Gatch, R-Summerville. The first panel will explore topics such as the nature and importance of public history, the ways in which that history is manifested in the built environment, opportunities for improving the presentation of history in public spaces, and the need for community-based collaboration. The second panel will consider the impacts of South Carolinas Heritage Act, the recommendations of the Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation, and the role of state government in determining how public history is made available. This is the latest public conversation organized by The Charleston Forum, which was started in 2016 after the killings at Emanuel AME Church the previous year. The Forum seeks to foster dialogue about racial reconciliation. Tickets for the free June 10 event, along with more details, are available at https://thecharlestonforum.com/annualevent2022/. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine. Near record high temperatures. High 94F. NNW winds shifting to E at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 75F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. In what could be Donald Trump's final public pitch in pair of hotly contested South Carolina Republican primary races, the former president decided to phone it in. During a June 7 tele-rally phone call for Katie Arrington and Russell Fry his preferred GOP candidates in South Carolina's 1st and 7th congressional district contests Trump said the duels are "two of the most critical primary elections in the country." Trump told supporters that Arrington is a "great person" who is "fighting hard." He called Fry a "really incredible guy who's doing unbelievably well, leading by a lot." The phone call, which lasted about 15 minutes, came exactly one week before the June 14 primary. South Carolina voters have already begun casting their ballots in the state's new early voting period, which ends June 10. Trump's tele-rally begs the question about whether Trump, or any other members of his political cavalry, are coming here in the final stretch of this primary season. So far, federal election filings show Trump-aligned groups aren't putting much money into either contest in which Trump wants to replace Republican incumbent Reps. Nancy Mace of Charleston and Tom Rice of Myrtle Beach. The Make America Great Again, Again political action committee, which hosted the tele-rally, is one of the only pro-Trump players. A June 6 filing shows the committee spent a combined $21,067 on short message service texts in support of Arrington and Fry. A subsequent June 8 filing shows the group spent $39,069 on the tele-rally. Though Arrington and Fry did not participate in the call, both appeared alongside Trump during a March 12 rally in Florence. The pair of GOP contests playing out along South Carolina's coast pit Trump's endorsed candidates against two of his least favorite Republican members of Congress: Mace and Rice. Rice is one of one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump on charges that he incited the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Mace drew Trump's ire after she became an outspoken Republican critic of the former president, saying in the aftermath of the riot his "entire legacy had been wiped out." Arrington is challenging Mace for the GOP nomination in the 1st District. Fry is one of several Republicans challenging Rice in the 7th District. A few of Trump's comments on the call raise questions about how closely he is following the contests that are seen as a test of his continued influence in an early presidential primary state. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! After Trump called Mace "a woman who is just not with us," he declared, "Paul Ryan is backing her." Ryan, the former House Speaker, campaigned for Rice last week not Mace. That didn't stop Trump from tearing into Mace and questioning her conservative bonafides by lumping her in with a group of other Republicans who Trump openly dislikes. "She represents phony, fake Republicans like Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, Adam Kinzinger and, again, Paul Ryan. All people that you don't want representing you, they're with her," Trump said on the call. When he got to Rice, Trump called him a "backstabbing RINO" and "a disaster who was censured" by the S.C. Republican Party. "That's how bad it is. Tom Rice joined the Democrats' deranged, deranged impeachment the witch hunt. They had nothing, they had absolutely nothing, but he joined them anyway," Trump said. Trump also appeared to accuse Rice of wanting to "raise the gas tax," but it was unclear which gas tax he was referencing. As a state lawmaker, Fry voted to increase South Carolina's gas tax. Arrington did, too. "We don't have to raise gas taxes, all we have to do is let our people drill," Trump said, not appearing to recognize that Arrington's shifting stance on offshore drilling contributed to her 2018 general election loss. Asked if Trump planned to hold any more campaign events for Arrington ahead of the June 14 primary, the Arrington campaign declined to comment. Rice brushed off the tele-rally or any future pro-Trump events held against him in the final week of the GOP primary. "We are the latest stop on the Trump Very Presidential Revenge Circus. This has nothing to do with policy. I voted with Trump 95 percent of the time," Rice said in a statement shared with The Post and Courier, in which he also suggested that the call wasn't about Trump boosting his opponent. "Trump couldnt pick him out of a lineup. It has everything to do with Trumps never-ending pettiness and spite." "Bring on the circus," Rice continued. "I'm not afraid of clowns." JONESVILLE Evan Williams Bourbon selected an Upstate woman to be a part of its class of 2022 American-Made Heroes. DeAndria Hardy helps female veterans by providing shelter, case management, clothing and community reintegration programs at a nonprofit in Jonesville called BattleBetty Foundation. Hardys picture and story of service during active duty and civilian life will appear on the side of limited-edition bourbon bottles. Theres a lot of women who have served, and there's a lot of women that have served who are in need, so it's a chance for us to say we see those women and we celebrate them, said Hardy, executive director of the BattleBetty Foundation. Each year, Evan Williams selects people who are making an impact by serving the veteran community. This years six selections are affiliated with organizations that received funding through the company's American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund. Hardy started BattleBetty in 2018 after having her own personal struggles after leaving the Marine Corps and wanted to provide more support for women veterans. People don't think about women when they think about vets, Hardy said. All of the clothing that's available, and all of the toiletries available are very male-centered. BattleBetty has a four-bed emergency shelter and beds for children. There is a closet with clothes, and toiletries are available. Once a month, BattleBetty hosts a peer-support program. Though the emergency shelter is based in Jonesville, Hardy said she gets referrals from across the United States. The first person to stay at organizations shelter was from Florida. Hardy was deployed as an ammunition technician in Dakar, Senegal under a non-combat deployment in 2012. During her deployment, she trained military members from African partner nations. She was honorably discharged in 2014 after serving for five years. BattleBetty organized a fundraising event on June 9 at 1800 Drayton Catering & Events called Bourbon & Barbecue. It will feature dinner, live music and a silent auction. Hardy said she planned the event around Women Veterans Day on June 12. As a follow-up to honor women veterans, BattleBetty is hosting a quilt of honor ceremony on June 11 at Spartanburg County Headquarters Library. The organization lets women veterans know that they count and that they matter, said Heather Durant-McEady, women's and veteran minority coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs. A former professor at the University of Guam convicted in a bid-rigging scheme was released five months early by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Thomas E. Marler, 63, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to restrain trade, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, was set to complete his prison term in November of this year. He had been held in a facility in Hawaii since January. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. The federal prison reported Wednesday that he was no longer in custody. Court records state Marler was eligible for early release to home confinement via the CARES Act and the Elderly Offender Act. Marler had been sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison. He filed a notice in the District Court of Guam that he changed his address from the Honolulu Federal Detention Center to a relatives address in Carthage, Mississippi. Marler also will serve two years of supervised release. Marler asked the court to amend his conditions of supervised release to allow him to travel to the Philippines. No facility in the Philippines He told the court he has maintained a UOG research facility so that he could continue his research concerning Guams native tree species, and to continue regular checkups with his doctor at St. Lukes Hospital, where his skin cancer surgery was performed in April 2021, court documents state. UOG officials, however, confirmed with The Guam Daily Post that UOG does not have such a facility in the Philippines. Judge Alex Munson denied the request, stating Marler wont be prohibited from traveling once he begins supervised release, but he will need to get permission from the court or the U.S. Probation Office. Scheme Marler was indicted in August 2019. His co-defendant, John Hobart "Bart" Lawrence, 62, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture employee from Gresham, Oregon, was sentenced separately to spend four months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to restrain trade and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. John Lawrence's daughter, Jayanika Lawrence, 33, was sentenced to one year of probation after she admitted to cutting trees on U.S. land, as a misdemeanor, in connection with the case. From November 2014 to June 2015, Marler conspired with John Lawrence and Jayanika Lawrence to rig bids for federally funded project work pursuant to cooperative agreements between the federal government and UOG. During this time, Marler was a professor at the university, as well as the principal investigator for certain federally funded cooperative agreements in which his responsibilities included bidding out and awarding project work in compliance with UOGs procurement process. Fictitious bids However, instead of soliciting bids from the Guam community, Marler produced fictitious bids in order to make the procurement process appear legitimate and awarded the project work to Isla Paraiso, a company controlled by Marler, and to Sansar Consulting, a company owned by Jayanika Lawrence and operated with the help of John Lawrence, Marlers longtime friend and associate, according to the Justice Department. During the time of the conspiracy, Marler and his co-defendants fraudulently obtained over $200,000 in project work, the Justice Department added. The man who traveled to Maryland to try to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh has been identified as Nicholas John Roske, from Simi Valley, California. He apparently made it to Justice Kavanaughs house before being apprehended: Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, Calif., was charged with attempted murder after two U.S. deputy marshals saw him step out of a taxicab in front of the justices house in Chevy Chase, Md., early Wednesday morning, federal prosecutors said. Mr. Roske was dressed in black and carrying a suitcase and a backpack, according to a federal affidavit. Inside the suitcase and backpack, the authorities later discovered a black tactical chest rig and tactical knife, a pistol with two magazines and ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, a hammer, a screwdriver, a nail punch, a crowbar, a pistol light and duct tape, in addition to other items, according to the affidavit. His plan was to break into the house, kill the justice and then kill himself, according to the affidavit. Needless to say, Roske is somewhat unbalanced: Soon after, the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center received a call from Mr. Roske, who said he was having suicidal thoughts and had a firearm in his suitcase, according to the affidavit. He said he had traveled from California to Maryland to kill a specific United States Supreme Court justice, the affidavit said. Officers from the Montgomery County Police Department arrived and found Mr. Roske still on the phone with the communications center. This is precisely the sort of person likely to act on incitement to violence by the likes of Chuck Schumer. The New York Post has more, including reaction from the group who published Kavanaughs home address: Nicholas John Roske, 26, told police that he began thinking about how to give his life purpose and decided that he would kill the Supreme Court Justice after finding the Justices Montgomery County address on the Internet, court documents allege. Roske said he was angry over the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion expected to overturn Roe v. Wade and the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 students and two teachers dead, according to the probable cause affidavit. Ironically, Roske, who was armed with a Glock handgun and intended to kill Justice Kavanaugh, wanted more stringent (unconstitutional) gun control laws. Who can debate liberal logic? Photos of Kavanaughs house were widely shared by the media after pro-choice activists staged demonstrations outside of his and other conservative justices homes to protest the leaked draft opinion, which suggested they intend to scrap the landmark 1973 ruling legalizing abortion. Some activists shared Kavanaughs address online and encouraged protestors to demonstrate outside of his home. The location is also easily accessible from a quick Google search and can be found on modern-day Whitepage websites like Radaris. The activists who published Kavanaughs home address quickly denied any responsibility for the entirely foreseeable attempt on his life: The group wrote on Twitter Wednesday that it was not to blame for Roskes alleged plan and said they are committed to non-violence. Fundamentalists will talk non-stop about how our peaceful protests inspired this, rather than the daily mass-murders in America, the group wrote on Twitter. Nice attempt at deflection. They are anti-gun, like the attempted murderer! We offer our thoughts & prayers to Brett & Ashley Kavanaugh after a California man arrived by taxi near their home, armed with a gun & knife, then called the police on himself to confess his murderous rage against the abusive alcoholic Justice. That last is beneath contempt. We didnt send him. No, you just told him where to go. The Democratic Party and the liberal movement need to do some serious soul-searching in the wake of this attempted assassination. They caused it. They foreseeably brought it about. It was more or less inevitable, in view of the disgusting tactics they have used in recent years. And now they have run for cover. Joe Biden has said nothing. The appalling Chuck Schumer, who personally incited this attack, has, as of this moment, said nothing at all. My friend John Ondrasik asks: Has @chuckschumer condemned assassination attempts on Supreme Court justices yet? John Ondrasik (@johnondrasik) June 8, 2022 We are waiting to hear from them, but dont hold your breath. Chuck Schumer will no more take responsibility for this attempted assassination than Joe Biden will take responsibility for $5 a gallon gasoline. STEVE addsheres the actual passage of the FBI affadavit for the indictment: You may have heard brief mention of a massacre in a Catholic Church a few days ago in Nigeria that killed more than 50 people at latest count. Its the latest terror attack in Nigeria that appears to have been committed by adherents of that well-known religion of peace. The president of Ireland, Michael Higgins, issued a statement deploring the massacre, which he attributed to . . . climate change. You have to read it, not to believe it: STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT HIGGINS ON MASSACRE IN ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH IN OWO, NIGERIA DATE: TUE 7TH JUN, 2022 | 16:24 As President of Ireland, and on behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to the families of all those killed and injured in Owo District of Nigeria in the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, as they marked Pentecost Sunday. That such an attack was made in a place of worship is a source of particular condemnation, as is any attempt to scapegoat pastoral peoples who are among the foremost victims of the consequences of climate change. The neglect of food security issues in Africa, for so long has brought us to a point of crisis that is now having internal and regional effects based on struggles, ways of life themselves. The solidarity of us all, as peoples of the world, is owed to all those impacted not only by this horrible event but in the struggle by the most vulnerable on whom the consequences of climate change have been inflicted. Lets hope Higgins doesnt issue s statement about school shootings in America. Id hate to see the contortions hed have to make to link assault weapons to climate change, though in fact theres off-the-shelf research ready for use: Yesterday we pondered the thesis that radical prosecutor Chesa Boudin was recalled because San Francisco is just too darned conservative, dontchaknow. Todays bubble-headed leftists are mad at the media, for saying that the recall is a message to national Democrats. Behold New York University law professor Noah Rosenblum: Im worried about Rosenblum. He just might stumble on our greatest plot, which is our infiltration of the New York Times with the conspiracy to make liberalism look silly on a daily basis. Rosenblum is about to blow the whole secret operation wide open. (Though I cant wait to see what Rosenblum thinks a mainstream left newspaper would look like, and anyway, isnt mainstream left an oxymoron?) Or as my pal Professor Josh Dunn remarked, I cant believe Twitter is free. P.S. I think weve found the first law school that might make Chesa Boudin an offer. You know hes going to end up at some law school. P.P.S. I love how popular election devices like recallsan invention of progressive reformers, keep in mindare always said to be structurally flawed when the left loses. In 2001, Mr Ade bought a plot of land in a place in Ibadan called Aduloju village. The first problem he encountered was some people coming to claim ownership of the property after some time. He soon got to know that the person he did business with was not supposed to sell the property and some of the documents he received were fake. He had to pay twice as much to the people that approached him just to retain the land. As if that was not enough, a few weeks after construction started, soldiers from a barracks close to the area laid claim to the land. Instead of having a peaceful conversation, they resorted to dehumanizing any site worker found by beating the daylight out of them. This got people scared of coming to the place. Eventually, after three years of back and forth, which also involved more money, the matter was resolved. Ibadan is almost becoming a bustling city like Lagos. People have migrated tremendously to the city over the past three years and its beginning to wear out a good shape of its economy. The city is also known as one of the most notorious places to buy land in. But you can still get a trouble-free land if you follow some steps. These steps might be stressful, nonetheless, better than the stress that comes with a controversial landed property. 10. Be sure its not owned by soldiers Some land close to the army barracks are always claimed by the army. Yes, you may see people build on them but sooner or later, it becomes a problem. Some houses in this category have been demolished over the years. One of the important things to do is to make enquiries if the army barracks is not close to such an area. If it is, there is every possibility that you also have Mr Ades experience. 9. Pay attention to topography Pay attention to the topography so you dont buy land where it becomes a pain in the neck during the rainy season. Some areas are swampy and flood-prone. You may not find out if you are buying the land when there is no rainfall yet. If you are buying the land to build on it, find out how it is when it rains. Land with this kind of issue are being sold to unsuspected buyers in Ibadan which becomes a problem as time goes on. 8. Ask for the family involved This shouldnt be ignored if you are buying land in Ibadan. There is every possibility that the land you are about to buy does not belong to the people you want to buy it from. The only way to know this is when you are being attacked for building on the land just the way they did to Mr Ade. This is common in Ibadan and many have fallen for it and could continue if some steps are ignored in the process of buying a land. 7. Family dispute in the past Investigate if there has never been a family dispute in the past concerning the land. It is no news that land disputes exist in two of five families. In the heat of this fracas, some unscrupulous people may want to seize the opportunity to sell the land. This is one mistake you can make if you have not done your due diligence. Eventually, you either leave the land after so much struggle or keep paying a fee that was not in any way involved during the transaction. Some cases have been recorded of people eventually abandoning the land after paying so much because the dispute doesnt just get resolved on time and the families were beginning to go metaphysical concerning it. 6. Require that they give you a complete document Of all the steps to take, this is the most important. Dont just ask for the documents and rest, track them down to the state secretariat for verification or show a lawyer to confirm their authenticity. Fake land documents fly around which you may not discover on time and that can cause you to lose the land in the long run. 5. Do not risk buying any land that has a warning Do not risk buying any land that has a warning no matter how convincingly genuine they market it to you. You must be familiar with this inscription THIS LAND IS NOT FOR SALE, BEWARE OF 419 this is the biggest red flag. For someone to boldly put that signpost on a land, spells doom. It would be a great disservice to yourself to invest in such property. Lands with such signposts are going through a bad dispute that may even involve a long-term court case that you dont want to get caught up with. 4. Verify from the secretariat if land is genuine This verification is vital. Like what Mr Ade experienced, you may experience the same if you are not sure about the rightful ownership of the land. Some land belong to the government; some are not supposed to have any form of structure, while some are on the major road but youd not know until a road construction is done. This happened to many house owners during the past regime of the late governor Ajimobi. You can only be sure if its genuine by confirming from the secretariat or town planning office lest you make mistakes. 3. Start building on it immediately This is in the form of claiming ownership. Any land in Ibadan that doesnt have any structure is easily resold. And dont be surprised if its being resold by the same set of people you bought it from. We have enough cases of land being sold to more than 10 people, so you cant afford to leave the property unattended. 2. Put a warning in form of a signpost on the land Just like the signpost to warn you against buying a property from 419, it is advisable that you also do the same. It doesnt make it 100% safe, nevertheless, it would still go a long way in safeguarding your property from land thieves. 1. Involve a property lawyer In all that you do concerning buying landed property, make sure you involve a property lawyer. The lawyers do a lot for you to make sure that you are buying genuine land. And like I earlier mentioned, it is part of the job of a lawyer to see all documents attached with the land and confirm their originality. Do not buy land that doesnt have its papers complete. Most Ibadan land sellers would try to convince you that its nothing, please do not succumb to their conviction and false claims. In order to avoid this stress, it is highly advisable to buy from a property company and not just any individual. Also, make sure the size of the land on paper is accurate in existence before buying a land. Dennis Isong can be reached here: dennis@landproperty.ng The Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has moved against a former chairperson of the institutions governing council, Wale Babalakin. At its meeting of December 22, 2021, the Senate, led by the institutions Vice-Chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, declared Mr Babalakin, an alumnus of the university, a persona non grata. The actions/disposition of Dr Wale Babalakin in his role as pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council between May 2017 till November 2020, when the council was dissolved by the federal government, greatly undermined the position of senate and the university of Lagos at large, the senate ruled, according to the minutes of the meeting seen by PREMIUM TIMES. (The) Senate, therefore, resolved that Dr Wale Babalakin should never be considered or given any recognition or honour by (the) senate now or in future. By law, the university senate recommends individuals for honours to the university governing council for approval. According to the University of Lagos Act, 1967, one of the functions of the university senate is the making of recommendations to the Council with respect to the award to any person of an honorary fellowship or honorary degree or the title of professor emeritus. Subject to a right of appeal to the Council from a decision of the Senate under this subsection, and to the Chancellor from a decision of the council on such an appeal, the Senate may deprive any person of any degree, diploma or other awards of the University which has been conferred upon him if after the due enquiry he is shown to have been guilty of dishonourable or scandalous conduct in obtaining that award, the act says. If the governing council of the university approves the recommendation of the Senate, Mr Babalakin, a billionaire businessman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, will no longer be eligible for any honour from a university that awarded him a first degree in law and whose Council he led for three years. When contacted, Oladejo Azeez, the university registrar, who doubles as the secretary to the Senate, declined comment. He directed enquiry on the matter to the institutions spokesperson, Abimbola Ojo. However, Ms Ojo also declined to comment, saying I dont have any information for you, unfortunately. Mr Babalakins spokesperson, Mikail Mumuni, also did not respond to request for comments. He did not respond to phone calls and text messages sent to him. The move to punish Mr Babalakin arose from his insistence on the prudent management of the university finances while he led the institutions governing council. The Babalakin-led governing council had in August 2020, announced the removal of Mr Ogundipe, a professor of botany, following his indictment for fraud and mismanagement of university funds and abuse of office. But two months later, President Muhammadu Buhari reinstated Mr Ogundipe after a special visitation panel by the government revealed that Mr Ogundipes removal was done without due process. The chairman of the panel, Tukur Saad, a professor, would later say the conclusion of his panel was based solely on the procedure of removal and that it did not absolve Mr Ogundipe of the corruption allegations against him. In protest of Mr Ogundipes reinstatement, Mr Babalakin resigned his role as pro-chancellor of UNILAG and as head of the federal governments team renegotiating the 2009 agreement by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government. In May 2021, another visitation panel, led by Martin Luther Agwai, a retired general and former chief of defence staff, was sent to the university. That panel too reinforced the corruption allegation against Mr Ogundipe. But seventeen months after the report was submitted, the government is yet to issue a White Paper or prosecute the vice-chancellor. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe. If only Sarah Ajayi knew Bayo wanted to take advantage of her disability, she would have prevented any form of relationship between them. Bayo was like a messiah and friend to the visually impaired Sarah. He was there for Sarah when she needed him and he took care of her like a sister and friend, she told this reporter. Sarah was 16 when their relationship started. The first of four children, she was living in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, with her mum. A few years before meeting Bayo, Sarah had to stop schooling when she suddenly lost her sight and was told she would no longer be able to see. Sarah said she had finished her primary school, but, had not started her secondary education when the incident happened. She woke up from sleep and simply realised she could no longer see. Everything was black. I initially thought we were in the night and there was no light. I was shocked when my mother screamed at me and said we were in the morning. I shouted and started crying that I cannot see anything. My mother ran helter-skelter to restore my sight, but, due to financial challenges, the situation became worse, she said. Bayo, friend turn rapist Sarah accepted her fate and continued living with her mum, who died in 2021, and her siblings. However, she no longer had friends until Bayo came about. He was always by my side, raising my hope and assuring me that things will get better, Sarah recalled. That was until he raped her. Narrating how she was abused, Sarah said the incident occurred on a Sunday in 2018 after her mother had gone out, leaving her and Bayo at home. She narrated that after a while, Bayo requested that they go to his residence to continue their discussion. She followed him not knowing he had a sinister motive. Before I knew what was happening, he was on top of me. I was not ready, I screamed and cried as Bayo raped me, Sarah recalled. He was the one that I saw as a friend who was always consoling me at that time, because of the frustration that I was in, she said. We were together and he took advantage of the situation, slept with me and got me pregnant. Bayo, however, rejected the pregnancy. He said he would not accept a baby from a blind lady. After I discovered I was pregnant, we started calling him and he didnt pick calls. My mom went to him to talk to him. He was not answering, he denied that he was not the owner of the pregnancy. He took advantage of the situation to have his way then and I was also frustrated, he was the only one close to me, so, I didnt want to do things that will make him leave me, she said in an interview with this reporter. Sarah, now a student of Vocational Training Centre for the Blind, Oshodi, Lagos, had a daughter, now three years old, from the incident. Sarahs story is not isolated. Many women living with disability face similar situations. Thousands of Nigerians, mostly women and girls, are raped annually with some of the victims being people living with disabilities. At least 11,200 rape cases were reported across Nigeria in 2020, Amnesty International stated in a 2021 report. Betrayal from a trusted friend Like Sarah, Adeola was also raped by her trusted friend. Adeola (who asked that her surname not be mentioned) had an accident when she was a kid and has since been using a walking stick. Despite the challenges, Adeola did not allow her situation to hold her down. She studied hard and gained admission into Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in 2013. Adeola was in her second year at the polytechnic when she met Seun. He was her classmate and a group assignment brought them together. They soon became inseparable, Seun was always available to assist Adeola, she recalled. While preparing for their final exam in 2015, Seun asked Adeola to live with him in his house so that they could study together. One night, he raped her. She left the house the next day and has since avoided Seun. Over six years after the incident, Adeola, now 30, still remembers it vividly. I was disappointed and felt betrayed that someone I trusted so much could do such to me. It was really devastating, the accountant told this reporter in February 2022. I tried not to allow that affect me then, but I still feel bad and unhappy anytime I remember what happened. It would have been a different case if I had given him that opportunity. But no, he took advantage of the situation which was really painful. Silence, unreported cases of rape by vulnerable people Neither Sarah nor Adeola reported their experiences to the police. Persons living with disabilities who are victims of rape hardly report to relevant authorities, this reporter found. Findings by this reporter showed that while a minimum of three rape cases were reported monthly in Ogun State last year, people with disabilities seldom reported their experiences to the police. The spokesperson of the police in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said though the state gets an average of the rape cases a month, we only get rape cases against people with disability once in a while. Yinka Folarin, the head of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in Ogun, also said his group hardly receives reports of rape cases against PLWDs. He, however, said the CDHR was carrying out awareness to encourage such rape victims to report their cases and his organization would investigate such reports to ensure that culprits are brought to book. Support for this story was provided by the Media and Gender Project of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development #CREATESAFESPACES. Fuel scarcity has persisted in Nigerias capital Abuja as a result of the high cost of transporting the product from the ports, marketers have told PREMIUM TIMES. The transport cost rose following an increase in the price of diesel, a product that is not covered by government subsidies. Although the crisis in Abuja began in 2021 after the government announced plans to remove fuel subsidy, a major shortage hit major cities including Lagos in February, causing queues at filling stations and leaving millions unable to power their cars and generators they rely on for electricity. The government said the discovery of high amounts of methanol in imported fuel caused the shortage as authorities tried to replace the off-spec product across the country. The crisis lingered for months despite the federal government saying it had sufficient stock of petroleum products for distribution. When the queues reappeared in May, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited said it was due to low loadouts at depots, which usually happen during long public holidays. The scarcity has continued in Abuja nonetheless and black market sales have thrived with hawkers lining busy roads with jerry cans filled with petrol. While filling stations sell a litre for N165, the so-called black market vendors sell between N300 and N400. The NNPC has not explained what is behind the continued shortages. A spokesperson did not respond to calls and a text message seeking clarifications. But the president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, or IPMAN, Chinedu Okoronkwo, told PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday that the problem was caused by the high cost of diesel, used by petrol tankers. The huge amount spent on running the diesel trucks to transport fuel to Abuja is the reason for the ongoing fuel queue, he said. Well, you will agree that currently there is no fuel queue in areas like Lagos and Port Harcourt where the proximity of getting the products are not far. You see there is no scarcity in those areas. The issue is diesel, the truck used in bringing it, the cost is very high now. The current N165 per litre pump price for petrol cannot fit into the present realities without the pricing template being reviewed. And I think that is why NNPC is doing everything now to see how they can cushion the effect, Mr Okoronkwo said. He said the authorities were trying to resolve the problem. Hope you know that the product has been deregulated since?. For petroleum, its available but the resultant effect of the cost of all these products which have impacted negatively on the issue of diesel, thats the problem but never to worry because they are doing something to ameliorate. Very soon all those things will be over, he said. An official at one of the NNPC outlets in the Central Business District along Wuse Road, gave the same reason. The major problem for this scarcity on and off Abuja is because all the trucks that transport the fuel use diesel and the price of the diesel has gone up, the official, who refused to give his name, said. He said the amount paid to transporters had not increased. Because if they reduce the price of the diesel most of the trucks that stop transporting the product will resume, he said. When the diesel is N180 N300 they are given it to them at the rate of N150 per litre to bring the product down to Abuja but now, diesel is N700 N750 and the same diesel they are consuming when is N300 is the same they consume now N750. If they can reduce the price of diesel the product will be available or they should increase the price of fuel. When they increase the price of the fuel they increase the margin of the transport that is the only solution, he said. The first runner up at the APC presidential primary, Rotimi Amaechi, has congratulated the winner, Bola Tinubu. Mr Amaechi, the immediate past transportation minister, did this in a letter he personally signed, a copy of which he sent to PREMIUM TIMES Thursday afternoon. In the letter, Mr Amaechi said the victory of the former Lagos governor will strengthen the ruling party for victory in the 2023 general elections. Mr Amaechi, who scored 316 votes in Tuesdays shadow election to come second behind Mr Tinubu who polled 1271 votes, pledged to work toward Mr Tinubu and the ruling partys success in the general elections. I am confident that your victory will re-energise the progressive ideals of our great party APC, buttressed by your mission of a Common Sense Revolution, which led to the defeat of PDP in the 2015 general elections, Mr Amaechi said. As you embark on this historic journey, I wish to assure you of my commitment to your success at the polls in 2023 and ultimately look forward to providing the necessary support to ensure we develop a prosperous country for all Nigerians. Another aspirant, Ahmad Lawan, the Senate President, who took the fourth position with 152 votes, had also congratulated Mr Tinubu. However, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who recorded 235 votes to return in the third position, has not issued a statement to congratulate his estranged political mentor, Mr Tinubu. At least 32 people have been reportedly killed by suspected armed bandits in separate attacks on four communities in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the residents have said. The affected communities are Ungwan Gamu, Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Maikori. Officials are yet to speak on the attacks. However, the District Head of Kufena, Titus Dauda, told Channels Television that the attacks occurred on Sunday. He said several houses, including a church, were set on fire by the attackers. He said the bandits in their large numbers first attacked Dogon Noma on Sunday morning, and killed several people mostly men, before proceeding to Ungwan Gamu and Maikori villages where they also killed people and burnt down houses. Mr Dauda said the victims have been buried and the affected communities have been deserted by residents who are afraid for their lives. Some of the residents alleged that a helicopter was seen shooting at the residents from the air, while the suspected bandits were on the ground attacking fleeing residents. READ ALSO: Kidnappers of Kajuru traditional chief demand N200 million ransom The Adara Development Association (ADA) in a statement said its natives were massacred by an attack from gun-wielding persons riding on over 150 motorbikes, allegedly under the cover of a helicopter cover. The leader of the association, Awemi Maisamari, called on the Nigeria Air Force to investigate the allegations. The spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, did not respond to phone calls from our reporter to react to the allegations. The police spokesperson in Kaduna, Muhammad Jalige, did not respond to calls seeking comment about the attacks. The Nigerian government says the fatal attack on a Catholic church in Ondo State was likely carried out by a terror group, ISWAP. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said this while briefing journalists after Thursdays National Security Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Council is quite concerned about the violent attack in Owo, Ondo State. We have been able to locate the imprints of the perpetrators of that attack and from all indications, we are zeroing in on the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Mr Aregbesola said. PREMIUM TIMES reported how dozens of people were killed when gunmen attacked worshippers on Sunday at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. At least 40 people are believed to have died in the attack with the lawmaker representing the area saying 70 people were killed. Mr Aregbesola said ISWAPs aim is to pit Nigerians against each other by making the attack appear an ethnoreligious war. It is not an ethnoreligious thing. The ISWAP members wanting attention and recognition are suspected to have carried out that attack and we have directed all the agencies concerned to go after them and bring them to justice, he said. Blasphemy Killings He also said the security council is concerned about the killing of innocent people because of blasphemy. At least two people have been killed by different mobs (in Sokoto and Abuja) for alleged blasphemy. We are equally concerned about the spate of attacks in the name of blasphemy. The police have been directed to mobilize, identify and apprehend all those involved in the blasphemy attacks in Sokoto and Abuja of recent, he said. He said the current administration will not relent in its effort to provide adequate security to citizens across the country. The assurance is that we are committed to maintaining law and order and providing adequate security for Nigerian citizens, he said. The former Osun governor also spoke of the preparedness of security agencies for the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. Appropriate preparation is put in place for the elections coming up in Ekiti State this month and Osun State next month by principally Nigeria Police and other security agencies, with the military at the background, he said. Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, said 10,000 additional police officers will be graduating next month and would be added to the existing police force. Mr Alkali said the police will be leading other security agencies to monitor the June 18 election in Ekiti State. He said over 17,000 police officers have been mobilized to maintain law and order during the election. He also disclosed that over 500 crime suspects have been arrested in the last two months. I informed the council that we have made arrest of over 584 suspects involved in high profile crimes; ranging from banditry, IPOB, book haram and terrorism in general, he said. He also said efforts are on to rescue victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack who are still in captivity. A mobile court in Jigawa State on Wednesday sentenced Baffa Turaki to six months imprisonment for adulterating fertiliser. The judge, Mannir Abdullahi, jailed Mr Turaki, 40 after he pleaded guilty to adulterating fertiliser with the intention of selling it. He said the action is contrary to Section 184 of Penal Code Law. The suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in prison with an option of paying a fine of N80,000.00 The judge so ruled that the accused should serve three weeks in prison without the option of a fine. The judge also ruled that during the period of being in prison, the accused must promise to be of good behaviour or will be made to serve three months in a custodial facility. The exhibits recovered from the accused were seized and disposed of by the court. The spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) in Jigawa State, Adamu Shehu, said the convict was arrested on 4th June, by personnel of the NSCDC in the Hadejia Local Government Area. Mr Shehu said he was arrested when he was about to sell the adulterated bag of NPK fertilizer at the agricultural produce and grains market in Hadejia. He said the accused mixed the fertiliser with sand. Following the arrest, investigation led to the discovery of seven (7) additional bags of similar adulterated fertilizer in his possession. He confessed to be making the said fertilizer in his house and selling to unsuspecting members of the public at its original market value of N16,000 per bag, Mr Shehu said. The police in Lagos have dismissed claims that some criminal elements have camped in the Badagry area of Lagos State, preparing to attack the residents. In a statement by the commands spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday, the police said the viral voice note on WhatsApp claimed that some Fulanis had camped in the Muhammadu Buhari Estate, Agemowo, Badagry, in readiness to attack and cause chaos. The police said the viral message is false and designed to cause unnecessary panic in the state. Mr Hundeyin said security operatives have been drafted to the estate and its environs. It is worthy of note that there is a Police Divison close to the estate Morogbo Divison. There is also a Police Post next to the estate Mowo Outpost. Police presence and intelligence gathering in the area is top notch, the statement. In a bid to be double sure that the claims are false, the Divisonal Police Officer of Morogbo visited the estate again today, inspected the entire facility and had an exhaustive session with the facility manager. The outcome of the operational visit lends credence to the futility of the voice-note. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday, called for stronger support from the Nigerian Armed Forces ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. He made the call during his visit with some commissioners of the commission to the force headquarters in Abuja. Having noted the commissions challenges ahead of the June 18 and July 16 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun respectively, the INEC chairman said the commission is in need of the forces support to deliver outstanding election materials to both states. Mr Yakubu said his visit to the force headquarters wibe extended to other armed services as the commission seeks ways to eradicate the challenges of poor electoral logistics management. There is no time to waste, as the 2023 general elections are only 261 days from today. However, the Ekiti State governorship election is holding in the next 10 days on Saturday 18th June while the Osun governorship election is held in 38 days on Saturday 16th July 2022. Well seek the support of the Air Force in handling the delivery of outstanding election materials to the two states while the Commission bears responsibility for all subsequent deployment within the states to the local government areas and beyond as has been the practice, he said. In his response, Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao, said the force is aware of INEC challenges and pledged his support to provide transport aircraft for the 2023 general elections. He also called for a deeper relationship between INEC and the force so as to enable us to incorporate INEC activities in our operational plans. Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court Ibadan has adjourned until July 11, a suit challenging Governor Mala Buni for holding the position of acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajibola Salawu, an Oyo State APC youth leader and three others, asked the court to determine whether it is proper or not for a sitting governor to serve as acting national chairman of the party. Mr Agomoh adjourned the suit after the counsel to the plaintiffs, O.C. Omeke, informed the court that he received a letter from the defendants saying they cannot meet up with the court proceedings. Other defendants in the matter include Isiaka Oyetola, governor of Osun State; Sani Bello, governor of Niger State; James Lalu; Akpan Udoedehe; Stela Okote and APC. READ ALSO: Buni emerges Yobe APC guber candidate unopposed Speaking in an interview with NAN, after the court sitting, the counsel to the plaintiffs said the case had nothing to do with the current national chairman or National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, but with the former caretaker committee. NAN reports that the court had earlier ordered service of court processes on all the defendants after the plaintiff had complained about the difficulty experienced in serving them. (NAN) A former Attorney-General of Imo State, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, called for better investment in education to secure the future of teeming young Nigerians. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Rapporteur, Victims of Persecution, made the call in an open letter to relevant officials and institutions of government over the lingering strike of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He said the nation must make a conscious departure from lip service to a functional education system in the Nigerian tertiary education system. Suffice it to say, today, you are one of the few persons that providence has positioned to contribute to the destiny of Nigeria and that of our children, and this can only be achieved through a conscious departure from our culture of lip service to functional education in our tertiary institutions, his open letter dated June 7, 2022, read in part. The letter was addressed to include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, the Executive Secretary, National Union Commission (NUC), and the Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Education (Tertiary). The rest are the National President of ASUU, the Chairman of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, the Secretary of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSU) and the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). ASUU Strike ASUU and other university workers unions have been on strike shutting down Nigerian public universities since February. The unions demands, among other things, include better funding for the nations public tertiary institutions and improved welfare for their members. While the government has released 34 billion naira for the payment of minimum wage consequential adjustments from 2019, ASUU maintains it will remain on strike until its core demands are met. Mr Ume, who expressed worry over the incessant ASUU strike, said the union had embarked on strike not less than 16 times since 1999 to demand better welfare. This, he said, has disrupted the much needed academic programs for the students. The result is apparent: most of our youths in the tertiary institutions are retarded to become half-baked minds, the lawyer stated. Embarrassment Mr Ume, who described the repetitive strike actions by ASUU as a source of national embarrassment, blamed the problem on Nigerian ruling class. With the interest of the children of the ruling class taken care of, the need to ensure that our educational system is brought to a good standard is relegated to the background. This is the irony of the Nigerian rulers dichotomy with the Nigerian electorate and populace. He lamented that for years, Nigeria has allocated a little percentage of its yearly budget to the educational sector far below the 26 per cent of the annual national budget recommended by UNESCO. Indeed, the above is not a good omen. Suffice it to say that the most direct way to stunt the growth of any society is to blur the educational system. Is Nigeria substituting education with violence? Soon there could be more guns in Nigeria than books and more kidnapping bushes than libraries, he stated. Bill to save educational sector He added that his organisation, Victims of Persecution, had in 2009 drafted a National Interest (Education) Bill, to stop the children and spouses of political office holders in Nigeria from attending any foreign academic institution. He said the bill would save the Nigerian educational system. It is our intention to re-ignite the flame of this Bill until it becomes part of our political and good governance building principle, he added. Traders in the popular Alaba International Market shut down their businesses on Thursday to register and collect the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ahead of the 2023 general elections. The usually busy market was deserted Thursday morning as all the shops were locked. A video circulated on social media showed a man ringing a bell in the market and announcing to the traders that PVC possession is compulsory. They said to inform you that Thursday next tomorrow, there will be a total lockdown everywhere Igbos are doing business and at Alaba International so that everybody will go and collect his/her PVC, the video showed the man saying in Igbo. If you have an apprentice in your shop who is 17 years and above or you have a secretary in your shop who is over 17 years old. All of them must have a PVC. Starting from Monday next week, we will start a patrol called Operation Show Your PVC. If they come to your shop and you dont show your PVC, know that you have broken the (market) unions law. If your secretary doesnt show hers, she has also broken the law. If your apprentice doesnt have it, he has broken the law. The Alaba International Market is regarded as the biggest electronics market in West Africa. The closure affected banks and other service providers located within the market. Osiebe Adjerho, a bank official, told PREMIUM TIMES that the closure made his office situated within the market inaccessible. Alaba international market was temporarily shut down today. This was to enable all traders to register for their PVCs in the forthcoming election, he added. This information was passed through a circular by the Alaba Amalgamated Union. A trader who sells power banks told this newspaper that their market chairman informed them about the closure. He added that he didnt go to the collection centre because he has the card already. Thugs invasion Multiple social media users on Thursday claimed that the Ojo Local Government secretariat was invaded by thugs after the traders besieged the INEC office there for their PVCs. One Mr Chude via Twitter alleged that INEC officials attempted to disenfranchise the traders because of their ethnic group. The Inec officials refused to register Igbo people, they insisted the centre will only Register Yoruba people, one of d Inec officials(an Igbo) was told he will be dealt with if he ever registers his people, he tweeted. The posts were retweeted more than 3,000 times. But the police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, dismissed the claims. First, this wasnt about Igbos. These are the facts behind the trending videos. The entire Alaba International Market decided to close the market today to enable the traders to register for their PVCs. A phased closure would have been better, he tweeted. Consequently, the Ojo Local Government venue of the registration was besieged by a mammoth crowd. The situation was made worse by the fact that only one registration terminal was working. One of the people who came for registration made trouble and was challenged by those around. Going by simple probability, the attacker or the attacked is very likely to be Igbo. They were simply large in number. However, given this incident, ethnic colouration would not help matters. The entire episode lasted a few minutes. The Nigerian Navy has uncovered an illegal crude oil market in Rivers State, where oil thieves traded adulterated petroleum products. The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Suleiman Ibrahim, took reporters to the market at Casthorn Channel, near Obumakiri community in Degema Local Government Area on Wednesday. Mr Ibrahim, a commodore, told the reporters they made the discovery, following the deployment of troops and military assets as part of its operation, Dakatar Da Barawo which means stop the thief in the Hausa Language. According to him, the discovery was a major victory for the Federal Government, considering the current dwindling crude oil production in the country. The market square was discovered following the launch of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo on April 1. The over 50 square kilometre market was used by oil thieves to illegally refine stolen crude oil before it was discovered and cleared by troops. He said upon learning about the existence of the market, the navy deployed intelligence to uncover where the operators sourced their crude oil. Consequently, our tactical Riverine Squadron on Tuesday identified the source of the crude oil with the aid of aerial surveillance. On arrival at the market, we discovered that the oil thieves were stealing the crude from a manifold nearby, he added. Mr Ibrahim said that troops could not spot operators and workers at the facility as they fled the scene on sighting advancing naval gunboats. He said items recovered from the facility included unspecified quantities of crude oil and four boats used by the thieves to transport their loot. The crude oil was to be cooked (refined) and loaded into boats or barges before we raided the market. The discovery was made possible with the support of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, who deployed resources at flashpoints to end such illegalities, he added. The commander pointed out that troops were currently on the trail of the fleeing suspects and their collaborators. (NAN) The deputy director leading Development Practice, Research and Policy at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Akintunde Babatunde, has departed for the United States of America to participate in this years Mandela Washington Fellowship of the U.S. Governments Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Mr Babatunde currently coordinates CJIDs efforts to implement projects and drive research and policy work across West Africa on six programmes including natural resources and extractives; human development (comprising health, education, and incomes); agriculture; climate change; conflict and security, and transitional justice. He will be away for six weeks. During his time in the U.S., he will study the Leadership in Civic Engagement track at The Presidential Precinct in Charlottesville, Virginia, a four-member consortium, consisting of two premier universities in the U.S. The consortium members are the University of Virginia and William and Mary, and two historic sites, James Madisons Montpelier and James Monroes Highland. Mr Babatunde will work to develop a focus project exploring shrinking civic space in Africa and the role of civic technology. Reacting to the opportunity, Mr Babatunde said; I am excited about this opportunity to join young leaders from across Africa, to explore networking opportunities and learn as much as I can during the fellowship and then race back to share knowledge and add value to our countrys media and development sector. I thank the United States Government for this opportunity and my team at the CJID for allowing me a little time to retool. On behalf of CJID, Tobi Oluwatola, acting executive director, expressed gratitude for Mr Babatundes selection as a Mandela Washington fellow. He said; CJID is grateful that one of its own has been acknowledged by such a global platform for his leadership on social issues. Our mandate is to foster sustainable development through democratic accountability and this process requires strong leaders. Akintunde exemplifies that and we could not be more proud of him. Profile Since joining CJID in 2017, Mr Babatunde has been part of many digital innovations at the organisation. Between 2018 and 2019, he was charged with the leadership of a project that examined the governments use of infrastructural funds, juxtaposing expenditure with on-the-ground developments across communities in Nigeria. The primary objective was to hold the government accountable. He led the deployment of data-powered civic tech platforms such as UDEME to empower citizens with the tools needed to interrogate the actions and/or inactions of their government and get involved in the governance of their regions. With UDEME, Nigerians are able to track, and, where possible, raise red flags with respect to general service delivery in their communities. He also led his team to develop a platform that promotes transparency and accountability in public procurement by providing citizens with curated prices of items often procured by the government and its contractors and a FAAC database that houses Nigerias monthly allocations to states, and other state revenue data for the past 12 years. It can be used by journalists, policy analysts and government officials for journalistic, research or policy purposes. Mr Babatunde has done extensive work on fighting fake news and has trained over 500 Nigerian journalists, media professionals and INEC officials on how to track and fact-check false claims in the media ecosystem. In 2018, his work was nominated by Africa Check for the African Fact-checker Award of the Year 2018. In 2019, he was the only Nigerian selected to serve as an African ambassador on the UNESCO-supported Global Alliance for Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL). In June 2020, he was selected as a Champion of the ONE campaign where he, alongside other development professionals and enthusiasts from across Nigeria, was charged with a mandate to advance the great work of the One campaign in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable diseases Nigeria specifically, and Africa at large. Mr Babatunde has authored over 200 publications on public policy, governance, and fiscal transparency on both local and international media platforms and coordinated six fellowship programmes and over 20 capacity development programmes and training for over a thousand journalists, researchers, civil society practitioners, and government officials which has produced over 500 reports; 5 policy briefs published in over 30 news agencies and development platforms in West Africa. He has made presentations on climate change policy in West Africa at various institutions including the European Parliament and COP26 New York Times Climate Hub. His broadcast commentary has appeared on BBC, Channels TV, TVC, Silverbird, and NTA, among others. Akintunde holds an MA (with Distinction) in Media Practice for Development and Social Change from the University of Sussex via the UK and Commonwealth Office Chevening scholarship for Future Leaders. About CJID The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) was founded in 2014 to help strengthen West Africas journalism sector to promote democratic accountability in the service of inclusive and sustainable development. A photojournalist working with the Ebonyi State Government House has been abducted, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The man, identified as Uchenna Nwube, was abducted by suspected kidnappers on Okigwe-Aba-Enugu Expressway. Mr Nwube, who was allowed access to his phone by the kidnappers, told reporters they abducted him at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday. I was kidnapped today, June 8, while returning to Abakaliki from Aba, and I had some people in my car. Mr Nwube said his abductors were demanding N50 million ransom. I do not know how and when I can get such money, he told fellow journalists over the phone. Please, I need help. When contacted, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Chris Anyanwu, advised the victim to be calm with his abductors. The area (where) the incident occurred is not within our jurisdiction in Ebonyi. That place is between Imo and Abia, Mr Anyanwu, a superintendent of police, said. Abduction for ransom is now one of the dominant crimes across various Nigerian cities. Politicians, entrepreneurs, and anyone with good financial worth, including school children, are easy targets. Two clerics, including a Catholic priest, were recently abducted in Akwa Ibom State, Nigerias South-south. Both clerics were later released, apparently after the payment of ransom. The Methodist Prelate in Nigeria, Samuel Kanu, was abducted about two week ago along with the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Dennis Mark, the prelates chaplain and driver. They were abducted on a Sunday by gunmen operating on the Okigwe/Isuochi axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. The three were later set free after the payment of N100 million ransom. (NAN) Ronke Mapayi is a veterinary doctor with over 20-year experience, and the CEO of Rovet Pet Shop, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. She spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on how to choose a guard dog and how to relate with your dog at home. PT: What should one consider when choosing a guard dog? RONKE: A formidable dog that will be scary to people. Apart from that, it should have confidence. If you pick a puppy that is very shy, one that runs away when it sees people, it will not work. The guard instinct is an inheritable trait, so you must make sure the parents themselves were security dogs. If the dog is not naturally aggressive, there is nothing you can do. He would want to play and socialise with everybody, so you must go for a dog that has some level of aggression. PT: Nigerians are going through tough times, so feeding a dog might be a big burden. RONKE: People take their dogs as (part of their) family. People take their dogs as staff. You would not say because the country is in bad condition, you dont feed your security personnel. The dog is one of the security personnel that you have. PT: What is the price range for dog food? RONKE: It depends on the food. We have wet foods, canned food, and ready-to-be-served food. We also have dry foods. Some are produced in Nigeria, others are imported but some people make home food for their dogs. For dogs, you dont use onions because of health reasons. The price of food ranges from N20,000 to more. There are some that can go for over N50,000 in a bag. PT: What could make a dog attack its owner? RONKE: If the dog feels threatened possibly the owner is not the type that relates well, so out of fear it can attack in self-defence. Second, if that dog tries to dominate you. Dogs have what we call pack instinct. In a pack (of dogs), there must be one which is the boss. Every dog tries to challenge the perceived leader of the pack to get the leader to submit, so he (the challenger) can become the new leader. While the dog is in the house, you as its owner, must ensure that you are in charge. You must reject every attempt by your dog to rebel against you or dominate you. You are trying to give your dog food and it rejects the food and starts barking. You dont take that from the dog, its trying to challenge you. PT: There was this recent video on social media where a Pit bull attacked its owner. RONKE: (Cut in).Pit Bulls are some of the dogs that have been banned in the U.S and UK because they are dangerous. Normally, when you see them they are quiet and look harmless. The issue with them is that they have what we called lockjaw mechanism. Unlike other dogs, once a Pit Bull bites, their jaw is locked. So in trying to come out, they struggle to come out and pull out a large chunk of flesh, so it is always a very deadly attack. That is why it is banned. PT: Is it banned in Nigeria? RONKE: No one knows what is happening. Any dog that is banned outside the country, you see them flying everywhere in the country. PT: How lucrative is dog breeding? RONKE: It is very lucrative. We have dog breeders, they are not vet doctors; they just breed dogs. I patronise them, if a client needs a dog. We have a dog section in ExxonMobil, and you see how much money they spend to bring in the sniffer dogs. A sniffer dog can cost over N3 million each. PT: Some breeds appear to be pretty costly? RONKE: It depends on why you are buying the dog. But as a first timer who just want a dog for security, a German shepherd would do. You can buy it from N45,000 to N50,000. The same German shepherd, someone else might sell it for N500,000. It depends on pedigree (the purity of the dog). If it is a pure line, they have not crossbred. If it is a very good dog that you really want, the price is from N250, 000 and above. More than 300,000 girls of school age have been enrolled in schools in Katsina State through the Girls Education Project (GEP3) intervention project of the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), Kano field Education Officer, Muntaka Mukhtar, has said. The GEP3 was implemented by UNICEF in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bauchi, Kano and Niger states with the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK. Mr Mukhtar, who made this disclosure in Katsina during a three-day training on girls education with journalists, said, the project, through community campaign, peer support to girls and family negotiation, has improved the attitude of residents towards girls enrolment and completion of schooling. Since 2012, 210 head teachers have acquired knowledge and skills on school management, hold professional development meetings with staff and provide pedagogical leadership. The project has also improved teachers capacity to ensure they deliver effectively. Foundational learning has also been boosted through the early learning, literacy and numeracy, approach with a focus on teaching a community, he said. Mr Mukhtar added that 180 Girls for Girls groups were created in 60 junior secondary schools across six participating local government areas in the state. More than 500,000 still out of school Despite the success story, Mr Mukhtar said the state has a record 536,132 out of school children. According to him, the data was made available by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC. He said the identified gaps in equalising school attendance between boys and girls, and common gender norms continue to put girls at disadvantage, leading to school dropout at a higher rate. According to him, the trend forces parents to prioritise the education of boys over girls. He said it also encourages child marriage. Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms, poor infrastructure, violence and fragility, he said. Insecurity drawing us back Katsina govt In his remarks, Ashiru Sani, the permanent member at the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said the insecurity in the state is rolling back efforts to increase the enrolment of the out of school children. Mr Sani said bandits attacks have either led to parents not sending their children to schools or communities (including schools) being deserted by residents. Insecurity, has no doubt, affected child enrollment in the state. In some communities, you see that schools have been vandalised by the bandits. What they do sometimes when they attack a school, they burn down buildings including schools. So, in some of those places, itll be difficult for children to go to burnt down schools. In some places, youll find that residents of communities have been forced to flee due to constant bandits attacks. When they leave their communities and find somewhere to live as refugees, they find it difficult to enrol their children into schools, Mr Sani said. He, however, said the interventions by the UNICEF and other development partners have yielded some positive results. Mr Sani said the N20,000 scholarship given to every enrolled girl by the UNICEF and the training of teachers are complementing the efforts of the state government aimed at increasing the enrollment of children in school. President Muhammadu Buhari will address Nigerians in a live broadcast on Sunday, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has said. Mr Mohammed, while addressing journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, said the broadcast will focus on the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, Channels Television reports. Nigerias Democracy Day celebration used to be held on May 29 before President Buhari changed it to June 12 in commemoration of the June 12, 1993, presidential election which was annulled by the military government. A public holiday is normally held on that day nationwide but Mr Mohamed said such an announcement of a public holiday can only be done by the interior ministry. The minister also said there will be Jumat and Church services to celebrate this years Democracy Day. A senator, Adamu Aliero (APC Kebbi Central), on Thursday formally announced his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to Peoples Democratic party (PDP). Declaring his defection in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, Mr Aliero said his decision was informed by his effort to fulfil the desire of his teeming supporters spread across the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Aliero is a two-term governor of Kebbi State, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a serving member of the red chamber. The lawmaker said: I, Muhammadu Adamu Aliero, people of my constituency, that is Kebbi Central and my teeming supporters from across Kebbi State have resolved to defect from APC to PDP due to the injustices we endured in our former party, APC. Those in support of my political ideology were deceived and treated unjustly, hence the need for us to leave the party for another political party where we feel we shall be accommodated and treated justly. According to him, before arriving at a conclusion of leaving the party, he made several efforts to resolve the issue including complain to the national headquarters of the party but in spite of the intervention of party officials, nothing positive came out of it. He, therefore, appealed to all his supporters in Kebbi Central Senatorial District as well as other loyalists across the state to vote PDP to ensure its victory at all levels. (NAN) The National Industrial Court has declared that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Nasir El-Rufai over the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strike was unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect. Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, delivering judgment on Thursday, also ruled that the governor lacked the power to set up the commission of Inquiry to investigate the strike of May 16 to May 19, 2021, and the activities that emanated from it. The court stated that the governor could set up a Commission of Inquiry, but not the type that bordered on labour disputes. In addition, the court stated that the terms of reference listed to be carried out by the commission were ultra vide to the right of the claimants. The judge held that the governor who constituted the commission appointed its members, and also directed that its findings and recommendations be sent to him. She held, therefore, that the governor made himself a judge in his matter as he was a party in the dispute that led to the strike. The judge ruled that going by sections 6 and 254 of the Nigerian constitution and sections 20,36 and 40 of the Trade Union Act, only the National Industrial Court had the jurisdiction to entertain matters related to labour and trade disputes. Mrs Obaseki-Osaghae also barred the governor from setting up another commission. In addition, she prohibited the commission from carrying out its mandate of investigating the said strike. The judge in conclusion awarded the sum of N500,000 to the claimants. The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that joined in the suit as co-defendants are the Attorney General of the State and the Kaduna State Judicial Commission of Inquiry Other defendants in the suit are members of the commission including Ishaq Bello, Rabiu Dabo, Eyo Ekpo and Joan Jatau-Kadiya. Other defendants are Nasirudeen Usman, Mohammed Aliyu, Daniel Enwelum, and Musa Kakako, as chairman, secretary and members of the commission respectively. The claimants the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, Joe Ajaero and Ayuba Suleiman from their statement of facts had submitted that the cause of action emanated from a labour dispute of anti-worker policies which led to the actions and events that birthed the warning strike of May 16 to May 19, 2021. The claimants also stated that earlier, the governor of Kaduna had on January 4, 2021, issued a directive to restructure and reform the civil service of Kaduna, with the aim of reducing its workforce. They further submitted through their counsel, Femi Falana, that they embarked on the strike to protest the termination of employment and the involuntary retirement of some of their members. The union leaders in addition averred that the federal government through the Minister of Labour and Productivity stepped in and called for reconciliation. They said that in resolving the issue, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by parties to the effect that the strike would be called off and no persons that took part in it would be victimised. They disclosed that a committee was also set up and was meant to revert to the minister before the governor set up another commission to investigate the activities of the same strike. READ ALSO: Kaduna establishes judicial commission of inquiry into NLC strike They, therefore, urged the court to interpret whether the first defendant can set up a commission of inquiry to look into a trade dispute. They also sought some declarations and orders from the court. The defendants, through their counsel Kanu Agabi, in their counter-affidavit, submitted that the strike resulted to breach of peace which led to the loss of lives and property. The defence in addition argued that as a result, the commission of inquiry was set up and directed to ascertain whether the strike complied with the Trade Union Act and followed all the rules before and during the strike. The defendants further averred that the commission was set up with terms of reference to investigate the activities during the strike in order to proffer ways to prevent future occurrences. The defendants in their counter-affidavit also raised the issue as it related to the jurisdiction of this court. (NAN) An aspirant in the just concluded governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has asked the Federal High Court in Uyo to disqualify the governorship candidate of the party, Umo Eno, for allegedly presenting forged certificates. The aspirant, Akan Okon, said Mr Eno was cleared in error by the partys screening committee to participate in the primary. According to the court documents, Mr Okon claimed Mr Eno altered his date of birth resulting in three different dates of birth 24/25 April 1964 and January 1, 1964. He argued that the date of birth presented by Mr Eno to the State House of Assembly when he was screened as a commissioner nominee was different from the one on his voters card and the one he received best wishes during his 58th birthday anniversary. He also alleged that the partys governorship candidate presented forged voters cards and two forged West African School Certificates of 1981 and 1983 to the screening committee. He stated that the examination number and the boldened signatures of the principal officers of the examination body contained in Mr Enos certificate of 1983 and 1981 respectively do not correspond with the ones issued by the examination body for the said year. He, therefore, urged the court to disqualify Mr Eno and declare him the winner of the primary. When contacted, Anietie Usen, the spokesperson of Mr Eno campaign committee, dismissed the allegations as a political gimmick. If the man (Mr Eno) did not forge his certificate to do his first degree, second degree, is it now that hes at the tail end of his third degree that he will forge his certificate, Mr Usen said, adding that the allegations were not true. Borono Bassey, the spokesperson of PDP in the state, told PREMIUM TIMES that the party was yet to be served on the documents and would respond accordingly after being served. Malicious smear campaign Responding to the suit, Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), the umbrella campaign organisation for Mr Eno, described it as an utter vicious and malicious smear campaign of desperado. The plaintiff, Mr Okon is displaying an extreme and classic case of desperation as its challenging to see how he can sustain the suit in the face of impeccable credentials of Mr Eno, Emmanuel Enoidem, chairman of MPM said in a statement in Uyo on Thursday. Mr Enoidem said the aspirant through his brother, Anietie Okon, a former Senator, had petitioned the party National Working Committee (NWC) through the party National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu demanding the disqualification of the partys governorship candidate. Mr Eno said the party had investigated the petition and dismissed it as bereft of and lacking in substance. Mr (Anietie) Okon in the said petition posted on Facebook accused the partys national chairman, Mr Ayu, of ignoring his letter. But the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, told our reporter that the chairman does not ignore any official communication to his office although it has to undergo a process. The governorship primary The PDP in Akwa Ibom State held its governorship primary on May 25 in Uyo where Mr Eno who polled 993 votes was declared winner. Mr Okon who also participated in the primary held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium scored three votes. A total of 13 aspirants were cleared to participate in the primary but two of the aspirants, Bassey Albert, a senator and Onofiok Luke a House of Representative member boycotted it, citing court order and non-participation of statutory delegates in the exercise. The federal government has declared Monday, June 13, public holiday, to mark the 2022 democracy day celebration, a statement by the interior ministry said. It is the fourth year Nigeria would mark Democracy Day on June 12. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, urged citizens to support the administration in its efforts at ensuring a secure, united and prosperous nation Mr Aregbesola called on Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the long journey the country has made towards the enthronement of a civil democratic order, before national Independence in 1960 till date and the sacrifices of our patriots. He reminded Nigerians of the challenges the nation has faced and overcome, including a civil war, and said any form of agitation that threatens the unity of the country should be shunned for the good of all. He said the space known as Nigeria would be a haven of peace, unity and progress if all citizens love their neighbours and embrace the spirit of brotherliness. As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one united, secured, peaceful and an indivisible entity, noting that no development can take place in an acrimonious environment, the statement signed by ministrys permanent secretary, Shuaib Belgore, said. Despite the challenges in Nigeria, Mr Aregbesola said he sees an opportunity for Nigerians to unify in other to appreciate each other, understand each other, honour each other and live together in peace and prosperity. He advised Nigerians to judiciously put into use the recently unveiled Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (N-Alert) and See Something Do Something N-mobile app designed to mitigate security challenges and other disasters. He assured that with the concerted efforts being put in place by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and stabilise the economy, the nation will continue to get better. Mr Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians to keep faith with democracy, knowing that practice makes perfect, and the alternatives are far worse and have proved ruinous and disastrous to the nation, if the recent history is anything to go by. There will surely be light at the end of the tunnel, he said. The police in Lagos State on Thursday confirmed a report of the killing of a four-month pregnant woman by her 25-year-old husband, Wasiu Olanrewaju. The alleged murder occurred at Araromi-Ale Community, Oko-Afo, Badagry in the Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State. Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson of the police in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for more investigation. The man is still on admission at a hospital in Badagry; he will be taken to SCID, Panti, Yaba, when he is stable. He will be charged to court, he said. A reliable source had told NAN that Mr Olanrewaju and his wife, Fathia, were always at loggerheads and their latest quarrel led to the stabbing of the 21-year-old woman by the man, resulting in her death. Another quarrel erupted and the woman was heard saying she would not agree with him, a witness told NAN. The witness said the woman made the statement on her way back home. Olanrewaju had laid an ambush in the room with a knife. Immediately she came inside the room, he used the knife to stab her. READ ALSO: Police arrest four suspects who allegedly set man ablaze in Lagos Realising what he did, Olanrewaju attempted to commit suicide by stabbing himself in the stomach in the presence of his two-year-old son, the source alleged. He said that neighbours rushed to the scene and saw Fathia dead and Mr Olanrewaju struggling. Seeing Olanrewaju struggling to survive and Fathia already dead, they went and reported at Morogbo Police Station, he said. According to the source, the police moved Fathias corpse to the morgue of the General Hospital, Badagry, and rushed her husband to the emergency unit of the hospital. Olatunde Bakare, the medical director of the general hospital, said the couple was brought in on June 7. According to the medical director, Fathia was brought in dead while Mr Olanrewaju is alive. Olanrewaju is a bit stable now after receiving treatment for two days, but the remains of his wife are in our mortuary, he said. (NAN) The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, on Thursday, paid a visit to Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party, in his Abuja home. Mr Adamu was accompanied on the visit by other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the governing party. Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, clinched the presidential ticket of the party after defeating 13 other aspirants on Wednesday. Mr Adamu, while briefing journalists after meeting with the presidential candidate, said the party will help him win the March 2023 election. To us, actions speak louder than words. We are here to join our brothers, to congratulate him and to assure him that we are together. This is our project. By the grace of God, we will deliver him as president of Nigeria come 2023, Mr Adamu said. In the build-up to the primary election, the relationship between Mr Tinubu and the national chairman was tense. The former had announced during Mondays NWC meeting that Senate President Ahmad Lawan was the consensus candidate. Also, Mr Adamu criticised the comments made by Mr Tinubu in Ogun State during his campaign. He had threatened to take action against the ex-governor. Mr Tinubu had disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari would not have emerged in 2015 without his support. During his acceptance speech, the APC presidential candidate acknowledged the role of Mr Adamu, adding that many journalists and commentators had written the obituary of the APC on the perceived strained relationship between them. Mr Tinubu will face Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and other candidates in next years presidential poll. The inaugural flight of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2022 Hajj exercise has begun in Maiduguri with 546 pilgrims. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the exercise on Thursday at the Maiduguri International Airport. Represented by Governor Babagana Zulum, the president said the decision to choose Maiduguri for the inaugural flight was in appreciation of the return of peace in the state. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, he said and urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country and adhere to COVID-19 protocols. The president commended the Borno government for its complementary support to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), adding that the federal government had provided the necessary logistics to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Hajj exercise. In his remarks, the Chairman of NAHCON, Zikirullah Kunle-Hassan, thanked the federal government for its support to the commission in spite of short notice to prepare and organise the Hajj exercise. He said that 43,000 Nigerian pilgrims would perform the 2022 Hajj exercise in the Holy Land, and admonished them to be of exemplary character. Mr Kunle-Hassan also advised the pilgrims to use the opportunity to pray for themselves and for the country ahead of the 2023 general elections. Also, Ahmed Arabi, the chairman of Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board, expressed joy over the selection of Maiduguri for the inaugural flight, adding that the state government had granted all requests by the board to ensure smooth conduct of the Hajj exercise. He said that over 1,300 pilgrims from the state would perform the Hajj exercise. The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar-Garbai, urged the pilgrims to be law-abiding and observe COVID-19 protocols. NAN reports that pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia was suspended in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (NAN) Former state deputy governors, under the aegis of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of the APC, have called on APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to consider core democratic ethos in picking a running mate. Former Deputy of Edo State, Lucky Imasuen, who is the National Chairman of FFDGN-APC, stated this during a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja. He said the process of picking a running mate is a sensitive task. Mr Imasuen was flanked by other ex-deputy governors, including Femi Pedro, who served as deputy to Mr Tinubu from 2003-2007. He stated that Mr Tinubu is comfortably competent enough to manage the complexities of Nigeria without rancour and de-emphasize primordial sentiments on the basis of religion or tribe by putting Nigeria first. FFDGN-APC, however, appealed to our presidential candidate, Tinubu and the leaders and stakeholders of the party to consider first, core-democratic ethos in arriving at a sensible decision of a running mate for the APC ticket, he said. Mr Imasuen said the emergence of Mr Tinubu is causing panic in the camp of the major opposition party. He added that the former deputy governors are committed to the campaign to ensure victory in 2023. No doubt, the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the flag-bearer of our party for the 2023 presidential election has sent jitters to the camp of the opposition party and they have realised the irreversible error committed to choosing a presidential candidate against the mood of the nation. With the emergency of Tinubu, even the major opposition party already has a premonition of defeat, he stated. Controversy over vice presidential candidate Mr Tinubu, who is a Muslim from the south, faces a tough battle in picking a running mate. He can either pick a Christian from the north or stick with a Muslim/Muslim ticket. The issue was raised by Felix Nicholas, a presidential aspirant, who stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Mr Felix, while announcing his withdrawal from the race, said the country cannot afford a Muslim/Muslim ticket. Also, at the convention, a text message from an unknown source was circulating, alleging that the ex-Lagos state governor had resolved to go with a Muslim/Muslim ticket. The Tinubu Campaign Organisation issued a statement debunking the text message. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has recognised the faction of the Labour Party (LP), which produced a former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate. The NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, confirmed this on Thursday, in reaction to the emergence of one Jude Ezenwafor as the factional presidential candidate of the party for the 2023 elections. Mr Ezenwafor was reported to have emerged in Abuja on Wednesday at the primary election attended by members of his faction. Dismissing the development, the NLC chairman, in a statement published on the unions official social media platforms, said the primary election that produced Mr Obi was organised by Julius Abures leadership and supervised by the INEC officials. Having registered the unions endorsement of the former Anambra governors candidacy, Mr Wabba placed a disclaimer on the Calistus Okafor-led faction of the party. The leadership of the NLC and TUC gave our full support to the processes that produced HE Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. Nigerians, especially workers, youths and women attended the presidential primary of the Labour Party in their thousands and were thoroughly satisfied with the outcome of the same. We understand that with the current repositioning of the Labour Party as the party for workers, youths, students, women, traders, farmers, professionals, physically disabled persons, the unemployed and the downtrodden, the Labour Party has become the albatross of establishment political parties who have suddenly become jittery and are devising all forms of conspiracy theories and subterfuge to distract the Labour Party from ongoing mass mobilization efforts for sweeping electoral victory in the 2023 general elections. The recruitment of one Calistus Okafor, a mischievous petty trader, to advance their evil plot of distraction is a new low and should be disregarded by the public, he declared. Mr Abures led faction remains recognised on the INEC officially platform. Mr Okafor, a former deputy national chairman of the party, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1636/2021 questioned the legitimacy of Mr Abure and Akingbade Oyelakins leadership. He claimed that the two have been parading themselves unlawfully as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Ruling on the case, Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, granted Mr Okafors ex parte motion and ordered that the LP and its executives be served with a fresh suit. The case has, however, been adjourned to June 30 for further mention. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties that its candidate nomination portal for the 2023 general elections would automatically shut down at 6 p.m on June 17 for national elections and 6 p.m on July 15 for state elections. The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, gave the warning at the commissions meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Yakubu reminded political parties that all party primaries for 2023 end on Thursday (June 9), while the nomination of candidates commenced on June 10. For the next one week from tomorrow (June 10), all political parties are required to submit their list of candidates for national elections (Presidential/Vice Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) latest by Friday (June 17). For State elections (Governorship/Deputy Governorship and State Houses of Assembly), the list of candidates shall be uploaded from July 1 to July 15, as already provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election already released by the Commission. All political parties are required to upload the details of their candidates for each constituency to the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP), he said. Mr Yakubu added that to achieve the objective, four officials recommended by each of the 18 political parties were trained on the procedure for uploading the nomination forms to the dedicated web portal. He said that Confidential Access Codes to the portal had already been given to each political party to facilitate the uploading of its nominations. For emphasis, the Commission wishes to remind political parties that only the names of candidates that emerged from democratic primaries as provided by Sec. 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 shall be submitted to the Commission. Similarly, the list of all Presidential and Governorship candidates must be accompanied by the names of their running mates (i.e. Vice Presidential and Deputy Governorship candidates) without which the nomination is invalid. All nominations must be uploaded to the portal on/or before the deadlines. The portal will automatically shut down at 6 p.m on Friday (June 17) for national elections and 6 p.m on Friday (July 15) for State elections. With this innovation, the Commission has eliminated the physical interface between party officials and INEC staff for the purpose of submitting the list of candidates for the 2023 general election, Mr Yakubu said. He also disclosed that a Nomination Centre has been set up at the commissions headquarters to receive and process all nominations by political parties for the 2023 general elections. He said the centre includes dedicated telephone lines to serve as a Help Desk for any party that may need assistance. Mr Yakubu, who led journalists to the nomination centre located within INEC headquarters, said that INEC expects each political party to nominate about 1,500 candidates for 2023 general elections within the window made available for the exercise. He clarified that the centre was basically for INEC staff to process the nominations submitted by political parties, and not for the use of political parties as they could upload their nominations from anywhere. He, however, advised political parties not to wait till the last day before commencing their uploading of their nominations into the commissions dedicated portal as the deadline remained sacrosanct. My advice to political parties is that since they have concluded their primaries they should start uploading from tomorrow, Friday, June 10. Let them not wait until the last day, which is June 17, because if there are difficulties on the last day, they will not be able to upload after 6 p.m. So, let them start uploading earlier so that when there are issues they can be attended to before 6 p.m, but this centre is essentially for the commission. No more human interface. He said that the portal would record the exact time and other details a political party logged into the portal to take care of situations where political party rush into the INEC office at the last minute, rushing to beat the deadline. (NAN), A former Kano State commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Muazu Magaji, on Thursday, apologised to Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor of the state, over a Facebook post that allegedly defamed the character of the governor. Mr Magaji, who was appointed a commissioner by Mr Ganduje, was remanded in prison in January for the Facebook post. He was arraigned at Magistrates Court 58 in Nomansland, Kano, on a four-count charge of defamation of character, intentional insult, injurious falsehood and inciting disturbance against Mr Ganduje. The charges contravened Sections 392, 399 and 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Kano State 1999. In the apology he posted on his verified Facebook page, Mr Magaji said: Having offended you (Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje) publicly on my Facebook page, I also deemed it only proper I tender my unreserved apology to you and your family via the same medium. I want to therefore write this message to extend my sincere apology to HE AU Ganduje & his family for my unfortunate Facebook post in early January 2022 that may have resulted in unintended hurt to HE and his family as well as the unintended perception that may have borders on HE reputation and Leadership. Without given any excuses, the said posted picture was not originated by me but I was made to understand shortly after my posting it on my Facebook page that my posted comment with the picture may have been misconstrued by many as an intended attempt to spread harm to HE character and morals, it was therefore immediately taken down from my page after few minutes of my posting as it was never in any way intended to spread or mislead the public on HE character or leadership. I do sincerely apologise for the pain and distress my posting may have unintentionally caused HE Ganduje and his family. For the record, I do remain grateful to HE Ganduje for the love and trust he has shown to me as well as the opportunities he has offered me in his administration, Mr Magaji wrote. Its not clear whether Mr Magaji, a member of the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP), was compelled by the court to issue the apology, or he did that willingly. Fortunately, the day of reckoning for the countrys political representation is around the corner. This is our opportunity to query the states conspiracy of silence. We must ask the right questions and demand satisfactory answers. And we can start by asking why those identified as sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria have not been arrested and brought to justice? Owo, Ondo State, June 5. A day of bloodshed in a place of worship. All our fears are back. Far away in Europe, I could not sleep, and I lost the capacity to function. The imagery and symbolism are powerful, just too powerful that their significance must be explained to those who do not know. It occurred inside a Catholic Church on a Sunday morning there is a spiritual (at least religious) dimension to that picture. Imagine such happening on a Friday noon prayer in Kano or Kaduna, where a group, calling itself Christian, goes on a rampage to kill, maim and unleash other mayhems on the people inside the mosque, including capturing the Chef Imam and holding him for ransom. It occurred in the Yoruba town of Owo one of the most sacred towns of the Yoruba (it is called Owo because of its sacredness); and remember, Olowo is believed to be the last of the eight sons of Orunmila the Yoruba god of wisdom and divination. It occurred in a Church almost directly facing the palace of the Olowo of Owo; what an insult! It occurred in the town of the seating governor of the State, Governor Akeredolu. It occurred in the home of one of the most revered Yoruba politicians and statesmen, Adekunle Ajasin. It occurred right in the centre of the town (around Oja Oba). It cant get any worse than that! Owo! These are trying times for every peace-loving, industrious, and patriotic Nigerians. Watching our dear nation (our home and pride) degenerate into a theatre of unabating terror from the enduring insurgency in the North-Eastern region to the banditry gradually engulfing the entire nation and the ugly acts of jungle justice has to be the most harrowing experience we have endured since the civil war of 1967, which claimed over a million lives and nearly tore the country apart. If we could ascertain the exact number of Nigerians who have lost their lives from the early days of Boko Haram bomb attacks to this period of rampant killings and kidnappings, we might be compelled to rethink the comparative cost of the civil war. In fewer words, scores of Nigerians have died due to nationwide insecurity. The South-East is a major zone of insecurity, with rampant killings and the existence of a state within a state that makes its own rules. The last twelve weeks have been particularly brutal on our collective psyche as a people. Scarcely recovering from the shock of the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, which left many dead and many others kidnapped and still languishing in the camp of their terrorist captors, the news came from Sokoto on May 12, of a student murdered in the most gruesome manner by her classmates for alleged blasphemy. Unknown to many, on that same infamous day, another innocent citizen, 37-year-old Sunday David Imoh, was brutally beaten, killed, and set ablaze in Lekki, Lagos State, because of a disagreement with an Okada rider over a transport fare. While the dust was yet to settle on that incident, a vigilante, Ahmad Usman, was attacked, killed, and also set ablaze in Lugbe, a suburb of Abuja, for refusing to listen to pleas to grant a pass to a trader who had stayed on in the market beyond a curfew. His offence was in insisting that even if they begged him in Allahs name, he would still effect the arrest. For that, he was branded a blasphemer and brutally murdered. Then there was Sundays terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State, where dozens of worshipers including women and children were gunned down in cold blood! Amidst this non-stop terror, our people have tried to hold it together. Decent, hardworking, and law-abiding Nigerians have tried to continue with their daily endeavours, despite the terrifying knowledge that as they leave their houses every morning to seek their daily bread, there is an increasing possibility of being victims of either the kidnapping-for-ransom schemes, senseless terror attacks, or frequent jungle justice actions of angry mobs. However, beneath this misleading calm is a palpable tension that can be felt within the polity, as group relations have notably taken a dive, given the assumed ethnic and religious connotations of many of the attacks. Alarmingly, all it would take today for anyone to be butchered in the full glare of the public is a shout of Thief! For the average Nigerian citizen trying to navigate the scattered landmines of kidnapping and the menace of unknown gunmen, herdsmen, and jungle justice, it has become very difficult to put the finger on any advance made in the fight against insecurity, especially as it is daily becoming apparent that the terrorists, formerly located at the infamous Sambisa Forest and other North-Eastern locations, have made their way southwards to the North-Western, Middle-Belt, South-Western, and the South-Eastern regions Many theories have been developed to explain why the Nigerian state is witnessing such unprecedented cases of terror incidents. Environmental and political arguments have been put forward about the issue of the increasing terror attacks and kidnappings inflicted by the infamous unknown gunmen and Fulani herdsmen. Some maintain that the herdsmen were not originally the gun-slinging, bloodthirsty terror actors or groups we see today. Rather, they were mainly pastoralists who were forced into kidnapping and banditry, both by the effects of climate change that made them leave their traditional locations and the attacks of cattle rustlers who stole their main source of livelihood. Hence, they have resorted to crime only to compensate for this loss. As for the political angle, which also accounts for the existence of unknown gunmen, the narrative is that these groups are political thugs and mercenaries hired by desperate politicians to serve their nefarious agendas. Regarding the growing insecurity in the country, the official government position has remained that these acts of terrorism are committed by unscrupulous elements working to destabilise the country, undermine the governments efforts, and give the administration a bad reputation. In line with this stance, the state policy for counteraction has mostly comprised ineffectual or limp statements claiming that it identifies with the sufferings of the citizens, meaning that, like the lives of Nigerians, its reputation is also under attack and at risk. The simple truth is that a government that genuinely cares about the safety and welfare of its people will go beyond offering serial condemnations and assurances that the perpetrators would be brought to book. Now, this begs the question, how many perpetrators have ever been brought to book? The Nigerian government appeared to have taken a more measured stance in its fight against terrorism after the extra-judicial killing of then Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, by state security forces and the clash between the Shia Muslim sect and personnel of the Nigerian Army in Zaria, leading to the killing of many of the Shia members and the incarceration of their leader, Sheikh El Zakzaky. This might not be unconnected to the intense scrutiny and criticism that both incidences brought on the governments fight against terrorism. This is not taking anything away from the gallantry and patriotism of members of the countrys security forces the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Defence, and other volunteer groups who have given blood and tears in the long fight against the peddlers of terror. Rather, it is to recall, among other things, their many cries of neglect from the battlefield. We must also remember the many billions pledged to this fight against terrorism and the allegations of financial misappropriation involving politicians and soldiers. These recollections, I dare say, lead to one important question: What can we show for all that commitment, which has cost the nation dearly in terms of human and infrastructural development? For the average Nigerian citizen trying to navigate the scattered landmines of kidnapping and the menace of unknown gunmen, herdsmen, and jungle justice, it has become very difficult to put the finger on any advance made in the fight against insecurity, especially as it is daily becoming apparent that the terrorists, formerly located at the infamous Sambisa Forest and other North-Eastern locations, have made their way southwards to the North-Western, Middle-Belt, South-Western, and the South-Eastern regions of the country. Lets take a moment to also consider the plight of refugees and internally displaced peoples and the number of people still in captivity in bushes and creeks across the country. We will begin to realise how dismally this war against insecurity has been prosecuted. Today, as witnesses to the unwarranted and horrific murders of Deborah Samuel, Sunday David Imoh, Ahmad Usman, the victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, and those of the Owo church massacre, we must ask the question: Did they have to die? The answer is a resounding NO! Their deaths were preventable. For a moment, let us daydream, not just to momentarily escape the many terrors on our heels but to imagine that we have a responsible government that understands that the constitution does not exist for the sole purpose of ensuring its privileges; one that appreciates that as a constitutional democracy, it is the constitution and not any religious doctrine that is supreme; a government committed to a prosperous future for Nigeria; a government chosen by the people and not by money; a government representative of the peoples interests, and not elite interests. If we had such a government, addressing many of these issues would be faster, and politicians will show sympathy for victims and promote the spirit of orderliness. there is no gainsaying that the criminal elements within the general populace, as well as those from outside the countrys borders, have taken advantage of the governments growing lukewarm approach towards checking criminality in the country to advance their agenda and wreak untold horrors on innocent people. Law-abiding citizens are reduced to moving targets abducted randomly, with little or no intervention from the state Therefore, there is no gainsaying that the criminal elements within the general populace, as well as those from outside the countrys borders, have taken advantage of the governments growing lukewarm approach towards checking criminality in the country to advance their agenda and wreak untold horrors on innocent people. Law-abiding citizens are reduced to moving targets abducted randomly, with little or no intervention from the state, and woe to any citizen whose family cannot come up with the ransom in the case of kidnap. Many have been lost in this way. Fortunately, the day of reckoning for the countrys political representation is around the corner. This is our opportunity to query the states conspiracy of silence. We must ask the right questions and demand satisfactory answers. And we can start by asking why those identified as sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria have not been arrested and brought to justice? Two: they murdered the innocents. They have murdered our sleep again. I join millions of others in offering words of comfort to the families of every victim of the bloodshed. Drawing from Chapter 4 of the book of Psalms, I pray for every Nigerian who currently lives with the fear of what horrors the next minute could bring: Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. To all the victims and those of us who suffer along with them, I fortify you further with Psalm 121:5:5. 5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. May security and safety return to our land! Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. We commiserate with the government and people of Ondo State over the massacre. Our hearts go to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the dastardly attack. However, governments at all levels must go beyond issuing threats. It is common knowledge that every country involved in the prosecution of war on terror is required to train security personnel and acquire adequate security gadgets to protect the people. Apparently frustrated with the cavalier attitude of the Federal Government and some state governments to security reports, the State Security Service (SSS) has recently resorted to alerting the Nigerian people of imminent attacks by terrorists and other nihilist forces. Thus, on March 20, the SSS said it had discovered plans to cause violence in parts of the country, particularly in the North-Central. Mr Peter Afunanya, the public relations officer of the security agency disclosed that measures had been taken to forestall the plot by the unscrupulous elements in the society. He warned that, While the Service views the machination as unpatriotic, it is on the trail of the agents of destabilisation who are desirous of using violence to achieve ulterior goals. Exactly nine days later, a group of terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train, killed over a dozen passengers and injured several others. In his reaction to the dastardly attack on the train, the then minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi said that he had forseen the bomb attack but that the Federal Executive Council had turned down his memo on a security surveillance contract! The scores of passengers abducted by the terrorists have not been released, except a few whose family members were able to pay the ransom of about N100 million demanded by the terrorists. Once again, on April 26, the SSS alerted Nigerians on the alleged plans by some dangerous elements to launch bomb attacks on critical infrastructure and public places, like worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the festive celebrations. The SSS issued the alert in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya. Mr Afunanya said the criminal elements were planning to return the country to the pre-2015 era, reminiscent of IED attacks on soft and hard targets. As predicted, a group of unmasked armed terrorists stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State where they detonated explosives in the church and then gunned down worshippers during service on on Sunday, June 5. Not less than 50 people were killed, while over 100 people were injured. After the terrorist attack, the Ondo police command was reported to have deployed officers of the explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) unit, better known as the anti-bomb squad, to Owo local government area. As expected, the Federal Government has condemned the reckless attack on the worshippers and threatened to bring the criminal elements to justice. Contrary to the general belief, this is not the first time that terrorists had launched attacks in the South-West. It is on record that the Boko Haram and ISWAP sects had attempted to bomb Lagos but were frustrated by the security agencies. For instance, on August 30, 2015, the SSS confirmed the arrest of over a dozen Boko Haram leaders within two months, including nine in Lagos and one in Enugu State. We commiserate with the government and people of Ondo State over the massacre. Our hearts go to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the dastardly attack. However, governments at all levels must go beyond issuing threats. It is common knowledge that every country involved in the prosecution of war on terror is required to train security personnel and acquire adequate security gadgets to protect the people. Therefore, the Federal Government should ensure that the nations airports, trains, buses, courts, schools, malls, churches, mosques, banks and other public places are provided with screening machines and CCTV cameras. As a matter of urgency, the Federal Government and the various State Governments should promptly act on intelligence reports compiled by the State Security Service and other security agencies. Contrary to the general belief, this is not the first time that terrorists had launched attacks in the South-West. It is on record that the Boko Haram and ISWAP sects had attempted to bomb Lagos but were frustrated by the security agencies. For instance, on August 30, 2015, the SSS confirmed the arrest of over a dozen Boko Haram leaders within two months, including nine in Lagos and one in Enugu State. The SSS said the sudden influx of Boko Haram members into Lagos State points to the determination of the sect to extend its nefarious terrorist activities to the State and in fact, other parts of the country. On July 1, 2021, the Nigerian Army announced that during its standing patrols and raid operations in strategic areas in the South-West zone, including the Majidun area, one Mr Ibrahim Musa, an ISWAP member was arrested at No 31 Abartura Street in Sango-Ota, Ogun State. We urge the security forces to continue to frustrate the nefarious agenda of the terrorists. We also call on citizens to be security conscious and report suspicious security threats to law enforcement agencies. Sometime in 2013, a group of terrorists had attempted to bomb Lagos with 17 boxes of explosives. Former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN; now Minister of Works and Housing) recently recalled this incident as follows: When 17 suitcases loaded with explosives were brought into Lagos in 2013, law enforcement missed it. It was citizen information, which we did not discard, that led to their seizure, apprehension of the suspects and their cargo of terror. They were tried in Lagos without public show. That was the period new courts were being built in Badagry and we prosecuted them there. They were given a fair trial because they had lawyers representing them. They were over 20 and were convicted and this enabled government put them in a place where they could no longer harm residents of Lagos. A lot of lessons should be learnt from that Lagos experience. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is the Chair of Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB). When a state cannot fulfill its basic obligations, it has lost the reason for its existence. Nigeria cannot continue descending into a state of anomie. It is either the state wakes up to its responsibilities or embrace its eventual disintegration. It is disingenuous for the head of a household to be pursuing rats when their house is on fire except they are the ones that set the house on fire. I was a teenager then; precisely 16. I had received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. It was a momentous event in my life. I wasnt going to trade the experience for anything in the world. I knew what it meant when the Bible says, To as many as receive Him, He gave power to become the sons of God. I had experienced that power of transformation, even though one of my elder sisters had joked that I hadnt really known what sin was. At about that time, I was also looking forward to gaining admission into the university. A number of my friends were also at the same stage in life. Chibuzo, my closest friend then was not only born again but was also studying to gain admission into the university. We knew we were going to gain admission. Even though we had enrolled for A Levels at the Government Secondary School, Owerri, we were convinced that we were going to gain admission through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Therefore, we saw our time at the A Levels as the opportunity to prepare for life in the university. Of particular interest was the defence of our faith in the university. We knew that the university could swallow a genuine faith. We knew that we would meet people with different ideologies, convictions and practices. However, we were not going to give up our faith for the freedom that would come with gaining admission into the university. I knew that the acquisition of knowledge was the greatest bulwark I could have for my convictions in God, especially as revealed in Jesus Christ. I must have a reason to give to anyone who would ask of my faith in God. I knew I would be on different pages with university professors. However, I would hold my own. When I read Colossians 2 Vs 8, Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ, I knew I had got a personal warning against rampaging atheistic lecturers. Two years later, Chibuzo departed for the University of Port Harcourt to study Medicine, while I left for the University of Nigeria for Mass Communication. We kept in touch through the post office. It was in the days of letter writing, not instant messaging. I did not need to encounter lecturers to know that the university was actually a marketplace of ideas. Right in my room 426 Mbanefo Hall I could see that we all had different persuasions. Dom, the most senior student in the room (who studied Mechanical Engineering) was essentially a sybarite. We stayed on opposite sides of the room and the posters on our sides of the walls said as much that our persuasions were diametrically opposed. Dom had a friend, Teddy, a very intelligent Computer Science student. Dom and Teddy were not only members of a fraternity but were also united in the love of pleasure and opulence. Ebullient Teddy visited us often. He would engage me in discussions. He left with the impression that I was well prepared to encounter him. It was therefore disheartening that students in a tertiary institution in Nigeria lynched their fellow student for allegedly committing blasphemy. It was atrocious that Deborah Samuel was killed in a citadel of learning the Shehu Shagari College of Education. Magnus, another roommate, was also an intelligent Computer Science student. He was quiet and unassuming. A Catholic ex-seminarian, Magnus was also a man of his own convictions. There was no particular clash between us but he once threatened to apply for a change of room on my behalf. Within me, I laughed at the impudence. We were later joined by diminutive Kefas, an Engineering student from Taraba State, whom you could not hold down to anything in particular apart from his fondness for pounded yam and some measure of indolence. Then, there was Camillus, a Hare Krishna devotee, who burnt incense in the room when everyone must have gone out. That was particularly annoying but also challenging. So, within the microcosm of Room 426, we had to learn that the university was a marketplace of ideas. You had no choice but to learn how to accommodate others with varying opinions and persuasions. You could not impose your ideas on others or persecute them for their own convictions. I have gone into the above details to paint a picture of how I prepared to defend my faith as a young undergraduate in a campus community with a multiplicity of ideas. Of course, we had to do more intellectual work around atheism and atheistic Marxism when these posed threats to faith, both on the campus and on the global scene. It was therefore disheartening that students in a tertiary institution in Nigeria lynched their fellow student for allegedly committing blasphemy. It was atrocious that Deborah Samuel was killed in a citadel of learning the Shehu Shagari College of Education. The College of Education is a place where teachers are groomed. If these future teachers could not differentiate their left from their right, you wonder what they were going to teach their prospective pupils and students. If the prospective teachers lacked a sense of judgement and did not know that the crime of murder was higher than the alleged crime of blasphemy, then their prospective students were doomed to descend lower. If the prospective teachers were incapable of independent thinking and could act as an ordinary mob, woe to the students that were going to pass through them. A few days after the killing of Deborah, the decibel of blasphemy and blood was raised again in the country as the life of another girl came under serious threat in Bauchi. The compass soon moved to the Federal Capital Territory where, in the DeiDei area of Abuja, a clash between motor bike operators and timber sellers left a number of persons dead and goods worth billions of naira burnt down. Nigerians are not interested in the eternal fate of the criminals, terrorists, arsonists, kidnappers and those who murder in the name of religion. Crimes have been on the increase because of the failure of the state to apprehend and punish law breakers. There is nothing that feeds criminal tendencies like impunity. Within the same circumference of time, blood flowed in Anambra where a lawmaker, Okechukwu Okoye, was beheaded. A woman and her four children were also killed. Back to the FCT, one 30-year old Ahmad Usman, was stoned and burnt for alleged blasphemy in the Lugbe area of the city on Saturday. As if to cap it all, on Sunday, the home town of the late Pa Michael Ajasin was desecrated. Gunmen invaded the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and massacred scores of worshippers. The governor of the State, Rotimi Akeredolu, an indigene of Owo, was away in Abuja for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination convention when the massacre occurred. As usual, politicians are mourning the killings in Owo. They are issuing statements, condemning the deaths. For President Muhammadu Buhari, only fiends from the nether region could have conceived and carried such dastardly act and therefore eternal sorrow awaits them both on earth here and ultimately in the hereafter. Nigerians are not interested in the eternal fate of the criminals, terrorists, arsonists, kidnappers and those who murder in the name of religion. Crimes have been on the increase because of the failure of the state to apprehend and punish law breakers. There is nothing that feeds criminal tendencies like impunity. Political philosophers had long ago settled the issue of the purpose of the state. Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote extensively on the social contract which the citizens enter with the state. We will not in this piece make a distinction in the writings of these philosophers. However, it is settled in political thought that individuals surrender their might to the state in exchange for protection and defence of their rights, especially their fundamental human rights. When a state cannot fulfill its basic obligations, it has lost the reason for its existence. Nigeria cannot continue descending into a state of anomie. It is either the state wakes up to its responsibilities or embrace its eventual disintegration. It is disingenuous for the head of a household to be pursuing rats when their house is on fire except they are the ones that set the house on fire. Everest Amaefule, a former group business editor at The PUNCH, wrote via everestca@yahoo.com Tinubus camp deserves to enjoy and celebrate its victory. But as he also said during his acceptance speech on Wednesday, his emergence is not only a lesson for Osinbajo and 13 other aspirants who fought to the end; it cuts both ways. After the feisty, if not bitter, presidential primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ended on Wednesday with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerging the partys candidate for the next election, the overriding instinct is to throw the losers under the bus. You can hardly blame Tinubus camp. The man had a raw deal right up to the last minute. For seven years, he was literally an outsider in a party that he played a consequential role in building and a government that he helped to bring to power. And no one seemed to bother. As Tinubu said in a speech in Yoruba that landed him in hot water almost on the eve of the primary, in spite of investing his all to install Buharis government in 2015, he did not ask for water, garri, or fura and things were so bad that even if he had asked, he would still not have been given. Up till last week, not only did Tinubu seem to have been denied even the basic courtesies due his contribution, an influential block in the Presidency linked to the Ppesidents cousin, Mamman Daura; and Buharis private secretary, Sabiu Tunde Yusuf, was determined to block the party leader from even contesting after he had been cleared by the screening committee. When Tinubu mentioned his age during the screening, he was sneered at by a certain member of the committee, with whom he had fallen out spectacularly. Even after he was shortlisted, the party chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, ambushed him outside. He told the press that Tinubu would be punished for his I-made-Buhari-president comment, and after plunging the knife, twisted it by announcing that the party had adopted the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan as its consensus candidate. Twenty-four hours to the primary, Sabiu Tunde Yusuf was still frantically pushing the Lawan consensus candidacy, telling the executioners on his side to insist on party supremacy or nothing. They were all over the place till the last minute. But that plot, which collapsed almost as quickly as it was made, was actually Plan B. The original plan was to extract firm promises from the 23 aspirants that they would accept a consensus candidate, and then wangle former President Goodluck Jonathan through the back door on a freeload. Tinubus refusal to accept a consensus candidate thwarted this plan. It left Jonathan flitting from one country to the other on contrived visits and then finally hovering around the screening venue in the vain hope that he might get a much-sought-after guarantee, and be called in for coronation. whereas Tinubu has been one of the partys major pillars with an extraordinary capacity to call in favours in spite of the seizures within his clan in recent times, Osinbajos camp overestimated the vice presidents great national charm, especially in the treacherous waters of internal party politics, where quite often, the piper calls the tune. Of course, that didnt happen. The former president and the faction led by former APC interim chairman, Mai Mala Buni, plotting his return slunk off as ignominiously as they had converged. Yet, in the layer after intricate layer of the plots to supplant Tinubu, the most potentially devasting to him and his camp was the one from inside. Till the last minute on Tuesday night when Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, among five others stepped down for Tinubu, the South-East and South-West had the largest number of aspirants in a race which was the latters to lose. Even though the region has produced a president for eight years and a vice president for seven so far, Tinubu was, without doubt, the most formidable aspirant in the South and countrywide. What compounded the misery in Tinubus camp, however, was not just the number of aspirants in the South (19 in all), but also the fact that his main opponents in the South-West were a part of what used to be his political clan. Amosun, a latter-day part of this clan, and perennial Tinubu rival, was not exactly the problem. He was, if you like, a known foe, with not a few scars. Stepping down is good for him, but bad news for Governor Dapo Abiodun, whose second-term fate now hangs in the balance. The main headache for Tinubus camp were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Fayemi; the former for his position in the government and star power, and the latter for his role as state governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum. Fayemi managed, throughout, to keep an open channel with Tinubu (and interestingly with Osinbajo), while he was, at the same time, keenly mindful that his tenure as governor ends this year. His decision to step down was not much of a surprise to insiders. The elephant in the room, not just in Tinubus camp, but also among associates, and in the Presidential Villa, was what to do about Osinbajos ambition. Buhari, master of the politics of strategic ambivalence, gave the impression that he belonged to everyone and yet not belonging to anyone. Aso Rock emissaries to Tinubu returned with mixed messages, one of which was that Tinubu would only step down if Buhari told him to do so himself a risk the president was unwilling to take. From then on, it was left to the leaders of the South-West to manage the mess. They tried. Before the Segun Osoba-led peace meetings, a former governor from the South-West and prominent minister in Buharis cabinet arranged two meetings between Tinubu and Osinbajo, which ended in deadlock. Osobas peace efforts only managed to obtain promises of fair-play from the contenders, but failed (especially in the last meeting held before the primary) to extract a promise from Osinbajo to step down. The die was cast. The statement by the 10 Northern governors a pregnancy inseminated by enlightened self-interest and opportunism was a positively significant twist in the plot. Whatever the motivation, it strengthened Tinubus hand. Not a few still wonder why Osinbajo refused to step down a decision for which he would take a beating for a long, long time to come, especially in the South-West where preferment for a benefactor, particularly an older one, is often culturally an article of faith. How come he misread the writing on the wall? while that process should start with all those who lost to him on Tuesday, and reach to other estranged members of his wider clan, he also needs to assuage the justifiable outrage among South-Easterners who feel that justice in Nigeria is a stranger to that zone. In hindsight, it seems a big opportunity missed, but Osinbajo believed he had a depth of support, especially among the young, increasingly politically active post-ENDSARS population from far and near, that he stood a good chance and was prepared. Fundamentally, he also believed that, by and by, Buharis lukewarm support would lift and shine through. Unlike Tinubu who threw the gauntlet when he lost his patience with Buharis cat-and-mouse game, its improbable that Osinbajo would have pressed ahead if he did not believe the president would anoint him. Alas, he was fatally mistaken! And herein lies the significant difference between the two aspirants: whereas Tinubu knew that the cabal knew his potential to damage the party in the event that they chose to muscle him out, Osinbajo, with a significantly lower deterrent value, was relying almost 100 per cent on Buharis benevolence. Also, whereas Tinubu has been one of the partys major pillars with an extraordinary capacity to call in favours in spite of the seizures within his clan in recent times, Osinbajos camp overestimated the vice presidents great national charm, especially in the treacherous waters of internal party politics, where quite often, the piper calls the tune. Nigerias delegate system the equivalent of the U.S. electoral college is an anachronism in representative politics, all right; but the law, nonetheless. Tinubus camp deserves to enjoy and celebrate its victory. But as he also said during his acceptance speech on Wednesday, his emergence is not only a lesson for Osinbajo and 13 other aspirants who fought to the end; it cuts both ways. The temptation to revenge in the euphoria of victory can be quite strong. I imagine there would also be strident calls for mass executions of fallen rivals. But this can also be a teachable moment for the victors camp a moment of healing and renewal. If the APC wants to retain power and keep the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at bay in next years presidential (or general) election, it must quickly prevent bad blood spreading. It cannot depend solely on Buhari, a president at peace with his lame-duck phase, to win the next election, however tempting that option might be. Buhari has shown that he has no dog in this fight, no interest. Tinubu must take responsibility to lead by healing. And while that process should start with all those who lost to him on Tuesday, and reach to other estranged members of his wider clan, he also needs to assuage the justifiable outrage among South-Easterners who feel that justice in Nigeria is a stranger to that zone. Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP. Even though the strike has been a major setback in the educational system as it has perpetually slowed down the already set academic calendar and has rendered students effort to reconcile with their desired grades futile. Ill implore students to make use of this period to build themselves in their areas of interest, invest deeply in personal development, learn and nurture a skill and most importantly stay positive, be hopeful and stay out of trouble. Education is the panacea that liberates an individual from slavery, while the university is the brain box of a nation. The education sub-sector, especially tertiary institutions in Nigeria, has witnessed incessant closures due to avoidable industrial actions in recent times. The impact of this instability is a lot. Tertiary institutions worldwide are regarded as citadels of learning, fountains of intellectual development and grounds for the production of leaders of tomorrow, and no matter what, a university progresses when it is able to provide knowledge and value, and when it is not properly managed by the administrators and staff, it then fails in its core functions. Importantly, the role of universities in human capital development, research and technological innovation cannot be over-emphasised. All over the world, investment in university education is a critical component of national development efforts. Most nations today depend increasingly on knowledge, ideas and skills, which are produced through research in universities. Undeniably, universities have the responsibility of producing their own corps of academic personnel, that is, the intellectual resource pool that will, through scientific research, generate new knowledge and innovation to solve developmental problems. Tertiary education in Nigeria has thus suffered tremendous setbacks as a result of industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). These have always subjected the students to pitiable conditions, disrupting academic programmes, giving students undeserved extensions in their study years, led to poor students concentration on academic programmes, and poor lecturer-student relationships, among others. ASUU, whose incessant industrial actions take a heavy toll on the academic performance of the students, has turned its strikes into a yearly action. The Union was formed in 1978, a successor to the Nigerian Association of University Teachers (NAUT) formed in 1965 and covering academic staff in the University of Ibadan; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Ife (now, Obafemi Awolowo University); and University of Lagos. The Federal Governments failure to satisfactorily implement the Memorandum of Action (MoA) it signed with the Union in December 2020 on funding for the revitalisation of public universities (both federal and states), renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and the deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), amidst other demands, pushed the Union to embark on a total and comprehensive four-week warning strike on February 14, after which the Union extended the industrial action by another two months to afford the government more time to address all of its demands, with the recent one being extended by twelve weeks. Regardless of the ongoing strike, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), in its efforts to boost infrastructure in the nations tertiary institutions, recently commenced the disbursement of the direct intervention funds approved by the Presidency to public universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education across the country. Although they have forced certain positive actions from government in the past, ASUU actions have caused more harm than good. A typical and very common consequence has been the loss of interest of students in continuing their academic programmes, has many of them would have been forced to seek jobs and other means of survival, and would be reluctant in leaving these preoccupations (particularly with the worsening of the economic situation in the country) when the strikes are called off. Some actually have no plan to return to the classrooms as the salaries they now receive are quite large and they are not even sure of getting such after school, if they have to let it go. The other downsides are more years to graduate, the toll on students mental health, wastage of already paid campus and off-campus accommodation rents, with the most dreaded being the tremendous rush in the academic calendar whenever schools resume. Strikes have not only affected undergraduate students, they have also disrupted the plans of postgraduate students as well, many of whom are currently awaiting results to either push for promotions at work or to apply for fresh job opportunities. Regardless of the ongoing strike, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), in its efforts to boost infrastructure in the nations tertiary institutions, recently commenced the disbursement of the direct intervention funds approved by the Presidency to public universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education across the country. The sum of N642, 848,138.00 was allocated to each university, N396, 780,086.00 to each polytechnic and N447, 758,804.00 to each College of Education in the country for the year 2022. The allocation papers were presented to heads of the beneficiary institutions at the National Universities Commission (NUC) by the executive secretary of the Fund, Arch Sonny Echono. This development from the Fund at this time is highly commendable and it brings ray of hope in the education sector. Obviously, TETFund under the present management does not want infrastructure to suffer, even as the strike lingers. Even though the strike has been a major setback in the educational system as it has perpetually slowed down the already set academic calendar and has rendered students effort to reconcile with their desired grades futile. Ill implore students to make use of this period to build themselves in their areas of interest, invest deeply in personal development, learn and nurture a skill and most importantly stay positive, be hopeful and stay out of trouble. Rahma Olamide Oladosu writes from Abuja. The Kaduna State government has confirmed that gunmen on Sunday raided villages in Kajuru in the south of the state killing 32 people. In a statement on Thursday, the states Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the gunmen attacked the communities on motorcycles, killed several villagers and burnt their houses. Mr Aruwan, however, debunked the rumour that the gunmen attacked the villages with a helicopter. He said the helicopter seen during the attack belonged to the Nigerian Air Force, who arrived to engage the bandits. The statement can be found below: KDSG Security Update: Thursday 9th June 2022. Bandits raid villages, kill 32 in Kajuru LGA. KDSG debunks reports of aerial attack by terrorists. NAF helicopter arrived to engage bandits. The Kaduna State Government received initial reports from security agencies, that bandits attacked the villages of Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Ungwan Maikori in Kajuru local government area on Sunday. According to the reports, the bandits stormed the area in large numbers on motorcycles, and proceeded to raze several houses, as they attacked and killed locals. Since the attack on Sunday, security agencies and traditional leaders in the locations have been updating the government on the development. As of the time of this report, 32 persons have been confirmed dead following the attack. The deceased are listed as follows: DOGON NOMA Ahmadu Musa Audu Dandaura Akilu Laya David Wasika Hajatu Buhari Nashon Buhari Iliya Yaki Javan Mairabo Jackson Adamu Nasco Victor Dutse Gwamna Joshua Amadi Gona Isah Douglas Yakubu Phineas Joel Tanimu Umaru Abody Iliya Wanzami Halidu Dogo Aweh Sunday Shittu Rejoice Audu Jedidiah Ayawa Jinkai Pius Rebecca Ayafa Ishaya John Audu Danladi Jibo Sule Yakubu Garba Williams Danbaba UNGWAN SARKI Maikasa Kufana Augustine Bahago UNGWAN MAIKORI Mamiya Maikori While the Government mourned the gruesome killing and burning of houses in the attacked locations, a report was published suggesting that the victims of the attack were killed by terrorists using a helicopter. The Kaduna State Government wishes to make a clarification based on reports received since Sunday. The bandits attacked the first two locations and killed 31 citizens. They then headed into Ungwan Maikori, where they killed one person and burnt some houses. An Air Force helicopter (under Operation Whirl Punch) dispatched to the area, had earlier scanned the first two locations and sighted burnt houses and properties on fire. The helicopter intercepted the bandits at the last location (Ungwan Maikori) and engaged them as they retreated, before the arrival of ground troops to the general area. It was the arrival of the air asset which deterred the bandits from further attacks on the citizens in the village, after the bandits had already killed one local and burnt several houses. The story that a helicopter provided air support to the bandits against the locals, is therefore an untrue account. The Government of Kaduna State having gone through all the facts, finds it regrettable that a section of media would circulate an unverified report, insensitive to its implications on national security, law and order. Eyewitnesses to the peddled report of a helicopter aiding bandits in the killing of innocent citizens are invited to present their accounts to the Government backed by incontrovertible facts. The military, police and other agencies working in the general area deserve commendation and motivation, rather than demoralizing allegations. In the last 72 hours, security forces have conducted vigorous operations in the same general area, and are on the trail of a wounded notable terrorist. Similarly, several kidnapped victims, including an expatriate kidnapped at a mining site, were rescued after a fierce engagement with bandits. Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on receiving reports of the attack, expressed deep sadness and prayed for the repose of the victims souls. He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Signed Samuel Aruwan Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State. Ekiti State Governor and Presidential Aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi, received a heros welcome on Wednesday on his return to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, after the partys special convention and presidential primary. A large crowd of enthusiastic party supporters, artisans and commercial motorbike riders received Dr Fayemi at Igbara-Odo, a border town between Ekiti and Ondo State with songs and drumming and followed him to the Fajuyi Pavillion, Ado-Ekiti, where another large crowd had converged to receive the Governor with Fayemi for Nigeria slogans. Mr Fayemi, who was one of the leading aspirants of the party, stepped down for the eventual winner, Bola Tinubu and urged the state delegates and his supporters across the states to vote for the former Lagos State governor during the APC primary. Addressing party supporters at the rally, Mr Fayemi said the unity of the country was a major consideration for him in taking the decision to step down for Mr Tinubu, whom he described as a leader, mentor and a great fighter for democracy and Nigeria. Mr Fayemi disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC Presidential flagbearer, Mr Tinubu, the partys National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, APC governors and other critical stakeholders will be in Ado-Ekiti next Tuesday for the partys mega rally in support of the Ekiti State Governorship Candidate, Biodun Oyebanji. He said the APC will win the June 18 governorship election in the state convincingly and use it as a springboard for the many electoral victories that would follow at the state and national levels. He said the electoral victory of the partys presidential Candidate, Mr Tinubu will start from the success of the party in the coming Ekiti gubernatorial election. The governor who gave an insight into his decision to step down for Mr Tinubu at the APC Convention, said his action at the convention was honourable and expected of a typical Ekiti man to support intentions geared towards the progress and prosperity of the region. Mr Fayemi said he was happy over the outcome of the convention, adding that it has further strengthened and solidified the unity and cohesion of the party against predictions from some quarters that the APC would collapse at the convention. He thanked all Ekiti traditional rulers, Ekiti elders, party members and Ekitis home and abroad for their unalloyed support for his presidential aspiration. He also charged party members, people of the state and lovers of Ekiti to work assiduously for the election of Mr Oyebanji, the APC candidate in the June 18 election. Mr Fayemi said: There can be victory in what appears to be a loss. There can be success in what others call failure. We had to act in unity and cohesion for the manifest destiny of Nigeria to arrive, for the unity of Nigeria to be consolidated and for the success of our party to be whole. Before we went into the convention, the story was that APC will collapse, that we will come out of the convention in smattering, that everything will go haywire. We have come out of our convention stronger, victorious and better consolidated. We have come out of our convention energised to ensure that the poverty developers party do not come back either in Ekiti or in Nigeria and all other pretenders who are running helter-skelter, pretending that they have what it takes to govern, they will meet their waterloo right from June 18 right to the presidential election in March 2023, and we shall win and we shall be victorious. Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on Tuesday killed about six people in Ondo communities of Sabo and Iba, witnesses said. The shooters reportedly used motorcycles to carry out the shooting. The incident happened two days after gunmen attacked a church in Owo, another Ondo community, killing dozens of worshippers and injuring many more. At least 40 people died of gunshot wounds, according to the state government. There were reports that Tuesdays incident was a reprisal for the Sunday shooting. But the police debunked the claims, saying it was just a robbery incident in the community. The head of the Hausa community in Ondo State, Abdulsalam Yusuf, told Daily Trust newspaper that the gunmen stormed the area on motorbikes shooting innocent roadside petty traders. A trader who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES gave the number of casualties as eight. He listed the victims as: two Suya vendors, a driver, a security man, a trader, two young men, and one other person. Apart from the seven persons killed here, another man in an area not too far to this place called Iba was shot dead. Many people said they came to steal but only Allah knows why they came here, there were three on the bike and each of them carried three guns. While the dead bodies were buried almost immediately according to Islamic rites, the injured are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. Not reprisal The spokesperson of the police in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami, in a statement, said the incident was not a reprisal for the Sunday attack. The Command wishes to state clearly that there was no reprisal attack on the Hausa Community at Sabo area in Ondo town or any part of the state as purported by this warmongers, Ms Odunlami, a deputy superintendent of police said. On Tuesday, 7th of June, 2022, there was an attempted robbery on a J5 vehicle with plate no MKA 469 YJ carrying Onions and Potatoes coming from Zaria enroute Ore, had a stopover at Ondo town and was attacked by men of the underworld around 0110hrs . In the course of this attempt, the robbers shot the driver, while the motor boy escaped with a bullet injury. A motorcyclist and a passerby were also hit by stray bullets It is, however, disheartening that these peddlers who are out to achieve no good did not confirm the story before spreading this falsehood as the victims involved in this failed robbery are from Yoruba, Igbo and Northern extraction. Investigation has since commenced and effort is ongoing to arrest the assailants. The statement said the state Commissioner of Police, Oyeyemi Oyediran, urged the residents and indigenes to remain calm and disregard any form of fake news over the incident. Mr. Joseph Sigelman, Chairman & CEO, AG&P Group, said, "AG&P cherishes this distinguished award from the Energy Council. After years of anticipation, we find ourselves in a revolutionary transformation of energy. There is a great increase in LNG export coming in the next years and there is clear demand from industry, power and home and vehicle owners who want clean, competitive fuel. AG&P's mission is to bridge the coming surge in gas supply with the customers who need it, by providing fast, standardized infrastructure and logistics. This award recognizes the hard work that our team has invested to develop the terminals and city gas networks that we have already rolled out and are forthcoming across South and Southeast Asia and beyond. We are proud of our strategy of ensuring that people and industry have the choice of a fuel that will help them prioritize the environment and reduce overall costs at the same time. We profoundly thank the Energy Council for focusing on this important area." AG&P is leading the transition to clean energy through its advanced technological energy solutions. AG&P develops LNG ecosystems that unlocks underserved/ unserved markets by delivering customised design powered by innovative standardized plug-and-play products that are commercially compelling and allow for rapid adoption of natural gas. In May 2022, AG&P's subsidiary GAS Entec completed the conversion of a 125,000m LNG carrier (LNGC) for KARMOL, a joint-venture between Turkey's Karpowership and Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), into the world's first Modular Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (M-FSRU). The M-FSRU was built with Gas Entec's standard, modular RegasTainer technology to deliver gas to Karpowership's 236 MW Floating Power Barge in Senegal, the first country in West Africa to transition to clean gas energy. This year, AG&P will also commission the first LNG import and regasification terminal in Batangas Bay, called the Philippines LNG (PHLNG) to supply gas to one of the largest power producers in the country. In addition, PHLNG will store LNG and dispatch natural gas to power industrial and commercial customers and other consumers, opening up for the country a new era of clean, efficient fuel. In India, AG&P is the largest foreign player with a CGD portfolio that includes 12 concessions, covering 28 districts across 8% of India and ~80 MM people. About AG&P Atlantic Gulf & Pacific (AG&P) is a global leader in developing and running LNG and gas logistics and distribution solutions. AG&P provides the infrastructure to access natural gas safely and easily in new and growing markets. We act as an owner and as a service provider covering the development, financing, engineering, procurement, project management and construction for onshore and offshore gas infrastructure, linking suppliers to downstream customers. www.agpglobal.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836165/Joe_Sigelman_AG_P.jpg SOURCE AG&P Increase in demand for thermal power generation and electric supply and increase in efforts to reduce energy demand & supply gaps drive the growth of the global steam turbine market. PORTLAND, Ore., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Steam Turbine Market by Design (Reaction, Impulse), by End Use Industry (Power Generation, Petrochemical, Oil and Gas, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030". According to the report, the global steam turbine industry generated $15.5 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to generate $21.3 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.3% from 2021 to 2030. Prime determinants of growth Increase in demand for thermal power generation and electric supply, surge in energy demand and steady investment for expansion of the power industry, and increase in efforts to reduce energy demand & supply gaps as well as the development in thermal power projects drive the growth of the global steam turbine market. Moreover, increase in regulatory initiatives to minimize carbon emissions as well as increased investments in the development of large-scale thermal power plants in developing countries present new opportunities in the coming years. Download Sample PDF (221 Pages PDF with Insights): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/6028 Covid-19 Scenario The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the growth of the global steam turbine market, owing to significant disruptions in the supply chain. The pandemic had halted the production facilities due to the implementation of lockdown, which, in turn, declined the demand for power through steam turbines gradually. However, the market is going to recover soon in 2022 as work begins. The impulse segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period Based on design, the impulse segment held the highest market share in 2020, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global steam turbine market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Moreover, the same segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 3.5% from 2021 to 2030. Rapid industrialization and migration of individuals from rural to urban areas in developing nations led to a huge demand for power, which is eventually anticipated to boost the growth of the global impulse steam turbine market. The report also analyzes the reaction segment. Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Steam Turbine Market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/6028?reqfor=covid The power generation segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period Based on end use industry, the power generation segment accounted for the largest share in 2020, contributing to nearly half of the global steam turbine market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Moreover, the same segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 3.7% from 2021 to 2030, owing to growth in power plants all over the world. The report also analyzes the segments including petrochemical, oil and gas, others. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2030 Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue 2020, accounting for nearly half of the global steam turbine market. Moreover, the same region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period, owing to rise in demand for electricity in the region. Other regions discussed in the report include North America, Europe, and LAMEA. Schedule a FREE Consultation Call with Our Analysts/Industry Experts to Find Solution for Your Business @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/6028 Leading Market Players General Electric (GE) Co. Turbine Generator Maintenance Inc Toshiba Corporation Siemens AG Arani power systems Elliott Group TURBOCAM Doosan Skoda Power Chola Turbo Machinery International Pvt. Ltd. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas Inc. Interested in Procure Data? Visit Here: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/steam-turbine-market/purchase-options Access AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access 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. Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenueTrial Similar Reports We Have: Wind Turbine Market is expected to reach $98.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2021 to 2030. Wave and Tidal Energy Market is projected to reach $1.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2021 to 2030. Small Wind Power Market is projected to reach $17.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2021 to 2030. Captive Power Generation Market is projected to reach $823.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2021 to 2030. Distributed Energy Generation Market is expected to reach $919.6 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2021 to 2030 Cogeneration Equipment Market is projected to reach $51.9 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2020 to 2030. Gas Turbine Market is projected to reach $25.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2021 to 2030. Hydraulic Turbine Market is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2020 to 2027. Floating Wind Turbine Market is projected to reach $30.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 32.5% from 2020 to 2027 Turbo Generator Market is projected to reach $12.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2020 to 2027. Pre-Book Now with 10% Discount: Hydro Turbine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2029 Multi Fuel Gas Turbines Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2029 Marine Wind Turbine Market: Global Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2029 Aero Derivative Gas Turbine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast 2021-2030 Micro Turbine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2029 Turbine Control System Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2029 Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Market: Global Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2030 Turbine Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2030 Geothermal Turbines Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2028 Steam Turbine MRO Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2030 About us: 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. 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. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. 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. Contact us: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: 1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow us on: LinkedIn Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meysan Partners served as sole transaction counsel in the $3 billion offering of Ali Alghanim Sons Automotive Company KSCP ("AAG"), a major family-owned automotive retailer and the largest player in the premium automotive retail industry in the State of Kuwait. The listingwhich represented the region's first-ever family business offeringwas 11 times oversubscribed. Established in 1986, Ali Alghanim and Sons Automotive Company is a pioneer in the automotive sector and has grown to become home to some of the world's most luxurious automotive brands in Kuwait. Its facility extends over 22,000 square meters of land, and it operates one of the largest showrooms in the world. Meysan Partners' adviceas sole transaction counselin connection with this landmark and complex transaction included the structuring of the business and the offering, the preparation of all documentation, and the procurement of all regulatory filings through closing of the offering and listing on Boursa Kuwait's premier market. Dr. Abdulwahab Abdullatif Sadeq, Counsel at Meysan Partners said: "This one of a kind offering and the successful entering of a family-owned automotive retailer into the market at this time is a key milestone for both AAG and family businesses hoping to participate in the local capital markets in the State of Kuwait. AAG's offering represents an excellent precedent in the growth of the Kuwaiti market and economy. We are honored to have worked with AAG's shareholders and management, as well as the global coordinator and bookrunners who worked hard with us on this paramount transaction." Partner and head of capital markets practice at Meysan Partners, Tarek Yahya, also commented: "We are pleased to have advised AAG on this remarkable transaction at a time when Boursa Kuwait regulations and the capital markets regulations have been upgraded for the better of the market. This transaction is another reflection of the strengths and capabilities of Kuwait's capital markets, and we are happy to have been part of this outstanding achievement." Capital Markets Partner, Tarek Yehya, and Counsel, Dr. Abdulwahab Abdullatif Sadeq, co-led the transaction with the support of capital market team. SOURCE Meysan Partners "Only through great earthquakes, lofty mountains rise. I believe this is true, not only for volcanoes, but also for our humanity. During every crisis, lie great opportunities," said in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The main issues addressed in the 6 to 8 June 2022 meeting were mobilization of financial resources for future pandemic responses. G20 member states discussed lessons learned from the successes of medical countermeasures initiatives, such as COVAX and the ACT-accelerators that worked efficiently during the pandemic in ushering vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. G20 and its partners, such as GISAID, now is looking at the optimization of genomic surveillance and trusted data sharing mechanisms, allowing the world to quickly identify novel pathogens that may pose new threats to global health security. "We need a more permanent coordinating platform that can address five cores such as access to countermeasures, emergency coordination, collaborative intelligence, community protection; and clinical care to patients in need," said the Minister of Health. Indonesia has committed to donate USD50 million to the FIF. As part of the G20 presidency mandate, Indonesia will also lobby organizations and donors to ensure that the fund benefit the right target countries to prevent conflicting interests from donors and organizations. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's General Secretary, was commended Indonesia's presidency to prioritize the establishment of global health system architecture and putting it in the G20 agenda. "We must learn from the lessons this pandemic has taught us because this will not be the last one," said Dr. Tedros. To access the Health Working Group plenary opening ceremony and press conference, visit https://www.youtube.com/c/KementerianKesehatanRI. SOURCE The Indonesian Ministry of Health 10 accelerator startups selected from more than 150 applications Startups will get upto INR 40L Seed fund, and four streams of mentorship - Strategy, GoToMarket Plan, Technology and domain/market access mentorship Since the launch of accelerators in 2016, there have been over 20 cohorts, 26 startups, and about 55% of them raising follow-on funding CIE-IIITH partners with Co-creation Consulting, Arka Media Works and SucSeed Indovation Fund for the program HYDERABAD, India, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at IIIT Hyderabad announced the onboarding of 10 startups for the combined accelerator cohorts. Avishkar Deeptech accelerator (Cohort 15), Ojas Medtech accelerator (Cohort 8) and the first cohort of new Mediatech accelerator. Since the launch of accelerators in 2016, there have been over 20 cohorts, 26 startups in the domains of AI, Ml, IoT, digital health; about 55% of them raising follow-on funding. The Accelerator Kickoff for all shortlisted startups took place on 2 June 2022 in the presence of CIE's panel of mentors and experts from the industry. From an overwhelming application pool of 150 startups, the selection committees shortlisted 10 startups for the program. The shortlisted startups were from domains of electronic manufacturing, property tech, digital health, tele-readiology, AI, Computer Vision, and Music production. The accelerator programs offer shortlisted startups upto INR 40L Seed Fund along with a detailed 6-month program that proffers 4 streams of mentorship - Business Strategy, GoToMarket Plan, Technical Review and domain-specific mentorship. The program is facilitated jointly by CIE, IIIT Hyderabad, Co-creation Consulting, and SucSeed Indovation Fund among others. Resident mentors for the program guide accelerator startups towards defining a thorough customer segment and business strategy. The program also opens avenues for the startups through IIITH's research support and collated networks. Prof. Ramesh Loganathan, COO CIE-IIITH says, "In the 14 years since CIE was started, we have incubated over 400 startups; and are very happy to see our accelerator programs also now mature into an engine that is nurturing and amplifying 10-15 deeptech startups every year. And also that they have in recent years raised large rounds of follow on funding and generated significant employment" The startups shortlisted for this cohort are: Avishkar Cohort 15 CloudWorx is a web-based IDE that lets users build applications and workflows for 3D content without writing any code. is a web-based IDE that lets users build applications and workflows for 3D content without writing any code. Projexel is focused on industrial automation and robotics, providing solutions to help their customers increase production, reduce downtime, and lower operating and maintenance costs. is focused on industrial automation and robotics, providing solutions to help their customers increase production, reduce downtime, and lower operating and maintenance costs. Drona Automations is focused on providing customized robots for a wide range of customers from individual private & public sectors. is focused on providing customized robots for a wide range of customers from individual private & public sectors. Nava Design & Innovations is working on a robotic system to solve the problem of manually tapping coconut trees. is working on a robotic system to solve the problem of manually tapping coconut trees. Ojas Cohort 8 PlebC is developing a Teleoperated Robotic Ultrasound System(TORUS) that can perform a safe & secure ultrasound even from remote locations ensuring "Diagnosis from a Distance". is developing a Teleoperated Robotic Ultrasound System(TORUS) that can perform a safe & secure ultrasound even from remote locations ensuring "Diagnosis from a Distance". Astromeda has developed technology to access the health vitals and stress factors of individuals using e-fabric based health monitoring systems. has developed technology to access the health vitals and stress factors of individuals using e-fabric based health monitoring systems. Mediatech Cohort 1 Joly Ai is a SaaS and AI platform that automatically selects the best photos amongst many captured by the photographer. is a SaaS and AI platform that automatically selects the best photos amongst many captured by the photographer. Contelligenz provides AI-based tools - Platform personalization tool and Content analytics tool for the digital media platforms. provides AI-based tools - Platform personalization tool and Content analytics tool for the digital media platforms. NeuralSync helps users generate personalized AI videos from the text as well as lip-sync existing videos into multiple languages. helps users generate personalized AI videos from the text as well as lip-sync existing videos into multiple languages. Choira is an online ecosystem to empower customers with tools to jam, produce and explore music. About CIE-IIIT Hyderabad: IIIT Hyderabad is the first IIIT to be set up in the country, in 1998. IIIT Hyderabad is a research university that ranks in the country for research in various areas of computer science. IIIT-H has also had a strong emphasis on translating research into products and startups. To enable this, the Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) was set up in 2008, which has since grown to be the largest academic incubator in the country. The Centre has very active programs across the spectrum of a startup journey. Entrepreneurship courses and workshops for students, Product Labs to seed new products from research, a pre-incubation program to help entrepreneurs create new startups, incubation to nurture early-stage startups, mentoring programs to improve strategy and business development of the startups, investor pitch days, and several talks/workshops from experts and successful entrepreneurs. CIE-IIITH was supported by DST (TBI) and MeitY (TIDE) in the initial years. Today, there are very active programs focused on emerging technology startups, research-based startups, medical technologies, and social technology startups. In the past 13 years, CIE has housed over 300+ startups that have raised about 200 Cr funding and created over 2000 jobs. About IIIT Hyderabad International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, is a research university with deeptech capabilities and established centres of excellence focusing on natural language processing (speech and text), image processing, computer vision, machine learning, and applications of artificial intelligence to population-scale problems. IIIT's CIE is one of India's oldest incubators, has enabled 40+ startups and has raised $25Mn+ external funds for partner startups. For more information, visit https://www.iiit.ac.in . Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600789/IIIT_Hyderabad_Logo.jpg SOURCE International Institute of Information Technology-Hyderabad Highlights investment opportunities in private equity, real estate, fin-tech, healthcare, start-ups, electric mobility, etc. Attendees included prominent investors, private equity funds, real estate developers, and start-up promoters from India , UK, and across the world MUMBAI, India, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GlobeInvest Ventures (GIVL), a cross-border investment and business advisory firm with a strong focus on the real estate space in India and the United Kingdom (UK), organised its first India-United Kingdom Business and Investment Summit recently in Mumbai. Held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex in association with Global Asset Portfolio (GAP), the exclusive invite-only summit was attended by prominent investors, private equity funds, real estate developers, and start-up promoters from India, UK, and around the world both in-person and online. The summit which marks the beginning of a series of networking conclaves to be held in Mumbai and London was live-streamed to the US, Gulf, Israel, Africa, India, and the UK. The conference in Mumbai showcased joint ventures, foreign collaborations, and investment opportunities both in India and UK in private equity, real estate, infrastructure development, manufacturing, fin-tech, healthcare, and electric mobility. While GIVL Co-Founder-Directors Laxman Nasarpuri, Tony Gimple, and Lolly Ramlaul set the ball rolling by addressing the audience, Ross Benson, the Business Development and Client Relations from GAP, John Howard, a property expert, and Chris Bailey, a taxation expert, both based out of UK made insightful presentations on the investment opportunities. In his keynote address, GIVL Co-founder and Director, Tony Gimple who is also a well-known expert in the UK real estate industry, said, "There are huge business and investment opportunities in the UK in real estate, infrastructure development spaces, to name a few. The need of the hour is to develop a strong cross-industry synergy and create seamless channels to communicate, forge relationships and implement the joint ventures and investment deals to take the India-UK business association to the next level." While commenting, Laxman Nasarpuri, Co-founder and Director, GIVL, said, "The summit which is in line with our vision of 'building wealth through relationships' offered glimpses to a variety of business and investment opportunities across sectors and boundaries. As per our estimate, there are emerging opportunities valued at more than $50 million to invest in start-ups innovating in electric mobility, battery charging devices including mobile charging stations, EdTech, artificial intelligence-based healthcare, Highway Plazas, waste management, etc. over the next three years. This first-of-its-kind summit will work towards strengthening the trade association between the two countries." Lolly Ramlaul, Co-founder and Director of GIVL said, "The response from the first summit has been extremely encouraging. Such platforms help in recognizing shared interests and promote deeper understanding. To facilitate continued engagement, we have plans to organise such networking and knowledge-led summits on a regular basis both in Mumbai and London." The next India-United Kingdom Business and Investment Summit is scheduled in London on 28th July 2022. About GlobeInvest Ventures: Set up in October 2021, GlobeInvest Ventures is a cross-border investment and business advisory firm with a strong focus on the real estate space in India and the UK. In the real-estate space, it advises investments in residential, commercial, mixed-use developments, resorts, hotels, etc. It also advises on the cross-border investments, financing, and M&A transactions primarily in the Real Estate space. GlobeInvest Ventures also offers investment advisory services on unconventional businesses and ventures related to water resources, waste management, social housing, and electric Mobility to name a few, in addition to a wide range of investment banking and financial solutions across sectors and geographies. It has offices in Mumbai, Durham, and London. SOURCE GlobeInvest Ventures Watch the Film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZYLIwpYWCs BENGALURU, India, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Himalaya Wellness Company, one of India's leading wellness brands, has launched a new equity campaign that inspires consumers across age groups to prioritize health and wellness. The campaign brings to life Himalaya's vision of 'Wellness in Every Home, Happiness in Every Heart'. Over the past nine decades, Himalaya has been championing health and wellness, which consumers across the globe want to embrace. Himalaya believes that the world will be a happier place if everyone prioritizes their health and wellness. The new campaign aims at drawing attention to the shift in the lifestyles and the importance of preventive health care for good health and well-being. Speaking on the campaign, Mr. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director - Consumer Products Division, Himalaya Wellness Company, says, "At Himalaya, we believe that wellness is the real happiness. This brand film reiterates our commitment to creating awareness on the role of wellness for healthy and happy living. Himalaya has pioneered and developed a range of head-to-heel consumer products, reinforcing our vision of Wellness in Every Home, Happiness in Every Heart." M. Damodaran Nair, President & Head of Office (FCB Bangalore): "Over the past couple of years, we've all realized the importance of health and wellness in some way or the other. It was the right time for a brand like Himalaya, which has pioneered wellness and built its legacy for over 90 years, to reiterate the role of wellness in our daily lives. The old saying 'health is wealth' has never been truer, and Himalaya goes one step further to say, 'wellness is true happiness'." Romit Nair, Executive Creative Head (FCB Bangalore): "With the demands of an active lifestyle, consumers have realized the importance of adopting preventive health care for their happiness and well-being. Everyone, at some point in their life, has said 'kaash' (if only), when they realize, they could have done something to avoid a difficult health situation. The Himalaya equity campaign is based on this consumer insight." Campaign details: Title: Khush Raho Khushal Raho Creative Agency: FCB ULKA Production: Gulliver Motion Pictures Director: Parikshit Vaidya About Himalaya Wellness Company In 1930, a young visionary by the name of Mr. M. Manal foresaw the benefits of herbal remedies while riding through the forests of Burma. After diligently researching the science of the traditional field of Ayurveda, he decided to dedicate his life creating products that would improve millions of lives across the world. Today, with a history spanning more than nine decades in herbal research, Himalaya has positioned itself as a brand that cares about not only enriching people's lives but also safeguarding the environment. With their "head-to-heel" range of products, Himalaya aims to provide a holistic solution to everyday ailments. Seeped in a legacy of researching Nature, Himalaya has successfully been able to harness the science of Ayurveda through cutting-edge research to become a brand that is safe, gentle, and trustworthy. For more information, please visit: https://himalayawellness.in/ SOURCE Himalaya Wellness Company KYIV, Ukraine, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - AIR Media-Tech, an international company for digital-first creators and brands, releases the first trends report about the impact of the war in Ukraine on the creator economy in Eastern Europe and beyond. With a part of the team in the Kyiv office and a large number of partner creators from Eastern Europe, including over 500 creators from Ukraine, AIR Media-Tech has observed several trends in the digital creators' industry in the region since the war in Ukraine began. Key findings include: Global platforms are experiencing pressure from the Russian government because of the struggle to openly spread the truth: Facebook and Instagram are now blocked, Twitter has slowed down, YouTube and TikTok have been forced to react by suspending some core functionalities. International sanctions against Russia also impact several other platforms widely used by creators, such as Patreon, OnlyFans, Twitch, etc. also impact several other platforms widely used by creators, such as Patreon, OnlyFans, Twitch, etc. While many international digital platforms remain unavailable for Russian users, the popularity of alternative and local platforms continues to increase. Russian creators pivot to local platforms to stay connected with their audience and compensate for losses of monetization on global platforms. Creators globally unite their efforts to support Ukraine . World-famous celebrities also support Ukraine in a number of ways - from public calls to help Ukrainians to multimillion-dollar donations and even hosting refugees. The trends report also includes an overview of the latest content trends in Ukraine and Russia and the state of influencer marketing in both countries. This information is supported by relevant market data, the company's internal research, and real-life examples of influencers and their posts. The full report is available via this link . About AIR: AIR Media-Tech was founded in Canada and operates globally. AIR has been a YouTube Certified partner since 2011 and has worked with TikTok since 2019. The company helps over 3000 YouTubers from 44 countries grow faster and earn more on digital platforms. Altogether AIR partner creators generate over 20B views on YouTube monthly. The company's in-house agency, AIR Brands, provides influencer marketing and channel development services to brands. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE AIR Media-Tech -Barry Callebaut signs strategic distribution agreement with Levapan for global brands -Callebaut, Mona Lisa and Sicao under long-term agreement -Distribution agreement expands presence to Colombia and Ecuador and strengthens position in the Dominican Republic- -New chocolate products and innovative decorations to be available in Colombia and further countries for the first time CHICAGO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, announced today to expand further into Latin America via a new long-term agreement with the Colombian food ingredient supplier Levapan, which has wide distribution networks in Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and other countries. Jose Luis Murillo, CEO, Levapan (L) and Jesus Carlos Valencia, Managing Director, North LATAM, Barry Callebaut (R) celebrate their new business partnership. Steve Woolley, President & CEO, Region Americas, Barry Callebaut, said, "This strategic supply agreement enables both companies to continue to drive strategic, long-term growth throughout Latin America. We will continue to drive expansion in the Americas to be the #1 chocolate partner for our customers." The agreement will allow Levapan to increase capacity and service offerings including chocolate products from the global Barry Callebaut brands Mona Lisa, Callebaut and Sicao, to supply chocolate in Latin America. Jesus Carlos Valencia, Managing Director of Barry Callebaut Group for Northern Latin America, said, "This is just the beginning of our expansion in North Latin America and the Caribbean. We have a strong growth ambition and are seizing the potential in these vital markets for our chocolate products." About Levapan Levapan is a Colombian company founded in 1956 specialized in the production, marketing and distribution of raw materials for the food industry, bakery and confectionery, mass consumption products, gastronomy, agribusiness, vegetable and animal proteins, with presence in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Dominican Republic and Panama. https://www.levapan.com/en/quienes-somos/ About Barry Callebaut Group (www.barry-callebaut.com) : With annual sales of about CHF 7.2 billion (EUR 6.6 billion / USD 7.9 billion) in fiscal year 2020/21, the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. The Group runs more than 60 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of more than 13,000 people. The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut and Cacao Barry , Carma and the decorations specialist Mona Lisa . The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025 to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. It supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. Follow the Barry Callebaut Group: LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube Flickr Facebook Contact for the media Frank Keidel Head of Media Relations Barry Callebaut AG Phone: + 41 43 268 86 06 [email protected] for media in the Americas: Sylvia Maldonado Director Corporate Communications Barry Callebaut AG Phone: +1312-415-4162 [email protected] for investors and financial analysts: Claudia Pedretti Head of Investor Relations Barry Callebaut AG Phone: +41 43 204 04 23 [email protected] SOURCE Barry Callebaut Trent Shares a Vulnerable Recollection of Triumph and Tribulations in Two Autobiographies MONTREAL, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In his recent books, How Sneakers Saved My Life: My Entrepreneurial Journey and How Sneakers Ruined My Life: The Entrepreneurial Journey That Shifted My Mental State, Exclucity founder, and CEO Trent Out Loud invites readers to accompany him on a journey of faith, humility, and strength. Trent Out Loud His first book, How Sneakers Saved My Life, takes a look at Trent's rebellious adolescent years as a young man seeking independence and discovering his true identity. Trent provides a raw recollection of the road to becoming the CEO, founder, and owner of one of the most successful Canadian brands to date. The second book, How Sneakers Ruined My Life, pivots to one of the most challenging periods of Trent's career, a shift in the sneaker industry that nearly destroyed everything he'd spent years building. In just a few years, Trent went from a notable CEO dominating the sneaker world, to an entrepreneur who was near bankruptcy, struggling to stay afloat mentally and financially. This book dives into Trent's battle with mental health as well as the perseverance and grit it took for his company to climb back to the top. Both books were ranked in the top 10 best-selling books on Amazon less than 24 hours after being released. The book's success is another testament to Trent's resilience and ability to conquer adversity. In addition, as Trent speaks about his mental health journey candidly, it has now opened up new opportunities for him to be brutally honest about the mental health as an Entrepreneur. "I've done many things in my life, but being an author is the thing that I'm the proudest of," says Trent. "Being dyslexic and having trouble in high school, I never thought I'd ever be able to do something like this. Becoming an author means that I've overcome one of my biggest fears. I won. Fear is the #1 killer of dreams, and I hope my books can change that." How Sneakers Saved My Life: My Entrepreneurial Journey and How Sneakers Ruined My Life: The Entrepreneurial Journey That Shifted My Mental State are available for purchase on Amazon. Currently, Trent is working on his third book which will highlight how he was able to maneuver his mindset and business during the Pandemic. To learn more about Trent Out Loud, visit www.TrentOutLoud.com . For media inquiries, please email [email protected]. MEDIA CONTACT Candice Nicole [email protected] 704.456.5664 SOURCE Trent Out Loud PANAMA, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Panamanian bank Banitsmo has contracted the SaaS services of Spanish listed company Lleida.net (BME: LLN) (EPA: ALLLN) (OTCQX: LLEIF) to manage its account opening and collection processes. In this way, the Spanish company's proprietary certified electronic signature, notification, and contracting technology will help Banistmo improve the user experience for its customers. It will serve both the company's customers and its employees, who will be able to sign documents using authentication factors and identity validation tools with technological security and legal value. Banistmo is a financial institution with a general license to conduct banking business in the Republic of Panama and is part of Grupo Financiero Bancolombia. "Banistmo has chosen Lleida.net because of our very high technical standards and criteria. This alliance will enable the institution to reduce the cost of its services, accelerate its technological innovation and bring new levels of reliability to its customers," explained Sisco Sapena, who founded Lleida.net in 1995. The institution is the largest bank in Panama and Central America and was acquired by Bancolombia (BVC: PFBCOLOM) (NYSE: CIB) in 2013 by Grupo Bancolombia. Lleida.net currently has a three-year contract with Bancolombia to provide the entity with certified electronic signature services. Grupo Bancolombia has more than 14 million customers, is the largest bank in Colombia, and has a market share of 20 percent of the Colombian banking market. Lleida.net is the European leader in the certified electronic signature, notification, and contracting industry and is listed in New York, Madrid and Paris. The Spanish listed company provides services to banks such as Wizink, Bankinter, Banco Pichincha and Compartamos Financiera in Peru. Last year, its sales increased by 31 percent in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period of the previous year, amounting to 5.21 million euros, in the best quarter in sales in its history. More than 60 countries have recognized its inventions with 209 patents, and its intellectual property portfolio is one of the most relevant in the industry worldwide, many of them in Latin America. Lleida.net began trading on the current BME Growth in 2015 and Euronext Growth in 2018. At the end of 2020, it was listed on the OTCQX Best Market index in New York. SOURCE Lleida.net Retirement plan options are important issues for small businesses." Jay A. Buckingham, CEO of Buckingham Advisors. Tweet this Discussion will include: Benefits to having a retirement plan Choosing the right plan type, including SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, 401(k), Profit Sharing How to select and manage the investment options Understanding fees and ongoing responsibilities There is no cost for the webinar. Journalists and small business owners are welcome and encouraged to attend. Click to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7043910615855375631 "We chose to do a webinar focused on retirement plan options and how to select and manage investment options because it's an important issue for so many small businesses, and a question that is a frequent topic of conversation with clients," said Jay A. Buckingham, CEO of Buckingham Advisors. NEW FINANCIAL ADVISORS JOIN THE BUCKINGHAM TEAM In an effort to expand their workforce to better serve their growing clientele with comprehensive, personalized financial services to help achieve their clients' unique goals, Buckingham has also welcomed the following new financial advisors to their team: Christina Israel, Financial Planner Israel has been in the financial industry since 2017 and joined Buckingham in April 2022. She attended Wright State University and currently has her Series 6, 63, 65, and Life and Health licenses through the State of Ohio since 2018. Melissa L. Mueller, Financial Planner Mueller earned a financial services degree from Wright State University. She originally joined Buckingham Advisors as an intern in 2004. After her graduation, she accepted a full-time financial planner position at Buckingham Advisors, by which time she had earned the CFP designation, and began working towards the CFA designation. ABOUT BUCKINGHAM ADVISORS Ohio-based Buckingham Advisors is a unique team of professionals that work together to create professional and personal financial success for their clients. Buckingham's professionals are fiduciaries, putting their clients' needs ahead of their own. The company's core purpose is to improve the lives of clients by providing clarity, simplicity, and the professional expertise of Buckingham's financial planners, investment professionals, tax strategists and accounting team. Buckingham specializes in aligning the solutions clients need to help them achieve the best possible financial and life outcomes. The firm offers personal and business financial solutions, providing one team for all their clients' financial needs. A free second-opinion service is available for prospective clients (no cost or obligation). For more information visit MyBuckingham.com. CONTACT: Grace Vogelzang or Corrine Smith Impact Communications, Inc. 913-649-5009 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Buckingham Advisors The 2022 State of the Cloud Report , recently produced by Bessemer Venture Partners, cited the enduring qualities of centaur companies with product-market fit, scaleable GTM, and a growing customer base amid changing market conditions. In an era where investors consistently apply significant multiple advantages to company valuations, the centaur status offers a much more salient perspective on company valuations in respect to today's index of public scale companies. The distinction underscores Clio's global leadership in the legal industry's growing adoption of cloud-based solutions as part of its digital transformation. "Our centaur designation is just one lens to measure our success in the market, but in the context of today's tech economy it signals much more," said Jack Newton, CEO, and Founder of Clio. "Our customers prioritize stability and sustainability in their technology partners. With a wave of market volatility and consolidation happening in this industry, Clio is the steady exception our customers can count on through it all." Clio has led the legal industry's digital transformation with its first-of-its-kind, cloud-based legal software and its approach to modern legal practice. In 2021, the company was also the first legal practice management platform to earn unicorn status with a Series E funding valuation of US $1.6 billion. Clio has since grown its company and product investment, prioritizing the success of its customers with additional products and features that solve the pain points of today and the client expectations of tomorrow. In the last six months, it has focused on the core tenets of billing and payments, operational efficiency, and centralized client experiences to make the lives of legal professionals and their clients easier. Product Innovation Highlights Clio Payments : An all-new payments suite built into Clio Manage that enables the seamless collection of credit, debit, and eCheck payments and comes with complete fee and reporting transparency. : An all-new payments suite built into Clio Manage that enables the seamless collection of credit, debit, and eCheck payments and comes with complete fee and reporting transparency. Clio Drive : A virtual drive that allows legal professionals to conveniently create, access, edit, store, and collaborate on documents from their desktop while keeping it all securely stored in Clio's cloud. : A virtual drive that allows legal professionals to conveniently create, access, edit, store, and collaborate on documents from their desktop while keeping it all securely stored in Clio's cloud. Clio for Clients : A desktop- and mobile-accessible application from which attorneys and legal clients securely communicate, collaborate, and share documents and case updates. : A desktop- and mobile-accessible application from which attorneys and legal clients securely communicate, collaborate, and share documents and case updates. Outlook Add-In : A redesigned connection between Clio Manage and Microsoft Outlook that makes storing, organizing, and accessing case-related email activity effortless and convenient. : A redesigned connection between Clio Manage and Microsoft Outlook that makes storing, organizing, and accessing case-related email activity effortless and convenient. Clio Manage & Clio Grow Integration : A new means to easily toggle between solutions and seamlessly update contact and case details in real time. : A new means to easily toggle between solutions and seamlessly update contact and case details in real time. Bill Personalization: New ways to customize bills with payment-provoking personalization, generate them in a multitude of ways, and send them to clients through more intuitive workflows. New ways to customize bills with payment-provoking personalization, generate them in a multitude of ways, and send them to clients through more intuitive workflows. Lawyaw Court Form Libraries : An expanded collection of digital court form offerings that now includes 18 states. : An expanded collection of digital court form offerings that now includes 18 states. HIPAA Compliance: Store and process protected health information in a HIPAA-compliant manner using Clio. Company Highlights Funding milestones: Raised $386 million in capital since 2008, including a US$250 million venture capital financing round, which was the largest for a Canadian company at the time in 2019, and a Series E funding round of US$110 million , valuing the company at US$1.6 billion in 2021. Raised in capital since 2008, including a venture capital financing round, which was the largest for a Canadian company at the time in 2019, and a Series E funding round of , valuing the company at in 2021. Social giving: Donated over $40 million to social impact initiatives including Academic Access for legal students and COVID-19 legal relief programs. Donated over to social impact initiatives including Academic Access for legal students and COVID-19 legal relief programs. Investment portfolio : Contributed to Proof's $7M Series A funding round led by Blue Heron Capital and LegalTech Fund by way of Clio Ventures , as well as a $100,000 investment in Fidu as part of the most recent Launch//Code Developer Contest . : Contributed to Proof's Series A funding round led by Blue Heron Capital and LegalTech Fund by way of , as well as a investment in Fidu as part of the most recent . Award-winning customer support and security infrastructure: Set new standards with the industry's fastest response times, live product support available 24/5, and a dedicated in-house cybersecurity team operating 24/7/365. Set new standards with the industry's fastest response times, live product support available 24/5, and a dedicated in-house cybersecurity team operating 24/7/365. Employee growth and success : Increased capacity to innovate rapidly with the addition of 250+ staff since January 2022 and five global offices reopened in a flexible, remote, and hybrid work model. : Increased capacity to innovate rapidly with the addition of 250+ staff since and five global offices reopened in a flexible, remote, and hybrid work model. Executive leadership : Expanded C-suite to support the scaling of Clio's products and company with leaders from high growth companies like Uber, Airbnb, Lightspeed, ACTIVE Network, Shopify, and Zynga, setting the tone for Clio's next stage of growth. : Expanded C-suite to support the scaling of Clio's products and company with leaders from high growth companies like Uber, Airbnb, Lightspeed, ACTIVE Network, Shopify, and Zynga, setting the tone for Clio's next stage of growth. Leading industry initiatives and events: Announced the 10th annual worldwide Clio Cloud Conference , which is now the most widely attended legal event in North America . Recent Accolades G2 Leader, Legal Practice Management, Spring 2022 Deloitte Best Managed Company, Gold Standard, 2022 Canada's Top Employer for Young People, 2022 Top Employer for Young People, 2022 BC Top Employer, 2022 Ireland Great Place to Work, 2022 Canada's Top 100 Employers, 2021 Top 100 Employers, 2021 Fast Company World's Most Innovative Companies, 2021 "Achieving centaur status is a testament to what our customers already know best: Clio builds for long-term success," said Newton. "Building an enduring, 100-year company takes financial discipline, an unwavering focus on the success of our customers, and the durability to withstand swift changes in the market. We're incredibly proud of this accomplishment, which is one more important milestone in Clio's growth story." About Clio Clio is transforming the legal experience for all by creating the world's leading cloud-based technologies for law firmsto keep lawyers and their clients better connected throughout the legal process. Firms of all sizes and practice areas use Clio products Clio Manage , Clio Grow , and Lawyaw to manage firm operations, streamline billing and payments, automate legal documents, and improve client experiences. Following its US$250M Series D funding, led by TCV and JMI Equity, and its US$110M Series E investment, led by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and OMERS Growth Equity, Clio has made history by becoming the first legal practice management unicorn in the world. Learn more at clio.com . SOURCE Clio Ricoh's Digital Services Center continues to help its customers create new hybrid, borderless work experiences by delivering cloud solutions that unlock the value of information essential for modern workforces. Over the past year, Ricoh enabled organizations to enhance work experiences with its portfolio of cloud and security solutions, aimed at providing companies with peace of mind when it comes to security challenges. With Ricoh, organizations can navigate changing post-pandemic priorities that have dramatically shifted to meet evolving customer needs. "This recognition from CRN validates Ricoh's strategy of developing and delivering a robust managed IT services portfolio that supports customers' wide range of IT technology and service needs," said Bob Lamendola, Senior Vice President, Technology and Head of Digital Services Center, Ricoh North America. "Our technology solutions, such as Capture & Conversion Services and Claims Management Services help clients transform their IT approach to maximize efficiency and enable individuals to work more productively and digitally with cloud-connected workflow software and tools." This recognition by CRN is the latest in a series of recent accolades awarded to Ricoh, including: "The Solution Provider 500 list from CRN serves as the benchmark for the top technology integrators, strategic service providers, and IT consulting firms, making it an invaluable resource for technology vendors seeking to partner with today's top-performing IT solution providers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "My congratulations go out to each of these companies for their extraordinary contributions to the continued growth and success of the IT channel." CRN's 2022 Solution Provider 500 list is available online at www.CRN.com/SP500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine. For more information on Ricoh's IT Services offerings, please visit this page, or follow the company's social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter , LinkedIn, and Facebook . 2022 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. The Channel Company Contact: Jennifer Hogan The Channel Company [email protected] | About Ricoh | Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services that enable individuals to work smarter from anywhere. With cultivated knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history, Ricoh is a leading provider of digital services, information management, and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation and optimize business performance. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group has major operations throughout the world and its products and services now reach customers in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2022, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,758 billion yen (approx. 14.5 billion USD). For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com. 2022 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies. SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc. LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Other Side of Things is an inclusive film created by talents from the U.S., Latin America, and Armenia. Premiering this Sunday, June 12th at renowned film festival Dances With Films in Hollywood at 4:45pm, the new short touches on immigrant struggles and the power of love and family, leaving audiences feeling hopeful for a better world. Inspired by the dogged determination of its characters, The Other Side of Things is directed by, and stars esteemed Latino actor Guillermo Ivan (Vantage Point, Rumba Love). It is written, produced and co-stars famed multicultural actress, Zair Montes . "My hope is that other Latinas will be inspired to find their own empowerment by watching the main character," says Zair Montes. "But more importantly, I want kids, the future generations, to know they can overcome any obstacle if they believe it in their hearts." The film follows a single Latina mom, who, after being evicted and forced to live in her car with her 7-year-old son, Andrew (played by Jake Krihkori ), will do whatever it takes to fulfill her child's dream of getting on a jet and becoming a pilot even if that means turning her own car into a "jet." At its core, The Other Side of Things is an immigrant story portraying racial differences and the ways immigrants can be seen as outsiders. Beyond that, it conveys the important message that the American dream is still alive, no matter what your current circumstances are. The arc of Andrew gives children a sense of hope, inviting them to believe in their dreams wholeheartedly. In today's social media-driven world, rife with bullying, The Other Side of Things provides aspirations of resilience and encouragement that it's possible for new generations to break free from class restrictions. Furthermore, it portrays a message that your current socioeconomic status doesn't determine your future. Produced in cooperation with Golden Ceiba Productions, Jet 1 Cup, and the Krihkoris, the project is an official 2022 Dances With Films selection. "We are honored that our beloved short was selected for Dances With Films' 25th anniversary," says Associate Producer, Ani Krihkori. "My son, Jake, plays the young lead and my other two children also have roles, so I am a very proud mama!" To purchase tickets, visit: https://danceswithfilms.com/the-other-side-of-things/ Media Contact : Eileen Koch EKC PR 310-441-1000 [email protected] SOURCE The Krihkoris DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Hyperscale Data Center Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The study considers the present scenario of the Europe Hyperscale data center market and its market dynamics for 2022-2027. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent ones operating in the market. The Europe hyperscale data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% during the period 2022-2027. KEY HIGHLIGHTS: The adoption of cloud-based services by enterprises and social media by consumers are driving the construction of hyperscale data centers in Europe by companies such as Facebook, Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft. by companies such as Facebook, Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft. Several new data center investors, such as Global Technical Realty and Stratus DC Management, have announced hyperscale investments, further aiding the market growth for hyperscale data centers. The European market will see increased adoption of cloud services among SMEs, with a heightened interest in the digital transformation of businesses with the adoption of solutions such as IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence. Within Western Europe , Ireland is expected to be the fastest-growing hyperscale market over the forecast period with a CAGR of 5.76%, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany . , is expected to be the fastest-growing hyperscale market over the forecast period with a CAGR of 5.76%, followed by the and . The Nordic region will attract an increasing number of hyperscale projects, growing at a CAGR of 10.72% over the forecast period, owing to the availability of renewable energy and options for free cooling, which helps keep the PUE of data centers low. In 2021, Russia led the hyperscale data center investment market within Central & Eastern Europe , followed by Poland . Investors such as Vantage Data Centers, Rostelecom Data Centers, IXcellerate, Google, AWS, and Microsoft are driving the market. GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS: In Western Europe , data centers are increasingly being built to support OCP rack infrastructure solutions, aided by the growth of ODM solutions in the market. , data centers are increasingly being built to support OCP rack infrastructure solutions, aided by the growth of ODM solutions in the market. In 2021, Western Europe contributed to over 75% of the capacity installed in Europe , followed by the Nordics and Central & Eastern Europe . Ireland , Germany , UK, and Sweden were some major contributors to the market. Market Dynamics Market Opportunities & Trends Growing Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Growing Adoption of District Heating Concept Increase in Sustainable Initiatives Innovative Data Center Technologies Increasing Adoption of Advanced IT Infrastructure Market Growth Enablers Increasing Data Center Investments Growth in Cloud Service Adoption Impact of Covid-19 on Data Center Market Increasing Adoption of Big Data & IoT Adoption of OCP & Hyperscale Infrastructure Growing Submarine & Inland Connectivity Market Restraints Location Constraints for Data Centers Security Challenges for Data Centers Dearth of Skilled Workforce Rising Carbon Emissions from Data Centers Segmentation by Geography Western Europe Ireland Germany United Kingdom Netherland France Other Western European Countries Nordics Sweden Denmark Norway Finland Central & Eastern Europe Russia Poland SEGMENTS Segmentation by Infrastructure IT Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure General Construction Segmentation by IT Infrastructure Server Storage Network Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Segmentation by Cooling System CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers Economizers & Evaporative Coolers Other Cooling Units Segmentation by Cooling Technique Air-Based Cooling Technique Liquid-Based Cooling Technique Segmentation by General Construction Building Development Installation & Commissioning Services Building & Engineering Design Physical Security Fire Detection & Suppression DCIM/BMS VENDOR ANALYSIS: In 2022, the Dutch government has announced that new rules will be imposed for hyperscale data center development in certain regions in the Netherlands and has put a moratorium on these new projects till Q4 2022. However, projects under Facebook (Meta) and Google are exempt from the ban. Major colocation operators in the region include Equinix, Digital Realty, CyrusOne, Green Mountain, Vantage Data Centers, and VIRTUS Data Centres, among others. District heating is being deployed by data center operators in the region. For instance, in February 2021, DigiPlex's data center in Hoje Taastrup Municipality, Copenhagen will support district heating. Key IT Infrastructure Providers Arista Networks ATOS Broadcom Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Extreme Networks Fujitsu Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Hitachi Vantara Huawei Technologies IBM INSPUR Juniper Networks Lenovo MiTAC Holdings NEC Corporation NetApp Pure Storage Quanta Cloud Technology (Quanta Computer) Supermicro Wistron Corporation Prominent Support Infrastructure 3M ABB Aermec Airedale International Air Conditioning Aksa Power Generation Alfa Laval Carrier Caterpillar Condair Group Cummins Daikin Applied Delta Electronics Eaton ebm-papst EMICON INNOVATION AND COMFORT Enrogen Flaktgroup GESAB HiRef HITEC Power Protection Johnson Controls Kohler-SDMO KyotoCooling Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Munters Nlyte Software Perkins Engines Piller Power Systems Reillo Elettronica Group Rittal Rolls-Royce Schneider Electric Siemens Socomec STULZ Trane Vertiv Group Prominent Construction Contractors AECOM AEON Engineering ARC:MC AODC Ariatta ARSMAGNA Artelia Arup Atkins Aurora Group Basler & Hofmann BENTHEM CROUWEL ARCHITECTS Bouygues Construction Callaghan Engineering CAP INGELEC Collen Coromatic Deerns Designer Group Dipl.-Ing. H. C. Hollige Dornan DPR Construction Etop EYP MCF Ferrovial Fluor Corporation Free Technologies Future-tech Gottlieb Paludan Architects Granlund Group GreenMDC Haka Moscow ICT Facilities IDOM IMOS ISG JCA Engineering JERLAURE Kirby Group Engineering Linesight Mace M+W Group Mercury Metnor Construction MT Hojgaard Nicholas Webb Norma Engineering Oakmont Construction PM Group Power Quality Control (PQC) Quark RED Royal HaskoningDHV STO Building Group STRABAG STS Group Sweco TPF TTSP Turner Construction Company Warbud Winthrop Engineering and Contracting YIT ZAUNERGROUP Prominent Data Center Investors Amazon Web Services (AWS) Aruba atNorth Apple Colt Data Centre CyrusOne DATA4 Digital Realty DigiPlex Echelon Data Centres Equinix Facebook Global Switch Google Iron Mountain IXcellerate Microsoft NTT Global Data Centers Orange Business Services Rostelecom Data Centers (RTK-DC) T5 Data Centers Vantage Data Centers Virtus Data Centres (ST Telemedia Global Data Centres) Yondr New Entrants Global Technical Realty Stratus DC Management For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/exqyz4 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 Vehicles are the First Giant Delivers Electric Step-Vans Purchase Made Possible Through Grant from the Maryland Energy Administration LANDOVER, Md., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, announces today the deployment of two brand new, fully electric Giant Delivers vehicles. The electric step-van vehicles join Giant's fleet of 128 vehicles based in Hanover, Md. making daily deliveries to customers throughout Giant's markets of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. Giant Food Hits the Road in New Electric Vehicles for Customer Deliveries The deployment was made possible through a grant awarded to Giant by the Clean Fuels Incentive Program (CFIP), created and managed by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). The program is designed to create a cleaner and greener transportation sector within Maryland and improve the state's economy and environment in the process. Over the next several years Giant plans to transition more of its Giant Delivers fleet to all-electric, and the deployment of these first two vehicles marks the next stage in Giant's commitment to making a positive environmental impact. The new vehicles can cover 105 miles on one charge out of Giant's Hanover, Md. warehouse and will allow Giant Delivers drivers to omit fuel stops during the course of daily deliveries. "Cleaner transportation is part of Giant's larger sustainability efforts and commitment to supporting the local environment," said Joe Urban, Vice President of Distribution Operations at Giant Food. "We are excited to bring these vehicles into our Giant Delivers fleet and kick off the transition to all-electric delivery." The two vehicles were purchased from Motiv Power Systems, a Silicon Valley innovator of medium duty all-electric trucks and buses engineered and made in America. The vehicles will produce zero emissions and quieter operations while still providing the same grocery storage capacity. Over the lifetime of the vehicles, they are expected to displace over 210,000 gallons of petroleum and reduce GHG emissions by 63%. "We are thrilled to represent another EV milestone through our Clean Fuels Incentive Program for Maryland," said MEA Director, Dr. Mary Beth Tung. "As we continue to cement our standing as a transportation electrification leader, we know that supporting the deployment of fleet electric vehicles reduces our reliance on foreign petroleum and emissions, while also lowering operating costs for businesses." For more information about Giant's sustainability efforts, visit https://giantfood.com/pages/sustainability. About Giant Food Since opening its first location over 85 years ago in Washington, D.C. in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of the communities and customers it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity, Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research and Social Equality. Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md. and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 164 stores are 152 full-service pharmacies, 92 full-service PNC Banks and 26 Starbucks locations. Giant fits all the ways today's busy customers want to shop - whether in store or online. With 159 Giant Pickup locations and Giant Delivers available in all of its markets, customers have even more convenient options right at their fingertips to get the best products and prices, whenever and however they choose. For more information on Giant, visit: www.giantfood.com. About Maryland Energy Administration The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) advises the governor and general assembly on all energy matters, promoting affordable, reliable and cleaner energy. MEA develops and administers programs and policy to support and expand all sectors of the State's economy while benefiting all Marylanders and implementing legislation. Please visit Energy.Maryland.gov and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for more information. About Motiv Power Systems Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Motiv Power Systems delivers medium-duty commercial all-electric trucks and buses, along with charging infrastructure and guidance for deploying commercial fleets. Specializing in step vans, shuttle buses, and box trucks, Motiv is an innovative provider of daily-use zero-emission vehicles for moving people and goods with 98% uptime and intense customer-driven focus. The company's solutions not only offer fleets up to 85% operations and maintenance cost savings but also provide operators and riders a healthier and more comfortable experience without polluting the communities they serve. For more information about the company's products, services, or career opportunities, please visit motivps.com. SOURCE Giant Food Leading Non-Profit Microfinance Organization Grameen America Provides Business Capital, Education, and Support Services to Propel Financial Empowerment for Women of Color Jennifer Lopez will Serve as Grameen America's National Ambassador to Champion Financial Inclusion for Latina Entrepreneurs Historically Excluded from Financial Services and the Partnership will Live Under Lopez's Limitless Labs NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global icon Jennifer Lopez and Grameen America, the nation's fastest-growing microfinance organization, today announce they are partnering to advance financial empowerment for Latina businesswomen historically excluded from the financial mainstream. Grameen America provides access to business capital, credit- and asset-building, financial education, and peer support to enable women living below the federal poverty level to boost their income and create jobs in their communities. The new partnership seeks to advance both Lopez's latest philanthropic project, Limitless Labs, which aims to support Latina-owned small businesses, as well as Grameen America's goal to empower 600,000 Latina entrepreneurs across 50 U.S. cities with $14 billion in life-changing business capital and 6 million hours of financial education and training by 2030. Lopez joins as Grameen America's National Ambassador to advocate for and mentor the organization's network of over 150,000 small businesses run by women in predominantly Latinx communities across the United States. Limitless Labs, the home for all of Lopez's philanthropic and values-driven work, aims to uplift, educate and provide essential resources to underserved communities like the one in The Bronx where Lopez grew up. Additional areas of focus include youth empowerment, civic engagement, and empowering women with the confidence to live limitlessly. Grameen America envisions an inclusive society in which all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, race or income, have access to fair and affordable financial services to support upward economic mobility. The organization provides ongoing financial education to members and reports microloan repayments to credit bureaus to enable participants to build their financial identities. Since its founding in 2008, Grameen America has served over 150,000 women in 23 U.S. cities, distributed $2.6 billion in loans, and helped create and maintain 157,000 jobs. The organization's repayment rate is over 99% and its members have achieved an average credit score of 644 through participation in the program. To kick off her role as National Ambassador, Lopez will motivate, promote, and inspire Latina businesswomen, helping them understand the pathway to financial independence and literacy through joining the Grameen America microloan program. Lopez will mentor the organization's existing Latina business owners, educating them on the importance of credit and asset-building and developing a savings program to promote financial resilience. The partnership will also enhance Grameen America's financial education and training platform, prioritizing digital and multimedia resources to promote financial literacy. "Being Latino in this country has always been a matter of pride for me. I am humbled and beyond grateful to partner with Grameen America," said Jennifer Lopez. "We're building pathways to employment and leadership opportunities. There's so much strength in this community and we're harnessing that. This partnership will create equality, inclusivity and opportunity for Latina women in business. This will change the fabric of America!" "Jennifer Lopez is a trailblazer, having given visibility and advocacy to ensure Latina women are educated, financially empowered, and healthy," said Andrea Jung, President & CEO of Grameen America. "Grameen America is the only organization with the national scale, reach, and proven model required to deploy $14 billion in loan capital to emerging businesswomen in Latinx communities. Together we will shape entrepreneurship as a viable pathway to success for Latina women who have historically lacked access to the formal financial markets and are often marginalized from economic opportunity." Despite gaps in opportunity, Latina entrepreneurs represent the fastest-growing, yet untapped, segment of U.S. small business owners. In the past 10 years, the number of Latino-owned small businesses has grown 44% compared to just 4% for non-Latinos, according to a recent report by the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative. The same report notes Latino-owned businesses are significantly less likely than white-owned businesses to receive loans from national banks, despite demonstrating strong lending criteria. For women, financial exclusion is disproportionately higher as only 4% of all small business loans from mainstream financial institutions go to women, according to a report by the National Women's Business Council. "Asking for a loan from a bank is not as easy as people think, and even more challenging for businesswomen in my community," said Maria Lugo, Grameen America member and owner of Who's Papi? Tires by Papi, an auto-repair and tire shop located in Woodside, Queens. Lugo joined Grameen America in 2011 to revitalize her family's struggling business. Today, Lugo's thriving business has expanded in its size, services, and staff to meet growing demand. Most importantly, Lugo's savings allowed her to send her three children to college. "The road to business success is not always easy to navigate, but with hard work and access to financial services, education, and mentorship, it's possible to achieve your vision," said Lugo. "Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher." Are you interested in joining Grameen America's program? Learn more today. About Grameen America Founded by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus, Grameen America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit microfinance organization dedicated to helping women who live in poverty build small businesses to create better lives for their families. The organization offers microloans, training, and support to transform communities and fight poverty in the United States. Since opening in January 2008, Grameen America has invested over $2.4 billion in more than 150,000 low-income women entrepreneurs. Opening originally in Jackson Heights, Queens, Grameen America has expanded to 22 cities in Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Camden, NJ, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Connecticut, Dallas, TX, Fresno, CA, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Los Angeles, CA, Memphis, TN, Miami, FL, Newark, NJ, New York City, NY, Omaha, NE, Oakland, CA, San Antonio, TX, San Jose, CA, Trenton, NJ and Union City, NJ. For media inquiries for Grameen America, contact [email protected] For media inquiries for Jennifer Lopez, contact Christy Welder, Full Picture, [email protected] For donation inquiries or more information about making a gift to Grameen America, contact [email protected] SOURCE Grameen America These popular flavors have joined Red Velvet, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon, Confetti, Carrot and Classic Vanilla on the permanent menu, with Marble and Pecan Praline going into the brand's flavor "vault" for possible reappearances in the future. "At Nothing Bundt Cakes, we are all about bringing joy to our guests by celebrating everyday moments and special occasions," said Nothing Bundt Cakes Chief Marketing Officer Angie Eckelkamp. "We decided to make the first change to our menu since 2018 to make life a little sweeter for our fans who have told us they want to enjoy these two flavors throughout the year." Those who vote for their favorite of the two flavors at www.BackYourBundt.com through June 19 will be entered for a chance to win one of 20 $100 Nothing Bundt Cakes gift cards. See official rules for more details. Nothing Bundt Cakes offers bite-sized Bundtinis, miniature Bundtlets, Bundtlet Towers, 8- and 10-inch Bundt Cakes and Tiered Bundt Cakes in nine flavors in addition to rotating Featured Flavors and a gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor, available at select bakeries. Guests can add festive and unique decorations and toppers to their cakes for a variety of occasions, and bakeries also offer retail items, including party supplies, decor and gifts. To find the nearest bakery and order online for pickup or delivery, visit www.nothingbundtcakes.com . About Nothing Bundt Cakes Dallas-based Nothing Bundt Cakes was founded in Las Vegas in 1997 by Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz. It has grown to more than 430 franchised and corporate bakeries in 40-plus states and Canada. Bakeries offer handcrafted Bundt Cakes in a variety of flavors and sizes, such as bite-sized Bundtinis, miniature Bundtlets and 8- and 10-inch Bundt Cakes, plus decorations and gift options for many occasions. Nothing Bundt Cakes is committed to building a team of bakery owners and employees who embody the joy-filled brand, resulting in industry accolades including Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 List, Franchise Business Review's Franchise Hall of Fame and, for seven years running, Franchise Times' "Fast and Serious." For more information about Nothing Bundt Cakes, visit https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com. To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/franchise-opportunities/. Media Contact: Danielle Bramley, SPM Communications [email protected] 817-329-3257 SOURCE Nothing Bundt Cakes The new partnership between Capstone Health Alliance and Karius provides more patients with access to the innovative the Karius Test technology and helps improve the diagnosis of infections REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Karius, the world leader in liquid biopsy for infectious diseases, today announced a partnership with Capstone Health Alliance, a group purchasing organization focused on supply chain savings in hospitals and other organizations, to streamline patient access to the Karius Test. The Karius Test is a lab-developed test that can non-invasively and rapidly detect more than 1,000 pathogens throughout the body from a single blood sample. Through the partnership, doctors at over 265 Capstone member hospitals across the U.S. can now more easily order the Karius Test for patients harboring hard-to-diagnose infections. Capstone and Karius are focused on expanding access to quality medical care especially for patients at high risk, such as those with compromised immune systems. There will be nearly 3 million hospitalizations this year in the U.S. alone from infections in the immunocompromised.1 For these patients, infections can be particularly dangerous, and targeted early treatment is key to a positive clinical outcome. "We are thrilled to partner with Capstone Health Alliance to accelerate access for patients to our metagenomic infectious disease test," said Brad Perkins, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Karius. "With better access to the Karius Test, we're excited for the opportunity to get fast, accurate tools into the hands of clinicians to empower earlier diagnosis and treatment of potentially life-threatening infectious diseases." The partnership will broaden institutional access to microbial cell-free metagenomics technology used by the Karius Test, which is currently being utilized across institutions nationwide, including children's hospitals and transplant centers. Clinical evidence has demonstrated that the Karius Test helps clinicians diagnose bloodstream2 and deep-seated infections.3 4 "The Karius Test is a much-needed addition to a doctors' toolkit against infectious disease, especially now that several potentially deadly infections with overlapping symptoms are making a comeback," said Robin Lincoln, Capstone's Chief Contracting Officer. "Capstone can provide easier access to this platform to over 265 hospitals representing 36,000 licensed beds in our alliance. We are pleased to partner with such a reputable company as Karius to work together to broaden the awareness of this potentially life-saving test option." As noted in New York Times and GenomeWeb , facilities within the Capstone network have already begun using the Karius Test to identify rare infections including peritoneal tuberculosis and tularemia, as well as species of Leptospira and Nocardia. In addition, this week at the American Society of Microbiology Microbe 2022 Meeting, Karius will be presenting a data synthesis of pathogens detected in 15,165 patients, which represents the largest testing cohort of patients in which plasma microbial cell-free DNA has been identified and quantified. About Karius Karius is a life sciences company focused on generating genomic insights for infectious diseases with a non-invasive blood test that helps clinicians make rapid treatment decisions. By mapping each patient's microbial landscape from a single blood draw, Karius envisions a world where infectious disease is no longer a major threat to human health. For more information, visit www.kariusdx.com and follow @KariusInc on Twitter. About Capstone Health Alliance Capstone Health Alliance is a group purchasing alliance of healthcare and non-healthcare members that delivers cost savings through the power of aggregation and collaboration. Based in Fletcher, North Carolina, Capstone's membership includes 265 hospitals representing more than 100 health systems across 24 states and represents over $10 billion in acute care supply chain spending. Capstone also represents over 25,000 non-acute and business & industry members. Capstone delivers quantifiable savings and actionable data that enable better purchasing decisions for our members. In addition to cost savings initiatives, Capstone members collaborate to share best practices all with the intent of improving cost, quality and outcomes. MEDIA CONTACT [email protected] 1Claims-based analysis from Clarify Health, 2021 2Armstrong A., et al. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2019;66(7):e27734. 3Hong D., et al. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2018;92(3):210-213. 4Rossoff, et al. Open Forum Infect Di. 2019;6(8):ofz327. SOURCE Karius The company now offers an SAP Endorsed App to help unleash the combined power of Business Process Transformation and Enterprise Architecture Management BONN, Germany and BOSTON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LeanIX today announced an expanded partnership with SAP aimed at accelerating digital transformation journeys. The company's Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM) solution is now an SAP Endorsed App, available on SAP Store. The solution helps companies map their critical business processes to their enterprise architecture, SaaS, and microservices landscapes, providing greater process transparency and control. Customers also benefit from deep end-to-end integration with SAP Signavio Process Manager, which delivers a streamlined experience from the business context to system configuration and application lifecycle management capabilities. SAP Endorsed Apps are a category of solutions from SAP's partner ecosystem that help customers become best-run, intelligent enterprises. SAP Endorsed Apps are premium certified by SAP with added security, in-depth testing and measurements against benchmarks results. This partnership expansion builds on nine years of collaboration and product integrations between LeanIX and Signavio prior to acquisition by SAP. "LeanIX's EAM solution will help customers adapt faster to changing enterprise architecture requirements while enjoying the benefits of process excellence available through integration with SAP Signavio solutions," said Gero Decker, General Manager, SAP Signavio. "The SAP Endorsed App complements our portfolio and meets the needs of customers looking to transform as they move critical applications to the cloud." As companies make the move to SAP S/4HANA through the RISE with SAP solution, they require a comprehensive overview of the interconnections between SAP technologies and all related applications in their software estate. LeanIX Enterprise Architecture Management provides this overview, complementing the SAP solution set through integration with SAP Signavio Process Manager and native support for the SAP Activate methodology. "By partnering with SAP, LeanIX offers enterprises around the world a holistic set of benefits," said LeanIX CEO, Andre Christ. "Specifically, with an integrated view of both their enterprise and business architecture, companies can gain rapid, actionable insight that streamlines transformations. I look forward to exploring new ways to deepen our integration with the SAP portfolio." LeanIX addresses process transformation from both a business perspective and an IT perspective. This helps customers remove roadblocks to business transformation, eliminates time-consuming rework, and enables process analytics on the present and the future software landscape. Enterprise Architecture Management is available for digital discovery and purchase at SAP Store, the digital marketplace for solutions from SAP and its partners. SAP Store provides customers with real-time access to more than 2,000 innovative solutions from SAP as well as partner solutions that complement and extend their SAP applications, enabling digital transformation of their business. About LeanIX LeanIX's Continuous Transformation Platform is trusted by Corporate IT and Product IT to achieve comprehensive visibility and superior governance. Global customers organize, plan and manage their software landscapes with LeanIX's automated and data-driven approach. Offering SaaS for Enterprise Architecture Management, SaaS Management, and Value Stream Management, LeanIX helps organizations make sound decisions and accelerate transformation journeys. LeanIX has more than 700 customers globally, including Adidas, Atlassian, Bosch, Dropbox, Santander or Volkswagen. The company is headquartered in Bonn, Germany, with offices in Boston, Hyderabad and around the world. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. SOURCE LeanIX FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Locality Bank, a digital-first community bank that launched January 12, 2022, has announced it has partnered with Hurdlr, a leading business expense, invoicing and accounting API. The integration on the Bank's mobile application is expected to roll out in 30 to 45 days. Utilizing the Hurdlr API integration with Locality Bank's platform will provide businesses with a way to seamlessly invoice their customers and automatically track expenses, income streams, and tax deductions imperative for accounting purposes. "As a de novo bank, we have taken the path less traveled and see great value in building and shaping a digital experience that evolves with the needs of our clients. This means that we seek to partner with tech providers who are nimble and have a like-minded mission of enabling more businesses to thrive," said Corey LeBlanc, CTO and Co-Founder of Locality Bank. "Raj Bhaskar and the team at Hurdlr are invested in this mission, joining the cause with banks like Locality Bank to provide an end-to-end solution that allows us to fully support South Florida businesses." In partnership with Nymbus, the bank's online platform has been custom built on a modern cloud-native core banking system with an open API architecture providing the seamless integration of innovative features and capabilities, like Hurdlr, among others, supporting Locality Bank's objective of building an ecosystem that empowers local businesses to succeed. "We are thrilled at what Locality Bank can do with our technology to create important functionality for local businesses," said Raj Bhaskar, CEO and Co-Founder of Hurdlr. "From sending invoices, and real-time reporting, to bookkeeping and banking, it is all about achieving the business owner's dream of having everything in one place." In November 2021, Locality Bank received final approval for a state charter and FDIC secure deposit insurance. The bank most recently completed its successful capital raise netting a total of $35 million after increasing the maximum amount from $23 million in subscriptions for stock. It is operating out of General Provision's Downtown Fort Lauderdale location (300 SW 1st Ave, Suite 155, Fort Lauderdale) until renovations of its main office (1400 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale) are completed in Fall 2022. About Locality Bank Locality Bank is a digital-first community bank based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The bank serves local businesses by offering the traditional services of a community bank as well as user-friendly, cutting-edge technology. To learn more, contact Locality Bank by calling 954-799-0900, visiting https://www.localitybank.com or via email at [email protected]. You can also follow Locality Bank on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. About Hurdlr Hurdlr is a rapidly growing fintech startup whose APIs, SDKs and apps help small businesses quickly overcome obstacles to year-round accounting, bookkeeping and income taxes. The company's white-label enterprise solutions allow fintechs, financial institutions and other platforms supporting these small businesses to seamlessly embed robust invoicing, expense tracking, financial reporting, accounting, and income tax features. To learn more, visit https://www.hurdlr.com. Media Contact: Aimee Adler Cooke at 561-302-6902 or aimee@conceptualpr.com SOURCE Locality Bank Download the Sample Report Now! Key Methanol Sourcing and Procurement Report Highlights: Market growth 2022-2026: USD 6.75 Billion Growth momentum & CAGR: Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.14% Top Pricing Models: Spot pricing model, Volume-based pricing model Key consumer countries: North America , Europe , and APAC Supplier Selection Scope: Capability of suppliers to provide efficient logistics, and Suppliers ability to ensure the constant supply of raw materials Top Suppliers: Methanex, Methanol Holdings ( Trinidad ), and SABIC Know More About This Market: Request for a Free Sample Report Now! 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 Methanol market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Methanol 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. For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/methanol-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. Identify favorable opportunities in Methanol 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. To know more about various other market drivers, trends and challenges. Download our free sample report Smart Procurement Starts Here SpendEdge's procurement intelligence platform is the go-to tool for companies looking to access latest procurement research insights and supplier data on an easy-to-use platform. STARTER PACK o Get 6 Full Reports, View 800+ report samples, Pre-order upcoming reports, Pre-order upcoming reports. Subscribe Now for FREE Want to know about various other Subscription packs? Click here Get the Details That You Are Looking for: Buy our detailed market analysis report to uncover: Changing market landscape with yearly forecast till 2024. Analyze the market's competitive and vendor landscape. How much marketing budget to set aside for geographical market expansion? Understanding the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries. Download the FREE sample Report Now! 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, 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 Firm promotes John Tanner, P.E., to Vice President and Director of Land Development and Peter Minegar, AICP, to Vice President and Office Executive for Temecula, California, office PITTSBURGH, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today a pair of new leadership roles within the firm's Western Region. John Tanner, P.E., has been named Vice President and Director of Land Development. In this role, he will support the continued expansion and growth of Michael Baker's Land Development practice in the Western Region. Additionally, Peter Minegar, AICP, has been promoted to Vice President and Office Executive for Michael Baker's Temecula, California, office. He will lead the Temecula team's growth and client engagement efforts while collaborating closely with colleagues across the Inland Empire and Western Region. "During their time at Michael Baker, John and Peter have exemplified what it means to be a trusted partner to clients and colleagues alike," said Malcolm Dougherty Western Regional Director at Michael Baker International. "I look forward to their continued success as they work to strengthen our company and revitalize our nation's infrastructure." Mr. Tanner brings 28 years of experience, including 24 years with Michael Baker, to his new role as Director of Land Development. He previously served as Vice President and Office Executive for Michael Baker's Temecula, California, office, and since joining the firm in 1998, he served in roles of increasing responsibility including Land Development and Civil Engineering Department Manager and Office Manager Temecula. Mr. Tanner began his engineering career in 1994 as an Assistant Traffic Engineer for the City of Campbell, California. He serves on the Board of Directors for both the Riverside and Baldy View Chapters of the Building Industry Association. Mr. Tanner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from San Jose State University. Mr. Minegar joined Michael Baker in 2014 and most recently served as Department Manager Planning, a role in which he was responsible for leading the Planning and Environmental team in the firm's Temecula, Ontario and Palm Desert, California, offices. He also held additional roles including Project Manager Planning, Assistant Project Manager Planning and Environmental Associate. Mr. Minegar is a member of the American Planning Association and Association of Environmental Professionals. He holds of Master of Science degree in Environmental Management and Policy from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Science in City and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. About Michael Baker International Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services with Practices that encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to commercial clients, all branches of the military and federal, state and municipal governments, providing comprehensive services and solutions. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations like intelligent transportation and design-build project delivery, Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/. Contact: Julia Covelli [email protected] (866) 293-4609 SOURCE Michael Baker International FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary Palm Beach, Fla., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- While Gold always seems to be in the spotlight, some other metals will also be important in 2022. Copper, Silver, Zinc, Lithium, Nickel and Lead should also be in investor's radar. An article in Mining.com discussed a report from Finch Solutions said that the Mining industry will continue to fly-high through 2022. It said Global miners can continue to expect an "exceptional year of earnings" through 2022 as a broad commodity price rally underpins strong financial results for most actors, according to a new report from Fitch Solutions. Despite sky-high earnings, Fitch expects miners to maintain restraint over capital expenditure, instead focusing on further debt reduction with the additional profits generated this year and next. According to the report, the industry is in the age of disruption with technology, changing consumption patterns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations shaping the future of market players and inevitably determining success or the contrary. It said: "Major mining companies could weather the covid-19 pandemic better, primarily thanks to higher metal prices following the first quarter of 2020. Fitch expects these financial results to be even stronger through FY2022. The updated guidance reflects more robust financials, low base effects, and a general vision to return to pre-planned levels of activity with the assumption that there would be no more lockdowns that could once again hamper miners' capabilities, Fitch says." Active Companies in the markets today include Rockridge Resources Ltd. (OTCQB: RRRLF) (TSX-V: ROCK), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK.A), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM), Foran Mining Corporation (OTCQX: FMCXF) (TSXV: FOM). Fitch Solutions continued: "MINERS WILL INCREASE INVESTMENTS IN COPPER, LITHIUM AND NICKEL PROJECTS OWING TO THE RISING DEMAND - Going forward, Fitch expects miners to increase investments in copper, lithium and nickel projects owing to the rising demand for these metals from the renewable energy, battery and electric vehicle sectors. However, in taking a closer look at individual company capex figures, FitchSolutions says the overall trend remains that companies are investing more in developing their existing assets than in exploring new ones. " Rockridge Resources Ltd. (OTCQB: RRRLF) (TSX-V: ROCK) BREAKING NEWS: Rockridge Resources to Commence Fully Funded Drill Program at its High-Grade Knife Lake Copper Project, Saskatchewan - Rockridge Resources Ltd. (Frankfurt: RR0) ("Rockridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its fully funded Summer 2022 diamond drill program is set to commence in mid-July at the Knife Lake Copper VMS Project located in Saskatchewan, Canada (the "Knife Lake Project" or "Property"). Using the results and interpretation from the 2021 geophysical programs, as well as the 2021 drill and field programs, the upcoming program will focus on Geophysical VTEM targets at the Gilbert Lake zones. Furthermore, the Company is evaluating other targets across the property as well as infill and expansion drill targets at the deposit. The Knife Lake Project, consisting of 82 claims totaling 56,865 hectares (140,516 acres), is an advanced-stage copper, silver, zinc and cobalt exploration property in Saskatchewan host to the Knife Lake Deposit. Knife Lake VMS Project Location Map: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/Knife-Lake-Region-20210331-003.jpg Plans for Upcoming Summer Diamond Drilling Program: The focus of the 2022 drill program will be on the highly prospective Gilbert Lake target area. The Gilbert Lake targets were identified from the results and interpretation of the 2021 geophysical, drill and field programs. Results from these programs show that airborne VTEM surveys can successfully identify zones of VMS-style mineralization hosted in favourable stratigraphy on the property. Additionally, the Company is currently finalizing 3D modeling of the VTEM data focusing on the highest-priority drill targets for the upcoming program. Rockridge has signed contracts for the installation of the exploration camp, helicopter rental and a preferred drill contractor to support the upcoming program. Rockridge's CEO, Jonathan Wiesblatt, commented: "Returning to the Knife Lake Project for a summer drilling campaign is a top priority for Rockridge. Exploration at target areas outside of the existing mineral resource offers compelling discovery potential as there has been limited historical work done on these highly prospective targets. Our work to date has only advanced our thesis that the identified target areas display very common characteristics synonymous with comparable VMS systems. Our efforts have been focused on identifying new prospective VMS discoveries in and around the Knife Lake deposit. The project remains an exciting exploration story that can offer investors exposure to a top mining jurisdiction and to commodities in high demand like copper. We look forward to updating our shareholders in the coming weeks." Knife Lake Target Areas 2022 Drill Program: https://www.rockridgeresourcesltd.com/_resources/images/KF-Target-Areas-20220329.jpg Specifically, management has assessed high-priority targets that include additional drill testing in the Gilbert Lake Area. The planned holes will further investigate strike-length continuity of the mineralized horizon intersected in 2021 drilling, which remains open to the south. The holes will also evaluate potential zoning of mineralization, which is commonly observed in VMS systems. Additional holes at a newly discovered copper showing at the Gilbert West Area have also been prioritized. The holes will target the down-dip extension of a mineralized and intensely altered volcanic package which is interpreted to be the Knife Lake stratigraphic horizon. The Gilbert West target has never been drill tested. CONTINUED Read this full release for Rockridge Resources at: https://rockridgeresourcesltd.com/news-and-media/news/ Other recent developments in the markets include: Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK.A) ("Teck") recently announced that it has amended certain terms of its previously announced cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase up to US$500 million aggregate principal amount (subject to increase or decrease by Teck, the "Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount") of its outstanding notes listed in the table below (collectively, the "Notes" and each a "Series" of Notes), in the order of priority shown in the table below. Teck amended the Tender Offer as follows: extended the (i) Early Tender Deadline to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 13, 2022 (originally June 7, 2022), (ii) Price Determination Date to 10:00 a.m., New York City time on June 14, 2022 (originally June 8, 2022), and (iii) Early Settlement Date to June 16, 2022 (originally June 10, 2022); and modified the applicable Fixed Spread as set forth in the Offer to Purchase (the "Original Fixed Spread") to the applicable amended Fixed Spread. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in an Offer to Purchase dated May 24, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the "Offer to Purchase"). The Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth in the Offer to Purchase, which may be obtained from Global Bondholder Services Corporation as described below. Subject to applicable law, Teck may waive any and all of these conditions or extend, terminate or withdraw the Tender Offer with respect to one or more Series of Notes and/or increase or decrease the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount. The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. In accordance with the terms of the Tender Offer, the withdrawal deadline was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 7, 2022. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) was recently named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens in the U.S. in annual rankings based on the environmental, social and governance practices of the 1,000 largest publicly traded companies. Freeport ranked 61st overall and fifth in the Minerals Industry category. This is the 10th time the company has made the list since 2007. Freeport most recently made the top 100 in 2019. The rankings are compiled annually by 3BL Media in partnership with Institutional Shareholder Services. They are based on an analysis of publicly available information, such as corporate websites, financial disclosures and reports on sustainability, as well as reputable third parties such as federal regulatory agencies. Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE: HBM) (TSX: HBM) recently announced the results of the preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") of its 100%-owned Copper World Complex in Arizona, which includes the recently discovered Copper World deposits along with the Rosemont deposit. All dollar amounts are in US dollars, unless otherwise noted. The valuation metrics presented in this news release are based on a preliminary economic assessment that includes an economic analysis of the potential viability of mineral resources. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. This preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature, includes inferred resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves and there is no certainty the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Foran Mining Corporation (OTCQX: FMCXF) (TSXV: FOM) recently announced the grand opening of its Saskatchewan Head Office. The Company's office in Saskatoon will be the operating headquarters supporting all in-province initiatives at its 100%-owned McIlvenna Bay development project and surrounding properties. The company held an event at its office yesterday hosting provincial and municipal government members. Dan Myerson, Foran's Executive Chairman & CEO, commented: "We are honoured to make Saskatoonour home as we become the province's first copper producer. Our goal is to deliver carbon-neutral critical metal production and help establish Saskatchewan as leader in a transforming and decarbonizing world. Saskatchewan is a top-ranked jurisdiction for mining globally, and we are extremely grateful to grow in this abundant province." DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated twenty six hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Rockridge Resources Ltd. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Contact Information: Media Contact email: [email protected] Phone - +1(561)325-8757 SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com Lionel Bochurberg joins the firm's corporate & securities practice LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Musick Peeler & Garrett LLP today announced the addition of corporate and securities attorney Lionel P. Bochurberg, who joins as a Partner in the firm's San Diego office. A transactional business law attorney, Bochurberg has extensive experience in matters of renewable energy, biotech, software and wireless industries, among others. Formerly a Partner of Dillon Miller Ahuja & Boss LLP, Bochurberg previously served as senior in-house counsel at tech companies including Wavecom SA (now d/b/a Sierra-Wireless), NextWave Wireless, Soitec Solar Inc. and InfoVista SA. "As a former tech executive who joins with a wealth of contacts, Lionel is a perfect match for local start-ups and mature companies looking into structuring their capital, securing their financing, undertaking mergers and acquisitions operations, expanding their international reach," said R. Joseph De Bryin , Musick Peeler's managing partner. "We're very happy to have him join our team in San Diego." Bochurberg is also versed in international cross-border activities. As an active member of the Quebec bars (and former member of the Paris bar), he is a natural resource for French-speaking entrepreneurs and companies in the United States. About Musick Peeler Founded in 1954, Musick Peeler has offices in five major commercial centers across California with over 100 attorneys practicing in 16 disciplines. For more information, visit MusickPeeler.com. SOURCE Musick Peeler "It's clear that if we want voters to care about elections, we need to prioritize their concerns -- and climate and the environment rank at the top of that list," said Arnold Sowell Jr ., Executive Director of NextGen California. "Three in four voters want the state to take action to address climate change in the immediate future or in the next few years. That's a clear signal to our state's leaders that the time to prioritize climate action is now later is simply too late." Currently, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature have proposed historic climate budget investments being made in the state budget. NextGen California also this week launched a new million-dollar ad campaign expenditure to ensure that these expanded legislative proposals to invest in climate action are realized. Below is a polling memo outlining the poll results from Change Research. TO: Interested Parties FR: Ben Greenfield and Tiara Stanley, Change Research RE: Action on Climate and the Environment Rank As #1 Issue Motivating California Voters A survey of 821 likely general election voters in California finds that climate is a top concern for voters in the state, and 75% of voters want the state to take action to fight climate change. California voters believe that it is urgent for the state to act on climate, with most saying that the state needs to move faster than it is currently moving. And as Governor Gavin Newsom enters his general election campaign, he could see a significant political boost from aggressive action, with many Democrats eager to see California act to address climate change. 75% of California voters want the state to act to address climate change Three in four voters in California want the state to take action to address climate change, either immediately or in the next few years. Among Democrats, 84% say climate action must be immediate. Climate change is by far the most important issue for California Democrats 57% of Democratic voters indicated that climate and the environment were among their top three issues, twice as high as any other issue. Overall, 43% of California voters include climate and the environment in their top three including 35% of independents who lean toward neither party and 20% of Republicans. OTHER KEY FINDINGS: 63% believe that Washington's failure to pass climate legislation makes it imperative for California to act. failure to pass climate legislation makes it imperative for to act. Support for aggressive climate action is especially high among Latinx voters: climate and the environment were selected more than any other issue. Additionally, 75% of Latinx voters called climate action urgent. California voters would prefer a candidate who prioritizes climate change over one who believes climate change is real but chooses instead to emphasize economic issues by an 18-point margin. Democrats would vote for the climate-focused candidate by a 91-9 margin. The descriptions were as follows: voters would prefer a candidate who prioritizes climate change over one who believes climate change is real but chooses instead to emphasize economic issues by an 18-point margin. Democrats would vote for the climate-focused candidate by a 91-9 margin. The descriptions were as follows: Candidate A is supported by environmental groups and says one of her top priorities is taking action immediately on climate change, addressing wildfires, droughts, air pollution and getting more affordable, clean, renewable energy. Candidate B is supported by oil and energy companies and says that, while she believes climate change is real, we should focus on keeping energy costs low and building the economy. A description of this survey's methodology can be seen here . Contact: Milena Paez, [email protected] SOURCE NextGen California OnPoint's new partnership comes at a crucial time as U.S. consumer debt increased by $266 billion in the first quarter of 2022 to $15.84 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The bank's Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit , released in May 2022, shows that debt has increased by $1.7 trillion since 2019. "OnPoint's purpose is to support financial health and well-being, and that journey looks different for everyone. That's why personalized financial counseling and tools are critical in helping people make financial decisions, equipping them with confidence and a customized roadmap to tackle challenges and seize opportunities," said Rob Stuart, President and CEO, OnPoint Community Credit Union. "Our partnership with GreenPath will support members as they work to remove barriers and accomplish their goals, no matter where they are on that path to financial well-being." GreenPath Financial Wellness Experts can support OnPoint members when they face a significant life event such as a change in employment or household income, a desire to address unsecured debt, concerns about making rent or mortgage payments, or the decision to enroll in advanced educational or job training. OnPoint and GreenPath will work with each member individually to assess their entire financial picture and identify action steps to help improve their financial well-being. OnPoint members may also take advantage of additional GreenPath services such as: Credit report review. Helps members understand their credit reports, dispute inaccurate information, and develop a plan to improve their credit scores. Helps members understand their credit reports, dispute inaccurate information, and develop a plan to improve their credit scores. Debt counseling and management. Supports members to overcome debt through strategies including structured repayment plans. Supports members to overcome debt through strategies including structured repayment plans. Student loan counseling. Helps members understand student loan obligations and evaluate loan repayment options. Helps members understand student loan obligations and evaluate loan repayment options. Housing counseling. GreenPath is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist with pre-purchase home buyer preparation, as well as mortgage default and foreclosure prevention. "This partnership gives OnPoint members more personalized access to caring, judgment-free counseling that strengthens financial wellness at every step of the financial journey," said Kristen Holt, President and CEO, GreenPath Financial Wellness. "As a national non-profit in service for more than 60 years, GreenPath is ready to help those seeking guidance through our team of HUD Certified Housing Counselors and NFCC Certified Credit Counselors." GreenPath offers language interpretation services to ensure everyone can receive real-time counseling, even if English is not their primary language. For more information, OnPoint members can call 866-294-2963 to connect with a GreenPath Financial Wellness Expert or visit the OnPoint website at www.onpointcu.com/GreenPath. Helping members build financial literacy and wellness In addition to its new partnership, OnPoint members have access to the credit union's free eBook, "Guide to Financial Wellness," which shares actionable information to help people consider budget decisions, overcome financial challenges and protect their future. OnPoint encourages financial wellness by offering educational workshops, personalized tools on its Enrich platform, and content on its blog. Each resource provides practical tips people can implement today to meet their financial goals. ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 480,000 members and with assets of $9.4 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932. ABOUT GREENPATH GreenPath Financial Wellness is a national non-profit organization that provides financial counseling, education and products to empower people to lead financially healthy lives. Working directly with individuals and through partnerships since 1961, GreenPath has assisted millions of people with debt and credit management, homeownership education and foreclosure prevention. Headquartered in Michigan, GreenPath, along with its affiliates, has more than 50 locations across the United States. GreenPath is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). For more information, visit www.greenpath.com/OnPointCU or call 866-294-2963. SOURCE OnPoint Community Credit Union Plant Based Protein Products Market: Segmentation Analysis & Forecasts This market research report is segmented by the Product (Soy protein, Wheat protein, Pea protein, and Others). The plant-based protein products market share growth by the soy protein segment will be significant during the forecast period. The various health benefits of soy protein, coupled with the rising popularity of veganism, will increase the demand for soy protein and soy protein-based products during the forecast period. Plant Based Protein Products Market: Regional Analysis & Forecasts This market research report is segmented by Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA). The 40% of the market's growth will originate from North America during the forecast period. US and Canada are the key markets for plant-based protein products in North America . Market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in other regions. The expanding vegan population base, increasing awareness about the health benefits of plant-based protein products, and an increasing number of new product launches are some of the factors driving the plant-based protein products market in the North America . Download Our Sample Report for more insights on the market share & contribution of various regions & segments Plant Based Protein Products Market: Increasing Health Consciousness among Consumers will be a Key Trend in Near Future The increasing instances of obesity and related diseases are making consumers more health-conscious, and they are demanding food and beverage products that are natural and low in fat and calorie content. To cater to the changing consumer demands, players have started coming up with new plant-based products that have lower fat and calorie content. The health and wellness trend is gaining popularity among consumers, especially young consumers, in the age group of 18-32 years. Many consumers are also ready to pay a premium price for healthy products that offer various functional benefits. The increasing demand for healthy food and beverage products will, therefore, help in the growth of the global plant-based protein products market during the forecast period. Plant Based Protein Products Market: Growing Number of Product Recalls to Challenge the Market Growth Manufacturers usually purchase or source raw materials from third-party suppliers. If these raw materials or supplies are not handled properly, the safety and quality of the finished products might get compromised. In line with this, food regulatory and compliance authorities in any country can shut down a business and recall its products from the market if they pose a threat to the wellbeing of consumers. A product recall severely affects a company's brand image as well as its operation and sales. Also, manufacturing and packaging defects further hamper the market's growth. In January 2018 , Healthy Body Services issued a recall of its Soy Complete brand plant-based protein shake due to the presence of undeclared milk in the product. This recall was triggered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Thus, product contamination and product recalls can severely affect the growth of the global plant-based protein products market during the forecast period. Buy Report Now! and Defend your Market Share or Win Competitors. Plus Get a Scorecard for Target Partners Plant Based Protein Products Market: Key Vendors Archer Daniels Midland Co. Cargill Inc DuPont de Nemours Inc. Glanbia Nutritionals Inc. Kerry Group Plc Mann Packing Co. Inc. Omega Protein Corp. PepsiCo Inc. Tate & Lyle Plc The Kroger Co. The plant-based protein products market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as organic and inorganic strategies to compete in the market. Download Our Sample Report for more vendor insights with latest product offerings & news Related Reports Include: Non-GMO Animal Feed Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: Based on Technavio's market sizing methodology, the non-GMO animal feed market size is predicted to surge to USD 13.49 billion from 2021 to 2026 at a CAGR of 7.1%. To get more exclusive research insights: Download Our Sample Report Vegan Supplements Market in North America by Distribution Channel and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The predicted growth for the vegan supplements market share in North America from 2021 to 2026 is USD 768.62 million at a progressing CAGR of 7.75%. To get more exclusive research insights: Download Our Sample Report Plant Based Protein Products Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 6.04 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 8.34 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 40% Key consumer countries US, UK, Canada, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Archer Daniels Midland Co., Cargill Inc, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Glanbia Nutritionals Inc., Kerry Group Plc, Mann Packing Co. Inc., Omega Protein Corp., PepsiCo Inc., Tate & Lyle Plc, and The Kroger Co. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period, Customization preview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 01: Parent market Exhibit 02: Market characteristics 2.2 Value chain analysis Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis: Packaged foods and meats market 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 05: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2020 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ million) Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%) 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five Forces Summary Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants 4.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes 4.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry 4.7 Market condition Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2020 5 Market Segmentation by Product 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 15: Product - Market share 2020-2025 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 16: Comparison by Product 5.3 Soy protein - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 17: Soy protein - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 18: Soy protein - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.4 Wheat protein - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 19: Wheat protein - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 20: Wheat protein - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.5 Pea protein - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 21: Pea protein - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 22: Pea protein - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 23: Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 24: Others - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.7 Market opportunity by Product Exhibit 25: Market opportunity by Product 6 Customer Landscape 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 27: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 28: Geographic comparison 7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 29: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 30: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 32: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 33: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 34: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 35: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 36: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 37: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 38: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.8 Key leading countries Exhibit 39: Key leading countries 7.9 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges Exhibit 41: Impact of drivers and challenges 8.3 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Vendor landscape Exhibit 42: Vendor landscape 9.2 Landscape disruption Exhibit 43: Landscape disruption Exhibit 44: Industry risks 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 45: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 46: Market positioning of vendors 10.3 Archer Daniels Midland Co. 10.4 Cargill Inc Exhibit 52: Cargill Inc - Overview Exhibit 53: Cargill Inc - Business segments Exhibit 54: Cargill Inc - Key offerings Exhibit 55: Cargill Inc. - Key news Exhibit 56: Cargill Inc - Segment focus 10.5 DuPont de Nemours Inc. Exhibit 57: DuPont de Nemours Inc. - Overview Exhibit 58: DuPont de Nemours Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 59: DuPont de Nemours Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 60: DuPont de Nemours Inc. - Segment focus 10.6 Glanbia Nutritionals Inc. Exhibit 61: Glanbia Nutritionals Inc. - Overview Exhibit 62: Glanbia Nutritionals Inc. - Product and service Exhibit 63: Glanbia Nutritionals Inc. - Key news Exhibit 64: Glanbia Nutritionals Inc. - Key offerings 10.7 Kerry Group Plc Exhibit 65: Kerry Group Plc - Overview Exhibit 66: Kerry Group Plc - Business segments Exhibit 67: Kerry Group Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 68: Kerry Group Plc - Segment focus 10.8 Mann Packing Co. Inc. Exhibit 69: Mann Packing Co. Inc. - Overview Exhibit 70: Mann Packing Co. Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 71: Mann Packing Co. Inc. - Key offerings 10.9 Omega Protein Corp. Exhibit 72: Omega Protein Corp. - Overview Exhibit 73: Omega Protein Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 74: Omega Protein Corp. - Key offerings 10.10 PepsiCo Inc. Exhibit 75: PepsiCo Inc. - Overview Exhibit 76: PepsiCo Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 77: PepsiCo Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 78: PepsiCo Inc. - Segment focus 10.11 Tate & Lyle Plc Exhibit 79: Tate & Lyle Plc - Overview Exhibit 80: Tate & Lyle Plc - Product and service Exhibit 81: Tate & Lyle Plc - Key news Exhibit 82: Tate & Lyle Plc - Key offerings 10.12 The Kroger Co. Exhibit 83: The Kroger Co. - Overview Exhibit 84: The Kroger Co. - Business segments Exhibit 85: The Kroger Co. - Key news Exhibit 86: The Kroger Co. - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 87: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.3 Research methodology Exhibit 88: Research Methodology Exhibit 89: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 90: Information sources 11.4 List of abbreviations Exhibit 91: 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 Highlights: Ten-year net annualized return of 9.8% leads to $25.9 billion in cumulative net investment gains above Reference Portfolio, indicative of long-term added value through portfolio construction and active management decisions Five-year net annualized return of 9.0% leads to $19.7 billion in cumulative net investment gains above Reference Portfolio One-year total portfolio net return of 10.9% outperforms Reference Portfolio Continued focus on risk management supports agile response to markets in a rapidly evolving global landscape Inaugural green bond issuance, first climate strategy and bespoke Green Asset Taxonomy indicate continuing focus on integrating ESG factors into responsible investment decision-making Shift to a hybrid workplace poised to attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive environment MONTREAL, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) ended its fiscal year on March 31, 2022, with $230.5 billion of net assets under management (AUM) and a 10.9% one-year net portfolio return. Net assets under management grew by nearly $26 billion, up 12.7% from $204.5 billion at the end of the previous fiscal year. Net contributions represented $3.5 billion, while $22.5 billion was generated from net income. From a long-term investment approach perspective, PSP Investments measures success at the total fund level through the following performance objectives and their related benchmarks: - Achieve a return net of expenses greater than the return of the Reference Portfolio over a 10-year period: During fiscal year 2022, PSP Investments achieved a 10-year net annualized return of 9.8% against the Reference Portfolio benchmark of 8.4%, leading to $25.9 billion in cumulative net investment gains above the Reference Portfolio. This outperformance of 1.4% per annum represents the value added by PSP Investments' strategic asset allocation decisions and active asset management activities. - Achieve a return net of expenses exceeding the Total Fund Benchmark return over 10-year and 5-year periods: During fiscal year 2022, PSP Investments achieved a 10-year net annualized return of 9.8% against the Total Fund Benchmark of 8.6% and a 5-year net annualized return of 9.0% against the Total Fund Benchmark of 7.9%. This represents an outperformance of 1.2% per annum (or $16 billion over 10 years) and 1.1% per annum (or $10.6 billion over 5 years) respectively. During fiscal year 2022, PSP investments continued to generate strong net income as the markets recovered, translating into a higher AUM of $230.5B at the end of the fiscal year as compared to $204.5B at the end of fiscal year 2021. PSP Investments' increase in operating costs was lower than the average AUM growth of 18.0% and was in line with its strategic and operational priorities including talent retention and total fund performance. Due to a combination of sound cost management and the increase in net AUM, PSP Investments' total cost ratio decreased below our expected average costs and represents the lowest ratio in the last seven fiscal years. "In the wake of the pandemic, PSP Investments delivered solid, above-benchmark performance," said Neil Cunningham, President and Chief Executive Officer at PSP Investments. "We did so at the same time as raising our climate ambition by developing our first climate strategy and a bespoke green asset taxonomy. These actions enable us to use our capital and influence to support the transition to global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050." "Our 10-year and five-year performance indicates the long-term value we add through patient capital, portfolio construction and active investment activities," said Eduard van Gelderen, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at PSP Investments. "The broad diversification of our portfolio across public and private asset classes, industries, geographies and currencies has been a key factor in helping us reduce risk and improve resilience." ASSET CLASS (at March 31, 2022) NET ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (billion $)1 ONE-YEAR RETURN FIVE-YEAR RETURN % OF TOTAL NET ASSETS Capital Markets $99.9B 3.0% 7.4% 43.4% Private Equity $35.4B 27.6% 17.6% 15.3% Credit Investments $21.9B 7.5% 7.9% 9.5% Real Estate $31.1B 24.8% 8.7% 13.5% Infrastructure $23.5B 13.9% 10.4% 10.2% Natural Resources $11.6B 15.9% 8.5% 5.0% Complementary Portfolio $1.4B 16.9% 12.0% 0.6% 1 This table excludes Cash and Cash equivalents. All amounts in Canadian dollars, unless stated otherwise. As at March 31, 2022: Capital Markets, comprised of Public Market Equities and Fixed Income, ended the fiscal year with $99.9 billion of net AUM, an increase of $2.4 billion from the end of fiscal year 2021. The group generated portfolio income of $2.9 billion, for a one-year return of 3.0% versus the benchmark return of 1.3%. The five-year annualized return was 7.4%, compared to the 6.6% benchmark return. Public Market Equities, with a year-end AUM of $59.1 billion, a one year-return of 6.0% and a five-year return of 10.1% (versus 3.3% and 8.8% for the respective benchmark returns), was able to outperform as global equity markets were impacted by the emergence of highly contagious COVID-19 variants. The majority of Public Market Equities' positive relative performance in fiscal year 2022 came from alternative investments, where many investments were well-positioned to take advantage of market dislocations induced by a notable increase in macroeconomic events. Fixed Income ended the fiscal year with a net AUM of $40.7 billion and outperformed its one-year benchmark by 0.2% and its five-year benchmark by 0.1%. Private Equity ended the fiscal year with net AUM of $35.4 billion, up $3.7 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated portfolio income of $8.6 billion, resulting in a one-year return of 27.6% versus the benchmark return of 19.5%. The five-year annualized return was 17.6% versus a benchmark of 17.2%. The strong performance highlights the strength and quality of the private equity portfolio, both in co-investments and funds. In addition to a favourable valuation environment, portfolio income has been driven by strong earnings growth and cashflows, particularly in the financials and healthcare sectors. The growth of the portfolio was driven by $6.3 billion in valuation gains and $6.4 billion in acquisitions. During the fiscal year, Private Equity deployed $4.4 billion of capital through funds and $2.0 billion in new co-investments which included supporting growth in existing portfolio companies. Credit Investments ended the fiscal year with net AUM of $21.9 billion, up by $7.4 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated portfolio income of $1.2 billion, resulting in a 7.5% one-year return that exceeded the benchmark return of -0.5%. The 7.9% five-year annualized return also beat the 2.6% benchmark return. Record levels of acquisition activity by private equity sponsors led to significant opportunities for Credit Investments across the debt capital spectrum. Real Estate ended the fiscal year with $31.1 billion in net AUM, up by $4.3 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated $6.4 billion in portfolio income, resulting in a 24.8% one-year return, versus 30.2% for the benchmark return. The 8.7% five-year return exceeded the 8.0% return for the benchmark. Real Estate focused on deploying into high conviction sectors, resulting in key acquisitions within the industrial, residential, life science and studio sectors. Infrastructure ended the fiscal year with $23.5 billion in net AUM, a $5.1 billion increase from the end of the previous fiscal year and generated $2.7 billion of portfolio income. The one-year return of 13.9% was below the benchmark return of 16.1%. The five-year annualized return of 10.4% exceeded the 6.4% benchmark return. During the fiscal year, Infrastructure deployed $4.8 billion of capital in direct and co-investments and $1.3 billion through the funds. New investments supported energy-friendly transition across Europe and Oceania by acquiring equity participations in utilities and industrials. Natural Resources ended the fiscal year with net AUM of $11.6 billion, an increase of $1.9 billion from the end of the previous fiscal year, and generated portfolio income of $1.6 billion, for a one-year return of 15.9%, versus 26.3% for the benchmark return. The 8.5% five-year annualized return beat the benchmark return of 7.6%. The fiscal year was marked by significant valuation gains of $1.3 billion and continued strong deployment of $1.9 billion, mainly in Oceania and the US. Corporate Highlights We launched the execution of our new strategic plan, PSP Forward, with the vision to be an insightful global investor and valued partner that is selective across markets and is focused on the long-term. Key accomplishments for fiscal year 2022 include: We released our Green Bond Framework and issued a C$1.0 billion 10-year Green Bond to fund projects that demonstrate positive environmental and climate outcomes. PSP Investments' Green Bond Framework is aligned with existing standards in green bond and sustainable debt markets, and was awarded a rating of "Medium Green" and the highest possible governance score of "Excellent" by CICERO Shades of Green. 10-year Green Bond to fund projects that demonstrate positive environmental and climate outcomes. PSP Investments' Green Bond Framework is aligned with existing standards in green bond and sustainable debt markets, and was awarded a rating of "Medium Green" and the highest possible governance score of "Excellent" by CICERO Shades of Green. We prioritized climate change as an important focus area company-wide during fiscal year 2022 and committed to use our capital and influence to contribute to the transition to global net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050. By implementing our climate strategy, we expect to reduce our portfolio GHG emissions intensity by 20% to 25% by 2026, from a 2021 baseline. We outlined a clear and straightforward approach for achieving our commitments that include substantial investments in green and transition assets, the latter being those that will require capital and assertive mitigation plans to reduce their carbon intensity along a science-based trajectory. Developed during fiscal year 2022, the climate strategy was launched in April 2022 and is available on our website. and is available on our website. We continued to enhance our data-driven approach to integrating ESG factors into our investment and asset management processes and practices. We developed an ESG Composite Score that incorporates the standards of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and enables our investment teams to integrate ESG information with data-driven insights as we quantitatively assess and monitor a company's ESG performance. We ranked among the founding members of the ESG Data Convergence Project, the first LP-GP partnership aiming to standardize ESG reporting in the private equity industry We also joined the Institutional Limited Partners Association's Diversity in Action Initiative and participated in various other industry collaboration initiatives including the Investor Leadership Network, the Sustainable Action Finance Council and Focusing Capital on the Long Term. Our technology and digital strategy remains a key strategy enabler, supporting PSP Investments with scalable systems, organized data and advanced analytics. In fiscal year 2022, we continued to modernize and simplify our technology platforms and data governance to enable efficient global investment operations. We also initiated the build-out of our self-serve analytics capabilities and continued incubating use cases within our advanced analytics framework. We took action to respond to the opportunity of reimagining the future of work following the workplace disruptions created by the pandemic. One of the changes we embraced was the shift of employee expectations related to flexibility on where, when and how work gets done. During fiscal year 2022, we developed a principles-based hybrid workforce model to facilitate the transition to a new way of working. We placed a heightened focus on the employee experience, building trust, leading with empathy, managing with accountability, leveraging inclusivity and promoting collaboration and well-being. Nurturing an inclusive and respectful work environment has been at the top of our people agenda for many years. We recognize the importance of equity, inclusion and diversity (Ei&D) a cornerstone of our corporate culture - in attracting and retaining top talent and building high-performing teams. We conducted our second annual employee self-identification survey in fiscal year 2022 to continue to better understand our workforce demographics and measure progress. Spearheaded by our Ei&D Council and its eight affinity groups, we continued to embed Ei&D into our workplace culture and developed a three-year roadmap for delivering on our Ei&D priorities. As a notable example, our Veteran Integration Program celebrated its one-year anniversary and is currently recruiting for the next cohort of participants. Our efforts were recognized with a Canadian HR Award in the category Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion and a ranking as a Montreal Top Employer for a fifth consecutive year. Other corporate highlights include: We are deeply committed to the communities where we operate. During fiscal year 2022, our PSP Gives Back campaign raised close to $500,000 (including PSP Investments' matching donations), which represented a 14% increase over last year. Funds benefited a range of local charities in Montreal, Hong-Kong , London and New York . (including PSP Investments' matching donations), which represented a 14% increase over last year. Funds benefited a range of local charities in Montreal, , and . We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact inflicted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine . While PSP Investments does not have material exposure to Russian investments and does not hold any private direct investments in Russia , we have some exposure through passive index replication and external investment manager activities. As stated in our press release, we took immediate steps to divest of our Russian holdings, committing to exit this market completely as soon as conditions permit, and we continue to actively monitor the evolving risks and implications for our portfolio and investment activities. As a special initiative, we partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross and raised $139,000 over a three-week period through a combination of employee donations and PSP Investments' matching contributions. invasion of . While PSP Investments does not have material exposure to Russian investments and does not hold any private direct investments in , we have some exposure through passive index replication and external investment manager activities. As stated in our press release, we took immediate steps to divest of our Russian holdings, committing to exit this market completely as soon as conditions permit, and we continue to actively monitor the evolving risks and implications for our portfolio and investment activities. As a special initiative, we partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross and raised over a three-week period through a combination of employee donations and PSP Investments' matching contributions. Board succession planning was an important topic in fiscal year 2022. Mr. Garnet Garven and Mr. William Mackinnon fully completed their mandates. PSP Investments thanked them for their years of exceptional service and welcomed the arrival of three new directors Mr. Gregory Chrispin , Ms. Helen Mallovy Hicks , and Mr. Maurice Tulloch and the reappointment of Ms. Miranda Hubbs . PSP Investments' Board comprises six women and five men, and during fiscal year 2023, all four of the Board's standing committees will be chaired by women. and Mr. fully completed their mandates. PSP Investments thanked them for their years of exceptional service and welcomed the arrival of three new directors Mr. , Ms. , and Mr. and the reappointment of Ms. . PSP Investments' Board comprises six women and five men, and during fiscal year 2023, all four of the Board's standing committees will be chaired by women. During fiscal year 2022, Ms. Michelle Ostermann joined PSP Investments as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Capital Markets Investments. Mr. Patrick Samson , formerly Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Infrastructure, was appointed Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Assets. joined PSP Investments as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Capital Markets Investments. Mr. , formerly Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Infrastructure, was appointed Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Assets. During fiscal year 2022, Mr. Neil Cunningham , President and CEO, announced his planned retirement at the end of our next fiscal year, on March 31, 2023 . PSP Investments has thrived under Mr. Cunningham's leadership, with important advances on its strategy and presence in international markets, leading to strong financial performance. "I want to thank PSP Investments' management, employees and Board of Directors for their dedication over the past couple of years; their commitment and resilience have been nothing short of amazing," said Neil Cunningham, President and Chief Executive Officer of PSP Investments. "Despite all challenges and difficulties posed by the pandemic and global affairs, we remained ever mindful of our responsibility to create a better tomorrow for the 900,000 contributors and beneficiaries on whose behalf we invest. While I will be retiring in March 2023, I have confidence in the passion and abilities of my colleagues to ensure PSP Investments' future sustainability and performance." For more information on PSP Investments' fiscal year 2022 performance, visit our website and download the annual report. In a break from our previous practice, our Responsible Investment Report will be released in the fall of 2022. About PSP Investments The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) is one of Canada's largest pension investment managers with $230.5 billion of net assets under management as of March 31, 2022. It manages a diversified global portfolio composed of investments in capital markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and credit investments. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages and invests amounts transferred to it by the Government of Canada for the pension plans of the federal Public Service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, PSP Investments has its principal business office in Montreal and offices in New York, London and Hong Kong. For more information, visit investpsp.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. SOURCE PSP Investments NEW YORK, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. ("FHS"or the "Company") (NYSE: FHS). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether FHS 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 or around March 11, 2021, FHS conducted its initial public offering ("IPO") of 7.5 million American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") priced at $10.00 per share. Soon after the IPO, media reports stated that Chinese policymakers had proposed stricter regulations to rein in the for-profit education industry, such as regulations aimed at enhancing teacher quality, limiting fee scams, reducing market abuse, and reducing the stress that for-profit educational companies had placed on students in the Chinese educational system. On May 12, 2021, news reports revealed that the impending government crackdown on for-profit educational companies in China would be much more drastic and far reaching than previously publicly known. Sources stated that anticipated rules would include measures such as banning on-campus tutoring classes, prohibiting tutoring services during weekend hours, and the imposition of industry-wide fee limitations. On May 14, 2021, China's state council announced that it would further tighten regulations on compulsory education and training institutions with new rules set to take effect on September 1, 2021. On July 23, 2021, China unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its education sector, banning companies that teach the school curriculum from making profits, raising capital or going public. These drastic measures effectively ended any potential growth in the for-profit tutoring sector in China. On July 26, 2021, FHS issued a press release announcing that the Company "will follow the spirit of the Opinion and comply with all relevant rules and regulations in providing high school education services." In a series of disclosures beginning on September 28, 2021, FHS reported, among other things, disappointing financial and operating results due to the impact of the regulatory crackdown on China's for-profit education sector; the resignation of the Company's Chief Financial Officer; the dismissal of the Company's auditor, KPMG Huazhen LLP; the receipt of a letter from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") stating that the Company was in non-compliance with the NYSE's listing requirements because its total market capitalization and stockholders' equity had fallen below compliance standards; and that the Company would be unable to timely filed its annual report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. By May 10, 2022, FHS ADSs closed below $1.00 per share, representing a decline of more than 90% from the offering price. 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 Every Crosstrek comes standard with legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Active Torque Vectoring, and 8.7-inch ground clearance, making it a highly capable compact SUV. The Crosstrek Base and Premium are powered by a 152-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine. Both trim levels are offered with either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or optional Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). The CVT models achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 city / 33 highway / 30 combined MPG. The 6-speed manual models are rated at 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG. The Special Edition comes standard with the 2.0-liter BOXER engine paired with Lineartronic CVT. The 2023 Crosstrek Sport and Limited come standard with a 182 hp 2.5-liter BOXER engine paired with a Lineartronic CVT. Both models achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG. Standard on CVT-equipped models, except the Base, is an 8-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters. The Crosstrek Hybrid is powered by StarDrive Technology which uniquely integrates two electric motors, a 2.0-liter direct-injection SUBARU BOXER engine, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and Lineartronic CVT. This plug-in SUV achieves up to 17 miles of pure electric driving as well as delivering an EPA-rated 35 MPG/90 MPGe and 480-mile total range. All Crosstrek models with the Lineartronic CVT come standard with Subaru's award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology featuring Automatic Pre-Collision Braking; Pre-Collision Throttle Management; Lane Keep Assist; Lane Departure and Sway Warning; and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. The EyeSight system also includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering for added convenience. The Crosstrek Limited and Crosstrek Hybrid further bolster driver assistance with standard High Beam Assist; Reverse Automatic Braking; and Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Standard Steering Responsive Headlights on Hybrid and Limited illuminate curves as the vehicle steers into them. All 2023 Crosstrek models include seven airbags: driver and front passenger frontal airbags, side curtain airbags and side pelvis/torso airbags, as well as a driver's knee airbag. The Rear Seat Reminder (standard with CVT-equipped models) is designed to help prevent child or pet entrapment by alerting the driver to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle. Compact SUV with Big Value The 2023 Crosstrek Base trim has a starting price of $23,645 and comes standard with the SUBARU STARLINK 6.5-inch Multimedia system; automatic climate control; power windows with auto up/auto down on front windows; 60/40-split fold-down rear seat; power door locks and side mirrors; multifunction display with fuel economy information; tilt and telescoping steering column; keyless entry; security system with engine immobilizer; USB A input/charge port; carpeted floor mats; and more. The Base trim is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or Lineartronic CVT. Upgrading to the Lineartronic CVT adds EyeSight Driver Assist Technology; X-MODE with Hill Descent Control; SI-DRIVE; high-grade combination meter with color LCD; Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire display and automatic individual wheel ID registration. The Crosstrek Premium starts at $24,795 and adds the SUBARU STARLINK 6.5-inch Multimedia Plus system; STARLINK Safety and Security features; STARLINK Concierge Services; fog lights; All-Weather Package (heated front seats, windshield and exterior mirrors); body-color exterior mirrors; dual USB A input/charge ports; On/Off automatic headlights linked to windshield wiper operation, and Welcome Lighting. Additional standard features for Premium include a 6-speaker sound system; retractable cargo cover; cargo tray; and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever handle. The Premium is also available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or Lineartronic CVT. Upgrading to the Lineartronic CVT adds EyeSight Driver Assist Technology; X-MODE with Hill Descent Control; SI-DRIVE; high-grade combination meter with color LCD; Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire display and automatic individual wheel ID registration. An option package that includes Power Moonroof; Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert; Keyless Access with Push-Button Start; and 6-way power driver's seat is available for an MSRP of $1,995. New for this year is the Crosstrek Special Edition (SE). Priced at $26,745, the SE evokes a spirit of classic adventure with its exclusive Desert Khaki exterior color. The exterior is further distinguished by 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in Dark Gray finish as well as side mirrors, front grille bar, antenna, and door handles in Crystal Black Silica. The exterior badges finished in Low Luster Black complete the overland-inspired palette. The SE interior comes in black and red upholstery with red contrast stitching throughout the cabin including the front and rear cloth seats, door armrests, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter boot, combination meter visor, dash panel, and center console. Interior trim accents finished in Low Luster Black put the final touch on this unique interior. The Special Edition includes all features from the Premium and adds the SUBARU STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus system as standard. Starting at $27,995, the Crosstrek Sport builds on the Premium with Keyless Access with Push-Button Start and a high-power LED rear gate light. The Sport offers unique exterior trim elements that include specific wheel arch moldings and gunmetal finish for the front grille, side mirrors, antenna, and badges. Also standard on Sport are 17-inch alloy wheels finished in Dark Gray. On the inside, the Sport features a comfortable and durable interior perfect for the road or on the trail. The seats are wrapped Subaru StarTex water-repellant material that includes the Crosstrek logo embossed in the seatbacks. The Sport trim's cabin is further distinguished by yellow contrast stitching, gunmetal and simulated carbon fiber interior trim accents, and a high-grade gauge cluster with color LCD and yellow metallic finish trim rings. Exclusive to Sport is dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. X-MODE functions include SNOW/DIRT and DEEP SNOW/MUD settings to optimize all-wheel drive performance for difficult weather or road conditions. All other Crosstrek trim levels equipped with CVT (as well as Crosstrek Hybrid) feature standard X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. An available option package for Sport includes Power Moonroof; Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert; and SUBARU STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus system for $1,600 MSRP. Priced from $29,495, the Crosstrek Limited builds on the Premium with featuring including Keyless Access with Push-Button Start; SUBARU STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus system; and high-grade multifunction display with color LCD. The Limited trim's exterior upgrades include 18-inch black aluminum alloy wheels with machine finish and body-color exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals. The Limited comes standard with Steering Responsive LED (low and high beam), LED daytime running lights, and LED fog lights. High Beam Assist for better nighttime visibility is also standard. The cabin features black or gray leather with contrast orange stitching on seats, shift lever boot, center console storage lid, door armrests and instrument panel. An optional Power Moonroof is available on the Limited for an MSRP of $1,000. A more comprehensive option package includes the Power Moonroof along with SUBARU STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Navigation system powered by TomTom; and Harman Kardon premium audio system for an MSRP of $2,395. Priced at $36,845, the Crosstrek Hybrid includes all the features the Limited plus 18-inch lightweight aluminum alloy wheels in black with machine finish and unique exterior and interior trim appointments. Exclusive to Crosstrek Hybrid, STARLINK Connected Services include Remote Climate Control and Remote Battery Charging Timer and are included in the Hybrid's free 10-year subscription to the STARLINK Safety and Security Plus package. Crosstrek Hybrid has an available option package that includes Power Moonroof; SUBARU STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Navigation system powered by TomTom; Harman Kardon premium audio system; and heated steering wheel for an MSRP of $2,500. The Crosstrek Hybrid qualifies for a $4,502 Federal tax credit* and certain states offer rebates of up to $1,500**. SUBARU STARLINK In-Vehicle Technology The STARLINK Multimedia systems in the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek feature a high-resolution touchscreen; smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; voice activated controls for smart phone; and AM/FM stereo. The 6.5-inch Multimedia Plus standard on Premium and Sport adds a single-disc CD player; SiriusXM Platinum Plan and Travel Link (4-month free subscriptions); and HD Radio and Wi-Fi hotspot capability (subscription required). The 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus, standard on Limited and Hybrid and optional for others, adds over-the-air updates and Near Field Communication. The top-of-the-line 8.0-inch Multimedia with Navigation, optional for Limited and Hybrid, adds voice-activated navigation powered by TomTom (3-year free over-the-air map updates) and SiriusXM Traffic (3-year free subscription) and SiriusXM Travel Link (3-year free subscription). The available STARLINK Safety Plus Package includes SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, advanced automatic collision notification, maintenance notifications, monthly vehicle health report, and diagnostic alerts. The STARLINK Safety Plus & Security Plus Package adds remote engine start with climate control; stolen vehicle recovery service; vehicle security alarm notification; remote lock/unlock; remote horn and lights; and remote vehicle locator. Parenting features include boundary, speed, and curfew alerts. The STARLINK Concierge Package adds in-vehicle assistance for restaurant and hotel reservations, purchasing tickets for sporting/theater events and scheduling service appointments. * Limits for this tax credit may apply. Consult your tax professional for details. ** Rebates vary by state. Must apply for state and local purchase incentives. Subject to change. Consult state or local government for specific details. 2023 Crosstrek Model/Trim Transmission Applicable Option Code MSRP MSRP + destination and delivery Base 6MT 01 $23,645 $24,870 Base CVT 03 $24,995 $26,220 Premium 6MT 11 $24,795 $26,020 Premium CVT 13 $26,145 $27,370 Premium CVT 14 $28,140 $29,365 Special Edition CVT 15 $26,745 $27,970 Sport CVT 21 $27,995 $29,220 Sport CVT 22 $29,595 $30,820 Limited CVT 31 $29,495 $30,720 Limited CVT 32 $30,495 $31,720 Limited CVT 33 $31,890 $33,115 2023 Crosstrek Option Packages Code Description MSRP 01 Standard Model (6MT) Std. 03 Standard Model (CVT and EyeSight) Std. 11 Standard Premium Model (6MT) Std. 13 Standard Premium Model (CVT) Std. 14 Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert +Keyless Access with Push-Button Start + Power Driver Seat $1,995 15 Desert Khaki exterior paint + 8.0-inch STARLINK Multimedia Plus system $600 21 Standard Sport Model Std. 22 Moonroof + Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert + 8.0-inch STARLINK Multimedia Plus system $1,600 31 Standard Limited Model Std. 32 Moonroof $1,000 33 Moonroof + Navigation System + Harman Kardon Amplifier and Speakers $2,395 2023 Crosstrek Hybrid Model/Trim Transmission Applicable Option Code MSRP MSRP + destination and delivery Hybrid CVT 01 $36,845 $38,070 Hybrid CVT 02 $39,345 $40,570 2023 Crosstrek Hybrid Option Packages Code Description MSRP 01 Standard Model (Hybrid) Std. 02 Moonroof + Navigation System + Harman Kardon Amplifier and Speakers + Heated Steering Wheel $2,500 Destination & Delivery is $1,225 and may vary in the following states: CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT. D&D is $1,375 for retailers in Alaska. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $270 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 78,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. Todd Hill Manager, Product Public Relations 856.488.3234 [email protected] Jessica Tullman Product Communications 310.352.4400 [email protected] Charles Ballard Product and Technology Communications 856.488.8759 [email protected] SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. DALLAS, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Employer Direct Healthcare's SurgeryPlus and Contigo Health, LLC, a subsidiary of Premier, Inc., announced that they have entered into an agreement toward the goal of providing self-funded employer-sponsored health plans with access to the nation's leading centers of excellence (COE) services, with a focus on adding greater healthcare treatment options, broader access and competition to the COE marketplace. By participating in this new, expanded COE network, employers will be able to access the network capabilities of the two organizations by the end of 2022. "Contigo Health is an established leader in the COE space and has demonstrated strong results for many of the nation's leading employers with its Employers Centers of Excellence Network (ECEN), including some of the best-in-class clinicians and health systems," said John Zutter, CEO of Employer Direct Healthcare's SurgeryPlus. "While our history is shorter, we have developed the nation's most robust high-performance surgical network, now available to millions of members across hundreds of employers. Together, Employer Direct Healthcare's SurgeryPlus and Contigo Health's COE capabilities will offer greater choice and accessibility to approximately seven million Americans." Working together, the companies will be offering the broadest COE network with over 450 contracted facilities, increasing choice and accessibility for their clients' health plan members, while maintaining a focus on ensuring care is available at the highest quality and appropriateness standards. "We have a mission of increasing access to high-quality care, improving employee productivity and advancing the value of healthcare overall," added Steven Nelson, President & CEO of Contigo Health. "Over the last several years we have seen increased employer expectations for broader accessibility and patient engagement to encourage appropriate care utilization. Given these dynamics, we are especially excited to work with Employer Direct Healthcare's SurgeryPlus to further our mission." This new COE collaborative will be available to clients for 2023 health plan effective dates. For 2024, SurgeryPlus and Contigo Health will be offering an even more deeply integrated product, leveraging each company's strengths. About Employer Direct Healthcare and SurgeryPlus Employer Direct Healthcare is a market-leading healthcare services business providing high-quality and cost-efficient solutions for self-funded employers and their members. The company's solutions transform healthcare for its members, facilitating access to top-quality care at fair prices nationwide. Employer Direct Healthcare's first product, SurgeryPlus, is the market-leading surgical benefit, providing full-service concierge and network services to millions of covered members across hundreds of employers. In July of 2022, the company is launching a first of its kind, comprehensive end-to-end oncology solution for the employer market. For more information and the latest updates about Employer Direct Healthcare, visit EDHC.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Contigo Health , LLC Contigo Health, LLC creates new ways for clinicians, health systems and employers to work together to optimize employee health benefits. With over 3.8 million eligible members, the Contigo Health products include Sync Health Plan Administration (TPA), Sync Health Plan BPO, and ECEN Passport (COE). These quality programs support a common goal for all stakeholders to increase access to high-quality care, enhance employee engagement, control costs and get employees back to work and life faster. For more information, please visit www.contigohealth.com . CONTACT: Dickon Waterfield, Chief Commercial Officer, [email protected] SOURCE Employer Direct Healthcare The plaintiff, New 42 employee Kevin Ray, alleges that New 42 actively and deliberately promoted racial stereotyping and discrimination through misguided DEI initiatives Mr. Ray is supported by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism ("FAIR"), the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civil rights and liberties, announced today that Kevin Ray, a theater director supported by FAIR, has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against his employer, New York theater company The New 42nd Street ("New 42"), alleging racial discrimination and a pervasively hostile work environment. Since 2015, Mr. Ray has been a Teaching Artist at New 42, where he promotes arts education through theatrical presentations to students in schools throughout New York City. As an employee at New 42, Mr. Ray has suffered from an ongoing hostile work environment resulting from the organization's promotion of segregation, stereotypes based on skin color, and disparaging insults. Details of New 42's Alleged Illegal Conduct The lawsuit alleges nine causes of action, including hostile work environment and discrimination under Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibit discrimination against anyone, regardless of skin color. Mr. Ray claims New 42 violated those and other laws by segregating employees based on skin color for workplace trainings and repeatedly disparaging employees based on their skin color, including through more than seventy racially-charged emails. According to the complaint, that conduct included the following: Claiming "placing White folks in interracial dialogue is like placing pre-algebra students in a calculus class" and "White people need something akin to a remedial course." Distributing materials filled with demeaning stereotypes, including that "white" behavior is characterized by "not listening," "denial," "defensiveness," "lack of inquiry," "either/or binary thinking," and "not owning one's white group identity." Stereotyping "black" people as incapable of or uninterested in objectivity, perfectionism, and individualism. Accusing the "white group" of "replicat[ing] the worst facets of dominant culture." Claiming that "whitenessdivides each and all of us from the earth, the sun, the wind, the water, the stars, [and] the animals that roam the earth." Berating "white" people for "demanding to be seen as an individual and not as a part of the white group." Beginning meetings with employees stating their home address and acknowledging that they live on land stolen from Native American, First Nations and Indigenous peoples. On yet another occasion, Mr. Ray received an email demanding that he and other "white" employees make reparation payments to a "black colleague" solely on the basis of their skin color. Mr. Ray alleges that, despite raising serious concerns with New 42 about its hostile work environment, the organization made no changes and instead, retaliated against him by no longer giving him work as a Teaching Artist. Although Mr. Ray is still employed by New 42, he has been given no meaningful work opportunities since he voiced his concerns. Bion Bartning, Founder and Executive Director of FAIR, said, "We are deeply troubled by New 42's actions, which not only violate anti-discrimination laws but also are contrary to the ideals of compassionate and pro-human opposition to racism. No matter our skin color, we share 99.9% of our DNA with every human on this planet. As such, we believe that respect for our common humanity is essential to eradicating racism. The positive goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion can and should be furthered through unifying efforts, rather than by shaming or stereotyping based on skin color. Intentional discrimination is the opposite of antiracism. We are proud to support Mr. Ray in standing up for civil rights, and a pro-human approach that centers on our shared humanity." To learn more, please visit our website to view a short film about Kevin Ray and his experience with New 42. About the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism The Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civil rights and liberties and promoting fairness, understanding, and humanity. FAIR has nearly one hundred chapters and tens of thousands of members nationwide. For more information, see www.fairforall.org . MEDIA INQUIRIES AUGUST LLC: Steve Ginsburg / Matt Harrison 323.892.5559 [email protected] GENERAL INQUIRIES Leigh Ann O'Neill [email protected] SOURCE Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism Forty-Two Percent of Newly Appointed Corporate Board Directors in Q1 2022 Were Women LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 50/50 Women on Boards (50/50WOB), the leading non-profit education and advocacy campaign driving the movement toward gender balance and diversity on corporate boards, announced that as of March 31, 2022, women hold 27.3% of the Russell 3000 company board seats. The year-over-year increase from 2021 is 2.9%. 42% of the 667 directors who joined boards in Q1 2022 were women, a decrease from 48% in Q3 and Q4 of 2021, but slightly higher than 41% in Q1 2021. Using the data provided by Equilar, other significant key findings include: With Russell 3000 Index companies, 265 (9%) have gender-balanced boards, 1,217 (42%) have 3+ women on boards and 1,394 (49%) have 2 or less women on boards. 86% of the seats gained by women directors were added to a board rather than waiting for a man to retire. 26% of directors reported their race and ethnicity, up from 21% in Q4 2021, with 5% identifying as Asian / Pacific Islander, 7% as Black / African American, 3% as Hispanic / Latino and 1% as Indigenous People, Middle Eastern / North African, Multiracial, or Other. Of the 25 states with over 20 companies, 21 have greater than 25% women on the boards, up from 17 states in Q4 2021. The states that newly exceeded 25% are Colorado , Maryland , Tennessee , and Texas . California with 32.5% and Washington state with 30.5% are the two states with over 30% women. , , , and . with 32.5% and with 30.5% are the two states with over 30% women. Sectors that exceeded the national average of women include utilities (31.9%), consumer defensive (30.7%), consumer cyclical (30.3%), and real estate and technology (28%). In Q1 2022 in California, women only gained 25 seats, a dramatic difference from 100 or more seats gained between Q3 and Q4 2021, when companies had a deadline to meet to comply with SB 826. With SB 826 and AB 979 deemed unconstitutional in May 2022, the slower pace could reflect companies taking their foot off the pedal. "The recent ruling that SB 826 is unconstitutional, only reinforces the critical need for 50/50 Women on Boards to continue our mission to educate women on how to obtain board seats and collaborate with corporations to drive the business imperative of gender-balanced and diverse boards," said Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, CEO of 50/50 Women on Boards. "The LA County judge's decision to overturn SB 826 is in process of being appealed by the State of CA, and we are confident it will be reinstated by higher courts." To read the full report, please visit https://5050wob.com/reports/. To further educate and advocate for women, 50/50 Women on Boards facilitates a series of educational board workshops that provide women the steps to pursue a board position at any stage in their career. To register, visit https://5050wob.com/workshops/. About 50/50 Women on Boards (50/50WOB) 50/50 Women on Boards (50/50WOB) is the leading nonprofit 501(c)3 education and advocacy campaign driving the movement toward gender balance and diversity on corporate boards. Since 2011 the campaign has published its 50/50 Women on Boards Gender Diversity Index directory and research reports to track the gender and racial diversity of Russell 3000 company board directors by board size, state, sector, and rating. Public awareness campaigns and educational programs produced by 50/50WOB include The Global Conversation on Board Diversity and its series of workshops designed for women or corporate groups of women striving to advance as leaders or pursue a board seat. For more information, visit www.5050wob.com. SOURCE 50/50 Women on Boards UK team establishes flagship headquarters in the Mayfair section of London; Dallas office increases square footage; Miami team forms to support South Florida clients. NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abacus Group, a global provider of IT services for alternative investment firms, announced expanded office locations recently in three major cities, with a new location in London, UK, a renovation of its Frisco, TX, office, and a new presence in Miami, FL. Originally founded in San Francisco in 2008 and currently headquartered in New York City, the growing company now has a presence in eight major financial cities across the US plus the UK, with nearly 250 employees supporting more than 650 client firms. UK & EUROPE: At the end of May, the Abacus team that supports its UK and Europe clients moved into a new, larger headquarters in the heart of Mayfair in London, a popular location for the alternative asset management community. The investment in this new space for the London team is poised to invigorate team collaboration as the team grows and adds headcount, while supporting a significant growth in clients in the UK and Europe markets. The new space accommodates up to 40 people in an open-office format plus dedicated collaboration and meeting spaces. "Our investment in a new, larger office location in a prime area of London aligns with our clients returning to offices, allowing our team to be readily available to support client needs in London," said Tom Cole, Managing Director UK & Europe at Abacus Group. TEXAS: Two years ago, in anticipation of continued growth of their Dallas team, Abacus Texas moved into a 6800 square foot office at HALL Park in Frisco. Abacus has now taken over an adjoining space, expanding its footprint at HALL Park by over 50%. The renovation to combine the two spaces together is expected to be completed within the coming weeks, anticipating even further growth of the Texas team. "We love the amenities and collaborative workspaces available to us at HALL Park and look forward to recruiting even more top talent in the Dallas area as we grow our Client Support teams," said Mike Herman, Managing Director Client Services at Abacus Group. MIAMI: As a result of an influx of clients opening offices in South Florida at the onset of the pandemic, Abacus started recruiting a team last year to support clients in the Miami area. Covering an expansive geography throughout South Florida, the newly established Abacus team in the area is available to support client sites in a variety of locations, helping with both traditional in-office and home office setups. "Many investment managers who had traditionally been in offices in New York City decided to expand or relocate to South Florida during the pandemic, and Abacus has responded to this geographic shift. We've had our eye on the South Florida market for some time, and during the pandemic it finally made sense for us to invest in setting up a local team. We've recruited top talent in the area to support our clients, and we look forward to expanding even further in South Florida over the coming years," said Chris Grandi, CEO at Abacus Group. About Abacus Group Abacus Group is a leading provider of hosted IT solutions and service focused on helping alternative investment firms by providing an enterprise technology platform specifically designed for the unique needs of the financial services industry. The innovative and award-winning Abacus Cloud platform allows investment managers to source all technology needs as a service, offering the capacity to scale on demand to meet current and future cybersecurity, storage, and compliance requirements. The company has teams in New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Boston, MA; Dallas, TX; Greenwich, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Charlotte, NC; Miami, FL; and London, England. For more information, visit www.abacusgroupllc.com . SOURCE Abacus Group LLC The signing cements the long-standing partnership between Abu Dhabi and Children's National Hospital in Washington DC and facilitates both entities collaborating on three key areas including genomics and oncology research and other innovations to address pediatrics, diseases and patients' management. The agreement also explores establishing Abu Dhabi as a regional pediatric hub. HE Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed also inaugurated the new Children's National Research & Innovation Campus, a first-of-its-kind pediatric ecosystem dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids, opened in 2021. Made possible through a $30 million gift presented by Abu Dhabi, the campus aims to maximize research capabilities to advance and develop pediatric treatments and solutions that are lifesaving to children around the world. Commenting on the occasion, HE Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, said: "The UAE and USA have a long-standing relation that continues to grow in multiple folds. Under the directives of the UAE's leadership, we continue to unify efforts for the benefit of the global community. We are proud to partnership with leading organizations in the USA to boost research and innovation capabilities in the healthcare industry and beyond." "Already, through the generosity of the people of the UAE, Children's National Hospital has advanced innovations that stand to benefit children around the world," said Kurt Newman, M.D., president and CEO of Children's National Hospital. "The declaration of collaboration that we signed today builds upon our more than decade-long partnership and will help us exchange expertise and support advances in science and medicine." A high-profile Abu Dhabi delegation arrived at the United States of America earlier this week to explore prospects of joint collaboration within the framework of healthcare at large and life science in specific. The Abu Dhabi delegation witnessed the participation of ten key entities including the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Mubadala Health, G42 Healthcare, Abu Dhabi Ports, ADQ, Etihad Cargo, Khalifa University, Hayat-vax and Pure Health. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836830/Childrens_National_Hospital.jpg SOURCE The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi Travelers in all aha! cities can celebrate with $29* introductory fares RENO, Nev., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- aha!, powered by veteran ExpressJet Airlines, announced today that it will begin nonstop service between Reno and Idaho Falls, Idaho on August 11, 2022 bridging two adventure destinations with one convenient, nonstop route. "The addition of aha! to the Idaho Falls Regional Airport exemplifies the success of our region and airport," said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper. "It's perfect timing to add to our choice of flights to give greater connections for our residents and visitors alike." aha! will fly to the Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) two times a week with 50-seat Embraer ERJ145 regional jets. With the addition of Idaho Falls, aha! will now serve 11 cities nonstop from its home base at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. "We are excited to welcome aha! Airlines and add another nonstop destination to our airport," said Idaho Falls Regional Airport Director, Rick Cloutier. "This addition is another option to serve the people of eastern Idaho. Both Reno and Idaho Falls travelers are eager to explore the great recreational opportunities of both of communities." Nonstop Flights = Two Travel Days Saved Travelers can replace a lengthy nine-hour drive or painful layover with a quick 95-minute nonstop flight, leaving more time for adventures and relaxation. Flights will operate each Thursday and Sunday departing Reno-Tahoe International Airport at 7:40 a.m. PT arriving at Idaho Falls Regional Airport at 10:15 a.m. MT. Return flights will depart Idaho Falls at 10:55 a.m. MT and arrive in Reno-Tahoe at 11:30 a.m. PT. "We are thrilled to offer eastern Idaho residents with the opportunity to explore the incredible gaming, dining, shows, and indoor/outdoor fun of Reno and Lake Tahoe without lengthy drives or layovers," said Tim Sieber, head of ExpressJet's aha! business unit. "The easy access to Yellowstone, the Greenbelt, museums and other treasures will surely attract a lot of Reno residents to Idaho Falls." Currently, aha! connects ten markets to its home base in Reno-Tahoe: Fresno, Ontario, Palm Springs and Santa Rosa Calif.; Eugene/Springfield, Medford/Ashland and Redmond/Bend, Ore.; and Pasco/Tri Cities and Spokane, Wash. Special Introductory Celebration Fares as Low as $29* aha! is celebrating the launch of Idaho Falls with systemwide sale fares of $29*. These special one-way $29* fares must be booked using promo code RENOSUMMER29 by June 13 for travel starting August. Book at www.flyaha.com or through the aha! contact center at 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 operates Embraer ERJ145 regional jet aircraft and has more than 40 years of regional airline experience. ExpressJet, including its leisure brand aha!, is focused on providing travelers in smaller communities with convenient, short, nonstop flights to high-quality destinations. The company's services also include specialty charter flights and additional future routes. ExpressJet is owned by KAir Enterprises and its affiliates. www.expressjet.com Special Introductory Celebration Fares $29 airfare price is each way between Reno, NV and the following cities: Fresno, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; Ontario, CA; Palms Springs, CA; Idaho Falls, ID; Medford/Ashland, OR; Redmond/Bend, OR; Eugene, OR; Pasco, WA; or Spokane, WA. Book by June 13, 2022, 11:59 PM for travel August 1-September 30, 2022 (Idaho Falls service begins August 11, 2022). Airfare price includes all taxes and airport fees. Not valid for travel September 2-5. Offer based on availability. Must use promo code RENOSUMMER29 to book. Normal charges apply for options such as checked bags, pre-boarding or seat assignments. Not valid on previously purchased itineraries and not combinable with any other offers. Management reserves all rights including cancellation or modification of this promotion without prior notice. SOURCE aha! Constant engagement of regulatory agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority to demand guidelines for aircraft seating as well as maintenance, increasing demand for lightweight designed aircraft seats is driving the Aircraft Seating Market over the forecast period. JERSEY CITY, N.J., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Verified Market Research recently published a report, "Aircraft Seating Market" By Class (Business Class, Economy Class), By Aircraft Type (Regional Transport Aircraft, Narrow Body Aircraft), By End-Use (OEM, Aftermarket), and By Geography. According to Verified Market Research, the Aircraft Seating Market size was valued at USD 3.7 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 5.63 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.03% from 2022 to 2030. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=31194 Browse in-depth TOC on "Aircraft Seating Market" 202 - Pages 126 Tables 37 Figures Global Aircraft Seating Market Overview Existing aircraft are being retrofitted with advanced products including such IFEC systems as airlines around the world strive to have more comfort in terms of seating and other services such as entrainment and in-flight connectivity for streaming live and online shopping. Most airlines are updating their aircraft seats because old ones have become obsolete. The use of innovative and lightweight materials for cabin seats has led to a significant replacement of existing aircraft seats with new seats. Moreover, most business jet owners customize their cabin seats, with companies now offering a full array of designs and materials for aircraft cabin seat customization. Moreover, the Constant engagement of regulatory authorities like the Civil Aviation Authority to demand guidelines for aircraft seating as well as maintenance is boosting the global aircraft seating market during the forecast period. Furthermore, increasing aircraft deliveries around the world, as well as increased air passenger traffic, are affecting vendors to develop technologically sophisticated aircraft seats to boost passenger comfort. Furthermore, Factors such as growing demands for seats equipped with IFEC systems, improved aircraft production, and maintenance and retrofitting of existing aircraft are supposed to propel market growth. Key Developments In January 2022 , Unum Aircraft Seating, a producer of business class seats for single and twin-aisle aircraft u.k.-based, has presented new lie-flat business class seating options, the Unum One and Unum OneHD. , Unum Aircraft Seating, a producer of business class seats for single and twin-aisle aircraft u.k.-based, has presented new lie-flat business class seating options, the Unum One and Unum OneHD. In September 2021 , Air China signed an agreement with the German company Recaro Commercial aircraft seating for A350 business class seats. Air China has made an order for ten sets of Recaro Aircraft Seating's new CL6720 business class seat, attempting to make it the company's first customer. Key Players The major players in the market are JAMCO, Zodiac Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik, and Stelia Aerospace. Verified Market Research has segmented the Global Aircraft Seating Market On the basis of Class, Aircraft Type, End-Use, and Geography. Aircraft Seating Market, By Class Business Class Economy Class Premium Economy Class First Class Aircraft Seating Market, By Aircraft Type Regional Transport Aircraft Narrow Body Aircraft Business Jets Wide-Body Aircraft Aircraft Seating Market, By End Use OEM Aftermarket MRO Aircraft Seating Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa & Latin America Browse Related Reports: Aircraft Seat Actuation System Market By Seat Class (Premium Economy, First Class), By Type (Hydraulic, Electro-Mechanical), By Component (Hardware, Software), By Geography, Forecast, 2021-2028 Commercial Aircraft Seating Market By Class (Premium Economy Class, First Class, Economy Class, Business Class), By Aircraft Type (Regional Transport Aircraft, Business Jets, Very Large Aircraft), By Geography, Forecast, 2021-2028 Aviation Seat Restraints Components Market By Type (Seat Belt, Bolt-down Fittings, And Quick-release Fittings), By Application (Airliner, General Aviation, Business Aircraft, And Others), By Geography, Forecast, 2021-2028 Aircraft Seat Materials Market By Product (Aluminium Structure, Foam Cushions, Plastic Molding, Other), By Application (Civil Aircraft, Military Aircraft), By Geography, Forecast, 2021-2028 5 Leading Seat Belt Manufacturers giving superhuman protection capabilities to passengers Visualize Aircraft Seating Market using Verified Market Intelligence:-: Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling of this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue impacting decisions for a brilliant future. VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, and Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market. About Us Verified Market Research is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ customers. Verified Market Research provides advanced analytical research solutions while offering information enriched research studies. We offer insight into strategic and growth analyses, Data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SME's offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. We study 14+ categories from Semiconductor & Electronics, Chemicals, Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Power, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive & Transportation, Information & Communication Technology, Software & Services, Information Security, Mining, Minerals & Metals, Building & construction, Agriculture industry and Medical Devices from over 100 countries. Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Research US: +1 (650)-781-4080 UK: +44 (753)-715-0008 APAC: +61 (488)-85-9400 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter SOURCE Verified Market Research ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANKS SIX ALLIANCE SCHOOLS IN THE TOP 100 PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA Alliance is actively hiring dedicated educators for the upcoming school year LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance College-Ready Public Schools announced today that for the upcoming school year, total teacher compensation will increase on average by $14,000 for current Alliance teachers. This comes as Alliance continues to deepen its commitment to support educators. Despite one of the most tumultuous years on record and amidst a national teacher shortage, an incredible 90% of Alliance educators are returning for the 2022-23 school year. "The number of teachers returning next year is a testament to how Alliance supports its educators. The pandemic only exacerbated the demands on educators everywhere. This is particularly true for schools that serve communities most impacted by COVID-19 as we do here at Alliance. Teachers are the backbone of our schools' success and impact this marked increase in compensation is one of the ways we continue to communicate that our people matter," said Pablo Cesar Villavicencio, CEO of Alliance. "We already are a leader in providing teachers with strong compensation packages and supportive conditions to set educators up for success, and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure that our people across Alliance receive the pay and support they deserve. This teacher increase is the latest of a series of compensation increases across different roles at Alliance." As of July 1, 2022, the average returning teacher salary at Alliance will increase from $79,238 to $91,181, which takes into account Alliance teachers' years of experience and past performance. Alliance's updated salary scale starts new teachers at $68,850 with a maximum at $128,885 for teachers with 30 years or more experience. Unlike many other networks and districts, experienced teachers interested in joining the Alliance will not max out in salary and will receive credit for all years of aligned experience. Alliance has consistently engaged its staff and solicited feedback to inform actions the network takes to ensure that educators feel safe, supported, and valued every day. Over the course of the last several months, Alliance actively pursued increasing compensation for school-site staff while balancing budgets for increased costs. We are proud that even while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Alliance has doubled down on responding to feedback expressed by educators in a variety of ways. These include: Increasing teacher compensation effective July 2021 ; ; Announcing COVID bonuses for all Staff in 2020, 2021, and 2022 to recognize the ongoing commitment Alliance staff members demonstrated during the global pandemic; Hiring 20% more mental health and wellness professionals to support the social and emotional wellness of scholars; and Distributing a wellness bonus for all Staff in May 2022 to provide relief from rising food and gas costs, and increasing retention bonuses to ensure staff continue to make Alliance their long-term professional home. to provide relief from rising food and gas costs, and increasing retention bonuses to ensure staff continue to make Alliance their long-term professional home. Providing returning staff retention a retention bonus in September 2022 . Alliance teachers' passion, drive, and motivation provide scholars with a college-ready education and shape the thriving school community. Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the most successful and largest public charter school networks in the nation, consistently recognized for its outstanding education. This year, US News & World Report ranked Alliance College-Ready Public Schools among the best high schools in the nation. Six Alliance schools right here in Los Angeles are in the top 100 public high schools in California. The Alliance network has a 95% high school graduation rate and 90% of graduating students go on to four-year college. At Alliance, we believe that educators know first-hand what scholars need to succeed academically. We provide educators with the support and resources they need, in and out of the classroom. We're hiring English, Math, Spanish, Special Education teachers in addition to more key roles inside and outside of the classroom. Join us and make a differencego to www.laalliance.org to learn more. Alliance College-Ready Public Schools was founded in 2004 by a group of Los Angeles educators, civil rights activists, and community leaders on the belief that all childrenregardless of ZIP code, income, ability, or backgroundare capable of achieving at high levels. Despite great odds, Judy Ivie Burton, a long-time Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) educator and leader, as well as Howard Lappin, Founding Principal, and nationally recognized school leader, welcomed 150 ninth grade scholars at Alliance College-Ready Academy #1, currently known as Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School. Alliance is now one of the largest and most successful nonprofit public charter school networks in the nation, operating 26 high-performing, tuition-free middle and high schools in Los Angeles communities that are systematically oppressed. Alliance has a proven record of success for our nearly 13,000 scholars and nearly 18,000 alumni. Though a majority of our incoming 6th graders enter Alliance reading below grade level, they eventually outperform California state and local districts on state standardized testing. Over ninety-five percent of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school and been accepted to a two-year or four-year college. Our schools have been recognized among the best in the state and nation by the U.S. Department of Education, the California Department of Education, U.S. News & World Report, and the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education. Media Contact: Claire Totten [email protected] | 805.901.0447 SOURCE Alliance College Ready Schools With #BlackIsBrilliant, De Beers Group provides a platform for Black designers to create one-of-a-kind pieces with natural diamonds from Botswana, with an emphasis on the Red Carpet as a powerful forum for communication and visibility in amplifying Black voices and talent. De Beers Group teamed with RAD (Red carpet Advocacy), taking RAD's established, purpose-driven approach of pairing talent and brands to use their platforms in advocating for causes at global events as a way to promote social progress and positive shifts in culture. De Beers Group is deeply committed to creating a positive, lasting impact that will endure well beyond the discovery of its last diamond. JEWELRY DESCRIPTION: The choker is part of the BERCEAU collection named for the French word for cradle pays homage to tradition, reinterpreting ancestral adornments to celebrate and become an extension of the natural human form. The designs are inspired by the people of the Great Rift Valley, where Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia meet, and believed to be the cradle of humanity. HOW THIS PIECE GIVES BACK: In support of Amanda's advocacy of Black creative talent, a $25,000 donation will be made to a charity of her choice. ABOUT ALMASIKA Born in Paris to Beninese parents, Almasika founder Catherine Sarr found a passion for jewelry that led her to venture to London after completing a Master's degree in marketing at the Universite Paris XII. There she worked for various luxury brands promoting craftsmanship from around the world, including several years spent at the heart of the diamond and fine jewelry industry at DeBeers Group and Love Gold, the initiative from the World Gold Council. Catherine was guided by the philosophy of finding what she had in common with others she met and her own West African heritage. She melded this and more into her brand that she launched in 2014 at Colette. SOURCE De Beers Group Biosafety tech company R-Zero lists top common shared spaces most likely to pose health risks SALT LAKE CITY, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An anonymous study of random air and surface samples taken across the U.S. reveals significant air quality issues. According to the newly released study conducted by biosafety tech company R-Zero, the air we breathe indoors is five times more contaminated than the surfaces we touch. The scientific random samples were taken anonymously by industrial hygienists over the last several months in locations throughout the U.S. and found an alarming number of harmful organisms that can lead to illness, compromised health and infection, and included everything from SARS-CoV-2 and Staphylococcus aureus to microbes that can cause skin disease and infections in the respiratory tract. In cities like Austin, TX, three out of seven random air samples (or 43%) taken by the industrial hygienists tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. And, that location is not unique to the rest of the nation, according to R-Zero. The level of harmful organisms and skin cells found in indoor air may just be enough to make the average person want to avoid many shared spaces altogether. A hotel room, for example, contains an average of 2,500 skin cells (from other people) per cubic meter of air breathed by occupants. Additionally, the analysis found nearly all bathrooms sampled in San Francisco tested positive for potentially harmful surface microbes. While not all the places where people are most likely to encounter a harmful microbe are surprising, for example, gas station bathrooms top the list, there are a few unexpected locations, such as high-end retail dressing rooms. Based on random air and surface samplings across the U.S., the highest risk areas to come into contact with a harmful microorganism are: Public bathrooms Gyms Hotel lobbies and restaurants (each carry roughly 5,700 skin cells - other people's skin cells - per cubic meter of air) Bars High-end fitting rooms and malls were hot spots for cross-contamination of potentially harmful microorganisms from places like hospitals to the community Poor indoor air quality leads to a higher level of acute infection risk for diseases that airborne diseases and illnesses such as COVID, flu and colds. In addition, 63% of indoor areas sampled had a higher percentage of mold and fungi than outdoor areas, causing an increased risk indoors for allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues. The study highlights the alarming failures of existing building air management systems to manage harmful microbes in indoor shared spaces and the need to address this vital public health issue and improve indoor health quality more effectively and efficiently. "10% of surfaces contained harmful microorganisms but were five times more prevalent in the air in indoor spaces. We spend 90% of our time indoors, taking on average between 18,000 to 20,000 breaths a day, so the poor air quality right now is a massive concern," said Dr. Richard Wade, Chief Scientist for R-Zero, and a leading expert in toxicology and microbiological contamination. "The pandemic made us more aware of the air we breathe as a transmitter of potentially harmful organisms. Indoor spaces and the quality of the air in them directly impact human health, and we need to improve the health and safety of our shared spaces. The standard way of doing this is failing." For the study, 600 random air and surface samples were conducted in locations across the U.S. between January and March of this year. About R-Zero: R-Zero is the first biosafety technology company dedicated to making our shared indoor spaces safer, healthier, and more productive. Backed by Mayo Clinic and the earliest investors in Google, Amazon, Tesla, and SpaceX, R-Zero is dedicated to developing the most effective and innovative disinfection technologies to reduce the spread of microorganisms in the built environment. Combining space utilization sensor technology, AI, ML, and IoT-connected hardware, R-Zero's intelligent biosafety platform enables organizations to create and maintain healthier indoor environments. Today, the company's sustainable, IoT-enabled disinfection technologies enable safer, healthier indoor spaces for hundreds of thousands of people across both public and private sector organizations without using chemicals. R-Zero's system of connected biosafety technologies provides greater visibility, automation, and even smarter risk reduction within the indoor spaces where people spend their time. R-Zero is backed by leading venture capital firms DBL Partners , World Innovation Lab , and SOSV / HAX ; Mayo Clinic ; and thought leaders from hospitality, sports, commercial real estate, impact, and other industries. For more information, visit www.rzero.com . SOURCE R-Zero This event marks Arcadia's first groundbreaking of their national cold storage platform to be developed in strategic markets across the United States. Arcadia's entrance to the market comes with over 120 years of cold storage industry experience across their leadership team. The site is slated to be delivered in Q2 2023. "Arcadia was thrilled to welcome members of Burleson's community to the groundbreaking ceremony," said Arcadia Cold CEO Chris Hughes. "While this project benefits from its strategic location in the greater Dallas/Fort-Worth market, the city and county officials in Burleson have been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. At every stage of the project development, The City of Burleson and Burleson City Economic Development has been a valued partner and we look forward to bringing significant economic growth and jobs to the City of Burleson." Once complete, the Burleson location will be a frozen and refrigerated distribution center facility with 43,000 pallet positions designed to support high-volume throughput handling services, including full pallet management and case picking. The site has immediate access to US Interstate 35W in the center of the Dallas/Ft. Worth distribution market. Speakers at this event included Chris Hughes, CEO & President of Arcadia Cold, Anthony Rinaldi, Founder & Managing Principal of Saxum Real Estate, Matt Hirsch, President of Primus Builders, Stacy Singleton, City of Burleson Fire Marshall, Alex Philips, Economic Development Director from Burleson Economic Development Council, Dan McClendon, Mayor Pro Term & Council Place 5, and Bryan Lynch, Executive VP, Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA). About Arcadia Cold: Established in 2021, Arcadia specializes in providing third-party handling, storage, distribution, and value-added services to the food industry. Arcadia Cold bridges the innovation and supply gaps within the cold industrial industry in the United States through modern cold storage warehouse development expertise and proven operational "know-how". Its strategic development partnership with Saxum Real Estate offers a collaborative approach to the design-build and operation model that provides for efficient construction of fully temperature convertible buildings, coupled with modern supply chain technology innovations for its valued customers in the "New Age of Cold Chain". arcadiacold.com SOURCE Arcadia Cold In today's dynamic world of ever-changing consumer preferences, HerStyler's popular Argan Oil Hair Serum continues its dream run on Amazon. With over 1 million units sold and 18000 reviews from delighted users, it has featured on BuzzFeed and Yahoo as the hair serum of choice for buyers in the US and Canada. CHATSWORTH, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the last five years, the top-rated Hair Serum from HerStyler has emerged as the company's top-selling product, with 1 million+ units sold and counting. This advanced hair care formulation combines the nourishing properties of Argan Oil, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E to leave hair bouncy, soft, and healthy. It helps manage frizzy hair while enhancing its shine. Argan Oil Hair Serum Brand HerStyler According to the brand's spokesperson Henry Green, "We wanted to create an affordable argan oil hair serum that could be part of anyone's daily hair care routine irrespective of their hair type or style. And today, with millions of units sold and countless happy customers, we can proudly say we delivered." Find out more about this bestseller at https://www.amazon.com/Herstyler-Hair-Serum-Vitamin-Straightening/dp/B00BC3YL2W . A review from an extremely satisfied Amazon customer reads, "I found this product through a Buzzfeed article for those with frizzy hair and THIS PRODUCT DID NOT DISAPPOINT PEOPLE! I put this serum through the ringer; I got this to stand up to Bay Area fog AND the nasty, humid heat wave we got a couple weeks ago. No frizz, no extra curls. Nothing! On top of that, it made my hair super glossy. I'm very impressed." Millions of buyers in the US and Canada recommend it as the best hair serum and the 18,000 plus reviews on Amazon speak volumes about its quality and performance. This anti frizz hair serum does not just leave hair looking lush and glossy. Many users have recommended it as a complete hair styling solution. It repairs damaged hair, restores shine, lessens split ends, loosens tangles, reduces frizz, and works well on both straight and curly hair. "I love this stuff! This is part of my hair routine every time I style my hair. I have thick, frizzy hair that tends to soak up styling products... the first bottle lasted me 5 months," an impressed user mentioned in their Amazon review. The Herstyler Hair Serum is a non-greasy formula that repairs damaged hair and acts as a protective barrier against constant exposure to the sun. "At HerStyler, we love creating fun stuff for your hair. We agree hair alone doesn't make a woman, but at HerStyler, we believe that good hair definitely helps," says Green. To find out more about this miracle worker that transforms dry, frizzy hair, please visit the company's official website at https://virtail.com/products/herstyler-argan-oil-hair-serum About HerStyler HerStyler is a leading manufacturer of quality hair styling tools and hair enhancing products that include hair serums, hair masks, straightening irons, curling irons, etc. Our bestseller, the HerStyler Argan Oil Hair Serum has had the world raving ever since its launch. We combine innovative ingredients and cutting edge technology to create products that set the benchmark for ultimate hair experiences. At HerStyler, we take care of your crowning glory! Company Name: HerStyler Contact Name: Henry Green Company Phone: (707) 847-8245 Company Email: [email protected] https://twitter.com/herstylerhq https://www.facebook.com/herstyler/ https://www.instagram.com/herstyler/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOv7SC4CQauI6IGZZSCvJ0A SOURCE HerStyler DALLAS, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ARMM Inc. (OTCQB: ARMM) (the "Company" or "ARMM") a firearms lifestyle platform focused on Self-Reliance, is pleased to announce that it has added the American Tactical Defense ("ATD") Active Shooter School Training, sponsored by MAGLITE, to its ARMM Academy. The events that have recently occurred in Buffalo, New York, followed by the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma have cast the national spotlight back on firearms. Armm's leadership strongly believes in empowering citizens with education, confidence and real-world solutions to defend themselves and others in the event of an active shooter scenario. The Company is partnering with American Tactical Defense LLC, the most current, proven, active shooter training for schools. The training content will be hosted with the Discipline section of the platform and app. The ATD, MAGLITE Sponsored Practical Defense Video Series includes the following modules: MAGLITE Practical Defense Active Shooter School Training / American Tactical Defense MAGLITE Practical Defense School District School Bus Driver Active Shooter Training / American Tactical Defense MAGLITE Practical Defense Home Defense Training / American Tactical Defense MAGLITE Practical Defense Phone vs Flashlight - American Tactical Defense In the coming weeks, ARMM and American Tactical Defense will be hosting an Active Shooter School Training Live Webinar, at the Maglite Campus in Ontario, California. The Company will also be distributing a link to participate in the Webinar. Teachers that participate in the Webinar will receive a free copy of the Teachers Pocket Guide to Active Shooter Response, and School Administrators will receive the School Threat Assessment Checklist. "Now more than ever, given our mission of self reliance, firearms education and training, situational awareness has become paramount. We will not wait for political solutions, and are excited to share ATD's invaluable skill set and content in order to empower citizens, teachers and administrators at this time," said Mark Lawson, CEO of Armm Inc. About American Tactical Defense American Tactical Defense is certified under the Schools A.C.T. (Active-Shooter Counter Training). This program is the most advanced training currently provided to schools. Bryan McKenrick, the COO, is a Federal Law Enforcement Instructor who supervises, instructs, trains, and develops all training for over 1,000 Federal Officers four times per year. He wrote the book on Federal active shooter response and training and currently keeps it up to date. Bryan has an extensive history, background and experience in Federal Law Enforcement for the past 24 years. Bryan has always realized his calling in helping people, providing protection and serving our great country, the United States of America. He served in an Operational capacity for 8 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and 15 years for a Federal Law Enforcement Agency. https://www.ustacdefense.com/ ABOUT ARMM ARMM is a firearms lifestyle platform focused on SELF RELIANCE and is disrupting the $51 Billion consumer firearms and rugged outdoor recreational market. The platform includes an app in which users can take safety & training course via the ARMM Academy, access firearms insurance products, firearms related apparel and accessories, and engage with like minded outdoor enthusiasts while gaining exposure to your favorite brands. Web: https://armmlife.com/investors/ SOURCE ARMM Inc. BURLINGTON, Vt., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In May, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board issued the state's first-ever cannabis operating license, with its members noting that the pace of licensing will pick up in following weeks. As growers, makers and retailers ready for the adult-use market, Heady Vermont, the state's largest media and events platform, is providing strategic ways for small businesses to connect directly with market-ready consumers and get their brand and business to the forefront of the new industry. Vermont Cannabis Week October 1-8, 2022 Vermont Cannabis Week takes place October 1-8, 2022 Vermont Cannabis Week, taking place October 1 to 8, 2022, aims to engage small product makers, independent retailers and market ready consumers through innovative statewide and regional marketing campaigns, dedicated platforms and direct to consumer-style events such as farmers markets. Two such markets are tentatively planned for August 20 and October 1, 2022. "This is sort of a continued theme, I think, for us this year, of promoting small growers and product makers and now we're getting independent retailers into the mix," said Heady Vermont CEO Monica Donovan. "We'll be putting some legwork into a very focused and strategic marketing campaign over the next several months as we build up to the fall." Donovan also said that the team is expanding, noting that they've recently hired Vermont NORML's Ella Guinan and several new writers. Finally, Heady is also working with former communications director Kathy Blume on a new podcast called The Corner Joint. "After a quiet pandemic, it's nice to get some life and talent back onto the team," she said. The mission of VCW is to highlight and increase brand recognition for small, independent businesses and Vermont small-batch products as the legal market launches in the Green Mountain State. Heady Vermont welcomed over 800 people to its third annual growers cup celebration, The Headies Cup, in April. Attendees viewed and sampled products from a range of growers and vendors, including several who are now being approved for cannabis licensing. Interested sponsors and vendors can get in touch with the Heady ad team for more on Vermont Cannabis Week . Registration for the August 20 Farmers Market opens in June. ABOUT: Heady Vermont produces events and provides essential news, information, and membership perks to cannabis businesses and consumers. More about Heady Membership . Contact: Monica Donovan, CEO Email: [email protected] Phone: (802) 391-4251 SOURCE Heady Vermont Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek and Avast Security Ambassador Garry Kasparov to discuss digital freedom equality at VivaTech, Paris, on June 17, 2022 PRAGUE and PARIS, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Avast (LSE:AVST), the global leader in digital security and privacy, today announced that Ondrej Vlcek , CEO of Avast, and Garry Kasparov, Chess Grandmaster and Avast Security Ambassador, will discuss the impact of limitations on digital freedom on online safety, privacy and overall digital wellbeing at the annual VivaTech event taking place in Paris. The talk titled "Misinformation and the Deterioration of Digital Freedom" will take place in the afternoon on Friday, June 17, 2022. Since its inception over three decades ago, the free and unlimited space of the World Wide Web has evolved into a tool that is at the center of innovation, but simultaneously endangers our safety, privacy, and identity. This February, Russia took unprecedented steps to limit its citizens' access to the internet in order to maintain control over information about the war in Ukraine. Such practices are part of the political strategy of autocracies to limit citizens' access to information and feed them new and invented truths. Garry Kasparov and Ondrej Vlcek both grew up in the Soviet-controlled zone where propaganda was part of the daily news. At VivaTech, they will discuss the latest research of Avast that shows how limitations to people's digital freedom for example through misinformation, censorship, and blocked social networks also leads to weakened online safety, privacy, and overall digital wellbeing. Garry Kasparov will also play twelve simultaneous games of chess at the conference against a dozen guests. Schedule: Thursday, June 16: 3:55pm: Chess exhibition Friday, June 17: 10:00am: Press conference: Protecting our Digital Freedom: The relationship between Digital Wellbeing and Freedom on the Internet (location to be announced) 2:50 - 3:15pm: Misinformation and the Deterioration of Digital Freedom Location: Stage One Speakers: Garry Kasparov and Ondrej Vlcek Both Garry Kasparov and Ondrej Vlcek will be available for interviews. About Garry Kasparov, Avast Security Ambassador Garry Kasparov became the youngest world chess champion in history in 1985 and was the world's top-rated player for 20 years. He first discovered the potential of AI during his famous matches against the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue. Ever since, he's spoken about future tech, most recently as Avast's security ambassador. His matches against arch-rival Anatoly Karpov and Deep Blue popularized chess and machine intelligence in unprecedented ways. His collected essays for Avast are available at: https://blog.avast.com/author/garry-kasparov. About Ondrej Vlcek , Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek serves as Chief Executive Officer for Avast. Together with his senior management team, he executes on Avast's vision to deliver people-centric security and spearheads the Company's product innovation program for emerging consumer technology categories, including AI and identity protection. Previously, he held the combined position of Executive Vice-President & General Manager, Consumer, and Chief Technology Officer. In this role, he led Avast's transformation from a traditional PC antivirus vendor to the leading provider of a full portfolio of protection, privacy, and performance products for consumers. About Avast: Avast (LSE:AVST), a FTSE 100 company, is a global leader in digital security and privacy, headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic. With over 435 million users online, Avast offers products under the Avast and AVG brands that protect people from threats on the internet and the evolving IoT threat landscape. The company's threat detection network is among the most advanced in the world, using machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to detect and stop threats in real time. Avast digital security products for Mobile, PC or Mac are top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom, and the Internet Watch Foundation. Visit: www.avast.com . Keep in touch with Avast: For security and privacy insights, visit the Avast blog: https://blog.avast.com/ For handy guides, advice and tips, visit Avast Academy: https://www.avast.com/c-academy For more information about Avast visit: https://www.avast.com/en-gb/about and https://www.avast.com/company-faqs and Follow us on Twitter: @Avast Join our LinkedIn community: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avast/ Visit our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/avast Media Contact: Marina Ziegler [email protected] SOURCE Avast Software, Inc. "Josh has had a tremendous positive impact on Axon, including most recently during his tenure as chief revenue officer," says Axon CEO and founder, Rick Smith. "Given his passion for our mission and ability to execute, I am eager to continue working with Josh in his expanded role, as our entire company builds the public safety ecosystem of the future." "I love Axon and our mission. I'm humbled by the trust our team, customers, and shareholders have placed in me," says Isner, Axon's new COO. "We're going to work our hardest every day to create and deliver value for each of those populations. And most of all, we will pursue our goal of protecting life with relentless vigor." As Chief Revenue Officer, Isner was responsible for Axon's global growth, customer service, professional services, and sales operations. He helped to build Axon's revenue stream to support our 2022 guidance above $1 billion, driving historical annual growth rates exceeding 25%. He joined Axon as a member of the Leadership Development Program, and after rotating through several departments in the company, he eventually helmed and led the domestic video and cloud sales team to a record year in 2014. Josh previously held the roles of Director of Leadership Development, Northeast Regional Sales Executive, and VP of Video and Cloud Sales at TASER. He holds a BS in Government & Political Science from Harvard University. Isner's expanded role was first disclosed in an 8-K filing last week . About Axon Axon is a network of devices, apps and people that helps public safety personnel become smarter and safer. With a mission of protecting life, our technologies give customers the confidence, focus and time they need to keep their communities safe. Our products impact every aspect of a public safety officer's day-to-day experience with the goal of helping everyone get home safe. We work hard for those who put themselves in harm's way for all of us. To date, more than 266,000 lives and countless dollars have been saved with the Axon Network of devices, apps and people. Learn more at www.axon.com or by calling (800) 978-2737 . Axon is a global company with headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. and global software engineering hub in Seattle, Wash., as well as additional offices in Australia, Canada, Finland, Vietnam, the UK and the Netherlands. Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc.; Corporation and Twitter is a trademark of Twitter, Inc.. Axon, Axon Network, and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal . All rights reserved. Follow Axon here: Axon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/axon Axon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/ Note to Investors Please visit http://investor.axon.com , https://www.axon.com/press , www.twitter.com/axon_us and https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/ where Axon discloses information about the company, its financial information and its business. MEDIA CONTACT: Corinne Clark Public Relations Manager [email protected] SOURCE Axon The Council will convene corporate leaders from across the United States, leveraging their business expertise and networks to expand corporate engagement in literacy issues and serve as key advisors. Members of the newly relaunched council are AT&T, Bessemer Trust, ConocoPhillips, Dollar General, Humana, Intel and Vertical Bridge. "Our founder, Barbara Bush, established the original Corporate Advisory Council more than 30 years ago, calling on the nation's top business leaders to contribute their expertise to the cause of literacy," said British A. Robinson, President and CEO of the Barbara Bush Foundation. "We believe that the corporate sector has a key role to play in solving our nation's literacy challenge, which is directly linked to economic growth, social mobility and workforce readiness. We believe that Mrs. Bush would be proud to see the Council relaunched with this remarkable group of companies, and we look forward to bringing more corporate partners into this vital work." Council members representing the seven participating organizations shared their views on the importance of corporate engagement in adult literacy and education initiatives. "At AT&T, we're passionate about literacy, digital inclusion and providing solutions that give people the skills, resources and opportunities for success," said Rick Welday, Executive Vice President and General Manager Enterprise Markets for AT&T. "Our collaboration with the Barbara Bush Foundation reflects our ongoing commitment to bridge the digital divide and make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve." "Literacy is at the core of a skilled workforce, a key driver of economic development and success," said Walter Montaigne, Senior Client Advisor at Bessemer Trust. "Today's corporate leaders have a responsibility to support literacy programs, empowering adults to participate in the workforce and equipping them with financial literacy skills to make responsible financial decisions. I'm pleased to join this esteemed group in providing industry insights to support the important work of the Barbara Bush Foundation." "Helping adults gain literacy skills allows them to take part in the world around them and reach their full potential as parents, community members and employees," said Andrew Lundquist, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs for ConocoPhillips. "I'm proud to be part of the Barbara Bush Foundation's legacy, closing the literacy gap and strengthening families, communities and businesses across the United States." "As we work to increase access to opportunities and advance equity, the conversation around adult literacy needs to be elevated. High-quality, accessible adult literacy support is essential to ensuring strong families, businesses and communities across the country," said Denine Torr, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropy at Dollar General and Barbara Bush Foundation board member. "Dollar General has been investing in literacy and education programs for nearly 30 years. We are excited about the increased impact we can have by coming together to create change and are honored to serve on the Corporate Advisory Council." "Literacy must be treated as a social determinant of health that threatens wellness and stands in the way of health equity. At Humana, we are co-creating solutions to address literacy, health literacy and other social drivers that impact equitable health. We are learning to speak health equity as a first language and equipping our associates, members, patients and communities with tools to improve health literacy. If we are intentional and consumer-centered in our approaches, we will definitely make progress in ensuring that low literacy or low health literacy do not impede anyone's ability to achieve their best health," said Dr. Nwando Olayiwola, Chief Health Equity Officer and Senior Vice President at Humana. "Literacy and digital literacy skills are key enablers to closing the digital divide," said Daniel Gutwein, Director, N50 Project and Education Vertical IoT for Intel. "I'm excited to partner with the Barbara Bush Foundation to help close the participation gap in the digital world for an estimated 3.8 billion people." "I'm honored to serve on the Corporate Advisory Council with key leaders to address America's literacy challenge and work to empower students, adults and families with the opportunity to succeed. Through increased investments in digital infrastructure and greater access to devices, we can take the first steps to resolving the digital divide and closing the literacy gap," said Dan Marinberg, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Vertical Bridge. "Access alone cannot solve the divide we must address the barriers and bring new and diverse voices to the table to acknowledge literacy as a fundamental human right." About the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy: The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has been the nation's leading advocate for family literacy for more than three decades. Established by former First Lady Barbara Bush in 1989, the Foundation is a public charity dedicated to creating a stronger, more equitable America in which everyone can read, write and comprehend in order to navigate the world with dignity. To learn more, visit www.BarbaraBush.org. SOURCE Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy BOSTON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - BeMo Academic Consulting ("BeMo") offers 4-months and 1-year research programs for premedical students looking to bolster their med school applications. These literature review research projects are conducted 100% online. Here's how it works: A team of researchers will help each student conduct a research project on a high-impact topic of their choice, such as COVID-19, substance abuse, vaccines, diabetes, heart attack, cancer, obesity, and more. By attending guided workshops and completing training exercises, the students will learn scientific research methodology and how to conduct research properly, how to present their findings, as well as how to publish their research. Every week, students will meet with their supervisors to get guidance and feedback on their progress. At the end of the project, students will receive official certificates of completion that they can include in their medical school applications. Dr. Behrouz Moemeni, PhD, Founder and CEO of BeMo, explains: "Research experience is a great way to stand out among thousands of medical school applicants, but you need substantial and quality experience in order to do that! Often, students find it challenging to find a supervisor; or they take on projects that are simply unexciting and unhelpful in building relevant research skills. Plus, it's hard for premeds to juggle academic work, research, extracurriculars, shadowing, and so on. Our premed research internships are designed to help students not only to strengthen their applications but actually learn lifelong research skills they can use throughout their careers. We also want to accommodate them by offering research projects that can be done online, without wasting time or money or effort on travel and scheduling." To learn more, visit BeMo's Premed Research Internships. About BeMo: BeMo is the trusted leader in personalized admissions prep to top universities in the US, Canada, the UK & Australia with unlimited support & bold guarantees. BeMo's mission is to reduce barriers to education by making education accessible to everyone. BeMo is the creator of the most widely read blog in higher education "The Admissions Experts Blog" found at BeMo.Blog. Related Links https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/ SOURCE BeMo Academic Consulting Inc. Benny (HeyBenny.com), helps employees take full advantage of their Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Tweet this "It was a grind, but eventually, I was fortunate to get just enough breathing room in my financial life to be able to start taking advantage of my ESPP I wish I could have done it years before but there wasn't a company looking out for me and my best interests, that's why Benny was created. I believe there is a massive opportunity in the employee benefits space, specifically wealth-building benefits, like employee stock purchase plans. I'm not just talking about education, but actual financial products that are built for the people who are experiencing this pain. That's what we're building at Benny." - Andy Kalmon, CEO & Founder of Benny. Benny's early customer reception is impressive, attracting customers from Microsoft, Salesforce, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile and more. "Employers right now are looking for new ways to attract and retain talent, that's no secret. What we like about Benny is that it takes existing benefits and ramps up participation by removing the financial barriers to make them more inclusive. Couple that with increasing pressure on employees' paychecks and you can't help but get excited by a product that truly helps employees earn more and increase engagement for employers. A solid win-win." - Ryan Broshar, Partner at Matchstick Ventures. Natty Zola & Ryan Broshar at Matchstick Ventures believe in Benny's mission and the market opportunity, investing $1M into Benny's pre-seed round. The $1M pre-seed round will be used to accelerate Benny's customer acquisition, product development and recruiting efforts. About Benny Benny is a financial wellness platform that provides education and innovative lending solutions to democratize participation in ESPPs, allowing employees to take advantage of their company's programs and build wealth. About Matchstick Ventures Matchstick is an impactful early-stage technology investor in the North and Rockies. They invest where innovative ideas, huge markets and most importantly, ambitious and diverse founders strike. Matchstick exists to act as a catalyst for their founders, partners, and startup communities. SOURCE Benny COLCHESTER, Vt., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bia Diagnostics, an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory and global leader in food and nutraceutical analysis since 2007, has become the first analytical lab in the state of Vermont to be licensed for adult use cannabis, and is currently accepting samples at their 480 Hercules Drive, Colchester, Vermont location. As the premier independent testing lab for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture's Hemp Program for the past three years, Bia Diagnostics was the first laboratory to be certified by the Vermont Hemp Program and Cannabis Quality Control Program to conduct compliance testing on hemp, hemp products and hemp infused products. They were also the first laboratory in the state of Vermont to be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for cannabis testing. In addition, Bia Diagnostics is accredited to the Americans for Safe Access Cannabis standard, and participates in the AOAC Cannabis Analytical Sciences Program, ensuring the most up to date testing methodologies are used. Through these efforts, Bia Diagnostics has the scientific expertise and regulatory experience necessary to assist adult use cannabis industry stakeholders in providing safe, compliant products, with fast turnaround times and accurate results. CEO and Co-Founder, Thomas Grace has been in the food and clinical diagnostics field for over 40 years and started Bia Diagnostics to meet the consumer safety needs of an ever-changing industry. Thomas Grace is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont Medical School. Thomas stated, "We started Bia to provide fast and accurate third-party testing, which fulfilled compliance requirements for food manufacturers in an emerging food allergen landscape. Subsequently, we helped ensure consumer confidence with label claims people can trust. Bia has expanded over the years to fill additional rolls in the food and nutraceutical industry and that's precisely what we are doing with hemp and cannabis now as well. Our goal is to help make the VT brand the gold standard for quality and purity in this emerging market." Laboratory Director, Luke Emerson-Mason received his MS in Food Science from the University of Vermont and has over twelve years of experience in analytical testing, specializing in matrix validations and method development as well as regulatory compliance. Luke added, "I've spent my career working with new and unique matrices, ensuring testing method compatibility and analyte specific recovery. It's been exciting to be at the forefront of the hemp and cannabis market here in Vermont and I look forward to our continued growth." As Laboratory Manager, Dr. Carly Farmer directly oversees cannabis testing. She received her Ph.D. in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from the University of Rhode Island where her research was focused on the use of phytochemicals to combat parasitic diseases. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship with the United States Department of Agriculture, where she continued this research investigating terpenes. Dr. Farmer continued, "Having worked at the USDA studying terpenes, it felt like a natural transition to join Bia Diagnostics in their mission. We offer full panel testing including terpenes, cannabinoids, heavy metals, residual solvents, pesticides, mycotoxins and microbiological analysis." Bia Diagnostics strives to be both employee-centered and a benefit to their local and global communities. You can find Bia Diagnostics participating in a variety of industry events and scientific conferences, including the upcoming Vermont Hemp and Cannabis Convention this month, where Dr. Farmer will be a featured speaker. Media Contact: Bia Diagnostics 480 Hercules Dr., Colchester, VT 05446 Phone: (802) 540-148 [email protected], www.biadiagnostics.com SOURCE Bia Diagnostics FOSHAN, China, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited ("Bright Scholar," the "Company," "we" or "our") (NYSE: BEDU), a global premier education service company, today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months of fiscal 2022 ended February 28, 2022. FISCAL SIX MONTHS 2022 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS Six Months Ended February 28, 2022 (in comparison to the same period of the last fiscal year): RMB in million Except EPS and % Six Months Ended February 28, 2022 Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 YoY % Change Revenue from continuing operations 873.5 719.3 21.4% Gross Profit from continuing operations 258.9 120.8 114.4% Gross Margin from continuing operations 29.6% 16.8% 12.8% Operating Loss from continuing operations (22.9) (115.6) 80.2% Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - 310.1 (100.0%) Net (Loss)/Income (52.9) 148.5 (135.6%) Adjusted Gross Profit from continuing operations (1) 268.3 128.0 109.5% Adjusted Operating Loss from continuing operations (2) (14.4) (106.9) 86.5% Adjusted Net Loss (3) (46.4) (154.5) 70.0% Adjusted EBITDA (4) 127.7 (3.7) 3,577.6% Basic and Diluted Loss per Share from continuing operations (0.42) (1.41) 70.2% Basic and Diluted (Loss)/earnings per Share from discontinued operations - 2.60 - Adjusted Basic and Diluted Loss per Share (5) for the period (0.36) (1.35) 73.3% ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations is defined as gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations excluding amortization of intangible assets. 2. Adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations is defined as operating income/(loss) from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expense, and amortization of intangible assets. 3. Adjusted net income/(loss) is defined as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets, and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. 4. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income/(loss) excluding interest income/(expense), net; income tax expense/benefit; depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. 5. Adjusted basic and diluted earnings/(loss) per share is defined as adjusted net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders (net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax.) divided by the weighted average number of basic and diluted ordinary shares or American depositary shares (each an "ADS"), each representing one Class A ordinary share of the Company, on an as-converted basis. For more information on these adjusted financial measures, please see the section captioned under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the tables captioned "Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release. Overseas Schools (CATS Global Schools) CATS Global Schools include 4 Stafford House locations in UK and Canada, 4 CATS Colleges in US and UK, Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts and 3 independent boarding schools in UK as of February 28, 2022. For the six-month period, revenue increased 20.5% and amounted to RMB343.3 million , compared to RMB284.8 million in the same period of last fiscal year, and accounted for 39.3% of the total revenue. Complementary Education Services The complementary education services business comprises language training, overseas study counselling, career counselling, study tour and camps as well as international contest training and others. For the six-month period, revenue amounted to RMB318.9 million , representing a 7.9% increase compared to RMB295.5 million for the same period of last fiscal year, and accounted for 36.5% of the total revenue. Domestic Kindergartens & K-12 Operation Services The domestic kindergartens & K-12 operation services business comprises of for-profit kindergartens and operation services for domestic K-12 schools including catering and procurement services. For the six-month period, revenue amounted to RMB211.3 million , representing a 52.1% increase compared to RMB139.0 million for the same period of last fiscal year, and accounted for 24.2% of the total revenue. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS for FISCAL SIX Months ENDED February 28, 2022 Revenue from Continuing Operations Revenue for the period was RMB873.5 million, representing a 21.4% increase from RMB719.3 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Overseas Schools: Revenue contribution for the period was RMB343.3 million, representing a 20.5% increase from RMB284.8 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly attributable to the recovery of overseas schools operation from pandemic. Complementary Education Services: Revenue contribution for the period was RMB318.9 million. It represented a 7.9% increase from RMB295.5 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly attributable to the recovery of overseas study counselling business, expansion of international contest business and other quality education training. Domestic Kindergartens & K-12 Operation Services: Revenue contribution for the period was RMB211.3million. It represented a 52.1% increase from RMB139.0 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly due to increase in catering services to the students of K-12 schools and management and operation services for kindergartens. Cost of Revenue from Continuing Operations Cost of revenue for the period was RMB614.6 million, as compared to RMB598.6 million for the same period last fiscal year. Gross Profit, Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Profit from Continuing Operations Gross profit for the period was RMB258.9 million, representing a 114.4% increase from RMB120.8 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Gross margin increased to 29.6% from 16.8% for the same period of the last fiscal year. Adjusted gross profit for the period was RMB268.3 million, representing a 109.5% increase from RMB128.0 million for the same period of the last fiscal year Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Adjusted SG&A Expenses from Continuing Operations (6) Total SG&A expenses for the period were RMB284.9 million, as compared to RMB248.2 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Adjusted SG&A expenses for the period were RMB285.8 million, as compared to RMB246.8 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Adjusted SG&A expenses from continuing operations is defined as selling, general and administrative expenses from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expense. Operating Loss, Operating Margin and Adjusted Operating Loss from Continuing Operations Operating loss for the period was RMB22.9 million, representing an 80.2% decrease in loss from operating loss of RMB115.6 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Operating margin was (2.6%) for the period, as compared to (16.1%) for the same period of the last fiscal year. Adjusted operating loss for the period was RMB14.4 million, representing an 86.5% decrease in loss from adjusted operating loss of RMB106.9 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Net Loss/Income and Adjusted Net Loss Net loss for the period was RMB52.9 million. Net income was RMB148.5 million for the same period of the last fiscal year, which includes net loss of RMB161.7 million from continuing operations and net income of RMB310.1 million from discontinued operations. Adjusted net loss for the period was RMB46.4 million, as compared to adjusted net loss of RMB154.5 for the same period of the last fiscal year. Loss per ordinary share/ADS and Adjusted Loss per ordinary share/ADS Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders from continuing operations for the period were RMB0.42 and RMB0.42, respectively, as compared to loss of RMB1.41 and RMB1.41, respectively, for the same period of the last fiscal year. Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders/ADS holders for the period were RMB0.36 and RMB0.36, respectively, as compared to loss of RMB1.35 and RMB1.35, respectively, for the same period of the last fiscal year. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA for the period was RMB127.7 million, as compared to adjusted EBITDA loss of RMB3.7 million for the same period of the last fiscal year. Cash and Working Capital As of February 28, 2022, the Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB1,492.6 million (US$236.6 million), as compared to RMB1,515.2 million as of August 31, 2021. The company also had short-term investments of RMB1,206.7 million (US$191.3 million) as of February 28, 2022. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS On Partial Repurchase of Senior Notes By order of the board, as at April 12, 2022, the Company had repurchased the senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$68,000,000, representing 22.7% of the initial principal amount of the senior notes. On Going Private Proposal On April 29, 2022, the Company received a preliminary non-binding proposal letter (the "Proposal") from its Chairperson of the board of directors (the "Board"), Ms. Huiyan Yang, and Ms. Meirong Yang (collectively, the "Buyer Group") proposing to acquire all of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares of the Company (the "Class A Shares"), including Class A Shares represented by American depositary shares (the "ADSs," each representing one Class A ordinary share), and Class B ordinary shares of the Company (the "Class B Shares," and together with the Class A Shares, the "Shares") that are not already beneficially owned by the Buyer Group for a purchase price of US$0.83 per Share in cash in a going private transaction (the "Proposed Transaction"), subject to certain conditions. On May 6, 2022, the Board announced that it had formed a special committee consisting of three independent directors, Mr. Peter Andrew Schloss, Mr. Jun Zhao and Mr. Ronald J. Packard, to evaluate and consider the Proposal. Mr. Schloss chairs the special committee. The Board cautions the Company's shareholders and others considering trading the Company's securities that no decisions have been made with respect to the Proposal. CONVENIENCE TRANSLATION The Company's reporting currency is Renminbi ("RMB"). However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into U.S. dollars using the prevailing exchange rates at the balance sheet date, for the convenience of readers. Translations of balances in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations, and cash flows from RMB into U.S. dollars as of and for the six months ended February 28, 2022 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB6.3084, representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on February 28, 2022. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on February 28, 2022 or at any other rate. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES In evaluating our business, we consider and use certain non-GAAP measures, including primarily adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted gross profit/(loss), adjusted SG&A expenses, adjusted operating income/(loss), adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders basic and diluted as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations as gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations excluding amortization of intangible assets. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income/(loss) excluding interest income/(expense), net, income tax expense/benefit, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. We define adjusted net income/(loss) as net income/(loss) excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. We define adjusted SG&A expenses from continuing operations as selling, general and administration expense from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expense. We define adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations as net operating income/(loss) from continuing operations excluding share-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets. Additionally, we define adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic and diluted, as adjusted net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders (net income/(loss) to ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets and income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax) divided by the weighted average number of basic and diluted ordinary shares or American depositary shares, each representing one Class A ordinary share of the Company, on an as-converted basis. We incur amortization expense of intangible assets related to various acquisitions that have been made in recent years. These intangible assets are valued at the time of acquisition and are then amortized over a period of several years after the acquisition. We believe that exclusion of these expenses allows greater comparability of operating results that are consistent over time for the Company's newly-acquired and long-held business as the related intangibles do not have significant connection to the growth of the business. Therefore, we provide exclusion of amortization of intangible assets to define adjusted gross profit from continuing operations, adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted net income/(loss), and adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic and diluted. In addition, due to the impact of the amended Implementation Regulations of the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the People's Republic of China (the "Implementation Rules"), the Affected Entities deconsolidated is classified as discontinued operations, which is a non-recurring item. The exclusion facilitates comparisons of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Therefore, we provide exclusion of income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, to define adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, basic and diluted. We present the non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. Such non-GAAP measures include adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss), adjusted gross profit/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted SG&A expenses from continuing operations, adjusted operating income/(loss) from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings/(loss) per share attributable to ordinary shareholders basic and diluted. Non-GAAP financial measures enable our management to assess our operating results without considering the impact of non-cash charges, including depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expense, and without considering the impact of non-operating items such as interest income/(expense), net; income tax expense/benefit; share-based compensation expense; amortization of intangible assets, tax effect of amortization of intangible assets, and without considering the impact of non-recurring item, i.e. income/(loss) from discontinued operations. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors' assessment of our operating performance. The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Interest income/(expense), net; income tax expense/benefit; depreciation and amortization; share-based compensation expense; and tax effect of amortization of intangible assets, have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of these non-GAAP measures, including adjusted EBITDA or adjusted net income/(loss). Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. About Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited Bright Scholar is a global premier education service company, which primarily provides quality international education to global students and equip them with the critical academic foundation and skillsets necessary to succeed in the pursuit of higher education. Bright Scholar also complements its international offerings with Chinese government-mandated curriculum for students who wish to maintain the option of pursuing higher education in China. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's business plans and development, which can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law. IR Contact: GCM Strategic Communications Email: [email protected] Media Contact: Email: [email protected] Phone: +86-757-6683-2507 BRIGHT SCHOLAR EDUCATION HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands) As of August 31, February 28, 2021 2022 RMB RMB USD ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 844,684 918,670 145,626 Restricted cash 669,029 572,300 90,720 Short-term investments (1) - 1,206,727 191,289 Accounts receivable, net 41,723 28,472 4,513 Amounts due from related parties, net 15,087 451,305 71,540 Other receivables, deposits and other assets, net 81,119 148,537 23,546 Inventories 7,579 7,050 1,118 Amount due from Affected Entities (2), net 2,028,866 - - Total current assets 3,688,087 3,333,061 528,352 Restricted cash - non current 1,450 1,650 262 Property and equipment, net 519,452 401,569 63,656 Intangible assets, net 485,822 458,524 72,685 Goodwill, net 1,950,186 1,893,013 300,078 Long-term investments 75,443 75,124 11,909 Prepayment for construction contract 5,974 1,180 187 Deferred tax assets, net 64,096 112,317 17,804 Other non-current assets, net 68,217 12,874 2,041 Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,773,773 1,639,699 259,923 Total non-current assets 4,944,413 4,595,950 728,545 TOTAL ASSETS 8,632,500 7,929,011 1,256,897 1. As of February 28, 2022, all short-term investments principal are guaranteed by a related party of the Company. 2. The Affected Entities refer to the schools and entities been affected by the Implementation Rules and consequently deconsolidated on August 31, 2021. They became the related parties of the Company since September 1, 2021. BRIGHT SCHOLAR EDUCATION HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-CONTINUED (Amounts in thousands) As of August 31, February 28, 2021 2022 RMB RMB USD LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable (including accounts payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 10,941 and RMB 6,157 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (73,411) (73,508) (11,652) Amounts due to related parties (including amounts due to related parties of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 5,641 and RMB 372,822 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (40,445) (495,418) (78,533) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 13,876 and RMB21,609 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (234,036) (242,497) (38,441) Short-term loans (including short-term loan of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB nil and RMB nil as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (753,754) (644,903) (102,229) Bond payable (including bond payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB nil and RMB nil as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (1,836,362) (1,606,744) (254,699) Income tax payable (including income tax payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 19,091 and RMB 16,784 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (178,213) (103,207) (16,360) Contract liabilities -current (including contract liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 139,126 and RMB 137,301 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (425,954) (342,474) (54,289) Refund liabilities -current (including refund liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 10,398 and RMB 7,963 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (32,362) (18,052) (2,862) Operating lease liabilities (including operating lease liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 12,005 and RMB 22,710 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (123,215) (121,256) (19,221) Amounts due to Affected Entities (including amounts due to Affected Entities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 276,378 and RMB nil as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (333,270) - - Total current liabilities (4,031,022) (3,648,059) (578,286) Non-current Contract liabilities (including non-current portion of contract liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 1,084 and RMB 737 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (1,421) (2,657) (421) Deferred tax liabilities, net (including deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 9,561 and RMB 8,373 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (26,744) (24,113) (3,822) Other non-current liabilities due to related parties (including non-current liabilities due to related parties of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 13,154 and RMB 13,606 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (13,154) (13,606) (2,157) Long term loan (including long term loan of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB nil and RMB nil as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (616) (595) (94) Operating lease liabilities non current (including operating lease liabilities non current of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Bright Scholar of RMB 83,475 and RMB 59,889 as of August 31, 2021 and February 28, 2022, respectively) (1,752,667) (1,596,945) (253,146) Total non-current liabilities (1,794,602) (1,637,916) (259,640) TOTAL LIABILITIES (5,825,624) (5,285,975) (837,926) EQUITY Share capital (8) (8) (1) Additional paid-in capital (1,727,020) (1,692,883) (268,354) Statutory reserves (2,531) (13,814) (2,190) Accumulated other comprehensive income (168,324) (113,667) (18,018) Retained earnings (648,944) (588,333) (93,262) Shareholders' equity (2,546,827) (2,408,705) (381,825) Non-controlling interests (260,049) (234,331) (37,146) Total equity (2,806,876) (2,643,036) (418,971) TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (8,632,500) (7,929,011) (1,256,897) BRIGHT SCHOLAR EDUCATION HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in thousands, except for shares and per share data) Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 2022 RMB RMB USD Continuing operations Revenue 719,313 873,505 138,467 Cost of revenue (598,555) (614,584) (97,423) Gross profit 120,758 258,921 41,044 Selling, general and administrative expenses (248,194) (284,946) (45,169) Other operating income 11,836 3,085 489 Operating loss (115,600) (22,940) (3,636) Interest expense, net (70,809) (84,383) (13,376) Investment income 48,085 78,954 12,516 Other expenses (6,154) (6,155) (977) Loss before income taxes and share of equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates (144,478) (34,524) (5,473) Income tax expense (16,726) (18,303) (2,901) Share of equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates (452) (111) (18) Net loss from continuing operations (161,656) (52,938) (8,392) Discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 310,141 - - Net (loss)/income 148,485 (52,938) (8,392) Net (loss)/income attributable to non-controlling interests Continuing operations 6,368 (3,610) (572) Discontinued operations 523 - - Net (loss)/ income attributable to ordinary shareholders Continuing operations (168,024) (49,328) (7,820) Discontinued operations 309,618 - - Net (loss)/earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders Basic Continuing operations (1.41) (0.42) (0.07) Discontinued operations 2.60 - - Diluted Continuing operations (1.41) (0.42) (0.07) Discontinued operations 2.60 - - Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per ordinary share: Basic Continuing operations 119,370,352 118,725,655 118,725,655 Discontinued operations 119,370,352 - - Diluted Continuing operations 119,370,352 118,725,655 118,725,655 Discontinued operations 119,370,352 - - BRIGHT SCHOLAR EDUCATION HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Amounts in thousands) Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 2022 RMB RMB USD Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities 56,404 (385,616) (61,127) Net cash generated used in investing activities (2,212,602) (1,181,644) (187,313) Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities (95,921) 1,581,836 250,751 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash (73,379) (37,119) (5,885) Net change in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash (2,325,498) (22,543) (3,574) Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period 4,423,937 1,515,163 240,182 Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period 2,098,439 1,492,620 236,608 BRIGHT SCHOLAR EDUCATION HOLDINGS LIMITED Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (Amounts in thousands, except for shares and per share data) Six Months Ended February 28, 2021 2022 RMB RMB USD Gross profit from continuing operations 120,758 258,921 41,044 Add: Amortization of intangible assets 7,285 9,360 1,484 Adjusted gross profit from continuing operations 128,043 268,281 42,528 Operating loss from continuing operations (115,600) (22,940) (3,636) Add: Share-based compensation expense 1,370 (816) (129) Add: Amortization of intangible assets 7,285 9,360 1,484 Adjusted operating loss from continuing operations (106,945) (14,396) (2,281) Net (loss)/income 148,485 (52,938) (8,392) Add: Share-based compensation expense 1,370 (816) (129) Add: Amortization of intangible assets 7,285 9,360 1,484 Add: Tax effect of amortization of intangible assets (1,476) (1,995) (316) Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 310,141 - - Adjusted net loss (154,477) (46,389) (7,353) Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders 141,594 (49,328) (7,820) Add: Share-based compensation expense 1,370 (816) (129) Add: Amortization of intangible assets 7,285 9,360 1,484 Add: Tax effect of amortization of intangible assets (1,476) (1,995) (316) Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 309,618 - - Adjusted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (160,845) (42,779) (6,781) Net (loss)/income 148,485 (52,938) (8,392) Add: Interest expense, net (70,809) (84,383) (13,376) Add: Income tax expense 16,726 18,303 2,901 Add: Depreciation and amortization 69,080 78,732 12,481 Add: Share-based compensation expense 1,370 (816) (129) Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 310,141 - - Adjusted EBITDA (3,671) 127,664 20,237 Selling, general and administrative expenses from continuing operations 248,194 284,946 45,169 Less: Share-based compensation expense 1,370 (816) (129) Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses from continuing operations 246,824 285,762 45,298 Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per ordinary share: Basic and Diluted Continuing operations 119,370,352 118,725,655 118,725,655 Discontinued operations 119,370,352 - - Adjusted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders Basic (1.35) (0.36) (0.06) Diluted (1.35) (0.36) (0.06) SOURCE Bright Scholar Education Holdings Ltd. California strawberry farmers Neil Nagata and Mayra Paniagua represented the hundreds of strawberry farmers who grow nearly 90 percent of the nation's strawberries on less than 1 percent of the Golden State's farmland. Many are second-and third-generation farmers with a long history of demonstrating love and care for the land and the people who grow and harvest the fruit, and for the communities where they live. Without farmers and farm workers, it would be impossible to get strawberries to grocery stores across the world. Celebrity actress, singer, entrepreneur and mom of three, Christina Milian was there to celebrate all things strawberries and share a special strawberry version of her beignets from Beignet Box. Other notable food and nutrition influencers were there to serve guests their fabulous strawberry creations, including: "We are excited to host this event and shine a spotlight on the love that consumers have for strawberries," said Chris Christian, Senior Vice President, California Strawberry Commission. "Having our growers here to share their family farming stories and their passion for growing this healthy, sweet and versatile berry makes it extra special." For more information on California Strawberries, please visit www.californiastrawberries.com and follow CSC on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. Visit Getty to browse the Million Ways to Love Strawberries event. ABOUT CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY COMMISSION The California Strawberry Commission represents more than 300 strawberry farmers, shippers, and processors, all working together to advance strawberry farming for the future of our land and people. Commission programs create opportunities for success through groundbreaking programs focused on workforce training, strawberry production research, and nutrition research. Through science-based information and education, it delivers the good news about sustainable farming practices that benefit the health of people, farms, and communities. SOURCE California Strawberries COLUMBIA, S.C., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- June 9, 2022 Carolinas AGC (CAGC) is excited to announce that we have won a 2020-2021 Best in Business Award from the SC Society of Association Executives in the category of Special Program/Event for the Carolinas AGC Centennial Celebration. Entries were judged on purpose, marketing, agendas, creativity and execution of the program or event. The CAGC Centennial Celebration, which honored CAGC's 100th Anniversary with about 325 attendees, was an evening of dinner and dancing among all members, members' families, and present and previous CAGC staff and leaders. The event was originally planned for October 2020; due to COVID, all the planning, preparing, purchasing, and staff hours that had gone into this huge event was then shifted to Nov. 5, 2021. The celebration's planning dated back to 2018 when CAGC created a task force of members and members' spouses an example of how CAGC likes to involve family! The task force chose Charlotte for the event due to its central location for our members in North Carolina and South Carolina as well as the home of our headquarters and where we were founded. The goal for this event was to invite all CAGC member companies and partners and have them register at a low cost. Unlike our other large events which usually include educational opportunities, this was an opportunity for attendees to simply relax and have fun in a celebratory atmosphere. The task force also acknowledged the need for our CAGC young leaders to participate in this event since they are the future of Carolinas AGC. Therefore, a two-day CAGC Young Leader Conference was held prior to the Centennial event at the same location so that it was convenient for the young leaders to attend the celebration as well. CAGC Director of Events Chelsea Andujar said, "The Centennial Celebration was unlike any event I have ever been a part of, and the entire Carolinas AGC team pulled together and made it an amazing event that our members are still talking about!" SC Society of Association Executives presented the Best in Business Awards at the 2022 SCSAE Annual Conference in Beaufort, SC. Carolinas AGC (CAGC) is a construction trade association made up of contractors and construction-related firms that perform work in North Carolina and South Carolina. CAGC is a chapter of the AGC of America (AGC) and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Our members are both small and large general contractors, specialty contractors, material/equipment suppliers and service providers. CONTACT: Lori McGovern; [email protected]. SOURCE Carolinas AGC SAN FRANCISCO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Census, the leading reverse ETL company syncing data from cloud data warehouses to operational tools, will make a splash at this year's Snowflake Summit conference live in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 13-16 with their Summer of Data '22 launch. The campaign and event series encourage data teams to stand out (like a data flamingo) and drive more organizational impact with Operational Analytics (OA). Snowflake Summit 2022 will feature a first-look at new innovations coming to the Data Cloud. The event will also spotlight keynote speakers and deliver a variety of breakout sessions, technical certifications, hands-on labs, a developer zone, industry experts, and more, centered on collaborating around data. Census, which recently raised a $60 million Series B round, has helped more than 100 Snowflake customers around the world get data to their business teams, including Canva, ClickUp, Figma, DigitalOcean, and Docker. Census is a proud Premier Partner member of the Snowflake Partner Network. Census & Snowflake: Operationalizing data to help every team collaborate better with data Together with Census and Snowflake, innovative companies have successfully embraced Operational Analytics to achieve remarkable results with data. As a Premier Partner, Census compliments Snowflake's Data Cloud platform to help data, marketing, sales, and customer success harness the full possibilities of the data with a single source of truth. "We're thrilled to see data teams driving more business impact by using Census to sync data from Snowflake to all their operational tools. As the pioneer of the reverse ETL category, their high-performant connectors enable teams to reliably sync data at scale, while the intuitive user experience can save data teams time and enable them to focus on more value-added work than maintaining custom scripts," said Tarik Dwiek, head of technology alliances at Snowflake. "Our partnership with Census has enabled over 100 data-driven customers to operationalize data in the tools they use, enabling better collaboration between data and ops teams and making trusted data accessible across the business." HOVERa leading property data platform dramatically improved its customer engagement through targeted messaging with Braze to find new sales opportunities, nearly doubling its monthly sales meetings. "Something we've already been running is surfacing in-app messages asking people what their role is in a bit more detail, and helping to qualify them further for either sales follow-up or support follow-up," said Max Caldwell, senior growth lead at HOVER. "We can then put that data into Snowflake, transform it, and put it back into Braze using Census to do further targeting." Here's the impact data teams have been able to drive by operationalizing their Snowflake data using Census: Canva powered marketing personalization in Braze for 55M+ users Figma increased sales productivity by 10x with product usage data inside Salesforce Docker powered product-led growth to 10M+ developers using Marketo Loom prioritized tens of thousands of support tickets in Zendesk Census helps existing and future users get the most out of Snowflake's single, integrated platform to position their data warehouse as the single source of truth within their stack. With every team aligned around the power and the insights of the data team, companies can unlock truly data-driven strategies like never before. Join the Census Flock at Snowflake Summit 2022 to kick off your Summer of Data '22 As part of their Summer of Data '22 celebration, Census will host an interactive booth at the Snowflake Summit conference's expo hall, including interactive games, giveaways for prizes such as an Oculus Rift VR headset, limited edition Census @ Snowflake Summit '22 swag, and 1:1 sessions with data experts to help you get the most out of your stack. The Census team will also host a community happy hour, as well as partner with other leading data companies on interactive events around Snowflake Summit. Keep an eye on Census social channels for exact registration details as we get closer to the conference. Donny Flynn, customer data architect at Census and former head of data at Owner.com, will join the event's roster of data experts to stir up discussion with his talk Nobody wants your dashboards. They want your data. You can find the full agenda for the conference (as well as the full details on Donny's talk) here. Data practitioners and leaders can continue to use their summer months to grow their careers and learn from each other at this year's Summer Community Days, July 28 and 29, a conference completely dedicated to elevating the voices of practitioners in the data community hosted by The Operational Analytics Club. Want to teach a topic to your community? You can submit a session to the conference (and grab a free ticket) at operationalanalytics.club/summer-community-days. "Summer Community Days is an opportunity for the data community to not just help one another democratize data, but democratize data knowledge. There are so many brilliant practitioners out in the trenches helping to push our industry forward, and we're making space for those voices to take center stage this summer," said Allie Beazell, director of developer marketing at Census In the meantime, kick off the best summer of data yet by grabbing your free swag at getcensus.com/summerofdata. Additional Resources Read how HOVER uses Census and Snowflake to drive proactive customer engagement: https://www.getcensus.com/customer-stories/hover Read how Canva is delivering personalized customer marketing for more than 55 million users with Census and Snowflake: https://www.getcensus.com/customer-stories/canva Read how Loom exceeds customer support expectations in Zendesk with Census and Snowflake: https://www.getcensus.com/customer-stories/loom Read how Notion uses Census to sync with confidence from Snowflake to the frontline tools they rely on: https://www.getcensus.com/customer-stories/notion About Census Census is the leading operational analytics platform company that syncs data from data warehouses into apps so that business teams can take action. With its Reverse ETL (extract, transfer, and load) tool, data teams can validate and publish analytics directly into all their applications in real-time. Hundreds of companies like Canva, Figma, Loom, and Notion use Census to sync billions of records that power their customer success, sales, and marketing tools. Census turns data warehouses into a hub for business operations, empowering everyone with trustworthy and actionable data. Census is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Insight Partners, Sequoia, and Tiger Global. For more information, visit https://www.getcensus.com or follow @census. SOURCE Census A double-blind, peer-reviewed academic journal, Financial Planning Review features research within financial planning as well as disciplines that directly or indirectly relate to the financial planning body of knowledge or financial planning practice. The journal seeks to maximize academic impact through the publication of rigorous and relevant research from a variety of subject areas, including psychology, behavioral finance and consumer finance and regulation. "We look forward to the vision, strategy and leadership that Stephen will bring as Executive Editor of Financial Planning Review," said CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. "With an established 30-year record of impactful and practice-oriented scholarship, Stephen will help to elevate the visibility and value of Financial Planning Review." Horan has a diverse and award-winning scholarship background that includes dozens of peer-reviewed articles focusing on wealth management, tax-efficient investing and investment management, most of which have been reprinted, summarized or covered in media. His articles have appeared in peer-reviewed journals including the Financial Analysts Journal, Journal of Financial Planning, Journal of Wealth Management, Harvard Business Review Latin America, Journal of Financial Research, and Financial Services Review. Horan has also been honored with several research awards, including the coveted Graham and Dodd Reader's Choice Award, the CFP Board Best Conference Paper Award, the Financial Frontiers Award (silver) sponsored by The Financial Planning Association, the CFP Board Board of Examiners Best Academic Paper Award and six research grants. Horan joins CFP Board from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he is an Associate Professor of Finance. Previously, he served with CFA Institute for more than 14 years, where he led the institute's professional learning and education programs. Prior to joining CFA Institute, Horan served as a tenured Professor of Finance in the School of Business at St. Bonaventure University. He also served for more than eight years in private practice as an expert witness and forensic economist. Horan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from St. Bonaventure University and a Ph.D. in finance from State University of New York at Buffalo. ABOUT CFP BOARD Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is a professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. CFP Board sets standards for financial planning and administers the prestigious CFP certification one of the most respected certifications in financial services so that the public has access to and benefits from competent and ethical financial planning. CFP Board, along with its Center for Financial Planning, is committed to increasing the public's awareness of CFP certification and access to a diverse, ethical and competent financial planning workforce. Widely recognized by firms as the standard for financial planning, CFP certification is held by more than 93,000 people in the United States. SOURCE Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. "Church Dog Meets a Marshmallow" written by Tracy Mattes, has been named a finalist for the 2022 International Book Awards in the Children's Religious Book category. LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Book Fest announced the winners and finalists of THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (IBA) this past week. With expert judging and great media coverage, the International Book Awards have helped launch authors into international stardom, open global markets and compete with talented authors and publishers throughout the world. Some of the more famous past honorees include Vanessa Williams (2020), Pope Francis (2019), and Julie Andrews (2019). 2022 International Book Awards Honoree Tracy Mattes 2022 International Book Awards Finalist "Church Dog Meets a Marshmallow" Jeffrey Keen, President, and CEO of American Book Fest said this year's contest yielded thousands of entries from authors and publishers around the world. Church Dog Meets a Marshmallow, which takes readers on a fun adventure of love and friendship, was voted one of the top short-listed finalists in the Children's Religious category. Congratulations to Ms. Mattes, her illustrator Justin Greenly, and everyone at Church Dog LLC on the occasion of this honor. Keen says of the awards, "The 2022 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the world. IBA's success begins with the enthusiastic participation of authors and publishers and continues with our distinguished panel of industry judges who bring to the table their extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise." Publishers contributing to this year's outstanding competition included Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Wiley, Hachette Books, McGraw-Hill, and many other national and international Independent Houses. "It's truly humbling to achieve this honor alongside so many talented authors and publishers from around the globe," said Mattes. It's incredible to see how God is working through these books. We have an amazing Church Dog team dedicated to introducing children to a loving God who adores them and has a special purpose for their lives. I am honored to be a part of this mission." Mattes is the author of five award-winning books in the Church Dog Children's Book Series. Her next book, Church Dog, and the World's First Zoo is slated for publication next month. American Book Fest covers books from all sections of the publishing industrymainstream, independent, & self-published. More information can be found at http://www.AmericanBookFest.com More information about the International Book Awards can be found at http://www.InternationalBookAwards.com For more information about the Church Dog children's series and where you can purchase the books, visit their website at http://www.churchdog.org. Contact: Don Berube 4075661633 [email protected] SOURCE Church Dog LLC Two-stage collaboration aims to accelerate development of high-capacity manufacturing processes for AAV-based products and secure Coave's infrastructure needs to set up its process development capabilities PARIS and STRASBOURG, France, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Coave Therapeutics ('Coave'), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing life-changing gene therapies for CNS (Central Nervous System) and eye diseases, and ABL, a pure play contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specialized in the development and manufacturing of viruses for vaccine candidates, gene and cancer therapies, today announce that they have entered into a strategic collaboration to develop gene therapy manufacturing processes. The financial terms are not disclosed. Under the two-stage collaboration both companies will initially combine their complementary expertise to co-develop manufacturing technologies for AAV-based gene therapy products. ABL and Coave's process development teams will work jointly in ABL's state-of-the-art GMP facility in Lyon, France. The second stage of the collaboration provides Coave with an exclusive option to secure process development capacity and laboratory space within ABL's facility. This will enable Coave to further develop and scale-up manufacturing technologies for AAV-based products, including its proprietary next-generation AAV-Ligand Conjugate vectors (ALIGATER) platform. The deal will also strengthen Coave's ability to generate large-scale and high-quality gene therapy products based on this new generation of advanced AAV vectors. "Our collaboration with ABL, a best-in-class and complementary partner for Coave, is a major step in our strategy towards the vertical integration of our R&D capacities, which will be crucial in enabling us to control the development and manufacture of our pipeline products in an end-to-end manner. The manufacturing processes developed through this partnership will be critical in the path to achieving our future clinical and commercial development milestones, in particular for our CNS programs addressing large patient populations," said Rodolphe Clerval, CEO, Coave Therapeutics. Patrick Mahieux, General Manager ABL Europe, said: "We are delighted to join forces with Coave, a fellow French company. This exclusive partnership aims to bring together our knowledge and expertise to co-develop a state-of-the-art manufacturing process for viral vectors used in cell and gene therapies. We are excited to welcome Coave's team of expert scientists to our facilities in Lyon to jointly accelerate the development of an AAV manufacturing platform. We look forward to a long-term partnership enabling the development and manufacturing of innovative cell and gene therapy treatments in France." About Coave Therapeutics Coave Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing life-changing gene therapies for CNS (Central Nervous System) and eye diseases. Coave Therapeutics' next-generation AAV-Ligand Conjugate ('ALIGATER') platform enables targeted delivery and enhanced gene transduction to improve the effectiveness of advanced gene therapies for rare diseases. The company is advancing a pipeline of novel therapies targeting CNS and eye diseases where targeted gene therapy using chemically-modified AAVs has the potential to be most effective. Coave Therapeutics, which is headquartered in Paris (France), is backed by leading international life science and strategic investors Seroba Life Sciences, Thea Open Innovation, eureKARE, Fund+, Omnes Capital, V-Bio Ventures, Kurma Partners, Idinvest, GO Capital and Sham Innovation Sante/Turenne. For more information, please visit www.coavetx.com or follow us on LinkedIn About ABL, an Institut Merieux company ABL is a pure play contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specialized in the development and manufacturing of virus for vaccine candidates, gene and cancer therapies. ABL's mission is to provide GMP viral vectors from early-stage to market, contributing to the success of its clients' immunotherapy innovations. ABL's CDMO services include bulk drug substance, fill/finish of drug product, process and assay development, and bioanalytical testing. ABL is a subsidiary of the Institut Merieux and operates from various locations in Europe and in the US. www.abl-biomanufacturing.com CONTACTS Coave Therapeutics Rodolphe Clerval, CEO [email protected] MEDiSTRAVA Consulting Sylvie Berrebi, Eleanor Perkin, Mark Swallow PhD [email protected] Tel: +44 203 928 6900 ABL Justine Chabrol, Head of Communications & CSR [email protected] Andrew Lloyd & Associates Emilie Chouinard Saffiyah Khalique [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +44 1273 952 481 @ALA_Group SOURCE Coave Therapeutics and ABL PHOENIX, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Connections Health Solutions, the leading innovator in behavioral health crisis care, today announced the appointment of Bob Sheehy to the Company's Board of Directors. Sheehy is the co-founder and chairman of Bright Health Group and a former chief executive officer for United Healthcare. "As a known and respected leader in the healthcare industry, we are thrilled to welcome Bob to the Connections' Board," said Colin LeClair, chief executive officer of Connections Health Solutions. "Bob has built and led organizations that have pushed the industry forward, transforming how care is delivered for millions of Americans. His experience will be a tremendous resource that will help inform strategy and support growth as we look to bring the Connections' model to more communities across the country." Bob Sheehy joins the Board with more than three decades of experience in healthcare innovation. Currently, Sheehy serves as the co-founder and chairman of Bright Health Group, a next-generation healthcare payer working to create a more connected healthcare experience that strengthens the relationships between patients and their providers. Prior to Bright Health Group, he advised private equity and venture capital firms on identifying and scaling innovative healthcare investment opportunities. Sheehy also served as the CEO of United Healthcare, where he also held various executive positions over 20 years. "Mental health in America is finally getting the focus and funding necessary to help millions of Americans get the care and services they need, when they need it," said Sheehy. "Connections Health Solutions has developed and set the gold standard for immediate-access acute behavioral health care, and I am honored to join the Board. I look forward to collaborating with the team to help Connections grow and reach more people in need of their life-saving care." In February, Connections Health Solutions announced the appointment of Dr. Andrey Ostrovsky and Dr. Prakash Patel to the Company's Board of Directors. The Board is now comprised of seven well-respected and passionate healthcare leaders whose diverse clinical and operational experience will help the Company grow and deliver high quality and accessible behavioral healthcare and services to more communities across the country. ABOUT CONNECTIONS HEALTH SOLUTIONS Connections Health Solutions, LLC is the pioneer of behavioral health crisis care. The Company operates the two largest behavioral health crisis facilities in the nation and provides a range of services to help stabilize and treat people with mental health and substance use diagnoses. Connections' model emphasizes providing treatment in the least restrictive setting and has demonstrated improved quality and cost savings, including significantly reducing hospital admissions in Medicaid and behavioral health populations. For more information and crisis resources, please visit: www.connectionshs.com MEDIA CONTACT Marissa Lawson [email protected] SOURCE Connections Health Solutions AMSTERDAM, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Laboratories N.V. (NYSE: "CLB US" and Euronext Amsterdam: "CLB NA") ("Core," "Core Lab," or the "Company") announced today that it has established an at-the-market equity offering program (the "ATM Program") under which it may, from time to time, sell its common shares having an aggregate sales price of up to $60,000,000 (the "Shares"), and has entered into an equity distribution agreement ("Equity Distribution Agreement") with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ("Wells Fargo Securities") and BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS"), as sales agents. Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Equity Distribution Agreement, Wells Fargo Securities and BofAS will use reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices, applicable laws and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange to sell the Shares from time to time based upon Core Lab's instructions for the sales, including price, time or size limits specified by Core Lab. Pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement, sales of the Shares may be made by any method permitted by law, including in ordinary brokers' transactions, negotiated transactions, block trades, and transactions deemed to be "at-the-market offerings," as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Each of Wells Fargo Securities' and BofAS' obligations to sell the Shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement are subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including customary closing conditions. Core Lab has agreed to reimburse Wells Fargo Securities and BofAS for certain specified expenses and has also agreed to provide Wells Fargo Securities and BofAS with customary indemnification and contribution rights. Core Lab is not obligated to sell any Shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement and may at any time suspend solicitation and offers under the Equity Distribution Agreement. The Equity Distribution Agreement may be terminated with respect to either of Wells Fargo Securities or BofAS by Core Lab at any time by giving written notice to Wells Fargo Securities or BofAS, as applicable, for any reason or by either of Wells Fargo Securities or BofAS at any time by giving written notice to Core Lab for any reason, or immediately under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of a material adverse change in the Company. The ATM Program pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will automatically terminate upon the issuance and sale of all of the Shares through Wells Fargo Securities or BofAS. Core Lab intends to use the net proceeds from the sales of the Shares, if any, for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, investments in the development of new products and technology, capital expenditures, repayments of indebtedness, working capital and potential acquisitions. Pending these uses, Core Lab intends to invest the net proceeds in investment-grade interest-bearing obligations, highly liquid cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, or direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States of America. The Shares will be offered under the Company's existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR (File No.: 333-245691) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The offering is being made by means of a prospectus supplement to the prospectus contained in the registration statement. Before making an investment in the Shares, potential investors should read the prospectus and the prospectus supplement for more complete information about Core Lab and the offering. Potential investors may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Company, Wells Fargo Securities or BofAS will arrange, upon request, to send the prospectus. Please direct requests to: (1) Wells Fargo Securities by mail at 500 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, by email to [email protected] or by telephone at (800) 326-5897; and/or (2) BofAS at One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Syndicate Department, by email to [email protected]. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. Core Laboratories N.V. is a leading provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services and products used to optimize petroleum reservoir performance. The Company has over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and is located in every major oil-producing province in the world. This release, as well as other statements we make, includes forward-looking statements regarding the future revenue, profitability, business strategies and developments of the Company made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Federal securities law. The Company's outlook is subject to various important cautionary factors, including risks and uncertainties related to the oil and natural gas industry, business conditions, international markets, international political climates, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and any related actions taken by businesses and governments, and other factors as more fully described in the Company's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC. These important factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations of the Company's performance and are subject to a variety of factors, some of which are not under the control of the Company. Because the information herein is based solely on data currently available, and because it is subject to change as a result of changes in conditions over which the Company has no control or influence, such forward-looking statements should not be viewed as assurance regarding the Company's future performance. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release, except as required by law. Visit the Company's website at www.corelab.com. Connect with Core Lab on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. SOURCE Core Laboratories N.V. "Protecting our environment is the most important thing we can do for our business, our community and our children," said Alex Taylor, chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises. "Far too often we take what we have for granted, but we need to continue to find ways to protect and preserve our world for our children and grandchildren. Our employees wholeheartedly accepted the challenge to help the environment and together, we are making a difference." The Chairman's Challenge program is a key part of Cox's commitment to empowering employees to leave the world in better shape for the next generation. Chairman Emeritus Jim Kennedy started the program in 2012 to recognize those who lead and contribute substantially to our Cox Conserves goals. In the Challenge's 10th year, Taylor spearheaded the program for the first time as chairman and CEO. This year's challenge ran throughout April and in addition to the carbon calculator, included volunteer activities for employees to create outdoor, local classrooms, beautify parks and remove trash from waterways. 2022 Chairman's Challenge Results While all the individual contributions made a difference, employees who completed the most Challenge activities worked with the James M. Cox Foundation to award grants to their preferred environmental nonprofit. The foundation is awarding a total of more than $50,000 across six nonprofits: Cox Communications Rachel Brown , Technical Analyst, Georgia : $15,000 grant to HBCU Green Fund , Technical Analyst, : grant to HBCU Green Fund Jason DeGrace , Technical Analyst, Georgia : $2,500 grant to Trees Atlanta Cox Automotive Lokesh Rajasekaran , Senior Software Engineer, Georgia : $15,000 grant to Chastain Park Conservancy , Senior Software Engineer, : grant to Chastain Park Conservancy Trashawn Mitchell-Stewart , Dispatch, Georgia : $2,500 grant to Dauset Trails Nature Center Cox Enterprises Victoria James , Event Production Manager, Georgia : $15,000 grant to Pebble Tossers , Event Production Manager, : grant to Pebble Tossers Alvin Sumter , Director of Quality Assurance, Georgia : $2,500 grant to The Sustainability Institute of South Carolina These donations along with the recent donation to complete the Atlanta BeltLine mean the James M. Cox Foundation has now awarded more than $70 million to environmental and conservation causes since 2011. Since setting our Cox Conserves goals in 2007, our company has reduced our carbon footprint by more than 650,000 cumulative tons of carbon while investing more than $1 billion in sustainable businesses and technologies. And we continue to reduce our footprint every year. Cox has taken an aggressive approach as a company to meet our goal to be carbon and water neutral by 2034. The company is also on track to send zero waste to landfill by 2024, a milestone Cox Communications achieved this year. About Cox Enterprises Cox Enterprises is dedicated to building a better future through our leading communications, automotive and media companies. Our major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Automotive, and we are strategically investing in new industries and emerging technologies, with sizeable interests in clean technology and health care. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Cox is a global company with $20 billion in annual revenues and brands that include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Cox Homelife. Founded in 1898 by Ohio Governor James M. Cox, the company is a family-owned business committed to its people, communities and planet. To learn more about Cox, visit coxenterprises.com. SOURCE Cox Enterprises Deal advances DigiCert's vision to deliver comprehensive managed security solutions LEHI, Utah, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiCert, Inc ., a leading global provider of Digital Trust, backed by Clearlake Capital Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, "Clearlake"), Crosspoint Capital Partners L.P. ("Crosspoint") and TA Associates ("TA"), today announced that it has acquired DNS Made Easy, a global provider of enterprise-grade managed Domain Name System (DNS) services, as well as affiliated brands, including Constellix. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "The integration of DigiCert and DNS Made Easy adds value to customers," said Greg Clark, Managing Partner at Crosspoint Capital Partners and Chairman of DigiCert's Board of Directors. "In addition to providing excellent DNS services, this combination enhances the security of certificate validation and enables the automation of future validations, paving the way for automated certificate lifecycle management. This strategic acquisition showcases our commitment, in partnership with Clearlake, TA and the DigiCert tecyam, to drive growth and expand DigiCert's product offering." The acquisition of DNS Made Easy expands DigiCert's digital trust portfolio to include managed DNS services with one of the fastest DNS response times and global availability. It also enables DigiCert and its reseller partners to offer customers a seamless approach to certificate lifecycle management, including more efficient domain control validation, an integrated DNS and certificate experience, and simplified DNS configuration. "DNS management is essential for digital business, and adding DNS Made Easy and its best-in-class solutions is further solidifying DigiCert's role as the defining company in digital trust," said Deepika Chauhan, Executive Vice President at DigiCert. "The combination of core web services enhanced DNS management and DigiCert's industry-leading certificate lifecycle management provides a compelling solution to better service our customers and simplify certificate renewal." DNS Made Easy has experienced strong double-digit growth over the past few years by providing authoritative managed DNS services that are simpler, faster and more reliable on a global scale than other providers. The company's offerings include high-performance response time, a proven record of five 9's availability for more than a decade, internet traffic optimization, enterprise network monitoring as well as other advanced DNS and CDN management features. DNS Made Easy solutions are powered by a network that handles more than 38 billion resolutions per day and services leading digital brands such as Twilio, Palo Alto Networks and Under Armour. "DNS Made Easy is thrilled to join forces with DigiCert," said DNS Made Easy CEO Steven Job. "We have established a strong global network with industry-leading uptime, reliability and web load times. We're excited about the scale of DigiCert's operations including its vast partner network to help more companies of all sizes, including the world's leading brands, experience a solution that improves their web operations and security." About DigiCert, Inc. DigiCert is a leading global provider of digital trust, enabling individuals and businesses to engage online with the confidence that their footprint in the digital world is secure. DigiCert ONE, the platform for digital trust, provides organizations with centralized visibility and control over a broad range of public and private trust needs, securing websites, enterprise access and communication, software, identity, content and devices. DigiCert pairs its award-winning software with its industry leadership in standards, support and operations, and is the digital trust provider of choice for leading companies around the world. For more information, visit digicert.com or follow @digicert. About Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit, and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S. The firm's core target sectors are technology, industrials, and consumer. Clearlake currently has over $72 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK and Dublin, Ireland. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @Clearlake. About Crosspoint Capital Partners L.P. Crosspoint Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm focused on the cybersecurity, privacy and infrastructure software markets. Crosspoint has assembled a group of highly successful operators, investors and sector experts to partner with foundational technology companies and drive differentiated returns. Crosspoint has offices in Menlo Park, CA and Boston, MA. For more information visit: www.crosspointcapital.com. About TA Associates TA Associates is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services TA invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 550 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $47.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968. The firm's more than 100 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com. SOURCE DigiCert, Inc. SAN FRANCISCO, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocurate, the Predictive Analytics Solution for eCommerce, today released results of their latest customer success which reduced churn of the most valuable customers for pet brand , WildEarth, by 16%. Ocurate empowers brands to better segment their audiences by identifying lifetime value and churn at the individual level. Companies can seamlessly launch campaigns knowing which customers are of greater value or at risk of churn and intervene with appropriate promotions or communications to drive greater customer engagement. "A stark reality of ecommerce companies is that 20% of the brands' most valuable customers will generate 80% of the revenue. This means high value customers are 16x as valuable to the brand than regular customers. By identifying these individuals and their predicted lifetime value, companies can create experiences centered around them and are better equipped to drive greater revenue and reduce churn for their most valuable customers," said Tobi Konitzer, CEO of Ocurate." According to Hubspot, more than 42% of companies don't take any effort to better understand or get to know their customers. With a low barrier to market entry typical to ecommerce, brands will lose out to companies who are identifying what drives customer behavior, who key customers are, and understanding which customers are worth spending extra dollars and effort on to retain. State of Connected Customer shared, 66% of customers expect brands to understand their needs and expectations. Throughout the customer lifecycle, from first contact to repeat purchase, buyers expect brands to queue up offers, content, and support aligned with their expectations and specific interests. With the risk of losing customers forever the shift toward understanding your customers with the help of data and machine learning has never been more vital. Most businesses don't connect these dots, resulting in a poor brand experience because all consumers receive the same communications. Ocurate was built so brands can access the intelligence they need to meet buyers where they are and offer a hyper-personalized customer experience with offers and content. "With Ocurate, we easily identified high-value customers at risk of churn. By creating a custom campaign, we were able to reduce our churn rate of this audience by 16%. Not only were Ocurate's predictive analytics accurate, but we were able to quickly see meaningful business impact." Steve Simitzis , CTO, Wild Earth. About Ocurate Ocurate, a Predictive Analytics solution for eCommerce, finally makes customer lifetime value (LTV) actionable for consumer brands. Ocurate can pinpoint high LTV customers with 90% accuracy, 20%+ better than any other system, and makes LTV actionable by zeroing in on high-value prospects and identifying high-value customers who are at risk of churning. Ocurate is integrated into our clients' existing marketing flows, and achieves proven results of growing your high LTV customers resulting in a 5X ROI within the first three months. Our secret sauce is a world-class, ML-powered proprietary database consisting of 260 million Americans and their finances, behaviors, attitudes, and personalities. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Ocurate Electric Vehicle Motor Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 21.69% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 6.31 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 15.98 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution APAC at 49% Key consumer countries China, US, Norway, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Allied Motion Technologies Inc., Continental AG, DENSO Corp., Ford Motor Co., Hitachi Ltd., Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH, Siemens AG, Toshiba Corp., and Valeo SA 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. Download Report Sample for more insights on the scope and parent market analysis Electric Vehicle Motor Market Vendor Landscape The EV motor market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Competitors are focusing on differentiating their product offerings with unique value propositions to strengthen their foothold in the market. Market vendors also have to leverage the existing growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Some of the top EV motor market players covered in the report are: Allied Motion Technologies Inc.: The company offers electric vehicle motor namely WheelMax. The company offers electric vehicle motor namely WheelMax. Continental AG: The company offers drive axle for electric vehicle motor. The company offers drive axle for electric vehicle motor. DENSO Corp.: The company offers motor generators for electric vehicle motor. The company offers motor generators for electric vehicle motor. Ford Motor Co.: The company offers electric vehicle motor that have capacity to produce equal power to V-12 engine. The company offers electric vehicle motor that have capacity to produce equal power to V-12 engine. Hitachi Ltd.: The company offers Hybrid Electric Vehicle Motor, Hybrid Electric Vehicle Traction Motor. Some more players covered in the report are: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Robert Bosch GmbH Siemens AG Toshiba Corp. Valeo SA Want to know more about the vendor product offerings, Download Sample Report Right Here! Electric Vehicle Motor Market Segment Highlights Power rating MPR: The electric vehicle motor market share growth by the mid-power rating (MPR) segment will be significant during the forecast period. MPR motors are the preferred motors for use in full or plug-in hybrid powertrains and low-range pure EVs. The electric vehicle motor market share growth by the mid-power rating (MPR) segment will be significant during the forecast period. MPR motors are the preferred motors for use in full or plug-in hybrid powertrains and low-range pure EVs. HPR LPR Geography APAC: 49% of the market's growth will originate from APAC during the forecast period. China is the key market for electric vehicle motors in APAC. Market growth in APAC will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. The increasing demand for EVs from countries such as China , Japan , India , Singapore , Thailand , and South Korea will facilitate the electric vehicle motor market growth in APAC over the forecast period. 49% of the market's growth will originate from APAC during the forecast period. is the key market for electric vehicle motors in APAC. Market growth in APAC will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. The increasing demand for EVs from countries such as , , , , , and will facilitate the electric vehicle motor market growth in APAC over the forecast period. Europe North America South America MEA Get Segment-wise Contribution and Statistics as your Request for your Sample Report Copy Electric Vehicle Motor Market Value Chain Analysis Technavio categorizes the global electric vehicle motors market as a part of the global automotive components and accessories within the global auto components market. Our report provides extensive information on the value chain analysis for the electric vehicle motor market, which vendors can leverage to gain a competitive advantage during the forecast period. Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The value chain of the electric vehicle motor market includes the following core components: Inputs Inbound logistics Operations Distribution and logistics Marketing and sales Service Industry innovations For understanding the value chain outlook of EV motor market, Download Sample Report Right Here! Electric Vehicle Motor Market Takeaways CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025 Detailed information on factors that will assist electric vehicle motor market growth during the next five years Estimation of the electric vehicle motor market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the electric vehicle motor market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of electric vehicle motor market, vendors Related Reports: Electric Vehicle Relays Market by Relay Terminal and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Electric Vehicle Transmission System Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Table of Contents: 1. Executive Summary 2. Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 01: Parent market 2.2 Market Characteristics Exhibit 02: Market Characteristics 2.3 Value chain analysis Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis 2.3.1 Inputs 2.3.2 Inbound logistics 2.3.3 Operations 2.3.4 Outbound logistics 2.3.5 Marketing and sales 2.3.6 Service Support activities Innovations 3. Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 05: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2020 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Exhibit 06: Global - Market size and forecast 2020 - 2025 ($ million) Exhibit 07: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2020 - 2025 (%) 4. Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five Forces Summary Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants 4.5 Threat of substitutes 4.6 Threat of rivalry 4.7 Market condition Market condition - Five forces 2020 5. Market Segmentation by Power rating The segments covered in this chapter are: MPR HPR LPR MPR has the highest growth while HPR and LPR have the lowest growth 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 15: Power rating- Market share 2020-2025 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 16: Comparison by Power Rating 5.3 MPR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 17: MPR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 18: MPR - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.4 HPR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 19: HPR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 20: HPR - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 5.5 LPR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 21: LPR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 21: LPR - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) 5.6 Market opportunity by Power Rating Exhibit 23: Market opportunity by Power Rating 6. Customer landscape Technavio's customer landscape matrix comparing Drivers or price sensitivity, Adoption lifecycle, importance in customer price basket, Adoption rate and Key purchase criteria Exhibit 24: Customer landscape 7. Geographic Landscape The regions covered in the report are: North America Europe APAC South America MEA APAC was the largest region of the market in 2020 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 25: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 26: Geographic comparison 7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 27: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 28: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 29: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million Exhibit 32: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 33: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 34: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 35: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million) Exhibit 36: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%) 7.9 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 38: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8. Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.1.1 Increasing sales of EVs 8.1.2 Declining prices of lithium-ion batteries 8.1.3 Increasing average miles driven by EVs on a single charge 8.2 Market challenges 8.2.1 Lack of operational infrastructure in emerging markets 8.2.2 High cost of ownership for EVs as compared with ICE vehicles 8.2.3 Consumers' reluctance to purchase EVs due to range anxiety Exhibit 39: Impact of drivers and challenges 8.3 Market trends 8.3.1 OEMs focusing on connected EVs 8.3.2 Growing trend of multi-speed transmission in EVs 8.3.3 Automakers involved in production of in-house electric motors 9. Vendor Landscape 10.1 Competitive scenario 10.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 40: Vendor landscape 10.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 41: Landscape disruption 10.4 Industry risks Exhibit 42: Industry risks 10. Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 43: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 44: Market positioning of vendors 10.3 Allied Motion Technologies Inc. Exhibit 45: Allied Motion Technologies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 46: Allied Motion Technologies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 47: Allied Motion Technologies Inc. - Key offerings 10.4 Continental AG Exhibit 48: Continental AG - Overview Exhibit 49: Continental AG- Key news Exhibit 50: Continental AG - Key offerings 10.5 DENSO Corp. Exhibit 51: DENSO Corp. - Overview Exhibit 52: DENSO Corp. - Key news Exhibit 53: DENSO Corp. - Key offerings 10.6 Ford Motor Co. Exhibit 54: Ford Motor Co. - Overview Exhibit 55: Ford Motor Co. - Business segments Exhibit 56: Ford Motor Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 57: Ford Motor Co. - Segment focus 10.7 Hitachi Ltd. Exhibit 58: Hitachi Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 59: Hitachi Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 60: Hitachi Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 61: Hitachi Ltd. - Segment focus 10.8 Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Exhibit 62: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 63: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 64: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 65: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 66: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. - Segment focus 10.9 Robert Bosch GmbH Exhibit 67: Robert Bosch GmbH - Overview Exhibit 68: Robert Bosch GmbH - Business segments Exhibit 69: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key offerings Exhibit 70: Robert Bosch GmbH - Segment focus 10.10 Siemens AG Exhibit 71: Siemens AG - Overview Exhibit 72: Siemens AG - Business segments Exhibit 73: Siemens AG - Key news Exhibit 74: Siemens AG - Key offerings Exhibit 75: Siemens AG - Segment focus 10.11 Toshiba Corp. Exhibit 76: Toshiba Corp. - Overview Exhibit 77: Toshiba Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 78: Toshiba Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 79: Toshiba Corp. - Segment focus 10.12 Valeo SA Exhibit 80: Valeo SA - Overview Exhibit 81: Valeo SA - Business segments Exhibit 82: Valeo SA - Key offerings Exhibit 83: Valeo SA - Segment focus 11. Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.1.1 Market definition 11.1.2 Objectives 11.1.3 Notes and caveats 11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 84: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.3 Research Methodology Exhibit 85: Research Methodology Exhibit 86: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 87: Information sources 11.4 List of abbreviations Exhibit 88: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio " Grizzly Bear Creek will add diversity to the robust energy sector that serves as the backbone of Alberta's economy ," said Paolo Romanacci , Head of Enel Green Power in the US and Canada. " Enel Green Power has proudly powered the homes and businesses of tens of thousands of Albertans with clean renewable power, which helps make power more affordable and helps Canada meet its ambitious sustainability goals. After more than a decade of serving Albertans, we're excited to keep building with our next major investment in the province." The 152 MW wind project will add diversity to the robust energy sector that serves as the backbone of Alberta's economy. "Alberta is a destination of choice for businesses and we continue to attract investment. The Grizzly Bear Creek Wind Project is further proof of Alberta's economic momentum and growth in our energy sector. This project not only creates opportunities in the local economy, it will benefit the province as a whole." - Hon. Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation Grizzly Bear Creek will consist of 34 turbines that are expected to generate 528 GWh of energy each year, enough to avoid 343,000 tons of CO 2 emissions and meet the electricity needs of over 73,000 Alberta households annually. The project will include approximately 250 workers during peak construction and create around 7 full-time, permanent jobs for operations and maintenance. Grizzly Bear Creek represents a reliable long-term economic stimulus for the counties of Minburn and Vermilion River. Over the project's 30-year lifetime it will pay landowners for the use of their lands and generate over $80 million in local tax revenues. Operations are expected to begin by the end of 2022. Enel Green Power invests in the long-term sustainability of its host communities, identifying opportunities to support local partners in creating shared value. As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company provided $20,000 in relief funds to social services agencies in Pincher Creek and the Piikani Nation. The company also provided additional funds to support food security and economic development through the Vegreville Food Bank. "This project is the latest example of how Alberta's long-standing commitment to a fair, efficient and openly competitive market is driving the fastest-growing renewable energy sector in Canada. This investment also demonstrates the economic value of renewable energy in our province creating jobs and leading to more affordable options for Albertans, without the use of taxpayer subsidies." Hon. Dale Nally, Associate Minister for Natural Gas and Electricity Enel Green Power currently operates three wind projects in Canada, all located in the Pincher Creek area in southern Alberta: Castle Rock Ridge I & II (105 MW) and Riverview (105 MW). Castle Rock Ridge II and Riverview began operations in 2020. Enel is also growing in Canada through its Enel X business line, providing advanced energy services including demand response and distributed energy resources. Enel X Way, the company's smart electric vehicle charging business, is expanding across the country through partnerships with major Canadian companies. "Every single day, our government is working hard to diversify and grow our economy. Our plan is working and we want to make sure that every Albertan can benefit from our momentum," said Jackie Armstrong Homneiuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville. "It's exciting to see leading edge companies like Enel choosing to make new investments here in Alberta. Grizzly Bear Creek will create jobs and new economic opportunities while adding to our energy mix." - Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville Enel Green Power North America is a leading developer, long-term owner and operator of renewable energy plants in North America, with a presence in 14 US states and one Canadian province. The company's portfolio includes 64 plants totaling over 8 GW of installed capacity powered by renewable wind, geothermal and solar energy. Enel's portfolio also includes 12 utility-scale battery energy storage systems totaling 1,290 MWh of capacity under construction or in operation. https://www.enelgreenpower.com/countries/north-america/united-states US & Canada News Media T +405 358 3446 [email protected] [email protected] enelgreenpower.com SOURCE Enel Green Power North America NEW ORLEANS, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy will host its 2022 Analyst Day conference on Thursday, June 16, in New York City. Chairman of the board and chief executive officer Leo Denault and members of Entergy's executive management team plan to discuss our strategy to help customers meet their reliability, affordability and sustainability goals. We invite you to listen to a live audio webcast of the meeting beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET on Entergy's Investor Relations website at entergy.com/investors . Presentation materials will be made available on the Entergy Investor Relations page after market close Wednesday, June 15, and a replay of the audio webcast will also be available by accessing the same link mentioned above. About Entergy Entergy (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, powers life for 3 million customers through its operating companies across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy is creating a cleaner, more resilient energy future for everyone with our diverse power generation portfolio, including increasingly carbon-free energy sources. With roots in the Gulf South region for more than a century, Entergy is a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, delivering more than $100 million in economic benefits to local communities through philanthropy and advocacy efforts annually over the last several years. Our approximately 12,500 employees are dedicated to powering life today and for future generations. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife SOURCE Entergy Corporation Wonderschool Co-Founder and CEO Chris Bennett Recognized with 2022 EdTech Breakthrough Award SAN FRANCISCO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative childcare platform Wonderschool today announced Chris Bennett, its co-founder and CEO, has been recognized as "EdTech CEO of the Year" by EdTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization recognizing the top companies and solutions in the global educational technology market. The EdTech Breakthrough Awards honor excellence and recognize innovation, hard work, and success in a range of educational technology categories. This year's program attracted more than 2,250 nominations from over 18 different countries throughout the world. "We know a meaningful early childhood experience can change the trajectory of a child's, and their family's life; I've experienced it firsthand," Bennett said. "Today, 51 percent of Americans live in areas without sufficient access to licensed childcare options. We built Wonderschool in response to this endemic challenge. I'm honored to be recognized by EdTech Breakthrough for what we have built. We are just getting started, and will continue to work tirelessly to serve state leaders, educators, and families." A product of home-based childcare himself, Bennett founded Wonderschool on the idea that, rather than investing trillions in new buildings and schools, we could unlock the collective potential of caring people already in our communities and connect existing home-based options to families to tackle the national childcare crisis together. Launched in 2016, the Wonderschool platform, which has been deployed statewide in states like New Mexico and Nevada , provides childcare entrepreneurs with the tools and infrastructure needed to establish, support, and sustain their programs. Using the platform, providers can access help with operations, licensing, accounting, and marketing to attract enrollment, as well as expert and peer support to generate curriculum ideas and work through any challenges they may encounter. States are increasingly relying upon the Wonderschool platform for insight into childcare gaps across their state, helping to inform policy and funding decisions to generate the critical insights necessary to make smarter, more targeted investments in childcare deserts. Wonderschool now serves thousands of childcare programs. Wonderschool directors with full enrollment earn an average of $78,000more than twice the median salary of a preschool teacher salary in the U.S., according to data from U.S. News and World Report. Recognized by TIME and Fast Company as one of the top innovative companies, Wonderschool has been funded by Goldman Sachs's One Million Black Women initiative, Andreessen Horowitz, First Round Capital, Imaginable Futures, Cross Culture Ventures, Uncork Capital, Rethink Education, Edelweiss, Lerer Ventures, 500 Startups, FundersClub, and others. "Chris has inspired a movement in our communities that supports and encourages more people to start childcare programs at home," says Mia Pritts, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Wonderschool. "As a result of his innovative leadership, more families are able to find affordable, convenient, and reliable care for their children, and providers, many of whom are women, are empowered to not only sustain but to grow their small businesses." About Wonderschool Wonderschool is building the largest network of high-quality early education programs. Wonderschool offers a diversity of options and combines engaged teachers and thoughtful education with the warmth of a family program while maintaining standards that go above and beyond state requirements. By providing dedicated support, technology, training, mentorship, and community, Wonderschool lets teachers focus on what they do best teachingand allows them to earn a sustainable living in the field they love. Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in Education in 2019, Wonderschool is based in San Francisco and venture-backed by Goldman Sachs, Andreessen Horowitz, First Round, Omidyar, Unusual Ventures, and Gary Community Investments, among others. Learn more at www.wonderschool.com. SOURCE Wonderschool "Data and analytics are at the heart of Equifax, and we are energized to have Harald join Equifax in such an important leadership role," said Mark W. Begor, Chief Executive Officer at Equifax. "Strong global collaboration between our Data & Analytics, Product and Technology teams is the essential partnership that will drive the next era of innovation and growth at Equifax. This is a truly exciting time for Equifax and our Data & Analytics team - and we're just getting started." Schneider brings more than two decades of multinational experience to the role of Chief Data & Analytics Officer. He joins Equifax from Visa, where he served as Global Head of Data Products. Prior to that, Schneider held the position of Chief Analytics Officer at Tandem Bank in the U.K. He also held international data and business leadership roles at Capital One, Citigroup, and Pardus Capital. "Harald has a proven track record in cloud-native data and analytics leadership," said Bryson Koehler. "The New Equifax has set itself apart in the industry by leveraging the power of the Equifax Cloud to drive record levels of new product innovation. Harald will play an instrumental role in enabling our global D&A teams to maximize the benefits of the cloud, guiding our data catalog, data acquisition strategy, data quality management and Innovation Lab work to unlock even deeper decision intelligence for our customers." Schneider holds a master's degree in finance from J.W.Goethe-Universitat in Frankfurt and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. ABOUT EQUIFAX INC. At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION: Kate Walker for Equifax [email protected] SOURCE Equifax Inc. Evidence Partners' literature review platform, DistillerSR, to be delivered with Akra Team's strategic regulatory services OTTAWA, ON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Evidence Partners Inc., a market leader in AI-enabled literature review automation software and creator of DistillerSR, today announced a collaboration with Akra Team, a German-based strategic regulatory consultancy, to deliver end-to-end consulting services that make it easier and faster for medical device companies to complete EU MDR and IVDR notified body submissions. The partnership brings together DistillerSR and the Akra Team's strategic regulatory services to deliver standard operating processes and workflows that improve the management of regulatory risk, literature reviews and submissions for different device types. Headed by Dr. Bassil Akra, Akra Team provides strategic consulting services to global companies manufacturing medical and in-vitro diagnostic devices, as well as notified bodies and industry regulators. Dr. Akra is a recognized industry expert in preparing medical, in-vitro diagnostic and combination device companies for compliance with the EU MD and IVD regulations. DistillerSR automates the management of literature collection, triage and assessment using AI and intelligent workflows to reduce the time it takes to complete a systematic literature review. Global top 10 medical device companies using DistillerSR are reporting dramatic reductions in the time required to screen scientific literature. One top five global medical device company, for example, reduced its screening time by 70 percent. "Medical device and in-vitro diagnostic device manufacturers are facing tremendous hurdles in securing timely regulatory approvals for their products in the EU," said Peter O'Blenis, CEO of Evidence Partners. "This new combined offering gives regulatory teams a more efficient toolkit to create and maintain their regulatory dossiers while also providing the confidence that their submissions will not be held up in audits. With so much at stake, our collective service provides a hyper-charged pathway to help our customers get their submissions right the first time, by integrating market-leading regulatory expertise and DistillerSR as the best-of-breed literature review platform." "The industry needs an integrated suite of strategic regulatory services anchored by DistillerSR to ensure all the critical submission requirements are met in a clearly auditable business process," said Dr. Akra, CEO of Akra Team. "Adherence to EU MD and IVD regulatory environments enables organizations to scale and manage submissions for other markets, such as Japan, with similar rigorous requirements." Literature reviews are a cornerstone of evidence-based research, but their production has traditionally been difficult, time consuming and error prone. More than 300 of the world's leading research organizations, including more than 50 percent of the largest pharmaceutical and medical device companies, trust DistillerSR to securely produce transparent, audit-ready and regulatory compliant literature reviews faster and more accurately than any other method. As a result, healthcare researchers can make more informed and time-sensitive health policy decisions, clinical practice guidelines and regulatory submissions. About Evidence Partners For more information about Evidence Partners and DistillerSR, visit www.evidencepartners.com. About Akra Team For more information about Akra Team, visit www.akrateam.com. SOURCE Evidence Partners DUBLIN, Ohio, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First Service Corporation (FSC) is excited to announce its merger with Unitas Financial Services (Unitas), whose mission is to provide lenders and real estate investors with a simplified approach to risk management. The merger of FSC with Unitas will help further extend and establish the footprint of Unitas in the Midwest. FSC is based in Harper Woods, MI, and Unitas is based in Dublin, OH, with offices in Debary, FL, and representatives across the United States. Both companies contribute their continued growth and success to a "customer first" approach. The merger will give clients continued first-class customer service and access a robust range of new products, including Outsourced Insurance Tracking, Blanket Mortgage Hazard, Vendor's Single Interest (VSI), Protequity Equity Loan Expansion, and much more. A complete list of insurance solutions is available at unitas360.com. The merger further expands a depth of experience, knowledge, and leadership that is unmatched in the industry. The merger with FSC is a clear indicator of Unitas' dedication to the financial institution market and the company's commitment to providing innovative insurance solutions, services, and concepts in financial institution coverage. When asked about the merger with Unitas, FSC President, Mary Naz, expressed her excitement for the company's future in the financial industry. "It is truly an exciting time for us as we expand our capabilities to better serve our financial institution clients. When looking to the future of the industry, we will be in a position to meet the growing needs of our clients for many years to come." Unitas was formed in 2020 when Golden Eagle Insurance, founded in 1995, merged with Innovative Risk Solutions, founded in 2005. With Loan Portfolio Protection Solutions being the focus of both FSC and Unitas, lenders and real estate investors will benefit from the combined 100-plus years of industry experience. The merger will continue to position Unitas as an industry leader in loan portfolio solutions, furthering its growth within the financial institution sector. In addressing FSC clients, Ms. Naz simply added. "We cannot thank you enough for your loyalty and partnership over the last 50-plus years. We look forward to continuing our partnerships as we join the Unitas family." Visit Unitas360.com for more information. Media Contact: Josh Threm 800-461-9224 [email protected] SOURCE Unitas Financial Services LAKE WORTH, Fla., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Flood Risk America ("FRA" or the "Company") announced today that it has released its 2022 Hurricane Preparedness Guidelines for Commercial Property Developers, Owners, and Operators, along with the launch of a Pre-Emergency Flood Preparedness Planning Program. The focus of the program is to provide proactive flood risk mitigation strategies ahead of this hurricane season. Flood Risk America_Pre-Emergency Preparedness Planning "We anticipate above-average hurricane activity this year, and we urge you to stay alert and prepared. Flash floods from storms and hurricanes can come unexpectedly, and the damage is costly," said Steve Gill, Flood Risk America founder and CEO. The National Hurricane Center designates June 1st - November 30th as the official hurricane season across the Atlantic basin. The FRA's Pre-Emergency Preparedness Planning is a full-service flood risk mitigation program designed to be rapidly deployable when the need for flood emergency preparedness is significant and immediate response is critical. "This program ensures that our clients are prepared for an emergency before it happens, and helps our clients recover fast from emergency situations," added Mr. Gill. "Flooding is the biggest natural disaster in the United States, but that doesn't mean it should curb your business operations. I'm very excited for Flood Risk America to be able to expand its service offering in the flood risk mitigation domain through its pre-emergency flood preparedness planning program and continue serving our clients and communities in meaningful ways ahead of the hurricane season." About Flood Risk America: Flood Risk America, LLC ("FRA") is an industry-leading flood risk management company specializing in FEMA-Compliant, proactive flood risk prevention solutions and products designed to effectively mitigate flood risks for commercial property developers, owners, and operators nationwide. For more information, please visit www.floodriskamerica.com. Media Contacts: Steve Gill, CEO Flood Risk America, LLC Phone: (561) 578-4220 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Flood Risk America Tax Form Wizard Recommends All Forms Needed for Tax Filing, Just in Time for June Quarterly Deadline SAN JOSE, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FlyFin , a fintech provider, unveiled a free tax form recommendation tool for self-employed people, freelancers and small business owners. FlyFin's Tax Form Wizard ( https://flyfin.tax/tax-forms ) shows 1099 taxpayers the IRS tax forms that apply to their needs as self-employed individuals, with recommendations for forms specific to the kind of work they do and their individual situations. FlyFin logo _ Man + Machine tax engine With more than 800 different tax forms that the IRS makes available, the sheer volume and complexity of various tax forms can make tax preparation overwhelming. FlyFin's Tax Form Wizard empowers self-employed people and freelancers with a tool to help them bypass the need for a tax professional. The bespoke tax form recommendation tool lets people quickly find and download only the forms that apply to their employment circumstances over the tax year. Just in time for the June 15th tax quarterly deadline, the Tax Form Wizard guides self-employed people and freelancers in understanding exactly which forms they will need for their tax preparation and filing. Every year, self-employed people across America are unsure about the tax forms and the details of filing their taxes and end up underpaying, which generally leads to tax penalties and interest charges from the IRS. FlyFin developed its new Tax Form Wizard when the response to its 1099 Tax Calculator made the need known for tools that help self-employed individuals with their taxes. The 1099 Tax Calculator quickly computes quarterly or annual income taxes for freelancers and self-employed individuals so they know what the amount of their next tax payment needs to be. Taxpayers who receive 1099 Forms are typically self-employed, sub-contractors, independent contractors, gig workers, freelancers and creator economy workers. "We developed the Tax Form Wizard as a solution for self-employed people, freelancers and small business owners, who have more complicated tax filing requirements, to take the hassle out of tax preparation for them," said Jaideep Singh, CEO of FlyFin. "The IRS provides a mountain of information on tax preparation, but it can be difficult to find what you need, and the explanations can be confusing or overwhelming. Our Wizard cuts through the chaos and lets people know only the tax forms that apply to their needs as self-employed individuals and freelancers." The Tax Form Wizard is part of a larger project FlyFin is undertaking to build a comprehensive resource center for tax preparation specific to the needs of self-employed people and freelancers. About FlyFin FlyFin is an AI-powered, SaaS platform that provides self-employed, sub-contractors, independent contractors, gig workers, freelancers, and creator economy workers with a convenient, easy-to-use, affordable tax filing solution. FlyFin helps individuals maximize self-employment tax deductions and income tax refunds. FlyFin's 'Man + Machine' approach leverages the power of A.I. paired with CPA expertise to deliver automation that eliminates 95% of work required for 1099 self-employed individuals to prepare their taxes, with tax filing led by world-class CPAs. FlyFin is a privately-held, venture-backed company based in San Jose, California. (Editor's Note: Artwork available upon request.) Press Contact: Carmen Hughes Ignite X c: 650.576.6444 [email protected] SOURCE FlyFin Global leader in lending solutions Full Skope partners with Boss Insights' API platform to offer business lenders global leading access to financial data (accounting, banking, commerce, payroll, and tax data) SAN ANTONIO and TORONTO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Full Skope , the creator of SkopeLend, a best-in-breed, modern loan origination platform for both consumer and commercial loans partners with Boss Insights , global leader in access to information on business data from accounting, commerce, payroll, tax & more. By offering data beyond one category, financial institutions will streamline SMB lending and unearth financial insights. Full Skope The partnership provides financial institutions with business data that will close financial gaps between SMB and funding accelerating the speed and accuracy of an SMB's access to capital by connecting their business apps seamlessly ingesting relevant data in seconds. Full Skope works with business lenders to provide a game-changing loan origination system: an elegant, configurable platform that makes it easier than ever for lenders to digitize and streamline their operations. Built on the Salesforce Force.com platform, it includes the world's leading CRM platform along with a digital application, a borrower and lender portal, partner portal, underwriting module, auto-generated loan documents with e-signature, and credit renewals. Full Skope enables lenders to instantly understand their customer's financial needs and deliver a complete range of financial services anytime, anywhere, on any device. The decision to partner with Boss Insights was based on client needs. Boss Insights offers the global leading access to information on private business data. By offering data in accounting, commerce, sales, banking, and more, Boss Insights has provided the ecosystem with the ability to get the deepest access to financial data on private businesses with a single connection. This allows fintechs, private lenders, payment companies, and financial institutions to utilize this technology for a greater percentage of their business client base. SkopeLend LOS now presents a personalized, data-driven approach when serving their clients with faster decisions, renewals, or offering product suggestions specific to their needs. "SkopeLend LOS works with banks, credit unions, private lenders, and fintechs and one thing was clear, access to real-time financial information and the ability to calculate ratios was a differentiator. Boss Insights stands apart because not only do they provide the global leading coverage of accounting, commerce, and banking data sources, they also provide an API development engine so our clients' needs have been met each and every time." Rudy Navarro, Chief Product Officer, Full Skope In partnering, Boss Insights data will be available on the SkopeLend LOS, while lenders and financial institutions utilizing SkopeLend LOS will better serve, understand and address gaps in the SMB lending space. Through this partnership, Full Skope aims to accelerate product development and growth by making exceptional data and technology more accessible to these financial institutions and finally, closing the gap for SMB (small and medium businesses) access to capital. "The industry is evolving at a rapid rate, and digitization is here to stay. Full Skope offers a seamless solution that can be adopted quickly in market by banks, credit unions, fintechs, and private lenders who want the latest in technology. They are innovation first and look to lead the industry with best-in-class technology. This approach offers a competitive advantage in market and we're excited to be partnering to continue to automate the science behind lending so that service providers can focus on the art." Keren Moynihan, CEO, Boss Insights About FullSkope Full Skope LLC is a financial services technology company with offices in downtown San Antonio, TX. Full Skope offers a range of leading, innovative products for banks, credit unions, and non-bank lenders, in addition to its flagship product, SkopeLend Loan Origination System. For more information visit www.fullskope.com . About Boss Insights Boss Insights is an award-winning global leader in open banking, linking fintech and financial institutions to their SMB clients' financial accounting, commerce/sales, banking, payroll, and tax applications to access real-time data (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, Square, Shopify, Amazon, etc.) Boss Insights provides portals to originate, decision, and service fintech and financial institutions. In an industry that needs speed and access to real-time data, Boss Insights empowers fintech, private lenders, and financial institutions to serve their business customers. For more information, visit www.bossinsights.com . Media Contact: Chris Edson 866-357-5673 [email protected] SOURCE Full Skope LLC Taratuta, 49, first founded his company Internet Media Services (IMS) in 2005 with an ambition to deepen the digital ecosystem in his native Argentina and help grow the global technology industry across the region. He would go on to combine IMS with strategically acquired businesses to form Aleph Group, Inc., a distinguished global advertising holding company with a presence in 90 markets across four continents. As of last year, Aleph Group had EBITDA of over US$70m while employing more than 1,000 people. Stella McCartney is the recipient of the EY Social Entrepreneurship Award 2022 for Sustainability During the two-day celebration EY also named British fashion designer Stella McCartney CBE, as the winner of the EY Social Entrepreneurship Award 2022 for Sustainability. The honor recognizes her career-long commitment to sustainability and innovation in fashion design, and her non-profit, Stella McCartney Cares. The charitable platform is aimed at creating positive change in the fashion industry and the world at large by inspiring others to embrace sustainable practices. Carmine Di Sibio, EY Global Chairman and CEO, says: "After two years away, I am very excited that we have been able to return to Monaco for an in-person celebration with so many incredible entrepreneurs. I'm especially proud to recognize this year's World Entrepreneur Of The Year winner, Gaston Taratuta. Gaston embodies the passion, leadership and resiliency of what being an entrepreneur is all about and is a worthy winner of this year's award." Di Sibio added: "I'm also privileged to be able to put a spotlight on the important work being done by entrepreneurial leaders around sustainability. In continuing the tradition of the EY Social Entrepreneurship Award for Sustainability, this year's winner, Stella McCartney, truly has an unsurpassed commitment to forging the next generation toward creating a more sustainable future. Congratulations to both on this evening's honors." Gaston Taratuta, Founder and CEO of Aleph Group, says: "Being an entrepreneur is more than just building a successful business, it's about creating and seizing opportunities where ones don't readily exist or aren't easily attainable. Few industries have experienced more evolutions over the past two decades than digital advertising and that's exactly why I'm so passionate about forging its future. I approach each day as a chance to tap into the next big idea that will galvanize the space and reimagine what's possible. Critical to any success is surrounding yourself with the right people, and this award is a testament to my amazing team, including my exceptional friend and business partner, Ignacio Vidaguren. I'm truly grateful and humbled to be named the 2022 EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year and I hope to be able to use this platform to empower the entrepreneurs of the future". Rosaleen Blair CBE, Founder and Chair of AMS, and Chair of the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year judging panel, says: "The judging panel is honored to award Gaston with this year's title. He's revolutionized the digital advertising industry on a global basis and made it possible for many entrepreneurs in emerging countries to enter markets that were previously inaccessible. His story is one of perseverance, having overcome enormous adversity early in life to reach the heights he's at today. Throughout his journey he's focused on bringing others along with him by leveling the playing field and opening countless new doors. He is exactly what we look for in the World Entrepreneur of the Year." Stasia Mitchell, EY Global Entrepreneurship Leader, says: "Gaston's journey has been forged by an innovative mindset and a willingness to take on big challenges with bigger ideas. Through Aleph Group, he has transformed the future of digital advertising, paving the way for the next generation through training programs and building connection points between talent and brands. Gaston is a perfect example of the unstoppable ambition that each of this year's class of entrepreneurs possess and I'm excited to watch how all of them will continue to drive disruptions that build a better future." About Gaston Taratuta, Founder and CEO of Aleph Group Gaston's journey began while working for Brazil's largest media company where among his primary roles was the responsibility to connect Brazilian advertisers with customers in the United States. That was when he started to identify a gap that would drive much of his success down the line so many digital platforms were overly focused on the top performing markets while overlooking the future opportunities of emerging ones. In the mid-2000s, he went out on his own and founded Internet Media Services (IMS) with the goal of increasing the representation of digital platforms in under-served markets. After partnering with Twitter to provide operations in Latin America, Gaston went on to win partnerships with other digital giants such as Spotify, Waze, LinkedIn and Snapchat. Over the course of the next decade, he began acquiring companies that had similar business models to IMS, diversifying into new markets while staying true to the core philosophy. In 2021, he formed Aleph Group as a corporate brand, connecting digital platforms with advertisers from emerging countries and creating a situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding for companies looking to compete in the global digital ecosystem. Today, Gaston and Aleph are committed to make digital advertising accessible to all and help under-served markets reach a global audience while helping the companies and talent who face endless barriers of entry become part of one of the most exciting industries in the world. About the judging panel Our diverse panel of independent judges was composed of entrepreneurs from around the world who have demonstrated astonishing purpose and drive throughout their careers. Chair of Judges: Rosaleen Blair , transforming talent management with AMS , transforming talent management with AMS Girish Jhunjhnuwala , reinventing the hotel experience with Ovolo Group , reinventing the hotel experience with Ovolo Group Hernan Kazah , co-founder of the largest technology fund in Latin America , Kaszek Ventures , co-founder of the largest technology fund in , Kaszek Ventures Susan Chong , a pioneer in sustainable packaging with Greenpac Pte Ltd. , a pioneer in sustainable packaging with Greenpac Pte Ltd. Naomi Whittel , a leading nutritional professional and founder of OMI Nutrition , a leading nutritional professional and founder of OMI Nutrition Noella Coursaris Musunka , Founder and CEO of Malaika and winner of the Nelson Mandela centenary award for educating girls in Africa , Founder and CEO of Malaika and winner of the Nelson Mandela centenary award for educating girls in Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw , of Biocon Limited, developing affordable drugs to treat diabetes, cancer and COVID-19 2020 EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year winner , of Biocon Limited, developing affordable drugs to treat diabetes, cancer and COVID-19 Brad Keywell , of Uptake Technologies, Inc., who is leading the way through innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) 2019 EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year winner , of Uptake Technologies, Inc., who is leading the way through innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation is available via www.ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. Winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. www.ey.com/eoy Eric Minuskin Lauren Mosery EY Global Media Relations EY Global Media Relations +1 908 770 9758 +1 732 977 2063 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE EY LAKE ELSINORE, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Geneva Financial (Geneva), a direct mortgage lender operating in 46 states, has announced the opening of a new branch in Lake Elsinore, California led by Branch Manager Brenda Hale. The opening of this new branch provides opportunities for local borrowers and buyers looking to navigate the current housing market. "I have spent most of my adult life helping others achieve their financial goals." California Branch Manager Brenda Hale stated. "I am here to help everyday people who are the pulse of America. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing I made a positive impact in someone else's life." Based out of Lake Elsinore, CA, Hale and her new branch proudly serve homebuyers throughout the state. The new branch will continue Geneva's exceptional service and extensive product offering through countless homebuyer and homeowner-focused products including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Refinance, Reverse, Jumbo Loans, Condo Financing, and so much more. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services, real estate, and mortgage industries, Hale and her team specialize in VA, DACA, self-employed, and first-time homebuyers. Hale prioritizes staying current with the latest loan programs and market trends to assist her clients. But more than anything, Brenda has a passion for helping people. From first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors, Brenda and her branch go above and beyond to help their clients achieve their dreams of homeownership! Geneva Financial Home Loans is currently expanding in all markets and seeking branch managers and loan originators across the United States looking to advance their mortgage careers. For information on opportunities, visit www.GenevaFi.com/opportunity About Geneva Financial Founded in 2007 by Aaron VanTrojen, Geneva Financial (NMLS 42056) is a direct mortgage lender headquartered in Chandler, Arizona with more than 130 branch locations in 46 states. Our mission at Geneva Financial is to approach every aspect of our business from the "inside-out". With a culture-forward mindset, we focus on our loan originators and support staff first to ensure an unbeatable experience for our customers. Our Core Values were created as a daily reminder to operate with the inside-out approach in mind. Core Value #1 is the backbone of all our Core Values, our mission, and our brand vision: Home Loans Powered by Humans. Learn more about Geneva Financial Home Loans at www.GenevaFi.com. SOURCE Geneva Financial Together, Feeding Georgia leads a statewide effort to end hunger in Georgia Photo Assets ATLANTA, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Food Bank Association announced today that it has changed its name to Feeding Georgia to better reflect the broad scope of its work to end hunger in Georgia, as well as its longstanding ties to its national partner, Feeding America . Feeding Georgia acts not only as an association of seven member food banks but also as a provider of education and advocacy to end hunger in the state. Its goal is to build a path to a healthier, food-secure Georgia. "With collaboration at our core, we believe we're at our strongest when we are working together working with member food banks and their incredibly strong network of partner agencies; with our state and federal partners; and with generous communities who want to help their hungry neighbors," said Executive Director, Danah Craft. "Together, we are Feeding Georgia." Georgia food banks and the statewide network continue to respond to an increase in demand for food assistance that is 30% above pre-pandemic levels. As pandemic relief programs unwind and low-income families struggle with rising food and fuel costs, Feeding Georgia's network of food banks and community partners will serve Georgians through innovation and collaboration. "In 2020 when the pandemic hit and demand surged up to 60%, we provided a unified voice to advocate for resources that our food banks needed to respond, and they stepped up to meet the need in their communities. By working together and with the support of generous donors and state and federal partners we were fortified as a network and able to provide resources to communities across the state despite all challenges," said Craft. "Our organization will continue to advocate for more funding and resources, and we will seek out partnership opportunities for our network in the fight against hunger." About Feeding Georgia Feeding Georgia comprises seven regional Feeding America food banks, amplifying their impact through education, collaboration, and advocacy in a statewide effort to end hunger in Georgia. Founded in 1985, Feeding Georgia distributes over 180 million pounds of food through more than 2,000 partner agencies across Georgia each year. Its member food banks include Food Bank of Northeast Georgia , Golden Harvest Food Bank , America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia , Middle Georgia Community Food Bank , Feeding the Valley Food Bank , Atlanta Community Food Bank with Georgia Mountain Food Bank, and Chattanooga Area Food Bank (Food Bank of Northwest Georgia). To learn more, visit www.FeedingGeorgia.org . SOURCE Feeding Georgia LIMASSOL, Cyprus, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RoboMarkets Deutschland GMBH, a BaFin-regulated broker registered in Frankfurt am Main, announces the start of the provision of its services dedicated only to professional clients. To implement this new strategy, the company has launched a new brand, RoboMarkets Pro, with which it will continue its operations in Germany. RoboMarkets Pro will focus on working with professional clients who are interested in cooperating with an EU-regulated broker and are in demand of specific investment products and trading conditions. This is a business-driven decision to satisfy the requirements and demand of German clients and provide them with access to special conditions for some assets, including DE40, stocks, currency pairs, and over 12,000 other instruments to invest in with leverage up to 1:300. RoboMarkets Pro clients will also get free swaps until the end of 2022 and many other tools for professional traders. Maximilian Felske, General Manager of RoboMarkets Pro, said: "Professional traders are currently the most neglected group of clients in the brokerage business we are therefore putting extra effort into paying more attention to them and making their trading more comfortable. If you're a frequent trader that can be qualified as professional, there are many more benefits to trading with an EU-regulated broker than trading offshore." In the middle of 2018, when ESMA changed regulations and restricted higher leverage values for CFDs, a big percentage of active traders were forced to go offshore. Some of them did so because they had no other choice, as they did not meet the criteria to be classified as professionals; while others who went offshore had to work much more actively than the EU-regulated ones due to the general trends in the market. Since then, a lot of things have changed, with more and more clients operating with large volumes of shares, CFDs, and currencies. Consequently, the general recovery of the economy and the rise in asset prices fueled the growth of investor portfolios, which have become comparable to professional ones, thus requiring a new approach to the provision of services. "We notice this group of clients has a rising demand for high-leverage products. The company will therefore focus on satisfying this, serving them in the best way starting from an onboarding process and continuing with specific conditions for the most popular products: CFDs on major indices, major currency pairs, etc. Also, we strongly and categorically believe that for any solid and established brokerage group, it's much more comfortable to have traders that are active mostly in the EU-regulated entities, rather than traders who are trying to onboard offshore units on their own initiative. Traders also are much more protected and comfortable while trading with the EU-regulated units because of the security, variety of deposit/withdrawal methods, and localised customer support provided", Maximilian Felske added. About RoboMarkets Pro RoboMarkets Pro is the brand name of RoboMarkets Deutschland GmbH. RoboMarkets Deutschland GmbH is a German broker that's supervised by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority under number 154068 and offers financial services to residents of EU/EEA countries. Find more detailed information about the Company's products and activities on its website www.robomarkets.de. SOURCE RoboMarkets DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Partnering Terms and Agreements 2010 to 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report contains a comprehensive listing of all artificial intelligence partnering deals announced since 2010 including financial terms where available including over 750 links to online deal records of actual artificial intelligence partnering deals as disclosed by the deal parties. Trends in artificial intelligence partnering deals Disclosed headlines, upfronts, milestones and royalties by stage of development Artificial intelligence partnering contract documents Top artificial intelligence deals by value The report provides a detailed understanding and analysis of how and why companies enter artificial intelligence partnering deals. The majority of deals are early development stage whereby the licensee obtains a right or an option right to license the licensors artificial intelligence technology or product candidates. These deals tend to be multicomponent, starting with collaborative R&D, and commercialization of outcomes. This report provides details of the latest artificial intelligence, oligonucletides including aptamers agreements announced in the healthcare sectors. Understanding the flexibility of a prospective partner's negotiated deals terms provides critical insight into the negotiation process in terms of what you can expect to achieve during the negotiation of terms. Whilst many smaller companies will be seeking details of the payments clauses, the devil is in the detail in terms of how payments are triggered - contract documents provide this insight where press releases and databases do not. In addition, where available, records include contract documents as submitted to the Securities Exchange Commission by companies and their partners. Contract documents provide the answers to numerous questions about a prospective partner's flexibility on a wide range of important issues, many of which will have a significant impact on each party's ability to derive value from the deal. In addition, a comprehensive appendix is provided organized by artificial intelligence partnering company A-Z, deal type definitions and artificial intelligence partnering agreements example. Each deal title links via Weblink to an online version of the deal record and where available, the contract document, providing easy access to each contract document on demand. The report also includes numerous tables and figures that illustrate the trends and activities in artificial intelligence partnering and dealmaking since 2010. In conclusion, this report provides everything a prospective dealmaker needs to know about partnering in the research, development and commercialization of artificial intelligence technologies and products. Report scope Global Artificial Intelligence Partnering Terms and Agreements includes: Trends in artificial intelligence dealmaking in the biopharma industry since 2010 Access to headline, upfront, milestone and royalty data Access to over 750 artificial intelligence deals The leading artificial intelligence deals by value since 2010 Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers since 2010 The leading artificial intelligence partnering resources In Global Artificial Intelligence Partnering Terms and Agreements, the available contracts are listed by: Company A-Z Headline value Stage of development at signing Deal component type Specific therapy and technology target Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Chapter 1 - Introduction Chapter 2 - Trends in artificial intelligence dealmaking 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Artificial intelligence partnering over the years 2.3. Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers 2.4. Artificial intelligence partnering by deal type 2.5. Artificial intelligence partnering by therapy area 2.6. Deal terms for artificial intelligence partnering 2.6.1 Artificial intelligence partnering headline values 2.6.2 Artificial intelligence deal upfront payments 2.6.3 Artificial intelligence deal milestone payments 2.6.4 Artificial intelligence royalty rates Chapter 3 - Leading artificial intelligence deals 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Top artificial intelligence deals by value Chapter 4 - Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers 4.3. Most active artificial intelligence partnering company profiles Chapter 5 - Artificial intelligence contracts dealmaking directory 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Artificial intelligence contracts dealmaking directory Chapter 6 - Artificial intelligence dealmaking by technology type Appendices Appendix 1 - Artificial intelligence deals by company A-Z Appendix 2 - Artificial intelligence deals by stage of development Appendix 3 - Artificial intelligence deals by deal type Appendix 4 - Artificial intelligence deals by therapy area Appendix 5 - Deal type definitions Appendix 6 - Further reading on dealmaking Table of figures Figure 1: Artificial intelligence partnering since 2010 Figure 2: Active artificial intelligence dealmaking activity since 2010 Figure 3: Artificial intelligence partnering by deal type since 2010 Figure 4: Artificial intelligence partnering by disease type since 2010 Figure 5: Artificial intelligence deals with a headline value Figure 6: Artificial intelligence deals with an upfront value Figure 7: Artificial intelligence deals with a milestone value Figure 8: Artificial intelligence deals with a royalty rate value Figure 9: Top artificial intelligence deals by value since 2010 Figure 10: Most active artificial intelligence dealmakers since 2010 Companies Mentioned HistoIndex Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Boehringer Ingelheim Worthington Biochemical Corporation Loop Insights Roux Institute Wyss Institute Endpoint Health EndPoint Technologies MILA International Lore IO CoreBiome Relation Therapeutics DecisionQ KBP BioSciences AUM Biosciences SOM Biotech Vir Biotechnology 1ST Biotherapeutics BurstIQ Covaris Genesis Therapeutics C4X Discovery Atomwise IrisVision PolarisQB ChemDiv Adaptive Biotechnologies Kebotix AltaML Medial Reveal Biosciences Medial EarlySign Global Good Fund Mendel Health For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7uulc About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 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 DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Bioherbicides Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering The global bioherbicides market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19.98% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$2,434.72 million in 2027 from US$680.381 million in 2020. For farmers, weeds are an ongoing issue. They compete with crops for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space, as well as harbour insect and disease pests, clogging irrigation and drainage systems, degrading crop quality, and depositing weed seeds into agricultural harvests. Weeds can drastically affect crop output if left unchecked. Tillage, hand weeding, synthetic herbicides, or a mix of all of these approaches are used by farmers to combat weeds. However, the essential topsoil is exposed to wind and soil erosion by tillage, which leads to negative effects on the environment. As a result, an increasing number of farmers are opting for reduced or no-till farming practices. Bioherbicides are weed killers and are created by microorganisms such as viruses, fungus, and bacteria; as well as insects, and insects including parasitic wasps and other insects. The bacteria have invasive genes that can assault the weeds' protection genes, killing them. Because of this selective response, bioherbicides are extremely valuable because they destroy only the weed plants that are interfering with crop productivity while causing no harm to the crop itself. Bioherbicides can be used to target a single weed while causing no harm to the rest of the environment. The advantage of using bioherbicides is that they can remain in the environment long enough to infect additional weeds in the following growing season. It is less expensive than synthetic pesticides, and if used properly, it might significantly cut farming costs. When compared to conventional herbicides, it is less hazardous to the environment and has no effect on non-target organisms. Market Trends Bioherbicides are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and do not harm other species that are essential to crop growth. In the next few years, rising knowledge of these benefits is projected to increase market demand. Manufacturers are focusing on implementing awareness programmes to educate farmers about the adverse chemical effects of synthetic herbicides in collaboration with local governing bodies. This is predicted to have a beneficial impact on bioherbicide demand, resulting in increased market growth. The use of synthetic herbicides is being harmed by increased insect resistance and the presence of herbicide residues on tolerant crops such as soybeans and maize. As a result, industrialised countries have enacted tough import controls for such crops, which is projected to increase demand for bioherbicides. In integrated pest control systems, bioherbicides are also gaining favour. But the presence of and accessibility to chemical-based replacements is expected to restrain the market's growth during the forecast period as they have better capabilities as compared to bioherbicides. Growth Factor Increasing demand for organic products Due to rising customer demand, the bioherbicide market for organic products is expanding rapidly. The rise in demand for organic foods is mostly due to an increase in the number of health-conscious people, an increase in environmental concerns, and government support in the form of subsidies and premium market conditions. Farmers all across the world will be able to produce crops using organic methods, which will propel the bioherbicide market even more. Additionally, there has been a huge shift in people's eating habits and tastes around the world. Subsidies, financial aid, and R&D programmes run by various government and non-government organisations, such as APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) in India, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the United States, are expected to benefit the organic food market. As the organic food sector grows, so does the demand for bioherbicides and organic manures, which are both required for organic cultivation. COVID-19's Impact on the Bioherbicide Market: The COVID-19 pandemic, however, is expected to act as a restraint to this market's growth considering the disruptions in supply chains and business operations of market players caused by the lockdowns imposed because of the pandemic. Competitive Insights The increasing global demand for coupled inductors has led to the entry of several new players in the global bioherbicides market. Major market participants such as HerbaNatur, Inc., Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc and BHA (BioHerbicides Australia) among others, have been profiled, as have their respective competitive strategies. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Dynamics 4.1. Market Drivers 4.2. Market Restraints 4.3. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers 4.3.3. The threat of New Entrants 4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes 4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Function 4.4. Function Value Chain Analysis 5. Global Bioherbicides Market, By Agent 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Microbial 5.2.1. Bacteria 5.2.2. Fungi 5.2.3. Virus 5.3. Plant-derived 5.4. Others 6. Global Bioherbicides Market, By Application 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Agricultural 6.3. Non-Agricultural 7. Global Bioherbicides Market, By Geography 8. Competitive Environment and Analysis 8.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis 8.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness 8.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations 8.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix 9. Company Profiles. 9.1. HerbaNatur, Inc. 9.2. Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc 9.3. BHA (BioHerbicides Australia) 9.4. Valent Biosciences 9.5. Emery Oleochemicals 9.6. Bayer CropScience 9.7. Deer Creek Holdings 9.8. Belchim Crop Protection USA, LLC. 9.9. WeedOUT Ltd. 9.10. Hindustan Bio-Tech For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/l3pn6b 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 Download the Sample Report Now! Key Design Services Sourcing and Procurement Report Highlights: Market growth 2021-2025: USD 90.58 Billion Growth momentum & CAGR: Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.37% Top Pricing Models: Project-based pricing, and Hourly pricing Key consumer countries: North America , Europe , and APAC Supplier Selection Criteria: Technical specifications, Operational requirements, Acceptance criteria, and Evaluation criteria Top Suppliers: Gensler, John Wood Group Plc, and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc Know More About This Market: Request for a Free Sample Report Now! Insights into Suitable Supplier Selection Criteria, Supplier Evaluation Metrics, and SLA that Buyers Should Consider: The design services procurement market report provides a detailed analysis into various supplier selection criteria, RFX questions, supplier evaluation metrics, and the service level agreements that the buyers should consider adopting to achieve significant cost savings, streamline the procurement process, and reduce category TCO while sourcing for design services requirements. For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/design-services-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Design Services 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 Design 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. To know more about various other market drivers, trends and challenges. Download our free sample report Smart Procurement Starts Here SpendEdge's procurement intelligence platform is the go-to tool for companies looking to access latest procurement research insights and supplier data on an easy to use platform. STARTER PACK Get 6 Full Reports, View 800+ report samples, Pre-order upcoming reports, Pre-order upcoming reports. Subscribe Now for FREE Want to know about various other Subscription packs? Click here Get the Details That You Are Looking for: Buy our detailed market analysis report to uncover: Changing Design Services market landscape with yearly forecast till 2025. Analyze the Design Services market's competitive and vendor landscape. How much marketing budget to set aside for geographical Design Services market expansion? Understanding the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries. Download the FREE sample Report Now! 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, 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 WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gulf Oil announced today that it has selected Stuzo's Open Commerce Platform to power its new digital loyalty and payments program. Gulf launched roll-back fuel discounts at the pump through its mobile payment app, Gulf Pay, in 2017. To build upon its success, Gulf will launch its next evolution on Stuzo's Open Commerce Platform with intelligent 1:1 loyalty, contactless commerce, and cross-channel member loyalty capabilities later this year. Gulf Selects Stuzo "To meet the ever-changing needs of our consumers, we selected Stuzo to help bring our vision for a seamless and personalized loyalty journey to life," said Gulf's Vice President of Marketing & Payments, Nikki Fales. The new program will utilize Stuzo's patent pending Wallet Steering System to hyper-personalize Gulf's fuel offers and payments program capabilities, delivering more reasons for consumers to remain engaged and providing additional insights and revenue for Gulf's network of branded distributors and dealers. "This next evolution of Gulf Pay empowers our distributors and dealers to personalize the consumer experience at the pump and in store and to profitably drive loyalty," said Fales. Gulf will be utilizing Stuzo's suite of products, Open Commerce Activate, Transact and Experience, to build and scale an industry leading program that delivers measurable business outcomes to its portfolio of retailers. The new program will launch to consumers in 2022. "Our mission is to help Gulf steer a greater share of consumer wallets to the Gulf brand and its distribution partners and drive increased consumer lifetime value," said Jake Kiser, Chief Customer Officer, Stuzo. "We are honored to partner with Gulf on this journey." Download image from press release here About Gulf Oil Gulf is a Massachusetts-based company fueling consumers through approximately 1,400 Gulf branded locations across 36 states and Puerto Rico. The company also distributes unbranded products to 1,000 private label locations nationwide. More information can be found at www.gulfoil.com. Media Contact: Nikki Fales, Gulf Oil, [email protected] About Stuzo Stuzo, with its Open Commerce product suite and patent pending Wallet Steering System, empowers Convenience & Fuel Retailers to gain more share of wallet and customer lifetime value than possible with any other solution provider. Stuzo's unified Open Commerce product suite consists of: Activate for Intelligent 1:1 Loyalty, Transact for Contactless Commerce, and Experience for Cross-Channel Customer Experiences. Stuzo's solutions are supported by a set of subscription-based program management services and are contractually backed by its 1.5X Performance Guarantee. Media Contact: Aaron McLean, Stuzo, [email protected] SOURCE Gulf Oil Largest network of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals reimagines ways to drive connections, amplify voices within healthcare industry PHILADELPHIA, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Union , the leader in social health, announces the launch of its Social Health Network, a broad reaching community for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals with the goal of bringing empathy, support and humanity to the healthcare industry. The Social Health Network ( SocialHealthNetwork.com ) continues Health Union's tradition of bringing people together in the shared experience of driving unique and impactful conversations about health, while expanding opportunities for health leaders to raise awareness, share knowledge and help others. Health Union's Social Health Network represents a significant milestone that furthers the company's mission to help people with chronic and complex conditions live better, providing a mutually beneficial impact for both health leaders and the healthcare industry. By combining the powerful impact of Health Union's proven online health community model with WEGO Health's Patient Leader Network, Health Union further cements its commitment to social health - the dynamic, real-time action people take to find meaningful connections and share information that impact their health journey. Health Union's Social Health Network offers health leaders - a mixture of patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals - opportunities to participate in panels and networking events, as well as other external opportunities to amplify their voices and positively impact the healthcare industry. In addition to these opportunities, participants will have access to free online courses, webinars and other resources. All of these opportunities and resources, as well as engagement and discussions, can be found on SocialHealthNetwork.com and within the community's corresponding social media channels. "Through our research and more than a decade of working closely with health leaders impacted by a variety of chronic and complex health conditions, we know just how influential their experiences can be on the health journeys of others," said Amrita Bhowmick, Health Union's chief community officer. "Launching the Social Health Network gives Health Union the ability to expand the power of social health while empowering patient leaders to use their voices in a way that will positively reshape the healthcare ecosystem." For nearly 15 years, the Patient Leader Network - an extensive group of patients and caregivers, across virtually all health conditions and topics - helped to elevate the patient voice across the healthcare industry. All members will automatically become part of the Social Health Network, which will retain the features and opportunities previously offered through WEGO Health and open up new opportunities with the inclusion of healthcare industry professionals. Any new patients, caregivers or healthcare professionals interested in joining the Social Health Network can visit SocialHealthNetwork.com to learn more. About Health Union Health Union is the proven industry leader driving and amplifying social health. As the premier social health company, only Health Union encourages the dynamic, real-time action people take to find meaningful connections and share information that impact their health journey. The company reaches millions of people through the largest portfolio of condition-specific online health communities (e.g., Migraine.com, MultipleSclerosis.net, LungCancer.net) and health leaders - addressing virtually every condition and providing the information, connection and support they need. SOURCE Health Union Holland America Line to highlight commitment to sustainably sourced local seafood with new partnership. Tweet this "For 75 years, we've immersed guests' senses in the wilds of Alaska from the incredible sights and sounds of its national parks to the unparalleled tastes of its natural products, where, of course, seafood is king," said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development, Holland America Line. "We're proud to partner with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in its quest to further protect and promote the state's unmatched resource, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of the wild seafood available in the U.S." According to ASMI, the Alaska seafood industry contributes over $5.7 billion in economic value to Alaska's economy and more than $15 billion to the U.S. economy. Seafood is also the largest private sector employer in Alaska, adding more than 62,000 jobs in 2019. Contributing to the impact across its six ships that sail in Alaska, Holland America Line purchases and serves locally sourced Alaska wild and sustainable seafood, including more than 4,000 pounds of wild Alaska fish per cruise. "ASMI is honored to partner with Holland America Line in Alaska given our shared commitment to sustainable seafood and supporting local Alaska communities," said Ashley Heimbigner, communications director for ASMI. "We are thrilled that visitors to Alaska will have the opportunity to enjoy and connect with what makes Alaska's seafood so special while they are here, and hope they are inspired to look for Alaska seafood when they return home." The two organizations will inaugurate their partnership on July 5 when Chef Stowell will join Alaska commercial fishers and local leaders in Juneau to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Alaska's seafood bounty, including five species of salmon, several varieties of whitefish, and numerous types of crab and shellfish. The event will be capped by a presentation of seafood cooking techniques led by Stowell. "I believe it's best to think local and let the food do the talking," said Chef Stowell. "Holland America Line has always been supremely focused on the authenticity of their ingredients that tell the tales of the destinations they visit and certainly Alaska has many stories to share. I'm thrilled to be a part of this first step in our partnership with ASMI." The new partnership is announced to complement Holland America Line's "Alaska Up Close" initiative, a 360 experience that immerses guests in the Great Land in a way that only 75 years of experience can deliver. No other cruise line has explored Alaska longer than Holland America Line, and through the years the brand has collected awards and accolades for Alaska cruising. Holland America Line was named the top pick for Alaska in the Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Awards, AFAR Travelers' Choice Awards, Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards and TravelAge West Wave Awards Editor's Pick, confirming its position as the number-one cruise line in Alaska by some of the world's most discerning travelers and cruise experts. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. Editor's note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/xnpevlg8. Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com. About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL) and (NYSE: CUK) Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in July 2021. The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs. About Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is a partnership between the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry promoting the benefits of wild and sustainable Alaska seafood and offering seafood industry education. The seafood industry is Alaska's largest basic private sector employer with over 60 percent of all wild seafood and 90-95 percent of wild salmon harvested in the U.S. coming from Alaska. In addition to wild salmon, Alaska is known for its crab and whitefish varieties such as Pacific cod, sablefish, halibut, Alaska pollock, sole and rockfish available fresh or frozen year-round. Alaska is dedicated to sustainable seafood and the only state with a constitution that mandates all seafood be managed under the sustained yield principle. Alaska has taken a leadership role in setting the global standard for precautionary resource management to protect fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations leading to an ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood for markets worldwide. CONTACT: Bill Zucker, Erik Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE Holland America Line Raising further awareness around the environment and sustainability, a new HONOR Magic Moments Monthly Challenge with the theme "Earth View in the Mirror" kicks off today on Instagram , Facebook and HONOR Global Club . The challenge aims to encourage participants to appreciate and capture the beautiful landscapes around the world. At the same time, HONOR official website has been updated with a new environmental page . "At HONOR, we are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our products," said George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co., Ltd. "With sustainability and circular economy as part of our product design philosophy, we strive to enhance the eco-friendliness of our products by evaluating their carbon footprint throughout the full life cycle, at the same time reducing the consumption of resources and energy." Improving Packaging with Environmental Awareness in Mind To minimize resource consumption, HONOR uses packaging materials that are lightweight, compact, harmless, easy-to-recycle and environmentally friendly. The company also helps to protect the environment by replacing traditional petroleum-based ink and plastics with renewable and biodegradable packaging materials. Switching from petroleum-based ink to soy ink, HONOR has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 80 tons since 2014. For the HONOR Magic Series, the phone tray is made of sugarcane bagasse instead of plastics, cutting carbon dioxide emission by 32 tons per million units. HONOR has also replaced plastics with paper for the protective film of chargers and data cables, further lowering carbon dioxide emission by 35 tons per 10 million units. In addition, Forest Stewardship Council-certified packaging boxes are used to contain products including the HONOR Magic Series smartphones and the HONOR Watch GS3, which help to conserve a forest area of approximately 122 hectares a year. Since 2021, HONOR has been working on designing simpler and more robust packaging solution for laptops. Currently, HONOR laptops are all packed in boxes made of singular pieces of folded corrugated cardboard. Medium boxes typically used in delivery have also been eliminated, contribution to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 208 tons in total. For laptops and wearables, HONOR has saved approximately 74 tons of paper, equivalent to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 77 tons, by optimizing the packaging structure and consolidating the management of printed materials. Meeting Strict Environmental Standards with Industry-Recognized Certifications On top of satisfying the international requirements, HONOR maintains a more stringent set of internal environmental standards to take an active role in eliminating the potential harmful substances from its smartphones, tablets and other products. After testing dozens of material formulas in partnership with multiple suppliers, HONOR has settled on using halogen-free power cables for all its smartphones and tablets, a change that resulted in the reduction of hazardous materials in the brand's products by approximately 3,379 tons since it went into effect in 2016. To date, 76 of HONOR's smartphones and tablets have received the Grade A Environmental Label from China Quality Certification Centre (CQC). Exploring Clean Energy for Greener Operations With a strong emphasis on environmental protection during its production and operations, HONOR aims to reduce its ecological footprint through energy conservation and emission reduction. While exploring the use of clean energy to lower the carbon dioxide emission of its industrial park, HONOR optimizes the management of facilities to cut energy consumption in daily operations by keeping energy records and monitoring and analyzing relevant data. HONOR encourages its staff to embrace remote working by taking advantage of telecommunication tools such as audio and video calls to reduce the need for business trips. This change is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by 26,761 tons in a year, according to a research report co-authored by the Center Environmental Education and Communications of Ministry of Environmental Protection[1]. Inside the HONOR Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park, HONOR operates 146 shuttle routes, providing a greener option for employees to commute to work and effectively reducing carbon emissions by another 1,317 tons[2]. Adopting sustainability practices with industry partners, HONOR will continue to focus its environmental, social and governance efforts on green initiatives. While achieving the sustainable development of the company, HONOR strives to build a new intelligent world for everyone with innovation and technology. About HONOR HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technology that empowers people around the globe to go beyond, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more. Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to suit every budget, HONOR's portfolio of innovative, premium and reliable products enable people to become a better version of themselves. For more information, please visit HONOR online at www.hihonor.com or email [email protected] http://community.hihonor.com/ https://www.facebook.com/honorglobal/ https://twitter.com/Honorglobal https://www.instagram.com/honorglobal/ http://www.youtube.com/c/HonorOfficial [1] The report is titled Online Meeting Research Report: Quantifying Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction. [2] Based on the assumption that 50% of shuttle bus passengers drive to work. SOURCE HONOR "Smartphone photography is not just about hardware or software. At HONOR, we excel in leveraging fusion computational photography and multiple cameras to achieve what we call 'all for one and one for all' synergy, elevating smartphone camera imaging quality to levels that can even rival what some DSLR cameras offer," said Dr. Weilong Hou, Technical Expert, HONOR Imaging. "The HONOR Magic4 Series exemplifies the work of our R&D team, featuring the HONOR Image Engine that not only enables users to harness the full capabilities every camera equipped on an HONOR smartphone, but also makes incredible image quality accessible to everyday users." The webinar was moderated by Peter Ricardson, Vice President of Research, Counterpoint Research, with a panel of industry veterans and subject experts in attendance, including Dr. Hou; Herve Macudzinski, Image Science Director, DXOMARK; Judd Heape, Vice President of Product Management, Qualcomm and Eugenio Recuenco, renowned professional photographer, film director and two-time Cannes Lion Award winner, who has also recently shot a film entirely on the HONOR Magic4 Pro. The event complements a Counterpoint Research whitepaper that is publishing today. HONOR Image Engine: The Core of HONOR Smartphone Cameras In his presentation, Dr. Hou introduced the HONOR Image Engine, HONOR's cutting edge camera solution that enables the hardware to work in unison with AI and algorithms to generate high quality visuals. Underpinning the camera experience, the solution helps users elevate simple camera captures to artistic renditions of their creative vision. As the latest HONOR flagship smartphones, HONOR Magic4 Pro and HONOR Magic4 Ultimate are a testament to the efficacy of the solution, with the latter scoring 146 on DXOMARK Overall Camera Score the highest score ever given by the authoritative product evaluation organization. Addressing user pain points around mobile photography and video capture, the two smartphones debuted with a wide range of cutting-edge features, including the ability to take high quality photos while capturing a video. Going forward, according to Dr. Hou, HONOR will continue striving to empower consumers to take great images anytime, anywhere through R&D, with a focus on achieving performance parity between mobile and dedicated cameras, improving image quality, and harnessing a wider array of sensors with more advanced software to comprehensively improve imaging outcomes. Currently, all HONOR Magic Series and HONOR N Series smartphones are equipped with HONOR Image Engine, which works in the background to ensure better photo and video capturing results. Evaluating Smartphone Cameras From the perspective of a trusted product evaluation expert, Macudzinski shared his views on the requirements for a great photograph a photographer's skill to identify and frame the scene, the occurrence of a decisive moment to be captured with clarity, and the camera's capabilities to understand user's intention and modify images accordingly. For a smartphone camera to be regarded as exceptional, according to Macudzinski, it needs to support these features in the camera's default shooting mode. The expert illustrated his viewpoints with HONOR Magic4 Ultimate, which has remained the top of DXOMARK's smartphone camera rankings since its test report was published in March. Commending the HONOR flagship smartphone for its exceptional user experience, capture capability and AI processing, Macudzinski discussed key highlights from DXOMARK's report, focusing on HONOR Magic4 Ultimate zoom performance across various focal lengths and the fusion between hardware and software allowing the various camera lenses to work together and produce objectively better image quality. Smartphone Photography from a Professional's Perspective Renowned for his works as a photographer and film director, Recuenco recently shot his film Kaleidoscope entirely on HONOR Magic4 Pro. Recounting his experience during the presentation, Recuenco said filming with the HONOR smartphone felt familiar, as the array of professional features such as the powerful camera system and Magic-Log provided him with the creative freedom he enjoys with professional gear, but in a much more pocketable form factor. Recuenco, as one of the judges for the HONOR Magic Moments competition, also selected a few submissions from the year's contest and commented on the myriad possibilities today's smartphone cameras have enabled for people to be more expressive on their captures than ever before. Technological Integration Representing Qualcomm, Heape shared insights into the collaboration that brought the HONOR Image Engine to life. The HONOR Magic4 Series took full advantage of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform and the latest Qualcomm AI Engine for Ultra Fusion Photography, allowing images taken by different lenses and processed by multiple ISP to complement each other to achieve an improvement in image quality. The innovative algorithm HONOR developed fully released the RAW domain computational photography capabilities. With HONOR Image Engine's flexible frame work, while Qualcomm's ISP can support the high throughput of multi-threading and parallel processing, which leads to innovative functions and user experiences like "Advanced Photoshoot While Video Recording". Complementary Counterpoint Research Whitepaper The webinar is a complement to a new Counterpoint Research whitepaper which offers a holistic view on the wider industry trends with contributions from webinar panelists. The whitepaper is available for download on Counterpoint Research's website. About HONOR HONOR is a leading global provider of smart devices. It is dedicated to becoming a global iconic technology brand and creating a new intelligent world for everyone through its powerful products and services. With an unwavering focus on R&D, it is committed to developing technology that empowers people around the globe to go beyond, giving them the freedom to achieve and do more. Offering a range of high-quality smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables to suit every budget, HONOR's portfolio of innovative, premium and reliable products enable people to become a better version of themselves. For more information, please visit HONOR online at www.hihonor.com or email [email protected] http://community.hihonor.com/ https://www.facebook.com/honorglobal/ https://twitter.com/Honorglobal https://www.instagram.com/honorglobal/ http://www.youtube.com/c/HonorOfficial SOURCE HONOR Date: June 21-23, 2022 Location: Cleveland, OH Booth: Huntington Convention Center Booth 7009 (Prosegur Security) Link: https://nrfprotect.nrf.com/ Kyle Hall, CEO of INEO, will be attending the conference and INEO will be showcased at the Prosegur Security booth where a demo of the Welcoming System will be on display. INEO is quickly becoming recognized as a leading innovator in the retail technology sector. Hosted by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the NRF Protect 2022 Conference is where seasoned and fresh faces come together to discover essential insights and tools to tackle any security threat. United by a shared mission, loss prevention, digital fraud and cyber risk professionals attend to build community and advance as an industry at the most important retail security event of the year. INEO Tech Corp. Per: "Kyle Hall" Kyle Hall, Chief Executive Officer and Director About INEO Tech Corp. (TSXV; INEO); (OTCQB: INEOF) INEO Tech Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary, INEO Solutions Inc., operates the INEO Media Network, a digital advertising and analytics solution for retailers. INEO's patented technology integrates and monetizes digital screens with theft detection sensor gates at the entrance of retail stores. The Company's cloud-based platform uses IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology to deliver customized digital advertising to each retail location based on the demographic mix, such as age and gender, of customer traffic at each location. The Company also deploys the INEO Welcoming Network technology through a SaaS-based solution to larger retail chains. INEO is headquartered in Surrey, Canada and publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the symbol "INEO" and on the OTCQB-Venture Market under the symbol "INEOF". For more information please visit: Website: www.ineosolutionsinc.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ineosolutions Facebook: www.facebook.com/ineosolutionsinc Instagram: www.instagram.com/ineosolutionsinc Twitter: www.twitter.com/INEOsolutions Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. This news release uses words such as "may", "would", "could", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook", and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information involves significant risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual future results or anticipated events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and accordingly, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. 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. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR, including the Company's most recent annual and interim Management Discussion and Analysis and Financial Statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. 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 to the extent required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE INEO Tech Corp. To revamp Digital Workplace Management, Network Security, and IT Infrastructure, powered by Infosys Cobalt BENGALURU, India, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced a global strategic collaboration with TK Elevator, one of the world's leading elevator companies based out of Dusseldorf, Germany. The global seven-year collaboration is an extension of the successful modernization of TK Elevator's IT infrastructure in Europe and Africa. As part of this engagement, Infosys will consolidate and harmonize the global service desk and workplace operations. Infosys will provide AI-powered IT helpdesk services, digital workplace management, as well as network services, powered by Infosys Cobalt-driven automation framework. This will humanize TK Elevator's workplace experience by building a resilient enterprise and digitally transforming their underlying IT infrastructure. Infosys will aim to boost cybersecurity and enhance digital experience for TK Elevator's end users, by leveraging its deep domain expertise, industry-grade IT infrastructure modernization capabilities, and a strong global presence. The collaboration, while improving availability of IT infrastructure, will reduce overall IT operational costs. "At TK Elevator, IT infrastructure is the core of our digital initiatives and we continuously strive to provide state-of-the-art user services. With Infosys as a strategic partner, we are confident to achieve our target of automation, innovation and efficiency across the IT landscape," said, Susan Poon, Global CIO at TK Elevator. "Infosys will provide our business with high-performance IT services and enhanced user experience for our employees worldwide. Leveraging artificial intelligence and automation will not only make our IT more customer-centric, but will also help improve our customer experience at reduced cost," added John Hemming, Head of Infrastructure at TK Elevator. Commenting on the collaboration, Jasmeet Singh, Executive Vice President & Global Head, Manufacturing, Infosys, said, "Enterprises globally are repeatedly choosing cloud-based modernization solutions to enable their digital journeys, rendering their businesses more resilient. We are excited to collaborate with TK Elevator to enable their digital transformation. As we work towards establishing an engagement based on mutual trust and creating a value ecosystem, Infosys' best-in-class solutions in LAN, digital workplace, cybersecurity and infra, powered by AI and hybrid cloud, will drive operational excellence for TK Elevator globally. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future." About TK Elevator (formerly thyssenkrupp Elevator) With customers in over 100 countries served by more than 50,000 employees, TK Elevator achieved sales of around 8 billion in the fiscal year 2020/2021. Over 1,000 locations around the world provide an extensive network that guarantees closeness to customers. Over the past decades, TK Elevator has established itself as one of the world's leading elevator companies and became independent since its separation from thyssenkrupp AG in August 2020. The company's most important business line is the service business represented by over 24,000 service technicians. The product portfolio covers commodity elevators for residential and commercial buildings to cutting-edge, highly customized solutions for state-of-the-art skyscrapers. In addition, it also consists of escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts. Integrated cloud-based service solutions, such as the MAX platform, are gaining in importance. With these digital offerings, there are no limits to urban mobility anymore. TKE move beyond. About Infosys: Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in more than 50 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE,NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. SOURCE Infosys ROCKVILLE, Md., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Inteleos announced a pilot project with Wuqu' Kawoq | the Maya Health Alliance as the selection of the Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certification Academy's 2022 MissionPOCUS project. As the fifth MissionPOCUS project since the initiative's inception in 2018, Inteleos' MissionPOCUS will award the Guatemalan organization a grant to establish an innovative education program aimed to decrease maternal mortality and improve access to care for indigenous Mayan populations. In collaboration with the University of Cincinnati Department of Family and Community (DFCM) Residency Division, the pilot program will employ a longitudinal training model focused on basic obstetric ultrasound initially, with a scalability plan to further implement additional non-obstetric ultrasound applications specific to their unique, rural primary care setting. In Guatemala, indigenous Mayan populations experience a 2-3 times greater rate of maternal mortality and a 13-year decrease in life expectancy compared to their non-indigenous counterparts.1 "Most women in rural Guatemala receive care from lay midwives and deliver at home due to barriers to hospital care including cost, language, and discrimination. The MissionPOCUS grant will give us the funds we need to bring life-saving ultrasound probes and well-trained healthcare workers into the homes of indigenous Guatemalan women," said Dr. Florence Hsiao, Global Health Fellow at University of Cincinnati, Program Lead at Wuqu' Kawoq. The 2022 MissionPOCUS project emulates the commitment of the POCUS Certification Academy to lay the foundation for greater integration and utilization of POCUS in rural regions and developing countries. Dr. Hsiao adds, "This grant not only supports our work in Guatemala, but also connects us to the international POCUS community. It is both inspiring and humbling to see all the great work other MissionPOCUS recipients are doing around the world." For more information about MissionPOCUS or the 2022 pilot program, visit www.pocus.org/MissionPOCUS. About Inteleos Inteleos is a non-profit certification organization that delivers rigorous assessments and cultivates a global community of professionals dedicated to the highest standards in healthcare and patient safety. Inteleos is the overarching governance and management organization for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) the Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA) and the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy which together represents over 124,000 certified medical professionals throughout the world. The Inteleos Foundation represents the philanthropic efforts for the organization. About POCUS Certification Academy The POCUS Certification Academy, under Inteleos, offers rigorous clinical certification, POCUS education and training packages, and community building opportunities for clinicians in over 100 countries. The POCUS Certification Academy allows healthcare providers to demonstrate their ultrasound skills and abilities, assess their proficiency through credentialing, and promote best practices in POCUS. About Wuqu' Kawoq Wuqu' Kawoq- The Maya Health Alliance works to solve pressing health needs in indigenous communities in Guatemala. Since 2007, they have been advancing lasting changes in healthcare delivery across rural Guatemala so that high-quality care, health, and well-being are within reach for everyone. Led by indigenous Maya, they provide high-quality services and resources to 20,000 patients a year. Community Health Workers provide care in the communities where their patients live and in the languages they're most comfortable speaking. Wuqu' Kawoq's program areas include child health, chronic disease, maternal health, primary care, and women's health. 1 MSPAS, S. (2011). Encuesta nacional de mortalidad materna. Guatemala: SEGEPLAN & MSPAS. SOURCE Inteleos SAN FRANCISCO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global intumescent coatings market is expected to reach USD 1,753.03 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Extensive usage of passive fire protection for steel structures, used in offshore & onshore extraction and purification & refining in the oil & gas industry is the key factor boosting the market growth. Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report: Asia Pacific dominated the overall intumescent coatings market with a revenue share of more than 34.0% and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. dominated the overall intumescent coatings market with a revenue share of more than 34.0% and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Water based coatings is expected to be the fastest-growing technology segment of the global intumescent coatings market from 2022 to 2030. Oil & gas was the largest market in 2021 and is projected to expand further at the highest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast years. The booming construction industry in Asia Pacific and the increasing oil and gas exploration activities across the globe are expected to drive the market for intumescent coatings during the forecast period. and the increasing oil and gas exploration activities across the globe are expected to drive the market for intumescent coatings during the forecast period. The intumescent coatings market growth is expected to be restrained due to volatile raw material prices. In May 2021 , Hempel A/S introduced new Hemp afire Pro 400 intumescent coating, which maintains the stability of steel structures for up to 120 minutes in the event of a fire and has been optimized for maximum efficiency in the loadings for 90-minute duration. The new product is expected to bring increased value to the customers. Get more Insights from 159 pages market research report, "Intumescent Coatings Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Water-based, Solvent-based, Epoxy-based), By Application (Hydrocarbon, Cellulosic), By End-Use (Construction), By Region And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030", published by Grand View Research. Intumescent Coatings Market Growth & Trends In addition, rising shale gas exploration coupled with expanding oil & gas industry in North America is expected to propel the product demand throughout the forecast period. The market is characterized by the presence of a large number of raw material suppliers leading to an increase in the switching ability of the manufacturers and boost the bargaining power. However, volatile prices of the raw materials, such as epoxy resins is expected to restrain the growth to some extent. Moreover, several regulations limiting the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the formulation are further expected to hinder the market growth. On the other hand, development of advanced products that are compliant with the regulations set by the European Commission is expected to drive the demand during the next seven years. The market in Asia Pacific witnessed a significant expansion owing to increased oil & gas exploration activities, particularly in the South China Sea. Furthermore, infrastructure development in emerging economies including India, Indonesia, and Vietnam is likely to contribute to the market development during the forecast period. Water-based intumescent coatings segment is anticipated to progress at substantial growth rate during the forecast period. Water-based intumescent coatings are primarily used where solvent-based coatings are expected to react with the substrate. They are ideal primers owing to properties such as excellent thermal and corrosion resistance. In addition, they are flame resistant and have low toxicity owing to their low VOC content and low hazardous air pollutant emissions. The use of water-based coatings is projected to increase during the forecast period due to the stringent legislation regarding the solvents present in paints & coatings in the U.S. and other developed European countries. Several companies in the market are working towards the improvement of new fast-drying intumescent coatings. Companies such as Alfa Laval and Hellenic Petroleum are using fast-drying water-based intumescent coatings for heat exchangers, train wagons, piping, and tanks. These coatings comply with strict VOC regulations and are suitable for shorter production turnaround time. Intumescent Coatings Market Segmentation Grand View Research has segmented the global intumescent coatings market report based on the technology, application, end-use and region: Intumescent Coatings Market - Technology Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030) Water-based Solvent-based Epoxy-based Intumescent Coatings Market - Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030) Hydrocarbon Cellulosic Intumescent Coatings Market - End-use Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030) Construction Oil & Gas Automotive Others Intumescent Coatings Market - Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030) North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany U.K. France Spain Denmark Finland Italy Belgium Netherlands Russia Sweden Romania Poland Asia Pacific China India Japan Central & South America Brazil Argentina Middle East & Africa & Saudi Arabia South Africa List of Key Players of Intumescent Coating Market Akzo Nobel N.V. Jotun Contego International Inc. Hempel A/S No-Burn Inc. Nullifire The Sherwin-Williams Company Carboline Albi Protective Coatings Isolatek International Flame Control Coatings Rudolf Hensel GmbH PPG Industries, Inc. 3M Sika AG Tor Coatings Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research: Flat Glass Coatings Market - The global flat glass coatings market size is expected to reach USD 10.3 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 20.4% during the forecast period, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising demand for mirror and glass facades from the commercial and residential sectors coupled with growing product adoption in the automotive & transportation sector is likely to drive the market during the forecast period. The global flat glass coatings market size is expected to reach by 2030, registering a CAGR of 20.4% during the forecast period, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising demand for mirror and glass facades from the commercial and residential sectors coupled with growing product adoption in the automotive & transportation sector is likely to drive the market during the forecast period. Corrosion Protective Coatings Market - The global corrosion protective coatings market is expected to reach USD 28.02 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising industrial production coupled with growing spending by regional governments on infrastructure development in emerging countries of Asia Pacific and the Middle East is expected to drive global corrosion protective coatings market growth over the next eight years. - The global corrosion protective coatings market is expected to reach by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising industrial production coupled with growing spending by regional governments on infrastructure development in emerging countries of and the is expected to drive global corrosion protective coatings market growth over the next eight years. Cool Roof Coatings Market - The global cool roof coating market size is anticipated to reach USD 6.22 billion by 2027, exhibiting a revenue-based CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period, according to a new report published by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising developments in the residential and industrial sectors are expected to positively impact the demand. Cool roof coatings reduce the heat build-up within the buildings, thus improving their performance and reducing the overall maintenance cost. Browse through Grand View Research's Paints, Coatings & Printing Inks Industry Research Reports. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: 1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Grand View Compass | Grand View Pipeline Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. Company continues to leverage strong cash position to reduce debt, bringing year-to-date total to $2 million of convertible debentures repurchased. MONTREAL, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - IOU FINANCIAL INC. ("IOU" or "the Company") (TSXV: IOU), a leading online lender to small businesses (IOUFinancial.com), announced today that it is repurchasing approximately $0.6 million of its convertible debentures in the capital of the Company (the "Debentures") at par. Such transactions are being carried out pursuant to repurchase agreements entered into with individual holders of Debentures. Today's move to repurchase $0.6 million of Debentures brings the total year-to-date repurchases to $2 million and reduces the outstanding principal value of Debentures to approximately $6 million. The Debentures mature on December 31, 2023. "IOU's continued growth and robust financial position gives us further opportunity to reduce corporate debt," said Robert Gloer, CEO. "We are able to remain laser-focused on achieving even greater levels of scalable growth in the months and years ahead." About IOU Financial Inc. IOU Financial Inc. is a wholesale lender that provides quick and easy access to growth capital to small businesses through a network of preferred brokers across the US and Canada. Built on its proprietary IOU360 technology platform that connects underwriters, merchants and brokers in real time, IOU Financial has become a trusted alternative to banks by originating over US$1 billion in loans to fund small business growth since 2009. IOU trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol IOU (TSXV: IOU), and on the US OTC markets as IOUFF. To learn more about IOU Financial's corporate history, financial products, or to join our broker network please visit www.IOUFinancial.com. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth 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 IOU including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory and shareholder approvals, the execution of definitive documentation and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. IOU does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE IOU Financial Inc. Groundbreaking at State Street site to occur in June SAGINAW, Mich., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Isabella Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Isabella Bank Corporation (OTCQX:ISBA), announced a June ground breaking to expand its commitment to the Saginaw community. Located on State Street near Wieneke Road, the new branch will be Isabella Bank's fifth location in Saginaw County. Slated to open during the first quarter of 2023, the branch will provide individuals and business owners increased access to a full line of in-person banking products and services. "This is an investment in the Saginaw area in its people, its businesses and its leaders, who are working hard to fuel a vibrant community," said Jae A. Evans, Isabella Bank Chief Executive Officer. As an independent community bank that has grown and evolved with mid-Michigan for nearly 120 years, we're excited to expand our presence in Saginaw." Isabella Bank combines exceptional customer service with advances in banking technology to create long term - personal relationships, and provide relevant products and services to its customers. "We're a large bank with local, community values and service that blends high-tech with personal relationships," said Jerome Schwind, Isabella Bank President. "We're all about helping customers and communities grow and thrive." "Saginaw customers have made it clear: they value us as a full-service, independent community bank," said Michael Colby, the bank's East Region President. "They like the stability Isabella Bank offers. They like our combination of modern and traditional services. They also appreciate that decisions about their needs are made right here, by people who live in the area and support the community." Isabella Bank was established in 1903 and has been committed to serving the local banking needs of its customers and communities for 119 years. The bank has assets of approximately $2 billion and offers personal and business lending, and deposit products. In addition, the bank offers investment, trust, and estate planning services through Isabella Wealth. With the new branch, the bank will have 30 locations throughout seven Mid-Michigan counties: Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, and Saginaw. SOURCE Isabella Bank Corporation LONDON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jason White of technology consultancy KitelyTech has been named "Digital Transformation CEO of the Year USA" in the 2022 Business Worldwide Magazine CEO Awards. The awards seek to identify and celebrate exceptional business leaders from around the globe, across a wide range of sectors. Unlike many business awards programmes, which focus on the overall successes of a company, here the spotlight is on the CEO's, COOs and directors who lead them. The aim is to give outstanding executives the recognition they deserve, while inspiring others to achieve similar success. Jason White was inspired to establish KitelyTech following his own disappointing experiences with digital companies. The entrepreneur decided to set up the 'one-stop shop' technology consultancy organization with the aim of setting industry leading standards and putting a focus on quality. The term 'digital transformation' has become so commonplace in organisations around the world that its meaning may have become difficult to accurately define. Many people see it as being simply about making good software choices, but the reality is that embracing this fourth industrial revolution still depends on people. White is a serial successful entrepreneur who has started and grown businesses across several sectors. His operations have always been driven by technology, but a series of poor experiences with organizations who over promised and under delivered led to the loss of his life savings. This inspired him to set out on a mission to change the status quo and set clear standards for this ever-evolving industry. The agency offers a range of services, from developing new e-commerce platforms to creating new mobile experiences for start-ups, but one thing never changes consistent, transparent operations. Clients of KitelyTech have full access to all meeting notes, recordings and team communications, and this open process is matched by an open culture. Speaking to Business Worldwide Magazine, White explained: A key part of being able to be successfully transparent is about allowing the team to be vulnerable. To enable this KitelyTech has set up a process of "safe space meetings" where emotion is removed, and the focus is on the process and not the individual. It's not about the mistake, but rather what process allowed that mistake to happen in the first place." To find out more about KitelyTech visit - https://kitelytech.com. An article on the company can be found on the Business Worldwide Magazine website: https://bwmonline.com/2022/05/26/kitelytech-the-digital-transformation-maestros/ Further information about the Business Worldwide Magazine Awards 2022 visit - https://bwmonline.com/awards/ About Business Worldwide Magazine Business Worldwide Magazine is the leading source of business and dealmaker intelligence throughout the world. Our quarterly magazine and online news portal enable an established audience of corporate dealmakers to track the latest news, stories and developments affecting the international markets, corporate finance, business strategy and changes in legislation. This readership includes of CEO/CFO - Banks, Corporate Lawyers, and Venture Capital/Private Equity Companies to name a few. Contact David Jones Awards Department E: [email protected] W: http://www.bwmonline.com SOURCE Business Worldwide Magazine BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jingling Tang, MD, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Woman in Healthcare for her work as a Physiatrist with the International Rehab Medical Office and as the owner of the Sweet Home Senior Day Care and Healthy Life Homecare LHCAS. Jingling Tang, MD Dr. Tang is a highly-skilled, board-certified physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation with over 30 years of clinical experience and a certified acupuncture specialist who offers Western, traditional Chinese, and alternative medicine options. She and her team of highly-trained healthcare professionals speak multiple languages and serve hundreds of patients through the International Rehab Medical Office, located in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Her upbeat personality complements her caring temperament as she treats patients with the utmost compassion. In addition to her private medical practice, Dr. Tang operates home and community-based services programs, including Sweet Home Senior Day Care in New York City. The programs provide individually-centered and culturally-appropriate services for older adults and persons with disabilities, offering personal care and socialization in a community setting. Dr. Tang also operates the Healthy Life Home Care Agency. Its mission is to help seniors and disabled individuals safely remain in the community while minimizing the need for institutional care. Dr. Tang earned her Medical Degree in 1983 from the Capital University of Medical Sciences in Beijing, China. Shortly after arriving in the United States, she continued her medical training, completing her internship in General Surgery at North Shore University Hospital in 1999 and residency at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Furthermore, she completed her residencies in Physical Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in 2000 and Rehabilitation at the University of Utah the following year. Dr. Tang is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation through the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She specializes in treatments that enhance and restore function to persons impacted by physical impairments/disabilities. Among the many rehabilitative services that help improve Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Dr. Tang offers through her clinical work: physical therapy, alternative pain relief medicines, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and Synvisc injections to treat joint pain, osteoarthritis, and much more. Contact: Katherine Green 516-825-5634 [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Crawford to Serve as Chair of MicroVest Board and Investment Committee BETHESDA, Md., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MicroVest Capital Management today announced that Gil Crawford, co-founder and long-time CEO, has handed over day-to-day management of the firm to Joshua Moraczewski, as part of a planned leadership succession process. Moraczewski, who joined the company in November 2021 as Chief Operating Officer following the firm's acquisition by DAI, has been named CEO. Crawford will maintain a full-time role at the firm and assume the title of Chairman of the Board while continuing to Chair the MicroVest Investment Committee. Joshua Moraczewski, Gil Crawford "Gil is one of our industry's visionaries," said DAI Capital CEO, Gavin Wilson. "His model of balancing purpose with investment discipline has served as a blueprint for today's microfinance investment industry and helped MicroVest channel more than $1 billion in private capital to responsible financial institutions in support of financial inclusion, job creation, and poverty reduction in developing markets. We are delighted that we will continue to benefit from Gil's vision and guidance under his new role as Chairman going forward." After co-founding MicroVest in 2003, Crawford served as CEO for nearly two decades and played an integral role in bringing microfinance investing into the mainstream. He led the launch of the first North American-based private investment vehicle focused on microfinance and has launched multiple follow-on debt and equity products designed to facilitate inclusion for underserved microentrepreneurs worldwide. "Co-founding MicroVest alongside Bo Cutter and Gerhard Pries and serving as the firm's CEO has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career," said Crawford. "Our team built MicroVest into a leader in microfinance and small business investing and the firm will continue to reach new heights under Josh's leadership. Josh brings an important new perspective to our operations, and I look forward to working closely with him and the rest of our incredible team." Josh Moraczewski has more than 20 years of investment banking and private equity experience in both developed and emerging markets. Before joining MicroVest's parent company, DAI, in 2019, Moraczewski was a Partner at Kew Capital, an alternative asset investment management company based in London, and Credit Suisse, where he was on the Global Structuring Desk in London covering Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He also worked in Credit Suisse's Investment Banking Division in New York, where he was a member of both the Structured Products and Energy Groups. "I'm excited to build on MicroVest's history as a pioneer in the microfinance investment space," said Moraczewski. "MicroVest has built a distinguished record over nearly two decades of investing in companies whose interests are aligned with the communities they serve. We will continue to innovate, generate impact, and pursue value for all our stakeholders while maintaining high standards of integrity and investment discipline. I look forward to working closely with our firm's leadership and the rest of our talented team to achieve this next phase of growth." About MicroVest MicroVest is an asset manager that specializes in allocating private debt capital to microfinance and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) finance institutions serving underserved microentrepreneurs and small businesses in emerging markets. Since its founding, the company has disbursed more than $1 billion to over 200 microfinance and SME finance institutions in more than 60 countries. MicroVest is a registered investment adviser and Certified B Corporation. MicroVest was acquired by DAI Global, LLC in November 2021 and forms part of DAI Capital. To learn more, please visit www.microvestfund.com. About DAI Founded in 1970, DAI is a global development company with corporate offices across five continents. Working with national and local governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, private corporations, and philanthropies, the company takes on fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI Capital is DAI's investment banking and asset management arm, dedicated to mobilizing the investment of private capital in emerging and frontier markets. DAI Capital advances DAI's mission by channeling investment in these markets, which promotes economic growth, creates jobs, and reduces poverty. To learn more, please visit www.dai.com. SOURCE MicroVest Capital Management SEOUL, South Korea, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Key Foundry, the only pure-play foundry in Korea, announced today that it will release a 0.18-micron 30V NON-EPI (Epitaxy) BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) process for low power PMICs. This new 0.18-micron 30V NON-EPI BCD process of Key Foundry shows the same level of performance compared to the existing EPI BCD process even without EPI layer. This new process is suitable for power semiconductors, which require higher voltage ratings, higher reliability and higher efficiency compared to ordinary semiconductors. It can be used in the production of low power PMICs such as DC-DC ICs and charger ICs for smartphones and smartwatches. This new process maintains the same Rsp (Specific On-resistance) with the existing 0.18-micron EPI BCD process that are currently used for mass production. Key Foundry will support various power semiconductor devices in the range of 5V to 30V. As this new 0.18-micron 30V NON-EPI BCD process requires no EPI process, the process efficiency is improved, and it supports efficient designs by offering 5V LDMOS transistors for 5V power blocks. Furthermore, as the logic device of this new 0.18-micron 30V NON-EPI BCD process retains comparable characteristics of the logic device of EPI BCD process, this new 0.18 micron 30V NON-EPI BCD process is compatible with digital libraries and IP of the existing process that are currently used for mass production. In order to promote users' convenience, the new process also provides MTP (Multi-time Programmable) and OTP (One-time Programmable) IP without requiring any additional process steps. With these merits, this 0.18-micron 30V NON-EPI BCD process is suitable for diverse types of applications such as power semiconductors, which a memory function is required for. From the earliest stage of the process development, Key Foundry communicated closely with power semiconductor fabless customers to reflect what the market demands. With the user-friendly layout options and design kits which this new process provides to strengthen the users' convenience, the customer is able to achieve a streamlined process and higher-performing products compared to the existing products. This new 0.18-micron 30V NON-EPI BCD process satisfies Grade-1 requirements of the AEC-Q100, the international reliability specifications of ICs in automotive applications, and can be used not only for mobiles but also for automotive power semiconductors such as motor driver ICs and DC-DC ICs. "As the power semiconductor market is growing rapidly, the demand for highly reliable but more streamlined BCD processes is increasing," said Dr. Tae Jong Lee, CEO of Key Foundry. "We will continuously improve our process technologies to offer the most optimized BCD processes that satisfy the needs of power semiconductor designers." About Key Foundry Headquartered in Korea, Key Foundry provides specialty Analog and Mixed-Signal foundry services for semiconductor companies to serve a wide range of applications in the consumer, communications, computing, automotive and industrial industries. With a broad range of technology portfolio and process nodes, Key Foundry has the flexibility and capability to meet the ever-evolving needs of semiconductor companies across the globe. Please visit https://www.key-foundry.com for more information. SOURCE Key Foundry The event will be held in the Kinecta parking lot. More than 30 vendors and 1,000 people tasting delicious global foods from pop-ups and some of LA's favorite food trucks MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council activities, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, a leading financial services provider in the South Bay, celebrates Black-owned businesses by partnering with the Spicy Green Book organization for its second Manhattan Beach Food Market. The event will be held in the parking lot of one of Kinecta's Manhattan Beach branches, located at 1440 Rosecrans Ave., on Saturday, June 11, 2022 from 12:00 to 7:00 pm. "At Kinecta, we are committed to partnerships and activities that celebrate our diverse communities and population," said Kim Graham, Vice President, Human Resources and Talent Development at Kinecta. "It's an honor to partner with Spicy Green Book for the second consecutive year to help support Black-owned businesses. We invite our community to be part of this fun filled event as we help Black-owned food and beverage businesses succeed." Spicy Green Book founder Danilo Batson established the Spicy Green Book organization in 2020 to foster an "intentional economy" where consumers make purposeful decisions on where and how they spend their money. With the concept of Eating with Intention, it enables people to enjoy fantastic food while using their buying power to create a more equitable society. Launched in 2020, Kinecta's DEI Council supports employee resource groups, which are based on similar interests, identities and life experiences, such as race, gender, and sexuality. These groups raise awareness and give a voice to the underrepresented, allowing employees to network and socialize, as well as work on their professional development. To learn more about Kinecta's DEI programs and activities, visit https://www.kinecta.org/dei # # # About Kinecta Federal Credit Union Kinecta Federal Credit Union is the country's 35th largest credit union, with assets of $6.6 billion and over 270,000 member-owners. Its 800+ employees serve members from 32 credit union-owned branches, a variety of specialty offices, and highly responsive call centers on both coasts. Banking the Southern California area for more than 80 years, with recent expansion into New York, New Jersey, and Northern California, Kinecta offers its members a full range of financial products through the Credit Union and its subsidiaries, Kinecta Wealth Management and Kinecta Insurance Services. Kinecta has been recognized by the Mortgage Bankers Association as a recipient of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Residential Leadership Award, and received the Best of Show award granted by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Technology Council. Daily Breeze readers have named Kinecta a top credit union for the past 11 years in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Kinecta supports its communities in a variety of ways, by giving back through the Kinecta Community Foundation as well as serving as the official financial services partner of the LA Galaxy, and sponsor of the Rochester Americans and Rochester Red Wings. To learn more about Kinecta, visit kinecta.org. About Spicy Green Book Spicy Green Book believes in the power of Black entrepreneurs to build lasting economic representation for American communities nationwide. Our mission is to support Black-owned businesses in the food and beverage industry through events, creative services, resources, and a digital directory. We seek to amplify their voice and help empower their collective agency. SOURCE Kinecta Federal Credit Union Gaming titan, Netmarble, has released their first Play-to-Earn games on Klaytn this year A3: Still Alive and Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds. Fashion brands such as Gucci, Burberry, Balenciaga and Prada have all launched their own NFT collections, and companies like ALTAVA Group are focused on bringing high fashion into the Metaverse. Asian NFT marketplace East NFT has onboarded popular LGBTQ content from Thai-based Y Series content production houses onto the Klaytn chain. Aligning with their vision to be the bridge connecting Web2 to Web3, Klaytn Foundation continues to forge key strategic partnerships and collaborations for a Metaverse-as-a-Service model, which will allow Web2 companies, game publishers, content creators and other users to "plug-in" seamlessly into the metaverse. Speaking on the strategy to transform the Klaytn ecosystem, David Shin, Head of Global Adoption, explained, "We believe that the formation of Web3 will be a collaborative effort. And hence, rather than to build every tool needed by ourselves, we're tapping into the strength of our allies, and hope to create a cohesive metaverse that will allow any companies, content creators and users to easily climb onboard." With that, Klaytn is thrilled to highlight key partners and collaborators of H1 2022 that will help to pave the way for interoperability, decentralization and smooth exchanges in the Klaytn metaverse. Parity Technologies Parity Technologies is a Web3 software development company that created the Substrate SDK, used to develop the Klaytn-Substrate a sidechain bridged to Polkadot and Klaytn Mainnet. The Klaytn-Substrate will act as an intermediary environment, where collaborative technological, business case, and community initiatives can combine in interesting and synergetic ways. It acts as "canary network" to safely, efficiently, and quickly capture new use cases, new technologies, and provide the community with more options for building great things within the Klaytn ecosystem. [ Read more ] Adgorithmics Adgorithmics, a Singapore -based AI-enabled e-commerce advertising platform, recently launched an innovative NFT-based incentive and customer loyalty program, called MetaGacha. For every purchase, customers can receive a MetaGacha NFT which can serve as a membership card for exclusive deals, or be used to exchange for vouchers or promotions. Sales agents can also receive NFT for every deal. This can help online merchants to expand their reach and increase sales, while bringing substantial value to customers and agents in the form of NFT. [ Read more ] Smart Token Labs Smart Token Labs is an Australian blockchain company that has built two highly successful open source products. AlphaWallet is the world's first 100% open-source wallet and blockchain apps platform. TokenScript combines token and smart contract logic into a standardized interface, creating "Token Layer" functionality that can be deployed in wallets and on websites. The technology builds a pathway to smart token composability, and addresses issues with trust, interoperability, security, and interface seen with current token transactions. [ AlphaWallet ; TokenScript ] Soramitsu Soramitsu is a Japanese fintech company with expertise in developing blockchain-based solutions for digital asset and identity management. They are the developer of and major contributor to the open-source blockchain platform Hyperledger Iroha, digital currency for the National Bank of Cambodia , a closed-loop payment system for the University of Aizu in Japan , an identity verification system prototype for Bank Central Asia in Indonesia , and many more. The team is set to work on implementing the first open-source DEX on Klaytn . [ Read more ] Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) Klaytn will be establishing an Open Permissioned Blockchain (OPB), the Chongqing Chain, on the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN), a multi-chain public infrastructure network that aims to be the standard for all blockchain deployments. Through the development of the Chongqing Chain, it would be possible for Klaytn developers to plug in to the China blockchain network, providing an entry into the massive China market, and vice versa for Chinese developers looking to go global. [ Read more ] About Klaytn Foundation Klaytn Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established to accelerate global adoption and ecosystem maturity on Klaytn. The foundation manages the US$500m Klaytn Growth Fund and operates alongside Krust, the holding company for all overseas ventures of internet giant Kakao Corp. For media enquiries or partnership collaboration opportunities, please contact: Aaron Koh Head of Marketing, Klaytn Foundation Email: [email protected] SOURCE Klaytn Foundation KOR's innovative Reporting-as-a-Service platform gains momentum ahead of the fast-approaching CFTC swaps data reporting critical compliance deadline. ATLANTA, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KOR, the innovative provider of regulatory solutions for the derivatives market, has closed its Series A investment round led by Mosaik Partners, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on financial technology. Funds will be used to accelerate the deployment of KOR's CFTC-registered, cloud-native Swap Data Repository ("SDR") to U.S. markets while enabling global expansion efforts to begin. KOR's 100% AWS cloud-based trade repository platform enables participants to benefit from innovations in sub-second actionable analytics on submitted data, on-demand reports of full history, and systemic pattern insights to improve compliance processes and drive operational efficiencies. The market entry timing occurs as the industry seeks outsourcing solutions for common industry challenges and requirements, as well as meeting new challenges such as data accuracy and completeness verification. KOR was licensed by the CFTC on March 31, 2022, for its Swap Data Repository in all asset classes and for all client segments. This was the first such approval granted by the CFTC since 2014, the first 100% cloud-based SDR, and arrived eight months ahead of a December 2022 critical compliance deadline in the U.S. In conjunction with the financing, KOR is pleased to announce two key additions to the leadership team, Tom Wieczorek, as KOR's new Chief Product Officer and John Buchenal as KOR's new Director of Partnerships and Industry Relations. Wieczorek is a former Managing Director of products for the Regulatory Reporting and Post-Trade Operations Platform at the London Stock Exchange Group. Buchenal brings 25 years of experience in finance and fintech, with prior roles at Adenza, Omgeo, Traiana, and Tradeweb. Howard Mergelkamp, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Mosaik Partners, will join KOR's Advisory Committee in connection with the financing round. "We are excited to partner with KOR because the leadership team's experience and expertise in this space are unparalleled. KOR is modernizing trade reporting through a SaaS cloud-based delivery business model, providing value-added analytics that will improve clients' data and significantly reduce lengthy, inefficient and costly manual processes that are the current industry standard," Mergelkamp said. KOR is currently on track to meet its summer production target. With this round of funding KOR's Founder and CEO, Jonathan Thursby, envisions accelerated growth for KOR. "We're on target to move our Reporting-as-a-Service (all-in-one) platform from the external testing phase into production this summer, supporting CFTC swaps data reporting." ABOUT KOR FINANCIAL U.S.-based KOR Financial is a fintech company that develops future-minded technology innovations tailored specifically for derivatives markets. KOR is CFTC-licensed and the first independent Swap Data Repository ("SDR"), delivering solutions that enable market participants to meet reporting mandates for OTC derivative trades and lifecycle events. KOR provides a Reporting-as-a-Service (RaaS) offering to complement its SDR, which together replace many common reporting functions and solve numerous systemic reporting challenges. The KOR team comprises former trade repository heads, SMEs and technology pioneers, creating the first intelligent transactional derivatives platform. ABOUT MOSAIK PARTNERS Founded by industry operating executives in 2011, Mosaik Partners invests in early-stage B2B fintech companies attacking pain points in commerce and financial services. Mosaik actively leverages its operating experience to provide promising entrepreneurs with the resources and know-how they need to achieve success. The firm has made investments in the payments, software, capital markets technology, regulatory technology and AI / big data sectors. Based in San Francisco, the team has a collective 80+ years of operating and investing experience in the financial technology sector. More information can be found at www.mosaikpartners.com. For more information, visit the KOR website and follow KOR on LinkedIn and Twitter Media Contact: Meggie Machado [email protected] SOURCE KOR Financial Doobie marks Lantern's first partnership with a direct-to-consumer delivery operator BOSTON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lantern , the leading on-demand cannabis e-commerce marketplace and home delivery platform in the U.S., today announced a partnership with Doobie in Massachusetts. Founded in 2020, Doobie is a customer centric cannabis delivery service operating in markets throughout the United States, including Missouri, California, Arizona, and now Massachusetts, where it is one of the first Delivery Operator licensees. Doobie is a women-owned platform and Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant through Massachusetts' Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Through this partnership, Doobie will directly fulfill delivery orders placed on LanternNow.com through its licensed depot. Customers in 150 zip codes throughout Massachusetts will have access to quality national and local brands including Cookies, High Supply, Mile 62, Kiva, Fernway, Southie Adams, and Dogwalkers. Lantern will also offer dedicated marketing services to expand Doobie's consumer reach and enable the delivery operator to provide seamless cannabis experiences along with high-touch customer service. "Working with an innovator such as Ericca Kennedy of Doobie is truly a privilege and we are excited to see how we can expand delivery service within the Massachusetts area," said Meredith Mahoney, Co-founder and CEO of Lantern. "Doobie is an ideal partner as we expand our presence throughout the state because of its commitment to improving the communities it serves. Every purchase of its diverse product offerings is used to support Doobie's positive impact plan, which supports local communities who have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs." "Lantern has redefined cannabis e-commerce in Massachusetts, and we are thrilled to partner with a team that consistently uplifts local businesses and communities," said Ericca Kennedy, Doobie Massachusetts Co-Founder and Economic Empowerment Applicant. "Joining forces with Lantern allows us to follow through on our mission to deliver happiness as far and as wide as possible. Through our extensive delivery zone which reaches over three million local residents, we are ready and excited to bring exceptional cannabis experiences to new and returning customers." About Lantern Lantern is among the leading cannabis e-commerce marketplace and delivery platforms in the U.S. With the speed and convenience of on-demand delivery, Lantern partners with the best local dispensaries and cannabis brands to bring transparency, safety, and access to cannabis for both new and experienced consumers through intuitive, personalized shopping experiences. Lantern's best-in-class expertise in regulated industries helps dispensaries operationalize on-demand delivery, helping them to reach new customers, tap into key consumer insights, and diversify their businesses to grow sales. About Doobie Doobie is a leading national cannabis delivery service that provides consumers with convenient and safe access to cannabis. Our carefully curated selection of products offers something for all consumers and takes the guesswork out of the cannabis purchasing process. As a customer-driven cannabis platform, Doobie has implemented a user-friendly interface, to streamline both the ordering and delivery process. Doobie now offers delivery across Missouri, California, Arizona, and Massachusetts. For any questions about Doobie services or the menu, visit trydoobie.com or call 1-888-8DOOBIE (1-888-836-6243). Media Contact Phoebe Wilson MATTIO Communications [email protected] SOURCE Lantern Scholarships Recognize Students with Learning Disabilities and Blind and Visual Impairments Who Demonstrate Exemplary Academic Progress, Self-Advocacy, and Community Service PRINCETON, N.J., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Ally, a national nonprofit with a mission of "literacy for all" in U.S. schools, has announced the student winners of its 2022 National Achievement Awards . Learning Ally Marion Huber Learning Through Listening National Achievement Award. Learning Ally Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award. The National Achievement Awards is a component of the organization's Whole Child Literacy approach to ensure more students with reading deficits achieve mastery of critical literacy skills informed by the science of reading, cognitive and environmental factors, and social and emotional learning, with the support of Learning Ally's seven-time award-winning Audiobook Solution. Each student recipient receives a $3,000 to $6,000 endowed scholarship named for two longtime advocates of the organization Marion Huber and Mary P. Oenslager. For more than 60 years, their families continue their legacy to provide financial support. The program rewards students in high school and higher education who overcame great obstacles to achieve extraordinary academic progress, promote self-advocacy, and provide community service to others. Dr. Terrie Noland, Vice President of Learning Ally said, "Each year, we feel especially proud to honor these exemplary students, and to carry on the mission of the two women who saw a great need for education equity in schools long ago. Students selected for the National Achievement Awards are exceptional role models. They clearly demonstrate extraordinary achievements given the right skills, resources, and emotional fortitude. They lift us up, and reshape our expectations of what students with learning challenges can and will achieve." Recipients of the 2022 Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Award (LTL) are: Thomas J. Rayburn , Madison, AL , Ella Doerr , Avon, NC , Samantha Bachofen , Waterford, WI , May Hopkins , Oakland, CA Recipient of the 2022 Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award (SAA) is: TatianaClautaire, Spring Valley, NY Winners of this award are selected by an esteemed National Selection Committee who are champions of student success. To learn more about each winner, visit learningally.org/naa . Educators and parents working with high school students with blindness or visual impairments or learning disabilities who graduate in the years of 2021-2023 and first-year college students can review the application process for student members who meet eligibility criteria. About Learning Ally Learning Ally is a leading education nonprofit dedicated to equipping educators with proven solutions that help new and struggling learners reach their potential. Our range of literacy-focused offerings for students in Pre-K to 12th grade and catalog of professional learning allows us to support more than 1.6 million students and 260,000 educators through our solutions and community, across the United States. Media Contact: Valerie Chernek 410-960-4060 [email protected] SOURCE Learning Ally Long has been at Liberty Mutual for 37 years, becoming President in 2010, Chief Executive Officer in 2011 and Chairman in 2013. Under his leadership as CEO, Liberty Mutual has grown to the sixth-largest global property and casualty (P&C) insurer and has been recognized with numerous awards for its philanthropic, workplace culture, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Long's notable contributions include: Building strong financial growth and stability, including $156 billion of assets (+33%), $39.8 billion in capital (+78%) and $48.2 billion (+39%) in revenues. of assets (+33%), in capital (+78%) and (+39%) in revenues. Strategically positioning the company in key markets with major acquisitions, including Ironshore, AmTrust Financial Services, State Auto Group and AmGeneral, which the company announced its application for regulatory approval to acquire in 2021. Focusing on key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) transformation by creating the Offices of DEI and Sustainability, launching the annual ESG report and announcing DEI representation goals. Improving the lives of the community's most vulnerable through nearly $600 million in total giving; the creation of Liberty Torchbearers with a record 75% employee giving/service participation rate supporting more than 12,000 non-profit organizations; and a four-fold increase in charitable giving through the Liberty Mutual Foundation to an annual distribution of $50 million . "Liberty Mutual has been a part of my life for nearly four decades. The company has experienced significant change, challenges and transformation over the years, and I'm fortunate to have been a part of it all," said Long. "Tim is an outstanding leader who will continue to drive the organization forward, harnessing the strength of our global organization. I'm extremely grateful to our employees as they are what makes this an exceptional place to work by doing what's right for our customers, partners, communities and each other." "David has shaped Liberty Mutual into a world-class P&C provider that is stronger than ever and will be there for its customers into the future," said the company's Lead Director Bill Van Faasen. "He's driven immense growth for the organization while prioritizing the company's identity and values. David believes in putting people first and leading with empathy and transparency, and the Board thanks him for his dedication to the company. We have tremendous confidence in Tim and know he will continue to lead Liberty Mutual forward." Outside of Liberty Mutual, Long serves on the Board of Directors of multiple organizations, including Eversource Energy, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, Tamarack Technologies, Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he also acts as Chairman for its annual Aspire gala fundraiser to benefit children and young adults on the autism spectrum. He also serves on the MIT President's CEO Advisory Board and is Chair of the Board of Trustees for his alma mater Hartwick College. In recognition of his philanthropic leadership, he was honored by the Boston-based USS Constitution Museum and Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit that services homeless and high-risk youth and is supported by the Liberty Mutual Foundation. Sweeney becomes the 10th CEO in Liberty Mutual's 110-year history and has been at the company for nearly 30 years. He was appointed President in 2021, overseeing the organization's three business units -- Global Risk Solutions, Global Retail Markets (GRM) and Liberty Mutual Investments. Sweeney previously served in a variety of senior leadership positions, including President, in GRM -- the company's global personal and small commercial insurance division. "It is truly an honor to succeed David and lead this incredible company of 47,000 global employees -- each of whom brings their full commitment to deliver for our customers every day," said Sweeney. "I'm grateful to David, the Board and the entire Liberty Mutual community for their confidence and support. I look forward to continue building on our great success as we begin this next chapter of the company's future together." Sweeney, who is based in Boston, is passionate about DEI and is the co-executive sponsor of Liberty Mutual's Employee Resource Group focused on people with disabilities and those who are caregivers, family members and allies. He is also on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., the Massachusetts General Hospital annual Aspire gala fundraiser, as well as the Executive Committee of the Board of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. Sweeney holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard University and is a graduate of Lowell High School in Lowell, Massachusetts. About Liberty Mutual Insurance At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today we are the sixth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2021 gross written premium. We also rank 78th on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2021 revenue. As of December 31, 2021, we had $48.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue. We employ over 47,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world. We offer a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, specialty lines, reinsurance, commercial multiple-peril, workers compensation, commercial automobile, general liability, surety, and commercial property. For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com. Contact:Liberty Mutual Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance "Our primary focus is to engage our SilverSneakers members in healthy behaviors and one of the ways we do that is through compelling content," said Tivity Health President and CEO Richard Ashworth. "The pandemic created a challenge to keep older adults socially connected and moving. SilverSneakers partnered with Linkwell Health to design an omnichannel content strategy to support a hybrid fitness and well-being approachin-person classes for some, and virtual for others to encourage all our SilverSneakers members to stay active." Together with SilverSneakers, Linkwell Health created multiweek wellness challenges that focused on the physical and social needs of members. The wellness challenges encouraged members to reboot their fitness routine, return to the gym safely, and participate in live-streamed classes while also creating social connections to keep members healthy and happy during a very challenging and isolating time. Even during a pandemic, the challenges campaign contributed to doubling virtual fitness class visits and increasing overall gym visits by 25% from 2020 to 2021. In addition, a steady stream of dynamic, high-quality blog content contributed 42% of overall traffic to SilverSneakers.com. "SilverSneakers had a critical business need during the pandemic and Linkwell Health built a high-quality, engaging omnichannel digital campaign that motivated older adults to maintain their fitness habits and stay socially connected during a time of intense uncertainty," said Nathan Adams, President and CEO at Linkwell Health. "Our expert-backed service journalism approach to content brings the SilverSneakers blog to life, drives engagement with critical calls to action, and encourages members to keep coming back to SilverSneakers.com." Now in its 39th year, the Healthcare Advertising Awards is one of the largest, longest running, and most widely respected healthcare advertising awards competitions. The awards recognize excellence in healthcare advertising, marketing, and communications and are judged by a panel of healthcare marketing experts. Winning entries are awarded based on creativity, quality, message effectiveness, consumer appeal, graphic design, and overall impact. This year, more than 4,400 entries competed for consideration. About SilverSneakers SilverSneakers, by Tivity Health, is the nation's leading community fitness program for Medicare eligible Americans. The program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 18 million Americans through many Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement carriers, and group retiree plans. For more information, to check eligibility or to enroll in the program or sign up for a SilverSneakers newsletter, go to silversneakers.com. About Linkwell Health Linkwell Health is the premier consumer experience company serving health plans and health services organizations. Its team of content strategists, health and wellness journalists, and social media expertsenabled by its Healthy Living Engine technology platformhelps healthcare brands to connect with consumers and empower them to take actionable control of their health. Linkwell creates transformative content that rapidly enables health services organizations to engage consumers in real-world health conversations, while also accelerating brand awareness, acquisition, retention, and business outcomes. For more information, visit www.linkwellhealth.com. Media Contact: Debbie Jacobson, [email protected] SOURCE Tivity Health, Inc. Literati Book Fairs is a new book fair offering from Literati, a data driven book club company championing a love of learning through expertly curated books. Literati launched book fairs in January 2022 and began operating the first Literati Book Fairs across the United States in March 2022. Literati believes that putting the right book in the right child's hands can help elevate literacy outcomes whether it's at home or at school. Caroline Rausch, Librarian at Thorpe Elementary in Santa Ana, California said, "we loved hosting our first Literati Book Fair this Spring. Literati understands the importance of making the entire process simple for the event coordinator and volunteers to operate. Everything including set-up, cash register, re-stocking and beyond was quick and seamless from start to finish. Their book selection was fantastic and the theme and marketing materials were bright, fun, and engaging for the entire community. I was thrilled to be able to select Titlewave as our book fair profit option to continue adding great books to our library. We look forward to welcoming Literati Book Fairs back to Thorpe Elementary for two more fairs in the 2022-2023 school year!" Literati Book Fairs can be set up in 45 minutes or less with just one person and feature hardcover and softcover books curated by Literati specifically for elementary schools grades K-8 that range from $3.00-$25.00. Schools who hosted a Spring 2022 Literati Book Fair enjoyed the "Pets" theme, which featured beloved household animals and created a whimsical reading experience for students. The Fall 2022 Literati Book Fair theme will be "Passport to Adventure," celebrating books that can take kids on an exciting journey. Literati offers a kid's book club that is personalized for every reader and features expertly curated books delivered monthly. A Literati kid's book club membership can also help a school raise funds beyond the book fair. When a customer signs up for a Literati kid's book club, they can associate their account with a particular school, which allows the school to earn ten percent of all book club costs for as long as the membership exists. To subscribe, visit this link https://literati.com/kids/schoolbox/ and select any school from the dropdown menu to support its ongoing literacy efforts. To learn more about Literati Book Fairs or book a fair for your school, please visit www.literati.com/bookfairs About Literati Literati is the leading curator and distributor of children's books focused on matching the right books with the right reader. Through our kid's book club and book fairs, we are transforming the way books are discovered and experienced. By leveraging technology to deliver personalization to each individual reader, we can ignite a child's love of learning and elevate literacy outcomes at home and in the classroom. Media Contact: Kirby Allison [email protected] SOURCE Literati Just in time for summer, the Reese's brand unveils its newest, and arguably most delicious attraction at Hershey's Chocolate World in Times Square NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- What is better than a delicious Reese's Peanut Butter Cup? Nothing, of course! But now we're offering a customizable, one-pound Reese's Peanut Butter Cup! Reese's is bringing the Reese's Stuff Your Cup experience, and its world-famous peanut cup butter, to Times Square. The mouth-watering ingredients to create this delicious, completely personalized, giant-sized treat are traveling to New York direct from the Reese's factory. New Yorkers and visitors alike can now have the Reese's experience of a lifetime, just in time for summer. What is Reese's Stuff Your Cup? It's only the ultimate experience for any Reese's lover. A one-of-a-kind experience where Reese's fans are invited to dream big and make their own one-pound, over-the-top Reese's Peanut Butter Cup creation, featuring Reese's peanut cup butter directly from the factory in Hershey, PA. Now open, the attraction offers exclusive access to the special peanut cup butter that until now has not been found outside of Hershey, PA or a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. At a price of $24.95 per cup, the new experience arrives just in time to make this summer the most delicious one yet! The journey begins at Times Square Hershey's Chocolate World's new and first-ever dedicated Reese's experience the key to chocolate and peanut cup butter paradise! Once inside, fans can select from a wide variety of delicious mix-ins such as Reese's Pieces, marshmallows, cookie bits and for the first time, potato chips. A Reese's tasteologist will then expertly fold in the authentic Reese's peanut cup butter into the beloved oversized chocolate shell. "The wait is over! Reese's Stuff Your Cup is coming to the biggest city in the U.S. a match made in chocolate and peanut butter heaven. We're inviting tourists and Reese's superfans to make their dreams come true in a whole new way by creating their very own one-pound Reese's Cup," said Suzanne Jones, Vice President, Hershey's Chocolate World. "This is such a unique and personalized experience that caters to every single chocolate and peanut butter lover -- whether you love a sweet mix-in like Reese's Pieces, or a salty kick with, for the first-time-ever, potato chips." Starting Monday, June 13, fans who just can't get enough of their perfect Reese's combinations can enter for a chance to have their very own ultimate creation featured on the menu in both Times Square and Hershey, PA locations, receive an official diploma from Reese's University, and a free Reese's Stuff Your Cup treat. All they need to do is share a photo of their creation and tag Hershey's Chocolate World on Instagram @hersheyschocolateworld or Twitter @chocolateworld with the hashtags #StuffYourCupCreation and #Sweepstakes. Rules and How to Enter NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 18 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 6/13/22 and ends 9/2/22. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, click here. Sponsor: The Hershey Company, 19 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033 Chocolate and peanut butter fanatics can also visit Reese's Stuff Your Cup at the flagship Hershey's Chocolate World location in Hershey, PA. To learn more about new and beloved offerings at Hershey's Chocolate World, visit chocolateworld.com and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. About The Hershey Company The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 19,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 100 brand names in approximately 80 countries around the world that drive more than $8.9 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers, and fast-growing salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty and Dot's Pretzels. For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed. To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com. Follow: http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company?trk=top_nav_home http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany SOURCE The Hershey Company; Hershey's Chocolate World The southern portion of the El Hito soil anomaly contains historic drill holes, while the northern part of the anomaly remains undrilled. A total of 4,687 metres in nine holes was drilled by previous operators, including an interval grading 0.58% copper over 172 metres from eight metres down the hole. These historic results are summarized in Table 1. The northern part of the soil anomaly was recently found to contain an approximately 320 metre diameter zone where the majority of rock chip samples returned values exceeding 0.4% copper. This zone is larger and more coherent than where the historic drilling occurred, when the same surface sampling criteria is applied (see Figure 1). The northern rock chip anomaly is coincident with a zone where bornite and chalcocite are observed at surface and is also the only area where an erosional "window" through the outer phyllic alteration shell exposes the inner potassic altered core of the porphyry system (see Figure 2). Luminex geologists interpret the observations outlined above to indicate that the historic drilling may not have drilled the highest-grade part of the porphyry copper system at El Hito. Luminex's initial 1,500 metre, five-hole drill program at El Hito will test this area and expand outwards from there on a 100-metre spaced grid (hole 1 shown on Figure 1 & 2). A drill rig has been mobilized to the drill pad shown on Figure 2 and drilling on an easterly inclined hole will commence next week. Drilling is still ongoing with one rig at the high-grade underground targets at Condor North. Three drill holes have been completed since drilling resumed in early May at Los Cuyes. The drill rig is being mobilized to the Camp underground targets while Luminex awaits assays on the three completed Los Cuyes drill holes. Table 1. Historic drill results from El Hito Hole Azimuth/ Inclination / Depth From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Copper (%) Molybdenum (%) Year Drilled DEH-05 90/-60/811.7m 3.8 614.6 610.9 0.29 0.005 2012 Incl. 492.0 536.5 44.5 0.42 0.003 Incl. 577.0 614.6 37.6 0.44 0.002 And 631.5 739.0 107.6 0.46 0.003 Incl. 631.5 673.0 41.6 0.73 0.001 DEH-06 90/-60/701.0m 0.0 580.0 580.0 0.27 0.003 2013 Incl. 342.0 374.0 32.0 0.48 0.003 DEH-07 270/-65/749.8m 1.0 646.0 645.0 0.31 0.005 2013 Incl. 8.0 180.0 172.0 0.58 0.004 DEH-08 90/-60/634.0m 6.5 550.0 543.5 0.30 0.004 2013 DEH-09 90/-65/601.7m 24.0 560.0 536.0 0.26 0.007 2013 DH-1 284/-59/261.4m 24.0 261.4 237.4 0.32 0.005 2000 DH-2 264/-59/249.2m 26.0 246.0 220.0 0.27 0.009 2000 DH-3 0/-60/178.9m 14.0 178.9 164.9 0.30 0.003 2000 DH-4 277/-58/498.9m 12.0 484.0 472.0 0.22 0.004 2000 Qualified Persons Leo Hathaway, P. Geo, Senior Vice President Exploration of Luminex and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, verified and approved the scientific and technical information concerning the Condor Project in this news release and has verified the data underlying that scientific and technical information. About Luminex Resources Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV: LR) (OTCQX: LUMIF) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. Luminex's inferred and indicated mineral resources are located at the Condor Gold-Copper project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador, including the Tarqui, Pegasus and Orquideas projects, which are being co-developed with BHP Group plc, Anglo American and JOGMEC respectively. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminexresources.com/. To receive news releases please sign up at https://www.luminexresources.com/contact/contact-us/. Follow us on: Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook. LUMINEX RESOURCES CORP. Signed: "Marshall Koval" Marshall Koval, CEO and Director 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 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information 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 planned drilling and work programs at El Hito. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or variations of that word and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could" or are "intended to" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement 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 the Company's 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 associated with the business of the Company; 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; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE Luminex Resources Corp. VANCOUVER, BC, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - LUXXFOLIO Holdings Inc. (the "Company" or "LUXXFOLIO") (CSE: LUXX) (OTCQB: LUXFF) (Frankfurt/Berlin: LUH) a vertically-integrated digital asset company is pleased to announce that BIGG Digital Assets Inc. ("BIGG") (CSE: BIGG) (OTCQX: BBKCF) has made a strategic investment of CAD $2.0 million into LUXXFOLIO for 12.5 million common shares, and 12.5 million warrants (the "Unit Offering"). Through this investment BIGG now owns ~15% of LUXXFOLIO. BIGG's principal business units consist of Netcoins ( Netcoins.ca ), the online cryptocurrency brokerage that makes it easy for Canadians to buy, sell, and understand cryptocurrency, and Blockchain Intelligence Group ( blockchaingroup.io ), a leading developer of blockchain technology search, risk-scoring and data analytics solutions. LUXXFOLIO had been seeking a strategic partner to help fund its next phase of growth in both the traditional Bitcoin mining vertical and more recently an entrance into a decentralized data storage vertical. Decentralized storage supports the advancements in cloud computing and includes high growth areas such as scientific research and development, AI (artificial intelligence) and 3-D modelling. Ken MacLean, LUXXFOLIO President highlighted, "We are thrilled to welcome BIGG as a major shareholder in LUXXFOLIO. BIGG will be an excellent partner as we navigate the opportunities in the current volatile market. Mark Binns and his team support our vision, and with their investment, we can continue to be opportunistic on the execution of our 2022 plan. Mark Binns, BIGG CEO, remarked, "BIGG is first and foremost a digital assets company - and complementary to our holdings in crypto forensics, crypto trading and Metaverse/NFT is crypto mining - a mainstay and essential component to the digital asset economy. We believe LUXXFOLIO can become a global leader in sustainable crypto mining, and has established an excellent beach head operation in New Mexico with significant expansion potential. The team at LUXXFOLIO, led by Ken MacLean, have built deep relationships in the crypto mining community and have grown the business through multiple crypto pricing cycles." In connection with the investment into LUXXFOLIO, as long as BIGG maintains an equity interest in LUXXFOLIO of 10% or greater, BIGG is entitled to appoint one member to LUXXFOLIO's board of directors and will maintain certain pre-emptive rights. The Unit Offering is comprised of one common share issued at $0.16 per share with one whole warrant exercisable into one common share at $0.21 for a period of 2 years. If over a period of 20 consecutive trading days, occurring at any time after the closing date of the Unit Offering, the volume-weighted average market closing price (the "VWAM") for the Company's common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (or such other Canadian exchange as applicable at the time) is equal to or greater than a VWAM of CAD$0.50 (the end of such 20 day period being the "Acceleration Event"), then the expiry date of the warrants may be accelerated by the Company (the "Acceleration Exercise") to a date not later than the 20th day that immediately follows the Acceleration Event. The Company has the option to offer further units with subsequent closings in the Unit Offering. The Use of Proceeds will be for future capex and operating expenses, or other such areas approved by the Board of the Company. Recent Company Highlights: Estimated Calendar Miner Installation Dates Q3 2022: 1,400 Miners About LUXXFOLIO LUXXFOLIO Holdings Inc. is a publicly traded, vertically integrated digital asset company based in Canada. It operates an industrial scale cryptocurrency mining facility in the United States powered predominately by renewable energy with a focus on the blockchain ecosystem and generation of digital assets. LUXXFOLIO provides a liquid alternative for exposure to digital assets for the broader capital markets. Follow us on: Twitter at LuxxfolioH The Company diligently posts updates through videos from the official company YouTube channel at: YouTube Channel Please join the conversation on our LUXXFOLIO Holdings supporter's Telegram group at: https://t.me/Luxxfolio The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipated", "will be", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company, its hosting operations, miners, and the Company's development of its growth strategy are based on the Company's estimates and are 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 and its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Luxxfolio Holdings Inc. Company expands datacenter and automotive expertise as it ramps market penetration HAIFA, Israel, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- proteanTecs, a global leader in deep data analytics for electronics health and performance monitoring, announced today the addition of industry leaders Mark Potter and Christian Klingler to its Advisory Board. Datacenter and automotive veterans Mark Potter and Christian Klingler join proteanTecs Advisory Board Christian Klingler is a seasoned executive and investor with significant experience in the automotive industry. He has held multiple prominent positions throughout his 30 year career, including Chairman to the Supervisory Board of both Porsche Holding Salzburg & Skoda Auto a.s. He was also responsible for sales and marketing as a member of the Board of the Volkswagen Group, where under his leadership of more than 70,000 employees, sales grew from 6.1 million cars to 10.1 million cars. Today, he acts in various roles as an investor and as an advisor and board member to a range of companies in the industry. "proteanTecs' solutions are deeply rooted in generating valuable and accessible data that drives industry innovation," commented Christian Klingler. "This is exactly what Tier 1s and OEMs need today to ensure the growing performance and safety profiles. I am happy to help strengthen the company's strategic positioning and build strong relationships with customers and partners to capture new opportunities." Mark Potter is a highly respected business executive in the datacenter market. Over the course of his career he has led software, infrastructure, networking, and cloud businesses, overseen multiple restructurings and incubated four billion dollar businesses. He spent the majority of his career with Hewlett Packard Enterprise, in his last role as Global CTO, while also leading Hewlett Packard Labs and the company's Silicon Design Group. Mark has served on the Board of Directors or Board of Advisors for multiple organizations including Pensando, H3C, Solarflare Communications, the Greater Houston Partnership, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the University of Houston. "proteanTecs has organically built a market-leading position in datacenter analytics and predictive maintenance. It's an exciting time for the company as they ramp towards scaled adoption," said Mark Potter. "I look forward to bringing my corporate expertise and guidance as part of the company's growth continuum." "Expanding our Advisory Board with industry-specific expertise is an essential step for proteanTecs' growth and will enable us to address new challenges," said Shai Cohen, proteanTecs co-founder and CEO. "We are fortunate to have such strong, strategic leaders as Mark and Christian join our team and broaden our collective knowledge base." Potter and Klingler join existing advisory board members Dr. J.W. McPherson, David (Dadi) Perlmutter, Amir Faintuch and Raanan Gewirtzman. The company brings together some of the most accomplished business leaders from across industries to offer proven leadership, expertise, and a unique understanding of the transformational potential of proteanTecs. About proteanTecs proteanTecs is a leading provider of deep data monitoring solutions for advanced electronics in the Datacenter, Automotive, Communications and Mobile markets. Based on Universal Chip Telemetry (UCT), the company provides system health and performance monitoring, from production to the field. By applying machine learning to novel data created by on-chip UCT agents, the company's analytics platform delivers predictive insights and visibility, leading to new levels of quality, reliability and scale. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Israel with offices in New Jersey, California, India and Taiwan. For more information, visit: www.proteanTecs.com. Press Contact Tamar Naishlos, Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE proteanTecs Throughout his tenure, Steve's leadership has resulted in significant growth across the company's business. Most notably, he led the 2018 acquisition of ILG, which expanded the company's collection of leading vacation ownership brands, diversified the company's business lines, and solidified the company's leadership position in the leisure travel industry. He also spearheaded significant innovations over his career, including the introduction of a guest loyalty program, the expansion of Marriott Vacation Club into Asia and the introduction of a points-based vacation ownership product in response to customers' desires for greater flexibility and variety in vacationing. "I am incredibly grateful for the years spent working in an industry I genuinely love. Vacations foster deeper connections between people that are sometimes lost in the normal pace of life, and they help people expand their horizons all while experiencing new things together," said Mr. Weisz, Chief Executive Officer. "It has been an honor to serve in this role and to lead the many innovations we've made over the years, all of which are a result of the dedication of our associates who truly are the best in the business." In addition, Steve has made a lasting impact outside the company through his commitment to advancing talent in the travel industry through his alma mater, Cornell University, and his advisory board role at the University of Central Florida Rosen School of Hospitality Management as well as his board service with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the trade association for the timeshare industry. "Throughout Steve's tenure, he has successfully guided the business and demonstrated a remarkable level of leadership, resulting in steady and significant growth and consistent value delivery for shareholders," said Bill Shaw, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we recognize the lasting mark he has made on the company. In addition, we are pleased to appoint John into his new role and are greatly confident in his ability to continue the important transformational efforts underway and lead the company forward in the future." The forthcoming appointment to Chief Executive Officer in 2023 is the next natural step for John, who has served as the company's President since 2021 with oversight over the Vacation Ownership, Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, and IT functions. He previously served as the company's Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he worked for Marriott International in various senior roles supporting North America Lodging Operations and Internal Audit. "This is a well-earned recognition of John's outstanding business acumen and his ability to think differently about the company's business and customer all while maintaining superlative relationships with investors," said Mr. Weisz. "He has a balanced and well-regarded leadership style that has helped accelerate our growth ambition, and those qualities will be instrumental in guiding the organization forward in the years ahead." As President, John has led the company's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and helped guide the company's incredibly strong recovery, all while accelerating growth. He also helped lead the spin-off of the company from Marriott International in 2011 and more recently played a key leadership role in the acquisition and integration of ILG in 2018. Currently, he is helping to transform the Marriott-branded vacation ownership business with a new combined product form set to debut this summer and most recently helped lead the completion of the Welk Resorts acquisition and revitalizing the Hyatt Vacation Ownership business. "I want to thank Steve for his leadership and support, and I am appreciative of the Board's confidence and endorsement," said Mr. Geller. "I believe we are perfectly positioned to continue to benefit from the strength of our brands and the leisure travel segment. As I transition into this new role, I look forward to spending time with our talented associates around the globe as we continue to create many meaningful vacation experiences for our customers." Steve will continue to lead the company throughout the remainder of 2022 as John completes a transition period. In the near-term, the company will continue to focus on delivering value to its shareholders, growing the business organically through transformational initiatives, and maintaining its distinctive culture to attract and retain the best talent in the industry. About Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC) is a leading global vacation company that offers vacation ownership, exchange, rental and resort and property management, along with related businesses, products and services. The Company has over 120 vacation ownership resorts and approximately 700,000 owner families in a diverse portfolio that includes some of the most iconic vacation ownership brands. The Company also operates exchange networks and membership programs comprised of nearly 3,200 affiliated resorts in over 90 countries and territories, as well as provides management services to other resorts and lodging properties. As a leader and innovator in the vacation industry, the Company upholds the highest standards of excellence in serving its customers, investors and associates while maintaining exclusive, long-term relationships with Marriott International, Inc. and Hyatt Hotels Corporation for the development, sales and marketing of vacation ownership products and services. For more information, please visit www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com . SOURCE Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation ABOTA is an invitation-only national organization of attorneys and judges designed to further the ethical and technical improvement of legal professionals. This prestigious organization seeks out experienced plaintiff and defense attorneys to who have demonstrated the utmost integrity and dedication to providing ethical representation to their clients. Made up of more than 7,300 professionals nationwide, each attorney or judge is sorted into ranks by experience Member, Associate, Advocate, Diplomate, and Judge. With this latest elevation, Steven Weinberg has reached the highest rank for attorneys in ABOTA. There are only approximately 250 Diplomates nationwide. This promotion comes on the heels of a year of major success for Weinberg, securing him the ninth spot on TopVerdict's annual list of the Top Ten Wrongful Death Settlements in California and the single largest wrongful death medical malpractice settlement in California for 2021. He has successfully obtained multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of harmed individuals and their loved ones in medical malpractice, wrongful death, and elder abuse and neglect cases, including a $2.8 million settlement for a local Special Education teacher who suffered as a result of a misdiagnosis. With 47 years of experience, Steven Weinberg is a highly accomplished and respected Partner of MWA. He has dedicated his career to seeking justice for harmed individuals against negligent parties. "No one deserves what my clients have had to go through, especially not from people and institutions they trust," states Weinberg, "That's why I do what I do to help people defend their right to health and life." In addition to ABOTA, Steven Weinberg is also listed in the Best Lawyers in America Personal Injury and Southern California Super Lawyers Medical Malpractice. About McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP: McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP has a deep history of success for its clients, including a $203 million verdict against Wells Fargo Bank, recovery of over $1 billion for its clients, and over 100 contingency cases with recovery of $1 million or more. MWA maintains California offices in Ontario, San Bernardino, Palm Desert, and Irvine and supports its national practice with offices in Illinois and New Jersey. For over 30 years, MWA has successfully represented clients involved in general complex and commercial litigation, as well as personal injury and class action matters. Visit mccunewright.com for more information. Media Contact: Devin Texeira, [email protected] SOURCE McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medway Air Ambulance is now one of the only fixed-wing air ambulance providers in the country to earn a dual accreditation for air medical transports, including individual endorsements for its adult patient transfers, Neonatal and Pediatric expertise, and commercial medical escorts. Medway's FAA Part 135 aviation program also earned the prestigious ARGUS Platinum certification, the highest possible rating for aviation safety and service. Medway's elite accreditations and its extensive 22-year history of service solidify its role as a leader in air medical transport. "Earning both the EURAMI and NAAMTA accreditations this year highlights Medway's ongoing commitment to excellence in patient care," stated Medway's Vice President of Business Development, Mark Chapman, RN. "Our achievement assures healthcare professionals, patients, and families worldwide that the Medway team is trained and equipped to successfully handle complex transports." The accrediting agencies, European Aero-Medical Institute (EURAMI) and National Accreditation Alliance Medical Transport Applications (NAAMTA), each set strict air medical transport quality and safety standards for domestic and international flights. The independent audits verify that Medway excels in its medical practice and documentation, quality management system, and safety protocol for international and domestic transports. Both EURAMI and NAAMTA awarded Medway their full air ambulance accreditation, specifically recognizing its specialty Neonatal and Pediatric transport capability. Medway is a contracted provider for pediatric Centers of Excellence, routinely providing medical flights for the best children's hospitals nationwide. In addition to the validation of Medway's medical expertise, Medway is certified for operational excellence in aviation. The ARGUS International Base Operations Audit and Rating Program awarded Medway the coveted ARGUS Platinum rating for aviation. The elite distinction is based on a comprehensive audit of the aircraft maintenance, pilot training program, emergency response plan, and safety management system. Independent accreditations and certifications are especially helpful to consumers who seek safe, high-quality air medical transports for their loved ones. "Our entire organization is built on a foundation of safety. Protecting our patients and our crews is at the heart of every decision we make," said Matt Kinney, Medway's Vice President of Flight Operations. "The ARGUS Platinum rating reflects our determination to ensure Medway is the safest air ambulance program in the country." About Medway Air Ambulance Since 2000, Medway Air Ambulance has provided thousands of medical flights for neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients. With 24/7 air medical transport coordination, Medway delivers responsive service and international flight capability. Medway is one of the largest in-network and contracted air ambulance providers in the country, working with travel assistance programs, workers' compensation plans, and health insurance companies. Medway also partners with world-renowned children's hospitals to provide neonatal and pediatric transports using its specialized medical team and equipment. Medway, a Part 135 air carrier, owns and operates its aircraft from its headquarters in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Contact: Medway Air Ambulance Office: 800-233-0655 570 Briscoe Blvd. Lawrenceville, GA 30046 Website: http://www.medwayair.com/ SOURCE Medway Air Ambulance Expands Mercer Advisors' Mid-West Presence DENVER, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercer Global Advisors, Inc. ("Mercer Advisors"), a national Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), today announced the acquisition of Bivin and Associates, Inc. ("Bivin"). Bivin is a respected wealth management firm headquartered in Ponca City Oklahoma, with assets under management (AUM) of approximately $130 million. Bivin was founded in 1994 by Wm. Stan Bivin, CFP, President. Bivin's entire team will also be joining Mercer Advisors. Bivin is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in their client relationships. They endeavor to know and understand a client's financial situation and provide the highest quality information, services, and investment advice to help clients reach their goals. Bivin believes its clients deserve the highest standard of service and are dedicated to the accumulation and preservation of retirement assets and family wealth. Commenting on the new acquisition, Wm. Stan Bivin ("Stan"), Founder stated: "We are a full-service financial firm committed to helping people pursue their financial goals. We offer financial planning and professional investment management services to individuals and business owners. We believe our clients are better prepared to identify goals and make sound decisions by working with our investment advisory team. In searching for a new partner to help us grow and add needed scale and leverage, we looked for a partner that shared these values. After talking with David Barton, Vice Chairman and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Mercer Advisors, we knew we found the right partner that shared a high commitment to the highest quality client care. We found our new home at Mercer Advisors. The fact that we could offload onerous back-office services and add new services like in-house estate planning, tax return preparation, and corporate trustee was a huge plus. We couldn't be more excited." David Barton who led this transaction on behalf of Mercer Advisors stated: "We were impressed with Stan and his team and saw an ideal fit with both our firms leading with financial planning. This is a perfect partnership that is accretive to both parties." Dave Welling, Chief Executive Officer of Mercer Advisors, said, "Stan and his team have built a great business, a strong team and they are a highly respected group of wealth management professionals. We are thrilled to be opening a new location in Ponca City Oklahoma and look forward to working together to help deliver meaningful results for our shared clients." About Mercer Advisors Established in 1985, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ("Mercer Advisors") is a total wealth management firm that provides comprehensive, fee-based investment management, financial planning, family office services, retirement benefits and distribution planning, estate and tax planning, insurance solutions, and corporate trustee and trust administration services. Mercer Advisors Inc. is a parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (RIA), majority owned by both Oak Hill Capital and Genstar Capital, one of the largest Registered Investment Advisors and financial planning firms in the U.S. with over $38 billion in client assets. Headquartered in Denver, Mercer Advisors is privately held, has over 670 employees, and operates nationally through 60+ offices across the country. For more information, visit www.merceradvisors.com. Data as of March 31, 2022. AUM includes affiliates and wholly owned subsidiaries. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and delivers all investment-related services. Mercer Advisors Inc. is the parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services. Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning documentation preparation and other legal advice is provided through its affiliation with Advanced Services Law Group, Inc. Corporate trustee services are offered through National Advisors Trust Company, Tax preparation and tax filing are a separate fee from Mercer Advisors' investment management and planning services. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification mark, and the CFP certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. Contact: Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC 914-834-4334 SOURCE Mercer Global Advisors Inc. Wayne Health Mobile Unit will provide COVID-19 vaccines and tests during festival DETROIT, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian of Michigan, a leading provider of government-sponsored health plans in the state, is a proud sponsor of the 50th annual Motor City Pride Festival and Parade, Michigan's largest Pride celebration, and will provide all attendees the opportunity to get their COVID-19 vaccine and other health screenings, regardless of membership status. "Meridian takes pride in providing quality healthcare and support to all of our community members," said Sean Kendall, Meridian of Michigan President and CEO. "We are committed to helping create a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive community where we can support our LGBTQ+ community members by doing our part to keep attendees safe and healthy during the celebration." While COVID-19 cases in Michigan have sharply declined, it is still important to remain ever-vigilant, especially as warm weather draws family, friends, and neighbors together. During the festival, Meridian will partner with Wayne Health Mobile Unit to provide COVID vaccines and tests during the festival, as well as blood pressure screenings and other free health services to members of the community. The Motor City Pride festival runs June 11-12 and will conclude Sunday with a parade starting at noon. In addition to celebration's events, Meridian will continue to partner with mobile health clinics and other community partners to educate members and the public and to take the vaccine into communities across the state via various events. About Meridian Meridian of Michigan provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid (MeridianHealth), Medicare Advantage (Wellcare), Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MeridianComplete), and the Health Insurance Marketplace (Ambetter from Meridian). Meridian is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information about Meridian, visit mimeridian.com. SOURCE Meridian of Michigan Minnesota Zoo celebrates birth of rare Amur tiger cubs Tweet this "These cubs represent a major, positive step forward in our efforts to support the global population of Amur tigers," said Minnesota Zoo Director John Frawley. "Having three thriving cubs, and a mother who is successfully raising them, is a true testament to the care and dedication provided by our incredible team of zookeepers and veterinary staff." Over the past month, the cubs two males and one female have been closely monitored as they continue to reach a number of positive milestones. They remain in a behind-the-scenes habitat with Dari who has shown her patient maternal instinct while caring for them. "Dari has proven to be an incredible mother to these cubs," said Dr. Taylor Yaw, Chief Animal Care, Health, and Conservation Officer. "She has been attentive, nursing around the clock, and keeping the cubs groomed and by her side. The deep bond and trust that our keepers have formed with Dari over the years has allowed us to monitor the cubs and safely separate her from the cubs in order to perform routine health checks." The three cubs are an exciting addition to our Zoo community and an important birth for the conservation of the species. One of the most endangered animals in the world, only about 500 Amur tigers remain in the wild. Coordinated breeding and conservation efforts between accredited institutions is critical for the survival of the global species. As with any newborns, these first months will prove critical for the cubs and their development. We remain cautiously optimistic and anticipate the cubs will be introduced to their public habitat in mid to late-July. Photos can be downloaded via WeTransfer: https://we.tl/t-NeMafRTbTj Contact: Zach Nugent Communication & Media Relations Specialist m. 952.250.7293 [email protected] SOURCE Minnesota Zoo AUSTIN, Texas, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Missing for more than 40 years, the daughter of two Texas murder victims has been found alive and well by the Office of the Texas Attorney General's brand new Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit. Holly Marie Clouse was last seen by her family in late 1980. Her parents Dean and Tina Linn Clouse were found murdered in rural Houston on January 12, 1981 with no sign of the infant. The couple's identification using advanced DNA techniques underwritten by podcast producer audiochuck was announced earlier this year on the 41st anniversary of their discovery. Holly Marie Clouse in a 1980 photo a few weeks before she and her parents went missing from Lewisville, Texas. The former Holly Marie Clouse with a photo of her parents Dean and Tina Clouse who were found murdered in Houston in January, 1981 moments after meeting Texas investigators. Aided by counterparts in three states, a search for records of the child born Holly Marie Clouse by Texas investigators resulted in her surprising discovery. The Clouse and Linn families would like to thank Texas Attorney General's Office Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit, Lewisville Police Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Arizona Attorney General's Office, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for the collaborative and coordinated efforts that resulted in their reunion with Holly. "It's one of the most meaningful things I've ever been a part of," affirmed Detective Steve Wheeler of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. "It's a once in a lifetime thing to play even a small part in reuniting a family after 40 years." OAG Senior Counsel Mindy Montford and Detective Craig Holloman of the Lewisville Police Department, where the young family went missing, arrived at Holly's place of employment Tuesday, on what would have been her father Dean's 63rd birthday. Just hours later, the Oklahoma mother of five was reunited online with her family on both sides. In an effort to help locate Holly after her parents were identified, FHD Forensics launched the Hope For Holly DNA Project in her honor and became the custodian of the genetic profiles of several of Holly's family members. "The whole family slept well last night! The Hope For Holly Project was a success thanks to the Texas Cold Case Unit," said Holly's aunt, Cheryl Clouse. "I believe Tina is finally resting in peace knowing Holly is reuniting with her family," assured another aunt, Sherry Green. Green dreamed of her sister Tina after meeting her long lost niece in the video meeting hosted by Montford and her team. Founder of FHD Forensics and one of the genealogists involved in identifying Holly's parents, Allison Peacock praised her family for never giving up. "They've spent the past six months with me digging through records, gathering photos for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's age progression portrait, and documenting memories of Holly and her parents in an effort to help law enforcement," Peacock commented. "Allison is forever our angel in helping us through this whole heartbreaking experience," said Dean's mother, Donna Casasanta. Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing criminal investigation, additional information about Holly's childhood and separation from her parents is not available at this time. "What matters," exclaimed Peacock, "is that Holly was found happy and alive and now knows that she has a huge extended family that has loved her for decades." Anyone with information about the disappearance and murder of Dean "Junior" Clouse and his wife, Tina Linn Clouse is asked to contact Sergeant Rachel Kading at the Texas Office of the Attorney General's Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit at [email protected] or 512-936-0742. For more information: Isabel de la Luz Cold Case Liaison (512) 270-1301 SOURCE FHD Forensics / Family History Detectives GREAT FALLS, Va., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MitoSense, Inc., a life-science company focused on harnessing the power of mitochondria to fight disease, has named Ed McMullen, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, as a Senior Advisor to its Board of Directors. McMullen served as United States to Switzerland and Liechtenstein from November 2017 to January 2021 and has been recognized for developing the strongest US/Swiss bilateral relationship in history. As U.S. Ambassador, McMullen worked closely with the private sector by helping companies pursue public-private partnerships and economic development opportunities. In addition to his Ambassadorship, McMullen has extensive public affairs and business development experience. He founded his own public affairs company specializing in corporate advertising, public relations, data analytics, and polling. Currently with LondUS Capital, he also helps clients with investment and economic development opportunities, state incentives, state environmental regulations, and the range of services relating to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He also serves as Senior Policy Advisor for Adams and Reece LLP law firm where he provides economic development and FDI guidance to a broad range of clients. Throughout his career, Ed's clients have included several Fortune 25 companies and associations operating in the aerospace, power & energy, technology, data analytics, pharmaceutical, finance, and biotech sectors. Ambassador McMullen also serves as a Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and as Vice Chairman of the American Swiss Foundation. MitoSense Board Chairman Van Hipp said, "We are honored to have Ambassador McMullen on board as a key part of the MitoSense team. More and more science news is coming out on the role mitochondrial health, and particularly mitochondrial dysfunction, plays in impacting a variety of diseases that affect millions throughout the world. Ambassador McMullen's international experience and business acumen will play a big role in our efforts to help people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's." Ambassador McMullen noted, "I've been very impressed with the MitoSense storyits science, the team they've put together and the potential it holds to help people suffering from diseases for which there is no effective treatment. The fact that our U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has entered into a cooperative research agreement with MitoSense speaks volumes. I look forward to doing all I can to help in this endeavor." Switzerland's pharmaceutical industry is one of the best in the world. Not only is Switzerland home to many multinational pharmaceutical companies, it also is consistently one of the world's largest exporters of medicine. McMullen's addition comes at a time when MitoSense is growing its partnerships and expanding upon its work such as its recent Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. About MitoSense MitoSense is a private research and development company focused on harnessing the power of Mitochondria to fight disease, specifically neurodegenerative diseases. Utilizing exclusively licensed technology to replenish the mitochondria in humans using Mitochondria Organelle Transplantation (MOT), the company, through its U.S.-based research partner, is initially focusing its efforts on treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). For more information, visit: MitoSenseInc.com. SOURCE MitoSense, Inc. Helium-ready small cell bundles available for purchase in late June, CBRS-connected cameras coming later in 2022 SAN JOSE, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MosoLabs, a company that designs and distributes innovative hardware and software for open, decentralized wireless networks, launched today to provide users with exceptional products that empower people to build, use, and grow the Helium 5G network. Headquartered in California, MosoLabs is backed by Taiwan-based Sercomm - a trusted, vertically integrated OEM with over 30 years' experience building LTE and 5G small cells, CPE and IoT devices for many of the world's biggest telecom companies. MosoLabs' mission is to make it easy for anyone to participate in - and profit from - growing the Helium 5G network by bringing plug-and-play products to market such as small cells, witness devices, cameras, and more. MosoLabs Small Cells and Cameras Co-founded by telecom and wireless industry veterans, MosoLabs has partnered with the FreedomFi team since 2021 to develop small cells that power the Helium 5G network. MosoLabs will offer indoor and outdoor small cells that are plug-and-play certified for the FreedomFi gateway and other "Powered by FreedomFi" gateways to help users get set up fast and begin earning crypto from the moment they start growing their network. Small cell bundles will be available for purchase in late June 2022 and the company is committed to consistently delivering devices throughout 2022 in an effort to accelerate growth of the Helium network. MosoLabs is focused on developing more use cases for the Helium 5G network and will begin offering a CBRS-connected camera solution later this year. These products which will include doorbell, residential, and enterprise cameras - will feature advanced video monitoring capabilities with an easy-to-use app while delivering improved security, privacy, and deployment range critical for both residential and business customers. "Sercomm is a small cell pioneer having invested in the technology for over 15 years. Today, Sercomm is a leading manufacturer of small cells supplying reliable, cost-effective, high-performance devices to the largest global telecom operators", said Ben Lin, President of Sercomm. "Helium 5G is transforming the traditional cellular network business model with its crypto-incentivized approach which encourages people to help grow their own wireless network. Sercomm is proud to back MosoLabs and be their key partner to bring small cells to market for customers building open, decentralized wireless networks." "With HIP-51, the Helium community will unlock the network growth potential for 5G - with more protocols to come. MosoLabs will be a key 5G player that will bring this growth to life in 2022 with their easy-to-install small cell bundles", said Scott Sigel, COO of the Helium Foundation. "We welcome MosoLabs to the Helium 5G ecosystem and are excited about the innovative use cases they are developing starting with the Helium-connected cameras later this year." "Decentralized open 5G and Helium are transforming the mobile network paradigm and FreedomFi is proud to be a leading contributor to the Helium 5G ecosystem" said Boris Renski, Founder and CEO of FreedomFi. "MosoLabs' co-founders have been close partners with FreedomFi since 2021, working with us to bring the open 5G infrastructure to life. We look forward to working together with MosoLabs to unlock the full potential of the Helium 5G network by making it easy for anyone to deploy their own cellular hotspots." HIT US UP IN AUSTIN! Meet the MosoLabs team at the Helium House event in Austin, TX on June 11, see our products in action, and hear us at the Helium 5G panel session. About MosoLabs MosoLabs develops exceptional hardware and software products that empower people to build and use open, decentralized wireless networks. We pride ourselves on being customer-first with a focus on innovation to offer trusted solutions that enable anyone to grow and employ their network while maximizing the rewards for doing so. MosoLabs is backed by Sercomm. Learn more at https://www.mosolabs.com About Sercomm Sercomm Corporation (TWSE: 5388) is a worldwide leading manufacturer of telecom and broadband equipment. Founded in 1992, Sercomm has focused on developing embedded solutions to make networking simple and affordable. With its fully integrated engineering capability and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Sercomm offers comprehensive telecom broadband solutions such as small cells, residential/enterprise gateways, and IoT products, and is now a global leader in the industry. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Sercomm's global operation network covers markets in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. Its customer base includes the world's top service provider, networking OEM, and system integrators. For more information, please visit www.sercomm.com About the Helium Network The Helium Network is the fastest-growing decentralized wireless network, democratizing access to the internet worldwide. Launched in Austin, Texas, in 2019, the Network has since been deployed in over 63K cities, providing open-sourced and affordable coverage worldwide. IoT and network industry leaders including Actility, Senet, Kore, X-TELIA, and DISH use the Helium Network's coverage for enterprise customers including Volvo Group, Cisco, Schneider Electric, Accenture, Olympus, One Planet, Hoopo, Invoxia, Victor, and others. More information can be found at helium.com. About FreedomFi FreedomFi is revolutionizing wireless by building an Open 5G mobile network leveraging open source software, flexible spectrum, blockchain, and community participation to increase access, expand coverage, and lower costs for everyone. Founded by open source software veterans and telecom experts, the company is one of the top contributors of code to project Magma, which is governed by the Linux Foundation and is quickly emerging as the standard for decentralized wireless infrastructure. FreedomFi is backed by Blueyard Capital, Qualcomm Ventures and Samsung Next. Learn more at https://freedomfi.com SOURCE MosoLabs WASHINGTON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT today Thursday, June 9 to discuss a new study team the agency is commissioning to examine unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). The purpose of the study is to examine UAPs observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective. Unidentified phenomena in the atmosphere are of interest for both national security and air safety. Establishing which events are natural provides a key first step to identifying or mitigating such phenomena, which aligns with one of NASA's goals to ensure the safety of aircraft. There is no evidence UAPs are extra-terrestrial in origin. Teleconference participants include: Thomas Zurbuchen , associate administrator of the agency's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) , associate administrator of the agency's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Daniel Evans , SMD assistant deputy associate administrator for research , SMD assistant deputy associate administrator for research David Spergel , study lead and president of the Simons Foundation Media interested in participating in the call should send their full name, media affiliation, email address, and phone number to Joshua Handal at: [email protected] by noon today. For NASA's media accreditation policy, please visit: https://go.nasa.gov/3GQpoCj For more information about NASA's new UAP study, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/3mAvNIF SOURCE NASA The trio will have an onstage conversation at the NASCAR Hall of Fame about themes from the book Driving with the Devil and the fascinating history of stock car racing, from its roots in Prohibition-era bootlegging to the sport's status as a multi-billion-dollar industry. Each guest will bring their unique perspective to the conversation, from Thompson's journalistic inquiries about the sport's history, to Jones' involvement as a current racer today, to Pierce's in-depth scholarly research. As Driving with the Devil focuses on NASCAR's evolution through the early 2000s, Thompson, Jones, and Pierce will also discuss how the sport has changed in the last 20 years. "At the heart of North Carolina Reads is North Carolina Humanities' desire to connect communities through shared reading experiences," said Sherry Paula Watkins, Executive Director of North Carolina Humanities. "The stories and histories from Thompson's Driving with the Devil allow us to learn more about the place we call home: North Carolina," Watkins continued. "We hope this program can help expand our understanding, respect, and empathy for others' stories and experiences, which we believe is important to enriching the lives of North Carolinians." North Carolina Reads is North Carolina Humanities' statewide book club for 2022 that featured five books exploring issues of racial, social, and gender equality and the history and culture of North Carolina. North Carolina Humanities has a fifty-year history of providing free book-centric programs and resources, like North Carolina Reads, to communities statewide. The event, North Carolina Reads: Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR, will be held on June 23 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. A pre-event reception with hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be held from 6:00-7:00 PM. The onstage conversation will take place from 7:00-8:30 PM. Brain Kahn, North Carolina Humanities Board Trustee and local "Charlotte Squawks" parody show writer will moderate the conversation. The event is free, and registration is required. Throughout 2022 North Carolina Humanities has hosted monthly book club events where participants heard guest speakers, including book authors and topic experts, discuss themes and topics related to each North Carolina Reads selected book. Selected North Carolina Reads books for 2022 were: - Soul City: Race, Equality, and the Lost Dream of an American Utopia by Thomas Healy - The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash - Even As We Breathe by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle - Pauli Murray: A Personal and Political Life by Troy R. Saxby - Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR by Neal Thompson The June 23 event is the final in this 2022 program series. All previous North Carolina Reads book events are available to watch on North Carolina Humanities' YouTube channel for free. North Carolina Reads is made possible in part by a special initiative grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, "A More Perfect Union". Please note that selected North Carolina Reads books are intended for readers 18 and over and may not be suitable for some audiences. "We hope to see NASCAR fans, book lovers, and those interested in learning more about North Carolina on June 23," Watkins concluded. About North Carolina Humanities: Through grantmaking and public humanities programs, North Carolina Humanities connects North Carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community. North Carolina Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The North Carolina Center for the Book, the state affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, is a program of North Carolina Humanities that promotes books, libraries, literacy, and reading around the state. To learn more visit www.nchumanities.org. SOURCE North Carolina Humanities SHIFT Automatically Translates and Migrates Legacy ETLs to Snowpark, AWS Glue Studio and Azure Data Factory Cloud Targets TORONTO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Next Pathway Inc. , the Automated Cloud Migration company, has extended the capabilities of its automated code translation product, SHIFT Translator, to solve the most challenging aspect of a cloud migration translating complex ETLs (extract, transform, load) to run in cloud native environments. A part of the SHIFT Migration Suite, SHIFT Translator automates the translation of complex workloads to the cloud, including SQL, Stored Procedures, ETL and various other code types from multiple legacy source and target platforms. Its syntax and semantic-based translation capability allows for high-automation levels for all code types, including ETL, DDL/DML, Views/Materialized Views, Stored Procedures, Dynamic SQL, Embedded SQL, Scripting Frameworks, Proprietary Functions and more. Companies have invested heavily in complex ETL workflows. With this latest release of SHIFT Translator, these institutional assets can be preserved and modernized when moving legacy data warehouses and data lakes to the chosen cloud target, including Snowpark, AWS Glue Studio and Azure Data Factory. In parallel, companies can break free from the expensive, inflexible ETL licensing models that don't adjust costs based on usage and have limited compute horsepower. Complexity resolved ETLs are pipelines that combine data from multiple disparate systems into a single database. They are essential to drive analytics and AI modeling and make the data informative and actionable. Since these ETLs don't run natively in the cloud, they present unique challenges when moving legacy data warehouses and data lakes to the cloud. This is where Next Pathway and SHIFT Translator work their magic. Next Pathway's groundbreaking technology enables the code, including complex ETLs, to be automatically converted to run in native cloud environments. The enhanced capabilities of the SHIFT Translator engine preserve all the years of code in these legacy ETLs and move this logic to the cloud. Next Pathway can load ETLs into Snowpark, Snowflake's developer tool for information management tasks; Azure Data Factory (ADF), Microsoft's data integration service; and Amazon Glue, AWS' data integration service. Legacy ETLs such as Informatica Power Center, IBM DataStage, Microsoft SSIS and Talend Data Fabric can now seamlessly migrate to a cloud-native target and be maintained and extended. Facilitating move from ETL to ELT SHIFT Translator enables a fundamental change from the ETL model representative of legacy, on-premise systems to an ELT (extract, load, transform) model to take full advantage of the cloud's limitless compute and transformational power. Cloud-based systems allow for efficient and cost-effective extraction and loading of all data structured, unstructured, or semi-structured into block storage in the cloud target. Organizations can then manipulate that data, provisioning and running transformations and analytics without restrictions. They can manage their data flow and pipelines with the data integration capabilities of their chosen cloud target platform. There's no longer a need to rewrite or repoint ETLs. Instead, companies can move away from expensive legacy ETL contracts and freely move to the cloud. Unlike its competitors, which offer manual services to rewrite or repoint existing ETLs to the cloud target, Next Pathway unravels the basis of each ETL, regardless of vendor, and automatically translates the ETL logic to run in cloud-native environments. Organizations understand the challenges inherent in translating complex ETLs to the cloud. In Next Pathway's Q1 2022 survey, leaders said their two biggest concerns are migrating current ETL jobs to new cloud-native ELT tools and the need for automation to migrate ETL jobs to the cloud. Next Pathway's latest release of SHIFT Translator addresses both of these concerns. "Nearly every organization is moving its workloads to the cloud," said Chetan Mathur, CEO of Next Pathway. "In our experience, the biggest challenge is moving the complex ETL pipelines that are essential to running extensive data analytics on the cloud. We continue to innovate on our migration suite. Our recent advancement of SHIFT's capabilities migrating ETLs to leading cloud targets demonstrates the strength of our engineering team and our commitment to automating the biggest challenges customers face when migrating workloads to the cloud." About Next Pathway Next Pathway is the Automated Cloud Migration company. Powered by Crawler360, the Migration Planner and the SHIFT Migration Suite, Next Pathway automates the end-to-end challenges companies experience when migrating applications to the cloud. For more information, please visit nextpathway.com . Connect with Next Pathway Blog | LinkedIn | Twitter SOURCE Next Pathway HOLYOKE, Mass., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NextMart, Inc. (the "Company" or "NXMR" - Pink Sheets Alternative Reporting Pink: NXMR) NXMR would like to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Emco Oilfield Services, LLC ("Emco"), has launched an acquisition program of New Mexico water rights to expand its water capacity for own water stations in the Permian Basin. The Permian Basin is the largest oilfield in the world. EMCO is currently servicing over sixty (60) clients including major oil companies such as Exxon Mobile's subsidiary, XTO, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Occidental (OXY), and major independent public oil companies such as EOG, Devon, Cimarex, Noble Energy and many more. The acquisition of more New Mexico water rights is in direct response to the current fast-growing needs of its current clients, and new clients that are coming on board, due to the increased oil and gas activity in the Permian Basin. William Bouyea (CEO of the Company), states"The historically fast increase in the price of oil and gas has spurred oil and gas drilling and production in the Permian Basin. With oil is at its highest price per barrel in well over a decade domestically, increased production is a natural occurrence. EMCO is just trying to be proactive and work in the best interests of our client base who will use more water as they attempt to grow their production levels by drilling more wells in these unprecedented times in the energy market. It goes without saying that the amount of water used by our clients will increase almost 100% in correlation to any increase in oil and gas drilling as well as actual production." Water stations provide a vital source of water needed to drill oil and gas wells. Emco will continue to transport water to and from oil and gas well drill sites in the Permian Basin, which has generated an estimated $40 million in revenues for Emco since 2018. Going forward, with its own water stations, Emco can generate an additional revenue stream that can be significant for its aggressive growth plans. Approximately half the drilling rigs in the U.S. are stationed in the Permian Basin drilling thousands of oil and gas wells annually to provide for the U.S. energy needs. William Bouyea (CEO of the Company), further stated"We are excited to announce that we are acquiring water rights in the New Mexico area of the Permian Basin allowing us to capture a revenue stream that has historically been a pass-through. Emco has historically charged transportation fees for the water it transports and passes on the per barrel costs of the third-party water to its customers. This new revenue stream can be expanded as we endeavor to develop additional water stations in our market." Forward Looking Statement Certain statements that we make may constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements contained herein may contain certain forward-looking statements relating to NXMR that are based on the beliefs of NXMR's management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to NXMR's management. These forward-looking statements are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to the NXMR's business prospects, future developments, trends and conditions in the industry and geographical markets in which NXMR operates, its strategies, plans, objectives and goals, its ability to control costs, statements relating to prices, volumes, operations, margins, overall market trends, risk management and exchange rates. ABOUT US NextMart, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, is a public quoted Pink Sheet issuer under the ticker symbol "NXMR". Currently, NXMR currently is a shell company with a new management team with plans to become a current alternative reporting issuer with OTC Markets. The Company is currently looking for an appropriate business acquisition. Company Web Site: https://nextmartcorporation.com/ Emco Oilfield Services, LLC Web Site: https://emcooilfield.com/ Twitter: @CorporationNxmr View original content (Emco Oilfield Services, LLC Acquisition - Dated: January 21, 2022 -Credit to PRNewswire): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextmart-inc--acquisition-of-oil-field-services-company-301465579.html SOURCE NextMart, Inc. TOKYO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nippon Express Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Nippon Express"), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings, Inc., launched on May 30 a logistics service capable of handling goods requiring ultra-low temperatures (-20 C to -85 C) for the pharmaceutical industry. Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202206072182-O1-1zA70963 Photo: Products to be handled (examples) https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202206072182-O2-zds69HQG Photo: Envisioned uses for service https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202206072182-O3-9s8evO6B As a priority approach for the core business growth strategy outlined in the "NX Group Business Plan 2023 - Dynamic Growth," the NX Group has positioned the pharmaceutical industry as a priority industry and is moving forward in developing quality control systems and improving its business infrastructure both inside and outside Japan in accordance with the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) established for pharmaceuticals. Nippon Express has heretofore provided a pharmaceutical distribution platform with strict temperature control in two ranges -- 2 C to 8 C (refrigerated) and 15 C to 25 C (constant temperature) -- and has recently introduced innovations that will enable it henceforth to handle goods requiring ultra-low temperatures in the -20 C to -85 C range. These enhancements will permit ultra-low temperature storage and transport of pharmaceutical products at the research and development stage and in the formulation process. Nippon Express is thus able to offer temperature-controlled logistics services for a broad spectrum of pharmaceutical commodities, including raw materials, intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as finished products. Going forward, Nippon Express will continue expanding and developing its services globally to meet demand for increasingly sophisticated and diversified end-to-end pharmaceutical logistics services. Dedicated website for pharmaceutical logistics services URL: https://www.nipponexpress.com/industries/pharma/ Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ NX Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/ SOURCE Nippon Express Holdings, Inc. "We built Noble because we're passionate about helping people in every aspect of their daily lives." - Dr. Kevin Skinner Tweet this "At Noble, we're focused on equipping employers with the means to cultivate meaningful human connection to reduce burnout, turnover and loneliness, while ultimately ensuring a healthier, happier employee experience," said Eric Red, co-founder of Noble. "We build outcome-focused, data-driven programs that connect employees with specialized help and human-to-human support." Noble's four-part model combines the best technology with the best mental health professionals to impact outcomes in a lasting, meaningful way. Motivate : A user experience that builds trust, confidence, and motivation to begin healing. : A user experience that builds trust, confidence, and motivation to begin healing. Assess : Clinical assessments offer a complete, systematic approach to identifying needs. : Clinical assessments offer a complete, systematic approach to identifying needs. Connect : Bringing together humans and technology for increased connection and improved outcomes. : Bringing together humans and technology for increased connection and improved outcomes. Support: Safe, skilled, and empathetic mental health professionals offering help to anyone at any time. Through Noble, individuals gain access to therapist-created, research-backed Therapy Roadmaps on a variety of topics and one-on-one support from a dedicated mental health professional who will meet them right where they are. "Employees experiencing feelings of loneliness in the workplace is an ongoing issue in today's society that only continues to escalate," said Dr. Kevin Skinner, LMFT, CSAT-S, EMDR, and co-founder of Noble. "We built Noble because we're passionate about helping people in every aspect of their daily lives. With Noble, employees gain anytime access to high-quality, empathetic therapy content centered on topics such as loneliness, depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and more. They also receive one-on-one support from a dedicated mental health professional who is there to guide and support them in whatever way they need." To learn more about Noble and its approach to connection-based mental health support, visit www.noble.health . For more information on corporate offerings and proven mental health resources for employees, visit www.noble.health/corporate . About Noble Corporate: Noble builds outcome-focused programs that connect employees with specialized help and human-to-human support. They use technology to enhance, not replace, human connection. For more information, please visit www.noble.health/corporate About Noble: Noble is an innovative, mental health-focused app that offers therapist-created, research-backed Therapy Roadmaps designed to help individuals find healing through connection and habit-building. Roadmaps increase the effectiveness of one-on-one therapy sessions by providing automated, between-session content, individualized assignments, and thoughtful assessments for clients. Noble aims to reduce burnout for mental health professionals by creating an opportunity to earn a passive income and providing access to supplemental therapy tools and resources for a more consistent, interactive client experience. For more information, please visit www.noble.health . Media Contact: Paige Procknow Marketing Manager (512) 423-3118 SOURCE Noble Odd Burger and Starke Investments, a company specializing in real estate and franchise development, have signed an area representative agreement that will bring forty Odd Burger locations to the province over the next eight years. Starke Investments will oversee franchise sales to individual owners, store construction, and provide support for franchises in its territory. "Starke Investments is always looking for opportunities to position itself as a leader in sustainability and innovation and Odd Burger is without a doubt disrupting an industry where change is so desperately needed," said Prashant Dalal, Founder and CEO of Starke Investments. "We see tremendous potential with Odd Burger because they make plant-based food that appeals to the mass market by offering a menu made with simple ingredients, incredible flavour, and at a competitive price point this is not something that we have seen with any other plant-based restaurant brand." "Partnering with Starke Investments will allow Odd Burger to continue its rapid expansion across North America, while still providing an incredible level of service to our local franchisees in Ontario," said James McInnes, Odd Burger Co-Founder and CEO. "Starke Investments also brings fantastic industry knowledge to Odd Burger, as well as a valuable network of landlord relationships and prospective franchisees." Area representative agreements are a strategic method for expansion as the agreements outline a yearly development quota which provides Odd Burger with a clear growth trajectory in each territory. In March 2022, Odd Burger signed an area representative agreement with Sai-Ganesh Enterprises to bring 36 locations to Alberta and British Columbia over the next 7 years. In total, Odd Burger now has 92 locations operational or under area development agreements in Canada, making it one of the fastest growing vegan fast-food chains in the country. Odd Burger currently has operational locations in Toronto, London, Windsor, Vaughan, Waterloo, Hamilton and Whitby, with numerous additional franchise locations under development including Calgary, Ottawa, Victoria and Vancouver. Currently, Odd Burger is seeking area representatives in the U.S. market as it prepares to launch its first set of locations outside of Canada. Odd Burger also operates a manufacturing division called Preposterous Foods, located in London, Ontario, where it creates its proprietary plant-based proteins and dairy alternatives such as burgers, ChickUn fillets, sausage, and dairy-free sauces. Recently Odd Burger announced loans of up to 90 percent of the cost of opening a new location through the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP), administered by CIBC, to dramatically reduce up-front capital requirements. Loans of up to $350,000 through the government-guaranteed program can be used for new store financing, renovations, and more. Only Canadian franchisees are eligible for CIBC financing. Those interested in Odd Burger franchising opportunities can visit https://oddburger.com/pages/franchise-what-we-offer. About Starke Investments Starke Investments is a Toronto-based investment company focussed on franchise and real estate development. Its principles bring decades of experience in brokerage, construction, franchising and business development. Starke Investments has experience operating as both a franchisor and franchisee, primarily in the medical field and quick service food space. Starke Investments is led by Prashant Dalal, an optician and experienced real estate investor who has a passion for vegetarian food. The primary focus of Starke Investments is investing in innovative and sustainable businesses that make a positive impact on the planet. About Odd Burger Corporation Odd Burger Corporation is a chain of company-owned and franchised vegan fast-food restaurants as well as a food technology company that manufactures and distributes a line of plant-based protein and dairy alternatives under the brand Preposterous Foods to foodservice channels. Odd Burger restaurants operate as smart kitchens, which use state-of-the art cooking technology and automation solutions to deliver a delicious food experience to customers craving healthier and more sustainable fast food. With small store footprints optimized for delivery and takeout, advanced cooking technology, competitive pricing, a vertically integrated supply chain along with healthier ingredients, Odd Burger is revolutionizing the fast-food industry by creating guilt-free fast food. Odd Burger Corporation is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ODD, on the OTCQB under ODDAF, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under IA9. For more information visit https://www.oddburger.com. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements that relate to among other things, the Company's strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective" and "continue" and words and expressions of similar import. Forward looking information contained or referred to in this news release includes statements relating but not limited to: the impact of the development agreements in the areas discussed; the expected future expansion of Odd Burger locations and the benefits the Company expects to derive therefrom; as well as the number of retail outlets to be opened and the Canada Small Business Financing Program discussed herein. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to: general business and economic conditions (including but not limited to currency rates); changes in laws and regulations; legal and regulatory proceedings; and the ability to execute strategic plans. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Odd Burger Corporation GUANGZHOU, China, Jun. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Onion Global Limited ("Onion Global", the "Group" or the "Company") (NYSE: OG), a next-generation lifestyle brand platform that incubates, markets, and distributes the world's fresh, fashionable, and future brands to young people in China and across Asia, is pleased to announce that it was recently awarded as a "2022 Highly Influential New Business Enterprise" by the Guangdong E-Business Association at the Internet E-Business Expo ("IEBE") 2022. The accolade is a reflection of the recognition of Onion Global's industry-leading, distinct, and dynamic brand ecosystem and business model. At the same time, Onion Global's Partner, Ms. Mio Ho, has also been named as a New Business Pioneer by IEBE, for her role in representing new entrepreneurs within modern enterprises, recognizing her responsibility, influence, leadership, and innovation, as well as her sense of social responsibility and good reputation in leading Onion Global's operations. As one of the most influential new business exhibitions in Southern China, this is the 9th IEBE event since its inception in 2012. This year's event brought together a range of well-known and leading enterprises to discuss hot topics such as utilizing live e-commerce, private domain traffic, and digital transformation to deal with the dynamic business environment. As part of the exhibition, over 300 enterprises are assessed and the winners of the Highly Influential New Business Enterprise awards are selected based on their rankings within their respective focus areas and a measure of their general business standing and trustworthiness. Mr. Cong (Kenny) Li, Founder, and CEO of Onion Global commented, "It is a great honor for our company and team to be recognized by IEBE and the industry. These awards are a recognition of Onion Global's ability to truly understand and deliver on the needs of the new consumer market and our corporate responsibility initiatives. The award will encourage Onion Global to make long-term and continuous efforts to grow our diversified brand management business, to continue to create a better lifestyle for consumers and to help more companies generate sustainable income and achieve growth." 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 the Company's beliefs and expectations, the Company's forecasts, general observation of the industry, and business outlook, are forward-looking statements. 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 terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "target," "aim," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "potential," "estimates" "continue," "is/are likely to," or other similar statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Onion Global's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Onion Global does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. About Onion Global Limited Onion Global Limited (NYSE: OG) is a next-generation lifestyle brand platform that incubates, markets, and distributes the world's fresh, fashionable, and future brands, which we refer to as "3F brands," to young people in China and across Asia. The Company's mission is to be the dream factory of lifestyle brands for young people. The Company's platform offers an integrated solution to develop, market, and distribute new and inspiring branded products, thereby reshaping the lifestyle shopping and consumer culture in China. Onion Global Limited has been listed on New York Stock Exchange since May 2021. For more information, please visit: http://ir.msyc.com/. Investor Relations Contact In China: Onion Global Ltd. Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] Christensen Mr. Eric Yuan E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +86-10-5900-1548 In the United States: Christensen Ms. Linda Bergkamp E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +1-480-614-3004 SOURCE Onion Global Limited DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Micro-LED Market (2022-2027) by Usage, Resolution and Brightness, Panel Size, Industry Vertical, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Micro-LED Market is estimated to be USD 723.5 Mn in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 18056.45 Mn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 90.3%. Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global Micro-LED Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals. As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks. Company Profiles The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are Aledia (Uniqarta), ALLOS Semiconductors, Apple, Cooledge Lighting, CSOT, Epistar, Nanosys, JBD, Konka, Lumens, Lumiode, LG, Micledi, Mikro Mesa Technology, Nichia Corp, Oculus VR (InfiniLED), Ostendo Technologies, Panasonic, PlayNitride, etc. Countries Studied America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas) , , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA) and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) Competitive Quadrant The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Ansoff Analysis The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Micro-LED Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach. The analyst analyses the Global Micro-LED Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position. Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, The analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth. Why buy this report? The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Micro-LED Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies. The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry. The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report. The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies. The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool. Key Topics Covered: 1 Report Description 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.1.1 Increasing Sales of Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, and Wearable Devices in the Recent Years 4.1.2 Higher Luminous Efficiency and Brightness and Shorter Response Time Characteristics Attracting Consumers 4.1.3 Surging Demand for 8K Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) Television, Large Video Displays, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) Products 4.2 Restraints 4.2.1 Requirement of Long Duration to Individually Test Each LED And Replacement of Faulty LED 4.2.2 Increasing Demand for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) 4.3 Opportunities 4.3.1 Need for Improving the Beneficial Features of Micro-LED 4.3.2 Development of Better Technologies for Maintenance and Manufacturing of Micro-Leds 4.3.3 Ongoing Research in the Field of Alingan Red LED 4.4 Challenges 4.4.1 High Cost of Investment 4.4.2 Time Required For Mass Transfer Of Technology To Get Mature 4.4.3 Trade-Off between Pixel Volume and Pixel Size 5 Market Analysis 5.1 Regulatory Scenario 5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis 6 Global Micro-LED Market, By Usage 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Display 6.2.1 Digital Signage 6.2.2 Head-up Display (HUD) 6.2.3 Laptop and Monitor 6.2.4 Near-to-Eye (NTE) Device 6.2.5 Smartphone and Tablet 6.2.6 Smartwatch 6.2.7 Television 6.3 Lighting 6.3.1 Automotive Lights 6.3.2 Consumer Lights 7 Global Micro-LED Market, By Resolution and Brightness 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Resolution 7.3 Brightness 8 Global Micro-LED Market, By Panel Size 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Micro Displays 8.3 Small And Medium-Sized Panels 8.4 Large Panels 9 Global Micro-LED Market, By Industry Vertical 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Aerospace & Defense 9.3 Automotive 9.4 Consumer Electronics 9.5 Marketing & Advertising 9.6 Others 10 Americas' Global Micro-LED Market 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Argentina 10.3 Brazil 10.4 Canada 10.5 Chile 10.6 Colombia 10.7 Mexico 10.8 Peru 10.9 United States 10.10 Rest of Americas 11 Europe's Global Micro-LED Market 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Austria 11.3 Belgium 11.4 Denmark 11.5 Finland 11.6 France 11.7 Germany 11.8 Italy 11.9 Netherlands 11.10 Norway 11.11 Poland 11.12 Russia 11.13 Spain 11.14 Sweden 11.15 Switzerland 11.16 United Kingdom 11.17 Rest of Europe 12 Middle East and Africa's Global Micro-LED Market 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Egypt 12.3 Israel 12.4 Qatar 12.5 Saudi Arabia 12.6 South Africa 12.7 United Arab Emirates 12.8 Rest of MEA 13 APAC's Global Micro-LED Market 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Australia 13.3 Bangladesh 13.4 China 13.5 India 13.6 Indonesia 13.7 Japan 13.8 Malaysia 13.9 Philippines 13.10 Singapore 13.11 South Korea 13.12 Sri Lanka 13.13 Thailand 13.14 Taiwan 13.15 Rest of Asia-Pacific 14 Competitive Landscape 14.1 Competitive Quadrant 14.2 Market Share Analysis 14.3 Strategic Initiatives 14.3.1 M&A and Investments 14.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations 14.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements 15 Company Profiles 15.1 Aledia (Uniqarta) 15.2 ALLOS Semiconductors 15.3 Apple 15.4 Cooledge Lighting 15.5 CSOT 15.6 Epistar 15.7 Nanosys 15.8 JBD 15.9 Konka 15.10 Lumens 15.11 Lumiode 15.12 LG 15.13 Micledi 15.14 Mikro Mesa Technology 15.15 Nichia Corp 15.16 Oculus VR (InfiniLED) 15.17 Ostendo Technologies 15.18 Panasonic 15.19 PlayNitride 15.20 Plessey Semiconductors 15.21 PRP Optoelectronics 15.22 Rohinni 15.23 Samsung Electronics 15.24 Sharp Corp 15.25 Sony Corp 15.26 Tianma 15.27 VerLASE Technologies 15.28 Visionox 15.29 VueReal 15.30 X-Celeprint 16 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1ilh4q 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 WAPATO, Wash. , June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pace International, a leading provider of sustainable postharvest solutions and technologies for the fresh produce industry, hosted its customers at Pace's 10th Annual Postharvest Academy on May 4, 2022, at the Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington. The customer-exclusive event brought together industry thought leaders to share timely research, innovations, and services in the postharvest industry. "It was a refreshing opportunity to bring our customers and team together, in-person, for the 10th Annual Postharvest Academy," said Jorge Gotuzzo, Sr. Global Marketing Director at Pace International. "We strive to be the premier source of postharvest education that supports efficient and sustainable operations at our customer sites, and this event is an example of providing resources and information that deliver on that mission." Thought leadership from across the fresh produce industry headlined this content-rich event. Pace International's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Rodrigo Cifuentes, welcomed attendees and shared Pace's path forward with the vision to reinvent the postharvest systems of the future, together, with sustainability driven innovations and digital transformations, combined with exceptional service. Cifuentes expanded on Pace's digital and sensing technologies designed to improve packinghouse insights. He highlighted PackVisor, a cloud-based platform housing multiple apps that capture and analyze data to develop better insights on fruit quality and operational efficiencies. Cifuentes also shared the benefits of Pace InSite, a cloud-based data tool to digitalize, visualize and analyze packinghouse service reports. Cifuentes reaffirmed Pace's commitment to investing in innovative and bio-based solutions to improve efficacy, safety, and efficiencies with upcoming biocontrol products such as BioSpectra, which is pending organic status, and PURE Hard Surface for food contact surfaces. Jessa Allen, CAE, USApple, Vice President of Membership & Events, previewed USApple's Newton report, a 20-year aggregate of apple growing data that will be published this summer, during the presentation, "The Voice of America's Favorite Fruit." Carolina Torres, M.S., PhD., Associate Professor Endowed Chair in Postharvest Systems, Department of Horticulture, Tree Fruit Research & Research Extension Center, Washington State University, shared her initial findings for preventing bitter pit, soft scald and ripening room challenges of storing organic apples, attributing possible solutions to Pace's BioSpectra. Trevor Suslow of Trevor Suslow Consulting, LLC, took attendees on a deep dive into the "Emerging Pillars of Produce Safety Optimization" addressing pathogens, mutations and other challenges fruit faces during postharvest handling and storage. Members of Pace's staff also shared the stage during the Postharvest Academy. Scott Christie, Pace International, Sr. Engineering & Application Services Manager, presented "Keeping Pace with Postharvest Technology and Innovation." Christie's presentation emphasized the importance of accessing the right information to make the right decisions during postharvest. For a solution, Christie presented Pace's newest innovation, PackVisor, which uses electronic sensors to monitor and keep records of application equipment throughout the line as well as telemetry capabilities to access controls remotely. Christian Aguilar, Pace International, Senior Biology Scientist, Plant Pathology presented on "Postharvest Fungicide Resistance Management," where she focused specifically on blue mold (Penicillium expansum) of pome fruit as a case study. Aguilar addressed the common question of fungicide rotation, stating that rotating postharvest fungicides of different chemical classes and modes of action, such as fludioxonil and pyrimethanil, on an annual basis reduces the occurrence of fungicide resistance. Aguilar emphasized sanitation and cultural control as being critical to an effective fungicide resistance program. Her research has also proved that poor decay control when using a fungicide is not always indicative of resistance. About Pace International LLC Pace International LLC is a subsidiary of Valent BioSciences LLC, a Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. business. Pace collaborates with growers, packers and agricultural organizations to develop innovative solutions to enhance, protect, and preserve fruit and vegetable quality and freshness. Pace is the leading global provider of sustainable postharvest solutions and technologies, equipment and technical services to maximize efficiencies in packing operations and increase the freshness and value of harvested crops. For more information, visit the company's website at paceint.com . About Valent Biosciences LLC Headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, Valent BioSciences LLC is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. Valent BioSciences is the worldwide leader in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of biorational products, with sales in 95 countries around the world. Valent BioSciences is an ISO 9001 Certified Company. For additional information, visit the company's website at valentbiosciences.com . SOURCE Pace International Packetcraft's Bluetooth LE Audio software achieves qualification from the Bluetooth SIG enabling developers to quickly refresh products with support for audio sharing, superior sound quality, long battery life, and introduce emboldened new solutions SAN DIEGO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry-leading wireless software licensor Packetcraft, Inc. today announces they are providing commercial licensees with Bluetooth SIG qualified LE Audio software supporting the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Generic Audio Framework specifications. These new specifications define a flexible middleware for transmitting and controlling audio over Bluetooth LE and are an integral part of every LE Audio application, including Auracast broadcast audio. LE Audio Enables High-Quality Music Broadcast Packetcraft Bluetooth LE Audio Solution Block Diagram As a full-service supplier of leading-edge software for Bluetooth and UWB, Packetcraft is distinguished in the global market and enables many of the world's most recognized semiconductor companies and product brands. Today's announcement reaffirms their investment and commitment to enable their licensees with standards-compliant interoperable Bluetooth LE Audio software supporting products including truly wireless earbuds, wireless microphones, broadcast capable headsets, and advanced hearing aids. Packetcraft's comprehensive software solution for LE Audio features: Packetcraft Host - Bluetooth 5.3 host stack with profiles for LE Audio Packetcraft Controller - Bluetooth 5.3 link layer with isochronous channels Packetcraft LC3 - Bluetooth LC3 codec for LE Audio "With significant improvements and new features, LE Audio expands the market potential for standardized high-quality wireless audio and Packetcraft is helping accelerate product introductions and software refreshes for our customers and partners," said John Yi, Co-Founder and CEO of Packetcraft. "Our team is excited to be on the cutting-edge of technology and that our innovative solutions can profoundly improve human interactions." Since Bluetooth's debut in 1998, audio has been the predominate application and in 2020 device shipments for audio streaming were more than 1.1 billion. For more than a decade, Bluetooth LE has had a profound impact on IoT applications and its expansion now to address audio is a major milestone for both the technology and products. "Bluetooth Classic Audio has been stretched to its limits and proprietary extensions are often used to improve audio fidelity and to support an evolving set of use cases beyond what point-to-point single-stream communications allows for," said Phil Solis, research director at IDC. "LE Audio improves the audio experience on Bluetooth-enabled devices we use today and will expand the market with new applications that will enhance how we interact with audio sources. LE Audio capabilities will have an increasing role in Bluetooth devices that will ship over 5 billion per year by 2025." LE Audio incorporates a new audio codec known as LC3 which is superior to its predecessor and can operate at half the data rate resulting in less power draw. Consuming lower power for same or better performance gives product developers design flexibility in offering extended battery life or reducing battery size allowing for smaller form-factor devices. Aside from the impressive new audio codec, LE Audio supports multiple streams that are highly synchronized allowing for source devices to communicate directly to multiple speakers (e.g., left and right) delivering stereo sound that enables a standardized approach to truly wireless earbuds. The Bluetooth SIG recently launched Auracast broadcast audio as an unprecedented new capability provided in LE Audio for sharing audio with nearby listeners. This includes the ability to invite others to simultaneously share your personal audio stream as well as for venues to deliver audio directly to your earbud when watching a muted restaurant/bar or gym television, enjoying a movie at the cinema with high quality sound coming directly into your advanced hearing aid, or receiving an airport public announcement broadcasted privately to you in your preferred language. Companies interested in refreshing existing products via over-the-air updates and/or developing new solutions should inquire about our software licensing by contacting sales. System designers interested in evaluating streaming audio with an LC3 codec can purchase Packetcraft's audio evaluation kit from packetcraft.com/shop. The kit comes with sample applications for a wireless microphone, full duplex audio intercom, and broadcast stereo headphones. About Packetcraft, Inc. Packetcraft is an industry-leading software solutions provider supporting short-range wireless technologies including Bluetooth and UWB. By developing solutions while specifications are in development and by applying decades of embedded protocol expertise, semiconductor and product company licensees gain a market advantage with accelerated access to leading-edge, Bluetooth qualified, and commercially-proven standards-compliant software. More information at www.packetcraft.com/about Media contact: Jason Hillyard [email protected] +1 858-769-1201 Packetcraft is a registered trademarked of Packetcraft, Inc. Bluetooth and Auracast are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE Packetcraft, Inc. CHICAGO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and ABC 7 Chicago will host another Black and Latino Houses Matter phone bank on June 15, 2022, to help homeowners find refunds, apply for property tax exemptions and avoid the Tax Sale. "Since I started Black and Latino Houses Matter we've returned nearly $200 million owed to these two minority groups," Pappas said. "I am especially happy we are able to do this ahead of Juneteenth." Juneteenth is short for "June Nineteenth" and commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States after the end of the Civil War in 1865. The following are the phone bank details: Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 Time: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Cook County Treasurer's Office Phone Bank Number: 312.603.5105 Samantha Chatman, consumer investigative reporter with ABC 7's I-Team, will report on the phone bank throughout out the day. Callers to the phone bank should give their address or Property Index Number (PIN) to researchers who will: Search $84 million in available property tax refunds in available property tax refunds Check if you are eligible for $34 million in missing property tax exemptions in missing property tax exemptions Verify if your property is on the Tax Sale list with delinquent taxes "All Cook County homeowners are welcome to call the phone bank," Pappas added. "We will do this as long as people have money coming to them." SOURCE Cook County Treasurer's Office Lentz has been with Pima Medical for nearly three decades as Human Resources Director, with an extensive background in all areas of human resources, including team development and employee relations. She developed an HR department responsible for the implementation of several innovative employee programs, which have contributed significantly to the growth and long-term success of Pima Medical and its more than 1,300 employee-owners. "Liby has a comprehensive understanding of Pima Medical and our company ethos, which makes her invaluable in her new role," said Richard Luebke, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Pima Medical Institute. "Since joining Pima Medical, Liby has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead and has been instrumental in advancing our mission to serve our students and our employees. I am confident this will continue under her leadership." In her previous role as Vice President, HR Director, Lentz has been instrumental in developing and growing Pima Medical's employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). "I am honored to carry on the employee-owned culture that was created by the Luebke family," said Lentz. "As employee owners, each one of us is truly invested in student outcomes and our company growth. It is central to my leadership approach and the continued upward trajectory of Pima Medical." Lentz is a graduate of the University of Arizona and earned her Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from the University of Phoenix. Andress joins Pima Medical from Brightstar Care, a leading national franchise of home healthcare and medical staffing, where he was Senior Vice President. Prior to being named Pima Medical's CEO, he also served as Chief Operating Officer at DeVry Medical International, a provider of medical and veterinary education and subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education group. Andress has a proven record of applying analytical approaches to drive positive results across a diverse range of industries. "Andy brings with him a versatile skillset in both education and healthcare," added Luebke. "His collaborative approach to leadership, combined with his data-driven, strategic thinking will surely help to guide us as we move into this exciting new chapter for Pima Medical." "I am looking forward to working alongside Liby and the entire leadership team here at Pima Medical," said Andress. "I am confident that my years of experience in both the corporate and education sectors puts me in a position to continue the company's successful growth. 50 years is an impressive milestone and I look forward to serving our students and employees as we chart a course for the next 50 years." Andress is a graduate of Skidmore College and earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Andress and Lentz succeed past President and CEO Fred Freedman, who retired in April after more than 20 years with Pima Medical. Founded in 1972 in Tucson, Ariz., Pima Medical is a trusted provider of quality medical career education. Pima Medical students are respected as some of the most qualified professionals in their fields and are often employed at preferred hospitals, clinics and facilities in their communities. For more information on Pima Medical go to pmi.edu. About Pima Medical Institute Pima Medical Institute is an employee-owned, private, accredited school dedicated to providing students classroom studies paired with real-world training at medical facilities. Established in 1972, Pima Medical Institute helps students become career ready, focusing exclusively on healthcare professions, including medical, dental and veterinary fields. Curriculum includes certificate, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Pima Medical Institute operates 17 campuses as well as an extensive online curriculum. The medical career college has a presence in eight western states with the following ground locations: Albuquerque, N.M.; Tucson, Phoenix and two campuses in Mesa, Ariz.; Aurora, Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Seattle and Renton, Wash.; Las Vegas, N.V.; Houston, El Paso and San Antonio, Texas; Chula Vista and San Marcos, Calif.; and Dillon, Mont. For more information and a complete list of programs offered at each campus, visit pmi.edu or call 1-888-442-5998. Media Contact: Diane Smith | [email protected] | o: 480-610-6068 | c: 480-320-0142 SOURCE Pima Medical Institute CHICAGO , June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Piperidine Market by Type (99% Purity and 98% Purity), End Use Industry (Pharmaceutical, Agrochemicals, Rubber, and Others), Region (Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa and South America) - Global Forecast to 2027", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Piperidine Market is projected to grow from USD 64 million in 2022 to USD 86 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2022 to 2027. The market growth is fuelled by the growing demand of pharmaceutical drug in treatment of chronic disease and drug for aging-related, high demand as solvents, base and catalyst in different industries. Browse in-depth TOC on "Piperidine Market" 191 Tables 44 Figures 172 Pages View Detailed Table of Content Here: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/piperidine-market-262881406.html 99% purity segment to dominate the piperidine market in terms of value during the forecast period BY type segment include 99% purity and 98% purity subsegments. 99% purity type is projected to dominate the market and to grow at faster rate than 98% purity type. This is due to the need of high purity APIs in pharmaceutical industry to ensure quality of drug. In addition, demand of pharmaceutical drugs are increasing pertaining to the rise in prevalence of diseases. This is fueling the demand for 99% purity piperidine. Pharmaceutical end use industry segment to dominate the piperidine market during the forecast period By end use industry segment includes pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, rubber, and others subsegment. Pharmaceutical end use industry is projected to dominate the piperidine market with larges market share. This is attributed to the growing affordability of healthcare treatments, increasing diseases prevalence, improved governmental policies for approval and launch of pharmaceutical drugs. Request Sample Pages:https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=262881406 Europe is the second-largest market for piperidine market during the forecast period Europe is projected to be the second-largest market for piperidine globally. The major markets in Europe, such as Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, and the UK, have a high demand for piperidine. This is due to the presence of leading crop protection chemical manufacturers and API manufacturers in the region. Factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising government investments in the pharmaceutical sector, and the growing pharmaceutical industry are driving the European piperidine market. The piperidine market comprises major solution providers, are BASF SE (Germany), Koei Chemical Co. Ltd. (Japan), Vertellus (US), Jubilant Ingrevia Limited (India), Vasudha Pharma (India), Taj Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (India), Avantor Inc. (US), Allchem Lifescience Pvt. Ltd. (India), Toronto Research Chemicals (Canada), Merck KGaA (Germany) among others. The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of these key players in the piperidine market, with their company profiles, and key market strategies. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=262881406 Browse Adjacent Markets: Specialty Chemicals Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market by Type (Pyridine, Beta Picoline, Alpha Picoline, Gamma Picoline), Application (Agrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Latexes, Food), Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific) - Global Forecast to 2021 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/pyridine-derivatives-market-36411434.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/piperidine-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/piperidine.asp SOURCE MarketsandMarkets SAO PAULO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Plintron Holdings PTE Ltd. and Plintron Mobility Solutions Private Ltd. (together, Plintron) have successfully secured a favorable award in an arbitration commenced by Surf Telecom S.A. f/k/a EUTV Consultoria e Intermediacao de Negocios S.A. (Surf Telecom), under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The sole arbitrator rejected all claims brought by Surf Telecom arising from a Master Services Agreement entered into with Plintron in 2017. The arbitrator found that Surf Telecom breached the parties' Master Service Agreement and awarded damages caused by Surf Telecom's breaches. Background: The arbitration arose from the Master Services Agreement entered into between Surf Telecom and Plintron in 2017. Surf Telecom claimed both in the arbitration, as well as in a number of public statements, that Plintron breached the Master Services Agreement by stopping providing Surf Telecom with certain services resulting in damage to its customers and reputation. Plintron counterclaimed for Surf Telecom's failure to pay for services rendered, as well as for improper termination of the Master Service Agreement. The Award: In the Award issued on May 31, 2022, the arbitrator rejected all claims brought by Surf Telecom. The arbitrator determined that Surf Telecom was in material breach of the Master Services Agreement. The arbitrator ordered Surf Telecom to pay all the outstanding invoices as well as applicable interest and damages for Surf Telecom's breach of the Master Services Agreement. About Plintron Plintron is an innovative SaaS company offering MVNE, MVNA, CPaaS and IOT solutions using its cloud communications platform. It is the world's largest multi Country end to end MVNA & MVNE provider with a client base in 6 continents. With mobile network services in 30+ countries spanning 6 continents supported by 1000+ telecom professionals, Plintron has launched 143+ MVNOs and 165 million+ mobile subscribers. Visit www.Plintron.com CONTACT: Shamik Biswas, [email protected] SOURCE Plintron Increase in use of power electronics in several applications and need for power management devices in automotive, consumer electronics, and energy & power industries drive the growth of the global power electronics market. PORTLAND, Ore., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Power Electronics Market by Device Type (Power Discrete, Power Module, Power IC), by Material (Silicon Carbide, Gallium Nitride, Sapphire, Others), by Application (Power Management, UPS, Renewable, Others), by End Use (Telecommunication, Industrial, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Military and defense, Energy and Power, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". As per the report, the global power electronics industry was accounted for $26.6 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $43.7 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2031. Download Sample Report (Get Full Insights in PDF - 319 Pages) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1785 Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Increase in use of power electronics in several applications and need for power management devices in automotive, consumer electronics, and energy & power industries drive the growth of the global power electronics market. However, complex integration process for advanced electronics devices hinders the market growth. On the contrary, rise in demand for SiC-based photovoltaic cells in developing countries would unlock new opportunities in the future. Covid-19 Scenario: The market is significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic due to dearth of workforce and delay or cancelation of projects pertaining to lockdown restrictions. However, with the rise in demand for fundamentals of power electronics devices, the market is expected to grow post-pandemic. Interested to Procure the Data? Inquire Here @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1785 The Power Module Segment held the Largest Share By device type, the power module segment held the largest share in 2021, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global power electronics market, due to unmatched efficiency and durability. However, the power discrete segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period, owing to their faster switching. The Energy and Power Segment Dominated the Market By end user, the energy and power segment held the lion's share in 2021, contributing to nearly one-fifths of the global power electronics market. However, the automotive segment is estimated to manifest the highest CAGR of 7.6% from 2022 to 2031, due to rise in demand for electric and hybrid vehicles and growth of electro-mobility and photovoltaic inverters market. Asia-Pacific held the Largest Share By region, the global power electronics market across Asia-Pacific dominated in 2021, holding around half of the market, due to increase in investment by prime market players in emerging technologies. However, the market across LAMEA is projected to portray the highest CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period, owing to rise in awareness about artificial intelligence and internet of things technology. Enquire for Customization with Detailed Analysis of COVID-19 Impact in Report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/1785?reqfor=covid Major market players ABB Group Fuji Electric Co. LTD. Infineon Technologies AG Microsemi Corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Renesas Electronics Corporation Rockwell Automation, Inc. STMicroelectronics Texas Instruments Incorporated Toshiba Corporation Similar Reports: Active Optical Cable Market to Reach $12.60 Billion By 2028 Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing Market Expected to Reach $ 52.93 Billion By 2030 Power Electronics for Electric Vehicle Market Expected to Reach $30.01 Billion By 2026 Pre-Book Now with 10% Discount: Power Module Packaging Market by Type (GaN Module, SiC Module, FET Module, IGBT Module, and Thyristors), Industry Vertical (IT, Consumer, Automatic, and Industrial), and Application (Electric Vehicles (EV)/Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Motors, Rail Tractions, Wind Turbines, and Photovoltaic Equipment) - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2029. High Voltage Amplifiers Market by Amplifier Type (Power Amplifier, Signal Amplifier and Others), Channel Number (Single Channel, Dual Channel, Four Channel and Others), and Application (Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Engineering, Semiconductor, PZT Driver, Nano Technology, Biomedical Engineering and Others) - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2029 About us: 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. 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. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. 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. Contact us: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: 1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow us on: LinkedIn Twitter SOURCE Allied Market Research Realio first announced in 2021 its intent to enable secondary trading on tZERO ATS of their Liquid Mining Fund ($LMX), which is currently being registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act. With the addition of RST, this marks the second digital asset that Realio intends to trade on a regulated digital securities trading platform that offers continuous liquidity. As a digitally native private equity company, Realio focuses on combining new, blockchain-enabled sources of yield with traditional securities through its tokenized products. RST holders will participate in the equity returns generated by Realio Technology LTD and the Realio Network through tokenization and asset management fees, crowdfunding, transfer agent services, and interest earned from collateral assets, among other things. In addition, RST holders, through Realio Technology LTD, will soon have exposure to the realioVerse , Realio's metaverse project announced earlier this year. "Enabling the secondary trading of RST on the tZERO ATS will provide our holders with a more frictionless, regulated trading experience and the benefit of added liquidity," said Derek Boirun, CEO and Founder of Realio. "We know that tZERO ATS offers many advantages over other digital security trading platforms, and we are excited at the opportunity to trade another security in our network on this leading liquidity platform for digital securities." tZERO is a financial technology firm with the goal of democratizing access to private companies and assets. It offers institutional-grade solutions for issuers looking to digitize their capital table through blockchain technology, and trade on a regulated alternative trading system. tZERO, through its broker-dealer subsidiaries, democratizes access to private assets by providing a simple, automated, and efficient trading venue to broker-dealers, institutions, and investors. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Realio and growing our digital security offering," stated David Goone, CEO of tZERO. "Our top priority continues to be to increase the assets trading on the tZERO ATS." About Realio Realio Technology LTD is an end-to-end, blockchain-based SaaS platform for the issuance, investment, compliance, and life-cycle management of digital assets. Realio combines access to a decentralized (p2p) exchange with the features of a sophisticated issuance/investment platform to merge enterprise-grade blockchain solutions with institutional-quality investment vehicles. The platform satisfies the need for stringent securities regulations while allowing uniquely democratized access to investment products normally reserved for a select subset of institutional investors. RST is issued by Realio Network LTD, a British Virgin Islands company and the wholly-owning parent company of Realio Technology LTD. The Realio family of affiliated companies also includes LMX Token Issuer, a Delaware limited liability company and issuer of the Liquid Mining Fund token ($LMX). About tZERO ATS tZERO ATS, LLC is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC. More information about tZERO ATS may be found at https://brokercheck.finra.org/ . Digital securities that trade on tZERO ATS are conventional uncertificated securities. Ownership of such securities is reflected on the traditional books and records of regulated market participants. The term "digital" refers to the blockchain technology elements of a security that are intended to enhance investor experience through added transparency. Cautionary Statement This press release includes forward-looking statements about Realio, the Realio Network, and the RST token. These include statements about the planned services and features of the Realio Network and their capacity to deliver service fees and other revenue for the benefit of RST holders. The Realio Network is in the development stage; its ability to offer competitive technology solutions and achieve commercial acceptance remains subject to significant risks and uncertainties. In connection with listing on the tZERO ATS, a disclosure statement will be available containing material information about RST and the risks of investing in them. Potential purchasers should carefully read and consider the disclosure statement before purchasing RST. This press release is neither an offer to sell RST nor a solicitation of offers to purchase RST. SOURCE Realio Network LTD KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Representative Madeleine Dean introduced the Loan Deferment Bill to the House of Representatives today to create a federal financial aid repayment exception for victims of sexual violence. The Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) partnered with Rep. Dean to provide subject matter expertise and consult with her to support her introduction of the bill. This bill targets the pervasive issue of sexual violence on campus by supporting victims who are forced to temporarily withdraw from college for more than six months in order to seek treatment and focus on mental and physical rehabilitation from the impact of the sexual assault. The proposed legislation mitigates the discriminatory effect of financial punishment caused by the accrual of interest and loss of the 6-month grace period on student loans. Together with 21 supportive organizations, including the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), ATIXA's sister organization, the National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA), the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), and the Young Women's Christian Association of the United States of America (YWCA), ATIXA is pleased to offer subject matter expertise and practitioner perspectives from the field of Title IX to consult with Rep. Dean and support her introduction of this bill to Congress. "Students who are victims of sexual violence and who must temporarily withdraw from college for their mental and physical health should not be forced to confront student loans," Rep. Dean said. "This legislation will give them the opportunity to defer their loan payments so that they can focus on what really matters: healing." 13% of all students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation (among all graduate and undergraduate students). Eligibility for a loan deferment allows these victims of sexual violence to focus solely on their recovery for up to one year without compounding their trauma with the additional stress of student loan repayment, and could be the difference between life and death. Rep. Dean's introduction of this bill opens a path to safer, more equitable communities in colleges across the country. "ATIXA's members reported that victims of sexual violence in college were taking time off from school to heal from their trauma, only to find out that their student loan repayment requirements would kick in while they were on leave. We learned that an exception could be created, but only by Congressional action. We are thankful that Congressional leaders, like Rep. Dean, have seen the merits of this change and hope that Congress will act soon to enact it. This legislation will be a life-altering change for the better for thousands of survivors of campus sexual violence." The Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) Contact your House representative to support the Loan Deferment Bill. The Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) provides a professional association for school and college Title IX coordinators, investigators, and administrators who are interested in serving their districts and campuses more effectively. ATIXA brings these campus and district professionals together to collaborate and explore best practices, establish industry standards, share resources, empower the profession, and advance the worthy goal of gender equity in education. With more than 8,600 active members from colleges, universities, schools, and organizations, ATIXA is a clearinghouse for Title IX model policies, training, and other resources. For more information, visit www.atixa.org or follow our press and media relations account on Twitter at @presstng. Media Contact: Chrystin McHugh [email protected] 610-529-7017 SOURCE ATIXA "Use Your Outside Voice" reminds travelers of the spontaneous delights that await on a road trip the joy of testing the booming echoes of a canyon, hollering out the window, flopping onto a top bunk because you called "dibs," or having ice cream for breakfast It's all because you can - embrace it! RVshare empowers RV renters and owners to use their outside voices and welcome the nonconformity, and uncomplicated moments of RV life. "We're thrilled to work with the brilliant minds at Copacino Fujikado to introduce our new brand campaign 'Use Your Outside Voice,'" said RVshare's VP of Marketing Martijn Scheijbeler. "RVshare offers the liberty to go where you want, when you want to, without inhibition. Our team hopes this campaign, along with RVshare's renewed brand identity, fuels inspiration for both RV aficionados and road trip enthusiasts alike to hit the open roads with RVshare." "It's been a great journey developing this campaign with RVshare. 'Use Your Outside Voice' is all about stepping outside of your daily routine to savor the exhilarating moments people experience while traveling. We were inspired by the sheer number of options RVshare provides on their platform - allowing renters to choose from thousands of vehicles across the country - with so much at your fingertips, the opportunities for memories and adventure are endless," said Copacino Fujikado's CEO Scott Foreman. On June 9, RVshare debuted a series of memorable campaign videos, directed by Janssen Powers and the expert filmmaking team at Farm League . The new spots are available to stream on YouTube and social media, and will be running in eight key markets across the U.S. The brand has also introduced a striking new logo in tandem with the campaign, embodying the lively, inclusive spirit of RVshare. Watch the first of the video series at here. RVshare's business has grown more than ten times in the past five years and yet the popularity of RVing continues to rise. As interest in domestic destinations also rises, people are more motivated than ever to explore US destinations and experience outdoor travel. Revenue from bookings on RVshare is up nearly 40% in 2022, compared to just last year, as the category gains momentum and enters the mainstream. For more information on RVshare, visit https://rvshare.com . ABOUT RVSHARE RVshare is the largest online community for RV renters and owners with a diverse selection of vehicles for rent across the US, ranging from luxury motorhomes to cozy camper vans. On RVshare you'll find vehicles that can accommodate any outdoor adventure, whether it's a weekend of camping or a cross-country tour of national parks. Hit the road yourself or plan for a campsite delivery to experience the unbridled freedom of RV travel. With more than 3 million nights of sleeping under the stars booked, families and groups can experience a one-of-a-kind trip and create memories that will last a lifetime. For more information, visit rvshare.com , and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @rvshare. ABOUT COPACINO FUJIKADO Copacino Fujikado is a full-service, independent advertising agency headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1998, the agency consistently produces effective, award-winning work for its clients. A multi-'Ad Age Small Agency of the Year' recipient, CF has a roster of regional and national accounts that include Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Visit Seattle, Premera Blue Cross, Symetra Financial, City University and A to Z Wineworks. ABOUT FARM LEAGUE Farm League is a creative film company. Founded in 2011 by Tim Lynch, Farm League is known for making content that cuts through the noise. With stories that are engaging, imaginative and real, and collaborators who are experienced, thoughtful and passionate, they know the secret ingredients to spinning a compelling narrative. SOURCE RVshare Location Brings Sanctuary's Southeast Florida Dispensary Total to Four APOPKA, Fla., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanctuary Medicinals today announced the opening of its ninth medical cannabis dispensary in Florida. Located just 10 miles southwest of the recently opened West Palm Beach location, Sanctuary Greenacres will be holding its Grand Opening celebration on June 10. As the third operational Sanctuary dispensary in Palm Beach County, Greenacres brings the number of Sanctuary locations in Florida to nine, four of which are in southeast Florida. Formerly a bank, the 3,000-square-foot dispensary underwent a full renovation executed by Vantage Builders. Situated on the westbound side of Lake Worth Rd., Sanctuary Greenacres is located near the center of the city in the Poinciana Plaza complex and just to the east of Florida's Turnpike. "As the summer begins, our Florida expansion efforts are really getting into gear," said Jason Sidman, CEO of Sanctuary Medicinals. "Greenacres brings our complement of southeast Florida dispensaries to four, and the next opening will finally get the Sanctuary Florida location count into double digits." Sanctuary is continuing to extend its footprint further south, reaching patients across much of Saint Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties while offering increased access to its ever-expanding menu of products. With pectin fruit chews and new flower strains now on shelves, Sanctuary's product development efforts will extend to hash, full-spectrum edibles and more in the coming months. "It's nice to leverage the momentum gained from opening in West Palm Beach into the launch of Greenacres" said Bill Dewar, Chief Operating Officer. "Three of our next five planned openings are in this region, so we're excited to start the summer on the right foot and continue building from there," Dewar added. A Grand Opening event will be held Friday, June 10, and Sanctuary Greenacres will be keeping its usual hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patients can stop in and shop throughout the day, and all registered patients will receive a 40-percent discount. Additionally, first-time guests are eligible for a 50 percent new-customer discount at any Sanctuary Medicinals Florida location. The company will also be returning Tacos Veracruz and DJ Duss from the West Palm Beach Grand Opening celebration, with both the food truck and music beginning at 4:30 p.m. and concluding at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please visit sanctuarymed.com. About Sanctuary Medicinals Sanctuary Medicinals is a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis company with operations in Florida, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The company was also recently awarded a provisional retail license in New Jersey. Sanctuary is rapidly expanding into new markets, bringing its high-quality, award-winning products, including flower, vapes, concentrates and edibles, to patients and consumers across multiple states, with a steadfast commitment to creating positive impact in the communities in which it operates. Facebook: Sanctuary Medicinals FL Instagram: @SanctuaryMedicinalsFlorida Media Contact Jake May [email protected] SOURCE Sanctuary Medicinals NEW YORK, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Oscar Health, Inc. ("Oscar" or the "Company") (NYSE: OSCR) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and docketed under 22-cv-04103, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Oscar Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with the Company's March 2021 initial public offering ("IPO" or the "Offering"). Plaintiff pursues claims against under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Oscar Class A common stock, pursuant and/or traceable to the company's IPO, you have until July 11, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Oscar is a health insurance company that claims to be the first such company "built around a full stack technology platform" which will "allow [Oscar] to continue to innovate like a technology company and not a traditional insurer." On March 4, 2021, the Company filed its prospectus on Form 424B4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which forms part of the Registration Statement. In the IPO, the Company sold 36,391,946 shares of Class A common stock at a price of $39.00 per share. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $1.3 billion from the Offering. The proceeds from the IPO were purportedly to be used to repay in full outstanding borrowings, including fees and expenses, under Oscar's Term Loan Facility ($167 million), and the remainder proceeds were to be used for general corporate purposes. The complaint alleges that, the Registration Statement was materially false and misleading and omitted to state: (1) that Oscar was experiencing growing COVID-19 testing and treatment costs; (2) that Oscar was experiencing growing net COVID costs; (3) that Oscar would be negatively impacted by an unfavorable prior year Risk Adjustment Data Validation ("RADV") result relating to 2019 and 2020; (4) that Oscar was on track to be negatively impacted by significant Special Enrollment Period ("SEP") membership growth; and (5) that, 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. On August 12, 2021, Oscar disclosed that the Company's Medical Loss Ratio ("MLR") for the second quarter of 2021 was 82.4%, an increase of 2170 basis points year-over year. The Company claimed that "[t]he MLR increased to 82.4% in 2Q21 from 60.7% in 2Q20, primarily driven by meaningfully lower utilization in 2Q20 as a result of COVID-19, as well as higher COVID-19 testing and treatment costs and a return to more normalized utilization in 2Q21." The Company also disclosed that its net loss for the quarter was $73.1 million, an increase of $32.1 million year-over-year. On November 10, 2021, Oscar disclosed that its third quarter 2021 MLR increased 920 basis points year-over-year, to 99.7%. The Company claimed that the MLR increase was "primarily driven by higher net COVID costs as compared to the net benefit in 3Q20, an unfavorable prior year Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) result, and the impact of significant SEP membership growth." The Company also disclosed that its net loss for the quarter was $212.7 million, an increase of $133.6 million year-over-year. During a conference call held the same day, Scott Blackley, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, stated: "We recognized approximately $20 million of risk adjustment expense this quarter related to our risk adjustment data validation audit or RADV results. The RADV exercise is atypical this year due to COVID. It spans two years, 2019 and 2020. The majority of the RADV headwinds relate to the 2019 audit results, which were recently completed." On this news, Oscar's share price fell $4.05 per share, or 24.5%, to close at 12.47 per share on November 11, 2021. By the commencement of this action, Oscar stock has traded as low as $5.47 per share, a nearly 86% decline from the $39.00 per share IPO price. 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, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Teladoc Health, Inc. ("Teladoc" or the "Company") (NYSE: TDOC) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and docketed under 22-cv-04687, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Teladoc securities between October 28, 2021 and April 27, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Teladoc securities during the Class Period, you have until August 5, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Teladoc provides virtual healthcare services in the U.S. and internationally through Business-to-Business and Direct-to-Consumer ("D2C") distribution channels. The Company offers its customers various virtual products and services addressing, among other medical issues, mental health through its BetterHelp D2C product, and chronic conditions. Teladoc touts itself as "the first and only company to provide a comprehensive and integrated whole person virtual healthcare solution that both provides and enables care for a full spectrum of clinical conditions[.]" Despite recent market concerns over new entrants to the telehealth field, such Amazon.com, Inc. and Walmart Inc., the Company has continued to assure investors of the Company's dominant market position in the industry. In fact, as recently as February 2022, Teladoc forecasted full year ("FY") 2022 revenue of $2.55 - $2.65 billion, as well as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") of $330 - $355 million, on anticipated continued growth through its competitive advantages. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) increased competition, among other factors, was negatively impacting Teladoc's BetterHelp and chronic care businesses; (ii) accordingly, the growth of those businesses was less sustainable than Defendants had led investors to believe; (iii) as a result, Teladoc's revenue and adjusted EBITDA projections for FY 2022 were unrealistic; (iv) as a result of all the foregoing, Teladoc would be forced to recognize a significant non-cash goodwill impairment charge; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On April 27, 2022, Teladoc announced its first quarter ("Q1") 2022 financial results, including revenue of $565.4 million, which missed consensus estimates by $3.23 million, and "[n]et loss per share of $41.58, primarily driven by [a] non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $6.6 billion or $41.11 per share[.]" Additionally, the Company revised its FY 2022 revenue guidance to $2.4 - $2.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $240 - $265 million "to reflect dynamics we are currently experiencing in the [D2C] mental health and chronic condition markets." On a conference call with investors and analysts that day to discuss Teladoc's Q1 2022 results, Defendants largely attributed the Company's poor performance, revised FY 2022 guidance, and $6.6 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge to increased competition in its BetterHelp and chronic care businesses. On this news, Teladoc's stock price fell $22.48 per share, or 40.15%, to close at $33.51 per share on April 28, 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. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, June 8, 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, June 8, 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 YORK, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Credit Suisse Group AG ("Credit Suisse" or the "Company") (NYSE: CS) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and docketed under 22-cv-02477, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Credit Suisse securities between March 19, 2021 and March 25, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials. If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Credit Suisse securities during the Class Period, you have until June 28, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. [Click here for information about joining the class action] Credit Suisse, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. The Company offers private banking and wealth management solutions, including advisory, investment, financial planning, succession planning, and trust services, and financing and lending, and multi-shore platform solutions. Credit Suisse has a history of business dealings with Russian oligarchs, or ultra-high net worth business leaders possessing significant political influence. For example, an article published by Financial Times on February 7, 2022, entitled "Credit Suisse securitizes yacht loans to oligarchs and tycoons", cited a recent investor presentation for a synthetic securitization deal, in which Credit Suisse sold off $80 million worth of risk related to a $2 billion portfolio of loans backed by assets owned by certain of the bank's ultra-high net worth clients (the "Securitization Deal"), which disclosed that, in 2017 and 2018, Credit Suisse experienced 12 defaults on yacht and aircraft loans, a third of which were related to U.S. sanctions against Russian oligarchs. Press reports at the time indicated that Russian billionaires Oleg Deripaska, Arkady Rotenberg, and Boris Rotenberg had to terminate private jet leases with Credit Suisse in those years. Beginning in or around October 2021, Russia commenced a major military build-up near the Russo-Ukrainian border, in apparent preparation for an invasion of Ukraine. Although the Russian government repeatedly denied it had plans to invade or attack Ukraine, the U.S. later released intelligence of Russian invasion plans, including satellite photographs showing Russian troops and equipment near the Russo-Ukrainian border. In November 2021, as Russia's military buildup on the Russo-Ukrainian border continued, the Company entered the Securitization Deal. Just months later, on February 24, 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine. In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, Western governments including, among others, the U.S., Canada, and the European Union, imposed significant sanctions on Russia. The sanctions included, inter alia, measures targeting Russia's ultrawealthy oligarchs by denying them access to the global financial system and by, in some cases, authorizing the seizure of certain of their high-value assets located outside of Russia. Barely a week after the commencement of the Russian invasion and the retaliatory sanctions imposed by Western nations, news outlets reported that Credit Suisse had requested non-participating investors who received information about the Company's loan portfolio to destroy and permanently erase any confidential information that Credit Suisse provided to them regarding the Securitization Deal. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Credit Suisse had deficient disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (ii) Credit Suisse's practice of lending money to Russian oligarchs subject to U.S. and international sanctions created a significant risk of violating rules pertaining to those sanctions and future sanctions; (iii) the foregoing conduct subjected the Company to an increased risk of heightened regulatory scrutiny and/or enforcement actions; (iv) the Securitization Deal concerned loans that Credit Suisse made to Russian oligarchs previously sanctioned by the U.S.; (v) the purpose of the Securitization Deal was to offload the risks associated with these loans and mitigate the impact on Credit Suisse of sanctions likely to be implemented by Western nations in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine; (vi) Credit Suisse's request that non-participating investors destroy documents related to the Securitization Deal was intended to conceal the Company's noncompliance with U.S. and international sanctions in its lending practices; (vii) the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to subject the Company to enhanced regulatory scrutiny and significant reputational harm; and (viii) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On March 28, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform sent Credit Suisse a letter asking the Company to turn over information and documents about a portfolio of loans backed by yachts and private jets owned by clients, potentially including sanctioned Russian individuals. In the letter, House Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney and Rep. Stephen Lynch, chair of the Subcommittee on National Security, questioned Credit Suisse's request that hedge funds and other non-participating investors "destroy documents" related to yachts and private jets owned by the bank's clients. "Given the timing of this request and its subject matter," the House Democrats wrote, "Credit Suisse's action raises significant concerns that it may be concealing information" about whether participants in the deal may be "evading sanctions" imposed by the West after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On this news, Credit Suisse's stock price fell $0.21 per share, or 2.58%, to close at $7.94 per share on March 28, 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. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP CLEVELAND, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) today announced an agreement to acquire Gross & Perthun GmbH, a Mannheim, Germany based developer, manufacturer, and distributor of coatings primarily for the heavy equipment and transportation industries. The acquired business has approximately 100 employees and annual sales of approximately $50 million, and will become part of the Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group reportable segment. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2022. "This high-quality business brings us innovative waterborne and solvent liquid coatings technology, leading specification and approval positions, strong relationships with multi-national and local customers, strategically located manufacturing, and an outstanding commercial and technical team focused on delivering innovative and value-added solutions," said Sherwin-Williams Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John G. Morikis. "The combination of our businesses provides multiple opportunities to accelerate profitable growth throughout Europe and beyond. We look forward to welcoming the talented employees of this excellent business to the Sherwin-Williams family upon the close of the transaction." ABOUT THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy, Krylon, Minwax, Thompson's WaterSeal, Cabot and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 Company-operated stores and facilities, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit www.sherwin.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements," as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "project," "could," "plan," "goal," "target," "potential," "seek," "intend," "aspire" or "anticipate" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations, predictions, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events and conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from the Company's historical performance, results and experience. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include such things as: general business and economic conditions; the Company's ability to successfully integrate past and future acquisitions into its existing operations, as well as the performance of the businesses acquired; strengths of retail and manufacturing economies and the growth in the coatings industry; changes in the Company's relationships with customers and suppliers; changes in raw material availability and pricing; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, including due to the impacts of climate change; public health crises, including the duration, severity and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions implemented by international, federal, state and local public health and governmental authorities to contain and combat COVID-19, which may exacerbate one or more of the aforementioned and/or other risks, uncertainties and factors more fully described in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and other risks, uncertainties and factors described from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC. Since it is not possible to predict or identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results, the above list should not be considered a complete list. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Relations Contacts: Jim Jaye Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.515.8682 [email protected] Eric Swanson Vice President, Investor Relations Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.566.2766 [email protected] Media Contact: Julie Young Vice President, Global Corporate Communications Sherwin-Williams Direct: 216.515.8849 [email protected] SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company The fresh round of capital will support the company's efforts to expand its in-app services, and grow its team to capture a greater share of the growing crypto payments space. According to a report from blockchain data platform Chainalysis, the volume of cryptocurrency transactions globally grew to $15.8 trillion in 2021, up 567% from 2020. Yat Siu, the executive chairman and co-founder of Animoca Brands, commented: "The services provided by Request Finance allow Web3 projects - including some Animoca Brands companies - to save time and effort on crypto payments. We believe the company has a significant potential for growth and expansion." Simplifying Enterprise Crypto Payments Since launching in January 2021, a whopping $203 million in crypto invoices have been paid in the app . Today, Request Finance simplifies and automates invoicing, expenses, payroll, and accounting in crypto for more than 2,000 Web3 teams. Sebastien Borget, Co-Founder and COO of metaverse giant, The Sandbox, who personally backed the company's seed round, said: "We've been looking for a robust solution to enable crypto payments for the hundreds of invoices; salaries and various expenses generated through our activity each month. Request Finance has been the go-to solution that delivered above our expectations and that scales as The Sandbox keeps expanding the open metaverse." It all started with a simple idea: give businesses a better way to pay, and be paid in crypto. The founders saw serious problems that had to be solved before more businesses would start using crypto. For one, making crypto payments by copying and pasting wallet addresses from a spreadsheet is both laborious, and frightfully vulnerable to human error. On top of that, keeping proper financial records of crypto transactions was also an accountant's nightmare. To address these pain points, the team built a suite of enterprise-friendly features like on-chain payment confirmations, automated billing and payments in crypto, and even integrations with accounting software like Xero. The self-custodial platform currently supports over 150 tokens and stablecoins on 14 different chains. By addressing the common challenges faced by companies using crypto, it has attracted large users from different Web3 verticals. Notable names include DeFi companies like Aave, metaverse projects like The Sandbox and Decentraland, as well as DAOs like Maker. With growing calls for crypto payments to be regulated under existing tax and anti-money laundering laws, Request Finance also offers enterprises an easy way to document critical information about their crypto payments which are typically required by the authorities. Alexis du Peloux, Principal, at XAnge, commented: "After backing Ledger, Coinhouse, and Dogami we're backing a Web3 company that is set to become an essential part of tooling for Web3 businesses like DAOs, DeFi platforms, metaverse companies, and more." What Winter? Despite the cratering in crypto asset prices, and skepticism over the real-world adoption of cryptocurrencies, the company appears immune to the cold of the crypto winter. According to the company's published data for the month of May, the number of crypto invoices paid rose 81% month-on-month, bringing the total count to over 10,000 invoices paid to date. This represents about $10.5 million in crypto invoices paid last month alone, up 91%, or about $5 million more than the previous month . And while larger crypto companies have recently been making the headlines for layoffs and canceled job offers, Request Finance is actively looking to grow its ranks. It is hiring for various roles including a Chief Finance Officer (CFO), software developers, as well as positions in business development and marketing . The remote-first team currently comprises more than 20 blockchain engineers, UX designers, growth hackers, and support staff working from 12 different countries across Asia and Europe. This includes Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, the UK, Netherlands, France, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Mauritius, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. Follow us: Contact Us: (Marketing & PR) Ivan Hong [email protected] (Partnerships & Integrations) Christophe Fonteneau [email protected] SOURCE Request Finance The experience these leaders bring to the SinglePoint team will help drive operational and revenue targets. Tweet this Jason Lally commented, "It is a pleasure to join the SinglePoint team as Executive Vice President of Revenue. This is an exciting time as the company has the potential to be transformational. I look forward to being a part of defining moments and executing on the strategic vision. With our nation's elected leaders endorsing and prioritizing an infrastructure plan that includes substantial emphasis on advancing renewable energy and clean indoor air environments, there is significant potential for sustainable growth. I am thrilled to continue my personal commitment to making the world a better place through leading ethical adoption strategies of solar energy and healthy living solutions throughout the nation." Over the past few years, the Company has focused on building a strong foundation to position the company for long-term, sustainable growth. Operations and operational efficiency are imperative to this mission. The addition of Chad Miles as Executive Vice President of Operations provides support in an area crucial to the Company's continued expansion. Having served in the military as an officer with global logistical and operational responsibilities, Mr. Miles is perfectly suited and has deep experience in creating detailed operational plans and executing on them. Throughout his career, Mr. Miles has been able to establish a network of suppliers and vendors including government procurement experts, creating an opportunity for SinglePoint to utilize relationships to support increasing demand within clean energy and indoor air quality markets. Process driven and detail oriented, his focus on daily execution as well as designing and implementing world class operational efficiency is positioned to maximize profitability with all existing and future acquisitions. Chad Miles added, "SinglePoint's strategy to grow its national footprint perfectly aligns with multiple opportunities to be a relevant company in the improvement of the way we generate, store and consume energy. The federal government, through two White House directives focused on solar based initiatives and air quality in buildings, has created massive opportunities for companies like SinglePoint that have the ability to leverage government procurement. I will focus on the necessary creation of goals and milestones that are measurable and designed to enhance each business unit's value and contribution, ultimately delivering increased shareholder value." Wil Ralston, CEO of SinglePoint, adds, "Expanding upon the expertise at the executive level has been a major initiative for us to meet our growth goals. We continue to execute on our goals ensuring we meet listing requirements, and the addition of these two individuals moves the company closer to that objective. We have been aggressive in our timelines and continue to push for a successful listing. Both Mr. Miles and Mr. Lally's experience is critical as SinglePoint expands its footprint. The shared vision and alignment of operations is key as subsidiary companies begin to rapidly increase their revenue. We are fortunate to have attracted and retained such talented and experienced individuals as SinglePoint further expands our clean energy and clean air business across the nation. I look forward to working closely with them to improve and expand the companies in our current portfolio. With the additional support, we will identify other companies aligned with our acquisition criteria to grow our revenue and market share. We are building the foundation for 2022 to be a year that SinglePoint maximizes revenue growth. Bolstering our management team will help drive the Company to execute on our projections. In addition to internal hires, we have engaged a team of uplist specialists who will assist and prepare us for a timely uplist. We continue to drive forward on our growth plans and look forward to sharing future achievements with our shareholders." The Company is at a pivotal point in their roadmap and the business strategy set by current CEO, Wil Ralston. In April 2022, SinglePoint finalized the latest acquisition of The Boston Solar Company. Through acquisition, SinglePoint is now vertically integrated, from lead to install, on the residential solar side of the business. To support growing operations, the Company expanded their leadership team to ensure as the company grows that SinglePoint has dedicated individuals to direct and manage the synergistic relationships between subsidiaries, driving revenue and shareholder value. About SinglePoint Inc (OTCQB:SING) SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies and appliances that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com) and connect on social media for the latest updates. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceeds, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Investor Contact: Tra-Digital IR [email protected] (212) 389 - 9782 ext. 107 SOURCE SinglePoint Inc. WILMINGTON, Del., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sky Quarry Inc. ("Sky Quarry" or "the Company"), a clean tech ESG company that recycles waste asphalt shingles and converts them into sustainable waste energy oil, is pleased to announce that thanks to the success of its Regulation A+ offering hosted on Equifund (https://equifund.com), it has raised sufficient funds to begin retrofitting their PR Spring facility. "Our state-of-the-art PR Spring facility was originally designed to extract bitumen from oil sands. However, thanks to our proprietary technology, we are confident we can retrofit the facility to extract bitumen from waste asphalt shingles utilizing a waterless solvent system," said David Sealock, CEO of Sky Quarry. Asphalt shingles cover approximately 80% of all residential roofs in America. Each year around 13 million tons are shipped off to landfills where they contribute to potentially major environmental issues; this includes leaching of toxic waste into groundwater and topsoil. It is estimated that 700 million tons of waste asphalt shingles already exist in landfills today. Sky Quarry's patented process breaks down and recycles waste asphalt shingles into valuable, in-demand materials such as bitumen. Bitumen is a highly viscous form of oil and a key ingredient in refining diesel and hot-mix asphalt used in road construction. Testing-to-date demonstrates the Company's technology has the potential to convert every ton of waste asphalt shingles into the equivalent of 1.5 barrels of oil. "We are extremely excited to announce that we have successfully hit our first fundraising goal and the retrofitting process at PR Spring has begun," said Sealock. "We expect construction to take approximately five months and for the facility to be operational by year end. This marks a major milestone for our company and is a big step towards commercialization." Additional information on the Company and the Offering can be found on the Company's website at https://www.skyquarry.com and at https://equifund.com/skyquarry/. About Sky Quarry Sky Quarry is a Utah-based clean technology company focused on the recovery and repurposing of waste asphalt shingles. Sky Quarry's proprietary process diverts waste asphalt shingles from already overcrowded landfills, and extracts the liquid asphalt and solid composition elements for use in the development of new asphalt shingles, asphalt paving aggregate, and bitumen refined products and other industrial applications. Sky Quarry's mission is to be the leading asphalt shingle waste management provider in North America. Legal Notice This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or sale of the securities referenced herein. Any such offer will only be made in compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws pursuant to Regulation A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A link to the related offering documents is provided herein, and all prospective investors are encouraged to carefully review these materials in their entirety, which includes important disclosures and risk factors associated with an investment in the Company. These securities have not been recommended by the SEC or any state securities commission or regulatory authority, nor has any commission or regulatory confirmed the accuracy of the information contained the offering materials. The information is provided for convenience only, is not investment advice and may not be relied upon in considering an investment in the Company. 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 investor's independent research. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the future performance of any investment in the Company, 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 the Company is suitable for them. Forward Looking Statements This press release and the offering materials may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. They are based on the current beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the Company's management regarding the future of the Company's business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. When used in the offering materials, the words "aim," "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "envision," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "hope," "likely," "may," "plan," "potential," "seek," "should," "strategy," "will" and similar references to future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which constitute forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict (many of which are outside of the company's control) and could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the company, the offering or other matters, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. The Company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Media Contact Jordan Gillissie 800.777.4003 [email protected] SOURCE Equifund Company recognized as an expert partner providing publishers with innovative solutions and services BOULDER, Colo., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sovrn , a publisher technology platform that empowers content creators to remain independent and thrive on the Open Web, today announced the company's recognition as a Google Certified Publishing Partner. The designation solidifies its Ad Management offering as a leading authority in supporting digital publishers with Google's suite of advertising tools. The Certified Publishing Partner recognition designates the Ad Management team as trained specialists with proven expertise in Google's suite of products (Ad Manager, Ad Exchange, Open Bidding) and full site monetization, optimization and implementation services including ad operations, programmatic yield management, technical and strategic support, and more. As part of the Certified Publishing Partner program qualification process, Sovrn was carefully vetted against rigorous standards to demonstrate that its dedicated advertising team provides consistently superior interactions and expert consulting services. Sovrn Ad Management experts are focused on helping web publishers generate advertising revenue in the most efficient and cost-effective way. The company's proprietary header bidding technology reduces latency while delivering greater ad yield. Sovrn provides extensive access to 40-plus demand partners, ensuring publishers can be confident that the value of their inventory is maximized. And, while most other providers operate on a revenue sharing model, the low, fee-based model Sovrn utilizes is based on CPM rather than earnings, ensuring publishers keep more of their advertising revenue. "At Sovrn, we are focused on delivering innovative technology, tools and services to help publishers understand, operate and grow," said Walter Knapp, Sovrn CEO. "This recognition from Google is a testament of how our advertising experts act as an extension of a publisher's team to help them meet their publishing and revenue goals." About Sovrn Sovrn provides products and services to thousands of online publishers to help them understand, operate and grow their business. Sovrn is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with offices in New York, London and San Diego. With thousands of customers deploying advertising, affiliate marketing, and data products across more than 60,000 websites, Sovrn reaches over 400 million active consumers generating 25 billion page views every day. Sovrn has been a leader in online publisher technology since its founding and has been recognized by IAB, JICWEBS, and TAG for its role in combating fraud and promoting pro-transparency initiatives. Sovrn is dedicated to helping content creators do more of what they love, and less of what they don't. www.sovrn.com SOURCE Sovrn Holdings, Inc. "The specialty food market has prospered amid two difficult years, with our latest research showing specialty continues to grow at a faster rate than all food," said Denise Purcell, Specialty Food Association's vice president, content & education. "Growth will continue, but at a slower pace than the industry experienced during the 2020 pandemic-influenced whirlwind of grocery shopping and at-home meal preparation--and will depend on supply chain bandwidth and shifts in challenges like inflation, shipping issues, cost increases, and materials shortages." The annual State of the Specialty Food Industry research is an examination of market size and sales; dollar and unit sales growth; specialty food category penetration; and 10-year tracking and forecasting in key categories. New this year: sales forecast for retail, foodservice, and ecommerce; video interviews with members of the supply chain; and a closer look at sales and opportunities in specialty perishables departments. Key Facts and Figures: Top 10 Categories in Retail Dollar Sales Meat, poultry, seafood (Frozen, refrigerated) Cheese and plant-based cheese Chips, pretzels, snacks Bread and baked goods Coffee and hot cocoa, non-RTD Entrees (Refrigerated) Chocolate and other confectionery Water Desserts (Frozen) Entrees, lunch, dinner (Frozen) Top 10 Fastest-Growing Categories Tea and coffee RTD (Refrigerated) Creams and creamers (Refrigerated) Entrees (Refrigerated) Breakfast foods (Frozen) Appetizers and snacks (Frozen) Seasonings Pasta (Refrigerated) Fruits and vegetables (Frozen) Sauces, pasta, and pizza (Shelf stable) Soda and carbonated beverages Insights and Takeaways The Supply Chain's Impact on Growth The parts of the industry that will grow in the next few years in part hinge on supply chain bandwidth. Makers continue to report they are unable to properly forecast their sales because they often don't know what their supplier shipments will look like. Lead times for shipments fluctuate, too, causing production schedule delays. All of this influences how makers formulate their products, as they evaluate which SKUs they can confidently produce, made with ingredients they can reliably source and priced properly to achieve profit despite increased raw material costs. BIPOC- and Women-Owned Brands in Demand Consumers want more BIPOC- and women-owned brands and retail buyers and foodservice operators are seeking out incubators, brokers, b2b wholesalers and distributors, and even sales consultancies that specialize in supporting and growing these brands. Showcasing these brands has moved far beyond seasonal features to align with observed months like Black History or Women's History, and will continue to expand. The Next Retail Formats The pandemic gave retailers insight into the store formats shoppers want next and smaller footprints with minimal human contact are in demand. Expect fast growth of these formats among traditional grocers, who are also reintroducing areas since the COVID scaleback with new ideas. Plant-Based Challenges The overall plant-based specialty retail market grew 6 percent, exceeding $7.7 billion in 2021, after stellar 26 percent growth in 2020. Plant-based growth has outpaced the entire specialty retail market, which grew 4 percent in 2021 and 20 percent in 2020. However, some plant-based categories were among 12 total that grew specialty sales slower than the entire market in 2021. These include Yogurt and plant-based yogurt; Tofu; Creams and creamers (Shelf stable); Plant-based milk (Refrigerated); and Plant-based milk (Shelf stable). The largest growth gap is with Plant-based meat alternatives (Refrigerated). It grew 34 percent in specialty but 66 percent in the total market. Historically, this category has been composed of 97 percent specialty items, but it changed in the last three years and now non-specialty items are contributing to much of the growth. Specialty Beverages Grow Faster Than Food During 2020's initial height of COVID, specialty food grew faster (21 percent) than beverages (16 percent), but that shifted in 2021 as specialty beverages grew twice as fast as food. It comes down to consumers seeing certain products as critical, and others as discretionary. In this instance food was more a consumer priority during the initial phases of COVID but over time, consumers expanded their shopping lists to include more specialty beverage purchases. RTD alcoholic beverages like hard seltzer, hard kombucha, and fermented functional cocktails, in particular, are growing rapidly. Opportunities in Perishables New this year, the SFA took a closer look at specialty perishable sales, which are expected to reach nearly $33.5 billion in 2022. Perishables (random weight, non-UPC'd specialty items sold in a bakery, cheese, deli, meat and seafood sections) are critical to specialty, both in scale and as a good source of growth. For specialty retailers, perishables departments represent enticing, creative merchandising and execution. Plus they are important centers for emerging food and beverage innovation that may eventually migrate to packaged goods categories. After being challenged by shutdowns during COVID, perishables can expand to better meet consumers' needs for hot, ready-to-eat, or take-home, heat-and-eat fresh meals; meal kits; sandwiches, side dishes and salads; breakfast foods; confections and desserts; and hot and cold beverages. The report will be discussed at the 66th Summer Fancy Food Show on the Main Stage on Sunday, June 12, 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Open only to the trade, the Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest B2B-only specialty food and beverage show in the U.S. Registration for the Summer Fancy Food Show is at fancyfoodshows.com . About the Specialty Food Association The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has been the leading trade association and source of information about the $175 billion specialty food industry for 70 years. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA represents manufacturers, importers, retailers, distributors, brokers, and others in the trade. The SFA is known for its Fancy Food Shows ; the sofi Awards , which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage for 50 years; the Trendspotter Panel Show reports and annual predictions; the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report and Today's Specialty Food Consumer research; the ecommerce enabled SFA Product Marketplace , where members showcase products and sell directly to qualified buyers; SFA Feed , the daily source for industry news, trends and new product information, and Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association Podcast . Facebook: Specialty Food Association LinkedIn: Specialty Food Association TikTok: specialtyfoodassociation Twitter: @Specialty_Food Instagram: @specialtyfoodassociation Hashtags: #FancyFoodShow #FancyFoodNYC #SpecialtyFood SOURCE Specialty Food Association Spray Gun Market: Scope The spray gun market covers the following areas: Spray Gun Market: Drivers The key factor driving the global spray gun industry growth is the growing paints and coatings market. The growth is attributed to the increasing standard of living, rapid urbanization, and the growth of economies worldwide as a surge in the consumers' spending on luxury and comfort products can create demand for superior-quality, visually appealing products. The paints and coatings market has witnessed a rapid growth rate in APAC, especially in emerging countries, such as China and India owing to the rising number of middle-class consumers, and rapid urbanization. Spray Gun Market: Challenges Leveraging e-commerce to increase market penetration is one of the key spray gun market trends that is expected to impact the industry positively in the forecast period. is one of the key spray gun market trends that is expected to impact the industry positively in the forecast period. The e-commerce industry has grown rapidly during the last five years, with global e-commerce sales growing by 13%, reaching approximately USD 29 trillion in 2017, and in 2019, it held a significant share of the overall commercial sales. in 2017, and in 2019, it held a significant share of the overall commercial sales. The global spray gun market has been a slow adopter of technologies and e-retailing. The vendors and distributors of spray guns are increasingly selling their products on e-commerce websites, such as Amazon.com Inc. (Amazon) and eBay Inc. (eBay). To know more about the drivers & challenges along with the market trends - Download a sample now! Spray Gun Market: Segmentation Analysis Type - Manual and automatic Manual and automatic Geography - APAC, North America , Europe , South America , and the Middle East and Africa Technavio report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the spray gun market size and actionable market insights on each segment. Spray Gun Market: Vendor Analysis The spray gun market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as innovation of products and R&D to compete in the market. The spray gun market report also offers information on several market vendors, including 3M Co., ANEST IWATA Corp., Asahi Sunac Corp., Bullows Paint Equipment Private Ltd., Carlisle Companies Inc., EXEL Industries SA, Fuji Industrial Spray Equipment Ltd., Graco Inc., J Wagner GMBH, Magna Jetting Systems, Metabowerke GmbH, Ningbo Lis Industrial Co. Ltd., Nordson Corp., Prowin Tools Co., SATA GmbH and Co. KG, Stanley Black and Decker Inc., V. R. Coatings Private Ltd., Zhejiang Auarita Pneumatic Tools LLC, Zhejiang Refine Wufu Air Tools Co. Ltd., and Zhejiang Rongpeng Air Tools Co. Ltd. among others. 3M Co. - The company offers spray guns with different nozzle diameters, air consumption, and operating pressure for automotive, manufacturing, and transportation application. The company offers spray guns with different nozzle diameters, air consumption, and operating pressure for automotive, manufacturing, and transportation application. To know about all major vendor offerings - Download a sample now! The competitive scenario provided in the Spray Gun Market report analyzes, evaluates, and positions companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered for this analysis include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Don't wait, Make a strategic approach & boost your business goals with our Spray Gun Market Forecast Report - Buy Now! Related Reports: The predicted growth of the material handling equipment market share in biomass power plants from 2021 to 2026 is USD 869.16 million at a progressing CAGR of 6.36%. Download a sample now! share in biomass power plants from 2021 to 2026 is USD 869.16 million at a progressing CAGR of 6.36%. The ground-penetrating radar market share is expected to increase to USD 171.52 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.63%. Download a sample now! Spray Gun Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.1% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 210.78 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 2.1 Performing market contribution APAC at 48% Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled 3M Co., ANEST IWATA Corp., Asahi Sunac Corp., Bullows Paint Equipment Private Ltd., Carlisle Companies Inc., EXEL Industries SA, Fuji Industrial Spray Equipment Ltd., Graco Inc., J Wagner GMBH, Magna Jetting Systems, Metabowerke GmbH, Ningbo Lis Industrial Co. Ltd., Nordson Corp., Prowin Tools Co., SATA GmbH and Co. KG, Stanley Black and Decker Inc., V. R. Coatings Private Ltd., Zhejiang Auarita Pneumatic Tools LLC, Zhejiang Refine Wufu Air Tools Co. Ltd., and Zhejiang Rongpeng Air Tools Co. Ltd. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type 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: 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 Type 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Type 5.3 Manual - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Manual - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Manual - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on Manual - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Manual - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Automatic - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Automatic - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Automatic - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Automatic - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Automatic - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Type ($ 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 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - 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 (%) 7.5 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 (%) 7.6 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 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on India - 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 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 87: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 3M Co. Co. Exhibit 89: 3M Co. - Overview Co. - Overview Exhibit 90: 3M Co. - Business segments Co. - Business segments Exhibit 91: 3M Co. - Key news Co. - Key news Exhibit 92: 3M Co. - Key offerings Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 93: 3M Co. - Segment focus 10.4 ANEST IWATA Corp. Exhibit 94: ANEST IWATA Corp. - Overview Exhibit 95: ANEST IWATA Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 96: ANEST IWATA Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 97: ANEST IWATA Corp. - Segment focus 10.5 Carlisle Companies Inc. Exhibit 98: Carlisle Companies Inc. - Overview Exhibit 99: Carlisle Companies Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 100: Carlisle Companies Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 101: Carlisle Companies Inc. - Segment focus 10.6 EXEL Industries SA Exhibit 102: EXEL Industries SA - Overview Exhibit 103: EXEL Industries SA - Product / Service Exhibit 104: EXEL Industries SA - Key news Exhibit 105: EXEL Industries SA - Key offerings 10.7 Fuji Industrial Spray Equipment Ltd. Exhibit 106: Fuji Industrial Spray Equipment Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 107: Fuji Industrial Spray Equipment Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 108: Fuji Industrial Spray Equipment Ltd. - Key offerings 10.8 Graco Inc. Exhibit 109: Graco Inc. - Overview Exhibit 110: Graco Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 111: Graco Inc. - Key news Exhibit 112: Graco Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 113: Graco Inc. - Segment focus 10.9 J Wagner GMBH Exhibit 114: J Wagner GMBH - Overview Exhibit 115: J Wagner GMBH - Product / Service Exhibit 116: J Wagner GMBH - Key offerings 10.10 Nordson Corp. Exhibit 117: Nordson Corp. - Overview Exhibit 118: Nordson Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 119: Nordson Corp. - Key news Exhibit 120: Nordson Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 121: Nordson Corp. - Segment focus 10.11 SATA GmbH and Co. KG Exhibit 122: SATA GmbH and Co. KG - Overview Exhibit 123: SATA GmbH and Co. KG - Product / Service Exhibit 124: SATA GmbH and Co. KG - Key offerings 10.12 Zhejiang Auarita Pneumatic Tools LLC Exhibit 125: Zhejiang Auarita Pneumatic Tools LLC - Overview Exhibit 126: Zhejiang Auarita Pneumatic Tools LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 127: Zhejiang Auarita Pneumatic Tools LLC - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 128: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 129: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 130: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 131: Research methodology Exhibit 132: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 133: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 134: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports, covering 800 technologies spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio WUXI, China, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- iSoftStone Group, the leading software and IT services provider for digital transformation in China, Venturous Group, China's first Citytech Group, and Wuxi National High-Tech District have formed a new joint venture company, SwanLink (Jiangsu) Technology Development Ltd. ("SwanLink"). SwanLink will focus on developing commercial distribution versions of OpenHarmony-based IoT operating systems and applications to enable seamless connections between smart devices to achieve the objective of a fully-connected world. In China, there were approximately 8.8 billion Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices as of 2021, and this number continues to grow steadily and is expected to reach 15.6 billion by 2025, according to iResearch Global Group. However, the data collected by the IoT devices are often not used to their fullest potential. Few of these systems and applications can be integrated because of software or hardware incompatibility. This creates a market opportunity for solution providers that can integrate technology components and achieve large-scale standardization of operating systems across numerous IoT devices. To support the rapid development of homegrown Chinese operating systems, in 2020 Huawei decided to donate the source code of HarmonyOS to China's OpenAtom Foundation in the hope of other companies utilizing and modifying the open-source code to their needs. OpenHarmony is an intelligent open-source IoT distributed operating system that is applicable across all smart devices and in all scenarios of a fully-connected world. It aims to promote the development of the Internet of Everything (IoE). Headquartered in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, SwanLink originates from a business division of iSoftStone Group, which has been a long-time key partner of Huawei, an important player of the OpenHarmony ecosystem, and a strategic partner of Venturous Group. With extensive and valuable first-hand experiences in OpenHarmony-based software development, SwanLink is one of Huawei's first OpenHarmony ecosystem partners, for which Huawei will provide enabling services to speed up commercial distribution versions of OpenHarmony operating systems and applications. By partnering with Wuxi National High-Tech District and Venturous Group for resources, capital and business development support, iSoftStone Group has ensured that SwanLink has a very solid basis for future success. Mr. Benson Tam, Founder & CEO of Venturous Group, said: "OpenHarmony is an IoT distributed operating system ahead of the current global standard. It is a critical part of the required infrastructure to drive China's future digital transformation and an important building block for Smart Cities. As China's first Citytech group, Venturous is extremely excited about this opportunity to launch SwanLink together with our partners iSoftStone Group and Wuxi, which has been crowned the 'Smart IoT City'." Mr. Tianwen Liu, Founder, Chairman & CEO of iSoftStone Group, agreed: "The strategic partnership with Wuxi National High-Tech District is an important step to further innovate and develop the OpenHarmony ecosystem and China's own operating systems. In the future, iSoftStone will leverage the agglomeration advantage of Wuxi's IoT industry and take full advantage of its capabilities and experiences in the digital industry. Furthermore, SwanLink will actively carry out research and development of software and operating systems based on OpenHarmony, contributing to the construction of 'Digital China' together with our partners." To conclude, Mr. Rongguo Cui, Party Secretary of Wuxi National High-Tech District and Secretary of Xinwu District Community, said: "The establishment of SwanLink's headquarters in Wuxi National High-Tech District will inject new momentum into the digital economy of Wuxi. The district government will also provide full support for SwanLink to accelerate the development of the 2.0 era of Wuxi's IoT." About SwanLink SwanLink (Jiangsu) Technology Development Ltd. is a joint venture company formed in 2022 by iSoftStone Group, Wuxi National High-Tech District and Venturous Group. Headquartered in Wuxi, SwanLink develops commercial distribution versions of OpenHarmony-based IoT operating systems and applications to enable seamless connections between smart devices and achieve a fully-connected world. About iSoftStone Group Established in 2005 in Beijing, iSoftStone is a leading innovative software and IT services and solutions provider in China, serving more than 10 different major industries with 1,000 domestic and foreign customers, of which more than 200 are Fortune Global 500 companies or China's top 500 companies. iSoftStone has a footprint of more than 100 offices in 40 cities, with 20 global delivery centers and over 90,000 employees worldwide. It is listed on the ChiNext board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (Stock Code: SZ301236). https://www.isoftstone.com/ About Wuxi National High-Tech District Located in the southeast region of Wuxi, the Wuxi National High-Tech District became one of China's main development zones in 1995. With strong economic fundamentals, a strong industrial base, and a strong momentum for technological innovation and openness to business opportunities, the development zone has excelled in major industries such as electronics, information technology, bioengineering, and more. In 2021, Wuxi National High-Tech District's GDP exceeded USD 33 billion. http://www.wndonline.cn/index.html About Venturous Group Venturous Group is China's first Citytech Group. Powering Smart City economies, it is an investor, business builder and operator of Smart Citytech infrastructure companies. Creating value by transforming the future of city living, Venturous leverages the latest deep Citytech, strategic partnerships and digital transformation to make cities more liveable, sustainable and productive in China and beyond. https://www.venturousgroup.com/ For more information Mr. Johan Riddergard, Venturous Group, Partner and Media & Investor Relations Coordinator [email protected] Press room https://www.venturousgroup.com/press-room/ #SwanLink #iSoftStone #Wuxi #Venturous #VenturousGroup #DigitalTechnology #SmartComputing #BigData #DataSharing #Citytech #SmartCity #SmartCities #SmartOperations #SmartSystems #IoT #IoE #OpenHarmony #HarmonyOS SOURCE Venturous Group CHARLOTTE, N.C. , June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The New England Journal of Medicine published a June 5 report where 12 patients completed a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer and showed a 100 percent complete response to dostarlimab, an immunotherapy treatment produced by GlaxoSmithKline. The clinical trial was conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering with early-stage grant funding from Swim Across America. Reviews of the clinical trial and quotes in the New York Times from cancer experts are hopeful: Dr. Luis Diaz of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, author of The New England Journal of Medicine paper. "I believe this (a 100 percent response) is the first time this has happened in the history of cancer," commented Dr. Luis Diaz, an author of The New England Journal of Medicine paper. "There were a lot of happy tears," said Dr. Andrea Cercek, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a co-author of the paper. The cost to run a clinical trial can run into millions of dollars. Early-stage sponsors such as Swim Across America are necessary to fund the costs. Swim Across America's grant for the MSK clinical trial helped fund the science and speed sharing of information. Other funding partners included the Simon and Eve Colin Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, Stand Up to Cancer, and the National Cancer Institute. Swim Across America is delighted with the results and continues to provide grant support. Swim Across America's grant agreement with beneficiaries like Memorial Sloan Kettering requires that 100 percent of a Swim Across America grant must be spent on approved research and clinical trial programs. In 35-years, Swim Across America has granted nearly $100M to innovative and otherwise unfunded ideas so that the oncologists like Dr. Cercek and Dr. Diaz make progress and develop new treatments. Swim Across America has a proven track record of identifying and funding promising early-stage ideas. Swim Across America grants have played a major role in clinically developing FDA-approved immunotherapy treatments ipilimumab (YERVOY), nivolumab (OPDIVO), pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), and atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ). About Swim Across America Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through charity swims. Since 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million in the fight against cancer. More than 100,000 supporters and volunteers and 100 Olympians participate in SAA programs annually. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org, Facebook @swimacrossamerica, Twitter or Instagram @saaswim. Media Contact: Jenifer Howard 203-273-4246 [email protected] SOURCE Swim Across America SYNERGY HomeCare led the home care industry in territory sales in 2021. Now in top five largest home care franchisors Tweet this "There are multiple reasons for our sustained growth, but it includes a concerted effort to enhance our operating systems and offerings, while working to attract strong candidates," said SYNERGY HomeCare CEO Charlie Young. "Along with bringing on new high-quality, care-minded franchisees, we are also growing organically within our existing franchise base. Our story and message is resonating, and we are working hard to propel our franchisees and our network forward in the rapidly growing home care sector," he adds. Young pointed to a number of current franchisees that expanded in 2021, including industry-leaders Weama Kassem and Ruth Busalacchi. Kassem, who launched her SYNERGY HomeCare of Edmond, Oklahoma in 2012 and was recently named the system's top producing franchisee, added a second operation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Busalacchi, who was recently honored with the national brand's "Most Engaged Marketer," award, expanded her established SYNERGY HomeCare of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin into Elkhorn, Wisconsin. In addition, the brand entered Rhode Island, its 40th state, with the sale of SYNERGY HomeCare of Warwick. SYNERGY HomeCare has made numerous investments in enhancing its staff and programming, including hiring franchise marketing expert Jennifer Chasteen as its first Chief Marketing Officer. The company is also rolling out a new memory care program enabling franchisees and their caregivers to provide personalized care and engagement to people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. "Our franchisees come to work each day knowing how much of a difference they are making in the lives of their clients and their families," said SYNERGY HomeCare Chief Growth Officer Mike Steed. "I really believe we are only beginning to scratch the surface of our growth prospects, not only in providing care for the aging demographic, but also for those living with disabilities, chronic conditions, illness, injury, and more. The need for our services is growing each day and it's exciting to see SYNERGY HomeCare as a leader in meeting those needs." For more information on SYNERGY HomeCare franchising opportunities visit SYNERGYHomeCareFranchise.com . ABOUT SYNERGY HOMECARE SYNERGY HomeCare is the fastest-growing national franchisor in the home care industry with nearly 200 franchisees operating in more than 400 territories across the U.S. The company provides a broad range of non-medical in-home services including personal care, companion care, memory care, and specialized care for individuals who are physically or developmentally disabled, living with chronic health conditions or recovering from illness or surgery. No matter what each person's circumstances are, SYNERGY HomeCare steps in with effective, comforting, life-affirming care that moves people emotionally and physically forward. For more information visit SYNERGYHomecare.com . Media Contact : David Siroty Imagine Productions [email protected] (908) 337-5865 Heather Reid SYNERGY HomeCare [email protected] (480) 550-9567 SOURCE SYNERGY HomeCare LONDON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Executive Search Firm, Forsyth Barnes, announced that everyone in the company would be receiving a 10% raise across their offices in London, Nottingham, and New York. The decision was made in response to rising energy and fuel prices to minimize the impact of the cost of living increases. "We are incredibly proud to have developed a family of talented, hard-working, and loyal individuals. We are a people-first business who will always, always look after our own," said Managing Partner Scott Parsons. Forsyth Barnes' second Managing Partner, Roheel Ahmad thanked the team for their hard work and resilience over the past six years, stating, "Your ambition to work alongside us and grow this business into a lasting legacy that is bigger than any of us is infectious and inspiring, and this is just one of the ways we give thanks to you all." Speaking with some employees, it's clear how significant this gesture is. "I had relocated to our London office at the end of 2021, and the cost of living had already increased. This is such an unexpected surprise, adding to all of the other incentives, rewards, and raises over the years. I'm so excited and proud to work for such a people-centric business," notes one employee. The business profits funding this raise are wholly organic, as Forsyth Barnes has never received external funding. "We are built entirely off the back of our own success," said Parsons. He continues, "The main driver for us as business owners is to ensure everyone within our team will work their best selves and leave the office each day their best selves too." ABOUT FORSYTH BARNES Forsyth Barnes are specialists in Mid-Senior to Executive Level recruitment on a permanent and interim basis. They operate across eTail, Fintech, and Sports & Entertainment industries, globally. SOURCE Forsyth Barnes CPG and fashion brands dominate the most loved brands in the U.S. for their focus on passion, trust, and customer satisfaction. NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Talkwalker , the leading consumer intelligence company, and Hootsuite , the global leader in social media management, announced the release of Talkwalker's third annual Brand Love Report . Talkwalker's proprietary Brand Love Index, powered by its advanced AI capabilities, analyzed over 1,500 global brands to discover the top 10 most-loved brands in the U.S., based on three equally weighted scores for Passion, Trust, and Customer Satisfaction (CSAT). The analysis also factored in a brand's focus on environmental, social, and sustainability issues. CPG and fashion brands dominated, earning 7 out of the top 10 spots for the most loved brands in the U.S. Top 10 Most Loved Brands in the U.S. Jimmy Choo Downy Dolce & Gabbana Estee Lauder Oral-B Mercedes-Benz KitKat Nespresso adidas HelloFresh "Brands that take a customer-centric approach and show they are truly listening to consumers are able to inspire passion, earn trust, and deliver customer satisfaction, which are the core pillars of Talkwalker's Brand Love Index," said David Low, VP Marketing Americas at Talkwalker. "We're excited to showcase how our technology can help companies understand and take action to create greater love for their brands and drive performance." Talkwalker and Hootsuite collaborated on the Brand Love 2022 Report. The full report includes: Profiles of the Top 10 Most Loved Brands in the U.S., according to the 2022 Brand Love Index A new Brand Love Index that provides businesses with a measurable KPI to benchmark how much consumers love their brand Actionable insights that brands can use to boost their Brand Love ratings A sampling of other global breakouts of the top 10 most loved brands in Austria , France , Germany , India , Italy , Switzerland , the U.K, Latin America , Middle East & Africa , and Southeast Asia "As a marketer, if the past year and a half taught us anything, it's that the traditional ways of advertising have changed drastically. Brands who put authenticity and courageous creativity at the core of their plans are the ones who generate the most brand love," said Maggie Lower, CMO, Hootsuite. "This year's Brand Love Report in partnership with Talkwalker provides insights on how consumers perceive brands as well as actionable tips on how companies can innovate and better connect with their audience to build brand loyalty and affinity." To discover more, download the Brand Love 2022 report here . Brand Love Methodology: The report uses a refined methodology incorporating numerous data points to create the Talkwalker Brand Love Index. With over 10 years of client research, and in-depth analysis of use cases, the index identified three critical scores for monitoring brand love - Passion, Trust, and CSAT. These scores were calculated by analyzing over 2.6 billion conversations from social media, blogs, and reviews, to identify the brands consumers really care about. About Hootsuite Hootsuite is the global leader in social media management. With approximately 200,000 paid accounts and millions of users, Hootsuite powers social media for brands and organizations around the world, from the smallest businesses to the largest enterprises. Hootsuite's unparalleled expertise in social media management, social insights, employee advocacy, and social customer care empowers organizations to strategically grow their brands, businesses, and customer relationships with social media. Hootsuite Academy , the industry-leading online learning platform, empowers education and growth through a wide range of certifications and has delivered over one million courses to over half a million people worldwide. To learn more, visit www.hootsuite.com . About Talkwalker Talkwalker is the #1 consumer intelligence company and is dedicated to helping brands close the gap between brand and consumer. Recognized by Forrester as a Leader in Consumer Intelligence and Social Listening. Talkwalker brings together market-leading social analytics and AI technology, with unstructured data expertise, and a global team of insights analysts and data storytellers. Talkwalker enables brands to put consumers at the heart of their decision-making, empowering them to embrace smarter innovation, create more successful campaigns, and provide enhanced customer experiences. With teams around the world, Talkwalker helps over 2,500 global brands to be consumer close, and accelerate their brand growth. To discover more about Talkwalker, please visit www.talkwalker.com . Media Contact Tom Francoeur, Senior Media Strategist Crackle PR for Talkwalker [email protected] SOURCE Talkwalker DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Targeting the CD47-SIRPA Axis in Oncology: Analytical Tool" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Targeting the CD47-SIRPa axis is emerging as one of the most promising new cancer immunotherapy approaches seeking to target innate immune response. This report reveals intense global interest and a growing list of stakeholders operating in this field. Users of this report get an un-biased, fact driven analysis of the position of each molecule and commercial player, always kept up to date with twice weekly updates. This analytical tool is the must have handbook for any business developer, BI/CI operative or clinical developer who needs to be on top of this hot and fast moving area of immune-oncology. This unique product is truly the only tool of its kind and is designed to give you a competitive edge in your drug surveillance and intelligence of the CD47-SIRPA axis in oncology, allowing you to power your decision making and advance your own interests. Keeping you "In the know" Simply put, our mission is to fuel your knowledge of immune-oncology, to make you the first to know about very early technologies and startups, emerging clinical trial results, drug approvals and the ever-changing competitive landscape. Targeting the CD47-SIRPA Axis in Oncology: Analytical Tool achieves this by continuously scanning development in CD47-SIRPA axis in oncology and reporting: Deals & Collaborations New technologies/drugs (emerging from patents, grants, abstracts (see Conference Coverage) etc.) Funding/Grants/IPOs Filings & Approvals Latest Clinical Trial Development & Results Newly launched clinical trials Conference Coverage of the world's twelve leading meetings in oncology* Quarterly & Annual Reporting This puts you in control of most, if not all, day-to-day developments in your field while also benefiting from one of the most comprehensive commercial pipeline review & competitive assessment tools available on the market today! Identify, prioritize, and lead scientific assessment of oncology opportunities and competition by multiple factors such as: Emerging Technologies Target Novelty Recent Funding Early & Late Stage Pipeline Biomarker/Companion Diagnostic Development (featured below) Entered Deals & Alliances Conference surveillance of world leading cancer meetings (featured below) Combination Therapy Choices (featured below) Outcome of Clinical Trials Indication Selection & Expansion Choices Drug Repositioning Opportunities For 20 years the author has supported better decision making across the oncology drug development industry. Your Targeting the CD47-SIRPA Axis in Oncology: Analytical Tool is based on two decades of proven methodology and transforms your computers desktop into a high capacity workbench within your area of choice. Even before launching this tool you have already eliminated the hundreds of hours of work needed to discover, process and piece together the thousands of sources that our team of oncology dedicated and highly experienced contents specialists have done on your behalf. Your Targeting the CD47-SIRPA Axis in Oncology: Analytical Tool covers more than 70 companies and partners who are today developing 81 CD47-SIRPA axis targeting drugs where of 76 are in active development in cancer across 28 different targets. Any data and/or analysis from the Analytical Tool is yours to keep and data/graphs/tables can be easily exported into Excel/PDF and various graphic formats for mixing with your own proprietary information. Let our expertise work for you With a simple point and click interface you can navigate the environment of current development, drill down into specific areas such as ongoing combination trials, biomarker analysis, selected scientific abstracts etc. and generate drug profiles, drug target profiles and company profiles (including Business Development & Licensing contacts). Any analysis generated by you is packed with presentation-ready graphs and tables to use in your reports and presentations. Your key to access development at the world-leading cancer meetings The Targeting the CD47-SIRPA Axis in Oncology: Analytical Tool is continuously updated according to twelve of the world's most influential meetings in oncology (AACR, ASCO, ASGCT, ASH, CMIT, EHA, EORTC-NCI-AACR, ESMO, SITC and BIO (International, Europe and Asia). If you are not able to attend any of the conferences in person, this Analytical Tool ensures that you are not missing out on the important take home messages you need to know about. Run combination therapy analysis like no other The Targeting the CD47-SIRPA Axis in Oncology: Analytical Tool delivers comprehensive combination therapy analysis, allowing you to analyze combination therapies from multiple perspectives; from a single drug to virtually any cross section of oncology drugs of interest. Unparalleled biomarker surveillance We also provide an outstanding oncology clinical biomarker surveillance & analysis, highlighting clinical phenotyping and patient stratification in trials. This analysis is based on our monitoring of the presence and usage of more than 1,000 biomarkers across tens of thousands of cancer clinical trials. Support and inspiration at your finger-tips You also have access to a great selection of How-to Training Videos showing best practice approaches to aspects such as competitive pipeline analysis right through to many real world case examples put forward by other users of our Analytical Tools. A tool to grow with and keep you informed Unlike a static report which just represents a particular snapshot in time, all of the Analytical Tools come with one year of online access to twice-weekly updates in both contents and features, pipeline alerts and online support etc. You can choose to renew your access to these updates and support on a yearly basis or go over to our industry leading full service platform covering all oncology drug development, 1stOncology. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9zc1c3 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 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 DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Display Driver Market (2022-2027) by Driver Type, Technology, Device, Display Size, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Display Driver Market is estimated to be USD 8.92 Bn in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 11.34 Bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.91%. Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global Display Driver Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals. As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks. Company Profiles The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are Dialog Semiconductor plc, Fitipower Integrated Technology, FocalTech, Himax Technologies, etc. Countries Studied America ( Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Colombia , Mexico , Peru , United States , Rest of Americas) , , , , , , , , Rest of Americas) Europe ( Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Russia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , United Kingdom , Rest of Europe ) ( , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Rest of ) Middle-East and Africa ( Egypt , Israel , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , South Africa , United Arab Emirates , Rest of MEA) and ( , , , , , , Rest of MEA) Asia-Pacific ( Australia , Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Taiwan , Rest of Asia-Pacific ) Competitive Quadrant The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Ansoff Analysis The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Display Driver Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach. The analyst analyses the Global Display Driver Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position. Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, The analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth. Why buy this report? The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Display Driver Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies. The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry. The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report. The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies. The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's Proprietary competitive positioning tool. Key Topics Covered: 1 Report Description 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.1.1 Increasing OLED and Flexible Display Demand 4.1.2 Growth in the USe of 4K & 8K Televisions and Availability of Uhd Content 4.1.3 Increasing Demand for Automotive Displays 4.1.4 Evolving Role of DDICs from Individual Components to Single Integration Chips 4.2 Restraints 4.2.1 Saturated Growth and Declining Volumes of Shipments of Display Panels of TVS, Tablets, and Monitors 4.3 Opportunities 4.3.1 Development of COF Package-Based Display Drivers and Innovations in TDDI-Type Display Drivers 4.3.2 Construction of New OLED and LCD Panel Manufacturing Facilities 4.3.3 Increasing Demand for Wearable Displays for Smartwatches and AR/VR HMDs 4.4 Challenges 4.4.1 High Competition and Demand for Diverse Product Specifications 4.4.2 Increasing Ram Capacity of DDICs for High-Resolution Displays 4.4.3 Rapid Advancements in Display Panel Technology 5 Market Analysis 5.1 Regulatory Scenario 5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis 6 Global Display Driver Market, By Driver Type 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Display Driver IC (DDIC) 6.3 Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI) 7 Global Display Driver Market, By Technology 7.1 Introduction 7.2 LCD 7.3 OLED 7.4 Others 8 Global Display Driver Market, By Device 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Smartphone 8.3 Tablet 8.4 Automotive Display 8.5 Television 8.6 Monitor & Notebook 8.7 Smart Watch 8.8 AR HMD 8.9 VR HMD 8.10 Others 9 Global Display Driver Market, By Display Size 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Small Devices 9.3 Medium-Sized and Large Devices 10 Americas' Global Display Driver Market 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Argentina 10.3 Brazil 10.4 Canada 10.5 Chile 10.6 Colombia 10.7 Mexico 10.8 Peru 10.9 United States 10.10 Rest of Americas 11 Europe's Global Display Driver Market 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Austria 11.3 Belgium 11.4 Denmark 11.5 Finland 11.6 France 11.7 Germany 11.8 Italy 11.9 Netherlands 11.10 Norway 11.11 Poland 11.12 Russia 11.13 Spain 11.14 Sweden 11.15 Switzerland 11.16 United Kingdom 11.17 Rest of Europe 12 Middle East and Africa's Global Display Driver Market 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Egypt 12.3 Israel 12.4 Qatar 12.5 Saudi Arabia 12.6 South Africa 12.7 United Arab Emirates 12.8 Rest of MEA 13 APAC's Global Display Driver Market 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Australia 13.3 Bangladesh 13.4 China 13.5 India 13.6 Indonesia 13.7 Japan 13.8 Malaysia 13.9 Philippines 13.10 Singapore 13.11 South Korea 13.12 Sri Lanka 13.13 Thailand 13.14 Taiwan 13.15 Rest of Asia-Pacific 14 Competitive Landscape 14.1 Competitive Quadrant 14.2 Market Share Analysis 14.3 Strategic Initiatives 14.3.1 M&A and Investments 14.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations 14.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements 15 Company Profiles 15.1 Dialog Semiconductor plc 15.2 Fitipower Integrated Technology 15.3 FocalTech 15.4 Himax Technologies 15.5 Lucid Display Technology 15.6 MagnaChip Semiconductor Corp 15.7 MediaTek Inc 15.8 Microchip Technology Inc 15.9 Novatek Microelectronics Corp 15.10 Raydium Semiconductor 15.11 Rohm Semiconductor 15.12 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd 15.13 Silicon Works 15.14 Sinowealth Electronic 15.15 Sitronix Technology 15.16 SolasOLED 15.17 Solomon Systech (International) Ltd 15.18 Synaptics Inc 15.19 Ultrachip Inc 16 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/t2fkna 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 Earlier this year, the Rachael Ray Foundation generously contributed $225,000 in support of ProStart Grow Grants. Schools with existing ProStart programs, or those looking to become part of the ProStart program, were invited to apply, with winning schools demonstrating how the ProStart program is positively impacting their students and the community. Grow Grant funds will allow schools to become part of the ProStart program or strengthen their existing program, enhance their classrooms and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. "ProStart is truly making a difference in the lives of students and nurturing the next generation of talent in our industry," said Rob Gifford, President of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. "We are grateful for the Rachael Ray Foundation's long-standing generosity and support for the ProStart program, including its latest infusion of funds to help another 38 high schools upgrade their ProStart programs, or purchase the resources to join the program this year." To-date, the Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant Program has provided $590,000 to schools demonstrating a strong need to engage and educate high school students interested in exploring restaurant and foodservice careers. "ProStart programs, and the educators who support them, provide high school students across the country with skills they need to be successful throughout life," said Rachael Ray, award-winning television personality and philanthropist. "We [The Rachael Ray Foundation] are proud to support the dreams, passion and hard work that these Grow Grant recipients display in their classrooms and schools as they cultivate the next generation of restaurant and foodservice professionals." The following schools will receive $5,000 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants: Asheville High School Asheville, North Carolina Brockton High School Brockton, Massachusetts Central Nine Career Center Greenwood, Indiana Clinton High School Clinton, Mississippi Fraser High School Fraser, Michigan Gilroy High School Gilroy, California Grants High School Grants, New Mexico Greenville Technical Center Greenville, Mississippi Havre de Grace High School Havre de Grace, Maryland Henry P. Becton High School East Rutherford, New Jersey Lincoln High School Lincoln, Rhode Island Middlesex High School Middlesex, New Jersey Mira Mesa High School San Diego, California Mobridge Pollock School District Mobridge, South Dakota Morris County Vocational School District Denville, New Jersey Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School Wakefield, Massachusetts Northland Pines Middle and High School Eagle River, Wisconsin Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Rochester, Massachusetts Randolph High School Randolph, New Jersey Rapid City Central High School Rapid City, South Dakota Richmond High School Richmond, Michigan Ridgefield Park Jr Sr High School Ridgefield Park, New Jersey Sherwood High School Sandy Spring, Maryland Silver High School Silver City, New Mexico SLW Centennial High School Port St. Lucie, Florida Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School South Easton, Massachusetts Southwestern Randolph High School Asheboro, North Carolina State College Area School District State College, Pennsylvania Sun Prairie East High School Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Umatilla High School Umatilla, Florida W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center Lafayette, Louisiana Warrensville Heights High School Warrensville Heights, Ohio Washington Career and Technical Education Center Washington, Louisiana Wayne Valley High School Wayne, New Jersey West St. John High School Edgard, Louisiana Wichita High School East Wichita, Kansas Williams Bay High School Williams Bay, Wisconsin Winston-Louisville Career & Technology Center Louisville, Mississippi A program of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, ProStart is a two-year technical education program found at more than 1,750 high schools and career and technical educational centers nationwide, teaching culinary techniques and restaurant management skills that build a lifetime foundation and support future careers in the restaurant industry. With 145,000 students enrolled across all states, the District of Columbia and Guam, the program teaches students through a combination of classroom and industry instruction. Find out more about ProStart at ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart. About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF): As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) mission of service to the public is dedicated to enhancing the industry's training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today's and tomorrow's restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready partnering with community based organizations to provide "opportunity youth" with skills training and job opportunities; Military helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center (RHLC) accredited apprenticeship programs designed to build the careers of service professionals. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org. Click here for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's 2021 Annual Impact Report. About The Rachael Ray Foundation: The Rachael Ray Foundation (RRF) is a private foundation that is fully funded by the proceeds from the sale of Rachael Ray Nutrish. RRF was launched by Rachael in 2016 to better support the causes she cares for most such as helping animals in need. Additionally, RRF works with organizations that support the mission of Yum-o!, Rachael's 501c3, in order to bolster and amplify their efforts through additional funding. Yum-o! empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. It also teaches families to cook, feeds hungry kids, and funds cooking education, among other initiatives. SOURCE National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation TORONTO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today announced the voting results for the election of the company's Board of Directors at its annual meeting of shareholders held virtually yesterday. All 14 nominees were elected to the Thomson Reuters Board. Beth Wilson is a newly elected director and LaVerne Council (appointed to the Board in January 2022) stood for election by shareholders for the first time at the meeting. Each director elected will continue to hold office until Thomson Reuters next annual meeting of shareholders, or until the director resigns or a successor is elected or appointed. Thomson Reuters thanks Vance Opperman and Wulf von Schimmelmann, who decided not to stand for re-election at the meeting. Mike Daniels was appointed by the Board as the new Lead Independent Director in connection with Vance's retirement as a director. The voting results were as follows: Nominee Votes For % Votes For Votes Withheld % Votes Withheld David Thomson 436,936,889 98.84% 5,138,172 1.16% Steve Hasker 439,846,116 99.50% 2,228,945 0.50% Kirk E. Arnold 439,804,191 99.49% 2,270,870 0.51% David W. Binet 421,324,113 95.31% 20,750,947 4.69% W. Edmund Clark, C.M. 409,740,832 92.69% 32,334,228 7.31% LaVerne Council 441,101,812 99.78% 973,249 0.22% Michael E. Daniels 431,592,381 97.63% 10,482,680 2.37% Kirk Koenigsbauer 440,473,613 99.64% 1,601,447 0.36% Deanna Oppenheimer 439,660,332 99.45% 2,414,729 0.55% Simon Paris 440,309,602 99.60% 1,765,459 0.40% Kim M. Rivera 440,529,311 99.65% 1,545,750 0.35% Barry Salzberg 439,229,826 99.36% 2,845,235 0.64% Peter J. Thomson 421,703,183 95.39% 20,371,878 4.61% Beth Wilson 441,108,049 99.78% 967,012 0.22% For the other items of business at the annual meeting, shareholders re-appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company's auditor and approved an advisory resolution on executive compensation. A final report on voting results has been filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the world's most global news service Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com. CONTACTS MEDIA Melissa Cassar Head of Commercial Communications & Corporate Affairs +1 437 388-3619 [email protected] INVESTORS Gary Bisbee Head of Investor Relations +1 646 540 3249 gary.bisbee @tr.com SOURCE Thomson Reuters Download Now! Major Price Models in the Tinplate Packaging Sourcing and Procurement Market The report discusses in detail each pricing model and the pros and cons attached to every pricing model prevalent in the market. Also, the report provides insights with respect to the category supply chain and the margins of various suppliers within the supply chain. The most widely adopted pricing models in the Tinplate Packaging Sourcing and Procurement Market Volume-based pricing Competitive pricing Unit-based pricing Learn about various other pricing models: Request for a FREE sample report Spend Growth and Demand by Region The Tinplate Packaging Sourcing and Procurement market will register an incremental spend of about USD 28.82 Billion during the forecast period. However, only a few regions will drive the majority of this growth. Moreover, on the supply side, North America, Europe, and APAC will have the maximum influence owing to the supplier base. The growth is expected to be primarily driven by increasing demand and adoption of the category across those few regions. To get a detailed analysis of the regional factors driving the Tinplate Packaging Sourcing and Procurement Report: Download the sample report now! Subscribe to our "Free Limited Period Starter Procurement Plan" to get the following: View 6 full reports View 800+ report samples Pre-order upcoming reports Dedicated account manager Subscribe Now for FREE! Most Adopted Procurement Strategies by Buyers Across the Tinplate Packaging Sourcing and Procurement Market The report provides a detailed insight of the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries and analysis of these strategies with respect to innovation, regulatory compliance, quality, supply, and cost. Adoption of these procurement strategies will enable the buyers to reduce category TCO and achieve cost savings, while sourcing for thermal equipment requirements. To get the exact information on various procurement strategies: Get the FREE Sample Report Now! This Tinplate Packaging Sourcing and Procurement Market report answers help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers, for instance: Am I engaging with the right suppliers? Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers? Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for? What are the workplace computing devices category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx? Our Top Selling Procurement Reports: Asset Recovery Services - Forecast and Analysis: The asset recovery services will grow at a CAGR of 9.49% during 2021-2025. Asia Asset Recovery Pte Ltd., TES-Amm Singapore Pte Ltd., and Iron Mountain Inc. are among the prominent suppliers in asset recovery services market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. Vulnerability Management Sourcing and Procurement Report: Vulnerability Management Procurement Market, prices will increase by 4%-6% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a Moderate bargaining power in this market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. Celebrity Talent Management Services - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their celebrity talent management services requirements. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. Contact SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge STAMFORD, Conn., LONDON and SYDNEY, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tourmaline Partners, LLC, the world's leading outsourced trading solutions firm, today announced key new hires in London and Sydney to further strengthen its team of global trading experts. Gareth Pickard has joined as a senior European Equities and Derivatives Trader, based in London, and James Gleeson has joined as a Managing Director focused on business development as well as trading the APAC region, based in Sydney. As part of Tourmaline's London team of veteran buy-side traders, Pickard is tasked with delivering best execution of European equities and derivatives to Tourmaline's global roster of institutional investors and managers of all sizes. He comes to Tourmaline with more than twenty-five years of experience in financial markets, most recently as European Head of Equity Derivatives at BTIG for ten years. In that role, he serviced a broad client base with innovative idea generation and strategy creation. Gleeson comes to Tourmaline with more than twenty-five years of direct pan-Asian trading experience, spanning electronic, high-touch and block trading. As a senior trader, he will trade both equities and listed derivatives while working closely with the management team charged with business development in both developed and emerging Asia. He will also contribute to Tourmaline's growing business in Europe and the Americas. In his career, Gleeson's management responsibilities have included running large trading teams focused on trading on China Connect, Delta One, derivatives and electronic execution. Most recently he was Co-Head of Asian Equities at Vantage Capital Markets, and earlier was Head of Asian Sales Trading for Citigroup based in Hong Kong. A recognized leader in the industry, Gleeson has consistently been ranked in the top 3 for sales trading and execution in Asia by major clients in Asia-Pacific and the US over the past seventeen years. Commenting on the new hires, Tourmaline CEO Aaron Hantman said: "We're excited to welcome Gareth and James to Tourmaline as we continue to respond to the demand for independent, unconflicted outsourced trading from the buy side. As our London office celebrates its tenth anniversary and our Sydney office enters its fifth year of operations, their deep expertise in electronic trading is a pivotal addition to our industry-leading offering. With demand increasingly coming from large asset managers, it's vital that we continue to build our team to bring our clients the best execution and unparalleled service they need to compete and deliver for their own clients." The new hires are emblematic of continued growth for Tourmaline globally. The firm has made significant recent hires in trading and operations and established a new Dallas office in December 2020, further expanding its global footprint. Tourmaline Partners provides tailor-made outsourced and supplemental trading solutions and best-execution expertise to more than 350 institutional investment clients ranging from emerging hedge funds to trillion-dollar asset managers. About Tourmaline Tourmaline Partners is the world's leading outsourced trading solutions firm, providing tailor-made services to hedge funds and asset managers of all sizes, pairing clients' trading needs with our expertise. Through continuous investment in technology and human capital, a singular focus on trading, and non-competitive relationships with 400+ global brokers, Tourmaline provides clients with access to unparalleled liquidity, market intelligence and customized workflows for defining, measuring and achieving best execution. Tourmaline Partners, LLC is registered with the SEC and FINRA. Tourmaline Europe LLP is a wholly owned subsidiary authorized and regulated by the FCA. Media Contact Michael Kingsley Forefront Communications +1-914-522-9471 [email protected] SOURCE Tourmaline Partners Toyota Leadership Academy's curriculum is rooted in the Toyota Way principles of Acting for Others and Showing Respect for People and incorporates educational best practices customized for students in each grade level, elementary through high school. Teacher and administrator feedback was essential in tailoring Academy course offerings. Over 200 Lancaster educators received training in new educational techniques. "The Toyota Leadership Academy aligns with our district's vision of every student being a success. Additionally, the program's collaborative effort delivers significant benefits to our scholars," said Dr. Katrise Perera, Lancaster ISD superintendent. "The program helps ensure our students have the skillset needed to thrive in a global community, while equipping them with knowledge and resources they will utilize throughout their school career and beyond." Academy components are delivered via a unique hybrid in-classroom and virtual learning approach. Toyota team members provide mentoring to the students on campus and through online meetings. "Mentoring is a vital part of the Leadership Academy," said Darryn Hyman, manager of the Toyota Leadership Academy. "It allows Toyota team members to share real-world experiences with students. And, since we are able to leverage technology, students can benefit from mentors who aren't even in the Dallas area." Lancaster ISD was an ideal partner to pilot Toyota Leadership Academy, based on the district's size, location, the region's economic need and, most importantly, its interest in exploring new solutions to benefit its student population. Lancaster educators, like so many around the nation, dedicate themselves to providing exceptional learning experiences while managing limited resources. "Not everyone recognizes that most educators are highly proficient in finding innovative solutions to engage and inform students," said Patonia Bell, chief of access and accountability, Lancaster Independent School District. "During COVID, we've had to embrace new technologies to support learning. And that's on top of the already significant changes that teachers make each year to ensure their teaching methods are up to date. Our profession is constantly changing out of necessity. Teachers are always going that extra mile to help their students succeed." This focus on innovation and maximizing efficiency are attributes educators share with Toyota, renowned for its hyper-efficient production systems. When approached by TFS, Lancaster ISD leaders expressed an interest in joining with the company to develop innovative educational solutions. "When Toyota gets involved with a community project, we try to share our knowledge as well as resources," said Mark Templin, president and CEO of Toyota Financial Services. "We aim to partner with communities to understand their needs so that we can work together bridging our expertise and theirs to create the right solutions." "At TFS, we view education as a priority. We're focused on educating today's students to build tomorrow's leaders," added Ellen Farrell, TFS group vice president, chief legal and compliance officer, and program sponsor. "We support students throughout the life of their education from elementary to high school and beyond. Our education community partnerships help us develop programs that empower students to learn, achieve and succeed." The Toyota Leadership Academy's first school year was a success. Over 60 first and second graders received special tutoring in reading from Toyota team members. These students saw improved reading comprehension scores. Math enrichment programs with additional tutoring helped 175 third and sixth graders. And 1,500 high school students received curriculum in their choice of business administration, engineering, cybersecurity or programming and software development. TFS is now working with Lancaster School District on program expansion, including introducing financial literacy courses. At the close of the school year, TFS was proud to be a supporter of the Lancaster ISD STEM Expo Hack-a-thon. Lancaster High School teams competed to create an innovative STEM application that could better their community. The winning team of three students developed an application that would help adults track missing children and pets. TFS was proud to award each student a $2,500 scholarship to be used for tuition at any accredited post-secondary institution of higher learning. "There's an African proverb that says it takes a village to raise children," said Shelia Benskin, director of Career and Technical Education for Lancaster ISD. "In education, we cannot do this alone. What I see with Toyota is that opportunity to bring other people into this large village with us to help our students pursue excellence in education and begin the journey to a future career in business and industry." The Toyota Leadership Academy is a further example of Toyota's commitment to education. The automaker recently announced its Driving Possibilities program, a new nationwide $110 million education and community-focused initiative to create innovative educational programs and improve access to opportunities where barriers exist. For more information on Toyota's commitment to education, please visit Toyota Newsroom. About Toyota Financial Services Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the brand for finance and related products for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers vehicle and payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus Financial Services brand. As of March 31, 2022, TFS employed approximately 3,700 team members nationwide, and had assets totaling over $135 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. We announce material financial information using the investor relations section of our website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to communicate about our company, our services and other issues. While not all information we post on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, we encourage those interested in our company to review our messages on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial and posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toyotafinancial/. Media Contact: Derrick Brown 469-486-9065 SOURCE Toyota Financial Services Tribute's unique focus on the caregiver experience fuels its growth in new regions BOSTON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribute Home Care, a leading provider of home care services, announced the opening of a new office in Fairfax, VA to provide highly responsive, solution-oriented home care services to families in Northern Virginia. The company has grown rapidly with expansion throughout the northeast and opening in Chicago in 2021. "Northern Virginia is a great opportunity for us as we continue to see the need from families, care managers and senior living residences for a more personal and solution-oriented home care provider," said John Sneath, Tribute's founder and CEO. "We have a long history of success with Maryland's senior care community, so there has been a lot of interest in expanding our services into nearby Northern Virginia." Tribute's success is attributed to their industry-leading commitment to the caregiver. "Tribute has reinvented home care with a caregiver experience that's unlike any other home care provider," said John Sneath. Tribute hires the most qualified caregivers and provides them with 24/7 support, health benefits, paid time off and top-of-market salaries. "We recognize the love and care our remarkable caregivers bring to our clients, so we celebrate their success and reward them for the tremendous value they provide," said John Sneath. "Our remarkable people not only provide extraordinary care, but they do it in a way that lifts the spirit of everyone we touch. When talented Caregivers are valued and collaborate in a highly supportive environment, the care and love they provide clients is the best in home care." Tribute is now hiring Caregivers and accepting new clients in Northern Virginia. Details on the open roles and life at Tribute are available on their website at tributehomecare.com. About Tribute Tribute Home Care's mission is to provide the highest quality senior care with a team of remarkable caregivers who lift the spirit of everyone they touch. Tribute is based in Boston, MA with offices in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois and Virginia. For more information, please visit tributehomecare.com. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Tribute Home Care "We are honored and excited to expand our partnership and portfolio of offerings with BASF to match up best in class chemistry with our reliable and flexible service model to the market in the United States and Canada , " said Brian Jurcak, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing Management and Global Trade for Univar Solutions. "We are proud to extend our relationship with Univar to exclusively represent our Glyoxal product line in the United States and Canada," said Kevin Anderson, Vice President, Business Management Amines, Acetylenics, and Carbonyl Derivatives, Chemical Intermediates, North America for BASF. "Univar Solutions' supply chain capabilities coupled with their extensive market reach will provide customers with the reliability and convenience needed to service their Glyoxal requirements." BASF's Glyoxal is utilized by customers as a highly efficient cross-linking agent in the textiles, disinfection, paper, leather, cosmetics and epoxy industries. The usage of Glyoxal allows customers to achieve a wide range of benefits in their formulation, including flexibility, improved viscosity, anti-wrinkle and softening as well as moisture resistance. About BASF BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF Canada, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, is a subsidiary of BASF SE and an affiliate of BASF Corporation. BASF has more than 16,700 employees in North America and had sales of $25.9 billion in 2021. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us. At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of 78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com. About Univar Solutions Univar Solutions USA Inc. and Univar Solutions Canada Ltd. are subsidiaries of Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR), a leading global commodity and specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and technical sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools, the Company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. While fulfilling its purpose to help keep communities healthy, fed, clean and safe, Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and focus on Growing Together. Learn more at univarsolutions.com. SOURCE Univar Solutions Inc. RIO DE JANEIRO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vale S.A. ("Vale"), Vale Canada Limited ("Vale Canada") and Vale Overseas Limited ("Vale Overseas," and together with Vale and Vale Canada, the "Offerors"), further to the press release issued on June 3, 2022, announce the Consideration (as defined below) payable in connection with the previously announced offers to purchase (the "Offers") with respect to any and all of the Notes issued by the Offerors of the series set forth in the table below (the "Notes" and each a "series" of Notes). Issuer Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Nos. Principal Amount Outstanding Acceptance Priority Level Reference U.S. Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page(1) Fixed Spread Repurchase Yield Consideration(2) Vale Overseas 6.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2026 CUSIP: 91911TAP8 ISIN: US91911TAP84 $1,705,706,000 1 2.625% due May 31, 2027 FIT1 +116 bps 4.249% $1,075.42 Vale Overseas 8.250% Guaranteed Notes due 2034 CUSIP: 91911TAE3 ISIN: US91911TAE38 $681,486,000 2 2.875% due May 15, 2032 FIT1 +258 bps 5.644% $1,219.43 Vale Canada 7.200% Debentures due 2032 CUSIP: 453258AP0 ISIN: US453258AP01 $296,674,000 3 2.875% due May 15, 2032 FIT1 +244 bps 5.504% $1,131.42 Vale Overseas 6.875% Guaranteed Notes due 2039 CUSIP: 91911TAK9 ISIN: US91911TAK97 $1,331,222,000 4 3.250% due May 15, 2042 FIT1 +230 bps 5.736% $1,124.29 Vale Overseas 6.875% Guaranteed Notes due 2036 CUSIP: 91911TAH6 ISIN: US91911TAH68 $1,618,987,000 5 2.875% due May 15, 2032 FIT1 +263 bps 5.694% $1,115.14 Vale S.A. 5.625% Notes due 2042 CUSIP: 91912EAA3 ISIN: US91912EAA38 $520,405,000 6 3.250% due May 15, 2042 FIT1 +235 bps 5.786% $980.84 (1) The applicable page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Managers (as defined herein) quoted the bid side price of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security. (2) Per $1,000 principal amount. The applicable Consideration was calculated using the applicable fixed spread for the applicable series of Notes to the yield of the Reference U.S. Treasury Security for that series as of 11:00 a.m., New York City time, earlier today. All holders of Notes accepted for purchase will also receive accrued and unpaid interest on Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase from and including the applicable last interest payment date up to, but not including, the Settlement Date (as defined below). The Offers are made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated June 3, 2022 (the "Offer to Purchase") relating to the Notes and the accompanying notice of guaranteed delivery (the "Notice of Guaranteed Delivery"). The Consideration payable per $1,000 principal amount of each series of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offers has been determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase (the "Consideration") by reference to the applicable fixed spread for such Notes specified in the table above plus the applicable yield based on the bid-side price of the applicable U.S. Treasury Reference Security specified in the tables above at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, earlier today. Holders of Notes who (i) validly tender and do not validly withdraw their Notes on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below), or (ii) deliver a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other required documents pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) on or prior to the Expiration Date and that tender their Notes on or prior to the Guaranteed Delivery Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and whose Notes are accepted for purchase will be eligible to receive the applicable Consideration. Holders will also receive accrued and unpaid interest ("Accrued Interest") on Notes accepted for purchase in the Offers from, and including, the last interest payment date for the relevant series of Notes up to, but excluding, the Settlement Date. The Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, today, unless extended (the "Expiration Date"). Payment of the applicable Consideration and Accrued Interest for the Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase is expected to be made, subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase, on June 14, 2022 (the "Settlement Date"). Additional Information Vale has retained BMO Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., MUFG Securities Americas Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. to serve as dealer managers (the "Dealer Managers") and D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King") to serve as tender and information agent for the Offers. The Offer to Purchase and any related supplements are available at the D.F. King website at www.dfking.com/vale. The full details of the Offers, including complete instructions on how to tender Notes, are included in the Offer to Purchase. Holders of Notes are strongly encouraged to carefully read the Offer to Purchase, including materials incorporated by reference therein, because they will contain important information. Requests for the Offer to Purchase and any related supplements may also be directed to D.F. King by telephone at +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or +1 (866) 796-7184 (US toll free) or in writing at [email protected] Questions about the Offers may be directed to BMO Capital Markets Corp. by telephone at (833) 418-0762 (toll free) or (212) 702-1840 (collect), Citigroup Global Markets Inc. by telephone at +1 (800) 558-3745 (toll free) or +1 (212) 723-6106 (collect), Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. by telephone at +1 866-807-6030 (toll free) or +1 212-261-7802 (collect), MUFG Securities Americas Inc. by telephone at +1 (877) 744-4532 (toll free) or +1 (212) 405-748 (collect), Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. by telephone at (833) 498-1660 (toll free) or (212) 225-5559 (collect) and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. by telephone at +1 (888) 284-9760 (toll free) or +1 (212) 224-5328 (collect). This news release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Offers are being made only by, and pursuant to the terms of, the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are not being made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where the laws require the Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offers will be made by the Dealer Managers on behalf of the Offerors. None of the Offerors, D.F. King, the Dealer Managers or the trustee with respect to the Notes, nor any of their affiliates, makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Notes in response to the Offers. None of the Offerors, D.F. King, the Dealer Managers or the trustee with respect to the Notes, nor any of their affiliates, has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation in connection with the Offers other than the information and representations contained in the Offer to Purchase. For further information, please contact: [email protected] Ivan Fadel: [email protected] Andre Werner: [email protected] Mariana Rocha: [email protected] Samir Bassil: [email protected] This press release may include statements that present Vale's expectations about future events or results. All statements, when based upon expectations about the future, involve various risks and uncertainties. Vale cannot guarantee that such statements will prove correct. These risks and uncertainties include factors related to the following: (a) the countries where we operate, especially Brazil and Canada; (b) the global economy; (c) the capital markets; (d) the mining and metals prices and their dependence on global industrial production, which is cyclical by nature; and (e) global competition in the markets in which Vale operates. To obtain further information on factors that may lead to results different from those forecast by Vale, please consult the reports Vale files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Brazilian Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM) and in particular the factors discussed under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in Vale's annual report on Form 20-F. SOURCE Vale S.A. National University and Palomar College announce new military transfer pathway that will accelerate time-to-degree completion by recognizing military-earned skills and credentials LA JOLLA, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National University , a veteran-founded nonprofit university that serves more than 30,000 working adult learners, educators, and members of the military community, today announced the launch of a new transfer pathway designed to help active-duty service members complete college by combining Credit for Prior Learning with community college course work. Built in collaboration with Palomar College 's Military Leadership Program, National University's Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership - Military Leadership Program is designed to help service members advance in their military careers or transition to managerial and leadership roles in civilian industries. "By respecting and valuing the skills and experiences gained through national service, we can create faster on-ramps to college completion for active-duty service members and veterans," said Dr. Joseph Allen, director of community college pathways at National University. "This is about serving men and women in uniform who serve ushelping them to apply their considerable skills, experiences, and talents in military leadership or civilian career paths of their choice." According to U.S. Department of Defense data , most enlisted members of the military (80.5%) have at least a high school diploma and/or some college experience. However, just 10.5 percent have an Associate's degree and 8.4 percent have a Bachelor's degree or higher. Approximately 6 percent of undergraduate students attending community college are military veterans or active-duty service members, a higher rate than public four-year universities. To create a seamless pathway to degree completion for military-affiliated students, the unique transfer program will enroll a cohort of active-duty service members and veterans who have completed Palomar College's Associate of Science in Military Leadership degree. Students enrolling in National University can access flexible class schedules, work in fully online programs, take four-week classes that align with complex training and deployment schedules, and receive their Bachelor's degree in as few as 17 months. By utilizing Credit for Prior Learning as the foundation for these programs, the two institutions will work to accelerate the path to degree completion for military learners at military bases in Southern California by taking existing education into account and valuing past credentials and experience acquired through military service. Founded by retired U.S. Navy Capt. David Chigos in 1971, National University has for more than 50 years provided affordable, accessible education for working adultsand today 30 percent of its students are active duty or military veterans. The University has articulated more than 2,000 courses to a variety of military training to accelerate degree completion for military-affiliated students. Palomar College, a public, two-year community college approximately 30 miles north of National University's headquarters in San Diego, currently has more than 1,400 students who are active duty service members, military veterans, or families of military service members. "Whether they choose to remain in the military or embark on a transition to civilian industries, it's imperative to recognize valuable, transferable skills that military service members and veterans have and give them the credit they're due," says Candace Rose, military pathway faculty coordinator at Palomar College. "Through this, we can create new pathways to high-paying, fulfilling careers, and support a smooth transition into the civilian world." Active-duty military students enrolled in the program will gain access to National University's Veteran Center, designed to help ease the transition from military to civilian life. The university also offers transfer scholarship tuition pricing for students who have earned an Associate Degree for Transfer, Associate of Arts (AA), or Associate of Science (AS) degree within 12 months of applying. The Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership is designed to help military-affiliated students quickly and affordably complete a Bachelor's Degree to position themselves for leadership roles that require a college education. Students participating in the program will learn about the foundations and practice of leadership, including negotiation, motivation, ethical decision-making, business communication, and other skills needed to manage diverse teams. To learn more about the program at palomar.edu/milprogram/ and at National University https://www.nu.edu/ouruniversity/theuniversity/partnerships/bachelor-of-organizational-leadership/ About National University: National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable, achievable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 75 online and on-campus programs and flexible four-week classes designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to over 25,000 students and 180,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. Learn more at NU.edu . About Palomar College: Palomar College is a public two-year community college located in San Marcos, California, approximately 30 miles north of San Diego. Palomar enrolls approximately 25,000 full-time and part-time students. Residents of California are charged only $46 per unit. At Palomar, students may choose from over 200 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree, train for a career, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning. Learn more at palomar.edu . SOURCE National University BETHESDA, Md., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today that it has continued the expansion of its affordable housing finance team with the addition of Senior Director Ryan Smith and Associate Director Betsy Blau. Based in Walker & Dunlop's Nashville, Tennessee office, the team is focused on growing the firm's financing of affordable multifamily properties. "Ryan and Betsy have played significant roles in the affordable housing industry and will bring significant value to our team," said John Ducey, Senior Vice President and Chief Production Officer of Walker & Dunlop's affordable lending group. "We are very focused on expanding Walker & Dunlop's affordable housing debt and equity offerings, as evidenced by our acquisition of Alliant Capital in 2021. We're thrilled to continue growing the team with skilled hires like Ryan and Betsy." "We are thrilled to join Walker & Dunlop's growing affordable housing finance team," commented Mr. Smith. "The firm has incredibly talented bankers and brokers, a well-known and respected brand, as well as some of the most advanced technology in the commercial real estate industry. We look forward to contributing to the firm's ambitious goal of originating $60 billion of affordable and workforce housing volume by 2025." Bringing nearly 30 years of combined experience, Smith and Blau join Walker & Dunlop from Colliers Mortgage (formerly Dougherty Mortgage). Over the past decade, the team has provided financing for more than $2.5 billion worth of commercial real estate assets, including conventional multifamily and affordable housing properties. Walker & Dunlop, one of the largest providers of capital to the U.S. multifamily market, has been a major player in affordable housing finance for years. The firm joined forces with Alliant Capital, the 6th largest LIHTC syndicator in the United States, and provides affordable housing debt and equity to meet all of its client needs. To learn more about Walker & Dunlop's Drive to 2025 commitment to affordable and workforce housing, read our ESG Report. About Walker & Dunlop Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities where Americans live, work, shop and play to life. The power of our people, premier brand, and industry-leading technology makes us more insightful and valuable to our clients, providing an unmatched experience every step of the way. With over 1,400 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities. SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc. E-SMART uses advanced positioning technology to determine vehicle location to actively manage its maximum allowed speed. E-SMART also leverages this technology for low bridge collision avoidance, active geofencing and remote vehicle immobilization. Leading fleets currently using the E-SMART technology report a significant decrease in speed-related accidents, infringements, and a significantly improved CSA scores. "We are proud to partner with WEL Companies. The management is a remarkably involved and passionate. WEL's focus on safety through emerging technology makes this partnership a perfect fit. The E-SMART solution will help them accomplish their goals of zero accident.'' said Mathieu Boivin, CEO at E-SMART. The WEL fleet is scheduled to be fully deployed by August 2022. ABOUT WEL COMPANIES Founded in 1975, WEL Companies is headquartered in Wisconsin and is an industry-leading refrigerated transportation and warehousing business. WEL provides service to some of the largest companies in the food, beverage, and dairy industries. https://www.welcompanies.com/ ABOUT E-SMART E-SMART develops and manufactures innovative ADAS solutions for fleet vehicles. Located in Indianapolis, IN, E-SMART sets new safety standards with Intelligent Speed Adaptation. Along with its other safety features, namely, Low Bridge Collision Prevention, Active Geofencing, Remote Vehicle Immobilization, and Telematics Integration, E-SMART leads the way in reducing the number of collisions on our roadways. For more information, please visit: http://www.esmartcontrol.com . Media contact: Callie Myers, [email protected] SOURCE E-SMART Passport program designed to encourage travelers to uncover more than two dozen falls statewide CHARLESTON, W.Va., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chasing waterfalls takes on a whole new meaning this summer in West Virginia with today's launch of the first-ever statewide Waterfall Trail. The trail targets travelers looking to get off the beaten path, reconnect with nature and discover more than two dozen waterfalls for a chance to win exclusive prizes. Blackwater Falls "We invite all travelers to put the West Virginia Waterfall Trail on their must-see list this summer and beyond," said West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. "Whether you reconnect with your favorite falls or find hidden gems, we want to reward your explorations with exclusive prizes that leave you eager to visit Almost Heaven again." With over 200 waterfalls found across the state, the twenty-nine cascades featured along the trail are the perfect way to kick off a summer of waterfall hunting. The trail includes well-known falls such as Blackwater and Sandstone, but also features hidden gems like Finn's in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve and Drawdy in Boone County. Some, like Cathedral, tower above the valley floor, while others span wide rivers. West Virginia : An Outdoor Oasis in the Heart of the East Coast The West Virginia Waterfall Trail debuts at a time when 69% of Americans express a renewed appreciation for the great outdoors. According to a survey by Destination Analysts, 70% of travelers call "enjoying scenic beauty" a top trip characteristic for 2022. "The research is telling us that travel preferences have shifted in favor of destinations that offer strong outdoor recreationand that means West Virginia," Ruby said. "Breathtaking waterfalls are everywhere in our 1.5 million acres of parks and public lands, making this trail a must-experience activity for adventure-seekers this summer." Just this year, West Virginia has been nationally recognized as a top-tier tourism destination by major travel publications such as Lonely Planet, TIME, Frommers, USA Today, and Conde Nast. All these publications have recognized the state's unbelievable scenic beauty and outdoor recreation. Among these natural wonders, the rushing waterfalls found across the state create the perfect backdrop for adventure. Be Among the First to Access the Waterfall Trail Passport To get started, visit WVtourism.com/waterfalls and register to have the West Virginia Waterfall Trail passport delivered straight to your smartphone. As travelers explore each of the more than two dozen waterfalls featured on the trail, they can stamp their passports by checking in at each location. The Waterfall Trail is made possible thanks to a collaboration with Bandwango, a travel technology platform that makes checking in at each location quick and easy. The More You Explore, the More You Earn The West Virginia Department of Tourism is rewarding waterfall chasers with exclusive gear along the way: Check in at three or more waterfalls and receive a custom sticker. Check in at 10 or more waterfalls and receive an aluminum water bottle. Check in at 20 or more waterfalls and receive a waterfall wanderer t-shirt. "From simple boardwalks to hilly treks, we want to make your efforts to experience our falls worth every mile," said Ruby. "While out and about on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail, be sure to post photos of your explorations on social media using #AlmostHeaven." Chasing Waterfalls in the Nation's Newest National Park Included on the trail are six waterfalls in America's 63rd national park, the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. These breathtaking cascades can be found within secluded coves, such as Turkey Creek Falls, or can be enjoyed at the end of a scenic trail, such as Glade Creek Falls. As travelers continue to flock to the national park, the falls along the West Virginia Waterfall Trail highlight must-visit spots to add to a summer road trip route. For more information, visit wvtourism.com/waterfalls . To access the waterfall trail media kit, click here . About The West Virginia Department of Tourism: The West Virginia Department of Tourism promotes West Virginia as a leading four-season travel destination and top state to live, work and retire. Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia is one of the most scenic states in the United States and home to thousands of acres of parks and public lands, including America's newest national park and 45 state parks and forests. In addition to its majestic mountains and rolling hills, West Virginia is full of rich historic sites, enchanting art galleries, charming towns and an immense sense of belonging found only in its heaven-like landscapes. Contact: Lauren Hough Public Relations Manager, West Virginia Department of Tourism 304-352-0513 [email protected] Andrea Larson PR Account Supervisor, BVK 205-516-3486 [email protected] SOURCE The West Virginia Department of Tourism FULTON, Mo., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Westminster College ("College") announced the successful closing of the conversion of its $6,085,000 outstanding (Par Value) Series 2021B Bonds previously issued through the Industrial Development Authority of Callaway County, Missouri ("Authority"), from taxable bonds to tax-exempt bonds on May 4, 2022. The Series 2021B Bonds are one of three series of bonds issued in July 2021 as a combination of tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds. The Series 2021B Bonds were expected at the time of issuance to convert from taxable bonds to tax-exempt bonds at a future date, and the May 4 conversion closing was the successful completion of that expected step. Similarly, the outstanding Series 2021C Bonds are also expected to convert to tax-exempt bonds at a future date if certain terms and conditions of the taxable revenue bonds are satisfied as well as the bonds comply at the time of conversion with the federal tax code. The College, located in Fulton, MO, is a nonprofit corporation and operates a private four-year college. Additionally, the College owns and operates the historic America's National Churchill Museum ("Museum"), for which a portion of the proceeds of the Series 2021 Bonds will be used for facility improvements, updates, and renovations. "We are obviously very pleased with the successful closing of the conversion of our Series 2021B Bonds from taxable bonds to tax-exempt bonds. This conversion will reduce the College's borrowing costs for these specific bonds and was a significant structural and financial component of the overall Series 2021 Bonds transaction previously closed in July 2021 by the College," said Donald P. Lofe, Jr., President and Chief Transformation Officer of the College. Lofe added, "Westminster is, again, most appreciative of the support it received from the Authority, the Callaway County Commission, the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Fulton to successfully complete this specific transaction." The Series 2021 Bonds were previously sold to certain sophisticated investors in July 2021 in a private placement transaction. UMB Bank, n.a., Capital Markets Division, acted as placement agent with respect to the Series 2021 Bonds. Thompson Coburn LLP acted as bond counsel and legal counsel. Gilmore & Bell, PC, acted as the placement agent's counsel in connection with the issuance of the Series 2021 Bonds. Kaufman, Hall and Associates, LLC, advised the College, both before and during the process of the issuance of the Series 2021 Bonds and in connection with the College's capital planning and analysis as well as general strategic planning initiatives. These firms again provided similar support for the closing of this specific conversion transaction. Williams-Keepers, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, provided certain accounting and compilation services to the College in connection with the previous transaction. About Westminster College: Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, Westminster College in Fulton, MO, is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as the only National Liberal Arts College in Missouri. The institution is in the top 15 percent for graduate earnings and boasts a 98 percent placement rate. Westminster also is a Forbes Best Value College. Westminster focuses on educating and inspiring students to become the world leaders of tomorrow. To find out more about Westminster, please visit the College's website. SOURCE Westminster College Certification comes ahead of annual celebrations recognizing team member legendary loyalty, including "Elaine Miseta Day" and the 25-Year Club induction ceremony COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain and popular retail CPG brand, is proud to share that it has once again earned the Great Place to Work Certification. It's the second consecutive year that White Castle has been included among this elite group of employers. White Castle has once again earned the Great Place to Work certification. Tweet this White Castle has earned the Great Place to Work certification for the second consecutive year. The 101-year-old, family-owned business has long been recognized as a leader in the food industry with incredible team member loyalty and engagement scores. More than 1 in 4 of the company's 10,000 team members have worked at White Castle for 10 years or more. And nearly all 450 of White Castle's regional directors, district supervisors, general managers, and operations leadership team members started their careers behind the counter at White Castle. "Our team member loyalty is distinctive, and their engagement sets the standard in our industry," said John Kelly, chief people officer and fourth-generation family member. "We have the best team in the business, hands down!" The prestigious Great Place to Work designation is based entirely on what current team members say about their experience working at White Castle. This year, 80% of White Castle's nearly 10,000 employees said the company is a great place to work. That's 57 percentage points higher than the average for U.S.-based companies. The certification news came just ahead of a cherished day on the White Castle calendar "Elaine Miseta Day" celebrated each year on June 8. Named for the administrative assistant who worked 67 years at White Castle for the company's first three presidents, the day is an annual opportunity to acknowledge the service of all of its team members, past and present. This celebration in 2022 marks the 80th anniversary of Elaine's first day on the job. In September, White Castle will induct a special group of 42 team members to the 25-Year Club. In 1946, the company's founder Billy Ingram became the first team member to reach 25 years of service. Since then, many have followed in his footsteps. This year's inductees will bring the total 25-Year Club members to 2,205. "Whether you are with us for two years or 20, we celebrate the great contributions of all our team members," added John Kelly. "The memorable moments they create for our customers truly can last a lifetime!" Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All. About White Castle White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders as a family-owned business for 101 years. Based in Columbus, Ohio, White Castle started serving The Original Slider in 1921. Today, White Castle owns and operates more than 350 restaurants dedicated to satisfying customers' cravings morning, noon and night. Through its retail division, which launched in 1987, White Castle also offers its famous fare in freezer aisles of grocery, convenience and club stores nationwide. The Original Slider, named in 2014 as Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time," is served alongside a menu of creatively crafted Sliders and other mouthwatering food options, including White Castle's Impossible Slider, named by Thrillist in 2019 as the "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger." White Castle's commitment to maintaining the highest quality products extends to the company owning and operating its own meat processing plants, bakeries and frozen-food processing plants. In 2021, 100 years after the first Slider was sold, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle is known for the legendary loyalty of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for White Castle for at least 10 years, and also for its faithful fans ("Cravers"), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app, available at iTunes App Store or Google Play, makes it easy for Cravers to access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle's delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com. SOURCE White Castle Among other key findings in the report, Singapore surpassed 2020 VC investment in the first half of 2022 and is on track to overtake the record levels seen in 2021. Crypto, blockchain, and Web3 startups are driving much of the growth in the region, with almost $1bn in funding to date in 2022, on track to surpass the $1.45bn total in 2021 across SEA. Highlights are included below, and the full report can be accessed here . Doubling down on South East Asia The firm started investing in SEA in 2020 when Sanjay Zimmermann moved to Singapore. Since then, the firm has backed several companies in the region including Flash Coffee , Sleek , Una Brands , Pop Meals , and ALEX . As part of its commitment to the region, White Star Capital has officially opened an office in the CapitaSpring building in Singapore and now has six investment professionals based in the country. The firm also recently announced the promotion of Cristina Ventura and Joe Quinn Wei to General Partners of the firm. SEA is the top new region for VC investment this decade, with 10% of the world's population, 4x the GDP per capita growth vs the world average, the second-fastest-growing workforce in the world, and a growing base of 480 million active internet users in the region. There has been over $120bn in venture capital invested in start-ups in SEA since 2019. In light of this rapid growth, White Star Capital has released its second report on the VC landscape in the region. The findings multiplied the firm's long-term excitement for the region. Key findings from the South East Asia Report The report shows that funding is moving away from later-stage deals and into earlier stages, affecting overall deal value. Although valuations are falling from the previous quarter, the deal number is staying constant. And, while SEA used to be viewed as an M&A exit market, public market exits took off in 2021 and some were spectacular. For instance, GoTo's $1.1bn IPO in 2022 almost equaled the total value of exits for the entire SEA market in 2021. Although the number of VC deals in South East Asia remains at an all-time high, the amount of VC capital invested dropped in Q1' 22. The main reason behind this discrepancy between deal count and capital invested is the significant decline in valuation. The median valuation for South East Asia startups dropped by 50% from Q4' 21 to Q1' 22. VC activity in SEA strongly correlates with growth in online commerce, which has grown at a 40% CAGR since 2013. More than half of the region's 42 unicorns are in e-commerce and e-payment, but the region is seeing significant increases in funding activity in healthcare and edtech as well. SEA becomes the capital of digital asset investing The most noteworthy trend - SEA is at the forefront of digital assets development, with an astounding 627 crypto/blockchain companies headquartered in the region. To date, there has been $3.3bn worth of VC investment into the region's digital assets companies. A lot of these investments were fairly recent, with more than $2.5bn occurring in the last 18 months. Indeed, SEA has emerged as the capital of digital asset investing, with the 10 most active VC firms in the sector having made over 300 investments. VC investments in digital assets in SEA are on course to surpass 2021 in the first half of this year, even in light of the market cooling. Strength of Singapore , and a readjustment in Indonesia Despite its size, Singapore has emerged as the startup hub in the region. As a country with a population of only 5.9m, it is impressive that startups based in Singapore have managed to raise $4.2bn in 2022 year-to-date alone. Deal count is also looking strong with 249 deals already completed in 2022. As the top country in terms of VC funding per capita, Singapore has created a healthy ecosystem where startups have sufficient access to capital. On the other hand, Indonesia has seen a drop in funding, with the surge in venture capital secured in 2021 ($9.3bn) not matched in the YTD of 2022, with only $1.3bn so far. Worth noting that there were 222 deals in 2021, and 86 in 2022 suggesting that valuations are decreasing and investors are seeking investments in earlier-stage companies. Indonesia still shows promise, however, due to its large population and growing middle class. The country is also home to several unicorns and has ample access to funding. "We believe South East Asia is one of the most exciting markets for venture capital investment, given its large diverse population, fast-growing economies, and the incredible leapfrogging of technology," said Eric Martineau-Fortin, Founder and Managing Partner of White Star Capital. "We're doubling down in the region by opening a Singapore office, appointing two new general partners and investing in early, growth, and late-stage start-ups. We have now strengthened our position as the partner of choice for founders building businesses in the region." "It has been inspiring to see the growth of the tech ecosystem across South East Asia, and Asia more broadly, over the last 18 years," commented Cristina Ventura, Chief Catalyst Officer and General Partner at White Star Capital. "The region is going from strength to strength, and I'm looking forward to establishing a permanent office with White Star Capital in Singapore. Looking ahead, we're focused on accelerating the human, growth, and value capital of the ecosystem in the region. The combination of exceptional talent, economic growth, availability of venture capital, early success stories, and the support of government institutions makes SEA an incredibly exciting place to be an investor right now." For the full report please visit Medium . About White Star Capital White Star Capital is a global multi-stage technology investment platform that invests in exceptional entrepreneurs building ambitious, international businesses. Operating out of New York, Paris, London, Montreal, Toronto, Guernsey, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore our presence, perspective, and people enable us to partner closely with our founders to help them scale internationally. SOURCE White Star Capital CCH Tagetik ESG & Sustainability expert solution earns Bronze Stevie Award in the Financial Management Solution category NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolters Kluwer, a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services, has been recognized by the prestigious, 2022 American Business Awards with a Bronze-level win for its CCH Tagetik ESG & Sustainability Performance Management solution. The award recognizes business achievements and product innovation, and winners are determined by entry scores compiled by more than 230 professionals worldwide who adjudicated more than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry over a two-month judging period. The Bronze Stevie Award marks the first industry win for CCH Tagetik ESG & Sustainability software, a solution that addresses ESG evolving regulations, and streamlines data collection, calculation, and KPI disclosure. The software helps organizations gain control, meet compliance requirements, and improve ESG scores while supporting strategic, sustainable growth. "Now more than ever the office of finance, as well as ESG professionals, need the confidence that their organization is compliant with evolving ESG requirements," said Ralf Gartner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Corporate Performance Solutions, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting. "We are honored to be recognized as a 2022 Stevie Award winner, it is great to see our efforts recognized, and we look forward to celebrating all the award winners on June 13." 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. CCH Tagetik global expert solutions enable digital transformation in the office of the CFO, providing a strategic and intelligent platform for financial close & consolidation, financial & operational planning, and regulatory compliance. With its proven regulatory compliance expertise and the broadest range of regulatory products, addressing different requirements from Solvency II, IFRS, to Lease Accounting and more, CCH Tagetik helps global enterprises to keep pace with proliferating and increasingly complex regulations. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for healthcare; tax and accounting; governance, risk, and compliance; and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2021 annual revenues of 4.8 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY). For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Media Contacts: Beatriz Santin CCH Tagetik +1 339 229 2447 office [email protected] Jackie Hyland CCH Tagetik +1 984-218-5410 office [email protected] SOURCE Wolters Kluwer New Report on Insurance Barriers for PCSK9 Inhibitors Featured at National Cardiovascular Health Policy Summit WASHINGTON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New data show that health plans reject prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering medication for women, southerners, and Black and Hispanic patients more often than for white patients. The findings appear in "Rejected: How Life-Saving Heart Medication Eludes Women, Southerners, and People of Color," a new policy brief from the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health. Key Findings The report details 2019-2021 commercial insurance claims data for cholesterol-lowering PCSK9 inhibitors, which show that: Women are rejected 21% more often than men are Rejection rates in Arkansas are 67% higher than the national average, while rejection rates in Mississippi and Oklahoma are 29% higher than the national average are 67% higher than the national average, while rejection rates in and are 29% higher than the national average Black patients face a 20% higher rejection rate than white patients Hispanic patients face a 25% higher rejection rate than white patients Certain health plans reject a disproportionate number of claims. Of plans with at least 500 claims for PCSK9 inhibitors: Some plans rejected three-fourths or more of claims: Moda Health Plan (87%) Maxor Plus (86%) Federal Employee Benefit Plan (75%) Several plans rejected about half of claims: Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona (51%) Blue Cross Blue Shield Mississippi (36%) Blue Cross Blue Shield Arkansas (45%) READ THE FULL REPORT "This information is concerning," says cardiologist Dharmesh Patel, MD. "We see higher denial rates in communities that are already high risk for deadly cardiovascular events. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and yet patients who most need FDA-approved medications to prevent adverse events are being denied." Patel is president of the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health. About PSCK9 Inhibitors PCSK9 inhibitors, which first came to clinic in 2015, are: Injectable drugs designed to lower high LDL cholesterol Typically prescribed to patients who cannot get their LDL cholesterol down enough through statins alone Shown to decrease LDL cholesterol by up to 70% and cut the risk of a heart attack by almost one-third Manufacturers slashed the drugs' price by 60% in 2019, yet some insurers continue to block access. The findings were announced during the fifth annual Cardiovascular Health Policy Summit hosted by the Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health. Patient advocates, clinicians, and policymakers gathered to discuss the barriers patients face in accessing these cholesterol-lowering drugs. SOURCE Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health The acquired data and imagery will assist in improving navigation safety and disaster resilience. Tweet this This project is part of SPC's Pacific Resilience Program, funded by the World Bank, which is working to strengthen early warning systems and enhance natural disaster and climate change resilience across Pacific Island countries prone to natural disaster events such as cyclones, storm surges, coastal inundation, earthquakes and tsunamis. In January 2022, Tonga was the site of the world's most powerful volcanic eruption in 30 years when Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai unexpectedly erupted, generating atmospheric waves and tsunamis across the Pacific Ocean. A reported estimate of 85,000 people in Tonga were impacted by the event, which caused $90 million USD in damages. Woolpert is employing data, imagery and resources from multiple partners to optimize the utilization and application of this collection. Satellite imagery collected by Planet, a Woolpert partner, following the eruption is helping determine whether water clarity is suitable for Woolpert to proceed with required bathymetric lidar acquisition components. The topo-bathymetric lidar data and imagery is being acquired with survey aircraft provided by Kiwi Air, an aviation firm based in New Zealand. Woolpert Geospatial Project Manager Constance Solemani noted that the new data may support change detection analysis when compared to data previously collected for Tonga in 2018. This comprehensive dataset will help measure and monitor the full impact of this disaster, support future impact-based forecasting, identify transport paths for better emergency management, reduce risks to these vulnerable communities and refine disaster resilience planning. This acquisition in Tonga is expected to be complete by July 2022, with final delivery scheduled for October 2022. About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, has earned six straight Great Place to Work certifications and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America's fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has 1,900 employees and more than 60 offices on four continents. For more, visit woolpert.com. Media contact: Woolpert PR Manager Jill Kelley; 937-531-1258, [email protected] SOURCE Woolpert Cittaslow means planning and realizing a positive future and community promoting peace and everyday sustainable activities. Despite the structural signs of crisis that characterize our day and age and the prevailing economic and social model that is crumbling, it is possible here and now to imagine and implement a quality future that does not necessarily end up being invasive and for the planet. The Mayors of the Cittaslow International are starting to travel to Orvieto. Almost two hundred mayors are expected to arrive, despite the travel difficulties in some countries such as China. The President of Cittaslow, Mauro Migliorini, Mayor of Asolo, will open the assembly on Friday 10th June with a round table dedicated to the Cittaslow Metropolis Project. A round table conversation with questions and answers is scheduled at 4 p.m. in Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (free admission subject to availability places, in compliance with Covid prescriptions - online on the Cittaslow Facebook page). "Cittaslow Metropolis, the laboratory of the future" - A contradiction that sets a precedent: when and how the metropolis takes on slow qualities. Greetings by the President of Cittaslow International, Mauro Migliorini, Mayor of Asolo. Moderator: Pier Giorgio Oliveti, Secretary General of Cittaslow International. Participants: Tunc Soyer Vice President Cittaslow, Coordinator of the Cittaslow Turkish Network, Mayor of Izmir, Walter Ganapini Italian environmentalist, lecturer and researcher, honorary member of the Scientific Committee of the European Environment Agency, Sohn Dehyun, Academic at Seoul University, Coordinator of the Korean Network of Cittaslow Giacomo Degli Antoni, Professor of Political Economy and International Relations at the University of Parma, Giuseppe Roma, Scientific Committee of Cittaslow, President of the Rur / Urban Network of Representations Presentation in Orvieto of the "Cittaslow Metropolis"; project in a world premiere. Secretary General Oliveti explains, "After two years, we have concluded with the pilot project in three districts of Izmir (Turkey) to bring 'good living'; from small and medium-sized cities to the metropolis. A great success, the result of the work of an international team of Italian, French, Turkish and South Korean collaborators. It is a new customised method for large cities with a slow value grid, the participation of citizens and stakeholders, for a choice linked to the specific needs of neighbourhoods, which differ from one place to the next. Hence the concrete actions with Cittaslow projects in every field, chosen and co-decided by the inhabitants of the neighbourhoods." The Mayor of Izmir/Smirne (a megalopolis of about 5 million inhabitants) and Vice President of Cittaslow International, Tunc Soyer will be in Orvieto, along with the Coordinator of the South Korean Cittaslow Network, Prof. Bon Sohn Univ. Seoul, Walter Ganapini, an Italian lecturer and researcher, member of the Scientific Committee of the European Environment Agency, Prof. Giacomo Degli Antoni, professor of political economy and international relations at the University of Parma. The discussion will be opened by the President of Cittaslow International Mauro Migliorini, Mayor of Asolo. The following day, Saturday 11 morning, the Mayors associated with Cittaslow will begin the general assembly to which about 160 mayors and delegates have signed up, from Korea to Germany, from Poland to Brazil. The architect Vicente Guallart from Barcelona (Spain) will be a special guest. Media Contact: Luca Filippetti [email protected] Ph. +39 0763341818 SOURCE Cittaslow International DUBLIN, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Transparent Ceramics Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global transparent ceramics market reached a value of US$ 443.6 Million in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 1,484.50 Million by 2027 exhibiting a CAGR of 21.50% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use industries. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor. Transparent ceramics are polycrystalline materials that transmit light in the visible, mid-wave, and long-wave infrared (IR) wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. They are produced using ultra-high purity powders via tightly controlled processes, such as high-pressure (HP), high-isostatic pressure (HIP), vacuum, and spark-plasma sintering (SPS). They offer strength, hardness, and high thermal and scratch-resistance as compared to traditional optical glass and resins. As a result, they find extensive applications in scintillator components, solid-state lasers, transparent armors, bulletproof glasses, and non-linear optics around the world. The rising employment of transparent ceramics in the aerospace and defense industry across the globe represents one of the key factors driving the market. They are widely used in helicopter windows and optical domes due to their heat resistance, stiffness, and durability. Moreover, the increasing demand for transparent armors to provide high-end and superior ballistic protection over glass laminates is propelling the growth of the market. In addition, there is a rise in the utilization of transparent ceramics in the construction industry to manufacture tiles, bricks, and pipes. This, along with the augmenting use of transparent ceramics as a substitute for glass, metal, and plastics, is stimulating the growth of the market. Besides this, the rising application of transparent ceramics in the optoelectronics industry for manufacturing optical switches, laser systems, lenses, and infrared night vision devices is positively influencing the market. Additionally, the increasing usage of infrared (IR) radiation, humidity, and temperature sensors worldwide are strengthening the market growth. Furthermore, several developments in ceramics to offer superior magneto-optic properties, illumination, and infrared (IR) lasing are projected to bolster the growth of the market. Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being American Elements, CeramTec GmbH, CeraNova Corporation, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., CoorsTek Inc., General Electric Company, II-VI Incorporated, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Konoshima Chemical Co. Ltd., Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Schott AG and Surmet Corporation. Key Questions Answered in this Report: How has the global transparent ceramics market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global transparent ceramics 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 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 transparent ceramics 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 Transparent Ceramics 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 Monocrystalline Transparent Ceramics 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 Polycrystalline Transparent Ceramics 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 Material 7.1 Sapphire 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2 Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 7.3 Spinel 7.3.1 Market Trends 7.3.2 Market Forecast 7.4 Aluminum Oxynitride 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 Application 8.1 Optics and Optoelectronics 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Aerospace, Defense and Security 8.2.1 Market Trends 8.2.2 Market Forecast 8.3 Mechanical/Chemical 8.3.1 Market Trends 8.3.2 Market Forecast 8.4 Sensors and Instrumentation 8.4.1 Market Trends 8.4.2 Market Forecast 8.5 Healthcare 8.5.1 Market Trends 8.5.2 Market Forecast 8.6 Consumer Goods 8.6.1 Market Trends 8.6.2 Market Forecast 8.7 Energy 8.7.1 Market Trends 8.7.2 Market Forecast 8.8 Others 8.8.1 Market Trends 8.8.2 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 American Elements 14.3.1.1 Company Overview 14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.2 CeramTec GmbH 14.3.2.1 Company Overview 14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.3 CeraNova Corporation 14.3.3.1 Company Overview 14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.4 Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. 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 CoorsTek Inc. 14.3.5.1 Company Overview 14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.6 General Electric 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 II-VI Incorporated 14.3.7.1 Company Overview 14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.7.3 Financials 14.3.8 Koninklijke Philips N.V. 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 Konoshima Chemical Co. Ltd. 14.3.9.1 Company Overview 14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.9.3 Financials 14.3.10 Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. 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 Schott AG 14.3.11.1 Company Overview 14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.11.3 SWOT Analysis 14.3.12 Surmet Corporation 14.3.12.1 Company Overview 14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fna2sw 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 The addition of SIS rounds out Zywave's portfolio of agency management system solutions for employee benefits, commercial, and personal lines MILWAUKEE, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Insurtech leader Zywave, backed by Clearlake Capital Group L.P. (together with its affiliates, "Clearlake") and Aurora Capital, today announced the acquisition of Columbus, OH-based Strategic Insurance Software (SIS), a provider of web-based agency management systems (AMS) and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions for P&C insurance agencies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Together with Zywave's existing management systems, which primarily serve employee benefits and personal lines, the addition of SIS's agency management system Partner Platform, specializing in commercial lines, provides Zywave customers access to a complete portfolio of management systems for every line of business. This pivotal acquisition, combined with Zywave's recent recognition as a leader by Forrester Research in "The Forrester Wave: Digital Insurance Agency Platforms, Q1 2022" report, further strengthens the company's position as one of the most innovative, end-to-end insurtech platform available to independent agents. "Zywave's primary goal is to enable profitable, organic growth for our customers," said Jason Liu, chief executive officer of Zywave. "Many insurtech solutions have historically focused on back-office workflows, continually trying to stretch AMS functionality to serve the needs of modern, high-growth agencies. Zywave has taken a flexible, modular approach to all aspects of front- and back-office workflows and tasks, enabling greater integration and application into all major workflows agencies need to scale their businesses." "When agencies more deeply integrate their management systems with modern sales management, client delivery, content and analytics solutions, it unlocks unlimited potential for greater automation, efficiency, and profitability," added Liu. "That's why Zywave offers its customers a flexible, end-to-end platform that seamlessly connects all aspects of digital insurance distribution, from front- to back-office. The acquisition of SIS will not only accelerate the ability for our commercial insurance customers to do just that, but it will also further transform the way our industry views the traditional AMS." Founded in 1995, SIS serves more than 800 broker customers, many with a focus on commercial lines, by providing agency management and customer relationship management solutions that streamline and automate workflows throughout an agency. SIS's Partner Platform agency management system provides client, policy, business, and financial management capabilities. The platform also offers communications tools, including marketing automation and a client service portal. "SIS is thrilled to be joining Zywave, a company that so closely aligns with our philosophy surrounding excellent customer care and continuous innovation," said Alex Deak, chief executive officer of SIS. "With this partnership, we look forward to bringing even more value to the independent agent channel." This marks Zywave's ninth acquisition over the past three years, many of which have focused on expanding Zywave's P&C technology offerings. Sherman & Company advised SIS on the transaction. About Strategic Insurance Software Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Strategic Insurance Software is the team behind Partner Platform the agency management system that sets independent agents free from the status quo of over-paying and under-utilizing their agency software. "Partner" is more than a name it's who we are. For more information, please visit www.sispartnerplatform.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. About Clearlake Capital Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit, and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S. The firm's core target sectors are technology, industrials, and consumer. Clearlake currently has over $72 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK and Dublin, Ireland. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @Clearlake. About Aurora Capital Partners Aurora Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm focused principally on control investments in middle-market companies with leading market positions, stable industry dynamics, attractive business model characteristics and actionable opportunities for growth in partnership with management. Aurora provides unique resources to its portfolio companies through its Strategy & Operations Program and its team of experienced operating advisors. Aurora's investors include leading public and corporate pension funds, endowments and foundations active in private equity investing. For more information about Aurora Capital Partners, visit: www.auroracap.com. Contact: April Larsen [email protected] 414-918-0547 SOURCE Zywave The board of FirstGroup PLC (LSE:FGP) has unanimously rejected the takeover offer from US private equity group I Squared Capital. In May, the US firm proposed an offer of up to 163.6p, comprised of 118p per share cash with another 45.6p per share contingent on how much was made from the sale of its American business, including Greyhound. Directors said in a statement today that they concluded that the cash component significantly undervalues FirstGroup's continuing operations and future prospects, while the contingent amount does not provide shareholders with sufficient certainty. Earlier this month, major shareholder Schroders, which holds nearly 18% of the company, called the offer "unattractive". Shares in FirstGroup have risen by a third since the start of the year to 137.54p. For you, Fritz, the struggle is over AO World PLC (LSE:AO.) has called to an end its ill-fated expansion into Germany. The online electricals retailer has concluded its strategic review of the German business and decided that closure of the operation is the best course of action. This decision was based on the continuing deterioration in the outlook for the German business, as well as the board's responsibilities to shareholders and other stakeholders, AO World said. The German business currently represents around 10% of AO's total group revenue. It is expected that its closure will incur cash costs of between nil and 15mln. The company added that while remaining mindful of the uncertain macroeconomic context in the UK and the continuing global supply chain challenges, the group's UK business continues to trade in line with the board's expectations for 2023. Shares in AO World were down 0.8% at 72.7p following the announcement. CMC Markets founder and chief executive Peter Cruddas joins Katie to discuss its 2022 financial year results. The online platform, which offers trading in shares, spread betting, contracts for difference and foreign exchange, discusses a "great year" despite being unable to beat the "insane" 2021 that saw record clients and more people staying at home on the Covid-19 pandemic. Excluding the 2021 financial year, CMC's results revealed on Thursday were its best on record. The owner of Yves Saint Laurent plans to make the luxury clothing designer a mega-brand - and some analysts are convinced they will. Citigroup's Pavan Daswani advised clients on Thursday to buy the stock and said the share price could soar more than 40% to 740. His broker note was published after a committee meeting held by the fashion brand yesterday, which focused primarily on the Saint-Laurent brand. The company is due to host further updates on its Gucci and other retail brands later today. Saint-Laurent accounts for about 15% of the fashion brand houses group sales and underlying earnings, making it the second-largest brand sold by the clothing house beside Gucci, alongside a raft of other fashion brands including Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen. Citi anticipates that Kerings other non-Gucci brands will increasingly matter to its investment case, exemplified by the remarkable transformation of Saint Laurent over the past decade. The investment bank said the companys management presented a detailed and convincing long-term plan which should turn it into a mega-brand". Estimates for the Saint-Laurent brand in 2022 include the company closing in on its 3bn in sales goal and 30% underlying earnings margin. The brand has a medium-term target to generate 5bn in sales, which it seeks to achieve partly through new store openings. The Kering group posted revenue of 17.6 billion in 2021 on a margin of 36.7%, increasing its net income by 47.7% to 3.18 bn. It delivered earnings per share of 25.49 in 2021, a 48% year-over-year boost, according to data available on its website. Kerings shares are currently trading at 524.40. Cookie Policy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping us understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. See our Cookie Policy for more information. The energy transition is set to be a megatrend of our generation and the incumbent majors are well positioned for it, thats according to Credit Suisse which today took a bullish view on Shell PLC (LSE:SHEL, NYSE:SHEL). Credit Suisse analyst Amy Wong, in a note, said that big energy is part of the climate solution, but theres pressure on them to accelerate towards renewables. Modelling the reduction of carbon emissions the Swiss bank said the four companies that it is following in the sector are estimated to reduce carbon dioxide intensity by an average of 18% by 2030 which would be double the decline that the world is currently tracking. At the same time, Wong said Credit Suisse estimates Europes integrated energy companies can offer an attractive free cash flow yield between 13% and 18% for 2022/23, on average, which the bank expects will enable them to fund energy transition plans. Credit Suisse is positive on integrated energy, whilst, stock-by-stock it rates Shell as an outperform with a 3,000p price target, describing the Anglo-Dutch as its top pick. BP PLC (LSE:BP.) is, meanwhile, rated at neutral with Wong noting that it had a high-quality hydrocarbons portfolio but near-term targets to grow through its customers and mobility businesses may leave it exposed to scaling back its targets. Elsewhere, Norways Equinor is given a neutral rating and Frances TotalEnergies was rated as outperform. Alice Queen Ltd (ASX:AQX)s Fijian neighbour Lion One Metals Ltd (TSX-V:LLO) has made a significant discovery, which could augur well for the ASX small cap. Lion One, whose Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project is adjacent to Alices Queens Sabeto Prospect in the Pacific Rim of Fire in Fiji, has discovered a major new gold feeder structure 20.86 g/t gold over 75.9 metres at depth beneath the current resource at Tuvatu. Tuvatu is currently in development with 658,600 ounces in resource and a significant upgrade expected. The proximity of Lion Ones project to Alice Queens gives the company confidence that its decision to move into this region of Fiji was the right one. We have always viewed Fiji as one of the worlds great gold addresses and this recent news from our next-door neighbour Lion One Metals, reinforces our decision to pursue exploration opportunities in this underexplored jurisdiction, Alice Queens managing director Andrew Buxton said. Expanding Fijian footprint Alice Queen has been doing some heavy lifting in Fiji through its newly registered, 100%-owned company, Alice Exploration Pte Limited. The company recently applied for the Sabeto Project on the main island of Fiji, Vitu Levu, which sits between the Tuvatu Alkaline Deposit (6.5 kilometres to the east) and the Vuda Prospect, 4 kilometres to the northwest. Importantly for Alice Queen, Sabeto is on a major regional geophysical anomaly (radiometrics and magnetics) similar to Tuvatu, while Lion Ones success has encouraged AQX to upgrade the Sabeto prospect as it looks for similar results. AQX has also finalised the acquisition of two Special Prospecting Licences from its local partner Viti Mining. The transfer has been endorsed by the Mineral Resources Department, with the most prominent prospect, Viani SPL1513, being a low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) prospect with a significant historic soil geochemical anomaly (4 kilometres long), open to the northwest. This prospect was highly recommended by historic explorer JICA-MMAJ, which discovered the high-grade Hishikari gold mine in Japan (LSE). The recommendation came after JICA confirmed mineralisation over a 700-metre strike length. The prospect remains fully open and only one target out of five has been drilled to date. A second prospect, Nabila SPL1514, hosts the discovery prospect of Faddys and historic artisanal Mistrys Mine, connected by a 2-kilometre-long gold anomaly corridor. Alice Queen believes the gold anomaly has not been fully tested at depth nor along strike. SPL1514 hosts quartz-carbonate-clay polymetallic breccia with numerous sub-surface indicators of a much larger system probably extending over several kilometres. While AQX secures its expansion opportunities, Sabeto is a key focus. More about Sabeto The Sabeto Prospect was previously held by Emperor Gold Mines (EGM now Vatukoula Gold Mines (AIM:VGM)) and Geopacific Resources Ltd (ASX:GPR) and is just 6.5 kilometres from the Tuvatu Lion One adit and its future plant which is under construction. Only light exploration has been undertaken to date, with the prospect loosely interpreted as an alkalic-type system. Alkalic-type epithermal gold deposits are among the largest epithermal gold deposits in the world and considered a subset of low-sulphidation epithermal deposits. Once the licence is granted Alice Queen is looking at carrying out a two-phase approach. Phase one would include: An extensive geological mapping program; and Reprocessing historical geophysical data (ZTEM). Phase two would likely look to emulate the CSAMT Survey, a process that has been instrumental for Lion One in targeting the 'deep-feeder zone at Tuvatu with 75.9 metres at 20.86 g/t. CSAMT surveys can reach depths of 1,000 metres. Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) executive chairman Carl Popal recently attended the Future Greenland 2022 conference and while in Greenland made a site visit to the companys multi-commodity project. The visit to Ivittuut and Grnnedal-Ika was designed to assess site conditions ahead of the 2022 field season which is planned to include a drilling program on the Grnnedal-Ika carbonatite REE prospect. Eclipse is focused on exploring south-western Greenland, the Northern Territory and Queensland for multi commodity mineralisation and has an impressive portfolio of assets prospective for cryolite, fluorite, siderite, quartz, REE, gold, platinum group metals, manganese, palladium, vanadium and uranium mineralisation. Assessing Greenland This assessment of ground conditions in Greenland will help Eclipse plan access and drill hole location. To facilitate this, Eclipse has engaged a Greenland-based drilling contractor to undertake the proposed drilling which is awaiting approval to proceed following an application to Greenlands Mineral Resources Authority last month. We took the drillers on-site and discussed the mobilisation of appropriate equipment, with the drilling team potentially able to mobilise in July 2022. We were also able to locate several historical drill collars which will assist in planning the companys drilling program, Popal said. The company received a positive response to proposals for its Ivittuut project, following the chair's attendance at the Future Greenland 2022 Conference, with Popal especially encouraged by Greenlands enthusiasm for this and other mining projects in the region. Eclipse Metals executive chairman Carl Popal inspects a historic drill hole collar with a drilling contractor at MEL2007-45. Mining licence progress Popal met with officials from Greenlands Mineral Resources Authority and Environmental Agency for Mineral Resource Activities (EAMRA) to discuss requirements for a mining licence application for Ivittuut. Meetings were said to be positive and will help Eclipse work more closely with government departments to move forward at Ivittuut, where a significant licensing issue is pit dewatering. Various scenarios were discussed and information is being provided for planning dewatering procedures. Eclipse Metals executive chairman Carl Popal with Greenland's Finance Minister Naaja Nathanielsen. The meeting regarding environmental requirements related to the mining licence and drainage of the pit in the licence area was productive," Popal said. "We have received some positive responses and are encouraged to work with environmental officers to develop the requirements to empty the pit. We will engage a specialist to assist with addressing these requirements to ensure dewatering is in line with best practice." Popal also visited a resident of Grnnedal who shared his memories of the historical mine site and expressed an interest in hearing from other local residents to gather a history of the site so Eclipse can play an active role in its preservation. Eclipse has started a dialogue with the municipality of Sermersooq to establish where it can assist in the restoration of the Ivittuut mine museum. Popal will now head to PDACs 90th Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada, on June 13-15, 2022, during a special 'Greenland Day' event, in collaboration with the Greenland Government. Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX:LOT) has boosted the global uranium mineral resource estimate (MRE) in Malawi to 51.1 million pounds after releasing an inaugural resource for Livingstonia deposit. Livingstonia is reported to host 6.9 million tonnes of ore, grading 320 parts per million triuranium octoxide, which increases Lotus global MRE to 49.4 million tonnes at 475 parts per million. The Livingstonia mineral resource, which was reported at a 200 parts per million triuranium octoxide cut-off. The result comes after a recent exploration campaign at Livingstonia, which set out to confirm historical drill results and extend the resource footprint with preliminary step-out drilling. While Livingstonia is not included in Lotus current definitive feasibility study (DFS), it has the potential to become a satellite operation down the line, once the Kayelekera resource has been depleted. Lotus DFS remains on track for completion in mid-2022. Advancing underexplored uranium district Speaking to the inaugural resource, Lotus managing director Keith Bowles said: The acquisition of the Livingstonia prospect last year consolidated the companys ownership of our southern project area, a known uranium mineralised district that has had very limited exploration work completed over the years. Following the small-scale drill program last year, it is pleasing to now produce a JORC 2012-compliant mineral resource estimate, which is broadly in line with our expectations. As we have previously commented, Livingstonia is not part of the current production strategy at the Kayelekera project nor our DFS work, however, it has the potential to become a satellite operation in the future, once the Kayelekera resource has been depleted. The results show that there are additional feed materials available for the Kayelekera processing plant and that the life of mine is not limited by what currently exists on the mining tenement. Resource growth potential Lotus recent drilling has expanded the northern and northeastern limits of the Livingstonia resource beyond the historical resource extents. As a result, there is potential to further extend the known mineralisation, as well as delineate more northwesterly-trending mineralised channels. In addition, the Livingstonia inferred mineral resource suggests the presence of two higher-grade areas of mineralisation, which could be controlled by faulting within the deposit area, similar to that at the nearby Kayelekera deposit. Down the line, its expected that further targeted infill and extension drilling could both increase the grade and amount of mineralisation within the deposit. The Hydraulic Workover Unit (HWU) in place on the Cliff Head Platform. Triangle Energy (Global) Ltd and partner Pilot Energy (ASX:PGY) have started a workover to restore production from Cliff Head 10 (CH-10) well within the Cliff Head Joint Venture (CHJV) in the Perth Basin offshore Western Australia. This is expected to increase production at the CHJV by 130 barrels of oil per day. The CH-10 well was shut in during September 2021 due to a downhole electrical fault. The well had produced reliably for nearly 12 years with the same Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) and this performance significantly exceeds the field average of four years. Restoring lost production Triangle managing director Conrad Todd said I am pleased to report to shareholders that The Cliff Head Joint Venture has commenced the CH-10 well workover. "This will allow the CHJV to restore the production lost due to failure of the downhole pump and furthermore to increase production by shutting of water from a deeper reservoir. Phased campaign Activities will begin this morning on the CH-10 Workover to replace the failed ESP and increase hydrocarbon production from this well. In coming months, the CHJV will undertake a phased campaign to recover the failed ESP and replace it with a new ESP. As well, a deeper water producing reservoir will be isolated, with the aim to increase oil production. This phased approach to the workover optimises the utilisation of the Hydraulic Workover Unit and budget spend in alignment with long lead item delivery schedules. The CHJV expects a successful workover will produce an additional circa 130 barrels of oil per day (bopd) from CH-10 and see field production return to above 800 bopd. About Triangle Energy Triangle Energy is an ASX-listed oil producer and explorer based in Perth, Western Australia. The company has a 78.75% interest in and is operator of the producing Cliff Head Oil Field, which includes the Arrowsmith Stabilisation Plant. The company also has a 50% share of the Mt Horner L7 production licence, a 13% share in the EP 437 exploration permit, and a 60% share of the TP/15 permit, both in the Perth Basin. Triangle also has a substantial equity interest in State Gas Ltd (ASX:GAS), which has a 100% operating interest in the Reids Dome production licence (PL 231) in Queensland. The company continues to assess acquisition prospects to expand its portfolio of assets. Fenix Resources Ltd (ASX:FEX) has entered iron ore swap arrangements for 35,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt) per month of the Monthly Average Platts TSI 62 Index converted to AUD for the 9-month period from October 2022 to June 2023. FEX is a high-grade, high-margin iron ore producer working in the prolific Mid-West mining region of Western Australia on its 100%-owned, flagship Iron Ridge Iron Ore Project a premium DSO deposit that hosts a JORC 2012-compliant resource of 9.8 million tonnes at 64.4% iron, which represents some of the highest grade iron ore in Western Australia. The company started production in December 2020 following a rapid three-month development period and first sales were generated in February 2021, shipped from the companys port facility at Geraldton. Approximately 1.5 million tonnes of premium ore have been exported to date, generating solid cash flow. The price fixed is equivalent to A$180.65 per dmt, flat over the period. Extending swap arrangements The new iron ore hedging extends FEXs existing swap arrangements for 50,000 tonnes per month up to and including September 2022 fixed at a price equivalent to A$230.30 per dmt. Existing hedges were put in place in July 2021 and have provided strong margin support for Fenix iron ore production and cash flows. The companys swap arrangements are consistent with its Price Protection Policy designed to support the medium-term profitability of production from the Iron Ridge project, whilst maintaining positive exposure to iron ore prices. High-grade iron ore attracts a premium price on the seaborne market, as a purer product results in lower emissions. Chinese steelworks are demanding high-grade ore to meet increasingly strict government regulations. The iron ore swap arrangements consist of contracts which are cash-settled at the end of each month with no requirement for Fenix to provide margin calls, security or to lodge cash at call or on deposit. Fenix managing director Rob Brierley said: Fenix is a highly profitable iron ore producer focused on maintaining a strong margin throughout the iron ore price cycle. Our hedging arrangements are sensible risk management which secure a solid margin on a base level of our production out to June 2023. Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of (crescumulate) spodumene at Metcalf. Source: Neil Scholtz. Lithium Australia Ltd (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF)s exploration partner Charger Metals NL (ASX:CHR) has honed in on a large lithium system at the Lake Johnston Project in WA. A project-wide soil geochemistry program was recently completed at the lithium camp and Charger identified three lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite target zones along a 50-kilometre corridor. The most advanced target the Medcalf spodumene prospect is being prepared for drilling in 2023s March quarter. In the meantime, Charger is waiting on the final soil analyses but will continue fieldwork at Lake Johnstons Mt Day and Pagrus prospects. Charger owns 70% of the lithium project, while Lithium Australia holds the remaining 30% stake. Delivering priority drill targets Commenting on the findings at Lake Johnston, Charger managing director David Crook said: Charger has commenced the statutory approvals process required before drilling the spodumene-pegmatite target at the Medcalf spodumene prospect. [This target] has mineralised outcrops extending over at least 500 metres of strike and is where rock chip samples returned between 1.51% and 5.13% lithium oxide. Charger has successfully delivered new, priority drill targets at each of the companys three projects. Despite delays out of our control, we continue to work proactively with Western Australian and Northern Territory regulatory bodies and other stakeholders to commence drilling on each project as soon as permitting is finalised. Beyond the Lake Johnston asset, Charger is exploring for battery and precious metals across three emerging provinces in the Northern Territory and WA. The explorer is prospecting for nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group elements at the Coates Project to Lake Johnstons west, while its on the hunt for lithium and gold at the Lake Bynoe project in the NT. Turning the soil at Medcalf Charger plans to drill around 40 reverse circulation drill holes along Medcalfs spodumene prospect pegmatites. The target was uncovered during reconnaissance fieldwork in 2018 and 2019 programs that included soil geochemistry, mapping and rock chip analysis centred on an area northeast of Lake Medcalf in WA. This fieldwork identified a spodumene-pegmatite swarm, made up of about 20 anastomosing pegmatite dykes that outcrop in an area between 500 and 800 metres long within a corridor that measures 300 metres wide. The strike direction of the pegmatite dykes is roughly northwest and dips to the southwest. Chargers 2022 soil geochemistry program extended the halo of the lithium-in-soil geochemical anomaly at Medcalf further north, into an area where pegmatite-derived sands and minor outcrops suggest a possibly sub-parallel zone just northeast of the main Medcalf pegmatite swarm. Honing in on Mt Day More than 6,000 soil samples were taken from the northern Lake Johnston tenement group during Chargers sampling mission. The geochemical responses that most likely represent LCT pegmatites were returned from the vicinity of the Mt Day pegmatite field, which is a 5.5-kilometre by 1.5-kilometre zone with numerous mapped pegmatite emplacements. Samples were analysed with pXRF by commercial provider Portable Spectral Services, which then calculated a propriety lithium index value. This measurement can be useful because it helps companies identify fertile LCT pegmatites quickly, thus expediting the exploration cycle. A selection of more than 1,100 samples have since been submitted to a commercial laboratory for conventional analysis, which will include lithium. Importantly, other scattered anomalies may represent previously unrecognised pegmatites. Great Boulder Resources Ltd (ASX:GBR)s Andrew Paterson speaks with Proactive about the results from its latest drilling campaign at the Mulga Bill prospect, within the Side Well Gold Project in Western Australia. GBRs managing director noted the narrow, high-grade intersections of gold up to 0.56 metres at 30.80 g/t in drilling. GBR ha snow received six of eight diamond hole assays from Mulga Bill and is keen to start RC drilling at the southern end of the Mulga Bill-Loaded Dog corridor. There are 31 RC holes and 57 aircore holes at the assay lab and GBR is expecting a steady flow of results over the next two months. The company will also resume its RC program at Side Well at the end of June. Australian Strategic Materials Ltd (ASX:ASM) (ASM) has awarded a conditional contract to Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. (HEC) for engineering, procurement and construction definition work (EPCD) for the Dubbo Project in Central West New South Wales. This conditional contract was awarded to the South Korean-based company by ASM subsidiary Australian Strategic Materials (Holdings) Limited (ASMH). The EPCD includes an Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering standardised estimate (AACE Class 2 capital cost estimate), an operating cost estimate, a detailed project schedule, major project plans and early-stage engineering documentation. One of worlds leading EPC firms ASM managing director David Woodall said ASMH was delighted to have signed the EPCD contract with HEC for the Dubbo Project. We are thrilled to have HEC, one of the worlds leading EPC firms, seeking to partner with us on the Dubbo Project, he said. With this signing, ASM moves one step closer to developing our Dubbo Project and progressing our vision for a vertically integrated strategic materials business. Completion of the EPCD will allow HEC to produce an open book cost estimate for the Dubbo Project. This will form the basis of an EPC offer by HEC to deliver the project. Contract conditions Conditions of the EPCD contract are: The contract price for the EPCD is A$46.7 million and is fixed for three months; ASMH will make payments based on the delivery of milestones; ASMH will make an initial non-refundable payment of A$500,000 to reimburse HEC for mobilisation expenses incurred; Conditions precedent to commencement of the work are all necessary approvals from both parties, and ASMH has issued HEC with a Notice to Proceed (NTP); Upon receiving the NTP, HEC will commence the work, which is anticipated to take approximately 14 months; If after three months ASMH has not issued a NTP, the contract price may be varied by mutual agreement based on reasonable and demonstrated costs; and If the NTP is not provided within 12 months of signing either party can terminate with no further obligations. Emerging 'mine to metals' producer ASM is a vertically integrated materials business and emerging 'mine to metals' producer of critical metals. The companys 100%-owned cornerstone Dubbo Project is a potential long-term resource of rare earths, zirconium, niobium and hafnium. It represents an alternative, sustainable and secure source of these metals, critical for a diverse range of advanced and clean technologies. ASMs metals business is founded on an innovative metallisation process that converts oxides into high-purity metals, alloys and powders using less energy than conventional methods. A pilot plant in South Korea demonstrated the commercial scalability of the process and successfully produced a range of high-purity metals and alloys, including titanium, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and zirconium. Following this success, ASMs first metallisation plant has been opened in South Korea to initially supply a range of critical metals, including rare earth metals and alloys, zirconium and titanium. White Rock Minerals Ltd (ASX:WRM, OTCQX:WRMCF)'s Matt Gill speaks with Proactive about the bonanza grade hits including 0.2 metres at 140 g/t gold within 0.5 metres at 51.6 g/t during diamond drilling at Exhibition Reef of the Morning Star Underground Gold Mine in Victoria. This high-grade gold target area is potentially more than 100 metres in strike length and up to 40 metres down-dip, delivering bonanza and high-grade hits. The company believes the multiple mineralised intersections through the Exhibition Reef will provide an additional ore source once mining recommences. The Exhibition Reef is one of five potential gold production areas at Morning Star Mine, with mining on track to restart in the September quarter of 2022. The CEO also spoke about developments at Dickenson South, where the surface drill rig has completed a program of drill holes that assisted in the assessment of near-term development and production potential for further working areas close to the Main Shaft. Australias energy ministers met this afternoon to discuss the confronting rise in energy prices and the effect continued rises will have on consumers. While east coast electricity markets and gas suppliers will continue to work constructively with regulators and governments on a way forward, there is a lot of work to be done to ease growing pressures. The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) said it was important the whole energy system was considered given recent pressures on gas supply were caused by coal-powered generation outages and the inability of renewables to input power as required. These are highly complicated regulatory matters and we look forward to continuing consultation with regulators and governments to resolve them," APPEA acting chief executive Damian Dwyer said. Todays meeting recognised the critical role the gas sector plays in meeting the energy security needs of the nation. We are doing everything we can to look after customers and fill the energy void left by coal-fired power generators in particular. Gas companies have already acted to ensure gas flows to where it is needed using the mechanisms put in place to help us do so mechanisms which provide the market with transparency, affordability and supply. As todays meeting reaffirmed, gas is delivering energy security to Australia and the current situation highlights the critical role gas will play in decades to come, replacing higher emission coal and as a stabliser for renewables when the wind doesnt blow and the sun doesnt shine. But to do that needs more investment certainty. Natural gas gives the energy system stability. But the industry needs an investment environment that supports stability. Years of needless state moratoriums, bans and delays have only contributed to the situation the east coast energy market is now in. The industry has invested more than $20 billion on supply in the past 18 months. More can be invested under the right investment settings. Federal and state ministers have agreed to 11 key measures, one of which was giving the AEMO extra powers regarding gas supply. AEMO's discretion is something that would have been useful in recent times and something that will be useful in coming times, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said. One measure agreed upon is to progress the capacity mechanism, where energy retailers pay power providers to maintain extra capacity where needed. The previous government had said that they would work towards it coming into place in 2025. We need to do better than that, he says. I am encouraging the Energy Security Board to expedite their work and get it out for further consultation as soon as possible. Bowen said nuclear was not an option to fix the current energy crisis. Nuclear is the most expensive form of energy. We have a cost of living crisis, he says. Energy prices going through the roof. And whats the big bright idea? They say lets have the most expensive form of energy we can possibly think of? As for short- and longer-term solutions, ensuring the domestic security gas mechanism, which diverts exports for domestic use, will be in focus beyond its January expiration date. Resources Minister Madeleine King said, We will move as quickly as possible to make sure that gas security mechanism for domestic supplies is renewed as soon as possible through regulation. At the same time, we will be conducting an urgent review of the Domestic Gas Security to make it actually work. Perrottet calls for local supply security The NSW Premier Dominic Perottet wants Australia to be less reliant on energy imports and secure domestic supply. I think its incredibly important that nations become more self-sufficient and less reliant on other countries. And I think we need to make sure that we preserve our own energy supplies here in our state, he said. Gas reservation supply should be one solution on the table. We need to ensure that we have consistent gas supply now and into the future, and all options to be on the table. What happened in the market? The ASX was lower today. The S&P/ASX200 dropped 83.40 points or 1.17% to 7,037.70. Over the last five days, the index has lost 1.93% and sits 4.14% above its 52-week low. Bottom-performing stocks were Appen Ltd down 7.09% and Lifestyle Communities Ltd down 6.70%. Crown Resorts Ltd gained 2.04%, trading its highest share price in nearly three years, after the NSW and Victorian state governments gave their blessing to the $8.9 billion Blackstone takeover. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has approved the Blackstone Group as a suitable associate of Melbournes casino operator and its takeover of Crown as a major change in the state of the casino operators affairs, the regulator said in a statement released on Thursday morning. Speaking of the risks, the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority chairperson Philip Crawford said The probity assessment has also resulted in certain persons being approved to become 'close associates' of Crown Sydney. Conditions will apply. These conditions will apply on top of the strict requirements that currently apply to the casino operator, the regulators statement said. Melbourne will become the flagship. In reaching this decision, our specialist team put in many months of work investigating the suitability of the Blackstone Group to become an associate of the Melbourne casino operator, said VGCCC chairperson Fran Thorn. Our approval comes with stringent conditions, which balance delivering stronger controls on the casino and ensuring it continues to be the flagship casino in Australia. We will take action should any of these conditions not be met by either Blackstone or Crown. On the small cap front The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries was down 1.77% today and is 12.62% lower on the year. There were a few small caps that made it into the green. British American Tobacco PLC (LSE:BATS) reiterated its revenue guidance for 2022 in a trading update today, anticipating that its diversification into the vapour and non-cigarette market will finally begin to pay off. Its new business line is increasingly contributing to group performance, and we are confident in delivering our 5bn New Category revenue and profitability targets by 2025, the company said in a statement. Ross Hindle, an analyst at Third Bridge, said BAT's aspiration to reach 5bn of sales and achieve profitability in its new products stream is achievable, but warned: Russia and Ukraine are very important heated tobacco markets, they are even more important for BAT than PMI, with 26% of their heated tobacco sales coming from the region historically. BAT predicted a 3% drop in tobacco industry volume due to the macro impact of Russias war on Ukraine and an uncertain outlook in the US due to rising gas prices. It is "transferring" its Russian operations in addition to moving its East and North Africa business into its Europe portfolio, after selling its operations in Iran last August. The non-combustible product consumer base reached 19.4mln in the first quarter of the year. In the first half of the fiscal year, it invested more than 1bn to build its brands in this area. Its portfolio of non-combustible products includes vapes, nicotine pouches, tobacco heating products and other oral products. We are leveraging the strength and increasing scale of our three global drive brands, and are continuing to reduce New Category losses, said chief executive Jack Bowles. Its vape brand Vuse now occupies a value market share of 35.9% in the US, up 3.4 percentage points in the year to date versus 2021, it said. The product launched in the UK this May and the company said it has further rollouts planned for the second half of the year. The FTSE 100-listed company reported that early clinical studies have shown "completely switching to glo from cigarettes resulted in positive changes to all measured indicators of potential harm, with the majority of indicators similar to quitting, with results due to be published shortly. The tobacco products company claims to hold a 69.3% share of the modern oral products market in Europe and its heated tobacco product share is expected to reach 19.6% in top markets for these products for the year to date. Reiterating its 2022 guidance, BAT said it predicts revenue growth of 2% to 4% this year and mid-single figure adjusted earnings per share growth. However, it forecast tailwinds to its earnings per share growth and operating profit from foreign exchange rates. We are highly cash generative," said Bowles. "In line with our active capital allocation framework, and in addition to our growing dividend, we are on track to return 2bn to shareholders through our 2022 share buyback. We are committed to delivering superior long term shareholder returns. As previously announced, given the continuing conflict in Ukraine, we are working towards transferring our Russian business in full compliance with international and local laws. The company hopes to become carbon neutral by 2030 and brought online two new low-carbon factories this year. The project sits alongside various operating mines within a 5 kilometre radius, including former Barrick Gold mine Lagunas Norte and La Arena, a mine owned by Pan American Silver Corp Regency Silver Corp. (TSX-V:RSMX) said it has entered into an option agreement with AsiaBaseMetals Inc to sell a 70% interest in its wholly-owned Paisano Gold Project in north-central Peru. The company noted that the project covers approximately 2,700 hectares in the prolific La Libertad Mining District, a district hosting several multi-million ounce precious metals deposits. The project sits alongside various operating mines within a 5 kilometre (km) radius, including former Barrick Gold mine Lagunas Norte and La Arena, a mine owned by Pan American Silver Corp. Other mines within a 30 km radius of the property include Pan American Silver's Shahuindo open pit mine. "We are pleased to enter into this option with AsiaBaseMetals Inc, which will allow us to jointly unlock the potential of the Paisano Project, executive chairman Bruce Bragagnolo said in a statement. When standing on a high point of land in this prolific mining district in Peru you can see multiple large open-pit mining projects. The proximity of the Paisano Project to such large mines as Lagunas Norte and La Arena is indicative of the potential of this project, he added. The company said AsiaBaseMetals may earn a 70% interest Paisano by making cash payments of approximately US$3 per hectare over three years commencing in 2023 to keep the property in good standing; issuing Regency with a total of 250,000 common shares over three years; and incurring at least C$1 million in exploration expenditures on the property, including C$200,000 on or before May 25, 2024, and the additional sum of C$800,000 on or before May 25, 2025. AsiaBaseMetals may elect to issue shares instead of expending money on exploration, the company added. Such shares will be priced at the greater of $0.17 per share or the closing price of the stock on the TSX Venture Exchange, or such other exchange on which the shares are then principally traded, on the trading date immediately preceding the date on which notice of such an election is delivered. AsiaBaseMetals CEO Raj Chowdhry said the option agreement will enable the company to enter the mining sector in South America and to further develop and build its presence in the region. This will allow us to continue to create and seize further opportunities, Chowdhry added. The Paisano Project allows the Company immediate access to one of the highest-rated mining regions, not only in Peru but the world. I'm sure that with the continued support of our shareholders, the company's entry into Peru will be rewarding. We look forward to jointly developing the Paisano Project, in the prolific La Libertad District. In the event the option is exercised, Regency Silver said the parties will enter into a joint venture with their respective interests being 70% AsiaBaseMetals and 30% Regency Silver. Regency Silver Corp is a silver and gold exploration company focused on the Americas. The company is led by a team of experienced professionals with expertise in both exploration and production. Its flagship project is the Dios Padre silver project in Sonora, Mexico. Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com Ant Group Co, a financial-technology giant based in China, plans to raise at least US$34.4bn in what will be the world's biggest-ever initial public offering (IPO) in both Shanghai and Hong Kong. Founded by Jack Ma of Alibaba fame, Ant is reportedly looking to raise US$17.2bn in each city, based on prices of 68.8 yuan and HK$80 per share, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission has formed a team to reassess the share sale plans. The fintech giant could raise up to a maximum of about US$5.2bn more if underwriters exercise their option to buy up to 15% more shares in what is known as a 'green shoe' option, Bloomberg reported. These figures would surpass the US$25bn raised in 2014 by Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) and the US$29.4bn raised by Saudi Aramco in the world's largest-ever IPO in 2014. After including the new capital raised but before adding the green shoe, the tech giant would be valued at about US$313bn. In comparison, Mastercard had a market value of US$330bn as of Friday's close. From finance to tech Ant, which has been under state guidance since its planned IPO was called off in 2020 amid regulatory uncertainty, published an ESG report last week which indicates a clear shift to technology away from finance as the Chinese government wants big tech to do more in order to boost the economy. The company said its research spending has grown 39% a year for three years, with more than 18.8 billion yuan (US$2.82bn) invested in 2021. China abruptly suspended Ant's plans for a US$37bn IPO in November 2020 in Shanghai and Hong Kong days before the stock was expected to begin trading and launched a regulatory crackdown across the technology sector. Ant is controlled by billionaire Ma who, after making a speech in Shanghai in October 2020 accusing financial regulators of hindering innovation, has seen authorities crack down on his empire and other tech firms, which also hit London-listed investors. The promise of early production will get most small-cap oil and gas investors somewhat giddy, so its no surprise that Zephyr Energy Plc's (AIM:ZPHR, OTCQB:ZPHRF) latest venture has caught attention. Zephyr this week confirmed it is just a matter of weeks away from hooking up a gas well at the Paradox project, in Utah, into a new on-site cryptocurrency mining facility. Its a novel development for the AIM-quoted firm, albeit the Zephyr team has researched other similar ventures in the US. For Zephyr, it provides a beneficial problem-solving catalyst. Gas will be fed from the well into a generator to power a self-contained, modular cryptocurrency mining facility. Importantly, routing the gas to power units, means that the recently drilled well can be flowed continuously without the need for gas flaring, which is a polluting and wasteful practice which is increasingly frowned upon amidst the upsurge in ESG awareness. Strategically, the big picture is that Zephyr can gather more data from what will effectively become a longer-term phase of test production. It will also act as something of a beta test of the crypto facility and its economic credentials. At transaction level, Zephyr will book gas sales and will also benefit from the sale of Bitcoins. It adds cash flows to Zephyr, in addition to its North Dakota where non-operated interests in producing wells generated some US$11.5mln of revenue in the first quarter. Its another tick in the box for Zephyr in Utah, as it continues to advance Paradox where planning is currently underway for a new phase of drilling, ahead of a potential connection to gas export infrastructure. For us, it [the crypto project] is additive, chief executive Colin Harrington told Proactive. Were going to have economics from selling the gas to the crypto facility, well have economics from selling the liquids, that will come alongside the gas, and well also be selling Bitcoin as it is produced. It should improve economics significantly, and, it allows us to do this extended production test run. Well see where it takes us and whether we should expand it or not. Harrington added: We try to do things judiciously, were stepping into this [crypto business] and well see what the future holds. Zephyrs initial investments to enable the crypto project will allow the company to scale up significantly, at lower cost, potentially lifting generation capacity from 1MW to 4MW - in turn ramping up the yield of gas, liquids, Bitcoin. Harrington reassured investors that crypto wont become a distraction from the core energy business and that in time the operation will likely be separated. It will likely be spun out in some way so that shareholders can benefit from it, without it without it taking more of our [Zephyrs] capital expenditure, he added. But, we fully want to unlock thar value for shareholders and look forward to doing it soon. In a statement on Tuesday, Zephyr told investors that the crypto facility could be operational in as little as eight to 12 weeks, in tandem with the start of production from the State 16-2LN-CC well. It is expected that Zephyr will fund the initial investment for the planned 1MW facility from existing cash resources or via third party investment. The CAPEX bill is estimated to be under US$2mln and Zephy reckons the crypto facility will achieve capital payback in less than two years, based on current crypto values. Liquid production from the well will be sold to local refineries in Utah, the company added, meanwhile, longer-term and higher volume gas production from the Paradox project is envisaged to supply into gas infrastructure that was recently purchased by Dominion Energy, from 2023 onwards. Zephyr told investors it is now in the advanced stages of planning for a slated three-well drill programme at the Paradox project, where work is slated to start in the second half of 2022. Fidelity Minerals has a portfolio of high-quality mining assets in Peru, where it hopes to delineate major deposits to attract the interest of mid-tier and major mining companies Fidelity Minerals Corp said it has secured access to underground workings at the Socavones zone on its Las Huaquillas project in Peru. Surface lands access agreements allow the company to clear access roads and access the three main adits, which provide access to the approximately 1,200 meters of underground development on three levels in the Los Socavones Zone. These surface adits provide ready access to the mineralized zone with an average true thickness of approximately 19 metres (m), which Fidelity says offers the potential for low-cost underground mining. The company has engaged contractors to provide quotes to re-open the underground workings before Fidelity completes an underground sampling program as soon as possible this year. Fidelity will collect metallurgical test samples of the mineralization at the Socavones zone to better characterize the mineralogy and better define future process design and recovery options. The plan is to ultimately carry out a 5,000m drilling program mainly at Los Socavones, where historical drilling suggests significant gold mineralization occurs at depth, the company said. A similar amount of drilling should also be carried out at the Cementerio zone where Sulliden intersected significant copper mineralization. The Los Socavones zone is a major northeast-southwest trending mineralized fault zone that extends for at least 2.5 kilometers and has a width of approximately 100m. The anomalous zone consists of two distinct gold-enriched pyrite-sphalerite-galena quartz stock-work zones surrounded by a low-grade gold zone composed of disseminated and narrow stringers of pyrite with minor sphalerite and chalcopyrite, the company said. To date, 1,000m of its strike length has been drill tested and 1,200m of underground workings have been developed and sampled. Drilling has intersected the mineralization at a depth of approximately 200m. The mineralized zone's average true thickness is approximately 19 m with a maximum thickness of 65m within the zones center. Fidelity Minerals has a portfolio of high-quality mining assets in Peru, where it hopes to delineate major deposits to attract the interest of mid-tier and major mining companies. Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel United Nations, June 9 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the Ukraine conflict may trigger social and economic chaos around the world. The three-month-old conflict brings new bloodshed and suffering for those on the ground. For people around the world, the conflict, together with the other crises, is threatening to unleash "an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake," he said on Wednesday at the launch of a second report by the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance over the Ukraine conflict. "Today's report makes clear that the war's impact on food security, energy and finance is systemic, severe, and speeding up. It is amplifying the consequences of the many other crises the world faces: climate, Covid-19, and the severe global inequalities in the resources available for the recovery from the pandemic," Guterres added. He warned that while vulnerable people and vulnerable countries are being hit hard, no country or community will be left untouched by this cost-of-living crisis, Xinhua news agency reported. Food prices are at near-record highs. Fertiliser prices have more than doubled, sounding an alarm everywhere. Without fertilisers, shortages will spread from corn and wheat to all staple crops, including rice, with a devastating impact on billions of people in Asia and South America, the UN chief said. "This year's food crisis is about lack of access. Next year's could be about lack of food." Record high energy prices are also triggering blackouts and fuel shortages in all parts of the world, especially in Africa. And the financial squeeze continues on many developing countries -- on top of the risk of debt default and economic collapse because of Covid-19, the inequality of the recovery, and the climate crisis, he noted. Worldwide, three out of five workers are earning less than before the pandemic. Now, both countries and individuals have no hope of balancing their budgets. Instead, families everywhere are being forced into impossible decisions: whether to shut down their businesses, sell their livestock, or take their children out of school. Women and girls are often the last to eat, and the first to miss meals as food shortages spread, he said. Guterres called for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis in line with international law and the UN Charter. Until that happens, he called for immediate action on two fronts: to bring stability to global food and energy markets, to make resources available immediately to help the poorest countries and communities. Ukraine's food production, and the food and fertiliser produced by Russia, must be brought back into world markets despite the conflict, he said. Governments must be able to borrow the money they need to keep their economies afloat and their people thriving. There is no solution to this global crisis without a solution to the economic crisis in the developing world. The global financial system must rise above its shortcomings and use all the instruments at its disposal, with flexibility and understanding, to provide support to vulnerable countries and people, the UN chief added. "The message of today's report is clear and insistent: we must act now to save lives and livelihoods over the next months and years. It will take global action to fix this global crisis. We need to start today," said Guterres. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Paris, June 9 : Workers of two airports in Paris, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly, are going on strike this Wednesday and Thursday to demand higher wages, the airport authority Paris Airports announced. Paris Airports on Wednesday suggests passengers be at airport at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic or medium-haul flight, since there will be a longer queue waiting time, Xinhua news agency reported. Passengers may anticipate flight delays on Wednesday, the airport authority said. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has requested airlines to reduce their flight programme on Thursday to and from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Paris Airports also announced that one quarter of flights will be canceled on Thursday. Passengers are asked to check with their airline for the flight schedule. Baghdad, June 9 : The Iraqi parliament has passed a bill that allows the government to use public funds to meet urgent needs for food, public services and development in emergency cases. The bill was passed by the Iraqi parliament on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported. A statement of parliament on Wednesday said this bill will give the government the power to allocate 25 trillion Iraqi dinars ($17.14 billion), enabling the government "to achieve food security, alleviate poverty". "The bill also aims to create job opportunities, maximise Iraqis' benefit from state resources, give impetus to the country's development, resume work on stalled and lagging projects due to lack of funding, and start new projects of importance," the statement added. Iraq is in a political deadlock as elections eight months ago have failed to produce a new President or Prime Minister, forcing the caretaker government to run without an annual budget. The law will go into effect immediately and remain in effect until a national budget is approved. Baghdad, June 9 : An unidentified drone crashed in the north of Erbil, capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, leaving three people injured, the regional Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) said in a statement. The drone exploded on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported. The drone exploded at 9:35 p.m. after it crashed in a restaurant in Erbil, nearly 375-km north of the capital Baghdad, the CTS statement added. The explosion also caused damage to the restaurant building and several nearby civilian cars, it said. Meanwhile, Saman Barzanji, Health Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government, told reporters that only minor injuries were sustained by the wounded persons. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident but bombing by rockets or drones by militias occurs frequently in the Kurdistan region. Ankara, June 9 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his visiting Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro have pledged to enhance cooperation between the two countries. "There is a wide cooperation potential between Venezuela and Turkey, especially in trade, energy, mining, construction business, health, agriculture and tourism," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Maduro in the capital Ankara on Wednesday. The two economies are complementary, holding various opportunities for new cooperation and mutual investments, he added. Trade between Turkey and Venezuela, which increased to $850 million in 2021, will likely reach $1 billion this year, and aims at $3 billion annually as soon as possible, according to the Turkish leader. Speaking of a memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday, Erdogan said this has strengthened "the legal infrastructure" of the Turkish-Venezuelan relations, Xinhua news agency reported. Calling Venezuela "a friendly country," the Turkish President added that he "opposes sanctions against Venezuela" and Turkey will stand by the country "from now onward". Maduro, for his part, expressed gratitude to Turkey on behalf of his people. "In times of greatest uncertainty, in the most difficult moments and at the time of the pandemic, Turkey has been always by our side and supportive of us," the Venezuelan President said. He invited investors from Turkey into Venezuela's tourism, mining, industry, logistics, banking, oil, gold and coal, assuring them of all legal and political guarantees. Turkey has been continuing its trade with Venezuela despite sanctions by the US on the Caribbean country. Venezuela sells gold to Turkey in return for Turkish exports to the Latin American country. New Delhi, June 9 : "Is it not tragic that it is mostly a series about gory crimes and criminals that gets all the attention on OTT platforms? However, I have complete faith that content revolving around the 'good' will have a sizable audience," Dancer and actor Mallika Sarabhai, Artistic Director of 'Darpana', who is currently producing multiple pilots and will soon approach different digital platforms, tells IANS. To be produced under the banner of Darpana, the content aims to arrest the narrative that only violence and crime get people to binge watch. "It is such a cliche that audiences do not want to see stories revolving around the positive. We are hoping we crack that and show an alternative -- one can always choose compassion. But if you do not give viewers that option, then how are they supposed to choose it? Why do the characters have to be horrible to do something cool," asks this Padma Bhushan awardee. Not only an actor and dancer, Sarabhai, known for social activism and raising her voice for democracy and standing by different peoples' movements, stresses she sees little sense in slotting art and social activism for they intersect for her at all levels. "My work and my life are the same. There is never a moment when I am doing something and my mind is not raving about what I can create from that moment," she tells IANS. Sarabhai, who shot to international fame when she played the character of 'Draupadi' in Peter Brook's nine-hour theatre production 'Mahabharata', admits that it changed the very course of her life and she was no longer the same person after that. "It made me realise I have the power to make a difference. I got the confidence to become my own modelling clay. It completely altered my trajectory and pushed me into becoming my own defendant. A deep journey to find my limits started. It's not what Peter did to me. It's what happened to Mallika," recalls the artist, who was recently in Chandigarh on the invitation of Nagina Bains for the IWN (Indian Women Network) Chandigarh Tricity Chapter Annual Session supported by Testler. While for most artists, the pandemic-induced lockdown ensured a lull in activities, but not Sarabhai. "My artistic director, I, seven dogs and a peacock were on the campus throughout. The highway next to us was completely silent. We would fix the lights, had our own studio and spaces. So if you go to the YouTube channel of Darpana, you will see a lot of our new work from 2021. We also went online the day the lockdown started. Our students did not really miss a single day of work/study. We generated a lot of material. Also, realising how awful other dancers must be feeling, we did something called 'Dance Unlocked', where we got dancers from all over the country and trained them on how to hold the camera etc. through WhatsApp." On the condition of artists during the lockdown, she laments that India has never had a decent budget for the arts in the past 30 years. "Whatever little is there, goes to the favourites. One wonders what the multiple akademis are doing? The situation is deplorable. Think of what happened to the weavers who used to make the sarees for costumes, the leather cleaners for the tablas. Or the metal worker who makes the ghungroos. When we talk about what Covid did to art, you are only seeing us. Not the hundreds of people behind us." Kanpur, June 9 : The bank accounts of Hayat Zafar Hashmi, the main accused in the Kanpur violence, are now under scanner, police said. The police have launched a probe into the possibilities of foreign funding to Hayat, after it was found that he had received a total of Rs 3.54 crore into one of his four bank accounts in July 2019. The details of one of his accounts at a private bank in Babupurwa area of Kanpur reveal that a transaction of Rs 3.54 crore was made in his account on July 30, 2019. An amount of Rs 98 lakh was similarly withdrawn from the same account in September 2021, said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) official. At present, Rs 1.27 crore are left in this account. Hayat also owns a fair price shop. "First, we are looking into the sources of money and then the purpose for which it was being used. Later, we will ascertain if the transactions were legal," the SIT official added. Sources said that Hayat has two more bank accounts from which transactions have also been made. "Till now, transactions worth Rs 47.6 crore have been made from the other three accounts in the last three years. Now, the accounts show a balance of just Rs 11 lakh. The ED teams may also interrogate him and his associates regarding the foreign funding if any," the SIT official said. These accounts were opened in 2019. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked the police to investigate if minors were also used as shields in the May 3 clashes and initiate action against those responsible. On behalf of the Commission, a letter has been sent to the state police headquarters and the Kanpur's Commissioner of Police directing action against such people under the Child Protection Act. After coming across the posters that the police had made viral on Monday, a teenager had surrendered at the Colonelganj police station on Tuesday. When the minor boy's family saw his picture on the poster, they took him to the Colonelganj police station. The Commission has requested that the matter must be investigated by registering a case under section of the Juvenile Justice Act and the IPC. The Commission has also requested to produce the juvenile, who surrendered in Colonelganj before the Child Welfare Committee. The violence that broke out in Beconganj and adjoining areas of Kanpur on June 3 when some people tried to stage a protest and asked locals to close their business establishments over the alleged religiously insulting remarks made by BJP leader Nupur Sharma. At least a dozen people were injured in the stone pelting and 57 arrests have been made. Saharanpur : , June 9 (IANS) Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the largest Islamic seminaries in India, has sought strict legal action against all those who have made objectionable statements against Islam to spread 'hatred' in the country. This statement comes days after the Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind and All India Muslim Personal Law Board made a similar demand. Darul Uloom Vice-Chancellor, Maulana Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, has issued a statement saying, "I strongly condemn the insulting remarks on our beloved Prophet. Religious sentiments of the followers of any faith cannot be provoked in the name of freedom of expression. Insulting the Prophet will not be tolerated by Muslims, in India or abroad." He urged the government to "frame a law to deal with cases where religious symbols of Muslims are targeted". Nomani further said, "India is a secular country and people here have been living together for centuries. These communal and extremist elements are not only harming the country's social harmony but also disturbing the nation's secular fabric and ethos." Appealing to the government to take immediate cognisance of such cases and strict action against anti-social elements, the Darul Uloom Vice-Chancellor added, "For the past few years, efforts are being made to disturb peace and harmony by inciting religious sentiments in the country. And the overall environment has been deteriorating." The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, a socio-religious organisation with a large Muslim following across the subcontinent, had said that "insulting the founder of Islam has deeply hurt the feelings of Muslims around the world". "We hope that the law enforcement agencies will take legal action against the perpetrators without further delay," said Jamiat's General Secretary, Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi. The move follows several Arab and Islamic countries condemning the controversial remarks made against Prophet Muhammad by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the party's (now expelled) Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal. Kiev, June 9 : Since Moscow launched its ongoing invasion of Kiev on February 24, the Ukrainian Air Force has carried out more than 1,100 strikes against Russian targets. In a statement on Wednesday, the Air Force Command said: "As of today, more than 1,100 group air strikes on columns of equipment, positions, manpower and logistics centres belonging to the Russian occupiers have been carried out by attackers and bombers of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine." Earlier on Wednesday, the attack aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force conducted missile and bomb strikes against the Russian forces, Ukrayinska Pravda quoted the statement as saying. At least 10 armoured vehicles have been destroyed and about two dozen Russian servicemen were killed in the strikes, it added. Also in the day, the anti-aircraft missile units of the Ukrainian Air Force struck two Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles, and seven more UAVs of this type were destroyed by the air defence of the Land Forces. The statement added that on Tuesday, attack aircraft destroyed about eight pieces of equipment, hit fuel and lubricant depots and ammunition depots of the Russian forces. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seoul, June 9 : A key meeting of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party opened earlier this week with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance to discuss state policies, as speculation is rampant that Pyongyang may soon carry out a nuclear test, state media reported on THursday. On Wednesday, Kim presided over the fifth enlarged plenary meeting of the party's eighth Central Committee, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The KCNA however, did not provide details, including agenda items and when the session is scheduled to end, reports Yonhap News Agency. The agency reported earlier that the meeting would be held to make an interim review of state policies for 2022 and to decide on a "series of important issues". The fourth plenary session took place late last year. The meeting this time, in particular, has drawn keen attention from the outside world as it comes amid signs that the North's seventh nuclear test is imminent. South Korean and US officials said the North appeared to have completed related preparations. The North may issue a new message justifying its nuclear development through the party meeting, observers here say. In advance of a nuclear test in 2017, the North held a presidium session of the political bureau and adopted an agenda on carrying out the hydrogen bomb test A plenary session of the Central Committee usually takes place at least once a year to decide its key policy line, organisation reshuffles and other major issues. Seoul, June 9 : As South Korea has eased its Covid travel restrictions, flag carrier Korean Air said on Thursday that it will resume three long-haul routes next month. In a statement, the airlines said that it will offer three flights a week on each of the routes from Incheon to two European cities, Milan and Vienna, starting July 1, and three flights a week on the Incheon-Las Vegas route from July 10, Yonhap News Agency reported. The resumption of the long-distance routes comes more than two years since March 2020 when airlines suspended most of their flights on international routes due to the pandemic. Korean Air also plans to resume more international routes depending on travel demand. It currently operates seven domestic and 41 international routes, sharply down from 13 and 120 before the pandemic hit the airline industry. The carrier swung to a net profit of 543.85 billion won ($429 million) in the January-March quarter from a net loss of 28.76 billion won a year earlier, helped by increased cargo deals. It expects its second-quarter earnings will improve further as South Korea on Wednesday lifted the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period for all international arrivals, regardless of their nationalities or vaccination status. Still, international arrivals are required to take a PCR virus test within three days of their entry into South Korea. They also must have a negative Covid-19 result, by taking either a PCR test or a supervised rapid antigen test, before boarding flights to South Korea, and submit the negativeresult to the South Korean authorities upon their arrival. Islamabad, June 9 : A Unicef official has been allegedly raped by a security guard in Islamabad, the media reported on Thursday. A Dawn news report said that the Unicef official, a Swedish national, registered a complaint with the police in the Pakistani capital's Aabpara area, saying she was raped by the security guard deployed at her residence. According to the police, the victim was posted in Islamabad in January this year. The FIR says that the guard, who had been deployed at the official's residence since March, entered the victim's bedroom and overpowered her. He first tried to suffocate the woman and later raped her, Dawn news reported. The police said it has constituted a team to search for the perpetrator who has been absconding. Chennai, June 9 : The opposition AIADMK on Thursday demanded that the state government pay an additional sum of Rs 1,500 each to Haj pilgrims for their stay and other expenses in Kochi from where they will be embarking on the pilgrimage. Party leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, said in a statement that the state government should have pressured the Union government for Haj embarking points in Chennai and Tiruchi for the pilgrims. At present, Kochi in Kerala is the Haj embarking point for pilgrims from Tamil Nadu. The former chief minister said that only 1,750 pilgrims from the state were granted permission for the pilgrimage. Palaniswami said that in 2020 when AIADMK government was in power, the number of pilgrims sanctioned was nearly 3,000. The former chief minister lashed out at the DMK government and said that the neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka were able to get a higher proportion of Haj pilgrims cleared by the Centre. He also demanded the state government to immediately release the Haj grant of Rs 10 crore without any further delay. The state opposition leader also called upon the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to intervene and ensure the restoration of the earlier position on the number of Haj pilgrims. Thiruvananthapuram, June 9 : The revelation made by Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the gold smuggling case against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has created a major stir in the state. If two-time Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had to face the brunt of the revelations made by solar scam accused Saritha Nair which the Left encashed politically, then Vijayan too could face a similar backlash and opponents have started gearing for this. On Tuesday, Swapna alleged that Vijayan, his wife and their daughter had a role in the smuggling of currency and "biryani vessels used to reach their official residence from the home of the UAE Consular General which contained metal-like objects". This explosive revelation came a few days after the Vijayan-led Left lost the Thrikkakara bypoll. The opposition -- Congress and the BJP -- are demanding his resignation and have announced a series of protests against him. However, the entire Left allies, including the CPI-M have strongly backed Vijayan and have come out with statements that all this allegations have been dismissed by the people who gave him a resounding win for his second term in office on April 2021 Assembly polls. But, despite all the support that has come his way, Vijayan appears jittery. When he came to attend a function organised by the National Service Scheme his body language could not hide his unease and after giving away a few prizes, he left the venue. Meanwhile, the police have registered a case against Swapna Suresh and seven-time former legislator P.C. George is under charges of conspiracy to incite trouble by airing baseless allegations. And on Wednesday, the Vigilance Police also played their role after they picked up a close aide of Swapna, P.S. Sarith, who is also an accused in the gold smuggling case. The Vigilance police barged into his house and forcefully took him away. Later he was released and asked to appear before them in the state capital office on June 16. On Thursday, according to sources, the police is forming a special team to probe the conspiracy case which will be headed by a top official. The team will also probe another case where Swapna Suresh has been charged with forging certificates, which was lying in the cold storage. Popular media critic A.Jayasankar said it's hilarious to see the way the police are going forward in the conspiracy case as it does not have any merit. Meanwhile, on Thursday morning Swapna Suresh approached the Kerala High Court and filed an anticipatory bail plea stating that the police was hunting her and she fears the police might arrest her in the conspiracy case also filed by former State Minister and CPI-M supported independent legislator K.T. Jaleel. New Delhi, June 9 : Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed strengthening of bilateral relations and strategic affairs during delegation-level talks here, an official statement said. The statement issued by the Minister of External Affairs said the two Ministers on Wednesday discussed the "entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, cultural and people to people ties" during their talks on Wednesday. This is Amir Abdollahian's first trip to New Delhi since taking office in August 2021. The Ministry said that Jaishankar "appreciated the role of Iran in facilitating India's medical assistance to Afghanistan, including supply of Covid-19 vaccines to Afghan nationals residing in Iran". "Both sides acknowledged the significance of bilateral cooperation in the field of regional connectivity and reviewed the progress made at the Shahid Beheshti terminal, Chabahar Port. The sides agreed that the Chabahar Port has provided much needed sea-access to landlocked Afghanistan and has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region, including for Central Asia. "They reaffirmed their commitment to continue to cooperate on the development of Chabahar Port. Teams from both countries will be meeting soon to address operational aspects," the Ministry statement said. Amir Abdollahian and Jaishankar also discussed international and regional issues, including Afghanistan. The two sides "reaffirmed the importance of providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and reiterated the need for a representative and inclusive political system" in the war-torn nation, the statement noted. The Iranian Minister also informed Jaishankar on the current situation pertaining to the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war. Earlier, Amir Abdollahian called-on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also held a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Kumar Doval. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War New Delhi, June 9 : The Supreme Court on Thursday said paternal grandparents would better take care of a six-year-old than his maternal aunt, as they are more emotionally attached, in a custody case where the child's parents died due to Covid last year. A vacation bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah and Aniruddha Bose gave the paternal grandparents the custody of the boy, who was orphaned due to Covid -- his father died on May 13 and mother on June 12 during the second wave in Gujarat in 2021. The bench said in our society paternal grandparents would always take better care of their grandchildren. "They are more emotionally attached to grandchildren," said the bench, adding that he will get a better education in Ahmedabad. The bench emphasized that paternal grandparents should be given preference in custody matters of the child as he lost his parents. The maternal relatives took the child from his paternal grandparents' house in Ahmedabad to attend the last rites of his mother and since then, the child had been living with his maternal aunt and her family. The paternal grandparents moved the Gujarat High Court seeking custody of the child. After interacting with the child, the high court said that he is comfortable with the petitioner and his wife (the grandparents), however he was not in a position to give an independent preference between the petitioner and the maternal aunt. The high court gave the boy's custody to the 46-year-old aunt. The court noted that she was unmarried, working with the central government and she was in a joint family, and pointed out such a family is good for the upbringing of the child. The top court noted that income cannot be the sole criteria and cannot be the sole ground to deny custody to parental grandparents and quashed the high court judgment granting custody to the maternal aunt. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, June 9 : Arrest of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Bangladeshi and Rohingyas issues are expected to figure predominantly in Delhi BJP executive meet which will get underway on June 11. The two-day event will start with office-bearers meet on June 11 followed by executive meet on June 12. Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta told IANS that all the relevant political and social issues of the national capital will be discussed during the meeting. "Two senior leaders, one each in the inaugural and closing session of executive meeting on June 12, will give their guidance to the Delhi unit," Gupta said. It is learnt that the political resolution will also mention Jain's arrest along with other relevant issues pertaining to the city. "Political resolution will also talk about freebies and facilities given to Bangladeshi and Rohingyas. It will say that instead of giving freebies to Bangladeshi and Rohingyas, it should be given to Indian Muslims and poor Hindus. It will also mention the failure of the Arvind Kejriwal government on several fronts," a Delhi BJP leader said. Sources said that the political resolution will attack the Kejriwal government over public transport, new excise policy and other issues. The political resolution has been prepared and will be placed on state executive meeting on June 12. The June 23 bypoll of Rajinder Nagar is also expected to be taken up along with other organisational issues. Functioning of all the district units will be also discussed during the meeting. Delhi BJP's agenda for the future will also be discussed and finalised. "Party will discuss ways to intensify attack on AAP on the arrest of the Delhi health minister. Rajinder Nagar bypoll will also be discussed," a senior party functionary said. New Delhi, June 9 : They have come a long way but differences still persist or there are hurdles. Some Naga groups from Manipur are yet to meet the leaders of umbrella organisation NNPG in Nagaland. A few met and have endorsed the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) stand like the Zeliangrong Nagas an there is still another group which met but declined to issue a joint statement. N Kitovi Zhimomi, 64, is a pragmatic Naga militant leader and is now clamouring for peace and a lasting solution to the Naga political imbroglio. "Meeting our Naga brothers will dispel misgivings," Kitovi told a meeting of Naga leaders from Manipur. The Poumai Naga groups and others under the banner of United Naga Council (UNC) met Kitovi and other NNPG leaders in Dimapur on Tuesday. "The meeting concluded with a strong emphasis on peace in our land and peaceful co-existence of all Naga neighbours," says a statement from the Working Committee, NNPG. The umbrella organisation of seven militant groups operating mostly in Nagaland had inked an agreed position paper with the Centre in 2017 and is now keenly awaiting a final peace pact. During the last few days, mounting pressure on other players including a section of Nagaland state politicians who allegedly favoured status quo, the NNPG has managed 'support' to their cause and agreement with the Centre. A number of Naga organisations from Arunachal Pradesh including a women-run body and Zeliangrong Nagas of Manipur and Assam have after separate meetings backed the NNPG giving the peace process and clamour for an early solution a mega push. On the other hand, the NSCN-IM still remains firm about their demands for a Flag and a separate Naga constitution. The Central government has categorically rejected the demand more than once. Sources close to NNPG have said that as reports of the Pan Naga Hoho and the real intent came to light, the NSCN-IM stood "exposed". "They want to impose military dictatorship, Nagas now feel deceived," one of the sources said. The reference is to the reports that the Pan Naga Hoho as proposed by NSCN-IM, claims that 'chairman' would be the most powerful authority who can suspend a death sentence and who shall also become the executive head as well the Supreme Commander of Nagalim. During Tuesday's meeting with UNC leaders, Kitovi insisted that "it was appropriate time to meet Naga brothers, be it from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam or Nagaland because limiting oneself to just group or one leader will not be in the interest of Nagas today". The issues related to the Naga insurgency dates back to the 1940s. Nagaland attained statehood in 1963 after signing of a 16 Point Agreement in 1960. Originally led by A Zapu Phizo, the Naga National Council split a number of times especially after the 1970s. The NSCN-IM faction was led by Late Isak Chishi Swu and Isak Muivah. Swu, the former chairman of NSCN-IM, breathed his last in 2016. On August 3, 2015, the NSCN-IM and peace negotiator Ravi had inked a pact in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was later described as the Framework Agreement. A school of thought seeks to blame former Prime Ministers H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral for lapse in not keeping certain things in writing. Even country's only communist Home Minister, the late Indrajit Gupta also gets his share of the blame. The refrain is that had the agenda been 'made public' in the 1990s, one would not have had headlines screaming in 2021-22 that the Naga peace talks have hit a roadblock due to twin issues of Flag and Constitution. (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) Amaravati, June 9 : Kalluri Gangadhar Reddy, a witness in the sensational murder case of former Andhra Pradesh minister Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, died under suspicious circumstances in Anantapur district. The 49-year-old died in sleep at his house in Yadiki village on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, the family members informed the police. The police rushed there and collected the clues from the house and surroundings. The body was subsequently shifted to Tadipatri for autopsy. Police registered the case of death under suspicious circumstances and took up investigation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing Vivekananda's murder, had questioned Gangadhar Reddy. The agency had grilled him thrice after calling him to Kadapa. Gangadhar Reddy was the follower of Devireddy Shankar Reddy, a close associate of Kadapa MP Y. S. Avinash Reddy and an accused in the murder case. He had twice met Anantapur Superintendent of Police to complain that he was facing threat to his life and demand security. In November last year, he had complained to Anantapur district SP that the CBI was pressuring him to give a statement in the court saying that Vivekananda Reddy's nephew and Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy and another accused Gangi Reddy offered to pay him Rs 10 crore if he admit that he had committed the murder. Gangadhar Reddy was a rowdy sheeter in Pulivendula town of Kadapa district and was bounded over from the district 10 years ago. He had shifted to Yadiki in Anantapur district and settled down there. As a key follower of Devireddy Shankar Reddy, he was involved in various criminal cases. These include a double murder case in 2007. Vivekananda Reddy, uncle of Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Kadapa on March 15, 2019, a few days before the election. The 68-year-old former state minister and former MP was alone at his house when unidentified persons barged in and killed him. He was killed hours before he was to launch YSR Congress Party's election campaign in Kadapa. Though three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) conducted the probe they failed to solve the mystery. The CBI took over the investigation into the case in 2020 on the direction of Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a petition of Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Sunita, who raised suspicion about some relatives. The CBI filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022 New York/Sonipat, June 9 : O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has emerged as India's No. 1 Private University for the third year in a row, according to the QS World University Rankings 2023 that was released in New York. London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has ranked a total of 41 institutions from India this year, including seven new entrants. JGU has retained its No. 1 position among the Indian private universities despite the rise in the number of ranked institutions. For the 2023 edition, QS analysed a total of 2,462 institutions and ranked 1,422 institutions in the world. JGU is ranked in the 651-700 band this year, making it the only private university from India, which has found a place among the world's top 700 universities. JGU is also India's No. 1 ranked university with a focus solely on social sciences, arts and humanities, as per the influential QS World University Rankings 2023. Out of the 41 institutions which have been ranked from India, 11 are IITs. Remarkably, JGU is also the only Indian non-STEM and non-Medicine university to have found a place in the QS World University Rankings 2023. . JGU is India's No. 1 ranked university with a focus solely on social sciences, arts and humanities. . JGU is the only Indian non-STEM and non-Medicine university to have found a place in the QS World University Rankings 2023. . Globally, JGU has been ranked in the 651-700 band of the QS World University Rankings 2023. . This is the third year in a row that JGU has been the highest ranked Indian private university in the QS World University Rankings. . In faculty-student ratio, JGU is the second highest-ranked university from India. . In international faculty ratio, JGU is the third highest-ranked university from India. . JGU is ranked among the top 250 universities in the world in faculty-student ratio. . JGU is ranked among the top 450 universities in the world in employer reputation. Reacting to the performance of Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2023, the Founding Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University and its benefactor, Naveen Jindal, said, "It is a remarkable day for Indian higher education as the QS World University Rankings 2023 have shown that the numbers of Indian institutions which have found a place in the global rankings have grown. "Out of the 41 institutions from India which have been ranked this year, seven are new entrants. It indicates a conscious effort by Indian higher education institutions to improve the quality of teaching and research to a level that matches global standards. If this trend continues, Indian universities will soon bring greater glory to the nation through global recognition." Speaking of JGU's accomplishment, Jindal remarked, "To be recognised as India's No. 1 private university for the third year in a row by the prestigious QS World University Rankings is quite an achievement for JGU. The fact that a non-STEM and non-Medicine university has emerged as India's top private university year after year proves that the study of humanities and social sciences has tremendous relevance for employment generation as well as for creation of knowledge needed for solving the complex problems that the world faces today. "I wish to congratulate the Vice Chancellor, faculty, and staff of JGU for their commitment to making world-class education in India possible for our students." Welcoming this exciting development, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University said, "The QS World University Rankings provide millions of students around the world with a benchmark for choosing higher education institutions. "To be featured among the top 700 best universities around the world in this prestigious list that covers 100 locations and over 40,000 universities in the world is a matter of tremendous significance for JGU as the university has emerged as a top destination for world-class education in India within just 12 years since its founding. The fact that JGU has maintained its position as the No. 1 Private University in India for three years in a row amid the extremely challenging circumstances of the devastating global pandemic exhibits the resilience of the university's strong foundations designed to foster academic excellence and create exciting new opportunities for our students". "JGU has improved its global rankings this year on the back of its excellent faculty-student ratio, employer reputation and international faculty ratio. The performance of JGU in the QS Global University Rankings 2023 underlines the importance of providing a global learning experience that caters to the aspirations of today's youth. Internationalisation has at the very core of JGU's mission to create open spaces for research, dialogue and innovation through interdisciplinary education and hands-on learning. "It is this mission that has driven JGU to hire full-time faculty members from over 40 countries and collaborate with over 350 leading institutions spread across 65 countries around the world. We remain committed to further increasing international collaborations and improving the quality of teaching, research and learning outcomes," Professor Raj Kumar said. For the QS World University Rankings, universities are evaluated on the basis of academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio and international students ratio. QS analysed 151,000 responses from academics around the world and 99,000 responses from employers worldwide for this year's rankings. In faculty-student ratio, JGU, which received a score of 63, is the second highest-ranked university from India. In international faculty ratio, JGU, which received a score of 22.6, is the third highest-ranked university from India. In employer reputation, JGU scored higher than 31 of the 41 institutions ranked from India. Providing a closer analysis of the rankings, Professor Arjya Majumdar, Dean, Office of Rankings, Benchmarking and Institutional Transformation (ORBIT), O.P. Jindal Global University observed, "As per the QS World University Rankings 2023, JGU is ranked among the top 250 universities in the world in faculty-student ratio, among the top 450 universities in the world in employer reputation, and among the top 550 universities in the world in international faculty ratio. "Overall, JGU ranked higher than such internationally acclaimed universities as the City University of New York, University of South Carolina, University of Bradford, Kagoshima University, University of Westminster and Beijing University of Technology, among others. The results show that JGU is now in the same league as some of the leading international universities, including Drexel University (US), University of Plymouth (UK), University of Southern Queensland (Australia), University of Manitoba (Canada), Kumamoto University (Japan), Abu Dhabi University (UAE), Chongqing University (China), Coventry University (UK) and Istanbul Technical University (Turkey), among others. This is a significant development for India and for JGU as it demonstrates what a young university in India can achieve in a relatively short span of time with the right combination of ideas, people and resources." In the QS World University Rankings 2023, 16 of the 20 institutions selected for granting "Institution of Eminence" (IoE) status by the Government of India have found a place. These include 4 IITs, Indian Institute of Science, Delhi University, Anna University, University of Hyderabad, Jadavpur University, Banaras Hindu University, O.P. Jindal Global University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, BITS Pilani, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) and Jamia Hamdard. Out of those 16 institutions, 7 institutions, including O.P. Jindal Global University, moved up in the rankings, 4 went down and 5 remained in the same positions as last year. Commenting on the accomplishment, Professor Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, JGU, said, "As only those universities which shine on teaching and research quality make it to the QS World University Rankings, being recognised as one of the world's Top 700 universities by QS puts JGU in a distinguished league of internationally acclaimed universities. The high employer reputation score of JGU also signifies that the university has been successful in providing our students with the necessary preparations needed for securing gainful employment. Moreover, it underlines that the graduates produced by JGU have been competent, innovative and effective. What makes JGU an incredible institution that it is today is the spirit of public service with which it functions. We remain committed to continue this tradition of institutional excellence in the coming years and decades." Dhaka, June 9 : Police have registered a case against eight unidentified persons over the devastating fire at a container depot in Bangladesh's Chittagong district on June 4, which claimed the lives of 44 people and injured more than 200 others. Although the names of the eight persons were not immediately know, sources said that the accused are officials of the private BM Container Depot located in Sitakunda. However, depot owner Mujibur Rahman was not among the eight accused, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud has confirmed. Despite being the owner, Rahman holds only 5 per cent shares of the depot. Sitakunda Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Ashraful Karim told IANS on Wednesday that the eight persons have been charged over negligence. The devastating blaze broke out at about 10.30 p.m. on June 4 at the depot. Authorities said that within 40 minutes of the raging fire, there was a massive explosion and the blaze spread from one container to the other due to the presence of explosive chemicals. The victims included 13 fire fighters, the highest fatalities among fire personnel in a single incident. The fire was completely doused on Wednesday. Los Angeles, June 9 : 'Twilight' star Kristen Stewart is all set to conduct auditions for her upcoming queer paranormal reality series as she will be calling on ghost hunters and mediums to audition for the upcoming production, reports 'Variety'. Stewart said in a video shared by her hairstylist and friend C.J. Romero on Instagram, "I am scarily excited to announce that I'm teaming up with Scout, the producers of 'Queer Eye,' 'Legendary' and 'The Hype,' on the most gayest, most funnest, most titillating queer ghost-hunting show ever. We need to find the most incredible LGBTQ+ ghost hunters, paranormal specialists, mediums, psychics, investigators who will lead the pack on this super gay ghost-hunting adventure." As per 'Variety', Stewart, who identifies as LGBTQ+, first revealed that she was working on putting together a ghost-hunting reality series in an interview with 'The New Yorker' in November 2021. "Gay people love pretty things," Stewart said at the time. "So we are aiming for a richness." She also described the project as "a paranormal romp in a queer space." According to the casting call announcement, Stewart will serve as an executive producer on the untitled ghost-hunting reality series. The project represents the actress's latest move to working behind-the-scenes. Stewart is also preparing to make her directorial feature debut, an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir 'The Chronology of Water'. She is also writing a TV series with her fiancAe, screenwriter Dylan Meyer. June 09 : Bollywood diva Sonam Kapoor is turning a year older today! The soon to be mom is showered with love from all the corners. This birthday is extra special for Sonam as she is gearing up to enter the most beautiful phase of her life, motherhood. Earlier this year, the actress announced her first pregnancy with her husband, Anand Ahuja. On this beautiful occasion, dad Anil Kapoor took to Instagram and shared a heartfelt note for the birthday girl and a series of photos that captured the sweet father-daughter moments. Dear @sonamkapoor, If theres anything that makes up for not being able to celebrate your birthday with you this year, its the anticipation that the next time we see you, well be that much closer to holding our grandchild in our arms! wrote the actor. Happy birthday my darling girl! We cant wait to see you, Anand and our little prince(ss) soon! he added. The soon to be granddad cant contain his excitement to see the little bundle of joy. Meanwhile, Sonam posted some stunning pics on her Instagram handle, flaunting her baby bump as she entered the third trimester. The actress looked divine as she posed in an off white skirt with delicate sequins and pearls from the designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. She was styled by her sister Rhea Kapoor. On the cusp of motherhood and at the brink of my birthday, Im choosing to dress how I feel Pregnant & Powerful, Bold & Beautiful. she captioned the photo. The actress recently went on a babymoon to Italy with her husband. The couple who tied the note in 2018 is uber excited to embrace parenthood. Washington, June 9 : The US House of Representatives has passed a gun package in the wake of the recent mass shootings in the country, but is unlikely to be approved by the evenly-divided Senate. The package, dubbed the Protecting Our Kids Act, was passed late Wednesday in a 223-204 vote, largely along party lines, reports Xinhua news agency. The legislation would, among other things, raise the minimum age for buying a semi-automatic weapon from 18 to 21 years old and ban bump stocks for civilians. Senators from both sides of the aisle have engaged in gun legislation talks for a consensus on narrower gun legislation. The move on Capitol Hill came as the US is reeling from the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which left 19 children and two teachers dead. Miah Cerrillo, a fourth-grade student at Robb Elementary School who survived the shooting, told US lawmakers on Wednesday that she smeared herself in her friend's blood and played dead. "He shot my friend that was next to me, and I thought he was going to come back to the room," Cerrillo, 11, said of the shooter in a recorded video to a House panel. "So I grabbed the blood, and I put it all over me." She also said she wanted "to have security" when going to school, where she no longer feels safe. A series of mass shootings in the past few weeks has rocked the country and renewed national attention to gun violence. At least 17 people were killed and 62 others injured in 11 mass shootings across the US over the past weekend. Early Sunday morning, a shooting outside a nightclub in Chattanooga, Tennessee, led to three deaths and 14 injuries. Hours earlier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, several shooters opened fire at a crowd in a popular night-life area, killing three while wounding 11 others. The US has suffered 251 mass shootings over the past five months or so, with more than 18,900 lives lost to gun violence, according to the latest data from Gun Violence Archive. Beirut, June 9 : Lebanon's Public Works Minister Ali Hamieh called for international tenders to construct a new terminal for Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut. "The cost of the new project will amount to $70 million" but this project is expected "to create hundreds of jobs", Hamieh explained during a joint press conference with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the airport. The new terminal will be designated for domestic flights from Haj, Umrah, and Ziyarah as well as low-budget airlines, he said, offering no further details about the project, reports Xinhua news agency. Rafik Hariri International Airport, nine km from the city centre of Beirut, is the country's only international airport. The airport reportedly accommodates 8 million passengers annually, with plans to expand its capacity to 20 million by 2030. New Delhi, June 9 : With Esports gaining more popularity after making it to the Asian Games, India's first franchise based-league for gaming, Esports Premier League (ESPL), is all set to roll out the second season of the tournament on June 13. This year's league is set to engage gamers across the country in a high-voltage action with the most popular battle royale game, 'Battlegrounds Mobile India' (BGMI), which carries a whopping prize pool of Rs 1 crore. "The first season of the Esports Premier League was a great success and this time we will try to make it even bigger. We are thrilled to have TECNO Mobile on board as the Presenting Sponsor for this event. We are also committed to providing a world-class platform for Indian talent through this league to develop the Indian esports ecosystem and take it to the next level," said ESPL Director Vishwalok Nath. The league will be played in two separate stages in the initial phase -- online qualifiers as well as an invitational qualifier to shortlist the top 18 teams. The first 12 teams, top-2 teams from the online event and top-10 teams from the invitational qualifiers will directly process to the final phase and compete for the top 2 spots. The teams ranked from 3 to 10 (seven teams) in the online qualifiers and teams ranked from 11 to 18 from invitational qualifiers will compete for the other three final spots, which will also have two directly-invited teams competing and vying for the mega title. The champion team will take home Rs 50 lakh while the second and third-placed teams will bag Rs 25 lakh and Rs 10 lakh respectively. Top-16 teams will be awarded cash prizes and the Most Valuable Player Award-winner will get richer by Rs 1 lakh, the ESPL informed in a release on Thursday. The upcoming edition of India's premier esports league, ESPL will start on June 15. Talking about the recent association with ESPL, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, TECNO Mobile India said, "India's gaming community is witnessing a boom and growing exponentially at a rate of 38% per annum. The Indian gaming industry is estimated to be valued at $3.9+ billion by 2025. These developments have h'ightened gamers' expectations from the technology sector and there is an increased demand for better and more powerful gaming devices with high-end processors, augmented speed and longer battery life." Nath continued, "Every season we plan to do something different in order to take the league to the next level. The upcoming edition will also be action-packed, especially with players fighting it out on the BGMI esports maps which is a very popular title among the gaming community. This platform is for our athletes and they are equally excited." He concluded by adding, "ESPL is a game-agnostic tournament to ensure that India Today Group offers the maximum opportunities to gamers across the nation." Professional athletes as well as esports enthusiasts above the age of 16 can participate in the league. The registrations will begin on June 13 with the last date being June 20. Each team should have a minimum of four members and the interested teams can register themselves on https://espl.itg.gg/, the ESPL informed in the release. Hyderabad, June 9 : Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary K. Narayana on Thursday alleged that Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan is crossing her limits. Reacting to the Mahila Darbar programme announced by her, he said the governor was crossing 'Lakshman Rekha'. He wondered why the governor was holding 'Mahila Darbar' and demanded that she cancel the programme. The CPI leader said on one hand BJP in the state has stepped up political attack while on the other, the governor's action could turn Raj Bhavan into a political centre. He said while anybody can make a representation to the governor, holding a 'darbar' was not proper for a person holding the Constitutional post. His reaction came a day after the governor announced that she will be holding 'Mahila Darbar' to hear the grievances of women. According to a statement from Raj Bhavan, Tamilisai Soundararajan has decided to hold a 'Mahila Darbar' as a part of 'Praja Darbar' to "hear the unheard voices of women" on June 10 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Raj Bhavan. Women who wish to come and meet the governor can get appointment by calling 040-23310521 or by emailing the request to rajbhavan-hyd@gov.in The governor's decision has come amid the increasing incidents of sexual assault against women, especially minor girls. After the May 28 gang-rape of a 17-year-old girl by five accused in a car in Hyderabad's upscale Jubilee Hills, the city has reported a series of incidents of sexual assault. Narayana said the CPI would continue its principled fight against the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government. He slammed the state government and police over its handling of the gang-rape case. He alleged that there was an attempt to shield the accused. Stating that allowing minors in the pubs is illegal, he wanted to know why the pub was not seized and its owner was not arrested. Washington, June 9 : A criminal complaint was filed against a man from California on federal charges of attempted murder of US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley made an initial appearance in US District Court in Greenbelt of Maryland on Wednesday afternoon, reports Xinhua news agency. According to an affidavit, on June 8, 2022, at approximately 1.05 a.m., two Deputy Marshals saw an individual dressed in black clothing and carrying a backpack and a suitcase, get out of a taxicab that had stopped in front of Kavanaugh's residence. The individual, later identified as Roske, looked at the two Deputy Marshals, who were standing next to their parked vehicle, and then turned to walk down the street. Roske was later detained by police after he called an emergency centre in which he told it that he had a firearm in his suitcase, was having suicidal thoughts and had intentions to kill Kavanaugh. A search of his suitcase and backpack revealed a black tactical chest rig and tactical knife, a pistol with two magazines and ammunition, a pepper spray and other items. Roske allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, left 19 children and two teachers dead. Kavanaugh, a conservative, is purportedly included in the majority for the Supreme Court draft opinion on abortion, a copy of which was obtained and published by Politico last month. If convicted, Roske faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. New Delhi, June 9 : Incidents of rape and gang-rape are becoming increasingly frequent in the country. Often the judicial process to punish the accused is so long-drawn and so tortuous that victims often feel they are punished for being the victims of violation. Given this backdrop, the news that a 13-year-old girl killed her alleged rapist in Rajasthan became a topic of debate in many circles. According to news reports, a man in Alwar, Rajasthan had been repeatedly raping a 13-year-old girl for many months and even blackmailing her with obscene videos. Fed up with this, the girl strangled the alleged rapist to death when he was under the influence of alcohol. The young girl has been arrested by the police in Rajasthan. However, a majority of ordinary Indians are convinced the girl did the right thing by killing the man, disturbing as the event is. This was revealed during a nationwide survey conducted by CVoter on behalf of IANS to gauge public opinion on the issue, which has not received much media attention because of other controversies. The survey covered all educational, socioeconomic and income groups in the country. Overall, 74 per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that the girl did the right thing by killing her alleged rapist while 24 per cent of the respondents felt that she should have approached the police instead. The feeling was assured by people cutting across political divides. While 77 per cent of NDA supporters felt the girl did the right thing, about 72 per cent of the opposition voters shared the same sentiment. Surprisingly, a larger 77 per cent of male respondents felt the girl did the right thing while about 70 per cent of female respondents shared the same sentiment. The punishment for rapists had become a major topic of debate recently when a bench of the Supreme Court had reduced the death penalty of a person convicted of raping and killing a 9-year-old girl in 2013 by stating that the accused deserves a chance to reform. New Delhi, June 9 : As India takes baby steps towards 5G, leading industry body Broadband India Forum (BIF) said on Thursday that private 5G networks would be crucial for the enterprises to augment efficiencies, enhance productivity and march towards Industry 4.0. Meant for non-public use, Private 5G Networks are not about Public Data and Voice networks working inside private/captive campuses as is being alluded to and misunderstood in certain quarters. "India needs higher efficiencies in verticals like manufacturing, healthcare, education, agriculture, financial inclusion and many others to accelerate the process of digital transformation. This can best be achieved only through the use of Private 5G Networks," said the BIG in a position paper. Private 5G Networks are about the deployment of high speed, enhanced data capacity, and ultra-low latency applications inside a closed manufacturing unit, hospital, airport, shipping port, etc. "Since none of these applications are working in India at present, claims to be able to deliver these features through public networks are unsubstantiated," said the paper. For example, a Maruti or an Apollo would know its system and requirements far better than anyone else, and therefore, would be able to customise and design the network and applications accordingly. A Public Telecom Network set up by a telecom licensee would necessarily have to be one which optimises the various needs of the masses. "It would not be in a position to meet specific enterprise higher and specific SLAs (service-level agreements) that are characteristic of specific industry verticals. For example, the needs and requirements would be quite different of a Maruti-Suzuki automotive factory from that of an Apollo Hospital or of an IIT Delhi campus, and so on," said the industry body. Most of the revenues of the telcos are external and that remains completely untouched and, hence, they remain protected as do the government revenues. "The Non-Public Networks or Private Networks constitute additional revenue streams for the telcos and the government. This revenue stream has not yet been tapped," said the BIF. There would be no revenue loss to the government on account of direct spectrum allocation for private 5G networks to enterprises, as they shall purchase the spectrum at a price to be fixed by the government and allocated administratively. "Enterprises who will be permitted to set up Private Networks would have to acquire a Special CPWN License and would be required to pay License Fee. So, under no count does the government stand to lose revenues, as is being apprehended in some quarters," read the position paper. It is a misconception that Private 5G Networks would lead to revenue losses for the telcos, as expressed by certain entities. "In fact, a more efficient captive network through Private 5G would lead to increased productivity for the enterprise, which would help grow business activities/external communications, thereby driving better revenues for the TSPs (technical service providers). New enhanced revenue streams could flow to the telcos," according to the BIF paper. It needs to be clearly understood that Private Networks would not be addressing the retail market and they would need the dedicated spectrum within the local campus only and the same spectrum if required, can be reused elsewhere. Only a limited amount of spectrum (about 100 MHz, depending on the specific spectrum bands) would be required and is to be used/deployed within the geographical boundaries of the premises (with specific lat-longs) and not in the entire LSA/Circle. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), after significant deliberations, has considered that Captive Wireless Private Networks are not Public Networks, have no market customers, and are limited to a specific location. Thus, TRAI has most appropriately recommended that the spectrum is to be assigned administratively, in line with global practices. As India gears up for the 5G spectrum auction, the TRAI is aiming to enable the framework for enterprises to build their own private networks. Leading industry bodies have hailed the TRAI recommendations of around 35-40 per cent cut in the reserve price for 5G spectrum for mobile services, terming it historic and which can finally put India on the world 5G map. The telecom regulator has put forward a mega auction plan valued at over Rs 7.5 trillion at the base price allocated over 30 years. The entire gamut of available spectrum in 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz and 24.25-28.5 GHz spectrum bands has been recommended by the TRAI to be put to auction. In future auctions, the access spectrum will be assigned for a period of 30 years as against 20 years now. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mysuru, June 9 : The audio clip of the minor girl, allegedly killed by her father for being in relationship with a Dalit boy, was on Thursday handed over to the police for0 investigation. The girl Shalini, in the audio, held her parents responsible in case of her death. Meanwhile, the police have taken her mother into custody. The shocking incident took place in Periyapatna police station limits in Mysuru district of Karnataka. Suresh, a resident of Kaggundi village, had killed his 17-year-old daughter Shalini on Monday for being in love with a Dalit boy. While conversing with the boy, the now-deceased girl, squarely blamed her parents and relatives in case of her death. She had also asked the boy to record her call and submit it to the police if something happened to her. "My parents had given in writing to the observation home authorities that I can live my life and marry anyone I want and that they will not bother me. They let me stay in one of our relative's house. Please record my call. I am not feeling good. There seems to be a conspiracy going on," she said to the boy before she was killed. "In case of my kidnapping, murder, give this audio clip to the jurisdictional Periyapatna police and to the DG and the IGP. If anything happens, my parents and relatives should be responsible," she further said. The police are questioning her parents -- Suresh and mother Baby. Manjunath, the Dalit boy, informed the police that the girl's parents had given Rs 2 lakh 'supari' (contract) to get him killed and lodged three false complaints against him in the police station. According to police sources, they have got a letter written by Shalini stating that in case of her death, the boy will not be held responsible. "I have become a victim of caste discrimination. I fell in love with a Dalit boy, my father verbally abused me and assaulted me. My parents love caste more than their daughter," her letter stated. After killing his daughter, Suresh had come to the police station and confessed to the crime. Police said that the accused had strangled his daughter to death. Shalini belonging to Vokkaliga community, considered as an upper caste in Karnataka, was studying II PUC and was in love with a Dalit boy from neighbouring Mellahalli village. They were in love for the past three years, police said. On learning about their affair, the parents had lodged a complaint against the boy as the girl was a minor. The girl had given a statement against her parents in the police station. She had also told the police that she was in love with the boy and refused to go with her parents. The police had sent her to the Observation Home. Further investigation is on. Canberra, June 9 : Australia's Energy Ministers have agreed to an 11-point plan to address the nation's gas crisis when the country's energy prices are spiking due to high winter demand and supply shortages. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Wednesday night chaired a meeting with his state and territory counterparts to discuss solutions to the crisis, agreeing to give the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) the capacity to procure and store gas supplies, reports Xinhua news agency. Australian energy prices are spiking due to high winter demand, gas supply shortages and coal-fired power generators failing. Bowen warned that there was no "silver bullet" short-term fix for the current crisis but that the measures would give governments the capacity to manage future crises. "There's storage facilities around the country. We agreed to work to give the AEMO that power and to give them that power expeditiously," he said. Bowen said the principles outlined are clear that the AEMO should support new technologies and he supports storage and renewables being a particular focus of capacity mechanism going forward. The meeting also agreed to enhance the powers of energy regulators to ensure transparency for customers and that retailers work in their best interests. A national transition plan for the energy market will be developed for the ministers' next meeting in July. Hyderabad, June 9 : All set to release on Friday, Telugu movie 'Ante Sundaraniki' is 'Natural Star' Nani's second theatrical release in the post-pandemic scenario. Nani feels that a lighthearted rom-com like 'Ante Sundaraniki' will be welcomed by theatre audiences. "A film like this is much needed at this point of time after watching back-to-back huge action movies and after the pandemic, people need some relief, a breather which is just lighthearted, which will put a smile on you throughout the film and you walk out with a nice feeling. I mean that's the kind of film we're all looking for now. Im super happy that it's coming out now," Nani said to IANS. In the movie, Nani is a young Brahmin named Sundar whose dream is to visit the USA at least once in his life. Nazriya Nazim who played his love interest as Leela aims to become a popular photographer. The two different worlds of Sundar and Leela, their love story and the fun in the journey together is depicted interestingly in 'Ante Sundaraniki'. While in the past there have been protests by Brahmin organisations over caricaturing and denigrating the community in some Telugu films, Nani who portrays the travails of a Brahmin youth in love with a Christian girl is confident that his movie will not annoy the community. "Not at all. Because we didn't exaggerate or mock anyone. Or it's not a loud kind of comedy. It's a very realistic approach. And we're not discussing the religion. We're discussing people here. So I'm not worried about it at all," he told IANS. 'Ante Sundaraniki' starring Nani, Nazriya Nazim, Fahadh Faasil, is directed by Vivek Athreya and produced by Mythry Movie Makers. Vivek Sagar has composed the music for the movie releasing on June 10, in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. New Delhi, June 9 : Brokerage house Motilal Oswal Financial Services has recommended investors to "buy" shares of Trent, and it pegged a target price of Rs 1,430. At present, the shares are trading at around Rs 1,080 per share. Established in 1998 and part of the Tata group, Trent is headquartered in Mumbai but has pan-India operations. Trent is one of the leading players in the branded retail industry in India. Trent's aggressive expansion of footprint and strong like-to-like growth of 16 per cent year-on-year translated into a robust 53 per cent revenue growth in 4QFY22, the brokerage said in a report. "Westside and Zudio's store-level economics remains healthy as evident from strong like-to-like growth and Westside's annualised revenue run-rate which was almost double its FY22 level. Emerging categories such as beauty and personal care, innerwear and home also continued to gain traction with customers." Trent's performance remains much ahead of its peers and offers a huge runway for growth over the next 2-3 years. "We estimate revenue or EBITDA CAGR of 45 per cent/58 per cent over FY22-24E led by strong revenue recovery and aggressive store additions for Zudio and Westside." Mumbai, June 9 : Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhary is battling breast cancer as veteran actor Anupam Kher shared a video and called her a "hero". He shared a clip on Instagram and said that she wanted him to disclose the news to her fans. Posting the clip featuring Mahima, Anupam wrote: "Story of @mahimachaudhry1's courage and Cancer: I called #MahimaChaudhry a month back from US to play a very important role in my 525th film #TheSignature. Our conversation turned to her discovering that she has #BreastCancer." "What followed is in this candid conversation between us. Her attitude will give hope to so many women all over the world. She wanted me to be part of her disclosing about it. She calls me an eternal optimist but dearest Mahima! 'You are my HERO!' Friends! Send her your love, warmth, wishes, prayers and blessings." "She is BACK on sets where she belongs. She is ready to fly. All those producers/directors out there! Here is your opportunity to tap on her brilliance! Jai ho to her!! #Cancer #Courage #Hope #Prayersss." In the video, Mahima revealed that the 67-year-old actor called her to do his film when she was getting her treatment in the hospital. She said that she has been receiving calls for work but she couldn't say yes because she had no hair. She later broke down and said that she asked Anupam if she can do his film with a wig. Mahima added: "I had no symptoms of cancer and it was diagnosed in my routine checkups." The actress was last seen in the 2016 film 'Dark Chocolate'. Chennai, June 9 : AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has urged the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to invite the striking ration shop workers for talks. The Tamil Nadu Government Ration Shop Employees Association commenced a four-day strike on Tuesday. In a statement on Thursday, the senior AIADMK leader said that condiments low in quality were not getting sold in ration shops and that workers in these shops were being forced to buy them and that a sum of Rs 1,500 was being debited from their salaries. Panneerselvam in the statement said, "Activities like these have been going on for the past six months. I had issued a statement opposing this in January this year but the media reports that are coming out now make it clear that no action has been taken by this government in this matter." He said that this was like adding insult to injury as their dearness allowances have not been increased. Even though the ration shop workers have been raising their demands for raising their dearness allowances like state government employees and teachers since January this year, the government has turned a blind eye to this. The former Chief Minister said that instead of inviting the protesting staff for talks, the government was indulging in anti- labour practices by holding back their salaries on days they did not report for work. He said that the AIADMK would support the reasonable demands of the ration shop workers. He said, "A good government would be one which would stop forcing them to buy condiments from ration shops and invite them for talks to iron out the issues that have cropped up." The Deputy Leader of Opposition said that if the government attempts to crush the strike it will not be acceptable and is condemnable. Kabul, June 9 : A total of 5,159 Afghan refugees have returned from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran, the Taliban government's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs said on Thursday. Up to 4,986 Afghans returned via border crossing points in the western Nimroz and Herat provinces from Iran, and 173 undocumented refugees arrived in the southern Kandahar province from Pakistan, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying. The ministry noted that 1,880 of the returnees were introduced to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), to receive assistance and support. More than 740,000 Afghan refugees have returned or been deported to Afghanistan mainly from neighbouring countries since August 2021 when the Taliban took over the country, according to the latest figures from the Ministry. Ahwa : , June 9 (IANS) BJP MLA from Gujarat's Dangs, Vijay Patel has been sacked from the Shabridham temple trust. Trustees, however, in the official letter, have not given any satisfactory reason for his removal. But, in a telephonic conversation with IANS, one of the trustees, Kishor Gavit said, "Patel took Christian community members into the temple on June 6. It is against the rules of the temple trust, so this harsh action is taken against him. Vijay Patel was accompanying former tribal development minister Ganpatsinh Vasava, with whom three to four Christians were present in the Garbh dwar of the temple." Gavit told IANS that the motive behind building the Shabridham temple is to stop conversion of tribals to christianity. It was built in the memory of Ramayan's Shabri, the tribal woman, who fed Lord Ram berries. The temple was constructed in 2004, it is said that Shabri lived here during Ramayana time. "It is a baseless allegation against me. I have not taken any Christian into the temple, there is no such reason given in the sacking letter addressed to me, but I respect the temple trust's decision," said Vijay Patel, former trustee of the temple and Dangs MLA. Vijay Patel is associated with the party for two decades, he had won assembly elections on party symbol in 2007 from Dangs, but lost to Congress candidates in 2012 and 2017. After Congress MLA Mangal Gavit resigned in 2020 and joined BJP, in November 2020 by-elections, Vijay Patel won the elections with a margin of 60,095 votes. It is said that in this election, Christians and churches had extended support to the ruling party candidate Vijay Patel. New Delhi, June 9 : A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to S. Bhaskararaman, chartered accountant of Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, who was arrested by the CBI on May 19 in the Chinese visa scam case. A detailed order of the Special CBI judge of Rouse Avenue court will be made available later in the day. The Chinese visa case is an alleged scam perpetrated in 2011 when P. Chidambaram, father of Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram was the Union Home Minister. Last week, the court of special CBI judge M.K. Nagpal had denied the anticipatory bail applications moved by Karti and other accused persons in the case, including S. Bhaskar Raman, and Vikas Makharia, the associate vice-president of thermal power plant Talwandi Sabo Power. Karti also knocked the doors of the high court following the dismissal of his anticipatory bail plea by the lower court and the verdict in the matter has been reserved. In the last hearing in the trial court, senior advocate Kapil Sibal had argued that the alleged transaction was from 2011 and the ED registered the case after the lapse of a long time, pointing out that there was no investigation in all these years. The counsel also argued that the value of the alleged transaction was Rs 50 lakh, which was less than Rs 1 crore, and in view of this fact he should be granted bail. According to the FIR, the Mansa-based Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd took the help of a middleman and allegedly paid Rs 50 lakh to get visas issued for Chinese nationals to complete a project before the deadline. "The payment of the said bribe was routed from the Mansa-based private company to a private person in Chennai and his close associate through a Mumbai-based company as payment of false invoice raised for consultancy and out of pocket expenses for Chinese visa related works," the FIR read. --IANS/JW Tirupati, June 9 : Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana on Thursday inaugurated two special courts constituted to deal with red sanders cases. The special courts have come up at the Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) complex in the temple town. The CJI inaugurated Judicial Magistrate of First Class Court and a District Court. These are the first special courts set up in the state to deal with red sanders smuggling cases. The courts will help in the speedy disposal of the cases. This region bordering Tamil Nadu is notorious for red sander smuggling. The rise in smuggling cases has led to large pendency of the cases and keeping this in view the state government took the initiative to set up special courts. The chief justice later addressed a conference of district judges at SV University. He also inaugurated birth centenary celebrations of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao. Justice Ramana paid rich tributes to NTR, as the former chief minister was popularly known. He said three letters NTR gives immense power to Telugu-speaking people. The CJI said NTR was a leader who knew people's pulse and he implemented several schemes for the welfare of people. He said NTR formed the party not for his own interests but to serve the people. NTR always believed that the political party should have an ideology, policies and discipline. The CJI said after his retirement he plans to write a book on NTR. New York, June 9 : World's first trial, led by an Indian-American doctor, on a mRNA-based vaccine for pancreatic cancer has shown promise for remission. The new shot is developed by BioNTech based on the same technology used by the German biotech company along with its US partner Pfizer to develop vaccines against Covid-19. The groundbreaking trial led by Dr Vinod Balachandran at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York, showed that half of the patients remained cancer-free 18 months after having their tumours removed and receiving the jabs. The key to these vaccines appears to be proteins in the pancreatic tumours, called neoantigens, which alert the immune system to keep the cancer at bay, according to MSK. The promising results were also presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. In 8 of 16 patients studied, the vaccines activated T cells that recognise the patient's own pancreatic cancers. These patients also showed delayed recurrence of their pancreatic cancers, suggesting the T cells activated by the vaccines may be having the desired effect to keep pancreatic cancers in check. According to Balachandran, mRNA vaccines could stimulate the immune system to recognise and attack pancreatic cancer cells. "Unlike some of the other immunotherapies, these mRNA vaccines do appear to have the ability to stimulate immune responses in pancreatic cancer patients," Balachandran said of the promising preliminary results. "So we're very excited about that, and the early results suggest that if you have an immune response, you may have a better outcome." Balachandran added the results should be welcome news for other cancer patients too, as pancreatic cancer has been very difficult to treat with traditional chemotherapies and immunotherapies. The phase-I trial was also heralded as "encouraging" by BioNTech. "We are committed to taking up this challenge by leveraging our long-standing research in cancer vaccinology and are trying to break new ground in the treatment of such hard-to-treat tumours," BioNTech co-founder and chief medical officer Prof Ozlem Tureci said. A similar trial is also currently underway for bowel cancer - and Moderna, another Covid vaccine manufacturer, is also developing mNRA treatments for cancer and autoimmune conditions. Dubai, June 9 : Dubais tourism sector continues to recover fast after the Covid-19 pandemic as the Emirate recorded a massive increase in arrivals in the first four months of this year. According to the Dubai Media Office, the number of visitors to the city reached 5.1 million during January-April 2022, registering a major increase of 203 per cent. The increased flow of tourists helped improve hotel occupancy across the emirate, which reached 76 per cent during the period. Dubai received almost four million international overnight visitors between January and March 2022, a huge year-on-year growth of 214 per cent. The city also ranked No.1 globally in hotel occupancy in the first quarter of 2022, with 82 per cent. Foreign tourists' trust on the UAE and Dubai has further improved after successful handling of the pandemic and due to its status as a one of the world's safest cities. Recently, Dubai was rated the third safest city to travel for solo female travellers, thanks to a very low crime rate, according to a study by InsureMyTrip, a UK-based travel insurance company. STR Global's preliminary data has revealed that Dubai hotels recorded occupancy and average daily rates (ADR) that exceeded the 2019 Eid-al-Fitr comparables, according to preliminary data. Similarly, Dubai's occupancy came in at 75.4 per cent during the Eid, which was 19.7 per cent higher than the pre-pandemic comparable. Philip Wooller, STR's senior director for the Middle East and Africa, said Dubai saw rates over Dh700, which was up from Dh400 in 2019. Talking about Travel trends of tourists to UAE, Raheesh Babu, COO, Musafir.com said: "Right now, most people coming in are part of the VFR traffic (visit friends and family). As it is school vacation time in India right now, most families are here to spend their break with family and friends here. Summer is a busy time and inbound prices are increasing up to 30-35 per cent from India to UAE, mostly because there are multiple MICE events happening in the UAE. "July-August outbound travel to India from the UAE will pick up. We expect that the price will increase to 70-80 per cent compared to the 1st quarter as people are visiting their homes and families." San Francisco, June 9 : Elon Musk's SpaceX has successfully launched a satellite into orbit that will be operated by the Egyptian company Nilesat, in its 23rd rocket launch and landing of 2022. A two-stage Falcon 9 rocket carried Nilesat 301 to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Wednesday at 5:04 p.m. ET, the company posted on its website. This was the seventh launch and landing of this booster. It had previously supported the launch of two GPS satellites, two private crewed missions -- the September 2021 Inspiration4 mission to Earth orbit and Ax-1, which in April became the first all-private astronaut mission to go to the International Space Station. It also helped launch two Starlink missions, the company added. Nilesat 301 will operate from geostationary orbit, which lies about 35,800 kilometres above Earth. SpaceX has up to five more launches planned in June 2022, including an oddly secretive Globalstar mission and Starlink launch in mid-June. It also aims to fly SARah-1 and rideshare payloads no earlier than (NET) June 18; and the SES-22 communications satellite and Dragon's CRS-25 space station cargo delivery NET June 28, Teslarati.com reported. San Francisco, June 9 : With an aim to empower creators, Microsoft-owned LinkedIn is expanding its Clubhouse-style live audio feature. The company, which first launched live audio events in January, will now open up hosting capabilities to all creators. With the update, all LinkedIn creators who use the platform's "creator mode" will be able to host live audio events so long as they stay in line with the platform's "community policies of being a trustworthy, safe, and professional provider of content," reports Engadget. Though event hosting is currently limited to creators, any LinkedIn user is able to participate in the chats, the report said. Similar to Clubhouse, creators on LinkedIn can schedule their audio events in advance and share the upcoming talks with their network. The company said creators are already using audio features to expand their professional networks, connect with potential clients and reach new followers. Video-centric live events are also in the works, though LinkedIn has not given an update on when that will launch. The expansion comes as LinkedIn has significantly ramped up its efforts to become a more creator-centric platform, the report said. The company said more than 10 million people are using the site's creator mode, nearly double the 5.5 million who were using it in March, it added. Kolkata, June 9 : The Kolkata Police have arrested three persons in connection with the murder of a Gujarati couple near the residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Ashoke Shah (56) and his wife Rashmita Shah (52) were found murdered in their home, which is a km distance from the CM residence, on June 6. City police commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal told the mediapersons on Thursday that the three arrested were hired by a close relative of the slain couple. The persons arrested have been identified as Subodh Kumar Singh, Jatin Mehta and Ratnakar Nath and all of them are residents of Liluah in Howrah district. Of the three, Singh has prior criminal records. "Ashoke Shah had lent some money to a close relative of his son-in-law. However, there was a recent dispute over that money as Shah was asking that close relative to return the borrowed money. So, we presume that the relative had been planning the murder for quite some time. That relative is currently absconding," he said. The police commissioner also said that on the day of the murder that particular relative visited the residence of the slain couple. "The slain couple allowed him to enter and also offered drinking water. At that point of time heated discussions broke out between the two over the money lent. Precisely at the time, the assassins barged in and murdered the Shah couple," the city police commissioner said. Ashoke Shah and his wife Rashmita Shah hailed from a Gujarati business family based out of Kolkata. The deceased couple's daughter had been trying to contact them over the phone on Monday morning. After getting no response, she reached the residence in the evening and found the main door open. On entering the house, she found the bodies of her parents in a pool of blood. There were multiple sharp weapon and bullet injuries on their bodies. Moscow, June 9 : Western countries are increasingly pushing Moldova to cooperate with NATO, despite the neutral status enshrined in the constitution of the state. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, the media reported. Earlier, the ex-president of Moldova, Igor Dodon, warned that the authorities of the republic were preparing its military and political accession to Romania. This will be done contrary to the opinion of citizens, the politician believes. According to experts, such a scenario is indeed being considered in Chisinau, RT reported. The reason for the absorption of Moldova by Romania could be the "Russian threat", as well as the hopeless situation in the Moldovan economy. Such a merger of countries is capable of launching dangerous processes in the region, analysts believe, RT reported. With the start of the Russian special military operation (SVO), Western countries are increasingly pushing Chisinau towards closer cooperation with NATO. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, speaking at a briefing. This activity implies the transfer of weapons to the Moldovan side, she explained. "Strengthening one's own security is a sovereign right and an internal affair of any state, but it is unlikely that pumping Moldova with NATO weapons will meet this task, as well as correspond to the country's neutrality," Zakharova stressed, recalling that neutrality is fixed in the Moldovan constitution. Maria Zakharova also commented on the border bill approved by the government of Moldova, according to which foreigners can be involved in protecting the borders of the republic. In addition, the document provides for the creation of legal conditions for the work in the country of mission of the EU border and coast guard agency FRONTEX (European Union Agency for the Security of External Borders) to manage the flow of Ukrainian refugees. "I would like to hope that everything will be limited to this, we will closely monitor the activities of this structure in Moldova," Zakharova said, RT reported. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Geneva, June 9 : Mysterious case of acute hepatitis in kids has infected about 700 children in 34 countries and claimed 10 lives, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The cause behind the liver disease that was first reported in the UK in April, remains unknown, baffling scientists. So far, the five viruses - A, B, C, D and E - that commonly cause hepatitis have not been detected in any of these cases. "More than 700 probable cases have now been reported to WHO from 34 countries, and a further 112 cases are under investigation. At least 38 of these children have needed liver transplants, and 10 have died," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, during a media briefing. The WHO, he said, continues to work with countries to investigate the cause of hepatitis in these children. Meanwhile, at the recently held World Hepatitis Summit 2022 the global health body along with World Hepatitis Alliance urged action to eliminate viral hepatitis. It is estimated 354 million people globally are still living with this life-threatening infection and at least one person dies from viral hepatitis every 30 seconds. That's over 1 million deaths per year -- a greater toll than that from HIV and malaria combined. At the 2016 World Health Assembly, world countries had made a historic commitment to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Timely access to the hepatitis B birth dose is still low in many low- and middle-income countries. Lack of awareness, limited political commitment, as well as stigma and discrimination continue to stop people accessing testing and care. "Hepatitis is one of the most devastating diseases on earth, but it's also one of the most preventable and treatable, with services that can be delivered easily and cheaply at the primary health care level," Ghebreyesus said, at the Summit. "Many of the reasons people miss out on those services are the same reasons they miss out on services for other health challenges -- accessibility and affordability, because of who they are, where they live or how much they earn. "We call on all countries to commit to realising the dream of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, as part of a broader commitment to universal health coverage based on strong primary health care," the WHO chief said. Bhubaneswar, June 9 : Odisha vigilance has arrested Rajat Kumar Routray, ex-nazir of Jajpur tahasil who was absconding since 2016, for his involvement in irregularities & misappropriation of government fund to the tune of Rs 4.95 crore, a vigilance official said on Thursday. The financial irregularity was noticed during an audit conducted by a special team of Board of Revenue, Odisha, in 2016. On the basis of audit report, vigilance had initiated inquiry into the case. It found that the nazir was involved in the fraud during the period from April, 2006 to April, 2016 in connivance with other officials of the Jajpur Tahasil, said Akshya Kumar Mishra, vigilance SP (Cuttack division). When his involvement in the case came to fore, Routray had absconded. He had cut all contact with his family and close relations and remained untraceable all these years, by changing his name and identity, and frequently changing his address and mobile numbers, said Mishra. However, he said, a month back a special team was formed by Odisha vigilance to trace and nab the nazir who was found to be the kingpin of the case. Following sustained efforts, in an early morning raid on Thursday he was found in a rented house at CDA, Cuttack along with his second wife. When the vigilance team reached the house, Routray and his wife locked themselves inside and the nazir climbed a dark narrow pipeline passage going from the kitchen room and hid himself under the terrace. The vigilance officials broke open the door and after a thorough search managed to trace him hiding in the hole, said the official. Three cases have been registered against Routray and former tahsildars Laxmikanta Mishra, Gourahari Behera & Mamata Barik, ex-nazir, Sarat Chandra Barik and others. Notably, Routray has already been dismissed from service by the Odisha government following registration of this case. Los Angeles, June 9 : 'Flash' star Ezra Miller continues to be bombarded by legal troubles as parents of an 18-year-old named Tokata Iron Eyes filed paperwork asking a judge to issue an order of protection against the actor on behalf of their child, reports 'Deadline'. The filing, accessed by 'Deadline' states, "Ezra uses violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions, and drugs to hold sway over a young adolescent Tokata." The 18-year-old's parents allege the two met at Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota when their child was just 12. The parents allege Miller gave Tokata alcohol and drugs, flew the child to London and to places such as Vermont, New York, California and Hawaii. It was in Hawaii that Miller was arrested twice earlier this year, once for an altercation in a bar and another time for second-degree assault. 'The Flash' comes out in theatres on June 23, 2023. Miller also appeared in Warner Bros' 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', but is not linked to the franchise going forward. 'Deadline' further states that a hearing has been set next month to address the parents' filing. Mumbai, June 9 : The short film 'Silvat' starring Kartik Aaryan is all set to release on Zindagi channel on June 12. Set in the late '90s, the film tells the story of Noor and Anwar who share a passionate love for each other but are bound by societal norms and fidelity. A saga of forbidden love, it perfectly encapsulates the misery incomplete love brings with it. Starring Kartik Aaryan and Meher Mistry as Anwar and Noor, the film features one of Aaryan's most laudable performances. Talking about the film, Kartik Aaryan said," 'Silvat' is a very very special film and it will always be extremely close to my heart. Anwar's character is unlike all the other characters that I have played in my career so far. This is a film that I shot 6 years back and I cannot believe it's being showcased again. "It feels really overwhelming and validating as an actor to see your old work getting that kind of appreciation, so many years down the lane too. The film perfectly depicts the emotional turmoil that the characters go through. "From the script, dialogue to the music, each element plays a vital role in bringing the film together and that's what is so beautiful about it," he further added. This social drama is directed by noted filmmaker Tanuja Chandra, who is known for creating female-centric films including movies like 'Qarib Qarib Single' and 'Dushman'. Talking about the film's journey, director Tanuja said, "I am thrilled that a film that is such a special one for me, is finally going to be seen by audiences on their television screens at home. This is the reason we tell stories - to share them with people, and a love story that's filled with intensity and emotions is something that invariably speaks to peoples' own, personal experiences." The film has been written by Faraz Ansari, who is known to tell stories on social issues like LGBTQ rights through his movies and has been acknowledged for his films 'Sheer Qorma', 'Sisak', 'Stanley Ka Dabba'. 'Silvat' will be avilable on Zindagi's value added service DTH platforms Tata Play, and 117 on Dish TV and D2H service. -- Syndicated from IANS Chennai, June 9 : Like a boy filled with suspense and waiting for the cracker to burst after its fuse was lit, the over 1,000 units of firecracker industry in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is waiting in suspense with their fingers crossed. The final hearing of the case against the industry will be heard by the Supreme Court next month. The Supreme Court's decision will determine the fate of the industry that feeds about eight lakh families, industry officials told IANS. "The final hearing is to be held next month. We hope something good happens for the industry and the lakhs of families who are dependent on it. We feel more for the environment, but there is some other interest that is playing against the industry," A. Asaithambi, President, Sivakasi Fireworks Manufacturers Association (SFMA) told IANS. Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the country's firecracker production, and has 1,070 firecracker units located in and around the city. About 300,000 workers are directly employed whereas another 500,000 workers are in the allied sectors. Asaithambi said as per a detailed study made by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), the pollution from firecrackers ranks at 26th, way below of other sectors that contribute to the air pollution of Delhi like the automobile, thermal power stations, construction activities, stubble burning in Punjab and others. "The industry is being targeted and being made a fall guy," Asaithambi added. According to him, crackers are burst for only two days in a year, that is during the Hindu festival Diwali. "Diwali is the only festival that is being celebrated across the country by crores of people. And firecrackers are an integral part of the festival celebration. Taking that out of the festival will dilute the core spirit," he added. Industry officials feel that the apex court was misled about the barium nitrate chemical that is used to manufacture several traditional firecrackers like sparklers, flower pots and others. Barium nitrate chemical is used by several industries like welding electrodes, tyres and others. Nowhere in the world the use of barium nitrate in making firecrackers has been banned, industry officials told IANS. According to A. Murali, Executive Committee Member of SFMA and part of Lord Fireworks, the ban on barium nitrate has resulted in straight 30 per cent cut in the production. With the apex court banning the joint crackers, the industry production is only about 40 per cent of what it used to be, Murali said. He said the lowest denomination of joint crackers is the small 28 crackers manufactured by 80 per cent of the manufacturers. That got eliminated due to the ban. "These 28 wala joint crackers are poor men's crackers, which have almost zero pollutants. They are used for temple festivals, small functions, and even used by farmers to scare away the birds and animals in agricultural fields. Banning them in the name of pollution is a total injustice to them," Murali said. S. Srinivasan, a past office bearer of TANFAMA (Tamil Nadu Fireworks & Amorses Manufacturers Association) said: "The Supreme Court of India has been misled on the Permissible Exposure Limit of Barium used in the manufacture of fireworks. In a workplace environment where Barium is used all through the shift for 8 hours or 10 hours, - as in a Barium calcination factory, an industrial unit where Barium laden welding rod is used, a tyre factory there's continuous emission/discharge of effluents and concentration of Barium in the air and workers are continuously exposed to Barium, the permissible exposure is determined across the globe as 0.5 milligram/cubic meter, in other words as 500 microgram/cubic meter. For 24-hour exposure, the value was reduced by 125 times and wrongly fixed at 4 micrograms per cubic meter. When the court restricted the usage of fireworks only to 2 hours, the error widened." Industry officials also question the efficacy of the formulation provided by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to make green crackers. "The NEERI claims that using its formulation in firecracker manufacturing the emission levels will go down by 30 per cent. The emission reduction is said to be 30 per cent of the earlier levels. This is not scientific," Asaithambi and other industry officials told IANS. "The proper scientific way of bringing down the emissions is to fix the maximum levels. The industry will then come out with their products. Without fixing the base level emissions and saying that the use of new formulations would reduce the emissions by 30 per cent is not scientific," Rajendra Raja, Vice President, Indian Fireworks Manufacturers' Association, had told IANS. Asaithambi said the government should lay down the emission/smoke norms so that industry which knows about the chemicals and the product can come out with a solution. Other industry officials concur with him citing how the norms for noise levels of the firecrackers were brought in. According to the industry officials, forcing the manufacturers to use the NEERI formulations will result in a monopoly situation. The production value of firecracker factories in Sivakasi is about Rs 2,500 crore and the retail sales value may be about Rs 6,000 crore. For a long time, the fireworks industry has been a target in different forms. First, the manufacturers were targeted for child labour and it was followed up with the noise pollution charge. With the noise pollution issue getting resolved with the laying down of the norms, the industry is being charged with polluting the air. "The next charge may be that the brightness emitted by the firecrackers are injurious to the human eyes," commented an industry player. The industry players and common people are of the view that Hindu festival Diwali is being targeted by vested interests. Manufacturers say that Sivakasi would have turned into a ghost city long back if firecrackers were the reason for air pollution in Delhi. On an average, the industry players daily burst around Rs 1,00,000 worth of crackers for testing purposes, but people breathe good air and there are different kinds of birds in Sivakasi, industry officials said. "The automobile industry was given a long buffer time to shift over to the BS VI emission norms. But the fireworks industry was not given any norms or time to change over," a manufacturer said. Asaithambi said the government should lay down the emission/smoke norms so that industry which knows about the chemicals and the product can come out with a solution. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Los Angeles, June 9 : Hollywood star Johnny Depp has been caught looking worse for wear when leaving his hotel in the UK, days after his ex Amber Heard was found guilty of defaming him. In photographs which have circulated on the web, the actor looked disheveled as he needed some assistance when leaving The Grand Hotel Birmingham in England. The 59-year-old was escorted out by one of his bodyguards, reports aceshowbiz.com Sporting an eye-catching black and white checked blazer with a scarf around his neck, the 'Alice in Wonderland' star had messy hair. He completed the look with black jeans, black shoes, aviator-style sunglasses as he accessorised with some rings. Depp carried a white mug, which seemed to be empty, as one man held onto his right arm and another stood close behind him while he made his way out of the hotel. He was greeted by an army of fans who were waiting outside the hotel and he made sure to return the love by waving to them. He has been mobbed by his fans everywhere he goes following the well-publicised trial. A source tells Page Six his security team was keeping him safe and away from the "large crowds." The so-called insider adds, "Everywhere he goes, he's getting mobbed by fans." One day before leaving the hotel, Johnny celebrated his victory in the defamation case with a curry feast. He reportedly spent up to $62,000 at the Varanasi restaurant in Birmingham on Sunday night during a dinner with his musician friend Jeff Beck and around 20 guests. Chennai, June 9 : The delegates of the National Chess Federations of Russia and Belarus can vote in the upcoming Presidential elections of the International Chess Federation, or FIDE as it is commonly known. It may be recalled that FIDE had suspended Russian and Belarusian chess teams from participating in its competitions earlier this year owing to Russia's military action in Ukraine. As a result, Russian and Belarusian chess teams will not be playing in the 44th Chess Olympiad to be held at Mahabalipuram near here in July-August. However, FIDE has clarified that the National Chess Federations of Russia and Belarus have not been suspended and hence their delegates can vote in the Presidential elections to be held alongside the Olympiad. According to FIDE, to this date they are not suspended member federations with regard to the elections for the President and members of the FIDE Council, of the Zone Presidents, and of the members of the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission and of the Constitutional Commission (FIDE Continents can organise their internal elections in accordance with their internal rules). Incumbent President Arkady Dvorkovich is standing for re-election while former World Champion India's Viswanathan Anand will be contesting for the Deputy President's post. Anand, who is in good form now, will not be part of the Indian Olympiad team. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Kolkata, June 9 : The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered CBI probe into a case of murder in which a Trinamool Congress leader in West Bengal's Howrah district was killed in 2011. Trinamool leader Tapan Dutta was allegedly killed for voicing protest against the illegal filling up of water bodies near his residence at Bally in Howrah district. Initially, the local police began probing the matter and later, the probe process was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal police. However, Tapan Dutta's wife, Pratima Dutta and his daughter, Puja Dutta approached the Calcutta High Court demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry and alleged that the Trinamool Congress leader was killed by his own party men. Finally, their 11-year long legal battle on this count came to an end as the Calcutta High Court bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered a CBI probe into the matter. Tapan Dutta had also floated "Save Howrah Waterbody Committee", which organised protests against any sort of illegal filling up of water bodies to make room for illegal real estate business. He was shot dead near his residence on May 6, 2011 just days after the Trinamool Congress came to power in West Bengal ousting the 34-year-long Left Front rule. The CID after taking over the case in August 2011 filed two chargesheets. In the first chargesheet, it named a number of influential Trinamool Congress leaders and MLAs from Howrah district such as Arup Roy and Shashti Gayen. However, in September, the CID filed another chargesheet, deleting the names of these Trinamool Congress leaders. These two contradictory chargesheets were also questioned by Justice Mantha while ordering a CBI probe into the matter. Justice Mantha also observed that the probe agencies of the state have failed in effective investigation, and in arresting the culprits. "There is thus, an urgent and immediate need to instil public faith in the investigation and trial, which proves sufficient incentive for a change in the investigation agency," Justice Mantha observed in his order. Reacting to the High Court order, Pratima Dutta told the media that she is quite satisfied with the Calcutta High Court order. "The order has come as a slap on the state government. I will wait for the CBI to complete the probe. But I want my husband's assassins to be behind the bars," she said. Srinagar, June 9 : Educational institutions across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday observed 'two-minute silence' in memory of Rajni Bala, a teacher who was killed by the terrorists in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on May 31. The school children in the morning assembly observed two-minute silence to remember Rajni Bala and pay tributes to her on her tenth day since her death. Earlier, the School Education Department, on Wednesday ordered to observe a 'two-minute silence' in the morning assembly in all schools across the UT as a bid to mark the observance of the 10th day since the death of Rajni Bala. Rajni Bala, who hails from Samba district in Jammu division was posted in Government High School Gopalpora in Kulgam district where she was killed by the terrorists on May 31. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited the family of Rajni Bala at her residence in Samba. He met the husband and other family members of Rajni Bala and expressed condolences on her death. The Lieutenant Governor assured the family of Rajni Bala for every possible help from the Government. In a bid to pay respects to Rajni Bala, the government has also decided to name the Government High School in the Gopalpora area of South Kashmir's Kulgam after her name. Srinagar, June 9 : The Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council (AC), which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, approved the proposal of winding up the Department of Stationery and Office Supplies, an official said on Thursday. The decision has been taken in consideration of the fact that the General Financial Rules 2017 mandate the purchase of common use goods and services from the GEM portal. Accordingly, all departments are making purchases through the GEM portal, thus making the Department of Stationery and Office Supplies non-functional. Presently, the department has two stationery depots each at Jammu and Srinagar and 12 sub-depots at Doda, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Leh and Kargil. The department has a sanctioned strength of five Gazetted officials, 113 non-Gazetted officials and 52 class IV employees. The Administrative Council decided to close the Department and transfer its infrastructure and manpower to the other departments, as per need, for their optimal utilisation. Earlier, the Department of Stationery and Office Supplies was the nodal agency for procurement of stationery/paper and binding items for their onward supply to all the government/semi-government departments; issued rate contract for copy printers, fax machines, toners, cartridges etc; and appointed a government auctioneer. However, the advancements in IT interventions have made all these functions simpler, obviating the necessity of maintaining a specialised cadre for the purpose. Bengaluru, June 9 : Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday filed a complaint with Bengaluru Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy demanding seizure of the Okalipuram masjid from where Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Talib Hussain was arrested. VHP leaders Tejas Gowda, Govardhan and Shivakumar have submitted a complaint to the top police official of Bengaluru in this regard. "The masjid where terror element Talib Hussain was given shelter must be seized. Action must be initiated against those who sheltered him and gave him SIM cards," the complaint said. They have also urged the Police Commissioner to gather inputs on terrorist activities in the city. The Hindu leaders brought to the notice of the Police Commissioner that if any Hindu festival is to be celebrated, the organisers have to struggle. Arrested terrorist Talib Hussain lived with his family in Bengaluru with wife and children for the past two years. He went on to get shelter at Okalipuram Mosque. He was finally arrested in a joint operation by the armed forces, police from Jammu and Kashmir along with Karnataka police department. The operation was carried out on June 3. Even as key person of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen Talib stayed in Bengaluru in disguise, the Internal Security Division (ISD), intelligence wing, Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATC) had no idea about his presence. The debate of Bengaluru being a sleeper cell for terrorists and anti-national forces has come to the forefront with arrest of Talib Hussain. The questions are also raised on how could Talib Hussain, the terrorist could stay for 3 years without coming into the radar of intelligence agencies. The authorities are on high alert, as the state is passing through a sensitive phase and unrest. Sources say that the news of the hijab crisis and ban of hijab in classrooms has made international headlines. They can't take any chances with the security. The VHP leaders also alleged that, "Muslims celebrate their festivals without obtaining permission from the police department. There are violations of rules during Ramzan festival and investigation has to be conducted in this direction also," they demanded. It is clarified in the complaint that they have no objection to performing namaz. But, it has to be done in designated places and by prayers the public should not be troubled. Govardhan, VHP leader, stated that Muslims had blocked roads during Ramzan festival without any permission from the authorities. He also demanded that these violations should not be permitted in the upcoming festival of Bakrid. June 09 : The leading actress of south India, Keerthy Suresh, proved her acting prowess in the film Mahanati, for which she won the National Award for Best Actress. Apart from acting, she is also known for her simple yet elegant style. The fashionista can pull off any look, whether traditional or modern. Keerthy Suresh is giving us major fashion goals with her latest Instagram posts. The award-winning actress took to Instagram and shared a picture of herself in a trendy look. The 29-year-old looked chic as she posed, smiling in an orange Kimberly ribbed jersey midi dress. The dress is sleeveless with side slits. She has paired it with white Zara high-top sneakers and a white fanny pack with brack straps. Her eyes are covered with black shades as she basks in the sun. Her hair styled in beach waves and minimal makeup rounded off the look. On the work front, the actress was last seen in the Telugu film 'Sarkaru Vaari Paata' with Mahesh Babu. She is now all geared up for the release of her Malayalam film 'Vaashi' with Tovino Thomas, directed by Vishnu G Raghav, which is scheduled to release on June 17. The song Rithuragam from the movie premiered on Tuesday and is trending at number 3 on Youtube. Maamannan, a Tamil political thriller, stars Keerthy and Fahadh Fasil. She will also appear in 'Dasara,' helmed by Srikanth Odella, opposite Nani. Telugu action-drama 'Bhola Shankar' by Meher Ramesh will also feature the actress in the lead role. Bengaluru, June 9 : After Jamia Masjid in Srirangapatna, Malali Masjid in Dakshina Kannada, and Peer Shah Dargah in Bidar, Karnataka is seeing another row loom large over another site - the Eidgah Maidan in Bengaluru. Though the state was passing through a phase of communal unrest following the hijab crisis and series of related events, the capital city, known as IT and BT hub of the country, had remained immune to all these. However, now Hindu organisations have taken objection over the Eidgah Maidan in Chamrajpet area "being treated as the property of minorities" and decided to celebrate the Independence Day on August 15 in the grounds and hoist the tricolour. They have also taken a decision to celebrate Yoga Day on June 21 on the grounds. Hindu activist Pathapat Srinivas on Thursday said that Hindu leaders are meeting Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai with a request to hoist the 'tiranga' (tricolour) and celebrate the Yoga Day there. "Congress MLA from Chamaraj Pet, Zameer Ahmad Khan, has been repeatedly making speeches that he would get the biggest masjid in Bengaluru constructed in 2.5 acres of Edgah Maidan. There are plans of putting Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah to contest elections from Chamrajpet," he alleged. Srinivas also claimed that the Supreme Court judgment in connection with the Eidgah Maidan was "tampered with". "There are corrections and no short signatures are found in the order. There will be mention of the number of corrections, which are not found," he said. "The Bengaluru civic agency had not contested the claims of the opposite party in the Supreme Court, which upheld the injunction order of the High Court not allowing constructions in Edgah Maidan by the civic agency," he added. "We will demand from CM Bommai that Edgah Maidan should be preserved as a public property and cultural activities of all religions must be permitted," Srinivas said. The Hindu activists have vented out their ire on the police department for not allowing celebration of the Hindu festivals and programmes in the grounds. After the row came to the front, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has stated that the Edgah Maidan is one of the play grounds owned by it in the city. However, Muslim leaders vehemently argue that it is a property of the Wakf Board. They are also stating that they will not allow the celebration of Yoga Day at any cost on the premises. Hindu activists have met BBMP's Special Commissioner Rangappa on Thursday seeking permission for the celebration of the Independence Day and Yoga Day. The Sri Rama Sene, Vishwa Sanatan Parishad, and Vande Mataram Samaja Seva Samsthe have also submitted applications in this regard. However, Muslim leaders are opposing this and stating that they will hoist Indian tricolour and will not let anyone to step in there. In turn, Hindu activists are planning to demand removal of the religious structure (two minarets with the wall) from the Eidgah Grounds as it does not belong to one religious group. Muslim leaders say that this will be resisted. Patna, June 9 : With help from Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, a two-and-half-year old child from Bihar's Nawada got a new lease of life on Thursday. The little girl named Chahumukhi was born with four additional hands and legs in her body. Her parents, who work as daily wage labourers in Nawada, had gone to the SDO office few days ago seeking help for Chahumukhi's surgery. While their efforts didn't yield any immediate result, an onlooker made a video of Chahumukhi and uploaded it on social media. After Sonu Sood saw the video, he sent his team to Nawada to contact Chahumukhi's parents. With his initiative, Chahumukhi was taken to a private hospital in Surat for the surgery. The doctors have now carried out the surgery successfully. The entire expenses were borne by Sonu Sood. Following the successful operation of the child, Sonu Sood tweeted a photograph of Chahumukhi who could be seen resting on the hospital bed. The actor said: "One of the toughest surgeries of the country is successful." He also thanked the Kiran Hospital in Surat and the doctors for the successful surgery. Chahumukhi's parents, who are natives of Hemda village under Warshaliganj block in Nawada district, thanked Sood for giving their daughter a new life. Mumbai, June 9 : A Special PMLA court on Thursday rejected appeals filed by two NCP Maharashtra lawmakers seeking release on bail for one day to cast their votes in the Rajya Sabha elections on June 10, spelling a setback for the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi. The two leaders are Minister Nawab Malik and former minister Anil Deshmukh, both arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and currently in judicial custody in different cases of money-laundering lodged against them. The duo - which had filed the bail plea last week - has decided to appeal against the ruling of special PMLA court Judge R.N. Rokade, in the Bombay High Court soon. Opposing their bail applications, the ED contended that prisoners do not have voting rights under the Representation of the People Act. Shortly after the verdict, state Nationalist Congress Party President and Minister Jayant Patil expressed dismay over the special court verdict and said they the two are merely accused in the cases and still not convicted, hence they should have been allowed to cast their votes. While Deshmukh was nabbed on November 2, 2021, Malik was arrested on February 23 this year pertaining to different cases of alleged money-laundering filed against them. Friday's RS elections are crucial with 7 candidates in the fray for 6 seats, where every vote would be critical to determine the victory of the ruling Shiv Sena's Sanjay Pawar and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party's Dhananjay Mahadik pitted against each other. New Delhi, June 9 : The National Medical Commission, in its draft professional conduct regulations, has proposed doctors may refuse treatment in case of abusive and violent patients or relatives. The registered medical practitioner (RMP) attending the patient will be fully accountable for his actions, as per the draft regulations. "The RMP who attends to the patient will be fully accountable for his actions and entitled to the appropriate fees. In case of abusive, unruly, and violent patients or relatives, the RMP can document and report the behaviour and refuse to treat the patient. Such patients should be referred for further treatment elsewhere," the draft regulationsproposed. The draft further says that a RMP is free to choose whom he will serve, except in case of a life-threatening emergency. However, it adds that once a case is accepted, the RMP should neither neglect the patient nor withdraw from the case without giving adequate notice to the patient and his family. The regulation has also proposed that if a change of RMP is needed, for example, the patient needs a procedure done by another RMP, consent should be obtained from the patient themselves or the guardian. The RMP who attends to the patient will be fully accountable for his actions and entitled to the appropriate fees. It has also specified that the use of alcohol or other intoxicants during duty or off-duty which can affect professional practice will be considered as misconduct. Bengaluru, June 9 : Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has written a letter to the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) MLAs, seeking their votes for the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. "Befitting answer has to be given to the ruling BJP. Hence, JD-S legislators must support the second candidate of the Congress, Mansoor Ali Khan," he said. "The Congress supported JD-S which had 37 MLAs and made H.D. Kumaraswamy the Chief Minister. JD-S has announced its candidate (Kupendra Reddy) a day after the Congress declared its second candidate, even as the party does not have required numbers to win the Rajya Sabha seat. This has pained us," Siddaramaiah stated. The former Karnataka Chief Minister said the BJP is spoiling the diversity and peace, and has insulted the respected personalities on the pretext of textbook revision. "You (JD-S MLAs) have to utilise the opportunity of Rajya Sabha elections and answer the communal BJP in a befitting manner by supporting Congress," he said. The senior Congress leader further said the country is treading on a dangerous path. "There is an attack on social justice, fraternity, secular values, and constitutional objectives. By these developments, the democracy in the country is at stake," he wrote in the letter. "When the opportunity came for H.D. Deve Gowda to become the Prime Minister, the Congress had supported his candidature," he said. "We hoped the JD-S would support the Congress candidate and put up the second candidate. However, the JD-S announced its candidate the next day and shocked us. Being secular parties, JD-S and Congress should ensure the victory of Mansoor Ali Khan, the second candidate fielded by Congress party," he said. However, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of JD-S has stated that it is not possible to support the Congress candidate at this juncture. "There is no discussion on the issue so far," he said. Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled to be held on June 10. Union Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman, and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh are contesting the polls. Chennai, June 9 : Tamil Nadu's PMK, the political arm of the powerful Vanniyar community, on Thursday said that the hike in the minimum support price for paddy is not enough. Founder-leader, Dr. S. Ramadoss, in a statement, noted that the MSP for paddy, common, and A-grade varieties was increased to Rs 2,040 and 2,160 a quintal, and with the state government's incentive price, would be procured at Rs 2,115 and Rs 2,160 respectively, but even though the revision was higher than that of the previous year, it was of no benefit to the farmers. He urged the Central and state governments to increase the MSP and the incentive price so that paddy could be procured at Rs 3,000 per quintal. Such procurement only will benefit the farmers of the state who are reeling under severe crop loss and the backlog of debts of the pandemic period, he said. "When the cost of production of paddy is estimated to be around Rs 1,986 a quintal, this year only if the MSP is fixed at Rs 2,979 a quintal, by fixing a profit of 50% on top of production cost, it will be beneficial to the farmers to some extent." The PMK leader said that the party would conduct awareness programmes on the woes of the paddy farmers and why the minimum support price fixed by the state government for this year was not enough for their survival. Bengaluru, June 9 : The Karnataka Congress on Thursday staged a protest near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Vidhana Soudha premises condemning the revision of syllabus in the state by the BJP government. Congress leaders under the leadership of state unit chief D.K. Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah demanded that the revision exercise must be dropped and the revised textbooks should not be put into use. Shivakumar also demanded that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai should immediately resign for 'tarnishing' the state's image at the international level by disrupting peace in the society on the pretext of revising the syllabus. The Congress workers raised slogans against the BJP for 'saffronisation' of education. They also demanded the arrest of the Revision Committee Chairman, Rohith Chakrathirtha. The state Congress workers also threatened to continue with their protests if the revised syllabus for Kannada (Class 1 to 10) and social science (Class 6 to 10) is not dropped. Siddaramaiah further accused the BJP of 'poisoning' the minds of children. Kochi, June 9 : The Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea filed by Swapna Suresh and P.S. Sarith on the grounds that the charges against her are bailable and hence her plea was rejected. Sarith is not even an accused in the case which was filed on Wednesday. She, the prime accused in the gold smuggling case on Thursday filed an anticipatory bail plea after the Kerala Police registered a case against her on Wednesday. On Tuesday, she revealed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his wife and their daughter have all played a role in smuggling of gold and currency. On Wednesday, she again repeated her allegations and said she said all this in her confession statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC at Kochi on Monday and Tuesday. When the Congress and the BJP took up the issue and demanded Vijayan's resignation, former State Minister and CPI-M supported Independent MLA K.T. Jaleel filed a case against Swapna and former seven time MLA P.C. George that they are airing baseless allegations against Vijayan to tarnish the image of the government. On Wednesday evening after the case was filed, the Kerala Police registered an FIR against the two and charged them for conspiracy to create violence and it was against this that Swapna and Sarith, also an accused in the gold smuggling case filed an anticipatory bail plea fearing arrest by the police. In the court, the counsel for the state government pointed out that Sarith is not even an accused and also said that the plea was filed merely to get some false information available to the public domain. In her bail petition she had pointed out that one Shaj Kiran had approached her stating that he was close to Vijayan and CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and threatened of dire consequences if she does not withdraw her statements and in lieu of that she should issue a fresh statement absolving Vijayan and his family. But denying of having ever said such a thing, Kiran told the media that he was a good friend of Swapna whom he came to know about 52 days back. "We have a different relation and she is known to my wife and father also. I went and saw her yesterday and spoke to her even today. I have never met either Vijayan or Balakrishnan. All what I said to her is if she doesn't have substantial evidence, then it might go against her. I said this just as any friend would do," said Kiran. Swapna then met the media from her office at Palakkad and said Kiran is and was a friend of mine. "A few days back he was with us and when we were having dinner he said tomorrow Sarith will be picked up by the police. And on Wednesday from noon to night he was with me and said the next day a person called Nikesh Kumar who is the voice of Vijayan will come and meet me and all I should do is to hand over my mobile to him and when done, my travel ban will be lifted and I will have nothing to fear in my cases anymore," said Swapna. "When I was with Kiran from noon till midnight, Kiran got more than 50 calls from two additional director generals of police Vigilance - M.R. Ajithkumar and additional director general of police - Law and Order, whose name I don't know. Tomorrow the audio clip of Kiran will probably be released by my lawyer. When you hear that everything will be very clear and if I am still alive tomorrow, we can again meet and you (media) can ask me again," added Swapna who pointed out that she decided to file an anticipatory bail plea fearing harassment by the police. Meanwhile, the counsel of Swapna said he told the court that the police might even arrest her. "When I told this to the court, the court asked me to file a petition to the same. Tomorrow we will file a petition to quash the case that has been registered against Swapna as such things can never happen anywhere except in Vijayan's domain and that's why strange things are happening," said R. Krishna Raj, counsel of Swapna. New Delhi, June 9 : With India reporting a sudden rise in the number Covid-19 cases for a second day in a row, doctors said on Thursday that Omicron sub-variants are behind the spike in Covid caseload. The Union Health Ministry said on Thursday that India registered 7,240 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, up from 5,233 infections logged the previous day. Maharashtra reported 2,701 fresh cases, its highest infection count since January 25, while Kerala reported 2,271 new cases in the last 24 hours. The national capital reported 564 cases. Although the cases are rising sharply, doctors are calling them mild, noting that the symptoms resolve within 2-3 days, and require no hospitalisation. "I have observed that the recent Covid positive patients are getting better in 48 to 72 hours. Nobody has required any Remdesivir or immunotherapy. Patients are not having major complications," Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine at Global Hospital, Mumbai, told IANS. Agarwal credited vaccination to be the reason for low severity. "This is a mild wave compared to January. Or we can say this is the mildest wave of Covid that we have seen," Agarwal said. Satish Koul, Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, told IANS that he is seeing patients with Covid symptoms in OPD on a regular basis. The symptoms begin with "fever, sore or scratchy throat, body ache, fatigue, followed by cough and throat irritation", Koul told IANS. The symptoms are similar to those seen in Omicron, "but with a possibility of a sub-strain". The sub-variant is "demonstrating immune escape, meaning it's evading vaccine induced immunity and immunity gained with previous Covid-19 infection", he added. According to Sushila Kataria, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, the new cases are "of Omicron lineage, possibly the BA.2 variant". Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have reportedly detected cases of BA 4 and BA 5 strains of Omicron. However, people are getting better with home medication and "there is no need to panic". "If you wear a mask and follow all the Covid protocols, it will help you to not fall sick. People should follow the protocols even if the government has not made them mandatory," the doctors said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chennai, June 9 : A group of archaeologists who were on a research purpose in a cave near Ikuntham in Kothapalli Village of Krishnagiri has stumbled upon rock arts, black and red ancient pottery, and microlithic tools belonging to different historical periods. The rock arts which are two metres long and one metre tall, depict some religious activity. In the art, a group of people is seen standing carrying weapons in their hands while offering animals as sacrifices to the gods. Archaeologist, C. Govindaraj who is also curator of Government museum while speaking to IANS said, "In this cave art other than the men offering animals as sacrifice to god, a man, and a woman are seen mounted on a horse and mostly they would be the leaders of the group". The eminent archaeologist said that the rock arts would have been drawn before 300 AD as the horses were having saddles and is a relatively new development. However, he said that the microlithic tools that were found on the site were at least 6,000 years old and would have been used to hunt animals. He said that archaeological department of Tamil Nadu will send these microlithic tools for Carbon dating to ascertain their age. The noted archaeologist also said that the cave could accommodate at least 50 people at a time and said that he would send a letter to the state government recommending this place for excavation to conduct more research. The black and red pottery found in the cave, according to archaeologists, was of megalithic period. London, June 9 : Eight years after agreeing a move to Liverpool from Lille, Belgian forward Divock Origi is among the seven players who will leave Anfield after his contract expires at the end of June, the club said in a statement on Thursday. Liverpool also confirmed Loris Karius, Sheyi Ojo and Ben Woodburn will depart Anfield after their contract expires at the end of this month. Origi began his Reds career in earnest in 2015 - having remained in France for a season-long loan with Lille - and would go on to be involved in some of the most iconic and important moments in the club's modern history. In total, Origi scored 41 goals in his 175 appearances for the club. With Origi, Karius, Ojo and Woodburn will also leave the club after this month. Karius joined Liverpool from FSV Mainz 05 in the summer of 2016 and went on to play 49 games under Klopp during his first two seasons on Merseyside. Handed his debut by Klopp, Ojo clocked up 13 appearances at senior level for Liverpool following a move from MK Dons in 2011 and scored once, in an FA Cup tie against Exeter City. Having emerged from the Academy, Woodburn became the youngest goalscorer in Reds history when he netted in front of the Kop during a League Cup tie with Leeds United in November 2016 - a title he still holds. The Wales international, who had made his first-team debut just three days before that landmark night, totalled 11 appearances for the club in addition to several loan spells in recent years. New Delhi, June 9 : A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court against the Rajasthan High Court order, refusing to stay the declaration of the Rajya Sabha election result till a decision is taken on a plea in connection with disqualification of six state MLAs. Counsel mentioned the matter before a vacation bench of Justices M.R. Shah and Aniruddha Bose, requesting the court to list the matter urgently, as it is connected with the Rajya Sabha election, and added that plea is against the high court order. The bench asked the counsel to mention the plea before the Chief Justice N.V. Ramana for listing. The bench added: "Also, speak to the registry. We cannot list it like this." The six MLAs were initially with the BSP, but later switched to the Congress. The Assembly Speaker declared them as members of the Congress. In 2020, a petition was filed before the high court challenging the Speaker's decision and to disqualify the six MLAs for defection, but is still pending. The plea moved before the top court sought a direction to the Election Commission to consider the MLAs as of the BSP, instead of Congress, in the scheduled Rajya Sabha election, contending that the Speaker's decision was in violation of the provisions of the Constitution, and added that if the votes of these MLAs are considered in the election, then it will against the principle of fair election. The high court said it is not not inclined to entertain the interim application as the election process has already commenced and the election is scheduled for Friday. New Delhi, June 9 : The CBI has written to Interpol for the issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, but it is not in connection with the murder case of Sidhu Moosewala. The Punjab Police wrote to the CBI for two cases that took place in 2020 and 2021, against which the CBI has written to the Interpol. A CBI source said that the request of RCN issuance was sent on different matter on June 2, but not on Sidhu Moosewala murder case. The source said that CBI sent the request to Interpol to issue RCN against Goldy Brar against two cases which were lodged in 2021. First case was FIR no 409 of 2021, which was related to a shootout that took place near Kataria petrol pump in Faridkot. The shootout occurred on November 22, 2020. In October 2021, a Punjab court had issued an arrest warrant against Goldy Brar. The Punjab Police filed the charge sheet in the matter on November 12, 2021. "The second case is related to a murder case of one Gurlal which was reported on February 18, 2021. On September 13, 2021 a Punjab court issued an arrest warrant against Goldy Brar in this matter. The Punjab Police filed charge sheet in the matter on November 22, 2021. Six months after this they sent us a request to write to Interpol to issue a RCN against Goldy Brar," the source said. Murder of Moosewala took place on May 29, 2022. The Punjab Police hasn't written anything related to RCN in Moosewala case. First they will have to file charge sheet, will have to get an arrest warrant from a court, on the basis of which they will be able to write to the CBI for the issuance of the RCN. New Delhi, June 9 : Ahead of the June 10 Rajya Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Thursday that the whole process will be videographed, adding that those lodged in jail can vote if they get parole. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said, "There are elections in four states on Friday and the whole process will be videographed for which we have appointed observers." When asked about legislators lodged in jails, he said, "Those in jail will have to apply for parole and if they get parole, they can vote. Those in preventive detention can also vote." The elections in Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have turned interesting after the BJP backed Independent nominees in these states. In Karnataka, the fourth candidate fielded by JD-S has caused problem for the Congress, whose second candidate is in a close contest. Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has written to the JD-S MLAs, seeking their votes for the Congress candidate. "Befitting answer has to be given to the ruling BJP. Hence, JD-S legislators must support the second candidate of the Congress, Mansoor Ali Khan," he said. The fate of two Congress candidates for Rajya Sabha -- one in Rajasthan and another in Haryana -- is also uncertain as the party is struggling to get the required numbers. The party is trying to keep its flock together in Haryana after Adampur MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi skipped a meeting of Congress MLAs. The Congress in Haryana has 31 MLAs, the exact number required to win a Rajya Sabha seat, but if Bishnoi is not placated, Congress candidate Ajay Maken may lose the elections. Bhubaneswar, June 9 : A day after the Centre enhanced the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy by Rs 100 per quintal, Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday reiterated its demand to enhance this to Rs 2,930 per quintal. The Centre has increased the MSP of common grade variety of paddy from Rs 1,940 in 2021-22 to Rs 2,040 per quintal for 2022-23 crop year for common variety. Addressing a press conference here, BJD national spokesperson Sasmit Patra said this increase of merely Rs 100 per quintal is not sufficient and that the BJD has been demanding for increasing the MSP for paddy to 1.5 times of the cost of production, as per the Swaminathan Commission recommendations. Patra said that on March 25, 2017, the Odisha assembly had unanimously passed a resolution recommending that the MSP of common paddy be increased to Rs 2,930 per quintal. "All MLAs including those from BJP, Congress and BJD had unanimously supported this. But even after five years of the passage of this resolution and numerous demands in this regard placed by the BJD MPs in the Parliament as well as in the Assembly, the Centre has not implemented it," he said. Apart from the issue of increasing the MSP of paddy to Rs 2,930 per quintal, Centre should lift all surplus par-boiled rice from Odisha, the BJD MP demanded. Stating most of rice produced in Odisha is par-boiled rice and is one of the leading states in contributing to the PDS rice in the nation, Patra said the Centre's decision to stop lifting surplus par-boiled rice will adversely affect lakhs of farmers of Odisha and that too from the western Odisha majorly. He also demanded the Union government to release food subsidy dues of Rs 10,334 crore. Further, the additional interest incurred till March 31, 2022 because of delay in release and short release of subsidy comes to around Rs 5,454.67 crore which remains unrecouped, he added. "The Centre should pay the interest component failing which the state will bear the additional cost," he further demanded. Reacting to the statement of Patra, Odisha BJP farmers' wing President Pradeep Purohit said: "Instead of doing politics, if the BJD government is having any sympathy for the farmers, they should provide bonus to the state farmers in addition to the MSP." The BJD is demanding to enhance the paddy MSP to Rs 2930 per quintal. As the Centre will now provide Rs 2,040 per quintal, the state government should pay the remaining amount to the farmers as bonus, he added. Mumbai, June 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the bicentenary celebrations of "Mumbai Samachar" - India's oldest continuously published broadsheet Gujarati daily, it was announced here on Thursday. The celebrations will be held at the Jio World in Bandra Kurla Complex on June 14. Prior to that, the PM will inaugurate a Gallery of Revolutionaries at Raj Bhavan next Tuesday. "Mumbai Samachar" was started as a small bunch of pamphlets on July 1, 1822 by a Parsi priest-cum-scholar, Fardunjee Murazban, considered the pioneer of Gujarati journalism, through the country's first printing press which he had launched in 1812. It catered to the thriving business community of Bombay, as it was known then, providing biz-related news, death announcements and shipping time-tables as all trade was routed through the Bombay Port, its present-day owner-Director Hormusji N. Cama had told IANS last year as the paper entered the 200th year of publication. Over the two centuries of its existence, it faithfully catered to all the "bijness" communities, witnessed history as the Seven Isles of Bombay gradually transformed into today's Mumbai - the country's financial-glamour power capital and remains a favourite of all Gujarati-speaking clans like Parsis, Hindus, Jain, Dawoodi Bohras, Khojas, Memons, et al, living and thriving in the port city. During the freedom struggle, stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhiji, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were frequent visitors to the "Bombay Samachar" offices and discussed politics over tea and snacks. New Delhi, June 9 : ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in a virtual meeting on Thursday discussed terrorism, maritime and cyber security. Secretary (East), Saurabh Kumar participated in the meeting (ARF SOM) virtually. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the ARF member states and chaired by Cambodia as the Chairperson of ASEAN. "The meeting reviewed activities and exchanges of the 27 member ARF over the past year and deliberated on its future plans and activities. Senior Officials exchanged views on regional and international developments, and on COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, maritime and cyber security," said a statement. Secretary (East) appreciated the role of ASEAN-led architecture particularly the ARF in advancing peace, security, and cooperation in the region. Recognizing the evolving traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain, he emphasised the convergence between the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and Indo-Pacific policies announced by several ARF countries. He also shared our perspectives on the threat posed by terrorism and the challenges of cyber security. In the current inter-sessional year, Australia, India and Indonesia co-chaired an ARF workshop on "Law of the Sea and Fisheries" on 7-8 December 2021. India, the US, and Indonesia co-chaired the 13th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security on 12 May 2022. India seeks to continue to contribute to ARF activities and processes in the next inter-sessional year. Dubai, June 9 : The Indian government has approved the proposal for signing an MoU between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on cooperation in the field of industries and advanced technologies. Growing India-UAE economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapid diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries. India-UAE bilateral trade, valued at $180 million (Rs 1,373 crore) per annum in the 1970s, has increased to $60 billion (Rs.4.57 lakh crore) making the UAE, India's third largest trading partner for 2019-20 after China and the US. Moreover, the UAE is the second largest export destination of India (after the US) with an export value of $29 billion (Rs 2.21 lakh crore) for 2019-2020. The UAE is eighth largest investor in India with an estimated investment of $18 billion (Rs 1.37 lakh crore). Indian investments in the UAE are estimated at around $85 billion (Rs 6.48 lakh crore). India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy strong bonds of friendship based on age-old cultural, religious, and economic ties between the two nations. The two signed a bilateral "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" (CEPA) on February 18, 2022. This agreement has potential to increase trade between India and the UAE from $60 billion (Rs 4.57 lakh crore) to $100 billion (Rs 7.63 lakh crore) in the next five years. The MoU envisages cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis in the following areas -- strengthening the supply chain resilience of industries, renewable & energy efficiency, health and life sciences, space systems, artificial intelligence, industry 4.0 enabling technologies and standardisation, metrology, conformity assessment, accreditation and halal certification. The MoU also aims at strengthening and developing industries in both nations through investments, technology transfer and the deployment of key technologies in industries. This is likely to generate employment across the economy. The implementation of MoU may lead to increase in research and innovation in all areas of mutual cooperation, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, artificial intelligence, industry enabling technologies and health and life science. This may lead to growth of these sectors, increased domestic production, enhanced exports and reduction in imports. India's exports to the UAE are well diversified with a large basket. Major export items to the UAE are: petroleum products, precious metals, stones, gems and jewellery, minerals, food items (cereals, sugar, fruits and vegetables, tea, meat, and seafood), textiles (garments, apparel, synthetic fibre, cotton, yarn) and engineering and machinery products, and Chemicals. India's major import items from the UAE are: petroleum and petroleum products, precious metals, stones, gems and jewellery, minerals, chemicals, wood and wood products. India also imported 21.83 MMT ($10,927.52 million) of crude oil from UAE in 2019-20. The UAE is home to Indian expatriate community of more than 2.6 million - the largest expatriate community in the UAE. Professionally qualified personnel constitute about 15 to 20 per cent of the community, followed by 20 per cent white-collar nonprofessionals (clerical staff, shop assistants, sales men, accountants, among many others) and the remainder 65 per cent comprises blue-collar workers. There is a significant business community from India. The Indian community has played a major role in the economic development of the UAE. The UAE's investment in India is estimated to be around $17-18 billion of which $11.67 billion is in the form of FDI while the remaining is portfolio investment. The UAE is the 9th biggest investor in India in terms of FDI. The UAE sovereign wealth funds invested over $4.12 billion in India during FY 2020-21. The UAE's investments in India are concentrated mainly in five sectors: services (15.78 per cent), sea transport (8.80 per cent), power (8.34 per cent), construction (infrastructure) activities (7.15 per cent) and construction development: townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction-development projects (7.08 per cent). During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE in August 2015, it was decided to establish UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the aim of reaching a target of $75 billion to support investment in India's plans for rapid expansion of next generation infrastructure, especially in railways, ports, roads, airports and industrial corridors and parks. During the successive high-level visits, the leaders of both the countries reviewed the progress in realising the target for UAE investments in India. New Delhi, June 9 : Director General of Doordarshan and Doordarshan News, Mayank Kumar Agrawal has been given additional charge of the CEO, Prasar Bharati, official said. On Wednesday, Shashi Shekhar Vempati's tenure as CEO Prasar Bharati, came to an end. Sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that the tenure of Vempati comes to end on June 8, and the government has not given extension. The Minister of Information and Broadcasting has approved granting the additional charge of the CEO, Prasar Bharati to Agrawal with effect from June 9 until further orders or till joining of regular incumbent to the post of the CEO Prasar Bharati, whichever is earlier. On Wednesday night, Vempati tweeted: "Thankful to Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi for the incredible opportunity to contribute to the Nation over the past 5 years as the CEO of Prasar Bharati. It has been a great learning experience and I am happy to have made a difference to Doordarshan and All India Radio." "Thankful to past and current fellow Board Members of @prasarbharati who have been fantastic partners in this transformational journey who have supported the many change initiatives over the years." He noted that words fall short in praise of every member of the Prasar Bharati the innumerable officers and staff of DD AIR across cadres and streams who have helped me every step of the way despite the many challenges, constraints and uncertain times. "Doordarshan and All India Radio have been intrinsic elements of my formative years. I feel blessed to have given back to these two vital organisations to the best of my abilities. My sincere wishes to all those who have made them the most trusted media brands in India," he added New Delhi, June 9 : A Delhi court on Thursday sought a report from the Tihar Jail superintendent on a plea by alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekar stating that he has apprehension of a 'threat to his life' and not to transfer his cell at the high-security prison in the national capital. In the plea, Sukesh alleged that the DG (Prisons) is putting pressure on him to sign documents and he is also trying to shift him to Jail No. 3 from Cell No. 1, where he is currently lodged. "Let a report be called from jail superintendent for the next date on June 13," said Additional Sessions Judge Geetanjli Goel. The court was hearing a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against Chandrashekar filed under Section 44 read with Section 45 of PMLA for commission of offence of money laundering as defined under Section 3 punishable under Section 4 of the Act. "There is prima facie sufficient incriminating evidence about the involvement of the accused," the court noted. Thus, cognisance of the offence under Section 3 of PMLA punishable under Section 4 is taken, said the order. The matter will be next heard on July 5. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju had assured the Supreme Court last month that the security of Chandrashekar will be taken care of, but the latter has alleged that he was 'yet again' assaulted by the prison officials. "Despite assurance on May 13, Chandrashekhar was assaulted by a policeman in jail on the same day in the evening. Thereafter, he was also admitted to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital," his lawyer Ashok Singh told IANS. Chandrashekhar was arrested last year for allegedly cheating and extorting money from some high-profile people, including former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh's wife Aditi Singh. Many Bollywood actors and models have been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for their alleged links to Chandrashekhar. In April, he was arrested in another money laundering case linked to the 2017 Election Commission bribery case, which allegedly involved a former AIADMK leader, among others. Chandrashekhar has on multiple occasions claimed threat to his life inside the prison. Hyderabad, June 9 : The Juvenile Justice Board on Thursday granted five-day police custody of three juveniles in Jubilee Hills gang rape case. The police will question the accused in juvenile home from Friday. The questioning will take place in the presence of their lawyers. Investigating officers from Jubilee Hills police station will record the statements of the minor accused. The Juvenile Board has asked police officials to question the juveniles in plain clothes. The Board granted the custody on a petition by the police, who are looking to gather more information about the May 28 incident. The Juvenile Board's order came on a day when police began questioning the only major accused in the case. A day after a city court granted the police custody of Saduddin Malik, Jubilee Hills police took him into their custody from Chanchalguda Central Prison. Though police sought custody of the accused for seven days, the court on Wednesday granted four days custody. The 18-year-old was being grilled at an undisclosed location. The investigators are looking to gather more information in the sensational case, which has triggered national outrage. Police are also likely to approach the Juvenile Board for custody of the remaining two juveniles in the case. Both the accused were sent to juvenile home on Wednesday. The police are also planning to appeal to the Juvenile Board to allow the trial of all juveniles in the case. Police are keen to rule out the chances of the accused escaping harsh punishment for being minors. Out of five accused who sexually assaulted the girl, four are aged 16-17. The sixth accused who has been charged only with molestation is one month short of turning 18. He is the son of a MLA of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). The four minors charged with gang rape include son of a leader of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). The leader is also the chairman of a government-run body. Two others are said to be sons of TRS corporators in Greater Hyderabad and Sangareddy. The other accused are also from affluent and politically influential families. Meanwhile, TRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao has welcomed and supported the stand of the police. "If you are adult enough to commit a crime as heinous as rape, one must also be punished as an adult & not as juvenile," he tweeted. Malik (18) and four minor have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 376 D (gang rape), 323 (causing hurt), Section 5 (G) (gang penetrative sexual assault on child) read with Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 366 (kidnapping a woman) and 366 A (procuration of a minor girl) and Section 67 of Information Technology Act . Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand said the accused could face punishment for not less than 20 years or imprisonment for life till death or even death penalty. The sixth Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) was not involved in rape but he kissed the victim in the car. He has been booked under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 323 and Section 9 (G) read with 10 of POCSO Act. He could face 5-7 years imprisonment. The incident occurred on May 28 after the victim and accused attended a daytime party at a pub in upscale Jubilee Hills. After the victim left the pub, the accused trapped her. She boarded a car with the accused to go to a bakery in Banjara Hills and enroute four juveniles forcibly kissed her, made the videos and circulated it. After spending sometime at the bakery, Malik and four minors took the victim in an Innova to an isolated place in Jubilee Hills and raped her in the vehicle, by rotation. They later dropped her at the pub. The incident came to light three days later after the girl's father grew suspicious about the injuries on her neck and approached the police. Based on her statement and the CCTV footage gathered from different locations and other evidence, police arrested all the accused. Ahmedabad, June 9 : Gujarat Police has issued an alert after Al Qaeda threatened suicide attack in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat over Prophet row. Ahmedabad city will also witness Jagannath Rathyatra on July 1 this time, after two years break due to Covid situation, in which millions of people participate. For the first time, drones will be deployed to keep a strict vigil. According to Ahmedabad Crime Branch DCP Chaitanya Mandlik, security has been tightened due to the threat posed by Al Qaeda. Security arrangements will be made after taking into account every aspect, he said. This time security will be provided from the ground to the sky. More than a thousand cameras will be deployed and CCTV surveillance will be conducted. This time the arena, chariot, truck etc, will be connected to GPS system. A mobile application has been created by the police which will detect if there is any history sheeter, anti-social elements or people involved in any crime are near the place where local and outsider police personnel are standing. In case of any unpleasant incident, the police present at the spot will be alerted immediately. Chaitanya Mandlik further said that the city collects all the data from the application and crime branch so that officials can get local information. While all the information coming from outside is available to the officers, members of the peace committee of that area have been included in this application. It has been decided to install GPS system in all the trucks, elephants and bhajan groups in the route for the safety of all the people joining the rath yatra. This system will make it easy to get the location of the vehicle or person in case of any untoward incident. At the same time, the GPS system will be used to ensure that the security cordon of 3000 security personnel is not broken. Earlier, top police officials including Police Commissioner Sanjay Srivastava on June 5 inspected the route of the Rathyatra from Jamalpur Jagannath temple to Saraspur Ranchodji temple. Before that rehearsal of body worn camera was also conducted by Ahmedabad Police. This is the first time such a rehearsal was organised by the police. Officers on duty will be equipped with cameras on each route of the procession. Mahant Dilipdas Swami of Jagannath Temple said that this year on the occasion of the 145th Rathyatra, the traditional route will be followed. The Rath Yatra will be held again after a gap of two years, so there is a lot of excitement among the devotees, he said. Chandigarh, June 9 : The Petrol Pump Dealers Association on Thursday asked Punjab's AAP government as to why only liquor, not petrol and diesel prices, were reduced to bring them on a par with neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, where fuel is the cheapest in northern India. Himachal has grown its revenue from fuels to nearly double in last four years, whereas Punjab is losing its share in the border districts of Pathankot, Hoshiarpur Nawanshahr, Ropar, and Mohali due to prices being lesser in the neighboring Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. The Punjab government had reduced value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel on November 8, 2021, which resulted in rise in sale in the districts adjoining Haryana and Rajasthan, association spokesperson Monty Gurmeet Sehgal told IANS. It also resulted in increased VAT collection, whereas the districts adjoining Chandigarh, Himachal and Jammu are still suffering and more than 80 per cent sales have shifted to these states, he said. Interestingly, Himachal reduced VAT by Rs 2 per litre and Punjab increased VAT by Rs 2 per litre during Covid-19 restrictions in place, which resulted in the difference of more than Rs 8 per litre in diesel, resulting in mass shift of consumers to Himachal Pradesh. The association demanded reduction of VAT on petrol and diesel by at least Rs 3 per litre in petrol and Rs 7 per litre in diesel to bring prices on a par with Himachal to revive sales of the border district outlets and provide relief to farmers, transporters and industry of Punjab. New Delhi, June 9 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at nine locations in Chennai and Mayiladuthurai districts of Tamil Nadu and in Karaikal district of Puducherry in Mayiladuthurai ICAMA Sadik case. The case relates to Mohammed Sathik Batcha alias ICAMA Sadik who along with four other accused persons hatched a conspiracy to threaten general public and police officials and had also attempted to murder police personnel during vehicle checking on February 2, 2022. The accused persons were also involved in inciting hatred for secession of a part of India and had intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India by forming outfits like "Khilafah Party of India", "Khilafah Front of India", "Intellectual Students of India (ISI)" and associating themselves with the proscribed terrorist organisations like ISIS, Daesh and Al Qaeda. The case was initially registered on February 21, 2022 at PS Mayiladuthurai and re-registered by NIA on April 30. "During the searches conducted today, 16 digital devices, six blunt weapons and metal rods, two nunchakus and several incriminating documents, handwritten notes etc have been seized," said the ED official. Further investigation in the matter is on. Mumbai, June 9 : In a bid to promote two-way trade with India, Iran is exploring an alternative banking mechanism within the framework of the international law, its visiting Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday. In his address at an interactive meeting organised by MVIRDC World Trade Centre, Mumbai - an international trade promotion organisation, and the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), he said: "I had a fruitful discussion with senior ministers of the Indian government to establish such a banking mechanism." Both the sides discussed the possibility of rupee-rial trade and agreed on a conducive legal mechanism to promote two-way commerce, he said. Also, in his presence, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between his nation and World Trade Centre, Mumbai to promote bilateral trade and investment as also with the All India Association of Industries. Apart from establishing a banking mechanism, the two countries have also explored the possibilities of settling trade transactions in rupee or through barter system, said the minister, who is on a three-day visit to India. Within the framework of international law, there are existing banking mechanisms which Iran has already implemented with a dozen countries, he said. Iran's Deputy Minister of Judiciary, Fattah Ahmadi said: "Iran is clear in its intention to support trade and investment ties with India by signing an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters." The two Iranian ministers also invited Indian companies to explore trade and investment opportunities in Iran by assuring that its government will provide a conducive business environment to protect their commercial interests. New Delhi, June 9 : Iran has taken down an earlier press statement which mentioned that India has assured of taking action against those responsible for making derogatory reamrks against Prophet Muhammad. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a press conference on the issue, "Usually I don't like to comment on senior dignitaries and on the meeting between NSA and Iranian Foreign Minister. My understanding is that what you are referring to in a readout has been pulled down (by the Iran Foreign Ministry). "We have made it pretty clear that the tweets and comments don't reflect the views of the government. This has been conveyed to our interlocutors as also the fact that action has been taken by the concerned quarters against those who made the comments and tweets." The Iranian Foreign Ministry had earlier claimed that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has assured Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian to take strict action against those responsible for insulting Prophet Muhammad. Abdollahian is currently in India on his first trip to the country after assuming office in August 2021. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the minister, during his meetings with top Indian officials, "reiterated the point that India's Muslim community has played a major role in the progress and development of the country and this valuable characteristic of the Muslim community is a result of the efforts and presence of Muslim scholars". "The Islamic Republic of Iran will always stand by India's government, nation and Muslim community. The relations between India and Iran are strong and expanding, and in this regard, the presence of India's scholars and Muslims is a firm pillar of these relations," Abdollahian was quoted as saying during a meeting with Muslim religious leaders here. While condemning the remarks against Prophet Muhammad, he said that "India has been a land of compassion and tolerance and is always a refuge and a front for different viewpoints". "Therefore, such raucous clamour neither suits India nor is rooted in India, and surely the followers of all religions in the Indian territory oppose such comments," the ministry statement quoted Abdollahian as saying. On Wednesday, Abdollahian had met Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar besides calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi, June 9 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted search operations at two locations in Khejuri and Talpati in West Bengal in connection with the Paschim Bhanganmari Blast case. The case relates to an incident of bomb blast that had taken place in the residential premises of one Kankan Karan on January 3 which resulted in the death of one Anup Das while an accused Kankan Karan had sustained severe injuries. The case was initially registered on January 4, 2022 at Khejuri PS and later the probe was taken over by the NIA on January 25. "During the searches digital devices including mobile phone, one country made pistol, explosives, Indian currency of Rs 2,60,000, and incriminating materials have been seized," said the NIA official. Further investigation in the matter is on. Chennai, June 9 : South Indian superstar Kamal Haasan, who is now in the limelight in wake of the success of "Vikram", on Thursday said that he would not shy away from politics and would contest the next Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The veteran actor said that his Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party has entered its fifth year and that he would not take a break from politics due to the success of the movie. Kamal launched the MNM with the thought that he would fill the void of the passing away of AIADMK's J. Jayalalithaa and DMK's M. Karunanidhi, the two stalwarts of Tamil politics. However, the party could not do well, getting 3.7 per cent of the votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but seeing its vote share decline to 2.6 per cent in the 2021 Assembly elections. Kamal himself had lost miserably to BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore South Assembly seat. In the 2021 panchayat elections and the 2022 urban bodies polls also, the MNM failed miserably and several senior leaders resigned from the party, including its founder leaders. With the success of "Vikram" and Kamal Haasan back to the limelight as an actor, the veteran actor told media that he would be contesting the next Assembly polls. Kamal Haasan, who has taken a break of four years from the film industry has come back with a bang in "Vikram" which is a super-duper success. "Vikram" also has Vijay Sethupathi, Fahad Fazil, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, Chemban Vinod, Shivani Narayanan, and Antony Varghese. Tamil superstar Suriya played an extended cameo in the movie. Kamal had gifted a luxury car to the director of the movie and 13 motorbikes to its assistant directors. He also gifted a Rolex watch to Suriya. New Delhi, June 9 : The person who sent the death threat to Bollywood megastar Salman Khan and his father, film writer Salim Khan, has been identified as Vikram Brar, a close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, police sources said on Thursday. Brar, who is currently said to be aboard, is reportedly facing two dozen criminal cases lodged against him in several states. "Brar is a resident of Rajasthan's Hanumangarh but presently he is living abroad. He is a known gangster of Rajasthan. He was having good rapport with Anmol, the brother of gangster Anandpal, who was killed in an encounter," the police source said. The Mumbai Police had also suspected the possible involvement of the Bishnoi gang, and as a precaution, beefed up security at the Khans' residence in Galaxy Apartments, Bandra West, since last Sunday. Joint Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangre-Patil had also met Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil to brief him. Mumbai Police had suspicion that the potential attackers may have conducted a discreet recce of the Khans' local movements and their residence. Bishnoi had earlier vowed to kill Salman Khan after the actor was accused in the black buck poaching case of 1998 in Rajasthan. Salim Khan, 87, was handed over an unsigned, hand-written threat letter by an unknown person on a bench where he normally rests after jogging at the Bandra Bandstand promenade, around 7.30 am. on Sunday. It was addressed to him and his son Salman and facing something amiss, they immediately alerted their security to inform the police. Taking serious cognisance, the Bandra police had lodged an FIR against unknown persons for issuing the death threats and launched their probe. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch had also started its own investigations. The threat letter ended with a couple of initials including 'L.B.' which the police suspected refers to 'Lawrence Bishnoi. (Atul Krishan can be approached at atul.k@ians.in) New Delhi, June 9 : The Congress will not give walkover to the BJP in the Presidential elections scheduled on July 18, and take a call on the polls after the Rajya Sabha elections on Friday. Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi is suffering from Covid and as her health conditions improve, she will discuss the issue with the like-minded parties, said a source, adding that the party is mulling over the option to support a joint opposition candidate to test the opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party has no strength of its own to defeat the yet to be named NDA nominee. A Congress leader said on condition of anonymity, "The issue lies with Sonia Gandhi and she will take a decision after due consultations." Sonia Gandhi is likely to call all the UPA partners to take a collective decision, but the UPA will field a candidate for sure, the Congress leader said. Another Congress source said that the party can support a joint opposition candidate, but not a BJP nominee though it had supported A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2002 despite the fact that he was a BJP contender. But that was the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was best at reaching out to the opposition. Kalam won the 2002 Presidential polls defeating Left party candidate Lakshmi Sahgal. He was backed by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party. Many feel that it's not possible to come up with a joint opposition candidate given that many regional parties are likely to go with the BJP, including the BJD and YSRCP, which have good number of MPs in the Parliament. The biggest vote share among the regional parties is with the DMK, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP). And the SP had supported Kalam in 2002, who was an NDA candidate. The BJP has a majority in the Parliament, but in terms of big states, which are key to the Presidential elections, its strength has reduced in Uttar Pradesh, while some other crucial states are ruled by the opposition parties, whose unity can pose a challenge for the saffron camp. In fact, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee has warned the BJP that the Presidential elections will not be a cake walk, as it doesn't have even half the legislators in the country. New Delhi, June 9 : After almost a week of slow progress, conditions are favourable for the advancement of the Southwest Monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. Against the normal progress when it reaches Maharashtra at this time, the crucial for agriculture SW Monsoon had on Tuesday advanced over more parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, southwest, and west-central Bay of Bengal. Now, the IMD said on Thursday that the Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) continued to pass through Karwar, Chikmagaluru, Bengaluru, and Puducherry on the one side and Siliguri on the other side. "Conditions are favourable for further advance of monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian sea, Goa, some parts of south Maharashtra, some more parts of Karnataka, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, some parts of south Andhra Pradesh, some more parts of west central & northwest Bay of Bengal during next 48 hours," the IMD forecast said. Conditions would continue to become favourable for further advance of monsoon into more parts of Maharashtra, entire Karnataka, more parts of Andhra Pradesh and more parts of west central and northwest Bay of Bengal during subsequent two days. Conditions would likely to become favourable for further advance of monsoon into some more parts of east India and some parts of central India towards end of the IMD's forecasting week, i.e., around June 15. On Tuesday, a senior IMD meteorologist had said that between May 31 and that day, there were no major systems (to drive the monsoon rainfall) and had said that the winds were supportive for rainfall over peninsular southern India for advance of monsoon. New Delhi, June 9 : The Supreme Court on Thursday said emotionally grandparents will always take care of their grandson, as it handed over custody of a 6-year-old boy, whose parents had died in the second wave of Covid, from his maternal aunt to his paternal grandparents. A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and Aniruddha Bose said: "In our society, still the paternal grandparents would always take better care of their grandson. One should not doubt the capacity and/or ability of the paternal grandparents to take care of their grandson." It added that grandparents "love the interest, rather than the principal" and emotionally also the grandparents will always take better care of their grandson. The child's father died on May 13, 2021 and within a month, the mother also died during the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The paternal grandfather moved the high court claiming the maternal aunt was not allowing him to meet his grandchild. "It is reported that they have also managed to get admission of the minor in a school in Ahmedabad. The minor will get better education in Ahmedabad, which is a metro City compared to the education in Dahod (where aunt was based)," said the bench. The top court's judgment came on a plea by the 71-year-old grandfather of the child from Ahmedabad. It set aside the Gujarat High Court's order to hand over the custody of the child to the maternal aunt, who is a Central government employee. The bench said merely because the maternal aunt is having a bigger family, there cannot be any presumption that they will take better care of the grandson than the paternal grandparents. "Income and/or the age and/or the bigger family cannot be the sole criteria to tilt the balance and not to give the custody of the grandson to the paternal grandparents," added the bench. It also pointed out that it was a very difficult choice made by the high court handing over the custody to the aunt. "We are of the opinion that the High Court has committed an error in not handing over and/or continuing the custody of the corpus - grandson to the appellant - paternal grandparents and to give custody of the corpus to respondent No. 4 - maternal aunt of the corpus," it said. The bench noted that during the interim custody, there was nothing to suggest that they have not taken good care of the child, and also the minor has expressed his willingness to stay with the grandparents. The top court also granted regular visitation rights and video calling to the aunt, and also the child's stay with her during the vacations as per his wishes. "We request to all the concerned to forget bitterness and forget the past and look in the future taking into consideration the future of the minor who, unfortunately, has lost his parents at the age of five years only. With this hope and trust, we close the present proceedings," said the bench. The bench added: "However, it is also made clear that the present order shall be subject to the final outcome of the proceedings under Section 7 of the Guardians and Wards Act, pending before the competent court." Amaravati, June 9 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Nara Lokesh was shocked on Thursday after two leaders of Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) appeared on the screen during his Zoom meeting with 10th standard students who failed in the recent exams. Former minister Kodali Nani and MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan barged into the virtual meeting, apparently using IDs created in the name of students. Lokesh, who is the General Secretary of TDP and the son of TDP President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, slammed the YSRCP leaders for disturbing the meeting by creating fake IDs. Immediately on noticing the two leaders of the ruling party, the organisers switched off their mikes. Lokesh remarked that the YSRCP leaders could personally witness how the inefficiency of the government resulted in a large number of students failing in the Second School Certificate (SSC) exams. Kodali Nani, however, later told reporters that they had to enter the virtual meeting to counter the false propaganda of Lokesh. He alleged that the TDP leader was instigating innocent children to suicide. The TDP has alleged that 10 students committed suicide after failing in the exams, blaming the government for the failure of over two lakh students. Out of over six lakh students who appeared for the exams, only 67 per cent have passed, the lowest pass percentage in seven years. Nani, however, attributed this to the impact of Covid-19. He pointed out that students could not study in 8th and 9th standards properly as no classes could be conducted. He said lack of facilities to conduct online classes in government schools also led to an increase in the fail percentage. Nani said the students will get another chance to prove themselves by appearing in the special exams to be held a month later. On the demand to allot grace marks to students who failed in the exams, the YSRCP leader remarked that if grace marks are given, the students will become like Lokesh and Pawan Kalyan (Jana Sena Party leader and actor). Meanwhile, TDP state unit chief K. Atchannaidu slammed the YSRCP leaders for obstructing the Zoom conference of Nara Lokesh. What could Kodali Nani do in such a meeting when he did not even pass 10th class, he said. Atchannaidu said the YSRCP leaders have played a dangerous game with over 2 lakh students who failed in the exams. When Nara Lokesh tried to do justice to the students and their parents, the YSRCP leaders tried to disrupt their Zoom meeting, he said. Another TDP leader Ayyanna Patrudu said he would soon hold a Zoom conference for YSRCP leaders who had failed in the 10th class exams some 20-30 years ago. Patna, June 9 : A day after a parent was found begging in Bihar's Samastipur to collect money for release of his son's body from the mortuary of a government hospital, another shocking incident appeared in the state's Lakhisarai district on Thursday when the hospital administration refused to provide an ambulance to carry away the dead body. Dinesh Mandal eventually took away the body of his 16-year-old son, Anjal Mandal, on a motorbike to perform his last rites. Anjal died due to electrocution at Vidhyapati Chowk on Wednesday. The family members took him to Sadar hospital in the hope that he might be saved, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. When Mandal requested the doctors to provide an ambulance, they refused and asked him to take the dead body on his own. There were some private hospitals but they demanded Rs 2,000 to convey the dead body till home. Eventually, Mandal called a relative who came on the bike and Mandal rode pillion, holding his son's body in his hands. Lakhisarai Civil Surgeon, Dr D.K. Chaudhary confirmed the incident. "I have initiated an inquiry into the matter and the department will take action against the accused medical employees," he said. On Wednesday, the employees of the postmortem house in Samastipur demanded Rs 50,000 from a parent to release the dead body. The parents of the deceased went begging in the localities of Samastipur to collect the money and get the body released. New Delhi, June 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hosted a delegation of women students from Nagaland at his official residence here. The delegation is visiting Delhi as part of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the students expressed their happiness on meeting the Prime Minister, and in a freewheeling interaction, they discussed and sought his views on a host of topics like, his vision for the northeast, his experiences in Nagaland, importance of yoga etc. During the interaction, the Prime Minister enquired the students about their experience of visiting and exploring various tourist places in Delhi. He also advised them to visit PM Sangrahalaya and the National War Memorial during their stay in the national capital. The meeting was organised by the National Commission for Women. New Delhi, June 9 : Stating that forecasting systems along with supporting local actions helped prevent extremely severe air pollution episodes in Delhi in the winter of 2021, a study released on Thursday suggested that to further reduce air pollution episodes next winter, the forecasting systems would need to provide more accurate predictions. The independent study -- 'Improving Air Quality Management Through Forecasts: A Case Study of Delhi's Air Pollution of Winter 2021' -- by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a non-profit think-tank, said that short-term emergency measures such as halting operations of power plants, construction activities and plying of trucks were introduced based on the forecasts, which are basically early warning systems. Further, the CEEW study said the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) must be based strictly on modelled source contributions obtained from forecasts and timed accordingly. "This would eliminate the need for ad-hoc emergency directions to restrict various activities," the study pointed out. The findings of the study reinforce the need for strengthening both long-term and emergency actions aimed at curbing emissions from these sectors. "Additionally, with multiple forecasting systems, efforts should be made to encourage dialogue between different scientific groups and reconcile differences in varying estimates from the different groups," it said. "Existing forecasts have shown potential for accurate air quality prediction and should be used actively for emission control as well as emergency measures to restrict various activities. Further, the authorities should consider using social media platforms to inform residents about air pollutants, contributing sources and related forecasts. This could help limit human exposure and activity levels in the city," said Adeel Khan, research analyst, CEEW. The state governments of Delhi and its neighbouring states should also conduct surveys on the prevalence of biomass burning for cooking and heating purposes, and offer alternative solutions based on clean fuel, he suggested. New Delhi, June 9 : Rassie van der Dussen (75 not out) and David Miller (64 not out) stitched an unbeaten 131-run stand to take South Africa to a seven-wicket win over India in the series opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. After Ishan Kishan's 76 and finishing touches from captain Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya powered India to 211/4, South Africa were in trouble at 81/3 in 8.4 overs, despite a whirlwind Dwaine Pretorius cameo in power-play. That's when Miller and van der Dussen joined forces to forge an unbroken stand, enough for the visitors to record their highest chase in T20Is and put an end to India's 12-match winning streak in the format. The seven-wicket win also means that South Africa are now 1-0 up in the five-match series. The pursuit of 212 began with captain Temba Bavuma nicking behind a Bhuvneshwar Kumar leg-cutter to Pant. South Africa's gamble to send Pretorius at three worked well ashe punched Bhuvneshwar crisply through cover and slog-swept Yuzvendra Chahal for a huge six over cow corner. Pretorius then muscled Pandya for three sixes in the leg-side as South Africa soared to 60/1 in just five overs. Harshal Patel brought Pretorius' cameo to an end in final over of power-play with a dipping full toss crashing into off-stump. Quinton de Kock never got going in his innings of 22 and swept straight to long-leg off Axar Patel, leaving the Proteas at 81/3 in 8.4 overs. But Miller's introduction quickened South Africa's scoring pace, slicing Harshal square through the off-side for four, followed by flicking nonchalantly over deep square leg for six. Miller then creamed Axar for a four through cover and dispatched left-arm spinner for sixes over long-off and mid-wicket to take 19 runs off the 13th over. He then dished out boundaries against Bhuvneshwar, pulling between deep mid-wicket and long-on for four before lofting effortlessly over long-off for six before reaching his fifty in 22 balls. van der Dussen, dropped on 29 by Shreyas Iyer, shed his cautious self by slamming Harshal for back-to-back sixes over long-on and backward square leg before pulling an outside the off-stump delivery through mid-wicket for four. He then brought up his fifty in 37 balls with a flat pulled six over deep mid-wicket in an over which yielded 22 runs. Miller brought up the century of his fourth wicket association with van der Dussen with a clean heaved six over deep mid-wicket off Bhuvneshwar. Van der Dussen then slog-swept him high over deep mid-wicket for six and amassed back-to-back fours through square of the wicket on the off-side to take South Africa closer to victory. The duo knocked off the remaining 12 runs easily, with van der Dussen finishing off the chase, reverse sweeping Chahal for four to open their series with a win. Earlier, India amassed 51 runs from power-play, which was a mix of luck being on their side and some scintillating shots from Kishan as well as Ruturaj Gaikwad. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje were able to beat the edge of the bat with some away-shape and bounce on back of the length balls. But India pushed forward with Kishan and Gaikwad bringing up the side's fifty in power-play. Post powerplay, Gaikwad fell when he lobbed a pull to mid-off off Parnell. Kishan, though, continued to accelerate with boundaries - a punch through the off-side was followed by a ferocious drive past Dwaine Pretorius. Shreyas Iyer began by dealing in sixes, coming down the pitch and depositing Tabraiz Shamsi over long-on thrice. He got a life on 25 when de Kock missed his stumping off Maharaj. Kishan brought up his fifty in 37 balls by dragging Maharaj for a mighty slog-sweep over mid-wicket for six. He further tore into Maharaj in the 13th over, depositing back-to-back sixes with slog sweep and pull over mid-wicket fence twice. He went on hit successive boundaries, lofting over the bowler's head and smashing a flat hit along the ground. But Maharaj had the last laugh as Kishan holed out to long-on. From being 28 off 15 balls, Iyer endured a slowdown before being bowled by an off-cutter from Pretorius for 36 off 27 balls. Pant, who got great applause from the home crowd, began by straight-lofting Parnell for four. He then unleashed carnage on Pretorius in the 17th over, heaving over his head for a six followed by evading diving long-on for another six and closing the over with slice over cover for four. Pandya, his deputy, whipped Parnell for four over mid-wicket and followed it up with a short-arm jab over long-on for six. Rabada came under thrashing from Pandya in the 19th over, when the right-hander lofted over long-on for six and squeezed a yorker past short fine leg to bring up India's 200, not enough to avoid defeat for Pant in his debut match as a captain in his hometown. Brief Scores: India 211/4 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 76, Shreyas Iyer 36; Wayne Parnell 1/32, Dwaine Pretorius 1/35) lost to South Africa 212/3 in 19.1 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 75 not out, David Miller 64 not out; Axar Patel 1/40, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/43) by seven wickets New Delhi, June 9 : A fresh application moved on Thursday in Delhi's Saket Court by a man claiming to be heir of a royal family in Agra seeking ownership of Qutub Minar twisted the row over the restoration of temples at the minaret in the national capital. Considering the intervention application, Additional District Judge Dinesh Kumar deferred the pronouncement of the verdict for August 24 on the appeal seeking the restoration of the Hindu and Jain temples and the deities at the Qutub Minar complex. The intervention plea was moved through Advocate M.L. Sharma by Kunwar Mahendra Dhwaj Prasad Singh claiming to be heir of the united province of Agra and he sought the rights over territories from Meerut to Agra. In the plea, it was contended that the applicant belongs to the Beswan Family and heir of Raja Rohini Raman Dhawaj Prasad Singh and descendants of Raja Nand Ram who had died in 1695. "When Aurangzeb became firmly established on the throne, Nand Ram submitted to the emperor and was rewarded with the Khidmat Zamidarir, revenue management of Joar and Tochigarh," read the plea. In 1947, during the time of another family member Raja Rohini Raman Dhawaj Prasad Singh British India and its provinces became free and independent, the plea stated. However, after the independence of India in 1947, the Indian government neither entered into any treaty, nor there was any accession, nor there was an agreement with the ruling family, the applicant argued. "The Central government, state government of Delhi and state government of Uttar Pradesh without due process of law encroached upon the legal rights of the applicant and misused the power, allotted, allocated and death with the property of the applicant," it said further. Notably, the appeal in the matter, alleging that around 27 Hindu and Jain temples were desecrated and damaged in 1198 under the the Slave Dynasty Emperor Qutub-ud-din-Aibak raised the construction of the said mosque in place of those temples. The temples were dismantled, desecrated, and damaged under the command of the Slave Dynasty Emperor, who raised some construction at the same very place and named it the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque, as per the appeal. New Delhi, June 9 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday approved the appointment of new office-bearers for party's youth wing, Indian Youth Congress. "Congress president has approved the proposal for appointment of national office-bearers of Indian Youth Congress with immediate effect,'' said a statement from the party in the name of Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. The party has appointed 10 general secretaries and 49 national secretaries for Indian Youth Congress (IYC). Eighteen national secretaries have been retained and nine new joint secretaries have been appointed to the new team of the party's youth wing. The Congress president has also appointed chairpersons of Election Management, Media, Social Media, IYC International, Outreach, Legal, RTI and Research cells of the Indian Youth Congress. Meanwhile, the two-day national executive meeting of the Indian Youth Congress concluded with the resolution of 'Youth Jodo, Booth Jodo' on Thursday. The National Executive meeting passed several resolutions for organisation and other national issues. The IYC said that all the members of national executive unanimously passed the resolution that Rahul Gandhi ji should be made the National President of the All India Congress Committee again. IYC National President Srinivas BV said: "After the discussion in the two-day meeting, the Indian Youth Congress has resolved to connect the youth till the last booth of the country. In the year 2018, the Indian Youth Congress had started the campaign 'Aadhi Aabadi, Poora Hak'. It is our endeavor that women should be given their due." He further added "we all youth Congress members want Rahul Gandhi to accept the post of Congress President again and lead us all". New Delhi, June 10 : The ruling BJP at the Centre will decide its presidential candidate with an eye on the next general election to be held in 2024. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the schedule for election for the next President. The BJP is just short of 50 per cent of the Electoral College and is hopeful of getting support of Navin Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in next month's Presidential polls. Currently opposition parties collectively have 51.1 per cent share of Electoral College while the BJP and its alliance partners have 48.9 per cent. The difference is mere two per cent which can be easily managed by winning support of opposition parties not comfortable in standing with Congress. While the BJP strategists will manage the support of party candidates, the party leadership is looking for a suitable candidate which can balance the social equation with an eye on the next parliament election in 2024. Party sources said that amid all speculation and names doing rounds for the presidential candidate, the leadership may nominate a candidate either belonging to Other Backward Class (OBC), a woman, Scheduled Tribe or South Indian to win that particular section of votes in General Election 2024. Amid the demand of caste-based Census, political parties know that OBC constitutes over 40 per cent of the country's total population, while women account for nearly half of India's population. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on several occasions said that women are the new vote bank of the BJP. BJP sources said that the party might nominate either an OBC or a woman for the post of President or go for a woman OBC candidate. Meanwhile names of several BJP leaders doing round for the Presidential candidate of party which includes the names of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, former Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu, and Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Kerala Governor Arif Mohd Khan and Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. Name of former union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and minister of minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is also doing rounds in the party circle for the post. After the announcement of the schedule of Presidential polls a senior party leader said that several names are doing rounds but right now no one knows what top leadership is thinking. "Top leadership will decide the names taking everything in consideration. Their choice, like last time, may surprise everyone," he said. As per the poll schedule, notification for the President election will be issued on June 15 and the last day of filing nomination will be June 29. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on June 30 and last day of withdrawal of nomination papers will be July 2. Polling, if required, will be held on July 18 and counting will take place on July 21 United Nations, June 10 : Japan has been elected to UN Security Council to succeed India as a non-permanent member for a two-year term starting next year. Japan was one of the five countries that were elected on Thursday through secret ballots. The seats are allocated by region and Japan was the unopposed choice of the Asia Pacific group with no formal rivals. However, it received 184 votes out of the 192 cast, with three going to Mongolia -- which was not a candidate -- as a passive-aggressive sign of opposition to Japan, and the other five were presumably blanks. Switzerland, which joined the UN only in 2002, was elected for the first time to the Council. The others elected were Malta, also from the Western European group, and Mozambique from Africa and Equador from Latin America. Japan, which was elected for the 12th time, will be joining the United Arab Emirates that began its term in January and is the other Asian nation on the Council. India will be completing its two-year term at the end of December -- a month during which it will be the Council's President, the second time during its current tenure. Like India, Japan is an aspirant for a permanent seat on the Council, and with Brazil, currently an elected member, and Germany they form the group known as G4 that lobbies for Council reform to expand permanent member slots and mutually support their candidacies for permanent seats. Japan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Odawara Kiyoshi said after the election that his country will push the Council to deal with the situation in North Korea, which has resumed missile tests. The Council has been deadlocked on the North Korea issue because of Chinese and Russian vetoes. His country's other priorities on the Council would be "security, including energy and food," he added. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Manila, June 10 : The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration (BI) has tightened the screening of Filipinos travelling to Japan to curb human trafficking. In a recent memorandum published on Thursday, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered immigration inspectors in exit ports to be extra cautious in clearing Japan-bound Filipinos. Morente directed the BI personnel to carefully scrutinise the travel documents of departing Filipinos with visas for the intra-company transferee, short-term visitor, student, and engineer specialist in humanities and international services, Xinhua news agency reported. The order came in the wake of reports that unscrupulous recruiters were using these visas to circumvent government rules on the documentation and deployment of Filipino workers to Japan. The Immigration officer said the recruiters are using the scheme to make it appear that the purpose of the Filipino travellers is exempt from securing an overseas employment certificate. Using this visa type, the passengers declare that they are travelling and staying in Japan for only a brief period, although their actual intention is to work there. "This emerging trend exposes these travellers to the dangers of trafficking in persons and illegal recruitment, which the BI is mandated to prevent," Morente added. Paris, June 10 : A preliminary investigation was opened in Paris on Thursday following complaints alleging salmonella poisoning in children, who had consumed Kinder chocolates produced by Ferrero, the Italian confectionery giant, the Paris Prosecutor's Office said. The investigation was opened on the counts of "involuntary attacks on physical integrity" and "endangering the lives of others," the French daily Le Figaro reported, citing the Prosecutor's Office on Thursday. A formal complaint was filed on May 19 by the consumer organisation Foodwatch based on several reports from the families of victims, Xinhua news agency reported. The authorities in Belgium have also been investigating the Ferrero group and its Kinder chocolates since April 11. A factory in Arlon in southeast Belgium that produces the entire range of Kinder chocolates has now been closed indefinitely, Le Figaro said. The Ferrero group is suspected of delaying alerts to the authorities and failing to recall its products when salmonella was first detected in the Arlon factory on December 15, 2021. According to Ferrero, the contamination was likely caused by a faulty filter in a dairy butter tank. On June 2, the French public health agency reported 118 cases of salmonellosis in the country. The average age of the victims was four years. The infections were allegedly caused by Kinder chocolates produced in Arlon. According to the agency, 22 people were hospitalised, but no deaths have been reported. The French authorities have also been investigating a series of Escherichia coli (E.coli) poisoning cases in children linked to a batch of pizzas produced by Buitoni, a Nestle company. Rabat, June 10 : The Moroccan authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle about 3.21 tonnes of cannabis out of the port of Casablanca, the Moroccan police said in a statement. The banned narcotic substance was carefully wrapped in consumable goods and hidden inside a cargo container destined for export, the statement added on Thursday. The warehouse used to store the seized drugs was discovered during search operations, according to the police. The statement said that a criminal investigation is underway to arrest all the suspects connected to the smuggling, Xinhua news agency reported. Morocco remains one of the world's largest producers of cannabis resin, despite a decade of efforts to wipe out marijuana farming, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Ramallah, June 10 : A Palestinian was killed during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the town of Halhul near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, according to Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses. The Palestinian Health Ministry on Thursday said in a statement that Mahmoud Abu Ahyour, 27, died in the hospital after he was shot in the abdomen by the Israeli soldiers during clashes that broke out in the town, Xinhua news agency reported. The statement added that five others were injured, including three with live ammunition and two with rubber-coated metal bullets. The five wounded were taken to AL-Ahli hospital in Hebron. On Thursday morning, Palestinian eyewitnesses said that clashes broke out in Halhul between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers when an Israeli army force stormed the town and raided several money exchange shops. There has been no immediate Israeli army response to the incident. Tensions between the two sides have been mounting since January. It escalated in March when the Israeli army intensified its raids on Palestinian towns and villages in response to a series of shooting attacks in Israel. Yerevan, June 10 : Russia will contribute to the normalisation of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. During a joint press conference on Thursday with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan after their meeting, Lavrov emphasised the need to further push forward the process of normalising Armenia-Azerbaijan ties, Xinhua news agency reported. "In my view, we have a common perception that the process moves forward. Perhaps, it would be desirable for the process to be faster," said the visiting Russian Foreign Minister, stressing that Russia will try to contribute to the process in every way. He hailed the endeavour of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Commissions on border delimitation, saying Russia is ready to provide consulting support in this respect. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Minister guaranteed that any arrangement to facilitate the economic and transportation communications in South Caucasus will fully respect the sovereignty of the territory of Armenia. For his part, Mirzoyan highly appreciated Russia's role in maintaining the stability in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia is interested in activating the works of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, he said. On Wednesday, Lavrov arrived in Armenia for a working visit. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Panattoni has completed the biggest zoned land deal ever done in the Swedish market with the SEK 3.1 billion (c. 300 million) acquisition of seven sites totalling 121.3 ha in the region of Stockholm and Skane. The vendor was Kilenkrysset, a Swedish family-owned real estate owner and developer. . KanAm Grund Groups open-ended retail real estate fund Leading Cities Invest has sold the European headquarters building of Chiquita Brands International Sarl on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Buyer is UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction price. . Tom of Finland 2021 Photo Contest Jury Prize Winner - Benjamin Veronis "The finalists have captured the very essence and ethos of Tom of Finlands art. Its very important to us that Toms work lives on for generations to enjoy and explore, making the support of the Tom of Finland Foundation all the more critical." The finalists have been selected for the 2022 Tom of Finland Photo Competition and Charity auction, celebrating one of the most-influential artists of the 20th century during Pride Month. Sponsored by Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, the contest has been narrowed down to stunning, provocative images from seven photographers all that remains now is the final vote! For the competition, artists were asked to create a modern interpretation of Tom of Finlands famous art which spanned from the mid 1950s to the early 1990s, truly a first of its kind in celebrating gay sexuality in a positive, affirming, and unashamed fashion. Tom of Finlands work has inspired countless artists and entertainers, including Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, Freddie Mercury, Jean Paul Gaultier and George Michael. Photographers making it to the final round of the competition include: Carlos Campos - https://www.instagram.com/carloscamposphoto/ Andrew Gleason - https://www.instagram.com/andrewmgleason/ Kenneth Gruenholtz - https://www.instagram.com/gruenholtz/ Jason Jackson - The Erotiese Project - https://www.instagram.com/erotiese/ Kevin McDermott - https://www.instagram.com/_kevinmcdermott_/ David Zimmerman - https://www.instagram.com/davidgzimmerman/ Eric Wainwright https://www.instagram.com/wainwrightimages/ Finalist photos from the artists can be found HERE. Through June 20, each artist will have their work featured on the Tom of Finland Organic Vodka Instagram site: https://www.instagram.com/tomoffinlandvodka/ On July 1, two winners will be chosen a Jury Winner and an Audience Winner. The public votes for the Audience Winner by commenting on the social media post featuring the photograph with the word VOTE and #YourTomIsShowing. The Jury Winner is selected by a judging panel which includes representatives from Tom of Finland Organic Vodka and other artists. Winners will receive $1,000 for their work, as well as the $500 each finalist received for entering the competition. Following the voting, all of the finalist photographs will be listed on charity auction site CharityBuzz with all proceeds going to the Tom of Finland Foundation. Its an exciting proposition to asks todays contemporary artists to reimagine and celebrate the work of such an important artist not only to the gay community, but the entire world of contemporary art, said Olli Hietalahti, CEO of Spirit of Tom and co-creator of Tom of Finland Organic Vodka. The finalists have captured the very essence and ethos of Tom of Finlands art. Its very important to us that Toms work lives on for generations to enjoy and explore, making the support of the Tom of Finland Foundation all the more critical. About Tom of Finland Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920-1991) is widely regarded as one of the twentieth centurys most influential artists for his groundbreaking representation of the male figure. In his youth, Tom trained at an advertising school, but what he would come to call his dirty drawings, which he first began developing as a teenager, were the true focus of his attention, both during this formative period and throughout the entirety of his life. These masterful renderings of virile men engrossed in acts of homoerotic desire can be approached along several interpretative linesart historical, social, technicalbut each of them points to the revolutionary nature of his project. A master draftsman, whose passion for both his medium and his subject matter enabled him to become a powerful cultural force, Tom gave form to an imaginative universe that in turn helped fuel real-world liberation movements and enabled gay men to access their strength in new ways. Toms drawings reaffirm the centrality of sexuality, joy, and the body in all areas of human endeavor. About the Tom of Finland Foundation Since 1984, the Tom of Finland Foundation has been dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting erotic art. Today the Foundation continues to educate the public about the cultural merits of erotic art, as well as promote healthy, tolerant attitudes toward sexuality. About Tom of Finland Organic Vodka Tom of Finland Organic Vodka is distilled at Lignell & Piispanen, the oldest distillery in Finland, from 95% wheat and 5% rye, with water from the surrounding Arctic region. Voted one of the Top 10 Vodkas of 2020, 5% of all sales go back to Tom of Finland Foundation, which is based in Tom House, the Echo Park (Los Angeles) bungalow in which Tom lived his truest years of personal expressive freedom. Today, Toms work is in the permanent collections of museums around the world, including MOCA and LACMA in Los Angeles, MoMA in New York, SF MOMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, and many more. Government red-tape should never impede wildfire suppression crews from their ability to respond in the most effective and timely way, said Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT At-Large). The fire season is predicted to be long and fierce and the national labor shortage is hampering the wildfire industry's ability to hire enough personnel could have devastating results this summer. National Wildfire Suppression Association urges lawmakers and federal agency personnel to support contract language to facilitate rapid response. The 2022 fire season has barely begun, but the western United States is headed for a challenging year of wildfires. In Arizona and New Mexico, hundreds of square miles and thousands of acres have already burned this year. More than 2,500 personnel from the Professional Private Wildland Fire Industry, in the form of crews and equipment operators, are currently assigned to multiple fires in the Southwest. Private wildfire contractors can bring over 15,000 firefighters and 6,300 pieces of firefighting equipment to action during fire seasons. This private-sector resource provides a great value to the agencies combatting fires as well as the taxpayer, rural communities, and eco-systems threatened by fires. The confluence of a fire season predicted to be long and fierce and the national labor shortage hampering the wildfire industry's ability to hire enough personnel could have devastating results this summer. Unfortunately, professional private fire service companies are denied the flexibility of staffing their ground crews with fully trained and qualified personnel such as crew bosses that would allow for rapid response in various situations that arise during a wildfire season. "As our member companies prepare for the fire season, we have formally requested our government agency partners make simple changes to crew contract language," explains National Wildfire Suppression Association Executive Director Debbie Miley. "Once a qualified, experienced crew boss is identified in a contract, he or she should be eligible to lead any crew. This flexibility will allow us to be more responsive and available for dispatch." On May 24, 2022, a survey of wildfire crew contractors found more than 30 percent had to make crews unavailable due to this requirement. Companies had to turn down 20 requests for firefighters as specified crew bosses were not available. When a specified crew boss is not available, the contracts prevent a different crew boss with the same qualifications and experience from being assigned in their place. Technical contract language limiting wildfire crew bosses' access means that nearly half the available personnel cannot support wildfire suppression efforts. If agencies change this restrictive regulation, the private wildfire community will have the much-needed flexibility to improve incident capacity and eliminate stress on key personnel. One small change in US Forest Service regulations can significantly impact the 2022 fire season. Government red-tape should never impede wildfire suppression crews from their ability to respond in the most effective and timely way, said Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT At-Large). Disasters and emergency situations require immediate attention to protect lives, property, and our natural resources. Mode Analytics has has earned three awards for its flexible visualization system, Visual Explorer. We are honored by this widespread industry recognition, and see it as a validation of our commitment to empower data teams and business stakeholders to make better decisions, faster, said Gaurav Rewari, CEO, Mode Analytics. Mode Analytics, the most comprehensive platform for collaborative Business Analytics and Interactive Data Science, today announced that it has earned three awards for its flexible visualization system, Visual Explorer. Visual Explorer is a best-in-class visualization suite that helps data analysts explore data faster and provides easy-to-interpret insights to stakeholders. Powered by Helix, Modes award-winning responsive data engine, Visual Explorer builds upon Modes unique ability to combine BI and Data Science, bringing together the workflows of analysts and business users in a way that has never been done before to answer questions quickly and advance knowledge across the organization. Visual Explorer enables analysts and data scientists to deliver information and insights to inform business decisions faster than ever before, said Gaurav Rewari, CEO, Mode Analytics. We are honored by this widespread industry recognition, and see it as a validation of our commitment to empower data teams and business stakeholders to make better decisions, faster." Since its initial release in November 2021, Visual Explorer has received three product awards for Visual Explorer: The 2022 SIIA CODiE Awards recognized Mode as Best Business Information or Data Delivery Service. The SIIA CODiE Awards is the only peer-recognized awards program for the software and information industries. Produced by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for software, education, media and digital content, the awards represent the best products, technologies, and services in software information and business technology. Modes Visual Explorer was chosen alongside Lexis Nexis and PricePro as one of the best business information and/or data delivery solutions of 2022. The 17th Annual 2022 Information Technology Awards named Modes entire Visual Explorer team, as a Gold Globee winner in the category of Business Intelligence and Analytics. These prestigious global awards recognize information technology vendors with advanced, ground-breaking products, solutions, and services that are helping set the bar higher for others in all areas of technology. More than 170 judges from around the world representing a wide spectrum of industry experts participated in the judging process. The 14th Annual 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards recognized Visual Explorer in the category of Best Business Intelligence Innovation. The Golden Bridge Awards are the worlds premier business awards program, honoring achievements and recognizing innovations in every industry. More than 100 judges from around the world, representing a wide spectrum of industry experts, participated in the judging process. In addition to these three awards for Visual Explorer, Mode recently earned four awards for its outstanding customer support: 1) Business Intelligence Groups 2022 Excellence in Customer Service Award, 2) The 2021 Best in Biz Award in the category of Customer Service Department of the Year, 3) A Gold Award in the 8th Annual 2021 Globee Sales and Service Excellence Awards in the category of Best Use of Technology in Customer Service, and 4) A Gold Stevie Award for Sales and Customer Service in the category of Front-line Customer Service Professional of the Year. Mode is also the recipient of 16 G2 Leader Awards for Winter and Spring 2022, including Momentum Leader, Small Business Leader, Enterprise Leader, Mid-Market Leader, and European Leader, and has one of the highest Implementation Index scores in the Analytics and Embedded Business Intelligence categories, ranked by customer satisfaction (based on user reviews and social data) and market presence (based on market share, seller size, and social impact). For more information about Mode Analytics, please visit https://mode.com/. About Mode Analytics Modes advanced analytics platform is designed by data experts for data experts. It allows data scientists and analysts to visualize, analyze, and share data using a powerful end-to-end workflow that covers everything from early data exploration stages to presentation-ready shareable products. Unlike traditional business intelligence tools that produce static dashboards and reports, Mode brings the best of BI and data science together in a single platform, empowering everyone at your organization to use data to make high quality, high velocity decisions. Mode also supports the analytics community with free learning resources such as SQL School, open source SQL queries, and free tools for anyone analyzing public data. To start a free trial or learn more, visit https://www.mode.com. ### AMG Employees Group Photo with Playset AMG's support not only allows us to make a big impact on a family during an extremely difficult time in their lives, but it also shows that family they are not alone on the journey of fighting pediatric cancer. Volunteers from Association Management Group (AMG), one of the Carolinas largest professional homeowner association managers representing more than 30,000 property owners, constructed a custom backyard playset on June 3 for six-year-old Jenifer Maria Sanchez of Winston-Salem, a pediatric cancer patient in treatment for leukemia. Sanchez is the recipient of the free playset thanks to AMG and Roc Solid Foundation (RSF), a Virginia-based nonprofit that works with hospitals, organizations, and volunteers to Play It Forward and build hope for children and families fighting pediatric cancer. The team of twenty-five AMG staff worked from 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. on Friday with tools, instruction, and guidance from an RSF project leader to create the playscape, which featured swings, a tree house, a slide, and a climbing area. Thank you so much, volunteers, for this hard labor and for helping us create happy memories, even when our world is upside-down. Jenifer appreciates everyone taking time out of their lives to build her playset in her own yard. This is something Jenifer needs in her life right now. Our hearts are so full with love for this organization, said mother Jenifer Ocampo. It takes a team effort to restore hope to young cancer patients, according to Ashley Martin, Roc Solid Foundation Director of Marketing. AMG's support not only allows us to make a big impact on a family during an extremely difficult time in their lives, but it also shows that family they are not alone on the journey of fighting pediatric cancer. Seeing the community surround them with support provides a feeling of hope that will stay with them far beyond build day. Winston Salem Mayor Alan Joines participated in the dedication of the new playset. Its great to see organizations like AMG go beyond good corporate citizenship," he said. "For this family and so many others, they are good neighbors making a difference in our communities." Though it was a long morning of measuring and lifting, drilling and hammering in the warm June sunshine, the expression on Jenifers face when she saw the new playscape, complete with signed best wishes from each member of the AMG construction team, made all the effort worthwhile, said Paul Mengert, AMG founder and CEO. AMG specializes in supporting communities. In the business of managing community associations (HOAs) and condominiums, helping ones neighbor is an importantand inspiringresponsibility. We have a decades-old culture of giving back to the Triad community, with both money and volunteer hours. Its gratifying to do our part to help restore fun and play to the life of a little girl experiencing cancer. AMG President Dacy Cavicchia agreed. For us, this was a team-building exercise in caring for our community, something we enjoy and believe in. According to Roc Solid foundation, sixteen thousand US children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Of course, treatment is critical, but so is having a happy, normal life. It feels good to be a part of providing this family with a wonderful playspace they can enjoy for years. AMG hopes to participate in another Roc Solid playset project soon with its Charlotte, NC team. For details on Roc Solid Foundation or to learn how you can Play It Forward for pediatric cancer patients, visit: https://rocsolidfoundation.org/ To learn about AMG, visit: AMGworld.com/. About AMG: AMG is a professional community association management company dedicated to building effective community associations. AMG guides and assists executive boards to help protect the association's interests, enhance the lives of community members and improve the property values in the community. With offices throughout the Carolinas in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, and Greenville and Aiken, SC, AMG is a knowledgeable partner in enforcing community governing documents with a proven set of processes and techniques, and supporting communities with a broad range of services which can be tailored to individual community needs. Association Management Group, Inc. is a locally Accredited Business by the BBB and is a nationally Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) by the Community Associations Institute. For more about AMG, visit AMGworld.com/. Anne Truong, M.D. is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician specializing in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. I am truly honored to attend and speak at the prestigious 2022 TOBI Conference. It is the most well-respected event consistently at the forefront of biologic research and practices. Truong Rehabilitation Center is pleased to announce that its founder and principal, Anne Truong, M. D., will speak on June 9, 2022, at The Orthobiologic Institute (TOBI) Annual Conference in Hollywood, Florida. Dr. Truong will demonstrate her marketing savvy and proficiency by sharing a few simple best practices to increase patients and appointments. Additionally, on June 11 at TOBI, Dr. Truong will participate as an expert panelist in Alternatives to Injections: Interactive Shockwave discussion. The 2022 TOBI Conference is an immersive event that combines practical training and hands-on skills building with cutting-edge research and the latest industry updates shaping the future of how physicians approach healing. Dr. Truong said, I am truly honored to attend and speak at the prestigious 2022 TOBI Conference. It is the most well-respected event consistently at the forefront of biologic research and practices. Anne Truong, M.D. is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician with over 20 years of experience specializing in anti-aging and biologic cellular medicine. Through Dr. Truongs expertise, she has successfully treated over 7,000 men for erectile dysfunction. Through her philosophy and commitment to her patients, Dr. Truong provides the best treatment plan aligned with her patients goals. To learn more about Truong Rehabilitation Center or Anne Truong, M.D., please visit truongrehab.com. About Truong Rehabilitation Center Truong Rehabilitation Center specializes in anti-aging and biologic cellular medicine, specifically in treating erectile dysfunction. Anne Truong, M.D. is a recognized intimate health physician expert. She is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, successful author, and podcaster. To learn more about Truong Rehabilitation Center and Anne Truong, M.D., please visit truongrehab.com The data we collect at Preseem proves that ISPs using fixed wireless over unlicensed spectrum provide consistently reliable service, as measured in low latency, customer satisfaction, and reduced churn rates, among other factors. This is a statement from Preseem regarding the NTIAs $41.6-billion BEAD Program and its definition of Reliable Broadband Service. On May 13, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced over $40 billion in funding for nationwide broadband internet deployment under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD). According to the NTIAs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), distribution of this money will be primarily based on the relative number of unserved locations (i.e. broadband-serviceable locations that lack access to Reliable Broadband Service at speeds of at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream and latency levels low enough to support real-time, interactive applications) in each State and Territory. On the surface, this sounds admirable but its the definition of Reliable Broadband Service with which we take exception. Heres why. Many local and regional Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) provide internet service to their customers via fixed wireless over unlicensed spectrum. Despite its name, unlicensed spectrum does not mean illegal or unregulated in the internet world. Instead, it refers to radio frequencies that are open to anyone for any use. Its the basis of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, for example, and generates billions of dollars for the economy. The NOFO states, however, that locations served exclusively by satellite, services using entirely unlicensed spectrum, or a technology not specified by the Commission for purposes of the Broadband DATA Maps, do not meet the criteria for Reliable Broadband Service and so will be considered unserved. Its our view that the NTIAs definition of Reliable Broadband Service excludes ISPs who are already providing reliable and dependable internet access to so-called unserved rural and non-urban areas. As such, we believe the NTIAs definition is unfair and inaccurate, and should be amended. Heres some of the reasons we disagree with the NTIA definition: ISPs using fixed wireless over unlicensed spectrum are already providing the best and most reliable services to rural and non-urban areas. With fair access to available funding, they can expand this essential work. Small broadband service providers generate vital jobs and drive sorely-needed economic growth in rural communities. Small and medium-sized operators dont have the resources to bid for licensed spectrum against large providers. During the pandemic, essential services such as nursing homes, police services, and more were able to operate without interruption in rural and non-urban communities thanks to a dependence on reliable, fixed wireless internet access over entirely unlicensed spectrum. Fixed wireless broadband entirely over unlicensed spectrum in the 57-71 GHz band can provide fiber-like download and upload speeds that exceed 1 Gbps. Fixed wireless entirely over unlicensed spectrum in other unlicensed use bands is often just as, or more, reliable than DSL or cable in the areas targeted by this funding, though this is not accounted for in the NOFO. We are surprised and disappointed at the definition of Reliable Broadband Service provided by the NTIA, said Gerrit Nagelhout, CEO of Aterlo Networks, the company behind Preseem. Local and regional ISPs have been providing reliable fixed wireless internet access for many years prior to the formation of WISPA in 2004, and rural communities across the US continue to benefit greatly from their services. The data we collect at Preseem proves that ISPs using fixed wireless over unlicensed spectrum provide consistently reliable service, as measured in low latency, customer satisfaction, and reduced churn rates, among other factors. No definition of Reliable Broadband Service can be complete without actually including reliable broadband service providers, and we trust NTIA will hear this, said David Zumwalt, President and CEO of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) Broadband Without Boundaries. WISPs provide dependable, resilient, reliable broadband to millions of Americans across the country, and have long served and excelled on the front lines of bringing broadband to unserved areas going where other service providers simply cant or wont enabling their customers to build and expand the reach of their businesses, keep their families connected, and make their lives better. NTIA should clarify its guidance so that the objectives of the BEAD program can be truly achieved, and States provided with the flexibility they need to bring broadband to the unserved. While we at Preseem agree with the spirit of the BEAD programthat all Americans have the basic right to reliable broadband internetwe believe that this funding should also be available to those companies whove already been tirelessly serving their communities for decades. At Preseem, we handle data, and the data doesnt lie. According to our numbers, local and regional ISPs using our product are already delivering reliable, low-latency service that improves the subscriber quality of experience in unserved areas. Thats why we stand with WISPA and urge the NTIA to amend their definition of Reliable Broadband Service to include those providing essential internet access via fixed wireless over unlicensed spectrum. Carter Company Realtors is ditching the traditional gift card thank you in favor of a branded coffee and espresso-infused treat gift box "Gift cards can be so impersonal," said Howard. "We used to give gifts based on providing a little peace on moving day, but that didn't have nearly the impact we were looking for." According to a recently released study by Coresight Research which was sponsored by GiftNow, corporate gifting went from routine to being a priority during the COVID shutdown. Their study reported that the corporate gifting market will reach $242 billion in 2022 and continue to grow at an unprecedented pace of about an 8.1% Compound Annual Growth Rate in 2023. Further, they found that 60 percent of corporate gifts are for clients and partners outside the organization while 40 percent where for internal employee recognition and awards. But not only has the frequency and importance of branded corporate gift giving increased, the types of gifts companies are choosing is transforming as well. Companies are looking for unique, personal, interactive gifts that they can align with their own brands to create that sense of connection so many of us missed during the pandemic. Two Tampa Bay area companies are embracing this new gift-giving mindset, one from the corporate side and the other as a gift box creator. Honesty Howard, a Realtor and Sales Associate with Brandon-based Carter Company Realtors, had to not only reinvent their gift-giving, but also their new business focus as the market reacted to the pandemic. Pre-COVID, approximately 80 percent of their business was through foreclosures, which came to a screeching halt in March of 2020. That led this boutique Realty to refocus on resales and unique ways to get more buyer referrals. Time was, they would give a client a dining gift card to use on moving day, but it didn't feel like the right fit with the pandemic sweeping the state. "Gift cards can be so impersonal," said Howard. "We used to give gifts based on providing a little peace on moving day, but that didn't have nearly the impact we were looking for." Howard and Carter Company Realtors founders Jeff and Trish Carter hit upon a local company that provided something more than just convenience. They turned to Tampa-based Roasted Whisk to custom curate boxes filled with small batch roasted gourmet coffees and espresso-infused, house-made treats to thank their clients for their business. The Carter Company Realtors branded gift boxes were not only unexpected, but totally unique from anything most Realtors are giving out. It was an emerging trend not lost on Roasted Whisk's founder Lizette Rivera. Three generations of Latina women came together to find a way to stay together in the newly distanced times during the pandemic. Rivera, daughter Sami and her Mom Rose Rivera found the perfect way to bond and create, by infusing delicious baked goods with espresso and drinking rich, decadent coffee like they had done in Lizette's childhood home --a Cuban tradition. It was just the therapy they all needed during a difficult time. Sami was poised to graduate high school as the Valedictorian of her class before COVID forced her Senior year of studies (and social events) online. Rose, who has dementia, found Lizette's home to be a safe house where she could begin her visit with hugs and a luscious cookie or brownie and a steamy cup of java. Then Rose started asking Lizette for boxes of baked goods that she could share with her friends. These boxes always elicited more smiles and a bright spot in an otherwise dark time for many of Rose's elderly friends and neighbors. That's when the light bulb went off, and the trio realized they were onto something. They blended their passion for coffee, their artfully crafted baked goods, and a desire to spread moments of bliss into what is now Roasted Whisk--a gift box company with a wide variety of boxes that fit virtually any celebration. Their branded corporate gifts are quickly becoming as popular as their Cafe Cubano, espresso-infused brownie bites, and snickerdoodles. There's even a gift box for four-legged canine recipients called the Pup & Pal Box. Some of the boxes now available at RoastedWhisk.com include the Hug In A Mug Box, Cup of Joe Box, Friends & Lover's Box, Coffee Is My Self Care Box, and the Calming Box. The customized, branded Carter Company Realtors box contains two Cafe Cubano k-cups, a jar of whisky espresso popcorn, thank you card, coaster, and Carter Company Realtors mug. According to Howard, it's a small gesture that goes a long way. "We thought, what could be more memorable than a great cup of coffee and a decadent treat in your new home? So far, our clients have loved receiving them," said Howard. "Businesses run on relationships," said Rivera. "We've found that few things create a tighter bond than an amazing cup of coffee, whether it's enjoyed with or without the giver. That's what led to what is now a growing Tampa-based gift box company, Roasted Whisk." To learn more, visit RoastedWhisk.com. Aimsir's Vttir Aquavit in an aquavit negroni offers a twist on a classic, perfect for celebrating warmth, summer, and light this Midsummer. When done just right, a good aquavit forces you to pause and pay attention, says Aimsir distiller Andy Robinson. Aquavit is unique and deserves a home in Portlands vast and massively creative spirits and cocktail culture. The Aimsir Distilling Co., (pronounced aim-sure), a Portland-based maker of award-winning whiskey and gin, today announces the release of its newest spirit, Vttir Aquavit (pronounced vay-teer). Named after the spirits of Norse mythology, including elves, dwarves, gods, and giants, Vttir Aquavit will be available at the Emerald Room at Aimsir Distilling starting June 24, 2022, and in Oregon liquor stores in July. Founded in 2020 by Christine and Stephen Hopkins, Portlands Aimsir Distilling Co. is a tribute to their familys Irish heritage, a way to cultivate community, a chance to bring people together, and a brand new frontier for exploration. Aimsir has won many awards for its world-class spirits and packaging, most recently winning three awards by the American Distilling Institute in its 2022 International Spirits Competition (Best of Category Bottled & Blended Spirit Flavored Whiskey, Silver Medal: Cold Brew Bourbon, Silver Medal Bottled & Blended Spirit: Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bronze Medal Excellence in Packaging: Cold Brew Bourbon). Aimsirs newest release, Vttir Aquavit, offers a balanced expression of the bold anise and caraway flavors most commonly associated with Aquavit and balances them with citrus undertones and a lightly floral finish. The spirit is balanced and approachable; excellent on its own or in any classic cocktail. Recommended pairings include fried chicken, oysters, chocolate, prosciutto. When done just right, a good aquavit forces you to pause and pay attention, says Aimsir distiller Andy Robinson. Aquavit is unique and deserves a home in Portlands vast and massively creative spirits and cocktail culture. Enjoy Vttir Aquavit neat, or in its signature serve, the White Negroni. More cocktail recipes and photos can be found here. The celebration of Midsummer aligns nicely with the ethos and values of Portland, says Robinson. Aquavit is the traditional spirit of Midsummer, the Scandinavian celebration of light, warmth, and nature, and with a locally made Vttir Aquavit, we think Portland is ready to expand its appreciation for the spirit, and join us in celebrating Midsummer. To celebrate the launch of Vttir Aquavit, Aimsir is hosting a Midsummer Mini Market and Party in the parking lot of the Emerald Room at Aimsir Distilling, Aimsirs restaurant and tasting room in NE Portland. The all-ages and pup-friendly event will feature local food & beverage vendors, Nordic-inspired craft makers, a kid-friendly art station, and unique sweet and savory Aquavit pairings. June 24, 2022, 4-9 p.m. 2117 NE Oregon St Suite 202, Portland, OR 97232. RSVP for the event here. White Negroni 1 oz Vttir Aquavit 1oz Campari 1 oz Lillet Blanc Combine all ingredients in a rocks glass. Add a large ice cube, stir until chilled. Garnish with a citrus twist. For more information, photos, or samples, contact Rachel Morrison (rachel@sandstrommorrison.com). About The Aimsir Distilling Co. The Aimsir Distilling Co. was created to bring people together. In 2020, Christine and Stephen Hopkins founded The Aimsir Distilling Co. and opened The Emerald Room, a family-friendly full bar and restaurant for all. Part of Portlands famous Distillery Row, Aimsirs award-winning spirits are batch-distilled. Its list of award-winning spirits include Bourbon Whiskey, Cold Brew Bourbon, Aitil House Gin, Rose Gin, and Vttir Aquavit. Aimsir spirits can be found in liquor stores in Oregon and at the Emerald Room at Aimsir Distilling in Northeast Portland. Aimsirs spirits have won the following awards: Aitil House Gin: 2021 Double Gold, Best of Class, and Best of Category by American Distilling Institute (ADI), 91 point score and an inclusion in the 100 Best Spirits (2021) by Wine Enthusiast. Cold Brew Bourbon: 2022 Best Flavored Whiskey (ADI), Bronze Medal Excellence in Packaging (ADI), Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 2022 Silver Medal, bottled and blended spirit category (ADI), 2022 Double Gold (San Francisco Spirits Competition) The Emerald Room at Aimsir Distilling is all-ages and welcomes families and dogs Wednesday - Saturday, 4-10 p.m. at 2117 NE Oregon St. Suite 202 Portland, Oregon, 97232. For more information on Aimsir and its events at the Emerald Room, visit aimsirdistilling.com, or find Aimsir on Facebook or Instagram. Dr. Kevan Orvitz CEO of MEGA InTech , and Founder and President of MEGAComfort signs the MSD Pledge The MSD Pledge pushes the envelope by putting a spotlight on the importance of this issue, so workers across the globe can return home safely every day. I encourage every company, big or small, to sign the pledge because this initiative is for the safety of our biggest asset our workforce. MEGA InTech, part of the MEGA Group of Companies, kicked off National Safety Month this year by taking another step towards building safer workplaces and increasing worker well-being. Last week in Washington D.C., MEGA InTech along with Amazon and Ansell co-sponsored, the first industry event solely dedicated towards MSD prevention the Workplace Safety Summit, hosted by the National Safety Council (NSC), Americas leading non-profit safety advocate. Born out of the Councils ground breaking MSD Solutions Lab program launched last year to tackle this omnipresent safety challenge, which affects nearly a quarter of the worlds population the pledge represents a first-of-its-kind commitment from employers to identify and reduce MSDs across workplaces worldwide. Over the last two decades, the MEGA Group has been a leader in MSD prevention and an avid advocate for worker safety and wellness by providing ergonomically designed solutions and technologically engineered risk assessment and rehabilitation to many industries across North America. Staying true to the vision of creating safer workplaces, Dr. Kevan Orvitz CEO of MEGA InTech , and Founder and President of MEGAComfort signed the MSD Pledge to join the movement of like-minded employers that will grant insider access to shared expertise, the latest research-backed insights and collaboration with industry leaders to support eah other in meeting safety goals. Commenting on signing the Pledge, Dr. Orvitz said Work-related MSDs cost employers billions of dollars a year in worker compensation, lost productivity and absenteeism. Injuries caused by overexertion (e.g. lifting or pushing heavy objects) cost employers $13.3B alone, with additional annual costs from injuries caused by awkward posters ($4.71B), and repetitive motions ($1.66B). At the MEGA Group, we have always believed the worker safety and wellness are the building blocks of a productive environment. Every solution created at the MEGA Group, whether our ergonomically designed Anti-Fatigue Insoles and Orthotics at MEGAComfort or MEGA InTech with its new ImpactSense Device are created with an aim of increasing employee safety and well-being, continued Dr. Orvitz Dr. Orvitz added This pledge pushes the envelope further by putting a spotlight on the importance of this issue, so workers across the globe can return home safely every day. I encourage every company, to do their part regardless of their size and sign the pledge because this initiative is for the safety of our biggest asset our workforce The MSD Pledge aims to inspire a global movement across industries that improves workplace safety, reduces MSD risk and enhances the well-being of all workers. Specifically, MEGA InTech is pledging to: Reduce risks by analyzing the causes of MSD injuries across operations and investing in solutions and practices that reduce risks to workers. Innovate and collaborate by leveraging best practices and sharing learnings and countermeasures to expand upon innovations to improve safety practices. Build an organizational culture that values safety by promoting a workplace where safety excellence, transparency, and accurate reporting are equally valued, and where everyone, at every level of the organization, is accountable for the safety and health of workers. Commit to a significant reduction of MSD injuries by creating safer outcomes for millions of workers worldwide and reducing MSD risk and subsequent injuries by 25% by 2025. The founding pledge was signed by Amazon, MEGA InTech and other industry leaders Alcon Research, LLC; Ansell Inteliforz ; Amentum; American Industrial Hygiene Association; AMP; Benchmark ESG; Cummins Inc.; Human Balance and Stability Systems, LLC; John Deere; MEGA InTech; Meteorite; Tenneco; United Airlines; and Velocity EHS. While there are no sirens associated with this issue, its impact is alarming and were asking workplaces everywhere to join us in this effort to keep workers safe, said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO. At NSC, our mission is not only to save lives, but also to prevent injuries and the MSD Pledge is an important step forward to help solve this problem. That way, people can spend more time doing the things they love with the people they love, which is precisely what this month, National Safety Month, represents. In addition to accessing free resources and new safety innovations to help reduce MSD risks, MSD pledge members will participate in the MSD Solutions Index, an annual company index that analyzes the benefits of the pledge over time. The index will aggregate data on risk reduction strategies, workplace safety culture, and innovation and collaboration, while also identifying areas for targeted action and uncovering trends to inform future approaches in solving this critical workplace safety issue. To learn more about the MSD Pledge, the MSD Solutions Lab, or the risks associated with MSDs, visit https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/msd. About MEGA InTech and MEGAComfort are part of MEGA Group of Companies - MEGAComfort was formed as a result of the tremendous need to provide ergonomic solutions which will increase employee health and safety while at the same time be cost-effective. An innovative work-life wellness company for the workplace, we provide clinically proven and field-tested footwear accessories including patented ergonomic anti-fatigue insoles and orthotics to proactively combat pain and fatigue, while concurrently increasing wearer comfort and productivity. Over the last two decades, MEGAComfort has become the brand of choice in the industrial safety market and is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2022. MEGA InTech is a technology solution based company which develops risk assessment and rehabilitation solutions for the workplace, to provide insightful data and analytical key metrics allowing companies to proactively maximize employee engagement, productivity, and reduce risk. The inception of MEGA InTech took place from the two decades of industry learnings, safety trends and a lack of wearable tech solution which would simplify tech integration with existing safety programs. About the National Safety Council The National Safety Council is Americas leading nonprofit safety advocate and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives. Bryan Kenna, CEO of QuickStart Learning, says In our partnership with Georgia Southern, we will create opportunities for students and professionals to learn, get certified, and fill critical IT roles. QuickStart Learning, Inc., the award-winning IT workforce readiness, and career development company, announces a partnership with Georgia Southern Universitys Division of Continuing Education to offer online IT bootcamps and certification courses. The bootcamps are offered to prepare students for in-demand fields like cybersecurity, data science, cloud engineering, and AI/ML. The curricula of QuickStart bootcamps are comprehensive, and designed to accommodate beginners that are attempting to switch careers and experienced professionals that want to grow their current career in an IT field. A variety of training and certification options are provided in a couple of different areas of information technology. Through the partnership with Georgia Southerns Division of Continuing Education, QuickStart cybersecurity, AI/ML, data science, and cloud engineering bootcamps will be available to students. The bootcamps offered will provide valuable, in-demand training that will help students build careers in todays competitive field of technology. "From the beginning, we knew our partnership with QuickStart Learning would be a key part of what Georgia Southern University's Division of Continuing Education has to offer Georgia's growing technology workforce. QuickStart's IT bootcamps are unparalleled in both quality and result, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership has in our Statesboro and Savannah communities and beyond." - Georgia Southern University, Division of Continuing Education Representative. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion from the Georgia Southern University Division of Continuing Education and receive a 12-month job assistance program with QuickStart to help with resume building, mock interviews, and more! QuickStart offers various payment methods including a discounted upfront fee, installment plans, and third-party funding via an income-sharing agreement. Visit the QuickStart, Learning Inc. and Georgia Southern partnered page: Click Here About Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141-degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville, and online instruction. The leading higher education institution in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship, and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders, and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu. About QuickStart QuickStart provides 50+ virtual IT certificate courses and bootcamp training programs to help students achieve career growth and workforce readiness. Our expanding catalog of courses covers hundreds of technologies we partner with, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, CompTIA, Cisco, and more. We work with industry experts, hiring managers, and IT professionals to curate the most up-to-date curriculum. Providing IT certification and training for 35 years has enabled QuickStart to develop an AI-enabled cloud-based platform CLIPP. The Cognitive Learning & IT Project Performance (CLIPP) platform enhances the learning process for students by personalizing their learning plan tied to their career goals. At course completion, we provide career services to assist with resume building and the job search process. We have students successfully working in widely known companies such as HP, IBM, Visa, Apple, and more. Weve also had some students who used their QuickStart education to gain promotions and advance their careers in their current companies of employment. Visit QuickStart Learning at http://www.QuickStart.com to start IT certification training to advance your career or upskill your teams to achieve organizational IT project goals. This is just one of the many things Aflac does to help patients and their parents. They have also donated over $160 million to childhood cancer and blood disorder research and made it their mission to help support the sickle cell community. This World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, Mediaplanet is proud to announce its collaboration with Aflac a leader in supplemental health insurance on its cross-platform campaign, Black Health in America. Approximately 100,000 Americans suffer from sickle cell disease, including an astounding 1 in every 365 babies born to Black or African American parents. To help the families and children impacted by this disease, Aflac adapted their feathery companion, My Special Aflac Duck. This soft and cuddly social robot, originally designed to help children through their journey with cancer now also helps kids with sickle cell prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques, and more. My Special Aflac Duck helps families all over the country and is free of charge. Children can practice some of the procedures they are going through, and My Special Aflac Duck helps them feel less afraid, explains Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Responsibility. It also comes with seven different feeling cards when you tap the ducks chest with one, it acts out the feelings because children often have a hard time expressing their emotions. My Special Aflac Duck also has a companion app where children can visit virtual planets and escape to their happy place. The duck can even become a sound machine to help children sleep in a noisy hospital setting. This is just one of the many things Aflac does to help patients and their parents. They have also donated over $160 million to childhood cancer and blood disorder research and made it their mission to help support the sickle cell community. To request or learn more about My Special Aflac Duck, please visit myspecialaflacduck/sicklecell. Press Contact: Danielle Elbert Mediaplanet danielle.elbert@mediaplanet.com Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999 In 2014, Virginia Pope first introduced readers to Torro, The silly parrot (published by AuthorHouse). This year, the author launches a new press campaign for the book in hopes of reaching a wider audience. The book tells an amusing true story about a silly parrot named Torro and the loving, fun relationship he shared with his precious mommy for 40 years. Torro was rescued from a marketplace in Cartagena, Colombia, and was brought to America thereafter. In simple narrative and beautiful illustrations, the author details Torros adorable experiences in his new home. She also shares how Torro found joy in all the lessons he learn about life and love. I dont think there are other books about parrots living in New York City, Pope says. When asked what she wants readers to take away from the book, she responds, A love of animals and how much love they can feel and give. Visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/496081-Torro-The-silly-parrot to get a copy. Torro, The silly parrot By Virginia Pope Softcover | 8.5 x 11in | 24 pages | ISBN 9781496959881 E-Book | 24 pages | ISBN 9781496959898 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Virginia Pope is a talented model and actress with extensive credits to her name. Among them, numerous national TV commercials, magazine covers, and a lifetime of fashion and commercial photo shoots. She is pictured here having a fun time with her beloved Toro, the silly parrot, playing with teddy bears. This is her first published book. AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 833-262-8899. Dr. Jeremy Scarpate I'm thrilled to join TW Orthodontics. I grew up in a military family, and then joined the military, so I've lived all over the world. But Alabama has always felt like home to me, and TW Orthodontics is exactly the type of practice I was determined to join. TW Orthodontics, which has four locations throughout Alabama, proudly announces the addition of Dr. Jeremy Scarpate to the practice. Dr. Scarpate joins fellow orthodontists Dr. Nick Turner, Dr. Brett Wood, and Dr. Christian Silva at TW Orthodontics. The four orthodontists are supported by dozens of experienced orthodontic assistants, treatment coordinators, and administrative staff at their offices in Andalusia, Enterprise, Montgomery, and Selma, AL. Dr. Scarpate earned his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University, before joining the United States Air Force, as a commissioned officer. Dr. Scarpate attended the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He then graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Orthodontic Residency Program. Before joining TW Orthodontics, he earned Board-Certification in Orthodontics and retired from the Air Force as a Colonel. I'm thrilled to join TW Orthodontics," said Dr. Scarpate. "I grew up in a military family, and then joined the military, so I've lived all over the world. But Alabama has always felt like home to me, and TW Orthodontics is exactly the type of practice I was determined to join." Continuing he said, "My peers at TW Orthodontics are some of the most respected orthodontic experts in the state. We share the same commitment to leveraging the advances in technology, and utilizing innovative treatments to provide the most effective orthodontic care available." TW Orthodontics is a top-rated practice. With thousands of five-star reviews on Google, TW Orthodontics provides complete orthodontic treatment for children, teens, and adults. Orthodontic treatments available to correct misaligned teeth and bite disorders include traditional braces, clear braces, Damon self-ligating braces, Invisalign, and 3M Clarity aligners. The practice also treats TMJ disorders and provides interceptive orthodontics for young patients to prevent severe problems from developing in the future, and to expedite orthodontic treatment in their teen years. TW Orthodontics also provides custom mouthguards for patient athletes undergoing orthodontic treatment, and oral and maxillofacial surgery to correct misaligned jaws, remove impacted wisdom teeth, adjust cleft palates, and add dental implants. "TW Orthodontics is a family-focused practice. We care for each patient as we would care for our own family members. That means we emphasize clear communication, by explaining all treatment options, expectations, and projected outcomes, to each patient. We are available and eager to answer all questions our patients have, and we provide care in a comfortable, inviting, clean, modern, and safe environment. It is an honor to join this practice." About TW Orthodontics TW Orthodontics has four state-of-the-art orthodontic offices in Andalusia, Enterprise, Montgomery, and Selma. With four orthodontists and dozens of support staff, TW Orthodontics is a top-reviewed orthodontic practice in Alabama. TW Orthodontics accepts insurance, CareCredit, and offers customized financing plans for orthodontic treatment. To learn more, visit https://www.twortho.com or contact one of the practice's office locations: Enterprise 736 E Lee St Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 347-0096 Andalusia 403 Western Bypass Andalusia, AL 36420 (334) 222-3054 Montgomery 4635 Woodmere Blvd Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 260-8166 Selma 107 YMCA Dr Selma, AL 36701 (334) 874-6627 You, Me, We exhibit at Boston Children's Museum receives grant from the Cummings Foundation We are very grateful to the Cummings Foundation for partnering with us on this important and timely exhibition. Boston Childrens Museum is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundations $25 Million Grant Program. Boston Childrens Museum was chosen from a total of 580 applicants during a competitive review process and will receive $100,000 in support of the upcoming You, Me, We exhibit. You, Me, We will address assumptions based on race, ethnicity, class, religion, ability, and gender, and is rooted in current scholarship on multicultural understanding and empathy. Envisioned as a collaborative, interactive, and participatory experience, You, Me, We will encourage conversations, create opportunities to experiment with appreciating differences, and raise philosophical questions about identity and the nature of bias. We are very grateful for the generous grant from the Cummings Foundation in support of our new You, Me, We exhibit, said Carole Charnow, President & CEO. Boston Childrens Museum is known as an inclusive and welcoming place for kids and families where they can experience the joy of discovery and learning. The Museum also has a successful track record of presenting material that is sometimes difficult for parents to discuss with their children. Taken together, these attributes make the Museum an ideal environment for visitors to explore important issues of identity, diversity, and bias and to learn about themselves and others in their community. We are very grateful to the Cummings Foundation for partnering with us on this important and timely exhibition. For more than 109 years, Boston Childrens Museum has provided opportunities for children to discover, learn, play, and wonder about the world around them, allowing them to reach their greatest potential. The Museum draws on its long tradition and history of service to children and families playing, discovering, and learning together. The Cummings $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the areas where it owns commercial property. Its buildings are all managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation. We are so fortunate in greater Boston to have such effective nonprofits, plus a wealth of talented, dedicated professionals and volunteers to run them, said Cummings Foundation executive director Joyce Vyriotes. We are indebted to them for the work they do each day to provide for basic needs, break down barriers to education and health resources, and work toward a more equitable society. With the help of about 90 volunteers, the Foundation first identified 140 organizations to receive grants of at least $100,000 each. Among the winners were first-time recipients as well as nonprofits that had previously received Cummings Foundation grants. Forty of this latter group of repeat recipients were then selected to have their grants elevated to 10-year awards ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 each. Our volunteers bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which is so critical to our grant selection process, said Vyriotes. Through this democratized approach to philanthropy, they decide more than half the grants every year. This years grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including food insecurity, immigrant and refugee services, social justice, education, and mental health services. The nonprofits are spread across 45 different cities and towns. The complete list of 140 grant winners, plus more than 900 previous recipients, is available at http://www.CummingsFoundation.org. Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $375 million to greater Boston nonprofits. About Boston Children's Museum Boston Childrens Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. More information about Boston Childrens Museum can be found at http://www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org. Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook and follow us on Twitter About Cummings Foundation Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings and has grown to be one of the largest private foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities, in Marlborough and Woburn, and Cummings Health Sciences, LLC. Additional information is available at http://www.CummingsFoundation.org. The historical site has been a vacant property for nearly 30 years and will soon be adapted into 14 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The surrounding property will also be home to 22 newly constructed apartments. Community Housing Network, southeast Michigans largest housing resource nonprofit organization recently announced its most recent development project in Sault Ste. Marie will break ground this spring with support from state funding and the local community. This housing development marks its first in Chippewa County. Garfield Landing, which the project is named, is located the former site of Garfield School. The historical site has been a vacant property for nearly 30 years and will soon be adapted into 14 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The surrounding property will also be home to 22 newly constructed apartments. The former Garfield School is set on a beautiful property with views of the Sault Ste. Marie energy canal. Community Housing Network is working closely with the State Historic Preservation Office to preserve much of the architecture and historical aspect of the main building, said CJ Felton, Community Housing Network Director of Real Estate Development. There has been a need for more housing, and affordable housing, in this area for some time. CHN is honored to be working with several partners in this amazing community to see it develop and grow. Community Housing Network is currently working with National Parks Service to have Garfield Landing, which was built in the late 1800s, placed on the national register of historic places. With this designation, the adaptive re-use of the school building would be eligible for federal historic tax credits. CHN received a majority of funding for its Garfield Landing project through the states housing tax credit. In addition, Central Bank, Sault Ste. Maries oldest financial institution will be partnering for its long-term debt. Both the Chippewa County Community Foundation and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians have joined CHN as economic development partners. In 2017, the Chippewa County Community Foundation (CCCF) reviewed our investment policy and made the decision to add impact investing to our investment strategy, said Debbie Jones, executive director, Chippewa County Community Foundation. When CHN approached CCCF about a partnership to develop workforce housing, we saw it as a perfect fit to provide much-needed affordable housing and still have a return on our investable assets. Since this was our first project that involved impact investing, we were very cautious and knew we needed to do a significant amount of due diligence. The staff of CHN has been great to work with and provided all the information and support we needed to feel confident we were making a great investment by partnering with CHN. I am very excited to keep moving forward with this project and see the results of everyones hard work. In addition to Garfield Landing, CHN will begin construction on its first-ever market-rate apartment community in the current County Annex Building. Sault Ste. Marie is a small, yet vibrant community on the brink of continued economic development, highlighted by the ongoing nearly $1 billion, 10-year project to expand the historic Soo Locks, said Felton. Our mission is to develop inclusive communities and invest in the revitalization. These projects will provide a combined $14 million investment in Sault Ste. Marie while offering access to sustainable housing for local residents and those looking to live and work in the area. CHN plans to host a groundbreaking event in the summer of 2022 inviting the community to take part in this exciting and historic project. Community Housing Network is Southeast Michigans largest housing resource nonprofit agency opening doors and changing lives for people in need through proven strategies of homeless prevention, housing assistance and development, community education and referral, advocacy, and additional services. The organization carries out its work in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties. For the past seven years, it was recognized by the Detroit Free Press as a Top 100 Workplace. In 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 CHN was honored as a Crains Cool Place to Work. For more information, visit http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org. Gods Hand Has Always Been Upon Me: an enjoyable look back on growing up in a loving Christian home through adulthood. Gods Hand Has Always Been Upon Me is the creation of published author Dewey Chapman. Chapman shares, In this book, I am sharing a great deal of my life. You will read of many instances of Gods protection in my life. This book gives readers a chance to understand that no matter what they are going through, God knows and cares for them and is able to supply all of their needs. From many exciting adventures of a small southwest Virginia boy growing up in an age before computers and computer games were invented to a grown man with a deep love for God, this book is a true account of the life of a southwest Virginia man from a young child to an adult. Come join in on many fun childhood adventures all the way to several life-threatening experiences as the boy grows into a man. Dewey feels inspired within the depths of his heart from the Lord that the stories in this book can help people in all walks of life. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dewey Chapmans new book offers thoughtful reflections and encouraging messages of how God has acted within the authors life. Chapman shares a nostalgic collection of family stories within the pages of this enjoyable memoir. Consumers can purchase Gods Hand Has Always Been Upon Me at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Gods Hand Has Always Been Upon Me, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Dr. Samuel A. Joseph, Jr. It felt amazing to have a direct effect on a childs life and not only improve their appearance but improve their quality of life and life expectancy, Dr. Samuel Joseph, Jr. The opening of the International Spine Foundation comes at a time when the Joseph Spine Institute is celebrating over five years in business, establishing itself as the premier spinal surgery institution in the Tampa Bay area. Through Dr. Samuel Josephs expertise, charity, and passion, lives have been indelibly altered and changed. What means so much more than the innovative spine treatments, the pioneering surgeries, and representing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is the charitable and philanthropic work that Dr. Joseph has undertaken. It felt amazing to have a direct effect on a childs life and not only improve their appearance but improve their quality of life and life expectancy, Dr. Joseph told reporters in 2019 when Dr. Samuel Joseph along with a dedicated team of volunteers traveled to the Dominican Republic to save the lives of children and young adults with severe spinal deformities. Thinking about how many people this child will then affect in their life makes you really take a step back and be humbled by what we as a team are so fortunate and blessed to be able to do. The volunteers had a grueling schedule which included 4 to 5 surgeries daily for the week, along with patient screenings and lectures to orthopedic residents. This was one trip of many, a trip that inspired Dr. Joseph to find new ways to help the underserved. Make A Wish Foundation Dr. Joseph and his family are active members of the Tampa Bay community. They have taken a special interest in the Make a Wish Foundation and its goal of granting wishes and making life better for kids with life-threatening medical conditions. Dr. Joseph, along with his fellow co-founders, Elizabeth Joseph and Dr. Uhuru Smith, hope to broaden his impact locally, nationally and internationally, helping people of all backgrounds get access to lifesaving spinal surgeries. About Dr. Samuel Joseph Dr. Joseph is the founder of the International Spine Foundation and the Joseph Spine Institute. He is dedicated to pioneering minimally invasive, outpatient surgical procedures. Dr. Joseph is at the forefront of endoscopic spine surgery and a team physician for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dr. Josephs practice includes the specialized, conservative, and surgical care of patients. Treatment includes therapeutic injections, disc replacement surgery, minimally invasive techniques, and complex reconstruction of adult and pediatric spinal disorders. Dr. Joseph has used his training and experience to become a nationwide leader on revision surgery for patients who have experienced failed surgery in the past. These patients have traveled to see Dr. Joseph not only from the Tampa Bay area but from all over the state and the nation. Dr. Joseph has published numerous articles in neurosurgical and orthopedic spine journals. His research on scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal surgery in the elderly has been presented at many international meetings including the International Meeting for Advanced Spinal Techniques. With the founding of this non-profit, he and his family hope to create lasting change for those affected by spinal issues. About Dr. Uhuru Smith Dr. Smith is a board-certified Anesthesiologist and is one of four founding partners of Intrepid Anesthesia which she launched in 2021. Intrepid Anesthesia not only focuses on providing anesthesia services for both inpatient and outpatient surgical environments, but also provides management, consultation and billing services for both inpatient and outpatient facilities. Further, Dr. Smith concurrently serves at the Chief of Anesthesiology and Chief Medical Officer at Riverwalk Ambulatory Surgery Center. Prior to the inception of Intrepid Anesthesia Dr. Smith served as the Chief of Anesthesiology at The Advanced Surgery of Center for 7 years while building a comprehensive outpatient orthopedics, total joint and spine program. During this time, she expanded services in acute pain for complex outpatient spine, orthopedic surgery and pain procedures in chronically ill patients. Dr. Smith nurtured her love of complementary medicine and entrepreneurship by opening the first and most successful IV wellness clinic in Tampa, RENEW IV Wellness. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, Dr. Smith sold RENEW but continued to practice anesthesiology and critical care throughout her treatment. After beating breast cancer and returning to full time practice, Dr. Smith has furthered her practice by improving surgical outcomes in complex outpatient surgery by utilizing innovative and complimentary approaches in order to provide treatment for both acute and surgical pain. Dr. Smith has strong personal interests in research, education, regenerative, and complimentary medicine as adjunct to allopathic medicine. Dr. Smith aspires to use these interests to further improve the way we approach pain, orthopedic spine, and outpatient surgery.- - EnVue Telematics Exhibiting at Texas Trucking Show 2022 We want not only to help clients make the right choice that meets their needs, but also ensure they get the most out of their investment in advanced technology EnVue Telematics will exhibit this summer at the Texas Trucking Show, a large regional show that specializes in connecting innovative suppliers with heavy-duty truck commercial fleets. As a leader in telematics solutions and consultancy, representatives from EnVue Telematics look forward to showing fleet leaders how they can help make their fleets safer, efficient and profitable. The Texas Trucking Show focuses on long-haul distribution and the private truck industry. Event organizers expect more than 150 companies from around the country to attend the show. EnVue Telematics will have booth #621 at the exhibitors hall in Houstons NRG Center. EnVue Telematics, with headquarters in Longview, Texas, will offer information on the latest connected devices and software systems that support better fleet operations. They include: Advanced GPS tracking systems for vehicles, powered assets, and non-powered assets DOT Compliance solutions for ELDs; DVIRs; IFTA Reporting & More Dash camera systems that support reduced risk and better behind-the-wheel performance Maintenance management platforms and services Fuel management solutions Wireless device management Risk management systems that address issues such as distracted driving, driver training and MVR services Routing and dispatch Were looking forward to seeing everyone at the Texas Trucking Show. Every year, we have more devices, services and systems that can help fleets reduce risks and increase profits while also improving driver safety, said Randy Read, co-founder of EnVue Telematics. In our decades of experience, weve never met a fleet manager who we could not help in some way to better their operations. Thats the power of innovative technology. Read also pointed out that EnVue Telematics specializes in consultancy services both before and after fleets invest in telematics systems. We want not only to help clients make the right choice that meets their needs, but also ensure they get the most out of their investment in advanced technology, said Read. Texas Trucking Show at NRG Center in Houston The Texas Trucking Show bills itself as a heavy duty aftermarket trucking show. The show, which focuses on connecting heavy-duty truck fleets with the best suppliers in the industry, attracts thousands of visitors to Houston each year. Exhibitors at the show include some of the leading companies in the trucking supply business. They include companies that specialize in brake parts; engine and components; finance, leasing and tax services; insurance; marketing and advertising; equipment and tools; tires and accessories. Texas Trucking Show organizers scheduled the event for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both June 25 and 26 in Hall D in the NRG Center. The center is located at 1 NRG Parkway in Houston, part of the complex that includes NRG Stadium, home of the NFLs Houston Texans and the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Golden Bridge Awards by Globee More than 100 judges from around the world representing a wide spectrum of industry experts participated in the judging process. The Golden Bridge Awards are the worlds premier business awards program honoring achievements in every industry around the world. The Globee Awards have announced the winners of Grand Globee Awards in the 14th Annual 2022 Golden Bridge Awards, recognized as the worlds top honors for achievements in business and innovations worldwide. More than 100 judges from around the world representing a wide spectrum of industry experts participated in the judging process. The Golden Bridge Awards are the worlds premier business awards program honoring achievements in every industry around the world. Winners of the Grand Globee for 2022 Golden Bridge Awards are (alphabetically): Aspen Publishing, IBM, Iris Powered by Generali, Jeunesse Global, Makers Nutrition, PJ Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI), Tata Consultancy Services, Tek Leaders Inc, Wipro Limited, Wolters Kluwer, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, and Wolters Kluwers ELM Solutions. Grand Globee winners are organizations that have exhibited overall excellence in diverse categories and impressed the judges with the quality of entry submissions and content. https://globeeawards.com/grand-award/ See the complete list of 2022 winners here: https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/winners/ Apply for 2022 CEO World Awards (Leadership Excellence Awards): https://globeeawards.com/ceo-world-awards/ Apply for 2022 Business Excellence Awards: https://globeeawards.com/business-awards/ Apply for 2022 Women World Awards: https://globeeawards.com/women-world-awards/ Winners of one or more 2022 Gold Globee include Templeton and Partners, IBM, Enterprise Operations, WRS, Inc./AGIA Affinity + Iris Powered by Generali, PicUP, swIDch, M-Files, EdgeVerve Systems Limited, Wolters Kluwer, Verizon Connect, ADNOC Onshore Company, Honeywell, Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory U.S, Avail Car Sharing, Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Center, Five9, SpendMend, IBM, Q2C EMEA, Canonic Security, Ivanti, Concentrix, PJ Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI), INTOO USA, IBM, Quote-to-Cash Asia Pacific and Japan, Chargebacks911, Cardinal Group Management, First Advantage, Axis Security, KPMG, B.S.C. Group, Amino, GreyNoise Intelligence, Beatsons Building Supplies Ltd, 1903 Public Relations, IBM, Onbe, Cyara, Daiichi-Sankyo Turkey, Iapetus Holdings LLC, Epirus Inc., Trustifi, FuelCell Energy, Red Sift, for peats sake!, ZigiWave AD, Data Dynamics, Prescriptive Data, National Grid, BlueVoyant, Bakioglu, Vipre, BrightSprings (Mining) Group, Zotec Partners, BigPanda, Talkdesk, Cymbiotika LLC, Big Health, Centene Corporation, Rocket Software, TCS, Chime Technologies, Torii, Poly, Tata Consultancy Services, Tek Leaders Inc, Intel Corporation, IT Organization, Applied Systems, ADP, Inspired eLearning, Impartner, Cloudbric, Tamkeen, Centage Corporation, Semperis, Global eTrade Services (GeTS), EdgeVerve Systems Limited An Infosys Company, BURSALI, Wipro Limited, Jumio, Connectpoint, Inc, Gurucul, Mount Sinai Hospital, Jeunesse Global, Rockwell Automation, Full Sail University, Kong Inc., Mount Sinai Health System, Innover, LaunchX, Invafresh, 7 Stage Advisors, Flobotics, CoStar Group, IBM, Enterprise Operations & Services, Gigamon, LastBasic, Iris Powered by Generali, iboss, Vertafore, Dell Technologies Education Services, Annature, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporations, Jeunesse Kids, Wolters Kluwers ELM Solutions, Qgiv, Zyter, Scality, Way.com, Michelin North America, Inc., Apollo.io, Alert Logic, Think Tank AlterContacts, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Asia Pacific, Precision Medical Products, Aspen Publishing, Google for Startups, Impact Gym, and Makers Nutrition. 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 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 All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Gregory Franklin, a Litigation associate in the Dallas office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, will speak at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting June 9-10. Franklin, a member of the bars African American Lawyers Section, will present on a section-led panel titled From Pipeline to Practitioner: Implementing Diversity in the Profession June 10 at 9 a.m. The discussion will center on creating a pipeline that fosters a diverse legal community reflective of the communities in which we live. Additional panelists include State of Texas Administrative Law Judge Robin Burgess; Holland & Knight Associate Sydne Collier; and Calhoun Meredith Managing Partner Dominique D. Calhoun. The bars African American Lawyers Section is commemorating its 30th anniversary at the meeting. The State Bar of Texas puts an emphasis on education for all and the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Franklin said. It is a true honor to have this opportunity to share my insight and speak on a topic that impacts so many of us. The State Bar of Texas manages the attorney discipline system, provides educational programs for the legal profession and the public, and administers continuing legal education program for attorneys. Franklin focuses his practice on construction and financial services litigation and assists clients with finding practical and efficient ways to approach problems that threaten their businesses. About Greenberg Traurigs Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firms efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification Plus, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/general/our-firm/diversity Twitter: @GT_Drives. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and the firms history. With approximately 140 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firms global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the states future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2400 attorneys in 43 locations in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm, often recognized for its focus on philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono, reported gross revenue of over $2 Billion for FY 2021. The firm is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law 100, Am Law Global 100, NLJ 250, and Law360 (US) 400. On the debut 2022 Law360 Pulse Leaderboard, it is a Top 15 firm. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com. Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw For more information about the class action lawsuit against Location Services, LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The San Diego employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Location Services, LLC violated the California Labor Code. The Location Services, LLC class action lawsuit, Case No. 37-2022-00019868-CU-OE-CTL, is currently pending in the San Diego County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. According to the lawsuit filed, Location Services, LLC allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, (f) failed to provide wages when due, (g) failed to pay sick pay wages, and (h) knowingly falsely represented, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-204, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 970, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges Defendant underpaid sick pay wages to Plaintiff and other California Class Members by failing to pay such wages at the regular rate of pay. Plaintiff received incentive compensation that was allegedly not calculated into the regular rate of pay, which resulted in an alleged underpayment of sick pay wages. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Location Services, LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** Lowcountry Connections Academy Celebrates First Graduating Class Among the graduates is Hannah Whatley, an Irmo resident and one of the top graduating seniors who will be attending the College of Charleston. I really appreciate the flexibility of Lowcountry Connections Academys learning schedule, Lowcountry Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K-12 across the state, celebrated the schools first class of graduating high school seniors on Friday. The Class of 2022 held their graduation ceremony at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center among school administrators, teachers and family members in attendance to cheer them on. Lowcountry Connections Academys Class of 2022 consists of 37 graduates from many cities and towns across South Carolina, including Irmo, West Columbia, Greer and more. Among the graduates is Hannah Whatley, an Irmo resident and one of the top graduating seniors who will be attending the College of Charleston. I really appreciate the flexibility of Lowcountry Connections Academys learning schedule, said Whatley. It allows me to both maintain my academics and work to support myself. Its been a positive experience and I am grateful for the ability to take charge of my educational journey. We are honored to celebrate Lowcountry Connections Academys first graduating class, said GeRita Connor, principal at Lowcountry Connections Academy. Despite the challenges the Class of 2022 has faced for most of their high school careers, these students have risen above and demonstrated an incredible amount of resilience. I have the utmost confidence in their post-graduate success and look forward to hearing where their journeys lead them. Lowcountry Connections Academy currently serves approximately 400 students across South Carolina, providing them with both continuous support of highly-skilled teachers and a curriculum that emphasizes both academics and helps to build fundamental life skills. This combination fosters an environment for students to gain the confidence they need to thrive in a changing world. The schools teachers are specially trained to bring their skills and personality to the virtual classroom and emphasize the importance of fostering meaningful connections with students and their families. Learning plans are flexible and can be uniquely tailored based on a students specific needs. Students at Lowcountry Connections Academy have access to advanced courses, extracurricular activities, and adaptable scheduling, giving them the opportunity to take ownership of their unique educational journey. Students who enroll in the school join a collaborative community of their fellow students and educators that provides a welcoming, distraction-free learning environment. Enrollment for Lowcountry Connections Academys 2022-2023 school year is currently open. Families are encouraged to attend an online information session to learn more, ask questions and discover if virtual school is the right fit for their student. For more information, visit http://www.LowcountryConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-800-382-6010. About Lowcountry Connections Academy Lowcountry Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school that serves students in grades K-12 across South Carolina. Lowcountry Connections Academy offers a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For more information, visit http://www.LowcountryConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-800-382-6010. While DEIB goals have long been pursued through training, todays most effective organizations are accelerating progress by focusing on expanding employees access to development opportunities. High-performing organizations have discovered an effective new way to advance their goals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), according to a report from RedThread Research. By broadening access to employee development opportunities, organizations can improve DEIB while creating a more competitive workforce. Broadening access to employee development is the right thing to do for DEIB, and its also good for business, said Dani Johnson, co-founder and principal analyst at RedThread Research. More access means more employees from a wider range of perspectives will develop the skills they need for the future. While DEIB goals have long been pursued through training, todays most effective organizations are accelerating progress by focusing on expanding employees access to development opportunities. DEIB training is foundational. But L&D functions need to stop thinking just about training and start thinking about learning equity, said Heather Gilmartin Adams, senior analyst at RedThread and author of the report. They need to think about making the systems of employee development themselves more inclusive and equitable. L&D functions are uniquely suited to advance DEIB goals because they reach across the entire organization and can influence expectations for how employees work and interact with one another. This gives them the ability to move the needle on the deep cultural change that DEIB efforts require. Based on surveys, interviews, discussions, and other research, the new report, Less DEIB Training, More Learning Equity: Making Employee Development More Equitable and Inclusive, reveals how high-performing organizations are leading the way in using employee development to reach their DEIB goals, advance careers, and enhance workforce capabilities. At high-performing organizations: 81% of employees said their organization is transparent about development opportunities, compared to 61% in other organizations 84% of employees said their organization offers equal access to development opportunities, compared to 58% in other organizations About twice as many employees reported being enabled to participate in development as those in other organizations Learning equity is an area of untapped opportunity to improve DEIB in organizations, said Gilmartin Adams. High-performing organizations know this. Theyre working toward learning equity much more actively than other organizations. As one leader, Kate Shaw, director of learning at Airbnb, explained, DEIB has to be not just a piece of what you do, but woven throughout everything you do. The report includes concrete ideas about the steps L&D functions can take to move their organizations toward more diverse, equitable, and inclusive employee development. It identifies three areas of employee development that L&D functions should focus on, as well as nine obstacles to learning equity and how to address them. To improve learning equity, you need to be more transparent about whats available, provide more equal access to those opportunities, and enable more employees to actually participate in development, said Gilmartin Adams. In other words, its about more employees being aware of opportunity, being included in the group its offered to, and having the means to participate. For example, if you announce opportunities via email, youre going to miss people, continued Gilmartin Adams. If you offer primarily in-person training at your corporate university, you might miss people who are qualified but cant travel. If you only target people based on their current role, you might miss those in other roles with potential to grow. To read the full report, including an infographic outlining the nine obstacles to learning equity and how to address them, visit http://www.redthreadresearch.com. On Tuesday, June 14, RedThread will host an interactive webinar exploring the studys findings and the practical implications for L&D functions working on DEIB. For complete access to the latest research in human resources and workforce development strategies, become a RedThread Research member. About Dani Johnson, Co-founder and Principal Analyst, RedThread Research Dani has spent the majority of her career writing about, conducting research in, and consulting on human capital practices and technology. Before starting RedThread, she led the Learning and Career research practice at Bersin, Deloitte. Her ideas can be found in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, CLO Magazine, HR Magazine, and Employment Relations. Dani holds a Master of Business Administration degree and Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University. About Heather Gilmartin Adams, Senior Analyst, RedThread Research Trained in conflict resolution and organizational development, Heather has spent the past 10 years in various capacities at organizational culture and mindset change consultancies, as well as with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She holds a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Princeton University. She has lived in Germany, China, Japan, and India, and was, for one summer, a wrangler on a dude ranch in Colorado. About RedThread Research In an HR industry rife with jargon and fluff, RedThread Research connects experience, data, and ideas to provide substance and actionable insights. RedThread researchers are experts in performance, people analytics, learning, and diversity and inclusion, as well as the emerging technologies to support them. Their original research is developed through broad collaboration to curate the best ideas and written in plain language to be as useful as possible. The result is high-quality, unbiased, transformative foresight to help organizations improve people practices and build a stronger business. To learn more, visit http://www.redthreadresearch.com. Our LatAm desk is purpose-built to deliver the insights and perspectives that will drive success for Latin American clients entering U.S. markets and American enterprises expanding into Latin America, said Victor M. Pena, Partner and Latin America Desk Leader at PKF OConnor Davies. PKF OConnor Davies, LLP, one of the nations largest accounting, tax and advisory firms, today announced that it has launched a Latin America Desk. The new service offering connects Firm leaders and experts from its New York City base with skilled counterparts in more than 40 offices throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. These connections offer expert guidance for an increasingly global business landscape, supporting Latin American companies, entrepreneurs, investors and Family Offices as they enter new markets and structure businesses and investments. Our LatAm desk is purpose-built to deliver the insights and perspectives that will drive success for Latin American clients entering U.S. markets and American enterprises expanding into Latin America, said Victor M. Pena, Partner and Latin America Desk Leader at PKF OConnor Davies. Our experts go beyond just speaking the language to really understanding the business climate, the regulatory and tax landscapes, and the cultural considerations that will best position clients for success. The Firms Latin America Desk team provides tailored services in Spanish and Portuguese with a deep understanding of the business, customs, culture and regulatory environment intrinsic to flourishing in the regions leading business and investment centers. These skills prove to be essential in effective investment and transaction structuring, strategy formulation, tax optimization, and profit reinvestment or repatriation. When a merger, acquisition or investment is under consideration, specialists help secure accurate valuations, perform thorough due diligence, and prepare for pre- and post-acquisition integrations, as well as expansion and exit strategies. The team provides comprehensive, global services with a focus on: Assurance and Attest Services Outsourced CFO and Accounting/Back Office Support Tax Compliance and Planning Family Office Services Advisory Services In addition to the specialized expertise of the Firms specialists, clients have access to accounting, audit, tax and business advisory expertise at more than 400 office locations in 150 countries on five continents through the Firms role as the lead North American member firm of PKF International, a global network of independent accounting and advisory firms. PKF OConnor Davies continues to expand through organic growth and acquisitions on the East Coast and beyond. It has supported this growth with a strategic combination of promoting from within coupled with an ongoing focus on top-tier external hires. About PKF OConnor Davies, LLP PKF OConnor Davies, LLP, is a full-service certified public accounting and advisory firm with a long history of serving clients both domestically and internationally. With roots tracing to 1891, the Firm has 18 offices in the United States and abroad. In the U.S., offices are located across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where PKF OConnor Davies has recently merged in Boston-based DGC and expanded its footprint in the New England market. The Firm also has an office in Mumbai, India. PKF OConnor Davies employs more than 1,400 professionals who provide a complete range of accounting, auditing, tax and management advisory services. The Firm is led by over 150 partners who are closely involved in the day-to-day management of engagements, ensuring a high degree of client service and cost effectiveness. The Firm is a top-ranked firm, according to Accounting Todays 2022 Top 100 Firms list and was recently recognized as one of Americas Best Tax and Accounting Firms by Forbes. PKF O'Connor Davies was named one of Vault's 2022 Accounting 50, a ranking of the 50 best accounting employers to work for in North America and ranked among the top 50 most prestigious accounting firms in America in a complementary Vault survey. PKF OConnor Davies is the lead North American representative of the international association of PKF member firms. PKF International is a network of legally independent member firms providing accounting, tax and business advisory services in over 400 locations in 150 countries around the world. With its tradition, experience and focus on the future, PKF OConnor Davies is ready to help clients meet todays ever-changing economic conditions and manage the growing complexities of the regulatory environment. For more information, visit http://www.PKFOD.com. "Combining ASI's expertise in accessibility with RemoteLock gave us the ability to extend door lock access and control to our end users. RemoteLock provides the door lock and unlocking interface while we provide the accessibility layer to make the impossible possible for our end users." Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) announced today their partnership with RemoteLock, the leader in universal access control. RemoteLocks platform now integrates with the autonoME environmental control unit/speech generating device to allow individuals with severe spinal cord injuries and debilitating diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) the freedom and independence to control their door locks and access to their homes. The RemoteLock integration gives autonoME users peace of mind and security at home, allowing users to control door locks using their input method of choice: Switch Scan Voice Eye Gaze Head Mouse Sip & Puff Touch Users can assign specific access codes to visitors, friends, caregivers, and family members. In addition to autonoME integration, RemoteLock works with the RemoteLock Mobile App, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. "Combining ASI's expertise in accessibility with RemoteLock gave us the ability to extend door lock access and control to our end users, explains Michael Lawrence, Principal Engineer for ASI. RemoteLock provides the door lock and unlocking interface while we provide the accessibility layer to make the impossible possible for our end users." ASIs autonoME is the first and only integrated environmental control unit (ECU) and speech generating device with full augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and computing capabilities. It allows users to have full control of their environment and gives them the ability to generate speech. Barclay Friesen, RemoteLocks Executive Vice President of Business Development says that their platform is intentionally easy to use and integrate with in order to make modern access control options available to more people. We are honored to have been chosen as the integration partner to make ASIs end-users lives easier when it comes to managing who can access their homes and when, said Friesen. According to Brice Green, ASIs Vice President of Business Development, the company explored options for a door lock system to integrate with the autonoME software upon the request of existing clients. We continuously evolve our technology based on the needs of the unique community we serve, explains Green. Our founder, Fred Thompson, started ASI with the philosophy to start with the customer and work backwards. More than 30 years later, we still operate our business and make decisions based on this philosophy. Visit https://accessibilityservices.com/ for more information about the autonoME and its integration with the RemoteLock system. ### About Accessibility Services, Inc. Accessibility Services, Inc. (ASI) is the provider of the autonoME, a combined augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aid and environmental control unit (ECU) with computer access designed specifically for individuals with severe disabilities, progressive diseases and spinal cord injuries. ASIs proprietary autonoME has become one of the most popular hospital and residential products on the market. The re-designed autonoME Hospital, introduced in 2020, is transforming the hospital experience for both clinicians and patients as the worlds first device to provide a fully integrated ECU, AAC and television experience. Founded in 1991 with a primary vision to help veterans, ASI has since expanded its mission to address the needs of all individuals with severe disabilities. Founder Fred Thompsons philosophy, we start with the customer and work backwards has inspired ASIs research and development engineers to stay one step ahead of technology, ensuring the company continues to deliver the industrys most advanced and progressive technology solutions. For more information, visit https://accessibilityservices.com/. About RemoteLock RemoteLock sets the standard in universal access control with its easy-to-use, scalable, and future-proof software platform. It provides users the ultimate in flexibility and controlso they can easily grant any person access to any space, from anywhere. RemoteLock manages the greatest diversity of smart locks and wired access control devices from leading manufacturers and can easily integrate with other essential business software. RemoteLock is committed to being the last access management partner our customers will need. Headquartered in Denver, CO, RemoteLock has customers in over 65 countries. For more information, visit https://remotelock.com/. Who is God? What his relationship with Yeshua the Messiah/Jesus Christ? What is being a Christian all about? Why do Christians do all the ritualistic and sacramonial things out of custom and tradition? What is meant by the resurrection of the body? What is sin and against who is it directed? Ronald Birksmith, in his first publishing foray WOT 4 & Y? (published by Balboa Press AU), offers a collection of articles that address the difficult questions Christians have been afraid to ask. This spirituality book explores the scriptural basis of some of the questions the author has had as a Christian and how it all began. Birksmith discusses how, through the years, the church has embellished much of the original ordinances and teachings, making it difficult to ascertain why people should blindly believe and act as they were taught. Here, he presents an uncomplicated explanation of what precipitated the original events and principles of the religious ordinances. By sharing his insights gained from studying the Bible, the author hopes to encourage Christians to continue being pilgrims but more informed pilgrims. Throughout my ministry and engaging with the normal, average people, I have noted a confusion over the reasons and ways we address the various ordinances (sacraments) in the churches, Birksmith states. "This book is a distillation of much of my research with the hope that it might ease the anxiety for some and/or calm the uncertain. When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, the author responds, If one accepts that God loves you then it is important that you ascertain what it is that God is saying to you as an individual about your life and your place in the world. Ritual or Liturgic practices, no matter how important they may be, must be an outward expression of what is real inside the individual. It is of no value at all if it is an imposed action purely for sacramonial purposes. WOT 4 & Y? is available for purchase at https://www.balboapress.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/837400-wot-4-y. WOT 4 & Y? By Ronald Birksmith Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 170 pages | ISBN 9781982293345 E-Book | 170 pages | ISBN 9781982293338 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Ronald Birksmith and his late wife, Beverley, served together in ministry for many years. They were married for 50 years, and the earlier years of ministry were in youth work and pastoral care with scriptural teaching a strong theme. Birksmith also held a number of senior management positions and undertook many projects in management analysis, leadership psychology, and ergonomics. He is currently enjoying time with academic theological research in retirement and attends, and is active in the life of St Thomas Anglican Church, Cranebrook, New South Wales. He also has interests in the Messianic Jewish community of faith in Yeshua as Messiah and Lord. Birksmith has three children with families of their own as well as a Columbian godson in Barcelona who is married with two daughters. Balboa Press Australia is a division of Hay House, Inc., a leading provider in publishing products that specialise in self-help and the mind, body and spirit genre. Through an alliance with the worldwide self-publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the Author Solutions self-publishing model. For more information or to start publishing today, visit balboapress.com.au or call 1-800-844-925. Servicon and students of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Servicon President and CEO Laurie Sewell says: We at Servicon pride ourselves on our ability to enrich our communities through ServiconCares. Alongside the generosity of the Mahdesian family, we can support our companys goal of keeping our people and our neighborhoods thriving and healthy. ServiconCares, the philanthropic division of Custodial and Infection-Prevention Leader Servicon, announced today the Mahdesian Family/ServiconCares Scholarship Fund for Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. ServiconCares is dedicated to Growing Our Communities with Care. Its mission is to learn how to support local communities and take action. The ServiconCares Fund gives to those in need to create a better environment, supporting organizations that empower communities to stabilize and thrive. Servicon Cares will fund five $15,000 Undergraduate student scholarships per year per student, and the scholarships can be renewable. Students do not have to be straight- A students but must demonstrate the ability to be successful in their field of study. Recipients of the scholarship must meet the following minimum criteria. Priority should be given to undergraduate students from the South Los Angeles area. The scholars will be selected by the Universitys scholarship committee or by nomination of one of the Universitys Deans. The University has Deans for the College of Medicine, College of Science and Health, Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing, and Student Affairs. As industry leaders in the healthcare space, this partnership exemplifies Servicon as an innovative company focused on the healthcare industry in its entirety and its communities. CDU has graduated or trained more than 7,000 physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and allied health sciences professionals since 1966, making it a perfect fit for ServiconCares. Servicon President and CEO Laurie Sewell says: We at Servicon pride ourselves on our ability to enrich our communities through ServiconCares. Alongside the generosity of the Mahdesian family, we can support our companys goal of keeping our people and our neighborhoods thriving and healthy. An annual gift of $75,000 will be made on or before December of each year to the Mahdesian Family/ServiconCares Scholarship Fund. The total gift will consist of $300,000 at $75,000 per over the next four years. This expands upon the vision of Servicons founder, Richard Mahdesian, to provide opportunities for employees to grow and build a better life for themselves and their families by seeking to directly impact the communities those employees live in as well. About Servicon At Servicon, we are dedicated to providing exemplary environmental, custodial, and maintenance services for complex facilities throughout California. We live by our purpose to elevate the industry and provide healthy environments for people to thrive. Women-owned and operated, we work and live by our vision of creating a better working future. For more information, visit servicon.com To support its initiatives in the US The Charming Taste of Europe has announced its participation in the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show with a stand dedicated to the campaign. The Show will take place at the Javits Center in New York City., from June 12 to the 14th. The hours will be 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday. The stand for The Charming Taste of Europe will be located at Level 1 - Hall 1C, Booth N: 6631. Open only to the trade, the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest East Coast B2B-only specialty food and beverage show. The Charming Taste of Europe'' invites all attendees to stop at its booth to discover the agricultural jewels of Europe it promotes: the delicious kiwis from Kavala and cherries from Rachi Pieria, both in Greece, the golden wines from Bordeaux, France, and the high quality wines from Abruzzo, Italy. At the booth various wines from Bordeaux will be featured including wines from Cotes de Bordeaux Saint Macaire, which pair best with white meat, fish and Asian cuisine, Sainte Croix du Mont, pairing beautifully with shellfish, poultry and duck breast, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, perfect with fresh fruits, white meat and fish, Loupiac, ideal with unconventional food pairings, such as with sushi, Cerons, perfect as a pre-dinner drink, Cadillac, both smooth and aromatic, pairing well with white meat, Bordeaux Superieur a beautiful compliment to sweet and savory salads and finally Bordeaux Moelleux, pairing divinely with an aperitif or a light dessert. From 2021, The Charming Taste of Europe campaign, co-financed by the European Union, promotes the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria (Agios Loukas) the Vini d Abruzzo consortium and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. The 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 Europes charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria Agios Loukas and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign: Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU Instagram: @charmeu_usa YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains Each week the PSFK research team studies for the latent signs of cultural change and marketing, brand and CX innovation and we pour these patterns into our weekly newsletters on Thursdays. This week we share clusters of ideas around engaging consumers in the sharing economy, signals for DTC's rebirth from the direct to music movement, why digital twin avatars are taking center stage, stats, stats, stats and a special offer from our friends over at Motion. Brand Engagement Through Shared Ownership Two decades into the 21st century, the majority of most consumer generations still struggle to make large financial commitments. Fractional economic systems not only democratize ownership and serve as investment tools for a wide audience, but exciting new research also shows they can have a far-reaching impact as a technology-backed framework for community engagement and audience activation, mapping out what modern ownership really means by allowing consumers to become brand stakeholders and partners who actively participate in co-creation and decision-making. eBay Vault is the future of ownership, trust, and collectible investing eBay Vault will be a secure storage facility and digital marketplace for valuable collectibles where users can invest fractionally and transfer ownership from seller to buyer in a matter of seconds. Read More BusyKid lets Gen Alpha buy fractional shares in their favorite companies Chore-setting app BusyKid aims to make financial literacy accessible for young children and teens by giving them real-world experience managing the money they earn from chores. The app offers fractional shares from thousands of companies, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, Meta, and Google. PSFK Starbucks launches innovative program for next generation of loyalty The coffee chain is designing a digital community of global brand fans by leveraging web3 technologies to create a business-adjacent model of shared-loyalty and beneficial ownership. Read More Read More: A PSFK Guide to Fractional Ownership Discover 6 strategies for delivering against the emergent fractional ownership concept, including best-in-class examples of co-ownership-driven access to products, experiences, and more. Details Become a Better Creative Strategist with our partner Motion With so many marketing channels now available to advertisers, it's more important than ever before that creative departments and media buyers are in lock step with one another. Well, the glue that ties those functions together is the Creative Strategist. With so many marketing channels now available to advertisers, it's more important than ever before that creative departments and media buyers are in lock step with one another. Well, the glue that ties those functions together is the The creative strategist is the connection between an organizations left and right brains. The left brainanalytical and methodicalis focused on data, KPIs, and ad performance. The right braincreative and artisticis focused on the innovations in writing and editing to produce an ad. Our friends at Motion are offering PSFK readers an exclusive *Free* Download of their latest report, Becoming a Creative Strategist. In the report, tailor made for our creative professional audience, learn how to: Drive lasting growth by bridging the gap between creative art and science Eliminate guesswork and improve ad results, saving hours of creative analysis and deep-dive back-and-forth Get inspired with top insights from more than a dozen leading industry marketers and creative strategists. Breakdown the different components of the Creative Strategist role (ideation, data analysis, briefing, retros, and more) Properly and effectively gauge the performance of your paid advertising, while facilitating best-in-class creative Use data and competitive analysis to power repeatable sweet spot ideation cycles And that's just the beginning Our Digital Twins Begin To Replace The Real Us In this past year's annual PSFK Future of Retail report, we posited that moving beyond the physical-digital divide to a truly and authentically connected mirror world would require the widespread adoption of personal avatars serving as lifelike digital twins. Well, given the news below, it seems like we should've moved our timeline up a few years from 2042! ABBAs life-size digital ABBAtars are playing 7 months of IRL gigs Digital versions of the band ABBA, created through cutting-edge motion capture technology and depicting the group as they appeared in 1977, have just kicked off their seven-month long Voyage tour in a purpose-built London concert hall. A 10-piece band will be accompanying the virtual avatars and performing in real-time alongside the de-aged virtual band members. ABBA TikTokers can now create videos with their own animated avatars TikTok is launching a new Avatars feature to help users create their own digital twins, which mimic the way they move and follow their gestures, for use on the social platform. Users can create their own customizable avatar to film videos with, and are even able to give their avatar a speaking voice mirrored on their own. TikTok Marvel inks deal that could bring Stan Lee back to life as a CGI avatar Marvel has signed a 20-year deal to license the likeness of Stan Lee in future films and TV productions and experiences worldwide, such as Disney theme parks. The agreement ensures that, through digital technology and archival footage, Stan Lee and his legacy will live on. Hollywood Reporter Re-animated murder victim asks for help finding his killers A video from the Dutch Police in Rotterdam uses a deepfake reconstruction of a 2003 teen murder victim to ask the perpetrator and any witnesses to come forward. The hope is that the video will help those involved break their years of silence by touching their hearts. The victims family supports the effort. NOS PSFK's deep-dive guide into Fractional Ownership in How Brands & Retailed Can Engage Consumers In The Sharing Economy More Info on the PSFK Report New: Proprietary Insights from PSFK Quant Surveys: Direct-to-Music signals how DTC will rise from the ashes While the intentions of musicians creating their art have likely remained the same throughout the history of the form, the production methods, distribution, packaging, and more have gone through a tidal wave of technological advances, particularly recently, giving artists new ways to engage with fan communities; and fans more options in how they interact with the songs they enjoy. Discord has become an intimate place for musicians to build community Music is one of its fastest-growing areas on Discord, and more and more artists, both major and independent, are using the platform to preview new songs, solicit feedback, host competitions, gamify fandom, and even turn to their fan communities for free labor. Discord Even already-famous artists are being pressured to go viral on TikTok Halsey, Charli XCX, FKA Twigs, and Florence Welch have each recently complained publicly about increased pressure from their respective label management to make big, splashy moments on TikToks social platform as part of marketing efforts around new works and releases. Fast Company Digital music collectors fight against the clinicality of streaming-only The rise of cloud-based streaming was a near extinction-level event for consumers carefully curated, hard-drive-stored libraries of digital music. With streaming, the end user has limited control over how the music is presented and organized, short of making their own playlists, resulting in a flattening effect. Pitchfork covers how digital music libraries hit the sweet spot between the accessibility of streaming and the personal touch of a physical collection. Pitchfork Whats driving Harry Styles U.S. sales? Vinyl The music industry is transitioning toward a mix of streaming, physical sales, and digital ownership and vinyl records offer superfans a way to support their favorite artists beyond paltry per-stream revenues. The ~$38 vinyl record for Harrys House, the latest release from Harry Styles, accounts for 58% of the albums physical U.S. sales. QZ Get this Weekly Debrief as an email SUBSCRIBE to the PSFK Newsletter Also In The News & Opinions This Week Every PSFK report is now available to order and download. We might just have the insights you need to get smart quick on that topic you're digging into today. psfk.com/reports Scholastic announced the acquisition of a new book by Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick, Big Tree, an illustrated novel due out in April 2023. Described in a release as a love letter to the natural world, Big Tree is about two sycamore seeds trying to save the world, while in search of a safe place to grow. Big Tree began as a concept from film director Steven Spielberg, with guidance from Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. Selznick expanded upon the idea and brought it to life within the book. Illumination, which is responsible for the Despicable Me, Secret Life of Pets, and Sing franchises, owns the film rights. Creating this book was a great joy and an even greater challenge because I was telling a story about nature from natures point of view. Selznick said in a statement. It grew into a narrative Im very proud of, one that reminds us to stop and listen to the world around us, and to help those who need to be helped. These themes seem to grow more and more urgent with each passing day. Selznicks longtime editor Tracy Mack, v-p and publisher of the Scholastic Trade Book Group, told PW, Over the course of our 27-year collaboration, Ive had the great pleasure and privilege of watching Brian challenge himself creatively in ways Ive never seen before in another artist. The seeds of his success were evident in his early award-winning picture books, and they blossomed in his genre-defying novel in words and pictures, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which put the scope of his genius on full display. But Big Tree is Brians crowning achievement. Not only does his storytelling dexterity reach new heights, he has created a book that is truly for everyone, imbuing us with wonder, love, and a profound sense of hope for our shared future on the planet. The book will be released in hardcover and ebook formats in the U.S, U.K, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand simultaneously. It will be 528 pages and will feature nearly 300 pages of Selnicks illustrations. Angela Bole, current CEO of the trade association Independent Book Publishers Association, will leave that role on November 30 to take over as CEO of the publishing technology company Firebrand Group. At Firebrand, Bole will succeed company founder and CEO Fran Toolan on February 1, 2023. Toolan will remain on the Firebrand board. Bole joined IBPA in 2014 after serving for three years as the treasurer of IDPF. Prior to joining IDPF, Bole held various positions with BISGincluding a stint as interim executive directorwhere she spearheaded research into consumer attitudes toward e-book reading, oversaw initiatives supporting the industrys transition to ISBN-13, and developed best practices and other documentation for use of the ONIX and EPUB standards. At IBPA, Bole is credited with raising the profile of the association, which now has more than 4,000 members. During her years leading IBPA, Angela has transformed the organization into the leading association for advocating and supporting the growing community of independent publishers, said current IBPA board chair Karla Olson, director of Patagonia Books. During the last two challenging years in particular, Angela made certain IBPA provided innovative and essential member support and increased efforts to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion within all aspects of the association. Toolan started Firebrand Group in 1987 as Quality Solutions. Today, the Firebrand Group includes Firebrand Technologies, NetGalley, and Supadu. In February 2021, Firebrand was acquired by Media Do International (MD-i), the U.S.-based subsidiary of Japans Media Do Co., Ltd, one of the largest e-book distribution companies in the world. With the support of MD-i, the Firebrand Group is growing and innovating at an unparalleled rate of speed, said Toolan. The opportunities in front of us are very exciting, and Im equally excited that Angela will be here to guide us going forward. With Boles pending departure, the IBPA board has established a CEO succession task force, led by incoming board chair Karen Pavlicin of Elva Resa, which will be charged with naming a selection team to manage the search, selection, and onboarding of a new CEO. That committee will be led by Olson, the outgoing board chair. IBPA hopes to have a shortlist of candidates by its August 19 board meeting, with a goal to onboard a new CEO prior to Bole 's November 30 exit. The moves will see Mark Beard become senior sales director for the UK and South Africa, Daniel Shihata technical sales manager for the UK and Niklas Fabian join the Munich office as a pre-sales consultant for Imagines networking solutions, for all markets in EMEA and APAC.Starting in advertising sales, Beard has enjoyed a career with broadcast suppliers, including DMC, Ericsson, BBC Technology and Red Bee. Most recently, he was responsible for the global sales and marketing strategy for Planetcast, one of the largest broadcast service providers in the Asia-Pacific region. In his new role, he will work with an already strong Imagine team to ensure the entire product portfolio and solutions capabilities are represented across the region.Shihata brings an engineering background, including work in passive radar. He spent 10 years with TSL Products, including as a regional sales manager where he sold IP solutions to several high-profile projects in Europe. At Imagine, Shihata will use his experience and knowledge of the broadcast sector to strengthen the UK playout and networking team, and support media companies and systems integrators as they continue their transition to IP.Fabian started out in production before moving into engineering and solutions architecture and joins Imagine Communications after 12 years with Rohde & Schwarz . Based in the Munich office, he will aim to build bridges between customers and Imagines development and management teams, ensuring that the networking product portfolio precisely matches the practical requirements of the industry.We know that media companies today are looking to form strong, co-operative relationships with key vendors as they progress their journey towards the IP-connected, software-enabled future, said Mathias Eckert, SVP & GM EMEA and APAC for Imagine Communications explaining the appointments.That is why we are strengthening our team with Mark, Daniel and Niklas. Their track records speak for themselves, bringing not just years of service in the industry, but also interesting and valuable insights gained throughout their careers. Imagine continues to enjoy a period of dynamic growth, thanks to always being ahead of the pack in terms of IP connectivity and software-oriented functionalityStrengthening our team with industry leaders like Mark, Daniel and Niklas, will help us deliver on this vital ambition. We have a crisis in India, and it is not with the climate. Power plants for the worlds second largest consumer of coal are running out of stock, leaving a billion people at the risk of blackouts and forcing industries to close facilities. To resolve the situation, the Indian government has authorized increased importation of thermal coal, removed all import duty on coal, is reopening hundreds of closed coal mines, and has asked existing domestic mines to produce at unprecedented rates. The country has even canceled dozens of commercial trains to make room for the freight trains that carry coal. Coal-fired plants produce more than 70 percent of all electricity consumed by Indias 1.3 billion people. Indicating greater demand, coal-based electricity registered a 3.12 percent increase in March 2022 compared to a year ago. Coal shortages can have a devastating effect on the Indian economy. For the past year, the countrys coal-fired plants have suffered occasionalfuel shortages, and the problem has resurfaced. The Central Electricity Authority's daily coal stock report on April 29 showed that 56 plants had no more than a 10 percent inventory reserve with 26 plants having less than a five percent reserve. To ensure increased deliveries to the plants, the government has resorted to desperate measures. Forty-two trains were canceled in the country to free up tracks for expedited movement of coal freights. Authorities said the cancelations were indefinite and would not be reversed until coal inventories improve. The head of countrys railway department said, There is a 20 per cent rise in the demand and consumption of coal from last year. In the month of April 2022, we have transported 15 per cent more coal than we did in April 2021. There has also been heightened activity in the import sector, with more states trying to acquire coal stock for their plants. India generally imports more coking coal, which is used for such processes as steel manufacturing. However, with the increase in electricity demand, imports of thermal coal seem to be overtaking those for coking coal. In order to facilitate import, the Indian government has now removed all import duty on coal. The government is also providing import loans to its coastal thermal power plants. This means that despite an anti-fossil government in Australia, imports from Australia could increase sharply. Indias unrestricted policy on coal import could also have a significant impact on global coal trade and pricing. Most of countrys coal demand is met by domestic production. The state-owned Coal India has been given a mandate to mine as much as possible. The worlds second biggest coal producer, India registered 27 percent growth in April compared to last year. The countrys leaders are very clear: Indias energy security is primarily dependent on its coal sector. Last week, Pramod Agrawal, chairman of Coal India, said, the companys priority is to ensure that the nation's power plants are well stocked with domestic coal and the country gets power at a just price. The aim should be to securitize energy at least cost. He encouraged employees to exceed a 700 million-ton production target. Coal shortages were partially blamed on increased demand for domestic production caused by higher prices for imported coal and natural gas, along with an upswing in the post-pandemic economy. "It is not a coal crisis but a power demand-supply mismatch., said Coal Secretary A.K. Jain. Last week, the government issued orders for reopening of more than a 100 closed coal mines to boost production. In a bold and rare move, the Indian government has also exempted its existing coal mines from getting environmental clearance for increased production. Some active coal mines may produce as much as 40 percent more coal this year, potentially adding150 million tons to the current production target. With a 2030 goal of producing 1.4 billion tons, India is expected to massively increase use of the fossil fuel despite the countrys being part of international climate agreements. Neighboring China too has been increasing coal production in apparent contradiction to bold goals for reductions in emissions. And like India, China has been facing electricity shortages with unprecedented blackouts in more than 15 provinces during 2021. The reality of developing economies like Indias proves the falseness of the mainstream medias narrative that coal and other hydrocarbons are fuels of the past. Vijay Jayaraj is a Research Associate at the CO2 Coalition, Arlington, Va., and holds a Masters degree in environmental sciences from the University of East Anglia, England. He resides in Bengaluru, India. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/08/2022 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Serena Pitt has revealed the latest on her wedding planning with Joe Amabile and if they'd like to have children together.Joe and Serena fell head over heels in love for each other on 's seventh season after coupling up in the first few days of Paradise, and they got engaged during the finale that aired in October 2021.Joe and Serena recently moved in together in New York City, but they still haven't begun wedding planning.During a recent Q&A session on Instagram Stories, Serena dished some details about what she's at least envisioning for her big day.One fan asked when she and Joe will tie the knot, and Serena replied, "We are currently thinking sometime in 2023. I know post pandemic wedding venues are so booked up right now and we haven't started any planning, but next year would be our hope if we can make it happen! If not 2023, then we will try for 2024," according to Bachelor Nation.Serena and Joe also haven't decided on a venue, or even a city in that matter, where they should wed."We will probably do somewhere neutral because his family/friends are mainly in Chicago and mine are in Toronto," Serena shared. "Probably somewhere in the U.S. on the East Coast, but not sure yet!"As far as having children goes, Serena reportedly exclaimed how she and Joe "definitely" want to have a family together."I told him on our very first date in Paradise if he didn't want kids, that would be a dealbreaker for me!" Serena shared."I grew up working with kids teaching dance and swim lessons, so I have always wanted my own."Serena also disclosed that she and Joe would like two children and may be interested in getting a dog soon."We both love dogs and Joe grew up with pets, but we just travel way too much right now," Serena wrote.She added, "I've always wanted a chocolate lab, but [The Bachelor alum] Natasha Parker has the cutest dog ever so now that's the breed we want lol!"Joe and Serena gushed to Us Weekly in early December 2021 about how strong their relationship is."We're really riding the honeymoon phase long and hard right now," Serena said, "and it's going really good."Joe said at the time, shortly before he and Serena moved in together, that everything "couldn't be going any better" for them.Serena gushed in early November 2021 that she and Joe make "a fantastic team together," according to Hollywood Life."He's a fantastic communicator," Joe added. "We just understood each other and felt very comfortable and safe and open with each other in the relationship."Serena and Joe believe they established a strong relationship foundation while filming .Serena, for instance, never let the fact Joe's ex-girlfriend of nearly two years, Kendall Long , was on the beach get in the way of her connection with the former grocery store owner.Serena kept her eye on the prize, avoided jealousy, and trusted Joe as Kendall sought closure.During an October 2021 appearance on former The Bachelorette star Becca Kufrin 's "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, Joe and Serena revealed how they'd like to have a "mid-range" to "longer" engagement."Yeah, we're not rushing down the aisle," Serena said. "But I mean, we definitely feel confident in the fact that we want to be together.""It'll be nice to just take a breath, date, live together, and then marriage will come down the line," she noted.Looking back on Joe's marriage proposal, Serena told Becca that she was in "complete shock" by his decision."The logical thing to do would be like, 'This is crazy. This is so fast, let's just do the step-by-step thing and get engaged down the line,'" Serena explained at the time."I was so emotional when he got down on one knee and I was so excited to say 'yes.' I was obviously in complete shock but I knew he was the one."Serena called the moment "beautiful" and insisted she had no regrets about allowing Joe to put a ring on her finger.On 's seventh-season finale, Joe gushed after getting engaged, "We followed our hearts and will just figure out the other stuff later."And Serena joked, "The most logical people on the beach followed our hearts and got engaged!"Prior to appearing on 7, Joe got eliminated very early from Becca's season of The Bachelorette and met Kendall on Season 5 of Paradise.Despite being happy and in love, Joe and Kendall broke up because they couldn't agree on whether to live in Chicago or Kendall's home city of Los Angeles long-term.Joe gave Los Angeles a chance during and after his stint on Dancing with the Stars and wanted to move back to Chicago to be with his friends and family, but Kendall apparently wouldn't even consider relocating and trying out a life in Chicago.And Serena dumped Matt James on his The Bachelor season that aired in early 2021 after her hometown date.In addition to Serena and Joe, two other couples got engaged on 's seventh season: Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin-Solis as well as Riley Christian and Maurissa Gunn. Riley and Maurissa, however, have split.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group World of Wonder is developing a new series in the RuPaul's Drag Race franchise. ADVERTISEMENT The production company announced in a press release Thursday that Canada's Drag Race: Canada Versus the World is in the works. Canada vs the World will see Canada play host to fan-favorite contestants from the international Drag Race family. The queens will take part in an elite competition for the crown. Brooke Lynn Hytes, Brad Goreski and Traci Melchor will serve as judges, with RuPaul as executive producer. Contestants have yet to be announced. Canada vs the World will consist of six episodes and premiere on Wow Presents Plus later this year. The show will air on Crave in Canada. World of Wonder previously released Drag Race UK Versus the World, which featured former contestants from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Holland and Thailand. The spinoff aired in the spring. Canada's Drag Race was renewed for a third season in November. World of Wonder is also developing Drag Race France and introduced the show's 10 contestants last week. Harrison Wagner, the 27-year-old son of General Hospital icons Kristina and Jack Wagner, was found dead this week in a Los Angeles parking lot, but the cause remains under investigation, officials confirmed. ADVERTISEMENT "Cause of death is deferred," a representative for the Los Angeles Coroner's Office said in a statement to People.com Wednesday. "Deferred means that after an autopsy, a cause of death has not been determined and the medical examiner is requesting more investigation into the death, including additional studies," the statement added. "Once the tests/studies come back, the doctor evaluates the case again and makes the cause of death determination." UsMagazine.com said Harrison had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, and went missing for five days in 2016 causing Jack to make a public plea for his return. In 2021, Harrison wrote an inspirational message about life's challenges on Instagram. "Life is a rollercoaster," he said. "It is all transformation and how we grow as humans to have the power and willingness to make a change.... And remember, no matter what the past says about u or what you did there's ALWAYSSS room for forgiveness aslong as u are willing to forgive YOURSELF. It is NEVER TO LATE TO MAKE A CHANGE IN ONES LIFE Let alone, if u are struggling believe me... I've been there. But we come out on the other seeing the world through a different Lens." Kristina and Jack have played Felicia and Frisco on GH off and on since the 1980s. They were married from 1993 to 2006, and are also the parents of 31-year-old son Peter Wagner. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Peter shared childhood photos of him and his younger brother on Instagram Wednesday. The gallery was simply captioned, "Always with you." "On behalf of myself and the entire #GH family, our hearts go out to Kristina Wagner, Jack, and their family during this devastating time. We ask that you respect their privacy and keep them in your thoughts," GH executive producer Frank Valenti tweeted. The Broadway production of the musical, Come From Away, is set to close on Oct. 2, its producers have announced. ADVERTISEMENT With a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away is the story of how a small town in Newfoundland welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States. The show -- which will have played 1,670 performances and 25 previews by then -- posted its end notice shortly after Dear Evan Hansen and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical announced their upcoming closures. "We were continually amazed by the overwhelming audience enthusiasm for this story about the power of human kindness," Junkyard Dog Productions said in a statement Wednesday. "This journey, which started seven years ago, has exceeded every expectation we could have ever had for Come From Away. We are forever inspired by the unfailing generosity of the people of Newfoundland, and so grateful to the entire Come From Away Broadway family, onstage and off, many of whom have been with us since our world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre." The musical was filmed during the yearlong coronavirus pandemic shutdown of Broadway. It is now streaming on Apple TV+. JesseJames Keitel says her new dramedy, Queer As Folk, is about how love and community can transcend hate and fear. ADVERTISEMENT Debuting Thursday on Peacock, the series follows a diverse group of friends whose lives are transformed by a mass shooting at a New Orleans drag club. It is a reimagining of the iconic 1999 British show and its early 2000s American remake of the same name. "The reality of being a queer person in 2022 is tragedy and drama is an unfortunate part of our lived experience and especially something Americans are getting more and more used to seeing in the news cycle," Keitel told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "It was important to tell that story because it is based in reality," she added. "It's part of our history as queer people, but the beauty of our show is it's not a show about a tragedy. It is a show about a community coming together. It's a show about this group of friends really finding each other within their community after things get shattered and torn apart." Keitel's co-star CG credited the show's authenticity to many people who are writing the show's scripts and filming the episodes are LGBTQ. "It really goes to show that taking something into your own hands is something that resonates here and just how politicized joy seems," they said. "It's a political statement to be happy as a queer person." CG plays Shar, the pregnant partner of Keitel's Ruthie. CG described Shar as a lover and "a stone-cold care bear, share bear," who is "entering new worlds from the old world of punk drummer-hood." "Ruthie is a lovable ball of chaos, who is a former party girl. She doesn't do that any more -- until the pilot," Keitel laughed. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! "She is trying her best. She is really struggling with that transition from finding herself into finding herself as an adult. We find her at a pivotal moment where she is not just the hottest English literature teacher in Louisiana, but she also is a parent." Queer As Folk kicks off with Ruthie supporting one of her high school students, Mingus (Fin Argus) as he prepares to audition for drag queen school. Mingus also strikes up a romance with Brodie (Devin Way), who turns out to be Ruthie's best friend and the sperm donor for her and Shar's twins. "One of the beautiful things about the relationship our characters have is they are not necessarily on the same page with parenthood," Keitel said of Ruthie and Shar. "They are both excited for it, but my character Ruthie is really not ready for it, and I think it is seldom that we see queer parents who are not ready to be parents. It's often a long and arduous and expensive road to parenthood for a lot of queer people, so having the opportunity to bring the story to life in a new and complex and nuanced way is really fun." CG said her character, Shar, is all in and totally prepared for motherhood. "Shar is ready - for both themselves and Ruthie," CG said. "They are blinded by that readiness. It is clear that Ruth isn't so ready to have a kid, but because Shar is so thrilled by starting a family with her, happiness can be blinding, as well. It's just interesting to see how those two people grapple with how they actually feel." Argus jokingly called his character, Mingus, "a real rascal, a self-assured queer-do, who just wants to date the hottest guy they can find." "Relatable, am I right?" chimed in Ryan O'Connell, who is the show's writer and co-executive producer, and who also plays Brodie's brother. "They use the art form of drag to show off their cute ass and then hopefully seduce older men. That's a little bit about Mingus," Argus concluded. O'Connell called Julian a "spiky freak," who likes meeting up with strangers for casual sex in mall bathrooms. "But underneath that spiky exterior is an ooey, gooey center," O'Connell said. His relationship with Brodie is complicated, as are many familial bonds. "He wants Brodie to be more of a brother to him and show up for him, but I think they have a hard time communicating and expressing their wants and desires, which [is typical of] family!" O'Connell said. Argus said there is the "kernel of something really beautiful" between Mingus and Brodie. "But that growth gets stunted, and you get to watch them pick up the pieces in a really messy and painful way," they said. "Ultimately, there is care. I won't say 'love,' but there is 'like' going on. It's an interesting relationship dynamic." Further complicating the romance is that Mingus is pursuing Brodie just as Brodie is trying to get back together with his older ex-boyfriend, Noah (Johnny Sibilly). Argus doesn't think there are many similarities between the two relationships, even though they both have age gaps. "They are so different as characters. and their histories are so different. Also, there is a lot of nuance with Mingus' age and separation from the rest of their community. They aren't super-involved in the community. Their one focal point is Broadie," Argus said of their character, who is supposed to be 17. "Noah has a whole network of gays. Mingus is like: 'You are the one. I am in love with you [to Brodie].' Whether or not it's true, they say it's true." Another important person in Mingus' life is his hard-working, adoring mother, played by Juliette Lewis. It's a fresh take on the parent of a queer person, Argus said. "There's basically no tension in their relationship. They are not butting heads over Mingus' queerness ever," they added. "I'm just tired of seeing: 'You're gay? What does that mean for me as a parent?' That's kind of boring to me now, so it's nice to see this mother-daughter dynamic where she is just fully supportive and is really encouraging of drag, and I think that will be really cool for parents of queer folks to see that is an option." Netflix has released a teaser for the second part of Season 1 of its animated comedy, Inside Job. ADVERTISEMENT No release date for those episodes has been announced yet, but the streaming service promised in a message alongside Wednesday's 3-minute preview that they are "coming soon." The show, which debuted in October, is about the staff at Cognito Inc., a shadow government responsible for actually committing what most people dismiss as conspiracy theories. It has a voice cast that includes Lizzy Caplan, Christian Slater, Clark Duke, Andrew Daly, Bobby Lee, John DiMaggio, Tisha Campbell and Brett Gelman. The teaser shows Caplan's character, Reagan Ridley, drunk in front of the White House and telling a bunch of children, "Everything they teach you in school is a lie!" "Life is just dreams turning to entropy," she added. "Dreams die! Santa is fake! But student debt is real!" Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Students at NewBrook Elementary School, in Newfane, Vt., learn about where their food comes from during their Community Farm and Field Day on Friday, June 10, 2022. BRATTLEBORO Plans are being explored to recognize people of color and others who served in the Civil War and are not counted on a monument on the Common. "I hope it becomes an opportunity You are the owner of this article. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. John Greenberg writes from Marlboro. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. WATERBURY The new owner of the Brass Mill Center mall has asked Mayor Neil OLeary to reduce the taxes on the property. Mike Kohan of Kohan Retail Properties Group met with OLeary for about an hour Tuesday and said the taxes need to be reduced in order for his company to make necessary repairs to the mall, which is located at 495 Union St. Some capital improvements are needed with the HVAC system, the roof and part of the parking lot, Kohan said during a brief phone interview on Wednesday with Hearst Connecticut Media. And in order for us to invest in the property, we need the taxes to be reduced. Kohan declined to say how much of a tax reduction he is seeking from OLeary or how much he expects the mall upgrades will cost. The malls former owner, a limited liability company affiliated with Chicago-based Brookfield Properties, paid $4.12 millon in real estate taxes on Brass Mill Center during the fiscal 2021-2022 tax year. OLeary wouldnt comment on Kohans request during a phone interview with Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday. He told me that previous owners have let some of the mall infrastructure go, OLeary said after he met with Kohan on Tuesday. He also told me his company is ready to make an investment in the mall. Kohans company, which claims to specialize in turning around distressed mall properties, paid $44.9 million in late April for Brass Mill Center and the adjacent Brass Mill Commons shopping center. Kohan Retail Properties Group owns and operates 53 malls and shopping centers as well as two New York City hotels, The Shoreham and The Gallivant Times Square. Kohan Retail Properties Group has purchased 13 malls and shopping centers in the past year, according to information on the companys web site. The company didnt disclose how much it paid for the malls it has acquired since June 2021. Kohan said Tuesdays meeting with the mayor was very productive. OLeary said he felt pretty good about our discussion after the meeting. Im happy because we have a seat at the table in terms of the malls future, he said. All options have to be out there and we need to think out of the box. Two of the malls four anchor locations are vacant. Off-price retailer Burlington and JCPenney are Brass Mill Centers remaining anchor stores. OLeary said Kohan wants to survey area resident and business leaders to see what to what they want at the mall. The malls future is important to the city, he said, because its a highly visible property. Kohan said changes are coming to the mall that people are going to take notice of, probably within the next two or three months. But he declined to elaborate on what those changes might be. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com HARTFORD A Naugatuck man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday for distributing heroin, fentanyl crack and cocaine to street-level dealers in the Waterbury area, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office and court documents. The sentence comes from an investigation into a drug trafficking organization distributing large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack in the Waterbury area. The investigation, which started in May 2020, revealed that Jason Metz, 53, of Naugatuck, worked closely with the head of the organization, Zachary Lee Foster, to distribute narcotics, according to U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery. Between October 2020 and January 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administrations New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department heard Metz numerous times on court-authorized wiretaps ordering distribution quantities of narcotics from his supplier in New York. Investigators also heard Metz, also known as Jay, coordinate the sale of these narcotics to several associates who sold the drugs to their own customers, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Investigators also used physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics and motor vehicle stops in their investigation. A federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Metz, Foster and 15 others on March 1, 2021. Two days later, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized about 40,000 bags of heroin and fentanyl, 350 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of crack cocaine and nine firearms, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. At least 66 grams of seized fentanyl could be connected to Metz, according to court documents. Metz pleaded guilty on Feb. 16 to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base, or crack, according to court documents. U.S. Disrtict Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford on Wednesday sentenced Metz to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Metz, who had been released on bond, was remanded into custody Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Foster has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) One man has been arrested on a weapons charge in a mass shooting over the weekend in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where three people died and 14 were injured. Garrian King was arrested Wednesday and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records. An affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga said King was seen on security camera video exiting a stolen Chevrolet Suburban just after 2 a.m. Sunday across the street from Mary's Bar & Grill. King was one of a group of three men, two of whom have not been publicly identified by authorities. One of the men wore a mask and carried an AR pistol, according to the affidavit. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TORRINGTON Nearly two years after a plan to reconstruct Prospect Street was first was presented in a Zoom forum, the facelift project is ready to get underway. The project will include road reconstruction, including paving, curbing, replacement of sidewalks and associated miscellaneous work, intended to make the road safer for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. City engineer Paul Kundzins first presented the plan to the public in November 2020. Town officials this week announced a schedule of road closures and warnings to the public as work is set to begin June 13. Improvements include new sidewalks and bicycle lanes in wider areas of the roadway on the northern end near North Elm Street. The bumpy pavement and sidewalks that have been patched and repaired repeatedly over the past 10 years will be replaced, along with new granite curbing. Prospect Streets southern end is home to the Northwest Connecticut YMCA, Vogel-Wetmore School, several churches and St. John Paul the Great Academy, formerly known as St. Peter St. Francis School. Metered parking is provided up to the Pearl Street intersection. Past Pearl Street, no street parking is permitted, and dedicated bike lanes will continue to North Elm Street. The sidewalk is being eliminated on one side for the bike lane, but will remain on the other side of the street. The project is financed with $1 million from the state under the Department of Transportations Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program, and about $1 million from the city. Kundzins, former City Planner Martin Connor, Economic Development Director Rista Malanca and engineers from Milhone and McBroom developed the design. Weve gone through many upgrades to Prospect Street new gas lines in 2016, drainage upgrades in 2017 and the water mains upgraded in 2017, Kundzins said at the forum. So were good to go thats why we waited so long to rebuild the road. In November 2021, Yield Industries LLC, a Torrington-based construction company, was awarded the $1.86 million contract for the project by the City Council. The public works department said drivers should expect daily traffic delays caused by alternating, one-way traffic and daily road closures, which will allow local traffic only, as well as emergency vehicles. No parking will be permitted at any time within the work area. Metered, on-street parking will be limited, and any vehicles parked in the no-parking zone will be ticketed and towed at the owners expense. Public works officials advised drivers to find alternate routes. The construction has been divided into three sections, and will end with a complete repaving of Prospect Street. Section 1 will begin at North Elm Street to North Street; Section 2, from Mason Street to Pearl Street; and Section 3, from Pearl Street to North Street. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for the Torrington Alerts Community Notification System to keep up to date with project updates. Visit www.torringtonct.org/Alerts for more information. For more information, contact the City of Torrington Engineering Department at 860-489-2234 or visit the Engineering Department website link for Construction Projects 2022/2023. Government makes the announcement hours after a senior U.S. State Department official visited the president-elect. The Philippines said Thursday it had filed a new diplomatic protest against Beijing over the alleged return of a massive Chinese fleet operating illegally around Whitsun Reef, within Manilas exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs made the announcement hours after U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met in Manila with President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as well as Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. during a visit that she said was part of preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. The department said it protested the return of over 100 Chinese vessels illegally operating in the waters in and around Julian Felipe Reef on 04 April 2022, barely a year after the same swarming incident was protested by the Philippine government. In its statement, the department did not say when the diplomatic protest was filed nor if the ships remained at the reef. The department and the Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment late Thursday. Internationally known as Whitsun Reef, Julian Felipe Reef is described as a low-tide elevation within the territorial sea of relevant high tide features in the Kalayaan Islands in the South China Sea, the foreign office said. The lingering unauthorized presence of Chinese fishing and maritime vessels is not only illegal, but is also a source of instability in the region, it said. The statement noted that the persistent swarming of Chinese ships violated the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 arbitral award won by the Philippines over China. Moreover, it was a violation of a regional agreement to avoid actions that could inflame tensions, the department said. In March and April, Philippine complaints about hundreds of Chinese ships and boats clustering in the waters of Whitsun Reef were the focus of bilateral tensions over the disputed sea. The announcement about the latest protest came about 10 days after the department summoned a senior Chinese diplomat to protest the alleged harassment by the China Coast Guard of a joint Filipino-Taiwanese research ship in the South China Sea in April. Philippine Coast Guard members in rubber boats patrol near Chinese ships moored at Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea, April 14, 2021. Credit: Philippine Coast Guard via AP Sherman-Marcos meeting Earlier on Thursday, Sherman met with Marcos at his campaign headquarters where they were joined by the Philippine envoy to Washington, Jose Manuel Romualdez, as well as other officials. Sherman and Marcos agreed on the importance of partnering together to strengthen our economies, according to the U.S. State Department. Topics discussed included the countries longtime alliance, the importance of public-private partnership, clean energy, the digital economy, and the importance of human rights and the rule of law. The deputy secretary and the president-elect highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world, the U.S. statement said. Sherman, the highest ranking State Department official to visit since the pandemic, also paid a courtesy call on Locsin, the countrys top diplomat. In a series of posts on Twitter, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sherman and Locsin discussed concrete ways to further enhance relations amid a government transition. Shermans visit to Manila marked the second leg of a four-nation Asian tour, which began in South Korea early this week and will take her to Laos and Vietnam. Some victims were told to flee before being shot in the back. This is more than atrocity, one resident said. Displaced civilians from Kan Pyar village, Myinmu township, in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, stand behind burned motorcycles at a pagoda compound where they are sheltering, June 7, 2022. Eleven civilians were shot dead or burned to death by military junta troops in northwestern Myanmars Sagaing region after the soldiers found a weapon in a pagoda compound where the displaced villagers had sought shelter, local residents said Wednesday. Junta forces shot six of the civilians from Kan Pyar village in Myinmu township in the back on Monday after they ordered them to run. Another three were shot to death after they were told to place their hands on their heads when soldiers found the homemade pistol during a raid on the Myat Saw Nyi Naung pagoda, the sources said. Two other villagers were trapped in a burning Buddhist monastery and burned to death, they said. Soldiers also torched more than 100 motorcycles inside the pagoda compound where the residents were sheltering. Sagaing has been the site of some of the fiercest fighting between the junta troops and opposition forces since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup. Villagers have said junta forces have also indiscriminately attacked communities, killing civilians, torching homes and forcing thousands to flee in search of safety. An estimated 336,600 people have fled Sagaing since the coup, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The ages of those who were executed ranged from 17 to over 60 years old, locals said. Ten of the 11 victims have been identified: Myint Oo, Nay Zar Aung, Yupar, Aung Min Khaing, Hla Soe, Paing Paing, Mae Gyi, Thura, Tin Htwe and U San. A villager who requested anonymity for safety reasons said soldiers committed the heinous crime after they arrived in the pagoda compound on Monday. The villager repeated accounts he had heard from those who witnessed the killings. He did not see them himself because he fled the area when the soldiers arrived. He later returned and saw the dead bodies. They interrogated the [internally displaced persons] who are taking shelter [and] found a handmade pistol, he said. Then, they ordered the men to run on the count of three and shot them in the back. Six of them got shot and killed. All are local villagers. They got murdered for a small pistol. Now, people are fearful, he said. They are too afraid to live in the village. It is heinous crime that they told the villagers to flee and shot them in the back. The soldiers ordered about 30 men to flee, killing six. They also detained and took away another 10, the villager said. RFA could not contact the villagers who witnessed the incident because the soldiers had confiscated their mobile phones. After the villagers buried the bodies on Wednesday, more residents left, too afraid to remain there, the source said. More than an atrocity A second local who also requested anonymity for safety reasons said soldiers left behind dead bodies and devastated family members. I havent got the words to comfort them. Im aghast, he told RFA. The soldiers made them watch their family members being shot and killed. This is more than an atrocity. I am heartbroken to see them crying their hearts out. A member of the Myinmu township Peoples Defense Force (PDF) said members of the militia are providing medical treatment to villagers who were injured by the gunfire. They have contacted PDF troops and requested medical attention, he said. We went as far as they could come and gave them medical treatment. These civilians are fearful. This is like a scene from a movie. It was very brutal. RFA contacted junta spokesman, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, for comment, but he did not return the calls. He has repeatedly denied claims that Myanmar soldiers were raiding villages and terrorizing residents. Nay Zin Latt, a former National League for Democracy lawmaker in the Sagaing regional parliament, said the most recent incident constituted a war crime. This is a brutal crime in which local civilians were murdered, and it has further frightened them on purpose, he said. It did not come about by accident because the village is closed to the conflict area. This was intentional. They are burning villages and murdering civilians while there are not armed conflicts, he added. I think this could even mean they are attempting a genocide. The dead bodies of civilians from Kan Pyar village, Myinmu township, in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, lay covered on the ground, June 6, 2022. Credit: Citizen journalist Two other villages attacked Junta soldiers also targeted Sagaings Kanbalu township on Monday, burning more than 250 houses and 65 granaries with at least 6,500 bushels of rice paddy during a raid of two villages, said residents who watched the destruction as they hid nearby when troops entered their community. More than 80 soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion No. 367, stationed in the townships Koe Taung Boet village, raided Hnaw Kone village at about 4 a.m. and began burning down houses seven hours later before moving on to Shaw Hpyu Kone village, where they also set houses ablaze, residents said. A Shaw Hpyu Kone resident who lost both his home and his harvested rice paddy said the soldiers fired guns as they entered the community. We were half asleep and had to run for our lives, he said. They fired heavy artillery as they entered. They cooked and ate their meals before they started burning the houses around 11 a.m. They burned all houses in the village and granaries, he said. Weve lost both food supplies and seeds for the coming season. It happened right before the time for sowing the seeds. Some people were not able to carry anything as they fled. All the villagers had to flee and left their belonging to be burned down. Junta troops torched 52 houses and 30 granaries holding at least 3,000 bushels of paddy in Hnaw Kone village and 200 houses and 35 granaries with at least 3,500 bushels of paddy in Shaw Hpyu Kone, said the resident, who requested anonymity for safety reasons. Villagers in the two communities told RFA that their motorcycles, tractors and other farming equipment were also burned. A villager from Hnaw Kone who declined to be named said residents there could not return to their community and put out the fires because soldiers were still near the village watching the buildings as they burned. I watched the scene from in hiding near a nearby hill, he said. They started burning down the south side. I saw several columns of smokes, as large as houses. We could not go and put out the fires, he added. We felt totally helpless and despondent. Some girls fainted from distress. We all lost the paddies and all our property. About 3,500 civilians from nearby villages such as Zee Kanar and Chat Kone fled their homes when news of the arson reached them, locals said. Some locals said the same military unit that raided Hnaw Kone and Shaw Hpyu Kone villages also raided Meik Tha Lin Kone village, about two miles from Hnaw Kone. A pure act of terrorism Members of the Kanbalu township PDF said junta troops destroyed the villagers although they had not armed engagement with them in the areas. There were no military activities, said one PDF member. They were burning down the civilian properties as a tactic even though there had been no fighting. They are doing as they always do, [and] they will deny they are responsible, but we have records showing they are responsible, he added. Junta troops have been stationed in Koe Taung Boe village for two months, and reinforcements and helicopters arrived there on June 3, the PDF member said. Locals said there had been fighting between the PDF and the military troops on June 3. They also said that the regime cut of internet service in the township. Two days later, soldiers raided nearby Kaung Ma village and burned 10 houses before they moved on to Hnaw Kone and Shaw Hpyu Kone villages the following day, locals said. Former regional lawmaker Nay Zin Latt, who represented Kanbalu township, said the international community should take strong action against the military for such acts. The burning down of houses in villages is a pure act of terrorism, he said. They are terrorizing the people instead of protecting them. In some places, they burned down houses and murdered whoever was left in the village. Nay Zin Latt appealed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United Nations, and other members of the international community to condemn the junta and take measures to prosecute the military. Only then, they will stop their terrorist acts, he said. Research group Data for Myanmar said Monday that of the nearly 18,900 homes burned down by the military and its allied groups since the coup took place, about 3,840 have been in Sagaing region. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung for RFA Burmese. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. The World Health Organization says one of its employees was shot dead in Mawlamyine city, Mon State, on Wednesday. Myo Min Htut was killed near a statue of General Aung San close to Than Lwin Park at around 5:45 p.m., the WHO said today. Myo Min Htut worked as a driver for the WHO Myanmar Office for nearly five years. He was shot dead on his way home from work by motorcycle. The WHO statement offered condolences to his family but gave no further details. Peoples Defense Organization Mawlamyine (PDOM) said on its Facebook page yesterday that it was behind the shooting. A statement said that Myo Min Htut used to take the lead in conducting searches for the military junta based on the family's household registration. It said Myo Min Htut had threatened members of the anti-regime Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and their families. It said the victim was also a relative of Lt. Gen. Aung Lin Dway, one of the top Military Council leaders. The statement said he was shot five times. RFA has not yet been able to confirm the PDOMs claims. A local militia said they shot Myo Min Htut five times. CREDIT: Citizen journalist Ramanathan Balakrishnan, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in Myanmar, condemned the killing in a statement issued today. The United Nations appeals to all parties and stakeholders to respect the neutrality of the United Nations and humanitarians and further calls for all parties to protect the rights and safety of civilians and strongly condemns acts of violence against civilians, the statement said. The United Nations expects an impartial investigation into the incident and the perpetrators to be held accountable. During these difficult times, against significant odds, the United Nations continues to stay and deliver essential humanitarian and development support for the people of Myanmar, the statement added. This is not the first attack on humanitarian workers in Myanmar since the military coup on February 1 last year. On December 24, two Save the Children staff members were among 35 people killed in a terrorist attack near Moso village, in Hpruso Township, Kayah State. Rongwo Gangkar was likely arrested by Chinese authorities in early 2021, sources say. Prominent Tibetan writer and scholar Rongwo Gangkar, who went missing more than a year ago, has been confirmed arrested by Chinese authorities, RFAs Tibetan Service has learned. Gangkar, the 48-year-old author of such popular works as The Knot and An Interview with Gendun Choephel, a collaboration with other writers, was likely detained in early 2021, a Tibetan source living in Tibet told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. He was unexpectedly arrested by the Chinese police and right now his whereabouts and condition remain unknown, said the source. He was missing since the beginning of 2021, but we only later learned from a few of his friends and acquaintances that he was suddenly taken into custody on the orders of the Chinese government. Few were aware of his arrest, due to tight restrictions in place because of COVID-19 at the time. Another source in the region, who also declined to be named, told RFA he was saddened to learn of Gangkars arrest and is concerned for his well-being. Rongwo Gangkar is a well-known Tibetan writer known for many of his popular works, he said. He is from Rebkong (in Chinese, Tongren) [county in the Malho (Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture] and belongs to Rongwo monastery. I havent seen him for so long. Crackdown on Tibetan leaders Gangkar, who is also celebrated for his skill as a translator, is the latest confirmed victim of a crackdown by Chinese authorities on Tibetan intellectuals and cultural leaders. Last month, RFA learned that Tibetan writer and poet Gendun Lhundrub, who was held incommunicado for more than a year after his arrest in 2020, is being detained in a prison in Siling (Xining). The former monk at Rongwo monastery had been monitored by authorities for signs of political dissent before being detained and was arrested in western Chinas Qinghai province while he was on his way to attend a religious debate in Rebgong. Lhundrub is reportedly undergoing political re-education and must translate Tibetan Buddhist scripts into Mandarin Chinese, which the Chinese Communist Party requires be used to teach Tibetan Buddhist studies. Chinese authorities have frequently detained Tibetan writers and artists who promote Tibetan national identity and culture with many sentenced to lengthy prison terms following region-wide protests of Chinese rule that swept Tibet and Tibetan areas in western provinces of China in 2008. Language rights have become a particular focus for Tibetan efforts to assert national identity in recent years, with informally organized language courses typically deemed illegal associations and teachers subject to detention and arrest, sources say. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. But some Vietnamese still say the government needs to move more quickly to root out graft. UPDATED at 00:49 a.m. EDT on 2022-06-09 Vietnamese authorities on Tuesday arrested three disgraced former Communist Party officials for a kick-back scheme involving COVID test kits, as part of an anti-graft campaign some observers think has been too slow to punish high-level government offenders. Police at the Ministry of Public Security arrested former Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, former Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh and former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac, all of whom were expelled from the Communist Party and removed from their positions Monday. The three were implicated in a U.S. $172 million scandal in which the Viet A Technologies Company bribed officials to get its test kits made and distributed nationwide at inflated prices. They are the latest casualties of the one-party states years-long crackdown on corruption, referred to as furnace burning by its architect, Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong. The crackdown, intended to restore public confidence in the Communist Party, has seen several high-profile arrests of government and private sector officials over the past few months. But it has drawn mixed reviews among observers of the government. Le Hoa, a lawyer based in Hanoi, praised the effort in an interview with RFAs Vietnamese Service. This is a very positive signal giving ordinary people more faith in the Communist Party of Vietnams fight against corruption, he said. The fight, led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, is on the right track and is bearing fruit. Those are my thoughts, and I believe many others would have the same view. Hoa said that he hoped authorities dont declare this the end of the Viet A scandal. He said that if police investigate further and bring in even higher ranking party officials, it would show that the party is serious about its tough stance on corruption. Throwing mud in a pond Justice is happening too slowly, Pham Dinh Trong, a former officer in Vietnams military who cancelled his membership in the Communist Party in 2009, told RFA via text message. If the law is really strict and transparent and for the sake of justice, they should have been arrested right at the beginning of the Viet A scandal, said Trong, who lives in the central highland province of Lam Dong. Its not only too late, but it is a disregard for justice that these two ringleaders werent arrested until this stage, he said. Nguyen Thong, a blogger, wrote on his Facebook account that it had taken too long for Vietnam to discipline Long and Anh. He said that a democratic regime that respects for the rule of law would have been quicker to act and that the furnace burning campaign was largely a public relations effort to boost confidence in government and downplayed the campaigns effectiveness. Some praise this anti-corruption furnace, but I despise it. It can't undo the rotten nature of this country's system, he said. Arresting a thousand guys then replacing them with a thousand of the same kind of guys is just throwing stones, throwing mud to the pond. A Hanoi lawyer, who spoke with RFA under condition of anonymity for security reasons, wondered whether the replacements to the three arrested officials would be any better. The lawyer also noted that party leaders, including Nguyen Phu Trong, supported the re-election of Long and Anh to the Central Committee at last years 13th Party Congress. More arrests to come? Uncovering corruption can be a tool for those hoping to discredit political rivals, but Vo Van Tao, a journalist from the coastal city of Nha Trang, told RFA that he doubted the arrests were political infighting. He expects further arrests. There are a lot of rumors on social media, saying that [Long and Anh] might not be the last catch. Perhaps even higher ranking leaders [could be arrested], he said. Vietnams agreements to buy Chinese vaccines at a higher price than Pfizers during the height of the pandemic last September looked suspicious, he said. As you may recall, the first batch consisted of 20 million doses of Pfizer vaccine and each dose cost 127,000 dong [U.S. $5.50]. However, just more than 10 days later, the prime minister agreed to the Ministry of Healths proposal to import 20 million doses of Chinese Verocell vaccine and the price for each dose was 160,000 dong (around $7). I think somethings abnormal here. Hospital official implicated As part of the same scandal, police in the northwestern province of Son La arrested Lo Van Chien, the head of the Son La General Hospitals Pharmaceutical Department, for accepting bribes from the Viet A Technologies Company, state media reported. According to the police investigation, Chien received kickbacks from Viet A when the hospital signed contracts worth 1.05 billion dong (about $45,000) to buy COVID-19 test kits. Son La General bought each test kit for between 185,000 and 200,000 dong (around $8-9), considerably higher than similar test kits sold for about 140,000 dong ($6) to hospitals and medical facilities in other provinces and Ho Chi Minh City. The State Audit of Vietnam recently announced that among the 32 provinces and cities it audited, 30 had purchased Viet As test kits. Vietnam has 63 provinces and centrally administered cities. The 30 audited provinces and cities that bought Viet A test kits spent well over 2.1 trillion dong ($91.3 million) in total. In early January this year, Lt. Gen. To An Xo, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, said that Viet A Director Phan Quoc Viet had admitted to inflating the price of a COVID-19 test kit by 45% and sending almost 800 billion dong ($35.2 million) in kickbacks to the companys partners. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong. This story has been updated to correct the name of Pham Dinh Trong. Human rights groups have renewed calls for Uzbekistan to decriminalize homosexuality, saying it is imperative for the Central Asian country to make progress toward honoring its international human rights commitments. Uzbekistan, a Muslim-majority nation of some 34 million people, is the only former Soviet country that hasnt removed a Soviet-era law criminalizing homosexuality. Lesbians, gays, bisexual, and transgender people (LGBT) in Uzbekistan are at constant risk of serious human rights violations without any possible recourse to justice, says a new report released by the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA), the Eurasian Coalition on Health, Rights, Gender, and Sexual Diversity (ECOM), and the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR). The report, Like Living On A Different Planet: Gays, Bisexual Men, And Trans People Vulnerable To Abuse, Imprisonment, And Discrimination In Uzbekistan, comes as Uzbekistans new draft Criminal Code is being considered. The reports says that in 2021 at least 36 LGBT people were convicted under Article 120 of the Uzbek Criminal Code, which criminalizes homosexuality. Twenty-five of those convicted were sentenced to prison terms. And many more Uzbeks live under the looming threat of Article 120 in their daily lives, the rights groups said. Describing the situation of LGBT people in Uzbekistan, one gay man said: Its as if we lived on a different planet, where it is normal to hate, imprison, discriminate, and kill people simply for who they are. The report didnt disclose the mans name to protect his safety. Some police officers exploit the criminalization of homosexuality and the societal shame associated with it in a conservative society to extort money from gay and bisexual men, the report said, citing accounts by many who had been victimized. The victims claim that officers threatened them with imprisonment and demanded bribes in exchange for not opening a criminal case against them or for not informing their relatives, neighbors, or employers of their sexual orientation. The victims also said police use torture and ill-treatment against homosexuals to punish and humiliate them. They suspended me from the ceiling using handcuffs, beat me severely, and tried to rape me with a truncheon, a young bisexual man said, recalling how police treated him in detention. The man said police officers laid him on the floor and an officer jumped up and down on his stomach. I have never been beaten and intimidated like that in my entire life. I wanted to die to free myself from this torture, he said. According to the report, the police told him to pay $2,000 or face imprisonment under Article 120. The man paid the bribe and was released. In a similar case, a young man and two of his friends were detained in a cafe on suspicion of being gay. The report uses the pseudonym Kurbon to protect the mans identity. Kurbon told the rights groups that the officers took them to the police station where the men were beaten, verbally abused, and threatened with a criminal case. Kurbon said he was able to delete contacts and other incriminating evidence before police confiscated his phone. Kurbon agreed to pay a $500 bribe after the officers threatened that they would tell his wife about his sexual orientation. Kurbon borrowed the money and paid the bribe after he was released. The fate of the other two men is unknown. You dont know where to complain, where to turn. Im still angry when I think of what they did to us. I try not to dwell on it, but I will never forget that traumatic experience, Kurbon said. No Confidentiality At HIV Centers The report said that police in Uzbekistan often have access to the confidential information of LGBT people who are registered at HIV treatment centers and they use this information to blackmail, threaten, or persecute them. We have documented cases where HIV center staff have informed the police of a mans sexual orientation, putting him at risk of persecution. This is a violation of the right to privacy and poses a major obstacle to accessing much needed health care, said Yuri Yourski of ECOM. Akmal, a 24-year-old gay man, tested positive for HIV at a medical facility in eastern Uzbekistan in early 2022. Akmal said he fell into a depression and turned down all invitations from the local HIV center for treatment. Several months later, Akmal got a phone call from police who urged him to go to the center. When Akmal went to the clinic, the staff questioned him about his sexual orientation, his sex life, and took his mobile phone to take down information about his contacts. In another case, a gay man identified as Rasul was questioned by a doctor about his sexual orientation when he tested positive for HIV. Fearing for his safety, Rasul lied that he was heterosexual. But the medic pressed further, questioning why he was unmarried, asserting that in Uzbekistan HIV is only spread by homosexuals of a certain age, and claiming on that basis that Rasul must be a homosexual. This dispute culminated in the doctor threatening to disclose Rasuls diagnosis to his family and put him on record as a homosexual, the report said. The rights groups have also documented cases that some aggressive homophobes in Uzbekistan frequently seek out LGBT people, threaten them with violence, and disseminate their names, contact details and photos online with calls to kill them. The homophobes also target people who call for tolerance toward the LGBT community on social media. The report accused Uzbek authorities of severely curtailing the right to freedom of expression when it comes to expressions of support for LGBT people and the dissemination of information about human rights violations affecting them. Blogger Miraziz Bazarov was sentenced to three years restricted freedom in January 2022 for libel after he publicly criticized the countrys education system and called for same-sex relations to be decriminalized. Bazarov has openly said he is not an LGBT activist but rather believes being gay is a personal issue and hence there should be no laws against it. Bazarov was beaten by unknown men in March 2021, hours after a public event he organized was disrupted by dozens of -- what eyewitnesses described as -- aggressive men in Tashkent. Bazarov had told RFE/RL that he had received many online threats before the attack. The blogger said he told police about the attack but did not take any action. The report said Uzbek officials have sought to justify the criminalization of same-sex relations with references to religion, culture, tradition, and public opinion. They claimed that decriminalization would have negative implications for society and for Uzbekistans reputation in the Muslim world. But they have failed to address the fact that depriving people of their liberty because of their sexual orientation contradicts Uzbekistans obligations under international human rights law, the report said. A Belarusian father and son have managed to sneak past around-the-clock secret-service surveillance and flee their country after spending almost two years at the Swedish Embassy in Minsk, where they were living to avoid arrest after taking part in unsanctioned rallies protesting the official results of the August 2020 presidential election that gave victory to authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Vital and Uladzislau Kuznechyk told the Zerkalo news website on June 9 that they escaped by setting up a medical examination in a nearby town, which an embassy car drove them to on June 1. From there, they took a combination of public transit modes to reach a forest near the Latvian border, climbed a fence, and ran to a village where they surrendered to border guards. "We assumed that we would not have much time to leave. To be honest, we were mentally prepared for the fact that they [Belarusian security officials] would seize us," said Uladzislau, the 29-year-old son, on June 8 after appearing at a meeting with the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was in the Latvian capital to push for the West to keep up pressure on Lukashenka. Vital Kuznechyk, 47, said that when the two showed their passports and said they were seeking political asylum, the attitude of the Latvian border guards "was amazing." The wild journey of the two started when they took part in an anti-Lukashenka rally in their native city of Vitsebsk in September 2020. Police knocked Vital down, beat him, and tried to arrest him. Uladzislau managed to intervene, and the two escaped detention. Days later, as police in Vitsebsk were searching for them, the Kuznechyks traveled to Minsk where they visited the Swedish Embassy and asked for protection. Embassy officials refused to assist them, so they jumped over the fence onto the embassy grounds, where they were given sanctuary on September 11, 2020. In principle, they didnt really want us to be there, Uladzislau said. "They admitted that we can legally stay on the territory of the embassy. We could not be extradited to the authorities of Belarus, while the Swedish authorities did not want to give us any status. They explained that if they do this, there will be a precedent. And then all the Swedish embassies in the world will see people jump over their fences." While at the embassy, they learned that they had been charged in absentia with attacking law enforcement officers. If handed over to the authorities and convicted of the charge, they would have faced up to six years in prison. Thousands of Belarusians have been arrested and much of the opposition leadership has been jailed or forced into exile as Lukashenka tightened his grip on the country to quell the mass protests that followed the election, which the opposition maintain was rigged. Several protesters have been killed and there have also been credible reports of torture during a widening security crackdown, which has also seen several nongovernmental organizations and independent media outlets shut down. The United States, the European Union, and several other countries have refused to acknowledge Lukashenka as the winner of the vote and imposed several rounds of sanctions on him and his regime, citing election fraud and the crackdown. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has disrupted the education of nearly 7.5 million children. According to Ukraine's Education Ministry, 1,900 educational institutions have been bombed or shelled, with 184 completely destroyed. RFE/RL photographer Serhiy Nuzhnenko captured images of a student exploring the wreckage of his school that was destroyed by Russian shelling on June 8 in the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut. Kyiv has defied a Moscow ultimatum to surrender Syevyerodonetsk despite the Russians controlling most of the key eastern city as Western defense ministers gather in Brussels to decide on sending more heavy weapons to the outgunned and outnumbered Ukrainian forces. Russia has told Ukrainian defenders holed up in the Azot chemical plant in the city to give up their "senseless resistance and lay down arms" early on June 15, promising a "humanitarian corridor" for the civilians sheltering in the plant along with the fighters. The Russians had planned to take the civilians to territory under the control of Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. 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. British military intelligence said in its daily bulletin on June 15 that several hundred civilians were currently in underground bunkers in the Azot plant together with Ukrainian fighters. The mayor of Syevyerodonetsk, Oleksandr Stryuk, said after the early morning deadline passed that Russian forces attempted to storm the city from several directions but were held back by Ukrainian forces. "We are trying to push the enemy towards the city center," Stryuk said on television. "This is an ongoing situation with partial successes and tactical retreats." Stryuk said Ukrainian forces were not completely cut off. "The escape routes are dangerous, but there are some," he said. Serhiy Hayday, the head of the Luhansk region containing Syevyerodonetsk, said the army was defending the city and keeping Russian forces from Lysychansk, the twin city on the opposite bank of the Siverskiy Donets River. "Nevertheless, the Russians are close and the population is suffering and homes are being destroyed," he posted online. The bulletin issued by Britain's Defense Ministry said that it was "highly unlikely" Moscow had anticipated such stubborn opposition from the Ukrainians during its original planning for the invasion. It added that in the face of the determined Ukrainian response, Russia has resorted to urban-warfare tactics that rely on the heavy use of artillery, causing extensive collateral damage throughout the city. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called both for more heavy weapons and for more EU sanctions against Russia. In an address via video link to Czech lawmakers on June 15, Zelenskiy urged the European Union to adopt a seventh package of punitive measures against Moscow for its unprovoked invasion after the one agreed last month that will halt the majority of imports of Russian oil. Earlier, Zelenskiy said late on June 14 that Ukraine needed modern anti-missile weapons now, adding there could be no justification for partner countries to delay delivery. "We keep telling our partners that Ukraine needs modern anti-missile weapons," Zelenskiy said. "Our country does not have them yet at a sufficient level, but it is in Ukraine and right now that there is the greatest need for such weapons. Procrastination in providing them cannot be justified." Zelenskiy said Ukraine was also seeing "painful losses" in the Kharkiv region to the east of Kyiv, where Russia is trying to strengthen its position after being pushed back. Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar said earlier that Ukraine had received just 10 percent of the weapons it has requested from the West to help fight the Russian invasion. "No matter how hard Ukraine tries, no matter how professional our army is, without the help of Western partners we will not be able to win this war," Malyar said in a televised briefing, saying the West should speed up the delivery of the arms. Western countries have promised to send sophisticated weapons, including advanced rockets, but deploying them is taking time. Malyar said there should be "a clear time frame" for the deliveries "because every day there's a delay, we're talking about the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians." Speaking ahead of a June 15 gathering of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said there was an "urgent need" to send Kyiv more advanced weaponry, but cautioned that familiarizing the Ukrainian military with such weapons systems takes time. "Ukraine is really in a very critical situation and therefore, there's an urgent need to step up," Stoltenberg told journalists. Ahead of the two-day NATO meeting in Brussels, dozens of defense ministers from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group are expected to discuss more weapons deliveries to Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is poised to lead the discussions of the group of nearly 50 countries, officials said. NATO is not officially participating in the talks, to avoid being militarily involved in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and as nonaligned countries are also part of the group chaired by the United States. With the Luhansk region with its key city of Syevyerodonetsk almost completely in Russian hands, a senior NATO official told CNN that the war in Ukraine had reached a critical point. "I think that you're about to get to the point where one side or the other will be successful," said the official. "Either the Russians will reach Slovyansk and Kramatorsk [in the Donetsk region adjacent to Luhansk] or the Ukrainians will stop them here. And if the Ukrainians are able to hold the line here, in the face of this number of forces, that will matter." With reporting by Reuters, AP, BBC, CNN, and AFP Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, further reducing the agency's ability to monitor Iran's nuclear program, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog has said. Speaking at a news conference in Vienna on June 9, Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the move "poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there." He added that if an agreement could not be reached to restore the cameras in three to four weeks, "this would be a fatal blow" to the chances of reviving the Iran nuclear deal with global powers. "When we lose this, then it's anybody's guess," he added. Germany, Britain, and France on June 9 urged Iran to "cease its nuclear escalation" and conclude the deal currently on the table to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement. "There has been a viable deal on the table since March 2022," they said in a joint statement. "We regret that Iran has not seized the diplomatic opportunity to conclude the deal. We urge it to do so now." Grossi said that the removal of the 27 cameras left "about 40 cameras" belonging to the IAEA in Iran to record nuclear activities. They are located in various parts of Iran, including Tehran, Natanz, and Isfahan. Iran did not acknowledge it was removing the 27 cameras, though state media aired footage on June 9 of workers disconnecting two IAEA cameras, which Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said on June 8 would be disconnected. The organization said it would disconnect the two cameras immediately before the IAEA board of governors passed a resolution censuring Iran for failing to explain uranium traces found at three undeclared sites. The resolution was approved late on June 8 by 30 members of the IAEA board, with only Russia and China voting against it, while three others abstained. Grossi previously criticized Iran for failing to provide "credible information" about the unexplained nuclear material discovered at the three sites, which has long been a point of contention between the agency and Tehran. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Iran must cooperate with the IAEA and provide technically credible information in response to the group's questions. Negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal can only conclude if Tehran drops its extraneous demands, Blinken said. In a statement on June 9, Tehran called the passage of the resolution a "wrong and unconstructive move" and accused the UN agency of being "hasty and unbalanced" in its move. "The passing of the resolution will have no effect but the weakening of the trend of cooperation and interaction of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the IAEA," it said. Later on June 9, President Ebrahim Raisi said Iran "will not back off a single step" from its positions, Iranian state media reported. Senior Iranian nuclear officials had warned that passing the resolution could seriously damage attempts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The sanctions returned after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the accord in 2018. Talks to restore it have been stalled since April. Tehran, which denies that its nuclear program seeks to build a bomb, has backed away from some of its commitments since 2019, and European powers have been expressing concerns over how far Iran's nuclear activities have gone. Iran has been engaged for more than a year in negotiations with Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and China directly -- and the United States indirectly -- to revive the deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. A revamped deal was reportedly close in March, but the talks in Vienna then abruptly stalled in April with Tehran and Washington blaming each other for failing to take the necessary political decisions to settle remaining issues. The U.S. special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, said on May 25 that the prospects of reviving the nuclear deal were "tenuous" at best and that it was more likely than not that talks ultimately will fail. With reporting by AP and Reuters The Iranian Teachers' Unions Coordination Council has called for a new round of street protests to demand higher wages and the immediate release of detained teachers from previous demonstrations as unrest in Iran continues to spread. The council said in a statement on June 9 that teachers across Iran should hold a protest rally on June 17 after four teachers were arrested last month just ahead of demonstrations held in several cities on May Day, which coincided with Teachers' Day in Iran. At the May Day demonstration, one of many in recent weeks, teachers protested against working conditions and demanded higher wages. The teachers also called on the government to speed up the implementation of reforms that would see their salaries more accurately reflect their experience and performance. "We declare in a loud and clear voice that the union protests will continue unless our colleagues are released immediately and unconditionally, and the demands of teachers are implemented," the June 9 statement said. The council said it recently wrote a letter to the International Labor Organization that calls for the expulsion of Iran from the organization, stating that since May 1, several union activists and teachers had been arrested on "baseless" charges such as taking actions "against national security." Iran has seen a string of protests in recent weeks against rising food prices and following a deadly building collapse, which demonstrators blamed on negligence and corruption. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blamed some of the unrest on "foreign enemies" who he says are seeking to overthrow the regime. Writing and reporting by Ardeshir Tayebi ST. PETERSBURG -- In a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of St. Petersburg there is a nondescript beige-and-brown building that looks a bit like a neighborhood health clinic. It is the state archive building, where thousands of documents from the city administration are stored -- minutes of meetings, official orders, staffing records, interagency correspondence, and the like. But there is one remarkable gap in the archives catalog. There are no documents about the work of the citys External Affairs Committee (KVS) from the period in the early 1990s when it was headed by a former KGB operative named Vladimir Putin. Around four dozen records related to Putin's tenure there have been preserved thanks to Marina Salye, a city lawmaker who alleged corruption in deals he signed off on. But here at the state archive, the only way to learn anything about the work of this important committee is by looking through its official monthly bulletins -- not all of which are preserved -- or a couple of its annual reports. If any documents signed by Putin or his now-famous subordinates Igor Sechin, Dmitry Medvedev, and Aleksei Miller still exist, they are held in some other archive. This report is the fourth installment of an investigative project examining the scandals and scams that swirled around Vladimir Putin and his associates during his tenure as a St. Petersburg city official in the 1990s. But even the officially available documents give intriguing glimpses into the daily working life of Putin's team in the Soviet Union's final months and the first couple years after its collapse. Current Time and RFE/RL's Russian Service have scanned the available monthly bulletins and the committees annual reports for 1991, 1992, and 1993, and are publishing them for the first time. All the documents gathered for this investigation into Putin's first steps in politics and government can be seen here. A record noting an October 1992 meeting between Vladimir Putin and a U.S. State Department delegation led by Elizabeth Cheney, who is now a prominent Republican member of the U.S. Congress. A notice in a bulletin from the St. Petersburg External Relations Committee thanking Vladimir Churov, who later became Russia's top election official under Putin, for helping return to Russia an airliner that had been hijacked. A record of Vladimir Putin's September 1992 meeting with Enric Bernat, president of the confectionary firm Chupa Chups. Bernat's son later said they encountered unbelievable corruption in Russia. In October 1992, St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak and his deputy, Vladimir Putin, met with Catalan businessman Lluis Prenafeta, who later said the trip was a waste of "our time and our nerves." Under the heading of Meetings Of The Week in the committees monthly bulletins, some interesting topics crop up. Many of the meetings are talks with potential foreign investors, as might be expected. But there are some more captivating entries that tie the committee to entire stories, including some featuring the remarkable corruption of St. Petersburg officials that foreign partners often complained about. There's also a record of a long-forgotten meeting between Putin and a twentysomething U.S. aid official who is now one of the most prominent members of the U.S. Congress: Liz Cheney. Surreal Suckers The KVS documents uncovered by RFE/RL and Current Time shed light on various connections between Putin's committee and businessmen from Spain's Catalonia region. Example: In the KVS bulletin from November 1992, under the section Orders Of The Mayor Of St. Petersburg, theres mention of a project to build a wholesale-retail market "like Mercarbana [sic]" -- an apparent reference to Barcelona's Mercabarna market. According to a report in the Spanish newspaper El Pais, St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak came up with the idea after a trip to Barcelona with Putin in 1992. Putins secretary, Sechin, who was also part of the 1992 Barcelona delegation, was assigned to the working group on designing and building the market, although nothing further came of this idea. Manuel De Forn, a planning official from Barcelona, came to St. Petersburg to discuss the idea with Putin. He recalled learning that while it would be possible to build the market, there were no goods to be traded there. The city simply did not have such quantities of food and other goods. De Forn also mentions the huge problem of corruption. "Putin didn't directly ask us for money, but other people told us what we needed to know about the bribes," De Forn said, according to El Pais. Ignacio Ferrero -- owner of the Spanish firm Nutrexpa, which in turn owns the brand Cola Cao that Russians remember from its ubiquitous advertising -- made similar claims to Spanish journalists. Other Spanish businessmen from the era also complained about the pervasive corruption in Russia. The head of the company that produces the sparkling wine Freixenet, Josep Ferrer, described the "red mafia," a network of firms organized by former members of the Soviet KGB that one had to deal with for "protection" and the criminal gangs connected with those firms. Another Catalonia-related meeting took place on September 28, 1992, according to the committee bulletins. Putin, together with the chairman of the city's Foodstuffs Committee, Sergei Pokrovsky, held a meeting that brought him just one degree of separation away from the renowned surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The logo designed by Salvador Dali On that day, he sat down with Catalan businessman Enric Bernat, president of the confectionary firm Chupa Chups -- though his surname is listed in the bulletin as "Bernard," in the Castilian style. Bernat was the man who invented the idea of a caramel candy on a stick to help keep sticky candy off kids' hands and clothes. When he wanted to bring Chupa Chups to the global market in the late 1960s, Bernat turned to his longtime friend, Dali. According to legend, in a few hours Dali created a logo for the candy that is still in use, virtually unchanged, to this day. Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The meeting with Putin may have been successful: Chupa Chups did build a candy factory in St. Petersburg. The company also purchased stakes in the Russian candy maker Azart and the Garantia insurance company. Chupa Chups is very well-known in Russia, where it has continued to operate after the invasion of Ukraine this February. Some other efforts by Catalans to enter the Russian market were not successful. And the main reason why -- according to their own recollections -- was the massive corruption of city officials. This lack of success came despite the fact that a leading Catalan businessman, Lluis Prenafeta, once helped save the life of Russia's first president, Boris Yeltsin. On October 30, 1992, Sobchak and Putin -- according to a couple laconic lines in the KVS bulletin -- met with Mr. Lluis Premafeta [sic], vice president of a company called Juspi that had been created specifically to invest in Russia. Equal stakes in Juspi were held by Bernat and Prenafeta. Juspi was supposed to import foodstuffs to Russia and create a network of gas stations. Prenafeta at that time was the CEO of the Spanish state oil company Petrocat. A cooperation agreement was signed when Sobchak -- along with Putin and Sechin -- travelled to Barcelona in February 1992 at the invitation of that city's mayor. St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak and his deputy Vladimir Putin (second from right) meet with Spanish officials in Barcelona in 1992. It was exactly one month before Marina Salye, the St. Petersburg municipal lawmaker, handed a top Yeltsin aide, Yury Boldyrev, the findings of her commission about alleged corruption in the city's program to export commodities in exchange for badly needed food imports. At the time, Prenafeta was one of the most influential people in Catalonia, involved in both business and politics. He was the right-hand man of Jordi Pujol, the head of the autonomous Catalan government. In that capacity, he oversaw the creation of an independent Catalan broadcasting company, published a newspaper, and traveled the world as the region's envoy. Spanish journalists wrote that Prenafeta arranged meetings for Putin with prostitutes, reports that Prenafeta denied. Prenafeta's name began appearing in the Russian press in 1992. According to reports, the October meeting with Putin was far from the only one he held in Russia. Kommersant wrote that Prenafeta also met with acting Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar and several Russian government ministers as part of an effort to negotiate the exchange of Russian oil for Spanish technology and foodstuffs. Operation Yeltsin The first mention of Prenafeta in connection with Russia, however, dates back to 1990 and contains the seeds of a real thriller. Viktor Yaroshenko, former minister of foreign economic relations in the government of Soviet Prime Minister Ivan Silayev, recalled for RFE/RL how he traveled with Yeltsin to Spain that spring for an international conference in Cordoba. That trip nearly ended tragically for Yeltsin, Yaroshenko said. Lluis Prenafeta After the Cordoba conference, Yeltsin was scheduled to take an air taxi to Barcelona, where he had been invited by Catalan leader Pujol. But in midflight, the light aircraft developed a problem with its generator and its backup electrical system. The pilots managed to make an emergency landing at a remote mountain airfield, but it was a hard landing. Yaroshenko said the plane "nearly crashed" into the runway, and the landing was hardest for those -- like Yeltsin -- in the very back of the plane. Yaroshenko related how the delegation made it to Barcelona in another plane but by the time they arrived, Yeltsin was experiencing sharp pain in his lower back and was nearly paralyzed. During the landing, it turned out, Yeltsin had suffered a herniated disc and a pinched nerve. Yeltsin underwent emergency surgery in Barcelona. Although the press reported widely about the event, journalists did not report that it was Prenafeta who arranged the emergency operation for the Soviet politician about a year before he was elected president of Russia. Spanish journalist Salvador Sostres revealed this little-known fact in 2017. He wrote that Yeltsin expressed his gratitude by inviting Prenafeta to Moscow, where the two met in the Kremlin. Prenafeta arrived in Russia as Bernat's representative and tried to negotiate the purchase of beet fields to produce sugar. A Crude Fabrication There is one more episode connecting Prenafeta and Russia that occurred between the Yeltsin incident and the October 1992 meeting with Putin. He arrived in Moscow a second time with a proposal to purchase cheap Russian oil in exchange for food. According to a 2008 account by Spanish journalist Antonio Fernandez in the newspaper El Confidencial, Prenafeta "paid a fortune" to get permission from the Russian Energy Ministry to export Russian oil to Spain. But when the permission arrived by fax in his office in Barcelona, Prenafeta rushed to Moscow, only to be told that the fax in his hand was a crude fabrication. In St. Petersburg, Fernandez wrote, Prenafeta encountered other problems despite his meeting with Putin. In addition to discussing the sale of food and tobacco products, Prenafeta brought along Arturo Suque, the owner of three Catalan casinos. Suque and Prenafeta tried to sell the mayor's office on the idea of creating a regional lottery in St. Petersburg, but they again found themselves duped. According to a 1994 report in El Pais, they were given fake documents with permission to create the lottery and were told that after publication of the document in the city government's official newspaper they would have to pay 200 million pesetas (around $3 million at the time) to finalize the deal. A short time later, however, Prenafeta learned that the lottery concession had been awarded to American billionaire Ted Turner, the founder of CNN. "They kicked us from one office to another, wasting our time and our nerves," Prenafeta said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia about his St. Petersburg trip. Javiar Bernat, Enric Bernats son and heir, recalled that Juspi encountered unbelievable corruption among Russian officials, each one of which he said had to be given a bribe of at least 20,000 pesetas (the equivalent of $320 today). In order to implement any agreement in Russia, Javiar Bernat said, one had to sign contracts with intermediary firms "recommended" by officials and hire Russian lawyers, the payments for whom mostly ended up in the pockets of bureaucrats. Give And Take In Spain, Prenafeta has been dogged by corruption charges himself. In October 2009, he and several colleagues were arrested as part of a major corruption investigation by Judge Baltasar Garzon. The previous year, Garzon had investigated the Russian mafia in Spain and had even planned to fly to Moscow to question Kremlin-connected businessman Oleg Deripaska. As part of that investigation, which focused on the St. Petersburg-based Malyshev crime group, Spanish authorities searched the Spanish villa of Vladislav Reznik, a parliament deputy from the ruling United Russia party. In August 2009, during questioning by Garzon, a career criminal named Luis Rodriguez Pueyo testified that in April 2008, on Rezniks instruction, he had tried to kidnap the son of Spanish billionaire Francisco Hernando. Pueyo said the order was given because Hernando refused to repay a $30 million debt to Gennady Petrov, the notorious boss of Russias Tambov crime group, which also operated in St. Petersburg. In December 2009, Prenafeta was released from custody on a $1 million bond. In 2017, he cut a deal with prosecutors and agreed to pay a fine of almost 25 million euros for concealing income from tax authorities, according to El Pais. After that, Prenafeta's business and political career went into steady decline, and he is now a retiree who has written several autobiographical books. Several efforts to contact him for this report were unsuccessful. In his memoirs, Prenafeta speaks about his adventures in Russia in the early 1990s, summing them up by saying they resulted in "complete catastrophe." Nonetheless, contemporary Catalan politicians have warm relations with Putin's Russia, which in 2019 led to accusations that the Russian military intelligence service known as the GRU was behind a Catalan independence referendum that was denounced as illegal by the Spanish authorities. 14 Hours With A Grenade The KVS bulletin from 1993 contains a small passing reference to Vladimir Churov, who would go on to serve as chairman of the Central Election Commission under President Putin, overseeing several elections rife with allegations of fraud, and who at that time was a KVS senior specialist. In the notice, Churov is thanked for his "professionalism" in helping return to Russia a commercial airliner that had been hijacked to Sweden while flying from Tyumen to St. Petersburg. It remains unknown exactly what role Churov played in this process. The KVS may have used its contacts with Sweden to help the Russian air carrier to secure the release of the plane. But this tiny notice in the bulletin connects Putin's committee with the remarkable story of the hijacker -- the vengeful cat lover Tamerlan Musayev. In 1993, a street busker from Baku named Tamerlan Musayev, together with his wife and 7-month-old daughter, hijacked the flight from Tyumen to St. Petersburg. Musayev was trying to avoid being conscripted into the military as the conflict in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was unfolding. Tamerlan Musayev Musayev secured two hand grenades from a friend who had deserted from the military and traveled with his family to Tyumen. He regularly traveled there to sell goods he bought in Turkey and was very familiar with the disorder in the Tyumen airport. He even claimed he knew a pilot on the Tyumen-St. Petersburg flight who would allow passengers on board for free. He said he paid the head of a baggage crew 30,000 rubles (about $5 at the time) to bring the bag with the hand grenades to the plane's boarding stairs. During the flight, Musayev pulled the pin of one grenade and sent it, together with a note, to the cockpit. The hijacker demanded to be flown to the United States, but the pilots explained to him that the Tu-134 passenger jet would need to refuel. They initially mentioned the idea of going to Finland, and then the crew convinced Musayev they could go to Sweden after refueling in Estonia. In Tallinn, Musayev released 15 mostly elderly passengers, although one of them reportedly snuck back onto the plane because he wanted "to go to Europe." The plane's flight crew was able to sneak another 15 passengers out through a baggage door. In Stockholm, the Musayevs ran out of diapers for the baby. The authorities dangled the possibility of granting political asylum. So Musayev, who had purportedly been holding the live grenade in his hand for 14 hours, surrendered. Asked in later interviews whether the grenade was really live, Musayev answered evasively. Musayev was arrested and placed in a cell that he later compared to a "sanatorium." The story was widely covered by Swedish media, and the family was briefly a sensation there. Musayev expected to serve a short sentence in Sweden and then be granted political asylum, particularly because Swedish law barred extradition to countries where the punishment for a crime was significantly harsher than the punishment for the same crime in Sweden. But a Swedish judge decided that a hijacker could expect a five-year term in both Sweden and Russia, so he sent the Musayevs back to Russia. Musayev, through the media, begged the Swedish authorities at least to allow the baby to stay, but they refused. In St. Petersburg, Musayev was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while his wife got six. Musayev was released in 2002 after serving 9 1/2 years. And has spent the ensuing years pursuing a monomaniacal quest for "revenge" against Sweden, filing fake bomb threats in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2020. "Two goats -- me and Sweden -- have met on a bridge and both refuse to give way," he said in a 2020 interview with St. Petersburgs Fontanka.ru website. "I understand that it is embarrassing for them that some worker from Russia is pressuring them. But I insist that Sweden cannot spit in the face of a Russian citizen. I want them to tremble at the sight of a Russian passport." In the summer of 2021, Musayev was waiting in a Dutch migration center for deportation to Russia. He apparently had changed his opinion about Russia and told a local newspaper that he wanted to remain in a country where he could freely express his opinions about the Russian government. "I want to publish articles critical of the government," he said. "In Russia, this is impossible. So it is dangerous for me to return. If I return, I will be arrested by the [Federal Security Service]. They'll put me in prison on fabricated charges." Musayev and his cat, Gusya. On March 16, 2022, Musayev wrote that he was still in the Dutch migration center with his cat, Gusya. The Dutch authorities regularly deny his requests for asylum, he wrote, but he expressed confidence that "genuinely independent judges" would overturn their decisions. 'Left No Impression At All' According to a small notice in the KVS bulletin, Putin met in October 1992 with a delegation from the U.S. State Department. The agenda for the meeting included discussion of the creation of foundation for the support of Russian business. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), an organization that Putins government barred from Russia 20 years later, participated in the project. The bulletin reports that the U.S. delegation was headed by Elizabeth Cheney, then a 26-year-old USAID employee and the daughter of then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, who would go on to serve two terms as President George W. Bushs vice president. Liz Cheney later became a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives who has been vilified by many in her party for her criticism of President Donald Trump. Cheney's representatives told RFE/RL that her talks in Russia at that time -- which were held in several Russian cities -- were to discuss humanitarian-aid programs. U.S. Representative Liz Cheney (Republican-Wyoming), who met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg in 1992, speaking with reporters in Washington in December 2019. On April 12, 2022, Cheney, together with all the other members of the U.S. Congress, was placed under sanctions by Russia. Cheney, who has been harshly critical of the Russian government's authoritarianism, called her appearance on the sanctions list "a badge of honor." Cheney told RFE/RL in an e-mailed statement what she remembered about her 1992 meetings in Russia: "Vladimir Putin left no impression at all," she said. Instead, she recalled the colorful governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Boris Nemtsov, "who dedicated his life to fighting for freedom." After Putin became president, Nemtsov was one of his most outspoken and popular critics. He was assassinated near the Kremlin in February 2015. "For his dedication to this cause and because Putin was so threatened by him, Nemtsov was murdered by Putin's thugs," Cheney said. "Nemtsov's children and his country will long honor his memory. History will remember Vladimir Putin as an evil and insecure war criminal." Robert Coalson contributed to this report. Ukrainian forces are finding it hard to stave off Russian attacks in the center of the key battleground of Syevyerodonetsk, but Moscow still does not control the eastern city, regional officials say. Syevyerodonetsk and its twin city Lysychansk, which lies across the Siverskiy Donets River, are strategically important in the Kremlins bid to capture Ukraines eastern Donbas region and the unfolding fight, which has already seen Russian troops take control of large portions of Syevyerodonetsk, could have an outsized influence on the next phase of the war. Meanwhile, the flow of Western weapons to Kyiv continues, but Ukrainian officials have warned that greater and sustained quantities of equipment and aid are needed if they are to wield an advantage over Russian forces. The United States and Britain recently announced plans to provide Kyiv with multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), which can hit targets up to 80 kilometers away. Washington is also sending four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and London has agreed to send an unspecified number of M270 launch systems. The weapon shipments have been welcomed by Kyiv, but Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, says that greater quantities are required, especially of rocket launchers, if his countrys forces will be able to repel the advancing Russian troops To find out more, RFE/RL spoke with George Barros, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington-based think tank. RFE/RL: The main battle between Ukrainian and Russian forces under way appears to be in Syevyerodonetsk. How do you see the battle shaping up and what should people know about this fight? George Barros: The Kremlin has decided at this point in time to deprioritize other areas of the Ukrainian front line in order to prioritize the fight for Syevyerodonetsk. This is actually quite interesting as, up to this current phase of the war, the Kremlin has had to scale back its objectives time after time. On February 24, Putin's initial objective was to capture Kyiv and other large cities and to conduct regime change within a very short time period. That, of course, failed. Then, in April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov formally redefined the goals of Russia's so-called special military operation to just capturing the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Why thats interesting is because if you look at how the front lines have changed over the past month and a half or so, the Russians have made very few gains in the Donetsk Oblast, they've almost exclusively focused on the Luhansk front line, which has led to what's likely going to be a culminating point for the Russians in Syevyerodonetsk. Although they've not been able to make a lot of gains in that area. So even with these scaled-back objectives, these small Russian gains over portions of a city or portions of a village that have been spread out over several days and weeks shows that the Russians are still underperforming quite badly. [The Institute for the Study of Wars] current assessment is that if the Russians manage to finish capturing Syevyerodonetsk and then move to capturing all of Luhansk Oblast, the Russian campaign will likely culminate and that will necessitate the Russians having to take an operational pause to regroup their forces and reinforce what they control. At that point, Putin will likely try to make a play for a cease-fire. However, it's actually unclear to me if the Russians will even be able to capture all of Luhansk Oblast. Syevyerodonetsk is the last significant Ukrainian held position in Luhansk Oblast, which sits on the left bank of the Siverskiy Donets River. If the Russians capture it, that would then mean that the Russian forces would have to cross the river in order to get to the town of Lysychansk, where the Ukrainians also have prepared defensive positions. Lysychansk is an elevated area, so it'll be difficult geographically for the Russians to attack that territory and it will require them to do the sort of things that have been difficult for the Russians throughout this war, such as river crossings and urban combat. RFE/RL: You said that the Russian military is underperforming, yet are making some breakthroughs and gaining some ground now that theyre concentrating their forces. Do you see evidence that theyre able to hold these gains that theyre making? Barros: Moving forward, a major question is whether the Ukrainians will be capable of actually conducting counteroffensives to liberate the territory that the Russians have taken since the beginning of the war. I would say that we've not seen a Ukrainian capability to actually retake territory that the Russians are serious about defending. The territory that the Ukrainians recaptured in and around Kyiv and Kharkiv in the north is largely because the Russians withdrew. It was reported in many instances as Ukrainian forces liberating these territories, but it was actually due in large part to the Russians simply just withdrawing and the Ukrainians moving in. Theres evidence right now of intense fighting on some territory where the Russians are actually trying to maintain a foothold, such as north of Kharkiv or also on the southern front near Mykolayiv and Kherson, where there is a big back and forth with the Ukrainians pushing in and then the Russian counterattacking and retaking those areas. So, the kind of Ukrainian gains there have been small and the Russian defense seems to be pretty good. I think the key takeaway is that for the Russians it's a lot easier to hold territory that they've controlled than to capture new territory. Also, conversely for the Ukrainians, it's easier for them to defend territory from Russian attacks than to recapture and liberate Russian-held territory. In the south, we see the Russians also setting conditions to actually hold those southern territories for a long time and there are Ukrainian government reports about the Russians creating fortifications, which indicates that they intend to hold those territories for a long while. RFE/RL: Are you saying then that Russia is actually capable of maintaining some of these gains? Barros: I don't want to imply that there's any sense of finality to it, but what I do want to say is that, in order to contest those Russian gains, the Ukrainians would have to demonstrate new battlefield capabilities that we've not seen from them. RFE/RL: Where does that leave us? Youre describing something close to a stalemate or at least a very slow-moving war of attrition. Whats important to watch in the coming weeks? Barros: I think the decisive factor moving forward is the extent that Western governments provide Ukraine with the weaponry that meets the requirement and needs for Ukrainian counteroffensives. We see trickles of different types of aid and equipment and thats great. However, because of the way that the Russians have pushed the front lines out so far in some areas and the way that the Russian supply lines work, the Ukrainians need better weapons with longer effective ranges in order to hit those Russian logistics convoys and to hit those Russian ammunition depots further back. So, I do see the Western military aid as being a decisive factor in ensuring that Putin is not able to actually secure a preferable stalemate or any other type of situation where it essentially locks in all these gains that the Russians have made. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has slammed the death sentences that Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine say their top court handed down to two British nationals and a Moroccan for being "mercenaries" and fighting with the Ukrainian armed forces. Truss said the men were prisoners of war and called the judgment a "sham" with "absolutely no legitimacy." "I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine," Truss said on Twitter. The separatist leadership in the Donetsk region said that Aslin, Pinner, and Moroccan student Saaudun Brahim were sentenced to death on June 9 after a two-day trial. They were convicted of "mercenary activities and committing actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order" in the region, which is controlled by the separatists and a current focal point of fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops. Amnesty International's deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia called it a "blatant violation of international humanitarian law on so many counts." Denis Krivosheyev said the three were members of the Ukrainian regular forces and as prisoners of war are protected from prosecution for taking part in hostilities. "The only exception is prosecution for alleged war crimes, in which case there must be sufficient admissible evidence, and fair trial standards must be ensured," Krivosheyev said in a statement. "Not only this is not the case in this scenario -- they were not tried by an independent, impartial, regularly constituted court but by Russian proxies." Robert Jenrick, the member of parliament who represents the district where Aslin's family live, said the proceedings were akin to a "Soviet-era show trial." Aslin and Pinner, who served in a Ukrainian military unit in the city of Mariupol, were captured by the separatists in April. Saaudun was taken prisoner in March near the town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region. Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. The lawyer the the men said they will appeal the decision. Russian officials have said that since they consider the three mercenaries, they are not protected by international laws regarding prisoners of war. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, through his spokesman in London, expressed concern over the verdicts and sentences handed to the three men, as they are entitled to combatant immunity. "We're obviously deeply concerned by this. We've said continually that prisoners of war shouldn't be exploited for political purposes," the spokesman told reporters after the verdict was handed down. "Under the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity, and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities," the statement said. "So we will continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to try and secure the release of any British national who was serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and who are being held as prisoners of war." In April, Russian state television showed Pinner and Aslin pleading guilty after their capture and asking Johnson to assist in exchanging them and other captured Ukrainian soldiers for pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who is being held by Kyiv on high-treason charges. Relatives of Pinner and Aslin said at the time that their televised statements were made under duress. They also said that the two men served in the Ukrainian armed forces on a contractual basis and therefore cannot be considered mercenaries. Russian media reports say Pinner has lived in Mariupol with his Ukrainian wife since 2018. Russia currently has a moratorium on using the death penalty but says that does not apply to the areas of Ukraine controlled by the separatists. With reporting by TASS, dpa, The Guardian, Reuters, and Interfax 8 The gutted remains of cars lie along a road during heavy fighting at the front line in Syevyerodonetsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, This is a very fierce battle, very difficult. Probably one of the hardest throughout this war. I am grateful to everyone and everyone who defends themselves in this direction. In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there right now." A Russian rocket attack hit a school in the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region on June 8, turning part of the building into a pile of rubble and shredded textbooks. The school was empty at the time of the attack. Current Time's Borys Sachalko visited the site. Behind the Lens of La Jolla Native Eric Wolfinger Wolfinger takes us behind the scenes of his James Beard Award-winning photography career How Perfect Snacks went from being sold out of the back of a van to a worldwide brand Every time a storm hits the Bay Area, trash in the regions streets and creeks gets swept by rushing water into an underground stormwater system, where much of the litter flows through a network of pipes until it reaches San Francisco Bay. The trash can linger in the Bay or smaller bodies of water for thousands of years, contributing to the widespread pollution that is threatening wildlife and degrading the health of local environments and communities. Environmental advocates say that while its difficult to estimate the amount of trash that makes it to the Bay each year, and different cities generate varying amounts of litter, its clear that trash pollution is a persistent problem. Bay Area cities have spent tens of millions of dollars in the past decade addressing the problem, and say they have made substantial progress. But state regulators say that cities havent done enough, and last month approved new regulations requiring them to eliminate virtually all of the trash from their stormwater systems in three years. The conflict pits leaders from some of the regions largest communities, including Oakland and San Jose, against the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, whose members are appointed by the governor and work as part of the California Environmental Protection Agency to set and enforce regulations for the nine-county Bay Area. The board says the new guidelines are necessary to clean up the Bay, but cities claim theyre burdensome, expensive and too ambitious. Oakland officials have said compliance with the new guidelines would require the city to install as many as 4,000 new catch basins beneath city streets up from just over 200 currently that are installed in areas with the most street trash at a cost of up to $7 million plus annual maintenance costs of up to $1.2 million. Unlike San Francisco, most Bay Area cities dont divert stormwater drainage to treatment facilities that filter out whatever isnt stopped at catch basins. And their network of basins does not extend to all storm drains, meaning that trash often drifts directly to the Bay unobstructed. Oaklands catch basins target the areas that generate the most trash, but they still cover just 1,280 of the citys roughly 35,000 acres of land, according to city reports. The stricter regulations come as Oakland and other cities struggle to keep up with a sharp increase in illegal dumping of trash on city streets during the pandemic. Tom Mumley, the water boards interim executive officer until recently, said the guidelines, known as the 2022 Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit, are necessary to continue cleaning up the Bay. But cities worry that they wont be able to comply, making them subject to an array of penalties, most notably fines of up to $10,000 per day. The water board is taking away tools in the toolbox of what seemed to be working in the past, said Chris Sommers, head of trash management and assessment for the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program, a consortium of more than a dozen South Bay communities and agencies working to reduce stormwater trash loads. The progress will be achievable, Sommers said, but its going to take a lot more effort to get from where (cities) are now to the end point. Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Top photo: Ted Lyman (left) and Kevin Schomo remove trash from nets at Oakland's Lake Merritt. Photos above (clockwise from top left): Boots used by a cleanup volunteer; trash tangled in algae inside a trash can; Kathy Branddenburg picks up trash; Ted Lyman empties lake water from an old bottle. Photos by Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Top photo: Ted Lyman (left) and Kevin Schomo remove trash from nets at Oakland's Lake Merritt. Photos above: Boots used by a cleanup volunteer; trash tangled in algae inside a trash can; Ted Lyman empties lake water from an old bottle; Kathy Branddenburg picks up trash. Photos by Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Sommers said cities and agencies are considering whether to file petitions with the water board objecting to the new guidelines. Bay Area cities have installed trash-capture devices within their jurisdictions since the first stormwater trash regulations took effect in 2009. In Santa Clara County, municipalities have installed about 1,500 trash-capture devices that intercept garbage from nearly 20,000 acres of land. The county is roughly 830,000 acres in size, but, like in Oakland, the devices target the most heavily polluted areas. Large capture devices have contributed approximately half of San Joses trash reduction in the past 10 years at a cost of more than $25 million, Sommers said. Its been a huge effort, he said. Also crucial to cities efforts are street sweeping, volunteer cleanups and institutional controls that seek to stop trash at the source, such as bans or restrictions on plastic bags and disposable foodware. Each of those strategies, if implemented successfully, allows cities to earn credits that count toward compliance with the guidelines by their deadline of June 2025. Oakland has taken advantage of those credits and has already achieved 103% compliance. Part of that percentage comes from demonstrating trash-load reductions from trash capture, but just over one-third of it comes from credits that the city has been able to claim for implementing additional strategies, said Kristin Hathaway, Oaklands watershed and stormwater division manager. San Jose has similarly achieved 100% compliance ahead of the deadline. But the new regulations disallow use of credits toward compliance by 2025. Additionally, cities are required to ensure that stormwater from privately owned property not just public land is filtered by the cities trash-capture devices. Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Samantha Laurey/The Chronicle Above left: Gear and supplied used by U-Clean It volunteers is stored in a lockable container near Lake Merritt. Above right: Naomi Means (left) and Kathy Branddenburg return to the storage box after picking up trash. Top: Gear and supplied used by U-Clean It volunteers is stored in a lockable container near Lake Merritt. Above: Naomi Means (left) and Kathy Branddenburg return to the storage box after picking up trash. That means cities will have to rely more on catch basins and less on cleanups and other actions. The devices are highly effective, but are expensive to install and maintain. In a joint letter to the water board last fall, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo told regulators that the removal of credits, among other revisions to the regulations, would force them to overhaul their trash-reduction strategies at a time that the cities are struggling with COVID-19 and the worsening housing crisis. The draft regulation contains provisions which impede, rather than facilitate, our cities progress toward a better environment, Schaaf and Liccardo wrote in their letter last year. Were going to have to switch our strategies, Hathaway told The Chronicle, referring to the need to install thousands more trash-capture devices. Its challenging because then theres a lot more that we have to maintain, and it creates an additional burden for the city. Samantha Laurey / The Chronicle Mumley acknowledged the challenges that cities are facing, but he insisted that cities have a responsibility to address pollution in the bay. Its going to take a major effort, it seems to me, to change our society to go from being a throwaway society to be more of a picker-upper, Mumley said. Whats it going to take to get all of our community members to be that way? Its not going to be easy. Andy Picon (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon It only took hours for the successful recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin to become a high-wire act for Mayor London Breed, who now has to balance calls for safety with a push to reinvent institutions as she prepares to appoint Boudins replacement. Democrats around the country are walking a similar line , but political observers are closely watching Breeds strategy play out in San Francisco, where residents have become fixated on crime and other livability issues, and where the office of mayor is traditionally a launching pad to a statewide seat. Part of the fascination is watching a big-city mayor learn on the job, said David McCuan, a professor of political science at Sonoma State University. Secondarily, he said, We are seeing a Democrat trying to find that sweet spot of working with law enforcement while appeasing progressives. A risk Breed faces is that she could become a target of the discontent over crime and street conditions that compelled voters to oust Boudin if they perceive the city isnt making progress. So far the mayors tough talk on crime, illustrated when she declared a state of emergency in the Tenderloin and pledged more patrols in Union Square, seems to be working for her. She also made her priorities clear by proposing to increase the Police Department's budget. During a news conference Wednesday at a restaurant on Division Street, Breed said she had already heard from people interested in taking the district attorneys seat, though she did not reveal whom she might appoint, or when. She also mentioned a series of conversations shes had with judges, attorneys, crime victims and people wrongly convicted of crimes. Many of them emphasized the need for accountability, a pliant term with many meanings, according to Breed. Sometimes accountability means rehab, the mayor told reporters. Sometimes accountability means community service. Its not just about locking people up and throwing away the key. Thats not what this is about. Its about accountability when those lines are crossed and coming to a reasonable conclusion around justice and what that really means for, in some cases, not just the perpetrator but the people who fall victim to those crimes. Breed repeated a mantra shes deployed throughout the recall campaign that San Francisco can have it both ways: beefing up the police budget, increasing foot patrols downtown and committing to prosecute drug dealers in the Tenderloin, while also implementing reforms. Its a false choice to think that we have to give up on criminal justice reform or give up on police reform to focus on accountability, Breed said. We could and we should be doing both. Breed acknowledged the stakes inherent in the appointment she will have to make which comes several months after she appointed three people to serve on the school board due to the citys first successful recall election of the year in February, and one month after she picked a former Police Department spokesperson, Matt Dorsey, to fill a vacant supervisor seat for a downtown district. Among the names floated to fill Boudins seat are Supervisor Catherine Stefani, who endorsed the recall; prosecutor Brooke Jenkins, who left the District Attorneys Office to join the recall campaign; Joe Alioto Veronese, the son of former San Francisco Supervisor Angela Alioto, who has filed paperwork to run for district attorney in 2023; and Nancy Tung, one of three candidates who unsuccessfully ran against Boudin in 2019. The mayor has a tight timeline to make a decision that will almost certainly help shape her race for re-election in November 2023. San Franciscos Board of Supervisors will likely certify Tuesdays recall election results on June 28, after the Department of Elections finishes counting all the ballots and delivers a report. From that point, Boudin has 10 days to leave office. A spokesperson for Breed said she will likely name his successor at the end of June or in early July. If that person wants to run in November to serve the rest of Boudins term, they would have have to file paperwork by Aug. 12. Another election for district attorney is scheduled for Nov. 2023. While she branded herself early on as a leader who shared voters exasperation with home burglaries, retail theft and out-of-control drug overdoses, she now has to show a fatigued and disenchanted electorate that she can turn the city around, some say. She was good at getting in front of these problems and saying, Im frustrated with this too, Jason McDaniel, an associate professor of political science at San Francisco State University, said of Breeds political messaging. But now, he said, Breeds political foes on the mostly progressive Board of Supervisors may turn the narrative of San Franciscos social ailments against the mayor. And although Breed was open about her dissatisfaction with Boudins administration, she may not be as quick to criticize her own appointees. 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. On Wednesday, the mayor said shed made peace with the notion that some people will disagree with her decisions. But at the end of the day, when youre in charge of the city, you have to be decisive and you have to stand by what you do and hope that people will understand it and respect it. Boudin, meanwhile, signaled that in spite of his defeat, the fight for criminal justice reform is not over in San Francisco. Speaking from atop a beer keg on Tuesday night, minutes after the vote was called, Boudin struck a triumphant tone when addressing his watch party supporters. It was never about one vote count, it was never about one election night party, it was never about specifically which person gets to be in the office of the district attorney, he said. This is a movement, not a moment, he continued, eliciting cheers from supporters who repeatedly chanted his name and yelled that he was on the right side of history. The district attorney then pointed to the coalition that he and other progressive prosecutors have built, which faces its next test in November. Rachel Swan, J.D. Morris and Megan Cassidy are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com, jd.morris@sfchronicle.com, megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan, @thejdmorris, @meganrcassidy Eva, the dog who saved her owners life during a mountain lion attack last month in rural Trinity County, has died. The Belgian Malinois suffered two fractures, which affected her vision, and several puncture wounds after fighting with the mountain lion, according to a GoFundMe organized by her owner, Erin Wilson. At first, the dog appeared to be recovering. But Wilson posted that she had to take Eva back to the vet Sunday after several seizures, and subsequently drove the shepherd to UC Davis Veterinary Center as her condition deteriorated. On Tuesday, veterinarians determined that her skull fracture was pretty severe and her brain tissue was inflamed, Wilson said in a GoFundMe update. Things do not look good, Wilson wrote. We are praying for a miraculous recovery tonight or in the morning. She is comatose while intubated. This is incredibly painful for us. Please pray. On Wednesday, Wilson posted that she had to say goodbye to her dog. We love you Eva. Youre my whole world, Wilson wrote on GoFundMe. Eva sustained injuries after intervening when a mountain lion attacked Wilson. The incident occurred in mid-May while they were walking in a picnic area near Big Bar, just off Highway 299. As they were walking, Wilson was reportedly swiped by a mountain lion. The mountain lion clawed her shoulder and punctured her skin, officials said. Eva immediately ran over and intervened, leading to a pretty vicious fight, said Capt. Patrick Foy, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is investigating the attack. During the attack, Eva appeared to be on the losing end of the fight, with her head in the mountain lions mouth, Foy said. Trying to save her dog, Wilson hit the mountain lion with her bare hands and tried to gouge its eyes, but with no success. 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. Wilson flagged down a passing driver for help. A woman pulled over and grabbed a PVC pipe and pepper spray from her car. They sprayed the mountain lion and hit it with the pipe until it let go of Eva. Wilson, who had non-life-threatening scratches, bruises and bite wounds, took Eva to a veterinary clinic in Redding. After several days of treatment, Eva returned home, and over the next few weeks, she appeared to be improving, regaining her appetite and returning to her old self, Wilson said on Instagram. But after the dogs recent turn for the worse, Wilson on Tuesday posted that Eva was comatose and there is no neurological response to pain or stimuli. She posted again that she said goodbye to Eva at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday. There were no changes to her condition overnight, Wilson wrote. Goodbye my beautiful sweet girl. You are my world, my light, my best friend. The world is a much darker place. Sarah Ravani (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani Newly recalled San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin wasnt the only top prosecutor on the ballot in the Bay Area on Tuesday. Four counties voted for district attorney, and another six cast ballots for sheriff. Heres a look at the results. Runoffs on tap for Alameda sheriff, D.A. races In Alameda County, civil rights attorney Pamela Price, a key player in the East Bay justice reform movement, appeared headed for a November runoff against high-ranking D.A.s Office veteran Terry Wiley, in early results. Price had numerous progressive endorsements while Wiley had support from within the office and, like Price, did a heavy fundraising haul. Price had 40% of the vote to Wileys 31%. Alameda County voters are choosing a new district attorney for the first time since Nancy OMalley took office in 2009. The candidates are vying to take the reins of the agency at a time when fears of rising gun violence in Oakland collide with calls for greater investment in criminal justice reforms. Whoever wins will make history as the countys first Black top prosecutor. More for you California election results: Bonta on top, Hochman and Early battling for 2nd in attorney general race D.A.s Office veteran Jimmie Wilson and former San Francisco prosecutor Seth Steward finished third and fourth, respectively. Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern appeared headed for his own runoff against Yesenia Sanchez, who pulled 47% to the longtime sheriffs 36%. Sanchez, a division commander in the Sheriffs Office who runs Santa Rita Jail, ran with wide progressive support while Ahern had more establishment backers, including current sheriffs from all over the state. JoAnn Walker, a San Francisco police officer, failed to break 20%. Strong support for Contra Costa D.A., sheriff Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton appeared to have won a decisive victory over Mary Knox, a prosecutor in her office. Knox had drawn heavy support from law enforcement interests and had struck a more conservative tone, campaigning on promises to increase safety in the county. Becton, one of the few progressive prosecutors to break through in 2018, caused upset among some law enforcement after prosecuting a local sheriffs deputy for killing a motorist. Becton garnered 56% of the vote. Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston trounced challenger Benjamin Therriault, the Richmond police union leader. Livingston had been at odds with Becton over the prosecution of his deputy, who was convicted of assault for shooting Laudemer Arboleda, who was in a mental health crisis, in November 2018. Livingston consistently supported deputy Andrew Hall even as he was sentenced to six years in state prison, saying he believed Hall had done nothing wrong. Provided by Krishna Abrams campaign and Sharon Henry campaign Solano D.A., sheriff headed for new terms Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams appeared to hold off a challenge from Chief Deputy District Attorney Sharon Henry. Abrams, D.A. since 2014, garnered 61% of the vote. The D.A., who had wide support from local law enforcement, has touted increased use of diversion programs such as restorative justice and her efforts to connect with the community. But shes also encountered criticism for her handling of killings by local law enforcement including criticism from Henry. Henry had endorsements from various Democratic groups. Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara beat retired agency veteran Daryl Snedeker. Ferrara received 70% of the vote. Snedeker, who retired after 23 years with the Sheriffs Office, also mounted an unsuccessful challenge to Ferrara in 2018. Snedeker said he was running because the office needed to be more accountable to the public. Ferrara has said he had the steady hand needed to lead in turbulent times. A runoff and a runaway win in Santa Clara County Three-term Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen fended off competition from the left and right. He received 59% of the vote, with more conservative former local prosecutor Daniel Chung and progressive public defender Sajid Khan trailing far behind. Rosen had positioned himself as the centrist in the race, while also touting progressive bona fides and successes in the courtroom. Josie Lepe/Special to the Chronicle Khan ran on a reform-heavy platform, pushing alternatives to incarceration and a more equitable system while Chung homed in on voters concerns over public safety. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. In the race to replace retiring Sheriff Laurie Smith, Palo Alto Police Chief Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen, who retired in 2013 after almost three decades at the Sheriffs Office, appeared headed for a runoff. Jonsen had called himself the experienced outsider the agency needed after Smiths tenure, which comes to an end amid a corruption probe by the state Attorney Generals Office. Jonsen pulled 34% of the vote. Jensen, who also ran in 2014 and out-fundraised the others, took 30%. Sheriffs Sgt. Christina Nagaye and fellow Sgt. Sean Allen failed to advance, as did entrepreneur Ahn Colton. San Mateo sheriff appears to suffer historic loss Uncertified results showed Sheriff Carlos Bolanos losing to Sheriffs Capt. Christina Corpus, who would be the first elected Latina sheriff in California history, according to CBS News Bay Area. Bolanos, first elected in 2018, had numerous endorsements from local elected officials and Attorney General Rob Bonta. Corpus also had many endorsements from elected officials and the county Democratic party. She appeared to overtake her boss with 56% of the vote. Sonoma County sheriffs race may head to recall or not Eddie Engram, who oversees the countys jails for the Sheriffs Office, held a commanding lead Wednesday morning with just shy of the 50%-plus-one-vote total needed to avoid a runoff. As many as 100,000 votes may still need to be counted, The Press Democrat reported. Carl Tennenbaum, a former San Francisco police sergeant, was in second with 27%. Retired Sonoma County Sheriffs Capt. Dave Edmonds had 13%. Engram had broad support in law enforcement and the backing of retiring Sheriff Mark Essick. Joshua Sharpe is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: joshua.sharpe@sfchronicle.com In 1971, the Supreme Court authorized damage suits for illegal searches and other rights violations by federal officers, like the narcotics agents who broke into Webster Bivens Brooklyn home without a warrant, handcuffed him and arrested him on charges that were later dismissed. The ruling was not unanimous but was not particularly controversial, as it allowed the same kinds of suits that are regularly filed against local police under a post-Civil War federal law. On Wednesday, the court all but overturned the Bivens ruling, barring suits against Border Patrol agents including one who allegedly slammed an informants head into a car, then threw him on the ground as well as any claim that a federal officer was punishing someone for exercising First Amendment rights, such as free speech or freedom of the press. We have indicated that if we were called to decide Bivens today, we would decline to discover any implied causes of action (for damage suits) in the Constitution, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote, citing a 2017 ruling that had already narrowed the scope of the earlier case. For now, he said, the court will not allow such lawsuits if it can find any rational reason (even one) to think that Congress is better suited to make such a decision. He did not mention that any current congressional legislation allowing damage suits against federal officers would inevitably be blocked by a Republican filibuster in the Senate. Thomas opinion was joined by four fellow conservatives, while Justice Neil Gorsuch said he would go a step further and overrule the 1971 decision, in order to return the power to create new causes of action to the peoples representatives in Congress. In a partial dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed that federal law does not authorize suits for punishing the exercise of First Amendment rights, but disputed the rulings broader rejection of damage claims against federal officers and appeared to criticize the courts increasingly ideological majority. Just five years after limiting the Bivens standard, a restless and newly constituted court sees fit to refashion the standard anew to foreclose remedies in yet more cases, wrote Sotomayor, joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan. Noting that the nearly 20,000 Border Patrol agents can stop and search vehicles within 100 miles of the U.S. border, Sotomayor said the ruling denies an important legal remedy to many more individuals who suffer injuries at the hands of other federal officers. Bivens seems pretty dead. They just havent made the formal declaration and shoveled dirt on it, said Laurie Levenson, a criminal law professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and a former federal prosecutor. Shirin Sinnar, a Stanford law professor and former civil rights attorney, said the ruling was another nail in the coffin in attempts to hold federal law enforcement agents accountable for violating constitutional rights. The case involved a lawsuit by Robert Boule, an innkeeper at the U.S.-Canada border in Blaine, Wash., who said he also acted as a paid informant for the Border Patrol. Boule said he told Border Patrol Agent Erik Egbert in 2014 that a Turkish man was about to arrive at the inn. He said that when Egbert arrived and appeared to suspect Boule of wrongdoing, Boule told Egbert to leave, but the agent lifted him up, slammed him headfirst against a vehicle and then threw him to the ground, causing injuries. The Turkish man later went to Canada. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that Boule could sue Egbert for excessive force and for retaliating against him by contacting the Internal Revenue Service, leading to an audit of Boules tax returns. But the Supreme Court said any damage suit against a Border Patrol agent has national security implications and can be authorized only by Congress. Thomas cited the courts 2019 ruling dismissing a suit by parents of a 15-year-old Mexican boy who was shot to death by a Border Patrol agent while he and other youths were running up to touch the fence on the Mexican side of the border. Congress has provided alternative remedies for aggrieved parties in Boules position, Thomas wrote, referring to the Border Patrols year-long internal investigation, which found no serious wrongdoing by Egbert and allowed him to remain on the job. Even if the patrol had found wrongdoing, however, it would not have provided damages to Boule. 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. Thomas also said allowing suits for an officers retaliation against someones exercise of First Amendment rights in this case, Egberts alleged punishment of Boule by arranging the IRS audit would open the door to expensive and baseless claims. A plaintiff can turn practically any adverse action into grounds for a retaliation claim, Thomas wrote. That portion of the ruling particularly dismayed the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which had filed arguments on behalf of itself and 34 other media organizations urging the court to allow suits against federal agents who attack people for what they say or write. That has occurred in recent protest demonstrations in which officers appeared to target journalists, said Gabe Rottman, director of the committees Technology and Press Freedom Project. The ruling will remove a significant deterrent to federal officials retaliating against the press because of coverage perceived as critical, Rottman said. The case is Egbert v. Boule, 21-147. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko There is no immediate time-frame for the reopening of 33 Tehama, the high-end apartment tower in San Francisco that has been shuttered for almost a week because of a broken water pipe, real estate management officials said. Hundreds of residents were displaced from the Transbay neighborhood tower after a 6-inch water pipe burst on the 36th floor of the building last Friday, drenching the buildings hallways and elevators and making the property uninhabitable. Apartment management officials are working with contractors and consultants to return services and building systems and with San Francisco city officials to determine when they will allow residents to return, according to a statement from Hines, the real estate investment firm that owns the tower. When the pipe burst, Hines officials said, property representatives evacuated more than 400 residents from 382 units at that time. Evacuated residents were provided lodging at two downtown San Francisco hotels, the Hilton Union Square and the Parc 55 Hotel. Residents have expressed concerns in recent days that they wont be able to stay at local hotels due to previously-scheduled hotel reservations. Due to previous bookings at the hotels we were using, we had to relocate some residents to different hotels after a few days, Hines officials said on Tuesday. As of now we have relocated everyone who needed to be moved. Hines officials that while the luxury high-rise is still closed, building management officials are coordinating appointments with residents to visit their units and are addressing the residents needs. Building management are providing residents a $300 per diem, plus additional funds for food and incidentals per day, access to coworking space and vouchers for the ride-hailing service Uber, Hines officials said. We know this is incredibly frustrating for them and we have been working diligently to provide them accommodations while we work to reopen the building, Hines officials 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. Property management officials said they were investigating the cause of the problem. A city building inspector was scheduled to visit the tower earlier this week to determine if there was water damage to the building or any other potential code issues. The potential cost of repairs was immediately unknown, property management officials said. Chronicle staff writer Kellie Hwang contributed to this report. Lauren Hernandez (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Mayor London Breeds push to hire more police officers and keep them on the force in San Francisco aims to solve a vexing problem for the city at a time that many residents are angry and frustrated over crime in the city. Her two-year plan, introduced last week, would boost the police budget by about $50 million, bringing the total to $708.3 million. It would increase wages based on the police contract schedule, raise officer starting pay, boost retention bonuses and add academy classes to get 220 new officers. It also would beef up recruitment efforts. Most of the Board of Supervisors supports boosting officer pay, but questions remain among some observers over whether the proposed increases will make a difference, and even whether pay raises are the right way to address the issue. And Breeds plan faces the reality that the Police Department already budgeted for roughly 200 vacant positions and was able to only half-fill recent academy classes. A Police Department report estimated the force was short around 350 officers as of September, although some experts disagree on the metrics used to measure how many officers the city needs. The department lost more officers since then, and city human resources data shows that the size of the force, applications and hires all dropped in recent years. Were trying to stop the bleeding here, said the mayors spokesperson, Jeff Cretan. The issue of police staffing is not unique to San Francisco, with cities across the Bay Area and the country declaring staffing crises and offering signing bonuses or other incentives aimed at luring new officers. Many but not all San Francisco elected officials and national experts agree the city has a police staffing problem. They debate the most effective solutions, however, and some question whether financial incentives will overcome negative perceptions of policing following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Policymakers must decide how much money is needed to fix a problem they havent yet proven they can solve. Its really hard to convince people to become a police officer in America for a myriad of reasons, and theyre not all pay-related, said Jeff Asher, a co-founder of AH Datalytics and a data analyst specializing in criminal justice. Its not something that you can inherently just throw money at and make the problem go away. Salary levels and the high cost of living are the main reasons officers leave, said Tracy McCray, acting president of the Police Officers Association. Cretan said that better salary and wages are an effective tool, but we recognize its not just about pay. There is other work that needs to be done. The perception issue is real, Cretan said. Weve been trying to strengthen bonds between the community and the police force. The budget debate is set against a much thornier ideological and political one: Some San Francisco politicians and residents seek to defund the police and shift away from having armed officers respond to calls involving mostly social issues. Others call for more police, especially after crimes in some categories spiked during the pandemic, driving up perceptions that San Francisco is unsafe. Breed contends that when it comes to public safety, the city can do it all staff up the force, invest in alternatives and pursue police reform. She said Wednesday that District Attorney Chesa Boudins recall didnt signal the end of progressive criminal justice, which can occur along with accountability to keep the city safe. Not all officials are convinced. The Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 Tuesday for a labor agreement boosting officer pay, with Supervisor Dean Preston dissenting. He said police hadnt achieved reforms to merit a reward. I have real concerns about awarding concessions over and over without any real changes about how we police, Preston said. He and others point to recent police scandals that include: police use of a DNA database to tie rape victims to crimes, fatal shootings of civilians, documented racial disparities in use of force, the arrests of three officers two for destroying evidence, another for illegal possession of guns and concerns about low clearance rates. I hope we go into the budget process not accepting that we keep giving a blank check, again and again, to whats perpetually framed every cycle as this severe understaffing, said Preston. He also said the staffing analysis didnt take into account that the city already diverts some 911 calls to social worker teams responding to mental health calls. Data shows such teams have only marginally reduced police workloads, although a greater shift is expected. Most supervisors agree police are short-staffed, lamenting long wait times for lower-priority 911 calls, a dependence on overtime and the potential for dangerous mistakes by overworked officers. The number of union-represented officers dropped from 2,237 in 2019 to 1,997 in 2022, according to the human resources department. The number of officers leaving increased every year, and one in five who remain are retirement-eligible. Applications to join the department plummeted 67% from 2017 to 2021. Hiring also dropped from 165 officers in 2017 to 41 in 2021. 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 mayors budget proposal seeks to double the number of academy classes, but halve their size to try to fill them faster, Cretan said. The goal is to get 220 recruits over the next two years. Its great to have ambitious aspirational goals, and I dont think theres any dispute that the city and county of San Francisco, like many other cities, needs to hire up in rank-and-file law enforcement positions, said Supervisor Aaron Peskin. The question is how much we can fill? Breed is mainly betting on financial incentives. Her proposal would raise officers starting salary from $92,560 to $97,188, with 2% bonuses at five and 15 years. San Francisco ranks fourth for starting salary among a dozen local cities, behind Santa Clara, Daly City and Fremont. Even with boosts in pay, San Francisco officer salary ranking remains unchanged compared to other Bay Area cities. The average San Francisco police officer makes $130,000, according to the city controller. Adding in overtime pay and other factors, that average rises to $160,000. Cretan said the city depends on overtime to keep up staffing levels, which raises costs. Some national policing experts doubt that pay is the answer. People dont go into public service for the pay, and officers who are women or people of color dont leave because of salary, but because people make them feel like they dont belong, said Jane Wiseman, CEO of the Institute for Excellence in Government and a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. She cited a study finding that salary, benefits and job security were the least common reasons for applying across all groups of interviewees, regardless of race or gender. Wiseman said she does not oppose bonuses but that a better way to attract recruits may be to focus on improving the image of policing and culture. We have a staffing shortage in policing everywhere, he said, and were not going to fix it for free. Staff writer Susie Neilson contributed to this report. Mallory Moench (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench The otherworldly and iconic Joshua tree, subject of album covers, postcards and untold numbers of Instagram photos, could be listed as a threatened species in California to protect it from desert development and eventual extinction but state wildlife officials have signaled opposition to the new status. Next Wednesday, the state Fish and Game Commission will consider whether the twisted, spiky trees, which grow in the Mojave Desert and Great Basin in southeastern California, warrant protection as a threatened species under the states Endangered Species Act. The Center for Biological Diversity sought protection for the western Joshua tree in October 2019, arguing that climate change, development and wildfires are setting the stage for the trees to become extinct. The commission agreed to accept it as a candidate for the endangered species list in September 2020. State Fish and Wildlife officials acknowledge that the western Joshua trees habitat and population are on the decline and that the threat will only grow. But to the dismay of conservationists, they are not recommending that the commission add the tree to the threatened species list, saying theres insufficient scientific evidence to support the move. The designation would prevent Joshua trees from being chopped down, plowed under or replaced with tract homes or logistics warehouses a danger in the fast-growing high desert suburbs like Victorville and Hesperia in San Bernardino County. Since the western Joshua tree - Yucca brevifoli, a member of the Agave family was accepted as a candidate for the list, its been protected provisionally. Until a decision is made, or if the trees are added to the list, killing them is prohibited without a special state permit. The commission has not hinted whether its inclined to add the Joshua tree to the endangered species list or to leave it to fend for itself. A report from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff, done in preparation for the commission hearing, found that development and a changing climate will continue to reduce both the habitat and population of the Joshua tree, particularly in the southern areas of its range in the southeastern part of the state. Wildfires, which have increased in severity in the area, are also a threat. Nevertheless, the department recommends the commission deny the western Joshua tree a place on the protected list. The scientific evidence that is currently possessed by the department does not demonstrate that populations of the species are negatively trending in a way that would lead the department to believe that the species is likely to be in serious danger of becoming extinct throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the foreseeable future, the department said in a report released in April. The department recommends that the commission find that the recommended action to list western Joshua tree as a threatened species is not warranted. Jordan Traverso, a spokesperson for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, told The Chronicle that staff research determined that the (western Joshua tree) is relatively widespread and abundant. Conservationists have decried the departments recommendation, calling it a death sentence for the western Joshua tree. California wildlife officials just proposed open season on Joshua trees, said Brendan Cummings, conservation director for the Center for Biological Diversity, which proposed the trees be listed as threatened. He made his comments when the report was released. 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. Before state protections took effect, he said, developers were bulldozing these beautiful, fragile trees by the thousands to build roads, warehouses, power plants, strip malls and vacation rentals. If Joshua trees are to have any hope of surviving in a warming world, we have to stop the widespread killing of them. Cummings told The Chronicle that Fish and Wildlifes response is flawed, lacking an understanding of climate change and how quickly its moving. He cited a statement in the departments report noting that the department expects that any changes in where Joshua trees grow will likely occur very slowly, perhaps over thousands of years. Cummings finds that assumption absurd. We dont have even 1,000 years to save Joshua trees, he said. We have decades at most. Despite the Department of Fish and Wildlife recommendation, the commission will have the final say on whether the western Joshua tree is considered threatened and subject to special protections. Some cities and counties have ordinances protecting Joshua trees, including San Bernardino County, which recently increased fines for destroying Joshua trees to as much as $200,000. Some high desert municipalities and construction industry groups have opposed listing the Joshua trees, contending prohibitions will exacerbate housing shortages. The western Joshua tree is one of two types of the tree, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, differing genetically from the eastern Joshua tree, which is located in a different part of the desert, and in the moths that pollinate them. At this point, only the western Joshua tree, which is solely in California, with 40% of trees on private, unprotected land, is being considered for the endangered species list. Michael Cabanatuan (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan San Jose police announced arrests Thursday in a shooting and stabbing inside a public library that left patrons ducking for cover. Raul Hernandez, 20, of San Jose and an unnamed 14-year-old accomplice were taken into custody Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder and other crimes for the attack, which occurred inside the Hillview Branch Library at around 3:30 p.m. Monday, police said in a news release. About 20 patrons were in the library at the time of the shooting, police said. The suspects fled the scene and officers arrived to find a male victim with one gunshot wound and one stab wound, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No patrons were reported injured. Based on preliminary information this incident was determined to be a gang related incident, police said in the release. Detectives from the Gang Investigations Unit and the Violent Crimes Enforcement Team were able to identify the suspects and executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence on the 2100 block of Lyons Drive in San Jose, police said. The suspects were arrested without incident, with Hernandez booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail and the teenager into Juvenile Hall. Both face gang enhancements on top of the charges against them, San Jose police Sgt. Christian Camarillo said in the release. The Hillview Branch Library is on Hopkins Drive in East San Jose, adjacent to Fisher Middle School. It is closed until further notice pending repairs, said Elizabeth Castaneda, spokesperson for the San Jose Public Library. 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. Both library staff and community are reeling from this senseless attack, Castaneda said, and the fear, pain, and fatigue will likely take some time to overcome. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com San Francisco officials expect to eventually count ballots from around 225,000 voters for the June primary, representing 45.4% turnout, higher than the two previous elections this year. The successful recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin, which saw over $10 million in fundraising from both sides and national headlines, and other races brought in more voters compared with Februarys school board recall and Aprils state Assembly race. Voters appeared to return ballots closer to election day compared with recent races. As of Monday, only 109,193 ballots had been received by mail, but the city Department of Elections said more than 100,000 mail-in and provisional ballots were left to process. An additional 18,733 residents voted in person on Tuesday. John Arntz, director of the San Francisco Department of Elections, said the projected total will change as more vote-by-mail and provisional ballots are processed this week. In February, 179,981 voters, 36% of the electorate, cast ballots in the school board recall and state Assembly race. Turnout fell further in April, when only 29% of registered voters participated in the special election between Matt Haney and David Campos for the state Assembly seat that represents the eastern part of the city. In initial returns, 60% of voters supported the recall of Boudin. More people voted to oust Boudin than the 86,712 people who voted him into office in November 2019 under ranked-choice voting. Turnout in that off-year election was 41.6%, less than on Tuesday. Last September, more than two-thirds of San Francisco registered voters participated in the failed recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom. So far, turnout statewide is looking very low, said Mindy Romero, director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at the University of Southern California. The numbers so far are on track to be similar to 2014, when turnout hit a record low of 25%, she said. Overall statewide, its not looking good, she said, though she cautioned that ballots are still coming in through the mail so it's too soon to make definitive assessments of turnout. In 2018, the last midterm primary, turnout was boosted by interest in national politics during the Trump administration and a competitive governors race. This year, declining interest in national politics and the lack of a competitive governors race seemed to temper voter enthusiasm. The decline of local news in many parts of the state also means residents dont have much information about local races, and may not feel prepared to vote in them, Romero said. Paul Mitchell, vice president of consulting firm Political Data Intelligence, said he thinks much of the hand-wringing over low turnout is premature, with many votes outstanding in the mail. California law allows ballots to be counted as long as they were postmarked by election day. "I think a lot of people have been jumping the gun on turnout," Mitchell said. "Ive consistently said its going to be around 30%." That would still be low, but not a record low. Mitchell also noted that because turnout is calculated as a percentage of registered voters, California's total may look lower than in other states because it's so easy to register to vote here. "I just think were a little too quick to jump on these numbers," he said of the early vote tallies. Chronicle staff writer Sophia Bollag contributed to this report. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Heres a short list of final election results on the key races that the San Francisco Bay Area and California voted on. Well be updating this list around the clock as our politics and data team makes calls. Note: The Chronicle calls races based on several factors, including the current margin, the estimated number of ballots left to be counted and, in some cases, where those ballots come from. California is accepting mailed ballots through June 14, so for some close contests, final results could take some time to be called following election day. For more information on how we call San Francisco election results, go here. San Francisco Chesa Boudin Recall (Prop. H) Would recall S.F. DA Chesa Boudin: YES Proposition B Would change appointment process and qualifications for Building Inspection Commission members and have the mayor appoint the director of the Department of Building Inspection: YES Proposition C Would further limit the period during which voters could recall a city elected official: NO Proposition D Would create an Office of Victim and Witness Rights: YES Proposition E Would change the law to prevent Board of Supervisors members from seeking behested payments from contractors who received board approval: YES Proposition F Would change the membership of the city's Refuse Rate Board as well as how refuse rates and regulations are set: YES Proposition G Would require employers with more than 100 employees worldwide to provide paid public health emergency leave, not to exceed 80 hours a year, for their employees in San Francisco: YES California Primary Here are the candidates advancing to the general election in November. Governor: Gavin Newsom, Brian Dahle Secretary of State: Shirley Weber, Rob Bernosky Bay Area Alameda County Board of Supervisors Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan led the field in the District Three seat for the heading to a presumed runoff against Lena Tam. Alameda D.A. Civil rights attorney Pamela Price, a key player in the East Bay justice reform movement, appeared headed for a November runoff against high-ranking D.A.s office veteran Terry Wiley, in early results. Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern appeared headed for his own runoff against Yesenia Sanchez, who pulled 47% to the longtime sheriffs 36%. Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton appeared to have won a decisive victory over Mary Knox, a prosecutor in her office. Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston trounced challenger Benjamin Therriault, the Richmond police union leader. Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams appeared to hold off a challenge from Chief Deputy District Attorney Sharon Henry. Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara beat retired agency veteran Daryl Snedeker. Ferrara received 70% of the vote. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen fended off competition from the left and right. He received 59% of the vote, with more conservative former local prosecutor Daniel Chung and progressive public defender Sajid Khan trailing far behind. Santa Clara Sheriff In the race to replace retiring Sheriff Laurie Smith, Palo Alto Police Chief Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen, who retired in 2013 after almost three decades at the Sheriffs Office, appeared headed for a runoff. San Mateo sheriff Uncertified results showed Sheriff Carlos Bolanos losing to Sheriffs Capt. Christina Corpus, who would be the first elected Latina sheriff in California history, according to CBS News Bay Area. Sonoma County sheriff Eddie Engram, who oversees the countys jails for the Sheriffs Office, held a commanding lead Wednesday morning with just shy of the 50%-plus-one-vote total needed to avoid a runoff. On Tuesday I moderated a panel at Napa Thrives, a wine-industry conference focused on climate change. The subject of my panel was one that's been on many Californians' minds lately: water. Notwithstanding the 2 inches of rain the North Bay got last weekend, we are still in a severe drought. A lack of water affects all of our lives here; California just ordered cities including San Francisco to stop pumping water from rivers and creeks. But it presents existential questions for California agriculture, including wine, as climate change intensifies our state's drought cycle. If wine is to have a future here, it has to figure out how to reduce its water consumption. None of this is news. But the conversation during Tuesday's panel especially some context provided by panelist Peter Gleick, a leading climate scientist who studies water at Oakland's Pacific Institute helped me see the situation in a new light. The most shocking figure, to me, that Gleick shared was that 80% of California's water goes to agriculture. Maybe that shouldn't be surprising given how much of the country's food and drink we produce here. But it underscores the fact that water issues have to be handled on an industry-wide basis, not simply by asking laypeople to stop watering their lawns. Vineyards gulp a lot of water, but the wine production process uses considerable amounts at other stages too, largely to clean the production facility. Compared with other forms of beverage production, winemaking does not look very water-efficient: Coca-Cola used 1.84 liters of water for every liter of Coke produced in 2020, while wineries use about 7 to 16 liters of water per liter of wine, according to the journal Water Science & Technology. Gleick reminded us that we have three options when it comes to climate change: mitigation (trying to lessen the effects of climate change), adaptation (changing our behavior to accommodate the changing climate) and suffering (exactly what it sounds like). When it comes to wine, the "suffering" scenario might entail producing lower-quality wine or making less of it which, for a $40 billion statewide industry, matters. We're already seeing some of these effects. Last year's crop was severely diminished, volume-wise, by the drought, which essentially weakens grapevines and causes them to yield fewer grapes. Gleick described the situation as "peak water": We're reaching the limit of what we can do with the amount of water we currently have. The narrative about these types of climate-change effects tends to focus on our collective helplessness and indeed, no winemaker could have caused the sky to rain more last year. But that sentiment obscures the opportunity that human beings have to mitigate the situation. "We can grow more grapes with less water," Gleick said. The question is: How? For one thing, grape farmers should be investing in widely available technologies that allow them to precisely monitor their soil moisture on a micro-level, so that they can irrigate only in the spots that absolutely need water, rather than watering an entire vineyard indiscriminately. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Recycled wastewater, Gleick suggested, will also be key to the solution. Many larger estate wineries in the Bay Area already have wastewater treatment plants onsite, and others have built pipelines to municipal facilities that provide recycled water. Another panelist, Nathalie Jure, the director of viticulture at Opus One, spoke about her company's use of recycled wastewater. To the extent that there's a negative perception associated with the idea of this reused runoff, it may be important that high-profile, reputable wineries like Opus One speak publicly about their embrace of it. Additional technologies are becoming available that can help. We heard on the panel from Alex Farren, who runs a company called BlueMorph that uses UV light to sanitize winery tanks, replacing the standard process of cleaning with caustic chemicals and lots of water. Most wine drinkers probably aren't attuned to the details of winery sanitation, but eliminating excessive water use at every stage of the production process counts. The good news: Wine is doing better than many other forms of agriculture. Of all the water used by California agriculture, wine accounts for only about 3%, Gleick said. But there's still a long way to go. The Napa Thrives conference will continue with five more events throughout June, and Thursday's program, focused on energy efficiency, is moderated by former Chronicle newsletter editor Taylor Kate Brown. I hope events like these can continue to catalyze meaningful action in the wine industry and in all of our lives. In the meantime, please, everyone, stop watering your lawns! Fifty years ago, something unprecedented, and unlikely to be repeated, happened in Napa Valley. Within the span of a year, a number of new wineries opened in Napa, many of which though unknown at the time would soon become some of the most famous names in California wine: Silver Oak, Caymus, Chateau Montelena, Cakebread, Clos du Val, Spottswoode, Burgess, Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Diamond Creek and others. Never before, and never since, has there been such a concentrated surge of influential institutions in the American wine industry. While these wineries launched independently of one another, they soon became part of a loose federation: the upstarts trying to put Napa Valley on the global map as a wine region. None could have known just how much they would achieve together, transforming Napa Valley from a sleepy, unknown pasture to the wealthy epicenter of American wine. Provided by Silver Oak Provided by Silver Oak Provided by Silver Oak Provided by Silver Oak Clockwise from top left: Silver Oak co-founders Justin Meyer (left) and Ray Duncan in the 1970s; Justin Meyer, a former monk of the Christian Brothers, with a bottle of 1978 wine; the Silver Oak winery in Oakville seen in the 1980s; Duncan and Meyer in 1997. Photos provided by Silver Oak Cellars Clockwise from top left: Silver Oak co-founders Justin Meyer (left) and Ray Duncan in the 1970s; Justin Meyer, a former monk of the Christian Brothers, with a bottle of 1978 wine; the Silver Oak winery in Oakville seen in the 1980s; Duncan and Meyer in 1997. Photos provided by Silver Oak Cellars At some point, this group of roughly a dozen wineries became known as the class of 1972, a nod to their shared founding date. The moniker stuck. This year, as these wineries celebrate their 50th anniversaries, class of 1972 is prominent in their marketing campaigns and promotional materials. Really, the way I intellectualize it today is its like the writers hanging out in Paris in the 20s, said Silver Oak owner David Duncan, referring to the American expat writers that included Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and Ezra Pound. A group that was sharing ideas. It was a heady, exciting moment marked by a high degree of camaraderie and resource sharing. It was the beginning of a ripe period of innovation leading to crucial technological advances in winemaking like temperature control for fermentations. It would lead to life-changing publicity milestones for Napa Valley, like 1976s Judgment of Paris, the competition in which upstart Napa wines were judged superior to esteemed French counterparts. The year felt like a springtime, a moment of fertile newness, said Stags Leap Wine Cellars founder Warren Winiarski. Suddenly the heavens had opened, the sunlight descended and we were in it. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle HANDOUT Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Left: Vintner Warren Winiarski in front of the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars vineyards in 2019. Top right: Winiarski (left) with neighboring vintner Carl Doumani, founder of Stags' Leap Winery, in 1986. Bottom right: Winiarski on a tractor in 1970 while planting his vineyards, with son Stephen Winiarski behind him. Photos by Jessica Christian / The Chronicle and provided by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Left: Vintner Warren Winiarski in front of the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars vineyards in 2019. Top right: Winiarski (left) with neighboring vintner Carl Doumani, founder of Stags' Leap Winery, in 1986. Bottom right: Winiarski on a tractor in 1970 while planting his vineyards, with son Stephen Winiarski behind him. Photos by Jessica Christian / The Chronicle and provided by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Yet, as consequential as the year was, the class of 1972 is a slogan that has developed a mythology of its own. Invented a quarter-century ago as a clever way to market the 25th anniversary of these wineries, it fails to tell the full story of Napas early modern era, and has even become a source of some contention among the vintners from that time. Still, its worth taking a closer look at the class of 1972 on this golden anniversary to examine what happened that caused so many people to open wineries all at once, and what buoyed them all to such an astonishing level of success. Several factors conspired to make 1972 an appealing moment for starting a winery in Napa Valley. Until the mid-1960s, Napa Valley was in a slump. Many of its historic wineries had been abandoned during Prohibition, and few new ones were opening. Robert Mondavi changed that when he founded his eponymous winery in 1966. Mondavi was the brand, said Bo Barrett, whose parents revived a pre-Prohibition winery, Chateau Montelana, in 1972. Robert Mondavi Winery represented a new Napa: something more modern and more exciting than the older properties. And Mondavis growing fame was bringing attention to the valley as a whole. Caymus Vineyards Caymus Vineyards Left: Chuck Wagner, left, with father Charlie Wagner in 1984. Right: Chuck Wagner in the Caymus vineyards in Rutherford. Photos provided by Caymus Vineyards Left: Chuck Wagner, left, with father Charlie Wagner in 1984. Right: Chuck Wagner in the Caymus vineyards in Rutherford. Photos provided by Caymus Vineyards Chuck Wagner, who made the first vintage of Caymus Vineyards in 1972 with his father, gives credit to 1970s hippie culture for making wine fashionable among Americans. Hippies considered wine more natural, but more importantly, it was different from what their parents drank, he said. Some members of the class of 1972 came to Napa because of a deep passion for wine. Photographer Jack Cakebread, who founded Cakebread Cellars in 1972, got into the business on a whim while on assignment to photograph California winemakers. On the way back to Oakland one day, he stopped in to visit a family friend in Rutherford. He said, If you ever want to sell this place, be sure to let me know. By the time he got home, they called and said, Were going to sell it to you, recounted his son, Dennis Cakebread. Spottswoode founders Mary and Jack Novak fell in love with Napa Valley and decided to leave Southern California, where Jack was a doctor, to raise their five children in a rural environment. They knew nothing. They were not fine wine drinkers by any sense, said their daughter Beth Novak Milliken. It was the right place at the right time. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF Gabrielle Lurie / Special to The Chronicle Left: The gate leading into the family house at Spottswoode, a 19th century winery that the Novak family revived in 1972. Right: Beth Novak Milliken, now the president and CEO of the winery her parents founded, in 2016. Photos by Chris Stewart / The Chronicle and Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Left: The gate leading into the family house at Spottswoode, a 19th century winery that the Novak family revived in 1972. Right: Beth Novak Milliken, now the president and CEO of the winery her parents founded, in 2016. Photos by Chris Stewart / The Chronicle and Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Others were simply canny businesspeople. Ray Duncan, who came from the oil business, had read a report predicting that average per-capita wine drinking in the U.S. was about to skyrocket from 0.5 gallons per year to 5 gallons within the decade. (Consumption didnt quite reach that level, but it did rise in the 1970s.) Chateau Montelena founder Jim Barrett, a lawyer in Southern California, had similar financial motivations: He wanted to take advantage of an investment tax credit that was part of the Revenue Act of 1971. His law partner called Chateau Montelena a tax break that got out of hand, his son Bo Barrett recalled. Whether driven by passion or ambition, these vintners investments paid off. Land, you couldnt give it away back then, said Dennis Cakebread, whose father purchased the Cakebread estate for $2,500 per acre. Ray Duncan bought his land for about $4,000 per acre, his son said. Today, some estimates put the average cost of Napa vineyard land at over $300,000 per acre. Several 72ers would cash out, a sticking point for some of the remaining family-owned wineries celebrating this milestone: Single-vineyard visionary Diamond Creek Vineyard sold to a French Champagne company in 2020; Burgess Cellars, a leading producer of mountain wines in Napa, was acquired by Gaylon Lawrence Jr. in 2021, both for undisclosed sums. And Winiarski sold Stags Leap Wine Cellars to a larger partnership in 2007 for $185 million. Provided by Chateau Montelena Craig Lee / SFC Left: Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay was the winning white wine at the Judgment of Paris, the competition that elevated the reputation of Napa Valley worldwide. Right: Bo Barrett, son of the couple that bought Montelena in 1972, seen in 2008. Photos provided by Chateau Montelena and by Craig Lee / The Chronicle Left: Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay was the winning white wine at the Judgment of Paris, the competition that elevated the reputation of Napa Valley worldwide. Right: Bo Barrett, son of the couple that bought Montelena in 1972, seen in 2008. Photos provided by Chateau Montelena and by Craig Lee / The Chronicle A far cry from the international tourist destination it is today, the Napa of 1972 felt remote and, in some ways, unremarkable. Growing up on his familys prune farm in the 1950s in the lazy little town of Rutherford, Wagner said he didnt have many friends around but had a dog and a fishing pole and a bike. There was a sense of a shared mission. Barrett borrowed pumps from Caymus and bottle labelers from Raymond Vineyards. Andre Tchelistcheff, winemaker for Beaulieu Vineyards, and Robert Mondavi famously took many of the new, untrained vintners under their wings. Milliken said the Duckhorns and the Shafers encouraged her mother to continue with the wine business after her fathers untimely death in 1977. Provided by Rutherford Hill Winery Provided by Rutherford Hill Winery Provided by Rutherford Hill Winery Provided by Rutherford Hill Winery Scenes from Rutherford Hill Winery's opening day in 1972. Photos provided by Rutherford Hill Winery Scenes from Rutherford Hill Winery's opening day in 1972. Photos provided by Rutherford Hill Winery The camaraderie came out of their shared struggle, Wagner suggested. Everyone was in need. No one had money, he said. We were all striving to find success. It wasnt immediately clear to many of the 72 vintners that their businesses would work; Barrett said it took Montelena until 1982 to turn a profit. But the Judgment of Paris in 1976 certainly helped. That event, in which a panel of French judges deemed Napa Valley wines superior to French versions, amounted to a revolution, said Winiarski, whose Cabernet Sauvignon was the competitions winning red wine. Suddenly, American wines could be seen as worthy of comparison with the European classics, and Napa Valley was considered the pinnacle of what American wine could be. The Judgment of Paris, immortalized in the Smithsonian Institution and in movies like Bottle Shock, is often credited as the point when everything changed for Napa. Arguably, however, it was the quieter, more disparate activity of the preceding years, including 1972, that constituted the true revolution. Clos du Val Clos du Val Left: Clos du Val winemaker Bernard Portet in the 1990s. Right: An undated photograph of Clos du Val with bottles from its inaugural vintage. Photos provided by Clos du Val Left: Clos du Val winemaker Bernard Portet in the 1990s. Right: An undated photograph of Clos du Val with bottles from its inaugural vintage. Photos provided by Clos du Val There were also major challenges ahead that would threaten the budding industrys progress. The most devastating was the phylloxera outbreak in the 1980s. A parasitic insect that destroys vines, phylloxera spread rapidly through vineyards, resulting in the loss of 12,000 acres of vines in Napa and Sonoma counties by the mid-1990s, according to research in the journal California Agriculture. Vintners were forced to start over and replant, but also were able to reassess their farming approach. The mass replanting coincided with the availability of new technologies like drip irrigation. The grapes and wines got better. It was pretty scary at the time, said Bruce Cakebread, also the son of Jack Cakebread. But it helped move the valley. We jumped quality faster than we would have if we didnt have phylloxera. As affinity for Napa wines grew, hospitality in the region began to evolve, too. Back in the early days, we just had a gravel parking lot and people would wander in, said Bruce Cakebread, who recalled that during harvest, theyd take a glass of grape juice from the press and pass it around the tasting room. As more people came, we realized we needed to do a better job of educating them. Provided by Diamond Creek Vineyards Provided by Diamond Creek Vineyards Al and Adelle "Boots" Brounstein, who founded Diamond Creek Vineyards, at their property on Napa Valley's Diamond Mountain in the early years. Photos provided by Diamond Creek Vineyards Al and Adelle "Boots" Brounstein, who founded Diamond Creek Vineyards, at their property on Napa Valley's Diamond Mountain in the early years. Photos provided by Diamond Creek Vineyards Its hard to imagine now, given Cakebreads massive new wine tasting campus where appointment-only experiences cost up to $150 per person, but for a long time, the winery didnt even charge. No one interviewed for this story could pinpoint the first time they heard the phrase class of 1972. Several ventured that it must have been in 1997, around the time of the wineries 25th anniversaries. Wagner and Milliken claimed never to have heard it. The term, in other words, was a post-hoc creation designed as a marketing catchphrase one thats being given new life in 2022, now that theres an even bigger anniversary to mark. Just as it might in a high-school setting, its easy to get the sense that the term class of 1972 can evoke a cool clique, a group that other wineries wish they could claim to be a part of. And as with any high school clique, theres a certain amount of petty drama involved. Some vintners, citing technicalities, griped to The Chronicle about the inclusion of certain wineries in the group: Someones land may have been purchased in 1972, they argued, but it wasnt their first vintage, so were they really a member of the class? Lianne Milton / Special to the Chronicle Lianne Milton / Special to the Chronicle Left: Employee Michael Miller walks through the caves at Burgess Cellars in 2009. Right: The Burgess vines overlooking Bell Canyon Reservoir in St. Helena. Photos by Lianne Milton / Special to The Chronicle Left: Employee Michael Miller walks through the caves at Burgess Cellars in 2009. Right: The Burgess vines overlooking Bell Canyon Reservoir in St. Helena. Photos by Lianne Milton / Special to The Chronicle Others feel totally left out. In addition to sometimes omitting Sonoma wineries like Dry Creek Vineyard, Jordan and Chalk Hill, the class of 1972 also excludes many of the ensuing decades innovators in Napa. Joseph Phelps, whose Insignia wine became the paradigm for high-end red blends, missed the deadline by one year; his winery got its start in 1973. The Eisele Vineyard, which would later be the foundation for the cult wine era, was planted a bit too early, in 1969. These minor issues underscore another fact: In the universe of wine regions, 50 years is not very long at all. The French estates against which those California wines competed in 1976 are centuries old. One has a history of grape-growing back to 1423. Certainly, Napa Valley has transformed in staggering ways since 1972. But its only half a century, and the challenges ahead including an uncertain labor market, shifting consumer tastes and above all climate change can seem, at times, to threaten to undo the last half-centurys accomplishments. Or perhaps, just as phylloxera did, they will drive another era of evolution and positive growth. The members of Napa Valleys class of 1972 Meet Napa's 'class of 1972,' the cool kids who changed American wine forever Chronicle composite These wineries trace their starts to the year 1972. In some cases, 1972 marks the moment when a vintner bought their land; in other cases, the land was already purchased, and 1972 represented the first year they produced wine. For these purposes, were admitting them all to the class. This list doesnt include several important non-Napa wineries that began in 1972 like Jordan, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Vineyard, Scheid and Edmeades. Burgess Cellars (now owned by Lawrence Wine Estates) Cakebread Cellars Caymus Vineyards Chateau Montelena Clos du Val Diamond Creek Vineyards (now owned by Louis Roederer) Mount Veeder Winery (now owned by Constellation Brands) Rutherford Hill Winery (now owned by Terlato Wine Group) Silver Oak Cellars Stags Leap Wine Cellars (now owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates) Stags Leap Winery (now owned by Treasury Wine Estates) Spottswoode Winery Sullivan Rutherford Estate (now owned by Juan Pablo Torres Padilla) Jess Lander and Esther Mobley are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Emails: jess.lander@sfchronicle.com emobley@sfchronicle.com A new COVID-19 vaccine booster shot developed by Moderna that adds greater protection against the now-dominant omicron variant appears successful, the company said Wednesday. The Novavax vaccine, which could soon become available after the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations advisory panel recommended emergency use authorization this week, differs in key ways from the three versions currently used in the U.S. Here are the latest updates: New variants likely to keep COVID levels high through the summer Health experts forecast another wave of breakthrough COVID-19 infections as newer omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 gain ground on the dominant BA.2.12.1 sublineage of the virus. BA.5 made up 7.6% of cases sequenced nationally last week, up from 0.4% for the week ending May 7. BA.4 de up 5.4% of cases nationally, from 0.6% in the same period. "It's a serious threat," said Dr. David Ho, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Columbia University in New York City, in an email to CNN. His team found a drop in potency against BA.4 and BA.5 in a lab analysis of antibodies from vaccinated and boosted people, as well as those who recovered from breakthrough COVID-19 infections. That means the U.S. could see cases tick back up in the coming weeks and months as the period of reprieve between virus surges grows shorter. The good news? Vaccines are still effective at preventing the worst outcomes. "I think we will see lots of infections but not necessarily more severe disease or deaths," Ho said. Alameda County reports first suspected monkeypox case Health officials have identified the first suspected case of monkeypox in Alameda County, in an individual who had close contact with someone who had earlier tested positive for the virus. The case would be the second in the Bay Area, and the eighth in California. The first Bay Area case was reported last Friday in a San Francisco resident. At least 40 cases have been reported in the United States. Read more here. Top New York City health official says BA.2.12.1 peak is over New York City's health commissioner says the most recent COVID-19 surge, driven by the highly contagious BA.2.12.1 omicron subvariant, appears to be waning following two months of increasing cases that put all five boroughs into the CDC's highest risk category for community spread. Dr. Ashwin Vasan said in a Twitter thread Thursday that he had "good news" to share based on preliminary data. "Cases have fallen since May 23, giving us confidence that we have passed the peak and we are heading into a safer environment," he said. Hospitalizations and deaths are also trending down. Responding to the report, Mayor Eric Adams immediately said masks would be optional in all early child care settings throughout New York City beginning Monday. But Vasan cautioned, "COVID-19 is still with us. We continue to strongly recommend masks in public indoor settings and urge New Yorkers to protect themselves and others with testing, treatments and staying home if ill." Millions of COVID-19 shots ordered for youngest children Millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses have been ordered for small children in anticipation of possible federal authorization next week, White House officials say. The government allowed pharmacies and states to start placing orders last week, with 5 million doses initially available half made by Pfizer and the other half by Moderna, the Associated Press reports. Young children are the last group of Americans who have not been recommended to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Up to about 20 million U.S. children under 5 would become eligible for vaccination if the government authorizes one or both shots. Its not clear how popular the shots will be. A recent survey suggests only 1 in 5 parents of young children would get their kids vaccinated right away. WHO encourages further study of COVID lab leak theory An expert group drafted by the World Health Organization to help investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic says further research is needed to determine how COVID-19 first began, including a more detailed analysis of the possibility it was a laboratory accident, according to the Associated Press. That stance marks a sharp reversal of the U.N. health agencys initial assessment of the pandemics origins, when it concluded last year that it was extremely unlikely that COVID-19 might have spilled into humans from a lab. In a report released Thursday, WHOs expert group said key pieces of data are still missing to explain how the pandemic began. The scientists said the group would remain open to any and all scientific evidence that becomes available in the future to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses. It noted that since lab accidents in the past have triggered some outbreaks, the highly politicized theory could not be discounted. COVID hospitalizations on the rise in England Hospital admissions for COVID-19 are rising again in England, data shows, as experts warn of another possible wave of coronavirus infections. According to an analysis by the Covid Actuaries group, set up in response to the pandemic, hospital admissions stopped falling this week after a period of decline, The Independent reported. Data on Tuesday showed weekly admissions up 4% across England as of June 5. When asked if the United Kingdom was heading into another wave, Covid Actuaries analyst John Roberts told The Independent: Yes we could be but...how big that wave and how serious it will be in terms of admissions and deaths is very, very difficult to judge at this stage. S.F. to cut funding for community test sites in vulnerable neighborhoods San Francisco's new budget eliminates funding for multiple community coronavirus test sites in some of the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods, the Mission and Bayview districts. "Our health programs would close in the next 30 days," Ivan Corado-Vega, manager for the Latino Task Force, told ABC. Community leaders say with the city experiencing another surge of cases and hospitalizations, the results of the cuts could be devastating. "At our testing sites, we are seeing double-digit positive rates. At both of our sites here in the Mission. For the Excelsior site, we are seeing positive rates in the 20s, so COVID is here," said Corado-Vega. San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton said shutting down the testing sites is "devastating to our communities of need." Mayor London Breed's office blamed state and federal officials for the lack of resources: "There will be less funding overall for our COVID response in our upcoming budget. But the mayor's budget still includes $57 million for San Francisco's ongoing COVID response in the upcoming budget, including $3 million for community hubs." 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. S.F.s COVID positive test rate hits second-highest level ever The coronavirus test positivity rate in San Francisco, which tracks the percentage of tests coming back positive for COVID-19, topped 14% on Wednesday, according to city data analyzed by The Chronicle. That is the second-highest rate the city has reached to date. The seven-day average climbed up to 18.9% this January during the winter surge before dropping to 2.4% in mid-March. It has been rising steadily since and is now far higher than the statewide average of 8.9%. A rule of thumb among infectious disease experts is that 5% is considered too high, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Read the full story. Novavaxs COVID vaccine would be a different type of option in U.S. A fourth COVID-19 vaccine option could soon be available in the U.S., after the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations advisory panel on Tuesday recommended emergency use authorization for the shot made by Novavax. The vaccine from the Maryland-based drugmaker is used overseas but is a latecomer to the U.S. field occupied for more than a year by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson - and it differs in several ways from those three now-familiar brands. Art Reingold, a UC Berkeley epidemiologist and member of the FDA committee that gave Novavax the thumbs up, provided insights about Novavax to The Chronicle. Here are some of his comments, and other key details to know about the new vaccine. People will keep getting reinfected with COVID-19 as new variants emerge, data show A growing number of people are experiencing reinfection with COVID-19, according to an ABC analysis of health department data from all 50 states. More than 1.6 million cases of reinfection have been reported across 24 states since data collection began, data show, with New York, Maine and California, reporting over 200,000 reinfection cases each. There are also an increasing proportion of people who have been reinfected two times and more - some in rare instances even five times. Health officials said the true tally of reinfections is likely significantly higher due to lack of reporting and home testing. Studies suggest that reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 with the same virus variant as the initial infection or reinfection with a different variant are both possible, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged in its updated COVID guidance last month. Health officials added that there is growing concern that newer variants such as BA.4 and BA.5 may be better to escape immunity. COVID receding nearly everywhere, WHO says The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally fell everywhere last week except the Middle East and Southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organization. "This is clearly a very encouraging trend - increasing vaccination rates are saving lives - but WHO continues to urge caution," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the U.N. health agency, in its latest weekly update on the pandemic. "There is not enough testing, and not enough vaccination" As of Wednesday, confirmed cases dropped 12% to more than 3 million and reported deaths declined 22% to about 7,600. The report noted that new weekly cases rose 19% in the Middle East and inched up 1% in Southeast Asia, while the number of deaths increased 7% in the Western Pacific and dropped elsewhere in the world last week. A fourth COVID-19 vaccine option could soon be available in the U.S., after Food and Drug Administration advisers recently recommended emergency use authorization for the shot made by Novavax. The vaccine from the Maryland drugmaker is used overseas but is a latecomer to the U.S. field occupied for more than a year by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson and it differs in several ways from those three now-familiar brands. Art Reingold, a UC Berkeley epidemiologist and member of the FDA committee that gave Novavax the thumbs-up, provided insights about the vaccine to The Chronicle. Here are some of his comments, and other key details to know. What is the Novavax vaccine and how does it work compared to the other COVID vaccines? The COVID-19 vaccine made by Novavax is a two-dose regimen for people 18 and older that uses a more conventional protein-based approach than the three vaccines currently used in the U.S., which deploy genetic material instructing host cells to make the coronavirus spike protein. Two of the three approved versions, made by Pfizer and Moderna, are mRNA vaccines, which use messenger RNA to deliver instructions to cells to make a protein that triggers the production of antibodies that protect against coronavirus infection. The third vaccine, made by Johnson & Johnson, is a viral vector vaccine that uses a harmless modified version of a different virus to trigger an immune response. Karen Ducey/TNS The Novavax approach is an established technology, Reingold said. There are a number of vaccines we routinely use that use more or less the same process, he said. They include inoculations for hepatitis, shingles and the flu, among other illnesses and infections. Developed by Novavax and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the vaccine directly delivers purified pieces of the COVID-19 spike protein, which are unable to cause disease, combined with a substance called an adjuvant to help increase immune response. Unlike the MRNA vaccines, which need to be stored at freezing temperatures, the Novavax vaccine can be stored at standard refrigeration temperatures. What is its effectiveness? Clinical trials in the U.S. and Mexico included about 30,000 adults, two-thirds of whom received the Novavax vaccine and one-third of whom received a placebo, Reingold said. The results showed 90.4% effectiveness at preventing symptomatic infection. The trials took place before the omicron was circulating, however, so its unknown how well the vaccine protects against that highly infections variant and its subvariants that are now dominant across the world. The virus changes so quickly, Reingold said. Its one of the limitations with the study and the results, but the hope is that it will provide a reasonable level of protection against omicron if the FDA approves it. Where is the vaccine currently being used? The Novavax vaccine, in development since early 2020, was first authorized for emergency use in Indonesia in November 2021. It has since been authorized in the Philippines, India, the European Union, South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries. It has also been validated by the World Health Organization. A number of other protein-based COVID vaccines have been authorized around the world including in Taiwan, China and Russia. Why has Novavax authorization taken so long in the U.S.? With about three-quarters of adults in the U.S. already inoculated against COVID-19, Novavax has been outpaced by the larger, more experienced and wealthier Pfizer and Moderna, the Wall Street Journal reported. Novavax has grappled with manufacturing problems that hindered its rollout globally and pushed back the start of a large U.S. study, though CEO Stanley Erck has said those issues have been resolved. Novavax submitted its request for FDA approval in January, but federal health officials have described the application as complex. The vaccine was created in the Novavax research lab, but it is produced by the Serum Institute of India and other factories, which also must satisfy FDA inspections, NBC reported. The delays have elicited frustration from supporters on social media sometimes called Novastans eager for the traditional vaccine option, and from people with medical conditions that prevent them from using the currently approved versions. Reingold attributed the lengthy U.S. approval process for Novavax to extremely rigorous FDA requirements to approve new vaccines and drugs, which he said are among the most cautious in the world. He said if U.S. regulators werent as careful and rushing through the process, people would be concerned and it could risk safety. We need to balance the urgency of a pandemic with the legitimate concern that the benefits outweigh the risks of anything we recommend to a large number of people, he said. What steps are left for U.S. approval? Serum Institute of India for Novavax/Associated Press Next, the full FDA will consider the panels recommendation and decide whether to grant emergency use authorization of Novavax and likely will look at when and how booster doses might be administered, the Associated Press reported. 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. If that hurdle is cleared, the Centers for Disease Controls Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will weigh in, and finally, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will need to sign off before the vaccine can be administered. Western regional and California state health officials also typically weigh in, and have usually followed the CDCs lead very quickly. What side effects have been reported from Novavax? The reported short-term reactions after Novavax shots are similar to the other vaccines, including soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache and muscle pain, which usually resolve within 12 to 24 hours, Reingold said. The FDA flagged a possible risk of developing inflammation of the heart after four instances of myocarditis, a rare heart condition also associated with mRNA vaccines, occurred in young men. However, the overwhelming majority of myocarditis cases after vaccination are resolved completely, Reingold said. Its rare, he said. I would argue the benefits of vaccination still greatly outweigh that risk. What considerations would you keep in mind when picking which vaccine to use? The mRNA vaccines are safe, Reingold said, and any concerns raised about their safety are not supported by science. But he said the Novavax vaccine would be a good alternative to anyone who is unsure about the newer mRNA technology. Look carefully at getting this new vaccine if its approved, he said. We have used this technology before in other vaccines, and it is used in large numbers of people outside of the U.S. Reingold said he found the data presented to the FDA panel Tuesdayconvincing, and he would be perfectly content to take that vaccine and recommend it to his adult children. Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The coronavirus test positivity rate in San Francisco, which tracks the percentage of tests coming back positive for COVID-19, topped 14% on Wednesday, according to city data. That is the second-highest rate the city has reached to date. Cases are high they are still high although they are lower than during the omicron surge of BA.1 this winter, said Dr. Susan Philip, the citys health officer during a health commission meeting Tuesday. The seven-day average climbed up to 18.9% this January during the winter surge before dropping to 2.4% in mid-March. It has been rising steadily since and is now far higher than the statewide average of 8.9%. Related: Why do some people never test positive for COVID, even after exposure and symptoms? A rule of thumb among infectious disease experts is that 5% is considered too high, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. San Francisco reached a pre-omicron peak of 13.4% in April 2020. Stephen Lam / The Chronicle Alongside Santa Clara and San Mateo, San Francisco is the county with the highest coronavirus infection rate in the state. It reported an average of 57 cases per 100,000 residents as of Friday, the most recent day with confirmed data. That is up from about 43 per 100,000 a month ago. And that number is likely an undercount since many people now rely on at-home tests that dont usually get reported or added to official case counts. George Lemp, an infectious disease expert who is retired from the University of California, said in an email to The Chronicle that case numbers may be four times higher than what is reported. It is unfortunate that current cases of Omicron BA.2/BA.2.12.1 are highly underreported, he said. This makes it very difficult to track pandemic trends and to assess current prevention efforts. We are somewhat limited to tracking hospitalizations, deaths, and to conducting wastewater surveillance. In other countries, such as England, large population-based sampling serosurveys have provided much more information on the scope and trends of the epidemic. The uptick comes as San Franciscos new budget eliminates funding for multiple community coronavirus test sites in the Mission and Bayview districts, some of the citys hardest-hit neighborhoods by the coronavirus. Our health programs would close in the next 30 days, Ivan Corado-Vega, manager for the Latino Task Force, told ABC. His organization has tested more than 90,000 people and vaccinated more than 60,000 since establishing the sites, which employ nearly 200 people. Community leaders say with the city experiencing another surge of cases and hospitalizations, the results of the cuts could be devastating. There were 86 people in the hospital with COVID in San Francisco as of Wednesday a nearly 50% increase in the past month. At our testing sites, we are seeing double-digit positive rates. At both of our sites here in the Mission. For the Excelsior site, we are seeing positive rates in the 20s, so COVID is here, said Corado-Vega. San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton said shutting down the testing sites is devastating to our communities of need. 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. Mayor London Breeds office blamed state and federal officials for the lack of resources. There will be less funding overall for our COVID response in our upcoming budget, it said in a statement. But the mayors budget still includes $57 million for San Franciscos ongoing COVID response in the upcoming budget, including $3 million for community hubs. Five Bay Area counties Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma are in the highest risk category as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And Alameda County became the first in the state to reinstate a local indoor mask mandate, largely in response to spiking COVID hospitalizations. Health officials in San Francisco and other Bay Area counties have so far resisted reimposing any mitigation measures, despite waning vaccine immunity and the rapid emergence of multiple coronavirus variants. Severe disease resulting in hospitalizations is not as high as during the winter surge, fortunately, Philip said. We now have readily available high-quality masks like N95s, KN95s and KF94s. Most importantly, we have among the highest rates of vaccination in the world in our city. Aidin Vaziri (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A prosecutor filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against the Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head following a traffic stop captured on a bystanders phone. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced his decision against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya minutes after a traffic stop on April 4. Video from a passenger in the car captured the final chilling moments. Schurr fired the fatal shot while Lyoya was on the ground, demanding that the 26-year-old refugee from Congo let go of the officer's Taser. The death was not justified or excused, for example, by self defense, the prosecutor said, reciting the elements of second-degree murder. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Roughly a minute later, Lyoya began to run after he was asked to produce a drivers license. Schurr caught him quickly, and the two struggled across a front lawn in the rain before the fatal shot. Defense lawyers said the shooting was not murder but an unfortunate tragedy during a volatile situation. Mr. Lyoya gained full control of a police officers weapon while resisting arrest, placing Officer Schurr in fear of great bodily harm or death, Matt Borgula and Mark Dodge said in a written statement. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he would recommend Schurr be fired, though he is entitled to a hearing and the ultimate decision would be up to the city manager. Schurr has been on leave since the shooting. Becker said he consulted experts from outside Michigan about the use of force in the case. He informed Lyoya's parents about the charge before holding a news conference and also sent a letter in Swahili, their native language. Across the state in Detroit, Peter Lyoya watched the announcement with his lawyer, Ven Johnson, and said he was pleased with the decision. We strongly believed there was no justice in America, until today, Peter Lyoya said. What I want is the final justice for my son." Another family lawyer, Ben Crump, said the murder charge was the right call, adding: Officer Schurr must be held accountable. Schurr turned himself in and was being held at a jail outside Kent County ahead of a court appearance Friday. His personnel file shows no complaints of excessive force but much praise for traffic stops and foot chases that led to arrests and the seizure of guns and drugs. Black community activists had accused Becker, a Republican, of being too close to police and urged him to give the case to the Michigan attorney general, a Democrat, to avoid even the appearance of a conflict. But the prosecutor declined. Everybody thinks prosecutors are an arm or just a branch of police. And we're not, Becker told reporters. We are our own entity. We have a duty to enforce the law. We work a lot with them but we dont work for them. Grand Rapids, population about 200,000, is 160 miles (260 kilometers) west of Detroit. The shooting turned into an immediate crisis for Winstrom, who was a commander in Chicago before taking charge in Grand Rapids early in March. Over Becker's objections, he released video from four different sources on April 13. At a community forum that same month, Winstrom said he wanted to put more emphasis on officers knowing how to turn down the heat during tense situations. 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. This is going to be a difficult time for the police department, he said after the murder charge was announced. Well get through it. Lyoyas killing by an officer came after numerous others in recent years involving Black people, including George Floyd, whose killing in Minneapolis sparked a national reckoning on race;Daunte Wright, who was shot during a traffic stop in suburban Minneapolis; Andre Hill, who was killed in Columbus, Ohio; and Andrew Brown Jr., who was killed in North Carolina. Robert Womack, a Kent County commissioner who is Black, said bystander video of Lyoya's death was critical in the prosecutor's decision to charge Schurr. The officer wore a body camera, but it didn't capture the shooting and was found on the ground, possibly dislodged during the struggle. Womack wondered how many Black lives have been lost in the past without justice because of a lack of video. Days like this show we can believe in a process, he said of the justice system. ___ White reported from Detroit. Corey Williams in Detroit and Don Babwin in Chicago contributed. ___ Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya SMITHSBURG, Md. (AP) An employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in rural western Maryland on Thursday, killing three coworkers before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, authorities said. Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore said that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg and a fourth victim was critically injured. The sheriff said at a news conference that the victims and suspect were all employees at the facility. The suspect fled in a vehicle before authorities arrived at the scene and was tracked down by Maryland State Police, Mullendore said. The suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire, according to the sheriff. Mullendore said the suspect was a 42-year-old man but declined to release his name while criminal charges were being prepared. The sheriff identified those killed in the shooting as Mark Alan Frey, 50; Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30. Mullendore said the wounded victim was Brandon Chase Michael, 42 Maryland State Police Lt. Col. Bill Dofflemyer said that three troopers encountered the suspect's vehicle and that he opened fire when troopers made a traffic stop. Troopers returned fire, wounding the suspect. Dofflemyer said the wounded trooper is doing well and that the suspect was being treated Thursday night. Authorities declined to release a motive. Were still working with sheriffs office on what happened and why it kept escalating, Dofflemyer told reporters. Mullendore said the suspect used a semiautomatic handgun, which was recovered after the shootout. He declined to specify the caliber or model. Family members of workers at the manufacturer were gathering at a fire station in downtown Smithsburg on Thursday evening, awaiting information on their loved ones. They declined to speak to a reporter. Several hours after the shooting, numerous law enforcement officers remained at the scene. Police had closed off the road that runs past the Columbia Machine Inc. facility, and yellow tape blew in the wind outside the business. Messages left seeking comment with the company werent immediately returned. Smithsburg, a community of nearly 3,000 people, is just west of the Camp David presidential retreat and about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore. The manufacturing facility was in a sparsely populated area northeast of the town's center with a church, several businesses and farmland nearby. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, lamented the loss of life in his state so soon after other recentshootings and vowed action. Today's horrific shooting comes as our state and nation have witnessed tragedy after tragedy, and it's got to stop, he said in a statement. We must act to address the mass shootings and daily toll of gun violence on our communities. David Creamer, 69, is a member of Smithburgs volunteer fire department and has lived in town since 1988. He saw alerts related to the shooting go out shortly before 3 p.m. Creamer said the last fatal shooting that he can recall in Smithsburg was roughly a decade ago. 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. This stuff doesnt happen here, Creamer said. Everybody pretty much knows everybody. Its a family atmosphere. We watch out for each other. Creamer was chatting with neighbors at a Little League game on Thursday evening. He wore a T-shirt promoting a gun rights organization. The shooting makes me feel even stronger about it. I just feel that I should be able to protect my family and my neighbors. In a community like this, everybody is your neighbor, he said. Funeral home employee Ashley Vigrass, 29, lives less than a mile (kilometer) from where the shooting occurred. She was home with her two children when her fiancee called to tell her about the shooting and urged her to keep the kids inside the house. The helicopters were out, she said. Asked if she was shaken by the shooting, Vigrass said, I feel like we come from a desensitized era. You feel something, but its the same thing that you felt yesterday, she added as she watched the Little League game. Its unfortunate, but you just got to make sure the kids are safe to play baseball and carry on. ___ Associated Press writer Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed to this report. I spent Wednesday morning watching the anguish of survivors and others affected by the recent shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas, as they testified at the congressional hearing on gun violence. One mother told committee members of the broken promise of ice cream after school. Another invited politicians to help her clean her sons wounds so they could witness the carnage of the bullets. An 11-year-old described the last moments of her teacher, her friend and how she smeared blood on her own body to play dead. A doctor described the unidentifiable, pulverized and decapitated bodies, and pleaded for lawmakers to do their jobs. Listening to these stories of individuals and whole communities marked by gun violence were hard enough to take in on their own but the accounts hit me even harder because just last week, the same thing could have happened at my nephews high school in Berkeley. On May 21, police received a tip that a 16-year-old boy was plotting an attack at Berkeley High School. After obtaining a warrant, police searched the teens home and found a collection of assault rifles and bomb making material. The teen was allegedly trying to recruit other students to help carry out an attack. Fortunately, after police searched his home, the student turned himself in and was arrested. This incident occurred a week after a 17-year-old was shot at the park across from the high school, a little over a month after a beloved senior at the high school died in a fall witnessed by other students. If you need help Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to reach a counselor at a locally operated crisis center 24 hours a day for free. You can also text "Connect" to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor anytime for free. See More Collapse To say that the kids are not OK is beyond an understatement. We do not live in a red city, red county or a red state. I dont know a single person who owns a gun, or admits to it. There were more Bernie Sanders lawn signs in our city than most, a place often mocked and dismissed as being so far left, it is sometimes dubbed the Peoples Republic of Berkeley. But it happened here. I dont need to list the litany of shootings that have occurred nationally over the past 24, 48 or even 72 hours. And it shouldnt need restating that there is a profound need for stricter gun laws, mandatory background checks and waiting periods. But to pretend that this is only a gun control issue is to do a greater disservice to our kids than we have already done, after traumatizing generations of them with the very real notion that school can instantly transform into a war zone. Two major pediatric organizations declared in the fall that we are in a mental health national emergency for children and adolescents, an announcement that created hardly a ripple. Around that time, the school district in Oakland decided that this would be a good time to announce across the board school closures in some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic to take some of the most impacted, most vulnerable kids who lost the highest number of family and friends during the pandemic, and shut down their neighborhood schools. All this in a state where our governor recently boasted of a near $100 billion budget surplus. The same day I heard about the averted shooting at Berkeley High School, I attended my other nephews eighth-grade promotion. I tried to reflect back the joy he and his friends were feeling in that moment. Their faces beamed, fresh off the challenges of a middle-school experience forever marked by COVID and remote learning, eager to take their next step. But I knew what their next step was to attend the local high school where a mass shooting had just been thwarted. It was hard to harness the joy. We have lost over a million and counting during this pandemic, driven largely by abject failures at local, state and national levels. We continue to lose record numbers to drug and alcohol-related deaths as well as suicide what are called deaths of despair. Unless we reckon with the fact that these mass shootings are yet another manifestation of the sickness of the kind of society we have created, where a small sector of the super elite make decisions for the majority, where the huge amount of wealth generated only benefit a select few, where certain deaths are considered acceptable, none of us will ever be safe. As a health care worker, I can attest to the fact that none of us are OK, either, both on the provider side and on the patient side. There is suicide in the air. A friend who is a mental health worker recently shared she was emerging from a period of suicidality. Another friend, a nurse, had a suicide attempt a few months ago. Two nurses at two different hospital systems in the Bay Area died by suicide. When I had to take my mom to the emergency room a few weeks back, I told the clinician how sorry I was to hear of their colleagues death by suicide at a sister hospital. She thanked me for the acknowledgment and shared that the suicide had affected the staff in profound ways, Because we are all right there, you know. Because we are all right there. Dipti S. Barot is a primary care physician in the East Bay. Twitter: @diptisbarot The recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin was the most interesting election for letter writers: Heres hoping that the next San Francisco district attorney will have these characteristics: Solid experience as a prosecutor, with a record of winning cases, ability to pursue a cooperative relationship with police, willing to keep some progressive policies e.g. ending cash bail rather than throwing out everything put in place by Chesa Boudin, willing to prosecute drug dealers, willing to prosecute repeat offenders, sensitive to needs of various constituencies and managerial expertise. Over to you, mayor. Kristin Anundsen, San Francisco 25% doesnt speak for all Pundits, politicians and opinionated journalists of every ideological stripe will tell us why the voters ousted Chesa Boudin. All of it is nonsense. Voters strongly opposed recall in the Mission and the Haight. But 150 or so people voting in precincts of around 1,000 or fewer registered voters? Do the math. Overall voter turnout in the city (25%) is as usual terrible in primary elections. Anyone who thinks that the higher-income, more conservative voters who make up most of that 25% reflects the will of the people is being dishonest. Because its typically the poor and people of color who dont vote in June, there is no way to understand the will of the people, although the large Asian American community did turn against Boudin in response to the fear hype. I hope Boudin runs again on the same reform policies. It could be a very competitive race if based on his actual record. Marc Sapir, Berkeley No easy solutions I am as frustrated as the next person about car break-ins (Ive had one recently,) drugs on the street, petty crime, and you name it. But Im disappointed that we laid the total blame on Chesa Boudin, some of whose policies were well-thought and workable. The money spent on one more recall might surely have been better spent elsewhere, and I doubt well wind up with a district attorney bearing a magic wand to solve all our problems. Fran Johns, San Francisco Cops, get back on the job Ive always felt that the San Francisco police never really put their heart into arresting lawbreakers because of their prejudice toward Chesa Boudin. They simply wanted to make him look bad. Now that he has been recalled, its time for the police to step up. You got your wish. Now start arresting drug dealers, shoplifters, burglars and car thieves. William Sauro, San Francisco Keep up the good work To my dear brother and sister officers (Im a retired San Francisco police officer): Weve had an election that I hope will encourage you to continue do your best with every San Franciscan you deal with. Folks are asking for change, and theyre hoping for a safer city. Our job has always been a great opportunity for each of us to matter. We have a chance to let the voters know that their police officers care about them and about this city. The voters have previously given police and fire generous salaries and retirements. Please convey our continued appreciation by being your best selves on the job. With the passage of Proposition H, San Francisco Mayor London Breed will soon appoint a new district attorney. That person will have a long to-do list but addressing open-air drug selling around the Tenderloin should be near the top. Drug dealing has been an enduring problem in the Tenderloin and surrounding areas, but the situation has gotten worse with the emergence of illegally manufactured fentanyl. Open-air dealing not only reduces the quality of life for people who live and work in these neighborhoods, it can make them feel like second-class citizens. What is happening around the Tenderloin would not be tolerated in other parts of San Francisco. In late 2019, the Board of Supervisors appointed 12 people to serve on a Street-level Drug Dealing Task Force. It included representatives from the San Francisco Police Department as well as the offices of the district attorney and public defender. It also included nine community members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I was a nonvoting facilitator of this task force. After more than a year of meetings and deliberations, a majority of task force members supported six recommendations, such as providing access to drug treatment 24/7, opening multiple supervised consumption sites and improving public safety responses. While not everyone who voted for the package fully supported all six ideas, they believed the entire package should be given a reasonable chance to succeed. In the aftermath of our report, however, our ideas were mostly shelved. Based on this experience and my engagement with Tenderloin residents during the process as well as my own research on drug markets in other places, I offer three ideas for the next district attorney: To start, it would seem worthwhile to be transparent about what happens after an arrest for drug sales or possession with intent to distribute. How many people are spending time in jail and for how long? How many ultimately have their case dismissed? What are the demographic characteristics of these arrestees? What drugs were they caught with and how much? Without this information, policy decisions will continue to be based on anecdotes and it will be difficult to evaluate if new approaches are effective. The dealers also need to know what the sanctions will be. This should not be a secret. The district attorney cannot do this alone, of course. It would also require obtaining arrest information from the police as well as jail data from the Sheriffs Department. There would be up-front costs to merging these data, but our task force did some analyses that could serve as a template. If such a process was set up, it should not be hard to produce monthly reports for the public. Second, the district attorney should thoughtfully reconsider the consequences for dealing. The task force did not call for long, harsh sentences, but the package of recommendations suggested that individuals without substance use disorders who are convicted for dealing multiple times should be subject to consistent, meaningful, and transparent consequences, and offered services that are designed to reduce recidivism during and after any time in jail. The bulk of the research suggests that swift and certain sanctions are more likely to deter someone from committing a crime than long prison sentences. Finally, sustained success in reducing the impact of open-air drug markets often requires collaboration between prosecutors, police and the community. Arresting and convicting dealers without a collaborative strategy usually doesnt make a lasting difference, and unannounced crackdowns can sometimes be traumatic and potentially dangerous for community members. Supply-side, deterrence-based approaches like Drug Market Intervention from the National Network for Safe Communities wouldnt necessarily decrease the number of individuals using drugs but they can help reduce flagrant dealing on the street, which would be a big win for those who live and work in the Tenderloin. The district attorney alone cannot solve the myriad problems facing the Tenderloin. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation. Indeed, if the district attorney does take actions that could reduce drug supply, even if temporarily, there should be coordination with service providers to make sure treatment is immediately available to those who seek it. As in other parts of San Francisco, the residents and workers of the Tenderloin deserve to be able to walk down the street without passing dozens of dealers selling fentanyl and other drugs. The next district attorney could play a pivotal role in making this aspiration a reality. Beau Kilmer is the McCauley Chair in Drug Policy Innovation and director of the Drug Policy Research Center at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corp. He also served as a facilitator for San Franciscos Street-Level Drug Dealing Task Force. State controller candidate Lanhee Chen is giving Republicans hope that he can do something the GOP hasnt done since 2006: win statewide office in California. Chen, of Mountain View, won the most votes in Tuesdays primary, raised more money ($2.6 million) than Malia Cohen, his likely Democratic opponent, is tapped into House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthys fundraising network and is well known in national GOP circles from his days as a policy adviser to the presidential campaigns of Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio. As the son of Taiwanese immigrants, Chen could broaden the GOPs reach beyond its base of largely white voters, party officials think. GOP Republican National Committee spokesperson Keith Schipper said Korean-American Rep. Michelle Steels presence on the ballot in 2020 boosted turnout among Republican Asian Americans by 14% in her Orange County district. Republican Party chair Jessica Millan Patterson tweeted that Chen is the only candidate who will hold California Democrats accountable for their fiscal irresponsibility. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican who is contemplating a 2024 presidential run, has starred in a fundraiser for Chen. That all sounds promising but the raw numbers of Californias polarized politics are stacked against Chen. Start with the big one: Only 24% of registered California voters are Republicans, compared with 47% who are Democrats and the partisans rarely cross lines to vote for someone not from their political tribe. It is fools gold, said longtime California Democratic strategist Katie Merrill, who is not involved in the race. Theres just no way because there are just so few Republicans in California. For a Republican to win statewide, you have to win an overwhelming number of independent voters and even some Democrats and thats not how independent voters and Democratic voters in California behave, Merrill said, noting that independents statewide typically vote more like Democrats. Chen acknowledged this challenge after the polls closed Tuesday. To win in November will require an effort that hasnt been seen in our state in a long time. Well need more volunteers to get my message out across California. Well need to raise more money to make sure we can tell voters across the state about my candidacy, Chen said in a statement. And while Chen won the highest percentage of votes (37% as of Wednesday) in Tuesdays primary, he had the Republican field all to himself. His closest competitor was Cohen, the Board of Equalization chair, with 21%. But Cohen was sharing the left-of-center vote with three other Democrats and a Green Party candidate. Solidly in third place is Monterey Park City Council member Yvonne Yiu, a Democrat, with 16%. Combined, the four Democratic candidates won nearly 60% of the vote. Beyond the raw numbers, Merrill said Chen is hampered by how the Republican brand statewide in California is just so tainted. Even if there were a moderate Republican running, voters dont trust that that moderate Republican wouldnt have to ultimately be completely subservient to the right wing that dominates Republicans nationwide. Exhibit A: Conservative talk show host Larry Elder was the leading vote-getter among Republicans in the failed 2021 recall attempt against Gov. Gavin Newsom. Chen has steadfastly refused to get pulled into the right-wing camp. He has declined to say whether he voted for Donald Trump in 2016 or 2020. Cohen, his likely opponent, has made abortion rights a centerpiece of her campaign. One of the campaign advertisements she sent to primary voters didnt mention any of her Democratic opponents. Instead, it featured her photo next to Chens under the headline, Your choice for state controller is about protecting a womans right to choose. Chen has refused to say what his position is on abortion but has said he has no desire to change Californias abortion laws or restrict access to the procedure. He is a lifelong Republican and both Romney and Rubio the candidates whose campaigns he worked for are strong opponents of abortion rights. While abortion may not be at the top of the list of the controllers duties, the controller does sit on commissions such as the California Health Facilities Financing Authority, which retains oversight over health-related funding for public and nonprofit hospitals. And the controllers job also intersects with abortion funding in that they oversee state spending which includes funding for clinics where abortions are performed. Cohen is expected to emphasize her abortion rights differences with Chen in the campaign, particularly if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, as it is expected to do later this month. Both candidates are promising to be a tough watchdog on state finances, which is a primary job of Californias chief fiscal officer, someone who holds the power to audit any government agency that spends state funds. The controller also sits on 78 state boards and commissions, ranging from the protection of the states coastline to those overseeing health care facilities. Chen has promised an audit a day and touts his GOP affiliation as a selling point in that he wont be beholden to the Democrats who dominate state government. Cohen, who was endorsed by the California Democratic Party and was formerly on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, will stress her experience over Chen, who has never held elected office. California voters are disillusioned and want real accountability for how their tax dollars are spent, said Cohen, who would be the first Black woman to hold the office. The early sparring is a precursor to something that the controllers race has never been: nationally watched. For many Republicans, this is the rare time when a GOP candidate has a chance real or perceived to win statewide office in California. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli A California summer camp tucked away in a woodsy pocket of the Silicon Valley abruptly canceled all summer sessions after several staff members quit over a controversy around a swastika symbol on one of the buildings. The sudden closure of Hidden Villa in Los Altos impacts some 900 children who had planned to attend day or overnight camps in the coming months. "Over this past weekend, 4 camp staff, including the Summer Camp Director, handed in their resignation effective immediately," Board Chair Peter Hartzell and Interim Executive Director Philip Arca wrote in a June 8 letter posted on the Hidden Villa website. "Losing these key positions led to the heart-wrenching decision that we would be unable to responsibly provide a safe Summer Camp experience." Camp director Philip James, who is Black, told the Los Altos Town Crier that he resigned on Sunday "due to the organizations failure to address issues of structural and institutional racism." The breaking point for him and other staff was the camp's failure to quickly remove a swastika design on the exterior of the Duveneck house, a historic home on the camp's property that is available to rent for events such as rehearsal dinners and corporate retreats. The house was built in 1929 for Frank and Josephine Duveneck, and Josephine reportedly started the first multi-racial residential summer camp in the United States on the property in 1945. The camp administration explained in its letter that the house had three tiles, each about 12-by-12 inches, with Buddhist swastikas and a lotus embedded in them. When the home was constructed, the symbol would have been considered good luck, but by the 1930s it was a co-opted by the Nazis and has since become a symbol of white supremacy. "These tiles were purchased by Frank and Josephine Duveneck while on their honeymoon in 1913 traveling through Asia," Hidden Villa administration said. "It was brought to the communitys attention that the Buddhist symbols were experienced differently and some individuals experienced harm from their presence on the building." The organization said it went through a process with staff and the board to address the controversy around the symbol. After community discussions, the tiles were removed on June 7. "The resignation of our Camp leadership team on June 5th, prior to the decision of the Committee on June 6, put us in the position of making the difficult decision regarding Camp," the organization said. "It also highlights the need for the organization to continue to pause, reflect, and further develop plans of action to address the racial equity concerns shared by staff." James told the Crier that the process had become "so fraught" for him and other staff that they quit before the removal. Before the resignations, the camp was already struggling to ramp up to a full staff and had previously canceled its kindergarten and fifth- and sixth-grade day camps due to the shortages, the organization said in the letter. Hidden Villa wasn't immediately available for comment. This story will be updated if more details become available. Two discrimination lawsuits filed against Zendesk last month claim the San Francisco support-software company perpetuates a culture of sexual harassment and gender bias, favoring men over women in everything from pay and promotions to parental leave, court documents claim. The lawsuits filed on May 27 come after a former Zendesk employee's complaint last year made headlines; she alleged she was told by a supervisor in a video conference that the company would lose over a million dollars because of her choice to have a baby. Mattern Law Group, an employment law firm based in Manhattan Beach, is representing the plaintiffs in all actions. "Zendesk has shown a consistent pattern of hostility toward female employees," Matt Matern said in a news release. "It's time for the company to take these complaints seriously and make some big changes." Founded in Denmark and headquartered in San Francisco, Zendesk has about 5,800 employees. The company said in a statement to SFGATE that it does not comment on pending litigation. One of the new lawsuits, which seeks class action status, was filed on behalf of four women claiming the company discriminates against women by systematically failing to pay them equally to men, court documents filed with the Superior Court of California in San Francisco said. Three of the women are former employees, identified by the pseudonyms Jane Does, who said they were forced to quit their jobs due to discrimination and harassment. The fourth woman is a current employee identified as Jane Roe; she has worked at the company since 2014. The women said the company's discriminatory practices began when they were hired with lower compensation and less lucrative assignments than their male counterparts, court documents allege. They said they were also offered less stock and incentive pay opportunities. They alleged the discriminatory practices against women were widespread and Zendesk has "reaped unfair and illegal profits" against female employees. In the other new lawsuit, the three former female employees identified as Jane Does added to the claims that Zendesk discriminated against women. Jane Doe 1, who worked for the company from June 2019 to January 2021, said the stress and anxiety of the job caused her to develop a stomach abscess that required emergency surgery in August 2020. The doctor told Doe 1 that she could have gone into multiple organ system failure and developed septic shock if he didn't remove the abscess. He suspected the cause of illness was a weakened immune system due work stress and advised her to take a break to heal, the suit claims. While on medical leave recovering from surgery, Doe 1 alleged her male supervisor threatened to fire her if she didn't return to work and continue to make client calls. Doe 1 sent her manager a photo of herself in her hospital bed to communicate the severity of her condition, but she alleged that he continued to harass her and threatened to put her on a performance improvement plan. Doe 1 said she felt that she had no choice but go against her doctor's advice and return to work. Jane Doe 2, employed by Zendesk from August 2018 to April 2022, said that when she alerted her male manager of her high-risk pregnancy, she was later denied a promotion to the senior account executive role that would have included a significant pay raise, court documents said. "Instead, the position went to a less experienced male employee who had a shorter tenure with Zendesk," the suit alleged. When pregnancy-related issues prevented Doe 2 from finishing a small task on time, her manager said no excuses, the documents said. Her manager "continued to constantly single her out and criticize her for minor issues" even though she was a top performer. When Doe 2 took time off for doctor's appointments, her manager would critique her performance, even though she was doing work on her days off, the suit claimed. Jane Doe 3, who worked for the company October 2016 to April 2021, claimed she lost out on a promotion after she took maternity leave, and instead the company elevated a less-qualified man. The lawsuit alleged that all three women complained to human resources about the harassing and discriminatory conduct and were met with indifference. TIPP CITY, Ohio (AP) A Meijer distribution center in western Ohio was heavily damaged Wednesday evening as employees inside heeded tornado warnings and sought shelter, authorities said. Joel Smith, director of the Miami County Emergency Management Agency, said nobody was injured at the facility and there have been no reports of injuries from the storm in the county. It wasn't immediately clear if there were injuries in other parts of the state. The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings in the area, including one at about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday for Tipp City in Miami County. Smith said the Meijer facility employs dozens of people. It wasnt immediately clear how many of them evacuated the part of the structure that was damaged. He said a few other buildings were hit in the area, but the storms severe damage mostly hit north of the citys residential areas. Video posted by the Dayton Daily News shows almost an entire side of the building and parts of the roof ripped off. NEW YORK (AP) More workers are following experts' advice in saving for retirement, even when finances feel precarious. Its happening because 401(k) plans are using a simple human trait to guide us: our inclination to do nothing. More workers are putting more money into their 401(k) accounts, and theyre more often putting it into a reasonable mix of investments. Thats according to Vanguards latest look at the nearly 5 million accounts of 401(k) and similar plans that it keeps records on. Even amid heavy uncertainty about the economy last year, retirement savers socked away an average of 7.3% of their pay, not including employer matches, according to Vanguard. Thats the same level as a year earlier, when the pandemic first struck and threw everything into doubt. And its up from 6.9% in 2012. Vanguard recommends workers save 12% to 15% of their pay, including any employer match. More than four out of five workers eligible to contribute to their 401(k) were doing so last year, at 81%. That also held steady from a year earlier, and it was up from 74% in 2012. The reason for the resiliency? In many cases it was because employers made the moves for them. Over the years, employers have become more likely to enroll workers automatically into the 401(k) plan. Employers have also been starting workers off contributing higher amounts, again automatically. And as the years roll on, plans are set to automatically increase the percentage of those contributions. Last year, a quarter of all Vanguard 401(k) accounts saw a boost in contributions because of an auto increase. Workers can opt out of such measures, but now they have to take an extra step to get out of saving for retirement rather than to get in. And in the field of study known as behavioral finance, that can lead to better outcomes. In other words, inertia wins. I really see the value of it in these unusual years, these years that have a lot of stress and uncertainty where you might expect some reversals of a positive trend, and in fact you you dont see it," said David Stinnett, head of Vanguard's strategic retirement consulting group. Many workers are also avoiding too-risky or too-conservative investment mixes because their savings are in a target-date retirement fund that takes care of such decisions again because it's the automatic choice in many plans. In part because of that, the median 401(k) balance rose to $35,345 last year. That's up from a median of $33,472 a year before and from $27,843 in 2012. To see how powerful inertia can be, consider the difference in participation rates at plans where employers automatically enroll workers into the 401(k) versus those where employees must sign up themselves. The auto-enroll programs saw 93% of eligible workers save in the 401(k) last year. The participation rate was just 66% in plans where workers had to volunteer. A challenge going forward may depend on whether the Great Resignation that's taken hold across the economy continues. When workers leave their jobs either to move to a new one or to retire, they can cash out their 401(k) balances. Experts discourage this, calling it retirement leakage." Not only can a cash out invite taxes and penalties, it also means workers don't benefit from the magic of compounding their savings over the years. Such cash outs often occur among lower-income workers with smaller balances, said Amber Brestowski, head of advice and client experience for Vanguard Institutional Investor Group. With millions of workers quitting their jobs every month, the potential for such leakage is increasing. Brestowski said Vanguard is working with employers in hopes of keeping cashouts low. The industry is also working on ways to move workers' savings from their old employer's 401(k) plan to their new one to stem leakage, again automatically. Three separate California congressional candidates who have voiced support for the long-debunked QAnon conspiracy theory are on the verge of advancing to November's general election. None of the primary races have been called by the Associated Press, but as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, all three were in second place behind Democratic incumbents. Two of the three Republican candidates Alison Hayden and Mike Cargile advanced in the 2020 general election as well, but lost to their Democratic opponents. The third, Omar Navarro, lost in the 2020 primary but was a general election candidate in 2016 and 2018. Hayden, Cargile and Navarro are running against their same Democratic opponents from 2020, although the districts look slightly different following the redistricting process after the 2020 census. The good news for voters who would prefer that they not be represented by a QAnon fan is that the three districts in question are still deeply Democratic, meaning that Hayden, Navarro and Cargile are likely to get trounced again. Neither the national nor California Republican parties have endorsed any of the three, with Cargile even boasting in his Twitter bio, "Mike is the only candidate in the nation who was actually UN-ENDORSED by the Republican Party in the 2020 General Election for being TOO CONSERVATIVE!" Cargile is running in California's 35th District against incumbent Norma Torres. Results as of Thursday morning show Torres in first place with 55% of the vote, and Cargile in second with 22.9%. The next-closest candidate is at 11.8%. The New York Times estimated that just 38% of the vote is in. Still, Cargile appears to be in a good position to advance, then lose to Torres again in November. According to screenshots from Media Matters for America, Cargile has retweeted a popular QAnon slogan and replied "Absolutely!!!!!" to a user who wrote it is "time to get On Board" with QAnon. In the lead-up to the 2022 primary, his Twitter feed was considerably less Q-heavy, but he did baselessly allege widespread election fraud in California. Beyond QAnon and election denialism, he has other controversies. The second QAnon fan is Omar Navarro, who is chasing the dubious distinction of being the only person in the history of American politics to lose to Rep. Maxine Waters previously named one of the most corrupt members of Congress by Insider in four separate election cycles. Navarro told Insider he believes in "some things" from QAnon, including what Insider described as the "human trafficking trope." Results as of Thursday morning show Waters in first place with 71.5% of the vote, and Navarro in second with 13.2% in California's 43rd Congressional District. The candidate currently in third is CAGOP-endorsed Allison Pratt at 8.4%. The New York Times estimates that 37% of the vote is in, so Navarro is less certain than Cargile is to advance. The third and final QAnon candidate is Alison Hayden, who is in the most precarious position of the three. Thursday morning results from California's 14th district show Rep. Eric Swalwell leading with 62.5% of the vote, and Hayden in second with 10.6%. She's narrowly leading two other Republicans Tom Wong and Steve Iyer who have 10.4% and 8.6% of the vote, respectively. Fifty percent of the expected vote is in, according to the New York Times. Hayden has been a prolific retweeter of QAnon-related content. Over the past few weeks, she's been regularly retweeting an account with the name "John F. Kennedy Jr." Kennedy, who died more than 20 years, ago holds a special place in QAnon lore, as adherents believe he is secretly alive and will be former President Donald Trump's new running mate in place of Mike Pence. QAnon believers even gathered in Dallas awaiting the triumphant return of Kennedy, only to be left disappointed when that did not happen. To reiterate: None of the three candidates stand a real chance in November. However, it's part of a growing national trend of more and more Republican candidates voicing support for the once-fringe conspiracy theory. Feng Wei Photography/Getty Images Six people were injured after a tour helicopter crashed in a lava field in Hawaiis remote Ocean View region on Wednesday, Hawaii News Now reported. Of those six, two people are seriously injured, USA Today said. According to USA Today, the pilot who was trapped but eventually freed from the wreckage is in serious but stable condition. A 19-year-old woman who was airlifted to the Kona Community Hospital is seriously injured, Hawaii News Now said. The other four were reportedly taken by ambulance. Theres still no information on where Paradise Helicopters Bell 407 was going or why it crashed. Movie magic is coming to Central Texas, though some are hesitant about certain particulars concerning its arrival. On Wednesday night San Marcos City Council voted to approve a tax incentive package for Hill Country Studio, which has proposed the construction of a $267 million, 820,000-square-foot film and television production center in the master-planned community of La Cima, west of I-35, a location roughly between San Antonio and Austin, Texas. The facility will feature 12 sound stages, two outdoor back lots, 310,000 square feet of office space as well as a 50-seat screening theater and full-service restaurant, according to Rebusiness Online's Taylor Williams. Twenty-five acres of land will also be reserved for commercial vendors and service companies servicing the facility and nearby residents. One concern in all this construction is the piece of land upon which the studio will be built. The site of the new facility overlaps with a recharge zone for the Edwards Aquifer, an aspect that could have consequences on the supply of drinking water for millions of Texas residents. Recharge zones are swathes of land that contribute water to aquifers, and this particular piece of land in La Cima feeds the Edwards Aquiferone of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world and the source of drinking water for two million people. The aquifer also feeds the San Marcos Springs, which in turn feeds the San Marcos River, a body that is home to a number of endangered species. It's for this reason that local environmentalists have raised the alarm regarding the importance of implementing eco-friendly design in the new studio facility's construction. In an interview with KUT's Riane Roldin, San Marcos River Foundation Executive Director Virginia Parker emphasized the need for careful, ecologically sound decision-making in the project's construction in order to preserve the local ecosystem. "We just want things to be done really carefully over the recharge zone," Parker told Roldin. "Once it's paved over, we can't undo that." According to Roldin, environmentalists are suggesting the use of porous materials for the project's construction that allows for rainwater to seep into the ground and aquifer below. The current building agreement in La Cima requires builders to implement no more than 19 percent impervious cover for commercial projects. "No matter who the builder or developer is, we want them to take extra care on the recharge zone so that we still have flowing springs in 100 years," Parker said. The motion to provide tax incentives for the construction of the film facility passed in a 6-to-1 vote at Wednesday night's San Marcos City Council meeting. Council Member Maxfield Baker was the only nay vote, and told fellow council members "thanks for not working hard on this" when offering final remarks. Baker had sought to add an amendment to the city's package that would require Hill Country Studios to agree to offering a number of internship positions at the facility to local students in return for the proposed tax breaks. That amendment failed in a five to two vote. Three gun reform bills that gained momentum after mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, cleared a key committee in the Rhode Island House on Thursday. Days after 19 students and two teachers were fatally shot at an elementary school in Uvalde, top leaders in Rhode Island's Democratic-controlled General Assembly promised meaningful gun reform this legislative session. They support the initiatives that passed the House Judiciary Committee. One bill would ban high-capacity magazines, limiting the capacity to 10 rounds of ammunition. Another would raise the minimum age for purchasing rifles and shotguns from 18 years old to 21 years old, with exceptions for police and military. It effectively makes 21 years old the age for all gun purchases because that's already the requirement to buy a pistol or revolver. The final bill would prohibit carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in public, with exceptions for law enforcement and hunting activities. All three were approved by the committee in about 20 minutes, though the high-capacity magazine ban was a close vote. Gun rights activists were at the State House to show their opposition to the measures. Another proposal to ban assault weapons has not been scheduled for a vote and does not appear to have the same support among legislative leaders. Democratic Rep. Teresa Tanzi said she has been trying to raise the minimum age for gun purchases and pass other gun control measures since the 2018 shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Tanzi said the proposals resonate in a new way after the recent mass shootings. In Buffalo, a gunman opened fire in a racist attack, killing 10 Black people at a grocery store. Tanzi said that while the three bills that now advance to the House floor for a vote Friday will make a difference, she's appalled the state isn't acting to ban assault weapons. She said there's no need in society for weapons of war. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a wide-ranging gun control bill Wednesday, also in response to the recent mass shootings, that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds. It has almost no chance of passing the Senate, with that chamber focused on improving mental health programs, bolstering school security and enhancing background checks. NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) At least 35 children have died in recent weeks due to drought and conflict in Ethiopias northeastern Afar region, according to a local hospital and the medical charity Doctors Without Borders. The announcement Thursday came days after a government minister denied that people have died due to food shortages. Thirty-five children have died in the last eight weeks alone and more than two-thirds of those patients died within 48 hours of admission, Doctors Without Borders said in a statement noting an escalating crisis in the mostly arid region. What scares us most at this point is that we are only beginning to see the very tip of the iceberg, and already it is overwhelming, said Raphael Veicht, the group's emergency coordinator in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is facing one of the worst droughts in the past 40 years following consecutive failed rains in the Horn of Africa. The Afar region also saw some of the fiercest fighting in the war that erupted in Ethiopias neighboring Tigray region in November 2020. Hussein Adem, director of Dubti Hospital in Afar, the largest in the region and serving more than 1 million people, confirmed the childrens deaths to The Associated Press and said that people flooding into the hospital are coming from conflict areas bordering Tigray. The number of malnourished and sick children arriving at our hospital is rising steadily. Hence, the mortality rate among children is also rising, he said, adding his team is trying to send some to other healthcare centers. Our hospital ward is full, so we are using tents. Even that is getting full, so we are treating some of them in the corridors. Both United Nations and Ethiopian government figures indicate that millions of Ethiopians in other parts of the country also face food shortages. Fitsum Assefa, Ethiopias minister of planning and development, told cabinet members on Monday that 7.4 million people in the South, Oromia and Somali regions need food assistance. An additional 5.2 million in Tigray, around 600,000 in Afar and 8.7 million in the Amhara region also need food assistance and are receiving assistance both by the government and donors, she said. But she denied the loss of human lives, calling the efforts a big success. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in a tweet on Feb. 25 warned that drought-induced hunger in the Somali and Borana areas of the East African nation was causing a loss of life among children and the elderly. He added, If we wait for the onset of the rainy season, we will lose many of our citizens. On Tuesday, the U.N. appealed for $847 million to help support 4.2 million people, half of them children, in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti. The nutrition situation in the region is extremely concerning as malnutrition rates are increasing, particularly in Ethiopia, and in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya and Somalia, it said. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) Alaska House Majority Leader Chris Tuck said he will not seek reelection this year, citing a redistricting map that put him in House and Senate districts in which he would have run against friends and fellow Democratic lawmakers. Tuck had filed to run for an Anchorage House seat for which Rep. Andy Josephson also filed. Tuck withdrew on Wednesday. If Tuck had run for state Senate, he would have been in a district with Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson. The filing deadline was last week. "I got into politics to make things better and campaigning against great lawmakers like Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson and Rep. Andy Josephson would not make things better, Tuck said in a statement. Tuck, who was first elected to the House in 2008, said he looks forward to spending more time with his children. Eleven state lawmakers have said they're not planning to seek reelection, and eight others are running for other offices. Senate President Peter Micciche, a Soldotna Republican, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, an Anchorage Democrat, have both opted not to seek reelection. The Anchorage Daily News reported that the Alaska Public Offices Commission has proposed a $56,500 fine against Tuck for failing to report $500 in campaign income he received shortly before the 2020 election. Tuck told the newspaper the contribution was disclosed in another report and that the proposed fine was not a factor in his decision against seeking reelection. Heather Hebdon, the commission's executive director, said that the commission, which met this week, tabled the matter to allow staff time to review and respond, if necessary, to the additional materials he provided at the meeting. Currently Reading Alert: 2 men arrested in Virginia, facing murder charges in weekend shooting in Philadelphia, officials say Currently Reading Alert: FBI says it has arrested Ryan Kelley, one of five Republican candidates for Michigan governor Currently Reading Alert: Officials say a fire spread in an office building in South Korean city and 7 people were killed, dozens injured Currently Reading Alert: Sheriff: Multiple victims in shooting at Maryland business; no longer threat to public INDIANAPOLIS (AP) All of Indiana's more than 600 political subdivisions have agreed to take part in a $507 million statewide settlement with opioid makers and distributors, Indiana's attorney general's office said. The office said Wednesday that Indiana's 648 cities, towns and counties have joined the settlement, which is part of a roughly $26 billion payout across 46 states by opioid distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen and drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) A federal judge has agreed to cut probation short for Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, who pleaded guilty to operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol. Rhodes received a year of supervised probation in December for misdemeanor offenses at Lake Powell on the Utah-Arizona border. U.S. Magistrate Judge Camille Bibles in Flagstaff signed an order Thursday, agreeing to end Rhodes' time on probation. A federal prosecutor did not object. An attorney for Rhodes, Stephen Glazer, had filed a request earlier this week to cut the sentence short. He said Rhodes has not broken the law since he was cited last August. Rhodes also has maintained contact with the probation department, completed an alcohol awareness class and paid all fines. The Republican first-term sheriff is a nearly 30-year veteran of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. Rhodes was drinking while boating with his family at the lake while someone else was operating the boat. Later in the day, friends in another boat had trouble docking, and Rhodes agreed to help. Reports show he made at least three attempts to dock the boat and damaged two other vessels in the process. Rhodes has said it's a decision he deeply regrets. He issued a statement days after he was cited, acknowledging wrongdoing. Rhodes received two citations one for operating a boat under the influence and another for operating with a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.08%, the top legal limit for driving vehicles in Arizona. As sheriff, Rhodes is accountable only to the public. He cannot be disciplined or fired. DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) Authorities on Thursday identified a man who was killed in a shootout with an officer outside of a convenience store in eastern Iowa. Jason James Morales, 45, of Davenport, died from his injuries, the Scott County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. DOVER, Del. (AP) The state Senate has passed a bill prohibiting colleges and universities in Delaware from asking prospective students questions about their criminal backgrounds during the application process or admissions, with limited exceptions. The bill passed the Democrat-led chamber on a 15-5 vote Thursday and now goes to the House. Sen. Ernie Lopez, a University of Delaware employee who is not seeking reelection, was the only Republican to vote for the measure. Supporters of the bill say it will expand educational and career opportunities for convicted criminals. Every Delawarean deserves a chance to learn from their worst mistakes and seek a better life for themselves and their families, said Sen. Marie Pinkney, chief sponsor of the bill. Opponents are concerned the legislation poses a public safety risk for college and university students. Under the bill, institutions of higher learning, whether public or private, would generally be prohibited from asking about an applicants criminal history on an initial application form, or at any time prior to deciding whether to accept the person for admission. On an application form, a school could ask only about convictions for stalking, sexual assault, or other sex offenses. A school, for example, could ask whether an applicant has been convicted of sexual harassment, an unclassified misdemeanor that typically results in a fine, but it could not ask whether the applicant has been convicted of a non-sexual violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, arson or murder. If the school opts to deny admission based on a conviction for stalking or a sex offense, the applicant could appeal through the schools disciplinary process. Once a person is accepted for admission, a school could request a criminal history, but only for the purposes of offering counseling or making decisions about participation in campus life. In doing so, the school would be required to consider the nature of the criminal conduct and whether it bears a direct relationship to campus life. The school also would have to consider the persons age at the time of the criminal conduct, how long ago it happened, and any evidence of rehabilitation or good conduct. A school could not use criminal conviction history as the sole reason to deny admission to or continuation in an academic program designed to prepare a student for a career that requires an occupational license or a teaching certificate. The school would be required, however, to offer counseling related to the licensing or certification requirement in order to assist a student in making an informed decision about pursuing such a program. Julio Cortez/AP NEWARK, N.J. (AP) The busy George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey and New York City is moving to cashless tolls, and in the process removing a reminder of a notorious piece of history. Beginning July 10, drivers paying cash tolls will have their license plates scanned and will be billed by mail. As part of the transformation, the tollbooths and islands will be demolished. BOSTON (AP) A former Massachusetts resident has been charged by prosecutors with fraudulently obtaining $2.5 million in federal relief funds intended for businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic and using the money to buy cars and invest in cryptocurrency. Vinicius Santana, 34, who used to live in Saugus and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida, was arrested earlier this week in Florida and will appear in federal in court in Massachusetts at a future date to face a charge of wire fraud, according to a statement Wednesday from the U.S. attorney's office in Boston. HELENA, Mont. (AP) The ACLU of Montana is asking a judge to clarify an order that temporarily blocked a law requiring transgender people to have had their sex changed by "surgical procedure" before they could change the sex listed on their birth certificates. The request was made Tuesday and came after the state issued an emergency order last month that denied birth certificate changes for people even if they have had gender confirmation surgery. To see a state agency, disregard another branch of governments legal order felt disappointing to say the least, said Amelia Marquez, a transgender woman and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit challenging the 2021 law. I would like to see our state do better and protect me and other Montanans rights rather than continuing to fight to trample on them. District Judge Michael Moses in April ordered the state to return to its previous rule, adopted under a Democratic administration in 2017, while the legal challenge played out. The previous rule allowed transgender people to submit signed affidavits to change the gender on their birth certificates. Moses said the law passed by the 2021 Legislature was unconstitutionally vague because it did not specify what surgical procedures were required. About a month later, the state health department said Moses' April 21 ruling put them in an ambiguous and uncertain situation, leading the agency to issue a temporary emergency order saying people's sex on their birth certificates could not be changed at all, unless there was a clerical error. Only Tennessee, Oklahoma and West Virginia have similar sweeping prohibitions against changes to birth certificates, according to the civil rights group Lambda Legal. Bans in Idaho and Ohio were struck down in 2020, according to the group. The ACLU on Tuesday filed a motion asking Moses to clarify his preliminary injunction and possibly hold the state in contempt of court. ACLU lawyers also asked for the emergency rule to be declared unlawful. The states willful refusal to comply with the order only serves to hurt transgender Montanans, said Akilah Lane, staff attorney with the ACLU of Montana said in a statement. And it demonstrates that in fact the purpose of the law all along was to hurt transgender Montanans. Under Montana law, emergency or temporary rules can only be issued when state agencies find an imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare. The text of the emergency rule said it was adopted to govern the procedures of the Office of Vital Records. The department has an obligation to ensure the accuracy of vital records, the agency said at the time. Marquez and a transgender man identified in court documents as John Doe filed their lawsuit in July 2021 challenging the law that made it more difficult, if not impossible, for transgender residents to change their birth certificates. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Cyprus police have seized servers that were used to sell social security numbers and other personal information stolen from 24 million U.S. citizens, a law enforcement official said Thursday. Police Cybercrime Department Chief Andreas Anastasiades told the state-run Cyprus News Agency that four websites were taken down in a joint operation with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. DOVER, Del. (AP) The state House on Thursday approved a bill banning the sale or possession of a wide variety of semiautomatic firearms in Delaware. The bill passed on a 22-19 vote just seven days after it was introduced and now goes to the Senate, which is also controlled by Democrats. The bill is part of a package of gun restrictions that Gov. John Carney and fellow Democrats are pushing to pass by the end of this month in the wake of recent mass shootings in other states. The ban on what the bill describes as assault weapons targets more than 60 specific models of semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns, as well as copycat weapons. Before the vote, House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst amended her bill to expand the types of copycat weapons that would be prohibited and to increase the penalty for violating the ban. The previous definition of a copycat weapon included a semiautomatic rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has at least two other features, such as a folding stock, flash suppressor or a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon. The amended version requires only one additional feature to make a firearm subject to the ban and significantly expands the number and types of such features to include some commonly found on semiautomatic pistols. The revised bill also increases the penalty for violating the bills prohibitions from a felony punishable by up to three years in prison to one punishable by up to eight years behind bars. Democrats rejected a Republican amendment to exempt holders of concealed carry permits from the bills prohibitions. Longhurst, a Democrat from Bear, said her bill is one piece of a comprehensive approach to address gun violence that includes better mental health supports and school safety measures. The intention of this legislation is simple and clear to make sure the next Uvalde, the next Buffalo, the next Sandy Hook, does not take place in the state of Delaware, she said. Rep. Bryan Shupe, a Milford Republican, suggested that supporters of the bill were being both disingenuous and divisive. I am seeing reactionary policy, ... a pattern of reactionary policy, ... he said. I dont think this is seriously going to address either the violence in our schools or the violence in our communities. Shupe noted that Republicans introduced a bill in 2018 to spend $65 million on school safety measures, such as security cameras, bullet-resistant glass and key card entry and exit devices. The bill never made it out of committee in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly. Instead, the legislature approved a school safety fund that received only $10 million over two years, amounting to about $22,000 per school, Shupe said. Since then, no money has gone into those safety funds for our schools, he said. Shupe also questioned the states commitment to addressing gun violence, noting that Delawares Statistical Analysis Center, which researches and analyzes criminal justice issues, was unable to tell him how many crimes have been committed with guns in Delaware over the past five years, or how many of the guns were obtained illegally. How can we say that we are serious and say this bill is anything but reactionary when we dont consistently fund, we dont consistently create policy, or even measure gun violence in the state of Delaware? he asked. This is not a bill that is part of a serious plan to reduce gun violence but a reactionary policy to limit constitutional rights of the citizens of Delaware. In response, Longhurst said she was willing to work to improve funding for school safety. She also suggested that Shupe should introduce a resolution to improve the funding or resources available to the Statistical Analysis Center if it will help lawmakers get the information they need. I think we need to be proactive instead of reactive, she said. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky agriculture appears to be on a record pace to surpass $7 billion in cash receipts in 2022, bolstered by robust commodity prices that could reward farmers hit hard by rapidly rising production costs, an agricultural economist told state lawmakers Thursday. Despite all the challenges of this year, University of Kentucky ag economist Will Snell said his biggest concern is for 2023, when commodity prices could drop without corresponding declines in farmers' input costs. Snell appeared before a legislative panel to discuss the effect of surging inflation on Kentucky's farming sector. Increased farm production costs have outpaced rising prices elsewhere in the economy, Snell said. Fertilizer costs, for example, have more than doubled, he said. Snell recounted his recent conversation with a farmer who owed $100,000 to a farm store. Farmers have absorbed those sharply higher expenses in hopes their investments will be rewarded later in the year. It's a big risk, but one that could pay off. Market prices for Kentucky's agricultural commodities from corn and soybeans to chickens and hogs have surged since 2020. As a result, Snell predicted a good year for Kentucky agriculture in 2022, assuming key variables pan out that farmers have favorable growing conditions and export markets remain strong. I feel pretty confident to say as long as we have decent growing conditions, and with the prices were expecting this fall, that we are going to well exceed $7 billion in cash receipts for agriculture for 2022, Snell said. The Bluegrass State's record for ag cash receipts was $6.5 billion in 2014. Economists suspect last year's amount exceeded that level, but the data won't be available until later this summer, Snell said. Tobacco used to be the king of Kentucky agriculture, but its decline has resulted in a highly diversified farm sector. The state's top agricultural commodities include corn, soybeans, poultry, horses and cattle. Crop prices this fall have the potential to result in higher net farm income for grain farmers, assuming they have good yields, Snell said. Strong export markets for corn and soybean are expected to keep crop prices higher this autumn, he said. For livestock producers, higher feed costs will pose a challenge but higher market prices will help offset higher expenses, he said. As for Kentuckys net farm income the amount left after farmers expenses Snell said he does not expect a record amount this year. But it could end up relatively high compared to the past decade, assuming yields are good, he said. But he warned about the prospects for a bumpier year for Kentucky farmers in 2023. The world will respond to these higher commodity prices and we will see probably some pushback and lower commodity prices -- especially crop prices -- that we anticipate for 2023," he told lawmakers. Those input prices tend to be fairly sticky. We typically have not seen them come down as fast as commodity prices. And as a result, thats our biggest concern. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The first public hearing of the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack put a spotlight on two far-right extremist groups whose members are accused of plotting for weeks to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Top leaders and members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers have been charged with seditious conspiracy in what authorities have described as an organized effort to subvert the election results and keep former President Donald Trump in office. Here's a look at the two groups and the accusations against them: ____ WHO ARE THEY? Proud Boys describe themselves as a politically incorrect mens club for Western chauvinists. Before the Jan. 6 insurrection, Proud Boys members mostly were known for brawling with antifascist activists at rallies and protests. Less than two months before the 2020 election, group members celebrated when Trump refused to outright condemn the group during his first debate with Democrat Joe Biden. Instead, Trump said the Proud Boys should stand back and stand by. The Oath Keepers were founded in 2009 by Stewart Rhodes, a former U.S. Army paratrooper and Yale Law School graduate. The antigovernment group recruits current and former military, police and first responders. Its members pledge to fulfill the oath all military and police take to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to defend the Constitution, according to its website. WHAT ARE THEY ACCUSED OF DOING? Messages and social media posts detailed in court documents show how members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were discussing as early as November 2020 the need to fight to keep Trump in office. Days after the election, Henry Enrique Tarrio, then-chairman of the Proud Boys, posted messages online calling on his followers to fight the results. No quarter. Raise the black flag," Tarrio said in one post. In another, he wrote that the Proud Boys would become "political prisoners" if Biden steals the election, warning that the group wont go quietly. The media constantly accuses us of wanting to start a civil war," Tarrio wrote in another message. "Careful what the f-k you ask for we dont want to start one ... but we will sure as f-k finish one. Shortly before the riot, an unnamed person sent Tarrio a document that laid out plans for occupying a few crucial buildings in Washington on Jan. 6, including House and Senate office buildings around the Capitol, authorities say. The document entitled 1776 Returns called for having as many people as possible to show our politicians We the People are in charge." Tarrio was arrested in Washington two days before the riot and charged with vandalizing a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church during a protest in December 2020. He was ordered to stay away from Washington and wasn't at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Other Proud Boys, however, met at the Washington Monument on the morning of the riot and marched to the Capitol before Trump finished speaking near the White House. As the angry mob swarmed the Capitol, Proud Boys members dismantled metal barricades, and directed and led members of the crowd into the building, authorities say. The Oath Keepers also spent weeks discussing trying to overturn the election results, laying out battle plans and purchasing weapons, authorities say. Two days after the election, Rhodes told followers in an encrypted group chat to prepare their mind, body and spirit for a civil war. Rhodes urged members to go to Washington to let Trump know "that the people are behind him, and expressed hope that Trump would call up the militia to help stay in power, authorities say. Oath Keepers repeatedly wrote in chats about the prospect of violence and the need, as Rhodes allegedly wrote in one text, to scare the s-out of Congress. The group stashed guns in a hotel outside Washington as part of a quick reaction force that would come to their aid if needed, prosecutors say. Days before Jan. 6, one defendant suggested getting a boat to ferry heavy weapons across the Potomac River into their waiting arms," according to prosecutors. On Jan. 6, Oath Keepers wearing camouflaged combat attire were seen on camera shouldering their way through the crowd and into the Capitol in a military-style stack formation. Rhodes isn't accused of going inside the Capitol building, but was seen gathered outside with several Oath Keepers after the riot, authorities said. WHAT WAS REVEALED IN THE HEARING? Thursday's House committee hearing highlighted how the Proud Boys were energized by Trump's comment to stand back and stand by." A member of the Proud Boys told the committee that Trump's remark prompted membership in the group to skyrocket. The committee also showed how members of the Proud Boys were among those leading the charge into the Capitol, having marched there while Trump was still speaking on the Ellipse. Video shown during the hearing showed that Dominic Pezzola, a former Marine known as Spaz from Rochester, New York, used a stolen Capitol police riot shield to break a window, allowing the first rioters to enter the building. Pezzola has been charged with seditious conspiracy in the attack. A documentary filmmaker who was with the Proud Boys on Jan. 6 testified about witnessing a meeting the day before the riot between Rhodes and Tarrio at an underground garage. No new details about what the two extremist group leaders spoke about were revealed during the hearing and prosecutors have said only that one of the meetings participants referenced the Capitol." Publicly released video of the meeting doesnt reveal much about their discussion. The Proud Boys and Oath Keepers have been charged in separate indictments and the Justice Department hasnt accused them of plotting with one another. But prosecutors have indicated there was at least some communication between the two groups. In one message, a man described by authorities as the leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers discussed forming an alliance and coordinating with the Proud Boys ahead of the riot, authorities have said in court documents. WHAT HAVE THE LEADERS SAID IN DEFENSE? Rhodes has said in interviews with right-wing hosts that there was no plan to storm the Capitol and that the members who did so went rogue. But he has continued to push the lie that the 2020 election was stolen, while posts on the Oath Keepers website have depicted the group as a victim of political persecution. Oath Keeper defendants have argued in court that the only plan was to provide security at the rally before the riot or protect themselves against possible attacks from far-left antifa activists. Text messages revealed in court documents show Oath Keepers discussing plans to provide security around Jan. 6 for longtime Trump political confidant Roger Stone and Stop the Steal organizer Ali Alexander. Defense attorney Nayib Hassan said Tarrio never instructed nor encouraged anyone to enter the Capitol or to engage in any violence or destruction on Jan. 6. Hassan also described prosecutors arguments about the garage meeting with Rhodes as frivolous at best. Tarrio went to the nearby hotel to get information about a potential attorney to represent him in the vandalism case, Hassan said in a court filing. A jury trial for Tarrio and four other Proud Boys charged with seditious conspiracy is scheduled to start on Aug. 8. The trial for Rhodes and four other Oath Keepers members and associates is scheduled to begin in Sept. 26. The seditious conspiracy charge calls for up to 20 years in prison. ___ For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege. Hundreds of tips have come in since investigators announced that a Manchester girl had been missing for two years, but none have brought concrete answers in the case. Harmony Montgomery, whose 8th birthday was on Tuesday, has not been seen since late 2019. Police have narrowed the window of her disappearance from Nov. 28 to Dec. 10 of that year. Harmony's family held a private birthday party for her Tuesday, and sister station WMUR was invited to the event. Birthday decorations were up, party favors were out, and there was also a cake, but the absence of Harmony was clearly felt. Harmony's mother, Crystal Sorey, said the past three years have been extremely difficult, but she is still hopeful she will be reunited with her daughter. "I refuse to believe that she is gone until I see some sort of proof, her body or something," Sorey said. "But until then, she is alive in our hearts and our minds." Sorey said she invited WMUR to the event because she wants to keep her daughter's name out there. She has held public events in the past and said she will continue to do so until Harmony is home. "Today's a hard day for me," Sorey said. Sorey had a special message for Harmony on Tuesday. "Hi Harmony. It's mommy. If you can see this, I want to say happy birthday and I love you. I'm not going to give up on trying to find you. We're not going to give up. This is all for you," Sorey said. "Everything we do is for you." Police did not begin their search for Harmony until December 2021 when the Division of Children, Youth and Families notified them of her disappearance. >> Timeline of Harmony's disappearance Harmonys father Adam Montgomery has been jailed since early January on charges including second-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and charges connected to the alleged theft of weapons. Adam Montgomerys estranged wife Kayla Montgomery has been arrested multiple times in connection to the case, including for charges of theft by deception, receiving stolen property and perjury. She is currently out on bail. Police reports from around when Harmony went missing said Kayla Montgomery told them she last saw Harmony while she was getting ready for work sometime after Thanksgiving 2019 and that her husband, Adam Montgomery, told her he was taking Harmony to Massachusetts. Kayla Montgomery has reportedly claimed she has not seen the girl since that time. A reward for information in the case has grown to $144,000. Anyone with information about Harmony Montgomery's disappearance can call or text a 24-hour tip line at 603-203-6060. NEW YORK (AP) An explosion at a liquefied natural gas terminal in Texas has left nearby residents rattled and is taking a substantial amount of the fuel off the market at a time when global demand is soaring. Freeport LNG will be offline for at least three weeks, the company said Thursday, following a fire in its export facility. The company said no one was injured, and the cause is under investigation. Melanie Oldham, who lives in Freeport, said she heard three loud bangs Wednesday morning and went outside to find out what was going on. It makes me feel like we are daily living with high risk of explosion, release of gas, public health issues for not only us in Freeport, but for all the people who go to those big beaches on Quintana Island, said Oldham, a physical therapist and co-founder of Citizens for Clean Air and Clean Water of Freeport and Brazoria County. We dont know what could have been released into the air or even the water. A fire in the LNG terminal's liquefaction delivery system led to excess emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds, according to an incident report filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Thursday. Longtime Freeport resident Gwendolyn Jones, 63, said she was about a mile or two from the facility when she saw a white cloud hovering over it after the fire. She was concerned that Freeport residents werent evacuated or warned about the incident by local authorities and thought nearby residents should be given respirators to help reduce the risk of inhaling dangerous fumes. We should have meetings where we could discuss issues to make sure that this would never ever happen again, because Im afraid of whats going to happen next, Jones said. Nothing but the grace of God has kept us alive in these situations. Normally, Freeport LNG exports about 2 billion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas per day, about 15% of the nation's LNG exports. The shutdown comes at a time when global demand for LNG is high because many nations are trying to wean themselves off Russian gas, which is sent into Europe primarily though pipelines. U.S. exports have been soaring. Most of Freeport LNGs exports were going to Europe, according to Rystad Energy. Europe may be able to offset the lost volume with increases from other facilities, said Emily McClain, vice president at Rystad. Europe gets about 45% of its LNG from the U.S., and the rest comes from Russia, Qatar and other sources, she said. Freeport LNG sells gas to a mix of buyers including major oil and gas companies, Asian utilities and commodities traders, and those buyers will no longer be getting deliveries from Freeport until the facility is fixed, said Ross Wyeno, lead analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights. Wyeno said its unlikely that other LNG terminals around the world can increase production to pick up the slack because everybodys pretty much maxed out if they can be." As a result, LNG prices are increasing, and consumers in Europe are likely to feel the impact, Wyeno said. But in the U.S., natural gas prices are falling because a major buyer of gas the LNG terminal stopped buying, he added. Lower domestic natural gas prices aren't soothing the nerves of people who live near the terminal though. Freeport residents such as Oldham and Jones have long been concerned about the potential for incidents at the terminal. Our fears came true, unfortunately, Oldham said. Europa Press News/Europa Press via Getty Images The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed that Lone Star State had its first case of monkeypox in 2022, according to a June 7 press release from the department. The case was found in a Dallas County resident who recently traveled internationally from Mexico. The patient is isolating at home and the department said it is monitoring others who may have been exposed in Dallas. Monkeypox is not currently a risk to the general public, DSHS said in the release. There are 35 total confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S., according to the CDC. The disease has also been found in Washington, California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts, a map from the CDC shows. HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) A former Mississippi Department of Corrections probation officer has started serving a six-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of embezzlement for taking more than $4,000 from people who were trying to pay court-ordered fines and fees Dendrick Hurd, 28, pleaded guilty April 18. Court records show that on May 10, Forrest County Circuit Judge Bob Helfrich sentenced him to six years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. WASHINGTON (AP) The head of the Federal Trade Commission says the agency is pushing a robust agenda of actions and policies to help safeguard children's privacy online. The ongoing work will include toughened enforcement of a long-standing law governing kids online privacy and eyeing the algorithms used by social media platforms targeting young people. Childrens privacy is enormously important and we want to make sure were doing everything we can ... to vigorously protect childrens privacy and protect them from data abuses, said Lina Khan, who has led the consumer-protection agency for a year. She spoke in an interview over Zoom with The Associated Press on Wednesday. Around the country, parents concern has deepened over the impact of social media on kids. Frances Haugen, a former Facebook data scientist, stunned Congress and the public last fall when she brought to light internal company research showing apparent serious harm to some teens from Facebooks Instagram platform. Those revelations were followed by senators grilling executives from YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat about what theyre doing to ensure young users safety in the wake of suicides and other harms to teens attributed by their parents to their usage of the platforms. The recent tide of mass shootings has also highlighted the power of social media and its influence on young people. The FTC recently warned that it will crack down on education-technology companies if they illegally surveil children when they go online to learn. The agency noted that it is against the law for companies to force parents to surrender their childrens privacy rights in order to do schoolwork online or attend class remotely. Khan said Wednesday the FTC had heard complaints from parents who, when the pandemic struck in 2020, had to suddenly make that choice. The so-called edtech companies have apps and websites that are used by hundreds of thousands of students in school districts around the country. The childrens online privacy law prohibits companies from requiring that children provide more information than is needed, and restricts using students personal data for marketing purposes. Among a host of other enforcement actions, the FTC in March required WW International, formerly known as Weight Watchers, in a settlement to delete information illegally collected from children under 13 as well as algorithms developed by the companys weight-loss app for children as young as eight. The company also paid a $1.5 million penalty. President Joe Biden stunned official Washington about a year ago when he installed Khan, an energetic critic of Big Tech then teaching law, as head of the FTC. That signaled a tough government stance toward giants Facebook (its parent now is called Meta Platforms), Google, Amazon and Apple, which already have been under pressure from Congress, state attorneys general and European regulators. At 33, Khan is the youngest chair in the 107-year history of the FTC, an independent agency with five commissioners and around 1,200 employees. The agency's mandate is broad it polices competition and consumer protection as well as digital privacy and under Khan it has been active on every front. Khan was an unorthodox choice for Biden, with no administrative experience or knowledge of the agency other than a stint for part of 2018 as legal adviser to one of the five commissioners. She carried intellectual heft, though, that translated into political traction. Khan burst onto the antitrust scene in 2017 with her massive scholarly work as a Yale law student, Amazons Antitrust Paradox. She helped lay the foundation for a new way of looking at antitrust law beyond the impact of big-company market dominance on consumer prices. That school of thought appears to have had a heavy influence on Biden. During Khans tenure, the FTC has sharpened its antitrust attack against Facebook in federal court, accusing the social network giant of abusing its market dominance to quash competition, and is widely believed to be pursuing a competition investigation into e-commerce giant Amazon. Possible areas of focus, according to experts, are Amazons cloud-computing business and its recent $8.4 billion acquisition of movie studio MGM. Last year Amazon asked Khan to step aside from antitrust investigations into the company because of her past public criticism of its market power. The probe is reportedly being led by the agencys deputy director of competition, John Newman. In the interview, Khan addressed the importance of Big Tech antitrust cases in general since she is neither confirming nor denying an investigation into Amazon. These are products and services that Americans use and rely on in their day-to-day lives, and we want to be sure that incumbents are not stifling and crowding out competitors," she said. When the companies grow by buying up competitors and abuse their market position, she said, They can in some ways become too big to care and start imposing all kinds of terms and contractual conditions on consumers. ___ Follow Marcy Gordon at https://twitter.com/mgordonap SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) A Georgia prosecutor says no criminal charges will be filed against a Savannah Police officer involved in a fatal shooting last year during a traffic stop. The decision comes nearly a year after Maurice Mincey, 36, was shot and killed July 17 outside a home by Officer Thomas Love. Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones in a statement Tuesday contends the officer's actions were justifiable given the circumstances, news outlets reported. While the untimely death of any citizen is unfathomable, the evidence shows that Mr. Minceys possession of a firearm, his failure to respond to verbal commands and sudden exit from the car posed an imminent risk of danger to officers and citizens in the immediate area, Jones said. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations initial findings, Savannah Police stopped a car around 9:30 p.m. after the driver allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign. While officers spoke with the driver outside the vehicle, Mincey was moving around inside and officers asked him to stop and show his hands, the GBI said. Jones' office said Mincey then opened the car's passenger door and exited with a gun in his hand. That's when Love, who was on the driver's side of the car, shot Mincey in the back through the driver-side door. Video footage from that night confirmed the gun a Smith and Wesson 9mm semiautomatic pistol fell from Minceys hand and slid across the pavement, the DAs office said. That footage has not been publicly released. Mincey's family was shown footage for the first time during a meeting with Jones and her staff. The family could not take seeing it, Pastor Alan Mainor told the Savannah Morning News after the meeting. It was so horrendous for them. They had to relive that and see their loved one alive at that moment and killed again. Mincey family attorney David Aylor told WTOC-TV they expect to get the full incident report from Jones office in the coming weeks, and will decide from there what, if any, civil action to pursue. Now that the district attorney's office has officially closed the case, Mayor Van Johnson told the television station Wednesday that he believes it's important for the community to move forward. Im sorry for the familys loss, but on the other end of it, we support the officer, who I guess in this case, made the right decision. We dont take it lightly, or as a victory lap in this kind of way. Well take it as the system did whatever it was supposed to do. Johnson said. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen announced a crime-fighting plan Thursday that would stiffen penalties for violent crime while boosting the role of the State Patrol and Minnesota National Guard in keeping order. His 10-point proposal would create a specific crime for carjacking, which has surged in the Twin Cities area in the past couple of years. He would raise prison sentences for violent crimes and prevent nonprofit groups from bailing out people charged with violent crimes. And he said he would appoint judges who would impose the longest sentences allowed. Do you feel safer today than you did four years ago?" Jensen asked at a news conference. When I ask people across Minnesota whether it's in greater Minnesota or in the urban areas Do you feel safer than you did four years ago?' they're saying no. Jensen, a family practice physician and former state senator, was joined outside the Capitol by his running mate, former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk. Jensen criticized incumbent Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for his response to the sometimes violent unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, which included the burning of a police station. Jensen said Walz froze and let the situation get out of control. He said he would be quicker to deploy the National Guard to prevent trouble. He also said he would use state troopers to supplement local police in high-crime areas. The Walz administration has already stepped up the role of the State Patrol. It announced plans last month to use troopers to supplement the Minneapolis Police Department, which has lost around 300 officers since the unrest, with many claiming post-traumatic stress disorder. Minneapolis and St. Paul have seen a surge in violent crime that sometimes spills into the suburbs. Minneapolis recorded 97 homicides last year, the most since 1995, while St. Paul had 38, breaking the citys record of 34 set in 1992. Minneapolis also reported more than 640 attempted or successful carjackings in 2021, while St. Paul saw about 100. The cities formerly didn't feel the need to keep specific carjacking statistics. Jensen also called for more job, literacy and skills training for state prisoners to help them find work when they're released and thus reduce recidivism. And he called for more emphasis on restorative justice by using offenders to clean up graffiti and vandalism. He would also create a unit within the state Department of Public Safety to protect children from sexual exploitation. Democrats were quick to criticize Jensen's plan, pointing out that it contains no new money to bolster local police departments, while Walz and other Democrats have called for $450 million in new public safety spending as part of a stalled bipartisan budget framework that Jensen opposes. They also criticized Jensen for opposing gun safety measures such as background checks. The Legislature adjourned last month with lawmakers still divided on how to use the $7 billion that's left of what was a $9.25 billion surplus. Talks among Walz and the Senate Republican and House Democratic majorities have yet to nail down enough details for the governor to call a special session. "From opposing universal background checks to the budget deal on public safety, Scott Jensen has shown that hes unserious about stopping crime and gun violence, Ken Martin, the state democratic Party chairman, said in a statement. A western New York man was arraigned on a reckless endangerment charge Thursday after a round he fired while target shooting struck a window at the Hill Cumorah complex, leading tourists to take cover and prompting a massive police presence at the religious site, state police said. Local, state and federal law enforcement officers descended on the historic area east of Rochester, considered important to the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after gunfire was reported at about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. State troopers and Ontario County sheriff's deputies reported hearing more shots when they arrived. About 75 people who were inside the Hill Cumorah Visitors Center at the time were told to shelter in place until being evacuated by police SWAT teams. No one was hurt. Investigators determined the shots were coming from a 23-year-old Fairport resident who was target shooting from farmland west of the Hill Cumorah complex, state police said. He was taken into custody, arraigned Thursday and released. Authorities do not believe he intentionally fired at the complex. Prior to the announcement of an arrest, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement that several shots were fired at or near the visitor's center. Gratefully, no injuries have been reported, the statement by Eric Hawkins said. The church did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Latter-day Saints believe that their faiths founder, Joseph Smith, found metal plates in the hills of nearby Palmyra in 1823 that became the Book of Mormon. Beginning in 1937, the event was celebrated in the annual Hill Cumorah Pageant that drew tens of thousands of visitors to the site each year. The Salt Lake City based-church announced in 2018 that the pageant would end after 2020 as it moved away from large-scale productions. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the final shows. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) An inspector general's report on grade-changing practices in Baltimore's public high schools has confirmed the existence of a massive grade-fixing scheme, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday as he announced referral of the findings to state and federal prosecutors. The report was released this week by the Office of the Inspector General of Education, which initiated an investigation in September 2020. It was based on information provided in part by the former Office of Education Accountability alleging the school system had incorrectly documented and promoted students by changing failing grades. The report found 12,542 examples where high school grades were changed from failing to passing between 2016 and the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Richard Henry, the inspector general, wrote in the 28-page report that his offices investigation revealed a differing interpretation, application, and adherence to appropriate grade change procedures among school staff at the teacher, principal and school system executive levels. Still, Henry noted in the report that his office identified issues of concern that would not constitute a criminal violation of state law. But the Republican governor said the report reveals a staggering level of disregard for the integrity of the educational system and a clear lack of accountability at the highest levels." For years, the school system has denied and dismissed allegations of grade fixing, and tried to sweep it all under the rug," Hogan said. "None of this should be allowed to happen in any school system, let alone in one of the most highly funded large school systems in America. The governor, who has often been at loggerheads with local Baltimore officials during his tenure, said that after a thorough review of the report, he was directing the Maryland state prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any alleged criminal malfeasance that may have occurred. Hogan also wrote that he was referring the matter to Maryland's U.S. attorney because of federal funding the system receives. Henry wrote in the report that the misunderstanding, misapplication, and non-compliance of grade change procedures increased the risk of inappropriate grade changes, which could significantly impact graduation rates. He recommended the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners request the Maryland State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools issue an emergency procurement for an independent performance audit of the school system to evaluate the effectiveness of grading policies and procedures. In response to the governor's announcement Thursday, Baltimore City Public Schools said the system was fully cooperative with the Maryland Office of the Inspector General ... during its nearly three-year exhaustive review into grading practices in City Schools. Weve also committed to a fresh audit of current grading outcomes during the 2022-23 school year, the school system said in an email. If they are interested, City Schools is open to sharing information and insight with other governmental entities, pursuant to their statutory authority, to ensure a clear understanding of student grading. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate VATICAN CITY (AP) The chairman of Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial said he thanked Pope Francis on Thursday for giving scholars access to the Holy Sees World War II-era archives. Dani Dayan, who met with Francis at the Vatican, said the pontiff described the archives opening as an issue of justice. Francis visited the memorial during a 2014 pilgrimage in Israel. The Vatican, in its account of the meeting, didnt say what Francis told his Israeli visitor. But its official media quoted Dayan's account of the pontiff's words. When I thanked him for opening the archives of the Vatican of the relevant period of the Holocaust for our researchers, he said very clearly that to open the archives is to make justice, Dayan said. Historians long clamored for access to the Vatican archives of letters and other documents spanning the years of Pius XII's 1939-1958 pontificate, which overlapped with World War II. Over the decades, many have criticized Pius for not speaking out at the time against the mass deportations and systematic murder of Jews. The Vatican has long contended that Pius worked quietly behind the scenes to save lives during the Holocaust. But scholarly examinations of the wartime archives so far suggest that the people the Vatican worked hardest to save were Jews who had converted to Catholicism or who were children of Catholic-Jewish marriages. Vatican media quoted Yad Vashem's Dayan as saying Francis told him that the Catholic Church isnt afraid of history. The Holy Father went on to say that he is well aware that, as in other organizations, in the church there were people who did the right thing and those who did not, Dayan said. When visiting Yad Vashem in 2014, the pope prayed before a crypt with ashes of Holocaust victims and laid a wreath of flowers in the Hall of Remembrance. Francis also visited the memorial at the site of the Auschwitz death camp during a 2016 pilgrimage to Poland and met with 25 Christian Poles who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. Yad Vashem archivists are gathering information from the Vatican archives, with the goal, the Holocaust memorial said in a statement, of bringing it back to Jerusalem for further study and hopefully shed light on the experiences and fate of many Holocaust victims. As Thursday's meeting concluded, Dayan invited Francis to again visit Israel and Yad Vashem. Dayan told Vatican Radio that the two men, each natives of Buenos Aires, conversed in Spanish, and that Francis was very clear in condemning anti-Semitism and in combatting it as an ally. ___ Josef Federman contributed from Jerusalem. MANISTEE A single acre of public land in Manistee could hold the key to future developments in Manistee, according to the city's Department of Public Works Director Jeff Mikula. The property, referred to by Mikula as the Ninth Street Boat Launch, resides at the end of Ninth Street near Manistee Lake. Contrary to prior reporting in April, Mikula said in an email to the News Advocate that the property has been considered a city park for decades. The boat launch area was established by the city in 1987. There is a boat launch into Manistee Lake, a dock and a lighted parking area. The property, however, was owned partially by Consumers Energy and Morton Salt. The Morton Salt portion about 10 acres was sold to the city to support upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. While future plans for the park have not been determined, Mikula said that improved parking, fishing platforms, (a) restroom and improving the launch have been discussed for many years. This property has gained attention due to its unlikely relationship with Fricano's Manistee River a new restaurant set to open this year in downtown Manistee. Fricanos is located at the former Boathouse Grill location, at 440 River St., and its owner Ted Fricano has requested to purchase a city-owned deck located behind his restaurant. Starting in 2021 the city considered selling the 0.081 acres of its property directly north of Fricano's for the purposes of a deck expansion for the amount of $30,000, according to city manager Bill Gambill. Mikula said the former 440 West and Boathouse restaurants had leased that portion of the city marina property for use as outdoor seating. The proposed parcel for sale includes land offset from the deck and has been approved by the planning commission and city council, Mikula said in the email. The riverfront property that the city is considering selling was acquired using land and water conservation funds in the 1970s, Gambill said. Since the city property was partially funded with previous grant proceeds, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and National Park Service require that the city provide land replacement for the purpose of recreation that is of equal or greater value. Mikula said this process is known as a conversion. This process, according to Gambill "will require yellow book appraisals of the land." The city, he said, has "not contracted for that work at this time." Converting the former Morton property, Mikula said, will allow the boat launch to become eligible for future DNR grants. The proposed purchase agreement between the city and Fricano expired and since that time, Gambill reports that the city has been working with the DNR to identify what the National Park Service would consider an acceptable land replacement. "Occasionally, circumstances change and property encumbered by these grant obligations must be utilized for a purpose other than public outdoor recreation. In these cases, the grantee must provide, at a minimum, a direct replacement for the property lost as measured in both recreation usefulness and market value," reads part of an outline of procedures for the conversion of grant assisted properties. That's where the Ninth Street Boat Launch comes in. At an April meeting of the Manistee Harbor Commission, Mikula floated the option of opening this property up for conversion. We have proposed that one acre of that land be considered for the conversion, Mikula said. The acre would basically begin at the boat launch up to the treatment plant gate and from the railroad tracks to the waters edge. Until this is resolved, Gambill says it could adversely affect the city's current DNR Trust Fund Grant application for improvements to Veterans Memorial Park along the North Riverwalk. A $300,000 grant has been requested to renovate the north Riverwalk a project that is projected to cost roughly $560,000, according to Gambill. These DNR grants are awarded based on a point system, and the city could lose up to 50 points if the conversion is not settled. "The competition and scoring is such that 50 points is a significant amount," Gambill said. "The renovation of the North Riverwalk is an important project and we do not wish to jeopardize the application." To avoid risking the application, Gambill said that sale of the property to Fricano will be delayed until the grant scoring cycle is complete in December. BOISE, Idaho (AP) Idaho lawmakers have hired a Utah company to appraise federal land in three counties to determine how much tax revenue the land would generate if it was privately owned and subject to property taxes. Republican Sen. Steve Vick and Republican Rep. Sage Dixon, co-chairmen of the Legislatures Committee on Federalism, signed the $250,000 deal for the study with Aeon AI last month. The Federalism Committee deals with state sovereignty issues. The contract covers federal land in three of Idaho's 44 counties Boundary County in northern Idaho, Canyon County in southwestern Idaho and Clearwater County in north-central Idaho. The deal with Aeon AI calls for an initial payment to the company of $20,000, followed by three payments of $35,000 based on meeting specific criteria and a final payment of $125,000. Lawmakers in return will get a land valuation, a planning tool, a visualization dashboard and a written report. The timeline in the agreement lays out a schedule for the work to be completed this fall. Aeon AI on its website says it uses real estate analytic software to provide real-time land valuations. About 63% of the land in Idaho is federally owned, but local governments cant collect property tax on that land. A federal program called PILT, or payment in lieu of taxes, is aimed at reducing the loss of those taxes by giving money to government entities within the state. Some Idaho lawmakers have said that the state should get more than it has historically received from the federal government and that the results from the Aeon AI appraisal could bolster that argument. The Idaho House and Senate last year passed a concurrent resolution tasking the committee with finding out how much money the federal public land would generate in property taxes if privately owned. Concurrent resolutions don't need a signature from the governor. The resolution doesnt say what the committee should do with the information after it has it. Jonathan Oppenheimer of the Idaho Conservation League said he didnt see much value in the report and said there was a risk it could be used as a club to try to privatize public lands. Part of the reason we are seeing such growth in the West is accessibility to these public lands," he said. "If there is more pressure to sell off or privatize public lands, it will have a negative impact on these growing communities. The PILT payments are made annually by the U.S. Department of the Interior and its agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management. The payments also cover federal lands administered by the Forest Service and other agencies. Idaho received $34.5 million in PILT payments last year. President Joe Biden in March signed an appropriations bill that included full funding for PILT this year, but payment amounts have not been finalized. The payments are calculated based on the number of acres of federal land within each county or jurisdiction and the population of those areas. U.S. lawmakers have at times criticized the PILT program and its payments as being insufficient or undependable, jeopardizing the ability of rural areas to pay for law enforcement, firefighting and other essential services. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) The House Jan. 6 committee has interviewed more than 1,000 people who were directly or indirectly involved in the U.S. Capitol insurrection as it probes the violent attack and former President Donald Trump's unprecedented efforts to overturn his election defeat. Several will return for a series of public hearings starting Thursday as the committee begins to present its findings to the public. The panel is expected to bring in some of its most informative and revelatory witnesses as it recounts Trump's efforts to pressure state officials, members of Congress and his own vice president to reject President Joe Biden's victory. On Thursday evening, they will interview British filmmaker Nick Quested, who recorded members of the far-right Proud Boys as they stormed the building, and Caroline Edwards, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who was seriously injured in last year's attack. Some of the interviews conducted by the panel were with well-known figures, among them members of Trump's family and top White House aides. Others were with lower-level staffers or government officials who attended key meetings or had knowledge of specific developments. The committee has talked to police officers, campaign aides and some of the rioters themselves. Most of the witnesses sat for voluntary interviews, but the panel has issued more than 100 subpoenas. The House voted to pursue contempt charges against four people who refused to comply, and the Justice Department is prosecuting two of them former Trump aides Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. The department declined to prosecute former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Trump aide Dan Scavino. A look at some of the committee's witnesses and some who refused to cooperate as the panel holds hearings this month: TRUMPS INNER CIRCLE The committee met with several key members of Trump's family, including children Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka's husband, Jared Kushner. Former White House press secretaries Kayleigh McEnany and Stephanie Grisham have also appeared, as has former senior policy adviser Stephen Miller. The panel also interviewed Kashyap Patel, a White House national security aide who moved to the Pentagon in the weeks after Trump lost the election and was in communication with the White House as Trump's supporters pushed into the Capitol. The panel's probe has attempted to dissect what the Trump was doing as the rioters stormed in. And while Meadows eventually declined to sit for an interview, he did provide the panel with thousands of his text messages as part of negotiations over his testimony. Those text messages show the White House chaos that day as aides and allies pressed Trump to intervene and stop the violence. One of Meadows' former aides, Cassidy Hutchinson, told the committee that Meadows had received potential warnings of violence on Jan. 6. She also described how the White House counsels office cautioned against Trump's plans to enlist fake electors in swing states, including in meetings attended by Meadows and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani. PENCES ORBIT The committee has also delved deeply into Trump's pressure on Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the election certification in Congress. The panel didn't publicly call Pence to testify, but the lawmakers talked to several of Pences aides, many of whom were frustrated at how the vice president was treated as Trump publicly urged him to try to overturn the election count a power he did not legally have. Some of the rioters chanted Pences name as they broke into the Capitol and called for his hanging. The aides who testified included Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, his national security adviser, Keith Kellogg, and former communications aide Alyssa Farah. Greg Jacob, who served as Pences chief counsel in the vice presidents office, also spoke to the panel. As part of a court filing, the committee released emails between Jacob and lawyer John Eastman, who was working with Trump, in which Jacob said that Pence could not intervene in his ceremonial role and halt the certification of the electoral votes. Jacob told Eastman the legal framework he was putting forward to do just that was essentially entirely made up. Eastman has fought the committee's requests for his records, but a court has ordered him to release some of them to the panel. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS The panel last month subpoenaed five Republican lawmakers, including House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, but none has so far complied. McCarthy has acknowledged he spoke with Trump on Jan. 6 as Trumps supporters were beating police outside the Capitol and forcing their way into the building. But he has not shared many details. The committee requested information about his conversations with Trump before, during and after the riot. Subpoenas were also issued to Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Mo Brooks of Alabama. All four met with Trump and White House officials as the former president focused on the Jan. 6 congressional electoral count as his last opportunity to overturn his defeat. In a letter to the panel, an attorney for McCarthy argued that the select committee does not have the authority to issue subpoenas to the lawmakers under House rules and demanded answers to a series of questions and documents if his client were to comply. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT The panel has also spoken to Justice Department officials, including former Attorney General Bill Barr, former acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and his deputy, Richard Donoghue. Barr resigned from office in December 2020 after announcing that the department had found no widespread fraud in the election. After he left, Rosen and Donoghue defended the department against intense pressure from Trump and his allies, who wanted them to declare that there had been fraud and go after states that had certified Biden's win. The committee also interviewed Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official who was sympathetic to Trump as he tried to overturn the vote. Clark had drafted a letter for key swing states never sent that falsely claimed the department had discovered troubling irregularities in the election. A White House lawyer at the time, Pat Cipollone, told Trump the letter was a murder-suicide pact. Yet Trump still came close to installing Clark as attorney general, only to back down when confronted with the likelihood of mass resignations at the Justice Department. The panel has reached out to Rosen to testify at one of the June hearings, according to a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations. RIOTERS, AND THOSE THEY ATTACKED The panel has spoken to some of the rioters who were charged after the insurrection. Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, appeared remotely before the panel in February from a federal jail where he has been awaiting trial on sedition charges. Rhodes and 10 others were the first to be charged with seditious conspiracy for their roles in the violent insurrection. Lawmakers also interviewed some of the law enforcement officers who were attacked and security officials who oversaw them. Four police officers testified at the panel's first hearing last July, telling of the lasting mental and physical injuries they suffered when they were overwhelmed and viciously beaten by the mob. RALLY ORGANIZERS Another focus of the panel has been the massive Trump rally on the National Mall that was held that morning and went on even after the Capitol breach began. Included on a list of 11 subpoenas in September were Amy and Kylie Kremer, founders of Women for America First, a group that helped organize the rally; Cynthia Chafian, an organizer who submitted the first permit for the rally; Caroline Wren, who the committee says was listed on permit paperwork for the Jan. 6 rally as a VIP Advisor; and Maggie Mulvaney, who the panel says was listed on the permit as VIP Lead. Most of those subpoenaed cooperated. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Michael Balsamo and Jill Colvin contributed to this report. ___ For more coverage of the Jan. 6 insurrection hearings, go to https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3 NEW YORK (AP) Fresh off his legal battle with his ex-wife, Johnny Depp has announced that he and legendary guitarist Jeff Beck will release an album of mostly covers next month. The duos 13-track album is titled 18 and will drop on July 15. They said they titled the album after the creative outburst they felt working together. "We would joke about how we felt 18 again, so that just became the album title, too, Beck said in a statement. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A Tennessee death row inmate convicted of a 1994 slaying can pursue arguments that he is intellectually disabled and should not be executed under state law, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris issued an order Tuesday granting a stay in federal court proceedings for Tyrone Chalmers, who was convicted in 1997 of robbing a man of $3 and killing him in Shelby County. Norris' order allows Chalmers, 49, to once again pursue arguments in state court that Tennessee lacks authority to execute him. Previous attempts have failed, and the Tennessee Supreme Court has rejected efforts to reopen post-conviction proceedings for him. A Vanderbilt University professor said in 2012 that Chalmers had functional intelligence at or below 70, court documents showed. The order comes about seven months after a judge threw out the death penalty for Pervis Payne, ruling that he was intellectually disabled when he was convicted for the 1987 slayings of a mother and her 2-year-old daughter in Shelby County. Payne will be eligible for parole in about five years after the judge re-sentenced him to serve two concurrent life sentences. Executions of the intellectually disabled were ruled unconstitutional in 2002, when the U.S. Supreme Court found they violate the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment. But until Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill in 2021 making Tennessees law retroactive in prohibiting the execution of the intellectually disabled, Tennessee had no mechanism for an inmate to reopen a case to press a mental disability claim. Based on the Tennessee amendment to the intellectual disability statute, Chalmers may now exhaust his intellectual disability claim, Norris wrote in his order. Earlier this month, Tennessee death row inmate Byron Black appealed a trial courts dismissal of his request to be declared intellectually disabled. In May, Lee paused all executions through the remainder of the year after he called off a separate execution in April because of an oversight in preparations for the lethal injection. Lee has appointed former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton to review circumstances that led to the failure, which the state has said included a lack of required testing for endotoxins in the drugs. Chalmers was convicted of first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in 1997 in the killing of Randy Allen, 28. Allen was found lying face down on a Memphis sidewalk in August 1994. His pants and underwear had been pulled down around his ankles, and he had been shot five times, court documents showed. Then 21, Chalmers acknowledged shooting Allen, who was robbed of $3. During trial, Chalmers testified he had been drinking alcohol and had smoked crack cocaine for the first time just hours before the killing. He told Allen's family that he was sorry and expressed his desire to take the victims place if he could, court documents showed. TIRANA, Albania (AP) Lightning storms in Albania flooded cities, caused power outages in the capital and led to the death of at least person Thursday, authorities said. Police said a 51-year-old man died in a fire after lightning hit a home in the northwestern village of Dedaj and caused an electrical short. Another man was injured, police said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A major free zone operator in Dubai owned by the sheikhdom's ruler said Thursday it would make an initial public offering on the local stock market, the latest state asset to list in an effort to boost the city-state's bourse. The TECOM Group, whose 10 holdings include Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, plans to offer 625 million shares on the Dubai Financial Market. TECOM said it planned to offer investors dividends of $218 million a year for the next three years. The offer would represent 12.5% of all shares of TECOM, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, part of the vast government enterprises informally known as Dubai Inc. and overseen by its ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. TECOM reported having revenues of over $480 million in 2021, with a profit of nearly $320 million. With our intention to list ... we are expanding our contribution to Dubais financial market and bolstering our vision to further unlock the emirates economic and business growth potential," said Malek Al Malek, TECOM's chairman. TECOM said it hoped to begin trading its shares on July 5. The listing is part of a wider plan announced last November by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the son of Dubais ruler, to list 10 state industries on the stock market to boost its profile and raise new capital for the skyscraper-lined emirate. Dubai is home to 3.5 million people and has seen a surge of interest as the sheikhdom weathered the pandemic and kept its vital tourism and real estate markets afloat. TECOM is one of Dubai's top operators of free zones, which allow foreign companies to operate in a tax-free environment and maintain 100% of their ownership. Dubais Water and Electricity Authority, known as DEWA, began trading a portion of its shares for the first time in April after raising over $6 billion during its IPO. A renewed wave of IPOs has struck across the Gulf Arab states, likely fueled by the listing of the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., or Saudi Aramco. Even long-haul carrier Emirates, the jewel of Dubai Inc., has been discussed as a possible IPO target. But risks remain particularly after Yemen's Houthi rebels launched attacks on the country at the start of the year. Although the UAE continues to exercise de-escalation diplomacy and self-restraint, there can be no assurance that tensions will not continue to escalate in the region, or that further attacks will not happen, the prospectus warned. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) A Minnesota man accused of dealing drugs out of a motorhome has been sentenced to 27 years in prison, according to federal authorities in South Dakota. A federal indictment accuses Frank Stewart, 62, of participating in a drug ring that distributed massive amounts of methamphetamine in South Dakota and elsewhere. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A Minnesota tribe is set to get back 28,000 acres that the federal government sold off in the 19th century. Minnesota Public Radio reported Wednesday that the land is within the Bois Forte Band of Chippewas reservation but the tribe lost title to it after the federal government split it into parcels and sold it under the 1887 General Allotment Act. LAS VEGAS (AP) A teenager who was hiking in an undeveloped area in west Las Vegas has been found dead, police said Thursday. The teenager's body was found west of Lake Mead Boulevard and Interstate 215 near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, police said. The teenager had been reported missing Wednesday afternoon after not returning home as expected, police said in a statement. BANGKOK (AP) A court in Myanmar ruled Thursday that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Australian economist Sean Turnell and three other defendants to continue their trial on charges of violating the official secrets law. Turnell had served as an adviser to Suu Kyi, who was arrested when her elected government was ousted by the army on Feb. 1, 2021. The militarys takeover triggered peaceful nationwide protests that security forces quashed with lethal force, triggering armed resistance that some U.N. experts now characterize as civil war. Turnell was arrested in Yangon, the largest city, a few days after the military seized power. He is being tried in the capital, Naypyitaw, with Suu Kyi and three former Cabinet members charged in the same case. Violating the official secrets law carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. The colonial-era statute criminalizes the possession, collection, recording, publishing or sharing of state information that is directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy. The exact details of Turnells alleged offense and those of the others have not been made public, though Myanmar state television, citing government statements, has said the Australian academic had access to secret state financial information and had tried to flee the country. Turnell is also being prosecuted under the immigration law, which carries a punishment of six months to five years' imprisonment. Prosecutions under the immigration law are common for foreigners being held for other offenses. A legal official who is familiar with Turnells case said he and his co-defendants were formally indicted Thursday, allowing their trial to continue. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information. Under Myanmar law, a judge can order an end to a trial after the prosecution has presented its case if it is found to not have merit. If the judge finds the prosecution case credible, the trial continues into a second phase in which the defense presents its case and a verdict is rendered. The court in coming weeks will hear the defense arguments, including a re-examination of the prosecutions witnesses. The legal official said Turnell, who is detained at a prison in Naypyitaw, appeared to be in good health. Suu Kyi is currently being tried in Naypyitaw on several charges including corruption and election fraud. The cases against her, lodged at the behest of the military-installed government, are widely seen as an effort to discredit her to prevent her return to politics. LAS VEGAS (AP) The Nevada Supreme Court is considering whether an initiative will advance to the ballot in November to ask voters if they want to create open primaries and ranked-choice voting in general elections. Justices took no immediate action after hearing arguments Wednesday on an appeal by attorneys representing Democrats who argue the proposed measure violates a state constitutional requirement that ballot questions address just one subject. Initiative proponents, backed by the Nevada Voters First political action committee, say the measure dubbed Better Voting Nevada addresses only one subject the method for electing representatives for Congress, statewide offices and the Legislature. A state judge in Carson City ruled in January that the measure met Nevadas rules with "plain language (that) is straightforward, succinct, and non-argumentative. Nevada Voters First says it is ready to submit by June 29 more than the 140,000 signatures needed to qualify the proposed constitutional amendment for the ballot. Voters would need to pass it twice, in 2022 and 2024, for it to become law. The initiative would change Nevadas closed primaries, currently involving only members of political parties, to open voting regardless of party affiliation. Proponents note that nonpartisan voters, now nearly 29% of the states 1.8 million active voters, are unable to vote for partisan offices in primary elections. Democrats make up 33% of voters in Nevada, and Republicans almost 30%. Primary voters would rank five candidates in order of preference and the top five vote-getters, regardless of party, would advance to the general election. Balloting then would also use ranked-choice order-of-preference. The appeal to the Supreme Court came on a lawsuit filed by Churchill County voter and Democratic party staff member Nathan Helton to try to stop Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske from putting the Nevada Voters First measure on the ballot. The Nevada Independent reported that during Supreme Court arguments, Justice James Hardesty noted the petition description of the initiative does not address a voting option unique to Nevada None of These Candidates and questioned how selections for that option would be tabulated. The initiative says votes for None of These Candidates would be tabulated, reported and made public but would not be counted to elect or rank candidates for partisan offices. The Independent reported that opposition to the initiative emerged last month with creation of the Let Nevadans Vote coalition, which is pushing to let voters withdraw their signatures from the petition. Prominent Democrats including Gov. Steve Sisolak and U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto also have voiced opposition to ranked-choice voting. Theyve argued the system is confusing and time-consuming and would lead to votes being thrown out. MEXICO CITY (AP) The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has authorized Russian troops, planes and ships to deploy to Nicaragua for purposes of training, law enforcement or emergency response. In a decree published this week, and confirmed by Russia on Thursday, Ortega will allow Russian troops to carry out law enforcement duties, humanitarian aid, rescue and search missions in emergencies or natural disasters. The Nicaraguan government also authorized the presence of small contingents of Russian troops for exchange of experiences and training. Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told the Russian news outlet Sputnik that the measure was routine. We are talking about a routine twice a year procedure for the adoption of a Nicaraguan law on the temporary admission of foreign military personnel to its territory in order to develop cooperation in various areas, including humanitarian and emergency responses, combatting organized crime and drug trafficking, Zakharova said. She noted the law also authorizes troops from the United States, Mexico and other Central American countries for such purposes. Ortega has been a staunch ally of Russia since his days in the leadership of the 1979 revolution that ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza. Ortega served as president from 1985 to 1990, before being re-elected to power in 2007. Ortegas government arrested dozens of political opposition leaders, including most of the potential presidential candidates, in the months before his re-election to a fourth consecutive term last year. His government has shut down dozens of nongovernmental groups that he accuses of working on behalf of foreign interests to destabilize his government. Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have been chased into exile. ___ This story, which originally moved on June 9, corrects the spelling of Nicaragua in the headline. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BAGHDAD (AP) Eight months after national elections, Iraq still doesnt have a government and there seems to be no clear way out of the dangerous deadlock. Political elites are embroiled in cutthroat competition for power, even as the country faces growing challenges, including an impending food crisis resulting from severe drought and the war in Ukraine. For ordinary Iraqis, everything is delayed. The caretaker government is unable to make crucial electricity payments or draft plans for badly needed investment ahead of the critical summer months. Investments to upgrade water infrastructure have been paused while unemployment, water shortages and concerns over food security are drawing public anger. The election was held several months earlier than expected, in response to mass protests that broke out in late 2019 and saw tens of thousands rally against endemic corruption, poor services and unemployment. The vote brought victory for powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and was a blow for his Iran-backed Shiite rivals, who lost about two-thirds of their seats and have rejected the results. Personal vendettas spanning decades underpin the Shiite rivalry, pitting al-Sadr and his Kurdish and Sunni allies on one side against the Coordination Framework, a coalition led by Iran-backed Shiite parties, and their allies on the other. In the middle are the independents, themselves divided amid attempts by rival factions to lure them to either side. Its not about power; its about survival, said Sajad Jiyad, an Iraq-based fellow with The Century Foundation. Meanwhile, anger among the Iraqi public is growing as food prices soar and electricity cuts worsen. Last month, caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was forced to leave the Baghdad funeral of a celebrated poet after some mourners began chanting anti-government slogans and pelting the convoys of other government officials. Political obstruction impacts the work of the government and the state, and lowers the morale of citizens, al-Kadhimi told reporters on Tuesday, blaming the impasse for obstructing his reform plans. The U.N. envoy for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, warned Iraqi political leaders last month that the streets are about to boil over and said national interests were taking a backseat to short-sighted considerations of control over resources. Al-Sadr, whose party garnered the most seats in the election, has not been able to corral enough lawmakers to parliament to get the two-thirds majority needed to elect Iraq's next president a necessary step ahead of naming the next prime minister and selecting a Cabinet. Al-Sadr's tripartite alliance includes Taqadum, a Sunni party led by Mohammed Halbousi who was elected parliament speaker in January, and the Kurdish Democratic Party lead by Masoud Barzani. The bloc is intent on forming a majority government, which would be a first since a consensus-based power-sharing system was introduced following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq to oust dictator Saddam Hussein. The government would exclude Iran-backed Shiite rivals of the Coordination Framework, which includes former Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis State of Law and the Kurdish Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party. Both al-Sadr and al-Maliki, longtime bitter political adversaries, have built up loyalists throughout ministries to advance their political agendas and fear that if in power, the other will use state resources including the judiciary, anti-corruption committees to purge institutions of rivals. Also, al-Sadr and Qais al-Khazali, whose powerful Iranian-backed militia is part of the Framework alliance, are engaged in a deadly feud, with assassination campaigns targeting members of their militias across Iraqs Shiite southern heartland. Paradoxically, the current stalemate is in part a consequence of parties moving away from sectarian-oriented groups. In the past, Shiite alliances would form a united front to negotiate with Sunni and Kurdish blocs. But this time, alliances have crossed sectarian lines, inflaming tensions within each sect. In the absence of an agreement, many fear violent protests by al-Sadrs large grassroots following and potential clashes with Iran-backed militias. In a May 16 speech, a visibly frustrated al-Sadr pledged never to strike a deal with his rivals. He also alluded to the capabilities of his own militia, Saraya Salam, which recently opened the doors for recruits in Babylon and Diyala provinces. In a sign of positions hardening, al-Sadr again vowed on Thursday not to back down and called on lawmakers from his bloc to prepare their resignations, although he stopped short of asking them to resign. Al-Sadr was also angered by a recent Iraqi Supreme Court decision prohibiting the caretaker government from drafting and passing laws. This effectively struck down an emergency food bill needed for the caretaker government to use public funds to pay for food items and buy energy from Iran in the absence of a budget. Al-Sadr, who had pushed the bill, saw the court's decision as a move leaning toward the Framework. However, in a small win for al-Sadr, Parliament convened late Wednesday and passed the food security bill. Iraqi militia leaders speak privately of concerns that the stalemate could ignite street protests by supporters of al-Sadr and dissolve into violence between them and rival armed Shiite militias. Iraq has in the past seen protracted political wrangling among rival groups on choosing a new president and prime minister, though the current stalemate in electing a president is the longest yet. This time, Iran has not been able to mend rifts between Shiite rivals a role that used to fall to the top Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in January 2020. At least three trips to Iraq by Soleimani's successor to mediate among Shiites failed to produce a breakthrough. Recently, Tehran cut 5 million cubic meters of gas exports to Baghdad, citing non-payment issues. Iraq's Electricity Minister Adel Karim told The Associated Press last month he had no idea how Iraq would pay the nearly $1.7 billion in arrears before the scorching summer months. Meanwhile, the independents parties drawn from the 2019 protest movement who ran under the so-called Imtidad list and won nine seats in the 329-seat legislature seem to have lost their way. They had sworn to become a formidable opposition force to represent the protesters' demands in parliament. The head of the movement, Alaa Rikabi, recently froze his position after members resigned over his vote in favor of electing Halbousi as parliament speaker. The protesters see Halbousi as complicit in the killings of activists during the protests. A spokesman for Imtidad, Rasoul Al-Saray, said the two Shiite blocs want to use the independents to cover their failure to form a government. Some independents have said they faced threats and fear for their lives; one said he was offered tens of thousands of dollars in way of bribes to side with the anti-Sadrist group. The independents spoke anonymously, fearing for their safety. With prospects for a consensus government dwindling, some have floated the option of new elections. But Jiyad, the Century fellow, disagrees. Its starting from zero and a risk to everyone, he said. CAMERON, N.C. (AP) Sheriff's deputies in a North Carolina county shot and killed a man armed with a rifle early Thursday after his family called to say he was experiencing a mental health episode, authorities said. The Harnett County Sheriff's Office said family members called to report that a man was armed with a rifle and was walking along N.C. Highway 27 in the Johnsonville community, news outlets reported. JERSEYVILLE A Jersey County nursing home is being fined $25,000 after the Illinois Department of Public Health determined it failed to implement progressive interventions to prevent falls. The state said the facility also failed to notify a physician and obtain treatment orders for a patient who had a fall. Willow Rose Rehab & Health was among facilities statewide cited with an A violation of the Nursing Home Care Act between January and March. An A violation pertains to a condition in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious mental or physical harm will result or has resulted, according to the state health department. Willow Rose Rehab & Health is a 98-bed skilled care facility at 410 Fletcher St. It is owned by Peoria-based Petersen Health Care. The facility was investigated after a complaint that a resident fell and wasn't sent to a hospital for "multiple days." The resident was diagnosed with a fractured right hip and required surgery, according to the investigator's notes. Willow Rose Rehab documents indicate the resident had mobility issues and cognitive impairments and suffered repeated falls, including on June 4, 2021, Aug. 15 and Oct. 22. Although the falls were documented in nurses' notes, there was nothing to indicate the facility implemented and documented progressive interventions to address the falls and prevent them in the future, according to the investigator. The third fall occurred when the resident tried to stand up from a wheelchair. A nurse documented the fall and notified a physician, who ordered an X-ray, according to state health department document. An X-ray report that day said the resident's right hip showed "chronic and degenerative changes" and that "short interval followup (is) recommended, if symptoms persist, as a non-displaced fracture cannot be excluded." Daily nursing notes indicate the patient continued to complain about pain, and the patient's physician was called Oct. 24 and then again Oct. 25. The physician requested the patient be sent to an emergency room, where a hip fracture was diagnosed. A nursing supervisor said she was not working the weekend after the fall Oct. 22 was a Friday and was not aware the resident was in pain, but said the "expectation would be for the staff to use nursing judgment and send a resident to the emergency room if pain continued." "Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to implement progressive interventions to prevent falls and failed to notify the physician and obtain treatment orders in a timely manner regarding continued pain and decreased mobility," according to the state's findings. Violations were cited at 74 facilities across the state during the first quarter of this year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health; five of those were the most-serious AA violations, in which there was a condition or occurrence at a facility that proximately caused a residents death. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 K.M. Chaudary/AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 K.M. Chaudary/AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 ISLAMABAD (AP) Thousands of Islamists rallied Thursday and briefly scuffled with police in Pakistan's capital, urging Muslim countries to cut diplomatic ties with New Delhi over remarks by two officials from Indias ruling party that were derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad. The scuffles between demonstrators from the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan party and police erupted when the protesters tried to march toward the Indian Embassy in Islamabad but were stopped by police. No one was reported hurt in the melee. EAST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) An elderly man's body was found inside a Connecticut home more than a year after his death a discovery prompted by a call to a funeral home asking about arranging services for someone who died in April 2021, police said Thursday. The dead mans name, how he died and why his death was not reported sooner were not immediately disclosed. An autopsy was planned Thursday. LISBON, Portugal (AP) Portugals parliament voted for the third time in just over a year Thursday in favor of allowing euthanasia, though like the previous two attempts, the country's Constitutional Court or president could lawmakers' support from becoming law. Lawmakers approved four bills that would permit euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in Portugal. A bill introduced by the governing center-left Socialist Party passed on a 128-88 vote, with five abstentions. The other three bills, from smaller center-left parties, carried by almost identical margins. A few dozen people held a silent protest outside the parliament building in Lisbon, the capital, while the debate and votes took place. The bills require the head of states approval to become law. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa could choose to block the legislation again or to send it once more to the Constitutional Court for vetting. The rejection of the previous two bills was largely due to unclear wording. Euthanasia is when a doctor directly administers fatal drugs to a patient. Medically assisted suicide is when patients administer the lethal drug themselves, under medical supervision. Isabel Moreira, a Socialist lawmaker who championed the legislation, said the law is an invitation to understand others: When in doubt, show tolerance. Paulo Rios, of the main opposition Social Democratic Party, opposed the bill, asking: Arent we overlooking other answers to serious and incurable diseases? Portugal's top court blocked a bill in March 2021, saying its wording was imprecise. In November, the president vetoed a second parliament-sanctioned bill. He said further clarification was needed about whether the proposed law would apply only to incurable illnesses or whether it could be extended to fatal or serious illnesses. But none of the four new bills addresses Rebelo de Sousa's specific concerns. Instead, they attempt to simplify circumstances where euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are justified by referring to a situation of intolerable suffering, with a definitive injury of extreme seriousness or a serious and incurable disease. That omission is unlikely to please the president. The four bills next go to a committee stage, where they likely will be blended into one, before being voted on again and sent to the head of state. That process could take months. Left-of-center parties in the mostly Catholic country backed the euthanasia bills, as they did with laws allowing abortion in 2007 and same-sex marriages in 2010. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that private companies providing services to people in Oregon jail custody must abide by federal laws prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations. The ruling last week came in a case involving a deaf man who filed a federal discrimination lawsuit, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. It notches a victory for civil rights advocates, who argued that people with disabilities have borne an outsized burden when seeking medical care while incarcerated. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is holding virtual public forums in the next few days to explain proposed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goals. The goals are intended to make sure certified businesses are able to compete fairly for federally funded transportation projects, the cabinet said. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a case that challenges Mississippis 15-week abortion ban, sometime in June. The case has major implications for the landmark abortion decisions Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, two cases that give women a constitutional right to an abortion. A recent Gallup poll highlights sentiment among Americans regarding potentially overturning Roe. v. Wade and more. A leaked draft opinion in May indicated a majority of Supreme Court justices supported overturning Roe v. Wade, which would give individual states more power in regulating abortion, including banning it completely. If the case is overturned, Texas has a trigger law which would automatically ban all abortion, with an exception for medical emergencies, 30 days after the courts ruling. As the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization looms, a poll from Gallup indicates that 58% of Americans do not want Roe v. Wade to be overturned. Just over one-third (35%) support overturning the decision, while another 7% said they have no opinion, the polling shows. Additionally, 63% of people said allowing states to establish their own abortion laws would be a bad thing, while 32% said the opposite, the poll found. As has historically been the case, the support for overturning Roe v. Wade is split between party lines. The poll, which was conducted between May 2-22, found that nearly 6-in-10 Republicans (58%) support overturning the case, while just 15% of Democrats think the same. Independent voters are also more likely to not support overturning the case, with 62% in opposition to doing so compared to 34% of these voters that support it. Despite nearly a third (31%) of Republicans not supporting overturning Roe v. Wade, GOP support for doing so is at an all-time high in the last 20 years, the poll shows. Similarly, support for overturning the case from Independent voters tied the 20-year high set in July 2005. Democratic support for overturning Roe v. Wade has been halved since it hit 30% in March 2002. In Texas, more people oppose banning all abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade is overturned than those who support it (54% to 35%), according to April polling from the Texas Politics Project. Broken down by party identification, the trends in the state follow nationwide polling, with 57% of Republicans supporting banning all abortions and 80% of Democrats opposing it. Independent voters follow similar nationwide trends, as 57% of these Texan voters oppose a total abortion ban and 26% support one. Texas has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, S.B. 8, with abortion banned after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The law has led to a more than 50% decrease in abortions performed in the state but has resulted in a tenfold increase in Texans seeking out-of-state abortions. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A Sioux City man who promised to behead President Joe Biden and predicted blood in the streets has pleaded guilty to a single charge and faces up to six months in prison for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Kenneth Rader, 54, entered the guilty plea Tuesday to a federal judge in Washington by video conference. Rader was allowed to remain free on bond. Rader initially pleaded not guilty to four counts. In an agreement with federal prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to demonstrating in the Capitol and prosecutors agreed to drop three charges, including disorderly conduct in a restricted building. He was arrested Jan. 20 in Sioux City after the FBI received a tip from a relative that Rader was involved in the Capitol insurrection. The tipster referred to Rader as my radicalized family member. Rader admitted in court documents that he drove to Washington from Iowa to protest Congress certification of Biden's win. In social media postings, he wrote about a pending civil war, that he had joined a militia and that those who went along with a Biden presidency were complicit in treason. In late 2020, he wrote that the certification and inauguration of Biden would spill blood in the streets and that there will be no peaceful transfer of power. He made further statements that Biden would never be president and that Ill behead him like ISIS. Rader climbed scaffolding outside the Capitol and entered the building, remaining inside for three minutes after gathering glass shards from a broken window and plaster from the walls as souvenirs. Photos show him wearing a hooded sweatshirt with Trump 2020 on the front. Rader faces up to six months in prison, probation of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. He will be sentenced Sept. 9. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate JOHANNESBURG (AP) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was confronted in Parliament Thursday by opposition politicians who pressed him to step down from office pending a criminal investigation into allegations that he covered up a theft from his rural game farm. Parliament members from the Economic Freedom Fighters were forcibly removed from the legislature's session for repeatedly interrupting Ramaphosa as he presented the annual budget for his office. We cant be addressed by a money launderer and a criminal," shouted Natasha Ntlangwini, an EFF member of parliament. We cant be addressed by a person that ... is accused of serious crimes. She was later ejected from the session by security guards. The theft in 2020 of a large amount of cash in U.S. dollars from his ranch in the northern Limpopo province was alleged in a criminal complaint filed this month by former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser. Ramaphosa later confirmed the burglary and said the cash was from selling game animals on his farm. The president said that he reported it to the head of his personal protection unit but not to the police. The scandal is a major blow to Ramaphosas image as a leader committed to stamping out corruption in South Africa. His strong stance against corruption propelled him to power in 2018 when former President Jacob Zuma was forced to step down from power amid widespread graft allegations. Ramaphosa again vowed to root out corruption in the 2019 election when he won a five-year term as the country's president. The questions surrounding the theft come as Ramaphosa seeks re-election as the leader of the ruling party, the African National Congress, at its national conference in December this year. Some of the questions Ramaphosa has been asked include: How much money in U.S. dollars was stolen from his farm? Where did the money come from? Was the foreign exchange declared to the South African Revenue Service? The populist Economic Freedom Fighters, the second-largest opposition party in Parliament, said it has briefed its lawyers to launch legal proceedings to force Ramaphosa to step down pending the criminal investigation. Another opposition party, the United Democratic Movement, has formally requested Parliament to launch its own probe into the matter and for Ramaphosa to appear before it. In South Africa, the president may be removed from office by a vote of no confidence by Parliament. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Basil Rajapaksa, the younger brother of Sri Lanka's president and the country's former finance minister, said he resigned from Parliament on Thursday amid mounting criticism of his role in the island nation's economic crisis, as the United Nations launched an appeal for $47.2 million in emergency aid. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said Sri Lanka needs about $6 billion to pay for vital imports and stay afloat for the next six months. Rajapaksa said he submitted a letter to give up his Parliament seat but insisted that he was not solely responsible for the country's economic hardships. The crisis was there even when I took over, he said at a news conference. I did my best with all my strength. He served as finance minister from July last year until April, when he resigned with other ministers over the governments failure to resolve the economic situation. His resignation from Parliament is seen as a severe blow to his family's dynasty, which has faced growing public outrage. The powerful Rajapaksa family has ruled Sri Lanka for much of the past two decades. For months, Sri Lankans have endured severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines, power outages and other difficulties because of an acute foreign currency shortage that prevents the country from buying needed imported goods and repaying its debts. The United Nations said it launched the appeal on Thursday in response to a government request for assistance focusing on healthcare, food and agriculture, safe drinking water and protection of livelihoods. It said 5.7 million Sri Lankans are in need of humanitarian assistance, but that the appeal will focus on 1.7 million who are most at risk and in need of urgent help. If we dont act now, many families will be unable to meet their basic food needs, the U.N resident coordinator in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, said in a statement. Sri Lankas once-strong healthcare system is now in jeopardy, livelihoods are suffering and the most vulnerable are facing the greatest impact. Now is the time for the international community to show solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, she said. Rajapaksa said Thursday that successive governments that ruled Sri Lanka since the 1950s also deserve blame because they took loans and spent them without taking steps to avert a crisis. He said he would not be involved in the government anymore but vowed to continue political work. Protesters have occupied the entrance to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office for more than 50 days demanding his resignation, saying the primary responsibility for the economic crisis rests with him and his family, whom they accuse of corruption and mismanagement. The protests drove another family member, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, from office last month amid nationwide violence in which his supporters attacked peaceful protesters. Another of the presidents siblings and a nephew also resigned from their Cabinet posts but still serve as lawmakers. Mahinda Rajapaksa was Sri Lankas president from 2005 to 2015. Demonstrations continued Thursday, with police using tear gas to prevent protesters from breaking into the police headquarters to demand action against the Rajapaksa supporters involved in the attacks. They also demanded the release of people they said had been unfairly detained in relation to retaliatory attacks in which nine people, including a lawmaker, were killed and dozens of homes of officials and ruling party supporters were burned. Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt. The government announced last month that it is suspending nearly $7 billion in foreign debt repayments due this year out of about $25 billion due by 2026. Sri Lankas total foreign debt stands at $51 billion. Authorities have started discussions with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package and have asked it to lead a conference to unite Sri Lankas lenders. Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP BRUSSELS (AP) The European Unions top court ruled Thursday that British citizens living long-term in the 27 EU member countries have no right to vote or stand for office in the bloc unless they have obtained a European nationality. The ruling came in what was seen as a test case for the rights of U.K citizens who continue to live in the EU despite Britains exit from the bloc two years ago. More than 1 million Britons were living in Europe. Many opposed Brexit in January 2020 and had their lives upended. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate UVALDE, Texas (AP) As the small Texas city of Uvalde struggles to heal after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school, thoughts have also turned to ensuring its legacy as the centerpiece of the fight for equal education for Mexican Americans over half a century ago lives on. In 1970, there was a six-week student walkout in the district, after the school board decided not to renew the contract of George Garza, a popular Mexican American teacher at Robb Elementary School. Student demands included a bilingual curriculum and the hiring of more Mexican American teachers, but the school board refused to budge. A resulting class-action lawsuit alleging discrimination against Hispanic students resulted in the district being placed under a desegregation order in a case that took decades to resolve. Now, some Hispanic leaders in Uvalde worry that upward mobility through education here could be another victim of the May 24 shooting if students fear returning to school. I keep thinking about education, said Ronnie Garza, who is George Garza's son and a county commissioner who represents the area of Uvalde that includes Robb Elementary. I feel for the children. How are they going to feel on the first day of school? I keep thinking of the teachers. Are they going to want to come back to school? More than an hour passed from when the first police officers followed the 18-year-old gunman into the building and when he was killed, according to an official timeline. In the meantime, parents outside begged police to rush in and panicked children called 911 from inside. The head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steven McCraw, has said that the school district police chief, Pete Arredondo, who was in charge of the multiagency response, made the wrong decision to not order officers to breach the classroom more quickly to confront and kill the gunman. Arredondo has not responded to repeated interview requests and questions from The Associated Press, but has defended the response. During a sometimes contentious news conference on Thursday, Uvalde school district officials said they wouldnt answer any questions about the investigation or personnel matters, even as parents have expressed concerns about safety. When Superintendent Hal Harrell was asked if he still trusts Arredondo, he said, thats personnel. Harrell said the district would be hiring more police officers in the fall, and that there are ongoing discussions about what will become of the site where the school is located. We will not be going back to that campus in any form or fashion, Harrell said. Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Lalo Diaz, who helped identify the bodies of those who were killed at the school that he himself attended, said tearing it down will be the right thing to do. Its going to be hard for anybody to go in there, Diaz said. In the aftermath of mass shootings at schools across the country, communities have struggled with what to do with the buildings. In Newtown, Connecticut, voters authorized the demolition of the Sandy Hook Elementary School building where 26 students and teachers were killed in 2012 and construction of a new school. In Colorado, Columbine High School, where 13 were killed in a 1999 attack, still stands. At the now-closed Robb Elementary campus, some of the pecan trees planted by George Garza still provide shade. Garza had also raised money for a basketball court and a running track at the school. Alfredo Rodriguez Santos was a 17-year-old high school student in Uvalde in 1970 when he decided to participate in the walk out. Santos said that the inequality in the city was something that had already been seeping into his consciousness. We sensed things were off, but we werent able to articulate them, said Santos, who had wondered why roads were better in one part of town than the other and why Mexican American students weren't encouraged to go to college. We knew that something was wrong because a lot of kids were dropping out of school. Not a whole lot of kids were going to college," said Santos, who now lives in Austin and is publisher of bilingual newspapers. Monica Munoz Martinez, an associate professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin who grew up in Uvalde and attended Robb Elementary in the 1990s, said both of her parents participated in the walk out when they were in high school. Martinez's mom had to translate so her own Spanish-speaking mother could understand school meetings and assemblies that were only held in English. Thats one of her memories from Robb is sitting outside the door trying to listen through the crack to give an overview to her mother when she walked out of the meeting, Martinez said. Uvalde stands apart from other walk outs happening around that time, Martinez said, because the school board decided not to meet any of the demands from the parents and students. Leaders in Uvalde at that moment ... were sending the strong signal that the racial order that existed there, they were committed to maintaining, she said. In 1970, Genoveva Morales filed a class-action lawsuit against the school district alleging discrimination against Hispanic students. Eventually, a court found segregation still existed and the district was ordered to desegregate. A consent order was signed in 2008 and the lawsuit was finally resolved in 2017. Martinez's mother went on to work in the school district for 35 years, including as an administrator, and was a member of the school board when the junior high was named for Morales. The parents of some of those killed at Robb Elementary and injured students have been speaking out, including giving testimony this week to Congress as lawmakers work to strike a bipartisan agreement on gun safety measures. I hope that the voices of people from Uvalde who are calling for change, that that can be a catalyst to actually helping to save more lives, not just in Texas but across the country, Martinez said. ___ More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting ___ Stengle reported from Dallas. ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) Algerias president met on Thursday with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was welcomed with pomp as he visited the North African nation. Maduro arrived Wednesday evening, greeted at the Algiers airport by Algerias prime minister, as he began what Algeria's state APS news agency called a two-day working and friendship visit." The Broadway hit "Dana H." is probably unlike any stage show you've seen before. It was penned by acclaimed playwright Lucas Hnath ("The Christians," "Red Speedo," "A Doll's House, Part 2"), based on his own mother Dana Higginbotham's harrowing experience of being abducted and held captive for five months in 1997 by a psychiatric ward patient. The story is literally told in her own words. After she recounted the ordeal for Hnath on tape, he crafted the play in which her recording is played while an actor lip-synchs onstage. Following initial runs in Los Angeles, Chicago and off-Broadway, it opened on Broadway last year and became one of the most talked-about shows in the Big Apple, and was nominated for three Tony Awards. One of the nominees is acclaimed director Les Waters, who helms the piece. Waters has directed many a show for Berkeley Repertory Theatre, which is where "Dana H." opens this week. Jordan Baker, who was an understudy for the show in New York, takes over the demanding role for the Berkeley Rep run. The 75-minute solo show is said to be intense and could be rough going for anyone who's experienced an assault or abduction. "Dana H." runs through July 10 at Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre. Proof of vaccination is required, and masks must be worn in the theater. Tickets are $22-$115; go to https://www.berkeleyrep.org/. Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. PETALUMA (BCN) A 19-year-old man was arrested in Arizona after making threats of violence at a high school that has the same name as a Petaluma campus, police said. The day before authorities determined June 2 that the online threats were made by someone in Casa Grande in Arizona regarding a school in that state, police in Petaluma shared the alert with the public -- as the city also has a Casa Grande High School -- according to a news release shared Tuesday by the Petaluma Police Department. "In conjunction with school officials, it was decided to notify parents and our community out of an abundance of caution," reads the news release. "With our understanding of the complexities of these types of investigations we were uncertain when the threat could be properly vetted, and together we wanted to ensure our community was aware of a potential threat." Police said they worked with the FBI to identify the suspect and notified police in Arizona last week. On Sunday, Casa Grande police in Arizona arrested 19-year-old Joshua Adam Bowen on suspicion of making a terrorist threat. Despite having determined that the threats were not referencing a local school, Petaluma police have stepped up safety measures given recent mass shootings. "We continue to collaborate with administrators from both Casa Grande High School and the Petaluma City School District and appreciate their partnership in keeping our students safe," police said in the news release. "Our officers continue to provide extra patrols to our school campuses and will have a presence at the upcoming high school graduations. "We would also like to acknowledge the teamwork and collaboration between our local, state, and federal partners here and in Casa Grande, Arizona that resulted in this safe outcome," the department said. Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. President Joe Biden has distanced himself from San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin after voters decidedly booted the progressive prosecutor from office Tuesday. But you wouldnt be able to tell that if you were around the conservative media side of Twitter, where the prevailing theory now is that Boudin, inexplicably, will be appointed by Biden to some high-level position in the U.S. Department of Justice. Its been peddled by some big names, including Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, as gospel. The tweet that seemingly started the rumor mill is by Harmeet Dhillon, the former chair of the San Francisco Republican Party and a former adviser to President Donald Trumps re-election campaign. Less than two hours after Boudins loss was confirmed, Dhillon tweeted, possibly jokingly, How long till the Biden regime promotes Chesa Boudin to a senior DOJ or White House position? It got considerable traction on conservative swaths of Twitter, with former Superman actor Dean Cain joking that this not-at-all-likely scenario is like an article from the Babylon Bee, a conservative satirical website in the vein of the Onion. But, no matter. The thought was presented online by someone with a blue check on Twitter, so its now all but gone from someone just thinking out loud or cracking a joke to fundamental truism. Conservative TV host and self-described wannabe cowboy John Cardillo tweeted a nearly identical question, swapping the White House position for a federal judgeship. And then Cotton got a hold of it. Chesa Boudin has already done enough damagenow, Biden must not hire him to work at DOJ, Cotton tweeted Wednesday along with a siren emoji to convey the seriousness of the matter. We don't need more soft-on-crime radicals in this Administration. Biden should put this issue to rest and confirm that Chesa will not be joining his Administration. "If Biden does nominate Chesa Boudin, Senate Republicans will unite to oppose his confirmation." The Arkansas senator doubled down, even after Bidens not-so-nice sentiments toward Boudin went public tweeting once more about how Bidens criminal justice proposals are basically the same as Boudins in an effort to seemingly tie the two together. His message has not gotten very far, with only a few hundreds likes and retweets. SFGATE reached out to Cotton's office to ask where a sitting senator caught wind of any credible knowledge that Boudin is in the good graces of the Biden administration. His office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from SFGATE. Did Cotton get fooled by two mildly viral tweets from conservative pundits one of whom is based in Florida? The far-right cable news channel One America News Network has picked the Boudin-to-Biden administration theory up, taking Dhillons tweet and folding it into their coverage of the San Francisco recall election as a legitimate rumor. There has been speculation that Boudin may be picked up by President Joe Biden as an added member of his administration, OANNs report said, "speculation" likely being the aforementioned tweets. If Cotton has indeed reliably heard that Boudin could soon work join the Biden administration, that seems like something worth clarifying. Otherwise, we'll continue operating under the assumption he was led astray by viral tweets. Happens to the best of us. WFO LOS ANGELES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 11, 2022 _____ EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 200 PM PDT Thu Jun 9 2022 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 107 expected. * WHERE...Cuyama Valley, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys, Southern Salinas Valley and Antelope Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 10 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO LOS ANGELES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 11, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 200 PM PDT Thu Jun 9 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures of 95 to 102. Warmest in the western San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. * WHERE...Central Ventura County Valleys, Southeastern Ventura County Valleys, Lake Casitas, Ojai Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 8 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 8 PM PDT * WHAT...Temperatures up to 98 expected. Mainly interior portions of the mountains. * WHERE...Santa Monica Mountains. ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 PM PDT * WHAT...Temperatures up to 100 expected, mainly lower elevations. * WHERE...Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, San Luis Obispo County Mountains, Los Angeles County Mountains and Ventura County Mountains. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 10 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO SACRAMENTO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, June 10, 2022 _____ EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Sacramento CA 249 AM PDT Thu Jun 9 2022 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures 100 to 106 expected. Overnight lows from 65 to 75. * WHERE...The Delta, the Sacramento Valley and the western side of the Northern San Joaquin Valley and the adjacent foothills. * WHEN...From 11 AM to 10 PM PDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Both Thursday and Saturday will also be hot days with moderate heat risk. In addition to hot temperatures during the daytime, there will be little overnight relief from the heat. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures 98 to 104 expected. Overnight lows from 65 to 72. * WHERE...The Motherlode and the east side of the northern San Joaquin Valley. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO NEW YORK CITY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, June 9, 2022 _____ SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Special Weather Statement National Weather Service New York NY 558 AM EDT Thu Jun 9 2022 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Fairfield, northern Westchester and eastern Putnam Counties through 645 AM EDT... At 557 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over New Canaan, moving northeast at 45 mph. HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, Milford, Shelton, New Canaan, Mount Kisco, Sherman, Brewster, Newtown, Fairfield, Greenwich, Stratford and Trumbull. 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 4150 7344 4149 7344 4150 7343 4131 7308 4130 7306 4128 7309 4125 7309 4122 7311 4098 7363 4110 7372 4109 7375 4116 7383 4153 7355 4153 7353 4155 7353 TIME...MOT...LOC 0957Z 209DEG 39KT 4112 7353 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO EL PASO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, June 8, 2022 _____ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING The National Weather Service in El Paso has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... North central El Paso County in western Texas... * Until 545 PM MDT. * At 521 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Northeast El Paso, 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... Northeast El Paso and Franklin Mountains State Park. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Brewster County through 715 PM CDT... At 625 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Big Bend National Park, or near Panther Junction, moving west at 10 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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... Panther Junction, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Study Butte, Terlingua Ranch Airport and Terlingua Ranch Lodge. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. LAT...LON 2947 10307 2917 10305 2928 10357 2955 10345 TIME...MOT...LOC 2325Z 091DEG 9KT 2928 10324 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Page Content A new set of proposed regulations in California gives companies some guidance on how they should handle sensitive personal data. On May 27, the California Consumer Protection Agency released new regulations pertaining to the California Privacy Protection Act. The agency was scheduled to meet on June 8 and likely to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking, followed by a 45-day public comment period before the new regulations are finalized. "There may be further regulations coming later this year," said Darcey Groden, a lawyer with Fisher Phillips, based in San Diego. The agency's board considered a second set of regulations to address annual cybersecurity audits, regular risk assessments, and automated decision-making. This second set of regulations could be published before the process to finalize the current set of proposed regulations is complete, she added. But don't wait to take action to ensure that you're compliant with the recent privacy laws. "Businesses need to start preparing because the California Privacy Protection Agency has made clear it wants the regulations to give the law real teeth," Groden said. Businesses that share or sell personal information must notify consumers beforehand and allow consumers to opt out. Companies must pass these legal obligations down to their service providers and contractors in their contracts. The state privacy law, passed in 2020, gives consumers the right to tell businesses to not share or sell their personal information. Consumers also have the right to request that a company delete all of their personal information. Steps To Take The first step is knowing what sensitive personal information your organization collects from customers and employees. "Businesses should scrutinize what sensitive personal information they have, whether they need it, and make sure their privacy policies and practices ensure adequate security for it," Groden advised. Sensitive personal information includes: Social Security number. Driver's license or passport number. Precise geolocation. Account log-in, financial account, debit card or credit card number. Racial or ethnic identity. Religious affiliation. Biometric or genetic information. Union membership. The second step is to update your written privacy policies and notices to customers and employees. Include the right to limit the use of sensitive personal information and the right to correct any inaccurate information. "You should plan to start early on working with your IT vendors to ensure that you have this buttoned up ahead of 2023," Groden advised. "It is not enough to have a policy in writing on how long to keep information. You need to work through the process of how you will actually purge stale data on a large scale, as compared to deleting personal information in response to individual consumer requests." The proposed regulations prohibit "dark patterns" that are designed to manipulate or subvert consumer choice. Examples of this include: Offering options on a website that say "yes" or "ask me later" (rather than "yes" or "no"). Defaulting into a choice that is considered less protective of privacy. Manipulative language, such as making a consumer click through reasons why opting out of the sale of personal information is a bad choice. "Dark patterns were already prohibited under the California Privacy Rights Act, and the proposed regulations add that obtaining consumer consent with the use of a dark pattern nullifies the consumer's consent," said Ryan Blaney, an attorney with Proskauer in Washington, D.C. The proposed regulations would allow the agency to audit a business under three scenarios: To investigate possible violations of privacy laws. If a business's processing of personal information poses significant risk to consumer privacy or security. If the business has a history of noncompliance with the state's privacy laws or any other privacy protection law. "If the proposed regulations are adopted as drafted, the agency will have a large base from which it can decide to open an investigation," Groden said. "Not only will the agency be able to open an investigation based on information from sworn affidavits under penalty from the general public, it will have the power to initiate an investigation based on referrals from other government agencies, private organizations, and even nonsworn or anonymous complaints." With organizations across the world implementing new solutions to stay connected, including video communication, it has created a diverse ecosystem of solutions and technologies from different providers. And while there are many different video conferencing providers in this ecosystem, not all of them are able to connect or interoperate with each other. As employees work from home, the office, or a mix of both, they need to easily and effectively communicate using reliable workspace solutions, regardless of what solution the other party is using. To help streamline foundational video communication in workspaces, Zoom and Microsoft have partnered to deliver Direct Guest Join, a seamless and intuitive solution that allows Zoom Rooms to call into Microsoft Teams meetings, and vice versa, without the purchase of additional licenses or third-party services. How does Direct Guest Join work? The Direct Guest Join feature makes it easy for Zoom and Microsoft Teams customers to join each others meetings with the click of a button. With this latest update, Zoom Rooms customers can directly join Microsoft Teams meetings, and Microsoft Teams Rooms customers can directly join Zoom Meetings without using any special connectors join a Zoom or Microsoft Teams meeting at the press of a button! Zoom Rooms with Microsoft Direct Guest Join can be used on Android, Windows and Mac room-based systems as well. Zooms hardware and technology partners, including Poly, Logitech, and Intel have moved quickly to support Direct Guest Join. Direct Guest Join streamlines communications Direct Guest Join helps you, your teams, and your external stakeholders get down to business faster and get more done together. Here are just a few of the ways Direct Guest Join streamlines communications: Wasted meeting minutes are a thing of the past: Take back the five or 10 minutes it takes to set up the meeting or troubleshoot connection issues and collaborate faster. Help streamline meetings with remote participants: Forget about asking remote participants or external stakeholders to join a Zoom Meeting or Microsoft Teams meeting from their computer to reliably connect simply join with the click of a button from the Zoom Room. Enjoy the functionality of your conference rooms: Give your meeting attendees the simple and dynamic in-room collaboration experience they deserve with the ability to leverage your video conferencing room system to call into Zoom or Teams meetings. By working with industry leaders such as Microsoft, Zoom is able to provide a simple meeting experience from any room or device, said Oded Gal, Zooms Chief Product Officer. Enable dynamic collaboration with Zoom Rooms Zoom strives to provide its customers and business partners with the best possible meeting experience, and its now easier to leverage your Zoom Rooms for any meeting and connect with external stakeholders. Sameer Raje, General Manager and Head, India and SAARC, Zoom, Enhancing employee and customer experience has become a top priority for businesses as employees want flexibility and are embracing more places as workspaces, and customers are seeking engaging and richer experiences. Organizations are rethinking their workspaces to redefine a successful remote, hybrid, or co-located workforce model." "With Zoom Rooms, organizations can re-enter the office safely and support their hybrid workforces. Innovative features like Workspace Reservation, Virtual Receptionist, Smart Gallery and Zoom Whiteboard empower happy and connected teams to stay productive, as well as enhance equity and inclusion in the meeting experience, regardless of where they are. Zoom Rooms can also be utilized to elevate the customer experience across industries including education and BFSI sectors. We remain committed to helping organizations in India support their workforce and their customers by delivering a frictionless and secure communications experience with Zooms platform. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Biotech Startup Expo - 2022 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on June 9 at 10:30 am, informed the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Biotech Startup Expo - 2022 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 9th June at 10:30 AM. This will be followed by his address on the occasion. The Biotech Startup Expo - 2022 is a two day event being held on 9th and 10th June. It is being organised by the Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). It is being held to mark completion of ten years of setting up of BIRAC. The theme of the Expo is Biotech Startup Innovations: Towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat. The Expo will act as a platform to connect entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, bio-incubators, manufacturers, regulators, government officials, etc. About 300 stalls will be set up at the Expo, which will showcase the applications of biotechnology in various fields such as healthcare, genomics, biopharma, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, waste-to-value, clean energy, among others. Eminent Indian-American and major fundraiser Ajay Jain Bhutoria has been named as Deputy National Finance Chair of the ruling Democratic Party in the U. FREMONT, CA: Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a prominent Indian-American and substantial fundraiser, has been named Deputy National Finance Chair of the Democratic Party in the United States. Based in Silicon Valley Bhutoria is a successful business person widely regarded as one of the Democratic Party's and US President Joe Biden's top fundraisers. A press release states Bhutoria is the only Asian-American to hold this position this year, with a proven track record and decades of combined expertise in raising resources to support Democrats up and down the ballot. Bhutoria is also a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The statement also reveals that he had worked relentlessly to improve fairness, justice, and opportunities for AAPIs across the country, with a strong focus on small business growth, strong education, fighting hate crimes, developing technology, and fair immigration, according to the statement. Several US Congressmen, US Senators, California legislators, state governors, and former US presidents have all praised Bhutoria. He has also received the South Asian Global Leadership Award and the AAPI Community Hero Award for his community efforts. Senior Workday, Functional Consultant Core HCM, Payroll, Time. Benefits, Compensation, Talent Integrations Consultant, SAP HR Consultant, and Project Manager Ajay Jain is a Senior Workday, Functional Consultant Core HCM, Payroll, Time. Benefits, Compensation, Talent Integrations Consultant, SAP HR Consultant, and Project Manager With over 14 years of expertise in the delivery of large scale, worldwide, high-value SAP HR Projects across multiple business segments while managing local and global teams and Director HR Applications, Ajay has been doing HR Applications Strategy and Management Consulting and Project Management. Functional Consultant Workday, Workday Integrations, SAP HR, ADP Global View, and HR Global Process Designs are some of the Workday projects. Ajay has over seven years of hands-on Workday HCM project implementation experience with Workday Core HR, Benefits, Payroll, Compensation, Recruitment, Integration, EIB Studio, XML, XSLT, BusinessProcesses, Cloud Connector, Workday Studio, Reports, and Third-Party Vendor Interfaces. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Frontline health workers in Victoria will receive $3000 in bonuses, as hospitals and emergency services try to retain exhausted and overworked staff and prepare for a difficult winter. The Australian Medical Association and Victorias nurses union had called for the bonus payments, fearing a mass exodus of staff who are already leaving or scaling back their hours at a concerning rate after two gruelling years and an unrelenting wave of sick patients. A man brought into the ED under cardiac arrest is worked on by the emergency team in the busy emergency department of the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Credit:Chris Hopkins While the money is unlikely to fix a serious staffing shortage, it is hoped that it will help prevent some people leaving overwhelmed public hospitals, and may encourage others back to frontline roles, or to work longer hours. As everyone is suddenly noticing their mortgage repayments [going up and] the cost of living is increasing, it will allow people to examine their own circumstances, as to whether they really want to leave the system as bad as they thought, said Dr Roderick McRae, the Victorian president of the Australian Medical Association. A High Court decision striking down a key plank of the federal governments citizenship-stripping powers could pave the way for a small number of dual nationals accused of terrorist activities to appeal against the cancellation of their Australian status under older laws. In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, the High Court found revoking the citizenship of suspected Islamic State member Delil Alexander in 2021 was unlawful because the section of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 it relied upon was unconstitutional. Then-home affairs minister Karen Andrews used her discretionary power under s36B of the act to cancel Delil Alexanders citizenship in 2021. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Constitutional expert Dr Sangeetha Pillai said the High Court ruling would affect only people whose citizenship was revoked under section 36B of the act Alexander and one other individual whom authorities have not named. Their citizenship has been restored as a result of the ruling. However, Pillai said this provision was inserted into the act as an amendment in 2020 and it was likely other people who had their citizenship stripped under an older provision would also succeed if they lodged a High Court appeal. The older provision automatically revoked the citizenship of anyone engaged in terrorism. Having lived in Hawaii for two years, Serin Lynn of Jerrabomberra is familiar with regular thongs and dress thongs (C8), adding that in Hawaii thongs are called slippahs. Dress thongs are made of thicker cloth rather than the usual rubber ones and are suitable to wear to more formal events. Both are equally effective when pegged at misbehaving family members. What is happening to our brush turkeys? asks Neil Nicoll of Waverton. Normally solitary, or perhaps just a close family of mum, dad and offspring, the other day in Kirribilli I witnessed 12 in a line crossing the road and heading for the Ensemble Theatre. Is there a stage production of The Birds on at present? It is fairly clear to John Ruffels of Blackalls Park why Terry Wooldridges urine solution for stopping footwear squeaks (C8) would work. Its like spelling the word pterodactyl the P is silent. John Grinter of Katoomba is not buying any of the reports about a lettuce shortage. Dont believe it, they are obviously not digging deep enough. Everyone knows nine-tenths of an iceberg is hidden beneath the surface. According to Graham Russell of Clovelly, There has not been a butcher shop in Clovelly for decades. Now we suddenly have two within about a kilometre, and they both look rather posh. Are butchers on the way back? Berlin: Polish President Andrzej Duda has slammed the leaders of France and Germany over their phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it was like having talks with Adolf Hitler during World War II, according to a report in the German mass-selling daily Bild. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Macron have both held one-on-one phone calls with Putin since Russia launched a devastating invasion of Ukraine, with Macron in particular stirring Ukrainian ire by saying Russia must not be humiliated so as to preserve chances of a diplomatic solution. Polish President Andrzej Duda. Credit:AP Duda, in an interview with Bild first released on its YouTube channel late on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), said such discussions only legitimised an illegal war in Ukraine. Did anyone speak like this with Adolf Hitler during World War II? Duda said. Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler must save face? That we should proceed in such a way that it is not humiliating for Adolf Hitler? I have not heard such voices. POINTE BLANCHE:--- The Causeway Bridge on Wednesday morning was put back into operation for maritime traffic after experiencing some technical challenges. The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority (SLAC) first opened to maritime traffic at 10:10 AM on Wednesday. SLAC is confident that this problem will not happen again. Technicians from Hollandia in the Netherlands arrived on the island Monday after a flight delay and worked all day on Tuesday and into Wednesday to carry out the necessary repairs to the hydraulic system where faulty sensors were replaced. Testing of the various electronic operational equipment was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday leading to a successful bridge opening operation later in the morning. Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander Gumbs would like to thank the PSG and SLAC teams who worked diligently troubleshooting the issues, and Hollandia technicians for their invaluable job to resolve the problem. Gumbs would also like to thank maritime operators, boat owners, and the community for their patience in seeing through the successful resolution of the technical challenges that were experienced with the Causeway Bridge. The Causeway Bridge which was opened in late 2013 to vehicular and maritime traffic utilizes complex advanced technology when compared to the Simpson Bay Bridge. PHILIPSBURG:---The Committee of Constitutional Affairs and Decolonization (CCAD), of Parliament will meet on June 9, 2022. The Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 9.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The agenda points: Proposal for Action following Kingdom Charter Expert Panel Discussion (IS/825/2021-2022 dated April 22, 2022) This meeting is a follow-up on the Expert Round Table discussion held on April 19, 2022. Member of Parliament, MP S.L. Duncan requested this meeting. The public is invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules and all health and safety protocols, including the wearing of a mask. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, SXM Bulletin (Cable TV 120), via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, and www.pearlfmradio.sx PHILIPSBURG:--- The people and the Government of Sint Maarten will be commemorating the 37th Anniversary of Flag Day, on June 13th, 2022. The annual commemoration of Sint Maarten Flag Day will take place from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, on the premises of the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg. The main feature of this years activities will be a Patriotic School Parade which will be led by the three primary schools in Philipsburg namely, Sister Borgia, St Joseph, and Oranje School. Some of the main highlights of this event include the raising of the Sint Maarten Flag along with official addresses by the Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and The Honorable Minister of Education Culture Youth and Sport drs. Rodolphe Samuel along with special cultural performances by King Bobo, Ilismo, Melissa Fleming, and DJ Pauly. It has been 37 years since the Sint Maarten flag was presented by Dr. Claude Wathey, approved and established by the then sitting members of Island Council on June 13th 1985., Today, the Sint Maarten Flag that was designed by Roselle Richardson remains an intricate part of the fabric of our Historical-Cultural Heritage and the cornerstone of our Patriotism. In the days, leading up to the commemoration ceremony on June 13th, Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sport drs. Rodolphe Samuel is calling on persons and businesses in the community to show their pride and patriotism by flying the Sint Maarten flag on their vehicles and buildings or wherever they deem it appropriate. The Government of Sint Maarten will do its part also as the Government Administration Building has been decorated reflecting the flag colors red white and blue. Persons are also reminded to follow proper protocol and etiquette of how the flag should be displayed Press Release Cabinet of the Ministry ECYS. Uranium Energy Corp Receives $18 Million and 25 Wyoming ISR Projects Related to the Uranium One Acquisition, and Applauds the Biden Administration for its Proposed Plan to Transition Away from Russian Nuclear Fuel Supply Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the aCompanya or aUECa https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/uranium-energy-corp/ ) is pleased to report that it has closed a series of transactions with Anfield Energy Inc. (aAnfielda) pursuant to which Anfield has settled $18.34 million of indebtedness (the aAnfield Indebtednessa) owing to UEC.A The Company received the Anfield Indebtedness through its $112 million acquisition of Uranium One Americas, Inc. (aU1 Americasa) in December 2021.A Subsequent to the closing of the Anfield Indebtedness, and the pending return of certain surety amounts related to the U1 Americas transaction, UEC will have over $182 million of cash and liquid assets, and no debt. Amir Adnani, President and CEO, stated: aWe are pleased to have completed mutually beneficial agreements where the Anfield Indebtedness has now been repaid to UEC with significant cash proceeds and a strategic equity stake in Anfield.A The transactions also include a property swap allowing us to consolidate 25 additional uranium properties into our Wyoming portfolio including the Charlie project which will be incorporated into our future mining operations at the Christensen Ranch project.A As a result, UEC will control the largest ISR uranium portfolio in the United States. We look forward to Anfielda?s progress as it emerges from these transactions debt-free and positioned as a leading conventional uranium-vanadium developer in the Uravan Mineral Belt.a Mr. Adnani continued: aThis weeka?s announcement by the Biden Administration potentially marks the beginning of a new chapter in the future of the domestic U.S. nuclear fuel industry.A In light of Russiaa?s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Biden Administration is proposing a plan whereby the Department of Energy is asking Congress for approval and appropriations to purchase $3.5 billion of domestic low-enriched uranium which is comprised of uranium, conversion and enrichment services from U.S. suppliers.A We look forward to working with the Department of Energy to advance U.S. national and energy security interests in domestic uranium capabilities as the U.S. transitions away from Russian supply.a Details of Anfield Debt Settlement The Anfield Indebtedness to UEC was settled through the payment of $9.17 million in cash plus the issuance to UEC of 96,272,918 units of Anfield (each, an aAnfield Unita), which were issued at a deemed price of $0.095 per Anfield Unit for an aggregate value of approximately $9.17 million. Each Anfield Unit is comprised of one common share of Anfield (each, an aAnfield Sharea) plus one Anfield share purchase warrant (each, an aAnfield Warranta), with each Anfield Warrant entitling UEC to acquire one Anfield Share at a price of C$0.18 per Anfield Share until May 12, 2027. The securities underlying the Anfield Units are subject to certain resale restrictions.A As a result, UEC now owns approximately 16% of Anfield on an outstanding basis (including warrants, approximately 27% on a partially diluted basis). Additionally, UEC completed a property swap agreement (the aProperty Swapa) with Anfield in which the Company will receive Anfielda?s portfolio of 25 in-situ recovery (aISRa) uranium projects in Wyoming (the aWyoming ISR Asset Portfolioa) in exchange for UECa?s Slick Rock and Long Park projects located in Colorado. The Wyoming ISR Asset Portfolio increases UECa?s Wyoming land holdings by 50%, adding 55,119 acres of federal mining claims and state mineral leases.A This includes 7.1 million feet of drill data with historic resources totaling 12.6 million lbs. U3O8 (full details of the historic resources acquired by UEC pursuant to the Property Swap can be found in Table 1 below). The Wyoming ISR Asset Portfolio is comprised of the Charlie project, located immediately adjacent to UECa?s Christensen Ranch property, along with nineA projects in the Powder River Basin, seven projects in the Great Divide Basin, fourA projects in the Wind River Basin, three projects in the Shirley Basin, and one project in the Black Hills. The Charlie project is a state mineral lease that is 90% surrounded by UECa?s Christensen Ranch permit and wellfield operations.A The Charlie project ore body is well defined and is a continuation of UECa?s ore body located between Mine Unit 8 and Mine Unit 10 at Christensen Ranch.A A Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Permit to Mine exists for the Charlie project which UEC intends to update to current standards for ISR mining and incorporate the project as two additional Mine Units of the Christensen Ranch project. About Uranium Energy Corp Uranium Energy Corp is Americaa?s leading, fastest growing, uranium mining company listed on the NYSE American. UEC is a pure play uranium company and is advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly ISR mining uranium projects. The Company has two production ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming, anchored by fully licensed and operational processing capacity at the Hobson and Irigaray Processing Plants. UEC also has seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all of their major permits in place.A Additionally, the Company has other diversified holdings of uranium assets, including: 1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of U.S. warehoused U3O8; 2) a major equity stake in the only royalty company in the sector, Uranium Royalty Corp; and 3) a pipeline of resource-stage uranium projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming and Paraguay.A The Companya?s operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining. Contact Uranium Energy Corp Investor Relations at: Toll Free:A (866) 748-1030 Fax:A (361) 888-5041 E-mail:A info@uraniumenergy.com Stock Exchange Information: NYSE American:A UEC WKN:A AAJDRR ISN:A US916896103 In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch Notices to U.S. Investors The Wyoming ISR Asset Portfolio contains 12.6M pounds of ahistoric resourcesa which have been estimated in compliance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves but should not be considered or treated as current resources as defined under NI 43-101. These resources should be considered a ahistorical estimatea as defined under NI 43-101. In each instance, the reliability of the historical estimate is considered reasonable, but a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current Mineral Resource, and UEC is not treating the historical estimate as a current Mineral Resource. The mineral resources referred to herein have been estimated in accordance with the definition standards on mineral resources of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in NI 43-101 and are not compliant with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the aSECa) Industry Guide 7 guidelines. In addition, measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources and inferred mineral resources, while recognized and required by Canadian regulations, are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Accordingly, we have not reported them in the United States. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral resources in these categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves. These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. In particular, it should be noted that mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources or inferred mineral resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category. In accordance with Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of the reported measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources or inferred mineral resources referred to herein are economically or legally mineable. Safe Harbor Statement Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitute aforward-looking statementsa as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other 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 aexpectsa or adoes not expecta, ais expecteda, aanticipatesa or adoes not anticipatea, aplans, aestimatesa or aintendsa, or stating that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awilla be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as aforward-looking statementsa. Such 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 be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Companya?s ability to control or predict. 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 contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company\-s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Uranium Energy Corp Files Early Warning Report Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the aCompanya or aUECa https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/uranium-energy-corp/ ) announces that it has filed an early warning report pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 a The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues for the purpose of reporting the acquisition of common shares (the aAnfield Sharesa) and common share purchase warrants (aAnfield Warrantsa) in the capital of Anfield Energy Inc. (TSX.V: AEC; OTCQB: ANLDF; FRANKFURT: 0AD) (aAnfielda). On June 7, 2022, UEC closed a series of transactions with Anfield pursuant to which Anfield settled approximately CAD$23.11 million (US$18.34 million) of indebtedness (the aAnfield Indebtednessa) owing to UEC (the aDebt Settlementa). The Anfield Indebtedness was settled through the payment of approximately CAD$11.55 million (US$9.17 million) in cash plus the issuance to UEC of 96,272,918 units of Anfield (each, an aAnfield Unita), which were issued at a deemed price of CAD$0.12 (US$0.095) per Anfield Unit for an aggregate value of approximately CAD$11.55 million (US$9.17 million). Each Anfield Unit is comprised of one Anfield Share (the aAcquired Sharesa) and one Anfield Warrant (each, an aAcquired Warranta and together with the Acquired Shares, the aAcquired Securitiesa). Each Acquired Warrant entitles UEC to acquire one Anfield Share at a price of CAD$0.18 per Anfield Share until May 12, 2027. Prior to the acquisition of the Acquired Shares, UEC did not own or control any Anfield Shares. As a result of the acquisition of the Acquired Shares, UEC currently holds 96,272,918 Anfield Shares, representing approximately 15.4% of the issued and outstanding Anfield Shares (on a non-diluted basis), based on an aggregate of 623,858,283 issued and outstanding Anfield Shares. Prior to the acquisition of the Acquired Warrants, UEC did not own or control any Anfield Warrants. UEC currently holds 96,272,918 Anfield Warrants. Representing approximately 43.1% of the issued and outstanding Anfield Warrants, based on an aggregate of 223,272,918 issued and outstanding Anfield Warrants. The Acquired Securities were acquired by UEC pursuant to the Debt Settlement and are being held for investment purposes. UEC may, from time to time, depending on market or other conditions, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership of the securities of Anfield. The Companya?s head offices are located at 1030 West Georgia Street, Suite 1830, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2Y3 and at 500 North Shoreline Boulevard, Suite 800N, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78401.A UEC is a uranium mining company incorporated pursuant to the laws of the State of Nevada. Anfielda?s head office is located at 4390 Grange Street, Suite 2005, Burnaby, British Columbia V5H 1P6. The Early Warning Report to which this news release relates has been filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (aSEDARa). To obtain a copy of the Early Warning Report, please contact: Uranium Energy Corp Toll Free: (866) 748-1030 Fax: (361) 888-5041 Email: info@uraniumenergy.com Attn: Pat Obara, CFO, Secretary and Treasurer In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch Secure I.T. Environments Completes Phased Major Data Centre Upgrade Project for Three Rivers District Council 8 June 2022 a London, UK a Secure I.T. Environments Ltd, one of the UKa?s leading design and build companies for modular, containerised and micro data centres, has today announced the completion of a multi-phase major upgrade project for the 70.8m2 main data centre at Three Rivers District Council. The site, at the main offices in Rickmansworth, provides essential digital services to public sector staff, and those used to support the local services that the district council provides. The multi-phase project covered the following areas: Server room UPS upgrade (phase 1) a The provision of a new energy efficiency UPS system, consisting of a Riello Multi Power Combo UPS cabinet, with two 25kW three-phase Power Modules. All UPS batteries were also replaced and a deep clean of the server room undertaken. Server room flooring replacement (phase 2) a A phased and complete replacement of the existing carpeted raised access flooring tiles, with new vinyl tiles. Air flow was also improved with the strategic addition of vented grilles in the new floor. Energy efficient AHU upgrade (phase 3) a Full replacement of two 20-year old air handling units (AHUs) with new energy efficient FlaktGroup Multi-DENCOA models. New locations were selected for the replacement condensers and the units were configured with a new Building Management Solutions (BMS) to manage the cooling environment in the server room. Fire suppression (phase 4) a The final phase of the project was to replace the fire suppression gas bottles at the site, which had reached end of life. Following a full assessment of the existing system, Secure I.T. Environments provided a new fire suppression system, as well as the replacement cylinders, in order to ensure the system could provide protection long into the future. Gary Cook, Data Centre Manager at Three Rivers District Council said, aAt each stage of our major upgrade project, Secure I.T. Environments has delivered professionally in its consulting and on-site implementation of the work. Our project involved, multiple areas of a works in a live data centre, and the team at Secure I.T. completed all the works on time and to our expected standards.a Chris Wellfair, Projects Director at Secure I.T. Environments added, aWhether building a new data centre, or undertaking major upgrade projects, we work very hard to ensure consistent standards and a minimum of disruption for our clients, with particular care and attention to those data centre services that need to remain live throughout the works.a Softprom becomes the official distributor of SimSpace, IT Risk Management (ITRM) Posted by Publisher Software Softprom a Value Added IT Distributor, and SimSpace, the leading cybersecurity risk management platform company, announced the signing of a distribution agreement. According to the contract, Softprom will promote and distribute the SimSpace platform in the following countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan. aMuch of Europe is facing an increasing threat to its national security, including attacks against financial systems, critical infrastructure and overall cybersecurity interests,a says Jason Cowie, VP of Global Partner Sales, SimSpace. aWea?re proud to work with Softprom to deliver the solutions that can help train for incident response and validate both the technologies and processes to defend against advanced cyber adversaries.a SimSpace offers the world\-s most reliable and realistic cyber range platform for verifying the security processes of an organization. The SimSpace platform allows customers to simulate advanced persistent threats and sophisticated automated attack scenarios with high-fidelity simulations in a low-risk environment. Teams can practice and refine their response tactics with real-time Red Team, Blue Team and Purple Team exercises, Capture-the-Flags, ransomware and DDoS attacks and custom live-fire exercises. SimSpace provides accurate understanding of security posture by assessing all security controls, processes, and personnel. The solution highlight gaps and cyber risks, enabling CISOs to prioritize investments that safeguard business-critical assets. They can also track ongoing projects and initiatives, gaining evidence for compliance and identifying where their programs lag. aOrganizations worldwide are in a competitive situation to recruit and retain high-level cybersecurity specialists. To stay one step ahead, organizations need a reliable cyberspace platform to empower their staff, and we\-re excited to have a solution in our portfolio to help them do just that,a said Paul Zhdanovych, Founder and Managing Director of Softprom. aWe are delighted to sign this agreement to partner with Softprom and help boost the cyber readiness in the region,a says Peter Major, Sr. Director of Sales, EMEA at SimSpace. aAs we work together to improve our mutual customera?s cybersecurity journeys, this agreement enhances our ability to deliver worlda?s best cyber readiness platforms.a Trillium Gold Commences 2022 Regional Exploration Program on 72 km Long Confederation Belt Property in Red Lake, Ontario Trillium Gold Mines Inc. (TSXV:TGM, OTCQX:TGLDF, FRA:0702) (aTrillium Golda or the aCompanya https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/trillium-gold-mines-inc/ ) is pleased to announce that it has commenced a comprehensive exploration program on the newly-consolidated Confederation Belt Project (the aProjecta). Several separately held properties have now been consolidated into one 54,362-hectare, contiguous land package spanning 72 kilometres east to west (Figure 1). The Confederation Project is now positioned as the most significant exploration project in the Red Lake District with potential to contain further Dixie LP Fault analogues, other Red Lake-style gold mineralization and critical minerals. Work has already begun on the project and other crews are currently mobilizing. Early Exploration permit applications for drilling and trenching have been initiated and are expected to be received in early summer 2022. Trillium has an initial 6,000 metres of drilling planned throughout the Project area on targets that have been systematically researched, prioritized and deemed drill ready. Further drilling may be considered as results from the exploration work are received. Some important attributes of the property include: Over 110 linear kilometres along the eastern extensions of both the major crustal Red Lake and Dixie LP Fault structures. Several high-potential mafic-to-felsic structural contacts on-strike to the east of the Kinross Dixie Project associated with the eastern continuation of the LP fault zone. The Panama Lake portion of the property shows gold potential in three identified zones while further compilation work has identified other structural and lithological dislocations that warrant priority follow-up work. Other high-potential areas to be tested along the northern margin of the Project area, associated with the major structure hosting Evolution Mininga?s Red Lake Operations. Demonstrated gold and historic base-metal deposits; importantly, strategic metal occurrences will be additional target elements for exploration in 2022. Comprehensive data collection, compilation and interpretation have generated many gold and base-metal targets for follow-up in the 2022 exploration program. Russell Starr, President and CEO of Trillium Gold commented, aOur strategy to consolidate the Confederation belt properties has positioned Trillium Gold as the dominant exploration company in the Red Lake District today. Many former VMS-rich districts are well endowed with gold, and the Dixie LP Fault deposit, lying on the same stratigraphic trend as Trilliuma?s contiguous claim block, is possibly another example. A large portion of the property is accessible via long-standing logging roads. We believe we are at the nexus of a new era in this rapidly developing gold camp.aA William Paterson, Trillium Golda?s Vice President of Exploration added, aOur geological team has now begun the exploration work with reconnaissance traverses, drill hole sighting and ground-truthing of work performed by previous operators.A We have an unprecedented opportunity to explore for LP Fault-type gold deposits along a structure that is many times larger and equally as prospective as Dixiea. Throughout the Confederation Belt property, work will be performed to follow up on the high priority SGH anomalies from 2021. This planned work includes further soil sampling, lithogeochemical sampling and assaying of historical drill holes that were never previously assayed for gold (this is a very cost-effective activity where historical base-metal focused drilling has already been performed in those areas identified as having high gold potential). Systematic prospecting and mapping programs across the Project area are designed to explore for new deposits and further follow up on results from the 2021 field work (Figure 1). Geology & Mineral Potential The geology throughout the Project area shows several features key to gold mineralization: felsic-intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, mafic to felsic transitions, iron formations and chemical sediments, unconformities, large regional structures with known association to gold mineralization (e.g. the Dixie Project and Red Lake Mine), and, locally, on lower-order structures, complex structurally prepared ground that focus fluid flows and develop mineral deposits. The Companya?s exploration work and results from 2021 combined with exhaustive compilation work of historical data recently acquired, have identified several prospective areas hosting a variety of styles of gold targets including elevated gold content coincident with volcanogenic massive sulphide alteration halos. Often these halos are associated with structures and prospective lithology, suggesting the possibility of a later-stage gold enrichment mechanism or hybrid-style signatures. A key area of focus will be the recently acquired Wenasaga Property, spatially associated with a dilation zone identified on the LP Fault extension. This deep-rooted structure would provide a conduit for gold-bearing fluids and the dilation zone creates the conditions for this gold to be deposited, whether rheological or chemically through widespread alteration. Preliminary work has already begun on this portion of the property. Further east, the Panama Property contains two highly prospective gold-mineralized trends that remain largely untested. Major structures that transect the property appear to be splays from or are the eastern extension of the Dixie LP Fault. There are multiple gold and VMS-style mineralization occurrences identified on the property and a field program has been designed to expand on and evaluate the lateral continuity of these mineralized trends. Satterly Lake and Swain Lake These properties, located approximately 20 km and 35 km northeast of the Confederation Project and 90 km east of Red Lake, host structural, lithological and geophysical features important to gold mineralization (Figure 2). Initial field work will be performed on these projects utilizing floatplane-supported remote camps and will consist of prospecting and sampling. Historically, there has been little ground-based work performed on these properties. Trillium flew a high resolution helimagnetic survey over the then-current Satterly Lake property in 2021. The Satterly Lake property is relatively unexplored, but several mineral occurrences are documented in the area. The Hanson (Au) and Loydex (Cu/Zn) occurrences are found on the property, the past producing Sol Da?Or Mine (ore grading 19.2 g/t Au) lies immediately west and Falcon Golda?s Springpole West property to the east, with a diamond drill hole intercept of 19.4 g/t Au over 30cm within a property-wide fault zone hosted in a quartz vein-stockwork system. The Swain Lake property encompasses a nine-kilometre stretch of the Swain Lake Deformation Zone (SLDF), over a gentle flexure point where the strike changes from a northeast trend to more easterly. Numerous gold occurrences are documented along the strike of this regional-scale structure. The property is located 8 km northwest of First Mininga?s Springpole Lake property, which is reported as one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada (Preliminary Economic Assessment, completed in November 2019, reported an Indicated Resource of 4,670,000 oz of gold and 24,190,000 oz of silver). Within a six-kilometre radius of the Swain Lake property there lies the Argosy Mine (101,875 oz Au produced), the Richardson Lake Mine (1,126 oz of gold produced grading 60.7 g/t Au with an unclassified historical resource of 140,051 oz Au published in the Northern Miner [June 20, 1988]), the MacIntyre Mine reported to have produced 23 oz of gold in 1934-35 and First Mininga?s Horseshoe Island prospect with a historical unclassified resource of 125,093 oz Au (OGS MDI record 52N08NW00020). The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by William Paterson QP, P.Geo, Vice President of Exploration of Trillium Gold Mines, as defined by NI 43-101. About Trillium Gold Mines Inc. Trillium Gold Mines Inc. is a growth focused company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. As part of its regional-scale consolidation strategy, the Company has assembled the largest prospective land package in and around the Red Lake mining district in proximity to major mines and deposits, along the Confederation Lake and Birch-Uchi greenstone belts.A Recently, the Company signed a definitive agreement for control over a significant portion of the Confederation Lake greenstone belt to more than 100 km in length.A In addition, the Company has interests in highly prospective properties in Larder Lake, Ontario.A Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Forward-looking information is based on managementa?s reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on managementa?s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect.A Such factors, among others, include: impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Mila AG Raises $2M in Pre-Series A Round Led by German-based Born2Grow Ventures aMila has a clear strategy in terms of opening up international markets,a says Andrea Muth, investment manager of Heilbronn-based Born2Grow Ventures. aMila has created market entry barriers in the tech support market that are extremely difficult for new providers to open up.a Born2Grow Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio that has one consistent focus: to find a team and technology whose technology has a well-defined market. aWe experienced over 300 percent growth in Germany and secured over 40 brand partners across Europe in 2021,a says Chris Viatte, CEO and founder of Mila. aThis funding will allow us to continue to expand our sales and engineering teams and replicate our solid success in Switzerland across Europe and the UK.a Mila has offices in Berlin and ZArich, and recently opened its first UK location in London. They continue to serve telco giant Swisscom and have seen growth in services for brands such as Amazon, Otto, BOSCH, and Google and will introduce EV charging station installations in Germany and the UK in Q2. aWe recognized the growth potential for Mila in Germany and the scalability of their business model to expand across Europe and globally,a says Alex Liang, co-founder of Silicon Valley-based Oriza Ventures. aWe see our investment as strategically-timed for growth in the UK and other countries where Milaa?s professional services are in high demand.a With the IoT connectivity standard MATTER release date targeted for fall 2022, Mila is poised to be a pivotal player as connected device adoption explodes aA bringing with it interoperability issues with existing devices. Through the Mila Academy, trained, vetted Mila Pros allow global brands to offer a third-party agent to install, configure, and ensure their technology is operating, integrated, and performs as designed. aAs an early-stage investment firm, we predicted Milaa?s ability to successfully navigate the management buyout and keep growing,a says Pascal Widmer, founding partner of Alpana Ventures. aWe are thrilled to see a European VC, like Born2Grow Ventures, investing in Mila and have confidence in Viattea?s leadership ability.aA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A About Mila Since 2016 Mila has delivered real-time, vetted, on-demand neighborhood tech support. Mila expanded from Switzerland into new markets through a network of strong retail and enterprise partnerships, offering services in Germany, Austria, France, and the UK. With over 40 enterprise partners, Mila is the European leader of on demand, crowdsourced technical support. For more information, please visit www.mila.com/en-ch. Crime drama from Oscar-nominee Dan Futterman and Tony Award-nominee Adam Rapp portrays the familiar realities of small-town American lifeCULVER CITY, CaliforniaJune 9, 2022Today, Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) announced it will pick up a second season of American Rust, starring Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney. Produced by Boat Rocker and executive produced by Daniels, Dan Futterman, and Adam Rapp, the second season of the compelling crime drama set in a Pennsylvania Rust Belt town will stream exclusively on Freevee.Based on Philipp Meyers critically acclaimed novel of the same name, the first season of American Rust explored the tattered American Dream in a Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania through the eyes of police chief Del Harris (Daniels). Harris becomes compromised when the son of the woman he loves (Tierney) is accused of murder, and he is forced to decide what he's willing to do to protect him. Production on the second season is scheduled to begin later this year with Daniels and Tierney returning.Im grateful to Amazon Freevee for giving us the chance to make Season Two of American Rust. Set inside a struggling American small town, our authentic, realistically told story is built for streaming. The movies they dont make anymore are being made as series at places like Amazon Freevee. Its where I want to be," said Jeff Daniels.American Rust is exactly the type of gritty and engaging storytelling Amazon Freevee audiences love, and we could not be more excited to bring this prestige series to our customers, free of charge, said Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, co-heads of content and programming at Amazon Freevee. We cant wait to dive in with Boat Rocker and Dan Futterman to continue the story that intrigued audiences during the first season, and to see the evolution of characters so expertly portrayed by Jeff and Maura in this next chapter.Were delighted to work with the wonderful team at Amazon Freevee to bring American Rust back for a second season, said Steve Lescroart, president, Boat Rocker Studios, Scripted. The source material for this series is incredibly rich, and when you add in the world-class talents of Dan Futterman, Jeff Daniels, Maura Tierney, Adam Rapp, and the entire cast and crew, Season Two is sure to enthrall viewers who enjoy premium content. Were really pleased to have the opportunity to continue telling this story.In addition to Daniels, Futterman, and Rapp, American Rust is also executive produced by Paul Martino, Michael De Luca, and Katie OConnell Marsh for Boat Rocker, and Elisa Ellis.American Rust is produced and distributed globally by Boat Rocker. United States Of Al star Parker Young has been tapped as a lead opposite Michaela McManus in Criminal Nature, ABCs drama pilot from Rashad Raisani, 20th Television and A+E Studios. The network snagged Young quickly after he became available following CBS cancellation of the Chuck Lorre comedy series after two seasons.Written by Raisani, Criminal Nature (fka untitled National Parks project) is described as a propulsive, soapy procedural set in the stunning world of Americas great outdoors. The story revolves around the tangled, messy lives of the agents who work for the ISB an elite law enforcement unit responsible for solving all serious crimes that occur in our countrys 81,000 square miles of protected land.Young will play Clay, Audreys (McManus) ex-boyfriend. As much of a cowboy as he is a cop, Clay knows more about the Wild Flower Killer than anyone else alive, and hes been temporarily reassigned to Audreys team for the duration of their current investigation. Clay has always regretted letting Audrey, the love of his life, go and he now intends to put up a fight for her even though shes engaged to Keldon, another ISB (Investigative Services Branch) agent. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Connecticuts ever-growing COVID-19 death toll stands just shy of another round number, numbers from the state Department of Public Health showed Thursday, as the state nears 11,000 lives lost to the disease. According to state data, Connecticut recorded 27 COVID-associated deaths over the past week, bringing its official count to 10,999. Given the steady flow of deaths in recent weeks, the total is likely to surpass 11,000 as soon as Friday. Meanwhile, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests Connecticuts true death toll may be even higher than official numbers reflect, after accounting for unrecorded COVID-19 deaths as well as deaths caused by pandemic-adjacent increases in drug overdoses, homicides, traffic accidents and more. Amid an uptick in cases and hospitalizations owing to the BA.2 subvariant, Connecticut has averaged about 30 official COVID-19 deaths a week over the past month, up from earlier this spring though down significantly from the height of the states winter surge. Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said he considers the continued loss of life from COVID-19 particularly tragic given that the tools both individual and society for reducing serious illness are widely available. The numbers have come down, but [deaths] have always bothered me because most of them are preventable, Wu said. I always use the car analogy: How many deaths if theyd just worn their seat belt? Thats what makes me sad about it. Wu said the strong majority of people with the most severe COVID-19 outcomes remain those who either havent been vaccinated who were vaccinated initially but have not received booster doses. Even as deaths continue to mount, state numbers suggest that COVID-19 spread in Connecticut appears to be slowing. As of Thursday, the state had averaged 460 daily cases over the past week, down from more than 1,500 in mid-May, with a test positivity rate of 8.8 percent, down from above 14 percent. Though both case counts and positivity rate are likely skewed by the prevalence of at-home tests, most of which are never reported to the state, experts say both metrics can still be useful in assessing broad trends. Additionally, analysis conducted by Yale researchers has found decreasing traces of COVID-19 in New Havens wastewater, another sign that the disease is receding for now. Hospitalizations have decreased as well, falling from 383 on May 25 to 282 as of Thursday. Were pretty well-positioned right now, Dr. Richard Martinello, medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital, said Thursday. Weve seen over the last three or four weeks a steady decrease in the amount of COVID circulating in our communities. According to the CDC, only one Connecticut county (Middlesex) qualifies as having high COVID-19 levels, while the other seven have either medium or low levels. Wu said hes encouraged by Connecticuts trend lines, even as the state continues to record numbers that might have been alarming a year ago. If you look at it close up, the numbers are still really high, Wu said. If you take a step back, its much better. The recent decline in COVID-19 transmission in the Northeastern United States comes as other parts of the country begin to see upticks. Nationally, recorded cases are at their highest level since February, according to data aggregated by the New York Times. Experts say Connecticut can expect spread to continue declining over the coming weeks but that cases may rise again upon the arrival of the BA.4 and BA.5 variants, which caused a recent spike in South Africa and have already been detected in small numbers in the Northeast. Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health researchers have so far recorded 25 total cases of BA.4 and BA.5 in Connecticut, accounting for less than 2 percent of cases over the past three weeks. Were continuing to keep on an eye on it, Martinello said. It is very possible that it could cause another surge, but what that looks like and how impactful it is is not really that clear. alex.putterman@hearstmediact.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DARIEN As former president and CEO of Conde Nast, Bob Sauerberg said his biggest challenge was overcoming a culture of perfection and entitlement. The Darien resident, who serves as a lead director of the social media platform Reddit, spoke to Jeff Hamill, the executive vice president of Hearst Magazines, about shifts in the media landscape at a Darien Community Association lecture earlier this month. Hearst Magazines is part of Hearst Communications, which also owns Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Incredibly powerful people, interesting people, people that were creating great content. So the challenge for me was, how am I going to make this a business? Sauerberg said of his tenure at Conde Nast, where he was responsible for a major leadership shake-up. And how am I going to get people rally behind (that)? As head of Conde Nast from 2000 to 2019, Sauerberg oversaw the mass media conglomerate the parent company of prominent media brands like The New Yorker and Vogue and which once had a large campus in Old Greenwich as it made the transition into the digital landscape in the mid-2000s. It was a rocky move for many traditional media companies, Sauerberg said, as they competed with burgeoning social media platforms and digital-only media ventures. Sauerberg also prioritized the companys video production, building that division from the ground up. Condes video arm would prove to be a profitable venture, Hamill said. It was very visionary of you and I was very jealous, Hamill told Sauerberg, during the recent Darien Neighbors, Global Players talk. Sauerberg ultimately crossed paths with Reddit, a news aggregation and discussion website that bills itself as the front page of the internet, after Conde Nast purchased the company in 2007. The transition from leader of Conde to one at Reddit was jarring, Sauerberg said. Im coming from this place of perfection where editors are doing fact-checking and all this work, Sauerberg said. And all of a sudden Im now working in a place where its self-moderated. Founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit quickly took off, growing exponentially yearly. From two employees in a back office, the company now boasts 1,400 employees and 500 million monthly users, Sauerberg said. The popularity of the platform is due to several factors, Sauergberg said. For one, the site is community-oriented. Its also pseudo-anonymous. In response to questions about social media feeding negativity, violence and extremism, Sauerberg said the site has had success in blocking hate content that violates Reddits policies. He also said Reddit has positioned itself, successfully, as a place for more authentic interactions than the more curated interactions on sites like Instagram and Facebook. On Facebook, youre working on your image; youre posting with the right look on Instagram, Sauerberg said. Reddit is really that raw you, and your honest you and no one wants to tear it down. They want to support you, help you. Because of that, Almost all of our investors are here because of they see us as the anti-Facebook, Sauerberg said. So I feel like we can really do some good. The company hopes to hit a global 1 billion user mark soon, he said. Also on the horizon: improved audio and video platforms. Reddit has brought in video and artificial intelligence companies to help with the goal, Sauerberg said. Sauerberg, who graduated from the University of Arkansas with his bachelors degree in finance, said looking back, he is still not sure how his ascension in the commerce and media worlds happened. I just kept doing my job, kept moving forward, Sauerberg said. I never tried to hurt anybody along the way. You know, I just do the right thing and things happen. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) A Florida law that bans local governments from restricting gun and ammunitions sales goes too far because it also calls for fines against elected officials who seek to enact such restrictions, a lawyer told the state Supreme Court on Thursday. But Justices on the conservative court seemed skeptical of the arguments made on behalf of several municipalities and Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. Our cases are very clear about the superiority of legislative power in this arena, said Chief Justice Charles Canady. That's why this whole case is kind of mystifying to me. Lawyer Edward Guedes, representing the municipalities, agreed the Legislature has the authority to preempt local laws, but argued that a provision that could lead to fines for elected officials as individuals if they vote to enact gun and ammunition sales restrictions overstepped the Legislature's authority. The is a legislative firehose to put out a birthday candle, Guedes said. The preemption law was revised in 2011 to include the penalty provisions and later challenged by several local governments who wanted to enact gun safety measures in the wake of the 2018 Parkland high school shooting that left 17 dead. Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat and a candidate for governor, later joined the local governments in fighting the law. The case was heard as Democratic lawmakers are calling for a special legislative session on gun safety following recent mass-shootings in Buffalo, New York; Uvalde, Texas; and elsewhere. But that's highly unlikely to happen. The Legislature is dominated by Republicans and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has dismissed the idea. With all do respect to these leftists, they just want to come after your Second Amendment rights. Let's just be honest," DeSantis said at a Wednesday news conference. They view you as a law abiding citizen as the target. UNITED NATIONS (AP) Hungarian Ambassador Csaba Korosi was elected Tuesday as the next president of the U.N. General Assembly, and he warned immediately that the world is in the throes of a dangerous crisis and the credibility of the United Nations is at stake. Korosi, who takes over the presidency of the 193-member world body in September, said there is a red alert for the global climate and crises in food, energy and water supplies. In addition, he said, people everywhere are still affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy is at the threshold of recession and the sovereign debts are at an unprecedented level. On top of that, conflicts this century -- including in Ukraine -- are fiercer and a postcard from the future, Korosi said. When the United Nations was founded 77 years ago at the end of World War II, member states showed that lasting peace can be built on the ashes of war, Korosi said. But today, we live in times that rock the foundation this organization was built upon, with multiple crises looming. He called for the same resolve today that the U.N.s founding nations had to stand up to the challenges that threaten international peace and security as well as our sustainable future on this planet. Korosi, a diplomat for nearly 40 years previously served in Libya, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Greece and the United Nations in New York. More recently, he served as deputy state secretary responsible for security policy, diplomacy and human rights. He was elected president of the 77th session of the General Assembly by acclamation, without a vote. The assemblys current president, Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives, banged his gavel signifying Korosis election. Shahid noted that Korosi has chosen the theme Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science as the motto for his presidency. He said it offers a pragmatic view of the assemblys continuing work to promote a global recovery from the pandemic, tackle climate change and strive to meet the 17 U.N. development goals for 2030, starting with ending extreme poverty and hunger and including achieving gender equality and ensuring quality education for every child. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed Korosis concerns, saying: We face a world in peril. From the war in Ukraine in all its dimensions to the deepening impacts of the climate crisis; from the COVID-19 pandemic to escalating humanitarian needs, hunger and poverty, the months ahead will test the multilateral system, he said. He said the world looks to the General Assembly, where every country has a seat, to debate, to forge consensus, and most of all to deliver solutions. Guterres said the year-long 77th session can be a moment of transformation -- a time to recalibrate multilateralism and strengthen the foundations of global cooperation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HELENA, Mont. (AP) Ballot printing errors have delayed election results for Montanas new congressional seat, forcing a small northwestern county to count votes by hand in the unexpectedly close Republican primary race between former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and former state Sen. Al Doc Olszewski. Zinke led Olszewski by 1,181 votes, or 1.5 percentage points, out of 80,194 votes counted, as of 3:30 p.m. local time Wednesday. Lincoln County had an estimated 6,000 ballots to hand count. Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, was considered the favorite in the race and had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The race appears to answer the question of whether President Trump is a kingmaker, as Zinke has previously said, said Christina Barsky, a University of Montana professor who teaches classes in election administration, government and public budgeting. The trouble in Lincoln County stemmed from a vendor printing the ballots on the wrong-sized paper, meaning they could not be run through a machine tabulator, the secretary of states office said Wednesday. By law, ballots have to either all be counted by machine or all counted by hand, spokesperson Richie Melby said. Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder Robin Benson said in a statement that the hand count was expected to take two to three days. Election officials started counting ballots on Tuesday. We remain confident and believe the Secretarys lead will continue to grow as more votes are counted, Zinke campaign spokesperson Heather Swift said Wednesday afternoon. Drew Zinecker, spokesperson for Olszewski's campaign, said they were cautiously optimistic we will emerge from the (Lincoln County) count victorious. Zinke may have been hindered by attacks that he is not a real Montanan, given the time he spends out of state and that his wife has declared her primary residence to be in California to receive a property tax break, Barsky said. Those criticisms may resonate particularly with residents facing the housing crunch experienced in western Montana, she said. It was noted that Zinke did not attend all GOP events in advance of the primary for instance an April debate in Kalispell, Barsky said, adding that Montanans are used to seeing their representatives out in the community. The Montana Democratic Party also weighed in. Whether or not Zinke is able to maintain his lead, the fact that Zinke who came into the race with a Trump endorsement, national name recognition and more than four times the money as his opponent Dr. Al Olszewski could not pull out a decisive victory could spell trouble for the unity of the Republican party this November, the party said in a statement. Zinke's tenure in the Trump administration was marked by federal investigations into his travel, political activity and potential conflicts of interest. One investigation determined Zinke lied to an agency ethics official about his continued involvement in a commercial real estate deal in his hometown. Zinke resigned in early 2019, writing that vicious and politically motivated attacks against him had created an unfortunate distraction in fulfilling the Interior Department's mission. Montana gained its second congressional seat through redistricting after the 2020 census. Zinke had represented Montana in the states other congressional district before leaving to join the Trump administration. The winner of the race between Zinke and Olszewski will face Democrat Monica Tranel, an attorney, in November. Queen Elizabeth II's belief that difficult times will pass is as relevant in 2022 as it was more than 70 years ago, when she professed her dedication to her people, British ambassador in Bucharest Andrew Noble declared on Thursday in a speech given at the reception on UK's National Day which this year also marked the British monarch's Platinum Jubilee. In this context, Noble referenced a speech made by the Queen in 1947, a few years before her accession to the throne, where she said that her life, "whether long or short" shall be devoted to the service of the people. Please note that it's not the duration that was the most important aspect for the Queen, but the idea of service, in the service of a family we all belong to, Noble said. The ambassador also spoke of the importance of dedication, pointing out that Her Majesty's belief that difficult times will pass, as long as we remain true to our faith, our core beliefs, our political visions, and as long as we stay close to our friends and partners, is just as relevant in 2022 as it was back in 1947. The diplomat also mentioned the war in Ukraine, expressing his desire to celebrate the will and perseverance shown by of our friends across the border in Ukraine. These are the qualities they have proven over the last 106 days and which they will continue to show until this barbaric and fully unjustified invasion is completely turned around. I also salute our allies and friends who are sending military equipment to Ukraine, those sending humanitarian aid and fuel, and those supporting the refugees, Noble said. The British diplomat said that the Representative Orchestra of the Romanian Defense Ministry was chosen to perform the anthems of the two countries at the reception in token of the Romania - UK bilateral and NATO cooperation for facilitating Ukraine's success, for generating security and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, for keeping the Romanian sky safe and for developing the security of this vital region whose future, in time of peace and democracy, is essential for everybody present at the event this evening. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca spoke about the Romanian community in the UK, as well as about the connection between the two states. "I would particularly like to appreciate the courage and dedication of the Romanian nurses and doctors who worked in the UK health sector during the pandemic," the Premier said, and went on to note that "the security situation in the Black Sea region, severely affected by Russia's illegal and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, proves the importance of cooperation in defending our shared values as free and democratic societies." "The British contribution to the reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank demonstrates the strong commitment to Europe's security, to the protection and defense of allied values and to the deterrence of any form of aggression," he said. In his turn, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Marcel Ciolacu evoked Prince Charles' attachment to Romania. "I am convinced that the interest of the British Royal House for Romania, which has been highlighted in recent years by the constant, active presence of Prince Charles, will continue to be capitalized upon in key areas, whether we are talking about the green economy, education or joint economic projects," Ciolacu said. The Minister of Finance, Adrian Caciu, signed, on Thursday, the Framework Loan Agreement between Romania and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), worth 216 million euros, for the Project aimed at the rehabilitation of built heritage and modernization of some cultural buildings in Romania. According to a press release sent to AGERPRES by the Ministry of Culture, the total net cost of the project amounts to 270 million euros, of which 216 million euros (80%) from the CEB loan and 54 million euros (20%), the contribution from the state budget."With the support of CEB, with a long-term thinking, with due respect for the cultural traditions of this people and for the inherited heritage, we can ensure the preservation of Romania's architectural and historical values. This project joins the other two projects in implementation, worth a total of 350 million euros, through which 16 cultural objectives out of 21 were rehabilitated and returned to the public circuit," declared Minister of Culture Lucian Romascanu.In his turn, the Minister of Finance, Adrian Caciu, stated that "the financing received from the Council of Europe Development Bank for the rehabilitation and modernization of some historical sites in Romania is essential for the preservation and protection of the national patrimony"."We are very pleased to continue our long-term support for the preservation of Romania's cultural heritage. This project, in addition to cultural and educational benefits, will also create direct and indirect employment opportunities," said Carlo Monticelli, Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank.The current funding will support the design and execution of works for eight investment objectives for the complete restoration of six emblematic historical monuments for Romania, as well as the rehabilitation and construction of adequate spaces for the development and diversification of cultural activities, structured according to the two-component Framework Loan Agreement.The first component refers to the rehabilitation of historical monuments, which mainly aims at the in-depth restoration of large-scale objectives, and the second component refers to the rehabilitation and construction of cultural buildings.The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Culture, in about 7 years, and its operationalization will take place this year, after the ratification by law of the loan. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu and the new Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Catherine Colonna, met on Thursday on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Conference in Paris, with the two officials discussing the operationalization, as soon as possible, of the NATO Battle Group under the coordination of France, on the Romanian territory. According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) press release sent to AGERPRES, Minister Bogdan Aurescu reiterated Romania's appreciation for France's contribution to strengthening the Allied deterrence and defence posture on the Eastern Flank "in a unified and coherent manner, through the presence of the French military in Romania, emphasizing that this approach clearly confirms Allied solidarity and France's consistent commitment to the security of allied states, including Romania, thus contributing to the consolidation of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and France."Minister Bogdan Aurescu mentioned the need for the strategic importance of the Black Sea region for Euro-Atlantic security to be reflected, in an appropriate manner, in the documents of the Madrid Summit, including in the new NATO Strategic Concept, given the security context generated by the illegal war waged by Russia against Ukraine. The two ministers also discussed the importance of strengthening the deterrence and defense posture on the Eastern Flank, given the negative security developments generated by the Russian aggression.The two ministers also discussed the state of the fighting in Ukraine, the prospects and parameters for the resumption of peace negotiations, as well as the support of their states for the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, something that will help strengthen Allied security.The French Foreign Minister expressed her appreciation for the way in which Romania provided multidimensional support to Ukraine, the Romanian Minister presenting Romania's efforts in this regard. He also presented the steps taken by our country to ensure the transit of Ukrainian cereals through Romania to other countries of destination.Minister Aurescu stressed the need to support the Republic of Moldova in dealing with the various effects of the crisis caused by Russia's aggression and reiterated support for the European integration of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, stressing the need for a clear political signal on the EU's commitment to an ambitious pro-European path to be adopted at the European Council in June.In the context of the talks on consolidating the reform of the Schengen area and the security of the Union's external borders, Minister Bogdan Aurescu reiterated, with arguments, the legitimate expectations of our country to join the Schengen area, emphasizing the way Romania handled the refugee situation in Ukraine. Greenpeace is releasing today a report called "An untapped resource - The photovoltaic potential of public buildings in Romania." The release conference will discuss the implications of using this energy potential and the benefits it would bring to citizens and local administrations. "We are in the midst of an energy crisis; we need to find cheaper, faster, long-term and environmentally friendly solutions. And some of the solutions are closer than we think, even 'above' us," according to environmental officials. Greenpeace requested public data from 22 Romanian town halls and found that the photovoltaic potential of the public buildings they manage is very high. More than 1,000,000 square meters of rooftops, just in cities that have provided useful information to Greenpeace, are unused, instead of producing clean energy to the benefit of the community, the environment and the local budget. We can only imagine how great this potential is for the whole country. Attending the event will be Bucharest District 1 Mayor Clotilde Armand; Senator Lorant Antal, chairman of the Committee on Energy, Energy Infrastructure and Mineral Resources; Mara Roman, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Romania. AGERPRES President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday that a decade and a half after joining the European Union, Romania is still far behind in terms of financial inclusion and financial intermediation, and Romanians are "far behind" the European average in terms of online shopping population. "A decade and a half after joining the EU, Romania is still far behind in terms of financial inclusion and financial intermediation. Since European accession, we have enjoyed remarkable economic growth, starting from a GDP of around 100 billion in 2006, and going up to almost 270 billion euros this year, despite the two severe crises that occurred during this period. The finance and banking sector, with a key role in mobilising resources for funding, also developed significantly. In the last 15 years, non-government credit has almost quadrupled, and the value of the stock market is now three times higher, but Romania continues to have the lowest rate of financial intermediation in the EU. There are nearly 20 million bank cards issued, and the e-commerce sector has exceeded 6 billion euros, but we are still well below the European average in terms of online shopping population," said Iohannis. Iohannis attended on Thursday the first edition of the Financial Education Forum, organised by the Financial Supervisory Authority, the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies and the Romanian Association of Banks under the High Patronage of the President of Romania. AGERPRES The CRED Foundation launched on Thursday at the Palace of Parliament the debate platform titled Forum Romania, joining personalities with expertise from various walks of life and aimed at identifying sectoral development plans. "The CRED Foundation has invited you to a launch event for an activity seeking to involve people who can contribute through their expertise to the vision of a Romania in the future development, in an increasingly difficult world. The forum aims to involve people who want to contribute to the future vision of our country by putting to work ideas and forecasts in various fields. The forum does not intend to engage in politics, but to offer policies and platform solutions that can muster the participation of experts, former politicians, diplomats, journalists, businesspeople, former holders of important positions and various experts. The forum is a framework for public debate in the civil society on the main issues facing our country," said CRED president Teodor Melecanu, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. He explained that the forum will be organized twice a year with experts in areas of importance for Romania's future. "12 dedicated workshops will be organised, which will work for 6 months until the next edition, bringing together expert teams that will come up with sectoral development plans for Romania. The interested teams will sit down and debate the themes to be presented at the future forum. The proposals will be then presented to the government and Parliament, regardless of their political color, as a contribution of the civil society to the development of Romania," Melescanu said. Former Prime Ministers Adrian Nastase and Viorica Dancila, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana attended the launch of the forum. The government on Thursday approved, through a memorandum, the negotiation of the Loan Agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for a development policy program (DPL1, Development Policy Loan) for green and inclusive growth worth 467.5 million euros, a press release by the government informs. The negotiation of the Agreement on non-reimbursable financial assistance, amounting to 24.2 million dollars, as well as the agreement in principle for contracting the second loan for development policies (DPL2), worth up to 500 mil. USD equivalent, were also approved through the same memorandum. "The loan agreement worth 467.5 million euros (the equivalent in euro of 500 million USD) is the first of the two development policy loan agreements (DPL) that IBRD has shown its willingness to grant to Romania. The value of the DPL1 could be increased up to about 600 million euros, subject to approval by the Bank's Executive Steering Committee. The agreement in principle on this loan was signed in 2021. DPL1 is planned to be approved by the Bank's Committee of Executive Directors by the end of June 2022, and DPL2 is expected to be contracted in 2023. The actions related to DPL1 are already fulfilled. The conclusions related to DPL2 will be able to be reconsidered/adjusted, on the occasion of its contracting, depending on the concrete conditions for the fulfillment of the actions in question," the press release says. The source specifies that the DPL loans will be used to finance the deficit of the state budget and the refinancing of the government public debt, and their contracting by Romania is conditioned by the adoption of reform actions. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca met with the representatives of the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AHK, on Thursday, at the Victoria Palace of Government, context in which he underlined that attracting investments to Romania is a desideratum of the Government, guaranteeing economic stability and predictability, informs a Government press release. Participants in the meeting noted the high level of trade, estimated at 35 billion euros this year. The interest of German companies in investments in Romania is of particular relevance, in the context in which supply chains in Eastern Europe and Asia are affected and influence the European logistics capacity. "During the meeting, the representatives of German company Knauf announced the launch of an investment of 200 million euros in Romania. The company Knauf Romania plans to develop two new production facilities on our country's territory for plasterboard, metal profiles and insulation materials set to generate 200 new jobs. These investments will encourage local production for high value-added materials, with Romania having the opportunity to become an exporter in the region," the release shows. At the same time, the materials produced in our country will be able to provide part of the internal needs of construction materials, given that 90% of homes in Romania need insulation in order to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption and natural gas for heating. In this context, the head of the Executive stressed that this new German investment in our country is a signal of confidence, which strengthens economic ties and provides access to new technologies necessary for the modernization of production capacity. "The over 300,000 new jobs created by investments made in Romania by German companies contribute to the well-being of our country, generating stability and development. The government attaches great importance to foreign investments, but also to those made by Romanian entrepreneurs. We are open to facilitating new investment. Attracting investments on our country's territory is a desideratum of this Government, guaranteeing economic stability and predictability," declared Prime Minister Ciuca.AGERPRES Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca met on Thursday, at the Victoria Palace, with the representatives of the Alliance for Tourism, the sides addressing the budgetary perspectives regarding the implementation of the HoReCa 2 aid scheme, which would diminish the effects generated by the overlapping crises that Romania is going through, a press release by the government says, Agerpres reports. The parties also discussed the need to solve the lack of human resources and ensure an educational climate that would allow the integration of young graduates on the labour market.In this context, the prime minister assured about the predictability of the fiscal environment and confirmed the readiness to make the best decisions for the national economy, through a sustained dialogue."Any fiscal change will be announced and debated with the business environment in order to create a fair framework for all the factors involved. The HoReCA (hospitality) industry must be supported, especially as it has the potential for rapid economic growth. I want 10% of Romania's GDP to be reached soon by the representatives in these sectors. The Romanian Government will remain a loyal partner for this objective," Nicolae Ciuca said.The head of the Executive also reminded the need for the reforms assumed by the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) in order to increase the competitiveness of the hospitality industry.The source informs that the first months of 2022 brought an economic increase of the HoReCa sector, but losses were felt generated by the effects of the Russian military aggression in Ukraine and by the increase in prices Romania has become a Black Friday country, and the Romanian brand with high added value practically does not exist, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (CCIR), Mihai Daraban, said on Thursday at Forum Romania, Agerpres reports. "A common characteristic of the former communist countries is that they have become subcontracting economies of the Western economy, because this is what it is: there is nothing left on our basket. Basically, the Romanian brand with high added value does not exist. I was also telling my friends before starting the works that I have all the respect for the Topoloveni jam, but it's jam, it's neither gearbox, nor turbine, nor compressor. So, small added value. I come back to that figure from import, and here I think it's the best poll among the consumer. Theoretically, we have 25,000 exporters in Romania, officially registered. The first one hundred of them make 51% of the entire export, and in the first 100 there are two Romanian companies (...) That is why the analysis on the import of Romania is an analysis on consumers until the end and those investments must be focused on satisfying its Black Friday appetite. That we are a Black Friday country. It's a truth, it's a reality, but that's what it is and the state enjoys the VAT that the individual donates at the counter, year after year," Daraban said.He believes that economic diplomacy is completely lacking in Romania, while the business environment is "highly polarized"."There are some traditions that we could change at the level of the Foreign Ministry with the famous phrase 'Career Diplomats'. I believe that the Romanian civil society can produce diplomats especially at the level of ambassadors, people who have gone through life, with experience in the field of business. The deficit of Romania's trade balance has reached unimaginable levels and I see that there is no discussion in the public space at all. Last year we reached 23.8 billion (euros), starting from 18.3 billion (euros), in 2020. At the end of 2015 it was 8.7 billion (euros), today it's 10 (billion euros), so it's clear that we're closing this year with about 28 billion (euros). No one is concerned about last year's import figure of EUR 98.4 billion. We have a very polarized, highly polarized business environment," the CCIR executive said.In Daraban's view, the "temporary fury of the grain" will eventually have an end to it.CRED Foundation - The Romanian Center for Education and Democracy, under the high patronage of the Romanian Academy, organizes, on Thursday and Friday, at the Palace of Parliament, the event Forum Romania.The debates within the Romania Forum propose as main objective the elaboration and adoption of draft Plans for development and sectoral reform for the most important areas of interest for the Romanian society, which contain strategies, solutions, measures, responsibilities, as well as drafts for amending or supplementing some pieces of legislation. The war at the border and the attitude of our country in this context of the new global and geostrategic challenges were the themes addressed by former social-democrat prime ministers Viorica Dancila and Adrian Nastase, who believe that Romania must assert its identity more firmly. "I did not intend to increase the controversies, however I can not fail to notice a certain incapacity of those who have been leading for some time the destinies of our country, in the sense of managing this deeply unfavorable international climate, from the position of a relevant and responsible regional actor, incapacity probably fueled by errors (...) unsettled by the Romanian decision-making elite. (...) I invite you to reflect together whether Romania really has an attitude and, beyond the fact that we like to believe or propagate the idea that Romania is on the front line in the European plan, I invite you to reflect on why, however, Romania behaves like an edge country, when in fact it is in the middle," Viorica Dancila said."Romania must return to the outposts of maintaining peace and demonstrate its capacities for flexibility, creativity and consistency in its efforts to engage in political and economic processes at regional, European and even global level, which will allow it to become more than a bridge of communication," Viorica Dancila added.In Romania, in recent years, there is an identity problem in many aspects, and our country will have, in the next period, to permanently combine the foreign policy strategy with the defense strategy in order to be prepared for possible deteriorations of the situation, said, in turn, the president of the European Foundation Titulescu, former social-democrat Prime Minister Adrian Nastase."We have the feeling that the security umbrella we have is somewhat sufficient, the speeches from NATO will defend us in a definitive way. However, I believe that we will have to constantly combine the foreign policy strategy with the defense strategy in order to be prepared for possible deteriorations of the situation in the next period," Nastase stressed.According to him, a major crisis of the international law is evident, which is no longer taken into account even with reference to the relationship between the US and Russia, between Ukraine and Russia."This makes us think, at least, of the period 1934 - 1936, with the risks we could suspect. (...) I think that, as far as we are concerned, at the EU level, NATO, of course there are common objectives, but they are determined by concrete action by the perception of danger. The perception of the danger, however, comes from the major actors of the Alliance and hence the need to try to introduce our own objectives within the strategists of these organizations," Nastase added.He proposes that it is time for Romania to link the entry into Schengen to the situation regarding the movement of trucks and grain trucks in Ukraine."I don't want to say more, but I think we have to learn from the Hungarians as well as the way you can behave in order to achieve certain objectives of your own within an organization that is based on unanimity and sovereignty," Adrian Nastase emphasised.Viorica Dancila and Adrian Nastase participated in the Forum Romania debate, organized at the Palace of the Parliament by the CRED Foundation, under the High Patronage of the Romanian Academy. Senate President Florin Citu received on Thursday Issam Tawfiq Masalha, ambassador of Palestine in Bucharest, with the two officials addressing the current state of the Romanian-Palestinian bilateral relations, as well as the ways of developing areas of common interest. During the talks, the two officials stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting bilateral relations and discussed strengthening cooperation at the level of the two legislative forums, informs a Senate press release sent to AGERPRES.On this occasion, the Senate President welcomed the participation of the representatives of the Palestinian Embassy in Romania in the event organized by the Senate on the occasion of the International Children's Day and stressed the importance of this type of activity to increase the level of mutual cultural knowledge.The talks also focused on the prospects for the Middle East peace process, in which the President of the Senate reiterated Romania's position in support of the implementation of the two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, to coexist in peace and security under international law, showing the importance of some measures to increase the trust that would facilitate the creation of the necessary conditions for the resumption of the direct dialogue between the parties, the cited source also states. The pandemic has given a boost to digitization, as 27 percent of the Romanians with a bank account are now paying via internet and mobile banking, executive director at the Romanian Banks Association (ARB) Gabriela Folcut told the first edition of the Financial Education Forum on Thursday. "Digitization received a boost. It didn't start during the pandemic, it only picked up speed. We saw a strong acceleration in the transition to cashless, contactless operations during this period. Previously, in 2015, 94 percent of retail payments were cash, but a recent IRES survey shows that 27 percent of the Romanians with a bank account now pay via internet and mobile banking, so we are setting off from the paradigm that in 2015 only 6 percent were electronic payments, whereas now 27 percent of the customers pay via internet. Internet and mobile banking payments have in fact tripled over the last decade and the boost is particularly visible during the pandemic. If we look at the numbers we see that the amount and number of payment transactions by cards issued by resident payment service providers were 53.3 percent higher in December 2021 versus December 2019, covering the two-year period of the pandemic," said Gabriela Folcut.According to the ARB official, the amount of payment transactions by card stands at 48.5 billion RON for 365 million transactions; there are currently approximately 19.6 million cards in Romania.Gabriela Folcut said that an ARB-commissioned survey on the "Banking system's digitization in the perception of Romanians" conducted by IRES has revealed three types of banking service or product users in the context of the pandemic.Thus, 47 percent prefer online interaction with the bank and consider that easy access to banking services via internet/mobile is of utmost importance to them; 19 percent prefer physical interaction with the bank, but occasionally use the mobile banking application; and 34 percent mostly go to the bank whenever necessary and don't consider easy internet/mobile access to banking services to be paramount.The first edition of the Financial Education Forum is an initiative of the Financial Supervisory Authority, the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies and the Romanian Banks Association and takes place under the High Patronage of the President of Romania. ST. LOUIS Stifel Financial Corp., an investment banking company based in downtown St. Louis, purchased ACXIT Capital Partners, a German corporate finance firm. Robb Mann, head of European investment banking at Stifel, said in a Wednesday announcement that the sale is expected to extend the company's "European footprint." The acquisition adds to Stifel's 2019 purchase of MainFirst, a German investment banking company. Stifel will provide ACXIT "greater access to international markets," said Johannes Lucas, ACXIT's founder. Lucas and Thomas Klack, a senior managing partner at the company, will become Stifel's head advisers for German-speaking European countries after the transaction, the companies said. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Wentzville School Districts latest incident of book banning is another boondoggle that hurts student learning, says a new letter from the Missouri Library Association to the districts school board. We are aware of your present predicament with the ACLU and federal courts, negative media coverage, and push back from all sides, and must assume that the extent of the aforementioned boondoggle is clear to you, the letter says, referring to the board vote to remove Fun Home by Alison Bechdel from the schools libraries. The letter dated June 9 is addressed to school board President Daniel Brice and copies Curtis Cain and Danielle S. Tormala, the present and future district superintendents. The letter is signed by members of the Missouri Library Associations Intellectual Freedom Committee. It criticizes the removal of Fun Home, a graphic memoir about the author/illustrators coming out as a lesbian and about her father, a closeted gay man. The book includes a sexual image of two women. The committee writes, however, that removing this work does not, certainly, protect LGBTQ+ youth, who need access to authentic representations of Queer experience to provide context for growing up in a predominantly straight society, just as cis/heterosexual children benefit from perspectives like Bechdels that help them empathize with and understand the broader scope of human experience. It also says: We, the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Missouri Library Association (MLA-IFC), would like to again formally express our concern as Missouri librarians and intellectual freedom advocates regarding your recent decision to remove Allison Bechdels Fun Home. As with the previous attempt to remove Toni Morrisons work, this is an ill-founded and disingenuous attempt by a vocal minority to control access to diverse perspectives and experiences obfuscated by concerns about protecting children. The ACLU continues to pursue a lawsuit against the school district, Anthony Rothert confirmed this week. Rothert, director of integrated advocacy at ACLU of Missouri, says a preliminary injunction submitted to the court focuses on the school districts overall policy rather than a specific title. Washington University said in April that it would honor Bechdel with its 2022 International Humanities Prize, which will be presented in November along with $25,000. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. THURSDAY, June 9, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Staying connected to others may help protect your brain as you age, new research reveals. The study showed that social isolation but not loneliness can cause changes to certain brain structures and increase the risk of dementia. The findings suggest that social isolation could be used as predictor of dementia risk, the British researchers added. "There is a difference between social isolation, which is an objective state of low social connections, and loneliness, which is subjectively perceived social isolation," said Edmund Rolls, a neuroscientist in the University of Warwick's department of computer science. "Both have risks to health but ... we have been able to show that it is social isolation, rather than the feeling of loneliness, which is an independent risk factor for later dementia." For the study, Rolls and colleagues analyzed brain imaging data from more than 30,000 people in the United Kingdom and found that those who were socially isolated had lower volumes of gray matter in brain regions involved in memory and learning. After adjusting for risk factors such as socioeconomic status, chronic illness, lifestyle, depression and genetics, socially isolated people had a 26% increased likelihood of developing dementia, according to the study published online June 8 in the journal Neurology. The association between social isolation and dementia was strongest in those over 60 years of age. Loneliness was also associated with dementia, but that link was not significant after adjusting for depression, which explained 75% of the relationship between loneliness and dementia, the researchers explained. "With the growing prevalence of social isolation and loneliness over the past decades, this has been a serious yet underappreciated public health problem. Now, in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic there are implications for social relationship interventions and care particularly in the older population," Rolls said in a university news release. And, according to study co-author Barbara Sahakian, of the University of Cambridge's department of psychiatry, "Now that we know the risk to brain health and dementia of social isolation, it is important that the government and communities take action to ensure that older individuals have communication and interactions with others on a regular basis." More information For more on dementia risk factors, go to Alzheimers.gov. SOURCE: University of Warwick, news release, June 8, 2022 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A sheriff who is trying to unseat a six-term Mississippi congressman picked up support Thursday from all the candidates eliminated in this week's first round of Republican primary voting. Later in the day, Rep. Steven Palazzo dismissed the endorsements of Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell and said he wants to debate Ezell before the June 28 primary runoff in south Mississippis 4th District. Its not shocking that local politicians who ran against me in the first primary are endorsing our opponent," Palazzo said in a statement. Palazzo who had faced an ethics investigation over campaign spending after the 2020 race declined to take part in candidate forums before Tuesday's six-person primary. He received about 32% of the votes and Ezell received about 25%, according to uncertified results. Three of the five Republicans who finished behind Palazzo and Ezell on Tuesday appeared Thursday in Gulfport with Ezell to announce their support of him. One sent a representative to announce the former candidate's support of Ezell, and the other confirmed his support in a call with the sheriff, the Sun Herald reported. We deserve better than what we have," said Clay Wagner, a retired banker who placed third in the primary. State Sen. Brice Wiggins, who finished fourth, said 68% of the people who cast ballots voted against Palazzo and "thats a mandate for change. Palazzo, now 52, was first elected to the U.S. House in 2010. In his statement Thursday, he said of Ezell: "A 65-year old freshman in Congress is not going to be able to get done for Mississippi what I can as a subcommittee chairman on Appropriations with seniority in the House." Ezell has said Palazzo is ineffective in representing south Mississippi, and he has criticized Palazzo for proxy voting the practice of not showing up in person to cast votes in the House but allowing another member to cast a vote in his place. The Republican nominee will advance to the general election ballot to face Democrat Johnny DuPree and a Libertarian candidate, Alden Patrick Young. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A prosecutor said he will announce Thursday whether charges will be filed in the death of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker gave no hints Wednesday, saying only that he would disclose his charging decision at an afternoon news conference in Grand Rapids. Lyoya, 26, a refugee from Congo, was killed by Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr after a traffic stop on April 4. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped him because the license plate didnt match the vehicle, according to video. Lyoya began to run after he was asked for a drivers license. Schurr quickly caught him, but the pair physically struggled across a front lawn in a residential neighborhood while Lyoyas passenger recorded the scene on a phone. Lyoya was on the ground when Schurr shot him. He had demanded that Lyoya take his hand off the officers Taser, video showed. Schurr, who has been on leave since the shooting, has not talked publicly about what happened. Lyoya's parents have demanded that he be charged with crimes and fired. Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger 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 Hal Goldsmith has been doing his best Oprah Winfrey impersonation. It is as though the assistant U.S. attorney for Missouris Eastern District is standing on the steps of the federal courthouse before a cheering crowd of St. Louis politicos. You get an indictment, he says to former St. Louis Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, and you get an indictment, he says to former Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, and you get an indictment, Goldsmith says to Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, who resigned under pressure Tuesday afternoon. Earlier Tuesday, Goldsmith handed out his fourth political corruption indictment in a week, this time to St. Louis County political appointee Anthony Weaver, who was promptly fired by County Executive Sam Page. The Weaver indictment for wire fraud reads similarly to the bribery indictments of the city aldermen, with transcripts of the government employee caught on tape allegedly trying to exchange official public action for cold, hard cash. Two things are clear about both the city and county indictments: First, the people accused of wrongdoing were as hapless as Keystone cops, often failing to provide the promised favors, particularly in Weavers case. At one point while discussing splitting potential proceeds of the government loot with a local businessman who Goldsmith refers to as John Smith, Weaver says: I hope this place is not bugged thats how Stenger got caught. Indeed it is. Steve Stenger, the former county executive, went to federal prison for trying to trade government action for campaign donations. Stenger moved the campaign loot hundreds of thousands of dollars through multiple friendly committees by which he tried to hide his intentions. The latest indictments, on the other hand, seem to suggest that Weaver, Reed, Boyd and Muhammad were just seeking some walking-around cash. And thats the second thing that these indictments, building on the round of Stenger-related indictments a few years back, continue to indicate: Too many people in St. Louis government believe that taxpayer dollars are theirs for the taking. Theres so much damn money around St. Louis County, its crazy, Weaver said, according to the indictment. We need to get some of that, said the man Goldsmith called John Smith, the gas station owner who bears a striking resemblance to John Doe of the city indictments. Uh huh, Weaver responds. Everything theyve got over there we need to get some of thats my attitude. Its a bad attitude for a government employee to have, but apparently, its the sort of attitude that is rampant in our community. Its not like St. Louis is alone in having politicians, in the case of these indictments all Democrats, looking for a handout. But some of this behavior is all too predictable. A state audit later blasted the fire district as being the poster child for bad government, as it handed out lucrative contracts to Walton, Weaver and others. Then-St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge John A. Ross eventually put an end to the mismanagement, freezing funds and forcing the jettisoning of Walton and his cronies. Amid all that, Waltons political power in north St. Louis County was still pervasive enough that when Ross was recommended for a federal judgeship in 2010 by President Barack Obama, his appointment was opposed in a letter written by former Congressman Lacy Clay, a longtime Walton ally. Clay lost that fight. Ross ended up on the bench, and he continues to serve in the very building where in the past two weeks Goldsmith has handed down four federal corruption indictments after what he called a two-and-a-half year undercover investigation. That investigation uncovered the seedy underbelly of St. Louis politics, with too many politicians expecting business owners to throw them some cash for services rendered. How many? Its hard to say. The indictments themselves contain hints that there may be more announcements made by Goldsmith in coming days or weeks. None of us have a crystal ball, and we cannot predict if there are more indictments to come, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said Wednesday morning. I think this is the tip of the iceberg. From City Hall to the Capitol, metro columnist Tony Messenger shines light on what public officials are doing, tells stories of the disaffected, and brings voice to the issues that matter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HAZELWOOD A 100,000 gallon asphalt tank exploded Thursday morning just before 11 a.m. north of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, according to the authorities. Hazelwood Fire Department Chief Dave Herman said no one was injured by the fire at Spirit Asphalt Inc., at 115 James S. McDonnell Blvd. "The plume of smoke was so high that you could see it from Maryland Heights," Herman said. "There was a lot of fire and a lot of smoke in a tank that was near other tanks. So we had to be concerned not just putting out the fire but containing those exposures as well." He confirmed the tanks next to the on that caught fire did not necessarily contain asphalt but did contain other products that they use to make the asphalt. Crews worked to cool those tanks down in temperature to mitigate risk of additional explosions or fire. Several agencies responded, including Hazelwood Fire Department, Robertson Fire Protection District, Berkeley Fire Department, Florissant Valley Fire Protection District and Ferguson Fire Department. The Hazelwood Fire Department confirmed all of its units responded to the fire. An airport spokesman said the fire was not on airport property. Spirit Asphalt Inc. did not immediately comment on the incident. Herman said they contacted the St. Louis County hazmat team as well as the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to ensure there were no chemical issues caused by the fire. "We were fortunate we were able to contain it to one tank, and that we had good access to get there," Herman said. "Had other tanks exploded or caught fire, this would have been significantly more devastating." Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Two top attorneys involved in a high-profile lawsuit over a controversial Missouri gun law have left their jobs in recent weeks. But officials on both sides of the legal battle say the departures will not bog down the litigation as it winds its way through the courts. At a time when the nations firearms laws are under scrutiny amid an ongoing epidemic of mass shootings, a case involving Missouris so-called Second Amendment Preservation Act pits St. Louis, St. Louis County and Jackson County against the Missouri Attorney Generals office, which is defending the Republican-sponsored law. In May, Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced the hiring of Jesus A. Osete as his general counsel. Osete had been serving as deputy solicitor general for the attorney generals office, which is headed by Republican Eric Schmitt, who is trying to succeed U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. Among Osetes tasks was writing briefs in connection with the gun lawsuit. His exit from the case was followed by Robert Dierker, who retired as an associate counselor for the city of St. Louis. Dierker, a former judge, had been a lead attorney in the gun case, presenting the citys side of the lawsuit before the Missouri Supreme Court in February. The case involves a challenge to the constitutionality of the law, which bars police from enforcing federal gun regulations that the state declares invalid and carries potential $50,000 penalties for violations. Opponents say the act violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which states that federal law supersedes state law, among other rights guaranteed by state and federal constitutions. Law enforcement officials, including a coalition of 60 Missouri police chiefs, contend the act impedes partnerships with federal officers and use of national databases and resources. After a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school last month, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page called for the law to be repealed. Chris Nuelle, a spokesman for Schmitt, said Osetes departure will not affect the timeline of the case. The lead attorney on the case remains John Sauer, who is the states solicitor general. John Sauer has always been lead counsel, argued the case in front of the Circuit Court and Supreme Court, and has sufficient support to continue this case going forward, Nuelle said. Yet, it was just two months ago that Schmitt was calling on the Legislature to add $500,000 to his offices budget in order to hire additional attorneys in the solicitor general unit that is handling the case. The Senate stripped the money out of the proposed spending plan as part of a rejection of Schmitts pursuit of litigation against school districts that imposed masking requirements during the pandemic. Nick Dunne, a spokesman for St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, said the mayor is confident in the status of the ongoing SAPA lawsuit under the direction of City Counselor Sheena Hamilton. Mayor Jones has no doubt the affirmative litigation unit in (the) City Counselors Office, in partnership with the St. Louis County and Jackson County Counselors Offices, will keep the pace of this important lawsuit, Dunne said. The case is currently in limbo in Cole County Circuit Court after the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that a decision by Judge Daniel Green was not appropriate because other cases against the law were already pending. The high court did not rule on the constitutionality of the law, but stated the circuit court ruled against the motion in error. Posted at 10:40 a.m. Thursday, June 9. (tncms-asset)1c24e48e-dc54-11ec-b2f8-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)a1304a52-c59c-11ec-8e42-00163ec2aa77[1](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)ec2cf27c-9fee-11ec-81e0-00163ec2aa77[2](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)a690d70a-9414-11ec-9112-00163ec2aa77[3](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)b7076ab8-8f82-11ec-b6e9-00163ec2aa77[4](/tncms-asset) Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS Tonka, whose caretakers swore under oath that the chimpanzee had died of heart problems last year, is now at a Florida primate sanctuary alive. Last weekend, authorities removed the former movie chimp from a cage in the basement of his caretakers home in Sunrise Beach, Missouri, near Lake of the Ozarks. The revelation that Tonia Haddix, 52, had been secretly hiding Tonka in her basement came from a recorded telephone call on May 22 with a documentary filmmaker, during which she said her veterinarian planned to evaluate the chimps declining health and possibly euthanize him. The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, obtained a recording of the call and then got an emergency court order to halt any euthanasia of Tonka and to remove the chimp from Haddixs home. Its a very happy day for both us and for Tonka, said Jared Goodman, a PETA lawyer. We really never gave up on finding him because we never bought the lies about his death. Nothing ever added up. And so we knew he was very likely out there somewhere. Tonka gained celebrity by appearing with actor Alan Cumming in the 1997 movie Buddy. The legal tussle between PETA and Haddix over Tonka and other chimps has played out in federal court for years. Haddix acknowledged in an interview with the Post-Dispatch this week that she and her husband had faked Tonkas death and lied in court to avoid surrendering him to PETA last summer. Its been nearly a year that he should have been rescued the first time and we are just so lucky that we were still able to rescue him and were able to find out this information before Haddix apparently planned to have him killed, Goodman said. Goodman said PETA was not behind the phone call, but he would not divulge how the group obtained the audio recording. The animal welfare group has long claimed Tonka and other chimps formerly at the now defunct Missouri Primate Foundation facility near Festus were improperly cared for and housed allegations Haddix denies. Haddix signed a 2020 consent decree agreeing to send four chimps to the Center for Great Apes sanctuary in Wauchula, Florida. She was to keep three including Tonka, but failed to comply with the orders requirements to house her three chimps, PETA said. The case began in 2016 when PETA claimed that chimps were being held in inadequate conditions at the Missouri Primate Foundation facility and that their treatment violated the federal Endangered Species Act. Haddix has said she became involved in the care of the chimps, and the lawsuit, when the facilitys founder, Connie Braun Casey, became ill and unable to care for them. The foundation cared for rescued chimps and retired zoo animals. Casey and her then-husband also ran Chimparty, which provided chimps for parties, commercials and other activities. Last summer, when Jefferson County sheriffs deputies and the U.S. Marshals Service oversaw the removal of six chimps from the facility, Haddix claimed Tonka had died of congestive heart failure. Her husband filed an affidavit in court saying he cremated the body. But PETA activists never believed Tonka had died. In February, they offered up to $10,000 for information leading to either the location of Tonka or confirmation of his death. A federal judge declined to hold Haddix in contempt of court for failing to properly document the chimps death but gave PETA the opportunity to offer additional evidence. I lied to them, Haddix said Tuesday. I did it to protect (Tonka) from the evil clutches of PETA. He is like a son to me. I love him as much as I do my own children, maybe more. Haddix told the Post-Dispatch that Tonka had been staying with a friend of hers in Missouri until November, when the chimp came to live with her. Since November, she said, Tonka has stayed in a cage in her finished basement equipped with a 60-inch television and iPad so he could watch YouTube until she and her husband could build an outdoor enclosure in the woods on their property. Several times, Haddix referred to Tonka as her kid, son or humanzee, saying hes half human, half chimpanzee because of his upbringing. I elected to keep Tonka where I know he would die peacefully and with people that loved him, she said. I did it for that chimp. I made that chimp a promise that he would never ever be abandoned, he would never have to work again, that he could retire and be around the people that he loved. She said her vet was planning a checkup Thursday and that she only would have considered euthanasia if he recommended it. Goodman said that based on PETAs initial evaluation of Tonka, Haddixs claim that he was near death is greatly exaggerated. Goodman also disputes Haddixs claim that Tonka is older than 38, saying the chimp is closer to 30. There is no indication that he is nearing the end of his life at all, Goodman said. Next week, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry will hear evidence about Tonkas welfare and decide whether to hold Haddix in contempt for defying court orders. It was not clear whether Haddix could also face perjury charges. But she says shes not terribly worried about legal trouble, because she says she has terminal cancer. I dont have long for this world, she said. I have acute myeloid leukemia. They gave me six months, three months ago, and Im not doing treatment. So if I die in jail, I die in jail. If I die outside, I die outside. I dont care. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS Police searched for evidence in the westbound lanes of Highway 40 (Interstate 64) Wednesday night after officers discovered a shooting victim critically injured on the highway near Hampton Avenue. St. Louis police were called to a crash scene about 9 p.m. Wednesday and found a 47-year-old man inside an SUV. The man was conscious, and paramedics rushed him to a hospital in critical condition. Homicide detectives took over the shooting investigation because of the man's condition. Police haven't said if the man had been shot on the highway or elsewhere. The SUV he was driving had a damaged windshield and was stopped in the emergency lane on the north side of the highway. The Missouri Department of Transportation said the westbound lanes were closed at Kingshighway nearly two hours. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. UPDATED Thursday with additional details ST. LOUIS A man was killed in a shooting Tuesday night involving two McDonald's workers outside the restaurant on Hampton Avenue, police said. St. Louis police Lt. Col. Ronnie Robinson said the shooting happened as part of an altercation between two employees about 8:20 p.m. outside the McDonald's at 1420 Hampton Avenue. The scene was in the city's Cheltenham neighborhood. Kevyn Henderson, 23, was shot in the chest and died at the scene. Police found him lying against a wall to the restaurant. Police arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Detectives planned to seek charges Wednesday. The suspect was holding a gun and standing near the victim when police arrived, authorities said. More than a dozen police vehicles and three ambulances were seen in the parking lot of the McDonald's shortly after the shooting. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS An 18-year-old man broke his ankles and fractured his spine Wednesday evening while trying to escape from the Hogan Street Regional Youth Center, authorities said. Police said the teenager backed out through an open window and fell three stories to the ground. The teenager had hidden between several wooden wardrobes and the windows in a third-floor unit, and waited for staff to leave the room, according to officers. When staff did leave, the teenager pushed the wardrobes away from the windows, retrieved a drawer and then used it to shatter a window. He then climbed on top of a radiator unit attached to the wall and kicked the window screen until it opened, police said. Officers said thats when staff came back into the room and told him to not jump out of the window. The teenager refused and fell to the ground as he backed out of the window. The teen was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. The incident is one of several escapes and attempted escapes in the last few years at regional juvenile centers. In April, police said four teenagers assaulted staff members and broke windows in an attempt to escape the Juvenile Detention Center at 3847 Enright Avenue in Grand Center. Another escape attempt occurred March 26 at that facility, according to police records. In February, officers said four juveniles escaped from the Juvenile Detention Center. Three of them were caught within 30 minutes, however. As for the Hogan Street Regional Youth Center, a teenager was charged in January after prosecutors say he and four other boys escaped the evening of July 3 by overpowering unarmed staff, forcing their way out of the building and taking two cars belonging to staff members. The Hogan Street center, a 30-bed facility that houses boys, is one of four Division of Youth Services secure facilities in the state. On May 29, two teenage boys escaped from the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center. They were arrested about a week later after St. Louis County Police Intelligence Operations Bureau detectives found the two teens. State officials had braced for an influx of youth detainees after the passage of the Raise the age law in July, which barred 17-year-olds from being automatically charged as adults in Missouris court system. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY A possible change to Missouri election law could help usher in a new era of closed party primaries in the state. Missouris open primary system allows voters to choose the ballot of any political party they want on primary day. And under current law, voters arent asked which political party they belong to when they register. But legislation on Gov. Mike Parsons desk would give voters the option to affiliate with a political party a potential precursor to a closed primary system that bars outsiders from participating in a certain partys primary. The bill on Parsons desk wouldnt close the states primaries, but two supporters of such a system are behind the legislation. Efforts to close the states primaries have failed amid pushback from Democrats and some Republicans. I would say its a step in that direction, but I dont have any plans to file, you know, the closed primary bill next year or anything, said state Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, who amended House Bill 1878, a wide-ranging elections bill, on the Senate floor with the new party affiliation option. Koenig said he worked with state Rep. Dan Stacy, R-Blue Springs, on the party affiliation legislation. Stacy has sponsored legislation to close the states primaries. Stacy said the legislation on Parsons desk and his closed primaries bill shouldnt be conflated. But he acknowledged any effort to close primaries would depend on knowing voters political affiliations. Thats a correct statement, Stacy said. Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, said the legislation by Koenig and Stacy lays the groundwork for the GOP-led Legislature to close primaries in the future. I think theyre trying to set up the possibility, of down the road, doing closed primaries, Merideth said. But that would be hard to do without first starting to establish people having registered with their party. Supporters of closed primaries have argued allowing voters to participate in whichever primary they choose, regardless of political persuasion, allows outsiders to influence races that should be decided by members of a political party. Opponents have argued a closed primary system would disenfranchise independents. And in areas where one political party is dominant, and the party primary effectively determines the eventual winner of the general election, voters who arent members of the dominant party would be barred from participating in the primary. Nine states, including Florida, New York and Pennsylvania, operate under a closed primary system. Under the legislation on Parsons desk, voter registration forms would be changed on Jan. 1 to include the new political affiliation question. Voters would have the option to choose a political party while checking in to vote at any election after Jan. 1. Those who fill out a voter registration form and dont choose to affiliate with a political party would be designated unaffiliated. Voters would be able to change their party affiliation by notifying their local election authority in writing. Local election authorities would be required to notify voters of the new party affiliation option. Koenig said under the legislation, someone could register with one party and still choose another partys ballot. It keeps our primaries completely open, he said. Stacy said no one has to claim a party under the legislation. Its a voluntary affiliation, which Im encouraging anybody who tends to affiliate with a certain political ideology to go ahead and affiliate with that party, Stacy said. Originally posted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 8. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Gov. Mike Parson is scheduled to sign legislation Saturday that gives a green light to a controversial wind-powered electrical transmission line running across northern Missouri. The proposed new law is the result of a compromise worked out among rural lawmakers that will allow the $2 billion Grain Belt Express to move forward, while putting up barriers to any similar projects in the future. For years, rural lawmakers and farm groups worked to block the 4,000-megawatt project worth an estimated $2 billion. Under House Bill 2005, private companies such as the one building the line would face higher regulatory hurdles to use eminent domain to acquire easements to build on the properties of landowners who dont want to negotiate a price for their land. Companies also would have to pay a higher price for land they seek. Key to its passage in the House and Senate was language making it clear that the proposed law only affects future projects, not Grain Belt, which is being built by Chicago-based Invenergy Transmission. Despite not being able to stop Grain Belt, farm groups cheered the legislation. Without this bill, we can expect landowner rights to continue to be trampled. The power grid has largely been built on the backs of farmers, whether they wanted to sell their land or not. It is long past time to bring fairness and common sense to the process, said Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins and Missouri Cattlemens Association executive vice president Mike Deering in a joint statement. The high-voltage power line would carry wind energy from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois before hooking into a power grid in Indiana that serves eastern states. Supporters say the project will create of thousands of construction jobs, deliver millions of dollars in property taxes to local governments and provide clean energy and lower rates to dozens of Missouri cities. Plus, they said, Grain Belt in 2019 was granted the right of eminent domain by the Missouri Public Service Commission. And, court cases had upheld the decision. Through Thursday, Grain Belt Express has filed 22 eminent domain lawsuits in Missouri and Kansas. Four of those already have reached a voluntary settlement and four have received condemnation orders. Of the 1,700 parcels of property needed, Grain Belt has acquired about 1,250 of them. Grain Belt Express is paying landowners 110% of the market value of the land. Additionally, the company pays landowners $18,000 for every transmission structure sited on their property, which is not typical for Missouri transmission projects. As an added benefit, Invenergy says it will use the power lines to also offer broadband service that could bring improved internet service to more than one million rural Missourians, including 250,000 within 50 miles of the transmission line. A Grain Belt spokeswoman said Thursday the company may do even more. While this law does not apply retroactively to Grain Belt Express, we are evaluating opportunities for the project to deliver significantly more power and benefits to the state of Missouri as leaders have called for, said Dia Kuykendall, director of public affairs for Grain Belt. Parson, who runs a cattle operation at his farm in Bolivar, is set to sign the measure at an event at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Posted at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, June 9. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY A group of politically connected marijuana growers in Missouri must destroy their cannabis products and give up business licenses as part of an agreement to resolve a dispute with the state. An eight-page agreement, signed in May between the licensees and the director of the states medical marijuana program, said state regulators and the licensees reached a compromise over alleged regulatory violations in an effort to end legal proceedings. The licensees in question that signed onto the agreement Archimedes Medical Holdings, FUJM, and Holistic Health Capital are all based in Perryville. Archimedes Medical Holdings controls two cultivation licenses and has used the brand name Solhaus, FUJM controls one cultivation license and Holistic Health holds a manufacturing license. Alleged issues noted in suspension orders ranged from pervasive irregularities that prevented the state from confirming that any product from the licensees three grow facilities had been properly tested to numerous outages on security cameras that went unreported to regulators. Orders to suspend operations at two facilities in question also noted employees are using and applying pesticides without proper training or proper Personal Protective Equipment. An order to suspend operations at one facility says, the licensee has left medical marijuana product unattended, unsecured, and in unsanitary conditions. Licensees disagree with the Departments position, the agreement said, according to a copy the Department of Health and Senior Services provided to the Post-Dispatch. The settlement is to resolve the Departments allegations and says the agreement shall not be construed as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by any Party. My Clients are pleased with the settlement agreement and looking forward to the future, Tanner Rolfes, attorney for the licensees, said in an email. Most importantly, the settlement confirms that Archimedes et al, as well as any affiliated entities or individuals, were not involved in any unlawful conduct. Hayley Rosenblum Dudney is the registered contact for Archimedes; she is the daughter of well-known St. Louis defense attorney Scott Rosenblum. Rolfes works for Rosenblums law firm. More recently, this year, Blonie Dudney gave $2,650 to Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts campaign; Ashcroft, a Republican like Parson, is expected to run for governor in 2024. While Hayley Rosenblum Dudney signed the agreement as a manager for Archimedes, Blonie Dudney signed the agreement as a manager of FUJM LLC. Blonie Dudney also signed the agreement as a manager for Holistic Health Capital. Jason Buchheit, who also signed the agreement as a manager for Holistic Health and FUJM, has also contributed to Parsons campaign. The primary owners of these licenses will not be eligible to own licenses in the future, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Senior Services. A Kansas City company that sued Archimedes in January said the state had determined the company trafficked marijuana from out of state, but orders to suspend operations from the state, dated between Sept. 22 and Oct. 8, do not reference such findings. Clovr, the company, said $1.7 million in inventory was frozen. Archimedes, along with individuals harmed by false accusations, will continue to seek legal action against any and all unscrupulous entities or individuals that opportunistically made and pursued false and defamatory claims, Rolfes said. Cox said the agreement resolves the investigation into the licensees, and said there are no investigative reports tied to the matter. The agreement directs the licensees to transfer operational duties of the facilities in question to a third-party management company by June 30. While some of the product in question was set to be destroyed under the agreement, some product was allowed to be processed and sold. By the end of November, the agreement says, Licensees shall submit change of ownership or transfer of license change requests to the Department for the four licenses in question. If Licensees fail to submit a timely change request, ... that license will be deemed to have been surrendered to the Department, effective December 1, 2022, the agreement said. The Departments approval of the change of ownership or transfer of the licenses is contingent upon Licensees divesting themselves of all product currently in their possession, the agreement said. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FRANKLIN COUNTY A Sullivan man was killed early Wednesday when his car skidded off the wet road and struck multiple trees, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. Jason C. Clark, 30, died as a result of the crash about 7:45 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 44 south of St. Clair. He was driving too fast for conditions, the highway patrol said, and his 2010 Chevrolet Malibu slid off the left side of the road, crashing into several trees. Clark was not wearing a seat belt, the highway patrol report said. A 32-year-old passenger from Cuba, Missouri, was seriously injured in the crash and taken to a hospital in the St. Louis area. He also was not wearing a seat belt, the highway patrol said. A Somali police officer recently received an unexpected summons from the enemy. An unknown caller ordered him to report to a town outside the capital, Mogadishu, where the extremist group al-Shabab would settle a dispute between him and his brother. The caller assured the officer he would be safe even if he showed up in uniform. Overcoming his fear, Khadar traveled to meet with a panel of four bearded men in an office made from iron sheets. The al-Shabab men wanted to know why he was denying his brothers a share of the land they inherited from their father. After an hour and a half of debate, the men directed me to distribute the inheritance among my brothers," Khadar recalled in an interview with The Associated Press, withholding his last name for safety concerns. Khadar complied, an extraordinary gesture to an armed group that continues to pose a deadly threat to his police colleagues and his government at large. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab is projecting authority and asserting a wider role in public life in this troubled Horn of Africa nation, underlining the extent of the challenge Africa's deadliest Islamic extremist group presents to the newly elected government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The threats range beyond regular attacks on places frequented by officials and include militant control of vast territory where federal officials don't dare go and can't even collect taxes. The group, which seeks to create an Islamic caliphate out of Somalia, is also increasingly undermining authorities by offering a parallel justice system enforced by the threat of violence in a country where many have little faith in conventional courts. Some people who spoke to the AP expressed a favorable view of al-Shabab, saying its mobile courts are not corrupt and that the group appears able to protect vulnerable people in ways the federal government cannot. You will get justice in al-Shabab courtrooms if you know you are doing the right thing, said farmer Muallim Abdi, a father of eight children who lives in another al-Shabab-controlled village near Mogadishu. But in the government-controlled areas it will take time, and the formal courts are corrupt. Abdi acknowledged that life under al-Shabab is extremely difficult, citing the children forced to join the group, the tax burden and the inability to enjoy private property. Last Ramadan, he said, al-Shabab asked residents to raise money to buy livestock to be slaughtered for the Eid feast, an unreasonable demand at a time when the riverbed was dry and some people were on the verge of displacement amid drought. Al-Shabab remains in a healthy financial position thanks to illicit taxation as well as income derived from the ongoing sale of $40 million in charcoal stockpiles in the city of Kismayo, a U.N. panel of experts reported last year. Al-Shabab's tax code compels all those intending to buy or sell farmland to register with the group's land office, through which sales can be finalized. Farmers are ordered to notify al-Shabab of the quantities they are harvesting. Once I harvested and sold 2,247 bags of onions but did not inform al-Shabab because I had an emergency to attend to," Abdi said. I was home when two men on motorcycles arrived. I was accosted for not telling them about the harvest. I was detained in a small, dark room and nearly suffocated. There's no room for appeal in the al-Shabab system. Despite the $1,123 fine he paid, Abdi still sees al-Shabab in a positive light because later it ruled in his favor to settle a land dispute with a neighbor. Both claimants were summoned and told to prove ownership before a committee that found his papers authentic, he said. The public would rally behind al-Shabab if they stopped killing people," Abdi said. Al-Shabab, which has killed thousands of civilians in the last decade, is estimated to have anywhere between 4,000 and 7,000 fighters, according to the Mogadishu-based security think tank Hiraal Institute. Although al-Shabab's extortionate power has been a major concern among traders, some businesspeople said they feel more confident in its mediation of disputes. They are becoming more reliable, and the people are counting on them, Hiraal Institute's Samira Gaid said of al-Shabab's court system. Somalis from minority clans, a growing community, see al-Shabab courts as fair, she said. Al-Shabab has seized even more territory in recent years, taking advantage of rifts among security personnel as well as disagreements between the government seat in Mogadishu and regional states. Forced to retreat from Mogadishu in 2011, al-Shabab is slowly making a comeback from the rural areas to which it retreated, defying the presence of African Union peacekeepers as well as U.S. drone strikes targeting its fighters. The militants in early May attacked a military base for AU peacekeepers outside Mogadishu, killing many Burundian troops. The attack came just days before the presidential vote that returned Mohamud to power five years after he had been voted out. Al-Shababs strategy is to bleed the system while patiently waiting for the exit of foreign troops, said Gaid, the security analyst. The restructured AU peacekeeping mission is set to wind down by the end of 2024, when Somali forces would take over security responsibilities. American officials cited the heightened threat posed by al-Shabab in mid-May as President Joe Biden signed an order to redeploy hundreds of U.S. troops to Somalia. Somali authorities have welcomed the decision reversing a 2021 order to withdraw U.S. troops. Mohamud has said securing Mogadishu will depend heavily on pushing militants out of the neighboring regions of Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle. That could be challenging. Al-Shabab has sharply increased its infiltration of state institutions, particularly security institutions, said political analyst Abdi Aynte, a former government minister. Rebuilding Somalia's security system "isn't an administrative problem but ultimately a political one," with the new president needing to reform the security services in a way that's accommodative of all competing groups, he said. An Associated Press journalist in Somalia contributed. Muhumuza reported from Kampala, Uganda. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. ISTANBUL (AP) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was welcomed in the Turkish capital on Wednesday just as the foreign minister of Russia, a key ally of the ostracized Latin American regime, was also visiting the city. Maduro is on a Eurasian tour after being rebuffed by Washington, which decided not to invite him to the Summit of the Americas. Turkey is one of a handful of places around the world Russia and Iran are other friendly states where Maduro is welcome amid U.S. sanctions on his country. Similarly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also faces travel restrictions due to his countrys war on Ukraine. Lavrov arrived in Turkey, which like Russia borders the Black Sea, two days after NATO members Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro reportedly refused to allow his plane to fly through their airspace to reach Serbia. His official duties in Ankara a meeting with his Turkish counterpart took place at President Recep Tayyip Erdogans palace just hours before Maduro arrived at the same venue. There was no official word on whether the two men met. Turkey and Venezuela have deepened their ties in recent years, with trade rising to nearly $850 million, according to Erdogan. Venezuelas gold trade with Turkey has risen as U.S. sanctions have cut off other sources of income for Caracas. Erdogan told a news conference with Maduro that Turkey was against the one-sided sanctions on Venezuela. We will always stand with the friendly and brotherly people of Venezuela, he said, adding that he hoped to visit Caracas next month. Manduro thanked Turkey for its support during the COVID-19 pandemic and said the two countries had signed three agreements on banking, agriculture and tourism. Earlier, Maduro laid a wreath at the tomb of Turkeys founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk before traveling to the palace, arriving in a limousine escorted by ceremonial cavalry. Erdogan was the first Turkish president to visit Venezuela in 2018 while Maduro has traveled to Turkey on several occasions. During one such stopover Maduro and his wife were criticized for dining in the expensive Salt Bae steak restaurant while many Venezuelans were struggling with poverty. The Summit of the Americas meeting of regional leaders in Los Angeles is taking place June 7-to-10. The governments of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua have been excluded from it by the United States. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WASHINGTON The House approved a red flag bill Thursday that would allow families, police and others to ask federal courts to order the removal of firearms from people at extreme risk of harming themselves or others. Its the Democratic-controlled chambers latest response to U.S. mass shootings and likely stands little chance in the Senate. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia currently have such red flag" laws. Under the House bill, a judge could issue an order to temporarily remove and store the firearms until a hearing can be held, up to two weeks later, to determine whether the firearms should be returned or kept for a specific period. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote of 224-202. We are painfully aware that we cannot do enough to save every life, and there is no one answer that will solve this problem," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. But we do know that taking guns out of the hands of people who pose a danger to themselves, or others, would save countless lives. The vote came after an emotional week that saw congressional testimony from victims of recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, and came ahead of a planned march Saturday in Washington by groups advocating stronger gun controls. On Wednesday the House passed a wide-ranging gun control bill that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds. It too, has virtually no chance in the Senate. House Republicans criticized the red flag bill as giving the federal government the ability to take a law-abiding persons guns without them having the ability to contest it beforehand. It would allows the courts to take guns away from people without notice and without even the right to appear in the hearing to defend themselves in court," said Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the bill would lead to roughly 10,000 emergency petitions being filed annually with the courts. The bill would also create a grant program at the U.S. Department of Justice to encourage states to adopt red flag laws and support the 19 states that have already implemented them. Five Republican lawmakers voted for the bill: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, Chris Jacobs of New York, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Fred Upton of Michigan. Only Fitzpatrick is seeking reelection. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democratic member to vote no. The lead sponsors of the bill were Democratic Reps. Salud Carbajal of California and Lucy McBath of Georgia, whose son, Jordan Davis, was slain at a Jacksonville, Florida gas station in 2012 by a white man angry over the loud music the Black teenager and his friends had been playing in their car. President Joe Biden strongly supports the bill. The White House said it would make significant progress toward keeping guns out of dangerous hands." However, the legislation is unlikely to advance in the Senate, where at least 10 Republican senators would be needed. Instead, senators are focusing on incremental policy changes through a system that would send funds and other incentives to states to bolster security at school campuses, provide more mental health services to young people and possibly encourage states to pursue red-flag laws of their own. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who is leading negotiations on the Republican side, said one focus is on enhancing the background check system known as NICS, to include young buyers criminal records before they turned 18. Adding juvenile records to the NICS system is a common sense way to ensure we have a complete picture of the buyers history, Cornyn said. He voiced optimism that senators will be able to reach an agreement. Around here, if theres a will, there is a way, and I believe we do have the will and we will find the way, Cornyn said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said the House stands ready to consider a gun bill from the Senate if its life-saving and can make a difference. But she cautioned: We cannot have subterfuge. We cant have them say well, its about this and its about that. No, its about guns. More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting MADRID (AP) Spanish authorities have dismantled two major drug trafficking networks that used corrupt police officers as part of operations to ship tons of cocaine and hashish into Western Europe, the European Unions law enforcement agency said Wednesday. Europol said in a statement that 61 people were arrested, including five Spanish Civil Guard officers, one National Police officer and a customs employee. The operation busted two Spanish gangs the Tangier Clan and the Sur Clan believed responsible for smuggling more than 16 long tons (18 short tons) of cocaine and 150 long tons (168 short tons) of hashish across the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain for distribution in Europe. The drugs were hidden in shipments of tomatoes, watermelons and melons. The agency said the gangs paid off the police and customs officers arrested so the drugs weren't intercepted on entering Spain. The operation was the result of 18 months of investigations by the Spanish forces in collaboration with Europols financial and economic crime group, which sent two teams to Spain on May 11. Detail on when the arrests took place, or the identity of the detainees, weren't provided. In more than 34 raids, the agency said police seized properties, vehicles, cash and 83 long tons (nearly 93 short tons) of hashish and nine long tons (10 shorts tons) of cocaine. The agency estimates that more than 60% of criminal groups in the European Union rely on corrupt officials to facilitate their activities. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday warned Greece to demilitarize islands in the Aegean Sea, saying he was not joking and posting tweets in Greek and English, in a marked harshening of rhetoric against Turkeys neighbor and historic regional rival. Turkey says Greece has been building a military presence in violation of treaties that guarantee the unarmed status of the Aegean islands. It argues the islands were ceded to Greece on the condition they remained demilitarized. Athens counters that the islands, which have been garrisoned for decades and lie within close striking distance of a large Turkish landing fleet, can't be left undefended. We invite Greece to stop arming the islands that have non-military status and to act in accordance with international agreements, Erdogan said on the final day of military exercises taking place near Izmir, on Turkeys Aegean coast. Im not joking, Im speaking seriously. This nation is determined. Greece and Turkey are NATO allies, but have a history of disputes over a range of issues, including mineral exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and rival claims in the Aegean Sea. The two countries came close to war three times in the past half century, the last being in 1996 over ownership of an uninhabited eastern Aegean islet. But Ankara has recently been questioning Greece's sovereignty over large, inhabited Greek islands Rhodes, Kos and Lesbos, for example, would meet the description of militarized islands. We warn Greece to stay away from dreams, statements and actions that will lead to regret, as it did a century ago, and to return to its senses, the Turkish leader said. A hundred years ago, Turkey defeated Greece after a three-year war that saw Greek armies invade western Turkey. Greece maintains Turkey has deliberately misinterpreted the treaties and says it has legal grounds to defend itself following hostile actions by Ankara, including a long-standing threat of war if Greece extended its territorial waters. Later Thursday, Erdogan made the rare move of tweeting in Greek and English, saying: As Turkey will not resign its rights in the Aegean, it will not hesitate either to make use of its rights arising from international treaties on the issue of the islands' demilitarization. Greek government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou commented that Erdogan's choice of Greek was notable. Greek is known as the language of reason, freedom and justice, he said. The tactics Turkey has chosen do not fall under any of these categories. Earlier, Oikonomou said Greece was dealing with Turkish provocations with calm and determination. It is clear to everyone that our country has upgraded its geostrategic and geopolitical footprint as well as its deterrent capacity to be able at any time to defend its national sovereignty and sovereign rights, he said. Meanwhile, Erdogan also reiterated Turkeys determination to launch a new cross-border offensive in Syria with the goal of pushing back Syrian Kurdish militia and creating a 30-kilometer (19-mile) buffer zone. Turkey regards the militia as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. We will never allow the establishment of terror corridors along our countrys borders, and we will definitely complete the missing parts of our security zone, the Turkish leader said. Erdogan continued: We hope that none of our real allies and friends will oppose our legitimate security concerns." Erdogan has said that Turkeys new offensive in Syria would target the towns of Tall Rifat and Manbij, which lie west of the Euphrates River and from where the Syrian Kurdish fighters launch attacks on Turkish targets. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. SAN DIEGO (AP) A Navy helicopter crashed Thursday and everyone on board survived near the California desert site where a day earlier a Marine Osprey went down, killing all five people aboard, authorities said. Four people were aboard the Navy chopper, which went down around 6 p.m. on a training range while conducting a routine training flight from Naval Air Facility El Centro, according to the base. The helicopter is an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 based at Naval Air Station North Island. One crew member received an injury that was not life-threatening and was taken to a hospital, the base said. The crash site was originally described as being about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Yuma, Arizona. A day earlier, all five Marines on board a tiltrotor aircraft were killed when it crashed in the California desert near the Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday. The MV-22 Osprey went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Yuma, Arizona. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap, Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy. The statement said as a matter of policy, the Marine Corps would be contacting family members before identifying those who were killed. Efforts to recover equipment were underway and an investigation into the cause of the crash has started. No additional details were provided in the Marine Corps statement. The Marines were participating in a routine live-fire training over their gunnery range in the Imperial Valley desert, said Marine Maj. Mason Englehart, spokesperson for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Osprey, a hybrid airplane and helicopter, flew in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but has been criticized by some as unsafe. It is designed to take off like a helicopter, rotate its propellers to a horizontal position and cruise like an airplane. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Prior to Wednesday's crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22 Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a hard landing in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. Its development was marked by deadly crashes, including an April 2000 accident in Arizona that killed 19 Marines. Baldor reported from Washington. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Along with personal isolation during the pandemic, many St. Louisans experienced significant financial and emotional challenges. Servers, barbers, cooks, hotel staff and many others couldnt perform their work or practice their craft while at home, yet they still had to pay their familys bills. As a partial response to these challenges, private lenders and the government enacted myriad financial support policies as assistance. One tool was debt relief: Student loan, mortgage, credit card and auto payments were in some instances postponed. Taken together, these policies shielded many people from the financial devastation that was feared at the outset of the crisis. The worst of the pandemic is hopefully behind us, and the economy appears stronger in many ways. However, with many forms of debt relief expiring, the financial hardship that had been postponed may be coming due. We should be thankful that the St. Louis economy has or is almost back to pre-pandemic conditions, yet that was a time when nearly one-third of households in Missouri were working hard yet living paycheck to paycheck and one emergency away from financial hardship. Rising prices further exacerbate this underlying fragility. We can choose a healthier path. But first, some background. This year marks a critical time of transition for the consumer debt of St. Louisans, as many support policies have already expired or will expire in 2022. Based on this timing, this year may see a spike in loan defaults unless efforts to help borrowers transition back to repayment are successful. According to data provided by the Atlanta Fed as of February 2022, at least 1,965 homes were in forbearance and at least 4,846 had a payment that was delinquent; this corresponds to 1.3% and 3.7% of the Atlanta Feds sample of mortgages in the St. Louis region, respectively. Zip codes with a majority of residents of color had both a higher rate of forbearance as well as loans delinquent. Some of the names of the municipalities and neighborhoods with the highest rates of distress are all too familiar when it comes to inequities in our region: Ferguson, Dellwood, Calverton Park, Jennings, Castle Point, Moline Acres, Mark Twain, Penrose, Greater Ville, Fountain Park and Jeff-Vander-Lou. In zip codes where 70% or more of homeowners were persons of color, at least 243 homes were in forbearance and at least 656 were delinquent; this equates to 3.4% and 9.1% of the sample of mortgages in these zip codes, respectively. What can be done to help our vulnerable neighbors? For borrowers who fell behind on payments during the pandemic, they can request to renegotiate the terms of their loans with lenders to help them get back on track with repayment. Many of the options available to borrowers are intended to reduce the burden of payments, a relief for strained household budgets. Delivering loan modification support often requires overcoming a significant hurdle: Borrowers must reach out to and work with their loan servicer to arrange new repayment plans. Placing the onus on the borrower can present a challenge. The same coalition of organizations that helped borrowers stay afloat during the worst of the pandemic (government, private sector, consumer advocacy groups and other organizations serving low- to moderate-income communities) can work together to reach consumers in need who are unaware of their options. Failure to reach our distressed neighbors may mean loss of housing and wealth (in the form of home equity), as well as declining neighborhood property values. Locally, this means falling further behind on equity in measures of financial empowerment in the region. The greater likelihood of default among homeowners of color stands to echo the severe loss in housing wealth for Black and Hispanic homeowners during the collapse of the housing market and subsequent Great Recession from 2007 to 2009. Successfully navigating this critical time of transition, however, has the potential to restore the financial wholeness of St. Louisans and support equitable economic growth. Moving beyond stabilizing these borrowers, theres an opportunity to reimagine how to build financial resilience more broadly among St. Louisans, perhaps through greater financial capacity to accumulate emergency savings. Having such savings not only makes families more resilient in the face of future economic downturns, but also lets them invest in their futures: brighter, healthier futures worth striving for. Lowell Ricketts is a data scientist at the Institute for Economic Equity at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect official positions of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis or the Federal Reserve System. As a reporter from the former capital of the Confederacy prepared to depart for the former hub of German Nazism, insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol. In January 2021, public radio reporter Mallory Noe-Payne was headed to Germany as a Fulbright Young Professional Journalist to compare and contrast how Germany and America confronted the sins of their past Germanys attempted extermination of Jewish people and Americas original sin of white supremacy. Seeing America in the midst of an apparent unraveling made me feel like the task was more necessary, Noe-Payne, the Richmond reporter for Radio IQ, said Tuesday, two days before the launch of Memory Wars: A podcast exploring how society confronts sin. She had hoped helping people see historical sins from an outside perspective would lead Americans to confront their own complicity because we can recognize when someone else has perpetrated evil better than we can recognize when we ourselves have, she said before leaving for Germany. I bit off a lot, she said Tuesday. But Im pleased with the fact it has all come together. Im hopeful that people feel like theyve learned something. I also hope its entertaining that people just really want more, that they listen to it all. The five-part Memory Wars, featuring Noe-Paynes interviews and in-depth reporting from her year in Germany, will have a new episode every other Thursday. You can subscribe and listen along all summer, Noe-Payne said. I was delighted when she asked me to co-host the podcast as something of a sounding board. Two Richmonders who witnessed Virginias racial reckoning are observing its backlash and are looking for answers anywhere we can find them. If Germany presented itself as a template in our nations journey from sin to redemption, history, as is often the case, was not quite as neat as imagined. Germans, for one, resisted the prevailing narrative about the unabashed success of their reconstruction. As Noe-Payne put it: Theres very little patting themselves on the back. I was surprised by the depth of the challenges Germany faced and how many Germans are still convinced that they did not do a good job, she said. In hindsight, it was naive to believe rebuilding a society after the horrors of the Holocaust would not be immensely challenging. Its just another example of how we simplify things we dont understand outside of our borders, she said. Still, Germans seem to be earnestly engaged in the work, however difficult and incomplete. They are performing acts of reconciliation and, yes, reparations, that youd be hard-pressed to find in America all done with a humility America could learn from. I was blown away by the extent in which American forces, during Germanys post-war reconstruction, fed that nation a harsh dose of collective guilt. One example was posters, bearing images of dead bodies and concentration camps, with a message that translated into THESE ATROCITIES: YOUR FAULT. The campaign was short-lived and, Germans would argue, ineffective. But, contextually, it was eye-opening. Our nations Reconstruction after the Civil War caved as the nation prioritized the reconciliation of its white citizens over the lives of its new Black citizens. At the same time occupying U.S. forces were serving up guilt to Germans, Black Southerners remained under a reign of terror. Whose fault was that? Noe-Payne said this campaign was important to focus on because it demonstrated Americans selective hearing to some extent what we choose to turn a blind eye to and what we dont. She remains haunted by her visit to the Dachau concentration camp and her time spent in a room designed expressly for killing. And I stood in it and left feeling so nauseous but also with the knowledge that every German school child visits such sites. She recalled childhood car trips up and down Route 5, between her Varina home and Williamsburg, passing the James River plantations that she would never visit. Knowing that I had grown up in Virginia, never having that sort of same visceral reaction at a place of encounter, as part of my education ... I just felt it in such contradiction. If Virginia was once moving toward a more enlightened education, it has done a U-turn. Learning honest and accurate history, particularly about systemic racism, has become a bridge too far for some Republican politicians. Book banning is in vogue. Racism and antisemitism are ascendant. Feels like backward movement, Noe-Payne said. From the Lost Cause movement of the late 19th century to the current backlash of the 21st century, we are still fighting wars over memory competing visions of a past that continues to inform and haunt our present. Too often, America has felt it has little to learn from history and the rest of the world. Our perilous democracy illustrates the folly of myopia and amnesia. This is one war we cant afford to lose. OFallon, Ill. (June 9, 2022) Caritas Family Solutions Fontebella Maternity Home in OFallon, Illinois recently expanded its services and is now the only maternity home in Southern Illinois that is a licensed child welfare institute. With this license, Fontebella is now able to provide services to Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) youth who are pregnant. Caritas CEO Gary Huelsmann said over the years, his agency has always sought to meet the needs they see in the community. He said it became clear to them that there was a great need to provide housing for youth who are pregnant or have children. Fontebella has interviewed several youths whom we could not take into our program because we did not have a license to serve women under the age of 18, said Huelsmann. It was heartbreaking to turn them away. A decision was made to invest in the process of becoming licensed for pregnant and parenting youth so that we would be able to serve this need in the community. For over a decade, Fontebella Maternity Home has provided a caring place for women who are pregnant and experiencing homelessness. Through their services, Fontebella aims to empower women dealing with substance abuse, addiction or violence to make positive changes to their lives. It also provides women with a safe place to live, food, counseling, a variety of parenting classes, assistance with finding employment, resources for their child, and education about immunizations and doctor appointments. Fontebella Maternity Home not only provides a home for these women but an opportunity for these young ladies to change their life, said Director of Nursing and Fontebella Maternity Home Lisa Winter. We help each woman by creating an individualized plan with goals to help them find jobs and give their baby the love and care they need. We want to empower these women and give them an opportunity to become the best mother they can be. We cant change the world we live in, but we can change one life. Fontebella is currently providing resources to two expecting mothers that are a part of the Department of Children and Foster Care Services (DCFS) and are taking referrals for more women. Women who stay at Fontebella are typically referred by pregnancy clinics, crisis pregnancy centers, probation officers and substance abuse facilities. Winter said there is always a need for volunteers to help support their mission. To learn how to help Fontebella Maternity Home go to caritasfamilysolutions.org/fontebella-maternity-home/ Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. Services include adoption, pregnancy care for women who are homeless, foster care, counseling, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and/or neglect, independent living for adults with developmental disabilities (CILA), and assisted living and employment assistance for low-income seniors. Caritas serves more than 6,000 individuals annually across Southern Illinois from offices located in Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Olney, Glen Carbon, Alton and Effingham as well as satellite locations in Highland and Sparta. For additional information, visit www.caritasfamilysolutions.org. ### Cutline: Fontebella Maternity Home Expands Services As a Licensed Child Welfare Institute to Care for Pregnant Youth. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. Error! There was a problem with reporting this article. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. Report Abuse Log In to report The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ukraine is the latest user of the American HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) vehicles that carry six GMLRS (GPS/INS guided MLRS). Ukraine knew of the success of the HIMARS vehicle and the capabilities of the GMLRS rockets. The latest version of the rocket can hit targets up to 85 kilometers away using INS/GPS (Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System) guidance. The INS component is important because it takes over if the GPS signal is lost due to jamming or when mountainous terrain blocks GPS as the rocket approaches the target. Over the last two decades INS has become more accurate. Russia has been a major source of GPS jammers since the 1990s. Two East Europe NATO members (Romania and Poland) use HIMARS. Several other NATO countries use HIMARS or the larger tracked MLRS vehicle (M270) that carries two pods. HIMARS is gradually replacing these. The HIMARS truck-mounted GMLRS system is ideal for Ukrainian artillery tactics, which makes use of individual self-propelled artillery to fire unguided shells at targets up to 40 kilometers away. This avoids return fire from the Russians, who are more vulnerable to Ukrainian tactics because Russia still employs mass artillery fire from batteries (six guns) or battalions (three batteries). Each HIMARS system is carried in a 16-ton 6x6 U.S. Army truck with an armored (against small arms fire and shell fragments) crew cab. The vehicle carries one MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) six rocket pod instead of two in the original larger, tracked, MLRS vehicle. Initially, a major attraction was that the 12-ton HIMARS truck could fit into a C-130 transport (unlike the 22-ton tracked MLRS) and was much cheaper to operate. The HIMARS vehicle can move at up to 85 kilometers an hour on paved roads and travel 480 kilometers on internal fuel. In 2016 it was revealed that HIMARS vehicles in American service had reached a million operational hours with a 99 percent readiness rate. The tech HIMARS used enables HIMARS to operate (move, receive a target order and launch the GMLRS) using as few as one of the normal three-man crew. The first HIMARS entered service in 2005, about a year after GMLRS did. The two new innovations worked well together and were a major reason for the success of the GMLRS and the HIMARS rocket launcher. The U.S. no longer buys the tracked MLRS or unguided MLRS rockets. An MLRS pod with six GMLRS weighs 2.8 tons and has attracted a lot of export orders. The 309 kg (680 pound) GMLRS missile is a GPS guided 227mm rocket. It was designed to have a range of 70 kilometers and the ability to land within meters of its intended target, at any range. This is possible because it uses GPS (plus a backup INS/inertial guidance system) to find the target location it was programmed with. With GPS the GMLRS will land within a few meters of the GPS coordinates. If the INS has to be used, that triples to about ten meters. In 2008 the army tested GMLRS at max range (about 85 kilometers) and found that it worked fine. This enables one HIMARS vehicle to provide support over a frontage of 170 kilometers. One HIMARS vehicle can provide precision fire support over an area of about 20,000 square kilometers. This is a huge footprint for a single weapon (an individual HIMARS vehicle), and fundamentally changes the way you deploy artillery in combat. By way of comparison, Excalibur (GPS guided 155mm shell) now has a max range of 55 kilometers. GMLRS meant the MLRS fire control system was upgraded to handle precision targeting rather than just a general area. Since 2004 over 3,000 GMLRS rockets have been fired in combat with 98 percent accuracy (hitting the target) and over 50,000 have been produced. GMLRS rockets cost about $100,000 each initially and the current cost (a 2021 order) is $110,000 even after several upgrades. HIMARS meant even less work for tube artillery, which had dominated the battlefield since the 17th century. Export demand for HIMARS has meant the U.S. manufacturer has had to resume production for the growing number of foreign customers. HIMARS uses a 28-ton Mk37 resupply vehicle to quickly rearm HIMARS vehicles that have used all their missiles. It carries two MLRS rocket pods and has handling equipment to remove an empty pod from a HIMARS vehicle and replace it with one containing rockets. The HIMARS battalions and ammo supply units use the MK37s to move loaded and empty MLRS pods into and out of the combat zone. The C-17, or similar military transports, can also fly in MK37 vehicles as well as additional MLRS pods with rockets and fly out the empty pods. Loaded MLRS pods are shipped four to a standard shipping container before resupply or firing (usually HIMARS) vehicles get them. Early on most of the GMLRS rockets were fitted with an 89 kg (196 pound) M31A1 high explosive ("unitary") warhead. About half of that is actual explosives. That's twice as much explosive as the U.S. Air Force 130 kg (285 pound) SDB (Small Diameter Bomb). A 155mm artillery shell has 6.6 kg of explosives, and the 500-pound (227 kg) bomb has 127 kg of explosives, which produced an excessive blast for many urban combat situations. The GMLRS seemed to be just right most of the time. The larger GPS guided ATACMS rocket (one per MLRS pod) has a range of 300 kilometers and a 230 kg (500 pound) warhead. This version has not been produced since 20o5 because other guided missiles with similar range and guidance systems made ATACMS less useful. GMLRS has been used with great success in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria where most have been fired so far. The guided rocket is much more effective than the older, unguided, version, and has replaced it for most users. The accuracy of GMLRS means that one rocket does the job that previously required a dozen or more of the unguided ones. That's why HIMARS is so popular. While HIMARS only carries six rockets, that's often enough to last for days in places like Afghanistan, even when there's a lot of combat. Ukraine expects to demonstrate that and a few new ideas as well. One reason NATO nations have been willing to deplete their own supplies of guided missiles and rockets is because the Ukrainians make the most of these weapons and have developed unique tactics against an opponent (Russia) armed with modern weapons. Many users have developed unique uses for HIMARS and GMLRS. In 2017 the American marines found that with a few modifications to the HIMARS fire control software the vehicle could accurately fire GMLRS rockets from the flight deck of one of the many amphibious ships marines operate from. As far back as World War II the U.S. has fired unguided rockets from ships in support of amphibious operations. But the use of GMLRS meant HIMARS could provide precision fire support from a ship at sea and the next version of GMLRS, which enters service in 2022, has a range of 150 kilometers, making the ship-based version even more useful because it can support troops even farther inland. This GMLRS-ER also makes HIMARS more effective at supplying F-35s in stealth mode with more guided missiles. GMLRS-ER was originally called TC-GMLRS (Tail Controlled GMLRS) because it uses a new, tail-mounted guidance system to achieve high accuracy over longer distances. GMLRS-ER is the same size as the current GMLRS rocket and can be fired from existing pods after a software upgrade to the guidance system. In 2018 the Marines found that the multitude of sensors on their new F-35B vertical take-off jets could spot ground targets in all weather and at night and pass the target location to a nearby HIMARS vehicle that would then fire a GMLRS rocket at the target. To maintain maximum stealth capabilities the F-35 carries bombs and missiles internally but the capacity of the internal bomb bays is limited. HIMARS can supply guided weapons for one or more F-35Bs. Some helicopters are equipped with similar sensors and digital communications systems and can also pass on GPS target data to a HIMARS vehicle. An F-35B could even maintain its stealth by sending the target information via an encrypted burst transmission that is difficult to use for location finding. The air force could use this with their F-35As and the navy with their carrier-based F-35Cs. HIMARS isnt the first new missile system the marines found new uses for. In 2015 marines assigned to the new Yemen blockade force noted that many of the blockade ships were concerned about the Iran-backed Yemen rebels using small boat tactics to attack warships. The marines found that their FGM-147 Javelin ATGMs (Anti-tank guided Missiles) were a more portable solution that the TOW ATGM, which the marines called Saber. TOW/Saber were not as portable but had a superior fire-control system to finding and tracking and destroying small boats at night and in fog or mist. TOW has been around since the 1970s and remains in service because it is effective, inexpensive (compared to Javelin) and continually updated. This includes the fire-control system, which can also provide GPS coordinates for targets 4,000 meters distant and pass those coordinates on to aircraft, helicopters, armored vehicles or warships. The marine TOWs can be used from the deck of any size warship. The TOW tripod launcher and fire control system weigh 90 kg (200 pounds) and each missile about half that. This system can be delivered to destroyers or frigates via helicopter or small boat. The TOW has a longer range than Javelin (3,700 meters versus 2,500) and each TOW costs about $60,000 while a Javelin missile costs four times that. Javelin has the advantage of being lighter and easier to use, especially aboard smaller ships used for the blockade. The Ukrainians damaged at least one Russian assault boat using an unguided rocket. But there havent been enough target opportunities along the coast. The Ukrainians, like the American marines, have a tradition of improvisation. Javelin has one of the best fire control systems for portable systems, but similar fire control systems are used in the marine LAV (light armored vehicles). These vehicles are similar to but preceded the army Stryker. The LAV has a 25mm autocannon which can also be used against small boats at ranges of up to 3,000 meters for a direct hit and twice that for area (less accurate) fire. LAVs are brought to the flight deck of navy amphibious ships. These ships carry dozens of vehicles below deck in a vehicle deck behind the hangar deck for aircraft. The vehicle deck opens to the rear of the carrier with a dock where landing craft take the vehicles to shore while the flight deck is used for helicopters and F-35B jets that can take off and land like a helicopter. The elevators that bring aircraft to the flight deck can do the same with vehicles. Over the last decade the U.S. Navy has noticed, studied and concluded that China has organized and increasingly used a naval militia that is used to enforce Chinese claims to the South China Sea and support Chinese fishery poaching efforts worldwide. Poaching is very lucrative, earning Chinese poachers over $20 billion a year. Less lucrative but militarily more useful is the growing number of large civilian ferries, especially the RoRo (Roll On, Roll Off) models for a major amphibious operation to seize Taiwan. In the last year Chinese military planners also ran some simulations from the defenders point-of-view and included the many anti-ship weapons Taiwan and its allies would have available, even after an enemy port had been seized and reinforcements were needed to hold on to it. This is where the ferries and RoRos were essential and the staff exercises found that the civilian vessels were very vulnerable to attack and unexpected bad weather. These problems would, at the very least, render the civilian vessels unable to complete its mission and in some cases the ferries and RoRos would be lost. Arming the civilian ships with some missile-defense systems, along with sailors to operate them, would help, but not solve the problem. The American concerns about militarized ferries and state-sponsored piracy to plunder foreign fishing grounds have morphed into imaginary militarization of many of the 5,500 Chinese built ships operating worldwide. China has already discovered that the militarized ferries have more limitations than expected. This explains why militarization of ocean-going bulk carriers (of grain and other bulky items) and container ships is not practical, at least on a large and affordable scale. In the West militarized commercial ships are used during wartime and crews are expanded, especially on tankers being used to refuel warships at sea. That requires the installation of additional equipment and the use of sailors, especially helmsman with experience safely maneuvering close enough to warships to transfer fuel. This is harder in the 21st century because large commercial transports are more automated and operated by smaller crews who are insufficient for handling damage control. As the Chinese have already discovered, arming their RoRo ferries is futile because too many of the wartime threats are guided missiles, not nearby warships you can fire small guided missiles at. Putting any weapons on commercial ships is illegal in peacetime, as was discovered over a decade ago when it was attempted to protect commercial ships passing close to the Somali coast and the many pirates operating there. The legal solution was to small teams of armed security personnel boarding the commercial ships before it entered the Somalia danger zone, The armed security team would leave the ship after it was out of range of the pirates. This was a lot more expensive than just putting some rifles aboard commercial ships, a practice that was gradually outlawed since World War II. No one really noticed that until some commercial shipping companies tried to reinstate the practice and discovered most ports they operated in considered loaded firearms for the crew dangerous and prohibited them as cargo. The thousands of Chinese fishing trawlers are unarmed and trained to operate stealthily and at night to plunder foreign fishing grounds. Over the last decade many nations that were losing lots of fish and other valuable aquatic species to Chinese poachers ordered their navy and coast guard ships to seek out and capture or sink the poachers. This led the Chinese to send one or more armed coast guard ships with poaching fleets headed for hostile waters, to provide some defense from local warships. The Chinese armed ships werent there to fight but to delay pursuers when Chinese trawlers were discovered while stealing fish. The trawler crews had trained for this and would cut loose their nets and head for international waters as quickly as they could. Some were caught and often sunk after the crew was arrested. In response to that the Chinese would send lawyers and publicists to portray the poachers as victims. China would also offer cash or, income cases, threats of a trade war. This did not work on many distant nations, especially in South America. Some nearby victims, like Indonesia, instead became more aggressive in sinking Chinese trawlers and firing on escorting Chinese warships. China declared itself the victims and sent their seafood pirates to less-hostile waters. Foreign intelligence analysts also discovered that many of the Chinese fishing ships involved in confrontations with foreign fishing ships and local coast guard or naval police never seem to catch any fish. It turned out that these fish-free fishing ships were being paid by the Chinese government to be pests and professional victims of oppression by other nations with claims on the South China Sea. These fishing boats do sometimes fish, but not while being paid by their government for what amounts to paramilitary duties. This tactic was frequently used against the Philippines, a major victim of Chinese claims on the South China Sea. The Philippines put Chinese claims before an international court that rules on such matters. The court found China was acting illegally. China ignored the ruling and continued using fishing boats and naval militia (fishing boats not currently equipped for fishing) to show up at Filipino fishing grounds. Between late 2020 and early 2021 Julian Felipe Reef was occupied by a growing number (eventually more than 200) of Chinese naval militia fishing boats inside the reef. Most of the Chinese trawlers were lashed together in groups of five to twenty boats that formed a pattern preventing real fishing boats from operating inside the reef. Most fishing boats in the South China Sea are trawler type boats. These boats deploy their nets and then move through an area containing a lot of fish and haul their catch on board and into a refrigerated compartment. Many of the Chinese militia boats are formally called "freezer trawlers." These ships are up to 100 meters (320 feet) long and have facilities onboard to store hundreds of tons of frozen fish. These ships normally stay at sea months at a time and have crews of 14-30. The number of Chinese trawlers has expanded enormously since 1985 when there were only 13. Now there are over 2,400 of them operating worldwide. China helped with this expansion by subsidizing ocean-going fishing boats. Those subsidies were gradually withdrawn as the number of larger (than 100 meter) freezer trawlers has grown and these are meant for use in far distant waters. China claimed all the Chinese fishing boats inside Julian Felipe Reef were taking shelter from bad weather. This is often the case with reefs in the South China Sea, but there was no correlation between the presence of Chinese boats inside the reef and the actual weather in the area. The Chinese claims dont stand up to close scrutiny. With so many cellphone videos and high-res images from aircraft and warships available, all China can do is keep lying and do it aggressively and with assurance that no one will do much about it. Chinas naval militia has been a major factor in Chinese intimidation operations in the South China Sea. This militia has been around since the 1950s but never used this aggressively. For example, during the first three months of 2019 China deployed 900 navy, coast guard and naval militia ships around Pagasa Island to block access to fishing areas that Filipinos have been using for centuries. International law makes it clear that these are Filipino waters but the Chinese naval effort, and base constructed on Pagasa, challenge Filipino ownership blatantly and often physically. Since 2015 China has hired several hundred Chinese fishing boats and their crews as a part-time naval militia to conduct a blockage of bits of land in the South China Sea that the Philippines physically occupies, hoping to block supplies and force the Filipinos to evacuate these outposts so that China can take possession. The Chinese fishermen dont mind the militia work, seeing it as something of a paid vacation with overtones of patriotic service to the state. The militia boats are not true volunteers. When the government requests a Chinese fishing boat work for the militia the boat owner complies. Sometimes boat owners grumble when they are called up during a prime fishing season, but refusal is not an option and they make the best of it. The Philippines appears to get most of the unwanted Chinese attention in the South China Sea because the Philippines has the most to lose. In terms of land area, the 7,600 islands that comprise the Philippines amount to only 300,000 square kilometers (120,000 square miles) of land area. Compare this to China, with 9.6 million square kilometers of land. According to international law, the Philippines controls (via its EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone) water areas covering 2.26 million square kilometers. By the same standards the Chinese EEZ waters comprises 877,000 square kilometers. The Philippines is also the weakest (in military terms) nation China is seizing territory from and their mutual defense treaty with the United States is not always adequate to deal with the Chinese tactics. Moreover, the American government can change readily every four years because of presidential elections. The current U.S. president is seen as less steadfast in dealing with China. So far that has not been the case, but the new American government has only been in power since January 2021. Most Chinese commercial ships, particularly freighters and ocean-going fishing ships, are considered part of a military maritime reserve force and are expected to follow orders from navy or coast guard ships whenever called upon. This arrangement is not unusual as it is an ancient practice still used in many parts of the world. But the Chinese commercial naval militia ships are expected to collect intelligence and sometimes even risk damage and injuries by using their ships to block the movement of foreign ships (including warships). In return the Chinese navy and coast guard will come to the assistance if Chinese commercial ships get in trouble with foreign navies or coast guards. But this arrangement does not always work out as it should. Illegal fishing is a worldwide problem and Chinese trawlers are the biggest offenders. Most of the 5,500 Chinese built and operated commercial ships are much larger and usually operate legally. Some get involved, with government permission or under government orders, in smuggling. This usually involves transporting oil from embargoed nations like Iran. The oil is often transferred to a tanker operating legally. This is done at night and this has increasingly been spotted and hi-res video taken by American or allied nation maritime patrol aircraft. These videos make it possible to identify the ships involved and the Chinese deny any official involvement and dont punish the Chinese crews and shipping companies involved. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 8, 2022 / Predictiv AI Inc. (TSXV:PAI); (OTCQB: INOTF); (FSE:71TA) ("Predictiv AI" or the "Company"), www.predictiv.ai, a software and solutions provider in the artificial intelligence markets, continues to work diligently to complete the filing of its annual financial statements for the year ended Januaury31, 2022 and its related management's discussion and analysis, and officer certifications (collectively, the "Required Filings") which were due to be filed on May 31, 2022 (the "Filing Deadline"). The Company confirms that the Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") has issued a failure to file cease trade order against the Company (the "CTO") which orders that general trading, whether direct or indirect, of the securities of the Company cease. A copy of the CTO has been posted to the OSC website. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to remedy its filing default and have the CTO lifted in a timely manner or at all. We are, however,continuing our efforts to remedy the situation and the revocation of the CTO is expected to occur within a few days after the Required Filings are made. For more information on Predictiv AI, visit www.predictiv.ai and follow Predictiv AI on: Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/PredictivAI/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/predictivai LinkedIn: https:// www.linkedin.com/company/predictivai/ Company Contact: Khurram Qureshi Mobile:647.831.1462 Email: [email protected] About Predictiv AI Inc. Predictiv AI Inc. www.predictiv.ai is a technology company which helps businesses and organizations make smarter decisions using advanced artificial intelligence, deep machine learning and data science techniques. Its Weather Telematics Inc. subsidiary uses patented air quality monitoring sensors to provide predictive weather risk information to the insurance, logistics, fleet management and public safety sectors. The Company's R&D division, AI Labs Inc.,develops new products that solve real-world business problems. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this news release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that involve risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially from the conclusion, forecast or projection stated in such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, ThermalPass achieving the commercial results anticipated by the Company, market demand for ThermalPass and other factors referenced in the Company's other continuous disclosure filings, which are available at sedar.com. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by 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 RELEASE SOURCE: Predictiv AI, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: China Securities Regulatory Commission said that its not considering Ant Groups IPO revival after Bloomberg News reported that authorities are ... I'm a New Customer I'm a Returning Customer E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device) Password Early-career scientists receive funding to pursue arthritis and related autoimmune disease research IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF) today announced the 19 early-career scientists who will receive grant funding and make up the 2022-23 cohort. The eight first-year grantees will each receive $100,000 and for the first time, second year grantees will be awarded an increased amount of $125,000 each. The pursuit of arthritis and related autoimmune disease research is more critical than ever as the numbers of those impacted continue to grow, said ANRF CEO Emily Boyd Stormoen. We are inspired and encouraged by the level of ingenuity and possibility in the research ideas presented by the scientists receiving funding and are grateful we are able to offer the funding we do, including the additional amount for the second-year grantees. Scientist research in the coming year will focus on arthritis and related autoimmune diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout, Spondyloarthritis, Osteoarthritis, Lupus and Scleroderma. Grant funding is made possible by industry partnerships, foundation support and donations by individuals and organizations. Bahram Razani, M.D. from University of California, San Francisco is the Janssen Immunology Psoriatic Arthritis Fellow, which is supported by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Four scientists will be supported by fellowships from the Valiant Women Grant started by Louise Dawson, an ANRF donor. Two scientists receive the distinction of named fellows after Gale Morrie Granger, Ph.D. and Carl F. Ware, Ph.D., both prominent names in arthritis study and research. The scientists receiving funding in 2022-23 include: FIRST YEAR GRANT RECIPIENTS Ramadan Ali, Ph.D. University of Michigan The Role of Neutrophils and NETs in the Pathogenesis of Scleroderma Shabana Ali, Ph.D. Henry Ford Health System Elucidating the Role of miR-126-3p in Osteoarthritis Sanja Arandjelovic, Ph.D. Gale "Morrie" Granger Fellow University of Virginia Removal of Apoptotic Cells in Inflammatory Arthritis Susan Canny, M.D., Ph.D. Kelly Rouba-Boyd Fellow University of Washington The Role of Cytokines in Monocytes During Macrophage Activation Syndrome Isidoro Cobo, Ph.D. University of California, San Diego Epigenetic Mechanisms of Macrophages during Gouty Inflammation Heather Faust, Ph.D. Brigham and Women's Hospital Adipose Tissue as a Memory T Cell Storage Site in Inflammatory Arthritis Anna Patrick, M.D., Ph.D. Carl F. Ware, Ph.D. Fellow Vanderbilt University Medical Center Mechanisms of the Th1.17 Cell Development in Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Bahram Razani, M.D. Janssen Immunology Psoriatic Arthritis Fellow University of California, San Francisco Role of A20 in Restricting Psoriatic Skin and Joint Disease SECOND YEAR GRANT RECIPIENTS Jonathan Brunger, Ph.D. Judy E. Green Valiant Women Fellow Vanderbilt University Synthetically Regulated Cell-Based Therapeutics for Targeted Articular Cartilage Regenerative Medicine Roxane Darbousset, Ph.D. Brigham & Women's Hospital Platelets as Neutrophil Amplifiers in Systemic Sclerosis Maria Gutierrez-Arcelus, Ph.D. Vic Braden Family Fellow Boston Childrens Hospital Splicing Disruption in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pui Y Lee, M.D., Ph.D. Boston Children's Hospital mTORC1 in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Ruth Napier, Ph.D. Oregon Health & Science University Understanding how the CARD9-neutrophil-Th17 Axis Controls Ankylosing Spondylitis Michael Paley, M.D., Ph.D. Washington University in St. Louis Mechanistic Insights into Organ-Specific Manifestations of Spondyloarthritis Nisarg Shah, Ph.D. Sontag Foundation Fellow University of California, San Diego Microparticle-Assisted Modulation of Regulatory T cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Anil Singh, Ph.D. Washington State University Molecular Reprogramming of Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts by interleukin 6 Theresa Wampler-Muskardin, M.D. Kathryn Suzanne Ferris Fellow New York University School of Medicine Type I Interferon Pathway Activity Informs TNF-inhibitor Treatment Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis Shouan Zhu, Ph.D. Ohio University Metabolic Regulation of Chondrocytes by Sirt5 and Protein Malonylation in Osteoarthritis Development Yu Ray Zuo, M.D. University of Michigan Mechanisms of the Infection-Induced Autoimmunity in COVID-19 and Beyond ABOUT ANRF AND ANRF GRANTS Each year, applications for grants open in the fall and typically have a mid-January application deadline. ANRFs Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), comprised of world-renowned physicians and Ph.D. scientists, studies and selects the most promising research. Once reviewed and scored in a SAB meeting, top projects are moved forward to the Board of Directors for approval. Since 1994, ANRF has awarded more than $22M to nearly 200 scientists at approximately 90 universities and institutions in the U.S. With more than 58.5 million adults and 300,000 juveniles living with doctor-diagnosed arthritis in the U.S., the investment in research is essential and the only way to improve treatments and therapies, and find a path to a cure. Complete requirements, policies and the application portal can be accessed at curearthritis.org/research-grants. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220607005105/en/ Jenn Casey Director of Marketing & Communication Arthritis National Research Foundation [email protected] 800-588-2873 Source: Arthritis National Research Foundation CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Best Upon Request (BEST), a national provider of concierge services to businesses and healthcare, headquartered in Cincinnati, launched a new mobile app for customers to offload tasks and errands. The app, BestURequest, is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. It is one of many ways BEST customers can contact their dedicated concierge, in addition to online, email, phone, text and even in person for on-site concierge programs. Katie Schanne, BESTs chief financial officer, said, While we had a mobile app for years, this new version goes beyond basic functionality to be a cant-live-without tool to help our customers maximize their daily life. It makes it even easier for our time-saving service to be at our customers fingertips. The app is available to employees of organizations, or patients at hospitals, that offer BESTs concierge services as a benefit to them. Those eligible can use the app to enroll in the service, make requests 24/7, see request status, see service history, reorder a prior service request, and access their customer portal. Customers can use the app to request a shopping trip to Costco or Kroger, a lunch or coffee delivery, shipping a care package, scheduling an oil change, or planning a vacation to name a few examples. In addition to the customer mobile app, BEST rolled out a mobile app designed specifically for concierges to increase their efficiency while serving their customers. This resource allows BEST team members to manage their appointments when running errands or when not at their desk. BEST worked with the developer Red Hawk Technologies to create both mobile apps and integrate with BESTs proprietary point-of-sale, CRM and scheduling system. About Best Upon Request Best Upon Request partners with organizations nationwide to provide concierge services to its employees as an employer-paid benefit. By helping employees save time and decrease stress, BEST improves recruitment and retention, engagement and work-life integration. BEST also provides specialized concierge programs for working mothers and physicians. In healthcare, BEST serves patient families to improve the patient experience by attending to non-medical needs. Patient concierge programs are tailored for Emergency Departments, Maternity Units, and childrens hospitals. In business since 1989, BEST is a certified Minority and Women Business Enterprise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005946/en/ Jessi Lima Bollin VP, Marketing and Communications 513-708-4864 Email: [email protected] Source: Best Upon Request Leading Insider Risk Management company takes home 2022 Fortress Cyber Security Award and Global InfoSec Award MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Code42 Software, Inc., the Insider Risk Management (IRM) leader, today announced it has won two security industry awards at RSA Conference 2022. Code42 was named a winner of the 2022 Fortress Cyber Security Awards in the Data Protection category and a Global InfoSec Awards Market Leader in the Insider Threat Detection category by Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM) , the industrys leading electronic information security magazine. Code42 has played a defining role in developing a vision and requirements for the IRM category now recognized by Gartner, IDC and Forrester and is a founding member of the Insider Risk Summit and Insider Risk Community. The tools that were created 15 to 20 years ago to keep our data safe were built before the cloud was a thing. Its clear those tools arent making the cut anymore. Now, with the digitization of data, people working remotely and the workforce turnover were seeing today, we need a new way to secure our IP, source code and customer information, said Joe Payne, Code42 president and CEO. Thats why were providing organizations with innovative IRM tools that help security teams see when their data goes to untrusted locations, while wrapping a layer of security around the collaboration tools we want employees to use. Its an honor to be recognized at this years RSA Conference with these awards. The 2022 Fortress Cyber Security Awards named Code42 the winner in the Data Protection category. This industry awards program looks to identify and reward the worlds leading companies and products that are working to keep data and electronic assets safe among a growing threat from hackers. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by business executives having experience and knowledge. The organization's proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers. Code42 was named a Global InfoSec Award winner Market Leader in Insider Threat Detection by Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM). This is Cyber Defense Magazines tenth year of honoring InfoSec innovators from around the Globe. The judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables. These awards are just two of many industry accolades Code42 has received of late. For the second consecutive edition, Gartner identified Code42 as a Representative Vendor in the Gartner 2022 Market Guide for Insider Risk Management Solutions report. Code42 was ranked to Inc. Magazines annual Best Workplaces list for the third consecutive year. For the second time, Code42 was named to the JMP Securities Elite 80, which highlights the 80 hottest privately held cybersecurity and IT infrastructure vendors. Code42 is exhibiting at RSA Conference in booth #N-4634 at the Moscone Center North Expo in San Francisco and providing live demonstrations of the Code42 Incydr product and Code42 Instructor micro-learning solution. About Code42 Code42 is the Insider Risk Management leader. Native to the cloud, the Code42 Incydr solution rapidly detects data loss, leak and theft as well as speeds incident response all without lengthy deployments, complex policy management or blocking employee productivity. The Code42 Instructor solution helps enterprises drive secure work habits by incorporating timely, hyper-relevant Insider Risk awareness training videos to reduce risk events due to accidental and negligent end-user behaviors. With Code42, security professionals can protect corporate data and reduce insider threats while fostering an open and collaborative culture for employees. Backed by security best practices and control requirements, the Code42 Incydr solution is FedRAMP authorized and can be configured for GDPR, HIPAA, PCI and other regulatory frameworks. Innovative organizations, including the fastest-growing security companies, rely on Code42 to safeguard their ideas. Founded in 2001, the company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is backed by Accel Partners, JMI Equity, NewView Capital and Split Rock Partners. Code42 was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of Americas best workplaces in 2020, 2021 and 2022. For more information, visit code42.com or join the conversation on our blog, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. 2022 Code42 Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Code42, the Code42 logo, Incydr and Instructor are registered trademarks or trademarks of Code42 Software, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other marks are properties of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005853/en/ Kristin McKenzie Public Relations Principal, Code42 [email protected] 844-333-4242 Source: Code42 Software, Inc. LONDON & FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ETC Group (www.etc-group.com), Europes leading specialist provider of institutional-grade, digital asset-backed securities, announces that Enigma Securities, a full-service international financial services firm for digital assets liquidity and advisory, has been appointed as Authorised Participant. ETC Group has an ongoing process to identify and add to its range of liquidity partners, to constantly build on trading quality for its product suite. Enigma Securities will facilitate note share creation and redemption process for ETC Groups products, leveraging its existing operational and regulatory infrastructure in cryptocurrency securities. Leveraging technology infrastructure built to compete on global stock exchanges, Enigma has rapidly become one of the most competitive participants in the digital asset market with its proprietary trading platform. The ETC's Authorised Participant status will strengthen Enigma's European presence, offering deeper liquidity and greater efficiency when transacting with global clients. Recent research shows that, as of January 2022, derivatives accounted for 60% of the total trading volume in crypto assets. The growing crypto derivatives market allows more options for investors managing and mitigating risk in their digital asset portfolios by opening up broad and deep liquidity pools - a core feature of ETC Groups exchange traded crypto (ETC) offering with Authorised Participants. ETC Groups Physical Bitcoin ETC known under its ticker BTCE (ISIN: DE000A27Z304) has traded a daily average of $19 million1 on Deutsche Borse XETRA alone in the past 6 months and is the underlying asset for Europes first Bitcoin Futures. Olivier Sultan, Head of Investment Products at Enigma Securities commented: We are looking forward to building a strong partnership with one of the biggest ETP providers in the industry. Through our unique cross-functional position as an appointed representative of Makor Securities London Ltd, an FCA-regulated brokerage firm, we are able to continue providing independent and competitive liquidity for high-volume crypto trades, as well as giving our institutional clients regulated access to an alternative source of digital-asset securities and future innovative products. Rafael Zanatta, Head of Business Development at ETC Group said: We are pleased to welcome Enigma Securities as a new Authorised Participant given their extensive experience in crypto markets. Their support will further increase the liquidity of our products, including BTCE, already the most liquid listed bitcoin ETN in Europe, reflecting their relevance and appeal to the wider institutional investment base. ETC Group's institutional grade exchange-traded products are popular with a wide range of investors who want to continue investing through traditional financial markets while gaining access to the digital asset class. Investors can currently choose from 14 different ETCs at ETC Group in order to be able to participate in the price development of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other popular cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and your capital is at risk. Disclaimer: https://bit.ly/etcdisc - ends - Media information About ETC Group (www.etc-group.com) ETC Group develops innovative digital asset-backed securities including BTCetc - ETC Group Physical Bitcoin (BTCE) and ETHetc - ETC Group Physical Ethereum (ZETH) which are listed on European exchanges including XETRA, Euronext, SIX, AQUIS UK and Wiener Borse. ETC Group launched the worlds first centrally cleared Bitcoin exchange traded product (ETP) in June 2020 on Deutsche Borse XETRA, Europe's largest ETF trading venue. ETC Group is continuously working on expanding its suite of institutional-grade cryptocurrency backed ETPs, providing investors the opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Solana and other popular digital assets on major European stock exchanges. ETC Groups securities are marketed to professional investors by HANetf. About Enigma Securities Ltd. (www.enigma-securities.io). Enigma Securities Ltd. is a leading digital asset liquidity provider and appointed representative of Makor Securities London Ltd, an FCA-regulated brokerage firm with a 10-year track record of excellence. Leveraging technology infrastructure built to compete on Wall Street, Enigma has rapidly become one of the most competitive participants in the digital asset market with its proprietary trading platform. The firms dedicated team of research analysts provide exclusive insights into the evolving digital asset industry through periodic reports on regulatory developments and quantitative analysis, to advancements in blockchain technology. For more information on Enigma, visit enigma-securities.io, LinkedIn and Twitter. 1Source: Bloomberg, information as of 01.06.2022 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005463/en/ Media Contact: Jemma Loman, Clarity PR for ETC Group [email protected] Elle Welch, Interdependence Public Relations for Enigma Securities [email protected] Source: ETC Group VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EverGen Infrastructure Corp. (EverGen or the Company) (TSXV: EVGN) (OTCQB: EVGIF), announces that the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) has approved the Companys Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB), which will allow EverGen to purchase issued and outstanding common shares of EverGen (Common Shares) through the facilities of the TSXV during a 12 month period, commencing on June 8, 2022 and ending on June 7, 2023, or on such earlier date as EverGen may complete its purchases pursuant to the NCIB or as it may otherwise determine. The Company has implemented the NCIB because it believes that, from time to time, the market price of the Common Shares may not fully reflect the underlying value of the Company's business and its future prospects. Accordingly, the Company believes that having the ability to purchase the Common Shares using cash flow will be in the interest of the Company and represents an opportunity to enhance shareholder value. No previous purchases of Common Shares by EverGen pursuant to an NCIB have been completed. Under the NCIB, EverGen may acquire up to an aggregate of 668,370 Common Shares over the 12 month period, representing approximately 5% of the 13,367,392 issued and outstanding Common Shares as of May 15, 2022. Additionally, under the NCIB, EverGen may not acquire more than 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in any 30 day period. Purchases subject to this NCIB will be carried out pursuant to open market transactions through the facilities of the TSXV by Clarus Securities Inc., a Member as defined by the TSXV and its policies, on behalf of EverGen at the prevailing market price of the Common Shares at the time of purchase. All Common Shares purchased by EverGen under the NCIB will be returned to treasury and cancelled. About EverGen Infrastructure Corp. EverGen, Canadas Renewable Natural Gas Infrastructure Platform, is combating climate change and helping communities contribute to a sustainable future. Headquartered on the West Coast, EverGen is an established independent renewable energy producer which acquires, develops, builds, owns and operates a portfolio of Renewable Natural Gas, waste to energy, and related infrastructure projects. EverGen is focused on Canada, with continued growth expected across other regions in North America and beyond. For more information about EverGen Infrastructure Corp. and our projects, please visit www.evergeninfra.com. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities 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, and or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: EverGens intention to purchase Common Shares pursuant to the NCIB. 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, court or regulatory approvals. 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. Except as required by law, EverGen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220608006195/en/ EverGen Investor Contact Kelly Castledine 416-576-8158 [email protected] EverGen Media Contact Katie Reiach 604.614.5283 [email protected] Source: EverGen Infrastructure Corp. DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR) (Matador or the Company) today announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries has entered into a definitive agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Summit Midstream Partners, LP (Summit) to acquire Summits Lane Gathering and Processing System (the Lane G&P System) in Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico for $75 million, subject to customary transaction adjustments. In connection with the transaction, the Company will assume certain takeaway capacity on the Double E Pipeline, a FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline operated by Summit. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022. A map of the Lane G&P System is included as Annex A to this press release. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005957/en/ MTDR) (Matador or the Company) today announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries has entered into a definitive agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Summit Midstream Partners, LP (Summit) to acquire Summits Lane Gathering and Processing System (the Lane G&P System) in Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico for $75 million, subject to customary transaction adjustments. (Graphic: Business Wire)" /> MTDR) (Matador or the Company) today announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries has entered into a definitive agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Summit Midstream Partners, LP (Summit) to acquire Summits Lane Gathering and Processing System (the Lane G&P System) in Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico for $75 million, subject to customary transaction adjustments. (Graphic: Business Wire)" /> Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR) (Matador or the Company) today announced that one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries has entered into a definitive agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Summit Midstream Partners, LP (Summit) to acquire Summits Lane Gathering and Processing System (the Lane G&P System) in Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico for $75 million, subject to customary transaction adjustments. (Graphic: Business Wire) Joseph Wm. Foran, Matadors Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, We are excited to announce this strategic acquisition of the Lane G&P System, which includes a 60 million cubic feet per day cryogenic natural gas processing plant, three compressor stations and approximately 45 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines. This acquisition is a further extension of our strategy to control our midstream operations and to use our midstream assets to further enhance and assist our operations. To accomplish this, we expect to expand the Lane G&P System to support our environmental, safety, exploration and production efforts in northern Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico. We are also pleased to acquire additional takeaway capacity from the Delaware Basin to ensure our and our third-party customers natural gas is transported to market. We thank both the Summit and Matador teams for their diligence in negotiating this transaction and look forward to closing later this month. About Matador Resources Company Matador is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States, with an emphasis on oil and natural gas shale and other unconventional plays. Its current operations are focused primarily on the oil and liquids-rich portion of the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Matador also operates in the Eagle Ford shale play in South Texas and the Haynesville shale and Cotton Valley plays in Northwest Louisiana. Additionally, Matador conducts midstream operations in support of its exploration, development and production operations and provides natural gas processing, oil transportation services, natural gas, oil and produced water gathering services and produced water disposal services to third parties. For more information, visit Matador Resources Company at www.matadorresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press 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, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements related to future, not past, events. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as could, believe, would, anticipate, intend, estimate, expect, may, should, continue, plan, predict, potential, project, hypothetical, forecasted and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about guidance, projected or forecasted financial and operating results, future liquidity, the payment of dividends, results in certain basins, objectives, project timing, expectations and intentions, regulatory and governmental actions and other statements that are not historical facts. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and such forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following risks related to financial and operational performance: general economic conditions; the Companys ability to execute its business plan, including whether its drilling program is successful; changes in oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices and the demand for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; its ability to replace reserves and efficiently develop current reserves; costs of operations; delays and other difficulties related to producing oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; delays and other difficulties related to regulatory and governmental approvals and restrictions; impact on the Companys operations due to seismic events; availability of sufficient capital to execute its business plan, available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facilities and otherwise; its ability to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms; its ability to integrate acquisitions; weather and environmental conditions; the impact of the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on oil and natural gas demand, oil and natural gas prices and its business; the operating results of the Companys midstream joint ventures oil, natural gas and water gathering and transportation systems, pipelines and facilities, the acquiring of third-party business and the drilling of any additional salt water disposal wells; and the other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. For further discussions of risks and uncertainties, you should refer to Matadors filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Risk Factors section of Matadors most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Matador undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release, except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005957/en/ Mac Schmitz Vice President Investor Relations [email protected] (972) 371-5225 Source: Matador Resources Company INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Project Lead The Way (PLTW) announced today that it has elected Amy L. Ross to the Board of Directors of the nations leading provider of transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 students across the U.S. Ross position as an Independent Director to the board is effective immediately. Amy brings significant business and leadership experience to our board, and she has expert knowledge around talent recruitment and development, stated PLTW Interim President and CEO Dr. David Dimmett. We are excited to have her join the PLTW Board of Directors and our team in supporting the incredible and important work we do with students and teachers across the U.S. Ross is the CEO and Founder of HumanKind HR located in Dallas, Texas. The female-owned company provides executive recruiting, people strategies, and tools for businesses to create high-performing, innovative, and sustainable cultures. Ross has over 20 years of experience in executive recruiting, human resources, and legal fields. She has an extensive background in building programs that align an organizations business strategy with its people strategy. She also has a deep understanding of leadership development and designing company cultures based on purpose. I am honored to be joining the Board of Directors at Project Lead The Way. The organizations mission to 'empower students to thrive in an evolving world' is critical to preparing our students for the future, stated Ross. The continued growth, thriving culture, and leadership at PLTW is inspiring. I am excited to be a member of a dynamic board that is having such a positive impact on students, teachers, and our communities. Prior to starting her own company, Ross held a variety of positions for Fortune 500, public, and private organizations across various industries, including two of the largest international executive search firms in the world. Ross received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam. She holds both the SPHR and SHRM-SCP HR certifications and is a Founding Board Member and former Advisory Council Member of Conscious Capitalism Dallas. PLTWs Board of Directors represents some of the worlds leading companies and organizations in the fields of engineering, education, research, and software development. For more information please visit: http://www.pltw.org/about-us/board-of-directors About PLTW Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a mission-driven organization that is transforming the learning experience for millions of PreK-12 students and thousands of teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTWs teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. Approximately 12,200 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005812/en/ Media Contact Project Lead The Way Jackie Yanchocik Director of Public Relations [email protected] Source: Project Lead The Way (PLTW) In Long-Term Exploratory Analysis, TAK-003 Prevented 84% of Hospitalizations and 61% of Symptomatic Dengue Illness Overall, with No Identified Important Safety Risks Results Through 4.5 Years Conclude the Evaluation of the Primary Two-Dose Series of TAK-003 TAK-003 is Currently Undergoing Regulatory Review for Potential Licensure in Both the European Union and Select Dengue-Endemic Countries OSAKA, Japan & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) today announced that its dengue vaccine candidate, TAK-003, prevented 84% of hospitalized dengue cases and 61% of symptomatic dengue cases, with no important safety risks identified, in the overall population including both seropositive and seronegative individuals through four and a half years (54 months) after vaccination in the pivotal Phase 3 Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) trial. These data were presented on June 9, 2022, at the 8th Northern European Conference on Travel Medicine (NECTM8), with plans to feature the results at additional upcoming conferences. The burden of dengue is far reaching, and over half of the worlds population is at risk of dengue each year, said Eng Eong Ooi, Ph.D., M.D., Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. There is an urgent need for impactful prevention tools to combat the disease. The long-term TIDES results indicate that TAK-003 could be an important addition to the limited tools we have to prevent dengue, particularly given the demonstrated protection against hospitalizations. Through four and a half years, TAK-003 demonstrated 84.1% vaccine efficacy (VE) (95% CI: 77.8, 88.6) against hospitalized dengue, with 85.9% VE (78.7, 90.7) in seropositive individuals and 79.3% VE (63.5, 88.2) in seronegative individuals. TAK-003 also demonstrated overall VE of 61.2% (95% CI: 56.0, 65.8) against virologically-confirmed dengue (VCD), with 64.2% VE (58.4, 69.2) in seropositive individuals and 53.5% VE (41.6, 62.9) in seronegative individuals. Observations of VE varied by serotype and remained consistent with previously reported results. TAK-003 was generally well tolerated, and there were no important safety risks identified. No evidence of disease enhancement was observed over the 54-month follow-up exploratory analysis. Dengue is a complex, global disease, and the TIDES trial was designed to account for this, including both dengue-naive and dengue-exposed populations in Latin America and Asia where outbreaks are prevalent, with evaluation over four and a half years, said Gary Dubin, President, Global Vaccine Business Unit at Takeda. We are proud that the results continue to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of TAK-003 and its ability to provide long-term protection against dengue. These new long-term results supplement previously published TIDES data that demonstrated the candidate vaccine met its primary endpoint of overall VE against VCD, with 80.2% efficacy at 12-months follow-up, as well as all secondary endpoints for which there were a sufficient number of dengue cases at 18-months follow-up, including 90.4% VE against hospitalized dengue. While the long-term follow-up for the primary two-dose series has been completed, the TIDES trial remains ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a booster dose. The TIDES trial is Takedas largest interventional clinical trial to date, enrolling more than 20,000 healthy children and adolescents four to 16 years of age, across eight dengue-endemic countries, over the past four and a half years. TAK-003 is currently undergoing regulatory review for the prevention of dengue disease in children and adults in the European Union and select dengue-endemic countries. About TAK-003 Takeda's tetravalent dengue vaccine candidate (TAK-003) is based on a live-attenuated dengue serotype 2 virus, which provides the genetic backbone for all four vaccine viruses.1 Clinical Phase 2 data in children and adolescents showed that TAK-003 induced immune responses against all four dengue serotypes, in both seropositive and seronegative participants, which persisted through 48 months after vaccination, and the vaccine was found to be generally safe and well tolerated.2 The pivotal Phase 3 Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) trial met its primary endpoint of overall vaccine efficacy (VE) against virologically-confirmed dengue (VCD) at 12-months follow-up and all secondary endpoints at 18-months follow-up for which there were a sufficient number of dengue cases, including VE against hospitalized dengue and VE in baseline seropositive and baseline seronegative individuals.3,4 Efficacy varied by serotype. The results demonstrated TAK-003 was generally well tolerated, and there have been no important safety risks observed to date. About the Phase 3 TIDES (DEN-301) Trial The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of two doses of TAK-003 in the prevention of laboratory-confirmed symptomatic dengue fever of any severity and due to any of the four dengue virus serotypes in children and adolescents.3 Study participants were randomized 2:1 to receive two doses of TAK-003 0.5 mL or placebo on Months 0 and 3, administered subcutaneously.3 The study is comprised of five parts. Part 1 and the primary endpoint analysis evaluated vaccine efficacy (VE) and safety through 12 months after the second dose.3 Part 2 continued for an additional six months to complete the assessment of the secondary endpoints of VE by serotype, baseline serostatus and disease severity, including VE against hospitalized dengue.3 Part 3 is evaluating VE and long-term safety by following participants for an additional two and a half to three years, as per World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.5 Part 4 will evaluate efficacy and safety for 13 months following booster vaccination and Part 5 will evaluate long-term efficacy and safety for one year after completion of Part 4.5 The trial is taking place at sites in dengue-endemic areas in Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua) and Asia (Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka) where there are unmet needs in dengue prevention and where severe dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children.5 Baseline blood samples were collected from all individuals participating in the trial to allow for evaluation of safety and efficacy based on serostatus. Takeda and an independent Data Monitoring Committee of experts are actively monitoring safety on an ongoing basis. About Dengue Dengue is the fastest spreading mosquito-borne viral disease and was one of the World Health Organizations (WHO) top 10 threats to global health in 2019.6,7 Dengue is mainly spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and, to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It is caused by any of four dengue virus serotypes, each of which can cause dengue fever or severe dengue. The prevalence of individual serotypes varies across different geographies, countries, regions, seasons and over time.8 Recovery from infection by one serotype provides lifelong immunity against only that serotype, and later exposure to any of the remaining serotypes might be associated with an increased risk of severe disease. Dengue is pandemic prone, and outbreaks are observed in tropical and sub-tropical areas and have recently caused outbreaks in parts of the continental United States and Europe.9,10 Approximately half of the world now lives under the threat of dengue, which is estimated to cause 390 million infections, 500,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths globally each year.9,11 The dengue virus can infect people of all ages and is a leading cause of serious illness among children in some countries in Latin America and Asia.9 Takedas Commitment to Vaccines Vaccines prevent 3.5 to 5 million deaths each year and have transformed global public health.12 For more than 70 years, Takeda has supplied vaccines to protect the health of people in Japan. Today, Takedas global vaccine business is applying innovation to tackle some of the worlds most challenging infectious diseases, such as dengue, COVID-19, pandemic influenza and Zika. Takedas team brings an outstanding track record and a wealth of knowledge in vaccine development and manufacturing to advance a pipeline of vaccines to address some of the worlds most pressing public health needs. For more information, visit www.TakedaVaccines.com. About Takeda Takeda is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Genetics and Hematology, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in peoples lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com. Important Notice For the purposes of this notice, press release means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, Takeda is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words we, us and our are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takedas future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as targets, plans, believes, hopes, continues, expects, aims, intends, ensures, will, may, should, would, could anticipates, estimates, projects or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takedas global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takedas operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takedas most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takedas other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takedas website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takedas future results. Medical information This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development. References View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005106/en/ Media: Japanese Media Mika Shirai [email protected] 81 3-3278-2407 U.S. and International Media Rachel Wiese [email protected] +1 917-796-8703 Source: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ANNA, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Taylor Morrison Home Company (NYSE: TMHC) closed on a +/- 15-acre tract of land in the City of Anna in partnership with Christopher Todd Communities. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005560/en/ TMHC) closed on a +/- 15-acre tract of land in the City of Anna in partnership with Christopher Todd Communities. (Photo: Business Wire)" /> TMHC) closed on a +/- 15-acre tract of land in the City of Anna in partnership with Christopher Todd Communities. (Photo: Business Wire)" /> Taylor Morrison Home Company (NYSE: TMHC) closed on a +/- 15-acre tract of land in the City of Anna in partnership with Christopher Todd Communities. (Photo: Business Wire) Ryan Turner, Collins Meier, David Davidson, Jr., and Edward Bogel of Davidson Bogel Real Estate, LLC represented the Purchaser, and Steve Ewing and David Copeland of EDGE Realty Partners represented the Seller, Chief Partners in the transaction. Representing one of the key intersections in Anna, the project will be located at the northeast quadrant of FM 455 and US-75, adjacent to numerous national retailers and restaurants, such as Wal-Mart, CVS, Whataburger, Chick-fil-a, and Starbucks. The project will include innovative single-story rental homes for residents of the City of Anna and will include a resort-style pool, outdoor event space, grilling area, and a dog park. The Seller partnership worked cohesively with Sunny Patel, Taylor Morrisons Build-to-Rent, Director of Land Acquisition, and the City of Anna to get the project approved. About DB2RE Davidson Bogel Real Estate (DB2RE) is a boutique land investment advisory group and brokerage firm headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Founded by David Davidson, Jr. and Edward Bogel in 2015, the base principal of the company is exceptional client service with investment and development of land throughout Texas and Oklahoma as the focus. DB2RE concentrates on land acquisitions, dispositions, and investment sales for families, trusts, and developers of retail, multi-family, industrial/mixed-use, and single-family communities. For more information, visit db2re.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005560/en/ Shawn Burns 214.526.3626 [email protected] Source: Davidson Bogel Real Estate Late-breaking poster presentation will examine AJOVY and concomitant gepant use for acute migraine treatment from a retrospective U.S. electronic medical record study TEL AVIV, Israel & PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), today announced that eight abstracts examining real-world data to better understand the use of AJOVY (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection in patients with migraine will be presented at the 2022 American Headache Society (AHS) Annual Meeting held June 9-12, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. The data presented at this years AHS meeting will focus on real-world use of AJOVY across different patient populations. Featured data will include a late-breaking poster presentation on real-world evidence in patients using concomitant gepants for acute migraine treatment, as well as results of a subgroup analysis from the Phase 3b FOCUS study examining the use of AJOVY in patients with difficult-to-treat migraine and comorbid obesity. In addition, a real-world effectiveness study of AJOVY in patients with refractory migraine who switched from erenumab will be highlighted at the meeting. June is Migraine and Headache Awareness month, a time that reminds us that while there have been many advances recently in the migraine treatment landscape, there is still work to be done, said Denisa Hurtukova, MD, VP, Head of North America Medical Affairs. At this years AHS meeting, we are looking forward to presenting new real-world research that underscores the impact AJOVY can have on people with specific migraine treatment needs across different clinical circumstances. This years annual AHS meeting is being offered both in person and virtually. Data presentations can be accessed by registering for the meeting. The full set of Teva-sponsored AJOVY data to be presented includes: Late-breaking: Real-World Effectiveness and Tolerability of Fremanezumab for the Preventive Treatment of Migraine in Patients Using Concomitant Gepants for Acute Treatment in a US Neurology Practice (TGT-72562) De novo: Real-World Effectiveness of Fremanezumab in Patients with Refractory Migraine from a US Tertiary Headache Center Who Switched from Erenumab (TGT-72532) Real-World Reductions in Migraine-Related Healthcare Resource Utilization and Medication Use with Fremanezumab Treatment in US Migraine Patients Using Concomitant Acute Gepants (TGT-72533) Real-World Impact of Fremanezumab on Migraine-Related Health Care Utilization and Costs in Patients with Common Comorbidities, Acute Medication Overuse, or Difficult-to-Treat Migraine (TGT-72549) Reductions in Acute Medication Use, Migraine-Related Health Care Resource Utilization, and Costs for Patients Initiating Fremanezumab: Results of a Long-Term US Claims Database Analysis (TGT-72550) Efficacy and Safety of Fremanezumab in Patients with Obesity and Difficult-to-Treat Migraine: Subgroup Analysis of the Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3B FOCUS Study (TGT-72561) Primary Headache Disorders and Acute Abortive Medications Associated with Patients Diagnosed with Medication Overuse Headache: Analysis of German EMR Data (TGT-73146) Encore: Response to Fremanezumab for Preventive Treatment in Migraine in Routine Clinical Practice: First Data from the FINESSE study (TGT-72567) About AJOVY (fremanezumanb-vfrm) Injection AJOVY is available as a 225 mg/1.5 mL single dose injection in a prefilled syringe or autoinjector with two dosing options 225 mg administered monthly as one subcutaneous injection, or 675 mg every three months (quarterly), which is administered as three subcutaneous injections. AJOVY can be administered in office by a healthcare professional or at home by a patient or caregiver. No starting dose is required to begin treatment. AJOVY is now approved in 45 countries worldwide. Indications and Usage AJOVY is a calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. U.S. Important Safety Information about AJOVY (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection Contraindications: AJOVY is contraindicated in patients with serious hypersensitivity to fremanezumab-vfrm or to any of the excipients. Reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema. Hypersensitivity Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, pruritus, drug hypersensitivity, and urticaria were reported with AJOVY in clinical trials. Most reactions were mild to moderate, but some led to discontinuation or required corticosteroid treatment. Most reactions were reported from within hours to one month after administration. Cases of anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported in the postmarketing setting. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, consider discontinuing AJOVY and institute appropriate therapy. Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials (5% and greater than placebo) were injection site reactions. Please click here for full U.S. Prescribing Information for AJOVY (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection. About Teva Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) has been developing and producing medicines to improve peoples lives for more than a century. We are a global leader in generic and specialty medicines with a portfolio consisting of over 3,500 products in nearly every therapeutic area. Around 200 million people around the world take a Teva medicine every day, and are served by one of the largest and most complex supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with our established presence in generics, we have significant innovative research and operations supporting our growing portfolio of specialty and biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at www.tevapharm.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on managements current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as should, expect, anticipate, estimate, target, may, project, guidance, intend, plan, believe and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to the commercial success of AJOVY; our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including our ability to develop and commercialize biopharmaceutical products, competition for our specialty products, including AUSTEDO, AJOVY and COPAXONE; our ability to achieve expected results from investments in our product pipeline, our ability to develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products, and the effectiveness of our patents and other measures to protect our intellectual property rights; our substantial indebtedness; our business and operations in general, including uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the governmental and societal responses thereto; our ability to successfully execute and maintain the activities and efforts related to the measures we have taken or may take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated costs therewith; costs and delays resulting from the extensive pharmaceutical regulation to which we are subject or delays in governmental processing time due to travel and work restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; compliance, regulatory and litigation matters, including failure to comply with complex legal and regulatory environments; other financial and economic risks; and other factors discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2022 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, including in the section captioned Risk Factors. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220606005041/en/ IR Contacts United States Ran Meir (267) 468-4072 Yael Ashman 972 (3) 914-8262 PR Contacts United States Doris Yiu (973) 265-3752 Yonatan Beker (973) 917-0851 Source: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited HANOVER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE: UTZ), a leading U.S. manufacturer, marketer and distributor of high-quality, branded snacking products, plans to present at the Oppenheimer 22nd Annual Consumer Growth and E-Commerce Virtual Conference on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Media and investors may access the live audio webcast at https://investors.utzsnacks.com/. About Utz Brands, Inc. Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE: UTZ) manufactures a diverse portfolio of savory snacks through popular brands including Utz, ON THE BORDER Chips & Dips, Golden Flake, Zapps, Good Health, Boulder Canyon, Hawaiian Brand, and TORTIYAHS!, among others. After a century with strong family heritage, Utz continues to have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from top-quality ingredients. Utzs products are distributed nationally through grocery, mass merchandisers, club, convenience, drug, and other channels. Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Utz has multiple manufacturing facilities located across the U.S. to serve its growing customer base. For more information, please visit www.utzsnacks.com or call 1800FORSNAX. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005913/en/ Investors Kevin Powers Utz Brands, Inc. [email protected] Media Kevin Brick Utz Brands, Inc. [email protected] Source: Utz Brands, Inc. SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) issued the following statement responding to a New York Times article published today. No one should be put through an interview without a real chance of receiving an offer, period. The diverse slate guidelines we put in place are meant to increase diverse representation across the company and we can see meaningful results in our hiring data since 2020. At the same time, its important that implementation of our guidelines is consistent. Earlier this week, the company temporarily paused the use of its diverse slate guidelines. During this pause, the company is conducting a review so that hiring managers, senior leaders and recruiters fully understand how the guidelines should be implemented and so we can have confidence that our guidelines live up to their promise. Data on diverse representation at Wells Fargo since 2020 Overall diversity of the Wells Fargo workforce Approximately 45% of our U.S. employees are non-white, as of December 2021. 13% of our U.S. workforce is Black/African American, as of December 2021. Approximately 9% of our U.S. executives, defined as 1 to 3 levels from the CEO, are Black/African American, as of December 2021, which is up from 5.8% in December 2020. Three out of 14 members of our Board of Directors, or approximately 20%, are Black/African American, as of April 2022. Hiring for executive positions (defined as managers 1 to 3 levels from the CEO, who are not in administrative roles, and where the midpoint of the pay range is $100K) In 2021, approximately 38% of external executive hires were racially/ethnically diverse, (i.e., Black/African American, Latino, and Asian American/Pacific Islander), compared to 25% in 2020. In 2021, approximately one-third of all internally promoted executives were racially/ethnically diverse, with 14% of the total being Black/African American; additionally, approximately 53% of all internally promoted executives were women. In 2021, approximately one-third of internally promoted executives were racially/ethnically diverse (approximately 14% were Black/African American) and over 50% were women. Hiring for positions with annual compensation of $100K or above Over 42% of hires for positions with annual compensation of $100K or more in 2021 were racially/ethnically diverse. This is a five percentage-point increase from 2019, which is when the companys new CEO began at the company. Over 47% of hires in 2021 for positions with annual compensation of $100K or more were women, compared to 46% in 2020. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 37 on Fortunes 2021 rankings of Americas largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements about our future financial performance and business. Because forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding the future, they are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements as actual results could differ materially from expectations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we do not undertake to update them to reflect changes or events that occur after that date. For information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, refer to our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website at www.sec.gov News Release Category: WF- CF View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609006044/en/ Media Beth Richek, 704-374-2545 [email protected] Investor Relations John Campbell, 415-396-0523 [email protected] Source: Wells Fargo & Company Cybin Inc. (NEO:CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) (Cybin or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company focused on progressing Psychedelics to TherapeuticsTM, today announced that it has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to begin the first-in-human Phase 1/2a clinical trial evaluating CYB003, its proprietary deuterated psilocybin analog, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). IRB approval of our trial protocol is a significant regulatory milestone for CYB003 as it leads us one step closer to potentially providing this important treatment option to people in need. The team has worked tirelessly to move this program into the clinic, and we look forward to initiating the study in mid-2022 and further supporting our mission to develop psychedelics into therapeutics, said Doug Drysdale, Chief Executive Officer of Cybin. In May 2022, the Company announced that it had submitted an Investigational New Drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Phase 1/2a clinical trial. Cybin IRL Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cybin, has engaged Clinilabs Drug Development Corporation, a global, full-service contract research organization with deep expertise in central nervous system drug development, to carry out the Phase 1/2a clinical trial of CYB003. About the CYB003 Phase 1/2a Trial The Phase 1/2a trial is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating people with moderate to severe MDD. Subjects will receive two administrations (placebo/active and active/active) and a response/remission will be assessed at Week 3 (after single dose) and at Week 6 (after receiving a second dose). Using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the trial will assess rapid onset of antidepressant effect on the day of dosing. The study will also evaluate the benefit of more than one administration and will provide pharmacokinetic and safety data. The trial design will allow for people to continue their treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). An optional open-label follow-up study (up to 12 weeks) will allow an assessment of durability of treatment effects. The detailed Phase 1/2a study protocol is available at clinicaltrials.gov under the Identifier number: NCT05385783. Today the New York State Supreme Court granted approval of a direct pay cash settlement totaling at least $300 million resolving the In re Renren, Inc. Derivative Litigation (NYSE: RENN), one of the largest cash settlements of a derivative action in history. (The aggregate cash payment to Renren's minority shareholders and ADS holders may exceed $300 million depending on the final determination of the number of shares and ADSs held by non-Defendants). The action alleges a complex scheme by Renren insiders to take the company's billion-dollar investment portfolio for themselves. Litigation powerhouse Reid Collins & Tsai LLP, Lead Counsel for the derivative plaintiffs, originally announced the terms of the settlement in October 2021. Reid Collins Founding Partner William T. Reid, IV on the resolution of the Renren litigation: "This is an extraordinary result by any measure. It is very rare to settle a case for more than the damages that we originally pleaded. Yet indeed, from the vantage point of minority shareholders, we have recovered more for them in this direct pay settlement than the damage claim we set forth in the complaint. Obtaining jurisdiction over these foreign defendants was no small task, but obtaining derivative standing was an even greater achievement. What little New York law existed on establishing derivative standing under Cayman law was adverse, but the facts of this case and a thorough presentation of Cayman law nonetheless allowed us to establish that the minority were in fact entitled to pursue the company's claim under the 'fraud on the minority' exception to the general rule against derivative standing. I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished in Renren, and of our clients, including Heng Ren Silk Investments, LLC in taking on this significant and important challenge." The shareholder derivative suit arises from a highly unusual series of interrelated transactions through which Renren's allegedly corrupt insiders took Renren's investment portfolio for themselves in 2018 to the detriment of minority shareholders. The complaint centers on alleged breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with the transfer of Renren's most valuable assets, including a substantial stake in fast-growing lender Social Finance, Inc. ("SoFi") for far less than fair market value to a private company, Oak Pacific Investments ("OPI"), which is owned and controlled by Renren's CEO Joseph Chen and other controlling shareholders. Chen and affiliates stood on all sides of these transactions as major investors and/or directors in Renren, OPI, and SoFi itself, facilitated by Duff & Phelps, LLC, a financial advisor to a special committee of Renren's board of directors, who it is alleged aided and abetted these breaches of fiduciary duty "We are very pleased to have achieved a positive outcome for all minority shareholders," said Alexander Shoghi, portfolio manager at Oasis Management. "This is an important message American investors are sending to Chinese companies on our stock markets," said Peter Halesworth, founder and manager of Heng Ren. "U.S. shareholders will fight raw deals of bad actors from China in our stock markets." Precedent-Setting Case Will Have Long-Term Impacts for Cross-Border Fraud and Financial Misconduct In May 2020, Reid Collins defeated all motions to dismiss filed by the original defendants. In March 2021, the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department of New York State Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's denial of all the motions to dismiss and rejected defendants' arguments over personal jurisdiction and contending that plaintiffs lack standing under Cayman Islands law. In April 2022, the New York State Supreme Court took the rare step of attaching all of the assets that OPI received in the 2018 transaction and required any sales proceeds up to $560 million be deposited in a New York escrow account. Plaintiffs faced significant legal challenges to acquire U.S. jurisdiction over multiple foreign defendants and establish derivative standing under Cayman law. After an extensive investigation and litigation, Plaintiffs presented the complex details of the transactions and the conduct of the far-flung participants to the court, building a jurisdictional theory with which the court agreed completely and was affirmed on appeal. These wins have created new precedent to combat a growing problem in the financial sector the difficulty in addressing fraud and wrongdoing by foreign companies (and related individual actors) publicly traded on U.S. exchanges. The case is In re Renren, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Index No. 653594/2018 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.). Reid Collins, representing derivative plaintiffs as Lead Counsel in this action (alongside co-counsel Grant & Eisenhoffer P.A., Gardy & Notis, LLP, and Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer LLP), successfully litigated these novel claims against an array of law firms, including: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; McDermott, Will & Emery LLP; Morrison & Foerster LLP; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; Goodwin Procter LLP; Holland & Knight, LLP; and Winston & Strawn LLP. About Reid Collins Reid Collins & Tsai LLP is one of the nation's leading plaintiffs' trial firms, litigating complex business disputes and achieving billions of dollars in settlements and judgments for its clients. Its team is comprised of accomplished trial lawyers who have extensive experience prosecuting financial fraud and corporate malfeasance cases, bankruptcy and insolvency related litigation, professional liability claims, and cross-border disputes. The firm represents fund managers, investor groups, trustees, receivers, liquidators, international banks, companies, governmental entities, and individuals in federal and state courts across the country. For more information visit www.reidcollins.com Austin | Dallas | New York | Washington D.C. | Wilmington Contact: Alexander Coxe212.365.4792[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-york-court-approves-300-million-settlement-benefitting-minority-shareholders-in-renren-derivative-litigation-announces-reid-collins-301565429.html SOURCE Reid Collins & Tsai LLP Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc. and Auspex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., U.S. affiliates of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA), have reached an agreement with Aurobindo to resolve the dispute over Aurobindos Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA") for a generic deutetrabenazine product. Teva and Aurobindo have been involved in a patent infringement litigation in which Teva asserted a number of patents against Aurobindo that cover Tevas AUSTEDO (deutetrabenazine) product. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the litigation between the parties in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey will be ended, and Aurobindo will have a license to sell its generic product beginning April 2033, or earlier under certain circumstances. AUSTEDO is the first and only FDA approved product indicated in adults for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntingtons disease and for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Teva believes that todays settlement with Aurobindo is a further reflection of the strength of its intellectual property covering its AUSTEDO product. On March 9, 2022, the U.S. Patent Office Patent Trial and Appeal Board declined to institute an Inter Partes Review of Tevas compound patent for deutetrabenazine in response to a petition submitted by Apotex. FILE PHOTO: Test tubes are seen in front of a displayed Biontech logo in this illustration taken, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration FRANKFURT (Reuters) -COVID-19 vaccine maker BioNTech said construction of an mRNA vaccine factory to enable African nations to jump-start their own manufacturing network would start on June 23 in Rwanda. The groundbreaking ceremony in the capital city of Kigali is to be attended by Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, further heads of African states, as well as representatives from the European Union and the World Health Organization, the biotech firm said in a statement on Thursday. The German company's modular factory elements, to be assembled in Africa to so-called BioNTainers, would be delivered to the Kigali construction site by the end of 2022, it added. The company, which developed the western world's most widely used COVID-19 shot with U.S. partner Pfizer, earlier this year mapped out a plan to enable African countries to produce its Comirnaty-branded shot under BioNTech's supervision. The company has said that the initial vaccine factory, made from an assembly kit and housed in shipping containers, would over the next few years become part of a wider supply network spanning several African nations including Senegal and South Africa. The project push comes as Western-made coronavirus vaccine doses finally arrive in force on the continent, after a much criticised delay. But uptake in Africa has fallen short of expectations, hurt by misinformation, logistical problems and a lacking sense of urgency in the population, among other factors. BioNTech has said the BioNTainers could make other mRNA vaccines against malaria or tuberculosis, depending on product development progress and future public-health priorities. (Reporting by Ludwig BurgerEditing by Madeline Chambers, Elaine Hardcastle) Offices of Deloitte are seen in London, Britain, September 25, 2017. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Files (Reuters) - Deloitte, one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, said late on Wednesday that media reports about the company exploring a plan to split its global audit and consulting practices are "categorically untrue". The news of the split, reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier in the day, came a few weeks after another Big Four accounting firm Ernst & Young said it was evaluating strategic options to improve audit quality. "As stated previously, we remain committed to our current business model," a Deloitte spokesperson told Reuters. According to the WSJ report, Deloitte reached out to investment bankers at Goldman Sachs Group Inc and talks are still at a very early stage. Goldman and JPMorgan Chase & Co are advising Ernst & Young on its possible restructuring, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter. KPMG, another Big Four accounting firm, declined to comment on its business plans. PricewaterhouseCoopers is "fully committed to our strategy which we announced last year ... have no plans to change course", a company spokesperson told Reuters. PricewaterhouseCoopers announced a new global strategy last year, which included increased investment to support audit quality. For years, the four accounting giants have been under the regulatory scanner over worries that their advisory service offerings could impair audit quality and potentially create conflicts of interest. Last month, Britain set out reforms of big company audits, in response to recommendations from three government-sponsored reviews on improving auditing in a market dominated by the Big Four. (Reporting by Niket Nishant and Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Editing by Uttaresh.V and Shounak Dasgupta) (Reuters) -Federal prosecutors in New York have opened a criminal investigation into whether Wells Fargo & Co violated federal laws by conducting fake job interviews, the New York Times reported https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/09/business/wells-fargo-fake-interviews-investigation.html on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. Earlier this week, the bank said https://www.reuters.com/business/wells-fargo-pauses-diverse-slate-hiring-policy-after-reports-fake-job-interviews-2022-06-06 in a memo it was pausing a hiring policy that requires recruiters to interview a diverse pool of candidates, after another report by the New York Times said such interviews were often fake and conducted even though the job had already been promised to someone else. The bank said then that it also plans to conduct a review of its diverse slate guidelines. "No one should be put through an interview without a real chance of receiving an offer, period," the bank said in response to the media report on Thursday, adding that it had seen meaningful results because of its diverse slate guidelines since 2020. The bank reiterated that it is conducting a review so that hiring managers, senior leaders and recruiters fully understand how the guidelines should be implemented. Wells Fargo declined to comment on the criminal investigation mentioned in the report. The New York Times reported last month that a former employee in the bank's wealth management business had complained that he was forced by his bosses to interview people for jobs that had already been promised to others, just to meet the diverse slate requirement. Diverse slate hiring is a talent acquisition strategy where the recruiter starts with an already diverse pool of qualified candidates. (Reporting by Niket Nishant and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) Third quarter revenue of $26.2 million declined sequentially and year over year due to the anticipated waning of COVID-19 volumes and the economic shutdowns in Asia Received approval from New York State Department of Health for its AMPIPROBE HPV Molecular Diagnostic tests available on the GENFLEX platform, as well as approvals on additional sample types around chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomonas Appointed and hired several new executive management team members in the quarter to position the Company for continued growth Engaged world class investment bank to provide advisory services including the evaluation of strategic alternatives for the Company, its Enzo Clinical Lab and Enzo Life Sciences divisions and its various assets Enzo Life Sciences (ELS) revenue of $7.6 million in Q3 was consistent year over year and increased 9% on a year-to-date basis, demonstrating stability in the ELS customer base Enzo Clinical Lab (ECL) routine revenue increased 10% and overall non-COVID revenue increased 3% on a year-over-year basis Conference call and live webcast scheduled for tomorrow,Friday, June 10, 2022 at 8:30 am (ET) NEW YORK, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enzo Biochem, Inc (NYSE: ENZ), a leading biosciences and diagnostics company, today reported financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2022, and provided a business update on recent corporate and operational developments. Over the past months, we undertook key steps designed to increase our efficiency, enlarge our revenue base, and position ourselves for new levels of growth in our Enzo Life Sciences division sales and core diagnostic laboratory services, said Hamid Erfanian, Enzos Chief Executive Officer. We are on the path for full Lab Developed Test (LDT) regulatory submission this year on our molecular platform and added 43 new tests within our clinical lab. In addition to expanding the roles of our CFO and COO, we augmented our management team through several new key hires. This leaves us well positioned as we work to execute on key elements of our Focused Return strategy, which include expanding our Farmingdale campus in preparation for anticipated growth and leveraging our life sciences expertise to broaden the reach of our diagnostic platforms. We accomplished all this while remaining on track to achieve an additional $5 million in operational savings this calendar year, highlighting the advantages of the fully integrated end-to-end approach linking the life sciences, clinical labs, and diagnostic pillars of our business. We are also pleased to engage with one of the premier healthcare banking firms to assist with strategic initiatives. To this end, we recently engaged Jefferies LLC, a multinational independent investment bank, to provide advisory services including the evaluation of strategic alternatives for the Company, its Enzo Clinical Lab and Enzo Life Sciences divisions and its various assets. Recent Business Highlights Received approval from the New York State Department of Health for the AMPIPROBE HPV tests, Enzos PCR-based tests that are designed to detect 14 high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) variants. HPV testing is part of Enzos focus on womens health, sexually transmitted infections, and oncology and leverages the Companys long history in HPV detection. In April 2022, the Company announced the approval of all four proposals presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. These modifications improve the Companys corporate governance and allow the newly formed leadership team to further prioritize shareholder-friendly initiatives. Investor participation at the 2022 meetings was indicative of continued support for management going forward. Recently engaged Jefferies LLC to provide advisory services including the evaluation of strategic alternatives for the Company, its Enzo Clinical Lab and Enzo Life Sciences divisions and its various assets. Appointed David Bench and Kara Cannon to new executive management positions. Kara Cannon was named Chief Operating Officer from her previous role as Chief Commercial Officer and David Bench, current Chief Financial Officer, was named to the additional roles of Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Corporate Secretary. Continue delivering on our commitment to strengthen the leadership team by adding several new key employees including a Head of Clinical Laboratory Sales, a Regional Sales Leader for our Enzo Life Sciences division, and a Head of Quality & Regulatory. Our new Head of Laboratory Sales brings two decades of experience in the clinical laboratory market that will be extremely valuable as the lab expands its operations. The Senior Regional Sales Leader brings over 25 years of experience in life science business development and strategic partnerships and will lead efforts in our geographical expansion and market penetration. Our new Head of Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs comes to Enzo with 25+ years of regulatory, development, product commercialization and compliance experience that will be instrumental towards FDA submissions for our proprietary GENFLEX molecular platform as well as our path towards ISO 9000 certification. The Company expects to continue to enhance its leadership team in the near future. Recently entered a legal settlement with Enzos largest shareholder, Harbert Discovery Fund, which enables the board and management to focus on operational issues. Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results Total third quarter revenue was $26.2 million, a decrease of 20% from $32.8 million in the third quarter last year. The decline stemmed from lighter COVID-19 related testing revenue. Q3 revenue includes a mix of 71% services and 29% product revenue vs. 76% services and 24% product revenue in Q3 2021. Consolidated gross margin declined to 39% versus 49% in the year ago period. Enzo Clinical Lab revenues totaled $18.6 million in the third quarter, a decrease of 26% from $25.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. This decline was driven by lower services accession count in the spring season. Enzo maintained Clinical services margin of 40%, despite the reduction in high-margin COVID-19 testing. Enzo Life Sciences revenue was $7.6 million, relatively flat compared with $7.8 million in the year ago period. The average product order value remained over $1,000 per order for the 7th consecutive quarter. Gross margin declined to 36%, as compared to the 48% in Q3 2021 due, in part, to higher costs of materials and an increase in payroll related expenses. Research and development expenses increased to $1.1 million, or 4% of total revenue, consistent with the year ago period. Selling, general and administrative expenses, decreased to $11.4 million from $12.1 million in year ago period. The lower SG&A expense was primarily due to lower commission compensation earned on services revenues. Legal and other expenses decreased primarily due to the lower litigation and other legal fees. GAAP net loss totaled $4.9 million, or ($0.10) per share, compared with income of $2.0 million, or $0.04, in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA loss in the quarter totaled $1.8 million, versus adjusted EBITDA of $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2021. Cash flow from operations was a use of cash of $0.8 million for the quarter as net loss included FX losses, realized loss on marketable securities, depreciation and share-based compensation. Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities totaled $32.1 million as of April 30, 2022 compared to $44.3 million at the end of fiscal year 2021, due to strategic initiatives, board and corporate matters, investments in inventory, higher A/R, lower accounts payable, and greater investment in capital assets. Conference Call and Webcast Information The Company will host a conference call on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 8:30 am, Eastern Time, to review the operational, corporate, and financial highlights. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following numbers prior to the start of the call or click the webcast link below to participate over the internet: Domestic: 877-407-0792 International: 201-689-8263 Conference ID: 13727738 Webcast: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1550853&tp_key=b4b6580958 A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after completion of the call on the Investor Relations section of the Companys website, https://www.enzo.com, and will remain available for approximately 90 days. Please access the Companys website at least 15 minutes ahead of the conference to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. Adjusted Financial Measures To comply with Regulation G promulgated pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Enzo Biochem attached to this news release and will post to the investor relations section of the Companys website (https://www.enzo.com) any reconciliation of differences between GAAP and Adjusted financial information that may be required in connection with issuing the Company's quarterly financial results. The Company uses EBITDA as a measure of performance to demonstrate earnings exclusive of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjustments to EBITDA are for items of a non-recurring nature and are reconciled on the table provided. The Company manages its business based on its operating cash flows. The Company, in its daily management of its business affairs and analysis of its monthly, quarterly and annual performance, makes its decisions based on cash flows, not on the amortization of assets obtained through historical activities. The Company, in managing its current and future affairs, cannot affect the amortization of the intangible assets to any material degree, and therefore uses EBITDA as its primary management guide. Since an outside investor may base its evaluation of the Company's performance based on the Company's net loss not its cash flows, there is a limitation to the EBITDA measurement. EBITDA is not, and should not be considered, an alternative to net loss, loss from operations, or any other measure for determining operating performance of liquidity, as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). The most directly comparable GAAP reference in the Company's case is the removal of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We refer you to the tables attached to this press release, which includes reconciliation tables of GAAP to Adjusted net income (loss) and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA. About Enzo Biochem Enzo Biochem is a pioneer in molecular diagnostics, leading the convergence of clinical laboratories, life sciences and intellectual property through the development of unique diagnostic platform technologies that provide numerous advantages over previous standards. A global company, Enzo Biochem utilizes cross-functional teams to develop and deploy products, systems and services that meet the ever-changing and rapidly growing needs of health care today and into the future. Underpinning Enzo Biochems products and technologies is a broad and deep intellectual property portfolio, with patent coverage across a number of key enabling technologies. For more information, please visit Enzo.com or follow Enzo Biochem on Twitter and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management, including those related to cash flow, gross margins, revenues, and expenses which are dependent on a number of factors outside of the control of the Company including, inter alia, the markets for the Companys products and services, costs of goods and services, other expenses, government regulations, litigation, and general business conditions. See Risk Factors in the Companys Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2021. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. The Company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this release. Contact:For Enzo Biochem, Inc. David Bench, CFO212-583-0100[email protected] Investors: Chris CalabreseLifeSci Advisors, LLC917-680-5608[email protected] Media: Lynn GranitoBerry & Company Public Relations212-253-8881[email protected] ENZO BIOCHEM, INC. (in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended Nine months ended Selected operations data: April 30, April 30, (unaudited) (unaudited) 2022 2021 2022 2021 Total revenues $ 26,222 $ 32,797 $ 86,787 $ 92,918 Gross profit $ 10,173 $ 16,046 $ 37,627 $ 43,764 Gross profit % 39% 49% 43% 47% (Loss) income before income taxes (4,854 ) 2,006 (9,828 ) 4,607 Income taxes - - - - Net (loss) income $ (4,854 ) $ 2,006 $ (9,828 ) $ 4,607 Basic net income (loss) per share ($0.10 ) $0.04 ($0.20 ) $0.10 Diluted net income (loss) per share ($0.10 ) $0.04 ($0.20 ) $0.10 Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 48,713 48,391 48,552 48,097 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 48,713 48,788 48,552 48,201 Selected balance sheet data: 4/30/2022(unaudited) 7/31/2021(unaudited) Cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash of $1,000 at April 30, 2022 and $750 at July 31, 2021, and marketable securities at 7/31/21 $32,130 $44,252 Working capital 37,597 44,506 Stockholders' equity 62,187 68,586 Total assets 103,904 113,691 The following table presents a reconciliation of reported net (loss) income and basic and diluted net (loss) income per share to non-GAAP net (loss) income and basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2022 and 2021: ENZO BIOCHEM, INC. Non-GAAP Reconciliation Table (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended Nine months ended April 30, April 30, 2022 2021 2022 2021 Reported GAAP net (loss) income $ (4,854 ) $ 2,006 $ (9,828 ) $ 4,607 Adjusted for: Discrete severance and other related compensation expenses 200 - 1,888 - Discrete legal and settlement expenses 407 - 2,440 1,973 Strategic initiatives expenses 31 - 2,262 - Facility closure and separation expenses - - 384 - Non-GAAP net (loss) income $ (4,216 ) $ 2,006 $ (2,854 ) $ 6,580 Weighted Shares Outstanding: Basic 48,713 48,391 48,552 48,097 Diluted 48,713 48,788 48,552 48,201 Basic and diluted earnings per share: Basic net income (loss) per share GAAP ($0.10 ) $0.04 ($0.20 ) $0.10 Diluted net income (loss) per share GAAP ($0.10 ) $0.04 ($0.20 ) $0.10 Basic net income (loss) per share non-GAAP ($0.09 ) $0.04 ($0.06 ) $0.14 Diluted net income (loss) per share non-GAAP ($0.09 ) $0.04 ($0.06 ) $0.14 The following table presents a reconciliation of reported GAAP net (loss) income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA: ENZO BIOCHEM, INC. EBITDA & Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation Table (Unaudited, in thousands) Three months ended Nine months ended April 30, April 30, 2022 2021 2022 2021 GAAP net (loss) income $ (4,854 ) $ 2,006 $ (9,828 ) $ 4,607 Plus (minus): Depreciation and amortization 732 673 2,138 1,968 Interest (income) expense, net (54 ) (60 ) (161 ) 40 EBITDA $ (4,176 ) $ 2,619 $ (7,851 ) $ 6,615 Adjusted for: Foreign exchange gain loss (gain) 1,056 33 1,887 (428 ) Discrete severance and other related compensation expenses 200 - 1,888 - Discrete legal and settlement expenses 407 - 2,440 1,973 Strategic initiatives expenses 31 - 2,262 - Facility closure and separation expenses - - 384 - Realized loss on marketable securities 730 - 1,283 - Adjusted EBITDA $ (1,752 ) $ 2,652 $ 2,293 $ 8,160 Source: Enzo Biochem, Inc. New super-app to deliver country-specific banking and financial management tools to Freelancers and SMEs - targeting over 20 million potential users LISBON, Portugal , June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sam Mizrahi, the visionary Canadian-based entrepreneur and Jon Fath, a leading FinTech Executive, announced today that they are jointly launching Rauva . Rauva, built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, is currently developing a leading financial super-app for Europes Mediterranean region. The solution is specifically designed to provide a country-by-country compatible, automated and integrated experience for banking and financial management needs. Rauva plans to tap into a 20 million strong SME and Freelancer market in early 2023 with first launches in Portugal and Spain. Headquartered in Portugal, the company recently received a multi-million dollar funding package and has started to kick off the development of its new solution. Rauva aims to expand globally over time. We believe that business owners spend too much time focusing on their finances rather than on the job they are passionate about, explains Jon Fath, Rauvas new CEO. We want to take the stress out of their daily financial management in a way that has never been done before - by delivering a super-app that is tailored to their local needs. This powerful new solution will provide a practical, seamless and integrated banking app that offers day-to-day financial management solutions and easy access to credit. Making a regional difference Europes Mediterranean region currently hosts 50% of the European Unions SMEs and freelancers. Yet current banking apps in the Mediterranean remain relatively sparse due to market specificities such as differing tax, legal and banking requirements in the different countries. Rauva will target those 20 million potential customers, delivering a market-specific solution to the region and its dynamic and entrepreneurial customer base. The world is evolving at a rapid pace, making it increasingly difficult for small enterprises to keep up with change and new global regulations. On top, we see that banking and finance requirements in different countries in Europe, Asia, and North America can still be very different. This requires a tailor-made solution per market, and that is what Rauva is all about, says Sam Mizrahi, the newly founded companys Chairman and Co-founder. Our model is simple - deliver an end-to-end solution that is then individually tailored to the specific market needs of our customers, providing them with a relevant, reliable and practical tool to manage their finances without borders. We can make the lives of a potential 20 million users in the region easier, every day. And we do this by targeting five out of a total of twenty-seven European Union countries - thats huge! Rauva will further differentiate from current competitors in the region by offering an easy to use and practical end-to-end added value banking service, from bookkeeping to cash flow management and prediction to budgeting. To achieve this the super-app will utilize the latest machine learning and AI technologies. The solution will be built with the support of local enterprises through advanced market research and insight gathering. Rauva will be headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal to ensure customer proximity. It will establish its offices at the FinTech House, a leading digital hub, to enable the company to tap into a newly thriving technology community. Portugal offers a lot of potential to tech start-ups which we believe are missed by many, explains Fath. There is a growing community of tech specialists, a strong and modern network, and a powerful infrastructure that we will build on. Cultural diversity as a success factor Rauva is currently looking to hire talent from across the region and will build its staff base from that cultural diversity. We are developing a leading super-app for the Mediterranean, so ensuring we have that powerful and relevant diversity in our teams will be the driving force of our success, Fath concludes. Contact details For more information please reach out to Frederique Depraetere - Head of Public Relations [email protected] (+32 472/027525) About Rauva Rauva, built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, is currently developing a leading super-app designed to provide a country-by-country compatible, automated, integrated view of banking and financial management needs specifically starting with Europes Mediterranean region and then expanding globally. The company aims to tap into a 20 million strong potential market in early 2023 with first launches planned in Portugal and Spain. Headquartered in Portugal, the company recently received a multi-million dollar funding package and has started to kick off development of the new solution. More information: Rauva.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32c61496-32ce-4c4a-bbee-fd2c46337a5e Vancouver, Canada, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oroco Resource Corp. (TSX-V: OCO, OTC: ORRCF) (Oroco or the Company) announces that it has temporarily suspended its drilling operations at Santo Tomas for safety and security reasons relating to an increase in federal military operations in the region resulting from a dispute between criminal elements. Our primary concern at this time is to ensure the safety of our field personnel, stated Craig Dalziel, Orocos Executive Chairman. While disputes of this nature do not in any way directly affect our overall operations at Santo Tomas, we feel it is very important that the company and its personnel avoid all possible contact with any hostilities which may arise in the general area. The Company intends to take advantage of this temporary shutdown by providing a seasonal break for its drilling crews while maintaining its core-processing activities at Ranchito, the Companys central processing and storage facility. ABOUT OROCO: The Company holds a net 73.2% interest in the collective 1,172.9 ha Core Concessions of the Santo Tomas Project in NW Mexico and may increase that majority interest up to an 85.5% interest with a project investment of up to CAD$30 million. The Company also holds a 77.5% interest in 7,807.9 ha of mineral concessions surrounding and adjacent to the Core Concessions (for a total project area of 22,192 acres). The Project is situated within the Santo Tomas District, which extends from Santo Tomas up to the Jinchuan Groups Bahuerachi project, approximately 14 km to the northeast. Santo Tomas hosts a significant copper porphyry deposit defined by prior exploration spanning the period from 1968 to 1994. During that time, the property was tested by over 100 diamond and reverse circulation drill holes, totalling approximately 30,000 meters. Based on data generated by these drill programs, a historical Prefeasibility Study was completed by Bateman Engineering Inc. in 1994. The Santo Tomas Project is located within 160 km of the Pacific deep-water port at Topolobampo and is serviced via highway and proximal rail (and parallel corridors of trunk grid power lines and natural gas) through the city of Los Mochis to the northern city of Choix. The property is reached by a 32 km access road originally built to service Goldcorps El Sauzal Mine in Chihuahua State. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, statements relating to future events or achievements of the Company, are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in such statements. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual 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. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these matters. Oroco does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements should they change, except as required by law. Press release Results of the Ordinary General Meeting of 9 June 2022 . Adoption of all the resolutions submitted for shareholder approval at MRMs General Meeting Approval of the cash payout to shareholders of 1.80 per share in respect of 2021 financial year Paris, 9 June 2022: MRM (Euronext code ISIN FR0000060196), a real estate company specialising in retail property, announced the adoption of all the resolutions submitted to the shareholders at the Ordinary General Meeting which was held today in Paris under the chairmanship of Mr. Francois de Varenne, Chairman of the Board of directors. All the resolutions put forward were approved by shareholders by a very large majority. In particular, the General Meeting approved the cash payout to shareholders of 1.80 per share1 in respect of the 2021 financial year. This will consist of a dividend of 1.13 per share and a payment of premiums of 0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date is 13 June 2022 and payment will be made on 15 June 2022. Detailed results of the votes on resolutions are available at www.mrminvest.com. Agenda Revenues for the second quarter and first-half 2022 results are due on 28 July 2022 after market close. About MRM MRM is a listed real estate investment company that owns and manages a portfolio of retail properties across several regions of France. Its majority shareholder is SCOR SE, which owns 59.9% of share capital. MRM is listed in Compartment C of Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR00140085W6 -Bloomberg code: MRM:FP Reuters code: MRM.PA). MRM opted for SIIC status on 1 January 2008. For more information MRM 5, avenue Kleber 75795 Paris Cedex 16 France T +33 1 58 44 70 00 [email protected] Isabelle Laurent, OPRG Financial M +33 6 42 37 54 17 [email protected] Website: www.mrminvest.com 1 I.e., 0.09 per share for an old share of 1 par value before the reverse stock split carried out on 20 April 2022 (Reverse stock split carried out on the basis of 20 old shares of 1 par value exchanged for 1 new share of 20 par value). Attachment Dallas, TX (SMU), June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three hundred participants from around the country and two from Belize are advancing their banking industry leadership skills during the 65th session of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at SMU. The SWGSB Foundation, headquartered at the Cox School of Business on the campus of Southern Methodist University, kicked off in-person graduate school last week for this years summer program. The curriculum focuses on leadership development of participants over three years. Along with first-year or freshmen participants, second- and third-year students, referred to as juniors and seniors, are taking classes at the Cox Schools Collins Executive Education Center through Thursday, June 9. Senior bank managers and those tapped by management for executive training take part in leadership sessions led by industry consultants, top bank executives, SMU Cox professors and other academics. Since 1957, when a group of Dallas banking leaders and top administrators at Southern Methodist University founded SWGSB, our goal has been to teach bankers how to be leaders in their industry, said SWGSB Foundation President and CEO Jeffrey R. Schmid. For more than six decades, thousands of financial services professionals have taken part in our elite banking management programs, and were proud to say that SWGSB alumni fill the senior ranks of financial institutions, bank regulatory agencies and bank affiliated organizations throughout North America and beyond. The current session culminates Thursday, June 9, with the graduation of SWGSB Class 62, consisting of 72 participants who began the program in 2019. This is the first year since the start of the pandemic that SWGSB students have met entirely on-site for the full SWGSB experienceallowing all 300 participants to network, bond peer-to-peer and learn from each other. This years program also marks a 65-year partnership between SMU, the Cox School of Business and the SWGSB Foundation to provide graduate-level continuing education for those in the financial services industry, said Schmid. Our students, the banking industry and the broader community benefit from that strong university and business school connection and the exceptional world-class executive education experience that we have forged together. During its keynote banquet and alumni dinner on June 2, SWGSB honored two distinguished industry leaders and trustees: J. Rogers Pope, Jr., vice chairman and CEO of Texas Bank and Trust, and Robert L. Clarke, founder of Bracewell LLPs global financial services practice, and former United States Comptroller of the Currency. The keynote was delivered by entrepreneur and philanthropist John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE in Atlanta, Georgia. About the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation Established in 1957 at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (www.swgsb.org) has become one of the top national banking educational institutions. It is a professional school for bank officers, regulators and others holding management positions in the financial services industry. Emphasis is placed on bank performance, leadership development, and strategic planning. The SWGSB Foundation also conducts the prestigious Assemblies for Bank Directors, a series of annual seminars and workshops held throughout the United States, Canada and off shore for bank board members and senior officers. SWGSB and SWGSB Foundation are headquartered at SMUs top-ranked Cox School of Business. For more information about the SWGSB (www.swgsb.org) or SWGSB Foundation programs, contact (214) 768-2991 or [email protected]. About SMU Cox In 2020, the Cox School of Business celebrated 100 years of business education at SMU. The Cox School is committed to influencing the way the world conducts business via prolific research that provokes innovation, change and global thought leadership. SMU Cox offers a full-range of business education programs including BBA, Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA (part-time), Executive MBA, Online MBA, Direct MBA and Master of Science degree programs, as well as Executive Education. Consistently ranked among the worlds leading business schools, SMU Cox maintains an active, world-wide alumni network. SMU Cox is accredited by the AACSB. Attachments Anna Martinez SMU Cox School of Business 214-768-4474 [email protected] Source: SMU Cox School of Business PHOENIX, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TILT Holdings Inc. (TILT" or the Company) (NEO:TILT) (OTCQX: TLLTF), a global provider of cannabis business solutions that include inhalation technologies, cultivation, manufacturing, processing, brand development and retail, today announces the results of the annual general and special meeting of shareholders of TILT (the Shareholders) held virtually on Thursday, June 9, 2022 (the Meeting). The Company put forward the following resolutions to be voted on by the Shareholders at the Meeting, all of which were approved: (i) to elect the directors of the Company to hold office until their successors are elected at the next annual general meeting of the Company; (ii) to appoint Macias Gini & OConnell LLP (MGO) as auditors for the Company for the ensuing year; (iii) the authorization of the board of directors of the Company (the Board) to fix MGOs remuneration; and (iv) to approve certain amendments to the Companys 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on July 24, 2020 (the Equity Incentive Plan). Election of Directors: Each of the directors elected at the Meeting, being Mark Scatterday, Tim Conder, Jane Batzofin, Mark J. Coleman, John Barravecchia, and DAngela Simms, will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company or until their earlier resignation or removal. Appointment of Auditors:MGO was appointed as auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year. Authorization of Auditor Remuneration:The Board is authorized to fix MGOs remuneration. Amendment to Equity Incentive Plan:Certain amendments to the Equity Incentive Plan were approved. On June 9, 2022, the Company filed a report of voting results on all resolutions voted on at the Meeting on www.sedar.com. About TILTTILT helps cannabis businesses build brands. Through a portfolio of companies providing technology, hardware, cultivation and production, TILT services brands and cannabis retailers across 37 states in the U.S., as well as Canada, Israel, South America and the European Union. TILTs core businesses include Jupiter Research LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary and leader in the vaporization segment focused on hardware design, research, development and manufacturing; and cannabis operations, Commonwealth Alternative Care, Inc. in Massachusetts, Standard Farms LLC in Pennsylvania, Standard Farms Ohio, LLC in Ohio, and its partnership with the Shinnecock Indian Nation in New York. TILT is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.tiltholdings.com. Instagram: @tiltholdingsTwitter: @TILT_Holdings Company Contact:Lynn Ricci, VP of Investor Relations & Corporate CommunicationsTILT Holdings Inc.[email protected] Investor Relations Contact:Sean Mansouri, CFAElevate IR[email protected] 720.330.2829 Media Contact:Juliet FairbrotherMATTIO Communications[email protected] 631.338.5343 Source: TILT Holdings Inc. Washington, D.C., June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil liberties organization, is celebrating five years since it was founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. Members of the legal community, academics, and supporters gathered on Tuesday to commemorate the occasion at the NCLA 5th Anniversary Gala in Washington D.C., featuring special guest, the Honorable Mike Pompeo, 70th Secretary of State of the United States. NCLA released a video highlighting the history of the organization, its cases, and the stories of the clients who have stood up to unlawful abuses of administrative power by state and federal agencies. At the Gala, NCLA awarded Dr. Anthony Fauci with the ignominious King George III Prize for the bureaucrat who violated the most civil liberties last year. In a year when public health officials misled the American people for fear they could not handle the truth, only one man had the temerity to claim, Attacks on me, quite frankly, are attacks on science. Dr. Fauci also actively participated in efforts to undermine public understanding of naturally acquired immunity to Covid-19, pretending for many monthsin a way that led thousands or more people to lose their jobsthat a vaccine should still be mandated for those with antibodies from natural immunity. So much for following the science. NCLA also announced the winners of the coveted George Washington Awardsthe Georgies!for their partnership with NCLAs mission and bravery in standing up to the Administrative State. George Washington Award winners include: Raymond J. Lucia, Sr., for Client Bravery; Latham & Watkins LLP and Cooper & Kirk PLLC for Outstanding Pro Bono Service; and Allyson N. Ho and her Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP team for Best Amicus Curiae Brief. Karen Cook and Michael McColloch were awarded the Cincinnatus Award for Selfless Service to NCLA. Avi Weiss of Columbia Law School won the NCLA Student Note Competition and a $10,000 prize to be split with the Columbia Law Review, which is publishing his piece. Since its founding, NCLA has evolved into a nationally renowned public-interest law firm specializing in filing original lawsuits and amicus curiae briefs against government agencies and defending targets of administrative enforcement. Just in the last month, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari in Securities and Exchange Commission v. Michelle Cochran, NCLAs first original lawsuit to be argued before the Court, and the Second and Third Circuits ruled in NCLAs favor in lawsuits concerning the violation of our clients First Amendment and Due Process rights. NCLA currently has three cases with pending petitions for writ of certiorari: Aposhian v. Garland, et al., Romeril v. SEC, and Buffington v. McDonough. Excerpts from the video: The Administrative State used to be just a marginal element of power in this country. Now it is the dominant mode of power. It undermines one right after another, and so it has to be fought for the sake of all of us. When our arguments before the Supreme Court get picked up by one Justice and then another Justice, we know were making headway. We are on the verge of bringing down part of this edifice, and that will free us. Philip Hamburger, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NCLA NCLA was different from other organizations right from the very beginning, both because we had the intellectual leadership of Philip Hamburger and Janice Rogers Brown, and because we had this focus on civil liberties. We recognized that the violation of civil liberties is the core problem with the Administrative State. When NCLA sees these administrative agencies violating peoples civil liberties, were going to step in for many years to come and cut the Administrative State down to size. Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel, NCLA ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### Judy Pino New Civil Liberties Alliance 202-869-5218 [email protected] Source: New Civil Liberties Alliance FILE PHOTO: An American Airlines Airbus A321-200 plane takes off from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, U.S. March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake By Diane Bartz and David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Thursday said that the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against American Airlines Group Inc and JetBlue Airways Corp would go forward. A trial in the case has been set for Sept. 26. In its lawsuit filed in September in Boston, the government asked Judge Leo Sorokin to order the airlines to end their "Northeast Alliance" partnership, saying it would lead to higher fares in busy Northeastern airports. The agreement allows American and JetBlue to sell each other's flights in their New York-area and Boston networks and link frequent flyer programs, giving them more muscle to compete with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines in the Northeast. The alliance was announced in July 2020 and approved by the U.S. Transportation Department shortly before the end of the Trump administration. American and JetBlue denied wrongdoing and asked Sorokin to dismiss the lawsuit. JetBlue said that it believed the Northeast Alliance delivered significant benefits to consumers. "We are confident the court will rule in our favor after we present the facts this September," the company said in a statement. American said it looks "forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the significant consumer benefits and increased competition enabled by the Northeast Alliance. American Airlines Chief Executive Robert Isom said last week he was confident they would prevail. "What we've been able to do is really come together and offer a product that is a true third competitor," Isom said. The lawsuit was considered a signal that the Biden administration was determined to inject more competition into the airline industry, where American and three other airlines control 80% of the domestic market. JetBlue is separately pursuing a hostile takeover of Spirit Airlines, which has a deal to merge with Frontier . Spirit has urged JetBlue to drop the Northeast Alliance if it wanted to pursue a tie-up, but JetBlue has declined. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Additional reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Nick Zieminski) FILE PHOTO: Logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen at a branch office in Bern, Switzerland May 2, 2022. Picture taken May 2, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann By Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi ZURICH (Reuters) -State Street Corp said on Thursday it is not looking to buy Credit Suisse, in its first outright dismissal of a Wednesday morning report that it was seeking a deal. U.S.-listed shares in Credit Suisse were last trading down 3.7% after falling as much as 8.4% following reports of the U.S. company's denial. State Street shares were last up 0.2% after spiking as much as 3% higher. Credit Suisse shares had spiked higher on Wednesday afternoon and State Street shares lost ground, with traders citing a report by Swiss financial news blog Inside Paradeplatz that U.S-based State Street was planning a takeover bid for the troubled lender, though many in the industry expressed doubts about the claim. "State Street is not pursuing an acquisition of, or any other business combination with, Credit Suisse," State Street said in an emailed statement. "There is no basis to the continuing market rumors." "We feel a response to these reports is now warranted in this instance," State Street said, as it in the process of buying Brown Brothers Harriman Investor Services, a deal that was announced last year. Credit Suisse Chief Executive Thomas Gottstein earlier Thursday called queries over a potential takeover offer from the U.S. bank "really stupid," shutting down questions. "We never comment on rumours. And my father once gave me advice: For really stupid questions, you better don't comment at all," Gottstein said, flagging a related question at the Goldman Sachs European Financials Conference. "So I think I will listen to my father's advice on this one." Switzerland's second-largest lender has described 2022 as a "transition" year in which it is trying to turn the page on costly scandals that prompted a near total reshuffle of top management and a restructuring seeking to curtail risk-taking, particularly in its investment bank. Its shares have lost nearly half their value since two of the biggest shocks - the collapse of $10 billion in supply-chain finance funds linked to Greensill Capital and a more than $5 billion loss on the unwinding of trades by investment firm Archegos - hit the bank in March 2021. Those blows prompted questions over whether the flagship Swiss lender could be challenged by investors demanding its break-up, or that its shrinking stock-market value made it a target for a foreign hostile takeover. Reuters reported in April 2021 that State Street was among investors expressing interest in Credit Suisse's asset management arm. Gottstein said on Thursday that no joint venture or strategic option was on the table for the business, and said asset management remained a key division for Credit Suisse. The bank warned on Wednesday of a likely second-quarter loss and said it now aims to bring cost savings forward. Gottstein said that alongside accelerating cost initiatives, the bank would slow down some of its investments. "In some areas, we are waiting a little bit with some of the growth investments," he said. "In China, we had a plan to ramp up relationship managers by about one-third in each year (from 2022-2024). That RM growth, we're going to slow down a little bit." The bank, however, remained committed to its China plans, he said, disputing a report by Bloomberg earlier on Thursday. "I want to be very clear: Our overall China roll-out is fully on track. There was some news that we are delaying our licence application for the (licensed bank), which is not true. We are fully on track on that. We also want to get to 100% on our China securities joint venture," he said. (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain, Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi, Sinead Carew and Megan Davies; editing by Miranda Murray, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Leslie Adler) FILE PHOTO: The Kohls label is seen on a shopping basket in a Kohls department store in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid By Chibuike Oguh (Reuters) - Apollo Global Management Inc is in talks to provide up to $2 billion in debt financing for the potential acquisition of department store chain Kohl's Corp by retail store operator Franchise Group , a person familiar with the matter said. The discussions between Apollo and Franchise are still at an early stage and no agreement has been reached, the source said. An Apollo spokesperson declined to comment. The New York Post was the first to report on the talks. Franchise Group, operators of retail stores such as The Vitamin Shoppe and Buddy's Home Furnishings, said on Monday it has entered into a three-week exclusive negotiation to acquire Kohl's for $60 per share, which values the company at nearly $8 billion. Kohl's stock traded at $46.32 per share on Thursday, giving it a valuation of about $6 billion. Franchise Group's bid for Kohl's was chosen ahead of other competing offers for the department store from private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, Brookfield Asset Management Inc, and Simon Property Group Inc. (Reporting by Chibuike Oguh in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Catgirl's platform is continuously being expanded after experiencing rapid growth Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Catgirl Coin (CATGIRL) The Catgirl project is constantly expanding its platform and resources after previously reaching a market cap of $1 billion. Catgirl currently offers 8 different Catgirl NFTs of various rarities, as well as NFT Farming, Staking, and NekoFuse (a way to combine multiple NFTs into a higher rarity). Catgirl Logo Birthday Party Edition To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8702/126830_793c8a04e49f283d_001full.jpg What's next from the Catgirl Team Now, the team is currently working on releasing Season 2, which will feature a greater range of Catgirl NFTs than Season 1, which had 5 Catgirl NFTs and 3 Special Catgirl NFTs obtained from their NFT Airdrop. It's worth noting that each new Season grants access to a new Farming Pool. The team is also working on an NFT Marketplace, a place to buy and sell Catgirl Collectibles. As the team grows, they plan to use the foundation of the NFT Marketplace created for Catgirl to build a cross-chain social and NFT trading network. CATGIRL and Catgirl NFTs will be utilized across the platform. With their Season Catgirl NFTs, users will be able to create a Base Catgirl, as well as a variety of Wearables to accessorize their Base Catgirl. You will be able to trade certain Base Catgirls or accessories on the NFT Marketplace. Base Catgirls and Wearables is a unique approach to NFTs that allows users to influence certain aspects of the final result. The team hopes to create a large community of users on the Catgirl dApp who will share their works. Players will be able to engage with their NFTs through a variety of blockchain indie games. With ever-expanding functionality over time, no Season NFT will ever be left in the dust. Important details about Catgirl Catgirl first went live on May 31, 2021, and has been active for over a year, having recently celebrated its first birthday. The team continues to cross items off their Roadmap on a regular basis. Visit Catgirl's website at https://catgirl.io/ to learn more. Twitter: https://twitter.com/catgirlcoin Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/catgirlcoin/ Medium: https://catgirlteam.medium.com/ Discord: http://discord.gg/catgirlcoin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catgirlcoin Telegram: http://t.me/catgirlcoin Media contact Company: Catgirl Contact Name: Alexander Thornton Address: Vancouver, British Columbia E-mail: [email protected] Website: https://catgirl.io/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/126830 Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is saddened to report the passing of one of its Board Members, Jacques Monette on June 3rd, 2022 after a long fight with cancer. Born in Sept-Iles, Quebec, Jacques was the son of the late J. Maurice Monette and the late Anne-Marie Doucete. Jacques was an underground miner, very well-respected by his peers and was recognized across the industry as an expert in shaft development. Jacques worked-on and managed mining and mine development projects around the world including Canada, Mexico, Mongolia, and South Africa. Jacques will be deeply missed by many friends and colleagues in the industry. "We give our heartfelt condolences to Jacques' family and friends. Jacques was a very close friend of mine and a good friend to all of us associated with Colibri. He will be missed very much. We pass our immeasurable thanks to Jacques for giving us his friendship, guidance, and perpetual encouragement to 'Put the Rock In the Box,'" said Ron Goguen, President & CEO. In keeping with Jacques' wishes, his life will be celebrated privately at a later date in Paquetville, New Brunswick. ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION: Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring and exploring prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company has six exploration projects of which five currently have exploration programs being executed 2021 and 2022. (1) The flagship Evelyn Gold Project is 100% owned and explored by Colibri, (2) the Pilar Gold & Silver Project (optioned to Tocvan Ventures (CSE:TOC)), (3) the El Mezquite Gold & Silver Project , (4) the Jackie Gold & Silver Project, and (5) the Diamante Gold & Silver Project. 3, 4, and 5 are subject to earn-in agreements by Silver Spruce Resources (TSXV: SSE). For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements". 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. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes 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 the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. For information contact: Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, [email protected]. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127091 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - You are welcome to join Forum Energy Metals (TSXV: FMC) at Booth # 3029 in the Investor Exchange at the 2022 PDAC, being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Monday June 13th through Wednesday June 15th. Technical meetings with management and partnering inquiries on Forum's portfolio of uranium, copper, nickel and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Idaho can be arranged with Ken Wheatley, Vice President, Exploration and the Forum team at our booth, or contact: Rick Mazur, President & CEO, [email protected]; 604-630-1585. On Monday, June 13th at 11:00 AM, Forum will be hosting a presentation and discussion at its booth # 3029 with John Feneck of John Feneck Consulting LLC. A Market Strategist and former portfolio manager with Merrill Lynch Funds (now Blackrock) and JP Morgan Chase Funds, John was also a member of the precious metals team at Sprott. Over the years he has developed a compelling record with a focus on the metals and mining sector. John will present his current thoughts on the junior resource market, which will include his views on Forum Energy Metals Corp. For more information about John Feneck: go to www.feneckconsulting.com. On Tuesday, June 14th at 11:20 AM, President & CEO Rick Mazur will be a guest panelist at the Exploring for Critical Minerals in Canada's North session at the INVEST CANADA NORTH FORUM being held at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel Ballroom "A". To register:https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pdac-2022-invest-canada-north-forum-tickets-356664893297 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8666/127035_0e769523846c1b4d_003full.jpg 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. 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/127035 Plymouth, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc. (CSE: PRT) (OTCQB: PLRTF) (FSE: 4XA) (WKN# A2N8RH) ("Plymouth Rock", "PRT", or the "Company") a leader in developing detection apparatus and unmanned technologies, announced today that Mr. Phil Lancaster joins its board of directors. Phil brings several years of public company experience from his several years of tenure as SVP Business Development & Government Relations at Patriot One Technologies. Prior to this role Phil worked internationally as a British Police Officer in VIP close protection, as well as international service in British Overseas Territories. Throughout his career, Phil received several notable awards for his efforts in the UK and overseas. Through Phil's work in diplomatic protection, and Patriot One Technologies, he has established an extensive global network of contacts that range from government to law enforcement agencies. Phil has written several journal articles focused on the future of soft target hardening and innovation. In addition to his role as a director, Phil will also be taking a management role, assisting in the commercial exploitation of the company's technologies to law enforcement and state security agencies. Vivian Katsuris previously resigned as a Director and Corporate Secretary, but has remained in an administrative capacity. "We welcome the opportunity to have Phil join PRT as the company transitions from product development to a revenue generating business. We thank Vivian for her service on the board and are delighted that she remains a critical and invaluable part of our team," stated Dana Wheeler, President & CEO of PRT. About Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc. We are on a mission to bring engineering-driven answers to the most critical problems that threaten our safety. We work with government, law enforcement and military to innovate solutions for national security, defense, and space systems. The Company is developing the next generation of threat detection solutions and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). PRT designs and manufactures purpose-built multirotor UAS, utilizing Artificial Intelligence, cutting-edge sensors, and the latest dual-camera modules as standard, offering thermal capabilities alongside high-definition real-time air-to-ground streaming, with the ability to mount multiple, various sensors, modules, and payloads. Our advanced threat detection methods fuse artificial intelligence with augmented reality interfaces to eliminate human operating error. Plymouth Rock products, both airborne and land-based, will scan for threat items at greater 'stand-off' distances than current existing technologies. Our unique radar imaging and signal processing technology creates new opportunities for remotely operated, non-intrusive screening of crowds in real time. Plymouth Rock's core technologies include: (1) UAS platforms engineered to conform to NDAA FY2020 Section 848 ("PRT UAS"); (2) A compact microwave radar system for scanning shoes ("Shoe Scanner"); (3) A compact modular radar utilized for a variety of applications, from aircraft to weapon detection ("CODA"). www.plyrotech.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dana Wheeler President and CEO +1-774-404-7685 [email protected] Investor Information Tasso Baras +1-778-477-6990 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. 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 impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127027 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - PORTOFINO RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: POR) (OTCQB: PFFOF) (FSE: POTA) ("Portofino" or the "Company") is pleased to report on its Argentina lithium projects' status and provide the following progress and actions updates: Yergo Lithium Project, Catamarca The Company reports that following initial filing of an Environmental Impact Assessment associated with a drilling permit application (regarding the implementation of an inaugural 4-hole drill program), extensive consultation and dialogue with the Catamarcan provincial Ministries of Environment and Mining have ensued. Portofino has demonstrated a strong commitment to an environmentally and socially responsible exploration and potential development project. Subject to successful drilling and further exploration the Company is of the opinion that, when advanced responsibly, the Yergo project could encompass additional attributes that contribute positive economic and social benefits to all stakeholders while protecting the salar's sensitive ecosystem. Portofino's actions to date include: Proposing to set aside a portion of its mining concessions as a protected nature reserve. Undertaking due diligence and dialogue with multiple Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology companies. DLE operations have proven effective in extracting lithium from salt brines, having the following benefits: eliminating the requirement for evaporation ponds and their massive environmental and visual footprint; returning the brine solution to underground aquifers maintaining aquifer levels for local communities and protecting vital wetland ecosystems; and Dramatically improving the project's environmental and social impact, while demonstrating innovation leadership, and implementation of emerging best practices for Argentina and the Province of Catamarca. Initiating a geothermal study assessing the potential of Yergo's renewable geothermal capacity that could potentially meet 100% of future DLE power requirements, additionally providing the potential for a sustainable and stable base-load energy solution to local communities displacing traditional fossil fuels with a carbon neutral future. Based on positive feedback received in recent meetings held in Catamarca with government officials, management is confident a drill permit will be granted shortly. About the Yergo lithium Project The 2,932 hectares, Yergo Project is located in the southern part of Argentina's world-renowned "Lithium Triangle" approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Neo Lithium Corp's 3Q Project. (In January 2022, Neo Lithium was acquired by Zijin Mining Group for $960 million.) A 2021 geophysical survey and surface geochemical sampling program identified two large, anomalous sub-basins within the Aparejos Salar (see news release dated April 6, 2021). The survey and sampling results confirmed the presence of lithium-rich brines and the potential volume of the brines within the sub-basins. The initial drill program will focus on the eastern sub-basin which has an irregular surface expression measuring between 1.8km to 2.5km in length by approximately 700 meters ("m") in width with modeled depths up to 65m. Portofino reported surface samples with values of up to 373 mg/l Lithium that were accompanied by low impurities (news releases dated May 27, 2019, and April 6, 2021). Salta lithium projects Pursuant to previous disclosure, the Company's management and Recursos Energeticos y Mineros De Salta S.A. ("REMSA"), the state-owned mining company of the Province of Salta, are working toward completing definitive collaboration agreements regarding multiple lithium brine mineral properties in the Province of Salta. The agreements would provide Portofino and local partners with the opportunity to earn a majority interest in the properties. It is expected that the initial agreement will be concerning the Arizaro salar property which is located approximately 170 kilometers west of the city of Salta. The Arizaro property comprises approximately 8400 hectares and is in close proximity to multiple world-class lithium projects including near term production projects operated by Ganfeng Lithium, Rio Tinto and French mining conglomerate, Eramet. In addition, explorer Lithium Chile Inc. has recently reported a high-grade resource on its adjacent Arizaro project. The initial exploration campaigns will be performed by REMSA in collaboration with the Company and financed by Portofino. Portofino's geological team has completed initial reconnaissance mapping and surface sampling as part of its ongoing due diligence. About REMSA REMSA is a corporation formed in 1985, that oversees the administration of the energy and mineral resources of the Province of Salta. It contributes to the productive and social development of the province by managing and promoting the exploration and development of projects within the mining and energy sectors. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The QP has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the properties in the province of Salta, Argentina, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work. About Portofino Resources Inc. Portofino is a Vancouver-based Canadian company focused on exploring and developing mineral resource projects in the Americas. Portofino has an opportunity to earn a majority interest in multiple lithium projects in Salta, Argentina and controls 100% of the Yergo Lithium property which encompasses the Aparejos Salar in Catamarca. The properties are situated in the heart of the world-renown Argentine Lithium Triangle and in close proximity to multiple world-class lithium projects. The Company also has the right to earn 100% interest in three northwestern Ontario, Canada lithium projects: Allison Lake North, Greenheart Lake and McNamara Lake. Portofino's South of Otter and Bruce Lake projects are in the historic gold mining district of Red Lake, Ontario, Canada proximal to the Dixie gold project discovered by Great Bear Resources and now owned by Kinross Gold Corp. In addition, Portofino holds three other northwestern Ontario gold projects; the Gold Creek property located immediately south of the historic Shebandowan mine, as well as the Sapawe West and Melema West properties located in the rapidly developing Atikokan gold mining camp. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "David G. Tafel" Chief Executive Officer For Further Information Contact: David Tafel CEO, Director 604-683-1991 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 concerning future operations of Portofino Resources Inc. (the "Company"). All forward- looking statements concerning the Company's future plans and operations, including management's assessment of the Company's project expectations or beliefs may be subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual performance and exploration and financial results may differ materially from any estimates or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127107 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 8, 2022) - Tres-Or Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TRS) (OTC Pink: TRSFF) ("Tres-Or" or the "Company")reports that it intends to aggressively pursue its civil claim against Secova Metals Corp. ("Secova") in the amount of $199,875 plus interest (the "Claim") filed with the Supreme Court of British Columbia on January 5, 2022 as Secova has failed to respond to any initiatives by the Company to resolve the matter. The Claim arose as a result of Secova's failure to repay certain expenditures incurred by the Company on behalf of Secova pursuant to an Amended and Restated Option Agreement between the parties. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Laura Lee Duffett" Laura Lee Duffett, President and CEO For further information Laura Lee Duffett, President & CEO: +1 (604) 541-8376 - [email protected] Dean Claridge, Business Development: +1 (604) 688-8700 Website: www.tres-or.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. About the Company Tres-Or Resources Ltd. is a Canadian resource company focused on exploring for diamonds and gold resources in the Tmiscamingue and Abitibi regions of Quebec and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "TRS". Additional information related to the Company is available on SEDAR and on the Company's website (www.tres-or.com). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127028 HOUSTON, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Callon Petroleum Company (NYSE: CPE) ("Callon" or the "Company") announced today that it has priced $600 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.500% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the "notes") in a private offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The sale of the notes is expected to close on June 24, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. On June 9, 2022, the Company delivered a redemption notice with respect to all $460.2 million of its outstanding 6.125% Senior Notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes") and all $319.7 million of its outstanding 9.00% Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "Second Lien Notes"). The net proceeds from the offering, along with borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility, are expected to be used to redeem all of the 2024 Notes and all of the Second Lien Notes. The 2024 Notes and the Second Lien Notes will be redeemable on July 9, 2022, which redemptions will settle on Monday, July 11, 2022. This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell the 2024 Notes or the Second Lien Notes, and it does not constitute a notice of redemption of the 2024 Notes or the Second Lien Notes. The notes and the related guarantees to be offered have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and unless so registered, the notes and the related guarantees may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The notes and the related guarantees are being offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. This press release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135(c) under the Securities Act, and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the notes and the related guarantees or any other securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. About Callon Petroleum Company Callon Petroleum Company is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of high-quality assets in the leading oil plays of South and West Texas. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include all statements including the words "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "forecast," "outlook," "assume," "plans" and words of similar meaning. These statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. No assurances can be given, however, as of this date, that these events will occur or that these projections will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of certain factors. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of which such statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. These statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements including risks more fully discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, available on our website or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. For further information contact: Kevin SmithDirector of Investor RelationsCallon Petroleum Company[email protected](281) 589-5200 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/callon-petroleum-company-announces-pricing-of-600-million-senior-unsecured-notes-offering-301565396.html SOURCE Callon Petroleum Company SHANGHAI, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) ("Cango" or the "Company"), a leading automotive transaction service platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2022. First Quarter 2022 Financial and Operational Highlights Total revenues were RMB787.7 million (US$124.3 million), compared with RMB1,123.8 million in the same period of 2021. Car trading transactions revenues were RMB599.3 million (US$94.5 million), or 76.1% of total revenues in the first quarter of 2022, a 4.9% increase from RMB571.6 million in the same period of 2021. Automotive financing facilitation revenues were RMB105.9 million (US$16.7 million), compared with RMB411.7 million in the same period of 2021. The amount of financing transactions the Company facilitated in the first quarter of 2022 was RMB2,637.4 million (US$416.0 million). The total outstanding balance of financing transactions the Company facilitated was RMB42,550.3 million (US$6,712.1 million) as of March 31, 2022. M1+ and M3+ overdue ratios for all financing transactions that remained outstanding and were facilitated by the Company were 1.76% and 0.80%, respectively, as of March 31, 2022, compared with 1.62% and 0.86%, respectively, as of December 31, 2021. The number of dealers covered by the Company was 44,771 as of March 31, 2022, compared with 45,930 as of December 31, 2021. Mr. Jiayuan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of Cango, commented, "Since the beginning of the year, the overall market environment has been tougher than we anticipated. While the automotive industry is still in the shadow of a chip shortage, it is also facing industrial production and supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 resurgence across the nation. Given policy changes and the decline in consumers' credit level and repayment ability caused by the economic downturn, we have been proactively making strategic adjustments since last year, tightening our traditional automotive financing facilitation business, strengthening risk control measures and enhancing our collection efforts on overdue assets. At the same time, we remain focused on developing a tech-enabled car trading services platform centered around our car trading transactions business and supported by our insurance and financing businesses as multi-monetization channels. "First quarter total revenues were RMB787.7 million, of which more than 76.1% were generated by our car trading transactions business. We are very pleased with our progress in transforming Cango into a comprehensive automotive transaction services platform, particularly our first quarter improvements to operating efficiency and capacity. In addition, as the main online traffic entrance, our B2B WeChat mini program "Cango Haoche" has been resonating well with a growing number of registered dealers and recorded increased logistics order demand and transaction volume during the quarter. "The current round of the pandemic outbreak has lasted for more than two months, spanning the first two quarters of 2022. The corresponding prevention and control measures have had a greater impact on the Chinese economy in the second quarter, and for the automotive industry, the production decline has been huge. While the pandemic is slowly coming under control and production is gradually resuming, we believe the impact on the demand side will persist longer-term. As a result, we expect our total revenues to continue to decline sequentially in the second quarter. Amid this complex macro environment, we will continue to strengthen our risk management while further enhancing our platform capabilities to better serve and engage dealers and consumers." Mr. Yongyi Zhang, Chief Financial Officer of Cango, stated, "The economic upheaval, global chip shortage and resurgence of Covid-19 in China have brought great challenges to companies across all industries. Together with the deliberate strategic steps we have taken to adjust our traditional automotive financing facilitation business, these factors significantly impacted our top line in the first quarter. Entering the second quarter, the latest Covid surge has thrown China's car market into disarray with factories shut down and sales plunging, and we, along with our dealers, are facing a much more difficult operating environment. Thus, we are now predicting an even higher year-over-year decline in total revenues for the second quarter. However, with our solid balance sheet and disciplined cost controls, we believe we can effectively cope with the dynamics caused by the pandemic outbreak and will closely monitor the evolving situation." First Quarter 2022 Financial Results REVENUES Total revenues in the first quarter of 2022 were RMB787.7 million (US$124.3 million) compared with RMB1,123.8 million in the same period of 2021. Revenues from car trading transactions in the first quarter of 2022 were RMB599.3 million (US$94.5 million), continuing to serve as an important revenue contributor. Revenues from automotive financing facilitation and after-market services facilitation in the first quarter of 2022 were RMB105.9 million (US$16.7 million) and RMB25.8 million (US$4.1 million), respectively. OPERATING COST AND EXPENSES Total operating cost and expenses in the first quarter of 2022 were RMB976.8 million (US$154.1 million) compared with RMB964.2 million in the same period of 2021. Cost of revenue in the first quarter of 2022 decreased to RMB687.0 million (US$108.4 million) from RMB769.0 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of revenue in the first quarter of 2022 was 87.2% compared with 68.4% in the same period of 2021. The change was primarily due to an increase in car trading transactions' share of total revenues. Car trading transactions normally present a higher cost-revenue ratio, thus pushing up the overall ratio. For automotive financing facilitation and after-market services facilitation, cost of revenue as a percentage of relevant revenues was around 54.2% in the first quarter of 2022. Sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 2022 were RMB53.8 million (US$8.5 million) compared with RMB57.8 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 2022 was 6.8% compared with 5.1% in the same period of 2021. General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2022 were RMB50.9 million (US$8.0 million) compared with RMB61.4 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2022 was 6.5% compared with 5.5% in the same period of 2021. Research and development expenses in the first quarter of 2022 were RMB14.5 million (US$2.3 million) compared with RMB13.6 million in the same period of 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, research and development expenses in the first quarter of 2022 was 1.8% compared with 1.2% in the same period of 2021. Net loss on risk assurance liabilities in the first quarter of 2022 was RMB98.9 million (US$15.6 million) compared with RMB21.7 million in the same period of 2021. Net loss on risk assurance liabilities was mainly due to a sequential increase in the default rate since 2021. (LOSS)/ INCOME FROM OPERATIONS Loss from operations in the first quarter of 2022 was RMB189.1 million (US$29.8 million), compared with an income of RMB159.5 million in the same period of 2021. NET LOSS Net loss in the first quarter of 2022 was RMB136.2 million (US$21.5 million). Non-GAAP adjusted net loss in the first quarter of 2022 was RMB113.3 million (US$17.9 million). Non-GAAP adjusted net loss excludes the impact of share-based compensation expenses. For further information, see "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure." NET LOSS PER ADS Basic and diluted net loss per American Depositary Share (ADS) in the first quarter of 2022 were both RMB0.98 (US$0.15). Non-GAAP adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS in the first quarter of 2022 were both RMB0.81 (US$0.13). Each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares of the Company. BALANCE SHEET As of March 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB2,137.0 million (US$337.1 million), compared with RMB1,434.8 million as of December 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had short-term investments of RMB1,874.1 million (US$295.6 million), compared with RMB2,598.9 million as of December 31, 2021. Business Outlook For the second quarter of 2022, the Company expects total revenues to be between RMB250 million and RMB300 million. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change. Share Repurchase Program Pursuant to the share repurchase program announced on August 19, 2021, the Company had repurchased 7,324,169 ADSs with cash in the aggregate amount of approximately US$26.3 million up to May 31, 2022. Conference Call Information The Company's management will hold a conference call on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 9:00 P.M. Eastern Time or Friday, June 10, 2022, at 9:00 A.M. Beijing Time to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers: International: +1-412-902-4272 United States Toll Free: +1-888-346-8982 Mainland China Toll Free: 4001-201-203 Hong Kong, China Toll Free: 800-905-945 Conference ID: Cango Inc. The replay will be accessible through June 16, 2022, by dialing the following numbers: International: +1-412-317-0088 United States Toll Free: +1-877-344-7529 Access Code: 2670958 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.cangoonline.com/. About Cango Inc. Cango Inc. (NYSE: CANG) is a leading automotive transaction service platform in China connecting car buyers, dealers, financial institutions, and other industry participants. Founded in 2010 by a group of pioneers in China's automotive finance industry, the Company is headquartered in Shanghai and has a nationwide network. Leveraging its competitive advantages in technological innovation and big data, Cango has established an automotive supply chain ecosystem, and developed a matrix of products centering on customer needs for auto transaction, auto financing and after-market services. By working with platform participants, Cango endeavors to makes car purchase simple and enjoyable, and make itself customers' car purchase service platform of choice. For more information, please visit: www.cangoonline.com. Definition of Overdue Ratios The Company defines "M1+ overdue ratio" as (i) exposure at risk relating to financing transactions for which any installment payment is 30 to 179 calendar days past due as of a specified date, divided by (ii) exposure at risk relating to all financing transactions which remain outstanding as of such date, excluding amounts of outstanding principal that are 180 calendar days or more past due. The Company defines "M3+ overdue ratio" as (i) exposure at risk relating to financing transactions for which any installment payment is 90 to 179 calendar days past due as of a specified date, divided by (ii) exposure at risk relating to all financing transactions which remain outstanding as of such date, excluding amounts of outstanding principal that are 180 calendar days or more past due. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measure In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss), a non-GAAP measure, as a supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company defines Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding share-based compensation expenses. The Company presents the non-GAAP financial measure because it is used by the management to evaluate the operating performance and formulate business plans. Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) enables the management to assess the Company's operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. The Company also believes that the use of the non-GAAP measure facilitates investors' assessment of its operating performance. Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) is not defined under U.S. GAAP and is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure has limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) is that it does not reflect all items of expense that affect the Company's operations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and may continue to be incurred in the business and are not reflected in the presentation of Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss). Further, the non-GAAP measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company's performance. The Company encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Reconciliations of Cango's non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure are included at the end of this press release. Exchange Rate Information This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB6.3393 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2022, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the "Business Outlook" section and quotations from management in this announcement, contain forward-looking statements. Cango may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Cango's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Cango's goal and strategies; Cango's expansion plans; Cango's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Cango's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its solutions and services; Cango's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with dealers, financial institutions, car buyers and other platform participants; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Cango's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Cango does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Investor Relations Contact Yihe LiuCango Inc.Tel: +86 21 3183 5088 ext.5581Email: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cango_Group Emilie WuThe Piacente Group, Inc.Tel: +86 21 6039 8363Email: [email protected] CANGO INC.UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET(Amounts in Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollar ("US$"), except for number of shares and per share data As of December 31, 2021 As of March 31,2022 RMB RMB US$ ASSETS: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,434,806,922 2,136,995,727 337,102,792 Restricted cash - current 61,293,114 16,762,559 2,644,229 Short-term investments 2,598,935,704 1,874,096,379 295,631,439 Accounts receivable, net 223,544,396 207,684,715 32,761,459 Finance lease receivables - current, net 1,414,164,625 1,277,406,406 201,505,909 Financing receivables, net 62,296,261 63,604,762 10,033,405 Short-term contract asset 829,940,692 757,731,542 119,529,213 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 982,948,637 607,520,476 95,834,000 Total current assets 7,607,930,351 6,941,802,566 1,095,042,446 Non-current assets: Restricted cash - non-current 1,114,180,729 1,054,258,304 166,305,161 Goodwill 148,657,971 148,657,971 23,450,219 Property and equipment, net 19,545,933 18,922,332 2,984,925 Intangible assets 45,931,544 45,862,156 7,234,577 Long-term contract asset 495,456,805 377,472,013 59,544,747 Deferred tax assets 474,570,361 512,183,407 80,794,947 Finance lease receivables - non-current, net 1,029,262,174 813,718,806 128,360,987 Other non-current assets 11,568,164 10,726,288 1,692,030 Total non-current assets 3,339,173,681 2,981,801,277 470,367,593 TOTAL ASSETS 10,947,104,032 9,923,603,843 1,565,410,039 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debts 579,776,131 192,925,159 30,433,196 Long-term debtscurrent 938,014,362 941,471,959 148,513,552 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 719,035,377 294,604,555 46,472,730 Risk assurance liabilities 699,022,914 697,977,218 110,103,200 Income tax payable 481,854,105 488,485,526 77,056,698 Total current liabilities 3,417,702,889 2,615,464,417 412,579,376 Non-current liabilities: Long-term debts 486,371,672 454,389,193 71,678,134 Deferred tax liability 51,471,040 10,724,133 1,691,690 Other non-current liabilities 991,610 875,365 138,085 Total non-current liabilities 538,834,322 465,988,691 73,507,909 Total liabilities 3,956,537,211 3,081,453,108 486,087,285 Shareholders' equity Ordinary shares 204,260 204,260 32,221 Treasury shares (485,263,213) (503,654,441) (79,449,536) Additional paid-in capital 4,671,769,821 4,694,193,668 740,490,854 Accumulated other comprehensive income (187,517,110) (203,803,965) (32,149,285) Retained earnings 2,991,373,063 2,855,211,213 450,398,500 Total Cango Inc.'s equity 6,990,566,821 6,842,150,735 1,079,322,754 Non-controlling interests - - - Total shareholders' equity 6,990,566,821 6,842,150,735 1,079,322,754 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 10,947,104,032 9,923,603,843 1,565,410,039 CANGO INC.UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OFCOMPREHENSIVE INCOME(Amounts in Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollar ("US$"), except for number of shares and per share data) Three months ended March 31 2021 2022 RMB RMB US$ Revenues 1,123,786,711 787,693,871 124,255,655 Loan facilitation income and other related income 411,690,816 105,898,643 16,705,100 Leasing income 73,127,676 50,122,051 7,906,559 After-market services income 62,529,491 25,778,706 4,066,491 Automobile trading income 571,564,881 599,301,326 94,537,461 Others 4,873,847 6,593,145 1,040,044 Operating cost and expenses: Cost of revenue 769,047,549 686,981,142 108,368,612 Sales and marketing 57,843,559 53,845,201 8,493,872 General and administrative 61,390,617 50,883,876 8,026,734 Research and development 13,594,247 14,485,622 2,285,051 Net loss on risk assurance liabilities 21,738,931 98,920,883 15,604,386 Provision for credit losses 40,631,952 71,655,995 11,303,455 Total operation cost and expense 964,246,855 976,772,719 154,082,110 (Loss)/income from operations 159,539,856 (189,078,848) (29,826,455) Interest Income, net 6,559,451 5,347,168 843,495 Net loss on equity securities (435,244,117) (19,244,695) (3,035,776) Interest expense (578,968) (4,340,232) (684,655) Foreign exchange gain/(loss), net 203,394 (389,087) (61,377) Other income, net 3,607,576 34,489,377 5,440,566 Other expenses (6,286,005) (131,545) (20,751) Net loss before income taxes (272,198,813) (173,347,862) (27,344,953) Income tax expenses (1,672,722) 37,186,012 5,865,949 Net loss (273,871,535) (136,161,850) (21,479,004) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests - - - Net loss attributable to Cango Inc.'s shareholders (273,871,535) (136,161,850) (21,479,004) Earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders: Basic (1.84) (0.98) (0.15) Diluted (1.84) (0.98) (0.15) Weighted average ADS used to compute earnings per ADSattributable to ordinary shareholders: Basic 149,219,445 139,230,361 139,230,361 Diluted 149,219,445 139,230,361 139,230,361 Other comprehensive income, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustment 10,282,265 (16,286,855) (2,569,188) Total comprehensive income (263,589,270) (152,448,705) (24,048,192) Total comprehensive income attributable to Cango Inc.'s shareholders (263,589,270) (152,448,705) (24,048,192) CANGO INC.RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS(Amounts in Renminbi ("RMB") and US dollar ("US$"), except for number of shares and per share data) Three months ended March 31 2021 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) RMB RMB US$ Net loss (273,871,535) (136,161,850) (21,479,004) Add: Share-based compensation expenses 19,911,165 22,854,290 3,605,176 Cost of revenue 670,674 895,440 141,252 Sales and marketing 3,516,889 4,519,816 712,983 General and administrative 14,691,823 16,339,012 2,577,417 Research and development 1,031,779 1,100,022 173,524 Non-GAAP adjusted net loss (253,960,370) (113,307,560) (17,873,828) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests - - - Net loss attributable to Cango Inc.'s shareholders (253,960,370) (113,307,560) (17,873,828) Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per ADS-basic (1.70) (0.81) (0.13) Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per ADS-diluted (1.70) (0.81) (0.13) Weighted average ADS outstandingbasic 149,219,445 139,230,361 139,230,361 Weighted average ADS outstandingdiluted 149,219,445 139,230,361 139,230,361 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cango-inc-reports-first-quarter-2022-unaudited-financial-results-301565198.html SOURCE Cango Inc. MIAMI, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Cansortium Inc. (CSE: TIUM.U) (OTCQX: CNTMF) ("Cansortium" or the "Company"), a vertically-integrated cannabis company operating under the Fluent brand, is providing a bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). On May 2, 2022, the Company announced that it applied for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") with the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") in connection with the delay in filing of its audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, and related management discussion and analysis and CEO and CFO certificates (collectively, the "Annual Filings") by the prescribed filing deadline (the "Original Announcement"). The MCTO was issued on May 9, 2022 and restricts its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer from trading in securities of the Company, whether direct or indirect, so long as there are filings that are outstanding under Ontario securities laws. The MCTO does not affect the ability of other shareholders, including the public, to trade in securities of the Company. On May 27, 2022, the Company also announced that the filing of its unaudited interim financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the three-months ended March 31, 2022 (the "Interim Filings", and together with the Annual Filings, the "Required Documents"), will be delayed beyond the filing deadline of May 30, 2022 as a result in the delay in completing the Annual Filings. The Company's management continues to work diligently to complete the Required Documents as soon as practicable. The MCTO will remain in effect until two full business days following the receipt by the OSC of all filings the Company is required to make under Ontario securities law (including the Required Documents). The Company confirms that since the date of the Original Announcement: (i) other than as described above, there has been no material change to the information set out in the Original Announcement that has not been generally disclosed; (ii) there has been no failure by the Company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203; (iii) there has not been any other specified default by the Company under NP 12-203; and (iv) there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. The Company confirms it will continue to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203 so long as it remains in default of the requirement to file the Required Documents. About Cansortium Inc.Cansortium is a vertically-integrated cannabis company with licenses and operations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan (through its in-market partner) and Texas. The Company operates under the Fluent brand and is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by Cansortium's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution and retail. The Company is headquartered in Miami, Florida. Cansortium Inc.'s common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U" and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol "CNTMF". For more information about the Company, please visit www.getfluent.com. Forward-Looking InformationCertain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. Some of the forward-looking information contained in this press release include the duration of the MCTO and the Company's ability to complete the Required Documents and continue to satisfy the information guidelines set out in NP 12-203. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the actual filing time of the Required Documents to be materially different from the estimated future filing time or prevent us from complying with the requirements of NP 12-203 and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Company Contact Robert Beasley, CEO(850) 972-8077investors.getfluent.com Investor Relations Contact Sean Mansouri, CFAElevate IR(720) 330-2829[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cansortium-provides-bi-weekly-mcto-status-update-and-update-regarding-annual-and-interim-financial-statements-301564451.html SOURCE Cansortium Inc DOVER, Del., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) (Chesapeake Utilities) announced today that Sharon Grant joined the Company as assistant vice president and diversity officer, effective June 6. Grant will oversee Chesapeake Utilities' equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy and initiatives, including its EDI Council and employee resource groups, while also collaborating across the organization with the teams responsible for the enterprise-wide environmental, social and governance plan. In addition, Grant will lead efforts to improve the employee experience at Chesapeake Utilities, with a focus on employee engagement and enhancing Company culture to foster an environment that promotes wellness, inclusion and belonging. "We welcome Sharon to the Chesapeake Utilities family," said William Hughston, vice president and chief human resource officer. "Sharon's unique background and experience in business operations, project management, organizational development and EDI will play a significant part in helping us build upon our strategic imperatives in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement." "As the first person to step into this newly created and important role, I'm thrilled to join Chesapeake Utilities," said Grant. "I share the Company's determination to make a difference and to continue building an environment that advances equity, diversity and inclusion. I'm looking forward to advancing an EDI strategy and implementation plan that incorporates inclusive perspectives and practices." Grant is an accomplished human resources leader who most recently held the role of vice president and chief diversity officer at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in Richmond, Virginia. There, she oversaw the design and implementation of the talent management strategy, human resources operations, employee engagement strategy, and the enterprise-wide strategic plan for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Grant also has held leadership roles with global responsibility at Cisco Systems Inc. and the City of Atlanta, and she led her own HR consulting firm. Grant holds an MBA from the University of Georgia and a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. She also has numerous certifications in project management and human resources. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other businesses. For more information, visit www.chpk.com. Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is not affiliated with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, contact: Brianna PattersonManager, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation302-217-7050[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chesapeake-utilities-corporation-announces-new-diversity-officer-301565302.html SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation MILWAUKEE, Wis. , June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Circa has signed an agreement with partner ThisWay Global to leverage IBM's App Connect Enterprise in order to help medium to enterprise sized companies with their diversity recruiting and compliance requirements. ThisWay Global recently announced its embedded approach for the IBM relationship, which ensued by way of participating in a Google Startup Accelerator Program in September 2021. ThisWay was one of 12 North American startups selected, and Circa is one of a few companies selected by ThisWay to be included in the IBM opportunity. Circa is a reseller of ThisWay's Diversity Sourcing & Matching engine, an intuitive and automated recruitment tool that helps to authentically remove bias and quickly match employers to 169 million candidates from diverse community databases. This new relationship with IBM's App Connect Enterprise software enables Circa to easily integrate with and offer diversity recruiting, sourcing and compliance solutions to companies within a single platform. "We wouldn't have been able to participate in this cutting-edge, modern technology had it not been for our partnership with ThisWay Global," said Patrick Sheahan, Circa CEO. "Circa has had great success bundling the diversity sourcing product with its recruiting and compliance solutions, giving HR and recruiting professionals one platform to work within. Now with the opportunity to be part of IBM's EcoSystem, companies will have seamless, secure access to Circa's products within their current workflows. Never before has this been possible." How does it Work? Using ThisWay's Recruitment Process AutomationTM technology (RPA), a recruiter or hiring manager can simplify and improve the traditional hiring process by removing pain points associated with talent sourcing and matching through the use of Automated Intelligence. It also combines specific machine learning and data security with the powerful ability to match applicants to opportunities based on more than 1,000 data points. ThisWay is also developing a new product feature, referred to as the Universal Integration Platform (UIP), which will allow HR professionals to save hundreds of hours with procurement, vendors, and eventually the software itself through system integrations and workflow automations. These solutions increase customer compliance, efficiency, and the accurate matching of qualified talent, while simultaneously increasing diversity and inclusion. Circa's diversity recruiting solutions are proven to deliver 2.5 times more candidates than the industry job board average, and the diversity sourcing product, powered by ThisWay Global, delivers 300 passive candidates per job in a matter of seconds. Circa provides SaaS-based OFCCP compliance management and recruiting technology solutions to deliver qualified candidates on a level, equitable playing field that meet organizations' needs to build high-performing, diverse teams. Circa helps reach even more underrepresented groups with the country's largest network of community-based organizations and niche job board sites, including DiversityJobs. Circa's Diversity Sourcing Powered by ThisWay Global is a powerful matching platform where companies can connect with diverse candidates from 8,500+ online diverse communities. Every candidate is matched against every open position with a focus on their skills and experience so that employers can find the best individual instantly and without bias. The powerful Sourcing & Matching technology instantly delivers 300 passive candidates matched to a specific job description, thereby saving recruiters hours of time searching other online databases, such as LinkedIn. IBM's App Connect Enterprise delivers an automated approach to integration designed to reduce development complexity and speed time to value, empowering businesses to connect applications and data no matter where they reside, be it on-cloud or on-premises with security. "In 2015, we identified that the single greatest challenge in the HR tech industry was integrations, or more the lack of them." Angela Hood, CEO and founder of ThisWay Global said. "The number one question we're constantly asked is: 'Do you integrate?' It is mission critical for HR professionals to utilize system integrations, and we're hyper focused now more than ever on making this happen for our customers. Circa leads with diversity and its products are best in class, and we're thrilled to have them aboard." About Circa Circa is a catalyst for 21st century companies to build high-performing diverse teams based on research that shows companies want to shift from diversity as a program to diversity as a business strategy. The companies' robust portfolio of software solutions and unparalleled industry expertise give employers the tools and knowledge they need to radically change how they approach talent acquisition and management. The company was founded in 1994, has 5,000+ customers, 15,500 community partner relationships and in 2019 posted 5M+ jobs through its network of 600+ online employment websites. Circaworks.com About ThisWay Global: Founded by Angela Hood in University of Cambridge's ideaSpace, ThisWay Global is a WBENC certified, VC-backed, Google accelerated HR tech industry leader that matches all people to all jobs instantly and without bias. Using proprietary technology, ThisWay's network has performed over 15.5 trillion matching events, providing companies and governments with technology to reduce bias and increase diversity across all industries. ThisWay Global is headquartered in the booming tech hub of Austin, Texas, with offices in Silicon Valley and Boston. To learn more or to schedule a demo, visit thiswayglobal.com. Media ContactKatie ColemanProduct Marketing Manager[email protected]202-370-9228Circaworks.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/circas-partnership-with-thisway-global-provides-access-to-the-universal-integration-platform-uip-and-ibms-app-connect-enterprise-301565101.html SOURCE Circa Hong Kong: Carer support report released The Labour & Welfare Bureau today released the report of the consultancy study on needs and support to carers of elderly people and people with disabilities in Hong Kong, submitted by the commissioned consulting team. The Government accepted in principle the directions and recommendations put forward in the study report and will follow up on them. The bureau said the Government encourages ageing in place and provides various support services to enhance the capabilities of carers and relieve their stress. At present, support services include care skills training, emotional support, respite care, lending of rehabilitation aids, assisting carers to set up mutual support groups, and various pilot schemes of financial assistance and support required. The consultancy report proposed backing carers along four directions: supporting carers in the community, capacity building of carers, multipartite collaboration and ensuring the sustainability of carer support measures. It also proposed a collaborative model divided into three tiers: carer strength building, encouraging family and informal support, and service integration. A total of 11 specific recommendations are proposed, including to raise carers' awareness about the importance, availability and access of information, provide carer-centric training and intervention, as well as promote family-based support and mutual assistance among carer peers. The consultancy study emphasised that carer support is the shared responsibility of family, the community, business and the Government. Multipartite collaboration among different sectors, professions, organisations and the Government should be established to implement various service proposals, such as adopting flexible and innovative operation models and promoting the use of technology, and providing sustainable support through optimising government and non-government funding. The study also noted that the resources injected by the Government should be integrated to enhance the effectiveness of services. The bureau said it will report the study to the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services in due course, adding that the Government will follow up on the directions and recommendations put forward by the consultancy report, consult stakeholders in a timely manner and consider practicable measures to continuously support carers. This story has been published on: 2022-06-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. EXTON, Pa., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Ricoh IT Services to its 2022 Solution Provider 500 list. CRN's annual Solution Provider 500 ranks North America's largest solution providers by revenue and serves as the gold standard for recognizing some of the channel's most successful companies. With combined revenue of more than $434 billion, this year's list represents an impressive amount of influence and impact wielded by these companies on today's IT industry and the technology suppliers they partner with. Ricoh's Digital Services Center continues to help its customers create new hybrid, borderless work experiences by delivering cloud solutions that unlock the value of information essential for modern workforces. Over the past year, Ricoh enabled organizations to enhance work experiences with its portfolio of cloud and security solutions, aimed at providing companies with peace of mind when it comes to security challenges. With Ricoh, organizations can navigate changing post-pandemic priorities that have dramatically shifted to meet evolving customer needs. "This recognition from CRN validates Ricoh's strategy of developing and delivering a robust managed IT services portfolio that supports customers' wide range of IT technology and service needs," said Bob Lamendola, Senior Vice President, Technology and Head of Digital Services Center, Ricoh North America. "Our technology solutions, such as Capture & Conversion Services and Claims Management Services help clients transform their IT approach to maximize efficiency and enable individuals to work more productively and digitally with cloud-connected workflow software and tools." This recognition by CRN is the latest in a series of recent accolades awarded to Ricoh, including: "The Solution Provider 500 list from CRN serves as the benchmark for the top technology integrators, strategic service providers, and IT consulting firms, making it an invaluable resource for technology vendors seeking to partner with today's top-performing IT solution providers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "My congratulations go out to each of these companies for their extraordinary contributions to the continued growth and success of the IT channel." CRN's 2022 Solution Provider 500 list is available online at www.CRN.com/SP500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine. For more information on Ricoh's IT Services offerings, please visit this page, or follow the company's social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. 2022 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. The Channel Company Contact:Jennifer HoganThe Channel Company[email protected] | About Ricoh | Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services that enable individuals to work smarter from anywhere. With cultivated knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history, Ricoh is a leading provider of digital services, information management, and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation and optimize business performance. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group has major operations throughout the world and its products and services now reach customers in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2022, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,758 billion yen (approx. 14.5 billion USD). For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com. 2022 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crn-recognizes-ricoh-on-2022-solution-provider-500-list-301565062.html SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc. World's most prominent speakers convene to discuss upskilling strategies for success in the new PR world DAVOS, Switzerland, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Davos Online Communications Summit 2022 turned into a real benchmark for the PR professionals all over the world. It gathered over 100 leading experts in the industry and offered underpinning post-pandemic concepts for the future of public communications. The Summit, traditionally organized by the World Communications Forum Association in Davos, was entitled "The New PR World: Look ahead. Re-think. Change. Succeed.". WCFA launched the event with the objective to address the major challenges facing the post-pandemic world and how the Public Relations industry contributes to the recovery in all sectors, following contemporary methods and key digital tools of the future. Among the main participants were PRCA Director General and ICCO Chief Executive Francis Ingham, Sherlock Communication Managing Partner Alasdair Townsend, Global PR Hub Regional Country Manager Mai Anh Le, Purposeful Relations Co-founder Stuart Bruce, Genetikomm Consultancy Co-Founder Eva Snijders, Alexander PR Group Managing Director Marie Alexander, National Public Relations Senior Consultant Rosanne Bourque, KWT Global and Prophet Founder Aaron Kwittken, Sibanye-Stillwater Senior VP Thabisile Phumo, Cision Sales Director - Emerging Markets Vlad Bazikalov and other prominent representatives of influential PR organizations and global companies. "The event was a remarkable opportunity for industry leaders to connect and share significant insights. WCFA has been instrumental in supporting and developing the PR industry, so we know how important peer collaboration and idea exchange is in this fast-changing sector. We were excited to bring together such outstanding professionals and launch this event for sharing to better prepare us all for the future of communications," said Maxim Behar, the President and one of the Founders of WCFA. Partners of The Summit were PR Newswire a part of Cision Group Ltd. and O'Dwyer's Public Relations News. The President Maxim Behar also announced the Association's upcoming project the first WCFA PR Master Classes, managed by Zofia Bugajna, Founding Partner at SEC Newgate CEE. Learn more on www.wcfaglobal.com or contact Maxim Behar at [email protected] About World Communications Forum: The World Communications Forum was founded in 2010 in Davos, Switzerland, where the Association was registered in 2014. The WCFA is a n organization committed to active global discussions and exchanges focused on the development of communications expertise of its members and be an active voice in its key role in business, society and politics. Every year the forum gathers prominent representatives of the communication and public relations sector from around the world, who, through dialogue and discussion, exchange experiences and ideas to shape the art of global communications. In 2020, the WCFA organized its first ever 'Global Communications Summit' on Zoom, resulting in developing Tenets for Ethical Communications', endorsed and signed by 135 experts from 36 countries. In 2021, the WCFA organized its second and biggest ''Global Communications Summit" on Zoom, bringing together more than 450 top communications experts globally. For more information, contact: Maxim Behar, WCFA President[email protected]+359 888 50 31 13www.wcfaglobal.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/davos-communications-summit-attracts-over-100-top-experts-from-all-continents-301564948.html SOURCE World Communications Forum Association HAMILTON, Bermuda, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoegh LNG Partners LP (the "Partnership") (NYSE: HMLP) advises that its 2022 Annual Meeting was held on June 9, 2022 at 4:00 P.M. local time at Appleby, Canon's Court, 22 Victoria Street, Hamilton, HM 12 Bermuda. At the 2022 Annual Meeting, a resolution was passed to elect Carlo Ravizza as a Class IV Director of the Partnership, whose term will expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Limited Partners. The Partnership also advises that Tonesan Amissah has resigned as a director of the Board of Directors of the Partnership (the "Board"), effective as of the closing of the 2022 Annual Meeting (the "Effective Time"). Timothy Faries has been appointed by the general partner of the Partnership to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ms. Amissah as an appointed director of the Board, such appointment to be effective as of the Effective Time. Timothy Faries is a partner of Appleby (Bermuda) Limited in the Corporate department and a member of the Insurance team. Mr. Faries was Bermuda Office Managing Partner from 2015-2021. Mr. Faries is also Chief Executive Officer of Appleby Global Corporate Services. He has extensive experience of public and private insurance company capital raising and M&A activity, public listings on US, UK and European securities exchanges, the establishment and licensing of alternative risk financing vehicles such as cat bonds, ILWs and other insurance-linked securities and captive insurance companies in established and emerging markets. Contact: The IGB Group, Bryan Degnan, +1 (646) 673-9701 / Leon Berman, +1 (212) 477-8438 www.hoeghlngpartners.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hoegh-lng-partners-lp-announces-results-of-2022-annual-meeting-and-changes-to-its-board-of-directors-301565391.html SOURCE Hoegh LNG Partners LP Collaboration Highlights Cruise Line's Commitment to Sourcing Sustainable Alaska Seafood for all Alaska Cruises as part of ''Alaska Up Close'' SEATTLE, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of 75 years exploring Alaska, Holland America Line is partnering with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to highlight the line's leadership and commitment to sustainably sourced local seafood. The first formal partnership of its kind between ASMI, a partnership between the state of Alaska and Alaska's fishing industry, and a major cruise line will highlight Holland America Line's use of Alaska seafood exclusively on all six ships serving the Great Land. Holland America Line to highlight commitment to sustainably sourced local seafood with new partnership. ASMI and Holland America Line will bring guests up close to the riches of the Alaska waterways and the stories of the people behind the fish, from fishermen and women to processors to chefs. Future programming initiatives include recipe development in concert with Holland America Line's award-winning Culinary Council a collection of elite, international celebrity chefs who bring global influence to dedicated dining experiences across its fleet in-destination video content, onboard Alaska Seafood trivia and recipes from council Chef Ethan Stowell. "For 75 years, we've immersed guests' senses in the wilds of Alaska from the incredible sights and sounds of its national parks to the unparalleled tastes of its natural products, where, of course, seafood is king," said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development, Holland America Line. "We're proud to partner with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in its quest to further protect and promote the state's unmatched resource, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of the wild seafood available in the U.S." According to ASMI, the Alaska seafood industry contributes over $5.7 billion in economic value to Alaska's economy and more than $15 billion to the U.S. economy. Seafood is also the largest private sector employer in Alaska, adding more than 62,000 jobs in 2019. Contributing to the impact across its six ships that sail in Alaska, Holland America Line purchases and serves locally sourced Alaska wild and sustainable seafood, including more than 4,000 pounds of wild Alaska fish per cruise. "ASMI is honored to partner with Holland America Line in Alaska given our shared commitment to sustainable seafood and supporting local Alaska communities," said Ashley Heimbigner, communications director for ASMI. "We are thrilled that visitors to Alaska will have the opportunity to enjoy and connect with what makes Alaska's seafood so special while they are here, and hope they are inspired to look for Alaska seafood when they return home." The two organizations will inaugurate their partnership on July 5 when Chef Stowell will join Alaska commercial fishers and local leaders in Juneau to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Alaska's seafood bounty, including five species of salmon, several varieties of whitefish, and numerous types of crab and shellfish. The event will be capped by a presentation of seafood cooking techniques led by Stowell. "I believe it's best to think local and let the food do the talking," said Chef Stowell. "Holland America Line has always been supremely focused on the authenticity of their ingredients that tell the tales of the destinations they visit and certainly Alaska has many stories to share. I'm thrilled to be a part of this first step in our partnership with ASMI." The new partnership is announced to complement Holland America Line's "Alaska Up Close" initiative, a 360 experience that immerses guests in the Great Land in a way that only 75 years of experience can deliver. No other cruise line has explored Alaska longer than Holland America Line, and through the years the brand has collected awards and accolades for Alaska cruising. Holland America Line was named the top pick for Alaska in the Porthole Cruise Magazine Editor-in-Chief Awards, AFAR Travelers' Choice Awards, Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards and TravelAge West Wave Awards Editor's Pick, confirming its position as the number-one cruise line in Alaska by some of the world's most discerning travelers and cruise experts. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. Editor's note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/xnpevlg8. Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com. About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL) and (NYSE: CUK) Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in July 2021. The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs. About Alaska Seafood Marketing InstituteThe Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is a partnership between the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry promoting the benefits of wild and sustainable Alaska seafood and offering seafood industry education. The seafood industry is Alaska's largest basic private sector employer with over 60 percent of all wild seafood and 90-95 percent of wild salmon harvested in the U.S. coming from Alaska. In addition to wild salmon, Alaska is known for its crab and whitefish varieties such as Pacific cod, sablefish, halibut, Alaska pollock, sole and rockfish available fresh or frozen year-round. Alaska is dedicated to sustainable seafood and the only state with a constitution that mandates all seafood be managed under the sustained yield principle. Alaska has taken a leadership role in setting the global standard for precautionary resource management to protect fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations leading to an ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood for markets worldwide. CONTACT: Bill Zucker, Erik Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holland-america-line-partners-with-alaska-seafood-marketing-institute-to-promote-states-tastiest-natural-resource-301564909.html SOURCE Holland America Line RICHMOND, Va., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Indivior PLC (LON: INDV) today announced the acceptance of seven abstracts for presentation at the 84th Annual Scientific Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) taking place June 11-15, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN. Data to be presented include: a modelling study to characterize buprenorphine-fentanyl interaction and its effect on respiratory depression; pharmacokinetic simulations of transition from transmucosal buprenorphine to SUBLOCADE (buprenorphine extended-release) injection; novel dimensions of recovery as well as the impact of pain on recovery , both based on data from the RECOVERLT (Remission from Chronic Opioid Use-Studying Environmental and SocioEconomic Factors on Recovery Long-Term [NCT04577144]) study; motivations for buprenorphine misuse in opioid use disorder (OUD); and an analysis of OUD symptom subtypes and treatment patterns.1-6 Lastly, clinical Phase 1 data will be presented on INDV-2000, an oral, highly potent, selective Orexin-1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist currently under investigation as a non-opioid medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder.7 "These data help us better understand OUD treatment and recovery, as well as the role of long-acting treatments," said Christian Heidbreder, Chief Scientific Officer, Indivior. "The data presented provide new insights into how patients with opioid use disorder are managing therapeutic challenges while undergoing treatment."Details of the data presentations: Poster Presentation Title: Modelling Buprenorphine Mitigation of Fentanyl-Induced Respiratory Depression Authors: Celine Laffont, Erik Olofsen, M. Hyke Algera, Laurence Moss, Robert Dobbins, Geert Jan Groeneveld, Monique van Velzen, Marieke Niesters, Albert DahanPresentation Session Date/Time: June 12th, 11:30am - 1:30pmPresenter(s): Celine Laffont, Ph.D. Poster Presentation Title: Transition of Patients Established on LongTerm Transmucosal Buprenorphine Treatment to Monthly Buprenorphine InjectionAuthors: Frank Gray, Bret Ryder, Celine LaffontPresentation Session Date/Time: June 13th, 8:00am - 10:00amPresenter(s): Celine Laffont, Ph.D. Poster Presentation Title: Long-Term Recovery From Opioid Use Disorder: Identification of Recovery Subgroups and Their Association With Opioid Use, Treatment, and Quality of Life Authors: Allison Tegge, William Craft, Hwasoo Shin, Diana Keith, Liqa Athamneh, Jeff Stein, Marco Ferreira, Howard Chilcoat, Anne Le Moigne, Angela DeVeaugh-Geiss, Warren BickelPresentation Session Date/Time: June 13th, 8:00am 10:00amPresenter(s): Allison Tegge, Ph.D. Poster Presentation Title: Pain in Recovery From Opioid Use Disorder: The Importance of Acute and Chronic PainAuthors: William Craft, Allison Tegge, Anne Le Moigne, Angela DeVeaugh-Geiss, Howard Chilcoat, Warren BickelPresentation Session Date/Time: June 15, 8:00am - 10:00amPresenter(s): William Craft, B.S. Poster Presentation Title: Buprenorphine Misuse in Opioid Use Disorders: Subgroups, Motivations, and Opioid Demand Authors: Alexandra Goslow, Allison Tegge, Roberta Freitas-Lemos, Devin Tomlinson, William Craft, Angela DeVeaugh-Geiss, Howard Chilcoat, Warren BickelPresentation Session Date/Time: June 14th, 8:00am 10:00amPresenter(s): Roberta Freitas-Lemos, Ph.D. Poster Presentation Title: Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Treatment for Opioid Problems Among OUD Symptom SubtypesAuthors: Emily Miller, Angela DeVeaugh-Geiss, Howard ChilcoatPresentation Session Date/Time: June 15th, 8:00am 10:00amPresenter(s): Emily Miller, B.S. Poster Presentation Title: First in Human Trial of the Non-Opioid Selective Orexin-1 Antagonist INDV-2000 in Healthy VolunteersAuthors: Robert Dobbins, Martin Kankam, Rana Al-Awam, Malcolm YoungPresentation Session Date/Time: June 13th, 8:00am - 10:00amPresenter(s): Robert Dobbins, M.D. About SUBLOCADESUBLOCADE (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, for subcutaneous use (CIII) INDICATIONSUBLOCADE is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have initiated treatment with a transmucosal buprenorphine-containing product, followed by dose adjustment for a minimum of 7 days. SUBLOCADE should be used as part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support.HIGHLIGHTED SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH WITH INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION; SUBLOCADERISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY Serious harm or death could result if administered intravenously. SUBLOCADE forms a solid mass upon contact with body fluids and may cause occlusion, local tissue damage, and thrombo-embolic events, including life threatening pulmonary emboli, if administered intravenously. Because of the risk of serious harm or death that could result from intravenous self-administration, SUBLOCADE is only available through a restricted program called the SUBLOCADE REMS Program. Healthcare settings and pharmacies that order and dispense SUBLOCADE must be certified in this program and comply with the REMS requirements. Prescription use of this product is limited under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act. CONTRAINDICATIONSSUBLOCADE should not be administered to patients who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or any component of the ATRIGEL delivery system. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONSAddiction, Abuse, and Misuse: SUBLOCADE contains buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance that can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids. Monitor patients for conditions indicative of diversion or progression of opioid dependence and addictive behaviors. Respiratory Depression: Life threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in association with buprenorphine. Warn patients of the potential danger of self-administration of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants while under treatment with SUBLOCADE. Opioids can cause sleep-related breathing disorders e.g., central sleep apnea (CSA), sleep-related hypoxemia. Opioid use increases the risk of CSA in a dose-dependent fashion. Consider decreasing the opioid using best practices for opioid taper if CSA occurs. Strongly consider prescribing naloxone at SUBLOCADE initiation or renewal because patients being treated for opioid use disorder have the potential for relapse, putting them at risk for opioid overdose. Educate patients and caregivers on how to recognize respiratory depression and how to treat with naloxone if prescribed. Risk of Serious Injection Site Reactions: The most common injection site reactions are pain, erythema and pruritis with some involving abscess, ulceration, and necrosis. The likelihood of serious injection site reactions may increase with inadvertent intramuscular or intradermal administration. Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy. Adrenal Insufficiency: If diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement of corticosteroids, and wean patient off the opioid. Risk of Opioid Withdrawal With Abrupt Discontinuation: If treatment with SUBLOCADE is discontinued, monitor patients for several months for withdrawal and treat appropriately. Risk of Hepatitis, Hepatic Events: Monitor liver function tests prior to and during treatment. Risk of Withdrawal in Patients Dependent on Full Agonist Opioids: Verify that patient is clinically stable on transmucosal buprenorphine before injecting SUBLOCADE. Treatment of Emergent Acute Pain: Treat pain with a non-opioid analgesic whenever possible. If opioid therapy is required, monitor patients closely because higher doses may be required for analgesic effect. ADVERSE REACTIONSAdverse reactions commonly associated with SUBLOCADE (in 5% of subjects) were constipation, headache, nausea, injection site pruritus, vomiting, increased hepatic enzymes, fatigue, and injection site pain. For more information about SUBLOCADE, the full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNING, and Medication Guide, visit www.sublocade.com. About Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic disease in which people develop a pattern of using opioids that can lead to negative consequences.8 OUD may affect the parts of the brain that are necessary for life-sustaining functions.8 About Indivior Indivior is a global pharmaceutical company working to help change patients' lives by developing medicines to treat addiction and serious mental illnesses. Our vision is that all patients around the world will have access to evidence-based treatment for the chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of SUD. Indivior is dedicated to transforming SUD from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease. Building on its global portfolio of OUD treatments, Indivior has a pipeline of product candidates designed to both expand on its heritage in this category and potentially address other chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of SUD, including alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs more than 900 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 40 countries worldwide. Visit www.indivior.com to learn more. Connect with Indivior on LinkedIn by visiting www.linkedin.com/company/indivior. References: Laffont CM et al. (2022) Modelling buprenorphine mitigation of fentanyl-induced respiratory depression. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 84th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 11-15, 2022, Minneapolis, MN. Gray et al. (2022) Transition of patients established on longterm transmucosal buprenorphine treatment to monthly buprenorphine injection. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 84th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 11-15, 2022, Minneapolis, MN. Tegge A. et al. (2022) Long-term recovery from opioid use disorder: identification of recovery subgroups and their association with opioid use, treatment, and quality of life. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 84th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 11-15, 2022, Minneapolis, MN. Craft W. et al. (2022) Pain in recovery from OUD: the importance of acute & chronic pain. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 84th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 11-15, 2022, Minneapolis, MN. Goslow et al. (2022) Buprenorphine misuse in opioid use disorders: subgroups, motivations, and opioid demand. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 84th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 11-15, 2022, Minneapolis, MN. Miller E. et al. (2022) Opioid use disorder (OUD) and treatment for opioid problems among OUD symptom subtypes. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 84th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 11-15, 2022, Minneapolis, MN. Dobbins R. et al. (2022) First in Human Trial of the Non-Opioid Selective Orexin-1 Antagonist INDV-2000 in Healthy Volunteers. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 84th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 11-15, 2022, Minneapolis, MN. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health. Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 18-5063PT5, Printed 2018. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/indivior-announces-seven-abstracts-accepted-for-presentation-at-the-84th-annual-scientific-meeting-of-the-college-on-problems-of-drug-dependence-cpdd-301565086.html SOURCE Indivior Air National Guard program highlights environmental restoration and sustainability DALLAS, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE: J) partnered with the United States Air National Guard (ANG) to earn the 2021 ANG General Thomas D. White Environmental Restoration, Installation Award for sustainable work at 158th Fighter Wing, Burlington, Vermont (VT), ANG Base. This award recognizes the team for safely minimizing the disruption to the installation while demonstrating that an effective environmental restoration program is not incompatible with mission-critical objectives. The Jacobs and VT ANG team implemented a variety of remedial measures at six environmental restoration program sites and reduced concentrations of petroleum and chlorinated solvent compounds by 90% over an area totaling 14 acres. The team also designed and built a treatment system under a time-critical removal action, operating the groundwater extraction and treatment process to minimize migration of compounds to offsite groundwater. During the two-year evaluation period of 2019-2020, the team implemented and optimized remedies to meet numerous measurable objectives, achieving State of Vermont drinking water standards and regulatory closure of four of the six sites, with the remaining two sites on schedule for closure. "We offer our congratulations to the VT ANG base for receiving this prestigious award. We are honored to have partnered with VT ANG providing innovative advisory and climate response services that served as the foundation of success while elevating mission-critical goals of the Air National Guard and remaining good environmental stewards," said Jacobs Federal & Environmental Solutions Senior Vice President and General Manager Tim Byers. "Significant conservation milestones such as this prove that mission assurance is attainable while sustaining resilient, smart solutions that benefit the military community for generations." "Winning this award was a direct result of the Jacobs team's efforts. Their technical analysis and engineering expertise enabled the Air Force to bring the complex sites to closure after 36 years of investigation and successful remediation. It is a huge accomplishment, and we are exceedingly proud of the work done here," said National Guard Bureau Environmental Restoration Program Manager Jenna Laube. At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $14 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence and spread of variants of COVID-19, the efficacy and availability of vaccines and treatments, and the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions and the company's business. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, ,and Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 1A - Risk Factors in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law. For press/media inquiries:Kerrie Sparks214.583.8433 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-program-recognized-with-ang-general-thomas-d-white-restoration-award-win-301563981.html SOURCE Jacobs VAIL, Colo. , June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent lawsuit filed by the Red Sky Ranch Metropolitan District, on behalf of the Red Sky Ranch homeowners against the Vail Corporation, asks the Court to end an arrangement made by the Vail Corporation decades ago that prevents the community from controlling its own tax revenue and enables the Vail Corporation to increase its profits. In 2001, the Vail Corporation developed Red Sky Ranch and put into place a "Dual Metro District Structure." This dual metro district structure, in which one metro district owns and operates a development's infrastructure facilities, but the other metro district is required to pay for all of the costs relating to the infrastructure facilities, is commonly referred to as a "Master and Servant" district structure. Here, the "Master" district (Holland Creek Metro District, which is controlled by Vail) owns all of the infrastructure but pays for nothing, while the "Servant" district (Red Sky Ranch Metro District) owns nothing but pays for all of the infrastructure through taxes on the homeowners. By arranging the structure in this way, the Vail Corporation has continued to make profits from this residential development decades after the original homes were sold, by requiring on-going payments from Red Sky Ranch Metro District to the Vail Corporation's agent Holland Creek Metro District. The abuse of the Metro District structure by developers was addressed in the 2021 Colorado Senate Bill 21-262 that was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on June 28, 2021. The new bill was implemented to address statewide concerns that original developers of communities were taking financial advantage of homeowners and refusing to provide them with control over their own communities. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Peter McClenahan and David Marcus with Ogborn Mihm, and Kim Seter with Seter & Vander Wall. For more information, contact Red Sky Ranch homeowners: Jim Malernee (970) 569-3642 [email protected]Peter Mason (312) 972-9512 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ogborn-mihm-files-lawsuit-against-vail-corporation-on-behalf-of-eagle-county-homeowners-301565270.html SOURCE Ogborn Mihm, LLP BOGOTA, Colombia, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC) informs that Juan Emilio Posada Echeverri resigned as an independent member of the Board of Directors of the Company on June 6, 2022. ----------------------------------------- Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent, with more than 18,000 employees. In Colombia, it is responsible for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production of most transportation, logistics, and hydrocarbon refining systems, and it holds leading positions in the petrochemicals and gas distribution segments. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, the company participates in energy transmission, the management of real-time systems (XM), and the Barranquilla - Cartagena coastal highway concession. At the international level, Ecopetrol has a stake in strategic basins in the American continent, with Drilling and Exploration operations in the United States (Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil, and Mexico, and, through ISA and its subsidiaries, Ecopetrol holds leading positions in the power transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, road concessions in Chile, and the telecommunications sector. This press release contains business prospect statements, operating and financial result estimates, and statements related to Ecopetrol's growth prospects. These are all projections and, as such, they are based solely on the expectations of the managers regarding the future of the company and their continued access to capital to finance the company's business plan. The realization of said estimates in the future depends on the behavior of market conditions, regulations, competition, the performance of the Colombian economy my and the industry, among other factors, and are consequently subject to change without prior notice. This release contains statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward -looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration, and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. For more information, please contact: Head of Capital Markets Tatiana Uribe Benninghoff Email: [email protected] Head of Corporate Communications Mauricio Tellez Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/resignation-of-ecopetrols-board-member-301564483.html SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A. MELBOURNE, Autralia, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapia.ai, creator of the world's first chat-based Smart Interviewer, today announced that internationally renowned research psychologist Dr Richard Landers is joining its Expert Advisory Board. Dr Landers is a globally respected leader on new HR-relevant technologies. He was drawn to Sapia.ai as it has embraced an exciting blend of technical innovation and rigorous scientific evaluation to develop and grow its assessment platform. Sapia.ai has also published the FAIR Ai for Recruitment (FAIR) framework, an industry-first initiative to help people understand what to look for when choosing responsible Ai technology. Dr Landers joins the company to further advise on how Sapia.ai can be used to move more organizations forward by implementing the right technology alongside human processes. "We're honored to have such an amazing thought leader and well-respected researcher in this area joining our Expert Advisory Board," said Sapia.ai CEO, Barb Hyman. "Dr Landers brings academic rigor and discipline to the work we are already doing, and I welcome his input and scrutiny to make sure we are creating technology that puts humans first, and builds a fairer world. "With his expertise and research background, we hope to show the potential of our capabilities to transform hiring to a fairer, more equitable process." Dr Landers believes organizational outcomes can be improved by integrating modern digital technologies, such as AI and natural language processing, into traditional hiring practices. The key, he says, is the thoughtful combination of modern professional standards for measuring human capabilities with the exciting possibilities brought by new technology. He is also a director of TNTLAB (Testing New Technologies in Learning, Assessment, and Behavior), an academic psychological research laboratory that conducts research to understand the role and potential of technology to improve organizations in relation to their employees. Through TNTLAB, Dr Landers recently released research looking at how we can meaningfully audit AI to ensure its fairness. "This is an area in which work and industrial-organizational psychologists have unique expertise. I believe that by working with Sapia.ai, I can help build better and fairer hiring processes through AI," Dr Landers said. "Increased integration of technology is the inevitable future of HR, but to be sure we are really helping both organizations and their employees, we need to hold these new technologies to a very high standard. "It's not enough to just be innovative. We must also rise to meet our responsibilities to be accurate and fair when so many people's lives are affected by what these systems do. "Companies like Sapia.ai are leading the way on finding the right path forward, and I'm excited by the opportunity to work with them." About Sapia.ai Sapia.ai's mission is to build a fairer, more human world through ethical AI. Using the world's first Smart Interviewer, powered by the world's largest source of 1st party proprietary text data and advanced Natural Language Processing, we turn simple text conversations into unprecedented talent intelligence enabling organizations to interrupt hiring bias at scale, get to the right talent fast and give every candidate an experience they love. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3251241/Twitter: @get_sapiaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SapiaAi/Instagram: @sapia.ai View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sapiaai-adds-globally-renowned-research-psychologist-dr-richard-landers-to-its-expert-advisory-board-301564485.html SOURCE Sapia.ai The companies have partnered together to create a custom bracelet in support of the fertility community. MIAMI, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SMP Pharmacy and Little Words Project have partnered together to create a fertility Hope Bracelet and spark larger conversations around fertility by creating community. The Hope Bracelet was made to inspire courage and positivity for those that need it while going through fertility treatments. Every new patient who places their full order of fertility medications through SMP Pharmacy will receive a Hope Bracelet in their medication package to help encourage them through their fertility journey. "SMP Pharmacy understands that the fertility journey can be difficult. We want to support our patients and make the experience a little brighter in any way we can," says SMP Pharmacy CEO, Pam Schumann. "Little Words Project is the perfect partner to spread this message and aid in creating a community that can rally together to lift each other up during an emotional journey. We're excited that we can help facilitate that." Designed by women who have been there, both Pam and Little Words Project founder, Adriana Carrig, have gone through the IVF process. They understand that no two journeys are alike, and as such, Little Words Project and SMP Pharmacy want to support all those on a path to parenthood. The Hope Bracelet is meant to be a reminder to never lose hope on your journey, and that hope is always with you, and so is SMP Pharmacy and Little Words Project. "After going through IVF personally, it means so much to me to bring more awareness to a topic that affects so many women in partnership with SMP," says Little Words Project founder, Adriana Carrig. "It's so important to talk about infertility and support those who are navigating their paths to parenthood. My wish is that this bracelet gives hope to so many individuals who are embarking on their infertility journey." The Fertility Hope Bracelet will be distributed by SMP Pharmacy within their patient's medication deliveries. Once a patient has the bracelet, they can register it on The Little Words Project website. When a patient feels ready, they can pass on their bracelet to someone else on their fertility journey and track it via the website. The intention is to foster community amongst those on their path to parenthood and spread hope across the community. For more information, visit https://littlewordsproject.com/pages/register-smp-pharmacy or go to @smppharmacy or @littlewordsproject on Instagram. About Little Words Project Little Words Project aims to inspire and encourage people to be kind to themselves and to pay that kindness forward, one bracelet at a time. www.littlewordsproject.com About SMP Pharmacy With nearly two decades of pharmaceutical and patient care experience, we understand that one approach does not fit all. That's why we provide custom solutions for a seamless, convenient experience from beginning to end. At SMP Pharmacy, we lead with compassion and integrated technologies to give you the results you want with the dedicated care you need. www.smppharmacy.com Contact: Casey Tarnas, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smp-pharmacy-and-little-words-project-launch-hope-bracelet-initiative-for-those-going-through-fertility-treatments-301565097.html SOURCE SMP Pharmacy Solutions For second year, SoCalGas Donates $525,000 supporting small business recovery & underscoring commitment to drive positive change in diverse and underserved communities across California LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SoCalGas today awarded $525,000 in grants to 162 independently owned restaurants across Central and Southern California. Each restaurant received a $3,000 grant that can be used for things like equipment upgrades and employee retention programs. In addition, winners will also receive year-long support services from Wells Fargo which provides restaurant owners with resources to enhance and streamline their business. The grants were awarded through a partnership with the California Restaurant Foundation's $1.5 million Restaurants Care Resilience Fund which is funded by SoCalGas, Pacific Gas and Electric, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Wells Fargo. "This partnership underscores SoCalGas' commitment to driving positive change in diverse and underserved communities across California. We have committed to investing $50 million over the next five years to help advance a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in the communities we serve, increase access to clean energy, and accelerate our climate and air quality goals," said David Barrett, vice president and general counsel at SoCalGas and California Restaurant Foundation board member. "Independent restaurants are critical to the fabric of our communities because they contribute to culture, they foster job growth, and contribute to the economic vitality of the neighborhoods they serve." "Independent and locally owned restaurants are the backbone of so many communities they welcome and accommodate our first dates, post-game celebrations and the many times we just don't feel like cooking. They add vibrancy and uniqueness to every city, which is why the Resilience Fund is so important," said Alycia Harshfield, Executive Director of CRF. "Restaurant owners have worked tirelessly over the last two years to keep doors open and feed their community, and we're grateful to SoCalGas, PG&E, SDG&E and Wells Fargo for recognizing that it's critical to continue to support and invest in local restaurants." The focus of the Restaurants Care Fund this year is on investment and long-term financial health. Recipients will be able to use the $3,000 grants for energy saving equipment upgrades and employee retention bonuses. Winners also receive year-long support services from Wells Fargo which provides restaurant owners with resources to enhance and streamline their business and a complimentary membership to the California Restaurant Association. "SoCalGas and the California Restaurant Fund are really making a difference in the lives of small business owners. By providing these grants, they are helping our local favorite restaurants remain open and resilient," said City of Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Dennis Michael. "We are so thankful to SoCalGas for this grant. We have needed a new refrigerator in our kitchen for some time now, and with this funding, I want to upgrade it to a more energy-efficient model to better serve my customers and the planet," said Claire Risoli, Owner of Pocha LA in Highland Park. "Additionally, I would love to award my steadfast employees with a bonus on their paycheck for their loyalty and service through these trying times. They are the heart of Pocha and I know my food is not my greatest asset, my people are." Of the 356 total grant recipients, 72 percent of grant winners are female-owned restaurants and 83 percent identify as people of color owners. The average business ownership is 9.7 years, with nearly 80 restaurants operating for more than two decades. To qualify, the restaurants needed to have no more than three independent locations and not exceed $3 million in revenue. To see the full list of grant recipients in your area, please visit www.restaurantscare.org/resilience. For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care, or the Resilience Fund, please visit www.restaurantscare.org. About SoCalGas Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transitionproviding electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment. SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook. About the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF):California is home to more than 90,000 eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.6 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state's economy. The California Restaurant Foundation is a non-profit that empowers and invests in California's restaurant workforce. Founded in 1981, CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing a hardship, job and life skills training for 13,500 high school students each year, and scholarships. For more information visit www.calrestfoundation.org. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/socalgas-partners-to-award-162-local-restaurants-with-3-000-grants-through-restaurants-care-resilience-fund-301565259.html SOURCE Southern California Gas Company Add a Pop of Color and a Bit of Fun with Stamps Featuring the Iconic Buzz Lightyear WASHINGTON, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Far from the confines of Andy's room, a sneak peek of new Forever stamps from the U.S. Postal Service was revealed at the red-carpet premiere of Disney and Pixar's "Lightyear," the new movie featuring Buzz Lightyear. "Go Beyond" is a pane of 20 stamps arranged in four horizontal rows of five stamps featuring the image of Buzz Lightyear, a Space Ranger marooned on a planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth. Greg Breeding was the art director using illustrations from Pixar Animation Studios. Additional details about the "Go Beyond" commemorative stamp collection, including the release date, will be announced later this year. 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. 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. Pixar, the Pixar logo, "Buzz Lightyear" and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights of Disney/Pixar in the United States and other countries of DISNEY PIXAR. 2022 Disney/Pixar and/or its affiliates. About 'Lightyear' A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, "Lightyear" follows the legendary Space Ranger after he's marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he's joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda. The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol's Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director "Finding Dory"), produced by Galyn Susman ("Toy Story That Time Forgot") and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino ("The Batman," "Up"), Disney and Pixar's "Lightyear" opens only in theaters on June 17, 2022. Contact: Kim Frum[email protected]usps.com/news View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stamps-to-take-your-mail-from-infinity-to-forever-this-summer-301564552.html SOURCE U.S. Postal Service NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Bar Association (ABA) announced that Stroock will receive the 2022 ABA Pro Bono Publico Award, which recognizes the firm's outstanding commitment to volunteer legal services for the underserved and disadvantaged. This is the highest honor given by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, which will present Stroock, one of five recipients, with the annual award on Aug. 5 during the ABA's Annual Meeting in Chicago. "We are honored and grateful to receive this recognition," said Alan Klinger, Stroock's Co-Managing Partner. "Public service is a pillar of our firm that we constantly work towards expanding and refining for maximum impact. It is a privilege to do this work, and we are proud to see our attorneys' dedication and enthusiasm towards it recognized." "This humbling award is a testament to our attorneys and professional staff who make high-impact pro bono work a priority, and to Stroock's enduring commitment to equality and justice. We view the ABA's recognition not as a culmination of our work, but rather as a catalyst that will spark new efforts and magnify our existing efforts to help those most in need, both through our own initiatives and in partnership with our many public interest allies," said Kerry Cooperman, Director of Stroock's pro bono program, the Public Service Project. The award honors Stroock's 2021 pro bono efforts across a range of areas, highlights of which include: Mobilizing in times of crisis. Drawing on the firm's two decades of experience leading disaster relief efforts, Stroock created the Afghanistan Refugee Assistance Task Force in the summer of 2021, as the Taliban began seizing control across Afghanistan. The Task Force has since provided emergency humanitarian, immigration, resettlement, and other supports to vulnerable Afghans and their families. Stroock also extended the work of the Small Business Legal Relief Alliance (SBLRA), which Stroock launched at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and which has since provided pro bono legal and financial support to over 750 New York small business owners and nonprofits. Kevin Curnin, former partner and founding director of Stroock's Public Service Project, provided key vision and leadership in creating the SBLRA and building Stroock's disaster-relief expertise. Drawing on the firm's two decades of experience leading disaster relief efforts, Stroock created the Afghanistan Refugee Assistance Task Force in the summer of 2021, as the Taliban began seizing control across Afghanistan. The Task Force has since provided emergency humanitarian, immigration, resettlement, and other supports to vulnerable Afghans and their families. Stroock also extended the work of the Small Business Legal Relief Alliance (SBLRA), which Stroock launched at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and which has since provided pro bono legal and financial support to over 750 New York small business owners and nonprofits. Kevin Curnin, former partner and founding director of Stroock's Public Service Project, provided key vision and leadership in creating the SBLRA and building Stroock's disaster-relief expertise. Criminal justice reform and advocacy on behalf of the incarcerated. Stroock has partnered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to help restore voting rights for previously incarcerated individuals across Florida. It also works with legal services organizations on matters to reduce excessive criminal sentences, prepare clemency applications, and help improve conditions in prisons. Stroock has partnered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to help restore voting rights for previously incarcerated individuals across Florida. It also works with legal services organizations on matters to reduce excessive criminal sentences, prepare clemency applications, and help improve conditions in prisons. Serving the underserved. Stroock helped secure a precedent-setting determination in a lawsuit alleging that a New York City charter school engaged in practices aimed at forcing students with disabilities to withdraw. The firm also assisted The Legal Aid Society's efforts to advocate on behalf of noncitizens impacted by prior marijuana convictions. Stroock helped secure a precedent-setting determination in a lawsuit alleging that a New York City charter school engaged in practices aimed at forcing students with disabilities to withdraw. The firm also assisted The Legal Aid Society's efforts to advocate on behalf of noncitizens impacted by prior marijuana convictions. Serving those who serve others. Stroock also provided valuable legal support to charitable nonprofit organizations across New York, and nationally, including Community Access, Highland Park Community Development Corporation, and Goddard Riverside Community Center. Stroock's longtime commitment to serving the public interest began with the civic reform efforts led by the firm's founders more than a century ago. In 2001, Stroock launched its Public Service Project one of the first such practices to be led by a full-time pro bono partner to offer a multidisciplinary approach to delivering comprehensive legal services focused on disaster recovery, innovative collaborations, and underserved and under-resourced communities. About the ABA Pro Bono CommitteeThe ABA's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service works to ensure access to justice through the expansion and enhancement of the delivery of legal and other law-related services to the underserved through volunteer efforts of legal professionals nationwide. The Committee fosters the development of pro bono programs and activities by law firms, bar associations, corporate legal departments, law schools, government attorney offices and others; analyzes the scope and function of pro bono programs; and proposes and reviews policy that affects lawyers' ability to provide pro bono legal services. About the ABAThe ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at www.americanbar.org/news and on Twitter @ABANews. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stroock-wins-american-bar-associations-2022-pro-bono-publico-award-301565382.html SOURCE Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP SAN DIEGO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SOCi Inc. and Taco John's International Inc. announced today that the restaurant chain has appointed the marketing platform for multi-location brands as its global platform of record for localized marketing. Taco John's turned to SOCi to create a more personalized experience for each of the chain's nearly 380 locations to heighten guest satisfaction while providing cohesive brand messaging across all digital channels. SOCi will help simplify and streamline Taco John's localized marketing strategy by managing local listings across digital platforms, local pages, and providing insights through SOCi Listening so the company can stay in tune with its guests, bringing them the flavors they truly crave. "Our brand continues to be guest-obsessed by putting our guests first," said Korey Love Taylor, lead manager of digital engagement at Taco John's. "Better understanding their interests and tastes helps us bring product innovation to the forefront. We wish to grow and expand throughout the country by focusing on bringing our bigger, bolder, and better flavors to new and existing guests." Localized digital marketing drives higher traffic, engagement, and sales-conversion potential than corporate content alone. Businesses in Google's 3-Pack, where only three businesses are showcased in the initial local search results, receive 126% more traffic and 93% more actions (calls, website clicks, directions) than businesses ranked immediately lower, according to SOCi's 2022 Localized Marketing Benchmark Report. Additionally, Taco John's wanted a seamless way for its customer service teams to assist with marketing promotions, said Love Taylor. SOCi's technology stood out with its ability to create personalized experiences and easily update all listings platforms with a single login. "We make sure every SOCi customer is armed with the tools, information and support they need to create a strong localized digital marketing strategy," said Afif Khoury, founder and CEO of SOCi. "It's important that the strategies we build with our customers are customized to deliver a positive, and quantitative, impact on their local digital visibility." SOCi provided top-notch customer service throughout the exploration stage, said Love Taylor, and showcased technology that helped Taco John's to solve listings issues. "We enjoyed the personalized experience, the tech, and the design that SOCi suggested for our listings pages online," she said. About Taco John'sFounded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Taco John's has been serving bigger. bolder. better. flavors for more than 50 years. Now, Taco John's operates and franchises nearly 400 restaurants in 22 states, making it one of the largest Mexican quick-service restaurant brands in America. The brand was listed No. 7 in the "Mexican Food" category on Entrepreneur's "Top Food Franchises of 2022" and was recently recognized by QSR Magazine as a "Top 15 Chain Ready to Contend as Fast Food's Top Players." Taco John's is led by CEO Jim Creel, who was named one of "The Most Influential Restaurant CEOs in the Country" by Nation's Restaurant News in 2022. For more information, visit tacojohns.com and follow Taco John's on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. About SOCiSOCi is the marketing platform for multi-location brands. We empower businesses like Ace Hardware, Sport Clips and Anytime Fitness to scale marketing efforts across all digital channels in a way that's brand directed, locally perfected, and data connected. As one central place to scale marketing, SOCi makes the impossible possible by enabling top brands and their locations to strengthen and scale their digital presence across limitless local search and social pages while protecting what matters most, their reputation. For more information on how SOCi can help fuel your localized marketing success, visit us at www.meetsoci.com or message us at [email protected]. Media ContactsAvery NunezBLASTmedia for SOCi[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/taco-johns-appoints-soci-as-global-platform-of-record-for-localized-marketing-301564351.html SOURCE SOCi CPG and fashion brands dominate the most loved brands in the U.S. for their focus on passion, trust, and customer satisfaction. NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Talkwalker, the leading consumer intelligence company, and Hootsuite, the global leader in social media management, announced the release of Talkwalker's third annual Brand Love Report. Talkwalker's proprietary Brand Love Index, powered by its advanced AI capabilities, analyzed over 1,500 global brands to discover the top 10 most-loved brands in the U.S., based on three equally weighted scores for Passion, Trust, and Customer Satisfaction (CSAT). The analysis also factored in a brand's focus on environmental, social, and sustainability issues. CPG and fashion brands dominated, earning 7 out of the top 10 spots for the most loved brands in the U.S. Top 10 Most Loved Brands in the U.S. Jimmy Choo Downy Dolce & Gabbana Estee Lauder Oral-B Mercedes-Benz KitKat Nespresso adidas HelloFresh "Brands that take a customer-centric approach and show they are truly listening to consumers are able to inspire passion, earn trust, and deliver customer satisfaction, which are the core pillars of Talkwalker's Brand Love Index," said David Low, VP Marketing Americas at Talkwalker. "We're excited to showcase how our technology can help companies understand and take action to create greater love for their brands and drive performance." Talkwalker and Hootsuite collaborated on the Brand Love 2022 Report. The full report includes: Profiles of the Top 10 Most Loved Brands in the U.S., according to the 2022 Brand Love Index A new Brand Love Index that provides businesses with a measurable KPI to benchmark how much consumers love their brand Actionable insights that brands can use to boost their Brand Love ratings A sampling of other global breakouts of the top 10 most loved brands in Austria, France, Germany, India, Italy, Switzerland, the U.K, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, and Southeast Asia "As a marketer, if the past year and a half taught us anything, it's that the traditional ways of advertising have changed drastically. Brands who put authenticity and courageous creativity at the core of their plans are the ones who generate the most brand love," said Maggie Lower, CMO, Hootsuite. "This year's Brand Love Report in partnership with Talkwalker provides insights on how consumers perceive brands as well as actionable tips on how companies can innovate and better connect with their audience to build brand loyalty and affinity." To discover more, download the Brand Love 2022 report here. Brand Love Methodology: The report uses a refined methodology incorporating numerous data points to create the Talkwalker Brand Love Index. With over 10 years of client research, and in-depth analysis of use cases, the index identified three critical scores for monitoring brand love - Passion, Trust, and CSAT. These scores were calculated by analyzing over 2.6 billion conversations from social media, blogs, and reviews, to identify the brands consumers really care about. About Hootsuite Hootsuite is the global leader in social media management. With approximately 200,000 paid accounts and millions of users, Hootsuite powers social media for brands and organizations around the world, from the smallest businesses to the largest enterprises. Hootsuite's unparalleled expertise in social media management, social insights, employee advocacy, and social customer care empowers organizations to strategically grow their brands, businesses, and customer relationships with social media. Hootsuite Academy, the industry-leading online learning platform, empowers education and growth through a wide range of certifications and has delivered over one million courses to over half a million people worldwide. To learn more, visit www.hootsuite.com. About Talkwalker Talkwalker is the #1 consumer intelligence company and is dedicated to helping brands close the gap between brand and consumer. Recognized by Forrester as a Leader in Consumer Intelligence and Social Listening. Talkwalker brings together market-leading social analytics and AI technology, with unstructured data expertise, and a global team of insights analysts and data storytellers. Talkwalker enables brands to put consumers at the heart of their decision-making, empowering them to embrace smarter innovation, create more successful campaigns, and provide enhanced customer experiences. With teams around the world, Talkwalker helps over 2,500 global brands to be consumer close, and accelerate their brand growth. To discover more about Talkwalker, please visit www.talkwalker.com. Media ContactTom Francoeur, Senior Media StrategistCrackle PR for Talkwalker[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/talkwalker-and-hootsuite-reveal-the-ten-most-loved-brands-in-the-us-301565053.html SOURCE Talkwalker June 10th Event Open to All Via ACM Website NEW YORK, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, has planned a 75th Anniversary Celebration conference exploring the future of computing. ACM's 75th Anniversary Celebration will be held from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (PDT) Friday, June 10th in San Francisco. The event will be livestreamed and accessible via the ACM homepage, www.acm.org. The event will be livestreamed and accessible via the ACM homepage, www.acm.org The program sessions include: Opening Plenary: From AI to Eternity (9:30-9:45 a.m.)The opening keynote will highlight trends in AI and their implications for society.Wendy Hall, University of Southampton Balancing Trust and Risk (9:45-10:30 a.m.) As computing becomes increasingly integral to society for public services platforms, financial systems and decisions, resource allocations policy decisions and more how do we foster trust and manage risk?Moderator: Stefan Savage, University of California, San DiegoPanelists: Michel Beaudouin-Lafon, Universite Paris-Saclay; danah boyd, Microsoft Research; Bryan Ford, EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology); James Mickens, Harvard University Incentives and Markets (11:00 -11:45 a.m.)The panelists will consider the intentional and unintentional incentives implicit in computing platforms and AI. They will ask "What can we as computer scientists do to address these challenges technically, and what must be addressed normatively or with regulation?"Moderator: Kevin Leyton-Brown, University of British ColumbiaPanelists: Susan Athey, Stanford University; Vincent Conitzer, Duke University and University of Oxford; Nicole Immorlica, Microsoft Research; Sendhil Mullainathan, Chicago Booth; Hal Varian, Google Connecting Everyone Everywhere All the Time (12:00-12:45 p.m.) What are the computational and societal opportunities and challenges posed by tera-scale networks of people, services, devices, and data as the world's population and infrastructure become more fully connected?Moderator: Charles Isbell, Georgia TechPanelists: Anind Dey, University of Washington; Jure Leskovec, Stanford University; Yoelle Maarek, Amazon; Duncan Watts, University of Pennsylvania Human-Centered AI (1:45-2:45 p.m.)How are we building AI so that it is human-centered?Moderator: Jitendra Malik, University of California, BerkeleyPanelists: Rodney Brooks, Robust.AI and Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Fei-Fei Li, Stanford University; Daphne Koller, insitro; Raquel Urtasun, Waabi Global Impact (3:15-4:00 p.m.) This panel will present an overview of how computer scientists are addressing some of the world's most urgent challenges, from medicine and life sciences to climate change and human trafficking.Moderator: James Hendler, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Panelists: Jeff Dean, Google; Priya Donti, Carnegie Mellon University; Jose Miguel Hernandez-Lobato, University of Cambridge; Anjana Rajan, Polaris MEDIA REGISTRATIONContact Jim Ormond at [email protected] for media registration and related inquiries. About ACM ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-largest-computing-society-celebrates-75th-anniversary-with-livestreamed-conference-looking-at-how-computing-will-shape-the-future-301564412.html SOURCE Association For Computing Machinery, Inc. Exhibit 3.1 ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE CHARTER OF PONCE FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. Ponce Financial Group, Inc., a corporation incorporated and existing under the laws of the state of Maryland and an Eligible Financial Institution (the Issuer ) as of the Signing Date, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2-201 and 2-208 of the Maryland Code, Corporations and Associations thereof, does hereby certify: WHEREAS, PDL Community Bancorp (P DL ), which submitted an application for participation ECIP was as of the application date, and its successor, the Issuer, is as of the Signing Date, an Eligible Financial Institution as defined in Schedule A of this Articles Supplementary. The Board of Directors, in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Issuer and applicable law, adopted the following resolution on June 2, 2022 creating a series of 225,000 shares of Senior Preferred Stock of the Issuer designated as Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A . RESOLVED, that pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the Issuer and applicable law, a series of Senior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Issuer be and hereby is created, and that the designation and number of shares of such series, and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows: Part 1. Designation and Number of Shares . There is hereby created out of the authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock of the Issuer a series of senior preferred stock designated as the Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the Designated Senior Preferred Stock ). The authorized number of shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be 225,000. Part 2. Standard Provisions . The Standard Provisions contained in Schedule A attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Certificate of Designations to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Part 3. Definitions . The following terms are used in this Certificate of Designations (including the Standard Provisions in Schedule A hereto) as defined below: (a) Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Issuer or a committee thereof duly authorized by it to declare dividends on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock or take other action relating to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock; provided , for purposes 127346709v.1 of Section 7(c) , the term Board of Directors shall refer to the Board of Directors and not to any committee ther eof. (b) CDFI means a regulated community development financial institution currently certified by the CDFI Fund pursuant to 12 C.F.R. 1805.201(a) as having satisfied the eligibility requirements of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program and that satisfies the eligibility requirements for a community development financial institution set forth in 12 C.F.R. 1805.201 (b)(1) (6). (c) CDFI Fund means the Community Development Financial Institution Fund of the United States Department of the Treasury. (d) Common Stock means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Issuer. (e) Dividend Parity Stock means any class or series of stock of the Issuer that ranks on a parity with the Designated Senior Preferred Stock as to dividend rights (without regard to whether dividends accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively) and any other class or series of stock of the Issuer (other than Common Stock, Designated Senior Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock identified in the definition of Junior Stock) the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to Designated Senior Preferred Stock as to dividend rights. (f) Dividend Payment Date means March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. (g) Eligible Financial Institution means a financial institution that is, as of the date of submitting an application to participate in the Emergency Capital Investment Program, and of the Signing Date (1)(i) a CDFI or (ii) a MDI; and (2)(i) an insured depository institution not controlled by a company registered as a bank holding company with the Federal Reserve pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1842 (a Bank Holding Company ) or a company registered as a savings and loan holding company with the Federal Reserve pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1467(a) (a Savings and Loan Holding Company ) that is also an Eligible Financial Institution, (ii) a Bank Holding Company; (iii) a Savings and Loan Holding Company; or (iv) any credit union the member accounts of which are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. (h) First Optional Redemption Date means June 15, 2027. (i) Initial Aggregate Liquidation Amount means $225,000,000. (j) Junior Stock means the Common Stock and any other class or series of stock of the Issuer the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks junior to Designated Senior Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer. (k) Liquidation Amount means $1,000 per share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock. -2- 127346709v.1 (l) Liquidation Preference Parity Stock means any class or series of stock of the Issuer that ranks on a parity with Designated Senior Preferred Stock as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issu er (without regard to whether dividends accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively), and any other class or series of stock of the Issuer (other than Common Stock, Designated Senior Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock identified in the definition of Junior Stock) the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to Designated Senior Preferred Stock as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer. (m) MDI means a minority depository institution, (i) as defined in section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1463 et seq .); or (ii) considered to be a minority depository institution by the National Credit Union Administration or the appropriate Federal banking agency as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(q)), as applicable; or (iii) as listed in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations Minority Depository Institutions List published for the third quarter of 2020. (n) Parity Stock means Dividend Parity Stock and Liquidation Preference Parity Stock. (o) Signing Date means June 7, 2022. Part 4. Certain Voting Matters . Holders of shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each such share on any matter on which holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, including any action by written consent. [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank] -3- 127346709v.1 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Carlos P. Naudon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (the Issuer), who executed on behalf of said Issuer the foregoing Articles Supplementary to the Charter, of which this certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and on behalf of the Issuer, the foregoing Articles Supplementary to the Charter to be the corporate act of said Issuer and further certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the approval thereof are true in all material respects, under the penalties of perjury, this second day of June 2022. Ponce Financial Group, Inc. By: /s/ Carlos P. Naudon Name: Carlos P. Naudon Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Witnessed by: /s/ Lissette Rivera Name: Lissette Rivera Title: Secretary 127346709v.1 Schedule A STANDARD PROVISIONS Section 1. General Matters . Each share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock. The Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be perpetual, subject to the provisions of Section 5 of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations. The Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall rank equally with Dividend Parity Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, shall rank equally with Liquidation Preference Parity Stock with respect to the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Issuer and shall rank senior to Common Stock and, as applicable, other Junior Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Issuer. Section 2. Standard Definitions . As used herein with respect to Designated Senior Preferred Stock: (a) Acquiror in any Holding Company Transaction, means the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent in the case of a merger or consolidation or the transferee in the case of a sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (b) Aggregate Baseline means the Aggregate Baseline Qualified Lending set forth in the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report relating to the Last Reset Date . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report relating to the Last Reset Date is restated pursuant to Section 4.1(g)(ii) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Aggregate Baseline shall mean the Aggregate Baseline Qualified Lending set forth on such restated Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report . (c) Aggregate Increase in Qualified Lending means the Aggregate Qualified Lending minus the Aggregate Baseline. (d) Aggregate Qualified Lending means the Aggregate Annual Qualified Lending set forth in the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report relating to the Last Reset Date . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report relating to the Last Reset Date is restated pursuant to Section 4.1(g)(ii) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Aggregate Qualified Lending shall mean the Aggregate Annual Qualified Lending set forth on such restated Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report . (e) Annual Reset Period means the period from and including the First Reset Date, to, but excluding, the next following Reset Date, and thereafter each period from and including each Reset Date to, but excluding, the next following Reset Date; provided that the last Annual Reset Period will be the period from and including the Reset Date immediately preceding the Tenth Anniversary to, but excluding, the Last Reset Date. Each Reset Date relates to the Annual Reset Period commencing on such Reset Date, and vice versa (with the words related and relating having correlative meanings). A-1 127346709v.1 (f) Applicable Dividend Rate has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) . (g) Applicable Investment Amount means the Initial Aggregate Liquidation Amount, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3(a)(v). (h) Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report means, for the First Reset Date, the Quarterly Supplemental Report for the most recently completed calendar quarter for which the due date has occurred and, for each Reset Date thereafter, the Quarterly Supplemental Report for the most recently completed calendar quarter. (i) Appropriate Federal Banking Agency means the appropriate Federal banking agency for the Issuer as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)), or any successor provision. (j) Average Annual Increase in Qualified Lending means the Average Annual Increase in Qualified Lending set forth in the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report relating to the Last Reset Date, which is based on the Aggregate Increase in Qualified Lending over a nine-year period preceding the Last Reset Date . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report relating to the Last Reset Date is restated pursuant to Section 4.1(g)(ii) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Average Annual Increase in Qualified Lending shall mean the Average Annual Increase in Qualified Lending set forth on such restated Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report . (k) Average Applicable Investment Amount means the Average Applicable Investment Amount set forth in the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report relating to the Last Reset Date . (l) Bank Holding Company means a company registered as a bank holding company with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1842. (m) Baseline means the Baseline Qualified Lending set forth on the Initial Supplemental Report, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3(a)(iv). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Initial Supplemental Report is restated pursuant to Section 4.1(g)(ii) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Baseline shall mean the Baseline Qualified Lending set forth on such restated Initial Supplemental Report, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3(a)(iv). (n) Business Combination means a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar transaction that requires the approval of the Issuers stockholders. (o) Business Day means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or the District of Columbia generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close. (p) Bylaws means the bylaws of the Issuer, as they may be amended from time to time. A-2 127346709v.1 (q) Certificate of Designations means the Certificate of Designations or comparable instrument relating to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock, of which these Standard Provisions form a part, as it may be amende d from time to time. (r) Charter means the Issuers certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of association, or similar organizational document, as it may be amended from time to time, including the Certificate of Designations. (s) Dividend Period means the period from and including any Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next following Dividend Payment Date; provided , however , the initial Dividend Period shall be the period from and including the Second Anniversary to, but excluding, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date. Dividend Payment Dates and Dividend Periods will not be adjusted for Business Days. (t) Dividend Record Date has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(iii). (u) First Reset Date means the Second Anniversary. (v) Holding Company Preferred Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 7(d)(iv). (w) Holding Company Transaction means (a) any transaction (including, without limitation, any acquisition, merger or consolidation) a result of which is that a person or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (i) becomes the direct or indirect ultimate beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under that Act, of common equity of the Issuer representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the outstanding Common Stock or (ii) is otherwise required to consolidate the Issuer for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or (a) any consolidation or merger of the Issuer or similar transaction or any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one of the Issuers subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of either clause (a) or (b), the Issuer or the Acquiror is or becomes a Bank Holding Company or Savings and Loan Holding Company. (x) Initial Supplemental Report means the supplemental report delivered by the Issuer to Treasury prior to the Original Issue Date pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement . (y) Last Reset Date means the Dividend Payment Date immediately following the Tenth Anniversary, provided that if the Tenth Anniversary is a Dividend Payment Date, then the Last Reset Date shall be the date of the Tenth Anniversary. (z) Liquidation Preference has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a). (aa) Ninth Anniversary means the date that is nine (9) years from the Original Issue Date. A-3 127346709v.1 (bb) Original Issue Date means the date on which shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock are first issue d. (cc) Percentage Change in Qualified Lending has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(ii). (dd) Person means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company or trust. (ee) Preferred Director has the meaning set forth in Section 7(c). (ff) Preferred Observer has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b). (gg) Preferred Stock means any and all series of preferred stock of the Issuer, including the Designated Senior Preferred Stock. (hh) Qualified Lending means, with respect to any particular Reset Date other than the Last Reset Date, the Annual Qualified Lending set forth in the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report with respect to such Reset Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report is restated pursuant to Section 4.1(g)(ii) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Qualified Lending shall mean the Annual Qualified Lending set forth on such restated Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report . (ii) Quarterly Supplemental Report means a quarterly supplemental report to be delivered by the Issuer to Treasury on or after the Original Issue Date pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement. (jj) Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event means any breach, violation or default by the Issuer of or under (i) (A) Section 104A of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4701 et seq .), (B) any regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, the interim final rule promulgated by Treasury setting forth restrictions on executive compensation, share buybacks and dividends applicable to participants in the Emergency Capital Investment Program , originally codified at 31 C.F.R. Part 35 or (C) any additional rules or regulations established in connection with the Emergency Capital Investment Program or (ii) any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Issuer set forth in the Agreement or this Certificate of Designation, in each case, as determined by Treasury in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a determination by the Issuer not to declare dividends for any Dividend Period or a default in the payment of dividends shall not give rise to a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event. (kk) Rate Reduction Disqualifying Period means the period from and including the Dividend Payment Date immediately following the occurrence of a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event ( provided that if a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event occurs on a Dividend Payment Date, the Rate Reduction Disqualifying Period shall commence on such Dividend Payment Date), to, but excluding, the Dividend Payment Date immediately following the occurrence of a Rate Reduction Termination Event. Any failure by Treasury to provide notice of a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event or defect in such notice or the transmission thereof shall not A-4 127346709v.1 affect the occurrence of a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event or commencement or length of a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Period. (ll) Rate Reduction Termination Event means the determination by Treasury, in its sole discretion, that the Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event has terminated. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any actual or purported remediation or cure of the breach, violation or default giving rise to a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event by the Issuer, a Rate Reduction Disqualifying Event shall be ongoing from and including the occurrence thereof unless and until Treasury, in its sole discretion, provides notice to the Issuer of the termination thereof. (mm) Regulatory Capital Treatment Event means the good faith determination by the Issuer that, as a result of (i) any amendment to, or change in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, including the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency) or any political subdivision of or in the United States that is enacted or becomes effective after the Original Issue Date, or (ii) any official administrative decision or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws, rules or regulations or policies with respect thereto that is announced after the Original Issue Date, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Issuer will not be entitled to treat the full Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock then outstanding as Tier 1 capital (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy rules or regulations of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency as then in effect and applicable, for so long as any share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock is outstanding. (nn) Reset Date means, as applicable, the (i) First Reset Date, (ii) (x) if the First Reset Date is not a Dividend Payment Date, each Dividend Payment Date immediately following each annual anniversary of the First Reset Date through the Dividend Payment Date immediately following the Ninth Anniversary or (y) if the First Reset Date is a Dividend Payment Date, each Dividend Payment Date occurring on each annual anniversary of the First Reset Date through the Dividend Payment Date occurring on the Ninth Anniversary, and (iii) the Last Reset Date. Reset Dates will not be adjusted for Business Days. (oo) Savings and Loan Holding Company means a company registered as a savings and loan holding company with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1467a(b). (pp) Second Anniversary means the date that is two (2) years from the Original Issue Date. (qq) Securities Purchase Agreement means the Letter Agreement, including the Securities Purchase Agreement Standard Terms attached as Exhibit A thereto, entered into between the Issuer and Treasury on the Signing Date relating to Treasurys purchase of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock. (rr) Standard Provisions mean these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations relating to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock. (ss) Tenth Anniversary means the date that is ten (10) years from the Original Issue Date. A-5 127346709v.1 (tt) Treasury means the United States Departmen t of the Treasury. (uu) Voting Parity Stock means, with regard to any matter as to which the holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as specified in Section 7(d), any and all series of Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable with respect to such matter. Section 3. Dividends . (a) Rate . (i) The Applicable Dividend Rate for each Dividend Period shall be determined as follows: (1) From the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the First Reset Date, the dividend rate on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be zero percent (0%) per annum; (2) From and including the First Reset Date, to, but excluding, the Last Reset Date, during each applicable Annual Reset Period, the dividend rate on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be the applicable rate, expressed as a percentage per annum, set forth in column A of the table in Section 3(a)(iii), in each case determined by reference to the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report submitted to Treasury for the Reset Date relating to such Annual Reset Period; provided that if the Issuer shall fail to timely submit a complete and accurate Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report during any Annual Reset Period, the dividend rate on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock for the next Annual Reset Period shall be 2.0%; (3) From and including the Last Reset Date, the dividend rate on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be the applicable rate, expressed as a percentage per annum, set forth in column B of the table in Section 3(a)(iii), determined by reference to the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report submitted to Treasury and relating to the Last Reset Date; provided that if the Issuer shall fail to timely submit a complete and accurate Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report during the Annual Reset Period preceding the Last Reset Date, the dividend rate on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be 2.0% from and including the Last Reset Date; and (4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any Rate Reduction Disqualifying Period, the Applicable Dividend Rate shall be 2.0%. (ii) The Percentage Change in Qualified Lending used to determine the Applicable Dividend Rate for any Reset Date shall be the result of the following formulas, as applicable, expressed as a percentage: A-6 127346709v.1 (1) With respect to each Reset Date other than the Last Reset Date: (i)(x) the Qualified Lending set forth in the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report minus (y) the Baseline, divided by (ii) the A pplicable Investment Amount, and multiplied by (iii) 100. (2) With respect to the Last Reset Date: (i) the Average Annual Increase in Qualified Lending, divided by (ii) the Average Applicable Investment Amount, and multiplied by (iii) 100. (iii) The following table shall be used for determining the Applicable Dividend Rate: If the Percentage Change in Qualified Lending is: Column A rate in effect during Annual Reset Periods Column B rate in effect from and including the Last Reset Date Less than 200% of the Applicable Investment Amount (in the case of Section 3(a)(ii)(1)) or the Average Applicable Investment Amount (in the case of Section 3(a)(ii)(2)) 2.0% 2.0% More than or equal to 200%, but less than or equal to 400% of the Applicable Investment Amount (in the case of Section 3(a)(ii)(1)) or the Average Applicable Investment Amount (in the case of Section 3(a)(ii)(2)) 1.25% 1.25% More than 400% of the Applicable Investment Amount (in the case of Section 3(a)(ii)(1)) or the Average Applicable Investment Amount (in the case of Section 3(a)(ii)(2)) 0.5% 0.5% (iv) If the Issuer has consummated or consummates a Business Combination, any other merger or consolidation with or acquisition of another entity, since and including, the quarter ended on September 30, 2020, then, with respect to each such transaction, the Baseline shall be increased and, thereafter for each Annual Reset Period, the Baseline shall be the Adjusted Baseline Qualified Lending as calculated and set forth on the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report submitted to Treasury for the Reset Date relating to such Annual Reset Period. Such Adjusted Baseline Qualified Lending shall also factor into the determination of the Aggregate Baseline, as provided in the instructions for the Quarterly Supplemental Reports. (v) If the Issuer has consummated or consummates a Business Combination, any other merger or consolidation with or acquisition of another entity that has also issued preferred stock or subordinated debt to Treasury through Treasurys Emergency Capital Investment Program, the Applicable Investment Amount shall be adjusted to reflect the amount of the preferred stock or subordinated debt, as the case may be, issued by such A-7 127346709v.1 entity to Treasury and, from and after any such Business Combination, or other merger, consolidation or acquisition, the Applicab le Investment Amount shall be the Adjusted Investment Amount set forth on the Applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report submitted to Treasury for the Reset Date. Such adjustments shall also factor into the determination of the Average Applicable Investme nt Amount, as provided in the instructions for the Quarterly Supplemental Reports. (b) Payments . (i) Holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, on each share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors, but only out of assets legally available therefor, non-cumulative cash dividends with respect to each Dividend Period at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Dividend Rate for such Dividend Period on the Liquidation Amount per share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock, and no more, payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date occurring after the Second Anniversary. In the event that any Dividend Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, that day shall nevertheless be the Dividend Payment Date but the dividend payment due on that date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, and no additional dividends will accrue or be payable as a result of that postponement. (ii) Dividends that are payable on Designated Senior Preferred Stock with respect to any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. (iii) Any dividends that are payable on Designated Senior Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date will be payable to holders of record of Designated Senior Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the Issuer on the applicable record date, which shall be the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date or such other record date fixed by the Board of Directors that is not more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days prior to such Dividend Payment Date (each, a Dividend Record Date ). Any such day that is a Dividend Record Date shall be a Dividend Record Date whether or not such day is a Business Day. (iv) Holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, securities or other property, other than dividends (if any) declared and payable on Designated Senior Preferred Stock as specified in this Section 3 (subject to the other provisions of the Certificate of Designations). Because the Applicable Dividend Rate from, and including, the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the Second Anniversary is zero percent (0%) per annum, holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends with respect to any Dividend Period ending on or prior to the Second Anniversary. (c) Non-Cumulative . Dividends on shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be non-cumulative. If the Board of Directors does not declare a dividend on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock with respect to any Dividend Period, the holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall have no right to receive any dividend with respect to such Dividend A-8 127346709v.1 Period, and the Issuer shall have no obligation to pay a dividend with respect to such Dividend Period, whether or not divid ends are declared for any subsequent Dividend Period with respect to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock. (d) Priority of Dividends . (i) So long as any share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock remains outstanding, (x) no dividend or distribution shall be declared or paid on any Junior Stock or Parity Stock (other than dividends payable solely in shares of stock that ranks junior to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer), subject to the immediately following paragraph in the case of Dividend Parity Stock, (y) no Junior Stock or Dividend Parity Stock shall be, directly or indirectly, purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries, and (z) no monies shall be paid or made available for any sinking fund for the redemption of Junior Stock or Dividend Parity Stock, unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock with respect to the most recently completed Dividend Period have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid (or have been declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside for the benefit of the holders of shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock on the applicable record date) and the Issuer is not in default on its obligation to redeem any shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock that have been called for redemption. (ii) If the Board of Directors elects to declare only partial instead of full dividends for a dividend payment date and related dividend period (which terms include, in the case of Designated Senior Preferred Stock, the Dividend Payment Dates and Dividend Periods provided for herein) on the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock or any Dividend Parity Stock, then to the extent permitted by the terms of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock and each outstanding series of Dividend Parity Stock, such partial dividends shall be declared on shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock and Dividend Parity Stock, and dividends so declared shall be paid, as to any such dividend payment date and related dividend period in amounts such that the ratio of the partial dividends declared and paid on each such series to full dividends on each such series is the same. As used in this paragraph, full dividends means, as to any Dividend Parity Stock that bears dividends on a cumulative basis, the amount of dividends that would need to be declared and paid to bring such Parity Stock current in dividends, including undeclared dividends for past dividend periods. To the extent a dividend period with respect to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock or any series of Dividend Parity Stock (in either case, the first series ) coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to another series as applicable (in either case, a second series ), for purposes of this paragraph the Board of Directors may, to the extent permitted by the terms of each affected series, treat such dividend period for the first series as two or more consecutive dividend periods, none of which coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to the second series, or may treat such dividend period(s) with respect to any Dividend Parity Stock and Dividend Period(s) with respect to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock for purposes of this paragraph in any other manner that it deems to be fair and equitable in order to achieve ratable payments of dividends on such Dividend Parity Stock and the Designated Senior Preferred Stock . A-9 127346709v.1 (iii) Su bject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, securities or other property) as may be determined by the Board of Directors may be declared and paid on any securities, including Common Stock and other Junior Stock, from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividends. Section 4. Liquidation Rights . (a) Voluntary or Involuntary Liquidation . In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive for each share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock, out of the assets of the Issuer or proceeds thereof (whether capital or surplus) available for distribution to stockholders of the Issuer, subject to the rights of any creditors of the Issuer (including, without limitation, general creditors, subordinated debtholders and, if the Issuer is a depository institution, depositors), before any distribution of such assets or proceeds is made to or set aside for the holders of Common Stock and any other stock of the Issuer ranking junior to Designated Senior Preferred Stock as to such distribution, payment in full in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Amount per share and (ii) the amount of any declared and unpaid dividends (without accumulation of undeclared dividends) on each such share (such amounts collectively, the Liquidation Preference ). (b) Partial Payment . If in any distribution described in Section 4(a) above the assets of the Issuer or proceeds thereof are not sufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to all outstanding shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect to any Liquidation Preference Parity Stock, holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock and the holders of such Liquidation Preference Parity Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution in proportion to the full respective distributions to which they are entitled. (c) Residual Distributions . If the Liquidation Preference has been paid in full to all holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect to any Liquidation Preference Parity Stock has been paid in full, the holders of other stock of the Issuer shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Issuer (or proceeds thereof) according to their respective rights and preferences. (d) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Is Not Liquidation . For purposes of this Section 4(d), the merger or consolidation of the Issuer with any other corporation or other entity, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or other property for their shares, or the sale, lease or exchange (for cash, securities or other property) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, shall not constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer. Section 5. Redemption . (a) Optional Redemption . The Designated Senior Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no maturity date. The Issuer may, at its option, redeem the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock (i) in whole or in part, from time to time, on any Dividend Payment Date on or A-10 127346709v.1 after the F irst Optional Redemption Date, or (ii) in whole but not in part at any time within ninety (90) days following a Regulatory Capital Treatment Event, in each case, at a cash redemption price equal to the Liquidation Amount, together (except as otherwise prov ided herein) with an amount equal to any dividends that have been declared but not paid prior to the redemption date (but with no amount with respect to any dividends that have not been declared prior to such date). The redemption price for any shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be payable on the redemption date to the holder of such shares against surrender of the certificate(s) evidencing such shares to the Issuer or its agent, if the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock are issued in certificated form. Any declared but unpaid dividends payable on a redemption date that occurs subsequent to the record date for a Dividend Payment Date shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the redemption date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed shares on such record date relating to the Dividend Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer may not redeem shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock without having received th e prior approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency to the extent required under capital rules applicable to the Issuer and without complying with the capital rules applicable to the Issuer. (b) No Sinking Fund . The Designated Senior Preferred Stock will not be subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions. Holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock will have no right to require redemption or repurchase of any shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock. (c) Notice of Redemption . Notice of every redemption of shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on the books of the Issuer. Such mailing shall be at least thirty (30) days and not more than sixty (60) days before the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed as provided in this Subsection shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any holder of shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock or any depositary shares representing interests in the Designated Senior Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or any other similar facility, notice of redemption may be given to the holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock at such time and in any manner permitted by such facility. Each notice of redemption given to a holder shall state: (1) the redemption date; (2) the number of shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (3) the redemption price; and (4) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price. (d) Partial Redemption . In case of any redemption of part of the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall equal at least twenty percent (20%) of the number of originally issued shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock, or all the then-outstanding shares (if the number of shares then outstanding is less than twenty percent (20%) of the number of originally issued shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock) and, in any such case, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata A-11 127346709v.1 or in such other manner as the Board of Directors may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time t o time, subject, as provided above, to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency and to the capital adequacy rules applicable to the Issuer. If fewer than all the shares represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be i ssued representing the unredeemed shares without charge to the holder thereof. (e) Effectiveness of Redemption . If notice of redemption has been duly given and if on or before the redemption date specified in the notice all funds necessary for the redemption have been deposited by the Issuer, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, with a bank or trust company doing business in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and having a capital and surplus of at least $500 million and selected by the Board of Directors, so as to be and continue to be available solely therefor, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any share so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date dividends shall cease to accrue on all shares so called for redemption, all shares so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive the amount payable on such redemption from such bank or trust company, without interest. Any funds unclaimed at the end of three (3) years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released to the Issuer, after which time the holders of the shares so called for redemption shall look only to the Issuer for payment of the redemption price of such shares. (f) Status of Redeemed Shares . Shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock that are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Issuer shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock undesignated as to series ( provided that any such cancelled shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock may be reissued only as shares of any series of Preferred Stock other than Designated Senior Preferred Stock). Section 6. Conversion . Holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shares shall have no right to exchange or convert such shares into any other securities. Section 7. Voting Rights . (a) General . The holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law. (b) Board Observation Rights. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid in full for an aggregate of five (5) Dividend Periods or more, whether or not consecutive, the Issuer shall invite a representative (a Preferred Observer ) selected by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors in a nonvoting observer capacity and, in this respect, shall give such Preferred Observer copies of all notices, minutes, consents, and other materials that it provides to its directors in connection with such meetings (subject to disclosure limitations under applicable law); provided , that the holders of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall not be A-12 127346709v.1 obligated to select a Preferred Observer, nor shall such Preferred Observer, if selected, be obligated to attend any meeting to which he/she is invited. The rights of the holders of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock set forth in this Section 7(b) shall terminate when full dividends have been timely paid on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock for at least four (4) consecutive Dividend Periods, sub ject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the character above mentioned . (c) Preferred Stock Directors . Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock have not been declared and paid in full for an aggregate of six (6) Dividend Periods or more, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of directors of the Issuer shall automatically be increased by two (2) and the holders of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to elect two (2) directors of the Board of Directors (hereinafter the Preferred Directors and each a Preferred Director ) to fill such newly created directorships at the Issuers next annual meeting of stockholders (or, if the next annual meeting is not yet scheduled or is scheduled to occur more than thirty (30) days later, the President or Secretary or equivalent officer of the Issuer shall, at the request of holders of at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock promptly call a special meeting for that purpose prior to such next annual meeting) and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders until full dividends have been paid on the Designated Senior Preferred Stock for at least four (4) consecutive Dividend Periods, at which time such right shall terminate with respect to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock, except as herein or by law expressly provided, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the character above mentioned; provided that it shall be a qualification for election for any Preferred Director that the election of such Preferred Director shall not cause the Issuer to violate any corporate governance requirements of any securities exchange or other trading facility on which securities of the Issuer may then be listed or traded that listed or traded companies must have a majority of independent directors; provided , further , that if the holders of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock initially determine not to elect two (2) directors in accordance with the foregoing, then (i) there shall remain a vacancy or two (2) vacancies, as applicable, on the Board of Directors and (ii) the holders of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to fill any such vacancy at any annual meeting of stockholders of the Issuer (or, at the request of holders of at least twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock, if the next annual meeting has not at the time been scheduled or at the time is scheduled to occur more than thirty (30) days later, the Issuers President or Secretary, or any officer of the Issuer performing similar functions, shall promptly call a special meeting for that purpose) and to continue to elect up to two (2) Preferred Directors at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders as provided above. Upon any termination of the right of the holders of shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock to vote for directors as provided above, the Preferred Directors shall cease to be qualified as directors, the term of office of all Preferred Directors then in office shall terminate immediately and the authorized number of directors shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Directors authorized to be elected pursuant hereto. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and any vacancy created thereby may be filled, only by the affirmative vote of the holders a majority of the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock at the time outstanding voting separately as a class. If the office of any Preferred Director becomes vacant for any reason other than removal from office as aforesaid, the holders of the Designated A-13 127346709v.1 Senior Preferred Stock may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term with respect to which such vacancy occurred. (d) Class Voting Rights as to Particular Matters . So long as any shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by the Charter, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating: (i) Authorization of Senior Stock . Any amendment or alteration of the (i) Certificate of Designations for the Designated Senior Preferred Stock or (ii) the Charter, to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance of, any shares of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of, any class or series of capital stock of the Issuer ranking senior to Designated Senior Preferred Stock with respect to either or both the payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer; (ii) Amendment of Designated Senior Preferred Stock . Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Designations for the Designated Senior Preferred Stock or the Charter (including, unless no vote on such merger or consolidation is required by Section 7(d)(iii) below, any amendment, alteration or repeal by means of a merger, consolidation or otherwise) so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock; (iii) Share Exchanges, Reclassifications, Mergers and Consolidations . Subject to Section 7(d)(iv) below, any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Designated Senior Preferred Stock, or of a merger or consolidation of the Issuer with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (x) the shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Issuer is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (y) such shares remaining outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Designated Senior Preferred Stock immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole; or (iv) Holding Company Transactions . Any consummation of a Holding Company Transaction, unless as a result of the Holding Company Transaction each share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be converted into or exchanged for one share with an equal liquidation preference of preference securities of the Issuer or the Acquiror (the Holding Company Preferred Stock ). Any such Holding Company Preferred Stock shall entitle holders thereof to non-cumulative dividends from the date of issuance of such Holding Company Preferred Stock on terms that are equivalent to the terms set forth herein, and shall have such other rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations A-14 127346709v.1 and restrictions thereof , taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Designated Senior Preferred Stock immediately prior to such conversion or exchange, taken as a whole; provided , however , that for all purposes of this Section 7(d), any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Stock, including any increase in the authorized amount of Designated Senior Preferred Stock necessary to satisfy preemptive or similar rights granted by the Issuer to other persons prior to the Signing Date, or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, whether pursuant to preemptive or similar rights or otherwise, of any other series of Preferred Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other series of Preferred Stock, ranking equally with and/or junior to Designated Senior Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers, and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of, the holders of outstanding shares of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock. (e) Changes after Provision for Redemption . No vote or consent of the holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be required pursuant to Section 7(d) above if, at or prior to the time when any such vote or consent would otherwise be required pursuant to such Section, all outstanding shares of the Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed, or shall have been called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust for such redemption, in each case pursuant to Section 5 above. (f) Procedures for Voting and Consents . The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules of the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the Charter, the Bylaws, and applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which Designated Senior Preferred Stock is listed or traded at the time. Section 8. Record Holders . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Issuer and the transfer agent for Designated Senior Preferred Stock may deem and treat the record holder of any share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Issuer nor such transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Section 9. Notices . All notices or communications with respect to the Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Certificate of Designations, in the Charter or Bylaws or by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock or any depositary shares representing interests in the Designated Senior Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through The A-15 127346709v.1 Depository Trust Company or any similar facility, such notices may be given to the holders of Designated Senior Preferred Stock in any manner permitted by such facility. Section 10. No Preemptive Rights . No share of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall have any rights of preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Issuer, or any warrants, rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such securities, or such warrants, rights or options, may be designated, issued or granted. Section 11. Replacement Certificates . The Issuer shall replace any mutilated certificate at the holders expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Issuer. The Issuer shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the holders expense upon delivery to the Issuer of reasonably satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be reasonably required by the Issuer. Section 12. Other Rights . The shares of Designated Senior Preferred Stock shall not have any rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the Charter or as provided by applicable law. A-16 127346709v.1 EXHIBIT 10.1 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 1500 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220 Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: The company set forth on the signature page hereto (the Recipient) intends to issue in a private placement the number of shares of a series of its preferred stock set forth on Schedule A hereto (the Preferred Shares) and the United States Department of the Treasury (the Investor) intends to purchase from the Recipient the Preferred Shares, pursuant to the Emergency Capital Investment Program. The purpose of this letter agreement is to confirm the terms and conditions of the purchase by the Investor of the Preferred Shares. Except to the extent supplemented or superseded by the terms set forth herein or in the Schedules hereto, the provisions contained in the Securities Purchase Agreement Standard Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Securities Purchase Agreement) are incorporated by reference herein. Terms that are defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement are used in this letter agreement as so defined. In the event of any inconsistency between this letter agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement, the terms of this letter agreement shall govern. Each of the Recipient and the Investor hereby confirms its agreement with the other party with respect to the issuance by the Recipient of the Preferred Shares and the purchase by the Investor of the Preferred Shares pursuant to this letter agreement and the Securities Purchase Agreement on the terms specified on Schedule A hereto. This letter agreement (including the Schedules hereto), the Securities Purchase Agreement (including the Annexes thereto) and the Disclosure Schedules (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, between the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof. This letter agreement constitutes the Letter Agreement referred to in the Securities Purchase Agreement. This letter agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts will together constitute the same agreement. In addition, this letter agreement may be executed by electronic signature in accordance with the E-SIGN Act of 2000. Executed signature pages to this letter agreement may be delivered by facsimile or electronic mail (including pdf) and such facsimiles or electronic copies will be deemed as sufficient as if actual signature pages had been delivered. * * * In witness whereof, this letter agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto as of the date written below. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY By: /s/ Noel A. Poyo Name: Noel A. Poyo Title: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community & Economic Development, Office of Domestic Finance RECIPIENT: Ponce Financial Group, Inc. By: /s/ Carlos P. Naudon Name: Carlos P. Naudon Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Date: June 7, 2022 EXHIBIT A SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT EXHIBIT A (ECIP Bank/Thrifts/BHCs/SLHCs Senior Preferred Stock) SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT STANDARD TERMS TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE I Page Section 1.1 Definitions 1 Section 1.2 Interpretation 5 Section 1.3 Disclosure Restrictions 6 ARTICLE II PURCHASE; CLOSING Section 2.1 Purchase 6 Section 2.2 Closing 6 Section 2.3 Closing Conditions 6 ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES Section 3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Recipient 8 ARTICLE IV COVENANTS Section 4.1 Affirmative Covenants 17 Section 4.2 Negative Covenants 23 ARTICLE V REMEDIES OF THE INVESTOR UPON BREACH Section 5.1 Rate Reductions in the Event of Breaches and Violations 23 Section 5.2 Recipient Breach, Violation or Default 24 Section 5.3 Additional Remedies 24 ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS Section 6.1 Purchase for Investment 25 Section 6.2 Legends 26 Section 6.3 Transfer of Preferred Shares 27 Section 6.4 Rule 144; Rule 144A; 4(a)(1) Transactions 29 Section 6.5 Depositary Shares 30 Section 6.6 Expenses and Further Assurances 30 Section 6.7 Noncompliance 31 - 4- ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS Section 7.1 Termination 31 Section 7.2 Survival 32 Section 7.3 Amendment 32 Section 7.4 Waiver of Conditions 32 Section 7.5 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction, etc. 33 Section 7.6 Notices 33 Section 7.7 Assignment 33 Section 7.8 Severability 34 Section 7.9 No Third Party Beneficiaries 34 Section 7.10 Specific Performance 34 - 5- LIST OF ANNEXES ANNEX A: FORM OF OFFICERS CERTIFICATE ANNEX B: FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS FOR PREFERRED STOCK ANNEX C: FORM OF OPINION ANNEX D: FORM OF ECIP INTERIM FINAL RULE CERTIFICATION ANNEX E: REGISTRATION RIGHTS - 6- INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS - 7- - 8- SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT STANDARD TERMS Recitals: WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Treasury (the Investor or the Treasury ) may from time to time agree to purchase shares of preferred stock from Eligible Financial Institutions that elect to participate in the Emergency Capital Investment Program ( ECIP ); WHEREAS, an Eligible Financial Institution electing to participate in ECIP and issue securities to the Investor shall enter into a letter agreement (the Letter Agreement ) with the Investor that incorporates this Securities Purchase Agreement Standard Terms (the Eligible Financial Institution identified in the Letter Agreement, the Recipient ); WHEREAS, the Recipient intends to issue in a private placement the number of shares of the series of its Preferred Stock ( Preferred Stock ) set forth on Schedule A to the Letter Agreement (the Preferred Shares ) and the Investor intends to purchase (the Purchase ) from the Recipient the Preferred Shares; WHEREAS, the Recipient (i) provides, among other things, loans, grants, and forbearance for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and consumers, in Target Communities; and (ii) intends to participate in the ECIP to increase its Qualified Lending in Target Communities that may be disproportionately impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as set forth in the Investment and Lending Plan submitted to the Investor as part of the Recipients ECIP Application; and WHEREAS, the Purchase will be governed by this Securities Purchase Agreement Standard Terms and the Letter Agreement, including the schedules thereto (the Schedules ), specifying additional terms of the Purchase. This Securities Purchase Agreement Standard Terms (including the Annexes hereto) and the Letter Agreement (including the Schedules thereto) are together referred to as this Agreement . All references in this Securities Purchase Agreement Standard Terms to Schedules are to the Schedules attached to this Securities Purchase Agreement. The Disclosure Schedule (as defined below) shall be attached to the Letter Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows: ARTICLE I Section 1.1 Definitions . Except as otherwise specified herein or as the context may otherwise require, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below for all purposes of this Agreement. Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such other person. For purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, the terms controlled by and under common control with ) when used with respect to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to cause the direction of management and/or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities by contract or otherwise. Appropriate Federal Banking Agency means the appropriate Federal banking agency for the Recipient as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)), or any successor provision. Appropriate State Banking Agency means, if the Recipient is a state-chartered bank or savings association, the Recipients state bank supervisor (as defined in Section 3(r) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(r)). Bank Holding Company means a company registered as a bank holding company with the Federal Reserve pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1842. Baseline means the Baseline Qualified Lending set forth on the Initial Supplemental Report, subject to adjustment as provided in the applicable Quarterly Supplemental Report. Board of Directors has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(e) . Call Reports means Reports of Condition and Income. CDFI means a regulated community development financial institution currently certified by the CDFI Fund pursuant to 12 C.F.R. 1805.201(a) as having satisfied the eligibility requirements of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program and that satisfies the eligibility requirements for a community development financial institution set forth in 12 C.F.R. 1805.201(b)(1) (6). CDFI Fund means the Community Development Financial Institution Fund of the United States Department of the Treasury. Community Development Banking Act means the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4701 et seq .). Contagion Event means the outbreak or continued presence of contagious disease, epidemic or pandemic (including SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, or any evolutions or mutations thereof, or any other viruses (including influenza)), and the governmental responses thereto. Contagion Event Measures means any quarantine, shelter in place, stay at home, workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or other directives, guidelines or recommendations promulgated by any Governmental Entity, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or in response to a Contagion Event. Disclosure Schedule means the schedule to the Letter Agreement delivered to the Investor on or prior to the Signing Date, setting forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained - 2- in a provision hereof or as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in Section 3.1 . ECIP Application has the meaning set forth in the definition of Eligible Financial Institution. ECIP Interim Final Rule means the interim final rule promulgated by the Investor setting forth restrictions on executive compensation, share buybacks and dividends applicable to participants in ECIP, originally codified at 31 C.F.R. Part 35. ECIP Period has the meaning set forth in the ECIP Interim Final Rule. Eligible Financial Institution means a financial institution that is, as of the date of submitting an application to participate in ECIP (the ECIP Application ), and as of the Signing Date (1)(i) a CDFI or (ii) a MDI; and (2)(i) an insured depository institution not controlled by a Bank Holding Company or Savings and Loan Holding Company that is also an Eligible Financial Institution, (ii) a Bank Holding Company, (iii) a Savings and Loan Holding Company, or (iv) any credit union the member accounts of which are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Eligible Nonprofit has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a)(iv) . Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq .). Executive Officer means any of the Recipients executive officers as defined in 12 C.F.R. 215.2(e)(1) (regardless of whether or not such regulation is applicable to the Recipient). Federal Reserve means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. GAAP has the meaning set forth in the definition of Material Adverse Effect. IDI Subsidiary means any Recipient Subsidiary that is an insured depository institution. Insured CDFI means an insured community development financial institution, as defined in 12 U.S.C. 4702(13). Investment and Lending Plan means an investment and lending plan of the Recipient that meets the criteria set forth in Section 104A(d)(4) of the Community Development Banking Act. knowledge of the Recipient or Recipients knowledge means the actual knowledge after reasonable and due inquiry of the officers (as defined in Rule 3b-2 under the Exchange Act) of the Recipient. - 3- Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, results of operation or financial condition of the Recipient and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided , however , that Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A) changes after the date of the Letter Agreement (the Signing Date ) in general business, economic or market conditions (including changes generally in prevailing interest rates, credit availability and liquidity, currency exchange rates and price levels or trading volumes in the United States or foreign securities or credit markets), or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declared or undeclared acts of war or terrorism, in each case generally affecting the industries in which the Recipient and its subsidiaries operate (including any such changes resulting from a Contagion Event), (B) changes or proposed changes after the Signing Date in generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ( GAAP ), or authoritative interpretations thereof, or (C) changes or proposed changes after the Signing Date in securities, banking and other laws of general applicability or related policies or interpretations of Governmental Entities (including any law in respect of Taxes, and laws newly enacted for, relating to or arising out of efforts to implement Contagion Event Measures and address the spread of any Contagion Event) (in the case of each of these clauses (A), (B) and (C), other than changes or occurrences to the extent that such changes or occurrences have or would reasonably be expected to have a materially disproportionate adverse effect on the Recipient and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole relative to comparable U.S. banking or financial services organizations); or (ii) the ability of the Recipient to consummate the Purchase and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder on a timely basis. MDI means a minority depository institution, (i) as defined in section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1463 et seq .); or (ii) considered to be a minority depository institution by the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency or the National Credit Union Administration; or (iii) as listed in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations Minority Depository Institutions List published for the third quarter of 2020. Offer Price has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a)(ii) . Offered Shares has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a)(ii) . Previously Disclosed means information set forth in the Disclosure Schedule or the Disclosure Update, as applicable; provided , however , that disclosure in any section of such Disclosure Schedule or Disclosure Update, as applicable, shall apply only to the indicated section of this Agreement except to the extent that it is reasonably apparent from the face of such disclosure that such disclosure is relevant to another section of this Agreement; provided , further , that the inclusion of information in a Disclosure Update shall not be deemed to correct an existing breach or misrepresentation and, therefore, shall not obligate the Investor to consummate the Purchase or limit or affect any rights of or remedies available to the Investor. Qualified Lending has the meaning set forth in the definition of Qualified Lending in the applicable Supplemental Report. Related Party has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(x) . Savings and Loan Holding Company means a company registered as a savings - 4- and loan holding company with the Federal Reserve pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1467(a). Senior Executive Officer has the meaning set forth in the ECIP Interim Final Rule. Effect. Signing Date has the meaning set forth in the definition of Material Adverse subsidiary has the meaning set forth in 12 U.S.C. 1813(w)(4), except that a CDFI that is a corporation shall not be considered to be a subsidiary of any Insured Depository Institution or Depository Institution Holding Company that controls less than twenty-five percent (25%) of any class of the voting shares of such corporation, and does not otherwise control in any manner the election of a majority of the directors of the corporation. Supplemental Reports means, collectively, the Initial Supplemental Report and the Quarterly Supplemental Reports. Target Communities means the categories of communities set forth under the Categories of Target Communities heading in the Rate Reduction Incentive Guidelines published by the Treasury. Tax or Taxes means any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, property, sales, use, license, excise, franchise, employment, payroll, withholding, alternative or add-on minimum, ad valorem , transfer or excise tax, or any other tax, custom, duty, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, penalty or addition imposed by any Governmental Entity. Tenth Anniversary means the date that is ten (10) years from the original issue date of the Preferred Shares. Transfer has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a) . Section 1.2 Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to Recitals, Articles, Sections, or Annexes such reference shall be to a Recital, Article or Section of, or Annex to, this Securities Purchase Agreement Standard Terms, a reference to Schedules shall be to a Schedule to this Securities Purchase Agreement and a reference to Disclosure Schedules shall be to the Disclosure Schedule to the Letter Agreement, in each case, unless otherwise indicated. The terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa. References to herein, hereof, hereunder and the like refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or provision, unless the context requires otherwise. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words without limitation. No rule of construction against the draftsperson shall be applied in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement, as this Agreement is entered into between sophisticated parties having access to counsel. All references to $ or dollars mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, all references to any statute, rule - 5- or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute and, in the case of interim final rules, include such rules as may be finalized, revised or succeeded by a final rule) and to any section of any statute, rule or regulation include any successor to the section. References to a business day shall mean any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or the District of Columbia generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close. Section 1.3 Disclosure Restrictions . No representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement or provision contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to contemplate or require the disclosure of confidential supervisory information or other similar information the disclosure of which is restricted pursuant to laws and regulations to which the Recipient is subject. ARTICLE II PURCHASE; CLOSING Section 2.1 Purchase . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Recipient agrees to sell, and the Investor agrees to purchase, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined), the Preferred Shares for the price set forth on Schedule A (the Purchase Price ). Section 2.2 Closing . (a) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the Purchase (the Closing ) will take place by electronic exchange of documents at 8:00 am, New York City time, on the date set forth in Schedule A or as soon as practicable thereafter, or at such other time and date as shall be agreed between the Recipient and the Investor. The time and date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the Closing Date . (b) Subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the conditions to Closing in Section 2.3 , at the Closing the Recipient will deliver, by registered mail or by courier or express delivery service (with confirmation of delivery, and tracking information, where possible) to the address provided in Schedule A , the Preferred Shares as evidenced by one or more certificates dated as of the Closing Date and bearing appropriate legends as hereinafter provided in exchange for payment in full of the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available United States funds to a bank account designated by the Recipient on Schedule A . Section 2.3 Closing Conditions . The obligation of the Investor to consummate the Purchase is subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the Investor) at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions: (a) (i) any approvals or authorizations of all United States and other governmental, regulatory or judicial authorities (each, a Governmental Entity and collectively, Governmental Entities ) required for the consummation of the Purchase shall have been obtained or made in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each party and shall be in full force and effect and all waiting periods required by United States and other applicable law, if any, shall have expired and (ii) no provision of any applicable United States or other law and no judgment, injunction, order - 6- or decree of any Governmental Entity shall prohibit the purchase and sale of the Preferred Shares as contemplated by this Agreement; (b) (i) the representations and warranties of the Recipient set forth in Section 3.1 shall be true and correct in all respects as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of another date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of such other date) and (ii) the Recipient shall have performed in all respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing; (c) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor a certificate signed on behalf of the Recipient by a Senior Executive Officer, in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex A ; (d) the Recipient shall have duly adopted and filed with the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization or other applicable Governmental Entity an amendment to its certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of association, or similar organizational document ( Charter ) in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex B (the Certificate of Designations ) and the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor a copy of the filed Certificate of Designations with appropriate evidence from the Secretary of State or other applicable Governmental Entity that the filing has been accepted, or if a filed copy is unavailable, a certificate signed on behalf of the Recipient by a Senior Executive Officer certifying to the effect that the filing of the Certificate of Designations has been accepted; (e) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor true, complete and correct certified copies of the Charter and bylaws of the Recipient and the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Recipient (the Board of Directors ) authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder, including the issuance of the Preferred Shares; (f) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor a good standing or equivalent certificate from the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization or other applicable Governmental Entity, dated as of a recent date, with respect to the existence, organization and, if applicable, good standing of the Recipient; (g) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor a certificate addressing the incumbency of each officer of the Recipient who signs the Letter Agreement, the certificate referred to in Section 2.3(c) and, if applicable, the certificates representing the Preferred Shares ( provided that if any such officer ceases to serve in such officers position following the Signing Date, then the Recipient shall deliver a duly updated incumbency certificate reflecting the incumbency of the respective officers as of the Closing); (h) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor a written opinion from counsel to the Recipient (which may be internal counsel), addressed to the Investor and dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex C ; (i) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor, or the designee identified in writing (which may be via e-mail) by the Investor prior to the Closing Date, certificates in proper form evidencing the Preferred Shares issued to the Investor or, with the prior consent of the - 7- Investor, evidence of the Preferred Shares having been registered and issued in uncertificated (or book-entry) form; (j) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor a copy of the Disclosure Schedule on or prior to the Signing Date and, to the extent that any information set forth on the Disclosure Schedule needs to be updated or supplemented to make it true, complete and correct as of the Closing Date, (i) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor an update to the Disclosure Schedule (the Disclosure Update ), setting forth any information necessary to make the Disclosure Schedule true, correct and complete as of the Closing Date and (ii) the Investor, in its sole discretion, shall have approved the Disclosure Update, provided , however , that the delivery and acceptance of the Disclosure Update shall not be deemed to obligate the Investor to consummate the Purchase nor limit or affect any rights of or remedies available to the Investor; (k) the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor on or prior to the Signing Date each of the consolidated financial statements of the Recipient and its consolidated subsidiaries for each of the last three (3) completed fiscal years of the Recipient (which shall be audited to the extent audited financial statements are available prior to the Signing Date) and each completed quarterly period since the last completed fiscal year (collectively, the Recipient Financial Statements ); (l) at least ten (10) business days prior to the Closing Date, the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor (i) a report, in a form substantially similar to that posted on Investors ECIP website, setting forth its calculation of Qualified Lending for the annual period ending on September 30, 2020 (the Initial Supplemental Report ) and (ii) a certification signed by the Recipients principal executive officer or principal financial officer (each as defined in the ECIP Interim Final Rule), certifying to the Investor that the information provided in the Initial Supplemental Report is accurate; and (m) at least ten (10) business days prior to the Closing Date, the Recipient shall have delivered to the Investor and the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, an Investment and Lending Plan describing to the satisfaction of the Investor: (i) how the Recipients business strategy and operating goals will address the community development needs in communities that may be disproportionately impacted by the economic effects of COVID-19, which includes the needs of small businesses, consumers, nonprofit organizations and other projects in Target Communities (ii) a plan to provide community outreach and communication; and (iii) how the Recipient plans to expand or maintain significant lending or investment activity in low- or moderate-income and minority communities, especially those that may be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, to historically disadvantaged borrowers, and to minorities that have significant unmet capital or financial services needs. ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES Section 3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Recipient . Except as Previously Disclosed, the Recipient represents and warrants to the Investor that as of the Signing Date and as of the Closing Date (or such other date specified herein): - 8- (a) Organization, Authority and Significant Subsidiaries . The Recipient has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and, if applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with the necessary power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and conduct its business in all material respects as it is being currently conducted, and except as has not, individually or in the aggregate, had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification; each subsidiary of the Recipient that would be considered a significant subsidiary within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act ), has been duly organized and is validly existing and, if applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. The Charter and bylaws of the Recipient, copies of which have been provided to the Investor prior to the Signing Date, are true, complete and correct copies of such documents as in full force and effect as of the Signing Date and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that the Charter has been amended by the Certificate of Designations. (b) Capitalization . The authorized capital stock of the Recipient, and the outstanding capital stock of the Recipient (including securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, capital stock of the Recipient) as of the most recent fiscal month-end preceding the Signing Date (the Capitalization Date ) is set forth on Schedule B . The outstanding shares of capital stock of the Recipient have been duly authorized and are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable (subject, in the case of a national bank, to 12 U.S.C. 55, or in the case of any other insured depository institution any similar statute under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization), and subject to no preemptive rights (and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights). On the Signing Date, the Recipient does not have outstanding any securities or other obligations providing the holder the right to acquire its common stock ( Common Stock ) or other capital stock that is not reserved for issuance as specified on Schedule B , and the Recipient has not made any other commitment to authorize, issue or sell any Common Stock or other capital stock. Since the Capitalization Date, the Recipient has not issued any shares of Common Stock or other capital stock, other than (A) shares issued upon the exercise of stock options or delivered under other equity-based awards or other convertible securities or warrants which were issued and outstanding on the Capitalization Date and disclosed on Schedule B and (B) shares disclosed on Schedule B . If the Recipient is a Bank Holding Company or a Savings and Loan Holding Company, (x) the percentage of each IDI Subsidiarys issued and outstanding capital stock that is owned by the Recipient is disclosed on Schedule B ; and (y) all shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the IDI Subsidiary(ies) owned by the Recipient are free and clear of all liens, security interests, charges or encumbrances. Each holder of five percent (5%) or more of any class of capital stock of the Recipient and such holders primary address are disclosed on Schedule B . (c) Preferred Shares . The Preferred Shares have been duly and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, such Preferred Shares will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, will not be issued in violation of any preemptive rights, and will rank pari passu with or senior to all other series or classes of Preferred Stock, whether or not designated, issued or outstanding, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Recipient. The aggregate liquidation preference of the Preferred Shares does not exceed the maximum specified in the Letter Agreement. - 9- (d) Eligible Financial Institution Status; ECIP Application Matters . (i) The Recipient satisfies the definition of Eligible Financial Institution and is in compliance with Section 104A of the Community Development Banking Act, and all rules and regulations issued by the Investor thereunder, including the ECIP Interim Final Rule. (ii) The (A) information provided by the Recipient in the ECIP Application is true, correct and complete in all material respects and (B) projections included in the Investment and Lending Plan submitted as part of the ECIP Application were reasonable on the date the ECIP Application was submitted to the Investor. (iii) Neither the Recipient nor any Recipient Subsidiary is a covered entity as defined in Section 104A(h)(2)(ii) of the Community Development Banking Act. (iv) The Recipient is not ineligible to participate in ECIP under Section 104A(i), or any other provision, of the Community Development Banking Act. (e) Authorization, Enforceability . (i) The Recipient has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder (which includes the issuance of the Preferred Shares) and, when issued, under the Preferred Shares. The execution, delivery and performance by the Recipient of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Recipient and its stockholders, and no further approval or authorization is required on the part of the Recipient. The resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the Recipients obligations hereunder, including the issuance of the Preferred Shares, a copy of which has been provided to the Investor prior to the Signing Date, are true, complete and correct copies of such documents as in full force and effect as of the Signing Date and as of the Closing Date. This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the Recipient enforceable against the Recipient in accordance with its terms, subject to any limitations by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and general equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity ( Bankruptcy Exceptions ). (ii) The execution, delivery and performance by the Recipient of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and compliance by the Recipient with the provisions hereof, will not (A) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or result in the creation of, any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Recipient or any subsidiary of the Recipient (each subsidiary, a Recipient Subsidiary and, collectively, the Recipient Subsidiaries ) under - 10- any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (x) its organizational documents or (y) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Recipient or any Recipient Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any Recipient Subsidiary may be bound, or to which the Recipient or any Recipient Subsidiary or any of the properties or assets of the Recipient or any Recipient Subsidiary may be subject, or (B) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction or decree applicable to the Recipient or any Recipient Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets except, in the case of clauses (A)(y) and (B), for those occurrences that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (iii) Other than the filing of the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization or other applicable Governmental Entity, such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under any state blue sky laws and such as have been made or obtained, no notice to, filing with, exemption or review by, or authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity is required to be made or obtained by the Recipient in connection with the consummation by the Recipient of the Purchase except for any such notices, filings, exemptions, reviews, authorizations, consents and approvals the failure of which to make or obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (f) Anti-Takeover Provisions and Rights Plan . The Board of Directors has taken all necessary action to ensure that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will be exempt from any anti-takeover or similar provisions of the Recipients Charter and bylaws, and any other provisions of any applicable moratorium, control share, fair price, interested stockholder or other anti- takeover laws and regulations of any jurisdiction. (g) No Material Adverse Effect . Since the last day of the last completed fiscal period for which financial statements are included in the Recipient Financial Statements, no fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence, condition or development has occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as disclosed on Schedule C . (h) Recipient Financial Statements . The Recipient Financial Statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Recipient and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated therein and the consolidated results of their operations for the periods specified therein; and except as stated therein, such financial statements (i) were prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be noted therein) and (ii) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with Federal prosecutors have charged two soldiers who are married and stationed in North Carolina with netting some $2 million in a multiyear scheme to sell stolen military equipment, according to an indictment unsealed this week. The 14-page indictment charges Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Hammond used his position as an armament systems maintenance warrant officer in Fort Braggs Group Support Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group to request Army gear including firearms parts, night-vision goggles and all-terrain vehicles, and taking the equipment for himself and selling it illegally to civilian buyers. It also charges his wife Army Maj. Heather Hammond, an ROTC instructor at North Carolinas Campbell University, aided and abetted her husbands scheme. Prosecutors said the thefts occurred between December 2018 and April 2022. They claim Christopher Hammond used his Army email to request goods from the Defense Logistics Agency and at least one manufacturer, which he claimed were for his unit. The Hammonds pocketed dozens of items and sold at least some for a profit of at least $2,011,841, according to the indictment. The pair funneled the money through a bank account and investment accounts, according to prosecutors. The stolen weapons parts included gun barrels, firearms magazines, firing pins, gun bolts and scopes, prosecutors said. They also said Christopher Hammond wrongfully requested and took tools, gym equipment, electric guitars, bayonets and a sword. It was not clear whether he sold all the gear that he requested or if he kept some for himself. A grand jury issued the indictment last month, and it was unsealed Monday after the couple turned themselves into law enforcement, according to Justice Department and Army officials. An initial court hearing for the pair had yet to be scheduled as of Thursday. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina declined comment on the case. Army spokespersons also declined comment Thursday on specific details of the Hammonds' case, but they confirmed the soldiers had surrendered voluntarily. As always, all soldiers are presumed innocent until proven guilty, said Army Maj. Rick Dickson, a spokesperson for Fort Braggs 1st Special Forces Command, which oversees the services Special Forces units, including 3rd Special Forces Group. Lt. Col. Nichole Downs, a spokeswoman for U.S. Army Cadet Command, which oversees ROTC personnel, said the Fort Knox, Ky.-based command was aware of the federal indictment against Maj. Heather Hammond and will fully cooperate, if asked. Christopher Hammond faces five charges including embezzlement and theft of government property, wire fraud and money laundering. Heather Hammond faces a charge that she knowingly used laundered money and aided her husbands scheme. It was not clear Thursday whether the couple had retained lawyers. Christopher Hammonds Army biography was not available Thursday, according to the service. Dickson said Hammond had been stationed at 3rd Special Forces Group since 2018, but he was not a Green Beret. Heather Hammond has served 11 years in the Army and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, according to Downs. She is assigned as an assistant professor of military science at Campbell University, a private college located in Buies Creek, N.C., about 20 miles north of Fort Bragg. NAPLES, Italy The commander of a U.S. Navy Growler squadron assigned to an aircraft carrier strike group deployed to the Mediterranean Sea since December has been relieved of his duties, the service said Wednesday in a statement. The Navy cited a loss of confidence in Cmdr. Matthew McCormick in removing him from his leadership post in Electronic Attack Squadron, or VAQ, 137, although it did not give details about his dismissal. He had been in his position since September 2021. The squadron flies Boeing EA-18G Growlers, a variant of the F/A 18 family that is designed for electronic attack warfare while retaining the range of capabilities of the F/A 18E/F Super Hornet, according to the Navys website. Cmdr. Scott Maynes, executive officer of VAQ 137, is serving as acting commanding officer of the squadron until a replacement is identified. McCormick temporarily was reassigned to Electronic Attack Wing Pacific at Naval Station Whidbey Island in Washington state, according to the statement. VAQ 137 is deployed with USS Harry S. Truman, which currently is sailing in the Ionian Sea, according to the USNI fleet tracker. In December, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered Truman to stay in the Mediterranean as fears grew in the face of mounting Russian aggression in southeastern Europe. The carrier, which left Norfolk, Va., on Dec. 1, had been slated for deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet in the Middle East. The Mediterranean is part of the area of operations of the Naples-based U.S. 6th Fleet. Since then, Truman has supported training and patrol flights from the Mediterranean, participated in naval exercises with NATO allies and partners and made port calls in Crete, Croatia and Italy. Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras installed by U.N. inspectors at nuclear sites around the country, widening a dispute over Tehran's program as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Here's a timeline of the major events involving Iran's atomic program, which first came to the country under American aspirations of peaceful energy but later found itself the target of Western fears over the Islamic Republic's intentions. EARLY DAYS 1957 Under Iran's ruling Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Tehran signs a civilian nuclear cooperation arrangement with its ally, the United States. 1967 Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under America's "Atoms for Peace" program. 1974 Amid its oil boom, the shah announces plans to build 23 nuclear reactors while also having full control of the nuclear fuel cycle opening the door to being able to build atomic weapons. That rattles U.S. officials, who limit American companies from selling to Iran. The shah lends $1 billion for the construction for the Eurodif enrichment facility in France to be able to purchase 10% of its product. 1975 German firm Kraftwerk Union begins construction of Busher nuclear power plant as part of $4.8 billion deal for four reactors. The shah tells an interviewer: "Honestly, I am not really thinking of nuclear arms. But if 20 or 30 ridiculous little countries are going to develop nuclear weapons, then I may have to revise my policies." 1979 The shah, fatally ill, flees Iran amid rising popular protests against him. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Iran's nuclear program goes fallow under international pressure. 1980s During its bloody war with Iran, Iraq repeatedly attacks stalled construction at Bushehr nuclear power plant. 1987 Iran makes a deal with Pakistani nuclear scientist and black-marketeer A.Q. Khan for centrifuge designs, which ultimately become the program's workhorse IR-1 units. DIPLOMATIC CONFRONTATIONS August 2002 Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Iran's secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. June 2003 Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations. Washington refuses to join. October 2003 Iran suspends uranium enrichment. February 2006 Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations. June 2006 The United States, Russia and China join Britain, France and Germany to form the P5+1 group of world powers trying to persuade Iran to curb its nuclear program. The U.S., however, stays away from negotiations. December 2006 The U.N. Security Council imposes the first set of sanctions on Iran, banning the sale of sensitive nuclear technology. Five more Security Council resolutions follow by 2010, tightening sanctions on the Islamic Republic. November 2007 The number of uranium-enriching centrifuges assembled by Iran reaches about 3,000 and its stockpile of low-enriched uranium grows, increasing fears among nuclear nonproliferation experts. July 2008 Under President George W. Bush, the United States joins the nuclear talks for the first time. June 2009 Iran's disputed presidential election sees hard-liner Ahmadinejad re-elected despite fraud allegations, sparking Green Movement protests and violent government crackdown. September 2009 Western leaders reveal Iran's covert construction of its Fordo enrichment facility, built under a mountain to protect it from possible airstrikes. October 2009 Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. and Iran open a secret backchannel for messages in the sultanate of Oman. February 2010 Iran begins enriching uranium to near 20%, a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. May 2010 Brazil and Turkey announce their own nuclear deal with Iran, but the arrangement quickly falls apart. January 2011 Negotiations between Iran and the six world powers break off for what becomes a 15-month hiatus. May 2011 After Russian assistance, Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant begins operations. November 2011 The IAEA says Iran had a "structured" military nuclear weapons program that ended in 2003. Iran denies that, though Western governments including the U.S. also say it. January 2012 The IAEA says Iran is enriching to 20% at Fordo. The European Union freezes the assets of Iran's Central Bank and halts Iranian oil imports. April 2012 Public negotiations restart between Iran and the six world powers but go nowhere. July 2012 U.S. and Iranian officials hold face-to-face secret talks in Oman. August 2013 Hassan Rouhani, a relatively moderate cleric and former nuclear negotiator, becomes Iran's president. He declares his country ready for serious nuclear talks. September 2013 Rouhani and Obama speak by telephone, the highest-level exchange between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif begin diplomatic exchanges. November 2013 Iran and the six powers announce an interim agreement that temporarily curbs Tehran's nuclear program and unfreezes some Iranian assets. The deal sets the stage for extended negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear accord. April 2015 A framework nuclear deal is announced after months of negotiations, outlining long-term restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and the removal of many international sanctions. July 14, 2015 World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement. THE DEAL COLLAPSES January through February 2017 Tensions escalate after President Donald Trump's inauguration. His administration bans Iranians and citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. Iran conducts a ballistic missile test, triggering American threats of reprisals. May 2018 Trump unilaterally withdraws the U.S. from the nuclear agreement, calling it the "worst deal ever." He says he'll get better terms in new negotiations to stop Iran's missile development and support for regional militias. Those talks don't happen. August 2018 The Trump administration re-imposes the first round of sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the nuclear accord, targeting a range of sectors from carpets and pistachios to gold and commercial aircraft. November 2018 The U.S. re-enforces the most onerous sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the deal, targeting Iran's vital banking and oil sectors. April 2019 Trump designates Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization, marking the first time the U.S. has blacklisted part of another nation's military in this way. May 5, 2019 Citing unspecified Iranian threats, the White House sends the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf in a show of force. May 8, 2019 Iran announces it will begin backing away from the accord, setting a 60-day ultimatum for Europe to compensate for American-led sanctions before it will begin enriching uranium to higher levels. May 13, 2019 Four oil tankers, including two belonging to Saudi Arabia, come under mysterious attack off the United Arab Emirates. U.S. officials blame Iran. May 15, 2019 A drone attack strikes a major oil pipeline running across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim responsibility. Riyadh blames Tehran, which denies involvement. June 13, 2019 Explosions cripple two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. blames Iran for the limpet mine attacks, allegations that Iran denies. June 17, 2019 Trump orders another 1,000 troops to the Middle East, on top of 1,500 dispatched the month before to surveil Iranian activities and protect American forces. June 20, 2019 Iran's Revolutionary Guard shoots down a U.S. spy drone in the Strait of Hormuz with a surface-to-air missile. Trump announces that he approved retaliatory military strikes on Iran but pulled back at the last minute. June 25, 2019 Trump imposes new sanctions on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, and his associates. July 1, 2019 Iran announces it has exceeded the nuclear deal's curbs on its low-enriched uranium stockpile. July 19, 2019 Iran's Revolutionary Guard seizes a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The British military had earlier impounded an Iranian tanker near Gibraltar on suspicion of sanctions violations. Sept. 3, 2019 The U.S. sanctions Iran's civilian space agency, alleging the program is cover for testing ballistic missile technology. Sept. 7, 2019 Iran begins spinning advanced centrifuges prohibited under the 2015 deal. Sept. 14, 2019 Drone attacks strike two key oil installations in Saudi Arabia, halving the supply of oil from the world's largest exporter. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claim responsibility. U.S. and Saudi officials blame Iran, which denies involvement. Nov. 6, 2019 Iran injects uranium gas into centrifuges at its underground Fordo facility. Nov. 15, 2019 A hike in government-set gasoline prices amid a worsening economic crisis sparks a wave of demonstrations across Iran. Security forces launch a brutal crackdown, with over 300 people believed killed. December 2019 A rocket attack on an Iraqi military base kills an American civilian contractor and wounds several troops. American retaliatory airstrikes prompt supporters of Iranian-backed fighters to storm the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad. Jan. 3, 2020 A U.S. drone strike in Baghdad kills Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran's top general and the architect of Tehran's proxy wars in the Middle East. Jan. 8, 2020 In retaliation for Soleimani's killing, Iran launches a barrage of missiles at military bases in Iraq that are home to thousands of American and Iraqi troops. More than 100 U.S. service members suffer traumatic brain injuries. As Iran braces for a counterattack, the Revolutionary Guard shoots down a Ukrainian passenger plane shortly after takeoff from Tehran's international airport, reportedly mistaking it for a U.S. cruise missile. All 176 people on board are killed. Iran initially blames mechanical problems for the crash. Jan. 14, 2020 After days of denial, Iran's announces it was responsible for shooting down the Ukrainian jetliner, sparking anti-government street protests. April 22, 2020 Iran's Revolutionary Guard launches its first satellite into space, revealing what experts describe as a secret military space program. April 23, 2020 Following tense encounters in the vital Strait of Hormuz, including the brief seizure of a Hong-Kong flagged tanker, Trump threatens to "shoot down and destroy" Iranian gunboats harassing U.S. Navy ships. July 2020 A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on archenemy Israel. October 2020 A decade-long U.N. arms embargo on Iran that banned it from purchasing foreign weapons expires as scheduled under the nuclear deal, despite American objections. November 2020 Joe Biden beats Trump in the U.S. presidential election. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an Iranian scientist named by the West as the leader of Tehran's military nuclear program, is killed in an ambush on the outskirts of Tehran. Iran blames Israel. December 2020 In retaliation for the killing of Fakhrizadeh, Iran's parliament approves a bill that would suspend U.N. inspections of its nuclear facilities and require the government to boost uranium enrichment. Jan. 4, 2021 Iran begins enriching uranium up to 20% and seizes a South Korean-flagged tanker near the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Feb. 23, 2021 The IAEA loses access to its surveillance cameras, as well as data from its online enrichment monitors and electronic seals, amid a standoff with Iran. Tehran pledges to hold onto the tapes and give them back when granted sanctions relief. April 6, 2021 Iran and the U.S. begin indirect negotiations in Vienna over how to restore the nuclear deal. April 9, 2021 Iran frees the South Korean-flagged tanker it earlier seized. April 11, 2021 A second attack within a year targets Iran's Natanz nuclear site, with suspicion falling on Israel. April 16, 2021 Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60% its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%. June 2, 20121 The largest warship in Iran's navy catches fire and sinks in the Gulf of Oman under mysterious circumstances, a major setback amid confrontations at sea with the West. June 19, 2021 Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, wins the presidency in a vote that saw polling places largely deserted despite pleas to support the Islamic Republic at the ballot box. June 23, 2021 An attack targets a centrifuge workshop in the Iranian city of Karaj, also damaging IAEA cameras at the site. July 29, 2021 A fatal drone attack kills two on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman. The U.S. military identifies the drone as Iranian. Tehran denies being involved. Oct. 26, 2021 A cyberattack cripples gas stations across Iran. Dec. 1, 2021 The IAEA says Iran has begun feeding a cascade of 166 advanced IR-6 centrifuges at its underground Fordo facility. Dec. 15, 2021 The IAEA and Iran reach a deal to reinstall cameras damaged at Karaj, although inspectors remain limited on what footage they can access. March 5, 2022 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov links restoring Iran's nuclear deal to American sanctions targeting Moscow over its war on Ukraine, further complicating negotiations. March 8, 2022 Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says it launches a new reconnaissance satellite as U.S. intelligence agencies warn Tehran could seek 90% enrichment if negotiations fail. March 12, 2022 Nuclear talks in Vienna break off without an agreement due to Russia's demand for guarantees that its ties with Tehran be exempt from Western sanctions over Ukraine. March 13, 2022 Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims responsibility for a ballistic missile attack that strikes near the U.S. Consulate in northern Iraq. May 11, 2022 In a last-ditch diplomatic push, the European Union sends its envoy for the nuclear talks to Tehran, as negotiations hit a deadlock over Iran's demand that Washington lift its terrorism designation on the Revolutionary Guard. During the visit, Tehran arrests two French citizens on widely criticized security charges. May 22, 2022 A senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard is shot dead in downtown Tehran by unidentified gunmen on a motorbike, a brazen attack echoing previous targeted slayings blamed on Israel. May 27, 2022 Iran seizes two Greek oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in retaliation for Greece's role in the U.S. seizure of crude oil from an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Mediterranean Sea over sanctions violations. June 8, 2022 IAEA board of governors censures Iran over failing to provide answers on man-made traces of uranium found at three undeclared sites. Iran disconnects two IAEA surveillance cameras. June 9, 2022 Iran begins disconnecting 27 IAEA surveillance cameras at the country's nuclear sites, further blinding inspectors, as it prepares to install more cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz. WASHINGTON A resolution urging NATO to quickly admit Finland and Sweden won easy passage in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, in a signal of bipartisan support from lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans on the committee approved the measure supporting the expansion and urging other NATO states to swiftly admit the two Nordic states by voice vote, with no voiced objections. Thursday's vote had been seen as a test of Republican lawmakers' stand on the expansion, which President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind. Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to end longstanding policies of military non-alignment and apply to join the 30-member U.S. and European defensive alliance. Biden encouraged the two countries' application and welcomed their leaders to the White House in May to celebrate it. Unexpected opposition from NATO member Turkey has clouded what had been expected to be quick ascension to the bloc by the two countries. Turkey says it objects to the two countries' stances regarding the Middle East's Kurdish minority. The war in Ukraine has become a brutal, grinding contest of attrition. As the conflict drags on, the question becomes, which side does time favor? Kyiv is betting that its leverage will increase as an isolated Russia comes face to face with economic and military ruin. Russian President Vladimir Putins wager is that he can devastate Ukraine even with a weakened army, while using the threat of global economic chaos to sever Kyivs lifeline to the outside world. Each side is trying to bleed and batter the other into submission, a dynamic that will fuel far-reaching instability and present the United States with nasty challenges. In recent weeks, the fighting has occurred primarily in eastern Ukraine. Russia is using hellacious artillery barrages and methodical attacks to slowly seize more territory, in hopes of fully liberating the Donbas region. Ukraine is hanging on, inflicting terrible casualties while also suffering, by President Volodymyr Zelenskyys own admission, heavy losses. Notwithstanding Russian territorial gains, Ukraine still has reason for optimism. Its military power is, in important respects, increasing, as Kyiv receives longer-range artillery and other sophisticated weapons from Western countries. Some of the worlds top intelligence services are also effectively working for Kyiv, providing information that helps Ukrainian military leaders anticipate the enemys blows and strike plenty of their own. Russias military power, in contrast, will probably atrophy in a long war, because Russias economy and defense industry are subject to harsh sanctions, and the morale of its forces will fade as casualties mount. As long as Ukraine has most of the worlds advanced democracies behind it, it can plausibly hope to weaken and ultimately break the Russian army and then perhaps recapture some of the territory Moscow has stolen. Yet there are crucial caveats. One is the threat of Zelenskyy fatigue the danger that Western leaders will tire of Kyivs requests for money and guns at a time when their own economies are weakening and their own arsenals are being depleted. A recent $40 billion U.S. support package for Ukraine drew Republican criticism on these grounds. If the costs of the war keep rising, and if Zelenskyy keeps insisting that Ukraine will liberate all the territory Russia has taken since 2014, his foreign backers may come to see him as not an inspiration but a burden. That prospect will interact with Putins strategy, which involves riding out sanctions while turning Ukraine into a disaster zone. The blockade of Ukraines Black Sea ports, especially Odesa, is making it prohibitively difficult to export wheat and other goods. The ongoing brutalization of the country has caused a catastrophic economic contraction. Russia may not be able to defeat Ukraine militarily, but it can wreck the economy and force Kyiv to make enormous demands on its international supporters for years to come. Moreover, Putin is using the prospect of global economic carnage as a means of geopolitical coercion. If Ukraine cant export wheat, countries around the world will suffer. High energy prices are exacerbating recessionary pressures in developed and developing economies alike. By inflicting enough pain, perhaps Putin can peel away reluctant members, such as Germany, from the democratic coalition and make Ukraine sue for peace. Global chaos could help Putin in other ways, too: The longer the war lasts, the higher the chance a major crisis over Iran or Taiwan will pull U.S. attention elsewhere. Indeed, whether or not this strategy succeeds, it will test Washington. In response to Moscows economic strangulation campaign, the United States could use Russian state assets it has frozen to sustain and rebuild Ukraine. Yet that would unavoidably increase global fears about the weaponization of American financial dominance. The U.S. could try to turn the tables on Putin by dialing up economic coercion of Russia. But this would probably require greater use of secondary sanctions penalizing third parties that do business with Moscow which would in turn cause greater friction with countries that rely on Russian oil or other exports. Perhaps most ticklish is the issue of restoring Ukraines ability to export (especially wheat) to the world. This is crucial to easing the economic shocks the war has caused. Yet it might require taking steps such as escorting Ukrainian ships, re-flagging them as American, or forcibly opening a secure land or maritime corridor actions that would project U.S. power into the heart of an ongoing war. Rather than aiming primarily to deter Russia from attacking NATO countries, the U.S. would then be trying to compel Russia to stop impeding Ukraines trade with the world. This could lead to a perilous moment, as success in relieving economic pressure from Russia could amount to the failure of Putins strategy for winning the war. The conflict in Ukraine may seem to have settled into a violent equilibrium. But the turmoil that war produces, and the global dilemmas it presents, have only begun. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Hal Brands is the Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies and co-author of Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. LOS ANGELES It was the sort of diplomatic rebuff a small country like El Salvador generally can rarely afford to make. In the run-up to this week's Summit of Americas in Los Angeles, senior U.S. officials frantically worked the phones seeking to boost attendance amid threats of a boycott from Mexico's president and other leftist leaders over the exclusion of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Among those efforts, the State Department sent a message that Secretary of State Antony Blinken wanted to speak with President Nayib Bukele last weekend, a rare show of comity from a Biden administration that for months had been blasting the Central American leader as a power-hungry populist. "Participating in the Summit is a very good opportunity for President Bukele to explain his perspective to the Salvadoran community in LA and Joe Biden," Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols wrote in a message to Bukele's ambassador in Washington. In the end, Bukele didn't take the bait and the call never happened, said two people close to the Salvadoran president, who insisted on being given anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic dealings. Another request to set up a call with Blinken, made through the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, was similarly rebuffed, according to the two people, one of whom showed The Associated Press a copy of the messages. The concerted effort by Blinken to reach out to one of the Biden administration's frequent targets in Latin America underscores the lengths to which U.S. officials went to avoid an embarrassing flop at the summit. It also demonstrates how controversial leaders like Bukele, who skirted criticism from the Trump administration in exchange for wholesale support of its crackdown on migration, have struggled to adjust to a return to a traditional foreign policy under Biden. Bukele is one of 11 Western Hemisphere leaders who have stayed away from the summit, which is taking place on U.S. soil for the first time since it was launched in 1994. Some, like the leaders of Mexico, Honduras and Grenada, are doing so to protest the exclusion of fellow leftists from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Others, like Bukele and Guatemala's Alejandro Giammattei, are frustrated with Washington's finger wagging over corruption and human rights abuses. "It's clear the Biden administration wasn't sensitive to how these leaders were feeling," said Michael Shifter, who recently retired as head of the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue. "You can be tough on corruption, but there's a tradeoff, and you shouldn't expect others to play along just because there's a phone call from the White House. That's the reality that the Biden team doesn't really grasp." Shifter pointed out that both Bukele and Giammattei were not among the more than 100 leaders invited to attend last year's Summit for Democracy, which included leaders of authoritarian bent like Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro and Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. "These are things these leaders don't forget," Shifter said. The State Department declined to comment when asked Thursday about the outreach to Bukele. But Bukele's lack of a response to Blinken's request for a phone call convinced U.S. officials there wasn't much they could do to improve relations and the U.S. eventually dropped the diplomatic outreach, said a person familiar with the effort. Bukele has won strong support from Salvadorans by taking a tough stance against gangs and going after traditional politicians in charge during decades of corrupt rule that followed the end of the country's bloody civil war. His critics in the U.S. say that in concentrating power Bukele is undermining already fragile institutions. Since Biden has taken office the U.S. has sanctioned several of his top aides over corruption. A similar dynamic has played out in neighboring Guatemala, where Blinken recently said Giammattei's choice for attorney general was engaged in "significant corruption." The Biden administration has downplayed the leader absences, pointing to a summer visit to the White House by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as one example of how countries in the region will continue to work with the United States on migration and other issues. "The substantive work of the summit has in no way, shape or form been touched or adjusted or reduced by the participation question," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Wednesday aboard Air Force One on its way to the summit. ___ Associated Press writer Matt Lee in Washingon contributed to this report. CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Japanese police on Okinawa rearrested a Defense Department teacher and a school nurse on Wednesday on suspicion of growing cannabis at home, extending their jail time as much as 20 days. John R. Gouldman, 59, a teacher at Kadena Middle School, and Holly A. Gouldman, 57, a nurse at Kubasaki High School at Camp Foster, were indicted Tuesday on charges of cannabis possession stemming from their arrest May 17 at their Chatan home, a spokeswoman for the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. Once indicted for alleged possession, the Gouldmans were arrested again by police the next day on suspicion of growing cannabis, a tactic that permits authorities to hold the pair another 20 days. Japan does not permit defendants to post bail prior to an indictment. Until then, they may be held 10 days with a possible 10-day extension, according to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. Local police acting on a tip from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service allegedly discovered about two ounces of cannabis at the Gouldmans home, a spokesman for the Okinawa Police Station told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. The two were employed by the Department of Defense Education Activity. He said the Gouldmans allegedly had 32 cannabis plants growing at home but were only charged initially with possession. Withholding the cultivation charge until the couples indictment for possession allowed police to keep them in custody, so that we can investigate the case carefully, the police spokesman said. No date is set for their first court appearance on the possession charge, according to a spokeswoman for Naha District Court over the phone Thursday. Government spokespeople in Japan customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity. TAIPEI, Taiwan A French parliamentary delegation pledged support for Taiwan during a meeting Thursday with the president of the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its own territory with no right to diplomatic recognition. Senator Joel Guerriau, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces, told Tsai Ing-wen he would "help Taiwan oppose its oppressors and promote Taiwan's freedom." Tsai, who won a second term as president in 2020, emphasized the strong connection between Taiwan's high-tech economy and countries in the European Union. "We expect Taiwan and France to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields," Tsai said. France assumed the presidency of the Council of the EU in January. The visit is the third by French lawmakers to Taiwan in recent months, and follows a meeting earlier this week between Tsai and a group of Slovak lawmakers who offered similar expressions of support for the island's democracy. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said "China is firmly opposed to any forms of official and political contacts between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic ties with China." "We urge the relevant party to avoid sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, and take concrete actions to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," Zhao said at a daily briefing. Taiwan has drawn increasing support from European nations in defiance of China, while current and retired U.S. politicians have also visited the island to show Washington's backing. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department notified Congress that it has approved a possible sale of $120 million in spare parts for ships to Taiwan. China strongly opposes such sales. French Senators Vincent Eble, Sylvie Goy-Chavent, Dany Wattebled and Ludovic Haye were accompanying Guerriau on the six-day visit. In February, the European Commission unveiled the European Chips Act aimed at enabling the EU to work more closely with Taiwan and other world leaders in the semiconductor industry. China routinely threatens retaliation against politicians and countries that show support for Taiwan, which has only informal relations with the U.S., France and most other countries as a result of Chinese diplomatic pressure. Beijing downgraded relations and blocked imports from Lithuania, a member of both the EU and NATO, after the Baltic nation broke with diplomatic custom by agreeing that a Taiwanese representative office in its capital of Vilnius would bear the name Taiwan instead of Chinese Taipei, which other countries use to avoid offending Beijing. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. A plan proposed by the Group of Seven nations to mitigate a looming global food crisis is confronting an immovable force India. Next week in Geneva, the world's trade ministers will consider a proposal that's backed by more than 50 nations to avoid a cascade of international food export restrictions that may spark destabilizing, hunger-driven conflicts in the world's most volatile regions. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to ban wheat exports from India is thwarting international efforts to combat rising food prices. "At the end of the day they are making matters worse," European Union Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said in an interview with Bloomberg. "Worse for the most vulnerable countries exactly those who need support during this food security crisis." Russia's war with Ukraine disrupted global trade for critical cereals, oils and fertilizer, which drove food prices to an all-time high in March, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Faced with the prospect of rising food prices at home, more than two dozen nations have responded with export restrictions for food and fertilizer, according to data provided by the University of St. Gallen's Global Trade Alert. At a time when nearly 200 million people are already facing crisis-level food insecurity, there's a risk that this trend toward protectionism could lead to a domino effect and aggravate shortages in net food importing nations like Egypt. Such a scenario is not without precedent. It happened 15 years ago when a global spike in food prices led to a wave of major economies banning critical exports. The 2007-2008 food crisis sparked civil unrest in poorer Asian and African nations and emerged as a contributing factor to the Arab Spring protests in nations like Algeria and Tunisia. "Look at what happened with the Arab Spring and the anarchy; that was really the result of high food prices," said Flexport CEO Ryan Peterson at the World Economic Forum last month. "I predict you are going to see similar levels of crisis across any food importing nation, especially the poor ones that don't have fossil fuels." India could play a key role in averting a downward spiral of food protectionism at this week's World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Geneva. But New Delhi is effectively stymieing all negotiations at the WTO and putting at risk the G-7's effort to prevent an acceleration of food prices. India is also blocking a popular deal to aid the World Food Program's ability to purchase critical foods for humanitarian aid. The WTO operates according to the principal of consensus, which means any one of its 164 members can block any agreement for any reason. "If we don't find solutions, the countries that would suffer would be the poorer countries of the world," WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said at the World Economic Forum. So, why is India holding the G-7's plan hostage? Modi's government wants to water down the WTO's subsidy rules for public stockholding programs aimed at feeding poor citizens. While WTO rules permit nations to buy food to help feed poor citizens, they restrict programs that do so by exclusively sourcing from local farmers, and prohibiting food exports from these programs. India has long been concerned that its program, which buys exclusively from Indian farmers and has exported in the past, could be challenged at the WTO as illegal. While the WTO's agriculture negotiations have been deadlocked on this issue for decades, India argues that the looming food crisis has brought a new urgency to this debate. "We have requested the WTO to remove the condition that we cannot remove our grain stocks procured for food security," Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told World Economic Forum attendees. "If the WTO would consider removing that clause there could be many countries that we could help with their grain requirements." The Indian embassy in Geneva and the Trade Ministry in New Delhi didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The US and other major agricultural exporters fundamentally oppose India's request to stock up unlimited reserves of subsidized crops and then dump them on global markets. This view is backed by the politically influential US farm lobby, which argues that India's plan would distort trade flows in ways that may actually increase global food insecurity. "It has been our long-standing position that market price support systems for food security don't work," said US Ambassador to the WTO Maria Pagan. "Every time we open up a conversation about agriculture we end up talking about public stockholding as if it's the only thing," Pagan told Bloomberg in an interview. "That is simply not the case. There is no pre-ordained permanent solution." CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea The estimated $650 million spent by North Korea on a record number of missile launches since January would pay for one dose of COVID-19 vaccine for each of its citizens, according to a South Korean defense institute. North Korea spent between $400 million and $650 million on its missile tests, said a report Thursday by the government-funded Korea Institute for Defense Analyses based in Seoul. The communist regime has fired an estimated 28 to 33 ballistic missiles in 17 rounds of tests so far this year. Manufacturing the missiles runs between $208 million and $325 million, or about 50% to 80% of the total cost, according to the report. Labor accounts for 10% to 30% and miscellaneous expenses make up the difference. That total is still less than the $800 million needed to procure one battery of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, a U.S.-manufactured missile defense system deployed to South Korea since 2017. With the $650 million high-end estimate for its launches, North Korea might have obtained 20 million to 33 million doses of coronavirus vaccine, about one for each of its 25 million people, or relieved the nations food shortage for the year, according to the institute. North Korea is believed to be undergoing a COVID-19 outbreak. After denying a problem with the coronavirus respiratory disease since the pandemic began in March 2020, the Norths state-run media starting in May has reported more than 4 million cases of an unspecified fever. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rebuked his countrys health officials for allowing the fever to spread, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The impoverished country, which is believed to have a vaccination rate close to zero, also refused offers of vaccines from COVAX, the World Health Organization program, and from South Korea. North Korea is also undergoing a food crisis, partly due to its self-imposed isolation from the world, and has a food gap wide enough keep its people hungry for two to three months, or about 860,000 metric tons, according to the CIA World Factbook. Meanwhile, the nations military has fired more missiles in five months than in any previous full year. The latest round of launches came May 25, when North Korea fired an unprecedented eight short-range ballistic missiles in a single event. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Greece against deploying forces on Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, after criticizing what he described as a growing U.S. military presence in the country. "Turkey will not step back from using its rights if necessary and will not give up its rights in the Aegean under the international agreements," Erdogan said Thursday at an annual military exercise on the Aegean coast. "I am not joking, I am speaking very seriously." Turkey is increasingly frustrated by what it sees as a growing Greek military buildup on islands close to its coastline and Western military support to fellow NATO member Greece, with which Ankara has long-running territorial conflicts. These frictions have escalated in recent years as Turkey mobilized its navy to claim rights over potential hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece has repeatedly called on Turkey to stop questioning its sovereignty over the Dodecanese a group of islands off the Turkish coast including Rhodes and Kos that were ceded to Greece by Italy following World War II. Athens says Turkish assertions are legally baseless and historically false. The country's Foreign Ministry published 16 maps detailing what it called Turkish "revisionism" regarding two treaties struck in 1923 and 1947. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu revisited the latter agreement on Monday, saying Greece must comply with the pact that allows only a small contingent of Greek soldiers on the Dodecanese. Erdogan late Wednesday also took aim at the U.S. military footprint in Greece, adding that Ankara doesn't believe the buildup is just about countering Russia. "There are nine U.S. bases right now. They were established in Greece. Against whom were they established? The answer they give is 'against Russia.' We don't buy it, take no offense," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. has increased its access to Greek bases since the two allies updated a mutual defense cooperation agreement between them in October 2021. Erdogan accused the U.S. and European countries, without naming them, of delivering significant amounts of weaponry, planes and helicopters to Greece. He also hinted that the alleged buildup may be aimed at confronting his country. Both Turkey and Greece claim territorial waters in the Aegean reaching six nautical miles from their coasts. Turkey's parliament in 1995 authorized the government to use military force if Greece expands its claim to 12 nautical miles. Turkey is concerned such a move could restrict its access to international waters and deprive it of maritime resources, including gas. While Greece defends its right to make that extension under the Law of the Sea, a United Nations convention, it hasn't announced plans to do so. BAKHMUT, Ukraine Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlin's forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to "take back" historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. The separatist side argued that the three were "mercenaries" not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. They are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraine's Russian-backed rebels. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko condemned the proceedings as legally invalid, saying, "Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality." He said that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraine's armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel and protected as such. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss pronounced the sentencing a "sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy." Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslin's and Pinner's families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops before Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April and Saadoun was captured in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Another British fighter taken prisoner by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine's side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. In other developments, Putin drew parallels between Peter the Great's founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russia's ambitions. When the czar founded the new capital, "no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden," Putin said. He added: "What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. That's what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well." Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. "It's impossible Do you understand? impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence," the Russian leader said. In other developments, French President Emmanuel Macron told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France was ready to send more "heavy weapons" to Ukraine, according to Macron's office. French officials did not elaborate on the weaponry. The phone conversation came after Macron angered Ukrainian officials by saying world powers should not "humiliate" Putin." Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army continued to push Russian forces back from Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which lies to the north of the Donbas. The transmission of Ukrainian television was restored after a TV tower was shelled. "Hitting television centers, destroying communication channels, leaving people isolated this is the tactic of the occupiers that they cannot do without, for openness and honesty also are weapons against all that the Russian state does," he said late Thursday in his evening address. On the battlefield: Fierce fighting dragged on in the city of Sievierodonetsk in a battle that could help determine the fate of the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland in the east. Moscow-backed separatists already held swaths of the Donbas before the invasion, and Russian troops have gained more. Residents of Kharkiv reported what appeared to be cruise missile strikes. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were immediately available. Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive to completely capture the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine's southeast, Ukrainian authorities said. Kyiv continues to hold the northern part of the region, including the city of Zaporizhzhia. Thirteen civilians were killed in Ukrainian shelling of the separatist-controlled city of Stakhanov in the Donbas, a pro-Russian separatist envoy said on social media. It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. Russia claimed it used missiles to strike a base west of the capital in the Zhytomyr region, where, it said, mercenaries were being trained. There was no immediate response from Ukrainian authorities. ___ Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Removing sea mines near Ukraine's key ports could take months, and hundreds of seafarers are still stranded in the region following Russia's invasion of the country, according to the United Nations agency responsible for shipping safety. "Even if the ports wanted to reopen tomorrow it would take some time until ships could enter or depart," Peter Adams, special adviser on marine security at the International Maritime Organization, said in an interview. "Completely removing sea mines in the port areas would take several months." Russian ships have blocked Ukraine's Black Sea access, essentially halting seaborne exports of staples from grains to chicken and worsening a global food crisis. The world's import bill for foodstuffs is set to reach a fresh record in 2022, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization. Moscow has denied responsibility for the disruption, blaming Ukraine for refusing to remove mines protecting its harbors from possible Russian attacks. Efforts to reopen the ports are stumbling, with no sign of progress from Turkey's efforts to broker a deal. Freight and insurance costs spiked after several merchant ships were hit in the early days of Russia's invasion, and some shipping companies are still avoiding the Black Sea. Three mines were detected free-floating in March, two off the coast of Turkey and one near Romania. In the northwest of the Black Sea near Ukraine, commercial ships have stopped operating, according to Adams. Some 450 foreign seafarers remain stranded on over 80 ships in Ukrainian ports, down from about 2,000, Adams said. A third are from the Philippines, with substantial numbers also from Turkey, Syria and Azerbaijan. Still, most of the Black Sea is back to near normal shipping levels, aside from the northwest and the Sea of Azov, where Russian vessels are mainly operating, he added. Ukraine lost access to the Sea of Azov after Russia occupied nearby territories. Meanwhile, the number of Libyan-flagged ships calling at Russian ports has increased since April 1 compared to the same period last year, while Russian-flagged ones doing so have doubled, according to Braemar ACM Shipbroking. Those boats are able to take advantage of elevated freight rates since others won't go to Russia, the company said. DNIPRO, Ukraine - The mourners arrived well before the military funeral was to begin, entire families crowding around a single coffin, side by side on a warm, sunny morning with other families and coffins. Two lines of soldiers, perhaps 100 in all, stood at attention as the Rev. Dmitro Povorotny and several other Ukrainian Orthodox priests entered the small cemetery, signaling that the mourners should step back from the caskets so the ceremony could begin. But one woman, overwhelmed with grief, could not. She sat on a bench crying as relatives comforted her. When a military band began playing Ukraines national anthem, she wept harder. Glory to Ukraine, an officer called out. Glory to the heroes, mourners responded. To visit Krasnopilske cemetery during a military funeral is to experience the brutal sweep of Ukraines war with Russia and the terrible intimacy of a familys loss. Twenty-seven soldiers were laid to rest last Friday. Of those, 12 were buried as unknowns in a military section that grows larger almost by the day. For Povorotny, the small cemetery on the outskirts of Dnipro speaks to the sacrifice his people have paid in blood since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion on Feb. 24. In just three months, the cemeterys military section has added 293 graves, compared with 175 in the previous eight years, since war broke out with Moscow-backed separatists in the eastern Donbas region in 2014. You can see how the war changed. And this is just one cemetery, one of thousands of cemeteries in Ukraine, said Povorotny, a military chaplain and archpriest in the Orthodox Church of Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk regions diocese. Povorotny has conducted about 10 mass burials at the cemetery since the war began, he said in an interview following Fridays ceremony. Every week, he conducts one or two individual funerals, too. He estimated that more than 700 members of the military have been killed in the Dniepropetrovsk region alone. But when he looks into the faces of the mourners, he said, hes convinced he can see their faith in ultimate victory, despite their losses and pain. Putin called it a special operation. Before that, they called it a civil war, Povorotny said, holding a hand over the wooden cross hanging from his neck. For us, its a real war of independence. The funerals that occur daily around Ukraine are also unfolding with new protocols that have been rewritten to reflect Western customs, such as those followed by the United States, and uniquely Ukrainian traditions, instead of those inherited from Russia and the Soviet Union. And they come as the nation discusses creating a new national cemetery in Kyiv that would serve Ukraine as Arlington National Cemetery has served the United States. Volodymyr Vyatrovich, a member of the Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, and a former head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, said in a Telegram post last month that parliament had agreed to create a national cemetery somewhere in or around Kyiv. To develop new military funeral practices, the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory looked at the countrys history of funeral rites, from the short-lived Ukrainian National Republic in the early 20th century to the burial practices among Cossacks, the bands of warriors who roamed Ukraines steppes hundreds of years ago. The institute also analyzed the modern military funeral rituals of Belgium, Israel, Poland, Turkey and the United States and visited U.S. military cemeteries. Their work culminated in a 2019 video by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs that shows in detail how a military funeral should be conducted. Some of the rituals would be familiar to anyone who has attended a funeral with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, including a new practice of draping the casket with the Ukrainian flag before folding and presenting it to the family. The new protocols also stipulate that up to six soldiers may fire three volleys in salute. At Fridays services, some of the new rituals were on display, such as the folding of the Ukrainian flag - though perhaps with less spit-and-polish precision than one might find where the custom has been conducted for generations. The 27 coffins - each draped with a blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag - were laid out before the ceremony in three neat rows with only enough room to walk between them. A wooden cross was laid atop each, with a sign bearing the soldiers name in ornate script. And on the coffins containing unidentified remains, the sign said, Here rests an unknown soldier forever to be remembered. Many mourners were dressed in black, including several older women wearing kerchiefs, but others wore T-shirts and shorts. Many were in uniform, including a young soldier whose military-green T-shirt was neatly folded and pinned over the stump of his missing right arm. Another mourner laid her cheek on a coffin, stroking the polished wood with her hand amid a hush so profound that the faint fluttering of the flags could be heard. When I look at the flags, its like looking at the souls of angels - and there are lots of them, you know? said Tetyana Kaikova, 34, who attended Friday with family members from around the country for the funeral of her cousin, Serhii V. Sushko. His tank was destroyed on his birthday, May 11, in fighting near the front lines in Donbas. Though he was pulled from the wreckage, he suffered severe burns and died three days later at a hospital in Dnipro. Sushko, who lived in Kherson and served in a tank crew in the 57th Motorized Brigade, was 49. When her cousin wasnt fishing, Kaikova said, he was often in the kitchen whipping up a delicious pot of borscht. Kaikova said she hadnt seen him in a year or so, but they talked on the phone often about getting together at her dacha, or countryside retreat, for a cookout. He was always smiling, always, said Kaikova, who works in an international trade firm. Sushkos once and future wife, Angela Pavluk, was also there to lay him to rest. After 18 years of amicable divorce, she and Sushko were making plans to marry again. Sushko was proudly self-reliant, self-effacing and patriotic, she said. A firefighter and paramedic, he refused to use a government pass that allowed him to ride public transit free and enlisted in the army soon after war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out in 2014. He didnt even bother to tell anyone about two military commendations that he had received since February. He wasnt afraid of anything. He went there from Day 1, Pavluk said. Marrying again was a decision that came from staying in touch all those years, and sharing in the lives of their three children and a granddaughter, Pavluk said. He was a really good father, Pavluk said. She even set aside coins and stamps that he might like to add to his beloved collection. In recent months, Sushko became so eager to wed that he offered to renew their vows online, Pavluk said. And I said that I do not want to do it that way, she recalled. Weve already had a wedding before, so I just wanted to have a small family gathering. This is something that we wanted to do, but now, well . . . we just didnt make it there. Instead, there would be a large family gathering, but of a different and terrible kind - to mourn, not celebrate. During the funeral ceremony, as Povorotny and the other priests intoned the names of the dead and chanted, and the incense smoke drifted through the crowd with the sweet aroma of myrrh and balsam, a thunderous sound rolled over the ceremony as an antiaircraft missile was fired skyward somewhere south of the city. The rocket cut across the sky, leaving behind a plume of white smoke that rose, twisted and began to dissolve. The priests continued their chanting, uninterrupted, as mourners turned their eyes upward, searching the sky. The Washington Posts Serhii Korolchuk, Wojciech Grzedzinski, Ievgenia Sivorka and Kostiantyn Tatarkin contributed to this report. BEIRUT The leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group threatened Thursday to strike a gas rig Israel is setting up in the Mediterranean Sea and that Lebanon claims is in a disputed maritime area between the two countries. Israel says the location is part of its U.N.-recognized exclusive economic zone. Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah, a staunch Iran ally, denounced in a televised address what he described as Israeli provocations in the maritime area. His speech followed a warning by Lebanese President Michel Aoun last Sunday who said that maritime border negotiations between the two countries have not ended, adding that any move by Israel such as drilling in the Karish field that Beirut calls disputed will be considered "a provocation and hostile act." Earlier this week, Energean Power, a floating production, storage and offloading unit belonging to the energy exploration and production company Energean, arrived in the Karish field. The company is listed in London and Tel Aviv and the ship's arrival triggered alarm in Lebanon. Aoun and Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati invited a U.S. envoy mediating between Lebanon and Israel to return to Beirut to try and work out an agreement. Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser for energy security at the U.S. State Department, is expected to arrive in Beirut the next few days. The U.S.-mediated indirect talks between Lebanon and Israel have been stalled for months amid disagreement within Lebanon over how big the disputed area is. Nasrallah said Israel should wait for the results of the negotiations and that any drilling that takes place before an agreement will be considered a direct assault on Lebanon. "All options are on the table," he said, adding that all security measures that the Israeli military takes will not be able to protect the gas rig. The ship and its owners, he said, should know that they are "partners in the aggression on Lebanon taking place today," Nasrallah said, calling for its immediate withdrawal from the area. "They bear full responsibility for what could happen to this ship, both in material damage and to its crew." Israel and the powerful Hezbollah group, which is armed and funded by Iran, are bitter enemies that fought an inconclusive, monthlong war in 2006. Since then, the border area has remained tense but mostly quiet. VIENNA Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday, warning this could deal a fatal blow to the tattered nuclear deal as Tehran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. The development comes a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors censured Tehran for failing to provide credible information over manufactured nuclear material found at three undeclared sites in the country. It also follows months of deadlocked over stalled talks aimed at restoring the Islamic Republic's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions remain high across the wider Middle East over the accord's collapse as U.S. sanctions and rising global food prices choke Iran's ailing economy, putting further pressure on its government and its people. This, of course, poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there," warned Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA's director-general. He added that if an agreement cannot be reached to restore the cameras in three to four weeks, this would be a fatal blow to Iran's nuclear deal. Already, Grossi warned that without the cameras, Iran could make centrifuges and divert them to unknown locations. When we lose this, then its anybodys guess, he added. Iran did not immediately acknowledge it was removing the 27 cameras, though it earlier threatened it could take more punitive steps. State media aired footage Thursday of workers disconnecting two IAEA cameras from power. It is not acceptable that they show inappropriate behavior while Iran continues to cooperate, Behrouz Kamalvandi, an Iranian nuclear program spokesman, said Wednesday of the IAEA officials. Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi struck a much more combative tone Thursday while visiting the central city of Shahr-e Kord. "Do you assume that we withdraw because of resolutions? he asked. In the name of God and in the name of the nation, Iran will not withdraw from its stance a single step. Grossi made the comments at a suddenly called news conference in Vienna, standing next to an example of the cameras installed across Iran. Iran will remove IAEA cameras from sites, including in Tehran, the underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, the facility in Isfahan and the Arak heavy water reactor in Khondab, he said. Forty-something IAEA cameras would remain active in Iran, Grossi said, though Tehran already has been withholding IAEA footage since February 2021 as a pressure tactic to restore the atomic accord. We are in a very tense situation with the negotiations on the revival of the (nuclear deal) at a low ebb, Grossi added. Now we are adding this to the picture; so, as you can see, its not a very nice one. On Wednesday, Iran said it shut off two devices that the IAEA uses to monitor enrichment at Natanz. Grossi acknowledged that Thursday, saying that among the devices being removed was the Online Enrichment Monitor and flowmeter. Those watch the enrichment of uranium gas through piping at enrichment facilities and allowed inspectors to remotely track its work. Meanwhile, the IAEA earlier Thursday said Iran informed the agency that it planned to install two new cascades of the IR-6 at Natanz. A cascade is a series of centrifuges hooked together to rapidly spin uranium gas to enrich it. An IR-6 centrifuge spins uranium 10 times faster than the first-generation centrifuges that Iran was once limited to under its nuclear deal with world powers. As of February, Iran already had been spinning a cascade of IR-6s at its underground facility at Fordo, according to the IAEA. Iran earlier said it planned to install one cascade of IR-6s at Natanz. The IAEA said it verified the ongoing installation of that cascade Monday, while the installing of the newly promised two other cascades had yet to begin. Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. Talks in Vienna about reviving the deal have been on a pause since March. Since the deals collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges and rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that America remains committed to a mutual return to the nuclear deal, but only if Iran drops its additional demands that are extraneous. That likely refers to Iran's insistence its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard be delisted by the U.S. as a terror group. Nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enriched enough up to 60% purity a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90% to make one nuclear weapon should it decide to do so. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Building a nuclear bomb would still take Iran more time if it pursued a weapon, analysts say, though they warn Tehrans advances make the program more dangerous. Israel has threatened in the past that it would carry out a preemptive strike to stop Iran and already is suspected in a series of recent killings targeting Iranian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised Wednesday's IAEA board vote to censure Tehran as a significant decision that exposes Irans true face. The IAEA vote is a clear warning light to Iran: If Iran continues its activity, the leading countries must bring the matter back to the U.N. Security Council, said Bennett, who made an unannounced trip Thursday to the United Arab Emirates. The crisis risks escalating further, however. On Wednesday night, a drone exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in the northern Kurdish region, slightly wounding three people and damaging cars and a nearby restaurant, officials said. The Iraqi Kurdish regions directorate-general of counterterrorism alleged on Thursday that the Iran-backed militia Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, launched the drone. The militia later denied launching the drone attack. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. BAGHDAD Eight months after national elections, Iraq still doesn't have a government and there seems to be no clear way out of the dangerous deadlock. Political elites are embroiled in cutthroat competition for power, even as the country faces growing challenges, including an impending food crisis resulting from severe drought and the war in Ukraine. For ordinary Iraqis, everything is delayed. The caretaker government is unable to make crucial electricity payments or draft plans for badly needed investment ahead of the critical summer months. Investments to upgrade water infrastructure have been paused while unemployment, water shortages and concerns over food security are drawing public anger. The election was held several months earlier than expected, in response to mass protests that broke out in late 2019 and saw tens of thousands rally against endemic corruption, poor services and unemployment. The vote brought victory for powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and was a blow for his Iran-backed Shiite rivals, who lost about two-thirds of their seats and have rejected the results. Personal vendettas spanning decades underpin the Shiite rivalry, pitting al-Sadr and his Kurdish and Sunni allies on one side against the Coordination Framework, a coalition led by Iran-backed Shiite parties, and their allies on the other. In the middle are the independents, themselves divided amid attempts by rival factions to lure them to either side. "It's not about power; it's about survival," said Sajad Jiyad, an Iraq-based fellow with The Century Foundation. Meanwhile, anger among the Iraqi public is growing as food prices soar and electricity cuts worsen. Last month, caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was forced to leave the Baghdad funeral of a celebrated poet after some mourners began chanting anti-government slogans and pelting the convoys of other government officials. "Political obstruction impacts the work of the government and the state, and lowers the morale of citizens," al-Kadhimi told reporters on Tuesday, blaming the impasse for obstructing his reform plans. The U.N. envoy for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, warned Iraqi political leaders last month that "the streets are about to boil over" and said national interests were "taking a backseat to short-sighted considerations of control over resources." Al-Sadr, whose party garnered the most seats in the election, has not been able to corral enough lawmakers to parliament to get the two-thirds majority needed to elect Iraq's next president a necessary step ahead of naming the next prime minister and selecting a Cabinet. Al-Sadr's tripartite alliance includes Taqadum, a Sunni party led by Mohammed Halbousi who was elected parliament speaker in January, and the Kurdish Democratic Party lead by Masoud Barzani. The bloc is intent on forming a majority government, which would be a first since a consensus-based power-sharing system was introduced following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq to oust dictator Saddam Hussein. The government would exclude Iran-backed Shiite rivals of the Coordination Framework, which includes former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law and the Kurdish Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party. Both al-Sadr and al-Maliki, longtime bitter political adversaries, have built up loyalists throughout ministries to advance their political agendas and fear that if in power, the other will use state resources including the judiciary, anti-corruption committees to purge institutions of rivals. Also, al-Sadr and Qais al-Khazali, whose powerful Iranian-backed militia is part of the Framework alliance, are engaged in a deadly feud, with assassination campaigns targeting members of their militias across Iraq's Shiite southern heartland. Paradoxically, the current stalemate is in part a consequence of parties moving away from sectarian-oriented groups. In the past, Shiite alliances would form a united front to negotiate with Sunni and Kurdish blocs. But this time, alliances have crossed sectarian lines, inflaming tensions within each sect. In the absence of an agreement, many fear violent protests by al-Sadr's large grassroots following and potential clashes with Iran-backed militias. In a May 16 speech, a visibly frustrated al-Sadr pledged never to strike a deal with his rivals. He also alluded to the capabilities of his own militia, Saraya Salam, which recently opened the doors for recruits in Babylon and Diyala provinces. In a sign of positions hardening, al-Sadr again vowed on Thursday not to back down and called on lawmakers from his bloc to prepare their resignations, although he stopped short of asking them to resign. Al-Sadr was also angered by a recent Iraqi Supreme Court decision prohibiting the caretaker government from drafting and passing laws. This effectively struck down an emergency food bill needed for the caretaker government to use public funds to pay for food items and buy energy from Iran in the absence of a budget. Al-Sadr, who had pushed the bill, saw the court's decision as a move leaning toward the Framework. However, in a small win for al-Sadr, Parliament convened late Wednesday and passed the food security bill. Iraqi militia leaders speak privately of concerns that the stalemate could ignite street protests by supporters of al-Sadr and dissolve into violence between them and rival armed Shiite militias. Iraq has in the past seen protracted political wrangling among rival groups on choosing a new president and prime minister, though the current stalemate in electing a president is the longest yet. This time, Iran has not been able to mend rifts between Shiite rivals a role that used to fall to the top Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in January 2020. At least three trips to Iraq by Soleimani's successor to mediate among Shiites failed to produce a breakthrough. Recently, Tehran cut 5 million cubic meters of gas exports to Baghdad, citing non-payment issues. Iraq's Electricity Minister Adel Karim told The Associated Press last month he had no idea how Iraq would pay the nearly $1.7 billion in arrears before the scorching summer months. Meanwhile, the independents parties drawn from the 2019 protest movement who ran under the so-called Imtidad list and won nine seats in the 329-seat legislature seem to have lost their way. They had sworn to become a formidable opposition force to represent the protesters' demands in parliament. The head of the movement, Alaa Rikabi, recently froze his position after members resigned over his vote in favor of electing Halbousi as parliament speaker. The protesters see Halbousi as complicit in the killings of activists during the protests. A spokesman for Imtidad, Rasoul Al-Saray, said the two Shiite blocs want to use the independents "to cover their failure to form a government." Some independents have said they faced threats and fear for their lives; one said he was offered tens of thousands of dollars in way of bribes to side with the anti-Sadrist group. The independents spoke anonymously, fearing for their safety. With prospects for a consensus government dwindling, some have floated the option of new elections. But Jiyad, the Century fellow, disagrees. "It's starting from zero and a risk to everyone," he said. TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with the snap trip coming as efforts to salvage a deal over Iran's nuclear program are stalled in a deepening standoff with Tehran. The visit was Bennett's second public trip to Abu Dhabi since Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize ties in 2020 after years of quiet cooperation, mainly over their shared concerns over Iran's nuclear capabilities. The Israeli leader met with the UAE's president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the two discussed "advancing the regional architecture" and other undisclosed regional affairs, Bennett's office said in a statement. Iran was likely to top the agenda. In a video statement before departing, Bennett commended countries at an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna on Wednesday that voted to censure Iran over its lack of transparency about nuclear activities at three undeclared sites in the country. "We see here a firm stance by the countries of the world regarding the distinction between good and evil, as they clearly state that Iran is concealing things. We will not let up on this issue," he said. The IAEA said Thursday that Iran plans to ramp up its uranium enrichment, with the installation of advanced centrifuges. Advanced uranium enrichment is a key component in the manufacture of a nuclear bomb. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy and it strongly opposed the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, which eased economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities. Israel says it wants an improved deal that places tighter restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and addresses Iran's long-range missile program and its support for hostile proxies along Israel's borders. Israel also says the negotiations must be accompanied by a "credible" military threat to ensure that Iran does not delay indefinitely. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. The withdrawal caused the deal to quickly unravel. Talks in Vienna over Iran's tattered nuclear deal have been stalled since April. Since the deal's collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges, and has a rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Israeli leaders have claimed Iran is just weeks away from accumulating enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon, though other components of a bomb are believed to be months or years away. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Israel and the UAE agreed to thaw ties under the U.S. brokered agreements known as the "Abraham Accords," which saw similar deals struck with Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Since then, Israel and the UAE have deepened ties in tourism and trade, to the dismay of the Palestinians who long relied on an Arab wall of support to serve as leverage against Israel. Bennett's trip comes as Israel is on the cusp of another political crisis, with members of his fragile coalition threatening to bolt unless the government can pass a law over the legal status of its West Bank settlers. WASHINGTON Private military housing companies would be subject to increased congressional scrutiny under draft legislation that House lawmakers approved Thursday for the Pentagons annual budget. A subpanel of the House Armed Services Committee voted to require the Defense Department to provide annual briefings on the health and status of private military family housing projects, adding a layer of oversight to a privatized housing system that has repeatedly exposed service members to poor living conditions. The measure will be marked up by the full committee on June 22 for the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, an annual military policy and spending bill. Lawmakers have taken an active interest in improving the state of privatized housing after persistent complaints of mold, asbestos, roof leaks, rodent infestations, electrical and fire hazards, and other dangerous conditions. People are our greatest asset, said Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., the subpanels chairman. We continue our work to ensure that our civilians, service members and their families are well taken care of. In April, a Senate investigation revealed a military housing company that pleaded guilty to defrauding the Army, Navy and Air Force continued to provide unsafe housing. An Army captain testifying at a congressional hearing on the report said his young daughter developed a painful skin condition due to black mold in their home. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., noted at the hearing in April that such stories have become commonplace in privatized housing. How can we get this under control? he said. This seems to be a problem that has just plagued military housing. The military doesn't want to deal with housing, so they contracted outside. Then you don't sit at the controls, so the contractors do the type of job that we all expect. Problems with privatized housing came to the forefront after a 2019 investigation by Reuters showed the squalid conditions that many American military families lived in. Congress approved sweeping overhaul measures in response, including a tenant bill of rights that gave residents more leverage with their landlords, but advocates have argued more needs to be done. The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to address military housing in its version of the defense authorization bill after voicing funding concerns last month. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., criticized the Army for decreasing its budget request for construction and family housing by 40% from last year while Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., took issue with a lack of progress on replacing aging Army garrison homes in his state. We need to fix our shameful military housing problem, and we need to do it as quickly as possible, Warren said. House lawmakers agreed on another housing reform measure Thursday that would standardize housing requirements across military installations by mandating military departments conduct analyses every five years. The 2020 NDAA directed all service branches to launch independent inspections of more than 200,000 military homes managed by private companies. The examinations cover home interiors and exteriors and will ultimately be presented in a report to Congress. The U.S. military has devised a plan to train a platoon of Ukrainian soldiers at a time on how to use sophisticated multiple-launch rocket artillery, the Pentagons top general said Wednesday, raising the likelihood that more of the weapons could be sent to Ukraine. The plan is contingent on an initial group of Ukrainian soldiers, now learning the system from U.S. troops in Germany, showing proficiency on it, said Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The transfer of additional rocket artillery to Ukraine from existing U.S. Army or U.S. Marine Corps stocks also would require explicit approval from the Biden administration. Weve got to start this thing with a program that is rational and deliberate and gets them trained to a standard where they become effective, Milley said, speaking to reporters as he returned to Washington from France. It will do no good to just throw this weapon system into the battle. Youve got to be trained on it to get the maximum effective use out of the weapon as a precision system. The comments came after the Biden administration last month approved the transfer of four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, commonly known as HIMARS, to Ukraine, and after Britain said it would send three M270 multiple-launch rocket systems, which perform a similar function. The British also will train a platoon at a time under the plan, Milley said, allowing Ukrainian forces to build up their rocket artillery. Ukrainian officials have said for days that they need dozens of rocket artillery systems to beat back Russian forces, who continue to make slow gains in Ukraines eastern Donbas region after a full-scale invasion launched Feb. 24. Milley said that the Russians have demonstrated that they are outgunning and outranging Ukrainian artillery so far in fighting in the eastern Donbas region, which has become the primary emphasis in Russian operations. The United States already has shipped Ukraine dozens of M777 howitzers, artillery that commonly launches explosive 155 mm rounds up to about 25 miles. Milley said Ukrainian forces have used those weapons to great effect, but the Ukrainians need some longer-range artillery systems that can reach farther distances. Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, left open the possibility that the United States could send additional HIMARS to Ukraine as he announced June 1 the first four systems had been approved. The United States first wants to get more information about how useful they are and how the Ukrainians are using them, he said. He predicted then that it would take about three weeks to train the first group of Ukrainian soldiers. Milley said Wednesday that it will take three or four. The Biden administration approved the transfer of the first four systems after receiving assurances from Ukraine that it would not use them to launch cross-border attacks on Russia, Kahl said. The administration also decided to send munitions for them that have a range of about 45 miles, rather than the long-range Advanced Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) that can reach up to 186 miles. Both the HIMARS and multi-launch system that the British are providing require a significant amount of training, Milley said. U.S. troops have developed an accelerated training program for Ukrainian soldiers who already have fired other kinds of artillery in part because they are not starting from scratch. The Ukrainians have very good artillerymen. Very good gunners. Theyre excellent at artillery, Milley said. But they have been using Soviet-era systems, and then transitioning to different [Western] systems. On Wednesday, Ukrainian forces remained locked in a brutal fight to maintain territory in the city of Severodonetsk, a key battleground in the Kremlins bid to capture the Donbas region, as Kyiv and Moscow continue to spar over a U.N.-backed proposal to avert worsening global food shortages by securing safe corridors for millions of tons of Ukrainian grain. Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said Ukrainian troops were facing an onslaught of Russian shelling that is targeting Ukrainian-held supply lines in Severodonetsk, the largest city in Ukraines Luhansk region, where Moscow claims it now controls 97% of the territory. Fierce battles are taking place . . . Our defenders are fighting for every inch of the city, said Haidai, who acknowledged that Ukrainian troops may need to withdraw to stronger positions. Local officials have confirmed that Russian forces have captured most residential areas in the city as part of their advance, but Britains Defense Ministry on Wednesday reported that Ukrainian defenses are holding and said neither side has gained much ground over the past day. Severodonetsk would be a significant symbolic win for Moscow, which claims it has recently restored rail and road links to the annexed Crimean peninsula via freshly captured Ukrainian cities, consolidating its gains in the countrys south. Turkish and Russian foreign ministers met in Ankara on Wednesday for substantial talks on a U.N.-backed proposal for secure safe shipping lanes, designed to facilitate exports of some 20 million tons of grain trapped by a Russian blockade of the Black Sea ports. The blockade has raised alarms over a potential global food shortage that could lead to famine in developing countries if shipments arent able to leave the ports, some of which have been littered with defensive Ukrainian mines and are under fire from Russian land and sea units. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said following the meeting that the proposal which reportedly includes a plan for Turkey to assist in demining the Ukrainian ports and escorting commercial vessels was reasonable. He also said its entirely legitimate for Russia to request relief from sanctions on its own exports as part of any deal. No immediate agreements have come of the talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday blamed Ukraine for the impasse and said Russia was willing to provide security guarantees if Kyiv agreed to remove mines from its Black Sea ports or ensure passage through the minefields, as our Turkish friends are telling us. Lavrov denied the current global food shortage was linked to the war in Ukraine, while European Union leaders railed against what they say are Russian efforts to weaponize food supplies since the invasion began. Speaking in the European Parliament on Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Unions executive branch, said the blockade on Ukrainian grain was a cold, callous and calculated siege by Putin on some of the worlds most vulnerable countries. Ukraine has made urgent calls for a deal on the shipping lanes, but remains wary of the U.N. proposal, which it says could allow Russia to exploit safe zones to carry out strategic attacks on southern cities, including Odessa, which is still under Ukrainian control. The White House announced on Wednesday that President Joe Biden will travel to Europe for Group of Seven and NATO summits later this month where he will meet with global leaders to discuss further efforts so support Ukraine, as well as the food and energy crisis caused by the conflict. Foreign fighters from Britain and Morocco who joined the war in Ukraine against Russia have gone on trial this week, according to Russian media. Two British men, Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, as well as a Moroccan identified as Brahim Saadoun, appeared in a courtroom behind bars in footage on the Belarusian outlet Nexta. They were asked whether they had any objections to their indictments, and all answered no before taking a seat. The men are accused of acting as mercenaries, according to Nexta. The trial is taking place in a pro-Russian separatist region of Donetsk, under the control of the prosecutor generals office of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic. Meanwhile, nuclear radiation detectors are back up and running at the Chernobyl site for the first time since the war began, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said. Dozens of radiation detectors are once again transmitting data, after teams succeeded in reviving a vital information link that was cut at the start of the conflict more than 100 days ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement Tuesday. The detectors were set up after the 1986 nuclear disaster at Chernobyl to monitor radiation levels around the defunct plant in northern Ukraine. The radiation monitoring network in the area stopped functioning on Feb. 24, the first day of Russias invasion after its troops occupied the Chernobyl site, the IAEA said. Russian forces held the Chernobyl zone for five weeks before withdrawing at the end of March amid an international outcry and fears of another nuclear disaster. - - - The Washington Posts Kareem Fahim and Zeynep Karatas in Istanbul, Amy Cheng and Andrew Jeong in Seoul, Adela Suliman in London, Lateshia Beachum in Washington and Mary Ilyushina in Riga, Latvia, contributed to this report. WASHINGTON The United States approved a sale of $120 million in warship parts to Taiwan in a move that drew the ire of China during a Chinese Foreign Ministry news briefing Thursday. The State Department on Wednesday announced it approved a possible foreign military sale to the independently governed island of Taiwan. The deal would include ship spare parts, ship system spare parts and related equipment, according to the announcement. This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipients continuing efforts to maintain a credible defensive capability, the State Department said. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. The sale comes as tensions between the U.S. and China over Taiwan simmer. The U.S. continues to support Taiwans right to defend itself and adheres to the One China policy, which states the U.S. acknowledges that China claims control over Taiwan but the U.S. considers the islands sovereignty unsettled. Taiwan split from mainland China in 1949 and has its own democratically elected government. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the sale, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters Thursday. U.S. arms sales to Chinas Taiwan region seriously violate the One China principle gravely undermine Chinas sovereignty and security interests, and severely harm China-U.S. relations, and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he said. Zhao urged the U.S. to scrap the deal and threatened that China would take resolute and strong measures to firmly defend its sovereignty and security interests. The U.S. should abide by the One China principle revoke the arms sales plan, and stop arms sales to and military ties with Taiwan, he said. The State Department in its announcement said the sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipients surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats, the department said. The proposed sale will contribute to the recipients goal of maintaining its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. Interoperability is the governments term to describe two militaries being able to work together on each others systems and platforms. The equipment will come from the Navys stock of parts and approved Navy vendors, according to the announcement. After fighting so hard to have Maori wards established, both locally and nationally, standing in Whakatane District Councils first election to include them may seem to be a given for Toni Boynton. But she says her decision to stand for the new Kapu te Rangi ward, one of three Maori wards being introduced at this years election, is something she has had to put a lot of thought into. I had a lot of people ask me to run but I did have to think about it, she says. I had to think about the outcomes for my family. Im a single mum with four boys and the last campaign [for Maori wards] wasnt easy on them. My driving force is my boys. It is that same driving force, however, that makes standing for the council so important to her. I want my boys to see themselves reflected in the people making decisions for their community, she says. Boynton has been among the loudest voices in the battle to have Maori wards in Whakatane since 2017 when she made submissions to the council on behalf of her hapu and whanau. Her group, Te Ropu Tautoko Maori, led a hikoi in Whakatane in 2018 after a referendum overturned the council's decision to establish a Maori ward. In 2020 she took a petition with 11,000 signatures to Wellington demanding the Government change legislation that allows for council decisions in favour of Maori wards to be overturned by a referendum. This was instrumental in the Local Electoral (Maori Wards and Maori Constituencies) Amendment Bill being passed into law early last year, which was followed by Whakatane District Council being among 40 councils to vote to introduce Maori wards. Its exciting because in the past year we went from three councils in New Zealand with Maori wards to 43. One of my main reasons for standing is to follow the journey to its end. It would be wonderful for our tamariki to see someone like them taking a decision-making role. Because Maori have been so under-represented up till now. I want them to think, oh well, if Aunty Toni can do it, so can I. Involving the entire community in decisions that affect them is her passion. I really have a love for all our people. I have a heart for wanting to make sure they are all going to be able to have a say in decisions that affect them. We have a huge network through whakapapa (genealogy) and historic kinship ties. If she is voted onto the council, she plans to make good use of those networks to support people to participate in local government. The Kapu te Rangi ward, in which she is standing, covers the townships of Whakatane and Ohope. Though Boynton has been a member of Taneatua Community Board for the past term and has strong ties to Waimana through her Tuhoe hapu of Tamakaimoana, the town of Whakatane is where she was raised and where she lives still. My grandmother lived on the homestead at Waimana and I would spend holidays with her. But I also have connections to Ngati Awa through Warahore hapu and I spent a lot of my childhood at Wairaka Marae and Hokowhitu Marae. I have a lot of friends at those two marae. She has spent much of the past two years helping to ensure vulnerable families were looked after through Covid-19, firstly through her role with Taneatua Community Board and more recently as Covid-19 welfare co-ordinator with Te Tohu atu Ora o Ngati Awa. She is also a New Zealand Maori Council representative for Mataatua. My strengths are being able to work together with multiple groups to seek positive outcomes for everyone. I want to support Maori to participate in local Government. If I can bring everyone along with me, they will see that being on council is something everyone can aspire to. -Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air TECT Rescue Helicopter has had a busy start to June with three responses to incidents this last week involving a horse, gorge and a boy with a blocked airway. On Wednesday, June 8, the TECT Rescue Helicopter was tasked to a farm in Hamurana for a man in his 50's who had sustained injuries falling from a horse. The air ambulances critical care flight paramedic Janine and crewman Ben assisted the man at the scene and then flew him to Rotorua Hospital for further treatment. TECT Rescue Helicopter at the scene of the horse fall in Hamurana on Wednesay. Photo: Supplied. On Sunday, June 5, the TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to Whakatane Hospital to transport a young boy who had an obstructed airway. The boy was flown, with his mother alongside, to Waikato Hospital for further treatment. On Saturday, June 4, the TECT Rescue Helicopter responded to a motor vehicle accident in the Karangahake Gorge, where a man in his 50s had sustained serious injuries. TECT rescue helicopter arriving at the scene in the Karangahake Gorge on Saturday June 4. Photo: Patricia Rushton. The TECT Rescue Helicopter is a Kawasaki BK117. This single-pilot twin-engine helicopter has commonly been used as a rescue helicopter due to its speed, reliability and ability to fly close to cliff faces which makes it the best aircraft for all types of missions. The TECT Rescue Helicopter has been specially fitted for rescues, and is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and medical equipment such as night vision goggles, a 600lb rescue winch, stretcher, defibrillator and ventilator, to ensure the best care possible for patients onboard. With a cruise speed of 222 kilometres per hour and a max speed of 278 kilometres per hour and powered by a team of Pilots, Crewmen and Critical Care Flight Paramedics, the BK117 can be airborne within 10 minutes during the day (or 20 minutes at night) to deliver rescue personnel to patients in need, with the ability to provide life-saving in-flight care along the way. The TECT Rescue started out as the Tranz Rail Rescue Helicopter, founded in 2000. Since its inception, the crew have undertaken over 3,408 missions. TECT and Trustpower joined up to become principal sponsors of the helicopter in 2004, and the service was renamed the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter. In 2007, the Ian Pain Memorial Hangar was built, sponsored by Vern and Barbara Pain. In April 2018, the helicopter was upgraded from the single-engine Squirrel to the twin-engine BK117. By 2019, the TECT Rescue Helicopter had employed full-time Crewmen and Intensive Care Paramedics, and TECT had become the sole principal sponsor, giving it the name we know it by today: The TECT Rescue Helicopter. Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Islands largest pool of community rescue helicopters, including the TECT Rescue Helicopter. Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters and fixed-wing planes, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis PSRT was founded in 1985 after an endowment by a private company, Philips New Zealand Ltd, to mark a light aircraft crash in which two Philips NZ Ltd employees lost their lives. After instigating one of the largest privately organised searches ever seen in New Zealand, the company made an endowment to initiate a Trust with the objective of providing the highest possible standard of air rescue and emergency helicopter services in the central North Island. Philips Search & Rescue Trust became a dedicated, full-time service in 1987. The rescue helicopter service relies on sponsorships and donations. To support the service and help save lives click here to make a donation. Two lucky Lotto players from Tauranga will be celebrating after each winning $16,295 with Lotto Second Division in Wednesday night's live Lotto draw. The winning tickets were sold at Pak n Save Papamoa and MyLotto. A player from Whakatane and a player from Rotorua also each won $16,295 in Lotto Second Division. The winning tickets were sold at Pak N Save Whakatane and MyLotto. One lucky Lotto player will be on cloud nine after winning $1 million with Lotto First Division in Wednesday night's ive Lotto draw. The winning First Division ticket was sold at Pak n Save Wairau Road in Auckland. Powerball was not struck on Wednesday and has rolled over to Saturday night, where the jackpot will be $6 million. Meanwhile Strike has also rolled over and will be $500,000 on Saturday night. As well as the two Tauranga, one Whakatane, and one Rotorua player, another seven lucky Lotto players will be celebrating after each winning $16,295 with Lotto Second Division in Wednesday's live Lotto draw. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location MyLotto Northland MyLotto Auckland Supervalue Waiuku Waiuku Mill St. Pak N Save Hamilton MyLotto Waikato MyLotto Rotorua MyLotto Tauranga Pak n Save Papamoa Papamoa Pak N Save Whakatane Whakatane Four Square Spring Creek Spring Creek Pak N Save Rangiora Rangiora Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, online at mylotto.co.nz, or through the Lotto NZ App. With 100 per cent of Lotto NZs profits supporting thousands of great causes each year, every time you play one of Lotto NZs games, youre a Kiwi helping other Kiwis. 6.55pm: Cambridge Road is now clear with both lanes open again following an earlier crash. A two vehicle crash resulted in the westbound lane of Cambridge Road to be closed. The traffic is now freely moving with the road open again. Earlier, 6.08pm: The Westbound lane of Cambridge Road over bridge between Te Atatu Place and Westminister Drive is blocked following a two vehicle crash. "The Westbound lane is currently blocked due to both vehicles sustaining significant damage," says a Tauranga City Council spokesperson. "Police are on scene, there are no injuries reported. "Tow trucks are on the way to clear the damaged vehicles." The spokesperson advises using alternate routes if possible during this time. SunLive is working on gathering more information and providing an update as soon as possible. At the scene? Email newsroom@thesun.co.nz or phone 0800 SUNLIVE. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Lawton, OK (73501) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 98F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. Low 76F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Gupts007 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 33 Thanked: 41 Times Re: Scoop! New Maruti Vitara Brezza coming in Q3 2021 Quote: Sk8r Originally Posted by Same door handles as in my dad's 2011 Swift 2nd gen And now the whole AC setup, steering wheel, infotainment system.. Perhaps even the instrument cluster... They are sharing it with Baleno and the Brezza. Clicking pictures of these one can't tell which car it is in. I don't think any other manufacturer anywhere in the world does this. So much for cost cutting Maruti has taken parts sharing to the zenith... Door handles, headlight switch, power windows switch.. They haven't changed then since 10 years and are using the same across swift and baleno.And now the whole AC setup, steering wheel, infotainment system.. Perhaps even the instrument cluster... They are sharing it with Baleno and the Brezza.Clicking pictures of these one can't tell which car it is in.I don't think any other manufacturer anywhere in the world does this.So much for cost cutting Last edited by Gupts007 : 8th June 2022 at 16:32 . AROO7 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: UP32 & UP65 Posts: 72 Thanked: 197 Times Quote: mac187 Originally Posted by - My job doesn't require me to go to office everyday. The commute to office is 20miles one way. I work in business development, hence will be traveling to different cities within NA often. - Kid's school is a mile away, drop and pickup is needed. We are a family of 3. - Currently living in an apartment with one covered parking. There is lot of space available for open parking, which is free. - Commute to groceries, other shopping is maximum 40miles. This maybe once a week. Signed up of for membership with Walmart, one of the perks in free delivery. - Wife doesn't know to drive. She is willing to learn. Looking forward to it actually. - Got a pre-approved auto loan at 4.7% from a credit union. Valid only for 2022 or 2023 models i.e. new car only. - I knew I was going to move here a while ago, I have saved up over $50k specifically for a car. - Thinking of SUV purely from long drive and stuffing luggage. We are a family of 3 but pack for a family of 10! Seeing the current used car prices I would advise you to stay away from them. For a new car and looking at your requirements I won't recommend Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro as both are just two-seater and have next to nothing in terms of boot space. In this category, the Dodge Charger Scat Pack falls within your budget. A proper four-door sedan with a Hemi V8 will ensure you have loads of fun without sacrificing practicality. Next up on my recommendation list is the Genesis G70 sedan, powered by a turbo-four it is the closest you can get to European pedigree without breaking the bank. The third car I would recommend looking at is the Toyota Camry TRD, which gets a V6 and exterior shenanigans to qualify as a fun-to-drive sedan and starts at $32,910. Buy it and you will still have money left to get yourself a Hyundai Accent base model. If you are okay with plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 Prime is another good crossover to look at, starts at $40,300. Next up I would recommend shortlisting the BMW X3 xDrive30i starts at $45,700, comes with a turbo-four, and does 0-60 MPH in 6.0 seconds flat. The sixth car I would recommend is the Acura MDX which gets a 290-hp V6 as standard and starts at $48,000. But if you can stretch your budget to say $66,700 you can get the MDX Type S which comes with a 355-hp turbo V6. Trivia, it is the only SUV to have the Type S moniker and the only other cars that get it is the NSX and TLX. From the Audi stable, you can look at the Q5 SUV or the A5 sedan both start under $50,000. Offer loads of tech and are a good pick among the Europeans. Still, if you can't get your dream car I suggest searching for articles like fastest cars under $50,000 or best cars to buy under $50,000. Stick to big and reliable media pages like caranddriver, motortrend, carusnews, edmunds, etc. Quote: mac187 Originally Posted by Thanks for the pointer. Is there any website specifically for lease return cars? I have come across them only in carmax website. Sometime the same car has both lease + fleet as previous usage, I am not comfortable with this. I feel the cars maybe handled rough in a fleet scenario, Open to learn more about it. First of all, as one of the member pointed out the interest rates you have quoted is steep. Somewhere between 2% and 3% APR is the sweet spot.Seeing the current used car prices I would advise you to stay away from them.For a new car and looking at your requirements I won't recommend Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro as both are just two-seater and have next to nothing in terms of boot space. In this category, thefalls within your budget. A proper four-door sedan with a Hemi V8 will ensure you have loads of fun without sacrificing practicality.Next up on my recommendation list is thesedan, powered by a turbo-four it is the closest you can get to European pedigree without breaking the bank. The third car I would recommend looking at is the, which gets a V6 and exterior shenanigans to qualify as a fun-to-drive sedan and starts at $32,910. Buy it and you will still have money left to get yourself a Hyundai Accent base model.If you are okay with plug-in hybridis another good crossover to look at, starts at $40,300. Next up I would recommend shortlisting thestarts at $45,700, comes with a turbo-four, and does 0-60 MPH in 6.0 seconds flat. The sixth car I would recommend is thewhich gets a 290-hp V6 as standard and starts at $48,000. But if you can stretch your budget to say $66,700 you can get thewhich comes with a 355-hp turbo V6. Trivia, it is the only SUV to have the Type S moniker and the only other cars that get it is the NSX and TLX.From the Audi stable, you can look at theboth start under $50,000. Offer loads of tech and are a good pick among the Europeans. Still, if you can't get your dream car I suggest searching for articles like fastest cars under $50,000 or best cars to buy under $50,000. Stick to big and reliable media pages like caranddriver, motortrend, carusnews, edmunds, etc.For lease return cars and lease deals, you need to check the dealer website nearby you. Last edited by Aditya : 8th June 2022 at 07:10 . Reason: Back to back posts merged In context: In March, Microsoft stopped selling new products in Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. Now, the Windows maker will reportedly lay off over 400 employees from its business in Russia, citing economic conditions in the country as the reason. This news comes a day after IBM's announcement that it's laying off its entire Russia-based workforce. Microsoft has just announced that it's significantly scaling down its operations in Russia. The move comes after the company suspended all new sales in the country in March due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. A Microsoft spokesperson claims they made the decision because of changes to the economic outlook and the impact on its business in Russia. The firm also stated that it continues to fulfill its existing contractual obligations with Russian customers while the suspension of new sales remains in effect. Over 400 employees will reportedly be affected by this move, although it's unknown how many people are currently working for Microsoft in Russia. "We are working closely with impacted employees to ensure they are treated with respect and have our full support during this difficult time", Microsoft said in the statement to Bloomberg News. During the company's third-quarter earnings call, CFO Amy Hood said that Russia accounts for less than 1 percent of Microsoft's total revenue. She also added that expectations are it will decline significantly. Just yesterday, we learned that IBM is also starting to lay off personnel in Russia, although it blamed the move on the banking sanctions the country is facing instead. When it comes to technology, it seems that Russia will have to rely more and more on local and Chinese products, as even Taiwan is restricting its exported chips to those under 25 MHz. SpaceX and its Falcon 9 rocket is the vessel chosen by a company in Egypt to launch its satellites to orbit, and it will focus on a network upgrade that would be beneficial to continents globally. It is a communications satellite that will boost a television network's service across the Middle East and Africa and brings broadband connectivity to Egypt. SpaceX Falcon 9 Brings Egyptian Comms Satellite to Orbit (Photo : PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) SpaceX's Falcon 9 launched earlier today at the Cape Canaveral launch station to bring an Egyptian communications satellite to orbit, and it is to fulfill a sophisticated technology to orbit. According to CBS News, the company launched at 5:04 p.m. EDT (2 AM PST) to thrust its 1.7 million pounds of thrust capabilities to orbit. The company used its first stage booster that made its seventh successful launch for the year, and it marks a milestone for SpaceX and the Falcon 9. According to Florida Today, it is likely for SpaceX to achieve its 50 launches for the year using its spacecraft, focusing on the many ventures that the company has in place. Read Also: Elon Musk Wants to Build 1000+ Starships to Bring Humans to Mars-SpaceX Multiplanetary Plans Egyptian Communications Satellite Bring Network Upgrade Egypt is focusing on expanding its communications and network systems with an upgrade via a satellite connection from the celestial heavens, and it aims to bring its service to many locations nearby. First, it will focus on expanding the television service in the Middle East and Africa, and then expand the broadband internet in Egypt with the same satellite. SpaceX and its Private Contracts SpaceX is not made to fulfill missions from NASA only, as it is still a private company that operates on the will and decisions of its owners and board members that control its administration. The company has a "ride share" program that will allow multiple companies to use a single launch for different ventures, all paying for their cargo hauls from Cape Canaveral. It also has a Commercial spacewalk program that also begun its training for private crews and upcoming astronauts that will venture into space without a national agency's tutelage on them. The space company is aiming to expand more of its Polaris program that focuses on commercial and private flights, something in which Starship will play a massive role in time. One of SpaceX's significant ventures is launching Starlink's satellites as well. First and foremost, SpaceX is a private company that brings many of its missions as part of contracts from other companies that wish to bring their technology to space for different reasons. The company accepts different missions and launches provided that it pays for them, and does not harm SpaceX's missions in the process. Related Article: SpaceX's Giant Crane Spotted at NASA Kennedy Space Center; Here's How It'll First Starship Florida Launch Tower This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple is stepping more into finance with an update on the iOS 16. Upon the new operating system launching, users will have access to the Pay Later service which is part of the Cupertino giant's plan to handle lending decisions on its own. Apple is Creating a Subsidiary Called Apple Financing According to Bloomberg, Apple made the decision to establish a subsidiary that it calls Apple Financing. The subsidiary will assist Apple users by conducting credit checks as well as handling customer approvals. The Apple Financing firm is expected to operate separately from Apple but it has already been able to get the needed state licenses in order for the feature to be offered. This, however, isn't the first time the Cupertino giant hasn't dabbed into financial services. Cupertino Giant Plans to Launch Pay Later The previous financial services by Apple were done with the help of institutions just like Goldman Sachs. As per the story by Engadget, the investment bank will also be part of the newer move by Apple, Pay Later. Bloomberg notes that the firm will be the one to issue Mastercard payment credentials that will be used by customers in order to complete purchases. Goldman Sachs, however, won't be handling both the lending and credit assessments just like how it does with the Apple Card as detailed more on CNBC. Apple is Planning to Lessen Dependence to External Suppliers As seen in Apple's move toward the financial space, the company looks like it is trying to replicate a strategy that has once served them well in the past. The company reportedly invested a significant amount of time and money in order to develop in-house versions for a lot of the components that are used to power both its computers and mobile devices. Outside of focusing on helping make its products more attractive to customers, the strategy has been able to help Apple lessen its dependence on certain external suppliers just like Intel. Another reason why the Cupertino giant is doing this is to also increase its revenue. Read Also: EU Forces Apple To Only Sell iPhone With USB-C Charging Port by 2024; Here's What Will Happen if Tech Firm Doesn't Comply Apple is Working on Its Own Payment Process Engine Engadget notes that it looks just like Apple is hoping to achieve a much similar outcome when it comes to the financial services front. As per Bloomberg, the company is also working on its very own payment processing engine as part of a certain initiative called "Breakout." The company is also developing certain tools to be used for fraud analysis as well as interest calculations among a few other customer-facing features. As with the Cupertino giant's push directly into subscriptions with certain services like TV+ as well as Fitness+, the article by Engadget notes that the company will likely be seeing those efforts as a way to keep owners of the iPad, iPhone, and Mac customers tied to the whole Apple ecosystem. Related Article: Apple Shifts iPad Production to Vietnam, Leaving China Due to Supply Issues This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. According to a petition filed on Wednesday with California's Office of Administrative Law, Tesla has alleged the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) neglected to complete adequate investigations before suing the company for racial discrimination at its assembly facility. DFEH vs. Tesla In February, the DFEH filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging racial discrimination and harassment at the company's Fremont manufacturing. Tesla had been making efforts to put the lawsuit on hold to settle allegations outside of court, something the automaker believes should have been an option before the lawsuit was filed. According to Reuters, California Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo said that delaying the lawsuit would be improper. However, as per court documents, Grillo intended to accept a hearing for a demurrer motion or a request to dismiss, grounded on the DFEH's practices on August 23. In its response to Grillo's decision rejecting to grant the motion to keep the case and in the petition filed with OAL, the automaker accuses DFEH of enacting "underground regulations" that ignore requirements it must meet before filing lawsuits against employers, including a fair notice of an investigation and assisting in the mediation of disputes before taking it to court. Tesla claims that the DFEH neglected to give it notice of the "specifics" of its investigations before starting them and that it failed to produce material to back up its findings against the company. The case was also brought without first participating in "good faith conciliation and mediation," and on accusations "not previously investigated and/or for which the employers were not granted pre-suit notice," as claimed by the company. Read also: Tesla Says It's Under Another Investigation by Federal Equal Employment Agency What Does the Law Say? The statute appears to suggest that the DFEH is required to investigate charges of bias promptly but does not necessarily say that the employer must be notified before the investigation. However, the law states that the DFEH must "immediately endeavor to eliminate the unlawful employment practice complained of by conference, conciliation, and persuasion" before filing a civil action and that "the department shall require all parties to participate in mandatory dispute resolution in the department's internal dispute resolution division free of charge to the parties in an effort to resolve the dispute without litigation." Based on specified conditions, the OAL has 60 days to accept or reject a petition. However, because the litigation is already ongoing, it's unclear whether approving this petition will help Tesla's case. The DFEH's case is one of several in California courts accusing Tesla of enabling discrimination and sexual harassment at its workplaces. A California judge inched closer to resolving a complaint with ex-Tesla elevator operator Owen Diaz, who claimed he was subjected to widespread discriminatory harassment and treatment during his nine months at the Fremont facility. On Tuesday, June 7, U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco ordered Diaz for two weeks to take Tesla's $15 million settlement, which is strikingly far from the $137 million a jury had previously awarded Diaz. Related Article: Elon Musk's Tesla Will Lay Off 10% of Staff, Pauses Hiring Worldwide - Why? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In its aerial race to be the top dog among autonomous military hardware and software startups, Shield AI Inc. has just secured an additional $165 million from the likes of Snowpoint Ventures, which led this round of funding alongside Riot Ventures, Homebrew, and Disruptive. Its newly lined pockets now give the San Diego-based Shield AI a whopping $2.3 billion valuation, a necessity in its pursuit to build thriving drone hardware and sophisticated AI cockpit software ecosystem. The new round of funding comes in the form of $75 million in debt and $90 million in Series E equity and comes off the heels of the firm's $210-$300 million Series D, which took place less than a year ago and was led by none other than Disruptive. Homebrew, too, remains an avid investor in Shield AI, cementing the firm's potential success with its initial seed round, but of most interest getting in the action is Snowpoint's Doug Philippone, who has run Palantir's global defense sector for the past 14 years. The startup has been making steady strides over the past several years, witnessed in the Shield AI acquisition of Martin UAV back in July 2021 and not mere days prior also scooped up Heron Systems. Shield AI is best known for its Hivemind autonomy stack, cited as "A Top Gun for every aircraft" on its website, which utilizes mapping, path-planning, computer-vision algorithms, and state-estimation in unmanned systems for a wide array of military use cases. Under its wing is also a highly sophisticated VTOL drone called the V-BAT, offering up to 11 hours of flight time and carries a max capacity of 25 pounds. Related Article: FedEx Teams Up With Elroy Air to Test Autonomous Flights for Transporting Packages In addition to the technology underpinning the startup, the Shield AI board of directors too is stacked with some important names, including Andrew Berlin of Berlin Packaging and 33-year Navy veteran Brian Losey, who in a 2019 blog post said, "Shield AI embodies big thinking, big goals, and a big mission which is imminently attainable." The startup's own president and co-founder, Brandon Tseng, is likewise a former Navy SEAL along with his brother, who is acting CEO. As one may guess, most of the internal on-paper dealings remain incredibly classified, but they are mostly utilized on the part of the US Department of Defense's Program of Record. Its Hivemind AI software and the Nova drone have been in use since 2018, but in what capacity remains top secret. On the current menu in terms of tech research and development under Shield AI is swarming parameters for its line of hardware, allowing drones and other assorted AI software to run in tandem, not unlike previous examples seen recently via researchers at Zhejiang University. But Shield AI is not the only one making headwaves in the autonomous military flight space, as evidenced in the likes of Andruil, which recently took home a $7 billion valuation on the heels of a $1.2 billion funding round. Led by Oculus VR founder and designer of the Oculus Rift, Palmer Luckey, Andruil is at the forefront of military-industrial technology, building out an open AI-powered operating system, called LatticeOS, for defense necessities. Shield AI, on the other hand, wants to amend its reach and build out systems not solely for the present and future but well further in advance. In a Dec. 2021 blog post, president Tseng writes: "At the Air Force Association's 2021 Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall stated: "2027 is when China will reach parity with the US." Applying this logic, 2028 must be when China will surpass the US if no bold actions are taken to prevent this." Read Also: Global Team of Experts Devise Sophisticated Aerial-Aquatic Drone that Can Attach to Moving Objects 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission A bucket of water drops on Yaelle Fremont, 7, and her father, Sebastien Fremont as park guests cool off at BREC's Liberty Lagoon in July 2021. The water park is open for the summer. For details, visit https://www.libertylagoon.com/. As Eugene Collins, NAACP BR president, right, watches, Mona Hardin, mother of Ronald Greene, left, testifies during the second hearing of the Senate Committee on Louisiana State Police Oversight on Dec. 13 in Baton Rouge. The committee was formed to probe the circumstances of Greene's death. Guest column: New Orleans leaders need to stop deterioration of the city, now Magellans founder Hamish Douglass wont be picking stocks when he returns to the business in October, with the ailing fund managers chairman saying that Douglass will come back as a consultant and not a permanent member of staff. He is no longer running Magellan, chairman Hamish McLennan said on Thursday. This is an arrangement were both very happy about. Magellan co-founder Hamish Douglass. Credit:Janie Barrett After months of uncertainty around what kind of role Douglass would play in the future of Magellan, the company said in an update to the ASX on Thursday that he will cease to be a permanent member of staff from next Wednesday and will work in a consultancy role from October. The new consulting role will see Douglass placed on a one-year contract. He will not be actively picking stocks, or have any governance or executive responsibilities, but will advise a number of clients and Magellans investment team on macroeconomic and geopolitical issues. I went around showing it to galleries and they would say, Oh, it looks like Pollock. And it looked nothing like Pollock. It was on plastic! The only thing that looked like Pollock was that it was scrambled lines. So I started doing these biomorphic shapes on Perspex that you could only see when light was shone on them, which is what led to Liquid Reflections. She researched the workings of its component parts, through trial and error, over five years. The piece is really about gravity. And its a metaphor, a complete cosmic metaphor. Because if you look inside a disc, a new disc when Id just put the water in, its formless. And then a physical force pulls these drops together and, if you leave it long enough, they will become the same size. It was hard enough to present work that was off-beat, that wasnt conventional; it was harder still for a woman. Back in New York, she met Yoko Ono. She was doing performance work. She had a hard time then. No one paid her any attention either. Women were not taken seriously. Women were patronised, they were seen as children. Oh you know, very nice work! Patronised. And then of course, there were all sorts of complex things, in that some women dealers wanted men for other reasons and didnt want any women in their gallery. They wanted their artists to be their boys. Things are better now, she says, but not great. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO LILIANE LIJN Worst habit? I find it hard not to interrupt my partner when he speaks Greatest fear? War The line that stayed with you? When the veil is torn away, there is nothing but laughter and flames - Roberto Calasso, The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony. Biggest regret? I dont regret Favourite room? My studio in Manor House The artwork/song you wish was yours? I do not wish other works are mine If you could solve one thing It would be how to stop all wars Even so, in her stories there are glimpses of people who helped out or inspired her: Takis, a Greek artist and part of what she describes as a complicated personal life, whose interest in magnetism inspired her to explore natural forces; Burroughs, who summoned her to visit him at the Beat hotel and warned her to stay away from drugs; the owner of a plastics company in New York who let her use a corner of their warehouse as a studio and have her pick of materials; the Olympic skier who gave her some of the coloured polymer he used to prime his skis and an address to contact when she needed more. It came in candle form; she would melt and drip it onto Perspex and burn the surface with a torch. And her father, of course, who supported her until she could support herself, even though he wanted her to go to college and have a conventional education. Yes, he would never disown me. There are parents who do that. If you dont do what I want, youre not my son or not my daughter. I know people who have had that experience. He would just complain. He did insist that she enrol at the Sorbonne to study art history, which he thought was a more credible degree than an art school diploma. That was fine; she didnt want to go to art school anyway. When personal trainer Brando Hasick catches up with friends, he is often the one who brings up the subject of money. I cant help it. I like surrounding myself with people who are doing interesting things with their money, he says. Brando Hasick and partner Aisha Mulligan. When were out for dinner, I find it fascinating to hear their approach to making it work for them. Its how I learn, he says. The 29-year-old Sydneysiders ultimate dream is to establish a passive income stream maybe shares that pay good dividends that will set him up financially for life. He hopes it would enable him to retire early. It would be nice to think that working is a choice, he says. Faith leaders have urged the new Labor government to move quickly to introduce legislation outlawing religious discrimination rather than let the issue languish until the last minute as it did under Scott Morrison. The Coalitions attempt to pass laws against religious discrimination failed in February after moderate Liberal MPs crossed the floor to support an amendment protecting transgender students from being expelled from religious schools. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus Credit:Alex Ellinghausen LGBTQ rights groups, meanwhile, want the government to pass separate legislation within its first 100 days protecting gay and transgender students in religious schools against discrimination. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the government had promised to pass religious protections before the next election, but would not commit to a more specific timeline. A Silverwater prison guard has been charged after allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a colleague in May. Scott Hawken, 49, was arrested at his home in Lithgow on Wednesday after an investigation by the NSW Police child abuse and sex crimes squad. It is alleged that Hawken went to the womans house on May 4 after she complained she was suffering from period pain. The Daily Telegraph reported that Hawken allegedly told the woman he had something to make you feel better and gave her a drug that knocked her unconscious before sexually assaulting her. Police said the woman sought medical treatment at Blacktown Hospital the next day. She underwent a sexual assault investigation and contacted an associate for help. Somebody has finally got back at Craig Kelly. The United Australia Party leader and former MP for Hughes in Sydneys south-east says he has received several penalty notices from his local council, the City of Parramatta, regarding UAP election posters put up in the area. Craig Kelly is in trouble with his local council. Credit:John Shakespeare Kelly is furious. But maybe now he knows how much of Australias populace feels after being bombarded for months with annoying, unsolicited texts from Kellys Clive Palmer-funded political outfit and being unable to escape Kellys face, which appeared in millions of YouTube ads and on billboards across the country, many of which claimed he would be Australias next prime minister. Right now, Kelly finds himself unemployed. Perhaps someone in the council, which didnt respond by deadline to CBDs request for comment, is having a laugh. The Andrews government is proposing alarming increases to penalties for peaceful protesting and citizen science surveying in Victorias native forests. The Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022 has just been introduced to the Victorian lower house. The bill proposes doubling the penalties for non-violent direct action and citizen science surveying in areas designated for logging, known as coupes, or Timber Harvesting Safety Zones. The proposed changes mean protesters attempting to prevent or disrupt native forest logging in Victoria would face a whopping 12 months jail, or $21,000 in fines. Protesters attempting to prevent or disrupt native forest logging in Victoria would face 12 months jail, or $21,000 in fines. Credit:Louie Douvis Why the need to introduce these changes you may ask? Minister for Regional Development and Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas, takes aim at dangerous protesters: We want to make sure workers go home to their families each day. No evidence has been given to support this claim that peaceful protesting poses any physical risk to forestry workers whatsoever. The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has been ordered to pay $1.9 million in damages to a former altar boy who was sexually abused by Victorian priest Desmond Gannon. The victim brought the case against Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli, claiming the citys Catholic Archdiocese was negligent and vicariously liable for the abuse, which occurred between 1968 and 1970. The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has been ordered to pay $1.9 million in damages to a sexual abuse survivor. Credit:Pat Scala Gannon assaulted the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on three occasions when he was a student at a Catholic primary school in regional Victoria. The Supreme Court of Victoria heard that on one occasion in 1968, Gannon drove the victim along a country road to a clearing before sexually abusing and raping him. The victim said he was terrified at the time that Gannon would kill him. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size On May 20, a rare virus made it to Australia for the first time as two returned travellers from Europe, one in Victoria and another in New South Wales, were diagnosed with monkeypox. That number has since grown to at least six part of more than 1000 cases that have turned up recently across Europe and North America in a surprising outbreak of a disease that rarely appears outside Africa. The World Health Organisation has warned countries to contain outbreaks fast before they gain a foothold and convened researchers from around the globe because, for the first time, the disease appears to be spreading among people who didnt travel to Africa and may be sexually transmitted. But health officials stress that this does not look like the start of another pandemic as monkeypox needs close contact to spread and so can be more easily contained. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW An electron microscope image shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions. Credit:AP What is monkeypox and how does it spread? The monkeypox virus is usually seen in wild animals, such as some species of rodents and primates, and occasionally jumps to people. Until now, most human cases have been in central and West Africa, where the disease is endemic but, unlike COVID, it does not spread easily between people except through close contact such as via bodily fluid and infected lesions or touching contaminated clothes, linen or towels. Australian health officials say transmission via respiratory droplets usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact, though the WHO has noted during this recent outbreak that the risk of aerosol transmission is not fully known and those caring for infected patients would wear masks. Common household disinfectants can kill the virus. Advertisement For those who catch it, the disease is typically mild, though there are two main strains: the more severe Congo strain, which has a mortality rate of up to 10 per cent of cases, and the West African strain, where the fatality rate is about 1 per cent. So far, the WHO says all samples tested have been of the West African strain, with a link to a past strain that spread in a limited fashion in Britain, Israel and Singapore in 2018 out of Nigeria. Further genomic testing is underway around the world to see how the new cases are linked, but they seem to all have one origin. Some patients have been hospitalised, but so far there havent been any deaths reported in this current outbreak, according to the WHO. (Although in Africa, there have been more than 1400 suspected cases and 66 deaths this year.) Monkeypox was first identified by scientists in 1958 after two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in research monkeys thus the name monkeypox. (The first known human infection wasnt until 1970, in a remote part of Congo.) But scientists now suspect smaller animals such as squirrels are the main reservoir of the virus. Outbreaks in Africa have been ticking up in recent years, particularly in forests where humans and animals are colliding more often due to logging and the wildlife trade. Monkeypox-like lesions on the arm and leg of a girl in Liberia in 1971. Credit:US Centers for Diseases Control What are the symptoms and how is it treated? Monkeypox belongs to the same virus family as smallpox, but it is generally not as severe. It often begins with a flu-like illness: fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. After one to three days, some people may also develop a chickenpox-like rash and fluid-filled lesions on the face, arms and legs, which can become infected. Sometimes this rash will be misdiagnosed as chickenpox or an STI. Advertisement The incubation period for monkeypox is fairly long, from about five days to three weeks, with children and older people more at risk of severe illness. People will remain infectious until their lesions have healed, Victorias Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says, but generally recover within weeks. Loading Contacts of those infected are often given a smallpox vaccine, which has been shown to be up to 85 per cent effective against monkeypox and can work up to four days after exposure. (Some antiviral drugs are also available internationally or in development.) The WHO says global vaccine stockpiles are being assessed, and some countries being sent shots. Since smallpox was eradicated through vaccination, inoculation against it has dropped off, and experts say it may have allowed an uptick in monkeypox cases. But the virus is generally thought to be self-limiting, meaning it burns out quickly when suspected cases are put into isolation. Anyone who develops monkeypox symptoms should seek care at their nearest hospital, but wear a mask and call ahead first. Returned travellers should take extra care to watch for signs of the virus. Whats different about these cases? Its the first time monkeypox is spreading among people who didnt travel to Africa, and some cases seem to have been sexually transmitted. Advertisement Loading The first European case was confirmed on May 7 in someone who returned to England from Nigeria, which has had an ongoing outbreak since 2017. More than 1000 infections have since been reported across 29 countries from Britain and Spain to Canada, the US and the Netherlands. Monkeypox is occasionally spotted outside Africa. But its typically associated with direct travel to the continent or contact with animals from areas where the disease is common. (A large mystery outbreak in the US in 2003 was traced to a shipment of imported African mammals, including tree squirrels, sold as exotic pets, for example.) The WHO says the wide geographic spread of this current outbreak, among people who have not travelled to Africa or, in some cases, do not have a clear link between them, suggests that transmission may have been going on for some time, and infections raging undetected. Many have been picked up at a sexual health clinic, where men sought help for lesions on their genitals. Loading It is unclear if the virus has also become more infectious among people unlike COVID, which is made of RNA, monkeypox is a DNA virus and so does not mutate as often. The longest transmission chain previously recorded for monkeypox was only seven people long. But, in light of this new outbreak, some scientists are wondering if monkeypox cases have always tended to burn out fast because of the virus itself or because they have hit small villages in Africa with limited numbers of people for the microbe to reach. So far WHO experts think there has been some kind of shift in how the virus spreads. What seems to be happening now is that it has got into the population as a sexual form, as a genital form, and is being spread as are sexually transmitted infections, which has amplified its transmission around the world, David Heymann, an infectious disease specialist at the WHO said last month. Advertisement He warned infections could accelerate as people gather for parties and festivals in Europes summer months. Some cases already appear linked to a festival in the Canary Islands and another in Belgium. In May, Heymann said an international committee of experts met via video conference to consider what needed to be studied about the outbreak and communicated to the public, including who is most at risk, whether there is any asymptomatic spread and the various routes of transmission. The committee was not responsible for deciding whether the outbreak should be declared a public health emergency of international concern, WHOs highest form of alert (and currently applied to the COVID-19 pandemic). Other experts, including health commissioner of the Lazio region in Italy, Alessio DAmato, say it is too early to tell if the virus has morphed into a sexually transmitted disease. Loading Stuart Neil, professor of virology at Kings College London, added this: The idea that theres some sort of sexual transmission in this, I think, is a little bit of a stretch. Earlier, Francois Balloux of University College London agreed that sex qualifies as the kind of close contact needed to transmit this disease, and the cases so far do not necessarily imply any recent change in the virus route of transmission. On May 20, Australias acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett, said that while many of the monkeypox cases internationally have been among men who have sex with men, this virus has not traditionally been thought of as a sexually transmitted disease and investigations are continuing into the mode of transmission during this outbreak. Advertisement Midwives have warned serious staff shortages are compromising womens maternal care, with hundreds of vacant nursing and midwifery positions at hospitals across the state. NSW Nurses and Midwives Association assistant general secretary Shaye Candish said there were more than 500 vacancies for full-time positions across the states hospitals, including severe gaps across multiple regional local health districts. Campbelltown midwife Nichole Flegg says staff are often having to manage two births at once. Credit:Dean Sewell Its killing the midwives that we are not being able to give women the care they deserve, said Nichole Flegg, a senior midwife in Campbelltown Hospitals birthing unit and union delegate. Internal documents seen by the Herald show that in April there were 214 critical vacancies among 300 nursing and midwifery vacancies across Murrumbidgee district, which includes Griffith and Wagga Wagga base hospitals. Two unions are threatening to walk away from Daniel Andrews faction of the Labor Party if the firefighters union and its secretary, Peter Marshall, are kicked out for campaigning against the Victorian government in key marginal seats. The Socialist Left faction has taken the unprecedented step of moving to expel the leader of the United Firefighters Union over fears his campaign urging voters to put Labor last could jeopardise the partys re-election in November. Firefighters union chief Peter Marshall is highly likely to be expelled from the Labor Partys Socialist Left faction. Credit:Chris Hopkins The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union and the Communication Workers Union both said they would strongly consider leaving the faction in solidarity with Marshall if he was expelled, which is highly likely. The firefighters union would continue to be affiliated with the Labor Party but would no longer have a vote in Socialist Left preselections or the ability to influence party policy. Marshall could join another faction. The Nederlander Organization will rename the Brooks Atkinson Theatre the Broadway house currently named for influential New York Times theater critic Justin Brooks Atkinson in honor of civil rights activist and performer Lena Horne. The Lena Horne Theatre (home to the Tony-nominated musical Six) will be the first Broadway venue named for a Black woman. "We are proud to take this moment to rename one of our theaters in honor of the great civil rights activist, actress, and entertainer Lena Horne," said Nederlander Organization President James L. Nederlander in a statement. "I am so honored to have known Lena. She became a part of our family over the years. It means so much to me that my father was the producer of Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, and it is my privilege, honor, and duty to memorialize Lena for generations to come." The announcement comes in the wake of a pledge made last year by the Nederlander Organization, the Shubert Organization, and Jujamcyn (three major Broadway theater owners) to name at least one of their theaters for a Black artist. The pledge was made in agreement with Black Theatre United, and has already prompted the announcement that the Shubert Organization would rename the Cort Theatre the James Earl Jones Theatre. Jujamcyn had previously renamed its Virginia Theatre the August Wilson Theatre back in 2005. Horne, who passed away at the age of 92 in 2010, had a groundbreaking career that spanned film, television, and stage. She earned a 1958 Tony nomination for her performance in Jamaica, and received a Special Tony Award (as well as two Grammy Awards) in 1981 for her musical revue Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. Horne was also extremely involved in the Civil Rights Movement, refusing to perform for segregated audiences during her time with the USO, and working in association with the NAACP, S.N.C.C., and the National Council of Negro Women. She additionally worked with Eleanor Roosevelt in an effort to pass anti-lynching laws. The 75th Annual Tony Awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall this Sunday, June 12, and the lineup of musical performances set to take the stage during the live broadcast has been announced. The evening will include performances by this year's Tony-nominated musicals, including A Strange Loop, Company, Girl From the North Country, MJ, Mr. Saturday Night, The Music Man, Paradise Square and Six. There will be additional performances by Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters and Billy Porter; The New York City Gay Men's Chorus; and a special reunion performance by the original cast members of the 2007 Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening. The Tony Awards broadcast will kick off at 7pm ET with The Tony Awards: Act One, one hour of exclusive content streaming live only on Paramount Plus, hosted by Darren Criss (American Buffalo) and Julianne Hough (POTUS). Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) will then host the official Tony Awards ceremony, airing live coast-to-coast from 8-11pm ET on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount Plus. For more information on the Tony Awards, click here. Guan Hanqing's 13th-century play The Injustice to Dou Yi is a relatively straightforward affair that chronicles a harrowing miscarriage of justice and the earth-shaking consequences that lead to a great wrong being eventually righted. For Snow in Midsummer, her contemporary adaptation of the classic Chinese work, however, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig has not only added modern elements and themes to the plot a capitalist takeover, a gay relationship, black-market organ harvesting but also reconfigured it as a supernatural murder mystery. The result, at least as presented by Classic Stage Company in the shaky New York premiere production opening tonight, is admirable but diffuse. In Cowhig's version, Dou Yi (Dorcas Leung) who, before the events of the play, was executed for a murder she did not commit is a ghostly presence who stalks the lives of various characters in the town of New Harmony. In particular, she possesses the body of Fei-Fei (Fin Moulding), the adopted daughter of Tianyun (Teresa Avia Lim), a self-made businesswoman who is on the verge of taking over the factories in town, even during a three-year-long drought, which is one of the three prophecies Dou Yi uttered just before her death (one of the other prophecies gives the play its name). Tianyun is taking control of the factories from Handsome Zhang (John Yi), whose father (played in flashbacks by Kenneth Lee) Dou Yi was executed for supposedly murdering. Tianyun's subsequent search for the truth surrounding the deaths eventually affects Handsome's partner, Rocket Wu (Tommy Bo), with whom he had planned to flee New Harmony so that they could spend their lives together in romantic ecstasy. John Yi and Tommy Bo appear in the New York premiere of Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's Snow in Midsummer, directed by Zi Alikhan, at Classic Stage Company. ( Julieta Cervantes) For those who aren't familiar with the original Guan Hanqing play, it's worth avoiding even a Wikipedia summary of the drama in order to be fully surprised by the many twists of Cowhig's Guan-inspired narrative. Perhaps then one could at least appreciate Snow in Midsummer on the level of a lurid potboiler. And yet, even on that level, Cowhig's version feels too cerebral to fully satisfy. As intriguing an idea as it is to use Guan's play as a springboard for a kaleidoscopic, critical portrait of modern Chinese society encompassing everything from the gentrification wrought by capitalism to still-existing gender and sexual discrimination Snow in Midsummer eventually suffers from the weight of its myriad ambitions and plot convolutions. Or perhaps it simply feels unsatisfying under Zi Alikhan's rather tentative and uncertain direction. Though John Doyle, Classic Stage Company's artistic director, didn't direct this production, Alikhan's staging feels reminiscent of Doyle's "less is more" aesthetic approach, with the actors moving a single table in the middle of the theater's central raised platform to indicate changes of setting (the collective Dots is credited with the rest of the scenic design). Such an approach doesn't do Cowhig's grandly ambitious work any favors. The resulting production feels bereft of a through line, as if Alikhan never quite settled on a consistent tone to bind its disparate elements together. Snow in Midsummer also disappoints as a horror spectacle. Though lighting designer Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew comes up with some atmospheric uses of backlights and spotlights, and Alikhan makes memorably perverse use of Chinese pop legend Teresa Teng's classic tune "The Moon Represents My Heart," most of the attempts to drum up scares feel clumsy at best. It's a bad sign when Dou Yi's possession of Fei-Fei represented by both characters facing each other and saying the same foreboding lines in sync comes off as more goofy than chilling. Teresa Avia Lim, Alex Vinh, Julian Leong, Paul Juhn, and Wai Ching Ho appear in Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's Snow in Midsummer, directed by Zi Alikhan, at Classic Stage Company. ( Julieta Cervantes) The performers do their best to imbue the proceedings with the necessary life-or-death stakes, but many of the actors appear to mistake frantic high-pitched yelling for feverish "intensity." Only some of the older performers Wai Ching Ho is a particular standout as both Nurse Wong, the owner of a local New Harmony bar, and Dou Yi's mother, Mother Cai evince an understanding of how to modulate their performances to convey anger and menace. All of this is a pity, because in many ways Snow in Midsummer is a fascinating attempt to update an ancient work of theater, drawing on the elements that has made it such a mainstay of the Chinese stage and bringing it to a contemporary audience in a way that speaks across generations and cultures. As arguably overstuffed as it is, Cowhig's laudable adaptation deserves a better production than it gets here. Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming (GSMW) will continue celebrating 110 years as an organization with a weekend long event in Helena, MT July 8-10, 2022. The 110-year-old organization was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 when she started Girl Scouts in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. The first troop was made up of 18 girls who all shared a sense of curiosity and a belief that they could do anything. At a time when women in the United States couldnt yet vote and were expected to stick to strict social norms, encouraging girls to embrace their unique strengths and create their own opportunities was game-changing. That small gathering of girls over 100 years ago ignited a movement across America where every girl could unlock her full potential, find lifelong friends, and make the world a better place. Currently, the Girl Scout Leadership Experience focuses on four program pillars: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship. To celebrate 110 years, GSMW is hosting four events throughout Montana and Wyoming in 2022 with each event focusing on one of the four pillars. The weekend will kick off with the Highest Award Ceremony at the Montana State Capital honoring Girl Scouts who have earned their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award. The Gold award is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn, available to girls in high school by developing and carrying out lasting solutions to issues in their neighborhoods and beyond. The 2022 class of Gold Award Girl Scouts, which consisted of eight young women, dedicated 640 hours to identify and address the root cause of a problem, planned and implemented innovative solutions to drive change, and led a team of people to success. The celebration continues with a Lifetime Member dinner Friday evening, followed by dozens of field trips, hands-on activities, and stations that will include archery, fishing, hiking, canoeing, gold panning, outdoor cooking, and leather work Saturday. Briana Rickman, Director of Fund Development, is hoping this event will not only be a fun celebration of 110 years of Girl Scouting, but will create connection between Girl Scouts from all over the two-state region. Were excited to bring Girl Scouts and the community together for this weekend long celebration. Were hoping families and groups will travel from across Montana and Wyoming to celebrate this momentous milestone. Even if youre not a Girl Scout, please join us to celebrate and enjoy a fun-filled weekend! If you would like more information on this event, visit www.gsmw.org/events or contact Briana Rickman at brianar@gsmw.org or 406-252-0488. The remaining 110th celebration events are slated for Cheyenne, WY, and Jackson, WY later this summer. News Updates Would you like to receive our newsletter? Get local, Wyoming, and national news, the weather forecast, and more, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. A still image, taken from footage of the Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, shows Britons Aiden Aslin (L), Shaun Pinner, and Moroccan Brahim (R) Saadoun, who were captured by Russian forces during a military conflict in Ukraine, in a courtroom cage at a location given as Donetsk, Ukraine, on June 7, 2022. (Supreme Court of Donetsk People's Republic/Handout via Reuters) 2 Britons, Moroccan Captured in Ukraine Sentenced to Death by Pro-Russian Court Two British nationals and a Moroccan who were captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine were sentenced to death on June 9 by a court in the Russian-controlled Donetsk Peoples Republic, Russian news agencies reported. British/Ukrainian national Aiden Aslin, 28, British national Shaun Pinner, 48, and Saadoun Brahima, a young Moroccan national, were all sentenced to death after pleading guilty to charges of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, as well as mercenary activities and terrorism, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. RIA Novosti, which said the three will be shot, also said the head of the judicial board said that the convicted men can appeal their sentences within a month. The report referred to the three as mercenaries. According to previous family statements, Aslin and Pinner both moved to Ukraine in 2018 and joined the Ukrainian military long before the recent Russian invasion of the country. They are both married to Ukrainian wives, and Aslin also holds Ukrainian citizenship. Brahima reportedly studied at the Faculty of Aerodynamic and Space Technologies at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute before joining the Ukrainian resistance. The closed-door trial was held at the Supreme Court of the separatist Donetsk Peoples Republic. Following the sentencing, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called the court decision a sham judgment. I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine, the foreign secretary wrote on Twitter. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. Truss added that her thoughts are with the families, adding, We continue to do everything we can to support them. Robert Jenrick, Aslins local MP, said the Foreign Office should summon the Russian ambassador. Criticizing what he called a disgusting Soviet-era-style show trial, Jenrick warned that Russia cannot treat British citizens like this and get away with it. Contrary to the Kremlins propaganda, Aiden Aslin is not a mercenary. He has been living in Ukraine and serving in its armed forces before Russias illegal invasion and as a prisoner of war is entitled to protection under the Geneva Convention, Jenrick wrote. The Russian Ambassador should be summoned to the Foreign Office to account for this most egregious breach of the Geneva Convention. Aiden must be released as soon as practicable. Aslin, originally from Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, north England, and Pinner, originally from Bedfordshire, east England, were captured by Russian forces in April after their unit had to surrender after 48 days of defending Mariupol, as they were running out of ammunition. They later appeared on Russian state TV, asking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to help exchange them with Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician who was arrested by Ukrainian secret services on April 12. 2022 Primary: Newport Voters Allow City Council to Keep Appointing Mayors A primary ballot measure in Newport Beach, California, that proposes electing future mayors rather than appointing them is likely to fail, according to unofficial election results on June 8. A 58.9 percent majority of voters shot down the proposal in the California primary. About 9,000 voters opposed Measure B, compared to approximately 6,300 who supported it. Under the current system, the city council votes to appoint one of its own seven councilors to serve as mayor for one year. Measure B proposed to reduce the number of council districts from seven to six and allow local residents to vote directly for the mayor in an at-large election and lengthen the mayoral terms to four years. The initiative would have set lifetime term limits of two four-year terms for mayors and prohibited a mayor from running for a seat on the city council for the term of office immediately following their mayoral stint. The measure would have given the mayor the power to set the agenda for each council meeting, rather than the city manager. It would also allow any three councilors the joint power to add agenda items. Opponents of the measure include several former Newport Beach mayors and city councilors, environmental groups, and other city leaders. Line in the Sand, a political action committee created by the board of a conservation group called Still Protecting Our Newport, donated $15,000 to defeat the measure. Another group called No Elected Mayor raised $91,000 to oppose it. City Councilman Will ONeill, who served as mayor in 2020, headed a group called Elect Our Mayor, which raised $93,000 to support the measure. Jill McLaughlin and Lynn Hackman contributed to this report. This picture released on Jan. 11, 2019 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) via CNS shows the Yutu-2 moon rover, taken by the Chang'e-4 lunar probe on the far side of the moon. - China will seek to establish an international lunar base one day, possibly using 3D printing technology to build facilities, the Chinese space agency said on Janu. 14, weeks after landing the rover on the moon's far side. (China National Space Administration/AFP via Getty Images) 3 US Companies That Allegedly Sent Defense Blueprints to China Receive Export Denial Order The Commerce of Business has issued a temporary denial order (TDO) for 180 days to three U.S. companies for the illegal export of data relating to satellite, rocket, and defense technology to China. On June 7, the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) accused three U.S.-based companies of unauthorized export of technical drawings and blueprints used to 3-D print satellite, rocket, and defense-related prototypes to China. The three entities are Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc., Rapid Cut LLC, and U.S. Prototype Inc., all located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Outsourcing 3-D printing of space and defense prototypes to China harms U.S. national security, said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod in a statement on June 8. By sending their customers technical drawings and blueprints to China, these companies may have saved a few bucksbut they did so at the collective expense of protecting U.S. military technology. According to the statement, TDOs are some of the most significant civil sanctions the BIS can issue. The statement indicated, Without their customers advance consent or knowledge, these drawings were provided to manufacturers in China to 3-D-print the items without the required U.S. Government authorizations. As stated in the TDO, these three entities use the same rental mailbox. The information illegally sent to China included sensitive prototype space and defense technologies, said the BIS. A 3D printer makes a plastic extender for surgical masks in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 14, 2020. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) The statement also encouraged customers of the three entities to review their records to determine whether intellectual-property or export-controlled technology was provided and/or potentially compromised. The BIS did not disclose the customers that have contracts with the three entities. According to the TDO, the customers include an aerospace and global defense technology company; a manufacturer of specially designed parts intended for a rocket platforms ground support and test equipment; and an advanced science and engineering company with multiple U.S. government contracts, including with the Department of Defense. An emergency worker directs a volunteer with simulated injuries during a training exercise for an active shooter at Hopewell Elementary School, in West Chester, Ohio, on May 25, 2016. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A Call to Arms: Teachers in Conservative States Are Volunteering to Carry Guns Crosses and flowers laid out in the public square of the grief-stricken town Uvalde, where a teen gunman killed 19 students and two teachers, are an all-too-familiar scene igniting a call to arms for teachers in Texas and beyond. The Republican-led Texas legislature is addressing the twin issues of school safety and mass violence following the May 24 Uvalde, Texas, school shooting. Committees of lawmakers are reviewing past legislative efforts, such as the Guardian and Marshal programs that allow teachers to carry firearms in the hopes of hardening schools as targets. School officials and firearm trainers in the Lone Star State say interest has risen sharply since the recent shooting. Jeff Sellers owns Schools on Target, a company in Marble Falls, Texas, that trains teachers to carry firearms in schools. Since the school shooting, Sellers told The Epoch Times that he has added nine additional classesdouble the amount customarily heldfor June through August. Ive gotten an insane amount of calls, Sellers said. It hasnt stopped. Ninety percent is because of Uvalde. Bryan Proctor, owner of Go Strapped Firearms Training in Arlington, Texas, told The Epoch Times much the same thingthat training requests for the Guardian program have skyrocketed. Weve had about a 100 percent increase, Proctor said. Its been pretty dramatic. Ive sent out over 20 proposals in the past week. Proctor said teachers want to protect their students and themselves, despite what people may be hearing form the select voices in legacy media. What youre seeing is a vocal minority, Proctor said. Arming teachers isnt about giving them something else to be responsible forbut instead giving them a tool as a last defense. Elsewhere, state legislatures are investigating how to make schools safer and arm teachers. Louisiana is currently looking at legislation similar to Texas, allowing teachers to carry guns in schools after receiving specialized training. Ohios latest bill aims to be less restrictive than the current law, mandating 700 hours of police training and board approval before allowing teachers to be armed. Republican governors Bill Lee of Tennessee and Ron DeSantis of Florida took action on school security this week. Lee signed an executive order June 6 to ensure working safety protocols at schools, and to evaluate training for active shooter scenarios. DeSantis signed a school safety bill into law on June 7 that focused on crisis intervention and training, and mental health awareness. Meanwhile, teacher unions have nixed the idea and portrayed arming teachers as unpopular with educators. A 2018 Gallup poll found that 73 percent of teachers oppose the idea. Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America during a anti gun rally on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 10, 2015. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Meanwhile, policies to arm teachers in some form has widespread participation throughout the country amid the horror of gunmen targeting schools for mass shootings. The RAND Corporation reported in 2020 that 28 states permit armed teachers under some circumstances, while states such as Texas and Florida have passed laws encouraging the practice. In North Florida, one principal at a private Christian school said he would like to see the program expanded to include private schools. The principal, who didnt wish to be identified, said he added chain-link fencing around his schools 40-acre perimeter and allowed just one-way traffic onto the campus, except during drop-off and pick-up times. Now, cameras monitor doors into buildings, and access is controlled remotely or with special key fobs. Classrooms stay locked throughout the day. But its not enough anymore, he said. He asked for training under Floridas school guardian program to protect his schools 340 students, ranging from toddlers to high school seniors. He was denied because the program doesnt extend to private schools. Currently, it is open to employees of public schools or charter schools who volunteer to serve as guardians and their official job duties. To qualify, they must pass psychological and drug screenings, and complete a 144-hour training course. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) arrives at a memorial service on the one-year anniversary of the shooting which claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., U.S., on Feb. 14, 2019. (Joe Skipper/File Photo/Reuters) Sheriffs offices in 45 of Floridas 67 counties participate and receive funding to cover screening and training costs. And guardians receive a one-time bonus of $500 for serving in the program. Schools in districts can arrange to send employees for certification. So the principal is now training on his own to become a licensed, armed security guard. Its the only option, he said. Even before this last school shooting, I said, Ive got to go get this taken care of. So were doing it the right way. About a decade ago, Texas lawmakers created the school Marshal program, as a way for educators to carry weapons inside schools, and later initiated the Guardian program. Under the Marshal program, school employees can carry a handgun on school premises after 80 hours of training. However, school marshals are restricted from carrying concealed firearms if they are regularly in contact with students. Instead, the marshal can store a gun in a safe at the school. There are 62 school districts participating in this plan, according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Gretchen Grigsby, director of government relations with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, told The Epoch Times that 30 new students and nine new school districts have signed up for the Marshal program since the Uvalde shooting. The Guardian program authorizes school boards to arm employees under the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act and the Texas Penal Code. After completing 16 hours of training, those employees may carry a concealed firearm in the presence of students. According to the Texas Association of School Boards, 389 districts reported using the Guardian plan as of May. While Democrats are calling for gun control, people like Sellers reiterate that the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. Sellers told The Epoch Times that the first few minutes of an active shooter situation are critical, and arming teachers could save lives. In active shooting incidents, time is everything, Sellers said. No gun control law is going to stop evil from conducting evil acts. File photo showing people singing the national anthem during a rally promoting Second Amendment rights, in Washington, D.C., on July 7, 2018. (Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images) Madalyn Maresh is an assistant superintendent at the Edna Independent School District, a rural 3A district northeast of Victoria, Texas. She told The Epoch Times that her district reopened the application process for the Guardian program at her school in response to the Uvalde shooting. The day I reopened it, I got two applications immediately, she said. In the three years since the program has been operational, she gets between 3 to 10 volunteers per year. Without guns for protection, teachers are forced to use their own bodies to shield students from an active shooter, she said. Youve got to find what fits your community. We got zero push back on itour community embraces it, Maresh said. Kyle Collier, police chief for City View ISD in Wichita Falls, Texas, said an additional four or five teachers volunteered after the Uvalde shooting. Nanette Holt contributed to this report. A love story from communist china After braving two years of relentless torture in a forced-labor camp in communist China, a woman was safely rescued to Australia by her fiance nearly 20 years ago. The couple, now in their 50s, recounted to The Epoch Times their soul-stirring journey through the darkest days of life, exposing the injustices happening behind the closed red-terror walls of the Chinese jails and labor camps. Theirs is a story of true love, firm faith, and unwavering courage. Almost two decades ago, Ying Li, now 51, was arrested in China for her faith in the Falun Gong spiritual practice. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution campaign against the peaceful meditation system in July 1999, fearing the practices universal teaching of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance as a threat to its ideologies rooted in atheism and Marxism. Ying, who currently resides in Sydney with her husband and their three children, was persecuted and abused for refusing to give up her faith. It is his love that has supported me through the darkest days of my life, Ying said. Ying Li with her husband, Grant Lee. (Courtesy of Ying Li and Grant Lee) If people around the world can understand the evil nature of the CCP , then you can see through the gradual transition to communism that is happening worldwide. If more people can resist communism, then well have a peaceful world. Grant Lee, who helped rescue Ying Li to Australia Tortured for Faith After Ying was abducted by police in January 2001, she was sent to a brainwashing center. To protest against the unlawful arrest, Ying went on a hunger strike for a month. The guards resorted to coercive methods to torture and force-feed her, causing her health to deteriorate. She was incarcerated for four months before being bailed out by her workplace. Recalling the abuses she was subjected to, Ying said that a staff member of the brainwashing center once told her without any fear: Putting you in jail or under house arrest is exactly what we want to do. We are government institutions, so what do you think you can do about it? Ten months later, on Oct. 16, 2001, Ying was on a business trip to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, when she was suddenly arrested for the second time and sent to the Shanghai Qingsong Female Forced Labor Camp. At the time, she was working for a management consulting company. I was confined for 2 years. The reason recorded was other, because my arrest was not based on any actual law, she said. They hung me with my hands cuffed behind my back for three days to an iron door. They also locked me in a solitary confinement cell for more than six months. They were afraid that my determination would interfere with their so-called re-education of other Falun Gong practitioners. The communist-ruled society is not a normal society. Its against humanity. They brainwash people to follow what the CCP thinks and do what it asks you to do. They dont allow people to have their faith so that they can control your mind. Ying Li, originally from China, now residing in Australia Recounting the torture methods employed by the communist officials to reform prisoners of faith, Ying said the CCP has devised various ways to persecute. The abusive methods include forcing practitioners to sit on very tiny stools for hours at a time, leading to the festering of buttocks, as well as standing for a long extended time, leading to swollen feet and legs, making them unable to walk. Some were beaten with electric batons so badly that it was hard to find any good piece of skin on their bodies, Ying said. In some areas, there were more physical tortures. In other places, there were more mental tortures. A reenactment of sitting on a small stool, a method often used in Chinese prisons to torture Falun Gong practitioners who refuse to give up on their faith. (Minghui.org) Ying said she and other practitioners often got blisters on their palms after long hours of forced slave labor, which lasted from 7 a.m. to almost midnight every day. After Ying fled to Australia, she revealed that the Shanghai Womens Forced Labor Camp was involved in making dolls that were directly shipped to a renowned brand in Italy. She was also forced to make products for the Three-Gun brand of underwear, and underwear labeled with examined by #16 were produced by detainees in the labor camp where she was held, according to a 2004 Australia-China Free Trade Agreement Joint Feasibility Study report by the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG) Australia Branch. Ying Li and Grant Lee attend a rally in front of Capital Hill in Canberra, Australia, to support the motion to Rescue the Australian Citizens Relatives on Dec. 1, 2003. (Courtesy of Minghui.org) A Daring Rescue All the while when Ying was facing persecution in China, her then-fiance in Australia, Grant Lee, was busy making the Australian government aware of her situation. Grants tireless efforts proved impactful to a certain extent in minimizing the torture Ying experienced in the sinister labor camp. Grant then managed to send Ying an engagement ring as a Christmas gift while she was still incarcerated. The ring not only comforted Ying during her lifes most trying days but also reassured her that true love and faith never fail; she knew Grant would never give up on rescuing her. Ying was released from the labor camp on Oct. 15, 2003. However, the long journey of rescuing Ying out of China was no easy feat for Grant. At the beginning, no one wanted to help because she was a Chinese citizen, said Grant, 58, who met Ying in 2001 via a common friend. So, I rode a bike from Sydney to Canberra to raise awareness. After five local Australian media outlets reported their story, the officers from the Australian foreign department met with him when he arrived in Canberra and agreed to inquire with the Chinese government about Ying. Grant said that to sponsor Ying to Australia, he needed to submit photos of them together. However, the couple never got any chance to take photos due to the persecution. So, Grant braved the journey to China to click some pictures with Ying. However, the Chinese consulate in Australia refused to grant him a Chinese visa, knowing that he was a Falun Gong practitioner as well. To bypass the restrictions, Grant changed his name and appearance and went to Hong Kong to apply for a Chinese visa. Thereafter, he traveled through a few cities in China before arriving in Shanghai by bus to avoid letting others know that he came from abroad. Grant said some members of the Parliament in Australia had contacted the Australian Consulate in Shanghai to facilitate the procedures; as a result, Ying was issued a visa within a week. Hope for a Peaceful World With her beloved soulmate right by her side, Ying finally landed in Australia on Nov. 29, 2003. Her elder sister and younger brother, who were also persecuted repeatedly for practicing Falun Gong, were subsequently rescued from China, and have since been granted refugee status in Australia. Cherishing the freedom to practice her faith without the fear of getting arrested, Ying said she feels lucky compared to the millions of Falun Gong practitioners who are still being persecuted in her beloved homeland. The communist-ruled society is not a normal society, Ying said. Its against humanity. They brainwash people to follow what the CCP thinks and do what it asks you to do. They dont allow people to have their faith so that they can control your mind. Ying Li and Grant Lee pose for a photo with other Falun Gong practitioners after arriving at the Sydney international airport on Nov. 29, 2003. (Minghui.org) Having experienced the evilness of the communist party firsthand, Grant hopes that people who are living in China will not be scared by the Partys authoritarian rule but rather stand strong to resist it. If people around the world can understand the evil nature of the CCP, then you can see through the gradual transition to communism that is happening worldwide, he said. If more people can resist communism, then well have a peaceful world. Arshdeep Sarao contributed to this report. 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 Afghan Watchdog Cant Trace at Least $70 Million in Missing Cash Investigations continuing into the possibility another $169 million has been stolen The special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR) says he cant account for a significant amount of cash that was handled by the now-defunct Afghan government, although he did cast doubt on Russian reports that the countrys former president fled with $169 million as his U.S.-backed regime collapsed in August 2021. John Sopko revealed those details in his June 7 interim report to Congress, which sought answers about the U.S. weaponry, cash, and other resources left in Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdrawal from the country. This latest report focuses on cold, hard cashalthough exactly how much is unclear. Sopko confirmed the apparent theft of at least $70 million, but said hes still investigating what happened to another rumored $169 million. Attempts to loot other government funds appear to have been common, he said. Yet with Afghan government records and surveillance videos from those final days likely in Taliban hands, SIGAR is currently unable to determine how much money was ultimately stolen, and by whom. According to Sopko, about $70 million was taken from the now-defunct National Directorate of Security (NDS), which was the Afghan governments version of the CIA. Sopko based his estimate on interviews with former Afghan officials. According to one former senior official, on Saturday, Aug. 14, this cash reserve of U.S. dollars disappeared from the NDS vault, he said. By the time the Taliban arrived the following day, only a small reserve of Afghanis [the currency of Afghanistan] remained. Sopko said the secretive nature of NDSwhich, like the CIA, funds covert operations from a black budgetmeans that hes not privy to what the agencys true budget was. As this money was not a line item on any budget, it is very difficult to track, he said. While unable to account for the NDS secret funds, Sopko said in his report that theres no evidence to substantiate Russian claims that ousted U.S.-backed Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country with an estimated $169 million on four helicopters as his government collapsed around him. Ghani did flee the country with cash, but it would have been extremely difficult for his four Mi-17 helicopters to carry $169 million along with the 53 people who left with the president, Sopko said. This amount of cash would be difficult to conceal $169 million in $100 bills, stacked end to end, would form a block 7.5 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet tall, he said. In addition, the hot weather and fuel load of the helicopters could not have sustained the additional weight of heavy cash. Basing his conclusions from interviews he conducted with Afghan officials, Sopko said its more likely that the presidential delegation left with about $500,000$120,000 of which was used to charter a flight to the United Arab Emirates from Uzbekistan. The remaining cash that was not spent on the charter plane was distributed among these 54 people. Some was sent to family members of guards still in Afghanistan, some was sent to senior staff still in Afghanistan, some was given to senior staff for commercial airfare to third countries where they had citizenship, and the rest was distributed among the group, the inspector general said. Sopko said that hes continuing to collect information as he prepares his final report. His report suggests that a full accounting of the missing funds could be impossible. SIGAR does not have sufficient evidence to determine with certainty whether hundreds of millions of dollars were removed from the country by Afghan officials as the government collapsed or whether any stolen money was provided by the United States, he said. However, we will continue to collect information on this as we prepare a final report. Anaheim Delays Appointing New Mayor ANAHEIM, Calif.Left without a mayor following corruption allegations last month, the Anaheim City Council struggled June 7 to fill the vacant position. The citys mayor, Harry Sidhu, resigned May 24 following the release of an FBI investigation report detailing his possible involvement in corruption during negotiations for the sale of Angel Stadium. Sidhu has not been charged or indicted. Councilman Jose Moreno was the only councilor who offered to serve as the appointed mayor to replace Sidhu but his offer was rejected. Let me just say for the record, I would be open to that appointment, Moreno told councilors. I would embrace it in the spirit of the office. The other councilors at the meeting declined to support Moreno and his attempt failed. Another suggestion by Councilman Stephen Faessel to direct city staff to find a retired resident for the appointment also failed. The citys charter, or constitution, requires the city council to fill the mayor vacancy within 60 days. If not filled within that time, the city needs to hold a special election. However, the general election to elect a new mayor is Nov. 8, which makes the timeline too tight to organize a special election, according to Councilman Trevor ONeil, the mayor pro tem, who is running meetings and handling mayoral duties. ONeil said he would not seek the appointment of mayor and the upcoming general election would allow residents to select their own mayor. Its a moot issue because of the timing and the proximity to the election and the requirements to certify the election, ONeil said. The bottom line is, the voters are going to select a new mayor in November anyway. City Attorney Robert Fabela agreed, saying city staff did not think the timing would work. In another action, the city council decided in closed session to release any funds paid into escrow by SRB Management, the development firm owned by Angels team owner Arte Moreno, for the sale of Angels Stadium. The stadium sale was abandoned by city council at its last meeting May 24. Shortly after, SRB Management told the city it would not fight the sales cancellation. Refunding the escrow money would be contingent on a written agreement with SRB that the company would not force the city to live up to any agreements made as part of the stadium sale, Fabela said. Councilors also delayed making changes to its campaign finance rules and will take up the issue again at its regular meeting in two weeks. Councilman Moreno requested the investigations and proposed new campaign finance rules for councilors that would require council members and mayors to abstain from voting on issues that could benefit campaign donors and political action committees, or PACs. City staff was also directed by the council to start developing a bid request for an independent audit of former Mayor Sidhus campaign receipts and city contracts. During the lockdown of Shanghai this year, it looked like an empty city with no pedestrians or vehicles on the streets. (Hector Retamal / AFP) Article Citing 200 Million Chinese Locked Down in April Censored by Communist Regime A recent analysis by Shanghai-based Metrodata Tech said during the month of April, 200 million people in China were in a state of quiescence. This term describes people in lockdown status due to the strict epidemic controls imposed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). City-Data Group, a site within Chinas WeChat social media platform, posted an article titled, 200 Million People Stilled in April. The article was removed after only one day online. WeChat explained the content violated Chinas Internet regulations. However, the article is still accessible on websites outside China. The article said that many locations had been locked down in China, but the exact number was unknown since this information is not always made public. If the lockdown status of a particular location isnt posted online, its hard to determine the true number of locations and people the CCP has restricted. But through means of big data analysis, it may be possible to figure out the true situation. To determine whether people are restricted within a particular city or region, referred to as inactive or whole region stationary, Metrodata uses three distinct measures. The first measure is theater operations or closed venues. The location is identified as cinema silent when all the cinemas in the observed area have not sold a single ticket and the number of shows played is zero. The second measure is the variation in offline spending. A location is identified as consumption static when the daily consumption recorded by a large internet platform is below 50 percent of the average level compared to the same period the year before. The final measure is the observable traffic. A location is identified as traffic stationary when its Congestion Index, as supplied by a major map provider, is below 0.2. On a routine or non-holiday workday, this number suggests the traffic is low or unimpeded. People living in areas meeting all three measures are labeled as quiescent. The City Data Group article explained the significance of what this means. The number of Chinese people labeled as quiescent, never exceeded 20 million until after the Omicron variant struck in 2022. Starting in January, the number jumped to 50 million then rose to 100 million in early April, and before the middle of the month, 200 million were labeled as quiescent. In other words, lockdowns are occurring in many regions simultaneously. The lockdown of Shanghai, Chinas economic capital, affected 25 million people and attracted worldwide attention. The number accounts for one-eighth of Chinas 200 million quiescent people, of which many live in areas rarely seen by the public. Since May 2020, the article said there were 30 districts and counties that dont receive much attention but were labeled as quiescent for more than 100 days. For example, Hulan District in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, was in a quiescent state for 182 days; Chongli District in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, for 142 days; and Hailinger County in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, for 135 days. After an online investigation into the COVID prevention status of these locations, a reporter with The Epoch Times said he could only find scattered information but nothing about when the lockdowns began. Some locations werent listed as closed or under static management by Chinas tracking sites. To get reliable data, the reporter had to telephone local businesses, but many did not answer. The reporter spoke to Mr. Sun, a resident of Harbin city, who confirmed the current lockdown had been in effect for more than two months. But since 2020, the lockdowns were in effect on and off for a combined six months. He said, Sometimes its not completely in lockdown. With a pass, people can go out to buy food once every three days. The supermarket is open, but people cannot move around freely. Ms. Ma, a resident of Zhangjiakou, said on May 30 that her city just ended a lockdown that began in March. She said, We were put in stasis again yesterday, and we had to do a nucleic acid test today. In speaking with The Epoch Times, Zheng Jie, a Japanese current affairs commentator said technology today enables researchers to obtain good data and produce irrefutable analyses. The Chinese communist regime is based on lies, as indicated by the CCP censoring the City Data Group article. The fact that the CCP blocked this article may further prove the credibility of its conclusion, he said. Reporter Ellen Wan contributed to this article. An MV-22B Osprey fly's over Anaheim, Calif., on March 24, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) At Least 4 Dead After US Military Aircraft Crashes in California At least four people are dead after a U.S. Marine Corps aircraft crashed in Southern California on Wednesday. The aircraft, an MV-22B Osprey belonging to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, crashed near Glamis in Imperial County, southeast California, according to Maj. Mason Englehart, spokesman for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which has units based in Miramar, Yuma, Pendleton, and Twentynine Palms. He said the aircraft went down at 12:25 p.m. during a training exercise. He could not confirm the number of people on board or whether there were any deaths, and said information was still being gathered. The tiltrotor aircraft can take off and land as a helicopter but transit as a turboprop aircraft. Malik Earnest, reporter for Fox 5 San Diego, said that according to radio chatter, at least four people are dead and rescue teams are searching for a fifth person who remains unaccounted for. Imperial County officials are assuming all five people aboard a crashed military aircraft near Highway 78 are deceased, Earnest said in a Twitter post. Earnest said that preliminary reports had noted the aircraft was loaded with nuclear material. The Naval Air Facility El Centro, located around 30 miles from the site, said in a statement that, Contrary to initial reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft. More information will be made available as we receive it. It confirmed the crash and said that military and civilian first responders are on site. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A map of Indonesia and Australia, Australia's new Labor government has signaled that it wishes to deepen ties with its northern neighbor. (Google Maps) Australia Rejects Chinese Trade in Favour of Indonesia and India Australian Prime Minister Albanese said Australia must diversify its trade and economic benefits from China away to countries such as India and Indonesia. With economic cooperation a main topic during his three-day visit to Indonesia, Albanese brought with him a high-profile delegation of CEOs from Australias biggest companies, including Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Wesfarmers, and Fortescue. Well continue to work on trade diversification though, as it is important because at one stage the trade proportion for China was up above 45 percent, Albanese said in a press conference on June 7. We need to make that we diversify the opportunities, which are there. Indonesia is obviously a very important element in that. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C) walks after laying a wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta, Indonesia on June 6, 2022. Albanese made his first trip to Indonesia promising to strengthen ties during two days of diplomatic and business meetings. (Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images) The Prime Minister revealed that Greg Combet, the former Labor Minister under Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard who now chairs IFM Investors and Industry Super Australia, would lead a delegation of super fund industry heads to Indonesia in the coming weeks to look for investment opportunities. Indonesia will grow to be one of the top five economies in the world in coming years. What that represents is an enormous opportunity for Australia, he said. Indonesia, despite its proximity and population of 270 million, is only Australias 13thbiggest export market. In 2020, Australia exported goods of $160 billion to China, compared with $17 billion to India and $7 billion to Indonesia. Albanese said both India and Indonesia have enormous opportunities for Australia, noting that the rank of Indonesia in Australias partner lists should be much higher. Common-sense tells you that thats the case, he said. In the economic coercion of Australia in recent years, Beijing has put tariffs, bans, and other restrictions on about $20 billion worth of Australian goods including coal, wine, beef, barley, and lobster. Albanese said in the press conference that the Chinese regime must lift unfair sanctions on Australian exports. I have said that the sanctions have been imposed by China are unjust and should be removed. That remains my position and that should occur. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stands at attention during a wreath laying ceremony at Indonesias national heroes cemetery on June 06, 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Ed Wray/Getty Images) Chinas ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian suggested earlier this month that trade sanctions would not be lifted until the political relationship between Canberra and Beijing improves. Matt Comyn, CEO of Australia Commonwealth Bank, who accompanied Albanese to a business dinner in Indonesia, said the bank has been in the Indonesian market for 25 years and supports Australian companies to build closer economic ties with Indonesia. Its a very large market. Its a huge population with a good growth profile for Australian business. Its definitely a market they should be considering, he said the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN 785) is moved to Newport News Shipbuilding's floating dry dock in preparation for the September 6 christening in Newport News, Virginia, U.S. August 31, 2014. U.S. Navy/John Whalen/Huntington Ingalls Industries/Handout via REUTERS Australia Was Close to Buying 2 Nuclear Subs From the US: Former Defence Minister The former defence minister and now-opposition leader Peter Dutton has revealed that the previous Australian government was close to approaching the United States to purchase two Virginia-class nuclear submarines as a stopgap measure before it could build its own vessels. Dutton urged the current Defence Minister Richard Marles to stay the course on AUKUS and not look at acquiring another submarine class to fill any capability gaps due to time and money constraints. In an op-ed for The Australian newspaper, Dutton said he believed it was possible to negotiate with the United States to buy two Virginia-class submarines out of Connecticut; this meant the government could cut short the waiting time for the AUKUS submarines, which were due by 2038. Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to the media during a press conference at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices in Brisbane, Australia, on June 5, 2022. (AAP Image/Russell Freeman) There have been ongoing concerns that this timeframe was too far out, given the current threat matrix in the Indo-Pacific region posed by the Chinese Communist Party. We would have our first two subs this decade. I had formed a judgment that the Americans would have facilitated exactly that, he wrote. The further eight subs (we had always said at least eight), making 10 in total, could have been built in South Australia, which honours our commitments. Under AUKUS, Australia is to decide whether it would acquire either the Astute-class submarine from the United Kingdom or the Virginia-class. Dutton cited the maturity of the Virginia-class and its ability to launch missiles vertically as critical to his decision. His comments came in response to Defence Minister Marles, who said the likely delivery of the AUKUS submarines was in the 2040s and that he was considering acquiring a stopgap submarinethe son of Collins. Currently, Australia fields an ageing fleet of six diesel-electric Collins-class submarines built in the 1990s. However, there are concerns that Australia could face a capability gap between the retirement of the Collins class and the introduction of new vessels. We need to look at how we bridge the gap. Thats all I can say. And my mind is open about how we do that, Marles told The Sydney Morning Herald. The challenge we now face is how we deal with them. There is no more important priority for me coming into this portfolio than this question. Dutton warned against another submarine class because it would take too long for it to be operationalconsidering procurement timelines. Defence leaders here and in the U.S. strongly advised me, Australia doesnt have the construction workforce, let alone the crew capability, to run three classes of submarines, he said. Cattle are seen in front of wind turbines at the Taralga Wind Farm in Taralga, Australia on Aug. 31, 2015. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) Australian Community Launches Legal Challenge Against Construction of Wind Farm A community in the Australian state of Victoria has launched a legal challenge against the construction of a wind farm in the Strezlecki Ranges south-east of Melbourne. Osmi Australia lodged applications to construct a 33-turbine wind farm near Delburn, which was approved by Richard Wynne, Victorias planning minister, in March. However, over 1,000 members of the Strezlecki Community Alliance have filed a legal action with the Victorian Supreme Court to have the decision overturned, saying the Latrobe City Councils local planning scheme did not allow wind farms to be built within five kilometres of the urban areas of Moe, Morwell, and Traralgon, according to documents cited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Alliances lawyer, Dominica Tannock, said the wind farm was prohibited. Sheep graze in front of wind turbines in Lake George on the outskirts of Canberra, Australia on Sep. 1, 2020. (Photo by David Gray/Getty Images) We rely on an expert report by a licensed surveyor which says the wind farm proposed to be built at Delburn is within 5 kilometres of a residential zone within the urban area. Tannock previously helped residents win a case against another wind farm operator, Bald Hills, to reduce the amount of noise its turbines emitted at night. Justice Melinda Richards said the company had not complied with a noise permit and handed down a permanent injunction forcing the company to take necessary measures to address the issue. The company had three months to fix the noise; otherwise going forward, it could not operate at night. Noise from the turbines on the wind farm has caused a substantial interference with both plaintiffs enjoyment of their land, according to her judgement (pdf). The generation of renewable energy by the wind farm is a socially valuable activity, and it is in the public interest for it to continue. However, there is not a binary choice to be made between the generation of clean energy by the wind farm, and a good nights sleep for its neighbours. It should be possible to achieve both. Meanwhile, Osmi Australia has vowed to defend the current case. We will continue to progress the proposed Delburn Wind Farm and look forward to ongoing engagement with the community on this exciting renewable energy project that will deliver benefits for the Latrobe Valley and surrounding communities, the company said in a statement obtained by ABC. Australian open cut mine in the Latrobe Valley, 150km east of Melbourne, Australia, on Sep. 30, 2015. (Paul Crock/AFP/Getty Images) Australian Government to Grant Regulators More Powers to Tackle Energy Crisis Australian energy ministers at state and federal levels have agreed to strengthen the powers of energy regulators and allow the market operator to obtain and store gas supplies to curb the energy crisis. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen convened a meeting with his state and territory counterparts on June 8, in which they put forward 11 action points. Bowen said the proposed changes would enable Australia to manage the energy crisis from now on. No silver bullet, no magic answers, but material steps forward in a very positive fashion, he told reporters after the meeting. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMC) could procure some gas and keep it in reserve to be released for urgent and crisis situations. That is technically possible. There are storage facilities around the country. We agreed to work to give AEMO that power and to give them that power expeditiously. At the same time, the federal government would grant more powers to energy regulators to protect the markets transparency and consumers best interests. In addition, the government has instructed the AEMC to develop a capacity mechanism that ensures that power plants can generate electricity whenever necessary. Separately, the ministers settled on developing a national transition plan for the energy market prior to the next meeting in July. Resources Minister Madeline King said that unscheduled outages at coal-fired power plants were exerting more pressure on the electricity grid, causing companies to work harder to raise their output. Existing coal-fired power stations going offline due to planned and unplanned outages combines to see this extraordinary price, she told Sky News. The Royalla Solar Farm is seen in Canberra, Australia, on June 28, 2016. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) New South Wales Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean also said that coal-fired power stations in the state had to push up their output to reduce the reliance on gas. When weve got coal-fired power plants that are not in operation due to unscheduled outages, that means gas is filling the gap, he said. We need our power stations running at full tilt during the winter period, so were less reliant on gas and can put downward pressure on electricity prices. Additionally, King said that the domestic gas supply guarantee mechanism had been implemented to relieve the gas shortages on the east coast, but it would not lower prices significantly right away. The gas is going to where it needs to be, and that should flow through the system, she said. Im not saying were going to see a massive reduction in prices overnight. Were certainly not because we still need those existing coal-fired power stations to come online. But the gas is moving around, and more gas has been supplied. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory is expected to be the only jurisdiction witnessing a slight drop in electricity prices due to a number of large-scale renewable energy projects commencing operation. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed that coal would still be a part of the national energy mix, Bowen warned it was not easy to tackle the energy crisis due to the countrys ill preparation. Staff conduct a Swabbing run at a PPE drill at the NCCTRCA/AUSMAT sections of the Howard Springs quarantine facility, Darwin, Australia, on Jan. 14, 2021. (AAP Image/Glenn Campbell) Australian Territory to Close Controversial COVID-19 Quarantine Camp and End Vaccine Mandates One of Australias most controversial COVID-19 quarantine camps, Howard Springs Centre for National Resilience, will be closed by authorities, along with other vaccination and testing centres. The Northern Territory government revealed that it would not be renewing the public health emergency order set to end on June 16, bringing an end to the territories vaccine mandates and the closure of the Howard Springs quarantine centre. Were moving into a world where we are living with COVID. We will end the public health emergency; the vaccine mandate will also end, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles confirmed on Thursday. From June 16, we will transition from a state of public health emergency to living with COVID as it becomes endemic in our community. The Howard Springs quarantine camp, also known as the Centre for National Resilience, is Australias largest quarantine facility and attracted international controversy when an Australian woman has described her time in the then mandatory supervised quarantine facilities, often reported as quarantine camps, as like being in prison, in an interview with British news site UnHerd. While the centre will cease operations, it will be maintained to be fully functional at any time if required for use within the next 12 months. Fyles said efforts to transition Howard Springs towards closure would be completed together with the federal government as it was an important asset for the nation. So we have already transitioned, and the numbers [in Howard Springs] have decreased significantly. In fact, theres been only a handful of people in the facility through the month of May, and presently I dont think there was anyone there, she said. Chief Minister Natasha Fyles during a press conference in Darwin, Australia, on May 13, 2022. (AAP Image/Aaron Bunch) The chief minister said the facility was something Territorians should be proud of as it processed thousands of overseas Australians, assisting their return home. She also revealed that from June 16, the mandatory vaccination policy would end but noted that businesses in the territory would be able to require their employees to be fully vaccinated at their own discretion. While COVID-19 policies will begin to scale back, the chief health officer will retain the power to issue health orders for up to two years, including mask and vaccine mandates. But Chief Health Officer Charles Pain said the likelihood of facing a situation that required the powers in the future appeared to be decreasing. The changing stance towards COVID-19 vaccinations in the health industry also means that the virus will likely be treated similarly to the flu and measles going forward. Additionally, companies will be able to rehire workers they were forced to lay off after the mandates were enforced. It would be up to individual agencies to work through what their workforce requirements are going forward and whom they wish to employ, Fyles said. The Northern Territorys vaccination rate is comparatively lower than many other Australian jurisdictions, at 73 percent for people aged 16 and above. When asked if the government had any regrets about its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fyles said: Absolutely not. The way in which we have received that health advice its been handled and the way the territory community has responded is something to be proud of, she said. Police caution tape blocks the entrance to a shooting crime scene in a file photo (Jeff Dean/AFP via Getty Images) Authorities Confirm Multiple Victims After Shooting Reported at Maryland Plant Officials in Maryland confirmed a shooting with several victims at a plant in Washington County on Thursday afternoon. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said at a news conference that at least three people died in the incident. Deputies responded to the active shooting scene at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg at around 2:30 p.m. ET, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office spokesperson in a comment to The Associated Press. The suspect was shot and injured in a confrontation with a state trooper, said the sheriffs office. Hogan said he doesnt know the condition of the gunman, who hasnt yet been identified. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) office in Baltimore wrote on Twitter that its special agents are assisting deputies in the investigation. I have been briefed on it but its an ongoing situation. We dont have all of the facts and Im not sure theyre ready to put out all of the facts without notifying next of kin, Hogan said in the news conference. This is a county and state agency investigation. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved. We certainly wish the best to all those in our small community that are involved in this situation, Smithsburg Mayor Donald Souders said in a statement Im closely monitoring the shooting in Smithsburg, and my office has reached out to local officials to learn more and to offer our support, wrote Sen. Chris Van Vollen (D-Md.) on Twitter. Authorities have not released any more details, including what led up to the shooting Smithsburg is in a rural area near the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, located several miles from Hagerstown, Maryland. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his confirmation hearing to serve as associate justice on the Supreme Court at the Capitol in Washington on Sept. 4, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Authorities Raid Home of Man Accused of Plotting to Kill Supreme Court Justice Federal authorities late June 8 raided a home linked to Nicholas John Roske, the California man who was arrested in Maryland earlier in the day for allegedly trying to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. We can confirm that the FBI conducted a court authorized search at the California home and last known residence of Nick Roske, an FBI spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email. Video footage showed armed agents entering the residential home in Simi Valley and removing items. Theyre just looking for anything connected to the arrest that was made in Maryland, a Simi Valley police officer told KABC-TV. Neighbors told the broadcaster that the agents were questioning them, asking for information about Roske. While some said they didnt know the man, others said they did. They were always nice people so its a surprise more than anything, neighbor Zach Quadri told CBS Los Angeles. I think that its a scary time we live in and people really need to look out for one another and mental health is a big issue going on in the world, another neighbor said. Roske was apprehended at approximately 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, authorities said. He told officers he traveled to Maryland to break into Kavanaughs home and kill the justice because he feared how he would rule in upcoming decisions on abortion and gun rights. Roske had a pistol, a tactical knife, duct tape, a hammer, a crowbar, a screwdriver, zip ties, pepper spray, and a tactical rig when he was arrested. Roske was charged with violating a law that bars assaulting, kidnapping, or murdering, or attempting to assault, kidnap, or murder, a U.S. judge or a judges immediate family members. The man, who faces up to 20 years in prison, appeared in federal court in Greenbelt and agreed to remain in detention for now. Asked if he understood what was happening, he said, I think I have a reasonable understanding, but I wouldnt say Im thinking clearly. He said he was on medications prescribed by a doctor. He did not name the medications. A public defender was representing Roske. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan said he had reviewed a financial affidavit and that Roske qualified for a public defender. That affidavit has not been released publicly. Andrew Szekely, the public defender, said that the defense reserved to right to try for pretrial release at a later point in time. Roske said he found Kavanaughs Chevy Chase address online. Ruth Sent Us, a pro-abortion activist group that posted a map with the addresses of Kavanaugh and five other justices in May, said on social media that we didnt send him. The group organized a protest outside Kavanaughs home on Wednesday night. Activists have regularly gone to the home of the six justices appointed by Republicans since a draft decision published last month indicated the court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade. What do we want? Abortion rights? When do we want it? Now? If we dont get it, we will fight, activists shouted. Approximately a dozen law enforcement officers stood outside the home, but no arrests were made. BC Ferries Fined $674,000 Over Worker Who Drowned After Falling From Vessel British Columbias health and safety agency for workers has imposed a hefty fine on BC Ferry Services Inc., over the death of one of its workers in June 2020. A statement on the WorkSafeBC site says a fine of $674,445 was imposed last month. It says one of the firms employees was doing work on a ferry that was docked for maintenance in Richmond. The worker leaned onto a fabric webbing panel that broke away when he was trying to retrieve an item floating in the water, and he drowned. The agency says the worker wasnt wearing a life-jacket and the fabric panels were insufficient at stopping him from falling into the water below. It says no safe work procedures had been developed by BC Ferries to retrieve fallen objects from the water and it failed to ensure the health and safety of its employees at the work site. The firm also failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. These were both high-risk violations, the WorkSafeBC statement says. Deborah Marshall, spokeswoman for BC Ferries, said in a written response that areas of concern were immediately addressed after WorkSafeBC issued its report in November 2021. We have requested a review of the WorkSafeBC report. This will give BC Ferries access to the complete findings and provide a better understanding of how WorkSafeBC reached its decisions and where any further improvements can be made. Marshall said the request for review process allows BC Ferries to demonstrate reasonable precautions, safety policies and procedures and training were in place. It also ensures that WorkSafeBC will disclose the materials and evidence it relied on to reach its conclusions in the inspection report. BC Ferries promptly paid the fine issued by WorkSafeBC in May, Marshall said. We are reviewing the decision and have the ability to appeal. A Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in a file photo. (Taiwan Ministry of Defense via AP) Beijing Should Seize Taiwan and TSMC When Facing Destructive US Sanctions: Chinese Economist A senior Chinese economist at a U.S.-China forum proposed that Beijing take over Taiwan and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) if Washington sanctions Beijing as it has Moscow. If the United States and the West impose destructive sanctions on China as they treat Russia, we must recover Taiwan, said Chinas economist Chen Wenling on May 30 at a forum hosted by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, according to state outlets. Especially in the reconstruction of industry and supply chains, we must seize TSMC, a firm that inherently belongs to China. Chen is the chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a state think tank overseen by Chinas top economic planning agency National Development and Reform Commission. Her comments came as TSMC, a global leader in semiconductor production, becomes increasingly important amid the global chip crunch. They are speeding up the transfer to the United States to build six factories there, she added. We must not let all the goals of the transfer be achieved. The Chinese regime sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened war to bring the island into its fold. The self-ruled island is a de-facto independent country, with its own democratically-elected government, military, constitution, diplomacy, and currency. Meanwhile, Chen urged Beijing to openly support Moscow to the best of its ability, citing a recent joint air force drill between the two allies as an example. China and Russia may be united by matching the Belt and Road Initiative and the broad Eurasia alliance raised by Putin, said the expert. That will form a strategic depth belt for our country, an economic belt along the Silk Road, and an energy security belt, which will serve [China] as a major buffer for security concerns in the future. On Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a special military operation. As of June 8, 4,266 civilians have been killed, including 67 children, and 5,178 injured in Ukraine, with over 6.5 million people fleeing to neighboring countries, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Additionally, Chen said that China could hit its rival hard in a way most unfavorable to the opponent when the reform achievements it has made over the past 40 years are at risk. Taiwan legislator Wang Ting-Yu dismissed her speech as irresponsible and provocative in an interview with Radio Free Asia. The idea of taking over Taiwan and TSMC by force highlights Chinas ignorance, arrogance, and aggressiveness, Wang said. Further, it signals they [Chinese authorities] would risk being perceived to be an enemy to the world for [its] economic interests. Internet user Zhao Ming tweeted that Chen can hardly be called an economist, as he said she shows no common sense in her field. Economics promotes the free movement of talent, capital, and technology while Chen Wenlings mindset is heavily preoccupied with looting. The Epoch Times could not reach Chen Wenling for comment by press time. President Joe Biden gives remarks at an executive order signing event for police reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington, on May 25, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Biden Admins Shifting Positions on Taiwan Creates Appearance of Confusion: Analyst President Joe Bidens repeated pledges that the United States would come to Taiwans defense in the case of a Chinese attackonly for White House officials to walk back on his statements each timegives off the impression to Americas adversaries that the Biden administration doesnt have its act together, said one analyst. On May 23, Biden said that Washington had a commitment to militarily defend Taiwan from invasionbreaking from the United States long-standing policy of strategic deterrence under which the administration is deliberately vague on what it would do in such a scenario. This is the third time he has made such a statement since August 2021. Each time, administration officials confirmed later that U.S. policy had not changed. It does create this appearance of confusion, Grant Newsham, a senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy, recently told Epoch TVs China Insider program. It does not create the appearance of an administration that really knows what its doing, or has its policy set, he added. The Chinese regime considers self-ruled Taiwan to be part of its territory to be taken by force, if necessary. The United States, meanwhile, is Taiwans largest arms supplier and is bound to provide the island with the means to defend itself under the Taiwan Relations Act. James Fannell, a former director of intelligence and information operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, agreed, saying that Washington appears to want to have it both ways. Now this Biden administration seems to be trying to edge towards saying that were going to be more clear about our position on Taiwan, but they dont want to give up saying that theyre done with the policy of strategic ambiguity, he told China Insider. Yet this approach is very dangerous, Fannell added. Youre facing an adversary, who everydays showing teeth, theyre showing their arms, theyre showing the military, and theyre using the threats that they will use violence, to get what they want, he said. Fannell referred to China and Russias recent joint air force drills in the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific as leaders of the Quad groupingAustralia, Japan, United States, and Indiamet in Tokyo. The exercise, he said, was to send a strategic warning to the Quad, particularly Japan and the United Statesthose who could get involved with defending Taiwan. The White House did not return a request for comment. Shifting Away From Strategic Ambiguity Given this backdrop, both experts urged that the United States should move away from its policy of strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan, and reinforce its support to help the island counter the regime. Fanell pointed out that the Chinese regime no longer sticks to terms stipulated in Taiwan Relations Act, the legislation passed by the U.S. lawmakers back in 1979, which state that in exchange for the United States diplomatically recognizing the Peoples Republic of China, the Taiwan issue has to be resolved peacefully. Its China thats walked away from the agreements. And so we shouldnt feel beholden to a policy of strategic ambiguity that was built 50 years ago, when everythings changed on the ground, he said. Newsham echoed Fanells view, saying China has long since made it clear that they are going for a violent resolution if they have to. It makes everything else inoperable in this agreement. Fanell emphasized that the United States should ramp up enhancing the island nations military capabilities by arming it to the teeth. If we dont do that, the images that were seeing in Ukraine: dead babies, murdered women, and burned-out buildings and destruction, all of that will occur in Taiwan, he said. Hannah Ng Reporter Follow Hannah Ng is a reporter covering U.S. and China news. President Joe Biden speaks about his plan to fight inflation and lower costs for working families, in the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, on May 10, 2022.. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) Biden Eyes Executive Orders If Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade President Joe Biden is considering issuing executive orders to blunt the effect of an upcoming Supreme Court ruling that may overturn Roe v. Wade. Bidens comments came during a taping of ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 8. Kimmel, a comedian and left-wing activist who is an outspoken supporter of Obamacare, gave the president a softball interview that was punctuated with applause by the studio audience. The face-to-face conversation was reportedly Bidens first major media appearance since 118 days before, when he sat down with NBCs Lester Holt on Feb. 10 before the Super Bowl. The TV spot came five weeks after a leaked draft majority opinion indicated the Supreme Court was poised to reverse Roe v. Wade, the seminal 1973 precedent that federalized abortion policy, overriding the states and making the procedure lawful throughout the entire United States. The draft opinion was from a pending case from Mississippi: Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Biden told Kimmel that if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, I think we have to legislate it. We have to make sure we pass legislation making it a law that is the federal government says, This is how it works. The abortion ruling is just going to be the beginning, Biden said, adding that the Supreme Court would then outlaw the use of contraception because in the Constitution there was no right to privacy. Its just ridiculous in my view, and I dont think the country will stand for it, but I think what were going to have to do, theres some executive orders I could employ, we believe, were looking at that right now, Biden said, without elaborating. If Roe v. Wade is reversed and these states impose the limitations theyre talking about, its going to cause a mini-revolution and theyre going to vote a lot of these folks out of office, he said. Weve got to keep it focused onif they overrule Roe v. Wade and the state of California wont do it, but other states say that you cannot do the following, and so as a law you cant cross the border, you cantall the things that some states have, then youve got to make sure that you vote, you got to vote and let people know exactly what the devil you think and change it. Bidens interview also came the same day a suspect was arrested for plotting to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who, according to the leaked draft opinion, supports overturning Roe v. Wade, and a day after 25 Democratic U.S. senators wrote a letter (pdf) urging the president to immediately issue an executive order directing the federal government to develop a national plan to defend Americans fundamental reproductive rights, including their right to an abortion. The dramatic escalation of attacks on abortion accessspearheaded by right-wing justices, lawmakers, and activistsdemands comprehensive and creative strategies from every corner of the federal government, the letter states. The senators encouraged Biden to increase access to medication-based abortions, use federal resources to increase access to abortions, provide resources for individuals seeking abortions in other states, and clarify protections for sensitive health data. Among those signing the letter were Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Dianne Feinstein of California, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. The Supreme Court is scheduled to release opinions in pending cases on June 13 and 15. Its unclear which opinions will be made public. Activists are planning to blockade the Supreme Court building on June 13 in hopes of preventing the court from functioning, as The Epoch Times has reported. Contrary to conventional wisdom, brain regeneration is possible. One promising therapy that promotes neurogenesis and is effective in pre-clinical studies of Alzheimers and Parkinsons is near infrared light therapy, and it may improve other mental illnesses and neurodegenerative disorders including dementia, stroke, ALS, and traumatic brain injury as well Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease are the most common neurodegenerative disorders. The former is a type of dementia that occurs secondary to the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, including -amyloid plaques and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles made of tau protein (1). Upon neuroimaging studies, gross cerebral cortical atrophy is found, meaning that the part of the brain responsible for executive functions such as learning, memory, language, decision-making, and problem-solving progressively degenerates (1). In addition, gliosis, or brain inflammation, is a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimers (1). One hypothesis that is championed proposes that Alzheimers occurs due to self-propagating, prion-like protein assemblies, which interfere with the function of nerve cells (2). An alternate theory is that these so-called proteinopathies occur secondary to a microvascular hemorrhage or brain bleed (3). The brain bleed is believed to be the result of age-induced degradation of cerebral capillaries, which creates neuron-killing protein plaques and tangles (3). Dysfunction of mitochondria, the energy-generating powerhouses of the cell, is also implicated in Alzheimers, as reduced efficacy of these organelles creates oxidative stress-inducing reactive oxygen species, or free radicals, which lead to neuronal cell death (4). Whatever the cause, extensive death of brain cells occurs, which explains the cognitive deficits that occur with Alzheimers disease, in addition to symptoms such as impaired judgment, confusion, agitation, linguistic abnormalities, social withdrawal, and even hallucinations (1). Parkinsons disease, on the other hand, is characterized by progressive death of dopamine-producing neurons in a region of the brainstem called the substantial nigra, but it can extend to other brain areas such as the locus coeruleus, olfactory bulb, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagal nerve, and even the cortex in late stages (5). As a result, the primary manifestation is that dopamine deficiency appears in the basal ganglia, a set of nuclei embedded deep in the brain hemispheres that is responsible for motor control (6). This leads to the cardinal manifestation of Parkinsons, namely, a movement disorder that includes bradykinesia or slow movement, loss of voluntary movement, muscular rigidity, and resting tremor (7). Not unlike what happens in Alzheimers, accumulation of abnormal intracellular protein aggregates known as Lewy bodies, composed of a protein called -synuclein, is thought to be central to the pathogenesis of Parkinsons disease (8). Like Alzheimers, mitochondrial dysfunction induced by genetic mutations, toxic agents, or damage to blood vessels is also considered to contribute to neuron cell death in Parkinsons (9). Toxin exposure is especially implicated, as animal studies hint that development of Parkinsons disease may occur as a byproduct of exposure to neurotoxins such as rotenone or paraquat (10). Impaired blood brain barrier function and damage to the endothelial cells of the vascular system, which line the interior surface of blood vessels, are also thought to play a role in Parkinsons (10). Overturning Old Notions of Neuroscience The central dogma of neuroscience conceived of the central nervous system tissue as perennial after the doctrines of Giulio Bizzozero, the most prominent Italian histologist, who decreed that the lifelong cells of the nervous system were devoid of replicative potential (11). In other words, the perennial nature ascribed to the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord meant that nerve cells were believed to be incapable of undergoing proliferation, or cell division, in the postnatal brain (11). While the early stage of in utero prenatal development known as embryogenesis permits massive neurogenesis, or the ability to create new nerve cells, the scientific consensus up until the end of the twentieth century held that neurogenesis was arrested after birth in mammals. Santiago Ramon y Cajal, who led the charge in the neuroscience discipline in the later half of the nineteenth century onward and won a Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology, in fact stated that: Once development was ended, the fonts of growth and regeneration of the axons and dendrites dried up irrevocably. In adult centers, the nerve paths are something fixed and immutable: everything may die, nothing may be regenerated (11). Acknowledgment of the mere possibility of adult neurogenesis was hampered by the fact that scientists lacked the visualization techniques to detect neural stem cells, the precursors to new neurons and means by which neurogenesis occurs, and also did not have access to the molecular markers and microscopy required to observe cells in different cycle phases. This view of nervous tissue as perennial was also reinforced by clinical observations that patients with chronic neurodegeneration, traumatic brain lesions, and cerebrovascular diseases do not experience functional recovery (11). Prevailing theories posited that adult neurogenesis was an evolutionary unlikelihood, since it would interfere with pre-existing neuronal connections and the fine-tuned electrochemical communication in the nervous system, as well as disrupt memory recall, which was believed to occur via stable neuronal circuits created and encoded during learning (11). That brain cells are finite, and incapable of regeneration, painted a portrait of doom and gloom and inexorable debilitation for patients suffering from devastating neurodegenerative conditions. However, relatively recent discoveries have overturned these antiquated conceptions by revealing that the brain is plastic, or pliable, and that even neurons in adult higher vertebrates are capable of neurogenesis. Scientists Discover Neural Regeneration is Possible In the 1960s, these postulates of the old neurobiology were disproven when Joseph Altman and colleagues performed an experiment where radioactively labelled thymidine, one of the nucleotide base pairs that makes up DNA, was incorporated into a brain area called the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and integrated into the genetic material of what was later confirmed via electron microscopy to be dividing neurons (12, 13). In essence, this illustrated that neurons were undergoing mitosis, a process of cell division where genetically identical daughter cells are created, and showed that adult neurogenesis is possible. Another nail in the coffin of this antiquated perception of the nervous system was that neural stem cells, the multipotent, self-renewing progenitors from which new neurons arise, were found in the brains of adult mammals, and discovered to undergo expansion in their populations when prompted by signaling molecules called growth factors and morphogens (11). The multiplication and differentiation of neural stem cells, which are residents of the central nervous system, is essential for neurogenesis (14). Neural stem cells are capable of generating all of the cell types of the nervous system, including astrocytes, glial cells, and what are called oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (11). Researchers Colucci-DAmato and Bonita in fact state that, To date neural stem cells have been isolated from nearly all areas of the embryonic brain and in a growing list of adult mammalian brain areas, including cerebellum and cortex (11, p. 268). Other advances, such as confocal microscopy and the identification of cellular markers which allowed the phenotype of cells to be characterized all culminated in the realization that neurogenesis occurs continuously in some brain area, such as the hippocampus and subventricolar zone (SVZ), the former of which is responsible for the formation and consolidation of memories (11). To date, neurogenesis has been shown to be influenced by various chemical, pharmacological, and environmental stimuli. For instance, work by researcher Fernando Nottebohm demonstrated the spontaneous replacement of neurons in the adult avian brain (15). In song birds such as canaries, which experience seasonal modification in their songs, new neurons are recruited into their neuronal circuitry in a way that may be dependent upon social and reproductive interactions, territorial defense, migratory patterns and food caching (15). This all should serve as a beacon of hope for patients experiencing the ravages of neurodegenerative disease, as it may mean that epigenetics, or the way gene expression changes based on lifestyle factors, may lend itself to neurogenesis and the reversal of these scourges of mankind. For example, researchers state that an enriched environment, learning, exercise, exposure to different odorant molecules, and drugs such as antidepressants, steroids, and alcohol can all favorably or unfavorably impact neurogenesis (11). These newfound revelations are being used in fact as an impetus to find cures for a laundry list of neurodegenerative diseases (11). Novel Therapy Shown to Grow New Nerve Cells Despite this research, the prevailing view of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons is that their underlying pathophysiology, a relentless progression of neuronal death, remains irreversible (10). Thus far, then, approaches have aimed to slow or stop neuronal cell death or to develop disease-modifying treatments that could stabilize the rate of neurodegeneration (10). One non-pharmacological therapy that may be able to actually regenerate brain cells, however, is light in the near infrared range, also known as low-level laser or light emitting diode (LED) therapy that utilizes wavelengths in the red to infrared spectrum. Near infrared light therapy has the potential to mitigate ubiquitous processes relating to cell damage and death, and may have applications in conditions that converge on common pathways of inflammation and oxidative stress (10). This is demonstrated by the widespread efficacy of near infrared light therapy in improving conditions including traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, major depression, and age-related macular degeneration (10). In traumatic brain injury, for example, treatment with near infrared light improves social, interpersonal, and occupational functions, reduces symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is helpful for sleep (16). Because near infrared light treatment improves cognitive and emotional dimensions (17) and enhances short-term memory and measures of sustained attention (18), researchers have long suspected its potential for neuropsychological disorders. In a revolutionary publication, scientists propose that infrared light is superior to pharmacological standard of care for these debilitating conditions given its neuron-saving abilities (10). For instance, in mouse models of traumatic brain injury, near infrared light increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein which helps dying nerve cells survive (19). In addition, infrared light both improves neurological performance and increases the numbers of neuroprogenitor cells, the precursors to new neurons, in areas of the brain such as the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the sub ventricular zone (20). Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimers and Parkinsons Although human trials have not been yet conducted in Alzheimers disease, mouse studies show that near infrared treatment reduces its characteristic proteinopathies, decreasing brain levels of -amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau proteins, while also ameliorating cognitive deficits (10). Cellular energy production, as indicated by levels of ATP, were increased in these studies alongside bolstered mitochondrial function and (10). In transgenic mouse models of Alzheimers, application of non-thermal near infrared light reversed significant deficits in working memory and significantly improved cognitive performance (21). In animal models of Parkinsons, near infrared treatment has been shown to rescue dopaminergic neurons, the subset that degenerate in this condition, from death (10). In addition, near infrared light treatment corrects the abnormal firing activity of neurons in deep subthalamic brain regions that occurs in parkinsonian conditions (22). Various animal models of Parkinsons disease shown improved motor control and locomotor activity, as measured by both mobility and velocity, after near infrared is applied (10). In a macaque monkey model of Parkinsons, an optical fiber device that administered near infrared to the midbrain largely prevented the development of clinical signs of Parkinsons when the animals were injected with a chemical known to induce this disorder (23). It also preserved a greater number of dopaminergic nigral cells compared to the monkeys that had not received infrared treatment (23). Limited case reports in humans have shown that near infrared administered through an intranasal apparatus improves symptoms in the majority of Parkinsons patients, and that its application to the back of the head and upper neck reduced signs of Parkinsons in one patient (10). Other reports indicate that gait, speech, cognitive function, and freezing episodes were improved in late-stage Parkinsons patients who undertook this therapy (24), but the study was low-quality (10). Mechanism of Action: How Near Infrared Promotes Neurogenesis The ways in which near infrared promotes neurogenesis are multi-fold. There is evidence that near infrared light exerts a hormetic effect, acting as an adaptive or positive stressor. Another example of a hormetic effect is that exhibited by phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables, which act as antioxidants by paradoxically stimulating oxidative damage via a pro-oxidant mechanism. This in turn up-regulates our endogenous antioxidant defense system. Similarly, near infrared light activates cellular stress response systems by targeting a key enzyme in the electron transport chain which is responsible for mitochondrial-based energy production called cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme that is fundamental to the cellular bioenergetics of nerve cells (25). By accepting light in the near infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, this enzyme induces a change in the electrochemical potential of the mitochondrial membrane, jump-starting production of the cellular energy currency called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and causing a mild burst in the synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (10). As a result, downstream signaling pathways are triggered which induce reparative and neuroprotective mechanisms, including neurogenesis, the creation of new synapses, and brain-based antioxidant and metabolic effects (25). Restoration of mitochondrial function in the endothelial cells lining cerebral blood vessels may also help neurons survive by repairing the blood-brain barrier and vascular network which is compromised in neurogenerative conditions (10). Impressively, This modulation of multiple molecular systems appears capable of both conditioning neurons to resist future damage and accelerating repair of neurons damaged by a previous or continuing insult (10). On the other hand, the application of near infrared light has been shown to elicit systemic effects, possibly via circulating molecular factors (10). In other words, light in the near infrared spectrum applied to a local area elicits benefits in distal tissues remote from the initial site, perhaps by stimulating immune cells that have a neuroprotective role (10). Another way in which near infrared light activates global effects in the body is by up-regulating the production of signaling molecules known as anti-inflammatory cytokines, while down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (26). Near infrared also mobilizes tissue repair processes by improving the migration of white blood cells to wounds, increasing neovascularization, or the formation of new blood vessels, and facilitating formation of collagen (27). There is also evidence that near-infrared light exposure causes stem cells from the bone marrow to navigate to the site of damage and to release so-called trophic factors such as BDNF, which enhances nerve cell function and survival (28). Lastly, a system of communication between the mitochondria in the brain and the mitochondria in the tissues may be at play, so that application of near infrared light at a point in the body far from the brain can lead to neural regeneration (10). Practical Application of Near Infrared Light Therapy The key to mitigating the burden of chronic illness lies in physiological regeneration, which is emerging as a physiological inevitability, even in regions of the body where it was previously not thought possible. The ability to regenerate, secondary to normal biological processes of cellular erosion and decay, is programmed into our body in order for us to regain homeostasis. So-called photobiomodulation, which includes near infrared light therapy, has limitless possible applications, and has even been shown to improve animal models of wound healing, heart attack, spinal cord injury, stroke, arthritis, familial amylotropic lateral sclerosis (FALS), diabetic ulcers, carpal tunnel syndrome, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, frontotemporal dementia (29) and traumatic brain injury (27). The biggest obstacle with infrared light therapy in neurodegenerative disease is targeting the zone of pathology, when there are many intervening body tissues, namely skin, thick cranium, and meninges, and brain parenchyma, since there is considerable dissipation of the signal across each millimeter of brain tissue (10). This is less problematic in Alzheimers, where the target regions are more superficial structures, but less easily rectified in the case of Parkinsons, where there is significant distance from cranium to the brainstem where neurodegeneration takes place (10). With Alzheimers, optimal delivery would be a near infrared light-emitting helmet worn over the entire cranium (10). Parkinsons patients can achieve symptomatic relief when near infrared is applied in this fashion, as this would influence the abnormal neural circuitry in the cortex. However, to circumvent the problem of the sheer distance to the region of pathology in the brainstem, researchers propose that the minimally invasive surgical implantation of an optical fiber device near the brain parenchyma would be ideal, which would deliver therapeutic levels of near infrared (10). Until these options are commercially available, photobiomodulation devices or near infrared saunas may be a viable option, although human studies have not proved their efficacy. Given its large margin of safety and lack of adverse effects, near infrared light therapy should be offered as an option for patients suffering from a myriad of chronic conditions, but is especially promising for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimers and Parkinsons and may even have future use in multiple sclerosis. Near infrared therapy is superior to the mainstay drug treatments for these diseases since pre-clinical studies have demonstrated proof-of-concept that near infrared either arrests or slows the underlying pathology of these disease processes, and leads to the birth of new neurons, rather than merely mitigating symptoms (10). Republished from GreenMedInfo.com References 1. Bird, T.D. (1998). Alzheimer disease overview. GeneReviews [Internet]. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1161/ 2. Goedert, M. (2015). Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases: the prion concept in relation to assembled A, tau, and -synuclein. Science, 349, 1255555. 3. Stone, J. (2008). What initiates the formation of senile plaques? The origin of Alzheimer-like dementias in capillary haemorrhages. Medical Hypotheses, 71, 347-359. 4. Gonzalez-Lima, F., Barksdale B.R., & Rojas J.C. (2014). Mitochondrial respiration as a target for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement. Biochemical Pharmacology, 88, 584-593. 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.11.010 5. Bergman, H., & Deuschl, G. (2002). Pathophysiology of Parkinsons disease: from clinical neurology to basic neuroscience and back. Movement Disorders, 7(Suppl. 3), S28-S40. 6. Lanciego, J.L., Luquin, N., & Obeso, J.A. (2012). Functional Neuroanatomy of the Basal Ganglia. Cold Springs Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 2(12), a009621. 7. De Virgilio, A. et al. (2016). Parkinsons disease: Autoimmunity and neuroinflammation. Autoimmunity Reviews, 15(10), 1005-1011. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.07.022. 8. Gitler A.D. et al. (2009). Alpha-synuclein is part of a diverse and highly conserved interaction network that includes PARK9 and manganese toxicity. Natural Genetics, 41, 308-315. 9. Exner, N. et al. (2012). Mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinsons disease: molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological consequences. EMBO Journal, 31, 3038-3062. 10.1038/emboj.2012.170 10. Johnstone, D.M. et al. (2015). Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The Potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimers and Parkinsons Disease. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, 500. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00500 11. Colucci-DAmato, L., & Bonavita, V. (2006). The end of the central dogma of neurobiology: stem cells and neurogenesis in adult CNS. Neurological Science, 27(4), 266-270. 12. Altman, J. (1962). Are new neurons formed in the brains of adult mammals? Science, 135, 1127-1128. 13. Kaplan, M.S., & Hinds, J.W. (1977). Neurogenesis in the adult rat: electron microscopic analysis of light radioautographs. Science, 197, 1092-1094. 14. Martino, G. et al. (2011). Brain regeneration in physiology and pathology: the immune signature driving therapeutic plasticity of neural stem cells. Physiological Reviews, 91(4), 1281-1304. 15. Nottebohm, F. (2002). Why are some neurons replaced in adult brain? Journal of Neuroscience, 22(3), 624-628. 16. Naeser, M.A. et al. (2014). Significant improvements in cognitive performance post-transcranial, red/near-infrared light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, mild traumatic brain injury: open-protocol study. Journal of Neurotrauma, 31,(11), 1008-1017. doi: 10.1089/neu.2013.3244. 17. Barrett, D.W., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2013). Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans. Neuroscience, 230, 13-23. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.11.016. 18. Blanco, N.J., Maddox, W.T., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2015). Journal of Neuropsychology, 11(1),14-25. doi: 10.1111/jnp.12074. 19. Xuan, W. et al. (2013). Transcranial low-level laser therapy improves neurological performance in traumatic brain injury in mice: effect of treatment repetition regimen. PLoS ONE, 8, e53454. 20. Xuan, W. et al. (2014). Transcranial low-level laser therapy enhances learning, memory, and neuroprogenitor cells after traumatic brain injury in mice. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 191(10), 108003. 21. Michalikova, S. et al. (2008). Emotional responses and memory performance of middle-aged CD1 mice in a 3D maze: effects of low infrared light. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 89(4), 480-488. 22. Shaw, V.E. et al. (2012). Patterns of Cell Activity in the Subthalamic Region Associated with the Neuroprotective Action of Near-Infrared Light Treatment in MPTP-Treated Mice. Parkinsonian Disease, 2012, 29875. doi: 10.1155/2012/296875. 23. Darlot, F. et al. (2016). Near-infrared light is neuroprotective in a monkey model of Parkinson disease. Annals of Neurology, 79(1), 59-65. doi: 10.1002/ana.24542. 24. Maloney, R., Shanks, S., & Maloney J. (2010). The application of low-level laser therapy for the symptomatic care of late stage Parkinsons disease: a non-controlled, non-randomized study. American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, 185. 25. Rojas, J.C., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2011). Low-level light therapy of the eye and brain. Eye and Brain, 3, 49-67. 26. Muili, K.A. et al. (2012). Amelioration of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice by photobiomodulation induced by 670 nm light. PLoS ONE, 7, e30655. 27. Chung, H. et al. (2012). The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 40(2), 516-533.gma 28. Hou, S.T. et al. (2008). Permissive and Repulsive Cues and Signalling Pathways of Axonal Outgrowth and Regeneration. International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology, 267, 121-181. 29. Purushothuman, S. et al. (2013). The impact of near-infrared light on dopaminergic cell survival in a transgenic mouse model of parkinsonism. Brain Research, 1535, 61-70. Brazil Sends Helicopters to Search for 2 Missing in Amazon ATALAIA DO NORTE, BrazilBrazilian authorities began using helicopters to search a remote area of the Amazon rainforest for a British journalist and Indigenous official missing for more than three days. Civil police in Amazonas state also said Wednesday they had identified a suspect, who was arrested for allegedly carrying a firearm without a permit, which is common practice in the region. But Gen. Carlos Alberto Mansur, the states public security secretary, said later that officials did not have any concrete evidence to tie the man to the disappearances. Were looking for a possible link, but for now, we have nothing, Mansur said at a news conference. The suspect, Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, remained in custody, he said. Police have questioned five others since the investigation started, but no arrest related to the disappearances has been made, authorities said in their first joint public address. Journalist Dom Phillips, who has been a regular contributor to the newspaper The Guardian, and Bruno Araujo Pereira, an employee of the Brazilian Indigenous affairs agency with extensive experience in the region, were last seen early Sunday in the Sao Rafael community, in the Javari Valley Indigenous territory. The two had been threatened Saturday when a small group of men traveled by river to the Indigenous territorys boundary and brandished firearms at a patrol run by Univaja, which is a local association of Indigenous people. The associations president, Paulo Marubo, previously told the Associated Press that Phillips photographed the men at the time and Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira was one of them. Phillips and Pereira were returning by boat to the nearby city of Atalaia do Norte, but never arrived. The Itaquai River runs through the Vale do Javari region in Amazonas state, Brazil, on the border with Peru, on June 16, 2021. (Fabiano Maisonnave/AP Photo) In London, Phillipss family and supporters held a vigil outside the Brazilian embassy and urged officials to address why it took so long for the search to begin. We had to come this morning, to ask the question: Where is Dom Phillips? Where is Bruno Pereira? Phillipss sister, Sian, told reporters. We are here to make the point that why did it take so long for them to start the search for my brother and for Bruno. We want the search to carry on. A Brazilian federal court issued an order Wednesday telling authorities to provide helicopters and more boats, after Univaja and the federal public defenders office filed a request. At an evening news conference, federal police showed multiple images and videos of the area taken earlier that day from a helicopter. In her decision, Judge Jaiza Maria Pinto noted that she had ordered the Indigenous affairs agency to maintain protections in the region after a 2019 case filed by Univaja reported multiple attacks by criminals. Despite that order, she said, the territory has been maintained in a situation of low protection and supervision. The Indigenous affairs agency dismissed one of its three top directors Wednesday. The agency said the decision had been taken in May and was not linked to the case. Meanwhile, an employee of the Indigenous affairs agency, Gustavo da Cruz, announced in Congress a 24-hour strike for June 13. If public servant was a secure career, today it is a career of fear, death, violence, and threats, da Cruz told lawmakers. There have been repeated shootouts between hunters, fishermen, and official security agents in the area, which has the worlds largest concentration of uncontacted Indigenous people. It is also a major route for cocaine produced on the Peruvian side of the border, then smuggled into Brazil to supply local cities or to be shipped to Europe. Federal police said Wednesday that 250 people from the army, navy, police, and firefighters had joined the search. Phillips, 57, has reported from Brazil for more than a decade and has been working on a book about the preservation of the Amazon with support from the Alicia Patterson Foundation. His wife, Alessandra Sampaio, recorded a video pleading with the government and authorities to intensify search efforts. We still have some hope of finding them. Even if I dont find the love of my life alive, they must be found, she said in the video posted on Twitter. Pereira has long operated in Javari Valley for the Brazilian Indigenous affairs agency. He oversaw their regional office and the coordination of isolated Indigenous groups before going on leave. For years, he received threats from illegal fishermen and poachers. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro also spoke about the case. Really, just two people in a boat in a completely wild region like that is not a recommended adventure. Anything could happen. It could be an accident, it could be that they have been killed, he said in an interview with television network SBT. We hope and ask God that theyre found soon. The armed forces are working hard. By Diane Jeantet and Fabiano Maisonnave Then-Chinese vice chair Xi Jinping unveils a plaque at the opening of Australia's first Chinese Medicine Confucius Institute at the RMIT University in Melbourne on June 20, 2010. (William West/AFP via Getty Images) British MPs Seek to Ban Chinas Confucius Institutes Chinas beleaguered Confucius Institutes have come under renewed pressure from British MPs who are calling for new laws to ban them from the UK. Back bench policymakers from the main political parties tabled an amendment to the Higher Education Bill on Wednesday that would outlaw the Chinese regime-funded institutes if they are seen to curb freedom of speech and academic studies. The amendment to the billwhich is due before the Commons next weekalso demands universities report to the government the creation of new institutes and to allow proper scrutiny of their operations, including full disclosure of funding, spending and activities. MPs also want the law to direct universities to provide alternatives to Chinese state-funded cultural learning centres. Confucius Institutes have in recent years come under immense scrutiny and heavy criticism for undermining academic standards and undue influence in several Western countries, including in the United States, Germany, and Australia. Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat is one of the MPs backing the amendment. We have seen the pressure that the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] puts on those who speak out. We should not be reliant on an authoritarian state to teach its language in Britain, he told Politico. The amendment was submitted by Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, who said the CCP strangles freedom of speech at home yet uses British universities to rewrite the realities of its historic and contemporary actions. Labours Chris Bryant and the Liberal Democrats Alistair Carmichael have joined Conservative China hawksincluding former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and Damian Greenin backing the amendment. Such cross-party support is likely to see the amendment selected for a vote by the Commons speaker when the Higher Education Bill comes before the House of Commons on its next stage to becoming law. A Department for Education spokesperson told The Epoch Times the amendment will be considered alongside the progression of the Bill. We will not accept collaborations which compromise our national security, and the UK government continues to support the sector to identify and mitigate the risks of interference, the spokesperson said. The government had already tabled an amendment that addresses the legitimate concerns over the influence of foreign money in higher education, without stifling the ability of our world-class universities to work with global partners. We need to ensure there are no negative implications for positive international collaboration projects such as the Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme is global programme for studying, working, and living abroad, according to its website. There are currently 30 Confucius Institutes in the UK, all fully or part-funded by the CCP. A Freedom of Information request made by The Spectator last April revealed British universities have accepted 24 million ($30 million) from China. Confucius Institutes run educational and cultural programs. They were originally funded and arranged by an entity affiliated to the Chinese Ministry of Education. After accusations of overseas propaganda and undue influence, they were rebranded in 2020 as the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation. Confucius Institutes were previously described as an important part of Chinas overseas propaganda set-up by senior CCP official Li Changchun. The Epoch Times has contacted Southampton Universitys Confucius Institute for comment about the proposed amendment. A still image, taken from footage of the Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, shows Britons Aiden Aslin (L), Shaun Pinner, and Moroccan Brahim (R) Saadoun, who were captured by Russian forces during a military conflict in Ukraine, in a courtroom cage at a location given as Donetsk, Ukraine, on June 7, 2022. (Supreme Court of Donetsk People's Republic/Handout via Reuters) Britons Captured by Russian Forces Face 20 Years in Jail or Possible Death Penalty Two Britons captured by Russian forces could face 20 years in prison, according to Russian state-run media on Wednesday. The report also quoted prosecutors saying they may face the death penalty. Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, both serving in the Ukrainian armed forces, were captured in April after their unit had to surrender following 48 days of defending Mariupol, as they were running out of ammunition. The pair were later paraded on Russian state TV before reportedly appearing in court in the separatist Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR). In footage shared by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on social media on Wednesday that showed Aslin, Pinner, and Moroccan national Saadoun Brahim, who was also captured in April, sitting in a courtroom cage with white bars, a translator can be heard asking Aslin if he would plead guilty to an offence, to which he replies, Yes. Radio Sputnik said the trio pleaded guilty under Article 232 of the Criminal Code of the DPR, training in order to carry out terrorist activities. The charge carries a term of 15 to 20 years imprisonment with restriction of freedom for one to two years, or life imprisonment, according to RIA Novosti. The report also said Pinner and Brahim pleaded guilty to actions aimed at seizing power, which could mean the death penalty in wartime or in the presence of aggravating circumstances. It also said Pinner and Brahim pleaded not guilty to participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict or hostilities. The video shared by RIA appears to show Aslin pleading guilty to a lesser charge involving weapons and explosives. The news agency also quoted prosecutors as saying the combined charges could mean the death penalty for all three. Trumped up Charges Britains Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) condemned what it said was the exploitation of prisoners of war for political purposes. A spokesperson said the FCDO was working with the government of Ukraine on the detention of British nationals, who are entitled to combatant immunity and should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities. The FCDO previously confirmed that both Aslin and Pinner were in the Ukrainian armed forces, and therefore should not be treated as mercenaries. According to their families, Aslin and Pinner moved to Ukraine in 2018 and joined the Ukrainian military long before the recent Russian invasion of the country. They are both married to Ukrainian wives, and Aslin also holds Ukrainian citizenship. After the pair were captured, they appeared on Russian state TV, asking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to help exchange them with Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician who was arrested by the Ukrainian secret services on April 12. Aslins local MP, former housing minister Robert Jenrick, said on Wednesday that Aslin should be returned home at the earliest opportunity, possibly through a prisoner exchange. The MP condemned the trumped-up charges faced by both Britons and accused Russia of a completely outrageous breach of international law. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s World At One programme, Jenrick said: This is a British citizen, but who also holds Ukrainian nationality, is married to a Ukrainian, joined the Ukrainian armed forces in the normal way prior to [Russian President Vladimir] Putins illegal invasion, and has been serving in the armed forces. He was taken prisoner by Russian forces and in accordance with international law and the Geneva Convention, he should be being held appropriately and returned to Ukraine at the earliest possible opportunity, possibly through a prisoner exchange, he said, adding that its a completely outrageous breach of international law that the Russians tried Aslin and Pinner on trumped up charges [with] no evidence whatsoever. PA Media and Reuters contributed to this report. Snow covered transfer lines are seen at the Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Lusby, Maryland, on March 18, 2014. (Gary Cameron/ Reuters) Bulk of US LNG Exports Are Now Being Sent to Europe The United States sent nearly three quarters or 74 percent of its liquefied natural gas exports to Europe from January to April, triple the 2021 average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration on June 8. American LNG supplies now make up nearly half of Europes liquefied natural gas imports, at 11.5 billion cubic feet per day, or double the amount from last year when the region received only 34 percent of gas exports from the United States, according to Natural Gas Monthly. The United States had just boosted overall LNG export volumes earlier this year, after an increase in production capacity at Sabine Pass and Calcasieu Pass terminals in Texas and Louisiana. Europe has now overtaken Asia as the biggest destination for U.S. LNG, as the region faces an energy crisis after seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian supplies due to the conflict in Ukraine. Asia had previously been the main destination for U.S. LNG exports, accounting for almost half of the total exports in 2020 and 2021, and has seen volumes slip by 51 percent this year. Japan, China, and South Korea were the previous the top destinations for American LNG exports in 2021, but have since declined respectively. China only imported six LNG cargoes from the United States in January to April this year, after implementing strict pandemic lockdown measures, as well as a mild winter amid high LNG spot prices, which reduced demand for foreign gas imports. U.S. gas suppliers have increased their overall output of liquefied natural gas in 2022, up 18 percent over the past year. The Biden Administration has promised to boost supplies of LNG after the European Union, the United States, and other allies imposed sanctions on Russian gas in response to the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in late February. Europe was already dealing with a severe energy supply crunch before the invasion, which the White House now sees as a chance to make higher energy profit margins for U.S. exporters abroad. American gas suppliers with contract flexibility, are planning to deliver more LNG to Europe at the expense of other destinations. The United States is now the largest LNG supplier to both the EU and United Kingdom, accounting for a combined 49 percent of total imports as of April 2022, up from 26 percent last year, according to data from CEDIGAZ. LNG imports from Russia and Qatar to the EU and the UK now only account for 14 percent of imports. The additional LNG export to Europe and a mild winter for the first quarter, have offset the slackening of imports of pipeline natural gas from Russia. The EU and the UK have been importing record-high levels of LNG since late 2021, primarily because of low natural gas storage inventories. High spot natural gas prices at European trading hubs have incentivized global LNG exporters with destination flexibility in their contracts to deliver more LNG supplies to the continent. European natural gas prices on June 7, declined for a fifth day, as traders muted demand against risks to gas supplies from Russia. Storage sites in the EU are now almost 50 percent full due to increased LNG imports, with storage facilities likely to be full by the end of summer, barring any significant disruption to Russian supplies, according to Bloomberg. However, Russian gas supplies are being threatened due to the continuing European gas sanctions, by countries such as Germany and Poland in particular. Increasing demand from the easing of extreme lockdown measures in China, combined with increased stockpiling in Japan and South Korea, may cause imports to Europe to fall back to earlier import volumes. Meanwhile, supplies from Norway have edged lower, as maintenance at a number of key gas facilities have cut the nations export capacity this week, with reductions set to peak on June 9. [June 09, 2022] Brand-led live commerce takes centre stage at Myntra's EORS, to effectively engage trend-first fashion forward shoppers Over 30 leading brands set to take part in over 750 brand-led live sessions EORS Shoppers have been able to buy products at EORS prices 10 days prior to the event via M Live Myntra has witnessed a 5X increase in traffic and 20X increase in demand through M-Live since its inception BANGALORE, India, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In a first, Myntra is activating live shopping experiences at scale by marquee brands, ahead of the platform's bi-annual fashion festival, EORS, slated to be held from the 11th to 16th of June. As the platform's social commerce propositions continue to seamlessly engage social media enthusiasts, particularly, the Gen Z cohort, Over 30 leading international and domestic brands such as Estee Lauder India, Puma and Mango, will be streaming ~ 750 brand-led live shopping experiences through the biggest fashion festival in the country. Myntra's social commerce verticals have revolutionized traditional marketing for brands, acting as a catalyst to re-shape and heighten consumer engagement, making it more appealing and relatable to the upwardly mobile fashion-conscious shoppers. For the first time ever, M-Live audiences will be able to shop for products at EORS prices, which began a whopping 10 days prior to the event. Gen Z's particular affinity to social media implies that social-commerce led promotions will directly influence this consumer group's choice. Brands leveraging live commerce during EORS will aim to generate entertaining and informative content using Myntra's army of fashion-forward Gen Z creators, the Style Squad, delivering a healthy dose of engagement, while apprising users of compelling offers, strategically driving conversions and visibility. Having already clocked an exemplary 10,000+ live videos at about 40-50 live sessions every day, Myntra has recorded a 5X increase in traffic and 20X increase in demand from its proprietary socil commerce platforms, Myntra Studio and M-Live, since its inception. Sought-after international and domestic brands like USPA, HRX and L'Oreal will be among the leading names to engage in brand-led lives covering up to 75% of the total 1000 lives scheduled during Myntra's marquee fashion carnival through its social commerce propositions and social media channels.. The platform has also observed a 2X surge in the average time spent on it by shoppers since January, aiding the 10 billion social impressions being recorded in a year via the platform's social commerce propositions. Apart from sharing style tips, building communities and gaining social currency, the thousands of influencers on M-Studio and M-Live can directly influence spikes in demand, giving them a predictable and sustainable source of income. For the brand-led live sessions, 2500+ creators have been hand-picked based on their visibility, performance and category fit, with celebrated influencers like Akash Choudhary, Pradhuman, Vipul Juneja, Asmita Kaushik, Samidha Singh, and Aswathi Balakrishnan taking part. The influencers' primary role will be to highlight key product attributes, guide consumers to pick the correct products, recommend looks on offers and answer queries around style tips and hacks. Commenting on the brand-led live shopping experience around EORS, Arun Devanathan, Senior Director, Social Commerce, Myntra, said, "This EORS over 30 key brands have chosen to harness the benefits of this powerful demand generation and recall building tool. We've managed to create a cutting-edge product that combines the best of e-commerce and social media that nurtures an ecosystem of popular influencers who can conduct successful livestream shopping sessions on M-Live. This is the onset of the next phase of growth for our platform and an important emerging trend for e-commerce in India. Brand-led live shopping experiences are a powerful tool for communicating a brands' proposition to its consumers while generating demand for first time brands combining brand marketing with direct lead generation. We are witnessing massive interest from brands who are keen to participate and grow with this proposition." The current edition of the EORS has witnessed the uber-cool and dynamic Ayushman Khurrana appear on one of the brand-led lives, taking the reins of the most in-demand lifestyle brand, Daniel Wellington. In a first, the highly successful event also witnessed live shopping being enabled on Instagram for social commerce, apart from Myntra's M-Live. This unique collaboration witnessed ~25 K customers engaging with the brand through the sessions. The 15th edition of the EORS witnessed one of the first ever brand-led live shopping initiatives, with fashion and fitness icon Hrithik Roshan at the forefront, amplifying visibility around his brand, HRX. The session witnessed participation from over 100K users, with around 6.5K comments recorded in just 30 minutes. The activity was a remarkable success, generating excitement with shoppers and enabling the brand to strategically create demand in real time. About Myntra Myntra is one of India's leading platforms for fashion brands and in m-commerce play. An integral part of the Flipkart Group, Myntra brings together technology and fashion to create the best experience in the fashion and lifestyle space in India. Myntra platform offers a wide range of over 5000+ leading fashion and lifestyle brands in the country such as H&M, Levis, U.S. Polo Assn., Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Philippe, Jack & Jones, MANGO, Forever 21, Urbanic, Marks & Spencer, W, Biba, Nike, Puma, Crocs, M.A.C, and Fossil and many more. Myntra services over 19,000 pin codes across the country. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836505/MYNTRA_EORS_16.jpg [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] The wreckage of a minibus after it veered off a narrow mountain road and plummeted into a ravine, in Qilla Saifullah, a district in Pakistan's southwest Baluchistan province, on June 8, 2022, in a still from video. (AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Bus Falls Into Deep Ravine in Southwest Pakistan, Killing 22 QUETTA, PakistanA speeding bus veered off a narrow mountain road and plummeted into a ravine in a remote area of southwest Pakistan on Wednesday, killing 22 passengers including women and children, a government official said. The accident happened in the district of Qilla Saifullah in Baluchistan province. Deputy District Administrator Mohammad Qasim said rescuers transported the bodies to a nearby hospital. There were apparently no survivors, he added. Qasim initially said 18 people died in the accident but later added that rescuers retrieved four more bodies from the badly destroyed wreckage of the bus. He said relatives of passengers who died in the crash were arriving at a hospital to receive their bodies. The exact cause of the crash was not immediately known. Authorities said the weather was fine at the time of the crash, and that police officers were looking into possible mechanical problems or human error as witnesses said the bus appeared to be speeding when it lost control and fell into a ravine. Eyewitness Abdul Ali told The Associated Press by phone that he was traveling on the same road on motorcycle when he saw a small bus going faster, skidding and falling into a ravine. Ali said that after the bus fell people from a nearby village alerted police, who rushed to the scene. He said he then joined rescuers who were transporting bodies to the hospital in ambulances. A rescue worker and volunteers remove a body from the site of a bus crash, in Qilla Saifullah, a district in Pakistans southwest Baluchistan province, on June 8, 2022. (Qadir Baluch/AP Photo) Qillah Saifullah is located about 200 kilometers (120 miles) north of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province. Pakistans President Arif Alvi and other government officials expressed sorrow over the tragic accident, and ordered authorities to make arrangements to deliver the bodies of passengers to their families. Deadly road accidents such as this one are common in Pakistan due to poor road infrastructure and disregard for traffic laws, as well as poorly maintained vehicles. In July of last year, a jam-packed bus carrying mostly laborers traveling home for a major Muslim holiday rammed into a container truck on a busy highway in central Pakistan, killing at least 33 people. By Abdul Sattar The downtown Vancouver skyline is seen at sunset, as houses line a hillside in Burnaby, B.C., on April 17, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) Canada Naive in the Face of Chinas Infiltration and Disinformation Campaigns: Expert Canada has been naive about communist China its continued espionage and foreign interference campaigns, and as politicians willfully turn a blind eye to the threat, the country is also losing credibility among its democratic allies, an expert said at a panel discussion on June 7. Sam Cooper, also an award-winning investigative journalist, said he was told by Canadian intelligence officials that Beijing had its spies collect information about him after his book, published last summer, exposed how corrupt politicians in the communist regime have been using gangs and casinos in Canada to launder dirty money made through the illicit drug trade, among other international criminal activities. Beijing wanted to know how the public was reacting to my book and whether it could damage the Chinese Communist Party, Cooper said during the panel discussion, held on the occasion of the launch of the second edition of his book. The event was hosted by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and featured panelists including Conservative MP Adam Chambers and James Cohen, executive director of Transparency International Canada, a Toronto-based global anti-corruption non-government coalition. Cooper said he was shocked to learn that he was targeted by the Chinese Communist Partys espionage activities, but wasnt surprised that the regimes United Front Work Department found his book a threat. The book, titled Wilful Blindness: How a Network of Narcos, Tycoons, and CCP Agents Infiltrated the West, draws links between senior CCP officials and underground money-laundering suspects in British Columbia and shows how their criminal proceedings fuelled an opioid crisis in Canada while driving up real estate costs. It also reveals that Chinese state-backed companies donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus family foundation. Every parliamentarian and regulator should have the book, should read it, said Chambers, who previously worked as a senior adviser to former finance minister Jim Flaherty. The book also received praise on Twitter from Tory MP Garnett Genuis, who has been vocal against the CCPs human rights abuses and violations of international law. Congrats to @opibooks and @scoopercooper on the publication of the second edition of Wilful Blindness. This is a very important book. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/LZtegTfhlv Garnett Genuis (@GarnettGenuis) June 8, 2022 Misinformation in Canadas 2021 Federal Election A top priority of the CCPs foreign infiltration campaign is to eliminate dissenting voices against the authoritarian regime and its questionable conduct, particularly those in overseas Chinese communities. Cooper said one of his sources, who managed to get into some of Vancouvers Chinese elite circles that are involved with the United Front, warned him about a CCP agents scheme to run a donation campaign to fund a lawsuit against critics of the regime based on claims that they are racially discriminatory against Asian Canadians. My source told me they want to make it an influential Chinese group to lobby and pressure governments, politicians, reporters, institutions, and incite national sentiment among Chinese Canadians, Cooper said. They want to promote lawsuits against anyone who dares to criticize China and elect more puppets into Canadian governments. He said the warnings became a reality during Canadas 2021 federal election, when the same social media groups that had attacked him in 2020 for his previous reports on the United Fronts misconduct began to amplify disinformation operations against Conservative candidate Kenny Chiu, who was the incumbent MP seeking re-election. Chiu, known for his pro-Chinese democracy stance and an outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party, lost his seat in the B.C. riding of StevestonRichmond East in the 2021 election. He told The Epoch Times in a previous interview that while he had been a target of misinformation before, what happened last year was exceptional. Through his private members bill, Bill C-282, Chiu sought to increase political transparency by compelling those working on behalf of foreign entities to register as foreign agents. But he said that bill was deliberately misrepresented to mislead people in the Chinese community to believe it was against their interests. Chiu didnt even name China in his bill, Cooper said. Yet he was smeared and labelled anti-Chinese. Any defender of Canada is an enemy of Beijing. These forces succeeded in taking Chiu out. Cooper noted similar misinformation campaigns also targeted Alice Wong, Tory MP for Richmond Centre, Ontario. In total, the CCP interference network had targeted 12 ridings in the 2021 election, mostly in Vancouver and Toronto, he said. Targeting Elites Cooper said the CCPs cash-for-access influence over Western political elites, or what is known as elite capture, as seen in Vancouver and Toronto is also carried out in other democratic societies. He pointed to a report in early 2022 from the United Kingdoms intelligence agency MI5, which showed how a Chinese agent, Christine Ching Kui Lee, established ties with a number of British parliamentarians on behalf of the CCP through political donations. However, unlike the MI5, Canadian intelligence agencies cannot make public alerts about infiltration from foreign agents from China, Russia, and Iran, due to the countrys strict privacy laws and the mysterious political shackles that Canadian intelligence operates under, even when the Canadian Security Intelligence Service has incredible intelligence showing the CCPs United Front has targeted Trudeau and politicians in all Canadian parties, Cooper said. This isnt a failure of the agencys task with gathering intelligence. They ultimately report to their political masters. And if those political masters dont want to heed the blaring alarms, the agencies have little recoursereports will be buried, and ultimately the intelligence agencies will stop producing these reports altogether, Cooper said, citing an intelligence source. Bureaucrats dont want to end their careers by delivering unwanted medicine to uncooperative patients. He said that according to Chiu, in Greater Vancouver, with its three-dimensional control of political candidates, culture, and businesses, China has gained sway over even the traditional pillars of society. People that are supposed to speak the truth, China has brought them down to their knees, Cooper said. As for politicians in Ottawa, they have been naive at best about the threat China poses, and many parliamentarians are near-sighted, focusing on microscopic concerns, while still others who do see the big picture enrich themselves through sweet insider deals with Beijing, he said, citing Chiu and his intelligence sources. Canada is faltering as a middle power, Cooper said. The nation isnt taken seriously in the Five Eyes anymore. Canada isnt a leader in the growing battle between democracy and authoritarianism. Issac Teo contributed to this article. A Cambodian naval personnel stands on a naval patrol boat during a ceremony for nine naval patrol boats that were donated by China, at the Cambodia Naval Base in Sihanoukville, some 220 kilometers south-west of Phnom Penh, on 07 November 2007. (TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP/Getty Images) China and Cambodia Declare Ironclad Friendship, Begin Construction on New Naval Facilities Officials from China and Cambodia said that they had officially begun work on a major expansion to Cambodias largest naval base June 8. The project is being funded by China, and one official from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) described it as evidence of the two nations iron-clad partnership. The announcement is likely to ruffle feathers among the American national security community, which has issued warnings since 2019 that Cambodia and China had drafted a secret pact that would guarantee China unfettered military access to the port upon its completion, which sits on the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen derided the warnings as fake news at the time. This is the worst-ever made up news against Cambodia, Sen said in 2019. No such thing could happen because hosting foreign military bases is against the Cambodian constitution. On June 8, however, Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh said that any country could use the facilities at the Ream naval base, and that Cambodia was open to accepting military assistance from all nations. Chinese dredge ships were first seen in January preparing the area for the expansion, which includes plans for a dry dock, an extended pier, a hospital, a workshop, and a reception building. The expansion and modernization of the base will increase the size of the vessels serviced there five times over, from those with a displacement of 1,000 tons to those of 5,000 tons. That means that the port will still be too small to house Chinas newest Type 055 guided missile cruisers, but will be able to host its smaller frigates, including those equipped with anti-ship missiles and electronic warfare packages. For his part, Minister Banh urged defense attaches from the United States not to worry about the implications of a sign present at the groundbreaking, which read that the project was funded by grant aid from the Peoples Republic of China. Please dont be too worried about this Ream base, Banh said. This port is too small and even after upgrading it cant be a port that would threaten any countries. Ream sits on the Gulf of Thailand, immediately adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has continuously asserted illegal claims to expand its territory, both through invented historical rights and also through the creation of artificial islands which it claims are part of its territory proper. Wang Wentian, the CCPs ambassador to Cambodia, said that the construction would follow a plan agreed upon by Sen and CCP leader Xi Jinping, and would promote the building of a community with a shared future with strategic significance. The port, Wang said, would be a testament to the ironclad friendship and cooperation between the two militaries of China and Cambodia. The CCP has worked for years to sway Cambodia into its sphere of influence and away from better relations with the United States. In 2016, it led an effort to overhaul the Cambodian judicial system to be more like that of Chinas. Likewise, China has invested hundreds of billions into Cambodian infrastructure while helping Cambodia to demolish buildings previously made with U.S. funding. The port project at Ream Naval Base is just the latest in a series of moves by the CCP to aggressively expand its overseas military presence through the creation of bases and security arrangements, the most recent of which being its attempt to secure a 10-nation security deal in the western Pacific. The CCP currently only acknowledges one overseas military base in the Republic of Djibouti, just south of Yemen. The Ream expansion project is expected to take two years to complete. It is not currently clear how much it will cost. An American flag waves in the window at the edge of a farm outside of Walsh, Colo., on Dec. 6, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Chinese Investment in US Farmland Prompts Pushback News Analysis Chinas involvement in the U.S. agricultural sector is under greater scrutiny, with politicians sounding the alarm about economic and national security risks stemming from Chinese purchases of prized American farmland. Late last month, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) introduced legislation that would ban the purchase of agricultural land, including ranches, in the United States by foreign nationals affiliated with the Chinese regime. If we begin to cede the responsibility for our food supply chain to an adversarial foreign nation, we could be forced into exporting food that is grown within our own borders and meant for our own use, Newhouse noted in a press release. The proposed bill, which would also bar Chinese government-linked entities from participating in virtually all U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, continues Newhouses campaign to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from gaining a foothold in Americas food supply chain. In June of last year, the congressman introduced a bill that would block the purchase of U.S. agricultural land by Chinese-owned companies. Newhouses proposal, an amendment to the fiscal 2022 funding bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was ultimately dropped in the conference committee, according to an account by Agri-Pulse. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) questions Matt Albence, then-acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 25, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Six states already have laws banning foreign ownership of agricultural land, including Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. But as Newhouse points out, Chinese investors can bypass these restrictions by purchasing American corporations that own farmland. Other efforts to restrict Chinese investment in American farmland include a bill advanced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) aimed at banning any CCP members from buying public or private land in the United States. In a statement, Roy claimed that China has been snapping up land and strategic infrastructure around the world in a quest for global domination. Introduced in June 2021, the bill has little chance of getting passed by a Democrat-controlled Congress, according to conservative writer Daniel Horowitz. Meanwhile, in Arizona, Republican state lawmaker Wendy Rogers introduced a bill this past February to outlaw real property ownership by CCP members in the Grand Canyon State. A recent report published by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), a federal agency, sheds light on the problems that unfettered Chinese involvement in U.S. agriculture could pose. They run the gamut from intellectual property theft and environmental damage to potential military threats. For example, Chinese meat processor Shuanghui International Holdings purchased the largest U.S. pork producer, Smithfield Foods, in 2013. Through this landmark deal, Shuanghui (now WH Group) gained 146,000 acres of U.S. land scattered across more than six states, hosting Smithfield assets from hog farms to processing plants. The acquisition was a clear win for Beijing, allowing China to benefit from Smithfields reputation and food safety record, giving it access to the companys valuable technology, and helping China diversify its agricultural supply chain and boost the yields of its herds. Smithfield supplied vast amounts of pork to Chinese consumers as African swine fever ravaged Chinas domestic hog farms and the COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted production. For the United States, the benefits of Chinas investment are less straightforward. Raising hogs takes a toll on the environment and surrounding communities, which is presumably one reason China would prefer to keep its hog farms overseas. Smithfield is the third-largest water polluter among U.S. meatpackers, according to a Federal Trade Commission filing by Food & Water Watch. In 2019, the company and its contract factory farms received at least 66 notices of violations of environmental protection laws, an increase from previous years. Ownership of Smithfield also gives a Chinese company, and by extension the CCP, more influence over U.S. supply chains. After its purchase of Smithfield, WH Group bought up a number of processing facilities, farms, grain elevators, and other U.S. assets that allowed the company to cut out many American suppliers and service providers. Some of the products of Smithfield Foods are displayed in front at a news conference on WH Groups IPO in Hong Kong on April 14, 2014. (Bobby Yip/Reuters) As seen with the Smithfield case, large agribusinesses have the resources to streamline their production lines by purchasing links or companies along the chain, the USCC report notes. This may create economic distortions in the U.S. agriculture market should China have more leverage over U.S. suppliers, resulting in more closed market or intracompany trade transactions. The report also highlights a more basic problem with Chinese land acquisitionstheir lack of transparency. Nobody really knows how much U.S. land is owned by CCP-linked entities. Officially, Chinese investors own 352,140 acres of land in the United States, or just under 1 percent of all foreign-held acreage, according to a report by the USDAs Farm Service Agency. Foreign investors held 2.7 percent of privately-owned agricultural land in the United States as of 2019, according to the USDA. But as the commission report points out, information about ownership and use of U.S. land is murky and incomplete. Federal reporting requirements arent very stringent, Chinese companies can circumvent them without much difficulty, and the government lacks enforcement mechanisms in cases of no reporting or false reporting. A puzzling twist is the huge amount of Chinese-owned land that is classified as other land, as opposed to cropland or pasture land. Other land has unclassified uses, such as swamps, marshes, and bare rock. In 2013, the year of the Smithfield acquisition, 78 percent of the 192,928 acres of U.S. land owned by Chinese investors was other land. The national security implications of the CCP controlling large swaths of American land have also drawn increasing concern. Last November, Chinas Fufeng Group purchased 370 acres of land in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as the location for a massive new corn-milling plant. The facility will sit roughly 12 miles from the Grand Forks Air Force Base, prompting speculation that it could be used for active and passive monitoring of the sensitive military site. The project has attracted controversy in Grand Forks and is currently undergoing third-party legal review to determine if it qualifies for review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a federal panel that scrutinizes foreign deals for national security risks. The critical missions our military executes at Grand Forks Air Force Base must be protected, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said in a statement to the Grand Forks Herald earlier this year. He added that the jobs and economic benefits from the plant must be weighed against the long-term concerns of China infiltrating our food supply chains. A screenshot from Weibo of a plane that crashed near an airport in in Xiangyang city, Hubei Province, China, on June 9, 2022. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Chinese Military Jet Crashes Into Houses, Killing at Least 1 A Chinese military jet crashed in a residential area in central China on June 9, killing at least one person, Chinas state broadcaster CCTV reported. The plane involved was a Peoples Liberation Army Air Forces J-7 fighter jet, which was on a training mission, CCTVs military channel said. The pilot parachuted successfully and suffered minor injuries, according to the report. At least one local resident was killed and two others injured by Thursday afternoon. The injured and the pilot have been taken to hospital. The incident occurred near an airport in Xiangyang city of central Chinas Hubei Province on Thursday morning, according to the report. Videos circulated on social media show houses near the crash site on fire. The cause of the incident and related casualties are under investigation, the report said. A photo shows the logo of the the American online social media and social networking service, Facebook and Twitter on a computer screen on Oct. 21, 2020. (Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images) Conservative Lawyers File Major Lawsuit Against Facebook, Twitter, Zuckerberg, and Dorsey Attorneys John Pierce and former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) filed in May a federal civil RICO (racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act) lawsuit seeking over $10 billion in damages against Facebook, Twitter, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jack Dorsey on behalf of Laura Loomer, a Republican who is running for Floridas 11th congressional district. Loomer is a Jewish conservative journalist who has been banned from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Uber, Uber Eats Lyft, Clubhouse, and Chase online banking, among other companies. The lead counsel, Bob Barr, founder of the non-profit Liberty Guard, told The Epoch Times that this case is different from other cases filed against big tech/social media companies in recent years, which have generally focused on some form of defamation. What we have constructed in our complaint is far differentits broader, more complex, and more substantive, Barr said. It looks at what Facebook and Twitter, in particular, have been doing to our client, Laura Loomer, in Florida. In the context of how social media more broadly entice individuals to use their platforms and then basically commit fraud by de-platforming them after they promised not to de-platform them in order to get their money, he further noted. Bob Barr. (Courtesy of Bob Barrs office) The lawsuit goes far beyond that, because as you may be aware, in a RICO case, federal racketeering case, once you establish that there is this pattern of activities or predicate acts being committed against our client, in this case, then similar acts, similar bad actions can be brought in, Barr said. Thats what weve done, so if you were looking at the lawsuit you would see many pages that deal with predicate acts by Facebook and Twitter not just against Laura, but against other people, other institutions as well. So thats why its, I think, far more substantive and brings the action against social media to a much higher level than these other cases involving simple defamation. The complaint (pdf) alleges that the defendants have engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity, which encompasses the breaking of a number of federal criminal laws, including interference with commerce by threats or violence, interstate and foreign transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, wire fraud, providing material support or resources to terrorist organizations, and advocating the overthrow of government. Barr would like the public to see that there is a legitimate way, through the court system, to try to hold social media entities accountable for their actions. I think theres a great frustration out there, where people see themselves being de-platformed or punished, so to speak, by social media, and they feel powerless to do anything about it. Hopefully, in this lawsuit, people will see that there are ways to address these issues legitimately through the judicial system, Barr concluded. John Pierce, founder of John Pierce law and the National Constitutional Law Union, recently filed a lawsuit against Atlas Air, on behalf of US Freedom Flyers (USFF) and Atlas employees, and plans to sue all major airlines, 18 altogether, plus the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), contending that the vaccine mandates imposed by these agencies on the airlines employees infringed on their constitutional, religious, and medical liberties. Pierce told The Epoch Times he is very excited to be part of the case against Big Tech. It is a very meritorious and unique way to go after Big Tech in terms of the wrongful conduct that they have been engaged in. Defense Attorney John Pierce speaks during an extradition hearing for Kyle Rittenhouse in Lake County court in Waukegan, Ill., on Oct. 30, 2020. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo) Pierce said in a press release (pdf): It is time for Big Tech tyranny to come to an end. For too long, Americans have sat idly by while companies like Facebook and Twitter have warped public debate with their algorithms, so-called fact-checkers, and shadow-banning. The idea that [Laura Loomer] can be silenced by Big Tech with the push of a button because she is conservative is absurd, dangerous, and un-American. In this legal action, we will fight to ensure that Ms. Loomers voice is not silenced, and that vital constitutionally guaranteed rights are protected in the digital age. Loomer said she looks forward to taking on Facebook, Twitter, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jack Dorsey in the courtroom. Im proud to have filed the first-ever RICO case against the big tech mafia, the big tech social media tyrants, for their criminal activity and active conspiracy in an effort to silence Americans and basically control the flow of information around the world, Loomer told The Epoch Times. Laura Loomer (Courtesy of Laura Loomer) Ultimately I think that they need to be held accountable and just like Im going to be holding them accountable in the courtroom with my RICO case, I also look forward to holding Big Tech accountable once I win my congressional race, Loomer continued. I think its important for people to remember that I am the first and the only de-platformed candidate in United States history. So my campaign is the only campaign that has ever been denied access to social media and this is election interference. A Florida law that would fine social media companies for deplatforming political candidates was challenged in court in May. Facebook and Twitter are both incorporated in the state of Delaware. Facebooks headquarters is in Menlo Park, California. The headquarters of Twitter is in San Francisco. Zuckerberg is the Chairman and CEO of Facebook, Dorsey is the former CEO of Twitter. Both of them are residents of California, and both companies have substantial businesses in all 50 states. A combined image showing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, left, and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, testify remotely before Congress on Oct. 28, 2020. (Michael Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) The Epoch Times reached out to Twitter and Facebook for comment. On June 4, 33 years after the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong and Macau lit candles on its windowsills. (Song Bilong /The Epoch Times) Consulates in Hong Kong Commemorate Tiananmen Square Massacre, Ignoring Threats of Consequences to Bilateral Relations June 4 marked the 33rd anniversary of the Chinese Communist Partys Tiananmen Square massacre. In Hong Kong as in mainland China, any commemoration of the atrocity faced a crackdown by authorities. Many foreign consulates in Hong Kong lit candlelights and posted messages on social media to mourn the victims of the massacre, while expressing concern about the denial of Hong Kong peoples right to peaceful assembly. Some Hong Kong media quoted sources saying that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had pressured the consulates not to speak on the issue, but to no avail. According to Ming Pao, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong put pressure on governments to self-censor and not take a position, threatening potential consequences for bilateral relations. In the morning of June 4, the U.S. consulate general in Hong Kong and Macao changed its official Facebook cover image to a photo of the removed Pillar of Shame, which was once erected at Hong Kong University. Two hours later, the page forwarded a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who said, Today, the struggle for democracy and freedom continues to echo in Hong Kong, where the annual vigil to commemorate the massacre in Tiananmen Square was banned by the PRC and Hong Kong authorities in an attempt to suppress the memories of that day. We will continue to speak out and promote accountability for PRC atrocities and human rights abuses we will not forget June 4. The full text of the statement was published by the State Department. That night, the U.S. consulate general filled every window sill with digital candles and posted pictures on Facebook with the phrase, We remember. The European Unions office in Hong Kong and Macao also posted pictures of candles on Facebook to mark the 33rd anniversary of the #TiananmenSquare crackdown, adding, The European Union always stands in solidarity with human rights defenders across the globe. The Facebook page of the German Consulate in Hong Kong reposted the picture from the EU office in Hong Kong and Macau, followed by a statement from Luise Amtsberg, Germanys commissioner for human rights policy and humanitarian assistance. On this day 33 years ago, the Chinese pro-democracy movement was brutally crushed, Amtsberg said in the statement. Today, my thoughts are with the largely young victims, who peacefully fought for reforms, freedom, and democracy. And with their families. Amtsberg also noted that public remembrance of these tragic events is still prohibited in China by the CCP. Even in Hong Kong, this now prosecuted, he wrote. That is why it is all the more important that we remember, so that this dark chapter is not repeated. Sadly, the human rights situation in China continues to get worse. Read More Witnesses Fear Chinese Regime Murdering Uyghurs for Their Organs The Australian Consulate general in Hong Kong and Macao also posted on Facebook a tribute to those killed in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, saying, Australias commitment to universal human rights is enduring. We continue to stand for every persons right to freedom of expression, association, political participation, and religion or belief. The New Zealand Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau said in a Facebook post that New Zealand remains deeply concerned by the loss of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, including the right to peaceful assembly in remembrance of the events of 4 June 1989. The Consulate general of Canada in Hong Kong and Macau posted on Facebook pictures of the June 4 candlelight vigil held at Victoria Park in Hong Kong in 2017. We all have the responsibility to uphold human rights and universal freedoms, the post reads. Today, Canada joins Hong Kong and the international community in solemn remembrance of the tragic events of #June4, 1989, when peaceful demonstrators were violently suppressed in and around #TiananmenSquare. Assembling peacefully is a human right, Canada stands with all those prevented from exercising their rights. In Beijing, the Canadian Embassy posted pictures of candlelight vigils on Twitter in tribute to the demonstrators. We remember #June4 , 1989 #33 , the post read. We honour the peaceful protesters who tried to make their voices heard. We will not forget #TiananmenSquare On June 5, the Canadian Embassy in China posted on Twitter a picture of a lit candle, which was previously posted on the Canadian Embassys official Weibo page. The post explained that in the morning of June 4, the embassy had posted the picture on Weibo remembering #Tiananmen, yet the post was visible to Chinese netizens for only 10 minutes before being removed by censors. For 30 consecutive years from 1990 to 2019, tens of thousands to more than 100,000 Hong Kong residents attended the June 4 candlelight vigils in Victoria Park. Before the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020, the authorities banned June 4 rallies in Victoria Park on the grounds of epidemic. However, thousands of citizens still entered the park and lit candlelight vigils. The authorities later charged 24 pro-democracy activists with inciting others to participate in an unauthorized assembly and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from 4 to 14 months. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference at the University of Miami Health System Don Soffer Clinical Research Center in Miami on May 17, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) DeSantis Aims to Target Gun Lunatics, Not Guns PUNTA GORDA, Fla.Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants to focus on gun lunatics rather than targeting Second Amendment rights when it comes to preventing mass shootings. When youre dealing with [gun-related crime] you focus on the criminal, he said at a June 8 press conference. You focus on the lunaticyou dont kneecap the rights of law-abiding citizens. Mental health issues notwithstanding, some shooters are just really bad people who are doing things, targeting kids, targeting innocent people, the governor said. During the question-and-answer session, DeSantis was asked about the closing in 2002 of a large mental hospital that held people who were deemed a threat to society. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) demonstrates assembling his handgun as he speaks remotely during a House Judiciary Committee mark up hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) While DeSantis did not call for a return of that type of institution, he seemed to question the decision of then Gov. Jeb Bush to close G. Pierce Wood (GPW), a mental health facility located in Southwest Florida. I mean, honestly, they used to have people [who] would go to these insane asylumsthese are folks that couldnt function in society, he said. They were a danger to the community, and they were basically committed. Weve kind of deinstitutionalized that now, so you really need to have a concerted effort to be able to have interventions to identify some of the people who are not safe to be around the community. In 1947 the Florida legislature recognized a need for mental health facilities and voted to build a large complex in DeSoto County that would accommodate long-term mental health patients. It was named after a legislator who advocated for the mentally ill, G. Pierce Wood, Sr. It was a 500-acre property that accepted patients from 17 counties across the state. The property included staff housing, a patient ward, and buildings for occupational training and recreation. In 2014, then Gov. Rick Scott, along with members of the Florida Cabinet, voted to sell the property to Power Auto Corporation for $2.5 million with plans to use it for car-racing training. That plan was put on hold and the facility remains empty except for a small helicopter repair business. The governor went on to say that mental health spans a variety of things, and that traditional mental health is people going through normal things in life. Most people who need mental health services [are] not a danger to the community, DeSantis said. But you do have some people that are just really just off their rocker and you need an intervention when you have that. Shannon Waedell-Collins pays her respects at the scene of Saturdays shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 18, 2022. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo) Some, however, are just bad people, he said. They are not dumb, because they pick their targets and they know. The Buffalo guy said he wanted to go where he knew there wouldnt be blow-back from people being armed, and so he tried to find a gun-free zone, he said referring to the gunman who murdered 10 people at a grocery store in Buffalo, N.Y., in May. The governor issued a warning to would-be shooters: If youre one of these nut jobs, just know: If you try that its not going to end up being pretty, and youre not going to walk out of there alive. In recognition of the importance of mental health issues, DeSantis has allotted a significant amount in the 2022-2023 budget to address them, Christina Pushaw, the governors press secretary, told the Epoch Times in an email. The need for behavioral health services is increasing across the state. The Freedom First Budget provides nearly $294 million in funding for community-based behavioral health services, forensic bed capacity, and operations of the state mental health treatment facilities, Pushaw wrote. Additionally, this funding will provide a comprehensive array of behavioral health treatment services that seek to reduce overdoses, suicides, and unemployment and help break the cycle of hospitalization and homelessness. During the press conference, the U.S. House voted to raise the age of purchasing a semiautomatic rifle from the age of 18 to the age of 21, which Florida has already passed. The House version of the gun law sought a number of measures, including closing a loophole allowing bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic weapons to simulate a fully automatic weapon. Senate negotiations were already underway when Congress voted on the bill. Florida Democratic legislators are working to call a special session to address guns but say they are not attempting to ban the AR-15-assault-type weapon that was used in the Uvalde school shooting and elsewhere but instead want to restrict high-capacity rifle magazines, universal criminal background checks for all firearms and expand Red Flag laws used to seize firearms from people who pose a serious threat to themselves or others. People are brought out of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after a shooting at the school left 17 people dead on February 14, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The current Red Flag laws, or the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act of 2018, included a measure allowing law enforcement to seize firearms from people who the court deems pose a serious threat to themselves or others. According to a legislative analysis, the bill intended to temporarily prevent those experiencing a significant mental health crisis from obtaining firearms until that person can reasonably prove they are no longer a threat. The analysis went on to say that the law attempts to balance the rights of the person (respondent) including due process of law, and reducing death or injury as a result of his or her use of firearms during a mental health crisis. According to the Florida Department of State, the Florida constitution requires three-fifths of lawmakers in each of the chambers, the House and the Senate must agree to such a session. The Secretary of State, Cord Byrd, launched a poll to all legislators on June 7 that ends at 3 p.m. on June 10. The poll question asked: Should a special session of the Florida Legislature be convened for the purpose of considering proposals to address gun violence? On June 7, DeSantis signed HB 1421, which made small changes to the 2018 law, such as requiring law enforcement to be present on school campuses during an active shooter drill, school resource officers to complete mental health crisis intervention training and school districts as well as public charter school to create family reunification plans when schools are closed or unexpectedly evacuated. The governor said he recognized after the Feb. 14, 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school, failures were made by both law enforcement and the school as there were signs that the shooter was dangerous. The failures of both law enforcement and the school system I think were really, really difficult, he said of the 2018 shooting. When something could have been prevented by holding this guy accountable when you had all these different opportunities to do it and you dont thats a problem. So, they do analyze it like that, but they have something thats wrong with them that would cause them to do it; and most of the time, there will be signals DeSantis Vetoes Everglades Bill Over Concerns of Wetland Destruction PUNTA GORDA, Fla.It was a no go on the Everglades bill for Gov. Ron DeSantis as he vetoed it, expressing concerns about wetland destruction. In a veto letter to the Secretary of State, DeSantis said the bill could have hindered Everglades restoration which he had deemed important when he took office in 2019. While the bill that was ultimately passed by the Legislature is an improvement over what was initially filed, SB 2508 still creates unnecessary and redundant regulatory hurdles which may compromise the timely execution and implementation of Everglades restoration projects, war control plans and regulation schedules, the governor wrote to Secretary of State Cord Byrd. Outgoing Senate President Wilton Simpson had pushed lawmakers to pass the bill during the regular session that ended in March. DeSantis did not like the original version and criticized it which led the legislators to rework the bill dealing with a massive Everglades reservoir project. We want to continue going on the path that we set out in January of 2019. And we dont want anything to derail us from that, DeSantis said at a press conference on June 8 on Fort Myers Beach. There was a lot of people that put a lot of good input in. Very very passionate folks we hear you and were going to continue on the course that we started a little over three years ago. After the bill was filed, DeSantis said the state needed to prioritize money for the reservoir. Senators said that critics of the bill misunderstood it and that the reservoir wouldnt receive less priority. However, they responded to the criticism by rewriting the bill to include revising Lake Okeechobee water-release schedules or cutting funding for the reservoir project. Prior to DeSantis taking office in 2019, the reservoir was approved in 2017 to help reduce the release of contaminated water from Lake Okeechobee into St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries, which have been blamed for destroying sea grass that Manatees depend on for sustenance and have struggled in recent years with moving water south into the Everglades. During budget talks between the Florida Senate and House, additional changes to the bill were added and approved, providing more oversight to DeSantis and the Legislature about directives given to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) concerning the management of the water in Lake Okeechobee. The last lines of light illuminate cattails on a restored area of Lake Okeechobee. Habitat restoration in this section of wetland was to benefit the endangered Everglades snail kites. (Stock Photo/Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA.) However, environmental groups have expressed concern that the bill would have caused wetland destruction. The bill would have allowed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to enter into contracts with public entities, notably utility companies like Florida Power and Light, to expedite environmental resource permits or pay into a state fund for the work. Last week before DeSantis vetoed the bill, the environmental group Audubon Florida sent a final appeal telling the governor that while the bill was much improved, it still creates unnecessary bureaucracy for Everglades restoration and undermines Florida Forever, the states land conservation program. After DeSantis announced the veto, Jonathan Webber, legislative and political director for Florida Conservation Voters issued a written statement, this will be a signal to lawmakers to stop using legislative tricks to sneak harmful environmental policy past the Florida public. Another group, the Florida Wildlife Federation issued a statement that vetoing this bad bill is necessary for the restoration of the Everglades and protecting the quality of our water. However, the veto was not well received by some. South Florida Water Coalition said the veto was based on narrow, inaccurate concerns. By vetoing this legislation, Gov. DeSantis has disappointed the more than seven million people in South Florida that depend on a stable supply of fresh water from Lake Okeechobee, Ryan Rossi, director for the South Florida Water Coalition said in a written statement. DeSantis was joined at the press conference by Daniel Andrews, executive director of Captains for Clean Water, who said that the governors action sends an incredibly powerful message to people advocating counter efforts to water quality issues Youre gonna get steamrolled by Gov. DeSantis. Last week, DeSantis signed a budget for 2022-2023 that included $500 million for Everglades restoration projects and approximately $558 million for water-quality projects that target the reduction in nutrient levels in key waterways around the state. The governor vetoed $350 million for aquifer-storage wells that reduce pollutants entering the north side of Lake Okeechobee, which was one of (Senate President) Simpsons priorities. Dr. Mehmet Oz receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 11, 2022. (JC Olivera/Getty Images) Dr. Oz Wins GOP Senate Primary for Pennsylvania, to Face Fetterman Wellness celebrity figure Dr. Mehmet Oz was declared the official winner of the Republican U.S. Senate primary for Pennsylvania on June 8 after a statewide county-by-county recount, narrowly defeating former hedge fund CEO David McCormick. Oz, a retired heart surgeon best known as the host of daytime TVs The Dr. Oz Show, was found to have won the race by a margin of 951 votes, out of more than 1.3 million votes cast in the states primary election on May 17. Former President Donald Trump had endorsed Oz about five weeks before the primary. McCormick conceded the race on June 3, after Oz declared himself the presumptive Republican nominee on May 27 just as the statewide recount was starting. An automatic recount is triggered under Pennsylvania law when two leading candidates are separated within 0.5 percent. McCormick could have chosen to forego the recount, but decided to let it proceed. In a statement after his win, Oz said, With the statewide recount officially concluded, its time to focus on how high the stakes are in November. Oz is set to face Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in the Nov. 8 midterm election in vying for the open U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring two-term Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in Lemont Furnace, Pa., on May 10, 2022. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Fetterman is recovering from a stroke he suffered on May 13, just days ahead of the primary. Despite that, he won the Democratic nomination for the seat. Fettermans cardiologist said in a letter released earlier this month by his campaign that Fetterman has two heart conditionsatrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy. Fetterman said he would be able to serve as a senator if he follows his doctors advice, adding that he previously hadnt followed advice from doctors, which included taking blood thinners. As my doctor said, I should have taken my health more seriously. The stroke I suffered on May 13 didnt come out of nowhere, Fetterman said on June 3. He said he avoided going to the doctor, even though he wasnt well and almost died as a result. Fettermans wife, Giselle, told CNN on June 6 that her husband may not return to the campaign trail until July, although he had been out of the hospital for a couple of weeks. However, she also said Fettermans doctors are confident he will make a full recovery. Fetterman and his campaign havent disclosed any official date to return to campaigning. The Associated Press contributed to this report. SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the E3 gaming convention in Los Angeles, Calif. on June 13, 2019. (Mike Blake/Reuters) Elon Musk Rips Into YouTube for Nonstop Scam Ads Elon Musk took aim at YouTube against its scam ads on June 7, setting off speculation about another potential acquisition following his attempt on Twitter. The billionaire turned his fire on the Google company in recent Twitter posts on Tuesday, which included a meme mocking what he saw as a double standard in the video sites practices: turning a blind eye to scam advertisements, while taking a hard line on swearing on the platform. It followed another post that read YouTube seems to be nonstop scam ads. A spokesperson of YouTubes parent company Google did not respond to a request for comment by press time. YouTube doesnt allow spam, scams, or other deceptive practices that take advantage of the YouTube community, the company states in its policies. We also dont allow content where the main purpose is to trick others into leaving YouTube for another site. YouTube scammers have targeted Musks followers. According to cybersecurity firm Tenable, a series of cryptocurrency scams had run on the platform in May 2021 ahead of the Tesla and SpaceX founders appearance on Saturday Night Live, leading to a theft of over $9 million. The scammers promoted a fake SpaceX digital coin claiming to be created by Musk. Musks recent two posts have sparked discussion on Twitter as users, including conservative comedian Steven Crowder, suggested a possible takeover of YouTubereferencing his initial attacks on Twitter before making an offer of acquisition. Please buy YouTube and restore it to its former 2016 glory, political commentator Lauren Chen wrote in response. Musk, meanwhile, has blamed Twitter for resisting and thwarting his ability to obtain information about bot accounts on the social media website, calling it a breach of the terms of their previous deal. It was when Twitter accepted Musks $44 billion offer in April to acquire and take it private at $54.20 per share. The billionaire later said the deal is temporarily on hold pending complete information about spam and fake accounts, but that he was still committed to acquisition. My offer was based on Twitters SEC filings being accurate, Musk wrote on Twitter on May 17. Twitters CEO publicly refused to show proof of <5%. This deal cannot move forward until he does. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, responds to questions during a congressional hearing in Washington in a file image. (Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters) Fauci Suggests Hell Retire Once This Key Requirement Is Met: Better Control of COVID White House COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci provided more details about when he might retire, saying it will likely happen once COVID-19 is under control. Speaking to the Independent newspaper Thursday, Fauci again suggested he will retire: You know, to be honest with you, I certainly will some time, and I dont think its going to be a very long time from now. Without giving more details, Fauci said that he has not really focused on exactly what that would be, because were sort of in the middle of a public health crisis, adding that COVID-19 has to be under better control. He didnt specify what measures could be taken to further control the virus. Im not trying to be evasive, he said. It might be sooner than most people think, or it might be later than most people think. Although Fauci has worked for the federal government since the late 1960s and helmed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, he wasnt a well-known figure in the public sphere. Since the COVID-19 pandemics start, however, hes given hundreds of interviews and is one of the federal governments public faces as it deals with the virus. But Faucis comments to The Independent somewhat contrast remarks he gave last week to Fox News when he said he would retire in 2024. Fox host Neil Cavuto asked him whether he would retain his position if former President Donald Trump wins a second term. By the way, by the time that happens, I think I wont be around, no matter who the president is, he told Cavuto, adding that he doesnt want to get involved in politics. A few days later, however, Fauci took a veiled swipe at people who have criticized the federal governments pandemic response. Since 2020, Fauci has received criticism from conservatives and some medical officials regarding his often dire COVID-19-related proclamations during the aforementioned media interviews, as well as his support for lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine mandates. During several Senate hearings, Fauci clashed with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) over whether federal health agencies provided funding to groups doing controversial gain-of-function research on viruses in a laboratory located near Wuhan, Chinawhere the virus reported first emerged in 2019. It is blatantly obvious that we are experiencing a deepening divisiveness in our nation, fed by a flagrant devaluation of the truth, Fauci told a group of college graduates in New York City over the past weekend. Fabrications, conspiracy theories and outright lies are becoming commonplace from radical fringe groups as well as from people who you would hope would know betterand you know who they are, he added, without providing more details. And in mid-May, Fauci told CNN that he wouldnt work under a second Trump administration should the former commander-in-chief win in 2024. If you look at the history of what the [pandemic] response was during the [Trump] administration, I think at best you could say it wasnt optimal, he told CNN at the time. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. FBI Purging Employees With Conservative Views: Rep. Jordan Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Tuesday claimed that the FBI is purging employees who hold conservative viewpoints. In a letter (pdf) to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Jordan, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said that multiple whistleblowers at the law enforcement agency had come forward alleging retaliatory actions to employees who had engaged in disfavored political speech. The letter redacted the names and positions of the alleged whistleblowers. The Ohio Republican lawmaker said that in one instance, an alleged veteran was targeted for failing to agree with officials conclusions about the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. The veteran, who allegedly served in the U.S military for several years and was deployed in Kuwait and Iraq, had their security clearance suspended, before being indefinitely suspended from duty and pay after sharing personal views that the FBI was not being entirely forthcoming about the events of January 6. As a result, the FBI determined that [REDACTED] had espoused conspiratorial views and promoted unreliable information which indicates support for the events of January 6, and therefore the FBI questioned allegiance to the United States, Jordan wrote. Jordan wrote that the same individual had been rated as Exceeds Fully Successful in performance evaluations, has received several awards, and has never been disciplined or reprimanded until this instance. Lawyers for the alleged whistleblower claimed that the FBIs accusations against their client are a monumental leap from objective fact and a distortion of actions as well as gross injustice which violates their clients right to exercise freedom of speech under the First Amendment. In another incident, Jordan said that one alleged whistleblower, who has since left the FBI, had informed the House Judiciary Committee that they faced retaliation when they criticized the FBI in an anonymous survey circulated to employees following Jan. 6. The FBI allegedly escalated an adverse personnel action against this employee after [REDACTED] commented on the survey, which sought feedback about the [REDACTED] actions during the recent crisis/command post event. The employee, too, was never disciplined or reprimanded until after [REDACTED] criticized the FBI, the letter reads. Jordan said multiple whistleblowers have called it a purge of FBI employees holding conservative views. A copy of the letter was also sent to Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz. An FBI spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email: While the FBI does not comment on specific personnel matters, under no circumstances would we take action against employees for lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights. All FBI employees understand that adherence to rigorous security policies and the highest standards of integrity are critical to fulfilling our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution of the United States. Jordan also claimed that a previous May 6 letter sent to Wray detailing allegations of the FBIs alleged behavior had gone unanswered. In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Jordan said that a total of six agents had come forward as whistleblowers, two of which related to a school boards memo. We are conducting oversight to ensure the FBI is not retaliating against FBI employees for exercising their First Amendment rights and engaging in disfavored political speech, he wrote in his letter on Wednesday. We reiterate our earlier requests for your personal assurance that the FBI will cooperate fully with the Department of Justices Office of Inspector Generals examination of these matters and for a briefing on the FBIs purge of employees holding disfavored viewpoints. The Ohio lawmakers letter comes as the House select committee probing the Jan. 6 attack is set to begin its public hearings on Thursday at 8 p.m. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. A Chinese missile frigate Yuncheng launches an anti-ship missile during a military exercise in the waters near south China's Hainan Island and Paracel Islands on July 8, 2016. (Zha Chunming/Xinhua via AP) Fearing China, Southeast Asia Beefs Up Its Militaries Commentary The Chinese regimes increasingly aggressive and militarily-backed behavior has, unsurprisingly, sparked a backlash of counter-arming on the part of much of Southeast Asia. China has increasingly used its growing military power to dominate the environs around the South China Sea. It has, for example, built up its naval forces on Hainan Island, deploying nuclear submarines, modern destroyers, and maritime attack aircraft. Woody Island, one of Chinas largest possessions in the South China Sea, has undergone a dramatic military expansion in recent years, including a 2,700-meter runway that can accommodate most Chinese fighter jets, an improved harbor, and the deployment of long-range HQ-9B surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Additionally, Beijing has been engaged in a massive effort to constructand subsequently militarizea constellation of artificial islands in the Spratlys in the eastern South China Sea. This building program included the construction of runways on several of these islands and the emplacement of radar stations, anti-aircraft guns, SAMs, and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs). Increasing anxieties over Chinese expansionism, particularly in the South China Sea, have forced Southeast Asia to increasingly focus its defense efforts on external security problems, particularly the protection of territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZs). This has led to a greater emphasis on naval and air forces for surveillance, power projection, endurance, and firepower. Southeast Asian navies are experiencing growth in three broad areas. In the first place, many have acquired, or are in the process of acquiring, large surface combatants. In the past, most regional navies consisted mainly of coastal patrol boats and fast-attack craft geared primarily toward littoral combat. Regional navies are acquiring larger and more capable platforms, providing opportunities for sustained and more potent operations beyond traditional littoral (or brown-water) regions. In other words, regional navies are transitioning from being mainly oriented toward coastal defense in favor of more green-water operations. Chinese little blue men maritime militia in the South China Sea. A member of the Malaysian Navy at a communication exchange with a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea, near Kuantan, Malaysia, on March 15, 2014. (Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) As a result, these navies are buying larger, multipurpose vesselsparticularly frigates and corvettesthat can operate further from shore and for more extended periods. In addition, these ships are increasingly outfitted with more and varied offensive systems, including advanced anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), air defense missiles, decoys, guns in stealthy cupolas, etc., as well as being equipped with more sophisticated electronics and sensors (such as radar and electro-optical systems, towed sonars, etc.), for improved surveillance, computer processing, target acquisition, and fire-control, and so on. For example, as part of its ambitious 15 to 5 modernization program, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is acquiring six stealthy littoral combat ships outfitted with the modern naval strike missile ASCM. The RMN is also buying 18 Keris-class littoral mission ships (LMS), which are modularized for various missions, including mine warfare, hydrography, and surveillance. For its part, the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) is engaged in a multi-year effort to create a minimum essential force (MEF), with the goal of becoming a medium maritime power. The MEF envisions a combat strike force (CSF) comprising 56 frigates or corvettes, 26 fast-attack craft, and 66 patrol vessels. Currently, the TNI-AL has taken delivery of two Martadinata-class frigates, which are outfitted with Western combat systems, Exocet ASCMs, vertical-launch air-defense missiles, and a 76mm gun. In addition, the TNI-AL has acquired several new classes of corvettes, fast missile boats, and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Singapore is acquiring 8 Independence-class littoral mission vessels (LMVs) and a new multi-role combat vessel (MRCV). The Philippine Navy is in the process of accepting two Korean-built Jose Rizal class frigates, as well as planning on buying several corvettes and patrol craft from the United States, Italy, and Japan. Vietnam has acquired six Gepard-class multirole frigates. Thailand is negotiating with South Korea for multi-role frigates. Her Majestys Australian Ship Stuart sails in company with the Republic of Singapore Ship Supreme and Kapal Diraja Brunei (Royal Brunei Ship) Daruleshan through the Pacific Ocean as they prepare to take part in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2020 on Aug. 17, 2020 (Australian Department of Defence) Secondly, there has been a major expansion in regional submarine fleets. Many Southeast Asian navies that did not possess a single submarine 15 or 20 years ago are now operating or acquiring quite impressive fleets of undersea vessels. Singapore has bought several used but upgraded submarines from Sweden, including two that have been refitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP); in 2014, Singapore announced that it was buying two brand-new Type-218S boats from Germany equipped with fuel cells for AIP. Malaysia has taken delivery of two Scorpene-class submarines from France, while Vietnam has bought six Kilo-class submarines from Russia. Indonesia has acquired three submarines from South Korea and plans to buy three more, while Thailand has ordered three Type S26T submarines from China. By 2025, the number of modern submarines deployed by Southeast Asian navies will total at least 20 boats; by 2035, this number could rise to at least 25. Finally, Southeast Asian navies are acquiring new ships for expeditionary warfare. Singapore has designed and built four Endurance-class amphibious operations ships; it also constructed one Endurance-class ship for the Thai Navy. Indonesia and the Philippines have both acquired Korean-designed Makassar-class amphibious ships. Most Southeast Asian nations have also acquired modern fourth-generation or fourth-generation-plus combat aircraft. Singapore has bought U.S. F-15s and F-16s (and will soon buy the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter), while Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam have acquired Russian-made Su-27s and Su-30s. These new fighters are equipped with advanced beyond-visual-range, active-radar-guided air-to-air missiles, such as the AMRAAM and Russian R-77; several local air forces are also acquiring modern air-to-ground precision-strike weapons. Over the past few decades, many Southeast Asia militaries have added considerably to their combat capabilities. Many of these capabilitiessuch as submarines or anti-ship missiles, long-range air interdiction, or maritime strikewere previously lacking in these forces. These new proficiencies have greatly increased these militaries abilities to project force far into the South China Sea. Of course, no Southeast Asian military can compete one-on-one with China in terms of quantity and quality. Chances of a collective defense among these nations are also dim. However, individually these nations are taking a page from Chinas own strategy of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD)that is, denying a militarily superior competitor from either entering a zone of conflict or else seriously impeding its freedom of action inside this zone. Preventing China from totally dominating the South China Sea can still have a powerful deterrent effect on Beijing. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A nurse administers a pediatric dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to a girl at a L.A. Care Health Plan vaccination clinic at Los Angeles Mission College in Los Angeles, California, January 19, 2022. (Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images) Federal Judge Says No to Anonymity for Health Care Workers Suing Over COVID Vaccine A federal judge ruled late last month that a group of Maine health care workers who have a lawsuit challenging the states COVID-19 vaccine mandate pending before the U.S. Supreme Court cannot remain anonymous. In a May 31 ruling, Maine Chief U.S. District Judge Jon Levy gave the nine workers in Maine, mostly nurses, until June 7 to file an amended complaint identifying themselves by name for the suit to continue. The ruling was in response to a motion filed by Maine media asking for the court to order the disclosure of the names of the health care workers challenging Maines COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers providers in the state. The Plaintiffs have not shown that their fear of severe harm if their identities are revealed is objectively reasonable, Levy wrote in his ruling. He said he did not doubt the sincerity of the workers concerns but that their privacy interests have not been shown to outweigh the public interest in knowing their identities. Attorney Mat Staver, the founder of Liberty Counsel, told The Epoch Times that he believes the court should have weighed the heavily-negative media coverage the workers have already received as anonymous plaintiffs. The Maine media just wants a story, said Staver, theres no story in their names. To reveal their identities will be to reveal their private medical conditions and concerns, and thats not in the public interest. Staver said that some of the nasty public comments the newspapers have allowed on their websites have bordered on being threatening. Staver also said the media is using double standards since they dont file for the names of plaintiffs in abortion rights cases, which he pointed out is currently as much of a legal hot button issue as government-mandated COVID-19 vaccines. Liberty Counsel filed an appeal of Levys decision on behalf of the Maine health care workers and, on June 6, filed a motion to stay the judges order pending the hearing of its appeal. In its motion, the Maine media argued that fear of public reaction was insufficient for health care workers to overcome the constitutionally-embedded presumption of openness in court cases. The media group, which includes the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, Sun Journal, and the Washington-DC based Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, argued that religious and medical issues asserted by plaintiffs are insufficient to constitute a substantial privacy interest. As other courts have held in similar COVID-related litigation, opposition to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (based on religious beliefs or not) is insufficient to overcome the presumption against pseudonymous litigation, the media group argued. The Maine case is similar to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case filed by a group of New York health care workers. However, the New York health care workers continue to have their identities protected by the court. Last year, a Maine court granted the plaintiffs anonymity in the Maine lawsuit after the workers argued that disclosing their identities would subject them to potential harassment. One of the health care workers in the suit is a Maine nurse who was previously granted an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine for breastfeeding reasons. She was recently denied a renewal of the same exemption after being asked by the state to fill out its new form for exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine. NR | 1h 59min | Drama, Crime, Thriller | 10 June 2022 (USA) Over the last two decades the majority of the movies being produced in South Korea have been rooted in horror which, while pleasing fans of that genre, tend to be ignored by critics as well as mainstream and art-house audiences. Things began to change in the mid 2010s with the arrival of prestige dramas such as Snowpiercer, The Handmaiden, Okja, Forgotten, and Parasite, which is the first and only non-English language movie to win not one, but two Best Picture Oscars. Incorporating the better elements of American good cop/bad cop movies and the 2002 Hong Kong masterpiece Infernal Affairs (remade by Martin Scorsese in 2006 as The Departed: another Best Picture winner), The Policemans Lineage keeps the viewer guessing for the duration. If not for an ending that all but guarantees a sequel, it would be among the finest movies of 2022 with certain Top 10 potential. As it is, its still very good. Three Generations of the Blue The son of a deceased detective and grandson of another, Choi Min-jae (Choi Woo-sik) is an upstart baby-face policeman recently promoted to the internal affairs division for the specific purpose of gathering proof that veteran Detective Park Gang-yoon (Cho Jin-woong) is on the take. Living far beyond the means of even the highest-paid senior lawmen, Park certainly appears to be crooked, something his overseers previously ignored due to his string of celebrated, high-profile arrests. He is also well-respected and nearly worshipped by every man in his command. After a playful, semi-embarrassing hazing event played on Choi by some of Parks underlings, he quickly blends in, despite having busted another detective who was fond of torturing would-be criminals. Pegged by Park to be his driver, Choi begins taking mental notes and snapping quickie smart phone photos of his new boss, all indicating Parks been bought and sold by one or more individuals or groups. It also doesnt help that one of Parks informants is a junkie and he regularly borrows huge sums of money from a local loan shark Shylock. And he owns a boata really big boat. Director Kyu-maan Lee (L) and actor Choi Woo-sik on the set of The Policemans Lineage.(Liyang Film Co., Ltd) The Appropriate Appearance Is Key After noticing Choi doesnt blink or raise issues with the company he keeps, Park starts bringing him along to clandestine meetings with high-end criminals or, as Park calls them, the one percent and suddenly his posturing, preening, and highfaluting lifestyle starts to make sense to Choi. In order to blend in and earn their (the criminals) trust, Park adds, You need to dress and act rich. Thats why the walk-in closet is overflowing with designer duds; he really takes this undercover thing seriously, Choi surmises. Its either that or Park just doesnt care or believes himself to be metaphorically bulletproof or something else yet to be revealed. There are a lot of ors in this movie. Complicating matters further occurs when Choi notices his internal affairs boss Ho Hwang-in (Park Hee-soon) entering a restaurant and decides to follow him. Wouldnt you know it? Ho is meeting with a known mobster and, as we find out later, has exotic obsessions and tastes. No Spoilers Here If you feel that youve been given too much plot thus far, trust me, you havent. All of the above takes place within the first 40 or so minutes and screenwriter Bae Young-ik (adapting the novel Blood of the Policeman by Joh Sasaki) has barely scratched the surface. Bae and director Kyu-maan Lee (Wide Awake, Children) arent afraid of challenging the audience by forcing them to pay attention and not spoon-feeding them the narrative. Cho Jin-woong (L) as Park and Choi Woo-sik as Choi in The Policemans Lineage.(Liyang Film Co., Ltd) Before its over, the movie presents close to two dozen characters with significant speaking roles. While it is a traditional linear story, the filmmakers do include flashback scenes of a single past event from different perspectives, with the final one revealing volumes. They also find an ingenious use for coffee. While not rated, The Policemans Lineage (Blood of the Policeman would have been a better title) does have a fair amount violence, although much of it is implied. There is no nudity. A Remake? Maybe Im not a big fan of remakes and, in my opinion, there are less than a handful of them worth anyones time, but one of those happens to be The Departed. As there are cops and robbers the world over (and many operating in both camps simultaneously), their stories are universal. But, no matter how many critics sing this movies praises, there are audiences that flat out refuse to watch a movie with subtitles and that is not in English. In the right hands (Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, David Fincher, David O. Russell, or Christopher Nolan, for example) and with an excellent crime or thriller screenwriter, a remake could be in order and would likely thrill the masses beyond repair. But please change that ending. No sequel needed here. Presented in Korean with English subtitles. Promotional ad for The Policemans Lineage. (Liyang Film Co., Ltd) The Policemans Lineage Director: Kyu-maan Lee Stars: Cho Jin-woong, Choi Woo-sik, Park Hee-soon Running Time: 1 hour, 59 minutes Not Rated Release Date: June 10, 2022 Rating: 4 out of 5 Our artistic traditions are full of wisdom. We can look to the past and, with curious minds and open hearts, absorb the lessons of our cultural history. The Italian Renaissance is filled with great stories that resulted in great art, and the story and art of Michelangelo are an enduring example. The story begins in 16th-century Rome, which was quickly becoming the cultural center of the Western world. At 33 years of age, Michelangelo was summoned by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was not a painterhe was a sculptorand when asked to paint the ceiling, he replied, Painting is not my art. Why then did Pope Julius II ask Michelangelo to paint instead of sculpt? According to Giorgio Vasaris Lives of the Artists, Michelangelo suspected that Bramante, a highly respected architect who worked for Pope Julius II, wanted to ruin his reputation by having him paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel: In this manner it seemed possible to Bramante and other rivals of [Michelangelo] to draw him away from sculpture, in which they saw him to be perfect, and to plunge him into despair, thinking that if they compelled him to paint, he would do work less worthy of praise, since he had no experience of colors in fresco. It is true that Michelangelo did not know how to fresco, but this did not deter him. Dr. William Wallace, a leading expert on Michelangelo, observes that at the time of the Sistine, Michelangelo is still trying to be the greatest artist of all time. Hes acting more like the artist that carved the David: Im the best sculptor. Now, Im going to be the best painter. Im going to be the best artist of all time. Hes still suffering the hubris of youth. For four grueling years, Michelangelo took what he learned about fresco and tirelessly painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Although he was not a painter by training, he ended up completing one of the largest and most phenomenal fresco paintings in history. His task was not an easy one; according to Ross Kings book Michelangelo and the Popes Ceiling, Michelangelo had to deal with family issues, rivalries, technical mishaps, and politics. In his personal notebooks, Michelangelo repeatedly told of his troubles while painting the ceiling: I live here surrounded by the greatest anxieties, suffering the greatest bodily fatigues: I have not a friend of any sort, and I do not want one; I have not so much time as suffices for me to eat the necessary food. Michelangelo did not let his hardships discourage him. Instead, he turned his trials into visual praise of the divine. Ross King states that Michelangelo was unsatisfied with the Popes initial ceiling design for the 12 apostles, and asked the Popes permission to be even more ambitious and use the human body to explore the scope of the human relationship with God. The Pope agreed, and the initial design of the 12 apostles was turned into a complex design comprising more than 300 figures. Michelangelo included not only themes from Christianity, but also figures from Judaism and paganism. The Sistine is not just nine stories of Genesis. Its the whole cornucopia of creation, explains Wallace. Its everything. Its not a separation between Christianity and paganism. Its Gods creation, and he created pagan antiquity before he created Christianity. He created the world. The Sibyls are the counterpart to the prophets; they are the pagan world before Christianity came. So, in the same way that we have pagan Sibyls [on the Sistine], we also have Jewish stories on the Sistine. The Sistine is not Christian, Jewish, or pagan; its all of creation. Studies for the Libyan Sibyl, between 1510-1511 by Michelangelo. Red chalk, white chalk and charcoal on paper; 11 3/8 inches by 8 7/16 inches. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. (Public Domain) The Libyan Sibyl, between 1508-1512, by Michelangelo. Fresco, Sistine Chapel, Vatican. (Public Domain) Not only did Michelangelo include Christian, Judaic, and pagan figures in one composition, he also painted a visual depiction of Goda rarity for artists. This is God and the beginning of Gods creation, and He deserves to be painted, says Wallace. It is true that in earlier Christian art, sometimes God isnt represented or its just his hand or something, so its very bold to imagine what God looks like. Michelangelo has given us an image of God that has become the canonical idea of what God looks like for many people in the world. That depiction of God, The Creation of Adam, a fresco that forms part of the Sistine ceiling, is one of the worlds most iconic images. Michelangelo painted Adam in his moment of awakening whereupon he meets his maker. A reclined Adam looks longingly into the eyes of God and reaches out to touch his creator. Godalong with the biblical figures that surround Himmoves with great energy toward Adam. Pleased with his design, God reaches out to touch Adam. Detail of The Creation of Adam, between 1508-1512 by Michelangelo. Fresco, Sistine Chapel, Vatican. (Public Domain) The space between the fingers of Adam and God are so close, yet so far away: The few centimeters that separate their fingertips are the greatest suspension of time and narrative in the history of art, says Wallace in his book Michelangelo: The Artist, the Man, and His Times. If only Adam would put forth a little more energy, if he would match the effort of God, it seems like he would touch God, and the separation between them would cease to exist. After painting over 300 figures in more than 150 separate pictorial units, Michelangelo completed the ceiling to the satisfaction of Pope Julius II. The Sistine ceiling was unveiled on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 1512. Its quite admirable and remarkable that he persisted given what he confronted, comments Wallace. The very fact of painting a ceiling is in itself astonishing. There were all kinds of problems. We have to admire that he persisted under incredible duress, facing challenges that are unimaginable, and many other people wouldve given up, but he did not. Sistine Ceiling between 1508-1512 by Michelangelo. Fresco, Sistine Chapel, Vatican. (Public Domain) Herein lies a nugget of wisdom in Michelangelos story: Michelangelo persevered through his hardships with faith and a strong desire to visually express the divine. Michelangelo was asked to complete a project that was foreign to him, and not only stepped up to the occasion, but also exceeded expectations. His inspired effort to express the divine through the human form, despite the many difficulties, helped him create a modern marvel that we continue to appreciate 500 years later. This article was originally published in Radiant Life magazine. The headquarters building of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in Beijing on July 29, 2016. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Foolish and Naive: US Lawmakers Decry Biden Admins Greenlight of China Military Investment U.S. lawmakers are calling out the Biden administration for its move to not enforce a divestment obligation for federal government entities on blacklisted Chinese military firms, a decision thats foolish and naive, according to one of them. Under an executive order President Joe Biden issued in June 2021, U.S. investors had 365 days to divest their shares in 59 entities linked to the Chinese military. Two days before the June 3 deadline, however, the Treasury Department quietly issued new guidance telling U.S. investors that they wouldnt face punishment for holding on to such securities after the divestment period. According to London-based law firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, this means that the 365-day divestment window isnt mandatory, but rather an authorization to purchase or sell these securities solely for the purpose of divestment. Such a policy lacks foresight and advances the interest of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to the detriment of the United States, according to Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.). The administration is foolish and naive to not enforce these restrictions, Scotts office told The Epoch Times in a statement. Instead of protecting Americans, Biden is choosing to placate Beijing and globalist business elites who care more about profit than American security. Read More US Capital Is the Lifeline of the Chinese Communist Party: Roger Robinson Interview Senator Scott is calling on Biden to reverse this short-sided decision, enforce the law and put American interests first. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) similarly voiced his frustration. What is the point of a required divestment period if it doesnt actually require divestment? Rubio told The Epoch Times. Once again, the Biden administration has watered down and weakened critical national tools to take on the Chinese Communist Party. Bidens order, signed on June 3, 2021, expanded a Trump-era ban on U.S. investment in China-based firms to address the threat posed by Chinas military-industrial complex and its involvement in advancing military, intelligence, and security research, as well as weapon production. I find that the use of Chinese surveillance technology outside the PRC and the development or use of Chinese surveillance technology to facilitate repression or serious human rights abuse constitute unusual and extraordinary threats, which have their source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, Biden said in a statement at the time. A security guard mans his post in front of CNOOC global headquarters in Beijing in 2007. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) The U.S. investment ban had resulted in five state-owned China-based companies ending trade on the New York Stock Exchange early last year. This includes Chinas largest chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation; oil producer CNOOC; and Chinas top three telecom carriers: China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicomall three of which have been ordered to shut down their U.S. operations because of national security threats. State officials walk past injured victims on hospital beds being treated for wounds following an attack by gunmen at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo town, southwest Nigeria on June 5, 2022, according to the government and police. (AFP via Getty Images) Governor Points to Foreign-born Jihadists Behind Catholic Church Massacre LAGOSThe subject was Pentecost, but the message was bullets that killed more than 40 people in a Catholic congregation in Nigerias relatively serene Ondo state. The priest was just giving the benediction at the end of a mass to celebrate Pentecost Sunday when at least four shooters detonated a bomb and began spraying bullets among trapped worshippers. The venue of the horrific attack was Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, a quiet town in Ondo state, approximately 170 miles west of the capital Lagos. Unidentified gunmen attacked on June 5, killing and wounding close to 50 people. Eyewitnesses said the attackers detonated explosives inside the chapel that tore plaster off ceilings and left many severely injured. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu told the media at the scene that the killers were foreign fighters from Mali. Most of those that are carrying out these attacks are foreigners who were trained in Libya, Akeredolu said, according to multiple media reports. The governor did not explain his opinion in detail. Kehinde Ogunkorode, a congregation member who visited the victims at the morgues and blood donation hospitals around the state, told The Epoch Times that he was told of over 40 dead and injured. Speaking anonymously, a worshipper described one of the shooters as a young Fulani man who drew out an AK-47 rifle from a sack bag. As he cocked the gun, he began shooting. The nomadic Fulani are a large ethnic, mainly Islamic group, in West Africa with more than 20 million members living in Nigeria. They have been accused of the murders of tens of thousands of people since 2001. A member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God opposite the Catholic church saw one of the shooters during the attack. Damilola Olufemi, another resident of the town, said he heard loud gunshots three times before deciding to go to the scene of the massacre. I saw a bloodstain on the fence of the church, he told The Epoch Times, confirming the testimony of the other anonymous speaker about the indiscriminate shooting behind the fence of the besieged church. Multiple sources confirmed to The Epoch Times that the attackers were in the church shooting for up to 20 minutes. Nearby police officers from the divisional headquarters didnt arrive until the attackers had departed, according to local people, who said the station was only a 10-minute drive away. The palace of the traditional ruler, Oluwo of Owo, is about 200 meters from the Catholic church. Funmilayo Odunlami, the states police public relations officer, told The Epoch Times no arrests had been made but more updates will be given later. Church Attack Sets Social Media Afire On social media, random Twitter users whose families are domiciled in Ondo or neighboring states feared the insecurity was already hitting home. Nigerias southwest has been relatively peaceful compared to the northern region. Bereaved Olaide Ajanaku mourned her parents loss in the church attack, tweeting: the audacity of Nigeria to take my parents from me. I will always hate this country. Its a promise! Adesina and Olabimpe Ajanaku were both retired teachers and devout believers of the Catholic faith. Ogunkorode confirmed to The Epoch Times that Olabimpe Ajanaku taught him in his secondary school days. During a Twitter Space hosted on June 5 after the incident, Dipo Awojide, a UK lecturer and Nigerian social commentator maintained the stance that Nigerias southwest will not be ceded for open-grazing for cattle. His position aligns with Gov. Akeredolus commitments over the past two years. The prominent lawyer-turned politician led the six governors of the region in establishing Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun to assist overstretched Nigerian security forces in ending armed violence surfaced in the southwest. Akeredolu also banned open-air grazing in his governed state. Others have followed suit. Tunji Adeleye, Amotekuns commander in Ondo, didnt answer calls about the activities of the force since its inception. Ladi Thompson, a Lagos-based conflict resolution expert, warned that the attack signals a new front in Nigerias southwestern states aimed at collapsing the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Thompson told The Epoch Times, Ondo state isnt the first soft spot to be attacked in the southwest and the development is another phase in a displacement sequence. He recalled warning southwest governors in 2018 about the dominance of armed militias in various forests of the regions. Thompson said after the latest attack that Nigeria needs to reform rigorous gun control laws that have left churches defenseless in a country where crime has crippled travel and the economy. While some have argued against arming Nigerian civilians to combat such attacks, Thompson said he is proposing the country adopts gun ownership laws similar to those protected by the United States Constitution. Young adults look at postings at a job fair at Shenyang Aerospace University in Shenyang, China's northeast Liaoning Province, on May 13, 2017. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) Graduates Can Pay to Get Work: Suggestion to Tackle Chinas High Unemployment Rate Triggers Outrage A well-known IT professional in China recently suggested on social media that job applicants could pay employers to get work, and addressed the nations youth unemployment issue. The suggestion attracted significant attention and criticism, as similar practices already exist in Chinas IT industry where graduates pay companies off the books to intern. The IT professional, who goes by the name Diade Technology, posted on Weibo on May 29: Chinas economy in 2022 is facing two major problems: one is that more than 10-million new college graduates need to find jobs; the other is that small and medium-sized enterprises are struggling to stay afloat. I just thought of a way to solve these two problems, its actually very simple: just make college students pay the companies to work there. The graduates can get training from their employers, which is well worth the money they pay the companies. In this way, the companies can get cash from it to help their operation, and college students also get employed. One stone, two birds. The suggestion immediately met with public criticism. A post on social media read, Its more cruel than what the worst employer could do. Another netizen questioned in a post, Then where do I get the money to pay my boss every month to keep me employed? From my parents? The original post by Diade Technology has subsequently been blocked but screenshots of it have been reposted and continue to circulate on the internet. This year, 10.76 million students will graduate from Chinese universities in July in a declining economy caused by the ruling Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) mass lockdownsthe number is 1.67 million more than in 2021, setting a new record. Meanwhile, the officially released unemployment rate for Chinas youth, aged between 16 to 24, has been increasing, also hitting a record high this year at 18.2 percent in April. It is twice that of European and American countries. It is also 46 percent higher than that of Taiwan. The number doesnt include the college students who will graduate in July. People wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the CCP virus attend a job fair in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, on April 14, 2020. (cnsphoto via Reuters) In the face of a worsening economic situation under the CCPs zero-COVID policy, it is expected to be especially difficult for the college students to find work this year. The heated discussion on the pay to work suggestion has also extended to the unofficial internship arrangements in IT. Due to increasing difficulties in finding a job, more and more college graduates in recent years have had to pay big IT companies to get an internship, hoping that an internship at a famous company will help them find a job in the industry in the future or get into graduate schools in western universities. Many netizens revealed on social media that the practice has generated a new market. The price of a remote internship is about 7,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan ($900-$3,000) per month, while an in-person internship costs 20,000 yuan to 35,000 yuan ($3,000-$5,250) per month. The internships usually last for just a month. The price is higher for a longer period. People who pay to get this kind of internship are not considered formal interns by companies and are off the books. Unemployed Chinese graduates from British universities attend the LSE Beijing Career Fair as they search for jobs offered by foreign companies in Beijing, China, on Sept. 3, 2012. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages) Netizen Bruce said in a post that there are brokers charging money for setting up such internships between college graduates and the IT companies who want to make extra money from the interns. They understand the students thinking very well: You are from an unknown college. If you dont pay, how can you get an internship in a big company? Other netizens warned that such bought internships wouldnt be recognized when they apply for a real job, believing that the brokers are just cheating money out of students desperate to find a job. Students are seen at a job fair for graduates at a university in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China on March 21, 2019. (Reuters) Experts have pointed out that there are likely legal issues involved. Liao Chenglin, a doctoral supervisor at the School of Economics and Business Administration of Chongqing University and a member of the China Marketing Society, told mainland Chinese media on June 6 that the suggestion was a misconception of the meaning of employment. This so-called pay employers to work is playing a word game, work is work, and responsibilities and rights are very clear. [The suggestion] and the practice, they are basically that people are paying the companies money to buy a kind of skills training, which is not considered employment at all, he said. He Tongyu, a lawyer from Chongqing Lejun Law Firm, said that when an employer and an individual sign a labor contract to establish an employment relationship, if the employer does not pay the employee salary, but instead charges the employee money for the position, its breaking the law. However, if the two parties agree on the terms through a contract, then it is not illegal. Of course, workers will not sign agreements that are not beneficial to themselves. If no one wants to do it, then there is no market, so it wont be implemented, he said. Xia Song contributed to the report. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before a Senate panel in Washington on May 4, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Bidens Homeland Secretary Lied About Disinformation Board: Whistleblower Documents Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas misled Congress when he testified under oath in May that the Disinformation Governance Board (DGB) had not yet begun its work, two Republican senators claim. In factaccording to documents obtained from a DHS whistleblower by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)planning, decision-making, and concrete work by senior DHS officials, including Mayorkas, had begun at least as early as September 2021. In addition, the documents provided to the senators show that Mayorkas was asked by DHS officials tasked with planning and establishing the DGB for his approval to proceed as early as January 2022 and that Mayorkas gave his approval for doing so in February 2022. A Different Picture On May 4, 2022, Secretary Mayorkas testified under oath to Senator Hawley that the Disinformation Governance Board had not yet begun its work. On May 1, 2022, the secretary told the news media that the board would be focused on disinformation from foreign state adversaries [and] the cartels and would not monitor American citizens, the GOP senators said in a joint statement. At the White House on May 2, White House press secretary Jen Psaki claimed that the board would be focused on human traffickers and other transnational criminal organizations. Despite those claims by Mayorkas and Psaki, Grassley and Hawley said in their statement that the documents they were provided reveal a different picture of the DGBs development. The documents said the DGB was conceived from the beginning in part to monitor the domestic speech of U.S. citizens concerning conspiracy theories about the validity and security of elections and disinformation related to the origins and effects of COVID-19 vaccines or the efficacy of masks. They added that Mayorkas and his team sought a partnership with social media outlet Twitter designed to censor content unapproved by the DGB and planned a meeting with Twitter executives to discuss such a joint effort. In addition, the papers show the DGB charter that was officially drafted in January 2022 was personally signed by Mayorkas on Feb. 24, 2022, with the stipulation in the document that the secretarys approval marked the immediate effect of the charter. Mayorkas told the Senate in May that the DGB hadnt yet begun its work even as a meeting with social media executives was apparently being staffed by Nina Jankowicz, who had only been nominated in April by President Joe Biden to be the boards executive director, according to the documents. Leaked Documents The Twitter meeting was, again according to the documents, scheduled for April 28 and would include Twitter head of global public policy Nick Pickles and head of site security Yoel Roth. The meeting is off-the-record and closed to [the] press, one of the leaked documents stated. The papers also suggest that DHS officials drafted legislation to codify a Rumor Control Program of the Department of Homeland Security to Counter Mis-information, Dis-information, and Mal-information, including a public-facing website known as Rumor Control. In addition, the leaked documents concerning the Twitter meeting mention numerous discussion points, including one noting that the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) created a domestic terrorism branch within its counterterrorism mission center to ensure DHS develops the expertise necessary to produce sound and timely intelligence, at the lowest possible classification level in order to inform our stakeholders. In a June 7 letter to Mayorkas, the senators expressed their fear that the DGB would, in fact, act as a government censor targeting political opinions that, while being unapproved by the Biden administration, are nevertheless protected speech under the First Amendment. The leaked documents include multiple references to the DGB relying on clear, objective facts, but the senators told Mayorkas in their letter that it is unclear how DHS defines clear, objective facts, and it is unclear what safeguards, if any, DHS has put in place to ensure that individuals charged with determining which issue areas have clear and objective facts are not influenced by their own ideological and political beliefs. Combat Terrorist Threats While the memo boldly asserts that the departments counter-disinformation mission, including the choices as to what issue areas to focus on, must not be politicized and must be protected from perceptions of politicization, some of the examples of disinformation given in the memo relate not only to foreign disinformation, but issues that have been at the heart of domestic political discourse for the past several years, the letter states. For instance, the memo refers to [c]onspiracy theories about the validity and security of elections and [d]isinformation related to the origins and effects of COVID-19 vaccines or the efficacy of masks.' Congress established DHS after it was proposed in 2002 by President George W. Bush as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. The new federal department was intended to unify the federal governments efforts to combat international terrorist threats, especially those mounted by violent Islamic radicals based in the Middle East and Iran against targets within U.S. borders. A DHS spokesman didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. An undated photo of Greg Hickman, founder of Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Courtesy of Debbie McGuire) Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center Founder Greg Hickman Dies at 73 Unexpectedly Greg Hickman, the founder and chairman of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, California, and Vietnam War veteran, died unexpectedly while fly-fishing on May 15. Hickman was enjoying his favorite hobby at the time of his passing, Debbie McGuire, co-founder and executive director of the wildlife rescue nonprofit, said in a statement. The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center is Gregs lifelong project, and we plan on keeping his legacy going on for many years. McGuire told The Epoch Times Hickman died of a heart attack in Montana. The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on May 5, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Greg Hickman was the first in California to receive his license as a wildlife rehabilitator in 1972. He started a wildlife rehabilitation centerknown as the Alliance for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education (AWRE)while he was working for the North Orange County School Districts Regional Occupation Program in Anaheim until the school district sold the property. When veterinarian Joel Pasco asked for Hickmans assistance with a young brown pelican in 1980, they became friends. Pasco joined AWRE as one of the licensed veterinarians to care for wild animals they rescued. The two opened All Creatures Care Cottagea veterinary hospital in Costa Mesain 1987, as a temporary home of AWRE. During the 1990 American Trader Oil Spill, over 4,000 animals were sickened after 400,000 gallons of Alaskan crude oil spilled from a damaged oil tanker off the coast of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. Some of the oiled birds were taken to All Creatures Care Cottage for stabilization. It was during the incident that Hickman met members of the newly formed Huntington Beach Wildlife Care and formed a partnership with them. The two nonprofits used money collected from the damages from the oil spill to build a wildlife rehabilitation center. Ducks get the help they need at Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on May 5, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) With the help of the California Department of Fish and Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response and the Southern California Edison, the two nonprofits used money collected from the damages from the oil spill to build a wildlife rehabilitation center in 1998the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, which remains open seven days a week all year-round responding to emergencies involving wildlife. Since its opening, the center has responded to dozens of oil spills to help rescue and eventually release thousands of animals and birds affected. Hickman is also remembered for his courage and service as a PT boat captain for the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, according to McGuire. We are thankful for Gregs vision and diligence to create this project, McGuire said. We are going to miss his presence tremendously and will work tirelessly to keep the project going for many years to come. Hickman is survived by his son, Paul, McGuire said. When asked if Paul would be a part of the future of the care center, she said she was unsure, but it wasnt likely for now. Details on his memorial will be announced at a later time, according to McGuire. Chinese navy sailors march in formation during a parade to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Chinese communist regime at Tiananmen Square in 1949 in Beijing, China on October 1, 2019. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Groundless: Cambodia Pans Reports of Chinese Naval Base on Its Shores Cambodias foreign minister has rejected apparent groundless accusations that the Chinese regime is seeking to build a naval base on its shoresthe second foreign naval base for Beijing. Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn told Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong that Cambodian authorities would abide by its constitution that does not permit a foreign military base or presence on its soil. The renovation of the base served solely to strengthen the countrys naval capacities to protect its maritime integrity and combat crimes, according to a statement on June 7. [Sokhonn] touched on the good gesture by Cambodian government in allowing the foreign military attaches in Phnom Penh to visit Ream Naval Base that is unprecedented in practice by any country vis-a-vis its military base. According to the Washington Post, two anonymous Western officials have revealed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been secretly building a naval facility on the southern coast of Cambodia, which faces the Gulf of Thailand. The arrangement for Ream Naval Base would see Cambodia give Beijing exclusive access to a portion of the base. The officials revealed that Beijing and Phnom Penh had gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal the presence of Chinese forces. Apparently, foreign delegations were only allowed access to pre-approved locations, and during these visits, Chinese personnel wore uniforms similar to their Cambodian counterparts to avoid suspicion. When U.S. dignitaries visited the site, their movements were heavily restricted. This would be Beijings second foreign naval base with the first being in the East African country of Djibouti. A presence in Cambodia would expand the influence of the Chinese Peoples Liberation ArmyNavy from the South China Sea, directly into the heart of South-East Asia. News of the Cambodian presence comes after Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands in April that could pave the way for the CCP to station troops, weapons, and naval ships in the South Pacific regionjust 1,700 kilometres from Australias northern city of Cairns. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on June 7 that it was concerning and that his government would speak with the Cambodians on the matter. We are in regular contact with the Cambodian government and we have been consistently assured that no foreign military will be granted exclusive access at Ream, Albanese told reporters in Indonesia, the Australian Associated Press reported. Weve been aware of Beijings activity at Ream for some time and we encourage Beijing to be transparent about its intent and to ensure its activities support regional security and stability, he added. Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report. A makeshift memorial at Robb Elementary School is filled with flowers, toys, signs, and crosses bearing the names of all 21 victims of the mass shooting that occurred on May 24, in Uvalde, Texas, on May 27, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) House Hears From Uvalde Survivors Including Girl, 11, Forced to Cover Herself in Classmates Blood and Hide Survivors of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, delivered emotional testimonies before House lawmakers at a hearing on gun violence on Wednesday. Among them was 11-year-old Miah Cerrillo, who appeared in a prerecorded video before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and recounted the heartbreaking moment she watched her classmates and teacher die. The student at Uvalde school explained that she and other fourth-graders had been watching a movie in their classroom when the gunman appeared in the hallway before entering a neighboring classroom and opening fire. The shooter, Salvador Ramos, then returned to Cerrillos classroom and opened fire, killing her teacher and a number of other students. Cerrillo said she was forced to cover herself in the blood of her other classmates and play dead to avoid being shot by the gunman before using her teachers phone to call 911 for help. When asked by her father if she feels safe at school, the young girl shook her head and explained that she was fearful that another shooting incident might occur. I dont want it to happen again, she said. Prior to Cerrillos testimony, committee Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) praised the young girl for her courageous decision to record her story and share it with the American people, adding that she hoped lawmakers would open their hearts and minds to what she has to say. Cerrillo was the youngest of survivors and family members who testified before the committee about the devastating massacre that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers on May 24. Felix Rubio and Kimberly Mata-Rubio, parents of 10-year-old Alexandria Aniyahalso known as Lexia victim of the shooting, also gave testimony on Wednesday (pdf). They are also parents to five other children, all of whom attended Uvalde public schools during the 202122 school year. A screenshot from Reuters of parents of victims of the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings testifying before a House panel, on June 8, 2022. (Screenshot via NTD) Relatives of Alexandria Aniyah Rubio mourn her death during a vigil to remember the victims of the deadliest U.S. school shooting in nearly a decade resulting in the death of 19 children and two teachers, at a memorial at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 30, 2022. (Veronica G. Cardenas/Reuters) Kimberly described how she had dropped her children off at the school on May 24 and attended end-of-school-year awards ceremonies that morning. Lexi received the good citizen award and was also recognized for receiving all-As. At the conclusion of the ceremony, we took photos with her before asking her to pose for a picture with her teacher, Mr. Reyes, the mother explained. That photo, her last photo, ever, was taken at approximately 10:54 a.m. Rubio, a journalist, said she had promised to get her daughter ice cream later that evening to celebrate. We told her we loved her, and we would pick her up after school. I can still see her, walking with us toward the exit, Rubio said. I left my daughter at that school, and that decision will haunt me for the rest of my life. Shortly after arriving at her office for the day, the mother explained how she had heard of a shooting near Robb Elementary. After confirming that her son was safe, she began searching for her daughter; first checking buses full of evacuated children before driving to local hospitals. She wasnt there. My dad drove an hour-and-a-half to San Antonio, to check with University Hospital, the mother explained. At this point, some part of me realized she was gone. Soon after, the Rubios were informed that their daughter was among the 19 students that were killed. We do not want you to think of Lexi as just a number, the parents said. So, today, we stand for Lexi, and, as her voice, we demand action. We seek a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines We seek to raise the age to purchase these weapons from 18 to 21 years of age. We seek red flag laws, stronger background checks. We also want to repeal gun manufacturers liability immunity. Uvalde pediatrician Dr. Roy Guerrero, who was working at Uvalde Memorial Hospital on the day of the massacre, also spoke to the committee to describe the fatal injuries he witnessed. Two children, whose bodies had been pulverized by bullets fired at them, decapitated, whose flesh had been ripped apart. That the only clue as to their identities were the blood-spattered cartoon clothes still clinging to them, he recalled. Wednesdays hearing came just hours before the House voted to pass several bills relating to gun restrictions, including raising the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 and banning high-capacity ammunition magazines. However, the legislation is unlikely to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate and become law. The U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 31, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) House Approves Gun Control Bills Raising Age Limit for Semiautomatic Rifles, Imposing Other Restrictions The House on June 8 voted to pass several bills including the Protecting Our Kids Act, a Democrat-sponsored omnibus package of gun control legislation. The bill will now head to the Senate, where it is all but doomed to fail to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold. The final vote on the bill in the Democrat-majority chamber was preceded by a series of motions to retain various sections of the legislation; each section was ultimately retained, and the House voted 223-204 to pass the legislation to the Senate. Five Republicans voted for the bill and two Democrats voted against it. The bills were split into several pieces and confirmed in bipartisan votes; the legislation included various previously-introduced gun control bills. The first of these would ban the sale of any semi-automatic centerfire rifle or semi-automatic centerfire shotgun that has, or has the capacity to accept, an ammunition feeding device with a capacity exceeding 5 rounds to citizens below the age of 21. Currently, anyone 18 and over can buy such a weapon. The House voted 228-199 to retain the title; 10 Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the measure; 2 Democrats voted against their party in electing to strike down the measure. The legislation would also codify the Department of Justices controversial ban on bump stocks, a weapon modification that increases the fire rate of a semi-automatic firearm. The House voted 233-194 to retain that title, including 13 Republican votes. No Democrats voted against it. In addition, the bill would make it a federal crime to possess weapons that critics have pejoratively labeled ghost gunsa term usually describing homemade or 3D-printed weapons without a serial number. The House voted 220-205 to retain the title, including three Republican votes in favor and two Democrat votes against the title. Another title of the bill that bans high-capacity magazines was passed 220-207, with four Republicans voting for the measure and four Democrats voting against it. Democrats have pushed for the package as urgently necessary in the wake of a Uvalde, Texas, school shooting that left 19 children and two adults dead. Its past time that the Congressparticularly the Senate, but the Congressact to crush this gun violence epidemic, said Democrat Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) at a June 8 press conference. House Democrats are gonna respond, as weve typically done, with the fierce urgency of now, Jeffries added. Protecting our kidswhat could be more important than that? Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a speech on the House floor supporting the bill. Everything we [Democrats] do is for the children, and we must stop this gun violence in our country, Pelosi said. Thoughts and prayers arent enough, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramilla Jayapal (D-Wash.) said on Twitter ahead of the vote. We can never let this happen again. By contrast, Republicans in both chambers of Congress have pushed for legislation to address what they say are the root causes of violence, including widespread mental health issues that have ravaged young people in the aftermath of COVID-19. GOP critics of tighter gun control say that the bills put forward by Democrats will do nothing to address the root issue, and will instead make Americans less safe by taking firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. The Protecting Our Kids Act does nothing to address the breakdown of society and family, mental health, violent crime, and school safety in our country, said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) in a June 8 Twitter post representative of the GOP position. Instead, it violates the 2nd Amendment rights of millions of law-abiding Americans. Our hearts go out to those who have been impacted [by the Uvalde shooting], Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in a speech opposing the gun control package. But the answer is not to destroy the Second Amendment. But that is exactly where the Democrats wanna go. Protecting our kids is important, yes, Jordan continued. But this bill doesnt do it. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) also blasted the bill: The very children my colleagues say they wish to protect in order to do this, Democrats in this body are willing to take away citizens God given right, yes, God given right that was mocked earlier, to protect himself or herself or her family or his family from harm, the very harm they foster by appeasing lawlessness, and importantly from the very tyranny being applied to them to deny that right. That is what is at stake. The real litmus test for any bill is in the Senate, where most legislation must overcome a 60-vote filibuster threshold to pass. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), with Minority Leader Mitch McConnells (R-Ky.) blessing, is leading bipartisan negotiations in the upper chamber to find another compromise. But the process has been a slow one, and Cornyn has said that the negotiations will need at least another week to find some agreement. Still, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has suggested that the Senate will move forward with a vote on this or another bill later this week. We have a moral obligation to take action to break this cycle, Schumer said in a June 8 tweet. This Senate will vote on gun safety legislation. However, it remains unclear what any compromise deal in the Senate will look like. The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on May 13, 2022. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times) House Passes Red Flag Gun Control Bill The House on June 9 voted to pass a bill put forward by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), the latest in a series of gun control bills put forward by Democrats in the lower chamber. The bill passed in a 224202 vote. Only one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), voted against it. Five RepublicansReps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), Chris Jacobs (R-N.Y.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), and Fred Upton (R-Mich)defected from their party in support of the bill. Of the five, only Fitzpatrick is seeking reelection this year. Red flag laws, already enacted by many states across the country, have long been controversial. Generally, these types of laws allow someone to bring a claim to an emergency court hearing alleging that another person is mentally unwell and is a danger to themselves or others. If the court accepts the claim, the person targeted can be flagged and prevented from buying firearms and can have any firearms in their possession seized by police. Proponents of this type of law say its a necessary way to ensure that potentially dangerous people dont possess firearms. In a June 9 tweet, President Joe Biden called for the passage of the bill. Referencing mass shootings in Fort Hood, Texas, and Parkland, Florida, Biden wrote, Red flag laws could have stopped both shooters. Critics say that these laws deny gun owners their Second Amendment rights without due process. Red-flag gun confiscation laws destroy due process rights & the #2A, wrote Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in a tweet. Im voting NO. On the House floor, Greene expanded on her criticism of the bill. We dont agree on much these days here in Congress, Greene said. But I know theres one thing we all agree on: We all agree that we really like guns. See, we are the special privileged elites. We are the ones in this chamber being protected by guns while the American people dont have men and women with guns outside their homes [protecting them]. The same Congress thats voting to send just millions and millions of dollars worth of guns to Ukraine so that they can defend themselves is the same Congress thats working as hard as possible to take away Second Amendment rights from Americans. The bill will now head to the Senate, where its all but doomed to fail. On June 8, after a day of fierce debate, the House voted to pass the Protecting Our Kids Act, a package of gun control bills with little chance of success in the Senate. The final vote on the bill in the Democrat-majority chamber was preceded by a series of motions to retain various sections of the legislation; each section was ultimately retained, and the House voted 223204 to pass the legislation to the Senate. Five Republicans voted for the bill and two Democrats voted against it. The bills were split into several pieces and confirmed in bipartisan votes; the legislation included various previously introduced gun control bills. The first of these would ban the sale of any semi-automatic centerfire rifle or semi-automatic centerfire shotgun that has, or has the capacity to accept, an ammunition feeding device with a capacity exceeding 5 rounds to citizens below the age of 21. Currently, anyone aged 18 years and over can buy such a weapon. The House voted 228199 to retain the title; 10 Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the measure; two Democrats voted against their party in electing to strike down the measure. The legislation would also codify the Department of Justices controversial ban on bump stocks, a weapon modification that increases the fire rate of a semi-automatic firearm. The House voted 233194 to retain that title, including 13 Republican votes. No Democrats voted against it. In addition, the bill would make it a federal crime to possess weapons that critics have pejoratively labeled ghost gunsa term usually describing homemade or 3D-printed weapons without a serial number. The House voted 220205 to retain the title, including three Republican votes in favor and two Democrat votes against the title. Another title of the bill that bans high-capacity magazines was passed 220207, with four Republicans voting for the measure and four Democrats voting against it. In the Senate, negotiations continue between Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who are working to reach a compromise acceptable to at least 60 members of the upper chamber. Cornyn has indicated that negotiators will need at least another week to reach any such agreement, and the Senate has paid little attention to the goings-on in the House as they work to hammer out a compromise. Former insurgents' settlements set ablaze by soldiers of the regional force. (Courtesy of MNJTF) Multinational Military Task Force Wipes Out Hundreds of Islamist Terrorists Near Lake Chad At least 800 Boko Haram terrorists and those of rival ISIS of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are believed to have been killed in ongoing coordinated land and air offensives by a multinational military task force. Sophisticated weapons and equipment belonging to the insurgentsincluding AK-47 rifles, gun trucks, ammunition, canoes, improvised explosive devices, and cell phoneshave also been destroyed during the so-called Operation Lake Sanity launched in March 2022, in the Lake Chad region. The 10,000-man Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is a combined military effort by Lake Chad-member statesCameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Nigeras well as Benin, geared toward defeating Boko Haram in the region. The latest victory occurred on May 25 deep inside the Lake Chad Islands, when the combined force allegedly killed scores of Islamist militants. The task force continues to make impressive gains in the ongoing operation, Lt. Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, chief military public information officer, said in a May 29 press statement sent to The Epoch Times. Adegoke wrote, The troopsalongside the follow-up air strikesneutralised over 25 terrorists. He added, as well as the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one anti-aircraft gun, and hundreds of [rounds of] assorted ammunition. Also, one gun truck bearing Cameroon Gendarmes logo loaded with fuel was captured and destroyed, household items including uniforms and 11 Boko Haram/ISWAP motorcycles were captured and burnt, while two water-pumping machines were also recovered and the entire camp thoroughly burnt. In their haste to escape, the criminals left their 5-year-old child named Babagana. The Boko Haram insurgency started in north-eastern Nigeria in 2009 and later spilled over to neighboring countries in 2013. Boko Haramwhich translates literally to Western education is forbiddenremains one of the worlds deadliest terrorist groups. The United Nations estimates nearly 350,000 people have so far died from Boko Haram atrocities that have also displaced more than 3 million people. Cameroon recorded the highest number of Boko Haram attacks against civilians in 2020totalling 234slightly higher than Nigeria (100), Niger (92), and Chad (12) combined, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a U.S. think tank. Leadership struggles caused Boko Haram to disintegrate in 2016, leading to the emergence of a splinter group known as the ISIS of West Africa Province or ISWAP. Security experts believe the recent casualties inflicted on the insurgents are not unconnected to this internal squabble. The so-called ISWAP-Boko Haram factions have been tactically weakened and structurally disorganized in the past three years, according to David Otto, director of counterterrorism for the Geneva Centre of African Security and Strategic Studies. Senior jihadist leaders are cornered and assassinated by rival factions leaving young and inexperienced fighters to take charge, Otto said. Jihadists have been infiltrated by young fighters with no ideology but [are] interested in money and power. Infighting and hunting of rival leaders have disrupted the unity of ISWAP forcing rival groups to escape the Lake Chad enclave, some ending up captured security forces. [The majority of] jihadists have surrendered to state security forces providing information or strategic locations of the group, Otto told The Epoch Times in a text. MNJTF states have learned through tough experience fighting invisible jihadists who used local communities as human shields. What we see today are signs of the benefits of learning from past operational blunders. In 2015, Boko Harams leader, Abubakr Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIS. The group confirmed last year that Shekau blew himself up. Freedom Onuoha, a senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria (Nsukka), says firepower and noticeable individual and regional state improvement in operational capacity, boosted the regional forces recent successes. Onuoha told The Epoch Times, the ramping up of air assets of member states, especially Nigeria with the deployment of Super Tucano aircraft, along with better cooperation between land, sea and air units; and increasing use of local civilian defense groups, could account for these successes. One of the weakest elements of military operations against the terrorists is the tendency of national and regional security forces to adopt a defensive posture against the insurgents. The recalibration of operational posture to assume a more offensive mode is critical to seriously degrading the terrorists and denying them the opportunity to plan actions or regroup to fight. Sustaining the momentum to break the terrorists resilience is critical at this point, according to Onuoha. He added the increasing number of prisoners is very likely an intelligence mine that will allow the task force to gain a deeper understanding of the terrorist groups and how to attack them. In one operation carried out in late April, the regional force rescued more than 40 women and children. It lost three soldiers and a civilian. About 30 soldiers have been wounded. The injured were mainly victims of the improvised explosives that we encountered in the course of the operations, Maj. Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, commander of the task force said in a late April interview with the BBC. The criminal terrorists always run when they see our forces, but then they make use of these improvised explosives, he said. We discovered a factory where they made improvised explosive devices that they can put in the bodies of their fighters, or [which] they could put under the ground. In order to maintain the ongoing battlefield successes, Otto suggests the regional task force needs to continually uproot the jihadist from their hideouts, intercept their basic supplies, block supply routes, prevent recruitment and provide a safe route for those willing to surrender. These processes must be replicated in all affected MNJTF [member states] to prevent creating gaps, he said. Operationally, increased MNJTF coordination and planned operations mean all viable jihadist escape routes have been identified and blocked. But he warned there was a likelihood of an increase in suicide attacks. Its the worse time to be a jihadist in the Lake Chad basin[there is] literally nowhere to hide. A Bank of America logo is seen outside a bank branch in Washington, on Aug. 19, 2011. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Investment Banks Raise Oil Price Forecasts, Bank of America Targets $140 Barrel Multiple investment banks have raised their crude oil price forecasts for the year, indicating a delayed respite from high prices. Bank of America analyst Paul Ciana pointed out in a note that West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil has been trending bullish of late, suggesting that prices might move higher. WTI oil rose to $130 per barrel in March, after which it cooled down. However, prices are now rising, which indicates that oil now has momentum behind it, he said. Price has corrected and rounded out a bullish continuation pattern pointing to $140 a barrel this summer, Ciana wrote, according to Business Insider. Historically, prices have tended to move higher when WTI breaches $115 a barrel, the analyst stated, while noting that prices have been trading above this level since the beginning of June. WTI crude has risen by 61.50 percent year-to-date, as of June 9. Barclays raised its Brent crude price forecast by $11 per barrel in 2022 and by $23 in 2023, citing a bigger and sustained disruption in Russian oil supply following EU sanctions. Oil output in Russia is predicted to fall by 1.5 million barrels per day by the end of this year. Brent crude is expected to average $111 per barrel in 2022, with WTI averaging $108. The bank said in a note that oil inventories are likely to remain tight during the horizon period, due to limited spare capacity and constrained American supply growth. The only thing that could affect it would be a significant slowdown in demand, the bank said, according to Reuters. Financial services firm UBS is also expecting near-term oil prices to remain elevated, with factors like summer demand from the Northern Hemisphere and Chinas economic reopening acting as support. The negative global growth impulse remains insufficient to rebalance inventories at current prices, Goldman analysts said, according to Bloomberg. Oil prices need to rally further to normalize the unsustainably low levels of global oil inventories. Goldman calculates that oil needs to average $135 per barrel in the 12 months from July for global oil inventories to normalize by late 2023. Saudi Arabia recently raised prices for its July crude oil. State-backed company Aramco, the biggest oil exporter in the world, increased the price of its flagship Arab light crude by $2.10 per barrel from June prices to a premium of $6.50 per barrel for its Asian customers. Prices for the companys northwestern Europe and Mediterranean customers were also raised. Prices for Aramcos U.S. customers remained unchanged. Meanwhile, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies have decided to raise their oil output by 648,000 barrels per day in July and August, up from the 432,000 barrels per day that was previously planned. IRS Destroys Millions of Tax Documents, GOP Lawmakers Seeking Answers Two Republican lawmakers, James Comer (R-Ky.), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, have written a letter asking the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to explain the destruction of 30 million paper-filed tax documents last year. Committee Republicans are concerned that the destruction of these documents might slow down already inefficient processing procedures and hurt American taxpayers left unaware that the IRS destroyed documents already entrusted into its care, the lawmakers wrote, according to the letter shared with Fox Business. It appears that the IRS may now demand that taxpayers provide duplicate copies of information previously destroyed by the IRS. A report (pdf) released on May 4 by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) stated that the continued inability of the IRS to process backlogs of paper-filed tax returns led to the agency destroying the estimated 30 million documents in March 2021. Destroyed documents include IRS forms W-2, 1098, and 1099, which are used to verify taxpayer information such as income. At the time, the IRS insisted that the destruction of the documents had no negative taxpayer consequences, since they had been submitted by third parties. The agency also said that no taxpayer was, or would be, subject to any penalty due to this action. However, Republican lawmakers argue in the letter that the destruction of the documents might make it difficult for the IRS to accurately screen tax returns and might also affect tax audits. Mace and Comer asked IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig to provide all details regarding the destruction of the documents, the legal authority the IRS relied upon to perform the action, and how the agency plans to integrate recommendations made in the TIGTA audit. The incident attracted calls for Rettings resignation from lawmakers such as Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), who criticized the agencys response. The manner by which we are learning about the destruction of unprocessed paperwork is just the latest example of the lackadaisical attitude from Mr. Rettig. This latest revelation adds to the publics plummeting confidence in our unfair two-tier tax system, Pascrell said in a May 13 statement. There needs to be real accountability. President Biden must replace Mr. Rettig immediately and also nominate a Chief Counsel for IRS. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS faced an unprecedented amount of work in the 2021 filing season. The agency kicked off this year with more than 8.4 million unprocessed individual tax returns and transactions, according to a preliminary report by TIGTA. Last month, Rettig testified in the Senate that his agency was taking all steps to reduce the backlog by the end of 2022, promising to start next year with a healthy level of inventories. President at ABC News, James Goldston speaks onstage during the International Women's Media Foundation's 2015 Courage in Journalism Awards in New York City on Oct. 21, 2015. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IWMF) Jan. 6 Committees Alleged Hiring of Former ABC News President May Violate Rules: House GOP A group of House Republicans on Wednesday requested confirmation that the former president of ABC News, James Goldston, is working for the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol, and questioned whether his alleged hiring violated House rules. In a letter (pdf) to the Jan. 6 Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Committee on House Administration Chairperson Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), GOP lawmakers asked for confirmation that Goldston has been hired as an employee of the committee, and not as a consultant or in an unofficial capacity. The letter was signed by Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), and others. It comes after Axios first reported Monday that the former network news executive had joined the committee as an unannounced adviser and is busily producing Thursdays 8 p.m. ET hearing as if it were a blockbuster investigative special. Goldston has previously served as a producer for some of the networks biggest news programs like 20/20, Nightline, and Good Morning America. He left ABC in March. Citing congressional laws pertaining to committee staff, the lawmakers noted that a letter is required requesting approval of the Committee on House Administration regarding Goldstons hiring, along with a signed contract agreement and resume. Under that same law, Goldston would be unable to commence work for the committee until the contract has been approved by the Committee on House Administration. To our knowledge, the Committee has not received or considered such a request, wrote the representatives. The GOP lawmakers also cited reports from CNN that Goldston is working with the select committee to help produce their upcoming hearings and helping the committee with the planning of the hearings and their presentation. They noted that the committees are allowed to obtain temporary or intermittent services of individual consultants or organizations, to advise the Committee with respect to matters within its jurisdiction, but that Goldston would not be able to act as an employee of the committee. The Committee on House Administration will not approve a contract if the services to be provided by the consultant are the regular duties of Committee staff, lawmakers wrote. Planning, preparation, and production of hearings are unquestionably the regular duties of Committee staff. Republican lawmakers also noted in their letter that Goldston would be barred from working for the Jan. 6 Committee free of charge, noting that such an arrangement would violate House Rules and the House Ethics Manual regulations which clearly states that no logical distinction can be drawn between the private contribution of in-kind services and the private contribution of money. The Epoch Times has contacted the offices of Jan. 6 Committee Chair Bennie Thompson and Committee on House Administration Chairperson Zoe Lofgren for comment. Last week, the nine-member panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol breach promised it would reveal new and previously unseen material in the first of a series of public hearings, including witness testimony. It will also provide the American people a summary of its findings about the coordinated, multi-step effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and prevent the transfer of power, the committee said in a statement to news outlets. The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a branch office in Bern, Switzerland, on Oct. 28, 2020. (Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters) Judge Gives Former Tesla Worker a Deadline to Accept $15 Million Payout Over Racism A federal judge on Tuesday gave a Black former elevator operator at Tesla Inc. two weeks to decide whether to accept $15 million in damages over racial abuse at the electric car company, far below the $137 million a jury had awarded. U.S. District Judge William Orrick in San Francisco said Owen Diaz identified no controlling question of law to justify an immediate appeal of the reduced award, which includes $1.5 million of compensatory damages and $13.5 million of punitive damages. Diaz alleged that his colleagues and a supervisor subjected him to a hostile work environment that included slurs, caricatures, and swastikas in his nine months working at Teslas factory in Fremont, California in 2015 and 2016. A jury had awarded Diaz $6.9 million of compensatory damages and $130 million of punitive damages last October. Orrick reduced both on April 13, while rejecting Teslas bid for a new trial. In Tuesdays order, Orrick said he was firmly convinced that the jury award was excessive, and that allowing a quick appeal would further delay resolution of a case that is already five years old. Lawyers for Diaz did not immediately respond to requests for comment. They had said a question of law concerning damages for emotional distress justified an immediate appeal. Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, punitive damages typically should be less than 10 times compensatory damages. The case is Diaz v. Tesla Inc. et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 17-06748. By Jonathan Stempel LA Unified Needs to Fill Thousands of Staff, Teacher Vacancies in 2 Months LOS ANGELESThe Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is looking to fill as many as 1,000 staff positions and 1,500 teaching positions for the 202223 school year. Open positions are in various areas, including clerical and administration, janitorial services, food services, school safety, transportation, early education, and special education. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and be vaccinated against COVID-19. In hopes of filling these vacant non-teaching positions, the district will host four hiring fairs this month for graduating LAUSD high school seniors. LAUSDs hiring fair coordinator Frank Saldivar told The Epoch Times that the district is looking to fill between 800 and 1,000 total positions by this fall. Saldivar said this number is subject to change, however, and that the district expects to see a number of positions vacated as some staff members are promoted and some resign at the end of the current school year. The LAUSD also needs to fill several new staff positions this school year, Saldivar said. For example, transitional kindergarten classroom aide is a newly created position that has about 400 vacancies. As for teaching positions, the district needs to hire 1,500 teachers and support service providers, according to an LAUSD spokesperson. We are working directly with our school leaders and local districts to ensure that school-based staffing needs are met by the first day of school, an LAUSD spokesperson told The Epoch Times. This comes after LAUSD fired more than 800 staff members during the 202122 school year for non-compliance with its COVID-19 staff vaccine mandate, which was enacted in November. In addition, about 600 teachers were forced to move out of classrooms to teach remotely in LAUSDs online learning program, City of Angels, according to the parent and teacher advocacy group Los Angeles Educators & Parents United. The district faced a shortage of about 420 teachers this spring semester. To fill in the gaps, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho directed non-teaching district staff who held teaching credentials or who formerly held teaching positions to fill those positions for the rest of the school year. In March, nonprofit education group Partnerships for Los Angeles Schools reported (pdf) that the district had more than 10,000 unfilled staff vacancies, which disproportionately affects schools with more minority and economically disadvantaged students. The district has also hired 2,336 new teachers this school year, of whom only 26 percent are fully credentialed by the state to teach, according to a March 29 report by the districts board of education. Likely Next House Admin Panel Chair Delivers J6 Committee Document Preservation Demand Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), who is likely to become chairman of the House Administration Committee in 2023 if Republicans regain the majority in the chamber in November, demanded in a letter on June 9 to Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the chairman of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th breach of the U.S. Capitol, that the panel preserve all its records. The letter from Davis, the current ranking GOP member of the Administration Committee, came just hours before the Jan. 6 panels first primetime hearing. An unnamed aide reportedly told journalists earlier in the day that evidence would be presented showing that then-President Donald Trump was at the center of an effort to prevent the transfer of power from him to incoming President Joe Biden. In an unusually detailed and lengthy preservation demand, Davis told Thompson: I write today to demand your cooperation in preserving all records produced by or in the possession of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (Select Committee). Given the on-going questions concerning the Select Committees compliance with federal law and House Rules, it is vital that the Select Committee preserve these records so that effective oversight may be undertaken. Please preserve in complete, un-redacted form all information in possession of the Select Committee or reasonably available to the Select Committee, including, but not limited to, all written correspondence and memoranda; emails; calendar entries; to-do list entries; telephone system records, logs, and transcripts, including for all cell phones, pagers, landlines, and other electronic devices; voicemails; text messages; instant messages; postings on social media, blogs, and other Internet sites; message board and chat room transcripts Davis continued, demanding that Thompson also preserve audio recordings, including, but not limited to, radio transmissions; video recordings, including, but not limited to, security camera footage; captured still images; electronically accessible or stored files, documents, or other papers containing such information; presentations; such information stored on any and all media or storage devices, including, but not limited to, optical discs, hard drives, solid state drives, portable storage, and remote or cloud storage; all versions or copies of any record; and any other information relating to the Select Committees activities, no matter how stored. The Jan. 6 panel has been a center of controversy almost to the day it was announced in 2021 by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who appointed all of its current members after unilaterally barring two RepublicansRep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Rep. Jim Banks of Indianafrom serving on it, despite their having been named for the appointment by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Banks told reporters during a Jan. 6, 2022, House GOP news conference that the Democrats who control the Jan. 6 panel arent investigating January 6, that is already abundantly clear they are trying to use this select committee as a Trojan Horse to abolish the Electoral College, to intimidate President Trumps aides, to block him from ever appearing on the ballot again, and to prevent his supporters from participating in American democracy. Banks also declared that Pelosi has yet to explain why she didnt request the National Guard troops made available by Trump two days prior to the protest at the U.S. Capitol that resulted in one death and hundreds of injuries to law enforcement officers and protesters. The Jan. 6 panel has issued hundreds of subpoenas and interviewed nearly 1,000 individuals in connection with the Capitol breach. Republicans question the panels legitimacy because it was authorized in a House vote to five GOP members appointed by McCarthy. But after rejecting Banks and Jordan, Pelosi selected Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who both voted to impeach Trump. Long-established congressional procedures require the leader of the minority party to determine which members of his or her caucus serve on committees. Daviss preservation demand letter also directed Thompson to preserve a lengthy list of other documents, including draft and final versions of all committee memoranda, whether completed or not, all threat assessments or other intelligence reports given to the committee, all social media posts made by members and staff through the committees servers and network and those made through other servers and networks, memoranda of agreement with all witnesses, and a complete list of all committee staffers, detailees, interns, contractors and consultants as of July 1, 2021, and as of June 8, 2022. Copies of the letter were delivered to Pelosi, all other members of the Jan. 6 panel, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the current head of the House Administration Committee. A spokesman for the select committee couldnt be reached by press time for comment on Daviss letter. Mass Shooters Ties With National Bolshevism Should Be Investigated, Not Ignored: Trevor Loudon Many mass killers adhere to the national Bolshevism philosophy, but this ideological connection that motivates them to commit crimes is often overlooked, said Trevor Loudon, author, filmmaker, and host of EpochTVs Counterpunch program. There are two kinds of mass shooters, Loudon told EpochTVs Crossroads program. One type is crazed young men who usually are on drugs, have a bad family background, nowhere to go in life, want to make an impact, are angry at the world, and want to outdo other shooters, he explained. Another kind is those political and racially motivated, many of whom are national Bolsheviks who have an allegiance to Russia, Loudon continued. The aspect of mass shooters ties with national Bolshevism is usually overlooked but it should not be because many of them fit into that philosophy, he added. What is National Bolshevism Loudon described National Bolshevism as a combination of communism and Nazism. Its a communist philosophy, Bolshevik, but it has nationalist elements to it. And its very popular [among] some of the white supremacist groups. Nazism was always regarded as a left-wing phenomenon until the end of World War II, Loudon said. A lot of communists joined the Nazi Party and communism and Nazism were considered two different elements of the left, he added. Stalin was the first one who called Nazis the right-wing, after he defeated Germany, because then he could lay that label to conservatives and anti-communists, Loudon said. One of the ideological leaders of national Bolshevism is Alexander Dugin, a Russian philosopher who was an adviser to Vladimir Putin for some time. National Bolsheviks look at Russia as the savior of the white socialist world, but consider China an exemplar of how a political system should work, and view Han racism of communist China as something that should be pushed into the West, Loudon said. Han Chinese are the biggest ethnic group in China and account for about 90 percent of the countrys 1.4 billion population. National Bolsheviks envision leaving the Chinese their super state and establishing a white national Bolshevik super state stretching all the way from Siberia, across Europe, and into the United States, Loudon explained. Many national Bolsheviks have deep connections with European radicals and Russian radicals and it is possible that the Russian military intelligence could be involved in the movement, Loudon said. The Russians still control the international left in cooperation with communist China, but Russia understood some time ago that it is not enough to control communist parties alone, Loudon explained. You have to be able to control the so-called right as well. Therefore Russia backed both Marine LePen, a French right-wing politician and former presidential candidate, and the French Communist Party, Loudon said. Goal: Incite Civil War in America According to Loudon, Payton Gendron, the man who has been charged with killing 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in May, was an open national Bolshevik. He wore the famous national Bolshevik symbol and admired Brenton Tarrant, a mass shooter from New Zealand who killed people in two mosques in 2019, Loudon said. Gendron penned and posted online a 180-page manifesto detailing his desire to attack the supermarket, according to authorities. His manifesto appeared to be copied from the manifesto written by Tarrant, who has been convicted and sentenced for killing 51 Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand, Loudon said. It was the same symbology. [Tarrant explained] in his manifesto that he deliberately chose guns for his massacre, because thathe hopedwould spark the gun debate in the United States. The left would come after guns, the right would fight back, you will have a civil war, and America would collapse in the civil war, the researcher said, adding that Gendron expressed similar sentiments. [The] civil war in America would mean the accession to power of Russia and China, Loudon continued. Gendron had been a communist who then became a fascist national Bolshevik; while Tarrant had been to North Korea and allegedly Russia, was a communist, then a libertarian, then a fascist, then a national Bolshevik, Loudon noted. The nation with the closest political and social values to Tarrants own was communist China, Loudon, who has researched radical and terrorist groups and their covert influence on mainstream politics for more than 30 years, wrote for The Epoch Times. Both shooters had moved from one strain of the far left to another: to an internationalist, non-racial strain, to a more nationalist racialized strain of the left, but its still the left and its still a pro-Russian movement, Loudon said. He explained that he did not mean the Buffalo shooter was a Russian recruited agent. There are a lot of lone wolves among national Bolsheviks who learned the national Bolshevism philosophy and saw that the goal of the national Bolshevism movement is to bring down America by sparking a civil war in the country, Loudon said. These lone wolves plot mass shootings hoping to become one day glorious [fighters] for national Bolshevism and if they plunge America into civil war, they can change the course of world history, Loudon continued. This motivation is similar to what inspires many ISIS fighters to conduct terrorist acts, Loudon added. When they pick up on ISIS philosophy and understand the groups goals, they act as lone wolves without instructions. Some mass shooters are portrayed by the many media as motivated by far-right ideology. These guys are not American right-wingers. they explicitly hate America, they want to see a worldwide socialist fascist system. Tarrants manifesto is currently banned in New Zealand and for possessing it, one may be slapped with a $100,000 fine or several years in jail, Loudon added. During the 2017 Charlottesville rally, there were two pro-Russian groups battling on the streets: pro-Russian white supremacists and national Bolsheviks fighting with pro-Russian communists from the Party of Socialism and Liberation, Loudon said. Then-President Donald Trump and Republican conservatives were blamed for the incidents in Charlottesville, Virginia. But both sides were pro-Russian, Loudon said, calling the fight an enemy operation. Gun Rights Loudon is a proponent of gun rights and believes that if concealed carry had been allowed in New Zealand, the 2019 mass shooting in Christchurch could have been avoided, or at least fewer people would have been murdered. Killing 44 people in the first mosque took Tarrant 28 minutes, after which he left and drove to a second mosque where he killed seven people, said Loudon, who used to live in Christchurch. The citys central police station is located only one mile away from the mosque where the first shooting took place but no police went there before the shooter left, Loudon said. At the second mosque, Tarrants shooting inflicted less damage because some worshippers jumped the shooter and took away his gun, Loudon said. The killer fled but was arrested shortly after, Loudon added. If some of those Muslims in that mosque were armed, the shooting would not have happened, Loudon said. Had it actually happened, possibly only two or three people would have become victims before one of the worshippers would have shot the assassin, Loudon added. An armed society is a polite and safe society, Loudon asserted. People will do crazy things with guns, but the net result is theres going to be far more lives saved by universal gun ownership than they ever will be taken. Loudon gave an example of Switzerland, which has one of the lowest homicide rates in Europe accompanied by a high rate of gun ownership. Switzerland requires men of a certain age range to serve in the military and those who can serve are given a firearm to keep at home. Others have to apply for a permit to get a gun, reported Business Insider. Despite the high number of gun owners, there were no mass shootings in Switzerland in the last 21 years, the Insider reported. Its not the number of guns you have. Its the attitude of the people, Loudon said. The people in America love freedom. The only way they can protect that freedom is making sure the government fears the people, not the other way around. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Ella Kietlinska Reporter Follow Ella Kietlinska is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on U.S. and world politics. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of a Mexico-based evangelical church with a worldwide membership of more than 1 million, appeared for a bail review hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, Calif., on July 15, 2019. (Al Seib/AFP via Getty Images) Mexican Megachurch Leader Given Nearly 17 Years in US Prison for Child Sex Abuse LOS ANGELESThe head of a Mexico-based evangelical megachurch that claims about 5 million followers worldwide was sentenced on Wednesday in a Los Angeles courtroom to 16 years and eight months in prison for sexually abusing three girls. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader and self-styled apostle of the Guadalajara-based church La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World), pleaded guilty last Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and performing a lewd act on a child. Garcia, 53, entered his plea three days before he had been due to stand trial on 23 felony counts of sex crimes against children, including multiple charges of rape, conspiracy to engage in human trafficking, and child pornography. Two other church associates charged with Garcia have reached separate plea deals. Several of his accusers, each identified in court only as Jane Doe and who are now young adults, decried the plea agreement as too lenient, saying they were not consulted in the deal that Garcia reached with the California attorney generals office. The church, which has publicly stood by Garcia, issued a statement on Twitter reiterating its support, saying, our confidence in him remains intact with full knowledge of his integrity, his conduct and his work. It said Garcia accepted a plea deal because he believed he could not get a fair trial, and that evidence in the case had been suppressed, withheld, doctored and altered. In return for his guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed the majority of the charges he faced, including the most serious offenses, in a case that originally stemmed from allegations of five victims dating from mid-2015 to early 2018. You Betrayed Us In victim-impact statements delivered during Wednesdays hearing, all five said they felt robbed of their chance to more fully confront Garcia, who sat with his back to his accusers as each tearfully addressed their anguish at him. We looked up to you, you were our god, and you betrayed us. You are no more than a predator and an abuser, Jane Doe No. 3 said as she choked back sobs. Jane Doe No. 4, who identified herself as Garcias niece, said, Naason and this church have ruined my life. Devotees of the La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World) church are seen after praying for their leader Naason Joaquin Garcia and against decrimination faced by their church in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 9, 2019. (Fernando Carranza/Reuters) Another accuser told the court that Garcia was avoiding accountability by claiming through the church to have acquiesced to a plea deal under duress and wrongly accused. Your honor, this abuser thinks your courtroom is a joke. Even after he accepted the plea deal, hes sending messages to the church that hes innocent, the accuser said. In the end, Superior Court Judge Ronald Cohen pronounced the sentence recommended by prosecutors16 years and eight months in prison, seeking to assure the victims, The world has heard you. I promise you that. Garcia also will be registered as a sex offender for life. Garcia, dressed in orange jail garb, made no statement during the proceedings and was led away in handcuffs when the hearing ended. His sentencing caps an investigation that began in 2018 leading to his arrest the following year at Los Angeles International Airport with a co-defendant, Susana Medina Oaxaca, who pleaded guilty last Friday to a charge of assault likely to cause great bodily harm. She was sentenced to one year of probation and six months of psychiatric counseling. A second co-defendant, Alondra Ocampo, also arrested in 2019, pleaded guilty in 2020 to three felony counts of contact with a minor for purposes of committing a sexual offense and one count of forcible sexual penetration. Ocampo, not yet sentenced, had previously faced multiple counts of human trafficking and other charges. A fourth person charged in the investigation, Azalea Rangel Melendez, remains at large, prosecutors said. La Luz del Mundo is the largest evangelical church in Mexico, dating to the 1920s, with branches in 50 countries and boasting about 5 million members. By Norma Galeana and Steve Gorman The United States is losing ground in its backyardLatin Americawhile China has been busy making major inroads there, through its checkbook. We look at how the dynamics have shifted, ahead of a meeting between President Joe Biden and other world leaders. What would China do if its preparing for a war with Taiwan? A top Chinese economist is urging China to take over Taiwans TSMCthe worlds major advanced chip makerto combat potential U.S. sanctions. What if the World Health Organization gained the power to decide how to deal with pandemics and override all other nations involved? Thats what one proposal from the Biden administration could mean for the future. But what is the biggest concern? Topics in this episode: China Advances in Latin America Through Trade Top Economist Urges China to Seize Chip-Maker TSMC Top China Economist Proposes Seizing TSMC Examining the W.H.O.s Ties to China: Report Musk: China Facing Population Collapse Q&A: The Shrinking World, Chinas Population Decline Victims Family Seeks Truth About Hospital Handling Have other topics you want us to cover? Drop us a line: chinainfocus@ntdtv.org And if youd like to buy us a coffee: https://donorbox.org/china-in-focus Subscribe to our newsletter for more first-hand news from China. Follow China in Focus on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChinaInFocusNTD Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@chinainfocus Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/chinainfocus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTDChinainFocus Gab: https://gab.com/ChinaInFocus Telegram: https://t.me/ChinainFocusNTD Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV Ryan Kelley, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, speaks to conservative activists outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Feb. 8, 2022. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP) Michigan Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Arrested in Connection to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley was arrested June 9 and charged with participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach, according to federal prosecutors in a court filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Kelley, a Republican, was taken into custody on four misdemeanor charges that stem from the Jan. 6 breach, prosecutors said in court documents filed on June 9. Hell make his first court appearance on June 9, according to reports. A criminal complaint by federal prosecutors noted that Kelley didnt actually enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Instead, he is being charged with entering and remaining within a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds, knowingly engaging in an act of physical violence against a person or property on restricted grounds, and willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the U.S. Its not clear if he has an attorney. There was no immediate comment from Kelleys campaign, and The Epoch Times has contacted it for comment. While prosecutors did not mention that Kelley is running for the governors seat, numerous media outlets have reported on his Jan. 6-related case and subsequent campaign over the past year and a half. Video footage and images also allegedly identified Kelley on restricted grounds at the Capitol. Based on the tips and information that had been provided, law enforcement took additional steps to review available media in which the individual alleged to be KELLEY appeared, in order to assemble a more complete record of that individuals actions on January 6, 2021, said prosecutors in a separate filing (pdf), adding that it also conducted a review of publicly available images, videos, news article(sic), and other online resources. The arrest affidavit stipulated that several times, including one that came about a week after Jan. 6, were sent to the FBI with images and videos that allegedly showed he partook in the incident at the Capitol. He was arrested in western Michigan and awaits a hearing in Grand Rapids, FBI Detroit spokeswoman Mara Schneider. Federal agents used a search warrant in the arrest, she told other outlets. The arrest comes at a conspicuous time. The controversial Democrat-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol incident is slated to hold a public hearing on Thursday evening that many corporate news outlets will likely broadcast. Despite the planned House hearing, fewer and fewer Americans seem to care, according to an aggregate of polls from FiveThirtyEight, and a poll from NBC News, released this week, found that less than half of surveyed people believe former President Donald Trump bore the sole responsibility for the Jan. 6 breach. Meanwhile, a Michigan poll conducted in May suggested that Kelleya real estate agentwas leading the Republican primary race with 19 percent, followed by Kevin Rinke with 15 percent, Tudor Dixon with 9 percent, Garrett Soldano with 6 percent, and Ralph Rebandt with 1 percent. A phone is seen in front of a Microsoft logo displayed in this illustration taken on July 26, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters) Microsoft Scales Down Russia Operations Due to Ukraine Crisis Microsoft Corp. said on Wednesday it was making substantial cuts to its business in Russia, joining a string of companies that are reducing their exposure or pulling out of the country following its invasion of Ukraine. The company, however, said it would fulfill its existing contractual obligations with Russian customers, while the suspension of new sales that was announced earlier in March remains in effect. As a result of the changes to the economic outlook and the impact on our business in Russia, we have made the decision to significantly scale down our operations in Russia, a Microsoft spokesperson said. Bloomberg News, which first reported the news, said more than 400 employees will be affected. Several major companies, including Apple Inc., Nike, and Dell Technologies, have severed ties with Russia. By Tiyashi Datta and Supantha Mukherjee Police seek to remove protesters lying under a model tank outside the Chinese Embassy during the 33rd Tiananmen Square massacre remembrance event in London on June 4, 2022. (Peter Simpson/The Epoch Times) Tank Cake in Livestream Unnerves Beijing on Eve of Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Massacre, Prompting Censorship Apparently, the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square massacre is such a sore spot for the Chinese regime that the sale of a tank-shaped cake has to be censored. A top livestream salesman in China was shut down after presenting a cake shaped like a mini tank. The authorities deemed it to be a reminder of the June 4 incident. On the evening of June 3, one day before the 33rd anniversary of the bloody crackdown, a leading Chinese influencer Li Jiaqi and his team were astonished when their livestream was unexpectedly cut off, right after the tank-like cake was shown. Chinese livestream salesman Li Jiaqi (L) shows off a tank-like cake and gets censored on June 3, 2022, one day before the 33rd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. (Twitter/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) We are urgently dealing with a technical breakdown on the backstage, Li posted on Weibo. Please kindly wait for a while. Shortly afterwards, however, he delivered a second message, Were terribly sorry we cannot resume livestreaming tonight due to an internal equipment glitch. As a top social media star, Li enjoys huge popularity in China, with more than 30 million followers on Chinese social media service Weibo. Tiananmen Massacre: Permanent Taboo in Communist China The livestream cut-off shocked numerous viewers. Countering the intention of Chinese censors, many young followers went to great lengths to explore what happened that day. They bypassed Chinas Great Firewall to ask questions on Twitter or google about the June 4 incident and found the hidden facts that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tried hard to stifle across Chinese society for more than 30 years. I had also been a radical pro-Beijing guy before June 3, a netizen called Zhi Zhi Zuo Xiang tweeted. I was greatly shocked after I learned about the whole event. I know the CCP killed college students 33 years ago, simply because they demanded reform and opening up and protested corruption among officials. Ive never known such a brutal side of the communist party. So horrible. Another internet user, using the name Chasing a Deer, posted on June 5, The Li Jiaqi incident is an epic black humor in the year of 2022. In the spring of 1989, college student-led demonstrations calling for democracy swept communist China, especially in Beijing, the capital. On June 4, the CCP called out troops armed with tanks and guns and butchered hundreds or thousands of protestors in Beijing. The actual number of deaths remains unknown due to the decades-long CCP coverup. The regime rarely speaks of the atrocity or downplays it as political turbulence if it cannot elude the subject on formal occasions. There have been suggestions of deepened suppression and censorship by the CCP surrounding the June 4 incident in recent years. A leaked official paper shows sensitive content that must be blocked includes candles, tanks, and the numbers 89 and 64 or their combinations, or related emojis, on social media apps from 8 p.m. on June 3 to 8 p.m. on June 5, according to China Digital Times, a California-based bilingual news website covering China. Moreover, some netizens reported that politically sensitive words also include the square of 8, May 35, Its my duty, and Mai Diu Ti (a Chinese transliteration of my duty). The quotation Its my duty was the response of a university student riding his bicycle to join a protest at Tiananmen Square in a 1989 BBC interview prior to the massacre. Ning Haizhong contributed to the report. Ami Hill, proprietor of #Bus252, a mobile art gallery in a refurbished school bus. The business is based in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (photo courtesy of Pacific Legal Foundation) Mobile Art Dealer Sues Town Over Requiring Donation of All Profit to Charity Local law allegedly violates North Carolina constitution's 'fruits of their own labor' provision A mobile art gallery owner is suing a North Carolina town over a local ordinance that forces itinerant vendors like her to give 100 percent of profits to charity in exchange for the right to sell during the high tourism season. Ami Hill is the proprietor of mobile art gallery #Bus252 and of the Muse Markets, which features work from local artists and artisans. Hill is suing the town of Kill Devil Hills in the vacation mecca of the Outer Banks over the ordinance that is in effect every year from May 1 to Sept. 30. When the pandemic disrupted commerce in 2020, Hill moved her brick-and-mortar art gallery into the refurbished school vehicle that became her mobile art bus. Although she has been welcomed in many other communities in the state, the ordinance prevents her from exercising her constitutional rights and earning a living in her hometown of Kill Devil Hills. The town forces Ami to surrender the entirety of the fruits of her labor when she operates the art market, and it allows her to keep her profits from her art bus only during the least lucrative times of the year, according to the legal complaint. Hill has brought this lawsuit to vindicate the Constitutions promise that she be allowed to earn an honest living free from arbitrary and unnecessary government interference. The legal complaint (pdf) in Hill v. Town of Kill Devil Hills, was filed June 7 in the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division of Dare County, North Carolina. According to Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), a national public interest law representing the plaintiff, vendors can seek a permit to operate from the local board of commissioners, but this requires her to undergo an arbitrary and unduly burdensome process each time she wants to sell. This puts itinerant vendors between a proverbial rock and a hard place, PLF adds. To make things worse, the town has created a First Flight Market, which features itinerant sellers and local artists in direct competition with Hills Muse Market. The only distinction between the two markets is that the town-sponsored vendors can sell year-round and keep their profits. The town also rejected #Bus252s application to participate in First Flight Market, whose name reflects its proximity to historic Kitty Hawk, site of the first successful, sustained, powered flights in a heavier-than-air machine in 1903. PLF attorney Donna Matias told The Epoch Times the town cannot condition an itinerant vendors right to earn a living on surrendering profits or going to the board of commissioners for permission each time they want to sell. Ami and business owners like her have a right to the fruits of their labor under the North Carolina Constitution, she said. Matias said her clients decided to sue in state court because North Carolina is the only state that has this fruits-of-their-own-labor provision, which expressly protects the right to earn an honest living. Ultimately, what it comes down to is Kill Devil Hills wants to protect the brick-and-mortar businesses, the lawyer said. Matias speculated about how the dispute could be resolved. What she wants is the ability to be able to earn a living and in her town, without this certain scheme that makes it impossible. There are other townsshe can work in Kitty Hawkshes allowed to set up in surrounding towns, and each one has a different sort of set of rules. But the Kill Devil Hills ordinance is certainly the most restrictive, she said. The town could completely repeal the ordinance or structure it so it deals with whatever it is that theyre concerned about, although protecting brick-and-mortar stores is not a legitimate government concern. But if theyre concerned about traffic and safety and crowds, fine, then you write a law that addresses that concern, instead of targeting a particular class of people, Matias said. The Epoch Times reached out for comment to Casey Varnell, the towns attorney. Varnell said by email on June 7 that the town had not yet been served with the legal complaint and that he would comment after reviewing it. As of press time June 8, no comment had yet been received. Mobs a Threat to British Democracy: Government Extremism Adviser Cinema chain cancels booking for film that draws Muslim protesters Key political figures have waded in to support freedom of expression after a British cinema chain dropped the showing of a film nationwide after its subject matter prompted protests from members of the Muslim community. Dame Sara Khan, independent adviser to the government on social cohesion and resilience, Health Secretary Sajid Javid, and Baroness Fox of Buckley have all warned about the consequences of the cinema chain Cineworld pulling The Lady of Heaven from their sites. Bolton Cineworld was the first outlet to say it would no longer be taking bookings for The Lady of Heaven following an outcry from some Muslims in the northwest England town. On Saturday, a crowd of Muslim men protested outside against the screening of the film, complaining that the film negatively depicts Islamic religious figures. Protests have also been filmed outside Vue cinemas in Croydon and Birmingham. The $15 million film, which was written by the Muslim Sheikh Yasser al-Habib, is a tale about the heart-wrenching journey of Lady Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad. Separated by 1400 years, an Iraqi child, in the midst of a war-torn country, learns the importance and power of patience, according to the films website. A spokesperson from Cineworld, which owns Vue Cinemas, told The Epoch Times on Tuesday that: Due to recent incidents related to screenings of The Lady of Heaven, we have made the decision to cancel upcoming screenings of the film nationwide to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Writing for The Telegraph on Thursday in an article called Religious mobs are a threat to British democracy, Khan criticised politicians failure to stand up to protests. Khan was appointed by the Home Secretary to lead the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) in January 2018. In March this year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed Khan as the governments independent adviser for social cohesion and resilience as part of a government action to tackle extremism in the community. Thirty-four years on from the Salman Rushdie affair, when Muslim authorities decried his novel, The Satanic Verses, as blasphemous, it is clear that religious sensibility can still provoke fear, paralysis, and too often an unwillingness to defend artistic liberty and wider freedom of expression, said Khan, who is currently conducting a review and recently launched a call for evidence on the subject. Its easy to criticise Cineworld for its limp response, but questions must be asked over what support it received from local and central government, MPs, and even the police. Despite claims that the protests were peaceful, video evidence appears to show a hate-speech mob made up of dozens of Muslim men chanting sectarian anti-Shia slurs through megaphones, she added. On Wednesday, Javid told Talk TV that he was very concerned about the growing cancel culture in the UK. Theres people out there who think they have a right not to be offended and of course, no one has that right, he said. We dont have blasphemy laws. That would be a dangerous road to go down, he added. Claire Fox, who sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Fox of Buckley, also took to Twitter to denounce the Cineworlds decision to pull the film. Creep of extra-parliamentary blasphemy law censoring film. Same I Find that Offensive cancel culture arguments now being used far beyond campus activism. Disastrous for the arts, dangerous for free speech, a lesson to those who argue identity politics are no threat to democracy, she wrote. Mystery Hepatitis in Children Still Spreading Across the World, No Cause Identified The worldwide outbreak of mysterious hepatitis cases among children first reported in Georgia in April is still ongoing. Investigators have confirmed hundreds of cases globally, while officials in more U.S. states have recently confirmed cases. Federal authorities in the United States say they are investigating 274 possible child hepatitis cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has reported cases in 39 states of unknown origin. Officials in the United States and other countries have said its not clear whats going on with the hepatitis outbreak. During a news conference on Wednesday, World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed more than 700 possible cases of child hepatitis. At least 38 have required liver transplants, WHO said, which added that 10 have died. There are another 99 cases that need to be classified, the agency said. And on Thursday, the Kentucky Department of Public Health confirmed six cases of child hepatitis of unknown origin in the state. With this outbreak, hepatitis cases have been more severe and a higher proportion of child patients have developed acute liver failure compared with previous reports of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children, WHO said. While adenovirus is a plausible hypothesis as part of the pathogenesis mechanism, said the U.N. health agency, further investigations are ongoing for the causative agent; adenovirus infection (which generally causes mild self-limiting gastrointestinal or respiratory infections in young children) does not fully explain the more severe clinical picture observed with these cases. During early CDC reporting about a group of hepatitis cases in Alabama, the agency said that all nine children with the disorder tested positive for adenovirus, which is a common virus that can cause cold-like symptoms. In several news conferences, CDC officials have said its still not clear that adenovirus can cause the condition. Health officials with the CDC and WHO have previously said they do not believe COVID-19 vaccines appear to be linked to the hepatitis cases as many of the children who have developed the condition havent received the vaccine. They have also ruled out COVID-19 itself as a cause. Hepatitis is a term that refers to inflammation of the liver and is generally caused by a viral infection. The viruses hepatitis A, B, and C are commonly associated with the condition, although officials say that liver inflammation can also be caused by long-term or heavy alcohol usage, drug overdoses, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen, and toxins. Symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice, or the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, as well as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark-colored urine, joint pain, a loss of appetite, fever, and fatigue, according to the Mayo Clinic and other health officials. A cow eating grass on a dairy farm near Cambridge, New Zealand, on May 31, 2018. (William West/AFP via Getty Images) New Zealand Farmers Offer to Pay Flatulent Tax to Help Emissions Targets New Zealands agriculture leaders have released a plan for the sector to have its own pricing system on gas emissions from 2025 in a bid to avoid joining the nations Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The agriculture sector is the countrys largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions but is exempt from its ETS, drawing significant criticism. The He Waka Eke Noa, a partnership between agriculture leaders and the government, proposed for farmers to calculate their own methane and nitrous oxide emissions individually, not based on national averages. The proposal, while not perfect, is significantly better than agriculture entering the ETS and gives farmers influence over their future, an email sent to farmers on June 8 read. Read More New Zealand Emissions Reduction Funding for Agriculture Paid by Other Sectors The industry wants recognition that most of the agriculture emissions, namely methane, are short-lived compared to other gases. [This] allows our sector more influence over the price of methane and long-lived gases, compared to the ETS. Prices can be kept as low as possible and adjusted as needed, the report said (pdf). It recommended a maximum starting price for methane at 11 cents (U.S. 7 cents) per kilogram and maintained for the first three years. It believes that 35 cents per kilogram for methane, without additional context, is needed to meet New Zealands emissions targets; however, it would significantly impact profitability. It also put forward incentives by allowing farmers to receive credits for using practices and technologies that reduce emissions as well as carbon sequestration. Farmers bring a flock of sheep in for drenching at Streamland Suffolks stud in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 9, 2020. (Fiona Goodall/Getty Images) Our recommendations enable sustainable food and fibre production for future generations while playing a fair part in meeting our countrys climate commitments, He Waka Eke Noa Chair Michael Ahie said. According to its own modelling, the proposed system would reduce methane emissions by around 4 to 5.5 percent and nitro oxide emissions by 2.9 to 3.2 percent, on top of existing policies. This is the best option to help farmers and growers transition to lower-emissions food production while maintaining viable businesses, Ahie said. All farm businesses that annually average over 550 livestock units, 50 dairy cattle, 700 swine, 50,000 poultry, or 40 tonnes of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use will be required to report and pay for emissions. This captures 96 percent of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions (around 23,000 farms). The remaining 4 percent of emissions are mostly non-commercial lifestyle blocks, orchards, vineyards, and equine, the report said. Greenpeace Aotearoa New Zealand has called the proposal a sham plan that would fail to reduce climate pollution proportionately. Lead agriculture campaigner Christine Rose said the government should abandon the idea of industry self-regulation and bring the agriculture industry fully into the ETS. There are no actual policies that will cut agricultural climate pollution in this proposal, and thats not surprising given its the polluters themselves that have proposed it, she said. However, feedback from a roadshow hosted by Dairy NZ and Beef and Lamb NZ revealed that 99 percent of farmers did not want to join the ETS. The agriculture industry has been under increasing pressure to put forward its own pricing plan or be forced into joining the ETS like other industries. ANZ Bank agricultural economist Susan Kilsby said the proposal could potentially become the biggest regulatory disruption to farming since agriculture subsidies were removed in the 1980s. Cabinet will review the recommendations for its final decision in December. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (top L) celebrates with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (C) and California senior adviser to Climate Change Lauren Sanchez (top R) as Canada's Minister of Environment Steven Guilbeault (front L) and Jerod Blumenthal, California EPA Chief, sign a memorandum of cooperation on climate change at the California Science Center outside the ninth Summit of the Americas, in Los Angeles on June 9, 2022. (Richard Vogel/AP Photo) Nobody Should Ever Be Empowered to Move Us Back on Climate Policies, Says Trudeau Canada and California signed a memorandum on Thursday to reinforce their cooperation on climate policies, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggesting it should be permanent despite changes in who controls government. During a joint press conference in Los Angeles, Trudeau and California Gov. Gavin Newsom both commented on the prospect of their partnership not withstanding time due to the democratic process. Well, he has no term limits, Newsom quipped in answering a reporters question. So you know, you may be talking to him for a few more decades. I recognize Im the future ex-governor of California. Newsom then mentioned the work done by former California Republican governors Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger in enacting environmental policy, as a way to demonstrate there can be bipartisan support. The governor said this gives him deep confidence his policies can endure. Also addressing the legacy of his policies, Trudeau said that due to democracy, nothing could stop a future government from reversing all the good work done by the previous government, except citizens themselves. Canadians and Americans need toCalifornians need tocontinue to have confidence that we are moving forward, and that nobody should ever be empowered to move us back, Trudeau said. The memorandum of cooperation (MOC) signed between Canada and California focuses heavily on climate action and biodiversity loss. It seeks to establish a flexible framework to promote and carry out cooperative activities in order to reduce pollution and protect nature. Clean transportation, clean technology and innovation, and circular economy are among the determined areas of cooperation. More specifically, the MOC states there can be collaboration on the area of reaching zero-emission targets for vehicles. Many of the clauses involve information sharing of best practices on environmental issues. Canada and California signed a memorandum of understanding in 2019 to tackle vehicle climate pollution. Trudeau and Newsom touted that as a result of the memorandum, Quebec company Lion Electric is delivering electric buses to California school boards. Trudeau has been travelling through the United States this week. He made a stop in Colorado Springs to visit the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Headquarters, and then headed to Los Angeles for the Summit of the Americas. Trudeau was to meet U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday, as well as the CEO of Alphabet and Google, Sundar Pichai. Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health speaks at a press conference during the COVID-19 pandemic, at Queens Park in Toronto on April 11, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette) Ontario to End Most Mask Rules on June 11 Ontarios chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore says the province will lift most remaining COVID-19 mask mandates this Saturday, including those that require people to wear masks on public transit or visiting hospitals. In a statement released on June 8, Moore said most of Ontarios masking rules will expire as of 12:00 a.m. on June 11, 2022. The order was supposed to end on April 27 but was extended to June after the province said on April 22 that it was dealing with the sixth wave of the pandemic at the time. Moore said Wednesday with the improvement in Ontarios COVID-19 situation and high vaccination rates, the order is set to end on June 11 for most settings. He added that masks are still required in long-term care and retirement homes to continue providing an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable. He recommended masking to continue in congregate living settings such as shelters and group homes, though not mandatory. Moore said while the mask mandates are expiring, organizations may implement their own policies. Ontarians should continue to wear a mask if they feel it is right for them, are at high risk for severe illness, recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, he said. Remaining mask directives for health care workers will also be revoked Saturday and replaced by guidance issued by the health ministry. This includes guidance on when masks should be worn in hospitals and other health care settings, Moore said. Some hospitals indicated on June 8 that they would keep masking policies in place. A spokesman for Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare in Windsor said the hospital intends to continue with the mask mandate which includes the requirement for everyone to have a mask on in our hospital at all times. Two other hospitals in the region, Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores Healthcare, said they would keep masking rules for all visitors, staff and most patients as well. Torontos University Health Network and The Hospital for Sick Children said the same. The Toronto Transit Commission, which operates public transit in Ontarios most populous city, said masks would remain mandatory for staff and customers on its Wheel-Trans accessible transit service, and are still strongly recommended for those riding the wider system. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. 2022 Primary: Orange County DA Todd Spitzer Likely Secures 2nd Term Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer likely secured a second term June 8 with a significant lead against his opponents, avoiding a November runoff, according to unofficial election results. The landslide victory last night is a reflection of DA Spitzers 30-year career in Orange County and his complete and total dedication to victims rights and public safety, Tim Lineberger, a spokesman for Spitzers campaign, told The Epoch Times. Orange County voters know who he is and trust and respect the job hes done as a community leader over the years. According to results through 5 p.m., Spitzer received 64.1 percent of the vote, garnering nearly 199,201 votes, compared to second-place contender, Pete Hardina former Orange County prosecutor and Marine veteranwho had 19 percent, or 58,964 votes. Hardin said in a statement June 8 he knew the fight was going to be an uphill battle. While votes are still being counted, it appears our effort to bring reform to the Orange County District Attorneys Office will not be successful, he said. Spitzer, who hasnt lost a public office election since 1992, including county supervisor and state assemblyman, said during his campaign that district attorneys George Gascon in Los Angeles and San Franciscos Chesa Boudinwho was recalled June 7destroyed the counties with pro-criminal policies that increased homelessness, crime, and drug overdose deaths. [We] saw a groundswell of support not only for Todd but also a referendum against the pro-criminal policies of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Lineberger said. Orange County voters rejected those policies resoundingly and gave Todd a mandate to continue doing what hes doing to keep Orange County safe and implement common-sense criminal justice reforms that do not jeopardize public safety. Spitzer also defeated opponents Bryan Chehock, an attorney for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency based in San Diego, and retired local prosecutor Michael Jacobs. Hardin, a first-time candidate, ran on policies such as replacing cash bail with a risk-based system and ending the death penalty claiming his approach would offer Orange County a modern approach based on facts rather than fear. We may have been unsuccessful at the ballot box, but our movement for reform and integrity very successfully injected common sense and dignity into difficult conversations that transcend crime, victimization, race, and justice, Hardin said. We are disappointed by this outcome, but so grateful to have had the opportunity to share our vision for a safer and more just Orange County. Spitzer faced a number of controversies in recent months including sexual harassment accusations and losing a number of endorsements after a judge ruled he violated Californias racial bias law. Our Own Stalinist Moment Show trials, a politicized justice system, and partisan intelligence agencies Commentary Terror as a political tool of intimidation and repression was the primary means for keeping the Soviet populace quiescent under Josef Stalins reign. Frozen in fear and involuntarily docile, the population learned to dread the Central Committees police agenciesat this time, primarily the NKVDthat enabled the partys complete rule. Not all of it was enforced from the top down, however. No authoritarian system can survive for long through force alone. Not only must the people be robbed of their will to resist, but they must also be led to believe that there is a malicious if unseen force trying to destroy their way of lifeand their only protection against said force is, of course, the state. Stalins show trials of the mid-1930s did exactly this. One after another, previous leading Bolsheviks took to the stand and pleaded guilty to actively undermining the worlds first workers utopia. It was hard to believe that those who ostensibly devoted their entire lives to building the latter would at the same time be guilty of working to destroy it. Yet, one after another, each stood up and beat his chest as a traitorous Trotskyist, a deviationist of the right opposition, and a wrecker of the great socialist experiment. If we turn to our own country, its getting harder to say that the U.S. justice system is not taking on an increasingly partisan nature itself. There seems to be a multiple-tier system in which there are separate legal tracks dependent on political persuasion. One, holding control over all institutions of power and utilizing their positions to manipulate the law with impunity; the other, condemned before the trial even begins. The incestuous nature of the Washington, D.C. justice system comes as no surprise to regular readers of this publication. Still, its worth recounting some details of the most prominent political trials in the last several weeks. The indictment of Michael Sussmann, a former Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer, resulted in unearthing important information that further tied Clinton to the Trump-Russia hoax. Unsurprisingly, in the end, Sussmann was still found not guilty by a jury of his peers. Michael Sussmann (C) arrives for a court hearing at a federal courthouse in Washington on April 27, 2022. (Oliver Trey/The Epoch Times) A jury of his D.C. peers, that is. Multiple individuals in the juror pool were reported as having donated to Clinton. The federal judge in the case, Christopher Cooper, also happens to be married to Amy Jeffress, the lawyer who represented Lisa Page (noted FBI lawyer of Russia hoax fame) in civil court. Current Attorney General Merrick Garland (who was also a failed Obama nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court) presided over the wedding. Jeffress was a former top aide to then-Attorney General Eric Holder. Speaking of Holder, Obamas self-proclaimed wing-man was held in criminal contempt by the U.S. Congress in 2012 for refusing to turn over documents regarding the fast and furious federal program-turned disaster. When Obama asserted executive privilege, Holder claimed he was honoring the latter by refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena. Despite a federal judge rejecting this claim, no legal action was forthcoming. Meanwhile, Peter Navarro, former White House trade adviser under President Donald Trump, was detained in handcuffs and leg irons (presumably, to ensure that the 72-year-old didnt make a run for it) for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee. Like Holder, Navarro maintains that he should be protected by executive privilege. He has also reported that hes suing the Department of Justice. Against this backdrop, the nation heads for one of the most clear-cut cases of a Soviet-style show trial in our modern political era. To quote Navarro from his appearance on Tucker Carlson Tonight: The mission of that partisan [Jan. 6 commission] witch-hunt, kangaroo [court] committee is to concoct a fake hoax around January 6th based on criminal charges against Trump to prevent him from running for reelection and taking back the White House in 2025 January. Former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro speaks to the media after his hearing in federal court in Washington on June 3, 2022. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Unlike the Sussmann case, which received little to no mainstream media coverageexcept in gloating after the decisiontheres sure to be nonstop coverage of the committees show trials. The first of the latter is to be held on June 9. The hearings will be used to incite Democrat anger and fear in the run-up to Novembers midterm elections. Former ABC News President James Goldston was brought on to create a politically compelling spectacle out of the event. The New York Times expects the hearings to proceed according to a carefully choreographed rollout of revelations. Video footage by Nick Quested, a filmmaker who was shooting a documentary on the Proud Boys at the time of the Jan. 6 protest, will also be presented at the hearing. Its unlikely that, at this point, any new evidence in the footage will point to a change in circumstances or additional charges for the Jan. 6 defendants. Instead, the purpose of the footage will be to present the protests as a three-hour rampage. It will follow the choreographed rollout described above, selecting the most egregious moments from the day. It will not feature the footage of somewhat confused-looking Jan. 6 attendees meandering into the Capitol or those who stayed within the red velvet ropes. It will also not show the video footage of protesters calmly interacting with police officers inside the building. If any new substantive evidence is presented, it will likely be content from the Ministry of Self Defense Proud Boys Telegram chat. This coincides with Mondays new indictment on seditious conspiracy charges against Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio, Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola. According to The Wall Street Journal, the complaint says that the Proud Boys directed, mobilized and led the crowds on Jan. 6. The charge of sedition is rare and reserved for cases in which an individual is accused of having [conspired] to use force to overthrow the government, impede its laws or seize its property. Protesters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo) There would likely need to be new bombshell evidence presented during the hearing in order to meet the required threshold for conviction. A group chat of American patriots, veterans, and blue-collar workers will almost certainly include hyperbole that sounds harsh when presented out of contextgood to present the illusion of danger and motivate voters. But evidence of a coordinated, detailed, and organized attempt to launch a revolutionary coup against the most powerful government in the world? That one is harder to believe. The fact that there have been guilty pleas to conspiracy and a willingness to cooperate can say just as much about the psychological toll of being in solitary confinement for an extended period, as it could about the existence of some hidden master plot. By the time Stalins Great Terror came around in the late 1930s, its easy to imagine that a large segment of the population was ready to accept that it really was foreign spies, anti-Soviet wreckers, greedy peasant kulaks, and the evil Trotsky who were the primary causes of the countrys woes. As political opposition was led away at gunpoint and the nations founders publicly admitted guilt, many likely believed the false charges of conspiracy and sedition. Weve seen the double standard in our own justice system, as certain individuals of the wrong political persuasion are made public examples of. Meanwhile, others who commit the same offenses, or worse, walk away with a slap on their hand. Now, during the Jan. 6 committees partisan hearings, well see our own example of show trials. This is about more than trying to deflect from a deteriorating domestic situation to win votes in November. Its about the health of our Republic. One narrow group will be continuously castigated as the enemies of the people or, as the refrain will go, enemies of democracy. All of this is in addition to the rampantly increasing censorship of dissenting voices and deteriorating security of our elections. Many will (and do) believe that the Capitol protest really was a coordinated attempt to seize power instead of a protest that got out of hand. One way or another, all will be tied back to Trumpour own Trotsky. By extension, his supporters, in general, will come to be castigated as insurrectionists. The Proud Boys currently provides a form for the nonexistent domestic terrorist threat content that the partisan intelligence agencies falsely tell us is the countrys most pressing problem. But make no mistake about it, with the current media environment, theres no difference to those who have accepted the Stalinist lie: To them, we are all wreckers, we are all Proud Boys. Regardless of the midterms, this trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Lyudmila Denisova, who had served as the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, is seen in a file photo on May 9, 2022. (UkraineMediaCenter Kyiv Eng YouTube channel screenshot via The Epoch Times) Ousted Ukrainian Official Breaks Silence, Admits She Exaggerated About Mass Rapes by Russian Forces A top Ukrainian official who was ousted over unsubstantiated claims that Russians were committing mass rape admitted she exaggerated but did so to convince the West to send more weapons to Ukraine. Lyudmila Denisova, who had served as the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, was recently removed by the Ukrainian Parliament over what they said were her false claims about mass rapes. The members of Parliament at the time said that her work focusing on alleged sexual assaults by Russian troops couldnt be confirmed with evidence and distracted the global media from Ukraines real needs. Speaking to a Ukrainian news outlet, Denisova said that the information about rapes that she spread served her goal to obtain more military aid, confirming that indeed, maybe I exaggerated some of the rape claims. She did not elaborate. When, for example, I spoke in the Italian parliament at the Committee on International Affairs, I heard and saw such fatigue from Ukraine, you know? I talked about terrible things in order to somehow push them to make the decisions that Ukraine and the Ukrainian people need, she said this week, according to a translation. She added in the interview: I conveyed everything that the applicants wanted to say to society and the world; that the enemies, the Russian Federation, be punished. Yes, then this vocabulary was very harsh, we discussed it I said that, indeed, maybe I exaggerated. But I tried to achieve the goal of convincing the world to provide weapons and pressure [Russia]. As an example, she said that an Italian political party, the Five Star Movement, was initially against the provision of weapons to us, but after [Denisovas] speech, one of the party leaders said that they will support [Ukraine], including by the provision of weapons. Ukrainian Parliament member Pavlo Frolov had accused Denisova of pushing misinformation that harmed Ukraine in connection to her statements about the numerous details of unnatural sexual offenses and child sexual abuses in the occupied territories, which were unsupported by evidence. But her false claims about mass rapes committed allegedly by Russian soldiers received significant media attention in the United States, with CNN, Business Insider, and other corporate news outlets publishing them within the past several weeks. On May 9, CNN featured an article with a headline that blared: Ukraine has accused Russian soldiers of using rape as a tool of war. These two women say justice is hard to come by. CNNs article has not been edited or amended since Denisovas remarks admitting that her claim was false. As of Thursday, the article still includes her quote when she was still human rights commissioner: There have been 700 reports since the first of April. Business Insiders article, published in late April, included claims by Denisova that Russian soldiers committed 400 rapes since the start of the conflict, including sexual assaults against teenage girls. The article also hasnt been amended with a correction after Denisova was ousted by Parliament. Since the start of the conflict on Feb. 24, there have been concerns that both Russia and Ukraine are spreading misinformation about the war and on the ground events. Western countries including EU nations, YouTube, and some social media websites have since blocked or restricted Russian state-run TV channels including RT and Sputnik, saying such platforms disseminate Kremlin propaganda. However, in the case of Ukraine, a number of Western media outlets, politicians, and celebrities have re-posted or echoed claims made by Kyiv officials, including now-debunked tales that a so-called Ghost of Kyiv fighter pilot shot down dozens of Russian fighter jets or that a Russian warship killed the entirety of a Ukrainian battalion on Snake Island. Ukrainian officials later said that many of the claims around the Ghost of Kyiv and Snake Island were not true. Paul Pelosi and Nancy Pelosi attend the TIME 100 Gala 2019 Cocktails at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 23, 2019. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME) Pelosis Husband Makes Major Purchase of Apple, Microsoft Stock Options House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) disclosed her husbands latest stock market trades this week, showing that she purchased options to buy shares of Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. worth upwards of $2 million. According to a transaction report that appeared on the Houses website on Monday, Pelosi revealed that her financier husband, Paul Pelosi, bought Apple call options for between $500,001 and $1 million on May 13. The records show that on May 24, Paul Pelosi, who is estimated to be worth in excess of $100 million, purchased more Apple call options between $250,001 and $500,000. He also purchased Microsoft call options for as much as $600,000 on that same day, the records revealed. Unusual Whales, a company that sells financial data, showed that Pelosi was the sixth-best stock trader in Congress in 2021. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) was No. 1 in stock trading last year, the company says. Speaker Nancy Pelosis financial disclosures are arguably the most followed in Congress. The perception is that she is the best trader on the Hill, the website says, making note of social media scrutiny into her and her husbands stock trading in recent years. After recent trade disclosures, some have claimed they believe her position in Congress gives her an edge in stock trading. This year, the House speaker has filed six transaction reports that disclosed several trades in Disney, Tesla Inc., PayPal Holdings, Apple, and other commonly held stocks. As you can see from the required disclosures, with which the speaker fully cooperates, these transactions are marked SP for spouse, Pelosis spokesman, Drew Hammill, told news outlets about her husbands stock trades. The speaker has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions. A 2012 law makes it illegal for lawmakers to use information from their work in Congress for their personal gain. The law requires them to disclose stock transactions by themselves or family members within 45 days. Pelosi in January signaled that she might be willing to advance legislation to completely ban stock trading by lawmakers. That was a reversal from her previous position defending lawmakers right to trade stocks. But Pelosi, 82, has been at the center of controversy after she initially rejected a proposal on Congress members owning stocks. Earlier this year, however, she signaled approval after a group of bipartisan lawmakers came up with a plan to create bills and conduct a hearing. However, in recent months, Congress has stalled over bipartisan legislation addressing lawmakers ownership of stocks. I think that theyre trying to run out the clock, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), a sponsor of one of the stock-ban bills, said last month. Without naming any members of Congress, she said that it is being stymied by anyone who has the ability to move it forward. The Epoch Times has contacted Pelosis office for comment on the recent disclosure. Reuters contributed to this report. Officials gather outside Walnut Park Elementary School where a man was shot to death by police in Gadsden, Ala., on June 9, 2022. (William Thornton/The Birmingham News via AP) Police Fatally Shoot Person Trying to Enter Alabama School GADSDEN, Ala.A man who tried to enter an Alabama elementary school where a summer program was being held was shot to death by police Thursday morning, authorities said. Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a potential intruder went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy program was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were locked and the principal contacted the school resource officer when she realized what was happening, Reddick said. Officials gather outside Walnut Park Elementary School where a man was shot to death by police in Gadsden, Ala., on June 9, 2022. (William Thornton/The Birmingham News via AP) The resource officer confronted a person who attempted to break into a marked Rainbow City police car near the school, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. More officers from the Gadsden Police Department showed up to assist, the statement said. The person was shot to death after trying to take the resource officers gun, the agency said. The statement, which didnt mention any attempt to enter the school, didnt say how many shots were fired or by whom. Officials dont know whether the man who was killed was a passerby or something else, Reddick said. Authorities didnt immediately release the identity of the person who was killed or any details, including whether the person was armed or why he might have been trying to get into the school or patrol car. While the resource officer suffered minor injuries, no students were hurt, and most didnt realize anything unusual had happened, Reddick said. Our primary concern was just making sure that someone who wasnt authorized to be in our building does not enter and our kids are safe, he said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sent a tweet saying school police immediately took action, faculty inside the building followed safety protocols and all children present were kept out of harms way. I commend all involved for acting quickly to protect these children, it said. Gadsden is about 60 miles northeast of Birmingham. Port of Darwin: Australian Prime Minister Confirms Chinese Companys Lease Under Review Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that the Labor government will review the 99-year lease of Darwin Port to Landbridge, a Chinese company. What Ive said is what I said prior to the election, and I will do what I said, Albanese said in a press conference on June 8 with Natasha Fyles, Northern Territorys Labor Chief Minister. I would do on this and every other issue, which is well have a review of the circumstances of the Port. The Chief Minister is conscious of the fact that we will do that, and well do that in an orderly way. Darwin Port, an important gateway and strategic resource hub for Australia, was leased to Landbridge in 2015 for $506 million (US$363 million), a decision made by the Northern Territorys former Liberal government. At the time the lease raised concerns by china hawks in both Australias Defence Department and the U.S. government and the former Liberal government led by Scott Morrison launched a review of the controversial lease in late 2021, yet concluded that there was a lack of national security grounds to overturn the deal. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on May 23, 2022. (David Gray/Getty Images) However, during Australias federal election campaign this year, Albanese blasted the Darwin port lease and said it should never have been sold to the Chinese. Ive said that we would examine those issues if were successful in May, Albanese, then opposition leader told Radio 5AA on April 26. There are issues that you would need to take advice on. Issues of sovereign risk and other issues that you need to take account of, and they are not unimportant. But it is important that Australia is prepared to stand up for our national interest. The Prime Minister also said he would cancel contracts between Australian entities and Chinese State-owned companies that are not in the national interest, in accordance with the federal governments Foreign Veto Laws. Yes, we support the change in the foreign relations bill that went through [the Parliament] with our support, Albanese said. We believe that the federal government should be in charge of our foreign relations. Thats why we supported that legislation. Independent MP Bob Katter speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, August 31, 2020. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING The concerns over the lease come as it has been revealed that some Chinese state-owned shipping companies have their own paramilitary capabilities, including an in-house militia, that can be mobilised by the Chinese regime to defeat threats to the CCPs interests, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Further, other parliamentarians have raised concerns about Chinese merchant vessels that can house their own paramilitary capability accessing Darwin Port, calling them a potential risk to national capabilities. Federal parliamentarian Bob Katter even moved a motion in federal parliament that called on the former Coalition government to urge Landbridge to sell the port to an Australian buyer. I would be very doubtful if there was anyone in Parliament who sincerely believed that it was a good idea that any foreign country would own the main port of entry into northern Australia, Katter previously told The Epoch Times. Los Angeles District 11 Runoff Between Progressive Erin Darling and Moderate Traci Park LOS ANGELESThe top two candidates in City Council District 11, municipal attorney Traci Park and civil lawyer Erin Darling, aim to tackle sprawling homelessness as they advance to the General Election in November. District 11 is one of LAs 15 districts that encompass the westside of the city to the Pacific Ocean. Current incumbent Mike Bonin, who was first elected in 2013, announced in January he would not be seeking reelection due to mental health concerns. Parkwho fiscally out-campaigned Darlingslightly trailed behind him with 31.1 percent of the vote, while Darling received 31.39 percent of votes. No other candidate in the primary field received more than 10 percent of the voting results. Despite being outspent ten-to-one, our campaign earned the most votes in the CD11 primary so far. Im so excited and thankful to go on to the general in November, Darling wrote on Twitter Wednesday. Id like to thank everyone who donated their time/money/passion/energy. We deserve a Westside that works for us all! Despite being outspent ten-to-one, our campaign earned the most votes in the CD11 primary so far. I'm so excited and thankful to go on to the general in November. I'd like to thank everyone who donated their time/money/passion/energy. We deserve a Westside that works for us all! pic.twitter.com/aLIrHo0B7n Erin Darling (@WestsideDarling) June 8, 2022 Park, who has been a Venice resident since 2015, is a registered Democrat running on a moderate platform. Shes running on ending encampments and restoring public safety after Venice Beach became front and center of a political debate over homeless violence last summer. There are some 2,000 homeless people living on the streets of Venice Beach, the largest homeless population behind Skid Row. What I want to focus on tonight is you, how incredibly proud I am of you and your participation in this journey of building a grassroots coalition across the entire Westside of Los Angeles from the ground up, Park said during a speech Tuesday night. I saw what you saw and I heard your frustration with the status quo. When I decided I was going to step up and do something about it you joined me. According to her campaign website, if elected, Park plans to increase mental health and substance abuse services to Angelenos suffering from addiction on the streets, and adopt a policy of compassionate enforcement. Venice resident Erin Darling is running on a progressive platform to expand affordable housing, and contrary to Park, opposes anti-camping ordinances. He gained just over $55,000 in donations, according to the latest campaign filings. Darling supports the Housing First model to address homelessness in the district by increasing renter protections and speeding the development of permanent supportive housing units. Both candidates will likely appear on the Nov. 8 ballot during the General Election. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino rises during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on May 12, 2022. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press) Public Safety Minister Says Police Request for Tools Led to Invoking Emergencies Act A day after his deputy said he was misunderstood when saying the government invoked the Emergencies Act based on the advice from law enforcement, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said police requested certain tools that only the act could provide. Before we invoked the Emergencies Act, we consulted extensively and meaningfully with law enforcement precisely on the powers that were needed to restore public safety, which then found themselves in the Emergencies Act, Mendicino told reporters on June 8. So in the course of those discussions, it was understood by all that you needed to invoke the act to give the police the powers that were necessary to fill in the gaps. Mendicino was addressing in part comments made the previous day by his deputy Rob Stewart. I believe that the intention that [Mendicino] was trying to express was that law enforcement asked for the tools that were contained in the Emergencies Act, he said before the special joint committee of senators and MPs responsible for looking into the public order emergency. Mendicino repeatedly said in the past that the public order emergency was declared based on advice from law enforcement. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki had testified before the committee on May 10 that she did not request or advise for the act. Were not in the position to provide influence on the government as to when and where they invoke a certain act, said Lucki before the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency. Current and former Ottawa police chiefs also recently testified they didnt request the invocation of the act. While addressing reporters, Mendicino made a reference to comments made by Lucki in committee to the effect that there was a difficulty in procuring tow trucks to clear blockades, whether in Alberta or Ottawa. Towing companies were reportedly refusing to collaborate with police at the time. That power found itself in the Emergencies Act and it could not be granted to the police without its invocation, Mendicino said on June 8. However, this claim is challenged by other comments from Lucki made during questioning by Senator Claude Carignan on May 10, when he asked Lucki whether anyone had been charged under Section 129 of the Criminal Code, which states that it is an indictable offence to resist or wilfully obstruct a peace officer in the execution of his duty. Carignan asked how many towing companies were charged under Section 129 for not collaborating with police in removing obstructing vehicles at blockades. Im not familiar with anybody being charged under that section of the Criminal Code, Lucki said. The government has previously defended not using existing laws to deal with the protests by saying what matters is not their availability, but rather their effectiveness. The determination that was made, as I understand it, was that the effectiveness of any statute that may have been on the books to potentially deal with [the demonstrations] was not available at the time the declaration was issued, said Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice Samantha Maislin Dickson while testifying before the public safety committee on Feb. 25. Misinformation Conservative MP Dane Lloyd asked Mendicino during question period in the House on June 8 to clarify his statements on law enforcements involvement in calling for the emergency measures. We now know that police did not make this recommendation and his own deputy minister said yesterday that he was misunderstood. When did it become acceptable for a minister of the House to spread misinformation? Lloyd said. I am happy to give an answer by refreshing his memory and the memory of all members in this chamber that, last winter, we experienced an unprecedented public order emergency in the opinion of law enforcement, which is why, prior to invoking the Emergencies Act, we sought their advice on the powers that were needed to restore public safety, Mendicino replied. The government invoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14 to deal with the Freedom Convoy trucker protest and related blockades demanding the lifting of COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. The emergency order was lifted on Feb. 23. A special committee and an inquiry have since been established as per law to review the use of the extraordinary powers. Rolling Blackouts Could Hit Texas This Summer Amid Heatwave, Experts Warn Experts are warning that the state of Texas is under threat of rolling blackouts this summer amid a heatwave and record-high demand for power. Energy analyst Ed Hirs, a University of Houston energy fellow wrote a recent op-ed for The Austin American-Statesman in which he highlighted the gap between power generation and demand across the state. Hirs noted that six power plants had gone offline in Texas during a mini heatwave in mid-May, prompting calls for Texans to be more conservative with their energy. He also noted that newer traditional power plants simply arent being built. The expert also pointed to a growing Texas population and economy that is outpacing generation capacity from traditional electricity sources, writing, This summer, Texas natural gas, coal, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants will provide less electricity than they did in 2010 even though the Texas economy has grown from $1.25 trillion in 2010 to $2 trillion in 2021. Meanwhile, were stuck with a broken grid in Texasand a hefty bill for bailing out the energy industry that failed us, Hirs wrote. I think were going to need a lot of luck to get through the summer without rolling blackouts, Hirs told FOX 7 Austin on Tuesday. Hirss comments come after power grid operators from across the United States said in May that they are buckling under the demand for electricity as they transition to cleaner energy sources, while warning that some parts of the country could see blackouts during the summer. California states grid operator told The Wall Street Journal that it expects to see a shortfall in supplies this summer, owing to multiple factors like extreme heat, wildfires, and delays in bringing new power sources online. I am concerned about it, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Chief Executive John Bear told WSJ. Elsewhere in April, MISO, an independent, not-for-profit organization that delivers power to much of the Midwest, projected that it would likely need increased imports and potentially emergency resources if it were to be able to meet the 2022 summer peak demand. Aging power grids combined with a flurry of severe weather events have already led to multiple power outages across parts of the country in recent years, including Texas, which is the nations largest energy producer and its biggest consumer. However, other experts have dismissed concerns about potential blackouts in the state this summer. I can absolutely guarantee the lights are going to stay on in Texas because of the landmark legislation the Texas Legislature passed in 2021, Peter Lake of the Texas Public Utility Commission told Fox Business, referring to two bills signed into law last year by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott aimed at bolstering reliability of the states power grid following winter storms that left thousands without power. Meanwhile, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the grid for most of the state, expects power demand to surge to record-highs this year but insists it has enough resources to meet demand, thanks in part to the addition of wind and solar plants over the past year. Am I concerned about blackouts this week? No, not really, Beth Garza, the former ERCOT IMM chief, told Fox Business. What will become problematic is as we have this long slog day after day of 100-degree temperatures, that will increase the risk. Reuters contributed to this report. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters in Washington on May 19, 2022. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Schumer Under Pressure to Address Past Comments After Man Tried Killing Kavanaugh The Senates top Democrat is under pressure to retract his remarks promising Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh would pay the price after a man was arrested near Kavanaughs home with a gun. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in March 2020 that Kavanaugh and Justice Neil Gorsuch, both Trump appointees, have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions, Schumer added, speaking to a crowd outside the Supreme Court building in Washington. After Nicholas John Roske of California was arrested near Kavanaughs home on June 8, with authorities saying Roske outlined plans to break into the home and murder the justice, some of Schumers colleagues called for him to speak up. That is the majority leader of the supposed foremost deliberative body, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) told the Washington Examiner. I think that Chuck Schumer has an obligation to denounce this. Others pinned some of the responsibility on Schumer. That man was there, as he stated, apparently, to murder Justice Kavanaugh, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said on Fox News. And I believe Chuck Schumer bears some responsibility because he has contributed to this atmosphere of directly attacking members by name of the Supreme Court. In a social media statement, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) brought up Schumers past remarks and linked them to Roskes arrest. Leaders must weigh their words more carefully esp[ecially] when they might incite violence, Grassley said. Schumer did not address the arrest of Roske on the Senate floor on Wednesday or Thursday, nor has he issued a statement about the threat. A spokesperson for the New Yorker did not respond to a request for comment. Schumers office pointed the Examiner to a statement Schumer made in 2020 in which he said, I shouldnt have used the words I did, but in no way was I making a threat. He also accused Republicans of manufacturing outrage. The comments at the time drew a rare response from Chief Justice John Roberts, a George W. Bush appointee. Justices know that criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous, Roberts said in a statement. All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the majority whip, noted Roskes arrest while speaking on the floor Wednesday. We have to stand unitedDemocrats, Republicans, independents, left and rightand condemn violence wherever its source, right or left, Durbin said. The White House also condemned Roskes actions. According to court documents, Roske told officers after he was arrested that he was moved to act because of a Supreme Court draft decision that was published online that indicated the court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade, which concluded there is a constitutional right to abortion. Kavanaugh reportedly signed onto the decision, a finalized version of which has not yet been released. Roske also suggested he feared Kavanaugh would rule against gun control efforts. In a federal court in Maryland, Roske said that he was on medication. I wouldnt say Im thinking clearly, he said. Hospitals have been told they should start reverting to their own pre-pandemic IPC policies while acknowledging it may involve a period of transition. (Victoria Jones/PA) Some English Hospitals Telling Patients to Keep Wearing Face Masks Despite Restrictions Being Dropped National rules on mask-wearing in GP surgeries and hospitals have largely been scrapped under new guidance in England, but some NHS trusts are insisting that patients keep wearing masks. The Telegraph reports that several NHS hospitals have called on patients and staff to continue to wear masks and face coverings on their sites. The National Health Service is the umbrella term for the publicly funded health care systems of the United Kingdom. On Wednesday, it was reported that hospitals and GPs can now make their own policies, with some having already taken down signs that told patients to wear masks on entry and others calling on patients and staff to continue to wear masks and face coverings on their sites. Health chiefs Professor Stephen Powis National Medical Director and Duncan Burton Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England wrote to NHS Trusts about revised infection control measures for NHS settings. The rule change came after the UK Health Security Agency published new COVID-19 guidance for health and care professionals on May 27. They wrote that any IPC (infection prevention and control) measures beyond those contained in those publications is a matter for local discretion. Hospitals have also been told they should start reverting to their own pre-pandemic IPC policies while acknowledging it may involve a period of transition. Health and care staff should continue to wear facemasks as part of personal protective equipment required for transmission-based precautions when working in COVID-19/respiratory care pathways, and when clinically caring for suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients, the letter read. All other inpatients are not necessarily required to wear a facemask unless this is a personal preference, it added. Visitors and individuals accompanying patients to outpatient appointments or the emergency department are not routinely required to wear a facemask unless this is a personal preference, added the health chiefs. Hospitals in England have now begun issuing guidance but some are saying they intend to keep insisting on people wearing masks. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals still has a notice to patients and staff on its main page that: COVID has not gone away, wear a mask at all times and keep your social distance from others. Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust issued a statement saying: All visitors to wards must wear a mask to protect our patients and staff from the spread of COVID-19 and other infections. Outpatients appointments must wear a face mask at all times and up until June 7, it had not allowed both parents to visit the childrens wards at the same time. Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is also advising staff to still wear masks in clinical areas, but not in non-clinical including offices and corridors areas unless specifically required. The safety of our patients, visitors, and staff is paramount, so facemasks and protective equipment will continue to be worn wherever appropriate in clinical areas, wrote Croydon Health Services. In May, The Telegraph reported that Sajid Javid, the health secretary, told NHS trusts to drop restrictions in hospitals and also threatened to name and shame NHS trusts that do not ease the measures as it can limit operational capacity amid record waiting lists. From July 2021, England opened up earlier than other comparable countries and has been relatively restriction-free since. Masks are no longer legally required in most public spaces. In February, England scrapped its last remaining COVID-19 rule ie. the need for infected people to isolate. PA media and Lily Zhou contributed to this report. Dust rises as a farmer plows a field in Mendota, Calif., in the state's San Joaquin Valley on March 11, 2009. Dust carries spores that cause valley fever, a growing problem in the southwestern states. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images) Spikes in Incurable Valley Fever Linked to Mega Drought The vast majority of the American West is struggling with enduring mega drought conditions that some experts think will last until 2030 and thats creating perfect conditions for an incurable disease to spread. A microscopic fungal organism in the soil called coccidioides is becoming more mainstream because of a rise in human infections resulting from airborne spores thrown aloft by winds in the arid terrain. Coccidioides is a naturally occurring fungus found in the soils of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Washington state, and Texas. When dust storms kick up spores into the air, people can inhale them and develop an infection known as coccidioidomycosis. On the street, it goes by the name Valley Fever. Its amazing, being in Arizona this long, how many people still dont know about Valley Fever, Malisa Grantham told The Epoch Times. Grantham is the program manager at the Valley Fever Center for Excellence in Tucson, Arizona, which sits at the epicenter of most outbreaks. More people fall ill because of the fungal pathogen in Arizona than in any other state. Once inhaled, the spores can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. In extreme cases, the fungus can migrate to other organs, which requires lengthy treatment. The disease is also known to have frequent relapses. States that are endemic for Valley Fever. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) In highly endemic regions, such as Phoenix and Tucson, Valley Fever accounts for upward of 30 percent of community-acquired pneumonia cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the organization admits that the figure is likely higher due to low testing. Grantham is a born and raised rancher from Wyoming, and her husbands family has a property close to the ArizonaMexico border. In this arid stretch of land, exposure to airborne dust is just a way of life. Residents are accustomed to seeing dust trails from even the tiniest disturbances, such as small birds. Its just so dry that even the quail kick up dust, she said. Despite the heavy exposure factor, Grantham said shes not aware of any ranching families taking precautions to avoid the debilitating and potentially deadly fungus hiding in the dust. It doesnt enter your mind until you get it. Its kind of like COVID, Grantham said. Nevertheless, penetrating the human brain, spinal column, and other organs is what the fungus does in its most extreme form: disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Between 1 and 5 percent of those who contract Valley Fever develop the disseminated version of the disease, which typically presents within two years of exposure to the pathogen. Overall mortality for those infected with Valley Fever is lowabout 1 percent. Yet 40 percent of cases are severe enough to require hospitalization, according to an Arizona Department of Health Services study. Infection from these spores isnt a new phenomenon. Originally identified in Argentina in 1892, the name Valley Fever gained notoriety during the 1930s in the San Joaquin Valley of California, when a series of outbreaks sickened agricultural workers. The Central Valley area of California remains a hot spot for cases to this day. Distant air pollution over San Joaquin Valley. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) Concern over Valley Fever has garnered more recent attention as drought conditions have intensified across multiple U.S. states and cases began to spike in waves. Reported cases in the United States increased by 32 percent from 2016 to 2018, according to the CDC. The institute also estimates that at least 150,000 Valley Fever cases go undiagnosed yearly. Health officials in Arizona noted a 23 percent increase in diagnoses in 2021 and confirmed more than 8,200 cases. Theres no cure for this disease. The treatments we have inhibit the fungus, but they dont get rid of it, Dr. John Galgiani told The Epoch Times. Galgiani is a professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and the director of the Valley Fever Center of Excellence. He said anyone living in an endemic region is at risk of inhaling the dangerous fungal spores when theres a lot of dust in the air. Valley Fevers reach goes far beyond farmers, ranchers, and people who work closely with soil. Regular city dwellers are also suffering its effects. Much of this is from the spike in dust storms hitting populated areas, which have doubled in the past 20 years. Most of the data suggests that if you inhale the spores, you are at equal risk of getting infected, Galgiani said. That said, certain people run a higher risk of developing complications from Valley Fever. Clearly, theres an age effect. So the older you are, the more likely you could get infected with Valley Fever here in Arizona, he said. Galgiani noted that people who are immunocompromised or are taking immunosuppressive drugs also run a higher risk of developing complications. He also said the number of deaths from Valley Fever infections is likely underreported, based on a published paper from the CDC. A general view of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2014. (Tami Chappell/Reuters) Mortality aside, a person who develops symptoms can suffer for months with lengthy treatments. The impact of this disease is not so much fatality. Its morbidity, Galgiani said. Those patients [with Valley Fever] have weeks and many months of illness. With the discussion of long COVID, a lot of the symptoms that linger from valley fever are very similar to COVID. Earlier this year, the National Institute of Health (NIH) awarded additional funding to multi-disciplinary research teams in Texas and California to further diagnostics, therapeutics, and a possible vaccine for the pathogen. In February, the University of Texas at San Antonio announced the establishment of a research center for Valley Fever with NIH funding to the tune of $6.8 million. The following month, Californias UCLA announced a five-year, $8.4 million grant with NIH money to study immune system responses. Developing advanced treatment options is also a priority for researchers, some of whom are using out-of-the-box technology to attack a complex infection. My lab weaponizes copper as a therapeutic by matching it with different metal-binding compounds to promote their effect inside of a pathogen, Dr. Michael D.L. Johnson told The Epoch Times. Johnson works in immunobiology at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, where hes making strides toward new treatment options. Weve killed parasites, the fungus that causes Valley Fever, and streptococcus pneumoniae. Were excited to move this therapeutic forward to [also] kill antibiotic-resistant pathogens, he said. Progressive therapies are crucial since many who end up infected with Valley Fever either arent tested or are misdiagnosed early on. This happened to Granthams father, who suffered from Valley Fever and was originally misdiagnosed with lung cancer. He was a longtime rancher in Wyoming and spent many winters in Arizona working in his pistachio orchard in Cochise County. He went to the doctor in Wyoming, where they told him they saw a spot on his lung and suspected lung cancer, Grantham said. When I heard about it, I told my Dad to ask the doctors to do some research on Valley Fever, which theyd never heard of. It ended up that the lesions in his lungs were from a past case of Valley Fever. She maintains that many people who come to Arizona as visitors could go home with Valley Fever and be left to deal with doctors who know little to nothing about the disease. Part of that is because the fungal contagion is what Galgiani calls an orphan disease that doesnt offer much to entice pharmaceutical companies. Its not a money maker for a commercial investment. It really requires public support if anything is going to happen at all, he said. The terrorist attack on a Catholic church service in Owo, NIgeria, has led to criticism of the U.S State Department for downplaying the violence being aimed at Christians in the country. (AFP via Getty Images) State Departments Skewed Reports Enabling Nigerian Violence: Rights Advocates After the worst massacre of Catholic faithful in Nigerias history on June 5, rights advocates have rebuked the U.S. Department of States flawed conclusions in its annual religious freedom report for 2021. Instead of tongues of firebombs and firearms descended on worshippers in southwestern Ondo state [June 5] in a Pentecost Day massacre, said government critic Emmanuel Ogebe, Special Council for Justice for Jos advocacy group based in the United States. The blood of the innocents be upon the Buhari regime and their American enablers, Ogebe told The Epoch Times, referencing the brutal bombing and shooting of a Catholic congregation in Nigerias Ondo state on June 5. Ogebe and other analysts have told The Epoch Times that for years the U.S. Department of State has explained most of the violence in the Middle Belt states as a consequence of disputes over land and water resources. The latest report cites its nonprofit reporting contractors to support the same narrative. The NGO reporting groups of the International Crisis Group, Mercy Corps, and the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) are cited repeatedly in the report to show that the greatest part of the loss of life some observers have called a genocide against Christians is actually not motivated by religious extremism. Rather than religious belief or animus, we find that intercommunal violence is largely driven by insecurity and a lack of trust between ethno-religious groups competing for political power and control over natural resources, according to the ACLED report. Elsewhere the report states, Numerous fatal intercommunal clashes continued throughout the year in the north-central region between predominantly Christian farmers from various ethnic groups and predominantly Muslim herders. According to the ICG [International Crisis Group], the causes of the northwest turmoil were complex and interrelated, saying that Environmental degradation and rapid population growth have aggravated resource competition between herders and farmers. Disputes over land and water prompted both herders and farmers to form armed self-defense groups, fueling a cycle of retaliatory violence that has taken on a communal dimension. The legal experts and State Department veterans interviewed by The Epoch Times denounced this narrative. The 2021 Religious Freedom Report conveys more information about the attitudes of the State Department officials who wrote and approved it than it does about the situation on the ground in Nigeria, said former assistant secretary of state Robert Destro. Even senior Nigerian government officials fear that they will be kidnapped for ransom and murdered, and it is common knowledge that Nigerias federal police are either unwilling or unable to stop the violence. Can you imagine the uproar if the official state department narrative on Ukraine described that conflict as climate-change induced communal violence and resource competition between Russian soldiers and Ukrainian farmers? Destro said to The Epoch Times. By downplaying the ethnic, religious, and economic dimensions of the carnage, the State Department diplomats are appeasing the Nigerian government, misleading Congress, and deluding themselves. Emmanuel Ogebe, Special Counsel to Justice for Jos Project (Courtesy of Emmanuel Ogebe) Nothing says the State Department report is arrant nonsense more than the glaring facts of the rivers of martyrs blood flowing in Nigeria in which the see no genocide, hear no genocide, say no genocide Anthony Blinken team are actively covering up in defiance of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and others, Ogebe said. The communal violence explanation surfaced in a June 6 Washington Post article on the church attack. While the attack was the first of its kind in Ondo state, it fits a larger pattern of communal violence across Nigeria, according to Ebenezer Obadare, a senior fellow for African studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. That observation drew the ire of Nina Shea, a human rights attorney and scholar at the Hudson Institute, who told The Epoch Times, The Council on Foreign Relations expert insinuates that the attack on the church was somehow provoked. It was not. This was an innocent congregation in a peaceful area. This narrative of a communal violence is a well-worn tactic also used by the State Department to manipulate international opinion, avoid portraying Christians as victims of persecution and deflect attention from the real crisis of extremism infecting society and spreading throughout Nigeria. Critics also faulted State Departments approach to remediating the violence, which emphasized peace-building grants to narrow the gap between competing narratives, according to the report. Nigeria doesnt have a narrative problem, It has a security problem, Destro told The Epoch Times. The [U.S.] Embassy is fundamentally misconceiving the nature of the problem, which is a breakdown in law enforcement, Destro said. Thats like saying, we need to bridge the gap between the victim of a rape and the narrative of the police department that didnt show up, Destro added. As long as the embassy sees its role as managing narratives, there will never be a reduction of violence. The Secretary of States removal of the listing of Nigeria as a country of particular concern last November has rankled myriad human rights organizations with engagement in Nigeria. In the words of the report, The Secretary of State determined that Nigeria did not meet the criteria to be designated as a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in, or tolerating, particularly severe violations of religious freedomor as a Special Watch List country for engaging in, or tolerating, severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The listing is reserved for nations that have serious problems with human rights abuses and the Nigerians were embarrassed by it, according to Destro. A less onerous label for a nation is to be listed on a special watch list, which Nigerian didnt get either, in spite of the fact that Nigeria in 2021 saw a 15 percent increase in violent deaths over the previous year. This was not a determination but a dictatorial decision that is neither supported by fact or law, according to lawyer Ogebe. It is glaring to note that while Sudan was delisted in a prior year citing improvements in country conditions, the Blinken State Department is so incompetent and capricious, it doesnt give reasons or cite Nigerias improvements in its reversal process. Ogebe went on to say: Indeed with Sudan, the Pompeo-led State Department removed it from CPC to special watch list. Blinken on the other hand basically just disappeared Nigeria altogether in a mysterious magic trick. "Senior Speaker" Kylie Ossege addresses the seniors at the Oxford High School graduation at Pine Knob Music Theater in Independence Township, Mich. on May 19, 2022. (Daniel Mears/The Detroit News/TNS) Student Who Survived Oxford High Shooting Sues District, School Officials By Mike Martindale From The Detroit News DETROITOne of the Oxford High School students who survived being shot on November 30 has filed a federal lawsuit against the school district and four top officials for failing to intervene to prevent the tragedy. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 17-year-old Kylie Ossege, a recent Oxford High graduate, who suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder during the mass shooting at the high school in November. Four students were killed and seven others, including a teacher, were injured. The lawsuit, the latest of several state and federal complaints filed against the school, alleges gross negligence and violation of the Michigan Child Protection Law in the incident and details how events leading up to the shooting should have prompted school officials to disarm the student accused in the shooting, Ethan Crumbley, then 15. The lawsuit details how school officials had been advised of concerns of parents and that Crumbleys behavior and actions were sufficient to remove him from the school. Officials also had a duty to notify law enforcement or report suspected child abuse or neglect to child protective services, the lawsuit alleges. Instead, after a meeting between school officials and Crumbleys parents during which the parents refused to remove their son from school because they had to return to their jobs, the teen was permitted to return to class with his backpack, now believed to have contained a handgun and ammunition. Crumbley is referred to as EC in the 32-page complaint, which names the Oxford Community School District; former superintendent Timothy Throne; principal Steven Wolf; Nicholas Ejak, dean of students; and counselor Shawn Hopkins as defendants. It is shocking to the conscience that Ejak and Hopkins would release EC from the security and supervision of the counseling office and return him to the school environment where they knew: that EC was suicidal, that EC had an obsession with firearms and gun violence, that EC had been researching ammunition at school the day before, that EC had been watching violent videos of shootings at school earlier that day, that EC had drawn disturbing and violent images and words depicting gun violence and his mental disturbances, that EC was suicidal, that ECs parents were informed of ECs suicidal ideations and refused to take him for treatment, that EC was a threat to himself and others, that EC had access to firearms, and that they had the authority and obligation to keep EC away from the school environment, the complaint, filed by attorney Deborah Gordon, said. Neither Gordon nor the school district could be reached for comment Wednesday. The lawsuit seeks damages for Osseges physical injuries, and future mental and medical needs; attorney fees; and costs and economic damages. 2022 www.detroitnews.com. Visit at detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Real Debate Is Not Simply About Monarchy vs. Republic Commentary Australias newly appointed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his ministry last week. One of the ministers he has appointed will serve as the Assistant Minister for the Republic. However, the real debate in this country is not about monarchy versus republic but how to establish a better democracy in which the people are made truly sovereign. After all, as stated by former Chief Justice Anthony Mason, in Australian Capital Television Pty. Ltd. v Commonwealth (1992), ultimate sovereignty resides with the Australian people. Or at least it should. This idea of popular sovereignty suggests that every power of the state must be exercised by the people or by persons chosen by the people. However, our system of government is far from perfect, and although the Australian people should hold sovereign power, such power remains limited in a variety of undesirable ways. Take, for instance, the method for selecting the governor-general. It involves a royal appointment made on the advice of the political leader (prime minister) who commands the majority in parliament. Hence, according to Campbell Sharman, a political science professor: Australia has a Head of State which is low in political legitimacy but has all the powers bequeathed to it by the British monarchical tradition. The low legitimacy is a result of the lack of popular involvement in the choice of the governor-general. Interestingly enough, the election of the Head of State does not require a change from a constitutional monarchy to a republic. Since medieval times Western political theorists have reminded us that the legitimacy of monarchs necessarily requires the consent of the governed. This idea of popular consent was said to manifest the pact of subjection, which tacitly confers legitimacy to the royal power. In Anglo-Saxon times, for example, there was an elective element in succession to the throne, and there are still traces of this in the coronation ceremony. The Anglo-Saxons effectively chose or elected their kings, a tradition that Shakespeare made very clear in Hamlet, one of the most philosophical of his plays. Curiously, the idea of an elected governor-general was raised during the National Australasian Convention in Sydney in 1891. Sir George Grey, the oldest and most experienced delegate in that convention, argued that every officer should be elected by the people of Australia. The electors should be free to choose their governor-general. That debate over the election of the Australian Head of State did not occur in the context of republicanism. Instead, that was made in the context of representative democracy and the powers to be exercised by the executive arm of government. A pigeon sits on top of the Australian Capital Territory coat of arms outside the Magistrates Court in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 16, 2016. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) As law professor Helen Irving points out, that Australia would hold allegiance to the British monarchy was never in doubt, but that did not mean that the governor-general could not be elected. The first response to Sir Georges proposal was given by Victorias Premier James Munro. Because the governor-general would have to be the representative of the Queen, he assumed that the only way in which we can have Her Majestys present is through her representative, and if her representative is to be elected by us, and not by herself, he will not be her representative, but ours. Sir George Grey respectfully disagreed. According to him, to subject the people of this new federation to a rule of this kind is to degrade, and not to ennoble; is to lower them in their own estimation. Instead of having the Queen seek the advice of any government official, he proposed: I say that you should rather allow the people to give the advice. Why cannot the united people of Australia be capable of choosing their governor-general and advising the Queen as beneficially as a person who knows nothing about us? Sir Samuel Griffith, then the premier of Queensland and who later became Australias first Chief Justice, confessed, to a great extent, that he was quite sympathetic to Sir Georges idea of an elected governor-general. And Charles Kingston, who soon would become the premier of South Australia, not only agreed with the idea but thought that even the governors of the colonies (later to become states) should also be elected. The same debate re-emerged at the Second Australasian Federal Convention in 1897. Edmund Barton, who would serve as the nations first prime minister, reminded his colleagues that there are some who are in favour of the election of the governor-general by our people. I am aware that it is said that the election of the governor-general by the people is quite compatible with the relations which exist between us and the mother country, Barton said. Although the final decision was to have the governor-general appointed by the Queen on the advice of government officials, Irving correctly informs that, While supporters of direct election might now regret that Greys original motion was not taken more seriously, they cannot fail to recognise the logic in the argument that, as the Queens representative, the governor-general could not at the same time be the Australian peoples representative. This argumentas some of the dicta in the Conventions debate indirectly acknowledgedonly held so long as the governor-general was the Queens representative and even more so, so long as this meant, in practice, that the governor-general was the representative of the Crown or more precisely, of the British government. So, who does the governor-general represent in our current system of government? Of course, one wonders how neutral and apolitical an Australian Head of State might be now that not only retired politicians but also a Chief Health Officer and Vaccine Commander were appointed by the governors of Queensland and Western Australia, respectively. This is not what our founders wanted when they established the Australian Constitution, which further suggests that the people should directly choose the governor-general. After all, the logic of their original opposition to a direct election of the governor-general in the 1890s has wholly ceased to exist. Except in a dictatorship, the exercise of government depends on the peoples consent. Hence, the election of our Head of State would bring a higher level of legitimacy to the office. Moreover, if the governor-general were democratically elected, his responsibility would be to the people as a whole and not to a minority of political rulers who control the parliament. As can be seen, the real battle in Australia is not about monarchy versus republic. The real debate is about the Westminster system of government and a desperately needed constitutional reform. Accordingly, ultimate victory in our nation means the establishment of a more perfect democracy in which our people are finally made truly sovereign. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Tour Helicopter Carrying 6 People Crashes in Hawaii Lava Field A helicopter carrying six people seriously injured the pilot and one passenger after it went down over a remote Hawaii Island lava field late on Wednesday, officials said. Cyrus Johnasen, a Hawaii County public information office, said the tour helicopter with a pilot and five passengers on board crashed near the southernmost tip of the Big Island. At approximately 5:30 p.m., authorities received an initial report on the crash, HawaiiNewsNow reported. The Hawaii County Fire Department dispatched two helicopters to the site to airlift victims to ambulances waiting on nearby roads as vehicles were unable to access the crash site. Everyone was safely evacuated, but the pilot, described as a man in his 50s, had been stuck in the aircraft. He was safely extracted in a serious but stable condition. A second victim, a 19-year-old woman, was airlifted to Kona Community Hospital and is reportedly in serious condition, the network reported. The remaining four passengers included a woman in her teens, a 23-year-old man, a 48-year-old man, and a 54-year-old man. Their conditions ranged from stable to serious. The chopper belonged to Paradise Helicopters, Hawaiis largest locally owned and operated helicopter business. The company has identified the craft as a Bell 407, according to HawaiiNewsNow. No information was immediately released on what caused the crash. The tourist company said it is cooperating with officials and assisting everyone involved. The care of our passengers, crew members and their families is our highest priority, Calvin Dorn of K&S Helicopters said in a statement. Pictures shared on social media by the Hawaii County Fire Department show the severely damaged chopper. Mitch Roth, The mayor of Hawaii County, described the situation as fluid, The Associated Press reported. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials are said to be investigating the crash. From NTD News Donald Trump, who was then-U.S. president, daughter Ivanka Trump, and son Donald Trump Jr., make their way to board Air Force One before departing from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia on Jan. 4, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Trump, Ivanka, Donald Jr. Agree to Testify in New York Civil Probe Former President Donald Trump and his two eldest children, Donald Trump Jr.. and Ivanka Trump, have agreed to testify in a New York state civil investigation into the familys business practices, according to a court document dated June 8. The three are scheduled to give answers under oath beginning on July 15, but they have until June 13 to appeal to New York states highest court for a delay. If the court issues a stay, they wont have to testify on that date. According to the document, investigators will need to finish their questioning by the following week. The investigation into the Trumps is headed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, whose office began investigating Trump in 2019. James is looking into whether the Trump Organization misled lenders and tax authorities. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. Trump and his two children have argued that testifying in the civil probe would violate their constitutional rights because their words could be used in a related criminal investigation led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. James first issued subpoenas for the Trumps to testify more than six months ago. In response to the subpoenas, Alina Habba, an attorney for Trump and the Trump Organization, said James has weaponized her office through this political witch hunt and her actions a threat to our democracy. Trump tried to appeal Jamess effort in court. In May, a panel of judges from the New York Supreme Court ruled that Trump and his two children must testify. In December last year, Trump sued James, seeking an order for James to cease or limit her offices investigation. In his lawsuit (pdf), Trump alleged that James was using the investigation to further her political career, and the probe was a thinly-veiled effort to publicly malign Trump and his associates. Her mission is guided solely by political animus and a desire to harass, intimidate, and retaliate against a private citizen who she views as a political opponent, according to the lawsuit. Trumps lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes in late May, saying in her ruling (pdf) that there was no evidence that Jamess investigation was conducted in bad faith. Separately, New York state Judge Arthur Engoron ruled in a virtual hearing on June 8 that Trump must send James affidavits from several Trump Organization executives about their policies for retaining or destroying records. Engoron also said he would not yet fully purge a contempt order he issued against Trump. In April, Engoron found Trump in contempt for not responding to a subpoena issued by James. The judge then ordered the former president to pay a fine of $10,000 per day. Trump has paid $110,000 as one of the conditions needed to have the contempt order lifted. In July last year, the Trump Organization and its longtime finance chief, Allen Weisselberg, pleaded not guilty to tax fraud charges. Weisselbergs trial is expected to begin this year. Reuters contributed to this article. UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer meets Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin at his office during his visit to Dublin, Ireland, on June 9, 2022. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media) UK Labour Leader Says Boris Johnson Taking Wrecking Ball to UKIrish Relations UK Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of taking a wrecking ball to relations with Ireland and the EU with his plan to unilaterally scrap aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The UK government announced last month that it would introduce new legislation overriding parts of the protocol, which is part of Britains post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin warned this week that the move would represent a historic low point in AngloIrish relations. On a visit to Dublin on Thursday, Starmer said, Of course there are challenges with the protocol, but I think that we have faced much greater challenges than that in our shared history and I think we can deal with the remaining issues. He added, With good faith, statecraft and trust around the negotiating table, which is what a Labour government would bring, these problems can be overcome. He said he wanted to reiterate Labours renewed commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and said Boris Johnsons Conservative government is divided and frankly taking a wrecking ball to relations between Ireland and the UK. Starmer met Irish President Michael D. Higgins and Prime Minister Martin, as well as the countrys Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Martin wrote on Twitter that he had a good meeting with the Labour leader, who told reporters it was a very positive discussion. Coveney also wrote on Twitter: Very welcome visit from Keir Starmer today to focus on the importance of British/Irish relations and finding agreed ways forward, through negotiation, to outstanding issues of concern. There are no current issues that cannot be resolved with good will and pragmatism. On Friday, the Labour leader will be in Belfast to meet political leaders in the Northern Ireland Assembly, where he is expected to call for compromise and negotiation to end the political deadlock over the return of the power-sharing executive. The Northern Ireland Protocol has been fiercely opposed by unionists in the British province, who complain that it effectively keeps Northern Ireland within the EU single market while erecting a border in the Irish Sea between the province and mainland Britain. Northern Ireland has not had a functioning local government since February, when the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), then the largest party in the regional assembly, withdrew from the power-sharing executive in protest against the protocol. PA Media contributed to this report. A new review has called for the age limit for buying cigarettes to rise every year. (Martin Rickett/PA Media) UK Proposal to Raise Legal Smoking Age Criticised as Creeping Prohibition A proposal to raise the legal age of smoking year by year so that eventually no one can buy tobacco and cigarettes has met with a mixed response in the UK, with critics slamming it as an attempt at creeping prohibition. A government-commissioned review has said that the minimum age at which people can buy a tobacco product in England should go up by a year annually until the point where no one can buy them. Dr. Javed Khan, who led the study into how England can become smoke-free, put the annual cost to society of smoking at around 17 billion ($21 billion) and said making smoking obsolete in England would lift around 2.6 million adults and one million children out of poverty. Khan, former chief executive of childrens charity Barnardos, also called for a tobacco licence for retailers to limit the availability of tobacco across the country. He said the government should ban supermarkets from selling tobacco and ban online sales for all tobacco products. Furthermore, Khan said the government should substantially raise the cost of duties (more than 30 percent) across all tobacco products to make smoking more expensive and abolish duty-free cigarettes. Smoking should also be banned outside cafes, restaurants, and pubs, and in all outdoor areas where children are present, for example, public beaches, he added. The Royal College of Physicians backed the reviews findings, and a Downing Street spokesman said the review will be carefully considered. But smokers lobby group Forest criticised the recommendations. Forest director Simon Clark said: Creeping prohibition wont stop young adults smoking. It will simply drive the sale of tobacco underground and consumers will buy cigarettes on the black market where no one pays tax and products are completely unregulated. He added: Ultimately this is about freedom of choice and personal responsibility and ministers must think very carefully before they adopt prohibition and coercion as tools to achieve their smoke-free goal. The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a London-based free-market think tank, also dismissed the review as the start of incremental prohibition of tobacco. In an article for The New Statesman magazine, Christopher Snowdon, IEA head of lifestyle economics, described the call to raise the smoking age as a puritanical minority going after a poor and marginalised minority. He said that increasing the smoking age to 21 is not comparable with other age restrictions, such as voting, drinking, and sexual relations. PA Media contributed to this report. A Ukrainian serviceman walks in a destroyed grain silos after a morning strike, near the town of Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on June 8, 2022. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) Ukraine Claims Troops Hold on Sievierodonetsk, Advance in South KYIV/SLOVIANSK, UkraineUkrainian troops claimed on Thursday to have pushed forward in intense street fighting in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, but said their only hope to turn the tide was more artillery to offset Russias massive firepower. In the south, Ukraines defence ministry said it had captured new ground in a counter-attack in Kherson Province. The battle amid the ruins of Sievierodonetsk, a small industrial city, has become one of the wars bloodiest, with Russia concentrating its invasion force there. Sievierodonetsk and its twin city Lysychansk on the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets river are the last Ukrainian-held parts of Luhansk Province, which Moscow aims to seize as one of its principal war objectives. In a rare update from Sievierodonetsk, the commander of a Ukraines Svoboda National Guard Battalion, Petro Kusyk, said Ukrainians were drawing the Russians into street fighting to neutralise Russias artillery advantage. Yesterday was successful for uswe launched a counteroffensive and in some areas, we managed to push them back one or two blocks. In others they pushed us back, but just by a building or two, he said in a televised interview. He said his forces were suffering from a catastrophic lack of counter-battery artillery to fire back at Russias guns. Getting such weapons would transform the battlefield, allowing the Ukrainians to fend off Russian artillery, he claimed. Sievierodonetsk Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk said on Thursday around 10,000 civilians were still trapped inside the cityaround a tenth of its pre-war population. In his nightly video address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the fate of the Donbass region was being decided in Sievierodonetsk, a very brutal battle, very tough, perhaps one of the most difficult throughout this war. To the west of Sievierodonetsk, Russia is pushing from the north and south, trying to trap Ukrainian forces in the Donbass region comprising Luhansk and neighbouring Donetsk Province, blasting Ukrainian-held towns in their path with artillery. Kherson Counter-Offensive The Ukrainian Defence Ministry claimed on Thursday its forces had won back some territory in a counter-offensive in Kherson. A Ukrainian soldier stands outside a school hit by Russian rockets in the southern Ukraine village of Zelenyi Hai between Kherson and Mykolaiv, on April 1, 2022. (Bulent Kilic/AFP via Getty Images) It gave no details but said the Russian forces had suffered losses in manpower and equipment, mined territory as they were pushed back and erected barricades. Ukraine had reported a counter-offensive in Kherson last week, claiming to have seized ground on the south bank of the Inhulets river forming a boundary of the province. The situation could not be independently confirmed. Ukraine is one of the worlds biggest grain and food oil exporters, and international attention has focused in recent weeks on the threat of international famine seen as caused by blockade of Ukraines Black Sea ports. Moscow blames the global food crisis on Western sanctions against Russia, which it says are restricting its own grain exports. It says it is willing to allow Ukrainian ports to reopen for exports if Ukraine removes mines and meets other conditions; Kyiv says such offers are empty promises. Turkey, a NATO power with good relations with both Kyiv and Moscow and control of the outlet to the Black Sea, has tried to mediate, hosting Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for talks on Tuesday. The grain crisis took front stage at a meeting of the OECD group of developed countries in Paris. We need to unblock the millions of tonnes of cereals that are stuck there because of the conflict, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said in a speech. We have to offer President Zelenskiy the assurances he needs that the (Black Sea) ports will not be attacked. By Pavel Polityuk and Abdelaziz Boumzar President Joe Biden delivers remarks before signing nine bills into law with the goal of improving military veterans' lives in the State Dining Room at the White House on June 7, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) US Solar Companies Mull Legal Challenge After Biden Pauses Tariffs on Solar Imports U.S. solar manufacturers are considering legal action after President Joe Biden moved to put off new tariffs on solar imports from Southeast Asian countries. According to the White Houses announcement on June 6, the tariff suspension applied to these imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, that supply about 80 percent of photovoltaic cells and modules used in the United States, and will be effective for two years. Biden also activated the Defense Production Act (DPA) to help industries accelerate domestic production and give solar manufacturers other incentives through federal purchasing. The scheme is set to help reach Bidens goal of a net carbon-neutral energy sector in the next 13 years. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the move came in response to an energy emergency: in this case the threat to the availability of sufficient electricity-generation capacity to meet expected customer demand. In March, the Commerce Department launched an investigation into whether Chinese solar manufacturers had been improperly funneling parts through those four Asian countries. The probe came following an appeal lodged by California-based Auxin Solar with the Commerce Department alleging that China was illegally bypassing existing tariffs aimed at ensuring fair competition for American products. In 2011, the United States charged China with dumping solar panels in the U.S. market, that is, selling them below cost to drown out local competitors. The administration said the two-year moratorium would not affect the existing probe, but said that these imports will not be subjected to retroactive tariff collection. The White House said that the suspension would be the bridge helping to boost the stalling solar industry in the United States. Yet, Auxin argued that Bidens actions would help Chinas state-subsidized solar companies at the expense of U.S. manufacturers. President Biden is significantly interfering in Commerces quasi-judicial process, Mamun Rashid, CEO of Auxin Solar, told AP in a statement. By taking this unprecedentedand potentially illegalaction, (Biden) has opened the door wide for Chinese-funded special interests to defeat the fair application of U.S. trade law, Rashid added. According to Rashid, the White House neither consulted with Auxin nor other U.S. producers prior to the announcement. Auxin is now evaluating all of our legal options, he said. Meanwhile, Timothy Brightbill, a legal representative for domestic solar manufacturers, said that the declaration of a national emergency was used as the pretext to denounce the ongoing trade examination. That is unprecedented, it is bad law and it is extremely bad, short-sighted policy, because it only makes us more dependent on Chinese-owned solar companies, Brightbill told AP on June 7. His argument echoed that of Sen. Ron Johnsons (R-Wis.), who said that Biden invoked a wartime law, the DPA, to purchase Chinese solar panel parts. I think this is a lawless act by this administration, Johnson told Newsmax on Tuesday. First Solar, the countrys largest solar panel manufacturer, rebuked the administrations move. The moratorium sends the message that companies can circumvent American laws and that the U.S. government will let them get away with it and that the U.S. government will let them get away with it as long as theyre backed by deep-pocketed political pressure campaign, vice president Samantha Sloan told Solar Power World in a statement. Hal Harrell, superintendent of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, speaks during the first public meeting since the May 24 mass shooting at an elementary school, in Uvalde, Texas, on June 3, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Uvalde Superintendent Refuses to Talk About Embattled School District Police Chief as Lawmakers Start Probe Says district will hire more police Uvaldes school superintendent on June 9 refused to answer questions about the school districts police chief, several weeks after a mass shooting claimed 21 lives in the Texas town. Thats a personnel question. Im not going to be able to get into that in a public forum, Hal Harrell, the superintendent, said to one of multiple questions about Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Peter Arrendondo. Arrendondo, who was not present, gave the order not to immediately breach the classroom inside Robb Elementary School on May 24 despite an armed man being inside and multiple students still being alive, a preliminary investigation found. Arredondo was sworn in as a city councilman in May but missed the councils meeting on Tuesday. Harrell was asked whether he still has confidence in the law enforcement official, whether Arrendondo is still employed, and whether he has communicated with him at all. He was also pressed on why the district put out messages on social media on the morning of the shooting that students were safe when, in fact, the shooter was inside the school and had not been stopped by law enforcement. Harrell also declined to answer questions about the messages, citing an ongoing investigation led by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The official did say that the districts officers have been conducting security walks on all campuses in the wake of the shooting and that there are plans to hire additional officers. Were in the process of developing a list of actions we can take to strengthen security on all of our campuses. In addition, law enforcement officers have been assigned to each campus during summer school, Harrell said. It is our goal to hire additional officers to be assigned to each campus for the upcoming school year. According to the preliminary investigation, the school resource officer at Robb Elementary was not on campus when the shooter went onto the grounds. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said this week that state officials should make sure every child in Uvalde has access to mental health support services. Harrell said the students who attended Robb are all going to Flores Elementary School, which will help the district meet their unique needs. Robb will never again host students after the shooting, officials have said. The U.S. Department of Justice is also probing the law enforcement response to the shooting, and the Texas legislature on Thursday launched its own probe. The entire state of Texas deserves the facts and answers as to what happened leading up to, during, and in the aftermath of this tragedy, state Rep. Dustin Burrows, a Republican chairing the House panel looking at the response, said in his opening remarks for the panels first meeting. And this committee will do everything in its power to get to the bottom of this. The panel went into closed session, blocking the public from viewing, when it began interviewing witnesses. We Must Save the 4th of Julyand OurselvesFrom Cancellation by the Left Commentary While I wrote The 56 in desperation as a way to warn against the far-lefts stated desire to cancel the Fourth of July and our Founding Fathers, it isnt a Fourth of July book. Rather, its an everyday plea that if we dont collectively jump into that arena made famous by Teddy Roosevelts 1910 speech, the Republic envisioned and created by the blood, sweat, tears, courage, and supreme sacrifice of the 56 Signers of The Declaration of Independence will soon exist no more. On July 3, 2021, I had no thought nor any intention of writing The 56. On that day, I was more focused on where best to watch the Fourth of July fireworks. Then, as the next day heralded the birthday of our nation, I took a tour through a few of the more liberal news websites. It was then that I witnessed far-left voices calling for the cancellation of not only the Fourth of July, but also the continued smearing and cancellation of our Founding Fathers. As I looked, one overriding thought filled my mind: What if theyre successful? Those who believe such totalitarian censorship could never come to be in the United States of America need only review how quickly and brutally many on the left were able to create the woke cancel culture to silence those they oppose. Now they openly declare that theyre coming for Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Franklin, and others who courageously signed The Declaration of Independence. Because of that, this book was born on that Fourth of July. That Declaration and those men created our historya history that should never be bent, twisted, censored, or banned to fit any ideological narrative. As I stress in The 56, if its bad, let us condemn it and learn from it. If its good, let us praise it and try to replicate the good. But let us never twist, censor, or cancel our shared U.S. history. The question of our time then becomes, Who is to stop them? Us. As I also highlight, each of us can still instill the lessons of liberty handed down from those who put their very lives on the line to sign The Declaration of Independence. As the 56 signers knew, unless and until those who push tyranny imprison us or take our lives, they cant silence our individual voices. They cant stop us from passing along the truth from one American patriot to the next. Teddy Roosevelt said it best back in 1910, when he rightfully declared: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. No one is coming to save us. The far-left truly assumes that those who believe in the genius of our Founding Fathers, the Republic they created, the rule of law, and a God above will remain the cold and timid souls sitting high in the stands far away from the battle on the arena floor. That assumption is fatally flawed. With each passing day, more and more patriots do realize that we must save ourselves. Again, the 56 led by example. Each man understood that the second they signed The Declaration of Independence, they were also signing their own death warrants. And yet every single man went to stand on the floor of that arena so that a people being crushed under the boot of tyranny would know victoryand liberty. They knew no one was coming to save them. Before it became a cliche for the left to mock, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and Hancock knew: If not us, who? If not now, when? The time to once again ask those two questions is upon us. Within The 56, I draw the parallels between the tyranny of 1776 and today while pointing out that todays tyranny is exponentially more dangerous. But even given that ominous reality, we need only remember that the 56 left us the greatest example of all. They left us the very blueprint to protect our rights, our lives, and our futuresrights and freedoms that, as they rightfully stressed, were bestowed upon each of us by God. At the close of The 56, I point out how we can become the 2022-and-beyond version of The Sons and Daughters of Liberty. We can save ourselves. We can save the greatest nation the world has ever known. Liberty. Add your voice to spread the word. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Biden administration today said it made available 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for children under age 5 to states and healthcare workers with millions more available in the coming weeks. The White House unveiled its Operational Plan for vaccinating the youngest age group one week before advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are scheduled to meet to decide whether to grant Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna pediatric vaccines for babies as young as 6 months old. According to the White House: If FDA authorizes and [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] recommends one or both of the COVID-19 vaccines for this age group, it would be a historic milestone in the nations fight against the virus and would mean nearly every American is eligible for the protection that vaccination provides. Children under 5 could begin receiving the vaccines as early as the week of June 20th with the program ramping up over time as more doses are delivered and more appointments become available, the White House said. Senior administration officials told The New York Times orders for the vaccines from states have been somewhat tepid so far. Of the 5 million doses offered last week prior to todays announcement 58% of the available Pfizer vaccines were ordered, and roughly a third of the available Moderna vaccines had been ordered. The vaccines, paid for by the U.S. government, are being made available to pediatricians offices, community health centers, rural health clinics, childrens hospitals, public health clinics, local pharmacies and other community-based organizations. The administration said it will remain laser-focused on equity and making sure that we reach those hardest-hit and most at-risk communities. The plan includes working with programs such as Head Start and the Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, Program in addition to Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, and Latino, Black and Native American community programs. The White House also will focus on parents, especially moms: What to Expect, a platform of over 20 million moms, will author a blog series featuring doctors and other trusted experts answering questions about pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, and how moms, expecting moms, and all parents can get the information they need to get themselves and their children vaccinated; author new articles dispelling myths about the COVID-19 vaccine and children; and create and amplify new What to Expect social media content, reaching moms where they are and fighting vaccine misinformation across all platforms. Critics Question Need, Raise Safety, Efficacy Concerns Many experts have questioned the need to vaccine young children in part because the virus poses little-to-no serious risk to them and in part because, according to the CDC, the majority of children have already had, and recovered from the virus. Dr. Marty Makary last week told Fox News the COVID-19 vaccines do not make sense for most kids. Makary, a physician and public health researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said: If you look at the fact that 75% of kids had COVID as of a CDC study back in February and Omicron has been ubiquitous since then, 80 to 90 plus percent of kids have already had COVID. So were talking about immunizing those who are already immune for a lot of people. That just does not make sense. Others, including Dr. Michelle Perro, a pediatrician, have warned about the risks associated with the vaccine, and evidence the vaccines provide weak protection, especially as they were designed for the original Wuhan strain which has been supplanted by a wave of new strains. In a letter submitted Wednesday to the FDA, 18 members of Congress addressed a number of concerns about the vaccines. They asked the agency to, Please list the medical emergencies of children 0 to 4 years old that enables the FDA to approve the COVID vaccine for children using its EUA. In all, the Congress members demanded answers to 19 questions and requested a response before next weeks meeting. Commenting on todays announcement by the White House and on its timing a week before FDA scientists meet to review data on the vaccines Childrens Health Defense (CHD) Chairman and Chief Legal Counsel Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. called on parents and physicians now more than ever to step into the breach to protect our babies from our government. Kennedy said the COVID-19 countermeasures, including the vaccines, were never about science or public health. He added: Now they have departed from common sense and into naked cruelty and barbarism. By recommending an unapproved, experimental, zero-liability and high-risk medical intervention for an illness that poses zero statistical danger to that age group, the White House has made itself the enemy of Americas children. The Pharma gods have demanded child sacrifice and the high priests of public health have offered a generation of infants. Now more than ever, parents and physicians must step into the breach to protect our babies from our government. Kennedy and CHD in February delivered a letter to top public health officials and the FDAs Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee urging them to reject Pfizers application for EUA of its COVID vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age. According to the letter: We are writing to put you on notice that should you recommend this pediatric EUA vaccine to children under five years old, CHD is poised to take legal action against you. CHD will seek to hold you accountable for recklessly endangering this population with a product that has little, no, or even negative net efficacy but which may put them, without warning, at risk of many adverse health consequences, including heart damage, stroke and other thrombotic events and reproductive harms. The FDA was originally scheduled to meet Feb. 15 to review Pfizers EUA application for COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months to 5 years old, but postponed the meeting citing insufficient data. Pfizer resubmitted its application June 1. Moderna submitted its application for the vaccine for children 6 months to age 6 on April 28, after changing its efficacy claims to meet FDA guidelines. 06/09/22 Childrens Health Defense, Inc. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of Childrens Health Defense, Inc. Want to learn more from Childrens Health Defense? Sign up for free news and updates from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the Childrens Health Defense. Your donation will help to support us in our efforts. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. White House Responds After Man Allegedly Tried Killing Supreme Courts Kavanaugh The White House has responded after a man was arrested for allegedly attempting to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on June 8. The president condemns the actions of this individual in the strongest terms and is grateful to law enforcement for quickly taking him into custody, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Air Force One en route to California. As the President has consistently made clear, public officials, including judges, must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety or that of their families. And any threats of violence or attempts to intimidate justices have no place in our society, she added. Nicholas Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, California, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday near Kavanaughs home in Chevy Chase. Authorities said he had a gun, a knife, and various other items, such as duct tape, and planned to break into Kavanaughs house and kill the justice. Roske said in federal court in Greenbelt during his initial appearance that he wouldnt say Im thinking clearly. He said he had taken medication prescribed to him by a doctor. According to charging documents, Roske hatched the plan because he was upset about the recent Supreme Court draft decision that was leaked. The decision indicated the court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, giving authority to regulate abortion back to states. Roske also expressed concern that Kavanaugh would side with Second Amendment decisions that would loosen gun control laws. It wasnt clear whether Kavanaugh, who has a wife and two daughters and was appointed by former President Donald Trump, was home when Roske was arrested. Before boarding Air Force One in Maryland, Biden didnt address the arrest. Some lawmakers had called on the president to personally condemn violent threats and actions against justices. Around the same time, Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, told reporters at the Department of Justice that this kind of behavior is obviously behavior that we will not tolerate and that prosecutors would work to hold the man who was arrested accountable. Federal authorities have neglected thus far to charge the protesters who have gathered outside the homes of Kavanaugh and others since the draft opinion was leaked with crimes, despite legal experts saying they are in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1507, which prohibits picketing or parading near a judges residence with the intent of influencing the judge. Protesters are seeking to convince the four justices who reportedly signed onto Justice Samuel Alitos opinion against Roe v. Wade to shift positions. Garland did order around-the-clock security for all nine justices homes, and two deputy U.S. Marshals were said to have locked eyes with Roske when he arrived outside Kavanaughs abode before he walked down the street and called 911 on himself. Roske was charged with violating a different law, 18 U.S.C. 115, which bars attempting to kidnap or murder, or threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder federal judges. Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in May that the White House encouraged peaceful protests outside of judges homes, while avoiding questions of the apparent violations of federal law. On Wednesday, Jean-Pierre said that the Department of Homeland Security is working with partners in the government and private sector to share timely information and intelligence to prevent all forms of violence and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe. She also said that the president supports legislation that would fund increased security for the Supreme Court and the justices. The bill was passed by the Senate in May but remains stalled in the House of Representatives over efforts to extend protection to clerks. Fascinated by the unbelievably humongous size of the Malabar giant squirrels, an Indian photographer has captured a series of incredible photos and videos of these brightly colored creatures. Kaushik Vijayan, whos worked in the finance department of a multinational company in Saudi Arabia for the past 15 years, currently resides in his hometown of Kerala, India. The 42-year-old had an inclination for photography from a young age but didnt start his journey until he went to the Middle East and got himself a point-and-shoot camera. Then 5 years ago, he purchased a DSLR camera and began to explore more. He experimented with subjects ranging from portraits to landscapes and eventually realized that photographing wildlife connected with him the most. Vijayan continued to work on his skill and love for wildlife by challenging himself to improve. From casually clicking pictures as a hobby, I turned it into a routine of capturing at least an interesting photograph every day and comparing it with the photograph I took the previous day in hopes of bettering myself each day, Vijayan told The Epoch Times. The amateur photographer was so committed to improving his art that he would drive nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles) to capture images of wildlife, despite work days that started at 8 a.m. In his constant search for betterment, he would study his images and tweak his technique. It was about this time that Vijayan stumbled upon the Malabar giant squirrel near his wifes residence in the forest of Pathanamthitta in India. Malabar giant squirrels, which are endemic to India, can grow up to 36 inches in length from head to tail and can leap up to 20 feet as they travel among tree branches. Their stunning multicolor coats, replete with hues of purple, maroon, hints of orange, and deep blue-black, set them apart from their more neutral brown, black, and gray relatives. When Vijayan first came across these species, he was awestruck by the unbelievable size of the squirrels and said that he was left speechless by the animals movements: the way they moved through the trees and swiftly swished their long tails, adding, all the while remaining unimaginably cute, as they go about their business. Vijayan started to capture images of these incredible squirrels by taking a few random shots, and then returned to study their behavior, activities, and motions. His greatest difficulty, he shared, was tracking the animals and then locating the best vantage point from which to photograph. At times, we can only find them in deep forest areas which are not accessible to us, Vijayan said. The speed at which the squirrels traverse between trees also makes it extremely difficult to capture their photographs. However, once he managed to take care of that, the rest of the process followed naturally, he said. The images are all taken in raw format and he then uses light enhancement on Lightroom and Photoshop before converting the photos to other formats and sharing them on social media. The time hes spent observing the Malabar giant squirrel has not only advanced his skill in photography, but also taught him a few things about the fascinating animal. Vijayan revealed that the generally calm squirrel makes a much louder noise than other squirrels in nature, especially in response to potential danger. He has also come to understand that their primary food source is fruits, along with select baby leaves. The talented photographer also shared about their fondness for jackfruit and coconut. The one thing that spiked my curiosity was how these squirrels break open a whole coconut to drink the water inside, Vijayan said. That sight still amazes me. Vijayan is not the only one who is amazed; his pictures of the Malabar giant squirrels have left others in amazement too. Everyone including me is awestruck looking at this beautiful creation of nature. Something unimaginable yet gorgeous at the same time, Vijayan said, describing the reactions hes received to the images hes shared on social media. Since taking the images of Malabar giant squirrels, Vijayan has photographed numerous wild animals and promotes his photographs on Instagram and Facebook. He also manages a wildlife Facebook page boasting over 100,000 followers from around the world. His incredible series of images include a vast array of animals, ranging from Saudi Arabian scorpions to turquoise Indian rollers; from red-whiskered bulbul to doe-eyed nilgai. It is a veritable gallery of the vibrant and the peculiar among wild creatures. The former amateur is now a dedicated wildlife photographer, something hed never thought of in his wildest dreams, he said. Over the course of time, his interest and enthrallment with wild subjects have only deepened. What started off as a simple hobby has turned into a work of passion and commitment, enabling others to also appreciate the beauty of natures fascinating characters. The sense of accomplishment that I find while capturing every single image keeps me going day after day, Vijayan said. 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 Brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell measuring a cannon near the wreck of HMS Gloucester, which was found off the coast of Norfolk, United Kingdom, in an undated photo issued on June 10, 2022. (Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks/PA) Wreck of Ship That Almost Killed King James II Found off English Coast The wreck of a 17th century ship that almost cost the life of the future King James II when it sank has been found off the east coast of England. HMS Gloucester sank in the North Sea in 1682 and the wreck has now been discovered 28 miles off the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. The ship had been carrying the Duke of York, James Stuart, who three years later would become the last Roman Catholic King of England. Professor Claire Jowitt, a maritime history expert at the University of East Anglia, said it could be the single most significant historic maritime discovery since King Henry VIIIs flagship, the Mary Rose, was discovered and raised from the seabed off Portsmouth in 1982. The Mary Rose sank in 1545 with the loss of 500 lives. She said: The discovery promises to fundamentally change understanding of 17th-century social, maritime, and political history. It is an outstanding example of underwater cultural heritage of national and international importance. The discovery comes only a week after news emerged the wrecks of two 18th century Spanish ships had been discovered off the coast of Colombia. The wrecks were close to the resting place of the galleon San Jose, which was sunk by the British near Cartagena in 1708 and is believed to contain huge amounts of treasure. The wreck of the HMS Gloucester was found by Lincoln Barnwell and his brother Julian, who spent four years searching miles of seabed off the Norfolk coast. Lincoln Barnwell said: We were starting to believe that we were not going to find her, wed dived so much and just found sand. On my descent to the seabed, the first thing I spotted were large cannon laying on white sand, it was awe-inspiring and really beautiful. It instantly felt like a privilege to be there, it was so exciting. The ship, which was en route from Portsmouth to Edinburgh to collect the heavily pregnant wife of the Duke of York, ran aground as the royal heir argued with the ships pilot, James Ayres. More than half of the 250 people on board drowned but James survived and refused to accept any responsibility for the incident, blaming Ayres, who was court-martialled and jailed. In 1685 the Duke of York was crowned King James II but three years later he was deposed by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange, in what is known as the Glorious Revolution. James later tried to regain the throne but his campaign in Ireland ended with defeat at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, an event which marked the defeat of Catholicism in the British Isles and is still celebrated by the Protestant Orange Order in Northern Ireland to this day. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK More than a decade after the last Norwalk Harbor Splash festival, the city is still looking for a place the events commemorative dragon boat sculpture can call home. The Norwalk Harbor Splash festival, which began in 1995, occurred annually for about 14 years in South Norwalk, Donna Schlegel, who helped create the festival, said during this weeks Arts Commission meeting. Schlegel worked for the Maritime Aquarium as a community service coordinator when the festival was started, before shifting to volunteer coordinator for Norwalks health department. Part of my responsibility was outreach into the community, which included me in the Harbor Splash and South Norwalk Business Association. We developed Harbor Splash, which was an event that took place to encourage basically tourism and appreciation of the water, Schlegel said. It went on for more than 10 years. The annual festival lasted for four to five days and, one year, included bringing the Australian flagship Endeavor, Schlegel said. The most notable aspect of the annual festival was the dragon boat races in Norwalk Harbor. What remains of the festival, and its dragon boats, is a gold sculpture, roughly 2 feet across and 1 foot high. Schlegel said the dragon boat sculpture was crafted by a boat-building volunteer at the festival, Rand Arrowitz. The sculpture, which depicts one of the dragon boats, now sits in Schlegels office at the health department, but she, along with Arts Commission member Melissa Matuska, are looking for the artworks permanent home. The dragon boat races were part of Harbor Splash. It was not just dragon boat races, but it was the most visible piece that still remains of Splash and its really the most compelling piece because its gorgeous, Schlegel said. The festival contributed significantly to the areas culture and community, including the foundation of the annual chowder cook-off, Schlegel said. The chowder cook-off started with the South Norwalk Splash festival, because we had so many restaurants in SoNo, we wanted to get people walking around and involved walking into the restaurants and sampling some of the chowders there, Schlegel said. We had artists that sing and dance on the streets. We had a gigantic dragon puppet that led a parade of all the dragon boat teams, which were anywhere from 12-to-14-strong, so it built a lot in the community. The sculpture technically belongs to the South Norwalk Business Association, which disbanded around the time of the final festival in the late 2000s, Schlegel said. The South Norwalk Business Association is no longer operational. Because we had raised funds for the festival, there was about close to $20,000 in our dragon boat fund and the business association, Schlegel said. Nearly all the $20,000 was donated to the Maritime Aquarium and Seaport Association, as they were the two supporting organizations of the Harbor Splash festival, Schlegel said. The remaining $2,500 was kept in reserve along with the dragon trophy in case the funds were needed to construct an exhibit for the trophy. The Arts Commission previously heard an appeal to add the sculpture to the community room in City Hall, which is lined with empty display and bookcases, but the effort was turned down several years ago, Matuska said. They were installing bookcases in the community room, and we were looking to possibly install it there, but other people were interested in putting stuff in those bookcases and we thought that was the perfect place for it to go, Matuska said. No one had any plans of what they wanted to do in that room and thats where we wanted to put it. Matuska had plans to pursue the sculpture placement, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those plans, and the sculptures home sat on the back-burner until Tuesdays meeting. Following Tuesdays discussion of the sculpture, any move to add it to the citys collection of public art were tabled while Schlegel worked out the logistics of who owned the sculpture and the commission determined how it was decided what items were to be placed in the community room. abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com MILFORD Police say a Shelton woman arrested last week helped plan a January home invasion on Naugatuck Avenue during which the suspects dressed in Amazon uniforms. Dominique Jackson, 25, faces charges of home invasion, first-degree robbery, and first-degree larceny, and three counts of conspiracy. She has posted a $150,000 bond and is due in court June 21. According to an arrest warrant, the victim from whom tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and watches, cash, and a gun were taken during the Jan. 10 stick-up told police soon afterward that he suspected he had been set up by Jackson. According to the warrant, written by Detective Tyrone Dancy, the victim told police he had been in a relationship with Jackson that had begun last October. The victim stated that after the incident of the home invasion, Dominique Jackson abruptly cut of all communications with him, the warrant says. The victim also stated that he received communication from Dominique Jackson the morning of the home invasion at which time she asked him if he was home. Police also reported finding messages between Jackson and Jahsim Trotman, one of the suspects charged in the heist, with images of the victims jewelry and appraisal paperwork along with screenshots of his social media. Cops said they also discovered several phone calls between the pair after the robbery in cell records. Jackson is the third suspect charged in the case. Trotman was arrested in March. A month later, police charged another suspect, Shane Gordon. Both face charges of home invasion, first-degree robbery, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, first-degree larceny and three counts of conspiracy. Trotman and Gordon have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Each has been released after posting $750,000 bond and are due back in court next month. Police said in January that two armed individuals forced their way into a home in the Devon Manor apartment complex off Naugatuck Avenue, after a resident opened the door to accept a package. Amazon said in a statement at the time that the assailants were not employees of the company. We are glad the family is safe after this horrible incident, a company spokesperson said in January. The warrant says surveillance video depicted the suspects using a Hyundai Genesis with a California plate which was caught by a license plate reader in Bridgeport about an hour before the robbery. Two days later, a lieutenant in the Bridgeport polices gang intelligence unit reported to Milford cops that an informant identified the suspects as Gordon, Trotman, and another alleged accomplice who has not yet been arrested. Cops found Gordon had a Hyundai Genesis like the one used in the robbery, and later found it at the Shelton address of one of the other suspects. They obtained a search warrant for the home, where they allegedly found clothes identical to those worn by one of the suspects in the robbery, but the man denied being involved and said he was home all day. The warrant says police later obtained search warrants for the suspects cell phone records, which allegedly showed the suspects phone communicating in the time leading up to the robbery and traveling together to and from the stick-up. There are times when her shift is so busy and the facility is so understaffed that Liz Diaz says it takes her two hours to get a drink for a resident of the West Haven nursing home where she works. There are more falls, said Diaz, a certified nurses assistant at Apple Rehab in West Haven. People arent getting proper care. Everyone is very busy. Were doing one task after another. Its so fast-paced that there is no time to spend with residents and that I really dont like. Diaz was among hundreds of nursing home workers throughout the state and country who picketed outside their place of work Wednesday afternoon to demand raises, better benefits and more protections for residents during a national Day of Action to launch a campaign to demand industry change. The pandemic highlighted the gaps in care that nursing homes have been struggling with for years, according to officials with the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199, SEIU and the parent SEIU union that encompasses organizations throughout the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. The status quo in our nursing homes is not working not for workers, residents or for families, SEIU President Mary Kay Henry said in a statement. As the nation looks to move past COVID-19, nursing home workers and residents are facing a system on the brink of collapse. Executives at the Apple Rehab corporate offices did not return phone calls and emails Wednesday. Black and brown women comprise the majority of nursing home staff who have kept caring for residents even as the industry is struggling, Henry said. Thats why workers are taking action now across the country to demand nursing home workers be respected, protected and paid living wages, Henry added. The New England Health Care Employees Union was able to negotiate raises, cheaper health care premiums and pension benefits for employees of about 60 nursing homes throughout Connecticut with the help of state funding, union spokesperson Pedro Zayas said. But the three Apple Rehab nursing homes in West Haven, Rocky Hill and Uncasville, that are represented by the union havent sought state funding, Zayas said. That means health care and pension benefits for workers at those homes werent enacted in the same way as other homes that sought and obtained state funding, Zayas said. We are very happy that Connecticut made some significant steps to improve these jobs, Zayas said. But its unfortunate that we still have operators who refuse to do the right thing for these workers. Diaz and Stephanie Booth, a licensed practical nurse at Apple Rehab in Uncasville, face challenges every day due to a lack of staff at their facilities, both women said. Were doing the work of five people, Booth said. Were looking for increased wages because we have a severe staffing crisis, Booth said. We cant get anyone in the door because of the pay. The pandemic has led to staffing shortages that are impacting the care of residents, Diaz said. Her facility lost a lot of residents to COVID-19, which was heartbreaking, she said. But following months of working through the pandemic, staffing is so critically low its become difficult to properly care for the residents, Diaz said. I didnt get into this business to see this kind of thing, she said. I became an aide to help these people. Edwardsville School District 7's Center for Learning has found a home in the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities on North Main Street. District 7 and Lewis and Clark Community College entered a five-year license earlier this year that grants District 7 the use of five offices, a small classroom, a large classroom and access to the large meeting space in the center. The rest of the building would be overseen by LCCC for programming and rental. Once the home of Lincoln School, the building was donated to LCCC by entrepreneur and Black business leader Mannie Jackson to house the former Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation. LCCC opened the renovated building in December 2015. The District 7 Director of Curriculum and Instruction, the District 7 Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Elementary Education Director, two administrative assistants and related staff have moved into the building alongside Lewis and Clark Community College staff as of earlier this spring. The biggest challenge for us in our district is that we really dont have dedicated meeting space for any central office meetings outside of our board room, which is kind of limited in its use," Superintendent Patrick Shelton said. At the same time we also are hurting for office space. We already have some of our central office staff who are not located at Hadley, so we really needed to move a whole department somewhere if possible. Therefore, when LCCC held community forums in November last year to discuss what to do with the space, District 7 approached the college about using the same as the District 7 Center for Learning. Since the start of May, administrative and teacher meetings have been held at the center and Shelton said the move has freed up some space at Hadley House, which is where the administration offices are located. "Having this space available has been amazing. Weve been able to hold some of our larger meetings that we may have struggled with before," Shelton said. Of course it does take our district staff and put them in two different locations, so that comes with its own challenges, but none of them insurmountable." While the space that District 7 leases through the agreement will give District 7 more room, this five-year agreement is about more than just physical growth. We really wanted to look at expanding our partnership with Lewis and Clark," Shelton said. "Really the underlying theme of all of this is expanding partnership with them, and part of that is having people in the same building at the same time." District 7 already has a partnership with LCCC with both the Nelson Campus and through sending students to LCCC in Godfrey for programming. Having staff from both the Nelson and Godfrey campus working in the same building as District 7 staff, "just gives us a better opportunity to expand our programming that we offer in conjunction with Lewis and Clark," Shelton said. The space is centered around District 7's adult learning and provides a place for teachers to gather for ongoing professional development. The space is not currently set aside for student use but Shelton said that may be a possibility in the future. They have discussed the possibility of exhibits and other opportunities to use the reserved space for students to come into the building, but those opportunities have not been identified at this time. I think any time that we can expand our partnerships as public education bodies its helpful to students," Shelton said. "I think ultimately, if we can expand our use of Lewis and Clark, its going to help their student population grow and at the same time it will help us fulfill our mission of making sure that were creating opportunities for kids to experience success outside of the education setting. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BEIJING (AP) Thousands of coronavirus testing sites have popped up on sidewalks across Beijing and other Chinese cities in the latest development in the country's zero-COVID strategy. Lines form every day, rain or shine, even where the spread of the virus has largely stopped. Some people need to go to work. Others want to shop. All are effectively compelled to get tested by a requirement to show a negative test result to enter office buildings, malls and other public places. Liu Lele, who works for a live-streaming company, has no problem getting tested regularly but said the daytime operating hours don't always fit his schedule. Sometimes I get held up at work," he said after finishing a test Thursday near Beijing's historic Bell and Drum towers. "I wish there were sites open 24 hours or not closing until 7 or 8 p.m. Regular testing of residents is becoming the new normal in many parts of China as the ruling Communist Party sticks steadfastly to a zero-COVID approach that is increasingly at odds with the rest of the world. Major cities have been told to set up testing stations within a 15-minute walk for all residents. Beijing and Shanghai alone have put up 10,000 or more each. Some are made up of folding tables and chairs under a temporary canopy. Others are enclosed square booths from which gloved workers reach out through openings to take a quick throat swab from the next person in line. Many cities including Beijing are requiring a negative test result within the last three days to enter a public place or take the bus or subway. Some have made it a week or 10 days. The tests are free, with the result reflected on the persons smartphone health app roughly 12 hours later. This is something we should do, said Beijing retiree Wang Shiyuan, who gets tested every three days in case he needs to go to the supermarket or take a bus. Only when everyone obeys the requirements can we reduce the risk of transmission. The move follows a recent outbreak in Shanghai that spread so widely that authorities locked down the entire city for two months to end it, trapping millions of people and dealing a blow to the national economy. China kept the virus largely at bay for a year and a half by locking down buildings and neighborhoods and quarantining infected people, but the rapidly spreading omicron variant proved more difficult to stop. More than 580 people died in Shanghai a large number in a country that had reported only a handful of deaths after an initial deadly outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020. Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission, said testing has become more important because omicron is both more contagious and is spread by people without symptoms. We must adhere to the strategy of expanding prevention centered on nucleic acid testing, so as to control the epidemic earlier and faster, she said Thursday at a news conference. A handful of new cases some linked to a nightlife quarter in Beijing and a hair salon in Shanghai prompted authorities to lock down areas in both cities Thursday. The cases followed an easing of restrictions on movement and the reopening of many retail businesses in the past week. Andy Chen, a senior analyst with the Trivium China consultancy, said the proliferation of testing sites is a reaction to the failure of existing measures to control omicron in Shanghai, though officials have not explicitly said so. Authorities have decided that early detection is needed to control omicron outbreaks without extreme measures that cause major economic disruption. The regular testing requirements are meant to improve the zero-COVID strategy, Chen said in an email. The end goal is to keep the virus under control while avoiding another Shanghai-like lockdown. Many other countries, their populations weary of pandemic restrictions and eager to move on, are betting that rising vaccination rates and the development of treatments for COVID-19 mean they can avoid lockdowns and other disruptive steps and live with the virus instead. China's leaders have repeatedly signaled that they believe the zero-COVID approach remains the right one for China, even as they try to boost a flagging economy with business tax refunds, easier credit and spending on infrastructure projects. Entry to the country remains restricted, with visas difficult to get and few international flights, making it costly and hard to get a seat. Anyone who does enter must quarantine in a hotel, usually for two weeks. Chinese generally can't leave the country unless it is for work or study. Most analysts expect the zero-COVID policies to remain in place at least until after a major Communist Party congress this fall at which leader Xi Jinping is expected to get a third five-year term. The party touted its approach as a success when COVID-19 was ravaging other countries, and it doesn't want a major outbreak in the run-up to its meeting. ___ Associated Press researcher Yu Bing and video producer Olivia Zhang in Beijing and researcher Si Chen in Shanghai contributed to this report. The government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) has announced the commencement of investigation into Wema Banks activities following alleged data breach and illegal opening of accounts by the bank. Mr. Babatunde Bamigboye, head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations Lead at the NDPB announced the development in a statement on Tuesday. The statement said, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (the Bureau) has commenced investigations into reports of breach of data privacy involving two major data controllers in Nigeria, namely, Wema Bank PLC and KC Gaming Networks (Bet9ja). This is in line with Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and the provisions of Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 particularly Articles 2.1(2)-(3), 2.6 and Article 4 of the NDPR. It will be recalled that sometime in May 2022, some customers of Wema Bank PLC complained of breach of their rights to data privacy and protection by the bank. This data processing, according to the complaints against Wema bank involves using their personal data to open accounts. The bureau is also investigating report of breach of data privacy at KC Gaming Networks. The breach in this case involved alleged external attack on the KC Gaming Networks. At this stage, the objectives of these investigations as directed by the national commissioner/CEO of the bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, are to determine the impact of the breaches on the affected data subjects and the remedial actions taken by the concerned data controllers. The bureau assures members of the general public that it would ensure proper accountability of the data controllers in the ongoing investigations. It was reported that several customers of Wema Bank accused the financial institution of conducting illegal banking practice by using their data to open and operate illegal accounts. They said they discovered that the bank and its agents had been opening unauthorised accounts for customers with information or data in the banks possession. According to affected customers, the financial institution, led by Ademola Adebise, has allegedly been opening accounts for some Nigerians on its digital banking platform, ALAT, without their knowledge or consent in a bid to celebrate its 5th anniversary. I dont have any account with Wema Bank but I was shocked when I began to receive messages from them via my email linked to my BVN, informing me that my account was safe with them" a victim stated. I have contacted the bank to report the development but to no avail. They have continued to send same mail. This means someone is using my details for banking transactions. Its fraud and I shall seek legal redress, he said. Following the report, the Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) queried the bank over the development. In a tweet posted on its official handle on Friday, the commission said the situation was becoming widespread and should not be secretly tackled. Can Wema Bank comment publicly on the message that consumers without Wema Bank accounts are receiving across the country, allegedly from the bank? This situation is widespread and cannot be a DM issue anymore. Wema Bank has to come clean, the tweet from the commission read. New York, June 7, 2022 Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi should not sign amendments to the countrys anti-terror legislation into law and should instead ask parliament to change a sweeping clause that could criminalize reporting about the insurgency in northern Mozambique, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Tuesday. On June 3, the amendment bill was sent to Nyusi for assent, Antonio Boene, the chairman of the National Assemblys Commission on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, told CPJ via messaging app. The bill, which was passed by parliament on May 19, seeks to amend Mozambiques 2018 anti-terror law, including an overly broad clause that would penalize anyone who publicly reproduces false statements relating to terrorist acts with a prison term of between two and eight years, according to media reports and a statement by the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). Reproducing statements is, after all, one of the hallmarks of journalism, said Misa-Mozambique in the statement. The government has argued that the amendments are necessary in order to strengthen the legal framework for the fight against terrorism because of an ongoing insurgency and terrorist attacks in Mozambiques northern Cabo Delgado province, according to a report by the Mozambican state news agency (AIM) and a government document, reviewed by CPJ, that was introduced in the National Assembly in March 2022. Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi must not sign the anti-terror amendment bill into law, but should instead return it to the National Assembly to correct the defects and ensure that reporting on the insurgency in Cabo Delgado is not criminalized or censored, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Members of parliament have already watered down other controversial clauses in the bill, but the president must ensure they go a step further to protect media freedom and the publics right to information, instead of trying to control the narrative in Mozambiques ongoing fight against terrorism. On May 18, the National Assembly approved the first reading of the anti-terror amendment bill, which included a controversial clause stating that anyone intentionally spreading information about a terrorist act, if they know the information to be false, can be punished with a prison term of eight to 12 years, according to media reports and CPJs review of the bill. The bill also included prison terms of between 12 and 16 years for anyone who publishes classified information about terrorism, according to the AIM report and the draft legislation, reviewed by CPJ. In a May 17 statement ahead of the first reading of the bill, MISA-Mozambique urged parliament to amend those clauses, saying they threatened press freedom. It said that criminalizing the publication of classified information punished journalists and ordinary citizens, rather than the officials who failed in their duty to safeguard state secrets. The organization also objected to the false information clause, arguing that the wording was ambiguous and had the potential to be applied arbitrarily. In the bills second reading on May 19, the National Assemblys Commission on Constitutional and Legal Affairs watered down those two clauses by criminalizing the divulging of classified information by public servants only, rather than citizens in general. It also lowered the prison term to between two to eight years for violating the false information clause, according to the AIM report. Boene said these amendments were approved and the bill was forwarded to the president on June 3 to be signed into law. Ernesto Saul, MISA-Mozambiques program manager, told CPJ in a messaging app call that despite the National Assemblys efforts to amend some of the clauses, the proposed law could still jeopardize the practice of journalism, particularly by punishing anyone who publicly reproduced statements about acts of terrorism. We just have to remember that the government has denied terrorist acts in Cabo Delgado for months after the first reports, and many journalists were at the time accused of spreading lies, so the government can very well use this to silence coverage altogether, said Saul. Moreover, journalists may publish news about plans of imminent attacks that could easily be considered false news by the government, said Saul. Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Development, a local human rights group, told CPJ via messaging app that the bill was aimed at closing down civic space and was intended to punish and threaten anyone who even discussed terrorism. It limits the scope of work of the civil society and of journalists, a tendency of the government that was already visible and is a serious setback for the human rights gains that Mozambicans had fought for, he said. Emilia Moiane, director of the Mozambican governments information office, told CPJ by phone that she did not believe that the proposed law would violate the right to press freedom, as one of the principles of journalism was to publish only the truth. We believe journalists follow this principle. Terrorism is not a subject to talk about without certainty, said Moiane, who was not able to say when the president was expected to sign the bill into law. Following the conferment of Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (D.HumL.) on the First Ladies of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio and The First Lady of Republic of The Gambia, Dr. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow respectively, the American International University took the celebration a step further by putting together an auspicious dinner in honour of their fresh graduates. L-R: Dr. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio (First Lady Of Republic Of Sierra Leone) & Dr. Mrs Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow ( First Lady of Republic Of The Gambia) The University's Chancellor insists that the memorable dinner will in addition to award ceremony, stamp a statement of further authenticity whereby the new receipients will henceforth wear a new prefixof 'Doctor (DR.)' in their names. He described the celebration as a historic honor. Dr. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio (First Lady Of Republic Of Sierra Leone) addressing the guests The delighted Sierra Leonean First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed her appreciation to the university for the recognition and acknowledgment of her modest contribution to humanity in a unique way. She urged the University to remain steadfast in promoting women in the region through recognition of their work and formal knowledge imparting. The unpretentious First Lady of Sierra Leone expressed her undiluted love for Sierra Leone and The Gambia for making her the person she is today, with special reference to Sierra Leone for giving her the opportunity to serve as their First Lady while the Gambia remains her formative cherished birthland. She is gladdened in the fact that both countries love her very much as she too treasures the two countries. "Thank you Sierra Leone for giving me the opportunity to serve you; thank you Sierra Leone for making me understand what it means to be a woman that is determined to make a change; thank you for giving me this special privilege and space to be your First Lady. I pray that by the time I leave office, I would have served you with distinction and you would be proud to call me your First Lady," she asserted. Dr. Bio expressed appreciation to all that have invested in her life in diverse ways. The story of Nigeria is full of intrigues and unparalleled narratives. Everything began in the 60's when it became an independent nation. With the sagacity, character and well - refined exposure of the truly nationalists and politicians, we knew a giant was going to emerge. Honestly, it did. It is no surprise that Nigeria was addressed as the giant of Africa, whether it remains so, is arguable. Even though the ethnicity and the religion of whoever emerged a leader really mattered, we were still guaranteed of a forward and progressive Nigeria. A country where even the children of their colonial masters could visit for vacation, and scholarship. We cared little which party ruled as we were greatly sure of an all-round development, with the welfare of the people remaining first in the mind of all the parties. In fact, it was always difficult to make that election decision as the party standard bearers were just too good, and too ready to move the nation forward. Hope began to die when the scholarship and exposure of who governed barely reflected in governance. Put in a PhD., you may experience the worst economy. Vote in a SAN to do the job, you will be appalled at a terrible show of performance. This is a sharp contradiction to what we used to know. I recall when the enlightened, truly educated, and well-exposed ruled, nations saw a significant leap. Today, get the Harvard - man there, he gets things messier. Put in the highly credentialed, he gets us backward. Extend the opportunity to a youth, you have the same headache. Though not for lack of competence, but character. This crop of politicians lacks character. They think money, not people. They are always quick to flash their credentials. This suggests why it is common to see on their posters the roll of academic degrees and awards received so far. Well read, no doubt. Get them into the office, the hardship and the misery continue. Their exposure has not benefitted the country, same is their academic pedigree. Didn't hope die? Yes, it did. Hope died when the electorate began to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. Whether their candidate emerges or ours. What difference does that make? Absolutely nothing. In fact , what we have is two or three aspirants from two or more different parties with the same goal. The goal is the same. Dear Nigerians, it matters the least who emerges, the men are the same. Little wonder , to cross carpet is the easiest thing for them. For example, while in office, a deputy governor may be seen defecting to a rival party. After all, the parties are the same, only different in names, chants, and logos. Their men and our men are the same. The Edo's experience is quite interesting, in 2016 , governor Obaseki was the APC gubernatorial candidate, as against Ize- Iyamu of the PDP. Just four years later, the parties swapped candidates, with Obaseki being sponsored by the PDP and Ize-Iyamu by the APC. Where is the hope? Where is the true conviction? These men only think of power and self, and nothing of the country. Hope died, didn't it? Yes, it did. Hope died when we began to play politics with social welfare and the general development of the country. Come 2023, two desperadoes will be canvassing for our votes. Asiwaju and Atiku, the men whose source of money can not be answered. Two men of the same character. " chop , make I chop" I am sure neither of them will dare raise the issue of corruption, except to argue for the master. When the best men for the job lack character, and character being the destiny of a nation, then, hope dies. Samuel Ogunnaike writes from Lagos. As the island nation confronts a terrible economic and humanitarian food crisis, Sri Lanka's prime minister has warned of a food shortage, promising to buy enough fertilizer for the upcoming planting season to enhance yields. Sri Lanka is pleading with its neighbors for food assistance as the country's fiscal problem worsens into a humanitarian disaster. The government has applied for help from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation's food bank, which has previously provided rice and other necessities to member governments during food emergencies. It's worth noting that SAARC is currently dormant due to the Indo-Pak matter. However, all regional parties, including Pakistan and India, should work together this time to resurrect SAARC in order to maximize regional interests. India should be aware of present regional challenges and approach the resurrection of SAARC with pragmatism. Pakistan must increase its diplomatic engagement with other countries. Bangladesh has agreed to provide potato aid to Sri Lanka in a bid to resolve the ongoing food crisis in the country. In the midst of the ongoing crisis, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed that her country will deliver potatoes to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the guarantee during a meeting with Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). In times of difficulty, Bangladesh, as a friend and neighbor, stands ready to support Sri Lanka. It is true that, by working together, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other members of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) can overcome the crisis. The assistance is intended to support the Government of Sri Lanka's efforts in overcoming the looming humanitarian crisis in Sri Lana. Sri Lanka can benefit from from such kind of bilateral assistance thus far. At Ganabhaban (Bangladesh PM's residence), Weerakoon paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh's Prime Minister. Sheikh Hasina urged South Asian countries to cooperate together in the fight against poverty on Sunday, characterizing poverty as the region's greatest opponent. "We, the countries in this region, should work together to achieve our goals. Many issues can be resolved in a bilateral manner "She informed the Secretary-General of SAARC. As a result of the country's faltering economy, which has resulted in shortages of vital products, such as food, and a rise in food prices, families' access to inexpensive, healthful meals has been hampered. Malnutrition rates among children and women were significant even before the pandemic. Approximately 40% of primary-aged children were underweight for their height. Bangladesh will send Sri Lanka a humanitarian potato relief package to help alleviate severe shortages caused by the country's worst economic crisis in recent memory. They will be delivered to low-income families in various sections of the country. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated that despite Bangladesh's large population, the country may offer potatoes to Sri Lanka during this period. She claimed that, in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak and the Ukraine-Russia war, Bangladesh has taken initiatives to increase food production. Bangladeshi scientists are working to develop saline and drought-tolerant rice types, according to Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh's contribution to the SAARC Agriculture Centre was lauded by Weerakoon. He claimed the pandemic is also to blame for his country's continued economic difficulties, and he thanked Bangladesh for its assistance to the island nation. He noted that Sri Lanka now requires fertilizer because rice production has decreased by 50%. Prime Minister Hasina asked South Asian countries to join forces in the fight against poverty, which she described as the region's biggest opponent. "We, the countries in this region, should work together to achieve our goals. Many issues can be resolved in a bilateral manner "she stated Bangladesh has proposed strengthening the SAARC food bank in the wake of the global food crisis. On Monday, when visiting SAARC Secretary-General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon met with senior officials from the foreign ministry, the recommendation was made. M Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the idea emphasizes the necessity for a coordinated effort among regional countries to absorb the shock of the current crisis. "We have previously donated to the food bank and are willing to continue," he said, noting that agriculture supplies are currently in short supply in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Bangladesh encouraged the SAARC to take new methods to alleviate the global food scarcity caused by the Ukraine war and the epidemic. He continued, "We have extended our assistance to Sri Lanka and are willing to assist further under the SAARC umbrella." In response to his meeting with the Secretary-General of the SAARC, he stated that the two of them decided to speed up collective measures to fight the region's food and economic problems. Sri Lanka expressed interest in importing potatoes from Bangladesh in March of this year, preferring the barter system in this regard. Bangladesh urged the SAARC to adopt new approaches to address global food scarcity caused by the Ukraine conflict and pandemic. "We have extended our help to Sri Lanka and are eager to assist in the future under the SAARC umbrella," he stated. In reaction to his discussion with the SAARC Secretary-General, he declared that the two of them agreed to accelerate collaborative action to address the region's food and economic concerns. In March of this year, Sri Lanka expressed interest in importing potatoes from Bangladesh, preferring the barter method. Earlier, Bangladesh has provided $2.3 million in emergency medical supplies to Sri Lanka, which is experiencing its worst economic crisis since 1948, resulting in a shortage of food, gasoline, and other necessities. Dhaka had previously given Colombo $250 million in the form of a currency swap. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque presented a few cartons of pharmaceuticals to Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sudharshan D.S. Seneviratne at a token handover ceremony in Dhaka. Debt-ridden Sri Lanka said last month that it had pre-defaulted on a $51 billion external loan because its usable foreign exchange reserves had fallen to only $50 million, making it extremely difficult for the government to pay for crucial imports. India has also been delivering medical supplies as part of its over $3 billion in aid this year. As Dhaka and Colombo commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations, Momen hailed the delivery of 65 types of medications and equipment as a sign of solidarity and goodwill between the two countries. Bangladesh assists Sri Lanka in navigating its economic and humanitarian turmoil. It is really praiseworthy that Bangladesh has been helping Sri Lanka to overcome its crisis. Other neighbouring and south Asian countries can follow Bangladesh's footprint. Such kind of assistance can help mitigate Sri Lanka's looming catastrophe. For example, the SAARC food bank was established in 2007 to give rice and wheat to member countries in times of crisis, but it was only used for the first time in 2020 when Bhutan requested a rice shipment. According to analysts, Sri Lanka's crisis could be an opportunity to reinvigorate SAARC. This necessitates the SAARC countries displaying the highest levels of goodwill, cooperation and harmony toward one another, as well as maximizing opportunities and cooperation. The SAARC as a regional forum should be revived by all member states as soon as possible. Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka's crisis are the best example to understand that. to revitalize All member states must try their level best to revitalize the SAARC by holding consultations with each other.However, Bangladesh's potato assistance to Sri Lanka remembers the necessity of SAARC revival. Communities and individuals who benefitted from the Local Rights Programme of Participatory Development Alternatives, funded by ActionAid, Nigeria, in Ebonyi State, have testified to the positive impacts the projects made in their lives. The testimonies formed part of outcome of a Learning and Close out meeting, marking the end of the Programme in the State. The event held on Wednesday at Monabliss Hotel, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, was organised by ActionAid, Nigeria, in collaboration with Participatory Development Alternatives, PDA. ActionAid, Nigeria, since 2005 has been in partnership with PDA, an Ebonyi State based Civil Society Organisation in bringing diverse forms of development across several communities in Ebonyi State under the umbrella of Local Rights Programme. The Programme which has improved over 14,400 lives in Ebonyi communities, including women, men, children and persons with disabilities,focused mainly on education, healthcare; water, sanitation and hygiene; economic empowerment, nutrition, and building citizen's capacity to demand their basic civil rights, fundamental to community development. Sharing her testimony, a primary four pupil, Favour Ogbuinya, noted that apart from providing borehole for her school, PDA and ActionAid have helped them with school materials and taught them personal hygiene. In an emotion laden voice little Ogbuinya said : ""They provided us with children recreation facilities. " They gave us school uniforms with books and writing materials, and each time they come, we will always benefit so many things useful in our education and life generally. "All I want to say is that PDA did us so well, and I say thank you to them." Buttressing Ogbuinya's submission, the Secretary, Ebonyi State Universal Education Board, Dr. Gabriel Uju, who represented the Chairman, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, in an interview added:" They have done so many things in Ebonyi State, and we are here to appreciate them. "I am particularly concerned about what they have done in education sector because that is where we represent. "First of all, 4 local government areas were involved: Abakaliki, Izzi, Onicha and Afikpo North, and 16 communities were involved. " And in these 16 communities, they did a lot of things. "They built so many boreholes in primary schools in those communities. They also gave so many teaching aides. They also supplied 604 writing desks to these schools, and they built so many classroom blocks ranging from 5 to 10 rooms. " There are other things they did, like advocacy to make sure that there is increase in school enrollment, especially for the girl-child. " We can't thank them enough, and we want to assure them that we will do our best to ensure that those facilities are protected and maintained because sustainability is very important." Uju however, called on ActionAid to return the programme with enlarged scope to cover more local government areas. Others who spoke, including Agnes Oshibe, Veronica Nwambam from Ovuoba community in Abakaliki Local government area as well as Oscar Elechi from Amikpo community in Afikpo North, among others took turns in narrating the various elevations given to them and their communities by the Programme. While Nwambam narrated that the only school in their community was built by ActionAid under the Programme, Oshibe noted that the economic and capacity empowerment from the Programme has elevated her status and those of her fellow women in the community, thereby liberating them from domestic and other forms of gender-based violence, including Female genital mutilation. In her address, the country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs Ene Obi, represented by Mr. Collins Iheanyi Chinyere, Director of Finance, ActionAid Nigeria, chronicled some of the achievements of the Programme in the State to include building of school, health centres, and increasing school enrollment. Obi said: "Within the last 17 years, ActionAid Nigeria has constructed 6 schools across various communities in Ebonyi State, including a school hall in Amikpo of Afikpo North LGA; also 9 schools across Abakaliki, Onicha, Afikpo North and Izzi LGAs were provided with furniture to promote retention in school. " In addition to this, five communities now have access to quality healthcare through the construction of health Centres by ActionAid Nigeria... "Hence, through all the years of working in Ebonyi State, our Local Rights Programme has supported well over 10, 000 children to access quality primary education." The Executive Director, PDA, Ms Chidimma Arukwe, in her welcome address explained that the poor and excluded population has enjoyed improved standard of living and dignity borne out of mutual respect, humility, nonviolence, gender equality, transparency and accountability which formed the core mission of the organisation, adding that partnering with ActionAid Nigeria under the Local Rights Programme was the foundation of the impacts. She appreciated all those who also partnered with PDA to make the project a success in the State. "You have all chosen to be part of our organisation due to a mutual passion for our shared vision. "Your passion helped us unite, and the energy we created allowed us achieve our individual as well as group goals... "Yes, we are here today because of so many true stories of change recorded over these years. "With this, I would confidently say that ActionAid and PDA came, saw an conquered." Arukwe said. Goodwill messages were received from other partners: SMEDAN, Ministries of Finance, Environment, Women Affairs and Social Development, Local government and Chieftaincy Matters; State Universal Basic Education Board, State Emergency Management Agency, FADAMA and INEC, among others. Awards and Certificates of recognition were also given to outstanding volunteers and partners in the Programme. Considering Nigerias history of tumultuous politics, it is not an exaggeration to say that democracy has not in any way, since 1999, been seen to be ideal as it has never transformed to good governance. Rather, it is seen to have being monetized so much that it cannot be a misnomer to call it Moneycracy, particularly when analyzed from the stage where leaders are selected or better still from the point of view of the shenanigans that usually characterize primary elections. In fact, despite Nigerias transition from militocracy to democracy, the plague of Cash and Carry Politics has assumed a worrisome dimension, particularly as witnessed in the primary elections that were recently conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and All Progressives Congress (APC) where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as the Jagaban of Borgu, emerged winner of the APCs presidential flag, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who emerged as PDPs flagbearer for the 2023 presidential election. With due respect to the bearers of the presidential tickets of the two most prominent parties in the country, permit me to say that they seem not to be the popular choice of Nigerians going by hush-hush tones emanating from the Public Opinion as they may not be capable enough to meet the expectations of most Nigerians who eagerly look forward to a President that has all it takes to fight against the prevailing deep rooted corruption, non-accountability, non-transparency and inefficiency that have been the bane of governance in the country. Against the foregoing backdrop, it is unfortunate that a leader that has the capacity of delivering Nigeria from the plague of deplorable conditions of infrastructures, particularly as to dilapidating roads, poor educational infrastructure, dearth of potable water for the majority of the people, unemployment among the teeming youths who have had the privilege of being educated or trained for the job market but cannot find any job coupled with the teeming school dropouts without skills is yet to emerge. In fact, it is sad that voters, particularly delegates that recently exercised their civic rights at primary elections organised by both major political parties, the PDP and APC, have failed to select or elect for Nigerians, presidential aspirants that would patriotically and sincerely lead them well after the prevailing Mohammed Buharis led government. Given the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that the president Nigeria need come 2023 to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari should be the one that does not likens Nigeria to be an Alaba market, where investment in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FCMG) is allowed, and highlighted with the expectation of making huge Return On Investment (ROI). Unfortunately, rather than democracy which Nigeria craved for until 1999 to triumph, what is now been witnessed today is nothing but Moneycracy. There is no denying the fact that since 1999 that Moneycracy has been championed from each passing political dispensation to the detriment of competence. To me, it should not be as Moneycracy undermines the beauty of our democracy. Moneycracy gives way to the one person or individual who can pay his/her out without actually having the full support/representing the vision of the larger population. Moneycracy breeds social injustice, inefficiencies and corruption. For the sake of clarity, it is expedient to make reference to the views of Prof. Mike Ikhariale, a columnist with the Daily Independent newspaper in his column on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. He noted in the article titled, Nigerias Politically Irresponsible Elite thus: The dumbfounding shenanigans which we all witnessed over the course of this years primaries season should be enough to convince the Doubting Thomas in our midst that the problem of Nigeria is simply that of leadership and its recruitment processes. From all indications, this country shall continue to drift into the awful category of failed states in spite of the enormity of her developmental potentials until the leadership question is decisively resolved or something politically fundamental happens. The recent shenanigans that the political class took the nation through in all the name of party primaries merely highlighted the lingering fear about the irreversibility of the ongoing communal drift into perdition. So much hope has been raised by the political elite and so much of it woefully dashed. There is however the faint hope that if we could just get it right now for once, we might be on a realistic path to national redemption. The ongoing story of Rwandas unprecedented rise from the ashes of a bloody genocidal Civil War to enviable developmental progress should be a source of inspiration for Nigeria which is presently wallowing in overwhelming distress. All that matters is the availability of a leadership with positive vision but it nonexistence so far has been the foundation of all our national predicaments. At this juncture, it is expedient to say that moneycracy will not in any way engender true governance as it is destructive and dangerous. In fact, monetization of electoral politics has remained an emerging threat to Nigerias democracy. The emergence and the growth of the use of money to negatively influence the nations electoral politics and governance is undermining multiparty representative democracy in the country. This constitutes the giving of cash or other material incentives in exchange for votes, a phenomenon that is widely known as moneycracy. For instance, political parties and election candidates were seen, particularly during recently conducted primaries to have enticed delegates with thousands of dollars, as widely reported in the media, even as there is a rumor making the rounds that some aspirants were paid to step down for some aspirants. To me, this retrogressive trend will not help our democracy. I am therefore calling on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to see how the trend can be legislated against. Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has cleared the air over the Tuesday protest by a group of teachers in the state, who said the he relieved them of their appointments and asked them to go and re-apply for the teaching job in the ongoing teachers recruitment exercise in the state, just few months after they were engaged by the immediate-past administration of Chief Willie Obiano. Racall that the protesting teachers had, on Tuesday, barricaded the entrance of the Anambra State House of Assembly complex in Awka to seek the intervention of the House in their situation, while also claiming that they have not been paid since last year. They said they were previously engaged by the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of the various communities in the state due to shortage of teachers in various government schools across the state, years after which the Obiano-led Administration converted their hitherto temporary engagement to a permanent employment in November 2021. However, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo declared that no qualified teacher in the states school system was sacked relieved of his/her appointment by his administration. He rather said he is repositioning the education sector according to standard practice and in line with the objectives of the his administration. According to the Governor, the affected PTA teachers were only asked to regularize their employment with the government by taking part in the online teachers recruitment test initiated by the state, as their conversion to the school system in the last days of the last administration was done in an irregular, hazy circumstances. He also said the idea is to ensure that only those with requisite qualifications, proven capacity and commensurate experiences are recruited into the school system! and never to witch-hunt anybody or take away anybodys job. The statement reads: The attention of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has been drawn to publications on protest by Teachers engaged by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) purportedly converted to permanent staff in Anambra state schools that were sacked by his administration. The protesters who barricaded the entrance of the state House of Assembly in Awka displayed placards with various inscriptions, claiming to have been engaged by the state government before the termination of their jobs. For the avoidance of doubt, no qualified teacher in the states school system has been relieved of his/her appointment. The government is rather repositioning the education sector according to standard practice and in line with the objectives of the Soludo administration. The affected PTA teachers who were "converted" to the school system in the last days of the last administration in an irregular, hazy circumstances, were only asked to regularize their employment with the government by taking part in the online teachers recruitment test initiated by the state. Teachers all over the world are recruited through a serious and systematic pedagogical based process. The "conversion" method is rather new to the teaching field and is totally unacceptable in the State. The idea is to ensure that only those with requisite qualifications, proven capacity and commensurate experiences are recruited into the system. It is not to witch-hunt anybody or take away anybodys job. Please ignore any mischievous or unfounded publication on this matter. At all times, Prof Soludo means well for the good people of Anambra State and will stop at nothing in giving them the best, education inclusive. The Leadership of All Progressive Congress, Ebonyi state chapter said the just concluded APC Presidential primaries has shown that Ebonyi people are trustworthy and cannot be influenced by materialistic tendencies which made her 39 votes to be judiciously utilized to the advantage of two presidential aspirants from the state. Chairman, All progressive Congress, Ebonti state, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha made this remarks during the banquet organised to appreciate Ebonyi people for their massive solidarity during the polls. Chief Emegha congratulated Governor David Umahi for his courageous and resilient disposition during the presidential primary election of the party in Abuja. He appreciated the delegates and other party faithful for their unprecedented support to Governor David Umahi whom he described as a quintessential leader in Nigeria The Chairman encouraged the governor not to be deterred, adding that he has made the entire Igbo race proud and and the people are grateful to be associated with him and that his gallantry at the primary will make those who won to come for a negotiation "Your Excellency we commend highly and celebrate your achievements. You have continuously made Ebonyi and the Igbo nation proud. You never can know the quantum of joy and prestige you gave not only to Ebonyi people but the entire Igbo nation by your firm disposition during the polls. You have won the hearts and admirations of many as multitude across the country have been commending and eulogizing you and the feat achieved so far". Like your sing tune, you have once again taken Ebonyi out of relegation. This is just your first shot at the presidential seat but the impact was heavily felt. Beyond the South East zone, people are now more aware that indeed there is man who is firm and resolute in defending a just cause especially when it matters most. Your Excellency, you are that man. You are a giant and leader with extraordinary vitality. While appreciating the delegates and other party faithful for their unprecedented support to Governor David Umahi whom he described as a quintessential leader in Nigeria, chief Emegha said Ebonyi people are trustworthy and cannot be influenced by materialistic tendencies hence the 39 votes were judiciously utilized to give honour to the two presidential aspirants from the state. "But one particular thing that made my heart to bleed and was the betrayal from our sister states. Despite the vigorous consultations and campaigns within the SouthEast states of Abia, Enugu Anambra and Imo, their delegates could not even sacrifice a vote in our favour. Only Ebonyi delegates voted wisely. Where is the oneness in Igbo land? Chief Emegha queried. "However, I'm encouraged this evening because you have a convenant with God. Your Excellency, your assignment is divine and must be accomplished soonest". "Nigeria belongs to all of us and we are not a conquered people. This is what you demonstrated at the outing. You fought a good fight and you have engraved the name of the Ndigbo on the epicenter of the Nigeria's map. People of other zones have known that Ebonyi/Igbo nation is also an integral part of the country". Your Excellency, do not be deterred. You made the entire Igbo race proud and we also grateful that we are associated with you sir. Your gallantry at the primary will make them come for a negotiation and we will be negotiating with them from a superior position. One thing is certain, for those that betrayed, betrayal will never depart from their homes". "We are pledging our continuous unalloyed support to your aspirations because it is not over, Nigeria is our common heritage. You did absolutely well. Everybody knows that you are eminently qualified for that position. May God bless you, your Excellency". Phuket marks World Oceans Day PHUKET: Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), at Loma Park in Patong Beach yesterday (June 8) presided over a major event to mark World Oceans Day that was broadcast to more than 30 countries worldwide. patongenvironmentnatural-resourcestourismeconomicspollution By The Phuket News Thursday 9 June 2022, 11:06AM The event was held under the theme Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean, with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) hosting similar events in 10 coastal provinces. The event was to encourage Thai people to conserve and take care of marine resources, Mr Varawut said. To join us to solve problems that accumulated over a long time including the problem of marine debris, the problem of deteriorating sea water quality, the problem of overfishing, and alleviating global climate change problems with a commitment to preserve the sea for a long time by not leaving a burden for future generations to face and solve problems caused by todays generation, Mr Varawut said. Collective action is needed, Mr Varawut said. All sectors of the community are at the heart of ocean recovery and to make that recovery remain balanced and sustainable, he noted. Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is in the process of accelerating the [conservation] work so that the results can be seen more clearly. especially accelerating our approach to drive the work more efficiently and create a variety of alliances to move forward together in unity, he added. The events to mark World Oceans Day were to provide opportunities for people in communities to join together to show the power to conserve Thai marine resources, Mr Varawut explained. The event included a showcase of Thai cultural performances, an exhibition of marine resources conservation and successes in marine resource management. Badges of honour emblazoned Love the sea the most were awarded to those who have taken part in marine conservation efforts and a plaques of honour were awarded to organisations and collective groups who have worked towards the conservation of marine and coastal resources. Also presnt to officiate the event were MNRE Permanent Secretary Jatuporn Burusphat, DMCR Director-General Sophon Thongdee, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob and a host of local officials, including Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri. Mr Varawut noted, The marine and coastal resources of Phuket is an important natural resource that generates income and nourishes the people of Phuket, which is ready to accommodate millions of tourists per year. It generates hundreds of billions of baht in revenue for the country each year. I am proud to see my brothers and sisters in Thailand help to oversee and drive the conservation of marine and coastal resources in Thailand to be evident in many countries, along with expressing the intention of working to preserve the sea for sustainable conservation. We will not leave a burden on future generations in facing and solving problems posed by our generation. We believe that the power of the Thai people and cooperation from various sectors is the key to restoring and saving the oceans to remain balanced and sustainable forever, he said. Mr Varawut vowed greater coordination to accelerate work efficiency and create diverse partnerships to work together in a unified way. The event also hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Marine Waste Management by representatives from government agencies, business interests and local communities in pilot areas to help reduce waste in five main estuaries: the Bang Pakong River, the Chao Phraya River, the Tha Chin River, the Mekong River and the Bang Tu Poon River. The MoU hopes to work towards zero waste being emptied into the rivers, and includes support for waste traps to reduce the proliferation of marine debris. Police urge Phuket tourists to play safe while on holiday PHUKET: Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Amphon Buarabporn has called for tourists to exercise safety following the death of a Russian woman who fell eight stories from a condo in Patong last week. patongaccidentsdeathalcoholtourismSafetypolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Thursday 9 June 2022, 05:50PM Lt Gen Amphon at the press briefing yesterday (June 8). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Lt Gen Amphons plea for safety followed his announcement yesterday that three tourists have now been charged with recklessness causing death over the incident, which saw Russian national Evgeniia Smirnova, 35, plunge to her death last Tuesday (May 31). The three charged are US citizen Jamaal Antwaun Smith, 38, Jordanian national Ahmad Radi Mustafa Alatoom, 28, and Russian national Natalia Kosenkova, 35. All three were in the condo when Ms Smirnova fell. Lt Gen Amphon said an autopsy had confirmed that Ms Smirnova was heavily intoxicated at the time of her death. She was very drunk, he said. All four of them were very drunk, he added. Ms Smirnova went to use the external stairs connecting the seventh and eighth floors, which was very dangerous, Lt Gen Amphon said. Everyone involved in the incident said that this person [Ms Smirnova] was drunk and unable to climb the stairs, he continued. Officers had found in the condo a small amount of marijuana, for which the three remaining tourists have been charged for joint possession of a Category 5 narcotic, he added. In light of Ms Smirnovas death, Region 8 Police are very concerned for tourists safety, Lt Gen said, while assuring that Phuket is a safe place to visit on holiday. I ask everyone to help take care of the tourists, and what is implied in such an incident, such as [tourists] getting drunk or travelling alone or in dangerous places and so on, please help support and take care of tourists, he said. "Now tourists are starting to come in, about 4,000 people a day, with Phuket regaining its popularity as a tourist destination, which is good and beneficial for the economy. We ask people to take care of tourists in particular, we ask people to take care of them because they are our paying guests. Dont let issues become unclear or not transparent, the issue will only be talked about in a damaging way. With this situation, the Russian consulate has acknowledged that we have done our best in everything, nothing has been hidden, he said. Lt Gen Amphon said tourist safety had been made a high priority at a provincial level, with heads of local government offices and agencies including police, navy officers, tourist police, and immigration police meeting every Tuesday at the behest of the Governor to discuss safety issues. Expanding CCTV coverage and marine tourism safety were two key issues continually discussed, he said. However, Lt Gen Amphon made no mention about the safety of the external staircase on the building that Ms Smirnova fell from, or confirm whether it complied with building regulations with a low handrail as the only barrier to prevent people from falling over the side. Thousands of cannabis offenders being released BANGKOK: More than 4,200 inmates serving sentences for cannabis offences were initially eligible for release from prisons nationwide today (June 9), when the delisting of cannabis as a narcotic drug took effect. natural-resources By Bangkok Post Thursday 9 June 2022, 03:40PM The Nakhon Sawan Central Prison says it cannot release 10 inmates sentenced for cannabis offences, because they must still serve their sentences for other offences. Photo: Chalit Pumruang However, those also convicted and sentenced for other offences were not being freed, reports the Bangkok Post. Corrections Department deputy director-general Thawatchai Chaiwat said assistance was being provided to inmates in cannabis cases, regarding their release or changes to their penalty. Lists of inmates who were already surveyed had been sent to the various courts, for their release, A total of 3,071 prisoners serving jail terms in single cannabis offences woud be released from prisons nationwide today, Mr Thawatchai said. In Nakhon Sawan Central Prison, for example, 10 inmates serving jail terms for cannabis offences were eligible, but none were released. The atmosphere at the prison remained quiet. The Public Health Ministry has announced that the removal of cannabis and hemp from the category 5 drug list is effective from today. Nakhon Sawan Prison chief Supachok Khuanruechai said today that the prison had coordinated with the provincial court on the number of inmates serving cannabis-related sentences who would be released under the new legislation. There were 17 prisoners. One was recently transferred to Phetchabun province to pay a fine. Six others were already released, leaving 10 inmates serving jail terms for cannabis offences. However, those inmates could not be released because they were also convicted and sentenced for other offences, Mr Supachok said. Narcotics Suppression Bureau director Pol Gen Roy Ingkapairote, a deputy national police chief, said on Thursday that more than 4,200 prisoners in cannabis cases would be eligible for release. Cases pending investigation would also be dropped, and arrest warrants issued for cannabis use would be revoked, he said. Cannabis is no longer an illicit drug. A Ministry of Public Health announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Feb 9 took effect on June 9. This means the production, import, export, distribution, consumption and possession of cannabis for health and medical purpose is formally legalised. However, possession and use of extracts with more than 0.2% THC, and recreational use of the drug, remain illegal. [June 09, 2022] Fortune 500 Healthcare Insurance Company Selects Bright Pattern One of the largest health insurance companies deploys Bright Pattern call center software in days to reach out to healthcare providers to review their credentials and expand their healthcare partner network. SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Pattern , a leading provider of AI-powered cloud contact center software , has been deployed by one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States. Bright Pattern is utilized by the health insurance company's credentialing department to proactively reach out to medical healthcare providers to assess qualifications and credential new healthcare providers in their network. This is the third Fortune 500 company to select Bright Pattern as a partner. Large health insurance company selects Bright Pattern to recah out to healthcare providers and perform credentialing. Per the National Library of Medicine, credentialing is a formal process that utilizes an established series of guidelines to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care from healthcare professionals who have undergone the most stringent scrutiny regarding their ability to practice medicine. Credentialing also assures the patient that they are being treated by providers whose qualifications, training, licensure, and ability to practice medicine are acceptable. Credentialing also ensures that all healthcare workers are held to the same standard Bright Pattern partner, Go2Uno, deployed Bright Pattern with the health insurance company due to the call center software's reliability, scalability, and outbound dialing capabilities. The deployment was completed in three days, reflecting Bright Pattern's industry-leading speed of deployment and ease of use. Customer review sites have also noted Bright Pattern's fastest time to deploy in the industry. Due to the nature of credentialing, the health insurance company needed a solution that could personalize outreach and improve agent efficiency, while giving the potential healthcare providers and medical professionals an effective, seamless wayto handle callbacks in case they missed the outbound interaction. In the future, the company will be adding new features to their call center, such as CRM integrations and support for messenger apps as part of their digital transformation initiatives. Choosing Bright Pattern makes the addition of new digital channels easy and fast, improving the ability to communicate with customers on digital and mobile channels. "Our record growth the last three years has been driven by new enterprise customers as well as the mid-size companies. These companies have moved to us from other cloud and premise contact center providers due to our enterprise scalability, reliability, ease-of-deployment, and ease-of-use that no other vendor can match", noted Ted Hunting, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Bright Pattern. Companies of all sizes select Bright Pattern to support their customer care organizations because of its simplified yet robust omnichannel platform, offering traditional channels; emerging channels like Facebook Messenger; in-app customer support; enterprise functionality; cloud-first architecture; and the ability to modify without the time and cost of professional services. Bright Pattern was recently recognized by Ovum as a Market Challenger , by Omdia for best platform functionality , by Frost & Sullivan as a top-performing vendor, and by Gartner as a leader in the Call Center FrontRunners Quadrant . About Bright Pattern Bright Pattern provides the simplest and most powerful AI-powered omnichannel contact center software for innovative midsize and enterprise companies. To make customer service brighter, easier, and faster than ever before, Bright Pattern offers the only true omnichannel cloud platform with embedded AI that can be deployed quickly and nimbly by business userswithout costly professional services. Bright Pattern allows companies to offer an effortless and personal customer experience across channels like voice, text, chat, email, video, messengers, and bots. Bright Pattern also allows companies to measure and act on every interaction on every channel with embedded AI omnichannel quality management . The company was founded by a team of industry veterans who pioneered the leading contact center solutions and are now delivering an architecture for the future with an advanced cloud-first approach . Bright Pattern's cloud contact center solution is used globally in over 26 countries and 12 languages. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fortune-500-healthcare-insurance-company-selects-bright-pattern-301565167.html SOURCE Bright Pattern [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High around 27C. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 19C. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Things to do in the Attleboro area and beyond ALTON Aldermen want more control over what happens at the Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater. At Monday's committee of the whole meeting, aldermen deferred action on a motion to amend the city code. If approved, the commission would require permission from the council to enter into contracts, leases, licensing agreements and other binding commitments. At Wednesday's city council meeting, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair Dan Herkert was shocked at the proposal. "If there were major issues with the operation of the amphitheater, it would seem highly unlikely that partners in the business community would continue to invest year after year," Herkert said. He added the commission does not have direct access or control of any of the money in the amphitheater account. Alton Ward 7 Aldermen Nate Keener, who drafted the resolution, said he did not think it presented anything "unique or controversial". "It's just a matter of transparency and accountability," Keener said. "We're just bringing the commission in line with how all of the other commissions and public body's in Alton operate." The motion is scheduled to be discussed again at the next Alton committee of the whole meeting. Also on Wednesday, aldermen referred the following motions to the next committee of the whole meeting: Accept the design bill proposal with GeoStabilization International, based in Commerce City, Colorado, to begin Phase 1 of the reconstruction of Riverview Drive. Amend the number of video gaming licenses to include The Conservatory, 554 E. Broadway, and Schwegel's Market, 901 Alby St. Allow alcohol sales at the Labor Day Picnic and Softball Tournament at Gordon Moore Park on Aug. 27. WOOD RIVER Back in-person, the Riverbend Relay For Life starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at East Alton-Wood River High School at 14777 N. Wood River Ave. in Wood River. The event is the American Cancer Society (ACS) signature fundraiser dedicated to uniting communities worldwide to attack cancer from every angle. Since its inception in 1985, Relay For Life has raised nearly $6.5 billion to save lives from cancer. Relay For Life founder Dr. Gordy Klatt held the first event in Washington. Anyone who wants to walk a few laps, with or without a sponsor, can do so Saturday by showing up at the high school. Family friendly activities such as food, games and raffles start at 3 p.m. Wear whatever purple you have, because Riverbend Relay For Life is back in person this year for the first time since 2019, said Patricia Barney, senior development manager of the North Central Region headquartered in Chicago. Barney was at Wednesday's ACS of Metro East monthly board meeting in Collinsville. On Saturday cancer survivors, caretakers, loved ones and friends will gather at the school to honor people who are cancer survivors, currently fighting cancer or have lost the fight. The event can last up to 24 hours, which symbolizes the battle waged around the clock by those facing cancer. In the weeks and months leading up to the event, volunteers, teams and individuals use their creativity to raise cancer-fighting dollars. On event day, volunteers, teams and individuals typically gather at a venue and take turns walking around a track or path in honor of survivors, caregivers and those lost to the disease. Saturday's event features a welcoming ceremony at 6 p.m. Later in the evening there will be a Light the Fight luminaria ceremony where people affected by cancer will tell their story. Each luminaria candlelight will represent a cancer survivor, an individual fighting cancer or a life taken by cancer. The ceremony provides a powerful demonstration that gives people the opportunity to grieve, but also offers comfort and hope, said ACS Mandie Ernst, associate director, development, North Central Region. The pandemic has taken a toll on our community, as well as on Riverbend Relay For Lifes fundraising efforts to make a difference for those fighting cancer in the Metro East," Ernst said. About two-thirds the number of pre-pandemic EAWR Relay For Life teams have returned since the last in-person Relay event. The 23 teams who are registered are determined to light up the night with hope for those who need it most, said Relay For Life event chair Sherri Carroll. We really want the Metro East to know we are back. We care deeply, and we need your support. Organizers still are working to reach their sponsorship goal. To sponsor, contact Barney at patty.barney@cancer.org or 618-799-5446. 8th person gets prison time for shooting outside courthouse A Connecticut man has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison for his role in violent gang activity in Bridgeport Kingsport, TN (37660) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. The battle for the Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk is brutal and will determine the fate of the Donbas region, the countrys president said, as Russian troops lay waste to the city in an assault aimed at controlling eastern Ukraine. After failing to take control of the capital Kyiv, the Kremlin says it is now seeking to completely liberate the Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists broke away from Ukrainian government control in 2014. Around a third of the Donbas was held by the separatists before the Feb. 24 invasion. This is a very brutal battle, very tough, perhaps one of the most difficult throughout this war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video statement on Wednesday. Sievierodonetsk remains the epicentre of the encounter in Donbas Largely, that is where the fate of our Donbas is being decided now, he added. Ukrainian fighters pulled back to the citys outskirts on Wednesday but have vowed to fight there for as long as possible. The enemy fired on our units with mortars, artillery and multiple rocket launchers, the Ukraine general staff said on Thursday.It fired on civilian infrastructure in the settlements of Sievierodonetsk, Lysychansk, Privillya, Ustynivka, Horske and Katerynivka. Russia denies targeting civilians.Advertisement Scroll to continue Artillery shelling has turned the city in Ukraines Luhansk province to a bombed-out wasteland. Luhansks regional governor, Serhiy Gaidai, said the centre of the town was being destroyed. Gaidai said a chemical plant has been shelled in Sievierodonetsk and four civilians had been died in the region over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces still control all of Sievierodonetsks smaller twin city Lysychansk on the west bank of the Siverskyi Donets River, but Russian forces were destroying residential buildings there, Gaidai said. Reuters could not independently verify the situation on the ground in either city. Kyivs ambassador to the United States told CNN that Ukrainian troops were vastly outnumbered in Luhansk and Donetsk, which collectively form the Donbas, a largely Russian-speaking region. But as we already saw in the battle for Kyiv, we can lose something temporarily. Of course, were trying to minimize that because we know what (can) happen (when) Russians control territories, but we will get it back, Oksana Markarova said. Gaidai said Russia now controlled more than 98% of Luhansk. GOD SAVED ME West of Sievierodonetsk in Sloviansk, one of the main Donbas cities in Ukrainian hands, women with small children lined up to collect aid on Wednesday while other residents carried buckets of water across the city. Most residents have fled but authorities say around 24,000 remain in the city, in the path of an expected assault by Russian forces regrouping to the north. Albina Petrovna, 85, described the moment her building was caught in an attack, which left her windows shattered and her balcony destroyed. Broken glass fell on me but God saved me, I have scratches everywhere, she said. Ukraines military said four people were killed during Russian shelling on around 20 towns in the Donbas over the past 24 hours, and that its troops had killed 31 Russian soldiers. Reuters could not immediately verify the figures. In Soledar, Donetsk, residents took shelter in basements as shells hit the town on Wednesday. We are shelled day and night. The shelling is ongoing. We stay in the basement almost all the time. The apartment is close, we run there during the day. During the night we stay here, said a resident, who did not provide her name. Another resident, 65-year-old Antonina, sobbed and asked, When is it going to end? Kharkiv regional emergencies department said two people were killed and four injured in a fire that was set off by shelling and spread across a cafe, a groceries store and a school library. Moscow says it is engaged in a special military operation to disarm and denazify its neighbour. Ukraine and its allies say Moscow has launched an unprovoked war of aggression, killing thousands of civilians and flattening cities. United Nations figures show more than 7 million people have crossed the border from Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. GRAIN SCARE Ukraine is one of the worlds biggest grain exporters, and Western countries accuse Russia of creating a risk of global famine by blockading Ukraines Black Sea and Azov Sea ports. Moscow says Western sanctions are responsible for food shortages. Turkey has been trying to broker negotiations to open up Ukraines Black Sea ports. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday and said a U.N.-backed deal on the ports was possible with further talks. Lavrov said the Ukrainian ports could be opened, but Ukraine would have to de-mine them first. Ukraine dismissed Russias assurances as empty words and said Russian attacks on farmland and agricultural sites were exacerbating the crisis. Vitaliy Kim, governor of the Mykolaiv region, where Russian shelling destroyed the warehouses of one of Ukraines largest agricultural commodities terminals over the weekend, told Reuters Moscow was trying to scare the world into meeting its terms. The Kremlin cited Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying Western sanctions must be lifted for Russian grain to reach markets. Zelenskiy told a Yale University summit of business leaders by video link on Wednesday that he believes Russia will not seek a diplomatic end to the war unless the world supports Ukrainian troops in their fight. We are an independent, righteous, normal country, Zelenskiy said, adding about his troops war efforts: We do it on our land and we slowly push them back. Thats how were going to keep on moving. SOURCE: REUTERS On the fertile clay plains of Sudans Gezira Scheme, farmers would have normally started tilling the soil weeks ago before planting out rows of sorghum, or peanuts, sesame and other cash crops. Instead, in a country stalked by sharply rising hunger, swathes of the 8,800 square km (3,400 square mile) agricultural project lie untouched. Farmers who spoke to Reuters say the government, which has been cut off from billions of dollars in international financing following a coup in October, failed to buy their wheat under promised terms earlier this year. That, they say, means they did not have the money to fund the new crop now. Russias invasion of Ukraine has further complicated the outlook, driving prices for inputs such as fertilizer and fuel to new highs. That puts current and future seasons in jeopardy, the farmers say, in an unstable country where the humanitarian situation has deteriorated and it is unclear how authorities will afford to finance imports of increasingly pricy food. The finance ministry did not comment directly on the farmers statements about wheat purchases, but told Reuters it was making efforts to provide the necessary funding. The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday it had committed to buying up to 300,000 tonnes of wheat and 200,000 tonnes of sorghum, together costing more than $300 million, and was seeking funds from the central bank. Reuters spoke to more than 20 farmers at the Gezira Scheme, a vast irrigation project just south of the capital Khartoum. All described the situation as desperate, and most said they feared bankruptcy and even prison for not paying back debts.Advertisement Scroll to continue One, Nazar Abdallah, said he took out loans assuming that the government would buy his wheat at 43,000 Sudanese pounds (about $75.40) per sack, as was agreed last year. Dozens of those 100 kg sacks of grain, now stored under a leaky roof, should have been sold in March. If his crop spoils, he fears he will have no way to repay his debt. If it rains, Ill be sent straight to jail, no question, he said, pointing at the holes in the ceiling. Similar problems plague Gadaref, the eastern state where much of the countrys traditional grain, sorghum, is grown. We buy the fertilizer and fuel at high prices and then when we come to sell our harvest we dont find a market. The government is impoverishing us, said a sorghum farmer there, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid involvement in politics. The summer season is threatened with collapse. Fifty percent, seventy percent of us might not plant. And that puts the food supply in question, Ahmed Abdelmagid, another Gezira farmer, said. ROADSHOWS Farmers woes predate the coup. They are tied to an economic crisis that began under former leader Omar al-Bashir, subsidy reforms pursued by the transitional government and global cost pressures that started before the war in Ukraine. Last year, the state-owned Agricultural Bank, which has long supported farmers and bought up their wheat for strategic reserves, failed to provide fertilizer and seeds as prices rose, farmers said. SOURCE: REUTERS The best line about diners has to be Warner LeRoys observation that a restaurant is a fantasy, a kind of living fantasy in which diners are the most important members of the cast. LeRoy, a New York City businessman, would know, having owned both the Russian Tea Room and Tavern on the Green in the big town great places, to be sure, but not the place to go if youre on the prowl for a proper cheeseburger deluxe with a paper ramekin of creamy-sour coleslaw. LeRoys metaphor compares diners to people, but as places to eat, diners are perhaps uniquely rich in character. A survey of the Hudson Valley reveals numerous eateries of the flashy Art Deco or revamped railroad-car variety. Still others have taken an indie approach and maintained the old-school aesthetic but with au courant menus. Others are just no-frills restaurants offering comfort food at reasonable prices. And theres even a cliffhanger mystery diner in the wilds of Germantown which well save for dessert. There are numerous places in the region that call themselves diners but have none of the critical offerings required to make such a claim. Those include: A greasy patty melt on rye, brusque-but-friendly wait staff, a pay-at-the-register protocol and a bottomless cup of coffee. A Google search reveals that Dutchess County takes top honors in the Hudson Valley for the sheer number of nostalgic nosheries that pop up along its roads and in its towns. From the boxy Acropolis in Poughkeepsie (829 Main St.) to Red Hooks stalwart Historic Village Diner (7550 North Broadway) there are at least a dozen bona fide classics of the genre. Red Hook actually boasts another: the Red Hook Diner (7329 South Broadway), which, like the Historic, makes an outstanding patty melt. As you get into the northern reaches of the county, the Elizaville Diner (573 E Kerley Corners Rd.) stands out for its nightly specials that include beer-battered haddock and for literally standing out on the rural road like a rectangular Airstream trailer. Columbia County has its share of diners, too, including the standout, retro-refit Red Dot Restaurant & Bar in Hudson (321 Warren St.) the oldest continuously operated bar-restaurant in town, which has a farm-to-fourtop menu featuring both mussels mariniere and diner staples like eggs-with. Just off the Taconic State Parkway, Craryville is home to the classic Martindale Chief Diner (1000 New York 23 Exit), an exemplar of the gleaming silver diner motif. It has a dizzyingly varied menu along with an antiquated Native American in a headdress painted on its sign. Patty melt? Check. But the Taj Mahal of meatloaf is, hands down, the Eveready in Hyde Park (4184 Albany Post Rd.), a sprawling retro-classic operation in the heart of town that features all the classics and then some: eggs benedict, avocado toast, chocolate milkshakes, fruity smoothies. And while youd be hard-pressed to find a 24/7 diner in the region, the Eveready earns props for going round-the-clock on weekends. (Theres another Eveready in Brewster, too.) Cloey Callahan New Paltzs red-brick Plaza Diner (271 Main St.) gets props for its late-night hours those SUNY New Paltz kids get the munchies at all hours and its decidedly old-school can-of-sardine salad (but wheres the patty melt?!) Meanwhile, the shining beacon of Beacon is the Yankee Clipper Diner (145 Fishkill Ave) with its crispy bacon and nifty neon signage. Call it the flashy co-star to the Evereadys lead role among the greatest old-school diners in the Hudson Valley. Alas, the Barclay Heights Diner in Saugerties an angular and glassy edifice on the main drag which presents architecturally as a 1970s-retro diner is shuttered and for sale as of last year, after 50 years in business. But Saugerties residents and visitors can still visit the cleverly named 9W Diner (3139 Rt. 9W), with its affordable and expansive menu notable for a bonanza of breakfast specials and obscenely huge portions (the corned beef hash platter is less a plate of food than your next Catskill mountain to be conquered). Ancrams West Taghkanic Diner (1016 NY-82) holds up the retrofitted end of the Columbia County modern-diner deal. The joint has been in operation since 1953 but when Claverack chef Kris Schram bought it in 2018, he revamped the menu, keeping most of the classic diner fare but with a locally sourced emphasis. This year, the restaurant was acquired by nearby Wally Farms, which has continued with Schrams vision and fields a menu supplied by a whos-who of regional purveyors Goffle Road Farm, Blue Star Farm, Tivoli Mushroom Co., Sparrowbush Bakery with dishes such as a barbequed quarter chicken that come with a side of kale slaw. While one might balk at the absence of cheeseburgers, the WTD more than makes up for it with those rich cornmeal-buttermilk pancakes and a slobbering mess of theres-the-beef deliciousness in the form of a 100% grass-fed pastrami Reuben. Tom Gogola And then theres the cliffhanger. Back in 2017, a retro-classic diner called The Sinclair was plopped on a prime piece of sprawling real estate along Route 9G in Germantown, complete with an epic view of the Catskills. The place has all the old-time comfort features: tabletop jukeboxes, shiny-speckled booth seating and counter stools, a fountain-soda station, and an inviting neon open sign in the front foyer. It turns out that the owner, Michael Lueck, had transported the diner from Delaware County in hopes of offering classic diner fare. It had been lovingly restored, according to local press from 2017, but five years later, the place still hasnt opened, and its unclear why not. Lueck, who owns Charlie Os Restaurant in Red Hook, didnt respond to several attempts for an interview about his would-be Germantown eatery. But there did appear to be some action afoot at the site this spring, when several U-Hauls were spotted by locals who have taken to calling it the Never Ready Diner. It wasnt clear, however, if they were loading stuff in or out. Devoted and intrepid music lovers were kept busy last weekend with the Albany Symphonys American Music Festival, which ran from Thursday through Sunday at venues in Troy and Cohoes. The capstone event was Saturday night at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, which Ive already reviewed. I also attended three other concerts and here are some observations in reverse chronological order. On Saturday afternoon Sandbox Percussion performed Andy Akihos Seven Pillars, a spellbinding 80-minute work presented at the AI Center of Excellence, a former Masonic lodge located at 19 Third St. in downtown Troy. The majority of square footage in the high ceilinged third-floor space became the stage for the four percussionists. They performed the entire piece from memory at stations of instruments that were periodically repositioned throughout the room. Sometimes during their solos individual members were seen striking away at mallet keyboards (marimbas and vibraphones, mostly) that were simultaneously wheeled through the space by the other players. This is the same quartet that debuted Viet Cuongs Re(new)al with the Dogs of Desire at the 2017 festival. With its clever bit of choreography, that piece showed that the members of Sandbox know how to circumnavigate and play at the same time. Seven Pillars also included a lighting scheme by Michael Joseph McQuilken that the players cued with simple computer commands. As the audience took their seats, the back of the stage area was lined with seven upright white lights that resemble fluorescent tubes. During the performance, these freestanding units, each about 4 feet tall, changed colors and were regularly repositioned amid the instruments to redefine space or highlight individual players. Sometimes the lights pulsed with the music, at one point even taking on a strobe effect that gave a cinematic aura to a particularly uptempo section. Well past the halfway point in the proceedings, some of the lights were placed horizontally, which made for a completely new perspective. The spirit of sculptor Dan Flavin seemed to be smiling. Apart from the space and decor, the music was engaging and repetitive but always full of off-kilter accents and unexpected twists. The thrilling performance was clean and precise, both subtle and bravura all at once. One couldnt help but laugh and cheer a couple of times when, in between beats, a performer would flip his sticks into the air and catch them in a split second before continuing on with the fast-moving score. In an earlier era, percussion music usually involved a junkyard of weird paraphernalia and formless passages of improvisation. The orderly minimalism of Steve Reich wiped all that away. Though it doesnt sound minimalist, Akihos eleven-movement work, some eight years in the making, follows in Reichs long wake. The piece was a finalist for the most recent Pulitzer Prize for music and the recording received two Grammy nominations. Friday night in the Cohoes Music Hall the Dogs of Desire made its annual appearance with five brand new works. Have I ever used the terms mutts or mongrels before in covering this group? Most of these newborn pups had some redeeming quality but several quickly wore out their welcome. Music director David Alan Miller, usually so positive-minded, twice used the word long in introducing some of the pieces. It came off as both a warning to the audience and a complaint to the composers. He also said, not for the first time, Composers never listen to me. Each of the new Dogs pieces will receive a second performance at one of the ASOs outdoor concerts coming up in six cities through July 3, a series dubbed TrailBlaze NY, celebrating the 750 miles of the Empire State Trail. Each composer was asked to take inspiration from one of those sites. In closely tying new music to regional history, Miller is continuing an ASO tradition that started more than 20 years ago with what became known as the Capital Heritage Concerts. First came new works inspired by and performed in front of prominent Tiffany windows in Troy. Then it was an afternoon of new works at a museum, a temple and a government building in Albany. The Saratoga Battlefield, interiors of the State Capitol, and the art of the Empire State Plaza were the focus of later years. Maybe Miller needs to go back to smaller topics, perhaps something like street corners or door fronts. When giving striving young composers themes like an entire city, or the Hudson River, or the Empire State Trail, it shouldnt be much of a surprise that they reach for the stars and deliver oversized pieces. For her Biking to Amsterdam, NY Summer, 2022 Natalie Draper invited writer Anita Sanchez to contribute a poetic text that was read, at great length, as an introduction to each of the pieces five movements. The writing explicated all the vivid things that the flaccid music should have given us on its own, like the feeling of fresh air and the sunshine, the effort of pedaling a bike, and the sound of the railroad. Also, too many historical facts were jammed in, making the words and music feel like the soundtrack to a tourist video rather than a standalone concert work. Bobby Ges In Search of Standard Time was based on an observation that the railroad industry of Schenectady gave birth to the notion of time zones and the schedules that now rule our lives. He sought to bookend his piece (another one with five movements) with the pre-industrial laissez-faire toward time and the casual relaxation of being on a hiking trail. In between would come the grids and strictures of modern life. If only the music lived up to this. The writing was thick, busy and full of activity, but nothing really seemed to happen except that it ate up a lot of time. For Loren Loiaconos Empire Lines only two out of the three movements were performed. Her concept was to depict landmarks along the Hudson that are seen while riding Amtrak from New York City. Loiacono is no rookie with the ASO. Her writing is consistently appealing and there was no shortage of good material here, just too much of it for the occasion. This was also a concerto of sorts for Sandbox Percussion and they announced themselves with anvil-heavy beats. The broad-shouldered music framed some appealing and lightly scored fragments of folk songs in the ensemble. Andre Myers, another returning composer, got the balance of substance and form just right in The New Colossus, a setting of the Emma Lazarus sonnet enshrined at the Statue of Liberty. In his program note Myers shared thoughts on the current state of immigration and how the Empire State Trail metaphorically reaches far beyond the state borders. The music bore these concerns lightly. Vocalists Lucy Fitz Gibbon and Ruston Ropac, who were otherwise underused during the program, sang a straightforward setting of the text accompanied by an orchestration evoking cool jazz. A characteristic passage during a generous interlude brought together muted trumpet and brushes on the snare drums. The evening ended with Jack Ferers suite of arrangements of five light rock songs that were written and sung by Katie Hammon of the Troy-based band Bear Grass. Hammons material is thoughtful and pleasant and she has a fine voice. Maybe somebody thought this would add a pop culture pizzazz to the evening, but after all that transpired it just felt like an unimaginative coda. Speaking of pop music, does anybody else remember when the Dogs concerts consisted of mostly short, wry and punchy numbers? The American Music Festival got started on Thursday evening in the Troy Music Hall with a recital by pianist Gloria Cheng, who was in town to perform the John Williams premiere on Saturday night. Cheng is an established talent with a devotion to contemporary works. Yet on this occasion, she failed to deliver a performance that had any feeling of progression or offer any crisp distinctions. Everything kind of sounded the same. Thats quite an achievement considering the many musical styles and languages she navigated. Cheng showed only a mild and passing connection to the audience. She whispered lessons about the pieces and assumed that patrons were informed insiders to the contemporary music world. She also asked us to help her keep track of what shed played by putting check marks in our programs, never realizing that we were sitting in the dark and unable to read a thing. There were pieces by 11 composers and one of them, David Langs summer piano was a world premiere. Langs sweet and tonal cycles (a triple cannon, Cheng told us afterward) were an ideal match to her gentle sensibilities. The music brought to mind ambient electronic music composer/producer Brian Eno. Another tender voiced highlight were the four miniatures from four different composers who wrote in memory of the late Steven Stucky. Played without pause, they were reverent, wistful and evocative. Joseph Dalton is a freelance writer based in Troy. ROSWELL, Ga. (AP) Two suburban Atlanta preschool teachers have been charged with felony child cruelty after parents alleged they saw the teachers physically abuse children on live video from the classroom. Roswell police on Wednesday told local news outlets they are asking the public for more information on incidents involving Zeina Alostwani, 40, and Soriana Briceno, 19. The two taught toddlers in a classroom for Parker-Chase preschool in the suburb north of Atlanta. Warrants obtained by WXIA-TV state Briceno pushed a 2-year-old in the forehead. Police say video also shows Alostwani standing on the hand of a 3-year-old and then kneeing the 2-year-old in the back. A mother who was viewing video earlier in June said she saw the abuse. She and her husband tell news outlets they went to the school to report the abuse. Police were then called. It doesnt matter whose child it is, Brant Duncan told WSB-TV. Its a child. Theyre helpless. Theyre defenseless. The women were arrested Monday. Alostwani was granted $75,000 bail Tuesday and was released Wednesday, while Briceno was denied bail because of her immigration status. It's unclear if either have lawyers representing them. Several other parents have reported abuse since the arrests. Police said they are reviewing video looking for other instances. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. The owner of the preschool, Endeavor Schools, told parents it fired the women for inappropriate disciplinary actions. We expect our staff to adhere to the highest standards of care, and any failure to do so will not be tolerated," Endeavor said. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is investigating allegations of inappropriate discipline," spokesperson Reg Griffin said. Endeavor said child welfare authorities were also called. A teacher who wrote a statement given to police said Alostwani and Briceno had a history of abusive behavior, including screaming, pinching and pulling ears. Whenever a child wasnt listening or following directions, Zeina would get in the childs face and scream at them, pinch their cheeks, arms, nose, pull their ears, she would sometimes pick them up and very forcefully would place them back down on the carpet. Soriana would do some of the same actions as Zeina, but at a different time, the warrant reads, quoting the statement. Bethany Bump / Times Union COLONIE - Police said Wednesday they charged a 16-year-old male with the felony of making a terroristic threat after an incident Tuesday. On Tuesday, police said they were made aware of a verbal threat of violence (bring a gun to school the next day and commit a shooting) made by a student at the Maywood School (Capital Region BOCES), at 1979 Central Avenue. The alleged threat was overheard by students and faculty members, police said. BOSTON (AP) One person died in a construction accident in Boston on Thursday morning and a second person was taken to the hospital, police said. Officers responded to the city's Seaport District at about 5:30 a.m. for reports of an accident, Officer Andre Watson said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Injuries to the other person are not considered life-threatening, he said. The Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health said the worker was crushed by heavy blocks of street curbing material that was being unloaded. No information about the victim was made public. The death is under investigation by police, the Suffolk district attorney's office and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The fatality is the latest workplace death in the Boston area recently, and comes the day after a 60-year-old overnight security worker at The Country Club in Brookline was found dead by coworkers after apparently falling from a decking area, authorities said. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. A worker was killed in March when a floor deck gave way at the Government Center Garage in Boston. A worker died in October at an under-construction apartment building in East Boston. Of the 62 workers in Massachusetts who lost their lives on the job in 2021, 15 worked in construction, according to a report released in April by MassCOSH. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A French parliamentary delegation pledged support for Taiwan during a meeting Thursday with the president of the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its own territory with no right to diplomatic recognition. Senator Joel Guerriau, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces, told Tsai Ing-wen he would help Taiwan oppose its oppressors and promote Taiwans freedom. Tsai, who won a second term as president in 2020, emphasized the strong connection between Taiwan's high-tech economy and countries in the European Union. We expect Taiwan and France to continue to deepen cooperation in various fields," Tsai said. France assumed the presidency of the Council of the EU in January. The visit is the third by French lawmakers to Taiwan in recent months, and follows a meeting earlier this week between Tsai and a group of Slovak lawmakers who offered similar expressions of support for the island's democracy. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China is firmly opposed to any forms of official and political contacts between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic ties with China." We urge the relevant party to avoid sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, and take concrete actions to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," Zhao said at a daily briefing. Taiwan has drawn increasing support from European nations in defiance of China, while current and retired U.S. politicians have also visited the island to show Washingtons backing. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department notified Congress that it has approved a possible sale of $120 million in spare parts for ships to Taiwan. China strongly opposes such sales. French Senators Vincent Eble, Sylvie Goy-Chavent, Dany Wattebled and Ludovic Haye were accompanying Guerriau on the six-day visit. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. In February, the European Commission unveiled the European Chips Act aimed at enabling the EU to work more closely with Taiwan and other world leaders in the semiconductor industry. China routinely threatens retaliation against politicians and countries that show support for Taiwan, which has only informal relations with the U.S., France and most other countries as a result of Chinese diplomatic pressure. Beijing downgraded relations and blocked imports from Lithuania, a member of both the EU and NATO, after the Baltic nation broke with diplomatic custom by agreeing that a Taiwanese representative office in its capital of Vilnius would bear the name Taiwan instead of Chinese Taipei, which other countries use to avoid offending Beijing. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KYIV, Ukraine The Ukrainian army says Kyivs forces continue to frustrate Russian attempts to take the fiercely contested eastern city of Sievierodonetsk. The occupiers, with the help of motorized rifle units and artillery, conducted assault operations in the city of Sievierodonetsk. They were not successful; the fighting continues, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a regular operational update Thursday evening. It added that Ukrainian forces had successfully repelled a Russian attack on the village of Toshkivka, on the northwestern outskirts of Sievierodonetsk. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, where Sievierodonetsk is located, said Thursday that fierce battles continue to engulf the city. In a Telegram post, Serhii Haidai said Russian forces continue to shell the neighboring city of Lysychansk using large-caliber weapons which pierce even concrete. It is extremely dangerous for civilians to remain, even in shelters, Haidai said. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: War rap: In Ukraine, an angry voice for a furious generation Smashed buildings in Mariupol produce caravan of death Russia, Turkey back plan to export grains; Ukraine doubtful UN report: Ukraine war is increasing suffering of millions ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine The death sentences handed by a pro-Russian separatist court to British and Moroccan nationals fighting for Ukraine should be considered null and void, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. The so-called trial of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the occupied Ukrainian territories is of no significance, Oleh Nikolenko told the Interfax Ukraine agency. Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality; they undermine the mechanisms for the return of prisoners of war. The Ukrainian government will continue to make every effort to release all the defenders of Ukraine, Nikolenko added. He stressed that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel, and protected as prisoners of war. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree Thursday imposing personal sanctions on Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin and all sitting ministers. The sanctions, approved by Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, target all members of Russias government and security council, as well as the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov. They ban entry to Ukraine, revoke visas and permits, and block financial assets. The decree came into force on Thursday, according to a copy published on the website of the Ukrainian presidency. Zelenskyy also signed a directive sanctioning 236 Russian universities and their leaders. Russias education minister said in response that Moscow will not be deterred. Todays decision by the Kyiv regime speaks to its inadequacy and inability to control the situation. Its a gesture of desperation, which cannot prevent the integration of Donbas and the liberated territories into a single educational space with Russia, Sergey Kravtsov told the Interfax agency. ___ MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin says foreign companies that have left Russia will regret their decision. In todays conditions, when someone jumped off somewhere, left, chose to stop some activity here, they will regret it, he declared at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow. They will regret it, not because we threaten anyone, Putin continued. They will regret it because Russia is a country with great potential, really. Putin also appeared to claim that the exodus of foreign firms from Russia was evidence of U.S. domination over other Western states and economies. Many regret that they have to leave. This is all a manifestation of the internal state of these countries that cannot make sovereign decisions, he added. He then reiterated that Russia is a sovereign country that should be looking to the future. ___ MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russias need to take back (territory) and defend itself Thursday in a speech in which he compared himself to Peter the Great. Speaking at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow, Putin drew parallels between the conquering monarchs founding of St. Petersburg and his governments annexation of territory. When he founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. And Slavic people had always lived there along with Finno-Ugric people, and the territory was under the control of the Russian state. What was he doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well, he said. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further territorial expansion, while asserting Russias sovereignty. There is no state in between. A country is either sovereign or a colony, he said. Its impossible do you understand impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, Putin added. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive on Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region in order to capture it completely, a top Ukrainian military official said Thursday. Oleksei Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, said Russian forces are likely to strike out from the southern Kherson region, which is majority-controlled by Moscow, towards neighboring Zaporizhzhia. The enemy has focused on holding the lines, but at the same time does not cease (its) attempts to resume the offensive in these areas, probably in order to reach the administrative borders of the Zaporizhzhia region, Gromov said in a briefing hosted by Ukraines state Ukrinform agency. The southern part of Zaporizhzhia, including two major cities and a key nuclear plant, was overrun by Moscows troops in the early weeks of the war, and remains in Russian hands. Kyiv continues to hold the north of the region, including the capital city of Zaporizhzhia, which was previously a staging post for evacuees from the ruined port of Mariupol. Gromov did not rule out a Russian assault on the southern Mykolayiv region, which likewise borders Kherson, and the key cultural hub of Odesa, further west along Ukraines Black Sea coast. He did not provide further information regarding any such planned attacks. ___ WASHINGTON A resolution urging NATO to quickly admit Finland and Sweden won easy passage in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, in a signal of bipartisan support from lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans on the committee approved the measure supporting the expansion and urging other NATO states to swiftly admit the two Nordic states by voice vote, with no voiced objections. Thursdays vote had been seen as a test of Republican lawmakers stand on the expansion, which President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind. Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to end longstanding policies of military non-alignment and apply to join the 30-member U.S. and European defensive alliance. Biden encouraged the two countries application and welcomed their leaders to the White House in May to celebrate it. Unexpected opposition from NATO member Turkey has clouded what had been expected to be quick ascension to the bloc by the two countries. Turkey says it objects to the two countries stances regarding the Middle Easts Kurdish minority. ___ LONDON The British government says it is deeply concerned that two U.K. nationals captured while fighting with the Ukrainian military have been sentenced to death. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said Thursday that under the Geneva Conventions prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and shouldnt be exploited for political purposes. He said: We will continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release of any British nationals who were serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and are being held as prisoners of war. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss tweeted: I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found Aslin, Pinner, as well as Saaudun Brahim of Morocco, guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. ___ A court in separatist-controlled territory of eastern Ukraine sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan man to death for fighting on Ukraines side in the war with Russia. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops and surrendered to Russian forces weeks ago. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found them guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. The three were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim are set to face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. ___ PODGORICA, Montenegro Montenegros prime minister says he has spoken on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and expressed readiness to visit Kyiv. Dritan Abazovic also told Zelenskyy on Thursday that he will suggest to other leaders of countries in the Western Balkans that they should all travel to Ukraine together to show support. Small Montenegro in 2017 defied Russias strong opposition to join NATO, and is viewed as the next in line for EU membership. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. The country, along with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, prevented the visit of Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to neighboring Serbia earlier this week by refusing to grant permit for his plane to fly through their airspace. Abazovic hopes that Ukraine, too, will soon become a formal EU candidate, said a statement from his office. Abazovic offered Montenegros help on Ukraines accession path. The statement also says that Zelenskyy invited Abazovic to visit Kyiv as soon as possible. ___ KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines top military official says the situation on the frontline is very difficult and calls for very quick weapon supplies. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post Thursday that every day up to 100 Ukrainian troops are killed and up to 500 end up wounded. He said Kyiv needs heavy weapons, as well as aircraft and air defense systems quickly. We proved that we dont fear the Kremlin, unlike many others. But we as a country cant afford to bleed, losing our best sons and daughters, Reznikov wrote. He said that Russia continues to press by sheer mass, suffering huge casualties as well. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said earlier that every day 60-100 Ukrainian servicemen die on the frontline and some 500 sustain wounds. ___ BRUSSELS Senior members of the European Unions parliament are urging EU leaders to make Ukraine and neighboring Moldova official candidates for joining the 27-nation bloc. Political group leaders in the European Parliament said Thursday that the EU must be a reliable partner and a credible geopolitical actor that lives up to its principles and values by showing solidarity with those who stand up for the same ideals. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, is drafting an opinion on the membership requests of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. In recent years, the commission repeatedly expressed concern about corruption in Ukraine and the need for deep political and economic reforms. The official opinion will be weighed by EU leaders at a June 23-24 summit in Brussels. Several leaders are wary of opening the door to Ukraine, although acquiring full membership would take the country many years. The parliamentary group leaders say that giving Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status would mark the start to a merit-based process for joining. They also urged EU leaders to work towards granting the same status to Georgia. ___ MOSCOW Russias defense ministry says it used air-launched missiles to destroy a Ukrainian military base where foreign fighters allegedly were being trained. Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Thursday that the training center was in the Zhytomyr region of central Ukraine, about 125 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kyiv. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine to the Russian claims. Russia refers to foreign fighters who joined Ukrainian troops in the war as mercenaries. Konashenkov said Russian missiles also destroyed an ammunition depot and an anti-aircraft system elsewhere in Ukraine. ___ KYIV, Ukraine The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk province says Russian forces are employing scorched-earth tactics against the city of Sievierodonetsk, hitting it with rockets, artillery and mortars. Serhiy Haidai also told The Associated Press on Thursday that neighboring Lysychansk is enduring day and night shelling." Russians are trying to storm the key road connecting Lysychansk and the city of Bakhmut but have failed to gain control of it, he said. Haidai says Ukraine still remains able to deliver humanitarian supplies to the region by a relatively safe route. Ukraine's east has been the main focus of Russia's attacks for more than two months. Haidai said there were two attacks on a chemical plant and fierce battles" continue in Sievierodonetsk. Street battles are taking place with varied success in city blocks, the governor said. "The army of Ukraine is fighting for every street and house. ___ PARIS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russias invasion of his country is a threat to the environment and could lead to dangerous pollution in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Zelenskyy made the comments at a ministerial meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He used the platform to impress on ministers the need to wean states off Russian natural gas in favor of green energy. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov border both Ukraine and Russia. The Black Sea also borders Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Turkey. ___ BERLIN Polands president has sharply criticized phone calls the leaders of France and Germany had with Vladimir Putin, saying the conversations serve only to legitimize the Russian leader. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have spoken to Putin several times since Russia invaded Ukraine, both separately and together, in attempts to nudge him toward ending the war. Polish President Andrzej Duda was quoted Thursday as telling Germanys Bild newspaper that hes astonished by the calls. Duda argued they achieve nothing and only bring about a legitimization of a person who is responsible for the crimes the Russian army is committing in Ukraine. Bild quoted Duda as adding: Did anyone talk like this with Adolf Hitler during World War II? Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler must save face? I have not heard such voices. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SCHENECTADY City police are warning about a potentially bad batch of narcotics that authorities suspect has killed four people within a week. The specific substances remain unknown pending the result of toxicology tests, said city police Lt. Ryan Macherone. But the string of fatal incidents has raised concerns for a city that has seen 220 nonfatal overdoses since last September. Its been a long time since weve had four fatal overdoses in a row," Macherone said. The overdoses were concentrated downtown, he said. Whenever a rash of overdoses is fatal or non-fatal, the relationship between the city and its constellation of partners ramps up awareness of treatment and harm-prevention options, officials said. The city is also better tracking overdoses, Macherone said, and will likely have a more complete data set by next year. Doing so will aid in harm-reduction efforts and allow stakeholders to better deploy resources. The U.S. is ensnared in a sustained increase in fatal drug overdoses. More than 107,000 Americans died of overdoses in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control, a 15 percent increase from the previous record set the year before. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid once mostly associated with heroin and other opiates, is now appearing in cocaine and crack, surprising long-term users, said Laura Combs, executive director of the New Choices Recovery Center, a nonprofit licensed by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. Training people to administer Narcan, a prescription medicine that reverses opioid overdoses, is lifesaving, and the agency has recently conducted free sessions at Schenectady Pride and will facilitate additional training sessions at upcoming Juneteenth events. One of the treatment facility's contractors recently completed a session. During a recent trip to the Adirondacks, the contractor was enjoying his morning coffee at a Stewart's convenience store in North Creek when a man emerged from the bathroom, turned blue and collapsed onto the floor. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. The contractor administered a dose of Narcan nasal spray to the man in distress and it revived him. "It took 15 minutes for the EMTs to arrive," the contractor wrote to Combs in an email. "By the time they arrived, I had him conscious, breathing and highly agitated ... He was light-skinned and turned from bright red into a deep blue then back-and-forth three or four times in 20 seconds." City police have provided links to a number of local drug treatment providers and harm-reduction services, including those that facilitate needle exchange and disseminate naloxone (the generic name for Narcan), the anti-overdose antidote. Combs sees the lifesaving episode as progress. If we can save someones life, the hope is always there that they want to do something different," Combs said. President Joe Biden, visiting Buffalo after the mass shooting there, said, "The American experiment in democracy is in danger like it hasn't been in my lifetime," and I believe him. The news reports after the shooting indicate we may need to enhance "love thy neighbor" efforts in our communities. Our democracy needs to include "love thy neighbor" as a component of our social and emotional learning within schools and as policy in government. Our public safety policies, coordinated with governments and schools, need to develop non-violent social and emotional learning skills. TROY Troy Councilwoman Kimberly Ashe-McPherson resigned from the City Council on Thursday morning, a day after she pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge related to her submission of fraudulent absentee ballots in last year's elections. The resignation of the enrolled Conservative Party member from Troy's North Central neighborhood set off an immediate political battle to name her successor. Mayor Patrick Madden and three of his fellow Democrats on the now-deadlocked City Council announced a special meeting has been scheduled for Friday to appoint a Democrat, Steven Figueroa, who lost to Ashe-McPherson when she ran on the Republican line in November's general election. Republicans held a 4-3 majority on the council prior to Ashe-McPherson's resignation. Madden, who is pushing for Figueroa to be appointed to the unexpired term through the end of this year, could potentially be a tie-breaking vote if the council reaches an impasse in naming a successor. City Council President Carmella R. Mantello, a Republican, sent a statement to Madden on Thursday afternoon criticizing him for what she said is an "attempt to usurp the powers of the legislative branch (that) is appalling and oversteps the co-equal branches of government." Mantello had proposed, with her two GOP colleagues on the council, establishing a bipartisan committee to meet with community leaders and other stakeholders from the North Central neighborhood that had been represented by Ashe-McPherson. "Some people are saying just appoint her prior opponent," Mantello said in an interview. "He may be that person, but lets include the people of District 2. Its not the mayors decision at this point, its the councils decision. ... Lets do our due diligence. Im not just going to appoint someone without interviewing people. Its not fair for the council to do this backroom deal with the mayor." Mantello said she is hopeful the Democratic lawmakers on the council will abandon their plan to conduct a special meeting on Friday in order to appoint Figueroa to the position. Doing so would enable Figueroa to run for a full term in November as an incumbent. Madden, in a statement, said the Democratic City Council membersSue Steele, Emily Menn, and Kiani Conley-Wilsonhad agreed to sponsor the legislation appointing Figueroa. "He has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the residents of North Central, particularly the youth, and will serve them well on the council," Madden said. "Mr. Figueroa ran for this seat in the last election, and one cannot discount the very real possibility that he would have been elected without the involvement of potentially fraudulent ballots." Ashe-McPherson, who was first elected to the City Council in 2015, defeated Figueroa by 142 votes, 582440, in November's election, according to the county Board of Elections. Mantello said it is her hope for the bipartisan search committee she is proposing to interview District 2 neighborhood stakeholders, including church and youth sports leaders, to gain input on their priorities and interests in selecting a new council member. "Any District 2 resident should and will be allowed to apply for the vacant seat," Mantello said. "Once again, a backroom appointment will not be supported by us." Ashe-McPherson, 61, became the first person to face criminal charges in the ongoing FBI investigation of widespread ballot-fraud allegations in Rensselaer County. She admitted to fraudulently submitting absentee ballots in last year's primary and general elections as she sought re-election to the City Council. As part of her guilty plea she also agreed to resign from her City Council position within 30 days. Ashe-McPherson sent an email to Mantello and President Pro Tempore James Gulli on Thursday morning, stating: "I am resigning from my position immediately." Her guilty plea was in connection with three absentee ballots that Ashe-McPherson submitted last year in the primary and general elections one in the Working Families Party primary in June, which she won, and two more prior to the general election in November, when she was re-elected. According to her plea agreement, Ashe-McPherson had received guidance on how to submit the ballots from an unnamed official at the Rensselaer County Board of Elections. The ballots were submitted in the names of two individuals who were residing outside of the United States but had voting addresses in Ashe-McPherson's district. A person briefed on the matter said the ballots were submitted on behalf of Ashe-McPherson's family members, including her daughter and son-in-law, who is in the military. According to Ashe-McPherson's plea agreement, the unidentified official at the county Board of Elections had requested the absentee ballot for the June 2021 primary through a state elections portal, using the voter's name and date of birth. The county Board of Elections subsequently mailed the absentee ballot to Ashe-McPherson's address in Troy. "Neither the defendant nor (the county Board of Elections official) had lawful authority to use (the voter's) name and date of birth in an absentee ballot application," the plea agreement states. Ashe-McPherson, who previously served on the Rensselaer County Legislature after being appointed to fill an unexpired term, told the federal judge during her plea hearing on Wednesday that she works for the county's Department of Social Services. Several elected officials, including Madden, immediately called for the councilwoman to resign after her guilty plea was first reported Wednesday by the Times Union. Ashe-McPherson pleaded guilty less than a month after her brother, former Hoosick Falls village police Chief Robert Ashe, pleaded guilty to an unrelated misdemeanor charge of official misconduct for his handling of confiscated fireworks and police employment records. Ashe's plea in Village Court resolved allegations in a State Police investigation that had included felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing and grand larceny. Ashe-McPherson was first elected to the City Council in 2015 and subsequently ran unsuccessfully for Rensselaer County Legislature for a seat in which she was finishing an unexpired term. Her plea was the result of an FBI-led investigation that's been examining the filing of absentee ballots in multiple elections over the past two years. PITTSFIELD, Mass. The playwright Brent Askari lets his imagination loose on two of his fascinations an American celebrity artist and the homeland of some of Askari's ancestors with "Andy Warhol in Iran," an intermittently funny, two-character comedy that is having its world premiere this month at Barrington Stage Company. Commissioned by Barrington Stage after Askari's 2019 drama "American Underground" won the company's Burman New Play Award and earned a production on BSC's Mainstage, "Andy Warhol in Iran" depicts a fictional encounter during a real trip the artist took to Tehran. After meeting the Shan of Iran and his third wife at a White House event in 1975, Warhol traveled to visit them the following year to take Polaroids on which to base a portrait of the princess similar to the extremely lucrative silk-screened images he'd done of celebrities and world leaders, including Marilyn Monroe and Richard Nixon. As the play opens, Warhol (played perfectly by Henry Stram) is in a hotel room reflecting on the trip thus far. Askari's fiction takes over when a knock on the door turns out to be a young Iranian radical named Farhad (Nima Rakhshanifar). Brandishing a gun, Farhad tells Warhol he's part of a group that wants to kidnap the artist and use the resulting scandal to force the shah, a repressive tyrant long propped up by U.S. meddling in Iran, to relinquish power. While Askari and Stram create a convincing version of Warhol, from his speech and mannerisms to his ideas about fame and art, Farhad is a more elusive character, especially in a play that sets out primarily to be funny. The internal logic of a comedy and its characters' motivations need to be fully worked out, or the gears slip. Further, the tone needs to be absolutely clear, but "Andy Warhol in Iran" is an uncertain mix of light, dark, serious, silly and earnest. Farhad seems menacing enough at first, and information revealed later about his treatment by the regime is sufficiently awful to fire his zealotry, but Askari has written himself into a corner by creating an incident during an otherwise real trip. Farhad can't genuinely hurt Warhol, much less actually kidnap him, and so the puzzle becomes how to resolve their standoff over 75 minutes in one room, and do so in a believable way that will allow Warhol to go off to the princess' Polaroid shoot at the palace. Rakhshanifar's Farhad turns out to be a mostly hapless revolutionary; he has the urge but not the ruthlessness to try to topple a government, at least not yet. And that begs the question of how he was the one chosen to go into the hotel and get Warhol, bringing him out when the others arrive with a getaway vehicle. Is the rest of the gang as ineffectual? Also, Farhad says Warhol's commercial instinct to make himself rich in part by glamorizing despots with his portraits, as well as his fame and artifice, represent everything Farhad despises about America. If so, why does he soften his views of Warhol during an encounter that lasts barely more than an hour? Such questions aren't Rakhshanifar's fault; as written, the character isn't fully realized, and as a result his behavior strains credulity. Guest director Skip Greer, who is in his 27th season as artist in residence at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, crafts scenes well on an evocative hotel-room set by Brian Prather that accommodates effective projections by Yana Buryukova, used when the characters step out of the story's timeline to talk to the audience. The good news is that "Andy Warhol in Iran" needs tinkering by Askari, albeit some of it significant, though not the full-scale rewrite required to turn his earlier "American Underground" from screed to compelling drama. There's potentially a funny story in a radical trying to kidnap a famous artist because he's cozying up to a corrupt leader, but "Andy Warhol in Iran" isn't finished yet. On top of Central Towers Walmart Police Station The hospital In the middle of the Hydetown gravel pit pond Pitt Titusville I'd give up and be zombie food Vote View Results As the small Texas city of Uvalde struggles to heal after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school, thoughts have also turned to making sure the schools legacy as the place that was at the heart of a fight for the equal education of Mexican Americans over half a century ago is carried on Today most of the news concerned rain and a tornado last night. The most useful tidbit concerns leaf & brush drop-off. Along with some concern about early warning systems and sirens that many didn't hear. The local angle . . . The Citys Drop-off Depot will accept limbs and brush for free on Saturday, June 11, from 8A-3P at 875 Vista Ave. The city is evaluating the need for additional dates and times and will share those accordingly. Kansas City: All three leaf/brush drop off sites will be open Monday through Saturday from 6/9 - 6/25 to drop off storm debris (limbs, branches, etc.). You must prove KCMO residency. Check TKC news gathering . . . type="article-full" data-card-align="left"> KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Preliminary indications from the National Weather Service indicate a tornado tracked for 14 miles in the early morning hours Wednesday through Johnson County, Kansas, and Jackson County, Missouri. Where's the alert? A look at phone notifications after KC-area tornadoes BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - What woke you up overnight? Was it the storms, sirens or an alert from your phone? If you're asking yourself "What alert on your phone?" Well, you're not alone. Many Kansas City-area residents complained they didn't get phone notifications they thought would warn them of severe weather and Wednesday's tornados. 'Quickly moving' storm impacts siren timing in Johnson County OLATHE, Kan. - The KSHB 41 I-Team is finding out whether the tornado sirens worked when the storm moved through the Kansas City area during the early morning hours on Wednesday. RELATED | EF-1-rated storm causes damage in Johnson County, Kansas, Jackson County, Missouri The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 1:21 a.m. Videos: Damage reported after overnight storms across Kansas City LENEXA, Kan. - Home and property owners are beginning to asses the damage following a tornado that moved through the metro overnight. The National Weather Service said preliminary results are in and it believes an EF-1 tornado hit Johnson County and then traveled into Jackson County early Wednesday morning. Homeowners, crews clean up after tornado damage in Leawood LEAWOOD, Kan. - Homeowners near West 95th Street and Belinder Road in Leawood are in the process of cleaning up and repairing damage Wednesday after an EF-1 tornado blew through during the early-morning hours. Several homes suffered tree and wind damage along Canterbury Street near West 95th Street. Johnson County works to clean up after being hit hard by tornado producing storms Evergy crews have been working hard to restore power in Leawood, Kansas, and across Johnson County after a night of Tornado producing storms.95th street has been shut down for hours and will be shut down for several more.Crews say there's a lot of work left to be done. Share your 'Tornado Tale' to help improve alerts Posted: Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Thousands of homeowners are cleaning up after the National Weather Service reported two tornadoes hit parts of the metro. Now scientists want to hear more about your experience during severe weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration just launched an online survey called Tornado Tales. Striking videos captures tornado that touched down near Kansas City The National Weather Service will be conducting a damage survey along the 95th Street Corridor in Overland Park, Kansas, after a tornado-warned storm passed through the area early Wednesday.In classic midwestern fashion, some area residents couldn't help but head to their front doors to capture a bit of the storm forming overhead. Drone video shows storm damage along 95th Street in Leawood LEAWOOD, Kan. - The overnight storm system caused a massive mess around the northern area of Leawood. Downed trees, limbs and power lines from the storm forced Leawood police to close West 95th Street between Mission Road and Lee Boulevard. Several other side streets in that area are also closed because of storm damage. KCK woman, Lenexa man continue cleanup after homes damaged in storms KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Francine Ingram woke up to an unpleasant surprise on Wednesday morning after storms tore through the Kansas City area overnight. The strength of the storms knocked a tree over into her home. Ingram told KSHB 41 News that the impact of the fall caused a piece of the tree to tear into the middle of her home. Overland Park opening storm debris drop-off site for residents Overland Park said it will open a storm debris drop-off site Sunday and Monday for residents affected by the severe weather.The city said the storm debris can be dropped off at Overland Park Parks Headquarters at 11921 Hardy. It will be open for storm debris on Sunday and Monday from 8 a.m. Where to drop off storm debris after tornados hits Kansas City area KANSAS CITY, MO. - Thousands of homeowners have some work ahead after reported EF-1 and EF-2 tornados caused miles of damage early Wednesday morning. Cities are already planning how to help out and get neighborhoods back to normal. Homeowners will be allowed to dispose of storm debris and limbs in the following ways, depending on the cities where they live. Storms that caused tornado hit Kansas City church KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Like many across the Kansas City area early Wednesday morning, Jim West woke up to the sound of sirens blaring. "I was already in bed, my kids woke me up, we went down to the basement, sirens went off," he said. Kansas City residents come together to cleanup damage after overnight storms KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It was a whirlwind of a Wednesday for residents across the Kansas City area, as they were tasked with cleaning up from last night's severe weather . There was a widespread sense of relief that no one was hurt, even as people assessed damage. 'I knew God took care of me': Platte County man thankful after tree crashes through bedroom Cleanup is well under way in Platte County after the storms took down trees and power lines. KMBC's Andy Alcock spoke to one man who had a close call with one of his own trees."All of a sudden I heard this bang, bang, bang. Developing . . . Many progressives talk about a "prison to school" pipeline and a recent description of KCPS facilities sounds like a jail. Sadly, amid more shootings and little political will to change anything . . . Youngsters growing up in jail is merely a fact of life. Check the deets . . . Kansas City Public Schools continues following its established school security procedures in the wake of the Texas shooting, district spokesperson Elle Moxley said. In an email, Moxley described the districts security procedures, which include locking all exterior doors in schools before, during and after each school day. Security cameras allow staff to check a visitors photo identification and enter the information into the schools security software before granting entry. Visitors can then enter the main part of the school only by staff electronically granting access through three checkpoints. Badge access controls other exterior doors, which automatically relock. If any of these doors remains open, it trips an alarm. The district has armed Kansas City Police Department school resource officers (SROs) at its high schools based on need; site-based security teams a mix of armed and unarmed and at least one supervisor at all secondary schools; and 24 armed mobile patrol security officers who provide security districtwide. KCPS security officers receive more than 60 hours of training a year, including active-shooter and emergency medical training, and emphasize de-escalation training. KCPS Superintendent Mark Bedell declined to comment. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Area Kansas City school safety plans - and helping students process trauma Last month's mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas - the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. These violent acts have brought renewed attention to Kansas City school safety, and how schools secure their premises to protect students, teachers, other staff and visitors. These violent acts have brought renewed attention to Kansas City school safety, and how schools secure their premises to protect students, teachers, other staff and visitors. Right now we take a quick moment to roundup some of the more important local crime news we've been watching amid the current news cycle. In this post we check police reports, court cases and, as always, trying to finish with something nice. Check TKC news gathering . . . KCPD: Suspected drunk driver kills recent UMKC School of Law graduate KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A recent University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law graduate and student representative to the University of Missouri Board of Curators died in a Thursday morning car crash. A suspected drunk driver ran a red light and collided with a car driven by Remington Williams, 25, at West 75th Street and Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCMO police. KCK police say total of 15,000 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl seized last week DEATH LAWSUIT WITH ANTONIO GARCIA'S FAMILY. Kansas City man accused of holding Grindr date hostage with gun at downtown luxury hotel A Kansas City man is accused of holding another man he met over the dating app Grindr hostage for hours inside a downtown hotel room before robbing him and then trying to kidnap him. Irakoze Jackson, 22, was charged Saturday in Jackson County Circuit Court with first-degree robbery, kidnapping, trafficking stolen identities and two counts of armed criminal action. Johnson County DA warns of scams following storm OLATHE, Kan. - Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Steve Howe is warning residents of potential home repair and insurance scams following the possible tornado and heavy storms in the area overnight Wednesday. Howe's office urges residents to call their insurance directly and not give any personal information to door-to-door individuals who may be pretending to be insurance representatives. Resident out $3.5K after falling victim to fake 'Lenexa Police Deputy' scam KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Lenexa Police Department is warning people about a scammer who has been calling people and posing as a representative of the department. According to the department, the caller is identifying himself as "Deputy Martins." The scammer is telling people that a warrant has been issued for their arrest because they missed jury duty. KCK woman speaks out after her daughter was gunned down in April A grieving mother is searching for answers after her daughter was killed and her granddaughter was wounded.Tai-Lin Davis sat down with KMBC's Andy Alcock to talk about her daughter Tia and gun violence.On April 30, a man shot and killed his fiancee, Tia, and shot and injured her 15-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself.Davis said she feels compelled to speak out about gun violence."Why do the people we try to be protected from, why are they the ones with guns? Northeast mourns young lives lost to gun violence By Abby Hoover On Tuesday, May 31, educators, parents, lawmakers and community members gathered at Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC) at 2203 Lexington Avenue to mourn the lives of children lost to gun violence. LEC hosted a candlelight vigil for the 19 students and two teachers killed, and those injured, in Uvalde, Tx., on May 24. Bomb Dog Donated After Bomb Technician's K-9 Passes Jobe is Flick's partner. He's a bomb technician and a fire investigator at KCPD who handles ammunition disposals, hazardous device calls, and explosives. For the last five years, Jobe partnered with K-9 Officer Denis. But after a few months of battling cancer, Denis passed away this spring. Developing . . . For those who won't want to watch Wolf Blitzer relive the tragic events of Jan. 6th Capitol Riot this evening . . . We're happy to share a bit of alternative viewing. Check this cast of influential characters in a discussion of how to defund and/or abolish the po-po. The ideas wouldn't garner much voter support outside a coffee house or sociology department but it's interesting to see a major KCMO institution AND a high-ranking elected law enforcement official signing on to the likely controversial conversation. Here's a preview . . . In an extraordinary community forum, local leaders and national experts examine the troubling patterns of violent discriminatory policing and how, through collaboration, we can build a more restorative justice system. Presentations and discussions revolve around the 21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Community Trust drawn up by the National Urban League. National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial and Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, examine the issues. And Donald Cravins Jr., the National Urban Leagues executive vice president and COO, moderates a panel discussion. Joining Cravins on the panel are: - Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker - Shanette Hall, a member of the board of St. Louis Countys Ethical Society of Police - Attorney, political commentator, and former South Carolina state Rep. Bakari Sellers - Ryan Sorrell, publisher of The Kansas City Defender and co-founder of the local activist group Black Rainbow - Jerika Richardson, the National Urban Leagues senior vice president for equitable justice and strategic initiatives The National Urban Leagues 21 Pillars range from the revision of divisive policing policies, including bans on chokeholds, no-knock warrants, and shooting at moving vehicles, to the creation or strengthening of independent, all-civilian review boards to raise police accountability. They will move us closer to a world where community safety is real and not aspirational, Morial says. ##### Another peek . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . 21 Pillars Heartland Tour: Empowering Communities to Redefine Public Safety In an extraordinary community forum, local leaders and national experts examine the troubling patterns of violent discriminatory policing and how, collaboratively, we can build a more restorative justice system. National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial and Gwen Grant of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City examine the issues, before Donald Cravins Jr., the National Urban League's executive vice president and COO, moderates a panel discussion. You decide . . . We notice locals demur from talking about his school shooting that was involved a sketchy gun and an SRO. As with all things related to the KC Metro . . . The politics of it don't really work out right for anybody. Here's part of the story worth consideration . . . "Jaylon Elmore is charged with attempted capitol murder for shooting school resource officer Erik Clark on March 4 at Olathe East High School. "According to court documents, Clark shot and disarmed Elmore in the office area of the school and was hospitalized for two months before being booked into Johnson County jail. "The shooting happened in Olathe East Assistant Principal Dr. Kaleb Stoppels office as he confronted Elmore, who allegedly refused to allow his bag to be searched. "Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said the gun Elmore allegedly had was a ghost gun. "Olathe East was locked down for several hours before students were reunited with their parents." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Olathe East shooting suspect Jaylon Elmore appears in court KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The teenager who allegedly brought a gun to Olathe East High School and has been charged with attempted capital murder after a shootout in an assistant principal's office appeared Wednesday in Johnson County District Court. Jaylon Elmore, 18, appeared via Zoom with his attorney, former Johnson County District Attorney Paul Morrison, for a scheduling conference. Olathe East HS shooting suspect in court for the first time OLATHE, Kan. - Olathe East High School shooting suspect Jaylon Elmore appeared in court for the first time via Zoom since being released from the hospital on May 9. Elmore is charged with attempted capitol murder for shooting school resource officer Erik Clark on March 4 at Olathe East High School. Developing . . . Toronto Public Health (TPH) is working with Team Toronto health and community partners to add eight COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the northwest part of the city for the month of June. - Metroland file photo Patios have started springing up along the citys bustling streets since the May long weekend, marking the beginning of the third season of CafeTO, Torontos popular pandemic-inspired outdoor dining program. Astronomers have found only the second example of a highly active, repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB) with a compact source of weaker but persistent radio emission between bursts. The discovery raises new questions about the nature of these mysterious objects and also about their usefulness as tools for studying the nature of intergalactic space. The scientists used the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and other telescopes to study the object, first discovered in 2019. The object, called FRB 190520, was found by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in China. A burst from the object occurred on May 20, 2019, and was found in data from that telescope in November of that year. Follow-up observations with FAST showed that, unlike many other FRBs, it emits frequent, repeating bursts of radio waves. Observations with the VLA in 2020 pinpointed the object's location, and that allowed visible-light observations with the Subaru telescope in Hawaii to show that it is in the outskirts of a dwarf galaxy nearly 3 billion light-years from Earth. The VLA observations also found that the object constantly emits weaker radio waves between bursts. "These characteristics make this one look a lot like the very first FRB whose position was determined -- also by the VLA -- back in 2016," said Casey Law, of Caltech. That development was a major breakthrough, providing the first information about the environment and distance of an FRB. However, its combination of repeating bursts and persistent radio emission between bursts, coming from a compact region, set the 2016 object, called FRB 121102, apart from all other known FRBs, until now. "Now we have two like this, and that brings up some important questions," Law said. Law is part of an international team of astronomers reporting their findings in the journal Nature. The differences between FRB 190520 and FRB 121102 and all the others strengthen a possibility suggested earlier that there may be two different kinds of FRBs. "Are those that repeat different from those that don't? What about the persistent radio emission -- is that common?" said Kshitij Aggarwal, a graduate student at West Virginia University (WVU). The astronomers suggest that there may be either two different mechanisms producing FRBs or that the objects producing them may act differently at different stages of their evolution. Leading candidates for the sources of FRBs are the superdense neutron stars left over after a massive star explodes as a supernova, or neutron stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields, called magnetars. One characteristic of FRB 190520 calls into question the usefulness of FRBs as tools for studying the material between them and Earth. Astronomers often analyze the effects of intervening material on the radio waves emitted by distant objects to learn about that tenuous material itself. One such effect occurs when radio waves pass through space that contains free electrons. In that case, higher-frequency waves travel more quickly than lower-frequency waves. This effect, called dispersion, can be measured to determine the density of electrons in the space between the object and Earth, or, if the electron density is known or assumed, provide a rough estimate of the distance to the object. The effect often is used to make distance estimates to pulsars. That didn't work for FRB 190520. An independent measurement of the distance based on the Doppler shift of the galaxy's light caused by the expansion of the Universe placed the galaxy at nearly 3 billion light-years from Earth. However, the burst's signal shows an amount of dispersion that ordinarily would indicate a distance of roughly 8 to 9.5 billion light-years. "This means that there is a lot of material near the FRB that would confuse any attempt to use it to measure the gas between galaxies," Aggarwal said. "If that's the case with others, then we can't count on using FRBs as cosmic yardsticks," he added. The astronomers speculated that FRB 190520 may be a "newborn," still surrounded by dense material ejected by the supernova explosion that left behind the neutron star. As that material eventually dissipates, the dispersion of the burst signals also would decline. Under the "newborn" scenario, they said, the repeating bursts also might be a characteristic of younger FRBs and dwindle with age. "The FRB field is moving very fast right now and new discoveries are coming out monthly. However, big questions still remain, and this object is giving us challenging clues about those questions," said Sarah Burke-Spolaor, of WVU. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc. A repeating fast radio burst associated with a persistent radio source, Nature Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it. I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends. More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it. The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity. About me: I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS. Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line). Age: 42 Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed. I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it). Ripple effects from the war in Ukraine have generated a severe cost-of-living crisis which no country or community can escape, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said. According to an Ukrinform correspondent in New York, he stated this on Wednesday at a press conference dedicated to the presentation of a report on the conflicts impacts on food security, energy, and financing. Earlier, he said the war in Ukraine is inflaming a three-dimensional global crisis food, energy and finance. The UN Secretary General said that countries must act now to save lives and livelihoods. "Three months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we face a new reality. For those on the ground, every day brings new bloodshed and suffering. And for people around the world together with the other crises, the war is threatening to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake," he said. Furthermore, the crisis is amplifying the consequences of other challenges confronting countries, such as the climate emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic, and inequalities in resources for post-pandemic recovery. According to the report, the number of severely food insecure people doubled from 135 million prior to the pandemic, to 276 million over just two years. The ripple effects of the war could push this number to 323 million. An estimated 1.6 billion people in 94 countries are exposed to at least one dimension of the crisis, with around 1.2 billion living in perfect-storm countries severely vulnerable to all three dimensions. The report calls for stabilizing record-high food and fuel prices, implementing social safety nets, and increasing financial support to developing countries. The situation at the front remains difficult, with Ukraine losing up to a hundred servicemen killed and up to 500 wounded every day. Thats according to Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, who addressed the issue on Facebook, Ukrinform reports. According to the minister, "Russian monster still has many means to devour human lives to satisfy his imperial ego." That is why Ukraine emphasizes the need for heavy weapons to be supplied as quickly as possible. "We have proved that we have no fear of the Kremlin, unlike many others. But we, as a country, cannot afford to bleed out, losing our best sons and daughters," Reznikov said. He named the following goals pursued by government: Obtaining a significant amount of NATO-style MLRS and ammunition; Ensuring the complete replacement of certain Soviet-style calibers (guns are worn out, shells are either no longer produced or their stocks are low) on platforms that are common in NATO countries and equipped with ammunition; Agreeing with partners on the transition to supplies in the form of integrated units that are immediately ready to perform combat missions (organic unit), rather than in the form of separate platforms. This will significantly increase efficiency on the battlefield; Deploying hundreds of units of heavy armored vehicles, without which an effective counterattack is impossible. It should be borne in mind that Soviet equipment is mostly obsolete and needs to be brought into combat readiness. Meanwhile, Ukraine is so far receiving from partners fairly light armored vehicles, not always armed; and Getting combat aircraft and air defense / missile defense equipment to protect the sky. The Minister of Defense says he is not satisfied with the pace and volumes of arms supplies. "But at the same time, I am infinitely grateful to the nations that support us. In particular, the United States, Great Britain, Poland, and our Baltic friends, as well as ll other countries that help curb Russian evil," Reznikov said. He noted the role of Ukrainian society, volunteers who, thanks to their speed and flexibility, have successfully been covering a number of important needs. This applies to UAVs, communications, and some other components that the government is not yet fully working on. The head of the Ministry of Defense also noted that "we see not only achievements but also mistakes. We receive all the signals, and criticism, too. We know our shortcomings and work hard to correct them." Reznikov called the preservation of synergy of the entire military-political leadership the governments main achievement. "This is our advantage as a nation, and we will not allow it to be shaken by those who are already working with a view to ratings and political prospects. As I have already noted, all those who work toward defense for the sake of Ukraine's victory are one team. Our main team is to beat Russia, no matter how difficult it may be." At the same time, the minister stressed, the situation at the front is difficult, "we lose up to a hundred of our soldiers killed and up to 500 wounded every day. The Kremlin continues to press with numbers, gets stalled, sees powerful resistance, and suffers massive losses. However, they are still able to advance at certain sections of the front." As Ukrinform reported, according to the General Staff, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liquidated about 31,700 Russian servicemen from February 24 to June 9. Poland has sent weapons worth nearly $2 billion to Ukraine, including more than 240 tanks and about 100 armored personnel carriers. We sent tanks from Poland to Ukraine: almost two combat tank groups. There are more than 240 tanks that the Ukrainian army can service. We have sent almost a hundred armored personnel carriers," President of Poland Andrzej Duda told the Bild German newspaper in an interview, Ukrinform reports. He added that Warsaw had also supplied Kyiv with small arms, ammunition, military equipment. "In total, we have sent weapons worth nearly $2 billion to Ukraine," Duda said. He also called on those, who can provide Ukraine with heavy weapons, including long-range systems and rocket artillery, to do so. According to him, the transfer of such equipment to Kyiv would be a response to Russia's artillery and rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities. "Ukraines response in the form of heavy artillery and rocket artillery is really the only means against the Russian offensive now," Duda noted. He added that Poland also expected to receive compensation from Western allies, including Germany, in the form of weapons to fill the gaps in the Polish army following the transfer of military equipment to Ukraine. The President of the Republic of Poland noted that Warsaw would like to receive American weapons of the latest generation within the framework of the lend-lease program adopted by the United States to help Ukraine. He noted that Berlin had also adopted a program that allows providing compensations to some countries for the loss of weapons transferred to Ukraine. The Polish leader noted that Poland wanted to receive Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks from Germany. However, as Duda noted, Berlin has not yet done anything in this direction. As reported, on February 24, Russia launched a new phase of the war against Ukraine a full-scale invasion. Russian invaders shell and bomb peaceful Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages, torture and kill civilians. Ukraine's defense forces fiercely resist Russian invaders. ol The tactic of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Siverodonetsk area at this stage is to exhaust the Russian army as much as possible, inflicting maximum losses on enemy manpower and weaponry. This was stated by the adviser to the head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, Mykhailo Podoliak, who spoke in an interview with BBC Radio, Ukrinform reports. Ukraine hopes to accumulate enough weapons supplied by partners to be able to launch an effective counterattack, the official stressed. Podoliak noted that Russia seeks to wage war in such a way as to make the evacuation of civilians impossible, destroying urban infrastructure with heavy artillery. Intense fighting is currently underway in the east of the country, which is taking more and more lives of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. And the reason for this is the absolute lack of parity in terms of artillery, according to the advisor, who added that Russian troops have deployed almost all of their non-nuclear weapons on the front line, including heavy artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and warplanes, which led to a higher number of casualties among Ukrainian forces. Therefore, he noted, Ukraine wants to achieve certain parity with the Russian army in terms of firepower and is therefore constantly raising the issue with its Western partners. This will significantly reduce casualties compared to what Ukraine is seeing at the moment, Podoliak added. As Ukrinform reported earlier, referring to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian troops keep engaging in exhausting high-intensity hostilities on a wide front as of June 9. As of today, Russian military death toll in the ongoing war has reached 31,700, including 200 in the past day alone. Germany and the European Union as a whole must replace the volumes of energy received from the Russian Federation in order to further abandon them in full. It is necessary to diversify energy sources, achieve cooperation within the EU in this area and develop alternative energy sources. This was stated in a comment to Guildhall by Bundestag deputy with the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Ulrich Lehte. In the long term, we must and will have to completely abandon fossil energy. This also means that we want to gradually reduce our dependencies on Russia and have begun to do so with the coal and oil embargo decided at the European level, the MP said, adding that replacing Russian energy adequately now is the current challenge and precondition for doing without Russian energy completely. At this point, we urgently need more diversification, European cooperation, innovations, reliable partnerships with foreign countries and, above all, an expansion of renewable energies, Ulrich Lechte concluded. Earlier, the need to achieve energy independence from Russia was expressed in parliaments of Great Britain, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, and the Czech Republic, as well as by members of the European Parliament. British lawmaker Sir Roger Gale, answering the question about the need for developing nuclear energy by European nations in order to achieve energy independence from Russia, said that he supports such an approach. German MP with the Alternative for Germany, Matthias Moosdorf, said he stood in support of developing nuclear generation in Europe and achieving energy independence from Russia. Paulius Saudargas, Vice Speaker of Lithuanias Seimas, believes that modern nuclear energy technology is safe, causing no significant environmental damage, so their development in European countries is one of the tools to achieve energy independence from Russia. Also, two other main tools for achieving such independence are sanctions on the purchase of Russian energy, diversification of supplies, and development of the corresponding infrastructure. Parliamentarian with the ruling Czech party STAN, member of the Committee on European Integration and Security Policy Martin Exner stressed that the European Union needs a plan for the complete rejection of Russian energy, which should include the construction of new gas and oil pipelines, the development of nuclear and alternative generation. EU politicians, he believes, should engage with the public to raise awareness of the need for such steps. Member of the Latvian Parliament Atis Lejins noted that the EU countries should start building and developing infrastructure for the exchange of energy resources in order to achieve independence from Russia. Member of the European Parliament Petras Austrevicius, commenting on the need to abandon the European Union's dependency on Russian energy, said that the EU should develop a plan for such a phase-out, coordinating it with national governments, businesses, and investors, and also ensure its technological part. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra assured Verkhovna Rada Chair Ruslan Stefanchuk of the support for Ukraine's European integration aspirations. "Amid the current situation in Ukraine, it is difficult to say 'no' to its bid to become a candidate for membership of the European Union," Stefanchuk posted on Facebook, quoting Hoekstra as saying. At the meeting, the Dutch foreign minister also stressed that everything possible would be done to ramp up security assistance to Ukraine, increase sanctions on Russia, and bring all Russian war criminals to justice. In addition, according to Stefanchuk, the Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine in financial and humanitarian areas. As reported, Verkhovna Rada Chair Ruslan Stefanchuk began a working visit to the Netherlands on June 9. Photo: Facebook account of Ruslan Stefanchuk ol Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, says Ukraine will never cross the three red lines in any negotiations. The statement came during Stefanchuks meeting with deputies of the House of Representatives of the General States of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in The Hague, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports. "There are three red lines through which Ukraine will never step over in any negotiations the issue of Ukrainian independence, the issue of Ukrainian sovereignty, and the issue of Ukrainian territorial integrity. These three issues must be the subject of any negotiations. In addition, I would like to emphasize that with each such Mariupol, Bucha, or Irpin, the corridor for negotiations is becoming narrower," the Parliament Speaker said. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on June 9-10, Ruslan Stefanchuk is scheduled to hold meetings with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the General States of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as deputies of both houses of the Dutch Parliament. The European Parliament has recommended that the European Union grant Ukraine candidate status. MEPs also expressed their position on weapons for Ukraine and the UN special tribunal. The authorities established by the Russian invaders in Melitopol plan to hold a pseudo-referendum on joining Russia. First deputy chief of the Putins staff Sergey Kiriyenko has visited the city. At the same time, the population shows no support for the referendum. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov spoke of this on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports. "Yesterday (June 7 - ed.) there was a tour of the territory of our temporarily occupied city by Russias senior leadership (Deputy Chief of Staff of Putin's Administration Sergey Kiriyenko - ed.). After that, they started talking openly of a pseudo-referendum, which they allegedly seek to hold in our city and in the occupied part of Zaporizhia region in general. But they understand that today even at gun-point, people wont cast their ballots, so they are now starting a propaganda war, Fedorov said. He noted that Kiriyenko held three meetings in Melitopol: with security pseudo-agencies, utility services and pseudo-political self-proclaimed leadership. "They are afraid of going out to meet the people," Fedorov said. The mayor is also confident that the local population will never support the ruscist regime. Earlier it was reported that the occupiers were illegally moving bacthes of grain from Melitopol. On Tuesday, June 7, about a dozen freight carriages left the grain silo. Ukrainian refugees arrive at a transport hub after crossing into Moldova at the Palanca border point. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell GENEVA UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has updated its data portal on the Ukraine Refugee Situation, adding new data which better reflects recent movements of refugees from and to Ukraine. The Ukraine war has caused one of the largest human displacement crises in the world today. Millions of refugees have crossed into neighbouring countries, and many more have been displaced inside the country. UNHCR has responded as the situation has evolved and new data became available. The portal now presents the estimated number of individual refugees recorded in 44 countries across Europe as well updates on border crossings from Ukraine since 24 February, movements back to Ukraine as well as temporary protection registrations in Europe. As of 7 June, some 7.3 million border crossings have been recorded from Ukraine, with another 2.3 million crossings back into the country. According to new data sourced from national authorities and collated by UNHCR, at least 4.8 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded across Europe, including those who first crossed into the neighbouring countries and later moved onward. From the onset, UNHCR has strengthened its data collection and analysis capacity in refugee-receiving countries on the profile, vulnerabilities, and intentions of refugees, said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations. This is crucial to ensure an effective humanitarian response, enabling us and partners to respond to critical needs with specific support, and to better plan for the future. The outpouring of solidarity in States receiving refugees remains extraordinary. European Union Member States have taken unprecedented measures, rapidly activating the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time, ensuring access to protection and services for refugees from Ukraine. Other European States have extended similar protection schemes. Of the 4.8 million individual Ukrainian refugees recorded in Europe, 3.2 million have registered for Temporary Protection or similar national protection schemes. Although the security situation in Ukraine remains fragile, crossings back and forth have been recorded. Some cross to Ukraine to assess the situation, check property, visit family members or help them to leave. Others are going to Western Ukraine and areas around Kyiv and Chernihiv intending to stay. Many who have moved back have found their homes severely damaged and struggled to find jobs -- as the war continues to have a devastating economic impact -- and had no choice but to leave again. These developments have been reflected in the updated portal. For more information on the topic: Like all great things, the 2021-22 editorial boards term has come to an end. Read more (@ChaudhryMAli88) BEIJING, Jun 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2022 ) :A Chinese J-7 fighter jet crashed during a training mission in the central Hubei province on Thursday, killing one person and injuring two others, local media reported. The pilot ejected safely and was hospitalized along with the injured people, according to Global Times. A fire broke out after the jet crashed in a residential area in Xiangyang, damaging several houses. Rescue and relief missions were dispatched to clear the area. J-7 is a Chinese-made fighter plane equipped with short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missiles and mainly designed for short-range air-to-air combat. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Manica, Mozambique, June 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2022 ) :An angry husband grabs his wife and raises his fist to strike her. But the gesture isn't real -- the man is a participant in a training exercise, and in this drill he's been stopped by two women dressed in traditional skirts who volunteer for a Mozambican police unit. It's part of a scheme designed to educate women in a remote region of central Mozambique about gender-based violence. The project seeks to change perceptions in a country where half of all women are married before they are 18 and, according to UN figures, more than one woman in five has suffered violence. The sense of helplessness among victims is pervasive, for few ever file charges. Eighteen-year-old Fatima is a survivor who was forced into a marriage at age 15. "My husband beat me but my mother told me to stay," she said, shyly. She was able to leave when her husband was finally jailed. In 2009, a law was introduced to punish violence against women, but implementation has been slow, especially in remote areas. Every one of the trainees enrolled in the scheme in Manhene village in Manica district said they had been attacked. The project is part of an effort by the community to change things, using a mix of verbal dissuasion and awareness programmes backed by the power of the law. Since 2011, a civilian policing unit made up entirely of women -- originally set up to search female suspects and if necessary arrest them -- has retrained. It is empowered to arrest offenders in violence against women and detain them while waiting for police to arrive from the nearest town. But the team's main approach is to talk and dial down the confrontation. And they say they're having impressive results. "At first there was a lot of resistance from men. But after 10 years, and lots of talking, explaining and raising awareness, we see less violence," said Elisa Eduardo, the brigade's coordinator. "Now we only have about one case a month." Her unit rarely needs to use force. Most conflicts are defused verbally. Their priority is to educate and assist the women, rather than punish their aggressors. With local authorities poorly trained to settle gender-based violence, three-quarters of Mozambicans resort to community courts to resolve conflicts, according to UNICEF. Near the community's makeshift jail, a separate room has been set up for victims. Here they can receive care and testify in privacy and safety -- something that was unthinkable not long ago. - Weight of tradition - Silence is often the watchword in rural Mozambique. If they dare to complain about the abuse they face at home or on the street, women tend to find little support from their families. "Before this, they didn't see their abuse as oppression," Eduardo said. "They thought these bad things were because of tradition." The volunteer force receives help and financial backing from a local organisation called Lemusica, an acronym from Portuguese words that mean "Get up, woman, and follow your way." The group also offers shelter to children and teenagers in the regional capital Chimoio. Lemusica's emphasis is on education and emancipation -- but this sometimes meets resistance in rural villages. "The patriarchal system teaches us that women have no voice, no power to make decisions and that they have nothing important to do in their lives," said Achia Anaiva, Lemusica's president." In this traditional society, views such as hers are a challenge for some men. Vasco Filip, an adviser to the local chief, says the all-woman policing unit "are good for searching other women, because women can hide stolen objects in places where men can't look." "Yes, there is some violence," he said. "But there's also the psychological violence of women against men." Such conversations are difficult, Anaiva admitted. With her Afro hairstyle, elegant clothes, and forthright feminist approach, Anaiva stands out when she visits the villages. But when residents jibe that she's a city girl importing Western ideas, she reminds them of the law banning violence against women. The Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Pakistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea on Thursday signed an agreement with Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), worth of USD 1 billion for the years of five years from 2022 to 2026 ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2022 ) :The Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Pakistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea on Thursday signed an agreement with Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), worth of USD 1 billion for the years of five years from 2022 to 2026. The agreement was mutually signed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mian Asad Hayaud Din, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Suh Sangpyo, said a press release. The Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and other senior EAD and Embassy officials were also present at the ceremony. Under the terms of this agreement, Federal and Provincial bodies are to submit their proposals to the EAD to avail funding for projects aimed at the socio-economic uplift of the country and its citizens. The Minister and Secretary EAD, while speaking at the ceremony collectively appreciated the Ambassador for paving the way for reaching agreement and thanked the Government of the Republic of Korea for its everlasting support to Pakistan. The Ambassador added that the Korea and Pakistan have always enjoyed cordial ties and Korea aimed to further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries to new heights. ISLAMABAD, Jun 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday called for tapping the vast potential existing in the areas of trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran by overcoming barriers and exploring new avenues of collaboration. The prime minister, in a meeting with Ambassador of Iran Seyed Ali Mohammad Hossenei, who called on him here, emphasized the early finalization of Polan-Gwadar project that would provide additional 100 MW of electricity from Iran to Pakistan. He thanked Iran for its timely assistance in controlling forest fire in Balochistan, highlighting that it was a testament to the strong fraternal bond that exists between our two countries and peoples. The prime minister conveyed his warm greetings to the Iranian leadership and highlighted the importance of close fraternal ties between the two countries, based on shared geography, common heritage and people-to-people linkages. He also emphasized that in view of the historic relations, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, should be celebrated by both countries in a most befitting manner. In the regional context, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed gratitude for Iran's consistent support on the issue of Kashmir, especially by the Iran's Supreme Leader. He expressed the hope that with the continued support of the international community, the people of Kashmir would achieve their right to self-determination, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, and their own wishes. Highlighting the precarious humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan, the prime minister underlined that the people of Afghanistan should be provided access to the frozen assets. He appreciated the close coordination between the two countries on the situation in Afghanistan. Ambassador of Iran, Seyed Ali Mohammad Hossenei reiterated felicitations from the Iranian leadership to the prime minister on assumption of office and reaffirmed commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. He also highlighted close consultations between the two countries on important regional and international issues, including Afghanistan. While emphasizing the importance of high-level exchanges, the prime minister renewed his invitation to the Iranian leadership to visit Pakistan, at an early date. Pro-Russian separatists sentenced to death two British fighters and a Moroccan who were captured while fighting for Ukraine, as a Ukrainian governor called for western arms on Thursday to win the battle for a crucial eastern city Lysychansk, Ukraine, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2022 ) :Pro-Russian separatists sentenced to death two British fighters and a Moroccan who were captured while fighting for Ukraine, as a Ukrainian governor called for western arms on Thursday to win the battle for a crucial eastern city. The death sentences come as Moscow concentrates its firepower on the strategic industrial hub of Severodonetsk, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the fierce fighting could determine the fate of the entire Donbas area. Separatist authorities in the Donetsk region, which is part of the Donbas, ordered the death penalty for Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim after they were accused of acting as mercenaries for Kyiv, Russian media reported. Britain said it was "deeply concerned" by the sentences. "Under the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity," said a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The two Britons surrendered in April in Mariupol, the southern port city that was captured by Russian troops after a weeks-long siege. They later appeared on Russian tv calling on Johnson to negotiate their release. Brahim surrendered in March in the eastern town of Volnovakha. During a trial that lasted three days, the men pleaded guilty to committing "actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the Donetsk People's Republic", Russian news agency Interfax said. Unidentified gunmen on Thursday killed a soldier and a civilian in an attack on a gold mine in northern Burkina Faso, the mine and other sources said Ouagadougou, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2022 ) :Unidentified gunmen on Thursday killed a soldier and a civilian in an attack on a gold mine in northern Burkina Faso, the mine and other sources said. The pre-dawn attack at the Karma mine near Ouahigouya saw "several dozen armed men, probably terrorists" raid the facility's security base, a security official said. Five people were also wounded, two seriously, before the attack was repelled, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. A mineworker reached by AFP said the attack lasted nearly an hour and employees were then evacuated to Ouahigouya. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The UK government on Thursday said it was "deeply concerned" after Russian news agencies reported pro-Moscow separatists had sentenced to death two British fighters captured by Russian troops while fighting for Ukraine London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2022 ) :The UK government on Thursday said it was "deeply concerned" after Russian news agencies reported pro-Moscow separatists had sentenced to death two British fighters captured by Russian troops while fighting for Ukraine. "We are obviously deeply concerned by this. Under the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities," said a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted that "I utterly condemn the sentencing" of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner. "They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them," she wrote. The "supreme court of the Donetsk People's Republic" ordered the death penalty for Aslin, Pinner and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim after the three were accused of acting as mercenaries for Ukraine. During a trial that lasted three days, the men pleaded guilty to committing "actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the Donetsk People's Republic", news agency Interfax said. The defendants have one month to appeal the sentence. The two British citizens surrendered in April in Mariupol, a port city in southern Ukraine that was captured by Russian troops after a weeks-long siege, Interfax said. In April, the two Britons were shown on Russian state tv, demanding Johnson negotiate their release. Pinner's local MP Robert Jenrick called the ruling "disgusting" and demanded the Russian ambassador in London be summoned to "account for this egregious breach of the Geneva Convention". An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2021 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Vietnam.... Three foreign men have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine who say the men fought for Ukrainian forces. The two British citizens and a Moroccan were found guilty by a court that is not internationally recognized in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic of fighting for Ukraine and of being mercenaries and therefore not covered by traditional prisoner of war protections. Russia's state news agency, RIA Novosti, identified the three as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim. Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April, while Brahim did so in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. The three have a month to appeal the verdict or face a firing squad. Two of the three are claiming to have lived in Ukraine since 2018 and should be considered "long-serving" members of the Ukrainian military. Pro-Russian forces also hold Andrew Hill, a British fighter accused of helping Ukrainian forces, who is awaiting trial. The UK Foreign Office condemned the sentences. We condemn the exploitation of prisoners of war for political purposes, a spokesperson said. They are entitled to combatant immunity and should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities. Some information in this report comes from The Associated Press. Some of the most popular public art in the Northwest U.S. city of Seattle, Washington, comes from an artist who has battled homelessness and addiction. VOAs Natasha Mozgovaya brings us the story of Ryan Henry Ward. Senegalese President and African Union Chair Macky Sall on Thursday urged Ukraine to demine waters around its Odesa port to ease much needed grain exports from the war-torn country. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions have disrupted grain deliveries from the two countries, fueling fears of hunger around the world. Cereal prices in Africa, the world's poorest continent, have surged because of the slump in exports, sharpening the impact of conflict and climate change and sparking fears of social unrest. If wheat exports do not resume from Ukraine, Africa "will be in a situation of very serious famine that could destabilize the continent," Sall told French media outlets France 24 and RFI. Russia and Ukraine produce 30% of the global wheat supply. But grain remains stuck in Ukraine's ports because of a Russian blockade and Ukrainian mines, while Western sanctions on Moscow have disrupted exports from Russia. Moscow has called for Ukraine to demine the waters surrounding the Ukrainian-controlled port of Odesa to allow out blocked grain, but Kyiv has refused for fear of a Russian attack. Sall said Russia President Vladimir Putin, whom he met last week in Russia, had assured him this would not happen. "I even told him: 'The Ukrainians said that if they demine, you'll enter the port.' He says, no, he will not enter, and that's a commitment he made," the Senegalese leader said. "There must now be work towards getting the demining done, the United Nations involved so that we can start getting the Ukrainian wheat out," he said. Sall is to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in France on Friday. He is expected to ask him to help lift EU sanctions against Russia, especially to reverse its exclusion from the global SWIFT bank messaging system. "Since our banks are mostly linked to European banks, they cannot pay as they used to" for Russian products, the AU chair explained. Australias High Court Wednesday struck down the power of the countrys government to strip the Australian citizenship of dual nationals suspected of affiliation with international terrorist groups. The High Court ruled in favor of Delil Alexander, a dual Turkish-Australian citizen, currently being held in Syria. He left Australia for Turkey in 2013, telling his family he was going to arrange a marriage and would return. However, he traveled to Syria where Australian intelligence agencies said he joined the Islamic State group. He was later detained by Kurdish forces. In 2019, he was jailed for 15 years by a Syrian court. Although he has since been pardoned by the Damascus government, he remains in prison. His lawyer in Sydney, Osman Samin, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that Australia was wrong to strip him of his citizenship because he had no affiliation with extremist groups. Unfortunately, because Australia revoked his citizenship, he has remained in Syrian custody ever since because the Syrian authorities will not release him into the Syrian community and he is now being transferred to a prison in Damascus, which is unfortunately notorious for human rights abuses, said Samin. The High Court ruling strikes down a key part of Australias foreign fighter laws designed to prevent suspected members of terrorist groups returning home. In a landmark case, the judges found Wednesday the government cannot strip individuals of Australian citizenship if they are charged with terrorism offenses in another country. The court said that the consequence of removing the citizenship of a person who would not face trial in Australia was so serious it should only be handled by a judge, not politicians. Government officials said they were assessing the implications of the ruling. They added that authorities in Canberra could still impose so-called temporary exclusion orders that could stop dual nationals with suspected links to extremism from returning to Australia for up to two years. Alexanders sister, who brought the legal case on his behalf, said she was unsure whether her brother was still alive. The bloody Ukrainian-Russian fight for control of Sievierodonetsk in eastern Ukraine raged anew Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the battle for Sievierodonetsk one of the most difficult of the war, while highlighting its importance in the key eastern Donbas region, which Russia hopes to seize after failing early in its 3-month invasion to topple his government or capture the capital, Kyiv. "In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there, Zelenskyy said in his Wednesday night video address to his countrymen. Ukrainian forces claimed Thursday to have advanced in intense street fighting in Sievierodonetsk but said they needed more artillery to offset Russia's bigger arsenal. Both sides say they have inflicted large numbers of casualties. Sievierodonetsk and its twin city, Lysychansk, on the opposite bank of the Donets River are the last Ukrainian-held parts of Luhansk province, a region Moscow said earlier this week it has 97% control of. Russian forces are focusing all their firepower on the Sievierodonetsk area, Ukraine's Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov told Reuters in an interview. "They don't spare their people, they're just sending men like cannon fodder," he said. "They are shelling our military day and night." The commander of Ukraine's Svoboda National Guard Battalion, Petro Kusyk, said in a television interview that Ukrainians were drawing Russians into street fighting to neutralize Russia's artillery advantage. He said that Wednesday was successful for us we launched a counteroffensive, and in some areas, we managed to push them back one or two blocks. In others they pushed us back, but just by a building or two." "Yesterday the occupiers suffered serious losses if every day were like yesterday, this would all be over soon," he said. Kusyk said his forces were suffering from a "catastrophic" lack of counter-battery artillery to fire back at Russia's guns. But he added, "Even without these systems, we are holding on fine. There is an order to hold our positions and we are holding them. It is unbelievable what the surgeons are doing without the proper equipment to save soldiers' lives." Sievierodonetsk Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk said about 10,000 civilians are trapped inside the city about a 10th of its prewar population. To the west of Sievierodonetsk, Russia is pushing from the north and south, trying to trap Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region comprising Luhansk and neighboring Donetsk province, hitting Ukrainian-controlled towns in their path with artillery. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy accused Russia of continuing to blackmail the world with famine by blockading Ukrainian ports and preventing exports of wheat, corn, vegetable oil and other food products. In a videotaped message to the Time magazine gala released Thursday, Zelenskyy said Russias actions have left the world on the brink of a terrible food crisis. "Millions of people may starve if the Russian blockade of the Black Sea continues," Zelenskyy said. Russia has blamed the drop in exports on international sanctions and what it says are Ukrainian mines in the Black Sea. Information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. King Philippe of Belgium, in a historic visit to Congo, said on Wednesday that his country's rule over the vast central African country had inflicted pain and humiliation through a mixture of "paternalism, discrimination and racism." In a speech outside Congo's parliament, Philippe amplified remorse he first voiced two years ago over Belgium's brutal colonial rule an era during which historians say millions died. "This regime was one of an unequal relationship, in itself unjustifiable, marked by paternalism, discrimination and racism," Philippe said, speaking in French. "It led to abuse and humiliation," he said. The king noted that many Belgians had been sincerely committed to Congo and its people, however. Philippe landed in Kinshasa on Tuesday afternoon for a six-day visit, billed as a chance for reconciliation between Congo and its former colonial master. Belgium's colonization of Congo was one of the harshest imposed by the European powers that ruled most of Africa from the late 19th into the mid-20th centuries. King Leopold II governed King Leopold II, the brother of Philippe's great-great-grandfather, governed what is now Congo as his personal property between 1885 and 1908, before it became a Belgian colony. Historians say that millions of people were killed, mutilated or died of disease as they were forced to collect rubber under his rule. The land was also pillaged for its mineral wealth, timber and ivory. As Congo headed to its 60th anniversary of independence, Philippe wrote a letter to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in 2020 to express his "deepest regrets" for the "wounds of the past." The king's speech Wednesday went further in expressing regret, but it fell short of an apology for colonial-era crimes. Looted art Earlier Wednesday, Philippe visited Congo's national museum in Kinshasa, where he handed over a mask the ethnic Suku group use in initiation rites. The ceremonial mask is on "unlimited" loan from Belgium's Royal Museum for Central Africa, he announced. The Belgian government last year set out a plan for returning artworks looted during the colonial era, a sensitive topic in Congo. "The colonizer hauled away our artworks. It's right that they should be returned to us," said Louis Karhebwa, 63, a businessman. Prince Pungi, a young civil servant, agreed. "Congo is changing, moving forward," he said. "It's time to take back what belongs to us." Philippe is due to address university students in the southern city of Lubumbashi on Friday. On Sunday, he will also visit the clinic of gynecologist Denis Mukwege, co-winner of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against sexual violence, in the eastern city of Bukavu. His trip comes as Belgium is preparing to return to Kinshasa a tooth the last remains of Patrice Lumumba, a hero of the anti-colonial struggle and short-lived first prime minister of the independent Congo. Lumumba was murdered by Congolese separatists and Belgian mercenaries in 1961 and his body dissolved in acid, but the tooth was kept as a trophy by one of his killers, a Belgian police officer. Eastern violence The Belgian sovereign's trip also comes at a time of heightened tension between Kinshasa and neighboring Rwanda over rebel activity in the conflict-torn eastern Congo. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of backing the resurgent M23 militia, an accusation that Rwanda has denied. At a news conference Wednesday in Kinshasa, Tshisekedi told reporters that he saw security support as a priority in Congo's relationship with Belgium. "There is no development without security," the president said. Congo, a nation of about 90 million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over 120 groups roam the country's volatile east, many of which are a consequence of regional wars more than two decades ago, and civilian massacres remain common. Philippe, in his speech Wednesday, also said the situation in eastern Congo "cannot continue." "It is the responsibility of all of us to do something about it," he added. President Joe Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Juan Guaido during a phone call Wednesday, despite not inviting the Venezuelan opposition leader to the Summit of the Americas, a gathering of leaders from the countries of North, South and Central America and the Caribbean that he is hosting in Los Angeles. Biden made the call to Guaido on board Air Force One en route to Los Angeles. In a statement released after the call, the White House said Biden underscored U.S. recognition of and support for the 2015 democratically elected National Assembly and Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela, and expressed support for Venezuelan-led negotiations as the best path toward a peaceful restoration of democratic institutions, free and fair elections. Biden also signaled the U.S. was willing to reduce sanctions on President Nicolas Maduros government if the embattled Venezuelan leader reached a compromise with his opposition. Maduro is one of the Latin American leaders deemed nondemocratic and excluded by Washington from the summit. We thought the best way to lift up our desire to see that Venezuelan-led dialogue and, ultimately, a better future for the Venezuelan people was to focus on the invitations to Venezuelan civil society activists, who will participate in various aspects of the summit, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters traveling with Biden on board Air Force One. The U.S. also did not invite President Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba and President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, after determining that the two governments also did not meet the requirements of the 2001 Inter-American Democratic Charter that enshrines democracy as a core value. The exclusions have led to summit boycotts by the leaders of Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others who say the gathering must be more inclusive. The U.S. under the Trump administration recognized Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate president after the countrys 2018 presidential election, in which wide irregularities were reported. The Trump administration sought to galvanize governments to support Guaido, ramped up sanctions against Venezuela, and floated the idea of invading the country to remove Maduro from power. Guaidos office released a statement thanking the U.S. and said, The growing Venezuelan migration will only stop when there is a transition to democracy. A U.N. report estimated in March 2019 that 94% of Venezuelans lived in poverty, and by 2021 almost 20% of Venezuelans (5.4 million) had left their country. Biden and leaders are expected to sign a regional migration pact later this week, which the White House says is designed to support communities hosting migrants. Meeting with Brazilian leader On the sidelines of the summit, Biden is scheduled to meet Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who earlier also threatened to skip the summit. The Associated Press reported that the administration was able to secure the meeting on the condition that Biden does not raise the issue of deforestation or questions about Brazilian election integrity. The White House did not respond to VOAs request for confirmation. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, and this would be the leaders first bilateral meeting. Bolsonaro, a right-wing populist and Trump admirer, announced a freeze in Brazil-U.S. ties when Biden took office in January 2021. The Biden government has a delicate relationship with Bolsonaro, said Luiza Duarte, a fellow at the Brazil Institute, Wilson Center. Hosting the Summit of Americas without Mexico and Brazil, the two larger countries in Latin America, would represent an even bigger diplomatic fiasco. For Bolsonaro, who is campaigning for reelection, a meeting with Biden will strengthen his argument that Brazil is not isolated internationally under his leadership, Duarte told VOA. So far Bolsonaro has not indicated plans to reverse a pattern of undermining environmental protection in Brazil and putting indigenous populations at risk. Observers will be watching how Brazil reacts to the climate initiatives that Biden is set to launch at the summit. Observers will also be looking at whether Brazil a top oil exporter can help reduce pressures on energy costs in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Argentina, Colombia and Mexico have increased oil exports to the U.S., but Brazil has not. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. U.S. President Joe Biden is hosting the Ninth Summit of the Americas, a gathering of North, South, Central American, and Caribbean leaders. Though several leaders boycotted the event, Biden is outlining his vision for the region. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports from Los Angeles. Cameroons military on Thursday said it deployed about a hundred troops to the French-speaking village of Njitapon, after 35 anglophone separatists attacked the outpost. The military said the fighters hit the post on Tuesday night with rifles, bombs, and rocket launchers, destroying it and killing five troops and wounding six. They also abducted 12 villagers and stole weapons, said a military spokesman who would not allow journalists invited to the site of the attack Wednesday to record his comments. Cameroonian officials say the rebels had crossed Lake Mbissa in stolen boats from Bambalang, an English-speaking northwestern town. The governor of the region, Awah Fonka, told reporters on the scene that scores of fishermen and villagers had fled the village, which appeared empty. "It is unacceptable that people [separatists] come in and commit these types of atrocities without the villagers collaborating with the forces{military} to put an end to it. We are asking them to sit up and understand that vigilant committees{militias} be reactivated, and they [militias] should work in close collaboration with the forces of law and order [military] so that we can put an end to these atrocities and loss of lives in our region." Cameroons military did not allow journalists into the village to speak with locals, warning that rebels could have planted explosives or be hiding to attack. Separatists claimed responsibility in a video shared on social media that was confirmed by Cameroons military. In the video, about 30 fighters threaten more attacks on French-speaking villages and towns in coming days. A man identifying himself as Field Marshal No Pity says he thanks God that no rebel fighter was killed during the Njitapon attack and claims none of their fighters were wounded. Capo Daniel is the self-declared deputy defense chief of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, one of the rebel groups. He claims Cameroons military was planning to attack the separatists through Njitapon. "The Ambazonia forces [separatists] are targeting neighboring [French speaking] villages as preemptive actions against the Cameroon military. We will not sit by and wait for Cameroon [military] to come into our territory and butcher our people. We will strike them wherever their military bases may be." Cameroons military denied it was planning any attack from the village. The government says rebels have launched at least 40 deadly incursions from the West region since the conflict broke out in 2017. The anglophone separatists claim to be protecting Cameroons English-speaking minority from French-speaking domination. The U.N. says the conflict has cost more than 3,300 lives in Cameroon and displaced more than 750,000 people. The war in Ethiopia has seen reports alleging ethnic cleansing and mass detention of Tigrayans, including in western Tigray region, where authorities have prevented entry to rights groups and journalists. VOA was given rare but limited and tightly controlled access to the region and some sites allegedly used for detentions and mass graves. Henry Wilkins reports from Humera, Ethiopia. Videographer: Henry Wilkins The U.N. General Assembly approved five new non-permanent members of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, in an uncontested and anti-climactic race. Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland each overwhelmingly received the requisite two-thirds majority of member states votes to confirm their two-year terms on the powerful 15-member council. The terms will start on January 1, 2023. Council seats are allocated based on regional groupings, and this year, the blocs each put forward only a single candidate, eliminating any real suspense about the outcome. As a result, campaigning was low-key, without the traditionally splashy events candidate countries put on to promote themselves, and lingering waves of COVID-19 also discouraged big events. In the last few months, all U.N. diplomatic business has been overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, which I think was another obstacle to any really high-profile campaigning, noted Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group and a long-time U.N. watcher. That conflict is likely to remain atop the councils agenda going into the new year when the five begin their terms. The hard part will obviously be then to work out what they can do in a Security Council where the big powers are deeply divided over Ukraine, Gowan said. Of the new members, Japan has the most experience, having served 11 terms, according to Security Council Report, which tracks the statistics. Switzerland which only joined the United Nations in 2002 and Mozambique, have never held council seats. The council deals with the maintenance of international peace and security, and holds the authority to adopt legally binding resolutions, deploy peacekeeping missions and impose sanctions. Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland will replace exiting members India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway. They will join Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates, which each have one more year on their non-permanent terms, as well as the permanent five veto-wielding members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. Attacks by armed gangs on motorcycles are blamed for the deaths of at least 32 people in rural northwestern Nigeria, residents told The Associated Press. The gunmen attacked four villages in the Kajuru area of Kaduna state on Sunday, said Monday Solomon, a resident of the area, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) from Abuja. The attackers moved from village to village for hours before leaving, he said. Poor telecommunications delayed residents from reporting the attacks, as is often the case in parts of Nigeria's north. News of the killings in Kaduna state came shortly after more than 30 people were killed in an attack on a Catholic church on Sunday in southwestern Ondo, a state previously known as one of Nigeria's safest. Nigeria's National Security Council said Thursday that the attack in Ondo was carried out by extremist rebels under the Islamic State West Africa Province group, confirming alarms raised in the past by local authorities and security analysts that the militants who have been restricted to the northeast for many years are looking to expand their influence and reach to other parts of the country. Following the recent attack in Kaduna state, at least 32 bodies have been recovered from the villages, according to the Adara Development Association. It said survivors continue to "comb surrounding bushes for more corpses." Twenty-eight people have so far been buried, residents said. In the Kajuru area, attackers arrived on more than 100 motorcycles, said resident Usman Danladi. Many villagers "took to their hills and ran into the bush [but] they [the attackers] followed them with motorcycles and killed many of them," said Danladi. More than 20 people were kidnapped and the abductors are demanding money for their release, he added. Such attacks have become frequent in Nigeria's troubled northwest. Thousands have been killed in the violence, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations. Residents are often abducted and kept in detention for weeks, usually in forest reserves, until ransoms are paid. The gunmen in the latest violence were "armed Fulani militia," said resident Danladi. "That is the language they were speaking. That was their outlook. They are not new to our environment because this is not the first time they were attacking." Herdsmen, farmers in conflict The Fulani herdsmen, who are mostly Muslim, have been in conflict for decades against the settled farmers over access to land for grazing. The rivalry has become deadly in recent years as gangs of gunmen attack rural communities. In one of the villages, residents were able to repel them at first before a helicopter arrived and "started gunning the youths from the air," Awemi Dio Maisamari, the Adara association national president, said in a statement. Neither the police nor Kaduna state officials have yet confirmed the attacks. The limited security presence in many remote communities in Nigeria makes it difficult for government forces to protect residents from the attacks or quickly arrest the perpetrators, analysts say. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of not doing enough to end the country's security woes, a key campaign promise the former military general made when he sought election in 2015. Buhari's tenure as president ends in May next year after eight years in office. Iran has removed 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites around the country impeding the ability to monitor the countrys nuclear activities, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Thursday. Grossi called the action a serious challenge and said that in a matter of weeks the IAEA would no longer have a continuity of knowledge about Irans nuclear programs. "This would be a fatal blow" to negotiations over Iran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers, Grossi said. "When we lose this, then it's anybody's guess," he added. Grossi said 40-something cameras remained at some nuclear facilities. The sites that would see cameras removed include its underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, as well as its facility in Isfahan, Grossi said. Talks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have been stalled since April. The U.S. withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump. The Biden administration has unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a U.S. return to the deal. Meanwhile, experts say Iran is nearing having enough weapons-grade enriched uranium to make one nuclear bomb. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Some information in this report comes from the Associated Press and Reuters. The leader of La Luz del Mundo church has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in a California prison for sexually abusing three girls. Naason Joaquin Garcia was sentenced Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court after pleading guilty to three felonies on the eve of a long-awaited trial. Garcia, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, had vigorously fought the charges until he abruptly pleaded guilty last week. Prosecutors say he used his spiritual influence to have sex with several female followers. Garcia had faced trial Monday on 19 counts that included child rape allegations. Judge Ronald Coen called Garcia a sexual predator. "It never ceases to amaze me what people do in the name of religion and how many lives are ruined in the guise of a supreme being," Coen said. The women Garcia admitted to abusing and at least one other accuser were united in their criticism of the plea deal that was offered by prosecutors from the attorney general's office. They said they had looked forward to Garcia facing a trial in the hopes he'd be locked up for life. Now that option was gone and they pleaded with Coen to impose at least a 20-year sentence, telling him that Garcia had made a mockery of the court and told his followers he only pleaded guilty because he wasn't being treated fairly. Coen denied requests by the victims to impose a stiffer sentence, saying his hands were tied by the plea agreement. Patricia Fusco, supervising deputy attorney general, tearfully praised the victims for their bravery in standing up to Garcia and his faithful followers who have rallied around him and shamed the young women. "They trusted him. They thought he was basically God on Earth," Fusco said of the victims. "We know, of course, he's not God. Not even close. Anyone who still believes he's God is complicit and they're supporting a child molester." Garcia, dressed in orange jail scrubs and wearing a surgical mask pulled under his glasses, didn't turn to face the women. He sat upright and looked straight ahead with his hands shackled at his waist. Garcia had been scheduled to go on trial Monday on 19 counts that also included allegations of human trafficking to produce child pornography. A judge had thrown out four counts of extortion and sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury for lack of evidence. Defense lawyers had said prosecutors were operating under a far-fetched legal theory that Garcia used spiritual coercion for sexual pleasure. But prosecutors said the victims were essentially brainwashed by Garcia and felt they would be ostracized by the insular church community if they didn't submit to him. The church has tried to cultivate a law-abiding, hard-working image in Mexico where it counts about 1.8 million followers. Its male members favor suits and short hair, and female members wear veils that cover their hair and modest dresses. There are about 1 million U.S. members. The risk of monkeypox becoming established in nonendemic nations is real, the WHO warned Wednesday, with more than 1,000 cases confirmed in such countries. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the U.N. health agency was not recommending mass vaccination against the virus and added that no deaths had been reported from the outbreaks. "The risk of monkeypox becoming established in nonendemic countries is real," Tedros told a press conference. The zoonotic disease is endemic in humans in nine African countries, but outbreaks have been reported in the past month in several other states mostly in Europe, and notably in Britain, Spain and Portugal. "More than 1,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 29 countries that are not endemic for the disease," Tedros said. "So far, no deaths have been reported in these countries. Cases have been reported mainly, but not only, among men who have sex with men. "Some countries are now beginning to report cases of apparent community transmission, including some cases in women." Greece on Wednesday became the latest country to confirm its first case of the disease, with health authorities there saying it involved a man who had recently traveled to Portugal and who was hospitalized in stable condition. The initial symptoms of monkeypox include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes and a blistery chickenpox-like rash. Tedros said he was particularly concerned about the risk the virus poses to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children. He said the sudden and unexpected appearance of monkeypox outside endemic countries suggested that there might have been undetected transmission for some time, but it was not known for how long. One case of monkeypox in a nonendemic country is considered an outbreak. Tedros said that while this was "clearly concerning," the virus has been circulating and killing in Africa for decades, with more than 1,400 suspected cases and 66 deaths so far this year. "The communities that live with the threat of this virus every day deserve the same concern, the same care and the same access to tools to protect themselves," he said. Vaccines In the few places where vaccines are available, they are being used to protect those who may be exposed, such as health care workers. Tedros said that post-exposure vaccination, ideally within four days, could be considered for higher-risk close contacts, such as sexual partners or household members. He added that the WHO would issue guidance in the coming days on clinical care, infection prevention and control, vaccination and community protection. He said people with symptoms should isolate at home and consult a health worker, while people in the same household should avoid close contact. Few hospitalizations have been reported, apart from patients being isolated, the WHO said last weekend. Sylvie Briand, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director, said the smallpox vaccine could be used against monkeypox, a fellow orthopoxvirus, with a high degree of efficacy. The WHO is trying to determine how many doses are currently available and to find out from manufacturers what their production and distribution capacities are. Myanmars nascent monsoon season is likely to give rebels fighting to oust the countrys military junta an edge as heavy rains bog down the armys ground forces and hobble its air support for the next few months, analysts say. Every May to October, Asias southwest monsoon washes across much of Myanmar, pouring most of the countrys rainfall for the year in a few sodden months. Paved roads wash out while dirt ones turn to muddy mires, making parts of the country much tougher to reach. Low and heavy cloud cover limits travel by air. Zachary Abuza, a National War College professor in Washington who studies Southeast Asias insurgencies, says that means trouble for Myanmars large, mechanized military. The past few days, weve seen these very large armed convoys, 100 trucks, 120 trucks, carrying troops into regions. That may not be possible during the wet season. Even armor, tracked armor has limits to what it can do, he told VOA Friday. By contrast, he added, the heavy rains tend to be much better for fleet-footed guerrillas. Stuck in the mud Myanmars military has been fighting with hundreds of guerrilla groups, so-called peoples defense forces, on multiple fronts since it toppled the countrys democratically elected government early last year, sparking nationwide revolt. Some PDFs have allied with a shadow National Unity Government of ousted lawmakers, others with so-called ethnic armed organizations, ethnic minority-led armies that have been fighting with the military for autonomy along the countrys borders for decades. Rights groups say the junta has killed at least 1,900 people since the coup and accuse the military of a scorched-earth campaign that has left thousands of families homeless or displaced. The junta disputes the casualty figure and claims to be fighting terrorists with proportionate force to restore peace and order. Abuza said the military is doing the bulk of its fighting with about a dozen overstretched and undermanned light infantry divisions shuttling from one hotspot to the next, but will find that harder to do as the monsoon swells. In heavy rains their ability to quickly move troops from one front to another is really limited. Heavy rains can also really restrict the air mobility, especially helicopters, used to ferry troops around the country, he said. Myanmars grassroots resistance, propped up by the local communities they have sprung from, have few such worries, he added. The PDFs are local, said Abuza. Theyre not moving around the country. Theyre all based within a township, and so theyre guerrilla fighters in their backyards. They dont have trucks, they dont have helicopters, they dont have armored personnel carriers. At best theyre moving around on motorbikes. Kim Jolliffe, an independent researcher on conflict and security in Myanmar, who now lives in Thailand but has lived intermittently in Myanmar, agreed. The rainy season disadvantages whoevers most reliant on the movement of people and food and other materials, he told VOA. Overall, it suits the resistance forces more. Abuza, Jolliffe and others say the next few months could prove a watershed moment in what has become a grinding war of attrition. In a recent Asia Times article, Bangkok-based security analyst Anthony Davis said the rains, by shrinking the militarys effective footprint, could help resistance forces pivot from months of defense to a phase of strategic equilibrium in which their survival is assured, and their consolidation and development becomes the order of the day. Control and consolidate Fragmented and heavily outgunned, resistance forces remain confined for the most part to the countryside. The military still holds most towns and cities. Jolliffe said he doubts the resistance will manage to take much new territory over the next few months, even with the monsoons help. However, he said it will use the downturn in military raids and offensives to consolidate control of what it does hold and reassert itself where its been driven out. There are a lot of areas where the resistance forces cant stay for a long time because if they do the Myanmar military will come through and burn everything and kill everybody whos left, he said. told VOA. The absence of that means that the resistance will be able to start visiting villages where it hasnt spent as much time, engage with the local people, do trainings, do political awareness programs, establish its justice system ... open up schools again, potentially start facilitating primary health care services, and do things like that in areas where it wasnt able to do those before, he said. That in turn, he added, will make it that much tougher for the military to take, or take back, those areas once the rains stop. On top of that, Jolliffe said, the Myanmar military has never been this weak probably at least since the 1950s, so theres very little to suggest that a sudden resurgence is on the cards. A heavy toll Public boycotts, tax dodgers, mass strikes and international sanctions targeting the militarys businesses are believed to be taking a heavy toll on the regime, all while a cross-country rebellion is stretching its police and soldiers thin and driving up reports of desertions and defections. Thats not to say the junta is losing, or that it necessarily will, analysts insist. As brutal and awful and incompetent as the Myanmar military can be, the fact is they will always have more resources than the NUG, Abuza said, adding that the resistance will not win, if it ever does, in a head-to-head showdown with the military. What they can do with their PDFs, with their affiliated EAOs, is hollow the military out through defections, through casualties, attrition, through just low morale and [military personnel] not wanting to fight, he added. That, Abuza said, will take more than a few rainy months. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was inaugurated as the 10th president of Somalia Thursday in a colorful ceremony attended by hundreds of people, including the leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. In his inaugural speech, Mohamud warned that in addition to the danger posed by al-Shabab, severe drought poses an immediate threat to the country. Cheers and applause punctuated the new president's speech as he promised to tackle corruption, poverty, insecurity and the humanitarian crisis that has devastated Somalia in recent months. However, he warned the continued lack of rain could have grave consequences for the country. Somalia is extremely vulnerable to drought, Mohamud said, and there are fears that the drought will turn into famine. The president noted these droughts now happen almost every year, and said there are many reasons for this, including climate change. He outlined his agenda for the next four years, saying he will prioritize reconciliation and the restoration of institutions to give citizens hope. Mohamud, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2017, said that during his new term he will "ensure the rule of law is maintained, the judiciary is strengthened, people's confidence in government is restored and poverty will be tackled. In addition, the new president thanked the international community for supporting the recently concluded electoral process. The process lasted over a year because of political disputes that at one point saw Mohamuds predecessor attempt to extend his mandate by 24 months. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Djiboutian President Omar Guelleh and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also addressed the ceremony. Abiy said the peaceful handover of power of Somalia is a milestone and a major step towards the goal of achieving one-person one-vote elections. Kenyatta said a stable Somalia is in the interest of Kenya, adding that his country is ready to open business opportunities between the two countries. I personally look forward to working with you, to remove all barriers to trade, to open our borders, to establish air links between our two countries, so that our people can come closer together, Kenyatta said. The most urgent issue for the region is the drought, which also has severely affected Ethiopia and Kenya. Hundreds of thousands have fled their homes in search of food and water, and aid agencies have warned an official declaration of famine may not be far away. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet his Chinese counterpart this week at a defense forum in Singapore. The meeting will be a rare face-to-face encounter between senior U.S. and Chinese officials. The two sides may not find much common ground amid fraying relations, as VOAs William Gallo reports from Seoul, South Korea. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet his Chinese counterpart this week in Singapore. The meeting will be a rare face-to-face encounter between senior U.S. and Chinese officials. The two sides may not find much common ground amid fraying relations. Taiwan is expected to be a major focus when Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin meets Chinas defense minister at a defense dialogue in Singapore. China views democratic Taiwan as its own territory. It has threatened to retake Taiwan, by force, if necessary. Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States would defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, raising fears of a superpower conflict. U.S. officials later insisted Washington has not changed its Taiwan policy. But Bidens comments were not received well in China, Asia security expert James Crabtree says. If you're sitting in Beijing, you don't really trust what the Americans are saying. You think really they're hinting that there is a change in policy and the US is becoming tougher on Taiwan which is certainly where American domestic and elite opinion is moving. So it's a tricky situation. It's quite combustible and there is always the risk that an accident happens and then it's difficult to manage that process, said Crabtree. Russias war in Ukraine has also deepened the U.S.-China divide. Although China has not openly supported Russias war, it has pledged closer ties, worrying many in Washington. It's identifying with a very aggressive country, and the United States worries that that's the way China wants to approach the situation in Taiwan as well use brute force to achieve its objectives," said Joseph Bosco, a former Pentagon official. If hostilities were to break out, many other countries fear they could be drawn into a major conflict. Lim Tai Wei with the National University of Singapore says many in the region welcome the U.S.-China talks. Most in the region prefer to have incremental steps in turning down the temperature, knowing that it is not possible to resolve such a complicated issue at least find some common points where they can at least find the atmosphere much more conducive for talks, he said. There are some possible areas of U.S.-China cooperation, including climate change and the North Korean nuclear issue, but with ties in their current state, the space for working together may be small. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed parliament Thursday for the first time since a former spy boss last week accused him of hiding millions of dollars in his farmhouse. Former director-general of State Security Arthur Fraser submitted an affidavit to police last week accusing the president of hiding large sums of cash. Fraser said that on Feb. 9, 2020, a domestic worker and five accomplices stole at least $4 million that was stuffed in the furniture of Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm. Fraser further alleged the president did not report the crime to police but instead asked the head of the Presidential Protection Unit, Major General Wally Rhoode, to deal with the matter. Rhoode allegedly put a team together that tracked down the burglars. Fraser said when found, each of the men was paid the equivalent of $9,700 to be silent about the stolen millions. Ramaphosa has denied any criminal activity but admits money was stolen from his farm. The money, he said, was from the sale of wild game. His budget vote speech in parliament Thursday started an hour late because members of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters objected, saying they refused to be addressed by "a money launderer and a criminal." Eventually, the president made it to the podium, where he told parliament the country faces many challenges and that lawmakers cannot "become distracted from the task that is at hand." Analyst Professor of Political Science at the University of Johannesburg, Mcebisi Ndletyana, said there are many questions that need to be answered, not least of all whether Ramaphosa paid tax on the money. "The president has said it's from the sale of animals, which is possibly true because that is a game farm, and these animals are quite expensive. It would appear very exotic," Ndletyana said. "And so, to some degree there's some comfort that the money is possibly not stolen. It's highly unlikely that he stole it somewhere. But he still has to explain why the money was not banked, why it was at his house, whether it was declared or not." He said Fraser is no friend of Ramaphosa and has been implicated in the investigation into alleged corruption under former president Jacob Zuma. "And so, he does have an ax to grind, and he may possibly be arrested and the report this is going to be on the national intelligence is coming out very soon, so he's not going to look nice in that report. So, he's an angry man," Ndletyana said. The claims against Ramaphosa are being investigated. While many Afghans have desperately sought ways to flee the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, a handful of former Afghan government officials returned to Kabul this week to be welcomed by the Taliban. Farooq Wardak, former minister of education, is the highest-level former official to return. "A person's dignity is in his own country. I feel dignified and proud in my country," Wardak said, with two Taliban officials at his side, after landing Wednesday at Kabul airport. Among the former officials who have returned to Afghanistan over the past 10 days are a former deputy minister of transportation, a director of the state-run electricity company, an official from the national security council, and even a Defense Ministry spokesman who for years called the Taliban "enemies of Afghanistan" during his routine Taliban casualty updates. "Too many people former ministers, governors and members of parliament have reached out to us expressing their desire to return to their home country," Abdul Haq Wasiq told VOA. Wasiq had been named spokesman for a commission the Taliban created last month to facilitate the return of prominent Afghans residing abroad. The commission is headed by the Taliban's minister of mining, while its public relations wing is run by Anas Haqqani, younger brother of Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. The Taliban have endeavored to make good use of each high-profile returnee. In addition to filming the returnees at Kabul airport and then spreading short videos on social media, senior Taliban officials also met with them for photo opportunities. "We welcome you, and we're happy that today we're in a peaceful environment [of brotherhood] in our own country," Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told a small group of returnees in a video released by the Taliban on Wednesday. Search for legitimacy More than nine months since seizing power and declaring Afghanistan an Islamic emirate, the Taliban have defied domestic and international calls to form an inclusive government, appointing a Taliban-only government and not appointing women to the Cabinet. No country has officially recognized the Taliban's de facto government so far. "I think the Taliban are using this [the return of prominent Afghans] to their advantage because it sort of gives them some sort of internal legitimacy, where the return of these politicians proves that they are open to having an inclusive system," Obaidullah Baheer, an Afghan activist, told VOA. Taliban officials have not indicated whether the former Afghan officials will have a place in the Taliban government. Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, the ultraconservative cleric who has held the position since 2016 but has stayed out of public view, has dissolved Afghanistan's elections commissions, and no political parties are registered in the country. "They return to their homes, not to work for the government," Wasiq, the Taliban spokesman, said of the latest returnees, adding that the Taliban gave them "immunity cards" to ensure they would not be detained because of their past jobs. Some perceive the former government officials' return as a declaration of allegiance to the Taliban's emirate. Criticism The August 2021 collapse of the former Afghan government prompted an exodus of tens of thousands of Afghans, among them senior government officials, lawmakers, journalists and human rights activists. While the United States, Canada and Germany have taken in thousands of Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers over the past several months, large numbers of Afghans remain scattered across several countries in the region, their residential status still uncertain. Former President Ashraf Ghani has sought humanitarian asylum in the United Arab Emirates, but many of his top political allies and government officials have stayed in Turkey. "I will not return to the terror village the Taliban have made for our people," Rahmatullah Nabil, a former director of Afghanistan's intelligence agency, told VOA. Nabil alleges that some former officials have gone back to Afghanistan for personal business interests. "They return to retain their properties and assets," he said, adding that during the sudden collapse of the Afghan government, many individuals could not sell their properties or transfer their assets abroad. Prominent women staying away Taliban officials say all former officials are allowed to return to Afghanistan. Some, however, challenge the invitation. "What should I return to? The Taliban did not even allow me to enter my workplace where I served for more than 12 years," said Asila Wardak, a former Afghan diplomat. Now living in the U.S., Wardak told VOA she would have no means of earning a living under the Taliban. "Will Taliban leaders like Muttaqi, Haqqani and others sit with us, women, to discuss our problems?" The Taliban have fired all female government employees except health workers and teachers and have shut secondary schools for girls. In late February, Zarifa Ghafari, the former mayor of Maidan Shahr, the capital of Wardak province, and a 2020 recipient of the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. State Department, returned to Afghanistan, saying, "I want to be among my people and serve." Two weeks later, Ghafari left the country again and started criticizing the Taliban regime for its policies toward women. Last month, Ghafari described Afghanistan as "a prison for women" and challenged a senior Taliban official to bring his own daughters to the country. A senior U.S. official says the State Department is "on the right track" to open its first embassy in Maldives "very quickly" at a time of increased geopolitical competition with China. More than 1 years after the embassy was first announced, U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to soon nominate the first American ambassador to the Maldives. I feel confident that we will be notifying the Congress soon (regarding) opening a (diplomatic) presence there, Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs, told U.S. lawmakers during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday. We're on the right track. I think we've got the cooperation of a friendly government. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the island archipelago in the Indian Ocean to announce the mission during an October 2020 trip. The islands are tiny less than 300 square kilometers of land but they stretch across 90,000 square kilometers of ocean crisscrossed with global shipping lanes. It's such a critical place in the world, a tiny chain of 180 islands, but it is adjacent to a waterway where 40% of all the world's trade passes through, and 60% of all the world's energy passes through. If that island chain becomes dominated by Chinese presence, military or otherwise, I think it could spell real trouble for not only our interests but the broader interests of our partners, Lu said. So, we are looking to establish a presence there as quickly as possible. The United States has operated the American Center in Male since 2004. The U.S. ambassador and embassy staff in Sri Lanka are accredited to Maldives and make periodic visits. The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Maldives in 1966 following its independence from Britain. Beijing opened its embassy in Male in 2011. Washington has become more focused on small island nations in the Indo-Pacific and Asia Pacific since China launched a more aggressive diplomatic outreach in recent years. Last month, Chinas foreign minister completed a 10-day tour of eight nations in the South Pacific after signing a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April. But Beijing fell short of signing a broader security agreement with 10 island nations. State Department China House As part of its increased focus on China, the State Department is launching the so-called China House, an integrated team that plans to help coordinate and implement U.S. policy on China, countering challenges ranging from maritime security to misinformation. U.S. officials for years have accused China of advancing unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, where Beijing has built military bases on uninhabited islands outside its recognized international borders. More recently, the United States has denounced what it has called a genocide against ethnic Uyghurs in Chinas Xinjiang region. China has rejected the claims and insists its internment camps in the region are training centers. This week, U.S. officials denounced a Chinese government social media post that claimed American officials in Guangzhou admitted that allegations of human rights abuses were fabricated. A State Department spokesperson told VOA that the false statements endanger American diplomats overseas. We call upon the PRC to stop attributing false statements to U.S. officials or taking other actions that might subject our diplomats to harassment. Such action potentially endangers the U.S. officials being named, a State Department spokesperson told VOA. This is not the first time U.S. officials spoke their true mind, Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a briefing. Zhao asked the U.S. to stop its despicable moves of smearing Xinjiang with political manipulation. On Wednesday, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Camille Dawson told congressional members that the State Department is requesting funding to increase staffing to expand U.S. public diplomacy in the Pacific Islands and to counter Chinese disinformation. The FY 23 (Fiscal Year 2023) request does include 51 additional positions, 14 of which I believe are public diplomacy positions. We are also working as we look to the FY 24 request with a very heavy focus on expanding our public diplomacy resources in the Pacific Islands specifically, Dawson said during testimony at a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing. Lu said he has been the victim of Russian and Chinese propaganda almost on a daily basis, adding the U.S. is investing in programs to support factual information to fact-check the garbage that's coming out of Moscow and Beijing. It is unclear if the State Departments newly announced China House team will report directly to Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who has been tasked to manage the tense relationship between Washington and Beijing. State Department officials declined to provide details on the management and staffing of the new unit. Politico reported that China House staffers will grow from the current 25 China Desk officers to around 60, and they would have access to secure phones and classified information. But it could be 1 to two years before China House becomes operational. The initiative to build a China House team is still in the early stages and is said to pull together individuals from various bureaus within the State Department to focus on PRC. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement about China House in a speech on May 26, months after the Central Intelligence Agency said it is forming a new China Mission Center in October 2021, which raised questions on layers of bureaucracy. On one hand, it's great to have a focus (on policy toward PRC), but on the other hand, do you really need it? I mean, we have a coordinating body, and it's called the (White House) National Security Council, said Mary Kissel, a former senior adviser at the State Department. This continuity (of a bipartisan China policy) is good, but these measures will (only) be meaningful unless they have policy clarity and realistic policy from the top, added Kissel, who is now a senior policy adviser of an independent financial service firm Stephens Inc. A round of primary elections in seven U.S. states on Tuesday outlined some potential struggles facing Democrats in Novembers midterm elections, but the results also called into question the degree to which unquestioning loyalty to President Donald Trump is a requirement for Republican candidates. In several states, most notably California, Democratic turnout was low, something that analysts say signals disengagement among the partys core voters who might fail to turn out to support Democratic candidates in November. In two major California cities, voters also sent a strong message about rising crime. A politically progressive district attorney in San Francisco was recalled, and in Los Angeles, a billionaire former Republican won the most votes in the mayoral primary with a campaign that focused on quality of life issues including crime and homelessness. In multiple Republican primary elections across the country, incumbent members of Congress who voted in favor of the creation of a congressional committee to investigate the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, survived primary challenges, despite criticism from former President Donald Trump. In the U.S., primary elections allow voters to narrow a sometimes broad field of eligible candidates down to a small number. Often they produce just two candidates, representing the Democratic and Republican parties. The winners of primaries typically face off on the ballot in the November elections. Democratic turnout in question One consistent theme for 2022 is that Republican turnout has been more robust than Democratic turnout, particularly as compared to 2018, said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginias Center for Politics. Early returns, Kondik told VOA, suggest that was true on Tuesday night. If you believe that this is a Republican-leaning cycle, and that Republicans are poised to do well in November, more robust Republican turnout is consistent with that story, he said. Crime as an issue In the Los Angeles mayoral race, former Republican Rick Caruso, a wealthy property developer, appears to have come in first, with Democratic Congresswoman Karen Bass a close second. Votes are still being counted, but if the result holds, the two will face each other in November. Caruso, who left the Republican Party in 2019 and only registered as a Democrat this year, spent millions of his own money on the race. He campaigned as a crime-fighter who would also work to address the profusion of people experiencing homelessness in the city. Further north in San Francisco, a city known for its progressive politics, voters overwhelmingly chose to recall Chesa Boudin, a public defender-turned district attorney, who was in the middle of his first term. Boudins philosophy of not prosecuting low-level criminal activity and abolishing cash bail was seen as a major contributor to increased crime in the city. The two results are a reminder that a major point of attack that Republicans will use against Democrats is the perception that crime, particularly in urban areas, is rising in the United States. However, Kondik, of the Center for Politics, warned against reading too much into a result like Boudins recall. Are Democrats vulnerable on law and order issues in this election? Yeah, probably. Republicans are running on it a lot, and a lot of Democrats feel like they were hurt by the association with Defund the Police rhetoric in 2020, he said. But we didn't need San Francisco to tell us that. I didn't find it to be particularly meaningful. Good night for governors Of the states that voted Tuesday, three will hold gubernatorial elections in November, and in each of them the result was good news for the sitting governor. With ballots still being counted, Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, running in an open primary where the top two finishers advance, was comfortably ahead on Wednesday. Newsome, who survived a recall vote last year, is expected to win another term easily. In South Dakota, sitting Republican Gov. Kristi Noem won the Republican primary with more than 75% of the vote and is expected to cruise to another term in November. In New Mexico, sitting Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, ran uncontested and will face Republican Mark Ronchetti, a former Senate candidate and television meteorologist in November, a race she is expected to win. Congress in balance In midterm elections, the party of the sitting U.S. president typically loses seats, and the same is expected to happen in 2022. That is especially significant this year, because the Democratic Party holds very narrow majorities in both houses of Congress, and could easily lose control of both of them. One hope for Democrats was that Republicans would nominate especially radical candidates in some congressional races, and while there were several on ballots across the country, relatively few of them won. Given the strong political headwinds facing them, Democratic hopes for holding down their losses this fall rests partly on GOP primary voters nominating the more flawed GOP candidate in crowded primary contests, said an analysis published Wednesday morning by Amy Walter, Jessica Taylor, and David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. However, that didnt pan out for Democrats on Tuesday, they added. The more electable GOP candidate emerged victorious in states like California, New Jersey, Iowa, and New Mexico. Defying Trump not (necessarily) fatal In Republican primaries across the country, there were five incumbent House candidates running after they bucked the partys leadership, and former President Trump, by voting in favor of the creation of a select committee to investigate the January 6 assault on the Capitol. In California, with only 32% of the vote tallied, Rep. David Valadao was the leading Republican candidate in the open primary, with 26.7% of the total vote, and he appeared poised to move on to the November election as the GOP nominee for his seat. In Iowa, Mariannette Miller-Meeks ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. In Mississippi, Rep. Michael Guest came in second in a tight race against former Navy pilot Michael Cassidy, but because neither achieved a majority of the votes, they will meet in a run-off. In New Jersey, veteran GOP Rep. Chris Smith won renomination with 58% of the vote, and in South Dakota, incumbent Dusty Johnson won the right to run again with 59% of the vote. While the four who faced challengers all survived, none won by the huge margins that incumbents usually enjoy in primaries. However, the fact they stood up to the former president and werent summarily ousted suggests that crossing Trump is not quite as politically poisonous at the ballot box as many in the GOP had assumed it would be. A series of mass shootings across multiple U.S. states has shaken the nation and reignited debate about how to prevent gun violence in America. As some U.S. lawmakers seek to end nearly three decades of congressional inaction on gun legislation, state governments are taking differing approaches to address mass violence. In New York this week, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law legislation that raises the minimum age to purchase semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21, restricts the sale of body armor and strengthens the states so-called red-flag law to heighten reporting requirements for mental health workers and law enforcement officers who receive credible information that a person poses a danger to public safety. State lawmakers approved the measures days after an 18-year-old wielding an assault-style rifle opened fire inside a Buffalo, New York, supermarket, killing 10 people. Ten days later, an 18-year-old shot and killed 19 students and two faculty members at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Mass shootings just keep happening over and over again, Hochul said during the bill-signing ceremony. I have to ask, when did we become a nation that reveres the right to have the ability to possess a gun over the right of a child to stay alive? When did that happen? New Yorks push for tighter gun restrictions come as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule this month on a 100-year-old New York law that strictly limits a persons ability to carry handguns. Some gun control advocates believe if the high court strikes down the law, it could invalidate similar statutes in Maryland, California, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Differing approaches While some Democrat-led states look to enact or strengthen gun control laws, several Republican-led states are contemplating other ways to prevent mass shootings, which number more than 250 in America so far this year, according to GunViolenceArchive.org, a Washington-based group that tracks gun violence. Ohios legislature last week passed legislation allowing school boards in the state to authorize teachers to carry firearms in the classroom. State lawmakers also appropriated funds to boost security measures at school buildings and university campuses. In Texas, Republican lawmakers and officials have proposed measures ranging from boosting the number of armed school police officers to restricting entryways to places of learning. We have to harden these targets to prevent would-be shooters from getting into schools ever, except maybe through one entrance, said the states lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, speaking recently on Fox News. Maybe that would help. Maybe that would stop someone. In Washington, meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Democrats and Republicans can unite behind any measures to contain gun violence. The Democrat-led House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill raising the age to purchase semiautomatic rifles and banning the sale of ammunition magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds, among other provisions. Senate passage of the bill is viewed as highly unlikely. Familiar arguments on Capitol Hill A bipartisan group of senators is trying to hammer out a set of gun violence prevention measures that can pass the evenly divided chamber. While negotiations continue, familiar arguments are being made on Capitol Hill for and against gun control. Only in America can a troubled teenager, showing all sorts of warning signs, get his hands on high-powered semiautomatic rifles and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut tweeted after the Uvalde shootings. NO OTHER NATION ALLOWS THIS TO HAPPEN. The debate immediately becomes about Democrats wanting to take away guns, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, said on Fox News Sunday. Lets go search for the root of the problem. How can we do a better job of connecting the dots and stopping something before it happens, like we did after September 11, which has worked well as it relates to stopping terrorist attacks? Polls show overwhelming public support for certain gun control measures, like making background checks of gun purchasers universal, and majority backing for banning the sale of the deadliest weapons. If people can easily have access to guns, the number of mass shootings will only increase, Washington resident Joe Williams told VOA. Williams works with young people in high-crime neighborhoods in the nations capital to deescalate conflicts that could result in gun violence. We need laws that will keep guns out of the hands of young people, Williams added. We cannot stand by and watch people die and lives shattered without doing anything meaningful. States taking the lead Action at the state level is not new. Last year Democrat-led Colorado repealed a so-called preemption law. The law had prevented local governments from enacting stricter gun regulations than what state law allows. In recent weeks, several municipalities have put in place restrictive gun ordinances such as banning assault-style weapons, raising the minimum age for gun purchases and prohibiting carrying firearms openly in public places. Laws changed in several states after the 2018 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, where a 19-year-old former student killed 17 people. Republican-led Florida was one of several states to pass red-flag laws after the tragedy. Florida also raised the minimum age to purchase long guns from 18 to 21 years old. Additionally, the state mandated a three-day waiting period to purchase guns and created a program to allow trained school staff to carry guns. Now, as pressure mounts on lawmakers of both political parties to address rising gun violence at the federal level, the families of mass shooting victims are speaking out. Its not about Republicans, its not about Democrats, said Kimberly Salter, the widow of Buffalo mass shooting victim Aaron Salter, speaking at a news conference on Capitol Hill earlier this week. Its about people, its about human life. An international human rights defender is urging the United Nations to reconceptualize its travel ban on the leadership of Afghanistans ruling Taliban to pressure them into respecting rights of all Afghans, particularly women and girls. Human Rights Watch said in a statement Thursday that a grave human rights crisis has been unfolding in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the conflict-torn country in August. The organization said that the U.N. Security Council will be reviewing the travel-related exemptions for the Islamist group later this month and it has an opportunity to refocus the ban on specific Taliban leaders who have been implicated in serious rights violations." The travel ban, which affects 41 members of the current Taliban administration in Kabul, was partially suspended three years ago to allow 14 top leaders of the then-insurgent hardline group to engage in peace talks with the United States. Human Rights Watch pointed to the reclusive Taliban chief, Hibatullah Akhundzada, who reportedly played a decisive role in extending the ban on girls secondary education. It also named Abdul-Haq Wassiq, head of the Taliban intelligence agency, and Shaykh Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, head of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, for their alleged human rights abuses. Wassiq is accused of ordering extrajudicial executions and detaining and beating journalists, while Hanafis ministry, tasked with interpreting and enforcing the Talibans version of Islam, has imposed many of the most egregious restrictions" on women and girls, according to the statement. Heather Barr, the associate director of womens rights division at Human Rights Watch, hailed other countries for condemning the Talibans continued ban on girls secondary school education and almost excluding women from public life, Barr said condemnations were not enough, however. "Its time for governments to turn consensus that the Talibans actions are unlawful into coordinated actions that show the Taliban that the world is ready to defend the rights of Afghans, particularly women and girls, in meaningful ways, she argued. The Taliban militarily ousted the Western-backed government in Kabul nearly 10 months ago and they have since rolled back many human rights Afghans had over the past 20 years, particularly those of women. The Islamist group has banned girls from attending secondary school and female employees from returning to their jobs in some government departments. Women have been ordered to cover up fully in public, including their faces, and not to travel long distances or leave Afghanistan unless accompanied be a close male relative. The Taliban reject the criticism of their governance-related decrees as a disrespect for Afghan cultural and Islamic tradition, insisting their policies are strictly in line with Islam, a position questioned by Islamic law scholars in other Muslim nations. Critics are skeptical about whether the renewal of travel retractions would pressure the Taliban into reversing their rules for women. The Islamist group had introduced similar restrictions when it previously ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, completely blocking womens access to education and work. Hibatullah has not even traveled out of Kandahar and it is not sure he has any plans to travel anywhere abroad, said Torek Farhadi, a former Afghan official and political commentator. The Taliban chief is based in the southern city, Kandahar, known as the spiritual base of the group. As for other Taliban leaders, they need exposure to Islamic faith's other Ulema (scholars) who could open/broaden their vision of Islam with regards to girls' education and womens right to work, Farhadi said in his written comments to VOA. Human rights exist in Islam; it is the Taliban who have a restricted/narrow view of Islam. Their views need to be broadened by more contacts with Islamic world's Ulemas. In its statement Thursday, Human Rights Watch also proposed that the U.N. secretary-general pay an official visit to Afghanistan, saying it could help redirect world attention to the situation, increase pressure on the Taliban to respect human rights, and prompt global solutions to end the country dire humanitarian crisis. Afghan women and girls are watching their rights vanish before their eyes. They need more from the world than concern. They need action. The international community has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, saying the issue would come under consideration only after the group adheres to its pledges to protect the human rights of all Afghans and effectively counter transnational terrorist groups. U.S. and other Western donors have suspended economic aid to Afghanistan since the return of the Taliban to power but they have sustained the flow of humanitarian assistance into the country where more than half of the estimated 40 million population needs urgent relief. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of continuing to blackmail the world with famine by blockading Ukrainian ports and preventing exports of wheat, corn, vegetable oil and other food products. In a videotaped message to the Time magazine gala released Thursday, Zelenskyy said Russias actions have left the world on the brink of a terrible food crisis. "Millions of people may starve if the Russian blockade of the Black Sea continues," Zelenskyy said. Russia has blamed the drop in exports on international sanctions and what it says are Ukrainian mines in the Black Sea. Fierce fighting continued Thursday in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, with Ukrainian officials saying they need long-range artillery in order to beat back Russian forces that have taken over large areas. Zelenskyy said in a separate address late Wednesday that the battle for Sievierodonetsk is one of the most difficult of the war, while highlighting its importance in the key Donbas region. "In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there, Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian forces were forced to retreat to the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk on Wednesday in the face of a fierce Russian attack. Days ago, Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive that gave them control of about half the city, but Luhansk regional Governor Serhiy Haidai told the RBC-Ukraine media outlet that when Russia started flattening the city with shelling and air strikes, it made no sense to stay. "Our [forces] now again control only the outskirts of the city, Haidai said. But the fighting is still going on; our [forces] are defending Sievierodonetsk. It is impossible to say the Russians completely control the city." He acknowledged the difficulties for Kyivs forces, telling The Associated Press, "Everything the Russian army has artillery, mortars, tanks, aviation all of that, they're using in Sievierodonetsk in order to wipe the city off the face of the Earth and capture it completely." Haidai indicated that Ukrainian forces could pull back to more defensible positions, such as Lysychansk, a city across the Siverskyi Donets River, which sits on higher ground. He has previously suggested that Kyivs forces would have to pull back to avoid being surrounded. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the battle for the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk is one of the most difficult of the war, while highlighting its importance in the key Donbas region. "In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there, Zelenskyy said in a video address late Wednesday. Ukrainian forces were forced to retreat to the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk on Wednesday in the face of a fierce Russian attack. Days ago, Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive that gave them control of about half the city, but Luhansk regional Governor Serhiy Haidai told the RBC-Ukraine media outlet that when Russia started flattening the city with shelling and air strikes, it made no sense to stay. "Our [forces] now again control only the outskirts of the city, Haidai said. But the fighting is still going on, our [forces] are defending Sievierodonetsk, it is impossible to say the Russians completely control the city." He acknowledged the difficulties for Kyivs forces, telling The Associated Press, "Everything the Russian army has artillery, mortars, tanks, aviation all of that, they're using in Sievierodonetsk in order to wipe the city off the face of the Earth and capture it completely." Haidai indicated that Ukrainian forces could pull back to more defensible positions, such as Lysychansk, a city across the Siverskyi Donets River, which sits on higher ground. He has previously suggested that Kyivs forces would have to pull back to avoid being surrounded. After weeks of focusing its attacks on eastern Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday Russian forces now control 97% of Luhansk province. Sievierodonetsk is the last major city in the region yet to be captured during Moscows 3-month offensive. Shoigu said Russian troops were also advancing toward the town of Popasna, and he said they have taken control of Lyman and Sviatohirsk and 15 other towns in the region. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Ukraines fortunes in defending Sievierodonetsk took a turn for the worse Wednesday, with its troops forced to retreat to the outskirts of the eastern industrial city in the face of a fierce Russian attack. Days ago, Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive that recaptured nearly half the city, but Luhansk regional Governor Serhiy Haidai told the RBC-Ukraine media outlet that when Russia started flattening the city with shelling and air strikes, it made no sense to stay. "Our [forces] now again control only the outskirts of the city, Haidai said. But the fighting is still going on, our [forces] are defending Sievierodonetsk, it is impossible to say the Russians completely control the city." He acknowledged the difficulties for Kyivs forces, telling The Associated Press, "Everything the Russian army has artillery, mortars, tanks, aviation all of that, they're using in Sievierodonetsk in order to wipe the city off the face of the Earth and capture it completely." Haidai indicated that Ukrainian forces could pull back to more defensible positions, such as Lysychansk, a city across the Siverskyi Donets River, which sits on higher ground. He has previously suggested that Kyivs forces would have to pull back to avoid being surrounded. After weeks of focusing its attacks on eastern Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday Russian forces now control 97% of Luhansk province. Sievierodonetsk is the last major city in the region yet to be captured during Moscows 3-month offensive. Shoigu said Russian troops were also advancing toward the town of Popasna, and he said they have taken control of Lyman and Sviatohirsk and 15 other towns in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised his troops efforts in the eastern Donbas region and said Russia had not expected to meet much resistance. The absolutely heroic defense of the Donbas continues, he said. Both Russia and Ukraine claim to have inflicted huge casualties on each other. Shoigu said 6,489 Ukrainian troops have been taken prisoner since the start of the military action in Ukraine on February 24, including 126 over the past few days. A U.S. Defense Department spokesman said Tuesday the United States had started training Ukrainian soldiers on the use of advanced rocket systems being sent to Ukraine as part of a $700 million aid package approved last week. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Anton Semelroth said the training was taking place in Germany and elsewhere in Europe for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. The truck-mounted system can carry six rockets with a range of about 70 kilometers. Norway said it trained Ukrainian soldiers in Germany on the use of M109 self-propelled howitzers as part of its shipment of 22 of the weapons to Ukraine. Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said the donation, which includes spare parts and ammunition, is a substantial contribution very much in demand by Ukraine. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. HARARE As much of the world is shunning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Zimbabwe this month hosted Russia's third highest ranking official. Analysts say Zimbabwe is looking to Russia for fuel as well as cooking oil and wheat that it used to get from Ukraine, while Russia has its eyes on Zimbabwe's minerals. During a visit to Zimbabwe last week, Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia, said Moscow would improve trade relations between the two countries given that the West was shunning them. Alexander Rusero, who heads international relations studies at Africa University in Zimbabwe, says the nation's ties with Russia are both ideological and historical. He says the relationship goes back to when Russia supplied arms to the now-ruling ZANU-PF party as it fought for Zimbabwes independence in the late 1970s. Russia later vetoed proposed U.N. sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2008, when President Robert Mugabe won re-election through vote-rigging and heavy-handed intimidation. And given the realities that Zimbabwe is perceived as a pariah state, it is perceived as an outpost of tyranny by the Western international community, by the United States which is currently in an antagonistic relation with Russia, so Zimbabwe historically and ideologically will be leaned more to Russia and China than the Western international community, said Rusero. Harare-based independent political commentator Rejoice Ngwenya says Russia has an interest in Zimbabwes minerals, such as gold and platinum. Not to mention the business arrangements and relations that have been established in the last two decades. So it is not realistic to expect any drastic change of any policy between Zimbabwe and Russia on the basis of the Ukraine war. It is important to condemn invasions of any country, but unfortunately international politics also works in terms of self-interests and self-preservation, said Ngwenya. Zimbabwe depends on Russia and Ukraine for about 65 percent of its imported wheat. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the price of bread and flour in the country has increased drastically as exports from the war zone have dried up. We have been affected. We are working with the government to bring in more wheat. We need as soon as possible. The commodity prices are going up, some of our wheat products such as bread are going up, said Tafadzwa Musarara, the chairman of Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, which is in charge of importing grain. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he considered Africa friendly and would make efforts to ensure goods in shortage reach the continent. That would certainly be good news for countries like Zimbabwe, which even in the best of times struggles to feed its population. UNITED NATIONS The U.N. secretary-general said Wednesday the Russian invasion of Ukraine must end to stem the growing global food, fuel and finance crises, which could push tens of millions more people across the world into hunger and poverty this year. "The death and destruction must stop," Antonio Guterres told reporters. "A political solution must be found in line with international law and the United Nations Charter." But until that happens, he said immediate action is needed to bring stability to global food and energy markets in order to slow rising prices, and resources need to be made available to help the poorest countries and communities withstand the shocks. The secretary-general has been involved behind the scenes in trying to secure a deal that would allow for the safe and secure export of Ukrainian-produced food through the Black Sea, and the unimpeded access to global markets for Russian food and fertilizers. "This deal is essential for hundreds of millions of people in developing countries, including in sub-Saharan Africa," Guterres said. He would not elaborate on whether his team is close to a deal, because he said he did not want to jeopardize the chances of success when the welfare of millions of people could depend on it. Global response group After Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine, the secretary-general quickly established a Global Crisis Response Group to deal with the expected impact of the war's disruption on the Black Sea region, which is one of the world's largest breadbaskets. The group's coordinator, U.N. trade and development chief Rebeca Grynspan, warned that the current food crisis could escalate into a global food catastrophe by next year. "Higher energy costs and trade restrictions on the fertilizer supply from the Black Sea region have resulted in fertilizer prices rising even faster than food prices," Grynspan said. She said if the war drags on and high prices continue for grain and fertilizer into the next planting season, crops such as rice, which feeds billions of people, could be affected next. "This year's food crisis is about lack of access," U.N. chief Guterres said, referring to the impact of Russia's blockade on Ukraine's grain exports. "Next year's could be about lack of food." The Global Crisis Response Group says nearly 100 countries and about 1.6 billion people have found themselves severely exposed to at least one dimension of the food, fuel and finance crisis. About three-quarters of them live in countries that are very vulnerable on all three fronts. Coping mechanisms are strained at both the national level and for families. According to the International Labor Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic had left 60% of workers with a lower real income. "We are on the brink of the most severe global cost-of-living crisis in a generation," Grynspan said. Many debt-laden countries are in "debt distress" or at high risk of it. She said the risk of a major debt crisis is greater now than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She urged the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to release financial support. "Unless there is a strong effort from international financial institutions to increase countries financial resources and fiscal space, countries will continue to struggle to pay their food and energy import bills, service their debt and increase spending in social protection," she said. As to the skyrocketing cost of fuel in many countries, she recommended governments use some of their reserves and strategic stockpiles to ease the crunch. "Let me underline that this is a global crisis, which nobody can escape," she warned. Former Public Service Minister, Petronella Kagonye, has been jailed for 16 months for stealing 20 laptops that were donated to public schools in Goromonzi. Harare magistrate, Vongai Guwuriro, who sentenced her to 36 months, suspended 12 months for five years on condition of good behavior. Guwuriro also suspended a further eight months on condition that she pays US$12,000 for the stolen laptops. The computers were donated by the state-controlled Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. Kakonye pleaded for leniency, saying she was a first offender but the prosecutor on Wednessay pressed for a custodial sentence, noting that it will stop government officials from pilfering state resources. Public Prosecutor, Zivanai Macharaga, said Kagonye was supposed to protect state resources but betrayed her public trust by diverting the computers to her own use. Meanwhile, Deputy Agriculture Minister Douglas Karoro was recently charged with stealing fertilizer, maize seed and other items meant for rural farmers. Wednesday saw daylong automated robotics activities as the crew tested advanced attire while working aboard the International Space Station. The Expedition 67 crew also ensured communications and life support systems continued operating in tip-top shape today. The Kibo laboratory module from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is the site of a pair of robotics free-flyers, known as Astrobees, autonomously navigating and performing maneuvering techniques today. NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins cleared Kibo of obstacles in the morning then activated the Astrobees for a day full of automated robotics operations. The toaster-sized, cube-shaped devices are using uplinked command algorithms while downlinking video so scientists can monitor their automated abilities in real-time from the ground. Researchers are testing the robotic assistants for their ability to aid astronauts with routine tasks and monitor station systems, thus increasing mission effectiveness in space. Watkins also continued testing the comfort and mobility of wearing a specialized radiation protection vest while working aboard the orbiting lab. She then serviced hardware supporting advanced combustion and physics experiments. ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti tested another experimental garment today that monitors crew health. She wore a smart-shirt that is integrated with sensors and wirelessly transmits data about the performance of a crew member's cardiovascular system in microgravity. NASA Flight Engineers Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines worked throughout Wednesday on a variety of station maintenance activities. Lindgren replaced components on the advanced resistive exercise device before inspecting hatch seals in the station's U.S. segment. Hines measured airflows throughout the station then installed a scratch pane on a window inside the cupola. Cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev and Sergey Korsakov were back on exercise research duty today studying ways to maximize the effectiveness of a workout in microgravity. Artemyev then set up Earth observation hardware while Korsakov checked out life support gear inside the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. Flight Engineer Denis Matveev tested different methods of communicating with students on Earth then worked on ventilation systems and video recording hardware. On-Orbit Status Report Payloads: Astrobee: The JEM was prepared for the Integrated System for Autonomous and Adaptive Caretaking (ISAAC 9) crew-minimal activity later in the week. In this activity, JPM lighting was adjusted as appropriate, the Astrobee dock was power-cycled, Astrobee free-fliers were powered on, and software was updated. Astrobee is made up of three free-flying, cube-shaped robots which are designed to help scientists and engineers develop and test technologies for use in microgravity to assist astronauts with routine chores and give ground controllers additional eyes and ears on the space station. The autonomous robots, powered by fans and vision-based navigation, perform crew monitoring, sampling, logistics management, and accommodate up to three investigations. AstroRad Vest: A series of Range of Motion (ROM) tests were performed with and without the AstroRad Vest donned. Comfort and Human Factors AstroRad Radiation Garment Evaluation (CHARGE) tests a special vest designed to protect astronauts from radiation caused by unpredictable Solar Particle Events (SPEs). Astronauts provide input on the garment as they wear it while performing daily tasks, including how easy it is to put on, how it fits and feels, and the range of motion it allows. Garment developers can use this input to improve design, and the use of the vest will protect crew members on missions to the Moon and Mars. Combustion Integrated Rack/Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (CIR/ACME): In a conclusion of the activity started last week, obsolete ACME hardware was located, consolidated, and prepared for return or trash. The ACME series of experiments have been performed, and the ACME insert previously removed from the CIR to make room for the currently installed experiment insert known as the Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE). CIR includes an optics bench, combustion chamber, fuel and oxidizer control, and five different cameras for performing combustion investigations in microgravity. Nutrition Monitoring for the International Space Station (NutrISS): In support of the NutrISS investigation, an ESA Nutritional Assessment (ENA) was performed. In the NutrISS investigation, a periodic assessment of body composition (body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass) during spaceflight aboard the ISS is carried out using a dedicated bio-impedance analysis device to allow for the measurement of long-term energy balance modification over time. It is hypothesized that an adjusted diet maintaining a near-neutral energy balance, and/or increasing protein, intake can limit microgravity-induced bone and muscle loss. Wireless Compose-2: The crew participated in a Ballistocardiography session while wearing the SmartTex-2 shirt. Ballistocardiography looks at body motion related to the pumping of blood by the heart. Photos were also taken while wearing the SmartTex-2 shirt and a questionnaire was filled out. The main scientific goal of the Wireless Communication Network (Wireless Compose-2) investigation is to provide a flexible and adaptable wireless network infrastructure to conduct and execute low-power, low-weight, and wireless experiments on the ISS. For this demonstration, Wireless Compose-2 operates several experiments, including an experiment to examine the impact of the space environment on the cardiovascular system. Additionally, Wireless Compose-2 demonstrates newly developed impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR-UWB) hardware to enable precise localization applications and to analyze the energy harvesting potential on the ISS. Systems: Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Slider Track Remove & Replace (R&R): Today, the crew performed an R&R of the ARED slider house assembly and slider assembly within the load adjustment unit. ARED's primary goal is to maintain muscle strength and mass in astronauts during long periods in space. ARED uses the resistance from vacuum cylinders along with a flywheel system to simulate free-weight exercises in normal gravity. Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Flow Measurement Survey: As part of Station's standard system health monitoring, the crew used a Velocicalc tool to measure the amount of airflow through ventilation inlets and outlets in the Airlock, Node1, Cupola, and Beam modules. The IMV system circulates air between modules to air revitalization equipment so that ideal atmospheric condition is maintained throughout ISS. Hatch Seal Inspection: As part of periodic maintenance, the crew cleaned and inspected the USOS hatch seals and hatch plate sealing surface for the Lab aft and forward hatches. The crew also inspected the crank handle Mechanism and hatch seal interlocking joints for foreign object debris (FOD) or damage. Due to a buildup of food on the surface, the crew will need to come back and complete the cleaning and inspection on the hatch. Cupola Window #7 Scratch Pane Installation: Today, the crew removed the original Scratch Pane installed on Cupola Window #7 and replaced it with a new Acrylic Scratch Pane. The scratch pane protects the Cupola window while maximizing optical purity. Remote Power Control Modules (RPCM) P12B_C RPC 5 Swap: On Friday May 27, RPCM P12B_C RPC 5 which powers multiple channels of the Port Thermal Radiator (PTR) Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (MDM) Solenoid Driver Output (SDO) Card tripped. The primary impact was the loss of power to the two Integrated Motor/Controller Assemblies (IMCAs) which controls the Port 1-2 radiator isolation valves. Today, ground teams robotically started to swap RPCM P12B_C with RPCM P11A_A to return isolation capability to protect for the loss of the External Thermal Control System (ETCS) system in the event of a Port 1-2 radiator leak to space. The RPCM swap activity will continue through tomorrow morning. Completed Task List Activities: None Today's Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. RPCM P12B_C R&R Ops [In Work] Crew Dragon Quiescent Checkout FBCE Degas Commanding Look Ahead Plan Thursday, June 9 (GMT 160) Payloads: Astrobee ISAAC 9 Astrorad Vest CBEF-L GHF Checkout HRF Supply Inventory NutrISS Payload Hardware Audit Snowcone Hardware Remove Systems: ISS NOD3O2 Audit Hatch Seal Inspection HRF Rack 1 Supply Kit Inventory Friday, June 10 (GMT 161) Payloads: Astrobee/SVGS CAL MTL Jumper Check HRF1 Drawer Inspect Mochii Review and Prep Touching Surfaces Prep for Mochii XROOTS Systems: Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) Ingress BEAM DIDS Battery R&R Food Consolidate Saturday, June 11 (GMT 162) Payloads: AstroRad Vest Systems: Crew Off Duty Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. ACME Hardware Consolidate Atmosphere Control and Supply (ACS) Oxygen Supply Swap Astrobee Prep and Stowage Clear AstroPi Imagery of the old and New Generation. AstroRad Vest Don and Doff AstroRad Vest Range of Motion with Video ARED Slider Assembly R&R Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) Battery Replacement Cupola Window #7 Scratch Pane Installation Dragon Staging Audit HERO3 Camera Battery Charge and Terminate HRF Fecal Hardware Locate Hypervisor Relocate Assessment Hatch Seal Inspection NutrISS - ESA Nutritional Assessment Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event - Lab PAO Social Media Event THC IMV Flow Measurement Survey Transparent Alloys Data Disk Exchange Wireless Compose-2 SmartTex-2 Shirt Donning & Experiment Execution Wireless Compose-2 SmartTex Shirt Picture and Questionnaire Wireless Compose-2 SD Card Data Transfer Transfer CST-100 Cargo Operations Dragon Prepack Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. (The Center Square) The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday on the Protect Our Kids Act," eight gun control bills packaged into one piece of legislation in response to the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. Passing the bill would send the gun control legislation to the U..S. Senate, which is in its own discussions over similar measures. The legislation would, among other things, ban certain high-capacity magazines and require an individual be 21 to purchase a semiautomatic rifle. Currently, someone must be 18-years-old to make that purchase. It would also institute new regulations around gun storage and create multiple new criminal penalties. The House Judiciary Committee advanced the bill out last week with 19 committee members opposed, likely foretelling the partisan battle over the gun control legislation. According to the office of U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., who chairs that committee, the bill would statutorily ban the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks for civilian use and establish requirements to regulate the storage of firearms on residential premises and create criminal penalties for violation of the requirements. What the bill could include in its final form is subject to change. The bill is not expected to get the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate, but it is not impossible. Some Democrats have called for ending the filibuster to pass the legislation, but that position does not have full support. The filibuster is the only thing that prevents us from total insanity, said Sen. Joe Manchin, R-W.V., who has been a swing vote on multiple controversial pieces of legislation. Total insanity. In response to mass shootings, Republicans have called for an emphasis on mental health issues, saying they have largely gone unaddressed and been eclipsed by the debate over gun control. The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on the recent gun violence Wednesday which included testimony from some present at the shootings who relayed the pain of their experiences. At the hearing, Ranking Member on the committee Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., acknowledged the recent violence and also pointed to the rise in violent crime in 2020 in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd and the ensuing riots. He argued this and other violence only accentuates Americans right to self-defense. As elected representatives in Congress, its our obligation to work to ensure that these violent crimes and tragedies never happen again, he said at the hearing. "Americans of all backgrounds should be empowered to defend themselves against rising violence. The increased violence we have witnessed since the summer of 2020 is unacceptable. Murders and aggravated assaults are all up. This is a trend we must work to reverse. I strongly believe that there is an important place for law-abiding gun owners to serve in protecting themselves, their families, and their communities from violence, he added. He also pushed for supporting law enforcement to address the rise in violent crime around the country. I also believe we must continue to empower our law enforcement professionals to serve and protect our communities honorably, Comer added. As I said before, defund the police and soft on crime prosecution policies have been a failure across the board. Efforts to divert violent criminals out of the criminal justice system have failed, leading to the victimization of the very communities those policies were promised to help. Over a thousand Minnesota families with medical debt are about to get some major relief, all thanks to our nurses. The Minnesota Nurses Association announced Thursday it will pay off past due accounts for 1,800 Minnesota patients, lifting more than $2.6 million in debt off families. Its a thank you to the community on the anniversary of last years major nurse strike against Allina Health, the union says. The MNA also said it hopes the donations will draw attention to what it calls a broken healthcare system where medical debt is an ongoing issue for people across the state. More details will be announced at a press conference on Monday, June 19, where nurses will show a copy of the check and rip up a contract to absolve the debts. One year ago MNA Nurses from all five Allina hospitals in the Twin Cities began a seven-day strike on June 19 last year, and then a much longer, 37-day strike later that fall. Health insurance coverage was the main reason for the strikes, but the two sides also sparred over workplace safety and staffing issues. The MNA which represents the roughly 5,000 nurses who work at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Phillips Eye Institute, United Hospital and Unity Hospital and Allina Health came to an agreement last October. The Star Tribune says the two strikes ended up costing Allina $149 million as hospitals were forced to hire hundreds of replacement nurses. Photo: xxxtentacion/Youtube The late rapper XXXTentacion (real name Jahseh Onfroy) experienced a tumultuous but relatively rapid rise to success, punctuated by serious legal issues and disturbing acts of violence. He signed a record deal rumored to be worth a whopping $6 million despite a video that surfaced showing XXX hitting a fan in the head with a microphone at the Rolling Loud Festival in Mountain View, California. At the time of his murder in June 2018, he was also awaiting trial for a 2016 domestic-abuse case, in which he was charged with aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness tampering. Taking in the full scope of these events is difficult and overwhelming, so weve compiled a timeline to try to make sense of the situation. Pre-2014 19982011: XXXTentacion grew up in Pompano Beach and Lauderhill in South Florida. He lived with his mother, who he said had it hard, and sometimes with his grandmother. My mom was just in situations where she couldnt take care of me, he said in an interview on the No Jumper podcast. From a very young age, he got involved in violent situations. Ive been fighting since I was a kid, he said. When he was 6, he tried to stab a man who was messing with his mother. He was also expelled from his first middle school for fighting. In his early teenage years, he developed a passion for music. He was drawn to nu-metal and hard rock as well as rap, and tried to teach himself how to play the guitar and the piano. In middle school, he said his aunt and mother tried to encourage this interest by signing him up for chorus, but he eventually got kicked out of the program for punching a classmate. 20122014: XXXTentacion attends high school at Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida, before dropping out in the tenth grade. Around this time, he says, he recorded and released a song, but there is no record of it online. Sometime in 20132014, XXXTtentacion spends around nine months to a year in a juvenile-detention center for a gun possession charge. During this time he meets fellow rapper Ski Mask the Slump God. After being released, the two go on to collaborate on several projects. 201415 March 2014: XXXTentacion uploads his first song to SoundCloud. The track is called Vice City. February 3, 2015: He releases another EP called Heartbreak Hotel on SoundCloud. Late 2014: XXXTentacion independently releases two EPs called The Fall and Ice House online. He later deletes them from SoundCloud. April 20, 2015: XXXTentacion and Ski Mask the Slump God release a joint EP called Members Only Vol. 1 October 23, 2015: XXXTentacion and Ski Mask release another EP, Members Only Vol. 2 November 16, 2015: XXXTentacion is charged for committing home invasion, robbery, and aggravated battery, according to court documents. December 31, 2015: Look at Me, XXXTentacions first big single, appears on SoundCloud. 2016 January 29: Look at Me gets an official release as a digital download. While its SoundCloud numbers continue to grow, the single doesnt enter the Billboard charts for another ten-and-a-half months. April 24: XXXTentacion does his first long-form interview on the hip-hop podcast No Jumper (which Jon Caramanica of the New York Times has described as The Paris Review for the face-tattoo set). He discusses his troubled past and time in juvenile detention. He includes a very graphic story about beating up a cellmate, whom he refers to as a faggot, describing every violent act in gruesome detail. After mentioning that he wiped the mans blood on his face, Adam22, (full name Adam Grandmaison), the BMX rider and hip-hop podcast host, contributes an equally disturbing response Warpaint. Thats tight, he says. Mid-May: According to a testimony obtained by Pitchfork in September of this year, XXXTentacion and his (former) girlfriend (and alleged domestic-abuse victim) first met. Late May: The first instance of domestic violence allegedly takes place. According to his ex-girlfriends testimony, XXXTentacion threatened to penetrate her vagina with a barbecue cleaner or a barbecue fork. July: XXXTentacion and his then-girlfriend move to Orlando. Mid-July (approximately): The second incident of alleged domestic violence occurs. XXXTentation allegedly kicked, punched, tackled, and stomped on his ex-girlfriend, because he heard her singing another artists song, the testimony in Pitchfork states. He also threatened to cut out, her tongue, the victim said. August 9: XXXTentacion is arrested for his 2015 robbery and assault charges. He is held at Broward Regional Detention Center in Fort Lauderdale. September 16: XXXTentacion agrees to house arrest, and is released from jail. Soon after, he allegedly assaults his ex-girlfriend again after she confesses to sleeping with another man. According to her testimony, he put a knife to her throat, strangled her a little bit, and threatened to hit her with a glass bottle. Late September: XXXTentacion and his then-girlfriend move to Sweetwater, Florida. XXXTentacion is accused of strangling her on two occasions around this time, the testimony in Pitchfork states. Early October: XXXTentactions ex-girlfriend finds out that she is pregnant with his child. October 68: Over the course of two days, several instances of domestic violence allegedly take place. According to XXXTentacions ex-girlfriends testimony, he threatened to kill her and her unborn child before elbowing, punching, and kicking her. When she asked other residents of the pairs apartment to take her to the hospital, XXXTentacion refused to let her leave. She recalls him saying that she needed to wait until her face (which was severely beaten) had healed. XXXTentacion and his housemates then drive her to another apartment, where they leave her in a bedroom and confiscate her phone. She is trapped there for two days until, on October 8, she manages to escape and contact the police. October 8: XXXTencacion is arrested in Miami-Dade County, and charged with aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness tampering. He pleads not guilty, but is detained by Broward County for violating his house arrest agreement. A trial for the domestic-abuse charges is set for May 1 (this trial later gets pushed back to October 5, and then December 11). 2017 January 1: Adam22 announces that he is managing XXXTentacion. xxx is out in a couple weeks and im managing him, he tweets. Over the next few months, while XXXTentacion is in jail, Adam22 uses his own Twitter account to update fans on XXXTentacions status and well-being. January 17: A$AP Rocky shares his support for XXXTentacion on Instagram live. Free my n***a X, I cant wait til you come home, he says. January 28: Drake previews KMT at a show in Amsterdam. Fans compare it to Look at Me on social media. Pigeons and Planes posts a snippet of the two songs side by side. Preview of Drake's new song vs. XXXTENTACION's "Look At Me" pic.twitter.com/Z4rhcwIw1b Pigeons & Planes (@PigsAndPlans) January 29, 2017 February 1: Danny Brown quotes lyrics from XXXTentacion and Ski Mask the Slump Gods RIP Roach on Twitter. Cocaine for my breakfast, hold that pistol ambidextrous Danny Brown (@xdannyxbrownx) February 1, 2017 February 14: Look at Me enters the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 95. February 18: In an interview with DJ Semtex aired on OVO Sound radio, Drake denies copying Look at Me. The other day, I dropped this song with Giggs and Im seeing all this shit on my IG under some random picture of people being like, Fuck you, you took this kids flow or whatever. Im like, Whats happening to me right now? So Im trying to read and figure out who theyre talking about. March 26: XXXTentacion pleads no contest to the charges of armed home-invasion robbery and battery, and is released from jail on probation. March 29: In an interview on Miamis 103.5 The Beat, XXXTentacion accuses Drake of stealing his flow. He is not a man. I think hes a bitch, thats a bitch move, he tells the interviewer. April 7: XXXTentacion hosts a surprise show in Miami, which turns into a riot. Police intervene, shut down the show, and escort XXXTentacion out of the building. April 22: Look at Me peaks at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. May 12: XXXTentacion releases a song called Looking for a Star, which is produced by Diplo. May 17: XXXTentacion releases his debut mixtape, Revenge, via Empire Distribution. It consists of eight songs which he had previously released on SoundCloud, and doesnt garner much press coverage on its own. Reviews by XXL, VIBE, and Revolt, present it as a collection of highlights rather than a new body of work. It peaks at No. 44 on the Billboard 200. June 7: XXXTentacion is knocked out onstage at a show in San Diego. In the brawl that ensues, someone gets stabbed. Fans blame rapper Rob Stone for the incident. June 13: XXXTentacion appears on XXLs 2017 Freshman Class cover as the 10th Spot winner the only spot on the list that is fan-selected. According to XXL, His fans blew up our voting page, pushing him to the top slot by thousands of votes. In light of his domestic-violence charges, the decision to feature him on the list is met with significant resistance from XXL readers and other music publications. June 14: XXXTentacion punches a fan at a show in Salt Lake City. June 26: XXXTentacion and Ski Mask the Slump God release their Members Only Vol. 3 EP. Early August: Look at Me is certified platinum. In a now-deleted Instagram post, XXXTentacion posts a picture of the RIAA certification with a caption saying: say what you want, but you will always be forced to accept that Im out here living my own life. August 25: 17, XXXTentacions first album is released via Empire Distribution. It debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. One blog, DJ Booth (which is part of the Complex Network), refuses to review the album and posts an official statement, saying, We felt we could no longer stand on the sidelines, watching raps ugly embrace of sexual assault. Meaghan Garvey writes about the album for Pitchfork, and gives it a mixed review, attempting to articulate its merits and understand XXXTentacions fan base, while also acknowledging his troubling personal history. The reasons it is difficult to listen to can overshadow the need to listen to it, she says. Kendrick Lamar cosigns the album on Twitter. Listen to this album if you feel anything, he writes. Raw thoughts. https://t.co/ovjuQN8weO listen to this album if you feel anything. raw thoughts. https://t.co/ovjuQN8weO Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) August 26, 2017 September 2: XXXTencacions free show in Tampa gets canceled due to an overcrowding risk (2,000 people showed up to a 750 capacity venue, XXL reported). The crowd riots and chases XXXTentacions car. Police intervene. September 8: Pitchfork releases excerpts from XXXTentacions ex-girlfriends testimony. September 17: The Look at Me video is released. It includes a shot of XXXTentacion hanging from a noose. September 28: XXXTentations October 5 domestic-abuse trial gets postponed. October 5: A new trial date is set for December 11. October 19: XXXTentacion signs a deal with Caroline, a subsidiary of Capitol Records, Billboard reports. One source says that the deal is worth $6 million. October 20: XXXTentacion announces, via Instagram story, that he will donate over a 100 thousand dollars to domestic-violence-prevention programs. October 21: During a his performance at the Rolling Loud festival in the Bay Area, XXXTentacion gets into another fight with a fan. A video of the incident shows XXXTentacion hitting the crowd member in the head with his microphone. In a video released on Twitter later that night, XXXTentacion argues that he was punched first and acted in self-defense. October 26: XXXTentacion posts a message on his Instagram story stating that he is no longer signed to Capitol Records. Terminating my deal with capitol records, he writes in one message, followed by another saying If you can match my alleged previous contract, and add free international travel & free international stay I would be happy to be in business with you, I am currently a free agent, well, I always was. Soon after, a rep from XXXTentacions camp denies the claim, saying that XXXTentacion is signed to Caroline/Capitol Music Group. October 27: In another Instagram story, XXXTentacion says that he will not be making or releasing any music. I am tired of being mentally abused for trying to help people, Im tired of the hate, Im done, he writes. October 29: XXXTentacion says, via Instagram story, that he will return to music if Ski Mask The Slump God agrees to be his friend again. Tell Ski Mask to be my friend again and I will make music. Tell him to be my friend again, he said in the (now deleted) post. A couple days later, in a video, responded, I will always love that alien-looking n***a named XXX, but I have to distance myself because nobody would see me as an individual, and On top of that, that n***a crazy as hell. Then, he wrote on an Instagram story: This is a person who has before threaten[ed] my family, told me I was supposed to be sacrificed on some crazy shit, November 2: XXXTentacion posts a snippet of a new song on Instagram, with a caption reading: said I was going to stop making music but I dont consider this music. November 26: XXXTentacion announces that he plans to host an anti-rape event at this years Art Basel in Miami. December 1: XXXtentacion and his lawyers submit a document, allegedly signed by his ex-girlfriend, to the DAs office in hopes of getting his domestic-assault case dropped. Accoring to TMZ, the document states that XXXtentacions accuser is refusing to cooperate with prosecutors and wants to drop the case. December 15: XXXTentacion is jailed ahead of his abuse trial, with seven new charges added, including different degrees of witness tampering and witness harassment. According to TMZ, prosecutors believe the rapper coerced his ex-girlfriend into signing the previously submitted documents that claimed she wanted the charges dropped. His bail is denied. He now reportedly faces decades in prison, at minimum, if convicted. December 20: TMZ reports that XXXTentacion will be released from jail and serve house arrest for two months ahead of his trial. His attorney David Bogenschutz told the site that the judge will allow the rapper to visit a local recording studio to fulfill his contractual obligations during this time. 2018 to death January 10: According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, several anonymous sources with knowledge of XXXTentacions signing to Capitol Records in October, suggested that many staffers at the label opposed the deal. However, two of the Times sources said that in a staff meeting, Capitol president Steve Barnett told executives that Onfroys surging popularity would help the company have a bigger market share in hip-hop and acknowledged the controversy around the artist, encouraging those with concerns to voice them. March 16: XXXtentacion releases his second studio album, ?, via his label Bad Vibes Forever. The album is distributed by Caroline Distribution, which is part of Capitol Records. It debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, selling the equivalent of 131,000 units in its first week. March 21: XXXtentacion is released from house arrest, so that he can go on tour, TMZ reports. According to the article, XXXs legal team argued that he would need touring income to stay afloat, because his earnings from record sales werent sufficient. March 25: XXXTentacions sophomore album, ?, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, giving SoundCloud rap its first No. 1 album. March 26: Sad, one of the two singles from ?, reaches No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming XXXtentacions first top-ten song. May 10: Spotify removes XXXTentacions music from its playlists in accordance with a new Hate Content and Hateful Conduct policy. His reps issue a statement listing other artists accused of abuse, asking if they will also be penalized. June 1: Spotify scraps its hate content policy following complaints from industry insiders. XXXTentacions music is reinstated on its playlists. June 5: XXXTentacion is the subject of an extensive profile in the Miami New Times detailing his alleged abuse, including interviews with his accuser. In it, XXXTentacion dismisses feminism, saying Women may see or feel that theyre belittled, but youre only belittled if you want to be belittled. He uses Hillary Clinton as an example: She ran [for president] and she wasnt killed for it. That says everything. He says that, in the post-#MeToo era, allegations can go off hearsay and women are almost more powerful than men. June 18: XXXTentacion, 20, is reported dead following an alleged drive-by shooting outside of a motorcycle shop in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He was awaiting trial at the time of the shooting. Posthumous (201822) June 19, 2018: SAD! earns 10.4 million global streams on Spotify in a single day, breaking the platforms record (previously set by Taylor Swifts Look What You Made Me Do with 10.1 million streams). June 21, 2018: Trippie Redd releases the first posthumous XXXtentacion song, Ghost Busters, featuring Ski Mask the Slump God, to SoundCloud. A verse from Quavo is later added to the song. June 25, 2018: XXXtentacion earns his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for SAD! The track jumped from No. 52 after its posthumous streaming bump. Its the first solo song to top the chart posthumously in over 20 years, since the Notorious B.I.G.s Mo Money Mo Problems in 1997. June 28, 2018: A music video for SAD! is released, depicting XXXtentacion attending his own funeral. July 19, 2018: A Florida grand jury indicts four men Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, Robert Allen, and Trayvon Newsome in XXXtentacions murder. Each is charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery after the men had individually been named suspects and two had been arrested. Police claim Boatwright was the one who shot XXXtentacion. October 19, 2018: XXXtentacion is deemed ineligible to be nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys, Hits Daily Double reports, because his album 17 was released before the nomination window. October 23, 2018: Pitchfork reports on a secret recording of XXXtentacion from around October 2016, when he was arrested for domestic abuse. On the tape, from the Miami-Date County state attorneys office, the rapper confesses to abusing his ex-girlfriend. I started fucking her up because she made one mistake, he said. And from there, the whole cycle went down. Now shes scared. That girl is scared for her life. Per Pitchfork, prosecutors and XXXtentacions defense both took the tape as a confession. He also admitted to multiple stabbings. November 9, 2018: The first posthumous album from XXXtentacion, titled Skins, is announced, alongside the single BAD! The album is set to be released December 7. December 17, 2018: Skins debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 132,000 album equivalent units. Its the first posthumous No. 1 album since The Very Best of Prince in 2016. February 10, 2019: XXXtentacion is not included in the In Memoriam segment of the Grammys. Variety later reports the rapper was snubbed because of his domestic-violence accusations. June 18, 2019: On the anniversary of his death, XXXtentacions estate releases a trailer to a documentary. The documentary is teased as coming soon, alongside a new album, in a release from the estate. November 21, 2019: The XXXtentacion estate announces the rappers final album, Bad Vibes Forever, out December 6. December 11, 2019: Pitchfork reports that the documentary teased by XXXtentacions estate began as a project for Fader Films, initially featuring an interview with his ex-girlfriend and accuser, Geneva Ayala. The documentary was then shelved, with the rappers estate becoming involved after his death. December 15, 2019: Bad Vibes Forever debuts at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 with 65,000 equivalent units, a fraction of XXXtentacions previous two releases. May 6, 2021: The XXXtentacion estate announces it will release five of the rappers unpublished songs as NFTs on May 10, making him the first artist to posthumously release music as an NFT. March 15, 2022: Hulu announces the documentary Look at Me: XXXtentacion. Directed by Sabaah Folayan, its producers include XXXtentacions mother, Cleopatra Bernard, and former manager Solomon Sobande. It premieres at South by Southwest that day. May 23, 2022: The XXXtentacion estate announces a posthumous compilation album, Look at Me: The Album, to be released June 10. The album features old XXXtentacion songs and already released ones along with a much-awaited collaboration with Ye (formerly Kanye West), True Love. May 26, 2022: Look at Me hits Hulu. It features pre-death interviews with XXXtentacion and an interview with Ayala along with footage of her meeting his mother. This post has been updated throughout. Photo: Kevin Mazur/ACMA2017/Getty Images for ACM When it came to defrauding banks out of $30 million and evading taxes, Chrisley didnt know best. Thats what a judge ruled on June 7, convicting Todd and Julie Chrisley stars of reality show Chrisley Knows Best of eight counts of financial fraud and two counts of tax evasion. The Department of Justice announced their conviction on all counts, following a three-week trial in Georgia. (Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also convicted in the same trial of filing false tax returns.) The Chrisleys are set to be sentenced on October 6, with their charges carrying a maximum punishment of 30 years. A lawyer for Todd Chrisley told the New York Times he was disappointed in the verdict and planning an appeal. The Chrisleys allegedly used their fraudulently obtained loans to purchase clothing, cars, and property. An FBI agent said the Chrisleys were driven by greed in a statement. As todays outcome shows, when you lie, cheat, and steal, justice is blind as to your fame, your fortune, and your position, said Keri Farley. The news comes as Chrisley Knows Best is set to resume its ninth season on June 23. The series was also recently renewed for a tenth season. Wifi ribbon cutting scheduled The Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioners learned about Northwest River Partners and heard reports at their bimonthly meeting on Tuesday. Kurt Miller spoke to the commissioners about his role as executive director for the Northwest River Partners, and the organizations goals and strategies. Our goal is to make sure what is happening with the natural gas industry doesnt happen to hydropower, he said. The organization is active on social media, has written several op-eds, and is working on messaging for all ages, including K-12, in order to promote hydropower and keep the dams on the lower Snake River. After his presentation, Miller asked the PUD to consider membership. Minimum dues are currently $3,400 and will rise to $5,000 next year. Commissioner Bob Jungers said he was interested in participating in their support but wasnt sure that advocacy fit into Wahkiakum PUDs mission statement. He later said that the PUDs mission was to provide the highest possible reliability with the lowest possible cost. Were one of four utilities in the state that do not participate in River Partners, General Manager Dan Kay said. Its definitely going to affect our rate payers if the dams are taken out, Commissioner Dennis Reid asserted. The matter will be addressed at a later date. I completely support it, Kay said, but lets put some numbers together. The pole testing and treatment project has been completed, Kay told the commissioners. They learned there are 3,630 poles in the system and there had been a reject rate of 2.4 percent during the project. The PUD is replacing the poles, but are being cautious because of continuing supply issues, Kay added. Kay said that Wahkiakum West was working on their broadband project between the base of KM to Alger Heights and would soon connect customers in the area to the system. A PUD crew rebuilt a road to a tank in Skamokawa and added drainage so they could get trucks and equipment to the site, Kay said, and the crew was busy replacing pipe in Skamokawa Water System. There was only one power outage in the last two weeks. Kay said that a ribbon cutting was planned for the public wifi project in Cathlamet. It is scheduled to take place in front of the Wahkiakum County Courthouse today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. John Cabot University, a regionally accredited American university in Rome, is searching for a candidate to fill the position of Registrars Office Assistant for a short-term (6 months), maternity leave substitution. The position entails assisting the Office of the Registrar in managing and communicating academic procedures and policies for enrolled students. In coordination with and under the supervision of the Registrar, the Registrars Office Assistant manages the front line of the daily operations of the Office, responding to questions and concerns, and providing customer service to students. For a list of duties and requirements, please refer to the JCU website at https://www.johncabot.edu/employment-opportunities/administrative-staff.aspx). All applicants must possess valid EU working documents in Italy. JCU cannot sponsor candidates for working visas in Italy for this position. Please send your (ENGLISH only) CV and cover letter to employment@johncabot.edu with the subject line "Registrars Office Assistant". While we appreciate every application received, note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted. The position will be open until filled, with application review commencing on June 22, 2022. Hiring for this short-term (6 month) maternity leave substitution contract is set to begin as soon as July 5, 2022. John Cabot University, a regionally accredited American university in Rome, Italy, is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The University prohibits and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, or disability in any of its policies, programs, and services. Il Cinema in Piazza festival returns to Rome in 2022 with free films, big names and three locations. Rome film fans can look forward to watching movies on the big screen under the stars again this summer with the return of Il Cinema in Piazza. The free event takes place from 3 June to 31 July in three different locations. Screenings are held at 21.15, every night except Monday and Tuesday, and booking is not required. The majority of the films are screened in their original language with subtitles in Italian. In addition to its base at Piazza S. Cosimato in Trastevere, the eighth edition of the festival will return to Casale della Cervelletta in Rome's eastern suburbs and Monte Ciocci park at Valle Aurelia. Il Cinema in Piazza once again hosts a range of international special guests including Wes Anderson, David Mamet, Pawe Pawlikowski and Fanny Ardant, with Pietro Castellitto and Carlo Verdone among the stars of Italian cinema. There will also be tributes to Libero De Rienzo (on the first anniversary of his death), Pier Paolo Pasolini, Massimo Troisi, Mel Brooks and Alfred Hitchcock. The festival is organised by Piccolo Cinema America, a Trastevere-based association of young volunteer film enthusiasts, led by president Valerio Carocci. The festival's organisers are no stranger to overcoming obstacles, from political opposition to right-wing aggression, and they recently opened the fully refurbished, state-of-the-art Cinema Troisi. For the last eight years the festival has consistently punched above its weight to reel in some of the top names in Italian and international cinema as guests in addition to screening a diverse range of movies. The full programme is available on the Cinema in Piazza website. Incident comes as Rome prepares for wild boar cull. A lake-side picnic near Rome to celebrate the end of school descended into chaos by the sudden arrival of a family of wild boar on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred on the shores of Lago Albano, the lake below the pope's summer retreat at Castel Gandolfo, as students gathered to mark their last day of school. The tusked animals, which ran around the picnic site before disappearing back into the undergrowth, sparked panic among the picnickers, some of whom screamed and fled, reports newspaper La Repubblica. Famiglia di cinghiali interrompe il pic-nic degli studenti al lago di Albano, scoppia il panico. Cittadini divisi: "Mai toccare i cuccioli" [aggiornamento delle 20:07] https://t.co/hJAIKw7lJb Repubblica Roma (@rep_roma) June 8, 2022 There was nobody injured in the incident - which was filmed and published by the 'Welcome to Favelas' page - however over the last year several people have been victims of wild boar attacks in the same area. Comments on social media were divided between those who demanded that "something must be done to avert new attacks" while some blamed humans for "invading the animals' natural habit" and others claimed that the "wild boar are more afraid of you, just stay away from their young." Wild boar are increasingly making the news in Italy, particularly in Rome where a spate of 'anti-social' incidents involving the animals, coupled with a recent outbreak of swine fever, has prompted authorities to organise a cull. Italian farming organisation Coldiretti estimates there are 2.3 million wild boar in Italy, with more than 20,000 of the animals living in the greater Rome area. Video Massimiliano Zossolo - Welcome to Favelas Placeholder while article actions load Private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc. and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd. have made a binding offer for chemist chain Boots. If it can close a deal, the consortium has a good chance of making a decent return on the British high-street stalwart. But the remedy for Boots wont be cheap or easy. The formal proposal, fully backed by committed financing, values Boots at more than 5 billion ($6.3 billion), Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. Current owner Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. will retain a minority stake in the business. At that level, the buyers wont be overpaying. The retailers enterprise value has long been estimated at about 5 billion, although Walgreens had initially eyed a price tag as much as 7 billion. But the valuation does reflect the fact that Boots will need a complete overhaul. The business has struggled, as shopping shifted online, and A.S. Watson Holdings Ltd steered rival Superdrug into beauty and services. Advertisement Nevertheless, there are opportunities for a new owner. The first is to invest in Boots stores and improve the online proposition. Although the chain has made progress, with new beauty halls, for example, there is more work to do. Many high-street outlets still look dreary. The pandemic, which saw Boots administer Covid tests and vaccines, highlighted the potential for a broader range of health-care services. The retailer already offers treatments for acne, period pain and mental-health support. Meanwhile, it could push further into the beauty market, capitalizing on the withdrawal from the high-street of British department store Debenhams, a big player in fragrance and cosmetics. But the real growth potential would be expanding Boots in India. Although the retailer has a business in Thailand, it lacks scale in Asia. Covid-19 underlined the need to improve health care in India, as more than 60% of the population isnt covered by insurance. If Boots can carve out a role in providing prescriptions and services in India, as it has in the UK, this could prove lucrative. Advertisement None of this will come cheap, however. Walgreens has long been more focused on the US than its European outpost, and the consortium will need to invest heavily in Boots. Luckily, Reliance can draw on its cash-generative refining business. If Apollo and Reliance can revive Boots and give it a new international revenue stream, they could bring the business back to market for a superior valuation. Walgreenss minority stake will allow it to benefit from any upside. In the meantime, the consortium may have to deal with a counter offer from billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa and private equity rival TDR, though Bloomberg News reported in late May that the Issas and TDR were considering dropping out of the race because of disagreements over price. Even if Apollo and Reliance do make it to pole position, they will still have to negotiate with Walgreens Chairman Stefano Pessina. And while Ambani may be a consummate dealmaker, so is the Italian nuclear physicist. Advertisement More From Bloomberg Opinion: ECB Delay Presages Bigger Rate Increases in Coming Months: Marcus Ashworth AI Needs a Babysitter, Just Like the Rest of Us: Parmy Olson One Way Out of the Cost-of-Living Crisis? Retire Early: Stuart Trow This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Andrea Felsted is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering consumer goods and the retail industry. Previously, she was a reporter for the Financial Times. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The Groningen gas field in the Netherlands is vast. Its the largest in the European Union, and one of the 10 biggest in the world. Its available reserves of about 450 billion cubic meters are equivalent to all the EUs needs for one year. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Its exactly the kind of precious (if non-renewable) economic resource that would normally be front and center in an energy crisis like the one afflicting the region today. Every molecule of gas counts at a time when Europe is scrambling to cut its ties to Russia source of about 40% of the EUs gas consumption by chasing new suppliers, investing in renewables, curbing demand and wringing existing sources dry. But thats not whats happening. Groningen production is actually being wound down with a view to halting it next year, part of a long-standing pledge to address earthquake risks and environmental damage. (Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij BV, a venture of Shell Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp., operates the field and is bound by current production limits. The Dutch state is a co-owner.) Advertisement Its one of several European energy paradoxes that deserve to be reconsidered in the wake of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. Without the pressures of war, the shuttering of Groningen might look justified. It was tapped for decades with little care for locals, whose complaints over tremors were ignored for a long time. The cost of continued production became linked to billions of euros in compensation claims and housing repairs. Groningen lost its social license to operate, a paper by the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) concluded in 2019. Yet today it also seems irresponsible to ignore the unintended consequences of a phaseout process that began in 2014 and effectively became final in 2018. Replacing 54 billion cubic meters of gas annually (in 2013 terms) meant increasing dependence on Russia. And now that dependence has to be unpicked at high speed and cost, straining European unity, morale and finances. Advertisement The pressure is so acute that even some locals have backtracked on their opposition to more drilling. Putins actions are obviously a motivation, but there is also more possibility of adequately compensating residents today than there used to be. Surging energy prices mean that the value of remaining reserves could be around $450 billion (or $900 billion based on the peak seen earlier this year), analysts say. For now, though, the language from Prime Minister Mark Ruttes government suggests a wait-and-see approach. There is still plenty of local anger against the field; enough that Groningen continues to be described as a last-resort emergency tool by politicians who have little appetite for an energy U-turn. Given enough time to develop alternative sources and infrastructure, from smaller fields to coal-fired plants, replacements exist. The danger with this approach is that time is exactly what Europe doesnt have. Putin is throttling gas supplies to countries that dont play by his rules including the Netherlands. The global economy is weakening, with the price of energy a key factor. Groningen is right there: Getting back to producing up to 20 billion cubic meters per year would theoretically be like flicking a switch, says Rene Peters of energy research organization TNO. The obstacle is political acceptance. Advertisement As Daniel Yergin, author of the classic hydrocarbon history The Prize, summed it up pithily to the New York Times: Guess what, this is an emergency. If war cant entirely change the politics of pumping more fossil fuels in an earthquake-prone region, there should at least be more recognition of the need to plan for the future and to help Europe as a whole. HCSS analyst Jilles van den Beukel suggests tapping Groningen specifically to hit EU-wide targets of 80% of storage capacity due for November. The more gas is stored, the less dependence there is on imported supplies. There is obviously no easy fix: Nobody with a blank canvas today would willingly choose to intensify fossil-fuel production. Yet the Groningen debate is one of several signs that suggest a disconnect between ambition and reality. Its dispiriting too to see Germany sticking to its 2011 pledge to quit nuclear energy a policy decided when Fukushima, not Ukraine, was on everyones lips. Anne-Sophie Corbeau of Columbia Universitys Center for European Policy says postponing the decommissioning of nuclear reactors in Germany and restarting those already shut would be costly and complex but would help Europe cut demand for gas. Advertisement As Europes leaders beat a path to countries from Algeria to Azerbaijan to secure more energy supplies, they should remember to look closer to home, too. More From Bloomberg Opinion: The Rising Cost of Hitting Putin Where It Hurts: Lionel Laurent EUs Russian Oil Ban Is Flawed But Necessary: Marques & Fickling Putins Gas Strategy Gives Germany Only Bad Choices: Javier Blas This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Lionel Laurent is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering digital currencies, the European Union and France. Previously, he was a reporter for Reuters and Forbes. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Turn an illicit product into a highly taxed and regulated one and you have a classic business experiment. Do it with a little-studied psychoactive substance that has both medical promise and addictive potential and you have a public health trial, too. Thats what the US has done with cannabis, otherwise known as marijuana, pot or weed. Changes in state laws since 1996 have given 74% of the US population access to some form of legal cannabis. The impact of that shift has been difficult to measure, as each state tracks data differently, if at all. What evidence there is shows that while legitimizing cannabis has generated jobs and tax revenue, the larger effects on society are a mixed bag. The effects on crime rates and social justice have been positive, but not entirely so. Some people seem to benefit from access to marijuana, but there are signs its easy availability puts more people at risk of addiction to it and increases cases of impaired driving. 1. What are the benefits of marijuana? Apart from getting people high, theres solid evidence that it reduces chronic pain, multiple-sclerosis-related muscle spasms, and chemotherapy-related nausea, according to one of the largest studies, a 2017 report that reviewed more than 10,000 scientific abstracts since 1999. Advertisement 2. Whats the legal landscape of cannabis? While US regulators havent approved the marketing of cannabis to treat any disease or condition, 37 US states have authorized it for people who have a doctors recommendation and qualifying ailments, which vary by jurisdiction. Of those states, 18 also allow people 21 and older to possess it for recreational purposes, with restrictions on quantities and public consumption. These liberalizations have given rise to thousands of licensed dispensaries selling weed products. They include flower, the smokable, dried bud of a cannabis plant; edibles, marijuana-infused snacks and drinks; and cartridges filled with cannabis oil for vaping. The federal government continues to classify marijuana as illegal, but its officials in recent years have taken a relatively relaxed approach toward enforcement of that law. 3. How have crime rates been affected? Advertisement A decade ago half of all drug-crime arrests in the US were related to cannabis, so not surprisingly such detentions have plunged. Still, the expectation that a licensed weed market would stamp out the illicit marijuana trade is being reassessed as licensed dispensaries struggle to compete with cheaper sellers on the underground market. In Colorado, organized crime linked to the trade actually increased from 31 cases in 2012, the year the state permitted recreational use, to 119 in 2017 before abating to 34 in 2019. Because African Americans as recently as 2018 were arrested for cannabis crimes at nearly four times the rate of White people despite similar levels of use, legalization has been put forward as a fix for the disparities that have flowed from that: disproportionate incarceration, broken homes and arrest records that hamper careers. But it hasnt been that simple. 4. Whats happened on the race front? While marijuana arrest rates have plummeted overall, racial disparities have persisted in arrests for violating regulations of legal marijuana. Before and after legalization in Washington state, Black adults went from being 2.5 times to 5 times as likely as White adults to be arrested for unlawful cannabis possession, a 2019 study found. After legalization in Colorado, the greatest decrease in arrests was among White people, down 72% as of 2019, versus a 63% decline for Black people and a 55% decline for Hispanics. Fifteen states have programs that aim to ensure members of minorities gain a fair share of the new industrys profits. But in a country in which Black people make up 13% of the population, they own fewer than 2% of cannabis companies, according to a 2022 report from the Minority Cannabis Business Association. One barrier to entry is the difficulty gaining access to the services of banks, many of which eschew these businesses given that weed remains illegal on the federal level. Advertisement 5. How big is the US cannabis industry? Sales generated more than $11 billion in tax revenue for states and localities from 2014 through 2021, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Much of the other available data on the industry comes from organizations spawned by it, so should be taken with a grain of salt. The research firm New Frontier Data projects the lawful weed business in the US will bring in sales of $32 billion this year. A joint report by the online marijuana marketplace Leafly and industry consulting firm Whitney Economics estimated that legal cannabis had created the equivalent of 428,000 full-time jobs as of January 2022. 6. How has cannabis use changed? Before the legal changes, it had been thought that more readily available marijuana might increase casual use by appealing to the so-called cannacurious. Surprising data show its also encouraged a rise in hardcore stoners. The US in 2019 saw a significant increase in the percentage of people over 26 who used marijuana in the previous month as well as in the share who used it daily or almost daily, according to an annual government survey. In Colorado, the first state to sanction recreational use, 15% of those age 18 to 25 consumed weed daily, a figure twice as high as the national average. According to a different report, 48% of people in Colorado who used cannabis in 2019 did so on a daily or near-daily basis, up from 44% in 2014. Canada, which authorized recreational use nationwide in 2018, has seen similar results. By the end of 2020, 20% of people reported using marijuana in the previous three months, versus 14% at the outset of 2018. Daily or near-daily use rose, too. Advertisement 7. What are the worries about increased marijuana use? Cannabis, in particular when smoked, is associated with an increase in chronic bronchitis episodes, according to the 2017 research review. Its impact on asthma, lung function, immunity, heart attack, strokes and diabetes requires more research, the report concluded. It said marijuana use is likely to increase the risk of schizophrenia, other psychoses, social anxiety disorders and depression. Other research, by contrast, has found that recreational access leads to a significant reduction in demand for prescription drugs not only for pain and seizures but also for depression, anxiety, sleep and psychosis. Research has shown lower birth weights for babies exposed to marijuana in the womb, and pregnant women more than doubled their intake of cannabis from 2002 to 2017. Advertisement Frequent use, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adds to the probability that people will develop cannabis use disorder, a term for addiction. The CDC cites studies estimating that likelihood for all users ranging from 10% to 30%. Among the signs of addiction are cravings, a need to use more of the drug to get the same high, and continued use despite relationship or work problems. The condition can put people at higher risk for other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory and learning. Young people appear to be particularly vulnerable: Cannabis is almost as addictive as opioids in teens, a 2021 study concluded. The US surgeon general has said that chronic marijuana use in teens is linked to impaired learning, declines in IQ and school performance, and suicide attempts. A rise in daily consumption has secondary effects: As regular users develop a tolerance for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, the industry has increased the potency of its product to keep up. The average percentage of THC in cannabis seized by US officials increased to 14% in 2019 from 5% in 1996. 8. Are legalizations effects showing up in public health data? Advertisement Its a challenge to draw definitive connections, but there are some signs of this. On the plus side, regulated cannabis can offer a health benefit to those who previously bought the drug on the illicit market, given that laws require legitimate sellers to monitor their wares for contaminants. States with lawful recreational weed had fewer cases of vaping-related lung injuries that were linked to illegally sold cannabis oil, a 2020 study found. On the downside, rates of cannabis use disorder in people age 12 to 17 grew 25% more in states that legalized recreational marijuana than in those that didnt, according to a 2020 study. Cyclical vomiting, episodes of severe vomiting that have no apparent cause and are associated with daily marijuana use, is on the rise, up 60% nationwide from 2005 to 2014. Advertisement Since legalization, Colorado has seen an increase in hospitalizations, emergency-department visits and poison-center calls linked with marijuana exposure. Children who stumble upon a parents edibles are a particular cause of concern. In 2019 and the two years prior, there were a total of 4,172 exposure cases nationwide in kids 0 to 9 years old, according to a study of calls to poison-control centers, which found that the rate was higher in states with sanctioned recreational use. 9. What about road safety? Proponents of legalization have posited that lawful weed would make roads safer because people would substitute it for alcohol, which they argue impairs driving more. Its difficult to get a clear picture of whats actually happened as theres no uniform law nationwide on driving while stoned, nor any widely accepted testing method for it. However, the evidence so far suggests the advocates were optimistic. It shows that legalization has led to more people in the US using cannabis in combination with alcohol and other substances. And in Canada in 2019, the year after legalization, cases of drug-impaired driving rose 43% over the previous year, and the overall incidence of impaired driving increased 19%. That ended a downward trend that had begun in 2011. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Bombed-out and poverty-stricken after World War II, Japan disbanded its military and renounced war, devoting its efforts instead to economic development under a pacifist constitution. More than seven decades later, Russias invasion of Ukraine has spooked Prime Minister Fumio Kishida into pledging a substantial increase in defense spending, which has long been only about half the target set for its Western counterparts. 1. Does Japan have a military? Yes and no. While the country spends more than 5 trillion yen ($37.6 billion) a year on defense, the ninth-largest budget in the world in actual size, it refers to its 138,000-strong military as the Self-Defense Forces. Those forces, founded in the 1950s, boast impressive equipment including light aircraft carriers, fighter jets and ballistic-missile defense systems. But there are strict rules about what the SDF is allowed to do, and its right even to exist under the US-drafted pacifist constitution has been called into question by scholars. One of the founding principles of the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party was to revise that document, which it still hasnt done seven decades later. The party has laid out proposals to add a reference to the SDF. Advertisement 2. How does Japan defend itself? Japan and the US became formal allies after World War II, meaning Japan has been sheltered by the U.S. nuclear umbrella amid growing threats from neighboring China and North Korea, and now renewed tensions with Russia. Tens of thousands of US troops are also based in Japan and subsidized by the Japanese taxpayer. 3. So what does the SDF do? The role of the SDF was initially limited to fending off any invasion. Japan began making changes after it was accused of checkbook diplomacy during the 1990-91 Gulf War for contributing $13 billion to the U.S.-led effort but no troops. It subsequently took part in UN peacekeeping operations as well as sending non-combat troops to the second war in Iraq on a reconstruction mission. The past few years have seen closer military cooperation with a range of partners, including Australia and the UK. Each step toward becoming a normal country has been met with unease, both in and outside Japan, as there have been waves of confession and denial in the country over its past aggression in Asia. But Russian President Vladimir Putins actions this year seem to have changed domestic views. Kishidas decision to break with tradition by sending military equipment, albeit nonlethal, to Ukraine met little resistance. Advertisement 4. Whats the proposal? Although Japan isnt a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the ruling LDP has called for meeting the alliances target for defense spending, which is 2% of gross domestic product. That would mean doubling the military budget, which would probably make Japan the third-largest military spender in the world after the US and China. The cabinet has approved an economic plan to bolster defenses over a five-year period without specifying figures. (NATO member Germany, Japans World War II ally that nurtured a pacifist streak afterward, also made a radical policy shift after Russias invasion of Ukraine, deciding to drastically raise its defense spending.) 5. Can Japan afford it? As the worlds most heavily indebted nation, Japan may struggle to pull together the resources amid the ballooning cost of supporting its elderly population. While public opinion is broadly behind some increase in outlay, polls show voters dont necessarily want a large rise. Its also unclear how the money would be used. The LDP advocates obtaining long-range, counter-strike capability, but former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has also called for an improvement in pay and conditions for SDF members, as the government struggles to find enough recruits. The debate comes as Japan revises the documents that define its security and defense strategy. Advertisement 6. What will the neighbors say? China, which has seen its own defense budget soar, would be critical of any plan to beef up Japans military. Defense Minister Nobuo Kishis hints last year that the existing 1% spending cap could be abandoned drew condemnation from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, who said Japan should reflect on the fact that it had inflicted untold sufferings on the people in Asia and accused Tokyo of advocating an arms race. South Korea, which also frequently clashes with Japan over its history of colonialism, is in a more complex position as a fellow-ally of the US. South Koreas new, conservative president has expressed hopes of reconciling with Japan. While Japan has apologized for past misdeeds, Japanese officials have triggered diplomatic flare-ups over the years by downplaying, defending or challenging the evidence of wartime abuses such as the 1937-1938 Rape of Nanking and visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which honors military leaders convicted as war criminals after WWII. 7. Will Japan ever change its constitution? Advertisement Kishidas former boss Shinzo Abe reinterpreted the constitution to allow Japan to defend other countries and hoped to enshrine the legitimacy of the SDF in an amendment to the pacifist Article 9. The hurdles to that remain high, and Kishida, a dovish Hiroshima native who campaigns for the abolition of nuclear weapons, hasnt treated constitutional change as a priority. A survey by public broadcaster NHK this year showed 35% were in favor of revision and 19% against, with 42% undecided. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load More than 850 people have been criminally charged in connection with the riot at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 by a mob of then-President Donald Trumps supporters. Most are accused of conventional offenses such as trespassing and assault, while 16 members of two right-wing groups are facing a more exotic charge: seditious conspiracy. Just before he left office, Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for incitement of insurrection but was acquitted of the charge by the Senate. The legal terminology around the unprecedented events that shocked Americans and the rest of the world requires some unpacking. 1. What is insurrection? The term broadly means a revolt against an established government, usually employing violence. However, the federal statute against it -- which is rooted in the American Civil War of the 1860s and provides up to 10 years imprisonment for inciting, assisting or engaging in insurrection -- doesnt define the term, so the parameters of the law are unclear. Its been prosecuted rarely. Advertisement 2. What is seditious conspiracy? Its the name given in federal law to the crime of sedition, which generally means the organized encouragement of rebellion or civil disorder against the authority of the state. In this case, the statute, also a reaction to the Civil War, spells out acts that constitute violations; that is, two or more people conspiring to overthrow the US government or to forcibly oppose its authority, interfere with the execution of any law, or seize any property of the US. The crime carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. Seditious conspiracy and insurrection are different from treason, which is aiding the enemies of ones country. The government has filed only a handful of sedition cases in the last 80 years and not all have been successful; at least one failed because a judge dismissed the charges and another was rejected by a jury. Critics say the danger of such cases is that they may criminalize legitimate dissent. 3. What charges are rioters facing? Advertisement The Justice Department has charged people from all 50 states for storming the Capitol, where lawmakers were counting electoral votes from the November 2020 presidential race to certify Joe Biden as the winner. The crowd overran the Capitol police, injured an estimated 140 officers, and temporarily halted the vote count. Seventeen months after the attack, about 246 rioters have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges such as illegal parading, while another 59 have admitted to felonies. About 70 -- fewer than 10% of the total charged -- have been sentenced to time behind bars for assaulting law enforcement officers and other crimes. Among those whove already been sentenced, Jacob Chansley -- the self-proclaimed QAnon Shaman who wore a coyote-skin headdress into the Senate chamber while carrying an American flag -- was ordered to serve 41 months in prison after pleading guilty to obstructing an official proceeding. Chansley vowed to appeal the sentence. In January 2021, three members of the far-right group Oath Keepers became the first to be charged with conspiring to forcibly storm the Capitol in order to prevent ratification of the election results. About four dozen more people have since been charged with conspiring to obstruct a congressional proceeding, obstruct law enforcement or injure officers, or some combination of those. Advertisement This January, 11 leaders of the Oath Keepers were charged with seditious conspiracy, the most serious charges yet filed. In early June, the government added seditious conspiracy charges to cases already pending against five members of the Proud Boys, another extremist group. 4. What would prosecutors have to prove in the sedition cases? Intent is important. Its not enough for prosecutors to demonstrate that the accused advocated violence. Investigators have to show evidence of a deliberate conspiracy to use force to prevent the certification of Bidens election. The indictment announced Jan. 13 describes how the Oath Keepers allegedly set up staging areas for equipment in Washingtons suburbs and organized training sessions to teach paramilitary combat tactics. The charging document also includes details of extensive electronic communications between the alleged co-conspirators and others before the assault, as well as excerpts of some of their encrypted messages during the riot. Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes, referring to Biden as a usurper, at one point said there would be a bloody and desperate fight, according to the filing. Rhodes has publicly stated that he wasnt present at the Capitol during the riot and that Oath Keepers who made trouble went rogue. Advertisement 5. What is incitement? Legally, incitement is the act of urging others to commit a crime. The article of impeachment against Trump adopted by the House cited his comments before a crowd of supporters Jan. 6, when he urged them to march to the Capitol while saying, fallaciously, that he had won the presidential election and that if you dont fight like hell youre not going to have a country anymore. At the conclusion of Trumps impeachment trial, which occurred after hed already left office, the Senate voted 5743 to convict him of inciting insurrection, falling 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution, and Trump was therefore acquitted. 6. Could Trump face criminal charges? Inciting an insurrection or riot is a federal crime, but the Justice Department would have to charge him separately. Thats unlikely, according to Frederick Lawrence, a lecturer at the Georgetown University Law Center. Not only would prosecutors have to prove Trump intentionally whipped up his supporters, Lawrence said, but also that he intended for them to break into the Capitol, loot and cause bodily harm. A further complication is a 1969 Supreme Court precedent that shields inflammatory speech under the First Amendment unless its aimed at imminent lawless behavior. Apart from what Trump said in his speech, prosecutors could take an alternative path if they uncover evidence that the former president or his advisers were involved in planning the riot. Whether such conspiracy charges are viable would depend on the nature of the plotting and how close Trump and his inner circle was to it. It would all turn on who was in the room and what they are prepared to testify to, Lawrence said. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load There she was again, six months after exiting the German chancellery. Relaxed but pensive after long walks on blustering Baltic shores listening to Macbeth on audiobook, Angela Merkel had so much on her mind, so much she wanted to explain for posterity. But she didnt come to offer apologies or mea culpas. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Reflecting on decades of interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Merkel said shed always known that commerce and dialogue alone wouldnt turn him into a good neighbor. But what was Germany supposed to do: Ignore the largest country on its continent? She grasped early on, she recalled, that Putin hated democracy and wanted to destroy the European Union, which he viewed as a gateway drug to NATO membership for former Soviet Republics like Ukraine, which he considers part of Russias and therefore, his own sphere of influence. Advertisement Merkel conceded that the NATO compromise of 2008 was far from ideal. She had blocked the alliance from starting the long process of making Ukraine and Georgia members, convinced that such a step would have provoked exactly the type of war that Putin is waging now. Besides, she recalled, Ukraine was not yet the country of heroes it has become, but a corrupt place run by oligarchs that many NATO allies wouldnt have been ready to defend. The compromise, as she helped hash it out, was to declare that Ukraine and Georgia could join NATO someday, just not now. That left Ukraine disappointed, and Putin livid nonetheless. Merkel denied that her response was too soft when Putin annexed Crimea in 2014. After all, Russia was kicked out of the Group of Eight, making it the G7 again. And she helped keep the EU united in first passing, and then renewing, sanctions against Russia. It would have been worse, she said, if some countries had forged ahead with tougher measures, but ended up splitting Europe and the West, which is what Putin wanted and still wants. Advertisement And Germanys army? The country began cutting its defense spending before her time, but much of the demilitarization that its allies have long criticized happened on her watch. And yet, she countered, her party was the only one that wrote the NATO goal of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense into its platform. Besides, she did increase military spending in recent years. More wasnt possible with her coalition partners and the public mood at the time. Again and again, Merkel returned to the Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015. Those were the talks in which she and the president of France, hosted by the leader of Belarus, moderated between Putin and Ukraines leader at the time. The result wasnt pretty. Ukraine had to make big concessions over its eastern parts, the so-called Donbas, in return for a ceasefire that would never really be observed. And yet, Merkel insisted, these Minsk agreements bought Ukraine valuable time time it was able to use to prepare for the real Russian onslaught this year. Her heart always beat for Ukraine, she said, but she had a duty to work with the reality on the ground. And Minsk restored calm, at least briefly. Advertisement Thoughtful and articulate as she was on this theater stage, she made me think of Neville Chamberlain, and more so the longer she spoke. He was the British prime minister who in 1938 met with Adolf Hitler in Munich, to secure what he hoped would be peace in our time. At that time, the Nazi leader had already remilitarized the Rhineland and annexed Austria, and was preparing to swallow Czechoslovakia, claiming that its ethnic Sudeten Germans were threatened by annihilation. The echoes should have been audible already in Minsk, after Putin had assaulted Georgia, Crimea and Donbas. Merkel, like Chamberlain, may therefore go down in history as the embodiment of the democratic worlds appeasement of a tyrant who with hindsight could never have been appeased. Intelligent and sophisticated politicians both, Merkel and Chamberlain will be remembered as going wobbly when they should have drawn a line, as being weak when they should have been strong. In history lessons, Merkel in Minsk will be paired with Chamberlain in Munich. Advertisement And yet this verdict of hindsight needs an asterisk. What appears obvious today was far from clear at the time. Hitler might, conceivably, have stopped in Czechoslovakia, without going on to Poland, and then the rest of Europe and Auschwitz. Putin, plausibly, could have sought to rebuild Russias reputation and economy rather than turning his country into an international pariah. He might have died or been ousted. Even Merkel couldnt have foreseen how isolated, physically and mentally, he would become. Diplomacy isnt wrong just because it sometimes fails, Merkel reflected on stage. Overall, she said, she has no regrets, because she couldnt have tried harder to prevent the tragedy that is now unfolding. Exactly one year ago, I profiled the then-outgoing chancellor of 16 years, calling her legacy post-heroic. That adjective looks even more apt today. And yet, at the time the balance of her achievements was positive. She had been a leader of small steps, but above all a reassuring chancellor who, through successive crises, held together Germany, Europe and sometimes the West. Her meekness and accommodation toward Russia and China were no more than footnotes in a multi-chapter tome on leadership. Advertisement Putin inverted that narrative, and thus Merkels legacy. The footnotes are now the title. Whatever her reasons at the time, Merkel, like Chamberlain, now stands for appeasement. Her most unforgivable failure was that if she already understood the threat from Putin as she claims she did not explain the danger to Germans and Europeans. By not communicating, she left the continent unprepared. More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion: The Post-Heroic Legacy of Angela Merkel: Andreas Kluth Hard Lessons From the War in Ukraine: Leonid Bershidsky Putin Cant Keep Russian Mothers Silent Forever: Clara Ferreira Marques This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Andreas Kluth is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering European politics. A former editor in chief of Handelsblatt Global and a writer for the Economist, he is author of Hannibal and Me. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load When a pro-Trump mob laid siege to the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, several people died and scores were injured, including some 140 police officers. Windows were smashed. Desks were overturned. Feces were smeared on the Capitols walls. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight But the attack wasnt just a depraved and violent episode: It also required the evacuation of the Capitol, disrupting the confirmation of President-elect Joe Bidens victory. It was an insurrection, part of a much broader and sustained assault on democracy, months in the making, that represents the most serious domestic threat to America since the Civil War. In other words: It was an attempted coup. When the bipartisan House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack takes its proceedings to prime-time TV tonight, it needs to hammer home this essential truth. Democracy, not partisan politics, is whats at stake. An airing of what the committee has learned wont interest or sway always-Trumpers who have displayed little interest in democracy anyhow. But a focused narrative that establishes how far-reaching the coup attempt was, and who led it, will remind Justice Department prosecutors of the work they still have to do and challenge voters to stand up for democratic values. Advertisement There is already ample evidence of the sheer lawlessness of Jan. 6. In March, federal District Judge David Carter said that former President Donald Trump likely and knowingly committed fraud when he and one of his lawyers, John Eastman, plotted to block Congresss certification of the 2020 presidential election so Trump could remain in office. Carter called the effort a coup in search of a legal theory, and he approved releasing Eastman and Trumps communications to the Jan. 6 committee. Eastman advised Trump to pressure then Vice President Mike Pence not to certify the election on Jan. 6, even though Eastman knew the maneuver was unlawful. Trump absorbed that advice so fully that when Pence refused to partake in a coup, the former president publicly berated him on Twitter. When the Capitol was stormed on Jan. 6, the mob chanted for Pence to be hung. On Tuesday, Carter ordered the release of more of Eastmans communications with Trump and pro-Trump groups. This batch showed that Eastman was involved in meetings in early December a month after the presidential election and a month before the siege that Carter found particularly disturbing. Advertisement Eastmans actions in these few weeks indicate that his and President Trumps pressure campaign to stop the electoral count did not end with Vice President Pence it targeted every tier of federal and state elected officials, Carter noted. Convincing state legislatures to certify competing electors was essential to stop the count and ensure President Trumps reelection. Court documents also show that Trump and Eastmans maneuvers, fully baked in early December, were dubbed the January 6 strategy by the conspirators. One of them, unnamed in the documents, advised that they keep their scheme secret. Eastman and other Trump advisers involved in the coup operated out of a set of rooms and suites a block away from the White House at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel that they nicknamed the command center. Rudy Giuliani, Steve Bannon, Bernard Kerik and Boris Epshteyn were also members of the Willards brain trust. Advertisement Long before the Jan. 6 siege, Giuliani was advising Trump directly and leading dozens of state-by-state legal challenges to the 2020 election results. Judges, Republican and Democratic alike, roundly tossed out the challenges sometimes highlighting how ridiculous and ill-founded the lawsuits were. There were also boots on the ground. Two militant pro-Trump groups, the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, staged protests about the 2020 election after Bidens victory and showed up in force in Washington on Jan. 6. Federal authorities have charged members of both groups with seditious conspiracy, a seldom used Civil-War-era law prosecutors deploy against individuals for undermining the legitimacy of the state. The Jan. 6 hearings may offer a window into how directly Trumps team worked with those groups. More than 800 people have already been charged with crimes stemming from their actions on Jan. 6, and 300 have pleaded guilty. About 200 have been sentenced, from a little as probation to five years in prison. But no one in the upper echelons of the White House has been charged with any crime other than ignoring subpoenas from the Jan. 6 committee. Advertisement The most prominent member of this group, of course, is Trump himself. He pursued the big lie that the 2020 election was a fraud even though his own advisers including former Attorney General William Barr told him otherwise. He had practice, too. In the months before the 2016 presidential election, which he worried he might lose to Hillary Clinton, Trump rattled on that a loss would mean the whole thing was rigged. Throughout his presidency, he reveled in calling for his supporters to engage in violence as a demonstration of their loyalty to him. He was disinclined to condemn political and racial violence when it surfaced. His longstanding embrace of violence and lawlessness came together in full force prior to Jan. 6 and erupted at the Capitol. The mob rallied in front of Trump on Jan. 6, and he told them he loved them. They shouted back that they loved him, too and then went on to storm the Capitol. Trump wasnt a bystander that day, or in the days before and after. He was a ringleader. Advisers brought him ideas on how to effect a coup, and he signed off on them. Even if Trump didnt directly lead some of the most disturbing events surrounding Jan. 6, he inspired them. Advertisement The Jan. 6 committee reportedly plans to have a theme for each of its hearings. Thats a good approach, and will help viewers to focus. But theres one main theme that ties it all together: Coup. The threat to democracy that became so vivid on Jan. 6 hasnt gone away. To that end, the Jan. 6 committees hearings are indispensable. Ideally, they will show what can happen when any political actor, but especially the president, thinks he or she is above the law. They will increase pressure on federal prosecutors to take stronger action. And the hearings might also challenge naysayers and the apathetic to realize that, sometimes, preserving democracy requires taking sides. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Here Come the Jan. 6 Hearings: Jonathan Bernstein Tell the Jan. 6 Story to Boost Democracy, Not Democrats: The Editors Advertisement Trumps Jan. 6 Insurrection Never Ended: Mark Gongloff This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Timothy L. OBrien is a senior columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering U.S. business and politics. A former editor and reporter for the New York Times, he is author of TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Everyone can agree that overturning Roe v. Wade will have major consequences for individual women in the US. Less obvious is the impact on American corporations that will emerge from the Supreme Courts expected simultaneous reversal of Planned Parenthood v. Casey the 1992 decision that emphasized the value of upholding precedent and avoiding social upheaval to justify keeping Roe in place. By overturning Casey, the court will send a clear message to state legislators that it is open season for them to pass blatantly unconstitutional laws in the hopes that the justices might reverse more precedents. Legislatures can be expected to pass laws barring companies from paying for out-of-state abortions, for example, and reversing well-established rights like gay marriage and even access to some forms of contraception. These laws will be challenged in court, and in all likelihood they will ultimately be overturned. But with the anticipated weakening of precedent, lower courts have already started allowing unconstitutional laws to stay in place pending eventual Supreme Court decisions. Advertisement American business will be caught in the middle. Companies of any size can be expected to be affected by the coming conservative legislation and to be pressured by progressive activists to take stands against the states that pass such laws. Corporations will have no choice but to engage the hot-button social issues of our polarized time. As much as most business leaders want to avoid the losing battle of navigating between threats from the right and the left, the new legal-political-cultural environment will repeatedly cast them into situations where state laws, their companys stakeholders and the public force them into the fray. In a typical situation, Republican state legislatures will be pushing corporate management from the right. Employees, especially at tech companies, will generally be a constituency pushing from the left, alongside progressive NGOs. For public-facing companies, there will also be pressure from consumers which could come from left or right depending on geography and industry. Advertisement This new sort of environment in turn calls for a new corporate approach: one that begins with defining a companys values and then determining how to apply those values in the face of inevitable criticism from stakeholders. Companies will find they must use ethical thinking to reason their way to decisions they believe in, employing principles they can apply consistently. Then they will use those principles to explain their decisions to stakeholders. The Lesson of HB-20 To see how this new world is evolving, consider an example that doesnt even have to do with abortion: Texass so-called HB-20 law, which bars large social-media platforms from moderating content based on viewpoint. Effectively, that means the platforms wouldnt be able to operate in Texas. If they were to stop trying to block nasty, offensive content, their services would become unattractive to many or most users thats a big reason why the platforms developed content moderation in the first place. Technically, they cant just turn off their services in one state.(2) Advertisement In the past, when obviously unconstitutional laws were enacted, federal district courts immediately blocked them from going into effect. Whatever political gains legislators got from passing the laws were minor, brief and at most symbolic, because the legal system had rapidly and definitively rebuffed them. The trajectory of HB-20 illustrates how the reality is changing. The law plainly violates existing First Amendment law. Corporations enjoy free-speech rights under the Citizens United precedent. It is also well-established free-speech doctrine that this includes the right not to be compelled to speak as well as the right not to be forced to associate yourself with speech that expresses a viewpoint you reject. Requiring a platform to allow user speech that it chooses not to display certainly violates the First Amendment as it has been understood for decades. No court has ever held that the First Amendment does not protect social-media platforms. Justice Clarence Thomas, in a short concurring opinion in the Supreme Courts refusal to hear a 2021 case, did suggest that the courts should consider treating social-media platforms as common carriers or public accommodations, thereby limiting their rights to exclude users or their speech. But one hint from one justice hasnt usually been enough to make the lower courts ignore precedent until now. Advertisement A federal district court in Texas initially issued a stay blocking HB-20 from going into effect. The court was following the traditional playbook for how the judiciary is supposed to respond to obviously unconstitutional new statutes: by prohibiting state officials from enforcing them. But a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit broke the paradigm. Not only did the panel overturn the stay by a 2-1 vote, it did so without issuing an accompanying opinion. We know that one of the three judges disagreed with the others. That makes the decision all the more astonishing, as it is commonplace for a divided court to explain its reasoning. The parties affected by HB-20 had to go to the Supreme Court on an emergency basis to ask it to reinstate the stay. By a 5-4 vote, the justices put the district courts stay back in place. Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch, wrote an opinion playing out more of Thomass ideas and suggesting the law should change.(1) Advertisement The upshot is that this case is far from over. An unconstitutional law like HB-20 now gains much more public attention for the legislators who passed it and over an extended period of time. Each round of litigation is its own news cycle. The legal process can last for years. All of this is happening because the Supreme Court is telling legislators, lower courts and the country as a whole that its traditional respect for precedent is being radically altered. Thirty years ago, Planned Parenthood v. Casey held, effectively, that although the swing justices were skeptical about the Roe decision, they would nevertheless uphold the law as a matter of precedent. The opinion signed by Justices Anthony Kennedy, Sandra Day OConnor and David Souter framed the importance of stable precedent in an adage: Liberty finds no refuge in a jurisprudence of doubt. Advertisement The resulting message was that the Supreme Court would take precedent seriously, upholding even decisions they didnt much like in favor of stability. That in turn sent a direct message to lower courts: If we, the justices, are not going to overturn precedent, then you certainly must not. The Power of Justice Thomas Reflecting the changed situation now, Thomas is emerging as one of the most powerful voices on the newly configured Supreme Court. He has always taken the view that precedent should count for little or nothing when he considers a decision to be legally wrong. His job, as he sees it, is to interpret the Constitution in accordance with original meaning regardless of what the court has said in the past or the consequences for the future. A large number of his former law clerks were appointed as federal judges when Donald Trump was president. They can be expected to ignore precedent, as Thomas has always done. (One of them recently issued an opinion striking down the Centers for Disease Controls airplane mask mandate a ruling that flouted judicial norms to such a degree that it shocked even many conservatives and libertarians who were otherwise opposed to the mandates.) Advertisement The new normal in the legal context is closely tied to the extreme polarization of the political environment. Conservative state legislators increasingly benefit from the symbolic effects of passing high-profile laws that attack well-known corporations. A recent example is the Florida legislatures anti-Disney measure that was in response to the companys opposition to Floridas Parental Rights in Education law, known to its opponents as the Dont Say Gay law. Like HB-20, the Florida law is a blatant violation of the First Amendment in this case, because it was overtly intended to punish a private actor for expressive speech. Yet Florida legislators knew that Disney would have to litigate to have the law overturned. Each stage of the process will create fresh news. And each round of media attention will remind Florida voters that the legislators who supported the bill took a strong, culturally conservative stance against a major corporation one whose name alone is enough to make headlines. The result is, again, that state lawmakers have a strong incentive to pass unconstitutional legislation for political gain, regardless of whether any of it ever goes into effect. Advertisement Overturning Casey will encourage legislators to enact other laws that challenge established constitutional rights. Lawmakers in Texas are already threatening to pass legislation targeting companies that pay for employees to go out of state for abortions. Corporate executives, they warn, could face criminal charges. The businesses could be forced to choose between paying for the abortions or being driven from the state. Legislators Grab the Spotlight State legislators will have parallel incentives to pass laws that vitiate the right to gay marriage and that ban forms of contraception used to induce abortions. I dont expect the Supreme Court to reverse the Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing gay marriage or revisit Griswold v. Connecticut, the 1965 precursor to Roe that established the right to contraception. So its likely the court would eventually strike down any state measures that flout those two rulings. But that will not matter to the legislators, who will be focused on the political points they can earn. Merely passing the legislation will make headlines. Some lower courts may well leave the laws in place pending Supreme Court review, as happened with HB-20. A lot of time could pass while the validity of gay marriages and the availability of contraception are placed in legal jeopardy in a number of states. The result will be extended litigation, endless protests and more publicity for the politicians responsible for violating peoples basic rights. Like it or not, and they wont, corporations will be in the thick of it. They will have to struggle to protect employees rights while avoiding targeted sanctions. All parties involved have an interest in getting the private sector to take their side. We are entering a substantially different era in which the courts, legislators, individuals and corporations will bump into one another in conflicts that are cultural, legal and political. And its just getting started with no end in sight. More on the Supreme Court From Bloomberg Opinion: US Justices Are Looking More Like Politicians: Noah Feldman Whats Not Going to Happen After Roe Falls: Ramesh Ponnuru Supreme Courts Leak Investigation Is Self-Destructive: Stephen L. Carter (1) Disclosure: I was architect of Facebooks Oversight Board and continue to advise Meta on governance issues. (2) Justice Elena Kagan dissented from the stay without giving a reason. The best bet is that she doesnt like emergency stays without a clear emergency. But because she didnt say so in this instance, no one can be sure how she will vote if the case comes back to the justices as a full-dress challenge to the platforms free-speech rights. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A professor of law at Harvard University, he is author, most recently, of The Broken Constitution: Lincoln, Slavery and the Refounding of America. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The global eradication of smallpox more than 40 years ago was one of the greatest achievements in public-health history, vanquishing a cause of death, blindness and disfigurement that had plagued humanity for at least 3,000 years. But, on the downside, it also led to the end of a global vaccination program that provided protection against other pox viruses. That includes monkeypox, which has been spilling over from its animal hosts to infect humans in Africa with increasing frequency since the 1970s. More recently, monkeypox has sparked outbreaks in dozens of countries, mostly in Europe, demonstrating again how readily an infectious agent that emerges in one country can quickly become an international concern. 1. Whats monkeypox? Monkeypox is a misnomer resulting from the fact that it was first discovered in 1958, when outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research. While monkeys are susceptible to it, just like humans are, they arent the source. The virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes the variola virus, the cause of smallpox; the vaccinia virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine; and cowpox virus. Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and the symptoms are milder. About 30% of smallpox patients died, while the fatality rate for monkeypox in recent times is around 3% to 6%, according to the World Health Organization. Advertisement 2. What does monkeypox do? After an incubation period of usually one to two weeks, the disease typically starts with fever, muscle aches, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. Unlike smallpox, monkeypox also causes swelling of the lymph nodes. Within a few days of fever onset, patients develop a rash, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body. The lesions grow into fluid-containing pustules that form a scab. If a lesion forms on the eye, it can cause blindness. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks, according to the WHO. The person is infectious from the time symptoms start until the scabs fall off and the sores heal. Mortality is higher among children and young adults, and people whose immune system is compromised are especially at risk of severe disease. 3. How is it normally transmitted? Advertisement Monkeypox doesnt usually spread easily between people. Contact with the virus from an animal, human or contaminated object is the main pathway. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth. Transmission from one person to another is thought to occur through respiratory particles during direct and prolonged face-to-face contact. But it can also happen through contact with body fluids or lesion material, or indirectly through contact with contaminated clothing or linens. Common household disinfectants can kill it. 4. Whats unusual this time? There have been multiple chains of human-to-human transmission occurring, including in sexual networks, in countries in which monkeypox isnt normally present. Cases dont involve recent travel to places in West and Central Africa, where the disease is endemic. Advertisement Although anyone can get monkeypox, most cases occur in men. In endemic areas of Africa, it was thought that was related to hunting practices, whereas in the current outbreak, most individuals are men who have sex with men, people with multiple sexual partners, or people who practice condomless sex. Flu-like symptoms havent always preceded the rash, and some patients first sought medical care for lesions in the genital and perianal region. In some cases, the lesions are mostly located at these sites, making them hard to distinguish from syphilis, herpes simplex virus, shingles and other more common infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Close skin-to-skin contact during sex is the primary mode of transmission among men who have sex with men. Semen from four patients in Italy collected around the time their symptoms appeared was positive for monkeypox DNA in three of the cases. Its not yet known whether the fluid alone can transmit the infection. Advertisement Analysis of the genetic sequence of the virus collected from some patients in Europe indicates that the strain spreading has a single origin. It belongs to the West African clade, or branch on the evolutionary tree, and is most closely related to viruses found in cases exported from Nigeria to the UK, Israel and Singapore in recent years. Monkeypox virus strains from this clade have a case-fatality rate of 1% to 3.6%. (That compares with 10% for a second clade called Congo Basin, which appears on the US governments bioterrorism agent list as having the potential to pose a severe threat.) 5. How fast is it spreading? From just a handful of cases in Europe in early May, more than 1,200 cases, mostly in men, were reported across the region, as well as in the Americas, the Middle East, and Australia by early June. Experts told a WHO meeting that monkeypox had been circulating undetected in Europe since at least April. Understanding the dynamics of spread is proving difficult. A UK study found anonymous sex has proved to be a barrier to effective contact tracing, with only 28% of men able to provide the names of recent sexual contacts. This may challenge efforts to stem transmission ahead of LGBTQ pride celebrations occurring in major cities around the world. Data from outbreaks in Canada, Spain, Portugal, and the UK suggest venues where men have sex with multiple male partners are helping to drive spread. Advertisement 6. Where does monkeypox come from? The reservoir host or main carrier of monkeypox disease hasnt yet been identified, although rodents are suspected of playing a part in transmission. It was first diagnosed in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a 9-year-old boy. Since then, most cases in humans have occurred in rain forest areas of West and Central Africa. In 2003, the first outbreak outside of Africa occurred in the US and was linked to animals imported from Ghana to Texas, which then infected pet prairie dogs. Dozens of cases were recorded in that outbreak. 7. Is monkeypox a pandemic threat? Outbreaks outside Africa occur infrequently. There have been at least eight known exported cases since 2017, usually involving international travelers, but they havent typically caused onward transmission. Human-to-human transmission raises concern that the virus may undergo genetic changes to enable it to spread more efficiently from person to person. The DNA sequences of viruses collected during the recent epidemics harbor a larger constellation of mutations than one would expect considering the natural evolution of related viruses, researchers in Portugal said in a report released on May 23. It isnt known yet whether the genetic changes have any clinical significance, however. Advertisement 8. How is it treated and prevented? The illness is usually mild and most patients will recover within a few weeks; treatment is mainly aimed at relieving symptoms. For the purposes of controlling a monkeypox outbreak, the CDC says smallpox vaccine, antivirals, and vaccinia immune globulin can be used. Vaccination against smallpox can be used for both pre- and post-exposure and is as much as 85% effective in preventing monkeypox, according to the UK Health Security Agency, which is offering the Imvanex smallpox vaccine to close contacts of a person diagnosed with monkeypox. It lists cidofovir and tecovirimat as antiviral drugs that can be used to control outbreaks. Tecovirimat was approved by the European Medical Association for monkeypox in 2022 based on data in animal and human studies but isnt yet widely available, according to the WHO. Newer vaccines based on non-replicating versions of the vaccinia virus have been developed, of which one has been approved for prevention of monkeypox. Limited supplies of two vaccines are available in the US for adults, the journal JAMA reported in late May: There are 100 million doses of ACAM2000, which was approved in 2007 for immunization against smallpox. Although it can be administered to people exposed to monkeypox if used under an expanded access investigational new drug protocol, it contains a live vaccinia virus linked to some serious potential adverse effects. Advertisement There are 1,000 doses of JYNNEOS, a live, non-replicating vaccinia virus vaccine manufactured by Bavarian Nordic A/S and approved in 2019 by the US Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox. The main way to prevent infection is by isolating patients suspected of having monkeypox in a negative pressure room and ensuring health staff wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 9. Is there a test for monkeypox? Yes. Monkeypox is diagnosed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to detect viral DNA in specimens collected from the scabs or swabs of a patients lesions. In the US, these are available at state health departments and the CDC. (Updates extent of spread in first paragraph and section 5.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Trump's deposition in civil case set for July 15 Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Donald Trump and two of his adult children are scheduled to sit for depositions with the New York attorney generals office next month as part of the states long-running civil investigation into the Trump familys business practices. The testimony is scheduled to start on July 15, a Friday, and may stretch into the following week, according to a stipulation agreed to by attorneys for Trump and the attorney generals office that was endorsed by a judge on Wednesday. An appeals court ruled late last month that Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, who served as executives at the Trump Organization, could not avoid complying with New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess subpoenas for their testimony. James is investigating whether Trumps alleged practice of manipulating the value of his real estate assets to try to obtain tax breaks or better loan rates amounted to illegal conduct. If she finds the law was broken, she could sue him or the company, which could result in monetary penalties or potentially lead to limitations on the Trump Organizations ability to do business. Advertisement Shayna Jacobs Man put to death for killing girl, 8, in 1984 An Arizona man convicted of murder in the 1984 killing of an 8-year-old girl was put to death Wednesday in the states second execution since officials resumed carrying out the death penalty in May following a nearly eight-year hiatus. Frank Atwood, 66, died by lethal injection at the state prison in Florence for killing Vicki Lynne Hoskinson, whose body was found in the desert, state Attorney General Mark Brnovich said. Vicki Lynne went missing months earlier after leaving her home in Tucson to drop a birthday card in a nearby mailbox. The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Atwoods execution Wednesday morning after rejecting a final appeal by his lawyers. He died at 10:16 a.m., Brnovich said, and witnesses reported that the execution went smoothly. Advertisement Atwood was the second Arizona prisoner to be put to death in less than a month. The execution of Clarence Dixon in May ended Arizonas halt to executions that was blamed on the difficulty of obtaining lethal injection drugs and criticism that a 2014 execution in the state was botched. Associated Press Mexican church leader sentenced for abuse The leader of the Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo has been sentenced to 16 years and eight months in a California prison for sexually abusing three girls. Naason Joaquin Garcia, 53, was sentenced Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court after pleading guilty Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and one count of a lewd act upon a child who was 15. Garcia, who is considered the apostle of Jesus Christ by his 5 million worldwide followers, had vigorously fought the charges until he abruptly pleaded guilty last week. Advertisement Judge Ronald Coen, who called Garcia a sexual predator, denied requests by the victims to impose a stiffer sentence, saying his hands were tied by the plea agreement. Garcias grandfather founded the Guadalajara-based fundamentalist Christian church known by its English name, the Light of the World in 1926. Garcia took over as apostle after his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, died in 2014. Flores was also the subject of child sex abuse allegations in 1997, but authorities in Mexico never filed criminal charges. Associated Press GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Hiding from the rioters in a secret location away from the Capitol, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) appealed to Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser. Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) phoned Ivanka Trump, the presidents daughter. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight And Kellyanne Conway, a longtime Trump confidante and former White House senior adviser, called an aide who she knew was standing at the presidents side. But as senators and House members trapped inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday begged for immediate help during the siege, they struggled to get through to the president, who safely ensconced in the West Wing was too busy watching fiery TV images of the crisis unfolding around them to act or even bother to hear their pleas. He was hard to reach, and you know why? Because it was live TV, said one close Trump adviser. If its TiVo, he just hits pause and takes the calls. If its live TV, he watches it, and he was just watching it all unfold. Advertisement Even as he did so, Trump did not move to act. And the message from those around him that he needed to call off the angry mob he had egged on just hours earlier, or lives could be lost was one to which he was not initially receptive. It took him awhile to appreciate the gravity of the situation, Graham said in an interview. The president saw these people as allies in his journey and sympathetic to the idea that the election was stolen. Trump ultimately and begrudgingly urged his supporters to go home in peace. But the six hours between when the Capitol was breached shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and when it was finally declared secure around 8 p.m. that evening reveal a president paralyzed more passive viewer than resolute leader, repeatedly failing to perform even the basic duties of his job. Capitol Police were unable to stop a breach of the Capitol. Washington Post reporter Carol Leonnig and a former Senate Sergeant at Arms describe the events. (Video: The Washington Post, Photo: Reuters/The Washington Post) The man who vowed to be a president of law and order failed to enforce the law or restore order. The man who has always seen himself as the protector of uniformed police sat idly by as Capitol Police officers were outnumbered, outmaneuvered, trampled on and in one case, killed. And the man who had long craved the power of the presidency abdicated many of the responsibilities of the commander in chief. Advertisement The episode in which Trump supporters rose up against their own government, leaving five people dead, will be central to any impeachment proceedings, critical to federal prosecutors considering incitement charges against him or his family, and a dark cornerstone of his presidential legacy. This portrait of the president as the Capitol was under attack on Jan. 6 is the result of interviews with 15 Trump advisers, members of Congress, GOP officials and other Trump confidants, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to share candid details. 'Fight for Trump' The day began ominously, with a Save America March on the Ellipse devoted to perpetuating Trumps baseless claims that somehow the 2020 election was stolen from him. Before the presidents remarks around noon, several of his family members addressed the crowd with speeches that all shared a central theme: Fight. Eric Trump, one of the presidents sons, told the crowd that lawmakers needed to show some fight and stand up, before urging the angry mass to march on the Capitol today. Donald Trump Jr., another of the presidents sons, exhorted all red-blooded, patriotic Americans to fight for Trump. Advertisement Backstage, as the president prepared to speak, Laura Branigans hit Gloria was blared to rev up the crowd, and Trump Jr., in a video he recorded for social media, called the rallygoers awesome patriots that are sick of the bull----. His girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, danced to the song and, clenching her right fist, urged people to fight. The president, too, ended his speech with an exhortation, urging the crowd to give Republicans the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country. So lets walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, he concluded. Trump, however, did not join the angry crowd surging toward the Capitol. Instead, he returned to the White House, where at 2:24 p.m. he tapped out a furious tweet railing against Vice President Pence, who in a letter earlier in the day had made clear that he planned to fulfill his constitutional duties and certify President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris as the winners of the 2020 electoral college vote. Advertisement Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify, he wrote. USA demands the truth! By then, West Wing staffers monitoring initial videos of the protesters on TV and social media were already worried that the situation was escalating and felt that Trumps tweet attacking Pence was unhelpful. Press officials had begun discussing a statement from Trump around 2 p.m., when protesters first breached the Capitol, an official familiar with the discussions said. But they were not authorized to speak on behalf of the president and could only take the matter to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, this person said, adding that the most infuriating part of the day was how long it took before Trump finally spoke out. Advertisement Around the same time, Trump Jr. headed to the airport for a shuttle flight home to New York. As he waited in an airport lounge to board the plane, the presidents namesake son saw that the rallygoers they had all urged to fight were doing just that, breaching police barricades and laying siege to the Capitol. An aide called Trump Jr. and suggested he immediately issue a statement urging the rioters to stop. At 2:17 p.m., Trump Jr. hit send on a tweet as he boarded the plane: This is wrong and not who we are, he wrote. Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but dont start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and this doesnt help anyone. But the president himself was busy enjoying the spectacle. Trump watched with interest, buoyed to see that his supporters were fighting so hard on his behalf, one close adviser said. Advertisement But if the president didnt appear to understand the magnitude of the crisis, those in his orbit did. Conway immediately called a close personal aide who she knew was with the president, and said she was adding her name to the chorus of people urging Trump to speak to his supporters. He needed to tell them to stand down and leave the Capitol, she told the aide. Conway also told the aide that she had received calls from the D.C. mayors office asking for help in getting Trump to call up the National Guard. Ivanka Trump had gone to the Oval Office as soon as the riot became clear, and Graham reached her on her cellphone and implored her for help. They were all trying to get him to speak out, to tell everyone to leave, said Graham, referring to the small group of aides with Trump on Wednesday afternoon. Several Republican members of Congress also called White House aides, begging them to get Trumps attention and have him call for the violence to end. The lawmakers reiterated that they had been loyal Trump supporters and were even willing to vote against the electoral college results but were now scared for their lives, officials said. Advertisement When the mob first breached the Capitol, coming within mere seconds of entering the Senate chamber, Pence who was overseeing the electoral certification was hustled away to a secure location, where he remained for the duration of the siege, despite multiple suggestions from his Secret Service detail that he leave the Capitol, said an official familiar with Pences actions that day. Instead, the vice president fielded calls from congressional leaders furious that the National Guard had not yet been deployed, this official said. Pence, from his secret location in the Capitol, spoke with legislative and military leaders, working to mobilize the soldiers and offering reassurance. Even as his supporters at the Capitol chanted for Pence to be hanged, Trump never called the vice president to check on him or his family. Marc Short, Pences chief of staff, eventually called the White House to let them know that Pence and his team were okay, after receiving no outreach from the president or anyone else in the White House. Advertisement Meanwhile, in the West Wing, a small group of aides including Ivanka Trump, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Meadows was imploring Trump to speak out against the violence. Meadowss staff had prompted him to go see the president, with one aide telling the chief of staff before he entered the Oval Office, They are going to kill people. Shortly after 2:30 p.m., the group finally persuaded Trump to send a tweet: Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement, he wrote. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful! But the Twitter missive was insufficient, and the president had not wanted to include the final instruction to stay peaceful, according to one person familiar with the discussions. Less than an hour later, aides persuaded Trump to send a second, slightly more forceful tweet: I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful, he wrote. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you! 'You're very special' McCarthy did eventually reach Trump, but later told allies that he found the president distracted. So McCarthy repeatedly appeared on television to describe the mayhem, an adviser said, in an effort to explain just how dire the situation was. McCarthy also called Kushner, who that afternoon was arriving back from a trip to the Middle East. The Secret Service originally warned Kushner that it was unsafe to venture downtown to the White House. McCarthy pleaded with him to persuade Trump to issue a statement for his supporters to leave the Capitol, saying hed had no luck during his own conversation with Trump, the adviser said. So Kushner headed to the White House. At one point, Trump worried that the unruly group was frightening GOP lawmakers from doing his bidding and objecting to the election results, an official said. National security adviser Robert C. OBrien also began calling members of Congress to ask how he could help. He called Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) around 4 p.m., a Lee spokesman said. In an unlikely twist, Lee had heard from the president earlier when he accidentally dialed the senator in a bid to reach Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) to discuss overturning the election. Others were still having trouble getting through to the White House. Speaking on ABC News shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday, Chris Christie, a GOP former governor of New Jersey, said hed spent the last 25 minutes trying to reach Trump directly to convey a simple, if urgent, message. The president caused this protest to occur; hes the only one who can make it stop, Christie said. The president has to come out and tell his supporters to leave the Capitol grounds and to allow the Congress to do their business peacefully. And anything short of that is an abdication of his responsibility. Around this time, the White House was preparing to put out a video address on behalf of the president. They had begun discussing this option earlier but struggled to organize their effort. Biden, meanwhile, stepped forward with remarks that seemed to rise to the occasion: The scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America, do not represent who we are. Trump aides did three takes of the video and chose the most palatable option despite some West Wing consternation that the president had called the violent protesters very special. This was a fraudulent election, but we cant play into the hands of these people, Trump said in the video, released shortly after 4 p.m. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. Youre very special. Youve seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home, and go home in peace. Amid the chaos, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) had implemented a 6 p.m. curfew for the city, and as darkness fell, the Secret Service told West Wing staff that, save for an essential few, everyone had to leave the White House and go home. At 6:01 p.m., Trump blasted out yet another tweet, which Twitter quickly deleted and which many in his orbit were particularly furious about, fearing he was further inflaming the still-tense situation. These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long, Trump wrote. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever! Thirteen minutes later, at 6:14 p.m., a perimeter was finally established around the Capitol. About 8 p.m., more than six hours after the initial breach, the Capitol was declared secure. The following evening, on Thursday, Trump released another video, the closest advisers say he is likely to come to a concession speech. Congress has certified the results: A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20th, Trump said in the video. My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly, and seamless transition of power. This moment calls for healing and reconciliation. His calls for healing and reconciliation were more than a day too late, many aides said. Yet as Trump watched the media coverage of his video, he grew angry. The president said he wished he hadnt done it, a senior White House official said, because he feared that the calming words made him look weak. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load ATALAIA DO NORTE, Brazil Two men who were with a British journalist and an Indigenous official a day before they went missing in the Amazon said Thursday that they had unsuccessfully tried to get authorities to intervene after three fishermen threatened the group by brandishing guns. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Dom Phillips, a freelance journalist, and Indigenous official Bruno Pereira were last seen on Sunday morning in the Javari Valley, Brazils second-largest Indigenous territory which sits in an isolated area bordering Peru and Colombia. The two men were in the Sao Rafael community, and returning by boat to the nearby city of Atalaia do Norte, but never arrived. The day before, Phillips and Pereira had been threatened by the men brandishing guns, Paulo Marubo, the president of a Javari Valley association of Indigenous people, Univaja, told the Associated Press. Marubo said that Phillips photographed the men at the time, including local resident Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, known as Pelado. Costa de Oliveira was being held in Atalaia do Norte and is considered the main suspect in the disappearance. Advertisement After the incident, two men who were with Phillips and Pereira when the fishermen showed up, said they went to the nearby federal base that has permanent presence of Brazils bureau office for Indigenous affairs, known as FUNAI, and policemen from the National Guard. We went there but they did nothing, said Raimundo Mayoruna, 20, told the AP. They didnt go after Pelado at all. They didnt want to help us. Mayoruna and Salomao Mayoruna, 32, are part of a local group that watches that area of the river. They said they were with Phillips and Pereira at a hut on Saturday when the incident took place. Messages seeking comment from FUNAI and the National Guard were not immediately answered. The details emerged as search parties on Thursday narrowed their area of focus and top news editors, US lawmakers, soccer superstars and Hollywood celebrities urged the Brazilian government to intensify efforts to find the men. Advertisement AP journalists traveled by boat Thursday along the stretch of the Itaquai River where the pair disappeared. The area is inhabited by some riverside communities and serves as the main gateway to the Vale do Javari Indigenous Land, inhabited by about 6,000 Indigenous people spread over a region the size of Portugal. Federal Police investigators have concluded that the two disappeared in a stretch between a residents house and the mouth of the Quixito River. All the search efforts were concentrated on this stretch. Along the river, there were small, scattered teams from the Navy, Indians, Civil Defense and the Army, whose barge arrived in the region on Thursday, pulling smaller boats. On a muddy river bank, two recently contacted Matis Indians were looking for traces of the missing pair. In broken Portuguese, they explained that they had found nothing. Other teams did not report seeing any clues as to the whereabouts of the two. Advertisement Aboard a Navy boat, a volunteer dropped an anchor in the river, explaining that when it touches something different at the bottom of the river, he dives in to check. As visibility is zero in the muddy water, he has to search the riverbed with his hands. Phillips and Pereira had been speaking with people on the outskirts of the protected area, but never entered it, according to multiple people whom the AP interviewed in the area. The difficult search comes as Indigenous leaders on the ground, family members and peers of Pereira and Phillips have expressed concern that authorities search efforts were insufficient and lacked coordination. A growing number of celebrities, politicians, civil society groups and international news organizations have joined their call, asking that the police, army and navy bolster the search efforts. Advertisement Actor Mark Ruffalo called on Twitter for an international response, stressing the worrying number of journalists being attacked, killed, or disappeared. In Los Angeles, where Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and President Joe Biden met Thursday, two trucks parked in the middle of an avenue displayed messages along with large illustrations of Phillips and Pereira. THREATENED. NOW MISSING. WHERE ARE DOM & BRUNO? read one of the messages. Several U.S. lawmakers have also turned to Twitter calling for swift action, including Sen. Ed Markey, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who said on Wednesday that Brazil must not delay a robust search and accountability process. Others included Rep. Raul Grijalva, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Gregory Meeks, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Advertisement Led by The Guardian and The Washington Post, where Phillips worked as a freelance journalist, international news editors and organizations published a joint letter Thursday directed to Bolsonaro, asking that he urgently step up and fully resource the effort. Signatories included The New Yorker, The Associated Press, Britains Channel 4 News, The Financial Times, Frances Agence France-Press, as well as Reporters Without Borders. Earlier this week, Bolsonaro drew criticism when describing the two mens work in the Amazon as an adventure. Really, just two people in a boat in a completely wild region like that is not a recommended adventure. Anything could happen. It could be an accident, it could be that they have been killed, he said in an interview with television network SBT. We hope and ask God that theyre found soon. The armed forces are working hard. Advertisement On social media, a growing number of Brazilian celebrities, including soccer superstar Pele and actor Camila Pitanga expressed concern over the disappearances. Phillips, 57, has reported from Brazil for more than a decade and has most recently been working on a book about preservation of the Amazon. Pereira has long operated in Javari Valley for the Brazilian Indigenous affairs agency. He oversaw their regional office and the coordination of isolated Indigenous groups before going on leave to help local Indigenous people defend themselves against illegal fishermen and poachers. For years, Pereira had received threats for his work. The Javari Valley has one of the worlds largest population of Indigenous people with no or little contact with the outside world. Despite fierce resistance from the local non-Indigenous population, the federal government in 2001 created the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, aiming to protect an area about the size of Portugal. Non-Indigenous communities just outside the newly established protected land had historically fished within it, and were no longer allowed. Since then, tensions have only grown. Advertisement There have been repeated shootouts between hunters, fishermen and official security agents in the area. It is also a major route for cocaine produced on the Peruvian side of the border, then smuggled into Brazil to supply local cities or to be shipped to Europe. ____ Jeantet reported from Rio de Janeiro. ____ 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. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with the snap trip coming as efforts to salvage a deal over Irans nuclear program are stalled in a deepening standoff with Tehran. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The visit was Bennetts second public trip to Abu Dhabi since Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize ties in 2020 after years of quiet cooperation, mainly over their shared concerns over Irans nuclear capabilities. The Israeli leader met with the UAEs president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the two discussed advancing the regional architecture and other undisclosed regional affairs, Bennetts office said in a statement. Iran was likely to top the agenda. In a video statement before departing, Bennett commended countries at an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna on Wednesday that voted to censure Iran over its lack of transparency about nuclear activities at three undeclared sites in the country. Advertisement We see here a firm stance by the countries of the world regarding the distinction between good and evil, as they clearly state that Iran is concealing things. We will not let up on this issue, he said. The IAEA said Thursday that Iran plans to ramp up its uranium enrichment, with the installation of advanced centrifuges. Advanced uranium enrichment is a key component in the manufacture of a nuclear bomb. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy and it strongly opposed the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, which eased economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Irans nuclear activities. Israel says it wants an improved deal that places tighter restrictions on Irans nuclear program and addresses Irans long-range missile program and its support for hostile proxies along Israels borders. Israel also says the negotiations must be accompanied by a credible military threat to ensure that Iran does not delay indefinitely. Advertisement In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. The withdrawal caused the deal to quickly unravel. Talks in Vienna over Irans tattered nuclear deal have been stalled since April. Since the deals collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges, and has a rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Israeli leaders have claimed Iran is just weeks away from accumulating enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon, though other components of a bomb are believed to be months or years away. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Advertisement Israel and the UAE agreed to thaw ties under the U.S. brokered agreements known as the Abraham Accords, which saw similar deals struck with Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Since then, Israel and the UAE have deepened ties in tourism and trade, to the dismay of the Palestinians who long relied on an Arab wall of support to serve as leverage against Israel. Bennetts trip comes as Israel is on the cusp of another political crisis, with members of his fragile coalition threatening to bolt unless the government can pass a law over the legal status of its West Bank settlers. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load VILLA COMALTITLAN, Mexico A group of migrants that once numbered as many as 5,000 split on Thursday about whether to keeping walking through southern Mexico toward the U.S. border. A group of about 2,000 mainly younger male migrants set out walking Thursday from the southern town of Huixtla. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight But about 1,000 migrants, mainly families with children, decided to wait in Huixtla to see if they could get some sort of temporary exit visa. The families were tired after walking some 25 miles since departing the city of Tapachula, near the Guatemalan border, on Monday. The goal of almost all the migrants is to reach the U.S. border. But none of the migrant caravans that have crossed Mexico starting in 2018 have ever walked all the way to the border, which is over 1,000 miles to the north. While some caravan participants reached the border in the past, it was due to bus or car rides which the government now tries to prevent. Advertisement Some of the migrants who apparently already got papers in Huixtla seemed to have left by their own means; with the exit visas. They may be able to take buses or taxis. Venezuelan migrant Junior Ramirez was still waiting for papers with about 15 members of his extended family at a National Immigration Institute post outside Huixtla, where the migrants slept in the open air on Tuesday and Wednesday. Up to now they havent told us whether they are going to give them to us, Ramirez said. Other migrants have gotten them and left. All we want to do is keep going. Luis Garcia Villagran, a migrant advocate traveling with the caravan, said Mexican authorities have been giving out the equivalent of exit visas, which give migrants between one and three months to leave the country. Theoretically, a migrant carrying such papers will either request asylum or leave Mexico presumably over the U.S. border and wouldnt be sent back to their home country. Advertisement Josue Mendoza Rojas and Josmar de Nazaret Cardenas, two other Venezuelan migrants, were in the same situation in Huixtla, trying to decide whether to keep walking. Its all confused, said Mendoza Rojas said, referring to the fact that migrants had tried to draw up their own lists of who would be in line to get papers. There are about 40 lists, and some people left without papers. The couple left Venezuela two months ago with their 1-year-old child and applied for an asylum appointment in Tapachula. But they couldnt get an appointment until August, and without enough money to wait until then, they decided to leave and start walking north. We dont know what were going to do yet, he said. Venezuelans make up a large proportion of this caravan, the biggest of the year, in contrast to previous ones. A factor appears to be a policy change implemented by Mexico in January requiring Venezuelans to acquire a visa to enter the country. Advertisement Before that change, Venezuelans had flown to Mexico City or Cancun as tourists and then made their way comfortably to the border. Many made it from home to the U.S. border in as little as four days. The Mexican visa requirement drove the flow of Venezuelans into the shadows. Those traveling in the caravan are just the visible sign of who is traveling through Mexico out of public view. Many other Venezuelans have likely turned to smugglers. Encounters with Venezuelans at the southwest border plunged from 22,779 in January to 3,073 in February, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In April, the most recent month available, there were 4,103 encounters. But the flow of Venezuelan migrants has continued. Since January, more than half of the 34,000 migrants who crossed the treacherous Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama were Venezuelans, according to Panamas National Migration Service. Advertisement Trying to avoid the dangerous, jungle-shrouded Darien Gap, some migrant smugglers have apparently begun offering a sea route into Panama. Security officials in Panama said Thursday they had caught eight Colombian smugglers carrying 92 migrants including Venezuelans and Ecuadorans, among them 12 minors on Panamas Caribbean coast. Recently, the Mexican government has dissolved other caravans by offering to move migrants to other cities where they could legalize their status more quickly. In some cases, the government has tried to tire the migrants out by preventing passing trucks and buses from giving them rides. Finding consensus on managing migration flows in the region was a top priority for representatives meeting this week at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load ALGIERS, Algeria Algerias president met on Thursday with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was welcomed with pomp as he visited the North African nation. Maduro arrived Wednesday evening, greeted at the Algiers airport by Algerias prime minister, as he began what Algerias state APS news agency called a two-day working and friendship visit. In a welcoming ceremony, Maduro and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune reviewed a detachment of the Republican Guard as the anthems of both countries played. There was no immediate information on topics discussed during their meeting that followed. Like all visiting leaders, Maduro paid homage to the martyrs of Algerias brutal, seven-year independence war with France, laying a wreath of flowers at the national monument to the fallen and observing a minute of silence. Maduros visit to Algeria follows a visit in Turkey. It comes amid a U.S. summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. Venezuela, along with Cuba and Nicaragua, were not invited by the administration of President Joe Biden due to the problems with democracy and human rights in those countries. That led to a decision by Mexicos president not to attend. GiftOutline Gift Article Somebody has got back at Craig Kelly. The United Australia Party leader and former Hughes MP says hes received several penalty notices from Parramatta Council regarding election posters put up in the area. Kelly is furious but, to be fair, hes done quite a bit to irritate much of the population of Australia. This is the man who spent months bombarding the public with annoying unsolicited texts. His face appeared in millions of YouTube ads and billboards across the country, many of which claimed he would be Australias next prime minister. Kelly is, instead, unemployed. Perhaps someone in the council, which didnt respond to CBDs request for a comment, is having a laugh. While on research, I visited the Polygon, an area in remote north-eastern Kazakhstan where the USSR conducted hundreds of nuclear tests. It was late summer and the battered earth was carpeted in wildflowers. The situation in our rump-sprung four-wheel drive had become tense. Our guide, a former Soviet nuclear physicist, baulked at a question asking whether the Polygon had been evacuated of Kazakh tribespeople before testing had begun. Incensed, he turned to me: You are from Australia, no? Why dont you research about the British and the Aboriginals in South Australia?! So I did and stumbled onto my own ignorance that, although no defence, is shared by too many Australians. If given the reception it deserves, Elizabeth Tynans new book, The Secret of Emu Field, will help plug this gap. Elizabeth Tynans The Secret of Emu Field. Totem 1 and Totem 2 were two British nuclear tests performed at Emu Field, South Australia, in October 1953. They have all but vanished from our popular memory, drowned out by the larger tests performed 200 kilometres up the road at Maralinga. Yet, they remain an important chapter in Australias Cold War story which, faithful to the genre, still has details redacted from the public record. In it, the colonial attitudes of the British are resilient. Following scant detail from the British, Australian prime minister Robert Menzies was quick to sign over central Australia as a site for a foreign intimate to conduct nuclear testing. From there, Australians and our government were excluded from decision-making or even knowledge of fundamental facts. When the time came to detonate, both countdowns boomed over the saltbush in an English accent. To be fair, unscrupulous human beings are responding in kind by trapping the more manageable breeds and selling them at underground markets where dinosaur sausage sizzles are also on the menu. The dinosaurs, as ever, are the stars in this latest entry in the Jurassic franchise. A Giganotosaurus terrorises Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) and Dr Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) in Jurassic World Dominion. Credit:Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment The problem is that the dinosaurs themselves dont really understand about sharing. They tend to pop up everywhere, gulping down fishermens catches, nets, hooks and all, breeding offspring that like to chase small children, and indulging in fast food by snatching up passing pedestrians. A lot has happened since the last Jurassic World movie was released four years ago. Dinosaurs have now been free to roam the planet for so long that human beings are reluctantly concluding they may have to coexist. And at the high end of the trade, there is the biotech company Biosyn, which is holding dinosaurs in its sanctuary somewhere in the Dolomites so it can experiment with their DNA in the hope of making a fortune from using it to manufacture agricultural pesticides and cures for all variety of diseases. The films own DNA has its roots in Michael Crichtons books, Jurassic Park and The LostWorld, which have proved to be the gifts that keep on giving. This is the sixth film in the franchise and fans seem as besotted as ever. Laura Dern and Sam Neill provide the romantic spark in Jurassic World Dominion. Credit:Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment For months, they feverishly speculated about the make-up of the dino cast. How many species would appear? How, precisely, they would be horned, fanged and feathered? And which would play the leads rather than being relegated to cameo roles? Yes, its all about the dinosaurs. The human players are regarded only as supporting cast yet there are plenty of familiar faces. Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum are together for the first time since the original in 1993, while Chris Pratt is back as raptor whisperer Owen Grady, whos still working with Bryce Dallas Howards Claire Dearing in her fraught attempt to stand up for dinosaur rights. A lack of coal-fired power generation and the high price of gas have led to the new federal government having to make very difficult choices. Consumers are suffering with worse pain to come. There is no easy way out, government leverage is limited, and none of the options is without serious side effects. Maybe the threat of a least-bad market intervention is where they should land. This could mean revisiting the idea of a windfall profit tax. Gas prices are soaring around the world. Credit:John Woudstra In short, if gas producers are making a windfall profit selling Australian gas overseas while Australians cant afford to heat their homes, they should share the windfall so that those Australians dont freeze this winter. Two-thirds of east coast gas consumption (2000 petajoules per year) is exported from Gladstone, the majority under contracts with Asian buyers. There is some, but limited, physical capacity for the producers to ramp up production to take advantage of the very high overseas prices for on-demand cargoes. This is the gas that the Europeans are seeking from Qatar, the US, and Australia to help their position with Russia. They are paying more than four and up to 10 times the contract prices. This is a huge windfall profit for producers who can take advantage. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When the virus hunters landed in the remote African village of Yambuku in 1976, the nuns warned them to stay back. The sisters had cordoned off the area where they were caring for people dying from a mysterious new disease. In fact, the whole village was sealed off, both by thick jungle and now quarantine the only plane allowed in was the one carrying this special team of international doctors suddenly at their door. Stay back or youll die! the nuns yelled. Its OK, were here to stop the epidemic, a young microbiologist named Peter Piot shouted back. Weeks earlier, blood from a nun who had fallen ill with the mystery disease had arrived at his lab in Belgium, Piot recalls, with a bloodstained note from a local doctor who wondered if the mosquito-borne yellow fever could be to blame. Only this seemed even worse. Whole families succumbed, racked by uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, bleeding from the eyes and mouth. When Piot helped isolate the virus from the sample, he found something entirely new. It was big [under the] electron microscope, and long like a worm, he says. It was Ebola. Piot and the team soon traced its spread to unsterilised needles and the highly infectious blood of its victims. Eventually, science tracked it further back to African fruit bats and grisly outbreaks among monkeys, chimps and gorillas. As more forest was logged, and animals and humans collided, Ebola would break out again and again. But tales of how Piot and his colleagues braved the microbe to contain that first human Ebola cluster would become an epidemiological legend. That was really the beginning of outbreak investigation, says Piot, now the director at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Today, with the world in the grip of its biggest pandemic since the 1918 flu, Bill Gates has called for a crack team of specialists to be embedded in healthcare systems around the globe, ready to contain an outbreak, as Piot and his colleagues once did. Others say we should reduce the risk of pandemics where they emerge at the edge of the wild by curbing logging and the wildlife trade from which both SARS and likely COVID arose. They also say pandemics are more likely than ever. But why? And what are the best ways to stop the next one? Advertisement Credit: Where do pandemics come from? We live on a virus planet, says Piot. There are more on Earth than stars in the sky. Fortunately, most of them cant infect us. The few that can are mostly caught from animals in that knife-edge moment of chance known as a spillover when a pathogen circulating in one species leaps to another. Some animals, such as bats, have evolved for thousands of years alongside their viruses. But as different species interact, the viruses that have grown up with one host have a chance to jump to another. Most will fizzle out just as suddenly, but sometimes a virus will mutate into something new, even into something that can infect humans. Everything from Ebola and HIV to yellow fever, flu, and SARS began this way. And humans can give their viruses to animals too, says evolutionary virologist Professor Eddie Holmes, pointing to outbreaks among farmed pigs. Were not the end of the chain by any means. The wet market in Wuhan where COVID first emerged in late 2019 was the perfect place for such a spillover and multiple studies of both the initial outbreak and COVIDs viral ancestry consistently point to it as the most likely origin of the pandemic. Holmes had been to that very market in Wuhan only five years earlier. In the south-western corner, where the fare on offer was often illegal wildlife, hed photographed a fluffy raccoon dog (a species linked to the SARS outbreak along with civets at a wet market 20 years before). Such wet markets are still popular throughout Asia, says Nobel-Prize-winning immunologist Professor Peter Doherty part of an enduring preference for fresh meat over frozen.They are also notorious melting pots of disease, as stressed animals from all corners of the world are caged close together, trading unfamiliar germs, and then handled and butchered by humans. We worry about it all the time with bird flu too, says Doherty. You get wild birds coming into market alongside poultry. Advertisement Not all viruses are primed to go global, of course. I dont really worry about an Ebola pandemic because you need close contact [to spread it], says Piot. Though we have seen terrible outbreaks like in West Africa in 2014 when 11,000 died. His eye is still firmly on influenza, which mutates fast and spreads easily. We havent really had flu seasons for the past two winters [during the pandemic]. That means were not protected. Something could emerge and rip through. Palm civets, an ancient mammal eaten as a delicacy throughout Asia, were linked to the SARS outbreak at a wet market in China in 2002. Credit:Getty Images Why do scientists say weve entered the age of pandemics? Disease has always stalked humanity but, while strange outbreaks of our hunter-gatherer past tended to burn out quickly, pandemics emerged with the rise of cities. With the great age of exploration, agriculture, the slave trade, we saw pathogens moving around more and more, says Holmes. By the time of COVID, we had megacities, global travel, deforestation, live animal markets. All of this is just fuelling the fire of disease emergence. Loading It took the Black Death almost five years to encircle Europe in the Middle Ages. Today, a virus in a traveller can fly from Wuhan to London in hours. Thats why when these things break out we need to ground the planes, Doherty says. It goes around the world in people, not bats. There need to be global agreements. Australia kept [COVID] cases low for so long by closing the border. Deforestation is also a major driver. A 2017 study linked 25 of the worlds then 27 Ebola outbreaks to logging. In Bangladesh, bats that carry the deadly Nipah virus are increasingly roosting in bustling cities and villages because their forest habitat has been almost entirely cleared. When yellow fever swept into Brazil in 2017 and surrounded the city of Sao Paulo, it came from the edges of the jungle, near logging and farming. It was like the city was under siege, says Holmes. Advertisement And the risk of spillovers is accelerating. Not only are we eating through the wild at faster rates and trading more animals, but climate change is further forcing more species to compete for shrinking habitats. More animals will be in contact, so more viruses are going to jump, says Piot. Meanwhile, mosquitoes will find their habitat expanding as the planet warms and that means the viruses they carry will spread further north and south. Take the recent emergence of the rare Japanese encephalitis beyond Australias northern tip for the first time, for example. Pandemics, along with monster storms, fire seasons and heatwaves, are another symptom of climate change, Holmes says. Its not rocket science. Its about our narrowing proximity with the animal world as we encroach on it. Bats are essential pollinators and carry many stable viruses that do not make them sick but can mutate if they leap to other species. Credit:Joe Armao How can we reduce the risk? When it comes to pandemics, as well as many environmental ills, there is a case for saving nature to save ourselves. As Piot explains, the concept, known in public health circles as One Health, links humans back into the ecosystems we rely on. In February, a major study found that for a price tag of about $20 billion a year, the world could halve deforestation in hotspots of emerging disease, drastically restrict and regulate the wildlife trade and ramp up disease surveillance and prevention in farmed animals the three big priorities of virus trackers such as Holmes. That cost is only one-tenth of the economic productivity already erased every year by zoonotic diseases (animals to humans or vice versa), which claim about 3 million lives on average annually outside a pandemic. And its much less again than the trillions spent on a disaster like COVID, says Holmes. Most countries have already committed to ending deforestation by 2030 as part of their net-zero carbon emissions pledges in the race to limit the fall-out of global warming that includes Australia along with key nations Brazil, Indonesia, the US and China. While demand for farming and rainforest products (such as the palm oil in our potato chips and ice-cream) continues to boom, some countries have already made a start, often by incentivising landowners to keep forests and protecting national parks and Indigenous lands. Advertisement Brazil, the key heartland for the worlds essential Amazon rainforest, slashed its deforestation by more than 70 per cent in the decade up to 2014 without losing agricultural productivity (although progress was later reversed under the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro). Holmes says forests are a crucial investment on multiple fronts. Bats arent going to bother hanging out in Centennial Park [in Sydney] if they have their own habitat back, he says. We need to give [wildlife] space to breathe. Think of it as social distancing. Some countries have already made a start, often by incentivising landowners to keep forests, and protecting national parks and Indigenous lands. When SARS and then COVID emerged, global calls to ban wet markets and crack down on the wildlife trade also ramped up, including from the Australian government and the World Health Organisation. Vietnam and China banned the trade, although China later backflipped on some key restrictions. Now many experts worry it has dropped off the global agenda altogether. Weve seen great funding come in for vaccines and antivirals, says Holmes. But where we havent had the focus is in the fundamentals. Wildlife trafficking is pushing many species into extinction, and even the legal trade accounts for more than a billion interactions between humans and wildlife annually. Outright banning it could disenfranchise many communities who rely on bush meat for food, especially in Africa, and push more of it underground. But experts say it can be scaled back, particularly in parts of Asia where demand is fuelled by the growing middle class and traditional Chinese medicine. In China, wild meat is typically more expensive than livestock, and products such as endangered rhino horn or tiger bone, sold as everything from unproven aphrodisiacs to hangover cures, have become about status as much as tradition. Weve known these markets pose a risk for ages but now more [consumers] are wealthy and travelling around the world, says Doherty. Loading Some wildlife advocates hope the tragedy of COVID will inflame a growing cultural stigma against wild meat and products on par with the North American conservation movement to save the bison at the turn of the 20th century that saw a wildlife agency regulating hunting in every US state by the 1930s. Others point to strides made in reducing ivory hauls, since China finally banned the product from endangered elephants in 2017, as a sign that targeted bans could work, especially under Beijings authoritarian government. But breaking the trades hold, both in Asia and beyond, will not be easy with so much money and so many jobs still tied up in the market. Advertisement The union-hunting construction watchdog will be defunded in the next year to bolster the federal budget in the face of economic upheaval as Labor plans to scrap the controversial body altogether, a move that will need to pass through parliament. Labor has pledged to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, an oversight body it sees as highly politicised for its persistent pursuit of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. However, as a statutory authority, its removal will have to be legislated. Members of the CFMMEU have been persistently targeted by the construction watchdog. Credit:Jesse Marlow The partys election costings show it plans to largely rip the ABCCs operating budget out this coming financial year, identifying $28 million in savings from the watchdogs $35 million budget to prop up the nation as the new government grapples with the $1 trillion debt. Police have uncovered a suspected Chinese money laundering syndicate headquartered in Victoria and NSW that is moving hundreds of millions of dollars annually to China and across the globe, raising serious questions about whether Beijing is turning a blind eye to organised crime. Australian law enforcement agencies, in partnership with officials from the United States and Canada, have also compiled intelligence that suggests Chinese companies and brokers are supplying the vast majority of precursor chemicals used to make illicit drugs on the Australian market. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw says some foreign governments are turning a blind eye to money laundering syndicates. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The suspected money laundering syndicate, known as the Chen Organisation, counts as its customers a relative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with Asian triads and bikies, according to briefings from officials. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw told his Five Eyes counterparts on Tuesday night that some countries [are] producing precursors at an eye-watering scale, and governments were turning a blind eye to the proceeds of crime washing through their economies. Anita and Mike McMahon had always wanted to live on a yacht full time, but that was not a possibility. That is, until the pandemic struck. The couple had already sailed international waters before 2020 for holidays to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. But once COVID-19 reached Australian shores, they packed up their lives on land and set sail permanently. Mike and Anita McMahon have been living and working on their yacht Curried Oats for several years. Credit:Brian Cassey And they havent looked back since, thanks to the WFH (work from home) phenomenon, which has allowed them to WFY (work from yacht) on their vessel Curried Oats. COVID presented a phenomenal opportunity for people, certainly in my age group, to be mobile, Anita said from Cairns Marlin Marina, where the couples yacht moored. London: Two British men and a Moroccan man who were captured while fighting for Ukraine have been sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR), one of Russias proxies in eastern Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported. The court on Thursday (AEST) found the three men - Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun - guilty of mercenary activities and committing actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the DPR, the Interfax news agency quoted a court official as saying. Two British citizens Aiden Aslin, left, and Shaun Pinner, right, and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim, centre, sit behind bars in a courtroom in Donetsk. Credit:AP The three men were captured while fighting for Ukraine against Russia and Russian-backed forces after Russia invaded on February 24. Their lawyer said they would appeal against the decision. Britain slammed the courts decision as a sham judgment. Berlin: A 29-year-old man drove into a crowd of people in Berlin on Wednesday (Berlin time), killing a teacher and injuring 14 of her students, as his car twice veered onto a pavement in a popular shopping district, officials said. Police identified the driver as a German-Armenian man, whose vehicle eventually crashed into a shop window. He was detained by bystanders and handed over to the authorities. Rescuers help an injured person after a car crashed into a crowd of people in Berlin. Credit:AP It was unclear whether it was an accident or a deliberate act in a street near the war-ravaged Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, one of the German capitals best-known landmarks, police said. The fire service earlier said a dozen people were injured and six were in a life-threatening condition. Police later said 14 students were among the injured. Washington: A man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs house in Maryland after threatening to kill the justice. Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, California, was charged with the attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice. During a court hearing, he consented to remain in federal custody for now. Associate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Credit:AP Roske was dressed in black when he arrived by taxi just after 1am outside Kavanaughs home in a Washington suburb. He had a Glock 17 pistol, ammunition, a knife, zip ties, pepper spray, duct tape and other items that he told police he would use to break into Kavanaughs house and kill him, according to a criminal complaint and an affidavit filed in federal court in Maryland. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly sunny and warm but still quite comfortable for mid-June. . Tonight Becoming mostly cloudy and more humid with a shower or thunderstorm possible late, especially from the Lehigh Valley points west. Reading, PA (19601) Today Mostly sunny and warm but still quite comfortable for mid-June. . Tonight Becoming mostly cloudy and more humid with a shower or thunderstorm possible late, especially from the Lehigh Valley points west. By Trend European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is eager to work with new eligible cities in the Karabakh region, and to welcome them into EBRD Green Cities program, Kamola Makhmudova, EBRD Country Head for Azerbaijan, told Trend in an exclusive interview. According to the initial reports shared by the Ministry of Energy, the Karabakh region has a huge renewable energy potential around 3,000-4,000 MW of solar energy and 300-500 MW of wind energy. This is encouraging for the renewable energy sector in the country, she said. As the official explained, cities under the program need to commit to improving their environmental performance and promoting the transition to green, low-carbon and resilient futures. The key criterion for the cities is to commit to the development and implementation of a Green City Action Plan (GCAP) and launch a trigger investment project with the EBRD. In addition, eligible cities need to have a population of at least 50,000 residents. If there was a relevant request, we could look at potential opportunities on a project-by-project basis, Makhmudova added. According to the country head, Ganja became the first city in Azerbaijan to join EBRD Green Cities in March 2020. The first-ever project was signed in May 2022 and concerned the solid waste sector. The EBRD works with the Ganja city Executive Power, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and other government organizations to develop pilot projects. The EBRD has already allocated 10 million euros to improve the solid waste collection services in Ganja city with modern and energy-efficient vehicles, specialized containers and bins, digital collection systems and other improvement works. Currently, the EBRD plans to sign a new street lighting project within the EBRD Green Cities program in Azerbaijans Ganja city in the upcoming months. As immediate next steps, we hope to sign the Ganja street lighting project and start project preparation works for the development of a modern, EU-compliant landfill near Ganja city, she said. For the street lighting project, in addition to the EBRD loan, the Bank has secured a 2.5 million euros investment grant from E5P Fund, supported by the EU and other international donors, the official noted. I won't forget the moment I knew things were going horribly wrong during the early part of 2020 an experience brought on in part by Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Cinderella. Travelling back through the rain from a Young Vic press launch after hours, I looked at my water-streaked phone. A press release: Cinderella is delaying its opening by a few months. The lurch of fear came even as I typed up the portentous article: this Covid thing might really be causing a bit of a mare. We all know what followed. Over the next couple of years, Lloyd Webber embarked on a crusade to get theatres back open with Cinderella at the focal point "the first world premiere of a new musical in this country since the pandemic", it was proclaimed. The man would not be stopped, from testing high-tech sterilisation machines, threatening to have himself jailed or taking the government to court, there was a mighty publicity machine keeping Cinderella in public consciousness even while the pandemic kept punters out of auditoria. One day, there'll be a Heart of Darkness-style film ready to be made out of the saga. Extra kudos must go to the PR teams staying on top of it all. Even the show's opening nights, staggered across months and disrupted by an embargo-breaking Sunday Times review, added to the manic sense of chaos that epitomised those early months of venues finding their feet and welcoming audiences back. But, thankfully, Cinderella did open with the dazzle of a spinning stage, lavish costumes and a fairly witty book courtesy of Hollywood rising star Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman). The critics were, on the whole, pretty positive Lloyd Webber doubling down on solid work after an equally well-received School of Rock. That didn't stop the rollercoaster saga that continued over the subsequent months a sub-par New York Post review reportedly rocked the good boat Belleville as it set its sights on the Great White Way, while the winter rise in Covid cases saw another protracted period of the closure. A marketing rebrand, just in time for Valentine's Day, was meant to course-correct, but bad news came with a solo Olivier Awards nomination (for the utterly deserving Victoria Hamilton-Barritt). This raised a few eyebrows considering Cinderella was the only musical with a completely original score eligible. Then, there was the bruising, sudden announcement last month that the show was to shut down. It left dozens of freshly acquired cast members in the lurch, many of whom subsequently voicing their frustration on social media. Compared to Dear Evan Hansen's classy closing notice, this again brought back memories of that heady inertia from spring 2020. Time to hang up the heels Belleville's London days are bust. As someone prone to find positives in even the most melancholic moments, there are a few here to cherish namely the work of a top-tier company. Beyond Hamilton-Barritt's excellence, Cinderella represented career-best work from Carrie Hope Fletcher, originating a role for the first time with effortless poise. Her performances of top-notch numbers "I Know I Have a Heart" and "Far Too Late" are some of the best you'll hear on a West End stage in 2022. At the same time, she's surrounded by a mesmerising cast, many of whom are newcomers, now ready to take big strides into big new roles be it Caleb Roberts in Tina over at the Aldwych, Laura Baldwin in Carousel and more. It'll be particularly exciting to see what new leading man Ivano Turco tackles next. The show completes its time in London this weekend, but Cinderella is far from finished Lloyd Webber has said he intends to rework the material before landing it in New York in the next 12 months. Belleville on Broadway awaits where this story may finally get a fairytale finish. Timing is everything in comedy. At a point when the Prime Minister is being booed by royalists and politics feels as if it has stretched beyond satire, it seems odd to be sitting down to watch a comedy musical about the failings of Tony Blair, "Labour's most successful premier", as the opening song advises us. However amiable this new show by Harry Hill and Steve Brown may be, it doesn't have anything new to add to the debate. With broad brush and in widely comic terms, it paints a picture of Blair as a buffoon who just wanted to be famous like his hero "Mick Jaggers" and thanks to his broad smile and ambitious wife ended up running the country. Then he meets George Bush, goes to war in Iraq and trashes his reputation. So far, so very familiar. What Hill and Brown bring to the party is a wild and whirring humour that inevitably hits some of its targets and a cartoonish desire to entertain which is powered by the energy of the cast. The show, which begins with Blair's deathbed confession and then unfolds backwards through his life, is a combination of very Harry Hill type of silliness (there's a Neil/kneel joke about Kinnock, and a fight for the Labour leadership between Blair and Brown) and a more generic political sketch-based comedy. It gets very bogged down in the second act (rather like its subject) in the politics of the Middle East and songs for Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein that aren't quite sharp enough, but before then there's been a clever Liverpudlian tango for Tony and Cherie, an ode to Macro Economics by Gordon Brown and a song and dance routine about the People's Princess (played with wide-eyed relish by Madison Swan). The songs, which echo both Broadway and Gilbert and Sullivan are lyrically sharp (though not always entirely audible) and pass pleasantly enough. But they are not in themselves memorable and their targets are horribly obvious. Even the rousing final number which suggests that "The Whole Wide World is Run by Assholes" and contains a photograph of Vladimir Putin doesn't do anything to make the whole thing anything more than a pantomime. Director Peter Rowe keeps the whole thing moving fast enough for us not to notice too much, and his cast (all dressed in New Labour suits and red ties and with deliberately terrible wigs) work hard. Charlie Baker doesn't look anything like Blair, but he catches his swagger and swift smile; Gary Trainor uses Brown's slow intake of breath as a punctuation when he sings. As Cherie, Holly Sumpton is never allowed to escape the cliches of a Lady Macbeth-like manipulator, but her timing is assured. Howard Samuels enjoys himself as Peter Mandelson, drawing the audience into his dastardly plans. I suppose it's all good fun, but by the end I felt irritated by the show's sheer lack of sophistication. Hill and Brown's last musical was the recklessly over-ambitious I Can't Sing!, a spoof of The X Factor, that failed to fill the Palladium. Perhaps that made them decide to settle for the smaller scale. But the same lack of purpose that scuppered their first effort undermines this one. It adds nothing to the arguments around Blair and its enthusiasm isn't enough to carry it through. When it comes to candy, there are two kinds of confection: a hand-crafted bon bon made from the finest ingredients and meant to be savoured; and an artificially flavoured concoction in a bright wrapper thats meant to satisfy a sweet tooth. When it comes to candy, there are two kinds of confection: a hand-crafted bon bon made from the finest ingredients and meant to be savoured; and an artificially flavoured concoction in a bright wrapper thats meant to satisfy a sweet tooth. The national touring production of Broadways Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the latter. Its a Pop Rocks of a musical noisy, garish, fizzy and designed to melt away without a trace. SUPPLIED In an endearing performance, William Goldsman took on the role of Charlie Bucket on opening night. Its not that Pop Rocks cant be fun cheap, cheerful candy has its place and the lavish musical (two hours and 35 minutes with a 20-minute intermission) has loads of charming tricks up its sleeve. But the relentlessly shrill tone, bombastic score and too many actors who yell rather than projecting can make a sugar high turn into a headache very quickly. The story, based on Roald Dahls 1964 book of the same name, follows poor Charlie Bucket (played by on opening night by William Goldsman), a pure-of-heart child who lives with his four grandparents and his mother in a shack without electricity. He loves chocolate but his family can only afford one bar a year, on his birthday. When secretive, reclusive chocolatier Willy Wonka announces a contest, offering a tour of his fantastical factory to five children who find a golden ticket in their chocolate bars, Charlie has one chance to fulfil his dream. There have been some modernizations/adaptation to the characters of the four other golden-ticket holders (all played by young-adult actors, with the exception of Charlie). Augustus Gloop (Nic Mains) is still a glutton, but gum-chewing Violet Beauregard (Zakiya Baptiste) is also a narcissistic social media influencer, entitled, greedy Veruca Salt (Fiona Claire Huber) is a Russian ballerina, and obnoxious Mike Teavee (Jacnier) is obsessed with screens of all sizes, not just television. Although the show is named for him, Charlie who is played by three different boys over the course of the run isnt really the star. SUPPLIED Cody Garcia (left) inhabits the colourful confectioner Willy Wonka with unique flair. That spot is reserved for Willy Wonka. Its a role that has been memorably embodied onscreen by Gene Wilder in 1971 and Johnny Depp in 2006, but Cody Garcia inhabits the colourful confectioner with unique flair. The violet frockcoat and top hat may be familiar, but Garcia puts a personal stamp on the character. Wonka is a tough nut to crack: hes a jaded misanthrope with the wide-eyed wonder of a child. Hes a genius, an artiste and a madman, charismatic and a wee bit terrifying. Hes aloof but still likable. Garcias arch performance deftly hits all those notes not to mention all the musical notes. The San Antonio actor has a gorgeous, limber voice, put to great use during Pure Imagination, a soaring number from the 71 film by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, and closing tune The View From Here, penned by Hairsprays Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who wrote the original music for the production. Unfortunately, while Garcia grasps that less is more when portraying an over-the-top character, the rest of the cast does not uniformly rise to those standards. Goldsman is very endearing as Charlie, though he does tend to make every line a proclamation, and warm-voiced Steve McCoy is a convincingly rickety Grandpa Joe. As Mike, Jacnier has sullen attitude down pat, and his physical acrobatics are impressive, while Meaghan Michaelson as his pill-popping mother delivers a comedic highlight with her performance of That Little Man of Mine. The Free Press | Newsletter Applause A weekly review of the Winnipeg arts scene, delivered every Thursday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. SUPPLIED Many elements of the show are truly dazzling, conveying scenes from Roald Dahls 1964 book that you would never imagine could be pulled off onstage. But many of the performances are strident and unnuanced, with much of the singing (and even the speaking) more like yelling. Huber is a lovely dancer, but her dialogue is mostly shrieks, and the comedic lyrics of Baptiste and Mains songs are rendered almost incomprehensible despite their incredible volume. However, if you go into Charlie with slightly lowered expectations (as you probably should with a non-Equity production starring less experienced actors), you may well be delighted, as many elements of the show are truly dazzling, conveying scenes from Dahls book you would never imagine could be pulled off onstage, especially in the second act. The appearance of the Oompah-Loompahs drew gasps and laughter, and the rendering of Wonkas magical candyland is mouthwatering. Though the set feels a bit cramped on the concert hall stage, Matt Lenzs direction skilfully leads our eyes where they need to be (usually on Garcia), and the book by David Greig provides lots of laughs, even if some will fly over childrens heads. Speaking of childrens heads: note that the darkness of Dahls cautionary tale has not been sugar-coated. Bad children die in this story torn limb from limb, in one case though the show does give their outre fates a cartoonish vibe that softens the blow. Violets expansion into a giant blueberry is particularly clever, while nasty Verucas even nastier end in the nut-sorting room may be too scary for young children (the squirrels are quite menacing). jill.wilson@winnipegfreepress.com Twitter: @dedaumier If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. BEIJING (AP) Thousands of coronavirus testing sites have popped up on sidewalks across Beijing and other Chinese cities in the latest development in the country's zero-COVID strategy. An officer wearing face mask stands watch workers waiting behind a barricaded tape outside their locked down shops for health monitoring following a COVID-19 case detected in the area in Beijing, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) BEIJING (AP) Thousands of coronavirus testing sites have popped up on sidewalks across Beijing and other Chinese cities in the latest development in the country's "zero-COVID" strategy. Lines form every day, rain or shine, even where the spread of the virus has largely stopped. Some people need to go to work. Others want to shop. All are effectively compelled to get tested by a requirement to show a negative test result to enter office buildings, malls and other public places. Liu Lele, who works for a live-streaming company, has no problem getting tested regularly but said the daytime operating hours don't always fit his schedule. "Sometimes I get held up at work," he said after finishing a test Thursday near Beijing's historic Bell and Drum towers. "I wish there were sites open 24 hours or not closing until 7 or 8 p.m." Regular testing of residents is becoming the new normal in many parts of China as the ruling Communist Party sticks steadfastly to a "zero-COVID" approach that is increasingly at odds with the rest of the world. Major cities have been told to set up testing stations within a 15-minute walk for all residents. Beijing and Shanghai alone have put up 10,000 or more each. Some are made up of folding tables and chairs under a temporary canopy. Others are enclosed square booths from which gloved workers reach out through openings to take a quick throat swab from the next person in line. Residents wearing face masks stand watch behind a barricaded tape set up in their locked down apartment buildings for health monitoring following a COVID-19 case detected in the area in Beijing, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Many cities including Beijing are requiring a negative test result within the last three days to enter a public place or take the bus or subway. Some have made it a week or 10 days. The tests are free, with the result reflected on the persons smartphone health app roughly 12 hours later. "This is something we should do," said Beijing retiree Wang Shiyuan, who gets tested every three days in case he needs to go to the supermarket or take a bus. "Only when everyone obeys the requirements can we reduce the risk of transmission." The move follows a recent outbreak in Shanghai that spread so widely that authorities locked down the entire city for two months to end it, trapping millions of people and dealing a blow to the national economy. China kept the virus largely at bay for a year and a half by locking down buildings and neighborhoods and quarantining infected people, but the rapidly spreading omicron variant proved more difficult to stop. More than 580 people died in Shanghai a large number in a country that had reported only a handful of deaths after an initial deadly outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020. Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission, said testing has become more important because omicron is both more contagious and is spread by people without symptoms. "We must adhere to the strategy of expanding prevention centered on nucleic acid testing, so as to control the epidemic earlier and faster," she said Thursday at a news conference. A handful of new cases some linked to a nightlife quarter in Beijing and a hair salon in Shanghai prompted authorities to lock down areas in both cities Thursday. The cases followed an easing of restrictions on movement and the reopening of many retail businesses in the past week. Andy Chen, a senior analyst with the Trivium China consultancy, said the proliferation of testing sites is a reaction to the failure of existing measures to control omicron in Shanghai, though officials have not explicitly said so. Authorities have decided that early detection is needed to control omicron outbreaks without extreme measures that cause major economic disruption. "The regular testing requirements are meant to improve the zero-COVID strategy," Chen said in an email. "The end goal is to keep the virus under control while avoiding another Shanghai-like lockdown." The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Many other countries, their populations weary of pandemic restrictions and eager to move on, are betting that rising vaccination rates and the development of treatments for COVID-19 mean they can avoid lockdowns and other disruptive steps and live with the virus instead. China's leaders have repeatedly signaled that they believe the "zero-COVID" approach remains the right one for China, even as they try to boost a flagging economy with business tax refunds, easier credit and spending on infrastructure projects. Entry to the country remains restricted, with visas difficult to get and few international flights, making it costly and hard to get a seat. Anyone who does enter must quarantine in a hotel, usually for two weeks. Chinese generally can't leave the country unless it is for work or study. Most analysts expect the zero-COVID policies to remain in place at least until after a major Communist Party congress this fall at which leader Xi Jinping is expected to get a third five-year term. The party touted its approach as a success when COVID-19 was ravaging other countries, and it doesn't want a major outbreak in the run-up to its meeting. ___ Associated Press researcher Yu Bing and video producer Olivia Zhang in Beijing and researcher Si Chen in Shanghai contributed to this report. GENEVA (AP) Over two years after the coronavirus was first detected in China, and after at least 6.3 million deaths have been counted worldwide from the pandemic, the World Health Organization is recommending in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is required into whether a lab accident may be to blame. FILE - A worker in protectively overalls and carrying disinfecting equipment walks outside the Wuhan Central Hospital, China on Feb. 6, 2021. Experts drafted by the World Health Organization to help investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic say further research is needed to determine how COVID-19 first began. They say they need a more detailed analysis of the possibility it was a laboratory accident. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) GENEVA (AP) Over two years after the coronavirus was first detected in China, and after at least 6.3 million deaths have been counted worldwide from the pandemic, the World Health Organization is recommending in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is required into whether a lab accident may be to blame. That stance marks a sharp reversal of the U.N. health agencys initial assessment of the pandemics origins, and comes after many critics accused WHO of being too quick to dismiss or underplay a lab-leak theory that put Chinese officials on the defensive. WHO concluded last year that it was extremely unlikely COVID-19 might have spilled into humans in the city of Wuhan from a lab. Many scientists suspect the coronavirus jumped into people from bats, possibly via another animal. Yet in a report released Thursday, WHOs expert group said key pieces of data to explain how the pandemic began were still missing. The scientists said the group would remain open to any and all scientific evidence that becomes available in the future to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses. Identifying a disease's source in animals typically takes years. It took more than a decade for scientists to pinpoint the species of bats that were the natural reservoir for SARS, a relative of COVID-19. WHO's expert group also noted that since lab accidents in the past have triggered some outbreaks, the highly politicized theory could not be discounted. Jean-Claude Manuguerra, a co-chair of the 27-member international advisory group, acknowledged that some scientists might be allergic to the idea of investigating the lab leak theory, but said they needed to be open-minded enough to examine it. The report could revive accusations that WHO initially was too accepting of Chinese government explanations early in the outbreak, which ultimately killed millions of people, sickened millions more, forced dozens of countries into lockdown and upended the world economy. Investigations by The Associated Press found that some top WHO insiders were frustrated by China during the initial outbreak even as WHO heaped praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping. They were also upset over how China sought to clamp down on research into the origins of COVID-19. FILE - Marion Koopmans, right, and Peter Ben Embarek, center, of the World Health Organization team say farewell to their Chinese counterpart Liang Wannian, left, after a WHO-China Joint Study Press Conference at the end of the WHO mission in Wuhan, China on Feb. 9, 2021. Experts drafted by the World Health Organization to help investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic say further research is needed to determine how COVID-19 first began. They say they need a more detailed analysis of the possibility it was a laboratory accident. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) Former U.S. President Donald Trump speculated repeatedly without evidence that COVID-19 was started in a Chinese lab. He also accused WHO of colluding with China to cover up the initial outbreak, citing the U.N. health agency's continued public praise of the country despite China's refusal to share crucial data. WHO's expert group said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent two letters to senior Chinese government officials in February requesting information, including details about the earliest human cases of COVID-19 in the city of Wuhan. It's unclear whether the Chinese responded. The experts said no studies were provided to WHO that assessed the possibility of COVID-19 resulting from a laboratory leak. Jamie Metzl, who sits on an unrelated WHO advisory group, has suggested that the Group of Seven industrialized nations set up their own COVID origins probe, saying WHO lacks the political authority, expertise and independence to conduct such a critical evaluation. Metzl welcomed WHO's call for a further investigation into the lab leak possibility but said it was insufficient. Tragically, the Chinese government is still refusing to share essential raw data and will not allow the necessary, full audit of the Wuhan labs, he said. Gaining access to this information is critical to both understanding how this pandemic began and preventing future pandemics. In Washington, a Republican-led subcommittee in the House of Representatives on the COVID-19 pandemic tweeted: Americans were smeared as conspiracy theorists for asking whether #COVID19 came from a lab leak. Now, the WHO is asking the same questions. WE NEED ANSWERS, added the committee, which is headed by Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. WHO's expert scientists said numerous avenues of research were needed, including studies evaluating the role of wild animals, and environmental studies in places where the virus might have first spread, like the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan. In March 2021, WHO released a report about COVID-19's origins following a highly choreographed visit by international scientists to China. The report concluded that the disease most likely jumped into humans from bats and that there was no evidence to suggest there was a connection to a laboratory. Yet after considerable criticism, including from some scientists on WHO's team, the agency's director acknowledged that it was premature to rule out a lab leak. In its new report, WHO said the experts were given access to data that included unpublished blood samples from more than 40,000 people in Wuhan in 2019. The samples were tested for COVID-19 antibodies. None were found, suggesting the virus was not spreading widely before it was first identified in late December that year. WHO's experts called for numerous studies to be done, including testing wild animals to find which species might host COVID-19. They also said the cold chain supply theory should be probed. China has previously advanced the idea that traces of COVID-19 on frozen packaging was causing outbreaks rather than any domestic source, a theory widely panned by outside scientists. To investigate whether COVID-19 might have been the result of a lab accident, WHO's experts said interviews should be conducted with the staff in the laboratories tasked with managing and implementing biosafety and biosecurity. China has called the suggestion that COVID-19 began in a laboratory baseless and countered that the virus originated in American facilities, which were also known to be researching coronaviruses in animals. The Chinese government has said it supports the search for the pandemic's origins, but that other countries should be the focus. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In a footnote to the report, WHO's group noted that three of its own experts scientists from China, Brazil and Russia disagreed with the call to investigate the possibility of COVID-19 being sparked by a lab accident. Scientists connected to WHO lamented in August 2021 that the search for the pandemic's origins had stalled and that the window of opportunity was closing fast. They warned that collecting data that was now at least two years old was increasingly difficult. ___ Cheng reported from London. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. A Ukrainian soldier walks near a post warning about landmines in a field on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlins forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to take back historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. A Ukrainian soldier is in position during heavy fighting on the front line in Severodonetsk, the Luhansk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Oleksandr Ratushniak) The separatist side argued that the three were mercenaries not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. They are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraines Russian-backed rebels. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko condemned the proceedings as legally invalid, saying, Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality. He said that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel and protected as such. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss pronounced the sentencing a "sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. A Ukrainian soldiers runs for cover during heavy fighting on the front line in Severodonetsk, the Luhansk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Oleksandr Ratushniak) Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslins and Pinners families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops before Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April and Saadoun was captured in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. A Ukrainian soldier crouches on a position during heavy battles in the front line in Severodonetsk, the Luhansk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Oleksandr Ratushniak) Another British fighter taken prisoner by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraines side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. In other developments, Putin drew parallels between Peter the Great's founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russia's ambitions. A journalist takes a picture of smoke rising from a landmine exploded by a Ukrainian specialized team working on a field to clean the area on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) When the czar founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. He added: What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. Its impossible Do you understand? impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, the Russian leader said. British citizen Shaun Pinner sits behind bars in a courtroom in Donetsk, in the territory which is under the Government of the Donetsk People's Republic control, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Two British citizens and a Moroccan have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine for fighting on Ukraine's side. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops and surrendered to Russian forces weeks ago. (AP Photo) In other developments, French President Emmanuel Macron told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France was ready to send more heavy weapons to Ukraine, according to Macrons office. French officials did not elaborate on the weaponry. The phone conversation came after Macron angered Ukrainian officials by saying world powers should not humiliate Putin. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army continued to push Russian forces back from Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which lies to the north of the Donbas. The transmission of Ukrainian television was restored after a TV tower was shelled. Hitting television centers, destroying communication channels, leaving people isolated this is the tactic of the occupiers that they cannot do without, for openness and honesty also are weapons against all that the Russian state does, he said late Thursday in his evening address. A Ukrainian soldier stands in position during heavy fighting on the front line in Severodonetsk, the Luhansk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Oleksandr Ratushniak) On the battlefield: Fierce fighting dragged on in the city of Sievierodonetsk in a battle that could help determine the fate of the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland in the east. Moscow-backed separatists already held swaths of the Donbas before the invasion, and Russian troops have gained more. Residents of Kharkiv reported what appeared to be cruise missile strikes. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were immediately available. A farm worker loads sunflower seeds into a truck at a warehouse damaged by shelling in Zvanika region, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive to completely capture the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine's southeast, Ukrainian authorities said. Kyiv continues to hold the northern part of the region, including the city of Zaporizhzhia. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Thirteen civilians were killed in Ukrainian shelling of the separatist-controlled city of Stakhanov in the Donbas, a pro-Russian separatist envoy said on social media. It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. Russia claimed it used missiles to strike a base west of the capital in the Zhytomyr region, where, it said, mercenaries were being trained. There was no immediate response from Ukrainian authorities. A Ukrainian soldier watches out during heavy fighting at the front line in Severodonetsk, Luhansk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Oleksandr Ratushniak) ___ Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. ___ Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine When Michael Petrovici posts a job opening for one of his northern New Brunswick restaurants, he's lucky if he gets one application. Michael Petrovici is shown in this undated handout image received June 9, 2022. New Brunswick restaurant owner Michael Petrovici says the suspension of a provincial immigration program has left him scrambling for workers as the busy summer season approaches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Michael Petrovici **MANDATORY CREDIT** When Michael Petrovici posts a job opening for one of his northern New Brunswick restaurants, he's lucky if he gets one application. "It's very, very challenging to recruit people locally," said the entrepreneur who owns a fast-food restaurant, a coffee shop and a full-service eatery in Bathurst. The small city on the Chaleur Bay is quickly becoming the epicentre of Canada's restaurant industry labour shortage after the province paused a popular immigration stream used by businesses to attract workers to the area. "We were already struggling before. Now it's just impossible for us," Petrovici said. "I'm not sure how we'll get through the summer." At issue is a decision by the New Brunswick government to suspend the province's express entry stream, part of the provincial nominee program. Arlene Dunn, the province's minister responsible for immigration, said the application process was temporarily paused to ensure the needs of all sectors are met after a significant increase in demand. "If it was allowed to continue, under the current circumstances, the large demand on our existing programming would jeopardize access to immigration for certain sectors ... such as internationally educated nurses or international students who are currently in New Brunswick," she said in a letter to Petrovici in response to his concerns. The Canadian Press reached out to New Brunswick government departments that oversee immigration, economic development and business for comment but did not receive a response. Restaurants across the country are confronting a worker shortfall. The sector was slammed by two years of pandemic shutdowns, repeated layoffs and strict capacity limits. About 13,000 eateries across the country closed permanently and many workers left the industry altogether. "The food service industry has been the hardest hit in terms of job losses as a result of COVID," Restaurants Canadas Atlantic Canada vice-president Richard Alexander said. "The impact is even more significant in Atlantic Canada because of our unique labour challenges." Bathurst, for example, has a median age of 53 more than a decade older than Canada's median age of 40.4, according to Statistics Canada. "The aging demographic makes it tough to find workers," Petrovici said. "Rural areas are at an ever bigger disadvantage." Still, New Brunswick recorded a mini population boom during the pandemic. The province added 15,000 newcomers in just 12 months the fastest rate of population growth since 1976 reaching 800,000 people, the province said in March. Yet Petrovici, who owns a Pita Pita franchise, the coffee shop Kaffeine and the full-service restaurant Au Bootlegger, said he still can't find enough workers to staff his eateries. "We're in crisis mode and its going to get worse," he said. "The labour shortage is a really dire situation." Given the recent changes to the province's immigration program, he said four of his employees will be leaving New Brunswick. "I am brought down to my knees," he said in a letter to Dunn. "We already have a mountain ahead of us in small rural communities just to attract newcomers." The changes to the immigration program have paused applications for food service supervisors, food counter attendants and food and beverage services indefinitely, he said. "It feels like we're being treated like a second-class business," said Petrovici. In her letter to Petrovici, Dunn suggested he consider the federal temporary foreign worker program. But Petrovici said he doesn't have the resources required to pursue other immigration streams, which are more complicated to navigate and require labour market assessments. "Maybe if you're a big business owner with 20 franchise locations and can afford to pay consultants it could be worth it," he said. "But we're just a mom and pop shop." The Free Press | Newsletter Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Petrovici said he was told one of the issues is a delay with the federal allocation of candidates the number of foreign workers the province is able to welcome each year. Remi Lariviere, a spokesperson for the federal Immigration Department, said allocations for 2022 were delayed due to the 2021 federal election, the conflict in Ukraine and ongoing challenges related to the pandemic. Still, he said all provinces and territories participating in these immigration programs were told they could expect, at a minimum, the same number of allocations that they received in 2021. "They've sort of passed the buck to the federal immigration (department)," Petrovici said. "I don't know what the problem really is but we need a solution." He added: "All we need and want is to be able to keep our doors open." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2022. ROME (AP) Food import bills will reach a record high this year and food markets are likely to tighten around the world, according to a glum new forecast by a U.N. food agency. Boys say a prayer before digging into their free lunch donated by the New Birth's Christian church, in the Catia neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Once a week, the church hands out over 100 free lunches to low-income children, pregnant women and the elderly. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) ROME (AP) Food import bills will reach a record high this year and food markets are likely to tighten around the world, according to a glum new forecast by a U.N. food agency. The Food Outlook, issued twice a year by the Food and Agriculture Organization, also found that "many vulnerable countries are paying more but receiving less food" in imports. The report issued Thursday by the Rome-based agency noted that developing countries are reducing imports of cereals, oilseeds and meats, reflecting their inability to cover the price increases. The forecast cited "soaring input prices, concerns about the weather, and increased market uncertainties stemming from the war in Ukraine, which has seen millions of tons of grain stuck in silos and unable to be shipped abroad from that major agricultural exporter due to the Russian invasion. With Ukraines next grain harvest due within weeks, and no imminent sign of a let-up in the war unleashed by Russia on its neighbor, the food security of import-dependent countries in Africa and the Middle East could worsen. Its forecast points to a "likely tightening of food markets and import bills reaching a new record high, said Upali Galketi Aratchilage, an FAO economist and lead editor of the report. The outlook discussed how agricultural sectors are struggling with rising costs of production, especially fertilizer and fuel, which could trigger further increases in food prices. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Russia and its ally Belarus are major exporters of fertilizer. But while international sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine havent targeted food exports, sanctions regarding Russian shipping and insurance for such shipping has complicated logistics for Russian farm exports. Spiking prices for agricultural production inputs, such as rising energy costs, could call into question whether the worlds farmers can afford to buy them, wrote FAO experts in markets and trade. That scenario applies to major exporting countries as well, the report said. Some North American farmers are shifting from maize to soy, which requires less nitrogen fertilizer, the report noted. All these factors point to "low (and falling) real prices for farmers, despite the high prices faced by consumers, FAO said. Based on current conditions, the situation does "not augur well for a market-led supply response that could conceivably rein in further increases in food process for the 2022/23 season and possibly the next, the report said. __ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The owner of a commercial nursery has won a $1.2 million judgment against the Florida Department of Agriculture in the latest verdict against the state agency for destroying citrus trees in the 2000s during an attempt to stop the spread of costly tree diseases. FILE - An orange blossom grows alongside some ripening fruit in a grove on Dec. 11, 2013, in Plant City, Fla. The owner of a commercial nursery has won a $1.2 million judgment against the Florida Department of Agriculture for destroying his citrus trees in the 2000s during an attempt to stop the spread of citrus greening, a costly disease. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The owner of a commercial nursery has won a $1.2 million judgment against the Florida Department of Agriculture in the latest verdict against the state agency for destroying citrus trees in the 2000s during an attempt to stop the spread of costly tree diseases. A jury in Orlando last week determined the state agency had destroyed more than 160,000 citrus plants in an effort to stop citrus greening and Gary Mahon deserved the $1.2 million as compensation at fair market value. Mahon's company, Pokeys Lake Gem Citrus Nursery, cultivates fruit trees in Zellwood, Florida. The Department of Agriculture had argued Mahon did not deserve compensation since he could have avoided his losses by moving his citrus plants into greenhouses. Mahon's attorneys disputed that interpretation of the law. In 2008, Florida lawmakers passed legislation requiring citrus plant growers to sell or destroy plants not grown in greenhouses to protect the states citrus industry from citrus greening. Citrus greening is among the biggest threats to the U.S. citrus industry since infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter. The disease can eventually kill infected trees, though it is harmless to humans. While the Florida Legislature and Department of Agriculture meant well by passing and enforcing this law, it had a catastrophic impact on citrus nursery growers," said Alexander Clem, Mahon's attorney. Our client fought for years to get justice for the thousands-upon-thousands of plants he was forced to destroy, and we are thrilled he will be compensated and can move on with his life. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In a statement, the Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that it would appeal the case. This case has been long fought by our department, and our position has not changed: the damage to Mr. Mahons citrus crop was a direct result of his failure to come into compliance with state regulations," the statement said. In the past two decades, Florida's citrus industry has been threatened with greening and another disease called citrus canker. Citrus canker can cause the leaves and fruit on citrus trees to drop prematurely and create unappealing lesions on the fruit. The lesions leak bacterial cells that can spread to other trees by wind, rain or contaminated equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With both diseases, state agriculture workers destroyed citrus trees in an effort to stop their destructive spread. Earlier this year, about 18,000 homeowners in Orange County, home to Orlando, won a judgement of $42 million against the state for destroying their citrus trees. Tens of thousands of homeowners in Broward, Lee and Palm Beach counties also have won class action lawsuits against the state over their destroyed trees, and compensations varied by county. A case in Miami-Dade County is still pending. NEW YORK - Discount U.S. airline JetBlue launched its service to Canada with the first flight arriving this evening in Vancouver from New York's JFK International Airport. A JetBlue passenger flight passes the Air Force Memorial as it prepares to land at Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., across the Potomac River from Washington, Wed., Jan. 19, 2022. U.S. airline JetBlue launched its service to Canada with the first flight arriving in this evening in Vancouver from New York's JFK International Airport. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-J. Scott Applewhite NEW YORK - Discount U.S. airline JetBlue launched its service to Canada with the first flight arriving this evening in Vancouver from New York's JFK International Airport. The Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Gardener What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. A monthly email from the Free Press with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The New York-based airline, which announced the new route more than a year ago, says it is the only carrier to serve the western Canadian city with non-stop service from JFK. However, JetBlue will be competing with other U.S. airlines as well as Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet Airlines and Flair Airlines, that either offer direct flights to other New York airports or through connections to JFK. JetBlue is growing beyond the U.S. with more than 30 international destination in over 24 countries. Royce Chwin, CEO of Destination Vancouver, says the new direct service means easier access from an important East Coast market as the city rebuilds its tourism economy. The daily evening and return red-eye flights will be on Airbus A320 aircraft. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2022. LOS ANGELES (AP) A Los Angeles County-run shelter meant to be a safe space for children as they awaited placement in foster homes was for decades a den for sexual predators among the staff and some residents who preyed on children as young as 5, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by dozens of former residents. Jonathan Wright, 39, holds up the T-shirt he was given when he first went to MacLaren Children's Center in El Monte as an 8-year-old during a news conference in Los Angeles, Thursday, June 9, 2022. He said he was sexually abused by a physician there. A Los Angeles County-run shelter meant to be a safe space for children as they awaited placement in foster homes was for decades a den for sexual predators among the staff and some residents who preyed on children as young as 5, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by dozens of former residents. (AP Photo/Christopher Weber) LOS ANGELES (AP) A Los Angeles County-run shelter meant to be a safe space for children as they awaited placement in foster homes was for decades a den for sexual predators among the staff and some residents who preyed on children as young as 5, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by dozens of former residents. Some of the more than 30 plaintiffs spoke at a news conference and wept and trembled as they detailed abuse and some victims attempts to escape the halls barbed-wire fences and guarded gates. Among the victims was a 6-year-old boy who in 1990 was molested by a male staffer who locked the boy in a closet as punishment for screaming during the assault, according to the lawsuit. Jonathan Wright, 39, held up the T-shirt he was given when he first went to MacLaren Childrens Center in El Monte as an 8-year-old. He said he was sexually abused by a physician there. To this day, I hate being near doctors, he said, sobbing. Staff members often turned a blind eye to the assaults and misconduct at the facility, where children were routinely placed in solitary confinement, drugged and restrained in chairs, the lawsuit said. (Editors note: This story includes discussion of sexual violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.) The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual assault unless they give their permission. Octavia Evans said she was 12 when she was abused. She summoned the courage to report it to staff and said they took it to their boss who was her abuser. Now 36, Evans addressed any former MacLaren staff members who may have watched the news conference: We were children, and we were trusting you to care for us not hurt us. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages. It's the second to be brought recently against the county in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of foster children at the facility, also known as MacLaren Hall. The victims' attorneys say they have more than 200 clients who claim they were abused at the facility. The lawsuit says that county officials in and out of the hall either knew or should have known of the abuse and failed to act. MacLaren Hall became a dumping-grounds for societys most vulnerable, including minors without parents, or minors whose parents who were unable to care for them, the lawsuit said. Children were frequently removed from abusive homes and placed at MacLaren Hall only to be re-abused. The facility opened in 1961 and was overseen by the countys probation department and then in 1976 was placed under the purview of the county Department of Children and Family Services. More than 20,000 kids passed through the hall before it closed in 2003. A lawsuit was filed in May by eight women and four men, including one who was 5 in 1988 when he says he was assaulted by a male staff member in a bathroom. Children and Family Services issued a statement declining to comment on the lawsuit but said the allegations will be thoroughly examined. Our department has many safeguards in place to protect children in our care and to hold accountable those who violate laws and policies, the statement said. MacLaren was shuttered in 2003 after the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California and other organizations filed class-action lawsuits alleging inhumane treatment by staff and a failure to investigate abuse reports. An ACLU report described conditions as Dickensian, with children who were so neglected it amounted to government sponsored child abuse. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Los Angeles County settled the lawsuit with the ACLU and has paid settlements to some victims. MacLaren failed to conduct background checks on staff prior to 2001. Once the checks were implemented, 17 staffers were found to have criminal histories that should have disqualified them from being hired, attorney Adam P. Slater said. It was medieval in the way it was run. ... MacLaren Hall had more in common with a child prison than a safe place for children, Slater said. The plaintiffs were able to file lawsuits because of a California law that took effect in 2020 and suspended for three years the statute of limitations for childhood sex abuse victims to bring cases. The statute of limitations in California for filing certain felony sexual abuse charges runs out when a child victim turns 40. The sheriff's department which polices county facilities and the district attorney's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether law enforcement has initiated any criminal investigations on behalf of MacLaren victims. The victims attorneys say they are not aware of a criminal investigation involving MacLaren since the mid-1980s, when five employees were arrested on suspicion of child molestation and selling drugs to children, according to the lawsuit. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polands prime minister vowed Thursday to support higher production at the nations coal mines in order to bring down heating and energy prices that have soared amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine and the European Union's efforts to reduce its dependency on Russian energy sources. Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki briefs the media during a joint news conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the headquarters of Poland's Power Grid in Konstancin-Jeziorna, Poland, Thursday, June 2, 2022. The independence of Poland's courts is at the heart of a dispute with the European Union, which has withheld billions of euros in pandemic recovery funds. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Poland's leaders discuss the matter. (AP Photo/Michal Dyjuk) WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polands prime minister vowed Thursday to support higher production at the nations coal mines in order to bring down heating and energy prices that have soared amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine and the European Union's efforts to reduce its dependency on Russian energy sources. However, the pledge that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki made in parliament goes against Polands climate change obligations and the gradual steps it is taking to reduce the production and use of coal in order to fight global warming. But Russias invasion of Ukraine and EU bans on some Russian energy sources have led to sudden shortages of coal and accelerated the rise of fuel prices. Governments across Europe are looking for other sources of fuel and energy. The cost of coal has gone up 100% in Poland in the past 12 months, leading to widespread anxiety because one in every three households here is heated by coal. Overall, Poland relies on coal for almost 70% of its energy needs, a far higher percentage than any other of the EU's 27 nations. We will introduce a program of increased coal extraction in Poland's collieries," Morawiecki said. The Polish government's aim is to reduce the fossil fuel's prices ahead of the next heating season to the level they were at before the sudden rise that was linked to the embargo on Russia. We will do this," Morawiecki said. In fact, energy prices in Europe had been rising months before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The Free Press | Newsletter Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Poland said in the first four month of 2022, some 19 million tons of coal were produced in Poland's mines, which was some 155,000 tons more than at the same time last year. Poland insists that it's departure from coal, of which it has rich deposits, must be slower than for other European countries because it has not yet developed enough renewable energy sources. Coal mining is also a big employment industry in Poland ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. DETROIT (AP) Teslas with partially automated driving systems are a step closer to being recalled after the U.S. elevated its investigation into a series of collisions with parked emergency vehicles or trucks with warning signs. FILE - A sign bearing the company logo is displayed outside a Tesla store in Cherry Creek Mall in Denver. More than 750 Tesla owners have complained to U.S. safety regulators that cars operating on the automaker's partially automated driving systems have suddenly stopped on roadways for no apparent reason. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed the number in a detailed information request letter to Tesla that was posted Friday, June 3, 2022, on the agency's website.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) DETROIT (AP) Teslas with partially automated driving systems are a step closer to being recalled after the U.S. elevated its investigation into a series of collisions with parked emergency vehicles or trucks with warning signs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday that it is upgrading the Tesla probe to an engineering analysis, another sign of increased scrutiny of the electric vehicle maker and automated systems that perform at least some driving tasks. Documents posted Thursday by the agency raise some serious issues about Tesla's Autopilot system. The agency found that it's being used in areas where its capabilities are limited, and that many drivers aren't taking action to avoid crashes despite warnings from the vehicle. The probe now covers 830,000 vehicles, almost everything that the Austin, Texas, carmaker has sold in the U.S. since the start of the 2014 model year. NHTSA reported that it has found 16 crashes into emergency vehicles and trucks with warning signs, causing 15 injuries and one death. Investigators will evaluate additional data, vehicle performance and explore the degree to which Autopilot and associated Tesla systems may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks, undermining the effectiveness of the driver's supervision," the agency said. A message was left Thursday seeking comment from Tesla. FILE - A 2021 Model 3 sedan is connected to a charger at a Tesla dealership on June 27, 2021, in Littleton, Colo. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday, June 9, 2022, that it's upgrading the probe into an engineering analysis, another sign of increased scrutiny of the electric vehicle maker and automated systems that perform at least some driving tasks. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) An engineering analysis is the final stage of an investigation, and in most cases NHTSA decides within a year if there should be a recall or the probe should be closed. In the majority of the 16 crashes, the Teslas issued collision alerts to the drivers just before impact. Automatic emergency braking intervened to at least slow the cars in about half the cases. On average, Autopilot gave up control of the Teslas less than a second before the crash, NHTSA said in documents detailing the probe. NHTSA also said it's looking into crashes involving similar patterns that did not include emergency vehicles or trucks with warning signs. The agency found that in many cases, drivers had their hands on the steering wheel as Tesla requires, yet failed to take action to avoid a crash. This suggests that drivers are complying with Tesla's monitoring system, but it doesn't make sure they're paying attention. In crashes were video is available, drivers should have seen first responder vehicles an average of eight seconds before impact, the agency wrote. The agency will have to decide if there is a safety defect with Autopilot before pursuing a recall. Investigators also wrote that a driver's use or misuse of the driver monitoring system or operation of a vehicle in an unintended manner does not necessarily preclude a system defect. The agency document all but says Teslas method of making sure drivers pay attention isnt good enough, that it's defective and should be recalled, said Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who studies automated vehicles. It is really easy to have a hand on the wheel and be completely disengaged from driving, he said. Monitoring a driver's hand position is not effective because it only measures a physical position. It is not concerned with their mental capacity, their engagement or their ability to respond." Similar systems from other companies such as General Motors' Super Cruise use infrared cameras to watch a driver's eyes or face to ensure they're looking forward. But even these systems may still allow a driver to zone out, Walker Smith said. This is confirmed in study after study, he said. This is established fact that people can look engaged and not be engaged. You can have your hand on the wheel and you can be looking forward and not have the situational awareness that's required. In total, the agency looked at 191 crashes but removed 85 of them because other drivers were involved or there wasnt enough information to do a definite assessment. Of the remaining 106, the main cause of about one-quarter of the crashes appeared to be running Autopilot in areas where it has limitations, or in conditions that can interfere with its operation. For example, operation on roadways other than limited access highways, or operation in low traction or visibility environments such as rain, snow or ice, the agency wrote. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Other automakers limit use of their systems to limited-access divided highways. The National Transportation Safety Board, which also has investigated some of the Tesla crashes dating to 2016, has recommended that NHTSA and Tesla limit Autopilots use to areas where it can safely operate. The NTSB also recommended that NHTSA require Tesla to have a better system to make sure drivers are paying attention. NHTSA has yet to act on the recommendations. The NTSB can only make recommendations to other federal agencies. In a statement, NHTSA said there arent any vehicles available for purchase today that can drive themselves. Every available vehicle requires the human driver to be in control at all times, and all state laws hold the human driver responsible for operation of their vehicles, the agency said. Driver-assist systems can help avoid crashes but must be used correctly and responsibly, the agency said. Tesla did an online update of Autopilot software last fall to improve camera detection of emergency vehicle lights in low-light conditions. NHTSA has asked why the company didn't do a recall. NHTSA began its inquiry in August of last year after a string of crashes since 2018 in which Teslas using the company's Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control systems hit vehicles at scenes where first responders used flashing lights, flares, an illuminated arrow board, or cones warning of hazards. LOS ANGELES - Canada and California are kindred progressive spirits on climate change, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday as he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a new blueprint for working together to stave off the worst consequences of a warming planet. President Joe Biden speaks during an inaugural ceremony at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, Wednesday, June 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP -Jae C. Hong LOS ANGELES - Canada and California are kindred progressive spirits on climate change, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday as he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a new blueprint for working together to stave off the worst consequences of a warming planet. The framework signed by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Environmental Protection Secretary Jared Blumenfeld, their respective bosses standing behind them, includes modest expansions on a similar 2019 agreement. It also advances policy and regulatory steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants in both jurisdictions, as well as conservation measures and dealing with the worsening threat of wildfires. And it will stand the test of time, Newsom said regardless of who is in power in the California governor's mansion, the White House or the Prime Minister's Office. California is a $3.3-trillion a year economy, he said the fifth-largest in the world, and a "stable partner" whose efforts to address climate issues and pollution standards have been influencing other states and countries, including Canada, for decades. "We punch above our weight," Newsom said, describing the state as a "stable partner" whose regulatory reforms have stood the test of time and the political whims of the electorate. "We carry a lot of weight as it relates to low-carbon green growth, as it relates to efforts to change the way we produce and consume energy regardless of who's in the White House." Trudeau said Canada will always find favour with a partner that's willing to make progress on issues of shared significance. "Canada has always been a country that engages in the world, and whether it's engaging with like-minded countries or like-minded states like California, we're just there to get things done," Trudeau said. "When we find alignment on so many things as we always have with California, but as we specifically have under Gavin Newsom's administration we jump on it." Trudeau delivered an impassioned defence of his government's efforts to rebrand Canada, a country economically dependent on its fossil-fuel resources, as a champion of tackling climate change. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a signing ceremony and joint media availability with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault and California Secretary for Environmental Protection Jared Blumenfeld in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, June 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick It's precisely because of that reputation as an oil-producing nation that Canada has extra credibility on climate issues, Trudeau said. "Moving forward on climate change is really hard for us. We have a thriving fossil fuel industry in our country at a time where the world continues to run on fossil fuels and will for a number more years," he said. "The fact that we have that means it's all the more important for us to step up and show real leadership on fighting climate change, and that's exactly what we've done." Guilbeault later described taking part in a Summit of the Americas meeting to document progress on the Global Methane Pledge, an international effort to target one of the most powerful greenhouse gases. Canada has committed to reducing methane emissions, which can be between 20 to 80 per cent worse for the atmosphere than CO2, by 30 per cent by 2030, Guilbeault said. "We can get a big bang for our buck in terms of emissions reduction and in terms of preventing increases in temperatures," he said. "If we reduce global emissions of methane by 30 per cent between now and 2030, it's 0.5 C that we're basically sucking out of the atmosphere. Less warming means less climate change." The fellowship between Newsom and Trudeau, two progressive leaders in their early 50s who cut a similar silhouette, was evident from the moment they met on the front steps of the California Science Center. The pair chatted and laughed out loud at each other's jokes as they sat down for a brief luncheon meeting before their joint news conference, where Newsom joked about Trudeau's popularity with his staff, a lack of term limits in Canada and how he himself is a "future ex-governor of California." The bonhomie gave way to a more sombre meeting later Thursday between Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden at the Summit of the Americas. Biden agreed during that meeting that he would finally pay an in-person visit to Canada in the coming months, his first since becoming president in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With Trudeau seated next to him, Biden delivered the standard White House greeting about the U.S. having "no better friend in the world than Canada" and said he and the prime minister share a similar vision for the hemisphere. "I think we both share the same sense that the possibilities for our hemisphere are unlimited," Biden said, calling it the "most democratic hemisphere in the world." Trudeau responded by saying it's "extraordinarily important" for close partners like Canada and the U.S. to be there for each other and for allies around the world. "The work that we can do on supporting and projecting and sharing our values is a way of actually supporting and impacting citizens around the world," Trudeau said. Doing so, he said, helps make the case "that democracy is not just fairer, but it's also better for citizens, putting food on the table, putting futures in front of them." The federal government's official readout of the meeting mentioned their mutual support of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, and that Trudeau also brought up Canada's support for NATO and the plan to modernize the continental defence system known as Norad. Trudeau also "expressed his support" for Biden's proposed hemispheric "Partnership for Economic Prosperity," but the readout did not mention whether Canada has been invited to take part. Trudeau also committed to working closely with the U.S. and other partners "to respond to the current humanitarian, protection, and irregular migration challenges in the region." They also discussed supply chains and co-operating on securing critical minerals. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The White House readout went further, saying the two "discussed the potential of developing critical minerals in both countries," as well as "joint efforts" to protect supply chains from "external shocks." Trudeau also made the point that U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber "are placing further pressure on home prices and affordability." Trudeau also sat down Thursday with the president of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez, before sitting down with Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company. Argentina and Canada have a lot of "common ground" on shared values, including climate change and gender equality, Fernandez said. "Canada is a great country and has a great prime minister," he said. "There's a lot for us to do together." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2022. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) From the battlefronts of Ukraine comes rap music filled with the anger and indignation of a young generation that, once the fighting is done, will certainly never forget and may never forgive. Viacheslav Drofa, known as Otoy, holds his rifle during an interview with The Associated Press at his home in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, June 4, 2022. From the battlefronts of Ukraine comes rap music filled with the anger and indignation of a young generation that, once the fighting is done, will certainly never forget and may never forgive.Ukrainian rapper-turned-volunteer soldier Otoy is putting the war into words and thumping baselines, tapping out lyrics under Russian shelling on his phone, with the light turned low to avoid becoming a target. It helps numb the nerve-shredding stress of combat. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) From the battlefronts of Ukraine comes rap music filled with the anger and indignation of a young generation that, once the fighting is done, will certainly never forget and may never forgive. Ukrainian rapper-turned-volunteer soldier Otoy is putting the war into words and thumping baselines, tapping out lyrics under Russian shelling on his phone, with the light turned low to avoid becoming a target. It helps numb the nerve-shredding stress of combat. Russian soldiers drink vodka, we are making music, says the rapper, whose real name is Viacheslav Drofa, a sad-eyed 23-year-old who hadn't known he could kill until he had a Russian soldier in his sights and pulled the trigger in the war's opening weeks. One of the ironies of the Feb. 24 invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin is that in ordering the destruction of Ukrainian towns and cities, he is fueling one of the very things he wanted to extinguish: a rising tide of fierce Ukrainian nationalism, forged in the blood of tens of thousands of Ukrainian dead and the misery of millions who have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods and peace. Just as many people in France found it impossible to absolve Germany after two invasions a quarter-century apart in World Wars I and II, young Ukrainians say three-plus months of brutality have filled them with burning hatred for Russia. In France, antipathy for all things German lasted a generation or more. Only in 1984 four decades after Nazi Germany's capitulation were French and German leaders Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl able to stand hand-in-hand in reconciliation at a WWI monument in France filled with bones of the dead. In Ukraine, the young generation born after the country's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 likewise say they cannot imagine feeling anything but disgust for Russia for the duration of their lifetimes. Otoys lyrics, with choice expletives directed at Russia and stark descriptions of Russian war dead, speak from the heart he lost his older brother, a soldier, in the siege of the Azovstal steel mill in the devastated port city of Mariupol. But they also give voice to the cold fury shared by many of his peers, now pouring out in song, in art and tattoos, online in hashtags proclaiming, death to the enemies, and memes targeting Putin, and in fundraising activism for the war effort. In Enemy, one of four new tracks that Otoy penned between and during stints on the battlefield driving ammunition and weaponry to front-line troops, he snarls of Russian soldiers: Were not scared but we are nauseous, because you smell stale even when your heart still beats. Bullets await you, you sinners. He imagines a taunting conversation with the widow of a dead Russian soldier, singing: Well, Natasha, where is your husband? Hes a layer in a swamp, face-down. Natasha, he wont come home." Others are riffing off the war, too. In the furious heavy metal track We will kill you all," the band Surface Tension screams: We will dance on your bones. Your mom won't come for you." The expletive-laced track has accumulated more than 59,000 views since its April 5 release on Youtube. Iryna Osypenko, 25, was among concertgoers at a fundraising music festival last weekend in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where Otoy gave a fiery performance. She broke down in tears as she explained how the growing reservations she'd had about Russia before the invasion have scaled up into rage. I hate them and, I'm sorry, it will never change," she said. I will explain it to my children and I hope that my children will explain to their children." Otoy says that if he has kids, he'll do likewise, telling them, the Russians were killing my family, killing my brothers, my sisters, bombing our theaters, hospitals. It's not just that I dont like Russia, I hate this country, and I hate Russian people as much as I can, he said in an interview in his Kyiv apartment, where he records and stores his guns and combat gear. If I had the ability to save the life of a dog or the ability to save the life of a Russian soldier, I would pick the dog." His older brother, Dmitry Lisen, is missing, believed dead in the bombed-out ruins of Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks. He was a fighter with the Azov Regiment, among the units that clung doggedly to the surrounded plant for nearly three months, becoming an enduring symbol of Ukrainian resistance. Otoy dedicated his song, Find My Country, to Azovstal's defenders rapping in English with the aim, he says, of reaching people all around the world. This is my lands, you boys should leave," he sings, holding a rifle and dressed in combat gear in the track's video on YouTube. Miss those Fridays we used to have, kisses, twilights, refuse to sleep. Now we soldiers. His duties of late have included helping at a military hospital with the triage of bodies from Azovstal, turned over by Russian forces in an exchange. His brother's remains are still missing. He's also working on his collection of songs largely penned during repeated ammunition runs to troops in the east, where fighting has raged since Russian forces were pushed back in their initial assault on Kyiv. Themes include life on the front and the camaraderie of soldiers, war-time life for civilians, enmity and fighting for Ukrainian freedom. He says the mini-album reeks of "the smell of war dust. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I was actually lying on the ground under the airstrikes and bomb shelling, he said. You can actually the feel the smell of, you know, like bombs, dead bodies, and dust, blood and other stuff. This is the best way to show your hate, I think. ___ Hanna Arhirova contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine LOS ANGELES - The prime minister of Barbados evoked a Jamaican reggae legend Wednesday as she described in stark terms the "triple crisis" in her region that's threatening the health and welfare of the entire Western Hemisphere. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau arrive in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Prime Minister Trudeau will spend the rest of the week in Los Angeles, where President Joe Biden is hosting leaders from across the Western Hemisphere for the Summit of the Americas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick LOS ANGELES - The prime minister of Barbados evoked a Jamaican reggae legend Wednesday as she described in stark terms the "triple crisis" in her region that's threatening the health and welfare of the entire Western Hemisphere. "Bob Marley would say, 'So much trouble in the world,'" Mia Mottley said at the outset of a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for him the first of many at this week's Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. The plight Mottley described is hardly unfamiliar: the lasting economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring fuel and food costs exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, and a climate crisis that's being felt most acutely in tiny island nations like Barbados. She also cited the worsening problem of antimicrobial resistance, a particular scourge in her part of the world that's killing more than a million people each year by rendering life-saving medications and treatments ineffective. And she suggested that it's high time the rest of the world or at least the dozens of leaders gathered this week in California take notice. "We don't expect things to change immediately," Mottley said. "But what we expect is fairness, what we expect is transparency, what we expect is that just as we want to see people here, we want people to see, feel and hear us as well." For Trudeau, it was a fitting start to a summit that for Canada is focused on finding lasting solutions to the ever-present economic and social challenges for Latin American and Caribbean countries challenges that pose potentially grave threats to the developed countries that lie further north. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley during the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Mottley and Trudeau later took part in a roundtable discussion with leaders from Chile, Belize, Ecuador and Jamaica. Trudeau said they heard complaints about large financial institutions failing to provide the support necessary for small and developing countries to help their citizens. Trudeau said it is vital for their democracies to thrive and for their people to share in the rewards and realize the benefits. "We need as like-minded countries, but quite frankly, as a world we need democracies to succeed," he said. "In order for democracies to succeed at a time where they're backsliding, where they're under pressure from all sorts of corners of the world, we need our citizens to feel that success." Fostering economic success and social stability at home is a key part of the strategy for staving off another problem confronting the hemisphere: the constant migratory tide of would-be refugees who are making their way to the Mexico-U.S. border. "Nobody leaves his or her home because they want to, they leave because there are no opportunities because they're facing poverty and an untenable situation," said Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly after the first of her two scheduled meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "We have to look at the question of creating opportunities in our hemisphere. We need to give trust in people that they can be living in their country, having access to services, to good education for their children, and good health care." Canada's goal, she added, is "to make sure that some of the concerns of these countries are addressed by our American friends." U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Los Angeles late Wednesday to kick off the summit but not before he took advantage of being on the West Coast to tape an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Biden is using the opening ceremony to unveil a new hemispheric "partnership" aimed at driving economic growth across the region, which the White House says accounts for 31.9 per cent of global GDP. The new initiative appears to be a continental cousin to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, Biden's new partnership with regional powers like Japan, India and South Korea to counter the growing influence of China. And it's a chance for Canada to get serious about partnering with the United States, said Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada. "It's an opportunity for us to not just seem to be, but actually be a reliable partner that the United States can count on to help advance our collective interests," said Hyder, who took part in meetings with other private-sector stakeholders on the margins of the summit. Hyder has assailed the Trudeau government for not being more aggressive in seeking an invitation to the Indo-Pacific party. "You assert yourself into these things, because it is in our national interest," he said. "These frameworks are America's response to wanting to stay away from trade agreements, clearly. So it's best to be in the room than on the outside looking in." The Free Press | Newsletter Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Canada is using the summit to push for "urgent action" to confront climate change, another key factor in fuelling out-migration, and looking for funding initiatives to help countries in the region. Advancing gender equality and fostering the economic and democratic growth that comes with it is another pillar of Canada's summit strategy. Trudeau also met Wednesday with Shilpan Amin, the president of General Motors International, about electric vehicles, the hemisphere's climate goals and the effort to energize economic growth. Enhancing economic integration and opportunities for export growth in the region will be another key driver of success, Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in Ottawa. "I think that this is an economic zone where Canada can play a leading role with the Caribbean, with Central America, with South America." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2022. HALIFAX - The inquiry investigating the Nova Scotia mass shooting has released new details about the Mounties' scramble to find an aircraft to track down the killer on the night of April 18, 2020. Commissioners Leanne Fitch, Michael MacDonald, chair, and Kim Stanton, left to right, observe as Lia Scanlan, director of strategic communications for the Nova Scotia RCMP, is questioned by counsel Roger Burrill at the Mass Casualty Commission inquiry into the mass murders in rural Nova Scotia on April 18/19, 2020, in Truro, N.S. on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. The inquiry investigating the Nova Scotia mass shooting has released new details about the Mounties' scramble to find an aircraft to track down the killer on the night of April 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan HALIFAX - The inquiry investigating the Nova Scotia mass shooting has released new details about the Mounties' scramble to find an aircraft to track down the killer on the night of April 18, 2020. Documents released Thursday show RCMP commanders were beset by bureaucratic hurdles and muddled advice before they eventually found a helicopter. But the mission the next day was marred by technical glitches that left its crew one step behind the killer's progress. Early in their 13-hour manhunt for the shooter, the Mounties requested the use of an RCMP helicopter. But it was grounded for maintenance, the inquiry has heard. Meanwhile, the RCMP's fixed-wing aircraft for the Atlantic region was also unavailable. Staff shortages stemming from COVID-19 restrictions had prolonged its annual maintenance in Moncton, N.B. That bad news was confirmed to RCMP commanders at 11:16 p.m., just over an hour after a man disguised as a Mountie and driving a replica RCMP cruiser started killing neighbours and strangers in Portapique, N.S., about 130 kilometres north of Halifax. In all, the killer fatally shot 13 people and set fire to several homes in the subdivision. He later escaped on a little-used back road. Early the next day, he resumed his rampage, murdering another nine people before he was shot dead by two Mounties at a gas station. The inquiry has heard the Mounties wanted an aircraft with an infrared sensor that could pick up the heat signature of a human body because the suspect could have been hiding in one of the subdivision's dark, wooded lots. Their first call was to the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) in Halifax, which handles military and coast guard search-and-rescue operations. But they hit a snag when the Mounties were told the JRCC's aircraft could not be deployed to look for an active shooter. On a subsequent call, however, the Mounties learned the military could provide an aircraft, but the request had to go through official channels. "That request has to go from the RCMP through the province to the federal government," an unidentified official is quoted as saying that night. "I know it sounds convoluted, but thats just the only way we can do it." The process was started but wasn't completed. Meanwhile, the Mounties also looked into chartering a civilian aircraft or borrowing one from the federal Fisheries Department or Transport Canada. And there was talk about getting an RCMP aircraft from Montreal or Ontario. Again, those options did not pan out. At 3:15 a.m., the RCMP asked Nova Scotia's Department of Lands and Forestry if one of the department's four helicopters was available, even though none of them was equipped with Forward-Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR). Though a helicopter was available, it was restricted to flying in the daytime and could not take off before 6 a.m. With no other options, the Mounties made the arrangements. With pilot Ken Corkum at the controls, the Airbus H125 helicopter arrived over Portapique at 8:47 a.m., according to a summary of evidence, known as a foundational document. Also aboard was an RCMP spotter. Though the weather was clear, the mission did not go smoothly. There was confusion over the use of radio channels. The Mounties wanted Corkum to use encrypted channels to ensure the killer couldn't monitor their messages. But Corkum was initially unaware his radio had that capability. And when he realized those channels were available, they didn't seem to work for him. At 9:48 a.m., the RCMP received a 911 call from a couple in Glenholme, N.S., where the killer had just approached their home with a rifle in hand. After knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell, he left only two minutes later at 9:50 a.m. Less than two minutes after that, Corkum was told of the sighting, but the RCMP officer who alerted him, Staff Sgt. Kevin Surette, had trouble relaying the co-ordinates when the pilot failed to respond. By 9:55 a.m., the helicopter was still 2.8 kilometres south of the home and the killer was gone. Adding to the confusion was Surette's warning that the armed suspect was still in the house on the second floor. "This information was incorrect," the document says. "It was the resident of the property, Adam Fisher, who was armed and present within the residence." The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. When more shootings were reported in nearby Debert, N.S., the helicopter arrived minutes later. But there was a series of radio problems, no sightings, and then it was time for a refuelling stop. It was during that stopover that RCMP Const. Chad Morrison was wounded by the gunman in Shubenacadie, N.S. By the time the helicopter arrived overhead at 11:13 a.m., the gunman had fatally shot Const. Heidi Stevenson and fled in a stolen car. Corkum was told to fly south toward Milford, N.S., but he had to land in a farmer's field because the RCMP constable aboard was airsick. The helicopter later arrived over a gas station in Enfield, N.S., one minute after the killer was shot dead at 11:26 a.m. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2022. Always keeping an eye out for beauty, two Winnipeg artists who set out to help Manitobans understand the diversity of the provinces religious communities have recently delivered a portfolio full of captivating images and stories. Always keeping an eye out for beauty, two Winnipeg artists who set out to help Manitobans understand the diversity of the provinces religious communities have recently delivered a portfolio full of captivating images and stories. "We wanted it to be about people, but we also wanted to appeal to the beauty that can be found in these different faiths," said painter and curator Ray Dirks, who co-authored A World of Faith and Spirituality with painter Manju Lodha. A decade in the making, the resulting 213-page coffee table book is packed with essays and reflections by some 200 people, reflecting dozens of faith traditions. It also includes 800 photos of sacred spaces and the people who worship there. Most were shot by Dirks, who retired as curator of the MHC Gallery at Canadian Mennonite University last summer. The project grew out of Lodhas desire to reflect the diversity of Manitobas religious and cultural communities beyond the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The book includes contributions from Buddhists, Indigenous Peoples, Hindus, Bahai, Jains, Sikhs, Unitarian Universalists and Yazidis. "We were accepted as harmless artists," said Lodha of the welcome she and Dirks received in these communities. "We hadnt come to preach anything, we hadnt come to enforce anything. We were seeking understanding." Lodha and Dirks will launch their book 7:30 p.m. tonight at the chapel at CMU (600 Shaftesbury Blvd.). In 2018, the pair received the Lieutenant-Governors Award for the Advancement of Interreligious Understanding for their multifaith and multicultural work in schools and art exhibits. In 2011, Dirks and Lodha, along with artist Isam Aboud, a Muslim man originally from Sudan, published In the Spirit of Humanity, featuring art collected from their school workshops. This project is much wider in scope. Lodha and Dirks visited Sagkeeng First Nation, Muslim newcomers in Altona, many houses of worship in Winnipeg, and participated in Shabbat dinner at the River Heights home of Ruth Ashrafi. "That was the most amazing experience," recalled Dirks of how Ashrafi invited Mennonite and Hindu guests to the traditional Jewish Friday family meal. "We were seeking, and they were willing to share." That curiosity extended both ways, and feels easier in Canada than her native Holland, said Ashrafi, who moved to Winnipeg about 15 years ago The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I think its one of the great attractions of Winnipeg that there are so many faith traditions and people dont live in a silo," said Ashrafi, regional director for Manitoba for Bnai Brith Canada. A publication such as World of Faith can be a great resource for educators and anyone interested in knowing more about their neighbours, said Belle Jarniewski, who wrote a short reflection for the book as past-president of the Manitoba Multifaith Council. "The more you know about one another, the better relationship we have with (one) another," said Jarniewski, executive director of Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada. "Were enriched by sharing of faith (traditions)." Recalling her hesitancy when she first met Dirks, wondering if a Mennonite art gallery would be interested in the art of someone who practised Hinduism and Jainism, Lodha said this book is a fulfilment of her dream to see more resources for the discussion of world religions in schools and homes. "The core values are the same and we all seek divinity," said Lodha. "We seek it in different people and different things." faith@freepress.mb.ca In his final months as mayor, Brian Bowman is promising to seek accountability for the over-budget and hotly criticized Winnipeg Police Service headquarters construction project. In his final months as mayor, Brian Bowman is promising to seek accountability for the over-budget and hotly criticized Winnipeg Police Service headquarters construction project. During his final state of the city address Wednesday, Bowman told the crowd of about 900 gathered at the RBC Convention Centre he will continue to focus on addressing one of the biggest scandals in Winnipegs history. According to the court, (it) involved bribery and a breach of trust and a breach of loyalty. We need to ensure that everyone that should be held accountable is held accountable. Our residents trust and confidence in government itself is at stake which is why I will spend every remaining day in office defending taxpayers and demanding accountability. And its why our next mayor and council must absolutely see this through, he said. Serious allegations linked to the police HQ at 266 Graham Ave. have plagued city council for years. The building opened in June 2016 at a cost of about $214 million, well above its original $135-million price tag. An external audit found the project was severely mismanaged. The RCMP conducted a lengthy investigation into fraud and forgery allegations, but no criminal charges were laid. Bowman, who is not seeking a third term in the Oct. 26 civic election, told media he remains devoted to getting to the bottom of the issue. Weve seen one legal win thats been significant but the larger action is still going to unfold, (which) is much more significant in terms of dollars than what weve seen right now. There is the possibility that additional parties could be added by our legal team (as defendants) if its warranted and if its appropriate and thats something that Ill certainly support, he said, after the speech. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It could be members of the public service or former members of council (depending on) where the evidence and where the facts and the legal position (indicates) that its appropriate and that its warranted. In a civil court decision, Court of Queens Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal ruled the citys former chief administrative officer, Phil Sheegl, accepted a bribe from a key contractor on the project. The court later ordered Sheegl to pay the city nearly $1.1 million. Sheegls lawyer has since appealed the ruling, claiming the decision is clearly wrong and amounts to an injustice. The decision stems from a civil suit the City of Winnipeg launched in 2020, which alleged a fraudulent scheme took place and named many other defendants. The civil suit was later split up, and the city is still pursuing legal action against the other parties. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga When Matthew Hildebrand ran over 82-year-old George Birch with his tow truck, he robbed the world of a kind-hearted man who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who wanted it. When Matthew Hildebrand ran over 82-year-old George Birch with his tow truck, he robbed the world of a "kind-hearted man" who would "give the shirt off his back to anyone who wanted it." "I cant say I forgive you, but I hope you have remorse for taking a life," Georges son, Jeff Birch, wrote in a victim impact statement read at Hildebrands sentencing Wednesday. "I certainly hope with time you become a person who makes better choices in life." George Birch died June 15, 2021, after he interrupted Hildebrand and another man stealing property from his business, Jimmy Diesel Parts Company, on Logan Avenue. I cant say I forgive you, but I hope you have remorse for taking a life. Jeff Birch, George Birch's son Hildebrand, 23, was originally charged with manslaughter but pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count each of dangerous driving causing death, leaving the scene of an accident and theft. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Court heard Hildebrand ran his own business securing old vehicles and stripping them for parts. "Hes very industrious," defence lawyer Mike Cook told Queens Bench Justice Sheldon Lanchbery. "Unfortunately, he used his tow truck for nefarious purposes and with an older man put together a plan to visit Jimmy Diesels and steal property from the lot." According to an agreed statement of facts provided to court, Hildebrand and a co-accused broke into the Logan Avenue compound multiple times in the two days prior to Birchs death and used Hildebrands tow truck to steal several vehicles, including a tow truck, a GMC crane truck, a New Holland skid steer and Birchs 1984 Mercedes. ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES George Birch died June 15, 2021, after he interrupted Matthew Hildebrand and another man stealing property from his business, Jimmy Diesel Parts Company, on Logan Avenue. At one point, an acquaintance of Birchs spotted Hildebrand and his co-accused on the property and questioned why they were there. Hildebrands co-accused told the man they were removing property at the behest of Birchs lawyer. When the acquaintance saw the same two men at the compound around 8 a.m. on June 15, he alerted Birch. Birch and the acquaintance confronted the intruders, who again claimed they were working for the business owners lawyer. As Birchs companion called police, Hildebrands co-accused fled through the compound gate while Hildebrand moved toward his tow truck. Birch followed Hildebrand to the tow truck and was run over as Hildebrand made a sharp left turn to escape. "The Crown accepts that at this point Matthew Hildebrand was panicking and did not want to get caught for stealing, and did not intend to hit George Birch with the tow truck," Crown attorney Kelsey Harrison told court, reading from the agreed statement of facts. "However, Matthew Hildebrand knew George Birch was standing near the front of the tow truck on the drivers side immediately before he accelerated to leave and his view of George Birch was not obstructed in any way," Harrison said. ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Police officers work on the scene of the collision near the corner of Logan Avenue and Tecumseh Street in Winnipeg. Hildebrand pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count each of dangerous driving causing death, leaving the scene of an accident and theft. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Police arrested Hildebrand two hours later at his own rented compound on Mission Street, where he was spotted driving the same skid steer stolen from Jimmy Diesel. Hildebrand apologized to Birchs family, saying he understood if they could not forgive him. "I know apologies cant undo things, but nonetheless I am sorry," he said. "I pray that they can find closure today." Lanchbery credited Hildebrand for time served, reducing his remaining sentence to approximately three years and nine months. Lanchbery also ordered Hildebrand be prohibited from driving for 15 years. Hildebrands co-accused was charged with one count of break and enter. The charge was later stayed. dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Manitoba will spend $700,000 to expand cognitive behavioural therapy programs. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The funding will train up to 100 new facilitators and bring in up to 1,000 new participants who want to improve their mental health through skill-building therapy online or at in-person classes. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for prevention and treatment resources for mental health, said Sarah Guillemard, minister for mental health. In the last five years, more than 50 hospitals and community spaces received training to deliver classes in the province. The team has spent the last five years building a strong clinical program that provides essential-skills support people in their journey towards mental wellness, said Shay-Lee Bolton, University of Manitoba assistant professor in psychiatry and community health sciences. These programs provide most value when there is real change for participants. It is important for us as a team to evaluate the usefulness of (therapy) and how the program can be changed to fit the diverse population in our province. Manitobans will be able to take virtual classes, and work is underway to provide the classes in both English and French. Targeted programming already exists to provide specified support for groups including Indigenous communities, public safety personnel, pregnant women and cancer patients. Four months after accusing the provinces most powerful First Nations chief of sexual assault, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs acting executive director Shauna Fontaine was forced to shed her anonymity after her employer refused to initiate a trauma-informed inquiry. Four months after accusing the provinces most powerful First Nations chief of sexual assault, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs acting executive director Shauna Fontaine was forced to shed her anonymity after her employer refused to initiate a trauma-informed inquiry. On Wednesday, Fontaine published a statement on social media that identified her as the source of the formal complaint against AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas. SUPPLIED Shauna Fontaine The 42-year-old mother and member of Sagkeeng First Nation said she gave up her right to privacy to address any confidentiality concerns the AMC might have in launching an independent inquiry into Dumass conduct, co-led by the AMC and victim advocates. "I felt at a loss. I already feel so isolated," Fontaine said in an interview with the Free Press. "Im extremely isolated and unsupported by my employer at this time and I want them to accept that invitation for a trauma-informed practice with a healing-centred approach." In a letter sent to the executive council in mid-March, Fontaine described an unsafe work environment where she was subject to gender-based violence since her hiring in November 2021, including harassment and sexual misconduct. She noted a criminal complaint had been made to the Winnipeg Police Service, alleging Dumas had sexually assaulted her. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas The assembly subsequently suspended Dumas and retained a law firm to conduct the workplace investigation, with a final report expected at the end of this month. Police have not laid any charges against Dumas. On Monday, an open letter calling on the AMC to launch an independent commission of inquiry "that is trauma-informed, co-developed and co-led by AMC and victim advocates as agreed upon by both parties" was sent to chiefs, with signatures from provincial and federal politicians, as well as several highly regarded First Nations community leaders. As of Wednesday, the open letter had received more than 200 signatures. In response to questions from reporters, the AMC issued a statement Tuesday, saying it could not undertake "any process that would jeopardize" its legal obligations while an independent workplace investigation is underway. "There are several advocates who have kindly offered assistance with this process. The AMC appreciates their well-meaning intentions; however, the AMC is required to maintain the complainants confidentiality," the statement said, in part. "Failure to do so would be inconsistent with a trauma-informed approach to workplace investigations." However, Fontaine said she is concerned about the objectivity of the human resources investigation. She described the experience so far as isolating, painful, lacking counselling and support, and not based in trauma-informed practices. "Im not being included in the process. Im not being communicated with or provided with updates into where things are at," Fontaine said. "I read about these things in news releases, just like everybody else does." By contrast, Fontaine said she feels believed by the WPS, adding police appear to be doing due diligence. "Perpetrators of violence need to be held accountable in all sectors of society, including in the workplace," Fontaine said. "Especially considering the impacts of violence against Indigenous women and girls, we need to believe survivors and victims when they come forward." The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Sandra DeLaronde, a lead signatory to the open letter and former co-chair of Manitobas MMIWG2S Coalition, said the assembly has not responded to the request as of Wednesday, other than to provide a statement previously issued to the press. "They havent considered anyway forward that would give voice to the concerns of other people," DeLaronde said. The assembly must establish a process that includes victim advocates to ensure people who come forward with complaints or allegations against AMC leadership are supported and feel safe voicing concerns, DeLaronde said. "The AMC provided an outstanding report to the (National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls) that talked about a fair and transparent process for Indigenous women to be heard," DeLaronde said. "The expectations they have of Canada and others should be the same expectation for our communities." AMC did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba families will know faster whether a child has spinal muscular atrophy, due to an expansion of the newborn screening program. Manitoba families will know faster whether a child has spinal muscular atrophy, due to an expansion of the newborn screening program. On Wednesday, the province announced Muscular Dystrophy Canada will donate $235,000 over two years to the Cadham Provincial Laboratory to support a pilot program which will expand the newborn screening to also include SMA. SMA is the most common cause of fatal genetic disorders in children, after cystic fibrosis. The disorder, which causes muscle loss and weakening, with the most common type leading to death by two years of age, affects about one in every 18,000 babies. "We are so happy and grateful that, going forward, no other family in Manitoba affected by SMA will have to experience the fear and pain of watching their child lose strength and abilities without knowing why and the feeling of helplessness while searching for an answer," Maylia Bodman said in a statement. Her daughter, Braelynn, wasnt diagnosed with SMA until she was one year old. "While there wasnt treatment available when our daughter was diagnosed, we know that getting a diagnosis quickly also means timely access to treatment before symptoms start. "This will both save lives and change lives." Currently, the newborn screening program screens for more than 45 disorders, with 15 to 25 newborns found to need early and critical specialist care. Stacey Lintern, Muscular Dystrophy Canada chief executive officer, thanked the province and Cadham for helping change the lives of families and babies. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "In a neuromuscular disorder like SMA, where time is of the essence, early diagnosis and prompt access to treatments are critical to achieving the best possible outcomes," Lintern said in a statement. "SMA screening will diagnose babies before irreversible disease occurs and connect them to early care that will give them much greater opportunity to live active, healthy lives," said Dr. Paul Van Caeseele, Cadhams medical director. Early diagnosis is key to improving outcomes for babies born with different types of disorders, Health Minister Audrey Gordon said. "Our government is proud to work with our partners across the health-care system to expand the newborn screening program to include testing for SMA because we know it is the first step in accessing treatment and ensuring the best outcomes for families," Gordon said in a statement. Gordon also noted the province recently added two new drugs for SMA to the provincial drug formulary: Evrysdi, a disease-modifying therapy given daily, and Zolgensma, a gene replacement therapy given once intravenously to slow the diseases progression. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca Prosecutors have decided not to appeal the acquittal of a Winnipeg Police Service officer who was accused of assaulting a man during an off-duty incident five years ago. Prosecutors have decided not to appeal the acquittal of a Winnipeg Police Service officer who was accused of assaulting a man during an off-duty incident five years ago. Following a trial, provincial court Judge Sidney Lerner said key decisions by the Crown attorney left him with reasonable doubt about what happened that night, and he had no choice but to acquit patrol Sgt. Sean Cassidy. The Manitoba Prosecution Service had until Wednesday to pursue an appeal of the May 9 decision, which has raised questions about the Crowns handling of the case and how police officers are prosecuted in Manitoba. "After careful consideration of the matter by senior justice counsel, and the available grounds for appeal at law, the Crown will not be appealing the decision of the Honourable Judge S. Lerner," a spokesperson for the province wrote in an email to the Free Press. Cassidys lawyer, Lisa LaBossiere, said the prosecution service has experienced appeal Crowns "who review these matters pursuant to their own internal process and policies." "It would be inappropriate for me, or anyone for that matter, to comment without access to all of the relevant information," she wrote in an email. Karl Gowenlock, a lawyer for complainant Jamie Cote, declined to comment. Cote alleged he was assaulted by Cassidy in the early hours of March 28, 2017. During a trial last year, Cote said he and his roommate went to La Salle, just south of Winnipeg, to drop off flyers for his city-based landscaping business. Cassidy said he became suspicious after seeing Cotes truck while returning home from work in his personal vehicle, as there had been break-ins in the area. The chance encounter led to a pursuit on the Perimeter Highway, with Cote claiming he was chased by Cassidy, and Cassidy alleging he was pursued by Cote. After Cassidy called 911, a marked police car was waiting on St. Marys Road, as Cote and the off-duty officer drove into the city around 1 a.m. The assault is alleged to have occurred while Cote was arrested after he pulled over and Cassidy, who was not in uniform, arrived at the scene in his van. The police officers who responded to the 911 call described "nothing untoward" about the force or techniques used by Cassidy, Lerner noted in his decision. The judge pointed to the Crowns decisions to call the officers as witnesses in the case, and to ask the court in a closing submission to accept Cassidys version of events about the use of force during the arrest. Lerner also said he didnt believe Cassidys version of what happened in La Salle and during the Perimeter Highway chase. The judge was in a "position of uncertainty as to who and what is to be believed in this case," he said. Ottawa-based criminal defence attorney Valerie Black St-Laurent, founder and executive director of the Canadian Journal of Law and Justice, said the grounds for an appeal are unreasonable verdict, an error of law, a miscarriage of justice, misapprehension of evidence or if a judge hasnt given sufficient reasons to justify how they arrived at a verdict. Some grounds were not available to the Crown based on its own decisions during the trial and the legal test Lerner applied while assessing the contradicting evidence from the complainant and accused, she said. "Indeed, since the Crown asked the judge to reject part of Cotes testimony, it would be difficult to appeal based on misapprehension of the evidence, given they were the ones to indicate that part of their evidence should not be considered," Black St-Laurent wrote Wednesday in an email. "So while I cannot comment specifically on why the Crown chose not to appeal or if an appeal would have had any success, I can nonetheless say that certain decisions that were made during this trial eliminated possible grounds of appeal." Following the 2017 arrest, Cote was released without charge. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In a statement last week, he said he felt the Crowns case "was set up to fail from the beginning," while Gowenlock said the prosecutors decisions made a conviction impossible. Cote is proceeding with a lawsuit against Cassidy and the City of Winnipeg. Cassidy and the city have not filed statements of defence. "Given that the burden of proof threshold is lower is civil matters (assessed on a balance of probabilities) than in criminal matters (assessed beyond a reasonable doubt), Cote may very well be successful," Black St-Laurent wrote. In March, Cassidy was acquitted of logging into a police database to fix his own school zone photo-radar speeding ticket, despite a judge finding his defence was "almost implausible." chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @chriskitching Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson is no longer welcome at Pride Winnipeg events after the Progressive Conservative leader failed to march in Sundays parade. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson is no longer welcome at Pride Winnipeg events after the Progressive Conservative leader failed to march in Sundays parade. The premiers office lied to organizers and the LGBTTQ+ community when it confirmed on multiple occasions that Stefanson would march alongside parade participants, said Pride Winnipeg president Barry Karlenzig. After Stefanson delivered remarks at the annual rally on the west lawn of the Manitoba Legislative grounds, the premier did not join the small cohort of Tory caucus members who walked in the parade, Karlenzig said. "Its a breach of trust. As a community organization, were not going to put up with it," Karlenzig said in an interview with the Free Press. In 2019, the organization adopted a policy to ensure all political leaders invited to speak at the annual Pride rally would also march in the parade immediately afterward. The policy was developed, partly, in response, to former premier Brian Pallisters tendency of speaking at the rally and making a swift departure, Karlenzig said. Karlenzig insisted the premiers office was made aware of the policy and Pride Winnipeg agreed to accommodate Stefansons schedule, which only permitted her to walk part of the parade route. "We had multiple meetings with that office and as chair of the board I was lied to," Karlenzig said. "We were told as a community, and we were proud to announce to the community, Premier Stefanson has confirmed she will walk in the parade. Not only have you lied to me, youve lied to our community." Stefanson was unable to attend the parade due to a scheduling conflict and a miscommunication between her staff and Pride Winnipeg organizers, she said in a statement sent to media. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS PC MLAs Shannon Martin and Obby Khan take part in the Pride Parade in downtown Winnipeg Sunday. The premier said she was unable to march in the parade due to a scheduling conflict and a miscommunication between her staff and Pride Winnipeg organizers. "I want to sincerely apologize to Pride Winnipeg and the 2SLGBTQ+ community for not being able to join in the march portion of Sundays events," the statement said. As of Thursday morning, neither the premier nor anyone from her office had reached out to Pride Winnipeg to offer an apology, Karlenzig said. However, apology or not, Stefanson will not be invited to future Pride Winnipeg events, he said. "That bridge has been burnt. Were supposed to be the voice for those socially excluded groups during Pride season, and those socially excluded groups right now have no trust in the premier." Following an unrelated media event on the Health Sciences Centre campus on Thursday, Stefanson told reporters she did not know it was a requirement to be in the parade and her staff did not relay the message. She reiterated her apology. "I was not aware of that. Had I been, I would have no problem being there and doing this," she said. Prior to the Pride Winnipeg rally, Stefanson attended the Love You Run for Women in support of the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. After the rally, she went to a meet and greet at the Maples Community Centre hosted by the Maples Seniors Indo-Canadian Society Inc., where Ministers Jon Reyes and Andrew Smith were also in attendance. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Stefanson said her office reached out to Pride Winnipeg and she wants to schedule a meeting with the organization. It would have been disrespectful to leave part way through the parade to attend another event, she added. "I think it was a miscommunication. I want to ensure that we try and build back that relationship," Stefanson said. Words will not be enough to repair this breach of trust, said Karlenzig. "As a grassroots organization, we started as a protest. There is still protesting every day because there isnt equal rights for everyone. When our heads of government say one thing to us, and then just show up for a photo op and leave, how do we know theyre supporting our community?" he said. "If you are truly a supporter of the community, prove it." Asked if there is anything her government could do to show support for the LGBTTQ+ community, Stefanson said her office has reached out to Pride Winnipeg and she looks forward to a meeting. Did the Crown take a dive? There are many questions swirling around the recent acquittal of Winnipeg Police Service Sgt. Sean Cassidy, who, while off-duty, had been accused of chasing down landscaper Jamie Cote, pulling him from his vehicle and attacking him. What exactly happened between the two men in La Salle where the confrontation began? Who chased whom on the highway into Winnipeg? How much force was used to get Cote out of his vehicle? All those pale in comparison to the biggest concern hovering over this case: was this a prosecution deliberately designed to fail? Following the acquittal last week, the answer has still not been unearthed. The are few undisputed facts in this case. Shortly after midnight March 28, 2017, Cassidy crossed paths with Cote in the bedroom community of La Salle. Cote said he was delivering flyers for his landscaping business; Cassidy said, given the late hour and a rash of recent break-ins, the vehicle was suspicious. What happened between that initial point of contact and a "high-risk" traffic stop on the outskirts of Winnipeg at about 1 a.m. is most definitely in dispute. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES There are many questions swirling around the recent acquittal of Winnipeg Police Service Sgt. Sean Cassidy, who, while off-duty, had been accused of chasing down landscaper Jamie Cote, pulling him from his vehicle and attacking him. Cassidy said he was chased out of La Salle by Cote, drove into Winnipeg where he alerted police via a 911 call. When uniformed officers arrived in a squad car, Cassidy admitted took the lead and forced Cote from his vehicle. He admitted punching Cote twice, saying he was resisting. Cote claims Cassidy chased him from La Salle, positioned his van in front of Cotes truck and swerved back and forth to prevent him from getting away. Once back in Winnipeg, Cote said he stopped his vehicle when he saw a police car. It was at that point, Cote said, Cassidy pulled him out and repeatedly punched and kicked him in the head. Cote, along with a friend travelling with him, were released without charges. In May, Cassidy was ultimately acquitted of all charges. However, in rendering that decision, provincial court Judge Sidney Lerner raised serious concerns. In a six-page decision, Lerner outlined several points about how Crown attorney Brett Rach a Brandon prosecutor brought in because he had no previous association with the accused officer handled the case. (Jamie) Cote claims Cassidy chased him from La Salle, positioned his van in front of Cotes truck and swerved back and forth to prevent him from getting away. Lerner wrote, as prosecutor, it was Rachs responsibility to prove Cassidys guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, Lerner noted it was Rach, not Cassidys attorneys, who established that doubt. Rach called the other police officers at the scene as prosecution witnesses, all of whom said they saw nothing inappropriate in the way Cassidy pulled Cote from his truck. Rach also repeatedly argued the court should believe Cassidy, and not Cote, about the degree of force used in the takedown. On this point, Lerners frustration was palpable. He wrote if the Crown argued Cote was not believable about the degree of force used to pull him from his truck, "then the complainants evidence as a whole is called into question." That, Lerner wrote, was enough to establish reasonable doubt. In other words, the prosecution fell apart at the hands of the prosecutor. It has left many in the criminal justice system wondering why Manitoba Justice decided to prosecute this case in the first place. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES This is not the first time the potential prosecution of a police officer fell apart. The justice system continues to demonstrate a chronic inability to prosecute police accused of criminal wrongdoing. This is not the first time the potential prosecution of a police officer fell apart. The justice system continues to demonstrate a chronic inability to prosecute police accused of criminal wrongdoing. However, rarely, if ever, does the Crown lay charges and proceed to trial, only to seemingly sabotage its own case. The questions raised by Lerner in his decision will, in all likelihood, never be answered. In keeping with tradition, Manitoba Justice would not discuss the concerns raised in Lerners decision. On Wednesday, it announced it would not be appealing. The lack of insight and accountability when it comes to Manitoba Justice decision making is also nothing new. Provincial prosecution services do not feel any obligation to explain its decisions, but that doesnt make it any less frustrating. The Crowns decisions to charge or not charge those accused of criminal wrongdoing is just as much a matter of public interest as any aspect of government service. In Canada, however, prosecutorial discretion trumps the publics right to know. In Canada, however, prosecutorial discretion trumps the publics right to know. For example, when the Crown decided not to lay criminal charges against Phil Sheegl, the former chief administrative officer for the City of Winnipeg accused of pocketing kickbacks from the construction of the WPS headquarters, the public got no explanation. When compelling evidence of Sheegls wrongdoing was later revealed through a civil trial, Manitoba Justice once again declined to explain why it did not proceed to trial. Things are much different in the United States, where prosecutors are often elected to their positions and thus have to be more accountable to the citizenry. In Canada, prosecutors are hired and prosecutorial discretion lives beyond the reach of any citizen. If there were good reasons for derailing its own case at trial, Manitoba Justice should explain them. Public trust in the justice system is most definitely at stake. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca The Free Press | Newsletter Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The provincial government has announced funding to train 30 nurses just years after Red River College was forced to slash 75 nursing seats due to a huge provincial funding cut. The provincial government has announced funding to train 30 nurses just years after Red River College was forced to slash 75 nursing seats due to a huge provincial funding cut. The province will spend $830,000 to add 30 nurse training seats at RRC Polytechnic as part of a longer-term plan to address Manitobas nursing shortage. "This investment today will bring us even closer to fulfilling our commitment to add 400 seats in nursing programs at post-secondary institutions across the province," Health Minister Audrey Gordon said at a news conference at the Notre Dame campus. The PCs have been under pressure to address the shortage that has reached a crisis level during the pandemic. "The seats being announced today are in high demand," said RRC president and CEO Fred Meier. "The three-year nursing program currently accepts 150 students annually, with an employment rate of over 98 per cent. After today, were able to say were accepting 180 students annually." Red River College had 225 nursing seats until 2019-20. It was slashed to 150 because of provincial funding cuts. Under former premier Brian Pallister, widescale public-sector cuts were made to try to balance the provincial budget. In 2018, the college learned its provincial operating grant was to be cut by $953,000. At the time the nursing seats were cut, a college spokesperson said that adjusting program capacity is part of routine operations to support industry while operating in a fiscally responsible manner. The colleges decision was approved by the province, even though Manitobas 2018 labour market forecast indicated the province was on track for 5,400 nursing vacancies by 2024. When asked if adding 30 seats now is too little, too late, Gordon and Meier said its important to look to the future. "Since our government came into office, we have been moving forward with adding seats," Gordon said, arguing warnings of a pending nursing shortage date back to 2008 when the NDP was in power. The PCs have promised more than $19 million to create 289 nursing seats and plan to add more, she said. "We are focused on whats required now and into the future. Todays support means were providing more opportunities for Manitobans to pursue a career in nursing to meet the demand were facing today,"Meier, who was appointed clerk of the executive council for the Pallister government prior to being named Red River president in 2020, wrote in an email. Two bachelor of nursing students at the news conference said theyre not discouraged by reports of burnout and strain on the profession. "It wasnt a worry for me," said Megan Day, whose mother is a nurse. Unfortunately, nurses getting burnout, not feeling supported at work and having to deal with wage disparities are issues that have existed for 30 years, she said. "Were looking forward to being the new face of that and hopefully making some changes," said Day, who is co-president of the RRC nursing students association, along with Rylee Stechkewich. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Stechkewish said she isnt discouraged by the strain of the nursing shortage on the system. "The problem is, we need the other nurses to teach us when we come and were hands-on. If we dont have them, thats where the hesitancy is for me and thats where my worry is." She remains undaunted, though. "I just want to help people and be there during peoples worst times. I want to be the nurse at that bedsideI dont want them to be alone," she said. Including this latest expansion, the Manitoba government has committed more than $30 million to establish 289 nursing seats. Gordon noted work is underway on the next phase of the plan to expand training to meet the 400-space commitment made in 2021. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca VOTER turnout for the Thompson byelection was an abysmal 20 per cent the lowest turnout for a Manitoba byelection in 25 years. VOTER turnout for the Thompson byelection was an abysmal 20 per cent the lowest turnout for a Manitoba byelection in 25 years. Only 2,070 of the eligible 10,528 voters cast a ballot on Tuesday, Elections Manitoba reported. SUPPLIED Eric Redhead, who ran for the NDP, received 1,469 votes to defeat PC candidate Charlotte Larocque, who received 575 voters. Eric Redhead, who ran for the NDP, received 1,469 votes to defeat Progressive Conservative candidate Charlotte Larocque, who received 575 voters. Four ballots were declined and 22 were rejected (when a ballot is marked for more than one candidate, or is marked in a way that identifies the voter, for example.) While turnout was low in the byelection, Redhead said he was buoyed by winning by a sizeable margin. "Im hoping that that margin translates over to the general election and we form a government," he said Wednesday. The next provincial election is due on or before Oct. 3, 2023. "I just want to thank each and every voter out there in the riding. Not everyone voted for me, but Ill do my best to represent everyone," Redhead said. Larocque said the low turnout was "a little disheartening" but not unexpected. She said she ran for the Conservatives in the last federal election and voter turnout in the riding was 32 per cent. Premier Heather Stefanson, the PC leader, never campaigned in Thompson during the byelection, while NDP Leader Wab Kinew did hit the hustings with Redhead. In the 2019 provincial election, voter turnout for Thompson was 37 per cent compared to 55 per cent provincewide. Byelections generally have a low voter turnout. The March byelection in Fort Whyte, which was won by the PCs Obby Khan, saw 44 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot. In the 2018 byelection to fill former NDP premier Greg Selingers St. Boniface seat, voter turnout was almost 47 per cent, with Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont the clear winner. In 2017, just 31 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the Point Douglas byelection won by NDP candidate Bernadette Smith. Larocque said the long-awaited nice weather and the end of the school year nearing may have kept voters home. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Redhead said the turnout wouldve been worse if not for the efforts of his campaign and volunteers to get out the vote. "We worked so hard to pull the votes," he said after his campaign visited every community in the sprawling constituency and put up 800 signs. "It was definitely a team effort." More couldve been done to inform voters, he said. "What we heard a lot was there was confusion about where the polling station is; they were confused about the day," Redhead said. "A lot of people werent aware of a byelection happening, I think," said the MLA-elect, whose swearing-in ceremony is tentatively set for June 24. Redhead said he plans to share his concerns with Elections Manitoba ahead of the provincial election. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca EVENTS unfolding around the world are creating the perfect playbook for a global food security crisis: climate change, a pandemic, war and nationalistic hoarding are all factors. Opinion EVENTS unfolding around the world are creating the perfect playbook for a global food security crisis: climate change, a pandemic, war and nationalistic hoarding are all factors. Climate has been affecting agriculture for a very long time. And the unpredictable nature of severe weather patterns is making the lives of our farmers more difficult. Growing conditions have become anything but predictable in Canada and elsewhere. The COVID-19 pandemic has weakened supply chains, making logistics more expensive when transporting food. Delays and how the virus has desynchronized the global economy have also impacted costs. Commodity prices were rising before the invasion of Ukraine in late February, but Russias assault has pushed all prices to record levels. Corn is up almost 20 per cent, and wheat is up more than 30 per cent since the invasion. Soybeans, oats and canola are all more expensive than just a few months ago. The conflict is impacting one of the worlds most significant agri-food production regions. Ukraine produces enough to feed almost 400 million people yearly. Thats greater than the population of the United States. So idling an economy such as Ukraines will have consequences. Some experts believe the world has 10 weeks of wheat supplies left as a result of the Russian invasion. Almost 40 nations get at least 50 per cent of their grain supplies from Ukraine. For the longest time, global food security was very much a food distribution problem: how to get enough food to every region. We produced enough food, but making it available in some regions was a challenge. Now, we wont have enough food for everyone on Earth. Early reports suggested the number of hungry and malnourished people could increase by 100 million owing to food shortages following the Ukrainian crisis. But according to the United Nations World Food Programme, that number has risen to 220 million in 43 countries. Its not easy for us to appreciate whats going on around the world. And some countries are halting trade as Indonesia did temporarily with palm oil and India did with wheat which will only lead to more famine. Russia, affected by many sanctions, now blames the world for the planets heightened food crisis. Thats like blaming the fire department for a burning building. But sanctions against Russia undoubtedly have an impact on global food security. North America, however, is in a food security bubble. Its not easy for us to appreciate whats going on around the world. We find most shelves at our grocery stores full of food. Few of us can understand what other parts of the world are experiencing. But the world isnt in a good place. While food security is everyones business, the Canadian government appears to be living in a vacuum when it comes to agricultural productivity. Canadian farmers face the most expensive seeding season in history, and reports suggest some farmers have opted not to plant this year because of extremely high input costs. Some tax relief or additional assistance with crop insurance would have been helpful. Meanwhile, in the U.S., President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve US$500 million in aid for the farm sector in a bid to encourage U.S. wheat producers to double-crop their fields. The Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Gardener What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. A monthly email from the Free Press with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. But the Biden administration also temporarily allowed E15 gasoline, which uses 15 per cent ethanol blend, to be sold this summer. It usually cant be sold from June to September a measure intended to help reduce gas prices. So food appears to be less of a priority than fuel. Food plays a central part in our democracies. Hungry societies will eventually break down. World order relies on highly functioning, democratic food systems. Canada must address the issue of farming productivity to increase yields to help the rest of the world. With our many protectionist measures, Canada lacks the vision needed at a time when the world needs Canadian farming more than ever. Fertilizer affordability is one component. The planet is coming to realize how capable Russian President Vladimir Putin is at hurting as many people as possible. By invading Ukraine, Putin is weaponizing food. The conflict is crippling the port of Odesa, so Ukraine cant get its food out of the country. Allowing food to flow out of that region should be a priority. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University. Troy Media One of the ironies of Russias war against Ukraine ostensibly fought to prevent that nation from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been its impact on two of Europes traditionally neutral states, Finland and Sweden. On May 18, just 84 days after the invasion, Swedish and Finnish ambassadors handed over applications to join NATO in a public ceremony at the alliances headquarters in Brussels. Editorial One of the ironies of Russias war against Ukraine ostensibly fought to prevent that nation from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been its impact on two of Europes traditionally neutral states, Finland and Sweden. On May 18, just 84 days after the invasion, Swedish and Finnish ambassadors handed over applications to join NATO in a public ceremony at the alliances headquarters in Brussels. This is a historic moment which we must seize, said Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. It seems likely their applications will be swiftly approved, and NATO will soon grow to a 32 member states. Yet in the rush to give Putin a black eye by embracing Finland and Sweden, U.S. and NATO leaders may be failing to consider the potential costs of inducting two more countries into what, after all, is intended to be a collective defense organization. There are only two clear-cut benefits to bringing in the two Nordic nations. The first is symbolic: providing a clear demonstration of European and democratic solidarity against Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. The second is technical: admitting Finland and Sweden would better align the membership of NATO with that of the EU, avoiding the unlikely but problematic scenario in which an EU member state is subject to aggression but is not covered by NATOs Article 5 mutual-defense pact. In every other respect, however, the question of Finnish and Swedish membership is more complicated and worrisome. Consider overall European defense capacity. Yes, Finland and Sweden have highly advanced economies. They are also more capable militarily than some other European states particularly Finland, which has maintained conscription into the post-Cold War period and has a relatively wide range of military competencies, including the continents largest artillery force. And while both nations have pledged to increase their military spending and ability to bolster Europes broader defenses, it is also possible that they would not. Instead, they may free-ride on Americas military strength and its nuclear umbrella as so many European states have done for years. According to the International Monetary Fund, neither country comes close to meeting the NATO goal of spending two per cent of GDP on defense. Consider also the question of the defensibility of new NATO territory. Admitting Sweden could be strategically beneficial, allowing NATO forces to better control the Baltic Sea and to use Gotland Island, at an important chokepoint off the Baltic States, as a staging ground for any future conflict. Finnish territory, in contrast, is a strategic nightmare. It would dramatically increase the alliances exposure to any future attacks by Moscow: the country shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia that, as a recent study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies put it, is highly exposed to Russian military threats. There are a grab bag of other reasons for caution, including the usual concerns about expanding the alliance to an ever-more unwieldy set of member states. It doesnt take a genius to predict that 32 nations will be even harder to manage than 30. Even in the face of Russias aggression, support for adding the two members isnt unanimous. Turkeys vehement opposition to Finland and Sweden may be an attempt to wring political concessions from the alliance, but also owes a lot to these countries support for Kurdish causes. The Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Gardener What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. A monthly email from the Free Press with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Alliance leaders should also consider the risk of Russian overreaction. Moscow has started three wars over potential NATO expansion invading Georgia in 2008 and Crimea in 2014 before the current war. While Moscow is clearly not able to stage another major military campaign right now, one cannot rule out President Vladimir Putin doing something irrational in response to a NATO expansion that takes the alliance within 320 km of his birthplace of St. Petersburg. At the same time, its not clear that Finland and Sweden are at increased risk unless they are allowed NATO membership. They have long relied on their neutral status and domestic defense capacity to prevent crises. Refusing to admit them to NATO is not hanging them out to dry, but simply retaining a workable status quo. The symbolic value of admitting two new member states as the price for Russias brutality in Ukraine may carry the day in Brussels. But before proceeding further with the accession process which offers leaders and legislatures in each member state a chance to weigh in policy-makers should consider the whole strategic picture, and whether admission strengthens the alliance or not. Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty makes clear that existing members may invite new states to join if they contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area. By that standard, the strategic case for admitting Sweden and Finland to NATO is not a slam-dunk. Emma Ashford is a senior fellow at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council. She is author of the upcoming Oil, the State, and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates. Bloomberg The joyful burden of parenting should include the realization that children imitate what they see in the home. Parents can try to shirk this responsibility with advice such as the age-old rejoinder Dont do as I do, do as I say, but the parents are just wasting their breath with such words. The joyful burden of parenting should include the realization that children imitate what they see in the home. Parents can try to shirk this responsibility with advice such as the age-old rejoinder "Dont do as I do, do as I say," but the parents are just wasting their breath with such words. Children emulate behaviour exhibited by elders, including elders who act violently. Manitoba is proposing an innovative attempt to stem generational violence, recognizing that when children are exposed to violence or abuse in their homes, they are more inclined to grow up thinking violence within families is normal. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES A bill introduced by Families Minister Rochelle Squires will allow the disclosure of information about previous family violence and abuse, not just toward an intimate partner. The strategy is part of Manitobas adaptation of Clares Law, named after Clare Wood, a British woman who was murdered in 2009 by her partner, who had a lengthy criminal record of sexual violence. The law versions of which have already been introduced in in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland-Labrador lets people find out whether their partner has a history of abuse or violence against intimate partners, even gaining access to information that used to be deemed private by authorities. The bill introduced last week by Families Minister Rochelle Squires matches the laws in other provinces, but it goes further. Ms. Squires said Manitobas "new generation" of Clares Law will expand the criteria to also allow the disclosure of information about previous family violence and abuse, not just toward an intimate partner. It would work like this: someone concerned that an adult linked to the household might pose a safety risk can apply to the province for information about the adults past. A provincial director would assign a police agency to assess whether the family is at risk of violence, and whether its valid to break the previous privacy rules and release the information to the person who inquired. The proposed disclosure of personal information will undoubtedly prompt privacy concerns, as it should. Violent behaviours resulting in criminal convictions have long been a matter of public record that can be accessed by anyone, but the validity of such convictions is safeguarded by a time-proven legal process that examines the evidence, weeds out false claims and lets the accused person explain their innocence. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Squires has yet to explain in detail what personal information would be publicly available. An accusation is not a conviction. That important distinction is well understood by legal professionals. But is it understood by Ms. Squires? She has yet to explain in detail what personal information would be publicly available. Second-hand reports and rumours? Suspicions phoned in by a nosy neighbour? Will the subject of the inquiry be warned before their personal information will be released? Can they explain and appeal? Police reports will apparently be relied upon for information, but polls show Winnipeg police are not trusted by a majority of Indigenous people and people of colour. Many will assume information about them in private police files could be unfair and shouldnt be disclosed. Ms. Squires warrants full support for the governments intention to alert vulnerable people when a partner has a history of abusive and violent behaviour. Its clear Manitoba needs to try new tactics to protect families. Statistics show, in 2019 for example, this province had 417 police-reported acts of family violence, higher than any province except Saskatchewan. But she has yet to acknowledge publicly that improperly labelling someone as abusive or violent is a serious matter that can ruin lives. Before erasing the legal boundaries of privacy of some citizens, she should explain what the new boundaries will be. The bill is admirable in its broad strokes, but it shouldnt be passed until the details are filled in. WASHINGTON (AP) The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol laid the blame firmly on Donald Trump Thursday night, saying the assault was hardly spontaneous but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated president's effort to overturn the 2020 election. Rioters shout at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. The Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol played out for the world to see. But the House committee investigating the attack believes a more chilling story has yet to be told. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) WASHINGTON (AP) The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol laid the blame firmly on Donald Trump Thursday night, saying the assault was hardly spontaneous but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated president's effort to overturn the 2020 election. With a never-before-seen 12-minute video of the deadly violence and startling testimony from Trump's most inner circle, the 1/6 committee provided gripping detail in contending that Trumps repeated lies about election fraud and his public effort to stop Joe Biden's victory led to the attack and imperiled American democracy Democracy remains in danger, said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the panel, during the hearing, timed for prime time to reach as many Americans as possible. "Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after Jan. 6, to overthrow the government, Thompson said. "The violence was no accident. In a previously unseen video clip, the panel played a quip from former Attorney General Bill Barr who testified that he told Trump the claims of a rigged election were bull. Sun shines on the U.S Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 9, 2022. The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol will hold the first in a series of hearings laying out its findings on Thursday night. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) In another, the former president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, testified to the committee that she respected Barr's view that there was no election fraud. I accepted what he said. Others showed leaders of the extremist Oath Keepers and Proud Boys preparing to storm the Capitol to stand up for Trump. One rioter after another told the committee they came to the Capitol because Trump asked them to. President Trump summoned a violent mob, said Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the panel's vice chair who took the lead for much of the hearing. When a president fails to take the steps necessary to preserve our union or worse, causes a constitutional crisis we're in a moment of maximum danger for our republic. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of Calif., left, speaks during a news conference on the House Jan. 6 Committee, Thursday, June 9, 2022, with Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) There was an audible gasp in the hearing room when Cheney read an account that said when Trump was told the Capitol mob was chanting for Vice President Mike Pence to be hanged, Trump responded that maybe they were right, that he deserves it. Trump was angry that Pence, presiding in Congress that day, refused his order to reject the certification of Biden's victory. Police officers who had fought off the mob consoled one another as they sat in the committee room reliving the violence they faced on Jan. 6. Officer Harry Dunn teared up as bodycam footage showed rioters bludgeoning his colleagues with flagpoles and baseball bats. A heavily armed police officer stands guard outside the U.S. Capitol building, Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Washington. The House select committee will have its first public hearing in its investigation of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The hearing is expected to reveal the findings of a year-long investigation. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In wrenching testimony U.S. Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards told the panel that she slipped in other peoples blood as rioters pushed past her into the Capitol. She suffered brain injuries in the melee. It was carnage it was chaos, she said. Biden, in Los Angeles for the Summit of the Americas, said many viewers were "going to be seeing for the first time a lot of the detail that occurred. An activist holds a sign next to a line of people waiting to enter the Cannon Building, Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Washington. The House select committee will have its first public hearing in its investigation of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The hearing is expected to reveal the findings of a year-long investigation. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Trump, unapologetic, dismissed the investigation anew and even declared on social media that Jan. 6 represented the greatest movement in the history of our country. Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee tweeted: All. Old. News." The result of the two hour hearing and coming weeks of public hearings may not change hearts or minds in politically polarized America. But the committees investigation with 1,000 interviews is intended to stand as a public record for history. A final report aims to provide an accounting of the most violent attack on the Capitol since the British set fire to it in 1814, and to ensure such an attack never happens again. Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., left, listens as Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., gives an opening statement as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its first public hearing to reveal the findings of a year-long investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool) The riot left more than 100 police officers injured, many beaten and bloodied, as the crowd of pro-Trump rioters, some armed with pipes, bats and bear spray, charged into the Capitol. At least nine people who were there died during and after the rioting, including a woman who was shot and killed by police. Emotions are still raw at the Capitol, and security was tight for the hearing. Law enforcement officials reported a spike in threats against members of Congress. Against this backdrop, the committee was speaking to a divided America, ahead of the fall midterm elections when voters decide which party controls Congress. Most TV networks carried the hearing live. Fox News Channel did not. FILE - Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump stand outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. The public hearings of the House committee investigating the insurrection pose a challenge to Democrats seeking to maintain narrow control of Congress. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) The committee chairman, civil rights leader Thompson opened the hearing with sweep of American history. saying he heard in those denying the stark reality of Jan. 6 his own experience growing up in a time and place where people justified the action of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, outlined what the committee has learned about the events leading up to that brisk January day when Trump sent his supporters to Congress to fight like hell for his presidency as lawmakers undertook the typically routine job of certifying the previous November's results. Among those testifying was documentary maker Nick Quested, who filmed the Proud Boys storming the Capitol along with a pivotal meeting between the group's then-chairman Henry Enrique Tarrio and another extremist group, the Oath Keepers, the night before in nearby parking garage. Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., gives her opening remarks as Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., left, looks on, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its first public hearing to reveal the findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Court documents show that members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were discussing as early as November a need to fight to keep Trump in office. Leaders both groups and some members have since been indicted on rare sedition charges over the military-style attack. In the audience were several lawmakers who were trapped together in the House gallery during the attack. We want to remind people, we were there, we saw what happened, said Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. We know how close we came to the first non-peaceful transition of power in this country. A video showing former White House Advisor Ivanka Trump speaking during an interview with the Jan. 6th Committee is shown as committee members from left to right, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., look on, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds its first public hearing to reveal the findings of a year-long investigation, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) In the weeks ahead, the panel is expected to detail Trumps public campaign to Stop the Steal and the private pressure he put on the Justice Department to reverse his election loss despite dozens of failed court cases and his own attorney general attesting there was no fraud on a scale that could have tipped the results in his favor. The panel faced obstacles from its start. Republicans blocked the formation of an independent body that could have investigated the Jan. 6 assault the way the 9/11 Commission probed the 2001 terror attack. Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ushered the creation of the 1/6 panel through Congress over the objections of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. She rejected Republican-appointed lawmakers who had voted on Jan. 6 against certifying the election results, eventually naming seven Democrats and two Republicans. U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Harry Dunn, right, Sandra Garza, the longtime partner of fallen Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, center, and Serena Liebengood, widow of Capitol Police officer Howie Liebengood, left, react as a video of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol is played during a public hearing of the House select committee investigating the attack is held on Capitol Hill, Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, who has been caught up in the probe and has defied the committee's subpoena for an interview, echoed Trump on Thursday. He called the panel a scam and labeled the investigation a political smokescreen for Democrats' priorities. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The hearings are expected to introduce Americans to a cast of characters, some well known, others elusive, and to what they said and did as Trump and his allies tried to reverse the election outcome. The Justice Department has arrested and charged more than 800 people for the violence that day, the biggest dragnet in its history. ___ Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Michael Balsamo and Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report. ___ For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege. VIENNA (AP) Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday, warning this could deal a fatal blow to the tattered nuclear deal as Tehran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows Iran's underground Natanz nuclear site, as well as ongoing construction to expand the facility in a nearby mountain to the south, near Natanz, Iran, May 9, 2022. Iran plans to install two new cascades of advanced centrifuges at Natanz that will allow Tehran to rapidly enrich more uranium, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Thursday, June 9, 2022, the latest escalation in the standoff over the country's atomic program. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) VIENNA (AP) Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday, warning this could deal a fatal blow to the tattered nuclear deal as Tehran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. The development comes a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors censured Tehran for failing to provide credible information over man-made nuclear material found at three undeclared sites in the country. It also follows months of deadlocked over stalled talks aimed at restoring the Islamic Republic's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Tensions remain high across the wider Middle East over the accord's collapse as U.S. sanctions and rising global food prices choke Iran's ailing economy, putting further pressure on its government and its people. This, of course, poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there," warned Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA's director-general. He added that if an agreement cannot be reached to restore the cameras in three to four weeks, this would be a fatal blow to Iran's tattered nuclear deal. Already, Grossi warned that without the cameras, Iran could make centrifuges and divert them to unknown locations. When we lose this, then its anybodys guess, he added. Iran did not immediately acknowledge it was removing the 27 cameras, though it earlier threatened it could take more punitive steps. State media aired footage Thursday of workers disconnected two IAEA cameras from power. We hope that they come to their senses and respond to Irans cooperation with cooperation, Behrouz Kamalvandi, an Iranian nuclear program spokesman, said Wednesday of the IAEA officials. It is not acceptable that they show inappropriate behavior while Iran continues to cooperate. FILE - Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks during a news conference in Tokyo, May 20, 2022. Grossi said Thursday, June 9, 2022, that Iran is removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites in the country. Grossi made the comments at a suddenly called news conference in Vienna on Thursday. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File) Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi struck a much more combative tone Thursday while visiting the central city of Shahr-e Kord. "Do you assume that we withdraw because of resolutions? he asked. In the name of God and in the name of the nation, Iran will not withdraw from its stance a single step. Grossi made the comments at a suddenly called news conference in Vienna, standing next to an example of the cameras installed across Iran. Iran will remove IAEA cameras from sites, including in Tehran, the underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, the facility in Isfahan and the Arak heavy water reactor in Khondab, he said. Forty-something IAEA cameras would remain active in Iran, Grossi said, though Tehran already has been withholding IAEA footage since February 2021 as a pressure tactic to restore the atomic accord. We are in a very tense situation with the negotiations on the revival of the (nuclear deal) at a low ebb, Grossi added. Now we are adding this to the picture; so, as you can see, its not a very nice one. On Wednesday, Iran said it shut off two devices that the IAEA uses to monitor enrichment at Natanz. Grossi acknowledged that Thursday, saying that among the devices being removed was the Online Enrichment Monitor and flowmeter. Those watch the enrichment of uranium gas through piping at enrichment facilities and allowed inspectors to remotely track its work. Meanwhile, the IAEA earlier Thursday said Iran informed the agency that it planned to install two new cascades of the IR-6 at Natanz. A cascade is a series of centrifuges hooked together to rapidly spin uranium gas to enrich it. An IR-6 centrifuge spins uranium 10 times faster than the first-generation centrifuges that Iran was once limited to under its nuclear deal with world powers. As of February, Iran already had been spinning a cascade of IR-6s at its underground facility at Fordo, according to the IAEA. Iran earlier said it planned to install one cascade of IR-6s at Natanz. The IAEA said it verified the ongoing installation of that cascade Monday, while the installing of the newly promised two other cascades had yet to begin. Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. Talks in Vienna about reviving the deal have been stalled since April. Since the deals collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges and rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enriched enough up to 60% purity a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90% to make one nuclear weapon should it decide to do so. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Building a nuclear bomb would still take Iran more time if it pursued a weapon, analysts say, though they warn Tehrans advances make the program more dangerous. Israel has threatened in the past that it would carry out a preemptive strike to stop Iran and already is suspected in a series of recent killings targeting Iranian officials. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised Wednesday's IAEA board vote to censure Tehran as a significant decision that exposes Irans true face. The IAEA vote is a clear warning light to Iran: If Iran continues its activity, the leading countries must bring the matter back to the U.N. Security Council, said Bennett, who made an unannounced trip Thursday to the United Arab Emirates. The crisis risks escalating further, however. On Wednesday night, a drone exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in the northern Kurdish region, slightly wounding three people and damaging cars and a nearby restaurant, officials said. The Iraqi Kurdish regions directorate-general of counterterrorism alleged on Thursday that the Iran-backed militia Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, launched the drone. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. JUNEAU A 34-year-old Beaver Dam man was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday after Beaver Dam police and the Dodge County Drug Task Force found a shed on his property that was used for cooking methamphetamine. Lloyd Law appeared before Dodge County Circuit Judge Brian Pfitzinger who also ordered Law to spend three years under extended supervision after finding him guilty of possession of materials for manufacturing methamphetamine. The manufacture of methamphetamine is extremely dangerous to people who are near the location of the manufacturer, Dodge County District Attorney Kurt Klomberg said during sentencing, according to a press release from the district attorneys office. Highly lethal gas can be released as well as a high danger of explosion and fire. This is all in addition to the danger and destruction that the drug itself visits on our community. A prison sentence is warranted. According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement from Beaver Dam Police and the Dodge County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant for the home where Law lived on Wall Street in Beaver Dam on Oct. 12. The property, which had been previously searched for methamphetamine, had a shed in the backyard with a methamphetamine cooking lab. Law also was already on probation for possession of methamphetamine. There was also evidence of Law purchasing several packages of over-the-counter cold medicine that is used to make methamphetamine. Other items used to create the substance were found in the shed. Law was at home and told law enforcement that he had shot up methamphetamine that day, but at first denied knowing anything about the cooking materials in the shed. He then admitted the cooking materials were his and that his batch of methamphetamine wasnt good so he disposed of it and went to Appleton to purchase it instead. He also said it was much easier to purchase than to make it himself. Follow Terri Pederson on Twitter @tlp53916 or contact her at 920-356-6760. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WAUPUN United Cooperative will be phasing in a $100 million investment to eventually include soybean processing in an industrial park on Waupuns southwest side. That figure is based on a very big picture, but its not unreasonable considering the three phases of the project that should be completed sometime in 2025, said Waupun City Administrator/Director of Economic Development Kathy Schlieve. For us at City Hall, its the culmination of eight years of work to see this happening. Co-op President and CEO Dave Cramer had formerly shared that his company and its subsidiaries had $1.4 billion in sales last year. The majority of the business is in grain and grain hauling, followed by agronomy and feed. The feed portion itself is estimated at $242 million. He indicated that Waupun is a natural choice in that United Cooperative already has two feed mills there. Consolidating those mills will allow better use of those facilities and the highway and rail access that are readily available. United Cooperative acknowledged the plan in a press release on Tuesday, that read in part: United Cooperative is investing in the future for our patrons and the agriculture community. United Cooperatives three-phase expansion project will create state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, marketing opportunities and technology advancements to meet the demands of Wisconsins agricultural landscape. As consumers request more knowledge about food origination, agricultural producers seek to find ways to provide high-quality, safe, and traceable feed products for their growing farm operations. These sustainable farming efforts will ensure consumer confidence now and into the future. Feed manufacturers like United Cooperative require state-of-the-art facilities to meet the quality requirements, efficient operating standards, and safe and secure supply chains for our food supplies. Facilities will be built on a 67.4-acre site, with rail spurs and vehicle access off an extension of Wilson Drive and Shaler Drive (west of Highway 26). The total valuation of the completed facility is set at a minimum guarantee of $33 million over the life of the TIF (20 years). Land will be purchased for $20,000 an acre totaling $1.3 million. Total cost for the city is anticipated at $9.4 million. The completed facility will generate a projected minimum of $13 million for the city of Waupun over 20 years, and will continue to support the tax base in following years. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are also being sought to lessen the citys costs. Payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) will be required from United Cooperative in the event that taxes generated are insufficient to cover the citys debt service for the development. TIF funding allows the city to pay its share of the costs with a minimal impact on its finances. The facility will employ 50 full-time skilled and operations management positions and other workers. The total payroll for the three phases is estimated at $3 million annually. Construction will begin soon on a multi-structural manufacturing facility. New Safe Food, Safe Feed regulations require feed manufacturers to comply with quality control measures that are not possible with outdated feed mills, said United Cooperative Feed Division Vice President John Scheuers. As a result, United Cooperatives investment in this new Waupun facility will enable us to meet these new regulations and the ever-changing demands of our members. This construction project is essential to our growth initiatives and our promise to our member-owners that they can rely on us for their agricultural needs, said Cramer. United Cooperatives Waupun feed and grain manufacturing facility will have capabilities that include high-speed loading and unloading of ingredients, high-speed roller-grinders, pelleting capability, steam flaking, micro-system, both bagged and bulk texturized calf feed manufacturing, mineral manufacturing, and operations managed by a computerized control system for quality control. Our goal is to manufacture 23 tons of feed every 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the number of items in the mix, Scheuers said. The Waupun facility will support new grain marketing opportunities for our member-owners and cover the demands of increased corn and soybean yields, said Al Jentz, V.P. of Grain for United Cooperative. In addition to the feed and grain expansion, the third phase of the construction project will be a state-of-the-art soybean crushing and processing facility. This processing and crushing facility will propel value-added agriculture products forward in Wisconsin. According to Cramer, when operational, this plant will crush 7.5 million bushels of soybeans annually. This plant will supply both soybean meal and soy oil and bring the surrounding counties into a global ag economy, he said. Along with the Waupun facility, United Cooperative has six other state-of-the-art feed locations and 20-grain locations strategically placed throughout Wisconsin, where it manufactures and sells feed and grain products and services. A developers agreement will be considered at the next Waupun City Council meeting. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On a beautiful spring morning at Baraboos International Crane Foundation, friends and I talk about people who have recently passed away. One friend says, I told my husband were at the age when we need to check the obituaries every time the paper comes out. I agree. Others nod as well. Our tour begins and as we walk the paths of the newly renovated ICF, I think about my bucket lists, records on paper and on the computer of the things I want to do before I kick the bucket. I have several going that I look at occasionally. As the tour guide leads us past the light bluish grey Brolga cranes originating from Australia, I ponder my entry travel to Australia. Similar to several other bucket list entries, its a long shot, but I still like thinking its possible, so Im not eliminating it. My win a Newbery and lose 8 pounds and keep it off for a year are probably not going to happen either. But one never knows. Recently, my husband, brother, sister-in-law and I talked about the possibility of going on a Viking River Cruise, which would include seeing Germany. Visit Germany is 41 on the list I made 15 years ago. Might that be the next item I cross off? I have my fingers crossed. Of the 41 items on that list, Ive checked off 19 and have 22 unchecked including, Visit the ancient ruins of Mesa Verde and see a wild polar bear. Recently, I joyously checked off two other items. Publish two picture books and publish Stranded on Castaway Island took more effort and time than I ever imagined, but Im now able to share my stories with readers. ICF founder, George Archibald, knows about dreams taking time. He had the ambitious bucket list goal to breed, through artificial insemination, a whooping crane named Tex by imitating the courtship dancing and behavior of a male crane. In 1967, the San Antonio Zoo hatched the whooping crane in Texas. But she was weak and staff had to rear her by hand. As a result, she imprinted on humans. Archibald describes in his book, My Life with Cranes, how he moved his office into Texs pen and spent years bonding with the crane. His dedication paid off and through his hops, flaps, and gyrationspeople thought he was crazyhe stimulated Tex to lay eggs. Thanks to his commitment, the whooping crane population is increasing. After hearing about imprinting, a friend asks our guide about the dangers of feeding the pair of sandhill cranes on her property. They have almost become pets, my friend says. The guide answers that since the cranes arent coming close to any other humans, she didnt think my friend had to worry. My bucket list had one pet related entry that I got to check off 11 years ago. I achieved train a puppy after my husband and I got our cockapoo, Josie, who is curled up next to me as I write this column. Like getting to see sandhills and their young in our backyards, the bond between a pet and owner has been a joyful addition to my husbands and my life. Bucket list entries may be self-indulgent or provide service to others. Either way, they should be items that bring you joy. My 2018 entry, query newspapers to be a columnist, written months before I resumed writing for Wisconsin Dells Events, has certainly brought me joy. As our tour concludes, and we plan on where wed like to go for lunch, I feel re-energized. We can see the frequent reminders that life is short as a blessing, a chance to examine how we are spending our time. Are we living life to the fullest? Is it time to make or add to our bucket list and take action? Now might be the time to consider your wishes and to make plans. Author Amy Laundrie, a Wisconsin Dells resident, writes a weekly column for Capital Newspapers. Reach her at laundrie@live.com. WATERLOO - The Lazaridis Institute at Wilfrid Laurier University is looking for 10 companies to join its next cohort of Canadas most promising scale-ups. Through the Lazaridis ScaleUp program, selected companies and their teams receive the expert mentorship and support they need to succeed at a global level at no cost and giving up no equity. The next cohort runs from November 2022 through October 2023. Applications open June 8 and close August 15. Coming out of COVID-19, companies are facing an unprecedented set of new challenges, said Kim Morouney, managing director of the Lazaridis Institute. Lazaridis ScaleUp provides these companies with a year of customized access to a world-class set of mentors and speakers who will guide and advise them through whatever opportunities and obstacles they encounter. ScaleUp matches founders and their teams with experts who bring real value: professionals who have architected and led the success of companies like Shopify, LinkedIn, Apple, Nest, the Fogarty Institute, the Gap, PointClickCare and many more. Besides really enjoying the quality of presentations, speakers and choice of topics, I think weve benefited most from the mentorship options, said Val Novikov, co-founder and CTO of FISPAN. Our mentor consistently went above and beyond, helping us connect dots that we wouldnt have otherwise and suggesting experts and resources that would benefit us most at different stages in our business. It basically feels as if hes been a part of our team. In addition to mentorship, members of the cohort participate in peer groups that provide a tight-knit community of founders and executives who support each other throughout the program. These peer networks span the country, connecting founders with founders, bringing together sales executives and product people, and in the process strengthening Canadas tech ecosystem from coast to coast. My peer group has been incredible even better than I thought it would be, said Josh Domingues, CEO of Flashfood in Toronto. We were able to talk openly about our funding rounds, different investors, negative experiences things that are deeply personal and rarely talked about in the business world. Learning through others' lived experiences has been invaluable. I think well do this group forever, even after the program ends because of the quality of the people in the group." Lazaridis ScaleUp works with a broad range of tech and tech-enabled companies. Artificial intelligence and cleantech are more prevalent among the programs cohort companies and more promising than ever before. Platforms that power the sharing economy are scaling up and, in the process, shaking up traditional business models. The founders and executive teams behind these innovative companies are also increasingly diverse. Canadian companies are building global businesses, and so many of these success stories are ScaleUp alumni, said Morouney. Forty-one ScaleUp companies have raised $2 billion in the past five years. ScaleUp alumni companies include Jane Software and Terramera in B.C.; Symend and Zayzoon in Calgary; Vendasta and 7shifts in Saskatoon; Sheertex and wrnch (now Hinge Health) in Montreal; RVezy and Tehama in Ottawa; eSSENTIAL Accessibility, Maple and Hi Mama in Toronto; Diva and DarwinAI in Kitchener; and Mysa and BreatheSuite in St. Johns. The next Lazaridis ScaleUp cohort runs from November 2022 through October 2023. Applications open June 8 and close August 15. Visit applytoscaleup.com. Lazaridis ScaleUp does not take equity; the program is free to Canadian companies. All costs are covered by the Institute, through the generosity of Mike Lazaridis. The program is sponsored by Boast.AI. ABOUT THE LAZARIDIS INSTITUTE Housed in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada, the Lazaridis Institute combines scholarly research, real-world market analysis and industry best practices to identify obstacles to global competitiveness and optimize the management of high-growth technology companies. Aerial photo taken on May 31, 2022 shows a marine ranch at Haiyangdao Township of Changhai County in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. [Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng] BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) World Oceans Day that falls on Wednesday this year provides an opportunity for countries around the world to celebrate the importance of the ocean and to ponder how to interact with it in a sustainable manner. With a coastline stretching around 32,000 km, China has had its past and future entwined with the ocean. In President Xi Jinping's words, building China into a strong maritime country is a "major strategic task for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Over the past decade, this maritime undertaking has remained high on the agenda of Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Back in 2013, Xi told the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee at a study session that a robust marine economy underpins the building of a strong maritime nation. He called for efforts to make better use of marine resources and develop the marine economy into a new growth driver. Xi's vision is materializing as he steers the blue economy toward prosperity, with the size of the country's marine economy exceeding 9 trillion yuan (about 1.35 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2021, a surge from 5 trillion yuan in 2012. It contributed 8 percent to the growth of GDP last year, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. New marine industries are speeding down the fast lane thanks to China's endeavors to ride the wave of technological innovation. Between 2016 and 2020, emerging industries including seawater desalination, marine energy and marine biopharmaceutics saw their growth in added value average more than 11 percent annually. Tech-Powered Growth Expounding on the country's innovation drive, Xi has urged efforts to strive for high-level independence and self-reliance in marine science and technology and to make breakthroughs in original and leading technologies. In a congratulatory letter to the 2019 China Marine Economy Expo, Xi called for efforts to accelerate marine sci-tech innovation, improve marine development capacity, and foster and strengthen emerging marine industries of strategic importance. Following his instructions, governments and institutions at all levels have ratcheted up support for innovation in a bid to translate creativity into productivity. In the coastal province of Guangdong, a pioneer of the marine economy, local authorities have earmarked a fund worth 300 million yuan for the technological innovation of sectors such as marine equipment manufacturing, marine wind power and marine electronics. East China's Shandong has also established a fund of this type to nurture projects industrializing high-end marine sciences and technologies. The country's major research institutes of marine science and technology doubled their spending on research and development during the 2011-2020 period, with researchers increasing by over 10,000. The number of related patents granted in 2020 was four times that in 2011. Thanks to its commitment to innovation, China now boasts a greater capability to tap its vast marine energy reserves. The increase in energy supply, in turn, is better powering the world's second-largest economy. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, last year's output of offshore oil and gas in China expanded by 6.2 percent and 6.9 percent year on year, respectively. The country has also seen its energy production getting cleaner and greener. The country topped the world in 2021 in terms of the installed capacity of offshore wind power. The added value of the marine electricity generation sector surged by 30.5 percent from a year ago to 32.9 billion yuan. Caring for the Ocean Despite the thriving marine economy, China has never sought growth at the expense of the marine environment and ecosystems. We should attach great importance to marine eco-environmental progress, strengthen the prevention and control of pollution, protect marine biodiversity, develop and utilize marine resources in an orderly manner, and leave turquoise seas and blue skies for our future generations, Xi once said. Over the past decade, China has made strides in the conservation of marine ecology, prevention and treatment of marine pollution, and protection of marine biodiversity. The latest data shows that the area of Level-I, or the highest, seawater in China's water quality system accounted for 97.7 percent of the country's total maritime territory in 2021. Looking ahead, China is set to coordinate and promote maritime ecological protection and maritime economic development while safeguarding its maritime rights and interests, according to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), a key blueprint for the country's economic and social development. To build China into a strong maritime nation, we must take good care of, further understand, and manage the ocean, and facilitate innovation in marine science and technology, Xi once said. (Source: Xinhua) Weather Alert ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Heat index values of 100 to 106 degrees this afternoon and 102 to 107 degrees Thursday afternoon. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Indiana, southeast Missouri, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Overnight lows will only fall into the mid to upper 70s, providing little relief. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijans Economy Ministry and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development signed a memorandum of understanding on technical support for the development of the corporate sector in the country, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. The document was signed by the countrys Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and EBRDs Executive Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone. Speaking at the online meeting, Jabbarov stressed that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the development of relations with the EBRD. He emphasized that the projects implemented with the bank are important in terms of applying the best practices in Azerbaijan and contributing to the diversification of the economy. The minister also briefed on the priorities of socio-economic development of Azerbaijan, noting the opportunities for cooperation in achieving the set goals, as well as the potential for expanding relations on public-private partnerships, green economy, energy, and especially renewable energy projects. Moreover, Jabbarov stated that the signed memorandum reflects the directions of cooperation between the bank and the ministry in the development and implementation of priority initiatives for the sustainable private corporate sector in Azerbaijan. In turn, Matteo Patrone emphasized the banks long-term and fruitful cooperation with Azerbaijan, adding that the countrys economic potential has created a favorable environment for the expansion of relations. He added that the bank intends to continue supporting Azerbaijans economy. The banks executive director also noted the possibility of implementing the green city program, implemented in Ganja and other cities of Azerbaijan. Additionally, the parties discussed areas of expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EBRD, and the projects implemented in the country with the banks financial support. Established in 1991, EBRD invests in projects that contribute to the transition to an open market economy, as well as the development of private and business activities. The bank is a leading investor in Azerbaijan. To date, the EBRD has invested over 3 billion ($3.5bn) in 177 projects in Azerbaijans economy. The country has been cooperating with EBRD since 1992 to achieve further economic development. One of the main priorities of EBRD in Azerbaijan is to support the local corporate sector with direct financing. EBRD continues to pursue investments in energy projects, especially where there is a gap to improve efficiency and energy security. Azerbaijan is the largest recipient of the EBRD funds in the Caucasus, as well as one of the largest recipients of this organizations funds in the CIS and Eastern Europe. Faster progress on Wrexham Gateway as Anglesey Cardiff subsidised flights are scrapped Welsh Government have indicated some cash that is freed up by stopping subsidised air flights will end up in Wrexham. Ministers say they have decided to use the funding earmarked for the Anglesey Cardiff air link to accelerate work on north-south connectivity within the North Wales Metro programme, including faster progress on the Holyhead Masterplan, Bangor Gateway and Wrexham Gateway, alongside work towards new station development at Broughton and Greenfields. Welsh Government currently commit up to c2.93m per Financial Year in support of the Ynys Mon Cardiff Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service. Welsh Government say, Following a full cost-benefit analysis of the future of the air service, we have made a decision to cease all support for the service. Passenger demand is not estimated to recover to pre-Covid levels until 2024/2025 and it will not match the potential demand that would have happened by 2025 if Covid had not occurred. Future demand for air travel continues to remain very uncertain. Further detail was given in a long statement that noted, The decision follows the outcome of an independent study commissioned by the Welsh Government into the carbon impact of the service on the environment. The study showed the service had a more negative impact on the environment than any other form of travel between Ynys Mon and Cardiff, unless it was flying close to full capacity every day, which, given the significant reduction in business travel since the pandemic, would be very highly unlikely. Even if every flight was full, the carbon impact of the service would be significantly worse than the rail alternative. The analysis also showed that despite common perceptions, the air service was not always the fastest link to Cardiff from north Wales, especially east of Bangor, where rail travel is actually faster, door-to-door. The Welsh Governments investment in new rail carriages, with Wi-Fi, comfortable workspaces and on-board catering, means that the Holyhead-Cardiff rail service now offers a much more attractive proposition for those who still need to travel on business between the north and the south. Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change said, This decision follows the news yesterday that despite Wales being on track with our immediate climate targets, there is still much more that needs to be done. We need to achieve greater reductions in our emissions in the next decade than weve achieved over the course of the last three decades if we are to avert catastrophic climate change. Its going to an uphill challenge and difficult choices will need to be confronted. Grace Brown takes Wrexham to Welshpool stage win and race lead of Womens Tour in Wales Australian Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) moved into the Womens Tour race lead with two days remaining after sprinting to victory on the Wrexham to Welshpool Stage today. Brown edged out 2017 champion Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) to claim the stage four win having initiated the move that took the trio clear five kilometres from the line. She now leads Niewiadoma by four seconds and Longo Borghini by six going into Fridays queen stage in Carmarthenshire that finishes atop the Black Mountain. The Womens Tour sets out from Wrexham as St Giles rings out 11am pic.twitter.com/zptOSh3nFg Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 9, 2022 I had planned before today that I wanted to be aggressive in the final, said Brown. Its cool when you play out your plan and it comes off so I was excited, and also I guess a bit of relief because this is my first win of the year and Ive been wanting it for a little while. We were working consistently most of the time. I guess there was some points where we took the gas off a little bit, but any time that we heard that the gap come down, we notched it up a little. I think when the roads were more climby we got a bit more time, obviously around the lake, where it was flat, the time started coming down quite a bit. I wasnt too concerned [on being joined by Niewiadoma and Longo Borghini], it was actually quite good because youre more likely to stay away if youve got three. Out of everyone there I think I can beat those two in a sprint, so I was quite happy about it actually. It was nice to have them in the final. Obviously I want to be up there on the final climb [tomorrow], I think thats what its going to come down to. Im happy now that Ive got a little bit of buffer and time, then if I finish with the top climbers then I can hopefully retain the jersey. Brown was in a group of 10 riders that went clear on the Hirnant Bank SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb approaching Lake Vrynwy. Despite the drive of a Pfeiffer Georgi-led Team DSM that whittled down the peloton and kept threatening to close the gap, it wasnt to be a hat trick of wins for Lorena Wiebes. With around five kilometres to go Brown hit out on a small rise to go solo, with Longo Borghini and Niewiadoma the only riders to react as the group fragmented, catching the Australian inside three kilometres to go. The trio worked together, holding a chasing quartet at 10 seconds, with Longo Borghini leading out the sprint on Broad Street Speaking afterwards Longo Borghini said; It was a really lumpy stage, there were some really hard [SKODA] QoMs in the middle of the stage and then some more, lets say flat parts in the end, but still uncategorised hilly parts. It was really really hard. I like the stage here and Im looking forward to tomorrow. With the team we chased back the breakaway. It was away and then the team director told me to go on the first [SKODA] QoM, and there we set up a breakaway that stayed away until the end. It was always really close to the bunch but we managed to stay away. Im excited about tomorrow. Its going to be nice to finish up on the Black Mountain. The SKODA Queen of the Mountains jersey changed shoulders moving to 2021 winner Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM Racing), who now has a 14 point lead over former holder Christine Majerus (Team SDWorx). Le Col Wahoo rider Maike van der Duin extended her lead in the Pillar Sprints classification thanks to taking a point at the opening contest at Chirk, and with a lead of seven points will hold the jersey going into the final stage regardless of points garnered in stage five. Highlights of the fourth stage of the Womens Tour will be on ITV4 at 8pm on Thursday 9 June and available on demand via the ITV Hub. The Womens Tour continues in Wales on Friday with the queen stage of the 2022 event and the races toughest ever summit finish. The 106.4-kilometre (66.3-mile) penultimate stage takes the race from sea level at Pembrey Country Park to the summit of the Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons National Park, a 7.2-kilometre climb averaging 5.3% and ramping up to 21% in places. Stage five is expected to finish at the summit of the Black Mountain at approximately 2pm, with live coverage on Eurosport Player and the GCN+ app from 11.30am. Plans for 24,000-bird egg-laying facility in Pontfadog could be refused after tens of thousands sign petition against it Plans to create an egg-laying facility housing 24,000 chickens at a farm in Wrexham could be refused after tens of thousands of people signed a petition opposing it. The owners of Cae Mor Farm in Pontfadog applied to Wrexham Council to expand their free-range egg-producing business in December 2020. The organic farm run by Julian and Emma Morris is already home to a production unit which accommodates 16,000 hens after planning permission was granted on appeal in 2017. They now want to create four new buildings at the farm in the Ceiriog Valley, which would each house an extra 6,000 chickens, in a bid to boost their production capacity. Siobhan Noonan, who lives in nearby Llangollen, started an online petition against the scheme in March last year as she claimed it would have a massively negative impact on the area. It has since attracted more than 82,000 signatures with the proposals now due to go before the local authoritys planning committee next week. The application has been recommended for refusal by a senior council official, who has raised concerns over the scale of the development. In a report published yesterday (Tuesday, 7 June), interim chief planning officer Ian Jones said: Despite the justification as submitted, there are still concerns regarding the likely visual impact of the buildings upon the established landscape character of the area. Whilst some visual impacts can be controlled or mitigated, this will take time. There is also concern that if this type of development is allowed, the same visual arguments could be used for further development, and it will have potential to erode the character of the area. He added: The principle of new agricultural buildings is the countryside is supported, but there is concern that the scale of development at this location is not fully justified at this time. It is important to minimise visual impacts since these will be long lasting for this area. As well as the petition, a total of 36 formal objections have been raised against the plans, highlighting issues such as increased traffic, animal welfare concerns and the potential impact of noise and odour from the facility. The Woodland Trust and Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales have also voiced their opposition to the scheme. Meanwhile, a total of 22 letters of support have been submitted with those backing the plans claiming there is a need for more organic farms. They also said it would help to create jobs and boost the local economy. Planning consultants acting on behalf of the farms owners said the proposed units would assist in keeping the business running. In a planning statement accompanying the application, they said: The proposal is for a new organic free range poultry unit. The production of Welsh free-range eggs is an important element of the agricultural economy. Two additional full-time jobs will be created and one of these will be a farming apprentice Farm businesses need to change and grow in response to market forces and legislation if they are to survive. The proposals will be considered by councillors at a meeting being held on Monday (June 13, 2022). By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter On June 7, health care workers at hospitals across France struck to protest the lack of resources, low wages and a wave of emergency room closures in public hospitals. With these workers exhausted and outraged by intolerable working conditions in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff shortages are now reaching critical proportions and forcing major cuts to access to hospital care. The strike is part of an escalating struggle of health care workers internationally against the subordination of medical care to private profit and the devastating consequences of the murderous official handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, tens of thousands of health staff have struck in Scotland, Turkey, Madrid and in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Mass health care strikes in the US states of Minnesota, California and New Jersey are unfolding as health care workers have protested the attempt to criminalize nurse RaDonda Vaught for a medical error in 2017. In France, access to medical care is endangered as President Emmanuel Macrons policies of austerity and mass COVID-19 infection run hospitals into the ground. Emergency wards have shut down periodically, often at night, or there is limited access in a number of hospitals. These include university research hospitals in Amiens, Angers, Bordeaux, Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Lyon, Metz, Nice, Orleans, Reims, Rennes and Strasbourg. There are also critical staff shortages in maternity wards, undermining proper pregnancy checkups and safety during births. Doctors and nurses are warning that French hospitals are facing a meltdown without a massive injection of resources and personnel. Dr. Frederic Adnet of Avicenne Hospital said: Emergency wards are on the verge of collapse. Its a symptom and a result of a profound crisis of the hospitals, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to a lack of hospital staff, one ward out of five risks being shut down this summer. Dr. Anwar Ben Hellal at the Versailles Hospital predicted a catastrophic summer, where people will arrive in emergency rooms and find the doors closed. ... Already people are dying due to lack of oversight, staff and beds. He added that after years of constantly working 70- or 80-hour weeks due to personnel shortages, staff were becoming utterly exhausted and leaving the profession. WSWS reporters spoke Tuesday to striking nurses who were rallying outside the Health Ministry in Paris to protest. Amelie and Marine Amelie told the WSWS: Weve always been striking for the same reasons since the last several protests: We do not get the resources we need for public hospitals. We neither get the material nor the staff resources. That is why we are here. ... It is very frustrating, we cannot properly take care of our patients. At the beginning of COVID, they said we were heroes, but now we are very clearly being abandoned, said Marine. When Amelie noted that French nurses in public hospitals are paid 1,400 monthly and up to 2,000 monthly at the end of their careers, Marine added that starting nurses are paid like cashiers, but lives are in our hands. Rachid WSWS reporters also spoke to Rachid, who talked about the explosive anger building up among health care staff over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rachid recalled the essential role played by low paid nurses, food processing and retail workers during the first wave of the virus. Because of the strikes and mounting public concern, they forced Macron to adopt the first lockdown. He said, During the first wave of COVID-19, workers who were paid 1,000 or 2,000 euros faced a virus that no one knew, and they were dying all over the hospitals. The health workers took over in the first wave. ... But then the bureaucracy took back the power, and they continued shutting down beds, Rachid said, adding that no politician has taken the measure of the hospital crisis. WSWS reporters noted the staggering and horrific contrast between China and France. While China used a strict lockdown to eliminate the virus, in France, Macron allowed the virus to return and refused to track, trace and isolate cases. The result is that the virus surged back in France and in countries across Europe. While less than 6,000 people died of COVID-19 in China, nearly 2 million have died of it in Europe, including nearly 150,000 in France. Rachid replied: The image that stays with me from China during the first wave, is that they managed to build a hospital in 10 days. We were in the middle of a pandemic, and we were eliminating hospital beds. He added, You probably remember, you saw other health care workers using trash bags for protection, as if we were a Third World country. That is why many health care workers do not want to return to this job and why many will not return. He explained that the governments palpable contempt for public health and safety is undermining support for the few remaining public health measures it is taking. While N95 or FFP2 masks are the minimum standard of protection, he said, In my ward and for many of my coworkers, we only have surgical masks to go into rooms of COVID patients. So we find it hard to stay with a philosophy that we should wear masks, largely due to the incoherence of the government. He criticized the Macron administration for sacking health care workers who refused to be vaccinated but were testing negative for COVID-19, while ordering vaccinated nurses who were testing positive to return to work to treat vulnerable patients. He bitterly denounced the flash mission that Macron announced on May 31, setting up a committee to evaluate the needs of hospitals. He said, Look at nursing classes, they are empty like deserts. And among the few students that are there, the dropout rate is 50 percent. When they finally get to an internship, the oversight they get is so poor that they tell themselves, There is no way I can have a career like this. So when Mister President goes and talks about a flash mission, what a disaster. Its yet another irrelevant thing. The way forward is to mobilize and unify the mounting international opposition among workers in health care and other industries against the capitalist system. The horrific conditions in hospitals in France and internationally are bound up with decades of underfunding of health care by capitalist governments of all political colorations, now vastly exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is impossible to reverse the accelerating collapse of health care systems without a scientific policy to halt the COVID-19 pandemic and eliminate the virus. After Macron and all European Union (EU) governments have abandoned public health measures against the COVID-19 contagion, a new wave of the virus is emerging. France sees over 140,000 cases and 200 deaths from COVID-19 each week, amid the total indifference of the Macron government. Moreover, Macron is plunging hundreds of millions of euros into NATOs arming of Ukrainian units and far-right nationalist militias to wage war on Russia, a nuclear-armed power, and increasingly to threaten China. The mobilization and international unification of health care workers depends on a break with the national union bureaucracies, who divide health care workers along national lines and try to blow off steam in toothless protest strikes. Workers need their own, independent rank-and-file committees, independent of the trade unions who negotiate state austerity policies with capitalist governments. Building the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWARFC) gives the working class the chance to organize and mobilize its industrial strength to stop imperialist wars, eliminate COVID-19 and wage a struggle for a socialist society that compels the use of social wealth to address urgent social needs such as health care. Autoworkers occupying Ford's Chennai Assembly plant in Maraimalai Nagar in India (Photo taken by an autoworker in India) More than 1,500 autoworkers at the Ford Motors assembly plant near Chennai, the capital of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, have continued a strike against the plants closure for more than a week. Workers are occupying the plant, completely halting the production of cars. The strike was initiated by younger rank-and-file workers who comprise the majority of the workforce. Although about 500 mostly older workers have not joined the occupation fearing the loss of severance pay due to management retaliation, they have supported the strike by refusing to cross the picket lines. The job action has disrupted the companys plans to complete more than 1,400 cars before the plants closure set for the end of this month. If we finish making the cars, then there is no connection between the management and us, and we wont be able to demand anything, one anonymous worker told ThePrint. Before the strike, workers held protests inside and outside the factory demanding severance pay be given prior to the closure of the plant. A huge contingent of police was rushed to the factory to intimidate the protesting workers. However, workers continued their protest and later launched an indefinite strike, defying police intimidation. The Chennai Ford strike is a part of global upsurge of the class struggle in defense of jobs, decent wages and better working and living conditions against the attempts by governments and corporations to impose harsh austerity measures. Workers and youth in Sri Lanka have been engaged in mass protests and strikes for the last two months demanding the resignation of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and his government over skyrocketing prices and shortages of essential goods. In May 2021, as the Delta COVID-19 variant ripped through India, workers at the Chennai Ford plant waged sit-down strikes and protests with their brothers and sisters at other Tamil Nadu auto plants owned by the Korean-based Hyundai Motors and French-Japanese Renault-Nissan. They demanded health protections against COVID-19, following the deaths of more than 25 workers and hundreds of infections in the plants. This rebellion compelled the automakers to shut down their plants for five days. However, they rapidly moved to restart production, with the assistance of the unions. The following September, Ford announced it would end its operations in India, closing the Chennai plant and another in Gujarat. The closure directly threatens 4,000 jobs. However, the closure of the Chennai factory alone will indirectly affect around 40,000 jobs in total because the factory jobs are linked to many ancillary units which employ unorganized workers. Ford has had production in India since the mid-1990s but has accumulated more than $2 billion in losses over the past 10 years. The companys exit from India is part of vigorous global restructuring in the auto industry, underway before the pandemic but greatly accelerated since. Auto companies are announcing multibillion-dollar investments in electric vehicles (EV) manufacturing. To pay for this, Wall Street is exerting enormous pressure for labor costs to be slashed. An article in Bloomberg reported that Ford was planning to spend an additional $10$20 billion to accelerate the shift to EVs over the next five to 10 years. The cost of this transition will be paid for with an as yet ambiguously defined reorganization plan. Compared to the traditional internal combustion vehicle, an electric vehicle requires far fewer moving parts and a smaller workforce to manufacture. Widespread job destruction is on the agenda, while the company plans to add an even lower tier of ultra low-paid production workers at its new EV battery factories. For the moment, Fords Gujarat plant has been taken over by Tata Motors without any cuts to jobs. Chennai workers have been mobilizing for months to demand the same job security. The factory employed 2,700 permanent workers and 600 contract workers. Many workers have even taken home loans to settle down in Chennai, which is why the news of the plant shutting down came as a great shock to them. Management is trying to suppress opposition to the closure by offering compensation packages. One worker told the Indo-Asian News Service, Ford management has offered 85 days pay for every completed year of service. Also, a fixed sum of 42,500 rupees (US $545) for every completed year of service. Earlier they had offered 75 days of salary and a fixed sum of 20,000 rupees (US $258) for every completed year of service. Prakash, a 32-year-old permanent worker, told the World Socialist Web Site, Due to this plant closure, our entire family is in a crisis situation. We had taken out many loans, including home loans, and now we dont know how we will pay them back. My entire family, including my children who are studying in school, need to relocate now back to our village due to lack of financial support. The government in India, both state and federal, are acting as tools of the big corporations. The strike/occupation of the Ford plant is now in its second week. (Supplied to the WSWS by a Ford worker) The strike and plant occupation was launched on May 31, but the production line at Fords Chennai car plant actually came to a halt the day before, when workers claimed they were asked to sign an agreement that prohibited them from holding any protests. I shall not engage in any activity which disrupts production (including a sit-down strike, go-slow strike, etc.) or be a part of any unauthorised gatherings within the plant premises, read the employee undertaking. The unions at Fords Chennai are opposed to a broader mobilization of autoworkers around India or internationally against plant closures. They do not want to do anything that might frighten off the multinational corporations from setting up shop in India. The unions are now claiming to support the strike initiative taken by workers. However, they have not taken up workers demands related to job security. Instead, they are focusing entirely on improved severance compensation for the workers. The capitalist press, echoing the unions, is reporting that the strike is solely about severance pay. The Chennai Ford Employees Union (CFEU) has restricted all industrial action to limited protests, mainly confining workers to toothless appeals to the Tamil Nadu government and the company. The DMK-led state government of Tamil Nadu, as its predecessor AIDDMK and right-wing, Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is also in power at the federal level, is fully committed to defending the profit interests of local and foreign investors, including global auto giants like Ford, against Indian workers. To fight the closures and also the deadly pandemic, Ford workers in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat need to turn to their class brothers and sisters throughout the auto industry in India, the United States and internationally. To conduct such a struggle, they need new organizations of struggle, rank-and-file action committees, which are controlled by the workers themselves and are independent of the pro-capitalist and nationalist unions and the capitalist parties with which the unions are aligned. Prakash (WSWS Media) Our unions have not set up any democratic discussion so far with the entire workforce, a Ford striker, Prakash, told the WSWS. Rather, from the beginning they were actively involved in convincing the young and militant workers to withdraw their main demand, that is, for job security. I can see clearly that unions are isolating us so as to accept the demands of management. I agree with your proposal that this struggle must be expanded, mobilising workers in nearby industrial zones and elsewhere in India and breaking with trade unions. I am ready to discuss further with you about the formation of rank-and-file committees. Ramapandian, 31, from the Theni district of Tamil Nadu said, Ford corporation has earned billions of dollars throughout the globe and has built new plants everywhere by exploiting us. Now, we are simply thrown away claiming that they had losses in recent years. Ramapandian (WSWS Media) To be frank, this struggle was not actually called by our union. But rather, it was organized by young militant employees who form the majority of the workforce. Young workers have been demanding job security as the main demand. But the unions, which are acting in the interests of a privileged few, and also some older workers have been suppressing our voices from the beginning, pushing us towards some low range settlement package. I completely agree that our union has no clear program and for the need to break with these unions. Ramesh, a permanent worker, said, As we began our strike, more than 100 police were mobilised immediately with the request of management. As the strike has continued for more than a week, more and more state forces are mobilised to intimidate us. We are aware that these actions are done with the complete guidance and knowledge of the DMK state government which is acting as agents of the corporations. Our union should have asked for proper financial records because Ford management is claiming losses. The minutes of conciliatory discussions between union leaders and management at labour department offices were not openly reported. Union leaders are trying to hide and distort the real information, and the rank-and-file workers are getting angrier by the day over the unions attitude. I understand the need for a democratic discussion among workers as an important step to carry forward the struggle and the need to form rank-and-file committees to unite with workers in other industries. The results of Ontarios June 2 provincial election are a devastating indictment of the politics of the trade unions. Over the past four years, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), its various affiliatesincluding the United Steelworkers, CUPE, OPSEU, and the teachers unionsand Unifor systematically suppressed all opposition among workers to the vicious attacks launched by Doug Fords Progressive Conservative government. They claimed that everything should be subordinated to the election of a progressive government, i.e., a pro-austerity regime headed by the New Democrats or Liberals, in June 2022. Andrea Horwath resigned as the Ontario NDP leader after the union-backed party lost nine seats and more than 800,000 votes in the June 2 Ontario election. Above, Horwath addresses the 2017 Ontario Federation of Labour convention. (OFL) Working people showed what they thought of the unions lying claim that the right-wing, pro-war and pro-austerity NDP and Liberals are friends of progress by voting with their feet. They stayed away from the polls in droves, producing a plunge in voter turnout from 57 percent in 2018 to an all-time Ontario-low of 43.5 percent in 2022. The NDP lost over 800,000 votes, around 40 percent of its 2018 total. Even the victor Ford and his Progressive Conservatives lost hundreds of thousands of votes, ending up with fewer votes than the NDP got in 2018 when they came a distant second. The Premiers party received the support of just 17.75 percent of the Ontario electorate. The pathetic collapse of the trade unions bogus campaign for a progressive government is the deserved outcome of their repeated efforts to sabotage every significant struggle waged by workers over the past four years. When the Trump-wannabe Ford came to power in 2018 it provoked widespread anger among working people. The determination to fight only intensified as Ford gutted education budgets, including by eliminating 10,000 teaching jobs, and imposed a three-year 1 percent per annum wage cap on over a million public sector workers with his Bill 124. As growing numbers of workers demanded strikes and other forms of protest, conditions were extremely favourable for the development of a worker-led political struggle against Ford and the entire ruling-class austerity agenda. But it was precisely such a development that the trade unions wanted to avoid at all costs. From the strike by 200,000 teachers in February 2020 to the contract fight at the Detroit Threes auto plants later that same year and the attempts by hundreds of thousands of workers over the past two years to secure safe working conditions during the pandemic, the unions ensured that all struggles were isolated, smothered, and sold out. Their perspective was summed up by the countdown clock on the OFLs homepage noting the days, hours, minutes and even seconds Ontario workers had to wait until they would have the privilege of voting for a progressive government. The unions support for a progressive government was based on their experiences during 15 years of Ontario Liberal rule, when the Liberals, with the NDPs explicit parliamentary support for close to three years from 2011 to 2014, cooperated closely with the unions in imposing austerity and a globally competitive tax regime for big business. It was also based and built upon the unions ever-expanding ties with the federal Liberals, exemplified by strategic voting campaigns dating back to 2004 and the abortive attempt to form a Liberal-led Liberal-NDP coalition government in 2008 pledged to massive corporate tax cuts, fiscal responsibility, and waging war in Afghanistan. Since the election of the Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government in 2015, the unions have further deepened their alliance with the Liberals. They were staunch government allies in the renegotiation of NAFTA, backed Trudeaus massive bailout of the financial markets and big business when the pandemic first hit, and ensured that workers were forced back into dangerous workplaces amid successive waves of mass infection and death by spearheading the ruling elites back-to-work/back-to-school campaign. A key ally of Trudeau in the reopening drive was none other than Doug Ford. The culmination of the union/Liberal/NDP alliance was the conclusion in March of a confidence and supply agreement between the federal Liberals and NDP. With the full-throated support of their trade union allies, the social-democrats have pledged, in the name of providing stability and progress, to keep Trudeau in power through June 2025. The agreement is based on waging war with Russia, raising military spending by tens of billions, and enforcing post-pandemic austerity to keep Canadian capitalism competitive. It is a measure of the hostility among broad sections of the population to the entire political establishment that all parties involved in the March dealthe unions, NDP, and Liberals, who failed to even win official status in the legislaturesuffered a debacle in the Ontario elections. Unions reach out to Ford Sections of the union bureaucracy appear to have been taken aback by the extent of the rank-and-file disaffection, and the gulf the election results revealed between the aspirations of the well-paid bureaucrats for lucrative sinecures on corporatist business-union-government committees and task forces, and those of the workers they claim to represent. One week after polling day, the Ontario Federation of Labour continues forlornly to display on its opening page its countdown clock to the election of a progressive government. Only now the timer shows minus hours! OFL homepage with countdown clock (bottom right) that now lists the minus days since it failed to replace Ford and his Conservatives with a progressive government"that is an alternate right-wing, pro-austerity, pro-war regime. But a much more politically significant phenomenon is the rush of union bureaucrats declaring more or less openly their readiness to collaborate with Ford and his PCs to enforce austerity. In a statement published June 3, OFL President Patty Coates said that Ford spent his election campaign touting support for workers. If Fords Conservatives truly want to work for workers, their first action will be the immediate repeal of Bill 124. What Coates is getting at is the union bureaucracys frustration at being excluded from the process of determining how to impose attacks on public sector workers. Bill 124 decrees that annual pay increases must be limited to 1 percent. Coates is saying that if Ford repeals this measurewhich by now has largely fulfilled its objective of imposing years of real wage cutsthe unions will be more than willing to negotiate the cuts demanded by big business and impose them on working people in a process with the Orwellian title of collective bargaining. This will not see Ford work for workers, but working with the union bureaucrats. Proving this point, Coates statement begging Ford to accept the unions services came the same day that the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) appealed to the reelected Ford to promptly conclude a contract for the 55,000 education support workers represented by the union so as to avoid disruption when the current contract expires at the end of the summer. By disruption, the CUPE bureaucrats mean what for them would be the terrifying prospect of education support workers and over 200,000 teachers fighting together for improved wages and conditions. Instead, CUPE proposes that each section of workers, carefully split up and isolated by the unions, goes on bended-knee before Ford and begs his government for a contract. This was how CUPE behaved in 2019, negotiating an eleventh-hour sellout contract to block a strike by education support workers. The deal included the 1 percent wage cap, which CUPE accepted without a fight even though Bill 124 was not formally in place at the time. Similar sentiments were expressed by the union brass at Unifor, Canadas largest private sector union. Commenting on Fords election, Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi said, I hope that with this new mandate, Ford takes the opportunity to reverse his former attacks on workers, repeal Bill 124, invest in public health care and address the rising costs of living for Ontario workers. In other words, having blustered for four years about the need to fight for a progressive government while suppressing all workers struggles, Canadas largest private sector union tells workers to pray for a modern-day conversion of Saul into Paul so that union bureaucrats and Thatcherite government ministers can get around the bargaining table. Unifor has already laid the groundwork to cooperate closely with Ford. Last November, prior to being disgraced in a corruption scandal, Unifor President Jerry Dias appeared alongside the PC Premier and Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) president Warren Smoky Thomas to tout Fords increase of the provincial minimum wage to a measly $15 per hour. Oblivious to the fact that a living wage in the provinces largest urban centres is at least $20 and rapidly increasing due to the soaring cost of living, the Unifor bureaucrats provided the backdrop of Unifor Local 414 and Local 462s offices for Ford, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton, and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy to posture as friends of working people. Dias stated how glad he was that the government had reversed courseFord had rolled back the minimum wage on coming to power in 2018and decided to raise workers wages. Ford returned the favour a month later, appointing Dias to serve as chair of the Premiers Council on US Trade and Industry Competitiveness. This body is responsible for lobbying US lawmakers to secure access for Canadian-made products to the US market, and offering up tax cuts and other pro-corporate subsidies to attract investment to the provinces auto, resource and manufacturing sectors on the basis of stepped-up worker exploitation. An Ontario government profile of the Council wrote with enthusiasm, Dias assumed an active role in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as a consultant to the Canadian government and negotiating team, where he consistently pushed to raise labour standards domestically and internationally, maintain Canadian sovereignty and protect key domestic industries. During Detroit Three negotiations in 2020 he succeeded in securing the return of truck assembly to Oshawa with GM investing more than $1.3 billion to build Silverado and Sierra models. In 2020 negotiations with Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and General Motors, Dias helped secure a total investment of nearly $6 billion for auto facilities across Canada. The unions capitulation before the Tories, like all their efforts to smother worker opposition, arises out of the intensification of the class struggle. As millions of workers are propelled into struggle for better wages and conditions as the cost of living surges, the pandemic rages on, and the threat of world war looms ever larger, the greatest fear of the union bureaucracy is the development of a mass movement of the working class that would directly challenge the capitalist profit system upon which their cozy relationships with big business and the entire political establishment rests. Workers must draw far-reaching political lessons from recent experiences in Ontario. The claim that workers must subordinate their struggles to the election of a progressive government has only strengthened the hand of Ford and the Tories, and facilitated a deepening of corporatist ties between the union bureaucracy and the very right-wing forces they claimed for years to be opposing. The only way forward for working people seeking to resist the savage attacks that the deeply unpopular Ford government will attempt to enforce during its second term is through an irreconcilable political break with the trade unions, and the establishment of independent rank-and-file committees in every workplace to organize a unified struggle of the working class independently of the OFL unions, Unifor, and the openly pro-Ford building trade unions. In this struggle, workers must confront head-on the domination of social and political life by the financial oligarchy by fighting for the redistribution of societys vast wealth to meet pressing social needs and for the establishment of a workers government committed to socialist policies. More than three months on from the first of two floods that engulfed large parts of the regional city of Lismore, the surrounding Northern Rivers region of New South Wales (NSW) and outer areas of Sydney, thousands of residents remain effectively homeless and thousands more have been blocked from flood recovery grants. Deserted street in Lismore downtown shopping area Following the flood disasters of February 28 and March 30, in which many people had to rely on local volunteers to be rescued, the state and federal governments belatedly and grudgingly promised various aid packages, mostly for businesses, to seek to head off widespread outrage over the lack of government rescue and recovery assistance. Yet less than a third of applications for help have been approved so far, and many more have been rejected, producing growing discontent in Lismore and elsewhere over the contemptuous official response. The NSW Liberal-National Coalition government, backed by the Labor Party parliamentary opposition, announced four different grant programs for devastated households and businesses. More than 43,000 applications have been made across those programs, but only 27 percent have been approved, while 50 percent have been declined. Even worse, the governments Resilience NSW agency, which was nowhere to be seen during the floods, has approved only about 330 Disaster Relief Grants from more than 2,440 applications. Likewise, the Rural Assistance Authority, which is meant to aid primary producers, has processed a little under half of the 3,200 grant applications it has received, and approved about 1,100. Premier Dominic Perrottets NSW government has flatly defended this record, saying it has more than 200 people working to process grant applications. To put that in perspective for people, its more than four times the number of grant applications that we had resulting from the Black Summer fires, Flood Recovery Minister Steph Cooke said. However, there have been similar outcomes from the 201920 bushfire catastrophe, with victims still homeless or struggling to rebuild more than two years on. Boarded up flood-damaged Lismore City Library In a bid to cover its tracks, the government is now claiming that the delays and rejections for the flood grants are the result of fraudulent claims, even though these allegations apply to only a fraction of the applications. Of the 43,000 applications, 2,705 are reportedly under review for possible fraud, and just 530 applications have been referred to the police for investigation. Many of these may be honest mistakes, given the complex and confusing application processes. There is a similar pattern of delay and obstruction from insurance companies. More than 216,000 claims had been filed by the end of May, potentially costing $4.3 billion. According to the Insurance Council of Australia, however, only about 20 percent of claims, totalling almost $1 billion, have been paid. During a brief hearing in Lismore last week by a parliamentary inquiry into the floods, people spoke about couch surfing, sleeping in vans or camping in houses with no walls or doors. Marcus Bebb, formerly of South Lismore, explained that he and his family of five are living in a caravan in a showground after losing their home. A rebuild could take three years, and he was still waiting to hear the governments position on house buybacks. Boarded up Historical Museum in Lismore Downtown Lismore still remains a disaster zone, with most shops boarded up, along with key educational and cultural institutions such as the citys library, art gallery, TAFE college and historical museum. Debris still litters some streets. Due to the protracted failure of governments, both Coalition and Labor, to address the threat of climate change, the entire region is at increasing risk of extreme weather events such as floods and fires, with the dangers greatest among its high proportion of working-class, vulnerable and poor residents. The WSWS discussed these and other political issues with residents last Saturday at the only shopping complex still open in Lismore, at Goonellabah. Many commented on the hundreds of extra people now homeless in the area and the difficulties residents were having in filling out the complex forms and providing all the documents needed to apply for government grants. Glorz Glorz, a long-time resident, who is studying to be a teacher, commented: People have been left to fend for themselves since the floods. Its like governments want to get rid of them. Asked for her views on the May 21 federal election and the new Labor government, Glorz agreed that both the major parties stood for the interests of big business. Its a two-party system, and nobody else had a chance, she said. I reckon that the Australian people have been ripped off, the workers have been ripped off and the general citizens have been ripped off. Asked about the Socialist Equality Partys fight for a socialist alternative, she commented: The whole system needs to be abolished, the current government and everything. They are just one body with lots of arms. All they are about is themselves. A new system needs to be for the people, and by the people. Glorz condemned the persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and had no confidence that the Labor government would do anything to free him. That man stood up years ago and told us the truth and nobody wanted to believe what was going on. He has been jailed for telling the truth. He needs to be free, because men like him are leaders in free speech. In the context of the US-led war against Russia in Ukraine, she added: And its a chain reaction to whats actually going on now. If you think back to what he [Assange] was saying years ago, and exposing years ago, that is now coming true. He exposed America, and England and Australia for who they really are, and they dont want that. They want him out of the picture completely. He has a hell of a lot more to expose, and they dont want that Free Julian Assange! Sandra and Danny Danny and Sandra, from the NSW south coast, were visiting friends in Lismore. They stopped to voice their support for Assange. Danny explained: Hes told the world the truth. Hes brought out the secrets and showed the world. Hes opened up what the world didnt know about If you tell the truth in this country today, you are penalised for it. America is the problem and Australia is too far in bed with the Americans. Sandra added: He was only doing his job as a journalist. He was holding up journalistic integrity, because he didn't divulge his sources. Its disgusting. There were never any charges against him. Danny interjected: The people are starting to find out, and if they dont stop theres going to be a revolution. The people are sacrificing, with the price of living and everything else, but the governments dont sacrifice. Sandra asked: Whats the use of sending money to Ukraine, like billions of dollars, to kill people? So theyre warmongers. In its March 6 statement, Australias floods: An indictment of capitalism, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) explained: Every aspect of the floods crisisfrom the lack of preparation and warnings to people, to the inadequacy of basic infrastructure and support services, and the lack of assistance offered to the hundreds of thousands of flood victimsis the direct result of the subordination of society to the dictates of private profit. The statement outlined a series of essential demands, including: A vast expansion of paid civilian emergency and health services to respond to crises such as fires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. The establishment of a national public insurance fund to compensate individual losses and provide for the reconstruction and rebuilding of communities. These demands mean forming rank-and-file committees to fight for them, rejecting the dictates of the financial elite and advancing the struggle for a workers government to implement socialist measures. As the statement explained: The pressing social needs of the majority can and must be addressed by placing the banks, insurance companies, property developers and other corporate giants under working class ownership and democratic control. A report commissioned by the United Nations Human Rights Council states that Israel's perpetual occupation of Palestinian areas and its refusal to end it underpin the tensions between Palestinians and Israelis. The authors insist that ending of the occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza since their capture by Israel in the 1967 Arab Israeli war in full conformity with the UNs Security Council resolutions is essential to end the persistent cycle of violence. Israeli security forces take positions during clashes with Palestinians following a demonstration against Israel's annual nationalist march through Jerusalem, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) The report, published June 7, is the first by a Commission of Inquiry headed by former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay and two other experts from India and Australia, set up last year following an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. That war killed at least 261 people, including 67 children, in Gaza, and 14 people, including two children, in Israel. The Commission is the first to have an ongoing mandate from the UN human rights agency. This includes alleged human rights abuses before and after the war and the investigation of the root causes of the tensions. The report states, What has become a situation of perpetual occupation was cited by Palestinian and Israeli stakeholders to the commission as the one common issue that amounts to the underlying root cause of recurrent tensions, instability and protracted conflict. The evidence convincingly indicates that Israel has no intention of ending the occupation. Instead, it is pursuing clear policies for ensuring complete control over the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, and is taking steps to alter the demography through its creation of a repressive environment for the Palestinians and a favourable one for Israeli settlers. The Commission says that Israel has failed to uphold international law and conventions relating to war and human rights and carry the UNs previous recommendations. These include ending the occupation, ceasing settlement expansion, ending forced evictions, ceasing the policy of administrative detention, particularly of children, lifting the restriction of freedom of movement that fragment Palestinian society, including by lifting the blockade on Gaza, allowing Palestinians access to their natural resources, and eliminating laws and practices that discriminate against Palestinians, including road segregation for the exclusive use of the Israeli population. The commission accuses Israel of affording different civil status, rights and legal protection for Palestinians living in Israel, noting that Israel operates a three-tier system of laws granting different rights to Jewish Israeli citizens, Palestinian citizens of Israel and East Jerusalems Palestinian residents. It cites Israels Nation-State of the Jewish People Law (2018) as effectively constituting racial discrimination by granting nationality rights only to its Jewish as opposed to Palestinian citizens and the recent renewal of a law that denies citizenship to Palestinians married to Israelis, calling for action to ensure equal human rights. Last week, Prime Minister Naftali Bennetts fragile coalition lost its razor-thin majority and was unable to secure the first reading of a bill renewing civilian legal rights for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus political bloc had opposed it trying to bring down the government. If the bill does not pass by the end of this month, Israeli settlers will be formally placed, like the Palestinians, under military law and denied entry into Israel. The report warns that impunity for perpetrators of violence is feeding resentment among Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. This is an implicit indictment of Washington and the major European powers that have built up Israels military and provided political and diplomatic support, particularly at the UN Security Council where the US has vetoed scores of resolutions condemning Israels actions. The commission will, it concludes, examine the responsibilities of third States in ensuring respect for and full compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in Israel and in the occupied Syrian Golan. The report will be discussed at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next week, which has no power to make legally binding decisions. Israel predictably dismissed the report. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it a waste of money and effort that amounted to a witch-hunt. Israel had boycotted the inquiry, accusing it of bias, and barred entry to its investigators. State Department spokesperson Ned Price cynically reiterated the USs opposition to the inquiry, saying the report does nothing to alleviate US concerns over a one-sided, biased approach that does nothing to advance the prospects for peace. The Trump administration pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council in 2018 over what it described as its chronic bias against Israel, with the Biden administration only fully rejoining this year. The worlds mainstream press has not seen fit to comment on the UNs report, including those champions of human rights imperialist intervention the New York Times and the Guardian. Their silence underlines the hypocrisy of US/NATO claims to be defending democracy in Ukraine while they provide support for an apartheid and militarist regime in Israel. The commissions report comes as Bennetts coalition government, made up of parties across the political spectrum including those ostensibly supporting a Palestinian statelet, is unleashing a torrent of repression against the Palestinians in the West Bank, including deliberate killings and injuries, arbitrary arrests, torture, persecution and collective punishment. Last Wednesday and Thursday, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians across the West Bank in just 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed this year to 62. Riot police and mounted units have injured hundreds of protesters and arrested hundreds more as they crack down on those protesting Israeli brutality and unbearable social conditions. As far as Israel is concerned, no one is immune from its murderous activities. Last month, the Israeli military deliberately shot and killed Shireen Abu Akleh, the widely respected veteran Al Jazeera Arabic reporter, who was clearly visible and wearing a press identifier. According to Reporters Without Borders, this brings to 35 the number of journalists killed while working in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 2000. Abu Aklehs murder and the polices attack on her funeral procession make clear that Israel will not tolerate the reporting of its brutal suppression of the Palestinians. Bennett has issued orders to shoot Palestinians who pose no immediate threat and called for the formation of armed vigilante groups, based in part on civilian volunteers, including from the New Hashomer (The New Guardian), a far-right militia. The silence of the imperialist powers confirms the cynicism of their use of human rights rhetoric to justify wars, military interventions, coups, regime change operations, referral to the International Criminal Court and sanctions against those who threaten their predatory interests. The US and NATO have denounced Russia for war crimes in Ukraine and China for committing crimes against humanity and genocide against Muslim Uyghurs based on unconfirmed or non-existent evidence. Washingtons support for Israel is bound up with Tel Avivs role as its attack dog against its rivals in the region and its own policy of normalising wars of conquest, occupation and repression. It signifies that the brutal methods used by Israel in suppressing the Palestinians will be used against the working class and youth that revolt against the ruling elites dictates putting the pursuit of corporate profit before human need. Chinese authorities this week warned the US and its close allies, Canada and Australia, of serious dangers of armed conflict arising from confrontational actions by their military aircraft in the East China Sea near Taiwan and close to Chinese facilities in the South China Sea. Australian P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane in exercises over South Australian coastal waters China accused the Canadian and Australian governments of acting in concert with the Biden administration, and of propagating disinformation and incendiary allegations over recent incidents that led to potentially serious aerial face-offs. Chinese data pointed to a pattern of deliberately intrusive US, Canadian and Australian surveillance flights that could easily trigger military clashes with China, which Washington has designated as a threat to its global hegemony. This pattern indicates moves by the US and its partners to goad China into military reactions that could provide a pretext for a US-led war, even as Washington ramps up its proxy war in Ukraine against Russia, also regarded as an obstacle to US dominance over the resource-rich and strategically critical Eurasian landmass. One of Beijings state-run outlets, the Global Times, reported on June 7: Data has shown that from February 24 to March 11, Australian military aircraft have visited the East China Sea north of the island of Taiwan six times this year to conduct close-in reconnaissance activities; Canadian military aircraft, on the other hand, were approached on several occasions by PLA [Chinese] warplanes from April to May 26 during their so-called missions to carry out UN Security Council resolutions in the East China Sea, according to a Reuters report on Thursday. This comes in addition to the US frequent close-in reconnaissance operations near China. Last month, at least 41 large spy planes of the US military were sent to the South China Sea for such operations, plus other reconnaissance activities including those on the PLA Navys Liaoning aircraft carrier group, according to a report by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, a Beijing-based think tank, on Thursday. This information sheds further light on the murky accusations of Chinese aggression issued by the recently-installed Australian Labor government and the corporate media this week, belatedly alleging that a Chinese jet intercepted an Australian surveillance plane over the South China Sea on May 26. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally levelled this serious charge against China while he was visiting Indonesia this week. We regard the actions of China in this area as being an act of aggression, Albanese said from Jakarta on Monday. Albanese was in Indonesia on a three-day mission to urge its government to step up its military ties with Australia and other US allies, and to counter Jakartas publicly-stated concerns over a regional arms race triggered by last Septembers anti-China AUKUS military pact between the US, UK and Australia. Not accidentally, the May 26 incident occurred just two days after Albanese travelled to Tokyo, as his first act in office, to join US President Joe Biden at a summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), another anti-China coalition, this one with Japan and India. At that summit Biden clearly told Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong to move fast to combat Chinas developing economic and diplomatic influence in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. In a detailed response to Canberras intercept accusation, Chinas Ministry of Defence said the Australian air force plane was identified as a serious threat to Chinas sovereignty and security. Spokesman Tan Kefei provided the first information about the location of the incident, which had not been disclosed by the Albanese government. He said the Australian P-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft entered airspace near the disputed Paracel Islands, also known as the Xisha Islands, despite repeated warnings from the Chinese side. In a Chinese-language statement posted on the departments website, Tan said: The Peoples Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command organised air and sea forces to identify and verify the Australian military aircraft and warned it to drive away. Tan said the response measures taken by the Chinese military were professional, safe, reasonable and legal, and accused Australia of repeatedly spreading false information and advocating confrontation. China urges Australia to stop such dangerous and provocative actions and strictly restrict the actions of its naval and air forces; otherwise grave consequences will be borne by the Australia side. China made a similar warning to Canada, after Ottawa complained that Chinese warplanes were harassing its aircraft monitoring North Korea. Like Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sweepingly denounced Beijings irresponsible and provocative actions. As the WSWS noted two days ago, neither the Albanese government nor a single corporate media has asked any of the obvious questions about their intercept allegations: Where exactly did this intercept occur? What was the Australian aircraft doing? Why was the incident announced ten days after it occurred? And where is the proof for the Australian version of events, including video footage? All these questions still remain unanswered. That, plus the context and details provided by China, further points to the conclusion drawn by the WSWS: The absence of even a shred of evidence, combined with the concerted government-media barrage, brands the interception story as a politically-motivated provocation. Whatever occurred on May 26, the frenzied response is aimed at ramping up tensions with China and justifying Australias increasingly aggressive role in the Indo-Pacific. On Monday, another indication came of a concerted US-orchestrated drive to trigger conflicts with China in the flashpoints off the Chinese coast. The Australian navy announced that the HMAS Parramatta Anzac-class frigate had completed a transit of the South China Sea. According to the navy, the warship was undertaking a two-month regional presence deployment to Southeast and north Asia until late July. Last week, the vessel conducted joint maritime security drills with Indonesias military in the strategic Makassar Strait, off southern Sulawesia location that also featured on Albaneses Indonesian itinerary. The frigate and an Australian air force P-8 spy plane participated alongside an Indonesian aircraft in the exercises, which involved tracking and identifying passing ships. The Biden administrations hand in this heightening confrontation with China was further indicated this week. A Washington Post report, citing an unnamed Chinese official, claimed Beijing was secretly building a naval base in Cambodia. Both Cambodia and China immediately denied the claim, but that did not stop Albanese voicing concern over the media report. Weve been aware of Beijings activity at Ream [Naval Base] for some time, and we encourage Beijing to be transparent about its intent and to ensure its activities support regional security and stability, Albanese said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Monday rejected the Washington Post story. He accused the US of spreading disinformation about other countries while maintaining about 800 military bases around the globe and spending more on its military than the total of the next nine top-spending countries combined. The Cambodian Embassy in Washington also refuted the newspapers baseless accusation. It said Cambodia firmly adheres to the nations constitution, which does not permit foreign military bases or presence on Cambodian soil. The renovation of the base serves solely to strengthen the Cambodian naval capacities to protect its maritime integrity and combat maritime crimes including illegal fishing, the statement said. On every front, Australias Labor government, together with Trudeaus Liberal government in Canada, has lined up behind Washingtons unsubstantiated claims and preparations for a catastrophic war against China. The allegations of aerial near misses are a warning that these war plans have already created the conditions where a miscalculation or error, even by a single pilot, could start such a war. Three police officers in Tempe, a city in eastern metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, have been placed on nondisciplinary paid leave following the May 28 drowning death of a man as they watched from a bridge and refused to rescue him. A still from police body camera footage prior to Sean Bickings' death by drowning The tragedy began at about 5:00 a.m. on May 28, when the officers received a domestic dispute call at the Tempe Center for the Arts, which is next to a reservoir called Tempe Town Lake. Video footage shows two officers first talking to a woman who told them she was the wife of Sean Bickings, 34. Although she was fidgety and nervous in the presence of the officers, she told them that there had been no physical violence, but that the two had argued and gotten loud. She insisted, He didnt do anything wrong. At times, the sound is cut off without explanation. The faces of all five people in the video are digitally obscured. They then went to join the other officer, who was questioning Bickings, whom the Tempe city website described as an unsheltered Tempe community member. While the officers were running the pairs names through a database to check for outstanding arrest warrants, Bickings climbed over a four-foot metal fence. The officer told him he could not do that or swim in the lake but did not try to stop him. Bickings walked down the embankment to the river and started swimming. One officer called for a boat, then they walked out onto the bridge. How far do you think hes going to be able to swim? asked one of the officers. By the time they had walked out onto the bridge, Bickings had swum about 30 or 40 yards out into the lake. A shout is heard, then the video abruptly ends and shows a message: Due to the sensitive nature of the remaining portion of the recording, a transcript of the sensitive portion of the event is being provided for full transparency. The transcript records the last moment of the increasingly desperate Bickings (Victim), begging for help, the anguish of his distraught wife (Witness), as well as the indifference of the officers: Victim: (inaudiable) [sic] Officer 2: So whats your plan right now? Victim: Im going to drown. Im going to drown. Officer 2: No, youre not Victim: (inaudiable) Officer 1: Go at least go to the pylon and hold on. Victim: Im drowning. (inaudiable) Officer 2: Come back over to the pylon. Victim: I cant. I cant. (inaudiable) Officer 1: Okay, Im not jumping in after you. Victim: (inaudiable) Please help me. Please, please please. Officer 2: I dont think they can get (inaudiable) the pedestrian bridge. Victim: I cant touch. Oh God. Please help me. Help me. Officer 2: Sir, you need to listen to me. Hey, listen to me. Swim to the pylon. Victim: I cant, I cant. Witness: (inaudiable) Victim: Can you hear me? Witness: Stop (inaudiable) Get off of me. He didnt do nothing wrong. Babe. Officer 1: We didnt say he did anything wrong. Officer 2: Get off of the bridge. Witness: (inaudiable) Officer 1: You need to chill out. Witness: I love, I love him. Please stop being so aggressive. Officer 2: Stop Witness: Oh, my god is he okay? Stop, why are you doing this? Im trying to help my fucking, please dont (inaudiable). Dude, what the fuck? You are the one that was aggressive with me when you arrested me last time. I know it. Officer 1: Hey, stop. If you want to help your husband, then talk to your husband, talk to your husband into coming over. City fire department divers recovered Sean Bickings body and pronounced him dead a little before 11:30 a.m. City officials were prompt with the damage control boiler plate. The original police statement said that officers immediately started rescue efforts and that Bickings was uncooperative, according to a USA Today report. Calling the drowning a tragedy, the city manager and the police chief said that the officers were put on leave and that the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Scottsdale Police had been called in to examine the police response. The Tempe Officers Association released a statement calling the drowning a human tragedy and an awful loss of life, and claiming that the officers had no training in water rescues or any equipment to do so and that they had followed the correct protocol. It said that it will work for a change in how the city and the Tempe Police Department approach potential water incidents in Tempe Town Lake, including instituting training and equipment changes. We will work with the city and the community to ensure that such an incident never happens again, the statement concluded. More video camera footage, again edited, is supposed to be released in the near future. The Tempe city website said that the Tempe Police Department investigation could take many weeks due to the need to wait for medical examiner and toxicology results. The same holds true for the Scottsdale PDs investigation. This event occurred just a few days after the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas where police stood by for 90 minutes as a gunman massacred 19 students and two teachers. Bickings drowning and its aftermath will do nothing to diminish the growing popular awareness of police indifference toward those the population is told they are sworn to serve and protect. The police are given billions of dollars in federal, state and local funding every year not to protect the working class and save lives but to protect the property interests of the capitalist ruling class. It is for this reason the police are given broad legal authority to harass, beat and killresulting in more than 1,000 deaths at their hands every year. Primary elections were held Tuesday in seven US states, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota, to choose the nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties for the general election set for November 8. Turnout was generally light, partly because of the lack of competitive contests but mainly because of widespread popular disaffection with both capitalist parties. Left to right: Rick Caruso, Chesa Boudin, Karen Bass. [AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, Jeff Chiu, Damian Dovarganes] The seven states account for 78 seats in the House of Representatives, nearly one-fifth of the House total. These are currently split 56-22 in favor of the Democrats, who dominate California and New Jersey, by far the largest in this group of states which are otherwise rural and less populated. The vast majority of the 78 incumbents are running for reelection against only token opposition from the other capitalist party. Even in those seats where the incumbents are retiring, the winner of the primary in the dominant party in that district is expected to win the general election easily. Of the 78 seats, only one each in New Jersey, Iowa, New Mexico and Montana are considered competitive, along with a handful in California. Of the three Senate contests, in California, South Dakota and Iowa, and four contests for governor, in California, South Dakota, Iowa and New Mexico, none are considered competitive. The most significant results Tuesday were in two municipal contests in California. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin was recalled in a special election, by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent. In Los Angeles, real estate mogul Rick Caruso and Congresswoman Karen Bass finished as the top two candidates in the mayoral primary and will face each other in the November runoff. Boudin, a left liberal backed by the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party along with its pseudo-left supporters, was first elected in 2019 campaigning against police brutality and excessively long jail terms. He clashed repeatedly with the police unions and real estate and other business groups and became a focal point for a right-wing law-and-order campaign, aimed particularly at whipping up fears in the Asian community over a sharp rise in anti-Asian violence. Once enough signatures had been gathered to force a recall, with support from both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party establishment, business interests, including hedge funds and venture capitalists poured in more than $4 million to promote the vote to remove Boudin. Like the recall of three members of the San Francisco school board earlier this year, right-wing forces took advantage of the political bankruptcy of identity politics with its incessant emphasis on racial divisions. Boudin and his supporters presented police violence as the product solely of racism, concealing the class role of the police as the defenders of capitalist property against the working class. The complete failure of the Biden administration to improve the conditions of life for working people, to say nothing of the Democratic Party-run state government in Sacramento and the administration of Democratic Mayor London Breed, created widespread popular anger and disgust and indifference to the fate of Boudin. The result was an election in which there was a sizeable turnout only in the wealthiest areas of the city. Overall voter turnout plunged: from the huge 449,866 anti-Trump vote in 2020, to only 123,926 votes in the recall. Tuesdays vote was only half as large as the 251,032 votes cast in the special election for mayor in 2018 which put London Breed in office. The vote will be seized on by Democratic politicians to use as a shield against Republican attacks seeking to link the Democrats to the calls to defund the police that arose after the 2020 police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which led to massive worldwide protests against police violence. President Joe Biden already indicated as much, telling reporters Wednesday as he traveled in California to host the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles that the message from the primaries was to spend additional vast sums on the police. I said, as you recall, we gave the states and all the localities, billions of dollars, billions of dollars to hire police officers, he said, but very few have done it. This included a budget request to Congress for $300 million for hiring and retraining police. Biden continued, Its time they move, its time the states and the localities spend the money they have to deal with crime as well as retrain police officers, as well as provide for more community policing. Its time they get on with doing that, and thats what I think the message last night from the American public was in all the primaries. While he did not refer to San Francisco or Boudin in particular, this was clearly the focus of his remarks. And there is little doubt that Vice President Kamala Harris, who started out her political career as San Francisco District Attorney, fervently supported the recall of Boudin behind the scenes. The other venue for law-and-order politics in the Democratic Party was in Los Angeles, where a half dozen candidates were vying to succeed Mayor Eric Garcetti, who is term-limited. The favorite of the Democratic establishment was Representative Karen Bass, who was on Bidens short list for consideration as vice president in 2020. But Rick Caruso, a real estate developer and former president of the citys Police Commission, pumped nearly $40 million into an advertising campaign of extraordinary volume. The media campaign backing the hiring of 1,500 more police and an offensive against the homeless boosted him to a narrow lead in Tuesdays primary but well short of a majority. Bass echoed his rhetoric, only proposing to hire somewhat fewer additional police and avoiding the most callous references to the homeless. Caruso won 41 percent of the vote compared to 38 percent for Bass, but again, the turnout was only 315,763, nearly 20 percent below the last previous mayoral election, despite the date of the election being moved to coincide with the statewide primary in an effort to increase participation. Only one in seven registered voters went to the polls. The primary contests for Congressional and Senate races, in California and the other six states, included two trends already demonstrated in earlier primaries. Ex-President Donald Trump had a mixed record in efforts to purge political opponents from the Republican Party. In California, Representative David Valadao finished second to Democrat Rudy Salas in his primary, ahead of a pro-Trump Republican, and will face Salas in November. Valadao was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Another Republican congressman who cast a supposedly anti-Trump vote, Michael Guest of Mississippi, was forced into a runoff for the party nomination by a more right-wing opponent who denounced Guests vote last year to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack. That resolution passed the House but was blocked by Republicans in the Senate, then superseded by the current investigation by the House Select Committee, which begins public hearings on Thursday night. On the Democratic side, there were several primary victories by former military-intelligence operatives, of the type the WSWS has spotlighted as The CIA Democrats. In the 41st Congressional District of California, one-term incumbent Republican Michelle Steel will face Democrat Jay Chen, a Navy Reserve intelligence officer, in November. Chen finished second in Tuesdays primary, well ahead of any other Democrat. In Californias 3rd Congressional District, which has no incumbent because of redistricting, Dr. Kermit Jones, a former Navy flight surgeon, won the Democratic nomination. Jones was deployed to Iraq with the Marines and was later a White House fellow in the Obama administration advising on medical treatment of military veterans. In Iowa, retired Admiral Michael Franzen won an upset victory for the Democratic nomination for US Senate, to face seven-term incumbent Republican Charles Grassley, who is heavily favored. Franzen defeated former Democratic Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, who raised more money and had the support of the party establishment. In South Dakotalast won by a Democratic presidential candidate in 1964 in the Lyndon Johnson landslide victory over Barry Goldwaterwith a Republican governor, a Republican US senator and a Republican member of the House of Representatives all renominated and all expected to win easily in November, voters overwhelmingly rejected a right-wing effort to block the expansion of Medicaid. A proposed constitutional amendment would have raised the proportion of voters required to pass a state referendum from 50 percent to 60 percent. This was a right-wing effort in the wake of a successful petition drive to put a measure to expand the states participation in the federal Medicaid program on the fall ballot. The Republican-controlled state government has refused to accept the expansion provided under the Affordable Care Act, even though it is paid for nearly entirely by the federal government. Left: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos arrives at the Baby2Baby Gala at the Pacific Design Center on Saturday, November 13, 2021, in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP); Right: Amazon fulfillment center struck by a tornado, seen Saturday, December 11, 2021, in Edwardsville, Illinois. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) The United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform has accused Amazon of obstructing its investigation into the deadly collapse of the companys DLI4 warehouse facility in Edwardsville, Illinois during a massive tornado last December. From the evening of December 10 into the morning of December 11, enormous tornadoes rampaged from Arkansas to Kentucky, killing over 100 people and leaving hundreds of miles of rubble. It was the deadliest December tornado outbreak in US history. Amazons DLI4 warehouse, which employed 190 people, was struck by an EF-3 (winds of 158-206 mph) tornado, which caused the building to cave in on the people inside. Plant managers at the fulfillment center disregarded days of advance storm warnings from local and national weather forecasts and refused to cancel the December 10 evening shift to ensure continued operation during the immensely profitable holiday season. Warehouse workers and delivery drivers who raised concerns about the storm were threatened with severe reprimand and immediate termination. An Amazon delivery driver who asked permission to seek safety from the impending storm was informed by her boss via text message that such a decision, will ultimately end with you not having a job come tomorrow morning. Numerous warehouse workers texted family and friends, Amazon wont let us leave. As a result of this criminal decision, dozens of workers were injured and six killed as the poorly constructed facility collapsed on top of them. Meanwhile, Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos, the worlds second richest person worth over $170 billion, hosted a luxurious party and oversaw the launching of his BlueOrigin spacecraft. Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee announced at the beginning of April the opening of an investigation into Amazons labor practices. Democratic committee members including committee chairperson Carolyn Maloney (New York), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) and Cori Bush (Missouri) wrote that the inquiry was being undertaken following concerns over recent reports that Amazon may be putting the health and safety of its workers at risk, including by requiring them to work in dangerous conditions during tornadoes, hurricanes, and other extreme weather. The House Oversight Committees initial April 1 letter-of-inquiry to Andy Jassy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amazon, requested that Amazon provide documents and communications about the tragedy at the DLI4 facility and documents regarding the companys workplace policies and practices that may have prevented workers from staying safe, and actions in responding to other severe weather events and natural disasters since 2017. The letter stated, Our investigation into Amazons response to the events in Edwardsville and other extreme weather events seeks to determine whether Amazons corporate practices put employee safety first, or whether your company, which now employs nearly one million people in the United States, is merely paying lip service to this principle. The evidence already available makes the answer to this question crystal clear. More than two months since the launching of the investigation, Amazon has failed to provide any key documents to the House Oversight Committee. Jassy never publicly responded to the Committees April 1 letter. Instead, the CEO wrote a letter to shareholders, published April 14, in which he falsely claimed that the companys injury rates are sometimes misunderstood and were about average relative to peers. These are bald-faced lies. Extensive, regular studies have exposed that injury rates at Amazon are far higher than the national average in the warehouse industry. In a follow-up letter to Jassy, dated June 1, the House Oversight Committee members write, Amazons failure to provide key documents has obstructed the Committees investigation. They continue, Nearly seven weeks have passed since the April 2022 deadline, yet Amazon still has not produced any of the key categories of documents identified by Committee staff, let alone the full set of materials the Committee requested. Amazon has also refused to provide documents from its internal investigation of the DLI4 warehouse disaster, ridiculously citing work-product and attorney-client privileges. Workers have seen this before. It is clear that Amazon is responsible for the deaths and injuries in Illinois. More broadly, it is responsible for the mass injury and deaths of workers at its facilities across the country and internationally. The WSWS has documented countless examples of the companys ruthlessness in the pursuit of profits. Instead of penalizing the multi-trillion dollar company for clear obstruction of an official inquiry, the House Oversight Committee demonstrated its toothlessness by simply granting, as an additional accommodation, an extension until June 8, 2022, which expired yesterday. The Committee lamely warned that if Amazon fails to meet this new deadline, it will have no choice but to consider alternative measures to obtain full compliance. Amazon responded by essentially brushing off the Committee, stating that it has provided over a thousand pages of information and will continue to work with committee staff on further document production. The alternative measures pathetically threatened by the House Committee will most likely not go beyond the Committee issuing subpoenas for a hearing on Amazons labor practices. This hearing, or series of hearings, will feature empty speeches about the moral failures and unprofessionalism of Amazon and result in nothing more than a slap on the wrist for the multi-trillion-dollar company. The entirely avoidable disaster in Illinois and the dismissive response of the corporate giant demonstrate, more broadly, the indifference of the capitalist ruling class to workers lives. To them, workers are expendable, worth less than basic machinery and equipment. If one dies, another can quickly be hired to continue production. Over the last two years, this subordination of life to the production of profit has been on full display with the criminal policies pursued in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling class and its political representatives have scrapped all public health measures to stop COVID-19, demanding that the population learn to live with the virus. Amazon continues to conceal the number of infections and deaths among its workforce. However, reports from workers indicate that the virus has taken a heavy toll. Now, the ruling class threatens death and suffering on a far greater scale by recklessly and relentlessly driving towards nuclear world war with Russia and China. The Democratic Party the political party of Wall Street spearheading the drive to world war, the pandemic policy of herd immunity, and the cutting of vital social programs and spending will ultimately do nothing to hold Amazon accountable for its criminality and ensure better working and living conditions for Amazon workers. Neither will the pro-corporate trade unions, which have overseen the decay of working and living conditions for decades and strangled any attempt by workers to fight back. In late April, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), found that the DLI4 facility met minimal safety guidelines for storm sheltering, and announced that it would not hold Amazon liable for the deaths of the six workers in Illinois. OSHA simply recommended that Amazon voluntarily take the necessary steps to eliminate or materially reduce your employees exposure to the risk factors described above. The agency remains significantly understaffed and underfunded, playing a key role in ensuring the unrestrained criminality of the capitalist class. As of 2021, the agency had issued less than 300 health violations throughout the pandemic for violations of health and safety practices. Workers must take matters into their own hands by forming independent rank-and-file safety committees and waging a serious struggle against the profit system. A fight for justice for the lives destroyed by capitalism and to prevent these kinds of tragic events requires an independent mobilization against the entire rotten social order. The British government is updating Official Secrets Act legislation with more sweeping and draconian provisions. On Monday, while attention was focussed on the Conservative no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patels National Security Bill passed its second reading in Parliament. Existing espionage offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911, 1920 and 1939 are to be replaced with a suite of new offences and accompanying powers. Home Secretary Priti Patel (left) and Prime Minster Boris Johnson (Credit: Hannah McKay Pool via AP) The offence of obtaining or disclosing protected information is exceptionally broad. Protected information includes any information which either is, or could reasonably be expected to be, subject to any type of restrictions of access for protecting the safety and interests of the UK. The safety and interests of the UK is summarised in the explanatory notes as the objects of state policy determined by the Crown on the advice of Ministers. An offence is committed if a person obtains, copies, records or retains protected information, or discloses or provides access to protected information for a purpose that they know, or ought reasonably to know, is prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom and if the foreign power condition is met. This condition applies if the act is deemed to have been carried out for or on behalf of a foreign power, including through an indirect relationship. The explanatory notes add, A person may intend to benefit a foreign power even if their conduct is motivated by financial gain, or a desire to cause harm to the UK as a result of a grievance. Provided that the person is aware that their conduct will benefit the foreign power and chooses to engage in that conduct with this knowledge, the test will be met. The offence of assisting a foreign intelligence service is even more loosely defined. A person commits an offence if they know or reasonably ought to know that conduct that they are engaged in is of a kind that it is reasonably possible may materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities. A memorandum on the bills relation to the European Convention on Human Rights admits that another offence, Unauthorised entry etc to a prohibited place, could affect protest activity. It adds, However, the Government considers that any interference with Article 11 (freedom of assembly) would be justified in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, or for the prevention of disorder or crime. Obtaining or disclosing protected information will carry a life sentence. Assisting a foreign intelligence service will carry 14 years and unauthorised entry to a prohibited place either six months in prison or a 5,000 fine. This is a war propagandists charter, pushed through amid the NATO offensive against Russia, designed to criminalise protest at military sites and journalism exposing government lies used to prepare and justify military aggression. Mondays debate on the National Security Bill was littered with references to the primary targets of world imperialism: Russia, the Kremlin, China and the Chinese Communist Party. The bill would allow for a more ferocious crackdown on broadcasters in some way linked to foreign governments than has already been seen with the bans on channels like Russia Today (RT), and closures of thousands of YouTube and social media accounts. The terms of the legislation are so broad as to catch anyone carrying out journalistic work inconvenient to the British state. The central figure in this new evisceration of democratic rights is WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, currently in Londons Belmarsh maximum security prison awaiting Patels say-so for extradition to the United States. He faces life imprisonment on charges under the Espionage Act for journalism exposing US war crimes, coup plots and human rights abuses and the complicity of the UK and other allies. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange greets supporters from a balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London. [Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File] Assange was spitefully referenced throughout the debate. Conservative MP and former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland demanded a means of ensuring that those such as Julian Assange who dump data in a way that has no regard for the safety of operatives and other affected people are still subject to criminal sanction, adding later, None of us wants to see Julian Assange and his type carry sway here. Tory Privy Councillor Sir John Hayes denounced a WikiLeaks-type disclosure dressed up as being by a guardian of liberty or some such other nonsense. Police powers set out by the National Security Bill are a legal codification of Assanges decade of persecution by the UK. The home secretary is empowered to require an individual to reside at or within a specified residence, remain wholly within the residence during the specified hours, impose restrictions on an individual entering specified areas or places, restrict the individuals access to financial services, prohibit an individual from possessing or using electronic communications devices without permission, and impose conditions on the possession or use of any permitted devices and to impose restrictions on the individuals association or communication with other persons. Any of these measures can be imposed for a year after seeking a courts permission, but without the target being made aware of the application. If the government declares the case urgent, they can proceed before receiving the courts permission. Measures can be renewed four times, up to a maximum of five years. Recalling plans for the assassination or rendition of Assange and whistleblower Edward Snowden, the bill grants immunity for crimes carried out abroad by UK agents provided they are deemed necessary for the proper exercise of any function of the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service or GCHQ or the proper exercise of any function of the armed forces. The Labour Party gave full-throated support to Patels legislation. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper paid tribute to those who work in our intelligence and security services, declared that defending national security would be at the very heart of a Labour Government and stressed the partys willingness to work constructively with the government on our national security. Asked by Tory MP Theresa Villiers if she would condemn the WikiLeaks-type mass dumping of information in the public domain, Cooper replied, Yes, I strongly do, because some of the examples of such leaks that we have seen put agents lives at risk, put vital parts of our national security and intelligence infrastructure at risk and are highly irresponsible. As far as Labour MPs raised criticisms, they were to say Patel had not gone far or fast enough. The current National Security Bill does not reform the Official Secrets Act 1989, though the government intends to do so. Its provisions are more directly relevant to Assange and WikiLeaks. Labours Kevan Jones warned that if the 1989 Act is not changed, we will have a situation where someone can get life for foreign espionage under this legislation, but only two years under the Official Secrets Act 1989. Another of the current problems with the 1989 legislation is the requirement to prove damage from unauthorised disclosures is in most cases a real barrier to prosecution. Minister for Security and Borders Damien Hinds hurried to reassure his colleague that under the National Security Bill the maximum sentence for an indiscriminate disclosurea bulk data dumpwill be higher than it is today if that act is done for a foreign power or the disclosure would materially assist a foreign intelligence service, even if not procured by that foreign intelligence service itself. If necessary, the government plans to go further. In a consultation document published last summer, Legislation to Counter State Threats, the Home Office wrote that it welcomes a recommendation by the law commission to increase the maximum sentence for unauthorised disclosures as set out in the 1989 Act. It goes on, we do not consider that there is necessarily a distinction in severity between espionage and the most serious unauthorised disclosures. The National Security Bill confirms the warnings of the World Socialist Web Site that the persecution of Assange is setting the precedent for an unprecedented assault on freedom of speech, protest and the media, in line with escalating plans for imperialist war abroad and social counterrevolution at home. The fight to free Assange, whose extradition is due to be decided on by Patel before July 18, excluding extensions, must become the spearhead of a mass movement in defence of democratic rights. Students, teachers and staff at schools across the United States have responded to the horrific shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas last month with outrage and concern. Walkouts have been organized and held at a number of schools, and further actions and demonstrations are planned over the coming weeks. Students at Cass Technical High School in Detroit march against school shootings [Photo: WSWS] The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth and student section of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), has been speaking to students on the social and political roots of mass violence in the US. At Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California over 300 students participated in a walkout on Wednesday. Mena, a sophomore, addressed her classmates and school staff at the rally: In America guns kill about 53 people daily. Over 250 mass shootings have occurred in 2022 alone as of today and almost 30 of those were school shootings. Theres more guns than there are people in the US. Mena went on: Gun control shouldnt have to be divisive politics. Wanna pull the Constitution on me? Try obtaining life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness when were all dead. Speaking to our reporters after her speech Mena explained: I think that the biggest enabler [to school shootings] is the fact that people in the mental state to even think of performing this in the first place are not able to access help. Mental health care is extremely inaccessible right now, it is extremely unaffordable to most people. I feel like if that were made more accessible to the general public then we would see a lot fewer shootings. And of course, just restricting guns, so that this can not happen in the first place. Mena expressed a deep concern over the immense impact of war on society: I think that all these larger socioeconomic problems, at the end of the day, you have to look at a single person and how they react to it. For example, if there is a mass war going on, on the other side of the planet, the person all the way over here, maybe in our same neighborhood, would be looking at it, and feeling personally affected by it. That is where it all stems from, I think. It does not feel so far away anymore, now that we have communication via social media, every big problem in the world, it feels like it affects us really, really strongly. Another student, Winnie added, I also think that the fact, most of us, we have grown up our whole lives with the US being at war, in a constant state of violence, for a lot of people it has desensitized them to the idea that it is an actual life that they are taking. This enables that mindset, that justifies it to themselves. May, a sophomore at Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, California, spoke to the impact of the shooting on students and teachers, It has a lot to do with mental health. I feel like this has impacted teachers more than even students. One of my teachers cried, another, now always locks the door, saying if a student comes late, they can knock, but the door needs to stay locked. Responding to the IYSSE statement, which points to unending war, the militarization of the police and immense growth in social inequality as underlying causes of mass violence in the US, May noted, for a recent field trip we had to do a life simulation project. My assignment was to live as a single mom on $2000 a month. This was really difficult. And it really showed how society punishes the poor. Blue, a high school student in Oakland, California, told the IYSSE: I do not understand how this could have happened to an elementary school. It is terrifying because I also wonder if it happened to me as someone with mobility needs, I do not think I would have been able to run away. The fact that we have to have active shooter drills in the first place is just absolutely disgusting. This is the 27th school shooting this year and we are only half way through the year. A new school year is going to start and there will probably be school shootings. Blue went on: This is such an American issue. Since 2009, there have been 288 school shootings in the US, but in other countries its different, Canada two; France two; Germany one; Japan, Italy and the UK it has been zero. It is unfathomable and other countries look down on us for allowing children to be killed. IYSSE reporters pointed out that the US has 800 military bases around the world which they use to carry out unending wars abroad. Blue responded: The US government is a terrorist country, we go to other countries and terrorize them and kill innocent people and then turn around and call other countries disgusting for protecting themselves. The US is not in any danger, why are you going to a war for no good reason? I understand other countries being in war because the US is attacking them. But no one is attacking us! No one wants to attack us! So why is America using war and being a terrorist to others. This is the reason I do not call myself an American. Because I am disgusted by the country. In Detroit, Michigan, students at schools throughout the city have expressed immense concern over the recent shooting. At Cass Technical High School hundreds of students participated in a walkout on Tuesday which was tightly controlled by the administration and the Democratic Party. At Western International High School a few miles away, students told the IYSSE that school shootings were a symptom of something deeply wrong with society. Andy explained: I think that it is crazy because, first of all, I do not even know how so many kids get their hands on weapons. But why should they even want to do that? ... The problem is that some kids feel that they have to deal with things alone, and that happens a lot with kids. Andys friend, who wished to remain anonymous added: Gun control is not going to stop people from figuring out how to get one. It might even make the problem worse. I mean gangs have guns when the stores do not have them. On the question of better policing in schools, he said, Now if you want to bring more guns and more police into the schools, that will just make students angry and rebellious and even more likely to take some rage out on each other, like people do in prison. Andy added: That is not going to go smoothly at all. Society has got too many problems. Morgan, a high school student in Virginia, told the IYSSE: I think the reason behind the school shootings and mass shootings in general is the failure of capitalism and the failure of the two party system and really the failure of both parties. The Republicans are insistent on keeping these semi-automatic weapons in the hands of the general public. The Democrats are powerless or too scared to stop it or just won't. Morgan continued: There are really no solutions left other than looking at what those two parties have in common: they are both capitalists. The only thing that Democrats and Republicans share in common is their belief in American capitalism and war and because of that we see the breakdown of our society. People in poverty are suffering. They dont have health care, they dont have access to mental health care. Living in such a cruel and heartless society leads people to break down and they commit mass acts of violence because thats what their sick minds turn to. There is no solution other than moving away from the system that created all of this: capitalism. On June 5, several hundred people joined what was falsely advertised as an anti-war march for Ukraine in Auckland, New Zealands biggest city. The event was called by the Ukrainian Association of New Zealand, an expatriate group, and promoted on social media by the middle class, pseudo-left groups Auckland Peace Action, and Peace Action Wellington. Protesters marching to Auckland War Memorial. Placard on the left compares Putin and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping to Mussolini and Hitler. (Source: Auckland Peace Action Facebook page) The aim of the rally, which had the character of a government-sponsored event, was to justify NZs growing military contribution to the US-NATO proxy war against Russia. The Labour Party-led government has joined the sanctions against Russia and sent about 90 troops to Europe to assist with supplying and training the Ukrainian armed forces. The marchers gathered outside the Auckland War Memorial, where they were addressed by representatives of the Labour Party-Greens coalition government: Priyanca Radhakrishnan, minister for ethnic communities, and Green MP Ricardo Menendez March, as well as former Labour leader Phil Goff, now mayor of Auckland. Other speakers included diplomats from Poland and Latvia. This line-up revealed the pro-war character of the event, which went beyond denouncing Russias invasion of Ukraine, and embraced the actions of NATO and the US in flooding Ukraine with weapons. Speakers called for more military support to ramp up the war against Russia and oust President Vladimir Putin. This dovetails with the aims of US and European governments, which provoked Putins invasion in order to inflict a decisive military defeat on Russia and to bring it under their imperialist control. Driven by the worsening global economic crisis, these governments are seeking to redivide the world, at the expense of Russia and China, and to whip up nationalism and deflect growing class tensions at home onto an external enemy. Auckland mayor Phil Goff addresses the rally, next to Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Ethnic Communities. (Source: Mahi For Ukraine Facebook page) Goff delivered a bellicose speech, which began with the shout Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine)the battle cry used by Ukrainian fascist forces in World War II, which has been adopted by governments around the world. With staggering hypocrisy, Goff posed as the opponent of unprovoked invasions. He said the independence and sovereignty of all nations should be respected, and referred to the victims of this aggression, those who have been killed and wounded, those who have been raped, those who have lost their homes Goff served as foreign minister and defence minister during the 19992008 Labour Party-led government, which sent NZ troops to join the illegal US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. These wars, started with lies about fighting terrorism and the threat of weapons of mass destruction, were aimed at cementing US imperialist control over resources and strategic areas of the globe. New Zealands repeated troop deployments, which resulted in the killing of civilians and other war crimes, were aimed at strengthening New Zealands alliance with the US war machine. Russias invasion of Ukraine is a reactionary response to NATOs expansion and threats. It has led to widespread suffering, deaths and dislocation. But it does not come close to the destruction of entire societies by US imperialism over the last 30 years, leading to the deaths of well over a million people in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and elsewhere. Chillingly, Goff compared the war in Ukraine with World Wars I and II, saying that 30,000 New Zealanders gave their lives for independence, for freedom, for the values of our country and for a better world. In fact, NZ involvement in these imperialist wars was aimed at supporting the British Empire and ensuring that New Zealands ruling elite could seize new colonies in the Pacific. Goff declared that Putin will be held to account. He called Putin a Nazi who is doing what Adolf Hitler did in 1938 by invading Sudetenland, in 39 by invading Poland. The world came together to resist that fascism and that aggression, and the world must do the same for Ukraine today. This false comparison is intended to prepare public opinion for a much larger war, involving nuclear-armed powers, which would eclipse even the barbarism of the Second World War. Goffs references to fascism are particularly cynical, since it is well-known that extreme right-wing militias make up a large part of the Ukrainian military, including the notorious Azov Battalion. These neo-Nazis, armed to the teeth by NATO, have been responsible for numerous war crimes, including the execution of Russian prisoners. The war in Ukraine did not begin in 2022 with Russias invasion. The US and European powers, which falsely claim they are defending democracy from Putin, funded and coordinated the 2014 coup in Kiev, which overthrew an elected, pro-Russian government. The fascist Right Sector and Svoboda organisations played a leading part in the putsch, which provoked Russias annexation of Crimea and the civil war in the breakaway Russian-speaking eastern provinces. In response to the 2014 events, New Zealands parliament, including Labour and the Greens, voted unanimously to align with the US, tacitly supporting the coup and blaming the conflict on Russian aggression. Minister Radhakrishnan, in her speech to the gathering, outlined New Zealands involvement in the war. In addition to sanctions against Russia, New Zealand has provided over $33 million in assistance to Ukraine in financial and in-kind support to Ukraine, including the contribution towards weapons and ammunition procurements, funds to provide commercial satellite imagery to Ukrainian defence intelligence, and to the NATO trucks fund to transport military equipment. Last month, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand troops in the UK are helping to train Ukrainian forces in the use of the howitzer artillery cannon. Green Party MP Menendez March, who spoke after Goff and Radhakrishnan, did not challenge their pro-war remarks. He called for greater support for refugees fleeing Ukraine. The Greens, which are part of the coalition government, criticised NZs provision of weapons, saying it should instead concentrate on humanitarian assistance. But the party is completely aligned with New Zealands support for NATO and participation in the war, and has demanded the expulsion of the Russian ambassador. The role of Auckland Peace Action (APA) and Peace Action Wellington in promoting the rally exposes their fraudulent pretence of opposition to war. In a Facebook post later in the day, APA sought to whitewash the event: it made no reference to the governments support for NATO and the militarist comments by Goff and Radhakrishnan. It declared that some speeches took place, saying nothing about their content, and that the rally was heartening and a display of strength in peoples commitment to humanity, opposition to the invasion, and understanding that peace and justice are interwoven and interconnected. The pacifist groups, which are close to the Greens, represent a middle class milieu that is galloping to the right and, like the pseudo-left International Socialist Organisation and the left-wing Daily Blog, has embraced imperialism. The rally last Sunday underscores that a genuine anti-war movement can only be built based on a socialist and internationalist program, in opposition to the Ardern government, including the Greens, and the pseudo-left apologists for these imperialist parties. On Monday the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised its monkeypox alert to level two, meaning travelers should practice enhanced precautions. Specifically, avoid close contact with sick people, including anyone with skin or genital lesions. Additionally, the CDC asks that travelers avoid contact with contaminated material used by sick people like clothing and bedding. The CDC had also included in their guidance the wearing of facemasks to help prevent the spread of the virus. The guidance bluntly stated that facemasks could help protect against many diseases, including monkeypox. However, the CDC abruptly removed this recommendation later the same day. According to Reuters, a spokesman for the CDC said on Tuesday, Late yesterday, CDC removed the mask recommendation from the monkeypox travel health notice because it caused confusions. Their explanation for the about-face was that the rare disease had been mostly transmitted through sexual contact and therefore never warranted the mask-wearing precaution. The CDC neglected, however, to explain that health care workers treating patients with monkeypox in hospitals must take precautions against airborne infection, including wearing face masks. Indeed, recent evidence that has emerged in the last decade (discussed below) suggests that airborne transmission of monkeypox is quite possible. Keeping the mask recommendation would also underline the glaring contradiction with their guidance for COVID, a far more transmissible and far more deadly disease than monkeypox, which continues to surge across the country, under conditions where mask-wearing has been virtually abandoned. In the month since the first monkeypox case was confirmed in a British citizen returning from Nigeria, the global epidemic has burgeoned to involve more than 36 countries where the virus has not been endemic. Though most of the cases have been in Europe, monkeypox cases have been detected in North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. According to the BNO monkeypox tracker, as of yesterday there have been 1,083 confirmed cases and 33 probable or suspected cases. The United Kingdom currently has the highest number of confirmed cases with 302, followed by Spain with 198 and Portugal with 166. No person has died of the disease thus far. Placing the scope of this outbreak into context, the largest outbreak previous to this occurred in 2003 with 47 cases across six states in the USIllinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsinfrom contact with infected pet prairie dogs. According to the CDC, investigators determined that a shipment of animals from Ghana, imported to Texas in April 2003, introduced monkeypox virus in the United States. The shipment contained approximately 800 small mammals representing nine different species laboratory testing showed that two African giant pouched rats, nine dormice, and three rope squirrels were infected with monkeypox virus. The infected animals were housed near prairie dogs at an animal facility in Illinois. However, all these infections were zoonotic, and, unlike the current outbreak, no person-to-person infection was reported. Close-up of monkeypox lesions on the arm and leg of a female child in Bondua, Grand Gedeh County, Liberia. http://phil.cdc.gov (CDC's Public Health Image Library) The question of whether monkeypox is airborne or not has come to the fore of the current discussion. Linsey Marr, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech and an expert in airborne transmission of viruses and air quality weighed in on the topic in a long twitter thread posted on May 31, 2022. She explained that the fact that monkeypox virus is larger than SARS-CoV-2 has nothing to do with whether it can be aerosolized. She wrote, How far a virus can travel is determined by the size of the droplet/aerosol carrying it, not the size and weight of the virus itself. She then added, the monkeypox didnt scream airborne at me like COVID-19 did, but it may whisper. If it is occurring, it does not seem to be very efficient, at least based on past outbreaks. Things could be changing. We dont know yet! In a recent study published in The Lancet Infectious Disease, the authors examined viral dynamics among seven previously infected patients diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK between 2018 and 2021. Three of the patients had acquired the infection in the UK. One was a health care worker who acquired it in a hospital and the other two were an adult and child within a household who acquired it from another adult who was infected abroad. According to the above report, monkeypox virus DNA was detected in the upper respiratory tract and their blood. Five of the patients remained in prolonged isolation for more than three weeks due to prolonged PCR positivity. One of the patients relapsed six weeks later. As the authors noted, Prolonged upper respiratory tract viral DNA shedding after skin lesion resolution challenged current infection prevention and control guidelines. These findings have significant implications because they suggest that even after a patient has cleared their skin lesions, they may continue to shed monkeypox viral DNA from their respiratory tract. What remains unclear is exactly how much virus is released in aerosol form and how infective it is. Marr highlighted a study from 2013 in which the monkeypox virus was aerosolized in a rotating chamber built to fit in a Class three biological safety cabinet. Viable airborne viruses were detected even after up to 90 hours of aging. Additionally, she noted that in a laboratory setting macaques could become infected after being exposed to the monkeypox virus via large aerosols from a micro sprayer. The 2011 report she was referencing was attempting to create an animal model for infection that would replicate the primary viremia stages of the disease seen in humans in animals in real-world setting. Previously, these nonhuman primates had been infected through an intravenous infusion of the virus which would bypass the incubation and primary stages of the disease. Though the disease is endemic to Central and West African countries, the size and geographical spread of the current outbreak has confounded public health officials. Certainly not as contagious as SARS-CoV-2, the transmissibility of the virus between humans, potential for respiratory route of infection and prolonged period of infectivity pose significant dangers to the overall health of the population. Adding to these findings, on Friday the CDC reported that they had sequenced two genetically distinct variants circulating in the US. Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the CDCs High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology Division, told CNBC, While theyre similar to each other, their genetic analysis shows that theyre not linked to each other. Its likely that within the last couple of years, there have been at least two different instances where monkeypox virus spilled over to people in Nigeria from the animal that maintains it and that that virus likely began to spread through person-to-person close contact, possibly intimate or sexual contact. It also means that there could very well be multiple entry points for the monkeypox virus with the potential for it to take root in the community, smoldering undetected. The dangers posed to pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised people are significant despite the existence of a battery of antivirals and vaccines. Conditions in which international travel has become so commonplace, combined with the complexity posed by global climate change and encroachment by human populations into previously untouched natural habitats, have provided the impetus for the current outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health experts have not been able to explain why there has been a sudden sharp rise in cases of monkeypox across the globe. Aside from recent large celebrations being superspreader events, some have speculated that monkeypox may have been spreading undetected for some time. Others have speculated that the virus has evolved for more efficient transmission between people. One can assert that all these seem plausible hypotheses working together. Professor Andrew Read at Pennsylvania State University, who studies the evolution of infectious disease, told CNBC, I worry a lot about if it becomes very common in humans. The potential to become more common and more transmissible through time, as weve had with COVID, would be very, very unfortunate. Considering the current COVID pandemic, the emergence of another infectious pathogen raises significant concerns about the efficacy of public health systems in the US. The complete rejection of the precautionary principle by public health officials, as displayed by their immediate turnaround on the issue of masks, underscores the dangers to the population posed by the complete indifference of the political and medical establishment to these threatening pathogens. Germany is playing an increasingly aggressive role in NATOs war offensive against Russia. During his visit to Lithuania on Tuesday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Germany would increase the number of its combat troops on the ground in that country. We are determined that we will increase our contribution, Scholz said at a meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and the heads of government of the three Baltic states in Vilnius. The German presence was to be developed in the direction of a robust combat brigade. This means a massive expansion of the German commitment. Currently, just under 1,000 Bundeswehr soldiers are stationed in Lithuania; a brigade consists of up to 5,000 soldiers. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, talks with Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Andra, commander of the multinational NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) battalion at the military training area near Prabade in Lithuania [AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis] [AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis] The entire meeting bore the character of a war summit against Russia. NATOs war aimto defeat Russia militarily and economically and thus ultimately to subjugate itwas openly expressed. Our common goal is clear: Russia must not and will not win this war! declared Scholz. Our goal is clear: Russia must lose this war and Ukraine must win it, said Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins. Nauseda called Russia a terrorist state towards which there could be no dialogue or cooperation, no appeasement or yielding. Instead, he said, Moscows complete isolation must be sought and we must respond decisively to the Russian threat and strengthen our defences. He criticised French President Emmanuel Macrons remark that Moscow should not be humiliated. We will humiliate Russia in Macrons sense, both militarily and economically, he rumbled. Scholz made it clear to members of the press that his telephone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin were aimed at forcing Moscow to capitulate. The point, he said, was to make it clear to Putin again and again that his strategy of attacking Ukraine was not working. Scholz then boasted about Germanys massive rearmament. He said he was very happy to be here today because this is a day that follows shortly on the heels of the decision that the German Bundestag made last Friday. With a constitution-amending majority, he said, a special fund for the Bundeswehr has been set in motion, comprising 100 billion euros, which will make it possible to further strengthen the German armed forces, which are already very strong. The increase in defence spending would enable Germany to ensure that the Bundeswehr, which will then probably possess by far the largest conventional army in Europe, can guarantee its task of organising and ensuring common defence within the framework of NATO. As allies in NATO, we feel obliged to each other, and we will defend every inch of NATO territory in the event of an attack. Germany would continue to supply Kiev with weapons until Russia was defeated, Scholz declared. We will continue to support Ukraine with arms deliveries. Germany was doing this more intensively than almost anyone else and will continue its support in the near future as long as it is necessary to be able to repel Russian aggression. This now apparently also involves battle tanks made in Germany. In the case of a Spanish application for an export licence for Leopard infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, his government would carefully examine it, Scholz assured. At the weekend, the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that Madrid was planning to supply Kiev with German Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks and air defence missiles. The German government would have to approve their export. Only last week, Scholz had held out the prospect of another round of massive arms deliveries as part of the adoption of the Bundeswehr Special Fund. Among other things, he promised the delivery of a modern Iris-T air defence system and a tracking radar. According to Scholz, the decision was made in coordination with the US, which is also supplying Ukraine with modern missile systems that can also reach targets in Russia itself. Thus the war, which was deliberately provoked by NATO, is developing ever more directly in the direction of an open conflict between nuclear powers. The massive war offensive refutes the official propaganda of a supposedly defensive approach against Russian aggression, as claimed by Scholz in Vilnius. Indeed, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union 30 years ago, the NATO powers have been tightening the noose around Russia. In Ukraine, Washington and Berlin orchestrated a coup in early 2014 in cooperation with fascist forces like Svoboda and Right Sector to bring a pro-Western regime to power in Kiev. Subsequently, the imperialist powers have continued to fuel the conflict. German combat troops in Lithuania [AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis] [AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis] The German-led battlegroup in Lithuania, which is now to be massively enlarged, was established in 2017, along with other battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia and Poland. It is already armed to the teeth. The battlegroup is equipped with a sizable number of large vehicles, including several dozen tanks (combat, recovery, engineer, bridge-laying and infantry fighting vehicles), reads a brochure published by the Bundeswehr Operations Command. As part of his trip, Scholz visited German combat forces at the military training area in Prabade. According to an official report on the government website, he thanked the soldiers there for their work, on behalf of the entire federal government. The martial display of German imperialism in Eastern Europe and the mobilisation of German combat units for war against Russia are part of a decidedly fascist tradition. 81 years ago, Hitlers army, the Wehrmacht, invaded the Soviet Union and waged a war of extermination throughout Eastern Europe, killing at least 27 million peopleincluding 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. Despite these monstrous crimes, the imperialist powers are once again pursuing the goal of dismembering Russia and plundering its huge reserves of raw materials. In doing so, they rely on fascist forces and traditions, not only in Ukraine. In Lithuania, the German-led battlegroup, which itself has repeatedly attracted attention for its neo-Nazi activities, is under the Iron Wolf brigade of the Lithuanian armed forces. Originally, the Iron Wolf (Gelezinis vilkas) was a fascist fighting alliance founded in 1927 under the dictator Antanas Smetona. During the Second World War, members of the Iron Wolf collaborated with the Nazi occupiers and were involved in massacres of the Jewish population in Lithuania. A funeral service is being held today in Bloomington, Illinois. Steven Dierkes, a 39-year-old worker who was killed in a horrific industrial accident at Caterpillars Mapleton foundry on June 2, will be laid to rest. Steven Dierkes, who died at Caterpillars Mapleton, Illinois, foundry on June 2, 2022 (Photo: Family obituary) Dierkes was working in the main melting area when he either fell through flooring or tripped into a crucible holding molten metals at temperatures of more than 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit. The young worker died instantly from thermal annihilation, Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood reported. He added that it took his team several hours to sort through the metal fragments and find his remains after the red-hot metals were cooled off. Dierkes had just begun working at Caterpillar days earlier. He was described in an obituary as a hard-working teddy bear of a man with calloused hands and a tender heart, who is survived by his best friend and life partner Jessica Sutter and daughters Rilie Myrl (12), Remie Jo (5) and Tamzlinn Jean (TJ) (4). This tragedy will leave a life-long scar on his family and co-workers. As for Caterpillar, management issued a perfunctory statement saying it was deeply saddened by the death of an employee before resuming production of engine blocks at the foundry. Dierkes death recalls the conditions that workers confronted a century-and-a-half ago in Carnegies steel mills in Pittsburgh. In the 1880s, the incineration of steelworkers was so routine that the companies would pour a death ingot from the vats they fell into. It was equivalent to the mans weight so that their widows had something to bury. Though more information must come to light, one thing is certain: the accident was entirely preventable, and Steven Dierkes did not have to die. He is another worker sacrificed on the altar of profit. This was the second fatality at the Mapleton foundry in six months. In December 2021, 50-year-old Scott Adams, an electrical contractor, fell to his death through a hole in the floor that reportedly was not properly covered. Technicians work on a Caterpillar tractor at Puckett Machinery Company in Flowood, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Caterpillar has been repeatedly cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for serious safety violations at the Mapleton foundry. Though these violations led to finger amputations, broken bones and other serious injuries, OSHA only issued a few wrist-slap fines that totaled less than $70,000 over the last five years. This is less than the daily compensation of CEO James Umpleby III, who was paid $24.3 million in 2021. Caterpillar spent $1.4 billion on share repurchases and dividends in the first quarter of 2022 alone. In posts on social media and messages sent to the World Socialist Web Site, Caterpillar workers described the conditions that led up to Dierkes death. Safety is not a priority, just profit, one CAT worker wrote. Another said, I did that job for four or five years running, the melter he fell into. I cannot tell you the times I have thought how horrific it would be to trip and fall in. Those melters hold 110 thousand pounds of iron. What a terrible way to go. Dierkes had only been there for 5 days, another worker wrote, adding that he should never have been on the iron floor without sufficient training. Scoffing at the companys mantra that nobody dies on Caterpillar property, a former security guard at its East Peoria plant said he witnessed company firefighters perform CPR on the lifeless body of a worker killed by a hydraulic press until he was moved off the property. This is a regular practice for the company in an attempt to lessen liability and claim the death didnt occur on property. {Read More: Horrific death at Caterpillar Mapleton foundry evokes outpouring of shock and anger among workers} Dierkes was only one of thousands of workers who are killed and maimed every year in Americas industrial slaughterhouses. Most of these deaths go unreported in local news outlets, let alone the national media. In the last few days alone, the United Support and Memorial Workplace Fatalities Facebook page listed the following victims: Thirty-six-year-old construction worker Ronald L. Bryant Jr. was struck and killed Wednesday by a construction truck in Hamilton, Ohio near Cincinnati; Two unidentified workers at the Big Rivers Electric Corporation power plant in Henderson County, Kentucky died Tuesday after falling into a confined drainage system; Reaver Boone Vaughn, 61, died at the Granges America aluminum engineering and manufacturing facility in Salisbury, North Carolina on June 8 in an accident involving a forklift; And on and on... According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 4,764 fatal work injuries in 2020, the latest figures available. Another 50,000 deaths and 119,000 illnesses occur every year from cancers and other fatal diseases linked to chemical exposures on the job, according to OSHA. The US government boasts that the 2020 fatal workplace injuries were down 10.7 percent from 5,333 in 2019. But this statistical change is solely attributable to the sharp slowdown in the first year of the pandemic, when millions of workers stayed at home. The 2020 and 2021 figures do not include the hundreds of thousands of workers who needlessly died from COVID because they were deemed essential or after temporary lockdowns were ended. After bailing out the banks, the ruling class rushed to reopen the auto factories, meatpacking plants, oil refineries, public transit systems, schools and other workplaces. These became central vectors for the spread of the deadly disease, which has killed more than 1 million people in the United States. This is capitalism. The death of Dierkes and so many others is a terrible loss for loved ones, family, children, co-workers and friends. For the profit system, the worker is a commodity that can be replaced by another to perform the same task. And the capitalist production system grinds on... While it takes a particularly brutal form in America, capitalism is a worldwide system of exploitation. Some 2.3 million women and men around the world are killed by work-related accidents or diseases every yearor more that 6,000 deaths every dayaccording to the International Labour Organization. Last week, more than 50 workers were killed in an explosion at a port container depot in Bangladesh. The country was also the site of a 2013 disaster that saw 1,200 workers killed when a garment factory complex collapsed outside of Dhaka. Workers are given no protection by government agencies or the unions. The class character of the state reveals itself clearly in its attitude to workplace conditions. Minor fines that corporations consider a cost of doing business are the norm, under Democrats and Republicans alike. The life of a worker is measured in dollars and cents, and never enough to affect the bottom line. As for the unions, they are the last place that workers would now look to address their grievances, including over safety violations. The upper-middle class executives are engaged in a continuous conspiracy with management to increase exploitation. The corrupt bureaucrats in the United Auto Workers (UAW) sold out a series of bitter strikes against Caterpillar in the 1980s and 1990s. With their blessing and complicity, the company ripped up gains won through generations of struggle. Workers are not, however, simply an exploited mass. The ruling class is sowing the wind, and it will reap the whirlwind. A powerful counter-offensive is emerging in the United States and throughout the worldin health care, education, manufacturing, logistics and other industriesagainst the subordination of life to profit. The industrial carnage can and will be stopped through the independent action of workers themselves. This means building rank-and-file safety committees in every workplace to fight cost-cutting, exhausting hours and workloads, and layoffs, which endanger workers lives. These committees must fight for workers control of production speed and control over all aspects of health and safety, including protection against COVID-19. To fight multinational giants like Caterpillar, these committees must coordinate their struggles across national boundaries by building the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). In opposition to a system that subordinates human life to private profit, the working class must, and will, respond through the development of a political movement for socialism, that is, the reorganization of society on the basis of human need. It is through the fight for socialism that it is possible to put an end to the conditions of exploitation that led to the death of Steven Dierkes and so many other workers. Speaking at the event, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang expressed his confidence that the Chairs network would be enhanced with the participation of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP). I have no doubt that the realization and successful implementation of this project will fulfil the main aim of the Chairs Programme, which is to build capacity and directly support the negotiations which take place on a multilateral level through customized research which is developed in coordination with government officials, private stakeholders, and a global academic community of experts in the field of international trade, said DDG Zhang. By joining the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP), Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru becomes part of a network of 36 institutions around the world, nine of which are in the Americas. Half of them were added to the programme during previous cycles while the other half became part of the WCP when its third four-year cycle was launched in 2021. Cesar Landa Arroyo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, spoke about the WTO's upcoming 12th Ministerial Conference to be held in Geneva on 12-15 June. He also highlighted the importance of the multilateral trading system in raising the living standards of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, as well as in ensuring the optimal utilization of global resources. He expressed confidence that PUCP's activities would facilitate research and policymaking on issues which are of key interest to Peru during upcoming negotiations as well as contribute to greater academic development. Pedro Bravo, Deputy Permanent Representative of Peru to the WTO, emphasized that this type of technical cooperation provided by the WTO is of the utmost importance.We firmly believe that going this extra mile through activities encompassing the preparation of future trade experts, researchers and policymakers is a valuable approach in the right direction to ensure the continuous improvement of work and discussions in the WTO, he said. The event was also attended by Cassandre Nonque, Deputy Head of the International Trade and Investment Rules Unit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of France the WCP's largest donor country. France's support for the programme stems from its recognition of the contribution of the WCP toward generating convergence toward common interests within the multilateral trading system. She stressed the importance of the network in facilitating outside-the-box discussions with stakeholders and filtering the results of these discussions into concrete outcomes during decision making at the WTO. Ambassador Jung Sung Park, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea, noted Peru's extensive integration into the multilateral trading system, in particular its commitment to modernizing the WTO rulebook, as is manifested in its participation in all joint statement initiatives (JSIs), including its most recent decision to join the JSI on investment facilitation for development. He also expressed Korea's desire to scale up their support for the WCP. We believe in the vision and potential impact of the Programme. By training a countrys trainers, the Chairs Programme will help ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of home-grown knowledge and expertise, he said. A roundtable was held as part of the event. Marcelo Olarreaga, Professor of Economics at the University of Geneva and Henry Gao, from the Singapore Management University both members of the WCP Academic Advisory Board discussed the challenges of e-commerce in the multilateral trading system alongside Antonia Carzaniga, Counsellor at the WTO Trade in Services and Investment Division. Co-operation is well underway between members of the Latin American sphere of the WCP, who joined the academic Chair in China at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing to discuss the economic relations between the two regions. In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce, the team at PUCP envisages close collaboration with several stakeholders throughout the course of their activities such as with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Customs, the National Society of Industries, the Chamber of Commerce Peru-United States, and other Peruvian universities. Representing the business community at the launch event, Silvia Hooker, Manager of International Affairs of the National Society of Industries of Peru, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the significance of the Chairs Programme for the private sector within the country. Eh-leganza is about to go global when RuPaul's international all-stars descend upon North America to compete on Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World. Production company World of Wonder announced Thursday that the Drag Race franchise will welcome queens from its multiple worldwide iterations to compete on Canada vs. the World when it premieres later this year, with returning judges Brooke Lynn Hytes, Brad Goreski, and Traci Melchor set to preside over the series' panel. The six-episode season will see the queens competing for the title of "Queen of the Mother-Pucking World," with the cast being revealed in the near future. Canada's Drag Race World of Wonder Brooke Lynn Hytes returns to judge international all-stars on 'Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World' Canada vs. the World follows the success of February's RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World, which pitted nine queens from RuPaul's Drag Race, Drag Race Holland, Drag Race Thailand, and Canada's Drag Race against British queens from the show's host nation for the franchise's first international crown, which was ultimately won by Drag Race UK season 1 star Blu Hydrangea The Canadian version of Drag Race saw success upon its debut on Crave in Canada and WOW Presents Plus in the United States, producing popular winners like Priyanka and Icesis Couture across its first two seasons. "Growing up, there weren't a lot of people like me on TV. It's kind of interesting now to be Canada's first drag superstar, because now someone who looks like me can be like, 'Oh, I guess I can do that too!'" Priyanka, the franchise's first Indo-Caribbean winner, previously told EW after taking the Canada's Drag Race season 1 crown in 2020. "We're normalizing people of color winning things. Shea Coulee. Jaida Essence Hall. That's normal!" Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World premieres later this year on Crave and WOW Presents Plus. Subscribe to EW's BINGE podcast for full recaps of RuPaul's Drag Race, including weekly All Stars 7 recaps and reactions with the cast, special guests, and more. Related content: A worker adjusts security cameras on the edge of Tiananmen Square in Beijing. GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images China is offering its citizens rewards of over $15,000 for tip-offs on national security threats. Rewards could also be "spiritual," which come in the form of certificates of appreciation. Chinese internet users welcomed the move, with many saying they would show their "full support." China is offering its citizens cash rewards of more than 100,000 yuan ($15,000) for tip-offs on "acts endangering national security," the Ministry of State Security said in a notice on Monday. Besides these so-called "material rewards," eligible individuals could also be offered "spiritual rewards," which would come in the form of certificates of appreciation, the notice said. Tip-offs can be made in person, online, or by phone and post, but the information must be new to the authorities before issuing a reward. In addition, if the whistleblower's safety is compromised by making a report, they may request personal protection from national security agencies, the notice read. According to The Guardian, Chinese authorities have rewarded citizens who expose foreign spy activities or other security breaches for years. However, the new measures seek to standardize the incentives across the nation and motivate more people to uncover threats, a ministry representative said on Wednesday, per state-owned outlet Legal Daily. "The formulation of the measures is conducive to fully mobilizing the enthusiasm of the general public to support and assist in national security work, widely rallying the hearts, morale, wisdom, and strength of the people," the representative told the outlet. The measures come as foreign intelligence agencies and "various hostile forces" have ramped up their "infiltration activities" in China, said the representative, without providing details. On Chinese social media, users warmly welcomed the move, with many people saying they would show their "full support" for the initative. The hashtag "rewards announced for citizens reporting national security threats" has received 60 million views on the Twitter-like platform Weibo. "Honestly, I would report any national security threats if I could find them, even without a reward," a user wrote. Read the original article on Insider An Orlando man been found guilty of abuse after a waitress noticed concerning signs and helped save his stepchild. On Monday, a jury found Timothy Lee Wilson guilty of 2 counts of false imprisonment on a child under the age of 13, three counts of aggravated child abuse with a weapon, four counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of child neglect, according to a news release from the state attorney's office. On New Year's Day 2021, police received a 911 call from waitress Flaviane Carvalho, who worked at the Mrs. Potato restaurant. She noticed a family of four enter the restaurant at around 11 p.m. and saw one child was being secluded from the rest of the family. He was being denied food and Carvalho noticed bruises on him. She wrote a sign asking "Do you need help? OK," and held it up behind his stepfather. The 11-year-old boy acknowledged that he did need help. She called 911 and days later Wilson and the boy's mother, Kristen Swann, were taken into custody. Investigators later found that he had been tortured, maliciously punished and deprived of food and water for days at a time. The boy was also kept away from his mother and sibling, in a separate hotel room used for storage, a search warrant found. The room's peep hole was covered by duct tape. The boy was made to do military-style exercises and was even hung upside down from a door by his neck and feet. At one point, he was handcuffed to a dolly cart on Christmas Day. Investigators also found multiple items used as weapons such as metal pole, a wooden broom, a dolly cart, handcuffs, and ratchet straps used to tie the victim up. For taking action and potentially saving the boy's life, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried presented Carvalho with a Florida Cabinet proclamation at a news conference last year. January 28, 2021, was proclaimed Flaviane Carvalho Child Advocacy Day in the state of Florida. "I didn't expect anything like that," Carvalho said at the news conference. Story continues "Please, if you see something, especially against kids and old people, the most vulnerable don't be afraid to do something about it," Carvalho said. After just two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts as charged for Wilson, according to the news release. He is set to be sentenced on Friday, August 19, 2022. CBS News has reached out to the state attorney's office and Orlando Police Department for more information and is awaiting response. School gives teacher final send-off before retiring after 50 years Grandpa cheers for every kid at graduation Thailand legalizes growing and consuming marijuana LAS CRUCES - Three new art exhibitions will have opening receptions at New Mexico State Universitys Art Museum at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 10. The shows are free and open to the public and will run through Friday, Sept. 2. "Laeree With Flowers," by Joey Fauerso Wait for It by Joey Fauerso will be on display in the Contemporary Gallery The exhibition features the work of San Antonio-based artist Joey Fauerso. Employing techniques that upend traditional modes of art-making, Fauersos work opens onto questions of identity, gender and representation. It includes recent artworks by Fauerso alongside a poem and essay authored by 2017 State of Texas Poet Laureate Jenny Browne. "Dropping Amino Acid," by Rachel Stevens (ir)regular evolution by Rachel Stevens will be on display in the Bunny Conlon Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery The exhibition features all new works in clay by Rachel Stevens, NMSU Department of Art professor emerita. These pieces mark a radical shift in Stevens practice from large-scale monochromatic metal installations to multicolored biomorphic ceramic sculptures. From evolutionary theories of meteors sparking life on earth to genetic mutations causing cataclysmic pandemics, in this exhibition Stevens new forms explore the (ir)regularities that she is embracing in her own work and in our modern world. "Squaredance," by Carissa Samaniego Pray for Rain by Carissa Samaniego will be on display in the Mullennix Bridge Gallery The exhibition features recent works by Carissa Samaniego, who will join the NMSU Department of Art as visiting professor of sculpture in the fall of 2022. The selections are from three of the artists ongoing projects: the Querencia textile series, Block Pattern Halo drawings, and Americana research. Through experimentation with varied materials and alternate methodologies, Samaniego explores the cultural histories and socio-political issues of life in the Rio Grande Valley. The University Art Museum is open from 12-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 1308 E. University Avenue. There are only four visitor parking spaces for the art museum, however, visitors may create a FREE parking permit here, print it out, and place it on the dashboard. For more information, visit the University Art Museum webpages, call 575-646-2545 or email artglry@nmsu.edu. Minerva Baumann writes for New Mexico State University Marketing and Communications and can be reached at 575-646-7566, or by email at mbauma46@nmsu.edu. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: University Art Museum at NMSU opens new exhibitions PALM SPRINGS, Calif. People of all ages were swimming, socializing and seeking shade Wednesday morning at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. Why so early in the day? It was going to be far too hot later. After 4 or 5 oclock, its really too hot to be out here in the sun and have kids trying to do swim lessons and swim teams. That just doesnt work, said Mike Marshall, the facility operations manager. Were expecting 117-degree weather this weekend, and thats not really good weather for outdoor activity. So swimming in the water does help, but they should limit their exposure. It's not just California's Coachella Valley that will be scorching through the weekend. Temperatures over 100 degrees are expected across the Southwest region of the U.S., including Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Many states will likely match or break records, and temperatures are even forecast to exceed 110 in some places. WHATS GOING ON WITH THE WEATHER? Subscribe to USA TODAYs free weekly Climate Point newsletter Records are already falling in Texas. San Antonio set a new daily record high from Sunday through Tuesday; it hit 104 on Monday, which broke the old daily record by 3 degrees. Galveston set records for warm overnight temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday with a low of 83 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued several excessive heat warnings for Thursday through Sunday. Related video: Texas storm chasers unexpectedly find themselves in EF-2 tornado Its already been pretty hot so far this month in the Southwest, but thats going to build heading into later this week, AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff told USA TODAY on Wednesday. From southeastern California, California Central Valley into Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, that corridor is going to be the hottest weather weve seen this year. The reason for the weekend heat wave is a high-pressure system, in which a large area of sinking, dry air heats up, Duff said. Contributing factors, such as persistent drought and the start of a seasonal change in the atmospheric circulation known as the North American Monsoon, are also partly to blame for rising temperatures. Story continues With dry soil conditions and a rise in moisture that does not evaporate, the suns energy is able to directly heat the ground and the surrounding air. CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT YOUR FAULT: But that doesn't mean you're off the hook One thing to keep in mind with this heat wave, theres not going to be a ton of relief at night, Duff said. Evening temperatures across the region will be in the 70s and 80s. This is a serious heat wave, and people have to take it seriously, NWS meteorologist Alex Tardy told USA TODAY. Whenever we talk about heat warnings and temperatures near records, it needs to be clear that this is unusual. Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California, Texas, Arizona among states facing heat wave into weekend Cases of monkeypox are continuing to crop up around the globe as the outbreak of the rare disease keeps spreading. As of Thursday, at least 1,260 cases have been detected in countries where the virus is not endemic, with the overwhelming majority reported in North America and Europe. Sao Paulo authorities confirmed to ABC News Wednesday that the first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Brazil in a 41-year-old man who recently traveled to Spain. MORE: DC reports 1st orthopox, potential monkeypox case In the United States, 40 infections are suspected or confirmed in 14 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York has the most cases at nine, followed by California with eight, Florida with four, and Illinois and Colorado with three each. PHOTO: Confirmed and Suspected Monkeypox Cases in the U.S. (ABC News) During a briefing Wednesday, World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the window of opportunity to contain the outbreak is closing. "The risk of monkeypox becoming established in non-endemic countries is real," he said. "But that scenario can be prevented. WHO urges the affected countries to make every effort to identify all cases and contacts to control this outbreak and prevent onward monkeypox spread." Public health experts currently do not expect the virus to become a major health threat, but are concerned about the recent spread. "I think any time there's an outbreak that is ongoing with no evidence of control, I think we should be concerned," Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York, told ABC News. "I think that's different from being panic-stricken. But I think the continued increase in numbers of cases of monkeypox and continued increase in countries reporting cases is certainly of concern." If the outbreak isn't contained, this means the virus could be ever-present in a community, circulating at low levels. Story continues MORE: DC reports 1st orthopox, potential monkeypox case But Dr. Scott Roberts, an assistant professor and the associate medical director of infection prevention at Yale School of Medicine, said he does not envision the outbreak as being similar to the COVID-19 pandemic because of the different mechanisms of spread. COVID-19 generally spreads through the air via tiny droplets and can require as little as 15 minutes of face-to-face contact. In the current outbreak, most of the spread has come from coming into contact with infected people's lesions. "It's not like you'll pass someone in the elevator, and you'll get monkeypox," Roberts told ABC News. "That's pretty unlikely. The classic COVID definition was within six feet for 15 minutes. This one is more like within six feet for three hours, is what the CDC has said, or contact with the infected lesions." Many cases have been reported among men who identify as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men, but there is currently no evidence monkeypox is a sexually transmitted infection -- and the experts emphasize anyone can be infected. But, most importantly, they said the virus is not spreading uncontrollably yet. PHOTO: A reactive to test suspected monkeypox samples is seen inside a fridge at the microbiology laboratory of La Paz Hospital on June 6, 2022 in Madrid. (Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) "The important thing to keep in mind is that it's a containable outbreak," Dr. Mark Dworkin, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Illinois Chicago, told ABC News. "There have been outbreaks and they have been successfully controlled." Dworkin referenced a 2003 outbreak in which 47 confirmed and probable cases were reported among six U.S. states, the first human cases reported outside of Africa. All the infections occurred after coming into contact with pet prairie dogs, which became infected "after being housed near imported small mammals from Ghana," according to the CDC. "We have a relatively strong public health system for dealing with this kind of problem," Dworkin said. "We had a monkeypox outbreak that was multi-state and successfully controlled without the use of a vaccine but through contact tracing and isolation so I'm optimistic." Currently, there are two smallpox vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that people who have been exposed to monkeypox can take to reduce their risk of infection. MORE: NYC investigating possible case of monkeypox as global infections rise "The thing with monkeypox is it's a very long incubation period," said Roberts. "It's usually one to two weeks, but it can be up to three weeks between getting exposed and having symptoms." He continued, "So that actually gives you a window to vaccinate after you've been exposed to ramp up your immunity and really get rid of the virus before it becomes a true blow infection." The CDC has previously said the federal government has enough vaccines and treatments for anyone who is exposed but is not recommending a mass vaccination campaign at this time. ABC News' Aicha Elhammer contributed to this report. Monkeypox cases surpass 1,200 globally, but experts say the outbreak is 'controllable' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A memorial is seen surrounding the Robb Elementary School sign following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 26, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images The Department of Justice is launching a federal probe into the Robb Elementary School shooting. The AP reported that the review is aimed at determining how law enforcement responded to the shooting. City and state officials have changed details in the timeline of the massacre at least 13 times. The Justice Department is launching a probe into the law enforcement response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which left 19 children and two teachers dead, the Associated Press reported. US Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday that the review would be led by a team of nine, including ex-police chiefs and an FBI official. "We will be assessing what happened that day," Garland said during a press conference. "We will be doing site visits to the school, we will be conducting interviews of an extremely wide variety of stakeholders, witnesses, families, law enforcement, government officials, school officials, and we will be reviewing the resources that were made available in the aftermath." The review will look into the law enforcement training and policies that were in place, as well as the communications that transpired between law enforcement officials, during the day of the mass shooting. The DOJ has launched similar probes after mass shootings in San Bernardino, California in 2015 and after the 2016 anti-LGBTQ mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which left 49 people dead, according to the AP. Garland said Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin requested the review and that the focus will also be to understand who was in charge of the tactical response on the day of the shooting. Texas law enforcement officials who responded to the attack have also broadly faced criticism for allegedly not entering classrooms where the shooter killed students, instead remaining in hallways. Officials from the city to state level have changed details in the timeline of the massacre at least 13 times. Story continues Uvalde School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo has been identified as the officer in charge during the day and presided over a series of costly missteps on the day of the shooting, including reports that he made the decision to not engage the shooter while he was inside the school for almost 80 minutes. According to the New York Post, McLaughlin refused to say on Tuesday whether he had confidence in Arredondo, who has been under fire over the police response to the shooting, after initially backing him. Arredondo was sworn in as a Uvalde city council member a week after the shooting and did not show up for a meeting about the shooting on Tuesday. The Uvalde Mayor's office and Uvalde School District did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for information. Read the original article on Business Insider U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell made remarks during the Memorial Day Service held at the Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville, Ky. on May 30, 2022. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called for immediate action in Congress this week after a man who reportedly threatened U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's life got arrested, with weapons in his possession, near the powerful judge's home. Yet the Kentucky senator's demand that the Democrat-led House of Representatives pass a bill extending police-provided security to Supreme Court justices' family members drew criticism online as people juxtaposed his urgency on that with his wait-and-see approach to potential legislation meant to respond to the recent mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. More: Texas shooting raises pressure on Mitch McConnell to pass gun laws. Why it will likely fail McConnell gave back-to-back speeches on the Senate floor Wednesday and Thursday morning demanding House Democrats quit holding up this bipartisan bill aimed at better protecting the justices and their families. Comparatively, he has not used his routine daily speeches on the Senate floor to demand legislative action to address mass shootings in the wake of last month's massacre in Uvalde, where a gunman slaughtered 19 children and two teachers. Since that May 24 shooting, McConnell has given six of his usual opening speeches on the Senate floor on days when the chamber meets. He mentioned Uvalde in one of them, the day after the massacre. McConnell spokesman Robert Steurer told The Courier Journal Thursday that the senator supports the negotiations between Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, on a potential bill responding to the Uvalde shooting, and he "hopes they deliver a bipartisan outcome." "Those ongoing Senate talks are no excuse for House Democrats continuing to block the bipartisan Supreme Court security bill that the Senate already passed unanimously a month ago," Steurer said. "Yesterdays disturbing events show that Democrats have already delayed this noncontroversial bill for far too long." Story continues Here's a look at what McConnell has said about the apparent threat to Kavanaugh, the Uvalde shooting and the potential for Congress to take action due to those incidents: What McConnell said about the arrest near Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home McConnell has urged House Democrats to quit holding up the Supreme Court Police Parity Act, which senators of both parties unanimously passed on May 9 to authorize security for the justices' families. The Senate passed that bill while people protested at justices' homes after a leaked draft ruling showed the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion. McConnell who helped establish the current conservative majority on the court that, in turn, may decide this month to nix Roe v. Wade slammed leading House Democrats for holding up that proposal since then. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, right, talk to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting at the Capitol in Washington on March 8, 2016. In the aftermath of recent horrific mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, a bipartisan group of senators, including Cornyn and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., are holding private virtual meetings during recess to try to strike a compromise over gun safety legislation. "Well this is where we are. ...If these reports are correct, an assassination attempt against a sitting justice, or something close to it," McConnell said Wednesday on the Senate floor. "This is exactly, exactly why the Senate passed legislation very shortly after the leak to enhance the police protection for justices and their families." "No more fiddling around with this," he demanded of House Democrats. "They need to pass it today." The House didn't approve the bill "before the sun sets" Wednesday, as McConnell urged. What it did pass that day was a slate of gun reforms on a mainly party-line vote, with Democrats voting 'yes' and Republicans voting 'no.' (That package isn't expected to clear the Senate.) Leading House Democrats attributed the delay in voting on the Supreme Court bill to their interest in expanding its scope to provide protection not only for justices' families but also for the families of court staffers in certain situations. Numerous accounts on Twitter posted criticisms of McConnell's reaction Wednesday to the arrest near Kavanaugh's home, suggesting his immediate push for legislative action to better protect justices' families was hypocritical given his history of opposing legislative action to try to protect Americans from gun violence in the wake of repeated mass shootings. And on "The View" talk show, host Joy Behar likewise criticized McConnell for demanding action on Supreme Court protections but not on recent mass shootings in Texas and New York, saying: "Nothing on Uvalde so far, and nothing on Buffalo ... he's worried about, you know, the Supreme Court. That is his urgency." McConnell gave another speech on the Senate floor Thursday demanding action on the Supreme Court bill, saying this "urgent and uncontroversial bill" has "inexplicably" sat on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk for weeks, among other, related criticisms he leveled at Democratic leaders. "So, it's hard to avoid concluding that perhaps some Democrats may want this dangerous climate hanging over the justices' heads as they finish up this term," he said. "A disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty." Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, similarly expressed concern last month about the hold-up in the House over this bill. Pelosi indicated Thursday that the House will vote on the Supreme Court bill next week. What McConnell has said on Uvalde shooting, possible legislation on guns, etc. McConnell spoke of prayer the morning after the Uvalde massacre, but he said nothing about enacting new gun laws. He has, however, expressed an openness to considering whatever legislation emerges from the bipartisan group of senators who are working to craft a proposal in the wake of Uvalde as well as another mass shooting last month in Buffalo, where a white man linked to white supremacist hatred is charged with killing 10 people and injuring three others, nearly all of them Black. McConnell who, like many of his GOP colleagues, has consistently voted against stricter gun regulations refused to say, during a D.C. press conference Tuesday, if he'd support raising the age limit for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 years old (which was part of the gun regulations the House passed Wednesday). Instead, he indicated he's waiting to see what (if any) legislation results from ongoing negotiations between several senators of both parties. "I personally would prefer to get an outcome, and I hope that we'll have one sooner rather than later," he said. Morgan Watkins is The Courier Journal's chief political reporter. Contact her at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: McConnell urges action after Brett Kavanaugh threat; waits on Uvalde The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Nina Morrison to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, putting someone onto the federal bench with the extraordinary background of having worked to free dozens of innocent people from prison and death row. Morrison was confirmed in a 53-46 vote to her lifetime federal judgeship. Every Democrat voted for her, along with three Republicans: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.). Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) did not vote. Morrison, 52, has spent the last 20 years being the senior litigation counsel at the New York-based Innocence Project, an organization focused on exonerating wrongly convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system. She has been lead or co-counsel on cases that have freed more than 30 innocent people from prison. During her confirmation hearing in February, Republicans on the Judiciary Committee bizarrely attacked Morrison as if she had committed the crimes her clients had been convicted of that they didnt actually commit, either. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), both potential 2024 presidential contenders who have used the committees hearings for grandstanding, tried to blame Morrison for spikes in violent crimes in cities across America. They pressed her on whether she felt guilty about freeing people from prison who had been convicted of violent crimes, despite the fact that they had all been exonerated by DNA evidence. Across this country, Americans are horrified at skyrocketing crime rates, at skyrocketing homicide rates, at skyrocketing burglary rates, at skyrocketing carjacking rates, Cruz told Morrison. All of those are the direct result of the policies youve spent your entire lifetime advancing. I will oppose you and anyone else the administration sends to us who do not understand the necessity of the rule of law, Hawley vowed, nonsensically. Story continues Nina Morrison, who has spent her career helping to free innocent people from prison, will now be a federal judge in New York. (Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images) Nina Morrison, who has spent her career helping to free innocent people from prison, will now be a federal judge in New York. (Photo: Tom Williams via Getty Images) Easily the biggest fail of the hearing, though, was when Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) tried to shame Morrison for her work on a case involving an Arkansas man, Ledell Lee, who was put to death in 2017 for the 1993 murder of a 26-year-old woman, Debra Reese. Four years after he was executed, a different mans DNA was found on the murder weapon, which had not previously been tested. Morrison had taken up the case on behalf of Lees sister. Cotton, also a potential 2024 presidential contender, appeared stunned that Morrison was examining this case so many years later and did not seem to understand the significance and reliability of DNA testing. He was convicted on the basis of eyewitness testimony and the possession of Ms. Reeses stolen property, Cotton insisted. Eyewitness identification, which you referenced, is actually the single leading proven cause of wrongful convictions, Morrison replied, noting that there is a significant amount of compelling evidence in favor of Lees innocence. Compelling evidence that courts somehow overlooked for 22 years until he was executed? interrupted Cotton, seemingly exasperated that Morrison actually knew what she was talking about. Senator, I have represented many individuals who were exonerated by DNA who lost dozens of appeals in courts because DNA was not available, Morrison said. Cotton resorted to trying to make Morrison feel guilty for taking on the case at all. As he walked to the execution chamber, on the night of his execution, he looked at a warden and smirked, and said, This aint happening. You all are taking me back, Cotton said. Are you proud that you encouraged such defiance of convicted murderers? Senator, I dont believe that anything in my career has ever encouraged defiance or disrespect for the process, Morrison calmly replied. I know that Mr. Lee maintained his actual innocence until his execution. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Brothers Carlos Martinez, left, and Oscar Martinez on the night they published their story about President Nayib Bukele and his ties to organized crime in El Salvador. (Lisette Poole / For The Times ) Carlos Martinez peered over his brother Oscars shoulder as they proofread the investigation they were about to publish, a story they feared could change their lives forever or perhaps even worse, change nothing at all. Oscar tapped his foot frantically, rattling the floorboards. Carlos heaved deep sighs, as if steadying himself for a fight. The brothers, two of El Salvador's most celebrated journalists, had produced a damning report exposing President Nayib Bukele's ties to the street gangs that have long terrorized Central America. The report showed that a recent historic rise in homicides was the result of a broken pact between the government and El Salvador's largest gang. The brothers and their colleagues had previously reported the details of the secret deal, in which Bukele aides gave jailed leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha gang special treatment in exchange for their pledge to reduce violence on the streets. It was the kind of journalism that has distinguished the Salvadoran press. In the three decades since peace accords ended the nation's bloody civil war, El Salvador had become a beacon of media freedom in a region where journalists are sometimes jailed and even killed for hard-hitting work exposing the powerful and the corrupt. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele delivers an annual address to the nation before Congress in June 2021. (Associated Press) But everything had changed under Bukele, a young, image-obsessed autocrat who once called himself "the world's coolest dictator." He and the Martinez brothers were from the same generation all raised amid war by politically minded parents but they had taken starkly different paths. While the brothers crusaded against power, convinced that strong checks on authority were a precondition for El Salvador's fledgling democracy, Bukele was intent on acquiring it. Since taking office in 2019, he has seized control of El Salvador's independent institutions purging judges, punishing critics and laying the groundwork to remain in office despite a constitutional ban on consecutive reelection. Bukele, 40, has maintained some of the highest approval ratings on the planet, thanks in large part to his skill at controlling media narratives. Story continues Bukele has built a sprawling state-run media machine that is guided by daily opinion polling while at the same time surveilling independent journalists with spyware and drones, punishing government officials for leaking information, and lobbing tax fraud and money-laundering accusations at El Faro, the investigative news site where the Martinez brothers work. In April, Bukele approved a law that threatens any journalist who reports on gangs with up to 15 years in prison. As soon as the Martinez brothers published their story, they would be vulnerable to arrest. To protect themselves, they had temporarily decamped with their families to Mexico City. Working out of a friend's apartment on that warm evening in May, both had beers cracked and cigarettes lit when Carlos finally clicked a button and the story went online. The brothers embraced. Lets see, Carlos said, if weve just ruined our lives. Brothers Oscar and Carlos Martinez embrace. (Lisette Poole / For The Times) Growing up during the war, the Martinez brothers didn't have to look beyond their own family to see the countrys bitter divisions. Their parents were ardent supporters of the left-wing guerrillas fighting the nation's U.S.-backed military dictatorship. Their maternal uncle, Roberto D'Aubuisson, was the leader of a right-wing death squad responsible for one of the wars most notorious acts: The assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero while he was celebrating Mass. The family didn't shield Carlos, Oscar or their youngest brother, Juan, from the horrors of the conflict, which stretched from 1979 to 1992 and killed 75,000 people. They never told us that we lived in a country that was perfect," said Carlos, 42, who laughs easily, wears a black hoop in one ear and is never without his pack of cigarettes or asthma inhaler. Since childhood, we understood that it was impossible to understand our country without understanding violence. Carlos, the eldest, was still a student when he joined El Faro in 2000. The site, whose name means "The Lighthouse," was Latin America's first digital-only newspaper, and it aimed to hold the new postwar government accountable. "In El Salvador, there really wasn't a tradition of journalism," said co-founder Carlos Dada. "We basically had to invent it." With aid from international training programs, nonprofits and foreign governments promoting democracy, El Faro soon became one of the most respected news outlets in Latin America. Along with unflinching corruption investigations, the site was known for its nuanced reporting on a fresh crisis of violence gripping El Salvador. Powerful street gangs had seized control of parts of the country, trafficking drugs, extorting cash from small businesses and killing with such abandon that El Salvador ranked among the most murderous countries in the world. Gangsters dictated where residents were allowed to work, worship and go to school. Carlos and Oscar, his intense, tattooed brother, who had joined El Faro in 2007, dived into the criminal underworld, embedding in prisons and safe houses to understand the new phenomenon. They exposed the origins of the gangs, which were formed by Salvadoran war refugees in Los Angeles in the 1990s and later exported back to Central America through deportations. And they revealed how gang members slain in what authorities described as "confrontations" with police often turned out to be victims of extrajudicial killings. "We'd finish work and would be sitting around drinking rum still talking about it all," Carlos said. The conversations often included their brother Juan, an anthropologist who specialized in gang culture. In 2012 Carlos, Oscar and their El Faro colleagues stumbled onto their biggest story yet: The gangs had discovered that their violence had a political value, which they were wielding to glean favors from the government. The reporters showed how then-President Carlos Mauricio Funes transferred gang leaders out of high-security prisons on the condition that their foot soldiers put down their weapons. The resulting decline in homicides ensured that negotiations with the gangs would be a part of Salvadoran political life for years to come: They had achieved what no security strategy could. In the years since, El Faro has revealed evidence that both of the country's major political parties negotiated with the gangs for electoral support. Political leaders usually denied the stories, but while they were sometimes hostile, they never sought to silence the journalists. With Bukele, that was no longer the case. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. (Associated Press) Before he was president, Bukele was an advertising executive. Even those who have criticized his authoritarian drift often acknowledge he has a certain genius for self-marketing. It's a skill he seems to have inherited from his father, Armando, who was born to Palestinian immigrants and became one of El Salvador's wealthiest businessmen and the host of a television program where he held forth on history and sympathized with leftist politics. Nayib Bukele was elected on a populist wave of anger at the two major political parties that emerged after the war, both of which had been embroiled in major corruption scandals. He presented himself as something different: a modern, forward-looking leader who used Instagram and thought like a tech-disrupter even as he embraced the power-grabbing tactics of Latin American caudillos before him. He lured popular journalists away from established media outlets to higher paying jobs in the government and launched dozens of new media outlets that claim independence but push government propaganda. He tweeted dozens of times a day messages that technology analysts say were amplified on social media by armies of bots to craft a narrative of an ascendant, prosperous country and of himself as an "instrument of God" sent to lead it. He went to war with the journalists who dared to contradict him. The Martinez brothers knew something was deeply wrong last year when a colleague at El Faro told them a source within El Salvadors government had played her a recording of a phone call between the brothers in which they discussed an investigation. Each had been alone during the conversation, which they conducted on the encrypted application Signal. They began to suspect that one or both of their phones had somehow been listening in. In January of this year, their fears were confirmed: An analysis by the University of Torontos Citizen Lab and digital rights group Access Now found that the brothers and 20 of their El Faro colleagues as well as at least 15 journalists from other outlets were surveilled for more than a year with the spyware Pegasus, whose Israeli developer sells exclusively to governments. They know the details of my relationships with all the people I love, said Carlos, who was spied on for 269 days, more than anyone else. They know the people who are important to me, and that makes them all vulnerable. In the wake of the Pegasus scandal, human rights organizations called for an investigation and Reporters Without Borders further downgraded El Salvador's ranking on its annual press freedom index. Officials in El Salvador said nothing. Members of Bukele's party in congress quickly approved a reform legalizing "undercover digital operations" by authorities. The Martinez brothers were growing more and more stressed. They worried, Carlos said, that the Salvadoran government was "just getting started with us." They were right. President Nayib Bukele, right, takes part in a military parade. (Marvin Recinos / AFP/Getty Images) Bukele had touted a dramatic reduction in homicides as one of his crowing achievements, celebrating each day that passed without a killing. In slick promotional videos, he credited the work of police and soldiers. "We Salvadorans are taking control of our future," he told the Legislative Assembly, as congress is formally known. "We did it without negotiating with criminals." But investigations by Carlos, Oscar and their El Faro colleagues had revealed that the government had been in talks with the gangs from the beginning. They cited hundreds of pages of prison reports that showed that Bukele had granted MS-13 expansive concessions from permitting fried chicken from a popular restaurant to be sold inside prisons to moving guards that the gangs viewed as aggressive in exchange for reducing killings and supporting Bukele's political party in 2021 congressional elections. Then, one weekend in March, the peace that had helped win Bukele wide support came to an abrupt end. El Salvador's gangs went on a killing spree. On a single day, 62 people were gunned down across the country, a level of violence not seen since the war ended. Humiliated and furious, Bukele and his party declared emergency rule, suspending many civil liberties and easing the conditions for make arrests. Since then authorities have imprisoned more than 35,000 people whom Bukele describes as terrorist gang members. Nearly 2% of the adult population is currently in jail. Human rights groups say the majority of detainees were arrested arbitrarily and have not been given due process. Amnesty International says at least 18 people have died in state custody including from torture and other abuse. Men arrested for alleged gang ties are escorted by Salvadoran police during a government-declared state of emergency on March 31, 2022. (Marvin Recinos / AFP/Getty Images) Bukele used the spike in killings to further target journalists whom he equates with gang members as fellow enemies of the state starting with passage of the law threatening prison time for those who "disseminate messages from gangs." His government is accused of sending drones to spy on several El Faro reporters, and he has launched online smear campaigns against multiple journalists, including a freelance reporter for the New York Times who fled the country after Bukele supporters claimed he was the sibling of an imprisoned gang leader. Never mind that the reporter doesn't have a brother. Juan, the youngest Martinez brother, fled too, after Bukele called him "trash" and tweeted a video interview in which he had said gangs sometimes "fulfilled a necessary social function" in El Salvador. For Oscar and Carlos, the cause of the sudden explosion of violence in March seemed clear: Bukele's truce with the gang had broken down. The brothers set out to prove it, despite the risks. Were going to do what El Faro has always done, Carlos said. When we have information, we publish. It doesnt matter what happens next. Carlos reached out to some of his gang sources, saying he was interested in speaking to high-level Mara Salvatrucha leaders about what had happened. Finally, a gang leader got in touch and turned over audio recordings in which a top Bukele aide can be heard discussing the collapse of the agreement. The aide talked extensively about how he had won the gang's favor, once escorting a gang member wanted in the U.S. out of El Salvador to safety in Guatemala. He repeatedly referred to "Batman," which the gangsters said was reference to Bukele. Carlos immediately called his brother. I have everything, he said. The Martinez brothers decamped to Mexico City to finish the story without fear of arrest. (Lisette Poole / For The Times) The next day, El Faro flew Carlos to Mexico City to continue reporting on the recordings without fear of Salvadoran authorities interrupting him. Oscar later joined him. The story that Carlos wrote and Oscar edited explains that the March gang massacre was retribution for the arrest of a group of Mara Salvatrucha leaders who were supposed to be protected by the government. Shortly after the story went live, the brothers' mother, Marisa, called. "How are you? Happy? Marisa asked via video chat. "Im so proud of you." She, too, had left the country ahead of the publication date. Soon, friends started coming over to celebrate with beer and mezcal. They included several other Salvadoran journalists who had recently gone into exile abroad. As drinks were poured and cigarettes were lit, Carlos called out to his brother, who was still hunched over the laptop. How many do we have? Carlos asked, referring to readers. "3,000," Oscar responded. By June that number would reach nearly 200,000. As the story made the rounds online, Batman memes proliferated, opposition leaders expressed outrage, and the government remained silent. In some ways, that wasn't a surprise. Bukele does not always strike back immediately. And he surely understood that if he acknowledged the piece, he would be giving it more exposure. Instead, over the next few days, Bukele focused on his preferred agenda: He tweeted about handing out digital tablets to schoolchildren and about the bitcoin swag bags given to international bankers who had visited the country after Bukele made the cryptocurrency legal tender in El Salvador. He also tweeted a sympathetic message to Elon Musk, currently embroiled in a bid to buy Twitter. Once you denounce the system, they will come after you with everything they have," Bukele wrote. "They will smear, attack, degrade, try to bankrupt you ... Luckily, we live in evolving times, and their once 'all powerful' media outlets have lost their clout. More disappointing to the brothers was the fact that some of the country's biggest media outlets did not acknowledge the story, perhaps because they were afraid of violating the new law threatening prison time for reporting on gangs. Bukele's government had not arrested anybody, yet it appeared that his law was having its intended chilling effect. A few days after the article was published, Oscar returned to El Salvador. He knew he could be detained, but as editor in chief of El Faro, he worried staying abroad would send the wrong message to his newsroom. There were no police waiting for him as he stepped off his plane. Still, he said he's watching "day by day" to determine whether he has to leave again. Carlos remains in Mexico for now. A life in exile is the last thing he wants. He loves his country, and misses the verdant beach that is a short walk from his house. It pains him to think that El Salvador's relatively new experiment with democracy could end in failure. Sometimes he wonders: Are we condemned to live with violence? He is certain now of only two things. Wherever he is he will keep reporting. And whatever is coming will be harder than this. Brothers Oscar and Carlos Martinez. (Lisette Poole / For The Times) This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ryan Kelley, Republication candidate for Governor, attends a Freedom Rally in support of First Amendment rights and to protest against Governor Gretchen Whitmer, outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on May 15, 2021. Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images The FBI arrested a Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate on Thursday morning. New filings from the DOJ show that the candidate, Ryan Kelley, was arrested in connection with the Captiol riot. According to a May poll, Kelley was leading in the GOP gubernatorial race by 4 percentage points. A leading Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley was arrested Thursday morning by the FBI and accused of participating in the January 6 riots, according to new filings from the Department of Justice. Kelley, a real estate broker, was arrested at his home in Allendale in western Michigan, an FBI spokesperson said, adding that agents are searching his home. The arrest comes months after Kelley was allegedly spotted at the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, The Detroit News reported. According to a recently-filed criminal complaint, Kelley was charged with: Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds Knowingly engage in any act of physical violence against person or property in any restricted building or grounds Willfully injure or commit any depredation against any property of the United States Kelley's gubernatorial campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the arrest. In April 2020, Kelley led a protest at Michigan's capitol building in Lansing, where crowds depicted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as Adolf Hitler for issuing a stay-at-home order amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and chanted "lock her up," ultimately leading to an armed crowd storming the legislative building. According to a May poll from Target Insyght and Michigan Information and Research Service, Kelley is the leading GOP candidate for governor in Michigan, holding a 4 percentage point lead over his opponents. Prior to the poll, several of the top Republican gubernatorial candidates were removed from the ballot after submitting forged signatures in their filing paperwork. This story is developing. Please check back for updates. Read the original article on Business Insider The Democratic chairs of six House panels are asking President Biden to lay out a list of priorities ahead of a potential meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman that include addressing humanitarian issues in the kingdom and accountability in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The lawmakers wrote a letter to Biden dated Tuesday that sought to share our views on the American relationship with Saudi Arabia. The reported meeting between Biden and Crown Prince Mohammad, which has yet to be formally confirmed by the White House, is said to also include talks about increasing oil production as domestic gas prices reach sky-high rates. Riyadh has sought to preserve its relationship with Moscow even as the U.S. has led a campaign to isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The expected meeting would mark a stark reversal of the presidents remarks on the campaign trail in which he called the kingdom a pariah. While acknowledging Saudi Arabia as an important U.S. partner, the Democratic lawmakers also called out the kingdoms leadership in acting in ways at odds with U.S. policy and values, referring to the year that the crown prince asserted power. Of most immediate relevance, Saudi Arabias refusal to stabilize global energy markets is helping bankroll Vladimir Putins war crimes in Ukraine, while inflicting economic pain on everyday Americans, the lawmakers wrote. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who was among the lawmakers who signed the letter, had earlier condemned the expected meeting on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, saying that Mohammad should be shunned. In the letter, lawmakers lay out a list of demands they are calling on the president to deliver on regarding the administrations strategy to recalibrate the relationship with the kingdom, to include commitments to stabilize global energy markets and abandon agreements it reached with Moscow within OPEC+, the larger grouping of the largest petroleum exporting countries. Story continues Lawmakers also called for the president to continue the suspension of U.S. offensive military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemens civil war while pushing for multiparty peace talks. They also want the president to call for an end to the kingdoms arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and other human rights abuses, and demand accountability for the murder of journalist and American legal resident Jamal Khashoggi. The U.S. intelligence community concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed approved a plot to capture or kill Khashoggi, who was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018, but the administration withheld sanctions on the crown prince in an effort to preserve relations with the kingdom. The highest levels of the Saudi government, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are culpable in the killing of Mr. Khashoggi, and there is no escaping that stark truth laid bare in the U.S. Intelligence Communitys 2021 public assessment. We must continue to insist on justice for this horrific crime, the lawmakers wrote. Lawmakers further called on the president to stand firm to U.S. policy on robust safeguards for any civil nuclear cooperation, and underscore the risks of greater Saudi cooperation with China. We stand ready to work with you on advancing this agenda and request that senior members of your national security team brief Congress on these issues ahead of and following your trip, the members wrote. Pursuing these straightforward measures would achieve your goal of a recalibrated U.S.-Saudi relationship that serves both U.S. interests and values. The letter was signed by Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Adam Smith (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Oversight and Reform National Security Subcommittee. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was caught off guard on Wednesday when he was confronted by a Ukrainian TV journalist over allegations of Russias forces looting vital supplies from Ukraine. Lavrov was holding a joint press conference in Turkey with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. The journalist, Muslim Umerov, stood up to address the Russian foreign minister after numerous failed attempts to pitch a question to him, the Guardian reported. What has Russia already managed to sell, aside from grain, from everything that has been stolen from Ukraine? he asked, according to a Guardian translation. You [Ukrainians] are always so preoccupied with what you can steal and from where, Lavrov said. You think that everyone thinks that way. However, he added: I will answer you. We are implementing the goals that have been announced publicly to rid eastern Ukraine of the suppression of the neo-Nazi regime. Thats what were doing. https://twitter.com/On_Politike/status/1534555352615858177 Russian officials have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that their countrys invasion of its western neighbor is a special operation to free Ukraine of a Nazi regime. Moscow has given no evidence to back up these claims, which have been dismissed as untrue by Western officials and dubbed obscene by U.S. President Joe Biden. Ukraines military is home to the Azov Battaliona force populated by neo-Nazi sympathizers, according to NBC News. However, there is no evidence that there is widespread support for extreme right-wing ideology within any Ukrainian institutions. Lavrov also claimed in his response to Umerov on Wednesday that grain can be transported freely to its destination, adding that Russia isnt putting any obstacles in the way. This requires [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky to give the command, if he is still in command of anything there, to allow foreign and Ukrainian ships to go into the Black Sea. Story continues Russian forces have imposed a blockade on Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea since the invasion of Ukraine in late February. The blockade has caused major disruption to exports of wheat and other agricultural exports from the two countries, with the pair exporting around a quarter of the worlds wheat. The disruption has prompted warnings of a global food crisis, sparked export controls in other major markets like India, and sent prices of wheat skyrocketing by around 40% since the start of the year. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a food security conference on Monday that Russias actions were deliberate. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is stopping food from being shipped and aggressively using his propaganda machine to deflect or distort responsibility because he hopes itll get the world to give in to him and end the sanctions, he said. In other words, simply put, its blackmail. The UN has proposed setting up a sea corridor for Ukrainian grain exports, but Lavrov said in Turkey this week that Ukraine needed to de-mine its ports as a precondition for safe shipment, Reuters reported. An official from the UNs International Maritime Organization told Bloomberg on Wednesday that de-mining Ukraines ports could take months. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com buddy valastro https://www.instagram.com/p/CdTDCcdOHBM/. Buddy Valastro/Instagram Buddy Valastro's kids are following in his footsteps. The Cake Boss star, 45, who started working at his family-run Carlo's Bakery when he was 11, tells PEOPLE that his kids Sofia, 19, Buddy Jr., 17, Marco, 15 and Carlo, 11 want to forge a similar path to their dad. "They all really want to come into the family business. And I want them to. I really am excited to see the next generation take over," says the New Jersey native, who partnered up with Kinetic Sand to recreate his iconic rainbow cake in the medium for a new video released on Thursday. "But I never want to force them. I want them to do it because they love it." Valastro says his kids are coming to an age when they can "actually have these conversations,", especially Sofia, who attends the University of Delaware. When Valastro recently asked her what she wants to do after college, she said, "I want to work with you. I want to be involved in the family businesses," he recalls. RELATED: Buddy Valastro Celebrates 45th Birthday with Nostalgic Treat Cake Made by His Wife and Kids Naturally, Sofia chose to study business and hospitality to seamlessly transition back to the Valastro business empire post-graduation. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Buddy vs. Duff star relied on his four children even more than before. "All through COVID they worked. They helped because they weren't really going to school, and nobody really wanted to work," he says. "So it was really just me and my family keeping the online orders going. It was pretty intense." 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. buddy valastro. https://www.instagram.com/p/CUh7GPPLfb8/ Buddy Valastro/Instagram Each of his kids have a different strength to bring to the family business. "Buddy's the most determined will never give up. And Marco's definitely got the gift of gab. He's the mayor," he says of his sons. Story continues When it comes to creativity, Valastro says Sofia definitely takes the cake in the decorating department. The budding baker started helping out with decorating cookies during Valentine's Day when she was on a college break. "She had to make 10,000 cookies. So it's like when you are there with the team and you make 10,000, that's how you get good," he says. She also helped develop their spring cookie designs with her dad, which Valastro says have been "selling really well" because of their vibrant colors. RELATED: Buddy Valastro's Daughter Sofia Is 'Taking the Reins' at Carlo's Bakery See Her Skills RELATED: Buddy Valastro Says His Family 'Stepped Up' to Support Him After Hand Accident Valastro recently had his own challenge in the kitchen. He recreated his most colorful cake the bakery's six-layer rainbow cake. The catch? He made it entirely out of Kinetic Sand. "My son Carloloves playing with Kinetic Sand. He's very sensory. So am I," he says, adding that the collaboration with the kids' play company was a natural fit. It took Valastro and his team three attempts, using 500 pounds of sand, to make a five-tier Kinetic Sand cake that didn't topple over. "It's definitely a little bit more difficult than making a regular cake just because it's a totally different medium," Valastro says. Buddy Valastro kinetic sand Spin Master/Kinetic Sand He took things one step further by also challenging himself to make a flower out of sand (instead of the usual fondant). His trick to tackle the difficult task was kneading the material into petals and then freezing them. The end result, he says, looked like the rose in Beauty and the Beast. "It went down pretty quick, but it looked great," he laughs. Jun. 9The Cobb County Board of Education Thursday will vote on changes to district policies mirroring recently enacted state law that restrict the teaching of what state legislators have termed "divisive concepts." The concepts include certain beliefs about race, as well as sexual content. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale is also expected to discuss safety procedures in the wake of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Georgia Republicans earlier this year passed bills aimed at the teaching of race in the classroom, which were signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, including a ban on certain divisive concepts. Also enacted was a "Parents' Bill of Rights," which gives parents the right to review curriculum and other instructional material during the first two weeks of every nine-week grading period. Included in the proposed changes to Cobb's policies is an acknowledgement that "parents have the right to direct the upbringing and the moral or religious training of their children. Therefore, District employees shall not improperly infringe upon this right." Proposed changes to the district's policies, drafted by Cobb Schools' lawyers, would also bring the district in line with the ban on divisive concepts. Examples listed include the following concepts: "One race is inherently superior to another race"; "The United States of America is fundamentally racist"; "An individual, by virtue of his or her race, is inherently or consciously racist or oppressive toward individual of other races"; "An individual's moral character is inherently determined by his or her race"; "An individual, solely by virtue of his or her race, bears individual responsibility for actions committed in the past by other individuals of the same race"; "Performance-based advancement or the recognition and appreciation of character traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or have been advocated for by individuals of a particular race to oppress individuals of another race." Story continues If approved, the district's policies would also add language that calls on staff to refrain from espousing personal political beliefs while teaching. Another state law being implemented by the district prohibits content that is "harmful to minors," namely nudity and sexual content. The language stipulates such content is banned when it appeals to the "prurient, shameful or morbid interest of minors," is "patently offensive" to adults, and when it is "lacking in serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value." The proposed changes to Cobb policies require that materials selected for school libraries comply with the new state laws. "We go in, and our policy department goes in and checks the legislation and tries to make sure that we're lined up with what the state expects. So that's what those are," School Board Chair David Chastain, a Republican, said of the proposed changes. Cobb school board member Leroy Tre' Hutchins, a Democrat, said on Wednesday he was reviewing the proposed changes and comparing them to other metro Atlanta districts that are working to implement the new laws. "Many of us share the same law firms and attorneys," Hutchins said. "So, looking at what is done in one district and comparing it to another, is one of the processes I use when evaluating whether a policy is good or not." When the new laws were still being debated in the legislature, Democrats criticized them as solutions in search of a problem. They also expressed concerns that such laws send the wrong message to educators, pitting them against parents. Hutchins compared the state laws to the board's Republican majority banning critical race theory last year. In both cases, he feels that teachers are being unfairly targeted. "I felt like it was ... targeting our professional teaching staff. ... I just felt like it was a slap in their face, as if we were singling them out to say that they would be capable of being unprofessional in the workforce, and in their profession," Hutchins said. Chastain, meanwhile, defended the legislation as empowering parents to control what values their children are being taught. "I think making sure that our curriculum is age-appropriate. ... It's the parents who should be in charge of raising their child, and the state is tasked with teaching the basics," Chastain said. "Nobody's talking about removing facts or anything like that. ... From what I understand, the legislation that came through tried to be positive and tried to be child-centered, tried to be student-centered, and from what I heard, is that both sides of the aisle worked on it." In other business, Chastain said Ragsdale will speak about school security during his superintendent's report. In recent days, local left-leaning social media pages have announced plans to wear orange at the meeting and ask for the district to provide more details about its plans to keep schools safe. The Cobb school board will meet Thursday at 2 p.m. for its work session, and again at 7 p.m. for its voting session. Meetings are held at the central office at 514 Glover St. in Marietta. Leonardo Laschera / EyeEm Disgruntled barber customers might take revenge for a disappointing haircut by leaving a bad or tepid Yelp review. But it seems things got even more cutting at one Kansas City shop, where an angry customer allegedly returned with a gun and opened fire. According to court documents, a barber even feared he was about to be executed in the ordeal until a timely gun malfunction gave a witness the opportunity to disarm the alleged gunman. Vernie O. Dickens was charged Friday with first-degree assault, unlawful weapon use, and two counts of criminal action in relation to the shooting that took place at Draques Barber Shop in the citys Hanover Place area, The Kansas City Star reports. The 33-year-old, who is being held on a $75,000 bond, was said to have been arrested after cops responded to a call of a disturbance involving a weapon. Jay-Zs Team Roc Slams Feds Silence on Alleged Abuse by Kansas City Cops Witnesses said they heard Dickens arguing about a haircut hed had the day beforefor which he was not chargedand hed returned on the day of the shooting to have it corrected. The person who did the original cut wasnt there when Dickens showed up, so another barber told him to take a seat and wait, at which point Dickens allegedly flew into a rage. When the barber at the shop threatened to call the police, Dickens was said to have pulled out a gun and fired two shots at the barber. Dickens then chased the barber out of the shop and into the parking lot, witnesses claimed. One onlooker said there were kids inside the shop when the shooting started. Seeing the firefight break out, one witness inside the shop went to retrieve a gun from his car. The man then claims to have found Dickens around the corner, standing over the barber pointing a handgun at him. The witness says he tried to reason with Dickens to stop and, when Dickens gun malfunctioned and caused its clip to fall out, the witness was able to tackle him and take the gun out of his hands. When cops arrived, they found the witness sitting on top of Dickens. Story continues The barber had already been taken to hospital in a private vehicle by the time police showed up. At the hospital, the alleged victim described fleeing the shop amid the sound of gunfire and attempting to hop a fence before realizing hed been shot in the back. He says he then laid on the ground with his hands spread out when Dickens allegedly stood over him. The victim believed Dickens was about to execute him before the gun malfunction and the witness intervention, a police officer wrote in court documents. If convicted, Dickens could be facing a decades-long stretch insideand some time before another haircut. Missouri law states that he could get 15 years for each count of armed action, another 15 for assault, and 30 years for the charge of unlawful weapon use. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. 4-Year-Old Boy Found Safe After 2 Days Outdoors in Montana Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Montana/Facebook Ryker Webb Officials in Montana are sharing more details about 3-year-old Ryker Webb, who spent two days on his own in the wilderness and managed to protect himself. The plucky tyke who was reported missing from his home in Troy, Montana, on the afternoon of June 3 after disappearing from his yard was found by a family visiting their cabin in an area known to be populated with mountain lions and bears, Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short told Today. "He was very, very scared," Short told the outlet, describing how the hungry, thirsty and cold little boy's "eyes lit up" once he learned that he would soon be returned to his parents. "He had a wide-eyed scared look until he got back to his mom and dad." The family who discovered Ryker was checking on a generator in a shed on their property when they heard a voice coming from the structure on June 5, Today reported. At the time, teams of ground searchers, drones, dog teams and two National Guard helicopters were busy combing the wilderness area for the boy. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. The red-headed toddler reportedly told Short that he left his family's property where he had been seen playing with the family dog to go for a walk before growing exhausted. He was found two miles from his home. RELATED: 3-Year-Old Boy Found 'Alive and in Good Health' After Surviving Montana Wilderness Alone for 2 Days Adverse weather conditions initially hampered efforts to locate the boy. But searchers and rescue team members were able to get a sense of the general direction that Ryker was walking after he wandered away from his home by following a trail of rocks that appeared to have been recently moved. 4-Year-Old Boy Found Safe After 2 Days Outdoors in Montana Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Montana/Facebook Ryker Webb "Little Ryker is very interested in bugs and insects," Short told Today. "As ground searchers walked up the trail behind his house, they could tell some rocks had been freshly turned over like a kid would do if they were looking for bugs." Story continues RELATED: Body Found in River Presumed to Be Missing Woman Who Went Over Va. Dam on Memorial Day The sheriff told Today that authorities wanted to know why there was apparently a two-hour delay in reporting Ryker missing. "We're still looking into why he disappeared, and why he wasn't being watched closely," Short said in his interview. PEOPLE has contacted the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for comment. The boy's parents have not been publicly named. Fourth of July fireworks over the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida, July 4, 2015. A birthday party 200 years in the making is planned for the streets of downtown Jacksonville on Saturday. The city celebrates its bicentennial with a street party that stretches from James Weldon Johnson Park, down Laura Street to Riverfront Plaza. There will be live music, a parade, food trucks, vendors, artists working on the sidewalks, all leading up to a big fireworks show to wrap up the festivities. Alan Bliss, chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Historical Society, said more than a thousand people have registered on a free sign-up page for the event, and he expects many more revelers than that. History: Memories run deep as Jacksonville honors Great Fire's 121st anniversary with 5K run Saturday Orleck: En route to Jacksonville, retired warship USS Orleck expected to arrive downtown on Saturday "Were bracing ourselves for a significant number of visitors," Bliss said Monday as he scrambled to find a replacement for U.S. Navy Band Southeast, which had been scheduled to lead a mid-afternoon parade down Laura Street but has canceled public appearances due to Covid restrictions. It turns out it's not so easy to find a marching band on short notice in the summer. Things are going as well as can be expected, though, he said. "We've never done a bicentennial celebration before," Bliss said. The celebration marks the anniversary of the first time "Jacksonville" was used to describe the small community along the banks of the St. Johns River. Around 60 residents sent a petition to the federal government on June 15, 1822, seeking to have their town designated as an official port of entry to be named Jacksonville. The petition was never approved. The city officially came into being on Feb. 9, 1832, when the Florida Legislative Council approved Jacksonville's first charter, creating a town government. Bliss said he hopes people take an opportunity to learn about Jacksonville's history, but also it's future. "This is not just a time to look back at 200 years of Jacksonville, but to think about what is ahead of us in the next two centuries," he said. Story continues The celebration begins at noon in James Weldon Johnson Park, the square in front of City Hall and the Main Library. An official bicentennial program is scheduled for 3 p.m., with a reading of the original petition and a mayoral proclamation. A parade will then lead the crowd down Laura Street for a concert at Riverfront Plaza by local acts Flipturn, Love and Theft, Lets Ride Brass Band and Honey Hounds. Fireworks over the river will finish the celebration. Laura Street will be closed to traffic from City Hall to Riverfront Plaza. Barricades will be set up at the corners of Laura and Duval, Monroe and Adams streets to stop cross-traffic. One lane and a sidewalk on the Acosta Bridge will be closed at noon Saturday to set up the fireworks show. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, during the fireworks. Jacksonville bicentennial celebration events Through 2022: Bold City Bicentennial at the Museum of Science & History. Explore Jacksonville's history through science, culture and technological innovation. Through June 30: The Soul of Jacksonville at Jacksonville International Sky Gallery. Collection from the Jacksonville History Consortium looking at the city from its founding to the start of World War II. Through 2022: Freiseke in Florida and Jacksonville's Norman Studios at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Impressionist painter Carl Freiseke lived for four years in the Arlington area as a boy and never returned, but the place left an impression on him. Posters from Norman Studios, a leading maker of "race films," recall the Arlington studio's heyday. 7 p.m. Friday: #Jax200 edition of Legends and Liars. 15-block pub walk, starting at Bold City Downtown where AdLib Luxury Tours tells 13 tales from Jacksonville's history and guests have to guess which one is a lie. $20. 9 p.m. Friday: #Jax200 Bicentennial Trivia at Ruby Beach Brewing. Journalist Shelton Hull leads a fast-paced trivia contest based on Jacksonville history. Free. 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday: Bicentennial Walking Tour with Isaiah Hart at the Main Library. Jacksonville's founding father returns to tell tales of the city's founding. Sign up starting at 10 a.m. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday: Arts market and historical exhibits at James Weldon Johnson Park and along Laura Street. Vendors, food trucks, exhibits, historic re-enactors and live performances by the Jacksonville Childrens Chorus, the John Lumpkin Band and LPT. Free. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday: Painting the Scenes and The Imposters on Laura Street. Eight Jacksonville artists will be painting live along Laura Street, and historic character re-enactors will perform. Free. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday: My Jacksonville art show at Main Library, Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and New Jacksonville Art Center at 331 Ashley St. Local artists and kids show their interpretations of Jacksonville history. 1 p.m. Saturday: Jacksonville Origins at the Main Library. Emily Lisska, former executive director of the Jacksonville Historical Society, discusses the circumstances surrounding the city's founding. Pre-registration required. 1 p.m. Saturday: Empower People with Disabilities in front of Main Library and MOCA Jacksonville. Live mural painting. 2 p.m. Saturday: Wheelchair Art Creation near Main Library. 3 p.m. Saturday: Jacksonville Bicentennial Program at James Weldon Johnson Park. Reading of original petition to name Jacksonville and mayoral proclamation. 4:15 p.m. Saturday: Honoring Where We've Been, Where We Are and Where We Are Going March from James Weldon Johnson Park, down Laura Street to Riverfront Plaza. 5 p.m. Saturday: The 1822 Jacksonville Bicentennial Celebration Concert at Riverfront Plaza. Flipturn, Love and Theft, Lets Ride Brass Band and Honey Hounds perform on the old Jacksonville Landing site. 8 p.m. Saturday: Best of R&B Bands at the Ritz Theatre. Concert featuring music from the greats of rhythm and blues. $20-$25. 10 p.m. Saturday: Bicentennial fireworks show over the St. Johns River. 5 p.m. Sunday: Jacksonville @200 Celebration Concert at St. John's Cathedral. Before heading off for a European Tour, the First Coast Wind Symphony plays a concert of Jacksonville-themed songs. Free. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville bicentennial: A guide to celebrating the city's 200th Tamarack Farms Dairy plant in Newark. NEWARK Kroger plans a $70 million expansion of Tamarack Farms Dairy in west Newark but has considered other locations for the project. Newark City Councils finance committee approved on Monday an Enterprise Zone agreement with Kroger that provides the company a 10-year, 75% tax abatement on increased property valuation associated with the 35,000-square foot expansion. The full council will consider the agreement on June 21. Tamarack Farms Dairy, built in 1978, sits on 20 acres on Tamarack Road and has 145 employees. It is the largest fluid dairy in the state and supports about 160 Kroger stores in Ohio and West Virginia. Mauter told the finance committee Newark is one of three sites Kroger considered for the project, along with Winchester, Kentucky and Murfreesboro, Tennessee. But, Mauter said, the enterprise zone agreement will ensure the expansion occurs at the manufacturing facility located at 1701 Tamarack Road. They have selected Newark, Mauter said. My understanding, the selection of Newark is contingent on the enterprise zone agreement. Its such a great win for the city that they decided to do this expansion. Krogers application for the enterprise zone states several locations have presented the company incentive packages for the project. Our company is experiencing significant reductions in margins associated with our major clients, the company states in its application. As such, our ability to expand and continue to remain a viable employer in Licking County is impacted. Several other locations, most prominently within the state of Texas, have presented us with incentive packages in an effort to secure the investment and job creation associated with this proposed project. Our ability to retain these job opportunities locally, and consolidate core functions, is dependent upon this incentive. Kroger states the incentives would not only retain the 145 jobs and $9.3 million in payroll, but allow it to add six jobs in three years. The company would invest $16 million to build the addition and $54 million to purchase and install new machinery and equipment. Story continues The expansion will allow Kroger to install a state-of-the-art aseptic milk line capable of producing various sizes of half & half creamer, heavy whipping cream, coffee creamers, Carbmaster milk beverage and PET bottles varying in size from 8 to 64 ounces. The Advocate asked Kroger if it will choose only one location to expand from its options in Newark and in Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas. The Advocate also asked the company if the expansion does not occur here, could the existing facility in Newark move to another location. Ken McClure, the Kroger regional director for corporate affairs, responded with the following: "At this time, we are conducting due diligence on a potential project in Licking County and have nothing additional to share. Im happy to reach back out to you should we have something to announce." The expansion would begin by Sept. 30 and finish by June 30, 2023, the company states. The enterprise zone agreement is between Kroger and the Licking County Commissioners, but Newark City Council will consider a resolution consenting to the agreement. kmallett@newarkadvocate.com 740-328-8545 Twitter: @kmallett1958 This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Kroger pursues tax abatement for Tamarack Farms Dairy expansion GREAT FALLS, Va., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MitoSense, Inc., a life-science company focused on harnessing the power of mitochondria to fight disease, has named Ed McMullen, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, as a Senior Advisor to its Board of Directors. Logo (PRNewsfoto/MitoSense, Inc.) McMullen served as United States to Switzerland and Liechtenstein from November 2017 to January 2021 and has been recognized for developing the strongest US/Swiss bilateral relationship in history. As U.S. Ambassador, McMullen worked closely with the private sector by helping companies pursue public-private partnerships and economic development opportunities. In addition to his Ambassadorship, McMullen has extensive public affairs and business development experience. He founded his own public affairs company specializing in corporate advertising, public relations, data analytics, and polling. Currently with LondUS Capital, he also helps clients with investment and economic development opportunities, state incentives, state environmental regulations, and the range of services relating to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He also serves as Senior Policy Advisor for Adams and Reece LLP law firm where he provides economic development and FDI guidance to a broad range of clients. Throughout his career, Ed's clients have included several Fortune 25 companies and associations operating in the aerospace, power & energy, technology, data analytics, pharmaceutical, finance, and biotech sectors. Ambassador McMullen also serves as a Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and as Vice Chairman of the American Swiss Foundation. MitoSense Board Chairman Van Hipp said, "We are honored to have Ambassador McMullen on board as a key part of the MitoSense team. More and more science news is coming out on the role mitochondrial health, and particularly mitochondrial dysfunction, plays in impacting a variety of diseases that affect millions throughout the world. Ambassador McMullen's international experience and business acumen will play a big role in our efforts to help people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's." Story continues Ambassador McMullen noted, "I've been very impressed with the MitoSense storyits science, the team they've put together and the potential it holds to help people suffering from diseases for which there is no effective treatment. The fact that our U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has entered into a cooperative research agreement with MitoSense speaks volumes. I look forward to doing all I can to help in this endeavor." Switzerland's pharmaceutical industry is one of the best in the world. Not only is Switzerland home to many multinational pharmaceutical companies, it also is consistently one of the world's largest exporters of medicine. McMullen's addition comes at a time when MitoSense is growing its partnerships and expanding upon its work such as its recent Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. About MitoSense MitoSense is a private research and development company focused on harnessing the power of Mitochondria to fight disease, specifically neurodegenerative diseases. Utilizing exclusively licensed technology to replenish the mitochondria in humans using Mitochondria Organelle Transplantation (MOT), the company, through its U.S.-based research partner, is initially focusing its efforts on treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). For more information, visit: MitoSenseInc.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mitosense-names-former-us-ambassador-to-switzerland-ed-mcmullen-as-senior-advisor-to-board-301564633.html SOURCE MitoSense, Inc. The day after Jack Del Rio referred to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol building as a "dust-up," the president of the NAACP is calling for the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator to step down or be dismissed. In a statement released to media outlets, Derrick Johnson said, "It is time for Jack Del Rio to resign or be terminated. His comments could not have been more offensive and ignorant. The January 6th insurrection an attempted coupwas far from a 'dust-up'. Each day we learn more and more on just how close our democracy came to autocracy. Downplaying the insurrection by comparing it to nationwide protests, which were in response to a public lynching, is twisted. You cant coach a majority Black team while turning your back on the Black community. It's time for you to pack up and step off the field." Del Rio had asked on Twitter why protests following the killing of George Floyd were not investigated as the attack on the Capitol was. OPINION: Jan. 6 wasn't a 'dust-up.' It was a violent act of treason. Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio talks to defensive tackle Jonathan Allen during an NFL football practice at Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Va., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Asked by reporters about his tweet, Del Rio on Wednesday doubled down saying, "Lets get right down to it, what did I ask? A simple question: Why are we not looking into those things? Because its kind of hard for me to say I can realistically look at it, I see the images on TV, peoples livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned downno problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down and were gonna make that a major deal. I just think its kind of two standards." Del Rio later issued an apology. I made comments earlier today in referencing the attack that took place on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, Del Rio said in a statement. Referencing that situation as a dustup was irresponsible and negligent and I am sorry. I stand by my comments condemning violence in communities across the country. I say that while also expressing my support as an American citizen for peaceful protest in our country. I have fully supported all peaceful protests in America. I love, respect, and support all my fellow coaches, payers, and staff that I work with and respect their views and opinions. Story continues The Commanders didnt immediately offer a response when asked by USA TODAY Sports about the NAACPs statement. Follow USA TODAY Sports' Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NAACP calls for Jack Del Rio to resign or be fired for Jan. 6 remark Jun. 9NORWICH Norwich police officers are wearing black bands around their badges this week, as they do when a fellow officer dies. And that's exactly how they feel after the sudden death last weekend of decorated 5-year-old K-9 German shepherd Ozzy. Ozzy, called "the best dog we ever had" by police Chief Patrick Daley, was playing in the parking lot at the Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium on Friday with longtime handler, Officer Kenneth Wright. The dog went home with Wright as normal. But overnight, Ozzy suffered a medical emergency. Wright tried to rush him to a local veterinary hospital early Saturday but Ozzy did not survive, fellow K-9 Officer Matthew Goddu said Wednesday. Wright is taking a few days off to grieve for the loss of his K-9 partner and declined to be interviewed, Daley and Goddu said. "He was one of the best dogs in the state, a phenomenal dog," Daley said. "The handler is devastated, obviously. ... We've had a lot of dogs over the years. He was the best dog we ever had. It was tough. Way too young." Ozzy came to the Norwich department in March 2018, thanks to a $7,000 donation by the Nutmeg Companies, a Norwich building contractor, to the department to help cover the full cost. Wright was paired with Ozzy immediately, and the two hit the streets after what police described as "a very intense and rigorous training course" at the Connecticut State Police K-9 Academy. Ozzy's service record is long and filled with stars. Norwich police posted some highlights of his record on the police union Facebook page, stating Ozzy had over 75 "successful deployments" that led to apprehension of suspects, location of missing people and discovery of evidence, narcotics and weapons. On June 18, 2019, Ozzy and Wright apprehended two suspects involved in crimes within 12 hours. Three months later, on Sept. 6, Ozzy helped track down a stabbing suspect, finding a blood-covered cellphone during the tracking. Story continues That year, the K-9 team was awarded the Stephen F. Davis Award as state K-9 Team of the Year. In another incident in 2021, a suspect in a domestic dispute assaulted a Norwich police officer and fled the scene. Ozzy and Wright located the suspect, who assaulted Ozzy multiple times, police said, but the dog "never gave up." Ozzy and Wright frequently did K-9 demonstrations at schools and local events, such as the annual National Night Out block parties, showing their advanced training skills. They attended many Dodd Stadium events. Goddu, who handles K-9 partner Carlton, a black Labrador retriever narcotics dog, said a K-9 partner becomes part of the officer's family, a household pet as much as a workmate. Ozzy and Carlton also were best of friends, Goddu said. Whether on duty or off, Wright and Ozzy responded to fellow officers in need, Goddu said. Officers knew Ozzy and Wright "were never far out, always there to help us," Goddu said. That extended to other departments in the region, as well. On Oct. 15, 2019, Wright and Ozzy assisted Stonington police in tracking down a suspect in a wooded area after the man punched out a car window, tried to break into an apartment and then fled the scene, leaving a trail of cocaine, ammunition, a handgun and bloodied clothing. Goddu said Norwich police officers are planning to create a memorial for Ozzy somewhere, but details have not yet been decided. "Ozzy made the world a safer place and protected all of us every single day," Norwich police posted in the Facebook page notice. "We will all miss hearing, '1040 and his partner are on the way.' Ozzy, you will be missed. Rest easy buddy." c.bessette@theday.com Space is important to us and thats why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. --- SpaceX boosted an Egyptian communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday, delivering the hefty spacecraft to orbit and kicking off the Space Coast's June launch manifest. At 5:04 p.m. EDT, a 230-foot Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Launch Complex 40 on the commercial mission and then successfully landed on a drone ship just shy of 10 minutes later. The NileSat-301 satellite, weighing some 10,000 pounds, separated from the rocket's second stage 33 minutes after liftoff. It marked SpaceX's 116th successful landing to date, 99th mission flying a used booster, and the Space Coast's 23rd launch of the year. If the current cadence holds, the unofficial target of 50 launches before the end of the year is likely to stay within reach. NileSat-301 is expected to deliver better communications services digital TV and internet, for example for Egypt and the surrounding area. It was designed, built, and tested by Franco-Italian aerospace company Thales Alenia Space. Next up on the range is Astra and its Rocket 3.3: the California-based startup is targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 12, for an attempt to fly NASA's TROPICS science mission from Launch Complex 46. An exact time for the launch is not yet available as teams wait for approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The company's last mission from the Cape in February failed to deliver another NASA mission, along with university payloads, to low-Earth orbit. Astra aims to produce, transport, and launch rockets at a rapid pace with low costs. Using off-the-shelf parts and existing options like maritime shipping containers, the company says it can launch from almost anywhere in the world as long a there's a stable concrete slab. Story continues At about 45 feet in height, Rocket 3.3 is a smaller launch vehicle, at least compared to the 230-foot Falcon 9 that is now commonplace. NASA's Space Launch System, now at pad 39B for its next test attempt on June 19, stands even taller at 323 feet. For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule. Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EmreKelly. Launch no earlier than Sunday, June 12 Rocket: Astra Rocket 3.3 Mission: NASA's TROPICS mission Launch Time: TBD Launch Complex: 46 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Trajectory: East / Northeast Weather: Forecast expected Thursday Visit floridatoday.com/space Sunday, June 12, for real-time updates and live video of the launch. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launches Egyptian satellite on first Florida mission of June Steve Clarke was impressed by Andy Robertsons leadership (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Wire) Steve Clarke hailed the leadership qualities of captain Andy Robertson following Scotlands 2-0 win over Armenia at Hampden Park. A week after 2022 World Cup hopes ended with a demoralising defeat to Ukraine in the play-off semi-final at the national stadium, the Scots had to host the Armenians in their Nations League Group B1 opener. Celtic full-back Anthony Ralston, making his first Scotland start, headed home in the 28th minute before Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna doubled that lead with a header from a corner five minutes from the break. Clarke, who made six changes, revealed that Liverpool left-back Robertson had played a true captains part on and off the park. He said: It was important to refresh it and also important for the boys who played last week and had to go again. I have to mention the captain, I thought he was outstanding. He was outstanding in the dressing room before the game, himself, John McGinn, Callum McGregor, leaders, taking us on the pitch in a good frame of mind and with three good performances. But I thought the captain was exceptional. It was just in general, as a captain, leader. It is a role that Andy has really grown into and sometimes he doesnt quite get the mentions that maybe he should do. And captains are important at this time, people you are looking for to step up, John McGinn, Callum McGregor that was important as well. Andy Robertson stepped up as captin against Armenia (Getty Images) Clarke was happy to see Ralston and McKenna both getting off the mark with Scotland and indeed the latter would have had a double had he not been offside when he knocked the ball over the line again just before the break. Clarke said: I had no real doubts about Tony because he plays for Celtic and they come up against opposition who sit and defend and make it difficult for them. I knew he would find the right position on the pitch and certainly when he got the goal it was definitely the right position. Scott did well, I thought the whole back-three did well as a unit and obviously for Scott to get the goal. Story continues If he hadnt been quite so impetuous and got himself half a step offside he would have had a double tonight. It was a good night for everyone. (PA) Clarke was pleased with a number of aspects of Scotlands play against a side ranked 92nd in the world. He said: The way we approached the game, the speed of ball. We took up the right positions against a very defensive team. We knew we had to work hard to break them down and thats what we did. We kept trying the right thing at the right times and eventually we got the goals. A Filipino fans cardboard cutout of BTS Jin spooked neighbors after it was mistaken for a ghost standing in her apartment window. The fan, who goes by the handle @snowlight711 on TikTok, shared the humorous incident online to reveal the mysterious figure as her K-pop idol standee. Our building admin called me at 11:30 p.m. to tell me that the condo opposite mine is really concerned and worried because theyre seeing a shadowy figure of a man who is just standing at my window, the woman says in her TikTok video. @snowlight711 My first and last Tiktok video Ang hirap pala gumawa ng Tiktok video!!!! Di ko alam pano to nagagawa ng iba original sound - snowlight711 More from NextShark: Daniel Dae Kim to play Fire Lord Ozai in Netflixs Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series The life-sized cardboard standee of Jin was given to the fan by her friends. The placement of the cutout by her window in the high-rise condominium in the Philippines created an eerie silhouette behind her curtains when viewed from outside. The building opposite from her residential complex alerted the building administrators of the figure after its appearance continued for days. The figure has been looking out of the window for about four days now. So how do I tell them that its only my Kim Seok-jin standee? the TikTok user says. More from NextShark: Michelle Yeoh to lead all-Asian cast in new Netflix drama series The Brothers Sun The incident has gone viral among BTS fandom in the Philippines, with many finding it hilarious and relatable. This happened to me, but I had four standees: Jimin, JK, Jin and RM. My neighbors reported it to my mom, asking why there were guys, one TikTok user wrote. Smart especially for those living alone. Jin was just looking after her and protecting her from weirdos, a Twitter user said. More from NextShark: 'Dishonor on your cow!': Viral TikTok video has netizens wondering whether they should wash their rice Smart esp for those living alone XD Jin was just looking after her and protecting her from weirdos (@NaBi_1307) June 8, 2022 More from NextShark: Marilyn Fu, Destin Daniel Cretton Developing Limited Series Based on Vincent Chin's Murder Feature image via @snowlight711 Son of Warren Buffett - Howard Buffett Read also: Russia delivered 100,000 tons of stolen Ukrainian grain to Syria Glad to meet Howard Buffett in Kyiv; we appreciate this signal of solidarity with Ukraine, Zelensky said. Zelensky also expressed his gratitude for Buffetts involvement in humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Read also: Lithuanian President strongly opposes transport of Ukrainian grain through Belarus Invited him to join projects on restoring irrigation systems in Odesa Oblast, supporting IDPs, minesweeping, and school nutrition reform, the president added. Read also: Moscow is playing PR game over grain exports Buffett chairs an eponymous foundation that focuses on issues of biodiversity and global food security. He is known to be personally involved in choosing in which projects the foundation invests. Over the last decade, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation financed numerous agricultural projects in Africa. Washington is pointedly avoiding citing China by name as it works to unveil a positive agenda for Latin America, senior White House officials said Wednesday, even as it has tried to sidestep controversy over the guest list at a regional summit this week. President Joe Biden is focused on strengthening democracy, increasing multilateral bank activity, reducing migration and bolstering the middle class at the Summit of the Americas this week in Los Angeles - despite inordinate attention on Washington's decision not to invite several leftist-leaning countries - but will largely avoid comparing it publicly to China's Belt and Road Initiative or outsize trading presence, they added. "The best antidote to China's inroads in the region is to ensure that we are fording our own affirmative vision for the region economically," a US official said on background. "That's why it's so important that we do lay down a really ambitious, regionally comprehensive, updated vision for the kind of economic partnership we want." 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. The US officials said fewer US initiatives in recent years had created a vacuum that allowed China to make inroads and pursue projects not necessarily in the best interest of Latin American and Caribbean nations. "We do ourselves both an economic service as well as advancing our geostrategic gains by just putting out an affirmative vision," she added. The Biden administration has struggled to promote those initiatives given the kerfuffle over its decision to leave Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua off the guest list. That decision saw the presidents of Brazil and Argentina threaten to skip the US-hosted meeting, with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador eventually pulling out. Story continues US officials said the economic plank of its Americas Partnership initiative differs somewhat from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) unveiled in Tokyo last month, given that the US already has free trade agreements with 11 countries that it can build on. The administration intends to spend the next several months recruiting various Western Hemisphere nations to enter negotiations toward an eventual economic agreement aimed at better coordinating supply chains, digital frameworks and clean energy, and tackling trade barriers not covered under earlier agreements, a senior administration official said. Given strong US opposition to trade agreements - which industry and labour groups often blame for the shift of manufacturing jobs overseas - any agreement is not expected to require approval by Congress and will not trade US market access for economic reforms in partner countries, US officials said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told business leaders that significant impediments remain before investors feel comfortable in the region, citing everything from regulatory frameworks to corruption. "There's a lot of capital out there, but it's not going to be deployed if the environment in which you want to deploy it is simply too risky and too complicated," Blinken said. In keeping with the IPEF, however, the Americas Partnership will have a menu of "pillars" that countries can opt to join after they negotiate and show they can meet the agreement's standards, an official said, toward a hoped-for ministerial meeting in the fall. One pillar seeks to make supply chains more resilient and reduce dependency on "certain countries", an official said, without mentioning China by name. Another aims to reform and potentially increase capital at the Inter-American Development Bank and encourage other multilateral lending organizations to expand their presence in the region, she added, with an eye on boosting social capital and reducing climate change. On other fronts, the proposed agreement would seek to strengthen ties between citizens and their governments through innovation, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, taxes, women's rights and corruption to make life "better and fairer". The fourth and fifth pillars aspire to tackle sustainable farming, clean energy, regulatory issues, customs practices, labour, the environment and food and energy inflation caused by Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine, among others, officials said. With this week's raft of initiatives - including others involving women, cities, refugees and private sector investment - the administration hopes to make up for lost time and counter the growing sway of Beijing, which it views as a "strategic competitor". China's presence in America's "backyard" has grown significantly over the past two decades as Washington focused more attention on the Asia-Pacific region. China's state-owned companies are major players in the hemisphere's infrastructure, energy and space sectors, even surpassing the US as South America's largest trading partner. China took the opportunity this week to needle Washington over the politically sensitive issue of migration and refugees along the US southern border with Mexico. "The serious issue of migrants and refugees faced by the US is a boomerang of its own hegemonic and bullying practice," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Monday in Beijing. "At the ninth Summit of the Americas, it should officially respond to Latin American countries' legitimate concerns on the issue of migrants, and present practical solutions." Analysts said Washington's regional initiatives this week constitute a start but that there is significant ground to make up. "Biden's IPEF initiative in Asia as in Latin America appears ... too little too late," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political-science professor at Baptist University in Hong Kong. "Moreover, instead of being inclusive, the US has been inclined to exclude countries it does not like, triggering Mexico's boycott of the meeting." "This will help China reach out to the excluded nations and altogether appear more inclusive." 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. By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov, along with distinguished visitors, has watched the Efes-2022 international drills in Izmir, Turkiye, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. The tasks of rendering neutral a naval mine and rescuing the terrorist-seized ship were completed during the night phase of the drills, the ministry said. The multinational drills, where Azerbaijan is being represented by the personnel of the Nakhchivan Special Army and the Naval Forces, will last until June 9. The Efes-2022 multinational exercises are being held in four stages. Furthermore, on the sideline of the Efes- 2022 international drills, Hasanov held meetings with his Turkish and Kyrgyz counterparts in Izmir, the ministry said in separate reports. At the meeting with Turkish National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, the two men discussed issues of developing cooperation in the military, military-technical, military-educational, and other fields, and the significance of the experience gained by Azerbaijani servicemen during joint drills, the report clarified. The Azerbaijani defense minister also discussed various areas of military, military-educational cooperation at a meeting with Kyrgyz Defence Minister Baktybek Bekbolotov in Izmir on 8 June, the Defence Ministry added. During the meeting, there was a detailed exchange of ideas on many sectors of military, military-educational cooperation between the nations, and other subjects of mutual concern, the report added. En reunion con CEO y vicepresidentes de corporaciones estadounidenses, el ministro Oscar Graham destaco que el Peru es una de las economias que cuenta con los indicadores macroeconomicos mas solidos de la region y que continuara asi. ?? Nota de prensa: https://t.co/juwqvh9ZnR pic.twitter.com/PS8CItDzHQ Zachary Lee Zimmerman appears via Zoom in Yakima County Superior Court Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Zimmerman is accused of first-degree unlawful firearms possession and possessing a stolen motor vehicle in a May 30, 2022, incident on North First Street. He was shot and wounded by Yakima police who say he fired at them. (Donald W. Meyers/Yakima Herald-Republic) Race must be considered in determining legality of police stops and seizures, WA state Supreme Court rules YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan, who is in Strasbourg on a working visit, met with the Mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian on June 9, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia. Thanking the Mayor of Strasbourg for the warm reception, Alen Simonyan noted that he is glad to see our compatriot in such post. The sides discussed details about Pan-Armenian and community issues. At the meeting the Mayors cooperation with the elected female officials of Armenia and in that context the need of exchange of best practice were highlighted. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Volkswagen India will be launching the new Virtus in the Indian market today. The carmaker has unveiled the car already, and a lot is already known about this upcoming Volkswagen sedan. The C-segment saloon will be going against the likes of Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. With the launch of the Volkswagen Virtus, the German brand is eyeing to rule the roost. It is expected to launch at a starting price of Rs 10 lakh, much like its mechanical twin - Skoda Slavia. The Virtus is the second car under the companys India 2.0 initiative. Here's everything we belive that you should know about it, if you are interested in buying this car. Volkswagen Virtus - Design The Virtus takes the three-box silhouette to new heights. It looks very typical of a sedan. The nose is every bit VW-ish, and it gets a large air dam on the lower portion of the bumper. The headlamps are an all-LED affair. The Volkswagen Virtus rides on a set of 16-inch rims like the Slavia. The rear-end features slim tail lamps, which also get smoked treatment for added appeal. A total of 6 paint schemes will be available for the Virtus, and Volkswagen will also be offering a GT Line trim of the sedan, which will feature blacked-out inserts for the exterior, along with black-coloured alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Volkswagen Virtus - Dimensions The Volkswagen Virtus is undoubtedly the biggest car in its segment. It is 4,561 mm long, 1,752 mm wide, and 1,507 mm tall. It also has the best-in-class wheelbase of 2,651 mm. The boot space doesnt shy away from claiming the largest-in-segment title with a volume of 521 litres. Volkswagen Virtus - Features The new-age Volkswagens are loaded to the gills. The case remains the same with the ready-to-launch Virtus as well. It gets a large 10-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, automatic climate control, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, electric sunroof, rear AC vents, wireless phone charger, 8-speaker sound system and more. Volkswagen Virtus - Interior Unlike the Slavia, the Virtus resorts to a rather plain design for the dashboard. While it certainly looks subtle, it has enough to woo buyers. In terms of space, the Virtus impresses rather well. On the front seat, theres ample room, and on the rear bench, the legroom is not a complaint either. If bought in the GT Line avatar, the Virtus gets red inserts for the interior. Volkswagen Virtus - Engine & gearbox Underpinned by the MQB-A0-IN architecture, the Virtus gets two choices of powertrain - 1.0L TSI and 1.5L TSI. The former puts out 115 hp/175 Nm, whereas the latter is the most powerful of the lot with a rated power and torque output of 150 hp and 250 Nm, respectively. The 1.0L TSI motor will be sold with two gearbox choices - 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT. The bigger 1.5L TSI will be available with the 7-speed DCT. Also read - Citroen C3 SUV to launch in India on July 20: Check price, mileage, engine, and more Volkswagen Virtus - Price & rivals Supposed to have a starting price of Rs 10 lakh for the base-spec trim, prices for the Volkswagen Virtus are likely to go up to Rs 17 lakh for the range-topping variant. Once launched, it will lock horns with the Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, and Skoda Slavia. American Airlines and IndiGo have signed a codeshare agreement that would allow the former to sell seats on the latter's flights on the Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Mumbai routes. Only the New York-Delhi route is now served by American Airlines. This isn't the first time IndiGo has partnered with an overseas airline to codeshare. Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Air France-KLM have already signed codeshare agreements with them. "American and IndiGo plan to expand the codeshare in the near future to include more than a dozen additional destinations in India (in addition to Bengaluru and Mumbai)," the statement by American Airlines said. American Airlines and IndiGo had in September last year announced that they are entering into a codeshare agreement. Also read: Plane crashes near Laohekou airport in China, pilot survives with minor injuries "IndiGo is a premier Indian carrier, and through our codeshare agreement, customers can book travel on IndiGo via Delhi to and from two of India's most popular destinations, Bangalore and Mumbai," said Anmol Bhargava, Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships, American Airlines. In the month of April, Indigo reactivated its codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways after resuming the regular flight operations following the Covid-19 pandemic. IndiGo at the time was operating 154 flights per week between Doha and eight Indian cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Kannur. Currently, IndiGo has codeshare partnerships with Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and American Airlines. Prior to that, Australian carrier Qantas said it was finalising a codeshare partnership with Indian carrier IndiGo. India had, on March 27, resumed scheduled international flights after a Covid-19 induced hiatus of two years. With inputs form PTI Russia's special military operation in Ukraine will end when its goals are achieved, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday, Tass informs. June 9, 2022, 17:00 Special operation to end when its goals are achieved Kremlin STEPANAKERT, JUNE 9, ARTSAKHPRESS: "Russian President [Vladimir] Putin has outlined the tasks for this special military operation. The fulfillment of these tasks will mean the end of the special military operation," the Kremlin spokesman pointed out. This is how he responded to a request to designate the date of the special military operations end. At the same time, Peskov did not comment on the statement that the results of the special operation could not be achieved under the current Ukrainian regime. Russian President Vladimir Putin, when announcing the start of the military special operation in Ukraine on February 24, set several goals. Among them were the denazification and demilitarization of the country. In the Hubei province of central China, a plane crashed in the close vicinity of the Laohekou airport, leaving a slew of houses on fire. The reason behind the crash, however, isnt reported yet, but the pilot managed to eject himself and land safely via the parachute with just minor injuries. Several videos of the incident, circulating on the internet show a lot of houses on fire at the accident scene because of the planes crash landing. While the emergency department personnel rushed to the spot, any details of the casualties of residents are awaited. This is the third aviation incident to be reported in China since March this year. Last month, a plane of Tibet Airlines aborted takeoff in Chongqing with 122 people on board as it skidded off the runway and caught fire, leaving more than people injured. The aircraft was reported to be a 10-year-old plane, bearing a B-6426 registration code. "Tibet Airlines flight 9833, an Airbus A319-115, was damaged beyond repair when it was involved in a takeoff accident at Chongqing-Jiangbei International Airport (CKG/ZUCK), China. Preliminary information indicates the aircraft aborted the takeoff and veered off the runway. A post-crash fire ensued, but all occupants were able to exit the aircraft," said Aviation Safety Network on the incident. Also read - Qatar Airways CEOs spoof video goes viral amidst Nupur Sharma controversy: WATCH Also, on March 12, a Boeing 737 aircraft from Kunming to Guangzhou crashed in Tengxian county of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. All the 132 people on board, including nine crew members, were killed. "The two recorders on the plane were severely damaged due to the impact, and the data restoration and analysis work is still in progress," CAAC said in a statement on finding the black boxes of the crashed plane. (With inputs from PTI) Akasa Air has signed a contract with Griffin Global Asset Management, an Irish leasing company, for the sale and leaseback of five Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The airline sells its jets to a leasing business and then leases them back under the sale and leaseback arrangement. This frees up the funds that the airline used to purchase the plane. On November 26, 2021, Akasa Air agreed to buy 72 Max planes from Boeing, just three months after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave the planes then go light. Akasa Air is scheduled to receive its first Max aircraft this month and is planning to launch its commercial flight operations in July. A statement by Griffin Global Asset Management said it "is pleased to announce the mandate for purchase and leaseback of five Boeing 737-8 aircraft with Akasa Air, a new airline based in India". We are pleased to have Griffin as our partners in growth as we embark on our aviation journey. The high degree of confidence and endorsement from the Griffin team is a testimony to Akasa Airs robust and sustainable future. - Vinay Dube, CEO. https://t.co/qFE6XcCrMv Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) June 9, 2022 The airline, which is backed by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and aviation veterans Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh, received the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2021 to launch commercial flight operations. Also read: Indigo enters codeshare partnership with American Airlines after Qatar Airways Commenting on the contract with Griffin, Dube, Founder, Managing Director and CEO of Akasa Air, said, "We are pleased to have Griffin as our partner in growth as we embark on our aviation journey. The high degree of confidence and endorsement from the Griffin team is a testimony to Akasa Air's robust and sustainable future." With inputs from PTI Tata-owned Vistara airlines marked the 50th aircraft in its fleet with the debut of a custom-designed livery on its brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft. Vistara's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vinod Kannan; Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Deepak Rajawat; and senior members of its leadership team were in attendance at the event, which took place at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Since April 2020, the airline has increased its fleet by more than 25% while also expanding its worldwide network to ten destinations. By the end of 2023, Vistara expects to have a fleet of roughly 70 aircraft. The Delhi-based airline, which is a 51:49 joint venture between India's salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group and south-east Asian carrier Singapore Airlines, started flying on international routes in August 2019. Vistara said it had flown 30 million passengers since its launch on January 9, 2015, in both domestic and overseas market, the airline said in a statement. Even as Vistara navigated the aviation industry's worst-ever crisis, COVID-19, it continued to grow in a measured way towards its vision and long-term plans, expanding its fleet by over 25% since April 2020, to have 51 aircraft as of date, the airline said. Vistara's fleet comprises Airbus A320, A320neo, A321neo, Boeing 737, and B787 planes. Also read: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala backed Akasa Air to partner Griffin for sale, leaseback of Boeing 737-8 aircraft Vistara has also significantly grown its global network to include seven new destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the statement added. According to the airline, it has registered a growth of 3.3 percentage points in market share since July 2020, having grown from 4.2% in July 2020 to 7.5% in November 2021. New Delhi: Omnichannel beauty retailer Purplle has become Indias newest unicorn (startup with a valuation of $1 billion or more) after raising $33 million in a fresh funding round led by South Korean investment firm Paramark Ventures. Existing investors in the company including Premji Invest, Blume Ventures, and Kedaara Capital also participated in the mop-up. According to Co-Founder and CEO at Purplle.com, Manish Taneja, the latest infusion is an opportunity to further the companys mission of building the beauty industry in India with technological investments. He also noted that the funds will help the company in scaling its private brands, and industry-first innovations. Prior to this, Purplle had raised more than $34 million in its Series D1 funding round in January 2022. The round was led by Faces Investment Holdings, and valued the company at slightly more than $700 million. Chunsoo Kim, Founder and Managing Partner of Paramark Ventures, said, Purplle is addressing the enormous vacuum in the beauty and personal care industry in India in a way that the rising demand from massive Indian consumers can be best served beyond the limited set of customers in a few major cities. Also Read: HUGE pay gap! Ex-HDFC Bank CEO earned 40 times more in FY21 than SBI chairman's package According to media reports, Purplle is the 102nd unicorn startup in India, and the second firm to achieve the unicorn tag in the month of June 2022. Prior to Purplle, edtech startup PhysicsWallah turned unicorn after announcing $100 million funding in Series A funding from Westbridge and GSV Ventures. The company is the first edtech player to achieve this milestone in 2022. Also Read: Layer'r Shot controversial ads row: ASCI releases guidelines on harmful gender stereotypes New Delhi: Two firemen were injured while trying to control a fire that broke out in cluster buses belonging to the Delhi Transport Corporation in south Delhi's Sunehri Pullah Depot, said reports on Thursday. Firemen Suresh and Virender Singh sustained minor injuries during a firefighting operation near Dyal Singh College on Wednesday and were rushed to AIIMS Trauma centre, the Delhi Fire Service officials said. Three buses, run by Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS), had come for repair at a workshop and due to a short circuit they caught fire, an official said. While two buses were completely damaged, the third was partially burnt, he said. Atul Garg, Director, Delhi Fire Service, said, "A call regarding a fire was received at around 10 pm at Sunehri Pullah Depot near Dyal Singh College. Three fire tenders were rushed to the site and the blaze was brought under control within an hour." A police team immediately reached the spot after a PCR call was received regarding the incident and Delhi Fire Control Room was also informed, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Benita Mary Jaiker said. "On enquiry, it came to notice that due to short circuit, three buses which were parked at battery workshop at Sunehri Pullah Depot caught fire. During firefighting operation, two persons named Suresh and Virender Singh from the fire department accidentally slipped into a pit and sustained minor injuries," she said. Virender is admitted to the Trauma centre, while Suresh got discharged after being treated for his wounds, the DCP said. New Delhi: Foreign Direct Investment inflows to India declined USD 19 billion to USD 45 billion in 2021 but the country still remained among the top 10 global economies for FDI last year, the United Nations said on Thursday. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report, flows of foreign direct investment recovered to pre-pandemic levels last year, hitting nearly USD 1.6 trillion. However, the prospects for this year are grimmer as global FDI in 2022 and beyond will be affected by the security and humanitarian crises caused by the Ukraine war, by macroeconomic shocks set off by the conflict, by energy and food price hikes, and by increased investor uncertainty. India, which had received USD 64 billion in FDI in 2020, recorded a decline in FDI inflows in 2021 at USD 45 billion. But India was still among the top 10 economies for FDI inflows in 2021, ranking 7th after the US, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and Brazil. South Africa, Russia and Mexico rounded up the top 10 economies for FDI inflows in 2021. Flows to India declined to USD 45 billion. However, a flurry of new international project finance deals were announced in the country: 108 projects, compared with 20 projects on average for the last 10 years, the report said, adding that the largest number of 23 projects was in renewables. Large projects include the construction of a steel and cement plant in India for USD 13.5 billion by Arcelormittal Nippon Steel (Japan) and the construction of a new car manufacturing facility by Suzuki Motor (Japan) for USD 2.4 billion. Outward FDI from South Asia, mainly from India, rose by 43 per cent to USD 16 billion. The report noted that the war in Ukraine will have far-reaching consequences for international investment in economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all countries. It comes as a fragile world economy was just beginning an uneven recovery from the effects of the pandemic. The report said the direct effects of the war on investment flows to and from Russia and Ukraine include the halting of existing investment projects and the cancellation of announced projects, an exodus of multinational enterprises (MNEs) from Russia, widespread loss of asset values and sanctions virtually precluding outflows. It added that to date, MNEs from China and India account for a negligible share of FDI stock in Russia (less than 1 per cent), although their share in ongoing projects is larger. The report said despite successive waves of COVID-19, FDI in developing Asia rose for the third consecutive year to an all-time high of USD 619 billion, underscoring the resilience of the region. It is the largest recipient region of FDI in the world, accounting for 40 per cent of global inflows. The 2021 upward trend was widely shared in the region, with South Asia the only exception, where FDI inflows declined by 26 per cent to USD 52 billion in 2021 from USD 71 billion in 2020 as the large M&As (mergers and acquisitions) registered in 2020 were not repeated. Inflows remain highly concentrated and six economies (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, in that order) accounted for more than 80 per cent of FDI to the region. The report noted that international project finance announcements in industrial real estate have also grown continuously for several years, with no let-up during the pandemic. In 2021, deal numbers tripled to 152 projects with a value of USD 135 billion. Large projects include the construction of a steel and cement manufacturing plant in India for USD 14 billion and the construction of a 960-hectare pharmaceutical park in Vietnam for USD 10 billion. Further it said that more than 60 per cent of greenfield investments are in developed economies, especially in Europe (45 per cent). Of the Research and Development (R&D) investment in developing economies, India captures almost half of all projects. In developing economies, United States MNEs targeted India in 8 per cent of the deals, mostly buying minority stakes to gain access to the market and to local innovative solutions. For example, eBay (United States) jointly with Microsoft (United States) and Tencent (China), acquired an undisclosed minority stake in online retailer Flipkart (India), for $1.4 billion in 2017. Similarly, Paypal (United States) acquired undisclosed minority stakes in a range of Indian companies across several industries, including software providers, online brokerage systems, professional services and electronic payments (Moshpit Technologies, Speckle Internet Solutions, Scalend Technologies, Freecharge Payment Technologies). It added that four Chinese companies accounted for 11 per cent of the deals and invested a relatively higher share in developing-economy MNEs (34 per cent) than their developed counterparts did. ?They invested especially in Asia, with shares divided equally between India and South-East Asia,? it said. The report noted that investment facilitation measures undertaken by nations accounted for almost 40 per cent of all measures more favourable to investment. Many new measures concerned the simplification of administrative procedures for investment. Also Read: Amul urges PM Modi to delay plastic straw ban: Heres why the dairy firm is seeking extension For example, India launched the National Single-Window System, which will become a one- stop shop for approvals and clearances needed by investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. Also Read: Lets all do something about it Harsh Goenka urges action against wastage of food in industrialised regions New Delhi: TVFs immensely popular OTT series Tripling is coming back with season 3. The show has been a hit since its inception and depicts a unique bond between three siblings. The Sumeet Vyas, Maanvi Gagroo and Amol Parashar-starrer not only explored the sibling relationship but also some hinterland beauty of India. From Gujarat, Sikkim, Jaipur and Kolkata, the show has travelled the length and breadth of the country, and the audience is excited to know where the road trip heads to next. But Amol Parashar wants to keep the mystery alive and without divulging much, he says, This time, we will be in the hills. In the past two seasons, the audience got to see Chandan, Chanchal and Chitvan evolve and mature over time. Not just in their relationships, but as individuals as well. And Amol promises that more evolution of these characters will happen in the third season but it wont hamper the quirky traits that make them special. People have a lot of expectations from Tripling. The idea is to meet some of those expectations, while giving them something new, he says. Talking about his character, Amol shares, With Chitvan, people have come to expect madness. He was different in season two compared to the first instalment. [Here], he is maturing, but in his own weird way. I have grown physically, mentally and emotionally as an actor. Similarly, Chitvan, while still exhibiting his usual traits, has evolved in his relationships." With Tripling being a cult classic, there are huge expectations riding on the third season already but Amol believes that it is not him but the writers Sumeet Vyas, Abbas Dalal, Gopal Tiwari and Chris George who have the responsibility of carrying those expectations. I didn't get involved in the writing process. Sumeet and Arunabh took care of it. Often, they asked me to join their jamming sessions during the scripting stage, but I didn't want to get into it. But whenever I had a suggestion, I voiced my opinions, he informs. The team had a 25-day shoot in early 2022 for the third season of Tripling and Amol says reuniting with the shows whole team felt less like work and more like a happy reunion. We were shooting together after three years. Life no longer gives you the luxury to chill and hang out too often [due to the pandemic]. But season three was our excuse to get everyone together and go on a road trip, he reveals. This is a road trip that the audience cant wait to embark upon and Amols depiction of his experience has just made that wait all the more exciting. New Delhi: Ahead of the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amarnath, security personnel deployed in Jammu and Kashmir will be equipped with high-tech gadgets being used "first time" during the Hindu pilgrimage amid specific concern regarding the use of "sticky bombs" by terrorists, said a report. The special gadgets, whose names are withheld due to security reasons, are learnt to be used for some specific purpose, a source in security wind requesting anonymity told ANI. The Yatra is all set to start on June 30 after a gap of two years. "These gadgets include some of them manufactured by Israel," he told ANI, adding that the number of drones for surveillance is being increased during the pilgrimage and it is estimated that over 50 are to be used only on twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal. Another CRPF officer told ANI that for the first time, an "integrated" effort is being put across all forces concerned including Army, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Jammu and Kashmir administration and Amarnathji Shrine Board members. The officer reportedly said that security agencies are concerned over terrorist groups possessing "sticky bombs" -- explosives that can be attached to vehicles and detonated remotely -- and are reshaping their standard operating procedure for the pilgrimage. Notably, online registration for Amarnath Yatra 2022 has started on April 11 and the Home Ministry has already sanctioned over 200 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for the purpose to provide security during the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage is scheduled to be held for 43 days between June 30 and August 11. The Amarnath shrine pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva, located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, is held from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal. The J&K government had cancelled the annual Amarnath pilgrimage due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in 2020 and 2021 after a discussion with Amarnathji Shrine Board members. Sticky bombs can be only used in unattended civilian vehicles: CRPF official The precautions being taken in view of the inputs that came during the interrogation of arrested terrorists and their sympathisers and other evidence which suggests that while some "sticky bombs" have been recovered by security forces, many of them may have found their way into terror groups in Kashmir Valley. The officer further said, "As the sticky bombs can be only used in unattended civilian vehicles, the message is being circulated not to leave any vehicle unattended." About three lakh pilgrims are likely to take part in the pilgrimage to the cave shrine located in the upper reaches of south Kashmir. It has been decided that vehicles of pilgrims as well as of security forces will be secluded during their movement, some other officials, privy to the development said. "Instructions have also been issued to the security forces as well as those managing the pilgrimage not to leave vehicles unattended." The `sticky bombs` emerged on the terror scene in February last year in Kashmir when these were recovered from the Samba of the Jammu region, indicating the initiation of a new phase of terrorism in the union territory. It was the first such recovery of "sticky bombs", used largely in Afghanistan and Iraq. In India, it was used by suspected Iranian terrorists who targeted the vehicle of an Israeli diplomat in February 2012, resulting in injury to his wife. Sticky bombs, which were also used by the British forces during World War II, can be put on any vehicle and detonated through remote control or an in-built timer, the officials said. Amarnath pilgrims should take following precautionary measures Principal Secretary to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Nitishwar Kumar is earlier quoted by ANI as saying that devotees should go on a morning walk, do breathing exercises, must keep their warm clothes, and food items and keep themselves hydrated. Nitishwar Kumar told ANI, "The pilgrims who have done their registrations and are planning to do the same, must do the morning or evening walk for nearly 4 to 5 hours daily. This is a necessity to keep oneself fit as one comes at a very high altitude. The holy cave is at 12,700 ft while you do have to cross 14,000 or 15,000 ft in your way. Also, practice deep breathing exercises as there are oxygen shortages at such high altitudes." Kumar suggested that the pilgrims should carry warm clothes as a precautionary measure, adding "The temperature dips to nearly 5 degrees when it rains during the yatra. So do bring your warm clothes with you keeping this in mind. Do bring a walking stick, jacket and eatables. Keep hydrating yourself to avoid dehydration." (With Agency Inputs) Pune: The Koregaon Bhima Commission, probing the January 2018 violence near a memorial in Maharashtra's Pune district, has ordered to issue summons to heads of six political parties in the state, including the Shiv Sena, Congress and BJP, on an application stating that their presence will be helpful to suggest measures to avoid incidents of violence in future. Commission's lawyer advocate Ashish Satpute had submitted an application before the commission's chairman Jaynarayan Patel seeking direction to issue summons to state chiefs of Shiv Sena (CM Uddhav Thackeray), BJP (Chandrakant Patil), Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (Prakash Ambedkar), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (Raj Thackeray), Republic Party of India (A) Ramdas Athawale, and state Pradesh Congress Committee (Nana Patole). Satpute in his letter had stated that the presence of the above political persons is useful before the commission to suggest short and long-term measures to be taken by the district administration and police to avoid the recurrence of such incidents (the Koregaon Bhima violence that occurred on January 1, 2018). The application also stated that the commission had issued notices to prominent political leaders in 2018 also, but barring NCP chief Sharad Pawar none of them made any efforts to respond to the notices. Satpute stated that it was necessary to consider the suggestions of the political leaders of various parties on whether more powers should be delegated to police officers so that they can effectively control the situation like political bandh, communal riots, political agitations etc. "Therefore, please issue summons to the aforesaid parties seeking their presence before the inquiry commission in order to record their evidence which will be helpful in the interest of justice," the plea stated. Satpute said that while accepting the pea, the commission chairman ordered to issue summons to the presidents of six political parties in the state to attend the commission in person or depute a representative on their behalf. "An affidavit is filed on or before June 30, 2022, in the office of the commission," said Satpute quoting the order. The two-member probe commission is headed by the retired chief justice of the Calcutta High Court J N Patel and also comprises former Maharashtra chief secretary Sumit Mullick. As per the Pune police, violence erupted between caste groups near the war memorial during the bicentennial anniversary of the 1818 battle of Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 2018. Dalit organisations commemorate the victory of the East India Company over the Peshwa of Pune in the battle because British forces included soldiers from the oppressed Mahar community. But some right-wing organisations had opposed the celebration, leading to the violence in 2018. Chandigarh: Bikram S Majithia's life is not safe in jail, sister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Badal has told the media, adding that they had met the Governor of Punjab, urging him to remove Harpreet Sidhu, ADGP, Prisons. "We met Governor of Punjab and urged him to remove Harpreet Sidhu ADGP, Prisons. My brother Bikram S Majithia's life is not safe in jail with him as ADGP, Prisons. He had been given this post to allow him to settle his personal scores with Majithia," said SAD leader Harsimrat K Badal. She added, "There is a danger of Bikram being eliminated or being entangled in another false case by planting something on his person." A Shiromani Akali Dal delegation on Wednesday (June 8) met Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit urging him to direct the AAP government to remove IPS officer Harpreet Sidhu as the in-charge of Prisons citing a grave threat to jailed former minister Majithia. The meet comes a day after the SAD wrote to the chief minister claiming that there was every chance that Sidhu, the Punjab Additional Director General of Police who also holds the additional charge of Prisons, might either "eliminate" Majithia or "implicate him in a false" case as the two families nurture a rivalry. The delegation comprised former union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Manpreet Ayali, and Bikram Majithia's wife and MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia. They alleged that just like the previous Congress government, the incumbent AAP regime too was "playing into the hands of Harpreet Sidhu". Ganieve Majithia, an MLA from Majitha seat, said that the family feared that Sidhu would register yet another FIR against her husband and requested the Governor to intervene in the matter. Also read: Navjot Singh Sidhu, Qaidi no 241383, in Patiala jail: How his day in prison will look like Majithia is lodged in Patiala jail in connection with a drug case. He was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act last year on the basis of a 2018 report of a probe into a drug racket in the state. This report was filed by Sidhu in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. "The police officer, who failed as head of the Special Task Force on Drugs with the drug menace increasing manifold under his watch, had been given the additional charge of State Prisons solely to allow him to settle his personal scores with Bikram Majithia," the delegation added. They further said, "This benefits AAP politically because the top AAP leadership including its Convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal carry a personal grouse against Bikram Majithia for having to apologize to the latter for levelling false drug trade-related allegations against him." Earlier the SAD delegation had informed, "Sidhu holds a severe animosity towards the Majithia family, and he should not be allowed to function as a super DGP." The delegation further said, "the police officer was not only the head of the STF but was also instrumental in the formation of SIT to probe the allegations against Majithia besides exercising control over it." It then alleged that Sidhu being given the additional charge of the Jails department will allow him to cook up further false evidence against Majithia. Harsimrat Badal also detailed how Sidhu held a severe animosity towards the Majithia family and said that there had been bad blood between the families for generations with Sidhu's family blaming Majithias for the death of their aunt. She said despite this background, Sidhu withheld a strained relationship from the high court before he embarked on conducting an inquiry on the alleged role of Majithia in a drug case. She also disclosed how the AAP government had changed three ADGPs and three jail superintendents (of the Patiala central jail) solely to strike out at Majithia. The SAD delegation also highlighted Majithia being subjected to inhumane treatment in the jail.It urged the Jails Minister, during a visit, that the former minister be shifted to a 'chakki' as the current one is unsafe and unfit for human habitation. They mentioned that the cell was 8x8 feet. "The sole purpose of shifting Majithia into the said cell is to humiliate him and violate his human rights", the leaders added. By Gabriel Stargardter RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Brazilian police have opened a criminal probe and interviewed at least four witnesses believed to be among the last to have seen a British journalist and an indigenous expert who went missing in a remote and lawless part of the Amazon jungle on Sunday. Guilherme Torres, the head of the interior department of Amazonas state's civil police, told Reuters in an interview that police had opened a criminal investigation and interviewed four witnesses while also seeking to locate the journalist, freelancer Dom Phillips, and his companion Bruno Pereira, a former senior official with federal indigenous agency Funai. Torres said Pereira had recently received a threatening letter from a local fisherman who police were trying to locate. He said his colleagues had interviewed two fishermen as witnesses on Monday, with two more quizzed on Tuesday. The first two witnesses had not provided any useful information, and Torres had no details as yet about the second two interviews. "We are indeed working with the hypothesis that a crime might have occurred, but there is another, much larger possibility, that they're lost," Torres said. "Now, our priority is to find them alive, especially in these first hours. In parallel, a criminal probe has been opened to see if there was some crime committed." Brazil's navy and army both dispatched search teams in boats and helicopters to the area, with support from federal and state police. Pereira and Phillips, who has written for the Guardian, the Washington Post and others, went missing on Sunday during a reporting trip in the Javari Valley. The Union of Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley (UNIVAJA), which first announced the pair's disappearance, criticized Brazil's security forces for taking so long to deploy search teams. The Navy sent a launch with men up river on Tuesday but they arrived after dark. The Army dispatched troops on Tuesday, sending dozens of soldiers in river boats to patrol the streets of nearby villages with weapons ready. Story continues The vast region, which borders Peru and is home to the world's largest number of uncontacted indigenous people, is threatened by illegal miners, loggers, hunters and coca-growing gangs who make the raw material for cocaine. Torres said he could not rule out that their disappearance was linked to the gangs operating in the lawless region that could have ambushed them. UNIVAJA representatives said Pereira and Phillips were with an indigenous patrol that was threatened by armed men on Saturday. The pair recorded the confrontation on a cell phone. The disappearance of the two men, who both had years of experience working in the complex and inhospitable Amazon rainforest, sparked global concern from human rights groups, environmentalists, politicians and press freedom advocates. In an emotional TV interview, Phillips' wife, Alessandra Sampaio, urged authorities to intensify their search efforts, "because we still have a little hope of finding them." "Even if I don't find the love of my life alive, they have to be found, please," she added. Pereira's family issued a statement calling for a robust search operation, adding that "we are also very hopeful that there was an accident with the boat and that they are waiting for help." President Jair Bolsonaro, who has faced tough questioning from Phillips at news conferences about policies that have weakened environmental law enforcement, said in a TV interview on Tuesday that the two men "were on an adventure that is not recommended." "It could be an accident, it could be that they were executed, anything could have happened," he said. "I hope, and we pray to God, that they are found soon." Indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara, named by TIME magazine as one of the world's 100 most influential people, said in New York that violence against Amazon tribes was out of control. She spoke to John Kerry, President Joe Biden's climate change envoy, who she said was shocked and promised to look into the disappearance of the two men. Indigenous patrols, who complain of weaker environmental law enforcement since Bolsonaro took office calling for fewer restrictions on tribal lands, regularly clash with illegal miners and hunters in the Javari Valley. Phillips was researching a book about the Amazon and its environmental defenders. Pereira has been collaborating with UNIVAJA and other indigenous groups independently since he was removed from his role at Funai under Bolsonaro. (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter, Anthony Boadle and Eduardo Simoes;Editing by Brad Haynes and Howard Goller) New Delhi: With Rahul Gandhi set to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on June 13 in a money laundering case, the Congress on Thursday decided that all its top leaders and MPs would take out a protest march to the agency headquarters here and stage a "satyagrah" against what the party called its "misuse" by the central government. Congress leaders in states will also take out marches to the agency offices in their respective states and will stage "satyagrah" on Monday, party sources said. The protest plan was finalised at a virtual meeting of the party's state unit presidents and general secretaries and in-charges of various states that was convened by general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal. "Congress leaders will sit in 'satyagrah' in front of all ED offices across India against the misuse of ED by PM Modi," a senior party leader said after the meeting. He said in Delhi, all the Congress MPs and Congress Working Committee (CWC) members will march to the ED office against its "misuse" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The Congress is preparing for a major show of strength in the national capital on June 13 when former party chief Gandhi is scheduled to appear before the agency in connection with a money laundering case pertaining to the National Herald-AJL deal. Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore tweeted, "I will join and march towards ED office in Delhi. No FIR. Bogus case to malign a honest leader. 9 AM 13th June. Join in Delhi or join Congress satyagrah in front of ED office in your state." The Congress has termed the charges "fake and baseless" and added the summonses to Rahul Gandhi and party president Sonia Gandhi was part of the BJP's "vendetta politics". The party had put up a similar show of strength earlier when the Gandhis appeared in a court after they were summoned in a related case. The Congress on Wednesday had said its leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi would appear before the ED as they had nothing to hide from the probe agency, and that the BJP should learn lessons from it. Sonia Gandhi was asked to appear before the ED on Wednesday, but she had sought time from the agency as she was recovering from the coronavirus infection. The Congress president tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi had earlier been summoned to appear before the agency on June 2 but he sought a fresh date as he was abroad at the time. The case pertains to the probe into the alleged financial irregularities in the party-promoted Young Indian that owns the National Herald newspaper. The paper is published by Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and owned by Young Indian Pvt Limited. Officials said the agency wanted to record the statements of the Gandhis under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). New Delhi: Six people, including two women, were on Wednesday arrested for allegedly assaulting a traffic inspector over issuing challan in south Delhi's CR Park, a video of which went viral on social media, police said. According to police, three people, including two women, were triple riding on a two-wheeler with defective number plate and without helmets when they were stopped by a head constable. The trio was also coming from the wrong side, they said. While the head constable issued a challan, the trio started an argument with him, a senior police officer said. An inspector, who was near the spot, intervened following which the trio assaulted him, he said. The accused then called three others to the spot and obstructed the traffic, police said. In the viral video of the incident, three people are seen thrashing the inspector while two traffic police personnel are trying to rescue him. In another video, one of the women alleged that the inspector first slapped her. However, police have refuted the allegations and said the matter escalated over issuing fine. Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Benita Mary Jaiker said, "On Wednesday around 10.30 am, traffic staff was on vehicle checking duty. During checking, Mohit (21), along with his two sisters, was coming on a motorcycle. "The traffic personnel stopped the bike and asked to show the documents. All three resisted and manhandled them. Mohit called two other persons Manoj Kumar (37) and Amit Shukla (19) at the spot, who also obstructed the traffic staff to pursue their duty." Later, Kamaljeet, Mohit's father, also came at the spot and obstructed the officials, police said, adding a medical examination of injured traffic inspector Rajender Parsad was conducted in a hospital. Thereafter, a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Tigri police station against the accused persons on the complaint of Parsad, the DCP said. Four men and two women have been arrested in the case and further investigation is underway, police said. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police, in a tweet, said that the statement of injured inspector has been taken and legal action is initiated. "Citizens' Safety is our priority and Delhi Police appeals to everyone to cooperate with Traffic Police personnel on road, to follow traffic rules in the interest of your own and others' safety," it said. New Delhi: There are myriad differences between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, starting from their parties to their ideologies. Everyone is aware of these variations, however, the true character of people is known only when they are going through a difficult period. In today's DNA, Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary analysed Congress' plan to make Rahul Gandhi's questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a political spectacle. He also discussed the contrast in the approach of PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi in dealing with adverse situations. The Congress has decided that all its top leaders and MPs would stage a "satyagrah" and take out a protest march to the ED headquarters in Delhi on June 13 when Rahul Gandhi has to appear before the central agency. Congress has called for a major show of strength on the day when Gandhi has to appear before the ED in connection with a money laundering case pertaining to the National Herald-AJL deal. Through protests, it seems that the Gandhi family wants to convey the message to the country and the investigating agencies that the laws of the country do not apply to them. They are like a royal family which cannot be touched by the law of the land. This display of political clout is not new for the Gandhi family. On 19 December 2015, when Sonia and Rahul Gandhi had to appear in Delhi's Patiala House Court in the National Herald case, then top Congress leaders and MPs along with the duo had marched on foot from the party office to the court. Difference in PM Modis approach In 2010, Narendra Modi was the Gujarat Chief Minister and was called to Gandhinagar for interrogation in a case related to the 2002 Gujarat riots. At that time, Modi went to the SIT's office alone for the probe. In the intense 9-hour interrogation, he was asked more than 100 questions, however, he did not make it a political festival. Importantly, the SIT did not find even a single piece of evidence against Modi, and the case was dismissed. Modi had said earlier that no one is above the law in this country and he will fully cooperate with the SIT in the probe. On the other hand, at a virtual meeting of the Congress state unit presidents and general secretaries and in-charges of various states today, the party has decided to make Rahul Gandhis questioning on June 13 a big issue. Mumbai: A two-judge bench of the Bombay High Court recused itself from hearing the bail plea of Delhi University's associate professor Hany Babu and the plea of Gautam Navlakha, both accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, without citing any reason. The bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and VG Bisht was hearing the bail plea of Babu in which he stated that the purported letter cited by the National Investigating Agency (NIA), speaking of a conspiracy to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi, did not incriminate him. Babu said the unsigned letter, which the NIA claimed was found on the computer of Babu's co-accused Rona Wilson, was neither written by him nor addressed to him. It did not mention his role in the alleged conspiracy, Babu stated. His plea, filed through counsels Yug Chaudhry and Payoshi Roy, was mentioned before a vacation bench of the high court last month. At that time, the vacation bench directed that the plea be heard by a regular bench of the high court. On Wednesday, when Babu's plea came up before a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and VG Bisht, the bench recused itself from hearing it without citing any reason. Justice Mohite-Dere also recused herself from hearing a plea filed by Navlakha, who has sought, among other things, access to telephone calls at the Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai, where he is currently lodged as an undertrial. Navlakha, 71, has been lodged inside the high security 'anda cell' of the Taloja prison since October last year. In his plea, Babu said that the special NIA judge DE Kothalikar had "erred" in holding that the letter showed prima facie existence of incriminating material against him. The judge had said that the letter spoke of a "Rajiv Gandhi assassination like conspiracy" to kill Modi and that it incriminated Babu in the case. Judge Kothalikar had made this observation while rejecting Babu's bail on merits in February this year. Babu filed his appeal in HC last month, challenging the NIA court order. Babu further said in his plea that there existed no evidence to even suggest that he intended to, or, supported causing disaffection against India. The plea stated that the trial in the case was yet to commence, and it will take time to conclude as the NIA had cited over 50 witnesses, and the chargesheet ran into 30,000 pages. He urged the HC to grant him bail. Babu, who was arrested in July 2020 from his residence in Delhi, is also lodged at the Taloja prison. The pleas of Babu and Navlakha pleas will come up for hearing before an appropriate bench later this month. In 2019, Justice Mohite-Dere had recused herself from hearing pleas by eight accused persons in the case, who had challenged a Pune sessions court order taking cognisance of a charge sheet filed in the case by local police, the initial prosecuting agency in the case. In the past, Justices PB Varale, SS Shinde and Sadhana Jadhav of the Bombay High Court had also recused themselves from hearing the Elgar Parishad matters. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the 'Elgar Parishad' conclave, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial located on the city's outskirts. The Pune police had claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. The probe in the case, in which more than a dozen activists and academicians have been named as accused, was later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday (June 8, 2022) said that the administration's frantic and forced efforts of establishing negative peace in Jammu and Kashmir have miserably failed. We tried to persuade the ruling party to bring about a change in its approach with regards to Kashmir, but they didn't listen to us. Now they are struggling with their failures, said Dr Farooq Abdullha. Abdullahs statement came while he was addressing workers and functionaries at a one-day block level meeting in the Hazratbal constituency. In his address, Senior Abdullah said that the consequences of 5th August can only be judged by looking at the depths of torments faced by the people of J&K on every front. Abdullah said, We are facing an alarming situation that has arisen out of the August 5, 2019, undemocratic and unconstitutional decisions. The governments efforts to force peace in Jammu and Kashmir have miserably failed. "Even at the hour of pervasive fear in a sensitive region like that of ours, people who run the show from New Delhi have failed to see the wisdom of local democratic forces, the real stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir...It has failed to make earnest efforts to establish a setup here that rests on the active will of the people of our people in Kashmir, Jammu, Chenab, and Pir Panjal, he added. We tried to persuade the ruling party to bring about a change in its approach with regards to Kashmir, but they didn't listen to us. Now they are struggling with their failures. Neither there is peace, nor any visage of development here, he further said. Abdullah also highlighted that the party's mission is to protect the relationship with the Union which was built upon the constitutional safeguards that respected the unique identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are fighting legally and democratically. We are also reaching out to political forces across the country to help us in our fight to get back our rights, he said. Hyderabad: Telangana Home Minister Mahmood Ali on Wednesday (June 8) lauded the state police for conducting a "fair probe" in the Jubilee Hills rape case in which a minor was raped last month, and said action is being taken against everyone including those having political affiliations. Notably, it was alleged that the name of his grandson and the son of an MLA belonging to the AIMIM cropped up in the crime. "I would like to appeal to all the parents to take care of their children and if they roam freely it will be difficult to stop them and we will also see and try how to control them in the coming days". He further added that police have initiated action against all members having political connections. "No one is a friend or enemy to the police," he said. Expressing his concern over the rape incidents that took place recently in Hyderabad, the Minister blamed the mobile phones and social media for the youth "getting spoiled"."We feel sad about what happened, youth shouldn't involve in these kinds of acts because they're the future of our nation. Will try to award the youth in the coming days. I would like to congratulate the police on conducting a fair probe. You know well, in this advanced era, people are using mobile phones, WhatsApp and children/youth are getting spoiled, it's the responsibility of the parents," Ali said. BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri on Wednesday questioned the "silence" of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Minister KT Rama Rao on the increasing number of rape cases asking if "they are promoting rapes". Speaking to ANI, the BJP MP said, "In the last one week, four cases of minor girl rape cases were reported. On April 22, a 16-year-old girl was raped, on May 28, a 17-year-old girl was raped, on May 30, 15-year-old was raped, on May 31, a 16-year-old girl, on the same day 11-year-old girl was raped and yesterday night, another minor girl was raped in the Nizamabad district... What is happening here we are confused. AIMIM leader's son was there in one of the rape cases but no one is talking about this. CM or his son KTR should respond on this issue. For small things, KTR will respond on Twitter but he is not opening his mouth on the six rapes cases which took place in the last 10 to 15 days in the state. Are you promoting rapes?" Dharmapuri added. In the latest development on the matter, the Nampally court in Hyderabad sent accused Saduddin Malik to three-day police custody till June 11 in connection with the rape of a 17-year-old minor that took place on May 28 in the Jubilee Hills area of the city. The court granted custody from June 9 to 11. Beijing: In a rare gesture, China on Wednesday commended India's efforts to assist Sri Lanka to deal with its worst financial crisis but refuted the island nation's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's remarks that Beijing has shifted its strategic focus from South Asia, including Pakistan, to South East Asia, saying the region still remained its priority. Sri Lanka has been grappling with unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. Sri Lanka's economic crisis has created political unrest with protesters demanding President Rajapaksa's resignation. "We have taken note that the Indian government has also done a lot in this regard. We commend those efforts," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here while replying to questions about whether China, which has made big investments in Sri Lanka, is hesitating to help it when the island nation is facing the worst economic crisis. ALSO READ | No country except India providing money, says Sri Lankan PM amid worst economic crisis "China is ready to work with India and the rest of the international community to help Sri Lanka and other developing countries experiencing difficulty to pull through the hardship as early as possible," he said in an updated comments posted on the Foreign Ministry website. India has rushed about USD 3 billion in assistance in the form of line credit and other modes to help Sri Lanka which has virtually declared insolvency and defaulted on all foreign loans including that of China totalling to USD 51 billion. took part in the ceremony. More consignments from #India to follow .... pic.twitter.com/eIwoRndYni India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) May 22, 2022 China has announced assistance of 500 million RMB (about USD 74 million) for the supply of essential goods but remained silent about President Rajapaksa's request to defer the loan repayment and as well as its earlier announcement to consider a USD 2.5 billion loan facility for Colombo. Beijing appeared to be peeved over the remarks by Rajapaksa that China appears to be shifting its strategic focus towards South-East Asia and Africa noting that South Asian countries in financial trouble are not getting the same attention from Beijing as before. On Monday, Rajapaksa said that Lanka couldn't tap a USD 1.5 billion (credit line from Beijing) and has yet to hear back on his request to President Xi Jinping for a USD one billion loan to buy essential goods. Rajapaksa said China indicated that it would help Sri Lanka, while adding that "usually they don't like" lending out more money to cover earlier debt payments. "My analysis is that China has shifted their strategic focus into South-east Asia," Rajapaksa said. "They see more strategic interest in the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, that region, and Africa." "They have less interest in this region," Rajapaksa said. "I don't know whether I am right or wrong, even the focus on Pakistan has gone down. That shows that their interest here is not like earlier. Their interest has shifted to two other areas," the Sri Lankan president said. Sri Lanka and Pakistan are the biggest recipients of China's biggest investments and loans in the region. While Colombo received about USD eight to 10 billion investments and loans from China, Beijing is currently committed to build USD 60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) over which India has protested as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Significantly, both the countries are seeking IMF bailout packages to tide over the worst economic crisis. China has already rolled over USD 4.5 billion debt of Pakistan in March and reportedly agreed not to withdraw USD 2.5 billion in Pakistan's central bank, which Beijing deposited in 2019 to boost the depleted forex reserves of the all-weather ally to prevent it from going the Sri Lanka way. Observers say Beijing is worried that with more countries in the region likely to face serious economic crises, demands for financial assistance may increase putting pressure on the Chinese economy, which is in a slowdown mode with increasing pressure exerted by COVID lockdowns. Reacting to Rajapaksa's remarks, Zhao said, "as traditional friendly neighbours, China pays close attention to and feels for the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka. We have all along provided support to Sri Lanka's socio-economic development as long as our ability permits". "As to China-Sri Lanka financial cooperation, shortly after the Sri Lankan government announced to suspend international debt payments, Chinese financial institutions reached out to the Sri Lankan side and expressed their readiness to find a proper way to handle the matured debts related to China and help Sri Lanka to overcome the current difficulties," he said. "South Asian countries, along with the other countries in our neighbouring areas, are China's priority in its diplomacy. China attaches great importance to forging closer good neighbourly relations with its neighbours and has worked hard to this end," he said, citing Beijing's assistance in natural disasters, global financial crisis and COVID. "China will work with relevant countries to respond to risks and challenges and pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to jointly sustain the sound momentum of security, stability, cooperation and development in our region and bring great benefits for all peoples in this region," he said. On the economic crisis, he said, "we have noted and followed closely the financial, fiscal and international balance of payment difficulties facing the South Asian countries and other developing countries as you mentioned". "These difficulties partly stem from the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also have a lot to do with the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the unilateral sanctions slapped by the US and other Western countries on Russia in the wake of the conflict", which had aggravated the food crisis and financial difficulties in developing countries and inflicted even more hardships on the people, he said. Kolkata: In the midst of the ongoing visit by BJP national president J P Nadda, who arrived here on a two-day visit to West Bengal to hold organisational meetings, infighting in the party's state unit came out in the open on Wednesday with its vice-president Raju Banerjee claiming that he was not invited to the state executive meeting. Nadda's visit to West Bengal is significant as the state BJP unit, which is still licking its wounds after the defeat in the Assembly polls held in 2021, is plagued by infighting and exodus to the ruling Trinamool Congress. Several senior leaders are engaged in feuds on and off social media, leaving little time for the party's growth, said a PTI report. Banerjee claimed that he was neither informed nor invited to any of the meetings that Nadda is scheduled to hold with the state office bearers. "I have neither been informed nor received any invite for our national president J P Nadda Ji's programme. I don't know why. I will ask the party leadership why I was not invited," PTI quoted Banerjee as saying. Raju Banerjee is considered to be close to BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, who was recently warned by the party's top brass for speaking against the state unit, Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha, however, stated that the matter would be looked into, adding "The state party vice-president should have been invited. Those in charge of organising the events will look into why he did not receive an invite." Several party MLAs were not present at the state executive committee meeting held at the National Library and addressed by Nadda, said the report citing the state BJP sources. "Some of the MLAs and leaders have cited valid reasons. But some have not informed the party of their reason for not attending the meeting. We are looking into it," PTI quoted a senior state BJP leader. The state unit has been fighting hard to keep its flock together after former union minister Babul Supriyo, party MP Arjun Singh and five legislators, including its national vice-president Mukul Roy, switched over to the TMC since the assembly poll results last year. Nadda visits Bankim Chattopadhyay's house The BJP national president on Wednesday paid his respects to nationalist icons Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay who penned 'Vande Mataram' and nationalist leader Rash Behari Bose even. Nadda visited Vande Mataram Bhavan in West Bengal's Hooghly district where Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay had penned the national song. He was accompanied by senior BJP leaders, including state president Sukanta Majumdar, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and party's national vice-president Dilip Ghosh to the heritage building in Chinsura town. Later, he visited the Rashbehari Bose Research Institute at Chandannagore in the district, where the legendary freedom fighter who had founded the Indian National Army and later handed it over to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was educated. Nadda lashes out at TMC govt over women's safety issues The BJP supremo Jagat Prakash Nadda lashed out at the TMC government over the declining rate of women`s safety in the state and asserted that the BJP will form a government in the state very soon, while addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Kolkata on Wednesday. "According to National Crime Records Bureau data, West Bengal reported an increase in the number of incidents of abduction of women in 2019. This means that most of the incidents related to the trafficking of women are happening in West Bengal. This is the condition of the state whose chief minister is a woman," ANI quoted him as saying. He also attacked Congress saying, "Indian National Congress is neither Indian nor national. Its leaders talk to the workers from London. It has become a party of brother-sister," adding "40 years ago, my friends from Congress would say, Nadda ji, you do not understand politics. It is a matter of opportunity; you are the right person in the wrong party. Today, I want to ask them - who is in the right party?" "Nobody thought that Mulayam Singh`s (former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav) rule will go away. Nobody thought we will be Congress Mukt. In fact, we are now Congress lupt (disappear). Let us be Congress mukt (free). We will soon form government in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh too," ANI quoted him as saying. Exuding confidence that the "future belongs to the BJP", Nadda vowed to defeat the TMC in the next elections, adding "In politics, there is nothing static, things change. The future belongs to the BJP. The TMC has no principles or policies, it has only syndicates." (With PTI/ANI Inputs) Kanpur violence: After the June 3 violence in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur following ex-BJP leader Nupur Sharmas remark on Prophet Muhammad, elaborate security arrangements have been made across the city ahead of Friday prayers and Section 144 of CrPC, which restricts assembly of more than four persons, has been imposed, police officials said on Thursday. Personnel from Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Quick Response Team have been deployed in Muslim-dominated pockets, a senior police official said. This comes as violence had erupted in parts of Kanpur after Friday prayers last week between members of two communities over attempts to shut shops in protest against controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. According to the officials, Kanpur district magistrate Vishak G Ayyar and police commissioner Vijay Singh Meena also held a meeting with religious leaders, including Muslim clerics and Hindu priests, to take them into confidence. The clerics and priests have been asked to persuade the members of their respective communities to maintain peace, they said. It has been decided to make deployment of police personnel on the rooftops of the high-rise buildings and all the subordinates and station heads have been asked to ensure round-the-clock patrolling and take precautionary measures to maintain law and order in their respective jurisdiction, Meena said while elaborating on the arrangements made for Friday. The route march was carried out in violence-hit areas, including Yateem Khana and Parade, where panic had gripped last week, he added. Meena also urged the people not to take the law into their hands by reacting to rumours on social media having the potential to incite violence. Stern action will be taken against the rumour-mongers and those who try to disturb the law and order, he said. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in sensitive areas, the district police chief said, adding that police are keeping a close vigil with drone cameras. DHSE Kerala SSLC Result 2022: The Department of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) Kerala is all set to declare the result for Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) 2022 on Friday (June 10, 2022). DHSE will announce class 10 board exam results on the official website of Kerala board, Once released, the students who appeared for the class 10 board examinations will be able to check their results at the official website results.kerala.nic.in or kerala.gov.in. According to the announcement made by the Kerala Education Minister, V Sivankutty, at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the result of class 10 would be declared by June 15 and that of +2 by June 20. It may be noted that DHSE Kerala SSLC examination was held between March 31 to April 29, 2022 from 9:45 am to 12:30 am. As per the reports, last year, a total of 4,22,226 students from state boards and 990 students from private appeared for the SSLC examinations. The overall passing percentage was 99.47 per cent where a total of 1,21,318 students secured A+ in all the subjects. FILE PHOTO: Lebanon's President Michel Aoun meets with U.S. Special Envoy Hochstein at the presidential palace in Baabda BEIRUT (Reuters) - A U.S. mediator will visit Beirut next week to discuss a dispute over a maritime border with Israel, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday, according to a parliament source and local media. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein will visit on Sunday or Monday, Berri told a parliamentary session in Beirut. Asked about Berri's remark, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson referred Reuters to comments on Monday by State Department spokesperson Ned Price who said there were no travel plans to announce. Lebanon said on Monday it would invite Hochstein to Beirut to continue negotiations over the issue to prevent any escalation, after accusing Israel of encroaching on contested waters. On Sunday a vessel operated by London-based Energean arrived at a gas field which Lebanon says falls within the contested waters. Israel says the Karish field, about 80 km (50 miles) west of the city of Haifa, is part of its exclusive economic zone. Israel said on Monday the dispute was a civilian issue to be resolved diplomatically with U.S. mediation. The United States began mediating indirect talks on the issue in 2020. Lebanon has yet to respond to an undisclosed proposal by the U.S. envoy Hochstein earlier this year. In a media briefing on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Price said that a deal on the maritime border is possible "if both sides negotiate in good faith and realize the benefit to both countries. To that end, we do strongly support efforts to reach a mutually beneficial agreement." (The story clarifies U.S. Embassy response to request for comment, paragraph 3.) (Reporting by Lina Najem; editing by Tom Perry and Jason Neely) Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday said action has been taken on nearly 1.3 lakh loudspeakers at religious places across the state, while more than 13,000 such devices were donated to schools. A government spokesman said the state was setting an example before resting of the country with such a step to curb noise pollution. As part of the drive by the state government, 72,509 loudspeakers were removed from various places of worship, while the volume of 56,558 loudspeakers was reduced to permissible levels, he said. More than 13,145 of these removed loudspeakers were donated to schools for their morning assemblies, while 1,583 speakers were handed over for the public address system in the area, he said. The state's home department had on April 23 issued orders to remove loudspeakers from religious places. The directives were based on an order of the Allahabad High Court. The spokesman said the entire process was conducted peacefully by holding dialogues with spiritual leaders of various communities. During the drive, the spiritual leaders were made aware of the noise pollution through the use of loudspeakers, he said. New Delhi: A 40-year-old man died and 16 others were injured after a three-storey residential building collapsed in Mumbais suburban Bandra. The incident took place shortly after midnight on Thursday (June 9, 2022), a civic official said. The officials also added that rescue operations are underway to search for three to four persons who are believed to be stuck under the rubble. Personnel of the fire brigade, police and ward staff of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation rushed to the spot after learning about the incident. The ground plus two storey structure in Maharashtra Nagar locality near the Western Express Highway collapsed around 12.30 am, the official said. A G+2 structure has collapsed at Shastri Nagar, Bandra West. Few people have been shifted to hospital. 3-4 suspected to be trapped in debris. Rescue operations are underway. The exact numbers awaited from hospital, said BMC in a tweet. #MyBMCUpdates One person has unfortunately passed away in the G+2 house collapse at Shastri Nagar - declared to be DOA. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family. 16 people admitted with minor injuries. Awaiting reports on others injured Rescue operations still ongoing. https://t.co/pkg35ar7IO Mumbai, BMC (@mybmc) June 8, 2022 One person has unfortunately passed away in the G+2 house collapse at Shastri Nagar declared to be DOA. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family. 16 people were admitted with minor injuries. Awaiting reports on others injured Rescue operations still ongoing, BMC added. The injured are being treated at the nearby Bhabha hospital, the official said. Further details are awaited. Meanwhile, Mumbai woke up to moderate to heavy rainfall today. Heavy rain lashed the city early morning as traffic was briefly disrupted in some areas. IMD had predicted that the mercury in Maharashtra may witness a slight dip in the next four days starting from June 9. New Delhi: BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad sparked a row. Since the former spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, Nupur Sharma, got suspended from the party, a lot of facts have surfaced over the ongoing Prophet Muhammad controversy. Nupur Sharma has been in the eye of the storm as her comments also attracted a letter from the Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) warning of suicide bombings in Indian cities to avenge the insult to the Prophet. FIRs against Nupur Sharma, Owaisi, others In the latest development, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operation (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police has registered two separate cases in connection with alleged hate speeches made by various political leaders of different parties. A senior police official said that those who have been named in the FIRs are former BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal and Nupur Sharma, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Shadab Chauhan, Saba Naqvi, Maulana Mufti Nadeem, Abdur Rehman, Gulzar Ansari and Swami Yati Narasimhananda. "We have lodged the FIR against those who were spreading messages of hate, inciting various groups and creating situations which are detrimental to the maintenance of public tranquility. The FIRs against multiple individuals cut across religions. We will investigate the roles of various social media entities in promoting false and wrong information with an intention to create unrest in the cyber space. They are compromising with the social fabric of the country," said a senior police official. Opposition demands Nupur Sharma's arrest Meanwhile, the opposition stepped up pressure for legal action against the forer BJP spokeperson and demanded her arrest. Dismissing the saffron party's suspension of its spokeswoman Nupur Sharma and expulsion of its Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal as mere "drama" and "sham", the opposition parties called for strict legal action against the two. Congress, while asking why those responsible for putting out offensive comments had not been arrested yet, said it was unacceptable for the nation to apologise for such mistakes. Nupur Sharma's remarks rile Arab nations The inflammatory remarks made by BJP leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal have caused an uproar in the Arab world too. Many Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain condemned the controversial remarks of Nupur Sharma. While Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it reaffirms its permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion and refuses to prejudice all religious figures and symbols, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain stressed the importance of respecting all religious beliefs, symbols and personalities. Al-Qaeda threatens suicide attacks in India The AQIS issued a threat letter on Monday, saying that it will launch suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to fight for the honour of the Prophet. All the states are now on high alert. The letter states, Saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP and Gujarat. They should find refuge neither in their homes nor in their fortified army cantonments. Communal clash in Kanpur A communal clash broke out in Kanpur after members of one community started forcing the closure of shops in the Beconganj area after the Friday prayers. The members had announced the closure of the market in protest against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma`s purported derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad. After Friday prayers, members of one community started getting the shops closed and the other community protested over this. Nupur Sharma receives death threats, Police gives security The Delhi Police has also provided security to suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and her family after an FIR was registered on a complaint that she was getting death threats over her controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, officials said on Tuesday. She had requested the police to provide security citing harassment and threats she had been receiving. "Sharma and her family have been provided police security after she alleged that she has been receiving threats and was being harassed over her remarks," an official said. BJP suspends Nupur Sharma The BJP suspended Nupur Sharma under rule 10 (a) of its constitution which states that the national president if he so desires, may suspend any member and then start disciplinary proceedings against him. Breach of discipline includes acting or carrying on propaganda against any programme or decision of the party. "Pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and from your responsibilities, assignments if any, with immediate effect," the letter said. Boycott Qatar Airways trends on Twitter Boycott Qatar Airways as hashtags made it to the trending list on Twitter after twitteratis started reacting to the comment made by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the reaction of the middle eastern country to it. The netizens hit back and said that the country that gave citizenship to Maqbool Fida Hussain (MF Hussain), who made headlines after he made nude and obscene photos of Hindu deities, is advising India on blasphemy over a statement by Nupur Sharma. Qatar Airways got caught in the cross fire of tweets and as the netizens want the company to get banned in India as the company belongs to the middle-eastern nation. Political reactions: Shashi Tharoor- Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also BJP over the controversial statement of its leader Nupur Sharma on Prophet Muhammad. Taking to Twitter, Tharoor tagged a post which said that supermarkets in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain removed Indian products after insulting remarks were made by ruling party leaders. "Object lesson: Those who express bigotry at home should be aware of the consequences abroad. India has enjoyed a proud standing in the world, which is being undermined by the irresponsibility of the communal-minded who have been allowed free rein for too long by the ruling party," he tweeted. Uddhav Thackeray- Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that the country had to bear the humiliation due to unwarranted remarks by a Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson. The chief minister said, "Due to a statement of a spokesperson of the BJP, the nation had to bear the humiliation. Here, in the state BJP is making issues about loudspeakers & other things." Mehbooba Mufti- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said, BJP-led Government was not in a mood to take action against their spokespersons, but they had no way left when Gulf countries increased pressure. She added, We all Muslims can tolerate anything but can't tolerate comments against the beloved Prophet (PBUH). A Muslim can even sacrifice life for the dignity of the Prophet. Dutch politician Geert Wilders- The Dutch politician and member of the Legislature of the Netherlands, Geert Wilders, posted a series of tweets in support of the statement. In a tweet, he claimed that Nupur Sharma gave the right information. India should stand in her support. He said there was no question of India apologising. He also feels that Indians need to stand by Nupur Sharma. Mayawati- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Monday urged BJP to take legal actions against the users of offensive language for religion and send them to jail. Taking to Twitter, she said," The use of offensive language for any religion is not appropriate. In this matter, BJP should also strictly tighten the noose on its people. Only suspending and expelling them will not work, but they should be sent to jail under strict laws." K.T. Rama Rao- Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Monday said that the BJP should first apologise to Indians at home for spewing hatred day in and day out. In a tweet, Rama Rao asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why should India as a country apologise to the international community for the hate speeches of BJP bigots. "It is BJP that should apologise; not India as a Nation Your party should first apologise to Indians at home for spewing & spreading hatred day in day out," wrote KTR, as the TRS leader and state minister is popularly known. (With agency inputs) The Calcutta high court has ordered a CBI inquiry into the primary teacher recruitment case after the School Service Commission (SSC). Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay directed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will conduct an inquiry in the case and look into the role of Chandan Mondal in the alleged corruption of recruitment in primary TET. The court has clearly directed that the CBI will investigate the facebook allegations made by former CBI director and former state minister Upendranath Biswas. The Calcutta High Court has directed that the CBI will summon both Upendranath Biswas and Chandan Mondal and question them for the purpose of investigation. The CBI can also question someone else if it wants to. If Chandan does not cooperate in the investigation, he can also be taken into CBI custody, the judge said. Also Read: 86 candidates were working as teachers without passing, case filed in High Court Within seven days, the CBI will have to submit a report to the Calcutta High Court on the course of the investigation. The next hearing in the case is on June 15. However, for the time being, the Primary Education Board is out of the CBI investigation in the case related to the recruitment of primary teachers, but based on the allegations of recruitment corruption, the board will have to submit a report in the form of an affidavit of two weeks. The court has ordered both of them to be made party to the case. Two cases were filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging the initial recruitment process. One case was filed by Soumen Nandi. The same case was heard in the court of High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. During the hearing, the petitioner's lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya brought to the notice of the court the Facebook post of Upendranath, a former minister of backward classes welfare department who had recently surfaced on social media about corruption in the recruitment of primary teachers. While minister Upendranath did not directly mention Chandan Mondal's name, one of them referred to 'Bagda Ranjan' as the mastermind of this corruption. The lawyer said Upendranath mentioned that he came to know about the sale of the job from a close friend. In his Facebook post in 2021, Upendranath said that he came to know that 'Bagda Ranjan' alias 'Chandan' sold the job of primary and upper primary teacher. 'Bagda Ranjan' charged Rs 10 lakh for primary and Rs 15 to 20 lakh for upper primary. The bid for secondary-higher secondary has gone up from Rs 25 to Rs 30 lakh. However, Upendranath did not reveal who this 'Bagda Ranjan' really was, at that time. The board questioned the admissibility of the case. In this context, lawyers Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya and Firdous Shamim said that in the 2014 TET for the recruitment of primary teachers, 86 candidates were allegedly working as primary teachers without passing exam. The lawyer complained against the concerned department for not giving information of 68 people. There were also 18 TET failures but many got jobs. The lawyer claimed that Papia Mukherjee got the job by submitting a white paper. In this regard, the primary education board lawyer Laxmi Gupta said that the allegations made in the case are baseless. New Delhi: Facing widespread anger in the Arab countries over the controversial comments on Prophet Mohammad, India on Thursday said that it has made it clear that the controversial ''remarks do not reflect the views of the government.'' "We have made it pretty clear that tweets and comments do not reflect views of government," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing. "This has been conveyed to our interlocutors as also the fact that action has been taken by the concerned quarters against those who made the comments and tweets. I really do not have anything additional to say on this," he said. Asked about the claim in an Iranian readout that said that after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian raised the issue of controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad with NSA Ajit Doval on Wednesday, Bagchi said that offenders will be dealt with in such a way that others will learn a lesson, Bagchi said: "My understanding is that what you are referring to in a readout has been pulled down." "My understanding is that this issue wasn't raised,'' MEA spokesperson said while responding to a question if the row over Prophet remarks figured in talks between S Jaishankar and visiting Iranian foreign minister. He was responding to a flurry of questions on the issue. It emerged earlier that Iran is ''satisfied with the Indian governments stance in connection with the incident.'' Iran is satisfied with the efforts made by the Indian government in dealing with those responsible for derogatory comments on Prophet Muhammad, the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said, according to news agency ANI. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement in which it said that Abdollahian had raised the issue with Doval, and was satisfied by the response he received. The Iranian Foreign Minister also called for serious attention to the sensitivities of Muslims regarding their religious sanctities. Nupur Sharma, a Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson, was suspended on Sunday from the partys primary membership after her alleged inflammatory remarks against minorities, which drew sharp reactions from Gulf countries. New Delhi: Hitting out at the Delhi Police for lodging an FIR against him for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday (June 9) said the police are suffering from both sideism or balance-waad syndrome. Owaisis remarks come in the wake of the Delhi police registering an FIR against 31 people, including him, controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand and former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal. A separate case has been filed against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma whose remarks on Prophet Mohammad led to a global outcry. In a series of tweets, the AIMIM chief condemned the FIR against him and wrote, "I have received an excerpt of the FIR. This is the first FIR I have seen that`s not specifying what the crime is. Imagine an FIR about a murder where cops don`t mention the weapon or that the victim bled to death. I don`t know which specific remarks of mine have attracted the FIR." He further stated that the Delhi Police seems to lack courage to pursue cases against Yati Narsinghanand and ex-BJP leaders. "It appears that Delhi Police lacks the courage to pursue cases against Yati, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal etc. This is why the delayed and weak response," the AIMIM chief added. 4. Delhi Police is suffering from both sideism or balance-waad syndromes. One side has openly insulted our Prophet while the other side has been named to assuage BJP supporters & make it look like there was hate speech on both sides Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 9, 2022 Attacking the police, he said, "Delhi Police is suffering from "both sideism" or "balance-waad" syndrome. One side has openly insulted our Prophet while the other side has been named to assuage BJP supporters and make it look like there was the hate speech on both sides." He claimed that FIR against him fails to mention WHAT was offensive. Taking a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Owaisi said if the PM was sincere curbed hate speech without indulging in fake balance-vaad. Let genocidal hate speakers be put in prison under non-bailable draconian laws rather than getting promotions, the AIMIM chief said in his tweet. The Hyderabad MP said he will not be intimidated by these tactics adding that criticising hate speech and giving hate speeches cannot be equated. The Delhi police had earlier said today that the two FIRs were registered on Wednesday after an analysis of social media. "The cases have been registered against those who were posting and sharing messages against the maintenance of public tranquility and were inciting people on the basis of divisive lines," a senior police officer said. (With agency inputs) ALSO READ: 'BJP will be responsible if anything happens, says Sanjay Raut on Al-Qaeda threat letter New Delhi: Reacting to terror outfit Al-Qaeda in the Subcontinent's (AQIS) threat to carry out suicide attacks in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and Delhi, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday (June 9) lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said the saffron party will be responsible if anything untoward happens. "Everything was fine in the country but the spokesperson of BJP wants a clash between two religions. If anything happens in the country then BJP is responsible for it. We will do our work but when will they take cognizance of those who are behind all this? ANI quoted the Shiv Sena leader as saying. Terror outfit Al-Qaeda in the Subcontinent (AQIS) threatened suicide attacks in the aforementioned places to "fight for the dignity of our Prophet" amid the ongoing row caused by the remarks of the BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammad. "The saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP and Gujarat. They should find refuge neither in their homes nor in their fortified army cantonments," a threat letter by the AQIS said. Following the threat, Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are on alert, with special vigilance at specific locations like airports, metro, railway stations and market areas, ANI reported. Whats the controversy about Former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma during a TV debate had made objectionable comments on the Prophet. While Delhi BJP leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter against the Prophet. Amid huge outcry from the Gulf countries, BJP on June 5 suspended both the leaders for their controversial statements. Before the suspension of its leaders, the BJP had also issued a statement saying it respects all religions and strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities. Many countries including Qatar, and Kuwait had expressed their disapproval of the whole episode with some demanding a public apology and immediate denouncement of the remarks from the Indian government. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and former BJP functionaries Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal have been booked by Delhi Police for allegedly spreading messages on social media of hate, inciting various groups and creating situations that are detrimental to the maintenance of public tranquillity, PTI news agency reported on Thursday (June 9, 2022) Among those named in the FIR, registered by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operation (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell, are also senior journalist Saba Naqvi and priest Yati Narsinghanand. "We have registered 2 FIRs under appropriate sections on the basis of social media analysis against those trying to disrupt public tranquility & inciting people on divisive lines. One pertains to Ms Nupur Sharma & other against multiple social media entities," Delhi Police said. "Even as Notices are being sent to social media intermediaries for details of those behind these accounts/entities, Delhi Police appeals to everyone to desist from posting anything that may disrupt social and communal harmony," Police said on Twitter. ALSO READ | PM Modi didn't listen to Indian Muslims, acted only when foreign nations reacted: Asaduddin Owaisi The cases have been registered under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code, news agency PTI reported. The FIR is against several individuals cutting across religions, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO) KPS Malhotra was quoted as saying by PTI. "The unit will investigate the roles of various social media entities in promoting false and wrong information with an intention to create unrest in the cyberspace and that have ramifications on the physical space thereby compromising with the social fabric of the country," Malhotra said. Even as Notices are being sent to social media intermediaries for details of those behind these accounts/entities, #DelhiPolice appeals to everyone to desist from posting anything that may disrupt social and communal harmony.#DelhiPoliceCares Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) June 9, 2022 This comes amid the row over the suspension of BJP leader Nupur Sharma for her alleged controversial religious remarks on a TV debate. Earlier on Sunday, the BJP had suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled its Delhi unit media head Naveen Kumar Jindal over their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. Controversy over Sharma's comments, made in a TV debate nearly recently, and Jindal's now-deleted tweets escalated further with protests from some Muslim countries. It had also sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some Arab countries. New Delhi: India and Iran reaffirmed their commitment to continue their cooperation on the development of the Chabahar Port as a transit hub for the region including Central Asia and said delegates from the two counties will meet soon to address operational aspects of the key port. For India, the Chabahar Port is a much-needed project for sea access to landlocked Afghanistan. The port has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region. It is a more economical and stable route for landlocked countries of the region to reach India and the global market. This commitment to continuing cooperation on the Chabahar Port was made during Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian`s ongoing visit to India. This is the first visit of Abdollahian who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, since he assumed office in August 2021. During his visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister called on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and also held a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Ajit Kumar Doval. The Iranian Foreign Minister briefed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the current situation pertaining to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The two Ministers also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MEA), India and Iran share close historical and civilizational ties. "Our bilateral relations are marked by strong linkages across institutions, culture and people to people ties," the MEA said in a statement. During delegation-level talks, Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, cultural and people to people ties. Jaishankar appreciated the role of Iran in facilitating India`s medical assistance to Afghanistan, including the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Afghan nationals residing in Iran. "Both sides acknowledged the significance of bilateral cooperation in the field of regional connectivity and reviewed the progress made at the Shahid Beheshti terminal, Chabahar port. The sides agreed that the Chabahar Port has provided needed sea access to landlocked Afghanistan and has also emerged as a commercial transit hub for the region, including for Central Asia," the MEA said. The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue to cooperate on the development of Chabahar Port. Teams from both countries will be meeting soon to address operational aspects. The Ministers also discussed international and regional issues, including Afghanistan and the sides reaffirmed the importance of providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and reiterated the need for a representative and inclusive political system in support of a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. Karnataka Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has written a letter to the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) MLAs, seeking their votes for the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. "Befitting answer has to be given to the ruling BJP. Hence, JD-S legislators must support the second candidate of the Congress, Mansoor Ali Khan," he said. "The Congress supported JD-S which had 37 MLAs and made H.D. Kumaraswamy the Chief Minister. JD-S has announced its candidate (Kupendra Reddy) a day after the Congress declared its second candidate, even as the party does not have required numbers to win the Rajya Sabha seat. This has pained us," Siddaramaiah stated. The former Karnataka Chief Minister said the BJP is spoiling the diversity and peace, and has insulted the respected personalities on the pretext of textbook revision. "You (JD-S MLAs) have to utilise the opportunity of Rajya Sabha elections and answer the communal BJP in a befitting manner by supporting Congress," he said. The senior Congress leader further said the country is treading on a dangerous path. "There is an attack on social justice, fraternity, secular values, and constitutional objectives. By these developments, the democracy in the country is at stake," he wrote in the letter. "When the opportunity came for H.D. Deve Gowda to become the Prime Minister, the Congress had supported his candidature," he said. "We hoped the JD-S would support the Congress candidate and put up the second candidate. However, the JD-S announced its candidate the next day and shocked us. Being secular parties, JD-S and Congress should ensure the victory of Mansoor Ali Khan, the second candidate fielded by Congress party," he said. However, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy of JD-S has stated that it is not possible to support the Congress candidate at this juncture. "There is no discussion on the issue so far," he said. Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled to be held on June 10. Union Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman, and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh are contesting the polls. Australia's special envoy for reconciliation believes the corporate sector will play an important role in the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. West Australian senator Patrick Dodson says corporations and organisations can play an important role in reaching reconciliation by supporting the Uluru Statement and educating their staff, clients and communities about it. Senator Dodson told the Reconciliation Action Plan Conference in Sydney on Thursday that there were already positive signs from the sector. He said Rio Tinto board members and executives had committed the company to hearing Indigenous voices and perspectives, and News Corp's executive chairman Michael Miller had also endorsed Labor's agenda to implement a Voice to Parliament. "I'm heartened by what I sense is the positive mood out there about the possibilities ahead," Senator Dodson said. He wants to reach a consensus in the coming months on the wording for a referendum to be held during this term of parliament, but says it has to happen fast. "We do not have the time for too much argy-bargy about this because we have to get on with a comprehensive education campaign," Senator Dodson said. He recognises there will be a diversity of views across the parliament, just as there is outside it, and those need to be respected. "But I do want to make sure that everyone at least understands properly what it is that we want to achieve," Senator Dodson said. "It will redefine us as a nation." He said the country "is yearning for change", evidenced by the rousing applause Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received when promising to implement the Uluru Statement and its components during his campaign launch and victory speech. "So many people now want to put to rest the arguments and disputations that have characterised the national conversations of the past decades about how the country deals with its First Nations peoples," Senator Dodson said. "A weariness has been weighing us down for too long." New Delhi: After Nupur Sharma's remarks, made in a debate on national television over a week ago, incensed Indian Muslims and outraged more than a dozen Islamic nations, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that the country had to bear the humiliation due to unwarranted remarks by a Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson. Maharashtra CM on Wednesday (June 8, 2022) took a jibe at the the ruling party over the suspension of spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her alleged controversial religious remark, the chief minister said, "Due to a statement of a spokesperson of the BJP, the nation had to bear the humiliation. Here, in the state BJP is making issues about loudspeakers & other things." The remarks of the Maharashtra CM came after the remarks by Sharma attracted sharp reactions from the Gulf countries. India, however, said that it had taken strong action against those who made controversial remarks against minorities. Thackeray also targeted opposition BJP in the state over the recent killing in Jammu and Kashmir and said that his government completed the 2.5 years at the office "against the dreams of some people". Referring to the recent targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir, Thackeray said, "We completed 2.5 yrs of govt against the dreams of some people (BJP). They create an atmosphere to demonstrate that things are not right here. Rather than making ED& CBI run after us, focus on the situation of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir." Notably, the violent incidents against the Kashmiri Pandits saw an uptick in the recent weeks with a number of civilians killed in broad daylight in different parts of the Union Territory. The killings drew sharp protests from the community. It also triggered reactions from the political leaders across parties in the Valley. Thackeray said, "The Shiv Sena`s long-time ally BJP could capture power in Delhi (the Centre) only because of the help rendered by the late Sena founder Bal Thackeray." Additionaloly, Maha CM preferred to welcome Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat`s remark on the `Shivling`, where he stated that "we shouldn`t bring out a new matter daily" and "why look for a Shivling in every masjid". (With ANI inputs) UP Board Result 2022: The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) is expected to announce the results of the UP Class 10th and 12th board exams 2022 soon. The UP Board will announce UP Board Class 10th, 12th Results 2022 on its official websites. Once released, the students will be able to check their results on the official website upresults.nic.in, results.upmsp.edu.in. According to media reports, the UPMSP is expected to release UP Board Class 10, 12 results by June 15. However, there is no official update on the date and time for the declaration of the UPMSP UP Board Result 2022. Past trends suggest that the UP Board is likely to declare both UP 10th and 12th Board Results 2022 on the same date. UP Board Result 2022: List of Websites - upmsp.edu.in - upresults.nic.in - upmspresults.up.nic.in UP Board Results 2022: How to check - Visit the official result website - upmsp.edu.in - On the homepage, click on the UPMSP UP Board result link and fill in your credentials - Click on submit after entering your login details - Your results will be displayed on the screen - Download the results and take a printout for future requirements Students who appeared in UP Board Class 10, 12 examination are advised to keep a check on the official websites of Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad for latest updates on UP 10th, 12th Board Results 2022. It maye be noted that UPMSP held class 10th exams from March 24, 2022 to April 11, 2022 and class 12th exams were conducted from March 24, 2022 to April 20, 2022. As per the reports, over 47 lakh students appeared for the UP Class 10th and Class 12th board exam this year. The entire country is shocked by the former BJP leader Nupur Sharma's derogatory remarks on Prophet Mohammed. There is violence in Bengal as well over that issue. On Thursday, the national highway was blocked in Howrah throughout the day. But this time, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply to this. Why is the unrest in Delhi being dragged into Bengal, she questioned. She also warned of the riot situation. Her question to the blockaders was, "Will you be happy if you kill me." On this day, Mamata Banerjee held a press conference from Nabanna along with Minister Firhad Hakim. Firhad also opposed the blockade. He said, "Islam gives a message of peace. Trouble, unrest, riots do not support Islam." After that, Mamata said, "We are all requesting with folded hands to move away from the politics of blockade. Someone will provoke for a day. Tomorrow, no one will be around! If there is a riot tomorrow, no one will have any answer." Also Read: Arrest Nupur Sharma otherwise...: Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP amid Prophet row There has been a hue and cry over Nupur Sharma's comments for the past few days. There has been a storm of condemnation not only within the country but also outside. The BJP has expelled Nupur from the party for the same. However, they have to face questions about taking action so late. On this, Mamata said, "Let there be a strong movement against the BJP. Let us protest. We are protesting in groups. Our MPs have raised the issue." Mamata added, "I always say that if there is an attack on minorities, let the majority protest. If the majority is attacked, let the minorities protest. The whole world is talking about this. But why are you creating mess in Bengal? Bengal is a place of peace. Your refuge. You voted for us. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, all voted. Some scoundrels tried to divide the country by saying two words, so there is no need to create unrest in Bengal. Go to the BJP's state! Go to Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi." Due to this kind of road blockade, the common people suffers. Mamata said, "Some people are doing this for their own sake, to get publicity. You don't know how many people are abusing. People are suffering. Everyone is sitting in the car for hours. What are they to blame? What is their crime? Why should people suffer for the BJP? I beg you to spare people. I don't allow road blockades, strikes. Please don't take revenge on people." The national highway at Ankurhati in Howrah was blocked and the road was closed since this morning due to the prophet's dispute. Protests continued by burning tires. Police from Domjur police station could not even go and lift the blockade. Thousands of people were trapped for hours. On this day, Mamata gave a strong message from Nabanna. She ordered local clubs, police and imams to go to the area. She has ordered to identify those who are instigating such incidents and carry out surveillance. Mamata said, "I am for peace, harmony and solidarity. Even with my life, I will protect unity." Ghaziabad: Amid a row over suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma's statement on Prophet Muhammad, the Ghaziabad administration in Uttar Pradesh has issued a notice to Dasna Devi Temple priest Yati Narsinghanand, warning him of legal action if he makes a statement that spreads communal hatred. The move by the administration came after the priest declared on Monday that he will go to Delhi's Jama Masjid on June 17 and give a presentation on the Quran. "I will go alone so that politicians who are scared of Islamic jihad may not book my followers in false cases. My presentation about Islam and their Quran will be an eye-opener to all Muslims," he had said. "The Muslims who will be present inside the premises of the mosque after knowing the facts which are written in the Quran may kill me but I will take risk of my life to save the Hindus," the priest said through a video and a press note released on Monday. The politicians and Hindu dharma gurus must die by drowning because Muslims of the whole world are releasing "Fatwa" for beheading Hindus whenever they speak about the things which are already mentioned in their religious book, he said. The priest also supported Nupur Sharma over her remarks against Prophet Mohammed. Taking note of it, the SDM (Sadar) here issued a notice to him, advising him to refrain from anything that may spread hatred in both communities. In case he does not stop issuing hate-spreading statements, legal action will be initiated against him, the notice issued by SDM Vinay Singh said. Police have kept extra vigil to avoid any untoward incident, SP (Rural) Iraj Raja told news agency PTI. KARACHI: Pakistan's former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and popular television host Aamir Liaquat, 49, passed away in Karachi under mysterious circumstances, local media reported on Thursday. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader was found unconscious at his home in Khudad Colony and shifted to a private hospital in a critical condition. According to reports, Liaquat felt discomfort on Wednesday night, however, he refused to go to the hospital, reported Pakistan's local media outlet Geo TV. Javed, Liaquat's employee said a scream was heard from Liaquat's room Thursday morning. The room was locked from the inside. When there was no response from the other end, his domestic staff broke down his room's door. Afterwards, the doctors said that Liaquat was dead when he was brought to the hospital. Police initiated an investigation into Aamir Liaquat's death. The police also conducted a search at his home in Karachi's Khudadad Colony. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) East said the police will also obtain CCTV footage to gather and ascertain the facts which led to the death of the PTI leader. As Liaquat's death occurred under mysterious circumstances, the police authorities have decided to conduct a post-mortem. As per the East SSP, the police examined Liaquat's house and everything was in place. The police cordoned off his bedroom after collecting evidence. Police said that the family's permission has been acquired for an autopsy after which a report will be prepared on the cause of death. Furthermore, the statement of Aamir's driver Javed will also be taken by the police as he is the one who informed the police about the incident. A time for Liaquat's funeral prayers will be announced later, Geo News reported. Live TV NEW DELHI: Yesteryear actor Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja's strained relationship with actor-comedian Krushna Abhishek has been out in public for years now. It all started first in 2016 when several reports stated that their relationship turned strained. Later, in 2018, Sunita got offended by Krushna's wife Kashmera Shah's tweet about people who dance for money. Sunita felt that the post was a dig at Govinda. After this incident, Krushna and Govinda have often talked about their strained relationship on various platforms. Moreover, Sunita and Kashmera Shah have also taken digs at each other in several interviews and media interactions. Recently, Govinda appeared on Maniesh Paul's podcast, where he once again opened up about his relationship with his nephew Krushna. As per Indian Express, Govinda said, "He has assumed and presumed that something wrong is happening in his life due to me." When Maniesh told him that Krushna was really apologetic when he talked about Govinda, he replied, "Then let the love be seen off-camera too. He's a well brought-up boy, that shows. But he needs to know that he is being used by writers, and that there is a limit to being used." Govinda said that he is surprised to see Krushna asking for forgiveness on public forums, but not reaching out to him personally. The 'Hero No 1' actor addressed Krushna directly, saying that he is 'a good boy'. "Keep working hard, there is no problem, relax, may God bless you," he said. Govinda further said that "Krushna kept mentioning in interviews that he never came to visit his newborn kids in the hospital, when, in fact, he went four times, but was told that he couldn't meet the babies. He assumed that it was just a precautionary measure." Govinda's reply comes almost a month after Krushna appeared on Maniesh's podcast. During the interaction, Krushna was asked about the feud between him and his uncle Govinda, as well as the reason behind it. He replied, "Whenever I say something to media, it is cut pasted and shown on their social media. Chi chi mama I miss you and I love you a lot. Please do not pay heed to what you read in the newspaper or what you hear in social media. The thing I miss the most is that I want my babies to play with my mama. I know he misses me too. I know that." It is to be noted that Krushna, who is a cast member on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', has often cracked jokes about his spat with Govinda on the show. Earlier this year, in one of the episodes of 'The Kapil Sharma Show' featuring Raveena Tandon and Farah Khan, Krushna expressed his desire to resolve the issue between him and Govinda. It was when he prased Raveena and Govinda starrer film 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan by giving it a different name. The actor said that he loved her movie 'Bade Miyan Bade Miyan' to which Raveena reacted by taking the correct name. In response to this, Krushna said that for him the 'Chote Miyan' is only Bade Miyan. He further added, "Maine jo kuch bhi seekha hai unhi se seekha hai. Woh alag baat hai woh mereko chote miyan nahi maante hai. Theek hai, koi baat nahi, family hai, chalta rehta hai. Karenge baat, solve hoga, koi problem nahi." Live TV Los Angeles: Hollywood star Johnny Depp has been caught looking worse for wear when leaving his hotel in the UK, days after his ex Amber Heard was found guilty of defaming him. In photographs which have circulated on the web, the actor looked dishevelled as he needed some assistance when leaving The Grand Hotel Birmingham in England. The 59-year-old was escorted out by one of his bodyguards, reports aceshowbiz.com Sporting an eye-catching black and white checked blazer with a scarf around his neck, the 'Alice in Wonderland' star had messy hair. He completed the look with black jeans, black shoes, and aviator-style sunglasses as he accessorised with some rings. Fans sing Happy Birthday to Johnny Depp in York after his performance with Jeff Beck. Happy birthday to Johnny as he celebrates a new chapter in his life (credit to owner) #JohnnyDepp #HappyBirthdayJohnnyDepp pic.twitter.com/uYVsJ8ylI6 Jeannie (@jeanniebrichett) June 9, 2022 Depp carried a white mug, which seemed to be empty, as one man held onto his right arm and another stood close behind him while he made his way out of the hotel. He was greeted by an army of fans who were waiting outside the hotel and he made sure to return the love by waving to them. He has been mobbed by his fans everywhere he goes following the well-publicised trial. A source tells Page Six his security team was keeping him safe and away from the "large crowds." The so-called insider adds, "Everywhere he goes, he's getting mobbed by fans." One day before leaving the hotel, Johnny celebrated his victory in the defamation case with a curry feast. He reportedly spent up to $62,000 at the Varanasi restaurant in Birmingham on Sunday night during a dinner with his musician friend Jeff Beck and around 20 guests. New Delhi: Bank branches in India will remain shut for four days between June 11 and 15, 2022. However, bank customers should note that on certain bank holidays, banks will remain closed in a few parts of the country and will remain open in other areas. The four day holiday includes weekend offs -- second Saturday (June 11) and Sunday (June 12) -- which are official bank holidays. Customers should take note of the important bank holidays before stepping out to visit a bank branch. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases the list of bank holidays. The RBI categorises bank holidays under three categories -- Negotiable Instruments Act, RTGS Holiday, and Closing of bank accounts. Customers, however, can use online net banking or banking apps on bank holidays for important bank transactions. However, for availing of a few facilities, customers have no option but to visit the bank branch. Also Read: Rupee hits new record low against US dollar For such banking work, customers are advised to complete it before June 11 or they will have to wait for the bank branches to open. Also Read: Home, auto loan EMIs set to increase! 5 banks increase lending rates after repo rate hike Upcoming Bank Holidays in June 2022: Heres the list of the banks holidays between June 11 and 15: June 11: Second Saturday: Banks to remain closed across India June 12: Sunday: Banks will be closed across India June 14: Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti: Bank branches will remain shut in Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha June 15: Guru Hargobind Birthday: Branches will be shut in Odisha, Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir. List of Bank Holidays in June 2022 after June 15: June 19: Sunday: Banks to be closed across India June 25: Fourth Saturday: Banks to remain closed across the country June 26: Fourth Saturday: Banks to be shut across India New Delhi: Apple has finally unveiled the iOS 16 at its World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC). On the first day of the mega event, the tech giant highlighted the new features that will be arriving on iPhones with the upcoming operating system, the iOS 16. However, the company has also noted that it wont be rolled out for iPhone users as of now. It is expected that the iOS 16 will be rolled out with the launch of the Apple iPhone 14, which will probably take place in the month of September or October 2022. But that doesnt mean you wont be able to experience the iOS 16 ahead of the public rollout, as Apple runs an iOS Beta programme for users who want to use the operating system now, even if it got some minor flaws. So, if you are an iPhone user and your model is eligible for receiving the iOS 16 update, you can join the iOS Beta programme to use the upcoming features much ahead of everyone else. Apple has announced that the public betas for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, tvOS 16, HomePod software version 16 and watchOS 9 are coming soon. As a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, you can take part in shaping Apple software by test-driving pre-release versions and letting us know what you think," the company had said. Check How To Register For iOS 16 Beta Program At present, the iOS 16 is in the developer beta stage. The tech giant is expected to soon roll out the Beta program for all. Apple iPhone users can join the iOS 16 Beta Program by visiting the official Apple website. You can enable the notification for the program so that you can get an alert as soon as it is opened to the public. Also Read: Lets all do something about it Harsh Goenka urges action against wastage of food in industrialised regions When will the iOS 16 Beta Program Begin? According to media reports, the iOS 16 Beta program will open for the public in July 2022. Also Read: India among top 10 global economies for FDI in 2021 despite dip in investment to $45 billion: UN New Delhi: Garena Free Fire releases redeem codes on everyday basis. The 12-digit redeem code consists of alphabets and numbers. Players can get rewards such as skins for in-game weapons and characters to improve their gaming experience. Garena Free fire is banned in India. However, if you are located outside India, you can access the reward codes and redeem them. For that you will be required to visit official Garena Free Fire reward site and log in to your Facebook, Google, Twitter IDs to access the Free Fire redemption page. (Also read: Cabinet approves hike in MSP for Kharif marketing season 2022-23) Check out the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for June 9, 2022 FF7MUY4ME6SC FF9MJ31CXKRG FFCO8BS5JW2D FFAC2YXE6RF2 FFICJGW9NKYT FFIC33NTEUKA FV5BNJ45IT8U F4N5K6LYOU9I FH2GYFDHE34G F7YGT1BE456Y FJBHVFS4TY23 F87GYF3DGE6B PCNF5CQBAJLK SARG886AV5GR WEYVGQC3CT8Q WEYVGQC3CT8Q 8F3QZKNTLWBZ 3IBBMSL7AK8G (Also read: Former Better.com employee sues CEO Vishal Garg for 'misleading investors') How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, 9 June 2022 Step 1: Go to the official Garena Free Fire redemption portal Step 2: Log in on the portal with either your Facebook, Twitter, Apple, Google, VK, or Huawei ID. Step 3: Enter a redeem code in the designated text box. Step 4: Click on the Ok button to get free rewards in your game account. (Disclaimer: Garena Free fire is banned in India. Hence we advise people to adhere to government rules) Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has revealed he had been working on a plan to fast-track Australia's acquisition of nuclear submarines before the end of the decade, amid rising regional tensions. In an opinion piece in The Australian on Thursday, the former defence minister said that before the federal election in May, Defence was investigating buying two Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US by 2030. The arrival of the submarines would be at least 10 years ahead of schedule, compared with being built in Australia. Mr Dutton said he anticipated the government would have been ready to make an announcement on which submarine class to go with as soon as July. He said he always suspected Labor was "never truly supportive" of the trilateral agreement. "I really worry now that Labor is walking away from AUKUS, from the submarine deal, and that is clearly not in our national interest," Mr Dutton told 2GB. In March, Mr Dutton said there would be an announcement "within the next couple of months about which boat we are going with, what we can do in the interim", which would have put the decision well ahead of the initial 18-month consultation period, due to wrap up in early 2023. Defence Minister Richard Marles labelled Mr Dutton's most recent comments "rank politics" that flew in the face of his previous pledge to work with the government. "This outburst today, from someone so recently in the chair, is damaging to Australia's national interest," he told AAP. "The comments are loose and undermine the AUKUS agreement. "The coalition's ability to talk tough and beat their chest without delivering is only being highlighted whilst they're in opposition." Mr Marles previously told the Sydney Morning Herald the projection for delivery when the former government left office was likely to be in the mid-2040s. "We need to look at how we bridge the gap. That's all I can say. And my mind is open about how we do that," he said. Story continues Mr Marles said the government had not yet made a decision on the preferred submarine, with "all options on the table". He will visit Singapore on Friday for the Shangri-La Dialogue, to discuss security with 30 of his Indo-Pacific counterparts. Mr Dutton wrote that the American submarine was the best option to prevent a capability gap following the retirement of the Collins-class submarines from 2038. "I believed it possible to negotiate with the Americans to acquire, say, the first two submarines off the production line out of Connecticut," he wrote. "This wouldn't mean waiting until 2038 for the first submarine to be built here in Australia. "We would have our first two subs this decade. I had formed a judgment the Americans would have facilitated exactly that." Mr Dutton said Australia needed nuclear-powered boats because "diesel-electric submarines would not be able to compete against the Chinese in the South China Sea beyond 2035". Earlier this week, it was revealed a Chinese military fighter jet dangerously intercepted an RAAF plane conducting routine surveillance in international airspace on May 26. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would stand up for Australia's national interest and work to de-escalate tensions in the region. "It's not in anyone's interests for instances like this to occur," he told KIIS radio. Monkeypox Outbreak: In what comes as a big lapse by the health authorities, a Monkeypox-infected patient has escaped from the hospital facility meant for infected patients and fled the country, news agency AFP reported quoting local health authorities. The patient is reportedly a US citizen. The 48-year-old man, originally from Texas, fled the hospital in Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific coast last weekend despite having been told by medical staff that he should be tested for monkeypox and kept in isolation, the state health department said in a statement. According to AFP, the patient had returned to the United States on Monday, however, he visited several public facilities before during the course. According to the AFP report, the patient had symptoms of "cough, chills, muscle pain and pustule-like lesions on his face, neck and trunk, when he arrived at the hospital and thus, was told to be kept in isolation and get himself tested. After fleeing the medical facility, the man went to the hotel where he was staying with his partner and caught a flight out of Puerto Vallarta on June 4, before authorities were able to locate him, said the agency. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to Mexican authorities on Monday that the patient had returned to the United States where a test confirmed he had monkeypox. Travel history of the patient According to AFP, the man was in Berlin, Germany, between May 12 and 16, and subsequently in Texas, prior to arriving in Puerto Vallarta on May 27. During his stay in Mexico, he attended parties at the Mantamar Beach Club in the resort town of Jalisco. Monkeypox cases in the world The World Health Organization has confirmed more than 1,000 monkeypox cases reported in the current outbreak outside the countries in Africa where it more commonly spreads. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk of monkeypox becoming established in these non-endemic countries was real but preventable at this point. 29 countries have reported cases in the current outbreak, which began in May. None have reported deaths. Islamabad: In a bid to conserve energy, the cash-strapped Pakistan government has decided to ban wedding functions in Islamabad city after 10 pm and shut markets across the country at 8.30 pm, according to media reports on Wednesday. Pakistan, which is facing a worsening power crisis, has taken various steps to bring down the consumption of electricity to reduce load shedding, will now ban wedding functions after 10 pm in Islamabad with effect from June 8, Geo News reported. The current power crisis in the country, which has also affected Pakistan's economy, has forced the National Economic Council (NEC) to order the closure of markets across the country at 8.30 pm (local time). The Wednesday decision, taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by the chief ministers of all provinces, except for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM, was taken in order to deal with the energy crisis. ALSO READ | 'Unlike Pakistan, where fanatics...': India hits out at Shehbaz Sharif amid row over Nupur Sharma's comment A statement issued to this effect added that chief ministers of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan have sought two days' time to hold consultations with the traders' association, but agreed to the move. Power Minister Khurrum Dastagir in an address to the press said the early closure of markets and work-from-home arrangements could save electricity. "The electricity being produced in the country is 22,000 MW and the requirement is 26,000 MW," said the minister, adding that there was about 4,000MW energy shortfall in the country. The federal cabinet has also restored the Saturday holiday in government offices to curb the use of energy and gradually bring down electricity load shedding to two hours a day by the end of June. With the economy in tatters and political instability looming large due to protests by former prime minister Imran Khan, there is increasing threat of Pakistan going the Sri Lankan way if quick measures are not taken. Long queues were witnessed outside fuelling stations in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad as panic-stricken citizens, following Finance Minister Miftah Ismail's remarks about a possible hike, queued up at petrol pumps while several filling stations shut down, forcing the finance minister to issue a clarification saying the government was not planning to further increase fuel prices. SHANGHAI: Parts of Shanghai began imposing new lockdown restrictions on Thursday, with residents of sprawling Minhang district ordered to stay home for two days in a bid to control COVID-19 transmission risks. Minhang, home to more than 2 million people, will conduct nucleic acid tests for all residents on June 11, and restrictions will be lifted once the testing is completed, the government said on its WeChat account. Shanghai reported four new confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, all in zones already under quarantine. None of the new cases were in Minhang district. Shanghai emerged from a two-month city-wide lockdown last week, but some residential compounds have been sealed off again as authorities continue to pursue a "dynamic zero-COVID" policy aimed at shutting down transmission chains as soon as possible. This means that authorities quickly enforce movement curbs and testing requirements in areas where not only positive cases, but also their close contacts, live or have visited. Several street-level government authorities have issued notices saying residents will be subject to two days of confinement and another 12 days of rigorous testing starting from Thursday. According to notices from at least three neighbourhoods in Shanghai, residents will be subject to five rounds of compulsory tests ending on June 23, and will be kept indoors until Saturday. ALSO READ: Pakistan to shut markets at 8.30 pm to conserve electricity; no wedding ceremonies in Islamabad after 10 pm Green fences and red wooden boards have sprung up over the past week along some of these streets close to these neighbourhoods, barricading residents in and triggering fresh public anger. Zhao Dandan, the vice-head of Shanghai`s health commission, told a briefing on Tuesday that the city would continue to implement restrictions even in areas that had not been identified as "high risk". "Based on the assessment of the epidemic prevention and control trends, related measures will be adjusted dynamically," he said. "We hope the public will continue to understand and cooperate." City authorities have been trying to balance their adherance to zero-COVID with encouraging business resumption, given how badly the local economy and companies were hit by the two-month long lockdown. The Shanghai Disney Resort, which has been shut since March 21, said it will reopen some retail and park areas from Friday but the main Disneyland park, Disneytown and its two resort hotels will remain closed until further notice. ALSO READ: Mumbai Building Collapse: 1 dead, 16 injured as building collapses in suburban Bandra; rescue operations underway Shanghai Disney Resort to reopen some areas, main park and hotels remain closed https://t.co/ONWikwAysZ pic.twitter.com/5ev4M3CH4n Reuters (@Reuters) June 9, 2022 Officials in the city, China`s most cosmopolitan and its biggest business hub, have also been trying to mend ties with foreign firms by holding multiple meetings with executives and easing a key border requirement for overseas workers. Still, business chambers said uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 restrictions remained a key concern for foreign firms. "This unpredictability, and increased risk, is resulting in many businesses delaying, reducing or withdrawing entirely from the Chinese market," said Alexandra Hirst, senior policy analyst with the British Chamber of Commerce in China. New Delhi: NASAs Curiosity rover has found an outstanding rock formation piercing the alien landscape of Mars. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has released a picture of spikes that were spotted by its Curiosity rover on Mars. The SETI Institute, a research organization focused on searching for life in the universe, shared the image in a tweet, calling it a "cool rock." The SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in the caption said, "The spikes are most likely the cemented fillings of ancient fractures in a sedimentary rock. The rest of the rock was made of softer material and was eroded away." Some experts believe that the spectacular rock formation were most likely made of cement-like material that formerly filled old bedrock fractures in Gale crater. The structures, as strange as they appear, are not without precedent. The camera of the Curiosity rover took pictures of stunning rock formations on May 17, but NASA and specialists from the SETI institute (which stands for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) only revealed it last week as part of SETI's planetary picture of the day project. A camera took the stunning rock formations on board the Curiosity rover on May 17, but NASA and specialists from the SETI institute only revealed it last week. Take a look at the stunning images here: #PPOD: Here is another cool rock at Gale crater on Mars! The spikes are most likely the cemented fillings of ancient fractures in a sedimentary rock. The rest of the rock was made of softer material and was eroded away. @NASA @NASAJPL @Caltech #MSSS fredk, acquired on May 17. pic.twitter.com/RGfjmRBfI7 The SETI Institute (@SETIInstitute) May 26, 2022 Notably, the Curiosity rover landed in the Gale Crater on Mars in August 2012. It began exploring the surface for indications of past life. NASAs rover made some amazing discoveries including evidence that the crater was once a huge lakebed and detecting multiple methane spikes. The Seward House Museum will host a public arts workshop, "Cultural Convergences: An Artistic Workshop into Seward's Visit to Syria," the afternoon of Saturday, June 11. Syrian artist Nada Odeh, of Syracuse, will talk about William Seward's visit to the Middle East and Syria, as well as Middle Eastern cultures. That will be followed by hands-on art experiences, with participants brainstorming ideas for a mural that reflects those cultures in New York state. The traveling mural will be shown in several locations for public viewing. The workshop will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center, 25 South St., Auburn. Admission is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Materials will be provided. For more information, call (315) 252-1283 or visit sewardhouse.org. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 After a three-day jury trial, an Auburn man was found guilty of threatening Walmart employees with a knife and stealing merchandise. Acting Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said in a news release that a jury found Karl Diggs, 45, guilty of first-degree robbery, a class B felony, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony. Evidence at trial showed that police officers on Dec. 11, 2021 responded to reports of a robbery by knifepoint in the area of the Auburn Walmart at 297 Grant Ave. Officers spoke with asset protection officials who had been threatened by Diggs with a knife while he was trying to leave the store with stolen merchandise, the release said, adding that he had been observed by witnesses and video surveillance hiding merchandise in a bag "and walking past all points of sale." Upon being approached by Walmart employees, Diggs lunged toward them with a knife and ran with the stolen items. He was later apprehended at Grant Motel, 255 Grant Ave., a few blocks away. After Diggs was placed under arrest, law enforcement found a knife in his possession. Jurors were shown evidence such as a 911 call and eyewitness testimony and were able to review video surveillance footage from Walmart, the release said. The jury deliberated for a little less than an hour. Diggs is facing 25 years in prison and is being held in custody with no bail. He is set to be sentenced before Judge Thomas Leone Aug. 11. We are pleased with the jurys verdict and thank them for the time and consideration they gave listening to the evidence throughout the trial," Grome Antonacci said in the news release. "I commend the actions of the asset protection officers, as well as the New York State Police and Auburn Police Officers for their quick apprehension of this armed individual. Everyone has the right to feel safe at their workplace." Love 8 Funny 6 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 9 U.S. Rep. John Katko broke with his party to publicly endorse a handful of gun safety reforms, but he voted against the larger bill that contained those provisions. The House of Representatives passed the Protecting Our Kids Act, a gun safety package, by a 223-204 vote on Wednesday. Five Republicans, including Buffalo-area U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs, supported the legislation. In a statement, Katko, R-Camillus, explained that he supported some of the proposals in the bill, including raising the legal age for the sale of semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21, cracking down on untraceable "ghost" guns, creating federal gun trafficking penalties, enhanced bump stock regulations and requiring the U.S. attorney general to issue a report with demographic data on individuals who were ineligible to buy firearms following a background check. "These policies address commonalities in recent acts of mass violence, as well as tragic instances of gun violence that have impacted central New York," he said. House Democratic leaders opted for individual votes on each title, or section, of the Protecting Our Kids Act. This allowed members, including Katko, to support or oppose each provision, but those votes were symbolic. When the House voted on the entire bill, Katko joined other GOP members in opposing the legislation. He said he voted against it "because it contains other overly broad provisions with the potential to infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners in their own homes." The other parts of the bill Katko opposed included proposals to address the safe storage of firearms and restrictions on large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. The House-backed bill won't advance in the Senate, where there is a 50-50 split and Democrats would need 10 Republicans to clear procedural hurdles. But senators from both parties are negotiating a bill that aims to address some gun safety issues, although it's not expected to go as far as the House bill. There has been a push for gun safety reform after mass shootings at a Tops location in Buffalo and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Between the two shootings, 31 people, including 19 young children, were killed. One of Katko's constituents was killed in the racist Buffalo shooting. Andre Mackniel, of Auburn, was one of the 10 victims. Katko said in his statement that he has been "devastated and deeply unsettled" by the recent shootings. He offered his condolences to the individuals and families affected by the attacks. "Congress must demonstrate that we can develop a thoughtful and substantive response, and I am heartened by the work that a bipartisan group of U.S. senators are undertaking to develop legislation that will address many of the factors that have contributed to this unacceptable devastation," he said. Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 4 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Trend Indian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Bavitlung Vanlalvawna was summoned to the country's Foreign Ministry on June 9, 2022, the ministry told Trend. According to the ministry, at the meeting, the inadmissibility of the use of insulting statements against Islam and Prophet Muhammad by representatives of the ruling party of India was brought to the attention of Vanlalvawna. The Azerbaijani side notified the diplomat that the Islamophobic position displayed by some Indian officials affects Muslims around the world, and that such actions are condemned in Azerbaijan. During the meeting the Azerbaijani side also emphasized detriment of the actions to the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths, adding that Azerbaijan expects the Indian government to take strict measures against those who made the anti-Islamic statements. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) on June 8 signed an agreement with Hainan provincial government to carry out strategic cooperation in a host of fields, including new energy vehicle (NEV) and commericial aerospace, according to a post on Geely Holdings WeChat account. Signing agreement; photo credit: Geely Holding To be specific, both parties will team up on building a special-purpose NEV and related industrial chain project, refitting high-end imported vehicles, conducting cooperative higher education project, and setting up a industry-education alliance. The duo will also make joint efforts to develop projects related to the general aviation, commercial aerospace, and tourism complex of marine floating equipment. Besides, the two parties will jointly boost the fusion of the automotive ecosystem and Hainan provinces green industry of precious plantations, conduct legitimate trade of human-planted trees, so as to contribute to achieving the carbon neutrality. At the signing ceremony, Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group inked an agreement with local authority of Haikou National High-tech Industrial Development Zone to build a special-purpose NEV project, which will be the first-of-its-kind in Hainan province. Geely Holding is vigorously pushing ahead with its deployment in such fields as the NEV technology, autnomous driving, in-car chip, and low-orbit satellite. On June 2, Geespace, a wholly owned subsidiary of Geely Technology Group, successfully launched its first nine satellites into low earth orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. BBACs EQE to make official debut on June 13th Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC), the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BAIC Group, announced today that the China-made EQE full-size electric sedan will hit be unveiled on June 13th, and hit the market later this year. Photo credit: BBAC Changan Automobile sells 151,102 vehicles in May According to Changan Automobiles production and sales report of May, the company sold 151,102 vehicles in the past month, dropping 18.09% year over year, but up 30.55% from April. DENZA starts construction of 76 retail stores Zhao Changjiang, general sales manager of BYD and Mercedes-Benzs joint brand, DENZA, disclosed that DENZA has kicked off the construction of 76 retail stores in 51 Chinese cities with more coming. Geely sets up new subsidiary with RMB50 million registered capital On June 9th, Zhejiang Green Intelligent Mobility Technology Co., Ltd. was established with a registered capital of RMB50 million. The company is licensed to conduct business in engineering and technology research and experiments, auto parts R&D, software R&D, professional design, and vehicle sales. The new company is indirectly wholly-owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding (Group) Co., Ltd. NIO Inc. Reports Unaudited First Quarter 2022 Financial Results NIO Inc., a pioneer and a leading company in the premium smart electric vehicle market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. JMEV's first electric sedan adopts BlackBerry, BICV-developed smart cockpit BlackBerry and BDStar Intelligent & Connected Vehicle Technology Co., Ltd. (BICV) announced that the BlackBerry QNX and BICVs cooperative next-generation intelligent cockpit has been deployed onto JMEV's (Renault Jiangling) first electric sedan, the Yi. China's locally-made PV retail sales leap 29.1% MoM in May 2022 In May 2022, the retail sales of locally-made PVs (referring to cars, MPVs, SUVs and minibuses) in China amounted to around 1.374 million units, dropping 17.3% from a year earlier, while jumping 29.1% compared to the previous month, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Tesla sells 32,165 China-made vehicles in May 2022 In the fifth month of 2022, Tesla sold 32,165 China-made vehicles in wholesale, recovering greatly from April, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). SAIC Motor scores two-digit YoY growth in May NEV, overseas sales SAIC Motor announced today its monthly auto sales reached 363,591 units in May 2022, sliding 10.61% from the previous year. SGMW's first NEV model powered by DJI's in-car system to hit market On June 9th, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) and DJI saw their first collaborative result come to life, as the worlds first mass-produced new energy vehicle powered by DJIs automotive system is about to hit the market. Geely Holding, Hainans government to team up on NEV, aerospace, education projects Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) on June 8 signed an agreement with Hainan provincial government to carry out strategic cooperation in a host of fields, including new energy vehicle (NEV) and commericial aerospace, according to a post on Geely Holdings WeChat account. XPeng,Baidu-backed commercial vehicle AD startup Autra.tech closes Pre-A round On June 8th, Chinas autonomous driving developer, Autra.tech, announced the completion of its Pre-A financing round, raising RMB200 million ($29.91 million). Gotion High-Tech starts production at battery cathode material base in Lujiang Gotion High-Tech saw its high-end battery cathode material manufacturing base in Lujiang county, Hefei city started operation on June 8, the battery maker announced via its WeChat account. Beijing (Gasgoo)- BlackBerry and BDStar Intelligent & Connected Vehicle Technology Co., Ltd. (BICV) announced that the BlackBerry QNX and BICVs cooperative next-generation intelligent cockpit has been deployed onto JMEV's (Renault Jiangling) first electric sedan, the Yi (the Mobilize Limo in overseas markets). Photo credit: JMEV BlackBerrys QNX Neutrino Realtime Operating System (RTOS) and QNX Hypervisor provide an engaging and immersive driving experience, with a safe, secure, and reliable software foundation. The China-built EV will also be exported to Europe, and used by Renault Groups subscription-based mobility unit, Mobilize, as the go-to vehicle for taxis, online ride-hailing, private vehicle hires, and more. The Yi model features a futuristic design, paired with improved intelligence, safety, and driving experience. Its smart cockpit is equipped with a dual-linked screen, full LCD dashboard, and spacious central console. The cockpit enables various functions, including in-vehicle infotainmen, ADAS, voice and gesture recognition, and HUD. Moreover, the cockpit also allows AR, AI, and hologram functions, as well as controls for ambient lights and intelligent seats, providing users with a comprehensive ecosystem of onboard experience. BICV and BlackBerry has been in cooperation since 2017, successfully deploying BlackBerrys QNX system onto multiple smart cockpit, LCD dashboard, and air conditioner screen products. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Gotion High-Tech saw its high-end battery cathode material manufacturing base in Lujiang county, Hefei city started operation on June 8, the battery maker announced via its WeChat account. The project is managed by Hefei Gotion Kehong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., which is 90% held by Hefei Gotion High-Tech Power Energy Co.,Ltd. Covering a floorage of around 120,000 square meters, the new facility is located in Lujiang High-tech Industry Development Zone. Beginning in August 2021, the construction works are set to be conducted in four phases. Photo credit: Gotion High-Tech According to Gotion High-Tech, the Lujiang-based plant will focus on manufacturing the company's in-house developed high-performance lithium iron phosphate cathode materials, which satisfy the needs of battery cells with an energy density of 210Wh/kg and above. The facility is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 200,000-tonne cathode materials after it becomes fully operational. Gotion High-Tech is speeding up its deployment of upstream battery resources, which have already covered most lithium ion battery raw materials, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, precursor, ternary material, LFP material, lithium titanate, cathode, anode, copper foil, seperator, electrolyte, and additive. It has so far deployed five battery material manufacturing bases, which are located in Lujiang and Feidong counties of Anhui province, Yichun city of Jiangxi province, Wuhai city of Inner Mongolia, and Jujuy province of Argentina. "...I came alive in Arizona..." This quote from Tad Nichols, a student at Arizonas first ranch school, describes his reaction to experiencing Arizonas unending adventures -- so different from life in his native Connecticut. He so appreciated his unique high school days that he spent his remaining days in Arizona. The school, El Pueblo Bonito, opened in 1902 near Mesa for the fall and spring terms, and it offered a one-month summer session in Flagstaff. Students, usually teenage boys from wealthy Eastern families, gained the experience of rural Arizona under the guidance of Headmaster H. David Evans, an Englishman who had emigrated to the U.S. in 1898. The school featured excellent academics, time to explore and rustic accommodations. Each student was assigned a horse to tend to and learned riding, roping and rodeo. Additionally, they milked cows and sheared sheep. Unchaperoned weekend camping trips taught common sense and self-reliance, and offered the opportunity to learn about the desert environment. The first optional horseback summer session in Flagstaff took place in 1903. Not long after, Evans purchased land in Flagstaff to accommodate the summer term each year. After the 10-day horse ride from Mesa to Flagstaff, about 12 students would rest at the summer headquarters known as Evancoyd, then, on horseback, explore the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Grand Falls and other northern Arizona points. They also prepared for the college entrance exams at Flagstaff High School. Evancoyd was near todays City of Flagstaff Fire Station No. 3 and Lockett House (aka Grand Canyon Trust) across the Rio de Flag on Fort Valley Road. After this monthlong session, most students went home to await anxiously their return for the fall term; happy to be cowboys before beginning careers in family businesses, politics or higher education. One of the favorite teachers was Lionel F. Major Brady (18801963), who began with the school in 1910. He earned the title of Major from his service in the Boer War. Energetic and enthusiastic just like the students, Brady was interested in everything: botany, geology, archaeology and paleontology, and shared this fervor with his students. Brady became manager, along with A.D. Carlisle, of the Mesa location after Evans began another school near Tucson called the Evans Ranch School. The Mesa location became the Mesa Ranch School. Evans sold Evancoyd in 1928 and then sold his other Arizona properties and left the state. Brady opened a new Flagstaff summer location in 1927 on a site near Elden Spring. The site included cabins, kitchen, barns and corrals. The group left Mesa for Flagstaff about May 1 and they, too, traveled to various northern Arizona points: at the Grand Canyon, their desert-bred horses bucked and reared while going down narrow Grandview Trail, and the students wisely dismounted and walked their horses down to the Colorado River. They also participated in geological and archaeological expeditions, and during a journey through the Navajo reservation, they camped in an arroyo. When a nearby trading post owner commented upon the students unawareness of flash flooding, his wife answered, Its not their fault, they were born and raised in the East. Brady met Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) co-founders Harold and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton early on. The Coltons spent every other summer in the southwest, usually renting a Flagstaff property, including Evancoyd in 1921. Upon the Coltons' relocation to Flagstaff in 1926, they became involved with a committee to enlarge the existing museum -- which led to the opening of MNA in 1928. Brady became a member of the MNA staff for several decades and the MNA Geology building is named in his honor. He introduced Colton to Mesa Ranch student and eager birder Randolph Pat Jenks, whom Colton encouraged and subsequently made an MNA researcher. (Subsequent Ask a Ranger columns will tell more tales of the lives and careers of Pat Jenks and Tad Nichols.) The 1930s depression, followed by World War II, precipitated a decline in the enrollment of Mesa School students and the school closed. Brady transferred the Mesa property to the Episcopal church and the site later served as a POW camp for Italian soldiers. The Flagstaff property also served as an Episcopal church camp and later a camp for deaf children, until it was razed in 2004. Susan Deaver Olberding is a Flagstaff historian and has published five books on local history. The NPS/USFS Roving Rangers volunteer through a unique agreement between the Flagstaff Area National Monuments and the Coconino National Forest to provide Interpretive Ranger walks and talks in the Flagstaff area each summer. Submit questions for the Ask a Ranger weekly column to askaranger@gmail.com. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The roundabout project for the intersection at Fourth Street, Cedar Avenue and Lockett Road is moving forward with a design footprint that was approved on a 5-1 vote during Tuesdays Flagstaff City Council meeting. The approval was contingent upon updated plans for the roundabout that included new pedestrian safety features. Under the approved footprint, the city has been granted the right of way to acquire property necessary for construction of the intersection, including a residential corner lot and a parcel of land from the Pine Forest charter school. Safety was the initial impetus for the roundabout project, which is designed to reduce the high frequency of collisions in the existing intersection. Nonetheless, throughout the design process many public commenters expressed extended safety concerns about the roundabout design, particularly in regards to the high volume of pedestrian schoolchildren who utilize the intersection. The concerns spurred the city council to request additional safety features within the design, including flashing pedestrian beacons, Z-crossings that encourage pedestrians to stop and look toward oncoming traffic, and raised crosswalks to slow vehicle speed. City staff on Tuesday presented research about the projected cost and feasibility of the added features. Trevor Henry, from the citys capital improvements section, reported that including flashing pedestrian beacons on each of the roundabouts four legs would cost a total of about $400,000 -- including design, construction and fees from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), a partner organization in the project. Z-crossings on three of the four legs would also be feasible at a negligible cost, but a fourth Z-crossing would alter the existing project footprint and restart much of the process. That would set us back quite a bit, Henry said. The final requested feature raised crosswalks were not recommended due to drainage impacts, and operational and maintenance considerations. Engineering staff explained that drainage and maintenance needs, especially with the ice and snow of winter conditions, end up creating more hazards and costs than theyre worth. Incorporating the feasible safety features four sets of flashing pedestrian beacons and three Z-crossings would be possible within the existing footprint, would not drastically change the construction schedule and could be accomplished for about $500,000, Henry said. Keep in mind, everything would be fronted by the city, he said. Council was generally supportive of moving the project forward with these safety features. Even members of the public who originally opposed the project were pleased with the added safety elements. Were supporting [the roundabout] with Z-crossings and the beacons, said Cindy Roe, executive director of the Pine Forest School, which will lose some its schoolyard to the project. Roe also urged Council to be proactive about how project construction would impact the charter schools attractiveness and enrollment in a time when they are still recovering from a decreased number of students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Arizona is 49th in school funding, Roe said. Were not rich. We want to survive. Were concerned this will take down our enrollment. The added safety features are a real step forward, said Councilmember Adam Shimoni, but he retained concerns for how the project would affect the Pine Forest School. Do I think its enough to justify the property acquisition tonight? I dont, Shimoni said. He voted nay" for moving the project forward, but the other councilmembers were satisfied with the added safety features. The next update will come from staff later in the year after they affirm the new designs under an amended intergovernmental agreement with ADOT. Sean Golightly can be reached at sgolightly@azdailysun.com Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 9 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Global TimesAs the only directly elected body of the seven European Union (EU) institutions, the European Parliament (EP) often portrays itself as "the voice of the people." But in recent years, it has packaged the hostility of some European politicians toward China as public opinion, trying to hijack the actual view of Europeans toward China. A report on the EU and the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific adopted by the EP at its plenary session on Tuesday claims that China poses a threat to the Union's interests in the region, criticizing China's position on the Ukraine crisis and Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Xinjiang-related issues. In response, a spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU said that the report is based on ideological bias, distorts China's policy and position, plays up the "China threat," denies the country's legitimate right to safeguard its sovereignty and security, and grossly interferes with its internal affairs. Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that the adopted report does not necessarily represent the position of the whole Union. The Chinese scholar believes that the EP has become a place for political performances, especially over China-related issues in the past years. On the one hand, due to the separation of powers in the EU's institutions, the EP has to constantly increase its presence through political performances to gain or consolidate its say in the EU's decision-making. "Judging from the procedure of policy-making in the Union, a policy is generally proposed by the European Commission and then discussed and approved by the EP and the EU Council. But now the EP often attempts to exert influence over the Union's policy, even before a policy proposal has been formed on the part of the European Commission," noted Cui. On the other, the growing populism in Europe is exemplified in the parliament. This EU body must rely on giving such political performances to support itself, since it acts quite unprofessionally and against common sense in many areas involving foreign affairs. Unlike other EU institutions, the EP has a unique, deep concern over human rights issues. Thus, this legislative body can easily go to extremes regarding human rights. In recent years, the EP appears to have developed a new characteristic: Hyping China-related topics, including through ridiculous exaggerations or distortions of China's human rights situation. It has created obstacles for those who want to advance China-EU relations in Europe. Some of the EP's statements and actions - hostile and reckless in China's eyes - have seriously affected the political mutual trust between the two sides. According to Cui, they will also undermine Beijing's faith in EU institutions, because it seems the parliament now tends to be hasty in making statements on many China-related issues, such as Xinjiang-related ones, without any hard evidence. In addition, the EP could interfere with the policy decisions of other EU institutions, especially those advocating cooperation with China, limiting the space for pragmatic cooperation between China and Europe. Most importantly, the EP, as a self-proclaimed representation of public opinion, aims to influence the true opinion of European society. Under its impact, public opinion in Europe has grown increasingly hostile toward China, which, in turn, encourages some European politicians to continue the hype of the "China threat." As a result, the formation of public opinion in Europe toward China ends up in a vicious circle. The social and public opinion basis in Europe for cooperation and engaging with China is being gradually destroyed. The vote to keep recreational marijuana sales legal in Yellowstone County left little in doubt. On Tuesday night, voters voted 58% to 42% to leave in place recreational marijuana sales, and proponents of the law hope that maybe this will be the final word on the issue for Yellowstone County. "The people have spokenagain," Matt Martin an owner with the medical and recreational marijuana shop Elevated said by email. "They chose to preserve millions in tax revenue and hundreds of local jobs. As far as Im concerned, this is settled." It's the third time since November 2020 that Billings voters have cast a ballot asking about recreational marijuana. Montana voters in 2020 approved legalizing recreational marijuana narrowly in Yellowstone County, where the vote was 50.7% to 49.3% in favor, a difference of roughly 1,100 votes. A year later, Billings officials went to voters to ask whether recreational marijuana storefronts should be allowed within city limits. This time voters said no, rejecting city storefronts by a healthy margin of 55% to 45%. Finally, county leaders went to voters Tuesday night asking whether legalized "non-medical" marijuana sales should be overturned in Yellowstone County. By Wednesday, the count stood 26,514 against overturning to 18,969 in favor. With these two votes, the city and county can no longer go back to voters specifically on the question of recreational marijuana. Legalized pot was born out of a ballot initiative approved by state voters in November 2020 that was then formalized as HB 701 in the state legislature and signed into law in 2021. Along with giving local governments authority to regulate cultivation, manufacture and sales of recreational cannabis, HB 701 also gave local governments the ability to return to voters one time to ask if they wanted legalized marijuana sold in their community. The reasoning was legislators believed after a year or two of sales, if those communities were unhappy with the impact of recreational marijuana, they could return to voters to address the issue. With Billings' vote in November and Yellowstone County's on Tuesday night, both communities have now used their one option to go back to voters. Steve Zabawa has fought recreational marijuana legalization in Montana for years through his SafeMontana organization. He felt pretty confident, following Billings' November vote, that county voters would overturn legalized sales. "Everybody was scratching their heads," he said. Zabawa believes the ballot language in Tuesday's election wasn't clear enough and that it confused voters. He also believes the campaign signs used by the pro-recreational marijuana groups were misleading in how they stated the amount in tax revenue brought in by sales. He touted a victory in Granite County, south of Missoula, where voters overturned recreational sales. Granite has a population of 3,300 residents. The next fight for Zabawa and SafeMontana will be November's elections in the city of Great Falls, and Cascade and Flathead counties. His goal is to continue to campaign for counties to flip from legalized sales to bans, like Granite County did Tuesday night. "I believe a lot of others will fall," he said. Recreational marijuana has been on sale in Montana since January and in Yellowstone County, it's become a booming business. Statewide through May, Montanans have bought $123 million worth of recreational and medical marijuana, generating $17 million in tax revenue for the state, according to the Department of Revenue. During the same time period, Yellowstone County has led every other county in the state on sales, bringing in a total of $22 million. County voters approved a local 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana last year, meaning 3% of that $22 million stays in Yellowstone. Love 7 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) A federally threatened species of orchid that hasnt been confirmed in Vermont since 1902 has been found, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife said. Department botanists confirmed that a population of small whorled pogonia has been documented on Winooski Valley Park District conservation land in Chittenden County. To protect them, officials wont say exactly where the orchids were found. Discovering a viable population of a federally threatened species unknown in our state for over a century is astounding, said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Botanist Bob Popp. The small whorled pogonia is a globally rare orchid historically found across the eastern states and Ontario. Populations in Maine and New Hampshire are found in areas of partial sun, including forest edges and openings. Previous searches for the species in Vermont have been unsuccessful. Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Assistant Botanist Aaron Marcus said the department was first notified of a possible small whorled pogonia population in Vermont thanks to the observations from last summer of two community scientists: John Gange of Shelburne and Tom Doubleday of Colchester. Popp, Marcus, Doubleday, and Gange returned to the site together this spring and confirmed the presence of small whorled pogonia, which was in bloom at the time. The departments next steps will be to work with the Winooski Valley Park District to look for the small whorled pogonia on nearby conservation land and monitor the population to make sure this species has the best possible opportunity to flourish in Vermonts portion of its native range. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Beartooth Highway (US-212), located east of Yellowstone National Parks Northeast Entrance between Red Lodge and Cooke City, reopened Thursday. The highway had been closed since the Memorial Day weekend following heavy snowfall. The last several days, park and Montana Department of Transportation crews cleared a substantial amount of snow to reopen the highway. Motorists are reminded that temporary road closures due to winter weather can occur any time on the highway given its high elevation. Even with the highway plowed clear, nighttime closures will be in effect from 7.p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday due to construction. There will be no closures Friday through Sunday. Traffic will not be allowed to pass through during these times between Pilot Index Overlook east to Beartooth Lake Campground. There will be barricades at the traffic lights on each end. Closures will be in effect through mid-October. Check the Montana and Wyoming departments of transportation websites for road updates and status throughout the summer. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 South Africa: Pretoria to host UN technology symposium The sixth United Nations (UN) Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping International Symposium (PTPS) is expected to be held in South Africa later this month. This was announced by Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele during a Post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday. Some 300 delegates from about 50 countries are expected at the symposium which will be held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from June 21 to June 24. The symposium brings together all interested military, police, and civilians from the UN Member States to collaborate in the use of modern, advanced technologies and concepts in UN-led field missions. The symposium will be used as an information-sharing and brainstorming platform for UN member states involved in peacekeeping initiatives on the usage of the latest technologies in peacekeeping missions, Minister Gungubele said. According to Gungubele, cabinet also acknowledged the Fourth WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) Biennial National Competition currently underway at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. The event is used to promote artisan skills as a viable career choice as well as to open up potential partnerships with the industry. It is also used to assess the levels of our apprenticeships and artisan development in addition to advocating for the uptake of artisan careers as careers of the first choice by our students, Gungubele said. Turning to events on the continent, Minister Gungubele said cabinet reflected on the African Unions anti-terrorism and anti-coup summit held at the end of last month. Cabinet welcomed the declaration, pledges and commitments adopted at the AUs Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes in Africa held in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea. African leaders assessed the persistent threats, evaluated current response mechanisms and committed to strengthening the collective security of member states facing terrorism and violent extremism, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-06-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Trend The Russian citizen of Armenian origin Eduard Dubakov, recruited by Armenia to participate in illegal armed formations in Azerbaijans Karabakh during the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and arrested on charges of conducting military operations against Azerbaijan within Armenian military formations, filed a cassation complaint with the Supreme Court against the decision of the Baku Court of Appeal, Trend reports. The complaint was submitted to the proceedings of Judge Ilkin Rajabov. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for June 16. According to the indictment, Dubakov, having illegally visited the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan, participated in military exercises in the Kalbajar district [liberated from Armenian occupation as a result of the 2020 Second Karabakh War]. In order to commit a provocation, on January 14, 2021, he came from Turkey to Baku, where he was detained as a result of an operation. A criminal case was opened against Dubakov under Articles 214-3.1 (terrorism, financing of terrorism), 218.2 (participation in a criminal union (organization), as well as participation in the association of organizers, leaders, and/or other representatives of organized groups), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of Azerbaijan by prior conspiracy or in organized groups) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. In response to tribal and public comments, the Bureau of Land Management is proposing a withdrawal of more than 900 acres at the Zortman-Landusky Mine reclamation area, the agency announced recently. This acreage is in addition to 2,688.13 acres previously proposed for withdrawal on Oct. 7, 2020. The total acreage of the two withdrawals would cover approximately the same area as a previous 20-year withdrawal that expired in 2020. Proposing to withdraw this additional area is responsive to comments we received from the Fort Belknap Tribes and the public, said acting Montana/Dakotas State Director Theresa Hanley. We developed an alternative in our environmental assessment that considers this additional withdrawal. The area has drawn increased interest recently as a Bozeman entrepreneur has proposed digging test pits to assay the ore to possibly mine the area. The newly proposed withdrawal of 912.33 acres would limit new mining or disturbance of these additional acres of public land while providing the BLM time to assess and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing reclamation activities and ensure public safety. This requires the publication of an additional Federal Register notice and another opportunity for public comment. Approximately $83.7 million in reclamation bonds and state of Montana and BLM funding have been spent since 1999 to fund reclamation and water treatment plant operations after a previous mine operator declared bankruptcy and abandoned the mines in 1998. The publication of the notice in the Federal Register proposes to close the additional 912.33 acres of land from appropriation under public land laws, including location and entry under the United States mining laws for up to two years, subject to valid existing rights. This closure will protect the lands and facilitate reclamation efforts at the Zortman and Landusky mines, the BLM said. The agency is seeking public input on this proposed withdrawal. Public comments will be accepted for 90 days following the Federal Register notice publication https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/06/2022-12103/notice-of-proposed-withdrawal-and-public-meeting-montana. A virtual Zoom meeting to provide for public comment will be held June 21, 2022, at 4 p.m. https://blm.zoomgov.com/j/1616502018?pwd=d1hHenZNdnk2ZmhqY0tPaFUxMUFaUT09, Meeting ID: 161 650 2018, Passcode: 544914. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 In the hotly contested race for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court, results posted Wednesday showed incumbent Justice Ingrid Gustafson with a strong lead and challenger James Brown also set to advance to the general election. The top two vote-getters in the primary go on to the November vote. Initial results Tuesday showed Gustafson holding 48% of the vote, with more than 123,794 ballots cast for the incumbent by late Wednesday, according to the Secretary of State's Office. Republican Public Service Commission chair Brown had 36% of the tally, with 92,799 votes. Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike McMahon was in a distant third place with 39,653 votes, or 15%. Gustafson said in a phone interview late Tuesday she was feeling positive about the preliminary results. "I have nearly 20 years of judicial experience and I've been doing this a long time and I work very hard and have a passion for the law," she said. "I think voters in Montana appreciate that and I think having the experience that I have helped a great deal today." Brown's campaign said he was "humbled" by the statewide support he received in the primary. Brown was first elected to public office in 2020. Montanans have made it overwhelmingly clear that they want a justice that will protect our constitutional rights and our way of life, and thats exactly what I will accomplish as your next justice, Brown said in an emailed statement. While the race is nonpartisan, politics found a way into the campaigns this year. Supreme Court candidates are bound by the Judicial Code of Conduct from seeking, accepting or using partisan endorsements, but those rules haven't stopped Republicans from going all in on Brown's campaign. Brown has been endorsed by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, attended a fundraiser for his campaign at Gianforte's home and told a crowd gathered at a Republican forum in Butte that he was pleased the governor called and urged him to run for the Supreme Court. Only in separate remarks to the press did Brown say many people called to nudge him toward a bid for the high court. Brown has vowed to be a constitutional conservative on the court if elected. His candidacy arrives as Republicans in the state have openly alleged the courts to be an instrument of liberals to undo legislative enactments. Brown himself has told supporters the Supreme Court is "well known across the country for being one of the most liberal" state Supreme Courts in the country. The state's high court is likely to play an increasing role in the battle over priority legislation passed by a Republican Legislature and signed by a Republican governor after 16 years of a Democratic veto pen. Several high-profile new laws are already making their way through the lower courts, and the high court has before it a major challenge over access to pre-viability abortions in Montana. In May, the Montana Republican State Central Committee reported to the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices more than $58,000 in independent spending to support Brown's candidacy, following another $27,700 in April. When Democrats called foul on high-profile Republicans endorsing Brown's campaign, Republicans labeled the outrage a "hypocrisy," given the Montana Democratic Party spent $60,000 to support Justice Dirk Sandefur's candidacy in 2016. They've also criticized Gustafson for inviting former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock to a fundraising event in Helena. The state Democratic Party has not reported any spending on Gustafson's behalf this cycle. The Montanans for Liberty and Justice political action committee, a fundraising arm of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, reported nearly $132,000 in independent spending support of Gustafson in May, according to campaign finance records. Gustafson has made the rejection of politics a focus of her campaign messaging, stating a partisan effort is afoot to weaken the judicial branch and remove it as a check and balance to the other branches of government. "I've talked to a lot of voters in the last few months and I think Montana voters at least are telling me that they're not interested in partisan elections for judicial positions," Gustafson said Tuesday. Gustafson was unopposed in her last reelection bid in 2018. She was appointed to the Supreme Court by Bullock in 2017, 13 years after she was appointed to the district court bench in Yellowstone County by Republican Gov. Judy Martz. Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike McMahon generated a lot less visibility in a race where one candidate is the incumbent and the other was backed by the state's dominant political party. Republicans painted McMahon as anti-Second Amendment after he ruled a Republican-passed bill to prohibit gun restrictions on campus was unconstitutional. McMahon's ruling found the state constitution gave that authority to the state Board of Regents, not the state Legislature, to dictate rules about firearms on campus. In a phone interview late Tuesday, McMahon thanked his supporters and said the election showed him the partisanship that's found its way into the nonpartisan race appeared important to voters this cycle. "The voters have spoken," McMahon said. "My campaign was run on the independence of the judiciary. I learned early on and continue to throughout tonight that partisanship and special interest groups and political agendas, they're important." There are two seats on the state's high court up for election this year, though in the race for Supreme Court justice seat No. 1 both candidates incumbent Jim Rice and challenger Bill D'Alton will advance to the general election in November. Rice had 76% of the vote to 24% for D'Alton, a Billings personal injury attorney. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. North Dakota's State Board of Animal Health has removed the requirement for cows and heifers 12 months or older to be vaccinated for brucellosis if imported from Montana. Montana holds a "Brucellosis Class Free" status, meaning the state is considered free of the disease. Yellowstone National Park has wild bison and elk that are infected, but the Montana Department of Livestock in cooperation with the federal Agriculture Department conducts surveillance around the park. Montana has a robust program in place to detect the disease, and cattle grazed in the (park area) are already required to be vaccinated and tested annually under existing Montana rules, North Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress said. The boards decision to recognize Montanas successful Brucellosis Management Plan removes a burden from market veterinarians and removes some hurdles for our North Dakota producers who are looking to feed Montana cattle. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A judge has let stand the life sentences of a man who pleaded guilty as a teenager to the 1992 shooting deaths of four family members, saying a law regarding sentence reductions went into effect after Michael Neugebauer's sentence was final and can't be applied retroactively. South Central District Judge Bobbi Weiler in a 22-page order filed Wednesday also noted that the nature of the offense committed by Neugebauer "weighs heavily against a sentence reduction." Neugebauer was 15 when he shot his father, mother, sister and brother at the familys Menoken-area home east of Bismarck. He pleaded guilty to one count of murder in 1993, and in early 1994 pleaded guilty to the other three counts. He was sentenced to life in prison on each count. Neugebauer filed a motion for a sentence reduction in October 2020. A hearing date was set, but Weiler issued an order that month denying the motion and canceling the hearing. Neugebauer appealed to the State Supreme Court, arguing the lower court was wrong to deny the motion without a hearing. The justices agreed with Neugebauer, and a hearing was held this past March. Weiler ruled that Neugebauers sentences were final 30 days after they were entered in late 1993 and early 1994, because he did not appeal. The state law that addresses sentence reductions for juveniles convicted as adults did not go into effect until August 2017 and cant be applied retroactively, the judge said. Steve Balaban, the attorney who represented Neugebauer at the March hearing, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Weiler in her order stated Neugebauers motion must be denied, but she also addressed a number of other factors outlined in state law should the Supreme Court disagree with the court. The nature of the offense was extremely gruesome and inconceivable, the judge wrote, saying it weighed heavily against a sentence reduction. Neugebauer retrieved a gun from a distance, loaded it, brought extra ammunition and reloaded the gun during the killings, the judge said. He shot every victim at least two times, including shooting his mother in the head at close range or by contact of the gun against her head, Weiler wrote. Some factors -- his character, response to treatment, and that hes not likely to reoffend -- worked in Neugebauers favor but were not outweighed by the harm done, the planning of the acts, and his continued blame of the criminal justice system, according to Weiler. He admits he committed the murders, but states that it would not have happened if the police and others would have stopped his father from abusing him, she wrote. Neugebauer cannot be completely rehabilitated until he admits and takes responsibility for the entirety of the crime and his actions. Case background Neugebauer at the March hearing said he'd endured years of abuse by his father and sister. On the day of the murders, he got a gun from his grandmother's house, which was in the same farmyard. He loaded it and went back to get some personal belongings from his room. His mother tried to stop him, and once he was inside family members wouldnt let him out. His father saw the gun and said he was going to get one too. I just wanted out. I couldnt get out, Neugebauer said. He turned and I shot. After he shot his father, "Everything was like looking into a tunnel, instantly," Neugebauer said. His sister appeared, and he shot her almost on reflex. His mother grabbed him and the gun went off again. He chased his mother outside and shot her, then came back in the house. He reloaded the gun and shot his brother twice. He attempted aid to his brother to no avail. He moved his mothers body from the front yard, then drove west. He spent the night by the river, picked up his girlfriend the next morning and left for Florida, he testified. None of that was planned, he said. I wanted to leave. Period, he testified. Law enforcement caught up with Neugebauer in Florida a couple of weeks later. Nuegebauer in five years can again ask the court for a sentence reduction. If thats denied, he can make a final motion five years later, according to Weilers document. Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 1 Sad 4 Angry 6 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BONNER, Mont. Montana wildlife officials captured two young female sibling grizzly bears, releasing one back into the wild and euthanizing the other due to an infection stemming from losing a front left paw. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said it captured the 2-year-old females on May 29 after they remained close to homes in the Blackfoot Valley about 10 miles from the town of Bonner in western Montana. The agency said the healthy sibling weighed about 130 pounds and the other about 90 pounds. The healthy grizzly was fitted with a radio collar and released into an undisclosed location. It's not clear how the injured grizzly lost its paw, but a bicyclist found a grizzly bear paw on April 11 on a road where, last fall, a sow grizzly and three yearling cubs had been seen. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bear Manager Jamie Jonkel told The Missoulian that the agency is waiting on DNA results to see if the captured bears were part of the family group that included a male sibling. The mother grizzly had been known to raid sheds and garages north of Missoula. There have been no reports on the mother or male sibling this spring. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 While extending and upgrading individual data centers can help meet the demands of dynamic, evolving organizations, it can also be complex and time consuming. VMware Cloud on AWS provides an ideal solution for extending the data center to the public cloud by offering a production-ready, enterprise-grade environment without additional hardware. VMware Cloud on AWS doesnt require retooling or re-educating IT teams, offering a consistent infrastructure that can be implemented for your existing on-premises data centers. Check out this data sheet for the key factors you should keep in mind when considering extending your on-premises data center environment to the cloud. Even when this ethnic and religious minority finds safe haven outside China, the Chinese Communist Party still manages to harass and threaten them. The United States, as well as other nations of goodwill, should not tolerate the exporting of repression by a foreign power. [] Under Xi Jinping, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has returned to its Maoist past. Both Xi and Mao Zedong promoted party and especially personal rule. Both sought to extinguish even the hint of dissent. Both also attempted to eradicate perceived foreign influence, especially involving religious faith. The major difference between them, however, is Xis commitment to order. Maos final largescale atrocity was unleashing violent chaos through the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Xis family suffered during that period, which he has criticized. The lesson he evidently learned was that brutal repression, though necessary, should be carefully controlled. Under Xi, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has steadily beaten the population into ideological conformity. For ethnic and religious minorities, that has meant erasing their identities and remaking them as Han Chinese. Most far-reaching has been the campaign against the Muslim Uyghurs, a Turkic people in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Beijing claims to be targeting separatists and terrorists. Although there were violent attacks from some separatists in the past, none justified the far-reaching campaign of repression initiated by the Beijing authorities. The result is a nightmare out of George Orwells 1984: surveillance cameras about every 150 feet, monitoring peoples faces and daily routines. Mobile police checkpoints popped up at random throughout the region, leading to long lines on public roads. At the checkpoints, and sometimes randomly on the street, police officers stopped people to ask for their ID cards and occasionally demanded to plug unidentified electronic devices into cellphones to scan them without explanation. Even worse is the incarceration of more than a million Uyghurs in reeducation camps. The latters purpose is also Orwellianto produce CCP-controlled automatons. Even after release, many Uyghurs are not free. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute found that under conditions that strongly suggest forced labor, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen. The authorities define guilt broadly. Lindsay Maizland offers this : Most people in the camps have never been charged with crimes and have no legal avenues to challenge their detentions. The detainees seem to have been targeted for a variety of reasons, according to media reports, including traveling to or contacting people from any of the twenty-six countries China considers sensitive, such as Turkey and Afghanistan; attending services at mosques; having more than three children; and sending texts containing Quranic verses. Often, their only crime is being Muslim, human rights groups say, adding that many Uyghurs have been labeled as extremists simply for practicing their religion. Official Chinese denials have been undercut by leaks of official documents. Reported the New York Times: Even as the government presented its efforts in Xinjiang to the public as benevolent and unexceptional, it discussed and organized a ruthless and extraordinary campaign in these internal communications. Senior party leaders are recorded ordering drastic and urgent action against extremist violence, including the mass detentions, and discussing the consequences with cool detachment. This repression has generally been directed inward. However, Beijing is also determined to control Uyghurs who escape abroad. A new report by Bradley Jardine, a fellow with both the Wilson Center and the Kennan Institute, explores how China is exporting repression abroad, including into the United States. The CCPs reach is long, having engaged in transnational repression in 44 countries since 1997. Beijing is not alone in this practice, but it is the most prolific practitioner. The threat is multifaceted. Jardine found 5,532 cases of Uyghurs facing intimidation, 1,150 cases of Uyghurs detained in their host country and 424 cases of Uyghurs deported, extradited, or rendered back to China. He believes many cases go unreported, however. Jardine details many instances of Chinese repression. For instance, a couple of cases pulled at random involve Central Asia: In 2017, Chinese police called Seyitakhun Abdukerim, a Uyghur trader in Kyrgyzstan, back to his hometown of Atush in the XUAR. He heeded the call and was arrested upon his arrival. The police demanded that he call his sons, studying abroad in Egypt, to demand their return to the Uyghur region. Abdukerim was then sentenced to 18 years in prison for having sent his children abroad. Imran and Madina Hekimjan, and Ilham Qari, relatives of Abdukerim and his sons, were likewise summoned back to the XUAR from their studies in Egypt. Like their relatives, Chinas government detained and later imprisoned them. Ilham Qari was later reported to have died in one of the camps. There are many, many more such examples. The worst abuses are when the PRC recaptures those who have fled abroad, with intimidation also occurring from afar. Even emigres safe from extradition/rendition, as in America, are at risk from a much broader use of everyday tactics, including digital threats, phishing attacks, malware, and coercion via threats to relatives in the XUAR. Jardine finds that most trends are moving in the wrong direction. First, various forms of intimidation are increasing. And China can rely upon a gaggle of state agencies as well as foreign institutions: The web of institutions and frameworks used to enact these policies includes Interpol; bilateral extradition treaties; the Shanghai Cooperation Organization; the United Front Work Department; the Ministry of Public Security; the Ministry of State Security; the Political and Legal Affairs Commission; the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau; and Chinas consulates and embassies overseas. Second, it has become harder for Uyghurs to find refuge elsewhere. The PRC has used its economic leverage and expanded its influence in Central Asia and North Africa, making both transit and residence more difficult. Jardine notes that the BRIs [Belt and Road Initiative] emphasis on trans-Eurasian connectivity has given China an unprecedented degree of influence in places where it was previously limited such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Recent approval of an extradition treaty between Beijing and Ankara has driven some Uyghurs from Turkey. Third, China is using new technologies to expand harassment of Uyghur expatriates. For instance, Chinas tech companies are expanding their activities in strategic regions such as Central and South Asia and the MENA region, putting Uyghurs at risk of transnational surveillance. Under smart cities programs, companies engaged in racial profiling of Uyghurs in the XUAR are now integrating Eurasian capitals within Chinas Digital Silk Road project. Fourth, Jardine warns that less severe forms of transnational repression are often a precursor to harsher methods. Such practices can marginalize Uyghurs in their adopted countries, leaving them more vulnerable to greater coercion. This highlights the importance of countering intimidation, threats, and enforced statelessness as well as renditions/extraditions. Fifth, the PRC usually works with foreign accomplices. The report concludes that the most common form of physical transnational repression involves exploiting domestic and international institutions to detain or deport Uyghurs unlawfully at Chinas request. Examples include evidence of Chinese intelligence using Dubai as a base of operations, MSS officers present in Egyptian prison facilities and college campuses, and a growing security presence on Tajikistans territory. Halting or at least mitigating the mistreatment of Uyghurs in China remains extraordinarily difficult. Only rarely do governments make serious political concessions in response to foreign pressure. Washingtons high-profile sanctions campaigns have uniformly failed in this regard. The U.S. is also dealing with Beijing over many other complicated economic and geopolitical issues, including the Russo-Ukraine war, North Koreas nuclear program, military threats against Taiwan, trade and supply chains, and other human rights concerns. However, the U.S. and other nations have a special obligation to rebuff Chinese interference on their territory and against their citizens. Jardine urges governments to increase immigration opportunities for Uyghurs, expose Chinese activities, make it easier for Uyghurs to report Chinese abuses, and limit the export of surveillance software and technology. These would be a good start. The U.S. should also directly confront the PRC over such activities, which violate the latters purported opposition to foreign intervention. Working with Europe and other concerned states, Washington should promote a multinational coalition to threaten retaliation, including targeted economic sanctions, expulsion of Chinese personnel, and other actions designed to deter Beijing. Moreover, people of goodwill should not wait on the U.S. or other governments. Protests and boycotts could help embarrass Chinese officials and undermine the PRCs reputation. Beijing should understand that it will pay a significant price for its malign treatment of the Uyghurs. Mao killed prodigiously, while Xi relies on imprisonment. However, their determination to sacrifice everyone and everything to their rule is similar. Now Xi is exporting his tyrannical practices through intimidation, harassment, surveillance, detentions, extraditions, and renditions. Americans must reject this malign Chinese export. "The FBI knew that Larry Nassar was a danger to children when his abuse of me was first reported in September of 2015. For 421 days they worked with USA Gymnastics and USOPC to hide this information from the public and allowed Nassar to continue molesting young women and girls. It is time for the FBI to be held accountable," said NCAA national champion gymnast Maggie Nichols in a statement. Nichols is one of 90 young women who are suing the FBI for more than $1 billion after it tragically bungled its investigation of child rapist and former U.S. Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar. From NBC News: The majority of the claimants say Nassar abused them after his abuse was reported to the FBI in 2015, during a yearlong period in which no meaningful investigative action was taken and Nassar continued to sexually abuse young women and children. Many are athletes who were associated with the USA Gymnastics program or with Michigan State University, where Nassar maintained a clinic. The Justice Department announced just before the Memorial Day weekend that the individual FBI agents whom the inspector general identified as responsible for the failure of the investigation and for subsequent attempts to mislead investigators for the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General would not face charges. Kate Bush's "breakout" 1985 hit, "Running Up That Hill," is back on the global 2022 charts, thanks to the track's use in season 4 of Stranger Things. NPR: By last Tuesday, the song had reached the Top 10 in 34 countries including the U.S., Germany, Norway and New Zealand and the No. 2 spot in nearly a dozen of them, including the U.K., Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia. This week, it re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at No. 8., making it Bush's first U.S. Top 10 single. It's rare for older songs to burst back into the Top 10 years later, Variety explains, adding that it's believed a non-Christmas catalog tune has not reached this level in its original recorded form since Queen's '"Bohemian Rhapsody" hit No. 2 in 1992 (after being featured in Wayne's World). Even the resurgence of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" in 2020 thanks to a juice-drinking, skateboarding Idaho potato worker only reached the No. 12 spot. Read the rest here. In a rare published statement, the reclusive Bush addressed the newfound enthusiasm for her song: "You might've heard that the first part of the fantastic, gripping new series of Stranger Things has recently been released on Netflix," Bush writes on her website. "It features the song, 'Running Up That Hill' which is being given a whole new lease of life by the young fans who love the showI love it too! Because of this, 'Running Up That Hill' is charting around the world and has entered the UK chart at No. 8. It's all really exciting! Thanks very much to everyone who has supported the song." [H/t Angela White] When it comes to November 2022 candidates, the GOP sure knows how to pick 'em. As in leading candidate for governor Ryan Kelley, who was arrested this morning for his alleged involvement in the Capitol riots. The anti-science real estate agent, who protested lockdowns in 2020 when Covid was at its worse, allegedly encouraged insurrectionists to climb up a stairway of the Capitol building and destroyed Federal property. He then later referred to the riots as an "energizing event." From The Washington Post: A contender in the state's crowded Aug. 8 primary, Kelley, 40, of Allendale, Mich., faces four counts punishable by up to a year in prison, including trespassing, disorderly conduct, committing an act of violence against a person or property on restricted grounds, and depredation of federal property, according to charging papers. Kelley was set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens of Grand Rapids, Mich., on Thursday afternoon, according to the U.S. attorney's office for Washington, which is prosecuting Capitol breach cases. His home in Allendale, Mich., was searched by the FBI on Thursday morning. Charging papers allege that Kelley waved a crowd up the stairway, and supported another rioter who pulled a metal barricade onto scaffolding that was holding up the stage for President Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration. Kelley "at approximately 2:05 p.m., used his hands to pull a covering off" the inauguration scaffolding, and "continued to gesture to the crowd, consistently indicating that they should move toward the stairs that led to the entrance of the U.S. Capitol interior spaces," the charging papers state. In a March 2021 interview with MLive, Kelley said: "I think that event was definitely an energizing event, right? It will live on in history, absolutely. For a lot of different things." By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov A delegation led by Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov visited an exhibition organized by Turkiye's Defense Industry Ministry, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. The visitors familiarized themselves with the samples of contemporary military weaponry and equipment on display. At the exhibition, Hasanov met with Pakistans Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza. During the meeting, the parties expressed pleasure with Azerbaijani-Pakistani military cooperation and discussed future opportunities. On June 9, Hasanov observed the final stage of the Efes-2022 international exercises in Izmir, Turkiye, the ministry said in a separate report. As a distinguished visitor, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the training range to observe the exercises. The participants in the drills fired from snipers and performed other tasks. Marines also carried out the mission of storming a coastal facility. Moreover, Azerbaijani servicemen from the Special Army and Naval Forces showed exceptional professionalism, the ministry added. The international drills Efes-2022, in which Azerbaijan is represented by members from the Nakhchivan Special Army and the Naval Forces, are to end on June 9. The multinational exercises Efes-2022 were held in four stages. In his newsletter, Mike Elgan explains why Musk will do everything he can to squirm his way out of his impulse decision to buy Twitter. Not only would it be financially disastrous for the world's richest shitposter, but it would also put his other companies in jeopardy. Musk should also know by now that buying Twitter is the worst idea he's ever had. Disgruntled users would boycott and publicly trash his other ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, over their complaints about Twitter. Twitter would make Musk vulnerable to manipulation for example, the Chinese government could demand that Musk terminate the accounts of pro-democracy voices on Twitter as a condition for allowing Musk to open new factories or sell Teslas in China. And Musk's pro-free speech claims would be tested to the limit. Trolls, racists, Chinese and Russian paid-troll accounts, AI spam bots and legions of shitposters would either engender suppression "censorship" or this activity would be allowed, causing Twitter to descend into some 4chan-like nightmare that would be rejected by journalists, celebrities and advertisers. There is no conceivable scenario in which Musk succeeds with Twitter, Tesla AND SpaceX. BY NATALIE BROPHY June 8, 2022 43North will give five startups $1 million. Here's how the change could further its mission 43North's new plan to offer $1 million prizes to five companies is a big change from recent competitions, where only one company won a $1 million grand prize and seven others received $500,000. 43North President Colleen Heidinger said the reason is simple: The Buffalo business accelerator needs to remain competitive in a growing startup and venture capital space. With this change, only five companies will get to join 43North's eighth group of winners, who must set up shop in Buffalo for at least a year beginning in January 2023. Once in Buffalo, the companies get a plethora of support services from 43North staff, including free office space, help with hiring, fundraising and marketing, networking and mentorship. Since its inception in 2014, the state-funded business competition has given away $5 million annually to early-stage startups as a way to attract and cultivate high-growth companies in Western New York. The latest changes don't alter the size of 43North's prize pool. It just narrows it to fewer recipients. Here's how the recent change could impact some key components of 43North's mission. What about jobs? The mission of 43North is to grow Western New York's economy by attracting and retaining high-growth startups in the region. A big part of that is investing in companies that will bring good, well-paying jobs to Buffalo Niagara as they continue to grow and scale. Since 2014, 43North companies have created nearly 1,100 jobs in Western New York, Heidinger said. But if 43North plans to invest in fewer companies this year, won't that mean fewer jobs coming to Buffalo? Not necessarily, Heidinger said. Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week. "The higher investment amount will allow us to attract, ideally, higher quality companies that will then need to hire," Heidinger said. "When we are doing our diligence in the judging process, we're looking very specifically at the types of folks they need to hire to make sure Buffalo is going to make sense for them." 43North's investments typically are a springboard for companies to raise even more money from other investors. As companies raise more money, they can hire more employees and increase wages, Heidinger said. Quality over quantity This isn't the first time since 43North began its startup contest eight years ago that the number of winning companies has been whittled down, focusing on the quality of the companies the organization is investing in, rather than quantity. 43North started out investing in 11 companies: one $1 million prize winner, six $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes. A few years later, 43North cut the $250,000 prizes and reduced the number of winners to eight, but there was still a $1 million grand prize. Heidinger said getting rid of the $250,000 investments was "the second-biggest pivot" 43North made to its award structure, with the five $1 million checks being the biggest change. "It was the evolution of our ecosystem, as well as the external, larger venture landscape," Heidinger said of the decision to do away with the smallest investments. "That $250k wasn't significant enough to attract the companies we wanted to Western New York," she said. "So as an organization, with our board, we decided, 'Let's eliminate them. Let's take some bigger bets on those companies.' And that's the same thing that's happening now." In order to attract the quality companies the organization wants, 43North has had to evolve over the years to stay competitive in a fast-growing venture capital landscape. The organization's leaders decided offering fewer, but larger, prizes was the way to go right now, Heidinger said. And since 43North retains a 5% stake in each company it makes an investment in, focusing on quality companies can pay off big in the long run, like when second-year winner ACV went public on the stock market in March 2021. Finals night drama With the concept of a grand prize winner gone as all five winning companies will receive the same $1 million investment from 43North, will the drama of the finals be the same? Finals night happens toward the end of October at Shea's Performing Arts Center. In most recent competitions, 10 startups are invited on stage to pitch their companies to a panel of judges in front of a sold-out Shea's crowd. Then, the founders and audience anxiously wait as the grand prize winner, the company that stood out most to the judges, is announced at the end of the show. The details of how finals will work this year or how many companies will be invited to pitch at Shea's haven't been sorted out yet, Heidinger said. The 43North team recently hired a production partner for the show and will "put our heads down" to work on that this summer, she said. Details about finals will be announced in August or September. Until then, applications are open for this year's startup competition and companies from around the world can apply until July 8. Natalie Brophy Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up: Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. How the Buffalo 5/14 fund will decide how to pay out donations to Tops victims' families and survivors: Tops Markets is partnering with the National Compassion Fund to administer the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund, established following the May 14 mass shooting at a Tops store on Jefferson Avenue that killed 10 people. As of early Saturday, the fund had received $2.44 million in donations from 11,900 contributors. The Buffalo 5/14 fund will give all donated money to the victims from the families of those killed in the shooting, to the three people who were wounded, along with store workers and shoppers who endured the traumatizing event. 2. Business groups in NY back federal assault weapons ban: A coalition of business groups, including the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, say reviving the ban is matter of protecting safety in the workplace, as well as in society at large. 3. Walden Galleria owner avoids loan default with three-year extension: Facing default on the $237 million loan it owes on the Walden Galleria property, mall owner Pyramid Management Group has reached an agreement on a three-year extension with its lenders. 4. NYSEG rate hike proposal would add $15 to $18 a month to customer bills: New York State Electric & Gas has proposed rate hikes that would add about $15 to $18 a month to the average residential customers' bills, starting next year. NYSEG said the higher rates are needed to modernize and upgrade its aging network of power lines and natural gas pipelines across portions of upstate New York. 5. Former 43North company going public after deal with firm backed by private-equity: A former 43North company specializing in bus ride-sharing for events is going public later this year. Rally, which won $500,000 in the 2019 43North startup contest, entered into a business combination agreement with Americas Technology Acquisition Corp. The merger was announced June 1. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach technology and startups reporter Natalie Brophy at nbrophy@buffnews.com. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com. 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. The Barking Boutique, which sells purebred and purpose-bred puppies, opened in the Town of Tonawanda just six months ago, but the store's long-term future already seems in doubt. A bill passed the State Legislature last week that would prohibit New York's pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits, seeking to stop the flow of puppies that could be coming from puppy mills. The legislation, known as the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill, would still allow pet stores to showcase animals available for adoption from shelters and other entities. The bill now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for her consideration. Her office did not respond to a question about whether the governor intends to sign it. If she does, the ban would go into effect one year later at which point the Barking Boutique could close its location in Sheridan Plaza. Barking Boutique owner David Boelkes, store General Manager Lynn Wiles and the Pet Advocacy Network, which represents pet retailers, are calling for Hochul to veto the bill, arguing it will do nothing to stop bad breeders or unregulated sellers but will instead harm regulated and inspected pet stores across the state. The bill, the Pet Advocacy Network said, would put more than 80 pet stores in the state out of business, including the Barking Boutique which employs 26 people and has sold 300 puppies in Tonawanda since the store opened in December. "The breeders that they're trying to shut down, we don't work with anyway, so they're still going to be selling online," said Boelkes, who opened his first store in 2017 in Michigan, where he now has three locations. Barking Boutique, which lists its breeders online, said it has a "zero-tolerance policy for puppy mills or breeders who have substandard breeding practices." Boelkes said there's no information his business holds back, noting that a customer is provided with the name and address of the breeder, the dog's medical records, pedigree certificate (essentially a family tree) and documentation showing the puppy's parents' age and condition. Animal welfare groups such as the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States cheered the bill's passage, saying New York is one of the puppy mill industry's largest markets and, as such, has allowed businesses to operate that prioritize profit over the health of animals, especially breeding dogs. "The Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill will finally end the sale of cruelly bred puppy mill dogs in pet shops across New York state, which has one of the country's highest concentrations of pet stores that sell puppies," ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said in a statement. Barking Boutique opening in Tonawanda draws protesters On the sidewalk at the intersection of Sheridan Drive and Eggert Road protesters held signs reading, "Don't Shop Adopt" and "Pet Store Dogs=Puppy Mill Dogs." Raising awareness about the bill was one of the reasons about 40 protesters gathered in front of Sheridan Plaza in December, which is when the Barking Boutique marked its grand opening. Protesters also held signs reading, "Pet Store Dogs=Puppy Mill Dogs," hoping to convince people to adopt dogs from rescue shelters rather than pay thousands of dollars for puppies that could come from large-scale commercial dog breeding operations. Barking Boutique, which typically sells a puppy for between $2,500 to $4,000, usually has about 35 puppies in its store at any given time, finding homes for anywhere from 10 to 20 dogs a week. Boelkes noted there is demand for puppies, and customers will still try to buy a puppy from another source potentially underground if his and other regulated businesses close. "We want regulation," Boelkes said. "We don't want any pet store to be able to open up and sell puppy mill dogs. We don't want that. We want pet stores that do it responsibly like we are. And if you aren't, then don't be in business." But he also said he knew such a bill was possible in New York, just as it is in any other state. For instance, Illinois recently joined California, Maryland, Maine and Washington and nearly 400 localities across 30 states in banning the sale of commercially raised puppies and kittens, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Boelkes said he saw the demand for the store in the Buffalo market and sees the proof in how many families have purchased a puppy since it opened. He said his business put about $200,000 into the Tonawanda location and signed a long-term lease with the landlord, who also made major investments. If Hochul does sign the bill, Boelkes said he and others plan to push for amendments to try to stay in business. Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris. Buffalo Next Must-read local business coverage that exposes the trends, connects the dots and contextualizes the impact to Buffalo's economy. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Edwards Vacuum wants to construct a warehouse in Wheatfield, while a credit union hopes to build a new headquarters office in the City of Lockport, if the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency approves tax breaks next month. David R. Chamberlain's DRC Development LLC of Lockport plans to construct a new 36,000-square-foot warehouse addition for Edwards Vacuum, to store and distribute its products. Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week. DRC built the existing 64,000-square-foot facility at 6416 Inducon Drive in 2012 and leased it to Edwards for 15 years, but that company has since been acquired by Atlas Copco, a Swedish manufacturing company that sells a wide range of products for the vacuum industry, said Edwards' operations manager Tracy Sundberg. Atlas and Edwards then moved the manufacturing and assembly functions outside the state in 2020, while retaining the warehousing, office and support activities. But Atlas also brought its other brands to Wheatfield, and is constantly acquiring and adding new products for clients in the semiconductor, steelmaking, scientific and academic fields. As a result, Edwards is now running out of warehouse and office support space. "As they add more brands, we need more space," Sundberg said, citing a purchase in Syracuse six months ago and one in Boston two years ago. The proposed $3 million project on 8.6 acres would create 20 new jobs, while retaining 100. Edwards would also extend the lease by another 10 years. DRC is seeking $1.9 million in tax breaks over 15 years. If approved, Chamberlain hopes to start construction in the fall, and finish in the second quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, Lockport Schools Federal Credit Union wants to demolish its 1,364-square-foot building at 360 S. Transit Road and replace it with a new 2,856-square-foot facility that will be handicapped-accessible and include a drive-thru. The project which will create one job and retain six had originally been planned for 2020 but was put on hold during the pandemic. Built in 1960, the current building in a retail plaza has been occupied since 1990 by the credit union, which acquired the property in 2020 for $300,000. As a nonprofit, the credit union is not subject to sales tax, so it's requesting a 10-year property-tax break valued at $190,800. The credit union plans to move to a temporary home in the Ulrich City Centre for six months while the $2.11 million construction project is underway. 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. Travelers at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport now have another option to taste Buffalo above the clouds, on the tarmac or while inside the Cheektowaga travel hub. Bocce Club Pizza held a grand opening Thursday as part of Delaware North's $3 million project to upgrade concessions in the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Delaware North, which also handles concessions for the Bills and Sabres, is operating the service area after training by Bocce employees. The new eatery soft-opened Memorial Day weekend. The iconic Buffalo pizza brand is stationed in the upper level between Tim Hortons and fellow newcomer BurgerFi, a national chain selling upscale burgers. Food court seating accommodates all three businesses, as well as Anchor Bar, which is located behind Bocce. Like all concessions beyond security at the airport, the food may be taken aboard flights. Over busy holiday weekend, Buffalo Niagara International Airport regains its 'vibe' Officials running Buffalo airport are beginning to sense a return to near-normal operations especially this Easter/Passover weekend after Covid-19 virtually shut down U.S. air travel. Instead of the traditional 18-inch Bocce pizza, the airport location will serve 10-inch pies ready in eight-to-10 minutes, said Bocce Pizza Club owner and president Jim Pacciotti, with prices similar to Bocce's. Sandwiches and chicken fingers are also on the menu. Slices are not available for now, Pacciotti said. The process to mimic Bocce was elaborate, Pacciotti said. Delaware North installed two new deck ovens to try to replicate the crispy crust of Bocce's pies. The collaboration and demands of an airport have led to a new, more sturdy box to hold the pies, he added. The pizzeria owner explained the licensing agreement Bocce has with Delaware North, which reached out to him in 2019 after a proposed Chick-fil-A was nixed. In addition to 12 days of training and permission to use the brand's name, Pacciotti said he supplied "cheat sheets" on preparing Bocce pizza, connections with product deliverers and information on Bocce's equipment. Bocce Club Pizza bar-arcade to add pizzazz to EXPO Market on Hertel Through a licensing agreement, the Bocce brand will take over the space previously held by Newbury Salads inside the Hertel Avenue food hall. Pacciotti owns and operates four Bocce locations, on Bailey Avenue in Amherst, Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo, Goodrich Road in Clarence and Hopkins Road in Amherst. Bocce's first licensed location opened in 2019 in the Expo Market on Hertel Avenue as part of a food hall. A licensed operation differs from a franchise in that a licensing business can use some trademarks from the original instead of the whole of the business, while a licensee usually holds more control over the business than a franchisee. Ben Tsujimoto can be reached at btsujimoto@buffnews.com, at (716) 849-6927 or on Twitter at @Tsuj10. The Buffalo News: Food & Drink Get what you need to know about Western New York's dining and bar scene, including restaurant openings and closings, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There were a number of comments about a recent question we wrote regarding a quitclaim deed that was signed but not recorded. Heres a sample: Comment: I am an attorney and practice estate planning. The other attorneys in the office specialize in real estate. Your recent column regarding the conditional use of a quitclaim deed does not reflect Illinois law. Your statement that if the husband didnt record the deed prior to death, then the deed wouldnt be valid, is incorrect for Illinois state matters. The issue I have with national columns is that the advice given is not state specific, and that should be the first sentence in your column every week. Individuals like Suze Orman and other websites like Mama Bear encourage individuals to do their own planning, and claim to be state specific, but the final documents are not. General, non-state specific advice or forms do a disservice to individuals as it may dissuade them from consulting a local attorney. Comment: In your recent article on quitclaim deeds, you write that a deed has to be recorded and recorded before death to be valid. I dont think either is true. An unrecorded deed is still valid if not recording it is the only problem. Not recording it merely makes the proof of the deed more difficult and easier for the holder to wrongly dispose of it. Ilyce & Sam respond: Both of our readers are correct. Generally, a deed is valid when prepared properly and delivered to the intended recipient. And, while its true that a quitclaim deed doesnt necessarily have to be recorded to be valid, it does put the world on notice that there has been a change in status for the property. If a quitclaim deed is signed, but someone sticks it in a file, doesnt record it, and no one knows it exists, the deed might as well never have existed. The whole purpose of recording a deed is to put all interested parties on notice that the grantee on the deed owns the property. In some states, where an owner of a property might prepare multiple deeds and even give those deeds to various people, all of those deeds might be valid. But depending on the law of the state in which the property is located, the first person to record may be the rightful owner. In other states, the rightful owner might be the person that received the first deed. Youd need to figure out the mechanics of the state in which the property is located to know the rules regulating multiple deeds and the timing of recording. For that, our readers would be wise to talk to a local real estate attorney. We agree with our writers that not recording the deed would make it easier for the person that gave that deed to dispose of it wrongly. Sometimes people change their minds, especially in family situations. So, the best advice we can give our readers is this: If they intend on giving someone a piece of real estate, they should deliver the fully executed deed and make sure that deed is recorded or filed in the government office that handles real estate documents where the property is located. We will often advise our readers to seek out a local attorney who can guide them on applicable local and state real estate laws. On the subject of quitclaim deeds, we dont usually advise our readers to use attorneys as we let our readers know that there are better ways to transfer ownership of real estate from parents to children. Thanks for your comments. (Ilyce Glink is the author of 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask (4th Edition). She is also the CEO of Best Money Moves, an app that employers provide to employees to measure and dial down financial stress. Samuel J. Tamkin is a Chicago-based real estate attorney. Contact Ilyce and Sam through their website, bestmoneymoves.com.) William and Billy Sywak never had a close father-son relationship, but the two saw then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021, as a chance to spend time together and bond. The two will have one more shared experience Thursday. That's when a federal judge sentences the pair for their roles during the U.S. Capitol breach. Federal prosecutors are seeking a 30-day jail sentence for the father, William M. Sywak, a 46-year-old unemployed carpenter from Hamburg, and 45 days in jail for his son, William J. Sywak, a 28-year-old welder from Arcade. The Sywaks are to become the third and fourth Western New Yorkers sentenced on guilty pleas to a misdemeanor Capitol riot charge parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and they could be the first from here to be incarcerated. Both were at the forefront of the siege of the U.S. Capitol, just five minutes behind the first rioters to breach the building, according to sentencing recommendations prepared by prosecutors. Video footage taken by others at the riot show the Sywaks surrounded by the mob amid smoke and the sound of flash bang grenades exploding. The Sywaks followed the mob to the breach point, up the stairs inside scaffolding set up as part of the presidential inauguration preparations on the steps next to the Upper West Plaza. William Sywak filmed as they pressed forward to squeeze through the opening with the mob. At the top of the stairs, where another police line had fallen, the Sywaks were able to reach the Upper West Terrace. A documentary film crew captured them among a crowd taunting a small group of police officers attempting to guard one of the doors, calling them traitors! The Sywaks smiled and looked on as the crowd jeered, prosecutors said. The Sywaks spent around 20 minutes inside the Capitol building. After exiting the building, the younger Sywak made his way back to the West Front, where, at around 2:49 p.m., a police officer's body camera showed him rejoining the crowd at the front line. After a scuffle with police near him, "Billy Sywak showed the police officers on the front line his middle finger," according to prosecutors. Court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, which refer to the son as Billy, explain why prosecutors believe he deserves more jail time than his father and others. His texts and video footage taken by others show where he was and when and also his level of enthusiasm as thousands of people swarmed the Capitol with hundreds attacking and injuring police officers to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected president. "When speaking privately, he showed his true feelings," prosecutors said of the text messages he sent during the riot. "He rejoiced at the assaults rioters committed against the police, pepper spraying them directly in the eyes from point blank range. "Billy Sywak celebrated the violence of the day and the very real damage caused or threatened upon hundreds of law enforcement officers when he texted his friend to describe how 'awsome' the things he saw there were, including 'people handing me pepper spray to get into the push' and the fact that the mob overpowered the police. "I watched some dude spray a cop from 6 inches away thru a screen right into a cops eyes. Cop never seen it coming," he texted. On Jan. 7, he texted another person who also took part in the insurrection: "... Yeah we made history together an everyome thinks its a crime to have been there lol. His thinking has since changed, said his lawyer, MaryBeth Covert, a public defender in Buffalo. "Once he was home and aware of the full impact of what occurred, he was and remains embarrassed at having been persuaded by the presidents rhetoric that the election was stolen," Covert said in a court filing. Covert asked U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras to sentence the younger Sywak to probation, community service and restitution. "He himself did not participate in any violent conduct nor did he engage in any destruction of property," Covert said. "His disabling of his social media accounts, and more importantly his recognition of how he succumbed to the false reports about the election, demonstrate that he will not be swept up in such irrational thoughts again. He poses no risk to the public." The younger Sywak viewed the trip to the Capitol as a chance for him and his father to work on their relationship, said his mother, Amy Fox, in a letter to the judge. "William never had a steady relationship with his father. He always longed to spend time with his dad and took any opportunity to have time with him," she said. "When his father asked him to go on the trip to Washington, D.C., William of course said yes. This trip was supposed to be a reconnection between father and son. I believe that William was at the wrong place at the wrong time." But prosecutors said the younger Sywak knew in advance the event might turn violent. The day before the riot, he was pumped by his conviction that Trump would not hand over his office in a transition of power, according to prosecutors. The elder Sywak also has expressed shame about his role on Jan. 6, breaking down in tears during an interview with a probation officer preparing his presentence report, according to a court filing from his defense lawyer, Herbert Greenman. "Thinking back, I'm ashamed that I was involved in all of this," William M. Sywak told the probation officer. "I believe I was misled by the president about the election and wanted to hear and see him speak. I feel terrible that I went and especially that I went into the Capitol. When I saw what was happening, I should have turned around and left. But I didn't, and I regret what I did every day." After his arrest, the elder Sywak entered into drug/alcohol counseling and has undergone random testing, according to Greenman. Sywak also sees a psychologist every two weeks and has been prescribed medication for his depression. "Because of his addiction, the counseling he receives is a combination of mental health as well as drug/alcohol counseling," Greenman said. "To say the least, he is doing well at this point. Mr. Sywak looks at the after-effects of his arrest in a positive light. He is getting the help that he needs and, once and for all, it appears that he will adapt to the norms of society." Through May 6, more than 700 people from across the nation have been charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds, the offense to which both Sywaks pleaded guilty. The Sywaks were not among the 255 defendants charged with assaulting or resisting police officers or the 85 people charged with destroying or stealing government property. Some 280 individuals have pleaded guilty to a variety of federal charges, with some 232 admitting to misdemeanor charges and 48 to felonies. Approximately 165 defendants have been sentenced for their roles on Jan. 6, with 65 sentenced to periods of incarceration. More than 50 other defendants have been sentenced to a period of home detention, including Traci J. Sunstrum of Amherst, who was sentenced in February to three years of probation and 30 days of home detention. 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. A Batavia woman who illegally applied for and collected unemployment benefits has pleaded guilty to wire fraud before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said the benefits collected by Danielle Tooley, 37, were connected to federal Covid-19 relief programs. The scheme was discovered on Nov. 24, 2020, when Tooley was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance at a traffic stop in Bergen in Genesee County. A state trooper saw a crack pipe with white residue inside Tooley's vehicle. She admitted that she had crack cocaine in the center console. As Tooley's vehicle was being towed, troopers found six New York State unemployment benefit cards that had been issued to people other than Tooley, which were turned over to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. An investigation determined that Tooley consistently withdrew money from bank accounts associated with the benefit cards. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison when she is sentenced Aug. 17. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Cheektowaga man was charged with manslaughter after a fatal knife fight in a parking lot off Harlem Road, Cheektowaga police announced Thursday. Police responding to a call about the fight say they found Jaquan Combs, 27, behind the building. Police could see blood on Combs and they found a folding knife with blood on it in one of Combs' pockets, they said. The fight was reported just after 2 p.m. Wednesday in the lot at 3865 Harlem Road. Witnesses told police they saw two men fighting each other and that one had a knife. When police arrived, they said, they found one man unresponsive and lying in the doorway at the front of the building with an apparent stab wound to his neck. Employees were performing CPR. The first police officers to arrive assisted with the first aid until an ambulance from AMR arrived. Lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and the victim died at the scene. Police identified the victim as Bryce Hill, 21, of Cheektowaga. Investigators said they learned that Hill worked at the building and that Combs and Hill arrived together in a vehicle. Combs was charged with first-degree manslaughter and was arraigned Thursday morning in Cheektowaga Town Court. He was remanded to the Erie County Holding Center without bail. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Azernews By News Center Turkiye is laying its first gas pipeline in the Black Sea, where a total of 540 billion cubic meters of natural gas has been discovered, Yeni Shafak daily reports. Efforts to bring the natural gas from the Black Sea to the consumption of citizens and households have gained momentum. The Filyos Natural Gas Processing Facility, where the gas will be processed on land, is being constructed while preparations on the wells are continuing at sea. Some 4,200 personnel and 16 ships, of which three are engaged in drilling, are working in the area to support the whole process. The Bahamian flagged ship Castoro 10, which will carry out pipe placement in shallow parts, passed through the Dardanelles on June 5 and reached Filyos as of June 7. The first pipes of the 170-kilometer-long gas pipeline, which will carry the Black Sea gas along the seabed, will be laid starting from the coast on June 10. Following the completion of the infrastructure and superstructure works, the pipes will be installed on the seabed, beginning at a depth of 50 meters in the shallow water section. Castoro 10 ship will lay and install roughly 5 kilometers of pipes in the shallow area. The pipelaying procedure will be carried out by a Castorone ship at a depth of 2,000 meters in the deep sea, which is the most essential stage in the aforementioned operations. The ship is now in the Eastern Mediterranean and is scheduled to arrive in Turkey in July. The pipeline, which will be around 170 kilometers, will be installed from the shallow to deep water section in June. The pipeline installation is projected to take approximately five months. First, six to 10 wells will be connected to the production system to be established under the sea at the Sakarya Gas Field, and 10 million cubic meters of gas will be produced daily from these wells and delivered to Turkiye's natural gas network grid in 2023. While this amount corresponds to 3.5-4 billion cubic meters on an annual basis, production will gradually increase. The highest production level in the Black Sea is predicted in 2027-2028, with 40 million cubic meters of natural gas per day and around 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. BOTAS (Petroleum Pipeline Corporation) will complete the first section of the pipeline, allowing gas to reach consumers, on November 6, as part of its efforts to integrate Black Sea gas into the system by 2023. Expectations for Black Sea gas are quite high. Our Black Sea gas will be commissioned in 2023. As BOTAS, we need to be ready systematically when our gas comes into play. We planned all infrastructure works and started our investments. As of November 6, we will complete our infrastructure and be able to buy natural gas. BOTAS needs to be ready systematically when our Black Sea gas comes into operation in 2023. All infrastructure works related to this have been planned and investments have been initiated, BOTAS General Manager Burhan Ozcan said at the Turkish Grand National Assembly. He provided information about the capacity that will be created with the completion of the infrastructure works. As the gas reaches land, natural gas will be transported to our intra-network. We will continue our activities related to both the establishment of receiving terminal measurement systems and the laying of pipelines. The carrying capacity of our infrastructure will be 50 million cubic meters per day and 18 to 20 billion cubic meters per year. We have completed our detailed engineering studies related to our second phase works, which are approximately 211 kilometers long, up to Adapazari. The day the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) brings 40 million ashore, we will be in a position to carry it," he stressed. A Buffalo man who had a gun when he drove himself to the hospital with gunshot wounds pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to federal court documents. Laquil Hilson, 27, pleaded guilty on June 1 in federal court, after police found a .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol and six rounds of ammunition on the floor of his car on Aug. 16, 2021. Hilson parked his 2008 Jeep Cherokee outside of Erie County Medical Center and entered the emergency room at 4:20 a.m. with several gunshot wounds. ECMC patrol units secured Hilson's parked vehicle, and Buffalo police arrived at the scene two minutes later, when they found the firearm, according to the court documents. The next time law enforcement officials in Erie County talk about school violence, they want it to be about an incident they prevented, rather than one to which they just responded. That is the idea behind a new team to be formed within the sheriff's office that will investigate and act against potential mass shooters and others intent on doing harm to a large number of people, Sheriff John Garcia said. The creation of the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, plans for which were unveiled Thursday, comes in response to the recent mass shootings here and in Uvalde, Texas. Both attacks, Garcia said, shed light on the importance of police and government beginning to address the issue of behavioral threats that have also caused similar tragedies across the country. "The act of pure evil that occurred on May 14 at the Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue underscores the need for law enforcement professionals from across the state to revise strategies, policies, procedures and plans to confront the threat of domestic terrorism and other treacherous behaviors and ideologies," Garcia said during a news conference. The team's mission is to form a consortium of community stakeholders with diverse expertise and the resources to identify and close threat gaps in Buffalo and Erie County, the sheriff said. 'My parents know somethings wrong': But accused Tops killer lied to fool them For a period of months, the 18-year-old wrote, he repeatedly lied, hid and dissembled to keep secret his plan to conduct mass murder. The team will act as a clearinghouse of information and will also monitor social media and fringe ideologies online in an effort to identify individuals who pose a public threat in order for law enforcement to disrupt or redirect their activities, Garcia said. "So it's not always about ending up in handcuffs. This is about stopping the behavior, stopping the threat," he said. "No one agency, organization or company can manage the undertaking and be successful. That's why we assembled this team," he added. Some of the new team's partners will include the District Attorney's Office, state police, Secret Service, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Garcia said that is just first step in completing a roster of partners that will ensure the behavioral threat assessment team represents all aspects of the local community. Rod Watson: Gun control? Just a few more massacres in just the right places Watson asks: How many more such tragedies will it take in members home communities to sway a few more Republicans, particularly in the U.S. Senate? "Our goal is this: all local and tribal law enforcement agencies, school districts, colleges, universities, PTA groups, drug and veterans courts, block clubs, all religious communities, area hospitals, if you see it, say something," he said. The team will also be creating a website, a mobile app and other means of engaging the public to offer anonymous tips. April Baskin, chairwoman of the Erie County Legislature, said the law enforcement partners involved will ensure that the behavioral threat assessment team won't just be another task force, but a robust division targeting individuals who pose a grave threat to the community. "This is an actual new division that is being developed under the leadership of Sheriff Garcia, and he has my respect for acting so quickly in this manner," said Baskin. Garcia said each of the participating law enforcement agencies would have to invest in additional staff and other resources for the endeavor and the Sheriff's Office would be dependent on the county Legislature to provide funding for more staff. Baskin said lawmakers have not yet discussed a price tag for the new division. "The Legislature is going to take very seriously deliberating on what public dollars have to be allocated to the office of the sheriff to make sure that it's stable and sustainable," she said. Garcia said members of the team will not be pulled from road patrols and will be highly trained for the demands of the job. He said he expected the division would be up and running by the end of summer. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The pandemic and job losses are leading to an uptick in the number of Erie County residents having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments. But during a news conference Wednesday, officials stressed that help is available. "If you're behind in your mortgage, this is not something to be embarrassed about, please reach out for help. We can walk you through the process and see what options you have available," said Sandy Becker, senior housing programs director at Belmont Housing Resources of Western New York. According to data released by the State Department of Financial Services, 4,530 homeowners with mortgages in Erie County have received a pre-foreclosure default notice in the last nine months. In the last three months, 1,600 additional pre-default notices have been sent to homeowners throughout the county. Pre-foreclosure notices are sent by lenders when the borrower misses mortgage payments. In New York, lenders must mail homeowners information on getting help at least 90 days before the lender takes legal action. The ZIP codes with the highest number of received pre-foreclosure notices are 14215 on Buffalo's East Side and 14225 in Cheektowaga, with 266, and 271, respectively. So far, the county has received 233 lis pendens filings, but Erie County clerk Michael "Mickey" Kearns said he expects that number to increase over the summer because of the moratorium expiration. A lis pendens filing is an official public notice saying there is a pending lawsuit on a property. Kate Lockhart, vacant and abandoned property program director at Western New York Law Center, said in the event of legal action against the homeowner, the homeowner has a right to stay in the home. "If you get a notice from the court, it's incredibly important to show up," Lockhart said. Lockhart said the state has programs in place to help homeowners who are in pre-foreclosure and for those who are already in foreclosure, such as The Home Owner Protection Program. HOPP is a network of organizations across New York that provide assistance to homeowners to help prevent foreclosure. Kearns said his office averages about 2,000 foreclosure notices yearly. Have a story idea? Reach out to me at apreston@buffnews.com 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. For the second time in a week, Republican congressional hopeful Carl P. Paladino is explaining controversial remarks unearthed by a media watchdog group, this time noting Adolf Hitler's ability as an "inspirational" leader. Media Matters, a left-leaning nonprofit group frequently critical of conservative outlets like Fox News, reported on its website Thursday that Paladino told a WBEN Radio program last year that he had listened to a recent broadcast about "Adolf Hitler and how he aroused the crowds." "And he would get up there screaming these epithets and these people were just they were hypnotized by him," Paladino told WBEN host Peter Hunt on Feb. 13, 2021. "That's, I guess, I guess that's the kind of leader we need today. We need somebody inspirational. We need somebody that is a doer, has been there and done it. Paladino, who is facing a challenge from state Republican Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy this year for the party nomination to succeed the retiring Rep. Chris Jacobs, R-Orchard Park, told The Buffalo News Thursday he believes the German people "just got in line" behind Hitler before and during World War II because of the "pretty intense following he developed." He also sought to clarify his remarks, insisting he was not praising Hitler during the WBEN interview, but when asked about the need to inspire voters, was addressing the Nazi dictator's popularity and ability to entice an entire nation to follow him. "Hitler was a very popular person; the popularity was something we never saw in America," he told The News on Thursday. "That had nothing to do with praising him. You look for someone to move an entire population. I was just using that as an example. "They picked it up and continued to make a mess of it," he added of Media Matters. Paladino acknowledged he should have chosen a different example to illustrate his point. "I should have used Churchill," he said, referring to Britain's World War II leader. Later he issued a statement, saying "any implication that I support Hitler or any of the sick and disgusting actions of the Nazi regime is a new low for the media." "The context of my statement was in regards to something I heard on the radio from someone else and was repeating," he said. "I understand that invoking Hitler in any context is a serious mistake and rightfully upsets people. I strongly condemn the murderous atrocities committed against the Jewish people by Hitler and the Nazis. He also said his original interview pointed to Hitler and his activities as examples of "some things in this world that we must all be angry about." "During World War II, all decent people were angry at Hitler's extermination of 6 million Jews in the gas chambers of Auschwitz," he said then. "During the days of the civil rights battle here in the United States, all decent people were angry at the brutal mistreatment of Black people down south. Nevertheless, the latest revelation is drawing reaction. Keith Wofford, the Buffalo native who ran for state attorney general in 2018, strongly condemned his fellow Republican late Thursday. "Carl Paladino is a racist," Wofford said. "Not 'racially insensitive,' not 'unsophisticated'; a straight-up, old-school racist. And I know this from my personal experiences in 2018, carrying the partys banner in New York State." Wofford urged the Republican Party to reject Paladino should he be elected to Congress, and deny him committee assignments. "Carl Paladino does not belong in Congress," he said. "If he wins the primary, I hope he loses in November." This is the second time this week that Media Matters reported on Paladino's penchant for controversial remarks. The outlet found that on his Facebook page, Paladino shared a post linking recent mass killings in Buffalo and Texas to "false flag" ideas that claim government involvement in similar tragedies. The original post contended that Democrats aim "to revoke the 2nd amendment and take away guns," and claimed "the Texas shooter was receiving hypnosis training" apparently under the direction of the CIA, according to the Media Matters report. At first, Paladino denied responsibility for the post. But on Wednesday he told The News he had subsequently recalled that he included on his Facebook page the writings of a Rochester friend. Paladino's latest difficulty follows a long-established pattern. In December 2016, he referred to then-first lady Michelle Obama as a man and said in an Artvoice piece he would like her to be "let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe where she lives comfortably in a cave with Maxie, the gorilla." At a 2015 rally, he decried the presence of "damn Asians" and other "foreigners" at the University at Buffalo and other state colleges. And in March 2019, he was denounced by officials for distributing an email suggesting riots in Paris resulted from a city filled with nonwhite Muslim immigrants and refugees. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An inmate at the Erie County Holding Center who collapsed over the weekend has been declared brain dead and will be taken off life support after his 30th birthday Tuesday, his mother said. Im not prepared to let him go before Tuesday, Christine Riordan of Cheektowaga said of her son, Sean C. Riordan. Sheriff's Office spokesman Scott Zylka said the U.S. Department of Justice and the state Commission of Correction have been notified. The commission investigates deaths in New York's jails, prisons and police lockups, and the DOJ has kept an interest in the Erie County jails since it filed a lawsuit seeking more humane conditions years ago. Christine Riordan said she has yet to receive the full picture of what happened. She said Sheriffs Office personnel said her son collapsed while in the jail, went into cardiac arrest and was revived, but his heart stopped again at Buffalo General Medical Center. However, Christine Riordan said she found bruises on her sons throat, arms and legs and a cut eyelid on a swollen right eye. A family friend shared a picture of Riordans cut and puffy eyelid with The Buffalo News. His face and eyes appear normal in a booking photo taken days earlier. Christine Riordan said a Buffalo General nurse told her Wednesday evening there is no brain activity, and her son's condition will not change meaning he is legally dead under New York law. But before the doctors end life support, she wants to observe her sons birthday at his bedside in the intensive care unit. Christine Riordan said a detective told her that her son had alcohol in his system. However, Tracie Riordan, Seans sister, said a doctor told her the blood-alcohol content was .04, a level low enough to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York. His mother and sister acknowledged that drugs can be found inside jails but said Sean Riordan hated alcohol and never drank. He did, however, have a heroin addiction for many years, which led to other arrests. He has been a handful, Christine Riordan said. While in custody in 2012, he jumped over a second-floor railing at the Grand Island Town Court, where he was being arraigned on an assault charge, the Sheriff's Office said at the time. A family friend, Joseph Tomasello, said Sean Riordan called him on June 1 to say he was being arrested by Buffalo police. Court records show he was cited for aggravated unlicensed operation, among other things. Zylka, the Sheriff's Office spokesman, said Riordan was held because he had been named in bench warrants. Records show he was booked into the Holding Center on June 2. Under former Sheriff Timothy B. Howard, an inmate from the Holding Center in downtown Buffalo or the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden died, on average, every six months. Thirty-two inmates died, in homicides, suicides and of natural causes, in the roughly 16 years Howard served as sheriff. Riordan will be the first known Erie County inmate to die since John C. Garcia, Howards preferred successor, became sheriff almost six months ago. 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. WASHINGTON The Democrat-led House on Wednesday evening passed tough new gun legislation that's doomed in the Senate and as promised, Rep. Chris Jacobs of Orchard Park was one of the few Republicans to support the measure. The bill would raise the minimum age for purchasing assault rifles from 18 to 21, ban high-capacity magazines and strengthen requirements that gun owners store their weapons safely. The measure passed by a 223 to 204 vote, and Jacobs was one of five Republicans who supported it. The others were Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. Jacobs proposes gun safety measures after Buffalo massacre: 'This has been a profoundly impactful event' Rep. Chris Jacobs of Orchard Park on Friday made a surprising about-face on gun control issues, becoming perhaps the first congressional Republican to call for an assault weapons ban in the wake of the recent mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. Of those five, only Fitzpatrick is running for re-election. In much of the Republican Party, supporting any measure that strengthens gun laws is politically deadly, as Jacobs discovered after announcing on May 27 that he would support an assault weapons ban and other gun safety measures in the wake of the May 14 shooting in Buffalo that claimed 10 lives. Republican leaders in the district where he planned to run immediately began withdrawing their support for Jacobs, and he ended up abandoning his plans to run for re-election Friday. On that same day, Jacobs told The Buffalo News that he would "absolutely be supporting" the measure that Democrats brought to the floor Wednesday. Rep. Chris Jacobs withdraws from re-election bid amid gun control outcry Rep. Chris Jacobs, an Orchard Park Republican, said Friday that he was withdrawing as the GOP and Conservative candidate for Congress in the newly redrawn 23rd District, acknowledging that his newfound views on gun control place him at odds with the parties that endorsed him. "That is going to have the two other things that I talked about: the limit on the magazines ... and raising the age for assault weapons to 21," he said. Those measures did not exactly prove to be popular among most Republican lawmakers, who said the recent shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas, should not prompt knee-jerk legislation limiting gun rights. These shootings are a tragic symptom of a far more systemic deterioration of our society and institutions," said Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Utica-area Republican who is running for re-election in a new district that stretches from rural Niagara County to the Watertown area. "Infringing further on the constitutional rights and due process of law-abiding Americans is not the answer, and it will not solve the problem. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the North Country and serves as the third-ranking Republican in the House, agreed. I am proud to stand up for the Second Amendment rights of Upstate New York and the North Country against this legislation that shreds the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans with no effect on deterring criminals who do not follow the law when obtaining firearms," said Stefanik, who has been pushing Buffalo businessman Carl P. Paladino as a potential replacement candidate for the Southern Tier seat Jacobs had been running to represent. Everhart, Gramaglia testify in favor of gun control, but Republicans resist The words of the witnesses from Buffalo seemed designed to sear the conscience, to break past the partisan divide on race and guns and find a place where all could agree that something should be done when Americans are getting gunned down in grocery stores and classrooms. But that divide remains. Those comments came later on the same day that witnesses from Buffalo and Uvalde including Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia and Zeneta Everhart, whose son was wounded in the Tops market shooting called for stronger gun control measures while testifying before a House committee. Only two Democrats Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon opposed the party's gun control measure. The bill was largely a symbolic one, since such aggressive gun control measures are doomed by Republican opposition in the Senate, which is divided 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans and where 60 votes are required for any bill to move forward. There, a bipartisan group of senators continues to negotiate a gun safety package that's expected to possibly include stronger background checks for gun purchasers. But Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, echoed the comments of many of his Democratic colleagues, saying stronger legislation is needed. Ten innocent lives were taken at a grocery store in Buffalo by an 18-year-old motivated by hate, racism and conspiracy who had the ability to purchase a weapon of war, Higgins said. This legislation takes long-overdue action on common sense gun reform, widely supported by the American people, on the federal level, to keep weapons out of the hands of those who are perpetuating gun violence in communities across the nation. 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. Nicholas A. Langworthy has logged more than a decade of behind the scenes maneuvering through local and state Republican politics, and is still only 41 years old. But now Langworthy, the state Republican chairman, joins the elective arena for the first time by officially declaring for the new 23rd Congressional District. His entrance into the race now shapes a three-way affair in the Aug. 23 primary featuring Carl P. Paladino, the 2010 Republican candidate for governor, and former Manhattan businessman and Fredonia native Marc Cenedella. In a video slated for release on Friday, Langworthy joined the fray by ticking off a list of what he views as Biden administration failures and its embrace a "dangerous far left ideology." He says he can win because he had challenged Democrats like Andrew M. Cuomo and Kathy Hochul and "delivered results." "Im running for Congress because we dont just need people who know how to fight," he said, "we need fighters who know how to win." Langworthy, the former Erie County GOP chairman, is expected to emerge as a major force in the election that will feature Paladino's widespread name recognition and Cenedella's ability to self-finance his campaign. Already, he is touting his close association with former President Donald Trump, whom he urged to run for governor of New York in 2013. "When the Republican Party in New York needed new leadership, President Trump called on me to turn things around," he says in the video. Langworthy also emphasized his roots in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties (he lives in Niagara County), as well as his conservative politics. "I know first hand the pain that Democrat and liberal policies have had driving my friends and so many of all of our loved ones to other states with more freedom and opportunity," he said. "Western New York and the Southern Tier deserves a conservative Republican congressman who is tough enough to take the fight to Joe Biden and the radicals in Washington and get real results for our taxpayers." Langworthy is also expected to gain the Conservative nod for the general election, with sources indicating he could slate a districtwide announcement tour as early as Monday. 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. A father and son Thursday became the third and fourth Western New Yorkers sentenced on a misdemeanor Capitol riot charge and, like the two previous offenders, they were placed on probation for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021. The father, William M. Sywak, a 46-year-old unemployed carpenter from Hamburg, avoided jail despite a lengthy criminal record his lawyer attributed to past drug and alcohol abuse. He traveled to then-President Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally a month after he was discharged from probation from a previous crime. The son, William J. Sywak, a 28-year-old welder from Arcade, was also spared jail time despite text messages he sent on Jan. 6 that revealed his gleefulness about what he witnessed during the mob attack in which 140 police officers were assaulted. Both were at the forefront of the siege of the U.S. Capitol, just five minutes behind the first rioters to breach the building, according to prosecutors. The Sywaks spent around 20 minutes inside the Capitol, but after exiting, the son rejoined the mob at the front line amid scuffles with police. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington recommended a 45-day jail sentence for the son, whom prosecutors referred to as Billy, and 30 days for the father. Prosecutors said the younger Sywak deserved a longer incarceration because his texts and video footage taken by others show more involvement with the mob and a high level of enthusiasm as thousands of people swarmed the Capitol with hundreds attacking and injuring police officers to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected president. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras said he was not inclined to incarcerate someone convicted of a nonviolent misdemeanor given the continuing threat of Covid-19. Both Sywaks expressed shame for their actions on Jan. 6. "I'm embarrassed," the younger Sywak told U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras, calling his texts and what he did on the grounds of the Capitol "disgusting." "I'm very remorseful for what I did," he said. "It's not right that so many police officers were injured." The judge placed Billy Sywak on probation for one year with two months of home confinement. The judge placed the father on probation for two years, plus four months of home confinement and 60 hours of community service. Both were ordered to pay $500 restitution. Both men pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. "I'm totally ashamed of what I did," William M. Sywak told the judge. "I never should have gone into the Capitol building, especially with my son. I've apologized in the past, and I will continue to apologize. I want everyone to know I'm truly sorry for disrespecting the nation's Capitol." He said he doesn't agree "with a lot of the things I might have back in January." He said he has been sober since his arrest for the first time in many years. His criminal record includes four drunken-driving convictions, four disorderly conducts and assault. Prosecutors called his criminal history the "driving factor" in their recommendation for jail time. The younger Sywak viewed the trip to the Capitol as a chance for him and his father to bond and work on their relationship, which had never been very close, said his mother, Amy Fox, in a letter to the judge. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily W. Allen pushed back on that notion. There was another motive, she said, describing text messages from him that showed his anticipation and planning for something very momentous happening at the Capitol on Jan. 6." He texted his fiancee that he was "pumped up" and excited about the possibility, Allen said. As he approached the Capitol on Jan. 6, witnessing the mob beginning to form, he and his fiancee were texting about the fact that there might be violence, and she asked him to throw hands for her, Allen said. He was climbing scaffolding. He was filming as police officers were being attacked and threatened, she said. In a sentencing recommendation, prosecutors said, "Billy Sywak celebrated the violence of the day and the very real damage caused or threatened upon hundreds of law enforcement officers when he texted his friend to describe how 'awsome' the things he saw there were, including 'people handing me pepper spray to get into the push' and the fact that the mob overpowered the police. I watched some dude spray a cop from 6 inches away thru a screen right into a cops eyes. Cop never seen it coming," he texted. During the hearing, the judge said "the most problematic thing for me" in deciding a sentence were the text messages with your gleeful description of officers getting sprayed in the face with pepper spray. The judge noted a handful of police officers died by suicide afterward. What would you say to their family members if they read your description of what happened to them as 'awesome'? the judge asked. I would say Im sorry, the younger Sywak replied. Its not right they had to go through the loss of a family member. Im appalled by what I did." Through June 6, some 735 people from across the nation have been charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds, the offense to which both Sywaks pleaded guilty. The Sywaks were not among the 255 defendants charged with assaulting or resisting police officers or the 85 people charged with destroying or stealing government property. Some 305 individuals have pleaded guilty to a variety of federal charges, with some 246 admitting to misdemeanor charges and 59 to felonies. So far, some 185 defendants have been sentenced for their roles on Jan. 6, with 80 sentenced to periods of incarceration. More than 50 other defendants have been sentenced to a period of home detention. The first two Western New Yorkers to be sentenced for their roles in the Capitol riot Traci J. Sunstrum of Amherst and John J. Juran, a Getzville small business owner were placed on probation for three years, with Sunstrum also sentenced to home detention for 30 days. 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. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The owner of a commercial nursery has won a $1.2 million judgment against the Florida Department of Agriculture in the latest verdict against the state agency for destroying citrus trees in the 2000s during an attempt to stop the spread of costly tree diseases. A jury in Orlando last week determined the state agency had destroyed more than 160,000 citrus plants in an effort to stop citrus greening and Gary Mahon deserved the $1.2 million as compensation at fair market value. Mahon's company, Pokeys Lake Gem Citrus Nursery, cultivates fruit trees in Zellwood, Florida. The Department of Agriculture had argued Mahon did not deserve compensation since he could have avoided his losses by moving his citrus plants into greenhouses. Mahon's attorneys disputed that interpretation of the law. In 2008, Florida lawmakers passed legislation requiring citrus plant growers to sell or destroy plants not grown in greenhouses to protect the states citrus industry from citrus greening. Citrus greening is among the biggest threats to the U.S. citrus industry since infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter. The disease can eventually kill infected trees, though it is harmless to humans. While the Florida Legislature and Department of Agriculture meant well by passing and enforcing this law, it had a catastrophic impact on citrus nursery growers," said Alexander Clem, Mahon's attorney. Our client fought for years to get justice for the thousands-upon-thousands of plants he was forced to destroy, and we are thrilled he will be compensated and can move on with his life. In a statement, the Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that it would appeal the case. This case has been long fought by our department, and our position has not changed: the damage to Mr. Mahons citrus crop was a direct result of his failure to come into compliance with state regulations," the statement said. In the past two decades, Florida's citrus industry has been threatened with greening and another disease called citrus canker. Citrus canker can cause the leaves and fruit on citrus trees to drop prematurely and create unappealing lesions on the fruit. The lesions leak bacterial cells that can spread to other trees by wind, rain or contaminated equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With both diseases, state agriculture workers destroyed citrus trees in an effort to stop their destructive spread. Earlier this year, about 18,000 homeowners in Orange County, home to Orlando, won a judgement of $42 million against the state for destroying their citrus trees. Tens of thousands of homeowners in Broward, Lee and Palm Beach counties also have won class action lawsuits against the state over their destroyed trees, and compensations varied by county. A case in Miami-Dade County is still pending. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. HONOLULU (AP) A federal aviation accident investigator will be sent to Hawaii to investigate after a tour helicopter crashed on a remote Big Island lava field of jagged rocks, injuring all six people on board and forcing rescuers to fly in to extricate some of them from the wreckage, officials said Thursday. Photos taken by rescuers showed the crunched Bell 407 helicopter lying on its side in the barren lava field with its nose partially detached and some of its blades bent at odd angles. It had departed from Kona International Airport about 5 p.m. Wednesday on a sightseeing tour and crashed about 30 minutes later near the southernmost tip of the island, National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Jennifer Gabris said in an email. The rough lava field is more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the nearest road, so rescuers had to be taken there by two helicopters, Hawaii County Assistant Fire Chief Darwin Okinaka said. Firefighters extricated three people an 18-year-old woman, a 19-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man who managed to walk to waiting medics, the fire department said. A 48-year-old man also walked from the crash site. The most seriously injured person was a 19-year-old woman who was flown to a hospital, the fire department said. A seriously injured 54-year-old man, along with the four others, were taken by ambulance to the hospital. The helicopter passengers and pilot were not identified. Hawaii has a thriving helicopter tour sector because of the flights that are extremely popular among tourists who want to see the islands stunning scenery from the aircraft that fly above rugged terrain thats hard to reach otherwise. A 2019 helicopter tour crash on the island of Kauai killed all seven people on board and the NTSB in its investigative report accused regulators of lax oversight of the helicopter tours. That crash was blamed on the pilots decision to keep flying despite worsening weather. Witnesses and other pilots reported fog, rain and low visibility around the time of the crash, and some pilots had turned around. In the Big Island crash, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said he was awaiting updates on the conditions of the injured, and other information and information on what might have caused the crash. The weather in the area about the time firefighters were called included winds of about 16 mph (26 kph), gusts of about 23 mph (37 kph) and some scattered or broken clouds, said Thomas Vaughan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Standard, afternoon weather on the Big Island, he said. Paradise Helicopters owner Calvin Dorn said in a statement that there were five passengers and one pilot on the tour. The company is cooperating with authorities, the statement said. According to an NTSB database, the company was involved in at least two previous accidents during sightseeing tours. While returning from a sightseeing tour in 2005, a helicopter developed a sudden vibration in the tail rotor pedals followed by a loud crack or snap and then a loud banging noise, the NTSB said. It hit low trees and shrubs when the pilot landed in a clearing in a forest near the Big Island town of Pahoa. The pilot and four passengers were uninjured. And as a Paradise helicopter pilot prepared to take off in 2009 for a sightseeing tour of Oahu for four passengers, the helicopter's left landing gear collapsed, NTSB records said. The helicopter tilted to the left and was damaged, but no one aboard was injured. In Wednesday's crash, even though all of those on board were hurt, the crash could have been much worse, Okinaka said. Theyre very, very lucky looking at how significant the damage to the aircraft was, Okinaka said. The NTSB investigator is not traveling to the crash site at this time but will go to Hawaii to examine the wreckage after it is recovered, Gabris said. Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. By Trend A meeting was held in connection with the International Awareness Summit (IAS) to be organized by the Turkish Independent Industrialists and Businessmens Association (MUSIAD) and MUSIAD Women (businesswomen structure under MUSIAD), Trend reports. During the meeting, information was provided on the summit to be held on June 14. "The exemplary activity of MUSIAD Women contributes to the economic sphere. This structure implements projects not only for increasing the existing potential of businesswomen, but also for strengthening their family and social life, as well as their education," MUSIAD President Mahmut Asmali said. According to Asmali, MUSIAD Women has become a strong structure not only in Turkiye, but also throughout the world. "More than 300 businesswomen work in this organization, and MUSIAD will do its best to help businesswomen with employment," he noted. The president of MUSIAD also noted that the summit will focus on three main topics - entrepreneurship and the digital world; migration; environment and health. "The international summit will be aimed at extending rights and opportunities of women in the business world, and their contribution to the value chain. Our organization, which will focus on three main topics, will discuss the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in business, as well as the expectations of migrant women in their fields of activity with experts," he said. President of MUSIAD Women Meryem Ilbahar said that the organization uniting the highest number of businesswomen in Turkiye has set itself the goal of further strengthening their activities. According to Ilbahar, the summit, to be held with the support of the Turkish Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Services, will also consider national and international issues. At the same time, on June 14 this year, the Ataturk Cultural Center will host the "House of Africa" ??exhibition, of which MUSIAD has been a partner since 2016, under the auspices of Turkiye's First Lady Emine Erdogan. SAN DIEGO (AP) All five Marines on board an Osprey were killed when the aircraft crashed in the California desert near the Arizona border, the Marine Corps said Thursday, a day after the accident. No additional details were provided in the Marine Corps statement. The MV-22B Osprey went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area in Imperial County near the community of Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego. The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39 and was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, said Maj. Mason Englehart, a spokesperson for the wing. The Osprey is a hybrid airplane and helicopter that has been criticized for its safety record. It can take off and land like a helicopter but transit as a turboprop aircraft. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Prior to Wednesday's crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported. Most recently, four Marines were killed when a Marine Corps Osprey crashed on March 18 near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle while participating in a NATO exercise. In 2017, three Marines were killed when their MV-22B Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia. In 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 were injured when their MV-22 Osprey caught fire during a "hard landing" in Hawaii. The Osprey is a joint project of Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing. Its development was marked by deadly crashes, including an April 2000 accident in Arizona that killed 19 Marines. Baldor reported from Washington. White House officials say orders have been coming in for COVID-19 vaccine doses for small children. Federal authorization of shots for U.S. kids under 5 is possible next week. The government last week began allowing pharmacies and states to place orders, with 5 million doses initially available. So far, about 1.45 million of the 2.5 million available doses of Pfizer have been ordered. About 850,000 of available Moderna shots have been ordered. Young children are the only group of Americans not yet eligible to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Up to about 20 million U.S. children under 5 would become eligible for vaccination if the government authorizes one or both shots. Is there nothing that you personally are willing to do to stop the cancer of white supremacy and the domestic terrorism it inspires? Because if there is nothing, then respectfully, senators, you should yield your positions of authority and influence to others that are willing to lead on this issue. Garnell Whitfield Jr., testifying on Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee Yes. The former Buffalo fire commissioner had it exactly right. So does the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the Business Council of the State of New York and even actor Matthew McConaughey, a native of the suffering city of Uvalde, Texas. Its enough. Its far beyond enough. Americans want better control of firearms, especially weapons that are designed to kill by the dozen. On Tuesday, Whitfield gave passionate voice to the need. His 86-year-old mother, Ruth Whitfield, was the oldest of the 10 Black people killed by a white supremacist at the Jefferson Avenue Tops on May 14. We are people of decency, he told the panel of senators. We are taught to love even our enemies. But our enemies dont love us. So what are we supposed to do with all of our anger and pain? You expect us to forgive and forget. Again? And what are you doing? You were elected to protect us. Yes. But they havent. Instead, despite the wishes of a clear majority of Americans, Congress has sat on its hands after every massacre, grimly determined to do nothing until the next massacre, then to repeat the process. The main obstacle to action is the Senate, which provides the same influence to small red states like Utah or Idaho as it does to large blue ones like New York or California. The Senate is also paralyzed by the financial clout of the National Rifle Association and by the routinely abused filibuster, which can block just about any legislation that lacks 60 votes in the 100-member chamber. Will passion make a difference? Will the racism in the heart of the Buffalo killer awaken a sense of urgency in the do-nothing caucus? What effect will the murders of 19 Texas schoolchildren and two of their teachers have? Already, there is intransigent pushback against raising the age to purchase military-style weapons. Both the Buffalo and Texas killers were 18 years old when they legally acquired the AR-15 rifles they used to commit mass murder. New York just passed a law raising the age to 21; Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of gun laws containing that new standard on Monday. Washington should act, too. There are hopeful signs. In Washington, elected officials are at least debating the issue, possibly because a new poll shows a significant increase in the number of Republicans favoring stricter gun laws. But another poll shows that nearly half of Republicans believe the country must simply learn to live with mass shootings. Americans, they seem to think, arent smart enough find a better way. Nevertheless, the recent fusillade of killings has produced vocal new support for improved gun laws. Earlier this week, large business groups in New York called for federal restrictions on guns. They included the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Business Council of New York State. These fiscal conservatives bluntly acknowledged the overarching societal threat. Said Dottie Gallagher, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership: While gun control may not be a typical lane for chambers of commerce, there is no avoiding the impact gun violence is having on our country and in our communities, and we have an obligation to be part of solving this American problem. So does Congress. McConaughey, a gun owner, made that case in an appearance at the White House on Tuesday, pleading with Congress to reach a higher ground and pass gun control legislation in honor of the children and teachers killed in his hometown. He observed, correctly, that Congress can approve gun reforms without infringing on the Second Amendment, specifically calling for improved background checks and raising the age to purchase military-style rifles to 21 from 18. Its little enough to ask. But the day belonged to Whitfield, still grieving the loss of his mother. In his testimony, he set down a marker that senators should heed. My mothers life mattered, he said. Your actions here today would tell us how much it matters to you. Buffalo, Uvalde and the rest of the country are watching. 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. So much for living and learning. And forget any imaginary ability for getting at the core issues, being able to explain them properly and getting consensus on them. This is the same Carl Paladino Western New York has seen over and over again boorish, imprudent and offensive. And now praising Adolf Hitler's ability to rouse crowds as "the kind of leader we need today. The man cant seem to help himself. To allow him near any elected office, let alone a seat in Congress, would be mad. A day after denying even knowing how to post on Facebook, the Buffalo developer, former gubernatorial candidate and one-time School Board member, suddenly remembered that he did, indeed, forward a post linking the massacres in Buffalo and Texas to false flag claims about government involvement in similar American tragedies. A day after that, Media Matters for America reported that on a WBEN radio program last year, Paladino told listeners that New York needs someone like Adolf Hitler as its leader. Hitler, he had heard, aroused the crowds, and that, he said, is the kind of leader we need today. We need somebody inspirational. We need somebody that is a doer, has been there and done it. Someone like Hitler. He did a lot of things. In addition to arousing crowds, the Nazi fuhrer also killed 6 million Jews and uncounted numbers of Poles, Soviets, homosexuals, political opponents and others. More than 400,000 Americans died defeating his criminal regime. Speaking on Thursday to News political reporter Robert McCarthy, Paladino acknowledged the comment and backtracked. Hitler was a very popular person; the popularity was something we never saw in America, he told The News. That had nothing to do with praising him. You look for someone to move an entire population. I was just using that as an example. Later, he said, I should have used Churchill, Englands heroic leader in World War II. Yes. But he didnt. He used Hitler. The Facebook post was no better. It contended that Democrats aim to revoke the 2nd amendment and take away guns, and claimed that the Texas shooter was receiving hypnosis training apparently under the direction of the CIA. Let that one sink in. A would-be member of Congress promoted a conspiracy theory that the CIA manipulated an 18-year-old into murdering 19 children and two teachers. Yes, I did it, Paladino told The News, offering another weak excuse for intolerable conduct. I just didnt remember the fact that I published it; I couldnt remember. It was written by Jeff Briggs, a good friend from Rochester. I published it because he is a friend. He often forwards material with which he does not agree, he said. Oh, good. Just what Western New Yorkers should want in a member of Congress. Paladino thinks he wants to represent the newly drawn 23rd Congressional District. He is seeking the GOPs backing against his former patron, New York Republican Party Chairman Nicholas Langworthy. Explaining why he would be a better choice than Langworthy, Paladino evidently with a straight face mentioned what he dreams are his strengths: consensus, and core issues and all that So, by his reckoning, amplifying conspiracy theories about mass murder in his own city, no less counts as achieving consensus by way of explaining things very well. What it actually explains is that this is the same Carl Paladino who made overtly racist comments about then-first lady Michelle Obama, who referred to Black members of the Buffalo School Board as the sisterhood and who complained about the damn Asians and other foreigners at the University at Buffalo and other state colleges. If anything has changed, its only for the worse. It reveals something else, too. If the Republican Party chooses to support someone like this as a member of the U.S. Congress, then it has become a party of lost souls. North Country Republicans should take note. Their member, Elise Stefanik, the No 3 House Republican, is pushing her friend Paladino for the seat. What worthiness does she, or anyone, see in him? His email list? His role models? Nothing good will be in store for the 23rd Congressional District if Paladino becomes the party's nominee. The entire region has seen who he is. It will be one embarrassment after another, and it could be dangerous, too. 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. To borrow a Ronald Reagan quote regularly used by anti-abortion advocates, I cannot help but notice that all of the people fighting gun control measures are all alive. This is not necessarily a time to be proud of America. This is the time to do the hard work that makes America worthy of pride. Pro-gun groups simply shrug their shoulders at the mass murder of children and teachers in schools. The saddest part of this is that we have legislators who shrug their shoulders in perfect synchronicity with them. As far as I am concerned, this latest tragedy is "strike 2" against Texas Governor Abbott, who leads a state steeped in gun culture and whose police bungled the response to the shooting. This is the same governor who said he was eliminating rape from his state. Dan Bailey Depew Again and again, in the United States, we are subjected to the horrific and senseless slaughter of both young and old because of the outrageous proliferation of firearms of mass destruction that only our military should have access to. It would seem to be a no brainer that weapons like the AR -15 should be banned. Yet when these massacres occur, the adherents to the gospel of the Second Amendment never blame the use of a firearm, which exists solely to horrendously kill as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. The leaders of the Republican Party place the blame for the carnage not on the gun, but on everything else, including too many access doors in schools, violent video games, lack of prayer in public schools and, of course, mental illness. In the minds of our enlightened Republican high priests of the gun, mental illness must be a totally unique American scourge because no other country on this planet experiences the regular mass executions of its citizens by a shower of bullets. How long do we have to endure this idiocy from the Republican Party? What will it take to convince these people that the insanely easy access to these killing machines is what separates the United States from the rest of the world? I am not confident that anything will ever change their minds, and this is because common sense is simply absent from their creed. I can only surmise that the Republican party has continued to survive all these years, through all these massacres, oblivious to what should be a no brainer, because they continue to garner hope from the fact that jellyfish have managed to survive for 650 million years despite not their lack of brains or spines. Richard Kirisits Kenmore For the Seventh Straight Year, a National Precious-Metals Dealer Has Teamed Up With a Sound Money Policy Group To Help Students Pay for the Ever-Increasing Costs of College CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 8, 2022 / For the seventh straight year, a national precious-metals dealer has teamed up with a sound money policy group to help students pay for the ever-increasing costs of college. Sound Money Defense League, Thursday, June 9, 2022, Press release picture Money Metals Exchange has teamed up with the Sound Money Defense League to offer the Sound Money Scholarship - the first gold-backed scholarship of the modern era. Starting in 2016, these organizations have set aside 100 ounces of physical gold (currently worth more than $180,000) to reward outstanding students who display a thorough understanding of economics, monetary policy, and sound money. The Sound Money Scholarship is open to high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students with an interest in economics, specifically the free-market tradition. Applicants do not have to be economics majors to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Money Metals Exchange and the Sound Money Defense League also announced this year's blue-ribbon panel of judges: Eric Brakey served two terms in the Maine Senate (2014-2018), passing Constitutional Carry, Right to Try, and pro-market reforms for medical cannabis. In 2012, Eric was the state director for the Ron Paul presidential campaign and led the Defense of Liberty PAC in Maine. Eric ran for U.S. Senate in 2018 as the Maine Republican nominee, and was nominated by legislative Republicans in 2020 for Maine Secretary of State. In recent years, Eric has worked with Young Americans for Liberty to elect liberty candidates to state legislatures and is now running to reclaim his former seat in the Maine Senate. Keith Weiner is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Monetary Metals, an investment firm that is unlocking the productivity of gold. Keith is an economist who is a leading authority in the areas of gold, money, and credit and has made important contributions to monetary theory. He is also a serial entrepreneur who specializes in businesses that solve hard problems. Story continues Peter St. Onge is an economist at the Heritage Foundation, a fellow at the Mises Institute, and a contributor at Zerohedge. He holds a PhD in economics from George Mason University, is a former professor at Taiwan's Feng Chia University, and before academia was a marketing executive at two Fortune 500 companies. Tho Bishop is the Associate Editor for the Mises Institute, and author of the animated series "What Has Government Done To Our Money?" He previously served as Deputy Communications Director for the House Financial Services Committee. In prior years, the Sound Money Scholarship has received entries from students attending more than 150 different schools in more than 40 states, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., six countries, and three continents. The deadline to submit applications is October 31, 2022. For more information, please visit moneymetals.com/scholarship or email scholarship@moneymetals.com. About Sound Money Defense League The Sound Money Defense League, a non-partisan, national public policy group working to restore sound money at the state and federal level and publisher of the Sound Money Index. About Money Metals Exchange Money Metals Exchange is a national precious metals investment company and news service with more than 600,000 readers and 500,000 customers. It also operates Money Metals Depository for vaulting of gold and silver and Money Metals Capital Group, a collateral lending institution. Media Contact Jp Cortez jp.cortez@soundmoneydefense.org 4049488935 SOURCE: Sound Money Defense League View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/704439/Gold-Backed-Scholarship-Returns-for-Seventh-Year-Blue-Ribbon-Judges-Panel-Announced (Bloomberg) -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concern of a sham trial after two captured British fighters and a Moroccan were sentenced to death by a court in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg Russian troops are fighting to capture the city of Sievierodonetsk, and launched an offensive on Slovyansk, in an effort to take remaining Ukrainian positions in the east. The Kremlin is tightening control in two occupied regions of Ukraine by installing former Russian officials in top jobs. Ukraine is seeking a new deal from the International Monetary Fund to shore up its war-ravaged finances and its government said the economy shrank more than 15% from a year earlier in the first quarter of 2022. (See RSAN on the Bloomberg Terminal for the Russian Sanctions Dashboard.) Key Developments (All times in CET) Ukraine Seeks New IMF Deal to Shore Up Its War-Ravaged Finances Yellen Says Insurance Ban on Tankers Could Lock In Russian Oil Bank of Russia Rode Ruble Rally When War Left Few Other Options India Seen as Thwarting G-7 Push to Avert Global Food Crisis Goldman Among Trio of Outliers Dissenting Over Russian Rate Cuts KPMG, Deloitte Detach from Russia Firms as Service Ban Begins Ukraine Seeks New IMF Deal (7:00 a.m.) Ukraine must clinch a new loan program with the IMF, the countrys finance chief said, as efforts to fight off invading Russian forces push its budget and international reserves to the limit. Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said Kyiv needs more foreign aid from its longstanding donor, and preliminary discussions on a new assistance package are under way. His statement followed an appeal by central bank Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko, who called last week for a new deal with the Washington-based lender. Story continues Read more: Ukraine Seeks New IMF Deal to Shore Up Its War-Ravaged Finances Blinken Warns of Sham Trial After UK Fighters Sentenced to Death (1:51 a.m.) Two captured British fighters Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner were sentenced to death by the court in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic. It said the Britons and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim were convicted of fighting as mercenaries for Ukraine, Russias Tass news service reported, saying they could appeal and were eligible to be pardoned. Blinken tweeted: We are gravely concerned by reports of a sham trial and its judgements against lawful combatants serving in Ukraines Armed Forces. The UK Foreign Office said it was working with Ukrainian authorities on the detained British nationals. Pinner and Aslin were taken prisoner by Russian forces after fighting over the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol in April. Both were later shown in detention on Russian state TV. Aslin served as a marine in Ukraines military for four years after moving to the country in 2018, UK Member of Parliament Robert Jenrick said on Twitter in April, citing the captives family. UK media have reported that Pinner is a former British soldier who also moved to Ukraine about four years ago. G-7 to Look at Romania Route for Grain, Sankei Says (1:23 a.m.) Group of Seven leaders at their meeting later this month in Germany will look at a supporting route via a Romanian port to export grain now being halted by Russias blockade of Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, the Sankei newspaper of Japan reported, citing a government official it didnt identify. Polands Gdansk port and Romanias Constanta have been crowded with commodities from Ukraine as supplies have been re-routed, Ukraines deputy minister of infrastructure said last month. Yellen Says Insurance Ban Could Lock In Russian Oil (12:13 a.m.) US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said a plan to ban European and UK firms from insuring tanker shipments of Russian oil could help limit Moscows energy revenues as allied countries seek to curb revenues flowing to Moscow. The UK is very likely to go along with such a ban and that could have the effect of locking in a good deal of Russian oil, Yellen said at an event organized by the New York Times. Read more: Yellen Says Insurance Ban on Tankers Could Lock In Russian Oil Amazon Says It Helped Ukraine Shield Data From Russia (11:25 p.m.) Amazon.com Inc.s cloud-computing unit said it has helped Ukrainian government ministries and businesses transfer more than 10 petabytes of data -- from land registries and banking records to university curricula -- to servers safe from Russian strikes. Two days after the invasion began, the first shipment of Amazon Web Services suitcase-sized Snowball data-transfer devices crossed from Poland into Ukraine, the start of an effort to help safeguard data at risk of being destroyed or falling into Russian hands, the company said in a blog post on Thursday. Ukraines First-Quarter GDP Shrinks Most Since 2015 (10:55 p.m.) Ukraines economy shrank 15.1% from a year earlier in the first quarter of 2022, according to preliminary figures from the state statistics institute. Its the first official reflection of the economic damage caused by Russias invasion in late February. GDP rose 6.1% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Russia now occupies 20% of Ukrainian territory and severe battles continue in the countrys eastern provinces, while grain exports have been blocked. The World Bank has estimated that Ukraines economic output may slump by 45% this year. Ukraine Central Bank Steps Up Budget Support (10:05 p.m.) The National Bank of Ukraine bought 70 billion hryvnia ($2.4 billion) of government bonds to help finance the budget, the most since Russias invasion in February. That brings its portfolio of public debt to 190 billion hryvnia The central bank said it had to increase purchases due to significant budget needs and a decrease of revenues amid reduced taxes, insignificant amounts of market borrowing and a slowdown in international aid flows. The bank reiterated its call for the government to raise the coupon on its domestic debt to attract investors and ease pressure on the hryvnia and inflation. The Finance Ministrys latest sale of war bonds on Tuesday raised the smallest sum so far. Ukraine Set to Win EU Backing for Path to Membership (5:50 p.m.) The European Unions executive arm is expected to recommend next week that Ukraine be granted candidate status. The recommendation still needs to be debated and adopted by EU commissioners. A final European Commission opinion, even if positive, would need the approval of member states before Ukraine is officially granted the status. The blocs leaders are set to discuss the matter in Brussels on June 23-24 and several countries have said theyre against the move, saying Ukraine cant be given preference over existing applicants. In a diplomatic note seen by Bloomberg, Denmark said Ukraine does not sufficiently fulfill criteria related to the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. Kyiv will need to fundamentally improve its legislative and institutional framework to progress on all these areas, the note says. Read more: Ukraine Likely to Win Initial EU Backing for Path to Membership Russia Ex-Officials Installed In Occupied Areas (12:15 p.m.) Moscow-backed separatist governments in two occupied regions of Ukraines Donbas have installed former Russian officials in top jobs, the latest sign of the Kremlins tightening control over the territories held by its forces. The so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic appointed a former official of Russias Ministry of Industry as its prime minister this week, as neighboring Luhansk installed a former deputy governor from Russia as a top official. A Kremlin spokesman confirmed the appointments were coordinated with Moscow. The Kremlin has kept a firm grip on the breakaway regions since backing their creation in 2014 but Moscow has taken an even greater role in the months following the Feb. 24 invasion, which has expanded the area under Russian control. Local officials in the occupied zones have suggested they aim to ask Russia to formally annex them. Ukraine doesnt recognize the Moscow-supported authorities and has vowed to retake at least the territory seized this year. EU Offers Assistance for Ukraine Startups (12:45 p.m.) At least 200 startups focused on deep tech projects will be able to apply for up to 60,000 euros via the EUs European Innovation Council, the European Commission announced. The EIC will also help with advisory services and matchmaking. Ukraine had a vibrant startup scene with more than 1,600 startups prior to Russias invasion of the country, Innovation Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said in a statement. This new action aims to safeguard this progress, reinforce links to the European innovation ecosystem, and ensure Ukrainian start-ups are well placed to become a critical driver for rebuilding the Ukrainian economy. Ukraine Defense Chief Says Front is Difficult (11:51 a.m.) Ukraine needs more weapons to support its defense against Russian forces which are inflicting big losses on the front lines of the war, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov said. The situation on the front lines is difficult. Every day we have up to 100 of our soldiers killed and up to 500 wounded, Reznikov said on Facebook. The Kremlin continues to press on by sheer mass, stumbles, faces a strong rebuff and suffers huge casualties. But yet still has forces to advance in some parts of the front. Russia Container Imports Fall After Invasion (11:28 a.m.) Russian consumers may soon be feeling the impact of its governments invasion of Ukraine. Major shipping lines like Maersk, CMA-CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd suspended operations shortly after the onset of Russias invasion, leaving customers in short supply. The average number of container ships in Russian waters has dropped 60% from the November peak, according to Bloomberg calculations. The damage inflicted on Russia by sanctions was on full display as the economy swung into a contraction of 3% in April from a year earlier. Russias Lukoil Passes $500 Million Test (11:19 a.m.) Lukoil PJSC, Russias second-biggest oil producer, kept bond cash flowing to investors with its first maturity payment since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine unleashed a wave of international sanctions. Investors received $500 million for a dollar-denominated bond due June 7, according to people familiar with the transaction, who spoke on condition of anonymity because theyre not authorized to comment publicly. Lukoil -- which isnt sanctioned -- is at the center of a shrinking pool of Russian companies that have managed to stay current on their foreign debts. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Two Britons and a Moroccan man have been sentenced to death by pro-Russian separatists for fighting with the Ukrainian army in what foreign secretary Liz Truss has branded a sham judgment. Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire, and Saaudun Brahim, from Morocco, were captured earlier in the war. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic announced their death sentences on Thursday. The foreign secretary said: I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them. The families of the men strongly deny they were mercenaries, saying they were fighting for the Ukrainian army and should be protected under international law. It comes after Polish president Andrzej Duda claimed talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin were like negotiating with Adolf Hitler. He also slammed the leaders of France and Germany over their phone calls with the Russian president, after French president Emmanuel Macron said we must not humiliate Russia for future diplomatic reasons. Key Points Liz Truss condemns death sentences decision as a sham judgment British soldiers in Ukraine sentenced to death by Russian separatists Putins troops about to take full control of key city Putin talks like negotiating with Hitler, Polish president says Russia's promises on grain shipments empty words, Kyiv says Lavrov claims invasion going to plan Putin feels too strong to end conflict, Zelensky fears UK demands release of Britons sentenced to death in disgusting Soviet-style show trial 19:48 , Chiara Giordano Robert Jenrick has called for the Russian ambassador to the UK to be summoned to the Foreign Office over the disgusting Soviet-era style show trial of two British soliders sentenced to death by pro-Russian separatists. Story continues Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire, were captured earlier in the war while fighting with the Ukrainian army. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic announced their death sentences today. Mr Jenrick, the Tory MP for Mr Aslins constituency, told ITV he had asked the foreign secretary to summon the Russian ambassador to make it clear that you cannot treat British citizens in this way and get away with it. He added on Twitter: This disgusting Soviet-era style show trial is the latest reminder of the depravity of Putins regime. Russia should be clear, they cannot treat British citizens like this and get away with it. Contrary to the Kremlins propaganda, Aiden Aslin is not a mercenary. He has been living in Ukraine and serving in its armed forces before Russias illegal invasion and as a prisoner of war is entitled to protection under the Geneva Convention. The Russian Ambassador should be summoned to the Foreign Office to account for this most egregious breach of the Geneva Convention. Aiden must be released as soon as practicable. Sentencing by Russia of Aiden Aslin to death: This disgusting Soviet-era style show trial is the latest reminder of the depravity of Putins regime. Russia should be clear, they cannot treat British citizens like this and get away with it. 1/3 Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) June 9, 2022 Putin draws parallel with mission to return Russian lands as he pays tribute to Peter the Great 19:37 , Chiara Giordano Vladimir Putin has paid tribute to Tsar Peter the Great on the 350th anniversary of his birth, drawing a parallel between what he portrayed as their twin historic quests to win back Russian lands. "Peter the Great waged the Great Northern War for 21 years, the Russian president said after visiting an exhibition dedicated to the tsar. It would seem that he was at war with Sweden, he took something from them. He did not take anything from them, he returned (what was Russia's). In televised comments on day 106 of his war in Ukraine, he compared Peter's campaign with the task facing Russia today. "Apparently, it also fell to us to return (what is Russia's) and strengthen (the country), he said. And if we proceed from the fact that these basic values form the basis of our existence, we will certainly succeed in solving the tasks that we face. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky imposes sanctions on Putin and his allies 19:19 , Chiara Giordano Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree imposing sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on Russian president Vladimir Putin and dozens of other top Russian officials, according to his website. The sanctioned officials include Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, prime minister Mikhail Mishustin, veteran foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and defence minister Sergei Shoigu. The sanctions, imposed in the fourth month of Russia's 24 February invasion, appear unlikely to have much practical impact beyond the symbolic. In the early phases of the war, Mr Zelensky had been pushing for a meeting with Putin, an idea downplayed by the Kremlin which said there was still much preparatory peace negotiating to be done by their respective delegations. Putin cancels annual telephone marathon as Ukraine war grinds on 19:17 , Chiara Giordano Vladimir Putin has cancelled his annual telephone marathon with the Russian public amid speculation that he fears being asked about his war in Ukraine. The cancellation of this years Direct Line with Vladmir Putin, a Q&A which was first televised in the early 2000s, comes as repression in Russia continues to grow. Rory Sullivan has the full story: Putin cancels annual telephone marathon as Ukraine war grinds on Sentencing British soldiers to death is serious violation of international humanitarian law, says expert 18:14 , Chiara Giordano An expert in conflict and security law has said sentencing British soldiers Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner to death for fighting with the Ukrainian army is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Dr Aurel Sari, from the University of Exeter, said: British nationals serving in Ukraines armed forces are not mercenaries, but lawful combatants. They cannot be prosecuted for lawful military actions carried out prior to their capture. Sentencing them for participating in the hostilities is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, including the Third Geneva Convention of 1949 on prisoners of war. Putin talks like negotiating with Hitler, Polish president says 18:06 , Chiara Giordano Polands president has compared talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to negotiating with Adolf Hitler. Andrzej Duda criticised the leaders of France and Germany for having phone calls with the Russian president, saying the conversations were akin to speaking to the Nazi dictator during the Second World War, according to the German tabloid Bild. Read the full story: Putin talks like negotiating with Hitler, Polish president says Tom Tugendhat accuses Putin of carrying out hostage taking as revenge 17:30 , Chiara Giordano The Conservative chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of carrying out "a form of hostage taking, a form of revenge". Tom Tugendhat told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "It's not a state, it's not a court and the judges are merely people dressing up and pretending. "The reality is this is an absolutely brutal thing to do to three completely innocent people." Who are the Britons sentenced to death in Russian-occupied Ukraine? 17:05 , Chiara Giordano Two British soldiers who were captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels. Aiden Aslin, 28 and Shaun Pinner, 48, were found guilty of taking action towards violent seizure of power at a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. Tom Batchelor explains everything we know about the two Britons here: Who are the Britons sentenced to death in Russian-occupied Ukraine? Russia energy revenue may be higher now than before Ukraine war, US official says 16:48 , Chiara Giordano Russia may be getting more revenue from its fossil fuels now than before its invasion of Ukraine, as global price increases offset the impact of western efforts to restrict its sales, US energy security envoy Amos Hochstein has said. "I can't deny that," Mr Hochstein told the Senate Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation in response to a question about whether Moscow was making more money now off its crude oil and gas sales than before the war. The United States and the European Union agreed to ban imports of Russian energy and imposed escalating sanctions to punish the country for its invasion of Ukraine. While those moves put a chill on global trade in Russian fossil fuels, they also helped to trigger a surge in global prices of oil and gas. At the same time, Russia has been able to sell more cargoes to other buyers, including major energy consumers China and India, by offering it at a discount to oil from other origins. Hochstein said that while those Russian sales to China and India have been discounted compared with supplies from other countries, the global market price surge means Russia's revenues are likely higher now. He said he has asked India in recent conversations not to purchase too much Russian oil, and that he believes there is a "ceiling" to how much oil India will buy from Russia. Foreign secretary Liz Truss condemns death sentences decision as a sham judgment 16:20 , Chiara Giordano Foreign secretary Liz Truss has condemned the death sentences handed to British soldiers Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire, by pro-Russian rebels for fighting in Ukraine as a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them. Liz Truss (@trussliz) June 9, 2022 UK deeply concerned by death sentences given to Britons in DPR 16:10 , Rory Sullivan The UK has expressed its deep concern with the death sentences handed down to two British men in Russian-occupied Ukraine, a spokesperson for the prime minister has said. Were obviously deeply concerned by this. Weve said continually that prisoners of war shouldnt be exploited for political purposes, they said on Thursday. Under the Geneva convention, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity, and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities. So we will continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to try and secure the release of any British national who was serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and who are being held as prisoners of war. Ukraine war in photos 15:50 , Rory Sullivan The funeral of Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Suvorov is held in Kyiv on 9 June, 2022 (Getty Images) Smoke rises above the city of Sievierodonetsk in the Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on 9 June, 2022 (AFP via Getty Images) Kyiv seeks to build military cemetery 15:25 , Rory Sullivan Officials in Kyiv have said they plan to establish a military cemetery in the capital to honour those killed in the war with Russia. The city council will ask Ukraines parliament to given the green light to the site, which would be built near the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial. It would be a good way to ensure honorary burials of Ukraines defenders, mayor Vitali Klitschko said. British soldiers in Ukraine sentenced to death by Russian separatists 15:06 , Rory Sullivan Two Britons and a Moroccan man who fought for Ukraine have been sentenced to death by pro-Russian separatists. Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire, and Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim were charged with being mercenaries. However, The Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reports that they have been sentenced to death by a court (which is not recognised internationalyl) in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR). The British mens familys say they were serving in the Ukrainian army and were not mercenaaries. The Supreme Court of the DPR passed the first sentence on mercenaries- the British Aiden Aslin and Sean Pinner and the Moroccan Saadun Brahim were sentenced to death, RIA Novosti reported. Britons captured in Ukraine war sentenced to death by separatist court Ukrainian teenager hailed a hero for using drone to geolocate Russian convoy 14:59 , Rory Sullivan A 15-year-old Ukrainian boy has been hailed as a hero for using his drone to geolocate an advancing Russian convoy earlier in the war. Andrii Pokrasa, who lives near Kyiv, sent the coordinates to the Ukrainian army, allowing them to attack the military vehicles. Yurii Kasjanov, a Ukrainian commander, told Global News: [Andrii] was the only one who was experienced with drones in that region. Hes a real hero. A hero of Ukraine, he added. Battle for Sievierodonetsk taking place house-to-house, says Ukrainian commander 14:40 , Rory Sullivan The battle for the strategic city of Sievierodonetsk is being fought door-to-door, a Ukrainian commander has said. Petro Kuzyk, who leads the Svoboda (Freedom) National Guard battalion, said on Thursday that the street fighting there was intense. We fight for every house and every street, he said, adding that his countrys forces had turned from blind defence to small counter-offensives in some areas. Yesterday was successful for us. We went on a counterattack and in some areas we managed to push them back by one or two blocks. In others we pushed them back literally by one or two houses. Mr Kuzyk said the Ukrainian army was in desperate need of serious technology to counter Russian artillery. Finland looks to build barriers along Russian border 14:20 , Rory Sullivan Finland plans to build barriers along its eastern border with Russia amid security concerns prompted by the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine. The Finnish government, which recently applied to join Nato, wants to amend its legislation to permit fences and near roads to be constructed along the forest-covered frontier. Later on, the government will decide on border barriers to the critical zones on the eastern border, on the basis of the Finnish Border Guards assessment, internal affairs minister Krista Mikkonen said. Three dead in Russian shelling of Kharkiv, say Ukrainian emergency services 14:08 , Rory Sullivan Russias shelling of Kharkiv killed three people on Wednesday, Ukraines emergency services have said. Local authorities said five others were injured in the attack, which hit a cafe, supermarket and school library. Death toll in Russias June 8 shelling of Kharkiv rises to 3. As a result of the attack, a cafe, grocery store, and school library in the Novobavarskyi neighborhood of Kharkiv caught fire, the State Emergency Service reported. 5 people were injured. State Emergency Service pic.twitter.com/kHo1oKc8jf The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 9, 2022 Economic instability from Ukraine war will abate over time, Boris Johnson says 13:56 , Thomas Kingsley Prime inister Boris Johnson warned Britain on Thursday there was no quick fix to the instability prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine but that the economic consequences of the war would abate over time. In a speech in the northern town of Blackpool, Johnson said now was not the time to stop supporting Ukraine and even though prices for gas, oil, grain and fertilisers had risen, the West could not force Kyiv to accept peace terms dictated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "And I know there are some who, they argue, not in this country perhaps but elsewhere, that the price of supporting the Ukrainians is now too high and they should be encouraged to accept whatever terms Putin may ask. I do not believe that option is really open to us," he said. "Over time I believe the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine will abate." Premier League suspends TV deal with Russian broadcaster over Ukraine invasion 12:52 , Thomas Kingsley The Premier League has suspended its six-year deal with Russian broadcaster Match TV. The previous deal with Russian media group Rambler was suspended in March after its countrys invasion of Ukraine and a new contract with Match TV, reported to be worth 43million, had been set in place to cover the next six seasons. But with the conflict in Ukraine showing no signs of easing, the Premier League announced at its annual general meeting that the new deal has been put on hold. Read the full story below: Premier League suspends TV deal with Russian broadcaster over Ukraine invasion Russia's Navalny scolds Google and Meta for helping Putin 12:26 , Thomas Kingsley Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny scolded Google and Meta on Thursday for shutting down advertising, a step he said had undermined the opposition and thus was a gift to President Vladimir Putin. Navalny, by far Russia's most prominent opposition leader, casts Putin's Russia as a dystopian state run by thieves and criminals where wrong is cast as right and judges are in fact representatives of a doomed lawless country. In a written address to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Navalny, who is currently in a Russian jail, said technology was being used by the state to arrest dissidents but that it also gave an opportunity to get to the truth. "The Internet gives us the ability to circumvent censorship," Navalny said in the address, a copy of which was posted on his official blog. "Yet, at the same time, Google and Meta, by shutting down their advertising in Russia, have deprived the opposition of the opportunity to conduct anti-war campaigns, giving a grandiose gift to Putin." Neither Google nor Meta immediately responded to a request for comment on Navalny's remarks. Both companies paused advertising targetting users in Russia in March, just days after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia says no agreement reached with Turkey on Ukrainian grain exports 12:05 , Thomas Kingsley The Kremlin said on Thursday that no agreement had been reached with Turkey on exporting Ukrainian grain shipments across the Black Sea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that work was continuing. Turkey has been pushing for an agreement between Russia and Ukraine on a plan to resume grain exports from Ukrainian ports, although prospects for a deal look dim, with each side blaming the other for disrupting global food supplies. Russia has been accused of using food as a weapon as blockages to Ukraines ports threatens to leave millions in starvation. (AFP/Getty) Kremlin says no more gas cuts to European customers expected 11:50 , Thomas Kingsley The Kremlin said on Thursday it does not expect Gazprom to cut gas supplies to any more European customers, adding that its scheme to make buyers pay for their gas in roubles was functioning as intended. Gazprom has cut supplies to some European countries for refusing to make payments for Russian gas in roubles under a new scheme the Kremlin set up in response to Western sanctions. Russia has cut gas supplies to Finland and Poland during the course of its invasion of Ukraine. After Western powers sanctioned Russia over the war, Russia said "unfriendly" countries must pay for gas using the Russian currency, a move the EU considers blackmail. (Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) Ukraine regains some territory in counter-offensive in Kherson area 11:35 , Thomas Kingsley The Ukrainian defence ministry said on Thursday that its forces had won back some territory from Russian forces in a counter-offensive in the Kherson area of southern Ukraine. It gave no details but said the Russian forces had "suffered losses in manpower and equipment", mined territory as they were pushed back and erected barricades for the Ukrainian troops. Kherson was one of the first major cities to be captured by Russia, with Putins troops taking control of it within the first week of its invasion. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg contracts shingles 11:19 , Thomas Kingsley Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg called off a series of in-person meetings in Germany and Romania because he has contracted shingles after having a coronavirus infection last month, his office said Thursday. "The secretary general will conduct his planned visit to Germany (and Romania) remotely rather than in person. He has been diagnosed with shingles, which can occur after COVID-19, and is working from home," a Nato official said. The 63-year old former Norwegian prime minister had been due to attend meetings in Berlin on Thursday with Germany's chancellor and with the country's defense minister. Ukraine sees threat of pollution to water basins after Russian invasion 11:00 , Thomas Kingsley Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Russia's invasion of his country posed a huge threat of pollution to water basins, including the Sea of Azov. In an address to a ministerial meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), he also underlined the need for green energy to replace Russian natural gas supplies following Russia's invasion on 24 February. Satellite images show scale of destruction in Ukraine 10:45 , Thomas Kingsley Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko has shared a satellite image of a "typical field" in Ukraine heavily damaged by Russian shelling amid the war. Ms Vasylenko said in a statement that despite the damage, 75% of Ukrainian fields had been sown and that Ukraine would do all it could to "prevent global famine". The images provided by US company Maxar Technologies shows the scale of damage caused by the Russian war. (AP) (AP) (AP) Ukraine regains some territory in counter-offensive in Kherson area - Defence Ministry 10:30 , Thomas Kingsley The Ukrainian defence ministry said on Thursday that its forces had won back some territory from Russian forces in a counter-offensive in the Kherson area of southern Ukraine. It gave no details but said the Russian forces had "suffered losses in manpower and equipment", mined territory as they were pushed back and erected barricades for the Ukrainian troops. (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Long range weapons from the west could help Ukrainians in Severodonetsk region, governor says 10:15 , Thomas Kingsley Serhiy Haidai, governor for the Luhansk region, said if the west supplied long-range artillery, Ukraine would have the firepower it needs to push back Russian forces He said if Ukraine gets Western long-range weapons, Russia would "lose to the West, and our defenders will be able to clean up Severodonetsk in two to three days". He added that Russia was destroying everything that can be used for defence by Russia. Mr Haidai said "silence in Severodonetsk lasts only when guns are reloaded" and evacuation from the city "is still impossible". Over 70,000 Ukrainians arrived in UK under visa scheme 10:00 , Thomas Kingsley Some 70,500 people have arrived in the UK under Ukraine visa schemes, according to provisional government figures published on Thursday. This includes 24,000 people under the family scheme, and 46,500 people under the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme as of Monday. The figures also show that, as of Tuesday, around 154,500 applications have been made for visas, and 124,400 visas have been issued. This includes 47,300 applications under the family scheme, of which 41,000 visas have been granted, and 107,200 applications under the sponsorship scheme, of which 83,400 visas have been granted. (PA Wire) Mayor of Ukraines Sievierodonetsk says evacuation impossible as 10,000 civilians remain 09:45 , Thomas Kingsley Ukrainian forces still hold the industrial zone and adjacent areas in the city of Sievierodonetsk, and the situation is "difficult but manageable", Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk said on Thursday. He said defence lines were holding despite intense Russian artillery fire but that it was now impossible to evacuate people from Sievierodonetsk. He said about 10,000 civilians remained in the city, which is now the main focus of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has cancelled live TV Q&A 09:30 , Thomas Kingsley Vladimir Putin has abruptly cancelled a live television show which have seen him answer questions from the Russian public. There is speculation he feared a barrage of hostile queries which would surround the war in Ukraine however no official reason was given for the cancellation. The Direct Line with Vladimir Putin annual show has been broadcast since 2004 and allows ordinary citizens across Russia to send in questions. Mr Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a new date for the annual event is unknown. The Direct Line cannot take place this month, he added. (EPA) ICYMI: Intelligence report reveals Ukraine forces outgunned up to 40 to one by Russian forces 09:15 , Thomas Kingsley Ukrainian troops are suffering massive losses as they are outgunned 20 to one in artillery and 40 to one in ammunition by Russian forces, according to new intelligence painting a bleak and desperate picture of the vicious conflict on the frontline. A report seen by The Independent reveals concern for the first time about Ukrainian soldiers deserting, and says Ukraine forces are restricted to a range of 15.5 miles, while the enemy can strike from 12 times that distance. The grinding battle in eastern Ukraine is having a seriously demoralising effect on Ukrainian forces as well as a very real material effect; cases of desertion are growing every week, it says. Read the full exclusive from our defence and security editor, Kim Sengupta: Ukraine forces outgunned up to 40 to one by Russia, intelligence report reveals Polish president criticises leaders for calls with Putin 09:00 , Thomas Kingsley Polish president Andrzej Duda slammed the leaders of France and Germany over their phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it was like having talks with Adolf Hitler during World War Two, according to the German mass-selling daily Bild. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Macron have both held one-on-one phone calls with Putin since Russia launched a devastating invasion of Ukraine, with Macron in particular stirring Ukrainian ire by saying Russia must not be "humiliated" so as to preserve chances of a diplomatic solution. Duda, in an interview with Bild first released on its YouTube channel late on Wednesday, said such discussions only legitimised an illegal war in Ukraine. "Did anyone speak like this with Adolf Hitler during World War Two?" Duda said. "Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler must save face? That we should proceed in such a way that it is not humiliating for Adolf Hitler? I have not heard such voices." Poland EU (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Watch: John Cena meets Ukrainian refugee in heartwarming video 08:40 , Thomas Kingsley Millions could starve due to Russia port blockages - Zelensky 08:25 , Thomas Kingsley Millions of people could starve because of Russia's blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday. Warning that the world was on the brink of a "terrible food crisis", he said in a televised statement that Ukraine was unable to export wheat, corn, oil and other products and added: "Millions of people may starve if the Russian blockade of the Black Sea continues." (Getty Images) Likely Ukraine war will be prolonged conflict', former Nato chief says 08:10 , Thomas Kingsley The war in Ukraine will likely be a prolonged conflict the former Nato chief has warned. Speaking to Sky News, former secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: I think the biggest risk right now is a prolonged conflict because Putin and Russia are experts in prolonged simmering, frozen conflicts. He added: For decades they have been in the eastern part of Moldova, since 2008 they have operated in parts of Georgia, since 2014 they have been in Crimea and the eastern part of the Donbas region, so I think Putins goal might be to continue to destabilise and weaken Ukraine through a prolonged conflict. Mr Rasmussen stressed the importance of the west supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight Russia. The only language Putin understands is the language of strength, force and unity, he added. Russia feels too strong to end war now, Zelensky says 07:55 , Thomas Kingsley Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russia will not enter negotiations to end the war any time soon. Speaking to US business leaders, he said for the opposition to join talks is "simply not possible now because Russia can still feel its power". He repeated his stance that Ukraine is willing to enter negotiations, but "not at the expense of our independence". The Ukrainian president also called on the business leaders to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, saying: "We need to switch Russia off the global financial system completely." Ukraine and Russia have attempted negotiations multiple times but talks have faltered. Latest British intelligence update 07:40 , Thomas Kingsley The latest British intelligence update on the war in Ukraine has said that although fighting continues in the Sieverodonetsk pocket, in the lasttwo days, Russias Eastern Group of Forces (EGF) have also likely increased their efforts to advance to the south of Izium. The update added however that: Russias progress on the Izium axis had remained stalled since April, after Ukrainian forces made good use of the terrain to slow Russias advance. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 9 June 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/og2mqOHzJQ #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/XGp8Uc97x9 Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 9, 2022 Russia now advancing to Izium as fighting continues in Sieverodonetsk, claims UK 07:25 , Arpan Rai The British defence ministry has said that Russian forces are ramping up their efforts to move towards Izium in Donetsk. Fighting continues in the Sieverodonetsk pocket but, in the last 48 hours, Russias Eastern Group of Forces (EGF) have also likely increased their efforts to advance to the south of Izium, the ministry said in its latest intelligence update on Thursday. It added: Russias progress on the Izium axis had remained stalled since April, after Ukrainian forces made good use of the terrain to slow Russias advance. With its units likely under-strengthened, the ministry has claimed Russia has attempted to reconstitute EGF after they suffered very heavy casualties in the failed advance on Kyiv. Russia likely seeks to regain momentum in this area in order to put further pressure on Sieverodonetsk, and to give it the option of advancing deeper into the Donetsk Oblast, the ministry said. US, China to meet at Asian security meeting as war plays out in Ukraine 07:07 , Arpan Rai Officials from the US and China will be face-to-face at the same table during Asias top security meet of Shangri-La Dialogue starting 10 June. The dialogue will see top-level military officials, diplomats and weapons makers from across the world and will be held in Singapore in a first after the pandemic. US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart minister of national defence general Wei Fenghe will also be holding their first in-person meeting since Joe Biden entered the White House. We expect, from our perspective, the substance of that meeting to be focused on managing competition in regional and global issues, a senior US official said. Beijing will also use the meeting to talk about cooperation with the US, Chinese media has reported. Putins Russia will not seek diplomatic end to war - Zelensky 06:39 , Arpan Rai Volodymyr Zelensky on Weednesday told a Yale University summit of business leaders that the Vladimir Putin-led Russian invasion of Ukraine will not seek a diplomatic end to the ongoing siege unless the world comes together to back the Ukrainian fighters. We are an independent, righteous, normal country, Mr Zelensky said. On his troops war efforts, he said: We do it on our land and we slowly push them back. Thats how were going to keep on moving. In photos: Focus turns to Donbas as Russian soldiers snatch away key city 06:30 , Arpan Rai Local residents walk past a burning college after a strike in Lysychansk, eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on 7 June (AFP via Getty Images) A photograph taken on 8 June shows books scattered outside a school destroyed after a strike in Bakhmut, eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas (AFP via Getty Images) A local resident reacts in front of a destroyed school after a strike in the city of Bakhmut, eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on 8 June (AFP via Getty Images) Ivan Sosnin, 19, stands in front of his destroyed house in the city of Lysychansk at the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on 7 June (AFP via Getty Images) Intelligence report reveals Ukraine forces outgunned up to 40 to one by Russian forces 06:10 , Arpan Rai A new intelligence shows that the Ukrainian troops are suffering massive losses as they are outgunned 20 to one in artillery and 40 to one in ammunition by Russian forces. A report seen by The Independent reveals concern for the first time about Ukrainian soldiers deserting, and says Ukraine forces are restricted to a range of 15.5 miles, while the enemy can strike from 12 times that distance. The grinding battle in eastern Ukraine is having a seriously demoralising effect on Ukrainian forces as well as a very real material effect; cases of desertion are growing every week, it says. Read the full story here: Ukraine forces outgunned up to 40 to one by Russia, intelligence report reveals Ukraine war increasing suffering of millions, says UN 05:28 , Arpan Rai The Russian war on Ukraine has exacerbated a global cost of living crisis unseen in at least a generation, the UN Global Crisis Response Group said on on Wednesday, as it pointed that the ripple effects of the war are increasing the suffering of millions. This has been caused by rising food and energy prices and a worsening financial crisis, even as the nations continue to reel from the impat of Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. The war on Ukraine is underming UN aspirations to end extreme poverty around the globe and achieve 16 other goals for a better world by 2030, it said. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said that the wars impact on food security, energy and finance is systemic, severe and speeding up. With other crises, this war is threatening to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake, Mr Guterres said. More bodies fill morgues in Mariupol: Endless caravan of death' 04:53 , Arpan Rai Officials in Mariupol are finding 50 to 100 bodies in building every day, as workers comb through the bombed port city days after weeks-long Russian siege ended. Now under Russian control, Mariupols mayoral aide Petro Andryushchenko said that his workers are pulling out scores of bodies in an endless caravan of death to a morgue, landfills and other places. The authorities have said that the bodies are being pulled out of smashed buildings where Ukrainian officials have estimated at least 21,000 civilian deaths during Russian attacks. Fate of Donbas being decided in Sievierodonetsk, warns Zelensky 04:31 , Arpan Rai Volodymyr Zelensky said that the fighting underway in Sievierodonetsk is one of the most difficult through the 105 days of the Russian invasion. According to the results of this day, the 105th day of the full-scale war, Sievierodonetsk remains the epicentre of the confrontation in Donbas, Mr Zelensky said, as he added that the Ukrainian fighters continued to defend our positions, inflict significant losses on the enemy. This is a very fierce battle, very difficult. Probably one of the most difficult throughout this war. I am grateful to everyone who defends this direction. In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there, the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address. Zelensky says still not enough pressure on Russia to end war 04:18 , Arpan Rai Volodymyr Zelensky said the leading business and a majority in American and European societies do not think there is enough pressure on Russia to end the war. it would be right for politicians to hear this position. Leading business and the majority in American and European societies believe that there is still not enough pressure on the Russian Federation to end this war, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address. Such an audience believes that sanctions against Russia should be strengthened, he said, adding that he is referring to the most influential part of American business. He said that he spoke with the leaders of major American companies. This is the 133rd such summit, and this year it brought together the leading forces of global business. We discussed how business can help Ukraine withstand. I urged them to leave the Russian market and not to support this war with their taxes, he said. ICYMI: Hacked Russian radio station plays Ukrainian anthem Thursday 9 June 2022 00:01 , Lamiat Sabin In case you missed it... A Russian radio station was hacked today and, after, was broadcasting the Ukrainian national anthem and anti-war songs. Kommersant FM was then quickly pulled off the air. The station said in a statement: The radio station has been hacked. The internet stream will soon be reinstated. Some Twitter users posted videos of the Ukrainian national anthem being played on Kommersant FM. FM , : @greenlightoff pic.twitter.com/cYIJHXPXWZ (@holodmedia) June 8, 2022 The anti-war tunes included Russian rock band Nogu Svelo!s song We Dont Need a War. Ukraine-Russia war developments: Politics and economy Wednesday 8 June 2022 23:33 , Lamiat Sabin POLITICS * Russias proxies in occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia province announced plans to stage a referendum on joining Russia at an unspecified date later this year. ECONOMY * Russian shelling destroyed the warehouses of one of Ukraines largest agricultural commodity terminals in the Black Sea port of Mykolaiv at the weekend, the regions head said. * Ukraine could export a maximum of only two million tonnes of grain a month if Russia refuses to lift its blockade of the countrys Black Sea ports, said Ukraines first deputy minister for Agrarian Policy and Food. * The World Bank board has approved $1.49 billion (1.2bn) of additional financing for Ukraine to help pay government and social workers wages. * Under heavy pressure from Western sanctions and airspace bans, Russian state airline Aeroflot said it planned to raise up to 185.2 billion roubles ($3bn, or 2.4bn) in an emergency share sale. Ukraine-Russia war developments: Conflict and diplomacy Wednesday 8 June 2022 23:00 , Lamiat Sabin CONFLICT * Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said defenders in the city of Severodonetsk were inflicting major losses on Russian troops during what he called a very fierce and very difficult battle. * Russian forces control most of the strategic city of Sievierodonetsk and are heavily shelling the twin city of Lysychansk, causing major damage, the governor of Luhansk region said. * Russia is attacking food and agriculture targets in order to scare the world into agreeing a deal to reopen the Black Sea on Moscow's terms, according to the head of the region where a major agricultural storage facility was struck at the weekend. * Zelensky said Ukraine would launch next week a Book of Executioners to detail war crimes. Russia denies targeting civilians and has rejected allegations of war crimes. * Two Britons and a Moroccan who were captured while fighting for Ukraine could face the death penalty after pleading guilty in a court of one of Russias proxies in eastern Ukraine, Russian news agency RIA reported. * Over 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered in the city of Mariupol have been transferred to Russia for investigation, Russia's state-owned Tass news agency reported, citing a Russian law enforcement source. DIPLOMACY * Turkey hosted Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov for talks aimed at restarting the stalled Ukraine peace process and finding a way to reopen Ukrainian ports for shipments of grain. * Following the talks, Turkey said a proposed U.N. plan to reopen the Ukrainian ports was reasonable, but more negotiations were necessary. * Lavrov said Ukraine would have to remove mines from its ports to allow them to reopen. * Lavrov said a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Zelensky could happen only after peace talks resume. Western artillery 'already making difference for Ukraine Wednesday 8 June 2022 22:30 , Lamiat Sabin Western-supplied artillery systems are already making a difference on the ground for Ukraine, the governor of the Mykolaiv region said. Governor Vitaliy Kim, whose region is partially occupied by Russia but remains just one of two that retains significant access to the Black Sea, said it is just a question of time before Ukrainian forces win back significant ground in the south. He told Reuters that Ukrainian forces had some success in recent weeks in a counterattack in the neighbouring Kherson region. Debris hangs at the regional government headquarters of Mykolaiv, in May 2022 (AP) Asked when Western weapons would start to make a difference on the ground against Russian forces that invaded the country on 24 February, he said: It is already happening ... and we will have (more) success. We are talking about artillery. It is already working in our region. He declined to say what specific Western artillery systems were working there. Russian troops in Severodonetsk sufffering major losses Wednesday 8 June 2022 21:30 , Lamiat Sabin Defenders in Severodonetsk a city in eastern Ukraine that is strategic in Russias invasion have inflicted major losses on Vladimir Putins troops, Volodymyr Zelensky said. The Ukrainian president described the conflict as a very fierce and very difficult battle. In many respects, the fate of the Donbas is being decided there, he said in a speech broadcast online. Zelensky and Howard Buffett discuss rebuilding of Ukraine Wednesday 8 June 2022 21:00 , Lamiat Sabin Volodymyr Zelensky said he had met American philanthropist Howard Buffett, son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, today in Kyiv and discussed ways to help rebuild the country. We discussed assistance that would be valuable for our state. I offered him the chance to join projects restoring irrigation systems in the Odesa region, supporting our people, (and) mine clearance, the Ukrainian president said in a tweet. Glad to meet #HowardGBuffett in Kyiv. We appreciate this signal of solidarity with . Expressed gratitude for the humanitarian support to . Invited him to join projects on restoring irrigation systems in the Odesa region, supporting IDPs, demining and school nutrition reform. (@ZelenskyyUa) June 8, 2022 Mr Buffett is a director of Berkshire Hathaway Inc, the conglomerate founded by his father, and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which describes itself as one of the largest private charitable foundations in the United States. The foundation, which had assets of 420 million ($529m) at the end of 2020, said on its website that its priorities are global food security, conflict mitigation and public safety. Moroccan faces death penalty in DPR alongside two Britons Wednesday 8 June 2022 20:30 , Lamiat Sabin Earlier, we reported that two Britons who were captured while fighting for Ukraine could face the death penalty. The pair have pleaded guilty in a rebel court in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine, Russias RIA news agency reported. Moroccan national Brahim Saadoun had also been held in a courtroom cage with the British men. In #Donetsk, the "trial" against #British citizens Sean Piner and Andrew Hill, as well as #Moroccan Brahim Saadoun began. They are accused of "mercenarism and committing crimes aimed at the forcible seizure and retention of power". Vladimir Soloviev pic.twitter.com/K0p6uHjJfG NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 8, 2022 The news agency RIA said Pinner and Saadoun had pleaded guilty to actions aimed at the violent seizure of power. The video appeared to show Aslin pleading guilty to a lesser charge involving weapons and explosives. RIA quoted prosecutors as saying the combined charges could mean the death penalty for all three. Ukrainian troops outgunned 40 to one in ammunition' Wednesday 8 June 2022 20:00 , Lamiat Sabin Ukrainian forces are outgunned 20 to one in artillery and 40 to one in ammunition by Russian counterparts, according to intelligence that paints a bleak picture of the worsening situation on the frontline writes Kim Sengupta in Kyiv. Read his dispatch in full here: Ukraine forces outgunned up to 40 to one by Russia, intelligence report reveals Russian troops control most of Severodonetsk - local official Wednesday 8 June 2022 19:30 , Lamiat Sabin Ukraine said that Russian forces control most of the strategic city of Severodonetsk and are heavily shelling the twin city of Lysychansk. This is according to the Luhansk regions governor Serhiy Gaidai, who said Russian troops are causing major damage. Location of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine (Google Maps) In an online post, Mr Gaidai also said there was no chance of Ukrainian troops in the Luhansk region being encircled. Russian forces temporarily control 90 per cent of the region, he added. Wales pauses its super-sponsor scheme for Ukrainian refugees Wednesday 8 June 2022 19:00 , Lamiat Sabin The Welsh government has revealed it is pausing its super-sponsor scheme for Ukrainian refugees after receiving 3,000 applications three times the 1,000 applicants the government initially said it would sponsor. Of those, 2,453 people have been granted a visa while 480 people are believed to have actually arrived in the UK. If granted a visa through the scheme, a person will get accommodation, support and care in Wales without the need for them to be matched with a person or family before they are cleared to travel. But ministers have now announced a month-long pause on new applications from 10 June, after which they will re-evaluate whether to reopen the scheme or not. Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: This temporary pause will give us the opportunity to refine the arrangements we have put in place to support people on arrival and ensure all public services, in particular local authorities, can continue to deliver a high standard of support. To be clear, this operational pause will not affect any current applications and people will continue to arrive in Wales as visas are granted and travel arrangements are confirmed. Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies hit back at the news claiming the government was backtracking on its promise to provide shelter to Ukrainians and urged them to continue the scheme. The scheme where individuals can sponsor refugees will continue. PA Captured Britons appear in Donetsk rebel court Wednesday 8 June 2022 18:30 , Lamiat Sabin Two Britons captured by Russian forces appeared in a court in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic after having been accused of being mercenaries for the Ukrainian army. Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from Bedfordshire could face the death penalty if they are convicted of the charges, as the court is not internationally recognised. Read the full story here by Maryam Zakir-Hussain Captured Britons appear in Donetsk rebel court Russian radio station plays Ukrainian anthem after being hacked Wednesday 8 June 2022 18:00 , Lamiat Sabin A Russian radio station was hacked today and, after, was broadcasting the Ukrainian national anthem and anti-war songs. Kommersant FM was then quickly pulled off the air. The station said in a statement: The radio station has been hacked. The internet stream will soon be reinstated. Some Twitter users posted videos of the Ukrainian national anthem being played on Kommersant FM. FM , : @greenlightoff pic.twitter.com/cYIJHXPXWZ (@holodmedia) June 8, 2022 The anti-war tunes included Russian rock band Nogu Svelo!s song We Dont Need a War. Arctic Council to resume some work, but excluding Russia Wednesday 8 June 2022 17:30 , Lamiat Sabin The Arctic Council said it will resume limited internal cooperation on projects that exclude Russia. The member countries are Canada, Denmark which also represents Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United States. File photo of an Arctic Council ministerial meeting in Iceland, in May 2021 (AP) The countries halted all Council meetings on 3 March following Russias invasion of Ukraine. They said in a joint statement published by the Icelandic foreign ministry: We intend to implement a limited resumption of our work in the Arctic Council, in projects that do not involve the participation of the Russian Federation. The Arctic Council works on matters that affect the regions residents, but it does not deal with security issues. Russia and Ukraine in 50 for 50 swap of dead troops' bodies Wednesday 8 June 2022 17:00 , Lamiat Sabin Russia and Ukraine have engaged in another exchange of deceased soldiers bodies. Both sides gave each other the bodies of 50 of their dead troops with 37 of the ones swapped by Russia being some of the Ukrainian troops that defended the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Ukraines Ministry for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories said: At the front line in Zaporizhzhia Oblast an exchange of bodies of deceased soldiers took place between Ukraine and Russia following the formula 50 for 50. The exchange operation was conducted by the Ministry of Reintegration, Intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and other Ukrainian security agencies. Another Russian commander dies in action, Ukraine says Wednesday 8 June 2022 16:30 , Lamiat Sabin Ukraine claims that another Russian commander has been killed in action. Colonel Ruslan Shirin, the Chief of Staff of the 336th Naval Infantry Brigade of the Russian Baltic Fleet, has allegedly died. This is according to the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The update says: Colonel Ruslan Shirin has been officially identified and demilitarised. The post on Facebook did not state when and how the high-ranking official was killed. It was also reported on Twitter by Ukrainian armed forces officer Anatoliy Stefan. 336 . Telegram - https://t.co/GLExONwd4u pic.twitter.com/NrCgvilxR6 () (@Shtirlitz53) June 7, 2022 Colonel Shirin is reportedly the fourth commander to have been killed since the Russian invasion started on 24 February. More than 7 million border crossings registered from Ukraine - UN agency Wednesday 8 June 2022 16:09 , Matt Mathers More than 7 million people have crossed the border from Ukraine since war broke out there, according to the UN Refugee Agency. A total of 7,023,559 border crossings have been recorded since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, the agencys tally showed on Wednesday. The number of individual refugees from Ukraine recorded across Europe stood at 4,712,076, with Poland, Russia and Moldova among the top host countries, it said. Turkey and Russia fail to come up with plan to export Ukraines food as global crisis looms Wednesday 8 June 2022 15:56 , Matt Mathers Russia and Turkey failed to come up with a formula to move grain from Black Sea ports to the rest of the world following a closely watched meeting between senior officials in Ankara on Wednesday. Our international correspondent Borzou Daragahi reports: Turkey and Russia fail to come up with plan to export Ukraines food Ukraine pushed back to outskirts of Sievierodonetsk, governor says Wednesday 8 June 2022 15:33 , Matt Mathers Ukrainian forces have been pushed back by a Russian bombardment in the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk and now only control its outskirts, the regions governor told the RBC-Ukraine media outlet on Wednesday. Ukrainian special forces launched a counteroffensive days ago and cleared almost half of the city, but it made no sense for them to stay when Russia started levelling the area with shelling and air strikes, the official, Serhiy Gaidai, was quoted as saying. "...Our (forces) now again control only the outskirts of the city. But the fighting is still going on, our (forces) are defending Sievierodonetsk, it is impossible to say the Russians completely control the city," he said. Canada bans export of support services for Russian oil, gas and chemical industries Wednesday 8 June 2022 15:19 , Matt Mathers Canada said on Tuesday it was imposing new sanctions on Russia, banning export of 28 services, such as accounting and advertising, that are needed for the operation of Russian oil, gas and chemical industries. Canadas new measures target an industry that accounts for about 50 per cent of Russias federal budget revenues, according to a statement from Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,070 individuals and entities and Joly said Ottawa would "continue to relentlessly pursue accountability for Vladimir Putins senseless war." Drop sanctions then well export grain, Russia says Wednesday 8 June 2022 15:00 , Matt Mathers The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Western sanctions against Moscow must be lifted before Russian grain could be delivered to international markets. "President (Vladimir) Putin said that in order for Russian grain volumes to be delivered to international markets, direct and indirect sanctions against Russia must be lifted," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. He said the sanctions, which the West imposed in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, were affecting shipping insurance, payments, and access to European ports." He added that "no substantive discussions" about lifting them were taking place. Ukraine and Russia together account for nearly a third of global wheat supplies, while Russia is also a key fertilizer exporter and Ukraine a major supplier of corn and sunflower oil. Germany never gave fixed date on weapons delivery, says govt spokesperson Wednesday 8 June 2022 14:43 , Matt Mathers Germany has never given a fixed date when it comes to the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, said a German government spokesperson on Wednesday in response to reports about delays. "Whats clear is that everything we have decided to deliver and have announced, we want to deliver as soon as possible," added the spokesperson. Germany still has not received a request from Spain about sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine, added the spokesperson. Ukraine files eight more war crimes cases to court - prosecutor Wednesday 8 June 2022 14:14 , Matt Mathers Ukraine has filed eight more war crimes cases to court in addition to three sentences that have already been handed down to Russian soldiers, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said on Wednesday. Ukrainian authorities have opened more than 16,000 investigations into possible war crimes during Russias invasion which began on Feb. 24, she said on television. Moscow denies allegations that its troops have committed war crimes in what it describes as a "special operation" to demilitarise Ukraine. Venediktova said there were 104 suspects, nine of whom were linked to crimes in a school basement in the village of Yahidne in the northeastern Chernihiv region, where Russian troops kept hundreds of people during their occupation from March 3-30. She said that 10 people died from the ordeal of their confinement in the basement and that a small baby and a 93-year-old had been among those held there. Russian Orthodox Church sends its second most powerful figure on lower-ranking overseas posting Wednesday 8 June 2022 13:49 , Matt Mathers Russias Orthodox Church has ousted its second most powerful bishop from his role in charge of foreign relations and sent him to Budapest, an abrupt decision indicating discord at the top of the Moscow Patriarchate over the war in Ukraine. The Holy Synod, which met at the white-walled 13th century Danilovsky Monastery in Moscow on Tuesday, decreed to remove Metropolitan Hilarion as the chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations. The Synod had discussed the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which is being challenged as the leader of Slav Orthodoxy by the rival autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Metropolitan of Kyiv. More than 700-words into the minutes of the meeting, the Synod decreed Hilarion be relieved of his roles as head of foreign relations, permanent member of the Synod and rector of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies. "It is decreed that Bishop Hilarion, Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, will be the administrator of the Budapest-Hungarian Diocese, Metropolitan of Budapest and Hungary," the minutes said. Russian proxies plan vote in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region on joining Russia Wednesday 8 June 2022 13:35 , Matt Mathers The Russian-installed administration in the occupied part of Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region plans to stage a referendum later this year on joining Russia, Russian news agencies quoted one of its members as saying. "The people will determine the future of the Zaporizhzhia region. The referendum is scheduled for this year," the official, Vladimir Rogov, was quoted by TASS as saying, giving no further details about the timing. Around 6 per cent of the region is under Russian control, part of a swathe of southern Ukraine that Moscow seized early in the war, including most of neighbouring Kherson province where Russian-installed officials have also discussed plans for a referendum. Rogov said the administration would draw up plans for how to proceed with a referendum even if Russia could not gain control over the entire region. Zaporizhzhia city, the main urban centre, is still held by Ukraine. Ukraine forces could pull back from embattled eastern city, governor says Wednesday 8 June 2022 13:19 , Matt Mathers Ukrainian forces battling Russian troops in a key eastern city appear on the cusp of retreat, although the regional governor insisted they were still fighting "for every centimetre" of the city. The urban battle for Sievierodonetsk testifies to the painstaking, inch-by-inch advance by Russian forces as they close in on control of the entire Luhansk region, one of two that make up the industrial heartland known as the Donbas. Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai acknowledged the difficulties in Sievierodonetsk on Wednesday, saying "maybe we will have to retreat, but right now battles are ongoing in the city". Ukraine grain silos half-full ahead of harvest, industry group says Wednesday 8 June 2022 12:58 , Matt Mathers Grain silos in Ukrainian territory controlled by the government are about half full in the run-up to this years harvest, the head of the Ukraine Grain Association said on Wednesday. There were some 30 million tonnes of grain stored in Ukrainian-held territory out of capacity of around 55 million tonnes, Mykola Gorbachov told an International Grains Council conference in London. There were 13-15 million tonnes of storage capacity in Russian-occupied areas, he added. Back to Lavrovs visit to Turkey... Wednesday 8 June 2022 12:57 , Zoe Tidman Sergei Lavrov has said Moscow would not use the situation over grain shipments in and around the Black Sea to advance its invasion as long as Ukraine lets ships leave safely. These are guarantees from the president of Russia, the foreign minister said. Ukraine is one of the worlds largest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, but the war and a Russian blockade of its ports have halted much of that flow, endangering food supplies to many developing countries. Turkey is involved in efforts for the establishment of a UN-led mechanism that would create a secure corridor for the shipment of the Ukrainian grain - and for Russia to export food and fertiliser. PA Ukraine files more war crime cases, prosecutor says Wednesday 8 June 2022 12:28 , Zoe Tidman Ukraine has filed eight more war crimes cases to court in addition to three sentences already handed down to Russian soldiers, its top prosecutor Iryna Venediktova has said. It has opened more than 16,000 investigations into possible war crimes during the Russian invasion starting in late February, she said. Ms Venediktova said there was a daily increase in probes. We are talking about people who didnt just come as military combatants ... but also came to rape, kill civilians, loot, humiliate and so on, she said. Moscow denies allegations of war crimes. Iryna Venediktova, the prosecutor general of Ukraine, says more war crime cases have been filed (AFP via Getty Images) Zelensky discusses Russia treatment of prisoners of war with Germany call Wednesday 8 June 2022 11:53 , Zoe Tidman Ukraines president said he raised the issue of Russias compliance with international rules governing the treatment of prisoners of war during a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday. He did not elaborate further about the prisoners. Reuters What will happen to vital grain supplies? Wednesday 8 June 2022 11:24 , Zoe Tidman Amid the carnage and bloodshed in Ukraine, a new tragedy is looming, as businesses in the wartorn country increasingly fear that they may soon have to start throwing away food that the world desperately needs. Hopes are fading among Ukrainian business leaders that Vladimir Putin will lift a blockade on the Black Sea ports before the harvest begins in just a few weeks, Ben Chapman writes. Full story here: Ukraine in race to export millions of tonnes of food as Putin blackmails world Corazon Mining Ltd (ASX:CZN)s Brett Smith speaks with Proactives Andrew Scott about encouraging nickel and copper mineralisation at its 100%-owned Lynn Lake Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Sulphide Project in Manitoba, Canada. The company hit a 107-metre zone of visible nickel and copper sulphides at Lynn Lake, having now drilled three holes. Extensive nickel and copper in diamond core was observed at the Fraser Lake Complex, which is typical of the low-grade mineralisation from the historical mining centre. A strong off-hole conductor around 40 metres by 20 metres, starting from just 20 metres below surface was also found. The company is continuing its drilling program, targeting numerous untested pipe-like intrusive bodies analogous to the massive sulphide deposits previously mined at Lynn Lake. By Trend China encourages local companies to invest in Tajikistan and strengthen the alignment of production capacities, said the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, Trend reports via news.cgtn.com. "China has become Tajikistan's most important partner for trade and investment. Our country is ready to make joint efforts with Tajikistan to bring bilateral cooperation in various fields to a new level," Yi said. Moreover, Yi noted that China is willing to explore new areas of cooperation with Tajikistan and support the country in realizing its main strategic goals of development in energy, transportation, etc. Ibrohim, for his part, praised the high level of mutual trust between the two heads of state and the steady progress in their comprehensive strategic cooperation, describing China as a great, friendly neighbor of Tajikistan. At KRL North, two large magnetic anomalies were identified to the south west and south east and have been interpreted as possible porphyries Kainantu Resources Ltd (TSX-V:KRL) has announced encouraging results from its huge airborne geophysical survey at its KRL South and KRL North projects in Papua New Guinea (PNG), which includes the identification of two possible porphyry systems at the latter. The survey spanned three blocks over 186 square kilometres (sq km) and included all prospective areas of KRL North and key areas of interest at the Tirokave area of KRL South, including the East Avaninofi and Yaoro Ridge prospects. At KRL North, two large magnetic anomalies were identified to the southwest and southeast and have been interpreted as possible porphyries. "The KRL airborne geophysics survey and subsequent analysis has proven to be a successful venture for the company, confirming the highly prospective nature of both KRL North and KRL South; supporting ongoing work at the projects. In addition, the survey has also identified other targets and prospects in the region," said Matthew Salthouse, the CEO of the company in a statement. At KRL South, magnetic signatures indicated a possible offshoot from the Elandora porphyry complex occupying the centre of the Tirokave ring feature, the company said, adding that an additional prospect was identified at Mt Yungateia, north of the Tirokave area. Further regional targets with high prospectivity were identified at KRL South and further analysis is underway, Kainantu added. KRL North and KRL South lie along the so-called Kainantu transfer structure, in a district associated with highly successful mining projects. KRL North is near K92 Mining's flagship gold mine and due to this, Kainantu has continued fieldwork and studies to build confidence on the structural similarities and potential trend between the project and the Bilimoia mineral field. Initial analysis from the airborne geophysics program conducted by K92 also appears to demonstrate a north-east linear zone of high conductivity trending towards KRL North, noted the firm. At KRL South, the initial focus has been around the Tirokave area, which hosts extensive outcrops, including scattered dykes and plugs of the Elandora porphyry and intrusives associated with other successful projects in the region. Trenching is currently underway at East Avaninofi and Yaoro Ridge, where the company is collecting samples and undertaking further mapping ahead of selecting potential drill targets. Kainantu Resources has three highly-prospective gold projects - KRL South, KRL North and the May River project - all in premier mining districts of PNG. Both KRL North and KRL South show potential to host high-grade epithermal and porphyry mineralization, as seen elsewhere in the high-grade Kainantu gold district. The May River asset is close to the world-renowned Frieda River copper-gold project. Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com Japan Gold said it has identified extensive areas of anomalous gold and pathfinder elements in soil sampling which highlight the prospectivity of strike extensions at the Tokusei mine Japan Gold (TSX-V:JG) Corp said the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has accepted 13 new prospecting rights applications covering 3,972 hectares between its Barrick Alliance Aibetsu and Tenryu projects, in north Hokkaido. The acceptance by the Ministry gives the Barrick Alliance priority to advance the expanded Aibetsu district, the site of numerous prospective gold anomalies. At Aibetsu, stream-sediment samples analysed for gold and pathfinder elements were systematically collected over the last two years as part of the larger regional screening program conducted across the Barrick Alliance projects, the company said in a statement. After reviewing the data, the company identified multiple, strong gold and pathfinder element basin anomalies across the Aibetsu and Tenryu project areas, it added. Anomalous basins include those draining areas of known gold and mercury workings on the west side of Aibetsu and at Tenryu, while strong and contiguous basin anomalies defining a significantly larger area have now been identified both within and outside of the current project boundaries on the east side of the Aibetsu and Tenryu projects. The historic Aibetsu Goldfield includes four known hard rock and eluvial gold and mercury workings, including the Tokusei gold mine, Kinzan gold operation, Motoyama and Yamamezawa mercury workings. Tokusei gold mine produced 38,000 ounces of gold and 474,000 ounces of silver from underground development between 1930 and 1943. Japan Gold (TSX-V:JG) said it has identified extensive areas of anomalous gold and pathfinder elements in soil sampling which highlight the prospectivity of strike extensions at the Tokusei mine. Japan Gold (TSX-V:JG) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused solely on gold exploration across the three largest islands of Japan: Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu. The company has a country-wide alliance with Barrick Gold to jointly explore, develop and mine certain gold mineral properties and mining projects. Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas When Martha Johnson realized that the COVID-19 pandemic might be winding down, she was excited to book her family vacation to Michigan. The Johnsons have been traveling from Eau Claire to Lake Michigan to meet extended family members for many years. The last few years we didnt book the cabin because of COVID-19, Johnson said. It felt good to finally re-book the trip until it didnt. Gas prices are forcing some family members to cancel our vacation time again now. Johnson said that out of 15 family members who were due to attend the Johnson family vacation the last two weeks of June, five have now canceled. They are coming from aways away and its just too pricey for some of my cousins to drive or fly up there now, Johnson said. Its heartbreaking. Johnson said she hasnt seen some of the family since before the pandemic and was elated to finally get them all back under one roof. Shes praying for a gas-pump miracle, she said. Even if the prices came down a dollar a gallon it would make a difference, Johnson said. These prices well, theyre criminal arent they? According to AAA the average gas price for regular gasoline in Chippewa County is $4.82. The highest recorded average price for regular unleaded gas in Wisconsin is $4.92 per gallon and diesel is sitting at $5.30. Wisconsin gasoline costs about $2 a gallon more than it did a year ago according to AAA. The current average for regular gas: Chippewa Falls, $4.79 Stanley, $4.79 Eau Claire, $4.79 Holcombe, $4.89 Jim Falls, $4.44 Gas prices are going up really fast, said Cathy Wiese of Hallie. We probably wont travel as far as we used to now. Cathy and her husband Charlie said it costs them about $120 to fill up their boats 25-gallon tank. Its very expensive, Charlie Wiese said. Not everyone can change their day-to-day plans because of gas prices however. Linda Hurt is a real estate agent in Chippewa Falls. She said she cant change her schedule much just because gas prices are high. When clients want to see a home, we have to go, Hurt said. We dont really have a choice to work from home. Harder still is the fact that Hurt wont get to see family members because of gas prices. A couple of my kids wont be driving out from the East Coast to visit, she said. Its a little frightening, like the rest of the economy. Whats going to happen next? Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The former state Supreme Court Justice leading the GOP-ordered review into the 2020 election must testify in Dane County Circuit Court on Friday to answer questions about how his office handled requested documents pertaining to his ongoing probe, a Dane County judge ordered Wednesday. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Frank Remington denied a motion by Michael Gablemans attorneys seeking to quash a subpoena issued by American Oversight as part of the liberal watchdog groups lawsuit seeking public records related to the review, which was launched last year by Republicans at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers. The request for Mr. Gableman to testify is not like adding a surprise witness, a third party that no one has ever heard of, Remington said. Indeed, Mr. Gableman is a party to this action. He has participated in this action. Michael Dean, an attorney for Gableman, argued in a Monday court filing that Gablemans staffer Zakory Niemierowicz is the legal custodian responsible to American Oversights request and had already been designated to testify. Dean noted on Wednesday that Gableman was planning to attend an out-of-state convention this Friday. Mr. Niemierowicz was responsible for the searches and production of the documents in response to the requests at issue, Dean wrote in the motion to quash the subpoena. He is the person most knowledgeable of the requests, searches, production and office procedures regarding records requests. As a result, Gablemans testimony is both unnecessary and irrelevant for resolving the underling issues, Dean wrote. It is undisputed that Mr. Gableman is the custodian of the Office of Special Counsel records, Remington said Wednesday after ordering the former justices testimony. Remington said he plans to rule Friday on whether or not Gablemans failure to release records in a timely manner constitutes contempt of court. Remington also cautioned that Niemierowicz, who accompanied Dean in Wednesdays hearing, may want to seek legal counsel if in fact the strategy of the Office of Special Counsel is to place the failure to comply with the courts order squarely upon his shoulders. I do think that a discussion may be warranted because Mr. Niemierowiczs personal interest might be to escape the scrutiny of the court for the deficiencies, that appear now to be undisputed, that he was acting at the direction of Mike Gableman and Mike Gableman told him what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Dean responded to Remingtons comments that incarceration for contempt is a possibility based on the record before the court, saying that would be incomprehensibly disproportionate. The case is one of three filed by American Oversight against Gableman, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and the Assembly seeking public records related to Gablemans review of the 2020 election. Both Gableman and American Oversight have posted hundreds of pages of records online, but American Oversight attorneys have contended that more records likely exist and have not been provided. Primarily, the organization has sought any documents between Gableman and his staff, which American Oversight attorneys say constitute contractor records that are subject to the states open records law. Previous orders Remingtons order for testimony follows two previous orders one made in April by Remington and another the following month by Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn directing Gableman to stop deleting public records that may be responsive to American Oversights original requests. Attorneys for Gableman have said the former justice is exempt from retaining records and his office regularly destroys documents deemed irrelevant or useless. An analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Council back in October found that deleting such records, even by a state contractor like Gableman, violates state law. Dean said on Wednesday that, other than some email attachments and preliminary drafts of Gablemans interim reports to the state Assembly, all other documents responsive to American Overights requests have been recovered and produced. Literally every single document that was responsive to those requests has been produced, Dean said. False narrative From the start, Michael Gableman has cloaked his investigation in secrecy so that he could shape a false narrative about the 2020 election, Melanie Sloan, senior adviser at American Oversight, said in a statement. On Friday, American Oversight will have the chance to question Gableman under oath about how and why the (Office of Special Council) has deleted records related to this inquiry. The people of Wisconsin deserve the truth, not the fable Gableman has been serving up. Vos, who had previously indicated plans to begin wrapping up Gablemans review by the time his previous contract expired at the end of April, has again extended the former justices contract after former President Donald Trump, who continues to push unfounded claims of widespread election fraud, pressured Republicans to continue with the effort. Vos has since paused Gablemans probe to allow time for five pending lawsuits related to the review to play out in court. A recount, court decisions and multiple reviews have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes. Only 24 people out of nearly 3.3 million who cast ballots have been charged with election fraud in Wisconsin. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The La Crosse Police Department reported a $1 million drug bust Wednesday. Police arrested 26-year-old Jade Deeny of La Crosse, as part of an ongoing drug investigation. He was referred to the La Crosse County District Attorney on 18 different charges, including maintaining a drug trafficking site, possession of drugs with intent to deliver and felon in possession of a firearm. Police obtained a search warrant for Deeny's 627 Powell St. residence and found a lease for a storage unit in his name. Police obtained a search warrant for the storage unit and allegedly found: 135.13 pounds of pressed counterfeit Xanax in three different colors One pound of fentanyl (located next to the Xanax station and most likely used in pills) One pound counterfeit Adderall that tested positive for methamphetamine 25.3 grams methamphetamine pills 77 narcotic pills 250.7 grams of cocaine 524 grams THC wax Four pounds THC candies 212 grams psilocybin-infused chocolate Four handguns (two different high-capacity magazines and 1 drum magazine with 51 rounds loaded in it) One rifle (603 rounds of .223 ammunition) 186 rounds 9mm, 198 rounds 45 caliber $5,953 in cash Automated pill press with professional mixer 385 pounds of inert materials needed to make counterfeit Xanax Thousands of USPS boxes ready to mail the product. While searching the storage unit, investigators determined it was used as a pill press laboratory. Police estimate the street value of the drugs at $1,027,000. Deeny is a convicted felon who spent time in prison in North Carolina for drugs and guns, according to police. During a bond hearing Wednesday, assistant La Crosse County District Attorney Danielle Kranz described Feeny as a flight risk. She said Feeny is a "convicted felon multiple times over" and "has access to incredibly large amounts of cash." Judge Todd Bjerke agreed to Kranz's request for a $1 million cash bond. Kranz said the fentanyl recovered represents 225,000 fatal doses "The sheer scope of Mr. Deeny's operation is mind-boggling," Kranz said. She said the District Attorney's office expects to have a criminal complaint ready by Friday. Bjerke said federal charges are also likely due to the weapons recovered. Deeny faces up to 177 years in prison if convicted of every charge. La Crosse Tribune reporter Steve Rundio can be reached at steve.rundio@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An attempt to boot Donald Trump-backed GOP gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels from the Aug. 9 primary ballot over address inconsistencies in his nominating forms wont succeed if the Wisconsin Elections Commission follows what it did in two similar 2018 cases, though a split decision could send the matter to the courts, which blocked two candidates in 2020. The state Democratic Party said Sunday that Michels, co-owner of Brownsville-based construction company Michels Corp., failed to include his correct mailing address on his nomination forms, making thousands of signatures invalid. Michels campaign has dismissed the complaint as frivolous. The complaint bears striking resemblance to discussions held by the commission four years ago on nomination papers filed by two judicial candidates. In those cases, the commission voted unanimously to approve ballot access for the two candidates. However, increased partisan division on the commission, which is split evenly between three Republican appointees and three Democratic appointees, could result in a deadlock that ultimately sends the matter to the courts. Given its a high-profile race, its probably going to be a very political decision in the sense that you could see a 3-3 split, said Kevin Kennedy, the states former top elections official who retired when the current Elections Commission was created in 2016. The commission has to approve ballot access, Kennedy added. Im sure there will be all kinds of posturing and fighting on that because the statute does say the commission shall submit a certified list, so that could be the nature of the fight and that could end up in court as a result. The complaint against Michels, filed by a Madison voter supported by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, alleges the gubernatorial candidate did not include the municipality of his mailing address on many of his nomination papers. The majority of those papers list the village of Chenequa, but not Michels mailing address in Hartford, which is less than 15 miles to the north. Candidates must list their residential address and their municipality of residence for voting purposes, according to the commissions 2020 ballot access procedures document. If the candidate has a mailing address that is different than their residential address, this needs to be added as well. Michels claims to care about election integrity, even while courting Donald Trump and the extreme fringes of the Republican base by spreading lies about the 2020 election results, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler said in a statement. Election integrity means following the law and Tim Michels did not follow the laws laid out in Wisconsin statutes to file enough valid signatures to make the ballot for the August primary. Michels noted his campaign submitted 4,000 signatures, 3,861 of which have already been validated by commission staff. A total of 2,000 valid signatures are needed. Democrats have challenged all but 345 of Michels signatures. Tim Michels home, legal residence, voting address, acceptable mailing address and the address displayed in all online navigational maps, has been the same house in Waukesha County since 2008, despite any petty insider political mudslinging attempting to say otherwise, Michels campaign manager Patrick McNulty said in a statement. Kennedy said address discrepancies are relatively common during ballot access discussions but added that, in the absence of evidence of fraud, the agency may not necessarily apply the statute strictly as written. Past practice across prior agencies, administrative rules and court cases favor ballot access, especially when looking at how forms are prepared versus circulation, filing and signing issues, he added. I dont think you can argue theres any fraud here, he said. Itll be a balance of what are the important factors in terms of ballot access and deception to the electorate, or is this just a partisan-based decision? Then it may break down on the technicalities of do you need four votes to certify, or was the staffs actions enough. And thats always a new fight. Staff recommendations likely wont be made available until Thursday, WEC spokesperson Riley Vetterkind said. Previous decisions In January 2018, the commission took up a similar discussion for two circuit court judges, though formal complaints were not filed against the individual candidates signature papers. William Kussel, a candidate for Menominee and Shawano County Circuit Court judge, listed the town of Wescott as his voting residence, while his mailing address listed the city of Shawano. In another, Price County Circuit Court judge candidate Mark Fuhr listed his voting address in the town of Worcester, while his mailing address listed the municipality of Phillips. In both cases, the United States Post Office website ZIP code finder indicates mail will be delivered if either municipality is listed on an envelope, according to commission materials for the 2018 meeting. The commission unanimously approved ballot access for Kussel and Fuhr. For Michels, the Postal Service website automatically replaces the village of Chenequa with Hartland. Other cases Democratic Assembly candidate Patty Schachtner, who lost her reelection bid for the state Senate in 2020, said over the weekend she faces a complaint similar to the one against Michels. The Elections Commission has set out clear guidance to help candidates meet those requirements, Schachtner said Sunday. Mr. Michels has failed to follow those rules. I know because my campaign has unfortunately made the same mistake. The WEC should follow the rules. A copy of the complaint filed against Schachtner was not immediately available. If the commission denies ballot access for Michels or fails to reach a decision, the matter could end up in the courts, though a decision would need to occur quickly as ballots for the Aug. 9 primary will begin going out in the mail in a matter of weeks. In August 2020, the commission deadlocked on whether to allow Green Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins and vice presidential candidate Angela Walker on the November ballot, leaving the matter up to the courts. The issue stemmed from a complaint alleging Walker listed an incorrect address on thousands of her nominating papers, bringing her number of valid signatures below the required threshold to secure a spot on the ballot. Candidates are required to list their current address on nominating petitions. Elections Commission guidance states that if any information is incorrect, the signatures must be rejected. Commission staff recommended that ballot access for Hawkins and Walker be denied after rejecting the signatures on the flawed nomination papers. The commission held several votes on the matter but could not overcome a 3-3 deadlock between the GOP and Democratic appointees. Hawkins and Walker were left off the ballot as a result. In a split decision that September, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said it was too late into the election season to grant relief to Hawkins and Walker and left them off the ballot. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Driving past St. Anthonys Elementary School in Columbus earlier this week, passersby may have noticed a police presence. A multi-agency K-9 unit training was held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the school. We've got officers from out of state and within the state of Nebraska, said Columbus Officer Santiago Velasquez. Basically we're doing training to integrate our dogs and our dog program to our patrol to better serve our communities and the citizens of Columbus and the State of Nebraska. Offered by Canine Tactical Operation and Consulting, the purpose of the S.K.I.D.D.S. (SWAT and K-9s Interacting During Deployment School) is to educate and train both K-9 handlers and SWAT team members on the deployment of K-9s in a SWAT operation, according to the organizations website. The group also offers a canine tactical school, for handlers and K-9s who want extra help before training with SWAT teams or want to improve officer safety and searching techniques. There is also a KATTS course for using tracking dogs to hunt dangerous suspects and a T-MACC course which is intended for basic movement, searching and clearing techniques. Velasquez has been serving as the handler of K-9 Eros for three years. Eros is a Belgian Malinois who joined the Columbus Police Departments force in 2019. In Greek mythology, Eros is the god of love. According to Velasquez, this weeks S.K.I.D.D.S. training included building search scenarios in which patrol officers worked with K-9 handlers and their dogs on potential situations that could arise in the field. The building was separated into two different groups for the training. During the training that The Telegram was able to watch, law enforcement used a K-9 to search the stairwell and classrooms of St. Anthonys to find the culprit. Velasquez said that St. Anthonys always helps them out with things the police need and the school was a good location for this training. He noted the S.K.I.D.D.S. training is something extra, not required, to further improve the departments services. The Nebraska State Patrol and Columbus Police Department and other agencies in the area, they train their dogs regularly, they have to maintain their proficiency, Velasquez said. But this is a kind of an additional training that we're doing that includes other patrol officers. This is just something that has come together this year. But we hopefully are able to do more of these trainings with all these other agencies as well. Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. I once heard a Jewish parable that I will recount as best as I remember it. As you read it, keep in mind that in this context, rich means unrighteous, and poor means righteous. One night there was a terrible storm. During the night, a tree fell and narrowly missed the rich mans house. At the poor mans house, his one and only cow died. The next day, the neighbors wondered at the good fortune of the rich man and the misfortune of the poor man. Where was the justice? What the neighbors didnt know was that if the tree had hit the house, it would have broken open a wall where a previous owner had hidden a stash of gold. And at the poor mans home, it was his wife who was to have died, but the cow was taken instead. The moral of the parable is that we dont have the full picture when we look at the circumstances of life. We dont have enough information to make such judgments about God and His blessings. The story of Jonathan and David from the Old Testament is a great example. If you remember, Jonathan was the son of King Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul, through his disobedience, lost the kingship, although that process took many years. In the meantime, the prophet Samuel found and anointed David to be the future king. The story of David and Goliath is one of the most famous stories in the Old Testament, but David was also a talented musician. He became part of King Sauls household and would play to soothe the king. David and Jonathan became great friends. In fact the scriptures say that Jonathan loved David as his own soul. (1 Sam. 18:3 KJV) In our terms, Jonathan was a prince, the son of the king. David, as the next anointed king, could have been seen as a competitor. But Jonathan did not feel that way. His is a great example of unselfish love. Eventually Sauls anger and jealousy caused David to flee. Jonathan remained a true friend to David and warned him that he could not return to Sauls household. As they parted, they wept. There came a day when the Israelites fought the Philistines. Saul and his sons were in the battle. All died. So ended the life of Jonathan, son of King Saul and true friend to David, who became the next king of Israel. Why did the Lord choose David over Jonathan? Certainly Jonathan exhibited wonderful character qualities. David was a great warrior, but so was Jonathan. Jonathan and his armorbearer climbed on their hands and feet up to a garrison of Philistines. They took on 20 soldiers and slew them. This led to a victory for the Israelite army. (1 Sam. 14) Certainly Jonathan had faith and was brave. We cannot know all the reasons why David was chosen. He was a great king of Israel. He led them to mighty conquests. He received a promise that the Messiah would come from his line. But later in life, he saw Bathsheba and desired her. When she became pregnant, he had his general put her husband at the front of the battle and withdraw from him so he would be killed. As a result, the prophet Nathan visited David and delivered the curse that the Lord would place on David and his descendants. (2 Sam. 12) There may be times in our lives when we feel passed over, even neglected by the Lord. Who can know the Lords intent? In the eternal scheme of things, who ended up in the better place, Jonathan or David? Did Jonathan lose anything of eternal worth because David became king instead of him? Certainly not. One of the purposes of this life is for us to develop faith and trust in our Heavenly Father, that He loves us and always has our welfare in mind. As a young child trusts their parents implicitly, so we need to develop trust in Heavenly Father. Then with Nephi, an ancient prophet in the Book of Mormon, we can say of Heavenly Father, I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. We dont know the meaning of all things, but we can know that Heavenly Father loves us individually. That can be enough. Dennis Rehm is a member of the Carlisle Ward congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Find more information at ComeUntoChrist.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Lower Mifflin Township woman accused of making false statements about her adopted daughters health, which resulted in unnecessary medical procedures, has pleaded guilty in federal court, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Shelley Noreika, 48, pleaded guilty Wednesday to false statements relating to health care matters. U.S. Attorney John Gurganus said Noreika admitted that around Feb. 4, 2020, she made false statements to her adopted daughters medical providers. Norieka told the girl, then 5 years old, to pretend to have a seizure while she videotaped her. Gurganus said Noreika emailed that video to the girls pediatric neurologist, as well as provided false statements regarding the girls medical condition. Gurganus said that on multiple other occasions, Noreika falsely reported to medical providers that the girl experienced seizures. Gurganus said Noreika misled medical providers concerning the health and condition of her daughter knowing they would rely on her false statements in their diagnosis and treatment decisions. In accordance with the plea agreement, those involved agreed that the offense involved a loss of $95,000 to $150,000, which includes costs borne by insurers and the government for the girls unnecessary medical treatments and visits. Gurganus said Noreika no longer cares for the child, and she also faces related state charges, which are pending. The maximum penalty under federal law for Noreikas offense is five years in prison and a term of supervised release following imprisonment, as well as a $25,000 fine. Sentencing will be imposed at a later date. Noreika still faces assault charges in Cumberland County Court, along with her husband, David Noreika, related to the abuse of children in her care. A pre-trial conference on those charges is scheduled for June 27, though previous pre-trial conferences scheduled this year were moved to later dates. Email Naomi Creason at ncreason@cumberlink.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelCreason. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Big Spring School Board approved a proposed budget for the 2022-23 year in May that includes a 2.5% increase in real estate taxes. A final vote on the proposed budget is to take place at the boards June 20 meeting at the Big Spring Middle School Auditorium. The meeting begins at 8 p.m. and will be preceded by a committee of the whole meeting at 7 p.m. Michael Statler, the districts business manager, said a general increase in costs as well as charter school tuition are among the reasons for proposed tax increase. One of the general drivers behind it is the charter school tuition, we have seen a significant increase over the past couple years, Statler said. In 2020, the total expense was about $1.7 million, and were projecting next year to be $3.6 million. Statler said he believes the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in that increase. Superintendent Kevin Roberts said at the boards meeting Monday that there are 163 students in the district attending an outside cyber school. The yearly cost to attend outside cyber charter schools (utilizing the average of their daily memberships) is $14,128.69 for nonspecial education students and $36,281.15 for special education students, according to school documents. There will be an increased concerted effort to help recruit those students and bring them back to Big Spring as we go into the summer and certainly next school year, Roberts said. That has a direct impact not only on, I believe, their experience but also on the financial health of the district too. At the boards April 19 committee of the whole meeting, Assistant Superintendent Bill August and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Nicole Donato presented a cyber program update that included plans to work on getting cyber students back to Big Spring. These include student recognition, regular meetings and other ways for cyber students to become better connected to the district, according to the meeting minutes. We are trying to get kids back, so thats going to be really a push for us over the next couple of months, Statler said. Were hoping that the $3.6 million budget that we have for 2023 wont come to fruition due to the fact that were trying to get kids back. He said the budget is based on current cyber enrollment and that if the district is able to recruit some students back, theyd have some savings in that area. The millage rate (used to determine real estate taxes), in the 2021-22 year was 15.5002 and will change to 15.8877 in 2022-23 with the 2.5% increase, a difference of 0.3875 mills. This means that a property estimated at $100,000 would pay $1,588.77 in real estate taxes, an increase of about $38.75 from last year. Statler said another difference this year for taxpayers comes with the homestead/farmstead credit. Since about 2006, Big Spring residents who own property in the district and live at that property have typically received a credit of $133 off their tax bill from Pennsylvania gambling revenue. This year the state had revenue higher than anticipated and will fully fund this allocation for the first time (as opposed to funding 80% as it has in previous years). This means residents can expect to receive, closer to $170 in credit, about a $35 increase, Statler said. The proposed budget, available online at the districts website, lists the districts 2022-23 revenues at $59,243,316 and expenditures at $59,400,590, although Statler said both areas have experienced increases since May that will be reflected in the final budget awaiting school board approval. Expenditures do exceed the revenues and well just bridge that gap by pulling money from the unassigned fund balance and then over the course of the year, well try to find ways to make that difference up, he said. The budget, once approved by the school board, will begin July 1 and end June 30, 2023. Statler said real estate tax bills will likely be sent out at the end of July and are due by the end of December. Big Spring School District residents will have the option to pay their bills early during a discount period that runs through Aug. 31. Those who pay during this time will receive a 2% discount on their real estate tax bill, meaning they would pay 98% of the total amount, Statler said. A face period will take place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, during which tax payers would pay the normal amount on their tax bill. Bills paid during the penalty period from Nov. 1 through the end of December will incur a 10% fee, and Statler said bills that havent been collected after this this period will be turned over to the Cumberland County Tax Claims Bureau. Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Trend Kyrgyzstan and Russia's Sverdlovsk region intend to expand cooperation in the field of agriculture, said the Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Amangeldiev, Trend reports via Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Economy and Commerce. Amangeldiev and the governor of the Sverdlovsk region, Yevgeny Kuyvashev, discussed the opportunities for the building of cooperative trade and logistics centers and agricultural processing joint ventures in Kyrgyzstan and Sverdlovsk region. Most notably, Kyrgyzstan exports food products: dairy products, eggs, honey, food products of animal products, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Meanwhile, Sverdlovsk region supplies to Kyrgyzstan metals and products from them, food, chemical products, wood and machine-building production. HARRISBURG Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity heart surgeon endorsed by former President Donald Trump, won Pennsylvania's Republican U.S. Senate primary on Wednesday, narrowly defeating former hedge fund CEO David McCormick after a dayslong statewide recount buffeted by litigation that reached the nation's highest court. The recount determined that Oz had eked out victory over McCormick by 951 votes out of more than 1.3 million cast in the May 17 primary election. It came several days after McCormick conceded the race, acknowledging that he was not getting the boost he needed to close the gap. In Novembers general election, Oz will face Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is off the campaign trail while he recovers from a stroke and a serious heart condition. The election will replace retiring two-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. With the statewide recount officially concluded, its time to focus on how high the stakes are in November," Oz said in a statement. The national parties and Fetterman have begun testing general election campaign strategies and airing TV ads in Pennsylvania. Trump endorsed Oz about five weeks before the primary, saying his decision was all about winning elections. The former president also had a long personal history with Oz, who is best known as the host of daytime TVs The Dr. Oz Show. Trump said his wife, Melania, was a big fan of the show. Oz, who has dual citizenship in Turkey, would be the nations first Muslim senator if elected. He has remained relatively quiet and off the campaign trail during the recount. Fetterman, meanwhile, is recovering from a stroke he suffered just days before his own primary, which he easily won. He said last week that he almost died from the stroke, acknowledging that he had ignored warning signs for years and a doctors advice to take blood thinners. His cardiologist also disclosed that Fetterman is being treated for a heart condition that can be fatal. He has remained out of public view and has given no date to return to campaigning. While Fetterman convalesces, his campaign has launched two TV ads in which Fetterman casts himself as a regular guy who will take on Washington." In one ad, Fetterman rails against outsourced jobs, closed factories, rising costs and low wages, saying those decisions were made for us by people that don't know us. National Republicans, meanwhile, are trying to tie Fetterman to his party's most liberal members and to the Biden administration. In a statement Wednesday evening, Oz said Pennsylvanians want someone who will stand up to the liberal Biden-Fetterman agenda leading to higher gas prices, record inflation, and unprecedented levels of violent crime. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The future leader of the local chamber of commerce first arrived in Carlisle in 1906. One of his goals right away was to take the Trolley to H PITTSBURGH A man accused of having set a Pittsburgh blaze that killed three firefighters more than a quarter of a century ago has entered a plea that carries a conviction but spares him further jail time while allowing him to continue to maintain his innocence. Gregory Brown Jr., 44, who served 20 years of a life sentence before winning a new trial in the 1995 Valentine's Day blaze, appeared in federal court Wednesday to enter an Alford plea, which allows a defendant to plead guilty while maintaining innocence, acknowledging that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that U.S. District Judge David Cercone, who had presided over the state court trial 25 years ago, said it was a just and reasonable end to the case, which he said deserves closure. He told the packed courtroom, Its time to move on. Brown was originally convicted in Allegheny County and sentenced to life but won a new trial after arguing that prosecutors and a federal agent failed to turn over evidence that witnesses were offered money in exchange for their testimonies. The case was later turned over to federal prosecutors, who obtained an indictment on a charge of malicious destruction of property by fire resulting in death, a charge that could result in a life term. Prosecutors had accused Brown, then 17, of pouring a half-gallon of gasoline on some clothes in the basement of the four-story home and starting the blaze in hopes of collecting $20,000 in insurance money for a down payment on a new home. Pittsburgh fire Capt. Thomas Brooks, 42, and firefighters Marc Kolenda, 27, and Patricia Conroy, 43, suffocated when their air tanks ran out as they tried to escape from the rapidly burning home, authorities said. Brown was originally convicted of three counts of second-degree murder, arson and related charges and sentenced to three life terms. His mother was convicted of insurance fraud and was placed on probation. Defense attorney Michael Novara argued that his client had been wrongly convicted in the original trial but chose to enter the plea rather than go to trial and risk a life term. After spending 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and having finally won his freedom, Mr. Brown is unwilling to take the chance that he might again be wrongfully convicted and sent back to prison for the rest of his life, he said. After the hearing, Brown expressed anger over the 20 years he had spent in prison for nothing. For lies." The whole case was a lie, Brown said. They destroyed my whole family. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaun Sweeney told the court that the evidence of the defendants guilt was as strong today as it was in 1997 but cited the time Brown had spent behind bars in concluding that the plea would satisfy the interests of justice. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Arizona Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters reportedly lunged toward a Democratic activist wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt and Jail Trump hat at a GOP mixer, according to a video circulating online. The incident took place during a meet-and-greet with GOP candidates at the Continental Shopping Plaza in Arizona on Saturday. Peter Jackson, 73, attended the event wearing a T-shirt which read Black Lives Matter More Than White Feelings; Check Your Privilege and a pin button that said fully vaxxed. Mr Jackson, recording the event on his GoPro, was soon accosted by the attendants with some calling him a murdering dam*** bas**** and a dam*** hypocrite. It quickly escalated with a woman hitting him in the face, showed the video. At this point, Mr Masters, 35, was seen lunging toward the Democrat and grabbing him before he fell to his knees. The activist was then thrown out of the room and on to the ground outside. A woman could be heard yelling lock the door! While Mr Masters confirmed he intervened, he said he did so because the activist allegedly assaulted a woman. A Left-wing activist came to a Republican event, started harassing people, and then hit a woman, he was quoted as saying by Green Valley News. I intervened and put an end to that. He was subsequently detained by the police and cited for assault. Let me be clear: if you come to an event Im at and attack a woman, its going to be a bad day for you. 73 year old man who showed up at a Republican event in a BLM shirt is physically attacked and assaulted by AZ US Senate candidate Blake Masters. pic.twitter.com/C042sytJeG Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 8, 2022 The clip along with a nine-minute version of the incident Mr Jackson recorded on his GoPro did not appear to show him assaulting anyone. Story continues Amalia Halikias, Mr Masterss campaign manager, told Newsweek the Republicans claim was supported by footage of plenty of people remarking, in the heat of the moment, that the agitator hit the woman. A masked-up guy with a BLM shirt crashed this GOP event tonight. Started causing trouble, then he hit a woman. So me and some guys put him on the ground, then the police came for him. Fake news headline tomorrow: Senate Candidate Blake Masters ATTACKS Peaceful Protestor! pic.twitter.com/FgCmlZfsaq Blake Masters (@bgmasters) June 5, 2022 That is what Blake saw, she added. The man struck the woman with his hand, hitting her in the face. At that point, Blake stepped in and restrained him so he could not hit her again. Speaking to the outlet, Mr Jackson said he went to the event because he was just interested. And in a way, I wanted to disrupt it a little bit with what I thought is the truth that Trump should be jailed, Black lives do matter, he told Green Valley News. Mr Jackson has two citations of trespassing and simple assault and has been directed to appear before court on 23 June. The World Bank announced on Tuesday that it will be providing roughly $1.5 billion in additional financing to Ukraine, money which will go toward paying government and social workers. The aid is being funded from parallel financing from Italy; financing guarantees from Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Latvia and the Netherlands; and expected future guarantees from countries including Denmark. The World Bank noted that the additional financing was part of a more than $4 billion package to Ukraine, with dispersed funds totaling close to $2 billion already. The World Bank Group is providing continuing support for Ukraine and its people in the face of the ongoing war, World Bank Group President David Malpass said in a statement. We are working with donor countries to mobilize financial support and leveraging the flexibility of our various financing instruments to help provide Ukrainians with access to health services, education and social protection. Last month, the United States passed a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine. The Biden administration announced that under the first round of that aid, it would send the country a $700 million weapons package that includes advanced rocket systems. The war in Ukraine has raged on for more than 100 days. After failing to take Kyiv in the opening weeks of its invasion, Russia is seeking to capture territory in Ukraines Donbas region, with fighting ongoing in the city of Sievierodonetsk in the eastern Luhansk region. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A local man was killed Wednesday evening in an accident in Jefferson County according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, while six others were injured in a separate accident. According to the MSHP accident report, Levi D. Ray, 21, of Farmington, was heading southbound on US 67 on a 2004 Yamaha YZFR7, failing to observe Juan Jose Almanza-Yepez, 45, of Salamanca, Mexico, driving a 2005 Freightliner Columbia. The front part of Rays vehicle struck the back of Almanza-Yepezs vehicle, ejecting Ray who then struck the towed unit on the Freightliner. Ray was pronounced dead on scene by the Joachim Plattin Ambulance District, and was transported to the St. Louis County Morgue by Superior Mortuary Transport. Both Ray and Almanza-Yepez were both wearing safety devices, according to the MSHP. Damage listed to Rays 2004 Yamaha YZFR7 is listed as total, while the damage to Almanza-Yepezs 2005 Freightliner Columbia was listed as minor. In a separate accident Wednesday evening, six people were injured when, according to the MSHP accident report, a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matthew S. Hastings, 27, of De Soto, was stopped waiting to turn left onto Fischer Road from Highway 110. A 2015 Dodge Dart driven by Kenneth P. Manson, 26, of De Soto, failed to observe Hastings vehicle while traveling westbound on Highway 110, and struck the rear of the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. The report states Hastings vehicle was pushed into the eastbound lane of 110, and struck the front of a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse driven by, Jesse A. Wockenfuss, 34, of De Soto. This caused the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado to overturn, and ejected a passenger. A male child, 3, from Hastings vehicle had minor injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital Jefferson by Valle Ambulance. The child was using a safety device. Both Manson and occupant Devon S. Shoemaker, 31, of Hillsboro, both received serious injuries according to the report. Manson was taken to Mercy Hospital South by Valle Ambulance, Shoemaker was taken to Mercy Hospital St. Louis by Survival Flight Helicopter. Manson was wearing a safety device, but according to the MSHP, Shoemaker was not using a safety device. Jesse Wockenfuss received serious injuries, and was transported by Arch Helicopter to Mercy Hospital St. Louis, occupant Katie D. Wockenfuss, 33, of De Soto, received moderate injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital Jefferson by Valle Ambulance, and a baby received minor injuries, and was taken to Mercy Hospital Jefferson by Valle Ambulance. All three people in the 2015 Chevrolet Traverse were wearing a safety device. Damage to all three vehicles were listed as totaled. Danielle Thurman is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be contacted at dthurman@dailyjournalonline.com or 573-518-3616. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 6 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Following their annual fundraising bake sale in April, Feed My Sheep volunteers awarded donation checks to local food pantries this week. On Wednesday, several Feed My Sheep committee members gathered at Desloge First Baptist Church to award the donations after the April 9 bake sale raised $28,000. The bake sale, book sale, and silent auction returned this year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. The event was held at the Desloge First Baptist Church Family Ministry Center, with multiple local churches participating in the efforts to aid five area food pantries. Feed My Sheep was inspired by Help the Hungry Bake Sale in Farmington and Madison County's Feed the Families Bake Sale. Organizers Jack and Elizabeth Poston began Feed My Sheep in 2018 with a bake sale, and silent auction held the Saturday before Palm Sunday at the Desloge First Baptist Church. "Our committee has members from a number of different churches," said Poston. "Truly a community effort. Desloge First Baptist Church graciously let us use their facility." Proceeds benefit the five food pantries in central and northern St. Francois County: Bismarck Church of God Food Pantry, Bonne Terre/St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, Elvins Food Pantry, House of Praise Food Pantry, and Immaculate Conception/St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. Following the sale each year, all funds raised are divided proportionally according to the number of people using the food pantry, based on East Missouri Action Agency records. Feed My Sheep committee members presented the checks Wednesday. Pastor Kendall Hughes and his wife, Donna, presented a check for $9,576 to Immaculate Conception Pantry. Jackie Berry awarded Bonne Terre/St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry with $6,832. David Shaw gave Elvins Food Pantry a $5,124 donation check this year, and Glenda Straughn handed Bismarck Church of God Food Pantry a check for $4,900. Gail Agers presented House of Praise Food Pantry in Desloge with $1,568 of the funds raised at April's sale. Jack Poston said many of the church congregations raise money all year, and some raise money just before the sale. Since its conception, Feed My Sheep has donated more than $92,000 to area food pantries. The event raised nearly $25,000 in 2018 and more than $35,000 the following year. In 2020, the fundraiser was canceled due to pandemic precautions, but the group still managed to collect and contribute $8,000. The sale was canceled again last year, but $24,500 was still raised for the cause. Like Farmington's Help the Hungry Bake Sale, the centerpiece of the fundraiser is the pastor's cake auction, where pastors bake their favorite cake and auction it off. Overall, Desloge Mayor David Shaw, who regularly volunteers at the event, said this year they received 760 baked goods, 56 silent auction items, and more than 1,700 books. Numerous businesses and individuals made generous monetary donations to the fundraiser this year as well. This year's business sponsors included New Era Bank on the Good Shepherd donation level, donating $500 or more. American Heritage Abstract was a Ram-level sponsor with a donation of $300 or more. Sponsors on the Lamb level, contributing $200 or more, were C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Homes, First State Community Bank, and Lix Frozen Custard. Herdsman level sponsors donating $100 or more included Complete Vision Care; Mineral Area Overhead Door, Sam Scism Motors; Hubbard Construction & General Contracting; Hub's Pub & Grill; Willette Home Furnishings; Ozarks Modern Insulation; and Patsy's Furniture. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. When hundreds of Buford Middle School students walked out of school last month in protest following the deadly supermarket shooting in Buffalo, Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, wanted to respond and show up. She did so Wednesday. Im here because of you, Hudson told Buford students. You all did a great job now two weeks ago planning a rally, which is an important part of how democracy works. Its how you show your elected officials what you care about. Hudson spoke with dozens of Buford students and answered a range of questions about current issues in the news and state policy decisions. She gave students an inside look at how state government functions. Students wanted to know where Hudson stood on abortion rights, housing laws and gentrification, among other topics and what was being done about them. Some asked about gun violence and how Hudson would protect Charlottesville. A group of Buford students walked out after a gunman killed 13 people, most of whom were Black, inside a Buffalo, N.Y., grocery store. Within a week after their protest, 19 children and two teachers were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. The spate of mass shootings has fueled calls for changes to federal gun safety policies. Hudson pointed out that she was younger than the students in the auditorium when the mass shooting occurred at Columbine High School near Littleton, Colorado, in 1999. People that are my age are just beginning to start to serve in public office, said Hudson, who is 33 years old. We spent the last 20 years of our lives watching a lot of people in power tell us that they were going to do something about it and not do anything about it for years. And so for my generation, this feels like the problem that we are not going to leave to yours. Hudson then recapped a batch of changes made to Virginias gun laws in 2020. Civics teacher Matthew Resnick chimed in several times through Hudsons talk to connect her answers to concepts students had learned about in class such as federalism. You just heard a lot of laws that are only impacting Virginia, he said. If you go to another state like West Virginia, a lot of those laws are not present. When there are big changes at the federal level, who works in state government is even more important because a lot of the things that affect your day-to-day life happen in Richmond, not in [Washington,] D.C., Hudson said. Wednesdays forum was Hudsons first in-person talk with students in several years, although she talked with students virtually in 2020. They exercised their First Amendment rights to protest and, in a functioning democracy, when somebody protests a public servant should show up to get real answers to their questions, Hudson said after the forum. This is the last week of school for Buford students and Resnick hoped they would reflect this summer on how what theyve learned this year can matter, even with all the events occurring in the state and nationally. Resnick said students havent had many in-person speakers recently. He organized the forum after Hudson reached out to him. I feel like she connects with the students on a different level, he said. Shes the first woman to ever hold this office as a [local] state delegate. We have a bunch of young women leaders. They deserve to meet someone who they could look up to. Hudson was elected to the House of Delegates in 2019 and was re-elected last year. An economics professor at the University of Virginia, she told students that she liked serving in state government because her constituents are close by. If any of my constituents is excited about something or is grumpy about something, I can be on their porch in 20 minutes or less, she said. Toward the end of the forum, Hudson was asked to give advice to the soon-to-be high-schoolers in the audience. I feel like high school is often when a lot of people really start to find themselves, and you could be a whole different person by the time you finish high school, Hudson said. My only advice is that you feel excited and open to whoever you are in the next four years and that you take the opportunity to build some really tight friendships. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Katherine Knott Katherine Knott is the K-12 education reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact her at (434) 422-7398, kknott@dailyprogress.com, or @knott_katherine on Twitter. Follow Katherine Knott 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 Authorities have released the name of a motorcyclist killed in a crash on Highway 20 near Burnt Woods late last month. Adam Wade Frazier of Eddyville was 48. Details about the May 31 incident were part of Benton County Sheriffs Office incident logs released on Wednesday, June 8. The crash occurred at about 6:15 p.m., about 3 miles east of Burnt Woods. Frazier was westbound on a 2015 Ducati motorcycle. For unknown reasons, he crashed his vehicle into the driver side tires of a 2016 Kenworth semi-truck, driven by Ismael Lopez Rivera, 36, of Lebanon, that was headed eastbound. The crash occurred in the center of the eastbound lane, and Frazier was pronounced deceased at the scene. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 1 By Trend British Ambassador to Georgia, Mark Clayton, thanked the invited guests for attending the solemn event held at the British Embassy on the special occasion of the 70th Platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Trend reports citing 1tv. The Ambassador remarked that celebrating Her Majestys jubilee was indeed a special occasion, especially this year which also marks the 30th anniversary of the Georgia-UK diplomatic relations establishment. I am really honest when I say that over that time our relationships have gone to strength to strength and are stronger, deeper and broader than before. The partnership in defense and security is very strong whether it is on NATO lines or is the UK, we are working very closely with the Georgian allies and allies and I think it is very important that this relationship is shifting and developing and adapting in response to the threat. We are working on traditional defense but also with emerging issues: cybersecurity and disinformation, Georgias institutions across the board from the parliament to the full range of Georgian political parties, civil service and beyond, supporting Georgias integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, and finally, on the economy and education, whether it is British businesses operating and investing in Georgia or whether it is what the British Council is doing, investing and supporting English language education, the UK is investing in Georgias future and that is something I am really proud of, the Ambassador said. The British Embassy in Georgia hosted the solemn event dedicated to the 70th Platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, representatives of the executive and legislative authorities, civic sector, Diplomatic Corps and international organizations attended the event. In the battle for power in the Oregon Legislature, the future political mix could hinge on a handful of 2022 races not far from the Capitol. After the 2020 election, Democrats had a 37-22 majority in the House and an 18-12 advantage in the Senate. The three-fifths "supermajorities" let Democrats pass taxes and other financial legislation without any Republican votes. Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, almost always signed bills that reached her desk. Two years later, the political math in the Capitol is changing. Brown will be gone next January she's barred from running again because of state term limits. The May primaries resulted in two antagonists winning the major party nominations: Former House Speaker Tina Kotek of Portland is the Democratic candidate. Former House Minority Leader Christine Drazan of Canby is the Republican. Add into the mix former Sen. Betsy Johnson, a longtime centrist Democrat from Scappoose, who resigned her seat to mount a nonaffiliated campaign for the state's top job. Redistricting required to rebalance the population and demographics of the 60 House and 30 Senate Districts was a bitter battle that ended with a Democratic-drawn political map for 2022. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald. Winners included the fast-growing suburban Portland areas and a new Democratic outpost east of the Cascades in Bend. The new political landscape still has the most at stake on the west side of the mountains, with opportunities and trouble spots for both parties. Bryan Iverson, a Prineville consultant for Republican legislative races, has spent a lot of time surveying the new political maps that came out of redistricting for the 2022 election. He has added insight and a personal stake in the outcome as the husband of House Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville. Iverson said Republicans will push hard to win Democratic seats in Hood River, Ashland, around Astoria, and the Portland suburbs. But the main event will be in some of the districts with the shortest commutes to the capital. "The battle ground for both the senate and the house is the Salem area two senate seats and four house seats," Iverson said. Oliver Muggli, executive director of the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, said the field of key races is wider and believes his party has done well with its nominees. "We have one of the strongest batches of Democratic candidates in recent history," Muggli said. After redistricting was approved for the 2022 election, both Democrats and Republicans could claim large swaths of Oregon as their unassailable turf. Portland and Democratic strongholds in Eugene and Corvallis are longshots at best for Republican victories. With the exception of the Bend and Ashland areas, districts in the southwest and east of the Cascades are prohibitively Republican. Rep. Andrea Valderrama, D-Portland, had no opposition in the May primary. Nor does she have a Republican opponent in November. Two other House seats in Portland will go to the winners of the Democratic primary since no GOP candidate filed to run. Freshman Rep. Boomer Wright, R-Coos Bay, flipped a Democratic seat in 2020. Two years later, he was unopposed in the Republican primary and has no Democratic opponent in November. Two freshmen and a veteran also are alone on the November ballot: Rep. Christine Goodwin, R-Myrtle Creek and Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane. Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, dean of the House, is the solo choice this fall as well. Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, won 92% of the Republican primary vote, but has no Democratic challenger. The voting outcomes in the contested new districts won't be known until after the Nov. 8 election. But using Dave's Redistricting, a popular non-partisan website, it's possible to forecast the prospective political tilt of districts. In the 30-seat Senate, lawmakers serve four-year terms. Senators elected in 2020 are allowed to finish their terms, but would run for re-election in new districts. There are 16 races on the 2022 ballot. Dave's Redistricting rates three of the Oregon Senate races in 2022 as too close to call: Senate District 11: The scramble of districts has forced Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Salem, to run in a district centered on the Salem area that leans Democratic. Woodburn Mayor Eric Swenson won a three-way Democratic race. Senate District 16: Rep. Suzanne Weber, R-Tillamook, will face Democrat Melissa Busch, a nurse and union activist. The most evenly partisan district in the state was long the seat of Johnson, the centrist Democrat running as an unaffiliated candidate for governor. Senate District 26: Rep. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, another casualty of redistricting, is running for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Chuck Thomsen, R-Hood River. Bonham will have a tighter political squeeze, running in a district where there is only a slight Republican advantage. Democrat Raz Mason is a private security guard and longtime activist, who also lives in The Dalles. In the 60-seat House, members face elections every two years. Every seat is on the 2022 ballot, using new districts. Dave's Redistricting rates 35 Oregon House districts as strongly or likely Democratic wins. Republicans have 15 districts strongly tilted in their direction. Just 10 districts don't rate a Republican red or Democratic blue hue on the map. Only one House District 53 in Deschutes County is east of the Cascades. House District 6: Rep. Kim Wallan, R-Medford is seeking re-election to a rare southern Oregon district that - at least on paper - is in play for both parties. Democrat Dan Davis of Medford will try to flip the seat. House District 9: Wright, the freshman who won a formerly Democratic seat in Coos Bay, is unopposed, despite a statistically competitive district. As recently as 2018, Democrats held the House and Senate seat representing Coos Bay. But seeing the increasing support for former President Donald Trump, Democratic Sen. Arne Roblan and Rep. Caddy McKeown did not run for another term in 2020. Republicans took both seats that November. House District 12: The eastern Lane County district has Oakridge environmental advocate Michelle Emmons as the Democratic nominee. Charlie Conrad, an operations supervisor at the Lane County Events Center, from Dexter, eked out a 100-vote win in a four-candidate Republican race. House District 15: Taking in areas in and around Albany, it's the home base of Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany. Boshart Davis has been a key leader in Drazan's campaign for governor. She will face Democrat Benjamin Watts, also from Albany. House District 21: Covering areas around north Salem, the race features a return to the ballot for 2002 GOP governor nominee and former state party chair Kevin Mannix. He's up against Democrat Ramiro Navarro Jr., a veterans' advocate from Salem. House District 24: McMinnville is the hub for this Yamhill County district. Republican business owner Lucetta Elmer faces Democrat attorney Victoria Ernst. Rep. Ron Noble, R-McMinnville, opted to run in the GOP primary for the new 6th Congressional District, but finished second to Mike Erickson. House District 31: Taking in a suburban-rural mix primarily in Columbia and Yamhill counties, the race is one of the seats in the northwest corner of the state up for grabs. The Republican in the race is Brian Stout, a Columbia City businessman who narrowly lost two years ago to Rep. Brad Witt, R-Clatskanie. With redistricting adding more Republicans to the electoral mix, Witt decamped to the Salem area to run in the more Democratic-friendly House District 19. He finished third in the primary. Anthony Sorace, a Scappoose software engineer, will seek to keep Witt's old seat in the Democratic column. House District 32: The seat just to the west of House District 31 includes Astoria. Democrat Logan Laity, a Tillamook businessman and community activist, faces moderate Republican Cyrus Javadi, a Tillamook dentist. Javadi won the primary with a focus on local issues and saying he would prefer Trump not run for president in 2024. The seat was held by Weber, who is running for the Senate. House District 52: The Hood River area district has former Republican Rep. Jeffrey Helfrich seeking a return to the House. Democrat Darcy Long is a financial advisor and city council member in The Dalles. Incumbent Rep. Anna Williams, D-Hood River, was one of three Democratic women House members who opted out of 2022 races, saying the $33,000 salary was too low for the hours demanded by the position. Democrats are confident in keeping the Hood River and Ashland seats, while expanding their territory west of the Cascades to include a constellation of districts in the Willamette Valley. Iverson said he believes there are other possible pick-ups for Republicans in the area around the state capital, pointing to Rep. Raquel Moore-Green, R-Salem, who is running for Senate District 10 against Sen. Deb. Patterson, D-Salem. Republicans also believe they can sweep the two House districts and one Senate district covering the area Astoria and fanning out to the east and south. "We feel great about the northwest coastal areas," Iverson said. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SATURDAY Willamette Valley Symphony concert, 7 p.m., performing arts center, West Albany High School, 2100 SW Elm St. The symphony will perform Brahm's Symphony No. 2, along with other pieces. Tickets are $20/adults; $18/seniors; free for youth under age 18. An adult who brings a youth under 18 gets in free as well. Information: lefton4@comcast.net or 541-754-9429. SUNDAY The Eugene Gay Men's Chorus presents "Renewal," 4:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. This is a concert about renewing our spirits and reclaiming our voices with music designed to touch the heart. The chorus will share songs that reflect our collective journeys through depression and grief, toward healing, community, hope and love. Tickets: $10 and $15 at https://tickets.chorusconnection.com/egmc/events/457. Willamette Valley Symphony concert, 4 p.m., Ashbrook Independent School, 4045 SW Research Way, Corvallis. The symphony will perform Brahm's Symphony No. 2, along with the high-spirited Litaliana in Algeri Overture by Rossini and Polovstian Dances by Borodin. A pre-concert talk describing the program is set for 3:30. Tickets are $20/adults; $18/seniors; free for youth under age 18; an adult who brings a youth under 18 gets in free as well. Tickets are available at https://go.evvnt.com/1180334-0. The symphony asks that audience members be vaccinated and wear a mask. Information: lefton4@comcast.net or 541-754-9429. MONDAY Tap Talks presentation, 5 p.m., Common Fields, 545 SW Third St., Corvallis. At 5 p.m.: Participate in a writing session hosted by Penny Rosenberg, editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times, Albany Democrat-Herald and Lebanon Express, with information sheets and other resources for writing powerful letters. At 6 p.m.: Tap Talks presentation, "Intersectional Environmentalism: The Key to Fighting Racism and Climate Change." Using her work with the Washington State Environmental Justice Task Force and as executive director of 500 Women Scientists, Emily Pinckney will discuss how to collaborate with members of underserved communities in the creation of equitable agency practices, legislation and lived experiences. The presentation will be live-streamed on Instagram at 500womenscientists_corvallis. With each purchase of food and drink from Common Fields, Kalamata Bistro and Black Forest Kitchen, 10% of the day's sales will be donated to 500 Women Scientists Ukraine and Poland as part of an all-day dine-out fundraiser. TUESDAY Flag Day flag rally, 1 to 2 p.m., by the National Guard Armory, 1100 NW Kings Blvd., Corvallis. Sponsored by the Benton County Republican Women. Information: carolynleewebb76@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY "The Mindset of Greek Orthodox Christianity," 7 p.m., Zoom. The Very Rev. Stephen Soot, priest of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Corvallis, will compare and contrast Orthodox Christianity with its Western cousins. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, Corvallis. The Zoom link is https://bit.ly/3mwek3T, meeting ID 864 6905 0085, passcode 683756. Information: gailwellscommunications@comcast.net. Items for this calendar are pulled from the user-generated calendar that runs on our websites. For further information, write to jane.stoltz@lee.net. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the start time on Sunday for the Willamette Valley Symphony concert. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. DALEVILLE All In Credit Union is pleased to announce Gayla Land as the new Commercial Lender of Business Services. Land brings nearly two decades of sales and financial services experience to the Credit Union, adding value to Business Services operations with the addition of measurable sales strategies. Land has 17 years of experience working in the financial services industry. She began in 2005 as the store manager of Wells Fargo in Dothan. In this role, she implemented individual and team sales goals and built partnerships with businesses and community members. Before joining All In, Land served as the vice president and Financial Wellness Relationship manager for Regions Financial Corporation and as the corporate branch manager at Five Star Credit Union. Her desire to build community relationships and lead others to success led her to Leadership Dothan in 2010, where she learned the principles of teamwork and collaboration in the workplace. Along with industry certifications and accreditations, Land received her bachelor of Psychology and Counseling, summa cum laude, from Troy University. With a strong passion for helping others, Land went on to learn American Sign Language to provide financial education to members of the Deaf community through the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. Gaylas experience in leadership positions has taught her the importance of being proactive in finding solutions for businesses so that their day-to-day operations run as smoothly as possible, said Chad Meeks, vice president of Business Services at All In Credit Union. All In Credit Union is proud to have Gayla Land in the role of Commercial Lender. We look forward to watching Gayla serve the business community with excellence. Land is looking forward to sharing her expertise and knowledge with All In. I am delighted to join an organization focused on serving the banking needs of businesses in our community and being a part of such a phenomenal team. The Houston County Commission will vote Monday on whether to amend an agreement with the Town of Gordon to assist the town with a financial audit. Rather than write the town a check, the county commission plans to reimburse the towns expense. Last month, Gordon Mayor Charles Dismuke requested an audit of years 2017-2021 to help the town get its finances in order after several turbulent years politically. Commissioners voted May 24 to pay $16,500 toward Gordons audit. However, the commission worded the agreement in a way that would have Houston County pay the auditor directly rather than the Town of Gordon. The county has since learned it cannot do that, hence the need to amend the agreement with Gordon. It will be up to the Town of Gordon to come up with the funds to pay the auditor, Commission Chairman Mark Culver said during Thursdays administrative meeting. They need to have an audit done for the years they havent had one done because a lot of the grants and the entities they do business with need the audit before they can just give them funds, Culver said. They havent been able to do audits or anything else because they havent had the funds. We have no interest in getting into their business or bailing them out, but we provide them some funds so we have interest in this audit because we have funds involved. The past few years have been troubled for the Town of Gordon. In 2017, then-Mayor Elbert Melton was charged with voter fraud stemming from his 2016 election and second-degree theft pertaining to $1,700 in town funds. He was found guilty on two counts of voter fraud in 2019 and removed from office. Prior to his conviction, the town council stripped Melton of his mayoral duties following his absence as Hurricane Michael moved through the southeast corner of Houston County. During his tenure, Melton clashed with several council members. Three resigned from office. Mayor Pro Tem Shana Ray who became mayor in 2019 following Meltons ejection from office was arrested for a trespassing charge filed by Melton and his family and later for a harassment charge filed by a Gordon resident. Dismuke defeated Ray for the mayors seat in 2020. During the county commissions May 5 administrative meeting, Dismuke provided a grim financial picture for Gordon, including bills that went unpaid during a previous administration. Dismuke told county commissioners the town owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills, state and federal garnishments, and loan payments. The town relies on water and sewer fees for revenue as well as a small amount of sales tax revenues from a Dollar General. Our maintenance department youre looking at our maintenance department, Dismuke said during the May 5 meeting, posted to the countys YouTube channel. While county commissioners praised efforts to get Gordons finances in order, several said there needs to be accountability for any misused or misappropriated funds. Dismuke said the town needs a solid financial audit in order to be eligible for grants and loan programs that would help it move forward. We just want to do the right thing, Dismuke said. Peggy Ussery is a Dothan Eagle staff writer and can be reached at aussery@dothaneagle.com or 334-712-7963. Support her work and that of other Eagle journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at dothaneagle.com. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By Trend The working hours of government agencies in Iran have been changed, starting from June 11 to August 25, 2022, in order to eliminate the electricity shortage in the country in the summer, Spokesman for Iranian government Ali Bahadori Jahromi said, Trend reports the governments official website (dolat.ir). According to the decision of the Cabinet of Iran, working hours in the country for the reporting period will begin at 07:00 local time (GMT+ 3:30) and end at 13:30, the spokesman noted. He also added that of course, a number of steps will be taken during the week to make up for the reduced working hours as a result of the change. Bahadori Jahromi emphasized that at present, Irans power generation capacity is more than 86,000 megawatt-hours. This summer, the daily electricity shortage is expected to be more than 10,000 megawatt-hours. On June 8, 2022, electricity supply to several government agencies, including two ministries and several branches of the Central Bank of Iran, was suspended in Iran. The reason for the suspension of electricity supply was the failure of government agencies to comply with the warning of the Iranian Energy Ministry to reduce consumption. Sip, Celebrate & Give is meant to feel like a happy hour gathering after a day at work, so a local micro distillery was seen as a fitting venue for the fundraiser to benefit Wiregrass 211. The signature fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit will be held on Tuesday, June 21, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Keel & Co. Distilling, located at 119 W. Church St. in Headland. This is the first time Wiregrass 211 has held Sip, Celebrate & Give outside of Dothan. We cover more than just the Dothan and Houston County area, Wiregrass 211 Executive Director David Duke said. We cover seven counties, Henry County being one of those counties. Attendees will be entertained with live music and can participate in live and silent auctions during the evening, which will feature hors doeuvres, door prizes and a cash bar. Sponsors as well as donated auction items are still being sought for the event. Keel & Co. Distilling hosted a car show fundraiser to benefit Wiregrass 211 last year. Duke said he was so impressed that he wanted to hold 211s signature fundraiser there to introduce more people to the Headland distillery, which has a tasting room for its whiskey products and regular live music. Its a wonderful facility, Duke said. Its a place that a lot of people have still not been to yet or are not familiar with. Tickets to attend Sip, Celebrate & Give are $35. Call 334-836-1963 or visit www.GiveButter.com/Sip for a link to purchase tickets or just to make a donation to the organization. Purchases and donations can be made through Venmo and PayPal. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Those interested can also give by joining the Wiregrass 211 Club, which seeks to get 211 people to join and donate $100 each. The money is used to help 10 families or individuals with resources and services to become self-sufficient. Its a time that you can come in and find out more about our agency, what it is that we do, and the impact that were having throughout the Wiregrass area, Duke said. Also, its a time to be able to give to our agency. We depend highly on donations and support locally. All donations to Wiregrass 211 are tax deductible. Now in its 14th year, Wiregrass 211 is a nonprofit that helps residents locate needed services whether its assistance with housing or help for senior citizens. It works like a one-stop shop for community services when you dont know where to turn. Wiregrass 211 connects those that call to the agency or organization that can best fulfill their needs. The organization serves Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties and partners with more than 900 local service agencies and organizations. Callers can connect with a call specialist by dialing 2-1-1 or texting. Residents can also search a statewide online database of services at wiregrass211.com. Duke said the bulk of Wiregrass 211s financial support is from local donations and local supporters. Sip, Celebrate & Give is one way the organization can raise money while giving donors an enjoyable evening. Without the local support, there wouldnt be a 211, he said. We know and realize that, and we appreciate it. Peggy Ussery is a Dothan Eagle staff writer and can be reached at aussery@dothaneagle.com or 334-712-7963. Support her work and that of other Eagle journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at dothaneagle.com. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GADSDEN A man who tried to enter an Alabama elementary school where a summer program was being held was shot to death by police Thursday morning, authorities said. Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a potential intruder went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy program was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were locked and the principal contacted the school resource officer when she realized what was happening, Reddick said. The resource officer confronted a person who attempted to break into a marked Rainbow City police car near the school, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. More officers from the Gadsden Police Department showed up to assist, the statement said. The person was shot to death after resisting and trying to take the resource officers gun, the agency said. The statement, which didnt mention any attempt to enter the school, didnt say how many shots were fired or by whom. The state identified the dead man as Robert Tyler White, 32, of Bunnlevel, North Carolina. Officials dont know whether the man was a passerby or something else, Reddick said. Authorities didnt immediately release details including whether White was armed or why he might have been trying to get into the school or patrol car. While the resource officer suffered minor injuries, no students were hurt and most didnt realize anything unusual had happened, Reddick said. Our primary concern was just making sure that someone who wasnt authorized to be in our building does not enter and our kids are safe, he said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sent a tweet saying school police immediately took action, faculty inside the building followed safety protocols and all children present were kept out of harms way. I commend all involved for acting quickly to protect these children, it said. Real estate companies said they are facing difficulties in accessing capital following the tightening of loan regulations. Van Xuan Group, a HCMC-based housing developer, obtained a VND2 trillion ($86.3 million) loan for developing a new project. But the bank halted disbursement soon after construction began, saying its lending limit had run out, group Director Nguyen Minh Nhat told a conference Tuesday. In Vietnam, there are four channels for property developers to mobilize capital: crowdfunding, stocks and bonds, investment funds and loans. But there are complications in accessing them, Nhat said. Investment from foreign funds has slowed over lengthy procedures, while recent crackdowns on real estate companies over securities and bond violations have scared investors from the market. In April, for example, property developer bond issuances came to a complete halt following the government asking the central bank to monitor them closely. Vo Thi Hong Mai, deputy director of real estate company Asian Holding, said housing market liquidity has been low since the Covid-19 pandemic struck two years ago. News about the tightening of real estate loans by commercial banks has discouraged prospective homeowners, who tend to borrow 20-30 percent of a housing units price, she said. "I wish the banking industry would address the difficulties in lending to developers and customers so that the market could recover by the end of this year," Mai added. Le Hoang Chau, chairman of HCMC Real Estate Association, said many real estate companies badly need capital because they are not able to get loans from commercial banks. It has become much harder for developers and buyers to obtain loans from banks in the past two months following the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) instructing commercial banks to limit loans for potentially risky purposes like trading stock and real estate development, he noted. "Capital is the backbone of the economy, the lifeblood and oxygen tank for the real estate market. Without gaining access to it, businesses are suffocating." In response, SBV Deputy Governor Dao Minh Tu said the central bank did not direct the tightening of real estate loans. It has only engaged in risk management of lending to developers for speculation and market manipulation, and there was no lending limit for companies with highly feasible projects. Commercial banks decide whether to approve a loan or not, Tu said. He added it was necessary for Vietnam to mitigate bad debt risks to avoid a systemic crash, a lesson learnt from the bursting of real estate bubbles. Therefore, the SBVs tightening of risk management will only ensure financial stability and create a more equal environment for all businesses, he added. Nguyen Van Luan feels uncertain about his future as authorities have yet to reach a final say on a nuclear power plant project in Vinh Truong Village, Ninh Thuan. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Quoc For over a decade people in two Ninh Thuan Province villages have been waiting for a final decision by the government on two proposed nuclear power plants. But with their lands remaining frozen, their patience is running out. Vinh Truong village in Thuan Nam District, about 15 km away from Phan Rang Town, is on the coast. It is where the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant was supposed to be built, and is home to hundreds of families who live in dilapidated houses. Decades ago, when news broke that a nuclear power plant would be constructed in the village in the south central province, Nguyen Van Luan, 53, and many other locals prepared to move elsewhere, but the project never commenced. Six years ago the National Assembly decided to suspend the project. The suspension was not what disappointed the people the most; it was the fact that there was no compensation for all those years of waiting. Over 8,000 square meters of shrimp farms were among the lands to be acquired for the project, meaning Luan could not invest any more money in it and can only keep it afloat, just enough to put food on the table for his family of six. He says: "It has been many years, but I still don't know what my future is. I live in uncertainty, uncertain whether I would leave or stay." Huynh Nghia Long, 44, who lives a few houses away from him, says over two hectares of his family's agricultural land have been lying fallow for years since they are also included in the plants plans. "I cannot do anything with it ... to make some money." The villagers of Vinh Truong mostly make a living by fishing, their livelihoods depending on Mother Nature. But over the years their lives have become fickle. Nguyen Van Nien, 71, a fisherman, says months of survey activities in the village, including rock drilling, ruined the coral reefs years ago. After losing their habitats, many sea creatures fled and their numbers have never quite recovered, he says. "As the number of fish dwindles, we catch fewer of them and life is tough. We waited for the government to relocate us, but that day never came." The nuclear project, approved by the National Assembly in 2009, entailed two plants with a total capacity of 4,000 MW - one requiring 440 ha in Vinh Truong and the other on 380 ha in Thai An village of Ninh Hai District. After several delays the National Assembly decided to suspend the project. But late last month the House's Economic Commission proposed reviving it. Nguyen Thanh Du, head of Vinh Truong village, says it is the indecisiveness of authorities about whether to continue or scrap the project that has affected the lives of over 250 families with 1,000 members. Locals agreed to the project at first thinking it would foster the nations economic development. But after so many years their patience has run out. For over a decade they have not received any support from the government. Du says many lands have been abandoned for years due to this state of limbo. People cannot invest in them or grow crops on them, meaning a loss of income. Several families, who are already poor themselves, had to borrow from banks and now cannot pay off their debts. The consequences are not just economic. Around 100 families, whose children are adults, cannot divide land plots to build their own homes and have no choice but to live in the same small houses with the rest of the family. "Young couples have to live in tiny spaces with their parents and grandparents, which can be suffocating," Du says. Even the dead in the village cannot be buried properly since the graveyard is also part of the power plant plan, he says. "People have to take the dead to faraway mountains or unclaimed lands for burial." Du says all he wants is for the National Assembly and government to make a decision on the Ninh Thuan 1 power plant so that people could have their lives back. If authorities decide to go ahead, they would need to help the people relocate, and if the project is scrapped, there needs to be compensation for the people to restart their lives, he says. About 35 km to the north of Vinh Truong, over 800 families with 2,800 members in Thai An village face the same predicament. It was the site proposed for the Ninh Thuan 2 plant, and hundreds of hectares of land near the coast that have traditionally been used to grow grapes and apples were taken over by authorities in 2010. "People cannot even build houses, which has upended their lives," Nguyen Thanh My, chairman of the Vinh Hai village peoples committee, says. The village administration has asked authorities for policies to benefit people living on lands intended for the power plant, allowing them to exercise land rights so that they could earn money to sustain themselves. Tran Quoc Nam, chairman of the Ninh Thuan Province peoples committee, says ever since the National Assembly suspended the project, locals are unsure about what the future holds for them. The lack of a decision has impacted many aspects of their lives, he says. He says a clear decision will help local authorities plan their next move. For example, if it is decided that construction of the nuclear power plant will begin in another 50 years, the province can approve investment in other projects and fields, such as eco-tourism, he says. There might be different plans if the project is to begin in another 30 years, he adds. The debate over Vietnams first nuclear power projects in Ninh Thuan resurfaced this year after it made a commitment at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Economic Committee said in a report last month that the country should consider reviving its nuclear plans to ensure energy security and economic development since nuclear energy is clean in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Retirees in Vietnam say their monthly pensions are far below living costs and they are having to continue working to make ends meet. Nguyen Thi Lan and her husband Tran Minh Chau are both 65. They live in Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Phu District. In 2012, Lan retired after 26 years of paying social insurance. The next year, Chau retired after 20 years of paying social insurance. Nguyen Thi Lan and her husband Tran Minh Chau at their house in Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Phu District, June 2022. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong As per existing law, contracted laborers must pay social insurance for 20 years to get a pension when they retire. Before 2021, the retirement age was regulated at 55 for women and 60 for men. Starting last year, Vietnam has gradually increased the retirement age until it reaches 60 years for women by 2035 and 62 for men by 2028. With Lan fulfilling all required conditions, she is eligible for the highest retirement pension level, which is 75 percent of the monthly salary that had been used to calculate her social insurance premiums when she was working. Today, she gets a pension of VND1.8 million ($77.2) each month. Lan said back when she was still a worker at the Hung Hau Agricultural JSC, it "was not easy" for her and other workers to know the salary level on which the social insurance premium was based. "When receiving the decision on my retirement pension, I was shocked at how low it was," Lan said. Her husbands pension is even lower. Though Chau had worked for 20 years, he retired at 56, four years sooner than regulated. Because of that, he was offered a pension level of just 55 percent of his salary base or VND1.3 million per month. Through several adjustments in which the government decided to raise the retirement pension, Lan now receives VND2.8 million and the pension for Chau is VND2.1 million. In Vietnam, those living in urban areas and earning less than VND2 million per month are considered poor. HCMC's poverty line is VND3.8 million ($164). However, the couple cannot get access any aid policy for the poor because they are classified as retirees with monthly pensions. Ever since they retired, Chau has worked as a guard at stores while Lan has found a seasonal job at the Hung Hau Agricultural JSC. During the latest Covid-19 outbreak in HCMC last year, both lost their jobs and have stayed unemployed until now. "All our bills, from utility to healthcare, and our daily spending are now dependent on the total pension of VND4.9 million," said Lan. Nguyen Van Phai, 56, retired in 2017 from his position as a sanitation worker for District 6 Public Service Co. Ltd after an accident that left him with a broken leg. He has a retirement pension of VND3.4 million per month after 21 years of paying social insurance. With his wife working as a scrap vendor and son still a student, Phai and his wife struggle to make ends meet. These days, he works as a motorbike taxi driver. Nguyen Van Phai works as a motorbike taxi driver in Ho Chi Minh City, June 2022. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong Dodging the law Phai, Lan and Chau are among more than 45,000 people in HCMC who get monthly pensions of under the city's poverty line, according to data from HCMC Social Security. Its director Phan Van Men said the city has more than 222,000 people receiving retirement pensions, at a monthly average of nearly VND6 million. He said there are some cases in which the retiree receives more than VND124 million per month, but also those who get less than VND1 million per month. Whether the pension is high or low depends on the duration that employees paid the social insurance and the salary levels used as the basis for paying social insurance premiums. In most cases, those that receive low retirement pensions are factory workers. Men said many companies "dodged the law" to reduce the sum paid because it requires employees to pay one-third and employers pay two-thirds of the premiums. Employees either agreed with or did not care how their employers split their remuneration into basic income and perks, making a low sum the basis for social insurance premiums, he added. Mai Duc Chinh, former deputy chairman of Vietnam Labor Confederation, said poor pension is the result of using minium wage as the salary base for calculating social insurance contributions. Chinh said employers should be required to pay the contributions based on the employees' actual income. Nguyen Ngoc Quynh, a social security expert at the United Nations Population Fund, said that currently, retirees receiving pensions that are too low cannot access any social support scheme and this needed to be fixed. The state needs to expand the group receiving monthly social benefits to those who are receiving pensions below the poverty level, which is VND2 million per month for urban areas and VND1.5 million per month for rural areas, she said. In some countries such as Finland and Sweden, pensions are also granted to retirees from the social insurance fund following the principle of their having contributed to the fund. However, those who receive pensions below the minimum living standard will be offered an additional sum from the social pension fund from the state budget, Quynh said. She said that in order to implement this policy, the pension system and the social insurance fund need to complete each other and stay interconnected. Vietnam should also build a synchronous social security database to ensure the accurate provision of benefits for low-income people, she said. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman speaks on the situation in Afghanistan at the State Department in Washington, DC, U.S., August 18, 2021. Photo by Reuters/Andrew Harnik U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will begin a four-day visit to Vietnam starting Friday, according to the foreign affairs ministry. Shermans visit is made at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, foreign ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said at a Thursday press meet. Sherman and the U.S. delegation accompanying her will meet representatives of Vietnamese entities "to discuss issues regarding bilateral cooperation, as well as certain global and regional issues of mutual interest," Hang said. Previously, the U.S. Department of State had announced that Sherman would visit four Asian countries, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos, from June 5 to June 14 to reaffirm the U.S.s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their relations in 1995 and established their comprehensive partnership in 2013. The U.S. lifted an arms embargo on Vietnam in 2016. The U.S. continues to be Vietnams largest export market, with an export trade turnover in 2021 at $91.5 billion, a 24 percent increase compared to the same period in 2020. Vietnam is the ninth largest commercial partner for the U.S. Foreign tourists drive motorbikes when touring Dong Van Town of Ha Giang Province in northern Vietnam in 2018. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Nga Australian magazine Traveller has published its 11 bucket-list experiences, including a scooter ride around Vietnam to "see a country in the same way pretty much all of its residents do." "You get the unadulterated glory of one of the world's great destinations, you get some of the best food on the planet, you get the thrill of the open road, and the joy of absolute freedom," Traveller wrote. It advised travelers to take their own protective gear, buy a local SIM to use Google Maps, use a decent agency to hire a bike and check travel insurance cover. The scooter rental service has been booming in Vietnam in recent years as it costs around VND100,000 150,000 ($4.50-$6) per day to rent a bike. Foreign tourists are required to leave their passports behind. However, many foreign visitors have been killed in road accidents across Vietnam, stirring debate over the responsibility of bike rental services. The Australian magazine also recommended other travel experiences like staying in a Japanese ryokan, taking a North American road trip, visiting Antarctica and traveling by train in India. A great career provides more than paycheck. It offers a sense of purpose, the chance to grow, and an opportunity to develop lifelong relationships. One of the things I love telling people about Nevada mining is that we take care of our employees with not only good pay and benefits, but personal investment in helping people expand their skillset. However, mining frequently has upwards of a thousand unfilled positions. To address this, the Nevada Mining Association and its membership are taking a number of creative approaches to address the gap, both in the short and long term. Our own backyard is the logical starting point to attract new employees. Operators like Nevada Gold Mines host job fairs in mining communities throughout the year. These events give local residents the opportunity to learn about openings and in some cases, even enter the hiring process. Additionally, programs through area schools like Great Basin College provide local residents with degree and certificate programs designed to help them develop the skills required for specialized positions. Looking ahead to tomorrow, operators are connecting with local high schools, sending employees to work on joint projects that also educate students about mining career paths. One ongoing project/competition involves Kinross Bald Mountain providing schools with materials to build geo prisms, constructing them alongside Bald Mountain welders, and explaining to students the role geo prisms play in mining. The top school will receive $500 for their welding program, with students receiving a program certificate to put on their resume while also learning about mining careers. Beyond local mining communities, partnerships with Nevadas four-year universities can show students the benefits of a mining career. In addition to traditional internships offered by several operations, the Nevada Mining Association is co-sponsoring the 360 Degree Internship Program, alongside the Bureau of Land Management and five Nevada mining companies. Students, including several from UNR and UNLV, are participating in the ten-week program, which is split between working with a mine operator and a regional BLM office. The programs goal is to give students a full overview of the mining industry, from both the operational and regulatory perspectives. Thank you to Nevada Gold Mines, Coeur Mining, KGHM, Kinross Gold, and SSR Mining for partnering on this unique opportunity for Nevada college students. UNR is also working in collaboration with Great Basin College to develop the Mining Center for Excellence, located on GBCs Elko campus. The goal of the center is to strengthen the relationship between higher education and mining in the state and help Nevada residents interested in pursuing a mining career with easier access to gain the skills they will need on the job site. Making inroads to new communities is also critical. Over the last year, the Nevada Mining Association and its members have worked in collaboration with Nevada Partners, a Las Vegas based workforce development agency, to introduce southern Nevadans to the mining industry. We are already seeing successes through initial career seminars, with Kinross Gold hiring a number of Las Vegans from the historic Westside area of the city. This is just a snapshot of the numerous activities ongoing throughout the state to attract talent from all 17 Nevada counties to mining. With the economic recovery we have seen over the previous year, finding new employees is extremely competitive and requires outside-the-box thinking. I am proud of the proactive work being done across the mining industry to not only retain the talent already in the industry, but to think ahead to tomorrow and welcome the next generation of the Nevada mining family! Tyre Gray is president of the Nevada Mining Association Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 June 15 marks the International Day of Women in Mining 2022 during which womens contributions to the mining industry are globally celebrated. In honor of this day, lets remember some of the Nevada women who broke the trail for the many women who now work in todays mining industry. Every mine can trace its origin to a discovery. During Nevadas first 100 years of statehood, prospectors roamed the state, looking for that next silver ledge or pocket of free gold. With knowledge that came more often from experience than a classroom, entrepreneurial explorers would load up a burro or a horse-drawn wagon with enough equipment to spend many days out in Nevadas basins and ranges. The ubiquitous image of a grizzled man with a floppy hat, suspendered jeans, and a pick has endured because it reflected a common reality, but some of those dusty prospectors were women who wore gingham dresses, rather than blue jeans, with their boots. As the state rounded the corner from the Victorian Era to the 20th century, more and more women could be found out in the sagebrush, looking for minerals. Newspapers would highlight the activities of these women prospectors, such as Bessie Millers sale of her Goldfield claims in 1906 for $50,000 (roughly $1.5 million today). In that same year, the Reno newspaper reported the successful bonding of 21 copper claims by Fermina Sarras for whom the town of Mina was named. [T]he well known woman prospector, continued the article with obvious admiration, still takes long, hard prospecting trips into the hills, even though she was 66 years old at the time. Five years later, a reporter marveled that [i]t remained for a woman, a Mrs. Emma Stith, to discover what is supposed to be the richest surface prospect ever encountered in the National district. Carrie Willis Wilson was known for her mineral exploration around Pine Grove in Lyon County, and in 1934, the Yerington newspaper tapped Maym Schweble as the outstanding woman prospector in Nevada. The reporter explained that most old time mining men were deeply familiar with her successful development of mining properties. Maym was quoted, saying: I can still handle a muck stick with the best of them. She continued: Ive prospected all over Nevada, kicked all the rocks out of most of the old trails for the past 35 years. Maym Schweble was also the first female prospector and miner elected to the Nevada Legislature. Like their male counterparts, most female prospectors hoped to sell their prospects to someone else to develop the mines, but a few stuck around to do the development themselves. One such prospector was Helen Seifert of Silver Peak in Esmeralda County. Profiled by Ethel Parker, a metallurgists wife who wrote numerous sketches about mining women in the 1930s, Klondike Helen was a familiar sight as she built location monuments and worked on her many claims. Despite having to carry her own water and supplies on foot Klondike Helen had abandoned her car in Death Valley, declaring it a nuisance she did not find mining to be a difficult occupation. As Parker explained, Klondike Helens knowledge of rocks and minerals is considerable and a new specimen is as exciting to her as a new bonnet is to most women. Another notable prospector was Maggie Johnson of Mill Canyon, The Mining Woman of Cortez. Born a slave in Louisiana, Maggie found her way to Nevada after the Civil War and by the early 1880s, was in the Cortez Mining District. Like many Nevadans, she dreamed of finding treasure in the nearby mountains and would, as the Battle Mountain newspaper explained, dress in mens clothes and go out in search of that treasure. In 1889, her work was rewarded with the location of the Black Beauty claim, three miles west of Cortez Mountain. By 1891, she employed five men to work in her mine, and the newspaper boasted that she handles the hammer and drill, wheels rock, and sorts ore with the grace and acumen of an old miner. In the 1900 and 1910 censuses, when the census takers listed nearly all Nevada womens occupations as none, Maggie Johnson was recorded as a mine owner. At around the same time, Belle Butler also staked a claim that would soon become the biggest silver mine in Nevada. Belle lived on a ranch with her husband Jim who would do a little prospecting on the side. In 1900, he found some interesting samples, but did not stake the claims as quickly as Belle preferred. She urged him to complete that necessary claim location work and rode with him to the site. While he was busy, she did a bit of her own prospecting. Belle Butler located the Mizpah, recording it in her own name and naming it after a friend. The Mizpah Mine became the most productive silver mine in the state and brought the Butlers great wealth. Not every prospecting couple was as fortunate. In 1907, discouraged with their exploration efforts around Tonopah, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. McCarthy filled a buckboard with supplies, harnessed their two yellow horses, and struck out for Humboldt County. Their efforts were unsuccessful, and they began the return trip home when one of the horses kicked up an interesting rock. Daniel later admitted that he would not have examined it if his wife had not insisted. They staked the Yellow Horse claim together, but like Belle, Mrs. McCarthy (whose given name has not yet been confirmed) also did some of her own work. The Tonopah newspaper reported that she was famed as a woman prospector and soon discovered very rich gold ore. But her claims did not pan out, and Mrs. McCarthy vanished into the mists of history. For some Nevada women, such as Hannah Libbie Moran near Imlay, Josie Pearl at Leonard Creek, and Rose OConnor McDonald in the Newberry Mountains near Searchlight, prospecting and mining were a daily way of life. At a time when the death certificates for most adult women listed housewife as their occupation, the documents for all three women acknowledged their mining occupations. Most Nevada women prospectors, however, did not rely on kicking rocks to make a living. They engaged in other work. In 1927, while running a restaurant and raising three children, widow Edith Lewis located the Pembroke claims in the Gold Circle Mining District. The family moved to Montana around 1930, but Edith returned to Nevada for several years to work her claims. Also in the Gold Circle Mining District, Alma J. Irene True located the Gold Wave claim in 1935. A tall, gregarious woman, Irene drove freight from Winnemucca to Midas, the main town in the district, and returned to Winnemucca with bagged ore from Midas mines in the 1930s. She also drove the mail out to Denio, and in 1938 staked a claim in the Leonard Creek Mining District. It was not unusual for her to stop her large car, full of groceries, mining supplies, and letters for remote post offices, to walk out into the desert to investigate some attractive rock outcroppings. As late as 1960, the woman known for her proficiency with both business ventures and shotguns was still working the Gold Wave claim, declaring that she would not go into full production until gold increased from its then-price of $40 per ounce. Although few in number, women prospectors made discoveries that continue to reverberate in Nevada. Maggie Johnsons mine may very well be part of the Nevada Gold Mines complex at Cortez; travelers on Nevadas major north-south highway must pass through Mina, and visitors to the Tonopah Historic Mining Park often marvel at the headframe of Belle Butlers Mizpah Mine. These womens names, like that of Mrs. D.F. McCarthy, may have faded from memory, but picks and shovels skillfully handled by women such as Klondike Helen, Josie Pearl, and Irene True have left indelible marks on Nevadas mining industry. A Nevada historian who lives in Midas, Dana Bennett is the former President of the Nevada Mining Association, the current President of Friends of Midas, and the forthcoming Vice-President of the Mining History Association. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 ELKO A missing Utah man called family members from his home two days after he was seen in Montello, Nevada, according to the Elko County Sheriffs Office. The office released a statement Thursday about the disappearance of Dylan Rounds, 19, whose farm is near Lucin, Utah. We would like to clarify our involvement in this case as there is misinformation that the Elko County Sheriffs Office has jurisdiction over this case, said the release. The ECSO is assisting the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office in Utah and has been directing anyone with information on Rounds whereabouts to contact them. According to the Elko Sheriffs Office, Rounds was seen in Montello on May 26, not May 27 as reported on social media. He ate at a local establishment there and then returned to Utah. Cellphone data was used to track his phone around his farm near Lucin. He made a phone call to a family member on May 28 at approximately 6:51 a.m. Mountain Time. We can confirm that phone call was made from the farm based off the cell data, stated ECSO. Dylan disappeared sometime after he made that phone call. Rewards offered for finding two young men last seen in Elko County ELKO Two 19-year-olds from surrounding states remain missing in separate cases being investigated by the Elko County Sheriffs Office. Based on that information, jurisdiction for the case is retained by Utah law enforcement. We were first notified of this case on May 31, 2022, when we responded to Montello on a call that someone was being held hostage in Montello. Sheriffs Office Deputies responded to Montello and searched a residence with the consent of the owner. At that time, we reached out to Box Elder County and offered our assistance, the statement continued. We have been diligently working with the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office and providing them resources they have requested. We have also escorted their detectives into Nevada where they have conducted interviews with people that may be associated with Dylans case. The Elko County Sheriffs Office has accommodated all requests by Box Elder County Sheriffs Office for interviews of persons associated with this case. 19-year-old missing in northwest Utah ELKO Authorities in Utah and Nevada are involved in the search for a 19-year-old man who was reported missing from Box Elder County last week. Detectives and deputies from our office have also been conducting a parallel investigation into information we can connect to any person or persons with information on the Nevada side. We have been sharing those interviews with detectives from Box Elder County. The Elko County Sheriffs Office will not release any information that has the potential to compromise an active, ongoing investigation. Any additional details involving this case will be released by the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 0 By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Natig Mammadli of the Media Development Agency believes that a new information environment has shaped in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports per a meeting of the media watchdog. He made this remark at the event on the protection of human rights in the media. The meeting heard that the 5th paragraph of the Azerbaijani law "On Media" that came into force on February 8 covers media freedom issues. "Article 6 of the law prohibits restricting a journalist from exercising any professional activity. We have provided some newsrooms with various recommendations on this issue. Almost all news sites of socio-political content, as well as news agencies, have posted the document and follow the rules of professional conduct," Nariq Mammadli, a department head, noted. Speaking of a crisis of international human rights law, Mammadli stressed that the human rights issue is used as an instrument of pressure in relation to some countries, including Azerbaijan. "We are principally against the use of human rights for political purposes," he added. In Azerbaijan, the media bill was adopted 20 years ago. Certain changes were made, but some points remained open. In December 2021, the Azerbaijani parliament adopted a new law On the media. It determines the general rules of the organization of media activities, the legal and economic basis of these activities, as well as the receipt, preparation, transmission, production, and dissemination of mass information. The document consists of nine chapters and 78 clauses. It provides for all the details, from raising the level of professionalism of journalists to solving their social problems. This creates the necessary legal framework for better protection of information security in Azerbaijan. Some groups with ulterior motivations are attempting to shoehorn the food issue into the "China threat" narrative since it has lately been a hot subject around the globe. They have made flimsy allegations that China snaps up and hoards grains in the international market, exacerbating global food shortage and that China is indifferent to global food crisis, etc. As a matter of fact, China is the world's largest grain producer and third largest grain exporter. Currently China supplies over 95 percent of its own needs for grain. It is unnecessary for the country to "hoard grains" in the international market. Agnes Kalibata, special envoy of the UN Secretary-General to the 2021 Food Systems Summit, stated that China has well managed its grain reserves, not only ensuring food supply for the Chinese people, but contributing to the food security of people worldwide. With less than nine percent of the world's arable land, China produces about a quarter of the world's grain and feeds nearly one-fifth of the world's population. At the same time, it has made positive contributions to safeguarding global food security. In recent years, China has donated $130 million to the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and has ranked first among developing countries in terms of the amount of financial aid provided, the number of experts dispatched, and the number of projects undertaken under the framework of the FAO's South-South Cooperation Programme. Since 2016, China has continuously provided emergency food assistance for more than 50 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, benefiting more than 10 million people affected by disasters. Particularly, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has provided emergency food assistance for countries including Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, Benin, and Liberia, winning widespread praise from the international community and people of various countries. By sending experts, establishing demonstration farms, training farmers, promoting improved crop varieties and offering technical support, China has been sincerely and earnestly helping various countries improve agricultural production capacity and food security situation. Since 1979, China has promoted high-yielding Chinese hybrid rice varieties in dozens of countries and regions in Asia, Africa and America, increasing the annual planting area of the hybrid rice in these countries and regions to eight million hectares. The average yield per hectare of the Chinese hybrid rice varieties is about two tons higher than that of local improved varieties. Chinese researchers went to India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and other countries to provide advice and consulting services for local people on agricultural production, and trained more than 14,000 professional and technical personnel in hybrid rice plantation methods through international training courses for more than 80 developing countries. Moreover, China has been striving to promote the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It calls on countries to keep the global food trade open and urges relevant countries to lift unilateral sanctions, in a bid to maintain the stable and unimpeded operation of global industrial and supply chains. In contrast to China's contributions to global food security, the U.S., the largest grain exporter in the world, is the major instigator behind the current global food crisis. There is no doubt that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, world's largest and sixth largest wheat exporter, respectively, has inevitably damaged global food industrial chain. It should be noted, though, that Washington's pushing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) eastward, waging proxy wars, selling arms and ammunition, and showing partiality to one side of conflict are the root causes of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Besides, the world's four largest grain trading companies, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus, have monopolized more than 80 percent of the grain trade in the world, among which three are American companies. As global grain prices soar, the four grain dealers, relying on their global monopoly on grain trade and unrivaled capital power, "buy low and sell high" on the grain futures markets, wantonly raking in profits around the world and continuously driving up global grain prices. Instead of taking practical actions to address relevant problems, the U.S. has added fuel to the flames for the root cause of the global food crisis. Steering clear of the crucial point, it has racked its brains to improve the window dressing for attention and moral advantage by using one-thousandth of the profits from its grain monopoly as food aid, attempting to divert the international community's attention away from the root cause of the food crisis so as to consolidate the unfair global grain trade order dominated by the U.S. The international community has made a commitment to end hunger, food insecurity, and all forms of malnutrition globally by 2030. China has made and will continuously make unremitting efforts for the goal. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently said in a major China policy speech that China and the U.S. can't let the disagreements that divide the two countries stop them from moving forward on the priorities that demand that they work together, including addressing the global food crisis and other challenges. Since the U.S. is accustomed to saying one thing while meaning another, China always watches what it does while listening to what it says. China stands ready to collaborate with other countries on food aid and global development. It is about time the U.S. took the right action. In recent years, BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have maintained sound momentum of economic and trade cooperation. With the growth rate of exports among them exceeding the global average, BRICS countries have made important contributions to promoting global economic recovery and high-quality development. The emerging-market bloc, whose gross domestic product (GDP), trade in goods and foreign capital intake accounts for 23 percent, 18 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of the worlds total, has become an important force that cannot be ignored in the world economy. In November 2020, the five BRICS countries adopted the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2025, which specified three key spheres of cooperation, including trade, investment and finance, digital economy, and sustainable development, and goals for cooperation in each sphere, charting a new development path for deepening BRICS economic partnership in the next five years. As the BRICS chair for 2022, China will host the 14th BRICS Summit and other activities. China looks forward to working together with other BRICS countries to jointly grasp new opportunities for development, address new risks and challenges, and achieve more robust, greener, and healthier global development by building a more comprehensive, closer, more pragmatic and more inclusive BRICS partnership under the theme of the 14th BRICS Summit: Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development. Since the beginning of the BRICS China Year, the five BRICS countries have held more than 60 important events in key areas such as global governance, epidemic prevention and control, digital economy, sustainable development and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and achieved many positive results. The BRICS Vaccine Research and Development (R&D) Center was officially launched in March; the BRICS Women Innovation Contest has successfully concluded; and the BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Cooperation Alliance was inaugurated. More than 60 vocational schools from the BRICS countries confirmed that they would join the alliance, and several thousand contestants signed up for the 2022 BRICS Skills Competition. BRICS countries are conducting active discussions for the issuance of joint statement on multilateral trading system and the WTO (World Trade Organization) reform, and have reached important consensus on formulating documents for cooperation in digital economy, industrial and supply chains, sustainable development and other fields. The combined forces of pandemic and major changes both unseen in a century have added to the complexity and severity of the international situation. BRICS countries, as representatives of emerging markets and developing countries, should deepen their strategic partnership, act as a stabilizer for international and regional situation and an accelerator for development, contribute solutions for safeguarding fairness and justice, inject strength into the stability of the global market, build a defense line for jointly fighting the pandemic, and provide impetus for international development cooperation, according to Chinas BRICS Sherpa and Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Ma stressed that the five countries should provide support for improving global economic governance. China expects the BRICS countries to promote multilateralism, maintain the multilateral trading system with the WTO as the cornerstone and improve the international financial and monetary system, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all, he said. BRICS is an important mechanism for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, and a key platform for South-South cooperation. Since its inception 16 years ago, BRICS has become a positive, stabilizing and constructive force with rising international influence and appeal on the international stage, and has always been closely linked to the destiny of emerging markets and developing countries. Having completed its first membership expansion, the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) will provide financial support for more developing countries and increase its voice and influence in the international financial system. BRICS countries agreed that it is important to enhance cooperation with other emerging markets and developing countries, further improve the representation of BRICS, make BRICS voice in major international and regional issues more widely heard, join hands to meet challenges, and safeguard the common interests and development space of emerging markets and developing countries. China actively supports the start of BRICS expansion process and expanding BRICS Plus cooperation. During the recently held Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, participants reached consensus on the BRICS expansion process and the first ever BRICS Plus dialogue at the foreign minister level was held, which fully show that the BRICS cooperation is open and inclusive. China will work on BRICS parties to continue to have in-depth discussions on BRICS expansion and determine the standards and procedures for that on the basis of consensus. It looks forward to more like-minded partners joining the big family of BRICS. Photo for illustration (Source: VNA) The figures also represented year-on-year increases of 33.1 percent in volume and 26.4 percent in value, the Agency of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Trade cited statistics by the General Department of Vietnam Customs as showing. According to the Vietnam News Agency, Rubber export price averaged 1,645 USD per tonne in May, down 8.9 percent against April and 5 percent as compared with the same period last year. In the first five months of this year, the country shipped abroad 595,000 tonnes of rubber valued at 1.04 billion USD, up 8.1 percent and 12 percent year-on-year, respectively. China was the biggest buyer of Vietnamese natural and synthetic rubber, with hikes seen in both volume and value in the first months. The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) forecast that the global rubber demand will increase in the time ahead due to loosened travel restrictions and the reopening of borders by countries, helping to resume economic activities. Trade turnover surges over US$42 billion in five months Vietnams total import-export value during the opening five months of the year reached US$306.16 billion, a rise of 16% or equivalent to a US$42.2 billion increase against the same period last year, according to statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Photo for illustration (Source: VNA) Most notably, the countrys import and export value during the second half of May soared by 24.2% to US$35.17 billion, equal to US$6.86 billion compared to the first half of May. Of the figure, total import-export value of foreign-invested enterprises during the five-month period reached US$211.43 billion, up 15.2%, while the trade value of domestic enterprises rose by 17.7% to reach US$94.73 billion against the same period last year. Furthermore, a number of commodity groups recorded high export growth during the second half of May, including computers, electronic products and components, up 68%, machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts, up 42.2%, garments and textiles, up 37.5%, phones & accessories, up 22.9%, and footwear of all kinds, up 44.4%, said the Voice of Vietnam. Meanwhile, high import value was seen in commodity groups such as computers, electronic products and components, up 10.6%, other machinery, equipment, tools & spare parts, up 14.3%, and chemicals, up 34.6% During the five-month period, the countrys total export value reached US$153.3 billion, up 16.7%, equivalent to US$21.9 billion against the same period last year, while total import value soared by 15.3% to US$152.86 billion. Australian magazine praises Phu Quoc as Lovers Island Traveller magazine has praised Phu Quoc, an island in Vietnams southern province of Kien Giang, as Lovers Island. Australian magazine praises Phu Quoc as Lovers Island (Photo: NDO) According to the Nhan Dan newspaper, in its recent article entitled 25 incredible bucket-list islands tourists are yet to discover, the Australian magazine said that Phu Quoc has everything for the honeymoon mood: luxury resort hotels and spas, great seafood restaurants and chic cocktail bars, along with shimmering reefs and castaway islets. Among the two-dozen beaches, Dai (Long) Beach and Khem Beach are sunset-perfect for their white sands and emerald waters, it commented. It also recommended Sao Beach as another corker, but head 10 kilometres north to the hillside Ho Quoc Pagoda and you can prepare to pop the question at sunrise or in the moonlight, when views are ethereal. The best time to visit Phu Quoc is the October-March dry season, it noted. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Phu Quoc welcomed more than 5 million visitors in 2019, including nearly 600,000 foreigners. Rice exports anticipated to maintain high prices in June With the current rice export market remaining relatively stable, buying demand is still at a high level with the initial days of June seeing the export rice price continuing to rise by US$10 to US$15 per tonne compared to May. According to details given by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnamese 5% broken rice exports, after rising to US$425 per tonne in mid-April, had decreased slightly to US$415 per tonne by the beginning of May, equivalent to the average in March. Photo for illustration (Source: VOV) Nguyen Van Thanh, director of Phuoc Thanh IV Production and Trading Co. Ltd., said that the rice export market stayed relatively stable in May. Data compiled by the Vietnam Food Association indicates that during the first five months of the year, rice exports to the Philippines market reached more than 1.2 million tonnes, an increase of more than 300,000 tonnes compared to the same period in 2021. These represent good signs for the rice export market as it grows and continues to flourish, reported by the Voice of Vietnam. According to Thanh, Vietnamese ordinary rice coded 504, 5451, and Dai Thom 8 are all enjoying good prices thanks to many countries increasing their purchase volume. In particular, every year the Philippines does not start its rice import quota until the beginning of June, although now they are choosing to begin imports early, causing the rice export market to do a brisk trade since May. According to Phan Van Co, marketing director of Vrice Co. Ltd., although the market shows many positive signs, export rice prices currently remain high. However, rice exports moving forward face plenty of difficulties. Currently, the African market has switched to buying Indian rice due to its good price, as well as far cheaper shipping costs compared to purchasing from Vietnam. Rice exports enjoy other positive signals thanks to the high demand in the Chinese and Philippine markets as production has been reduced by floods in China, whilst rice stocks are at a low level in the Philippines, Thanh assessed. As a means of supporting export businesses, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has continuously organised many export consulting sessions to markets such as ASEAN, Northern Europe, and Kuwait in a bid to help local businesses access timely market information and export opportunities. Moving forward, Trade Promotion Agency and Vietnamese trade offices abroad will hold 30 export consulting sessions to overseas markets this year. Coffee export turnover exceeds 2 billion USD in five months Vietnam shipped 889,000 tonnes of coffee overseas for more than 2 billion USD in the first five months of 2022, up 24.2 and 54 percent year on year, respectively. In May alone, the country exported 150,000 tonnes of coffee worth 343 million USD, down 4.7 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively, said the Vietnam News Agency. Photo for illustration (Source: baodautu.vn) According to the Ministry of Industry and Trades Agency of Foreign Trade, the average price of Vietnamese coffee was estimated at 2,251 USD per tonne, an annual increase of 24 percent. The agency predicted a rising trend for coffee prices in the time to come. This is an opportunity for coffee exporters, including those from Vietnam, it said. In 2021, the country's export value of coffee, mainly Robusta, reached 1.52 million tonnes, worth of about 3 billion USD, down 2.7 percent in volume, but up 9.4 percent in value year on year. The Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association has targeted an export turnover of 5-6 billion USD from the product in 2030./. At the reception (Photo: baoquocte.vn) On June 7, Minister Son received Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano who is visiting Vietnam from June 7-9. Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Deputy Minister Manlio Di Stefano's visit to Vietnam and expressed his delight at the development steps of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership in recent years. Affirming that Vietnam attaches great importance to the development of the strategic partnership with Italy, Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested the two sides step up trade and investment cooperation activities, and expand to areas such as response with climate change, infrastructure, agriculture, food security and human resource training. The Minister suggested that Italy support Vietnam in accessing finance and technology to fulfill its commitments at COP26; coordinate with Vietnam to effectively implement the EVFTA Agreement and soon ratify the EVIPA Agreement for the benefit of the business communities of the two countries. Expressing his honor at visiting Vietnam for the first time, Mr. Manlio Di Stefano highly appreciated the close cooperation of the two countries, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the maintenance of leaders' exchanges of high-level and bilateral cooperation programs. The Italian official discussed the results of the 7th meeting of the Vietnam-Italy Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation, and affirmed that economic cooperation continues to be a priority in bilateral cooperation, committing to increasing trade and investment in Vietnam, Italy's leading important partner in ASEAN. The two sides agreed to effectively implement the action program to implement the strategic partnership 2021-2023 and coordinate activities towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2023, including the exchange of high-level delegations and cooperation programs between the ministries, branches and localities of the two countries. Expressing his thanks to Vietnam for supporting Italy to become a Development Partner of ASEAN, Mr. Manlio Di Stefano highly appreciated Vietnam's role and contributions in ASEAN and expressed his wish that Vietnam would support Italy to promote cooperation projects with ASEAN on sustainable development, space and environment cooperation./. A delegation from the Australian Embassy visited Lao Cai Province from 5 to 6 June 2022 to meet local government leaders, businesses and communities benefiting from Australias investment in the Province. Ambassador HE Robyn Mudie meets women of the Ta Phin Community-Based Tourism Service Cooperative at the community cooperative house. The delegation, led by Australias Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E Ms. Robyn Mudie, met community-based businesses, including those run by ethnic minority women, to understand how Australias support is helping to strengthen tourism and agriculture opportunities for the communities. Ambassador Mudie said that Despite the challenges of COVID-19, particularly in the tourism industry, it is encouraging to see the progress being made in the tourism and agriculture sectors in Lao Cai. Australias enduring partnership with Vietnam and shared commitment to the socio-economic development of the northwest of the country is creating a pathway to sustainable, inclusive growth that is opening up economic opportunities, particularly for ethnic minority women. GREAT works with businesses, NGOs and government partners to build more inclusive business and market systems within the agriculture and tourism sectors in Son La and Lao Cai provinces. It seeks to ensure that local women and ethnic minorities actively participate in and benefit from economic activities and growth. The delegation visited a herbal bath project in Ta Phin Commune, Sapa Town, where they met the Red Dao Community Cooperative. It heard how GREAT has worked with the Cooperative to train more farmers, including women, to supply better quality herbs, provided marketing and leadership training and equipment to support the expansion of the business. Ms May of the Red Dao Community Cooperative showcases her traditional herbal bath products. This increased the opportunities for a stable income in the community and women involved also have more confidence and decision making within their community due to these opportunities. The Cooperative now involves 229 households and sells its product online all over Vietnam. Homestay experiences are a cornerstone of community-based tourism in Lao Cai Province, and the delegation met homestay owners and tourism cooperative members over dinner in Ta Phin. The homestay owners and cooperative members explained how GREAT worked with them during the periods of COVID-19 restrictions to customise products and services and target the domestic tourist market. GREAT also supported homestay owners and cooperative members to upskill in areas such as marketing and to ensure businesses were COVID-safe. The new business strategy is working, with 800 domestic tourists enjoying homestays as of March 2022. The tourism cooperative recorded VND 457,000,000 million in income for members generated from homestays and experiences such the Red Dao Culture House and herbal baths. Ambassador Mudie and the delegation also visited Lao Cai College. The GREAT Program connected Lao Cai College to the Australian-based Chisholm Institute to support the development of a demand-based hospitality training program. Five Lao Cai College lecturers have qualified as trainers in the hospitality courses, which are delivered to Australian standards. Of the 367 students that have graduated, 82% are women, and the majority are ethnic minority women. The training has also translated into jobs, with 324 graduates (88%) finding employment in local hotels and restaurants./. At the MOU signing ceremony USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock and KOICA Country Director Cho Han Deog signed the MOU. The United States is committed to cooperating with our global partners to collectively address the climate crisis, said Mission Director Yastishock. We are pleased to cooperate with KOICA to deliver on our shared goal with Vietnam of an environmentally resilient future. KOICA is putting environment and climate action at the center of its development cooperation. I believe that we could be more effective in our efforts to save our planet by working together rather than by working alone, said KOICA Country Director Cho Han Deog. By working together at the operational level, USAID and KOICA intend to strengthen the impact and increase the efficiency of their programs and achieve better measurable outcomes for the people of Vietnam. Through cooperation, the two agencies will pursue shared development goals including, but not limited to, reducing plastic and other types of pollution and improving solid waste management; enhancing biodiversity; mitigating emissions from the agricultural sector; increasing adaptation strategies of vulnerable populations in the Mekong Delta; and accelerating renewable energy development and deployment at the central and urban levels. USAID has a number of initiatives focusing on combating climate change and strengthening environmental security and protection in Vietnam. This includes developing clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the natural environment including forests and threatened species, and engaging with local communities on environmental pollution issues such as air pollution, waste management and water conservation. Since 2010, USAID has provided assistance to Vietnams environment and energy sector. USAID currently implements 11 environment and energy projects in Vietnam, with a total combined value of over USD160 million. KOICA is committed to tackling climate change and promoting green growth. It is in the process of increasing its portfolio of related cooperation projects. In Vietnam, particular attention is paid to waste-to-energy, marine plastic pollution, pollution monitoring, and forest conservation and its sustainable management. KOICA is trying to solve these problems through cooperation with various partners including academia, startups and private businesses, where possible./. Delegates at the meeting (Photo: TDO) This information was revealed by Mr. Juhas Csongor, General Director of Prohuman Company (Hungary), during a meeting with representatives of leaders of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on June 7. According to Mr. Juhas Csongor, that priority is because Vietnamese workers are hard-working, gentle and disciplined. Hungary is currently in a period of population aging and there is a high demand for skilled foreign workers, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors. Mr. Juhas Csongor expects the number of Vietnamese workers coming to Hungary to work in 2022 will double the target of 2,000 workers in 2020. Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan said that the Vietnamese Government cares about and devotes many priority policies to support Vietnamese people to work abroad under contracts, including Hungary. Currently, there are 16 Vietnamese enterprises licensed to send Vietnamese labourers to work in Hungary. The total number of registered employees is over 2,500 people, of which businesses have organized to send more than 1,080 people to work in Hungary in the fields of agriculture, food processing and construction. Most Vietnamese labourers working in Hungary have good income and are guaranteed social welfare regimes in this country. Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan said that the two countries still have a lot of potential in cooperation in labour. In order to increase the number of Vietnamese people going to work in Hungary, Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan asked the Department of Overseas Labour Management to direct and guide licensed enterprises to organize the sending of Vietnamese workers to work in Hungary. Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan hoped that on the basis of good diplomacy between Vietnam and Hungary, as well as Hungary's need to receive foreign workers, in the coming time, the two sides would further promote cooperation in labour./. By Azernews The ammunition explosion occurred during testing at Shirvan's Araz munitions plant under Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. The 60mm mortar shell explosion injured a man named Almazov Razi in the arm and thigh. The Shirvan City Central Hospital said that there was no threat to his life, the report adds. Ihor Zhdanov, Information Defence Project , Open Policy Foundation The project Information Defence of Ukraine offers you new and ever more creative formats for its experts analytical reviews. Minded that by this the 100 day anniversary of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine we would have already provided a lot of high-quality analysis, we have decided to offer our readers something different: personal memories, sometimes ironic, dark and sarcastic thoughts, and impressions of communicating with friends. Information Defence of Ukraine offers a preliminary review of May 22nd-29th, which is devoted to the geopolitical situation: Ukr Eng. 1. Ukrainians are a nationality of paradoxes: about ourselves, our wives, about us and Ukraine. I always say that war raises both the best and the worst that exists in the individual and the nation as an entire being. Most Ukrainians without unnecessary reminders collect things for support, sometimes giving the last they have to volunteer at the front. But there is always a little group of those who want to knock off even the last. Near the military enlistment offices are the queues to be mobilised for the Armed Forces, the Territorial defence battalions can be reached only having a special protection i.e. a legitimate medical reason for not being able to serve in the official forces. A young man dressed in women's clothes was detained at the border and tried to leave for Poland in order not to serve in the army. Another creative guy hid in the trunk of a car in a baby box. My wife Iryna is the owner and director of a small private online school. From February 24th, she has not stopped teaching even for a day, teachers conduct remote lessons under the sound of sirens, and from bomb shelters. She set herself a voluntary task: to provide free distance learning for young Ukrainians who have lost this opportunity. Before the war, she taught around several dozen students, but now she is teaching up to five thousand students for free. I am proud. In mid-April, I saw a brand-new Maybach near the Arsenalna underground station, which was obviously delivered under preferential customs clearance for private use. My only desire was to take a nail and make an inscription on the shiny lacquered side: ZSU (The Armed Forces of Ukraine). Goes to the front! Many of my friends are at the frontline or in the Territorial defence groups. I sit at home - I have been rehabilitating after a stroke, I have been writing analytics for Information Defence, I am helping the front, step by step, to the best of my ability as a volunteer. I feel uncomfortable, I am used to being at the centre of events since 2014, I am ashamed now. I met a friend who came from the frontline, he has concussion, I also can't hear with one ear. Therefore, we were sitting and talking, turning to each other on the side that has the ability to hear. He told me about his courageous feeling. He says, Yeah, and three more guys need to be sent with you to transfer you to the battlefield (it is still a little difficult for me to walk). I am slightly relaxed. 2. How Ukrainians learned to volunteer: Ukraine is above all!. Two revolutions The Orange Revolution and The Dignity Revolution, the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation - taught people to volunteer, supply and replace the government where needed: to help at the back of the Armed Forces, providing food, supply of bulletproof vests and helmets. The active majority knew what to do and how to do it - volunteer help went to the front in large amounts from the first days of the war. There is another paradox. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic - it taught us to work remotely using modern digital gadgets. It would be difficult without it. We joined the Information Defence project in a few days, although we did not know each other before, some of us have been working in Kyiv, someone in Vinnytsia, and someone in London. The obscene colloquial vocabulary has become the norm in our wartime. Drawing by Nikita Titov The answer of the frontier guard russian military ship, go fuck yourself! not only crystallized our attitude towards russian aggression, but also opened the gateways for the use of colloquial phrases on TV. As for the russian warship, it sank after a "friendly" meeting with a Ukrainian Neptune missile. I have been talking to one of the best Ukrainian religious intellectuals, Father Heorhii (Kovalenko). The UOC-MP allegedly announced the severance of relations with the Moscow Patriarchate. He said: In the occupied territories: "UOC plus MP; in Ukrainian territories: "UOC minus MP". In general, the UOC must go with the russian military ship. 3. About war, gifts, and genocide. A gift for 100 days of the war is 30,000 liquidated russian occupiers. The only thought is Hell will mend you all. Drawing by Nikita Titov And now about the sad issues: first of all about Bucha as a symbol of genocide of Ukrainians. No one in the 21st century believed that russian occupiers would be so inhuman. The number of civilians killed, and not just as a result of the shelling, is beyond the limits of understanding. Consciousness tries to build a wall, and the mind refuses to believe in what has been seen and heard. Shortly after the territory was liberated, I went to Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin, gaining nothing but hatred for the russian occupiers. I think this is right. I think, like everyone: is this possible in the 21st century, are our neighbours non-human cannibals who have no morals, consciences, or basic human principles? It turns out, they do not have it, and this inhuman behaviour is possible. 4. About russia, the occupiers and a so-called russian culture. russia is a country whose name we Ukrainians, without any special agreement, have begun to write in lower case. As far as were concerned, russian culture can follow the direction of the russian military ship. I do not understand this discussion about their culture at all. My compatriots are dying at the front, millions of refugees, whole cities have been and still are being destroyed - that's what you need to think about first of all, that's what really concerns all of us. russian military "liberators" steal toilets, washing machines, lingerie - that's a real russian culture. And will these non-humans still teach us how to live? The occupiers - we are all in shock do not just use colloquial language, they are talking to their mothers and wives using russian mat (obscene language). Their mothers and wives are no better. putin is a fucking genius of politics everything he does has the opposite result. After the russian aggression and Bucha, Ukraine naturally turned from a neutral country into one hostile to russia. NATO and the United States have strengthened, and russia has weakened and become isolated as a result of military setbacks and economic sanctions. Well done, mr. putin, continue in the same way. russian propaganda: Ukrainian Nazis are destroying their own civilians and their cities. Surprisingly, if there was no war, we would all be living peacefully; no one destroyed Ukrainian cities with Ukrainian artillery, they went to theatre performances, and did not have to hide in bomb shelters. 5. About allies and allies. Old Europe is fluctuating along with its general line. Today they declare the need to preserve putin's face and Ukraine's territorial concessions to russia, tomorrow they will give heavy attacking weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The day after tomorrow, the truth will become clear that this weapon is not available; it must be produced, perhaps by the end of the year, or possibly later. Boris Johnson (actually Johnsoniuk) is a real bro to us. The United States was not thinking for a long time, and applied the experience that had already successfully worked during the Second World War, adopting a special law on land lease for Ukraine. Now military equipment and weapons must flow into Ukraine like a mighty river. We need them on time, however. It is not easy for our men who are fighting heroically in the East of Ukraine right now. Glory to Ukraine! With the beginning of russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, experts of the project Information Defence of Ukraine prepare daily reviews of the military-political situation in Ukraine in Ukrainian , English and Russian . The first review was released on February 26th. Experts moderate the Telegram channel Information Defence of Ukraine . All project experts work free of charge from February 24th to May 29th, 2022 exclusively as volunteers. This is a team of professional analysts who need your support. Negotiations with donors are underway. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has provided a letter of support for this important initiative. Today we need your help. Details of the NGO Open Policy Foundation: UAN card / PayPal : 4576 3999 7063 6884 UAH account: Non-Governmental Organization Open Policy Foundation USREOU code: 36304445 IBAN: UA673004650000000260093011470 Beneficiary Bank: JSC OSCHADBANK OF UKRAINE S.W.I.F.T.: COSBUAUK USD banking account: Non-Governmental organization Open Policy Foundation Company address: 29B Moskovska Street, ap. 16, 01021 Kyiv, Ukraine USREOU: 36304445 IBAN Code: UA783004650000026006300952367 Name of the bank: JOINT STOCK COMPANY OSCHADBANK OF UKRAINE Bank address: 12g Hospitalna Street, 01001 Kyiv, Ukraine SWIFT: COSBUAUK Most Ukrainian refugees want to return home, but the timing of their return may be delayed, as Ukraine is at war with such an enemy as Russia, therefore Ukrainian refugees need further support, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed international business with such an appeal, speaking via video link to the Yale SEO Summit on Wednesday. "They [refugees] believe in victory and believe in return, but we are at war with Russia, and the risks that this will not end tomorrow are quite high, as it is. And people who are abroad, in other states they need support, I speak frankly, financial support for ordinary things," Zelensky said. The President of Ukraine stated that many countries that provide humanitarian support to Ukrainians have begun to reduce this support, because it is not easy for them. "I don't blame them for anything, they have already done so much for our temporarily displaced persons. Therefore, I want you to pay attention to some very simple things: helping our people financially while they are outside the territory of our state is important," the President of Ukraine said. As examples of such assistance, he cited temporary work, temporary studies at schools and universities, preferably offline, so that there is an opportunity to communicate and there are no psychological problems. Zelensky stressed that he really wants all Ukrainian refugees to return home and help in the reconstruction of the country. "But the main thing is not what I want. The main thing is what these families want. Because we have a free country, and no one will impose anything. And we definitely won't impose what conditions, how to live and when. People themselves want to return, this is very important," the President of Ukraine said. At the Yale SEO Summit, before this question, Zelensky was told that the community of American companies would begin supporting 100,000 Ukrainian refugees abroad from June. The switch to the determining VAT liabilities using the cash accounting method, as proposed by Head of the parliamentary committee on finance, tax and customs policy Danylo Hetmantsev, will complicate the administration of this tax and may negatively affect the decision of the European Commission on Ukraine's accession to the EU, the Ministry of Finance has told Interfax-Ukraine. "The use of the cash accounting method when calculating VAT for the supply of any goods/services is contrary to the provisions of Directive 112 [Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax]. Therefore, its introduction may negatively affect the decision of the European Commission on the accession of our state to the EU," the Finance Ministry said. In addition, the switch to the cash accounting method will significantly complicate the administration of VAT, which may create a basis for minimizing tax liabilities for this tax, in particular, due to non-monetary exchange of goods or services, the Finance Ministry added. When proposing to determine tax liabilities for VAT when paying for goods, and not when delivering them, that is, using the cash accounting method, Hetmantsev appeals to the fact that, due to the need to cover their losses from Russia's war against Ukraine, counterparties delay the fulfillment of their obligations. He invited the Ministry of Finance to express its position on the possibility of temporary application of the cash accounting method in calculating VAT on transactions of any goods and services, or at least an exclusive list of such goods and services. However, the Ministry of Finance told Interfax-Ukraine that the rule for determining tax liabilities using the cash accounting method in accordance with the Tax Code is applied only in certain cases, for example, when supplying services, the prices for which are regulated by the state. In particular, it is about public services to non-payers of VAT (the population, budgetary institutions). VAT payers determine VAT liabilities under the "first event rule," which is in line with Directive 112. Since Ukraine is striving to join the EU, its tax system shall comply with the system of economic partners, the Ministry of Finance said. The Directorate General for Taxation and the Customs Union of the European Commission on the implementation of Directive 112 confirmed that the Ukrainian tax legislation on VAT as a whole complies with EU legislation, the Ministry of Finance said. The decision to open a regional office of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Kyiv is recognition of Ukraine's importance for global cooperation and development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Speaking via video link at the organization's conference on Thursday, he recalled the upcoming post-war reconstruction of Ukraine based on the new "Marshall Plan." "The fundamental decision to open a regional office of the organization in Kyiv, our capital, is an important practical step in this direction, as well as recognition of the importance of our country, our region for global cooperation and development," he said, expressing hope for an early meeting with the OECD General Secretary in Kyiv. He also called the OECD decision to suspend the process of Russia's entry into the organization correct. "This should be an example for other international organizations, we must continue to use all instruments of pressure on Russia, both at the level of international organizations and at the level of countries, in order to stop its aggressive policy. The world must remove everything that hinders cooperation and development, and Russian aggression as the first and main obstacle, the first and key threat," Zelensky said. He stressed the threat of an ecological catastrophe associated with the fighting in Donbas. "Fighting in such a region, and even more so with the use of weapons that Russia is now using, is the threat of pollution of a vast territory, the spread of pollution to underground waterways and rivers, and hence the Black Sea. Just imagine the level of losses, the level of losses for Europe and the world," the President said. The possible use of weapons of mass destruction by Russia, Zelensky said, would endanger "the sources of drinking water in our region" and lead to the threat of radiation or chemical contamination in the Black Sea and parts of the Mediterranean. Zelensky also called for Russia's exclusion from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, stressing that its actions to block Ukrainian ports threaten starvation "between 400 million and 1 billion people." He did not agree with the characterization of the current situation as a geopolitical crisis. "They talk about geopolitics only when they don't want to admit that they are giving up their values. And I am grateful to you for adhering to your principles, for being ready to uphold these values, because sustainable development and sustainable progress are possible on the basis of these values," the President said. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international economic organization of developed countries that recognize the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called the battle for Severodonetsk one of the most difficult in the entire war. "Severodonetsk remains the epicenter of the confrontation in Donbas as a result of this day the 105th day of a full-scale war," he said in a video message on Wednesday evening. "Defending our positions, inflicting significant losses on the enemy. This is a very fierce battle, very hard. Probably one of the most difficult in this entire war," he also said. According to Zelensky, he is "thankful to each and every one who is defending this direction. There are many things, it is there that the fate of our Donbas is now being decided." Taking into account the lessons of the events in Ukraine, the European Union should strengthen and build up the defense component in close cooperation with NATO, partner countries and other "like-minded countries," according to the report of the European Parliament (EP) adopted on Wednesday says. The MEPs "recommend to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy reiterate strong support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders." They recommend that the EU should "provide all necessary material, military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and prepare to contribute as much as possible to rebuilding the country post-war, as democracy and freedom are dependent on prosperity and economic stability; establish a legal instrument allowing frozen Russian assets and funds to be confiscated and used for reparations and the reconstruction of Ukraine." During the discussion held the day before, the position prevailed, according to which the EU should support Ukraine in every possible way in the military, economic, political and diplomatic sense and condemn Russia. The main conclusion from Russia's actions in Ukraine is the recommendation to toughen EU decisions in the field of foreign and security policy, to strengthen the sovereignty of Europe as a union through concessions in national sovereignties. The MEPs recommend "introduce qualified majority voting for certain foreign policy areas, as already provided for in the Treaties, for example the adoption of EU personal sanctions regimes, and strive to extend qualified majority voting to foreign policy in the Council, in order to increase the effectiveness of EU foreign policy." This means lifting the veto of one or several EU members, such as Hungary, on foreign policy and defense decisions. Moreover, it is recommended to oblige EU candidates to "actively and unreservedly" implement such decisions (the case of Serbia). Other recommendations outlined in the lengthy MEP document include establishing a regular EU defence minister council, setting up a fully functional EU military headquarters, give the EU the ability to act alone when needed and with partners, achieving, as soon as possible, food sovereignty and full security of energy supplies to reduce energy dependencies, fighting and countering Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns. EU countries are also encouraged to seek to bring the UK into a framework for common cooperation on defence and foreign policy matters. Such documents of the European Parliament are not binding on the decision-making bodies of the EU and member states of the Union. However, they reflect the state of public opinion and usually serve as the basis for political decision-making. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on the world and, above all, the most influential countries to ensure the defeat of tyranny. "It is time to be one hundred percent influential. We can defeat tyranny. Indeed, every one of us every one is the leader of our time. We can reliably defend freedom. We can stop blackmail by a person who has no place on our list at all. If we are up to it, then we must do it. Because influence obliges us to do so," he said in a video message to the Time 100 Gala distributed in Thursday morning. Earlier, Zelensky topped the list of the most influential people in the world according to Time magazine. "The Russian army is shelling our cities with artillery and aircraft. The list of children killed by Russian strikes since February 24 already includes more than two hundred and sixty names. And when will this end? In fact, this is the key question. But why is there still no answer? Maybe we are missing something in our true strength? Maybe we are not using all the capacity of our influence and our leadership? And this is my question to the United States, both to the parties and to society; to both Democrats and Republicans; to the Congress and to the President," Zelensky said, noting that he is "grateful to President Biden for uniting the free world when the Russian threat arose." Zelensky called the Russian aggression COVID-22, and the vaccine against it is "weapons and sanctions." "Hatred is a virus, and it's even more deadly than COVID-19. It is spread through propaganda. Thanks to the impunity for murderers. Thanks to Russian oil, which is still on the global market. Thanks to money that is still flowing between the global financial system and Russian banks. Thanks to the big companies, which still believe that there is still not enough blood on the money from the Russian market," he declared. Zelensky, speaking of influence, noted that "something got out of control either our influence, which we began to underestimate, or our attitude towards leadership." Up to 100 Ukrainian servicemen are killed and up to 500 are injured daily during the Russian-Ukrainian war, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said. "The situation at the front is difficult. Every day we lose up to a hundred of our fighters killed and up to 500 wounded. The Kremlin continues to push the mass, slips, is subjected to powerful resistance, and suffers huge losses. But so far it has the strength to advance in certain sectors of the front. It is important to maintain concentration Then Ukraine will win!" Reznikov wrote on Facebook on Thursday. He called the main achievement since the beginning of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation the preservation of the synergy of the entire military-political leadership of Ukraine, and the goal is "to defeat Russia, no matter how difficult it may be." The Minister of Defense stated that he was categorically dissatisfied with the pace and quantity of weapons supplied to Ukraine, but at the same time expressed gratitude to the countries that support Ukraine. Different regions of Ukraine are contributing to the creation of another line of defensive fortifications in Zaporizhia region, Head of Zaporizhia regional military administration Oleksandr Starukh has said. "The whole of Ukraine is now helping us either with equipment or with timber to build another line of fortifications, dugouts, in order to keep our soldiers alive and make our defense stronger," Starukh said at an online briefing on Thursday. He also noted that Zaporizhia continues to be a place where people evacuating from Russian-occupied territories can rest, register before traveling to safer areas of the country. According to the head of the regional administration, most of the citizens are now being evacuated from the left-bank districts of Kherson region. "The departure of our people continues, although not in such numbers as before. We had a maximum of 8,000 people a day, yesterday, for example, 1,500 people left the occupied territory," Starukh said, adding that from 1,500, some 400 people were inhabitants of Kherson region. "Residents of Mariupol continue to leave in smaller numbers," the head of the regional administration added. RTHK: UK 'concerned' as British fighters sentenced to death The UK government on Thursday said it was "deeply concerned" after Russian news agencies reported pro-Moscow separatists had sentenced to death two British fighters captured by Russian troops while fighting for Ukraine. "We are obviously deeply concerned by this. Under the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities," said a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted that "I utterly condemn the sentencing" of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner. "They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. My thoughts are with the families. We continue to do everything we can to support them," she wrote. The "supreme court of the Donetsk People's Republic" ordered the death penalty for Aslin, Pinner and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim after the three were accused of acting as mercenaries for Ukraine. During a trial that lasted three days, the men pleaded guilty to committing "actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the Donetsk People's Republic", news agency Interfax said. The defendants have one month to appeal the sentence. The two British citizens surrendered in April in Mariupol, a port city in southern Ukraine that was captured by Russian troops after a weeks-long siege, Interfax said. In April, the two Britons were shown on Russian state TV, demanding Johnson negotiate their release. Pinner's local MP Robert Jenrick called the ruling "disgusting" and demanded the Russian ambassador in London be summoned to "account for this egregious breach of the Geneva Convention". (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-06-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Azernews Azerbaijan has detained the former chairman of the Military Medical Commission under the Defense Ministry, Azernews reports per the press service of the Prosecutor-General's Office. The source clarified that as part of a criminal case against the former head of the Central Military Medical Commission of Azerbaijani MoD, Colonel of Medical Service Azad Abdullayev, was charged under Articles 178.2. 2, 178.2.3, 178.2.4 and 32.4, 312.2 of Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Preventive measure in the form of detention was chosen, the press service noted. The preliminary investigation of this criminal case was completed and sent for consideration to the Baku Military Court. The European Union is providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the amount of another EUR 205 million, the EU Delegation to Ukraine has reported. "For more than 100 days, we have seen unnecessary suffering and countless violations of international humanitarian law. In times of crisis, our duty is to help the most affected groups of the population. We have responded quickly by significantly expanding our presence in Ukraine. Through this funding, our humanitarian partners provide food, water, medical assistance, protection and financial support. We are also working closely with the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that assistance provided by EU member states meets ever-changing needs," European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said, who is visiting Ukraine on Thursday. It is indicated that Lenarcic is visiting Ukraine due to a sharp increase in humanitarian needs. The purpose of his visit is to meet with humanitarian organizations and Ukrainian officials in order to help coordinate the EU's response to these needs on the ground. The EU Delegation informed that the total funding of humanitarian assistance and the amount of non-financial support that the EU provided to Ukraine in response to Russia's illegal invasion exceeded EUR 700 million. Some EUR 13 million of this amount were directed to projects in neighboring Moldova. Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has met with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. "Among the focuses of our conversation with the commissars and investigators, in particular, the results of our investigations to date: 104 suspects of war crimes and eight cases brought to court, there are also three sentences. We also discussed the scale of illegal displacement of people, sexual violence and restriction of freedom of speech in the occupied territories, as well as issues of respect for the rights of prisoners of war," Venediktova wrote on Facebook. In addition, the Prosecutor General discussed with members of the commission and the investigation team the work of the Ukrainian law enforcement and justice agencies and the international legal front to investigate and prosecute crimes committed during the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. "It is very important that the Commission is now on our land and is collecting the truth about the war in Ukraine: evidence of crimes, violations of human rights, international humanitarian law. Her report at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council will be the key to understanding the whole world about the horrors and atrocities that are happening in the center of Europe in the 21st century. We are ready to help the Commission with information and data and contribute to its work in every possible way," Venediktova stressed. So-called court in Donetsk sentences two captive Britons and one Moroccan to death The so-called court in Donetsk has sentenced to death foreign volunteers who fought with Ukraine against Russia's aggression one Moroccan and two Britons, according to reports in Russian media. UK citizens Shaun Pinner, Aiden Aslin and Moroccan Saadun Brahim were charged with being mercenaries and participating in operations aimed at seizure of power and overthrow of the so-called constitutional order of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic", which is not recognized by anyone but Russia. According to the media, the foreign volunteers surrendered. Zelensky signs decree on introduction of sanctions against Putin, other top officials from Russia President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree that enact the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) to introduce sanctions against the Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, his press secretary Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and others. Respective decree No. 400/2022 was made public on the website of the Ukrainian president on Thursday. "Enact the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated June 9, 2022 on the introduction of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)," reads the document. Respective decision of the NSDC is also attached to the decree with the list of Russian leaders against whom the sanctions are introduced. The list includes, Russian President Vladimir Putin, his Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and his deputies, Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and others. In general, a full package of sanctions will be imposed on 35 representatives of Russian leadership. Among other things, it includes full blocking of assets, ban on entry to Ukraine, etc. In line with the NSDC decision, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine must inform relevant agencies of the EU, the United States and other countries about the sanctions as soon as possible and "raise the issue of introducing the same restrictions by them." "The decree enters into force on the date of publication," reads the document. Russian motorized rifle units, supported by artillery, tried to conduct assault operations in Severodonetsk on Thursday, but due to the resistance of the Ukrainian army, they did not succeed, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "In Severodonetsk direction, the occupiers by means of motorized rifle units with the support of artillery conducted assault operations in the city of Severodonetsk, they have no success, the fighting continues," the report says. It clarifies that on the northwestern outskirts of the settlement of Toshkivka, Ukrainian soldiers successfully repelled an enemy assault. At the same time, the enemy has partial success in the directions to the settlements of Kamyshevakha and Roty. "In Bakhmut direction, the invaders launched a missile strike near the town of Kramatorsk. In order to determine the routes of advance and weaknesses in the defense of our troops, the enemy conducted reconnaissance in the area of the settlement of Nahirne. Our soldiers gave a decisive rebuff and forced the enemy to withdraw," the military stressed. They add that in the areas of Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk, the occupiers conducted aerial reconnaissance of UAVs. On Monday, June 13, at 10.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a briefing on the topic collective public lawsuit of the Canadian community of activists "Russia as terrorist state, lawsuit of Canadian citizens, Nuremberg Trials 2.0." with the participation of employee of Statistics Canada, Federal Government - Svetlana Koshkareva (Deryabina), living in Canada since 2013 (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. Additional information by phone: +1 (587) 921 6650 WhatsApp, Signal. Russia has disproved the G7 joint statement of halting wheat exports, including to Egypt, saying that it is committed to continue delivering its wheat supplies to Egypt without interruption, the Russian ambassador to Egypt said in a statement on Wednesday. Russia said Wednesday its forces destroyed a depot containing NATO-supplied arms in western Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to speed up arms deliveries to his country. By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has viewed conditions created in a newly built 'Chambarakand' park in Baku's Sabayil district, Trend reports. Head of the Baku City Executive Authority Eldar Azizov informed the head of state of the work done in the park. President Ilham Aliyev enjoyed a panoramic view of Baku from the new park. Meanwhile, residents of the capital shared their impressions of the new park with Trend TV. Baku resident Nigar Mirzoyeva expressed her excitement about the opening of the new park. "The park provides every condition for the recreation of children and adults. I brought my child here to have a rest right after its opening. I would like to thank everyone who've made efforts in the opening of the beautiful resting place". Another resident of the capital Vusal Shirinov shared his great delight related to such a significant event. "This is one of the best recreation parks in Baku. I express my deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his constant concern for the well-being of citizens." Dilber Garayeva, a resident of the capital, also noted that she was very pleased with the opening of the new park and thanked President Ilham Aliyev in this regard. SpaceX's launch director gave the green light on Saturday to fuel the rocket for an historic flight to the International Space Station by two veteran NASA astronauts. "We're go for propellant load," launch director Mike Taylor said. The fueling of the Falcon 9 rocket with rocket grade kerosene and liquid oxygen began 45 minutes before the scheduled 3:22 pm (1922 GMT) blastoff of the Falcon 9 rocket and its Crew Dragon capsule with astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Turley on board. Wednesday's launch was postponed because of poor weather just 17 minutes before liftoff and weather conditions have been uncertain on Saturday as well. SpaceX is seeking to become the first private company to send astronauts into orbit in what would be the first crewed space flight from US soil since the space shuttle program ended in 2011. Search Keywords: Short link: After spending three days orbiting the globe, the four-person crew, all Americans, will splash down off the Florida coast SpaceX is preparing to send the first all-civilian crew into Earth orbit Wednesday evening, capping a summer of private spaceflight with one of the most ambitious tourism missions to date. A five-hour launch window for "Inspiration4" opens from 8:02 pm (0002 GMT Thursday), and weather conditions remain good with an 80 percent chance of launch, according to official forecasters. A Falcon 9 rocket, with a Dragon capsule at its top, will blast off from the legendary launch complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Center in Florida, from where the Apollo 11 mission took off for the Moon. The spaceship's trajectory will take it to an altitude of 357 miles (575 kilometers), deeper into space than the International Space Station (ISS), and the furthest any humans have gone since the 2009 Hubble telescope maintenance mission. After spending three days orbiting the globe, the four-person crew, all Americans, will splash down off the Florida coast. The mission was paid for by Jared Isaacman, a 38-year-old high school dropout, founder of Shift4 Payments, and aviator. SpaceX hasn't disclosed what it cost him, but the price tag runs into tens of millions of dollars. "We understand how lucky and fortunate we are," Isaacman told a press briefing Tuesday. For the trip, Isaacman is bringing along three others selected through a competition. Hayley Arceneaux, a pediatric cancer survivor, is a 29-year-old physician assistant. She will be the youngest American to go into orbit and the first person with a prosthesis, on a part of her femur. Chris Sembroski, 42, is a US Air Force veteran who now works as an aerospace data engineer. Sian Proctor, a 51-year-old geoscientist and educator, was almost selected to become an astronaut for NASA in 2009. She will be only the fourth African-American woman to go to space. - Observation dome - The mission's stated goal is to represent a turning point in the democratization of space, by proving that the cosmos is accessible to people who have not been handpicked and trained for many years as astronauts. For SpaceX, this is nothing less than a first step towards a multi-planetary humanity -- founder and CEO Elon Musk's ultimate vision. On board, their biological data including heart rate and sleep, as well as their cognitive capacities, will be analyzed. They will also undergo tests before and after the trip, to measure its effect on their bodies. Their training only lasted about six months. The flight should remain fully automated, but the crew has been trained by SpaceX to be able to take control in the event of an emergency. The Dragon will be equipped, for the first time, with a cupola observation dome -- the largest ever space window -- to take in the view. The dome replaces the usual mechanism used on Dragons to dock with the ISS. The crew undertook strenuous physical training, including climbing Mount Rainier, which stands 14,411-foot-tall (4,392 meters) in the US northwest. They also completed high G-force training on a centrifuge -- a long spinning arm -- and jet flights. As well as serving as a vehicle for SpaceX's ambitions, the mission aims to raise $200 million for St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, a leading facility in Memphis. Arceneaux was treated there as a child, and now works there. The crew will take with them various objects -- a ukulele, 66 pounds (30 kilograms) of hops intended to brew space beer, several digital assets known as non-fungible tokens -- that will be auctioned off for the cause. - Space tourism - The space adventure bookends a summer marked by the battle of the billionaires Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos to reach the final frontier. Branson, the Virgin Galactic founder, achieved the feat first, on July 11, and was followed by the Blue Origin boss nine days later. But these flights only offered a few minutes of weightlessness. SpaceX's mission is far more ambitious. This will be the fourth crewed mission for SpaceX, which has now sent 10 astronauts to the ISS for US space agency NASA. The company is already working on future tourism missions, including one next January to the ISS. Search Keywords: Short link: Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali Moselhi told the Senate on Sunday that Egypt is doing its best to achieve greater self-sufficiency in wheat production, aiming to meet 65 percent of domestic needs by the year 2024. Responding to questions on the impact of the current global food crisis on Egypt, El-Moselhi said the government's policy of preparing a six-month stock of basic commodities was highly successful in absorbing this crisis. "We moved on different fronts to absorb this crisis, such as diversifying the sources of our wheat imports, building a big number of wheat silos and opening hundreds of retail markets to make sure that citizens get their food needs at reasonable prices," said Moselhi. Moselhi said that while the Russia-Ukraine war had disrupted food chains worldwide, including Egypts, the fact that we had enough stockpiles led us to absorb the crisis," said El-Moselhi. However, he admitted that the government had to intervene for a limited period at some "critical times" to enforce price controls on bread and other commodities like sugar and rice to stabilise prices and prevent monopolistic practices on the market. Search Keywords: Short link: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced four new cases of Monkeypox, in line with the UAE health authorities' policy on the early detection and monitoring of the disease, the UAE news agency WAM reported. "Monkeypox is a viral disease, but usually a self-limited one, if compared to COVID-19. It's mostly transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, including bodily fluids, and respiratory droplets, or with material contaminated with the virus. It can also be passed to the baby in the womb," the Ministry said in a statement. MoHAP urged all community members to follow appropriate preventive measures and careful precautions while travelling and stay safer in large crowds and avoid risky behaviours. It also reassured all community members that the UAE health authorities are taking all necessary measures, including investigation, examination of contacts, and monitoring their health. Search Keywords: Short link: The WHO said Wednesday that hundreds of monkeypox cases have surfaced beyond the African countries where the disease is typically found, warning the virus has likely been spreading under the radar. "Investigations are ongoing, but the sudden appearance of monkeypox in many countries at the same time suggests there may have been undetected transmission for some time," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. Since Britain first reported a confirmed monkeypox case on May 7, more than 550 confirmed cases of the disease have been verified in 30 countries outside of the west and central African nations where it is endemic, the WHO said. The UN health agency's top monkeypox expert Rosamund Lewis said that the appearance of so many cases across much of Europe and other countries where it has not been seen before "is clearly a cause for concern, and it does suggest undetected transmission for a while". "We don't know if it is weeks, months or possibly a couple for years," she said, adding that "we don't really know if it is too late to contain". Monkeypox is related to smallpox, which killed millions around the world every year before it was eradicated in 1980. 'Fight stigma' But monkeypox, which spreads through close contact, is much less severe, with symptoms typically including a high fever and a blistery chickenpox-like rash that clears up after a few weeks. So far, most cases have been reported among men who have sex with men, although experts stress there is no evidence that monkeypox is transmitted sexually. "Anyone can be infected with monkeypox if they have close physical contact with someone else who is infected," Tedros said. He urged everyone to help "fight stigma, which is not just wrong, it could also prevent infected individuals from seeking care, making it harder to stop transmission." The WHO, he said, was also "urging affected countries to widen their surveillance". Lewis insisted it was vital "that we collectively all work together to prevent onward spread," through contact tracing and isolation of people with the disease. Vaccines developed for smallpox have also been found to be about 85 percent effective in preventing monkeypox, but they are in short supply. WHO is not proposing mass-vaccination, but rather targeted use in some settings to protect health workers and people most at risk of infection. Lewis highlighted that monkeypox cases had also been on the rise in endemic countries, where thousands fall ill from the disease each year, with around 70 deaths from the virus reported across five African countries so far this year. The fatality rate for monkeypox is usually quite low, and no deaths have been reported among the cases found so far outside of endemic countries. But Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO lead on emerging diseases, warned that while no deaths had been reported, that could change if the virus got into more vulnerable populations. Search Keywords: Short link: Syria's state television reported Tuesday that Israeli missiles targeted Syrian army positions south of the capital of Damascus, causing material damage but no casualties. The TV quoted an unnamed military official as saying that Israeli warplanes fired several missiles while flying over Syria's Israeli-occupied Golan Heights before midnight on Monday. It added that Syrian air defences shot down most of the missiles. There was no comment on the strike from Israel. According to Syrian state media, Israeli missiles targeted central Syria on May 13, killing five people, including a civilian, and igniting fires in farmlands in the area. Israel has staged hundreds of strikes on targets in Syria over the years but rarely acknowledges or discusses such operations. It says it targets bases of Iran-allied militias, such as Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group that has fighters deployed in Syria and fighting on the side of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government forces, as well as arms shipments believed to be bound for the militias. Search Keywords: Short link: UN investigators on Tuesday blamed Israel's continued occupation and discrimination against Palestinians for the endless cycles of violence in the decades-long conflict, prompting angry Israeli protests. A high-level team of investigators, appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council to probe "all underlying root causes" in the drawn-out Israel-Palestinian conflict, pointed the finger squarely at Israel. "Ending the occupation of lands by Israel... remains essential in ending the persistent cycles of violence," the report said. The 18-page report mainly focuses on evaluating a long line of past UN investigations, reports and rulings on the situation and how and if those findings were implemented. "The findings and recommendations relevant to the underlying root causes were overwhelmingly directed towards Israel, which we have taken as an indicator of the asymmetrical nature of the conflict and the reality of one state occupying the other," lead investigator Navi Pillay, a former UN rights chief from South Africa, said in a statement. "We also found that these recommendations have overwhelmingly not been implemented, including calls to ensure accountability for Israel's violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and the indiscriminate firing of rockets ... by Palestinian armed groups into Israel," she said. "It is this lack of implementation coupled with a sense of impunity, clear evidence that Israel has no intention of ending the occupation, and the persistent discrimination against Palestinians that lies at the heart of the systematic recurrence of violations in both the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel." Israel has refused to cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry (COI) created last year following the 11-day Hamas-Israel war in May 2021, which killed 260 Palestinians and 13 people on the Israeli side. The COI, which is the highest-level investigation that can be ordered by the UN Human Rights Council, was tasked with looking beyond that surge in violence and investigating all violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. 'Disgrace' While the council had previously ordered eight investigations into rights violations in the Palestinian territories, this was the first open-ended probe and the first to examine "root causes" in the drawn-out conflict. It was also the first tasked with looking at systematic abuses committed within Israel. Israel has slammed the creation of the investigation, and has also loudly criticised Pillay for "championing an anti-Israel agenda". Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat told reporters in February that "the fact that she was appointed to this commission is actually a disgrace". And on Tuesday, even before the report was published, dozens of Israeli reserve soldiers and students -- some of them dressed like Palestinian Hamas militants -- marched outside the UN building in Geneva in protest. Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, who heads the Israeli NGO Shurat Hadin that organised the protest, decried "a witch-hunt against Israel". And she slammed the Human Rights Council, which will kick off its 50th session next week where the report will be presented, as "the most anti-semitic body in the world." Search Keywords: Short link: Participants in an international conference on extremism organised by Dar Al-Ifta, Egypt's official body responsible for issuing religious edicts, have called for developing strategies to confront terrorist ideology. The first international conference of the Salam Centre for Studies of Extremism, a research unit affiliated with Dar Al-Ifta, is being held held under the theme Religious Extremism: Intellectual Premises and Counter Strategies. Participants in the conference called for the formation of an alliance for cooperation to develop specific strategies for confronting terrorist ideology, which is mainly represented in the phenomenon of takfir (branding a Muslim as apostate). This came during a symposium held on Wednesday as part of the second-day activities of the conference, which was inaugurated by Egypts Grand Mufti Shawki Allam. They also urged defining and renewing moderate religious discourse against extremism, as well as combating misinterpretation of religious texts which is used by terrorist groups to achieve their ideological objectives. The conference is being held under the auspices of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly from 7-9 June. Director of the UN Counterterrorism Centre (UNCCT) and the Office of Counterterrorism Jehangir Khan has commended the Salam Centers vision and efforts to foster international cooperation on combating violent extremism, Dar Al-Ifta reported. In a speech at the opening session of the conference on Tuesday, Khan hailed Egypts vital role in mobilising international attention and action toward proactive countering terrorism in all its forms. Religious leaders play a critical role in grounding peaceful and humanitarian values that are inherent in their theologies, Khan said. Egypt's Minister of Religious Endowments Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa said during the opening session that Egypt will continue to send messages of peace to the whole world. Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Prime Minister, Gomaa said that defending culture of peace emanates from the tolerant teachings of the Islamic religion and its great human values. Gomaa noted that peace can never be made from one side, but all wise people should extend their hands to curb evil powers of religious extremism. There is no doubt that the only way to counter extremism is to stick to intercultural dialogue, peace and coexistence, Gomaa noted, adding that all efforts must be taken to continue defending the culture of peace, understanding and dialogue and throw away differences, fighting and disputes. He urged all participants to join hands to work on spreading the culture of peace and counter extremist thoughts and ideologies. Officials from more than 45 countries are attending the international conference, according to Dar Al-Ifta, with the presence of a host of public figures, researchers and experts representing several Islamic and international institutions and organisations. The conference presents the Egyptian experience in confronting terrorism and extremism as well as that of other countries including the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and a number of European countries. The conference's message also calls for introducing scientific initiatives to combat extremism as well as enhancing cooperation and coordination among research institutions and experts in this respect. The conference responds to extremist-related concepts and ideologies used to justify crimes. It also discusses the value of peace, coexistence and understanding among peoples and civilisations. Moreover, the event seeks to enhance international cooperation, exchange experiences in combating extremism, and widen horizons for research and academic cooperation. The conference also includes several workshops with the participation of several figures representing international, Arab, and Islamic organisations and institutions. Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) said on Thursday that it will sign a cooperation programme with the European Union (EU) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on implementing Egypts National Strategy for Human Rights. In a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, president of the NCHR Moushira Khattab said the council has set an action plan to implement the strategy within a specific time frame, the council said in statements on Thursday. Bachelet hailed the positive steps President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has taken to improve the human rights situation, including launching the national strategy, declaring 2022 as a year of civil society, and extending an invitation for a national dialogue. Bachelet said the OHCHR is ready to support the NCHR in all the latters activities as well as in technical cooperation and supporting the role of civil society. The countrys 2021-2026 National Strategy for Human Rights was launched by El-Sisi in September last year to address political, economic, social, and cultural rights for all groups, including marginalised ones. Ambassador Khattab said she welcomes further cooperation with the OHCHR, extending an invitation for Bachelet to visit Egypt and the NCHR headquarters. Bachelet hailed the cooperation between the OHCHR and the NCHR and their partnership in holding joint seminars that address sustainable development indicators as well as the international solidarity and sustainable development plan conference organised by the NCHR in February. The international conference, held in collaboration with the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI) and the national human rights commission in Qatar, issued a number of recommendations, including backing human rights institutions to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. During the meeting, Khattab explained to Bachelet El-Sisis steps to raise the ceiling of civilian and political rights as well as to implement the Haya Karima (Decent Life) programme, which aims to improve the economic, social, and cultural rights in the neediest parts of the nation. The NCHRs committees have finalised their work plans and vision for the councils contribution in the national dialogue called by the president from a human rights perspective, Khattab noted. Attending the meeting, Vice-President of NCHR Mahmoud Karem offered an overview of the work of the councils units and committees since its new composition in October. Search Keywords: Short link: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with the snap trip coming as efforts to salvage a deal over Iran's nuclear program are stalled in a deepening standoff with Tehran. The visit was Bennett's second public trip to Abu Dhabi since Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize ties in 2020 after years of quiet cooperation, mainly over their shared concerns over Iran's nuclear capabilities. Bennett's office said the Israeli leader will meet the UAE's president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and that the two will discuss "various regional issues.'' Iran is likely to top the agenda. In a video statement before departing, Bennett commended countries at an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna on Wednesday that voted to censure Iran over its lack of transparency about nuclear activities at three undeclared sites in the country. "We see here a firm stance by the countries of the world regarding the distinction between good and evil, as they clearly state that Iran is concealing things. We will not let up on this issue,'' he said. The IAEA said Thursday Iran plans to ramp up its uranium enrichment, with the installation of advanced centrifuges. Advanced uranium enrichment is a key component in the manufacture of a nuclear bomb. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy and it strongly opposed the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, which eased economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities. Israel says it wants an improved deal that places tighter restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and addresses Iran's long-range missile program and its support for hostile proxies along Israel's borders. Israel also says the negotiations must be accompanied by a "credible'' military threat to ensure that Iran does not delay indefinitely. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. The withdrawal caused the deal to quickly unravel. Talks in Vienna over Iran's tattered nuclear deal have been stalled since April. Since the deal's collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges, and has a rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Israeli leaders have claimed Iran is just weeks away from accumulating enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon, though other components of a bomb are believed to be months or years away. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Israel and the UAE agreed to thaw ties under the U.S. brokered agreements known as the "Abraham Accords,'' which saw similar deals struck with Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Bennett's trip comes as Israel is on the cusp of another political crisis, with members of his fragile coalition threatening to bolt unless the government can pass a law over the legal status of its West Bank settlers. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Bahrain-based Investcorp, a leader in alternative investment, has launched the Nemir Kirdar Global Internship Program, named in honour of Nemir Kirdar who founded Investcorp in 1982 and is often regarded as a father of private equity. The internship is a 10-week program aimed at providing university students across the U.S., Europe, the GCC and Asia with a thorough, well-rounded practical experience and learning opportunities across Investcorps product lines. Nineteen university students will take part in this years program across our offices in New York, Bahrain, Mumbai, and Beijing, where they will intern with Investcorps different lines of businesses, including Private Equity, Credit Management, Financial Management, Business Support, Legal & Compliance and Corporate and Investment Accounting. Investcorps Executive Chairman, Mohammed Alardhi, said: At Investcorp, we are committed to education. Such initiatives are an essential opportunity to invest in future potential leaders by providing them with practical, hands-on experience. It is also an opportunity for us to learn from smart young minds who see the world in a different way. The benefits of these programs are reciprocal, Nemir always encouraged fresh thinking and new ideas Jordana Semaan, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion and Head of HR Gulf and Asia commented: As part of our DEI initiatives at Investcorp, we continue to look at programs that focus on providing a myriad of learning opportunities to a wide range of talent across diverse backgrounds. We believe that through our Nemir Kirdar Global Internship Program, we can provide our young bright individuals with the exposure and valuable insight into working life to help shape and forge their future careers. The Nemir Kirdar Global Internship Program is expected to continue in future years and is part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives at Investcorp. Investcorp will ensure that interns selected to join the Nemir Kirdar Global Internship Program come from diverse backgrounds to complement our current DEI workforce. TradeArabia News Service A World Bank (WB) delegation concluded on Wednesday a five-day visit to Egypt where it discussed with a group of Egyptian government officials how to support the country amid the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war. In a press release on Thursday, the international lender expressed its commitment to support Egypts development priorities. The visit included meetings with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the World Bank Governor for Egypt and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Supply and Internal Trade Minister Ali Moselhi. During the meetings, the delegation discussed the WB's role in supporting the countrys development priorities, measures to mitigate the impact of the war in Ukraine on Egypts economy, and the World Bank Groups support for COP27, hosted by Egypt in November. The WB's delegation, which included the Board of Executive Directors, also met representatives of civil society, the private sector, research centres, and young entrepreneurs. Egypt has requested an investment project financing of $500 million to buy wheat through the Emergency Food Security and Resilience Support Project, according to a document released by the WB. The proposed project aims to "ensure the short-term supply of wheat for uninterrupted access to bread for vulnerable households and to strengthen Egypts resilience to food crises." The project would consist of three components to provide a balance between short-term response and medium-term resilience to food crises, with the first of which requiring $380 million for emergency response measures. The first component, according to the World Bank, aims specifically to address the shortfall in imports of wheat and to minimise the disruptions in the bread subsidy programme, and will also be used to finance the public procurement of up to 700,000 tons of imported wheat. "This short-term emergency wheat supply, made available through the project, will contribute to replenishing the countrys strategic reserves," read the document. The second component requires $117.5 million for strengthening preparedness and response to shocks, and would be used to reduce wheat losses, improve domestic cereal production and strengthen farm-level resilience and preparedness to shocks, said the WB. The final component requires $2.5 million for project and knowledge management, according to the document. Egypt, one of the worlds biggest wheat importers, received 80 percent of its wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine last year due to its high quality, competitive pricing and the two countries geographical proximity. Ever since the disruption in the supply of Black Sea wheat after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out on 24 February, Egypt has scrambled to find viable import alternatives to secure the strategic commodity. Annually, Egypt spends tens of billions of pounds to secure nearly 20 million tons of local and imported wheat, a key strategic commodity for the production of loaves of bread a staple food for tens of millions of Egyptians. Last week, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), Egypt's grain buyer, announced the countrys largest wheat purchase since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February. According to GASC, it purchased in an international tender 175,000 tons from Russia, 240,000 tons from Romania and 50,000 tons from Bulgaria. On the other hand, Egypt has received over 3 million tons of wheat from local farmers since the start of harvest season in early April, which amounts to slightly over half the quantity the country targets from local market. Egypt has also agreed to buy half-a-million tons of wheat from India, according to Reuters. The supply and internal trade minister said on Thursday that Egypt has strategic wheat reserves sufficient until the end of this year. The country also has strategic reserves of sugar sufficient for five months, vegetable oils for six months, and rice for more than three months, he added in remarks to Reuters. Search Keywords: Short link: The UN Climate High Level Champion for COP27 Mahmoud Mohieldin stressed the urgency of mobilising non-state actors (NSAs), alongside governments, to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Mohieldin made his remarks during the High-Level Champions (HLC) session held on the sidelines of 56th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB56) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held on Tuesday in Bonn, Germany. The HLC session named Actions After Impacts and Resilience tackled the recent activities meant to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. It also highlighted the outcomes of Champions Team workshops held in May that focused on enhancing action by NSAs from civil society organisations (CSOs), the private sector and regional governments on climate losses and damages. Mohieldin elaborated how those workshops were held with the key aim of holding an open discussion on how to accelerate actions by NSAs by sharing relevant best practices from 110 participants across 25 countries. He cited the positive examples in East Africa where NSAs from CSOs, the private sector (power of fintech for example) and regional governments have had central roles. These actions by NSAs if scaled can provide practical examples of the actions and investments that are needed and help build momentum and drive an ambition loop with states, he added. Mohieldin emphasised that this work is no substitute for action by states, saying it is complementary, and positively supportive to the actions states should [undertake to] address loss and damage. He stressed the importance of not ignoring non-economic losses and identifying existing community capabilities when rebuilding. He also referenced the importance of creating agriculture and food systems that can withstand the potential damages from slow onset changes like sea level rise and salinisation, and impacts of prolonged drought and changes in precipitation, highlighting the importance of insurance, data, AI, research and development. On Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Patricia Espinosa officially signed on the sidelines of the SB56 the Host Country Agreement for the 27th UN Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh from 6-18 November. Taking place in Bonn, Germany from 6 to 16 June, the SB56 aims to lay the groundwork for success at COP27 where governments will focus on work in the key areas of mitigation, adaptation, and supporting developing countries, particularly financially. Egypt has reiterated the need to maintain current momentum in climate action to keep global temperature increases under 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach, with COP27 set to primarily focus on urging countries to abide by the Paris Agreement. In May, Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly launched the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050, which is based on five main pillars to preserve the environment and aims to enhance Egypts climate change leadership internationally Madbouly said that Egypt will spare no effort through its presidency of COP27 to relentlessly seek to move from the stage of commitments and pledges declared by the states to the stage of actual implementation of quick and tangible measures. Egypt also launched in late May the official website of COP27, and revealed its official logo that is uniquely designed to represent the cultural identity of Egypt and Africa, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry. Search Keywords: Short link: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has reiterated Egypts firm position that a legally binding agreement must be reached on the rules for the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in order to preserve Egypts water security. The president stressed the importance of guaranteeing the rights of current and future generations to the Nile waters, Egypts main source of water, according to a presidency statement on Thursday. El-Sisi made the statement in a meeting with Tanzanian Foreign Minister Liberata Mulamula in Cairo, where they discussed the decade-old GERD dispute, according to the statement. Cairo and Khartoum have been involved in decade-long talks with Addis Ababa over the massive mega project in an attempt to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. The latest round of African Union (AU)-sponsored talks between the three countries over the GERD in Kinshasa, DRC collapsed in April 2021, and all attempts to revive the negotiations since have failed. El-Sisi's meeting with Mulamula was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Housing Assem El-Gazzar, and the director of the Africa Department of the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A message from Tanzania's president During the meeting, Minister Mulamula delivered a letter to President El-Sisi from Tanzanian President Samia Hassan, in which she expressed Tanzania's great appreciation for its deep historical relations with Egypt, as well as its keenness to further promote cooperation between the two sides. The Tanzanian president also expressed her country's aspiration to benefit from Egypts broad experience in mega development projects, the statement added. President Samia Hassan also touched on the status and developments in cooperation efforts with Egypt to establish the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant and Dam to generate hydroelectric power in Tanzania. The project is undertaken by a consortium of Egyptian companies, including the Arab Contractors Company and El-Sewedy Electric, under the supervision of the Egyptian government. The dam, the biggest in Tanzania, is planned to secure a clean power supply for more than 60 million Tanzanians as well as control water flow during flooding. The project dates back to August 2017, when Tanzania announced bids for the construction of the dam, which were later won by the Egyptian consortium. In February 2019, the government of Tanzania handed over the construction site to the Egyptian companies and construction began in the third quarter of 2019. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2022. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Tanzanian counterpart Liberata Mulamula discussed in a meeting in Cairo on Thursday enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in agriculture and livestock. Shoukry and Mulamula held a joint press briefing following their meeting. The meeting touched upon all aspects of cooperation on the economic and political fronts, Shoukry said. Mulamula, who arrived earlier today in the Egyptian capital, held an earlier meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, where she conveyed a message from Tanzanian President Samia Hassan emphasising Tanzania's political will to advance relations with Egypt and strengthen joint African action, Shoukry told the conference. Egypt's top diplomat also said that El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's keenness on cementing bonds with Tanzania, giving directives to speed up the holding of the Egyptian-Tanzanian committee in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam. Shoukry's meeting with his Tanzanian counterpart saw an exchange of views on a host of regional issues of mutual concern, including the Palestinian cause and the situations in Syria and Libya, he added during the presser. In addition, the meeting tackled how to counter extremist ideologies and achieve stability in the Sahel and Sahara region, Shoukry said. Both Shoukry Mulamula also lauded the deeply-rooted relations between Egypt and Tanzania in different fields. Shoukry underlined the significance of boosting cooperation in trade and tourism, especially as the two countries enjoy great potential and in light of the well-established Egyptian-Tanzanian ties. Egypt and Tanzania signed a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in several fields, including education and sports, during a visit by Tanzanian President Samia Hassan to Cairo in November 2021. Mulamula said her visit affirms Tanzania's commitment to continuing the implementation of existing projects, particularly the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP) located in the Morogoro area on the Rufiji River in Tanzania. The project, which dates back to 2017, is undertaken by a consortium of Egyptian companies under the supervision of the Egyptian government. The dam, set to be completed by 2022, is planned to secure a clean power supply for more than 60 million Tanzanians as well as control water flow during flooding. Mulamula expressed appreciation for Egypt's support of her country in several sectors, including health, citing the dispatching of Egyptian doctors to Tanzanian hospitals, as well as offering programmes and scholarships in electricity and engineering. Around 170 Tanzanians are studying at Egyptian universities, while some Tanzanians are teaching Swahili in Egypt, Mulamula noted. Mulamula also said she probed with Shoukry ways to explore new horizons for cooperation in agriculture and livestock. COP27, Africa The Tanzanian minister lauded Egypt's hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh in November. Shoukry, who is also the president-designate of COP27, said that the event aims to fulfil the obligations made previously to assist developing countries, especially African ones. Africa is the least responsible for climate disruption yet it is among the first and worst to suffer, Shoukry stressed. The top Egyptian diplomat indicated that African countries are in need of support to be capable of achieving just transition to new and renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, as well as adapting to this phenomenon's harmful effects, which include rising temperatures, desertification, water scarcity and human movement. Search Keywords: Short link: Russia said Thursday it was ready to broker a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Moscow seeks to reassert its influence on the world stage after invading Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his Armenian counterpart in the capital Yerevan on Thursday, reaffirming Moscow's willingness to help negotiate a deal following the 2020 war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Increasingly isolated Russia has lost its status as mediator in the decades-long territorial dispute between the two ex-Soviet republics. The European Union is leading the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation process, which involves peace talks, border delimitation, and the reopening of transport links. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Brussels in April and May for talks on a future peace treaty mediated by European Council President Charles Michel, and have agreed to "advance discussions". Lavrov told a press conference on Thursday: "we confirm our readiness to assist the signing of a peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku". "The process is under way and we are ready to participate as mediators, advisors, and a contributing party." In autumn 2020, Azerbaijan and Armenia fought over Karabakh in a war that claimed more than 6,500 lives, before ending with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement. The deal -- which saw Yerevan cede swathes of territory it had controlled for decades and Russian peacekeepers deployed to oversee the truce -- was regarded as source of national humiliation in Armenia. Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The ensuing conflict claimed around 30,000 lives. Search Keywords: Short link: Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine: British, Moroccan fighters sentenced to death Russian news agencies say pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine have sentenced to death two British fighters and a third from Morocco captured by Russian troops while fighting for Ukraine. The "supreme court of the Donetsk People's Republic", one of two self-proclaimed statelets in the Donbas region, ordered the death penalty for Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim after convicting them of acting as mercenaries during a three-day trial. The two Britons surrendered in April in the southeastern port of Mariupol, which was captured by Russian troops and Moscow-backed separatists after a bloody, months-long siege. The UK says it is "deeply concerned" by their sentences and accuses the separatists of violating the Geneva Conventions on the rules of war. Fate of Donbas at stake in Severodonetsk: Zelensky Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the fate of the eastern industrial heartland of Donbas hinges on the fierce battle for the city of Severodonetsk, now largely Russian-controlled. "In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there," he says in an evening address. UN warns of 'unprecedented' hunger UN chief Antonio Guterres says the war threatens to unleash "an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution" as talks on unblocking Ukrainian and Russian farm exports trapped by the war remain deadlocked. Guterres said that while this year's food crisis is "about lack of access" to food, next year's could be about "lack of food" itself and says 1.6 billion people risk being affected. Only an end to the war can "stop this gathering storm," he says. Zelensky calls for Russia to be expelled from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization for "causing hunger for at least 400 million, or potentially more than a billion people". Avoid 'bad peace', says British PM British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says any attempt to impose a "bad peace" on Ukraine, through granting territorial concessions to Russia, would be "morally repugnant" and would return to haunt the West. He did not identify anyone pushing for a peace deal. But last week, French President Emmanuel Macron drew criticism for arguing the West should "not humiliate Russia" and instead give Putin a diplomatic "exit ramp". Russia begins Baltic Sea drills Dozens of Russian ships take part in naval drills in the Baltic Sea, three weeks after Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO. Russia's defence ministry announces that 60 ships and 40 aircraft will take part in the exercises "for the defence of sea lanes and fleet bases", with further manoeuvres taking place on land in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. If Sweden and Finland's NATO applications -- currently blocked by Turkey -- are approved, Russia would become the only country on the Baltic Sea outside of the Western military alliance. War hammering global investment climate: UN The war in Ukraine is hammering the global business and investment climate, the UN says, with foreign direct investment expected to fall this year amid the food, fuel and financial crises the conflict has trigged. "The global environment for international investment changed dramatically with the onset of the war in Ukraine," said UNCTAD trade and development agency chief Rebeca Grynspan. Nearly five million refugees The UN refugee agency UNHCR says nearly five million Ukrainians have been registered as refugees across Europe since the Russian invasion. "The Ukraine war has caused one of the largest human displacement crises in the world," the agency says. A further eight million people are displaced within Ukraine itself, according to the International Organization for Migration. Search Keywords: Short link: Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken himself to conquering monarch Peter the Great and spoke of his country's need to ``take back`` territory and ``defend itself`` as the Kremlin's forces continued a grinding war of attrition in eastern Ukraine. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine found the three captured fighters guilty of working toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. They were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the men _ identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Ibrahim Saadoun _ will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. The separatist side argued that the three fighters were ``mercenaries'' not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. The men are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraine's Russian-backed separatists. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss condemned the sentencing as a ``sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy.'' Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslin's and Pinner's families have contended that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops. Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April, while Saadoun did so in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine's side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. Another British fighter captured by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. As the war raged in a key city in Ukraine's Donbas region and other parts of the country, Russia's president drew parallels between Peter the Great's founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russia's ambitions. When Peter founded the new capital, ``no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden,'' Putin said. He added: ``What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. That's what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well.'' Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. ``It's impossible _ Do you understand? _ impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence,'' the Russian leader said. Russian forces continued to pound the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk in fierce, street-by-street combat that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said could determine the fate of the Donbas, the country's industrial heartland of coal mines and factories. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian troops for years in the Donbas and held swaths of territory before the invasion. ``Fierce battles continue in the city itself, street battles are taking place with varied success in city blocks,'' Serhiy Haidai, governor of Luhansk province. ``The army of Ukraine is fighting for every street and house.'' Sievierodonetsk is part of the very last pocket of Luhansk that the Russians have yet to seize. The Donbas is made up of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. Zelenskyy called the painstaking fight for the city the ``epicenter'' of the battle for the Donbas. ``In many ways, it is there that the fate of our Donbas is being decided,'' Zelenskyy said Wednesday in his nightly video address. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post that up to 100 Ukrainian troops are being killed every day. ``We as a country can't afford to bleed, losing our best sons and daughters,'' he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for Russia to be expelled from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, blaming Moscow for spurring the global grain crisis by invading his country. "There can't be any discussion on prolonging Russia's membership in the FAO," Zelensky told delegates at a Paris meeting of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by video link. Active in 130 countries worldwide, the FAO's mission is to "achieve food security for all". "What is there for Russia to do (in the FAO) if they are causing hunger for at least 400 million, or potentially more than a billion people?" Zelensky added. Ukraine's Black Sea ports usually export millions of tonnes of grain each year but have been blocked since Moscow's late February invasion. Along with western sanctions on Russia, which prevent Moscow selling much of its grain abroad, the blockade has sent food prices soaring and triggered warnings of famine in the Middle East and Africa. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed at UN-backed talks in Turkey on Wednesday that Moscow was ready to grant safe passage to ships transporting Ukrainian corn and wheat. Ukraine says it is open to resuming shipments but needs concrete security guarantees from Russia, an FAO member since 2006. "The United Nations' mediation efforts are significant steps, and I think, unfortunately, the only ones," Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told Thursday's OECD meeting. "We have to offer President Zelensky the assurances he needs that the ports will not be attacked." Search Keywords: Short link: Ahram Online sheds light on two Egyptian fashion labels that have been bringing the countrys street fashion to the forefront with unique concepts and aesthetics. Run by mother and daughter Dalia Abbas and Dara Hassanein in 2018, the Rebel Cairo clothing label has been standing out and causing waves In each collection, Hassanein the brand's founder and designer draws inspiration from an eclectic range of sources that coalesce into a concept that dictates the storyline behind each collection. On the other hand, Abbas adds a practical perspective to the brand, handling the technical details of fabrication that brings Hassanein's ideas to life. They both pay close attention to illustrative details that tell stories through their garments. Hassanein stresses in her statements how as a graphic designer, she is specifically interested in illustration. My love for scarfs grew as I watched my grandmother wear the prettiest vintage silk scarfs since I was young. My mother, too, who would always go directly to the scarf rack in any shop she entered," Hassanein explained in an interview with Falir magazine. "I spent most of my time everyday juggling university, training as a synchronised swimmer and a part-time job. I had a few unused illustrations from previous projects that I wanted to print as scarfs for my personal use." She explained. As the idea developed, and other people saw that her concept had potential, which gave Hassanein the courage to take the step and share her talent on a larger scale. "There is a general narrative tied to our pieces, most of them tell a story through the voice of Rebel, the main character of the brand. The decision to share our work with people in the form of a story instantly creates a connection between the piece and the wearer," she added. The piece ends up representing something bigger than just an article of clothing to the wearer because of the story behind it. According to Hassanein, the choice of the name Rebel reflects the character's essence. "Each one of us has or still is rebelling against something around them or for something they want to see happen," she said. Actress Sarah Abdel-Rahman drew attention to the brand when she wore their designs two years in a row to El-Gouna Film Festival. The young actress explained her desire to embrace her body and express herself in the outfit she wore on the red carpet, and Hassanein designed the perfect dresses to meet her vision and expectations. Hassanein is an Egyptian Olympic champion in aquatics synchronised swimming. She received her bachelor degree in applied sciences and arts from the German University in Cairo 2019. Street wear to the forefront The Egyptian streetwear brand, UNTY pronounced unity was founded in 2013 by Omar Mobarak. They take their inspiration from the streets of contemporary Cairo, underground music, Egyptian iconography and the spirit of the ever evolving subcultures of Egypt. "Each piece embodies elements of conceptualisation, material, cut, print, production and branding," explained Mobarak, in an interview with the Daily News. "I would like to expand into different markets that fit with the brand. The route I am taking is more organic because it really matters to me that people who represent UNTY wear it because they relate to it, and actually means something to them. I would rather sell 200 t-shirts to people who love it and understand the brand, than 1,000 people wearing it because someone with a lot of followers wears it," Mobarak added. On his LinkedIn page, Mobarak explained how as he grew up surrounded by surf and skate culture, especially its artwork, which led him to develop an interest in illustration and graphic design. "From my experience, people have the hardest time coming up with names for their projects," he said, adding " it took me a minute to come up with it and draw up a logo. I needed a name where I could blend design, illustration, music and video without having to chain myself to one concept. I came up with Unity and I did not even think about it. I drew up the logo and in the process the 'I' felt unnecessary so I ditched it and UNTY happened." The brand has released several collections featuring graphic t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, hoodies, caps and sweatpants. However, at the beginning, Mobarak, who worked as a writer, in-house designer and art director, among other jobs, had his doubts that an idea like UNTY would kick off in Cairo. "The idea remained as a concept in my sketchbook for two years, along with illustrations and designs I had compiled over that time," Mobarak explained. But little did he know that his brand would be one of the most unique and talked-about brands in the Egyptian fashion scene. For nine years now, UNTY has been making t-shirts and refining its technique, resulting in styles that live up to the brand's name. Search Keywords: Short link: QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem) have announced awarding the early site works contract for the Ras Laffan Petrochemical Project (RLPP), marking the commencement of execution of the RLPP. Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) has been selected as the contractor to undertake this work and was awarded a lump-sum contract to prepare the site for the new facility within Ras Laffan Industrial City. Work will commence this month, at the conclusion of which the EPC contract for the project is expected to be awarded. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy said: The award of this contract marks the start of the execution phase of RLPP, which is a major building block in QatarEnergys efforts to further expand and diversify its business portfolio and implement world-class downstream project. This project will increase Qatars polyethylene output capacity by approximately 64%. First announced in 2019, the project is a joint venture between QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical. The RLPP will feature a 2,080 kilo tons per annum (KTA) Ethane Cracking Unit making it the largest ethane cracker in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world. The facility will also include two High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) units, which will significantly raise Qatars current Polyethylene production capacity. The project has completed Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) in 2021, and is currently in the EPC tendering phase. When tendering is complete and a final investment decision has been made, the project will advance to the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction phase. The RLPP is expected to commence production in 2026. TradeArabia News Service Mohieldin made his remarks during the High-Level Champions (HLC) session held on the sidelines of 56th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB56) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held on Tuesday in Bonn, Germany. The HLC session named Actions After Impacts and Resilience tackled the recent activities meant to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. It also highlighted the outcomes of Champions Team workshops held in May that focused on enhancing action by NSAs from civil society organisations (CSOs), the private sector and regional governments on climate losses and damages. Mohieldin elaborated how those workshops were held with the key aim of holding an open discussion on how to accelerate actions by NSAs by sharing relevant best practices from 110 participants across 25 countries. He cited the positive examples in East Africa where NSAs from CSOs, the private sector (power of fintech for example) and regional governments have had central roles. These actions by NSAs if scaled can provide practical examples of the actions and investments that are needed and help build momentum and drive an ambition loop with states, he added. Mohieldin emphasised that this work is no substitute for action by states, saying it is complementary, and positively supportive to the actions states should [undertake to] address loss and damage. He stressed the importance of not ignoring non-economic losses and identifying existing community capabilities when rebuilding. He also referenced the importance of creating agriculture and food systems that can withstand the potential damages from slow onset changes like sea level rise and salinisation, and impacts of prolonged drought and changes in precipitation, highlighting the importance of insurance, data, AI, research and development. On Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Patricia Espinosa officially signed on the sidelines of the SB56 the Host Country Agreement for the 27th UN Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh from 6-18 November. Taking place in Bonn, Germany from 6 to 16 June, the SB56 aims to lay the groundwork for success at COP27 where governments will focus on work in the key areas of mitigation, adaptation, and supporting developing countries, particularly financially. Egypt has reiterated the need to maintain current momentum in climate action to keep global temperature increases under 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach, with COP27 set to primarily focus on urging countries to abide by the Paris Agreement. In May, Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly launched the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050, which is based on five main pillars to preserve the environment and aims to enhance Egypts climate change leadership internationally Madbouly said that Egypt will spare no effort through its presidency of COP27 to relentlessly seek to move from the stage of commitments and pledges declared by the states to the stage of actual implementation of quick and tangible measures. Egypt also launched in late May the official website of COP27, and revealed its official logo that is uniquely designed to represent the cultural identity of Egypt and Africa, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry. Egypts Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly arrived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Thursday to attend the inauguration of the tenth Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Madbouly will partake in Mohamuds inauguration ceremony Thursday on behalf of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian cabinet said in a statement. The high-level Egyptian participation in the inauguration ceremony is a confirmation of the historical relations that bind the two countries since the independence of Somalia in 1960, the statement said. During his visit, Madbouly is scheduled to meet with President Mohamud to deliver a congratulatory message from El-Sisi and reaffirm the unwavering Egyptian stance in providing all types of support to Somalia and the Somali people. The visit comes within the framework of El-Sisis affirmation of Egypts determination to support all possible support to the sisterly Somalia in order to build and consolidate the state institutions, the statement added. Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and Egypts ambassador to Mogadishu received Madbouly at the airport. Mohamud, 66, won the presidency in voting by parliamentarians last month, defeating outgoing-President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo by 214-110 votes. This iss Mohamuds second time being elected president, having served in the position 2012-2017. His tenure comes as the country of more than 15 million people has suffered from clan battles since the fall of President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. This is in addition to frequent attacks by Islamist militias on state institutions and one of its worst droughts. Mohamud has vowed to return Somalia to stability and work on securing the country in the Horn of Africa against Al-Shabaab militia, which is responsible for killing thousands of civilians in East Africa. Egypt has repeatedly affirmed keenness to push forward bilateral relations with Somalia in all fields and providing the African nation with all forms of support. Egypt welcomed the successful holding of the Somali elections and has also reiterated support to the political path in Somalia and efforts to put the country back on the path to reconstruction and stability. Search Keywords: Short link: Chronically hard-up North Korea has spent a total of US$6.58 billion on nuclear weapons development and now has a dozen bombs, including three uranium weapons, a South Korean expert claims. The expert, who requested anonymity, said the money would have been enough to buy 1,940 tons of corn from China or eight year's worth of rations for the North Korean people. Since the 1980s, North Korea spent $2.01 billion on building nuclear facilities including those in Yongbyon, $310 million on related research, $2.72 billion to operate the facilities, $1.34 billion to develop nuclear weapons, and $200 million on nuclear tests, he claimed. North Korea says it operates 2,000 uranium-enrichment centrifuges. If that is true, it would be able to produce 40 kg of highly enriched uranium per year. Since it takes 15 to 25 kg of uranium to produce one nuclear weapon, North Korea may have developed one to two uranium bombs a year, the expert explained. Heavy construction machinery was visible at the site. "It is not targeted at any third party, and will be conducive to even closer practical cooperation between the two militaries, better fulfillment of international obligations and provision of international public goods," Wang said. Both countries deny the allegation, with Phnom Penh saying the base's development is "not a secret." Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh and Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian were on hand Wednesday to see work commence on the new facilities including a boat maintenance workshop, two piers, a dry dock, slipway, and sand dredging for bigger ships to dock. The Washington Post this week cited unnamed Western officials as saying the new facilities at Cambodia's Ream base -- strategically located on the Gulf of Thailand -- were being built for the "exclusive" use of the Chinese navy. Cambodia and China on Wednesday broke ground on a Beijing-funded project to revamp a naval base that the U.S. fears is intended for Chinese military use. The project, paid for with a Chinese grant, also includes upgrading and expanding a hospital as well as donations of military equipment and repair of eight Cambodian warships, Tea Banh said. "There are allegations that the modernized Ream base will be used by the Chinese military exclusively. No, it is not like that at all," the minister told several hundred people including foreign diplomats at the ceremony. "Don't worry too much, the Ream base is very small... It won't pose a threat to anyone, anywhere." The revamp will be finished in two years, another Cambodian official said. Wang said it would deepen the iron-clad friendship between the two countries and help modernize the Cambodian navy. The base has been a sore spot in U.S.-Cambodia relations for years, with Washington suspecting it is being converted for use by China as Beijing seeks to buttress its international influence with a network of military outposts. U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Stephanie Arzate said the United States and other countries in the region had "expressed concern about the lack of transparency on the intent, nature, and scope of this project," as well as China's role in its construction. "An exclusive PRC military presence at Ream could threaten Cambodia's autonomy and undermine regional security," Arzate told AFP. Concerns about the base go back as far as 2019, when the Wall Street Journal reported on a secret draft deal allowing Beijing to dock warships there. Cambodia has since dismantled facilities at the base that were built partly with American money and played host to U.S. military exercises. Japan is permitting tour groups to enter again from Friday, and bookings here have already gone through the roof amid pent-up demand from the coronavirus pandemic. Korea's biggest travel operator Hana Tour said Wednesday that bookings for package tours to Japan from May 30 to June 5 surged 284 percent compared to the previous week and 887 percent compared to two weeks prior. The proportion of Japan bookings out of total reservations also increased from a mere 2.1 percent to 24.3 percent. The most popular destination is Osaka, the gateway to picturesque Kyoto, with 31.4 percent, followed by mountainous Hokkaido with 31.2 percent, Fukuoka with 17.5 percent and Tokyo 16.3 percent. President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday expressed his condolences on the death of Korea's oldest TV host, Song Hae, who died at home on Wednesday aged 95. Yoon posthumously awarded Song the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest decoration given to people who have contributed to the development of Korean culture. SNU had ranked 36th or 37th over the past five years, but this year it reached 19th place in academic reputation, which counts for up to 40 points in the score, and 21st in employer reputation, which is worth 10 points. A total of 1,422 universities were ranked based on six indicators -- academic reputation, citations per faculty, faculty-student ratio, employer reputation, international faculty ratio, and international students ratio. Overall, the educational environment -- chiefly faculty-student ratio -- has improved at Korean universities, but their research quality has dropped. SNU finished 29th in the QS World University Rankings 2023, the first time a Korean university has joined the top 30 since the rankings started in 2003. The previous highest ranking Korea achieved was SNU's 31st place in 2014. Seoul National University has finally scraped into the top 30 in the latest global university rankings by U.K. firm Quacquarelli Symonds on Thursday. Forty-one of Korea's universities were included in the rankings, Sungshin Women's University and Soongsil University for the first time. Fifteen of them saw their ranking rise and 10 fall. Five other Korean universities made the top 100 -- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) at 42nd, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) at 71st, Yonsei University at 73rd, Korea University at 74th and Sungkyunkwan University at 99th. Korean universities scored above average for faculty-student ratio, which counts for up to 20 points. High scores are given to universities with many full-time staff and an optimum number of students, given that large classes tend to rely on cramming rather than discussion. Twenty-eight of the 41 Korean universities saw their ranking rise in this category. POSTECH received a full score, helping it jump 10 notches higher than last year. A POSTECH spokesman said, "It's the result of our university's proactive efforts to invite professors in state-of-the-art fields of study, including artificial intelligence." But the ranking of 37 of the Korean universities fell in citations per faculty, which gauges the quality of original research. Only Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (6th), POSTECH (26th) and KAIST (27th) performed well, but most were not even in the top 600. The outcome is disappointing considering that Korea's ratio of spending on education to GDP is higher than the OECD average and suggests the country needs to strengthen research and innovation capacities, according to QS. Massachusetts Institute of Technology came first for the 11th year in a row, followed by the University of Cambridge and Stanford University. ETH Zurich of Switzerland ranked ninth, the only university outside the U.S. or U.K. in the top 10. The highest-ranking Asian school was the National University of Singapore in 11th place. The other Asian universities that made it into the top 20 were Peking University (12th), Tsinghua University (14th), and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (19th). The University of Hong Kong (21st) and the University of Tokyo (23rd) also performed well. "Universities in the Chinese-speaking regions, where governments are making bold investments, and those in Singapore, which have achieved a successful internationalization, are taking the lead in the world," said Bae Young-chan at Hanyang University. "Korean universities need to conduct more international research and encourage innovative research to improve their global competitiveness." By Peter Masheter, KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 12:40 | Feature, All, Japan, Coronavirus When the coronavirus pandemic began over two years ago, people in Japan quickly donned masks en masse with little complaint. But now the government has relaxed its guidance on outdoor mask usage, the message appears not to be filtering through. On May 23, the ministry of health changed its advice to approve removing face coverings outside provided people maintain 2 meters' distance from each other and do not converse. Quiet, spacious indoor environments can also be used mask-free, it said. But Tokyo's streets have since shown few signs of a mass unmasking, in an outcome anticipated by a survey released the day after the relaxation. A sample of 708 employed adults taken between May 11 and 16 by polling firm Laibo found just 30.3 percent of people would unmask because the government said it was okay to do so. Kazuya Nakayachi, a psychology professor at Kyoto's Doshisha University specializing in trust and risk perception, says that rather than following government advice, people wear masks because they see others with them on. More likely to be effective in changing behavior, he said, is encouragement to unmask from employers and other organizations closer to people's lives. Then, he said, the domino effect that saw people quickly don masks in large numbers could suddenly go into reverse. In the meantime, though, unlike in some Western countries, Japan's patience with mask wearing is unlikely to run out soon. Tomohisa Sumida, a mask historian and visiting research fellow at Tokyo's Keio University, for instance, notes that mask-wearing is deeply ingrained in Japanese society. Masks are present in people's lives from as early as elementary school, he says. At lunchtime, class lunch monitors wear masks to avoid contaminating food served to classmates. The early lesson is that "mask wearing isn't for the wearer, but for others," he said. Prior to the pandemic, for instance, people tended to don masks after catching a cold, rather than to avoid one. First introduced to Japan in the 19th century from Britain, masks are thought to have initially been used for infection prevention during early 20th century Osaka plague outbreaks. Recent exponential rises in hay fever sufferers are among factors pushing usage even further, he said. The proportion of sufferers reached 42.5 percent in 2019, according to government figures. Japan's pandemic mask usage has therefore been high enough to see it top 14 countries and regions in a May 26 survey by the Nippon Research Center with British market research firm YouGov. In April 2021, 89 percent of people were masking up, with the proportion down by just 2 percentage points in April 2022. Out on the streets of Tokyo, opinions diverged even among the maskless on how far to acknowledge the government's latest guidance. Yoshifumi Mizuno, 73, who often takes bare-faced strolls along the Sumida River with his wife, was critical of people's reliance on masks, including when alone in their cars, and said government messaging "hasn't been clear enough" to get people to take them off. But Masahide Inoue, 65, whose face was also uncovered when no one was nearby, is nevertheless reluctant to see further easing. "Whether infections rise or fall, droplet infections are what matters. Even if the government said you can go without masks, droplet infections are still possible, so I'm going to keep wearing one (when around others)," he said. The Laibo survey suggested that, rather than government advice, people place far more importance on the development of effective COVID-19 treatments when deciding whether to wear masks, with 48.5 percent saying they would be happy to unmask under such circumstances. Yoko Yoshida, a Tokyo resident who only goes maskless to walk her dog, expressed such a view. "I think it would be fine to remove our masks if there was some official medication. After that it's an individual judgment. The government's view is an individual judgment, too. You can't just accept everything they say," she said. Lawyer Niharika Dhall, 33, from India, has lived in Japan since March 2020 and masks up around others. She says her time in the country has made her more sympathetic of facial coverings. "I think it makes people feel safer, and I think that's important because people have lived through a difficult, unsafe time," she said. Nakayachi, meanwhile, warned against simple contrasts ascribing Japan with a collectivist mentality to masks as opposed to a Western, individual-choice approach. The conformist argument, rather, can be made regardless of country. "In the United States, rallies for then-President Donald Trump saw people encouraged not to wear masks. Conversely, Democratic Party supporters wore them. That, too, is a kind of conformity and collectivism," Nakayachi said. Sumida, the mask historian, suggested choosing to eschew masks in countries unused to them is itself a manifestation of local social pressures. "It's often said social pressure to conform is partly why Japanese people wear masks. But if we think about the world before coronavirus, couldn't we say there was also social pressure in Western countries to not wear masks in daily life?" But he added, "I do wish personally that people were a little less worried about what those around them think, and that more people would take off their masks. I don't have mine on outside, and I do think people use them too much." Still, a complete end to Japan's mask advisories appears a ways off, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ruling out comprehensively scrapping guidance as "currently unrealistic" during a May 31 House of Representatives' budget committee. Related coverage: Masks outside not always needed when not chatting: Japan gov't panel Hitachi eases mask guidelines at workplaces Japan to ask foreign tourists to wear masks, take out insurance KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 09:41 | All, World, Japan Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi will meet with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe Sunday on the sidelines of a security forum in Singapore to air concerns over Beijing repeatedly sending ships around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a government source said Wednesday. Kishi may also raise other maritime activities by China in waters around Japan as well as tensions across the Taiwan Strait in the first in-person meeting between Japanese and Chinese defense chiefs since 2019, the source said. The two will be in Singapore for the annual Shangri-La security dialogue slated to start Friday. Concerns have grown in Japan as China continues to send ships to waters around the Japanese-controlled Senkakus, which Beijing claims and calls Diaoyu, with some entering Japanese territorial waters. A Japanese Defense Ministry officer last month voiced concerns over fighter jets and helicopters spotted taking off from and landing on the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning near the southern prefecture of Okinawa which is close to Taiwan. China and Taiwan have been separately governed since they split due to a civil war in 1949, and Beijing regards the self-ruled island as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Also likely on the agenda for discussion will be the Russia-Ukraine war and repeated missile tests by North Korea as well as the status of a hotline that Japan and China agreed to establish last year. The hotline is aimed at enhancing communication between the defense authorities of the two countries to avoid accidental clashes at sea and in the air, the source said. Related coverage: Japan launches new strategy team for longer-term China diplomacy Japan urges China to play "responsible role" for peace China military body may be target of Japan counterstrike capability KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 12:52 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to present his country's vision for a more secure Indo-Pacific region through maritime cooperation with 20 or more nations when he speaks at the Shangri-La security dialogue on Friday in Singapore, government sources said. In delivering a keynote speech at the three-day forum attended by defense ministers, officials, and experts, the premier is also set to announce plans to promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific" in a security environment that has deteriorated amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's increased assertiveness. The annual security forum was canceled in each of the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Kishida will be the first Japanese leader in eight years to deliver a speech there. The most recent was former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who spoke at the 2014 edition. In his speech, Kishida is expected to stress the need to build international order based on dialogue, seeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an example of the use of force to change the status quo in clear violation of international law. Noting that the status quo has already been changed by force in the East and South China seas, Kishida is expected to convey his plan to assist Indo-Pacific nations by providing patrol boats and constructing maritime transport infrastructure while investing in the necessary human resources. He is set to call for efforts to prevent a crisis similar to that in Ukraine from arising in the Indo-Pacific as well as underscoring the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Kishida has already announced he will fundamentally strengthen Japan's defense capabilities within five years and will substantially raise its defense budget to that end, and he is likely to share the plan in the speech as well. Amid Russia's nuclear threats and China's nuclear expansion, Kishida plans to say Japan will pursue realistic efforts toward denuclearization based on its relationship of trust with the United States. He will also call for transparency regarding the capabilities of nations' nuclear forces. On the economic security front, Japan will work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and others in support of 100 or more projects aimed at strengthening supply chains over the next five years. The gathering, sponsored annually by British think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies, has been held in Singapore since 2002 as a platform for countries, including the United States and China, to discuss major security challenges in the region. During his stay in Singapore, Kishida is expected to hold talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Related coverage: Japan, China defense chiefs to meet June 12 amid Chinese naval activity Japan PM Kishida to visit Singapore for Shangri-La security dialogue Major security forum in Singapore cancelled due to COVID-19 Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) said its CEO Ahmad bin Shafar has been appointed to the board of birectors of International District Energy Association (Idea) for the fourth consecutive time, thus making him the first Emirati Arab to hold a senior position in Idea over a decade. A non-profit organization headquartered in Massachusetts, US, Idea has over 2,400 members of officials and decision-makers from public and private sectors from around the world. The re-appointment of Bin Shafar as a Member Emeritus to Idea board came soon after a meeting that coincided with the 113th edition of IDEA Annual Conference & Trade Show, the largest international event in its kind, held from June 6-9 in Toronto, Canada. This comes in recognition of Bin Shafar's achievements in the district cooling industry and his support for plans to deploy district cooling globally, as well as his high professionalism that characterized his performance over the past decade as a member of the IDEA Board of Directors, said the statement from Empower. Also it is a recognition for his role as a special advisor on district cooling to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as part of its District Energy in Cities initiative, it stated. The appointment for a fourth term also celebrates Bin Shafar's initiatives in protecting natural resources, preserving the environment, spreading the culture of green energy projects, and his participation and sponsorship in Idea's various volunteer activities, it added. On the re-appointment, Bin Shafar said: "This is a great honour for us, and we are confident in our ability to fulfill this responsibility in the face of big challenges in the district cooling industry." "I am also confident that assuming this high position will be in the interest of preserving a green and sustainable environment, and will also help to reflect the importance of the great role that the UAE and Dubai play in supporting energy-saving green solutions and projects, and Empower is already committed to be a leader in this domain globally, he added.-TradeArabia News Service KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2022 - 03:39 | All, Japan Japan secured a nonpermanent seat on the U.N. Security Council for a record 12th time in a General Assembly election on Thursday, with its two-year term set to start next January. Tokyo's return comes as the council, in charge of ensuring international peace and security, has appeared dysfunctional, particularly with Russia, one of the five permanent members, exercising its veto power over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Japan joined the United Nations in 1956 and has long expressed its ambition to become a permanent member of a reformed Security Council. The country last served a nonpermanent term in the 15-member council in the two years through December 2017. Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a statement that the Security Council is facing a "challenging time" because it has been "unable to effectively function" in dealing with the Russian aggression, and North Korea's nuclear and missile activities despite its repeated violations of council resolutions. "Japan will aim to maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law, by cooperating with other nations through close communication and careful dialogue so that the Security Council can play its expected role," Hayashi added. Four other new members were approved in the annual election for half of the 10 nonpermanent seats. To secure a seat, each country must gain at least two-thirds of the votes in the General Assembly comprising 193 countries. Japan, which garnered 184 votes, was selected from the Asia-Pacific region, Mozambique from Africa, Ecuador from Latin America, and Switzerland and Malta from the category of Western Europe and other states. The five countries will join Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates, replacing India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway. The United Nations has been unable to take effective steps since a U.S.-led draft Security Council resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine was vetoed by Moscow a day after its military campaign began on Feb. 24. Eleven members of the council voted for the resolution while three, including China, abstained. The council's five veto-wielding permanent members, all of which are nuclear-weapon states, include the United States, China, Britain and France, in addition to Russia. In yet another symbolic move highlighting the global body's dysfunction, China and Russia last month vetoed a resolution aimed at toughening sanctions on North Korea. It was drafted by Washington following an intercontinental ballistic missile launch by Pyongyang in March after a series of missile tests since the start of this year. The Security Council had passed resolutions aimed at reining in North Korea's missile and nuclear development programs since 2006. Japan has been calling for U.N. reform while at the same time expressing its desire to become a permanent member of the Security Council. Washington supports Tokyo's bid. In December 2017, Japan announced its bid for nonpermanent membership for a term starting in 2023, saying it was important to secure a seat on the council "as frequently as possible until a U.N. reform is realized." Japan will occupy the rotating chair of the council for January, according to the Foreign Ministry. By Rudy Madanir and Christine Tjandraningsih, KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 23:39 | World, All, Coronavirus An Indonesian business partner of a Japanese COVID-19 subsidy fraud suspect said Thursday he felt sorry and shocked over the man's sudden arrest earlier this week. The arrest of Mitsuhiro Taniguchi, who is suspected of swindling hundreds of millions of yen from a Japanese subsidy program for small companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic, has destroyed the hopes of continuing fish farming in the village of Sri Dadi in Indonesia's Lampung Province, according to Masduki, his business partner. Masduki, 43, who is also a teacher, said he knew Taniguchi as a "bona fide investor" economically supporting him and other freshwater fish farmers in the village. "Fish sales dropped during the pandemic, and then he came here as a kind of savior, an angel to save our lives," Masduki told Kyodo News in an interview, accompanied by other villagers. "However, our hopes and happiness were only short-lived as he was suddenly arrested." Taniguchi, wanted by Tokyo police, was arrested in the village Tuesday night for allegedly violating Indonesia's immigration law after Japan revoked his passport. With his former wife and two sons, the 47-year-old man is suspected of fraudulently receiving more than 960 million yen ($7.18 million) by submitting thousands of false applications for the government's subsidy program. He is believed to be a ringleader of a group involved in a series of frauds from May 2020 to September of the year, according to Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department. The arrest has grabbed headlines in Japan as the amount of public funds involved is the most illicitly received by a single group in connection with the subsidy program, and Taniguchi's whereabouts were unknown after he left for Indonesia in October 2020. Japanese police have already arrested Taniguchi's former wife and two sons, who were part of the group with at least 10 people, on suspicion of fraud. The police are coordinating with Indonesian authorities to transport the fugitive to Japan soon. Recalling the moments of capture by immigration officials, which were witnessed by Indonesian police, Masduki said Taniguchi tried in vain to evade arrest. He gave up after talking over the phone with a staff member of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, according to Lampung Police spokesman Zahwani Pandra Arsyad. "He was a bit defensive, which I think was normal in such a situation," Zahwani told Kyodo News. "He asked...in the Indonesian language, 'Kenapa?' (Why?), when the immigration officials were going to arrest him. We explained the reason but he kept asking why," he said. Zahwani also said that during his stay in Indonesia, no crime by Taniguchi, either in the village, as well as in other parts of the country, was reported to local police. "The villagers considered him a good man because he was going to invest in a fish and shrimp business in the village. Who knew that he might have used his money illegally taken from Japan for money laundering," the senior police officer said. According to Masduki, Taniguchi has invested at least 500 million rupiah (about $35,000) in their fish farms to buy baby fish of a variety of popular local fish, including catfish and gourami. Lampung is famous for its gourami, which is popular among Indonesians. The Japanese man, Masduki said, has also bought some cars and trucks for fish farming operations in the village and other two locations in West Sumatra province where he also invested his money. "Now I am really confused...what I should do with the fish, whether we can go on with this business or not. All of the farmers asked me the same question for which I don't have the answer," Masduki said. "Without fresh investment of around 1 billion rupiah to feed a total of 800,000 baby fish with necessary feed and vitamins, the fish may die soon," he sadly sighed. (Sepsha Dewi Restiananingsih contributed to this article from Jakarta) KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 23:07 | All, Japan Two Chinese men in their 20s have been arrested over an alleged case of cheating on a Hitotsubashi University entrance exam, in which they posted test questions on social media and solicited answers, police said Thursday. Tokyo police on Wednesday arrested Wang Jialu, a 22-year-old student, and Li Suihan, 28, his alleged accomplice, on a charge of obstructing university operations. Wang allegedly enlisted Li, his former tutor, to assist in the plot in exchange for compensation. Wang, who sat the entrance exam held on Jan. 31 for international applicants, and Li are suspected of conspiring to photograph a math exam sheet while the testing session was ongoing and sharing it on social media, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Investigators said Thursday that Wang allegedly used small earphones during the exam to contact Li, who was outside the venue. Police are investigating under the assumption that the pair arranged to use devices that would go unnoticed by those around them. Small wireless earphones and a smartphone were confiscated during a search of Wang's home, investigators said, and an analysis of his call records and other data is under way. The exam covered math, Japanese and general subject questions. Cheating across all three subjects is being investigated as Li has allegedly admitted to sharing answers with Wang on subjects other than math, investigative sources said. Just ahead of the exam, Li allegedly asked another university student from China to write a post on Chinese social media platform WeChat that said, "I'm looking for someone who can help me with homework," according to the police. Images of the questions were forwarded to people who volunteered to help, and the case came to light after a user who saw the post notified the university. Seven questions from the math exam are believed to have been posted, the police said, but it is unknown whether Wang received any of the answers during the exam or why the pair used social media rather than simply having former tutor Li research the questions himself. A total of 67 privately funded foreign students were sitting the exam, according to the university, of whom 29 people, including Wang, passed. At the time, Wang was attending another university and took the test to enroll at Hitotsubashi University. "It is extremely regrettable that a student has been arrested," Hitotsubashi University said in a statement. Related coverage: Japan univ. entrance exam question may have leaked during testing Woman turns herself in over alleged Japan univ. exam cheating Extra univ. entrance exams held in Japan for those impacted by COVID KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 16:40 | World, All A high-profile Asia security forum returns to Singapore this weekend after a two-year hiatus, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the U.S.-China rivalry and the threat of a nuclear test by North Korea expected to dominate discussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak virtually during the Shangri-La Dialogue, where about 40 ministers and 30 senior defense officials from 42 countries are expected to attend, its organizer said. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will deliver the keynote address on Friday evening at the conference's opening dinner. He will be the first Japanese leader to give a speech at the forum in eight years. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak on U.S. defense policy in the Indo-Pacific on Saturday morning, while Chinese National Defense Minister Wei Fenghe will detail China's vision for the region on Sunday. Zelenskyy will speak on Saturday afternoon, said the organizer, London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. "Taking place in the wake of both Russia's invasion of Ukraine and intensifying competition between China and the United States, this year's dialogue will provide a crucial opportunity for delegates from more than 40 countries to enjoy in-person discussions with global defense policymakers," the IISS said on its website. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a speech last month that the United States regards China as posing "the most serious long-term challenge to the international order." Maritime security in the South China Sea, where Beijing has made extensive territorial claims, as well as the prolonged political strife in Myanmar sparked by last year's military coup, will also be among the issues addressed. Aside from the main conference, many bilateral meetings are expected to take place on the sidelines. About 500 delegates are expected to attend the conference in person this year, according to the organizer. The conference has been organized annually since 2002 but was canceled in each of the last two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 17:58 | All, Japan All Nippon Airways Co. said Thursday it will resume regular operations for all domestic flights to and from Tokyo's Haneda airport starting next month, as travel demand recovers with the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions. The airline's return to normal operations for its domestic routes comes after it had reduced such flights since March 2020 amid the global pandemic. It also coincides with Japan's move to begin accepting foreign tourists in stages from Friday amid easing COVID border controls. The airline known as ANA said the passenger rate has currently recovered to 60 percent of what it was before the pandemic and expects it to reach 80 percent by July or August. The operation rate for its domestic flights from July through the end of August will reach between 94 to 95 percent of the pre-pandemic rate, it said. ANA will continue operating with reduced flights on domestic routes for locations other than Haneda airport. Air travel had dropped for the past two years or so, with people opting to stay home and business trips being canceled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Related coverage: ANA to remove self-check-in machines at domestic airports next year JAL forecasts return to profit in FY 2022 on travel recovery hopes KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 14:23 | All, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday he will consider setting up a meeting between Group of Seven leaders and atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima, western Japan, when his country hosts a summit of the grouping next year. In a meeting with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, Kishida, who has placed a priority on creating a world free of nuclear weapons, also expressed willingness to arrange a visit by the leaders to the peace memorial museum in Hiroshima, designed to show the realities of the 1945 atomic bombing. "Although consultations with each government are necessary, I would like to consider (the plans), Kishida said in his meeting at his office with Matsui and Hiroshima Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki. The local leaders asked Kishida to make arrangements for the G-7 leaders to meet with "hibakusha," or atomic bomb survivors, and to visit the museum. Kishida chose Hiroshima as the most fitting place for the G-7 leaders' summit under the Japanese presidency in 2023 as the world now faces a nuclear threat by Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Among the G-7 leaders, Kishida won the backing from U.S. President Joe Biden for the selection of Hiroshima when they met in person in Tokyo in May. The government has said the idea was supported by other members of the group, including nuclear powers Britain and France. Kishida told Matsui and Yuzaki on Thursday that "concrete action" is needed by the G-7 in the field of security and that Japan will take the lead in making the summit a step toward global peace amid the war in Ukraine. The city of Hiroshima was devastated by a U.S.-dropped atomic bomb on Aug. 6, 1945, that killed an estimated 140,000 by the end of that year. The prime minister has his constituency in Hiroshima. Related coverage: Japan to host G-7 summit in Hiroshima to send message of peace G-7 agrees to provide Ukraine with additional financial help KYODO NEWS - Jun 9, 2022 - 13:23 | World, All Thailand further decriminalized the cultivation and use of cannabis for non-recreational purposes Thursday as it sought to encourage the production of medicines and foods made with cannabis extracts. Cannabis businesses and farms welcomed the move, which saw the government remove the hemp plant from the country's narcotics list. But some experts also warned that medical use of cannabis without a doctor's supervision could cause harmful effects. While restrictions on production and possession of the plant have been gradually eased since 2019, Thursday's deregulation permits the public to grow cannabis at home for personal non-recreational use and paves the way for boosting the production of foods, beverages and cosmetics containing cannabis extracts, the Public Health Ministry has said. Known for pain relief efficacy, cannabis extracts are believed also to have calming, anti-inflammation and appetite stimulation effects, and the plant is used not only for medicine but also for foods and beverages including tea as well as skincare products in Thailand. Most of the restrictions on cannabis were lifted Thursday, but usage for recreational purposes is still banned along with the use of plant extracts that contain more than 0.2 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive substance. The country's parliament is currently discussing the revision of a law on cannabis use as well as guidelines to prevent the abuse of drugs made from the plant. To promote the production of cannabis goods with high economic value, public health authorities will start distributing 1 million cannabis plants for free to those who registered with the authorities as applicants later this week. "There will be no monopolization" of cannabis, public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a social media post last month, adding that anyone who wants to start a business related to the plant will be encouraged to do so. Thailand was among the first countries in Southeast Asia to start decriminalizing cannabis, according to local media reports. Jomkwan Nirandorn, vice president of Ruk Jung Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern Thailand, said that her family's cannabis farm, now in its third year, has around 3,800 plants in 12 greenhouses. Jomkwan said that she wants Thailand to be famous for cannabis and expects the country to be Asia's top exporter of the plant. Amid the government's efforts to deregulate cannabis usage, many doctors, on the other hand, are concerned that people could suffer harmful effects if they use products made from the plant as painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-inflammation drugs or for anxiety disorder with their own judgement. "Cannabis usage has to be done with proper knowledge," said Summon Chomchai, associate professor at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at Mahidol University. Related coverage: Japan sees record 5,400 cannabis offenders in 2021 Advocacy groups ask Japan gov't to rethink harsher anti-cannabis law Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi (4th L), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lemogang Kwape (3rd R) and other guests pose for a group photo during the Botswana World Economic Forum (WEF) post-analysis seminar in Gaborone, Botswana, on June 8, 2022. Botswana is pursuing certain programs and projects in the green energy sector, as the southern African country seeks ways of transitioning from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based one and creating jobs. President Mokgweetsi Masisi made this revelation Wednesday when giving a keynote address during the Botswana World Economic Forum (WEF) post-analysis seminar in Gaborone. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Botswana is pursuing certain programs and projects in the green energy sector, as the southern African country seeks ways of transitioning from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based one and creating jobs. President Mokgweetsi Masisi made this revelation Wednesday when giving a keynote address during the Botswana World Economic Forum (WEF) post-analysis seminar in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. "In our quest to transition from a resource-based to knowledge-based economy and create jobs, there are certain programs and projects that we are pursuing, some of which are in the green energy sector," said Masisi. Masisi said Botswana, which is currently reviewing its integrated resource plan in order to expand the contribution of solar energy to Botswana's energy mix, is working around the clock to ensure that there is the financing of programs and projects in the green energy sector. The envisaged expansion in the contribution of solar energy in the southern African country's energy mix is necessitated by Botswana's best sunrise for solar energy, according to Masisi. Mpho Regoeng, an independent energy expert based in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, told the seminar that green investments lead to a job shift instead of net job gains in the long run and may well create net new jobs in the short run if they are undertaken in an economy. Regoeng cited an example by saying that investing in solar photovoltaic energy creates an average of 1.5 times as many jobs as investing the same amount of money in fossil fuels. According to the International Labour Organization, a shift to a greener economy could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030 if the right policies are put in place. Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi speaks during the Botswana World Economic Forum (WEF) post-analysis seminar in Gaborone, Botswana, on June 8, 2022. Botswana is pursuing certain programs and projects in the green energy sector, as the southern African country seeks ways of transitioning from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based one and creating jobs. President Mokgweetsi Masisi made this revelation Wednesday when giving a keynote address during the Botswana World Economic Forum (WEF) post-analysis seminar in Gaborone. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Wednesday that resolving the Korean Peninsula issue requires upholding the security interests of regional countries. The security of all countries is indivisible, and the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is closely related to the external strategic environment, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. The United States has recently been making provocations in the Asia-Pacific region, and has been carrying out nuclear submarine cooperation with relevant countries in the region, developing hypersonic weapons, and selling cruise missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, he said. "These moves have completely revealed its double standards and hypocrisy on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation," he told a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue. The United States has been vigorously implementing its Indo-Pacific strategy and strengthening military alliances with relevant regional countries, which aggravates the risks of military confrontation in the region, he said. A certain politician of an individual regional country was clamoring for so-called nuclear sharing with the United States, intentionally reversing the wheels of history on the issue of nuclear weapons, seriously impacting the process of resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and poisoning the regional security environment, said Zhang. "It is not in the interests of any country to stoke bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region. We urge the countries concerned to put regional peace and security first, stop political maneuvering, change course immediately, and create a good environment toward peace and stability on the peninsula," he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires following the general direction of political settlement, dialogue, and consultation, said Zhang. Historical experience shows that dialogue and consultation are the only viable way to resolve the issue. When dialogue advanced smoothly, positive progress was made; when dialogue was stalled or even backtracked, tensions on the peninsula escalated. Since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) took denuclearization measures in 2018, the U.S. side did not reciprocate, did not address the DPRK's legitimate and reasonable concerns, nor did it demonstrate the necessary sincerity for resolving the issue, he said. There are many things the United States can do, such as easing sanctions on the DPRK in certain areas and ending joint military exercises. The key is action, not just talk about readiness for dialogue with no preconditions, he said. Wednesday's debate was the first of its kind since the General Assembly adopted a resolution on April 26 that allows it to convene automatically when a veto is cast in the Security Council. On May 26, China and Russia vetoed a Security Council draft resolution aimed to impose new sanctions on the DPRK, triggering the General Assembly meeting. VIENNA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Wednesday that putting pressure on Iran would not help solve the Iran nuclear issue after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board meeting passed a resolution to censure Tehran. Wang Chang, deputy head of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Vienna, said that China voted against the resolution, proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany to criticize Iran for its nuclear safeguards issues, at the meeting of the IAEA board of governors earlier in the day. Wang said that China is opposed to relevant countries putting pressure on Iran with the resolution, as the pressure campaign will not help solve problems, but intensify tensions and escalate the situation. Such a confrontational move at the IAEA board meeting will only compromise the Iran-IAEA cooperation and undermine the negotiations on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which is in the final critical stage, he noted. Talks in Vienna over restoring the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have stalled in recent months. The Chinese envoy said that China supports the IAEA and Iran in resolving their disagreements on safeguards issues through dialogue and cooperation. "The pressing task now is to conclude the Iran nuclear talks and bring the JCPOA back on track at an early date," Wang said. "We believe all of Iran's safeguards issues will be solved by then." Wang noted that the United States, as the initiator of the current Iran nuclear crisis, should make political decisions as soon as possible and actively respond to Iran's legitimate concerns to push for an early deal in the nuclear talks. "All relevant parties should create necessary conditions and a sound atmosphere for diplomatic efforts," he added. Abengoa, a Spanish company specialising in green infrastructure, energy and water sectors, said its consortium with top engineering and construction company SepcoIII has begun commercial operation at the 909,000-cu-m/day Taweelah desalination plant, loctaed 45 km north of Abu Dhabi. The Taweelah desalination plant has passed the contractual tests for Acwa Power, the leading company in the development, investment, ownership and operation of power generation and desalinated water production plants. With the completion of the first phase, the desalination plant, which is located within the Taweelah power and water generation complex, is now producing 450,000 cu m/day of desalinated water. Phase Two is currently at an advanced stage of construction and once ready it will desalinate a total of 909,000 cu m/day (phase 1 + phase 2). Abengoa said its scope of work in the Taweelah desalination plant project has been extensive, including design, engineering, supply of the main equipment, supervision of assembly, commissioning, start-up of the reverse osmosis and post-treatment systems and providing advice on the pre-treatment processes carried out by third parties. All in all, the Taweelah desalination plant meets each and every one of the drinking water parameters required by Abu Dhabi, including hardness, alkalinity, LSI (Langelier Saturation Index), SDI (Silt density Index), PH, and boron content. CHANGCHUN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A former manager of state-owned China Huadian Corporation Ltd. was sentenced Thursday to death with a two-year reprieve for taking bribes worth 468 million yuan (about 70.05 million U.S. dollars). The Intermediate People's Court in Changchun, Jilin Province established that Yun Gongmin took bribes by abusing power in various positions he held in local Party committees, governments and state-own companies between 1992 and August 2016. The sum of bribes Yun had taken was especially huge and the circumstances of his crime were especially heinous, a court statement said. However, a lenient sentence was granted considering that Yun had confessed during the investigation, showed repentance and had been cooperative in returning his illegal gains. Yun said he accepted the sentence and would not appeal. Aerial photo taken on June 5, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Tourists visit the scenic area of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 16, 2022. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) A tourist takes photos of a tree at the scenic area of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 17, 2020. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Photo by Yuan Shihong/Xinhua) Aerial photo taken on June 7, 2022 shows the interior view of a temple at Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Aerial photo taken on June 5, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) A monk is seen at Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 18, 2022. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Photo taken on June 7, 2022 shows an ancient bell at Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Photo taken on June 5, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Combo photo shows cultural relics of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 6, 2022. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Photo taken on April 15, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Aerial photo taken on March 29, 2019 shows the Leshan Giant Buddha in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Aerial photo taken on April 15, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Aerial photo taken on June 6, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Photo taken on May 23, 2020 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Photo by Yuan Shihong/Xinhua) Aerial photo taken on June 7, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Aerial photo taken on June 6, 2022 shows the scenery of Mount Emei in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mount Emei, located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is an area of striking scenic beauty, notable for its lofty mountain and lush vegetation. It is also of great spiritual and cultural significance, in which there are archaeological sites, important architecture, tombs, ritual spaces, and collections of cultural artefacts, including sculpture, stone inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings, among other traditional arts. Mount Emei is known as one of the four holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Carved out of a hillside in the 8th century, the Leshan Giant Buddha is an area of natural beauty into which the human element has been integrated with skill and subtlety. Facing the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers, the 71 meters tall Giant Buddha of Leshan is one of the most important cultural treasures of China. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1996. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) Video: Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on June 8, 2022 called on the United States to take meaningful, concrete actions to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. (Xinhua) "Where the situation goes from here will depend, to a large extent, on the actions of the United States, and the key lies in whether the United States can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a responsible attitude, and take meaningful, concrete actions," says Zhang Jun. UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States to take meaningful, concrete actions to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The current situation on the Korean Peninsula has become tense. It must be pointed out that the situation has developed to what it is today primarily due to the flip-flop of U.S. policies, its failure to uphold the results of previous dialogue, and its disregard for the reasonable concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This is an undeniable fact, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. "Where the situation goes from here will depend, to a large extent, on the actions of the United States, and the key lies in whether the United States can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a responsible attitude, and take meaningful, concrete actions," he told a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue. Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid any action that could escalate tensions and lead to miscalculation, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires following the general direction of political settlement, dialogue, and consultation, he said. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie E) Historical experience shows that dialogue and consultation are the only viable way to resolve the issue. When dialogue advanced smoothly, positive progress was made; when dialogue was stalled or even backtracked, tensions on the peninsula escalated. Since the DPRK took denuclearization measures in 2018, the U.S. side did not reciprocate, did not address the DPRK's legitimate and reasonable concerns, nor did it demonstrate the necessary sincerity for resolving the issue, said Zhang. There are many things the United States can do, such as easing sanctions on the DPRK in certain areas and ending joint military exercises. The key is action, not just talk about readiness for dialogue with no preconditions, he said. Wednesday's debate was the first of its kind since the General Assembly adopted a resolution on April 26 that allows it to convene automatically when a veto is cast in the Security Council. On May 26, China and Russia vetoed a Security Council draft resolution aimed to impose new sanctions on the DPRK, triggering the General Assembly meeting. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires abandoning the old approach of imposing sanctions and exerting pressure, said Zhang. Photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 16, 2022 shows the view of a large-scale civilian rally and parade at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). (KCNA via Xinhua) Sanctions are a means, not an end. The Security Council's harsh sanctions against the DPRK are unprecedented and cover far beyond its nuclear and missile programs, having huge negative impacts on the livelihood of the DPRK people. In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in the DPRK, additional sanctions are neither right nor humane, and will only add to the suffering of the DPRK population, he explained. The Security Council's DPRK-related resolutions are an integral whole and should be implemented in a comprehensive, complete, and accurate manner. Relevant countries should not place one-sided emphasis on the implementation of sanctions. They should also make active efforts to promote a political solution and ease sanctions in due course, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires the Security Council to play a constructive role, said Zhang. Under the current situation, the words and actions of the Security Council and its members should help maintain stability and prevent chaos on the peninsula, restart dialogue and negotiations, and resolve the real humanitarian and livelihood difficulties faced by the DPRK, rather than creating obstacles to this end, he said. In the past, the Security Council had been able to adopt DPRK-related resolutions because all members fully communicated with one another and could ultimately reach consensus. In response to the draft resolution on the DPRK tabled by the United States, China had put forward many reasonable proposals. China hoped the U.S. side would consider seeking a presidential statement rather than a resolution - in a way that could best garner the consensus of Security Council members. This approach was recognized and endorsed by the overwhelming majority of council members. However, the United States, which was the only opponent to the proposal, insisted on pushing for a vote, deliberately creating confrontation and triggering a showdown in the council. Looking at the consensus-lacking U.S. draft, China had no choice but to vote against it. The United States should take responsibility for this result, he said. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (1st L) and U.S. President Joe Biden (1st R) hold their first summit talks in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2022. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua) China always engages in the work of the Security Council in a responsible manner and makes active efforts to maintain unity among council members and promote stronger cooperation among all parties, with a view to fulfilling the duties mandated by the UN Charter, said Zhang. "It must be noted that China takes an extremely cautious and responsible approach to every vote in the Security Council, and bases its judgment on the merits of the matter itself," he said. "What kind of vote China will cast is essentially about whether such a voting will be conducive to solving the problem, maintaining international peace and security, and avoiding greater tensions and disasters." It will be precisely irresponsible and derelict of duty for the Security Council to adopt a resolution without principle, which could result in serious consequences and plunge the countries or regions concerned into a catastrophe, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires upholding the security interests of regional countries, said Zhang. The security of all countries is indivisible, and the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is closely related to the external strategic environment, he said. The United States has recently been making provocations in the Asia-Pacific region, and has been carrying out nuclear submarine cooperation with relevant countries in the region, developing hypersonic weapons, and selling cruise missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, he said. "These moves have completely revealed its double standards and hypocrisy on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation." Fighter jets of South Korea and the United States take part in a joint air maneuver exercise over the western waters of South Korea on June 7, 2022. (ROK Ministry of National Defense/Handout via Xinhua) The United States has been vigorously implementing its Indo-Pacific strategy and strengthening military alliances with relevant regional countries, which aggravates the risks of military confrontation in the region. A certain politician of an individual regional country was clamoring for so-called nuclear sharing with the United States, intentionally reversing the wheels of history on the issue of nuclear weapons, seriously impacting the process of resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and poisoning the regional security environment, said Zhang. "It is not in the interests of any country to stoke bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region. We urge the countries concerned to put regional peace and security first, stop political maneuvering, change course immediately, and create a good environment toward peace and stability on the peninsula," he said. A peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula is the shared expectation of regional countries and the international community. As a close neighbor, China has been closely following developments on the peninsula and has always insisted on maintaining peace and stability there, achieving denuclearization, and resolving the issue through dialogue and consultations. For a long time now, China has been making unremitting efforts to resolve the issue. China's important and constructive role is clear to the entire international community, said Zhang. Under the current circumstances, China hopes that all parties will continue to focus on the big picture, pursue dialogue and consultations, meet each other halfway, explore effective ways to resolve the reasonable concerns of all parties in a balanced manner, and create favorable conditions for the early resumption of meaningful dialogue. Together with the wide UN membership, China is ready to play a constructive role toward this goal, he said. Zhang Jun (front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at a high-level roundtable on small states, multilateralism and international law at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie E) "Where the situation goes from here will depend, to a large extent, on the actions of the United States, and the key lies in whether the United States can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a responsible attitude, and take meaningful, concrete actions," a Chinese envoy said. UNITED NATIONS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States to take meaningful, concrete actions to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The current situation on the Korean Peninsula has become tense. It must be pointed out that the situation has developed to what it is today primarily due to the flip-flop of U.S. policies, its failure to uphold the results of previous dialogue, and its disregard for the reasonable concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This is an undeniable fact, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. "Where the situation goes from here will depend, to a large extent, on the actions of the United States, and the key lies in whether the United States can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a responsible attitude, and take meaningful, concrete actions," he told a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue. Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid any action that could escalate tensions and lead to miscalculation, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires following the general direction of political settlement, dialogue, and consultation, he said. Historical experience shows that dialogue and consultation are the only viable way to resolve the issue. When dialogue advanced smoothly, positive progress was made; when dialogue was stalled or even backtracked, tensions on the peninsula escalated. Since the DPRK took denuclearization measures in 2018, the U.S. side did not reciprocate, did not address the DPRK's legitimate and reasonable concerns, nor did it demonstrate the necessary sincerity for resolving the issue, said Zhang. There are many things the United States can do, such as easing sanctions on the DPRK in certain areas and ending joint military exercises. The key is action, not just talk about readiness for dialogue with no preconditions, he said. Photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 16, 2022 shows the view of a large-scale civilian rally and parade at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). (KCNA via Xinhua) Wednesday's debate was the first of its kind since the General Assembly adopted a resolution on April 26 that allows it to convene automatically when a veto is cast in the Security Council. On May 26, China and Russia vetoed a Security Council draft resolution aimed to impose new sanctions on the DPRK, triggering the General Assembly meeting. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires abandoning the old approach of imposing sanctions and exerting pressure, said Zhang. Sanctions are a means, not an end. The Security Council's harsh sanctions against the DPRK are unprecedented and cover far beyond its nuclear and missile programs, having huge negative impacts on the livelihood of the DPRK people. In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in the DPRK, additional sanctions are neither right nor humane, and will only add to the suffering of the DPRK population, he explained. The Security Council's DPRK-related resolutions are an integral whole and should be implemented in a comprehensive, complete, and accurate manner. Relevant countries should not place one-sided emphasis on the implementation of sanctions. They should also make active efforts to promote a political solution and ease sanctions in due course, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires the Security Council to play a constructive role, said Zhang. Under the current situation, the words and actions of the Security Council and its members should help maintain stability and prevent chaos on the peninsula, restart dialogue and negotiations, and resolve the real humanitarian and livelihood difficulties faced by the DPRK, rather than creating obstacles to this end, he said. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (1st L) and U.S. President Joe Biden (1st R) hold their first summit talks in Seoul, South Korea, May 21, 2022. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua) In the past, the Security Council had been able to adopt DPRK-related resolutions because all members fully communicated with one another and could ultimately reach consensus. In response to the draft resolution on the DPRK tabled by the United States, China had put forward many reasonable proposals. China hoped the U.S. side would consider seeking a presidential statement rather than a resolution - in a way that could best garner the consensus of Security Council members. This approach was recognized and endorsed by the overwhelming majority of council members. However, the United States, which was the only opponent to the proposal, insisted on pushing for a vote, deliberately creating confrontation and triggering a showdown in the council. Looking at the consensus-lacking U.S. draft, China had no choice but to vote against it. The United States should take responsibility for this result, he said. China always engages in the work of the Security Council in a responsible manner and makes active efforts to maintain unity among council members and promote stronger cooperation among all parties, with a view to fulfilling the duties mandated by the UN Charter, said Zhang. "It must be noted that China takes an extremely cautious and responsible approach to every vote in the Security Council, and bases its judgment on the merits of the matter itself," he said. "What kind of vote China will cast is essentially about whether such a voting will be conducive to solving the problem, maintaining international peace and security, and avoiding greater tensions and disasters." It will be precisely irresponsible and derelict of duty for the Security Council to adopt a resolution without principle, which could result in serious consequences and plunge the countries or regions concerned into a catastrophe, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires upholding the security interests of regional countries, said Zhang. The security of all countries is indivisible, and the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is closely related to the external strategic environment, he said. The United States has recently been making provocations in the Asia-Pacific region, and has been carrying out nuclear submarine cooperation with relevant countries in the region, developing hypersonic weapons, and selling cruise missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, he said. "These moves have completely revealed its double standards and hypocrisy on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation." Fighter jets of South Korea and the United States take part in a joint air maneuver exercise over the western waters of South Korea on June 7, 2022. (ROK Ministry of National Defense/Handout via Xinhua) The United States has been vigorously implementing its Indo-Pacific strategy and strengthening military alliances with relevant regional countries, which aggravates the risks of military confrontation in the region. A certain politician of an individual regional country was clamoring for so-called nuclear sharing with the United States, intentionally reversing the wheels of history on the issue of nuclear weapons, seriously impacting the process of resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and poisoning the regional security environment, said Zhang. "It is not in the interests of any country to stoke bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region. We urge the countries concerned to put regional peace and security first, stop political maneuvering, change course immediately, and create a good environment toward peace and stability on the peninsula," he said. A peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula is the shared expectation of regional countries and the international community. As a close neighbor, China has been closely following developments on the peninsula and has always insisted on maintaining peace and stability there, achieving denuclearization, and resolving the issue through dialogue and consultations. For a long time now, China has been making unremitting efforts to resolve the issue. China's important and constructive role is clear to the entire international community, said Zhang. Under the current circumstances, China hopes that all parties will continue to focus on the big picture, pursue dialogue and consultations, meet each other halfway, explore effective ways to resolve the reasonable concerns of all parties in a balanced manner, and create favorable conditions for the early resumption of meaningful dialogue. Together with the wide UN membership, China is ready to play a constructive role toward this goal, he said. NUR-SULTAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi participated in the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, and also attended by Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Tajik Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim, and Uzbek acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov. Wang said that China and Central Asia, as close as lips and teeth, share weal and woe and move forward side by side as a community with a shared future. No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always firmly support the Central Asian countries in protecting their sovereignty and independence, pursuing development paths suited to their national conditions and building an autonomous Central Asia, he stressed. China unwaveringly supports the Central Asian countries in maintaining political security and social stability and building a peaceful Central Asia, supports the Central Asian countries in accelerating economic development, improving people's well-being and building a prosperous Central Asia, and supports the Central Asian countries in cementing solidarity and self-development, pursuing mutual benefit and win-win outcomes and building a cooperative Central Asia, he added. Guided by the principles of mutual respect, good-neighborliness, solidarity and mutual benefit, China stands ready to strengthen solidarity and coordination with the Central Asian countries and jointly build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, Wang said. To this end, Wang put forward a five-point proposal at the meeting. Firstly, the six countries need to improve the frameworks for further cooperation. It is of great strategic significance to establish a mechanism for the heads of state to hold summits in the "C+C5" format. China will host forums for sub-national, think tank, industrial and investment, and economic and trade cooperation to unleash the potential of "C+C5" cooperation. Secondly, the six countries should build a strong engine for post-pandemic economic recovery, which includes cooperation in the natural gas pipeline projects, the China-Europe freight train services, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the trans-Caspian transport corridor, jointly building a "digital Silk Road" and a "green Silk Road," exploring new patterns of cooperation in modern agriculture, and further expanding the scale of local currency settlement. Thirdly, the six countries need to safeguard regional peace in both traditional and non-traditional areas, which requires joint work to combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, drug trafficking and cross-border organized crimes, fight the COVID-19 pandemic, enhance production safety and disaster management, improve the capacity and level of emergency management, and make good use of the foreign ministers' meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's liaison group with Afghanistan. Fourthly, the six countries should explore multiple paths for people-to-people exchanges, including the establishment of cultural centers, training of skillful workforce, enhancing cooperation and sharing experience in poverty reduction, strengthening cooperation in areas such as addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Fifthly, the six countries should pool the positive forces of global governance, implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative properly, build a community with a shared future for mankind, uphold the tenet and principles of the UN Charter, practice true multilateralism, promote the common values shared by all mankind, and support all countries in safeguarding their core interests. Wang stressed that China will not stop its pace of development and revitalization and will not waver in its resolve to cooperate with other countries. China will continue to be an important contributor to world economic growth and a staunch defender of international fairness and justice, he said, adding that a developing and prosperous China not only is a blessing for the world but also brings new opportunities for the development of the Central Asian countries. All parties spoke highly of the C+C5 cooperation mechanism, saying that China is a good neighbor and partner of the Central Asian countries as well as their largest trade and investment partner, and that the two sides enjoy strong mutual trust and fruitful cooperation. The Central Asian countries thanked China for providing strong support for their infrastructure construction, improvement of people's livelihood and connectivity in their countries, and for taking the lead in helping their countries fight the pandemic, noting that their relations with China enjoy a solid foundation and broad prospects, and the determination to deepen traditional friendship, consolidate strategic coordination and expand mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides has never changed. All parties said they are ready to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the six countries, tap the potential of the C+C5 cooperation mechanism, and build a Central Asia of peace, friendship, mutual assistance and harmony. The Central Asian countries said they fully support high-quality joint Belt and Road construction and the building of a green and digital Silk Road, and look forward to learning from China's successful development experience, so as to help Central Asian countries explore paths of poverty alleviation and development to achieve innovative and sustainable development. In the face of new challenges posed by the current turbulent international situation, all parties expressed their readiness to strengthen bilateral and multilateral coordination, safeguard sovereignty, security and national values, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, jointly combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, safeguard food security and maintain peace, stability and development in the region and Asia. All parties spoke highly of China's constructive role in preventing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and will jointly commit to promoting peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan. All participants of the meeting unanimously agreed to establish a mechanism for the heads of state to hold summits in the "C+C5" format. Four documents were approved by all sides, namely, a joint declaration of the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting, a road map for implementation of the consensus of the virtual summit of China + Central Asia (C+C5), an initiative to deepen cooperation in the field of connectivity and cooperation among China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries, and an initiative for cooperation of China + Central Asia (C+C5) countries in the field of data security. BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Georgian counterpart, Salome Zurabishvili, exchanged congratulations Thursday on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Georgia diplomatic relations. In his message, Xi pointed out that China and Georgia are traditional friendly and cooperative partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have made solid progress in cooperation in various fields, conducted effective communication and coordination in international affairs and promoted the sound and stable development of bilateral relations, Xi said. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two peoples have helped each other in earnest to overcome difficulties, leaving a fine story of solidarity against the pandemic, he said. Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Georgia relations and is ready to work with President Zurabishvili to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to push for more results in China-Georgia relations and bilateral cooperation in various fields, so as to deliver benefits to the two countries and two peoples. Zurabishvili, for her part, said that Georgia is actively committed to developing friendly relations with China and is willing to work with China to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote common prosperity of the two countries. YEREVAN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia will contribute to the normalization of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday. During a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan after their meeting, Lavrov emphasized the need to further push forward the process of normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan ties. "In my view, we have a common perception that the process moves forward. Perhaps, it would be desirable for the process to be faster," said the visiting Russian foreign minister, stressing that Russia will try to contribute to the process in every way. He hailed the endeavor of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Commissions on border delimitation, saying Russia is ready to provide consulting support in this respect. Meanwhile, Lavrov guaranteed that any arrangement to facilitate the economic and transportation communications in South Caucasus will fully respect the sovereignty of the territory of Armenia. For his part, Mirzoyan highly appreciated Russia's role in maintaining the stability in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia is interested in activating the works of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, he said. On Wednesday, Lavrov arrived in Armenia for a working visit. A relative mourns during the funeral of Mahmoud Abu Ahyour in the town of Halhul near the West Bank city of Hebron, on June 9, 2022. A Palestinian was killed on Thursday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the town of Halhul near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, according to Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses. The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that Mahmoud Abu Ahyour, 27, died in the hospital after he was shot in the abdomen by the Israeli soldiers during clashes that broke out in the town. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian was killed on Thursday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the town of Halhul near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, according to Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses. The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that Mahmoud Abu Ahyour, 27, died in the hospital after he was shot in the abdomen by the Israeli soldiers during clashes that broke out in the town. The statement added that five others were injured, including three with live ammunition and two with rubber-coated metal bullets. The five wounded were taken to AL-Ahli Hospital in Hebron. On Thursday morning, Palestinian eyewitnesses said that clashes broke out in Halhul between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers when an Israeli army force stormed the town and raided several money exchange shops. There has been no immediate Israeli army response to the incident. Tensions between the two sides have been mounting since January. It escalated in March when the Israeli army intensified its raids on Palestinian towns and villages in response to a series of shooting attacks in Israel. Relatives mourn during the funeral of Mahmoud Abu Ahyour in the town of Halhul near the West Bank city of Hebron, on June 9, 2022. A Palestinian was killed on Thursday during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in the town of Halhul near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, according to Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses. The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that Mahmoud Abu Ahyour, 27, died in the hospital after he was shot in the abdomen by the Israeli soldiers during clashes that broke out in the town. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua) BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have found a highly active, repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB), only the second example of its kind, which is hinting at the evolutionary picture of those mysterious cosmic events. FRBs are the brightest millisecond-duration astronomical transients in radio bands with yet unknown origins. Less than five percent of them ever detected have been seen to repeat and only a few are persistently active. Using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), also dubbed "China Sky Eye," an international team led by astronomers from the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) has discovered and localized an active repeating fast radio burst called FRB 20190520B in a metal-poor dwarf galaxy nearly three billion light-years from Earth. Then, telescopes including the Very Large Array, the Palomar telescope, the Keck Telescope, Subaru Telescope and Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope continued the observations, respectively, to confirm the FRB 20190520B. The scientists said that FRB 20190520B seems to reside in a complex plasma environment resembling that in a super luminous supernova, suggesting that it may be a "newborn." It is the second example of a highly active FRB with repeating bursts and persistent radio emission between bursts coming from a compact region, after the discovery of the first repeater FRB 20121102A in 2016, according to the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. The differences between the two FRBs and all the others have hinted at a possibility that there may be two different kinds of FRBs, said the researchers. Now, candidates for the FRB sources are the superdense neutron stars left over after a massive star explodes as a supernova, or neutron stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields, called magnetars. The astronomers said that there may be either two different mechanisms or that the objects producing them act differently at different stages of their evolution. "We further postulate that FRB 20121102A and FRB 20190520B represent the initial stage of an evolving FRB population," said the paper's co-corresponding author Li Di with NAOC. "A coherent picture of the origin and evolution of FRBs is likely to emerge in just a few years," said Li. Located in a naturally deep and round karst depression in southwest China's Guizhou Province, FAST started formal operation in January 2020 and officially opened to the world on March 31, 2021. It is believed to be the world's most sensitive radio telescope. This bird eye view shows the scenery of China's Xisha Islands, South China Sea, June 1, 2011. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming) Australia and Canada should quit testing China's resolve on defending its territorial sovereignty and national security. If they continue, they will be responsible for all consequences. by Xinhua writer Dong Yue BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Recently, Australia and Canada have repeatedly sent their military jets for inflammatory close-in reconnaissance near China's airspace, and complained China's countermeasures to protect its own sovereignty and security. Such a game of provocation first and then condemnation is nothing new. The United States has always used this tactic to hype up the so-called China threat in the South China Sea. Now Canberra and Ottawa seem want to follow suit. For the record, China's responses are safe and professional. Pretending to be pathetic, however, will not conceal the perilous intention of the two Five Eyes members, which is to stoke tensions and even confrontation. Australia and Canada must be aware of how China responded in the face of U.S. provocations in their previous encounters. If they thought they would be treated differently, they now have learned a lesson. Also, their outright lies will not change the fact they are the ones who flew thousands of miles away from their own shores to make waves at China's doorstep under an excuse that is dubious at best. Take Canada. The country claimed that its military aircraft were implementing UN Security Council sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As a matter of fact, UN Security Council resolutions have never mandated any country to deploy forces and conduct surveillance operations in jurisdictional air and sea areas of other countries for the purpose of identifying sanctions evasion activities. With no valid cause, who knows what Canada was trying to spy on by inviting itself so close to China's airspace. But one thing is clear: the two countries' dangerous activities are detrimental to regional peace and stability. These actions also pose new challenges to their troubled relations with China. In fact, thanks to the irresponsible rhetoric and behavior of some politicians back in Australia and Canada over the past years, their ties with China have already encountered serious setbacks. Actually, healthy and stable China-Canada and China-Australia relations conform to their common interests. As Geoff Raby, former Australian ambassador to China, has pointed out, ties between the Australian and Chinese people are very strong, and the two countries share interests as well. Australia and Canada should quit testing China's resolve on defending its territorial sovereignty and national security. If they continue, they will be responsible for all consequences. More importantly, they should abandon confrontational thinking and adopt an independent and practical China policy that is truly in the interests of their people, so that it is possible for their relationships with China to overcome the current difficulties and get back on the right track. Healthcare market opportunities, especially the new hospital projects in the Middle East and Africa (Mena) region, worth $68.8 billion, come under sharp focus at the Mena Hospital Projects Forum 2022 that took off on June 9. More than 250 delegates including senior government officials, project owners, developers, healthcare industry experts and key stakeholders are examining and discussing these opportunities, including the growing opportunities in the $243.6 billion healthcare sector at the two-day forum. With a young and vibrant population that is growing at a fast pace, the Mena region will need a large number of hospital beds, clinics, pharmacies, operation theatres, medical laboratories, physiotherapy centres and associated facilities in the coming decades. Significant growth The high-profile international conference takes place at a time when the healthcare sector in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region is witnessing a phase of significant growth due to increased demand for healthcare services. A recent report by Fitch Solutions predicts that the Mena regions healthcare market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7% from $185.5 billion in 2019 to $243.6 billion in 2023. Dr Younis Kazem, CEO of Dubai Healthcare Corporation, said, his organisation has published a roadmap for public-private partnership (PPP) in new hospital projects for future needs in Dubai. We are talking to a number of investors in the healthcare sector where the demand is growing, especially in rehabilitation clinics, mental healthcare facilities and dialysis centres. We have a number of PPP models through which investors can develop healthcare facilities be it a hospital, clinic or other health-related facilities. Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner, Great Minds Event Management organiser of the Mena Hospital Project Forum, says: As the economic growth accelerates due to an increase in the young and working population, the healthcare market is also witnessing strong growth that necessitates the development of new hospitals, clinics, laboratories, health resorts, health research centres, medical colleges and medical cities. Abundant opportunities With mandatory healthcare coverage and health insurance scheme, all the countries of the Mena region will have to build more hospitals and clinics, resulting in an increase in hospital projects in the region. So, opportunities are abundant for architectural consulting firms and suppliers who specialise in healthcare projects, especially hospitals and clinics. The good thing is that the opportunities are growing at a faster pace than other economic sectors. The UAE government has been the primary investor in the country's healthcare sector: in 2019, it funded approximately 69 per cent of the country's total healthcare expenditure of $16 billion (AED58.7 billion), according to reports. However, the private sector has been increasing their investment in the UAEs healthcare over the last decade. UAE healthcare spend to hit $26bn Healthcare spending in the UAE will reach up to $26 billion by the year 2028, according to a joint presentation by UAE Ministry of Economy and UAE International Investors Council, which also say that the UAE has 700 healthcare projects under development with total investment of $60.9 billion (AED223.5 billion), mostly carried out by the private sector. Dr Essam Howayyer, Director of Hospital Department, Emirates Health Services, UAE, said, the UAE has a vision to offer universal healthcare coverage (UHC) to all UAE nationals and expatriate residents. The UAE has a healthcare strategy that aims to provide healthcare services to all UAE nationals and expatriate residents and we are also looking at providing healthcare support to visiting tourists. We are doing a lot of transitional projects to make healthcare more accessible to all by inducting new technology, telemedicine to reach out to everyone living in communities. Private sector role He said, the role of the private sector is very crucial and it is growing. We have laid out the governments healthcare vision for the next 20-30 years to the private sector so that they can plan their investment in the areas where private investment is needed. The private sector has a great role to play in our healthcare sector in future. Most GCC residents used to seek treatment in India, Singapore and Thailand. Now, in recent years, the medical sector has developed vastly in the UAE and other Gulf countries as well. UAEs global appeal to medical tourists continues to rise and its contribution to the economic growth of the country is significant. The UAE launched medical tourism portals which made the lives of medical tourists much easier with the services such as direct contact with healthcare providers, visa issuance, booking appointments, hotels, transportation etc. The country currently spends around 4% of its GDP on health, and total healthcare spend for the Gulf region is expected to reach $89 billion in 2022, up 50% from 2013, according to a recent KPMG report. According to Alpen Capital, Dubai alone will require an additional 8,300 physicians and 8,800 nurses by 2025. In line with these developments, the Mena Hospital Projects Forum 2022 features key healthcare projects in the region highlighting the opportunities. Specialty care Commenting on the growing demand for specialty care, Dr Naser Ammash, Chief Executive Officer of Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City said: SSMC in partnership with Mayo Clinic is building the foundation and adding building blocks to become the preferred integrated health care destination for the care of patients with complex, serious or rare diseases. By recognising the growing needs for trusted care for these patients, SSMC is working to bridge the gap for patients needs through an integrated multi-specialty care team model that brings Mayo clinic expertise closer to where patients live. Dr Ammash added: As we build a new understanding of excellence in complex care for the region, SSMC, with the support of its shareholders, will continue to develop its medical and surgical services, elevate its standards of patient experience and quality of care with special emphasis on the power of care and healing through a holistic approach to health care delivery. More than 40 speakers, representing 15+ sponsors and exhibitors from 10 countries are discussing new hospital projects and how this would benefit the healthcare service providers and suppliers. The two-day conference is being complimented with an exhibition, business-to-business meetings, VIP Majlis, media conclave, a media zone to conduct exclusive interviews, issue news announcements and live broadcast opportunities through social media outlets for event sponsors and participants at the conference. New technology Mena Hospital Projects Forum 2022 sheds light on new technology in healthcare, project intelligence, business opportunities for healthcare operators, as well as changes in the regions healthcare landscape. Some of the key themes that are being discussed, include Mena region healthcare infrastructure development vision and plans; hospital new project showcases and ongoing project updates; hospital expansion, refurbishment, and digitation projects and overview of the latest and advanced hospital technologies, equipment and furniture.-- TradeArabia News Service Workers take measurement before concreting a pier at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 9, 2022. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows facilities producing material to concrete a pier at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Aerial photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a pier being concreted at the construction site of the Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The railway links Shiyan City in central China's Hubei Province and Xi'an, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province. It is expected to cut travel time between the two cities to within an hour. Upon completion, the railway service is expected to shorten travel time from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, to Xi'an to approximately 2.5 hours from 4.5 hours. This high-speed railway will help accelerate the economic development of the areas along the railway line. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Protestors attend a rally near the Los Angeles Convention Center where the ninth Summit of the Americas is held in Los Angeles, the United States, June 8, 2022. The inaugural ceremony of the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas kicked off here on Wednesday, with a notable absence of several key regional leaders. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) LOS ANGELES, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural ceremony of the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas kicked off here on Wednesday, with a notable absence of several key regional leaders. The official opening ceremony for the summit, running from Wednesday through Friday, was hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. The president will lead the summit, which is being hosted by the United States for the first time since the inaugural event in 1994, with leaders from North, South and Central America, as well as the Caribbean. The group is expected to discuss global issues including ways to boost economic growth, address climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the summit was overshadowed by the absence of multiple Latin American leaders, including those of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, who boycotted the meeting and those of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, who were excluded by Washington. Meanwhile, Uruguay's president said he had contracted COVID-19, and Bolivia also declined to attend. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, arguably the most important Latin American leader on the summit's guest list, finally announced Monday morning that he would stay at home. "There cannot be a Summit of the Americas if all countries of the Americas cannot attend," Lopez Obrador said at his daily press conference in Mexico City. "This is to continue the old interventionist policies, lacking respect for nations and their people." Biden administration officials sought to downplay the absence of Lopez Obrador. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted the Mexican delegation, even without its president, would make "significant contributions" to the summit and its goals. However, experts regard it as a disaster and embarrassment for U.S. diplomacy. CNN reported Wednesday that the absence of the leaders are notable "since the United States has worked to cultivate those leaders as partners on immigration, an issue that looms as a political liability for Biden." "8 nations did not send a leader-level official to the most important event we have held on the region in decades. Speaks volumes about how badly we've managed relations with our neighbors..." Brett Bruen, who served in the Obama Administration as director of global engagement, tweeted Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, hundreds of people from across the Americas gathered in Los Angeles downtown to host three days of art, music, speakers, debates, workshops, panel discussions, performances in order to outshine the ninth Summit of the Americas. WASHINGTON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- "Multiple victims" were reported after a shooting broke out in Smithsburg, U.S. state of Maryland, on Thursday afternoon. "The suspect is no longer a threat to the community," the Washington County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. Officers responded to the shooting at approximately 2:30 p.m. (1830 GMT), according to the release. "This is a rapidly evolving incident and we will release information as we are able," it read. U.S. Congressman David Trone, whose district includes Smithsburg, tweeted that they are "actively monitoring the mass shooting" in the town. "Our office is in contact with officials on the ground," Trone wrote. "If you're local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds." Smithsburg is about 110 kilometers northwest of Washington, D.C. This is the latest of a series of mass shootings that have rocked the United States over the past weeks. U.S. lawmakers are discussing gun control legislation but whether the talks will bear fruit is unknown. RABAT, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle about 3.21 tonnes of cannabis out of the port of Casablanca, the Moroccan police said in a statement on Thursday. The banned substance was carefully wrapped in consumable goods and hidden inside a cargo container destined for export, the statement added. The warehouse used to store the seized drugs was discovered during search operations, according to the police. A criminal investigation is underway to arrest all the suspects connected to the smuggling, the statement said. Morocco remains one of the world's largest producers of cannabis resin, despite a decade of efforts to wipe out marijuana farming, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. TOKYO, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index closed slightly higher Thursday in choppy trade as exporters gained on the yen's weakness, but chip-making equipment issues weighed and profit-taking capped gains. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 12.24 points, or 0.04 percent, from Wednesday at 28,246.53, rising for the fifth straight session. The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 0.93 point, or 0.05 percent, lower at 1,969.05. Local dealers said that with the U.S. dollar jumping to the mid-134 yen level in the morning, marking its highest climb since February 2022, propelled by a rise overnight in U.S. Treasury yields, investors sought out exporter issues. Export-oriented issues tend to find favor when the yen is weak versus its major counterparts, as the firms' price competitiveness is enhanced in overseas markets and profits can be boosted when repatriated on favorable exchange rates. But as exporters gained traction, some profit-taking was evident which essentially knocked off the market's gains and following an overnight drop on the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index, chip-related issues weighed, brokers said. "However, the market's upside was limited as investors took in profits as the market had recently been advancing at a rapid pace following the Nikkei's four-day rally," Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank, was quoted as saying. By the close of play, mining and transportation equipment issues comprised those that gained the most, and issues that fell outpaced those that rose by 966 to 786 on the Prime Market, while 86 ended the day unchanged. Among exporter issues advancing on the yen's weaker tone, Mazda Motor gained 1.3 percent, while Nissan Motor rose 1.9 percent. Honda Motor, for its part, ended up 0.6 percent by the close. Chip-making equipment manufacturers losing ground included Tokyo Electron dropping 2.2 percent, while Advantest relinquished 2.5 percent by the close. Sharp was a notable loser Thursday, slumping 5.7 percent, after the consumer electronics maker announced the previous day that its net profit for fiscal 2022 would fall below market expectations. On the Prime Market on Thursday, 1,287.27 million shares changed hands, dropping from Wednesday's volume of 1,300.38 million shares. The turnover on the penultimate trading day of the week came to 3,213.98 billion yen (24.06 billion U.S. dollars). ULAN BATOR, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia exported 5.7 million tons of coal in the first five months of this year, data released by the Mongolian Customs General Administration showed Thursday. The figure marks an increase of 1.9 million tons from the previous month and a decrease of around 3 million tons from a year ago, it said. Coal is Mongolia's main export commodity. Mongolia has planned to export at least 36 million tons of coal in 2022, according to the authority. The current poor implementation of this year's coal export plan is mainly related to border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Asian country, which is rich in natural resources, exported 15.9 million tons of coal in 2021, down 44.3 percent year on year, according to Mongolian Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Tajik Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim after participating in the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, June 8, 2022. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua) NUR-SULTAN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Tajik Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim agreed on Wednesday to deepen cooperation in a wide range of areas. The two ministers met after attending the third China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan. Facilitated by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic partnership has always maintained a sound and stable momentum of development, Wang said, adding that the two countries have taken the lead in building a community of common development and security, and jointly implemented a large number of major cooperation projects that have yielded good results and improved people's livelihood. The two sides have always trusted and supported each other in international and regional affairs, constantly enriching bilateral relations, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with Tajikistan to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties as an opportunity, and follow through on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, uplift bilateral cooperation in various fields and bring more benefits to the two peoples. In the first quarter of this year, the bilateral trade grew by more than 100 percent year-on-year, showing strong resilience, Wang said. He added that China is willing to work with Tajikistan to constantly explore new areas of cooperation and help Tajikistan achieve the four major national development strategic goals in energy, transportation, food and industrialization. China supports and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in Tajikistan and better synergize production capacity, and hopes Tajikistan will improve its business environment. Ibrohim said that China is a great friendly neighbor of Tajikistan and the two heads of state have established high-level mutual trust, with the Tajikistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership steadily advancing. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago, bilateral cooperation has developed rapidly, and China has become the most important trade and investment partner of Tajikistan, he said, adding that Tajikistan sincerely appreciates China's assistance in implementing major livelihood projects, upgrading infrastructure and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Tajikistan is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation and deepen all-round cooperation with China, and will help Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in the country, Ibrohim said. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the launch of Luban Workshop in Tajikistan, the first of its kind in Central Asia. The two sides agreed to strive for an early completion of the workshop to deliver early benefits and boost the training of talents in Tajikistan, and agreed to speed up the establishment of a traditional medicine center in Tajikistan and continue to strengthen anti-epidemic cooperation. The two sides will scale up trade, and create new cooperation highlights in the fields of new energy, green technology, transportation and communications. Both sides will continue to give play to the joint epidemic prevention and control mechanism at the border, upgrade and renovate ports, improve customs clearance efficiency, and ensure the safe and smooth passage of freights. Both sides spoke highly of the building of the China-Tajikistan community of common security, and expressed willingness to deepen cooperation on security, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism, so as to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the two countries and the region at large. Ibrohim said that Tajikistan will always be a staunch comrade-in-arms of China and will work with China to resolutely fight against the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism. Wang said that China will continue to firmly support Tajikistan in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, security and stability, and China is Tajikistan's most reliable strategic partner. The two sides also exchanged views on the Afghan issue. GARDEZ, Afghanistan, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The provincial government in Afghanistan's eastern Paktia province has deployed a 100-person forest conservation unit to prevent deforestation in the mountainous region, it announced on Thursday. "The aim of the formation of the unit is to protect the forests, ensure their survival and provide environmental conservation services to the citizens, promote tourism while producing forest harvests," the provincial government said on social media. In October, the Taliban-led caretaker government banned illegally cutting trees in forests to prevent deforestation. The decision was made amid reports of excessive cutting of trees and selling timbers illegally, and smuggling them outside Afghanistan. KABUL, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 5,159 Afghan refugees have returned from neighboring Pakistan and Iran, the country's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs confirmed on Thursday. Up to 4,986 Afghans returned via border crossing points in the western Nimroz and neighboring Herat provinces from Iran, and 173 undocumented refugees arrived in the southern Kandahar province from Pakistan, the ministry said in a statement. Undocumented Afghan migrants have no documentation issued by the country where they are residing. The ministry noted that 1,880 of the returnees were introduced to the United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to receive assistance and support. More than 740,000 Afghan refugees have returned or been deported to Afghanistan mainly from neighboring countries since August 2021, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs. MADRID, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire that started on Wednesday afternoon has forced the evacuation of around 3,000 people near the tourist resorts of Marbella and Estepona in the popular Costa del Sol area on the south coast of Spain, local emergency services have said. One fireman was reportedly burned while helping with the evacuation and was listed in "serious condition," while two other people suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital, the Spanish government's delegation in Malaga said. Around 500 firemen, supported by several helicopters and drones, are fighting the blaze, which is still raging south of the small town of Pujerra in the Sierra Bermeja hills in the province of Malaga. Members of the Spanish Armed Forces' Military Emergencies Unit (UME) have also been called in to help with extinguishing the flames. Around 3,000 people had to leave their homes in the town of Benahavis, with the Red Cross taking care of them. The cause of the wildfire is not yet known. It started at around 3 p.m. in an isolated and virtually inaccessible woodland known as La Resinera. The same area was badly damaged by another fire, which destroyed over 9,000 hectares 10 months ago. Stellantis and Toyota Motor Europe (TME) have announced the expansion of their existing partnership with an agreement for a new large-size commercial van, including a battery electric version. The new vehicle marks the third body type under the agreement, completing a full LCV line-up, with compact-, mid- and now also a large-size LCV. Stellantis will supply TME with the new large-size commercial van for sale in Europe under the Toyota brand. The new vehicle will be produced at Stellantis plants in Gliwice, Poland and Atessa, Italy. Planned for mid-2024, the new large-size commercial van marks TMEs first entry into the large-size commercial vehicle segment. Operational excellence Operational excellence is by definition recognised in this expanded deal, said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. With this third successful engagement, Stellantis is further demonstrating its expertise in the commercial vehicle segment and in developing battery electric technology built to support a full range of needs. This agreement strengthens our leadership in the EU30 for LCVs and low emission vehicles and moves us a step closer to realising our Dare Forward 2030 goal of becoming the undisputed global light commercial vehicle leader, in terms of technology, manufacturing, market share and profitability. Stellantis and TMEs collaboration started in 2012 with the Toyotas mid-size LCV produced at Stellantis Hordain plant in France, followed in 2019 by a competitive and appealing addition to the compact-size LCV segment, produced at Stellantis plant in Vigo, Spain. Completing LCV line-up The large-size LCV deepens the collaboration enabling Toyota to complete a full LCV line-up in Europe, while allowing both companies to benefit from development and production cost optimisation. We are pleased that we can extend this successful partnership through the introduction of a new large-size commercial van. It represents an important addition and completes our light commercial line-up for Toyotas European customers. The new LCV will represent a key contribution to Toyotas growth targets for its overall LCV line-up, alongside the Hilux pick-up, Proace and Proace City, enabling Toyota to provide a mobility solution in all segments of the LCV market, commented Matt Harrison, President and CEO at Toyota Motor Europe.-- TradeArabia News Service Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) observes a military exercise in Izmir, Turkey, on June 9, 2022. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan observed the final day of a large-scale joint military exercise in Turkey's western Izmir province on Thursday. (Xinhua) ISTANBUL, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan observed the final day of a large-scale joint military exercise in Turkey's western Izmir province on Thursday. "We will not allow terror corridors to thrive at the borders of our country. I'd like to stress once again here that we will complete the missing parts of our security line (in northern Syria) for sure," said the president, referencing the presence of Syria's Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria. "We hope that none of our true allies and friends will oppose these legitimate security concerns of our country, and in particular, they will not choose terrorist organizations over us," he noted. Turkey sees YPG as a branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The Turkish army has launched four operations between 2016 and 2020 in northern Syria to eliminate terror threats and provide a safe zone that it claims would facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homes. Erdogan's remarks on Syria came during his speech at one of the largest exercises by the Turkish Military in Izmir, in which 37 countries joined. EFES-2022 Exercise's first phase kicked off on May 20 with the participation of more than 10,000 personnel, including over 1,000 personnel from other countries under the direction of the Turkish Aegean Army Command. The purpose of the drill was to develop the joint force's military capabilities and skills and maintain combat readiness, a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan observes a military exercise in Izmir, Turkey, on June 9, 2022. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan observed the final day of a large-scale joint military exercise in Turkey's western Izmir province on Thursday. (Xinhua) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (3rd R, front) observes a military exercise in Izmir, Turkey, on June 9, 2022. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan observed the final day of a large-scale joint military exercise in Turkey's western Izmir province on Thursday. (Xinhua) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L, front) observes a military exercise in Izmir, Turkey, on June 9, 2022. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan observed the final day of a large-scale joint military exercise in Turkey's western Izmir province on Thursday. (Xinhua) BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed on Wednesday that efforts must be made to enable grain exports from Ukraine, the German government said. In a conversation on the phone Wednesday morning, the two leaders exchanged views on the current military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and agreed that efforts must be made to enable grain exports from Ukraine, especially by sea, said a statement issued by the German government. - - - - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned that the Ukraine conflict may trigger social and economic chaos around the world. The three-month-old conflict brings new bloodshed and suffering to those on the ground. For people around the world, the conflict, together with other crises, is threatening to unleash "an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake," he said at the launch of a second report by the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance over the Ukraine conflict. - - - - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Wednesday that he does not pin high hopes on the upcoming summit of NATO, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported. "I do not have high expectations from the NATO summit in Madrid. I will be pleasantly surprised and happy if I am wrong in my expectations," Kuleba told reporters during an online media briefing. - - - - Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki Tuesday unveiled one of Poland's largest arms export deals in 30 years as his country sells howitzers to Ukraine. "I'm very glad that we have the opportunity today to sell our weapons abroad," Morawiecki said during a visit to the Huta Stalowa Wola armaments factory in southeastern Poland, part of the state-run Polish Armaments Group that produces such weapons. "We are just signing one of the largest, if not the largest, arms export" contracts in the last 30 years, he said. LONDON, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A new law declaring monkeypox as a legally notifiable disease came into force across Britain on Wednesday, meaning all doctors in England are required to notify their local council or local Health Protection Team about any suspected monkeypox cases. Laboratories must also notify the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) if the virus is identified in a laboratory sample. "Rapid diagnosis and reporting is the key to interrupting transmission and containing any further spread of monkeypox. This new legislation will support us and our health partners to swiftly identify, treat and control the disease," said Wendi Shepherd, monkeypox incident director at the UKHSA. Francois Balloux, a professor of computational systems biology and director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, said the new law means that "all suspected monkeypox cases have to be reported. This is a sensible change in regulation as it improves surveillance and facilitates contact tracing, though it does not reflect a change in the current containment measures in place." In the latest bulletin on Wednesday, the UKHSA said it had detected 321 monkeypox cases across the country as of Tuesday, with 305 confirmed cases in England, 11 in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and three in Wales. "Anyone can get monkeypox, particularly if they have had close contact, including sexual contact with an individual with symptoms," said the UKHSA, advising people to contact sexual health clinics if they have a rash with blisters and have been to West or Central Africa in the past three weeks or have been in close contact with someone who has or might have monkeypox in the past three weeks. David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that "making monkeypox a notifiable disease suggests a desire to be sure to have reporting" from all sectors and all parts of the National Health Service. "It suggests that the government wants to focus surveillance on the entire population -- not only on the risk groups identified so far. This will permit clear identification of all risk groups and help better understand the epidemiology and extent of spread," said Heymann. Paul Hunter, an expert in microbiology and communicable disease control, told Xinhua in a recent interview that "monkeypox is not a COVID situation and it will never be a COVID situation." Hunter said scientists were puzzled as there currently seems to be no apparent link between many cases in the current wave of monkeypox infections. GAZA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States has adopted hate speech against China, spreading lies and rumors to deter China's growth, a Palestinian political expert has said. "The U.S. used to resort to spreading baseless allegations against its opponents in order to promote internal strife among the countries," Talal Okal, a Gaza-based analyst, told Xinhua in a recent interview. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently described China as the "most serious long-term challenge to the international order," and slung groundless accusations against China on issues related to Xinjiang. "Blinken's remarks are only part of a series of lies and slanders pursued by the U.S. against China. It is launching huge media campaigns through international media agencies," Okal said. In fact, the analyst said, the incitement by the United States against China is rooted in its hostile attitude towards the Asian country, behind which is Washington's true intention of disrupting and hindering China's development. The United States insists on adopting hate speech and false allegations against China despite China's efforts to enhance international cooperation, Okal said. "There is no doubt," he said, that China's efforts to promote multilateralism were deemed as a challenge to the American monopoly in the international system. "China establishes its relations with the world on the basis of partnership and mutual benefit ... and this is worrying the U.S. administration," the analyst said. Therefore, the United States has been relying on malicious methods to wage smear campaigns against China, spreading disinformation and false accusations on such issues as democracy and human rights, Okal said. However, he believes that China has succeeded in refuting all the U.S. falsehoods by showing facts to the world. "It is better for the U.S. to talk about its own violations against human rights in the world by waging wars against multiple countries, and to review itself for its blatant bias," said the expert. WASHINGTON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A criminal complaint was filed on Wednesday bringing against a man from California federal charges of attempted murder of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Nicholas John Roske, 26, of Simi Valley made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt of Maryland Wednesday afternoon. According to an affidavit, on June 8, 2022, at approximately 1:05 a.m., two U.S. Deputy Marshals saw an individual dressed in black clothing and carrying a backpack and a suitcase, get out of a taxicab that had stopped in front of Kavanaugh's residence. The individual -- later identified as Roske -- looked at the two Deputy U.S. Marshals, who were standing next to their parked vehicle, and then turned to walk down the street. Roske was later detained by police after he called an emergency center in which he told it that he had a firearm in his suitcase, was having suicidal thoughts and had intentions to kill Kavanaugh. A search of his suitcase and backpack revealed a black tactical chest rig and tactical knife, a pistol with two magazines and ammunition, a pepper spray and other items. Roske allegedly told detectives that he was upset about the leak of a recent Supreme Court draft decision regarding the right to abortion as well as the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Kavanaugh, a conservative, is purportedly included in the majority for the Supreme Court draft opinion on abortion, a copy of which was obtained and published by Politico last month. The Uvalde rampage left 19 children and two teachers dead about two weeks ago. If convicted, Roske faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for attempted murder of a U.S. judge. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 8, 2022. The Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States to take meaningful, concrete actions to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. (Xinhua/Xie E) UNITED NATIONS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States to take meaningful, concrete actions to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The current situation on the Korean Peninsula has become tense. It must be pointed out that the situation has developed to what it is today primarily due to the flip-flop of U.S. policies, its failure to uphold the results of previous dialogue, and its disregard for the reasonable concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This is an undeniable fact, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. "Where the situation goes from here will depend, to a large extent, on the actions of the United States, and the key lies in whether the United States can face up to the crux of the problem, demonstrate a responsible attitude, and take meaningful, concrete actions," he told a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue. Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid any action that could escalate tensions and lead to miscalculation, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires following the general direction of political settlement, dialogue, and consultation, he said. Historical experience shows that dialogue and consultation are the only viable way to resolve the issue. When dialogue advanced smoothly, positive progress was made; when dialogue was stalled or even backtracked, tensions on the peninsula escalated. Since the DPRK took denuclearization measures in 2018, the U.S. side did not reciprocate, did not address the DPRK's legitimate and reasonable concerns, nor did it demonstrate the necessary sincerity for resolving the issue, said Zhang. There are many things the United States can do, such as easing sanctions on the DPRK in certain areas and ending joint military exercises. The key is action, not just talk about readiness for dialogue with no preconditions, he said. Wednesday's debate was the first of its kind since the General Assembly adopted a resolution on April 26 that allows it to convene automatically when a veto is cast in the Security Council. On May 26, China and Russia vetoed a Security Council draft resolution aimed to impose new sanctions on the DPRK, triggering the General Assembly meeting. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires abandoning the old approach of imposing sanctions and exerting pressure, said Zhang. Sanctions are a means, not an end. The Security Council's harsh sanctions against the DPRK are unprecedented and cover far beyond its nuclear and missile programs, having huge negative impacts on the livelihood of the DPRK people. In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in the DPRK, additional sanctions are neither right nor humane, and will only add to the suffering of the DPRK population, he explained. The Security Council's DPRK-related resolutions are an integral whole and should be implemented in a comprehensive, complete, and accurate manner. Relevant countries should not place one-sided emphasis on the implementation of sanctions. They should also make active efforts to promote a political solution and ease sanctions in due course, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires the Security Council to play a constructive role, said Zhang. Under the current situation, the words and actions of the Security Council and its members should help maintain stability and prevent chaos on the peninsula, restart dialogue and negotiations, and resolve the real humanitarian and livelihood difficulties faced by the DPRK, rather than creating obstacles to this end, he said. In the past, the Security Council had been able to adopt DPRK-related resolutions because all members fully communicated with one another and could ultimately reach consensus. In response to the draft resolution on the DPRK tabled by the United States, China had put forward many reasonable proposals. China hoped the U.S. side would consider seeking a presidential statement rather than a resolution - in a way that could best garner the consensus of Security Council members. This approach was recognized and endorsed by the overwhelming majority of council members. However, the United States, which was the only opponent to the proposal, insisted on pushing for a vote, deliberately creating confrontation and triggering a showdown in the council. Looking at the consensus-lacking U.S. draft, China had no choice but to vote against it. The United States should take responsibility for this result, he said. China always engages in the work of the Security Council in a responsible manner and makes active efforts to maintain unity among council members and promote stronger cooperation among all parties, with a view to fulfilling the duties mandated by the UN Charter, said Zhang. "It must be noted that China takes an extremely cautious and responsible approach to every vote in the Security Council, and bases its judgment on the merits of the matter itself," he said. "What kind of vote China will cast is essentially about whether such a voting will be conducive to solving the problem, maintaining international peace and security, and avoiding greater tensions and disasters." It will be precisely irresponsible and derelict of duty for the Security Council to adopt a resolution without principle, which could result in serious consequences and plunge the countries or regions concerned into a catastrophe, he said. To fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue requires upholding the security interests of regional countries, said Zhang. The security of all countries is indivisible, and the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is closely related to the external strategic environment, he said. The United States has recently been making provocations in the Asia-Pacific region, and has been carrying out nuclear submarine cooperation with relevant countries in the region, developing hypersonic weapons, and selling cruise missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, he said. "These moves have completely revealed its double standards and hypocrisy on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation." The United States has been vigorously implementing its Indo-Pacific strategy and strengthening military alliances with relevant regional countries, which aggravates the risks of military confrontation in the region. A certain politician of an individual regional country was clamoring for so-called nuclear sharing with the United States, intentionally reversing the wheels of history on the issue of nuclear weapons, seriously impacting the process of resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and poisoning the regional security environment, said Zhang. "It is not in the interests of any country to stoke bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region. We urge the countries concerned to put regional peace and security first, stop political maneuvering, change course immediately, and create a good environment toward peace and stability on the peninsula," he said. A peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula is the shared expectation of regional countries and the international community. As a close neighbor, China has been closely following developments on the peninsula and has always insisted on maintaining peace and stability there, achieving denuclearization, and resolving the issue through dialogue and consultations. For a long time now, China has been making unremitting efforts to resolve the issue. China's important and constructive role is clear to the entire international community, said Zhang. Under the current circumstances, China hopes that all parties will continue to focus on the big picture, pursue dialogue and consultations, meet each other halfway, explore effective ways to resolve the reasonable concerns of all parties in a balanced manner, and create favorable conditions for the early resumption of meaningful dialogue. Together with the wide UN membership, China is ready to play a constructive role toward this goal, he said. Zhang Jun (at the podium and on the screens), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at a UN General Assembly debate on the Korean Peninsula issue at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 8, 2022. The Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States to take meaningful, concrete actions to relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. (Xinhua/Xie E) MEXICO CITY, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reiterated his call on Thursday to modify the policy of regional exclusion, as the ninth Summit of the Americas takes place this week in the United States, amid the exclusion of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. "If we do nothing to change this hegemonic policy that does not respect peoples' sovereignty and countries' independence; if we remain silent, then it will continue," the president told journalists from the National Palace in Mexico City. "I believe it is an anachronistic, old and unfair policy that must be set aside, and a new stage must be inaugurated in the relationship of all the fraternal peoples and countries of the American continent," he added. The Summit of the Americas is being held in the U.S. city of Los Angeles from June 6 to 10. Lopez Obrador said that although the Mexican government is represented at the meeting by Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard, it is "under protest" due to the exclusions. NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over 12 high-speed guard boats to Vietnam on Thursday, as part of a USD 100 million line of credit offered by India to the Southeast Asian country. Singh presented the boats at a ceremony in the Hong Ha shipyard as part of the growing maritime security cooperation between the two countries in response to Beijing's growing military assertiveness in the South China Sea. From June 8 to 10, the defence minister will be in Vietnam for three days. "It gives me great pleasure to participate in this historic ceremony commemorating the successful completion of the project to build 12 high-speed guard boats under India's USD 100 million defence Line of Credit," he remarked at the event. The first five boats were built at the L&T Shipyard in India, and the final seven at the Hong Ha Shipyard in Vietnam. "I am convinced that this will pave the way for many more India-Vietnam cooperation defence initiatives," Singh added. "This project exemplifies our 'Make in India or Make for the World' mission," he said. India would be "greatly pleased," if "close friends like Vietnam" join the country's defence industrial transition. Singh claimed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) strategy, the Indian defence sector has significantly strengthened its capabilities. He emphasised that the goal is to develop a domestic industry that will enable India to become a defence manufacturing hub that will meet both domestic and international needs. Rajnath Singh approves enhancement of funding under TDF Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to embark on 3-day visit to Vietnam Rajnath Singh meets with Israeli Defense Minister for bilateral talks KARACHI: A Hindu temple in Karachi was vandalised on Thursday, sparking dread and terror among the city's Hindu residents, according to a media report. The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Shri Mari Maata temple in the city's Korangi area, as per Express Tribune. The police arrived in the area after getting information about the vandalism and investigated the temple, as well as sending more forces into the area. Farooq Sanjrani, the SHO of Korangi, said that "five to six unknown individuals entered the shrine and vandalised it before fleeing." He said the unidentified assailants had been charged. Unidentified people allegedly desecrated a mediaeval shrine on the banks of the Indus River near Kotri last October, as per media reports. In the past, after an eight-year-old Hindu child, who allegedly urinated in a local seminary, was granted bail by a local court in August 2021, scores of people reportedly vandalised a Hindu temple in the town of Bhong and blocked the Sukkur-Multan Motorway. Hindu temples have been vandalised frequently in Pakistan. According to official estimates, there are 75 lakh Hindus living in Pakistan. Sindh province is home to the bulk of Pakistan's Hindu community, who share their culture, traditions, and language with Muslim citizens. They frequently report being harassed by extremists. Pakistan issues 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims Hate remarks against Prophet: Pak summons Indian envoy, issues demarche Pakistan PM condemns BJP for remarks against Prophet Employees who receive 30-60 external emails per day could be wasting 11 hours every year looking through and identifying spam messages. For employees receiving between 60-100 emails a day, this number rises to 18 hours per year, which is more than two business days. These are the findings from Kasperskys analysis of the amount of spam bombarding corporate mailboxes and how it could affect the productivity of employees . According to some third-party estimates, 45%-85% of all emails generated each day are spam. But besides the lures, malicious links and attachments these emails may contain, the flow of spam can be annoying and overwhelming, clogging up user mailboxes if there is no anti-spam solution installed. Amount of spam Kaspersky researchers analysed the amount of spam received per employee and, using a third-party study, approximated the number of hours office workers could be spending on reading or just looking through these messages. Employees were split into three groups according to the number of emails they received daily from outside their organisation (emails from senders within the same organisation were not counted). According to the calculations, those getting sent up to 30 emails per day also receive around 30 spam samples a week, and waste in total around five hours every year sorting them out. Workers receiving 30-60 emails each day spend 11 hours per year doing the same, which is more than one business day. And those receiving up to 100 emails daily can spend 18 hours more than two business days a year. For mailboxes with more than 100 incoming messages per day, the number of hours needed to sort out spam emails equates to 80 per year. But this could be general mailboxes for all incoming inquiries, which are usually not cleaned up. Sizeable amount Five hours across a whole year may not sound critical for one employee. But when scaled to an organisation with hundreds of employees, this may turn into a sizeable amount of person-hours. The number may look greater in businesses focused on providing services where employees communicate more actively with external parties. Employees can also waste time getting back to work after reading and deleting spam, as email is a huge distractor. These negative effects of spam may not be so obvious, but organisations should be aware of them and protect their employees with dedicated anti-spam and anti-phishing tools, comments Andrey Kovtun, Email Threats Protection Group Manager at Kaspersky. To keep employees productivity high and avoid the negative consequences of spam and email threats, Kaspersky recommends organisations take the following steps: Switch on the anti-spam or junk email function in ones mail service if there is no dedicated solution as an add-on. This feature should decrease the spam flow. Educate employees to recognise spam and especially phishing emails by looking at such signs as the sender's address, executable files or files with macros in attachments and calls to action. This should decrease the chance of an attack and help employees get rid of unwanted messages quicker. Implement dedicated protection for mail servers, such as Kaspersky Security for Mail Server with a solid set of anti-phishing, anti-spam, and malware detection technologies. For cloud services, such as Microsoft 365, there is a dedicated Kaspersky Security for Microsoft Office 365 solution.-- TradeArabia News Service NEW DELHI: During delegation-level meetings here, Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed enhancing bilateral relations and strategic affairs, according to an official release. The two Ministers discussed the "entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political, cultural, and people-to-people relationships" during their talks on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the Minister of External Affairs. Amir Abdollahian is visiting New Delhi for the first time since taking office in August 2021. Jaishankar "appreciated Iran's participation in facilitating India's medical assistance to Afghanistan, particularly the supply of Covid-19 vaccinations to Afghan nationals residing in Iran," according to the Ministry. "Both sides recognised the importance of bilateral cooperation in the sector of regional connectivity and discussed the progress made at the Chabahar Port's Shahid Beheshti terminal." The two parties agreed that the Chabahar Port has given landlocked Afghanistan much-needed sea access and has developed as a regional commercial transportation hub, including for Central Asia. "They reaffirmed their willingness to work together on the development of Chabahar Port." Teams from both countries will meet soon to discuss operational issues, according to the Ministry statement. Jaishankar meets Slovak PM to discuss political, economic, defence ties BRICS countries vow to strengthen cooperation on intelligent customs Turkey, Venezuela strengthen bilateral ties ISLAMABAD: In the wake of US sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasised the need of importing wheat from the country. As per reports, the premier has also urged the authorities to engage China in a government-to-government (G2G) urea import arrangement. China had offered to buy urea on a deferred payment basis at 4.35 percent per year, or about USD2.175 per tonne per month. During a recent cabinet meeting, the prime minister stressed that wheat imports from Russia must be on a G2G basis, and that the quality of the crop consumed in Pakistan must be of a high grade. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the US and EU sanctions did not apply to food goods, and that the talks with Russian authorities on wheat imports were on a G2G basis. She also told the meeting's participants that since these were not binding UN sanctions, the follow-up on the previous government's claim that Russia had agreed to sell fuel oil at a 30% lower price had been made, but no response had been received, as per reports. Shehbaz asked the industries and production secretary to interact with Chinese authorities and try to negotiate a possible discount on urea imports on a G2G basis. World food commodity prices fell slightly in May: FAO After Turkey, now it has refused to take Indian wheat in this Islamic country Turkey refuses to take wheat sent from India, says it has disease... A bad news is coming out from Pakistan in which it is being said that Pakistani MP Amir Liyaqat has passed away in Karachi. According to Pakistani media, he was found dead in his apartment. Geo TV has given this information by quoting his servant. Recently, Aamir Liyaqat came into the limelight for his divorce from his second wife and his third marriage. Aamir Liaquat was only 50 years old and he was born in Karachi in 1972. Aamir Liaquat had 3 marriages and he married his second wife, Tauba Anwar, in 2018. After the divorce from her, he got married to Dania Shah in the year 2022. Geo News quoted the servant as saying that his health had been deteriorating since Wednesday night, but he refused to go to the hospital. Then, when he screamed in pain, his servant arrived. But the door was closed. When the door was broken, he was unconscious in the room. He was then taken to a hospital, where he died. Aamir Liyaqat joined Imran Khan's party PTI in March 2018. He was then elected MP from Karachi. However, he later resigned from the party. Pak PM to import wheat from Russia amid US sanctions Mobile addiction: Kids with cell phones are at risk! US House of Representatives passes gun package Islamabad: The staff of UNICEF in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is also not safe, so what is the status of the common man. According to local media reports, a UNICEF official has been raped by a security guard in Islamabad. A Swedish citizen UNICEF official has given a complaint to the police in the Aabpara area of the Pakistani capital. The woman has alleged that she was raped by the security guard posted at her residence. Actually, according to the report, the victims of UNISEF are citizens of Sweden. In the case, the police have told that the victim was posted in Islamabad in January this year. The complaint states that the accused guard was posted at her residence under the protection of the woman officer since this March. According to the victim, the guard entered the bedroom of her residence and raped her. It is also reported that the accused fled after the incident. Not only this, it was also told that the accused first tried to strangle the woman and later raped her. Police said that at present a team has been formed to search for the absconding criminal. In another case, a 16-year-old girl has been raped in the Kahuta area of Islamabad. The incident came to light after the victim's father told the police that his daughter had gone missing from his house on Tuesday night. He said that she came back home at five in the morning. It is alleged that a suspect raped her in an under-construction house. District Panchayat member rapes girl on the pretext of giving government accommodation The groom was surprised to know the handiwork of the bride on the very first night of the wedding Terror of miscreants increased in Bihar! Openly killed the wife of an Airforce jawan Nowadays, as soon as mothers stop breastfeeding, it seems there is a trend that parents are in a rush to enrol their children in early childhood education centres, popularly called preschools or Montessori schools. These children go straight from their mothers lap to classrooms, learning the alphabet, doing scores of homework, and carrying heavy bags of books. But, why? Parents believe that when children go to school early, they learn faster and better. But, can a childs physical and mental conditions match up to parents expectations? Studies from around the world state no child under the age of six is ready for school. It means early childhood education systems are not as effective as you think. According to educationist Bidya Nath Koirala, In Finland, which is said to have the worlds ideal education system, a child can be enrolled in a school only after the age of seven, whereas they get compulsory education only after the age of nine. Once enrolled, children from age seven to 16 get school-level education. He further explains, Some families, mostly with single parents, send their children to school at the age of one as they are busy with work and dont have time to take care of their children. However, even if they go to school within a year, they start learning only after the age of seven. Early childhood education and the Nepali culture In the eastern culture, there are some mentions about at what age children are eligible for education. Among the 16 rites mentioned, the upanayana rite (or coming-of-age ceremony for boys) is considered to be the stage of vidyarambha (the beginning of getting an education). According to the scriptures, upanayana rites are performed at the age of eight, once they are capable of gaining knowledge. Having said that, the current scenario of early childhood education is way different. Parents are in the race to send their children to school at the age of two and a half years. Koirala explains, Our ancestors introduced the ritual to perform Saraswati puja, in a symbolic manner, when a child reaches six years of age and starts schooling. Yet, our society has not realised its essence. Before that, they should be allowed to eat, play and have fun as children. Recent rationale But, there are some factors and some trends that affect parents decisions about early childhood education. One such reason, as mentioned above, is working couples who do not have time to look after their children. The second reason is parents going after the trend of sending their children to early childhood education centres, imitating others. Due to the current social system, existing education system, poor understanding of education, and family pressure, many parents send their children to school at an early age. It does not mean that children should not be sent to school at a young age. But, Koirala clarifies that the teaching should start only after the age of seven years. Daycare centres as an alternative Parents are quick to send their children to school at a very early age. But, Koirala says if parents are busy, they have the option to send them to daycare centres instead of early childhood education centres. However, in Nepal, sadly, daycare centres are all in name only, he laments. In daycare centres in Finland, there is no reading or writing for the children. Instead, they are motivated to play, have fun, and make new friends. However, if there is someone at home to take care of the children, it is better for them to join school only after the age of five. For example, in the villages, where there are joint families. Educationists believe that children with their grandparents can learn more life skills. Schooling starts with grade one. In most parts of the world, schooling starts after children reach five years of age. Elsewhere, there is a daycare system, says educationist Susan Acharya, Hence, in Nepal, children under the age of five are sent for early childhood education programmes. An early childhood education programme is generally graded into playgroup, nursery, UKG, and LKG. By the age of five, and the children reach grade one, they are required to have passed all previous grades. Therefore, parents psychology guides them to give early education to their children, and always feel the rush, pressure and unnecessary competition to send the children to school early, according to the experts. Keep the innocence alive Psychologists say children should be allowed to play and enjoy themselves freely until they reach a suitable age, rather than keeping them in the classroom. Anyone younger than six is supposed to play and enjoy, not supposed to rote-learn. They view if any early childhood programme exists, it has to keep this need at the centre. According to Bijay Gyawali, who has spent a long time living in Japan as a clinical doctor, children there who are under the age of six are not given pens and papers there. Instead, they are allowed to play and grow freely. Home is the first school and parents are the first teachers for the young ones. At a young age, they need to be in the proximity of their parents and feel their touch. Growing up in a playful and enjoyable home environment makes children creative and gives them opportunities to explore their interests. Childhood should be protected, Koirala points out, Take the example of Kathmandus Jyapu community that take their children to the farm together while working. The children play in the field with insects and soil, and their childhood is secured and they develop their personality, organically. Only if the early childhood education centre has a system where they can play and learn freely, the children can be sent there at any age, child psychologist Arun Kunwar explains. When the child is sent to school early, they learn social behaviours, socialising tricks and develop their personality, he says. But, according to him, people are focused on sending their children to school for reading and writing. Depending on their age, he says, they need to focus on what they can do. A three-year-old learns more by playing than by reading, so it is wrong to force them, he adds. Koirala shares, I saw a child being taught in a school in the United States. There they get an environment where children are taught through games or play, according to their interests. Some were showing pictures they drew to the teacher while some were sharing how they broke the radio. Koirala says it is more important to know what to teach a child at what age rather than focusing on sending them to school early following the trend of early childhood education. This story is translated from the original Nepali version and edited for clarity and length. Description May 19 - July 3, 2022 OVERVIEW KINKY BOOTS is the freshest, most fabulous, feel-good musical and the winner of every major award, including the Tony Award for Best Musical! With songs by Grammy and Tony winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper and book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein, this dazzling, sassy, and uplifting musical celebrates a joyous story, inspired by true-life events, taking you from the factory floor of a mens shoe factory to the glamorous catwalks of Milan! Its the ultimate fun night out for everyone to experience the energy, joy, and laughter of this dazzling show. THE ENGEMAN EXPERIENCE Our lounge is located inside the lobby of the John W. Engeman Theater and is open one hour before the show for ticket holders only, and after the show to the general public. Craft Beers, select wines, cocktails, and soft drinks are available for purchase. MEXICO CITY, June 08, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "aa-" (Superior) and the Mexico National Scale Rating of "aaa.MX" (Exceptional) of Berkley International Fianzas Mexico S.A. (BFM) (Mexico City, Mexico). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. BFM is a member of W. R. Berkley Insurance Group (Berkley Group), which on a consolidated basis, has a balance sheet strength that AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as strong operating performance, a favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings reflect BFMs substantial reinsurance support from its group through the Berkley Insurance Company. Additionally, the ratings factor in BFMs integration with its parent company, W. R. Berkley Corporation (W. R. Berkley), in terms of underwriting, ERM and capital commitments. Limiting the ratings is the inherent risk of a startup company implementing its business plan amid the challenges derived from the weakening of Mexicos economy. BFM was formed in November 2016, and is the Mexico surety subsidiary of W. R. Berkley. The company received regulatory approval for operations in June 2017 and issued its first policy that same month. The company plans to develop a regional presence in northwest Mexico, through a predominant mix of administrative surety and a lesser portion of credit and judicial products strongly backed by a comprehensive reinsurance contract with its parent company. BFMs solid risk-adjusted capitalization is derived from its strong capital position in support of its premium growth during its first years of operation, which is strengthened further by the comprehensive reinsurance contract with its parent company. Furthermore, AM Best recognizes W. R. Berkleys commitment to its subsidiaries providing additional capital fungibility to the Mexico operation. Story continues BFM has been able to grow it business volume during the past five years. Despite several challenges that the Mexicos surety segment faces due to the economic slowdown that lingers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, BFM has been able to implement its growth strategy, surpassing during 2021 its 2020 premium growth by focusing on private sector business. BFMs experienced team of underwriters expect their underwriting capabilities to continue providing resources for the company to keep developing its business base. If negative rating actions are taken on the main operating subsidiaries of the Berkley Group for a significant drop in equity, preventing the organization from maintaining the expected risk-adjusted capitalization levels, BFMs ratings likely would move in tandem. Negative rating actions also could occur to the insurance operations as a result of a sustained deterioration in BFMs underwriting or operating results, driven by either current accident year results or adverse development of loss reserves from prior years. If the financial position of the ultimate parent weakens, requiring the withdrawal of capital from the groups various insurance companies or increases financial leverage or leads to a decline in interest coverage at the holding company that is not supportive of the current ratings level, negative rating actions could be taken on the Berkley Group, and BFMs ratings would reflect those actions. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2022 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220608006106/en/ Contacts Inger Rodriguez Associate Financial Analyst +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 108 inger.rodriguez@ambest.com Eli Sanchez Associate Director, Analytics +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 122 eli.sanchez@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Manager, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Jeff Mango Managing Director, Strategy & Communications +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5204 jeffrey.mango@ambest.com ReportLinker Major companies in the market include Cargill Incorporated, Nestle S. A. , New Hope Liuhe Co. Ltd. , Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, Bunge Limited, Diamond Pet Foods Inc. , Mitsui, CJ Cheiljedang Corp, Land OLakes Inc, and J. New York, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Animal And Pet Food Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06284455/?utm_source=GNW M. Smucker Company. The global animal and pet food market is expected to grow from $348.7 billion in 2021 to $386.7 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9%. The market is expected to grow to $562.14 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The animal and pet food market consists of sales of animal and pet foods by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that produce food and feed for animals and pets from ingredients, such as grains, oilseed mill products, and meat products. The main type of animal and pet food is pet food and animal food.Pet food is a specialty food, used to feed domesticated animals and that is formulated according to their nutritional needs. The various type of ingredients are animal derivatives, plant derivatives, synthetic and distributed through various channels such as supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, e-commerce, Other Distribution Channels. Asia Pacific was the largest region in the animal and pet food market in 2021.Western Europe was the second-largest in the animal and pet food market. The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. The animal and pet food market growth is aided by stable economic growth forecasted in many developed and developing countries. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global GDP growth reached 3.3% in 2020 and 3.4% in 2021. Recovering commodity prices, after a significant decline in the historic period is further expected to aid the market growth. Developed economies are also expected to register stable growth during the forecast period. Additionally, emerging markets are expected to continue to grow slightly faster than the developed markets in the forecast period. Stable economic growth is expected to increase investments in the end-user markets, thereby driving the market during the forecast period. The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has acted as a massive restraint on the animal and pet food market in 2020 as supply chains were disrupted due to trade restrictions and consumption declined due to lockdowns imposed by governments globally.COVID-19 is an infectious disease with flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing. The virus was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province of the Peoples Republic of China, and spread globally including Western Europe, North America, and Asia.Food and beverage manufacturers depend on the supply of raw materials from domestic and international suppliers. As many governments restricted the movement of goods across countries and locally, manufacturers had to halt production due to a lack of raw materials.Also, restrictions on the trade of non-essential goods and fear of contamination through manufacturing facilities contributed to the decline. The outbreak had a negative impact on businesses throughout 2020 and into 2021. However, it is expected that the animal and pet food market will recover from the shock across the forecast period as it is a black swan event and not related to ongoing or fundamental weaknesses in the market or the global economy. Pet food manufacturing companies are using automation technologies such as advanced production lines and software solutions to improve safety and operational efficiency.These technologies automate formulation, extrusion, batching, drying, coating, and liquid delivery processes. This results in cost-effective processing and consistent product quality.For example, Champion Petfoods, a Canadian producer of pet food, has video-monitored production lines, with cooking processes connected through Rockwell hardware and software systems. It also uses bulk bins and conveying systems, votator heat exchangers, and advanced extrusion and drying systems.United Pet Groups pet food manufacturing plant in St. Louis used FactoryTalk software from Rockwell Automation to reduce overtime by 10% and increase labor efficiency by 15%. The countries covered in the animal and pet food market are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06284455/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Annovis Bio's Current Intellectual Property Portfolio Covers the Use of Buntanetap, the Company's Lead Compound, to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases With this Recent Filing, the Company Seeks Protection for Buntanetap to Treat Infection-Dependent Neurological Injuries BERWYN, Pa., June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Annovis Bio (NYSE: ANVS) ("Annovis" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage drug platform company addressing neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that the company submitted an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty for its drug platform buntanetap. The patent claims a method of inhibiting, preventing, or treating neurological injuries due to viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or parasitic infections in humans. Annovis (PRNewsfoto/Annovis Bio) If granted, the patent application will add to the intellectual property of the Company whose issued patents to date cover a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), alpha-synucleopathies, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), tauopathies, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and acute injuries such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. Neurotoxic protein levels, such as APP/Abeta, alpha-synuclein and tau/phospho-tau, are high in both chronic and acute brain injuries. Because infections, whether viral, bacterial, or fungal, also cause an increase in these neurotoxic proteins, buntanetap has the potential to protect the brain from damage caused by infections. Data included in the filed patent demonstrates that buntanetap lowers the levels of these neurotoxic proteins protects astroglia from gingipains and restores normal morphology and function to nerve cells. If granted, the patent could provide intellectual property protection through 2042. "This new patent application is not only another step in strengthening the Company's position and expanding its intellectual property portfolio but is also additional proof that consolidates our platform. Simply put, the Annovis story and potential are much broader than AD and PD. Because of its unique mode of action, our drug has the potential to act on a variety of neurodegenerative disorders," said Maria L. Maccecchini, Ph.D., Founder, President, and CEO of Annovis. Story continues "All indications for which we are testing buntanetap have a shared basic mechanism: certain proteins are overexpressed, become neurotoxic and trigger a cascade that slows axonal transport, increases inflammation, reduces the viability and function of neurons, and ultimately causes loss of function. Our drug reverses this toxic cascade by selectively inhibiting the translation of these neurotoxic proteins that are at play in these debilitating diseases and, therefore, restores the affected function," Dr. Maccecchini added. Currently, Annovis is advancing buntanetap for the treatment of AD and PD and expects to start recruitment for a Phase 3 clinical trial in early PD patients this summer. About Buntanetap Buntanetap (previously known as ANVS401 or Posiphen) is an oral translational inhibitor of neurotoxic aggregating proteins (TINAPs), which mode of action leads to a lower level of neurotoxic proteins and consequently less toxicity in the brain. In a Phase 2a clinical trial in AD and PD patients, buntanetap was shown to be well-tolerated and safe, and its pharmacokinetics were found to be in line with levels measured earlier in humans, meeting both the primary and secondary endpoints. Additionally, exploratory endpoints were also met, as treatment with buntanetap resulted in statistically significant improvement in motor function in PD patients and cognition in AD patients. About Annovis Bio, Inc. Headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Annovis Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage, drug platform company developing transformative therapies that treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and other chronic and acute neurodegenerative diseases. The Company believes that it is the only company developing a drug that inhibits more than one neurotoxic protein, improves the information highway of the nerve cell, known as axonal transport, reduces inflammation and protects nerve cells from dying in chronic and acute neurodegeneration. Annovis conducted two Phase 2 studies: one in AD patients and one in both AD and PD patients. In the AD/PD study, buntanetap showed improvements in cognition and memory in AD as well as body and brain function in PD patients. For more information on Annovis Bio, please visit the Company's website www.annovisbio.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release contain "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "will," "may," "should," "estimate," "project," "outlook," "forecast" or other similar words, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the timing, effectiveness, and anticipated results of buntanetap clinical trials. Forward-looking statements are based on Annovis Bio, Inc.'s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Annovis Bio, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. Media and Investor Contact: Nic Johnson Russo Partners, LLC (303) 482-6405 nic.johnson@russopartnersllc.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/annovis-bio-submits-an-international-patent-application-to-cover-the-treatment-of-neurological-injuries-caused-by-infections-301564750.html SOURCE Annovis Bio Vantage Market Research, The North Star for the Working World WASHINGTON, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vantage Market Researchs recent analysis of the Global Concentrated Solar Power Market finds that increasing concerns over carbon emissions & exertions to decrease air pollution, stringent government regulations to reduce the carbon footprint, and potential benefits offered to enhance the adoption of alternative sources of energy are some factors that augment the growth of the Concentrated Solar Power Market in recent years. The Global Concentrated Solar Power Market revenue is expected to reach a value USD 8.04 Billion in the year 2028. The Global Market revenue stood at a value USD 4.71 Billion in the year 2021 and is expected to grow exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.3% during the forecast period; states Vantage Market Research, in a report, titled Concentrated Solar Power Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Technology (Solar Power Tower, Linear Concentrating Systems, Stirling Dish technology), by Type (Stand-alone Systems, With Storage), by Capacity (Less than 50 MW, 50 MW to 99 MW, 100 MW and above), by End user (Utilities, EOR, Others (process heating, etc.), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Assessment (2016 - 2021) & Forecast (2022 - 2028). Please Check Out Our Free Sample Reports and Make a More Informed Decision: Get Access to a Free Copy of Our Latest Sample Report @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/concentrated-solar-power-market-1639/request-sample (Sample reports are a great way to test our in-depth reports or study before you make a purchase) The newly updated, 140+ page reports provide an in-depth analysis of the COVID-19 virus and pandemic. Using industry data and interview with experts, you can learn about topics such as regional impact analysis, global forecast, competitive landscape analysis, size & share of regional markets. We offer these reports in PDF format so you can read them on your computer and print them out. Free sample includes, Industry Operating Conditions, Industry Market Size, Profitability Analysis, SWOT Analysis, Industry Major Players, Historical and Forecast, Growth Porter's 5 Forces Analysis, Revenue Forecasts, Industry Trends, Industry Financial Ratios. The report also presents the country-wise and region-wise analysis of the Vantage Market Research and includes a detailed analysis of the key factors affecting the growth of the market. Sample Report further sheds light on the Major Market Players with their Sales Volume, Business Strategy and Revenue Analysis, to offer the readers an advantage over others. Story continues Market Dynamics : Driver: Growing Environmental Issues over Carbon Emission and Efforts to Reduce Air Pollution Drives the Market There are growing carbon emissions in our surroundings. That's one of the top anthropogenic reasons for climate change. This carbon emission is prompted specifically because of the burning of fossil fuels including oil, coal, and fuel line, or the slicing down & burning of trees. Various concrete steps such as keeping electricity in a domestic or office, buying transportable gas boxes which might be categorized as spill-proof, using public transportation, and the use of renewable assets of electricity contribute to the reduction of pollution. Other assets, inclusive of solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectricity, tidal electricity, geothermal energy, and biomass energy, are being undertaken to lessen air pollution. Hence, these are some of the factors propelling the growth of the Concentrated Solar Power Market in coming years. Higher Efficiency and Low Operating Cost as Compared to Solar PV to Aid Growth Various nations are putting in robust efforts to reduce carbon emissions. They're searching out exceedingly efficient systems that produce a massive quantity of power. Concentrated solar power plants can stand because the fine viable answer for this is those that can power era with better efficiencies and decrease working prices compared to solar PV. Also, those structures can use thermal storage to match the supply-demand and are scalable to massive capacities. Power generation from solar PV in 2020 is estimated to have increased by a record 156 TWH, marking a 23% growth from 2019. Solar PV accounted for 3.1% of global electricity generation, and it remains the third-largest renewable electricity technology behind hydropower and onshore wind after overtaking bioenergy in 2019. Key Insights & Findings from the Report: According to our primary respondents research, the Concentrated Solar Power market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of roughly 3.2% during the forecast period. The Concentrated Solar Power market was estimated to be worth roughly USD 48.7 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 58.8 Billion by 2028; based on primary research. On the basis of region, Asia Pacific is projected to dominate the worldwide Concentrated Solar Power market. Purchase This Premium Report Now @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/buy-now/concentrated-solar-power-market-1639/0 Benefits of Purchasing Concentrated Solar Power Market Reports: Customer Satisfaction : Our team of experts assists you with all your research needs and optimizes your reports. Analyst Support : Before or after purchasing the report, ask a professional analyst to address your questions. Assured Quality : Focuses on accuracy and quality of reports. Incomparable Skills: Analysts provide in-depth insights into reports. Segmentation of the Global Concentrated Solar Power Market: Technology Solar Power Tower Linear Concentrating Systems Stirling Dish Technology Type Stand-Alone Systems With Storage Capacity Less than 50 MW 50 MW to 99 MW 100 MW and above End User Utilities EOR Others (Process Heating, etc.) Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Read Full Research Report @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/concentrated-solar-power-market-1639 COVID-19 Impact Analysis: The COVID-19 outbreak has affected various industries worldwide. Governments across the world implemented strict lockdown measures and social distancing norms in order to restrict the swift spread of the pandemic. Manufacturing facilities around the world were shut down during the initial stages of the pandemic. Moreover, the economic crisis after the pandemic might lead to a significant delay in the commercial roll-out of the electronics industry. Small and medium-scale companies are the backbone of technology providers and are witnessing a steep drop in revenue since the emergence of the pandemic in 2020. Hence, market players faced numerous challenges as disruptions in the supply chain were observed. However, things will improve in the second half of 2022 as more supplies will come online. The impact of COVID-19 on the market demand is considered while estimating the current and forecast market size and growth trends of the market for all the regions and countries based on the following data points: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Quarterly Market Revenue Forecast by Asia Pacific 2020 & 2021 Key Strategies Undertaken by Companies to Tackle COVID-19 Long Term Dynamics Short Term Dynamics The Report on Concentrated Solar Power Market Highlights: Assessment of the market Premium Insights Competitive Landscape COVID Impact Analysis Historic Data, Estimates and Forecast Company Profiles Global and Regional Dynamics Do You Have Any Query or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry Expert@ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/concentrated-solar-power-market-1639/inquiry-before-buying (You may enquire a report quote OR available discount offers to our sales team before purchase.) Regional Analysis : Asia Pacific Holds Largest Market Share Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the growth of the Concentrated Solar Power Market in 2021. This surge is measured owing to the favourable government policies across numerous nations in the region. Other than Asia Pacific, the majority of the demand is expected to come from countries like Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, etc, which is also expected to witness the maximum growth of the Concentrated Solar Power Market in this region. List of Prominent Players in the Concentrated Solar Power Market: Abengoa BrightSource Energy ACWA Power Aalborg CSP Solar Reserve Acciona Soliterm Group Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 141 Pages and in-depth TOC on " Concentrated Solar Power Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Technology (Solar Power Tower, Linear Concentrating Systems, Stirling Dish technology), by Type (Stand-alone Systems, With Storage), by Capacity (Less than 50 MW, 50 MW to 99 MW, 100 MW and above), by End user (Utilities, EOR, Others (process heating, etc.)), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Assessment (2016 - 2021) & Forecast (2022 - 2028) " View detailed Research Report here - https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/press-release/concentrated-solar-power-market-121826 Recent Developments: May 2020: Abengoa formed a consortium with Acciona to build the Cerro Dominador solar thermal plant owned by EIG Global Energy Partners. The consortium has led the melting process of 46,000 tons of salts from the Chilean Atacama Desert having a capacity of 110 MW. March 2020: Shouhang High-tech Energy Technology Co., Ltd (Shouhang) signed the Cooperation Agreement on Investment with the government of Gansu Province for the Jinta 100MW Molten Salt Tower Concentrating Solar Power Project. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Key questions answered in the report: Which regional market will show the highest and rapid growth? Which are the top five players of the Concentrated Solar Power Market? How will the Concentrated Solar Power Market change in the upcoming six years? Which application and product will take a lions share of the Concentrated Solar Power Market? What is the Concentrated Solar Power market drivers and restrictions? What will be the CAGR and size of the Concentrated Solar Power Market throughout the forecast period? This market titled Concentrated Solar Power Market will cover exclusive information in terms of Regional Analysis, Forecast, and Quantitative Data Units, Key Market Trends, and various others as mentioned below: Parameter Details Market Size Provided for Years 2016-2028 Base Year 2021 Historic Years 2016-2020 Forecast Years 2022-2028 Segments Covered Technology Solar Power Tower Linear Concentrating Systems Stirling Dish Technology Type Stand-Alone Systems With Storage Capacity Less than 50 MW 50 MW to 99 MW 100 MW and above End User Utilities EOR Others (Process Heating, etc.) Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Region & Counties Covered North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe U.K France Germany Italy Spain Rest Of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea South East Asia Rest Of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest Of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Countries South Africa Rest Of Middle East & Africa Companies Covered Abengoa BrightSource Energy ACWA Power Aalborg CSP Solar Reserve Acciona Soliterm Group Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porters five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, technology landscape, patent analysis, market attractiveness analysis by segments and North America, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per client needs or requirements. 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Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vantage-market-research/ Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vantagemarketr Contact us Eric Kunz 6218 Georgia Avenue NW Ste 1 - 564 Washington DC 20011-5125 United States Tel: +1 202 380 9727 Email: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com Website: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/ Latest Vantage Market Research Press Releases @https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/insight/press-releases Latest Vantage Market Research Blog @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/insight/blogs Blog: Natural Diamond Council (NDC), a not-for-profit organisation, is collaborating with Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Jawhara Jewellery and La Marquise Jewellery, three of the leading UAE jewellers, to advocate the 'Natural Diamond Dream'. Enhancing trust in the natural diamond industry, this collaboration will emphasise the ethical and sustainable business practices that create a lasting, positive impact in the sector, strengthening consumer confidence in this ultimate jewel of nature. Emotional value of diamonds Being industry experts, NDC will showcase the inherent and emotional value of natural diamonds, and also feature them as ideal investments that will last generations; whilst celebrating individuality, personal style and moments of achievements. Seamlessly straddling tradition and modernity, the audiences of the collaborating jewellers resonate the cultural amalgamation of the region, and natural diamonds reflect this perfect blend. The strategic partnership between NDC with Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Jawhara Jewellery and La Marquise Jewellery will familiarise consumers in The United Arab Emirates with the incredible world of everything natural diamonds, underlined by their preciousness, rarity, and uniqueness. As the first step, this partnership will create collaborative campaigns, and showcase a trusted, unbiased resource of information, including a dedicated e-learning platform that will equip sales professionals with the ability to become natural diamond ambassadors. Targeting the young David Kellie, CEO, Natural Diamond Council, said: "With this collaboration we are excited to introduce a younger audience to the many emotional connections created by diamond jewellery and continue to build trust among a digital first consumer. The dynamism of brands like Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Jawhara and La Marquise truly exemplify what we seek to do daily in our support of the natural diamond industry showcase a more contemporary approach to the diamond dream." Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council, India & Middle East, said: "As we redefine traditional diamond moments and connect with a younger, more discerning consumer, we are proud to partner with a diverse yet truly intriguing set of jewellers such as Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Jawhara and La Marquise brands that represent the same values that Natural Diamond Council stands for, of celebrating life's most cherished moments and creating lasting personal connections with precious natural diamonds." Muhammad Tamjid Abdullah, Deputy CEO, Jawhara Jewellery, said: "It gives us immense pleasure to have joined forces with Natural Diamond Council the trusted experts and global authority who offer complete transparency into the world of natural diamonds and share expertise to grow the natural diamond category in UAE. I am confident that this partnership will solidify our common values and forge consumers' desire for natural diamonds as well as strengthen the trust that customers have in our design and jewellery." Shamlal Ahamed, Managing Director, International Operations, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, said, "As we step into a digital era, we are elated to collaborate as a trusted partner of Natural Diamond Council in UAE, GCC, Singapore and Malaysia. We will work together to educate consumers on the industry, the wonderful legacy of natural diamonds and the positive social contribution they make to the world. With a focus on sustainability and transparency, we want to contribute to the growth of the natural diamond jewellery category, both in studded diamonds and polki." Inherent value Nishith Shah, CEO, La Marquise Jewellery, said: "We are honoured to partner with Natural Diamond Council and pave the way for the young and digital first audience to nurture an emotional connection with and recognise the inherent value of natural diamonds. Joining hands, we look forward to making natural diamonds a preferred choice of jewellery for every precious moment of life a perfect celebration of authenticity and grace." The collective commitment of NDC and the three jewellery brands, to enhance consumer confidence in and desire and aspiration for natural diamonds, will usher in a new era for the younger generation to experience the diamond dream.-- TradeArabia News Service Drug discovery collaboration will leverage the botanical drug development expertise of both companies VANCOUVER, BC, June 9, 2022 /CNW/ - Filament Health Corp. (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS) and Jaguar Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAGX) today announced that the companies have signed a letter of intent to enter a collaboration agreement to develop botanical prescription drugs for specific psychoactive target indications in the United States. The goal of the collaboration is to extend the botanical drug development skillsets of both companies in order to develop pharmaceutical-grade, standardized drug candidates and partner with a potential future licensee regarding the development and commercialization of these novel plant-based drugs for indications such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social anxiety disorder. Filament Health Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Filament Health Corp.) "We are thrilled with this collaboration with Filament Health, a company focused on discovering, developing and standardizing botanical drugs as well as the delivery to patients suffering from mental health conditions," said Steven King, PhD, Jaguar's Chief Sustainable Supply, Ethnobotanical Research & IP Officer and head of the company's Entheogen Therapeutics Initiative (ETI). Jaguar's ETI aims to discover and develop groundbreaking, novel, natural medicines derived from psychedelic and psychoactive plants for treatment of mood disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, addiction, and mental health disorders. "Jaguar and Filament are in the process of identifying plant candidates that may prove beneficial for addressing indications such as ADHD and social anxiety disorder, for which we plan to collaboratively work to develop botanical drugs." "Filament is a leader in the development of botanical medicines, and we are dedicated to supporting the treatment of mental health conditions through our expertise and technology," said Benjamin Lightburn, Chief Executive Officer of Filament Health. "We have developed novel manufacturing and standardization techniques which we have applied to psilocybin, psilocin and ayahuasca. We are pleased to partner with Jaguar and look forward to working with their team to identify and standardize new entheogens." Story continues Under this partnership, Jaguar will have responsibility for the identification of plants that may offer novel mechanisms of action, as well as for botanical drug development and the raw material supply chain. Filament will be responsible for developing the manufacturing techniques required to produce standardized, pharmaceutical-grade drug candidates. The two companies will then jointly seek partnership with a potential licensee for full development and commercialization of novel drug candidates, with proceeds from the relationship split equally between Jaguar and Filament. "We very much look forward to working with Filament on this initiative," said Lisa Conte, Jaguar's President, CEO and Founder. "Jaguar's core team began focusing more than 30 years ago on the development and commercialization of plant-based prescription medicines, and our Mytesi (crofelemer) product, approved by the U.S. FDA for the symptomatic relief of noninfectious diarrhea in adults with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy, is the only oral plant-based prescription medicine approved under FDA Botanical Guidance. Filament's expertise in natural product chemistry and drug development allows for the mobilization of a key asset we have generated over 30 years a library of 2,300 medicinal plants and 3,500 plant extracts, all from firsthand ethnobotanical investigation by Jaguar and our ETI Scientific Strategy Team (SST)." The ETI SST will support this collaboration, and consists of leading and globally renowned ethnobotanists, physicians, and pharmacologists, as well as experts in the fields of natural product chemistry and neuropharmacology: Michael J. Balick, Ph.D.: Considered one of the world's leading ethnobotanists and economic botanists; specialist in healing plants and toxic plants and their use by Indigenous peoples; research associate of the Brain Chemistry Labs of the Institute of EthnoMedicine; member of original scientific strategy team that contributed to development of Jaguar's plant library. Thomas Carlson, M.D., M.S.: Ethnobotanist, botanist, physician; teaching professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley; member of original scientific strategy team that contributed to development of Jaguar's plant library; key architect of ethnomedical field research process conducted by ethnobotanist/physician teams of Jaguar predecessor company Shaman Pharmaceuticals. Pravin Chaturvedi, Ph.D.: Pharmacologist with specialty in neuropharmacology; chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Napo Pharmaceuticals (Napo), Jaguar's wholly-owned subsidiary, and the chief scientific officer of Jaguar; Over 25+ year career, led discovery and/or development activities for several new chemical entities including development of Napo's FDA-approved drug product, Mytesi (crofelemer), the only oral plant-based prescription medicine approved under FDA Botanical Guidance. Julie Anne Chinnock, ND, MPH, ARNP/CRNA: Ethnobotanist; Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine; owner and manager of Ketamine clinic; part of original Shaman Pharmaceuticals field research teams; public health expert. Stephen Dahmer, M.D.: Ethnomedical researcher and practicing integrative physician; expert on endocannabinoids who has conducted ethnomedical field research in tropical regions. Wade Davis, Ph.D.: Ethnobotanist, anthropologist, writer, and professor of anthropology at University of British Columbia; extensive international ethnobotanical field research. Elaine Elisabetsky, Ph.D.: Among world's leading ethnopharmacologists; professor in the pharmacology and biochemistry departments of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil; member of original scientific strategy team that contributed to development of Jaguar's plant library. Nigel Gericke, M.B.B.Ch.: Medical doctor, ethnobotanist, and ethnopharmacologist; former advisory panelist to the United States Pharmacopoeia; longstanding member of the Medicinal Plants Specialist Group of the World Wide Fund For Nature; founding member of the Association for African Medicinal Plants Standards. Maurice Iwu, Ph.D.: President of Bioresources Development Group and founder of International Center for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD) in Nigeria; member of original scientific strategy team that contributed to development of Jaguar's plant library. Steven R. King, Ph.D.: Ethnobotanist; Napo's chief sustainable supply and ethnobotanical research officer; managed Napo's original scientific strategy team and outcomes; research associate of the Brain Chemistry Labs of the Institute of EthnoMedicine. Charles Limbach, M.D.: Ethnomedical specialist and family medicine physician; member of original scientific strategy team that contributed to development of Jaguar's plant library. David Sesin, Ph.D.: Natural product chemist; Jaguar's chief manufacturing officer; created isolation and manufacturing process for Mytesi (crofelemer). About Filament Health (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS) Filament Health is a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company. Filament believes that safe, standardized, naturally-derived botanical medicines can improve the lives of many, with a mission to see them in the hands of everyone who needs them as soon as possible. Filament's platform of proprietary intellectual property enables the discovery, development, and delivery of natural medicines, including psychedelic medicines, for clinical development. Filament is paving the way with the first-ever natural psychedelic drug candidates. Learn more at www.filament.health and on Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn About Jaguar Health, Jaguar Animal Health, Napo Pharmaceuticals, & Napo Therapeutics Jaguar Health, Inc. is a commercial stage pharmaceuticals company focused on developing novel, plant-based, non-opioid, and sustainably derived prescription medicines for people and animals with GI distress, including chronic, debilitating diarrhea. Jaguar Animal Health is a tradename of Jaguar Health. Jaguar Health's wholly owned subsidiary, Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., focuses on developing and commercializing proprietary plant-based human pharmaceuticals from plants harvested responsibly from rainforest areas. Our crofelemer drug product candidate is the subject of the OnTarget study, an ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for prophylaxis of diarrhea in adult cancer patients receiving targeted therapy. Jaguar Health is the majority shareholder of Napo Therapeutics S.p.A. (f/k/a Napo EU S.p.A.), an Italian corporation established by Jaguar Health in Milan, Italy in 2021 that focuses on expanding crofelemer access in Europe. For more information about Jaguar Health, please visit https://jaguar.health . For more information about Napo Pharmaceuticals, visit www.napopharma.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements." These include statements regarding the expectation that the collaboration between Jaguar and Filament will identify plant candidates that may prove beneficial for addressing indications such as ADHD and social anxiety disorder, and the expectation that this collaboration will identify and standardize new entheogens. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "aim," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are only predictions. Jaguar has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond Jaguar's control. Except as required by applicable law, Jaguar does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. SOURCE Filament Health Corp. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2022/09/c5814.html ReportLinker The global data loss prevention market was valued at USD 1,497. 81 million in 2021, and it is expected to reach a value of USD 5,058. 98 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 22. 29% during the forecast period (2022-2027). New York, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Data Loss Prevention Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06134958/?utm_source=GNW Key Highlights The rapidly increasing instances of data breaches, along with other factors, such as DLP-as-a-service, DLP functionalities extending into the cloud, and advanced threat protection, have significantly increased the focus on data loss protection solutions across the world. As the demand for digital assets increased, there has been a massive growth in the amount of both structured and unstructured data, which is driving the need for data protection services with a strategic focus on data-centric organizations. Multiple large enterprises in the fortune global 500 have been investing in the DLP market for more than a decade. Currently, the market studied has been emerging as a critical security strategy within reach of mid-sized enterprises. Historically, DLP solutions were majorly utilized in the regulated industries, such as healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, energy, and government. However, with the rising need for protection, DLP solution providers have been targeting the advisory and services companies dealing with a wide range of end-user industries. The lack of awareness and uncertainty about the cost and brand value due to cyberattacks are the primary reasons for organizations falling victim to data breaches. Network defenders should use several mitigation strategies to limit the risk and impact of ransomware attacks, according to cybersecurity officials in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. One of the ways is to enhance user knowledge of the dangers of visiting questionable websites, clicking suspicious links, and opening suspicious attachments. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is anticipated to grow further as the total volume of data being generated across the world is rising at a much faster pace. According to Seagate Technology PLC, the volume of data is anticipated to reach around 149 zettabytes by 2024 from 26 zettabytes in 2017. Moreover, enterprises across the world are increasingly adopting better security solutions as part of their digital transformation process, thereby augmenting the growth of the market. Moreover, as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns that have been put in place along with the switch to remote working environments, an unprecedented number of people are now making usage of mobile devices as their primary communications device, thereby creating more endpoints for the organization to secure from the rising cyber threats. Key Market Trends Rising Data Breaches and Cyber Attacks Across The World to Drive the Market The increasing instances of data breaches across multiple industries have resulted in leaking millions of records of consumer data to hackers and also the loss of millions of dollars for multiple impacted companies, which have increased the focus on security solutions across the emerging economies. As businesses across the world are growing, new threats, such as zero-day malware, trojans, and advanced persistent threats, have been exposing critical data to risk. This has encouraged organizations to deploy DLP solutions in order to safeguard their data within endpoints and networks against potential attacks.? The increasing adoption of BYOD trends in organizations has increased the influx of different laptops, desktops, and smartphones, which has created different endpoints vulnerable to attacks. Security measures on their own are not enough to stop them. The massive growth in the adoption of mobile devices across the world is expected to create significant opportunities during the forecast period. According to the Cisco Annual Internet Report, there will be approximately 29.3 billion networked devices by 2023, up from 18.4 billion in 2018. Smart manufacturing and the smart industry are expected to augment it with the increased adoption of 5G and beyond. Ransomware threat actors targeted software supply chain businesses around the world in 2021, compromising and extorting their clients. By focusing on software supply chains, ransomware threat actors can expand the scope of their assaults by gaining access to several victims through a single initial penetration. Cloud infrastructures were attacked by ransomware authors who took advantage of known weaknesses in cloud apps, virtual machine software, and virtual machine orchestration software. To prohibit access to cloud resources and encrypt data, ransomware threat actors also targeted cloud accounts, cloud application programming interfaces (APIs), and data backup and storage systems. Threat actors sometimes get direct access to cloud storage systems via compromising local (on-premises) devices and migrating laterally to the cloud systems, in addition to exploiting vulnerabilities to gain direct access. Threat actors using ransomware have also attacked cloud service providers, encrypting massive volumes of client data. Moreover, there has been double-digit growth in the number of endpoints, primarily owing to the rapidly increasing adoption of automation, which is a result of Industry 4.0, machine-to-machine communication, and the emergence of smart cities. Consequently, the need to protect the vulnerability of data and devices and deploy tools to recognize attacks and minimize the damage is critically important.? Therefore, the increasing adoption of automation technology is also expected to drive the studied market growth in the forecast period. North America to Account for the Largest Market Share The United States is witnessing an increased number of data breaches. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), the average number of breaches in the United States has increased marginally over the past few years. The number of data breaches faced by the United States increased from 1,506 breaches in 2017to 1,826 breaches in 2021 (Source - ITRCs Data Breach Report 2021). Also, the increasing number of data breaches in the country in 2021 has impacted around 293.93 million individuals. (Source - ITRCs Data Breach Report 2021). These increasing activities of data breaches in various industries are expected to be the primary factor driving the demand for data loss prevention solutions during the forecast period. The healthcare industry in the United States is also witnessing many data breaches as health-related data is moving rapidly toward electronic records. This has resulted in an increase in electronic health/medical records, which requires data loss prevention solutions. In Canada, government organizations are proposing new privacy laws to provide individuals with more control and transparency into how companies handle personal information. For instance, recent legislative initiatives, such as the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2020 (Bill C-11), entitled the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA), as well as Quebecs Bill 64. Other jurisdictions are also looking to follow by introducing their own new laws. These regulations are targeted to provide data protection. In March 2022, Quebecs Premier and Health Minister announced the reformation of Quebecs health system, including the management of health and social services information. The government has introduced Bill 19, which aims to set up a new management system that modernizes and decentralizes the health network to enable a safer and more seamless flow of health and social services information. Competitive Landscape The intensity of competitive rivalry in the Data Loss Prevention Market is high and is expected to increase during the forecast period. Major companies have a strong influence on the market in terms of R&D and consolidation activities. Conversely, the market can be characterized by high levels of market penetration, along with increasing levels of fragmentation. April 2022 - McAfee Corp. launched Personal Data Cleanup in the United States, the companys newest privacy feature addition to its flagship product, McAfee Total Protection. Personal Data Cleanup provides consumers with visibility, removal guidance, and continuous monitoring to protect themselves from identity thieves, hackers, and spammers by removing their data from some of the webs riskiest data broker sites. April 2022 - Broadcom Inc. announced "Day One"support for IBMs new z16, expanding opportunities for organizations to gain more value from the companys advanced AI, security, and hybrid cloud solutions. Broadcoms leading technology solutions, services, and innovative "beyond code"software give clients the competitive advantage they need to succeed in an increasingly difficult business environment. Additional Benefits: The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06134958/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 FILE PHOTO: International Monetary Fund logo is seen outside the headquarters building BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday it had reached a staff-level agreement on an updated macroeconomic framework with Argentine authorities, allowing the country access to about $4.03 billion. The IMF said in a statement that the country had met all quantitative targets in the first quarter and that annual objectives remained unchanged, "specifically those related to the primary fiscal deficit, monetary financing, and net international reserves." "Such an approach provides a vital anchor for economic stability and growth in uncertain times," the IMF said, referencing the effects of the large external shock from the war in Ukraine on Argentina's economy. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, which the Fund expects to occur in the coming weeks. (Reporting by Eliana Raszewski; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Christian Plumb) Andy Farrells Ireland will host South Africa, Fiji and Australia in November (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire) Ireland will kick-off their autumn campaign by hosting world champions South Africa, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced. The Springboks, who are in the same group as the Irish for next years World Cup, will visit Dublin for the first time in five years on Saturday, November 5. Andy Farrells side will then welcome Fiji to Aviva Stadium a week later before rounding off the series against Australia on November 19. Coming soon: three huge matches this November! We welcome the @Springboks, @FijiRugby and @Wallabies to Dublin in Autumn #TeamOfUs | #IrishRugby Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) May 12, 2022 Irelands last encounter with South Africa came in November 2017 and ended in a record 38-3 victory. But the Boks have since gone on claim a third World Cup title, in addition to a series win over the British and Irish Lions last summer. The fixture will be the only meeting between the two sides before next Septembers World Cup Pool B clash at Stade de France in Paris. Fiji were also last in Dublin in 2017, when Ireland secured a hard-fought 23-20 victory, while the Irish will take on the Wallabies for first time since clinching a 2-1 series success in Australia in June 2018. Ireland have not faced South Africa since a 38-3 victory in 2017 (Brian Lawless/PA) (PA Archive) Ireland head coach Farrell is currently preparing for a summer tour of New Zealand. His Six Nations Triple Crown winners will face the All Blacks in Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington on successive Saturdays in early July. The Irish, who have won 12 of their last 13 matches, are poised to tour for the first time since Farrell succeeded Joe Schmidt after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of a 2020 trip to Australia and last years scheduled visit to Fiji. Story continues Autumn fixtures: Ireland v South Africa; Saturday, November, 5, 5.30pm; Aviva Stadium, Dublin Ireland v Fiji; Saturday, November 12, 1pm; Aviva Stadium, Dublin Ireland v Australia; Saturday, November 18, 8pm; Aviva Stadium, Dublin John Wilson/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment The Jurassic Park franchise has always hinged on mans inherent stupidity, so its fitting that its reboot seriesbeginning with 2015s Jurassic Worldhas leaned heavily into abject inanity, culminating with just about every other plot point in 2018s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, a film of such lamebrained illogicality that it almost feels like a prank. That particular brand of head-smacking absurdity is also omnipresent in the second trilogys wrap-up, Jurassic World Dominion (June 10), whose sole novelty is marrying old and new stars in formulaic legacy-sequel fashion. Its screeching, roaring, rollercoaster-ride nonsense devoid of the awe and suspense that marked Steven Spielbergs 1993 original, which in comparison to this modern monstrosity feels like a precious relic of an earlier blockbuster age. Directed with the grace of a rampaging T-Rex by Colin Trevorrow, who previously helmed the first Jurassic World, Dominion picks up four years after its predecessor, with dinosaurs now co-existing with humanity, and raptor whisperer Owen Grant (Chris Pratt) and reformed theme park exec-turned-dino activist Claire Daring (Bryce Dallas Howard) residing off the grid in the Sierra Nevada mountains with Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), a clone of deceased Jurassic Park scientist Charlotte (Elva Trill). Much to Maisies chagrin, Owen and Claire demand that she stay hidden from the world, and their warnings prove valid when a poacher locates and kidnaps her along with Beta, the baby of Owens beloved raptor Blue, whos living in an abandoned school bus in the nearby woods because, well, of course she is. This instigates a rescue mission by surrogate parents Owen and Claire, who through their CIA contactsnamely, returning supporting characters Franklin Webb (Justice Smith) and Barry Sembene (Omar Sy)discover that both Maisie and Beta are being trafficked in Malta. David Cronenberg: Blame Political Correctness for the Lack of Movie Sex Story continues While catching up with its contemporary protagonists, Jurassic World Dominion simultaneously reconnects with its classic characters, whove been recruited for dino-battling duty in order to nostalgically court older viewers back to theaters. Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) is studying a swarm of giant locusts that are devouring crops across the U.S., and her concerns compel her to visit Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), whos toiling away as an archaeologist. Since this locust horde threatens to destroy the Earths ecosystem in no time flat, and given that Grant still has not-so-hidden feelings for ex-girlfriend Sattler, they agree to partner. Moreover, they promptly seek the counsel of Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), whos working in some vague philosophy-lecturer position at Biosyn Genetics, a cutting-edge firm thats established a dinosaur sanctuary in Italys Dolomite Mountains, where its conducting research that weirdo CEO Dr. Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott) claims will one day cure a host of deadly diseases. All roads must eventually converge at Biosyns ultra-secret facility, wherein a development about as shocking as the sun coming up tomorrowit turns out that Dodgson, per his name, is up to nefariously dodgy behavior. Before that faux-revelation can materialize, Jurassic World Dominion stages a revved-up and piercingly strident chase through Maltas streets in which Owen and Claire, the latter driven in a truck by former Air Force pilot and current mercenary-with-a-heart-of-gold Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise), are pursued by angry laser-guided raptors. Its at this early point that the film tips over into typical preposterousness, with Claire outrunning a fleet dinosaur through the magic of disingenuous editing, and Owen repeatedly skidding out of harms way on his motorcycle with superhuman skill. Even for a dinosaur series as ludicrous as this, such basic disregard for the laws of physics turns everything daffy and inconsequential. Despite featuring a collection of familiar faces, Jurassic World Dominion boasts no actual characters; rather, it assembles well-known actors to embody, respectively, Action Man (Pratt), Harried Heroine (Howard), Plucky Girl (Sermon), and Old-Time Photocopies (Neill, Dern, Goldblum). BD Wong similarly reprises his role as Dr. Wu, the geneticist who despite repeatedly bringing about calamity via his cloned dinosaurs, cant stop himself from opening Pandoras Box in the lab. This time around, Wu believes that science is the answer to his own gene-splicing mistake. What Wong really needs, however, is a better stylist, considering that his defining characteristic is a floppy head of hair whose goofiness is matched by the rest of the pandemonium, much of which takes place in a generic building thats as dull as the look perpetually affixed to Pratts face. Jurassic Worldnot a fan, deadpans Malcolm at one point, yet theres no genuine self-reflection to be found in these proceedings; Goldblums wisecracking know-it-all continues to be merely the jokey mouthpiece for the films incredulous audience. Trevorrow makes sure to periodically gape at titanic Brontosauruses roaming the land, as well as stage the occasional set piece in which Claire is stalked by a scary-looking prehistoric creature. Alas, the sense of wonder and terror that Spielberg brought to Jurassic Park is MIA, replaced by a deafening cacophony of shrieks and squeals, as well as prolonged CG-heavy sequences that stampede about in search of an authentically tense moment. At least everyone isnt skulking around a haunted mansion a la Fallen Kingdom, although one especially silly instance does recall The Bourne Ultimatum, and not in an intentionally amusing way. The fact that Jurassic World Dominion is marked by dim-witted decision-making, uneven special effects, and a jagged narrative full of half-hearted ideas and convenient contrivances is par for the course. As with its two immediate ancestors, this beast of a film crashes and smashes with reckless abandon, assuming that its sound and fury is what people paid to see and, therefore, will ably overshadow its Swiss-cheese plotting. As a multiplex event, Trevorrows latest has the size and scope to overpower ones eyes and ears, but not ones mental faculties, and as a result his mayhem is of a largely empty variety, as noisy as it is unsatisfying. More than Neill and Dern, Goldblum at least gets a few choice quips in, including one directed at the perpetually laughable mutual respect that Owen shares with his raptor buddy Blue. Yet his charisma isnt enough to compensate for a saga thats evolved into a blander and less awesome enterprise with each passing installment. Billion-dollar global grosses and ancillary revenues notwithstanding, Jurassic World Dominion reconfirms the same thing its story suggests: some classic goliaths are better left in the past. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musks bid for Twitter Inc., which has been upended by the billionaires threat to walk away, attracted a bevy of big-name backers and Silicon Valley mainstays. There were some notable exceptions. Most Read from Bloomberg High on that list is a Dubai-based investment firm whose assets have surged to more than $5 billion under its secretive founder Alexander Tamas, according to regulatory filings and people familiar with the matter. Vy Capital -- whose main website consists of one page, with no address and no contact details -- has committed $700 million to finance Musks bid for the social network, making it the third-biggest outside equity investor in the deal thats drawn money from billionaire Larry Ellison and Sequoia Capital, securities filings show. The ability of Vy to help finance one of the largest leveraged buyouts in history -- if it goes ahead despite a dispute over fake accounts -- is noteworthy for a firm with few public records showing its funding sources or the nature of its investments. Vy, whose equity commitment to the $44 billion deal topped those by Brookfield Asset Management and Qatar, has also backed companies such as Musks Boring Co. and crypto exchange ErisX, according to PitchBook data. Tamas has a history of connecting himself to big-name investors. Before setting up Vy, he worked closely with Russian-Israeli billionaire Yuri Milner and now appears to be cultivating links to Musk. Hes also put money into the Tesla Inc. bosss rocket company SpaceX and brain-machine maker Neuralink Corp. And according to LinkedIn, one of Vys summer analysts is currently Benjamin Birchall, a son of Musks key aide Jared Birchall. Story continues A representative for Tamas declined to comment. During a recent visit to the firms office in Dubai, only an assistant was present. She said the rest of the staff -- about 10 in the emirate including Tamas -- work remotely. Worldwide some 25 people are employed for the firm, according to LinkedIn. A 2020 document from blank-check company Vy Global Growth said that Vy has more than $2 billion in assets under management. Those assets have since more than doubled and consist of a limited number of funds with about $1 billion in money to deploy, according to people familiar with the firms operations. Backers include large American endowments, said the people, asking not to be identified because the details are private. A Twitter account for Tamas has existed since March 2009. It has the same picture as his LinkedIn profile and a banner image showing Lego figures of Star Wars Stormtroopers, but no posts. The account liked an April 21 tweet from Musk that called on the social-media platform to authenticate all real humans as part of the bot dispute. While Tamas might be obscure, his connections are not. After working on technology deals for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in London, the German national joined Milners investment firm DST Global as a partner in 2008, where he led lucrative bets on companies including Airbnb Inc., Facebook before it became Meta Platforms Inc., as well as an early investment in Twitter. Before Goldman, he was a founding member of Arma Partners, which provides corporate-finance advice to companies and investors in the tech sector. Human Supercomputer Tamas and former Goldman colleague Mateusz Szeszkowski set up Vy in 2013 with a vision to invest in some of the worlds leading companies and own them for decades, according to a regulatory document. He now runs the fund with John Hering, founder of cloud-software company Lookout Inc., who doesnt mention Vy on his LinkedIn profile. Tamas and Hering have the biggest individual holdings in Vy Global Growth, according to a securities filing. One of the other investors is Javier Olivan, who will become Metas chief operating officer this fall. The companys public assets have included holdings in Canadian e-commerce platform Shopify Inc., audience tracker ComScore Inc., online lender LendingClub Corp. and gamemaker Activision Blizzard Inc., according to regulatory filings. It appears the holdings were wound down by 2018. The firm has also backed private technology companies like Blockchain.com and Reddit Inc. His expertise and investment acumen prompted venture capitalists Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen to dub him Milners human supercomputer. Dubais ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum appointed Tamas to an advisory council focused on the digital economy. Free-Speech Advocate Tamas is currently based in Europe, and when hes in Dubai, he partially runs Vy from a palatial mansion in the Al Barari neighborhood, a secluded suburb with luxury homes, the people said. The firm also has an office in the San Francisco Bay area. Aside from his investment activities, Tamas founded data-science company Synaptic and supported artificial intelligence research at the University of Oxfords Future of Humanity Institute. He also seems to share Musks interest in promoting free speech. What I think is misguided is the idea that our social media platforms should govern what we can and cannot see, said Tamas in a 2019 interview with the Berggruen Institute, adding that allowing private companies to determine what is acceptable free speech would actually be dangerous. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. OTTAWA, ON, June 9, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health will announce proposed measures to strengthen regulations for tobacco products. There will be a media availability immediately following the announcement. Date June 10, 2022 Time 1:00 PM (EDT) Location University of Ottawa Heart Institute 2nd floor, Cardiac Rehabilitation Track 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, Ontario NOTE: This event will follow the University of Ottawa Heart Institute's current COVID-19 guidelines and protocols followed by employees and visitors. Masks are mandatory inside the building. Proof of full vaccination and photo ID are required. Media may also join by Zoom: https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/68269622468 Passcode: 562581 Twitter: @GovCanHealth Facebook: Healthy Canadians SOURCE Health Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2022/09/c7736.html Darren Harrison photographed on June 2, 2022 at Lake Wales Airport, Florida Josh Letchworth Darren Harrison knew he had only a handful of seconds to live. The pilot of the Cessna 208 he was flying in had just lost consciousness and their plane was plummeting straight toward the blue waters of the Atlantic. As Harrison crouched behind 64-year-old Ken Allen, desperately trying to rouse him, he could see the white caps on the swells below grow larger and larger outside the cockpit windshield. "I could feel the G-force pushing me back," says Harrison, who had never flown a plane before and stared at the array of levers and knobs on the instrument panel in front of him, trying to figure out how they worked. "I heard myself think, 'If you don't touch those controls you're going to die in the next twenty seconds,'" he recalls. "My wife is back at home, six months pregnant, and I tell myself, 'I can't die today. This can't happen.'" A split second later, the mechanically-inclined Harrisonwho had peppered pilots of small planes with technical questions during a number of flightswent to work. Reaching over Allen's body, he grabbed what he thought was called "the stick" and gently pulled it back. Darren Harrison photographed on June 2, 2022 at Lake Wales Airport, Florida Josh Letchworth "I knew from talking to them [the pilots] that if I yanked it too hard, at the speed we were going, the wings would rip off the plane or the motor would stall," Harrison, 39, says in this week's issue of PEOPLE. "So I slowly, gently pull the stick back and a moment later I remember thinking, 'Wow! We're going up.'" During the plane's nosedive, they had dropped 3,600 feet in 16 seconds. Harrison kept pulling on the control until the plane reached an altitude of 9,000 feet. And for a brief instant, he could breathe and try to assess the predicament that he found himself in. Little more than an hour had passed since their small, single-engine plane had taken off from Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas. He had spent the past few days fishing with some buddies and was heading back home to Lakeland, Florida, where he runs a flooring and design business with his dad. Story continues After take-off, Harrison kicked off his sandals in the back of the plane and was staring out the window when he heard Allen say, "Guys, I gotta tell you, I don't feel right. I've got a headache, and everything is fuzzy." A moment later, the pilot was unconscious, and the plane began to drop from the sky. RELATED: Pilot Who Had Medical Emergency Speaks Out After Passenger Landed Plane and Helped Save His Life As Harrison held the craft at 9,000 feet, he took a deep breath and hatched a plan. The first thing he needed to do was get Allen out of the pilot's seat and lay him down. In the seat beside Allen was Russ Franck, 70, a friend of the veteran pilot, who would often tag along on his flights to keep him company. "Do you think you can hold us at this altitude?" Harrison recalls asking Franck as he unbuckled Allen's harness and gently pulled him out of the seat. "Watch these numbers on this screen. Don't let 'em go up or down." He carried the unconscious pilot to the back of the plane, laid him down, and then seconds later climbed into Allen's seat. At the time, he opted not to completely buckle the harness because he was convinced that if the plane crashed and caught fire it would slow down his escape. For more on Harrison's story, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here. All the display screens were black, except for the gauge that monitors altitude and how level the plane is flying. Harrison had no idea where they were. All he could see was an endless expanse of ocean. "But screwed onto the dash there was this old school compass and it told me that we were flying due south, instead of northwest, which is the direction we needed to be heading to get to Florida," he says. "I was so disoriented, but I finally turned the plane in the right direction." With that problem solved, he was suddenly faced with another problem. "I realized nobody else in the world knew what was going on," he says. "'I gotta figure out how to tell somebody,' I thought. But I kept hitting the wrong button on the radio. It took me 20 minutes before I figured out how to get it working." By then, the Florida coastline was beginning to come into view on the horizon in front of the plane and another realization hit him. "Now I gotta figure out how to land this thing," he recalls telling himself before putting out a call on the radio. "This is Triple Three Lima Delta. I've got a serious situation here. My pilot has gone incoherent. I have no idea how to fly the airplane." Shortly after Harrison's call went out, Robert Morgan, an air traffic controller at Palm Beach International Airport, who also works as a flight instructor, was in the middle of a break and reading a book when he heard his name over the airport loudspeakers. Air Traffic Controller Speaks Out After Helping Passenger Land Plane When Pilot Passes out FAA "I remember thinking, 'That's a weird page to get,'" says Morgan, who rushed back to the control tower to learn what was going on. "I walked into the room and my operation supervisor said, 'Here's the situation: 'We've got a plane with an unconscious pilot and the passenger is flying it. Since you're a flight instructor, we need you to try and help him land." Morgan felt his stomach tense up and says he thought to himself, "I wish this was a dream." But a moment later, he was talking to Harrison, guiding him to the airport. "He told me that he had no idea how to fly a plane, but he didn't sound particularly nervous," says Morgan. "He really seemed like he was going to do whatever it took to save his butt." RELATED: Pilot Has 'Miraculous' Recovery After Health Emergency Led to Passenger Landing Plane: 'Truly Amazing' Meanwhile, inside the cabin of the Cessna, Harrison was flying north up the Florida coast, using the beach below to navigate his way to the airport. "For the next few minutes, I worked on practicing how to control the altitude by descending a little bit and holding it there, then taking it back up again," he says. As he got closer to the facility, Morgan instructed him to keep descending because he was still at 2,500 feet. "As I was circling back over the runway to make another approach, I asked him, 'Hey, once I land, how do I stop this thing?'" he recalls. "I was still barefoot at that point and he explained how to gently work the brake pedals with my feet." The idea of actually trying to set the plane down on the runway in one piece seemed daunting, even for someone who was proving to be as calm and cool under pressure as Harrison. "I pictured the wheels blowing off the plane or flipping upside down into a ditch," he says. Morgan was also concerned. "I was worried, thinking he was either gonna cartwheel down the runway or crash," adds the air traffic controller. On his second pass, Harrison had the plane lined up with the runway, which was getting larger and larger the closer he got. "Robert told me I was coming in too fast, so I told Russ to grab the throttle [which controls fuel flow to the engine] and dump it on the floor, wondering if that would cause the plane to fall out of the sky," he says. Then, Morgan told him: "I just want you to focus your eyes on the end of the runway. It's going to get wider and wider." The next thing Harrison knew, the plane was back on earth, gently bouncing down the runway. "It all worked," says Harrison. "We touched down without blowing the wheels. After we finally stopped, I called up to the control tower again and asked, 'Hey guys, one last question: How do I turn this thing off?'" The Air Traffic Controller and the pilot FAA After the engine finally stopped, Harrison pulled his headset off, threw it on the dash and broke down sobbing. "I just lost it," he says. "I started praying this prayer of thanks for letting us land safely. And the biggest prayer of all was for Ken because he was in bad shape." An instant later, paramedics and airport personnel were swarming around the plane. (Allen, who suffered a tear in his aorta, was rushed to the hospital and has since recovered following surgery.) "The plane didn't have a scratch on it," says Harrison, who hugged Morgan the instant they were introduced. "People say I'm a hero, but I'm not. I'm just a guy who was trying to survive. I realized what I needed to do and I'm convinced God helped my mind go to a place where I could stay calm, focused and get it done. It really was a miracle. Actually, it was one miracle after another that kept us alive." The ivories are going get seriously tickled in Lake Worth Beach on Friday night as the Arts at St. Andrews, the Farmworker Coordinating Council, the Guatemalan Consulate of Lake Worth Beach and the Global Leaders Program present Guatemalan concert pianist Alfonso Hernandez in at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Lake Worth Beach. Hernandez will perform virtuosic pieces by several Guatemalan composers as well as favorites from the standard repertoire. Learning about music with his father at age 4, Hernandez was 7 when he entered the National Conservatory of Guatemala, where he graduated with honors. Ready for summer? Here's our guide to fun: Best fun, free things to do in Palm Beach County, including kids activities The man behind the music: High-school strings students had nowhere to play. A Cuban immigrant's dream changed that Free museum days: Norton Museum of Art wants you to have an artsy summer As a Conservatory student, he won nearly every national competition available and debuted as a soloist with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Guatemala when he was 12. Alfonso Hernandez will perform Friday night during Arts at St. Andrews at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in downtown Lake Worth Beach. Moving to the United States to pursue a bachelor's degree in music performance at the University of Houston, he graduated cum laude in 2013 and represented the piano department in the commencement ceremony. In 2015, Hernandez received a full scholarship to complete a professional performance certificate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, working closely with Roberta Rust. He is currently a doctoral candidate in musical arts at the University of Maryland. Hernandez is also a fellow of the Global Leaders Program, a select group of 60 arts professionals invited to take part in a year-long program that teaches them how to best use their gifts to connect with communities, do outreach programs and bring art into the community. It is curated by nine top universities and think tanks, from Harvard and Georgetown to Duke. Story continues From our live show: How a man learned English and got his degree at 41 years old Event benefits Farmworker Coordinating Council of the Palm Beaches The free concert Friday is part of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church's "Arts at St. Andrew's" program. The program began 14 years ago and usually features one performance per month in season and slightly fewer shows during the summer. "There is a long history of churches being involved in the arts and we feel we are following this great tradition," said St. Andrew's coordinator of cultural programs Margot Emery. The shows also have proven an excellent way to reach out to the community and to highlight the area's diversity. The church has been collaborating with the Guatemalan Consulate of Lake Worth Beach to bring members of the local Guatemalan community to see the show. The concert is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception in Frazell Hall. Though the admission is free, people can make donations to benefit Farmworker Coordinating Council of the Palm Beaches. How to watch pianist Alfonso Hernandez in Lake Worth Beach What: Arts at St. Andrew's featuring Guatemalan pianist Alfonso Hernandez Where: St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 100 North Palmway, Lake Worth Beach When: 7 p.m. Friday Cost: Free Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He has lived in the West Palm Beach area for more than 30 years and, from mild to wild, will cover noteworthy community happenings. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Free concert in Lake Worth Beach: Guatemalan pianist Alfonso Hernandez Straits Research - Market Research Strategy | Strategy Consulting | Business Research | Business Consulting | Market Research The global protective coatings market size was valued at USD 12.2 billion in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 16.7 billion by 2030, recording an estimated CAGR of 3.40% over the forecast period (20222030). New York, United States, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The protective coating is widely used in construction, oil & gas, aerospace, industrial, marine, automotive, power generation, mining, and other end-use industries. The coating protects a range of surfaces from the elements, which could jeopardize an item's operation or integrity. The building industry's global expansion has boosted demand for protective coatings dramatically. Globally, population growth, urbanization, and industrialization have raised the need for infrastructure development and construction, particularly in fast-growing countries like the Asia Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East. Get a Free Sample Copy of This Report @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/protective-coatings-market/request-sample Growing Green Coatings Demand to Drive the Global Protective Coatings Market Green coatings are formulations that have been designed to have the least amount of environmental impact possible throughout their supply chain. Green coatings are aqueous and powder-based coatings that are eco-friendly throughout their entire life cycle. In addition to raw materials and emissions, green coatings have reduced fire risk during handling and storage. Green coatings have a high utilization rate, less waste, and a low applied cost, contributing to long-term growth. Akzo Nobel has provided green protective coatings for wind turbines in wind energy sites across the North Sea and China. Covestro developed two-component epoxy green coatings using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to reduce viscosity and provide robust reinforcement. These coatings reduce the flow resistance between the water and the ship's hull, resulting in significant fuel savings. When carbon nanotubes are introduced to coating compositions, they increase abrasion resistance by a hundred compared to traditional, solvent-borne epoxy systems. Coating chemistries and formulations are evolving, and producers will face increased rivalry in the future to develop better coating systems, increasing market demand. Story continues Buy Now Full Report @ https://straitsresearch.com/buy-now/protective-coatings-market/global/ Potential Replacement by Powder Coatings to Provide New Opportunities for the Global Protective Coatings Market Powder coating is the best solution for replacing solvent-based coatings. These coatings are less expensive and environmentally friendly than liquid paint. High curing temperatures are required for powder coating applications, which can be challenging to achieve with heat-sensitive materials like plastic and wood. To address these challenges, many developers have attempted to enhance curing temperatures. Powder coatings may now be fixed at 120C utilizing new infrared and UV curing technologies, which considerably reduce the previously required temperature. As a result of this innovation, the spectrum of materials and industries that potentially profit from powder in the future has grown significantly. Powder coatings are also eco-friendly, making them a viable option for many large coating companies to reduce their carbon footprint. This coating produces nearly no volatile organic molecules because it does not require the application of a solvent to a surface. Powder coatings are expected to replace other traditional coatings in the coming years due to the factors mentioned above, offering growth potential for protective coatings during the forecast period . Regional Insights Asia-Pacific acquires the most dominant position in the global protective coatings market and is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. It will reach a predicted value of USD 8,825 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.3%. China is a hub for chemical processing in the Asia-Pacific, accounting for a significant proportion of the chemicals produced globally. With the increasing need for various chemicals worldwide, the demand for protective coating from this sector is anticipated to rise during the forecast period. North America is the second-largest shareholder in the regional market. It is estimated to reach a predicted value of USD 3,475 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 2.9%. Protective coatings have a significant demand from the United States construction sector compared to the other countries in North America due to their larger market size and active investments in the development of the construction sector. Europe holds the third-largest position in the market. It is estimated to reach a value of USD 2,750 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 2.7%. The chemical industry in Germany is the largest in Europe. Germany is the primary chemical manufacturer, accounting for more than 70% of all chemical exports from Europe. In the future years, the industry is predicted to expand, which will increase demand for the market under consideration. BASF, Bayer, Henkel, Evonik, Covestro, Merck, Lanxess, Freudenberg, Wacker, and Atlanta are the leading companies in the German chemical sector. The market analyzed is expected to grow over the projection period, thanks to increased demand from major end-user industries. Get a Free Sample Copy of This Report @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/protective-coatings-market/request-sample Key Highlights The global protective coatings market was valued at USD 12.2 billion in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 16.7 billion by 2030, recording an estimated CAGR of 3.40% over the forecast period (20222030). By product type , the global protective coatings market is segmented into Epoxy, Polyurethane , Vinyl Ester, Polyester, and Other Product Types. The Epoxy segment dominates the global protective coatings market. It is estimated to reach a value of USD 7,065 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.5 % . Epoxy-based protective coatings offer protection against acids, alkalis, solvents, fuels, fatty acids, salt or sugar solutions, chemical cleaning agents, etc. Therefore, the demand for epoxy-based Protective coatings is expected to increase during the forecast period. By technology , the global protective coatings market is segmented into Water-Borne, Solvent-Borne, Powder, and Other Technologies. The Solvent-Borne technology dominates the global protective coatings market. It is estimated to reach a predicted value of USD 7,085 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 3% . During the curing phase, solvent-borne coatings are less susceptible to ecological fluctuations, such as temperature and humidity, than water-based coatings. This is a significant advantage because solvent-based coatings have been preferred in the protective coatings segment. By end-use industry, the global protective coatings market is segmented into Oil and Gas, Mining, Power, Infrastructure, and Others. The Infrastructure segment holds the most commanding position in the global protective coatings market. It is estimated to reach a predicted value of USD 6120 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.8%. As the infrastructure projects are rapidly increasing across the globe, the demand for protecting coatings during the forecast period. Competitive Landscape The major players in the global protective coatings market include Akzo Nobel NV The Sherwin Williams Company PPG Industries Jotun A/S Hempel Global Protective Coatings Market: Segmentation By Product Type Epoxy Polyurethane Vinyl Ester Polyester Others By Technology Water-Borne Solvent-Borne Powder Others By End-Use Industry Oil and Gas Mining Power Infrastructure Others By Regions Asia-Pacific North America Europe South America The Middle East and Africa TABLE OF CONTENT 1 Introduction 1.1 Market Definition 1.2 Market Scope 2 Research Methodology 2.1 Primary Research 2.2 Research Methodology 2.3 Assumptions & Exclusions 2.4 Secondary Data Sources 3 Executive Summary 4 Market Overview 4.1 Report Segmentation & Scope 4.2 Value Chain Analysis: Protective Coatings Market 4.2.1 Vendor Matrix 4.3 Key Market Trends 4.3.1 Drivers 4.3.2 Restraints 4.3.3 Opportunities 4.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 4.4.3 Threat of Substitution 4.4.4 Threat of New Entrants 4.4.5 Competitive Rivalry 4.5 Environment & Regulatory Landscape 4.6 Forecast Factors & Relevance of Impact 4.7 Macro-Economic & Geopolitical Scenario 4.8 Parent Market Overview 4.9 Technology Landscape 4.10 Market Share Analysis 4.11 Potential Venture Analysis 4.12 Regional Price Trends 4.13 Raw Material Trends 4.14 Cost Structure Analysis 4.14.1 Labor Cost 4.14.2 Consumables 4.14.3 Maintenance Cost 4.15 Covid-19 Impact Analysis: 4.15.1 Pre and Post Covid-19 Market Scenario Analysis 4.15.2 Market Recovery Timeline and Challenge 4.15.3 Measures Taken by Top Players 4.15.4 Quarterly Market Revenue and Growth Forecast till 2021 4.15.4.1 North America 4.15.4.2 Europe 4.15.4.3 Asia-Pacific 4.15.4.4 Central and South America and the Caribbean 4.15.4.5 The Middle East and Africa 5 Product Type Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 5.2 Epoxy 5.2.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 5.3 Polyurethane 5.3.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 5.4 Vinyl Ester 5.4.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 5.5 Polyester 5.5.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 5.6 Others 5.6.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 6 Technology Overview 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 6.2 Water-Borne 6.2.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 6.3 Solvent-Borne 6.3.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 6.4 Powder 6.4.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 6.5 Others 6.5.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 7 End User Industry Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.1.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 7.2 Oil and Gas 7.2.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 7.3 Mining 7.3.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 7.4 Power 7.4.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 7.5 Infrastructure 7.5.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 7.6 Others 7.6.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 8 Regional Overview 8.1 Introduction 8.1.1 Market Size & Forecast (Value & Volume) 8.2 North America 8.2.1 Economic Overview 8.2.2 Market Scenario 8.2.3 U.S. 8.2.4 Canada 8.2.5 Mexico 8.3 Central and South America and the Caribbean 8.3.1 Economic Overview 8.3.2 Market Scenario 8.3.3 Brazil 8.3.4 Argentina 8.3.5 Colombia 8.3.6 Rest of Central and South America and the Caribbean 8.4 Europe 8.4.1 Economic Overview 8.4.2 Market Scenario 8.4.3 Germany 8.4.4 France 8.4.5 The U.K. 8.4.6 Italy 8.4.7 The Rest Of Europe 8.5 Asia-Pacific (APAC) 8.5.1 Economic Overview 8.5.2 Market Scenario 8.5.3 China 8.5.4 Japan 8.5.5 India 8.5.6 Australia 8.5.7 South Korea 8.5.8 Rest Of APAC 8.6 Middle East 8.6.1 Economic Overview 8.6.2 Market Scenario 8.6.3 South Arabia 8.6.4 The UAE 8.6.5 Qatar 8.6.6 Oman 8.6.7 Turkey 8.6.8 The Rest Of Middle East 8.7 Africa 8.7.1 Economic Overview 8.7.2 Market Scenario 8.7.3 Nigeria 8.7.4 South Africa 8.7.5 The Rest Of Africa 9 Competitive Landscape Manufacturers & Suppliers 9.1 Competition Dashboard 9.2 Industry Structure 9.3 Akzo Nobel NV 9.3.1 Business Overview 9.3.2 Financial Performance 9.3.3 Recent Developments 9.3.4 Portfolio 9.4 The Sherwin Williams Company 9.5 PPG Industries 9.6 Jotun A/S 9.7 Hempel 10 Conclusion & Recommendation 11 Acronyms & Abbreviations Read Full Report Description with Table of Content and Figure @ https://straitsresearch.com/report/protective-coatings-market/toc Market News In April 2022 , the Sherwin-Williams Company declared that it had completed its acquisition of the European industrial coatings business of Sika AG. The acquired firm will become part of the Company's Performance Coatings Group operating segment. In April 2022, PPG introduced PPG ENVIROCRON P8 Series Anti-Graffiti coating at the Exhibition Centre in Karlsruhe, Germany. The innovative product is a hybrid powder coating that stands up to the harshest cleaners and chemicals and is developed to leave no trace of surface damage or graffiti particles. Since it is produced without block agents, PPG Envirocron P8 Series Anti-Graffiti coating has no carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic-to-reproduction (CMR) materials commonly found in other products. News Media Increasing Demand for Strontium in Paints and Coatings Sector to Drive the Market Growth Automobile Industry to Hold Considerable Share in the Smart Coatings Market Have a Look at the Related Research Report Industrial Coatings Market : Information by Product (Acrylic, Polyurethane, Epoxy) Technology (Solvent-Borne, Powder Based), End-Use (Electronics, Aerospace), and Region Forecast till 2030 Antimicrobial Coatings Market : Information by Product (Antimicrobial Powder Coatings, Surface Modifications, and Coatings), Application (Medical Devices), and Region Forecast till 2030 Sol-Gel Coatings Market : Information by Product Type (Corrosion Resistant, Wear Resistant, Water Resistant), Application , End-Use Industry, and Region Forecast till 2026 Smart Coatings Market : Information by Layer (Single Layer, Multi-Layer), End-User (Medical Field, Aerospace, Construction), and Region Forecast till 2029 Silicone Roof Coating Market : Information by Product Type (High Solid Coating, Low Solid Coating), Roof Material, End-User (Residential, Commercial), and Region Forecast till 2029 Toluene Diisocyanate Market : Information by Application (Foams, Coatings. Adhesive, Elastomers), End-User (Automotive, Packaging), and Region-Forecast till 2029 About Straits Research Pvt. Ltd. StraitsResearch is a 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. Straits Research Pvt. Ltd. provides actionable market research data, especially designed and presented for decision making and ROI. Whether you are looking at business sectors in the next town or crosswise over continents, we understand the significance of being acquainted with the clients purchase. We overcome our clients issues by recognizing and deciphering the target group and generating leads with utmost precision. We seek to collaborate with our clients to deliver a broad spectrum of results through a blend of market and business research approaches. For more information on your target market, please contact us below: Phone: +1 646 480 7505 (the U.S.) +91 8087085354 (APAC) +44 208 068 9665 (the U.K.) Email: sales@straitsresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter South Korean FDI into Vietnam boosted South Korea was among the three largest foreign investors in Vietnam during the past three years, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). The MPI reported that in the first five months of this year, South Korean foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam was estimated at USD2.06 billion, up 12.6 percent on-year. Illustrative photo Most of South Koreas major FDI projects in Vietnam were in manufacturing. Authorities in the northern province of Thai Nguyen licensed Samsung Electro-Mechanics Vietnam Co., Ltd to sink an additional USD920 million into its project in Pho Yen Town, raising the projects total capital to USD2.27 billion in February. Middle East consumers most loved brands for 2022 include Nescafe, Lexus and Prada, says a Brand Love report by Talkwalker, a leading consumer intelligence firm, and Hootsuite, a global leader in social media management. Each year, Talkwalker uses its consumer intelligence capabilities to analyse over 1,500 brands, to see which ones are the most loved. According to the report, the ranking reflects consumers positive experiences with each brand on social media, review sites, and forums. Three critical scores With over 10 years of client research, and in-depth analysis of use cases, the index identified 3 critical scores for monitoring brand love - Passion, Trust, and Customer Satisfaction. These scores were calculated by analysing over 2.6 billion conversations from social media, news, blogs, and reviews, to identify the brands consumers really care about. By partnering with Hootsuite, the report also includes tips on how brands can strengthen their relationship with consumers. This is a wakeup call for brands, said Rami Deeb, Marketing Manager CEEMEA at Talkwalker. It is risky for brands to become complacent and take consumer love for granted. This years Brand Love report shows us that maintaining that love requires constant nurturing and effort. Adapting to changes Consumer priorities, values, and behaviours change constantly, and only those brands that are close to their consumers, foresee these changes and adapt. These are the brands that are sustaining and growing their brand love. Love your consumers, and your consumers will love you. In the past year there was an increased focus on sustainability in the world, particularly on what impact brands are having on a social, economic, or environmental level. As many of the top 50 brands have prioritised sustainability efforts, we can see that this should not just be a consumer priority, but a critical brand strategy that can help create or kill brand love. "As a marketer, if the past year and a half taught us anything, its that the traditional ways of advertising have changed drastically. Brands who put authenticity and courageous creativity at the core of their plans are the ones who generate the most brand love," said Maggie Lower, CMO, Hootsuite. "This year's Brand Love report features shining examples that we can all learn from of how companies are innovating and connecting with their audience in different ways to build loyalty and affinity."-- TradeArabia News Service STEVENS POINT Cannabis tickets from Stevens Point police could cost as much as rolling papers under a new proposal. A proposed change to the city's ordinance on marijuana possession would set fines at $5 plus court fees for people 17 years old and older found with 25 grams or less of the drug. The current ordinance, last amended in 2015, sets fines at $100 plus court fees for having 5 grams or less of marijuana. The ordinance change proposed by City Council member Mary Kneebone would further decriminalize marijuana in Stevens Point. The city will take up the ordinance change for the first time during the city's public policy and general government committee meeting at 6:20 p.m. Monday in the Community Room of the Stevens Point Police Department, 933 Michigan Ave. Kneebone said the change would further disincentivize local police from pursuing citations for nonviolent crimes. Wisconsin, she said, is surrounded on all sides by states with some sort of legal marijuana recreational marijuana in Illinois and Michigan and medical marijuana in Minnesota. Mary Kneebone "Personally, I think the state should legalize it and tax the hell out of it to fund education and infrastructure and treat more serious addictions," Kneebone said. "I think its a timely issue and worth discussion at the public level." The proposed ordinance change came forward from Ben Kollock, a 34-year-old Stevens Point resident. He said he sees the change as effectively legalizing cannabis in Stevens Point. "I say effectively legalize because no officer is willing to write a ticket for (a low fine), right?" Kollock said. "That's not worth their time. That's not worth the paper they're writing it on." Kollock worked with Kneebone in 2015 to lower the city's marijuana possession fines from $300 to $100. In 2015, he wrote to the council seeking the change from his hospital bed while undergoing treatment for cancer. "I was so upset just learning all these things about marijuana and how it can help people," he said. "My doctors were recommending it to me for my appetite and for all these things. That lit a fire in me to change it, but I just felt that it was just ridiculous." Story continues Milwaukee County, Eau Claire and Green Bay are some of the local governments in Wisconsin that have decriminalized marijuana in recent years and signaled to police that they should deprioritize marijuana possession offenses. In 2018, 83% of Portage County voters supported legalizing medical marijuana as part of an advisory, nonbinding referendum. Joseph Johnson, public information officer for Stevens Point police, said in an email to the Stevens Point Journal that the department had little comment on the proposal. "I will advise the PD wants to remind residents that no matter what the Council decides to do, it is still illegal under Wisconsin Law to possess, sell, or manufacture marijuana," Johnson said. Stevens Point police issued 39 marijuana citations in 2015 when the council last changed the fine amount. The number of citations steadily grew until peaking in 2018 at 72, then dropped to 26 citations issued last year. So far in 2022, Stevens Point police have issued about nine tickets. In 2018, former City Council member Mary McComb sought to reduce marijuana possession fines to $5, but her effort failed after pushback from law enforcement and other community groups. Mayor Mike Wiza said he's neutral about the marijuana decriminalization proposal. "I dont see marijuana as that much different than alcohol. If thats the way the council wants to move, I dont see any issue with it," Wiza said. "My only concerns are those that law enforcement has." RELATED: Stevens Point City Council rejects $5 marijuana fine proposal RELATED: After powerful testimony, Portage County Board advances medical marijuana referendum If approved by the committee, the soonest the City Council could approve the change is in July because of rules governing how fast the city can make ordinance revisions. Contact reporter Alan Hovorka at 715-345-2252 or ahovorka@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ajhovorka. This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Stevens Point considers $5 fines for marijuana to decriminalize pot TikTok's employees in London are leaving the company almost every week as they struggle to cope with the Chinese social-media giant's grueling work culture, according to the Financial Times (FT) on Wednesday. Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images Former and current TikTok employees in London told The FT the company promotes overworking. Workers quit every week due to overwork, according to a current employee. Former TikTok employees from other countries have also spoken out against TikTok's work culture. Employees at TikTok's London office are reportedly fleeing the company as they struggle to cope with the Chinese social-media giant's grueling work culture, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. FT spoke with ten current and former UK TikTok employees who said the exodus started after TikTok's e-commerce division in the UK launched TikTok Shop, a live-streaming e-commerce platform, in October. Since then, at least 20 employees have left, leaving behind a team that is now half its size. "There are people leaving every week. It is like a game every Monday we ask who has been fired, who has quit," one current employee told The FT. Employees told The FT they must align themselves with China's working hours, which often led to working more than 12 hours a day. Employees also said they had to file "feedback reports" after livestreams ended in the evening in the UK. The company celebrated overworking and punished employees who took time off, according to workers who spoke to The FT. TikTok shared, in internal communications, photos of employees who worked overnight and praised them as being committed. Conversely, some who took time off found themselves removed from accounts they used to work on, and even demoted. The company also shamed employees who did not handle work queries out of hours, sources said. In some cases, according to the article, TikTok turned to financial payments to assuage employees' concerns over the company's grueling working conditions. Two employees settled with TikTok after they spoke out about working conditions. At least one TikTok senior leader seemed to embrace this culture of overworking. Joshua Ma, who oversaw TikTok Europe's e-commerce division and was a senior executive at TikTok's parent ByteDance, recently upset his London employees when he said that as a "capitalist," he "didn't believe" in offering maternity leave, per The FT. Story continues Following the revelation of Ma's comments, a TikTok spokesperson told the FT: "TikTok Shop has only been operating in the UK for a few months, and we're investing rapidly in expanding the resources, structures, and process to support a positive employee experience." The spokesperson declined to comment on Ma taking time off from his role. TikTok did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comments. Former TikTok employees from other countries have also criticized the company's grueling work culture Former TikTok employees from other countries have also spoken out against the company's aggressive work culture. Employees previously told Insider that Beijing-based ByteDance wielded tremendous influence in shaping TikTok's working culture. Chinese tech companies often follow a "996" work schedule where employees work six days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. After China's top court declared last year that the practice was illegal, ByteDance instructed Chinese employees in October that they could no longer work past 7 p.m. However, TikTok and ByteDance employees elsewhere still report working around the clock. Two former TikTok employees in San Francisco and New York told Insider last month that they frequently had to work late hours in order to accommodate working hours in China and the UK. A ByteDance employee in Singapore told Insider on Thursday she often had to work past 7 p.m. even on Fridays, so that she could handle requests from her colleagues in the US and UK. Read the original article on Business Insider Whether it's a one of a kind item or something at the right price, Logan County Tourism is preparing for the Route 66 garage sale June 10-12 in various locations throughout Lincoln. Alexis Groves, with the Logan County Tourism Bureau, said she kept taking calls from people asking for more information on the annual event. "I checked with Lincoln Printers and they were not planning to do the online maps. However, after talking with so many people, I asked if I could gather the information and facilitate the event," said Groves. Groves credits Noah Atkinson at Lincoln Printers for lending support for the annual event. Things to do: Looking for fun things to do in Logan County? Stops not to miss for the Route 66 garage sale According to Groves over 100 people have signed up and plan to sell items during the event. "I'm excited to see how many people are participating and we've received positive feed back on Facebook. It really does bring people to town. One woman said her friends from out of state were planning to come," said Groves. For a map of the 2022 participants go to: www.lincolnprintersinc.com. Some of the spots along the Mother Road include the VFW, 915 5th St., and Postville Park, 1300th 5th St., both in Lincoln, will be offering a variety of handmade and small business items for sale. Michelle Ramlow, coordinator of the booths at the VFW and Postville Park says she hopes to see a good crowd. We will have crafters and direct sales consultants in the VFW. Hours for our sales are Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., said Ramlow. Pink is the color to look for when trying to find a participating vendor in the Route 66 Garage Sale. Supporting area churches and not-for-profit Chris Coffman, with Crossway Church, 2316 N. Kickapoo St., Lincoln, said church members felt it was a good way to provide fellowship as well as an good opportunity to maximize their location on the north end of Lincoln. "We thought it would be a great way to reach our community to offer a lot of items in one location. We have 15 booths with hand crafted items available. Customized tumblers, jewelry, wooden signs, hand crafted cutting boards, handmade soaps and much more will be available," wrote Coffman. Story continues "This is our first year participating in this capacity, but we are hopeful and looking forward to a great turn out." The church will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 10 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Garage sale spots this weekend for the Route 66 garage sale. Repeat Vendors JoAnn Washam, of Lincoln, has participated in the sale since the first one began in 2006. "I started the first year it was held and was set up in Postville Park. It continues to be a great success even in the pouring rain," wrote Washam. She now sells items from her garage at 506 8th St., in Lincoln with hours starting a 8 a.m. and going until there are no more customers. "I sell antiques, vintage, home decor, mirrors, manly man stuff, Rae Dunn items, wood boxes and so much more," she continued. Washam knows from past experience the weekend will be filled with success for all who participates. "Now, lets pray for no rain. Shopping makes you hungry According to Groves different organizations will be offering food at their location. The following will be serving food. The Oasis , 2810 Woodlawn Rd., will be selling hotdogs during their sale. Marine Corps League will be cooking out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday or until they run out of sandwiches outside of the VFW, 915 5th St., Lincoln. Top Hat Creamery will have the Route 66 Butterfly sundae and The Traveling Top Hat will be set up on 5th St. serving up scoops. Sugar Floss (cotton candy) cart will be with them at Richharts on Saturday. Talk of the Town , 115 Gov. Oglesby, in Elkhart will be open at 11 a.m. Special will be ribeye or marinated porkchop sandwiches. Plus full menu. Elkhart will be hosting a Spring Fling on Saturday with various events going on. Culvers of Lincoln will be offering $2 pints Friday-Sunday. Missys Sweet Shoppe , 110 S.W. Arch St., in Atlanta will have a grand opening during the sale hours. Stuffed Aria, 102 5th St., in Lincoln, will be selling $5 pork chops from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. This article originally appeared on Lincoln Courier: Logan County's Route 66 garage sale set for June 10-12 in Lincoln, IL VANCOUVER, BC, June 9, 2022 /CNW/ - Tribe Property Technologies Inc. ("Tribe" or the "Company") (TSXV: TRBE) announces that it has filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") with the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), which will allow the Company to purchase outstanding common shares of the Company ("Shares"). Tribe Property Technologies - Community Living, Simplified (CNW Group/Tribe Property Technologies Inc.) The Company plans to implement the NCIB because it believes that, from time to time, the market price of the Shares may not fully reflect the underlying value of the Company's business and its future prospects. Accordingly, the Company believes that having the ability to purchase the Shares will be in the interest of the Company and represents an opportunity to enhance unitholder value. Under the NCIB, the Company may acquire up to an aggregate of 907,337 Shares over the 12-month period commencing on June 13, 2022 and ending on June 12, 2023, representing approximately 10% of the "public float" (calculated in accordance with the policies of the TSXV) as of May 31, 2022. Additionally, under the NCIB, the Company may not acquire more than 2% of the issued and outstanding Shares in any 30-day period. Purchases subject to the NCIB will be carried out pursuant to open market transactions through the facilities of the TSXV and alternative trading systems or by such other means as may be permitted under applicable securities laws during the term of the NCIB at the prevailing market price of the Shares at the time of purchase. All Shares purchased by the Company under the NCIB will be returned to treasury and cancelled. The actual number of Shares which may be purchased pursuant to the NCIB and the timing of any purchases will be determined by management and the Board of Directors of the Company. The NCIB will be conducted through PI Financial Corp. ("PI"), a member of the TSXV, and made in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. The funding for any purchases pursuant to the NCIB will be from the working capital of the Company. In connection with the NCIB, the Company has entered into an automatic purchase plan ("APP") with PI as the designated broker. The APP provides a set of standard instructions to PI to make purchases under the NCIB in accordance with the limits and other terms set out in the APP. PI will determine the timing of these purchases in its sole discretion based on purchasing parameters set by the Company and subject to the policies of the TSXV, applicable securities laws and the terms of the APP. Story continues To the Company's knowledge, none of the officers, or other insiders of the he Company, or any associate of such person, or any associate of affiliate of the Company, has any present intention to sell any Shares to the Company pursuant to the NCIB. The Company has not previously purchased for cancellation any of its outstanding Shares. A copy of the Company's notice with respect to the NCIB filed with the TSXV may be obtained, by any shareholder without charge, by contacting the Company's Corporate Secretary, Mr. John Tims, by telephone at 604-398-4161 (ext. 700) or by email at CS@tribetech.com. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor may there be any sale of the Shares in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Tribe Property Technologies Tribe is a property technology company that is digitizing the traditional property management industry. As a rapidly growing tech-forward property management company, Tribe's integrated service-technology delivery model serves the needs of a much wider variety of stakeholders than traditional service providers. Tribe's business is composed of three revenue pillars: software and services (recurring licensing and management fees), transactional (rent or condo fees, banking services, lease-ups), and digital services and partnerships (smart building products, financial and insurance services). Tribe seeks to acquire highly accretive targets in the fragmented North American property management industry and transform these businesses through streamlining and digitization of operations. Tribe's platform decreases customer acquisition costs, increases retention, and allows for the addition of value-added products and services through the platform. Visit tribetech.com for more information. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Joseph Nakhla" Chief Executive Officer Tribe Property Technologies Inc. Joseph Nakhla Chief Executive Officer 1155 West Pender Street, Suite 419 Vancouver, British Columbia V63 2P4 (604) 343-2601 joseph.nakhla@tribetech.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the expected implementation of the NCIB and the Company's goals and strategy. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include changes to applicable laws or the regulatory sphere in which the Company operates, general economic and capital market conditions, and stock market volatility. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Tribe Property Technologies Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2022/09/c8941.html CHICAGO, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Venzee Technologies Inc. (TSXV: VENZ) (OTCQB: VENZF) ("Venzee'' or the "Company"), the artificial intelligence ("AI") platform for product data, is pleased to update shareholders on the closing of a tranche of its non-brokered private placement previously announced on May 6, 2022. Venzee Technologies, Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Venzee Technologies Inc.) John Abrams, CEO of Venzee, said, "Although the capital markets remain challenging, Venzee is pleased by the support it has received from our Canadian investors. In our view, that support is well placed as we continue to see customer growth, expansion, and validation of our platform through increased use of our Mesh Connector product a product now providing brands with cost savings through AI-driven syndication to more than 500 retailers globally." The Company has closed a tranche of the private placement by issuing 3,420,000 units (each a "Unit") of the Company at a price of $0.05 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $171,000. In connection with this tranche, the Company has paid finders' fees to certain registered brokerage firms, comprising of payment of $13,600 and the issuance of 272,000 finders' warrants upon the same terms and conditions as the Units. With respect to the private placement, each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), with each Warrant being exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $0.10 per common share at any time up to 36 months following the closing date of the private placement. The Warrants are also subject to acceleration in the event the volume-weighted average trading price of the common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V) is equal to or greater than $0.25 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days. In such case, the Company may, but shall have no obligation to, accelerate the expiry time of the warrants to a date that is 30 days following the date of issuance of a press release by Venzee announcing its intention to accelerate the expiry time. The securities issued under this tranche of financing are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. Story continues The Company intends to close additional tranches, but there is no certainty that it will. About Venzee Technologies, Inc. Venzee (TSXV: VENZ) (OTCQB: VENZF) is the leading artificial intelligence platform for product data used by global brands to speed time to market and create competitive supply chain advantages. Venzee's intelligent platform automates inefficient last-mile retail processes with a frictionless, machine-driven solution for sending and receiving product data. Venzee believes intelligent supply chain functionality is inevitable and will significantly benefit growers, makers, brands, sellers, regulators, and consumers. Venzee is building the foundation for a future where seamless, accurate, automated data flow simplifies processes, removes friction, and creates value for all those that rely on the myriad of data and information surrounding any product, anywhere. Venzee unlocks shareholder value by carrying out its mission to create intelligent technology that removes friction from the global supply chain. Its Mesh Connector product disrupts and displaces inefficient manual processes in favor of integrated, machine-driven solutions. To learn more about the Venzee platform, visit venzee.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/venzee-inc/ Podcast: https://www.rethinkingsupplychain.com/ Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the terms of the Offering, the completion of the Offering and the expected use of the net proceeds received by the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; and regulatory risks. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained under "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the quarter ended August 29, 2019, which are available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/venzee-technologies-closes-tranche-of-private-placement-301565445.html SOURCE Venzee Technologies Inc. Warner Bros. Discovery Thursday announced its management team for Japan, Australia New Zealand, reporting into James Gibbons, WBDs president and managing director. The reshuffle follows similar announcements for the EMEA area under Priya Dogra and India, Southeast Asia and Korea under Clement Schwebig. More from Variety Masami Takahashi is appointed country manager, head of studios, Japan , and be based in Tokyo. He will continue to oversee all theatrical activity, local production, content licensing, games and consumer products. Glen Kyne is appointed head of networks, Japan and Australia & New Zealand . Based in Auckland, he will oversee all networks activity in all three markets across pay-TV, free-to-air and BVOD. Sydney-based Michael Brooks continues as MD of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia [WBITVP], where he will, just like WBITVP NZ, continue to report directly into the global WBITVP organization. Brooks is additionally appointed as head of studios, Australia & New Zealand , responsible for content licensing, and optimizing studio-related activities across both markets, for which he will report to Gibbons. Robi Stanton is appointed head of franchise development & affiliate relations , Australia & New Zealand, based in Sydney. Andrew Brommel continues in the role of VP, consumer products, Australia & New Zealand, based in Sydney. In addition to the above appointments, David Macdonald is named VP Networks, Japan, based in Tokyo. He will continue to manage network activity, reporting to Glen Kyne, while Singapore-based Lynn Ng will continue to lead content operations for the APAC region. Additionally, she has been appointed head of factual & lifestyle South East Asia, for which she will report to Schwebig. Story continues These appointments reflect the strength of leadership from both legacy companies, bringing an impressive track record and deep knowledge of our diversified Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio, said Gibbons. Benefitting from a combination of market oversight and functional expertise, I look forward to working together with this team to optimize our businesses and build further scale across Japan and ANZ. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Company Logo Global Telecom Operations Management Market Global Telecom Operations Management Market Dublin, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Telecom Operations Management Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global telecom operations management market reached a value of US$ 61.11 billion in 2021. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach a value of US$ 91.81 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.72% 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. Telecom operation refers to the process of managing telecom services to guarantee optimum availability and minimal disruption in telecom services. It relies on several processes, such as request fulfilment and event, incident, problem and access management, to manage services efficiently. It helps manage functions like network inventory, provisioning issues, network availability and fault management. It also assists in the management of new and renovation projects, tracking and maintaining department budgetary codes, and repairing voice and data communications equipment. At present, there is a rise in the demand for telecom operations management due to high operational costs and the complexity of telecom infrastructure across the globe. Telecom Operations Management Market Trends The growing need of telecom companies to effectively and timely address customer requirements in a highly competitive environment currently represents one of the key factors driving the market. Moreover, enhancement in new technologies, such as next-generation operations support systems, business support systems, service delivery platforms, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, is propelling the growth of the market. In addition, the increasing number of mobile internet users is propelling communication service providers to offer advanced and innovative solutions. This, coupled with the escalating demand for low-cost data and voice services, is offering lucrative growth opportunities to industry investors. Besides this, the rising adoption of telecom operations management on account of the improving infrastructure development of 5G networks is positively influencing the market around the world. Story continues Additionally, the rapid digitization of the telecommunication industry with the help of high-performing cloud platforms to engage their customers through data-driven experiences and enhanced operational efficiencies across core telecom systems is strengthening the growth of the market. Competitive Landscape The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Accenture plc, Amdocs, Cisco Systems Inc., Comarch SA, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation, NEC Corporation (AT&T Inc.), Nokia Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, Tata Consultancy Services Limited and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Key Questions Answered in This Report How has the global telecom operations management market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global telecom operations management market? What are the key regional markets? What is the breakup of the market based on the software type? What is the breakup of the market based on the service? What is the breakup of the market based on the deployment mode? 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 telecom operations management 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 Telecom Operations Management Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Forecast 6 Market Breakup by Software Type 6.1 Billing and Revenue Management 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 Customer and Product Management 6.2.1 Market Trends 6.2.2 Market Forecast 6.3 Service Fulfillment and Assurance 6.3.1 Market Trends 6.3.2 Market Forecast 6.4 Resource Inventory Management 6.4.1 Market Trends 6.4.2 Market Forecast 6.5 Network Management 6.5.1 Market Trends 6.5.2 Market Forecast 6.6 Service Delivery Platform 6.6.1 Market Trends 6.6.2 Market Forecast 7 Market Breakup by Service 7.1 Planning and Consulting 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2 Operations and Maintenance 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 7.3 System Integration 7.3.1 Market Trends 7.3.2 Market Forecast 7.4 Managed Services 7.4.1 Market Trends 7.4.2 Market Forecast 8 Market Breakup by Deployment Mode 8.1 On-premises 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Cloud-based 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 Accenture plc 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 Amdocs 14.3.2.1 Company Overview 14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.2.3 SWOT Analysis 14.3.3 Cisco Systems Inc. 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 Comarch SA 14.3.4.1 Company Overview 14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.4.3 Financials 14.3.5 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company 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 Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. 14.3.6.1 Company Overview 14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.6.3 SWOT Analysis 14.3.7 International Business Machines Corporation 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 NEC Corporation (AT&T Inc.) 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 Nokia Corporation 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 Oracle 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 SAP SE 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 Tata Consultancy Services Limited 14.3.12.1 Company Overview 14.3.12.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.12.3 Financials 14.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis 14.3.13 Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson 14.3.13.1 Company Overview 14.3.13.2 Product Portfolio 14.3.13.3 Financials 14.3.13.4 SWOT Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lr2yg0 Attachment CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 If youre not a resident of Stafford County or Fredericksburg, youll have to pay a fee to park at the Historic Port of Falmouth next month. Beginning July 22, county parks and recreation personnel will collect a $25 fee from non-residents to park at the ports 80-space parking area on River Road. The fee also applies to two other parking areas that visitors commonly use to access the beach area, located along the shores of the Rappahannock River. Whats recommended today is to charge a $25-per-car parking fee for non-residents of Stafford and Fredericksburg, said Mike Morris, Staffords deputy county administrator. The parking fee would be for every day of the week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Morris said in addition to the fee to park in the lot on River Road, a $25 fee will also be charged to park at the grass and gravel lot located at the corner of U.S. 1 and Butler Road and at the Ray Grizzle Activity Center at 60 Butler Road. Billed as a pilot program by county officials that runs through Labor Day weekend this year, county spokesman Andrew Spence said the results of the pilot will be evaluated by supervisors next spring to determine if the program effectively curbs the recurring parking problems in and around the historic port. This is not the first time supervisors have proposed a fee to park at the port or tried to fix the parking issues that surround it. In February 2020, Staffords parks and recreation commission redesignated the Historic Port of Falmouth as a natural area, saying the county no longer planned to remove natural debris or trees or groom vegetation from the area, but that plan never materialized. Citing parking and safety concerns the following year, supervisors proposed a $15-per-car fee at both Aquia Landing and the Historic Port of Falmouth after some residents complained. The concerns of the neighbors are, you cant get a firetruck down the street if you had to, Stafford Sheriffs Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said at the time. Thats the concern. Its a safety issue. Supervisors ultimately voted 52 against that fee proposal. Last month, Hartwood District Supervisor Darrell English introduced the proposal to charge a $25 fee, saying the river is inherently dangerous to swim in and trash is polluting the river. He also said county personnel and resources are being wasted to conduct routine traffic control and haul out trash on a regular basis. On Tuesday, Karen Brown of Falmouth told supervisors she walks her dog at Falmouth beach at least once a week and routinely picks up trash and debris left behind by weekend revelers. She said in one year, she picked up more than 650 bottle caps. The amount of litter and defilement on that beach is unreal, Brown said. Ive been shocked at what I saw down there during the past couple of years. On Tuesday, Morris told supervisors the county spends close to $150,000 annually to maintain the beach area, and illegally parked vehicles on the narrow streets that surround it are a recurring problem, especially on weekends. He said the new parking fee will allow the county to accumulate about $280,000 annually in revenue and that money would be used to improve the Historic Port of Falmouth. It also gives us a control mechanism for the parking and it also helps us understand how many people are coming there and where theyre from, Morris said. Supervisors approved the measure to charge the $25 fee by a 42 vote Tuesday. Supervisors Tinesha Allen and Tom Coen opposed the measure. Allen said she was concerned the same fees were not being applied to the 40 parking spaces at Aquia Landing, which also has its own share of parking problems. She said trash is a problem at Aquia Landing, too, and many out-of-town visitors regularly use the facility. Allen said non-residents who do not want to pay the new parking fee in Falmouth will simply go to the Aquia park. Why are we targeting one area and not having a blanket approach for all of it? Allen asked. If you close the Port of Falmouth or you charge it, I can just drive to Aquia beach. Are we solving the issue? The Falmouth beach area is in Tom Coens George Washington District, and he argued the period between July 22 and Labor Day weekend this year is not enough time to adequately measure the success of the pilot program. He suggested county staff provide a holistic plan for development to county supervisors by November with input from stakeholders including the countys parks and recreation commission, wetlands board, Friends of the Rappahannock and residents and business owners in the area. What we want to do is come up with something that is a good tourist asset, has some feasibility to it, Coen said. We need to have a holistic plan. Morris said county staff will check drivers licenses for proof of residency at all three parking areas. Non-residents can pay the fee with either a credit card or a debit card at each of the three sites. James Scott Baron: 540/374-5438 jbaron@freelancestar.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 10-year-old girl was arrested Tuesday after authorities say she fatally shot a woman who was arguing with her mother, according to the Orlando Police Department. The child was placed in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families, according to police. In a statement following the shooting, State Attorney for Orange and Osceola Counties Monique H. Worrell said her office has began reviewing the case and will "consider all of the facts, including the age of the child, and all of the surrounding circumstances, when making a charging decision." "We want to be clear in stating that no charging decision has been made by our office," the state attorney's statement said, adding the incident was "one of the most tragic cases I have seen in my 22-year career." The child's mother is also in custody, according to Orlando police. Witnesses told police the shooting occurred on the night of May 30, when the child's mother and the victim, Lashun Denise Rodgers, 41, began arguing outside an apartment complex, according to an arrest report. The child was with her mother at the time of the argument, according to the arrest report, which cited witnesses. The mother allegedly initiated a physical altercation by punching Rodgers, who retaliated by punching her back, the arrest report says, citing Rodgers' boyfriend as one witness. The boyfriend told authorities he attempted to break up the fight, but the victim tried to "re-engage" with the mother, according to the report. He then allegedly saw the child holding a black firearm before firing "one to two shots" at Rodgers, an arrest report shows. The child then allegedly yelled "she shouldn't have hit my momma," the boyfriend told police. Rodgers was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center where she later died, according to police spokesperson Heidi Rodriguez. The girl's mother was taken into custody and the child was placed in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families, police said. CNN has reached out to the attorney for the child's mother, but has not received a response. CNN has not been able to obtain attorney information for the child involved. Police said the investigation is ongoing. *** GUN VIOLENCE: A CLOSER LOOK Mass shooters have exploited gun laws and loopholes before their carnage. A look at how suspects in recent mass shootings obtained guns, based on police accounts, court documents and contemporaneous reporting: The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced Wednesday that Devin J. Strack, 24, of Fremont was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Omaha as a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Strack to 37 months imprisonment, a press release stated. Following his release, Strack will begin a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. On April 5, 2021, Omaha Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and made contact with its occupants, including the front seat passenger, Strack. Permission to search the vehicle was given by the driver and drug paraphernalia was found throughout the vehicle. Officers searched Stracks black backpack and recovered several loose prescription pills and nine unused syringes. A handgun receiver was also found near the narcotics and syringes. When questioned about the items, Strack admitted to owning the backpack and knowing about the contents within. The receiver was examined by law enforcement and found to function as a firearm when fully assembled. Strack was previously convicted of a felony offense, terroristic threats, in Douglas County, Nebraska, in 2019, which disqualified him from possessing firearms and ammunition. This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Departments renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Omaha Police Department. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a global hospitality company, said that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) for Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket. Slated to open in mid-2025, the 349-room property will mark the first Hyatt hotel in Scotland, signifying a key milestone for Hyatts strategic brand growth in the U.K. Located less than 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the EICC, Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will be a part of the Haymarket Edinburgh development, which will encompass office blocks and retail units. In collaboration with Edinburgh College, the EICC development will also include a world-class hospitality training academy for students and trainees focused on a career path in Scotlands leisure, hospitality, and tourism industry. The new Hyatt Centric hotel will be a highly attractive option for national and international leisure and business travellers, and hospitality training academy students, and will serve as a launchpad for discovering the citys rich history and culture. The hotel will be situated near some of Edinburghs most famous landmarks, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, and the Old Town. Those looking to experience the city like a local will be drawn to the St James Quarter, New Town, and George Street shopping and cultural districts, all of which will be walking distance from the hotel. The property will also be conveniently located just six miles (10 kilometres) away from Edinburgh International Airport, which connects travellers directly to more than 150 destinations worldwide. We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Edinburgh International Conference Center on Hyatt Centric Haymarket Edinburgh, which will mark the Hyatt Centric brands entry into one of the worlds most celebrated capital cities, said Felicity Black-Roberts, Hyatts Vice President Development for Europe and North Africa. This new-build development demonstrates Hyatts commitment to growing its portfolio of lifestyle brands across the U.K, in locations that matter most to our guests, members, customers, and owners. The full-service lifestyle hotel will offer 349 guestrooms, a gym, and four meeting rooms, as well as creative dining experiences that will appeal to guests and locals alike. Visitors will enjoy six different rotating street food brands through its fresh and exciting dining concept, changing regularly to reflect the spirit of Edinburghs thriving local culinary scene. The hotel is being designed as a sustainable and upscale property by Foster + Partners, a world-famous architectural firm founded by Norman Foster, renowned for its holistic approach to sustainability and responsible design. Interiors are being designed by international architecture and design firm Ica, one of the worlds leading, expert-led hotel interior design consultancies, headquartered in Glasgow. The Haymarket Edinburgh development is central to the EICCs future as Scotland's leading conference venue, and aligns with our mission to create an environment to inspire ideas that change the world, said Marshall Dallas, Chief Executive of EICC. Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will be a cornerstone to attracting local and international travellers and notable luminaries to our venue each year. We are thrilled to work with Hyatt on what will be the first Hyatt hotel in Scotland, and look forward to the meaningful opportunities this property will bring to the city of Edinburgh. Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will join 16 Hyatt-branded properties across the U.K., and will mark the second Hyatt Centric hotel in the country, joining Hyatt Centric Cambridge. TradeArabia News Service Afghan social media influencer Ajmal Haqiqi gained popularity for his entertaining videos on YouTube. On June 7, the fashion model appeared on another widely viewed video. But this time, he was handcuffed, wearing a prison uniform, and sporting bruises on his face as he addressed the camera. In the 2-minute video issued by the Taliban, Haqiqi apologized to Afghanistans new rulers for insulting the Koran, Islams holy book, in one of his recent YouTube clips. We are ready to accept any punishment, said Haqiqi, standing next to three of his colleagues. He added that his popular YouTube channel promotes moral corruption and is supported by the ousted Western-backed Afghan government. The video uploaded by the Talibans General Directorate of Intelligence was accompanied by a tweet saying: No one is allowed to insult Koranic verses or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. The video was released on the same day that Haqiqi and his three colleagues were arrested on charges of insulting Islam. The charges stem from a video posted last week in which Haqiqi is seen laughing as his colleague Ghulam Sakhi -- who has a speech impediment -- recites verses of the Koran in a comical voice. Haqiqi had issued a video on June 5 to offer an apology. The arrest of the men and the release of the video have prompted widespread outrage, with rights activists accusing the Taliban of extracting the so-called confession under duress. 'Blatant Attack' On Free Speech If it is proved that his confession was forced, it will have no legal value, Soraya Pekan, an Afghan legal expert, told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. "The Taliban should clarify what laws they are currently employing. Afghanistan's judiciary has undergone a swift and complete overhaul since the Taliban seized power in August. The shadow courts of the Talibans insurgency, dominated by hard-line clerics, have been transformed into the states new judicial system, according to observers. Taliban courts have employed an extreme interpretation of Sharia law. Arbitrarily detaining YouTuber Haqiqi and his colleagues and coercing them into apologizing because the Taliban de-facto authorities were offended by the video is a blatant attack on the right to freedom of expression, Samira Hamidi, Amnesty Internationals South Asia Campaigner, said in a June 8 statement. The Taliban must immediately and unconditionally release the YouTubers and end their continued censorship of those who wish to freely express their ideas, she added. Human rights campaigners have accused the Taliban of carrying out extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, and forced confessions as part of its effort to crush dissent. The militants have targeted human rights defenders, women activists, journalists, and intellectuals. Amnesty International has documented multiple cases of the Taliban extracting forced confessions, in what it says is an attempt by the Taliban to deter others from expressing their views. In February, the Taliban Interior Ministry released a video of several female activists who said they had been encouraged by foreign-based activists to take to the streets by offering them the chance to relocate or send their children to study abroad. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the international community to impose tougher restrictions on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers in response to what the watchdog called a "grave human rights crisis" that has been especially affecting women and girls after the group's return to power in August. Since taking over, the Taliban has rolled back two decades of gains made by the country's women, who have been squeezed out of many government jobs, barred from traveling alone, and ordered to dress according to a strict interpretation of the Koran. HRW said in a statement on June 9 that in particular, the radical group's decision on March 23 to prolong a ban on girls' secondary school education has prompted international condemnation. But the group said condemnation "is not enough" because it does not "make the Taliban hurt" and urged the international community to take more effective steps against Afghanistan's current rulers. "Its time for governments to turn consensus that the Talibans actions are unlawful into coordinated actions that show the Taliban that the world is ready to defend the rights of Afghans, particularly women and girls, in meaningful ways," HRW said. HRW recommended that the United Nations revisit a travel ban imposed by the Security Council in 1999 on several Taliban leaders in response of the group's terrorist activities at the time -- a measure that still affected 41 current members of the Taliban leadership, although it was partially suspended in 2019 to allow 14 Taliban figures to participate in peace talks. "The Security Council will be reviewing these exemptions in June and has an opportunity to refocus the ban on specific Taliban leaders who have been implicated in serious rights violations," HRW recommended. Among the current Taliban leaders that should be banned from traveling HRW mentioned Abdul-Haq Wassiq, the chief of the group's intelligence agency accused of extrajudicial executions and arresting and beating journalists; Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, head of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice responsible for many of the restrictions on women and girls; and Haibatullah Akhundzada, the groups top religious leader, who HRW says played "a decisive role in extending the ban on girls secondary education." HRW also recommended UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visit Afghanistan in order to "redirect world attention to the situation, increase pressure on the Taliban to respect human rights, and prompt global solutions to end the dire humanitarian crisis." It also proposed an independent review of the UN mission in Afghanistan and its human rights monitoring to establish whether "it is equipped to perform its mandate." "Afghan women and girls are watching their rights vanish before their eyes. They need more from the world than concern. They need action," HRW concluded. The man accused of having killed someone by stabbing them 19 times, assaulting a police officer, and stealing a police car was in court Tuesday to have a competency evaluation ordered for his case. Osemeke Uwadibie, who is accused of having killed Charles Slabaugh last month, appeared in person in Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court for the competency evaluation order, but it wasn't given without a brief interjection from the defendant. "I took a competency evaluation twice and passed it," Uwadibie told Judge Jessica Curtis. "It's really not necessary." Curtis then told Uwadibie that because this is a new case, and those evaluations took place in past cases, a new evaluation needed to be done. After a brief discussion with his defense attorneys, Uwadibie agreed to have the evaluation done. Just getting Uwadibie in court proved to be a difficult task for the court. Last week, Uwadibie was scheduled to appear regarding the competency evaluation, but refused to come to the courthouse. Uwadibie was then scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning, but had to be pushed the afternoon, as the court hadn't submitted a warrant to have Uwadibie appear in court by any means necessary. According to previous reporting from The Gazette, Uwadibie was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in the May 13 killing of Slabaugh, 59. On the date of Slabaugh's death, police were called to the 200 block of East Arvada Street when, according to police statements, Uwadibie approached a man in a parking lot and brandished a knife after he refused to give him a ride. When officers arrived on scene, Uwadibie went inside an apartment unit near the parking lot where he allegedly killed Slabaugh by means of "multiple sharp force injuries," according to the affidavit. According to police, Uwadibie then left the apartments, assaulted a police officer, and stole his vehicle. Eventually, Uwadibie was apprehended and arrested after causing a four-vehicle collision in the stolen police car on Interstate 25, police said. Four people suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash, and Uwadibie was taken to the hospital with one gunshot wound in his arm from police. Uwadibie is now facing 14 charges for the May 13 incident including first-degree murder, assaulting a police officer, first-degree burglary and several other charges. If convicted of the first-degree murder charge, Uwadibie would be sentenced to life in prison. Uwadibie is scheduled to appear in court next on July 20, at 8:30 a.m. for a review. Curtis stated that she is hoping Uwadibie's competency evaluation will be complete by then. Colorado is planning a program to further incentivize residents to replace their grass lawns with landscaping that needs less water to maintain. Signed into law on Wednesday, House Bill 1151 requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board to develop a statewide financial incentive program to inspire voluntary turf replacement for homeowners, local governments and nonprofits. Water is the most precious resource we have, said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, who sponsored the bill. This new bipartisan law is a win-win: It will save Coloradans money on their water bills and reduce water use in the metro areas, all while promoting the innovative landscaping industry. Along the Front Range, lawns account for the majority of outdoor residential water use, Colorado State University estimates. In Denver alone, residents use up to 120 million gallons per day to water lawns, according to 2019 reports. The Colorado River Basin which provides water to Colorado and six other states is experiencing its driest 22 years on record. The new law will allocate $2 million to finance the Turf Replacement Fund, which could include expanding statewide existing city programs that pay $1-$3 per square foot of grass that is removed. The specific incentive program must be developed before July 1, 2023. Under the bill, water-wise landscaping includes replacement turf and drought-tolerant plants that require less water to grow. Roberts said the bill is especially targeting nonnative grasses used for private and commercial lawns, school fields and other ornamental outdoor spaces, such as road medians. Lawmakers passed the bipartisan-sponsored bill with broad support. Governor Jared Polis signed legislation today directing $15 million to the state Office of Just Transition to try to improve some of the economic and social impacts of the premature closure of coal power plants and mines across Colorado. He needs to meet his 100% carbon-free energy goal by 2040. In a joint press release by Colorado House and Senate Democrats, Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo said, No community, no worker should be left behind in Colorados transition away from a coal-based economy. According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Office of Just Transitions purpose is to support communities, employers and coal workers during closings of coal-fired power plants, which they have depended for more than 160 years. The states 2020 Just Transition Action Plan says it could cost $100 million or more to fully implement the plan. But neither HB19-1314, which created the OJT, nor HB22-1394, just signed by Polis, mention the ultimate costs of the program or how the program is expected to be funded in the future. Coal communities have powered the state of Colorado for generations, said Routt County Commissioner Beth Melton in the press release. As we transition to other sources of energy, we have a moral obligation to ensure that coal workers and communities are not left behind. Colorado Senator Dennis Hisey, R-Colorado Springs, said in an interview with The Denver Gazette, Largely because of government action in this state, we have good paying jobs and industries going away that small towns, particularly in western, but not exclusively Western Colorado, relied on to keep their town healthy. Hisey says the population shift from the plant and mine closures will be significant. You're just not going to retrain coal miners and people in other good-paying jobs to work in the tourism industry, Hisey said. It's going to be a shift at the municipal level where the small towns reinvent who they are and there will be people moving out, and hopefully new people moving back in. Hisey doesnt think the OJT effort is nearly enough to prevent economic disaster in rural Colorado, nor does he think that the predicted $100 million will ever materialize. While I'm pleased that we're trying to help, it's not going to be enough, Hisey said. And it really is government action that has caused a lot of those problems. So, too little, too late is my thinking, but I'm glad we're trying. The $15 million is to be divided, with $5 million going to the OJT for its program expenses and the remaining $10 million to directly assist coal transition workers, their family members, and other household members, including coal transition workers, their family members, and their household members who are members of a disproportionately impacted community with tuition assistance and apprenticeships; expanded child care assistance; career planning services; financial counseling; and housing assistance Hisey says the coal power plants that are scheduled for closure create a perfect opportunity to save many of the jobs and the investment in infrastructure and power lines by removing the coal burning equipment and replacing them with small modular nuclear reactors. Green energy's not going to get us there a hundred percent, said Hisey. Everybody agrees with that. Somehow, you've got to have on-demand, dispatchable energy and small nuclear reactors absolutely fit that niche. Hisey said that installing SNRs at the existing plants would replace good paying jobs with good paying jobs We already have the electrical infrastructure in place, so we could remove the coal-fired generating plants, scrap 'em out, and put the nuclear reactor right there in that same location and hook up the wires that are already in existence, that feed out to the grid, he said. Trying to retrain coal miners, who will likely move out of state in search of jobs in the coal mining industry in places like Wyoming anyway, says Hisey, isnt a wise use of $100 million. Organisers of World Travel Market London have hailed the remarkable performances of sister events in April and May, saying their achievements have laid the groundwork for a successful trade show in London. WTM Latin America 2022 held in Brazil from 5-7 April was the biggest edition of the event ever held. It was swiftly followed by WTM Africa 2022, held from 11-13 April in South Africa, which hosted more pre-scheduled appointments than in 2019. Last month saw Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, during which visitor numbers reached 23,000 more than double the last edition. With the strapline Reshaping Travel Together, World Travel Market London will be a fully live event, taking place at ExCeL London from 7-9 November; showcasing how the sector has evolved and how to embrace the opportunities of a post-pandemic world. Vasyl Zhygalo, WTM and IBTM Portfolio Director, said: The great successes seen at WTM Latin America, WTM Africa and ATM show there is enormous demand from travel trade professionals around the world to meet face-to-face to do business, network and learn about opportunities as the sector recovers and, in many cases, surges past 2019 levels. Those outstanding events are a superb springboard for us to make WTM London 2022 better than ever. Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director at World Travel Market London, said: The feedback we have received from exhibitors and visitors regarding our spring events demonstrate the desire to re-engage face to face, as the travel industry builds back better. We can see how some of our latest technological developments helped delegates make the most of their time and enabled them to network effectively, delivering meaningful return on time investment. We are now focused on working with industry partners around the globe to deliver an event that leads the way in reshaping travel, and supports the sector in creating a sustainable and robust future. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME for ATM, said innovation, sustainability, technology and nurturing talent were key themes during the four-day event in Dubai last month. In addition to doubling our visitor numbers year-on-year, ATM 2022 hosted 1,500 exhibitors and attendees from 150 countries, she said. These figures are especially impressive given lockdowns still taking place in China and other destinations. WTM Latin America 2022, held in Sao Paulo, attracted 20,000 travel professionals over the three-day show. Excluding professionals from the 565 exhibiting companies, there were 15,204 visitors up by 10% on numbers seen in 2019. Simon Mayle, Director at WTM Latin America, commented: The 2022 edition established itself as one of the most important ones in the events history, which also reinforces the signs of a positive outlook for tourism. Themes explored during the show included diversity and inclusion, responsible tourism and travel technology and there were training and practical information sessions for agents and buyers. WTM Africa 2022 facilitated more than 7,000 unique pre-scheduled appointments (both online and in person), up by more than 7% compared to 2019. Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism, and Creative Industries, RX Africa, said: The 2022 edition of WTM Africa and Africa Travel Week was the first inbound and outbound travel trade show of this magnitude held on the African continent since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2022. The undeniable success of the show, as reflected in the preliminary numbers, is a clear indication that the industry was in desperate need of a face-to-face platform to reconnect, conclude deals and kickstart the recovery of the industry. The event featured 187 speakers and more than 63 content sessions which highlighted important topics such as inclusivity, diversity, travel technology and investment. TradeArabia News Service Insisting on local control, three cities in Boulder County voted to adopt their own gun-control ordinances Tuesday night in response to 2021 legislation that gives local governments power to enact gun regulations stricter than state laws. Before the 2021 law, Colorado statutes preempted cities and counties from passing any regulation that prohibits the sale, purchase or possession of a firearm. Senate Bill 21-256 was among several bills introduced in the aftermath of the mass shooting at a King Soopers in Boulder. With the ordinances passage, Boulder, Superior and Louisville now have stronger gun laws on their books ranging from banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines to prohibiting open carry in public places to requiring a waiting period before the sale of a firearm. The local governments actions follow mass shootings in the past few weeks, notably in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman killed 19 children and two adults at an elementary school, the deadliest shooting in a school setting since Sandy Hook Elementary a decade ago. The city of Lafayette is considering similar gun regulations. Edgewater, a city in Jefferson County that sits between Lakewood and Denver, also is considering gun ordinances. Denver was the first to use the 2021 law when it banned "ghost guns" this past January, and then last month prohibited concealed carry in city buildings and parks with exemptions for law enforcement personnel. Residents on both sides of the gun debate turned out on Zoom and in person throughout Boulder County to voice their opinions during Tuesdays multiple public hearings. Supporters of Boulder's six ordinances, many of whom said they are parents who believe more gun regulation will keep their kids safer, became emotional at times. The gun violence happening across our country is preventable if legislatures take action, said Christina Gardner, a Boulder mother of three. But critics of the measures said more gun laws, like longer wait periods for customers who want to buy firearms for protection, keep people from defending themselves when they are most vulnerable. Fred Barton, a Boulder gun shop owner, said the issue is too important to be decided by a group of politicians. This is a very decisive issue for our community. I would highly suggest and recommend putting the issue to a ballot measure so that the entire community can have a voice. Just over the border to the east, women wearing red Moms Demand Action T-shirts and touting gun control squared off against gun responsibility advocates during Louisvilles city council meeting, which lasted just over two hours. I understand the outrage and I feel the pain; however, I feel the measures being considered here are dealing with the symptom and not the root cause, said Aaron Davenport. An inanimate object does not hurt anyone. Though Louisville residents were affected by the King Soopers shooting, Mayor Ashley Stoltzman told The Gazette the impetus for the city councils unanimous vote on gun measures was SB 256, which repealed a 2003 law commonly known as preemption. We started talking about this when the state law lifted the preemption, Stoltzman said. About an hour and a half into the Louisville meeting, Stolzman teared up and accepted a tissue from a colleague when she revealed that she went to high school in Jefferson County and played softball with Columbine students the year of the Littleton mass shooting. Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Public and private leaders have been urged to unite behind the Jeddah Call to Action, a commitment to align with UNWTOs approach to rethink tourism governance at every level to keep adapting to the challenges faced by tourism as a global driver for recovery. On the back of the 116th session of its Executive Council, held in Jeddah, UNWTO set down a marker for the future of global tourism. With the pandemic having showed the systemic vulnerabilities of the sector, the United Nations specialized agency called for the construction of a new and reimagined system of governance and financing with the aim of building resilience against future shocks while also making tourism more sustainable. Governance and visibility In Jeddah, UNWTO continued with its tradition of complementing the important deliberations of its Executive Council with an open discussion on the biggest challenges and opportunities for the sector. The Forum "Tourism Futures New Governance and Advocacy, featured two distinct sessions - Towards a New Tourism Governance and Raising Tourisms Visibility outside of the sector. Now is the time to think big, said the UNWTO Secretary-General welcoming delegates and speakers. Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the need to realise tourisms unique potential to drive recovery, provide opportunity and build resilience, through better and stronger governance and focusing on jobs, training and education. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commented: We cannot recover backwards. Now is the time to capitalise on this heightened recognition and to position tourism as an essential pillar of transformation, development and opportunity. The minister also reiterated the Kingdoms plans to invest $100 million in training 100,000 young tourism workers. Diverse voices around a shared goal Illustrating the diversity of UNWTOs membership, the high-level Thematic Debate featured contributions from Ahmed bin Aqil Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism Saudi Arabia; Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Recreation Cote dIvoire; Carlos Peguero, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dominican Republic; Tomohiro Kaneko, Vice Commissioner of the Japanese Tourism Agency; Najib Balala, Minister of Tourism of Kenya; Sofia Zacharaki, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Greece; and Tonci Glavina, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Croatia. Similarly highlighting the broadness of the sector and UNWTOs reach of influence, the ministers were joined by high-level representatives from business, destinations, media and communications, namely from Euronews, PRM Global, Interbrand, Netcom, Amadeus and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGGA). Referencing the shared desire to get tourism moving again, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the DGDA, noted: We may not share the same ideology, we may not share the same theology, but we share the same biology, highlighting a universal desire to travel and connect with other cultures. Providing the perspective from the media, Ruth Wright, Head of Tourism and Lifestyle Verticals at Euronews, stressed that viewers still demand certainty as the 'perception amongst travellers is definitely still that travel is difficult and stressful.' As a result, content focused on rules and regulations remains relevant, even as human-led tourism stories becomes more popular. Travellers are yearning to get back to the day when travel was fun, carefree and full of unexpected surprises, she added. From Jeddah to the world With the discussions emphasising the importance of taking a whole-government approach to tourism policy, with finance and interior ministries also part of the sectors governance, Secretary-General Pololikashvili urged participants and all UNWTO Executive Council members advance this important agenda for positive change. The Jeddah Call to Action recognises the vital need for more and better tourism governance, with targeted investments and a focus on building resilience, advancing sustainability and expanding education and training. It forms part of UNWTOs wider work ensuring the recognition of tourism reflects the sectors unique social and economic importance, including through making it a key part of the work of the United Nations and securing the cooperation of governments, international organizations and financial institutions. - TradeArabia News Service Democratic-aligned committees began flooding Colorado airwaves on Wednesday with ads calling a pair of Republican candidates for governor and U.S. senator "too conservative" for the state, drawing swift condemnation from the targeted candidates' primary opponents as a meddling attempt to boost weaker GOP nominees. The multi-million dollar ad campaigns land as Coloradans begin receiving ballots in the mail ahead of the June 28 primary election. Democratic Colorado, a recently formed federal super PAC, and Colorado Information Network, a longstanding Democratic state-level independent expenditure committee, released nearly identical TV ads featuring U.S. Senate contender Ron Hanks and gubernatorial hopeful Greg Lopez, the top-line candidates in their respective Republican primary contests. Hanks and business owner Joe O'Dea are vying for the nomination to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who is seeking a third full term. Lopez, the former mayor of Parker who made an unsuccessful run for governor four years ago, is competing against CU Regent Heidi Ganahl in the primary to pick the challenger for Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. "How conservative is Ron Hanks?" says the narrator of the 30-ad focused on the first-term state lawmaker from Penrose. "Hanks was rated one of the most conservative members in the statehouse. He says Joe Biden's election was a fraud. Hanks wants to ban all abortions and he wants to build Trump's border wall. Hanks even sponsored a bill that would allow concealed carry with no permits. Ron Hanks too conservative for Colorado." The ad describing Lopez ends with the same line after making similar points, including saying he "opposes gay marriage" and "will get rid of Colorado's new law protecting abortion rights." A spokeswoman for Ganahl, Lexi Swearingen, said the spending by Democrats is an attempt to "pick the candidate, a former Democrat himself, that they feel they can easily beat in November." Lopez routinely boasts that he saw the light in the 1990s when he was mayor of the then-small town of Parker and changed his registration to Republican. Calling Ganahl "a formidable opponent" with a message that resonates with the state's large share of unaffiliated voters, Swearingen added that Ganahl the only Republican holding statewide office in Colorado won election in 2016 against similar tactics. O'Dea called the ad describing his primary opponent "an attempt to boost Ron Hanks" and said it demonstrates that Democrats are "threatened" by O'Dea's candidacy. Joe Biden is wrecking the country and the Democrats' only hope of winning Colorado is a multi-million dollar act of desperation hijacking the Republican nomination for an unserious candidate who has zero chance of winning, O'Dea said in a statement released by his campaign. Hanks, O'Dea's campaign noted in a release, has raised less than $40,000 in six months and has cultivated a reputation as "an election conspiracy theorist," underlined by a campaign video depicting Hanks blowing up voting equipment. O'Dea, the wealthy owner of a construction company, has poured more than $600,000 into his campaign and recently announced plans to spend at least $300,000 on TV ads during the primary. American Policy Fund, a super PAC largely funded by O'Dea donors with connections to the construction industry, is spending more than $500,000 on TV ads boosting O'Dea. Hanks, who has yet to go on the air with TV advertising, told Colorado Politics he welcomes the support. "Unaffiliated voters and Democrats fully recognize this economy is in shambles, and Joe Biden caused it," he said in a text message. "I welcome their support, and I am pleased they recognize my straightforward policies and professional experience make me the only choice on the Republican side." Hanks rejected his primary rival's characterization of his campaign. "Once again, Joe is working off a bad script," Hanks said. "I am quite serious, and the problems facing our nation are grave." Added Hanks: "Primary voters recognize I am the only conservative choice in this race." The National Republican Senatorial Committee said the Democrats' ad campaign "[j]ust goes to show you how vulnerable Michael Bennet is in a state that Joe Biden won by more than 13 points." After citing early campaign spending by some of Bennet's fellow Democratic incumbents, NRSC spokesman T.W. Arrighi said in a statement: "The money tells the story. Republican primaries havent even concluded in so-called blue states like Colorado, Washington, and New Hampshire, yet Democrats are throwing millions upon millions of dollars early to stop the bleeding of incumbent senators. Democrat panic underscores their historic weakness, and at this point, no amount of money will save them. The spokeswoman for the group running ads about Hanks brushed off suggestions there is anything underhanded about the group's motives and told Colorado Politics that the ads are "educating our voters." "The general election starts in three weeks," Alvina Vasquez, a veteran Democratic operative and spokeswoman for Democratic Colorado, told Colorado Politics. "We want people to know what we think about the candidates now. The other side has gotten so out of step with Colorado, we cant let this go any further. People need to know." Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown said voters won't fall for the Democrats' "deceptive, dark money interference in our elections" and suggested the massive spending reveals how vulnerable Bennet and Polis are in what's shaping up to be a Republican wave year. Attempts to reach a representative of Colorado Information Network, the group running the ad featuring Lopez, were unsuccessful. A spokeswoman for Bennet declined to comment, and neither Lopez's campaign nor Polis' campaign responded to a request for comment. Both parties have histories of trying to sway the outcome of the other's primaries, usually by running ads attacking the less moderate candidates, who are considered easier to defeat in a general election. Colorado Democrats helped pioneer the approach in the state's 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary, when an outside group spent around $500,000 highlighting scandals that surrounded the frontrunner, former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, who lost the nomination narrowly to tea party-backed newcomer Dan Maes, whose campaign collapsed before the November election. National Democrats tried something similar in 2014 by attacking former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo for his conservative positions, but former U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez won the gubernatorial nomination after he blasted the "dishonest, negative attacks and underhanded tactics." The NRSC took the same tack in Colorado in the last election, albeit on a smaller scale, though it didn't work. In a billboard campaign and targeted ads that drew national attention, the Republicans linked Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff and other more left-leaning primary candidates to popular progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York congresswoman known as AOC. Former Gov. John Hickenlooper won the nomination and went on to deny Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner a second term. The state's education commissioner ordered a third party to take over the management of Colorado Springs Charter Academy Wednesday to ensure the school can open in the fall, citing problems with financial oversight and leadership. The head of the Colorado Department of Education, Katy Anthes, ordered Daniel McMinimee, the former Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent, to take over the duties of the school's board to address circumstances that pose a threat to the K-8 school's solvency, the order stated. He will be in place for 120 days and his leadership could be extended for an additional 120 days, the order stated. "The Commissioner finds that an emergency and a significant risk of irreparable injury exist," the order stated. Anthes wrote that the school is unlikely to have its budget for next school finished in time, contracts for teachers to start next school year are incomplete, only one senior-level administrator is in place, the school's board has seen significant turnover, and the school does not have an adequate plan to address the challenges. The school planned to hire a consultant to provide board and staff training, assess and document staff concerns, and rewrite policies over the next 30 days, the document stated. In 90 days, the consultant was expected to write a report and issue recommendations, and the school intended to hire a chief financial officer. The school has made no substantial progress toward those goals and, since the next school year starts in 90 days, Anthes found the plan would not address risks to the school in time. The Colorado Charter School Institute, the group that oversees the states charters, and CSCA's former school board president both called on the commissioner to use her emergency powers to intervene in the school prior to the order. Both the institute and former board president raised concerns following leadership turnover. Former Head of School Dan Ajamian left in December after the board voted 4-1 in favor of a motion to terminate, with option to resign, according to minutes from the Dec. 14 board meeting. Only the head of school has been replaced. Three other administrators, including the financial officer, also left in December. Volunteer board members took over some of those duties without proper financial controls in place. The commissioner wrote that while the work of volunteer board members to carry out financial tasks was well-intentioned, it was "ill-suited" to support the school's operations. The board also has seen significant turnover, with only one active officer remaining, treasurer Summer Groubert, who also is running in the Republican primary for House District 18. Enrollment in the school is on the decline, with 40 students leaving during the school year and enrollment trending down year over year, Anthes' letter stated. The problems have caused a lack of confidence among the staff, she wrote, and a neutral leader could help address some of the problems. The school has the option to appeal the order in district court, but the board has not made a decision yet, said Dustin Sparks, with the Charter School Law Group, who is working with the academy. "It is frustrating the commissioner would exercise these extreme powers," he said. A takeover of this kind has only happened once before in the state, he said. The school had a good plan, he said, and it could have been executed on a faster timeline if needed. Current board members will stay in place with limited powers under the order, he said. McMinimee will have power over most operational decisions and could ask for the commissioner to remove or replace board members as part of his work, under state law. Once a final decision is reached pending an appeal, Sparks said, he expected the school would take a collaborative approach to solving problems. Groubert said in an interview Tuesday she believed the school could function without outside management. Weve got amazing teachers who love their jobs, and we have some of the highest reading scores in the state, she said. Weve accomplished this with an autonomous board, and I think we should be allowed to continue. Voters in Winnebago County headed to the polls on June 7 for the primary election. The Winnebago County Auditors office released unofficial results because vote counts were one vote over at Buffalo Centers Grant and Lincoln Township precincts and three votes over at Lake Mills Center Township precinct. In a June 9 meeting, supervisors approved a ballot recount at both polling sites, using the same vote scanners. County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Karla Weiss said that older mother boards appear to have contributed to paper jams in the ballot tabulators. Even though I dont think its going to change the vote count, were going to do an administrative recount to make sure everything is perfect, Weiss said. Three poll workers one Republican, one Democratic, and one with no party affiliation were to help conduct the recount later on June 9. Weiss noted that although the vote count went up when ballots were refed, no ballots would have been counted twice. The reported results included 1,434 total ballots cast (1,120 Republican, 314 Democratic). On the Republican side, for Winnebago County Board of Supervisors District 1, Terry Durby received 163 votes (50.15%) and Marvin Gudmonson received 162 votes (49.85%) in district precincts. Gudmonson requested a vote recount, which Weiss reported would commence on Monday, June 13. For Winnebago County Board of Supervisors District 3, Bill Jensvold ran unopposed and received 316 votes in district precincts. For Winnebago County Recorder, Shanna Eastvold received 582 votes (54.34%) and Rita Schutter received 489 votes (45.66%). For Winnebago County Treasurer, Julie Swenson ran unopposed and received 1,030 votes. For Winnebago County Attorney, Kelsey A. Beenken ran unopposed and received 1,023 votes. For U.S. Senator, Charles Grassley received 722 votes (65.22%) and Jim Carlin received 385 votes (34.78%). Statewide, Grassley won the nomination. Randy Feenstra ran unopposed for United States Representative District 4, receiving 1,017 votes. Kim Reynolds ran unopposed for Iowa Governor and received 1,045 votes. Paul D. Pate ran unopposed for Iowa Secretary of State and received 1,019 votes. For Iowa State Auditor, Mary Ann Hanusa received 541 votes (54.32%) and Todd Halbur received 455 votes (45.68%). Statewide, Halbur won the nomination. For Iowa State Treasurer, Roby Smith ran unopposed and received 994 votes. For Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig ran unopposed and received 1,000 votes. For Iowa Attorney General, Brenna Bird ran unopposed and received 994 votes. Dave Rowley received 582 votes (58.43%) and David D. Dow 414 votes (41.57%) for State Senator District 5, with Rowley winning the nomination. For Iowa State Representative District 9, Henry Stone ran unopposed and received 1,029 votes. Democratic results On the Democratic side in Winnebago County for United State Senator, Abby Finkenauer received 170 votes (54.66%), Michael Franken received 127 votes (40.84%) and Glenn Hurst received 14 votes (4.50%). Statewide, Franken won the nomination. For United States Representative District 4, Ryan Melton ran unopposed and received 303 votes. For Governor of Iowa, Deidre DeJear ran unopposed and received 300 votes. For Iowa Secretary of State, Joel Miller received 211 votes (69.41%) and Eric Van Lancker received 93 votes (30.59%). Statewide, Miller won the nomination. For Iowa State Auditor, Rob Sand ran unopposed and received 301 votes. For Iowa State Treasurer, Michael L. Fitzgerald ran unopposed and received 303 votes. For Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, John Norwood ran unopposed and received 295 votes. For Iowa Attorney General, Tom Miller ran unopposed and received 307 votes. For Iowa State Representative District 9, Joseph Tillman ran unopposed and received 296 votes. For full election results in Iowa, visit https://sos.iowa.gov. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DES MOINES Todd Halbur, a former state government worker from Clive, was victorious in the Republican primary in the campaign for state auditor. At just before midnight Tuesday, with all but one of the states 99 counties reporting, Halbur led Mary Ann Hanusa, 51% to 48.7%, according to preliminary state results. Hanusa conceded the race just before midnight. Halbur will challenge incumbent Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand in this falls Nov. 8 general election. During the primary campaign, Halbur said he believes the reporting of fraud, waste and abuse across all government agencies in Iowa needs more training and streamlining. He proposed an anonymous, third-party 800-number for Iowans to report abuses. Halbur also wants to increase the frequency of state audits of smaller local governmental agencies. Currently, Iowa communities under 2,000 population with a budget of less than $1 million are audited at least once every eight years. This is way too long between audits, Halbur said during the campaign. I would work with the Legislature to move this to every two years so we would be able to catch any errors, omissions or fraud quicker, in order for us to take corrective action and save the taxpayer money. Sand is completing his first, four-year term as auditor and is seeking re-election. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sorry! The requested post has been removed or deleted by its author. The editor of a local newspaper found that his paper's readership was declining because most articles did not address issues that directly impact readers' lives. To increase readership, the editor decided to print more articles about issues facing the local public school system and contentious school board budget meetings.Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest reason to expect that articles focusing on local public schools and the school board budget will succeed in attracting readers?A. One of the core missions of the local newspaper is to inform local residents about the school board and the public school system.B. In order to make informed voting decisions, local residents need to be informed about the school board budget and its impact on the public school system.C. School board meetings are open to the public and make the minutes of every budget meeting readily available to the public.D. The number of local residents who read newspapers today is smaller than it was ten years ago.E. The vast majority of the local paper's readership is either employed by the local public school system or has children who attend local public schools._________________ Virginia will receive $220 million in federal grants to build out its broadband telecommunications networks to offer affordable high-speed internet service across the state. The U.S. Treasury announced on Tuesday that Virginia would be one of the first states in the country along with West Virginia, New Hampshire and Louisiana to receive grants from a $10 billion capital projects fund created in the American Rescue Plan Act that President Joe Biden signed into law 15 months ago. The grant to Virginia was the largest of the four and will allow the state to expand high-speed internet service to almost 78,000 homes and businesses, about 28% of the users still lacking broadband access in the state. Virginia officials already had anticipated the grant when then-Gov. Ralph Northam proposed to use more than $700 million to expand broadband networks, including $500 million from the $4.3 billion the state received from the American Rescue Plan to help states, cities and other localities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The state will use the money to provide grants to local and regional broadband projects through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative, which also is expected to benefit from a $65 billion fund created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand high-speed internet networks and make access to them affordable for families that previously have been left behind by either location or income. Its not going to be a question of lack of capital, said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., in a conference call conducted by the White House on Monday afternoon to preview the grant announcement. Under the program, internet providers must deploy networks with service at minimum speeds of 100 megabits per second for downloading or uploading data. They also must participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program to provide service for no more than $30 per month to an estimated 48 million families eligible for the discount across the U.S. VATI, as the state program is known, receives applications from local governments, which partner with internet service providers and utilities to expand broadband access to residents. In the next few years, there should not be any excuse why virtually every home ... shouldnt have full high-speed broadband connectivity at an affordable rate, Warner said. Weve just got to make sure we implement it well. Warner highlighted the importance of the grant by touring Northern Virginia Community Colleges medical education campus in Springfield with Gene Sperling, senior adviser to Biden. They viewed a hybrid course in radiation oncology that high-speed data networks will allow students to attend at Virginia Western Community College in the Shenandoah Valley as well as the Northern Virginia campus. The White House highlighted the roles that Warner; Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; and Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., played in the passage of both the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Biden signed in October as a bipartisan legislative achievement. There shouldnt be any American left out, said Manchin, whose state received a $136.3 million grant from the capital projects fund. Evan Feinman sees a big payoff for the telecommunications program he helped establish in Virginia as broadband adviser to Northam, as well as the states share of the national broadband equity access and deployment program he will direct for the Biden administration. In addition to the American Rescue Plan funds already allocated by the General Assembly and the new grant, he said the state will be in a position to benefit from the funds for broadband under the infrastructure act. Virginia is hugely advantaged by the head start it has relative to other states, Feinman said Monday. Michelle Heughins, a former nurse at the Forsyth County Jail, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Forsyth County Superior Court to involuntary manslaughter in the 2019 death of John Elliott Neville of Greensboro. Nevilles death led to protests in summer 2020, criminal charges against her and five former detention officers and a federal wrongful-death lawsuit. Innocent, Heughins said loudly in Courtroom 5A, when Assistant District Attorney Elisabeth Dresel asked her attorney, James Cooney III, how his client was going to plead to involuntary manslaughter. Cooney quickly followed with, Not guilty. But in court papers filed last week, Heughins, 46, is not just declaring innocence; she is asking a judge to do a number of things, including dismissing the indictment of involuntary manslaughter she is facing and moving a yet-to-be scheduled trial out of Forsyth County for fear that she wont get a fair trial. Neville, 56, died Dec. 4, 2019. Prosecutors and a federal lawsuit allege that Heughins and detention officers ignored his medical distress. According to prosecutors and the lawsuit, detention officers pinned Neville in a prone restraint in a cell for nearly an hour while Neville told officers that he could not breathe. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. did not publicly acknowledge Nevilles death for six months until the Winston-Salem Journal asked questions about it. Kimbrough said he kept quiet about Nevilles death partially because of a request from attorneys for Nevilles family. Over the summer in 2020, Triad Abolition Project led a 49-day occupation of Bailey Park and 55 people were arrested during protests in downtown Winston-Salem. Out of six people that Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill charged with involuntary manslaughter on July 9, 2020, Heughins remains the only one facing a current criminal charge. On April 4, a Forsyth County grand jury declined to indict five former detention officers with involuntary manslaughter Lt. Lavette Maria Williams, Cpl. Edward Joseph Roussel, Officer Sarah Elizabeth Poole, Officer Antonio Woodley Jr. and Officer Christopher Bryan Stamper. Heughins worked as a registered nurse at the jail through Wellpath LLC, the jail's former medical provider. Heughins and Wellpath are the remaining defendants in the federal wrongful-death lawsuit that John Nevilles son, Sean Neville, filed in September 2021. Late last month, a $3 million settlement was reached with the five former detention officers, Kimbrough and the county. A hearing is scheduled for June 23 in U.S. District Court in Greensboro so that a judge can consider approving the settlement. On Thursday, Heughins appeared in court for an arraignment, which is when prosecutors tell her what she is charged with and ask how she wants to plea. It was her first official appearance in Forsyth County Superior Court since she was indicted in April. Her attorneys had requested a hearing for her arraignment. What happens next is a typically long journey toward either a trial or negotiations for a plea. No trial date for the criminal charge was set Thursday, and it was not immediately clear when Heughins next court date will be. However, it was abundantly clear from the motions her attorneys have filed that Heughins is gearing up for an intense legal fight to clear her name. Motion to dismiss indictment Heughins argues in a motion to dismiss filed by her attorneys on June 3 that she should never have been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Her attorneys, Cooney, Claire J. Rauscher and Ripley Rand, allege in court papers that Heughins was on duty on the morning of Dec. 2, 2019, when she was called to Nevilles cell to provide treatment. When she got there, she saw members of the Forsyth County Sheriffs Offices Special Response Team, which specializes in custodial restraint of jail inmates. Under the sheriffs policy at the time, the SRT team had complete tactical control and members of the team only took orders from the team leader, according to the motion. That meant Heughins had no authority to give orders or to intervene in any way without the teams permission. According to the motion, even though she was told that Neville had fallen from his bunk, he had no obvious signs of physical injury consistent with a fall from the upper bunk onto a concrete floor. Neville was confused and not able to respond to Heughins attempts to calm him and do a complete physical examination, attorneys wrote in the motion. When it became apparent that Neville would not cooperate with an examination, and as Neville kicked, hit at, attempted to bite, and spit on the Detention Officers, the SRT instructed Nurse Heughins to leave the cell and secured him for transportation, via transport chair, to an isolation cell for observation. Detention officers had found Neville shaking and sweating, with vomit on his clothes and blood around his mouth after his cellmate notified them that he had fallen. According to video recordings, Heughins and several other detention officers surrounded him and then Heughins did a sternal rub a painful stimulus of the chest using her knuckles. Neville woke up but was incoherent and confused. He struggled with detention officers, who told him that he was having a medical emergency and that he was not in trouble. The videos show detention officers restraining Neville, with Poole placing her knee on Nevilles shoulder. Another detention officer had his arm across Nevilles face. At some point, one of the detention officers said Neville was trying to bite and a spit mask was placed over Nevilles face. Neville cried out, Mama and then says, I cant breathe. He was taken to a multipurpose room on another floor of the jail, where Heughins tried and failed to get his blood pressure. Then Neville was taken to another cell, according to the motion. There, detention officers removed Neville from the restraint chair, though he was still shackled and handcuffed, and walked him into the isolation cell. He was asked to kneel on a mattress on the floor, and the SRT then began the process of transferring his restraints, according to the motion. Nurse Heughins was unable to enter the cell during this process. The SRT elected to place Neville on his stomach on top of a mattress located on the floor of the cell, bending his legs in the process while keeping him shackled and handcuffed. His shackles were removed and detention officers started to take his handcuffs off. The handcuff key broke. They tried another handcuff key but that broke as well. A set of bolt cutters was used but they did not work. It took another 11 minutes before the detention officers were able to get a second set of bolt cutters and remove the handcuffs. According to the motion, Heughins was not allowed in or permitted in the cell during this time, and because five detention officers were restraining Neville and trying to cut off his handcuffs, she was unable to observe him in any significant way. I cant breathe Nearly seven minutes into a second video that was publicly released, Neville said he couldnt breathe. Over the next three minutes, he said the phrase another 27 times. Roussel told him, Youre breathing because youre talking and yelling. John, you need to stop. At nine minutes and 10 seconds into the second video, which began around the time Neville was taken into the cell, Neville appeared to say, Im going to die." It was only after jailers stripped Neville of his blue jumpsuit and left the cell that Heughins was allowed inside to check Nevilles breathing, according to the motion. She found a pulse. After the cell door was closed, Heughins continued to monitor Neville from a cell window. According to video, she said, I cant tell if hes breathing, and went back in. Neville moaned as the detention officers came back into the cell and started emergency medical procedures. They flipped him on his back, and Heughins started performing CPR. According to the motion, she asked the jailers to call 911 and request an ambulance as she administered chest compressions and tried to breath (sic) for him." Heughins attorneys said that because of the policies at the time, she had no ability to do anything more than what she did on the morning of Dec. 2, 2019. She had no authority to give commands. Consequently, under the Policies and Procedures imposed by the Sheriff of Forsyth County that were in effect in December 2019, in the case of a medical emergency when both the SRT and the health care professional were required to respond, the health care professional was charged with attempting to assess the inmate, while the SRT Team Leader was charged with total control over all operations and tactics, attorneys wrote in the motion. Since Heughins had no authority or ability to intervene, she should not have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, the attorneys argue. On June 30, 2020, just four days after Kimbrough first publicly acknowledged Nevilles death, the sheriffs office changed its policy so that medical personnel shall be afforded full medical autonomy to make decisions and take necessary action to ensure someones health and well-being. On July 9, 2020, the day that Heughins and the five detention officers were charged, the policy was changed again so that it said, During a medical emergency, medical personnel become primarily responsible for the care of the individual. The officer at this point shall follow the direction of medical personnel and grant the preservation of life priority over all matters, according to the motion. In other motions that have been filed, attorneys seek permission for Heughins to inspect, photograph and examine the alleged crime scene. They are also asking for a change of venue, saying that Heughins has been subjected to extensive and inaccurate media coverage that would prevent her from getting a fair trial. A judge has not ruled on any of those motions. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An East Helena man who pleaded guilty to receiving more than $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans for coronavirus relief aid and using the money instead for personal benefit was sentenced June 7 to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, officials said. Trevor Gee Lanius-McLeod, 48, pleaded guilty in late 2021 to bank fraud and to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris of Great Falls also ordered $1,000,043 restitution, $125,000 of which will be paid jointly with co-defendant Kasey Wilson who was sentenced in March to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provided emergency assistance to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The loans were guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. The government alleged that beginning in April 2020, Lanius-McLeod devised a scheme to fraudulently obtain money from the PPP. He applied for four PPP loans through Valley Bank of Helena. In the applications, Lanius-McLeod made false and material statements to get nearly $1,043,000 in fraudulent funds from the four loans. Lanius-McLeod also applied for and received a PPP loan for $349,000 on behalf of Renovated Montana Properties LLP, an entity Lanius-McLeod controlled, court documents stated. Without the false statements, Lanius-McLeod would not have qualified for a PPP loan, prosecutors said. The defendant falsely stated that Renovated Montana Properties LLP had paid payroll taxes and had 25 employees. The company never paid payroll taxes and had no employees besides Lanius-McLeod. The government further alleged that in a promissory note, the defendant agreed to use the funds for business-related expenses. None of the loan money was used for these purposes. Instead, the proceeds were spent on personal expenses, including the mortgage on Lanius-McLeods personal residence. During a trying time in our countrys history, Lanius-McLeod stole money from a government program designed to keep businesses afloat and lined his own pockets to the detriment of truly needy businesses, Laslovich said in a news release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and U.S. Secret Service. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Love 7 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 2 With help from $1.95 million in open space bond funds unanimously approved by the Lewis and Clark County Commission this week, Prickly Pear Land Trust expects to forever preserve 5 miles of shoreline along an iconic stretch of the Missouri River near Craig. Prickly Pear Land Trust requested the funds to help secure a conservation easement on the 4,000-acre Canyon Cattle Ranch, which is located along the west bank of the Missouri River from Craig to the Dearborn River. A press release from the land trust says 150,000 anglers float this stretch of what is the second-most popular fishery in Montana each year, and the ranch is home to bighorn sheep, elk, deer, bears and turkeys. Under the proposed conservation easement, the Juedeman family would maintain ownership of the working ranch but development would be limited to a designated area tucked away from the river where homes already exist. Although the easement would not open up the ranch for public use, PPLT Lands Project Manager Travis Vincent previously told the Independent Record it would enhance the existing public access already available on the Missouri River. There will be no new development that youll ever see and none that will affect the wildlife, he said. Prickly Pear Land Trust Executive Director Mary Hollow said the easement was previously valued at an estimated $3.7 million but will likely be appraised for more due to rising land costs. Part of the project will be funded with $1.95 million of the $10 million open space bond approved by county voters in 2008, she said, and the Juedeman family has agreed to donate the rest of the easement's value. When our parents first became stewards of the land we call the Canyon Cattle Ranch, houses were few and far between, and working ranches were the norm. Since then there has been a tremendous amount of development near Craig, and our ranch is one of the last remnants of the largely wild places of our youth," the Juedeman family said in a statement. "Our family is united in wanting to see that this wildlife- and vista-rich landscape remains undisturbed by development, and stays the paradise we first laid eyes on 50 years ago. Hollow said more than 600 letters of support for the project were presented to the county commission. She expects the closing on the easement to happen within the next month. Prickly Pear Land Trust seeks to preserve and protect the rural character of land in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater and Powell counties. Editor Jesse Chaney can be reached at 406-447-4074, or find him on Twitter: @IR_JesseChaney. Love 9 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Selis-Qlispe tribal elder Tony Incashola Sr., a tireless advocate for the preservation of language and culture, died Tuesday. He was 75. Incashola served as the director of the Selis-Qlispe Culture Committee since 1995 and began working with the committee around the time it was created in 1975. Under his leadership, the culture committee gained regional, national and international recognition for its work in language, history and ethno geography. As director, Incashola also led consultations with various governmental entities and organizations. Members of the Selis-Qlispe Elders Cultural Advisory Council regarded Incashola as a chief. A Vietnam War veteran and former tribal councilman, Incashola was also the first Native American to open a session of Congress with a prayer, according to a news release from the tribes. Tom McDonald, chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, likened Incasholas cultural knowledge to an encyclopedia and said his passing leaves a huge void in the community. Shane Morigeau, who handles communications for the tribes, said Incashola was inclusive, kind, loving and compassionate. He made me feel that thats how we are as Selis-Qlispe people, and I prided myself in trying to live like Tony, he said. When I think of Selis-Qlispe people and how we live our lives, I think of Tony and how welcoming and respectful he was. He really treated people well. The tribal council said in a statement that Incashola will forever be remembered for his tireless work and dedication to preserve, protect and perpetuate the culture, history and language of our Selis and Qlispe people. Flags on the Flathead Reservation were flown at half-staff honoring Incashola. Incashola is survived by his wife of 48 years, Denise (Brown), their children Daren, Brian (Aspen), Brandy and Tony Jr. (Kim); foster children, Destry Henderson (Peggy) and Marietta Meuli (Jeff); "special daughter" Marlene Lafromboise; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many unofficial children and grandchildren who felt like family. Incasholas wake will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the Long House, 71 Blind Barnaby St. in St. Ignatius. He will be buried at Old Catholic Cemetery in St. Ignatius after the services Friday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Yellowstone National Park announced on Thursday that a mountain named in honor of a U.S. Army lieutenant who participated in the slaughter of a band of Blackfeet Indians in 1870 is now named First Peoples Mountain. "This name change is long overdue," Stan Grier, chief of the Piikani Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy, said in a statement. The announcement follows a 15-0 vote affirming the change by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the federal body responsible for maintaining uniform geographic name usage throughout the federal government. First Peoples Mountain is a 10,551-foot peak within Yellowstone National Park east of Yellowstone Lake in the southeastern portion of the park. The peak was previously named after Gustavus Doane, a key member of the Washburn-Langford-Doane expedition that explored the Yellowstone area in 1870, prior to it becoming Americas first national park. Research has shown that earlier that same year, in response to the alleged murder of a white fur trader, Doane participated in the U.S. Army attack on a band of Piegan Blackfeet. During what is now known as the Marias Massacre, at least 173 American Indians were killed, including many women, elderly tribal members and children suffering from smallpox. Doane wrote fondly about this attack and bragged about it for the rest of his life. Chief Grier called Doane a "war criminal" and added he looks forward to Ferdinand Hayden's name being removed for advocating the "extermination" of Native Americans. A geologist, Hayden conducted a survey of Yellowstone in 1871. His name is attached to the Hayden Valley between Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. "I look forward to Hayden Valley being renamed Buffalo Nations Valley," Grier wrote. Based on recommendations from the Rocky Mountain Tribal Council, subsequent votes within the Wyoming Board of Geographic Names, and with support of the National Park Service, the name was forwarded to the BGN for a vote in June 2022. The name change will be reflected in The Domestic Names Geographic Names Information System in the coming days. Yellowstone conducted outreach to all 27 associated Tribes over the past several months and received no opposition to the change nor concerns. In 2017, tribal representatives gathered at Yellowstone's North Entrance to advocate for geographical name changes. Yellowstone may consider changes to other derogatory or inappropriate names in the future. In 2021, the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council wrote Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland advocating for place name changes in Yellowstone, saying they "cause immense offense and trigger significant historical trauma amongst Tribal people." The group also asked Haaland to have the Park Service produce more interpretive signs and roadside exhibits to educate visitors about the "Indigenous connection to the landscape." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 KYIV, Ukraine Howard Buffett is in Ukraine, offering support to rebuild the war-torn country along with a token from his days as sheriff of Macon County. You are the top law man here in Ukraine, so Im giving you my old sheriff badge from when I was sheriff, Buffett told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday. Thats for you. So, no one can question, youre No. 1, youre always No. 1. Zelenskyy said on social media that the two discussed projects that would restore the water distribution system in the Black Sea city of Odesa; support Ukrainians who have been displaced from their homes; help rebuild Ukraines infrastructure; and remove landmines. Buffett, the son of billionaire Warren Buffett, was appointed Macon County sheriff in 2017 to fill the final 14 months of retiring Sheriff Thomas Schneider's term. Buffett, who lives in Decatur, considered a run for the position in the upcoming election, but was prevented from doing so because he didnt meet newly enacted requirements. Through the Howard G. Buffett Foundation he has funded numerous community projects and made donations to groups in and around Macon County. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact Scott Perry at (217) 421-7976. Follow him on Twitter: @scottperry66 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 DECATUR Jealous that a rival gambler in an illegal Decatur dice game was ahead by $10,000, prosecutors say Jerome D. Jones helped rob him of his winnings at gunpoint. The 51-year-old victim is then described as pursuing the fleeing robbers in a car chase that ended when his car was hit by gunfire and he crashed after hitting a curb and deflating two tires. Jones, 29, appeared Wednesday in Macon County Circuit Court and pleaded not guilty to one charge of armed robbery and two counts of robbery in the incident, which dates to March 7. Judge Rodney Forbes found probable cause to try him after listening to preliminary hearing testimony from Decatur police Detective Bryan Kaylor. Questioned by Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter, Kaylor said the dice game had been in progress in the back of a building in the 1200 block of North Edward Street. Kaylor said the victim described a 33-year-old man, an alleged accomplice of Jones, as initiating the robbery. ...This (accomplice) produced a handgun and took money from him by force because he was winning he indicated that they took about $10,000, is that correct? asked Rueter. Yes, replied the detective. An arrest warrant for Jones provides further details, describing how the defendant had been told to grab all the money. It says he went further, not only scooping up the winnings but also cleaning out the victims pockets and robbing him of his cellphone. Kaylor said police later confirmed the victims car had a bullet hole in it but had lost the bullet in an inaccessible part of the engine while trying to retrieve it. But there were four shell casings recovered along the path of the car chase as described by (the victim)? asked Rueter. Yes, replied Kaylor. Cross-examination by defense attorney Steve Jones, however, showed the case had become more complicated since the robbery. Responding to questions from Jones, Kaylor said the victim had initially told police he was 200% sure that Jones and the accomplice had robbed him. And then subsequent to that date, (the victim) indicated that in fact it was not (the accomplice) who was one of those individuals, correct? The detective confirmed that was so. Did he ever state why he thought he was mistaken, was there any conversation about that? added Jones. To my knowledge, no police have been able to make contact with him to get any clarifying information from (the victim), replied Kaylor. A check of court records shows that the accomplice had had been facing charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, being an armed habitual criminal, armed violence and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. But all counts had been dropped at a court hearing May 4, although the states attorney was granted leave by the court to possibly reinstate charges at a later date. Rueter, rising to question Kaylor again on Wednesday, asked him: Even though (the victim) has indicated that he was mistaken on the identity of this (accomplice)... he has never wavered on his identification or knowledge of who Jerome Jones is and that he was present? That is correct, the detective said. Jones remains held in the Macon County Jail with bail set at more than $551,000. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing Aug. 4. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CHICAGO - Chicago police have arrested Andre Gonzalez, 35, in connection to a string of Northwest Side armed robberies in which the robber used the threat of a machete to scare victims into handing over their belongings, police Superintendent David Brown announced at a news conference Wednesday. Gonzalez, of the 10000 block of S Avenue C, was charged with four counts of armed robbery and is expected to appear in bond court later today, Brown said. Andre Gonzalez, a convicted felon who used a machete to rob people across the Northwest Side, has been taken off the streets, hopefully for a long time, Brown said. Brown said Gonzalez was taken into custody near his home on Monday following a traffic stop in which the car he used during the robberies was identified. He used his girlfriends car, Brown said, but it is unknown whether she knew about the robberies. The investigation is ongoing, Brown said. Police have released details about five of the recent attacks, although some reports say there have been as many as nine robberies committed by a machete-wielding man. The crime blog CWBChicago first reported on the attacks. Brown said Wednesday morning that Gonzalez went on a crime spree beginning on May 27 that lasted nine days. He said the robberies for which Gonzalez is now facing charges occurred on June 3, 4 and 5. One incident included two victims. After weeks of sporadic attacks in neighborhoods, including Irving Park, Avondale and Hermosa, authorities confirmed earlier Wednesday they had been questioning a person in connection with the armed robberies. Gonzalez has five previous felony convictions, Brown said, including attempted robbery in 2016 and two separate charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and vehicle in 2007. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 NAPERVILLE Coroners on Tuesday identified a suburban Chicago man who was fatally shot after the man charged a police officer with a hatchet during a traffic stop. The DuPage County Coroner's Office identified him as Edward C. Samaan, 28, of Naperville. The coroner's office has performed x-rays and an autopsy. The cause and manner of Samaan's death is still under investigation pending toxicology results, it said. Samaan was shot Friday. The officer was conducting a traffic stop at 11 a.m. when an unrelated vehicle pulled up next to the vehicle the officer had pulled over, the Naperville Police Department said. A man exited the second vehicle and charged the officer with a hatchet in his hand, it said. The officer fired their gun, striking the man, police said. The man, a white male in his 20s, was transported to an hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The officer, a 22-year-veteran of the Naperville Police Department, was not injured. Police say the DuPage County Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office are conducting an independent investigation into the incident. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO - Several witnesses said they saw a woman in a car swerving before she hit a bicyclist and fled the scene in the Near West Side neighborhood in April, prosecutors said during a bond court hearing Tuesday. Courtney Bertucci, 30, was charged with one felony count of reckless homicide and one felony count of failure to report an accident or death. Cook County Judge Jasmine Villaflor Hernandez ordered Bertucci held on a $150,000 bond, meaning she needs to post $15,000 bail to be released while awaiting trial, during the hearing broadcast on YouTube. Bertucci was charged with possession of a controlled substance immediately after the crash. That case previously went to bond court, and Bertucci was given a $10,000 bond, meaning she had to pay $1,000 to be released while awaiting trial. Bertucci failed to appear in court on May 13 and was arrested Monday in Addison by a fugitive apprehension team. On April 16, just after 10 p.m., three witnesses in a car driving behind Bertucci watched her run through two stop signs and swerve as they drove eastbound on Madison Street, prosecutors said in court Wednesday. As they approached Madison and Peoria Street, Bertucci allegedly swerved a second time into the westbound lane and struck Paresh Chhatrala, a 42-year-old man riding a bicycle, prosecutors said. Chhatrala flew onto Bertuccis windshield and his bike was lodged under Bertuccis car, prosecutors said. Chhatrala was later taken to a hospital where he was placed on life support for three days before he was pronounced dead, prosecutors said. The witnesses in the car driving behind Bertucci followed as Bertucci allegedly fled the scene. Another witness, a DoorDash driver, also allegedly saw Bertucci hit Chhatrala and followed her, prosecutors said. Bertucci eventually pulled over behind a parked car at 109 S. Aberdeen St., prosecutors said. The two drivers who followed boxed her in, the first stopping next to her and the DoorDash driver parking behind her. The witnesses, including two passengers in the first car, chased Bertucci when she tried to run away, prosecutors said. The witnesses told police the driver looked like she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, prosecutors said. Bertucci denied hitting anyone with her car when the witnesses started yelling at her, prosecutors said. The witnesses held Bertucci until officers arrived and arrested her. Officers found a small bag of what they suspected was heroin in Bertuccis car, prosecutors said. On their way to the police station, officers heard Bertucci talking on the phone. They stopped and took her phone and found more small bags of what they believed was heroin on her, prosecutors said. Surveillance video from the area allegedly shows Bertuccis vehicle striking Chhatrala, and Bertucci driving with a bicycle stuck to the front of her car. Bertuccis next court appearance will be June 24. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 HAMMOND Investigators say a mail thief made one big mistake leading to his arrest impersonating a mailman working on Sunday. Nurldon Green III, 29, of DeMotte, appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court to answer to felony charges of theft and impersonating a U.S. Postal Service employee. Green is free on bond and set to be formally arraigned Aug. 4 on criminal charges that carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. U.S. Postal Inspector Brian Lambka alleges in a complaint filed Tuesday that he enlisted the help of DeMotte police to capture someone stealing mail. He said members of the public had complained of missing mail and seen someone dressed as a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier and removing U.S. mail from roadside mailboxes around DeMotte. Lambka added the impostor was attracting attention he was out on Sundays, traditionally a day the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail to residences or businesses in the United States. Officers arrested Green at 5:20 p.m. Sunday at an undisclosed location in DeMotte wearing an official U.S. Postal Service uniform and satchel but lacking an official mail carrier vehicle or identification. Investigators found mail from various locations including Valparaiso, Michigan City, Demotte and communities in Illinois in Greens satchel. U.S. Magistrate Andrew P. Rodovich advised Green of the charges and penalties he faces and appointed a member of the courts federal defender office to represent Green at public expense after determining Green is eligible for the service. The U.S. Postal Service website stated they conducted 1,472 investigations of mail theft between the fall of 2020 and 2021, making 453 arrests and recovering more than $162,000 in stolen government checks and packages. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO The two candidates trying to return the Illinois secretary of states office to Republican control for the first time in 24 years offer voters contrasting pitches on why theyre right for the job. John Milhiser, 52, emphasizes his background as a state and federal prosecutor and says one of his goals is to restore peoples faith in government and in an office that he acknowledges has a history of corruption under both parties. Dan Brady, 60, is a funeral director and a state representative from Bloomington who says he will work to improve the nuts and bolts of an office that connects with citizens more than any other statewide agency. The winner of the June 28 GOP primary will take on whoever emerges from a four-person field in the Democratic primary for the office being vacated by Jesse White, one of the states most popular politicians, who is 87 and is retiring at the end of his term in January after 24 years in office. White took over from George Ryan, who went on to become governor only to be convicted in a wide-ranging corruption case that grew out of a licenses-for-bribes probe during his eight years as secretary of state. While Democrats have dominated Republicans in statewide elections in recent years, the partisan divide can be less stark in the race for an office that is service-oriented and not ideologically driven, said John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. The Republican nominee is not going to presumably have to answer questions about abortion rights and other complicated issues but is just going to probably say they manage the office professionally in a way that provides good services for Illinois, he said. Milhiser is part of a GOP slate hand-picked by allies of billionaire Chicago hedge fund manager Ken Griffin in an effort to topple the Democrats in the November general election. Last month, Republican candidate for governor Richard Irvin shifted $700,000 from his Griffin-funded campaign to Milhisers fund. In stump speeches, Milhiser echoes other candidates on Griffins slate in painting Illinois Democrats as a party of corruption long led by former House Speaker Michael Madigan, now under federal indictment in a bribes-for-jobs scheme involving electricity giant Commonwealth Edison. When you look at Illinois, were in dire need of ethical leadership statewide. When you look at the history of corruption and career politicians, we need to fix it. And this is the year were going to fix it, Milhiser told a crowd of about three dozen people last month during a meet-and-greet in Eldred, a rural town of about 200 people 80 miles southwest of Springfield. Who here thinks with the indictment of former Speaker Madigan, Well, now finally weve gotten rid of corruption in Illinois? he asked. No. Its still there. In an interview, Milhiser offered few specifics about his vision for running the office, aside from improving technology and streamlining services for customers. Instead, he emphasized a need to restore faith in government, something he said he learned was needed, in part, from his most recent job teaching at the Lawrence Education Center in Springfield. What that has taught me is that students dont trust government, Milhiser said. They think everybodys corrupt. They read the headlines. We have to fix this problem and this corruption in state government, he said. And the secretary of states office is where I can have the biggest impact. The Democratic primary race has been dominated by accusations of ethical shortcomings between Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. When you look at the Democrats side with the two front-runners, Anna and Alexi, who are pointing fingers at each other, arguing whos less ethical for the position ... we dont need a secretary of state coming in with this cloud of ethical concerns, Milhiser said. Milhisers wife is a Sangamon County judge and he was the countys states attorney prior to being named U.S. attorney for central Illinois in 2018. He was nominated for the position by then-President Donald Trump. As U.S. attorney, he oversaw several high-profile cases, including the 2021 indictment of ex-Republican state Sen. Sam McCann for fraud and other charges for his alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal gain. He also oversaw the 2019 conviction of Brendt Christensen, who was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and killing of Yingying Zhang, a visiting Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Milhiser also oversaw the prosecution of a secretary of state employee who was sentenced to 18 months in prison last year for defrauding that office and the Illinois Department of Revenue. Democratic President Joe Biden did not retain Milhiser as a U.S. attorney. Milhiser then took a job teaching government and English classes to students trying to earn their GEDs at Lawrence. Earlier he was with the Sangamon County states attorneys office, eventually becoming chief prosecutor and overseeing many drunken driving cases. I would travel to high schools all the time to talk to them about safety on a number of different levels, Milhiser recalled. But ... that office of secretary of state can be so powerful to go out into the community to give the message whether (it) be distracted driving or drunken driving, or a whole host of issues. Before acquiring the $700,000 in Griffin-funded contributions last month, Milhiser had about $274,000 in his campaign fund at the end of the first quarter, just slightly more than Bradys $243,000, according to state records. Milhiser said he plans to use the money from Griffin for TV and radio ads, among other things. Brady, who likes to point out hes not part of a slate, said secretary of state is an office Ive aspired to. This office touches more lives on a daily basis than any other constitutional office, he said in an interview. Brady is one of two deputy GOP leaders in the Illinois House of Representatives. He was the McLean County coroner from 1992 to 2000 and is a funeral director and part-owner of a Bloomington funeral home. He touts that experience in noting the secretary of states role in promoting organ donation. Despite acknowledging that the office does have a policing function it handles drivers license fraud and identity theft, and is in charge of Capitol security Brady took a subtle dig at Milhiser, saying, This office isnt about prosecuting people. I have an opponent that talks about that. Thats not what this office does. And what your past was is great and honorable, but this is an office about providing service to the public, Brady said. As a legislator, Brady had a reputation for being able to reach across the aisle. In the 2000s, Brady worked with a Democratic lawmaker and Jesse White on the states first-person consent law, which allows organ donors 18 and older to make their own decisions to donate their organs upon their deaths, preventing their families from overruling their wishes. In 2007, Brady supported legislation, sponsored by then-Democratic state Rep. Eddie Acevedo, to give special driving certificates to undocumented immigrants. The proposal narrowly passed in the House in a 60-54 vote but ultimately failed. It wasnt until 2013 when the General Assembly passed a measure, which Brady voted for, that was later signed into law by and then-Gov. Pat Quinn, to grant temporary visitor drivers licenses to immigrants without documentation. Republicans have traditionally favored more stringent immigration policies, but Brady was one of several Republicans who joined Democrats in supporting the measure when it passed in 2013. At least temporarily while theyre here, how do we train those individuals and possess some temporary licenses where we dont put others in danger? he said. While praising White, Brady said the secretary of states office needs better computer systems and a greater focus on cybersecurity to more effectively prevent drivers license or state ID data theft. With the secretary of state being Illinois official librarian, Brady has also talked about developing a better system for broadband Internet connectivity in libraries throughout the state, especially those in rural areas. Hes also called for more mobile drivers services for senior citizens. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Brady said he doesnt think Griffins largesse will put Milhiser over the top with voters. I dont believe Republican voters embrace the concept of a slate and embrace the concept of, We have the most money and we think we know whats best, he said. It just rubs people the wrong way. The secretary of states office in Illinois doesnt have an active role in elections, but Brady thinks it could do some things to preserve election integrity. Asked about unsupported claims believed by many Republicans that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, Brady said he doesnt know that to be the case, while saying there is certainly malfeasance in the election process. He said drivers license photos could be used to verify the identities of voters, rather than just relying on signatures. Several states, including Indiana and Wisconsin, require photo IDs to vote. Asked the same question, Milhiser said he would only speak for the Central District of Illinois, which he oversaw as U.S. attorney, where he did not see any evidence of widespread fraud that would overturn the election. Illinois is different than a lot of states where the secretary of state is not the election official. That is dispersed amongst 102 county clerks in Illinois. So, as secretary of state, well support them in whatever way we need to to make sure that we have free and fair elections and everybodys able to vote, he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A gunman entered a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, last month and fatally shot 10 people. Just 10 days later, a gunman entered an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and killed 19 students and two teachers. These horrific tragedies have two things in common: teenage suspects were able to legally purchase AR-15-style assault weapons, and the shooters used such guns to kill as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Under current law, a firearms dealer with a federal license may not sell a handgun to a buyer under the age of 21. When that law was passed in 1968, it had broad bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. However, this protection doesnt apply to military-style assault weapons. The minimum age to buy an assault rifle is only 18. Simply put, this disparity costs lives. If you cant buy a six pack of beer or a pack of cigarettes, you shouldnt be able to buy an assault weapon. Its long past time that Congress addresses this incongruence. Thats why we need the Age 21 Act, a bill to prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing assault weapons. President Joe Biden announced his support for the bill, and Im hopeful we can build bipartisan support for this common-sense measure. I first joined this bill in 2018 when it was introduced by Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona after a teenage gunman killed 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. I reintroduced it last Congress, when perhaps it could have prevented the Buffalo and Uvalde shootings. After the shooting in Buffalo, I introduced the bill again. It has no Republican co-sponsors in the Senate, but it does have broad public support. A recent poll by Politico showed 88% of Democrats and 68% of Republicans support a minimum age of 21 to purchase any firearm. Assault weapons like the AR-15-style rifle have become the weapons of choice for mass shooters, including in most school shootings. And as we have seen, its all too common in recent history for shooters to be teenagers or young adults. A New York Times analysis of mass shootings found that between 1949 and 2017, only two of the 30 deadliest shootings were committed by people under 21. Compare that with the last four years, when the gunman or suspect in six of the nine deadliest mass shootings was a man under the age of 21. Research illustrates why its so important to keep guns away from young people. Brain development extends well into the mid-20s, particularly development of areas of the brain used for judgment and impulse control. Too young to buy a handgun or alcohol and too young to buy assault weapons. There are dozens of gun safety bills before the House and Senate to address our epidemic of gun violence. These include proposals to outlaw hard-to-trace ghost guns, to support states in creating red-flag laws to identify threats, to prevent convicted domestic abusers from buying guns, and to ban silencers, assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. I support many of these measures. But the Age 21 Act in particular would address the problem of school shootings, where so many young perpetrators are often current or recent students, and yet are able to legally obtain weapons of war. I believe the American people are mobilized and motivated to ensure that we pass common-sense gun reform and that should include raising the age to purchase an assault weapon. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, is the senior U.S. senator from California. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 You may think youve seen every horror in Russias kit of war crimes against Ukraine (short of weapons of mass destruction). You havent. Moscow is blockading (or destroying) Ukraines port cities on the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea and preventing them from exporting grain. This has created a global food crisis. With a level of cynicism that makes Machiavelli look angelic, Vladimir Putin is trying to turn a made-in-Moscow food disaster into a weapon. He is blackmailing the West to drop sanctions or concede Russian domination over all Ukrainian ports, including Odesa in return for Russias ending its blockade. Neither NATO members, nor the United Nations, should permit Putin to profit from starving the worlds poor who depend on Ukrainian grain exports. The White House needs to focus on how to break Putins blockade now. On Monday, at a U.N. Security Council meeting, the European Councils president Charles Michel blamed Russia for using the blockade as a stealth missile against developing countries. This week, Russian missiles deliberately destroyed Ukraines second-biggest grain storage facility in the city of Mykolaiv, while Russian bombs and mines are preventing farmers from planting and harvesting. It is not possible for Ukraine to export its grain by rail or road; trains and trucks can carry only a small percentage of what the bulk ships can transport. So what is Putins game in trying to starve much of the world? For starters, Putin is trying to put the blame for the food crisis on Ukraine and on Western sanctions. Nonsense. If Russia hadnt launched its unprovoked attack on Ukraine and closed off Ukraines coast with its warships, Kyivs exports would be flowing. Moreover, Russias grain exports also critical to world supplies are not sanctioned, and can still exit from Russian ports on the Baltic Sea and on the Pacific. The Kremlin is also using the blockade to try to blackmail the West into accepting its control over Ukraines Black Sea coast. Russia has already captured two Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov Mariupol, which it razed to the ground, and Berdyansk. The Kremlins key strategic goal now so far unsuccessful is to seize Ukraines largest port, Odesa, on the Black Sea. Playing savior (from the crisis he created), Putin has proposed that Ukraine hand over its grain to the Russians, who will export it from occupied Mariupol. (Russian forces have already stolen 500,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat from territories they occupy and shipped it out of Russian-controlled Crimea.) Obviously, it is a nonstarter to reward the thief for marketing stolen goods. Putin has made an even more outrageous proposal. If Ukraine demines its coast removing a key defense of its shoreline the Russian naval forces will permit grain exports to leave Odesa. In other words, Putin says the world should recognize Russian control of the Black Sea, which grossly violates international law and threatens the economic survival of Ukraine. While Russian warships in the Black Sea are loaded with missiles, it is very dangerous to open Ukrainian waters for them, I was told by Ukraines U.N. ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya. If Ukrainian mines are disabled, he said, Russia could use this as an excuse even to land on Ukrainian shores. Kyslytsya said Ukraine would only demine its coast (after Russia removes its own mines) if Kyiv were given security guarantees from someone powerful that would escort incoming and outgoing merchant vessels to protect them from Russian attack. That powerful country would also need to guarantee that Russian warships would not make use of the demined channel to attack Odesa once commercial ships left. And this is very important the U.S. and European allies would have to finally deliver the anti-ship missiles that Odesa needs to hold off any Russian attack. What country is in position right now to provide such naval escorts? Only Turkey. A member of NATO, Turkey has reasonably good ties with both Russia and Ukraine. It also has a long Black Sea coast and international legal control over who can enter the Black Sea in wartime (via the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles straits). Will Turkey take on the huge role of shipping escort and security guarantor for Odesa, with or without other NATO members? Will Russia try to block, or misuse, Turkish intervention? Time is of the essence. July is a red line in the south of the Odesa region, I was told by phone by Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Ukrainian parliament member from Odesa. The harvest starts in July, and by the end of the month, there will be a big problem for grain storage. The farmers have grain but they cant sell it. Left unstored, grain will rot. Putin must not be allowed to succeed in his latest war crime. The time to break the Russian blockade of grain shipments from Odesa is now. Trudy Rubin is a columnist for the The Philadelphia Inquirer. trubin@phillynews.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As I observe America's response to the war in Ukraine, I am reminded of Truman's actions in the final weeks of WWII. The Russians had just destroyed everything in their path on there way into Germany, raped their way into Berlin and stole everything they could be hauled back to Russia. (Isn't it interesting how history repeats itself?) Shortly after assuming the presidency, Truman was finally told that the atomic bomb would be ready by late July or August. Truman was now faced with the most important decision of his entire presidency. Should he authorize the use of the bomb in the hope of a quick end to the war or proceed with the planned invasion of Japan in October of 1945? His top two generals, Eisenhower and MacArthur, were both opposed to the use of the bomb. Since both these generals were very popular at he end of WWII, Truman could have easily have taken their advice and opted for the invasion, but Truman knew the invasion of Japan was going to be a "blood bath" and decided to use the bomb. Truman realized early in his presidency that you should not always take the advice of your top generals. Unfortunately President Lyndon Johnson did not figure this out during the early years of the Vietnam War, Remember the phrase, " If you will just give us 50,000 more troops, we can win this war." If Biden had been president in the summer of 1945, I suspect he would have chose the invasion instead of the bomb. Truman would not have been in a debate about "offensive and defensive weapons." Truman even fired General MacArthur during the Korean War, maybe Biden should fire the general responsible for the poor planning of our withdrawal from Afghanistan? Robert Pickett, Decatur Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The D.C.-based Democratic Governors Association needs to butt out of Illinois state elections. Why are D.C. Democrats interfering in Illinois state primary elections? Because the Democrats love to try to choose the Republican that Republicans get to vote for. The Democrats want to pick the Republican gubernatorial candidate who will run against Democrat J.B. Pritzker in the November general election, a ploy used for years by corrupt former speaker of the Illinois house, Mike Madigan. With election day drawing near, I believe voters should be informed when making a decision for the Macon County Circuit Judge position. A lot of people do not understand the qualifications needed, and do not put a lot of focus on this important position in our community. I recently have learned a lot myself. The five Associate Judges who are appointed based on extensive, proven, experience in the courtroom work for the four Circuit Judges who are elected. A retirement has created a Circuit Judge vacancy and Associate Judge Rodney Forbes is running for the promotion. One local attorney is challenging Judge Forbes for the position on the Republican ticket. Interestingly, this candidate is not a judge and even more alarming has never had a jury trial, and has very little courtroom experience. As the mother of a law enforcement officer, I know the importance of this position. It is hard to understand that anybody with a law degree and no experience can get elected by friends and family to do a job they are not qualified for. Most of us would not be happy if somebody with no qualifications was elected to become our boss. I believe anyone wanting to be a Circuit Judge should take the initiative to get courtroom experience, and then apply for the Associate Judge position. The Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Advisory Poll ranked Rodney Forbes as recommended for the Circuit Judge position. Both of his opponents (one Republican and one Democrat) received significantly lower ratings with an overall ranking of not recommended. Over 100 attorneys who know the candidates and understand what is required of the position were very clear in their position to not recommend the unqualified candidates. See the results at ISBA.org. Rita Zindars, Decatur Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BRISTOL, Va. The city of Bristol, Virginia has agreed to enter into a consent order with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and develop plans to rectify issues with the city landfill. As part of that agreement, city officials announced Wednesday plans to stop accepting trash at the quarry landfill on Shakesville Road. Working toward closing the landfill was one of the over-arching recommendations of the expert panel, which completed its analysis and proposed a series of fixes in its April report. Mayor Anthony Farnum said Wednesday the city would begin the process of stopping the flow of trash. In that report, one of the items is a recommendation to cease accepting all waste to stop taking in trash. Were here today to announce the city of Bristol, in accordance with DEQ and the expert panel report, will begin the process to cease accepting waste at our landfill as work continues to alleviate the issue, Farnum said. Stopping wont occur immediately, Farnum said. We have to give proper notice to our other companies and localities that use the landfill. Youll see trucks going into the landfill tomorrow and the next day, but please know this process is beginning, Farnum said. The city of Bristol is committed to fixing this. This has really divided us. We are committed to healing our community and being able to come together again. We are committed to safely closing and capping this landfill for good. Farnum declined to take questions, so there was no explanation about where the city would take its trash once the landfill closes or how it expects to replace millions of dollars in revenues from accepting outside trash. Joel Kellog of citizens group HOPE for Bristol called this a good first step for the city. DEQ officials met with the city and SCS Engineers on Tuesday to discuss the expert panels recommendations to solve odor and other emission issues with the landfill. In a June 8 letter to city leaders, Southwest Virginia DEQ Director Jeffrey Hurst outlined his agencys discussions with city staff and consultants SCS Engineers. The city has until July 6 to provide a plan of action to DEQ, and the department anticipates having a fully executed enforcement action by August, according to the letter. We discussed potential enforcement options for the city, such as entering into a consent order with the department, to resolve previous notices of alleged violation and bring the citys integrated solid waste management facility into compliance with their referenced permits, while integrating and memorializing the recommendations from the April 25, 2022 expert panel report, Hurst wrote. As such, the departments intentions will be to incorporate the July 6, 2022 plan of actions timelines (once approved) and proposals into any future enforcement action. The letter noted these actions will include allowance and consideration of public comments and input, which was also part of the expert panels recommendations. At present, DEQ understands that the city agrees in principle to entering into an order and implementing the recommendations set forth within the April 25, 2022 expert panels report, which will additionally incorporate the citys July 6, 2022 plan of action, Hurst wrote. The city has additionally committed to some initial activities and associated timelines that will be incorporated into their July 6, 2022 plan of action response. Such additional commitments include, but may not be limited to: installation of the sidewall odor mitigation system within 365 days; installation of thermocouples in the waste mass within 90 days; to cease the acceptance of offsite commercial/industrial waste in the landfill within 90 days; and to install adequate intermediate cover in accordance with the Virginia solid waste management regulations within 90 days. The city agrees and understands as the parties continue to negotiate the terms of a future order it may be required to agree to additional items to comport with the expert panel recommendations, the plan of action, as well as all associated permits, Hurst wrote. DEQ and the city agree to continue to work towards a final agreement and enter into a future final order to resolve previous notices of alleged violation and integrate all expert panel recommendations, plan of action timelines, and any other requirements. The timeline for anybody who is in the severely affected areas is just too long. It really is, Kellog said. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HICKORY The Catawba Valley Community College Small Business Center will host a no-cost Tax Overview for Small Business webinar on Thursday, June 16, from noon to 1 p.m. The program will be in webinar format, allowing participants to participate from their computers and mobile devices. If you are operating or starting a sole proprietorship or LLC, you need to know which records you need to keep, which taxes youre required to pay, and how to make sure youre operating legally as you work with state and federal tax authorities. This webinar will provide a basic overview of key questions many businesses have and the filings they need to make. One of the three largest expenses on a dairy farm is raising replacements, and the greatest cost in that category is the feed it takes to get a heifer from birth to first lactation. It doesnt matter if you buy it or grow it, or if you raise your own replacements or farm them out, said University of Idahos Joe Dalton during the Dairy Calf and Heifer Associations annual conference. Feed is the largest expense of raising heifers. For this reason, a common objective on dairy farms is to reduce the number of days heifers are on feed, and the main way to do this is to lower the age at first calving. While a lower age at first calving often becomes the goal, Dalton reminded the audience what actually drives that benchmark. Age at first calving is determined by age at conception. Age at first calving is set by age at conception, he emphasized. To improve age at conception, Dalton noted that timing is important during each stage of the heifer rearing period. Theres the time it takes a calf to go from birth to entrance into the A.I. pen, and the time between entry into the pen and first insemination. Age at conception then drives age at first calving. Dalton said we manage lactating cows intensively during the voluntary waiting period, so that as soon as they cross that eligibility threshold, they can be inseminated and generate a pregnancy in a timely matter. He encouraged dairy farmers and heifer raisers to work on the left hand side of the voluntary waiting period, too. Theres no reason why we cant manage heifers in that immediate breeding period to gain an advantage on age at first conception, he said. He asked the farmers and heifer raisers in the audience to think about their criteria for moving heifers into the breeding pen. A big one is heifer development, which could be determined by age, weight, height, or a combination of factors. To assess these goals, a farm should have a way to measure growth. Facilities, animal flow, and personnel also factor into how soon heifers can be bred. He also emphasized the need for farms to know their current heifer performance metrics. That way, they know where they are starting from and can set reasonable goals. Dalton reminded farmers to focus on age at conception, not age at first calving, and strive to get heifers to this point sooner. He said it is important to recognize that a delay in conception not only elevates rearing costs, but it is a lost income opportunity when heifers take longer to enter the lactating herd. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022 June 6, 2022 By El Gibson Learning Opportunity UNM Prehospital, Austere and Disaster Medicine Program Coordinator Accepted into Selective Emergence Program Ever the challenge-seeker, Jake Debevec has always known he wanted to work in emergency medicine. Starting the Monday after he graduated high school, Debevec began his Health Sciences Center career as an emergency patient services technician at The University of New Mexico Hospital. He now works as a program coordinator for the Division of Prehospital, Austere and Disaster Medicine within the UNM School of Medicines Department of Emergency Medicine. Essentially, I support the operations that happen outside of the hospital walls, he said, referring to organizations such as the International Mountain Medicine Center, the Center for Disaster Medicine, the Emergency Medical Direction Consortium and the Dr. George Kennedy Law Enforcement Operational Medical Center. I think its pretty rare to find a place where the work that you get to do makes an impact thats bigger than yourself. Thanks to a new opportunity, Debevec is preparing for his next challenge. In January, Debevec learned he was one of 32 people (from more than 1,000 applicants) accepted into the Center for Homeland Defense and Security Emergence Program through the Naval Postgraduate School. The program, which will run seven months, from July to January, was created for Homeland Security and public safety professionals who are in the first half of their careers. Debevec will participate in educational forums and sessions exploring emerging trends, including social and political radicalization and the growing number and severity of natural disasters, according to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security website. (O)ne of their biggest goals is to create foundational skills that can be used in local communities. Im extremely honored and excited for the opportunity to work with people who are leading their careers in different parts of the country and be able to bring that back here to a state and community that I really care about. Jake Debevec Most of the programs classes will be conducted via Zoom after-hours or on weekends. There will also be two two-week, in-person sessions at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. Debevecs supervisor, Joy Crook, MD, MPH, is extremely supportive and flexible regarding the schedule, he said, and is doing everything to ensure he will be able to fully immerse himself in the program. The fact that Im continually supported here to grow as a professional and as an individual its amazing, he said. I think thats what makes UNM a great place to work and a great place to serve. Crook said shes excited for Debevec to participate in the learning opportunity. Mr. Debevec is a rising leader, and this program will provide a platform for his growth, she said. I cant wait to see where the future takes him. Debevec said he sees the program as an opportunity to represent New Mexico. We do a lot of great things here, and probably, more than anything, what that institution saw was an opportunity to make an impact here, he said. Im grateful and honored that I was the one chosen to do that. Categories: Community Engagement, Education, , The pandemic has fundamentally changed altered the dynamics in the local tech jobs market, creating unprecedented demand for tech talent in Australia. According to data from Aon Insights, several forces are coalescing to create a talent squeeze a burgeoning local start-up scene, the growth in digital transformation projects in many organisations, and the growing local footprint of international companies. The pinch is seeing in-demand talent able to command substantial wage rises, and with borders only just re-opening for immigration, theres no relief in the short term. Start-ups on the talent hunt Over the last two years, the local start-up scene has accelerated. With businesses undertaking $25m Series B and $100-200m Series C rounds now becoming commonplace, and unicorns being minted on a regular basis, theyre shopping for talent. These organisations are investing a significant portion of this funding into engineering and product talent, and have an imperative to hire quickly to build out their product offering, Aon noted. With digital transformation impacting the industry, as business and organisations scramble to adapt to the new pandemic-driven digital reality, its also driving demand for skills. Organisations across all industries are transforming digital processes in both back and front office functions, with many building customer-facing platforms and now require product owners, data scientists and security professionals, it noted. International companies moving into Australia and scooping up talent as part of these expansion plans is also contributing to the unprecedented demand for ICT professionals. "Recognising the outstanding quality of local talent, these global players are increasingly establishing research and development and product development capabilities in Australia, as opposed to simply running a local sales and service centre, the group said. Googles recently announced Digital Future Initiative which will bring in $1 billion over five years for a local research hub, and forge partnerships with the CSIRO and academia, is expected to invest a significant portion the funds on new tech hires, Aon noted. Paying a premium for new hires With a million tech jobs expected by 2025, the situation could get a lot worse before it gets better. Already the talent squeeze is seeing many organisations paying top dollar for new tech hires, according to Aons Radford Global Compensation Database, which includes data from more than 700 Australian organisations. Pay is on average 8 per cent higher for people hired in the past 18 months compared to the overall rate, with some particularly hot roles in the market pushing this premium up as high as 15-20 per cent. The in-demand roles include engineers as well as product owners, UI/UX roles, data science, cyber security and technical support vital skills to spur local innovation and help drive GDP growth. Salary budgets that have had low or no increases over the last few years is putting employees in the drivers seat to take advantage of the talent shortage. Aon data show that a midcareer employee in an existing job earning 5 per cent below market, when moving to a new organisation at the current median rate for new hires, can find themselves with a $20,000$30,000 jump in salary. When they move, however, the empty position must then be filled, while the organisation will need to pay the new hire premium to attract talent, and the cycle of attrition and recruitment continues to ripple across the industry. It is no surprise that employees are seeing an opportunity in the current market to make up for lost time and get a meaningful, potentially life-changing salary increase by moving externally, Aon said. The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus hosted its inaugural Leadership Cabarrus Homecoming, featuring the graduation of the Class of 2022s 34 members. The event on Tuesday was presented by Atrium Health and sponsored by CESI, Duke Energy, DecisionPath HR and Piedmont Asphalt and Paving. Leadership Cabarrus, begun in 1989, is a 10-month civic leadership development program for business leaders to educate and enhance the awareness of the assets, resources and needs within the Cabarrus County region. Through a series of monthly class days from September through May, participants learn how leadership in historical, educational, economic, governmental and cultural segments work together to advance our community. Since its inception, over 700 people have completed the program. Each year, the class works together on a legacy project that is designed to benefit the community in perpetuity. This years class chose two focus areas: design and implementation of a Leadership Cabarrus Alumni Association and a public art project featuring small, bronzed bears that would initially be located throughout the downtown Kannapolis area. The Alumni Association will invite all past Leadership Cabarrus graduates to join an annual group that will work together on a group service project, mentor fellow members, advise on future class projects and offer various networking opportunities. The dues collected through the program will serve as seed money for future class legacy projects. Alumni are encouraged to send their updated email information to Kippi Laws at The Chamber at klaws@cabarrus.biz or call 704-782-4000 to be included in the alumni directory and to receive future association information. The public art project will feature five small, bronzed bears at downtown Kannapolis locations. Each bear will be different to reflect the hosts business or industry. There will be a QR code on the bears for interested viewers to learn more about the history of the area and the business. The group will complete the bronzing and installation later this summer. Each year, our classes spend a great deal of time outside of program days organizing and executing unique legacy projects that have been very beneficial to our community, said Barbi Jones, executive director, The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus. This years class went well beyond expectations and excelled with two unique projects that will have far-reaching impacts. The time spent working together helps the members build long-lasting relationships while also giving back to the community they love. The inaugural Leadership Cabarrus Alumni Impact award, sponsored by Duke Energy, was presented to Erin Shoe, Class of 2008. She was recognized for the outstanding leadership she has demonstrated through her career at Cabarrus Health Alliance, particularly throughout the pandemic. Erins longstanding relationships and partnerships allowed for a quick response and collaboration to keep employees, partners and the community informed with up-to-date information and guidance through a variety of platforms, including social media, virtual town halls, and thrice-weekly cross-agency meetings, said Bonnie Coyle, Cabarrus County Public Health director. She demonstrated true leadership by leaning into the strengths and knowledge of her colleagues, maintaining a positive attitude, and keeping employee morale up during the scary and continuously evolving pandemic. The graduates of the Leadership Cabarrus, Class of 2022, are: Natalie Atwell, Natalie Atwell Counseling & Consulting Willmarie Austin, Girl Scouts Hornets Nest Council Taylor Brock, Cabarrus Meals on Wheels Jeremy Burleson, Cooperative Christian Ministry Rob Donham, Town of Harrisburg Jerri Fatticci, American Red Cross John Fontan, NASCAR Jessica Grant, Kannapolis City Schools Rodney Harris, Cabarrus County Government Iris Jones, Affinity Benefits Group Brad Konawalik, MassMutual Carolinas Bruce Lawing, Fairway Independent Mortgage Bethany Ledwell, City of Concord John LeGrand, Cabarrus County Schools Matt Long, Charlotte Motor Speedway Matt Love, Cabarrus County Government Kerry Motley, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Sean OBrien, NC Farm Bureau Insurance Angel Overcash, Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation Mary Beth Poplin, Atrium Health Cabarrus Heather Richter, Gordon, Keeter & Company Jenny Ripley, Cabarrus County Government Ashley Sedlak-Propst, Historic Cabarrus Association, Inc. Clint Shoaf, City of Concord Jason Sisk, Wayne Brothers Corey Sloop, Cabarrus Brewing Company Jodi Stracham, 73 & Main Lamarie Stripling, Westrock Coffee Greg Summitt, Kannapolis Fire Department Chrystal Swinger, Cabarrus Health Alliance Tim Thornton, Wild Birds Unlimited of Concord Daniel Wallace, Kannapolis Police Department L.J. Weslowski, City of Concord Katie Willett, Willett Legal, PLLC Applications for the Class of 2023 are open until Friday, June 24, at 5 p.m. and are available at cabarrus.biz/leadership. The cost for the program is $1,000 for Chamber members and $1,500 for nonmembers, with priority consideration given to members. For more information, contact Barbi Jones at bjones@cabarrus.biz. NASA is creating an independent team to study events in the sky that defy explanation, but it is not using the term UFO. Instead, theyre called unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), which doesnt have quite the same ring to it, but is considered more accurate. UAPs include anything flying or floating that cant be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective, NASA says. There is no evidence UAPs are extra-terrestrial in origin, NASA says. The nine-month project is considered important to national security and air safety, the agency reports. The study will focus on identifying available data, how best to collect future data, and how NASA can use that data to move the scientific understanding of UAPs forward, NASA said in a June 9 news release. The limited number of observations of UAPs currently makes it difficult to draw scientific conclusions about the nature of such events. ... Establishing which events are natural provides a key first step to identifying or mitigating such phenomena. The work starts in the fall and the team will use NASAs broad range of resources on the ground and in the sky. Astrophysicist David Spergel will lead the project, which NASA says is not part of the Department of Defenses Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force or its successor, the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group. However, NASA says it will coordinate with other government departments on how to apply what it has learned on the nature and origin of unidentified aerial phenomena. NASA also intends to share its discoveries with the public. Given the paucity of observations, our first task is simply to gather the most robust set of data that we can, Spergel said in the news release. We will be identifying what data from civilians, government, nonprofits, companies exists, what else we should try to collect, and how to best analyze it. While the UAPs are not considered extraterrestrial, NASA notes it has other missions in progress focused on the origins, evolution, and distribution of life beyond Earth. Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon on Friday MATTOON The next monthly Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon event is planned for late afternoon and early evening Friday, June 10. Community members are invited to head downtown to check out hot rods, four-wheel drive trucks and Jeeps, motorcycles, and more as the drivers cruise on Broadway and display their vehicles in downtown parking lots. SweeTeaz Traveling Tea Trailer is scheduled to be there from 3 to 9 p.m. Cruises are scheduled to be held on the second Friday of each month through October. More information is available on the Cruising Broadway Downtown Mattoon page on Facebook. Marshall City band concert MARSHALL The Marshall City Band will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, June 10, on the Clark County Courthouse lawn under the direction of Heather Setzer. The concert will feature The Crosley March, Aladdin, El Camino Real, In the Shining Stars, Explorations, Blues Brother Revue, On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, Emblem of Unity, Overture to a New Horizon, Footlifter, and conclude with The Stars-Spangled Banner. The band has been in continuous operation since 1875 with 50 band members from across the Wabash Valley. An ice cream social will be held in conjunction with this weeks concert along with popcorn from the Lions Club popcorn wagon. Come to Marshall early for The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerces Farmers Market to run each Friday from 4-7:30 p.m. around the courthouse square. Follow Marshall City Band on Facebook. Comedy show set for Charleston Elks Lodge CHARLESTON Kari Jones: The Comedienne is scheduled to present her standup comedy show at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Charleston Elks Lodge 623. Tickets are $10 per person. Seating will be limited to 80, so prospective audience members are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance via square.link/u/3FBUi6wM. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or card at the door at the event. Legacy Performing Arts rehearsal MATTOON Legacy Performing Arts of Central Illinois invites musicians from all over Central Illinois to perform in their upcoming "Michael Jackson" show. Rehearsals will held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at Broadway Christian Church in Mattoon in preparation for the the concert scheduled for Sunday, June 26, at the Burgess Osborne Auditorium in Mattoon. To participate in Legacy's upcoming rehearsal and concert, or learn more about Legacy, visit ChrisKMusic.com/Legacy, email LegacyPAEnsemble@gmail.com, or contact director Chris Keniley at 217-232-3786. L Embarras volunteer work day CHARLESTON The Embarras Volunteer Stewards will hold a workday from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at Lake Charleston. Meet at the parking near the spillway Work will be done on the hill above the shelter. All are welcome, and no prior experience is necessary. Sturdy footwear and gloves are recommended. Tools are provided. Visit www.embarrasstewards.org for more information. American Legion Quarter Auction scheduled MATTOON The American Legion Auxiliary will be hosting a quarter auction Thursday, June 16. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with bidding starting at 6:30 p.m. The auction will feature over 15 vendors with items including crafts, books, toys, purses, wallets, makeup, gift certificates, kitchenware. Profits from the action, held the third Thursday of each month, benefit American Legion Auxiliary projects. This month the proceeds will go to Family Adventure Ministry. The monthly quarter auction has brought in over $28,000 for the community projects. Food and drink will be available. Open to the public. The American Legion is located at 1903 Maple Ave., Mattoon. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Clint Walker Community Content Coordinator Follow Clint Walker 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 MATTOON Police are seeking information on the perpetrators of recent vandalism at Lawson and Peterson parks. The Mattoon City Council heard a report about this vandalism from council member Jim Closson, who is the park commissioner, during its meeting Tuesday night. He said vandals flipped over eight picnic tables and knocked over 12 trash cans on May 30 at Peterson Park, and they spray painted graffiti on bleachers and picnic tables that day at Lawson Park in addition to knocking over trash cans there. He said vandals then put graffiti again on Lawson's bleachers and picnic tables on June 1, plus the large electrical box there. "It takes a lot of time and expense, and our department is understaffed, to be cleaning things up and to go back two days later and redo it. It's very discouraging, actually," Closson said. Surveillance camera footage has been given to the police, Closson said. Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the Mattoon Police Department at 217-258-7901 during business hours Monday-Friday or at 217-235-5451 after hours and on the weekend. Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FREEBURG Three men called for a Lyft driver to pick them up in Freeburg, then stole his car at gunpoint, police said. Freeburg Police Chief Mike Schutzenhofer said officers were dispatched to the 7600 block of Jefferson Road at about 6:48 a.m. Tuesday. When they arrived at the scene, the 70-year-old Lyft driver told them his 2008 Mercedes E350 had been taken by three Black males, possibly between 18 and 20 years old. When the driver arrived on Jefferson Road, the three men were waving their hands to get his attention. They got the driver out of his car and displayed a weapon, he said. The victim was not injured, Schutzenhofer said. Capt. Matt Jany, director of the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, which has taken over the investigation, said police have not located the stolen vehicle. A photo of the vehicle has been released to the public. The car had an Illinois registration number AD95642, but the tags may not still be on the car, Jany said. Jany asks that anyone who thinks they may have spotted the car to call Investigator Clint Neff at 618-825-5428. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A state House bill has put on hold a new N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission rule that allows bear hunting within six state bear sanctuaries during two permitted annual seasons. Legislative analysts say the odds are very slim that Democratic-sponsored House Bill 1072 will be acted upon during what is expected the final four weeks of the 2022 session. Yet, the filing of HB1072 on May 25 began a process thats likely to prevent any hunting this fall within the five western N.C. and one eastern N.C. bear sanctuaries affected. The 2022 bear hunting periods for western N.C. defined as in and west of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke and Cleveland counties is Oct. 17 to Nov. 19, and Dec. 12 to Jan. 2, 2023. For Dare and Hyde counties on the eastern N.C. coast, the bear-hunting periods for 2022 are Nov. 12-27 and Dec. 10-25. HB1072 was filed at the request of California-based In Defense of Animals. The commission said in a statement Tuesday that HB1072 is part of the rule-making process, and we look forward to answering any questions the General Assembly may have. House Republican leadership sent HB1072 directly to Rules and Operations committee on May 27, which typically means a bill is being shelved for the current session. Rep. Pricey Harrison of Guilford County is lead primary sponsor of HB1072. If HB1072 were to clear the legislature and be signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper, it would prevent the rule change from taking effect. Harrison said she does not expect the bill to be taken up in the current session because it lacks bipartisan support. What it means The bill is a little-known legislative action known as disapprove, which serves as a formal objection to a rule or rule change by a state commission. It places a temporary hold on the rule or rule change. Harrison said filing a disapprove bill is our only tool to slow down a rule that might need some work. The proposal has drawn opposition from hunters, as well as animal welfare advocates. It does seem counterintuitive to open up sanctuaries to hunting, Harrison said. Even though the filing of HB1072 puts the rule change on hold, the statute states the rule would go into effect when designated if a disapprove bill is voted down, or if there is no action on the bill by the end of the current session. However, the rule change falls into one of the curious rabbit holes in administrative law, said Jeff Cherry, the legislatures principal staff attorney for legislative drafting. The disapproval mechanism is a way for the legislature to delay the effective date of a rule, based on the presumption that for controversial rules, i.e. ones that receive 10 or more letters of objection from persons who object to its adoption, the legislative branch should have the opportunity to weigh in before the rule becomes effective, Cherry said. A rule disapproval bill gives the legislature the opportunity to weigh in on the fundamental question, did we intend to give you the authority to adopt this particular rule? Because of the date it was adopted (Feb. 24), compared to when the short session started (on May 18), this rule cannot take effect before the 31st day of the 2023 long session. Cherry said that the fate of Harrisons bill will have no impact at all on that timeline unless her bill becomes law, in which case the rule would be permanently halted. Background The Wildlife Resources Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 24 on the controversial rule change. The Asheville Citizen Times reported March 1 that the commissions rule change was a move toward the states goal of managing bear populations and human-bear interactions. The newspaper reported the commission received significant pushback that questioned whether there is a population or interaction problem, the data used to justify the change, and how effective the hunting will be in accomplishing the agencys goals. The commission disclosed during the Feb. 24 meeting that just 11.5%, or 370 out of 2,744 public comments in just the Pisgah bear sanctuary were in support of the rule change. The rule was approved permanently by the state Rules Review Commission on May 19. Harrison filed HB1072 six days later, co-sponsored by Buncombe County Reps. John Ager and Caleb Rudow. One of the six affected bear sanctuaries is Pisgah in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Transylvania counties. Harrison said that I dont generally like to interfere with agencies, but there seemed to be some concern about the data the WRC relied on in adopting the rule. Bear management areas Key to the commissions rule change is that it replaces the phrase bear sanctuary with bear management area for all 22 current bear sanctuaries. According to the commissions rule, bear may be taken on posted designated bear management areas during the open season by permit only. The only bear sanctuary in the 14-county Triad and Northwest N.C. region is Thurmond Chatham in Alleghany and Wilkes. The six bear management areas where hunting would be permitted are: * Daniel Boone in Avery, Burke and Caldwell counties; * Dare in Dare and Hyde counties; * Mount Mitchell in McDowell and Yancey counties; * Panthertown Bonas Defeat in Jackson County; * Pisgah in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Transylvania counties; and * Standing Indian in Macon County. The In Defense of Animals advocacy group said Mount Mitchell and Daniel Boone sanctuaries already allow permitted hunts. The number of permits issued annually will be based on achieving population management objectives of the commission, according to the rule. The commission said in its 2021-22 black bear management plan that one of the most important developments in the recovery of North Carolinas black bear populations began in 1971 with the creation of a bear sanctuary system. The establishment of 28 bear sanctuaries at that time closed 800,000 acres of habitat to bear hunting. The idea behind the sanctuary system was to protect core areas of habitat that encompassed the relatively small home ranges of breeding females, according to the commission. Commissioners told the Citizen Times that bear populations have recovered and can support a higher hunting mortality. Mike Pelton, a bear researcher for more than 30 years and professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, told the Citizen Times that the commissions rule change feels like a rushed decision. The devils in the details on this whole issue in regards to more detailed information on whats going on out there, both on the sanctuaries and off the sanctuaries, Pelton said. Among those details Pelton listed are: how many hunters there are; whether theyre using dogs; where the bear kills happen; and statistics about the age, sex and condition of those bears. The advocacy group said the rule would allow hunters to use dogs to hunt black bears in their natural habitat. It would also have negatively impacted the economy since 45,000 small businesses rely on tourists to North Carolina, many of whom come to enjoy wildlife watching, the group said. Julie Massa, wild animals campaigner for the advocacy group, said that there is no need to kill bears since they self-regulate their breeding and naturally balance their populations. Harrison said that I do realize there is a problem with increased bear/human interactions, as we encroach on their natural habitat. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Have you thought about Malm, Kivik or Trotten? Swedish retailer Ikea is known for the distinctive names of its flat-pack home products. The company's Norway branch wants to use the brand's experience to help parents browsing the baby-naming department. Ikea Norway has built "a name bank" with more than 800 listings available on its website. The names are drawn from ones Ikea has given to its furniture instead of product numbers since 1948. "After all these years, (Ikea) has built up a large 'catalog' to pick from," Ikea Norway said in a statement. Ikea names its products after Swedish towns, lakes and other geographical features, but also uses names that have traditionally gone to people. The branch noted that while retailers saw "both a shortage of raw materials and challenges with delivery times" during the COVID-19 pandemic, "there is at least no shortage of children" in Norway. The Scandinavian country registered the births of 56,060 babies last year, or 3,081 more than in 2020. The increase creates "a challenge in finding unique names," Ikea Norway said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A 43-year-old Lincoln man and registered sex offender will serve decades in prison after being convicted of five felonies for offering marijuana to teenage girls in exchange for sexual favors. A Lancaster County judge Tuesday sentenced Terran McKethan to 100 to 125 years in prison for the acts, which took place between October 2020 and February 2021, when a 15-year-old girl told the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services she had been communicating with McKethan on the social media app Snapchat. McKethan had pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree sexual assault and one count of attempted child enticement with an electronic communication device. Those charges were amended as a part of a plea deal that saw a sixth charge dropped. In court records, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office investigators alleged McKethan, a convicted sex offender, posed as a 17-year-old on Snapchat while meeting young girls and offering them marijuana in exchange for sex acts. The 15-year-old who reported McKethan told investigators he picked her up in his car in December 2020 and drove around before parking and telling the teen, "You won't get the weed until the job is done," Deputy Tyler Loos said in the affidavit. The teen said she then committed sex acts in exchange for the marijuana, said Loos, who was among a handful of local Special Victims Unit investigators who watched McKethan's sentencing via Zoom on Tuesday. McKethan, who was sentenced to 20 to 25 years on each of the five counts, will serve the sentences consecutively, Judge Kevin McManaman ruled. With credit for 138 days served, McKethan won't be eligible for parole until 2072. Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Lincoln City Council on Monday will consider a motion to rescind the so-called Fairness Ordinance a broad update that extends protections to include sexual orientation and gender expression. City Councilman Richard Meginnis said he plans to introduce the motion to rescind the hotly debated ordinance that updates Title 11, the city's code that deals with equal opportunity in housing, employment and public accommodations. He will also move to rescind a more narrowly worded Fairness Ordinance that has been in limbo for a decade. Meginnis said he introduced the motions because he thinks its important to start with a clean slate and make the process more community-oriented and ensure everyone is involved in the discussion. Im doing it because I think its divisive, he said. I really believe our community is not ready to go to war on this at this point I just know theres a fear and people have been able to use this to drive a wedge between people in Lincoln. Meginnis is supported by at least two of his colleagues: James Michael Bowers and Tom Beckius, two of three openly gay members of the Council. Both support expanding protections, but say they listened to concerns of the transgender and nonbinary community. The majority of attacks on Title 11 or the fairness ordinance are based on lies and scare tactics against our transgender nonbinary community members, Bowers said, and those voices must be at the center of the next steps. After hard conversations and some devastating losses in our community, the message is clear, we must rescind the ordinance, continue to strengthen our relationships with honest conversations, support, and acceptance, and move forward as a united community for all, Bowers said. Beckius said the decision to vote to rescind is "heart-wrenching" but the right one for now. "Opponents have already used false and misleading information with no regard for the well-being of our transgender community," he said. "So the lack of an organized campaign to win at the ballot box is rash. It just isn't wise to proceed at this time." The ordinance introduced by Councilwoman Sandra Washington, the third openly gay member of the council has been the subject of heated debate not only with opponents but with supporters who disagree on how best to proceed. It passed on a 5-0 vote Feb. 14. Meginnis and Beckius were absent. Opponents, led by the Nebraska Family Alliance, mounted a successful referendum petition, which required the council either to put the issue to a vote of the people or rescind it. Initially, it appeared there were enough council votes to take the ordinance to a public vote, but the death by suicide of a transgender activist brought the momentum to a halt. Now, it appears the fate of the ordinance rests with Bennie Shobe, who has not responded to phone calls for comment. While Meginnis, Bowers and Beckius support rescinding it, Washington, Jane Raybould and Tammy Ward oppose the move. Lincoln For All, the organization created to support the ordinance that includes Washington and Raybould, issued a statement saying the ordinance was a result of a two-year process involving many stakeholders. "The timing of this motion during Pride Month, and at the start of Lincoln's Pride Week is especially disappointing, and shows a lack of respect for the LGBTQIA+ community," Washington said. "A repeal of Title 11 slows our progress on non-discrimination for veterans, people with disabilities, and based on race." Raybould added, "We remain committed to ensuring our city is inclusive and welcoming." Ward said shes sensitive to the concerns raised, but believes it should go before voters, though shes unsure what the right timing for a vote would be. We dont know if we dont try, she said. A lot of people have waited a long time for this moment Im disappointed and frustrated. But its not mine to lead. Ward said she does intend to vote to rescind the 10-year-old ordinance, to get it off the books and move forward with a new ordinance. Nate Grasz, policy director for the Nebraska Family Alliance, said rescinding the ordinance is the right decision: "The City Council, we hope, will listen to concerns of citizens on both sides of the issue asking them to rescind the ordinance." As written, he said, the ordinance's overbroad definition of public accommodation applied to private schools, churches and businesses but not public buildings, and the religious exemption was too narrow. He called the ordinance coercive, and said it would punish people because they had different ideologies. Meginnis said he thinks protections should be expanded, but he signed the referendum petition because, at the time, he felt like a vote was the only way to settle the issue with the community. Now, he said, he thinks its time to step back and start fresh. Natalie Weiss, a transgender activist, is happy to see the motion introduced. "I support this," Weiss said. "This what I, personally, have been working on since it was introduced in February, along with a lot of other people. I think it's the most responsible thing for the community to be doing in this moment and I'm glad they're doing it." The issue of extending protections to include sexual orientation and gender expression in housing, employment and public accommodation has been in the shadows for a decade. Ten years ago, a different City Council passed a more narrowly worded ordinance to extend such protections and, after a successful referendum, the council took no action either to rescind the ordinance or let voters decide. When Washington introduced the ordinance updating Title 11 earlier this year, the landscape had changed significantly since 2012. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 and in 2020 the high court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The 2020 decision related to employment, but the Biden administration applied the language to the federal Housing and Urban Development and Equal Opportunity Commission, which is being challenged by 20 state attorneys general including Nebraska. The ordinance introduced by Washington aligned Title 11 with federal law and included public accommodation. It also updates language and reorganizes the city code to clarify the process of the city's Human Rights Commission, adds military and veterans as a protected class and strengthens disability protections. But early on, advocates in the transgender and nonbinary community expressed concerns about the timing of introducing the ordinance, predicted theyd be targeted and didnt think supporters were adequately prepared to defend against the messaging of well-organized opponents. And opponents did focus much of their campaign on the transgender community, dubbing it the transgender bathroom ordinance. They also blanketed the city with Let Us Vote signs, a reference to the 2012 ordinance that was never taken to the ballot box. Milo Winslow, a transgender activist who had been vocal about concerns of transgender people being targeted, died by suicide just two days after the Nebraska Family Alliance announced theyd collected more than four times the number of signatures needed. Before his death, he sent council members a message asking them to rescind the ordinance. Since then, the issue has been on hold, though both the Lancaster County Democrats and the Stonewall Democrats passed resolutions urging the council to rescind. Others have sent messages to the council urging them to move forward. Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of OutNebraska an advocacy organization that supported the ordinance said they've heard from people on both sides of the debate by supporters and she hopes the council listens to all those perspectives moving forward. The council should recognize that our diverse community has a variety of perspectives on how to move forward with full freedom from discrimination for the whole Lincoln community, she said. Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PHILADELPHIA (AP) When two teen friends in matching sweatshirts heard gunfire up ahead in a crowd of people on South Street in Philadelphia on Saturday night, each pulled out his own weapon and started firing at random, officials said Thursday. One struck and killed a youth counselor who was out celebrating his 22nd birthday on the unusually warm night, while the other killed a 27-year-old home health aide, authorities said. The teens also struck at least one of the 11 people wounded in the melee, which began at least a block away when a fistfight devolved into an exchange of gunfire that killed a third person, one of the gunman involved in that fight, authorities said. "Sadly, theres nothing new about (when) people hear shots fired, they reach for whatever weapons they have, District Attorney Larry Krasner said Thursday, when the pair of 18-year-old murder suspects were captured in Virginia by U.S. marshals. We have what started out as an unfair fistfight two people attacking one person. In a country where you have some 300 million people and 500 million guns, it went from fists to bullets very, very quickly, Krasner said. Quadir Dukes-Hill, 18, and Nahjee Whittington, who was 17 at the time of the shooting but is now 18, both face murder charges, authorities said. Dukes-Hill is charged in the death of Alexis Quinn, 27, while Whittington is accused in the death of Kristopher Minners, 22. Both suspects are from the Philadelphia area, but were captured late Thursday morning at a home in Richmond without incident, according to Robert Clark, a supervisor with the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force. The teens will be extradited to face charges in Philadelphia in the coming weeks and will not be eligible for bail given the murder charges, Krasner and other officials said at press conferences held Thursday afternoon. Krasner expects to seek to try Whittington as an adult although he was a few days shy of 18 at the time. It was not immediately clear if they had lawyers representing them. The gunfire began a block or two up ahead on South Street a gathering spot for young crowds for a half century, packed with restaurants, bars and stores when three men began fighting and two exchanged gunfire, firing 17 bullets in all. Police believe Gary Jackson, 34, pulled out his weapon first, striking a man who fired back and killed him. That man remains hospitalized in critical condition. Krasner does not intend to charge him, deeming the fatal gunfire self-defense. Both Jackson and the hospitalized man were licensed to carry firearms, the prosecutor said. However, his office did charge a fifth man whom they said fired an illegally made ghost gun into the crowd. They are not yet sure if that gunman struck any of the 11 wounded. Surveillance video of the scene on Saturday showed scores of people milling about on the sidewalks and in the street, before fleeing when the gunfire erupted. Minners was a residential advisor at Girard College, a boarding school for disadvantaged youth which he had attended, while Quinn was a health aide. Guns appear to be falling out of the sky, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said on Tuesday, as she toured the area with Mayor Jim Kenney and spoke to concerned merchants, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. AP staff writer Bruce Shipkowski contributed to this report from Trenton. Follow Maryclaire Dale on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Maryclairedale Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 It's June and we are approaching Election Day. Huh? That doesn't sound right. But it's true this year in eastern Nebraska's 1st Congressional District, and Secretary of State Bob Evnen wants voters to be alert to their civic opportunity on June 28. "It's going to be so easy to let it slip by because it's so unusual," he said Thursday. "It's important to get out the word. Put a reminder on your smartphone. Early voting already has begun." So far, 37,000 early ballots have been sent to voters who requested them, he said. The special election in 10 counties, including Lancaster, along with precincts in two additional counties, will pit Republican nominee Mike Flood of Norfolk against Democratic nominee Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln in a contest to determine who will serve the remaining six months of former Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's ninth term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The two candidates in the special election were chosen by party leaders in the wake of Fortenberry's resignation following his conviction in March on charges that he had lied to federal officials about an illegal foreign contribution to his 2016 re-election campaign. In this odd election year, Pansing Brooks and Flood will be matched against one another again in the Nov. 8 general election after winning their party nominations in the May 10 primary election for a two-year term beginning next January. Fortenberry is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28. Pansing Brooks and Flood, both state senators, will participate in an hourlong live televised debate Sunday night on KETV, beginning at 6. Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. If I asked, could you name someone who used a four-hour wait for a bus in Africa to help a young man practice his English? If I asked, could you name a guy who spent years building homes for needy people? Or, if I asked, could you tell me you know someone who brought his bride here from California, seeking a family-friendly place? These are all fascinating things about a Nebraska native who went to Connecticut for college, jumped around the country doing a variety of things, married an Oregon native and then moved back to Lincoln to raise his family and run a software company. If you havent guessed by now, this boomerang story is about Scott Baird, a native of Superior, Nebraska, and now a resident of Lincoln. After college, I spent several years working with Habitat for Humanity in Georgia and Florida, and I decided to learn what housing challenges they had in Africa, he noted. One day, I was sitting in a bus station in Tanzania faced with a four-hour wait. A young man sitting near me asked if Id help him with his English. I said yes what else was I going to do for four hours? Theres more to that story, but Ill let Scott share it. The point is, even while sitting in a bus station on another continent, he was happy to help someone, and that gives a great insight into what drives this man. Baird grew up in Superior, a small community south of Hastings near the Kansas border. As a good student in high school, he applied and was accepted to attend Yale University, majoring in political science. After graduation, he had the opportunity to help in the home office of Habitat for Humanity in Georgia. And, when hurricane Andrew did significant damage to thousands of homes in Florida, he answered the call to help guide Habitats activities there. It was an intense time of building and refurbishing damaged homes. When the work in Florida was pretty much done, I decided I needed a break and headed for Africa, Baird said. Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Africa next came graduate work at Northwestern University in Chicago. And, it was after receiving his masters degree, he headed to San Francisco to catch up with a young woman whod gone there after graduate school. Scott and Leirion had met at Yale, and their relationship survived over the years and across thousands of miles. I surprised her with my proposal for marriage, he noted. She thought she was going to be an extra in a film scene, and when she walked into what she thought was the room for the filming, I was there on my knee. Of course she said yes, and that marriage now celebrates three children ranging in age from college to middle school. Just before our daughter was born, we gave a lot of thought about where we wanted to live and raise our family, Baird said. She was from Oregon and I was from Nebraska. We chose Lincoln because my parents had moved here and we liked the values of people in the Midwest. So, Scott and Leirion moved to Lincoln in 2002 and have never second-guessed that decision. When I asked him what he loves about Lincoln, he didnt hesitate to mention how family friendly Lincoln is, the more relaxed pace of life, and several times he used the word grounded. But theres a great deal more to Scott Bairds story. After his time with Habitat for Humanity, the eventual move to California dropped him in Silicon Valley. He landed a job with Intuit, a software company used by consumers and small businesses around the globe. Thats where I learned how important knowing what your customers want and need is to the success of a company, he said. Once back in Lincoln, Baird eventually ended up as one of the owners of Lincoln-based Software Technology, a company that provides practice management software for law firms. The technology scene in Lincoln has changed a great deal in the last 10 to 15 years, he said. I think thats because of the Raikes School at UNL, people like Steve Kiene and others who have encouraged and fostered the startup scene. Today, this man who has touched lives in Africa, who spent years working in a nonprofit helping provide affordable housing for people, who brought his wife to Nebraska because of the family focus we have hes put his career on hold so he can spend more time with his family, working to support Leirion, who puts in the long days making our community a place where even more people will want to live. Living in Lincoln has been exactly what we were hoping for, Baird said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Great progress seen in Vietnam-Hong Kong (China) relations: Spokeswoman The relationship between Vietnam and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China) has witnessed major strides over the years, with cooperation in economy, trade, investment and tourism a bright spot, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang told a press conference on June 9. Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang. (Photo: VNA) She noted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic last year, trade between the two sides has maintained its growth, with total import-export revenue reaching 13.6 billion USD, up 18 percent year-on-year. Hong Kong is now Vietnams fifth biggest investor, while Vietnam is the seventh largest trade partner and the second biggest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Hang added. Highlighting the fruitful development of people-to-people exchanges between the two sides before the pandemic, Hang said about 20 flights were operated between Vietnam and Hong Kong each day. According to the spokeswoman, more than 50,000 tourists from Hong Kong visited Vietnam in 2019. With great cooperation potential and the demand for post-pandemic re-opening, we hope and believe that the Vietnam-Hong Kong cooperation will develop constantly, particularly in economy, trade, investment, finance and tourism, bringing practical interests to both sides, and contributing to regional cooperation and development, she said. Buses will arrive at 5 p.m. at Greenmonte Drive in Sturtevant to pick up interested participants. The sendoff will include blessings from local pastors, banners and slogans that read One Step Forward, Not One Step Back. The moral marchers will arrive in Washington D.C on June 18 and will be joined by thousands of others from across the nation to demand that the needs of 140 million poor and low-wealth people be addressed. RACINE An 18-year-old has been accused of stealing a gun, a piggy bank with around $1,000 and a TV. Alberto A. Martinez, 18, was charged with two felony counts of burglary of a building or dwelling and a felony count of theft of movable property. According to criminal complaints: APRIL 25 At 12:44 p.m. on April 25, an officer was patrolling the area of Geneva and High streets when she saw a man running northbound from behind the Flatiron Village Mall at 1661 Douglas Ave. The man was being chased by two other men. One of the men flagged down the officer and said that the man, later identified as Martinez, stole a handgun from his apartment. He said he met up with Martinez at his apartment around noon to hang out. When he noticed his gun was no longer on the table, he confronted Martinez, who then immediately fled. Martinez was apprehended and he told officers where the holster for the gun was located. The holster was located in a yard on Geneva Street; the firearm was found under a truck tire. MAY 23; and MONDAY, JUNE 6 At 2:49 p.m. on Monday, an officer was sent to a residence on Flett Avenue for a burglary. Upon arrival, an officer spoke with a woman who said she and her family went out of town camping the previous weekend. She said her eldest son was stopping by the house to take care of the dogs when she was gone. When her son first came to the house, he noticed the door had been forced open. The woman said she had a piggy bank in the shape of a root beer barrel mug with around $1,000 in it that was stolen. When police spoke with Martinez, the 18-year-old said that he used a hidden key to access the house. He said he stole shoes and denied stealing the piggy bank and money. It was also learned that he broke into the home on May 23, when he stole a Panasonic TV from the basement and sold it. The woman said that he does not have a key and that he had to force his way in. Martinez was given $2,000 in cash bonds in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is on June 15 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WATERFORD Little Samir was hungry. With his mom gone shopping, the then-6-year-old walked into the familys kitchen in northern Morocco and brought some water to boil, adding beans, chopped tomatoes and other vegetables to the pot. Before he knew it, and before his mom returned home, Samir Sam Hachemi had made a (slightly burnt) soup. With his mothers help, the family had his soup for dinner. It was the start of a passion for this native Moroccan who has lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years. He now owns Cafe 36 with his wife JoElle Mason, bringing the food of his home country and beyond to Waterford. Cafe 36, 920 E. Main Street, Suite 200, is one of the only businesses in Racine County to serve Moroccan food. Morocco, located in northwest Africa immediately south of Spain, has a culture of cuisine that borrows from many different cultures such as Mediterranean, central European and Spanish influences. Hachemi wanted to bring that type of flavor to Wisconsin, but still offer traditional menu options the community is accustomed to. The menu at Cafe 36 takes influences from Turkish, Greek, Mediterranean and American cuisine. You can get a fish fry, an order of Moroccan shakshuka, American eggs benedict or Greek gyros. I love everybody. Thats all Im going to say. Im not going to say I am from Morocco. I am only going to cook Moroccan, Hachemi said. I am here to make food for all the different people, because that is what its all about. If you go to a Greek restaurant you wont find shawarma, and if you go to a shawarma house you wont find Greek food. Thats why I want to give everybody different options for different cultures. Because Moroccan food is based on different cultures. Hachemi left Morocco at 18 years old, spending time in London and Paris, learning about different cuisines and cultures as he worked in different restaurants. Hachemi first came to Wisconsin in 1988 and worked at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee as a banquet chef before opening a deli for himself in 1991. He closed the deli a few years later, allowing more time to be with his family and pursue other ventures. In 2009, Hachemi opened Sams Diner, 28432 N. Lake Drive, before closing and opening Cafe 36 a decade later. Hachemi and Mason cook all the meat and prepare all the food in the restaurant. They want to ensure the quality is the best that it can be; Hachemi feels like the quality he wants to serve can only come from themselves. We consider ourselves very picky eaters, Mason said. So, it makes sense that we would be picky cooks as well. Cafe 36 has a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu currently, but Hachemi wants to focus more on his breakfast and lunch menu in the future. A patron of Cafe 36 can still find themselves the traditional egg dishes and skillets, but for those who want to change it up are welcome to try variety of options like shakshuka, a Maghrebi dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion and garlic. Or, theres Hachemis specialty: Moroccan Breakfast, a dish including two eggs, an order of potatoes and kefta balls of minced meat grilled with roasted tomatoes and onion. Moroccan food is freshness, No. 1, and taste, No. 2. It has to be flavor-forward, a flavor that will stay in your mouth after youre done eating for a long time. That is Moroccan food, Hachemi said. Youll want more. How we spice it and how we cook it really makes the difference. So far, every Moroccan meal I have served somebody has gotten crazy praise and people like it. Ive served thousands and have never gotten a complaint from anybody. They love the flavor and the whole deal. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Calling the effort procedurally improper, a federal judge rejected a lawsuit Friday seeking to block U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and two Republican U.S. House members from being on the ballot for supporting efforts to subvert the 2020 election. Instead, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman said in a June 3 order that the plaintiffs claim, if it exists at all, would best be resolved before the Wisconsin Elections Commission. If a voter believes that a candidate is ineligible for office, he or she may seek legal redress from election administrators, Adelman said. However, a voter may not seek legal relief relating to the candidates eligibility for office against the candidate directly. The decision came after Wisconsin liberals in March filed a lawsuit alleging Johnson, R-Oshkosh, and U.S. Reps. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, and Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, were insurrectionists in violation of the U.S. Constitution for their words and actions in support of Donald Trump leading up to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Because the action will be dismissed on procedural grounds, I express no view on the merits of the plaintiffs allegations that the defendants engaged in an insurrection or rebellion against the United States, Adelman said. The lawsuit was filed by 10 Wisconsin citizens and funded by the liberal Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC. Specifically, they alleged the three Republicans violated a 14th Amendment clause stating, in part, no person can serve in Congress after taking an oath to protect the U.S. Constitution and then engaging in insurrection. The senator was never concerned about this frivolous and politically motivated lawsuit, Johnson spokesperson Alexa Henning said in a statement. The dismissal is a rebuke of the radical lefts attempt to lie about Senator Johnsons record and distract from the disaster of Democrat governance. Recounts, court decisions and multiple reviews affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes. Tiffany and Fitzgerald were among 121 House Republicans who voted to object to counting Bidens presidential electors from Arizona on Jan. 6, 2021. Tiffany and Fitzgerald also were among 138 Republicans who voted to object to Bidens Pennsylvania electors. Johnson was one of eight U.S. senators who signed an objection to counting Arizonas electors, but he ultimately voted to accept them after the Capitol riot. He later told a liberal activist theres nothing obviously skewed about the results of the 2020 presidential election. Since that comment, though, Johnson has consistently supported former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gablemans effort to review the 2020 election. On the insurrection, Johnson read a Federalist article at a 2021 congressional hearing stating that fake Trump protesters were among those committing the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, adding, I think these are the people that probably planned this. There is no evidence that people pretending to be supporters of Trump planned the insurrection. In fact, hundreds of those charged with crimes from trespassing to sedition are known, vocal supporters of the former president. Johnson later walked back his speculative statement, telling The New York Times, It might be a flawed part of the evidence, but why exclude it? The Associated Press contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has picked a Republican Sun Prairie tax attorney and former elections commissioner to fill a recently vacated seat on the Wisconsin Elections Commission and almost certainly become its next chair an appointment that received bipartisan praise. Don Millis, a Sun Prairie tax attorney with Reinhart Law Firm previously served as one of the Wisconsin Elections Commissions first commissioners after being appointed by former Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald in 2016, but he resigned from the agency the following year to focus on his law practice. Millis also joins the agency just days before it is slated to vote on the next commission chair, a position that must go to a Republican appointee. Don is a respected attorney whose expertise makes him an excellent addition to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Vos said Wednesday in a statement announcing his decision to appoint Millis. I have no doubt he will apply election laws fairly and ensure current law is being followed. Millis will fill the seat previously held by Republican Commissioner Dean Knudson, who unexpectedly resigned late last month following mounting pressure he faced from fellow conservatives angry with him because he said former President Donald Trump lost to President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. The bipartisan six-member commission includes three Republican appointees and three Democratic appointees. Millis appointment comes as the commission prepares to vote Friday for its next chair, a position that must be held by a Republican member as the current chair is Democratic appointee Ann Jacobs. Under state law, the chair can either be Millis or Republican commissioner Robert Spindell, who was one of 10 Republicans to sign official-looking paperwork in late 2020 seeking to hand the states 10 Electoral College votes to Trump. Spindell said he looks forward to working with Millis, but said he still plans to seek the chair position on Friday. Im still running for chair and I think Im better qualified than he is, Spindell said, noting his past experience on the state commission and almost two decades on the Milwaukee Election Commission. The commission is also slated to vote Friday to certify candidates for ballot placement in the upcoming primary, as well as nearly a dozen challenges filed against individual candidates, including a complaint lodged against Trump-backed GOP gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels. The state Democratic Party said Sunday that Michels, co-owner of Brownsville-based construction company Michels Corp., failed to include his correct mailing address on his nomination forms, making thousands of signatures invalid. Michels campaign has dismissed the complaint as frivolous. Busy season The commissions next chair will hold the position heading into the November election with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson on the ballot. They will also be chair in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. The chair by state law approves the vote canvass following elections and certifies results. The chair also sets the agenda for the commission and can influence how questions are framed, an important power on the agency, which is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Millis did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Positive reviews Millis appointment drew praise from former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, who was hired last year by Vos to lead a partisan review of the 2020 election. Don will bring with him both the intellectual firepower and courageous resolve that are both necessary to enable him to help put a stop to the lawless actions of the leftist members of WEC, Gableman said in a statement. Millis previously served as former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompsons appointee on the Tax Appeals Commission and on the old elections board from 1997 to 2001, where he advocated for universal paper ballots and voter ID laws, and opposed touch screen voting, Vos said. He also previously worked for former state Sens. Jim Harsdorf and Mac Davis. Don Millis was an excellent elections commissioner when he originally served on the commission, Jacobs told The Associated Press. And while I am confident he and I will not always agree on the topics we address, I believe his work will be professional and thoughtful as it has been. Millis was appointed by Fitzgerald to join the Wisconsin Elections Commission in 2016, becoming one of the agencys first members when it was created that year to replace the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board. However, Millis submitted his resignation in March 2017, noting that he could no longer serve due to commitments with his Sun Prairie law practice. Under fire Millis rejoins the commission as it faces heightened scrutiny from several state Republicans for how the 2020 election was administered due to unfounded claims of widespread fraud and mounting pressure from former President Donald Trump. GOP gubernatorial candidates Michels, Rebecca Kleefisch, Kevin Nicholson and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, R-Campbellsport, have all called for the agencys dismantling. Earlier this year, Gableman listed the elimination and dismantling of the Elections Commission as one of his top recommendations to the Legislature. Vos, who has repeatedly extended Gablemans contract with the state despite no evidence of widespread fraud in the presidential election, has been adamantly opposed to eliminating the commission. In 2016, Millis made the motion to approve guidance allowing election officials to correct errors on absentee ballot certificates. The guidance has since come under fire from Republicans, including Trump, who have alleged that the commission violated state law by allowing clerks to fill in missing information. Court decisions, recounts and multiple reviews have found no evidence of widespread fraud in Wisconsins 2020 election. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Amaria Osbys friends and family were to gather Tuesday, not to celebrate her eighth birthday, but to attend her funeral. Andrea Hagler, Amarias mother, wont be there. She is charged with the first-degree murder of her daughter. Amarias death once again drew scrutiny of Illinois child protection agency, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, for failing to protect the states most vulnerable children. A timeline provided by DCFS showed that a DCFS investigator failed to contact Amarias parents for two months after receiving a hotline call that the girl was being neglected. Under state law, the department has 60 days to complete a child abuse and neglect investigation, although most child abuse and neglect investigations are completed within 30 days. As a result, a DCFS worker and a supervisor have been removed from child protection duties, according to DCFS spokesman Bill McCaffrey. DCFS has been involved with the family since Amaria was 3, according to a DCFS timeline released last week. On Sept. 8, 2017, a report to the child abuse hotline came in alleging neglect after Hagler was arrested for driving under the influence and child endangerment. An investigator visited the family the next day, but found no signs of physical abuse or neglect. DCFS provided a safety plan for Amaria. The agency found there was evidence Hagler neglected her daughter, stemming from the DUI arrest. DCFS initiated an intact family case to provide services to the family. Hagler participated in substance abuse treatment and community services from Nov. 7, 2017, to March 21, 2018. The child protection worker noted that there were no concerns of abuse or neglect during the home visits and the case was closed. For three years, DCFS had no involvement with the family. But on March 23, 2022, the DCFS hotline received a call reporting that Amaria was being neglected. The call came after a domestic violence incident between Amarias parents at a Chicago restaurant. Police were called but no arrests were made. According to DCFSs timeline, an investigator tried to find the family the next day, but was unsuccessful. The timeline does not show any additional attempts by that investigator to check on Amaria. For the next 60 days, the agency did not have contact with the family. On the 61st day, a second investigator visited Amaria and Hagler. They noted no concerns for physical abuse or neglect. The day after that visit, on Wednesday, May 25, the child abuse hotline received another call regarding Amaria. She was dead. A relative had found Hagler and Amaria in bed. Amaria had a plastic bag over her head. Another relative called 911. An autopsy found the second-grader suffered injuries during an assault and died as a result of asphyxiation. The first investigator and a supervisor were subsequently relieved of their duties, McCaffrey said. Amarias death is the latest high-profile death of a child who died after DCFS had contact with their families since December 2021. The other children who died recently while under DCFS care were: Damari Perry, 6, who was found dead in an alley in Gary, Indiana. DCFS took Damari into care in 2015, but returned him to his mother along with his siblings two years later. There were two more allegations of abuse reported to DCFS, but he remained in his mothers care until Dec. 29, 2021, when he was beaten and thrown into a cold shower. His mother and two older siblings are charged with his death. Sophia Faye Davis, 1, of Dawson, died Feb. 8 during a visitation with her father. Her fathers girlfriend Cierra Coker faces charges of aggravated battery of a child and first-degree murder. Sophia was taken to the hospital a month earlier after her mother found Sophia sustained facial injuries and a broken arm after a visit with her father and Coker. DCFS did not suspend visitations and found there was not enough evidence to conclude the injuries were the result of abuse. Zaraz Walker, 7 months, of Bloomington, was reported missing on Feb. 12. Kimberlee Burton, the babys mother, told relatives the child died in her sleep and she left the body in a Bloomington cemetery. Zarazs body has not been found. At the time Zaraz went missing, DCFS had an open case, but could not find the family. Tamsin Miracle Sauer, 3, of Nelson, died from a stroke brought on by malnutrition and dehydration and a mass of undigested hair in her stomach on March 26. Over the course of four years, Sauers family had been visited by DCFS investigators more than two dozen times on abuse and neglect allegations. Six different investigators failed to substantiate those claims. Frank and Dana Sauer, Tamsins parents, face charges of child endangerment. Navin Jones, 8, of Washington, died on March 29. Navin was involved with DCFS from birth after he tested positive for narcotics. DCFS investigated his parents for taking him from his legal guardian, as well as allegations the couple beat, berated and starved the boy. When he was found unresponsive in the home, he weighed 30 pounds. In addition to the deaths, Cook County Judge Patrick Murphy has found DCFS Director Marc Smith in contempt of court 11 times. Four of those cases have been purged after the children were moved to their department recommended settings. Smith still faces seven contempt citations in Cook County for failing to abide by court order to move children in their care to appropriate placements. Several contempt cases have been consolidated with arguments to be made to the First District Court of Appeals in Chicago. No dates have been set. As of Tuesday, a 13-year-old girl in a Chicago hospital whose case was the subject of the 10th contempt citation filed against Smith, remains in that locked psychiatric ward. Smith was found in contempt for failing to move her. Doctors discharged her on March 21, 2022. On April 14, 2022, the court ordered Smith to move her out of the psychiatric hospital. Smith was found in contempt on May 12. Smith faces a $1,000 daily fine for every day those 11 children remained in those settings. In Leahs case, those fines totaled $26,000 as of Tuesday. Those fines have been stayed by an appellate court. Smith has said there is a shortage of specialized placements for foster children and DCFS is trying to convince private agencies who provide services to families and children in state care to reinstate services that were folded during the budget crisis during the previous administration. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 1. Yes. Tying up the courts and filling jails over small amounts of pot is unacceptable. 2. Yes. As long as there are exceptions for connection to felony charges, its a good idea. 3. No. Taking away law enforcements options is wrong. Police should have some discretion. 4. No. An ordinance that conflicts with state law is wrong and shouldnt be adopted. 5. Unsure. It seems to make sense in some ways, but it could prove problematic. Vote View Results BERTRAND Numerous fundraisers have been organized to help support a Bertrand family after two of their children were involved in a car accident. On May 25, Carson Hansen, 15, and Lilly Hansen, 6, were on their way to vacation Bible school near Smithfield when they were involved in a car-semitrailer crash near the intersection of Highway 23 and Road 434, one mile east of Smithfield. Both were transported to CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney. Lilly suffered a broken femur and concussion, and was released from the hospital. Carson suffered a head injury, including a skull fracture and facial trauma. He was transferred from Kearney to Childrens Hospital Colorado in Denver where he remains. The Bertrand Community School Class of 2025 will be hosting a baked potato bar and silent auction fundraiser for the Hansens from 5-8 p.m. today at the Bertrand Community Building. Funds will be disbursed through the Bertrand Lions Foundation for incurring bills. Tax deductible checks can be made payable to the Bertrand Lions Foundation. The fundraiser is such a beautiful way for this class of 2025 to show support and love for their friend. When I tell you that this class is special wow I mean it with every sense of the word, said Ashley Hansen, mother of Carson and Lilly. Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District will host a donation lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday at the CNPPID parking lot, 415 Lincoln St. in Holdrege. The meal will include burgers, chips and a drink. All proceeds will go to the Hansen family to help with medical costs and other bills. A drawing and fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Canyon Lakes Brewery at Johnson Lake. There will also be a vendor show, and many vendors are donating a percentage of their sales to the Hansens. Items for the drawing include a Johnson Lake print donated by Drone Smith Aerial Photography, ladies pampering basket and gift certificates from Canyon Lakes Brewery Company, Medos Resort and Nautical Rose. Pretty & Fabulous Boutique in Bertrand has organized a T-shirt fundraiser to help the Hansens with medical and other bills. T-shirts can be purchased at prettyandfab.com/collections/carson-lilly-fundraiser. The fundraiser will be open until June 12. A GoFundMe page also has been established. KEARNEY - Curt Coleman has been named the new president of CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney starting Aug. 1. Coleman currently serves as president of critical access hospitals for Genesis Health System in Davenport, Iowa. He succeeds Mike Schnieders who served as president of Good Samaritan for nearly 12 years before retiring at the end of March. Colemans leadership experience includes the role of chief executive officer, Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa, Iowa; vice president of Professional and Support Services, Spencer Hospital, Spencer, Iowa; and administrator of Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt in DeWitt, Iowa. Leading a larger hospital has always been a goal of mine, explained Coleman. Knowing that Good Samaritan also affords me the opportunity to build relationships with our critical access hospital neighbors makes it a great fit for me. Coleman is an Iowa native graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, where he also earned a master's degree in hospital and health administration. I was moved by the friendliness and kindness I experienced first-hand at Good Samaritan during our visit, says Coleman. My wife Judy, and I, know Kearney is a place we can call home for years to come. We are excited to welcome Curt to Good Samaritan to help continue our mission that began almost 100 years ago, says Kimber Bonner, vice president, Patient Care Services at Good Samaritan. We are called to serve and its our honor to have him join us in ensuring advanced care is provided to our region. KEARNEY Reluctantly, Kearney is breaking off its four-year relationship with SkyWest Airline. The Kearney City Council on Wednesday acknowledged it had been a good ride, but voted 5-0 to ask the federal Department of Transportation to name Denver Air Connection as Kearney Regional Airports new federally subsidized airline. It was a difficult decision, given the uncertainty a nationwide pilot shortage has caused for small markets such as Kearneys and the airlines struggling to serve them. We probably have a stronger short-term relationship with DAC, Councilman Bruce Lear said about switching to the Denver airline. Lear said SkyWest proved that, given the opportunity, Kearney travelers can support a reliable airline. Passenger volume ballooned with SkyWest, setting monthly boarding records in response to the Utah-based airlines reliable service, low fares and connections at Denver and Chicago airports. In fact, SkyWests boardings in Kearney exceeded 25,000 in 2021, a year that included 2 months of COVID-reduced boardings. Kearney officials were shocked in March when SkyWest filed a notice it planned to end service in 31 cities, including Kearney. Lear said that, given SkyWests excellent service and fares, it will be difficult for travelers to switch to DAC. Councilwoman Tami James Moore echoed Lear. I feel bad that the citizens will have some difficulty, she said. But DAC has pilots and SkyWest is struggling to retain its pilots, said City Manager Michael Morgan, who has been researching options to replace SkyWest. What Morgan found is that before the pilot shortage became big news, DAC gave its pilots pay increases. When it was working, SkyWest was working well. Maybe we can get back with them someday, Morgan said. He reported that SkyWests current strategy is to reduce its service in smaller markets by flying 30-passenger aircraft that dont require pilots with as much training and experience. The switch to 30-passenger aircraft contrasts with SkyWests strategy during the heydays in Kearney when the average load was almost 80% ons 50-passenger jetliners to Denver and about 63% to Chicago. The bid that DAC submitted to the DOT for Kearneys air service differs from the current contract in some important ways. DAC wants to provide 12 flights per week to Denver and isnt interested in flights to Chicago. Also, travelers going directly to Denver would book their flights on Denver Air Connection.com. DAC would fly 50-passenger jetliners. Occasionally, when passenger counts are lower, DAC would fly 30-passenger jetliners. Travelers flying beyond Denver can book on united.com, American.com, Travelocity, Expedia or other travel booking websites. Also, DAC has interline agreements with United Airlines/American so passengers will have access to the United and American network. Baggage connecting to or from the United/American network need only be checked in the originating city and will transfer to United/American flights. Most council members said DAC falls short of what travelers currently have, but SkyWest is sorting out its pilot problems and appears to be leaning toward aircraft that are too small if Kearney passenger volume remains at current levels. The vote to switch to DAC was 5-0. DACs proposal calls for a two-year contract. Morgan said DOT will review DACs proposal and decide whether to accept DAC as Kearneys preferred airline. After the DOT completes the review and accepts DAC, the change in airlines will occur. Morgan said there wont be a lapse in service, but travelers will need to switch bookings from the old airline to the new. Its not often that people gather for a religious blessing in an auto dealership showroom, but Tuesday was a day of firsts for Grace Jacobsen. Around 30 people stood in the showroom of Dahl Subaru with their heads bowed in prayer as they performed a blessing not of a person, but of a Grey Chevy Malibu. Made possible through the support of a faith-based, nonprofit organization called Chariots 4 Hope and Dahl Automotive, Jacobsen now owns the car. This is the first time Jacobsen has owned a reliable mode of transport to travel to and from work and other daily activities. Originally from Milwaukee, Jacobsen said she struggled with alcoholism and addiction before finding balance through her faith. For Jacobsen, this Chevy is more than just a car, it represents the beginning of a new chapter. It gives me the freedom to be able to do the things that I know Gods gonna have me doing, she said. Lack of access to safe and reliable transport is an issue impacting Jacobsen and many others around the country and is one the biggest barriers to securing and maintaining employment. Chariots 4 Hope is trying to change this one car at a time, said Nyhus Schaffer, one of the founders of the organizations division in La Crosse. The car is a blessing, a gift from God that wasnt earned, but given so that we can further his kingdom and thats 100% of it, Schaffer said. It also represents transportation sustainability in La Crosse because many people have cars, and they cant afford to take care of them and worry that theyre gonna break down. Tuesday was not just the beginning of a new chapter for Jacobsen, but also the start of something new for Schaffer and his wife, Laura, who helped found the La Crosse division of Chariots 4 Hope in early 2022. Jacobsons Chevy Malibu is the first vehicle to be blessed and donated by the organization in La Crosse. Schaffer said when he met Jacobsen a few years ago through connections in the La Crosse community, he knew she would be a great first recipient of a vehicle. Graces story is amazing, she gave us her testimony: despair and pain followed by perseverance and faithfulness, those things got her to this point, Schaffer said. After this first successful donation and blessing, Schaffer said the organization is looking to the future and plans to secure and bless four more vehicles this year. Jacobsen is also looking ahead, something she said is now easier to do with reliable transportation. Jacobsen will soon graduate from the Adult and Teen Challenge of Western Wisconsin, a rehabilitation program, and begin a new job in La Crescent working with people with disabilities. Jacobsen will continue to be involved with Chariots 4 Hope as she completes programming to help support budgeting, service and care for the new vehicle. But for now, as she stood in the auto dealership showroom, Jacobsen said she will continue to savor the emotions she feels as she begins a new chapter. I feel extremely blessed, I feel excited, I feel motivated, Jacobsen said. The love that I have gotten from these people in this La Crosse community, its been very amazing for me. Its hard to find good community and when I came here, I just really felt this closeness with people. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Apparently, Republican leadership has decided that its OK to move beyond prayers after the last school massacre. Robin Vos, GOP House speaker, and our areas Coulee Conservatives group have said that the solution for mass shootings in schools should be to arm teachers, and not to limit access to assault weapons in any way. Theres actually nothing new about these statements Republican leaders depend on corporate gun manufacturers lobby money and talking points, and simply repeat them without question. So lets just explore this proposal a bit further, and put some thought into it. We now know that trained police in Uvalde were reluctant to actually go into the school classroom to confront the gunman, who was armed with an AR-15. Instead, they waited in the hallway for border patrol agents to arrive an hour later, while the gunman continued to murder children, even as still alive children called 911 for police help. Why? Did police feel outgunned? Were they aware of the miserable odds of facing an AR-15 with their service revolvers? So what weapons would experts like Vos and the Coulee Conservatives recommend that teachers arm themselves with to confront the next shooter armed with an assault weapon? A handgun? What caliber? How many rounds? Where should it be kept? On her/his hip? In a desk? Or should each school be required to have its own assault weapons on hand? Where? How about also arming custodians and administrators? Just wondering cant be too careful. Writing meaningful laws requires such details. The assault weapons are out there: 20 million in the US since the assault weapons sale ban was struck down in 2004 during the Bush administration. Before, we only had 400,000 assault weapons in civilian hands when the ban was in place. With 120 weapons per 100 people in the USA compared to 20-30 per 100 in other developed countries, we now have eight times the number of homicides per capita compared to those same developed countries. Children now die by gun death more than any other cause in our country; mass homicides have tripled since 2004 and the rate is accelerating. But the gun corporations want us to pretend that those numbers dont mean anything. They simply want to sell more guns. If teachers would be required by law in Wisconsin to be armed, what type of weapons training would also be required to get and maintain a teaching certificate? Close combat, moving target training? How would this impact teacher recruitment and retention and teaching quality? Imagine a young college graduate hoping to be a kindergarten teacher under such circumstances. He or she would be expected as part of teaching duties to rapidly and effectively pull out a weapon, without warning, in a classroom of children and bring down an intruder using an AR-15. Such a shootout fantasy succeeds only in bad movies with lots of choreography. Republicans also tout mental health support but have not supported substantial ongoing state funding for mental health services in our schools for years, cutting funding for school counselors and socio-emotional support staff in past budget proposals. What little research we have finds that bullying and alienation was often experienced by mass shooters often in schools. So much for words and prayers without substance by Republican leaders. Mass shootings have tripled since 2004 and are accelerating. Why is our country the only one plagued by repeated mass killings in schools and public places? Will we become the only state or nation which protects our children and schools by suggesting that the only answer is to require more guns and prayers in schools while we make it easier for almost anyone to get assault weapons? If you give these NRA Republicans your vote, we will soon learn how effective their fear-stoked more-guns fantasies actually play out. All they need is your vote or just your decision to stay quiet, and to NOT vote. Same difference. Thoughtful information and discussion to develop multiple interventions against this complex public health crisis is needed; not pray and return fire fantasies promoted by gun dealers. Ralph Knudson is a resident of La Crosse. Love 5 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 With its white feathers and blue skin, the Bali mynah has been sought after by collectors for more than a hundred years. Their capture for sale along with land loss on the island of Bali, Indonesia, led to the bird being listed as threatened in 1988. The International Union for Conservation of Nature moved it to critically endangered in 1994. And, by 2001, experts estimated only about six Bali mynahs were living in the wild, with thousands in captivity across the world. Now, conservationists are hoping to increase the mynah population by working with bird breeders and sellers to release them into the wild. Population and breeding program In the 1980s, an organization now called BirdLife International started to work with the government to launch a breeding program for the birds. Breeders can seek government permits to breed the birds. If approved, they are given mynahs by the government and could keep 90 percent of the baby birds for private sale. The remaining birds are released at West Bali National Park, where they will be closely watched by park officials. Early mynah releases faced problems. Some birds were infected with a parasite that often caused death; others were killed by natural predators. Illegal hunting also continued and the national parks breeding center was even robbed at gunpoint, with nearly 40 birds stolen. Yet conservation efforts in the last ten years have seen greater success, said Tom Squires of Manchester Metropolitan University. Squires said, Bird keepers can still keep birds and follow their hobby without causing real problems for wild populations which is, I think, a lot better than species going extinct in the world. To go extinct means to die off completely. Community involvement Agus Ngurah Krisna Kepakisan is head of the West Bali National Park. He believes the creation and spread of villages around the park have led to a successful breeding program. Villagers received help in getting permits and bred Bali mynahs there. With the community being the breeders ... they are helping us to take care of the birds that exist in nature, he said. Squires noted that there is clear evidence some released birds have produced young ones. So that leads me to believe that the population is certainly self-sustaining to an extent, he said. The breeding programs results can be seen throughout the park, where Kepakisan says 420 Bali mynahs now live. Conservation efforts have also spread to Tabanan Regency a three-hour drive from the park. The place is a recent release area for Friends of the National Parks Foundation, an Indonesia-based non-profit that works with breeders to release the birds. I Gede Nyoman Bayu Wirayudha founded the organization and has worked in Bali mynah conservation for years. He said, traditionally, communities around conservation areas have thought there is no money to be made from them. But the rare birds presence will help draw tourists and their money like in other parts of Bali where mynahs have been released. You need to give something back to the community so they can feel that conservation gives them benefits, he said. Squires hopes the conservation model could be applied to other endangered birds in Indonesia such as the black-winged mynah. For any of the lowland birds affected by the caged bird trade ... this is the sort of approach thats going to be needed, he said. Im John Russell. Victoria Milko and Andi Jatmiko reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. Quiz - Bird Sellers Help Rare Bird Return to the Wild Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story critically adv. relating to or involving a great danger of death; extremely important conservationist n. someone who works to protect animals, plants, and natural resources or to prevent the loss or waste of natural resources : a person who is involved in conservation predator n. an animal that lives by killing and eating other animals : an animal that preys on other animals hobby n. an activity that a person does for pleasure when not working species n. biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus sustain v. to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc. benefit n. a good or helpful result or effect A new proposed rule from the European Parliament and Council means that American company Apple will have to change the charging connector for its devices sold in Europe. The rule says that the USB Type-C charging connection will be required on popular electronic devices by the autumn of 2024. The rule will affect mobile telephones, tablet computers, cameras, listening devices, and other electronics. In addition, laptop computers will be required to have the connections 40 months after the rule takes effect. The political intervention came after companies did not agree on one connector for all their products. The European Commission said the change would make life easier for buyers and save them money. The European Parliament has been trying to require all companies to use only one charging connection or port for more than 10 years. Lawmakers said people were angry that they had to switch between cables to use Apple or Android-based products. Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton said the rule would save 267 million dollars for buyers. He added that the proposed law will let new technology develop without harming buyers or causing problems in the market. A European Commission study said that USB Type-C ports are in 29 percent of mobile phones sold now. The European Parliament released a statement saying that, "By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU. The charging port on the iPhone, called the Lightning cable, is used in about 21 percent of phones. In the past, Apple has warned that a law requiring one kind of charging port would harm new technology development. The company has also noted that throwing away old cables would create more unnecessary waste. Researcher Angelo Zino said that the proposed law could cause iPhone sales to increase when it goes into effect. The law could cause Europeans to buy new phones instead of keeping older ones with different ports. "Existing consumers can still use the Lightning cable, but maybe there would be less purchases of older products" he said. Bloomberg news service recently reported that Apple is already designing an iPhone with a USB Type-C charging port. It could come out next year. However, the EU could make buyers angry if it bans the sale of older phone models. For example, older phone models normally become less costly when new models are released. If older models are no longer available, buyers would be forced to buy new, more costly devices. Although Apple has warned against such laws in the past, some experts predict that the law could increase Apples stock value. The European Parliament and the European Council must now officially approve the rule later this year. It will go into effect two years after that. Im Mario Ritter, Jr. Foo Yun Chee reported this story for Reuters. Matthew Caputo adapted it for VOA Learning English. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story charge v. to put electricity into an electronic device so that it can operate cable (n.) a group of wires or glass fibers, covered in plastic or rubber that is used to carry electricity or electrical signals What do you think about charging cables? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. When South African artist Fhatuwani Mukheli paints at his workshop in Johannesburg, he creates two works at once. There is the traditional piece, an image on cloth, but also another that exists in the virtual world as digital art. Mukheli uses The Tree, an online market for South African artists to share and sell their art as non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. An NFT is based on a technology called blockchain, which is also used with digital money known as cryptocurrencies. An NFT can be attached to a piece of digital artwork or other things existing in digital form. The NFT can be used to provide proof that the pieces are real. While anyone can view the work, the buyer has official ownership rights over the pieces. Mukheli said, There's a virtual world where people are buying land in it. He was talking about the metaverse. The metaverse is a non-physical world in which individuals interact through different kinds of digital technology. Technology companies like Microsoft and Facebook say it is the future of the internet. People have properties there, Mukheli said, adding and your art can be on those walls. Buyers of Mukhelis art receive both the physical art he makes in his workshop and the digital NFT. Other artists on The Tree sell up to five limited edition NFTs for each piece, or digital prints. Mukheli has already made thousands of dollars by using the service. Trevor Stuurman is one of the artists on the Tree. He said, I think it's important as an artist and a creative to always play where the ball is going and not necessarily where it's at." Critics say blockchains, digital places used to store information, are not climate-friendly because they use a great amount of computing power. The Tree says it saves energy by running on Polygon, a blockchain that uses much less power, and offsets each sale by sending money to Greenpop. Greenpop is an environmental organization that plants trees across much of Africa. Dan Portal is one of the founders of The Tree. He said, It's not just about art and artists and the story, it's about making sure that this growth in technology for artists doesn't come at a cost to the planet. Im Gregory Stachel. Sisipho Skweyiya reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. ___________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story virtual adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet digital adj. using or characterized by computer technology We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. An 11-year-old survivor of last month's mass shooting at a Texas elementary school on Wednesday described her experience to U.S. lawmakers. The young girl, Miah Cerrillo, told lawmakers that she saw the gunman kill her teacher and friends. "He told my teacher 'goodnight' and shot her in the head," Cerrillo said in a video interview that was recorded before the Congressional hearing took place. Miah also said she covered herself in the blood of one of her dead friends in hopes that she would not be shot, too. I thought he would come back so I covered myself with blood, Miah told a panel of House of Representative lawmakers. I put it all over me and I just stayed quiet. She called 911 using her dead teachers phone and pleaded for help. Miah said she fears such violence could happen again at school. Miah and the parents of young Americans killed and wounded in recent mass shootings testified before a group of lawmakers. The U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Reform held the hearing as it tries to find agreement on a gun safety bill. Two weeks ago, an 18-year-old gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen students and two teachers died in the May 24 attack. The attack was one of a series of mass shootings across the United States in recent weeks. The violence has led to renewed talks in the United States Congress about gun safety. Republicans strongly support the right to keep and bear arms as protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Republican lawmakers have objected to proposals such as limited sales of guns that are known as assault rifles. Weapons similar to a semiautomatic rifle known as an AR-15 were used in the Uvalde shooting and another mass shooting last month at a food store in Buffalo, New York. That attack left 10 Black people dead. Police have described that mass shooting as a hate crime. The parents of one of the students who died at Robb Elementary also testified. So did the mother of a survivor of the Buffalo shooting. Zeneta Everharts 20-year-old son Zaire was wounded in the Buffalo mass shooting. Everhart told lawmakers it was their duty to create legislation that protects Zaire and other Americans. The parents of Lexi Rubio, who died in her classroom in Uvalde, also testified. Felix and Kimberly Rubio described finding out about their daughters death just hours after leaving Lexis school awards ceremony on the morning of the shooting. The full House of Representatives debated legislation that would raise the minimum age to buy some certain kinds of guns to 21. That age is currently set at 18. Some legislation also aims to strengthen rules against untraceable guns guns that can be purchased online and put together at home. That legislation is not likely to pass in the Senate. The Senate negotiations are led by Democrat Chris Murphy and Republican John Cornyn. They are discussing measures such as improving school security, strengthening mental health services and doing more to keep guns out of the hands of people who are legally barred from owning them. Rather than pushing for a quick vote on the House bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has chosen to give more time for negotiations. The Gun Violence Archive records gun deaths in the United States. It says there have been more than 200 mass shootings this year. Democratic lawmakers in the past have tried to pass wide-ranging gun control legislation in their efforts to deal with gun violence and mass shootings in the country. Democrats have recently expressed to Republicans that they would be willing to accept a much narrower first step with legislation on the issue. Im Ashley Thompson. Ashley Thompson adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting from Reuters and The Associated Press. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story interview n. a meeting in which one side asks another questions in an effort to get information testify v. to talk and answer questions especially in a court of law or before lawmakers assault rifle n. any of a number of long guns that can fire many bullets semiautomatic adj. describing the action of a gun that can fire one bullet each time its trigger is pulled wide-ranging adj. including many different ideas, action or things The causa de pollo, or potato cake appetizer, is reason enough to visit Mishqui Peruvian Cuisine on Monona Drive, which opened April 29 in the former Rosies Coffee Bar & Bakery. The gorgeous stack ($5), which looks more like a dessert than a starter, came straight from the bakery case and improved once it reached room temperature. A generous amount of chicken salad was sandwiched between layers of light mashed potato dough seasoned with aji amarillo, a Peruvian yellow chile pepper cream sauce, and lime juice, beautifully drizzled with mayonnaise, and topped with a slice of hard-boiled egg, an olive and a red pepper strip. It was something to behold. Equally good are Mishquis empanadas, available with carne ($3.50), lomo (beef tenderloin, $4), pollo ($3.50) or vegetarian ($3.50). They arent just any empanadas. These have a buttery, flaky, slightly sweet pastry shell, and are plump with plenty of flavorful stuffing that includes onions, tomatoes, red bell peppers, aji panca (Peruvian red pepper), yellow pepper, hard-boiled eggs, golden raisins, cilantro and parsley. The only type I wouldnt get again was the vegetarian one made with a plant-based burger substitute from MorningStar Farms. Aji verde, the famous Peruvian green sauce, with cilantro, lime juice, jalapenos and yellow onions, came with the empanadas and was a great addition. A la huancaina ($7) was another excellent starter. The thin, creamy Peruvian yellow pepper sauce made with milk and cheese, and served with fried yuca, was terrific. My group of five ate family style and everyone raved about the lomo saltado ($19), Perus best-known dish. I was the least enthusiastic and glad I didnt order the dish for myself alone. The flavor of the bite-size beef tenderloin didnt quite work for me, but one companion said, The only way you can get meat any better is at a five-star steakhouse. The lean, tender steak was stir-fried with red onions, tomatoes, cilantro, oyster sauce and soy sauce, and served with french fries and a mound of white rice. It was a beautiful plate. The tallarines verdes ($16) with grilled chicken, described as spaghetti, was actually fettuccini, and served in a Peruvian-style, soupy pesto sauce. The chicken on top was dramatic with its grill marks and the sauce was smooth, thin and not at all oily. The dish was fine, but I had higher hopes for it. We capped off the meal with a huge piece of thousand layers pastry ($4) from the well-stocked bakery case. Layers of thin, dry, flaky puff pastry was coated with powdered sugar, caramel and coconut. My group had mixed reactions with two people liking it and all of us agreeing it was like nothing we had ever had. I would make a different choice next time. Mishqui just began offering beer and wine, but didnt the night we were there, so two of us split a glass of passion fruit juice ($3) from a dispenser on the counter and we were glad we did. The restaurant is counter service, and when we were there, owner Cynthia Garcias 13-year-old son and other young employees brought the food out to the tables. Garcia, whos from Iquitos, Peru, a port city on the Amazon River, moved to Miami about 20 years ago and followed friends to Madison five years later. Before opening the restaurant, she did catering out of Christines Kitchens, the commercial kitchen on East Washington Avenue, for 11 months, held popups on Sundays, and supplied desserts to two restaurants and three stores. She no longer makes desserts for the stores, but still supplies the restaurants. Garcia worked as a pharmacy technician and then as a nursing assistant, and was studying nursing at Madison Area Technical College when she realized cooking and baking was what she wanted to do. She switched to the schools culinary program in the hopes of opening a restaurant. She credits her three amazing bakers and four cooks with making Mishqui successful in its first six weeks. Garcia said shes also grateful to the Wisconsin Womens Business Initiative Corp. for its help with her business plan. Mishqui means delicious in the Quechua language spoken by Incans, and its a name that certainly fits. Diner's scorecard Restaurant: Mishqui Peruvian Cuisine Location: 4604 Monona Drive Phone: 608-405-5123 Website: See Facebook Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices: Appetizers $3.50 to $9, entrees $11 to $20, side orders $3 and $4, kids menu $8 and $9 Noise level: Low Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Yes Outdoor dining: Two tables outside Delivery: Through EatStreet Drinks: Beer and wine Gluten-free: Option for GF pasta Vegetarian offerings: A few Kids menu: Yes Reservations: No Parking: Lot Service: Excellent, counter service Bottom line: Mishqui is a great addition to the Madison dining scene for its empanadas alone. Read restaurant news at go.madison.com/restaurantnews. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Madison man was arrested for an alleged sixth operating while intoxicated offense after driving the wrong way on Interstate 94 in Dane County in a stolen vehicle early Thursday morning, authorities said. At about 1:10 a.m. Thursday, authorities took a report of a driver going west in the east lanes of I-94 near mile marker 250, the State Patrol said in a statement. Dane County deputies were able to find the vehicle and performed a high-risk stop as the State Patrol arrived at the scene and arrested Reginald D Shaw, 62, on tentative charges of sixth-offense OWI, operating after revocation criminal and driving on the wrong side of a divided highway, the State Patrol said. The vehicle had been stolen earlier in the evening in Fitchburg, and Fitchburg police will be seeking charges for the vehicle theft, the State Patrol said. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State agents who sought in February to arrest Quadren Wilson, shooting him multiple times even though he was unarmed, said they initially believed they heard gunshots coming from the vehicle Wilson was driving before they opened fire, according to court documents ordered unsealed last week. The three search warrants unsealed in Dane County Circuit Court are the first official records having to do with the shooting of Wilson by state Division of Criminal Investigation agents to be made available to the public, and provide new insight into what the state agents believed had happened on Feb. 3. But the most recent of the three warrants to be unsealed confirms what the Dane County Sheriffs Office has previously reported: That no firearms were found in the borrowed 2016 Hyundai Tucson that Wilson was driving on American Parkway, on Madisons Far East Side, when DCI agents moved in to arrest him as part of a drug investigation. The warrants do not explain why agents thought they heard gunshots. The three warrants were filed under seal in February and re-sealed twice while an investigation by the Sheriffs Office into the shooting continued. An affidavit to support sealing the warrants, written by Dane County Sheriffs Detective William Hendrickson, notes that statements attributed to Wilson and members of his family in a media account in regard to its accuracy is questionable in the opinion of your complainant. Wilsons family has said he was shot five times in the back and were the first to report he had been unarmed that morning. Family members also said Wilson was wearing an ankle monitor at the time and was due to meet with his probation officer the next day. Wilson was jailed after he was treated at UW Hospital for his wounds but had to return to the hospital to be treated for an infection. District Attorney Ismael Ozanne is reviewing the matter to determine whether any of the agents involved will face criminal liability. He said Wednesday that he is still waiting for some follow-up investigation he had requested. Little information about the investigation has been released by the Sheriffs Office, other than to identify the DCI agents who shot firearms during the incident as Mark Wagner and Nathan Peskie, and to note that Wilson was not armed. It confirms that Mr. Wilson did not have a weapon, nor does it state Mr. Wilson was engaging in any resistive or violent behavior that would have allowed the officers to engage in deadly force, Wilsons attorney, Stephen Eisenberg, said Wednesday. It still doesnt explain why they needed 27 cops to arrest a guy who was going to his probation agent the next day. Ill still never understand it. Wilson has said he had his hands up when he was shot, Eisenberg said. Possibly being fired upon The initial warrant, filed on Feb. 5, states that DCI Special Agent Mike Mansavage, who was part of the group looking for Wilson, said, according to Hendrickson, it appeared as though a fellow agent, equipped with a ballistic shield was possibly being fired upon from the Wilson vehicle as the agent was backing away towards a median when a second agent, armed with a rifle engaged Wilson who was within the vehicle at the time. Hendrickson, who examined the ballistic shield, wrote that it did show areas of damage which may have been from projectile contact, according to the search warrant affidavit. Eisenberg said its possible that, given the number of shots fired by the agents, the damage to the ballistics shield was from a ricochet, not from any shots initially thought to have been fired from the car Wilson was driving. The most recent of the search warrants, filed on Feb. 19, states that during the processing of the car, it became readily apparent that projectiles or possible fragments from fired projectiles may be within the upholstered parts of the car, and some holes in metal and non-metal surfaces on the outside of the car appeared to be from a projectile or bullet. The three search warrants were ordered unsealed on Thursday, but it was not clear when they became available for viewing on public computers at the Dane County Clerk of Courts Office. Short delays in making search warrants with expired seals available are common. Two of the warrants sought to examine cellphones found in the vehicle Wilson was driving and one sought records from a vehicle window tinting business, attempting to determine the degree to which the vehicles side windows were darkened. Police smashed out all of the vehicles side windows after stopping Wilson. The search warrant for one of the phones references an earlier warrant issued to search the Hyundai Tucson, but that search warrant has not been made public. The earliest of the three warrants, signed by a judge on Feb. 5, states that on Feb. 3, at about 8:19 a.m., a multi-jurisdictional group of law enforcement officers that included Madison police, the state Department of Justice and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency were trying to locate Wilson as part of a crack cocaine and fentanyl delivery investigation. Wilson, who was on state Department of Corrections supervision at the time, was also wanted on a DOC warrant, the search warrant documents state. Madison police have said none of its officers saw the shooting and were on the outer perimeter of the incident. Multiple gunshots DCI Special Agent Scott Leck told Hendrickson he stopped at a red light on Eastpark Boulevard at American Parkway, and Wilson stopped behind him, the search warrants state. When Leck stopped, an arrest team approached Wilsons vehicle from behind while announcing presence and while dressed in police-related identifiers and equipment. A cloud of smoke could be seen coming from the Tucsons tires as Wilson tried to accelerate and push Lecks vehicle to escape, the warrants state. Leck advised that upon contact with the arrest team, multiple gunshots were heard coming from the vicinity of Wilsons vehicle, Hendrickson wrote. Spotted inside the Tucson by officers were two cellphones and a dark-colored cylindrical object partially protruding from under the passenger seat. That object was ultimately found not to be anything firearms-related. Once the Tucson was searched, agents also found 46 grams of crack cocaine, 23 grams of fentanyl, a scale and $1,856 in cash. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. An alleged drunken driver charged with hitting and killing a man early Tuesday stopped after the crash and admitted to police it was me, I did it, then failed field sobriety and breathalyzer tests, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday. Okima L. Jones, 42, of Sun Prairie, is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in the crash just before 4 a.m. on Mineral Point Road near South High Point Road on Madisons Far West Side. Taylor M. Dunn, 29, of Madison, died at the scene, according to a probable cause statement filed Wednesday in Dane County Circuit Court. The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that Dunn died of injuries sustained in the crash. Police said Dunn was a pedestrian, but a witness who was also Dunns co-worker said hed been riding his bike to work, and investigators found a bicycle or scooter at the scene, according to the complaint. Dunn had also been wearing a reflective vest, police said. Jones told police that she had been driving west on Mineral Point while talking on her phone and had been looking for a home near Tree Lane when all of a sudden it was like boom! according to the complaint. Oh my God, did I just hit somebody? she reportedly asked. She told police she did not see the person but reported drinking one or two Long Island iced teas before the crash at a Downtown establishment whose name she could not remember. She was not able to complete field sobriety tests, told police she felt tipsy and registered a 0.129 blood-alcohol concentration on an initial breathalyzer test, the complaint says. The legal limit for drivers in Wisconsin is 0.08. Jones has no criminal record in Wisconsin, according to online court records. She wore a suicide-prevention smock and appeared to cry throughout an initial hearing Wednesday at the Pubic Safety Building, where Court Commissioner Jason Hanson agreed with the states request to set her bail at $10,000. Westbound Mineral Point Road was closed from Ganser Way to the west for several hours Tuesday morning and eastbound Mineral Point Road had one lane open as police traffic specialists investigated the crash, Madison police Sgt. Michael Goodchild said. During a news conference later Tuesday morning to kick off the citys Bike Week, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said she and the city are committed to eliminating serious and fatal crashes on our streets through our Vision Zero initiative. Vision Zero, launched nearly two years ago, is a data-driven strategy intended to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries on all roadways, bikeways and sidewalks, according to the city. Its projects so far have included lowering speed limits, upgrading crosswalks, and making other street and traffic signal changes to improve safety for pedestrians. State Journal reporter Jeff Richgels contributed to this report. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A truck driver found a body along a highway in southern Dane County Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. The Dane County Sheriffs Office has opened a death investigation after the trucker reported seeing a body off Highway MM just south of Highway A near the town of Rutland around 5 p.m., said Sheriffs Office spokesperson Elise Schaffer. Highway MM will be shut down for several hours while authorities investigate, Schaffer said. The Sheriffs Office is asking anyone who lives in the area to report anything theyve seen in the last 24 hours that might be related to the death, Schaffer said. Deputies are currently canvassing the area for camera footage, she added. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact the Sheriffs Office at 608-284-6900. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LOS ANGELES (AP) A little more than two years ago, Juan Guaido was showered with bipartisan applause when President Donald Trump during his state of the union speech praised the Venezuelan opposition leader as a very brave man" who carries on his shoulders the democratic hopes of an entire nation. But in a sign of how far his political fate has fallen, and how quickly U.S. geopolitical calculations can shift, the 38-year-old wasn't even invited to this week's Summit of the Americas despite the Biden administration's persistent promotion of democracy and insistence it recognizes Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Meanwhile, the man Guaido has been trying to unseat, Nicolas Maduro, is taking something of a victory lap. On a rare foreign trip to Turkey this week, Maduro, who is the target of U.S. sanctions and a federal narcotics indictment, denounced the decision to exclude him and leftist allies from Cuba and Nicaragua from the gathering as a stab in the back of regional cooperation. This is a clear win for Maduro, Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of Americas, said from Los Angeles, where he was attending the summit. Hes seen allies take up his cause at the summit while preventing his primary rival, whom Washington recognizes as president, from attending. In what may be an attempt at damage control, Biden on Wednesday spoke with Guaido. It was the first time the two leaders have spoken and during the call, which lasted around 17 minutes, Biden reiterated his support for Guaido, whose claim to the presidency stems from his role as head of the National Assembly elected in 2015. President Biden expressed his support for Venezuelan-led negotiations as the best path toward a peaceful restoration of democratic institutions, free and fair elections, and respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans, according to a White House readout of the call. They discussed the role the United States and other international partners can play to support a negotiated solution to Venezuelas crisis. President Biden reaffirmed the United States is willing to calibrate sanctions policy as informed by the outcomes of negotiations that empower the Venezuelan people to determine the future of their country. But coming on the heels of weeks of silence from the White House about whether Guaido would be invited or not, the call provided little comfort to Venezuela's pro-democracy movement. We don't want to be seen as party crashers going where we aren't wanted, said one Guaido envoy on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic dealings. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan downplayed suggestions the U.S. was snubbing a staunch ally. Speaking aboard Air Force 1 on its way to Los Angeles, Sullivan insisted the decision to not invite anyone from the Guaido camp, and instead involve civil society activists from Venezuela, was a tactical one to encourage negotiations between Maduro and his opponents that leads to "ultimately a better future for the Venezuelan people. Guaido's possible presence at the summit also appears to have irritated many of the Venezuelan government's allies, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who decided to skip the summit over the exclusion of Maduro and the leaders of Cuba and Nicaragua. A Mexican official confirmed that his government asked the U.S. to exclude Guaido as part of its back-and-forth with the Biden administration on the guest list, an effort that ultimately failed to persuade Lopez Obrador to partake in the summit. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic dealings, said that other countries had done the same. Joining the Mexican leader's boycott were fellow leftist leaders of Bolivia, Grenada, Honduras, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Also staying home in protest, although not in solidarity with Maduro, were the leaders of El Salvador and Guatemala, as well as the president Uruguay, who was exposed to COVID. But it's not just foreign pressure that has Biden wary of inviting Guaido. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a spike in energy prices, the U.S. has started to re-evaluate its policy on Venezuela, a country that sits atop the world's largest petroleum reserves but whose decades-long decline in oil production has been made worse by U.S. sanctions. In March, U.S. officials led by Juan Gonzalez, the National Security Council's senior director for the western hemisphere, traveled to Caracas to meet with Maduro. Then, as now, Guaido was kept on the sidelines, with U.S. officials not meeting with him during the several day trip. The goal of the talks was to dangle before Maduro the possibility of sanctions relief in exchange for a return to negotiations in Mexico with his opponents, something that so far hasn't happened. Meanwhile, Guaido continues to fight for change, although his street appearances are less frequent, and crowds greatly diminished from when he launched his challenge to Maduro in 2019. On Saturday, his supporters were met in the western city of Maracaibo, a short distance from Colombia and a flight onward to the U.S., with a barrage of flying plastic chairs and fisticuffs from allies of Maduro. The violent ones were left empty handed, Guaido told a small group of supporters to shouts of Freedom, Freedom, Freedom after the raucous brawl. Let's be clear: we are not going to take a single step backward. Goodman reported from Miami. AP Writer Claudia Torrens from New York and Jorge Rueda in Caracas, Venezuela contributed to this report. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. An upstate New York Republican is being forced out of her city council post after pleading guilty to three federal counts of voter fraud. The case involving Troy City Councilmember Kimberly McPherson is one of just a few instances of documented voter fraud. It comes amid unfounded assertions across the country made mostly by Republicans of widespread election tampering. As part of a plea deal, McPherson admitted to fraudulently casting an absentee ballot in last years primary election and two such ballots in the general election. McPhersons name appeared on both ballots. She admitted to illegally filing absentee ballots in the names of two other voters. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran turned off two surveillance devices Wednesday used by U.N. inspectors to monitor the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment, further escalating the crisis over its atomic program as Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers remains in tatters. The move appeared to be a new pressure technique just before the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors, meeting in Vienna, approved a resolution to criticize Iran put forward by Western nations. The censure deals with what the watchdog refers to as Iran's failure to provide credible information over nuclear material found at undeclared sites across the country. But Iran's latest move, announced by state television, makes it even more difficult for inspectors to monitor Tehran's nuclear program. Nonproliferation experts have warned Iran now has enough uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels to pursue an atomic bomb if it chooses to do so. The state TV report, later repeated by other Iranian media, said authorities deactivated the beyond-safeguards cameras of the measuring Online Enrichment Monitor ... and flowmeter. That apparently refers to the IAEAs online monitors that watch the enrichment of uranium gas through piping at enrichment facilities. In 2016, the IAEA said it installed the device for the first time in Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility, its main enrichment site, located some 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of the capital, Tehran. The device allowed for around-the-clock monitoring of the facility's cascades, a series of centrifuges hooked together to rapidly spin uranium gas to enrich it. Traditional methods of sampling and analysis can take three weeks or longer, mostly because of the time it takes to ship the sample from Iran to the IAEAs laboratories in Austria, the agency said at the time. Iran is also enriching uranium at its underground Fordo facility, though the IAEA is not known to have installed these devices there. The Islamic Republic of Iran has so far had extensive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, state TV said in its report Wednesday. Unfortunately, the agency, without considering this cooperation ... not only did not appreciate this cooperation, but also considered it a duty of Iran. Tehran said its civilian nuclear arm, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, monitored the shutdown of the cameras. It said 80% of the existing cameras are IAEA safeguard cameras and they will continue to operate as before. Safeguards refer to the IAEAs inspections and monitoring of a countrys nuclear program. The Vienna-based IAEA declined to immediately comment. However, Iran's move come after IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi criticized Iran for failing to provide credible information about unexplained nuclear material discovered at three undeclared Iranian sites long a point of contention between the agency and Tehran. An IAEA report released late Wednesday identified the Iranian sites as Marivan, near the city of Abadeh, and Turquzabad and Varamin just outside of Tehran. The report said Iran alleged the traces came from sabotage by a third country, something the IAEA said Tehran offered no evidence to support. Iran already has been holding footage from IAEA surveillance cameras since February 2021 as a pressure tactic to restore the atomic accord. Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. Talks in Vienna over Irans tattered nuclear deal have been stalled since April. Since the deals collapse, Iran runs advanced centrifuges and has a rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Nonproliferation experts warn Iran has enriched enough up to 60% purity a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90% to make one nuclear weapon should it decide to do so. Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though U.N. experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003. Building a nuclear bomb would still take Iran more time if it pursued a weapon, analysts say, though they warn Tehrans advances make the program more dangerous. Israel has threatened in the past that it would carry out a preemptive strike to stop Iran and already is suspected in a series of recent killings targeting Iranian officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday and discussed the need to revive the nuclear deal, the Kremlin said. The censure resolution at the IAEA meeting in Vienna, sponsored by Germany, France, the U.K. and U.S., passed with the support of 30 of 35 governors. Russia and China voted against, Russian ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on Twitter. India, Libya and Pakistan abstained. After the vote, a joint statement from France, Germany, and the U.K. and the U.S. said the censure sends an unambiguous message to Iran that it must meet its safeguards obligations and provide technically credible clarifications on outstanding safeguards issues. Iran's Foreign Ministry meanwhile criticized the censure as a political, incorrect and unconstructive action. An Iranian official earlier warned IAEA officials that Tehran was now considering taking other measures as well. We hope that they come to their senses and respond to Irans cooperation with cooperation, said Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. It is not acceptable that they show inappropriate behavior while Iran continues to cooperate. Wednesday night, a drone exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil in its Kurdish region, slightly wounding three people and damaging cars and a nearby restaurant, officials said. While no one immediately claimed the attack, Iran has targeted Irbil in the past amid the regional tensions. Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Poland's government announced Thursday that it will lift a state of emergency on July 1 along its border with Belarus as it completes the construction of a wall aimed at stopping migrants and refugees. However, it will still ban people from getting within 200 meters of the border as workers install electronics onto the 5.5-meter (18-foot) high steel wall. Poland began building the wall and restricted the rights of most people to enter the border area after large number of migrants, most of them from the Middle East, began crossing from Belarus into European Union nations Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The EU accused the Moscow-allied government of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko of encouraging the migration to punish those countries for EU sanctions on his government and to create chaos and disunity within the bloc. As the new migration route was born, tens of thousands of people from Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, African nations and even Cuba began trying to enter the EU from Belarus. Thousands made it across and made their way to Germany or elsewhere in Western Europe. But Polish border guards and police have also pushed migrants back across the border into Belarus, a practice that has led to some deaths. The pushbacks of migrants are considered illegal under international law, but Poland changed its own laws to allow them. There have been reports of over 20 deaths, but refugee rights activists believe the death toll is far higher. Poland's state of emergency, which restricts the movements of most people in the border area, had prevented journalists, human rights workers and other citizens from going there, making it more difficult to get a clear picture of the situation. Human rights groups have condemned the pushbacks and accused Poland's government of having double standards wholeheartedly welcoming Ukrainian war refugees while allowing dark-skinned asylum-seekers to die along the border. The Interior Ministry said it does not need the border zone restrictions any longer due to the progress of works on the construction of the barrier. Poland's steel border wall topped with barbed wire will run more than 180 kilometers (115 miles) next to Belarus. The border also includes the Bug River, and at least one migrant has already drowned trying to cross it. Follow all AP stories on global migration at https//apnews.com/hub/migration. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BRUSSELS (AP) The European Unions top court ruled Thursday that British citizens living long-term in the 27 EU member countries have no right to vote or stand for office in the bloc unless they have obtained a European nationality. The ruling came in what was seen as a test case for the rights of U.K citizens who continue to live in the EU despite Britains exit from the bloc two years ago. More than 1 million Britons were living in Europe. Many opposed Brexit in January 2020 and had their lives upended. The case was first launched in France by a British woman who has lived there for more than three decades, but who was struck off the electoral roll after Brexit and couldnt vote in local elections in March 2020. She had declined to apply for French nationality. The woman, identified only by her initials E.P. in line with court practice, argues that she was deprived of her right to vote in the EU, but also in the U.K. owing to a rule there that prevents people from voting if theyve lived abroad for more than 15 years. But the European Court of Justice ruled that people living in Europe even prior to Brexit no longer enjoy the status of citizen of the Union, nor, more specifically, the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections in their Member State of residence, according to a court statement. The Luxembourg-based court said that this is an automatic consequence of the sole sovereign decision taken by the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. KYIV, Ukraine The Ukrainian army says Kyivs forces continue to frustrate Russian attempts to take the fiercely contested eastern city of Sievierodonetsk. The occupiers, with the help of motorized rifle units and artillery, conducted assault operations in the city of Sievierodonetsk. They were not successful; the fighting continues, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a regular operational update Thursday evening. It added that Ukrainian forces had successfully repelled a Russian attack on the village of Toshkivka, on the northwestern outskirts of Sievierodonetsk. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, where Sievierodonetsk is located, said Thursday that fierce battles continue to engulf the city. In a Telegram post, Serhii Haidai said Russian forces continue to shell the neighboring city of Lysychansk using large-caliber weapons which pierce even concrete. It is extremely dangerous for civilians to remain, even in shelters, Haidai said. KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: War rap: In Ukraine, an angry voice for a furious generation Smashed buildings in Mariupol produce caravan of death Russia, Turkey back plan to export grains; Ukraine doubtful UN report: Ukraine war is increasing suffering of millions Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine The death sentences handed by a pro-Russian separatist court to British and Moroccan nationals fighting for Ukraine should be considered null and void, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. The so-called trial of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the occupied Ukrainian territories is of no significance, Oleh Nikolenko told the Interfax Ukraine agency. Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality; they undermine the mechanisms for the return of prisoners of war. The Ukrainian government will continue to make every effort to release all the defenders of Ukraine, Nikolenko added. He stressed that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel, and protected as prisoners of war. KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree Thursday imposing personal sanctions on Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin and all sitting ministers. The sanctions, approved by Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, target all members of Russias government and security council, as well as the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov. They ban entry to Ukraine, revoke visas and permits, and block financial assets. The decree came into force on Thursday, according to a copy published on the website of the Ukrainian presidency. Zelenskyy also signed a directive sanctioning 236 Russian universities and their leaders. Russias education minister said in response that Moscow will not be deterred. Todays decision by the Kyiv regime speaks to its inadequacy and inability to control the situation. Its a gesture of desperation, which cannot prevent the integration of Donbas and the liberated territories into a single educational space with Russia, Sergey Kravtsov told the Interfax agency. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin says foreign companies that have left Russia will regret their decision. In todays conditions, when someone jumped off somewhere, left, chose to stop some activity here, they will regret it, he declared at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow. They will regret it, not because we threaten anyone, Putin continued. They will regret it because Russia is a country with great potential, really. Putin also appeared to claim that the exodus of foreign firms from Russia was evidence of U.S. domination over other Western states and economies. Many regret that they have to leave. This is all a manifestation of the internal state of these countries that cannot make sovereign decisions, he added. He then reiterated that Russia is a sovereign country that should be looking to the future. MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russias need to take back (territory) and defend itself Thursday in a speech in which he compared himself to Peter the Great. Speaking at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow, Putin drew parallels between the conquering monarchs founding of St. Petersburg and his governments annexation of territory. When he founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. And Slavic people had always lived there along with Finno-Ugric people, and the territory was under the control of the Russian state. What was he doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well, he said. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further territorial expansion, while asserting Russias sovereignty. There is no state in between. A country is either sovereign or a colony, he said. Its impossible do you understand impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, Putin added. KYIV, Ukraine Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive on Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region in order to capture it completely, a top Ukrainian military official said Thursday. Oleksei Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, said Russian forces are likely to strike out from the southern Kherson region, which is majority-controlled by Moscow, towards neighboring Zaporizhzhia. The enemy has focused on holding the lines, but at the same time does not cease (its) attempts to resume the offensive in these areas, probably in order to reach the administrative borders of the Zaporizhzhia region, Gromov said in a briefing hosted by Ukraines state Ukrinform agency. The southern part of Zaporizhzhia, including two major cities and a key nuclear plant, was overrun by Moscows troops in the early weeks of the war, and remains in Russian hands. Kyiv continues to hold the north of the region, including the capital city of Zaporizhzhia, which was previously a staging post for evacuees from the ruined port of Mariupol. Gromov did not rule out a Russian assault on the southern Mykolayiv region, which likewise borders Kherson, and the key cultural hub of Odesa, further west along Ukraines Black Sea coast. He did not provide further information regarding any such planned attacks. WASHINGTON A resolution urging NATO to quickly admit Finland and Sweden won easy passage in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, in a signal of bipartisan support from lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans on the committee approved the measure supporting the expansion and urging other NATO states to swiftly admit the two Nordic states by voice vote, with no voiced objections. Thursdays vote had been seen as a test of Republican lawmakers stand on the expansion, which President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind. Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to end longstanding policies of military non-alignment and apply to join the 30-member U.S. and European defensive alliance. Biden encouraged the two countries application and welcomed their leaders to the White House in May to celebrate it. Unexpected opposition from NATO member Turkey has clouded what had been expected to be quick ascension to the bloc by the two countries. Turkey says it objects to the two countries stances regarding the Middle Easts Kurdish minority. LONDON The British government says it is deeply concerned that two U.K. nationals captured while fighting with the Ukrainian military have been sentenced to death. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said Thursday that under the Geneva Conventions prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and shouldnt be exploited for political purposes. He said: We will continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release of any British nationals who were serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and are being held as prisoners of war. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss tweeted: I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found Aslin, Pinner, as well as Saaudun Brahim of Morocco, guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. A court in separatist-controlled territory of eastern Ukraine sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan man to death for fighting on Ukraines side in the war with Russia. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops and surrendered to Russian forces weeks ago. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found them guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. The three were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim are set to face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. PODGORICA, Montenegro Montenegros prime minister says he has spoken on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and expressed readiness to visit Kyiv. Dritan Abazovic also told Zelenskyy on Thursday that he will suggest to other leaders of countries in the Western Balkans that they should all travel to Ukraine together to show support. Small Montenegro in 2017 defied Russias strong opposition to join NATO, and is viewed as the next in line for EU membership. The country, along with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, prevented the visit of Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to neighboring Serbia earlier this week by refusing to grant permit for his plane to fly through their airspace. Abazovic hopes that Ukraine, too, will soon become a formal EU candidate, said a statement from his office. Abazovic offered Montenegros help on Ukraines accession path. The statement also says that Zelenskyy invited Abazovic to visit Kyiv as soon as possible. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines top military official says the situation on the frontline is very difficult and calls for very quick weapon supplies. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post Thursday that every day up to 100 Ukrainian troops are killed and up to 500 end up wounded. He said Kyiv needs heavy weapons, as well as aircraft and air defense systems quickly. We proved that we dont fear the Kremlin, unlike many others. But we as a country cant afford to bleed, losing our best sons and daughters, Reznikov wrote. He said that Russia continues to press by sheer mass, suffering huge casualties as well. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said earlier that every day 60-100 Ukrainian servicemen die on the frontline and some 500 sustain wounds. BRUSSELS Senior members of the European Unions parliament are urging EU leaders to make Ukraine and neighboring Moldova official candidates for joining the 27-nation bloc. Political group leaders in the European Parliament said Thursday that the EU must be a reliable partner and a credible geopolitical actor that lives up to its principles and values by showing solidarity with those who stand up for the same ideals. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, is drafting an opinion on the membership requests of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. In recent years, the commission repeatedly expressed concern about corruption in Ukraine and the need for deep political and economic reforms. The official opinion will be weighed by EU leaders at a June 23-24 summit in Brussels. Several leaders are wary of opening the door to Ukraine, although acquiring full membership would take the country many years. The parliamentary group leaders say that giving Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status would mark the start to a merit-based process for joining. They also urged EU leaders to work towards granting the same status to Georgia. MOSCOW Russias defense ministry says it used air-launched missiles to destroy a Ukrainian military base where foreign fighters allegedly were being trained. Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Thursday that the training center was in the Zhytomyr region of central Ukraine, about 125 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kyiv. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine to the Russian claims. Russia refers to foreign fighters who joined Ukrainian troops in the war as mercenaries. Konashenkov said Russian missiles also destroyed an ammunition depot and an anti-aircraft system elsewhere in Ukraine. KYIV, Ukraine The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk province says Russian forces are employing scorched-earth tactics against the city of Sievierodonetsk, hitting it with rockets, artillery and mortars. Serhiy Haidai also told The Associated Press on Thursday that neighboring Lysychansk is enduring day and night shelling." Russians are trying to storm the key road connecting Lysychansk and the city of Bakhmut but have failed to gain control of it, he said. Haidai says Ukraine still remains able to deliver humanitarian supplies to the region by a relatively safe route. Ukraine's east has been the main focus of Russia's attacks for more than two months. Haidai said there were two attacks on a chemical plant and fierce battles" continue in Sievierodonetsk. Street battles are taking place with varied success in city blocks, the governor said. "The army of Ukraine is fighting for every street and house. PARIS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russias invasion of his country is a threat to the environment and could lead to dangerous pollution in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Zelenskyy made the comments at a ministerial meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He used the platform to impress on ministers the need to wean states off Russian natural gas in favor of green energy. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov border both Ukraine and Russia. The Black Sea also borders Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Turkey. BERLIN Polands president has sharply criticized phone calls the leaders of France and Germany had with Vladimir Putin, saying the conversations serve only to legitimize the Russian leader. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have spoken to Putin several times since Russia invaded Ukraine, both separately and together, in attempts to nudge him toward ending the war. Polish President Andrzej Duda was quoted Thursday as telling Germanys Bild newspaper that hes astonished by the calls. Duda argued they achieve nothing and only bring about a legitimization of a person who is responsible for the crimes the Russian army is committing in Ukraine. Bild quoted Duda as adding: Did anyone talk like this with Adolf Hitler during World War II? Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler must save face? I have not heard such voices. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Three Texas families sued the state Wednesday seeking to halt investigations of them over gender-confirming medical treatments their transgender children received, in a renewed challenge to the state looking into such treatments as child abuse. The lawsuit also asks a Texas judge to block the state from opening any similar investigations against any Texas members of LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG Inc. The lawsuit comes about a month after the Texas Supreme Court allowed the state to investigate parents of transgender youth for child abuse while also ruling in favor of one family that was among the first contacted by child welfare officials following order by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The latest challenge, brought by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union, seeks a new broad order against the investigations. If it takes a court ruling to ensure that the law protects families who lead with love in support of transgender Texans, so be it. Brian K. Bond, executive director of PFLAG National, said in a statement. Spokespeople for Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton did not immediately return messages late Wednesday afternoon. Texas went farther than any state in February when Abbott issued an order instructing child welfare officials to investigate reports of gender-confirming care for kids as abuse. A judge in March put that order on hold after a lawsuit brought on behalf of a 16-year-old girl whose family said it was under investigation. The Texas Supreme Court in May ruled that the lower court overstepped its authority by blocking all investigations going forward. The lawsuit marked the first report of parents being investigated following Abbotts directive and an earlier nonbinding legal opinion by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton labeling certain gender-confirming treatments as child abuse. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Service has said it opened nine investigations following the directive and opinion. Abbotts directive and the attorney generals opinion go against the nations largest medical groups, including the American Medical Association, which have opposed Republican-backed restrictions filed in statehouses nationwide. Wednesday's lawsuit in Texas was filed on behalf of families of three boys two 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old who have received gender confirming care. The two 16-year-olds in the case have received hormone therapy, according to court filings. The families talked in the filings about the anxiety theyve faced because of Texas investigations. The mother of one of the teens said her son attempted suicide and was hospitalized the day Abbott issued his directive. The outpatient psychiatric facility where the teen was referred reported the family for child abuse after learning he had been prescribed hormone therapy, she said in a court filing. I am offended and hurt that my state government wants to make it unlawful for trans youth like me to be ourselves, and that DFPS, the governor and the attorney general are willing to persecute families like mine simply for loving and supporting their trans children," another teens said in the court filing. Arkansas last year became the first state to pass a law prohibiting gender-confirming treatments for minors, and Tennessee approved a similar measure. A judge blocked Arkansas law, and the state is appealing. Associated Press writer Acacia Coronado in Austin, Texas contributed to this report This story was first published on June 8, 2022. It was updated on June 9, 2022 to correct that court filings say only two of the three children in the lawsuit have received hormone therapy. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Paul man faces possession of child pornography charge PAUL Minidoka County charges against a local man were dismissed after he was charged in federal court. Three felony counts of forcible penetration by use of a foreign object, lewd conduct with a child under age 16 and possession of a controlled substance against Bobby Clee Roberts, 52, were dismissed in Minidoka County, according to court documents. He was charged after police said he abused two children, ages 6 and 8. According to court documents, the crimes occurred between July 2020 and May 2021. Minidoka County court affidavits said that Roberts showed the children pornographic videos, performed sex acts on the girls and forced them to perform sexual acts on him. When he was asked by police about the crimes he said he had been sick and is losing his mind. According to the US District Court files, Roberts was indicted on a criminal grand jury charge of possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in court, according to court records. If convicted he faces a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, at least five years and up to life of supervised release and $5,100 in a special assessment. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Barbara Parker and Carter Bank & Trust were both awarded the 2022 Clyde Hooker Award at Piedmont Arts. The award was established in 2003 and is named in honor of J. Clyde Hooker Jr. for his support of the arts. It is presented each year to individuals and businesses that are involved in supporting Piedmont Arts and other arts and cultural organizations in Martinsville and Henry County. The awards were presented Tuesday evening at the museum. I remember the first ceremony 20 years ago when we honored Clyde Hooker, who was a true champion of the arts, said Parker, who for many years was the museums director of programs. Im truly honored to be here I must tell you that I have received so much more in return than I could ever have done for Piedmont Arts. When Piedmont Arts Executive Director Heidi Pinkston presented the award to Parker, she listed the many ways that Parker has contributed to the arts. She said that Parker was passionate about the arts since she was just 9 years old and then went on to major in theater with a concentration in costume design in college. She started a performing arts series, promoted enhanced hands-on learning about cultures and ancient civilizations, helped start TheatreWorks Community Players and founded the For Alison foundation, a non-profit organization that provides arts opportunities for children in southern Virginia in memory of her daughter, the late Alison Parker. Carter Bank & Trust Chief Executive Officer Litz Van Dyke accepted the award on behalf of the bank. The award was announced by Piedmont Arts Board First Vice President Guy Stanley. Stanley said, theyre more than a bank, theyre ambassadors for the communities they serve. Carter Bank & Trust cares about you, your family, your business and our community, Stanley said. They believe their active community engagement support are essential to earning trust, enriching lives and building life-long relationships, and they live by those words. Van Dyke said, On behalf of 700 associates with our company, Im honored to accept this award for Carter Bank & Trust We really do care about our communities. Weve been doing this for over 40 years A vital community needs a vital arts program and Piedmont Arts provides that. There were also two Arts in Education awards presented as well as two scholarship recipients announced. The 2022 Arts in Education Awards were presented to sculpture artist Ed Dolinger and Clifton M. Jones, a guidance counselor at Campbell Court Elementary School. Piedmont Arts Piedmont Arts Education Coordinator Sarah Short announced both of the awards. She said that Dolingers unique ability to guide youth of many ages through intricate community projects, while keeping the students at the center, is praiseworthy and that he has helped to inspire and educate so many. I appreciate this, Dolinger said. Hopefully well be doing more of this soon. About Jones, Short said that he played an integral part in bringing Dance Espanol to the students at Campbell Court Elementary School and also acknowledged his work with both Piedmont Arts and the For Alison Foundation. I just want to say thank you to Piedmont Arts for this wonderful award and thanks to Barbara Parker and the For Alison Foundation that played such an amazing role for us this year, Jones said. Neither of the two scholarship recipients were in attendance for the awards ceremony, but the first recipient was Onyinye Ugbomah-Otunuya. Ugbomah-Otunuya, who is pursuing a graphic and animation degree from Longwood University, received the Nicodemus Hufford Memorial Arts Scholarship, which has been awarded since 1987 to students who wish to pursue a degree in the arts. The second scholarship, the Harold Knowlton Work Memorial Scholarship, was awarded to Emily Maxey who is pursuing a music therapy degree from the University of Lynchburg. The award was established in 2008 to support students who are pursuing a degree in the arts. Monique Holland is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. She can be reached at monique.holland@martinsvillebulletin.com or at 276-734-9603. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HSBC has launched a $53.4-million fund for tech entrepreneurs seeking international investments and operating in areas panning fintech, e-commerce, retail and mobility, health, education and software. The bank said in a press release relayed by Arab Finance that it will give priority to companies with sustainable development integrated in their plans, in recognition of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP-27), which is set to be organized in Sharm El-Sheikh in November. It will also pay much attention to companies with differentiated B2B business models, revenue traction, and funding from credible investors. Egypt is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs in the region. The exponential growth of venture capital funding in this market reflects the quality of local talent and the scale of the opportunity, which is why we have developed a dedicated lending initiative for technology entrepreneurs, Chairman and CEO of HSBC Egypt Todd Wilcox said. Created in 1982, HSBC Egypt is a multinational bank providing a wide range of banking and related financial services through a network of 100 branches and 20 mini bank units in Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Borg El Arab, and 6th of October City. A steward of Algerias national carrier, Air Algerie, has been arrested in London at Heathrow airport for allegedly possessing stolen phones from France. The arrest of the employee took place last Friday after a flight of the airline landed at Heathrow, local outlet El Khabar reported. Sources within the airline told El Khabar that British authorities accused the steward of possessing stolen phones from France. It is unclear if the employee has been liberated. However, the incident is the latest scandal tarnishing the image of the sluggish airline. Five suspects including employees of the Algerian national carrier were detained in Paris in April for trafficking medicines and psychotropic drugs. Also in September last year, another steward of the airline was detained at Paris Orly airport for possessing a banned substance. Air Algerie has been going through a difficult period and facing many challenges including aircraft maintenance, salary arrears, and payment of services suppliers. Autologous oocyte thaw may result in a final live birth rate (FLBR) of 39 percent per patient, according to a study published online May 18 in Fertility and Sterility. Sarah Druckenmiller Cascante, M.D., from the New York University Langone Prelude Fertility Center in New York City, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study at a large urban university-affiliated fertility center. Participants who underwent one or more autologous oocyte thaws before Dec. 31, 2020, were included; data were obtained for 543 patients who underwent 800 oocyte cryopreservations, 605 thaws, and 436 transfers. The researchers found there was a median of 4.2 years between first cryopreservation and thaw. A median of 14 and 12 oocytes and metaphase II oocytes (M2s), respectively, were thawed per patient. For all thawed oocytes, the overall survival was 79 percent. Sixty-one percent of all patients underwent one or more transfer. The live birth rates per transfer were 55 percent among 262 euploid transfers and 31 percent among 158 nonbiopsied transfers. Per patient, the FLBR was 39 percent. Age at cryopreservation and number of M2s thawed predicted live birth, with an FLBR >50 percent per patient for patients aged younger than 38 years at cryopreservation or who thawed 20 or more M2s. "Freezing eggs at a young age becomes an option to be one's own egg donor at advanced age," a coauthor said in a statement. "As younger patients freeze eggs and do more than one cycle, the success rates will be even higher than reported in this study." Two authors disclosed financial ties to Inception LLC. Explore further Frozen eggs more efficient option than in vitro fertilization for women starting families later Copyright 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved. hree pyramidal nerve cells in the motor cortex, whose job it is to send the motor commands directly to the spinal cord. These are the cells studied in Prof. Schillers current study. The cells are characterized by a pyramidal shape of the cell bodies and highly branched dendritic trees, a feature that allows them to perform complex parallel processing of the movement components. Credit: Science (2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abn1421 From the moment we are born, and even before that, we interact with the world through movement. We move our lips to smile or to talk. We extend our hand to touch. We move our eyes to see. We wiggle, we walk, we gesture, we dance. How does our brain remember this wide range of motions? How does it learn new ones? How does it make the calculations necessary for us to grab a glass of water, without dropping it, squashing it, or missing it? Technion Professor Jackie Schiller from the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and her team examined the brain at a single-neuron level to shed light on this mystery. They found that computation happens not just in the interaction between neurons (nerve cells ), but within each individual neuron. Each of these cells, it turns out, is not a simple switch, but a complicated calculating machine. This discovery, published recently in Science , promises changes not only to our understanding of how the brain works, but better understanding of conditions ranging from Parkinson's disease to autism. And if that weren't enough, these same findings are expected to advance machine learning, offering inspiration for new architectures. Movement is controlled by the primary motor cortex of the brain. In this area, researchers are able to pinpoint exactly which neuron(s) fire at any given moment to produce the movement we see. Prof. Schiller's team was the first to get even closer, examining the activity not of the whole neuron as a single unit, but of its parts. Every neuron has branched extensions called dendrites. These dendrites are in close contact with the terminals (called axons) of other nerve cells, allowing the communication between them. A signal travels from the dendrites to the cell's body, and then transferred onwards through the axon. The number and structure of dendrites varies greatly between nerve cells, like the crown of one tree differs from the crown of another. The particular neurons Prof. Schiller's team focused on were the largest pyramidal neurons of the cortex. These cells, known to be heavily involved in movement, have a large dendritic tree, with many branches, sub-branches, and sub-sub-branches. What the team discovered is that these branches do not merely pass information onwards. Each sub-sub-branch performs a calculation on the information it receives and passes the result to the bigger sub-branch. The sub-branch than performs a calculation on the information received from all its subsidiaries and passes that on. Moreover, multiple dendritic branchlets can interact with one another to amplify their combined computational product. The result is a complex calculation performed within each individual neuron. For the first time, Prof. Schiller's team showed that the neuron is compartmentalized, and that its branches perform calculations independently. L-R: Professor Jackie Schiller, Shay Achvat and Yara Otor the two leading students in this study, holding the Science issue in which their paper was published. Credit: Technion - Israel Institute of Technology "We used to think of each neuron as a sort of whistle, which either toots, or doesn't," Prof. Schiller explains. "Instead, we are looking at a piano. Its keys can be struck simultaneously, or in sequence, producing an infinity of different tunes." This complex symphony playing in our brains is what enables us to learn and perform an infinity of different, complex and precise movements. Multiple neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders are likely to be linked to alterations in the neuron's ability to process data. In Parkinson's disease, it has been observed that the dendritic tree undergoes anatomical and physiological changes. In light of the new discoveries by the Technion team, we understand that as a result of these changes, the neuron's ability to perform parallel computation is reduced. In autism, it looks possible that the excitability of the dendritic branches is altered, resulting in the numerous effects associated with the condition. The novel understanding of how neurons work opens new research pathways with regards to these and other disorders, with the hope of their alleviation. These same findings can also serve as an inspiration for the machine learning community. Deep neural networks, as their name suggests, attempt to create software that learns and functions somewhat similarly to a human brain. Although their advances constantly make the news, these networks are primitive compared to a living brain. A better understanding of how our brain actually works can help in designing more complex neural networks, enabling them to perform more complex tasks. This study was led by two of Prof. Schiller's M.D.-Ph.D. candidate students Yara Otor and Shay Achvat, who contributed equally to the research. The team also included postdoctoral fellow Nate Cermak (now a neuroengineer) and Ph.D. student Hadas Benisty, as well as three collaborators: Professors Omri Barak, Yitzhak Schiller, and Alon Poleg-Polsky. Explore further Dendrites may help neurons perform complicated calculations More information: Yara Otor et al, Dynamic compartmental computations in tuft dendrites of layer 5 neurons during motor behavior, Science (2022). Journal information: Science Yara Otor et al, Dynamic compartmental computations in tuft dendrites of layer 5 neurons during motor behavior,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abn1421 Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The COVID-19 pandemic has taken millions of lives and infected hundreds of millions of people around the world. The pandemic has also had a profound impact on the mental health of everyone from health workers to students. A new study using data gathered by the Visual Cognition Lab at the George Washington University explores the impact of the pandemic on symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study found that college students tested during the peak of the pandemic reported a higher incidence of two key OCD symptoms: unacceptable thoughts and fear of contamination. "This study is a nice example of how data gathered for one purposein this case, studying individual differences in cognitive abilitiescan be used to explore orthogonal questions that may be of particular interest to the broader community," Stephen R. Mitroff, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at GW, said. "It is exciting to be able to leverage this data to add to the study of how the pandemic has impacted the college students' mental health." Although concerns about contracting COVID-19 generally eased during the latter stages of the pandemic, students continued to experience an elevated amount of unpleasant or unwanted thoughts. Interestingly, even though males and females tend to exhibit different OCD behaviors, the reported symptoms were consistent across genders. The results of this study were consistent with recent research uncovering increased OCD symptoms among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts believe 23% of adults in the United States have OCD, but perhaps more than 90% of the population experiences undiagnosed, less disruptive OCD symptoms. The results of this study can contribute to the growing research on the prevalence of mental illness among college students and the possible role of environmental factors in the development of OCD. The study was published in the Journal of American College Health. Explore further Stress associated with an increased risk of getting COVID-19, study finds More information: Michael E. Silverman et al, Increases in symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, Journal of American College Health (2022). Journal information: Journal of American College Health Michael E. Silverman et al, Increases in symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic,(2022). DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2080507 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A study published in The Lancet Digital Health has used health data from 57 million people in England to build the most complete picture of the pandemic in a single country to date. In this first-of-its-kind study, researchers from University College London (UCL) combined multiple NHS datasets on national laboratory testing data, primary care consultations, hospitalizations and deaths to reveal the exact trajectory of individuals through the healthcare system during the pandemic, and what impact this had on their health outcomes. The analysis uncovered 15,486 deaths that occurred within 28 days of a COVID-19 diagnosis but didn't list COVID-19 as being a cause of death. A further 10,884 COVID-19 diagnoses were identified from death records alone with no other related information recorded earlier in health records. Researchers also found almost one-third of patients received ventilatory support outside of ICU departments, and that this was associated with the highest rates of death in waves one and two of the pandemic. The authors say this demonstrates the need for planning on how to scale ICU services in the event of future pandemics and healthcare emergencies. Dr. Chris Tomlinson of UCL, the co-lead researcher of the study, said, "Understanding the impact of COVID-19 requires consideration of how the infection varies in severity and time coursefrom asymptomatic to cases that are unfortunately fatal. "These different clinical presentations are captured in a patient's digital records, but across multiple, and often unconnected organizationsincluding public health bodies, GP surgeries, hospitals, intensive care units and death registries. Analyzing all this data on the scale of an entire population presents a real challenge. "In this study, we bring together eight complementary and national-level datasets from across the NHS to create the most comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 events to date, with the aim of supporting policy decision-making for COVID-19 and future health crises." For their analysis, researchers used anonymized patient data from multiple national NHS sources to identify patterns in how patients progressed through the healthcare system. Linking these to demographic factors like age, sex, and ethnicity allowed another layer of analysis. For example, those from non-white ethnicities had a shorter time between infection and death, suggesting these groups may have been accessing testing facilities and healthcare later in their disease. The research was conducted securely in a Trusted Research Environment by members of the CVD-COVID-UK consortium, a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and British Heart Foundation (BHF) flagship project led by the BHF Data Science Centre, part of Health Data Research UK. Professor Cathie Sudlow, Director of the BHF Data Science Centre, said, "Rapid and reliable access to health data has been essential throughout the pandemic. Until now, this data has been locked away in siloed organizations where it is almost impossible to analyze in harmony. "The BHF Data Science Centre's CVD-COVID-UK consortium is now working to provide trusted researchers rapid access to multiple, linked datasets from across the NHS. By collaborating with research teams like this one who are developing new approaches to analyze these data sets, we're paving the way towards a new future of using health data to improve people's lives." Professor Spiros Denaxas of UCL, an author on the study, said, "By linking electronic health records on a national scale we were able to identify patterns and patient trajectories in the pandemic which would have otherwise remain hidden in smaller datasets. On-going, secure access to the excellent data the NHS holds is essential for performing high quality health data research and improve patients' health and healthcare." The researchers note that although they present patterns throughout the pandemic, their focus was to analyze COVID-19 related characteristics, rather than causal relationships. The findings are important for identifying potential NHS pinch points and informing future policies. Dr. Johan Thygesen of UCL, who co-led the study, said, "This work has already enabled other research with highly relevant public health implications, like assessing the blood clotting risks of COVID-19 vaccines. By fully sharing our methods and code, we believe this research has the potential to unlock the power of linked health data for not just future COVID-19 outbreaks, but all kinds of complex health conditions." Explore further Scientists identify characteristics to better define long COVID More information: COVID-19 trajectories among 57 million adults in England: a cohort study using electronic health records, The Lancet Digital Health (2022). COVID-19 trajectories among 57 million adults in England: a cohort study using electronic health records,(2022). www.thelancet.com/journals/lan (22)00091-7/fulltext Provided by Health Data Research UK A worker in protectively overalls and carrying disinfecting equipment walks outside the Wuhan Central Hospital, China on Feb. 6, 2021. Experts drafted by the World Health Organization to help investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic say further research is needed to determine how COVID-19 first began. They say they need a more detailed analysis of the possibility it was a laboratory accident. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File Over two years after the coronavirus was first detected in China, and after at least 6.3 million deaths have been counted worldwide from the pandemic, the World Health Organization is recommending in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is required into whether a lab accident may be to blame. That stance marks a sharp reversal of the U.N. health agency's initial assessment of the pandemic's origins, and comes after many critics accused WHO of being too quick to dismiss or underplay a lab-leak theory that put Chinese officials on the defensive. WHO concluded last year that it was "extremely unlikely" COVID-19 might have spilled into humans in the city of Wuhan from a lab. Many scientists suspect the coronavirus jumped into people from bats, possibly via another animal. Yet in a report released Thursday, WHO's expert group said "key pieces of data" to explain how the pandemic began were still missing. The scientists said the group would "remain open to any and all scientific evidence that becomes available in the future to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses." Identifying a disease's source in animals typically takes years. It took more than a decade for scientists to pinpoint the species of bats that were the natural reservoir for SARS, a relative of COVID-19. WHO's expert group also noted that since lab accidents in the past have triggered some outbreaks, the highly politicized theory could not be discounted. Jean-Claude Manuguerra, a co-chair of the 27-member international advisory group, acknowledged that some scientists might be "allergic" to the idea of investigating the lab leak theory, but said they needed to be "open-minded" enough to examine it. The report could revive accusations that WHO initially was too accepting of Chinese government explanations early in the outbreak, which ultimately killed millions of people, sickened millions more, forced dozens of countries into lockdown and upended the world economy. Investigations by The Associated Press found that some top WHO insiders were frustrated by China during the initial outbreak even as WHO heaped praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping. They were also upset over how China sought to clamp down on research into the origins of COVID-19. Former U.S. President Donald Trump speculated repeatedlywithout evidencethat COVID-19 was started in a Chinese lab. He also accused WHO of " colluding" with China to cover up the initial outbreak, citing the U.N. health agency's continued public praise of the country despite China's refusal to share crucial data. WHO's expert group said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent two letters to senior Chinese government officials in February requesting information, including details about the earliest human cases of COVID-19 in the city of Wuhan. It's unclear whether the Chinese responded. The experts said no studies were provided to WHO that assessed the possibility of COVID-19 resulting from a laboratory leak. Jamie Metzl, who sits on an unrelated WHO advisory group, has suggested that the Group of Seven industrialized nations set up their own COVID origins probe, saying WHO lacks the political authority, expertise and independence to conduct such a critical evaluation. Marion Koopmans, right, and Peter Ben Embarek, center, of the World Health Organization team say farewell to their Chinese counterpart Liang Wannian, left, after a WHO-China Joint Study Press Conference at the end of the WHO mission in Wuhan, China on Feb. 9, 2021. Experts drafted by the World Health Organization to help investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic say further research is needed to determine how COVID-19 first began. They say they need a more detailed analysis of the possibility it was a laboratory accident. Credit: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File Metzl welcomed WHO's call for a further investigation into the lab leak possibility but said it was insufficient. "Tragically, the Chinese government is still refusing to share essential raw data and will not allow the necessary, full audit of the Wuhan labs," he said. "Gaining access to this information is critical to both understanding how this pandemic began and preventing future pandemics." In Washington, a Republican-led subcommittee in the House of Representatives on the COVID-19 pandemic tweeted: "Americans were smeared as 'conspiracy theorists' for asking whether #COVID19 came from a lab leak. Now, the WHO is asking the same questions." "WE NEED ANSWERS," added the committee, which is headed by Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. WHO's expert scientists said numerous avenues of research were needed, including studies evaluating the role of wild animals, and environmental studies in places where the virus might have first spread, like the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan. In March 2021, WHO released a report about COVID-19's origins following a highly choreographed visit by international scientists to China. The report concluded that the disease most likely jumped into humans from bats and that there was no evidence to suggest there was a connection to a laboratory. Yet after considerable criticism, including from some scientists on WHO's team, the agency's director acknowledged that it was " premature " to rule out a lab leak. In its new report, WHO said the experts were given access to data that included unpublished blood samples from more than 40,000 people in Wuhan in 2019. The samples were tested for COVID-19 antibodies. None were found, suggesting the virus was not spreading widely before it was first identified in late December that year. WHO's experts called for numerous studies to be done, including testing wild animals to find which species might host COVID-19. They also said the "cold chain" supply theory should be probed. China has previously advanced the idea that traces of COVID-19 on frozen packaging was causing outbreaks rather than any domestic source, a theory widely panned by outside scientists. To investigate whether COVID-19 might have been the result of a lab accident, WHO's experts said interviews should be conducted "with the staff in the laboratories tasked with managing and implementing biosafety and biosecurity." China has called the suggestion that COVID-19 began in a laboratory " baseless " and countered that the virus originated in American facilities, which were also known to be researching coronaviruses in animals. The Chinese government has said it supports the search for the pandemic's origins, but that other countries should be the focus. In a footnote to the report, WHO's group noted that three of its own expertsscientists from China, Brazil and Russiadisagreed with the call to investigate the possibility of COVID-19 being sparked by a lab accident. Scientists connected to WHO lamented in August 2021 that the search for the pandemic's origins had stalled and that the window of opportunity was "closing fast." They warned that collecting data that was now at least two years old was increasingly difficult. 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Testosterone replacement therapy appears safe in the short-to-medium term to treat a condition caused by deficiency of the male sex hormone, according to the most comprehensive analysis of the treatment to date, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal. The findings suggest that men given testosterone to treat hypogonadism are at no greater risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular events in the short-to-medium term than men who do not receive testosterone treatment. Testosterone replacement therapy is the standard treatment for hypogonadism, which can cause sexual dysfunction, weakening of bones and muscles, and reduced quality of life. Risk factors for the condition include aging (as testosterone levels decline with age), obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or above), and diabetes. Despite being widely used, the cardiovascular safety of testosterone treatment has until now remained unclear due to inconsistent findings. This is because most previous clinical studies have relied on aggregate data rather than individual participant data, and have not published details of individual adverse events. Lead author Jemma Hudson from the University of Aberdeen explains, "Prescribing of testosterone for hypogonadism is increasing globally, but conflicting messages about its safety may have led to many patients not receiving the treatment. Ongoing studies should help to determine the longer-term safety of testosterone, but in the meantime, our results provide much-needed reassurance about its short-to-medium term safety. Our findings could have important implications for the treatment of men with hypogonadism worldwide." The authors conducted a systematic review identifying 35 eligible clinical trials published since 1992, of which 17 provided individual participant data. A blinded analysis by two independent clinicians enabled the classification of every cardiovascular event, allowing for a more robust analysis of the cardiovascular safety of testosterone treatment. A meta-analysis using individual participant data from 17 studies and a further meta-analysis integrating these data with the aggregate data provided by the 18 trials that did not provide individual participant data were performed. Among the 17 trials with individual patient data, 1,750 participants received testosterone and 1,681 were given a placebo. The average length of testosterone treatment was 9.5 months. The average age of participants was 65 years, and most were white and did not smoke. Participants' average BMI was 30 kg/m2, which is considered obese. A meta-analysis showed there were 120/1,601 (7.5%) cardiovascular events in the testosterone group and 110/1,519 (7.2%) in the placebo group across 13 trials that provided this information. Patient age, smoking or diabetes status did not affect cardiovascular risk. Similarly, there was no significant difference in mortality rate between the testosterone group (6/1,621 deaths, 0.4%) and the placebo group (12/1,537 deaths, 0.8%) across the 14 trials that provided individual patient data on mortality, but only limited data were available. The researchers also found that testosterone significantly reduced serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides compared with placebo. However, there were no significant differences in serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), blood pressure, glycemic parameters, diabetes incidence, and prostate adverse outcomes between the testosterone and placebo groups. The meta-analysis that integrated individual participant data with aggregate data showed similar results. The authors acknowledge some limitations to their study. There was little available data evaluating the cardiovascular safety of testosterone treatment beyond 12 months, and the very small number of deaths recorded during testosterone trials hampered the authors' ability to analyze why they occurred. However, the longer-term safety of testosterone treatment is currently being investigated in another clinical trial. While the meta-analysis of aggregate data showed similar results to the one involving individual patient data only, it cannot be ruled out with certainty that a high number of unreported cardiovascular events in the trials that did not provide individual participant data could alter the current conclusions. Explore further Low testosterone levels in women associated with doubled risk of cardiac events More information: Adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in men during testosterone treatment: an individual patient and aggregate data meta-analysis, The Lancet Healthy Longevity (2022). Adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in men during testosterone treatment: an individual patient and aggregate data meta-analysis,(2022). www.thelancet.com/journals/lan (22)00096-4/fulltext Credit: Halfpoint/Shutterstock In Japan's rapidly aging society, elderly people commonly receive medical treatment at home from doctors who make house calls instead of in a hospital setting. The doctors who provide this service are based at home support clinics and hospitals (HCSCs). In addition to making regular visits to the patients, these doctors must also be ready to make emergency house calls on patient requestthis service is available on a 24-hour basis. In a study published this month in BMC Primary Care, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have revealed several key factors that can be used to predict which patients are most likely to require frequent emergency house calls. The first factor is whether a patient is receiving home oxygen therapy. The second is whether they have been classified as belonging to "care level need 45" under the government's long-term insurance care system (that is, the highest level of need for care). The third is whether they are receiving treatment for cancer. "Not knowing when they will be called on to make an emergency house call is a major problem for the doctors in the HCSCs," comments lead author of the study Professor Nanako Tamiya. "We were interested in seeing if there was a way to predict which patients were most likely to require frequent emergency house calls so that the doctors could get a better sense of where they will be needed." To investigate this question, the researchers looked at medical insurance claims records and long-term care insurance claims data for about four thousand patients over the age of 65 in Tsukuba City and Kashiwa City (both in the vicinity of Tokyo) over a four-year period from 2014 to 2018. They looked at various factors that might be relevant to the likelihood of emergency house calls being needed, ranging from various medical conditions to the need to conduct medical procedures at home, and used them to develop a risk-scoring model to assess the likelihood of emergency house calls. "We selected 19 factors as candidates for predicting the need for frequent emergency home visits," explains Professor Tamiya. "We were able to narrow these down to the three most significant predictors: home oxygen therapy, care level need 45, and cancer." The study's findings promise to be useful in allocating medical resources. For example, elderly patients identified as being at high risk of requiring emergency house calls can be assigned to enhanced HCSCs with greater numbers of doctors, thus relieving the pressure on smaller clinics. More information: Yu Sun et al, Development and validation of a risk score to predict the frequent emergency house calls among older people who receive regular home visits, BMC Primary Care (2022). Yu Sun et al, Development and validation of a risk score to predict the frequent emergency house calls among older people who receive regular home visits,(2022). DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01742-7 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Is the grief experience different for individuals who have lost a loved one by medical assistance in dying (MAiD) compared to natural death with palliative care (NDPC)? Philippe Laperle examines this sensitive issue in a recent article published in the Journal of Death and Dying, based on his Ph.D. research under the supervision of Marie Achille of the University of Montreal's Department of Psychology and Deborah Ummel of the Universite de Sherbrooke's Department of Psychoeducation. Previous research suggests that grief following the medically assisted death of a loved is no more challenging or complex than grief in other dying contexts, including sudden natural death or suicide. Some studies have even concluded that it may be easier. Comparing two groups of bereaved individuals To date, however, no one has compared bereavement following the loss of a loved one by MAiD and by NDPC, considered the "gold standard" in in end-of-life care and death preparation. Laperle recruited 60 subjects who had been bereaved for at least six months. Twenty-five of them had lost a loved one by MAiD and 35 by NDPC. In the majority of cases (48), the cause of death was cancer. The 51 women and 9 men first completed two questionnaires assessing different aspects of grief, symptoms of distress and the presence of prolonged grief disorder requiring professional psychological support. This quantitative component was followed by in-depth interviews with 8 members of each group. No overall differences, but a diversity of experiences Contrary to his initial hypothesis that grief would be easier after MAiD than after natural death, Laperle did not observe any significant differences in intensity or distress between the two groups. The low scores for distress symptoms indicate that "these two contexts tend to make grief easier in certain respects," said Laperle, "although some bereaved individuals still reported a more difficult grief experience characterized by depression and guilt." The interviews showed that the experiences of the bereaved were diverse and, sometimes, mixed in both groups. And that the traces, or "imprints," left on the bereaved individual by their loved one's final moments and the separation brought by death could be painful, comforting or both at the same time. "When preparation for death and acceptance of its coming unfold at a similar pace in the dying person and their loved one, the two arrive at the same point mentally and emotionally at the time of death, which makes the subsequent grieving process easier," explained Laperle. "But if one of them accepts the impending death while the other remains in denial, this leaves imprints that are more difficult to overcome." But regardless of whether the loved one passed away by MAiD or naturally under palliative sedation, in which case the person gradually slips into unconsciousness and death, some bereaved individuals felt the process was rushed. In general, those who were in synchrony with their loved one experienced the death more serenely and felt it came at the right time. Differences were also found n the subjects' memories of the loved one. In the case of MAiD, some of the bereaved remembered the departed as a "hero" who embodied values of freedom, control, courage and/or immortality. In the case of NDPC, the departed was more likely to be remembered as the embodiment of a beauty that never fades completely although it withers. Others felt left behind by their hero, which created a even greater void after their passing. "It's important to remember that every grieving process is different and that not everyone will be left with the same imprints," said Laperle. "In general, imprints fluctuate over time, arising momentarily to then dissipate and even transform. Other factors also impact grief, including the person's relationship with the deceased and degree of involvement during the illness. These factors can increase or decrease the effects of the imprints left by MAiD or NDPC." More information: Philippe Laperle et al, To Lose a Loved One by Medical Assistance in Dying or by Natural Death with Palliative Care: A Mixed Methods Comparison of Grief Experiences, OMEGAJournal of Death and Dying (2022). Philippe Laperle et al, To Lose a Loved One by Medical Assistance in Dying or by Natural Death with Palliative Care: A Mixed Methods Comparison of Grief Experiences,(2022). DOI: 10.1177/00302228221085191 Credit: CC0 Public Domain A genetic variant that is present in nearly 30% of Greenlanders is linked to high cholesterol and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published on June 9th in the journal Human Genetics and Genomics Advances. As noted by the authors, this is the first report of an association between this Arctic-specific variant, known as p.G137S, and cardiovascular disease. "Due to its high frequency and large effect sizes, p.G137S has a marked population-level impact, increasing the risk of high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease for up to 30% of the Greenlandic population," says co-first study author Emil Jorsboe of the University of Copenhagen. "The variant is therefore a potential marker for early intervention in Arctic populations." Cardiovascular disease is the number-one cause of death in many populations worldwide. It is tightly linked to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The uptake of LDL-cholesterol particles from the blood into tissues such as the liver is mediated by the LDL receptor (LDLR). Mutations in the LDLR gene, which encodes this receptor, is a common cause of high cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Among Greenlanders, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is likely to increase in the future due to increasing life expectancy and changing lifestyle. The common Arctic-specific LDLR variant, known as p.G137S, was recently shown to be associated with elevated cholesterol levels. But until now, it was not clear whether this variant is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In the new study, Jorsboe and his collaborators examined this possibility in a group of 5,063 Greenlanders. Roughly 30% of the individuals carried at least one copy of the p.G137S risk allele. Approximately 25% of the heterozygous and 55% of the homozygous carriers had high blood levels of LDL cholesterol. Moreover, p.G137S was associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, and coronary operations. Yet only a low proportion of individuals with very high levels of LDL cholesterol were receiving cholesterol-lowering therapy. In addition, elevated levels of LDL cholesterol for p.G137S carriers were independent of age, indicating that these individuals would benefit from early intervention and treatment. "Our results showed that the p.G137S variant had an even larger impact on the lipid profile of Greenlanders than previously reported," Jorsboe says. "This variant further highlights the importance of carrying out genetic studies in smaller populations like the Greenlandic." According to the authors, the results suggest that a screening program for the p.G137S variant could be highly useful for the early identification of individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, potentially improving preventive care and public health. "We think an intervention study would be of great importance, where one could investigate how cholesterol-lowering medicine improves the lipid profile in carriers of this genetic variant," Jorsboe says. "Defining the optimal treatment and prevention strategies for carriers of this variant is crucial, especially because one-third of the Greenlandic population are at risk." Explore further High cholesterol intake and eggs do not increase risk of memory disorders More information: Torben Hansen, An LDLR missense variant poses high risk of familial hypercholesterolemia in 30% of Greenlanders and offers potential for early cardiovascular disease intervention, Human Genetics and Genomics Advances (2022). www.cell.com/hgg-advances/full 2666-2477(22)00034-3 Torben Hansen, An LDLR missense variant poses high risk of familial hypercholesterolemia in 30% of Greenlanders and offers potential for early cardiovascular disease intervention,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2022.100118 Love Joy, a nurse at UConn Health takes Loveah Hernandez's blood pressure. Credit: Shaylee King Prior to COVID-19 vaccines most people had never heard of messenger RNA (mRNA) used to create two of the COVID-19 vaccines on the market. However, mRNA was discovered in 1960 and since that time has been researched and used for a variety of vaccines and treatments. Moderna has been researching the use of mRNA for the potential treatment of the metabolic disorder Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSD-Ia) caused by an enzyme deficiency where the liver fails to break down glycogen into glucose, causing the body's blood sugar levels to drop. The disorder is devastating, causing life-threatening low blood sugar, and potential damage to kidneys and liver along with other serious side effects, including death. When Loveah Hernandez, of Dallas, Texas, was six months old she suddenly became unresponsive and was taken to the Emergency Department at a nearby hospital. A week later she had a liver biopsy and was diagnosed with GSD-Ia. Hernandez had a feeding tube inserted in her nose so she could receive the vital nutrients she needed from the cornstarch therapy, which is used as a slow-release form of glucose necessary to keep GSD-Ia patients alive. Then, when she turned 3 years old, the tube was removed and she received a gastrostomy tube, often called a G-tube, surgically placed to give direct access to her stomach for supplemental feeding. Like other GSD-Ia patients, Hernandez needs regular cornstarch therapy every 3-4 hours to stay alive. This means sleepless nights and her mother's daily visits to the school to make sure she stayed on the schedule. As she grew older, she started drinking the corn starch mixture mixed with a sugar-free fruit punch flavored mix. Her life has been significantly impacted by this rare disease with the loss of school trips, lack of invitations to birthday parties because the children were afraid of the g-tube, and regular visits to the hospital when she was sick. "A large part of my childhood was spent in the hospital," says Hernandez. Although a highlight of that was when The Band Perry came to visit and Kimberly Perry gave her a guitar pick she still has today. Hernandez, now 21, graduated fourth in her high school class and is now a biology major in college with plans to continue on to become a physician's assistant. She has been trying for two years to be a trial participant and worked hard to make sure she met the criteria to participate in the Ba1ance Moderna Trial. The Ba1ance Trial aims to see if a new investigational medication, mRNA-3745, for people with GSD-Ia is safe and if it could potentially help correct the defect that causes GSD-Ia and restore function. If successful, mRNA-3745 would teach certain cells in the body to effectively break down glycogen, correct low blood glucose, and avoid starch intake. The mRNA technology uses messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), an instructional molecule that naturally occurs in the body and carries information to cells. In this case, Moderna is researching whether using mRNA can instruct the body to make the protein that is missing in people with GSD-Ia. In this phase 1 clinical trial, mRNA-3745 is administered as a single intravenous infusion via a small tube inserted into a vein in the arm. After a year of planning and preparing, on June 1, 2022, Hernandez was the first person in the world to receive the investigational mRNA-3745 infusion. "It's pretty cool to be the first person to receive this investigational treatment," says Hernandez. "Finding the right patient to participate is difficult because many don't want to be the first," says Shaylee King, clinical research manager, Department of Pediatrics at UConn Health. "I am in awe of Loveah who has shown her selflessness and bravery to be the first to participate in this trial in an effort to potentially provide another treatment option for those with GSD-Ia." "This trial is exciting and historic. We know mRNA vaccines work. They have been critical to the fight against COVID-19. Now we can potentially use the same technology to help manage a completely different kind of illness," says Juan C. Salazar, MD, physician-in-chief, Connecticut Children's and department chair of Pediatrics at UConn School of Medicine. "This could be a life-changing treatment for so many children and their families across the globe. It's truly spectacular." The conversations with Moderna and this trial started over four years ago and in mid-July 2021 they we ready to start the trial with UConn Health and Connecticut Children's. "It's a testament to our team that their experience with first in human GSD-Ia trials provided the skills and processes to move this trial forward quickly and efficiently," says Dr. Bruce Liang, interim CEO of UConn Health and dean of the UConn School of Medicine. "The fact that we are doing it here shows how far UConn Health, the Department of Pediatrics at the UConn School of Medicine, in partnership with Connecticut Children's, has come as a research enterprise." Karen J. Loechner MD, Ph.D., pediatric endocrinologist at Connecticut Children's, is the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Ba1ance Trial with 20 years of research experience. The Co-PI of this study is Dr. Narinder Maheshwari from the Department of Medicine at UConn Health. Loechner explained that the purpose of Phase 1 of the Ba1ance Trial is to determine if the investigational treatment, mRNA-3745 is tolerable, safe and what effects it has on the blood sugar during fasting. It is hoped that the investigational mRNA treatment will provide the missing code to permit the liver to make the defective protein of GSD-Ia. "The goal is to provide an improved quality of life for GSD-Ia patients so they are not dependent on corn starch therapy," says Loechner. Most rare diseases don't gain a lot of attention and research so this study gives Hernandez hope for herself and those with GSD-Ia. "My hope for this trial is that it potentially provides a successful treatment to improve my life and the lives of others with GSD-Ia," says Hernandez. The Ba1ance Trial includes one overnight stay at a hospital and four additional visits at the hospital or trial doctor's office. If agreed to by the participant and trial doctor, all other visits will be at the participant's home where a home health nurse will perform the assessments needed. Explore further New HIV mRNA vaccine study gets boost from COVID mRNA vaccine development Credit: CC0 Public Domain Shanghai will lock down a district of 2.7 million people on Saturday to conduct mass coronavirus testing, city authorities said, as the Chinese metropolis struggles to fully emerge from punishing curbs. The city eased many restrictions last week, after confining most of its 25 million residents to their homes since March as China battled its worst COVID outbreak in two years. But the lockdown was never fully lifted, with hundreds of thousands in China's biggest city still restricted to their homes and multiple residential compounds put under fresh stay-home orders. The southwestern district of Minhang, home to 2.7 million people, will be placed under "closed management" on Saturday morning and all residents will be tested, district authorities said in a social media post on Thursday. "The closure will be lifted after samples have been collected," they added, without giving a specific time or date. The statement also did not say what measures would be imposed if any district residents test positive. Under China's stringent zero-COVID approach, all positive cases are isolated and close contactsoften including the entire building or community where they liveare made to quarantine. Shanghai reported nine new local infections on Thursdaynone in Minhang. Fears of another lockdown The district's announcement sparked fear among some social media users that the lockdown could be prolonged beyond Saturday if any cases are found. "You need to clarify if (the lockdown) will really be lifted after samples are collected," one user wrote on Weibo. "If there are abnormal results after the tests, what will you do? Continue the lockdown?" asked another. The city government on Thursday denied rumours that the rest of the city would lock down again in phases, saying that while individual areas had issued confinement orders, the city as a whole was "gradually resuming normal production and life". The lockdown in Shanghaia major global shipping hubhad threatened to pile further pressure on already-strained international supply chains. But the city has slowly come back to life in recent days. Commuters are back on subways and buses as people return to working in their offices, while residents have gathered in parks and along the city's historic waterfront. But others are chafing under continued restrictions, with residents in one compound in the downtown Xuhui district protesting against the rules this week. Beijing, meanwhile, was transitioning more smoothly towards normality after shutting restaurants, gyms and subway stations last month to stamp out a smaller outbreak. The Chinese capital's largest district, however, on Thursday ordered clubs and bars to close after some venues were linked to COVID cases, according to state media. 2022 AFP The first customer of the day, Rittipomng Bachkul celebrates after buying legal marijuana at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Thailand made it legal to cultivate and possess marijuana as of Thursday, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick delivered by the legendary Thai Stick variety. The public health minister's plan to distribute 1 million marijuana seedlings, beginning Friday, has added to the impression that Thailand is turning into a weed wonderland. The decision by the Food and Drug Administration to remove all of the plant from the category of narcotic drugs makes Thailand the first nation in Asia to decriminalize marijuana for medical and industrial use. But it is not following the examples of Uruguay and Canada, the only two countries so far that have legalized recreational marijuana on a national basis. So far, it appears there will be no effort to police what people can grow and smoke at home, aside from registering to do so and declaring it is for medical purposes. Some Thai advocates celebrated on Thursday by buying marijuana at a cafe that had previously been limited to selling products made from the parts of the plant that do not get people high. The dozen or so people who turned up early at the Highland Cafe were able to choose from a variety of buds with names such as Sugarcane, Bubblegum, Purple Afghani and UFO. A worker tends to cannabis plants at a farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit "I can say it out loud, that I am a cannabis smoker. I don't need to hide like in the past when it was branded as a illegal drug," said 24-year-old Rittipong Bachkul, the day's first customer. Marijuana is also known as cannabis or ganja in Thailand. "As far as the government is concerned, it's their job to promote medical use only. But it is pretty clear that we have come very far and finally are legalizing its use. The government understands that it's more pros than cons," said Rattapon Sanrak, the cafe's co-owner and a longtime legalization activist. The country is known for its Thai Stick variety, which is named after the way its potent flowers are dried and tied into sticks and is the origin of many strains now grown overseas. Thailand's government has warned that those eager to light up for fun that smoking in public could still be considered a nuisance, subject to a potential 3-month jail sentence and 25,000 baht ($780) fine. And marijuana extracts, such as oil, remain illegal if they contain more than 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical that makes people high. A worker tends to cannabis plants at a farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Tourists should proceed cautiously until the rules become clearer after a new cannabis law is passed, said Prof. Sarana Sommano of Chiang Mai University's Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. "There are still risks. The problem is that cannabis is no longer considered a narcotic but there are no ministry regulations and rules governing the use of it," she said. "There is no mention of limits on use, drug-impaired driving laws. This could be a mistake by the government in trying to rush out its policy to please voters without really planning the details and explaining to the public what's going on," Thailand mainly wants to make a splash in the market for medical marijuana. It already has a well-developed medical tourism industry and its tropical climate is ideal for growing cannabis. "We should know how to use cannabis," Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a marijuana booster, said recently. "If we have the right awareness, cannabis is like gold, something valuable, and should be promoted." Highland Cafe's first customer of the day Rittipomng Bachkul shows a piece of marijuana in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Some immediate beneficiaries of the change are people who have been locked up for breaking the old law. "From our perspective, a major positive outcome of the legal changes is that at least 4,000 people imprisoned for offenses relating to cannabis will be released," Gloria Lai, Asia regional director of the International Drug Policy Consortium, said in an email interview. "People facing cannabis-related charges will see them dropped, and money and cannabis seized from people charged with cannabis-related offenses will be returned to their owners," she said. Her organization is a network of civic groups worldwide advocating drug policies that incorporate human rights, health and development. Predicted economic benefits are at the heart of Thailand's marijuana reforms, projected to boost everything from national income to small farmers' livelihoods. But there is concern whether the benefits will be distributed equitably. A customer views samples of marijuana before purchasing at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit One fear is that large corporations could unfairly benefit from proposed regulations involving complicated licensing processes and expensive fees for commercial use that would handicap small producers. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a lawmaker in the opposition Move Forward party, said that under some proposed regulations, the cannabis industry could end up being controlled by a few big companies, as is the case with alcoholic beverages. His party wants the laws now being drafted to tackle the problem. Small operators are eager to move into the marijuana business. On a recent hot Sunday afternoon in eastern Thailand's Sri Racha district, Ittisug Hanjichan, owner of the Goldenleaf Hemp cannabis farm, led his fifth training course for 40 entrepreneurs, farmers, and retirees. They paid about $150 each to learn tips on nicking seed coats and tending the plants to get quality yields. A customer views an array of paraphernalia used to smoke marijuana at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit A customer talks on his mobile phone as he buys marijuana at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Staff of the Highland Cafe select portions of marijuana for a customer in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds.Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit The bud of a cannabis plant stands tall at a farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Workers tend to cannabis plants at a farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Cannabis plants line at a cannabis farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit A cannabis plant grows in a farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Entrepreneurs tour a cannabis farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Cannabis leaves sit in a basket at a cannabis farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit A worker tends to cannabis plants at a farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Entrepreneurs learn how to grow cannabis plants at a cannabis farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Workers tend to cannabis plants at a farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Entrepreneurs learn how to grow cannabis plants at a cannabis farm in Chonburi province, eastern Thailand on June 5, 2022. Marijuana cultivation and possession in Thailand was decriminalized as of Thursday, June 9, 2022, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit A customer views samples of marijuana before making a purchase at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit Customers line up to purchase marijuana at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit A flower bud of marijuana is displayed at the Highland Cafe in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Measures to legalize cannabis became effective Thursday, paving the way for medical and personal use of all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds. Credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit One of the attendees was 18-year-old Chanadech Sonboon, who said his parents used to scold him for trying to secretly grow marijuana plants. He said his father has changed his mind and now sees marijuana as a medication rather than something to be abused. The family runs a small homestay and cafe and hopes to one day provide cannabis to its guests. Explore further Free handouts of cannabis oil at Bangkok medical marijuana clinic 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Heart failure patients who are unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are three times more likely to die if infected with the virus compared to fully boosted heart failure patients, according to new research out of Mount Sinai Heart. The study, published June 9 in the Journal of Cardiac Failure, is the first to look at COVID-19 vaccination status and outcomes in patients with this cardiovascular condition, and shows how dramatic the protective effects are in this high-risk patient population. The research is important since many heart failure patients are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to fear of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle. This condition is a rare side effect of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines but a more common complication of COVID-19 infection. The results of this work can help heart failure patients better understand the benefits of being fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, and the protection it offers. "I launched this study because our heart failure patients often express fear of getting the COVID-19 vaccine after hearing reports of vaccine-related myocarditis, which would cause another cardiac setback for them. Until now, it has been difficult to explain to these patients how the cardiovascular benefits of vaccination substantially outweigh the risks of complications to them, because we didn't have concrete evidence to show the substantial risks of being unvaccinated, as few studies have focused on this specific high-risk population and COVID-19 vaccinations," says corresponding author Anurhada Lala, MD, Director of Heart Failure Research and an Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Having specific data showing patients with heart failure who don't have their full vaccine series are at a much higher risk of death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and general hospitalizationeven after accounting for factors that might be related to an individual's decision to become vaccinatedis helpful." Mount Sinai researchers conducted a retrospective study to analyze the impact of COVID-19 vaccination status in the heart failure patient population. They looked at electronic records of 7,094 patients from the Mount Sinai Health System with a heart failure diagnosis (not including heart transplant and left ventricular assist device patients) who had office visits, emergency department visits, or hospitalizations between January 1, 2021, and January 24, 2022. Of that group, 2,200 (31 percent) were fully vaccinated with two doses, 1,053 (14.8 percent) were fully vaccinated and had also received one boosterthe recommended guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at that time; 645 (9.1 percent) were partially vaccinated with only one dose, and 3,196 (45 percent) were unvaccinated. That unvaccinated proportion in this study is approximately double the proportion of unvaccinated adults in the general New York City population. Researchers compared survival rates and numbers of admissions to the hospital and intensive care units between the groups, looking at both all-cause mortality and mortality associated with concurrent, documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. They found the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated patients were three times more likely to die from COVID-19-related illness than fully vaccinated and boosted patients. The study goes on to show that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated patients were 15 percent more likely to be hospitalized if infected with the virus and nearly twice as likely to be admitted to the ICU when compared to fully vaccinated and boosted patients. "The findings further emphasize that heart failure patients need to take vaccines seriously, since they have worse outcomes if infected with COVID-19, and stresses the importance of receiving the full COVID-19 vaccination dosage, especially since our previous work shows those with heart failure are 2.5 times more likely to die from the virus," Dr. Lala adds. "I have used these results to help educate reluctant patients and in many cases this has been effective in encouraging them and getting them to follow through with full vaccination. The hope is that cardiologists will use these results as a tool to help their patients and improve their chances of survival." Explore further COVID-19 vaccine impact on chest CT of pneumonia in symptomatic patients More information: Association of Reduced Hospitalizations and Mortality Among COVID-19 Vaccinated Patients with Heart Failure, Journal of Cardiac Failure (2022). Solar rooftop at SM City North EDSA CLIMATE CHANGE is one of the most pressing and defining global issues today and it has become imperative... BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday for fighting on Ukraine's side, in a punishment handed down by the country's pro-Moscow rebels. The proceedings against the three captured fighters were denounced by Ukraine and the West as a sham and a violation of the rules of war. Meanwhile, as the Kremlins forces continued a grinding war of attrition in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to liken his actions to those of Peter the Great in the 18th century and said the country needs to take back historic Russian lands. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic in Ukraine found the three fighters guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the unrecognized eastern republic. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the defendants identified as Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. The separatist side argued that the three were mercenaries not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war. They are the first foreign fighters sentenced by Ukraines Russian-backed rebels. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko condemned the proceedings as legally invalid, saying, Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality. He said that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel and protected as such. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss pronounced the sentencing a "sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said that under the Geneva Conventions, POWs are entitled to immunity as combatants. Saadoun's father, Taher Saadoun, told the Moroccan online Arab-language newspaper Madar 21 that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship. Aslins and Pinners families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Both are said to have lived in Ukraine since 2018. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops before Pinner and Aslin surrendered to pro-Russian forces in the southern port of Mariupol in mid-April and Saadoun was captured in mid-March in the eastern city of Volnovakha. Another British fighter taken prisoner by the pro-Russian forces, Andrew Hill, is awaiting trial. The Russian military has argued that foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraines side are not combatants and should expect long prison terms, at best, if captured. In other developments, Putin drew parallels between Peter the Great's founding of St. Petersburg and modern-day Russia's ambitions. When the czar founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. He added: What was (Peter) doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further Russian territorial expansion. Its impossible Do you understand? impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, the Russian leader said. In other developments, French President Emmanuel Macron told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France was ready to send more heavy weapons to Ukraine, according to Macrons office. French officials did not elaborate on the weaponry. The phone conversation came after Macron angered Ukrainian officials by saying world powers should not humiliate Putin. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army continued to push Russian forces back from Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, which lies to the north of the Donbas. The transmission of Ukrainian television was restored after a TV tower was shelled. Hitting television centers, destroying communication channels, leaving people isolated this is the tactic of the occupiers that they cannot do without, for openness and honesty also are weapons against all that the Russian state does, he said late Thursday in his evening address. On the battlefield: Fierce fighting dragged on in the city of Sievierodonetsk in a battle that could help determine the fate of the Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland in the east. Moscow-backed separatists already held swaths of the Donbas before the invasion, and Russian troops have gained more. Residents of Kharkiv reported what appeared to be cruise missile strikes. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were immediately available. Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive to completely capture the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine's southeast, Ukrainian authorities said. Kyiv continues to hold the northern part of the region, including the city of Zaporizhzhia. Thirteen civilians were killed in Ukrainian shelling of the separatist-controlled city of Stakhanov in the Donbas, a pro-Russian separatist envoy said on social media. It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. Russia claimed it used missiles to strike a base west of the capital in the Zhytomyr region, where, it said, mercenaries were being trained. There was no immediate response from Ukrainian authorities. Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Return to the Big Skies: Miss Montana to Normandy has landed on streaming. The documentary chronicles the restoration of a Mann Gulch smokejumper plane with a deadline to fly it to Europe for the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, in the summer of 2019. The movie is available for rental or purchase through Amazon Prime. (Those outside the U.S. or U.K. can see it via Vimeo on demand.) Those volunteers and folks that flew that airplane to Europe and back really made the state proud, said director Eric Ristau. "And the fact that we were able to document that and hopefully share it with a wide audience is exactly what I hoped would happen." The only prior screenings were at the EAA OshKosh AirVenture show last summer; a viewing at Big Sky Brewing Company Amphitheater in September 2021 for volunteers and those involved. It screened at the Wilma in February at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Ristau and his wife and co-producer Geneva Ristau run a film production company; they teamed up with producer Jenny Rohrer for the project. Ristau directed a feature film about a motorcycle road trip, The Best Bar in America, with his brother, Damon Ristau. He and Geneva also helmed a documentary, Sit Stay Ride: The Story of Americas Sidecar Dogs, about what he called the fervent subculture of people who enjoy having their pets riding shotgun. Ristau already had an interest in aviation the movie is dedicated to his grandfather and his great-uncle, who flew in Europe during World War II. In the summer of 2018, when the Miss Montana Project was announced, it caught his eye. Another filmmaker had expressed interest but bowed out. A friend of Ristaus who serves on the board of the Museum of Mountain Flying reached. Ristau thought, if they can swing the project, and make it happen, and raise the money and find all the volunteers and do the 10,000 hours of labor necessary, it would be pretty cool. So I went to the hangar probably 35 or 40 times over the next nine months or so. Featured on camera are the originators of the idea Eric Komberec, president of the Museum of Mountain Flying; and Bryan Douglass, who both were on a flight to pick up an antique smokejumper training plane and heard about the D-Day Squadron. Hundreds of volunteers, fundraisers and experts were involved, Ristau said, both locally and some out of state. You had highly trained aircraft mechanics, you had a bunch of people from Neptune Aviation who are professional aviation maintenance people, down to folks that had never touched an airplane in their life, he said. Some of them maybe worked on automobiles, some people worked tinkering in their garage, some folks just knew how to scrub grease off of metal, which was apparently like a huge amount of the work that they did, he said. "They just tore that airplane down to the bones and have to clean out decades and decades full of just nasty grease." His initial plan was to film the trip to Europe itself. However, that couldnt happen for insurance and other reasons, he said. He bought a ticket, mostly to see it for himself. He and Geneva and Jenny Rohrer spent a year going through the footage with a new focal point in mind a grassroots effort and a race against the clock, which now comprises about 95% of the film. In the end, I think I'm happier with that as a storyline than it would have been going to Europe and making it mostly about that trip, he said. They adapted a chapter-like structure moving back and forth from the past to the present. They interviewed Steve Smith, author of a book, Fly the Biggest Piece Back, on Johnson Flying Service, and thanks to Stan Cohen and other historians they have pictures that likely havent been seen widely. Local media interviewed on camera include Dennis Bragg and Kim Briggeman, who extensively covered the project. It covers the history of the Mann Gulch fire and the people who died there and Montana aviation and the smokejumpers and how they influenced paratrooping for WWII. We're really happy to pay tribute to not only the volunteers, but the thousands of smokejumpers that jumped out of an airplane and the folks who have touched it over the years and kept it flying, he said. For more information, head to missmontanamovie.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. THURSDAY, June 9, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Staying connected to others may help protect your brain as you age, new research reveals. The study showed that social isolation but not loneliness can cause changes to certain brain structures and increase the risk of dementia. The findings suggest that social isolation could be used as predictor of dementia risk, the British researchers added. "There is a difference between social isolation, which is an objective state of low social connections, and loneliness, which is subjectively perceived social isolation," said Edmund Rolls, a neuroscientist in the University of Warwick's department of computer science. "Both have risks to health but ... we have been able to show that it is social isolation, rather than the feeling of loneliness, which is an independent risk factor for later dementia." For the study, Rolls and colleagues analyzed brain imaging data from more than 30,000 people in the United Kingdom and found that those who were socially isolated had lower volumes of gray matter in brain regions involved in memory and learning. After adjusting for risk factors such as socioeconomic status, chronic illness, lifestyle, depression and genetics, socially isolated people had a 26% increased likelihood of developing dementia, according to the study published online June 8 in the journal Neurology. The association between social isolation and dementia was strongest in those over 60 years of age. Loneliness was also associated with dementia, but that link was not significant after adjusting for depression, which explained 75% of the relationship between loneliness and dementia, the researchers explained. "With the growing prevalence of social isolation and loneliness over the past decades, this has been a serious yet underappreciated public health problem. Now, in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic there are implications for social relationship interventions and care particularly in the older population," Rolls said in a university news release. And, according to study co-author Barbara Sahakian, of the University of Cambridge's department of psychiatry, "Now that we know the risk to brain health and dementia of social isolation, it is important that the government and communities take action to ensure that older individuals have communication and interactions with others on a regular basis." More information For more on dementia risk factors, go to Alzheimers.gov. SOURCE: University of Warwick, news release, June 8, 2022 You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine will invest $230 million in statewide suicide prevention and mental health services after a report found that more than 85% of gun deaths in 2020 were suicides. The state report released this week concluded that 132 of the 154 people killed by guns in 2020 died by suicide. According to the report, 118 of the suicides affected men, The Portland Press Herald reported Wednesday. The research conducted by the state's Center for Disease Control and Department of Human Services coincides with the gun control debate that has reignited across the U.S. after 19 children and two teachers were killed in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and 10 Black people were killed in a racist shooting in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York. Many states have adopted so-called red flag laws, which take firearms away from people who may do harm to themselves or others. Florida passed a law after the Parkland high school shooting in 2018. In Maine, a yellow flag law requires a medical professional to sign off before guns would be removed. Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins has pushed for something similar at the federal level. State lawmakers and advocates have also called for an overhaul of Maine's mental health system and further limiting access to gun ownership for people in crisis, the Press Herald reported. Rep. Lori Gramlich, a Democrat who sponsored the bill that led to the report, said the most alarming data point in this report is regarding suicides and thats a mental health issue. Greg Marley, director of suicide prevention at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Maine, said he was not surprised by the data but he hopes the report will increase awareness around the role of guns in suicide and creating preventive measures. Maine is below the national average when it comes to gun violence, but has a much higher rate of suicide and suicide attempts using guns, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit which tracks gun deaths across the country. This story was first published on June 8, 2022. It was updated on June 9, 2022, to correct the headline to say the state is investing money in behavioral health, not just suicide prevention; and the story to say money is being invested in suicide prevention and mental health services, not suicide prevention and mental health awareness. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Portland Press Herald. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A group of U.S. senators led by Vermont independent Bernie Sanders is lending its support to workers at two CNH Industrial plants who have been on strike for better pay and benefits for more than a month. The group, which also includes fellow former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and three other Democrats, has written a letter to CNH CEO Scott Wine urging him to offer the more than 1,000 striking workers a better deal. Sanders plans to attend rallies with the strikers next week. The group said workers at the plants that make construction and agriculture equipment shouldnt have to accept the drastically higher health care costs and modest raises the company is offering now, especially when the company reported a $336 million profit in the first quarter. The senators said the lowest-paid workers at the plants in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, would receive raises of $1.33 an hour, which they say wouldn't cover the $6,400 health insurance deductible CNH Industrial has proposed. If CNH can afford to provide you with a $9.2 million signing bonus and nearly $22 million in total compensation for one year of work nearly 8,000 times the raise you are offering some workers it can afford to pay all of your workers better wages and better benefits, the senators wrote to Wine. If CNH can afford to spend over $100 million on stock buybacks over a six-month period to enrich its wealthy shareholders, it can afford to treat all of its workers with the dignity and the respect that they deserve. Officials with the company, which is based in the United Kingdom, didn't respond Wednesday to questions about the strike, but previously they have said they were committed to resolving the contract dispute through the bargaining process. CNH Industrial has more than 37,000 employees total. Sanders, who has been working with unions across the country over the past year to support workers during a spate of high-profile strikes, plans to visit Wisconsin and Iowa on June 17 to attend town hall rallies with the striking CNH workers. Sanders previously unsuccessfully urged Warren Buffett to intervene in a strike at one of the companies his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns. He also rallied with striking Kellogg's cereal plant workers last year before they agreed to a new contract. About 10,000 UAW members who work for Deere & Co. secured 10% raises and improved benefits after they went on strike for a month last fall. So far the CNH workers haven't been able to achieve similar results. The ongoing worker shortages have prompted many unions to press for better wages and benefits after keeping plants operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The letter was also signed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Sherrod Brown and Tammy Baldwin. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BEIJING (AP) Thousands of COVID-19 testing booths have popped up on sidewalks across Beijing and other Chinese cities in the latest twist to the country's zero-COVID strategy. Lines form every day, rain or shine, even where the spread of the virus has largely stopped. Some people need to go to work. Others want to shop. All are effectively compelled to get tested by a requirement to show a negative test result to enter office buildings, malls and other public places. Liu Lele, who works for a live-streaming company, has no problem getting tested regularly but said the daytime operating hours don't always fit his schedule. Sometimes I get held up at work," he said after finishing a test Thursday near Beijing's historic Bell and Drum towers. "I wish there were sites open 24 hours or not closing until 7 or 8 p.m. Regular testing of residents is becoming the new normal as the ruling Communist Party sticks steadfastly to a zero-COVID approach that is increasingly at odds with the rest of the world. Major cities have been told to set up testing stations within a 15-minute walk for all residents. Beijing and Shanghai alone have put up 10,000 or more each. Many of them are enclosed square booths from which gloved workers reach out through openings to take a quick throat swab from the next person in line. Many cities including Beijing are requiring a negative test result within the last three days to enter a public place or take the bus or subway. Some have made it a week or 10 days. The tests are free, with the result reflected on the persons smartphone health app roughly 12 hours later. This is something we should do, said Beijing retiree Wang Shiyuan, who gets tested every three days in case he needs to go to the supermarket or take a bus. Only when everyone obeys the requirements can we reduce the risk of transmission. The move follows a recent outbreak in Shanghai that spread so widely that authorities locked down the entire city for two months to end it, trapping millions of people and dealing a blow to the national economy. China kept the virus largely at bay for a year and a half with targeted lockdowns of buildings and neighborhoods and quarantining infected people, but the rapidly spreading omicron variant proved more difficult to stop. More than 580 people died in Shanghai a large number in a country that had reported only a handful of deaths after an initial deadly outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020. Andy Chen, a senior analyst with the Trivium China consultancy, said the proliferation of testing sites is a reaction to the failure of existing measures to control omicron in Shanghai, though officials have not explicitly said so. Authorities have decided that early detection is needed if they are going to control omicron outbreaks without extreme measures that cause major economic disruption. The regular testing requirements are meant to improve the zero-COVID strategy, Chen said in an email response. The end goal is to keep the virus under control while avoiding another Shanghai-like lockdown. Many other countries, faced with populations weary of pandemic restrictions and eager to move on, are betting that rising vaccination rates and the development of treatments for COVID-19 mean they can avoid lockdowns and other disruptive steps and live with the virus instead. China's leaders have repeatedly signaled that they believe the zero-COVID approach remains the right one for China, even as they try to boost a flagging economy with business tax refunds, easier credit and spending on infrastructure projects. Entry to the country remains restricted, with visas difficult to get and few international flights, making it costly and hard to get a seat. Anyone who does enter has to quarantine in a hotel, usually for two weeks. Chinese generally can't leave the country unless it is for work or study. Most analysts expect the zero-COVID policies to remain in place at least until after a major Communist Party congress this fall at which leader Xi Jinping is expected to get a third five-year term. The party touted its approach as a success when COVID-19 was ravaging other countries, and it doesn't want a major outbreak in the run-up to its meeting. Associated Press researcher Yu Bing and video producer Olivia Zhang in Beijing and researcher Si Chen in Shanghai contributed. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration on Wednesday accused three U.S. companies of sending to China blueprints and technical drawings for satellite and rocket technology and other defense prototypes. The Commerce Department leveled the allegations as it blocked the three companies from exporting items to foreign countries for 180 days. That punishment, known as a temporary denial order, is regarded as among the most severe civil sanctions available to the department. The companies Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc., Rapid Cut LLC, and U.S. Prototype Inc. provide 3-D printing services to customers that include manufacturers of space and defense technology. The Commerce Department says the customers would send blueprints and drawings to the companies that they wanted printed and that the companies in turn would send that work to China, presumably as a way to cut costs. That transaction would have required U.S. government approval, but no permission was requested, the Commerce Department said. Outsourcing 3-D printing of space and defense prototypes to China harms U.S. national security, Matthew Axelrod, an assistant secretary of commerce for export enforcement, said in a statement. "By sending their customers' technical drawings and blueprints to China, these companies may have saved a few bucks but they did so at the collective expense of protecting U.S. military technology. The 11-page Commerce Department order does not allege that the blueprints wound up being exploited by the Chinese military, but it does say the actions present serious national security concerns." U.S. officials have warned in the past about blurred lines between the military and private industry. The Commerce Department used customers of the companies to check their records to ensure that their intellectual property was not compromised. The companies use the same rental mailbox in Wilmington, North Carolina. Requests for comments sent through the websites of Quicksilver Manufacturing Inc. and Rapid Cut LLC were not immediately returned. Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants to fill volunteer positions on the west-central Montana Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is a general advisory committee that provides input and feedback to FWP on diverse issues. Applicants can expect to comment on issues such as wildlife and fishery management, state parks, outdoor recreation and law enforcement within parks. The committee is designed to have a membership that represents a variety of west-central Montana communities and natural resource interests. The panel of volunteers typically meets four to six evenings per year in Missoula. Members serve two-year terms and can reapply when their terms expire. Applicants must live in FWP Region 2, which includes the counties of Deer Lodge, Ravalli, Granite, Mineral, Missoula, Powell and the southwestern portion of Lewis and Clark. Anyone interested in natural resource issues and outdoor recreation may apply. To apply, download an application online at fwp.mt.gov or contact FWP at 406-542-5500. Applications must be received by July 1, 2022. To find out more about each regions' Citizen Advisory Committee, visit bit.ly/3GZTHqn. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The test couldn't have been much easier and Facebook still failed. Facebook and its parent company Meta flopped once again in a test of how well they could detect obviously violent hate speech in advertisements submitted to the platform by the nonprofit groups Global Witness and Foxglove. The hateful messages focused on Ethiopia, where internal documents obtained by whistleblower Frances Haugen showed that Facebook's ineffective moderation is literally fanning ethnic violence, as she said in her 2021 congressional testimony. In March, Global Witness ran a similar test with hate speech in Myanmar, which Facebook also failed to detect. The group created 12 text-based ads that used dehumanizing hate speech to call for the murder of people belonging to each of Ethiopias three main ethnic groups the Amhara, the Oromo and the Tigrayans. Facebooks systems approved the ads for publication, just as they did with the Myanmar ads. The ads were not actually published on Facebook. This time around, though, the group informed Meta about the undetected violations. The company said the ads shouldn't have been approved and pointed to the work it has done to catch hateful content on its platforms. A week after hearing from Meta, Global Witness submitted two more ads for approval, again with blatant hate speech. The two ads, written in Amharic, the most widely used language in Ethiopia, were approved. Meta said the ads shouldn't have been approved. Weve invested heavily in safety measures in Ethiopia, adding more staff with local expertise and building our capacity to catch hateful and inflammatory content in the most widely spoken languages, including Amharic, the company said in an emailed statement, adding that machines and people can still make mistakes. The statement was identical to the one Global Witness received. We picked out the worst cases we could think of," said Rosie Sharpe, a campaigner at Global Witness. "The ones that ought to be the easiest for Facebook to detect. They werent coded language. They werent dog whistles. They were explicit statements saying that this type of person is not a human or these type of people should be starved to death. Meta has consistently refused to say how many content moderators it has in countries where English is not the primary language. This includes moderators in Ethiopia, Myanmar and other regions where material posted on the company's platforms has been linked to real-world violence. In November, Meta said it removed a post by Ethiopias prime minister that urged citizens to rise up and bury rival Tigray forces who threatened the country's capital. In the since-deleted post, Abiy said the "obligation to die for Ethiopia belongs to all of us. He called on citizens to mobilize by holding any weapon or capacity. Abiy has continued to post on the platform, though, where he has 4.1 million followers. The U.S. and others have warned Ethiopia about dehumanizing rhetoric after the prime minister described the Tigray forces as cancer and weeds in comments made in July 2021. When ads calling for genocide in Ethiopia repeatedly get through Facebooks net even after the issue is flagged with Facebook theres only one possible conclusion: theres nobody home," said Rosa Curling, director of Foxglove, a London-based legal nonprofit that partnered with Global Witness in its investigation. Years after the Myanmar genocide, it is clear Facebook hasnt learned its lesson. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) Workers pulled scores of bodies from smashed buildings in an endless caravan of death inside the devastated city of Mariupol, authorities said Wednesday, while fears of a global food crisis escalated over Ukraines inability to export millions of tons of grain through its blockaded ports. At the same time, Ukrainian and Russian forces battled fiercely for control of Sievierodonestk, a city that has emerged as central to Moscow's grinding campaign to capture Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, known as the Donbas. As the fighting dragged on, the human cost of the war continued to mount. In many of Mariupol's buildings, workers are finding 50 to 100 bodies each, according to a mayoral aide in the Russian-held port city in the south. Petro Andryushchenko said on the Telegram app that the bodies are being taken in an endless caravan of death to a morgue, landfills and other places. At least 21,000 Mariupol civilians were killed during the weeks-long Russian siege, Ukrainian authorities have estimated. The consequences of the war are being felt far beyond Eastern Europe because shipments of Ukrainian grain are bottled up inside the country, driving up the price of food. Ukraine, long known as the bread basket of Europe, is one of the worlds biggest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, but much of that flow has been halted by the war and a Russian blockade of Ukraines Black Sea coast. An estimated 22 million tons of grain remains in Ukraine. The failure to ship it out is endangering the food supply in many developing countries, especially in Africa. Russia expressed support Wednesday for a U.N. plan to create a safe corridor at sea that would allow Ukraine to resume grain shipments. The plan, among other things, calls for Ukraine to remove mines from the waters near the Black Sea port of Odesa. But Russia is insisting that it be allowed to check incoming vessels for weapons. And Ukraine has expressed fear that clearing the mines could enable Russia to attack the coast. Ukrainian officials said the Kremlins assurances that it wouldn't do that cannot be trusted. European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday accused the Kremlin of weaponizing food supplies and surrounding their actions with a web of lies, Soviet-style. While Russia, which is also a major supplier of grain to the rest of the world, has blamed the looming food crisis on Western sanctions against Moscow, the European Union heatedly denied that and said the blame rests with Russia itself for waging war against Ukraine. These are Russian ships and Russian missiles that are blocking the export of crops and grain, Michel said. Russian tanks, bombs and mines are preventing Ukraine from planting and harvesting. The West has exempted grain and other food from its sanctions against Russia, but the U.S. and the EU have imposed sweeping punitive measures against Russian ships. Moscow argues that those restrictions make it impossible to use its ships to export grain, and also make other shipping companies reluctant to carry its product. Turkey has sought to play a role in negotiating an end to the war and in brokering the resumption of grain shipments. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met on Wednesday with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. Ukraine was not invited to the talks. Meanwhile, Moscow's troops continued their painstaking, inch-by-inch campaign for the Donbas region with heavy fighting in and around Sievierodonetsk, which had a prewar population of 100,000. It is one of the last cities yet to be taken by the Russians in Luhansk, one of the two provinces that make up the Donbas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Sievierodonetsk the epicenter of the battle for the Donbas. This is a very fierce battle, very hard, perhaps one of the most difficult of the entire war, he said in his nightly video address, which was recorded in the street outside his office in Kyiv. He said the Ukrainian army is defending its positions and inflicting real losses on the Russian forces. In many ways, it is there that the fate of our Donbas is being decided, Zelenskyy said. Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai acknowledged the difficulties of battling Russian forces, saying, Maybe we will have to retreat, but right now battles are ongoing in the city. Everything the Russian army has artillery, mortars, tanks, aviation all of that, theyre using in Sievierodonetsk in order to wipe the city off the face of the Earth and capture it completely, he said. The city of Lysychansk, like Sievierodonetsk, is also wedged between Russian forces in Luhansk province. Valentyna Tsonkan, an elderly resident of Lysychansk, described the moment when her house came under attack. I was lying on my bed. The shrapnel hit the wall and went through my shoulder, she said as she received treatment for her wounds. Russia's continuing encroachment could open up the possibility of a negotiated settlement between the two nations more than three months into the war, analysts said. Russian President Vladimir Putin "has the option of declaring his objectives met at more or less any time in order to consolidate Russias territorial gains," said Keir Giles, a Russia expert at the London think tank Chatham House. At that point, Giles said, Western leaders may "pressure Ukraine to accept their losses in order to bring an end to the fighting. Zelenskyy said Russia is unwilling to negotiate because it still feels strong. Speaking by video link to U.S. corporate leaders, he called for even tougher sanctions to weaken Russia economically, including getting it "off the global financial system completely. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to negotiate to find a way out." But a settlement cannot come at the expense of our independence. Meanwhile, to the north, Russian shelling of the Kharkiv region killed five people and wounded 12 over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian authorities said. The Russian military said it used high-precision missiles to hit an armor repair plant near Kharkiv. There was no confirmation from Ukraine of such a plant being hit. Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Oleksandr Stashevskyi, John Leicester and David Keyton in Kyiv, Ukraine; Andrew Katell in New York; and Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this report. Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 (CNN) -- Kohl's may soon have a new owner. Kohl's said late Monday that it had entered into a three-week exclusive negotiation period for a potential sale with Franchise Group, a holding company which owns The Vitamin Shoppe and other retail brands. Franchise Group has proposed to buy Kohl's for $60 a share. Kohl's stock closed at $42.12 on Monday and rose 10% during early trading Tuesday on the news. The deal would value Kohl's at around $8 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported, about 5 times more than it was worth last week. Kohl's said that during the negotiation period there were no assurances a deal would be reached. The department store has drawn the attention of an activist investor and an array of bidders. A sale would end a grinding, year-long saga between Kohl's and some Wall Street investors over the company's future. What's going on at Kohl's? With more than 1,100 US stores and around $19 billion in annual sales, Kohl's is the largest department store chain in the United States. But the entire department store sector has been in structural decline for years against pressure from Amazon, growing big-box chains that include Walmart and Target and discount clothing stores like TJMaxx. Companies such as Sears, JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, Barney's and others have filed for bankruptcy in recent years. Department stores including Kohl's have been undercut on prices by discount players from the bottom, and prestige by luxury stores at the top. The company has attempted a handful of approaches to draw in customers and stave off competitors, but the strategies have not led to major improvements at Kohl's. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 KYIV, Ukraine The Ukrainian army says Kyivs forces continue to frustrate Russian attempts to take the fiercely contested eastern city of Sievierodonetsk. The occupiers, with the help of motorized rifle units and artillery, conducted assault operations in the city of Sievierodonetsk. They were not successful; the fighting continues, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a regular operational update Thursday evening. It added that Ukrainian forces had successfully repelled a Russian attack on the village of Toshkivka, on the northwestern outskirts of Sievierodonetsk. The Ukrainian governor of the eastern Luhansk region, where Sievierodonetsk is located, said Thursday that fierce battles continue to engulf the city. In a Telegram post, Serhii Haidai said Russian forces continue to shell the neighboring city of Lysychansk using large-caliber weapons which pierce even concrete. It is extremely dangerous for civilians to remain, even in shelters, Haidai said. KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: War rap: In Ukraine, an angry voice for a furious generation Smashed buildings in Mariupol produce caravan of death Russia, Turkey back plan to export grains; Ukraine doubtful UN report: Ukraine war is increasing suffering of millions Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: KYIV, Ukraine The death sentences handed by a pro-Russian separatist court to British and Moroccan nationals fighting for Ukraine should be considered null and void, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. The so-called trial of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the occupied Ukrainian territories is of no significance, Oleh Nikolenko told the Interfax Ukraine agency. Such show trials put the interests of propaganda above the law and morality; they undermine the mechanisms for the return of prisoners of war. The Ukrainian government will continue to make every effort to release all the defenders of Ukraine, Nikolenko added. He stressed that all foreign citizens fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces should be considered Ukrainian military personnel, and protected as prisoners of war. KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree Thursday imposing personal sanctions on Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin and all sitting ministers. The sanctions, approved by Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, target all members of Russias government and security council, as well as the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov. They ban entry to Ukraine, revoke visas and permits, and block financial assets. The decree came into force on Thursday, according to a copy published on the website of the Ukrainian presidency. Zelenskyy also signed a directive sanctioning 236 Russian universities and their leaders. Russias education minister said in response that Moscow will not be deterred. Todays decision by the Kyiv regime speaks to its inadequacy and inability to control the situation. Its a gesture of desperation, which cannot prevent the integration of Donbas and the liberated territories into a single educational space with Russia, Sergey Kravtsov told the Interfax agency. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin says foreign companies that have left Russia will regret their decision. In todays conditions, when someone jumped off somewhere, left, chose to stop some activity here, they will regret it, he declared at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow. They will regret it, not because we threaten anyone, Putin continued. They will regret it because Russia is a country with great potential, really. Putin also appeared to claim that the exodus of foreign firms from Russia was evidence of U.S. domination over other Western states and economies. Many regret that they have to leave. This is all a manifestation of the internal state of these countries that cannot make sovereign decisions, he added. He then reiterated that Russia is a sovereign country that should be looking to the future. MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russias need to take back (territory) and defend itself Thursday in a speech in which he compared himself to Peter the Great. Speaking at a meeting with young entrepreneurs in Moscow, Putin drew parallels between the conquering monarchs founding of St. Petersburg and his governments annexation of territory. When he founded the new capital, no European country recognized it as Russia. Everybody recognized it as Sweden, Putin said. And Slavic people had always lived there along with Finno-Ugric people, and the territory was under the control of the Russian state. What was he doing? Taking back and reinforcing. Thats what he did. And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well, he said. Putin also appeared to leave the door open for further territorial expansion, while asserting Russias sovereignty. There is no state in between. A country is either sovereign or a colony, he said. Its impossible do you understand impossible to build a fence around a country like Russia. And we do not intend to build that fence, Putin added. KYIV, Ukraine Russian troops are trying to resume their offensive on Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region in order to capture it completely, a top Ukrainian military official said Thursday. Oleksei Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, said Russian forces are likely to strike out from the southern Kherson region, which is majority-controlled by Moscow, towards neighboring Zaporizhzhia. The enemy has focused on holding the lines, but at the same time does not cease (its) attempts to resume the offensive in these areas, probably in order to reach the administrative borders of the Zaporizhzhia region, Gromov said in a briefing hosted by Ukraines state Ukrinform agency. The southern part of Zaporizhzhia, including two major cities and a key nuclear plant, was overrun by Moscows troops in the early weeks of the war, and remains in Russian hands. Kyiv continues to hold the north of the region, including the capital city of Zaporizhzhia, which was previously a staging post for evacuees from the ruined port of Mariupol. Gromov did not rule out a Russian assault on the southern Mykolayiv region, which likewise borders Kherson, and the key cultural hub of Odesa, further west along Ukraines Black Sea coast. He did not provide further information regarding any such planned attacks. WASHINGTON A resolution urging NATO to quickly admit Finland and Sweden won easy passage in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, in a signal of bipartisan support from lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans on the committee approved the measure supporting the expansion and urging other NATO states to swiftly admit the two Nordic states by voice vote, with no voiced objections. Thursdays vote had been seen as a test of Republican lawmakers stand on the expansion, which President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind. Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to end longstanding policies of military non-alignment and apply to join the 30-member U.S. and European defensive alliance. Biden encouraged the two countries application and welcomed their leaders to the White House in May to celebrate it. Unexpected opposition from NATO member Turkey has clouded what had been expected to be quick ascension to the bloc by the two countries. Turkey says it objects to the two countries stances regarding the Middle Easts Kurdish minority. LONDON The British government says it is deeply concerned that two U.K. nationals captured while fighting with the Ukrainian military have been sentenced to death. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman Jamie Davies said Thursday that under the Geneva Conventions prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and shouldnt be exploited for political purposes. He said: We will continue to work with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release of any British nationals who were serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and are being held as prisoners of war. British Foreign Secretary Luz Truss tweeted: I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found Aslin, Pinner, as well as Saaudun Brahim of Morocco, guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three will face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. A court in separatist-controlled territory of eastern Ukraine sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan man to death for fighting on Ukraines side in the war with Russia. The three men fought alongside Ukrainian troops and surrendered to Russian forces weeks ago. A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic found them guilty of taking action toward a violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death in the internationally unrecognized rebel-held territory in Ukraines Donbas region. The three were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism. Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday that the three Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim are set to face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. PODGORICA, Montenegro Montenegros prime minister says he has spoken on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and expressed readiness to visit Kyiv. Dritan Abazovic also told Zelenskyy on Thursday that he will suggest to other leaders of countries in the Western Balkans that they should all travel to Ukraine together to show support. Small Montenegro in 2017 defied Russias strong opposition to join NATO, and is viewed as the next in line for EU membership. The country, along with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, prevented the visit of Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to neighboring Serbia earlier this week by refusing to grant permit for his plane to fly through their airspace. Abazovic hopes that Ukraine, too, will soon become a formal EU candidate, said a statement from his office. Abazovic offered Montenegros help on Ukraines accession path. The statement also says that Zelenskyy invited Abazovic to visit Kyiv as soon as possible. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraines top military official says the situation on the frontline is very difficult and calls for very quick weapon supplies. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post Thursday that every day up to 100 Ukrainian troops are killed and up to 500 end up wounded. He said Kyiv needs heavy weapons, as well as aircraft and air defense systems quickly. We proved that we dont fear the Kremlin, unlike many others. But we as a country cant afford to bleed, losing our best sons and daughters, Reznikov wrote. He said that Russia continues to press by sheer mass, suffering huge casualties as well. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said earlier that every day 60-100 Ukrainian servicemen die on the frontline and some 500 sustain wounds. BRUSSELS Senior members of the European Unions parliament are urging EU leaders to make Ukraine and neighboring Moldova official candidates for joining the 27-nation bloc. Political group leaders in the European Parliament said Thursday that the EU must be a reliable partner and a credible geopolitical actor that lives up to its principles and values by showing solidarity with those who stand up for the same ideals. The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, is drafting an opinion on the membership requests of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. In recent years, the commission repeatedly expressed concern about corruption in Ukraine and the need for deep political and economic reforms. The official opinion will be weighed by EU leaders at a June 23-24 summit in Brussels. Several leaders are wary of opening the door to Ukraine, although acquiring full membership would take the country many years. The parliamentary group leaders say that giving Ukraine and Moldova EU candidate status would mark the start to a merit-based process for joining. They also urged EU leaders to work towards granting the same status to Georgia. MOSCOW Russias defense ministry says it used air-launched missiles to destroy a Ukrainian military base where foreign fighters allegedly were being trained. Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Thursday that the training center was in the Zhytomyr region of central Ukraine, about 125 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kyiv. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine to the Russian claims. Russia refers to foreign fighters who joined Ukrainian troops in the war as mercenaries. Konashenkov said Russian missiles also destroyed an ammunition depot and an anti-aircraft system elsewhere in Ukraine. KYIV, Ukraine The governor of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk province says Russian forces are employing scorched-earth tactics against the city of Sievierodonetsk, hitting it with rockets, artillery and mortars. Serhiy Haidai also told The Associated Press on Thursday that neighboring Lysychansk is enduring day and night shelling." Russians are trying to storm the key road connecting Lysychansk and the city of Bakhmut but have failed to gain control of it, he said. Haidai says Ukraine still remains able to deliver humanitarian supplies to the region by a relatively safe route. Ukraine's east has been the main focus of Russia's attacks for more than two months. Haidai said there were two attacks on a chemical plant and fierce battles" continue in Sievierodonetsk. Street battles are taking place with varied success in city blocks, the governor said. "The army of Ukraine is fighting for every street and house. PARIS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russias invasion of his country is a threat to the environment and could lead to dangerous pollution in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Zelenskyy made the comments at a ministerial meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He used the platform to impress on ministers the need to wean states off Russian natural gas in favor of green energy. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov border both Ukraine and Russia. The Black Sea also borders Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Turkey. BERLIN Polands president has sharply criticized phone calls the leaders of France and Germany had with Vladimir Putin, saying the conversations serve only to legitimize the Russian leader. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have spoken to Putin several times since Russia invaded Ukraine, both separately and together, in attempts to nudge him toward ending the war. Polish President Andrzej Duda was quoted Thursday as telling Germanys Bild newspaper that hes astonished by the calls. Duda argued they achieve nothing and only bring about a legitimization of a person who is responsible for the crimes the Russian army is committing in Ukraine. Bild quoted Duda as adding: Did anyone talk like this with Adolf Hitler during World War II? Did anyone say that Adolf Hitler must save face? I have not heard such voices. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Twitter plans to offer Elon Musk access to its firehose of raw data on hundreds of millions of daily tweets in an effort to push forward the Tesla billionaires agreed-to $44 billion acquisition of the social media platform, according to multiple news reports. Lawyers involved in the deal would not confirm the data sharing agreement. Musk made no comment on Twitter, although he has previously been vocal about various aspects of the deal. Twitter declined to confirm the reports and pointed to a Monday statement in which the company said it is continuing to cooperatively share information with Musk. Musk, who struck a legally binding agreement to buy Twitter in April, contends that the deal cant proceed unless the company provides more information about the prevalence of fake accounts on its platform. He has argued, without presenting evidence, that Twitter has significantly underestimated the number of these spam bots -- automated accounts that typically promote scams and misinformation on its service. On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced an investigation into Twitter for allegedly failing to disclose the extent of its spam bot and fake accounts, saying his office would look into potential false reporting of bots on Twitter. The Washington Post first reported Twitters plan to provide Musk with full access to the firehose, citing a person familiar with the matter. Other reports suggested the billionaire might only receive partial access. Twitter's reported offer could blunt Musk's attempts to use the spam bot issue to cast doubt on the deal's future. This week, lawyers for Musk accused the company of refusing to surrender information about the true number of bot accounts on Twitter. Mike Ringler, the Palo Alto, California, attorney who signed that Monday letter, told the AP he was not at liberty to speak about the matter when reached Wednesday afternoon. Fake social media accounts have been problematic for years. Advertisers rely on the number of users provided by social media platforms to determine where they will spend money. Spam bots are also used to amplify messages and spread disinformation. The problem of fake accounts is well-known to Twitter and its investors. The company has disclosed its bot estimates to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for years, while also cautioning that its estimate might be too low. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has said that Twitter has consistently estimated that fewer than 5% of its accounts are spam. But Musk has disputed that figure, contending in a May tweet without evidence that 20% or more of Twitter's accounts are bogus. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 IRWINDALE, Calif. (AP) Bottles of the popular Sriracha hot sauce could be hard to find on store shelves this summer. Southern California-based Huy Fong Inc., told customers in an email earlier this year that it would suspend sales of its famous spicy sauce over the summer due to a shortage of chili peppers. The company said in its April 19 email that all orders submitted after that date would be fulfilled after Labor Day. Unfortunately, this is out of our control and without this essential ingredient we are unable to produce any of our products, the company said. The company sources its peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico, and said that weather conditions are affecting the quality of the peppers and deepening the chili pepper shortage. It didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Thursday. Hot temperatures and a historic drought across the U.S. West have been taking a heavy toll on Californias agriculture. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported that the whole state was in severe drought as of last week, with the Central Valley facing extreme drought conditions. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A former Wyoming resident has been banned from Grand Teton National Park for five years and ordered to pay restitution after knowingly providing false information to searchers looking for missing hiker Cian McLaughlin last year, according to the National Park Service. Heather Mycoskie, 40, previously of Jackson, was ordered to pay restitution of $17,600 under the deferred prosecution agreement. An investigation revealed that on June 21, 2021, Mycoskie provided false information to investigators about seeing an individual matching the description of McLaughlin who had gone missing. Mycoskie reported she had seen McLaughlin in the late afternoon/early evening of Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the day of McLaughlins disappearance. Mycoskie told investigators the missing man was hiking on the south side of the Bradley-Taggart moraine in Grand Teton National Park, and he was headed south toward Taggart Lake where he planned to jump off his favorite rock into the water. Mycoskie provided a very detailed description of McLaughlin and stated she had a discussion with him in which he shared where he lived, where he was from, and his place of employment. The subsequent investigation revealed Mycoskie never saw anyone matching McLaughlins description in Grand Teton National Park. Additionally, witnesses reported Mycoskie fabricated the sighting to ensure search efforts continued. All other potential sightings of McLaughlin were on the trail system that leads toward Garnet Canyon, Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, and Delta Lake. In September 2021, computer forensics revealed McLaughlin had conducted several internet searches focused on Delta Lake just prior to his hike. As a direct result of Mycoskies false report, approximately 532 hours were spent conducting searches, managing search efforts, conducting follow-up investigations, and completing associated reports. The effort wasted valuable time that could have been focused on searching areas of higher probability and it cost the federal government approximately $17,600. The deferred prosecution agreement was signed on Feb. 10. June 8 marks one year since Cian McLaughlin went missing. Search efforts will continue during the summer of 2022. Backcountry users in Grand Teton National Park are encouraged to contact the Tip Line (888-653-0009) if they locate any of the items that McLaughlin was suspected to have had with him at the time of his disappearance which include a red Apple watch, a red iPhone 12 mini, gold wire-rimmed sunglasses, a silver U-shaped pendant, and a white T-shirt. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In the wake of the tragic shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo, Republican politicians in Montana are, like they have done so many times, joining the national chorus of their party refusing to discuss sensible gun laws. As a result, were losing a freedom thats so fundamental it doesnt seem like freedom: the ability to shop, worship, and learn without fear of ending up on a battlefield. My generation never had the opportunity to attend school when our curriculum didnt include the best practices for hiding from a gunman who seeks to kill us. Many Republican politicians cast any attempt to discuss gun laws as politizing a tragedy. I reject that argument. Discussing how to prevent the slaughter of our fellow citizens isnt political, its patriotic. The most basic function of government is to defend its citizens from enemies both foreign and domestic. Gun violence is a domestic enemy. Gunfire killed 45,000 Americans in 2020 and Montana had the 11th highest rate of gun deaths. In our state, an 18-year-old can purchase the firearms used in the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings. Those arguing that any gun law is a slippery slope are blind to the fact that we have already plunged down a tragic slippery slope. We now live in a world where the probability of a firefight in an elementary school classroom is so high that political leaders propose arming teachers as a legitimate policy solution. The gun lobby has convinced many Republican lawmakers that their constituents being shot doing mundane tasks is an inevitable part of life for which there is no remedy and no need to act. Its a view that would be admonished in any other scenario. More Americans are shot in a month than have died in a plane crash for the past several decades combined. Yet, we spend billions of dollars on bolstering the aviation safety. Federal agencies enforce regulations on everything from the hours a pilot rests to the quality of materials in a plane. Why? Because we have a moral imperative to prevent the needless loss of life. Republican politicians would argue that we cant compare guns to air travel because the right to bear arms is enshrined in the Constitution. But what they fail to acknowledge when hiding behind the Second Amendment is that there have always been limitations on our rights. Our first amendment rights are limited: we cant yell fire in a crowded movie theater, a newspaper cant publish libel, and companies cant falsely advertise. We have also accepted limits on the second amendment: violent felons cannot purchase guns, fully automatic guns are illegal, and in Montana, we need a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the capitol building. We can save lives of Montanans by enacting some basic laws such as: - Codifying responsible gun ownership and hold irresponsible gun owners accountable. - Requiring universal, comprehensive background checks. - Increasing the age for purchasing semi-automatic firearms. (If 18-year-olds are too immature to purchase a beer, they shouldnt able to purchase an AR-15). - Passing an extreme risk protection order law. - Banning high capacity magazines. - Drastically increasing mental health funding and infrastructure. The GOP claims that gun regulations pose unfair burdens for responsible gun owners. But a brief hassle is more than worthwhile if it saves the life of one Montanan. Inconvenience for the sake of public safety is the cost of living in civilized society. To board an airplane, we cant bring a beverage through security, we put our belongings through an x-ray machine, and we let a stranger pat us down. All of this is to prevent the minuscule chance that there is a terrorist among us Common-sense gun laws will slash the rate and effectiveness of suicides, reduce the deadliness of domestic violence, make our public spaces safer. Sensible gun laws also slow the march toward a more militarized society. A march being led by Republican politicians. A nation that needs armed guards in body armor outside of every grocery store, church, school, and restaurant is a deeply troubled one. The shift toward a police state is a one-way street and, at the end of it, we are less free. Jonathan Karlen is a Democratic candidate running to represent House District 96 in the Montana Legislature. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 When it comes to tobacco, its been said that menthol helps the poison go down easier. And its true. The cooling, anesthetic effect and flavor of menthol helps disguise the harshness of tobacco and has lured generations of Americans into tobacco use, leading to lifelong addiction, disease and risk of death from lung and heart disease and cancer. Now, after being pushed to do so for years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally announced two rules that would prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars. The agency is taking public comment on the measure through July 5. If adopted, these health protections will save lives by reducing youth smoking and helping current users to quit. Tobacco use kills an estimated 480,000 people in the U.S. each year and is still our nations leading cause of preventable death. The FDA estimates that prohibiting menthol cigarettes would reduce smoking by 15% and save between 324,000 and 654,000 lives over the course of the next 40 years. The proposed rules also would remove a significant on-ramp to youth smoking. The low cost and candy flavors of little cigars (cigarillos) make them appealing to kids, as does the cooling effect of menthol. The rules also would address serious health disparities resulting from the marketing of these products. Along with being used to target kids, Big Tobacco has intentionally and relentlessly marketed menthol cigarettes and cigars to Black, low-income and LGBTQ+ people. What the rules wont do, unfortunately, is end the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, which are addicting youth in Montana and across the country in epidemic numbers. In Montana, 30% of high school students currently use e-cigarettes. The FDA is working to address the impact of e-cigarettes separately, but it is moving much too slowly to prevent thousands of kids from becoming addicted. The Montana Legislature isnt helping, either. Among numerous other bills passed during the last session that interfere with local decision making, it passed a bill intended to stop local communities from adopting policies that protect kids from being targeted with flavored e-cigarette products. Local communities should push back on this bad legislation and act to protect their kids. And lawmakers going to Helena next year should pass bills that protect Montana kids, not Big Tobacco. In the meantime, the FDAs proposed rules on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars are well worth supporting. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, an estimated 1,900 Montana kids now under age 18 will die from smoking. We can save these lives. Montanans can submit comments in support of the FDA rule on menthol cigarettes here: federalregister.gov/d/2022-08994 and on flavored cigars here: federalregister.gov/d/2022-08993. Liz Albers, Montana Government Relations Director, American Heart Association; Carrie Nyssen, Senior Director of Advocacy, American Lung Association in Montana. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A stretch of N.C. 211 in Brunswick County has been closed due to a brush fire in the area. A stretch of highway in Brunswick County is closed due to a brush fire in the area. Part of N.C. 211 in Brunswick County was closed by the N.C. Department of Transportation and emergency responders, according to a Tuesday press release from the department of transportation. The section of road, which is located near U.S. 17, will remain closed to traffic until a brush fire in the Green Swamp is under control. It's unclear how long the road will be closed, according to the release. Barricades have been set up on N.C. 211 at Little Macedonia Road N. and Camp Branch Road. Heavy smoke created by the fire in the Green Swamp had closed the highway Monday night, according to a post on the Brunswick Sheriff's Office Facebook page. A detour around the closed stretch of highway brings drivers into Columbus County. It reroutes traffic along the following roads: U.S. 17, N.C. 130, U.S. 701 Business, U.S. 74/76 to return to N.C. 211. The N.C. Department of Transportation urges drivers to take the detour into account when planning travel and avoid the area around N.C. 211. Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Fire closes N.C. 211 in Brunswick County, drivers asked to detour Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey is a new Netflix documentary about the FLDS (Courtesy of Netflix 2022) The man known as the prophet was arrested in a red Cadillac outside of Las Vegas. Warren Jeffs, the head of a polygamist sect, had been living the high life, a private investigator would later recall. He had been to Disney World. He had celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans. He had gone to strip clubs. He had worn gentile clothing instead of the clothes he expected his followers to wear. He had kept the company of his favorite wives. At the time, Warren Jeffs was a high-profile fugitive, recently bumped to the FBIs Ten Most Wanted list. He had been charged in Arizona with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. In Utah, he faced a charge of rape as an accomplice. On 28 August 2006, a routine traffic stop led to Warren Jeffss arrest. The license plates on his vehicle were obscured. He and other passengers were pulled over. Warrens brother Isaac Jeffs was driving; Warrens favorite wife was in the front seat. Warren himself was in the back seat, eating a salad. The arrest, which led to the first of Warren Jeffss convictions, is one of many gripping moments recounted in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, a new Netflix documentary dedicated to Jeffs and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The FLDS emerged when the Mormon church discontinued polygamy and excommunicated those who kept practicing it. It was incorporated under that name in 1991, though its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century. The group was originally located in Arizona, close to the Utah border, and later expanded into Utah and Texas, with communities in other regions. Elements of the FLDS story are already familiar to the public. Images of women in long-sleeved, ankle-length pastel prairie dresses, their hair pulled back back in the same braided hairstyle, will ring a bell. (Some of the women themselves spoke to the media after a high-profile police raid of an FLDS ranch in Texas in 2008.) Warren Jeffss photo circulated when he became wanted by law enforcement, and when he was twice convicted on criminal charges. Former members who left the sect have provided firsthand accounts of life in the group, of the type of mind control deployed by Jeffs, and of the events that led to their departure. Story continues Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey adds to these existing testimonies by painting a portrait of the FLDS as a structure of coercive control and systemized abuse, in which Warren Jeffs and his father before him made themselves into so-called prophets and weaved religious doctrine in service of their own domination. Warren Jeffss name has become synonymous with the FLDS, but the movement had existed for decades, partly under different names, by the time he became its leader. Leroy S Johnson was the head of the Council of Friends (now viewed as an early iteration of what became the FLDS) from the Fifties to his death in 1986. Warren Jeffss father Rulon Jeffs took over that same year. He was known among members of the FLDS as the prophet, an undisputed ruler within the group. A mans status depends on how many wives he has Rulon Jeffs lived his years as the FLDS prophet much like Warren Jeffs later would, according to accounts given by former members of the sect. Rebecca Wall, a participant in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey who was raised in the FLDS, recounts being married to Rulon Jeffs, then 85, when she was 19. Her account is a scathing illustration of the power dynamics in which women and girls, evidently, were treated in the FLDS like something resembling currency, pawns in the sects political games. A mans status depends on how many wives he has, Wall says in episode one. My dad he had two wives, and he couldnt figure out why other men were getting more wives and he was not. So my dad always felt like he was jilted. He was always kind of frustrated. But he also had this host of daughters that could be given to other men. And its kind of like, Ill give you some if you give me some. Even though its never spoken that way, I think thats the general understanding. People in the FLDS did not choose who they married. The way Wall recounts it, girls were given over to the prophet once it was deemed time for them to wed, and the prophet decided on marriages himself. When I turned 19, my father brought me to Rulon Jeffs, she continues. By then, Wall says, it was known that Rulon Jeffs had a specific handshake he used with girls who would later become his wife. He shook her hand and squeezed it three times. That meant I was supposed to marry him, she adds. My dad was so excited. For any man in the FLDS, to have their daughter marry into the prophets family, was a massive honor. And I think my dad felt like finally he was getting the respect that he was entitled to and that he deserved. But I was just like, Ew. I got married, and then my father got his third wife. Rulon Jeffs died in 2002. His death was a time of confusion, recounted candidly in the documentary: Members of the FLDS had been taught that the prophet was immortal literally. I truly believed that any minute, he was going to sit up and be renewed, Elissa Wall, who grew up in the FLDS and says she was forced to marry her cousin aged 14, recounts. They closed the casket and there was this overwhelming fear inside of me. If they put him in the ground, how is he going to get out? Rulon Jeffs (left) and his son Warren Jeffs (right) (Courtesy of Netflix 2022) It could have been a damning moment for the FLDS, proof that a key part of the doctrine (that the prophet could not die) was false. But Warren Jeffs succeeded to his father as prophet, and, per Elissa Wall, began speaking as though he was his father renewed. He married his fathers wives. His ways didnt sit well with some members. I went to my husband, and I said, Somethings wrong, Charlene Jeffs, who was married to Warren Jeffss brother Lyle Jeffs, recounts. And he said, Nothing our prophet does is wrong. Warren Jeffs enforced stricter rules than his father. Members were to abstain from any form of fun. Lloyd Wall, Rebecca Walls father, says a big change for him was having to turn in all his guns. But a lot of rules targeted women specifically: under Rulon Jeffs, they had to be covered; under Warren Jeffs, they were forbidden to wear denim, prints, or the color red. They were then expected to wear long underwear covering their entire bodies to their wrists and feet. Their hair had to be done and braided. The women listened, Charlene Jeffs says, because they thought this was their path to salvation. Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey is at its most powerful when it ventures outside the strict limits of the FLDS to look at the wider forces that allowed the group to keep going for decades, even as it existed in plain sight, with the knowledge of at least some of the local authorities. In a damning sequence, journalist Mike Watkiss, who investigated the FLDS for years, is seen, camera on his shoulder, telling a police officer in Short Creek (now known as the towns of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah): Utah Constitution says that polygamy is illegal, and I guess theres laws on the books in Arizona that say the same thing. Why dont people get arrested here? You know, Im the police officer begins, then replies: I mean, were in we believe in plural marriage. (That officer, Mica Barlow, was later reported to have written in a letter of support for Warren Jeffs while Jeffs while a fugitive: I want to be an extension of you in the police department or whatever you would have me be. In 2006, he was one of two men held in contempt of court for refusing to testify about Warren Jeffs in front of a grand jury.) People are entitled to believe what they want, but the law currently in the United States is that polygamy is not a protected constitutional right, Roger Hoole, an attorney in Utah featured in the documentary, says. Yet, despite being illegal, it is almost never prosecuted. Its hard to prove, and law enforcement and politicians are not very interested in disrupting families, he adds. I think most people in Utah, the mainstream Mormons people like me see polygamy as an embarrassment. But polygamy is really not the problem anyway. Its the secondary crimes that occur in a closed religious society controlled by men. Thats when all sorts of mischief can take place, and thats what happened with the FLDS. Rulon Jeffs (center) was the FLDSs prophet until Warren Jeffs took over (Courtesy of Netflix 2022) Former members of the FLDS said they obeyed the sects leader because they thought it was the path to salvation (Courtesy of Netflix 2022) A woman from the FLDS speaks to the media after a 2008 police raid of an FLDS ranch (Courtesy of Netflix 2022) Most of the men in the FLDS regarded women as chattel, Wallace Jeffs, one of Rulon Jeffss sons, says at one point. Members of the FLDS were taught that men needed to have at least three wives in order to reach the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. Then, a man would basically become a god. And what happens to the women? Do they become gods? Wallace Jeffs is asked during his interview. He laughs, then says: That is kind of a gray area. We were never taught what a woman becomes on the other side, other than a wife. Ruby Jessop, one of the participants in the documentary, says Warren Jeffs ordered her to be married to her second cousin when she was 14. There had historically been underage marriages in the FLDS, Hoole says, but they took off on steroids under Warren Jeffs. The pattern, he adds, seemed to be that with a girl that was a little bit independent, the idea was to get her married young and pregnant, and she would be locked in. In 2011, Warren Jeffs was convicted in Texas of sexually assaulting two girls. He was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl and 20 years for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. This was four years after Jeffss 2007 conviction on two charges of being an accomplice to rape in Utah, for which he was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison. The Utah Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 2010. By then, the Texas charges were already pending. During the sentencing phase of the Texas trial, evidence reflected that Jeffs was involved in conducting the marriages of 67 underage girls to FLDS men, says Angela Goodwin, a former US Attorney Special Prosecutor. Jeffs himself, she adds, had himself 78 wives 24 of those wives were underage. Warren Jeffs is believed to still be running the FLDS and exercising influence on members from prison. Former members who have left the FLDS describe being estranged from their relatives still within the group in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey. Three of us are out, Lola Barlow, who was in the group as a child, says. The rest of everybodys still in. I could just drive to their house and talk to them. But they wont talk to me. The results of the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey, released last week, reveal significant teacher morale and retention challenges facing North Carolina and Burke County. Statewide, the percentage of teachers who are planning to leave teaching in the immediate future jumped from 4% in 2020 to 7.22% this year. Additionally, 9.22% plan to leave their current school or district this summer, but will stay in education. National surveys have uncovered even more dire results. According to a March National Education Association survey, 90% of teachers self-reported feeling burned out and 55% said they now think they will leave teaching earlier than they had originally planned. All this makes teacher morale and retention key issues for schools to address in coming months. Im not leaving teaching necessarily, said one Burke County resident who left their position at a school outside of the county at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, they told The News Herald they are not ready to leave the profession just yet. Im going to give it a year, they said. I want to see if its the school or if its teaching. In Burke County, the results may be less dire, but the survey still showed a significant increase in the number of teachers with immediate plans to leave the profession 4.96% this year, up from 3% in 2020. Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Swan characterized teacher morale in Burke County as pretty high, pointing to the local focus of the district as a factor helping to mitigate the teacher morale crisis in Burke County. Survey numbers seem to agree. Burke County teachers were 20% more likely to cite school leadership and teacher leadership as the No. 1 reason for their decision to stay than teachers across the state. Still, local educators are feeling the crunch in interrupted learning, increased demands, challenges with students and perceived lack of parent and community support a combination causing some to rethink their profession. I would definitely say morale is lower than it was when I taught, said a former BCPS teacher who still maintains close ties to many in the district. I dont necessarily think anybody is doing anything wrong, its just the times and the circumstances were living in. This former educator said they cannot imagine how difficult it is to be an educator in this era of interrupted learning and virtual instruction. Relationships and personal contact are a big part of teaching, they said. You can only go so far with your relationship through Zoom I think the lack of that relationship development made an already challenging and difficult job even more challenging and difficult. The former out-of-county teacher confirmed these suspicions. The struggles weve seen in the last two years have been so much more than in the past, they said. My students, in particular, its like nothing matters because it can all be taken away so quickly, so why try to begin with? A current BCPS teacher said many teachers feel like they are being hit from all directions. When the pandemic hit, we were inundated with countless professional development mandates in order to re-imagine teaching methods while simultaneously implementing those methods, they said. Essentially, we were building the plane while flying it. According to this teacher, while pandemic-related challenges have exacerbated stressors within the profession, many factors contributing to burnout are longstanding issues. They pointed to challenges with students and lack of parental support as well as state policies such as discontinuing Masters compensation, reductions in longevity pay and large class sizes as factors leading to decreased morale. Teachers in North Carolina have always been degraded as a result of continued inaction legislatively, they said. (The state) consistently fails to invest in the recruitment and retention of the highest quality teachers. BCPS Board of Education Chair Wendi Craven said that, as a former principal, she understands these frustration and is working to ease the burden on teachers as much as the board is able. (Teachers) are tired, she said. We need to raise our teachers salaries, we need to pay them for their masters pay and their national board pay if theyve got a specialist degree or a doctorate degree, we need to pay them. We need to pay them for their years, and if they do extra things they deserve a supplement. Craven said she worries about the future of the profession if state and local leaders dont get ahead of the morale crisis. Weve got a lot of young people, Im afraid, that will leave, and we have a lot of young people who wont even go into the field, she said. Craven believes educators are too important to a community for these issues to go unaddressed. When is the state and our local government going to understand that if you dont have teachers, youre not going to have an economy youre not going to have a workforce, she said. BCPS administrators are working to address the crisis locally. According to BCPS Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler, administrators will be presenting a new strategic plan to the board which focuses on putting people first. We do need to focus more on the teachers, too, said Sara Lecroy, BCPS director of student and family services. Weve always been so focused on our kids, but I think thats something weve learned this year. Swan said the district is also working to uncover the various motivators that drive people and how the district can leverage those to boost morale. Weve really taken a main focus on what drives people: Is it pay? Is it internal intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, he said. Of course, the financial gratitude is great, too, and weve been able to do that a lot this year. He promised administrators would continue to pay teacher bonuses into next year as the budget allows. Jason Koon is a staff writer and can be reached at jkoon@morganton.com. Its all in a name. At Lionheart Cannabis, quality, top-of-the-line cannabis products, compassionate patient care and educational awareness among clients have been the focus since day one. The word heart pays homage to the passion and love for the plant and acknowledgment for the compassion we have for the medical patients, respectively, said Chris Fanuzzi, founder and owner of Lionheart. We are providing them with safe, quality products and services that maybe they never had access to before. We can't give medical advice, but for clients with a medical cannabis card, our staff will answer questions from the doctor and patient to assist them in finding the right combination of products for that individual. Lionheart's high standard for quality care also extends throughout the community. Since our inception in 2007, our overall mission here is about the positive well-being of our Montana communities, and by that I mean its more than developing quality products, but also providing jobs for area residents, supporting local charities and immersing ourselves in ongoing community outreach at all levels throughout the state. We are all responsible for each others safety and well-being. To that end, the company invests heavily in various causes and supports charity events annually. And for Fanuzzi, that includes supporting individuals suffering from debilitating medical conditions. In fact, now through June 31, 2022, Lionheart will donate 5% of all cannabis gummy sales to benefit Autistalline, a nonprofit organization currently in the midst of a $500,000 fundraising campaign. Lisa Clifford, executive director of Autistalline, said money raised will go toward her organizations efforts to develop and produce sensory overload glasses for individuals on the autism spectrum. Clifford said the glasses will help block different light frequencies entering the eye, eliminating the sensory overload of sights and sounds that can be overwhelming to individuals on the autism spectrum. The organization plans to distribute the sensory overload glasses free of charge. The pandemic has added unwanted stress and anxiety to these individuals, explained Clifford. Anytime their day to day is disrupted, it results in a sensory overload and they are unable to perform many of the tasks they would normally do. For Fanuzzi, to help in any way is essential. In addition to autism, we have a lot of patients come through our doors who are experiencing conditions ranging from epilepsy and cancer to glaucoma and neuropathy, he said. Anything we can do to raise awareness about any of these debilitating conditions will, hopefully, help lead to more acceptance and less misunderstanding. We serve and support individuals from every demographic, from millennials to seniors, who represent all socioeconomic backgrounds, he said, and because of that we continue to see the positive economic and health benefits of this industry on our communities as it continues to grow both in Montana and nationwide. Fanuzzi said that while medicinal cannabis use has been legal in Montana since 2004 and recreational adult-use since 2020, residents in Yellowstone County will head to the ballot box on June 7 to vote on whether recreational cannabis sales can remain in their community. Our team cares about the measures we have in place to ensure we are providing individuals a safe industry, with safe products, dispensed in a safe manner, Fanuzzi said. Together we can create a more loving, caring and accepting community through all of our actions. For more information on Lionheart Cannabis, click here. Information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not supersede any medical advice given by a physician. Cannabis is still considered a schedule 1 controlled substance and is illegal under federal law. Adults who consume cannabis must keep cannabis products away from animals and out of reach of children. Note that the intoxicating effects of cannabis can sometimes be delayed, so do not operate a vehicle or machinery after consumption. Use of cannabis during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may be harmful. By purchasing cannabis from a dispensary, you are assuming the risk of any damage or loss that occurs during its use. This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A judge sentenced a Butte teenager on Thursday to five years in custody of the Montana Department of Corrections for stabbing another teen several times during a fight outside the Civic Center last July. Prosecutors initially charged 17-year-old Kimori Alejah Shaw as an adult with attempted deliberate homicide but in a plea deal reduced it to aggravated assault. But Shaws defense attorneys were previously unsuccessful in getting the case transferred to Youth Court. Prosecutors had recommended the sentence but said Shaws age still presented them with a dilemma. What we are faced with is what do we do with a defendant who one, committed a crime as a teenager but two, that crime was very serious, Prosecutor Kelli Fivey told District Judge Robert Whelan before he imposed the sentence. She said Shaw stabbed the teenage male several times and had several previous run-ins with the law as a juvenile and interventions had done little. And there was phone video from another teen who saw the fight. It was a chilling video, Fivey said. The behaviors of the defendant in this case were callous and very aggressive and but for the grace of God, the victim in this case is still alive. Shaw read a brief written statement and apologized for his actions before Whelan sentenced him to 10 years in DOC custody with five years suspended. He added another five years for using a weapon but it runs concurrent with the years suspended. Whelan is recommending the DOC place Shaw in the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility near Miles City until he turns 18, which is soon, then transfer him to an adult program at the same facility. Mr. Shaw, Im hoping youve turned a corner, Whelan said, adding that Shaw had taken steps while in custody to do that. I hope you continue down the right path, the judge said. Obviously youll have some time to work on that while at Pine Hills. I hope this time works because obviously next time you will be an adult and this type of sentence will not be available to you. Fivey said the victim, when at the hospital being treated for the stab wounds, said he forgave Shaw because he did not want to die with hate in his heart. But neither the victim nor his family attended Thursdays sentencing hearing. According to prosecutors, a friend of the victim told police Shaw had previously beaten up one of their other friends so the victim was going to the Civic Center to fight Shaw one on one. Others showed up to watch. At least three witnesses told police after the fight started, Shaw started stabbing the victim. One person said that started after the victim took Shaw to the ground. Another said as the two exchanged punches, someone in the crowd tossed in a knife and Shaw grabbed it and started stabbing. That witness said the victim was stabbed several times and kept fighting, according to a charging document. At some point he was stabbed in the stomach, headed toward a friends pickup, got in the truck bed and was taken to St. James Healthcare. Shaw was arrested and was held at the Cascade County Regional Youth Center. His attorney tried to have his case transferred to Youth Court but Whelan ruled against that last November. Among other things, Whelan said Shaw had a significant history in Youth Court already for crimes. Given the nature of the crime, the defendants history of offenses and failed rehabilitation attempts, the Court concludes that the interests of community protection would not be served by transferring this case to Youth Court, Whelan wrote then. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A judge sentenced a Butte woman to three years in custody of the Montana Department of Corrections on Thursday for her sixth conviction of driving under the influence. District Judge Kurt Krueger also agreed to recommend that 49-year-old Amanda Sue Green be sent to the WATCH program, even though she had been through the DOC program for repeat drunken drivers before. When he asked her what was different this time, she said she was taking her actions seriously. Krueger agreed to a plea deal in the case but denied her request Thursday that she be given 24 hours to get her affairs in order before taken into custody. According to prosecutors, Green was pulled over on July 21, 2021 for driving without headlights or taillights on and not responding when an officer flashed her brights. She told the officer she had three Black Velvet and Coke drinks and smoked a small amount of marijuana. A breathalyzer showed her blood-alcohol content at 0.143 percent. A person is considered drunk at 0.08. Green had five prior DUI convictions, including one in the past 10 years. Love 1 Funny 14 Wow 4 Sad 12 Angry 33 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.